"I knew something was going to happen (again). (We) gotta do something right away."

In response to the Feb. 9 incident in which a Konawaena player tackled referee Mason Souza, a state Senate committee plans to hold a hearing Tuesday on a bill that would make it a felony crime to assault or threaten an athletic official.

Advocates said the measure would help in the recruitment and retention of hundreds of Hawai'i athletic referees who have become targets of verbal — and recently physical — abuse by fans, and bring Hawai'i up to speed with more than 11 states that have similar laws on the books.

Benz, who was not injured when knocked to the ground, said a law in Chicago levies a charge against an offender whether the official is injured or not.

"If these kinds of instances continue, I think we'll have a difficult time recruiting," said Lloyd Hisaka, the instructional chairman for the State Association of Hawai'i Basketball Officials. "Recruiting officials is a nationwide problem in high schools around the country."

Interest in the Senate bill intensified after the the incident was captured on home video and shown on television the past several days.

Sen. Colleen Hanabusa (D-21st, Nanakuli, Makaha), who is majority leader and chairwoman of the Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs committee, said a hearing will be held in the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing Room, 229.

"The reason why I've decided to hold this hearing is because of the occurrence in Konawaena," Hanabusa said. "I believe this is something that requires at least a discussion."

"I'm in favor of the bill," said Souza, who had been officiating 25 years without incident until he was tackled by Kainoa Abril.

Abril, 18, wrote a letter of apology yesterday.

Hardy Spoehr, the bill's author, said athletic officials wanted a hearing on the measures so they can provide testimony in support of the legislation. Spoehr, a high school and Pop Warner football referee, said he has pushed the measure for 10 years.

"We're all facing problems with just getting people to come in to officiating and spend time on the courts and the field with the younger folks," Spoehr said. "One of the things that is always in the back of the minds of officials is the safety issue."

However, some lawmakers feel that the measure might be overkill, and that athletic officials are already protected along with regular citizens under current laws.

Hanabusa said lawmakers are initially hesitant of expanding the special assault category that already includes correctional workers and teachers.

Spoehr said athletic officials should be afforded the same protection as teachers.

"Sports is supposed to be an educational activity," he said. "Teachers have that extra level of protection afforded to them in the classroom. Coaches and officials are also part of that classroom situation."

The bill aims to protect athletic officials and levy enhanced penalties for anyone who assaults or threatens an official before, during or after an interscholastic, intercollegiate or any other organized amateur or professional athletic contest.

In Abril's letter — posted on KITV's Web site — the senior says, "I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for my actions. ... I hope that all players, in all sports, (will) learn from this, and not do as I have regretfully done. Please find it in your hearts, one day, to forgive me."

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458.