John and May Mizuno Challenged By Hawaii GOP

The ethics complaint was filed by the Hawaii Republican Party over shared use of campaign signs.

honolulu-politics:

Double whammy much?

The Hawaii Republican Party has filed a complaint with the Campaign Spending Commission against the Mizunos’ campaigns, according to a press release sent out Wednesday.

May Mizuno, running for Tulsi Gabbard’s vacant Honolulu City Council District 6 seat, is using signs originally made for her husband, state Rep. John Mizuno, according to Nacia Blom, the party’s executive director.

One photo shows a sign reading “Mizuno for the people” with ad hoc scraps of paper attached to it. The pieces of paper read “May,”City Council” and “6.”

Blom says the signs are at various locations throughout the council district, which includes Makiki, Nuuanu, Kalihi and downtown.

If what the Hawaii GOP alleges is true, the signs would be considered non-monetary contributions — donations not included in campaign spending reports filed by Friends of May Mizuno and Friends of John Mizuno. 

Here’s what the Hawaii Administrative Rules say: 

“Contribution” includes non-monetary contributions of goods or services without charge or at a charge that is less than the usual and normal charge for the goods or services. Examples of such goods and services include facilities, equipment, supplies, personnel, advertising services, membership lists, and mailing lists” (HAR §  3-160-4b)

And the Hawaii Revised Statues state:

“Campaign funds shall not be used…To support the campaigns of candidates other than the candidate with  which they are directly associated…”

The Mizunos have not yet responded to the complaint, according to the commission.

Photo courtesy of Hawaii Republican Party.

— Alia Wong