HILO, Hawaii — The Hawaii County Board of Ethics has found Big Island Councilwoman Emily Naeole violated the county’s ethics code.

The board voted 4-1 in deciding it was wrong of Naeole to make thumbs-down gestures to people she disagreed with while they testified about a proposed council reorganization.
Board chairman John Dill, says Naeole showed a lack of respect for the system she is part of. He says her gestures discourage people from being a part of the process.
Naeole told the board she doesn’t remember making the gestures. She says if she did make them, it meant she disagreed with what the speakers were saying.
Several witnesses said Naeole made the gesture to speakers opposing her being made the vice chairwoman of the council.