UH Law Prof Antolini: Mrs Brian Schatz’ North Shore Shopping Plaza is Not News – Stop reporting it

Dear Editor,    Sept 25, 2017

We appreciate your covering the story about the Hanapohaku Sharks Cove development and DPP's fines.

I would like to make two important corrections to your article:

1. This insertion into the quote is not from me and I ask that you please correct or clarify your editor's insertion:

"Basically, the city accepted about 10% of the assessed value. (Sure does pay to grease a Schatz.) [please REMOVE this underlined insertion by your editors - I did not say that and this is misleading - I did not mention Ms. Schatz or the Senator in my interview - the rest of the quote is correct from the Hawaii News Now interview] We think that is way too low, sending the wrong signal to the development community about what city enforcement really means," said Antolini.

2. Linda Schatz no longer works for Hanapohaku and has not for months (which we think was a good decision on her part - that is, to leave the situation where the owners/developers were not good clients) and I am unaware of any connection now (for many months) between her and this project.

3. I do agree that political influence can make a difference in terms of DPP enforcement and fines in many subtle ways - that is not news - but there is no connection here any longer with Ms. Schatz -- or the Senator -- and this project - please drop that allegation from your reporting and any connection to anything I said.

Mahalo!

Denise Antolini

UH Law Prof

Editor’s Response:  All these political insiders protect each other.  We have inserted the words “Editor’s Note” to ensure that nobody thinks that UH Law Prof Denise Antolini is any different.  Influence peddling by any Schatz “is not news” and Antolini would never be caught discussing nonnews. 

Yes, Mrs. Schatz claims to have disassociated herself from her work as “project manager” for the Shopping Plaza being pushed on the North Shore by principals of the now-defunct Bonterra Solar. We reported that here.  But pointing out that Hanapohaku’s North Shore Shopping Plaza was “planned by Mrs Brian Schatz” is correct.  Linda Schatz was the “project manager” for the “community shopping center” and touted that work online. 

Back in January, Linda Schatz stupidly provided an interview to HNN in which she tried to defend her shopping plaza plans.  But Schatz-free coverage was the order of the day in April and again in September when the Star-Adv reported on the Shark’s Cove project.  PBN kept Linda Schatz out of the story in March and April and KITV had no mention of Schatz in January coverage. (CB Oct 3, 2017:  These North Shore Food Trucks Are Under Fire From Environmentalists  No Schatz here either.)

Political insiders engage in damage control after their dirty deeds are exposed.  Does that mean they are entitled to erase from the media all record of ‘nonnews’ activities like influence peddling?  We have found that particular attitude (taught at UH Richardson?) quite common among the people who now pass for a political elite in Hawaii.  We also find it amusing--especially when delivered in the form of a letter to the editor.  Please pause here and take a moment to laugh at them. 

Antolini’s request for censorship is denied.

Jan, 2014 WaPo: Schatz Represents Hawaii's new White Ruling Class

Jan 2017 HNN: Mrs Brian Schatz is ‘Project Manager’ for Illegal North Shore Commercial Activities

April, 2017: Schatz-Connected Developer building ‘Shopping Center’ at Pupukea  (Linda Schatz claims to stopped working for Hanapohaku.)