Campaign fine against Awana sought

State Rep. Karen Awana, who has been fined three times in recent years for campaign finance violations, is facing another fine for not properly disclosing campaign fundraising and expenses.

State Campaign Spending Commission staff members have brought a complaint against Awana for filing false or inaccurate disclosure reports, untimely deposits of campaign contributions and failure to keep campaign-finance records. The staff has recommended that the commission assess an $8,590 fine against Awana, the highest penalty she has faced.

The commission is set to review the complaint at its meeting Wednesday.

Commission staff discovered the most recent irregularities after examining the Awana campaign’s bank records, which were subpoenaed after the campaign bounced a check to pay off a previous fine.

Gary Kam, the commission’s attorney, said Awana has not adequately justified campaign checks written to herself and to cash, including money spent on meals and treats. Campaigns are allowed to spend contribution money on food and beverages related to campaign operations, but not for the personal expenses of candidates.

"What’s really troubling to me is she was just fined for these very violations," Kam said.

Awana (D, Kalaeloa-Ko Olina-Maili) did not respond to messages left with her and her staff seeking comment. She reported raising $22,532 for her re-election campaign last year. At the end of June her campaign had $18,477 in cash on hand.

The commission has previously issued fines of $400, $6,800 and $1,900 against Awana for campaign finance violations.

Late Friday, House Speaker Joseph Souki announced Awana had resigned her post as majority floor leader.

"I appreciate all that Rep. Awana has done for the House, and after much consideration I have accepted her resignation so that she may focus on rectifying her situation," Souki said in a release. "It is my hope that we can move ahead so that we may name her chair of the newly created Committee on Culture and the Arts & International Affairs in the upcoming legislative session."