‘If it can happen in Hawaii, it can happen everywhere’
Green Appoints New Head of Water Resource Management
State DLE Calls Gun Buyback Successful
Corps of Engineers Clearing Debris from Final Residential Properties in Lahaina
141 Candidates on November Election Ballot
CB: … A total of 279 candidates ran in the primary, but barely more than half — 141 — are still campaigning ahead of the Nov. 5 general election.
All of the Honolulu City and County contests were decided in the primary, including the mayor’s race and five council races. (Good thing we have a presidential election on the ballot.)
The neighbor islands have more happening:
- Hawaii County: a mayoral runoff and two council races.
- Maui County: thanks to different election rules, nobody wins outright in the Valley Island’s primary, where there are seven contested and two uncontested council races.
- Kauai County: really different rules here, with 14 candidates vying for seven at-large council seats.
Meanwhile, all Hawaii voters get to cast ballots in three contested races for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
Over in the state House of Representatives, where all 51 seats were up for grabs entering this election cycle, 35 contested races are left to be decided in November. In the 25-member state Senate, there are still eight contested races….
read … The Sunshine Blog: The Election's Home Stretch, Tulsi And Trump And Our Popular Governor
Lawyers Dream State Supreme Court will make Josh Green’s Phony $4B wildfires settlement real
SA: … Attorneys representing Maui wildfire victims want the Hawaii Supreme Court to weigh in on a recent lower state court ruling in an effort to finalize a proposed $4 billion settlement.
The attorneys filed a motion last week to have 2nd Circuit Chief Judge Peter Cahill ask Hawaii’s high court to opine on the lawfulness of his recent ruling, which prevents insurance companies from pursuing damages directly from wildfire litigation defendants including Hawaiian Electric, the state, Kamehameha Schools and Maui County….
Attorneys for the insurers disagree with Cahill’s ruling and could appeal the judge’s decision. An appeal, however, could derail the settlement.
Under terms of the tentative settlement, Cahill’s ruling on the insurance claims has to be final and unappealable within nine months for the settlement to become effective. ….
Finality under terms of the settlement is defined as one of three things. Either all parties with a right to appeal waive their right to do so, or the time to appeal expires with no appeal filed, or the order is affirmed by an appellate court with no further possibility of appeal.
The attorneys for fire victims are seeking the latter, an affirmation by the Hawaii Supreme Court, in part because a deadline for insurance companies to appeal is unclear. Hawaii’s high court is expected to have the final say on the matter because the disagreement between insurance companies and attorneys for the plaintiffs involves state law….
Vincent Raboteau, liaison counsel for the insurance companies referred to as subrogation plaintiffs, reserved comment on the action seeking to involve the Hawaii Supreme Court in Cahill’s recent settlement ruling.
“The subrogation plaintiffs are reviewing the motion and defer from making any comment about it at this time,” he said in a statement.
Attorneys for fire victims filed their “interlocutory appeal” Wednesday, and it is scheduled for a hearing Friday before Cahill….
LD: Hawaii $4B fire settlement would prevent insurers’ clawback claims
read … Hawaii Supreme Court ruling sought in $4B wildfires settlement
Maui Tomorrow Sues to Block Lahaina Shoreline Reconstruction Regs
CB: … A new coastal management regime that took effect in Maui County on Sunday is unlawful, according to Maui Tomorrow Foundation.
The Wailuku-based nonprofit filed a lawsuit in state court last week against Maui County and the Maui Planning Commission over “categorical exemptions” written into the Special Management Area rules that it says effectively render the coastal regulations ineffective.
(CLUE: This lawsuit is part of the plan to remake Lahaina as a new tourist attraction centered on the ‘Venice of the Pacific’ water feature.)
The commission adopted the SMA regulations in November and Mayor Richard Bissen approved them in July….
… In a press release last year, Maui County’s planning director at the time said the updated rules are more balanced and flexible for property owners while taking into account emerging science.
The categorical exemptions allow people to bypass submitting an SMA permit application if the proposed work has minimal to no environmental impact. For example, if someone wanted to remodel a kitchen or bathroom in a project costing less than $500,000 in any 24-month period, and if it didn’t increase the size of the dwelling, they likely would not need to file for an SMA permit.
The new rules also remove the mandatory requirement for a certified shoreline survey and leaves it up to the discretion of the Planning Department….
CLUE: Enviros win 90% in Hawaii Supreme Court
read … Maui's New Coastal Rules Are Full Of Loopholes, Environmental Group Says
A&B Exec Heads Group of Insiders manipulating ‘Climate’ Policy to Serve their own Interests
SA: … The long process began in May when Gov. Josh Green tapped Chris Benjamin, the retired CEO of Alexander &Baldwin Inc., to put the team together that could research policies for managing the effects of climate change on the state.
And during a recent meeting with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser editorial board, team members acknowledged that hammering out a long-term policy structure can’t really begin until the group completes an initial round of stakeholder talks by this fall. It then will craft proposals for the next Legislature arrayed around four “pillars of disaster readiness” — environmental, infrastructure, physical/social impacts and financial/insurance impacts.
The CAT, chaired by Benjamin, is a group with well-rounded, expert perspectives. Its members also include Denise Antolini, who retired as a University of Hawaii law professor with a focus in environmental law; former state insurance commissioner Robin Campaniano; Chip Fletcher, interim dean of the University of Hawaii School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology; Kawika Riley, vice president of external affairs at the nonprofit environmental organization Kupu; and Gwen Yamamoto Lau, executive director of the state’s Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority….
(HINT: The usual crooks and cronies appreciate the fact that you believe in global warming. Sucker.)
read … Editorial: State climate team getting acclimated
Low morale, poor communication among complaints by HPD officers in internal survey
HNN: … The Honolulu Police Department conducted an internal survey in March but the results are only now being made public.
Only about 22% of eligible employees responded, 370 officers and 100 civilian employees. Most were sergeants, detectives and patrol officers.
There were 15 questions asked in the survey. Among them, do the commanders support the officers and employees? Do commanders effectively communicate their goals and objectives?
HPD Chief Joe Logan pointed out that 56% of respondents agreed that HPD was managed well, but 44% disagreed….
To view the survey and comments click here.
CB: The Honolulu Police Chief Just Got A Good Job Review But Many Employees Think Otherwise
SA: HPD survey praises leadership, questions communication
read … Low morale, poor communication among complaints by HPD officers in internal survey
Circumstances around death of young Deputy Sheriff under investigation
HNN: … Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) officials reported the death of a Deputy Sheriff who was a recent Law Enforcement Recruit Class graduate.
In a news release Monday, the department said Jordan J. Kagehiro’s body was recently found at his home. Details surrounding his death were unclear and are under investigation by Honolulu Police.
DLE said Deputy Kagehiro graduated from the extensive training course on Dec. 15, 2023…
After his graduation, he was assigned to the Central Patrol, which covers Downtown Honolulu….
It is not known if foul play is suspected in this case. It is being handled as an unattended death investigation, HPD said…..
SA: Sheriff’s deputy, 32, is found dead in his home
read … Circumstances around death of young Deputy Sheriff under investigation
Honolulu EMS Sued For Wrongful Death Over Kailua Ambulance Fire
CB: … Family of the 91-year-old patient who died in 2022 after the ambulance in which he was riding burst into flames accused Honolulu EMS of wrongful death and negligence….
Fred Kaneshiro of Waimanalo died after an oxygen tank malfunction caused an explosion in the back of an ambulance as he was being transported to Adventist Health Castle hospital in Kailua on Aug. 24, 2022.
The lawsuit accuses Honolulu EMS of failing to provide a safe environment for patients, not using medical equipment properly and lacking adequate training for its employees on the use of oxygen cylinders and tanks.
The paramedics who were staffing the ambulance that carried Kaneshiro also were named as defendants. The lawsuit said they failed “to protect, aid, and/or rescue Mr. Kaneshiro from injury, harm, and/or the death of Mr. Kaneshiro.”…
read … Honolulu EMS Sued For Wrongful Death Over Kailua Ambulance Fire
Lahaina Lots for Sale
KITV: … the lot on Ainakea Road that was listed for $680,000, about $280,000 more than its original worth, the land trust listed two more being sold for higher than its value pre-fire.
One property on Aulike Street is being marketed for $540,000, about $193,000 more than what it was appraised for before the disaster. Then another on the same road is listed at $650,000, roughly $167,000 more than its pre-fire assessed value….
read … 'Problematic': Lahaina lots listed for thousands more than pre-fire value
Hawaii County Wastes $70K per Bum to ‘Connect’ Homeless to Housing
HTH: … Since 2022, Hawaii County has set aside 75% of certain residential property tax revenues to fund programs addressing homelessness on the Big Island through the Office of Housing and Community Development’s Homelessness and Housing Fund.
For the fund’s third year, $10.5 million is available to qualifying agencies, nonprofits and for-profit organizations with proposals for homeless programs.
At an informational session about the program, OHCD’s Community Engagement Division Manager Sharon Hirota said this year’s funding will be awarded following a more rigorous series of metrics. Successful applications will be those that can measurably reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness, reduce the length of time they experience homelessness, or reduce homelessness recidivism.
Possible programs include permanent housing development projects, substance abuse treatment programs, expansions to street medicine programs, homeless transportation services, and more. However, Hirota said this year, the fund is more “housing focused,” and will prioritize programs that offer tangible pathways toward housing for homeless individuals.
This round of funding is the largest since 2022, with the program having previously offered $7.5 million during fiscal year 2022-23 and $9.7 million the following fiscal year. Some of the programs funded in those years included more than $1.6 million to HOPE Services Hawaii’s 34 Rainbow Drive shelter, more than $500,000 to the West Hawaii Community Health Center’s street medicine program and more.
According to OHCD data, programs funded through the Homelessness and Housing Fund connected 137 homeless households to stable shelters between May 2023 and Feb. 29. Applicants have until Sept. 16 to apply for funding, with awardees announced around Oct. 22. Grant funding must be thoroughly spent by the end of January 2026 or else unspent funds will be returned to the county….
(DO THE MATH: $9.7m / 137 bums = $70K per bum to ‘connect’ them to housing, whatever that means.)
read … $10.5 million available for homeless programs - Hawaii Tribune-Herald
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