Hawaiʻi – Corruption Affects Us All
When two top office holders in Hawaiʻi, former Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English and former State Rep. Ty Cullen (both Democrats) pled guilty in February, their convictions did not affect just them, it impacted every one of us.
The acceptance of bribes by the pair is an affront to the men and women of Hawaiʻi who work,pay taxes, and expect their state officials to obey the very laws that they are sworn to pass and uphold.
More recently, former Honolulu prosecuting attorney, Keith Mitsuyoshi Kaneshiro, was indicted last month on conspiracy to commit fraud and is currently on paid leave. To make this matter worse, his indictment came on the heels of the conviction of former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his wife Katherine, who was a former deputy prosecutor.
What was the legislature’s response to this crime? They decided to require training for office holders within “90 days of taking office and at least once every four years thereafter” and other minor measures “designed, supervised and conducted” by the Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission. When we have a one-party state, perhaps we cannot expect a major check on the system by the very system that nominates them. This is simply a dodge for holding people accountable.
Vote for Gary Cordery for Governor 2022
Gary Cordery is a servant leader. Hawai’i needs a governor who is willing to fight for the people: someone who honors others first, pursues the truth, and protects the liberty of all.