When First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chasid Sapolu went on voluntary leave Dec. 13 after receiving a subject letter from federal investigators, he used his vacation time.
On Friday, acting Prosecuting Attorney Dwight Nadamoto announced he had “adjusted” Sapolu’s job status to paid leave retroactive to March 1, according to a statement from Department of the Prosecuting Attorney spokesman Brooks Baehr.
Asked the reason for Nadamoto’s action, Baehr said, “It was a decision he made and he made it because it seemed fair.”
Nadamoto became acting prosecuting attorney when Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro went on paid leave March 7 amid pressure from other law enforcement authorities after he received a target letter from federal prosecutors, suggesting he is a target of a criminal investigation.
Nadamoto had authorized Kaneshiro’s request for paid leave, allowing him to continue receiving his $170,712-a-year salary.
Under city law, decisions to approve or reject voluntary leave and whether it should be paid or unpaid is up to an employee’s appointing authority, with the determination decided on a case-by-case basis.
Sapolu placed himself on leave in December after receiving a subject letter, meaning authorities suspect he engaged in misconduct but need more time to investigate. Randall Hironaka, his attorney, said Sapolu did not ask for paid leave at the time.
Nadamoto was sworn in as acting first deputy prosecutor March 7. A few hours later, he was named acting head prosecutor after Kaneshiro announced he was taking leave.
Both Kaneshiro’s target letter and Sapolu’s subject letter are believed to be linked to the ongoing public corruption case against former Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his wife, former deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha, a division chief while under Kaneshiro.
The first deputy prosecuting attorney for Honolulu makes $162,312 annually.
