Today’s Hawaii Tribune Herald reported that Mayor Billy Kenoi would be attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington on Jan. 17-19. I think it’s good that our Mayor represents the Big Island in a conference like this.
“…Hunter Bishop, the mayor’s public relations specialist, said Kenoi plans to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington on Jan. 17-19.
Takaba, however, said it is uncertain whether Kenoi will be able to attend the inauguration of Obama, the first Hawaii-born person elected president, because he lacks tickets.
The estimated cost of Kenoi’s trip — including airfare, hotel and meals — is $2,650, Takaba said, and will be paid for with taxpayer dollars. Kenoi also plans to bring an executive assistant on the trip, so the total cost will be about $5,300, Takaba said…”
I found it curious that the newspaper did not report who the executive assistant was that might be going on the trip. I had a sneaky suspicion that it might have been Mr. Bishop himself, since he was quoted in the paper.
I emailed Mr. Bishop and asked who the assistant was that would be going and what their responsibilities would be.
Mr. Bishops reply:
“Craig (Kawaguchi) is an Executive Assistant to the Mayor assigned to projects included in the economic stimulus package. He will assist the Mayor in Washington , D.C. , in getting Hawaii County its fair share of the federal economic stimulus package through working with the U.S. Conference of Mayors.”
I think that it is money well spent by our county to have Mayor Kenoi as well as Mr. Kawaguchi attending this conference.
I listed the counties wish list on the left hand side in the “Say Community” section of my blog.
We are asking for a lot from Obama, so spending a little to get a lot is a good investment in my mind.
Filed under: Announcements, Big Island, Economy, Hawaii, Kenoi, Politics Tagged: | Announcements, Big Island, County Politics, Economy, Hawaii, Kenoi, National Politics, Politics, Responses
