Why do you assumed it has to do with the mayors power?

http://khon2.com/2016/04/04/judges-recuse-themselves-from-hawaii-mayors-theft-case/

When you know some one coming to trial you cant be the judge ? More worse would be one of his friends hearing the case and him winning.

Hell, he mighta taken one of those judges to one of his illegal spending sprees. If you watched his appearance in court the other day as Kenoi turned to leave he stopped and shook hands with the prosecutor (!) and uttered what appeared to be several friendly words. He likely knows, to one degree or another, every single person on all sides of the legal teams and judiciary that will be involved. The fact that they've charged him with so few counts out of so many possibilities that were obviously illegal likely means it is going to be a "show trial", except in this case to make it look as if public officials are held accountable for criminal behavior. Prediction: No time served. No loss of attorney license. Moves on to rip off some other citizens in some other way. Smirking and "apologizing" the whole time.

Lots of friends in high places. He knew he did somethings wrong, he admitted it on TV but it seems no one is willing to seriously charge him for it. They know him personally or lack the clout to prosecute. Hes got a good network. I doubt he'll be punished like the rest of us citizens.

.

Perhaps Ken Starr is available for a temporary appointment as judge for this case?

When you know some one coming to trial you cant be the judge ? More worse would be one of his friends hearing the case and him winning.

Exactly, this is how the process is supposed to work. Anyone with a bias in the matter should recuse themselves.

If there really ends up being an issue with finding a judge who can do it then maybe they can go for federal charges?

They will find a Judge and I don't think it is so much that the Mayor is powerful, but rather the court choosing to avoid any potential for accusations of favoritism or room for not having a fair trial. 

It is not unheard of, or even perhaps a good thing that the entire bench in this court / locale file for Judicial disqualification and recuse themselves.  Just like a change of venue to help ensure or give a trial a sense of fairness over the proceeding.  Judicial DQ and bring in an outside Judge, will at least ensure that there is no bias, positive or negative, from the bench in the trial.  It does not mean that a judge has a connection to the Mayor, but perhaps more important, for a judge that may have a positive connection with the Mayor is opting to not hear the case.  This should be a good thing because it would be unethical or worse if a judge that had some kind of positive connection to the Mayor actually wanted to hear the case.   

I will say that it is my feeling that the BI has one of the worst, old boy networks.   

Wonder if they'll bring in an outside jury as well.

Wonder if they'll bring in an outside jury as well.

Interesting theory, Unless he is removed from power and banned from holding positions in the future.  any jury from the BI would be compelled to find not guilty for fear of reprisal.

Interesting theory, Unless he is removed from power and banned from holding positions in the future.  any jury from the BI would be compelled to find not guilty for fear of reprisal.

He wouldn't have to assume any official position in the future for people to justifiably fear reprisal.

I seen in the paper that they left out the bar tab and some other choice 'questionable expenditures' in the indictment.....  WTF?   I predict a slap on the wrist....  sickening

I seen in the paper that they left out the bar tab and some other choice 'questionable expenditures' in the indictment.....  WTF?   I predict a slap on the wrist....  sickening

You'd think that after a year-long investigation that they'd have been able to discover some kind of solid verification of who was present at that "hostess bar" and exactly what that $900 was spent for (all county business I'm sure). If you look through the actual list of his well-over $120,000 in p-card expenditures there are literally hundreds of questionable expenses. Here's what I think should be the test: If Kenoi was paying for this transactioin (hotel room, meal, etc.) out of his own pocket (or even if he had a 50% "co-pay") would he have spent the same amount of money? Obviously not. The fact that he spent MY (tax) money for a $600-a-night hotel when a $200-a-night hotel would have worked just as well, irks me no end (but granted, I'm easily irked by criminal politicians). The question of whether or not our county gained any benefit at all from (m)any of the spending sprees is a whole other question (and I suspect the answer is "NO" in most cases).

Given the way "politics" in general, and more specifically in Hawaii, "works": No meaningful consequences, no change, lucky we live Hawaii.   

As an added bonus benefit, I'll get to keep paying Kenoi in the form of his county pension. Lucky me.

Imagine what would happen with Kealoha and his wife!!!

Imagine what would happen with Kealoha and his wife!!!

He has to buy his uncle a new mailbox?

Kenoi gets standing ovation from Chamber of Commerce. No mention of criminal charges. Figures.

http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/news/local-news/privilege-serving-hawaii

“Thank you very much for the honor and privilege of serving Hawaii Island,” Kenoi told the crowd at the end of his speech, which earned a standing ovation at the Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa at Keauhou Bay.

Kenoi’s talk and the question and answer session after didn’t bring up Kenoi’s legal circumstance. But Kenoi, who was indicted March 23 on theft and tampering charges in relation to alleged misuse of his county-issued purchasing card...

I read an article today about Sweden... it included this paragraph (which highlights a significant contrast with Hawaii and the Kenoi situation):

"Scandinavians have always frowned on those who take money they are not entitled to. Sweden is, after all, the country where the leading candidate for prime minister in 1995 had to resign because it was revealed that she had used her official credit card to pay for some small private expenses, even though she always, every month, paid the credit card debt herself."