YAMASHIRO TO RESIGN NEXT YEAR

Hilo - Big Island Mayor Stephen Yamashiro says he plans to resign in
February or March and run for a new term in next year's elections.

Yamashiro cannot seek a third consecutative term if he completes his
current term, which expires in December of next year.

But he said Corporation Counsel Richard Wurdeman has given him a verbal
opinion that he can run again if he resigns before his term ends. He said
he will wait for a written opinion before making a final decision.

A group of marijuana advocates is seeking to have Yamashiro removed from
office for allegedly running the Green Harvest marijuana eradication
program without a proper review.

Three already have announced they are candidates for mayor next year. Dr.
Fred Holschuh, a Hilo emergency room physician, and Jonathan Adler, an
outspoken marijuana advocate, have joined County Councilman Dominic Yagong
in announcing their plans.

The Green Party's Keiko Bonk also is believed to be considering the race.