Honolulu Officers Duck Court Papers in Urgent DUI Lawsuit Drama

UPDATE: Three Honolulu police officers are at the center of a sensational legal battle as they allegedly evade service of court papers in a class-action DUI lawsuit backed by the ACLU of Hawaiʻi. New filings reveal that a process server has spent nearly 50 hours trying to locate the officers, who have reportedly gone missing to avoid legal accountability.

The ACLU claims that the officers—identified as Ridge Newcom, Kelsey Messmer, and Darren Cachola—have been ducking efforts to serve them with summons related to allegations of unconstitutional DUI arrests. As the lawsuit unfolds, the plaintiffs are now seeking court permission to serve the officers via a newspaper notice, a request currently pending in First Circuit Court.

According to Hawaii News Now, the process server has visited police precincts, their homes, and called their attorneys without success. After exhausting all options for personal service, the ACLU has taken action to ensure the case can move forward. Retired Circuit Court Judge Randal Lee remarked that the officers’ behavior could be “totally egregious,” warning that consequences may follow if they are found to be deliberately avoiding service.

The class-action lawsuit alleges that the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) has unjustly arrested sober drivers, often recording a 0.000 blood-alcohol level during breath tests. The ACLU argues that these practices affect hundreds of motorists and seeks immediate injunctive relief to reform HPD’s DUI enforcement.

In an unexpected twist, the court documents reveal that Cachola responded to the process server, claiming he was undergoing medical surgery in the Philippines and would not return until July 2026. However, records indicate he recently held a retirement party in Honolulu, raising questions about his whereabouts and intentions.

Hawaii law allows for service by publication when defendants elude service despite diligent efforts. If granted, the ACLU could publish a notice in a newspaper, allowing the lawsuit to progress without the officers’ direct involvement. This procedure is governed by Hawaii Revised Statutes § 634-23, which mandates a detailed affidavit of attempts at personal service.

As the motion for publication remains pending, scrutiny of HPD’s DUI enforcement practices intensifies. The ACLU continues to pursue an injunction against what they describe as unconstitutional arrests, highlighting the urgent need for accountability within the police department.

Honolulu residents are left grappling with the implications of these developments, as the saga of serving the officers not only underscores the ongoing legal battle but also raises critical questions about oversight and integrity within the HPD. The situation is evolving rapidly, and the outcome could set significant precedents for law enforcement practices in Hawaii.

Stay tuned for further updates on this urgent and developing story as the ACLU and the Honolulu police navigate this contentious legal landscape.