Neighbor Island briefs

Advertiser Staff and News Services

KAUA'I

Kayakers led to safety

Four people in two kayaks were stranded off the northwest coast of Kaua'i yester-day morning.

The kayakers were reported to be in trouble off Haena Beach at 9:30 a.m., Coast Guard officials said.

The Coast Guard sent three private charter boats in response. By 10:30 a.m., the boats had lead the kayaking group to safety.

The kayaks belonged to an island tour guide company.

Kaua'i chief granted hearing

Kaua'i Police Chief George Freitas has been granted a hearing on the two charges for which he was reprimanded in January.

In a unanimous vote on Friday, the Kaua'i Police Commission did not rescind the letters of reprimand but granted Freitas an after-the-fact full evidentiary hearing.

No date has been set for the hearing.

The commission on Jan. 30 — without a hearing — found Freitas guilty of two minor violations. The letters of reprimand were issued on Feb. 13. The panel said Freitas allowed a civilian, his girlfriend, to ride in his unmarked police car while not on police business and was disrespectful to a subordinate by yelling at him.

Freitas has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Honolulu against the county, the mayor, the commission and county attorney Hartwell Blake. The lawsuit is still pending.