Tensions have been running high between the Caldwell administration and the Honolulu Ethics Commission over the past several months due to concern that city attorneys are trying to undermine the agency’s authority.

Serious questions have also been raised about top executives interfering with ongoing ethics investigations by refusing to release certain information, causing the commission to consider legal action against the city and its employees.

But Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, the man who could likely ease the tension between his cabinet members and the commission,  has remained silent.

At least, until now.

Caldwell recently told KITV4 that he supports a recent directive from Corporation Counsel Donna Leong that said city employees can now seek ethics advice from her office instead of the Ethics Commission.

This concerns the commission and its staff because it could lead to conflicting ethics advice for city employees.

But in an interview with KITV, Caldwell quickly dismissed this notion, saying that the city’s attorneys are quite familiar with ethics rules and well qualified to provide advice.

“The city corporation counsel is someone you go to get advice from.  I do.  We do on all the different issues we undertake,” Caldwell told KITV.  “They review.  It’s something that’s proper to do.”

What this means long-term at the city’s program remains to be seen.

But right now it’s clear the mayor and Ethics Commission don’t seem to be on the same page.

You can find the entire KITV report here.

Photo: Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell talking to KITV4. (Screen shot from KITV)

—Nick Grube