Rep. Gene Ward (R-Hawai'i Kai-Kalama Valley) last month introduced House Concurrent Resolution 50, requesting that the Legislature take a stand in support of Chapman by asking the Mexican government and courts to drop its extradition charges against him.

Chapman is expected to appear before the International Affairs Committee, which is hearing the measure at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the State Capitol, Room 329.

If the measured is backed by the committee, it will be referred to the House Judiciary Committee for a second hearing.

Chapman, along with his son Leland and colleague Timothy Chapman, stand accused of unlawfully depriving the freedom of international fugitive and convicted serial rapist Andrew Luster when the three caught up with him last year in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and attempted to take him to the United States. Luster is now serving a 124-year sentence in California.

In a news release, Ward said: "I have received testimony from all over the world on this issue, and it is not something the people of Hawai'i and the nation are taking lightly; the 'Dog' needs to be free from a Mexican jail."