Hawai‘i State Ethics Commission

In February, the Ethics Commission ruled that former Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Rowena Akana committed forty-seven violations of the State Ethics Code, stemming from her acceptance of prohibited gifts, failure to file gifts disclosure statements, and use of her Trustee Allowance to pay for her home cable television service, political donations, and food for herself and staff, among other things.  The Commission imposed an administrative penalty of $23,106.53 and referred the matter to the Attorney General for further action.

Akana appealed that ruling, and Circuit Court Judge James Ashford rejected Akana’s arguments.  The Court’s Order is available here:  Rowena Akana’s Order and Final Judgment.