Okino "apologizes" for anti-gay comments

HONOLULU (AP) — Former Honolulu City Councilman Gary Okino is apologizing to gays, lesbians and their supporters for comments he made during a confirmation hearing.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell withdrew the 71-year-old's nomination to the Ethics Board of Appeals after he told city councilors on Tuesday that he has "no tolerance for homosexuality," and that gay people "are in danger not only spiritually, but physically."

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports (http://bit.ly/Vp3qgp) Okino said in a statement Saturday that Caldwell's decision was appropriate.

Okino says he was being overzealous in his efforts to respond to allegations against him.

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