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Home My WebLink AboutFY 2026 (Office of the Prosecuting Attorney) OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY County of Kaua‘i, State of Hawai‘i 3990 Ka‘ana Street, Suite 210, Līhu‘e, Hawai‘i 96766 808-241-1888 ~ FAX 808-241-1758 Victim/Witness Program 808-241-1898 or 800-668-5734 An Equal Opportunity Employer Rebecca V. Like Prosecuting Attorney Keola Siu First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney FY 2026 BUDGET AND OPERATIONS SYNOPSIS 1. FY 2025 to FY 2026 BUDGET COMPARISON FY 2025 FY 2026 $ + / ‐ % + / ‐ Salary and Wages 3,617,139 3,613,948 ‐3,191 ‐0.1% Benefits 2,330,597 2,652,914 322,317 13.8% Utilities 8,831 9,183 352 4.0% Vehicle/Equip, Lease 2 2 0 0.0% Operations 1,313,077 1,313,368 291 0.0% 7,269,646 7,589,415 319,769 4.4% 50% 32% 0%0%18% FY 2025 Operating Budget Salary and Wages Benefits Utilities Vehicle/Equip, Lease Operations 48% 35% 0%0%17% FY 2026 Operating Budget Salary and Wages Benefits Utilities Vehicle/Equip, Lease Operations 2. MAJOR CHANGES AND/OR VARIANCES IN OPERATIONS BUDGET Special Projects Account, OPA ADA Improvements The front exterior and interior doors to OPA are difficult and heavy for employees and visitors with physical limitations. We are requesting funding in the amount of $33,228 to install handicap doors to provide safe access for our employees and visitors who need extra assistance getting in and out as well as visitors to the office. Special Projects Account, Licensing & Case Management, $114,093 Our office recently upgraded our Licensing & Case Management System, and to ensure maintenance, we are requesting these funds remain. Travel Training Accounts (Airfare, Per Diem, Car Rentals, etc.) Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys are being afforded the benefit of attendance at one or two professional development training courses in their specialized field of prosecution on the continent. These training opportunities are essential to invest in our attorney’s professional development and skills, which will keep them current on changes in case law and strategies in criminal prosecution. We are requesting additional funding for our travel training accounts in support of this goal. 3. OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES Our vacant deputy positions are an ongoing challenge. We continue to struggle with retention and recruitment. We are fortunate to have several very experienced deputies with 4 having 20 plus years of experience in criminal law or government. Retention of these deputies is just as critical as filling vacancies. 0 500,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 2,000,000 2,500,000 3,000,000 3,500,000 4,000,000 Salary and Wages Benefits Utilities Vehicle/Equip, Lease Operations FY 2025 and FY 2026 Comparison FY 2025 FY 2026 Balancing priorities is also a challenge. With the current budget for Fiscal Year 2025, we have embraced the opportunity to dive into more prevention and community partnerships. With Michael Miranda’s leadership, we were able to identify and secure $1 million to start our E Ho`i I Ka Piko program, where we will be providing re‐entry services and case workers to justice involved individuals getting released from jail. We are also starting a mental health and Family Court diversion program where we refer Defendants to Ho`ola Lahui for assessment and treatment or for domestic violence cases where the couple is staying together to couples’ counseling with a licensed therapist. We continue to prioritize public safety above all else. Adapting and reallocating resources to our most pressing priority can be challenging, but having a skilled, balanced and experienced team gives us the ability to pivot. Building and maintaining relationships with State agencies presents a large operational challenge. Our team is in daily contact with the Sheriffs, the Kaua`i Police Department, the Judiciary, and the State Public Defender’s Office. We do our best to navigate challenges beyond our control, but we are continually faced with issues, especially with State Departments, that create obstacles to our Office accomplishing our goals. Our priority in the FY 26 budget is to fill all vacant positions, as well as fully maintain and preserve our current staff. We are not requesting funding for any new programs or positions and our primary focus is to maintain the services we provide to the community. 4. TOP THREE OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM FY 2025 A. OPA is expanding the prevention efforts of Life’s Choices with a one‐million‐dollar grant award from the Bureau of Justice Assistance Second Chance Act Pay for Success. In starting the E Ho`i I Ka Piko program, we hope to increase public safety by addressing the unmet needs of newly released individuals, especially those of Native Hawaiians. We are also working to breakdown the silos that separate government, healthcare, and community‐ based organizations. We hope to secure Office space in the upcoming fiscal year for a Resource Center to support the program. We also received a separate $550,000 grant from BJA to expand our mental health diversion program where we are partnering with Ho’ola Lahui Hawaii to divert low level offenders from the criminal justice system by connecting them with medical and case management services. B. Our Office remains deeply committed to community service, actively participating in initiatives that support and uplift Hawai‘i’s residents. Demonstrating our dedication to public health, we have consistently shown strong support for the Hawai‘i Blood Bank, making it a priority to attend each donation event. Notably, our Office was recognized as the top donor at the December 2024 drive, underscoring our commitment to saving lives. In the latter half of 2024, our Office actively engaged in additional community outreach efforts, including participation in the Kaua‘i Police Department’s National Drug Take Back Day, where we assisted in safely disposing of unused prescription medications. We also took part in the Child Welfare Services (CWS) and YWCA’s Heroes and Helpers event, providing support to families in need, and shared career insights with students at the Waimea Canyon Middle School Career Day. As we entered 2025, our Office continued its commitment to public safety and health by distributing NARCAN at various community events, equipping individuals with a life‐saving tool in the fight against opioid overdoses. Additionally, we partnered with various community organizations to promote safe driving through high school initiatives such as Drive with Aloha and The Lokahi Project, reinforcing the importance of responsible and mindful driving habits among young motorists and raise awareness of teen bullying; its impacts on mental health and suicide ideation. Our Office remains steadfast in its mission to serve and support the people of Hawai‘i through proactive community engagement and meaningful public service. C. In February of 2025, we awarded Mental Health and Substance Abuse and Community Program Grants to various community nonprofits. This year the focus was on prosocial activities for youth. Awardees included Hale Opio Kauai, Kumano I Ke Ala O Makaweli, Kaiola Canoe Club, Kauai Braveheart Football Club, Parents and Children Together (PACT), Kauai Planning and Action Alliance (KPAA), Full Armor Academy and Friends of the Children’s Justice Center. These awards will strengthen youth and families on Kauai and prevent intergenerational involvement in antisocial activities and crime.