A K LEO T H E
V O I C E
Ser v i ng t he st udents of t he Un iversit y of Hawa i ‘ i at M ā noa si nce 1922
Fabulous food Delectable delights divulged Dining Guide 7
Haitiʼs history France owes reparations Opinions 19
W E DN E S DAY S E P T. 15 to T H U R S DAY S E P T. 16 , 2 010
w w w. k a leo.org
Volu me 105 Issue 21
Candidates present prosecutor platforms In Pacarro’s message to the people of Honolulu, courtesy of ‘Olelo, he says, “a prosecutor has to lead by example: trying cases and moving the office forward through innovative policies that keep up with the change in times.”
A LICIA PARTRIDGE Staff Writer
Candidates running for the Honolulu City prosecuting attorney enlightened University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa students about their visions and plans Monday, Sept. 13, in a forum hosted by Campus Center Board and the Mānoa Pre-Law Association. Candidates Darwin Ching and Keith Kaneshiro were present, while Franklin “Don” Pacarro Jr. was absent. Information regarding Pacarro’s campaign will be drawn from online sources. “Pacarro e-mailed us this morning saying he couldn’t get out of a prior obligation,” said Andrew Itsuno, ASUH President. Kaneshiro began his speech with, “I think it’s a disservice to the students, to the voting public, to not appear at a forum. The alternate candidate should have been here.” Ching also responded to Pacarro’s absence, “I echo Mr. Kaneshiro’s statement. Pacarro has done this before.” Itsuno asked the candidates pressing questions about their qualifi cations and their opinions on: the role of prosecutor, the problems facing college students, the biggest crime concern, and what problems exist at UH. Though all three candidates running are nonpartisan affi liated Hawai‘i residents, their visions and approaches to the position are different.
P RO B L E M S FAC I N G OʻA H U
Both Keith Kaneshiro and Darwin Ching criticized Franklin Pacarro’s absence from the open forum. BRIAN TSENG KA LEO O HAWAI‘I
Q UA L I F I C AT I O N S In terms of qualifications, Kaneshiro explained he has already served eight years in this position from 1989-1996. He also ran the Department of Public Safety while working with the legislature to get laws made and passed. Pacarro, for the past 24 years, has been the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. He has also been a criminal case lawyer amongst other positions. “I feel I am the most qualifi ed candidate for the job, that’s why I am running,” Pacarro said in an interview with KHON2. Ching explained he has worked in the prosecutor’s offi ce
under Chuck Marsland. He later became head of District Family Court then head of the whitecollar crime unit and is currently working in private practice. “I bring a pro -active view to crime,” Ching said. “I am not going to wait for crime; I am going to go out there.”
RO L E O F T H E P RO S E C U T I N G AT T O R N E Y The prosecuting attorney is the public offi cer in a county, district, or other jurisdiction, charged with carrying on the prosecution in criminal proceedings. Criminal cases can be robbery, shoplifting, murder, as-
sault, burglary, etc. Kaneshiro said the role is to be a leader in the law enforcement community, not for trials. He also explained that the prosecutor should be a voice to get funding for treatment programs. “ The prosecutor’s role is to try and solve the crime problem,” Kaneshiro said. Ching explained that in the past, the position has been a “reactive role.” Meaning wait for the crime to happen, prosecute, then put them in jail. Now the role is evolving, he explained. Ching argued that it’s not the prosecutor’s job to get funding, but to be the head of prevention.
When asked about the main problem facing people of O‘ahu, Ching pinpointed the ice epidemic. All candidates agreed with the prevalence of drugs and agreed that a new approach needs to be taken. Both Pacarro and Kaneshiro advocated the need for treatment plans. “You prevent the issue by drug treatment,” Kaneshiro said. “You also have to go after the drug organization and take away the profits.” Ching responded, “I can’t disagree with Mr. Kaneshiro on that, that’s just common sense. You have to do more than that. You have to work with the federal people and their agents and law enforcement because they have the tools to go after these people.” Pacarro said in an interview with KHON2 that in addition to treatment plans, we need to seek to reduce the demand of drugs through education. “Remove the demand and the drug dealers will have no one to sell to,” Pacarro said. The candidates also spoke of issues specifi cally at the UH See Prosecutor, page 5
Island gubernatorial race: Candidate’s Corner Candidate Bio NAME: JAMES “DUKE” A IONA AGE: 55 EDUCATION: B.S. IN POLITICAL SCIENCE, JURIS DOCTOR ATE
As the Sept. 18 primary election for governor approaches, staff writer Ethan Porter went to fi nd out more about the men behind the giant posters. Today’s interview features former Lieutenant Governor James “Duke” Aiona.
This is an edited transcript: an original edited version as well as the complete interview can be read online at www. kaleo.org/news. See Candidate’s Corner, page 3