Medical Examiner requests investigators to respond to rising home deaths; accidental overdoses drive growth

Medical Examiner Masashiko Kobayashi told the Budget Committee on March 9 that the office’s caseload has climbed in recent years, driven by accidental deaths — many overdose cases — and increased natural‑death investigations after the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Kobayashi said the office is requesting three medical‑legal investigator positions at about $56,700 each to provide timely, 24‑hour responses to home deaths and reduce delayed or incomplete jurisdictional determinations at scenes. “When someone passes away at home, our department may not always be involved. This has resulted in delayed or incomplete investigations in some cases,” Kobayashi said, explaining the initiative would add capacity to respond to roughly 550 additional scenes annually.

The office also flagged a relocation need for refrigerated trailers and generators used for mass‑fatality surge capacity; the equipment is currently stored at a redevelopment site and must be moved this calendar year, with an estimated relocation cost of about $50,000.

Council members asked where temporary morgue/trailer equipment might be sited and whether state or federal assistance is possible; Kobayashi said the department is coordinating with HPD and HyEMA and expects non‑monetary assistance such as use of land. Members also discussed prevention responses after Kobayashi and other staff said overdose deaths on Oʻahu are driven more by methamphetamine than fentanyl and recommended closer coordination with DOH and outreach to people experiencing homelessness.

The committee asked for follow‑up details on relocation options and grant opportunities to support ongoing overdose case screening.