Group demands
Mansho ouster

The Councilwoman's ethics
abuses lead some residents
to call for her removal

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Star-Bulletin

Voters in the City Council's 1st District have begun efforts to remove Rene Mansho from office.

Mansho in recent weeks has been fined $80,000 from the state Campaign Spending and city Ethics commissions after she acknowledged misusing her campaign funds and city staff. Last week, her Council colleagues stripped her of her leadership posts.

But a loose-knit group, including constituents from the North Shore to Wahiawa, believes she has not been punished enough and wants her removed either through recall or impeachment.

Mansho declined to comment on the efforts.

Wahiawa businesswoman Haunani Acohido said she and others began independently, but now want to consolidate their efforts.

Acohido first raised issues of impropriety on Mansho's part to the Campaign Spending Commission. The lei vendor said the councilwoman used her influence with the Aloha Boat Days Committee to persuade a cruise ship company to purchase from another merchant.

"What really outrages me is her lack of accountability by her stating whatever she did was unintentional," Acohido said.

Mansho admitted the abuses of both campaign funds and staff time took place during 12 years in office and she had her staff work on her campaign behind closed doors, Acohido said.

A Council member can be impeached "for malfeasance, misfeasance or non-feasance in office or for interference with the performance of the duties of any officer or employee in any executive agency," according to the City Charter.

The signatures of 1,000 registered voters in a Council district must petition the Hawaii Supreme Court to hear the case.

Jim Branham, chief staff attorney for the Supreme Court, said no impeachment proceedings have been brought against a Council member in the 28-year history of the City Charter.

A recall action requires the signatures of about 5,300 voters in Mansho's district.

The signatures must be gathered in a 60-day period.

After verifying the propriety of the signatures, the city clerk then notifies the elected officer in question.

The elected officer has 10 days to resign.

Refusal to resign in the period triggers a recall election.

A majority of those casting votes must choose "yes" for the elected official to be removed.

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City & County of Honolulu