Kaua‘i Police Chief K.C. Lum could be running for elective office. “There is the possibility that I may be going in that direction,” Lum said yesterday. Lum asked the Kaua‘i County Board of Ethics at yesterday’s meeting for an advisory
Kaua‘i Police Chief K.C. Lum could be running for elective office.
“There is the possibility that I may be going in that direction,” Lum said yesterday.
Lum asked the Kaua‘i County Board of Ethics at yesterday’s meeting for an advisory opinion about whether a department head or elected official needs to resign in order to become a candidate for elective office.
Lum attached to his request a 1991 advisory opinion from the Ethics Commission of the City & County of Honolulu. The opinion says, in part, that cabinet members or executive assistants to the mayor need not resign in order to run for Honolulu City Council.
The advisory opinion also says candidates should take paid or unpaid leave during their campaigns, and they should not perform any work for the office from which they are on leave.
Lum said he’ll follow what the Honolulu Ethics Commission opinion states until the Kaua‘i Board of Ethics comes out with a ruling.
Right now, Lum said, there is the possibility his contract as chief of police may be canceled by the county.
“I don’t think that was right, and I need to look at my future,” Lum said.
Lum’s request for an advisory opinion from the Ethics Board is dated May 2.
The board will be responding to Chief Lum’s request by letter, said Deputy County Attorney Margaret Sueoka.
She said the board has 30 days to respond, and more information is needed before the board sends a response letter to Lum.
Lum was appointed chief of police in 2004. He joined the police department in 1983.
July 25 is the deadline for candidates to file paperwork at the county clerk’s office.
County seats up for election include mayor and all seven councilmembers.
• Cynthia Kaneshiro, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or ckaneshiro@kauaipubco.com
