From the Hawaii Tribune-Herald:

A 3rd Circuit Court has dismissed another portion of the defamation lawsuit against two former county officials.

Judge Elizabeth Strance, in a ruling issued Tuesday morning, said the attorney representing Elections Division Chief Patricia Nakamoto and former elections employee Shyla Ayau failed to prove former County Council Chairman Dominic Yagong and former County Clerk Jamae Kawauchi acted in a “willful and wanton” way in investigating and firing four county elections workers last year.

“To the contrary, the admissible evidence now before this Court appears to clearly support a finding that Defendants Kawauchi and Yagong acted both with cause and within the scope of their employment within the County of Hawaii,” Strance wrote in her order granting Yagong’s and Kawauchi’s motion for summary judgment. “Conversely, the Plaintiffs have not provided this Court with ‘clear and convincing’ evidence of any animus or ‘willful or wanton’ tortious conduct by Defendants Kawauchi and/or Yagong towards the Plaintiffs. … Similarly, there is no evidence that Defendants Kawauchi and/or Yagong personally conducted any investigation, regarding the actions of the Plaintiffs in connection with the County Elections Warehouse.”

Francis Jung, who represented Yagong and Kawauchi, said they’re still awaiting Strance’s ruling on another motion for summary judgment, filed by the private investigation firm hired to conduct an inquiry into complaints about the Elections Division. Read the full story.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

EBT concerns cloud skies over Kauai farmers markets

IRS probes former GOP leader’s ties to Maui Tea Party

Some Big Isle parking lot drinking may be banned

KCC art “blossoms” at Kukui Grove

Leithead Todd appointment goes against charter

MECO customers to receive refund

New rental car partnership serves Hana

Hawaii County finance committee advances vehicle fee hikes

Tropic Care service members on Maui getting ready

Big Isle invasive species program focuses on nurseries

Photo courtesy betsyweber.

—Chad Blair