HONOLULU — The Honolulu Police Commission was meeting behind closed doors Wednesday to discuss a retirement deal that Chief Louis Kealoha could get to walk away from the department while he’s the target of a federal investigation involving allegations of
HONOLULU — The Honolulu Police Commission was meeting behind closed doors Wednesday to discuss a retirement deal that Chief Louis Kealoha could get to walk away from the department while he’s the target of a federal investigation involving allegations of civil rights abuses and corruption.
The commissioners were meeting in executive session after a brief portion of their meeting was open to the public.
Earlier this month, Commission Chairman Max Sword announced that Kealoha agreed to retire after being on paid leave since receiving an FBI target letter last month.
A grand jury is looking into the allegations of civil rights abuses and corruption at the department.
The investigation began more than a year ago after allegations surfaced that Kealoha and his deputy city prosecutor wife, Katherine Kealoha, framed her uncle for the theft of the Kealoha’s home mailbox to discredit him in a family financial dispute. Attorneys for the couple say they haven’t done anything wrong.
A retired officer involved in the mailbox case has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and four other officers have received target letters from the FBI.
In a shocking development Friday, FBI agents raided the Honolulu prosecuting attorney’s office.
The raid was unfathomable, Commissioner Loretta Sheehan said Tuesday.
“A federal judge was persuaded that Katherine Kealoha’s laptops probably contain evidence of criminal activity and that seizure was necessary to obtain evidence or make sure it wasn’t destroyed,” Sheehan said.
Sword said previously the commission was expected to approve Kealoha’s retirement agreement at Wednesday’s meeting.
State Sen. Will Espero is among those calling on commissioners not to give Kealoha anything more than the pension he earned.
Espero said the commission could also let Kealoha remain on leave until the investigation is resolved.
“However, the Police Commission has been silent on this matter for over 16 months and to act so quickly at this point in time does not seem to be in the best interest of the city and County of Honolulu,” he wrote in a letter to the commission.
Espero has also urged the commission to be more transparent about Kealoha’s situation and to be more welcoming to members of the public who may want to speak about the issue.
On Wednesday, the room where commissioners meet was configured differently to add more seating space. However, only one person commented during the public testimony portion.
“From a personal perspective … he’s more than just my chief,” Sgt. Tenari Maafala, president of Hawaii’s police union, told the panel about Kealoha. “He’s a brother in blue.”
“I shared my heart with him and let him know that for selfish reasons I really hate to see him leave,” Maafala said, adding that Kealoha is doing what’s honorable for himself, his family and the department.
