State Attorney General Doug Chin confirmed Tuesday that he is investigating Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi’s use of his county-issued credit card.
“In discussions with the county prosecutor and Hawaii County Police Chief (Harry) Kubojiri, we have concluded an independent investigation may guard against an appearance of conflict under these circumstances,” Chin said in a statement.
The attorney general, newly appointed by Gov. David Ige, had told West Hawaii Today last week that he would be investigating but was awaiting a letter from County Prosecutor Mitch Roth, asking him to take the reins. He said he and Roth had discussed the issue earlier during a chance meeting at the Capitol.
Kenoi has been keeping his official schedule since being thrust into the media spotlight following a West Hawaii Today investigation that he regularly used his county credit card, known as a pCard, for personal purchases. Although he regularly and fairly promptly reimbursed the county, personal use of the card is prohibited under county purchasing policy.
According to records, Kenoi had used his card to pay bar tabs, for a surfboard, a bicycle, clothing and luggage, in addition to official uses. The mayor has since canceled his card, apologized and paid back an additional $7,500 for charges dating back to 2009.
Kenoi did not return telephone calls by press time Tuesday, but sent a statement through an aide.
“I respect the decision by the Department of the Attorney General, and will cooperate fully as the process unfolds. I remain committed to the people of Hawaii Island and to my responsibilities as mayor,” Kenoi said in the statement. “I deeply regret the pain that this investigation will cause to my family and to the fine people of our community. I do not anticipate making further public statements regarding this matter. Thank you.”
Roth had said it would be difficult for the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate, even though he is an independently elected official. He does sit in on Cabinet meetings with the mayor, he said, and the mayor’s administration does set original budgets that are then voted on by the County Council.
“While we do not believe that either the mayor or the fiscal department would use a review of the mayor’s pCard use by our department as a factor in determining our budget, it does create the appearance of a conflict which people have already brought up,” Roth said in his April 6 letter to Chin.
Roth isn’t the only county official bowing out of the high-profile case.
Former County Councilman J Yoshimoto, who now serves as deputy corporation counsel advising the Board of Ethics, will step back during a planned May 13 board meeting on a resident’s complaint filed against Kenoi and Finance Director Deanna Sako. Instead, Maui County Deputy Corporation Counsel Gary Murai is expected to handle the case.