Woo vs. Harmon - Witness Elisa Yadao

David C. Farmer, Successor-Trustee vs. Harmon

(Formerly Woo vs. Harmon & Nicholson vs. Harmon)

CV05-00030 DAE KSC

U.S. District Court For the District of Hawaii

Judges: David A. Ezra; Kevin S. Chang

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DEFENDANT’S MOTIONS FOR ABATEMENT, DAMAGES, ETC.

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DEFENDANT’S WITNESS

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ELISA YADAO

Former television news reporter; former communications director for Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate; communications strategist for Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s successful campaign in 2004; Editor of Ka Hana publication of the Office of Business Services, State of Hawaii, Department of Education.

Address to be determined.

E-Mail: Ka_Hana@notes.k12.hi.us

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New Discovery (10-14-08): Undisclosed financial and political relationships between David Farmer and numerous parties related to this case:

April 17, 2008

Public relations firms feed at
city-funded transit trough

By Laurie Au, Star-Bulletin

The city released yesterday a list of companies working on the $3.7 billion mass-transit system in contracts totaling more than $107 million.

Paying up to sell mass transit

Here are some companies or individuals hired to do public outreach on the city's mass transit system:

Elisa Yadao, public relations: $504,662

Lychee Productions, public relations: $889,117

Norman Mineta, Hill & Knowlton: $120,000 The three companies contracted to the city -- Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas Inc., InfraConsult and PB Americas -- are responsible for primarily the engineering studies being done on the elevated mass-transit system from Kapolei to Ala Moana.

But those companies also hired several other companies for work that includes public relations or community outreach. The city does not pay these subcontractors directly, but does approve the companies.

"I'm very concerned," said Councilman Charles Djou, who had requested the list. "I've always contended that the rail project is too expensive. All this spending of taxpayer money on public relations is basically bribing the taxpayers with their own money."

Djou pointed to two well-known consultants, former U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta and Elisa Yadao, who does public relations with InfraConsult. Mineta, vice chairman of international public relations firm Hill & Knowlton Inc., is getting $120,000 a year to do community outreach in Hawaii.

Yadao, who also worked with Mayor Mufi Hannemann on his campaign in 2004, is getting paid $425,000 over four years. Yadao also received $79,662 for work done with Parsons Brinckerhoff.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann said he stands by the money the city spends on the project.

"I think it's worth every penny that we spend on this project," Hannemann said. "This is the biggest capital improvement project. This is very common and something that the Federal Transit Administration looks at. It's very necessary. Maybe if (the Council) weren't trying to delay and obstruct the project as much, we won't have to spend as much."

The mayor's spokesman added that the public-involvement expenses are a small fraction -- 2.5 percent -- of the project's total cost.

http://archives.starbulletin.com/2008/04/17/news/story02.html

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April 18, 2008

Mayor’s backers get big rail jobs

Hannemann defends millions doled out
so far to his campaign donors

by Laurie Au, Star-Bulletin

Nearly one in every three companies working on the city's $3.7 billion mass transit system has contributed to Mayor Mufi Hannemann's campaign.

In reviewing a list released by the city this week of subcontractors involved in this project, the Star-Bulletin found at least 19 of the 62 firms have given money to Hannemann's campaign since 2000.

Three contractors were awarded a total of $107 million to work on the beginning phases of the project, including the preliminary engineering, environmental impact statement and public outreach. Those three companies enlisted the help of several dozen companies, some of which were awarded multiple contracts lasting several years.

Hannemann defended the firms, saying they are doing good work and that contributing to his campaign is legal.

"There's nothing that prevents consultants who work with the city who happen to be supporters of mine," he told reporters yesterday. "As long as the contribution is legal, we'll accept the campaign contribution."

Three subcontractors working on public involvement have ties to Hannemann's campaign or administration. They have more than $1.8 million in subcontracts: Elisa Yadao and Laura Pennington, who worked on Hannemann's mayoral campaign, and Gary Omori, married to Clarice Hashimoto, who works in the Mayor's Office.

Meanwhile, the City Council is expected to make a final decision on the technology for the elevated system from Kapolei to Ala Moana. That vote is a mere "formality," said Hannemann, as the city moves forward with steel wheel on steel rail as its technology.

http://archives.starbulletin.com/2008/04/18/news/story01.html

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September 6, 2008

Mayor's ad with Obama clarified

Presidential nominee featured, but has not endorsed Hannemann

BY PETER BOYLAN, Advertiser Staff Writer

A campaign advertisement featuring Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Sen. Barack Obama was not sanctioned by the Obama campaign and does not amount to an official endorsement, local Obama campaign officials said.

The advertisement, featuring images from Obama's public rally last month at Ke'ehi Lagoon Beach Park and audio of Obama praising the mayor, also includes a picture of Obama with Hannemann and his wife, Gail Mukaihata Hannemann.

The ad quotes Obama saying "I want to thank one of the best mayors in the country who has just made Honolulu even better than it was before, Mufi Hannemann."

Staff members for Obama's Hawai'i campaign said they have been fielding calls about the ad and questions about whether Obama formally endorsed Hannemann.

Hannemann's campaign did not make a formal request to use Obama's likeness or public comments in a paid campaign advertisement, Obama campaign officials said.

"Senator Obama has not endorsed any candidate for mayor of Honolulu," said Andy Winer, Obama's Hawai'i campaign chairman.

A.J. Halagao, who serves as Hannemann's campaign coordinator and campaign spokesperson, was also a volunteer for Obama's local campaign prior to working for Hannemann's re-election campaign.

"We are not aware of an objection from the Obama campaign regarding our commercial. In fact, earlier this week, we were contacted by the Obama campaign to have Mayor Hannemann speak at an upcoming rally in Hawai'i and in addition, travel to Mainland municipalities to speak on Senator Obama's behalf," said Halagao. "Earlier in the year, Mayor Hannemann endorsed Senator Obama, who responded, 'Mahalo to Mayor Hannemann for endorsing my candidacy for president. I have known Mufi since my basketball playing days in high school, and I appreciate all of his efforts to make Honolulu a better place to live.' "

The ad featuring Hannemann and Obama was made at a rally at Ke'ehi lagoon — a public event that already had been broadcast throughout the country, according to the Hannemann campaign.

During his Hawai'i visit last month, Obama reiterated his praise for Hannemann during a fundraiser a few days after the rally, referring to Hannemann as an "outstanding mayor."

The fundraising event, which Hannemann co-chaired, generated more than $1.3 million in donations.

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This witness is expected to testify regarding her business, professional, and personal relationships with Defendant Bobby Harmon; Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate; P&C Insurance Company, Nathan Aipa, Colleen Wong, Louanne Kam, Lyn Anzai, Earl Anzai, Neil Hannahs, Kekoa Paulson, Marsha Bolson, Jim Dooley, Sally Apgar, Jim Witty, Rocco Sansone, Rodney Park, Marsh & McLennan, Mark Bennett, Hugh Jones, Dorothy Sellers, Lawrence Goya, Milton Holt, Mufi Hannemann, Matt Tsukazaki, Robert Katz, Gilbert Tam, Henry Peters, Richard Wong, Jeff Stone, Kevin Showe, Guido Giacometti, Sukamto Sia, Colbert Matsumoto, William S. Richardson, Judge Patrick Yim, Judge Kevin Chang, Judge Barry Kurren, Faye Kurren, Judge Patrick Yim, Judge Eden Elizabeth Hifo, Lokelani Lindsey, Michael Chun, Rockne Freitas, Myron Thompson, Nainoa Thompson, Dee Jay Mailer, William McCorriston, Booz-Allen & Hamilton, International Association of Communicators, and other entities to be named upon discovery.