HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Honolulu City Council on Thursday decided not to vote on a proposal that would have the city pay $1.5 million to settle a lawsuit over the 2021 police shooting of a South African rugby star.

last month, the council postponed the vote to approve the settlement after hearing hours of very accurate testimony from the family of Honolulu Police Chief Lindani Myeni and more.

Board President Tommy Waters said in a statement: “I have decided to cancel the upcoming vote on the proposed settlement of the lawsuit, moving the matter to the court system where it rightfully belongs. This decision reflects the Board’s commitment to allowing legal experts to address the facts and merits of a civil case in court versus a legislative hearing. The Board recognizes the importance of maintaining a fair judicial process and believes that the courtroom is the most appropriate setting to ensure a fair and transparent examination of these facts.

“During our last full Council meeting in October, discussion of the Myeni case escalated, turning the Honolulu City Council meeting at Kapolei Hale into a heated civil trial, with speakers presenting passionate arguments and facts from both sides. It is clear that the legal framework and procedural safeguards of the judiciary are best equipped to handle this matter. I will not allow these public hearings to turn into a spectacle or serve as a substitute for a court of law.”

Honolulu District Attorney Steve Alm said in a statement Thursday:

“I am pleased that settlement in the Myeni case has been rejected.

“My office conducted an independent investigation of all available evidence in this case and determined that the Honolulu police officers involved acted professionally and appropriately. Our investigation also determined that no charges will be filed as a result of the officers’ use of deadly force in this incident.

“The resolution of this case would also say that the officers involved were motivated by racial prejudice. There was no evidence of this.

“Being a police officer can be a tough and dangerous job. So far in 2024, 39 cases of assault on a law enforcement officer have been brought to my office, many occurring during arrests. If officers do something wrong, they should be held accountable. But when they do something right, it should be defended.”

FRONT COVER:

On April 14, 2021, three officers responded to a report of calls a home burglary in Nuuanu. They confronted the 29-year-old, who police say attacked the officers.

The lawsuit by Myeni’s family said the officers failed to identify themselves, blinded him with flashlights and escalated the situation to the point where Myeni felt he had to defend himself.

According to police, Myeni wounded three officers and knocked down one officer who shot him once. A second officer fired three times while Myeni was on the ground with the first officer.

He was taken to hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead.

Honolulu District Attorney Steve Alm declined to prosecute the officers, saying the shooting was justified, and nearly 2,300 Hawaii residents signed an online petition in support of the officers.

Attorney Jim Bickerton, who is representing the family, said during the meeting that Myeni’s wife, who is from Oahu, “above all, wants healing and peace for everyone. I can tell you that this is a very high priority for her, not just for her and her family, but for the city, for the officers, for the entire community. The eyes of the world were on this case and still are.”

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