In a rather extraordinary action, the State Ethics Commission announced it has resolved a sexual harassment complaint against former House Speaker Joe Souki, a Democrat who has served his Maui district since 1982.
The commission’s report, Resolution of Investigation 18-2, is available online.
In order to resolve the complaint before the commission and avoid further proceedings, Souki has agreed to resign his position before the end of the month and pay a $5,000 administrative fine.
In addition:
g. Respondent Souki admits that, while serving as Speaker of the House and in meetings held in his State Capitol office, he touched and kissed more than one woman in ways that were inappropriate and unwelcome. He admits that this physical contact exceeded the boundaries of the customary “aloha kiss.”
h. Respondent Souki further admits that he made sexual comments, including comments on the physical appearance of more than one woman, that were inappropriate and unwanted.
The commission considered both the rules of the House and the “Fair Treatment” provision of the state ethics code, which applies to legislators.
No legislator or employee shall use or attempt to use the legislator’s or employee’s official position to secure or grant unwarranted privileges, exemptions, advantages, contracts, or treatment, for oneself or others.
The commission’s action is more significant given that the commission chair, Rey Graulty, was elected to serve in both the House and Senate, before eventually being appointed a judge in the First Circuit.
It’s going to be interesting to see how this ruling reverberates through current legislative session. How will other legislators react?
Discover more from i L i n d
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Or how will other WOMEN (or male harassment victims) react.
There is, of course, immediate speculation about who Maui democrats will recommend to the Governor for appointment.
It’s a sad commentary on those journalists who, without knowing the facts, were so quick to jump all over Wong about not understanding local culture. Atty Green’s belittling of Wong was equally rude and offensive. Can these journalists apologize and congratulate Wong and the other women who came forward for their courage to stand up against negative public opinion, made worse by their bad journalism?
Bravo to Wong and the reporting journalists. Let’s “clean house” of these disgusting people.
This is really sad to see. Joe has been a friend for years and worked hard representing his constituents. His behavior was probably inappropriate, but perhaps mine has been at times as well.
I love women. I love to hug and kiss them too. If I have ever made any of my many women friend feel uncomfortable, I apologize to you. Most of my favorite friends are women and I have worked with them for years in real estate. The last thing I would want to do is to cross boundaries. I am acutely aware of a turned cheek from a potential kiss and respect that boundary.
Maybe women could help men who are acting inappropriately to just calmly state that hugging or kissing makes them feel uncomfortable. I even hug a lot of my male friends.
All men are not bad. Joe Souki is a lot more good than bad. He is still my good friend with some bad habits. I resemble that !
One of the more extraordinary aspects of the release of this ruling from the Ethics Commission – as relayed to me by a member of the media. My understanding:
The Ethics Commission released its documents to the media at 10:30 on Tuesday morning with a strict embargo on release until 7:30 am Wednesday (this morning). You can imagine that they immediately began to follow-up, gather reaction, etc. But not a word was circulating publicly in the rumor mill at the Capitol or elsewhere. The embargo was later revised to earlier Tuesday in a bow to the reality and practice of online publication of ‘the day’s news’ shortly after midnight.
Moreover, as reported, the emeritus speaker told his House colleagues later on Tuesday morning about what was about to transpire – and apparently they all pretty much kept their mouths shut as well.
Hard to believe that the coconut wireless didn’t pick this up before Star-Advertiser and Civil Beat postings early this morning.
Listen carefully to Rachel’s statement. She has forever changed the civil discourse in Hawaii .https://www.facebook.com/HawaiiNewsNow/videos/10156065164545479/
Kaui L., please provide a link that doesn’t require use of Facebook. Many of us are abandoning that platform.
I’m fortunate, I feel, not to have had a Facebook account.