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KAILUA-KONA >> Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim’s administration has changed a policy regarding the use of taxpayer dollars by county officials to purchase alcohol. The move comes more than a month after former Mayor Billy Kenoi was acquitted of theft charges in a case that centered on whether his spending of hundreds of dollars on alcohol was a legitimate government expense.
The new policy implemented Monday makes it more difficult for officials to get approval for alcohol-related purchases. A request for approval must list how the county will benefit from purchasing the alcohol and be signed by the director of the requesting department, director of finance and Kim, West Hawaii Today reported.
“We feel that this is something that needed to be addressed,” said Managing Director Wil Okabe. “It starts at the top.”
Both the new and old policies prohibit the purchase of alcohol by county employees for consumption at restaurants and conferences. However, the old policy, instituted in 1999, had given the mayor and council chairman free rein to sign off on their own purchases.
During Kenoi’s tenure, the former mayor had used his county-issued credit card to cover personal expenses, including nearly $900 at a Honolulu hostess bar. His attorney had argued during trial that Kenoi bought alcohol at various events to show his appreciation for people and build relationships.
Kenoi was found not guilty on Nov. 1 of four charges of theft for purchases including whiskey, beer and other items for official business and one charge of making a false statement under oath.
One exemption under the new policy allows alcohol purchases by the county police department for training that is required for a formal written or instructional program.
“Aside from the police training, this will be a blanket prohibition on the purchase of alcohol,” Kim said.
seems like a no brainer. It should never have been allowed. Kenoi was a shibai artist. I am glad Kim and integrity have returned to the Big Island.
Totally agree Allie!
There you go. Kim already moving in the right direction. If employees don’t adhere fire them.
He should have thrown in prostitution as well LOL. I guess Kim is clueless about Sherridan Street. Enquiring minds still want to know if BeeeLeee received happy endings while hanging out there…
What is supposed to be a common sense policy was certainly abused by Kenoi. How could people in his admin. condone his idiotic actions and how could Kenoi justify purchasing alcohol using the govt. credit card. Mayor Kim has once again brought back integrity into the county govt. Unfortunately, i wish he was widely known because he would certainly be a most respectable Gov. ……..certainly couldn’t be worse than the politicians we have elected on this island. Oh, well, we get who we voted for…nobody to blame but ourselves………..
The question is why those rules were not already in place?
totally agree. But Kenoi is done politically. His dishonest act was fully exposed.
Can’t use “Common Sense & Elected Bureaucrat” in the same sentence, total oxymoron.
How can you tell when an elected bureaucrat is telling lies? Easy. Their hands and mouth are moving.
yup
What about the other Counties? Honolulu; Maui and Kauai?
Hopefully, they already have these policies in place. NOW, enforce them!
hugs her wise Gonegolfin
Sad to say Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim’s administration has not gone far enough. There is no reason what so ever any county employee/elected bureaucrat should be authorized to purchase alcohol on the taxpayer’s dime. No reason at all.
That fact Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim’s administration is still allowing it, with “reservations” shows why he is a bureaucrat and not a leader. Three steps forward, four steps backwards.
Just another day in the little 10th world of Hawaii Nei.