1 year later, Brun still awaits trial

LIHU‘E — More than a year has passed since former Kaua‘i County Councilmember Arthur Brun was arrested for allegedly operating a methamphetamine-distribution ring on Kaua‘i.

Brun, who was arrested along with 11 others in a drug sting by the Kaua‘i Police Department on the basis of a 29-page, federal indictment on Feb. 13, 2020, is still awaiting a trial, in the Federal Detention Center near Honolulu International Airport.

During a traffic stop, Brun allegedly threw a bag of methamphetamine from his car as he led a police pursuit that had not been made public before the February arrest. Police later recovered the illegal drugs.

A county news release described a “major drug-trafficking organization” headed by Brun, who according to the federal indictment was known as “Ata” within the drug ring.

Brun’s trial was continued from Feb. 28, 2021, and is now scheduled for Aug. 9.

Pulling a $5,621 a month salary from February 2020 to December 2020, Brun was paid more than $42,000 in taxpayer funds while he was still a councilmember and behind bars. His term on the council ended Dec. 1.

County Council Chair Arryl Kaneshiro said it doesn’t seem like a year ago that Brun was arrested, because so much has happened since then — several major floods and the COVID-19 pandemic being the major ones.

“We as an island have had to deal with many other issues, including subsequent flooding and rain events, and we are still trying to navigate the devastating effects of a worldwide pandemic,” Kaneshiro said. “The COVID-19 has destroyed our economy and stripped away any sense of financial security for many businesses and families.”

For about eight months, the Kaua‘i County Council had to do its job — within a rain-soaked and pandemic-altered environment — one member short. And while councilmembers say they were still able to get work done, being one member short did present some problems.

“Because we are a seven-person council, having an empty seat on the council has definitely affected our deliberations and decision-making,” Councilmember Mason Chock said. “Any decision or bill must be agreed upon by a supermajority or it may end up in a deadlock vote, which inevitably fails passage.”

Kaneshiro said Brun’s arrest “definitely distracted” the island and the council from business, but he’s proud of the way the remaining councilmembers were able to refocus and “successfully and professionally fulfill our term as a body of only six members.”

Reflecting on all of the adjustments the council had to make during that time, Councilmember Felicia Cowden said she’s also proud of the way the group pivoted, calling the charges alleged against Brun a “plague to many in our population.”

Chock echoed Cowden, pointing out that councilmembers weren’t the only people affected by Brun’s arrest.

“Incidents like this have a huge impact on any organization, including our Council Services Division. But in this case, it has had the detriment of affecting the community as a whole,” Chock said.

Complexities in Brun’s case include media coverage and Brun’s high profile in the community, according to county Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar. He joined councilmembers in pointing out that public officials should be held to a high standard because they are elected to represent the community.

“Public officials who abuse the public’s trust by committing serious crimes that harm our community should be held to account for them,” Kollar said.

Kaneshiro also felt elected officials should be held to a higher standard.

“As elected officials, we are looked upon to uphold the integrity of the office,” Kaneshiro said. “That has never wavered for me. As evidenced by the last election, I believe the general public still has confidence in us as individuals to represent our residents and do what is right for our county.”

Cowden says Brun’s status as a public figure creates an additional layer of accountability for him as a public figure, pointing out it was Brun’s responsibility as a councilmember to work toward the betterment of his community.

“Leadership’s continuing challenge is to replace the despair in our community that is commonly reflected in criminal drug activity with fresh empowerment and hope,” Cowden said.

Kapahi resident Fern Holland said she believes this incident points to needed change in the processes and rules relating to the County Council.

“It’s completely unacceptable that we did not have a path to removing him from office and suspending (or) ending pay while he remained incarcerated and unable to fulfill his role,” Holland said. “Clearly, we would hope that this is a one-time case, but unfortunately corruption is systemic in our small-town, county politics.

Holland continued: “While we expect more from our government officials, we must be prepared to deal with these situations in a reasonable and responsible way that protects the integrity of our government.”

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Jessica Else, editor-in-chief, can be reached at 245-0457 or jelse@thegardenisland.com. Sabrina Bodon, public safety and government reporter, can be reached at 245-0441 or sbodon@thegardenisland.com. Jason Blasco contributed to this report.