Innocence Project scores its first victory in Hawaii

The Hawaii Innocence Project has chalked up its first success in overturning a felony conviction by presenting DNA evidence.

Alvin Jardine III was convicted in 1992 on four counts of first-degree sexual assault on the basis of identification of the alleged rape victim.

He was released on bail last Friday and met for the first time his adult daughter, who was born shortly after he began serving his prison time.

Maui Circuit Judge Joel August agreed with Jardine’s attorney, Brook Hart, that the new DNA evidence probably would not have resulted in conviction.

Innocence Projects nationally have overturned more than 260 convictions.

‘Frenchy’ DeSoto gave voice to Hawaiian pride

To say that the late Adelaide "Frenchy" DeSoto was an outspoken advocate of Hawaiian rights would be putting it mildly. DeSoto was there at the creation of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, what she’d call an important milestone.

"I believe the OHA was the beginning of creating a political machine that could be heard," she once said. "Otherwise Hawaiians are never heard, unless perhaps they’re wearing a holoku and strumming an ukulele."

"Aunty Frenchy," who died Friday, surely made herself heard in her 81 years — a strong, passionate voice that will be missed.