HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0094.018 2024-2026KELDEN B.A. WALTJEN
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
SHANNON M. KAGAWA
FIRST DEPUTY
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
DATE:
TO:
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FROM:
RE:
655 KILAUEAAVENUE
HILO, HAWAI9 96720
PH: (808) 961-0466
FAX: (808) 961-8908
74-675 KEALAKEHE PARKWAY
KAILUA-KONA, HAWAN 96740
PH: (80B) 322-2552
FAX: (808) 322-6584
64-1067 MAMALAHOA HIGHWAY, C-3
KAMUELA, HAWAVI 96743
PH: (808) 887-3017
OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY FAX: (808) 887-3016
1/22/26
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Dr. Holeka Inaba, Council Chair and
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Council Members
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Kelden B.A. Waltjen, Prosecuting Attorney
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FINAL REPORT
Name of Grant Program: Hawaii Traffic Safety Grant
Federal or State Grantor: Federal - Department of Transportation
County Grantee Department or Agency: Office of the Prosecuting Attorney
Grant No. (if known): ID25-H-02
Amount of Grant: \ $162,695.88
Amount of County Match: $0.00
County Revenue Account Number: 430819
Grant Period (Commencement & Completion): 10/l/24-9/30/25
Goals: For the period 10/1/24 through 9/30/25, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney sought to
reduce impaired driving fatalities by at least 8% for the 2025 year. Despite a significant increase
in traffic fatalities in the State, Hawaii County recorded 21 vehicular fatalities in the 2025 year
compared with 28 vehicular fatalities in 2024. While this does indicate a decrease of 25% year
over year, it is important to note that this could simply be a statiscal abberation that cannot be
properly evaluated without a more extensive analysis using a larger sample size of prior years as
well. Going forward, the TSRP intends to chart and track prior data from 2020 through the
current year to properly evaluate the impact of enforcement, training, and prosecution and their
role in prevention and deterrence. On August 1, 2025, DPA Matthew Woodward assumed the
role of TSRP. Since that time, a new plan for training and monitoring program for impaired
driving and other significant traffic offenses is in the process of being implemented. The new
Comm. No. U-1i
Hawayi County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Ref. To:
Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Providentef. Date JAIN 1 253 2026
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Corporation Counsel
Attn: Elizabeth A. Strance
Re: Accuity LLP
Page 2
program will focus on case evaluation and conviction rates to act as a metric for ensuring that
DPAs assigned to these cases are performing in accordance with training standards.
Objectives: For the reporting period, the following objectives were identified. Particpation in
both state and national trainings and traffic safety conferences; conduct training for both
prosecutors and police officers on traffic safety and impaired driving cases to identify best
practices; ensure that DPAs handling these matters are fully trained and conversant in both
legislative and case law updates and how they impact current investigation and prosecution
techniques.
Outcomes or Results: The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney has filled vacant positions that
will assist in traffic -related prosecutions and assisted in coordinating the annual Statewide Law
Enforcement Traffic Safety Training conference on July 20, 2025 through August 1, 2025, The
TSRP assumed responsibility for the evaluation, charging, and prosecution of all vehicle
involved homicides in the County; conducted training for 3 police academy recruit classes on the
basics of traffic and impaired driving investigations; particpated in the State-wide "Green" lab
which focused on the effects, challenges, and impacts of marijuana impaired driving as well as
teaching a course on prosecuting marijuana impaired driving cases; attended all Traffic
Commanders meetings in 2025; attended the Hawaii Safety Traffic Summit held in October on
Oahu which focused on data and techniques to lower vehicular fatalities across the State.