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i <br /> i <br /> Hawaii County Council-25 November 3, 2015 <br /> MR. PALEKA: One more, I guess. This could be a suggestion. Can we continue <br /> trying to seek filling that position for a workman's comp individual? And, while <br /> we're having these contracted attorneys, they can work together. I think it would <br /> help the attorney that if we do hire one. In the long term,we would be more <br /> feasible for us, especially if they—if we can keep that individual long term. <br /> MS. KAMAKA: While the position is there, right now it's unfunded. You know, <br /> the position has to be in Corp Counsel. Attorneys have to be housed at Corp <br /> Counsel organizationally. Right now, it's not funded. <br /> MR. PALEKA: It's not funded? <br /> MS. KAMAKA: It's not funded. I mean, for obvious reasons. I don't foresee it <br /> getting.filled between now and the end of next year. I don't foresee that. <br /> MR. PALEKA: I'm just looking at the long term. I mean, if we can get a handle <br /> of these cases,instead of them you know having to— <br /> MS. KAMAKA: I would think we'd have a better opportunity, probably at the <br /> top of 2017, to recruit a work comp attorney, because it's an appointed position. <br /> MR. PALEKA: It's an appointed position? <br /> MS. STEBBINS: My position is appointed by the Mayor, and all the deputies are <br /> appointed, so we're co-terminus with the Mayor's term. <br /> MR. PALEKA: But the Corporation Counsel position that you had mentioned, <br /> that's a staff attorney? That's not a appointed position, is it? <br /> MS. STEBBINS: The Deputy who was handling workers' compensation, she was <br /> housed within the Health and Safety Division,but she came under <br /> organizationally, she came under Corp Counsel. She was a Deputy Corporation <br /> Counsel. <br /> MR. PALEKA: Okay. <br /> CHR. KANUHA: Ms. Wille. <br /> MS. WIL.LE: I have some problem with how old so many of these cases are. I <br /> mean, I know when I did some workers' comp, it was the employer, it's always <br /> how to keep it going longer, and year after year. And you look at all these people <br /> on pro se. Again, I know that we're trying to protect the County and save money, <br /> but at the same time, we need to look at it,us as a Council,both sides. And I was <br /> always—felt up against the—it getting extended and year after year—and then <br /> Page 78 <br />