The caption goes here. But the House Judiciary Committee excised language from the Senate bill that called for mandatory 10-year minimum sentences for possession or distribution of ice to minors, citing similar legislation enacted last year.
Current law imposes a mandatory one-year term for the offense.
Among those testifying in favor of the measure, which is part of the Law Enforcement Coalition's roster of bills, were the Honolulu Police Department, the attorney general's office, Narcotics Enforcement Division chief Keith Kamita, Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Chinatown Merchants Association. In written testimony, Harris said he found it incredible that making methamphetamine is not a crime under Hawaii law. Those who profit from its manufacture should know that a mandatory 10-year prison sentence awaits them. Deputy Attorney General Kurt Spohn agreed. The manufacture of methamphetamine is particularly dangerous because the manufacturing operation poses the risk of explosion, the risk of highly toxic chemicals injuring or killing innocent parties, and the risk of causing cancer to innocent parties due to the carcinogenic effect of the chemicals used or produced in the manufacture of methamphetamine.