SPECIAL PROGRAMS & PROJECTS
The mission of the Prosecutor's Office has continued to focus on the areas of Community Oriented Prosecution, Domestic and Family Violence, Violence Against Children, Juvenile Justice and Community Gun Violence. In addition, efforts have expanded to include a Drug Task Force and Weed and Seed designation for Pahoa town.
Community Oriented Prosecution (COP)
The mission of the Community Oriented Prosecution is to improve the quality of life in Hawaii County by creating and fostering partnerships between the community and other agencies in order to reduce crime. Community Oriented Prosecution offers a major link between the police and judicial branch of government, giving citizens a better sense of community. It encourages cooperation between all people on the Big Island and fosters an atmosphere of community empowerment.
One deputy in Hilo and one in Kona are assigned as the Community Prosecution Coordinators who work closely with Community Police officers in educating and empowering communities to unify against crime. Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Grant funding ended in September 2005. County funding has been obtained to continue the project. The unit also includes an investigator and legal clerk.
Domestic and Family Violence
Domestic and family violence is recognized to be a severe and increasing problem in the County of Hawaii. The Domestic Violence Unit, established within the Office in 1993, addresses expedited processing of domestic violence cases and coordinated efforts and information sharing between agencies. For more information on family violence, go to the Hawaii County Commission on Family Violence.
Juvenile Accountability Block Grant (JABG) Project
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney is the designated authority for the County of Hawaii's Juvenile Accountability Block Grant allocation. Fifth year funding was used to implement the Juvenile Justice Comprehensive Strategic plan, "Youth Builders.".
Big Island Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center (BIJIAC)
BIJIAC is a collaborative effort of law enforcement, judiciary and service providers to provide a single point of entry for intake, assessment and case management of delinquent at-risk youth. Funding was obtained through the Department of Health Child and Adolescent mental Health Division for a project coordinator to work on planning and implementation of the project in East and West Hawaii.
Serious Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Plan (SHOCAP)
The office is coordinating development of an information and resource sharing system among agencies for serious and habitual juvenile offenders. SHOCAP will focus initially on juveniles who repeatedly commit serious crimes while sanctioned to provide them access to services needed to correct behavior.
Na Leo O Na Opio, The Voices of the Youth
An important component of Youth Builders is youth input and involvement. Through Na Leo O Na Opio, the youth have demonstrated they are valuable community partners who are competent, capable and committed to improving the social environment for themselves and their peers. With the support of the office, they have coordinated project such as the Youth summit, Youth Anti-Drug Health Fair, Career Pathways Fair and Summer Opportunities Expo.
Community Gun Violence Prosecution Program
The goal of the Community Gun Violence Prosecution program is to deter crime and positively affect the community's perception of safety by prosecuting firearm-related crimes in a rapid, responsive and effective manner. The primary objectives of the program are to develop and implement an intake process to expedite screening and charging of violent crimes involving guns and to employ a vertical prosecution strategy.
Four deputies have been cross-designated as special assistant U.S. Attorneys as part of the Project Safe Neighborhood Community Gun violence program.
Big Island Drug Court
The Big Island Drug Court (BIDC) is in its second year and continues to be held weekly in East and West Hawaii. BIDC is a collaborative effort of judiciary, probation, prosecutors, public defenders and treatment providers to help address societal problems related to substance abuse by providing timely and effective treatment for drug offenders with appropriate sanctions and incentives. The program graduated 15 individuals during the year.
In March 2005, a full-time BIDC judge was appointed to handle the expanding caseload and demands of an island-wide drug court. The BIDC has expanded its services to include juveniles in East and West Hawaii starting in March 2005.
Mental Health Diversion
The mission of the Hawaii County Post-Booking Jail Diversion Program (HCJDP) is to provide time limited mental health and substance abuse treatment services for persons with special mental illness with or without a substance abuse disorder. The intent of the service is to reduce criminal recidivism by directing eligible, non-dangerous mentally ill arrestees from incarceration and into the appropriate level of community behavioral health services. The program strives to balance the individual service needs of the arrestee, the legal requirements of the courts and the safety needs of the community.
Drug Task Force
The Drug Task Force is a component of Hawaii County's four-pronged approach to tackling the problem of crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," that is plaguing our island community. Together with education, prevention and treatment efforts, the two deputy prosecuting attorneys continue to work with County, state and federal law enforcement officials to identify and prosecute individuals and organizations distributing large quantities of ice and other drugs.
Weed and Seed
Weed and Seed is a comprehensive strategy that aims to prevent, control and reduce violent crime, drug abuse and gang activity in designated high-crime neighborhoods across the country. The office spearheaded efforts to apply for federal designation for Pahoa town, which was approved in October 2004. The office also obtained funding for a project coordinator to coordinate community, businesses, public and private agencies and government efforts to work together to reduce crime, strengthen existing services, beautify the community and revitalize the economy.
Title V Juvenile Delinquency Prevention
The office received federal funding in 2003 to support a juvenile delinquency prevention program as part of the implementation phase of the County's comprehensive plan to address juvenile delinquency. Funds were provided in 2004 to the Lanakila Learning Center of Hilo High School, an alternative learning program that integrates academic curriculum with hands-on learning experiences. Federal funds increased student accessibility to additional educational opportunities.
Additional websites relating to children and youth
Children's Justice Center
Child Justice Grant
Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention
Urgent Services Directory for Families
Office of Youth Services
Related programs, projects, initiatives supported by the Hawaii County Prosecutor's Office
Drug Free Hawaii
Drug Court
Hawaii Drug Control Strategy
Gun Control Information
Project Safe Neighborhood
Neighborhood Watch
Sex Assault Nurses Exam (SANE) Program
State Coalition on Sexual Assault Protocols
Law Enforcement Coalition
Weed & Seed Pahoa