Aloha Friends and Family!

Your immediate action is needed to keep "Karen's Law" (HB819) alive.  It appears that the House Finance Committee may not hear Karen's Law.  This would kill the bill with no explanation.  It had no financial implications.
On May 25, 2007, Karen Ertell was brutally raped and murdered in her home in Ewa Beach. Karen Ertell was the only real mother that her foster daughter, Malanie McLellan had ever known. She described Karen Ertell as a giving, loving person who saw the best in people, and who was a vibrant woman whose life was very full. She owned her own business – Koko Crater Coffee Roasters and was expecting her first grandchild. Melanie was nine months pregnant with Karen's grandson. Her senseless murder also left behind her loving partner – Kevin Callahan, her heart-broken mother and family, and hundreds of friends and business associates.
As the law currently stands, juvenile crime offenders, charged with 1st or 2nd degree murder can face two trials, one to determine which court to try them in and then another trial to decide guilt or innocence. "Having to relive an already traumatic event on more than one occasion, is one time too many. Victims and victims' families have rights too. We need to start protecting the people of Hawaii and stop making excuses for defending people that break the law. We spend too much time and resources on protecting individuals that harm society.
Please urge Finance Chair, Marcus Oshiro and Vice-Chair, Marilyn Lee to hear Karen's Law (HB819) or to waive it from finance committee. 
Rep. Marcus Oshiro
phone 808-586-6200; fax 808-586-6201
E-mail repmoshiro@Capitol.hawaii.gov
Rep. Marilyn Lee
phone 808-586-9460; fax 808-586-9466
E-mail replee@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Sarah Ann Hunt
Chief of Staff to
Representative Kymberly Marcos Pine
Minority Floor Leader
43rd Representative District
P: (808) 586-9730
F: (808) 586-9738
E: hunt@capitol.hawaii.gov