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Thursday, December 5, 2013
December 5, 2013 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 4:49 PM :: 5480 Views

End of the Akaka Tribe? OHA Trustees Shut Down Hawaiian Roll Commission

Public Utility Commission Issues Violation to SER Trucking for Sludge Spill

House Committees Demand Update on Hawaii Health Connector

Senate Committees to Examine ERS Financial status

Medicaid Buy-in Task Force Meeting Monday

"We the Powerful!" Discover the Public's Power in the Legislative Process

VIDEO: Townhall.com News Editor Katie Pavlich on the problems with the Hawaii health exchange.

Pearl Harbor Attack

Jewel Smuggler Headlines Hanabusa Fundraiser

PR: Three politically powerful women -- Millie Akaka, Jean Ariyoshi and Irene Hirano Inouye -- are hosting a fundraiser this month for U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa. (Jean Ariyoshi is the jewel smuggler who thanks Larry Mehau for 'protection'.)

The evening event is scheduled for Dec. 17 at a Pacific Heights home. Akaka is the wife of retired U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka. Ariyoshi is the wife of former Gov. George Ariyoshi. Hirano Inouye is the widow of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye.

Reality: www.TheRealHanabusa.com

read ... Crime Pays

KOS: Progressives Confused, Unhappy as 'Mayor for the 1%' Backs Schatz

DKos: Now I know some of you may be confused and even unhappy about Bloomberg's support for Schatz.  That's understandable.  Bloomberg has often been deemed the "Mayor for the 1%" whereas Schatz is a proud progressive who supports organized labor and expanding Social Security.  But remember, Bloomberg's endorsed candidate that the Daily Kos community had fully supported.  Bloomberg threw his support behind Joe Sestak (D. PA) in the 2010 U.S. Senate race despite having opposing views on Wall Street regulations.  But Schatz and Bloomberg see eye to on environmental issues and whether you hate Bloomberg or love him, he deserves credit for helping New York City become greener.  Now the only question remains is if Bloomberg will help or hurt Schatz.  Bloomberg's had some successes like helping Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D. IL) defeat an NRA backed candidate in her primary.  However, Bloomberg's money didn't help the two Democratic state senators fight off the recall efforts from the NRA.  And of course Bloomberg is planning to spend big to defeat Senator Mark Pryor (D. AR) for voting against background checks (which I think is a bad idea and might backfire on Bloomberg).  By the way, gun control is an issue Schatz and Bloomberg see eye to eye on as well.  So though I personally don't like Bloomberg I am at least happy he's backing the right Democrat in this race.  What's ironic is a political figure I'm not crazy about is backing my preferred candidate while an organization who's work I admire is backing the wrong candidate. 

Where's PETA? Hawaii senator Brian Schatz involved in simulated sheep rape rituals

read ... The Sound of Progressives' Brains Imploding

Senate Race A Proxy For Governors

Bob Jones: It’s really a contest between ex-governors George Ariyoshi and Ben Cayetano (Hanabusa), and current Gov. Neil Abercrombie (Schatz.) I call it Schatz’s to lose. We retain those who are in, although that didn’t work when Mufi Hannemann (D) won a short-term Congress seat only to quickly lose it to Pat Saiki (R).

Schatz has the most money and union endorsements. But Abercrombie’s man at State Agriculture, Russell Kokubun, has defected to Hanabusa.

And it’s been quite a while since ethnic AJAs voted lockstep for one of their own or even for a Democrat.

Schatz’s big plus is his age. He potentially could serve in the Senate for another 40 years. Hanabusa, maybe only 25. Big Schatz minus – he’s Abercrombie’s man and Neil is fast losing popularity.

But anything can happen to tilt a race one way or the other. A screw-up. A scandal. Something intemperately said in an interview. It’s never over ’til it’s over.

read ... Senate Race A Proxy For Governors

HCDA Unanimous: $700K is 'Affordable' Housing

PBN: The HCDA board, amongst a standing-room only crowd, addressed concerns by some in the public regarding the affordability and other issues of the 410-unit project, which is being developed by Hawaii developer Marshall Hung’s Downtown Capital LLC.

HCDA Executive Director Anthony Ching said that an affordability study recently done by some Kakaako residents on the project does not add up by pointing out that the interest rate that’s used in the study is not what the HCDA has used to analyze the project.  (Yes.  The absurdly low interest rates used by HCDA's study are a key element in justifying the idea that a $700K condo is 'affordable'.  Chang is having a good laugh over saying this as if it debunked the community's study instead of debunking HCDA's.)

The preliminary prices for the one- and two-bedroom units are between $360,000 and $575,000 with three bedroom units priced below $700,000.

The second proposed tower, which would include an accompanying 10-story parking garage, is part of the 801 South St. project, whose first phase of 635 units is sold out....

read ... Fraud

Honolulu Ethics Commission Subpoena The Mayor's Cabinet?

CB: Subpoenas could be on the way for Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s top executives if the administration continues to stonewall the Ethics Commission and its investigations into possible corruption at city hall.

On Wednesday, at the third meeting on what's become a fast-disintegrating relationship between the commission and the administration, commissioners made it clear that they could soon take legal action to pry information loose in ethics investigations, including cases involving nepotism and political favoritism.

"One of my main concerns is the level of delay we've had over and over again," Ethics Commission Executive Director Chuck Totto told the panel. "I think it is unfair to keep these issues going."

Totto’s public criticism of the administration started in early November with insinuations that the commission's budget was being manipulated as a means to exert control over the autonomous agency.

read ... Ethics Commission

The List: Contributors to Mayor's Transition Committee Revealed

CB: Initially, Ethics Commission Executive Director Chuck Totto withheld names of 25 donors the commission found had given $127,000 that was questionable under city ethics law because he was unclear about whether it was public information. On Wednesday, the commission voted to release the list of donors.

In all, there were 102 donors to the transition committee, and names on the list include some of the most well-known and influential individuals and businesses in Hawaii. Some unions also gave money to the transition team

Link: List of Donors

read ... The List: Contributors to Mayor's Transition Committee Revealed

Suit: Profitable Non Profit Billed State for Fake Mental health Exams

HTH: The civil lawsuit was filed Oct. 31 in Hilo Circuit Court by attorney Ted Hong on behalf of Anna Liza O. Ha and seeks unspecified general, special, compensatory and punitive damages. The filing also seeks back salary and benefits with interest and attorney’s fees. The suit claims Ha was fired for blowing the whistle on a co-worker who was later promoted over her to a supervisory position, and that CARE Hawaii engaged in civil racketeering for using “money that was unlawfully gained to operate their enterprise,” according to Hong.

Ha was employed by the private mental health care company from July 27, 2009, until her termination Sept. 17, 2012, the suit states.

According to the filing, in June 2012, Ha conducted intake interviews of two new clients and entered the information on CARE Hawaii’s billing database for approval and payment by the state and private insurers. In July 2012, she allegedly noticed in the database two other case managers, identified in the suit by initials “HC” and “DW,” also logged they conducted intake interviews for the same two clients. The suit states case managers are “prohibited from conducting duplicate intakes and submitting billable units for the same intakes.”

“The billings that were submitted by the other employees were false because they never interviewed or talked to these individuals,” Hong said Monday. “They just made it up. It’s duplicative in the sense that someone else (Ha) interviewed these individuals but it’s false because they never saw these people at all.”

read ... civil racketeering

State Hospital nurse assaulted as facility conducts safety 'stand down'

HNN: Elliott said they heard more than 100 ideas, some of which can be done fairly quickly, easily and cheaply, such as having administrators be more visible and visit the wards more often. 

The hospital is also considering changing the methods and the types of self-defense training they offer staff, who report one injury roughly every three days. ...

Last week, a state OSHA workplace safety compliance officer spent two days interviewing State Hospital staff and reviewing records in a "workplace violence" probe that began in response to Hawaii News Now's investigation.

"We are cooperating with OSHA and they, I'm sure, will bring recommendations and things that we can do better, and we appreciate that," Elliott said.

Another serious assault that happened Thanksgiving Day, when a male nurse was punched in the face by a patient and two other staffers were hurt responding to that incident. The nurse suffered a broken nose, sources said.

read ... Another One

Waikiki Again: Homosexual Kills Lover, Chops up Body with Saw

HNN: Police sources say Alex Gonzales and Bryan Suitt may have been romantically involved when Suitt allegedly stabbed Gonzales multiple times, killing him. His body was then dismembered and dumped near Mililani Cemetery.

According to the sources, neighbors saw the two men on several occasions 'talking story' on the balcony of a condo above the Wailana Coffee House in Waikiki. Suitt was renting the condo for six months.

On August 23rd, neighbors complained about a foul odor coming from the unit. The next day, the same neighbors smelled chlorine.

Shortly after that report was made, Suitt was seen on Walmart surveillance video purchasing a saw. According to court records that are still sealed, a saw was used to dismember Gonzales' body.

Suitt was also seen on Walmart surveillance video purchasing a suitcase. A similar suitcase was found with flesh in it. Sources say, DNA linked the flesh to Alex Gonzales.

Read ... About Another Waikiki Homosexual Murder

Kauai: Homosexual Child Molester Gets 20 Years

HNN: A Kauai man convicted of sexually assaulting two developmentally challenged youths has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The Kauai Prosecuting Attorney's office says Chad Vaughn Weigle was sentenced Wednesday.

The 48-year-old Kekaha man was convicted of first-degree sexual assault for assaulting the juvenile males in separate incidents.

read ... Another Homosexual Child Molester

Boylan: Doctors Must Join Suicide Squad

MW: All want a “death with dignity.” And all want to forego that difficult long swim out or a botched self-concocted drug cocktail.  That means a physician-assisted death with dignity....

Physician and House health committee chair Josh Green tried to resuscitate a death with dignity bill in 2005 and 2007. He couldn’t get it out of committee either session. There was talk of a bill during the 2011 session as well. Just talk.

Hawaii’s lawmakers are not alone in their reluctance to move on the issue. Only Washington and Montana have followed Oregon in legalizing physician-assisted death.

read ... Time For A Death With Dignity Bill

Proposed 3rd north shore wind farm faces opposition

KHON: "Talking to many of our neighbors I've only found one person who thinks it's a good idea," shared Fonoimoana.

Comments concerning Kahuku Champlin Windpower's Draft EIS are due by Dec. 5.

They may be submitted by one of the following methods:

- Email: NaPuaMakanihcp@fws.gov.

Include "Na Pua Makani HCP and DEIS" in the subject line of the message

- Fax: (808) 792-9580;

- Written comments can also be dropped off during regular business hours on or before Dec. 5, 2013 at Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 3-122, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96850.

read ... Proposed 3rd north shore wind farm faces opposition

$40M to Buy Out Turtle Bay Expansion

PR:  Gov. Neil Abercrombie will ask the state Legislature next session for a $40 million general obligation bond to help finance a conservation easement and protect Kawela Bay and Kahuku Point from development by Turtle Bay Resort....

Aila said the focus is on a conservation easement over the land rather than a fee purchase because resort owners are unwilling to sell the land. Aila also reported that a conservation plan could be in place by 2014. The resort's developers had set a deadline of Nov. 30 to wrap up negotiations....

read ... $40m

Symbol of Government Waste Finally Set to Open

SA: The flower-lined, five-story parking structure has become a symbol of government waste and efficiency since opening in May 2012 because of a federal stipulation that only transit-related employees be allowed to park there, and primarily those who will work at the soon-to-be-constructed state-city traffic center.

As a result, the vehicles of only about 40 employees at a time from the Honolulu Police Department's Communications Division, who work at HPD's headquarters next door, have been allowed to park in unreserved stalls at the structure at about $60 a month.

The city was able to persuade the Federal Transit Administration to ease up on the restriction in September.

"FTA gave us a liberal interpretation of the rule, basically saying that they've always supported consistent incidental uses," Formby said Tuesday. "And as long as they are city employees, and the money goes to the bus fund, FTA has approved it."

One hundred and one stalls would remain reserved for transit-related employees.

When the traffic center opens in 2016, the city will need to reassess how many stalls can be freed for non-transit employees, he said.

read ... Symbol

Hawaii's economic growth slowing at year's end

SA: Hawaii's economy is expected to grow by 2.4 percent in 2013, slightly slower than the 2.6 percent growth rate estimated by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism in its previous forecast released three months ago. Economic growth, as measured by gross domestic product, is expected to accelerate to 2.8 percent in 2014.

The main driver behind the downward revision is a decline in visitor arrivals and spending in recent months that can be attributed to the federal government shutdown in October and the depreciation of the Japanese yen, according to DBEDT. Record-high hotel room rates in Hawaii are also a factor in visitors' choosing other destinations

ETN: Travel rises four times faster than other US exports in '13

read ... No Gay Marriage Boom?

High Tech Tax Scammers Score Another $5M

SA: The fund will play a key role in Hawaii's effort to build a more robust startup community and diversify the state's economy, said Karl Fooks, president of the Hawaii Strategic Development Corp., a state agency that partners with the private sector to provide investment capital to businesses.

The $10 million will be managed by mbloom, a technology fund founded and run by Nick Bicanic and Arben Kryeziu of Kahului. The fund was launched with $5 million from private investors and $5 million from HSDC....(ie $5M of your tax dollars)

Another key to making a startup community work is having two or three "world-class leaders," something Hawaii has, according to Dodge. "You need someone like Steve Case or Pierre Omidyar who has done really well to come here and say I'm going to reinvest, I'm gong to make it happen, and they will attract all of those talented people."

read ... Welfare Queens

Supreme Court to Consider due process rights of indigent parents in child welfare proceedings

HR: In a case to be heard on Thursday, December 5, a group of public service law organizations wants the Hawai‘i Supreme Court to establish a uniform policy that would guarantee legal assistance for all indigent parents in abuse and neglect proceedings.  Currently, access to court-appointed legal counsel for such cases in Hawaii is determined on a case-by-case basis by court officials, even when the parents are underage.  This means that an indigent and underage parent may have to navigate the judicial process without an advocate.  This is contrary to the practice in nearly all other states, where counsel is appointed for all indigent parents regardless of age.

The Hawaii Supreme Court granted the request of the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, the Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii Foundation to appear as amici curiae (“friends of the court”) and file a brief arguing that Hawaii’s current ad hoc system for appointment of counsel results in constitutional due process violations; instead, the groups argue that the courts must automatically provide court-appointed counsel in abuse and neglect cases, as required in 43 other states and the District of Columbia.  The National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel provided support for the drafting of the brief.

LINK: 17-page amicus curiae brief

read .... Due process rights of indigent parents in child welfare proceedings

Foster parents could use a raise

SA: Advocates for foster families have lobbied the Department of Human Services and the state Legislature for years to increase the $529 monthly payment, which has not risen since 1990. The DOH has rebuffed past attempts, arguing that raising the foster care rate would mandate similar increases in the monthly stipend paid to families who adopt foster children and to those who house them while they go to college. DHS was loath to divert money from other equally important programs, and administrators emphasized that the basic stipend paid to foster parents is only one form of aid they receive, augmented by clothing allowances, child-care subsidies, mileage reimbursements and other cash aid, including an additional $570 a month for children deemed difficult to care for.

That is all true, but 23 years without an adjustment in the basic rate makes an increase overdue.

Now the Hawaii Appleseed Center has forced the issue, filing a class-action lawsuit against DHS in federal court on behalf of a sole foster mother representing a class of about 1,000 foster families in Hawaii.

read ... Foster parents could use a raise

OHA Chair Machado 'Feeling Fine' After Stroke

NWO: Machado was at the state Capitol at the time of the stroke. She credits Rep. Marcus Oshiro (D, Wahiawä-Whitmore-Poamoho) for recognizing the symptoms and insisting she get immediate treatment.

Machado was taken to the Stroke Center at the Queen’s Medical Center. Dr. Cherylee Chang, director of the Stroke Center and Neuroscience Institute at Queen’s said immediate treatment can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke. Doctors say treatment within three hours of the onset of a stroke is crucial. Chang said Machado is expected to make a full recovery.

“Mahalo to everyone for their thoughts and prayers,” Machado said. “It is crucial for people having a stroke to get to the hospital immediately so they can get the right medication. If you think a member of your ‘ohana is suffering from a stroke, call 911 right away.”

She said that within 40 minutes of receiving medication, she was already laughing and joking and most of the symptoms had gone away.

Machado also thanked members of her church family for their prayers.

read ... Na Wai Ola

Smart Business Hawaii Conference

SBH 38th Conference. Save the date: Wednesday, February 19, 2014, 9 am - 2 pm, for the 38th Annual SBH Business & Investment Conference at the Ala Moana Hotel. A great line up of exciting and informative speakers and issue topics (agenda to be published soon), networking, business exhibits and more. Sponsorship and booth exhibit opportunities still available. Contact Malia (306-3161) or Susan (396-1724) for details.

read ... SBH News

Supreme Court Places Kawaiahao Under control of Burial Council

CB: The Hawaii Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling on Wednesday that said the state violated its own rules in allowing construction of a $17 million activity center at Kawaiahao Church to proceed without requiring the church to do an archaeological inventory survey first. ...

It’s still not clear whether the bones will have to be reburied in their original resting place. But the ruling will likely transfer such decision-making power away from the church and to the Oahu Island Burial Council. It’s also not clear if or how the church project will proceed with its activity center, which is supposed to include a social hall, kitchen and conference rooms.

Such details are expected to be worked out in circuit court

read ... Kawaiahao

'Maddening': Obama Family Plans Hawaii Vacation For Sixth Straight Year

HNN:  "We go through two security points and so the second one, we have to get out of our car.  We have to be searched ourselves, plus our car has to be completely searched," described Madeline, who has lived on the same street where the Obama's have been renting for more than four decades.

Norman Asing has been working in the neighborhood for years, and is already preparing for the First Family's anticipated arrival.

"One time they stopped me – they opened up my gas cap to look into the lawn mower," Asing described with a smile.

He says the heightened security is to be expected and he simply works around it.

"One time I was doing the lawn and security walked with me up and down the lawn," he recalled with a laugh.

"It's one thing that you got to put up with until he leaves and then everything goes back to normal, but other than that people are excited when he's here, you know?" Asing said.

When the President visits, the canal running through the Kailuana Street neighborhood is off limits. During his stay, it's patrolled by Navy seals and a Coast Guard cutter is positioned in the bay.  It's just one of the many security measures put in place, including military blockades on the beach and security checkpoints along the street where he stays.

"I understand he's the President and so he needs his security, but I'd like for him to pick next year another spot. This would be really nice," said Madeline. "At first it was exciting, but now it's no longer exciting.  It's maddening."

NYDN: President's annual holiday vacation in a Hawaii a headache for islanders

read ... Kailua to be punished again

Another Billionaire Seeks to Cash in on Biofool Scam

PBN: A Mainland biomass company with ties to Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen could shake up the energy scene in Hawaii by providing a quick, environmentally-friendly, lower-cost solution to fossil fuels such as fuel oil and liquefied natural gas to power up Hawaiian Electric Co.’s power stations.

Houston-based Zilkha Biomass Energy, which makes power out of woody biomass in a proprietary biomass pellet that is transportable like coal called “Zilkha Black Pellet,” said, in a recent filing with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission that it could begin delivery of its product as quickly as 18 months after HECO commits to a purchase agreement. (Still exporting money to the Mainland.)

read ... About your electric bill going up 

Hawaii Again Ranks Most Sleep-Deprived

FC: You’d think that people would have some of their most restful nights in a vacation paradise like Hawaii. But, the land of surf, sun, and leis comes in as the country’s most sleep-deprived state, at least among Jawbone wearers, who on average get just six hours and 38 minutes each night, according to data released today by Jawbone.

Jawbone wearers in Vermont, meanwhile, are the most well rested, getting an extra 20 minutes each night.

LINK: More time Commuting = Less time Sleeping

Read ... Fast Company

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