Yoshimoto: No Official Complaint on Kenoi Filed

No official complaint has been filed with the County of Hawai’i Board of Ethics regarding Mayor Billy Kenoi’s county-issued credit card spending, according to Board of Ethics attorney J Yoshimoto.

Big Island media outlet West Hawai’i Today reported Tuesday that a complaint was filed on Monday by Kapaau resident Lanric Hyland. According to the report, the complaint is against Kenoi and County Finance Director Deanna Sako. WHT’s report states, “Hyland charges that Kenoi violated the county ethics code provision prohibiting county officials and employees from using their official positions ‘to secure special privileges, consideration, treatment or exemption to themselves or any person beyond which is available to every other person.’”

A copy of the complaint was unavailable to Big Island Now despite attempts to retrieve it. Yoshimoto said should the complaint be filed, a copy would be made available to the public.

The five-person board, which is comprised of County residents appointed by the Mayor on staggered five-year terms, serves to “interpret the County’s Code of Ethics for officers, employees, and the public; receive and initiate complaints; conduct hearings on violations, and render opinions,” according to the County’s website.

Despite no formal complaint currently filed, Yoshimoto said that the potential for one to be submitted is still open.

Yoshimoto is a former County Councilman and Council Chairperson.