Mansho’s
constituents want her
out of office

But one says that the move
for a recall may be an
overreaction

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By Leila Fujimori
Star-Bulletin

Several constituents of City Councilwoman Rene Mansho say they will support a recall or impeachment effort to remove her from office.

Many feel betrayed.

"I worked hard to campaign and raise funds, and she's lying," said Carol Gibo of Mililani.

Gibo said what bothers her is that Mansho "double-dipped," getting reimbursed from her campaign funds and from the city for trips.

"I really don't think it's fair that she only got a slap on the wrist," Gibo said.

Mansho was forced by the state Campaign Spending and city Ethics commissions to pay $80,000 for misuse of campaign funds and city staff.

"That's people's money," said Bobby Miguel of Waipahu, who held signs and canvassed for Mansho. "That's wrong."

Miguel said politicians like Danny Kihano were sentenced to prison for doing what Mansho did.

Yetta Weinberger, Mililani Neighborhood Board treasurer, thinks Mansho should be prosecuted for her actions and believes she should resign. Weinberger will support a recall or impeachment.

At the Mililani Neighborhood Board meeting last night, Mansho said she had no comment, saying she did not want to add fuel to the fire.

But Mililani resident Laura Brown wants Mansho out for other reasons.

She blames Mansho for the city's "dropping the ball" when it comes to having adequate infrastructure for the community.

Brown believes the City Council takes Mansho's recommendations to pass housing projects and golf courses, which result in traffic problems and may strain water resources.

"Because she settled, it's not like she was ever proven guilty," said law student Jennifer Wharton, a Mililani Neighborhood Board member.

"The state hasn't really found her guilty. If they wanted to impeach her, they shouldn't have let her settle," Wharton said.

Wharton said it may be premature to judge her and that the recall may be an overreaction. She said the $48,000 Mansho admitted she took over 11 years, which Mansho says were giveaways at fund-raisers, is a small amount compared to what other politicians have repeatedly taken.

Others say there must be a kernel of truth in the many allegations, and someone like that should not be in public office.

Susan Hough, a neighborhood board member, is for the recall but doubts enough people understand what is going on to support the effort.

However, Gibo said a lot of her friends and neighbors feel the same as she does.

"I think there's a good chance of getting her recalled or impeached. If the ball starts rolling, I might help," Gibo said.

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City & County of Honolulu