Campaign Spending Commission

Campaign Spending Commission Meeting
Zoom Video Conference
September 11, 2024
10:00 a.m.

Commissioners Present
Neal Herbert, David Chee, Jon Itomura, Barbara B. Polk, Danton S. Wong

Staff Present
Kristin E. Izumi-Nitao, Tony Baldomero, Gary Kam, Terence Lau, Anthony Diep

Deputy Attorney General
Candace Park

Guests
Ashley Mizuo, Chad Blair, Debbie Shimizu, Gary Simon

Call to Order
Chair Herbert called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m.

Chair Herbert went over the procedures for the remote meeting via Zoom and introduced the Commissioners, Commission staff and the Deputy Attorney General who were present.

Consideration and Approval of Minutes of Meeting on 7/10/24
Vice-Chair Chee moved to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 7/10/24.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Wong.  Motion carried (5-0)

New Business
*Executive Director Izumi-Nitao asked to take the matters out of order and consider the discussion and approval of proposed Advisory Opinion No. 25-02 first as the requestors were already present.

Vice-Chair Chee moved to place Consideration, Discussion, and Approval of Proposed Advisory Opinion No. 25-02 – Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition at the top of the agenda.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Itomura.  Motion carried (5-0)

*Consideration, Discussion, and Approval of Proposed Advisory Opinion No. 25-02 – Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition – General Counsel Kam reported that Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition requested an advisory opinion in this matter in a letter dated 7/24/24 concerning the use of a candidate committee’s campaign funds for adult dependent care expenses necessitated by the candidate’s participation in campaign activities.

He stated that the analysis is similar to that of Advisory Opinion No. 25-01 regarding childcare expenses that the Commission approved at its meeting on 7/10/24.  Staff does not see a reason to diverge from that when it comes to adult dependent care.  The recommendation is that campaign funds can be used if it is directly related to campaign activities and that it would not exist outside of the person being a candidate.

Requestors Debbie Shimizu and Gary Simon were present.  They thanked the Commission for taking up their request and hoped that the Commission would consider the approval of Advisory Opinion No. 25-02 as it is consistent with Advisory Opinion No. 25-01.

Vice-Chair Chee moved to approve and adopt draft Advisory Opinion No. 25-02.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Wong.  Motion carried (5-0).

Executive Director Izumi-Nitao recommended that requestor introduce or support legislation to codify this Advisory Opinion because it will include more guidance as to the application of adult dependent care including definitions as to what is permissible. 

*Chair Herbert stated that the meeting will now resume with agenda’s original order.

Executive Director Izumi-Nitao stated that the following Conciliation Agreement(s) on the agenda were a result of investigations initiated by her as the Executive Director pursuant to HRS §11-314(7) to determine whether there had been a violation of the Hawaii campaign spending laws.  She stated that Respondents have been informed in a letter from Commission staff of the violation and have been notified of today’s meeting as well as received a copy of the proposed conciliation agreement.  She recommended that the Commission make a preliminary determination of probable cause that a violation had been committed, waive further proceedings, and approve each of the proposed agreements.

*Proposed Conciliation Agreement No. 25-01 – In Re the Matter of Friends of Chantel Perrin – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao explained that this proposed conciliation agreement concerns the late filing of the 1B Preliminary Primary Report and requested that they assess a reduced fine from $550 to $183.34 as it is Respondent’s first violation.  Chair Herbert asked if there were any comments or questions.

Vice-Chair Chee moved to approve the proposed conciliation agreement.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Wong.  Motion carried (5-0).

*Proposed Conciliation Agreement No. 25-02 – In Re the Matter of Friends of Hulali – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao explained that this proposed conciliation agreement concerns the late filing of the 1B Preliminary Primary Report and requested that they assess a reduced fine from $250 to $83.34 as it is Respondent’s first violation.  Chair Herbert asked if there were any comments or questions.

Vice-Chair Chee moved to approve the proposed conciliation agreement.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Wong.  Motion carried (5-0).

*Proposed Conciliation Agreement No. 25-03 – In Re the Matter of Friends of Sheila Medeiros – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao explained that this proposed conciliation agreement concerns the late filing of the 2nd Preliminary Primary Report and requested that they assess a reduced fine from $300 to $100 as it is Respondent’s first violation.  Chair Herbert asked if there were any comments or questions.

Vice-Chair Chee moved to approve the proposed conciliation agreement.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Wong.  Motion carried (5-0).

*Proposed Conciliation Agreement No. 25-04 – In Re the Matter of Friends of Jillian Anderson – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao explained that this proposed conciliation agreement concerns the late filing of the 2nd Preliminary Primary Report and requested that they assess a reduced fine from $511.25 to $170.42 as it is Respondent’s first violation.  Chair Herbert asked if there were any comments or questions.

Vice-Chair Chee moved to approve the proposed conciliation agreement.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Wong.  Motion carried (5-0).

*Proposed Conciliation Agreement No. 25-05 – In Re the Matter of Hawaii Conservatives – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao explained that this proposed conciliation agreement concerns the late filing of the Preliminary Primary Report and requested that they assess a reduced fine from $300 to $100 as it is Respondent’s first violation.  Chair Herbert asked if there were any comments or questions.

Vice-Chair Chee moved to approve the proposed conciliation agreement.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Wong.  Motion carried (5-0).

*Proposed Conciliation Agreement No. 25-06 – In Re the Matter of Nebraska Democratic Party – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao explained that this proposed conciliation agreement concerns the late filing of the Preliminary Primary Report and requested that they assess a reduced fine from $300 to $100 as it is Respondent’s first violation.  Chair Herbert asked if there were any comments or questions.

Vice-Chair Chee moved to approve the proposed conciliation agreement.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Wong.  Motion carried (5-0).

*Proposed Conciliation Agreement No. 25-07 – In Re the Matter of Shaina Forsyth Campaign – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao explained that this proposed conciliation agreement concerns the late filing of the Supplemental Report and requested that they assess a reduced fine from $200 to $100 as it is Respondent’s second violation.  Chair Herbert asked if there were any comments or questions.

Vice-Chair Chee moved to approve the proposed conciliation agreement.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Wong.  Motion carried (5-0).

*Proposed Conciliation Agreement No. 25-08 – In Re the Matter of Campaign for Kauai County Council – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao explained that this proposed conciliation agreement concerns the late filing of the Supplemental Report and requested that they assess a reduced fine from $200 to $100 as it is Respondent’s second violation.  Chair Herbert asked if there were any comments or questions.

Vice-Chair Chee moved to approve the proposed conciliation agreement.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Wong.  Motion carried (5-0).

*Proposed Conciliation Agreement No. 25-09 – In Re the Matter of Friends of Julie Reyes Oda – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao explained that this proposed conciliation agreement concerns the late filing of the Late Contributions Report and requested that they assess a reduced fine from $500 to $166.67 as it is Respondent’s first violation.  Chair Herbert asked if there were any comments or questions.

Vice-Chair Chee moved to approve the proposed conciliation agreement.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Wong.  Motion carried (5-0).

Commissioner Wong asked how some of the fines are reduced to pennies.  Executive Director Izumi-Nitao explained that just for purpose of simplicity, the fine amount is either reduced by 2/3 or 1/2 depending on the number of past violations a committee has, and that number is rounded to the nearest penny.

*Docket No. 25-01 – In Re the Matter of Brendan Schultz and Schultz for District 5 – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao reported that a complaint by the Executive Director had been filed against Respondent for the failure to timely register with the Commission by filing the Electronic Filing Form and the Organizational Report.

Respondent Schultz filed nomination papers to be a candidate in the 2024 election on 6/4/24.

Pursuant to HRS §11-321(a), a candidate committee shall register and file an Organizational Report with the Commission within 10 days of the earlier of:  (1) The date the candidate files nomination papers for office; or (2) The date the candidate or candidate committee receives contributions or makes or incurs expenditures of more than $100 in the aggregate during the applicable election period.

Pursuant to HRS §11-321(b), before filing the Organizational Report, a candidate committee shall mail or deliver an Electronic Filing Form to the Commission.

Respondents were thus required to file their Electronic Filing Form by 6/14/24 which was 10 days from the date Respondent Schultz filed nomination papers for office.

On 6/6/24, Commission staff sent Respondents a letter via first class mail informing them that their Organizational Report was due on 6/14/24, that their failure to register by filing the Electronic Filing Form and the Organizational Report violates campaign finance laws, and of the imposition of an administrative fine if they do not register by 6/14/24.

Respondents did not file their Organizational Report nor their Electronic Filing Form.

On 6/26/24, Commission staff sent Respondents a letter via first class mail notifying them that a fine of $150 would be assessed against them for their failure to file the Electronic Filing Form and the Organizational Report.  The letter informed Respondents that they could avoid the complaint process for their failure to file the Electronic Filing Form and the Organizational Report by waiving their rights to written notice and an opportunity to be heard at a HRS chapter 92 public meeting and a HRS chapter 91 contested case hearing, and voluntarily paying the fine amount, submitting their Electronic Filing Form, and filing their Organizational Report by 7/10/24.

Respondents filed their Electronic Filing Form on 7/3/24 and Organizational Report on 7/8/24.  Respondents did not voluntarily pay the fine.

On 7/23/24, Commission staff sent Respondents a copy of the Complaint and set the matter on the 9/11/24 Commission agenda.

Respondents have not responded to the complaint within 30 days from the mailing of the complaint, and therefore, pursuant to HRS §11-403(c), the Commission may treat the failure to explain or respond as a rebuttable presumption that a violation has occurred.

Executive Director Izumi-Nitao recommended that the Commission make a preliminary determination, pursuant to HRS §11-405(a), that probable cause exists to believe that a violation of the campaign spending law has been committed, assess an administrative fine in the amount of $50 in Count I for the failure to timely file an Electronic Filing Form and $100 in Count II for the failure to timely file an Organizational Report, order that the fine be paid from the candidate’s personal funds, if the candidate committee’s funds are insufficient to pay the fine, pursuant to HRS §11-410(c), and order that any and all administrative penalties be paid within 30 days of receipt of the order and be deposited into the general fund pursuant to HRS §11-410.

Vice-Chair Chee moved to make a preliminary determination that probable cause exists that a violation had been committed and to accept the fine and terms stated in the complaint.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Wong.  Motion carried (5-0).

*Docket No. 25-02 – In Re the Matter of Christian Ulufanua and Christian Ulufanua – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao reported that a complaint by the Executive Director had been filed against Respondent for the failure to timely register with the Commission by filing the Electronic Filing Form and the Organizational Report.

Respondent Ulufanua filed nomination papers to be a candidate in the 2024 election on 6/4/24.

Pursuant to HRS §11-321(a), a candidate committee shall register and file an Organizational Report with the Commission within 10 days of the earlier of:  (1) The date the candidate files nomination papers for office; or (2) The date the candidate or candidate committee receives contributions or makes or incurs expenditures of more than $100 in the aggregate during the applicable election period.

Pursuant to HRS §11-321(b), before filing the Organizational Report, a candidate committee shall mail or deliver an Electronic Filing Form to the Commission.

Respondents were thus required to file their Electronic Filing Form by 6/14/24 which was 10 days from the date Respondent Ulufanua filed nomination papers for office.

On 6/6/24, Commission staff sent Respondents a letter via first class mail informing them that their Organizational Report was due on 6/14/24, that their failure to register by filing the Electronic Filing Form and the Organizational Report violates campaign finance laws, and of the imposition of an administrative fine if they do not register by 6/14/24.

Respondents did not file their Organizational Report nor their Electronic Filing Form.

On 6/26/24, Commission staff sent Respondents a letter via first class mail notifying them that a fine of $150 would be assessed against them for their failure to file the Electronic Filing Form and the Organizational Report.  The letter informed Respondents that they could avoid the complaint process for their failure to file the Electronic Filing Form and the Organizational Report by waiving their rights to written notice and an opportunity to be heard at a HRS chapter 92 public meeting and a HRS chapter 91 contested case hearing, and voluntarily paying the fine amount, submitting their Electronic Filing Form, and filing their Organizational Report by 7/10/24.

Respondents filed their Electronic Filing Form on 7/9/24 and Organizational Report on 7/17/24.  Respondents did not voluntarily pay the fine.

On 7/23/24, Commission staff sent Respondents a copy of the Complaint and set the matter on the 9/11/24 Commission agenda.

Respondents have not responded to the complaint within 30 days from the mailing of the complaint, and therefore, pursuant to HRS §11-403(c), the Commission may treat the failure to explain or respond as a rebuttable presumption that a violation has occurred.

Executive Director Izumi-Nitao recommended that the Commission make a preliminary determination, pursuant to HRS §11-405(a), that probable cause exists to believe that a violation of the campaign spending law has been committed, assess an administrative fine in the amount of $50 in Count I for the failure to timely file an Electronic Filing Form and $100 in Count II for the failure to timely file an Organizational Report, order that the fine be paid from the candidate’s personal funds, if the candidate committee’s funds are insufficient to pay the fine, pursuant to HRS §11-410(c), and order that any and all administrative penalties be paid within 30 days of receipt of the order and be deposited into the general fund pursuant to HRS §11-410.

Commissioner Wong asked why the Respondent is listed as Christian Ulufanua and Christian Ulufanua.  Executive Director Izumi-Nitao clarified that it is due to the Respondent using his name as his candidate committee name.

Vice-Chair Chee moved to make a preliminary determination that probable cause exists that a violation had been committed and to accept the fine and terms stated in the complaint.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Wong.  Motion carried (5-0).

Commissioner Polk asked if the name of the committees being offered Conciliation Agreements and those that failed to file certain reports are listed on the Commission’s website.  Executive Director Izumi-Nitao explained that the names of Conciliation Agreement recipients are not listed because there is no statutory requirement for doing so, but the name of committees failing to file reports are listed until there is compliance.  Once they file the required reports then their name is removed.

Commissioner Wong commented that committees should be fully compliant for their name to be removed from the website, meaning fines would have to be fully paid on top of filing the required reports.  Vice-Chair Chee and Commissioner Polk were in agreement.

Executive Director Izumi-Nitao stated that staff will review the law and report back regarding any statutory requirements for listing non-compliant committees including those pending payment of a fine(s) or approval of a Conciliation Agreement on the website.

*Consideration, Discussion, and/or Approval of Commission Legislation for the 2025 Legislative Session – General Counsel Kam reported that staff drafted four (4) bills for the Commission’s consideration for the 2025 Legislative Session.  Notably, all of these bills were introduced in the 2024 Legislative Session but did not pass.

• CSC-01 (25), RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS Increases the amount of partial public financing available for all state and county elective offices. Amends HRS §11-425 by increasing the maximum amount of public funds available for most offices by 50%.  Increases the maximum amount of public funds available for a candidate for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs from $1,500 to 10% of the expenditure limit established in HRS §11-423(d) for each election.  Amends HRS §11-429(a) by increasing the amounts of qualifying contributions for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs from more than $1,500 in the aggregate to more than $5,000 in the aggregate.  Provides a downward adjustment of the amounts of qualifying contributions for the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu, County of Hawaii, and County of Kauai as well as for the Office of County Council member for the County of Maui.  Provides for an unspecified appropriation to pay for the increase in the partial public financing program.  Provides for an appropriation in the amount of $200,000 for the Commission to hire two additional staff members.

Commissioner Polk asked why there was an adjustment to decrease the required qualifying contribution amount for the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney because it seems low to begin with.

General Counsel Kam responded that staff determined adjustments by reviewing the offices where it appeared that candidates have difficulty meeting the minimum requirement.

Associate Director Baldomero added that the proposed decrease in required qualifying contribution amount for certain offices is to encourage participation.  Also, the key component of this bill would allow candidates to receive matching funding in a 2-for-1 ratio for any amount raised beyond the minimum and up to the maximum.

• CSC-02 (25), RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

Amends HRS §11-364 to provide that an excess contribution of more than $100 in cash, in the aggregate, from a single person during an election period to a candidate, candidate committee, or noncandidate committee shall escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund if not returned to the contributor within 30 days.

• CSC-03 (25), RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

Amends HRS §11-355 by prohibiting state or county contractors and grantees, their officers, and immediate family members of officers of state or county contractors and grantees, from contributing to candidates, candidate committees, or noncandidate committees for the duration of the contract or grant.  Requires candidates, candidate committees, and noncandidate committees to return any unlawful contribution to the contributor within 30 calendar days of receipt.  Provides that if any unlawful contribution is not returned to the contributor within 30 calendar days, the unlawful contribution shall escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund.

• CSC-04 (25), RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

Amends HRS §11-357 to prohibit state and county elected officials as defined in HRS §11-342(d) from soliciting and accepting campaign contributions during any regular session or special session of the state legislature, including any extension of any regular session or special session and any legislative recess day, holiday, and weekend.  This bill is submitted as a strategy to deter public corruption.

Commissioner Itomura asked if whether CSC-04 (25) only applies to candidate committees or for noncandidate committees as well.  General Counsel Kam clarified that the proposed bill only applies to elected officials and not noncandidate committees.

Vice-Chair Chee moved to have CSC-01, CSC-02, CSC-03, and CSC-04 as discussed, be approved for staff to present for introduction to the Legislature.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Wong.  Motion carried (5-0).

*Presentation, Discussion, and Approval of the Commission’s Annual Report for FY 2024 – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao presented the proposed draft of the Commission’s Annual Report for FY 2024 which discussed Commission activities covering the period 7/1/23 to 6/30/24 as applied to the Commission’s Strategic Plan.  She commented that upon approval, the annual report will be posted on the Commission’s website.

Chair Herbert recommended that the ability to file campaign finance reports over mobile devices be discussed in the upcoming budget proposal as well as strengthen the need to emphasize that the Commission has not had additional staff since the Investigator position was sunset after just a year in 1997 in the annual report.  Executive Director Izumi-Nitao suggested that staff can work with Chair Herbert on making non-substantive changes to the annual report.

Commissioner Itomura moved to approve the FY 2024 Annual Report including non-substantive amendment.  Motion seconded by Vice-Chair Chee.  Motion carried (5-0).

Old Business
*CAAP-20-0000514 – Nancy E. McGee v. Campaign Spending Commission, Calvin K.Y. Say, and Friends of Calvin Say – Deputy Attorney General Park reported that the suit was brought in 2020 and alleged that staff was operating without proper delegation from the Commission.  The Circuit Court ruled in favor of the Commission, and the decision was appealed.  The Intermediate Court of Appeals affirmed the Circuit Court’s decision.

Executive Director Izumi-Nitao added that the Intermediate Court of Appeals’ decision was issued on 8/20/24 and that appellants have 30 days to appeal the decision, otherwise it becomes final.

Vice-Chair Chee asked if assuming that the decision is final, would it affect the Commission’s current operations.  Deputy Attorney General Park responded that it would not since ruling was in favor of the Commission.

Report from Executive Director
*Report on Compliance of Filing Timely Disclosure Reports – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao noted that there are a number of reporting deadlines coming up.  They included:

• 1^st Preliminary General Report (due 10/1/24) (covering 1/1/24 or 8/11/24 to 9/26/24)
• 2^nd Preliminary General Report (due 10/28/24) (covering 9/27/24 to 10/21/24)
• Late Contributions/Expenditures Report (due 11/4/24) (covering 10/22/24 to 11/1/24)
• Final Election Period Report (due 11/27/24) (covering 8/11/24 or 10/22/24 to 11/5/24 for County of Kauai & Hawaii winning candidates)
• Final Election Period Report (due 12/5/24) (covering 1/1/24 or 8/11/24 or 10/22/24 to 11/5/24)
• Expenditure of Public Funds Report (due 12/5/24) (covering 1/1/24 to 11/5/24 for candidates receiving public funds)

Reports that were due since the Commission’s last meeting in July included:

• 2^nd Preliminary Primary Report (due 7/31/24) (covering 7/1 to 7/26/24)
  • 210 candidate committees needed to file
    • Filed on time – 184 (88%)
    • Failed to file – 21
    • Filed late – 5
    • Today – 1 has not filed (Ranson Soares)
  • Supplemental Report (due 7/31/24) (covering 1/1/24 to 6/30/24 for candidates NOT running in election)
    • 251 candidate committees needed to file
      • Filed on time – 196 (78%)
      • Failed to file – 54
      • Filed late – 1
      • Today – 17 have not filed
    • Preliminary Primary Report (due 7/31/24) (covering 1/1/24 to 7/26/24)
      • 227 noncandidate committees needed to file
        • Filed on time – 207 (91%)
        • Failed to file – 18
        • Filed late – 2
        • Today – 1 has not filed (Pono Life Sciences)
      • Late Contributions/Expenditures Report (due 8/7/24) (covering 7/27/24 to 8/6/24)
        • Candidate committees
          • Filed on time – 88
          • Failed to file – 11
          • Filed late – 1
          • Today – 11 have not filed
        • Noncandidate committees
          • Filed on time – 42
          • Failed to file – 2
          • Filed late – 0
          • Today – 2 have not filed
        • Final Primary Report (due 8/30/24) (covering 7/27/24 to 8/10/24)
          • 208 candidate committees needed to file
            • Filed on time – 194 (93%)
            • Failed to file – 8
            • Filed late – 6
            • Today – 5 have not filed
          • 228 noncandidate committees needed to file
            • Filed on time – 210 (92%)
            • Failed to file – 18
            • Today – 8 have not filed
          • Expenditure of Public Funds Report (due 8/30/24) (covering 1/1/24 to 8/10/24 for candidates receiving public funds)
            • 1 candidate committee needed to file
              • Filed on time – 1

*Discussion of Proposed 2025 CSC Meeting Dates – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao went over the 2025 meeting dates and noted that some dates are not on the second Wednesday of the month when the meetings are usually held due to scheduling conflicts.

*Discussion of Memos to Candidates Who Won/Lost in the Election and Next Steps – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao reported that staff prepared 6 memos, 2 for the Primary Election that have already been sent, and 4 to be distributed after the General Election.  The memos are intended to provide next steps for the following groups:

• Primary Election – Memo to 38 candidates who won outright and a memo to 89 candidates who lost (27 of which are $1,000 or less candidates). The memos were mailed on 8/26/24 (after time lapsed to contest the election).
• General Election – There will be a different memo sent out to each of the following groups on 11/26/24 (after time lapsed to contest the election): Candidates who won; Candidates who lost; $1,000 or less Candidates; and, Ballot Issue Committees.

Associate Director Baldomero explained information provided on the memo for each of the respective groups and reported the following:

• 38 outright winners represented about 37% of all races;
• No outright winner received public funding;
• 7 term limited candidates out of the 38 outright winners;
• 37 out of the 245 candidates on the primary ballot were $1,000 or less candidates; and
• 127 out of the 259 candidates running in 2024 ended their election at the primary, with the remaining 132 advancing to the general.

He also reported the following with regard to campaign finances reported:

• Top 5 candidates receiving the most contributions:
  • Rick Blangiardi
  • Scott Saiki
  • Mitch Roth
  • Steve Alm
  • Andria Tupola
• Top 5 candidates making the most expenditures:
  • Rick Blangiardi
  • Scott Saiki
  • Mitch Roth
  • Andria Tupola
  • Scott Nishimoto
• Top 5 candidates receiving the most loans:
  • Clayton Hee ($119,000)
  • Breeani Kobayashi ($55,000)
  • Rick Blangiardi ($50,000)
  • Dennis Onishi ($47,000)
  • Chris Muraoka ($27,000)
• Notable races
  • Honolulu mayoral race
    • Rick Blangiardi (winner)
      • 125,000 votes, representing 23% of registered voters in Honolulu
      • Raised $2.2 million and spent $1.5 million
    • Opponents
      • 1 $1,000 or less candidate
      • 1 raised $1,000 and spent $1,000
      • 1 loaned $7,800 and spent $7,800
    • Hawaii mayoral race
      • Mitch Roth
        • Raised $240,000 and spent $210,000
      • Kimo Alameda
        • Raised $147,000 and spent $147,000
      • State House (Speaker district)
        • Kim Coco Iwamoto
          • Raised $59,000, self-funded $75,000 and spent $151,000
        • Scott Saiki
          • Raised $343,000 and spent $301,000

According to data from past elections.  The average spending of a House winner was about $45,000.

• Honolulu City Council
  • Andria Tupola (unopposed candidate)
    • Raised $195,000 and spent $197,000
  • Open seat candidate
    • Scott Nishimoto
      • Raised $153,000 and spent $166,000
    • Super PAC spending
      • $50,000 was spent in the primary election
        • $13,000 for Scott Saiki
        • No spending in the mayoral race this year ($1.4 million for Rick Blangiardi in the 2020 election)

*Discussion of 2024 Ballot Measures and Ballot Issue Committees – Associate Director Baldomero reported that there are 2 state constitutional amendments and 15 county charter amendment questions on the general election ballot this year (i.e., 4 questions for Honolulu, 3 questions for Hawaii Island, 3 questions for Maui, and 5 questions for Kauai). He further reported that there is one ballot issue committee that is currently registered with the Commission for the constitutional amendment regarding marriage equality.

*Report on FY 2024 CSC Annual On-Line Survey – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao reported that this is the 13th year of doing the survey to help improve and evaluate the effectiveness of Commission operations and communications for FY 2024 as well as provide us with any feedback.  The survey will launch on 9/30/24 and end on 10/28/24 whereupon the results will then be summarized, reported at the Commission’s public meeting, and posted on the Commission’s website in November.  Executive Director Izumi-Nitao went over the contents of the survey.

Executive Session
*Consideration and Approval of Executive Session Minutes of Meeting on 7/10/24.

Executive Director Izumi-Nitao recommended that if there was no business conducted other than approval of minutes for the Executive Session, this will be the last time it is approved by the Commission and will not be henceforth noticed in Executive Session on subsequent agendas unless there is substantive Executive Session business to conduct.

Chair Herbert asked if there were no corrections or amendments to the proposed executive session minutes on 7/10/24, he would ask for a motion in open session.

Vice-Chair Chee moved to approve the executive session minutes on 7/10/24.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Itomura.  Motion carried (5-0)

Next Meeting:
Scheduled for Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

Vice-Chair Chee moved to adjourn the meeting.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Wong.  Motion carried (5-0).

Meeting Adjourned at 11:45 a.m.