HONOLULU (KHON2) — Torture is now a class A felony in the islands following Gov. Josh Green’s signing of Senate Bill 281 on June 4.
The bill, known as “S.B. 281: Relating to Torture,” passed both houses of the legislature, receiving unanimous approval in the state senate and near unanimous approval in the house, minus one excused member who did not vote.
The item was submitted to the 2025 Legislative Session by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of the Prosecuting Attorney and was sponsored by Sen. Ronald Kouchi.
The legislation marks the first of its kind in the islands, with Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm saying the new law helps toughen up “inadequate” laws.
“Until we submitted this bill as part of our legislative package, our state had inadequate laws to deal with perpetrators who use torture against children and vulnerable persons. Our state needed this law to protect those who are vulnerable and unable to protect themselves,” Alm said.
The new law also provides significant aid in ensuring children who are victims of torture are able to get justice.
“Across the state, prosecutors have seen heinous crimes involving children who suffered acts of torture committed against them by their parents or those who have a duty to protect them,” Alm explained. “The laws that we had to fight these crimes did not adequately address the criminal conduct exhibited in these cases.”