By Staff Reports
(LĪHU‘E) – Kaua‘i Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Like and her cabinet took the oath of office Monday in an official swearing-in ceremony at the Fifth Circuit Court officiated by the Honorable Judge Randal G. B. Valenciano. Like appointed Keola Siu as First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.
“I am honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead such a talented and experienced team as we continue to move our office forward,” said Like. “I promise to lead with accountability and transparency, and I do not take this obligation lightly. We are looking forward to a return to a sense of normalcy in our office post-pandemic and are confident that we can continue to deliver the public safety our island home deserves.”
As Prosecuting Attorney, Like oversees a current staff of 36 employees, including 13 deputy attorneys and 23 support personnel.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney is responsible for pursuing criminal charges when someone is accused of a criminal offense, and represents the State of Hawai‘i in those cases. The office also handles various aspects of criminal investigations before charges are filed, such as assisting the Kaua‘i Police Department in securing search warrants, and post-sentencing, such as attending parole hearings when individuals become eligible for parole.
“However, our primary duties are the filing of criminal charges varying in severity from traffic offenses to murder, and handling those cases as they proceed through the criminal justice system,” said Like. “It is our ethical responsibility to pursue justice in every case.”
Like has been employed as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney since 2010. During her time at the Prosecutor’s Office, she has handled every type of case and appeared in each court. Prior to that, she clerked for the Honorable Joseph Cardoza on the island of Maui, after graduating from law school at Lewis and Clark in Portland, Oregon. She lives with her husband and two sons in Anahola.
For more information on the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, visit www.kauai.gov/prosecutingattorney.