KEALAKEKUA — One of the organizers of the “Freedom Ride” may no longer be representing himself after a hearing on Monday.
Paul Komara, Ocean View, was in court on two charges, one from a traffic stop where police allege he was driving without insurance, registration or license.
Komara, among others, argue that non-commercial driving is a right and does not require those materials. This interpretation has been rejected by local, state and federal courts. His court proceedings, as well as those of other “Freedom Riders,” has been chaotic as Komara doesn’t recognize the jurisdiction of the court, which prompts him to speak out of turn during proceedings.
He did so again Monday.
The other charge he was facing was contempt of court from Third Circuit District Court Judge Margaret Masunaga after Komara appeared in her court on May 6 and spoke out of turn, leading to his arrest.
Monday’s hearing started with more unusual dialogue.
“May I call you Margaret?” Komara said.
“No,” said the judge, and paused. “You may call me your honor.”
The case then continued, with Masunaga stressing that Komara had a right to an attorney, as the charge could include up to 30 days in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.
“I want a free attorney I can choose from your list,” Komara said.
He told West Hawaii Today after the hearing he had not been contacted by an attorney.
“I requested to see a list of the court-appointed attorneys as it is my unalienable right to select, should I choose to do so,” he said.
He agreed to an attorney from the list and Masunaga set the next appearance at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 8.
Before Masunaga moved on to the remaining cases, Komara asked to speak. Masunaga called a recess and left the courtroom, leaving some confusion as to if the hearing was over.
Komara made a statement to the gallery, which contained several supporters and two people who saw their cases continued earlier in the day, that included a demand for the return of his car, which was taken by police on May 27. He closed with “when will you complete the genocide of my people? Aloha.”
