Sex-trafficking bill should be signed

Gov. David Ige should sign into law the sex-trafficking bill unanimously approved by the Legislature, over the objections of Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro. Kaneshiro is correct that efforts to combat sex trafficking have intensified over the past few years by strengthening the existing statute against promoting prostitution, but there is more work to be done.

Senate Bill 265, SD1, HD1, CD1, which defines sex trafficking in statute, adds significant investigatory tools to combat it, and makes clear that people coerced into the sex trade are victims deserving legal protection, not criminals to arrest. It advances the goal of increasing prosecution of the pimps who profit most richly from this form of modern-day slavery.

More reasons to worry about your airbags

The Japanese auto supplier Takata is not having a good week. The next several years likely won’t be so hot, either. It will take that long, officials say, before the replacement of faulty airbags in some 34 million cars will be completed. The U.S. Department of Transportation has set up a website, www.SaferCar.gov/RecallsSpotlight, where car owners can find the Takata Air Bags Recall link, enter the car Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and check. It’ll take time to load in all the affected models, so go back and check again periodically. Let the worrying begin.