Molokai activist
wins acquittal

Walter Ritte still faces
retrial for a 1995 ranch fire

By Gary Kubota
Star-Bulletin

WAILUKU -- Hawaiian activist Walter Ritte Jr. has been acquitted of a charge stemming from the destruction of Molokai Ranch's water pipeline, but will be tried again for allegedly burning a ranch vacation cottage.

A Circuit Court jury yesterday found Ritte not guilty of second-degree criminal property damage for destroying the $1 million pipeline in 1996. It was unable, though, to reach a verdict on whether he burned the cottage in 1995.

Maui Circuit Judge Boyd Mossman has scheduled a May 17 retrial in the burning case.

County Prosecutor Richard Bissen said he thought Ritte got a fair trial, and intended to move forward with the retrial on the remaining property damage charge.

"I think the jury is to be commended for working very, very hard," Bissen said.

Ritte, 53, declined comment, at the advice of his attorneys.

After the verdict was returned, he smiled as he hugged his wife, then gave a sigh.

"I'm relieved," Lowenthal said. "Walter's not guilty of breaking the pipeline. He's not guilty of burning the Kaupoa House, so I guess we'll have to work that part out in May."

Molokai Ranch, noting the retrial of Ritte and the pending trial of two co-defendants, declined comment.

In his closing argument, Lowenthal criticized the testimony of Henry Martin Beaver, who said he met a man at the Lihue Airport in 1996 who said he and a group of men were responsible for destroying the Molokai pipeline.

Lowenthal noted that, although Beaver identified Ritte's brother-in-law Michael Perreira as the man at the airport, Perreira testified he was on Kauai when the pipeline was destroyed.

Lowenthal, noting Beaver said he was 90 percent sure the man was Perreira, suggested jurors should weigh the evidence as if it was investment advice.

"Would you take a tip from a stranger you met at the airport?" Lowenthal asked.

Lowenthal also attacked the testimony of Molokai resident Glen Len Wai, who said his brother-in-law, Clarence "Halona" Kaopuiki, said he and Ritte burned the ranch's beach cottage.

Len Wai said Kaopuiki was taking crystal methamphetamine, Lowenthal noted.