Chef's arrest shows INS heavy-handedness

The irony of Chai Chaowasaree’s dilemma is that the state of Hawai‘i has a program that encourages foreign restaurateurs like him to invest in businesses here in exchange for a green card.

Under Hawai‘i’s program, an investor must put $1 million into a business and create 10 jobs to qualify for a green card. With his popular Chai’s Island Bistro at the Aloha Tower Marketplace and Singha Thai on Ala Moana, Chai arguably has done that and more.

But Chai is in trouble with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, which has problems with what they call a questionable marriage a decade ago, and now a visit to Thailand to visit his father, who was having surgery.

We cannot comment on the merits of the INS complaints. But in the meantime, Chai clearly has been an upstanding and highly visible member of our community. His support for culinary programs in community colleges, for Hawaiian music and for local charities is commendable.

It’s thus shocking that Chai has been locked up in the O‘ahu Community Correctional Center. Can it be that the INS thinks he’s a flight risk?

It’s the intention of the INS to deport Chai unless his appeals are successful. Hawai‘i would be the loser.

In the meantime, Chai should be freed immediately to await the result of his appeals.

Correction: Honolulu restaurateur Vichai Sae Tung has adopted the name Chai Chaowasaree. Chaowasaree was misspelled in previous version of this editorial.

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