Daily Archives: February 18, 2013

I was happy to achieve a personal record at the Great Aloha Run this morning of 2/18/2013 with a time of 01:03:46 coming in 597th out of 18,187 runners and 72nd out of 901 runners in my sex and age category. I hope these races keeps me motivated to exercise in the years to come even when I start to decline physically. I am determined to keep working hard at my physical fitness so I can live a long life with all of you, my friends.

On the evening of 2/16/2013, I attended the Teo Chew banquet as a guest of Ho Farms at Empress restaurant in the Chinese Cultural Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.

On 2/15/2013 at 10:00 A.M., before the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tricia Nakamatsu testified in support of SB192 that makes solicitation of a minor for prostitution a crime; increases the statute of limitations to bring a cause of action for coercion into prostitution from two to six years; clarifies the minimum and maximum fine for a person convicted of committing the offense of prostitution; adds the offenses of solicitation of a minor for prostitution, habitual solicitation of prostitution, and solicitation of prostitution near schools and public parks under the State’s forfeiture laws; and amends the definition of “sexual offense” under the sexual offender registry laws to include acts that consist of the solicitation of a minor who is less than eighteen years of age for prostitution. Nakamatsu also testified in support of SB194 that excludes certain offenses from eligibility to be granted a deferred acceptance of guilty plea.

At 2:00 P.M., Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tricia Nakamatsu, Victim Witness Director Dennis Dunn, and I met with members of the Hawaii Prosecuting Attorney Association at our office.

At 3:45 P.M., I attended the swearing in ceremony of Dean E. Ochiai as judge for the Circuit Court of the First Circuit, and Kevin Souza as judge for the District Family Court of the First Circuit at the Hawaii Supreme Court.

At 6:30 P.M., I attended the karaoke social gathering of prosecutors and public defenders. I brought along my friend, private defense attorney Tommy Waters who served with me in the Hawaii State House of Representatives. Tommy is currently serving in the Judicial Selection Commission, appointed by House Speaker Calvin K.Y. Say, a mentor for the two of us. Also with us that evening was Hawaii State Representative Jimmy Tokioka who represents Western Kauai. I cherish the friendship I have with these two brothers of mine.

On 2/14/2013 at 10:00 A.M. before the House Public Safety Committee, Victim Witness Advocate Director Dennis Dunn testified in opposition to HB257 that establishes an earned-time program under which a person may be eligible for parole prior to the expiration of the person’s minimum term of incarceration. The person must show progress toward rehabilitation with improved social skills or participation in educational, occupational, or counseling programs. Requires the department to review each person’s performance annually to determine if the person merits an earned-time deduction. We thank the committee for deferring this measure.

At 2:00 P.M., before the House Judiciary Committee, I testified in support of HB1027 that requires absentee voters to affirm by signature that the ballot was completed in secrecy and without influence from others; Requires absentee ballots to include information regarding election fraud, voter fraud, and related penalties; Prohibits employers, unions, and candidates or their agents from assisting voters with completing absentee ballots; and Subjects special elections by mail to the same voter assistance requirements as for absentee ballots. Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith M. Kaneshiro testified in support of HB237 HD1 that appropriates funds to the Department of Education for two additional alternative schools; and Requires the Department of Education to develop enrollment criteria and a referral and placement process. HB237 HD1 is part of the 2013 Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney legislative package.

In the evening, I exercised for the 11th time in 2013 by strength training for my abs, chest, and triceps, and I ran 5.51 miles in Honolulu.

On 2/13/2013, at 8:30 A.M. before the House Health Committee, I testified in opposition of HB910. One of the primary purposes of HB910 is to limit conditional release to a maximum of one year, for anyone granted conditional release after he or she was:(1) committed to the custody of the Director of Health, following an acquittal for physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect excluding penal responsibility; or (2) placed on conditional release pursuant to Chapter 704, then had such conditional release revoked if the original charge against that person was a misdemeanor, petty misdemeanor, or violation. When conditional release is granted, the court makes a specific determination that conditional release is necessary, as the defendant is still affected by physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect and still a danger to self or others. The court grants a conditional release because it feels that the defendant can be safely released only if he or she is adequately monitored and given proper care, supervision, and treatment. Without such supervision and treatment, the defendant will continue to be a danger to self or others. Rather than apply a set one-year limitation on all conditional releases granted under HRS §704-412, in which the defendant was charged with a petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or violation, the Department would strongly recommend a case-by-case review by the court, involving a thorough review of all relevant facts and circumstances. Inevitably, some cases will call for supervision and treatment beyond one-year, particularly in cases under HRS §704-412, where the defendant was previously committed and/or had their conditional release revoked. Public safety is the Department’s highest priority, and proper supervision and treatment of defendants is critical to preventing future violence or criminal activity. Instead of placing a set time limit on conditional release, the Department respectfully suggests a standardized schedule for court review. When a court finds that the defendant may be released into the community without being a danger to self or others, then it is within the court’s powers to discharge him or her at that time. For all the foregoing reasons, the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu opposes HB910.

At 10:00 A.M., before the House Transportation Committee, I testified with comments on HB66 that imposes conditions to ensure that persons arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant are sober prior to being released from custody. Although the intent of this bill is good, it infringes due process constitutional rights because when a person posts bail he or she has a right to be released. I also testified in support of HB1181 that amends the definition of a habitual offender to also mean a person who was convicted of habitually operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant prior to the instant offense of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant..

At 4:00 P.M., Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tricia Nakamatsu and I met with Senator Roz Baker at her office regarding our puppy mills regulation bill.

In the evening, I exercised for the 10th day of 2013 with strength training for my abs, arms, and back, and I ran 7.35 miles in Honolulu.

On 2/12/2013, at 9:30 A.M., I testified before the House Human Services Committee commenting on HB1006 that allows the Department of Human Services to create a Family Justice Center task force to consider the establishment of family justice centers to assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, or human trafficking, and provide family-based social services. One of the goals of the bill is to help fund Family Justice Centers, which we would be very grateful to receive.

At 11:00 A.M., Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tricia Nakamatsu and I celebrated Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Allen Yadao’s birthday ad Dave & Buster’s for lunch. We shot some basketballs and played a couple of video games.

At 2:05 P.M., before the House Judiciary Committee, I had testimony in support of HB853 that proposes a constitutional amendment to permit the appropriation of public funds for private early childhood education programs, as provided by law; and HB864 HD1 that establishes the Early Childhood Education Program within the Early Learning System. Effective upon the ratification of the proposed constitutional amendment, proposed by H.B. 853 (2013), permitting public funds for private early childhood education programs.

On 2/11/2013, at 1:00 P.M. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tricia Nakamatsu and I had a meeting with a representative from K12, a private company that does Internet learning. They are interested that we have legislation supporting alternative schools for at-risk youth. Throughout the day, Nakamatsu and I tracked legislation in various committees and worked with various politicians and agencies as they contacted us on issues. In the evening I did my 9th day of exercise for 2013 doing strength training for my abs and shoulders and ran 6.18 miles in Honolulu.

On 2/10/2013, I attended Honolulu Jodo Shu services at 10:00 A.M. and chaired the board meeting at 11:45 A.M.

In the afternoon, I ran 4.67 miles for my 8th day of exercising in 2013 and worked on my writing project, and in the evening, I had dinner with my dad.

On the evening of 2/9/2013, I attended Mrs. Noguchi’s 85th birthday in Pearl City.