Convicted Mirikitani attends Council meeting
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer
Convicted of stealing public money and offering bribes to his former aides, City Councilman Andy Mirikitani yesterday took his place as a dubious footnote in Honolulu history when he became the first felon to serve in elected office.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
Mirikitani arrived at City Hall in the morning and remained in or near his office until shortly before 11 a.m., when he joined his eight other colleagues for their monthly meeting. Four of his colleagues have urged him to step down, as have a number of people who live in his district, which includes Manoa, McCully, Mo'ili'ili, Makiki, and Ala Moana.
Councilman Andy Mirikitani sits between Romy Cachola, left, and Rene Mansho in an historic Council meeting.
With a fairly light agenda before the Council, Mirikitani's quiet presence dominated the meeting like an unwanted party guest.
With most of the eyes in the room upon him, Mirikitani recited the Pledge of Allegiance and declared himself "present" during the roll call. Wearing a light gray suit and a concerned expression, Mirikitani avoided eye contact with the crowd of reporters and photographers gathered and ignored their questions before and after the meeting.
Throughout the meeting, Mirikitani said nothing, except to reply "aye" to vote in favor of all the minor measures that came up yesterday.
He took his usual seat between City Councilwoman Rene Mansho and Councilman Romy Cachola. No one made any reference to his conviction.
On his way into the meeting, Mirikitani shook hands with Cachola and with Councilman Gary Okino, both of whom have held off on calling for Mirikitani to step down.
Mirikitani, a 45-year-old attorney, was convicted July 3 of theft, bribery, extortion, wire fraud and witness tampering for offering two former aides hefty bonuses if they kicked back a share of the money to him. He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 4 and state law allows him to remain in office until that date.
Council Chairman Jon Yoshimura said later he believed Mirikitani made the wrong decision by showing up at the meeting and voting.
"Despite the distractions, I think the work progressed very well," Yoshimura said. "We just need to move on."
Mirikitani did not speak on any issues but none of his favorite topics emerged on the Council agenda.
"He usually is very vocal on issues that are important to him," Yoshimura said.
Beleaguered City Councilwoman Rene Mansho, who has admitted to violations of state campaign spending laws and city ethics violations, declined to comment on her colleague's predicament.
"I'd prefer not to," she said.
Yoshimura, who has called for Mirikitani to step down, said he believes it will be difficult for Mirikitani to be an advocate for his constituents.
"I think it's going to be difficult for him to represent his constituents as he has in the past. But that remains to be seen," he said.
Advertiser City Hall Writer Robbie Dingeman can be reached at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.
