Staffing woes fuel more scrutiny of Hawaii County elections office
Hawaii County Clerk Jamae Kawauchi says there’s a misperception of mishaps by her elections division, which has been under scrutiny in the 2 1⁄2 weeks leading up to Saturday’s primary election.
The latest media attention comes after two employees, reportedly the acting election administrator and another elections staffer, are out sick until after the primary election, and a temporary worker quit Wednesday.
Kawauchi said she cannot comment on personnel matters, but can say two people are not at their desks and two temporary positions that were open Wednesday were filled Thursday by Altres Staffing.
"I can’t comment, and because of that it makes me sound evasive, but there are many reasons why a person may not be at the workplace," she said.
In recent weeks, Kawauchi has also been criticized for shutting down the elections offices on two days and changing procedure for absentee voting.
County Councilman Dennis Onishi said, "I’m more worried. Before Wednesday we had only three staff that had been involved in elections before. Now you not going have experienced people there.
"I’m just worried that the elections on the Big Island — I don’t know how open and fair. People might make mistakes or give misinformation."
Kawauchi said Onishi has never communicated to her any of his concerns, and instead goes to the state Elections Office.
Kawauchi said elections division workers have worked hard, sometimes seven days a week, to prepare for the primary, including an audit of the voter registry to ensure voters are assigned to the correct precinct and district, especially because of redistricting and reapportionment.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Police ID victims in 2 crashes
Hawaii County police identified on Thursday two men who died last week in separate traffic accidents.
Steven T. Coss, 25, of Hilo died July 29 of injuries from a one-vehicle crash July 23 on South Point Road.
Police said Coss was driving a 2001 Mercury sedan north on South Point Road when the car ran off the right side of the road, hit a utility pole and rolled several times about 5.5 miles south of Kamaoa Road.
He was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle.
The man who died Aug. 2 of injuries from a one-vehicle crash in Kau was identified as Clint A. Corfman, 39, of Kurtistown.
Police said Corfman was driving south on Highway 11 when his 1987 Ford sedan ran off the left side of the road and overturned between the 48- and 49-mile markers.
Firefighting facility unveiled
Federal and state officials held a dedication ceremony Thursday for a new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting station at Lanai Airport.
The $6.4 million facility has two truck bays, a trailer bay, a fueling area, office space, three dorm rooms and a workout area.
The federal government contributed $5.6 million of the project’s cost. The state’s share was $805,000.
“In addition to providing a modern aircraft rescue and firefighting facility at Lanai Airport, the project provided a needed economic boost,” Department of Transportation Director Glenn Okimoto said.
“With a population of just over 3,000 people, the project provided local jobs and created revenue for many of Lanai’s small-business owners.”
