A civil lawsuit against a former Honolulu police chief and his wife is on hold as a criminal case against them proceeds.
A U.S. magistrate judge Monday put a four-month hold on Gerard Puana’s lawsuit against his niece Katherine Kealoha and her husband, Louis Kealoha.
His lawsuit accuses the former police chief, his deputy city prosecutor wife and police officers of malicious prosecution.
The Kealohas pleaded not guilty to charges that they framed Puana to discredit him in a financial dispute.
The freeze comes after a motion in the criminal case seeking to disqualify Kevin Sumida and another lawyer who have represented the Kealohas. Sumida is also representing the Kealohas in the civil suit.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin Chang set a hearing for March in Puana’s lawsuit.
Volcanoes park waives fees for Veterans Day
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park joins national parks across the country in waiving entrance fees both Saturday and Sunday for Veterans Day weekend.
“We invite everyone to honor the men and women who have served our country by experiencing the American heritage at your national parks,” said Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando in a press release.
Active-duty U.S. military are eligible for a free annual Military Pass at the park’s entrance station. The park has dozens of veterans among its employees and volunteers.
Pu‘uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park in Kona and Haleakala National Park on Maui are also fee-free during Veterans Day weekend.
For more information on the free Military Pass, visit the park website.
Maui
Free hard drive disposal will be offered Nov. 18
Residents on Maui who need to get rid of old computer hard drives can take advantage of a free, drive-thru destruction and disposal service later this month.
For Cyber Security Awareness Month, the county is offering drive-thru disposal in the lower parking lot behind the Kalana o Maui County building on Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Hard drives for disposal should be removed from any old computers, laptops or other electronic devices, and can be handed over at the event to members of the county’s Information Technology Services Division. Backup tapes brought to the event will be wiped of information.
“This service is especially important because anyone can access your hard drive if you just throw it away,” said Jacob Verkerke, the county’s chief technology officer. “Even if you delete important information like bank statements, account numbers and Social Security information, someone who knows what they are doing can always find a way to retrieve it if they have your (device) — even on a cellphone.”
For more information go to mauicounty.gov/cybersecurity.
Kauai
Police issue warning on potential scams
Police on Kauai are asking residents to beware of scam artists after a report was made about a caller claiming to be from the Friends of Kauai Fire Department.
A Waimea resident reported to Kauai Fire Department Chief Robert Westerman that someone had asked for money on behalf of the nonprofit, police said in a news release.
“The Friends of Kauai Fire Department does not make phone calls to residences for the purpose of soliciting donations,” said Westerman, who is also president of the organization. “If you receive a suspicious phone call, hang up immediately and report it to police.”
Police said residents should be particularly cautions of scams during the holiday season, when legitimate organizations frequently solicit and conduct fundraising.
Report suspected scams to the Kauai Police Department at 241-1711.
