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Sovereignty leader Kanahele sentenced to prison

February 3, 1998

HONOLULU (AP) -- Hawaiian sovereignty leader Dennis ``Bumpy'' Kanahele has been sentenced to four months in prison for interfering with U.S. marshals seeking to arrest a federal fugitive.

U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor gave Kanahele credit for the 31/2 months he spent in prison without bail, meaning he will have to serve only about two more weeks.

The judge also fined him $500 and ordered him to spend another four months under electronic monitoring at his Waimanalo home when he's not at work.

Kanahele, 43, who is free on bail, must start serving the rest of the prison term next week.

Federal prosecutors on Monday argued that Kanahele should spend 10 more months behind bars.

But Gillmor indicated Kanahele has changed during the criminal proceedings and has come to understand our system of government better.

Kanahele said if he returns to the courthouse, it won't be as a criminal defendant, but to pursue changes through legal action.

He also said he may run for a trustee position with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Kanahele was arrested in August 1995, and charged with blocking police from arresting tax protester Nathan Brown in Hauula in January 1994 and interfering with U.S. Marshals trying to arrest Brown at Kanahele's Waimanalo home in March 1994.


Additional background information on this case


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