HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0044.070 2020-2022 PC.,
Ula Kaheo
Kailua-Kona, Hl ru
December 29, 2020
RE: Reject Nomination of Zendo Kern
Hawaii County Council
I have much respect for Mitch Roth but can't understand what he was thinking
nominating Zendo Kern to be Planning Director.
I humbly ask you to seriously consider rejecting the nomination due to Mr. Kerns
enormous CONFLICT OF INTEREST. There are many sections of the County Ethics Code
that Mr. Kern's appointment would be violating. Please read the Fair Treatment and
Conflict of Interests sections and you will see.
Mr. Kern hadlhas a business called Kern Et Associates at 194 Wiwoole Street in Hilo.
His sister, Katrina Kern [see definition of 'immediate family' in Ethics Code]
workedlworks there. Before his nomination Mr. Kerns business had about 100 active
applications in process in the Planning Department including appeals, violations,
subdivisions, etc. Once he was nominated his previous employees (sister included)
created Land Planning Hawaii LLC at 194 Wiwoole Street in Hilo and are representing
many of his former clients.
How will Mr. Kern make unbiased and fair decisions on these applications? Will the
Deputy Director have to make these decisions instead of Mr. Kern? Then why is
taxpayer money being paid for his $100,000+ year salary when he is only doing half
the work of a Planning Director?
Has Mr. Kern requested an informal opinion from the Board of Ethics? Or is he
waiting for somone to file an ethics complaint against him?Please have Mr. Kern
provide written verification that he has no financial interest in Land Planning Hawaii
LLC and remove any appearance of impropriety by requiring that Mr. Kern get an
informal opinion from the Board of Ethics BEFORE he is confirmed.
Ota Kaheo
Comm. No.
Ref. To:
Ref. Bate 3AN m 5 2021