NAWILIWILI — Distinguished statesmen and community members heaped praise on County Council Chair Bill “Kaipo” Asing, Councilwoman Lani Kawahara and Councilman Daryl Kaneshiro prior to the start of their final meeting Wednesday morning at council chambers in Nawiliwili. Council Vice
NAWILIWILI — Distinguished statesmen and community members heaped praise on County Council Chair Bill “Kaipo” Asing, Councilwoman Lani Kawahara and Councilman Daryl Kaneshiro prior to the start of their final meeting Wednesday morning at council chambers in Nawiliwili.
Council Vice Chair Jay Furfaro conducted the ceremony of sorts, which included certificates for each departing council member, and a mayoral proclamation and special guest speakers for the departing chair.
Kawahara, Kaneshiro and Asing said it was an “honor and privilege” to serve the people of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau.
“I’m proud of the work I’ve done,” said Kawahara, the most junior member and first to be recognized. Specifically, she noted her work involving access to public information and environmental pieces of legislation.
She said she considers her colleagues to be “comrades in arms, bound together by our shared experiences.”
Kawahara, who did not seek re-election, said she hopes the incoming council members “have courage.”
Although they did not meet until the 2008 campaign, Councilman Tim Bynum said he and Kawahara connected quickly.
“I was impressed with what I saw,” he said in an interview after the meeting. “When I started with council, we became allies because of common values and common interests. She accomplished more than any first-term council member I’m aware of, certainly more than I did.”
Councilman Derek Kawakami said it was a pleasure to work with Kawahara.
“We had some great back-room battles,” he said. “You’re not a politician … You’re real. I’m going to miss you.”
Daryl “The Cowboy” Kaneshiro, a senior council member, chaired several key committees. He said he decided before the 2008 election that his current term would be his last.
“I’m leaving government to carry on my family’s farming and ranching tradition,” he said. “I’m not a man of many words; I’m a person of action. No matter what decisions are made… I truly did it for the people of Kaua‘i.”
Kawakami said Kaneshiro’s ability to break down complex issues was valuable along with his agricultural insight.
Emotions were on edge among some members of the crowd and around the council table as Furfaro began the public tribute to Asing.
“The spirit and value you add to the council and the community enriches the lives of all of us,” Furfaro said, before asking Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. to present his proclamation to the “most senior member of the council.”
“You leave behind a legacy of public service,” the mayor said, adding that the chair has stood for “honesty, integrity and accountability.”
“Us young guys look up to you,” Carvalho said. “You have touched so many parts of this island.”
State Rep. Jimmy Tokioka, D-Wailua-Lihu‘e-Koloa, had served on the council with Asing.
“You are a pillar in this community,” he said, adding that he was unaware of anyone who has served longer on the council.
State Rep. Mina Morita, D-Kapa‘a-Hanalei, said she learned “the art of sign-waving” from Asing back in 1990.
Special guest Ezra Kanoho, a former state House member and Asing’s campaign chair, said, “We all know that Kaipo is a person of excellence.”
“His love of the ‘aina is unparalleled … his love of nature reflected in his work on the council,” Kanoho said.
In regards to the recent harassment allegations against the chair, Kanoho said he hopes the truth surfaces in public documents.
Furfaro also invited North Shore community member Barbara Robeson to speak about her experiences with the chair.
She said she met Asing in 1978 when he organized a meeting to discuss a proposal to subdivide a parcel in Wainiha. That was when the North Shore ‘Ohana formed and Robeson said Asing inspired her to be its secretary.
She said the chair encouraged people to speak out and “do what is reasonable.”
Councilman Tim Bynum, who allied himself with Kawahara on legislative matters and the harassment claims, did not seek and was not given the floor to speak about Asing’s council career during the meeting Wednesday.
In an interview afterward, Bynum commended Asing.
“I honor, respect and admire his years of service. I learned a lot from him,” he said. “What got lost in the shuffle is how many times I agreed with him and how many times we voted together.”
Councilman Dickie Chang commended all three departing council members.
“When you enter politics, there’s no guidebook,” he said.
Kawakami referred to Asing as a “living legend.”
“Now I’m attempting to do what he’s been doing,” Kawakami said. “It’s not a sad day for me because he’s passed down his wisdom and we’ll carry the torch.”
