Play fair during campaign, Inouye tells candidates

U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye is urging Hawaii Democrats to stop issuing negative comments about each other and concentrate on policies.

The state’s senior Democratic politician said in a statement yesterday that the gubernatorial campaigns of both Neil Abercrombie and Mufi Hannemann had issued remarks that walk a fine line "between fair and foul."

He also appeared to refer to recent statements from former U.S. Rep. Ed Case that endorsed Abercrombie and strongly criticized Hannemann.

Without naming Case, Inouye said endorsing a candidate is acceptable but that engaging in "character assassination" is not.

The senator ended his statement by saying, "Let’s keep it clean."

Film on the fighting 442nd to be presented next month

A documentary film about Japanese-American veterans of World War II is due to be shown in Honolulu next month.

The movie, "442: Live with Honor, Die with Dignity," tells the story of the mostly Japanese-American 442nd Regimental Combat Team. It features interviews with Hawaii veterans, including Medal of Honor recipients U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye and Barney Hajiro.

The movie has been shown in several West Coast cities since July, and won the audience award for courage and commitment this year at the Maui Film Festival.

United Television Broadcasting Systems said yesterday that the documentary is due to play at Ward Stadium theaters starting Sept. 10.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Lawmaker denies abuse allegation

HILO » Hawaii County Councilwoman Emily Naeole-Beason is denying a domestic abuse allegation by her estranged husband.

West Hawaii Today reported in a front-page story yesterday that a complaint filed by Raymond Beason against his wife with police in Alaska will be investigated by Hawaii County police.

Through her attorney, Brian De Lima, Naeole-Beason said she "never laid a finger on her husband." She also questioned the timing of the allegations ahead of the elections.

De Lima asserted political motives by the newspaper.

West Hawaii Today said it "reported accurately and responsibly on allegations of domestic abuse involving a public figure." The newspaper said it made repeated attempts to contact the councilwoman, who chose not to respond.

Man gets 27 years for drugs

FRESNO, Calif. » A California man has been sentenced to 27 years in federal prison on charges related to the largest drug bust ever on Maui.

Eustorgio Flores had faced a maximum sentence of life in prison when he was sentenced yesterday. A Fresno jury convicted the 50-year-old Tulare resident in April of methamphetamine and cocaine distribution, distribution of meth near an elementary school and other charges.

Prosecutors described Flores as the leader of a drug-dealing network that regularly supplied a Maui resident with drugs flown over on commercial airlines.

The resident, Patrick Aniban, received a 20-year sentence after authorities seized six pounds of meth and 18 pounds of cocaine at his Maui home.