A bill decriminalizing the possession or sale of pipes, bongs and other drug paraphernalia is cruising through the Legislature, despite strong opposition from prosecutors.

A proposal to reduce the use of and length of inmate isolation is headed for a vote of the full Hawaii Senate.

In the rush to build a new prison, the Legislature is likely to shunt aside the work of a task force it created just last year.

The lawsuit sought to ensure Native Hawaiians being held in an Arizona prison could engage in customary religious practices.

The Department of Public Safety has not started on expansion of three jails, a $37.5 million project approved by lawmakers last year.

But, citing privacy and security reasons, state prison officials won’t say why prisoners are being transferred or where they have gone.

The complaint alleges overcrowding has led to “systemwide deterioration” at seven prisons and jails.