Prosecutors declined to file charges against a group of Kapiolani hospital protesters

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A group of people arrested during a nurse lockout protest at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children last month is celebrating that prosecutors declined to file charges.

The group is called “Kapiolani 10”.

Some say the law could encourage more acts of civil disobedience during labor disputes.

On Monday, prosecutors announced they declined to file charges against the 10 due to “a lack of evidence to prove the cases beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Police arrested them last month for “obstructing” when they sat on the sidewalk in front of Kapiolani Medical Center last month.

No nurses were arrested, but among the 10 was Ikaika Hussey, a Democratic candidate for the state House.

READ MORE: 10 arrested during a nurses’ demonstration at Kapiolani Medical Center

“Unions are really on the front lines, and when they win victories, it helps everybody,” he said.

Elected state representative Kim Coco Iwamoto says it was her first arrest.

“It’s very important for the community to recognize that they have the right to non-violent civil disobedience,” Iwamoto said.

According to Hawaii law, obstruction occurs when a person “provides less than thirty-six inches of space for passing on any paved public sidewalk.”

That day, Hawaii News Now documented the protest and arrests. A bus with traveling nurses was unable to pass, but officers walked around the protesters on the sidewalk.

“I basically informed them that what you have here is not a violation of the statute of obstruction,” said attorney Bill Harrison.

“They reviewed the statute. You’re right, so we’re going to have to dismiss the cases,” he said.

As workers at the Hilton hotel continue their month-long strike and potential nursing and other worker conflicts spill over into other institutions, these community activists think more people, including politicians, could protest peacefully after seeing what happened to them.

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