2025-01-15 Megan Isaac - Laserfiche WebLink

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Under Article I, Section 1 of the Hawaii State Constitution, "all political power of this State is inherent in the people." The Public Trust Doctrine further mandates that gov- ernment decisions must be made transparently and in alignment with the public's inter- ests. Every public official has an obligation to uphold these principles. Mayor Mitch Roth, in assuming office, took an oath to "support and defend the Con- stitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Hawaii." This oath binds him to exercise his authority with transparency, accountability, and fidelity to pub- lic interest. The evidence presented herein raises significant questions about whether Roth upheld these duties. Specifically, public statements made on August 24, 2023, about the importance of community involvement in the General Plan may have misrep- resented the true extent of external influence already shaping the plan (See Section D). While Frecia Cevallos, as Deputy Director of the Department of Research and Devel- opment, may not have taken a formal oath of office, this does not exempt her from ac- countability under the law. If she knowingly concealed material facts—such as agree- ments or commitments related to ICLEI's SMART Cities initiative—this constitutes a se- rious violation of public trust. Public officials are bound by their duty to act lawfully, transparently, and in good faith. The potential concealment of such agreements prior to or during the August 24 meeting demands scrutiny, as any deliberate deception un- dermines the integrity of government operations. This affidavit will demonstrate that: • Official denials regarding SMART Cities during the August 24 meeting were in- consistent with subsequent revelations (See Section B). • Public consultation on the General Plan was portrayed as open and community- driven, while external agreements influencing the plan remained undisclosed (See Section D). • The County's participation in ICLEI's programs aligns with SMART City objec- tives, raising questions about undisclosed commitments (See Section F). These actions suggest a pattern of intentional obfuscation that compromised the transparency of the General Plan 2045 process and eroded public trust. The cumulative impact of these breaches calls into question the legitimacy of the plan itself. Both May- or Roth and Frecia Cevallos must be held to account—Roth for his constitutional oath and Cevallos for her duty to uphold the law and act in the public's best interest. Given the gravity of these concerns, this affidavit seeks the release of all records related to the County's partnerships and agreements and calls for an independent investiga- tion into the decision-making processes behind the General Plan 2045. These actions are essential to restore public trust and ensure accountability.