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U.S. District Court Judge Helen Gillmor yesterday upheld a ruling that Hawaiian activist Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele be held without bail pending trial on charges of harboring a fugitive.
Gillmor ruled despite a personal promise from Kanahele, head of the self-proclaimed Nation of Hawaii, that he would appear for trial, tentatively set for Oct. 3.
U.S. Marshal Annette Kent said she's uncertain whether Kanahele will be transferred to a California facility or remain at the state's Halawa prison until then.
Most pretrial federal detainees are sent to California because of a lack of jail space here. But there are routine exceptions, Kent said. She added that Kanahele's trial is not far off, so it might not be worth sending him to the Mainland.
Kanahele told Gillmor, "I have no intention of running and hiding.
"Anything you want me to do for my release, you go my word that I will do it, so help me, God."
Gillmor, however, said she found a "sound factual and legal basis" for Friday's ruling by Magistrate Barry Kurren that Kanahele be held without bail because he is a "danger to the community" who would likely fail to show up for trial.
Kanahele was arrested Aug. 2 by federal agents at Honolulu Airport, on his way from Maui to Kauai. He is charged with three counts involving two 1994 incidents in which he thwarted law enforcement officers seeking to arrest tax protester Nathan Brown.
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