British Columbia
premier fined in
drunken driving

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By Gary Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.com

LAHAINA >> British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell pleaded no contest this morning to drunken driving and three other offenses that occurred in January while he was on his yearly Maui vacation.

District Judge Reinette Cooper ordered Campbell to pay a $500 fine for drunken driving, a petty misdemeanor offense.

Campbell also was fined $50 for driving on the left side of the road, $50 for disregarding lane markings, and $125 for driving 70 mph in a 45-mph zone.

The 55-year-old politician, who admitted he made a "serious mistake" and apologized publicly after his arrest, did not appear in court today. His attorney Steve Barta entered the plea in his behalf.

Maui police arrested Campbell on Honoapiilani Highway near the residential subdivision of Napilihau in West Maui on Jan. 10. Police said Campbell, alone in a rental car, was speeding and weaving.

Campbell said he was returning to Kaanapali after having dinner and drinks with friends.

A breath test showed Campbell's blood-alcohol level was 0.149, nearly twice Hawaii's legal limit of 0.08 percent, authorities said.

Campbell's driver's license was suspended for 90 days following the arrest.