Judge reduces Arakawa's bail to $75,000

Advertiser Staff

A Circuit Court judge yesterday reduced bail for former Honolulu police officer Clyde Arakawa from $100,000 to $75,000.

Arakawa is charged with manslaughter in the Oct. 7 auto collision on Pali Highway that killed 19-year-old Dana Ambrose. Arakawa's attorneys were confident they could post the $75,000 bail, which means the retired Honolulu police officer will be returning to Lincoln City, Ore., until his manslaughter trial July 16 in Honolulu.

Circuit Judge Karen Ahn reduced Arakawa's bail over the objections of Deputy Prosecutor Jean Ireton, standing in for Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Peter Carlisle, who is out of town.

"I think the judge made the right decision," said Michael Ostendorp, Arakawa's attorney. "Hopefully, we'll have the $75,000 by lunch."

In addressing the flight-risk concerns of prosecutors, Ostendorp noted that Arakawa has received support from hundreds of people, some of whom he does not know, and "has no reason not to return."