Department of Land and Natural Resources

For Immediate News Release: April 1, 2021

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES STATEMENT RELATING TO THE MATTER OF WYATT J.K. KAM VS CARLTON HELM AND ROBERT FARRELL 

(HONOLULU) – On March 19, U.S. Magistrate Judge Kenneth J. Mansfield issued a judgment in favor of DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) former Chief Robert Farrell and Lieutenant Carlton Helm, and against Plaintiff Wyatt Kam. The Court concluded that DOCARE’s response during the 2017 Independence Day “Floatilla” event in boarding the vessel Wind Warrior to address safety concerns including high seas, reports of an affray aboard, and the extensive use of alcohol by adults and underage participants was reasonable.  

Kam’s allegations, all of which were rejected by the Court, claimed DOCARE Officers Helm and Farrell conducted an illegal search and seizure of the vessel Wind Warrior and were involved in the false arrest, imprisonment, use of excessive force, assault, battery and negligence toward Kam. These allegations were the subject of news stories aired by television station Hawai‘i News Now in May 2018 and January 2019.   

DLNR appreciates the Court’s careful consideration of all the evidence, facts and circumstances of this case. The Court’s decision affirms that Helm and Farrell were not liable for any wrong-doing. 

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Media Contact: 

Dan Dennison 
Senior Communications Manager 
(808) 587-0396 
[email protected]