Hawaii State Ethics Commission found Sen. Brenton Awa violated the state Fair Treatment law by filming a video in his state office, with staff on state time, that promoted his office manager's Senate campaign, and fined him $999.99, December 2025
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The Hawaii State Ethics Commission found that Sen. Brenton Awa violated the State Ethics Code's Fair Treatment law (HRS 84-13) when he filmed an Oct. 30, 2024 Instagram video in his state office, during state work hours, with his then office manager, Samantha DeCorte, and another Senate staffer, days before the Nov. 5, 2024 general election. The Commission said a legislator may thank a staff member on their last day without violating the code, but found the video turned into a campaign message for DeCorte's Senate District 22 candidacy through closing statements including 'getting Sam in as Waianae Senator would unlock our full potential' and 'You guys know what to do.' It also found that Awa declined to remove the video and posted a second video on Nov. 5, 2024 stating his refusal to comply. This concerned support for his office manager's race, not his own campaign. A Notice of Violation and Order issued Aug. 20, 2025 assessed a $999.99 administrative fine (the Commission can fine up to $5,000 per violation). Awa, who appeared without counsel, contested it at a Nov. 3, 2025 hearing, testifying that the video's purpose was to thank the departing office manager and explain her departure. The Commission affirmed the violation and the fine in a Dec. 3, 2025 decision, ordering payment within 10 days. Awa told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser he continued to dispute that he violated the law, suggested the pursuit of the case may be political, said he could not afford the fine and had not decided whether to appeal in court. No later report of payment or an appeal was found.
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- Hawai'i State Ethics Commission - Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Decision and Order, HSEC v. Awa, REQ-2024-0222 (Dec. 3, 2025) — Hawai'i State Ethics Commission - Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Decision and Order, HSEC v. Awa, REQ-2024-0222 (Dec. 3, 2025)Document
Commission concludes that Respondent Awa violated the Fair Treatment law, specifically HRS 84-13(a) and 84-13(a)(3), and HAR 21-7-10(a)(4)(A); $999.99 administrative fine imposed.
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Response
Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.
What happened next (0)
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