Oahu Judge to Preside Over Kenoi Case

Billy Kenoi, mug shot. Hawai’i Police Department.

A circuit court judge from Oahu will hear the upcoming trial of Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi.

First Circuit Court Judge Dexter D. Del Rosario has been assigned to the court proceedings by Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, according to court documents filed Tuesday afternoon.

Del Rosario’s assignment comes as a number of Big Island judges recused themselves from hearing the case. Circuit Court judges Greg Nakamura, Glenn Hara, and Ronald Ibarra disqualified themselves from hearing the case in certificates filed to the court on July 31. Additionally, Hilo District Court judge Harry Freitas, Hilo Family Court judges Lloyd Van De Car and Henry Nakamoto, Kona Circuit Judge Melvin Fujino, and Kona District Judge Margaret Masunaga filed paperwork to recuse themselves on the same date.

“This assignment shall be effective immediately upon the filing of this order and shall expire upon completion of all matters related to the aforementioned case,” Chief Justice Recktenwald said in his decision.

Kenoi’s jury trial is scheduled to begin on July 18. He is facing eight criminal counts, including two counts of second-degree theft, two counts of third-degree theft, three counts of tampering with government records, and one count of false swearing.

Kenoi entered a plea of not guilty on March 30.