2 separate suits filed
against Honolulu police

Both cases allege civil rights
violations while in HPD custody

The Honolulu Police Department is being sued in separate federal lawsuits by two men alleging civil rights violations.

Robert Akima is seeking an unspecified amount of damages after he lost consciousness and fell at the main police station in May 2004. He alleges police refused to allow him to take his insulin after arresting him on outstanding warrants outside Chinatown.

Akima allegedly told the officers he was diabetic, showed them his insulin and syringe and asked if he could check his insulin level because he might need to inject himself soon.

The officers allegedly told him to wait until he arrived at the station and refused a second request during the ride when Akima allegedly began sweating and shaking.

Lorin and Carol Silva are also seeking damages for the alleged wrongful death of their son, Kevin, who died while in police custody on July 4, 2004.

Silva, 24, was involved in a physical altercation at Kipapa Neighborhood Park in Mililani and was subdued by bystanders, including some off-duty police officers participating in a softball tournament.

Witnesses said Silva had been lunging at people with knives at the park before he was subdued. The suit alleges Silva was assaulted by one or more of the unidentified bystanders and suffered life-threatening physical injuries when the officers restrained and arrested him.

The suit said the officers should have known Silva needed immediate medical attention and should have been transported to Wahiawa General Hospital, which is just down the road from the Wahiawa Police Station.

A police spokeswoman said they had not yet seen the lawsuits and could not comment.

At the time of the incident, police had said Silva was initially taken to the hospital but refused to get out. Because he did not appear to have sustained visible injuries, the officers took him to the station, where he lost consciousness, police said.