by Andrew Walden

Better late than never? 

Maybe not.

In response to an email from “Marcus Teruya” of the “Blangiardi Responsiveness and Accountability Team” (BRAT), Honolulu Hale spokesman Tim Sakahara this afternoon informs reporters that “Mayor Blangiardi’s financial disclosure is online and available for viewing.”

The disclosure, due February 1, is dated February 19, 2021--and comes just hours after Teryua’s email query, which included this tid-bit:

“Is the Mayor aware that not filing a financial disclosure form according to the schedule proscribed in CH 3-8.4 is both a civil and criminal offense, subjecting him to civil fines, criminal fines, and imprisonment if found guilty. He is also subject to citizen arrest for violating this city ordinance.”

Actually, ROH CH3-8.4 doesn’t mention anything about “citizen arrest” but let’s not get hung up on a little detail like that.

What’s really interesting is on Page Six.

No.  Not THAT Page Six. 

Page six of the disclosure, titled “Real Property Owned” includes a leasehold parcel owned by Mayor Blangiardi’s wife Karen Chang at 1186 Mikole Street, Honolulu, HI 96816.  

The parcel is one of several not included on Blangiardi’s June 8, 2020 Candidate Financial Disclosure form.  

Ooops.

Google Maps is my friend: 1186 Mikole Street is on Sand Island.

Are the synapses firing now?

Blangiardi's campaign pulled in $92,500 from Sand Island businesses--including $24,000 on June 9, 2020. 

Akamai readers may remember back two weeks to this item: “Bill 31: Former Meth-head Helps Sand Island Lobby for Property Tax Cap.”

Bill 31 CD1, pushed by ex-convict, former methamphetamines addict and Broken Trust figure Milton Holt, would have capped property taxes—but only for members of the Sand Island Business Association. 

Even if massive new industrial development occurred on the covered parcels, taxes could increase no more than 5% per year.  An earlier version capped tax increases at 3%.  The excuse—Sand Island Business Association members allegedly receive fewer city services because their businesses are located on private roads within the industrial subdivision.

Chang’s property, subleased from the Sand Island Business Association, would have likely increased in value with passage of Bill 31, but on February 3, 2021, the new Council Budget Committee voted unanimously to defer Bill 31 indefinitely.

The previous Council had unanimously approved Bill 31 on Second Reading December 9, 2020--subsequent to Blangiardi’s election. 

According to Loopnet, the property was listed for sale on January 22, 2021.  If you’ve got $1,165,000 burning a hole in your pocket, it can be yours.

And one more thing—a helpful tip for communications professionals:

When releasing your guy’s disclosure, late, don’t give credit to some dude who just threatened him with “citizen arrest.” 

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