‘Duke's Law' one step closer to reality in win against agricultural land crime
HONOLULU (KHON2) — A bill named after a West Oahu man who was shot and killed on his farm is one step closer to becoming law.
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Cranston Duke Pia, a 39-year-old Makaha farmer, was shot and killed by a trespasser on his ranch in February 2024. His death galvanized lawmakers to take action and Sen. Tim Richards, III spoke to Cranston's mother in the months that followed.
Hawaii 'Stand your ground' laws could expand after killing
'She was stoic but resolved and said, 'Please don't let this be for nothing.' So, I gave her my word. I said, 'I won't let this go,'' Richards said.
That promise materialized into Duke's Law, which passed through conference committee on April 26. The bill increases penalties for crimes committed on agricultural lands and creates a pilot program within the State Department of Law Enforcement with funds for drone tech, license plate recognition cameras and new positions.
'Two full-time state law enforcement investigator positions and six uniform state law enforcement officer positions for patrol on Oahu and Hawaii Island,' said Hawaii Farm Bureau Executive Director Brian Miyamoto. 'Again, we've got now, law enforcement bodies dedicated to agriculture.'Duke's Law also targets repeat offenders by introducing harsher consequences.
'There's a definition in there for habitual agricultural crimes and this ramps up those for the second offense, third offense and the the penalties go up severely and very quickly and it mandates jail time, not allowing the courts to have latitude on that,' Richards said.
Waianae Senator Samantha DeCorte said emotions ran high after the bill cleared conference, especially for Duke's loved ones.
'We were both crying. And the first thing that we both said is, 'God is good.' And we are just so thankful that Cranston's life was not left in vain. But this will be promoted and elevated into a way that will keep us safer in the future,' DeCorte said.
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