Posted on: Saturday, July 14, 2001

Campaign launched to oust Mirikitani

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer

Former City Councilman Kekoa Kaapu said he is leading a drive to oust Councilman Andy Mirikitani, who was found guilty last week of corruption.

Kaapu said he began exploring the recall idea when he didn't see anyone else coming forward. "I'm hoping to get some more neighborhood board members involved," he said.

Kaapu, a community activist and a member of the McCully/ Mo'ili'ili Neighborhood Board, is planning to run for Mirikitani's council seat when it becomes vacant.

Mirikitani was found guilty of theft, bribery, extortion, wire fraud and witness tampering in connection with a scheme to give large bonuses to former city aides in exchange for kickbacks.

State law allows public officials who have been found guilty of felonies to remain in office until sentencing, which is scheduled for Dec. 4. Mirikitani has refused to step down, saying he will continue to represent his district even though he has been stripped of committee assignments and has only spent one day at the office since the July 3 verdict.

His office did not respond to requests for comment.

City Clerk Genny Wong confirmed that Kaapu is the only one to get information from her office on conducting the recall. In Mirikitani's district, Wong said, "anyone mounting a recall effort needs to get 4,218 signatures."

A petitioner has 60 days to collect the signatures. Wong would have 20 working days to go through the signatures. If enough are gathered, the elected official will have 10 days to decide if he or she wants to resign.

Then Wong would have 30 to 90 days to set a special election to ask voters if they want to recall the council member. If they vote yes, another election would be conducted to fill the vacancy.

"This is what we as the public feel is the right thing to do," Kaapu said.

Even if the recall effort moves smoothly, the earliest a recall election could take place would be November.