Life sentence was right penalty to levy

Justice has been served, at least for one of Talia Williams’ killers. The Honolulu jury that decided this horrific case could not unanimously assent to the death penalty for Naeem Williams and by default imposed a sentence of life in prison without parole. This was the correct sentence all along.

In their gusto to make a capital case against Talia’s depraved father, federal prosecutors overreached — giving Talia’s equally abusive stepmother a sweetheart deal that will see her out of prison by 2025. That’s a shame. Life sentences for both would have served Talia’s memory, and respected Hawaii’s long ban on the death penalty (which was an option in this case only because the crime occurred on federal property and was tried in federal court). This jury faced an incredibly difficult task and served admirably and well.

‘Olelo broadcast serves public

Public hearings about whether Native Hawaiians should seek a limited form of self-government via the U.S. Department of Interior have been riveting. ‘Olelo Community Media has done a great job so far documenting what may well be history in the making.

The community-access broadcast system televised the five successive Oahu hearings live, and is working out logistics to air the neighbor island hearings as well, either live or on a delayed basis. Be sure to tune in. Check http://www.olelo.org/recognition for broadcast updates, and for information about how to submit written testimony on the subject of federal recognition, a vital topic for kanaka maoli especially, and, by extension, for all the residents of Hawaii.