Welcome to Arrest Stories. Former Hawaii State Representative and Deputy Prosecutor Jon Riki Karamatsu was arrested for his third DUI offense while attempting to enter a major Honolulu freeway. Here's what may have happened.
On Monday evening, February sixteenth, twenty twenty-six, just after ten p.m., fifty-one-year-old Jon Riki Karamatsu was arrested in Honolulu while heading onto the H-one Freeway west from Kalihi Street. Police took Karamatsu into custody on charges of driving under the influence, marking his third such offense over several years.
Karamatsu, who works as a lawyer and business owner, has a lengthy history with DUI arrests dating back to his time in public office. His first arrest occurred in two thousand seven during his term in the State House following a crash on the Moanalua Freeway. He was arrested again in two thousand fifteen in Waikiki at a roadblock on Ala Moana Boulevard near the Ala Wai Canal.
Following his two thousand fifteen arrest, Karamatsu stepped down from his position as Honolulu Deputy Prosecutor just days later. On March second, two thousand sixteen, he was found guilty after a bench trial for that DUI offense.
After his latest arrest, Karamatsu was released from custody after bail was set at one thousand dollars. He no longer remains in custody.
Officials commented on the pattern of repeat DUI offenses, stating "Unfortunately, what happens is that oftentimes people who have been convicted once for DUI offend more than once." They added, "You would expect and hope that when somebody gets convicted for driving under the influence or operating while they're impaired, they will learn their lesson, and they will either do their community service and go to the classes that they need to do, and that's good enough."
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.