Posted on: Wednesday, July 16, 2003

Parole board candidates list cut to 16

Associated Press

The list of candidates vying to become a member of the Hawai'i Paroling Authority has been narrowed from 66 applicants to 16.

The names and qualifications of the 16 candidates were forwarded to Gov. Linda Lingle, who will make the appointments. The candidates are being considered for the chairperson's post and two part-time board positions.

"We're looking for people with a strong sense of morality; a deep interest in public service, public safety and having a say in how the system works," Public Safety Deputy Director James Propotnick said.

The board is operating with an acting chairperson and two interim members.

"They hear about 20 to 30 cases a day, three to four days a week. That's a lot," Propotnick said.

Parole hearings came to a two-week halt in April after a second member of the three-member panel resigned.

Lani Rae Garcia resigned April 2 after being charged with misdemeanor abuse. Alfred Beaver, former chairman, resigned March 11 after an investigation was launched into the misuse of his post. A third member's term expired June 30.

"Sometimes people who are part of the entity end up having some problems," Propotnick said. "They stumble, they fall and it's unfortunate."