Laserfiche WebLink
Merit Appeals Board <br />January 30, 2025 <br />CHR. CABANAS: Good morning. And seated in the back is Assistant Fire Chief Darwin <br />OkinawaOkinaka—from the Hawaii Fire Department. Good morning, Darwin. <br />MR. OKINAKA: Good morning. <br />9:00 A.M.: HEARING RE COMMUNICATION NO. 24-14 (Continued) <br />Communication No. 24-14, Received On September 12, 2024, From Ted H. S. Hong, <br />Esquire, On Behalf Of Appellant, Appealing The Following Action By The County Of <br />Hawai`i's Fire Department: Recruitment And Examination; And <br />Communication No. 24-14.01, Received On October 28, 2024, From Appellant, Regarding <br />Appellant's Supplemental Exhibit "3" In Support Of Appellant's Appeal To The Merit <br />Appeals Board Submitted On September 12, 2024; Exhibits "3"; And <br />Communication No. 24-14.02, Received On October 29, 2024, From Appellee, Regarding <br />Appellee's Statement Of No Opposition To The Jurisdiction Of The Merit Appeals Board <br />To Hear This Appeal; And <br />Communication No. 24-14-03, Received On December 12, 2024, From Ted H. S. Hong, <br />Esquire, On Behalf Of The Appellant, Regarding Appellant's Witness List; And <br />Communication No. 24-14.04, Received On December 12, 2024, From Ted H. S. Hong, <br />Esquire, On Behalf Of The Appellant, Regarding Appellant's Exhibit List; And <br />Communication No. 24-14.05, Received On December 12, 2024, From Appellee, Regarding <br />Appellee's Witness List; And <br />Communication No. 24-14.06, Received On December 12, 2024, From Appellee, Regarding <br />Appellee's Exhibit List; Exhibits "A" — "D"; and <br />Communication No. 24-14.07, Received On January 23, 2025, From Ted H. S. Hong, <br />Esquire, On Behalf Of The Appellant, Regarding Appellant's Memorandum Of Law <br />Concerning Recruitment (Executive Session: The Merit Appeals Board Anticipates <br />Convening One Or More Executive Meetings Regarding The Above Matter, Pursuant To <br />HRS Sections 92-4, 92-5(a)(2) And 92-5(a)(4), For The Purpose Of Evaluating An Officer <br />Or Employee Of The County Of Hawaii, Where The Consideration Of Matters Affecting <br />Privacy Will Be Involved And Consulting With The Board's Attorney On Questions And <br />Issues Pertaining To The Board's Powers, Duties, Privileges, Immunities, And Liabilities. <br />A 2/3 Vote Of The Members Present Pursuant To HRS Section 92-4 Is Necessary To Hold <br />An Executive Meeting) <br />CHR. CABANAS: So, this morning, we are continuing our hearing that we started from January <br />16, 2025. The Deputy Attorney General, Jim Halvorson, will be participating via Zoom. Both <br />parties are present and introductions were made. <br />This hearing is on the appeal filed by Mr. Jonah Kaye. The issue in this case has been identified <br />as: Did the Employer, the Fire Department of the County of Hawaii, violate any statutes, <br />regulations, rules, or personnel policies regarding the following actions —Recruitment and <br />Examination. And if the answer to the above is "yes" then what remedy can be awarded by the <br />Merit Appeals Board. <br />Page 3 <br />