City manager confirmation likely
A City Council committee has unanimously approved the nomination of Wayne Hashiro as the city managing director.
The Executive Matters and Legal Affairs Committee, made up of all nine Council members, moved Hashiro's nomination to the Council, which is expected to confirm acting Managing Director Hashiro. The Council meets next on June 7.
Approval of Hashiro's nomination comes after the Ethics Commission found that he did not break ethics laws by signing documents last year related to a construction management contract. The contract was awarded to a firm in which a friend had a principal role and his son was employed.
At the time, Hashiro was the head of the Department of Design and Construction. He was nominated to be managing director in January.
The commission also said Hashiro could have prevented even the appearance of impropriety had he steered clear of the project and sought advice from the commission.
Hashiro told the committee yesterday he had learned his lesson.
"I will seek much more guidance now -- even the appearance of anything. I'll be much more careful what I sign," Hashiro said. "I'm glad I have been cleared. I wish the Council will look at those findings and know that I will try my best to serve the city and the public."
Councilman Rod Tam spoke favorably of Hashiro's straightforward approach and "fine character."
Council members raised concerns yesterday about whether he and other members of the Hannemann administration would be available to the Council to answer questions about city operations.
After the meeting, Hashiro said he would try to be at the meetings as much as possible and also make sure that a representative of the administration would be available to answer Council concerns.