Lawmakers plan to introduce a measure this session that would increase the penalties for violent crimes committed in or near schools.

The measure, dubbed the “halo bill,” would increase sentencing for violent crimes committed within a 750-foot “halo” around all public and private schools and public parks. The definition of schools under the bill includes preschools through high schools. College campuses, however, are not covered under the proposal.
State Rep. John Mizuno, D-30th (Kamehameha Heights, Kalihi Valley, Fort Shafter), will introduce the bill.
He said the proposal is in part meant to help Kalihi continue healing from the brutal killing of Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana, who was killed across the street from Farrington High School. Her death “took the wind out of us,” said Mizuno. “It hurt not only Iris’ ... family. The community was hurt also. They needed to do something. This was the follow-up.”
Rodrigues-Kaikana’s nude body was found Aug. 24 in an alleyway adjacent to Kamehameha Homes.
Corbit Ahn, 29, is awaiting trial for her strangulation murder.