Kilauea board votes to remove president from Somers negotiations over potential conflict

The Kilauea Neighborhood Association on Feb. 7 voted 8–3 to remove President Yoshi L’Hote as the KNA representative in negotiations with Mr. Somers after members raised a potential conflict of interest tied to charitable donations to Āina Hoʻokupu o Kīlauea, an organization Yoshi leads.

Charlie Martin moved the recusal, Scott Mijares seconded it; the motion passed with eight votes in favor and three opposed. The board also approved a separate motion, by the same margin, permitting Jim O’Connor and Charlie Martin to meet face-to-face with Mr. Somers to obtain more detail about his proposal to improve Kahili/quarry road in two phases in exchange for proceeding with construction of a barn and manager’s house.

Board members discussed outstanding questions about who manages the road (county or Somers) and requested clarity before further action. The motions are recorded as decisions to shift negotiation duties and to gather additional information rather than final approvals of the Somers permit.