Sen. Aki stripped
of membership of two
major committees

He is disciplined after
pleading no contest to charges
of gambling taking place on his land

By Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

Sen. James Aki (D, Waianae) has lost membership on key committees as a result of Senate response to his no-contest plea to gambling charges at his Nanakuli property in March 1994.

Sen. President Norman Mizuguchi (D, Aiea) today handed down disciplinary actions for Aki.

In the 12-page report, he said Aki voluntarily agreed to relinquish membership on two committees: Commerce, Consumer Protection and Information Technology; and Transportation and Intergovernmental Affairs.

"His stepping down ... makes him the only member of the Senate who is not a member of the top three committees in the Senate," Mizuguchi said. "He will nevertheless be allowed and expected to vote on all matters relating to these subject matters."

Aki, who retains co-chairmanship of the Education Committee, was unavailable for comment this morning.

Mizuguchi also recommended Aki be disqualified from traveling at the state's expense during the session.

And he is required to submit a formal letter of explanation to the Senate and the people of Hawaii.

"I hope it is an apology," Senate Judiciary Co-Chairman Avery Chumbley (D, Kihei) said of the missive Aki must write.

"The real issue," Chumbley said, "is that he will be standing before his community. He's up for re-election (this year)."

Mizuguchi said the Senate action was needed quickly because of this session's daunting demands.

While the charges against Aki have cast a cloud on the Senate, "it will not be wise for us to allow this issue to linger," he said.

Mizuguchi said Aki's July 1996 indictment and subsequent no-

contest plea on charges of promoting gambling and violation of state racketeering laws did not justify the "extraordinary measure" of expulsion or suspension from office. To do so would disenfranchise the people of Aki's Senate district and interfere with the choice of voters, he said.

Mizuguchi added that resignation from office is a decision only Aki can make.