Eastside versus Westside Hawaii County? One way of looking at the Yoshimoto coup is one side of the island against the other side of the island. But that perspective is a bit superficial. Really this act by Yoshimoto and pals was meant to solidify legislative power in the hands of a few powerbrokers. If you think average folks in Puna or Pahoa had anything to gain, think again. Just drive the roads in Puna versus Hilo and you will understand what I mean. From all county district’s residents attended the June 16th Council hearing to speak against displacing these three senior council members: Hoffmann, Ford, and Yagong. The people's opposition was solidly against this power grab.

And it sure seems like there were plenty of intentional member interactions initiated by Yoshimoto and associates, that slide this "conspiracy" well over the Sunshine Law limitations. Otherwise how could Yoshimoto , on June 10th, tell Hoffmann “I already have five votes”. Yoshimoto’s and Pete’s votes would make seven.

After Hoffmann “spilled the beans” about this June 10th Waimea meeting with Chair Yoshimoto, not surprisingly Yoshimoto commented “You weren’t supposed to say what was said at our meeting”.

Hopefully the Kenoi administration will at least have the foresight to encourage a full investigation of this incident, and insist that his Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida agree as follows: any Councilmember who intentionally violated the Sunshine Law be immediately removed from any position of leadership on the Council.