Rep. Ing Apologetic About Arrest, Missed Court Date

Rep. Kaniela Ing, file photo by Wendy Osher.

Representative Kaniela Ing of Maui, was apologetic for missing a court date and being served a subsequent bench warrant for failure to appear in court for a vehicle insurance violation.

After learning of the missed notice, he contacted Maui Police on Tuesday in an attempt to resolve the issue.

“I am sorry for missing the notice and court date while on Oʻahu for work. This was a stupid mistake, it was a human mistake. I will accept full responsibility for of whatever outcome expires, and apologize to my constituents for the embarrassment,” said Rep. Ing in an email statement.

Rep. Ing explained, “I was cited in January for failure to produce proof of insurance for a vehicle, which I had recently canceled due to my car needing repairs. I was ticketed while trying to fix my car outside of my home in Kīhei. I planned on disputing charges,” he said.

Rep. Ing further explained that a notice to appear in court for the infraction was sent in the mail, but he did not see it due to session on Oʻahu, noting that he was receiving a high volume of mail and only checked his Maui box on his weekends home.

He said that on Tuesday, he was served with a bench warrant for not appearing at a hearing for the proof of insurance violation.  “I resolved the matter and apologize for allowing a failure to present insurance to become more of an issue than it should have been.  I commend the Maui Police Department and court officers for their professional handling of yesterday’s events,” said Rep. Ing.