2024-08-28 Merit Appeals Board Minutes

Home

Merit Appeals Board August 28, 2024 CHR. CABANAS: So, Mr. Hong, you have said "no" that you don't have any statements or concerns at this time, is that correct? MR. HONG: That's correct. CHR. CABANAS: Okay, thank you. Mr. Lee? MR. LEE: This might be a good time to bring this to the Board's attention. I did notify Mr. Hong, a witness identified as Darlene Akamine—she is a relation of mine—our mothers are cousins. We consider ourselves "cousins." We don't believe that presents a conflict and I've disclosed such to the other side. CHR. CABANAS: Thank you, Mr. Lee, for the disclosure. Since we are on the topic of disclosures, as I mentioned before at a previous—our previous meeting that—yes, I have worked with Mr. Hong when he worked for the Office of the Corporation Counsel. And I do know Darlene because when I was working at the Human Resources Department, Darlene performed HR work, on behalf of the department that she was with. So, I do know Darlene in that capacity. So, it's important that we fully disclose any relationship to avoid any appearance of conflict or impropriety. So, I appreciate your disclosure. Thank you very much. MS. BOND: (Inaudible.) CHR. CABANAS: Are there other—yes, thank you, Ms. Bond. So, there are other persons appearing—is it via Zoom? I see Mayor's Executive Assistant—is that correct? Hello, Pomai. (At this time, Ms. Pomaikai Bartolome, Executive Assistant III, Office of the Mayor, appeared via Zoom.) MS. BARTOLOME: Hi, aloha. CHR. CABANAS: Aloha. Okay, so you'll be sitting in on the hearing today, is that correct? MS. BARTOLOME: I'm here for about 10 -minutes. CHR. CABANAS: Oh, 10 -minutes. Okay. So, for the record, we have Pomai Bartolome, the Executive Assistant to Mayor Mitch Roth. And there is another person on the via Zoom? If you could identify yourself, for the record? Hello? No, I can't see the number from here, but it looks like—are they muted? FEMALE: I'm muted Page 9