Parole hearings are scheduled to resume Tuesday after two state officials were named to temporarily sit on the Hawaii Paroling Authority, Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona announced yesterday. Parole panel resumes
work with 2 tempsBy Crystal Kua
ckua@starbulletin.com
Albert Tufono and Lacene Terri will serve in the temporary part-time positions until Gov. Linda Lingle nominates permanent replacements. Their assignments were effective yesterday.
"Albert and Lacene have graciously agreed to serve as temporary state officers to allow the Hawaii Paroling Authority to resume its core functions," Aiona said.
Parole hearings came to a halt after two of the three board members resigned within a month. Al Beaver, then chairman, submitted his resignation on March 11 after an investigation into whether he misused his post. Lani Rae Garcia resigned April 2 after being charged with misdemeanor abuse last month.
At least two members are needed to conduct parole hearings, which number from 350 to 400 a month.
Tufono has been a corrections program specialist with the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility since 2000.
Previously, he worked for the city Parks & Recreation Department from 1997, and prior to that he worked for the Department of Parks & Recreation in Washington.
Terri is an aide to Republicans in the state House. Previously, she was executive assistant to the secretary general of the Pacific Basin Economic Council and a legislative assistant to former state Sen. Milton Holt.
Terri lost her first bid for elected office last year in a Windward Oahu Senate race against Melodie Aduja.
Attorney General Mark Bennett said temporary assignments of not more than 60 days are allowed under state law. Bennett said the law also allows the temporary assignments to take place without state Senate confirmation.
Lingle is in the process of filling all three board positions for new four-year terms, including the one currently held by Chairwoman Mary Tiwanak, whose term expires June 30. The permanent appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
State of Hawaii