David Sandler, DUI expert, deputy prosecuting attorney
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
David Sandler, a Honolulu deputy prosecuting attorney who fought to beef up Hawai'i's laws on driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances, died yesterday. He was 52.
Sandler joined the city prosecutor's office in 1998 and worked exclusively in the area of impaired driving. In 2001, he assisted in the prosecution of a case that led to the first conviction of a man charged with negligent homicide resulting from driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Sandler also developed legislative initiatives, testified at the Legislature and trained prosecutors and law-enforcement officers throughout the United States.
City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle said he had been wary of hiring Sandler because he had no background in prosecution. But Carlisle's opinion quickly changed.
"He proposed to me that he would write a grant that would add a new dimension to impaired-driving prosecutions (on O'ahu) and said that we were letting drugged drivers fall through the cracks," Carlisle said. "He gets the grant and we gave him a chance and, lo and behold, he came through (like) gangbusters."
Sandler played a key role in helping Carlisle prosecute former Honolulu police officer Clyde Arakawa, who was convicted in February 2002 of manslaughter. Arakawa was accused of drunken driving and slamming his car into a car driven by Dana Ambrose.
It was near the end of that trial that Sandler began to feel weak. A few months later, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Despite the ailment, he continued to work.
Sandler, who was born in Philadelphia, received a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University in 1973 and his law degree three years later from American University School of Law in Washington, D.C.
From 1977 to 1979, he served in Washington as staff counsel for the House Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control. He also handled legislative matters on behalf of then-Rep. Daniel Akaka.
In 1987, Sandler joined the Honolulu law firm of Turk and Agena. When he wasn't practicing law, Sandler served on the board of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. He also taught at the University of Hawai'i and at Chaminade University and conducted seminars for the Native Hawaiian Scholarship Program.
Sandler is survived by an aunt, Hannah Stern; and godmother, Miriam Shore.
Visitation is from 4:30 to 5 p.m. tomorrow at Elks Honolulu Lodge 616, 2933 Kalakaua Ave.; memorial service at 5 p.m. Contributions may be made in his memory to the Hawaiian Humane Society or Muscular Dystrophy Association.
