Long county nightmare over
Long county nightmare over
When Richard Nixon resigned the presidency in August 1974, President Gerald Ford told the country, “our long national nightmare is over.”
Fast forward 46 years to August 2016 and thanks to the election of Harry Kim, Hawaii County’s “long county nightmare is over.” Gone forever is our glad-handing mayor and his lieutenant Wall Lau, who had campaign funds bulging from his wallet and thought he could buy the election and carry forward Kenoi’s contemptuous legacy.
But, thankfully the good sense of Hawaii island’s voters repudiated Lau by staggering numbers — Lau the county official who was second in command and knew about Kenoi’s pCard abuses but admittedly did nothing. Sure Harry, like all of us, has shortcomings but Harry knows better than to commit all the allegedly felonious deeds that Mayor Kenoi did. Giving him credit, Billy did some good things, but his legacy will be one of corruption, contempt for the law, and being indicted while holding office.
In December, Kenoi, our 11th mayor, steps aside so former mayor number 10 can re-enter the arena, broom in hand, to start the process of cleaning up the disgraceful ethical mess left behind by Kenoi, the mayor who in 2008 served immediately after Kim, who, now, thankfully serves after Kenoi in 2016.
Richard Dinges
Hilo