text: "For the sake of the public being policed, and for the sake of good officers who shouldn’t be tarnished by bad apples, 2017 must be the year legislators close the deal."
  
  Legisators are elected with union support.  Hawaii is a highly unionized state.  We have who we have in the legislature because of union endorsements.  Unfortunately, people wake up when they know someone or have personal experience with police misconduct. At the very least Hawaii needs professional standards and licensure.  Yes...it will cost $, but better to spend on prevention and safety than on the cost of settlements.