HomeMy WebLinkAbout 11/15/2013 Special Council Minutes SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 15, 2013
The Special Council Meeting of the Council of the County of Kaua`i was called
to order by the Council Chair Jay Furfaro at the Council Chambers, 4396 Rice
Street, Room 201, Lihu'e, Kaua`i, on Friday, November 15, 2013 at 9:11 a.m., after
which the following members answered the call of the roll:
Honorable Tim Bynum
Honorable Gary L. Hooser
Honorable Ross Kagawa
Honorable Mel Rapozo
Honorable JoAnn A. Yukimura
Honorable Jay Furfaro
PUBLIC COMMENT.
Pursuant to Council Rule 13(e), members of the public shall be allowed a total of
eighteen (18) minutes on a first come, first served basis to speak on any agenda
item. Each speaker shall be limited to three (3) minutes at the discretion of the
Chair to discuss the agenda item and shall not be allowed additional time to speak
during the meeting. This rule is designed to accommodate those who cannot be
present throughout the meeting to speak when the agenda items are heard. After
the conclusion of the eighteen (18) minutes, other members of the public shall be
allowed to speak pursuant to Council Rule 12(e).
Chair Furfaro: On that note, for the public, there is a section
in our Rules that allows for public comment of up to six (6) people for no more than
three (3) minutes each. You would need to sign up for that time. Do we have
individuals that have signed up?
RICKY WATANABE, County Clerk: None, Chair.
Chair Furfaro: Is there anyone that would like to speak
under this section? Well, then I am going to ask first that while you think about it,
I am going to ask first if I may be given approval of the agenda.
There being no one to give testimony at this time, the meeting proceeded as
follows:
APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
Mr. Bynum moved for approval of the agenda as circulated, seconded by
Ms. Yukimura, and unanimously carried.
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 2 NOVEMBER 15, 2013
FORMATION OF THE COUNCIL'S CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE.
Chair Furfaro: I will be formulating as Chair, a Credentials
Committee that will review the referenced applicants for the appointee to the
vacant Council seat. Accordingly in our protocol, I will appoint Mr. Bynum as
Finance & Economic Development (Tourism / Visitor Industry / Small Business
Development / Sports & Recreation Development / Other Economic Development
Areas) Committee Chair and Mr. Rapozo as the Vice Chair of the Committee of the
Whole, along with myself. We in fact, will be reviewing the credentials and I will be
calling for a voice vote if there are no objections to the appointments that I have just
made. Are there any objections to the appointments I just made for the Credentials
Committee? No?
Council Chair Jay Furfaro, Councilmember Tim Bynum, and Councilmember
Mel Rapozo were unanimously selected to form the Council's Credentials
Committee.
Chair Furfaro: The appointment of the new Councilmember.
What I am about to share with you I have cleared through the Office of Information
Practices (OIP). We have eighteen (18) applicants and because we have eighteen
(18) applicants, they are applicants and not nominees until we actually go into
Executive Session and discuss who will actually be confirmed as nominees by the
six (6) Councilmembers. We will then come out after that process and we will
reference those that received nominations as nominees and we will list them
publicly for discussion on the open floor. It will be required that the
Councilmembers that nominated those individuals in fact declare that they were
the nominator and it is on the information when we come out of Executive Session.
I am also going to appoint Peter Morimoto and Scott K. Sato as our official Tellers.
That is the term OIP told us that we had to use. Are there any problems from any
members who wants to raise any concerns on the two (2) Tellers that I am
appointing?
Peter Morimoto and Scott K. Sato were unanimously selected to be the
Tellers.
Chair Furfaro: At that point, I am going to ask again, before
we go in, is there anyone that wants to speak now on your three (3) minutes? I have
KipuKai Kuali`i. Come right up. You have the floor.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
KIPUKAI KUALI`I: Aloha kakahiaka Chair and
Councilmembers. It is my honor to be before you today. I come before you
requesting your consideration for my appointment as the successor to the vacant
unexpired term on the Kaua`i County Council. I understand that my service, should
I be appointed, would start immediately and continue until early December 2014.
The first thing I want to say is I am very excited and happy for former Vice Chair
Nakamura who is now with the Administration and I wish her the very best. I
sincerely hope that you will determine that I am your best choice for filling this
vacancy and here are some of the reasons I ask you to please consider. First, I
served honorably and well as a Councilmember from April 2011 through
December 2012. I was the eighth place vote-getter in both the 2012 and 2010
elections and the ninth place vote-getter in the 2008 election, my first election.
With that, I have demonstrated strong and lasting support from the voters of Kaua`i
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 3 NOVEMBER 15, 2013
and Ni`ihau. Third, it is precedence that the last three (3) times a vacancy has
occurred, the Council appointed the next person in line according to the results of
the immediate prior election. Such an appointment would again validate and honor
the people's choice in their very participation in the electoral process of which we
need to encourage more; more participation that is. Fourth, I have over twenty (20)
years' experience in government, labor, and non-profit administration and that has
equipped me to be a well-rounded individual with the various strengths and skills
in all areas of civic life and community service. Fifth, during the past three (3)
Council elections as well as my time on the Council, I have demonstrated fully my
dedication to service, my understanding of the issues, and my wide range of
abilities. I have also demonstrated that I will work hard and collaboratively to
make a difference for our people and our islands. Sixth, over the years I have
developed strong working relationships with many political and community leaders
all across our island. Seventh, and final, I am wholeheartedly committed to serving
the people of Kaua`i and Ni`ihau in whatever capacity for many, many years to
come. In closing, on behalf of myself, my family, friends, supporters, and all of the
Kaua`i voters and citizens, I thank you for your consideration and I humbly ask for
your support. It would indeed be an honor to serve again at your side and with you,
Councilmember Hooser and Councilmember Kagawa for the first time. Thank you
so much. Mahalo nui loa.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Again, is there anyone else that
would take time? Again, by OIP, we do not disclose who the applicants are of the
eighteen (18) at this point. We are only required to disclose those that are
nominated. Is there anyone else in the audience that wants to speak and use this
time now?
There being no further testimony, the meeting was called back to order, and
proceeded as follows:
Chair Furfaro: Now, what I would like to do is I think we
should actually — did we read item (F)?
APPOINTMENT OF COUNCILMEMBER:
Pursuant to Section 3.05 of the Kaua`i County Charter, the purpose of this
Special Council Meeting is to appoint a successor for a vacant unexpired term on
the Kaua`i County Council to serve until December 1, 2014.
Chair Furfaro: On that note members, it has been my
practice to do a roll call vote to move into Executive Session on this item.
Mr. Kagawa: Chair.
Chair Furfaro: Yes?
Mr. Kagawa: Before we call for that vote, I just would hope
that we could work in a way that is as quick as possible as we go in there. We have
great candidates here, but I would not want them to wait here all day. I am hoping
that we can get in. I think we have our minds pretty set as far as who we can
support at this point. We have a great list of candidates and I think there are really
no losers. Thank you.
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 4 NOVEMBER 15, 2013
Chair Furfaro: Thank you for that comment. I would hope,
before I ask the County Attorney to speak on that item of going into Executive
Session, I would hope that we would be back out on the floor by 10:30 a.m. County
Attorney.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
AMY I. ESAKI, First Deputy County Attorney: Amy Esaki from
the County Attorney's Office. I am going to read for ES-686.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
ES-686 Pursuant to Hawai`i Revised Statutes Sections 92-4 and
92-5(a)(2), and Kaua`i County Charter section 3.07(E), the Office of the County
Attorney, on behalf of the Council, requests an Executive Session to consider the
hire of a councilmember (appointment of a successor with the required
qualifications) to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term of former Councilmember
Nadine K. Nakamura, where consideration of matters affecting privacy will be
involved, and related matters; provided that if the individual concerned requests an
open meeting, an open meeting shall be held.
There being no objections, the meeting was called back to order, and
proceeded as follows:
Chair Furfaro: I do not yet have a motion to go into
Executive Session to review the applicants. May I have one?
Ms. Yukimura moved to convene into Executive Session for ES-686, seconded
by Mr. Bynum, and carried by the following vote:
FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION: Bynum, Hooser, Kagawa, Rapozo,
Yukimura, Furfaro TOTAL — 6,
AGAINST EXECUTIVE SESSION: None TOTAL — 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL — 0,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL — 0.
Mr. Watanabe: Six (6) ayes.
Chair Furfaro: Members, we are going to move into Executive
Session. We are going to secure the Chambers during that period. Again, I hope we
will be out on the floor again by 10:30 a.m. We are going to review all of the
applicants. Thank you.
There being no objections, the Council recessed at 9:22 a.m.
There being no objections, the meeting was called back to order at 12:23 p.m.,
and proceeded as follows:
Chair Furfaro: Aloha everyone. We are now back to the
open session as we now move forward to select a new member to replace Nadine
Nakamura. The process will indicate that we will take floor nomination and each
ballot on the floor nomination will also reflect the name of the Councilmember as we
move forward. Peter Morimoto and Scott K. Sato will serve as our Tellers and
retrieve the ballots going forward. If those nominations that are made in public
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 5 NOVEMBER 15, 2013
receive four (4) votes, then that nominee will be the new Councilmember. It is
possible, with only six (6) members, that this Council could end up in a tie. In
checking in with the County Attorney on that process because if in fact there is a
tie, then by the Charter the selection is then taken away from the Council and it
goes to the Mayor. So, that is the process that we have right now. Madame Clerk,
should I open up the floor for nominations at this time?
Ms. Fountain-Tanigawa: Yes, please.
Mr. Rapozo: Mr. Chair?
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Rapozo.
Mr. Rapozo nominated KipuKai Kuali`i to fill the Council vacancy.
Chair Furfaro: In a nomination process within the Robert's
Rules, there is no need to actually have a second. A nomination is a nomination.
The floor is still open for nominations.
Ms. Yukimura nominated Mason K. Chock, Sr. to fill the Council vacancy.
Chair Furfaro: Are there any further nominations? I want
to say that because of the number of applicants, we had eighteen (18), and more so
the number of quality applicants we had, for me was very impressive. I am coming
very close to my ending of my time on the Council by term limit, so it is really
gratifying to see the fact that we had so many people express interest going
forward. To all of the applicants, I just want to say thank you very much now that
the nominations in the open are closed. I am going to ask at this point...go ahead
JoAnn.
Ms. Yukimura: Do we need a formal vote to close?
Chair Furfaro: Yes, I am going to do that. I am going to ask
that we call a vote and I want to do it by roll call please to close the nominations.
We have a motion and a second to close the nominations. May I have a roll call vote
to close the nominations?
Ms. Yukimura moved to close the nominations, seconded by Mr. Bynum, and
carried by the following vote:
FOR CLOSURE: Bynum, Hooser, Kagawa, Rapozo,
Yukimura, Furfaro TOTAL — 6,
AGAINST CLOSURE: None TOTAL — 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— 0,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— 0.
Chair Furfaro: We have six (6); one (1) silent (Mr. Kagawa)
going with the majority. On that note, I am going to ask the members to take their
nomination forms that have been passed out by the Teller. Yes, JoAnn.
Ms. Yukimura: Point of inquiry. Do we want to open for
testimony or is it not part of the procedure?
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 6 NOVEMBER 15, 2013
Chair Furfaro: I will say this again. I opened the meeting
with public testimony.
Ms. Yukimura: Right.
Chair Furfaro: We had one (1) individual that chose to give
testimony.
Ms. Yukimura: Right.
Chair Furfaro: The meeting was posted and approved for
9:00 a.m.
Ms. Yukimura: I am just wondering if once now that the
nominees are officially named, whether we are required to have open testimony.
Are we? I do not know.
Chair Furfaro: I guess that is an option of the Chair right
now and I guess I would say since the public knows we have two (2) nominations, if
you would like to choose to give more testimony, I will take it at this time up to
three (3) minutes. I also want to remind my colleagues that at 1:00 p.m. I am
booked at the Ethics Commission.
Ms. Yukimura: I just want to make sure we are procedurally
correct, that is all.
Chair Furfaro: Well, I think that is one of the things I want
to do too. But I think procedurally I did offer open time now, but if you would like
and we know who are the two (2) nominees are, is there anyone that would want to
speak? Again, I will open it a second time. Come right up. Use the three (3)
minutes timer please. I do want to make sure that you know that we only two (2)
names for nomination, so if you can make note that your testimony should be
directed at those two (2) nominations now that they are public.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
SOL KAHN: Okay, great. My name is Sol Kahn and I just
wanted to show my support for an applicant for the position, Mason Chock. I have
known about all of the fantastic work that he has done over the years especially
with Leadership Kaua`i and the thousands of teens and more that he has helped
improved their lives and teach them leadership skills. I do not know anything
about KipuKai. I would speak about him if I knew more about him, but
unfortunately I do not. I just want to show my support for Mr. Chock and I support
him.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you very much.
There being no further testimony, the meeting was called back to order, and
proceeded as follows:
Chair Furfaro: Members, if you could fill out your ballots.
Yes?
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 7 NOVEMBER 15, 2013
Ms. Yukimura: Before we vote, I would like to say a few
words. This has been a week of suspenseful moments including right now, I know.
I just want to express, like the Chair, my delight at the number of excellent
candidates who applied. There were many who are serving the community in so
many ways already and your willingness to put your name forward to serve again in
another way is really a wonderful thing. I do remember times where there was a
terrible scarcity of people who were willing to put their names up for a Council
position. So, it is a blessing and unfortunately there is only one (1) seat and so we
had to really pare down and go through a number, eighteen (18), to get to the two
(2) that are before us. I want to say that there is a lot of criteria we could use for
selecting, one of them being someone who has actually ran for office and served in
office because we, around the table, know what the experience is like and how it is
not only kind of a litmus test, but it is also really good education to run for office
and go islandwide and talk to people and understand that issues. But if elections
were the only criteria, then the Charter would have said, "If there is a vacancy, pick
the next candidate in line" and it did not say that. It provided for this process of
application, vetting, and decision-making. So, there are other criteria that we
looked at. I personally, and I believe my colleagues on the floor would love to have
another woman especially since Nadine Nakamura has left this Council and was
such a contributing force in our discussions. We would love to have better regional
representation, and we would like to have some young people or some diversity of
age as well as ethnicity. So, there is just a lot of things that we had to look at. It
does come down to, for me anyway, who can make the best decisions for the common
good and for me, those are issues of how to be able to listen deeply, how to work
with colleagues, how to communicate honestly and lovingly, the courage to make
tough decisions, and who is in touch with the community and who do they know. I
just want you to know that these were some of the things that we all looked at and
many of you met many of the criteria. But again, it is down to one (1) person. We
are looking at the two (2) who rose to the top for nominations for a variety of
reasons and so I just want to honor the process, honor all of you who applied, and
honor the two (2) who are here now before us.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Anyone else would like to speak
at this time? Mr. Rapozo and then Mr. Hooser.
Mr. Rapozo: Thank you, Mr. Chair. First of all, I want to
thank all of the people that submitted their applications and their resumes and took
that time to reach out to us and speak to us. Unfortunately, as Councilmember
Yukimura said, we had to go through a process and just two (2) names ended up
being nominatable I guess if you could say that, and that is the two (2) names we
have on the floor today. I know both of the candidates or the applicants or the
nominees and I think JoAnn mentioned a lot of the qualities that she looks for. For
me, I think as we approach a very difficult budget season, we are looking at the
issues that are facing this County, more specifically the fiscal issues chasing several
million dollars, possibly ten million dollars ($10,000,000). Looking at the two (2)
candidates or nominees, I have to put my support with Mr. Kuali`i simply because of
his experience here on the Council. He was, in my opinion, a great Councilmember
and a very — the ability to learn really quick and what I would say "hit the ground
running," his involvement in the community, and his involvement on this Council
while he was here as a Board of Director for our National Association of Counties
(NACo). I will say that as the President of the State Association, all I got from the
National Association was high accolades that KipuKai actually brought the aloha
spirit to the National board and was able to get a lot of things accomplished. Now,
Mr. Chock, I have dealt with Mr. Chock in the past and I really like Mr. Chock as
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 8 NOVEMBER 15, 2013
well. But we are like the Board of Directors that has to hire the right person for the
job and experience obviously, in my opinion, is very, very important especially going
into some very tough times. In addition to that, I have received numerous
testimonies from the public both written and oral that in fact Mr. KipuKai Kuali`i
should receive the appointment. In addition to that, he was number eight (8) in the
election and I know Councilmember Yukimura mentioned that that should not be
the gauge. Well, I think in my opinion, it should play a very high role in the
selection process because the people said, "Mr. Kuali`i, we want you to be there."
The last two (2) times that I have participated in this exercise, we have selected
number eight (8). The Charter does not say that, but that is our discretion.
Councilmember Yukimura is correct, that is our discretion. But as we move into
some very, very difficult times, I believe that we need to bring someone on this team
that can walk right in, step right into a budget that is going to be very difficult. If
all of you followed this Council I think in the last few years, you cannot deny the
fact that Mr. Kuali`i and his attention to detail, his meticulous nature, the ability to
go through that budget line by line and find some areas that needs improvement
was second to none in my opinion. He was the rookie, but he taught me a lot as far
as the budget and now is the time we need that type of leadership, that type of
experience, and that type of knowledge. Mr. Kuali`i and I do not agree on
everything, we do not, but that is not what this is about. This is not about picking
somebody that is going to be an ally one hundred percent (100%) of the time. It is
picking someone that is going to be an asset to this team in the best interest of the
County of Kaua`i. I am hoping that we can secure the necessary votes for
Mr. Kuali`i. To Mr. Chock, I am not sure if you are here, very electable person, I
believe, and I would highly recommend that Mr. Chock consider running for office
at the next election. Thank you very much.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you, Mr. Rapozo. Mr. Hooser, you
have the floor and then Mr. Kagawa.
Mr. Hooser: Thank you, Chair. I mainly want to speak to
all of you that put your name out there and you are all leaders and I know so many
of you personally. I just want to encourage you to keep your leadership focus and it
is just hard. This is one of the hardest things. It is a small community. We all
know many of you if not all of you personally. We know your mothers, your
grandmothers, and your children and it is just really, really hard. There are so
many good candidates. But I for one would like to see all of you run for office. I
think more competition is great. I think that is one problem with our democracy, is
that not enough people run and we have State offices that run uncontested. I think
this last Council race there were only nine (9) or so. There should have been fifteen
(15) or twenty (20) and it is a wonderful experience, it is a very fulfilling thing to do
the work, and running for office is just fabulous. I want to encourage all of you to
really consider doing that and I would be happy to meet with any of you and share
with you whatever I can if you want to move forward in that. I have to run, we
have all got to run, but I think you add to the richness of our community or to the
quality of every candidate when there is more competition. I just admire all of you
for coming out. The process is such that we have to deal with the Attorneys who
give us this — we cannot release all of the names and there is privacy and all that
kind of things. So, the process leaves a little bit to be desired I think in terms of the
community knowing and then protecting the process. But the process says what the
process says and both Mr. Chock and Mr. Kuali`i are exceptional people to be
nominated and I would be proud to serve with either one of them. They both bring
different things to the table and some similar things to the table. So, the good news
for the Council is that it is a win-win situation, that I think either one of you could
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 9 NOVEMBER 15, 2013
serve us well and serve our community well. I thank both of you for putting it out
there and all of the candidates. Thank you all very much. Thank you, Chair.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you, Mr. Hooser. Mr. Kagawa, you
have the floor next.
Mr. Kagawa: Thank you, Chair. First and foremost, as
Councilmembers-elected officials, we are public servants and the people vote for
who they want in office. I am casting my vote for KipuKai Kuali`i. He ran in the
last election, put his blood, sweat, tears, and money into it. He has the experience
having previously served on the Council, he had shown to me and approximately
twelve thousand (12,000) voters the kind of platform and diversity that deserves his
place on this body with the opening created by Councilmember Nakamura's
vacancy. I have the utmost respect for Mason Chock. His persona, his family; I had
the wonderful opportunity of getting to know his son through Driver's Education
and what a wonderful son and person his son is and it is a reflection of his parents.
Mason will be a wonderful addition to the Council, however, it is my hope that
Councilmembers will support KipuKai as public servants knowing that the public
has chosen KipuKai to be the first alternate. Moving forward, I think we have two
(2) great candidates and this Council will be successful going forward. Thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Excuse me, Mr. Hooser wanted to go back.
Mr. Hooser: Thank you, Chair. I have criticized others in
the past for not declaring their intent and unnecessary drama. So, I want to be
clear that I will be supporting Mr. Chock today. Thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Bynum.
Mr. Bynum: Wow, what a week it has been and it is not
over. Through all of these days, there is this part of me that is just so excited about
democracy on Kauai about this groundswell of engagement and involvement. We
came up with a list of outstanding people, the vast majority of which I could easily
support and would be honored to serve with. But we have to make a choice and a
decision. Thank you all that applied. Thank you all that I have learned from all of
you and I do believe that we are in a win-win situation today and that is great. But
I do intend to cast my vote for Mason.
Chair Furfaro: JoAnn, did you want to speak?
Ms. Yukimura: Yes. As the nominator of Mason Chock, I
just want to say a few words about him. Mason is a really quick presence and calm
presence. He is an expert in leadership and his greatest integrity about being an
expert in leadership is how he demonstrates in everything that he does. Sol has
talked about Mason's work with young people in leadership training and in the
public school systems. A big part of his leadership is about Hawaiian cultural
values and his work at the Ala Koko Fishpond with community there is quite
exemplary. His respect for all people and his deep thoughtfulness is what will
cause me to cast my vote for Mason. I want to acknowledge KipuKai who has been
a colleague for a very, very long time. In fact, when he was a young student I think
he came out and supported me; something I have been deeply grateful for. I
recognize his leadership qualities as well and I think it is just one (1) year until the
next election and there will be electoral choice at that time. Hopefully there will be
a lot of good candidates because we need people sitting at this table of really high
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 10 NOVEMBER 15, 2013
quality and I just want you to know that there are — because I have had discussions
with some of you, there is a need for good leadership not only on the County
Council. So, there are opportunities. Some of you are already in .Kaua`i Island
Utility Cooperative (KIUC), there is Planning Commission, there is Boards and
Commissions that desperately need good leadership, and there are non-profits.
Some of you are already doing that. Wherever you are or may be in the future, that
is what is making Kaua`i strong. We have seen so much leadership in these past
few days on Bill No. 2491, Draft 2 and that is why we are a very exceptional island.
I think we have a lot to do yet.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Would anyone like to speak a
second time? No? I guess it is my turn and it looks like we have a 2:3 vote at the
Council here. I have to say that the chemistry of this Council is one that we all
have working relationships and it is very, very important that that chemistry exists
in this legislative body. I guess being the one that will indicate whether this
decision in a 3:3 vote then goes to the Mayor for him to select the replacement
concerns me. It concerns me because I want to make sure the decision is made at
this table. I have a really good relationship with KipuKai and obviously we have
served before. I know he is contemplating running. I know I will be there to help
him, but I cannot end today's session with a 3:3 deadlock with the vote going to the
Mayor. Now, Mr. Chock, for those of you that do not know him, I am sixty-five (65)
years old. I know his dad really well. In fact, I used to be his dad's boss and we are
very good friends. I am also the founding Director for Leadership Kaua`i and I
know the qualities that he has with the skills that he has developed there. Then I
weigh that against all of the things that KipuKai would bring to the table. His
service to our community with his work at the Young Men's Christian Association
(YMCA), his commitment in Hawaiian community, and sense of place. I guess it is
a decision that comes with being the leader of the group and I want to say I want
the decisions for the replacement of Nadine to be a decision that came from this
Council. Because of that, KipuKai, I want you to know my comments about helping
you next time around are real and I have plenty aloha for you. But from a
leadership standpoint, I am going to be casting my vote for Mr. Mason Chock.
Please, please. I sincerely want to say to all of the applicants how much I
appreciate it. When I first ran for Council in 2000, we had twenty-two (22)
applicants for the Council race. By the time we got to 2006, we had fourteen (14).
As Mr. Hooser had mentioned, nine (9) the last election. We have to continue to
stimulate people stepping forward to run for public service in our County and I
think going through this process with the eighteen (18) applicants that we have
certainly indicate that we could have a lot of candidates next time around. Sir, I
know you understand my message here, but I believe we need to cast our votes now.
Could the two (2) Tellers tally the votes and then announce the outcome please?
Please read the ballots names from the various Councilmembers. Go right ahead
Madame Clerk.
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 11 NOVEMBER 15, 2013
The motion to approve the nomination of Mason K. Chock, Sr. or KipuKai
Kuali`i for the Council vacancy was then put by ballot, certified by the
Tellers, and verified with the following vote:
FOR Mason K. Chock, Sr.: Bynum, Hooser, Yukimura, Furfaro TOTAL— 4,
FOR KipuKai Kuali`i: Kagawa, Rapozo TOTAL— 2.
Ms. Fountain-Tanigawa: A total of four (4) votes for Mr. Chock and
two (2) for Mr. Kuali`i.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you. That is the official tally. Please
enter it into our journal. Again, I want to say to everyone here, thank you for
participating. Please stay close to public service. It is important. We have one (1)
closing comment. I am just going to make that announcement; people are getting a
hold of me. Mr. Ricky Watanabe, we have to arrange for a swearing in. Do we have
an estimated time? What was the message?
Ms. Fountain-Tanigawa: Within the hour.
Chair Furfaro: So, you are doing the credential piece and
that is...in fifteen (15) minutes we can do this. Mr. Kuali`i, please come up.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
Mr. Kuali`i: Mr. Chair and Council, I just wanted to say
thank you and I really want to congratulate Mason Chock, our newest
Councilmember. I know he will do a great job and I want to support him and you
any way I can. I want to say thank you to my supporters and my family and I will
see you on the campaign trail. Keep up the good work.
Chair Furfaro: On behalf of the entire Council, I want to
thank you sir. Thank you very much. Mr. Chock, could we have Mr. Chock up?
MASON K. CHOCK, SR.: Aloha mai kakou. I just wanted to say how
deeply honored I am to be amongst mentors across the table who have voted on my
behalf and also peers who have come out. It is just an honor to see the amount of
response that we have had in the community to support this process, to support
Kaua`i, and I hope that it is an indication that we are moving in the positive
direction. I am looking forward to serving in the best capacity. What you can
expect from me is my consistency of my values, my beliefs, and to work together;
and that means everyone, towards a brighter future for Kaua`i.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you very much and congratulations. I
want to let you know that we will, in the Chambers here if the press would like to
stay, we will actually do the swearing in today because we have a Council Meeting
tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.
Mr. Chock: Let me clear my schedule.
Chair Furfaro: Okay.
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 12 NOVEMBER 15, 2013
There being no objections, the meeting was called back to order, and
proceeded as follows:
Chair Furfaro: BC, if I can indulge with you. I would like to
take a recess. I would like to record the swearing in. I am very sorry. I am due at
the Ethics Committee at 1:00 p.m., so I may not be present but I would like to get it
recorded. We will adjourn the meeting, but recess the camera people. Please, stay
around. Thank you everyone.
ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:59 p.m.
Resp:ct submitted,
111Li
JA W. FOUNTAIN-TANIGAWA
Depu y County Clerk
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