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Committee advances five mayoral board and commission nominees, postpones nepotism bill
Summary
The committee voted to forward five mayoral nominations for county commissions to the full council with favorable recommendations and postponed Bill 21 (nepotism code changes) to the call of the chair for further review by the Board of Ethics.
The Hawaii County Committee on Government Operations and External Affairs on Feb. 4 moved multiple mayoral appointments to the full council with favorable recommendations and delayed action on a proposed update to the county's nepotism rules.
Motions to close file on Communications 101 through 105 and forward the nominees to full council carried by voice or roll-call votes during the meeting. The committee also postponed Bill 21, which would amend Chapter 2, Article 15 of the Hawaii County Code to align nepotism provisions with HRS §84-13.2, to the call of the chair pending further guidance from the Board of Ethics.
Nominations advanced to the full council with favorable recommendations included: - Wendy Sue Botello, nominated to the Police Commission representing District 2 (Communication 101). The nomination was introduced by the mayor's office; Council member Kirkowitz moved to close file and forward with a favorable recommendation, seconded by Council member Eustace. The committee recorded the motion as carried (9-0 at the time reported).
- Lloyd K. Enriquez, nominated to the Police Commission representing District 4 (Communication 102). The motion to close file and forward with a favorable recommendation was made by Council member Kirkowitz and seconded by Council member Inaba; the motion carried as announced by the clerk.
- Jonelle Fukushima, nominated to the Windward Planning Commission representing South Hilo (Communication 103). The motion to send a favorable recommendation was moved by Council member Kirkowitz and seconded by Council member Inaba; committee members exchanged questions with the nominee on community development plans, shoreline access and short-term vacation rentals before forwarding the nomination.
- Leslie H. Hanano, nominated to the Fire Commission representing District 9 (Communication 104). The nomination was moved by Council member Kimball and seconded by Council member Galimba; colleagues praised Hanano's long-standing community ties and retail-operations leadership.
- Jean M. Nakashima, nominated to the Liquor Commission representing District 6 (Communication 105). The motion by Council member Inaba, seconded by Council member Onishi, carried; the nominee is a retired Hawaii Fire Department prevention inspector and former fire commission member.
On Bill 21 (nepotism code amendments), Council member Kimball moved, with a second by Council member Galimba, to postpone the matter to the call of the chair so the Board of Ethics could provide additional guidance on language such as the definition of "immediate family." The clerk recorded the vote as 8 ayes with Council member Villegas excused at that point in the meeting.
A full roll-call confirmation by the council remains necessary for all nominees. The committee record will be transmitted to the full council with the committee's recommendations.
