by Andrew Walden
Forcing George Grace III to the shoulder of the H-1 freeway, State Attorney General agents last July served an Hawaiian Homelands eviction notice throwing Grace off the land lease for his Kalaeloa Raceway Park. DHHL said Grace owed $40,000 in delinquent rent and utility bills. Another $240,000 was owed Honolulu County for "several grading and stockpiling violations dating to 2012." Now Grace is at the Legislature seeking $660M in loans from the State via six bills introduced by Senator Maile Shimabukuro and House Speaker Joe Souki.
SB1277 and HB1331 authorize issuance of $360M in State Special Purpose Revenue Bonds to fund nine newly-registered health-related non-profits each of which boast George Grace III as a Director, according to DCCA BREG filings.
HB1331 was not heard but SB1277 passed Second Reading and is awaiting action by the Senate Ways and Means Committee. If approved, non-profits directed by Grace, the Paradise Lua porta-potty magnate who beat the rap for the 1999 Aloha Stadium porta-potty fire bombings, would be eligible for millions of dollars to fund proposals such as the "Paradise Ohana Heart and Vascular Center, Inc." Remember: Wash up good to avoid post-operative infections.
After voting to approve SB1277, Sen Josh Green, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, wrote: "Your Committee finds that there is a need for health care facilities in West Oahu, as the shortage of doctors and nurses is hurting all areas of the State. Paradise Ohana, LLC, is looking to partner with local health care providers in West Oahu and other health care providers to develop the much needed health care facilities for West Oahu....your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1277, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1277, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means."
Another set of bills, SB1275 and HB1329, would provide $100M in Special Purpose Revenue Bonds for automotive-themed non-profits tied to George Grace III-- "$30mil. for an Automotive Discovery Center, $20mil. for an Automotive Technologies Center, $15mil. for an Automotive Training & Learning Center and $35mil. for a Motorsports Center."
SB1275 was deferred by EDT. But in spite of testimony from the State Attorney General's department questioning the legality of the bond proposal, HB1329 passed EDB and has been approved by the House on second reading with a referral to FIN. (UPDATE March 5, 2015: HB1329 passed FIN after a hearing was scheduled on one hour notice. It is now heading to the House floor.)
After voting to approve HB1329, Derek Kawakami, Chair of the House Committee on Economic Development & Business wrote: "Your Committee finds that the provision of special purpose revenue bonds authorized in this measure for the development of a motorsports center and associated educational, training, industrial, and manufacturing facilities has tremendous economic potential, would support the general welfare of the State, and is a first step in developing a world class motorsports center and industry in Hawaii."
The State Supreme Court held Grace civilly liable for a stolen truck in an April 30, 2003 decision.
A third set of bills, SB1276 /HB1330, have not been heard and are now dead for the session. They would have provided $200M for non-profits tied to George Grace III, including $50M for "the Ohana & Friends Of West Oahu's Botanical & Zoological Center."
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Legislators' Vision of Credit Worthiness: George Grace III being served eviction papers on H-1 Freeway
Video begins at 1:00. Kalaeloa Raceway Park owner George Grace III (aka 'Junior') driving large green tow truck appears to throw eviction notice out the window at 3:10. Slo mo of AG agent purportedly drawing gun at 3:40.
This is what happens when you aren't Colleen Hanabusa's crony anymore. GGIII really should have just paid for Pueo Trucking which he bought from Mr Hanabusa, aka former State Sheriff John Souza. See Souza v Grace case #1CC121001507.
BACKGROUND:
Breakdown: $660M Special Purpose Revenue Bonds
SB1277 / HB1331 $360M for various health-related so-called 'non-profits' tied to GGIII
(HB1331 not moving. SB1277 passed HTH, passed second reading as amended SD1, next stop WAM)
- $20,000,000 for the purpose of assisting Paradise Ohana Adolescent Center, Inc.
- $50,000,000 for the purpose of assisting Paradise Ohana Community Health & Wellness Center, Inc.
- $50,000,000 for the purpose of assisting Paradise Ohana Health Education & Research Center, Inc.
- $50,000,000 for the purpose of assisting Paradise Ohana Heart and Vascular Center, Inc.
- $50,000,000 for the purpose of assisting Paradise Ohana Oncology Center, Inc.
- $20,000,000 for the purpose of assisting Paradise Ohana Saging Center, Inc.
- $50,000,000 for the purpose of assisting Paradise Ohana Sports Medicine & Research Center, Inc.
- $50,000,000 for the purpose of assisting Paradise Ohana Community Health & Wellness Center, Inc.
- $20,000,000 for the purpose of assisting Paradise Ohana Women's Center, Inc.
SB1276 /HB1330 $200M for entertainment non-profits tied to GGIII
(not moving)
- $50,000,000 for the Ohana & Friends Of West Oahu's Botanical & Zoological Center
- $50,000,000 for the Ohana & Friends Of West Oahu's Cultural & Historical Center
- $50,000,000 for the Ohana & Friends Of West Oahu's Education & Research Center
- $50,000,000 for Ohana & Friends Of West Oahu's Entertainment & Recreation Center
SB1275 / HB1329 $100M for automotive non-profits tied to GGIII.
(SB1275 deferred by EDT. HB1329 passed by EDB and approved on second reading with a referral to FIN)
- $30M for Automotive Discovery Center
- $20M for Automotive Technologies Center
- $15M for Automotive Training & Learning Center
- $35M for Motorsports Center