§28-2 Prosecutes offenders, enforces bonds. The attorney general shall be vigilant and active in detecting offenders against the laws of the State, and shall prosecute the same with diligence. The attorney general shall also enforce all bonds and other obligations in favor of the State that may be placed in the attorney general's hands for that purpose, by any person having the lawful custody of the papers; and the attorney general shall likewise be diligent in prosecuting all persons who may obstruct any street, channel, harbor, wharf, or other highway, or any stream or public watercourse, or commit any trespass, or waste on any portion of the public domain, or other public property. [L 1866, p 17; RL 1925, §1487; RL 1935, §501; RL 1945, §1502; RL 1955, §30-2; HRS §28-2; gen ch 1993]
Case Notes
Duties in connection with divorce matters. 35 H. 849.
Supersession of county prosecutor upheld. 63 H. 424, 629 P.2d 1126.
Hawaii county ordinance that established cannabis offenses as the lowest law enforcement priority in the county conflicted with, and was therefore preempted by, this section and other state laws requiring the state attorney general and county prosecuting attorney to investigate and prosecute violations of the statewide Penal Code. 135 H. 411, 353 P.3d 953 (2015).
Structure Hawaii Revised Statutes
Title 4. State Organization and Administration, Generally
28-2 Prosecutes offenders, enforces bonds.
28-5.2 Protection of charitable assets; attorney general's authority.
28-6 No fee; not to act as attorney.
28-7.5 Administrative services manager; appointment and duties.
28-8 First deputy attorney general; other deputies.
28-8.3 Employment of attorneys.
28-8.5 Special assistant to the attorney general; appointment and duties; secretary.
28-9 Additional deputies for acquisition of rights-of-way.
28-10.5 Criminal and juvenile justice resource coordination; administrator and staff.
28-10.6 Crime research, prevention, and education; administrator and staff.
28-11 Investigators; appointment and powers.
28-15 Tobacco enforcement special fund.
28-16 Litigation deposits trust account.
28-17 Criminal history record checks.
28-94 Dependent elder abuse; suits by the State; civil penalties.
28-101 Witness security and protection.
28-111 Victim-witness assistance program.
28-121 Missing child center-Hawaii; programs.
28-131 Drug nuisance abatement unit.
28-141 Surveillance review unit.
28-152 Law enforcement officer independent review board; established.
28-153 Review of incidents of officer-involved death.
28-163 Electronic smoking device retailer registration unit.