Key figures in the Kamakana lawsuit
| • | Documents shed light on secretive HPD unit |
| • | Police chief was aware of problems within elite unit |
| • | Whistleblower says he never wanted to sue |
BENNETT
DONOHUE
KELLY
MA'AFALA
Advertiser Staff
Alexander "Charley Boy" Ahlo: Honolulu police Criminal Intelligence Unit detective who participated in secret taping of gambling probe defendant Marirose Tangi, despite FBI warnings that prosecution could be jeopardized. Kamakana alleged that Ahlo had a friendship with Gabriel Aio, who was charged with bribing an undercover police officer.
Henderson "Henny Boy" Ahlo Jr.: Convicted of the 1978 murder of Big Island gambling figure Benjamin "Benny" Madamba. Ahlo is half brother of police Criminal Intelligence Unit Detective Alexander "Charley Boy" Ahlo, who brought Henderson Ahlo and gambling probe suspect Gabriel Aio to a gathering of participants in a statewide police conference while Aio was under active investigation by police and the FBI, according to a lawsuit by Detective Kenneth Kamakana.
Gabriel Aio: Former security chief for the Matson container yard on Sand Island was among 32 people indicted in federal court after a three-year probe of illegal gambling operations on O'ahu. Friend of several Criminal Intelligence Unit officers. Accused of paying $80,000 in "protection" bribes to undercover police officer. Struck a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. Sentenced in January to six months in a federal detention center.
Mark Bennett: Former attorney for Detective Kenneth Kamakana, who sued the Honolulu Police Department and alleged that some officers have improper connections to organized crime figures. Bennett was appointed Hawai'i attorney general by Gov. Linda Lingle and is no longer involved in the lawsuit.
Lee Donohue: Honolulu Police Department chief. Ordered Kamakana transferred out of Criminal Intelligence Unit after Kamakana turned secret tapes and documents over the the FBI. Donohue said Kamakana was transferred because he did not cooperate with others in the unit.
Lee Donohue Jr: Criminal Intelligence Unit detective. Son of police chief.
Kenneth Kamakana: Veteran Honolulu police detective was assigned to Criminal Intelligence Unit and investigated narcotics and organized crime in cooperation with FBI agents. Kamakana found out that other CIU officers had interviewed an indicted suspect despite FBI warnings that it could jeopardize prosecution. Turned tapes of interview and secret investigation files over to FBI without approval by police supervisors. Filed lawsuit after he was transferred out of CIU and investigated by Internal Affairs.
Daniel Kelly: FBI special agent worked with Honolulu police on organized-crime cases. Helped Kamakana remove secret investigation files from police headquarters.
Earl Koanui: Undercover police officer posed as corrupt cop who accepted bribes from gambling operators. Probe led to indictment of Gabriel Aio, Marirose Tangi and 30 others.
Tenari Ma'afala: Decorated police detective worked in Criminal Intelligence Unit and now heads State of Hawai'i Organization of Police Officers union.
Milton Olmos: Was acting captain in charge of police Criminal Intelligence Unit when Kamakana alleged that officers have inappropriate relationships with organized-crime figures. Interviewed gambling probe defendant Marirose Tangi despite FBI warning that prosecution could be jeopardized. Requested that Kamakana be transferred out of CIU after Kamakana turned over secret tapes and investigation files to FBI.
Marirose Tangi: Among 32 people indicted on charges connected to illegal gambling operations. Secret tapes of police interview with Tangi and another woman were turned over to FBI by Kamakana.
