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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, July 4, 2002

Three more arrested in airport theft, bribery case

By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer

State investigators yesterday arrested a state official and two construction company executives in the widening theft and bribery investigation of an alleged cash-for-contracts kickback scheme at Honolulu International Airport.

Visitor Information Director Richard Okada was arrested at the airport and taken to the District Court cellblock in Honolulu, where he was booked and released pending further investigation of bribery allegations.

Richard I. Namba and Jodie Y. Namba, officers of R.I. Namba Construction at 3445 Ala 'Akulikuli, were arrested at their offices, he for investigation of first-degree theft and bribery and she for investigation of first-degree theft.

State Attorney General Earl Anzai said the Nambas were arrested when investigators, using a warrant, searched the company offices yesterday morning.

Two other state airport officials were arrested late last month in connection with the same investigation.

Dennis Hirokawa, the airport's maintenance superintendent, was arrested in the investigation of first-degree felony theft. Antonio Bio, maintenance supervisor, was arrested in a second-degree felony theft investigation.

Okada already had been identified as a suspect in the investigation, but was on leave at the time of the earlier arrests.