HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-12-03 Police Commission MinutesHAWAII COUNTY POLICE COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION MINUTES
DECEMBER 3, 2008
DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR CONTROL, HILO
INVOCATION
Commissioner Kaoiwi gave an invocation.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Lassiter called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Pudding Lassiter, Chair Also Present
Tom Whittemore, Vice Chair
Richard J. Behenna, Commissioner
Louis Kaoiwi, Commissioner
Karolyn P. Lundkvist, Commissioner
Melvin S. Morimoto, Commissioner
Anita Politano Steckel, Commissioner
Absent: Michael B. Sumja, Commissioner
A quorum was present.
Lincoln S. Ashida, Corporation Counsel
Josie Pelayo, Secretary
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Vice Chair Whittemore moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Kaoiwi seconded
the motion, and it carried unanimously.
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS
ANDREA TISCHLER, Hilo Coordinator for American's for Safe Access (of marijuana)
stated that she was there for the patients. The new chief needs to be more responsive.
She asked the commission to select the best candidate who will abide by the lowest
enforcement of marijuana.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
• Correspondence 08 -24, request for legal representation by Officer Kelly Moniz in
CV08- 00331. Corporation Counsel Ashida stated that the commission
deliberated on this request at the previous meeting but failed to take a vote. His
office recommends approval. Commissioner Kaowi moved to approve the
request for legal counsel. Commissioner Morimoto seconded the motion, and it
carried unanimously.
• Annual Performance Evaluation of Police Chief Lawrence K. Mahuna. Chair
Lassiter stated that they need to discuss this in executive session.
Corporation Counsel Ashida explained that they have scheduled two interviews,
and they most likely won't come out of executive session until after 8:30 p.m.
Hawaii County Police Commission
Regular Session Minutes
December 3, 2008
Page 2
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Vice Chair Whittemore moved to meet in executive session to consider the hire of an
employee where consideration of matters affecting privacy would be involved and to
consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the commission's
powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities pursuant to HRS 92 -5 (a) (2), (4) and
Hawaii County Charter Section 13 -20 (b). Commissioner Politano Steckel seconded the
motion, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 5:25 p.m.
Regular session reconvened at 9:21 a.m.
SELECTION OF CHIEF OF POLICE
Corporation Counsel Ashida welcomed the public back after an executive session meeting.
He explained that the commission advertised for the position of Chief of Police state -wide
in both the West Hawai' i Today and Hawai' i Tribune Herald, and they also paid for internet
advertising. They did receive an application from New York State. The process that the
commission followed was done to attract the maximum number of candidates possible.
After interviewing the candidates, the commission decided to continue on and vote for the
Chief of Police. He explained that each commissioner would be given a voting slip with his
or her name and the name of the two candidates. They will mark their selection. This
would allow the member to vote privately and according to his or her conscience. Ms.
Pelayo would then read out each member's selection.
Ms. Pelayo called out each member's selection, and it was unanimous for Harry Kubojiri as
Chief of Police.
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - None
ANNOUNCEMENTS — None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
SUBMITTED:
JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY
APPROVED:
PUDDING LASSITER, CHAIR