nephew arrested

Justice Minister’s nephew arrested

By Ed Rampell

THE nephew of author Fay Calkins (who is married to Western Samoa’s Minister of Justice, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Labor and Public Service, Matai Leiataua Vaiao Alailima), was arrested in an anti-war riot last month.

Wesley Alailima, a 24-year-old Poly nesian progressive, was in the riot the day America went to war against Iraq, in Hawaii’s worst political violence in years. Alailima was allegedly beaten unconscious by up to six Honolulu Police Department (HPD) officers, arrested and thrown behind bars.

On January 16, about 200 protesters converged on the Federal Building, with its offices for government agencies, including the military, Congress, and Samoa’s representatives in downtown Honolulu. The demonstration re mained peaceful until about 5.15 pm when about 50 demonstrators staged a sit-in, blocking rush-hour traffic.

When the arrested refused to leave the HPD officers dragged them off, taping or handcuffing their hands behind them. HPD employed choke holds, but not mace or billy clubs.

Apparently alarmed at the arrest and violence, Alailima headed toward the police and protesters. A shoving match ensued between him and an officer, which turned into a brawl. Alailima fought four to six policemen. His head was bashed against the sidewalk four times, rendering him unconscious.

He was later charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and harass ment. Alailima was hooked on the latter charge. The nephew of Western Samoa’s Justice Minister faces up to six months in jail and/or a S5OO fine. He has filed a police brutality charge with Hawaii’s Police Commission. □