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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, November 21, 2008

Game warden may face criminal case

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Staff Writer

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Complaints about a game warden who is accused of numerous instances of abusive behavior — including drawing a gun on children — are in the hands of the state attorney general.

Laura H. Thielen, chairwoman of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, has sent all complaints about the officer to the attorney general, who will review them for possible criminal investigation, Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for the DLNR, said yesterday in an e-mail.

The game warden, who was recently reassigned to a different district pending the outcome of a DLNR investigation, was accused of harassing hunters and fishermen beyond his authority while on duty in the Kaena/ North Shore/Helemanu area.

"DLNR has taken steps to address any potential concerns regarding safety pending the investigation," Ward said in the e-mail. "We will not comment on the pending investigation."

Two weeks ago at an Oahu Pig Hunters Association meeting, dozens of hunters and fishermen recounted incident after incident in which they said the officer was overbearing, threatening and callous in his treatment of suspects.

Earlier this week, hundreds of people showed up at a meeting to discuss future plans for Kaena Point, but the meeting was disrupted as individuals insisted on discussing the game warden.

Those attending said it was the first opportunity they had to take their complaints directly to Thielen, who attended the meeting.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.