(ABOVE) Mayor Billy Kenoi gives a lengthy interview with local media outside Civil Defense in Hilo

Video by David Corrigan

HILO, Hawaii – Media had a long talk with Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi in Hilo on Wednesday.

Kenoi met with reporters outside the Civil Defense building in one of his first interviews since Hurricane Iselle pulverized Puna. He talked about his own tour of storm-damaged Puna, by ground and by air.

The mayor detailed the multi-agency response ongoing since the storm hit. He dispelled reports of looting in Puna, and questioned the accuracy of reports that the vandalism of Alii Ice in Hilo would close the business.

Kenoi declined to get into the politics of the postponed election that the state plans to carry out on Friday, but did assure media that voters will have the necessary access to the polls at Keonepoko Elementary School.