Hawaii Candidates, PACs Could Soon Be Writing Checks for Campaign Violations

Dozens of fines likely as Campaign Spending Commission gets set to deal with its longest agenda in years on Wednesday.

By /
Reading time: 2 minutes.

Dozens of Hawaii candidates for elected office and political action committees are facing fines Wednesday before the state Campaign Spending Commission for various violations.

In all, the commission’s agenda — its longest in years — includes 20 proposed conciliation agreements, mostly over failing to file campaign finance reports on time, and 19 dockets for complaints including the use of campaign money for personal expenses.

There are some major names up for minor offenses.Ìý

Campaign Spending Commission Meeting on July 31, 2014

Attorney Michael Green, foreground, looks at the agenda as the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission meets on July 31, 2014. The commission is set to fine dozens of candidates and PACs on Wednesday.

Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat

Syngenta Crop Protection LLC is looking to settle a claim by the commission for filing its preliminary primary report late. Syngenta’s , which covers July 26 to Aug. 9, shows the group has spent no money and has received just $2,750 during the 2012-2014 election period.

There are also some relatively unknown candidates who are accused of more serious violations.

Rose Martinez, who won the Democratic primary in the House District 40 race, along with her campaign committee and treasurer, Kimberly Okamura, face fines for filing a false report and turning two reports in late. Martinez is challenging incumbent Republican Bob McDermott in the general.

Incumbents are on the commission’s agenda too, namely state Rep. Rida Cabanilla.

She is accused of failing to have proper advertising disclaimers and for making improper expenditures.

Cabanilla, who lost her bid for re-election to Democrat Matt LoPresti, had been serving as House majority floor leader. House Speaker Joe Souki appointed Cabanilla to replace Rep. Karen Awana last October after Awana stepped down from her position while facing thousands of dollars in campaign fines.

The commission canceled its August meeting in part to make time to continue its investigations into these violations so they would be ready for the September meeting.Ìý

Here are some of the others facing fines:

  • Equality Hawaii Action Fund
  • Sierra Club Hawaii PAC
  • Subcontractors Association of Hawaii PAC
  • Pohai Ryan
  • Poverty Free Hawaii
  • Hawaii House Democratic PAC
  • Roofing Contractors Association of Hawaii PAC
  • Ocean Tourism Coalition

Read the commission’s complete agenda .Ìý

Support Independent, Unbiased News

Civil Beat is a nonprofit, reader-supported newsroom based in ±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾±. When you give, your donation is combined with gifts from thousands of your fellow readers, and together you help power the strongest team of investigative journalists in the state.

 

About the Author