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MR. SAKATA: If anybody is going to run for political <br /> office, he knows that it is going to be an expensive venture. <br /> He has to foresee his finances, too. If he doesn ' t see all of <br /> these things and doesn 't have the finances, I don ' t think he <br /> should run in the first place if he is going to get tied up <br /> in a financial type situation. And, if he does run and he <br /> knows he is going to serve the county in any office, I think <br /> he should really foresee these things because after all, <br /> finances are important in running in an election. It is going <br /> to be an expensive kind of venture, but, still , I feel that if <br /> he does a good job the first time around, the second time it <br /> might be a little easier for him to really run for political <br /> office because the foundation is set. <br /> CHAIRMAN ISHIDA: One thing, I think, we should <br /> take into consideration when we determine years in terms of <br /> length of office, if we are talking about two year terms then <br /> I don ' t think we can even consider the issue of recall. In <br /> terms__of four years, then, possibly the recall provision then <br /> would become applicable. We don ' t have recall here in our <br /> present charter but some people did bring up the issue of <br /> recall. But it is not this committee' s kuleana. <br /> Kimiaki , do you have anything strong about the length <br /> of office? <br /> MR. SAKATA: I would certainly go on the four year <br /> term, too. I feel that if a person is not accoutable and has <br /> not done his job, I guess , the next time around, it is the <br /> electors responsibility to get him out. <br /> MR. OMONAKA: I 'm in favor of a four year term. <br /> MR. YAGONG: The same, four years. <br /> CHAIRMAN ISHIDA: The consensus seems to be four <br /> year terms. If we have four years, then do we consider <br /> staggered terms? Staggered terms would have to be determined <br /> depending upon the actual number of council positions we come <br /> up with. As far as whether it should be staggered, why don ' t <br /> we defer it until we determine the number of positions. <br /> How about '_vacancy"? The think the issue came up <br /> because of Kawahara' s experience_. The issue has been raised <br /> many times about vacancies but one of the problems is how <br /> do you define a vacancy. What would be considered a failure <br /> to discharge the duties of his office? <br /> MR. ODA: Not showing up for council meetings for <br /> three months, even if he is able to. Just refusing to perform <br /> his duties. <br /> CHAIRMAN ISHIDA: According to this definition of <br /> vacancy that you handed out, this is considered all permanent <br /> vacancies, <br /> -14- <br />