Grand jury
considers Ewa Villages
indictments

Housing and Finance department
workers are called to testify

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Star-Bulletin

An Oahu Grand Jury was expected to deliberate today to consider indictments in the Ewa Villages relocation scheme.

At least half a dozen city employees from the Housing and Finance departments have been called in to give testimony.

The case centers on fired city housing relocation officer Michael Kahapea.

Police and city sources say Kahapea led an operation that saw millions in taxpayer dollars go to questionable relocation companies for work that was not done or performed at exorbitant costs.

Some of the money has been traced to Las Vegas casinos and business interests, officials said.

About 19 arrests have been made, although there have been no indictments. Many of those arrested are either family members or business associates of Kahapea.

In recent weeks, more than 50 witnesses were called to testify on the scandal before an investigatory grand jury. Among those interviewed were Mayor Jeremy Harris and Budget Director Malcolm Tom. Prosecutors believe the scheme may have extended beyond Ewa Villages.

Indictments being sought today, however, are expected to center around only Ewa Villages.

The city's housing relocation fund leaped from $1.2 million in 1992 to $6.3 million last year.

The original plan for Ewa Villages involved the city redeveloping portions of the former plantation neighborhood in order to fund rehabilitation of other sections where former sugar workers still live.