Sovereignty Activist Child abuser Makekau must serve full 5 years

Honolulu Prosecutor Peter Carlisle said that in a parole hearing last month, Makekau, 52, accepted responsibility for the harm she caused to her nieces and nephews and "apologized to each of the children."

"It was a complete 180" from Makekau's previous unrepentant attitude, Carlisle said.

(There is a reason or that.  After an early ruling by an idiot judge, the authorities made it clear that they were no longer willing to pander to Makekau's claim that she was immune from Hawaii State law because of her position with the "Hawaiian Kingdom Government".  Without that claim, she had nothing to stand on.  There is a lesson here for those who wish to learn it.  No pander=no problem.)

SB: No parole for woman convicted for abuse

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Drivers may have to pay more gas tax

O'ahu motorists would pay 3 cents more a gallon at the gasoline pump under a plan approved 3-2 by the City Council Budget Committee yesterday....Budget Committee members Duke Bainum and Charles Djou voted against the fuel tax increase.

SB: Council edges toward fuel tax hike

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TheBoat ends service in June

Mayor Mufi Hannemann cited fiscal constraints for his decision to halt the service, but said he is not ruling out a return of TheBoat.

The city is facing a $50 million revenue shortfall and several City Council members have proposed eliminating TheBoat and diverting the nearly $5 million used annually to subsidize the project to other programs.

SB: Riders lament loss as city cuts TheBoat

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Hawaii County sets aside $10M for vacant positions

HILO -- While local officials cast about for ways to plug a growing budget hole, at least $10 million in salaries and benefits for vacant positions sits idle in Hawaii County coffers.
Fully 17 percent of the county's 3,159 positions were vacant as of Feb. 4, according to data provided by the county Department of Human Resources. Mayor Billy Kenoi earlier this month proposed unfunding 55 of the 542 vacancies for a savings of $1.3 million.

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Hawaii County Dozer rental contract to continue

HILO -- After selling one of its bulldozers as surplus for $52,083, Hawaii County will have spent $427,025 renting it back by the time its recently extended contract expires June 31.
The county extended the $14,725-a-month, sole-bid contract with C&H Ishii General Contractors for three months while it considers its next step, said Environmental Management Director Lono Tyson, who took over the position after the bulldozer was sold.

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Hawaii Asian population declines slightly in latest count

(The exodus to Las Vegas continues...and the influx of retirees continues.)

54% Asians alone or in combination

21.8% Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders alone or in combination

43% White alone or in combination

18% Mixed-race population

14.8% Age 65 or older (sixth in the nation)

50.4% Male

49.6% Female

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