Maui official apologizes
for DUI, retains job
WAILUKU >> Maui County Managing Director Jack Kulp III, a close supporter of Mayor Alan Arakawa, apologized yesterday for his arrest on a drunken-driving charge and said he will remain in his job.
"I wish to express my deepest regrets and apologies to my family, Mayor Arakawa and other county employees, friends and to the public at large for this inexcusable error in judgment," Kulp said in a written statement.
Kulp, 51, campaigned for Republican Arakawa in his successful bid for mayor last year and was then named to the county job.
Kulp said he told Arakawa about the incident and offered his resignation yesterday. "Mayor Arakawa declined to accept and asked that I continue in my current capacity," Kulp said.
Kulp declined to be interviewed and has not explained what he was doing prior to his arrest.
Acting Police Lt. Jamie Becraft said Kulp was driving on Wahine Pio Drive near the entrance to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center when he was stopped at 11:41 p.m. Tuesday at a police checkpoint.
Police officer Duke Pua approached the vehicle and observed that Kulp had "signs of impairment," Becraft said.
Pua arrested Kulp at 12:03 a.m. yesterday and transported him to the Wailuku Police Station, Becraft said.
Police said at the station, a test showed Kulp's blood alcohol level exceeded the legal limit of 0.08.
Becraft said police policy is to not disclose the blood alcohol level of alleged drunk drivers. Kulp was processed on the charge of driving while intoxicated and released after posting $257 bail.
Becraft said police scheduled Kulp's arraignment and plea for 8:30 a.m. Feb. 12 in Wailuku District Court.
The penalties for a first-time drunken-driving conviction are a mandatory 14 hours of alcohol-abuse education, a substance abuse assessment and counseling, and a 90-day driver's license suspension with a 30-day absolute driving prohibition.
First-time offenders also may face 72 hours of community service, a two- to five-day jail term and a fine ranging from $150 to $1,000.