Mirikitani a no-show at City Hall
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By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer
On the first workday since his conviction on corruption charges, Honolulu City Councilman Andy Mirikitani did not show up at City Hall, leaving colleagues and staff members edgy about when or whether he will return.
Several council staff members said they received a mix of calls from people demanding Mirikitani's resignation, while others offered words of encouragement. He was convicted in federal court Tuesday of theft, bribery, extortion, wire fraud and witness tampering.
So far, Mirikitani has declined to talk.
Council Chairman Jon Yoshimura said he is reserving judgment on what Mirikitani's next step should be. Yoshimura said he spoke with Mirikitani by telephone yesterday around lunchtime.
Yoshimura said that Mirikitani sounded like he's carefully considering all his options. "He sounded rather lucid and thoughtful," he said.
Yoshimura said he and Mirikitani agreed to talk again Monday about his plans. The next meeting of the full City Council is scheduled for Wednesday. Under state law, is allowed to continue serving in office until his sentencing, now scheduled for Dec. 4.
Mirikitani, 45, was convicted of public corruption charges in connection to a kickback scheme in which he paid large bonuses to two former aides in exchange for their kicking back a portion to him and his campaign.
Three of Mirikitani's colleagues — Duke Bainum, John DeSoto and Steve Holmes — have called for his immediate resignation.
Two others, Romy Cachola and Gary Okino, said they want to talk to him before they offer their opinion.
Cachola said people react differently when faced with difficult times. "There are those that rise up after adversity," he said. "There are those who go down deeper."
Councilman Gary Okino said he's gotten along with Mirikitani during the short time he's known him and thought he was a hard worker for his district.
Okino said there is concern among City Hall workers about how Mirikitani will work with his colleagues if he remains. "I think it will be hard for him to interact with a lot of the members," he said.
Most of those who joined The Advertiser's online discussion about the Mirikitani case said they thought he should resign. But some said his good works should be remembered and that he is being hounded by the media.
DeSoto, who has battled publicly with Mirikitani, said the conviction should force him to step down so that a replacement can be elected. "In the best interest of his constituents he should resign, because he's got to leave anyway," he said.
Correction: A previous headline on this story incorrectly said Mirikitani missed a City Council meeting. No meeting was held that day.
