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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Saturday, February 26, 2005

Assault bill requires more study

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

A bill that would have made it a felony crime to threaten or assault an athletic official will not advance in the Legislature this session with a key state senator saying the measure requires more study.

Sen. Colleen Hanabusa (D-21st, Nanakuli, Makaha), who is the majority leader and chairwoman of the Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs committee, yesterday said lawmakers decided to hold the bill (SB 1073) and draft two resolutions.

The first resolution requires more study on the current law that already protects corrections officers, education officers and law enforcement officers, Hanabusa said. The second resolution requires more evaluation on the measure that aims to protect athletic officials from violence, she said.

Both resolutions require task forces with representatives from the athletic community and athletic organizations, the Department of Education, the judiciary and other community members, she said.

"It's asking for the people to get together and study the issue and come back with a report before the next Legislative session," Hanabusa said. "We're holding the bill. It can be heard next year."

The Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs committee held a hearing on the bill on Tuesday. The hearing was in response to a Feb. 9 incident in which a Konawaena basketball player tackled referee Mason Souza after the player was ejected from the game in Kona.

In 2003, a Baldwin player charged across the field and knocked down referee Kaleo Benz after a state boys soccer tournament match.

"I understand they need more time," said Benz, who pushed for the bill. "I feel pretty okay with it. I don't mind pushing for it the next year. I'm glad they let us talk about it."

The Konawaena basketball and Baldwin soccer incidents — both captured on home video and shown on Hawai'i newscasts — drew the attention of lawmakers and concerned athletic officials, who are struggling with a nationwide shortage in their ranks.

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