Silence grows ominous as Kealoha probes continue

First there is a tiny crack in the corner, then a little tilt to the floor and then you notice the walls are at a funny angle. Soon there is the realization the foundation is failing and if you don’t act, the whole house will fall.

The questions surrounding Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha have gone from a curious story regarding a family fight about a missing mailbox, to new television reports that Kealoha and his wife Katherine, a top city deputy prosecutor, are the subject of an active federal investigation, involving a special prosecutor and federal grand jury.

Last week KGMB-TV reported that the FBI investigation of Kealoha and his wife is focused on “whether they conspired to frame Kealoha’s uncle in the theft of a mailbox from their home and used officers from special police units to do it.

“Kealoha spoke briefly about it to a command meeting of top officers Wednesday at HPD headquarters,” the TV station reported.

“Kealoha told officers it will be proven that he made the right decisions and he’s done nothing wrong, according to four people who were present at the meeting,” the report stated.

The situation has been a slow-moving credibility disaster for HPD.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported in December that both Mayor Kirk Caldwell and the Honolulu Police Commission had heard about “a possible FBI investigation,” but that there would be no local action until the feds have their say.

“I do believe that the Commission is properly reviewing the situation and if facts surface that warrant an investigation, I fully expect the Commission to deal with it appropriately and expediently,” said Caldwell just before Christmas.

Not everyone is so sanguine about the tortoise-like pace.

Senate Vice President Will Espero is chairman of the Public Safety and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. He has been a leader in the legislative push to reform county police departments.

The Kealoha problem shows that action is needed, he said.

“The FBI investigation involving a special prosecutor from the mainland and the chief’s lawsuit to stop the city Ethics Commission investigation have elevated the chief’s problems in the eyes of the public,” Espero said in an interview.

The Ewa Beach Democrat is a resourceful critic of current police governance.

Espero and other legislators have written to the Police Commission suggesting that a co-chief be appointed because “there is a certain amount of stress, anxiety and pressure on the chief.”

Kealoha responded to that by saying, “I always said this was a personal matter. I don’t know of anyone that doesn’t have personal challenges in their lives, but I can tell you I’m no different.

“My performance as your police chief has not been compromised. I’ve been coming to work every day and doing my job. … The point is I don’t need any help.”

Last week, Espero’s calls to change how the police are governed has led to what he described as “baby-step reforms” on a state level. He now is suggesting that the City Charter be amended to permit the mayor to hire and fire the police chief, a duty now reserved for the Police Commission.

“The public wants to see leadership fixing the problems; not leadership under investigation by the feds,” said Espero.

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Richard Borreca writes on politics on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Reach him at rborreca@staradvertiser.com.