Job interviews
of firefighters suspect

A Big Isle official
believes one candidate was aware
of a question beforehand

By Rod Thompson
Star-Bulletin

HILO -- There may have been irregularities in May 12 interviews for Hawaii County firefighter promotions, says county Personnel Director Michael Ben. But he adds that he can't prove it.

"While no evidence could be obtained to prove that cheating occurred, I nevertheless believe that circumstantial evidence suggests that one candidate, at least, was aware of both a specific question to be asked, and the answers required," Ben said in a report to Fire Chief Nelson Tsuji.

County Councilman Aaron Chung released the report and placed it on the Sept. 16 agenda of his Council Finance Committee. Ben, the fire chief and others will be asked to discuss the report, Chung said.

Ben's report recommends that the Fire Department "reassess its selection process."

That is similar to changes in the promotion process sought by the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association in a grievance filed with the county, union representative Bob Bailey said. That grievance is pending with Mayor Stephen Yamashiro and the Civil Service Department headed by Ben, Bailey said.

Deputy Chief Edward Bumatay halted the interviews of nine candidates for five posts in May when one candidate gave the exact answer that was on the official answer sheet. But the official answer was wrong and had been put on the sheet by mistake.

"A knowledgeable person would not have given such a dubious response," Ben's report says.

But no disciplinary action should be taken because it is possible the candidate really thought his answer was right, Ben said.

The question is how the candidate knew the question and the answer that was on the answer sheet.

The department maintains a list of potential interview questions on an unsecured computer, draws up a list of selected questions, then throws written material into a wastebasket, Ben said.

The final questions were placed in unsealed envelopes and left in an unlocked cabinet for 10 days, he said.

"There are numerous opportunities for the questions/answers to have been 'leaked,'" Ben said.

Firefighter testimony indicated the promotion process is "entirely political," and some firefighters have been known to tell others who will be promoted before selection takes place, he said.

"While this could be coincidence, it becomes suspect when 'coincidences' keep occurring," Ben said.

Despite Ben's critical report, he noted he lacks final authority. Once his department certified a certain number of candidates are eligible for a vacant post, civil service laws give the fire chief control over whom he hires, Ben said.

Councilman Chung said the Council will also consider asking voters to change the county charter to create a Fire Commission, such as the Police Commission, which now oversees that department.