Man’s allegation of favoritism deemed ‘pretty easy to dismiss’

The Hawaii County Board of Ethics on Wednesday dismissed a complaint alleging political favoritism against Mayor Billy Kenoi because his former campaign manager Kimo Ala­meda was appointed to head the county’s Office of Aging, a position that pays $110,000 to oversee a dozen employees.

Kapaau resident Lanric Hyland petitioned the board April 6.

Hyland alleged Ala­meda lacked the experience for the executive director position and that the appointment amounted to political favoritism.

Ethics Board member Doug­lass Adams said the petition said Ala­meda did not meet the qualifications for supervisory experience.

"That turned out not to be the case," he said. "It was pretty easy to dismiss that."