Like Prevails Over Iseri In Kauai Prosecutor Race
A political newcomer, Like is stepping into office at a time when the island is dealing with a rise in fentanyl abuse, a suicide problem and a longstanding lack of mental health and drug addiction resources.
Rebecca Like has won the race to keep her temporary job as Kauai’s acting prosecuting attorney over former county prosecutor Shaylene Iseri, who lost her bid for a comeback.
Like, who has never held public office before, had 70.5% of the vote compared to 29.5% for Iseri.
The election pitted two former foes against one another.
Like sued Iseri in 2012, alleging that Iseri retaliated against her when she was deputy prosecutor because she failed to participate in Iseri鈥檚 reelection campaign. It was one of a half dozen civil lawsuits that named Iseri as a defendant during the time when she held the job of Kauai’s top prosecutor.
Now in a position to reshape law enforcement, Like has said that she would work to reduce the number of people who go to prison for one-off, minor crimes and advocate for comprehensive use of mental health and addiction services in the criminal justice system.
In her new role, Like has said she鈥檇 improve programs to help former prisoners reenter society and bolster social services and diversion programs for people who commit low-level offenses, such as trespassing or disorderly conduct, and lack access to mental health care or housing.
Throughout her campaign, Like has touted her managerial skills. As a boss of a 45-person staff, she said she鈥檒l be predictable and consistent.
Like is endorsed by her predecessor Justin Kollar, who stepped down in September to relocate to California. Kollar has described Like as honest and intelligent, adding that she 鈥渉as never shown up unprepared for anything in the entire time I鈥檝e known her.”
鈥淪he鈥檚 an excellent courtroom litigator,” he said, “as well as somebody who鈥檚 been a manager for the past nine years. She has integrity, and she鈥檚 experienced.鈥
Kollar’s resignation prompted the special election, which cost taxpayers approximately $475,000. As the county’s newly elected top prosecutor, Like, of Anahola, will finish out Kollar鈥檚 remaining term, which ends in 2024.
