Feds link man accused of threatening Hawaii leaders to paramilitary, sovereignty group

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Federal authorities are taking an in depth have a look at a paramilitary, Hawaiian protest group after a person linked to the group allegedly issued social media threats to Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Lt. Gov. Josh Inexperienced and the Waianae harbor grasp, sources mentioned

However Occupied Forces Hawaii Military says it’s nonviolent and had nothing to do with the threats.

“We’re not combatants. We’re lawful combatants however we’re not what they name a fight command. We’re civil affairs, navy authorities,” the group’s chief Col. Sam Lilikoi mentioned in a latest Fb posting.

The feds mentioned alleged mob affiliate Lindsey Kinney claimed to be a member of the group. Lindsey was charged final month with issuing threats to kill the Waianae harbor grasp after he acquired right into a confrontation with Lilikoi.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Lt. Gov. Josh Inexperienced allegedly acquired comparable threats from Kinney.

The group acknowledged that Kinney crammed out an software to affix the group, however they mentioned he hasn’t accomplished the method in the direction of membership.

“Mr. Kinney by his personal liberty and with no instruction to take action by (Occupied Forces Hawaii) Military, made social media posts relating to the incident,” added Napua Hueu, a captain with group.

“The feds, by the use of rumour, are insinuating that Mr. Kinney made threats in retaliation for what occurred to Col. Lilikoi … though that’s not true.”

The Occupied Forces Hawaii Military describes itself as lawful civil combatants for the nation of Hawaii, which they are saying has been underneath unlawful occupation for the reason that Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown in 1893.

Members should surrender their ties to the American authorities. They’re usually seen in navy uniforms at protests, which are sometimes loud, confrontational and theatrical.

Lilikoi mentioned these ways are obligatory.

“You gotta be in uniform and also you gotta be belligerent. All of the folks on the Mauna weren’t belligerent and it wasn’t a protest, it was an illustration,” mentioned Lilikoi in a latest social media posting.

The group factors to its group work however investigative reporter and blogger Ian Lind worries about their militaristic rhetoric.

“Teams like this are similar to proper wing teams on the mainland, militia teams, and so referred to as sovereign citizen’s teams,” mentioned Lind.

“And that’s simply not one thing you low cost as they’re simply nut jobs as a result of they could possibly be harmful nut jobs.”

Former Honolulu Deputy Police Chief John McCarthy can also be involved in regards to the background of the chief members name Col. Lilikoi.

“That’s scary. He’s a convicted felon,” mentioned McCarthy.

Courtroom information point out that Lilikoi’s delivery title is Eric C. A. Nelson.

Regulation enforcement sources mentioned Nelson was the infamous “bicycle bandit” who robbed a number of grocery shops at gunpoint throughout the early Nineteen Nineties. He was convicted and served 20 years in jail.

Lilikoi’s movies don’t advocate violence. He skipped out on an interview with Hawaii Information Now and the group didn’t reply to questions on Lilikoi’s legal previous.

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