Law Enforcement

...a federal judge ordered the government return $167,000 law enforcement seized from a motorist driving through Nevada....

Sex trafficking became a prosecutor’s priority when I returned to office in 2010.    That year, exactly one pimp was arrested, and in 2011 the respected Polaris Project ranked Hawaii among the worst states for anti-sex trafficking efforts....

"I contacted my client. He was delighted," says Myles Breiner....

Hawaii is among the states with the lowest rates in the country of foster children who were re-abused within six months of being reunited with their families....

The Hawaii Supreme Court has overturned former Circuit Court Judge Randal Lee’s order disqualifying two Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys from a high­ profile gambling case....

James Dooley revisits highlights of his career as a hard-hitting investigative reporter....

...Yesterday, Hawaii Governor Ige held a press conference to announce his intent to veto SB 265 which could enact Hawaii’s first sex trafficking law....

...Hawaii Supreme Court refined the test for determining when a municipal ordinance or charter provision is preempted by state law....

"It is our belief that there will be mutual respect and aloha on Wednesday and in the days ahead as TMT restarts construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope...."

2015’s Strictest and Most Lenient States on DUI....

in the last two years, HPD made 19 arrests for promoting prostitution, more than half of which were for first-degree promoting or sex trafficking. It is important to note that none of these arrests would have been possible without the cooperation of witnesses -- who in these cases happened to be individuals arrested for prostitution....

...local authorities share fingerprints from everyone booked into jail with federal authorities, who comb the prints for immigrants, those here legally and illegally, so they can be deported....

... July 1, 2011 through July 9, 2013, Sasao collected eleven payments from various probationers that had been assigned to him and kept the payments for his own use....

"Whenever there is a new product, whether it be powdered alcohol or e-cigarettes, we want to jump on it, and ban it."

Having two accidents in the last two years on your record is the most costly traffic violation....

Facts learned during the course of the investigation will determine whether the attorney general’s office pursues or recommends criminal charges....

...Unlike all other states in the union Hawaii has a go-it-alone policy and lets the attorney general’s office keep a running tally....

"I thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney."

Marc Hubbard, 46, of Cornelius, NC...charged by indictment, unsealed today, in a conspiracy to defraud victims who thought they were investing in concert promotions....

"...From agencies like the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to organizations like HART that are entrusted with significant state funds, there is a need for greater accountability...."

Supporters are already working to build legislative and public support for the constitutional amendment in the 2016 legislative session....

This is all part of a scheme hatched by two lawyers famous for helping OJ Simpson get off on his 1994 double murder rap in Los Angeles....

"...In the light Lawrence v. Texas and Reliable Consultants v. Abbott, the State can no longer simply say that morality is a sufficient reason...."

SB 473, SD1, proposing carry permit issue rules under the Federal retired Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA), has a hearing, Tuesday, 02-24 at 9:15AM....

The Chief's comments that caused a recent mistrial and the initial decision not to file reports as noted above with HPD indicate to us some questionable decision-making....

Comey said he is concerned that in the wake of Snowden’s “so called revelations,” Americans “healthy skepticism” of government powers will turn to cynicism....

From 2009 to 2011, he served as the FBI liaison officer to a counter-narcotics task force at U.S. Pacific Command at Camp Smith, Hawaii. In 2012, he was promoted to assistant special agent in charge of the Honolulu Division....

...residents will see a 6% average increase in their annual insurance costs for three years after the infraction....

...James Pflueger has been released from jail by State Prison Head Ted Sakai after serving 1.5 months of an already meager 7 month sentence he was given for 7 felony counts of manslaughter....

A prominent gay rights activist charged last week with sexually abusing a 15-year-old boy ... has visited the White House more than a half-dozen times in the past two years....

...every state receives a Report Card that grades the state on 41 key legislative components that must be addressed in a state’s laws....

Senator Slom discusses  Police Reform with Prof Aaron Hunger....

...Some Hawaii companies are taking advantage of visitors and elderly residents, but state officials are thwarting attempts to investigate, a supervisor with the state Department of Commerce says....

Taking the case to a grand jury wasn't about looking for a way out....

...The Dispensary System Task Force will submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation to the 2015 Legislature....

...After jumping down from the roof, Skelton walked around the back of the Annex and followed the fence line along Kamehameha Highway....

Statistics show that without income from a paying job an ex-offender often will return to criminal activity....

...Washington has incentivized the militarization of local police precincts by using federal dollars to help municipal governments build what are essentially small armies....

...to generate greater awareness about the threats of financial scams....

“When my ballot was stolen, I felt so violated. I am very concerned about corruption here on the island,” Woods said....

"Witnesses say that the suspect ran from the police earlier that day, for allegedly not having license plates or a driver’s license...."

Officers, Prosecutors, Lawmakers and Conservationists Meet at UH Law School....

Only five states—Hawaii, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Vermont— had no wiretap requests during 2013....

The International Labor Organization says agricultural workers are among the most vulnerable....

...In 2013, the state spent $199,000 a year for each bed at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF), yet 75 percent of youth released from HYCF were re-adjudicated or convicted as an adult within three years....

...since 2000, Matsumoto has been charged with 98 felonies, 51 misdemeanors and four petty misdemeanors. He’s been convicted of 10 felonies and one petty misdemeanor violation; 38 felonies and 46 misdemeanors were dismissed. Matsumoto awaits trial on 50 felonies....