HONOLULU (Eagle News) – U.S. Attorney in Hawaii Kenji M. Price, acting on behalf of the Justice Department, emphasized the importance of preparations necessary to ensure the safety of communities during the presidential inauguration on January 20 in Washington, D.C.

“The people of Hawaii should rest assured that the federal law enforcement community will use its resources to prevent harm to our government infrastructure, elected officials, and, most importantly, the people in our communities,” Price wrote in a statement.

“Notably, the FBI has established response protocols to address any threats to the safety and security of our communities in connection with the transition of leadership in our country,” said Hawaii’s chief federal law enforcement officer.

Price also pledged that his office will “work hand in glove with the FBI, and any other appropriate law enforcement entity, to ensure that we investigate and bring appropriate charges against anyone who violates federal law in connection with the presidential inauguration.”

The former U.S. Army Ranger concluded with a stern warning to those who intend to incite violence in the coming days.

“Those who choose to jeopardize the peaceful transition of power, or otherwise unlawfully wreak havoc in our communities, should know that my office will do our part to ensure that they are unsuccessful and that we create a path for them to spend time in federal prison,” Price said.

Former Hawaii political candidate Nick Ochs was arrested for participating in the unlawful entry into the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. on January 6.  The founder of Proud Boys Hawaii arrived the next day at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport where authorities were waiting.

Ochs has since been released on $5,000 bond, pending further actions by the federal government.

(With reports from EBC Hawaii Bureau, Eagle News Service)