A Big Island jury found Mayor Billy Kenoi not guilty on all counts today on his alleged misuse of his county issued purchasing card. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.
Wayne Yoshioka is an award-winning journalist who has worked in television, print and radio in Hawaiʻi. He also has been on both sides of politics as a state departmental appointee and political/government reporter. He covered Hurricane Iwa (1982) as a TV reporter; was the State Department of Defense/Civil Defense spokesperson for Hurricane Iniki (1992); and, commanded a public affairs detachment in Afghanistan (2006). He has a master's degree in Communication from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and is a decorated combat veteran (Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and 22 other commendation/service medals). He resides in Honolulu.
Retired Judge Karen Radius, Judge Dyan Medeiros, and Probation Officer and Program Coordinator Valerie Lazo spoke with The Conversation's Catherine Cruz about Hawaiʻi Girls Court.
First Circuit Judge Matt Viola and Specialty Courts Administrator Greg Uwono highlight the programs in place to help get to the root problem of why people often end up in court.