hunterbishop.com

They're at odds because Higa doesn't want the facts to be made public until after the election, is my guess, reading between the lines.

Hunter, surely you jest!

"...Higa's personal ambition is hurting the County..."

:)
:)

James,

I realize it was probably off the cuff, but I think you did Hunter a disservice by quoting him in that manner.

If you read his posting carefully – and not all people will – you know that Hunter was presenting what he thought was Lincoln Ashida's position, not his own.

Not that he can't defend himself, but I thought this should be pointed out and Hunter, who (in the interest of disclosure) I was honored to work with for some 17 years, would not likely do that.

I imagine Hunter takes enough flak for his own opinions without someone putting words into his mouth.

I've said this before all of these investigations are supposed to be confidential. The HTH opinion is not fact Why does West Hawaii Today give less biased coverage. What was the judges experience? Because to me this is one screwed up investigation. Was this his first case. Where did they hold the investigation? I can't find anyone in the County,State who knows where the investigation was held. What is Ms. Changs background. In my case one of my main accusers had just finished a bout with RX drug withdrawal, and a psychotic break. her evidence was included. I never used this in my defense because the person was sick. Is there a similar situation here? Just Questions.

Brian, since you're once again casting all these aspersions at local media (not to mention adopting Higa's game plan of tainting the accuser), where's that investigative, in-depth, unbiased article about the Higa/Chang matter that you promised us two months ago?

http://hunterbishop.com/journal/2008/4/16/higa-calls-for-hth-to-reveal-source.html?currentPage=2#comments)

Maybe I missed it, or maybe you found it much easier to talk about such an effort than to actually do it.

Dave (and Hunter), no bad stuff intended.
All necessary apologies and whatever else appropriate extended.

It is absolutely correct that it was Lincoln Ashida, Esq, Corporation Counsel for the County of Hawaii who said that Stacy Higa, Hawaii County Council member -- accused, by his former Council Legislative Assistant, of sexual harassment == and candidate for Hawaii County Mayor, was allowing his personal ambition to hurt the County. Hunter Bishop only reported that and did a d___ good job of it! :)

Thanks for catching me on that.

Dave I am working on it. As you know the system is not exactly transparent. I find it amazing we can caste aspersions on Mr Higa and when I ask questions about Ms. Changs background it's unfair. Check and see if West Hawaii Today hasn't done a better job covering this case. I don't have dog in this fight. I had a similar experience where I was vindicated and Stephens Media printed lies after they had to retract them. So if I'm skeptical of the media it's well deserved. I had opposition party hacks calling voters saying they knew the truth and just perpetrated the lies of a women who had filed previous sexual harassment charges, had severe problems. I had supporters of my opposition who claimed to KNOW the TRUTH and ran a phone & whisper campaign. When confronted they shut up. The law say it's the subjective impression of the alleged victim that counts. There is no other doctrine in law that
allows this type of leeway. I have questions about the judge, the Corp Counsel and the Clerk. If the facts are all out and I'm wrong I'll admit it. I just want proof before we destroy a mans family and career. Innocent until proven guilty. Mr Arakaki was mentioned the County was mentioned.

I find it strange that just a few months ago Higa wanted all the facts be known. He complained loudly that the court records where sealed. Then he has the chance to open the judicial records so he and the county council obtain the information. However, he then does about-face on the subject and votes against the corporation council petitioning to open the files. If he had nothing to hide, why would he vote against this? Wouldn't the court files show depositions, testimony on both sides of the story? Evidence gathered, whether medical, psychiatric,would also be included. This information would be valuable to the county taxpayers who have to foot the bill of this escapade.

By hiring a slew of lawyers to defend him, but voting against the petition to release the information, he makes himself look guilty. Does he hope to cloud the issue until the elections are over? I think he is self-serving, cruel to his family, burdening to the taxpayor, and victimizing Ms Chang all over again.

I don't get it. How is Higa only a witness as he claims if Melissa is alleging sexual harassment? Wouldn't somebody have to sexually harass her and according to the prior complaint it was Higa. How he is only a witness?

Maybe its me, but is Higa lying to everyone? If we find out later that he is, should he be impeached or charged with perjury?

Wow! what a quagmire of thoughts and words.
Innocent until proven guilty is a fair call.

How does one sort through it in the meantime?

My suggestion: Based on my own interaction with Mr Higa a while I worked at Council, and my observation of the conduct of beyond that and especially including their ideas about being Mayor, legal action or not, findings or not, I would ask, please do not vote for Mr Higa for Mayor. IMHO, given his stated priorities and modus operandi, he is absolutely not fit to be Mayor.

I'd want lawyers so ALL THE RECORDS came out. That is why you get an attorney. In my case there had been prefabricated lies entered as fact. Under 20 minutes of attorney scrutiny the Principal actually admitted my involvement in politics had a part in my illegal termination, and the woman who had helped make up false counseling statements was forced to remove them. The School Administrator admitted the Principals accusations of my wrongdoing were in fact an error on the schools part.Finally my proficiency at work was found to be above par. If ALL THE FACTS hadn't come out additional false charges would have seemed credible. Character Assasination is built on what is written, as well as what is implied. Actually Dave and I want the same thing the truth. If Ms Chang wants Mr Higa examined then we should be able to ask questions of her as well. Is this her first use of sexual harassment at work? Has she had problems in relating to men at work before? Is this her first episode of not playing well with others ? Or is it a pattern? In my case one of my detractors had used sexual harassment as a tool to destroy a superior in a prior case. Her career was less than one might expect for her years of service. Though I was the subordinate I refused to be intimidated by a hostile work environment. The investigation showed that a pattern of abuse and defamation was established.. When she couldn't destroy my professional reputation she went after my personal reputaion.She then illegally exposed partial medical and psychological records to give the impression I was unfit. A full review of my records showed I was vindicated and found totally fit. In my case prior jobs, fitness reviews, and MED/PSYCH evals set me free. The behavior she implied was totally out of character. It turned out the hostile work environment, was caused by women not the man. If I was Mr. Higa I'd want these questions answered in a court of law. When we went back over my investigation there were something like 13 major inconsistencies in prior testimony. I was lucky I had an experienced lawyer and investigator. Did the County have a man or woman with a long track record of these investigations? According to the paper the legal defense seemed sub standard.Dave I welcome any insights you have. I truly am working hard to get to the FACTS. It has taken longer than I would have liked. But the HTH and WHT are not getting much more than questions either.
.

There is a large hazard in taking two cases and drawing comparisons. Accusations against Mr Higa and Mr Jordan were both for 'sexual harassment' but the differences become great after that -- different employer, different job relationships (viz supervisor/subordinate status), different nature of specific alleged actions, and more.
There are many other known cases of sexual harassment allegations being upheld, and despicable working environments have been changed for the better.

As for Ms Chang and the work environment she found to be 'hostile', I was working in that same work environment (in the same professional role as Ms Chang) and had routine office interaction with Ms Chang and the other (seven) Council Legislative Assistants on a daily basis; and it has come as no surprise to me that she filed the complaint.
If a lawyer or anyone else wants to find out about Ms Chang's situation in that work environment, then I would be glad to give honest answers to honest questions. While I can't speak directly for the other LA's of the time, having known them I am sure they would also be open to civil discussion. (Note: one of the other LA's was the first to tell me that Ms Chang had taken 'sick leave' and that LA stated, "Given the circumstances, it's not surprising she had to take sick leave..."
The one and only basis of 'unease' / 'friction' type of situation that I observed regarding Ms Chang was in terms of her working relationship (or, IMHO, lack thereof) with Mr Higa.
IMHO, there was a tension and lack of ease in discussions between them that did not exist between other LA's and their Councilor -- strictly IMHO.
What is NOT simply an opinion is that on numerous occasions Ms Chang was helpful to me in learning about office procedures (e.g., the color of paper for various committee agendas, locating bills/resolutions in archives, etc) and I observed her being very much of a leader among some of the other (male and female) LA's who, unlike myself, had almost no previous experience writing legislation -- Ms Chang was 100% a team player.

"She's lying; They're all Lying!!!"

Well, I spent the last two years studying politics and hanging out with our politicians a lot. I experienced that politics is a tough business. In this situation, people and the news just love to put dirt on his face only because Stacy is running for mayor. After all his reputation will be ruined forever, and may even go into debt trying to get his name clean again? My advice to the people is that don't let the "bad" news get to you cuz there are still a few great politicians here who's honest and care for the needy families. Better yet, vote for those who really values you!
Any how, I like Lincoln's work in the Counsel cuz he was my law teacher in college: he is awesome, and I trust his ethics. One day I'll help him get elected to be our County Prosecutor.
Jet Heng
Candidate for Council District 4