HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-11 Board of Ethics Public Inspection Packet
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HAWAI‘I COUNTY BOARD OF ETHICS MINUTES – REGULAR SESSION Wednesday, January 14, 2026 10:01 a.m. – 1:36 p.m.
County Council Chambers Hawai‘i County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 Members and Staff Present: Lisa Fukumitsu, Chair Erick Allende, Vice Chair Rachel Short, Board Member David Bruno, Board Member
Kelly Valenzuela, Board Member Cameron Takamura, Deputy Corporation Counsel Khayla-Lei Peiler, Secretary 1. CALL TO ORDER (10:01 a.m.) Ms. Short called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. Present in chambers were Rachel Short, Lisa Fukumitsu, David Bruno, Erick Allende and Kelly Valenzuela. Also present was Deputy Corporation Counsel Cameron Takamura and Board Secretary Khayla-Lei Peiler.
Ms. Short: Good morning everyone I am your Chair Rachel Short and this is
the Board of Ethics meeting I am calling for January 14, 2026.
This meeting is being held here both in person here at our Hilo
Council Chambers as well as virtually using the Zoom platform.
I’d like to review some protocols with all of our zoom participants,
cameras must be turned on at all times during your hearing, one
person speaks at a time with no side conversations, please mute
your device when you’re not speaking to improve audio quality for
all. For Zoom participants please raise your hand and wait for
recognition by myself before speaking to ensure we make a clean
and clear record. Prior to speaking for Board members as well
please state your name so that all parties know who is speaking,
speak slowly, clearly and be close to the microphone. And at this
time if everyone would please limit distractions by turning off
mobile phones and other devices. As a general reminder for all
BOE members please state your name before speaking throughout
our hearing today. I’d like to now do introductions for our Board of
Ethics if we can go down the line and state our names. I’ll go first I
am your Chair Rachel Short.
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Ms. Fukumitsu: Good morning Vice Chair Fukumitsu.
Mr. Bruno: Good morning member, David Bruno.
Ms. Valenzuela: Good morning member Kelly Valenzuela.
Mr. Allende: And I’m Erick Allende, member.
Ms. Short: Thank you so much. And let’s also reflect the presence of Deputy
Corporation Counsel, as well as the attorney’s Secretary Khayla-
Lei.
2. PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS
Ms. Short: At this time we’ll take statements from the public on agenda items.
Public testifiers can testify now or just prior to the agenda item that
they wish to testify on. Cam or Khayla do we have any public
testifiers at this time? Ok no public testifiers at this time.
3. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR 2026
Ms. Short: Moving right along to agenda item number 3. The nomination and
election of the Chair and Vice Chair for 2026. For our Hawaii
County Board of Ethics. Would anyone like to make a nomination
for Chair or Vice Chair?
Mr. Takamura: Or if anybody would like to volunteer themselves to be nominated?
Mr. Bruno: Member Bruno, I would like to nominate Lisa Fukumitsu for
Chair.
Ms. Short: I’ll second that nomination. Is that enough to have a motion and
vote?
Mr. Takamura: Yeah. Any discussion?
Ms. Short: Any discussion to be had? Let’s take a vote…
Mr. Takamura: If you could just repeat the motion, the motion would be to elect
Lisa.
Mr. Bruno: Member Bruno, my motion is to elect Lisa Fukumitsu for Chair of
the Board of Ethics.
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Ms. Short: And I will second that motion. Any discussion to be had? Hearing
and seeing none. I’ll call for my final vote as Chair. All in favor of
Lisa being Chair please say aye.
*All members say aye in unison*
Ms. Short: Any opposition please say nay. Hearing and seeing none. Lisa is
the Chair of the Hawaii County Board of Ethics for 2026.
Motion and Vote: Board member Bruno moved to elect Lisa Fukumitsu as the 2026 Board
of Ethics Chair; Board Member Short seconded; All Members voted aye. Motion Passes.
(10:05 a.m.)
Ms. Short: Do we have a nomination for Vice Chair for 2026?
Mr. Allende: I’ll nominate myself.
Ms. Fukumitsu: Vice Chair Fukumitsu, I second.
Ms. Short: Any discussion to be had?
Ms. Fukumitsu: Board member Fukumitsu I move to elect Board Member Allende
as Vice Chair of the County of Hawaii Board of Ethics.
Ms. Short: I will second that motion. Any discussion to be had? Hearing and
seeing none. I’ll call for a vote. All in favor please say aye.
*All members say aye in unison*
Ms. Short: Any opposition please say nay. Hearing and seeing none. Erick
Allende is your Vice Chair of the Hawaii County Board of Ethics.
Motion and Vote: Chair Fukumitsu moved to elect Erick Allende as the 2026 Board of
Ethics Vice Chair; Board Member Short seconded; All Members voted aye. Motion Passes.
(10:06 a.m.)
4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES (10:06 a.m.) a. Approval of the regular session minutes of December 10, 2025
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Ms. Fukumitsu: Moving on to agenda item number 4 approval of the minutes. Has
everyone had a chance to review the regular session minutes of the
December 10, 2025 Meeting?
Ms. Short: Yes.
Ms. Fukumitsu: Ok so can I get a motion to approve the regular session minutes for
the December 10, 2025 meeting?
Mr. Bruno: Member Bruno I make a motion to accept the minutes from the
regular session minutes from the December 10 meeting.
Ms. Fukumitsu: Can I get a second?
Ms. Valenzuela: Kelly Valenzuela. I second.
Ms. Fukumitsu: Any discussion? Oh yes, sorry is there any public testimony
regarding the regular session minutes for the December 10, 2025
meeting? Ok all those in favor…
Mr. Takamura: Ok sorry I have an amendment. I’m going to propose an
amendment to the regular session minutes, so on page 3 for the
motion and vote section or part which is in bold… they should’ve
been separated so item 6a(i)(6) and 6a(i)(8) had slightly different
basis for why you guys went into executive session so I would
propose editing it to reflect that the motion and vote to go into
executive session for item 6a(i)(6) was pursuant to HRS 92-4, 92-
5a(2), and 92-5(a)(4). While item 6a(i)(8) was pursuant to HRS 92-
4, 92-5a(2), 92-5a(4) and 92-5a(6). And then the second proposed
edit would be on page 12 on line 3 it says section 2-5a(2) but
instead should say 92-5a(2). SO if you guys are ok with those edits
I would ask that somebody make a motion to instead approve the
minutes as amended.
Ms. Fukumitsu: Ok so I’m calling for a motion to approve the regular session
minutes as amended.
Mr. Takamura: Yup, if you guys are ok with the proposed amendments.
Ms. Short: Member Rachel Short. I will make a motion to approve the
minutes as amended.
Ms. Valenzuela: Kelly Valenzuela I seconded it.
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Ms. Fukumitsu: Any discussion? Or public testimony regarding the regular session
minutes? Ok, calling for the vote. All those in favor of approving
the regular session minutes for the December 10, 2025 meeting as
amended please say aye.
*All members say aye in unison*
Ms. Fukumitsu: All those opposed? Ok motion passes.
Motion and Vote: Board member Short moved to approve the Regular Session minutes of
December 10, 2025 as amended; Board Member Valenzuela seconded; All Members voted
aye. Motion Passes. (10:10 a.m.)
b. Approval of the executive session minutes of December 10, 2025
Ms. Fukumitsu: Continuing on to the executive session minutes, has everyone had a
chance to review the executive session minutes for the December
10 meeting? Ok, can I get a motion to approve the executive
session minutes for the December 10, 2025 meeting?
Ms. Short: Member Short. I make a motion to approve the executive session
minutes from December 10, 2025.
Mr. Bruno: Member Bruno. I second.
Ms. Fukumitsu: Ok, is there any discussion or public testimony regarding the
executive session minutes? All those in favor?
*All members say aye in unison*
Ms. Fukumitsu: Any opposed? Ok, may the record reflect that the executive session
minutes have been approved.
Motion and Vote: Board member Short moved to approve the Executive Session minutes of
December 10, 2025; Board Member Bruno seconded; All Members voted aye. Motion
Passes. (10:11 a.m.)
5. COMMUNICATIONS (10:11 a.m.) a. None
Ms. Fukumitsu: We are moving on to agenda item 5. Agenda item 5 there is no
items under communications so moving on to agenda item 6.
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6. OPEN PROCEEDINGS FOR INFORMAL ADVISORY OPINION PETITION(S)
a. New and Continued Review of Petitions:
None for open proceedings.
b. Consideration of Draft Informal Advisory Opinions:
None for open proceedings.
Ms. Fukumitsu: Moving on to agenda item 6, Open proceedings relating to
informal advisory opinions. So there’s no New and Continuing
review of petitions. No items. And also none for consideration of
draft informal advisory opinions.
6. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Ms. Fukumitsu: Ok agenda item 7a(i) the Board anticipates going into executive
session for the following petitions pursuant to HRS 92-4 and 92-
5(a)(2) to consider charges brought against a county officer or
employee as specified below and to consider matters affecting that
individuals privacy and pursuant to HRS section 92-5(a)(4) to
consult with the Boards attorney on the Boards powers, duties, and
liabilities. Petition 2025-17 former County employee petition for
informal advisory opinion alleging that a County officer violated
the Code of Ethics, other laws, and a collective bargaining
agreement. Petition 2025-19 County employee petition for
informal advisory opinion alleging that a County officer violated
the Code of Ethics and other laws. Petition 2025-25 Niles Huey, a
member of the public, petition for informal advisory opinion
alleging that a County employee violated the Code of Ethics in
issuing a notice of violation. Do I read this whole thing?
Mr. Takamura: No so this is your guys first item so it would be a motion to enter
into executive for item 7(a)(i) 1-3 for the purposes stated by Chair
Fukumitsu. So if you could call for a motion reciting that.
Ms. Fukumitsu: Can I get a motion to move into executive session to review
Petition 2025-17, 19 and 25 for the purposes as stated.
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Mr. Bruno: Member Bruno. I make a motion to go into executive session to
address the petitions under 7a(i) 1,2, and 3 for the purposes
previously stated.
Mr. Allende: Second it.
Ms. Fukumitsu: Any discussion on the motion? And is there any public testimony?
All those in favor of going into executive session please say aye.
*All members say aye in unison*
Ms. Fukumitsu: Any opposed? So motion passes and we are now in executive
session at 10:15am.
Motion and Vote: Board member Bruno moved to go into Executive Session for agenda
item 6(a)(i) 1, 2, and 3 pursuant to HRS Sections 92-4, 92-5a(2), and 92-5(a)(4); Board
Member Allende seconded; All Members voted aye. Motion Passes. (10:15 a.m.)
Board enters Executive Session (10:15 a.m.)
Board enters Open Session (12:24 p.m.)
Ms. Fukumitsu: Ok good afternoon Chair Fukumitsu it is 12:38 and we are in open
session, continuing with agenda item 7a 4, 5, and 6. The Board
anticipates going into executive session for the following petitions,
pursuant to HRS 92-4 and 92-5 a2 to consider whether the conduct
presented by a county employee may constitute a probable
violation of the Code of Ethics and may result in disciplinary
action and to consider matters affecting that individuals privacy
and pursuant to HRS 92-5 a4 to consult with the board’s attorney
on the Boards powers, duties, and liabilities. That would be
petition 2025-21, 2026-01, and 2026-02. And then can I get a
motion…
Mr. Takamura: Yup if you can ask to get a motion to enter into executive session
for the agenda items stated and for the purposes stated by the
Chair.
Ms. Fukumitsu: Do I have a motion?
Ms. Short: Member Short, I motion to move into executive session for the
reasons stated by DCC and the Chair.
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Mr. Takamura: And for the items listed.
Ms. Short: And for the items listed.
Ms. Fukumitsu: Can I get a second?
Mr. Allende: Vice Chair Erick Allende. I second.
Ms. Fukumitsu: Is there any public testimony or discussion? All those in favor?
*All members say aye in unison*
Ms. Fukumitsu: Any opposed? Ok motion passes and we are moving into executive
session at 12:40.
Motion and Vote: Board member Short moved to go into Executive Session pursuant to
HRS Sections 92-4, 92-5a(2), and 92-5(a)(4); Board Member Allende seconded; All
Members voted aye. Motion Passes. (12:40 p.m.)
Board enters Executive Session (12:40 p.m.)
Board enters Open Session (1:30 p.m.)
Ms. Short: Member Short, for the record I’m excusing myself at 1:30.
Member Short has to go.
Ms. Fukumitsu: We don’t have quorum. So can we just do this one more thing
while we open this? So I just forward the calling agenda item
7(a)(ii)(1) 2025-26. The informal advisory opinion I just need a
motion.
Ms. Short: Member Short I motion to approve the informal advisory opinion
for Petition 2025-26.
Mr. Allende: Vice Chair Erick Allende. Second.
Ms. Fukumitsu: Ok, any discussion? All those in favor
*All members say aye in unison*
Ms. Fukumitsu: Opposed? Ok motion passes ok I’ll sign.
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Motion and Vote: Board member Short moved to approve the draft informal advisory
opinion for Petition 2025-26; Board Member Allende seconded; All Members voted aye.
Motion Passes. (1:31 p.m.)
Ms. Fukumitsu: Ok for the record Board member Short needs to leave so we lost
quorum.
Mr. Takamura: Ok so we lost quorum so everything else will be continued to the
next agenda.
Ms. Fukumitsu: Ok so for the record we’re going to move all the remaining agenda
items to the next board meeting which is scheduled for February
11th, 2026 at the Hawaii County Building Council Chambers 25
Aupuni Street Hilo.
Mr. Takamura: Ok so even if we lose quorum I still got to do the executive session
report.
Ms. Fukumitsu: Ok so moving on yes DCC Takamura? Moving on to the executive
session report agenda item 8. Executive session report by the
Boards attorney pursuant to HRS 92-4b.
Mr. Takamura: Yeah so even though we lost quorum I still have to do the
executive session report. OK so the Board entered into executive
session for Agenda item 7a(i) 1, 2, and 3 pursuant to HRS 92-4,
92-5a(2) and 92-5a(4) for Petition 2025-17 the discussions held on
that item are not subject to disclosures as it would tend to defeat
the purpose of the executive session. The Board voted to reject the
Petition without prejudice pursuant to HCC 2-86 and BOE Rule
4.5. Petition 2025-19 the discussion held therein is not subject to
disclosure as disclosure would tend to defeat the purpose of the
executive session. The Board received in part and dismissed in part
the petition pursuant to HCC 2-86 and BOE Rule 4.5 and also
directed the Board staff to send the notice to the subject employee
or officer pursuant to HCC 2-86b (2). Petition 2025-25 the
discussion held therein is not subject to disclosure as it would tend
to defeat the purpose of the executive session. The Board voted to
stay receipt of the petition pending resolution of a parallel
proceeding in another entity. The Board also entered into executive
session for agenda item 7a(i) 4 through 6 pursuant to HRS 92-4,
92-5a2 and 92-5 a 4, for Petition 2025-21 the discussion held
therein is not subject to disclosure as disclosure would tend to
defeat the purpose of the executive session. The Board voted to
find no probable violation and an informal advisory opinion draft
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will be presented at the next meeting. For Petition 2026-01 the
discussion held therein is not subject to disclosure as disclosure
would tend to defeat the purpose of the executive session. The
Board found no probable violation pursuant to HCC 2-83b and 2-
91.4 and issued an interim ruling and the draft of the informal
advisory opinion will be provided at the next meeting. Petition
2026-02 the discussion held therein is not subject to disclosure as
disclosure would tend to defeat the purpose of the executive
session. The Board found no probable violation pursuant to HCC
2-83b and 2-91.4 and issued an interim ruling with the informal
advisory opinion draft to be provided at the next meeting. For item
7(a)(ii) the Board did not go into executive session and instead
voted in open session to approve the informal advisory opinion.
And the Board did not reach the rest of the items as we lost
quorum so nothing else to disclose.
Ms. Fukumitsu: Ok great so…meeting is adjourned. Mahalo!
Respectfully submitted:
Khayla-Lei, Secretary
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2026-04
From:Kaycie Saiki
To:Board of Ethics
Subject:Request for Clearance -- Kaycie"s Kitchen as a Supplier
Date:Friday, November 21, 2025 12:35:46 PM
Dear Members of the Board of Ethics,
I respectfully request the Board’s review and clearance for my private business, Kaycie’s
Kitchen, to supply selected food products on my personal time. I have been employed by theCounty for 21 years and seek to avoid any real or perceived conflicts of interest by obtaining
formal approval.
Kaycie’s Kitchen plans to offer a limited range of specialty food items, including liliko'i honeyjars, coconut butter, lihing and tajin gummy bears, prune mui, pickled onions, island dressings,
chili pepper water, spices, and other specialty products sourced from Hawai'i and Puerto Rico.These products are unique to our local community and sold primarily to family, friends, and
local customers.
Relevant details:- All business activities will be conducted on my own personal time and outside of county
work hours.- No county funds, facilities, or resources will be used for Kaycie’s Kitchen operations.
- I will not solicit county clients or use my county position to obtain business opportunities.- I will not process forms or invoices submitted by Kaycie's Kitchen.
- If the Board requires additional safeguards or conditions, I am prepared to comply.
I appreciate your consideration of this request. Please contact me at or if you need any further information or documentation.
Sincerely,
Kaycie Saiki