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As this concerns a personal matter, Vice Chair Yoshiyama asked <br /> Mr. Takahashi whether he would like the matter discussed in an open meeting <br /> or closed meeting. Mr. Takahashi requested an open meeting. <br /> Vice Chair Yoshiyama noted that the Board was supposed to have <br /> completed an assessment of the job that the HR director had done in the <br /> calendar year, and the Board failed to do that. If there is any action the Board <br /> wants to take after hearing from Mr. Takahashi and guests, the Board can take <br /> up the matter then. <br /> Mayor Kenoi stated that he came by to 1) personally thank the Merit <br /> Appeals Board who performs a public service to the community. He appreciates <br /> what the members of the Board do and wanted to individually honor the <br /> members, who sometimes handle very complex matters. 2) They have been <br /> engaged in very complex collective bargaining negotiations with multiple <br /> employee representatives, as well as other employer groups, even counties and <br /> the State, and having Ron Takahashi as their Director of Human Resources is an <br /> incredible asset. He feels comfortable and confident that Hawaii County's <br /> interests are protected: 1) that the interests of Hawaii County's employees are <br /> protected; and 2) the interests of the community are protected. That is well <br /> served by Mr. Takahashi's leadership. <br /> Mayor Kenoi also praised Mr. Takahashi's choice for his deputy, <br /> Ms. Sharon Toriano, whom he stated is an incredible asset in a myriad of ways <br /> to the administration, to County government, and to the community. <br /> Mr. Takahashi not only has Mayor Kenoi's trust— complete, unequivocal <br /> trust— to make good decisions for this County, but he has the respect of <br /> everybody else in the State; and as everyone knows, people determine one's <br /> integrity by their word, that they're saying what they mean and that they mean <br /> what they say. Mr. Takahashi has served that role. <br /> As a leader, the goal is to get good information so that you can make <br /> good decisions. Mr. Takahashi is on point in giving factual information to the <br /> Mayor. Other jurisdictions respect Mr. Takahashi's positions as well, which the <br /> Mayor takes as the highest compliment. <br /> As they continue to move forward, the Mayor knows they'll have their <br /> challenges on the issues they collectively face, but he couldn't ask for a better <br /> human resources director, and he wanted to put that on the record. The Mayor <br /> 2 <br />