2008-09-03 Board of Ethics Minutes Regular Session

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NAEOLE: - -I'm not too sure it was an office, but had a number on the bottom, that's how I knew where to call. NICHOLSON: Thank you. NAEOLE: You're welcome. CHAIR: Well, Ms. Naeole, you know, I don't want to discourage you from doing what you feel is right. But at the same time, like I said, people in positions of influence or whatnot are held to a higher standard of actions. And you yourself had just said that you contacted her outside of the public hearing in the course of your duties as a council woman, and Section 2 -83 of the Ethics Code specifically states that officers and employees of the County, while discharging their duties and dealing with the public, shall adhere to the following precepts. All persons shall be treated in a courteous, fair, and impartial manner. We can sit here all day and argue whether Ms. Nahoopii was too sensitive — obviously, there are a lot of people out there that take things in the wrong way than they're intended to, but also there is a level of tactfulness that is required by persons in your position, and it needs to be adhered to, and it needs to be respected. So as much as I don't want to discourage you from stating your feelings and doing what you feel is right and what is pono, my feeling is that you treated Ms. Nahoopii a little bit unfairly, and whether we like it or not, that's the way it is. And whether Mr. Yugawa was acting out of— whatever his motivation was —I respect the fact that he was looking out for his employee, and if she was offended and if she was oversensitive or whatnot is beside the point. He was just trying to protect her and doing what he feels is right. LUM: I'm ready to make a motion. CHAIR: Okay. L UM: I regret doing it, but I move that the Board of Ethics find Ms. Naeole violated the Hawai `i County Code of Ethics, Section 2- 83(a)(3), all persons shall be treated in a courteous, fair, and impartial manner, in that in her telephone message to Ms. Nahoopii on June 18, 2008, in the statement, "You sound very arrogant and pushy, " in that, was not treating Ms. Nahoopii courteously. CHAIR: Yes? LUM: I have more I could put in it. CHAIR: Well, Mary, could you read back the motion to us, if possible. LUM: I have it sort of like —do you want me to read it again? SECRETARY: I think I got it. I move that the Board of Ethics find Ms. Naeole violated the Hawai `i County Code, Section 2- 83(a)(3), all persons shall be treated in a courteous, fair, and impartial manner, in her telephone message to Ms. Nahoopii on June 18, in the statement, "You sound very arrogant and pushy, " that was not treating her courteously. 10