Editor's Note: Kaneshiro's decision to take a "leave of absence" does not stop the Supreme Court proceedings regarding his law license.
Statement from Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro, March 7, 2019
This is to announce that I am taking a leave of absence from my office, Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu, effective Thursday, March 7, 2019.
I am honored to have served as Prosecuting Attorney for 16 years and am proud to have worked with the professionals and staff of the office and I remain dedicated to my commitment to the voters who elected me. Every day we work hard to protect the citizens of this county and to hold those who violate criminal laws accountable.
Accordingly, to avoid further distraction and to insure the continuity of orderly administration of justice, I am taking leave from my position as Prosecuting Attorney and delegating the responsibility of that office to Dwight Nadamoto to be Acting Prosecuting Attorney.
I have great confidence that those in the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney will continue to conscientiously perform our mission of enforcing the law.
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Caldwell statement:
“I believe Honolulu’s Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro made the correct decision in taking a leave of absence with pay pending resolution of his situation,” Caldwell said. “As ensured by the Constitution of the United States Keith Kaneshiro is innocent until proven otherwise, but while judicial proceedings move forward, the best solution for the people of the City and County of Honolulu is for him to step aside and allow others to guide the day-to-day operations of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Acting Prosecuting Attorney Dwight Nadamoto is an experienced attorney and an effective administrator.”
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Coverage:
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Deadline approaches for Kaneshiro to respond to petition calling for his suspension
HNN March 6, 2019: … The deadline for Honolulu prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro to respond to a petition calling for his immediate suspension is rapidly approaching.
19 days ago, state Attorney General Clare Connors filed a petition for extraordinary with the Hawaii Supreme Court, writing that Kaneshiro should not be allowed to serve as city prosecutor ― at least for the time being ― given his serious conflicts of interest as the target of a federal probe.
The Supreme Court ordered Kaneshiro to respond to the petition within 20 days, giving him until midnight Thursday night to defend himself.
In the petition, Connors wrote that Kaneshiro’s refusal to step aside ― despite the ongoing investigation ― “has subjected every case being handled by the Honolulu Department of Prosecuting Attorney to potential ethical and legal challenges.” ….
read … Deadline approaches for Kaneshiro to respond to petition calling for his suspension
HNN: The fourth high-level city official forced from office amid the ongoing federal investigation.
HNN: “Until the situation is finally resolved, we’re going to press forward (with impeachment),” said Tracy Yoshimura