Political Endorsement Scams

[punastrong]

In case you missed today's paper, there is an article about candidates who claimed to have "fallen" for a fake endorsement by a phony Facebook page illegally using the Puna Neighborhood Watch name and logo. At least one candidate used the fake logo and endorsement in mailers and other campaign items.

I'm having a hard time with the response by Ashley where she claims to be naive and silly. Perhaps she is that, but after working in public relations for years for a local well known communications firm where she represented clients like Hu Honua and PGV (article in Thursday's HTH), it's hard to believe she doesn't know about bots and fake websites. No one gets an endorsement from a Facebook page, especially a page which clearly isn't associated with the real deal.
I don't want to be represented by either a silly naive fool or someone who doesn't check the facts.

http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2018...lly-false/

[kalakoa]

I don't want to be represented by either a silly naive fool or someone who doesn't check the facts.

Too bad those are the only two choices available.

[HiloPuna]

A couple of things;

I just did a Google search for "Puna Neighborhood Watch" and the Facebook group led the list. They're still active, have all the endorsements still in place and seemingly have no comment on their page about this "controversy". And, in fact, whatever the original group may have as an active presence in the community they lack any immediate presence in the Search results.

I spoke with one of the other candidates endorsed and they said that the Facebook group is an offshoot of the original group. I didn't get that from reading the quote from R. Siracusa, who only referred to the endorsements as "...we don't know who did it but it's totally false...". It seems if they're an offshoot that the original group would know who they are and why they use the exact same logo and id. Perhaps this is just another Puna kerfluffle between parties that can't get along, neither willing to give an inch....

punastrong writes;
I'm having a hard time with the response by Ashley where she claims to be naive and silly. . Hmmm...."claims to be" ? Really?

As I read the reports the actual quote is, “I conduct myself with integrity, and I am a trusting person,” Kierkiewicz said. “I feel naive and silly I didn’t investigate this. Who goes around creating fake pages?”

To "feel" is not the same as to "be". AK was referring to her personal response to a situation, not an identification of self.

Joy said it best, much ado about not much.

[BillyB]

Speaking of endorsement scams.
How about Harry Kim patting himself on the back and hugging Governor Ige for their job well done?

This was not a drill.

[punastrong]

HiloPuna - Facebook is being asked to reveal the administrator of the phony Puna Neighborhood Watch page but I recall in about 2014 being told by Mark Hinshaw that he started the page. I asked why, as he has never been part of a neighborhood watch group, and he said it was to help them disseminate information. Problem is, he has never communicated with the group and the page is being used to post political endorsements which Puna NW does not support. There is no "they" in a Facebook page - just posters.

Joy was simply covering her "like" of the flyer on the phony page and as an attorney her comment seems very off-base. She told me she doesn't attend the Puna NW meetings as it is really a county thing. I'm told that the Prosecutor's office may use this case to unveil cyber crimes which they're now discussing. Use of a federally registered trademark and phony name is not legal. We all know who does the Cyber bullying and Facebook trolling in Puna and this may be the case that breaks that open. As for candidates being caught with their pants down promoting a phony endorsement, that's on them.

[kalakoa]

She told me she doesn't attend the Puna NW meetings as it is really a county thing.

Way to represent your district, Joy!