A 30-year-old Hauula man is suing the Honolulu Police Department, claiming officers used excessive force in arresting him and withheld evidence that would have kept him out of jail.

Hawaii News Now reports Jonah Kaahu was jailed for nine months until a judge dismissed his case on the grounds of police misconduct.

Circuit Judge Ed Kubo ruled that police withheld witness testimony and cell phone videos of his arrest taken by friends and tourists.

Kaahu on Aug. 22, 2012, was arrested outside a Haleiwa restaurant where he worked. He was charged by prosecutors with terroristic threatening, assault against a police officer and criminal property damage.

His attorney says police ignored witnesses who said Kaahu was not the instigator of a fight that broke out.