Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
House Journal Written Remarks
May 5, 2009 – Day 59
Conf. Comm. Rep. No. 10
H.B. No. 615, H.D. 1, S.D. 2, C.D. 1
Relating to Harassment
I rise in support of House Bill 618, House Draft 1, Senate Draft 2, Conference Draft 1, relating to the harassment.
The purpose of this measure is to keep up with technology by updating Hawaii’s harassment and harassment by stalking laws by including the definition of electronic communication as defined in the Hawaii Revised Statutes section 711-1111(2), which means any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic, or photo-optical system. Unfortunately, many individuals are harassing and stalking others through the Internet. Harassment and stalking can cause annoyance, mental distress, and safety concerns. It is our goal to protect our community from harassment and stalking done in person or through technology. Thank you.
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 