County Councilwoman Loses P-Card Privileges

Hawai’i County Mayor Billy Kenoi is not the only county official to have his county-issued credit card spending questioned in recent weeks.

Documents obtained by Big Island Now show that Margaret Wille, a County Councilwoman serving North and South Kohala in District 9, made unauthorized purchases on her purchasing card. According to County Clerk Stewart Maeda, Wille had her p-card revoked on March 20.

Charges that were flagged include an unauthorized extra night’s stay at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach hotel on Oct. 16, 2013, which cost $146.30. On Nov. 20, 2013, Wille made another unauthorized extra night’s stay at the same hotel. Both charges were reimbursed on June 19, 2014.

On Sept. 18, 2014, Wille made another unauthorized stay, this time at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, bringing a charge of $158.78. That was paid back on Jan. 12 of this year.

Other charges that Wille reimbursed to the county include a room upgrade at the Ala Moana Hotel, which cost $22.81. That was paid back on April 15, 2013 as part of a $406.09 total payment. A $6.25 bottle of water at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel also was flagged as inappropriate. That happened on Feb. 20, 2014 and was also reimbursed on June 19, 2014.

Maeda says that no other current councilmembers have faced p-card issues.