BIG ISLE MAYOR FEELS HARASSED BY OPPONENTS

Hilo- Mayor Stephen Yamashiro says he's tired of being harassed by opponents
and is thinking about resigning. But not for long.

In what would amount to a vote of confidence on his administration,
Yamashiro would resign, then immediately run again in a special election.

It could show the public is behind him. The danger is that he might lose.

"I'd be very grateful to see him in a healthy, happy retirement," said Roger
Christie, one of the opponents getting under Yamashiro's skin.

Marijuana advocate Christie is circulating a petition calling for the
impeachment of Yamashiro and six of the nine County Council members for
their alleged failure to conduct a review mandated by the County Charter of
marijuana eradication programs.

Yamashiro also had to appear before the state Campaign Spending Commission
this week to answer opponent's charges that he misspent $17,000 in campaign
funds opposing a ballot measure that would have blocked a food irradiator.

Yamashiro said there is also a financial motive behind his thoughts.
Defending himself in court might take $30,000, he said. He'd rather spend
that money in a special election campaign.

There's only one hitch to his thoughts: He's not sure the idea is legal.
The county attorney is researching the matter.