MEDIA RELEASE

Mayor Billy Kenoi has submitted his package of proposed reforms to the Hawai’i County Code of Ethics to the Hawaii County Council, including a proposal that would ban county employees from contracting with county departments. Another proposal in the package would tighten certain restrictions on lobbying County boards and agencies.

Mayor Kenoi submitted the same package of proposals to the Hawaii County Board of Ethics last September. After reviewing the package, the Board of Ethics returned it to the administration on February 10 with comments and a number of suggested revisions.

“We appreciate the careful review that the Board of Ethics gave to these proposals, and the time that they invested in listening to public testimony, debating the merits of the proposals and commenting on the package,” Mayor Kenoi said. “I have carefully reviewed their input, and I expect the County Council will also study the Board of Ethics’ comments and suggestions when the Council considers this matter.”

“I continue to support our ethics reforms as originally written because I believe they offer the best opportunity to boost public confidence in government,” Mayor Kenoi said. “I believe the public has certain expectations for County employees, and I believe those expectations are best represented in our original package of proposals. I look forward to working collaboratively with the County Council to adopt these proposals as law.”

Copies of the complete submittal to the Board of Ethics are available on this Web site, through the Office of the Mayor or though the Office of the Corporation Counsel.