Big Isle mayor may resign,
then run for a third term

By Gary T. Kubota
Star-Bulletin

Big Island Corporation Counsel Richard Wurdeman says it appears to be legal for Mayor Stephen Yamashiro to resign before his term expires and then run for election to a third term.

The county charter limits the mayor to two full consecutive terms.

Yamashiro says he's waiting for a written legal opinion within two weeks before making a final decision on whether to resign in February or March and then run again for mayor.

Yamashiro's recent query follows a complaint filed by advocates of legalized marijuana seeking to impeach him and six council members for allegedly failing to properly review a marijuana eradication program.

Asked how he would respond to people who might say he's using the pro-marijuana group's lawsuit to circumvent term limits, Yamashiro said he's willing to let the voters decide in the next election.

"I'm willing to face the consequences," he said. "It's not up to me. They're the ones doing the voting."

Dr. Fred Holschuh, a Hilo emergency room physician and Jonathan Adler, a marijuana advocate, have already announced their intention to run for mayor. At least one council member and a former council member are considering entering the race.