Stalking by harassment could increase to felony in Hawaii
Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news
They hope to pass a law that would turn the misdemeanor into a Class C felony.
Legal experts said it is a crime that rarely gets to prosecution, but making harassment by stalking a felony will not be a silver bullet. It is currently a misdemeanor and only carries up to one year in jail.
Hawaii sheriff deputies arrested for alleged racial harassment
'I do think the increase in penalty is warranted, but I'm not sure it's going to really deter anyone. Number one, hardly anyone knows that this law exists,' said defense attorney Megan Kau.
Kau pointed out that most victims of domestic violence file technical restraining orders, which carry their own penalty if the perpetrator is in violation. Lawmakers said that offense is only a misdemeanor and their proposed law would give victims another, stronger legal option.
'This will allow for more prosecution, serious prosecution to individuals that have previously reported as stalking or being stalked,' Rep. Rachele Lamosao said.
The felony charge for stalking by harassment would increase prison time up to five years if passed. Kau said stalking these days goes beyond following someone home.
'In our times now, we see the unwanted communication as text messages or emails. It's rarely direct communication. People aren't that brave, you know. So usually when someone says, stop contacting me, people don't come to the person's house and continue to have direct communication. They text, they email and now, DM, IG,' Kau said. 'But It's always a question about who sent the message, right? Because I could sit behind your computer and use your IG account to send a direct message.'
Lawmakers said there are some situations that could be misconstrued as harassment, but the legislation will at least open a discussion of how the law needs to change.
Check out more news from around Hawaii
'I understand that there might be some unintended consequences to this. But I think this is a start of this conversation and that we need to find a way to keep people safe wherever they are,' Lamosao said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Motorized scooter operator fires gun at sedan during road rage incident in Newington
NEWINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) — Police are investigating after a motorized scooter operator allegedly fired a gun at a sedan during a road rage-type incident in Newington. The initial investigation determined the road rage incident occurred around 8:25 p.m. on Saturday in the area of Hartford Avenue near the Hartford city line, police said. Police said when they responded to the shot spotter activation, they located shell castings in the roadway in Newington. No injuries were reported. Police ask anyone with information to contact dwalker@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
APD: Fatal crash at William Cannon Dr. intersection causes closures for ‘extended period of time'
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department responded to a fatal crash involving two vehicles in south Austin Monday afternoon. Police said the crash occurred around 4:51 p.m. in the intersection of S. 1st Street and W. William Cannon Drive, a social media post from Austin Police said. The crash caused lane closures in the area. Street closures at S. 1st St. northbound from Buckingham Place and William Cannon Drive eastbound will be closed, the post said. The intersection is expected to stay closed for an extended period of time, police said. 'Expect delays, plan your route,' police said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Schwarzenegger teases a fight against Newsom over redistricting
Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) teased a fight with Gov. Gavin Newsom's (D) redistricting push in a post on social media Friday as Democrats in the state look to redraw their maps in response to similar moves in Texas. 'I'm getting ready for the gerrymandering battle,' Schwarzenegger wrote, including a photo of him lifting weights. He also wore a shirt that read 'F‑‑‑ the politicians' and 'terminate gerrymandering.' California is moving forward with its own plans to redraw the state's map as it looks to neutralize a proposed House map in Texas that would net the Republicans five seats in the midterms. 'We're putting maps on the ballot, and we're giving the power to the people,' Newsom said at a rally Thursday. 'This will be the first redistricting that's ever done that. That's the difference.' California is expected to see a special election over the mid-decade redistricting in November; Newsom has noted the state is not looking to eliminate its independent redistricting commission. But the move has received some criticism, including from those around Schwarzenegger's team. Schwarzenegger helped championed California's independent redistricting commission, which draws the legislative and congressional maps in the state and is seen as a gold standard in fair, redistricting efforts. 'Governor Schwarzenegger has a 20 year history of battling gerrymandering, taking power from the politicians and returning it to the people where it belongs, and he believes gerrymandering is evil no matter who does it. He still stands by the rule we learn in pre-school: two wrongs don't make a right,' Daniel Ketchell, a spokesperson for the former governor, said in a statement earlier this year. 'He will continue to be on the side of the people and not politicians – from either party – on this issue,' he added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
