Councilmember Pine Urges Extension of Statue of Limitations or Other Solutions to Assist Victims Denied Justice

(HONOLULU) — Two days after a legislative hearing that shocked the community, a Honolulu city councilmember will be asking the state legislature to extend the statute of limitations for certain crimes to help the numerous victims whose cases were dropped due to prosecutor error.
“What happened to these victims is appalling,” said Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine. “We must do everything in our power to fight for justice for these victims.”

On Tuesday, the City Prosecutor went before the Council’s Executive Matters and Legal Affairs Committee where councilmembers made the grim discovery that 15-20 sexual assault cases had to be dropped because of lost case files. When the files were finally discovered, the statute of limitations had expired forcing the cases and other various crimes to be dismissed.

“I will be meeting with state lawmakers to bring forward a bill to extend the statute of limitations or provide other solutions for these victims who were denied justice,” Pine added.

Councilmember Pine has begun work on legislation, and is optimistic the City is taking the first steps toward restoring the public trust in the state’s justice system.

Councilmember Pine represents residents of District One (Ewa, Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Honokai Hale, Ko Olina, Nanakuli, Maili, Waianae, Makaha, Keaau, Makua) and chairs the Intergovernmental Affairs and Human Services Committee.