Posted on: Friday, September 21, 2001

Petition drive to recall Mirikitani falls short

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer

Former City Councilman Kekoa Kaapu yesterday said his petition drive to oust Councilman Andy Mirikitani, who was convicted of public corruption, failed to win enough support to get the matter to voters.

In July, Kaapu announced he would lead the move recall Mirikitani through a petition drive. He started the week after Mirikitani was convicted in federal court.

Kaapu, a community activist and a member of the McCully/Mo'ili'ili Neighborhood Board, said he had set a deadline of Sept. 18 to get the 4,218 signatures needed for a recall vote.

On July 3, 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 them kicking back half to him.

As of this week, Kaapu said the grassroots effort had gathered a little less than 3,000 signatures.

He said the Sept. 11 terrorism left people in no mood to deal with a political issue. "Everybody was in a bad, sad state of mind."

Kaapu said he thinks many of the people in the Manoa-Makiki-Ala Moana district believe that Mirikitani should give up his office but that his ouster once he is sentenced Dec. 4 will be soon enough.

Kaapu said concerns about identify theft thwarted the effort as well. "Everybody agrees that Mirikitani should step down but they don't want to put their Social Security number down," he said.

Still, Kaapu said he's glad he worked on the effort because it helps make residents aware that it is possible to remove a politician from office through a petition.

State law allows public officials who have been found guilty of felony offenses to remain in office until sentencing. Mirikitani has refused to step down, saying he will continue to represent his district despite being stripped of all committee assignments.

Mirikitani did not respond to a request for comment yesterday.