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Outside attorneys will
By Gordon Y.K. Pang
handle Felix case
Star-BulletinSome City Council members aren't happy with setting aside $20,000 to represent the city in a legal challenge brought by Councilman John Henry Felix.
The Council voted 6-2 yesterday to hire outside attorneys to handle a Zoning Board of Appeals case involving Councilman John Henry Felix. Felix is contesting the Department of Planning and Permitting's ruling that he cannot hold weddings at the Aina Haina compound where he lives.
The board will hear the case April 6.
Felix abstained from yesterday's vote while members Mufi Hannemann and Donna Mercado Kim voted against the authorization.
"I just can't believe we can't come to some sort of workable solution here," Hannemann said, noting that the Council majority is currently enjoying a "spirit of cooperation" with Mayor Jeremy Harris and his administration.
Even those who voted for the appropriation said they were uncomfortable doing it. "I sure hope we can resolve this issue before we need to hire private counsel," said Councilman John DeSoto.
DeSoto was critical of the department, whom he said initially gave Felix the OK to proceed with weddings.
Corporation Counsel David Arakawa, the city's chief civil attorney, said he is following the advice of the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in seeking independent representation for the city.
Felix himself has come out strongly against the hiring of city employees to handle the dispute.
The councilman claims that weddings are allowed on his property as a "home occupation."
Weddings are continuing at the compound at a rate of about 10 to 11 a month, Felix said. The city says Felix owes at least $500 in fines with additional levies of $100 for each day weddings continue to be held.
The City Council yesterday also approved:
A resolution clearing the sale of the leased fee interests in 908 residential units, 1,007 parking stalls and 44 commercial spaces at Kukui Plaza to the twin-tower condominium's association of homeowners. The city will receive $4.5 million, which will go into the general fund.
http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us
