Former House Speaker Souki denies wrongdoing in sexual harassment case, full text of his statement; Big Island official loses lawsuit over sexual harassment complaint, no taxpayer attorney for Honolulu former police chief, trespassers ousted from Coco Palms land, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Joe Souki, courtesy photo

Former House Speaker Joseph Souki said the accusations of sexual harassment against him are all three to eight years old, and he has “absolutely no memory of ever acting in inappropriately with any woman at any time, as a member of the House or in a private setting.” Star-Advertiser.

Joe Souki: I’m Sorry But I Don’t Remember Doing It. The 84-year-old longtime Maui lawmaker insisted Wednesday he’s never acted badly toward women even though he’s resigning. Civil Beat.

A former speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives will resign by next week to resolve sexual harassment allegations brought by several women, the latest case of an elected official being forced from office over misconduct. Associated Press.

Former state House Speaker Joe Souki will resign as part of a settlement over sexual harassment complaints, but maintains he didn't do anything wrong. Hawaii News Now.

Accused of sexual harassment, long-time Maui lawmaker Joe Souki announced his resignation. KITV.

Speaker Emeritus Rep. Joe Souki is stepping down as a result of sexual harassment claims made against him. KHON2.

A kiss, a hug lead to former House speaker’s downfall. Souki admits ‘inappropriate and unwelcome’ contact with several women. Maui News.

Rep. Joe Souki, D–Wailuku, who was first elected to the Hawaii House of Representatives in 1982, will resign from the House no later than Mar. 30, pay a $5,000 penalty, issue a public apology and not accept any public office for two years. MauiTime.

The Hawaii State Ethics Commission has concluded its investigation into allegations of sexual harassment by former House Speaker Joseph Souki who will be forced to resign from public office next week. Pacific Business News.

Full text of Ethics Commission Souki settlement here.

Full text of Souki's statement here.

Lawmakers accused of sexual harassment remain under wraps. Rep. Joe Souki’s resignation to resolve sex harassment complaints has focused renewed attention on the behavior of state legislators, especially in light of the #MeToo movement nationally. Star-Advertiser.

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The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet behind closed doors today to discuss the contract of CEO Kamanaopono Crabbe. Star-Advertiser.

DOE Official Slapped With Ethics Fine Is Reassigned. Suzanne Mulcahy, who was an assistant superintendent on the central leadership team, was shifted to an interim principal position. Civil Beat.

The state House Finance Committee passed a bill Wednesday that includes an amendment that would prohibit the use of chlorpyrifos beginning Jan. 1, 2019, but provides an exemption for farmers for a three-year period if they provide public disclosure. Garden Island.

Airport authority bill may be catalyst for state procurement code changes. Pacific Business News.

State, Counties Weigh Options for Abandoned Vehicles. Complaints about junked cars in neighborhoods across the state hit a crescendo last year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Legislation to ban tobacco products on all 10 University of Hawaii campuses and raise the cigarette tax to the highest in the nation is closer to becoming law. Star-Advertiser.

Should smoking be banned at the University of Hawaii? The school already has rules against smoking at Manoa and Kapiolani Community College but lawmakers want to expand the ban across all of UH's campuses. KITV.

In the minutes after the false missile alert went to all Hawaii phones, fear and disbelief quickly turned to anger as residents learned that the warning about an inbound ballistic missile had been sent in error, newly released 911 calls show. Hawaii News Now.

The Honolulu Police Department released recordings of a handful of 911 calls made after a false missile alert was sent to cell phones across the state earlier this year. KHON2.

Real estate foreclosures declined in Hawaii for a fourth consecutive year in 2017, according to statistics from the state Judiciary. Star-Advertiser.

Suddenly predatory mice are attacking nesting albatross on Midway Atoll – the largest albatross colony in the world — prompting a plan by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the “house mouse” population using rodenticide and trapping. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Former Police Chief Louis Kealoha won't get a taxpayer-funded attorney to defend him in court in a civil lawsuit over the alleged mailbox frame-up. Hawaii News Now.

The City will not be paying for an attorney to defend retired Honolulu police chief Louis Kealoha in a civil suit involving his stolen mail box. KHON2.

University of Hawaii researchers are teaming up with a farm on Oahu’s west side to study how people’s connection with the land affects their health. Civil Beat.

The public is advised to stay out of the Waimalu Stream following a spill of raw sewage. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

A 12-year-old chapter in Hawaii County’s political history has closed with an appellate court order and a former county official deciding not to pursue further litigation. At issue was an appeal by former County Council chairman and Hilo mayoral candidate Stacy Higa, who sued the county for legal malpractice after an employment complaint alleged he sexually harassed an aide. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island Mayor Harry Kim is asking for help from the state to expedite the emergency shelter aspect of the proposed Village 9 homeless site off Kealakehe Parkway in Kailua-Kona. West Hawaii Today.

After two years of use, a program that allows Hawaii residents to text 911 in case of emergency has seen little use on Hawaii Island. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Hawaiian Sovereignty Protest Gets Hana Student Suspended. A high school student was disciplined for rearranging the school flagpole to fly the Hawaiian flag above the U.S. flag. Civil Beat.

A Haleakala telescope protester who asserted his right to speak in the Hawaiian language in court earlier this year was granted an interpreter Wednesday in Wailuku District Court. Maui News.

Complaint Inspection Finds No Violations at KFC Kahului. Maui Now.

Kauai

Five people were removed from two parcels of state land Wednesday morning. No one was cited or arrested. Garden Island.

Two dozen officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, the Kaua‘i Police Department and State Sheriffs removed five people from two parcels of DLNR land this morning, Wednesday, March 21. Big Island Now.

Coco Palms Battle Is A New Front In An Old War. More protesters were removed from an encampment near the iconic resort Wednesday as Kauai officials fend off esoteric legal claims. Civil Beat.

A short-term reduction on the alcohol federal excise tax has bolstered Kauai-based Koloa Rum Company’s 2017 financials and allowed for bonuses to its 33 employees. Pacific Business News.

Former House Speaker Souki ousted in sexual harassment settlement, Ige's homeless budget decimated as model camp closed, big tobacco tax hikes advance, plus much more top political and government news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Former House Speaker Joe Souki, official portrait

Former House Speaker Joseph Souki will be required by the Hawaii State Ethics Commission to resign from office next week to resolve a complaint involving accusations from multiple women who allege they were the targets of his unwanted advances that included sexual comments, touching and kissing, according to people familiar with the agreement. Star-Advertiser.

Former Hawaii House Speaker Forced Out Over Sexual Harassment. Several women had filed ethics complaints against Joe Souki, a longtime lawmaker from Maui. Civil Beat.

Veteran Maui lawmaker and former Speaker Joe Souki will resign from the state Legislature later this month, following a state Ethics Commission settlement of a sexual harassment complaint against him. Maui News.

Long-time lawmaker and former house speaker Joe Souki of Maui will resign from his legislative post amid a state Ethics Commission settlement over allegations of sexual harassment. Maui Now.

House Harassment Policy Puts Speaker In Charge Of All Complaints. The internal process for resolving sexual harassment complaints in the House doesn’t anticipate what happens if the speaker is the one being accused. Civil Beat.

Souki accuser is moved by other women’s stories of harassment at state Capitol. Star-Advertiser.

Read full text of Souki settlement here.

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House members have decimated Gov. David Ige’s budget request for programs benefiting the homeless and that prioritize finding permanent housing, and instead want to spend $30 million to create an unknown number of zones sanctioned for homeless encampments across the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Bill Allows Fines For Those Who Falsely Claim To Have Service Animals. People increasingly bring untrained animals into public accommodations claiming they are service animals, say measure supporters. Civil Beat.

Teachers push to reduce standardized testing for Hawaii public schools. Rally planned today. KHON2.

Smokers may soon be paying more for cigarettes — a lot more. The House Health and Human Services Committee passed Senate Bill 2843 with amendments on Tuesday to significantly increase the state tobacco licensing fee. Hawaii News Now.

The House Health &Human Services committee on Tuesday passed Senate Bill 2843 SD1 with amendments to increase the annual license fee for tobacco wholesalers and dealers from $2.50 per year to $500 per year. The measure also raises the tax on cigarettes and little cigars from 16 cents per cigarette or little cigar to 22.5 cents each, or $3.20 per pack to $4.50 per pack. Garden Island.

Proposed Bill Would Prohibit Smoking on All UH Campuses. Maui Now.

Hawaii workers would have access to several weeks of paid time off for the birth or adoption of a child or to care for a family member under proposed legislation advancing in both the House and Senate. Star-Advertiser.

The NRA Is Giving Hawaii Schools A Lot Of Money. Most of the National Rifle Association dollars flowing to schools throughout the country pay for competitive shooting programs. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The former police chief and his deputy prosecutor wife are refusing to cooperate with a lawsuit they initiated against the Honolulu Ethics Commission. Hawaii News Now.

A contentious plan for a widened Ala Moana Regional Park pedestrian promenade — which would result in the elimination of parking stalls along the makai side of Ala Moana Park Drive — may be on the way out. Star-Advertiser.

It's Your Money: City shells out tens of millions of dollars in overtime pay.  According to a new audit, the city paid $66.41 million to cover extra hours on the clock last fiscal year. KHON2.

Dole Food Co. Inc. has agreed to pay a fine for failing to close two large-capacity cesspools at a private beach park in Waialua on Oahu’s North Shore. Under the terms of a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Dole will pay a $145,000 fine for violating the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Star-Advertiser.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday said reached a settlement with Dole Food Co. Inc. for failing to close two large-capacity cesspools at its Puuiki Beach Park property on Oahu. Pacific Business News.

Dole Foods has reached a settlement with the Environmental Protection agency after it failed to close two large cesspools at Puuiki Beach Park. Hawaii News Now.

State: Burial backlog at veterans cemetery better, but long-term fixes needed. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County on Tuesday closed Camp Kikaha in the Old Kona Industrial Area, a temporary homeless encampment located adjacent to HOPE Services Hawaii, after operating the site for more than seven months. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County Closes Its ‘Safe Zone’ Homeless Experiment. For seven months Kailua-Kona’s 1-acre government sanctioned homeless encampment sheltered about 25 people. Civil Beat.

Camp Kikaha For Kona Homeless Closes Down. An emergency proclamation enabling the camp has since expired, and the County is no longer allowed to continue operations at the site. Big Island Video News.

A temporary homeless shelter on the big island is closed and the homeless have been moved out. KHON2.

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The Hawaii County Prosecutor’s Office will not handle a case involving a Hawaii police officer as a person of interest in a missing drug evidence investigation within the department. West Hawaii Today.

Mac nut company to buy back shares in going private. Royal Hawaiian Orchards LP announced Monday that it will remove its partnership shares from trading on an over-the-counter stock exchange following a move to buy out many small shareholders. Star-Advertiser.

Tons of debris removed from Ka'u shores. Ten volunteers from the Hawaii Wildlife Fund gathered 11.6 tons of seaborne waste from Ka'u shores before shipping it March 4 to Oahu for recycling. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A state panel voted Tuesday to set new flow levels for four West Maui streams — this time without the decadeslong legal battles that have characterized the fight over East Maui streams. Maui News.

Kauai

Nishimura files for County Council. Leadership from the heart for Kauai residents is why Kapaa resident Wally Nishimura has filed to run for Kauai County Council. Garden Island.

The Kauai Department of Public Works, Wastewater Management Division is advising residential and commercial sewer customers located in Eleele, Hanapepe and Waimea of an incorrect address printed on the remittance envelope included in their sewer bills dated March 15, 2018. KHON2.

Kauai rally part of nationwide call for gun reform. Garden Island.

Lanai

Billionaire Oracle Corp. cofounder Larry Ellison this week launched his latest startup, which will focus on automated, hydroponic indoor food production. Los Angeles-based Sensei plans to build 10 greenhouses, totaling 200,000 square feet, on the Hawaiian island of Lanai. Ellison owns 98 percent of the island. Pacific Business News.

Breaking -- Hawaii House Speaker Emeritus Joe Souki ousted over sexual harassment claims. Full text of Ethics Commission settlement, plus media articles as Hawaii enters #metoo era

Former House Speaker Joe Souki, courtesy photo

 Resolution of Investigation

The Commission believes that, based on the facts admitted above, Respondent
Souki likely violated the Fair Treatment Law (HRS § 84-13).

Based on the circumstances in this case, the Commission believes that it is
reasonable, fair, and in the public interest to resolve this investigation as follows:

• (1) Issuing this Resolution of Investigation;
• (2) Requiring Respondent Souki to resign his position as a member of the House of Representatives, effective no later than March 30, 2018;
• (3) Requiring Respondent Souki to issue a public apology for his conduct;
• (4) Requiring Respondent Souki to pay an administrative penalty of $5,000 to the State of Hawaii; and
• (5) Requiring Respondent Souki to agree not to seek or accept any public office for a period of two years

News coverage of the settlement:

Former House Speaker Joseph Souki will be required by the Hawaii State Ethics Commission to resign from office next week to resolve a complaint involving accusations from multiple women who allege they were the targets of his unwanted advances that included sexual comments, touching and kissing, according to people familiar with the agreement. Star-Advertiser.

Former Hawaii House Speaker Forced Out Over Sexual Harassment. Several women had filed ethics complaints against Joe Souki, a longtime lawmaker from Maui. Civil Beat.

Veteran Maui lawmaker and former Speaker Joe Souki will resign from the state Legislature later this month, following a state Ethics Commission settlement of a sexual harassment complaint against him. Maui News.

Long-time lawmaker and former house speaker Joe Souki of Maui will resign from his legislative post amid a state Ethics Commission settlement over allegations of sexual harassment. Maui Now.

House Harassment Policy Puts Speaker In Charge Of All Complaints. The internal process for resolving sexual harassment complaints in the House doesn’t anticipate what happens if the speaker is the one being accused. Civil Beat.

Souki accuser is moved by other women’s stories of harassment at state Capitol. Star-Advertiser.

Full text of Settlement Agreement:

Read full text of Souki settlement here.

Resolution of Investigation
2018-2
(COMPL-I-17-00397)
Hawaii House of Representatives, Speaker Emeritus Joseph M. Souki,
Alleged Violations of Fair Treatment Law
March 16, 2018

The Hawaii State Ethics Commission (“Commission”) has resolved an
Investigation of Speaker Emeritus Joseph M. Souki (“Respondent Souki”), for alleged
violations of the State Ethics Code, Hawaii Revised Statutes (“HRS”) chapter 84. The
investigation involved allegations that Respondent Souki sexually harassed multiple
women by subjecting them to unwanted kissing, touching, and sexual language.
The alleged violations came to the attention of the Commission by way of a
complaint from Rachael Wong, former Director of the Department of Human Services.
Upon investigation, the Commission staff received allegations of similar unwanted and
inappropriate conduct by Respondent Souki from several other women.

I. Facts
Respondent Souki admitted the following facts:
a. Respondent Souki, at all times relevant herein, was an elected member of
Hawaii’s House of Representatives. He was first elected to office in 1982 and
has served continuously since that time. He served as Speaker of the House
from 1993 to 1999 and again from 2013 to 2017.
b. The House of Representatives is a “state agency” as defined by HRS § 84-3.
Respondent Souki, at all times relevant herein, was a state legislator and was
therefore required to comply with the State Ethics Code.
c. The House of Representatives’ internal rules prohibit sexual harassment:
It is the policy of the House to provide a work environment
free from violence, threats of violence, harassment, intimidation, and other disruptive behavior. House membersand staff shall be treated with dignity and respect at all
times.

Rules of the House of Representatives, Twenty-Ninth State Legislature, 2017-2018
(hereinafter, “House Rules”), Preface, available here.

d. The House of Representatives’ Standards of Conduct contain clear
proscriptions on members’ conduct, including the following:
60.1. Members should conduct themselves in a respectful
manner befitting the office with which they as elected
officials have been entrusted, respecting and
complying with the law and acting at all times in a
manner that promotes public confidence in the
integrity of the House.
. . .
60.3. Members should treat their fellow House members,
staff, and the general public with respect and
courtesy, regardless of political or religious beliefs,
age, race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity or expression, or physical disability.
60.4. . . . Members should freely and willingly accept
certain restrictions on their business activities and
professional conduct that might be considered
burdensome by an ordinary private citizen, and
should perform the duties of elected office impartially
and diligently. To the greatest extent reasonably
possible, members should:

(2) Refrain from showing bias or prejudice, including
but not limited to bias or prejudice based on
political or religious beliefs, age, race, ethnicity,
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or
expression, or physical disability, in the
performance of their official duties;
(3) Exercise patience, tolerance, and courtesy to all
those with whom they deal with in an official
capacity, and require staff and others subject to their direction and control to maintain similar
standards of conduct, fidelity, and diligence
inherent in public service;
. . .
(8) Refrain from using, or permitting the use of, the
privileges and prestige of their public office to
derive undue personal, professional, or financial
benefits for themselves, members of their family,
or others with whom they maintain personal,
business, or professional relationships;

House Rules at 49-50.
e. The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the House of
Representatives, and as such, exercises substantial control over the
operations of the House:
The presiding officers of each house conduct floor sessions
in their respective chambers and exercise control over their
house's operations, facilities, and property, including by
appointing conference committee members and scheduling
the legislative timetable in cooperation with the other house.
In addition, the presiding officers represent their respective
houses in dealing with the public and other agencies.
Hawaii State Legislature, “Membership, Leadership and Standing Committees,”
available at https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/docs/cg/5.pdf. Similarly, the House of
Representatives’ internal rules contain three full pages devoted to the Speaker’s duties,
including appointing committee chairs and referring bills to committees.

House Rules at 3-5.
f. The Speaker of the House also has significant control over the process for
investigating complaints against Representatives – including the Speaker –
by choosing the members of any panel that would investigate a complaint of
misconduct: “[T]he Speaker shall appoint a special committee to receive
complaints and investigate any member for misconduct, disorderly conduct,
neglect of duty, violation of chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or violation
of these Rules.” House Rules, Rule 28.3.
g. Respondent Souki admits that, while serving as Speaker of the House and in
meetings held in his State Capitol office, he touched and kissed more than
one woman in ways that were inappropriate and unwelcome. He admits that
this physical contact exceeded the boundaries of the customary “aloha kiss.”
h. Respondent Souki further admits that he made sexual comments, including
comments on the physical appearance of more than one woman, that were
inappropriate and unwanted.

II. The State Ethics Code, HRS Chapter 84
A. Constitutional Mandate and Statutory Purpose
The State Ethics Code arises from the declaration contained in the State
Constitution that “[t]he people of Hawaii believe that public officers and employees must
exhibit the highest standards of ethical conduct and that these standards come from the
personal integrity of each individual in government.”2 To this end, the Hawaii
Constitution further directs that the legislature enact a code of ethics that applies to all
appointed and elected state officers and employees.
In accordance with this constitutional mandate, the legislature enacted the State
Ethics Code and charged the Commission with administering and enforcing the law “so
that public confidence in public servants will be preserved.”3 Additionally, the legislature
explicitly directed that the State Ethics Code be liberally construed to promote high
standards of ethical conduct in state government. HRS § 84-1. It is in this context that
the Commission examines every employee’s actions.

B. The State Ethics Code
As a legislator, Respondent Souki was required to comply with the State Ethics
Code. As a legislator, and particularly as Speaker of the House, it is incumbent upon
Respondent Souki to set – and exhibit – high standards of ethical conduct.
HRS § 84-13 (the “Fair Treatment Law”) provides in relevant part:
No legislator or employee shall use or attempt to use the
legislator's or employee's official position to secure or grant unwarranted privileges, exemptions, advantages, contracts,
or treatment, for oneself or others
In other words, a legislator may not use his state position to obtain unwarranted benefits
for himself, nor may he use his state position to subject another person to unwarranted
treatment – favorable or unfavorable.
The Commission investigated Respondent Souki’s actions, and as set forth
above, Respondent Souki admits to inappropriate and unwanted sexual comments,
kissing, and touching.

Because of his power as Speaker over legislation and budgeting questions,
women were reticent to confront Respondent Souki or to file a complaint with the House
of Representatives regarding his conduct. For example, then-Director Wong was
responsible for a state department with a budget of $3.3 billion, consisting of “four
divisions, two attached agencies, two attached commissions, and six staff offices.”
Department of Human Services, Annual Report 2016, at 2, available at
https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/ 01/DHS-2016-Annual-
Report.pdf. Challenging then-Speaker Souki’s conduct could have jeopardized her
agency’s budget and legislation, thereby impairing her advocacy efforts on behalf of
Hawaii’s children and families. She, like others, felt she had no choice but to remain
silent in the face of Respondent Souki’s behavior. The Ethics Code was designed to
prevent such abuses of power by state government officials.

III. Resolution of Investigation
The Commission believes that, based on the facts admitted above, Respondent
Souki likely violated the Fair Treatment Law (HRS § 84-13).
Based on the circumstances in this case, the Commission believes that it is
reasonable, fair, and in the public interest to resolve this investigation as follows:
(1) Issuing this Resolution of Investigation;
(2) Requiring Respondent Souki to resign his position as a member of the House
of Representatives, effective no later than March 30, 2018;
(3) Requiring Respondent Souki to issue a public apology for his conduct;
(4) Requiring Respondent Souki to pay an administrative penalty of $5,000 to the
State of Hawaii; and
(5) Requiring Respondent Souki to agree not to seek or accept any public office
for a period of two years

As previously stated, the Commission believes it is fair, reasonable, and in the
public interest to resolve this matter without further administrative action.
Dated March 16, 2018 ________________________________
Reynaldo D. Graulty, Chair
Hawaii State Ethics Commission
Dated March 16, 2018 ________________________________
Ruth Tschumy, Vice Chair
Hawaii State Ethics Commission
Dated March 16, 2018 ________________________________
Susan N. DeGuzman, Commissioner
Hawaii State Ethics Commission
Dated March 16, 2018 ________________________________
David O’Neal, Commissioner
Hawaii State Ethics Commission
Dated March 16, 2018 ________________________________
Melinda Wood, Commissioner
Hawaii State Ethics Commission

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Prior stories about Souki harassment allegations:

Rep. Joe Souki is accused of sexual harassment. Posted: Feb 01, 2018 6:40 PM HST KITV.

Former state Department of Human Services Director Rachael Wong has filed a sexual harassment complaint against former House Speaker Joe Souki — a political icon from Maui who for decades has been one of the most powerful lawmakers in the state. Updated February 1, 2018 2:19pm. Star-Advertiser.

Longtime Wailuku state representative and two-time House Speaker Joe Souki is facing a sexual harassment complaint from the former head of Hawaii’s Department of Human Services. Feb 2, 2018. Maui News.