HAWAII
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
By JOHN BURNETT Hawaii Tribune-Herald
A high-ranking Catholic Church official arrested last August in Kona for drunken driving had a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal threshold for intoxication.
According to court records, Cardinal William Joseph Levada had a blood-alcohol level of 0.168 when he was stopped at about midnight Aug. 19 on Hina Lani Street in Kailua-Kona.
According to a police spokeswoman, Levada was driving a 2015 Nissan Altima and was alone in the car when he was pulled over after a patrol officer saw him swerve while driving northbound on Queen Kaahumanu Highway north of Kealakehe Parkway.
Through his attorney, Levada pleaded no contest and was fined $300 on Jan. 25 in Kona District Court.
The 79-year-old Levada, who lives in Menlo Park, Calif., wasn’t required to appear at the hearing and was not present.
Levada’s driver’s license was revoked for a year and he was ordered to pay $162 in various fees in addition to the fine. He also was ordered to undergo substance abuse assessment and to follow any recommended treatment.
A proof of compliance hearing was set for 8:30 a.m. July 8. Levada will not be required to appear and his Honolulu attorney, Howard Luke, will be allowed to participate by telephone.
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