Bill > SB1248

This bill, named the Cranston Duke Pia Act, seeks to modify Hawaii's self-defense laws to provide enhanced protection for agricultural workers by establishing a "stand your ground" provision specifically for agricultural lands. The legislation was inspired by the tragic killing of rancher Cranston Duke Pia in 2024, during a confrontation involving an intruder and attacking dogs. The bill allows individuals who are legally present on agricultural land to use deadly force without being legally obligated to retreat, provided they were not the original aggressor and are not engaged in criminal activity. It amends existing statutes to update language around self-defense, replacing gendered pronouns with more neutral terms like "oneself" and "the actor" and explicitly creating a new section of law that protects individuals defending themselves on agricultural property. The bill draws upon Hawaii's historical principles of protecting citizens' safety, as exemplified by King Kamehameha I's law of the splintered paddle, while seeking to address the unique vulnerabilities faced by agricultural workers in remote and isolated locations. By introducing this targeted stand your ground provision, the legislature aims to provide clearer legal protections for individuals defending their lives and property in agricultural settings, balancing individual rights with public safety considerations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1248&year=2025