Father of Kauai inmate dies before final visit from son

LIHUE >> A Kauai inmate’s get-out-of-jail card was revoked when his terminally ill father died hours before the inmate was scheduled to be released to say goodbye.

The Garden Island reported Thursday that Justin Kauakahi had been given temporary permission to leave the Kauai Community Correctional Center by a Circuit Court judge to see his terminally ill father Wednesday. Kauakahi has pleaded not guilty to unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree, and drug paraphernalia.

His father, 50-year-old Keive Kauakahi, died of rectal cancer hours before Justin Kauakahi’s release.

Because the court order specifically said he would spend the day with his father, he was not able to leave. Kauakahi’s mother says they hope he will be allowed to attend his father’s funeral.

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Associated Press