The Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu is very thankful for Governor Neil Abercrombie signing House Bill 246, House Draft 1, Senate Draft 2, Conference Draft 1 into law as Act 322 on 7/10/2012 (Gov. Msg. No. 1439). House Bill 246 is a 2012 Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Legislative Package bill, which appropriates a total of $1,445,883 for the department to help operate state mandated programs by law such as the Career Criminal Prosecution Unit ($734,973), prosecution in Drug Court ($121,057), Hawaii’s Opportunity Probation with Enforcement Program ($86,888), and Victim Witness Assistance Program ($502,965). These programs are very successful and essential for the public’s safety.
Despite HB 246 becoming law, the Governor can still decide to restrict some of the funds or not release any at all. Therefore, we will continue to work with the Governor in the near future in hopes of getting the funds released.
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 