Hawaii Non-Profit Investigated

Written by Tim Sakahara - tsakahara@kgmb9.com

April 18, 2008 06:31 PM

Theft, Fraud and mismanagement - those are some of the allegations against a Hawaii non-profit organization. Now the state is getting involved in the investigation. The Hawaii Center for Independent Living helps people with disabilities have equal opportunities in life and helps people live on their own but dozens of people say it's not living up to its mission. It’s tough for Sam Torkelson to get around. He's blind, Arthritic And needs a cane. Still the 77 year old spent hundreds of dollars for him and his guide to fly over from the Big Island to testify at the state capitol. He told lawmakers he has been using the Center for Independent Living for several years but he says services have been disappearing at a time when people really need the help. "So that people feel alive again it’s supposed to be independent living and there's 30 people not feeling alive over there," said Sam Torkelson. Various former employees also testified that the center is fully dysfunctional. Lymari Graciano was the financial director at the center. She accuses Executive Director Patricia Lockwood of the fraud, theft and mismanagement. "You look right at the books and you see travel that she didn't take but a check made out to her. It's just obvious," said Lymari Graciano. "When an agency like this is made with fabulous potential to really help the disabled people in our community and it goes wrong in this way it’s really our responsibility, my responsibility, your responsibility, the community’s responsibility to know what happened to this money." The center gets $1.2 million a year from the state and federal government. Now lawmakers wonder how much of that was used inappropriately. "So if you add up over the years it could be several 100,000 or more I fear," said Senator Les Ihara, who represents Palolo, Kaimuki, and Kapahulu. The center's lawyer's testified before lawmakers stating it is cooperating but did not specifically talk about the accusations. "The board of directors are fully appreciative to the fiduciary obligations and are moving forward as expeditiously as possible to address the concerns," said Elizabeth Haws Connally with Alston, Hunt, Floyd & Ing. At the end of the hearing the two committees approved a full scale audit on the center making Sam Torkelson's trip to the capitol worth while. The audit will now go to the house floor for final approval which it's expected to get. The state attorney general's office is also investigating the center. In the meantime Patricia Lockwood has been placed on administrative leave. The center said she was not available for comment.

Last Updated ( April 18, 2008 06:31 PM )