2007-03-09 Investigation Into Alleged Sunshine Law Violations

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Printer Friendly :: Page 2 of 2 Mayor Harry Kim said early in the meeting when all council members were present that if the project weren't approved that day, inflation would force Isemoto Contracting Co.,the firm slated to build the reload facility,to increase its cost by$186,000. Ashida said state law allows council members to hold such press conferences to voice their concerns on subjects such as leadership. During the Friday press conference, Naeole, Higa and Yoshimoto projected the blame for their premature departure the day before on Council Chairman Pete Hoffmann,who changed the meeting start time from the morning to afternoon more than a week before so he could attend a noon speech by Kim. Higa said during a Wednesday interview that he doesn't believe he,Yoshimoto or Naeole violated Sunshine laws because they spoke in generalities during the radio programs. "I don't think there was a Sunshine violation,"he said. "We were just rebutting some of the things(in West Hawaii Today)on Friday." Higa said neither he, Naeole nor Yoshimoto discussed bills presently under consideration by the council during the radio programs. Naeole,when telephoned Wednesday, hung up before any questions were asked about the radio programs.Seemingly still angered by the article that appeared in West Hawaii Today on Friday regarding the apparent political game played by east- side members that might have cost taxpayers$186,000, Naeole asked if this reporter"just got off the boat?" Naeole also indicated she was overcome by an"eerie feeling"when she saw this reporter's face for the first time and knew there was trouble on the horizon. Yoshimoto declined to comment Wednesday. As part of his investigation,Ashida plans to obtain recordings of the two radio programs. Chris Leonard,general manager of New West Broadcasting Corp.,which operates four area radio stations,including KPUA, said he would provide to the newspaper today a copy of the Monday morning show that featured the three council members. Stephanie Salazar, news director with KHBC,said the Tuesday morning program that was broadcast on her station wasn't recorded. Mel"Mynah Bird"Medeiros,the radio personality who interviewed Higa, Naeole and Yoshimoto Tuesday on KHBC,was unavailable for comment Wednesday. Ashida said if he is unable to obtain copies of the radio programs from the two stations, he is hopeful he can obtain copies from.residents who may have recorded them. Any resident who recorded the radio programs is encouraged to contact Ashida at 961-8251. Copyright©West Hawaii Today, 1997 - 2004 Stephens Media Group Privacy Statement Close Window [xj http://westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2007/03/01/local/loca102.prt 3/7/2007