Cable funding vote invalid,
leader says

WAILUKU » The chairman of the public cable-access station on Maui said a recent vote by several board members to rescind a decision giving money to Maui Community College and the state Department of Education was invalid.

Myles Inokuma said the board of Akaku -- Maui Community Television Inc. -- is required to have a quorum of a majority of members to hold a vote, and the board didn't have enough members at a special meeting on May 4.

The board voted 7-0 to rescind an agreement that would give one-third of its franchise fees to the college and state agency. It is required to have at least eight of 15 members to hold a vote, Inokuma said.

Inokuma said Akaku went forward with purchasing the building it occupies at 333 Dairy Road for $2.4 million based on a meeting on April 4. "To me, the issue is settled," he said.

He said the understanding from the bank that issued the loan was that Akaku had come to terms resolving a dispute with the college and the Department of Education.

Inokuma said if the board rescinds the agreement, the bank could call in payment for the whole loan.

Board member DeGray Vanderbilt said the 7-0 vote occurred after several board members noticed differences between what had been discussed at the May 4 board meeting and the signed agreement.

Vanderbilt said the board members wanted an explanation about the differences, including the elimination of provisions that named private schools and charter schools among the beneficiaries of the funds going to the college and department.

Vanderbilt said Inokuma has canceled two board meetings since then.

"The board members ought to get together and talk about their concerns," he said.

A board meeting is scheduled for June 21.