It may have lasted only half an hour, the time it took for the parents of Dana Ambrose to meet with reporters today and thank the people of Hawai'i who supported them during the trial of the man who killed their daughter.

The family of Dana Ambrose meet with reporters in the wake of yesterday's coviction of Clyde Arakawa, the former police officer whose vehicle plowed into Ambrose's car, killing her in October 2000. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

But it had been a difficult 16 months for Rod and Susan Ambrose, right up to the point yesterday when a jury found Clyde Arakawa guilty of manslaughter in the traffic death of their daughter.

They had functioned day-to-day ever since the Oct. 7, 2000, traffic accident. They still do.

"When you have a brush with evil, it is uncomfortable," Susan Ambrose said, a smile draining from her face. "Most of us try to turn the other way. We've had to deal with this for 16 months."

The couple thanked Honolulu Prosecutor Peter Carlisle and his staff. They thanked the people who shared their outrage and their anguish. And they thanked the five witnesses who came forward.

They had courage, Susan Ambrose said.

The words brought her smile back.

"I hope this encourages other people who see crime to do the right thing, to know there can be justice," she said. "We all know right from wrong. Follow that instinct because when you pursue truth, the truth will be revealed."

Her husband, Rod Ambrose, an independent salesman from San Clemente, Calif., wore the expression of man who had run a marathon.

"I don't think in my mind and in my heart that I had any doubts as to the truth in this case," he said. "But the verdict yesterday is a vindication of Dana's legacy."

Rod Ambrose said the case underscores the need for tougher penalties for drunk drivers. The prosecution said Arakawa was drunk and speeding when he ran a red light and plowed into the car Dana was driving.

"The cost is so exceedingly high, it is unbearable," he said. "The cost has a ripple effect that goes on forever."

They had no comment on whether 20 years in prison — the maximum sentence allowed for manslaughter — is long enough. Carlisle said he would ask the court to impose the full penalty at sentencing April 22.

But Susan Ambrose asked the public to send written comments on the penalty to Carlisle.

During the trial, Arakawa's defense attorney, Michael Ostendorp, made allegations that Dana Ambrose had contributed to her demise because she was high on drugs. None was found in her body.

Still, her parents politely bristled at Ostendorp's suggestions in court.

"I think it was a ploy, really," Rod Ambrose said. "He realized it was a difficult battle and he needed to cloud the issues."

They praised Calisle for focusing jurors on the facts.

"He was masterful," Rod Ambrose said.

Someone asked the couple if the verdict gave them closure and Rod Ambrose inhaled.

Dana was his oldest child, his only daughter, 19 years old when she died.

"I don't think it's ever going to be closed," he said. "Dana's loss is always going to be there. It's a relief this phase is over. It's a vindication of the truth."

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8012.