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.
Speaking to The Conversation, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen shared his reaction to Green's decision about short-term rental moratoriums and reflected on his State of the County address on March 15, in which he outlined a path forward for a "heartbroken" community.
New technology at the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting could make the city’s building permit process much shorter. With the changes, the permitting process for residential projects could take as little as two weeks. Commercial projects are estimated to take no longer than six months. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.