Two Honolulu attorneys took the lead in arguing — both in court and to the public — the issue of whether police misconduct records should be kept secret.

Michael Green, a colorful criminal defense attorney, was a passionate defender of the cops and their families who worried they would be publicly humiliated if their names were published.

Jeff Portnoy, a flamboyant media lawyer, put equal energy into representing University of Hawaii journalism students who went to court to get the files released.