ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ

Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Aug. 10 primary election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following came from Rebecca Like, candidate for Kauai County prosecutor. She has no opponent.

Go to Civil Beat’s Election Guide for general information, and check out other candidates on the General Election Ballot.

1. What do you see as the most pressing issue facing your office? What will you do about it?

Economic insecurity and substance use disorder. 

Increasing costs of housing and basic needs lead people to desperation. The stress of holding multiple jobs and having a greater number of people living together leads to increased crime.

Folks who have nothing feel like they have nothing to lose. They are not invested in society or contributing to the community. We try not to burden working families with additional fines and fees or numerous court appearances for low-level offenses. We work to recognize the social determinants of health and crime and implement programs to address those — our mental health diversion program and our E Ho’i I Ka Piko Re-entry program.

Individuals are rarely arrested sober. Although there are certainly outliers, most crimes are committed when individuals are under the influence of alcohol or methamphetamine. We are doing our best to connect individuals willing to go to treatment to the limited resources available on Kauai.

Our office also awards community grants to adult and adolescent programs addressing mental health and substance use disorders. Through our Life’s Choices Program and in partnership with other county and state agencies, we have established the Kauai Fentanyl Task Force.

2. Over on Oahu, the Honolulu prosecuting attorney’s office has been the subject of a federal corruption probe and criminal investigation over pay-to-prosecute campaign finance practices. Given the campaign system, how do you ensure integrity in the criminal justice process?

Our office prioritizes integrity and transparency. We are the smallest office in the state and it is critical to public safety that individuals know that no matter who you know, you will be treated the same — with respect and dignity.

We keep politics out of the office. My campaign fundraising goals have been modest.

3. Is Kauai a safe place to live? What can be done to improve the safety of residents and visitors on the island?

Kauai is a safe place to live. Although I don’t advise it, residents often leave their homes and cars unlocked. Kauai is a tight-knit community and I believe that community connection does a lot to prevent crime. 

An adult inpatient residential substance use treatment center would improve the safety of visitors and residents. More housing and jobs that pay a living wage would also improve public safety. More resources and activities for adolescents and youth would also have an impact in reducing crime. 

4. What role does the prosecutor’s office have in criminal justice reform, particularly in keeping low-level offenders out of the corrections system?

A critical one. On Kauai, we do not have crisis stabilization beds or any meaningful alternative to cellblock or jail. This leads to individuals who are under the influence and/or dealing with severe mental health issues being held in Kauai Police Department cellblock or the jail.

Our office has started a new diversion program to divert low-level offenders directly to medical care. 

5. What would you do to address racism and discriminatory treatment in law enforcement?

This issue is especially complex in Hawaii given our unique demographic makeup. We are partnering with Vera Institute of Justice to collect more data to identify overrepresented races and ethnicities in the criminal justice system.

We also have been working with the Hawaii Corrections Oversight Commission in building our reentry program. The commission has provided us with demographic data on the correctional institutions throughout the state. Our E Ho’i I Ka Piko re-entry program will work to connect Native Hawaiians, who are overrepresented in our jails and prisons, directly to resources prior to and upon release from correctional facilities. 

6. What would you do to strengthen police accountability in Kauai, including the role the prosecutor’s office plays in use-of-force cases?

Our office has drafted and discussed a use-of-force policy, but has not yet implemented it. We hope to do that in the near future. 

7. What other issue would you like to address or make the voters aware of?

One of the biggest challenges our office faces is the lack of staffing at various state agencies and certain community-based organizations.

The lack of staffing at our courthouse means there are less programs for defendants and more delays in case processing. The lack of staffing at our jail means less resources for inmates.

Vacancies at CWS and DOE make it challenging to intervene early when children are victimized. Lack of staffing and a living wage for individuals working in the nonprofit sector make it more challenging to provide access to limited services.