Sixth person arrested in alleged airport kickback scheme

Advertiser Staff

State authorities yesterday arrested a sixth person in connection with an investigation into an alleged cash-for-contracts kickback scheme at Honolulu International Airport.

Investigators from the Department of the Attorney General yesterday morning arrested David K. Tanaka, president and owner of DT Electric, at his Waipahu residence, said Attorney General Earl Anzai. Tanaka is an unlicensed contractor, Anzai said.

Tanaka was arrested on suspicion of hindering prosecution and was transported to the District Court cellblock where he was booked and released without charges pending further investigation. The five others were also arrested, not charged and released.

Anzai said there will be more arrests but would not say how many or who would be arrested, saying that the investigation is continuing.

The investigation centers on millions of dollars in airport construction and repair contracts awarded by airport personnel to private firms since 1995. A group of contractors are alleged to have inflated bills for airport work and kicked-back cash and other gratuities to airport personnel in the scheme.