HILO, Hawaii — Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi wants to withhold scheduled pay raises from the county’s top government employees.

Kenoi is asking the Salary Commission to freeze public executive pay at current levels to help deal with a projected $45 million budget deficit.
These 31 positions would not get the 3 percent pay raise given to the county’s managers on their second anniversary and every year afterward.
Their annual salaries range from nearly $90,000 for some deputy directors to $115,000 paid to Police Chief Harry Kubojiri. Kenoi makes about $109,000. Other affected positions include the county managing director, legislative auditor and the County Council’s clerk and deputy clerk.
The Salary Commission is scheduled to consider Kenoi’s request Thursday.
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Information from: Hawaii Tribune-Herald, http://www.hilohawaiitribune.com