Minutes for October 7, 2002

Campaign Spending Commission Meeting
Leiopapa A Kamehameha Building, Room 204
October 7, 2002
3:00 p.m.

Members Present:
Della Au Belatti, Clifford Muraoka, Mona Chock, Richard Choy

Staff Present:
Robert Watada, Jon Itomura, Ellen Kojima
Gary Kam, Deputy Attorney General

Call to Order:
Meeting convened at 3:05 p.m. with Commissioner Belatti presiding.

Consideration of Minutes:
Mr. Choy moved to accept the minutes of August 14, 2002, Ms. Chock seconded. Motion carried.

Mr. Muraoka moved to accept the minutes of September 4, 2002, Ms. Chock seconded. Motion carried.

New Business:
Conciliation Agreement #02-21 Antonio's Steak Ribs and Pasta
An earlier agreement with Mr. Alan Ho and his restaurants was fined $5,000 for making excess contributions to the Harris campaign. Upon review of the Hannemann disclosure reports it was found that Mr. Ho and his restaurants have also made excess contributions to this campaign.

Staff is recommending a fine of $1,500, which also includes failure to file required reports.

Mr. Muraoka moved to accept the conciliation agreement with Antonio's Steak Ribs and Pasta, Ms. Chock seconded. Motion carried.

Conciliation Agreement #02-25 Walters Kimura Motoda, Inc. and Michael Motoda
The investigation of Walters Kimura Motoda, Inc. and Michael Motoda found that the company and Mr. Motoda made excess contributions of $5,125 to the Harris 2000 campaign. Staff is recommending a fine of $2,500.

Commissioners inquired as to why the fine was higher than some others. Mr. Watada responded, that the fine was higher because it took a little more time and expense to get needed information.

Ms. Chock moved to accept the conciliation agreement with Walters Kimura Motoda, Inc., Mr. Muraoka seconded. Motion carried.

Draft Advisory Opinion #02-08 Contributions Related to Candidate Appearances
Draft advisory opinion was drafted in response to questions regarding contributions and expenditures relating to a candidate's appearance at forums, coffee hours and other similar campaign appearances. The draft advises that contributions and expenditures for such events are to be reported, except where the event is privately hosted and the host spends less than $100 for the event it need not be reported.

Ms. Chock moved for further discussion, Mr. Choy seconded.

Discussion was had on how this draft advisory opinion would impact on the different kinds of events that are held.

Ms. Chock moved to adopt draft advisory opinion 02-08, Mr. Choy seconded. Motion carried.

Communication to Commission:
To date approximately $30,000 in public funds has been disbursed to candidates.

Next Meeting:
Scheduled for Friday, November 1, 2002 at 3:00 p.m.

No further business to discuss Commissioner Belatti adjourned meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m.