Michael Levine reports for Inside Honolulu:

Lois Mitsunaga got back to me Friday morning to let me know that the spots cost her father $30,000 to produce and air. Both commercials conclude with this sentence: “This ad is paid for by Dennis Mitsunaga and is not endorsed by any political party or candidate.”

Hawaii law requires campaign advertising to contain both the name and address of the person paying for the spot. A different section of law defines an advertisement as any communication that “identifies a candidate directly or by implication.” Both commercials mention Cayetano by name. Neither contains Mitsunaga’s address.

Lois Mitsunaga told me in an email that her father did not create a non-candidate committee with the Campaign Spending Commission ”because this was paid for personally by himself as an individual.”

“My father talked to three of his own attorneys and they concurred that it is not required for individuals,” she wrote.

I left a message with the CSC for clarification on independent expenditures and was told I’ll hear back Monday.

— Michael Levine

Read our related story: 

– Accused of Corruption, Mitsunagas Punch Back With Radio Ads