Ethics complaint dismissed against county clerk

HILO, Hawaii (AP) — The Board of Ethics has unanimously dismissed a complaint against the Hawaii County clerk. 

 

West Hawaii Today reports that the complaint was filed by Tiffany Edwards Hunt, a reporter who runs a blog and monthly newspaper saying that Jamae Kawauchi had stonewalled her when she tried to get election results. 

 

Hunt based her complaint on the portion of the ethics code requiring public officials treat everyone in a "courteous, fair and impartial manner." 

 

Board member Arne Henricks, who is a retired judge, said the media and most people in public officer don't get along, and "that's the way it should be." 

 

Hawaii County is moving toward selecting a new county clerk. Kawauchi was in charge during the primary in August when 13 out of 40 polling places opened late.