County Clerk Jamae Kawauchi, who also oversees the county Elections Division, has issued the following statement:

The Office of the Hawaii County Clerk has received media inquiries concerning the elections workshops organized by the State Office of Elections.

The State Office of Elections workshop schedule is as follows: (1) Sept. 10, 2012 – Kauai; (2) Sept. 27, 2012 – Maui; and (3) Oct. 4, 2012 – Oahu.

The media has questions concerning the reason why the Hawaii County Clerk did not attend the Sept. 10, 2012 training on Kauai.

Jamae Kawauchi said, “I did not attend the Sept. 10, 2012 workshop on Kauai because I had already been scheduled to meet with Hawaii Island precinct officials on Sept. 10, 2012 to discuss the primary election, issues and concerns presented by the primary election, and preparation and planning for the Nov. 6, 2012 general election. The State Office of Elections was notified of the scheduling conflict and that the Deputy County Clerk and the elections division would be attending the workshop on Kauai in my place. I also let them know that I would be attending the trainings to be held on Maui and on Oahu.”

Kawauchi further said, “We are grateful for the support that the State Office of Elections and the counties have extended to Hawaii County. I will continue to ask for their support to help me and the elections division staff ensure that Hawaii County has a fair and well-run election.”

“In the meetings with Hawaii County precinct officials, we are connecting with them, and I am thankful for the opportunity to get to know these dedicated, earnest and community-service minded citizens,” she said. “I am impressed with their commitment to give more than 100 percent effort in their positions as precinct officials and I look forward to continuing to work with the State Office of Elections, the counties, the precinct officials and the public to ensure a fair and well-run general election.”