Profanity-Laced Video Shows Mayor Partying Hard At Conference Party
The mayor of Hawaii County, who is accused of buying booze and other items with taxpayer money, appears to be heavily intoxicated.
It soundedlikea sober enough affair.
TheHawaii Congress of Planning Officials began its on Wednesday with an array of federal, state and local government officials who traveledtoKauai to discuss dry topics like housing, streets and planning law.
But a video shot Wednesday night in ahospitality suite at theGrand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa showed conference attendeestaking part in activities that could be described asanything but dry.
At the center of the video wasHawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi, who appeared to be heavily intoxicated and was seengiving a profanity-laced toast ofGarden IslԻMayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., who isco-hosting the conference.
The video is notable because Kenoi has been accused by criminal prosecutorsof using taxpayer money to buy, as the prosecutors put it, among other things.
Kenoi is awaiting trial next month ontwo counts of second-degree felony theft, two counts of misdemeanor theft, three counts of tampering with government records and one count of making a false statement under oath.
Kenoi and his lawyer has said the mayor will not seek a plea deal. Last week, a judge to get his case dismissed.
In the four-minute video, Kenoi can be seen wearing slippersand shorts and holding a beverageas he called people to attention for thetoast.
“Everybody, shut the fuck up!” Kenoisaid.
Whenthe party quieted down, Kenoi moved aheadwith his toast.
“We here on the beautiful Garden Isle of Kauai,” hesaid.“And we not here just to fucking have a good party. We here because it’s a beautiful island managed in one beautifulway.”
Carvalhoappeared uncomfortable in the video, at one point putting his arm aroundKenoi and whispering into his ear just beforeKenoi ended his rambling toast.
A spokesperson forKenoi did not respond to a request for comment.
Party Paid For By ‘Sponsors And Individuals’
Kauai County spokesperson Sarah Blane told Civil Beat on Thursday the party was “an informal social gathering that was held after the formal program of events.”
The food and drinks were paid for by “event sponsors and individuals,” Blane said in an email.“The county did not make those purchases.”
Blane also released a written statement fromCarvalho:“Billy had good intentions to express his gratitude and appreciation to those who work hard to serve the community,and I appreciate him coming to Kauai to support the conference and recognize the good work of our Planning Department and planners throughout the state.”
The conference was sponsored by some major corporationswho do business in thestate, includingKaiser Permanente,D.R. Horton Hawaii,Alexander & Baldwin,Kamehameha Schools ԻR.M Towill Corp.
According to the program, featured speakers at the conference (titled “The Tao of Planning”) includedRon Sims, a former deputy secretaryof U.S.Housing and Urban Development;Scott Enright, chairof the state Board of Agriculture;Ed Sniffen, deputy director of highways for the state Department of Transportation;Bonnie Arakawa, community planning chief for Honolulu;ԻAlan Takemoto, community affairs manager for Monsanto.
Also on the agenda:Pau Hana Popcorn and Libations,Casino and Karaoke Night,Yoga with Duke Nakamatsu and aNa Pali Boat Tour (“$100 including transportation, boat tour, snorkelequipment, floatation devices, snacks, lunch, and drinks.Towels will be provided as well”).
There was also a giveaway contest of three Apple Watches or a two-night stay at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina.
Speakers and presenters weretoreceive Kauai-made “mahalo items” courtesy of companies like the Koloa Rum Company, a distillery.
The hospitality suitegathering followed a reception at the hotel’s grand ballroom.
“Put on your dance shoes and fellowship with our planner brothersand sisters as we libate and celebrate the mother of modern participatoryplanning!” the conference program stated.
Kenoi’s Trouble WithBooze
The criminal charges against Kenoi stem from hisuse of a Hawaii County-issued purchasingcard, or pCard. The mayor racked up nearly$130,000 on the card before it was revoked in March 2015, .
Kenoi’s tabs allegedly included$895 at one Honolulu hostess bar,$400 at anotherand $700 at a Hilo karaoke bar.
Last week, the thatKenoi and department leaders had been informed aboutspending guidelines in 2008 that said meals for which reimbursement is sought “should be made on an itemized receipt. NO LIQUOR!”
Kenoi’s attorneys Todd Eddins and Richard Sing were quoted in the articlesaying, “Sharing an alcoholic drink has always been a common part of doing business and conducting the affairs of government in this country — and around the world.Alcohol consumption among business and government officials indisputably serves the goal of developing closer and more meaningful relationships.”
The mayor, who is completing his second and final four-year term in office, has paid back more than $30,000 in personal expenses charged to the pCard.
