Laserfiche WebLink
you cannot go talk to Paki about it, because that becomes a serial communication. But that's a <br />great question. We're talking about just you eleven, are subject to the Sunshine Law. Good <br />question. Mr. Chair, can I just recognize Ms. Osborne? <br />MS. OSBORNE: Are these sessions videotaped? <br />MR. ASHIDA: I don't know. <br />MR. HOOKANO: No, they are not. They are being audio taped. <br />MS. OSBORNE: Would we have access then to review them if we wanted to refresh our <br />memory on something? <br />MR. HOOKANO: I am Levi Hookano. The reason why we are having the microphones turned <br />on is so that we get the audio recording, because later on, Karen will be doing a verbatim <br />transcript of the minutes for all of you to review. <br />MR. ASHIDA: Any other questions or comments? That's the main thing on the Sunshine Law. <br />I would ask Levi if there's any thing in particular on Sunshine you thought appropriate for me to <br />discuss at this time? <br />MR. HOOKANO: The interaction of the members. <br />MR. ASHIDA: Okay, the interaction of the members. Any other comments or questions? <br />Okay, good. I want to just push on a little bit to the Code of Ethics. Like I said, we do also train <br />on our Hawaii County Code of Ethics. Today forward, once you took the Oath from Mayor <br />Kenoi, you are considered County officers. There's a difference between County employees and <br />County officers. The basic difference is that officers are elected or appointed. So, like you, me, <br />Levi, Kenny Goodenow, we are County officers. Despite the fact that you are essentially just <br />citizen volunteers, because you are considered County officers, you are subject to the Hawaii <br />County Code of Ethics. There's some very detailed and specific rules and requirements <br />concerning the conduct of County officers and employees. Again, within this short timeframe, I <br />cannot do justice to it, to provide you an exhaustive overview of those items which I think are <br />pertinent and germane. <br />However, I think the best way to sum it up is this. There's one provision in the Hawaii County <br />Code of Ethics which is not contained in the State Code of Ethics or any other Code of Ethics in <br />our state. And that is the requirement that when dealing with members of the public, all County <br />employees and officers shall treat them in a fair, impartial and courteous manner. What that <br />means, like I tell my daughter, is be nice to everybody all of the time. I don't want to sound <br />crass about this but I'll just throw it on the table, cards face up, from this day forward, you <br />represent the County. You are a Mayoral appointee which has been confirmed by the Council. <br />Everything you say, do, or what have you, reflects upon Mayor Kenoi and this Council and this <br />County. That's the main message I wanted to get out. There's all sorts of provisions regarding <br />conflict of interest, entering into contracts, but I think the time limitations, we're not able to <br />cover that adequately. <br />9 <br />