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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Torture now a class A felony in Hawaiʻi
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Torture is now a class A felony in the islands following Gov. Josh Green's signing of Senate Bill 281 on June 4. The bill, known as 'S.B. 281: Relating to Torture,' passed both houses of the legislature, receiving unanimous approval in the state senate and near unanimous approval in the house, minus one excused member who did not vote. Has Sam's Club stopped shipping online orders to Hawaii? The item was submitted to the 2025 Legislative Session by the City and County of Honolulu's Department of the Prosecuting Attorney and was sponsored by Sen. Ronald Kouchi. The legislation marks the first of its kind in the islands, with Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm saying the new law helps toughen up 'inadequate' laws.'Until we submitted this bill as part of our legislative package, our state had inadequate laws to deal with perpetrators who use torture against children and vulnerable persons. Our state needed this law to protect those who are vulnerable and unable to protect themselves,' Alm said. The new law also provides significant aid in ensuring children who are victims of torture are able to get justice. 'Across the state, prosecutors have seen heinous crimes involving children who suffered acts of torture committed against them by their parents or those who have a duty to protect them,' Alm explained. 'The laws that we had to fight these crimes did not adequately address the criminal conduct exhibited in these cases.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
At-large Kalihi shooting suspect charged
COURTESY HPD Issachar Meafou COURTESY HPD Issachar Meafou A 38-year-old shooting suspect described by police as has been charged with allegedly shooting up an illegal game room in Kalihi. Issachar Meafou fired multiple gunshots at a game room near Sunny's Mart before 4 a.m. on April 17, according to the Honolulu Police Department. No injuries were reported. Meafou is described as 5 feet 9 inches, about 240 pounds, with brown eyes, brown hair and an 'S ' tattoo on his left cheek. Police caution that Meafou should be considered armed and dangerous and they urge the public not to approach him. On Sunday, the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney declined to charge Meadow with attempted murder in the first degree. Prosecutors reclassified two counts of attempted murder in the second degree to reckless endangering in the first degree. Meadow was charged with two counts of reckless endangering, place to keep pistol or revolver, being a felon in possession of a firearm and assault in the second degree. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. A warrant was issued for his arrest and his bail is set at $200, 000. Meafou is a 'persistent offender ' who has previously been convicted of two or more felonies and faces enhanced sentencing if convicted. 'The suspect is still outstanding, ' read a HPD highlight. Anyone with information on Meafou's whereabouts should call 911 or Honolulu CrimeStoppers. Anonymous tips can be reported to CrimeStoppers at 808-955-8300, via the free P3 Tips app, or at. 7 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? .
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
Woman arrested in connection to manslaughter of adopted child
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Honolulu police held a news conference at HPD's Main Station to address an arrest made in a 2023 child manslaughter case involving an 11-year-old girl. According to Lt. Deena Thoemmes, the child's 35-year-old adoptive mother, Sina Pili, was arrested on Friday, March 7 in connection to the death of Azaeliyah Pili-Ah You. Family member of dead Kapolei toddler files lawsuit against state She was arrested on Friday, March 7 on a grand jury bench warrant for manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a minor and persistent nonsupport. On Dec. 22, 2023, Honolulu police and firefighters responded to a report of an unresponsive female at a home in Lāʻie. Upon arrival, first responders found Azaeliyah's adoptive father attempting to administer life-saving care to her body, who said she fell in the shower. Firefighters then took over before bringing her to an area emergency room where she was pronounced said responding police officers found Azaeliyah with bruises to various parts of her body, including her face. 'After extensive testing, review of medical records and investigative findings, the forensic pathologist determined that the cause of Azaeliyah's death to be multiple injuries from child abuse and the manner of death to be homicide,' said Lt. Thoemmes. Lt. Thoemmes added Azaeliyah suffered from extensive bruising, some of which penetrated the skin and could be seen reaching the diaphragm, multiple abrasions from her head to her legs, wounds to the nose, internal injuries likely from strangulation and more. The Department of the Prosecuting Attorney said Pili will be in HPD custody pending transfer to Circuit Court for Arraignment on March 13. Check out more news from around Hawaii Anyone who may see a child in need of help should call the Child Abuse Reporting Line at (808) 832-5300. For neighboring islands, call (888) 380-3088. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
