Honolulu Prosecutor: Kaneshiro Easily Beats Takata
Voters on Tuesday gave Keith Kaneshiro another four years at the helm of the Honolulu prosecutor’s office.
He slid by Hawaii deputy attorney general Kevin Takata 53 percent to 37 percent, with . The vote was 156,941 to 109,428.
Kaneshiro said he wants to continue his work making the office “the voice of public safety.” He said he wants to keep the focus on fighting drug abuse, crimes against the elderly and animal cruelty.
The candidates gave voters two distinct choices.
Takata, 56, worked for years as a deputy prosecutor until Kaneshiro took office in 2010. He criticized the high turnover rate that began under Kaneshiro.
Takata said he ran on a platform of change. He said he wanted to restore ethical practices, promote victims’ rights, improve intergovernmental communication and boost community outreach.
Kaneshiro, 63, was prosecutor from 1989 to 1996. He resumed office two years ago after winning a special election when Peter Carlisle stepped down to run for mayor during the middle of his second term as prosecutor.
Takata’s campaign was largely financed by his brother in New York. Michael Takata donated $42,000 directly to Takata’s campaign committee and funded a super PAC called Friends For A Safer Honolulu with a $50,000 check.
Kaneshiro raised more money and spent more in his campaign. He had broad support throughout the city.
