Kauai Indictment: ex-cop Bonachita pulled knife on Kagawa ‘South Park’ creator Parker also threatened

LIHU‘E — Former Kaua‘i Police Department officer Joseph G. Bonachita allegedly broke into the Wailua home of “South Park” creator Randolph “Trey” Parker and threatened both Parker and the late Lauren Kagawa with a knife, according to a grand jury indictment.

The alleged incident took place July 1, the same day Bonachita was arrested on a first-degree burglary charge for breaking into and remaining in Parker’s home, according to police arrest records and the indictment.

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Schools would likely be closed on the Fridays when teachers take furlough

STATEMENT BY GOVERNOR LINDA LINGLE ON HSTA SETTLEMENT

“I am pleased that the State has reached a settlement with the Hawai‘i State Teachers Association.  This was a collaborative effort with the Department of Education and Board of Education taking the lead in the negotiations, in coordination with the Administration’s negotiating team. I appreciate the hard work and commitment of all the parties involved in the negotiations.  

“This has not been a normal or easy process given the unprecedented economic and fiscal challenges, and there are things that none of us necessarily wanted to do, but that we had to do in order to address the growing budget shortfall, and live within our means.

“We greatly value our teachers and respect the work they do every day to teach our children.  I appreciate the patience they have demonstrated throughout this process.  

“It is important now that we all move forward so that our teachers can focus on their students to ensure they get the best possible education.”
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(As we pointed out yesterday the 17 days equals exactly the number of holidays plus non-instructional "planning days" teachers spend each years.)

Hamamoto said the state looked at scheduling furlough days on holidays or teacher planning days. Some teachers also suggested taking furlough days in a block at the end or before the start of the school year, so teachers could get other jobs or go to school to enhance their credentials.

But Hamamoto said that the state could not retroactively take back holidays and that teachers have to work a certain number of days a month to qualify for benefits.

"What we have done over the past months is to take a look at all the possible options, and what we have come up with — we believe, as Mr. Okabe said — is the best option given what we have to work with," Hamamoto said.

(The teachers still have to vote on this.  Plenty of chance for the media to influence the vote on behalf of Team Chaos 2010.)

SB: Plan would cut 17 school days

RELATED: Furloughs vs Layoffs: The union no-solution strategy

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Meetings by AARP help residents Obamabots pretend that Town-halls have happened in Hawaii understand health care reform

"I think we can get real reform this time, ("last time" was Hillarycare) as long as we don't let all the crazy talk opponents of Obamacare take us off track," Marlene Kennedy, 49, said at a town hall meeting yesterday at the Capitol with her husband, Alexandru Preiss (well-known Honolulu liberals).

Many informational meetings on the mainland turned into yelling matches, and "the end of a pinkie was bitten off" at a gathering in Southern California, Wang noted.  (Bitten off by a typical deranged Obamabot organized by Moveron.org.)

Medicare will reduce payments to doctors by 21 percent in January without legislative reforms, which will result in doctors reducing existing patients and turning away new ones, she said.  No doctors in Hilo are taking new Medicare patients now, Boland added.

(And so the problems of Hawaii's socialized health system will be cured by more socialism?)

Here's a real town hall: Djou healthcare town hall draws 200

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GMO taro ban wins initial approval

WAILUKU - A bill prohibiting genetically modified taro in Maui County has received initial approval from the Maui County Council.

Even though council members had been unable to reach consensus for a recommendation on the ban during committee discussions, the council voted unanimously Friday to approve the bill at first reading. While some expressed concerns about how the ban would be enforced, all nine councilors said they were moved by testimony from Native Hawaiians and supporters, and believed taro's cultural and spiritual significance was more important than any other factor.

(This effort is intended to facilitate OHA's shake-down of the seed industry.  No more no less.)

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Professor accused of sex assaults over 6-year span

The girl, now 17, reported to police earlier this month that Stegenga, a family friend, had sexually assaulted her from 1999 to 2005, and that many of the alleged sexual acts occurred between two and four times a week.

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Councilor: Freeze county hiring

Despite gloom-and-doom forecasts about the county budget, the administration has been trying to fill job vacancies that will cost $1.2 million to $3.4 million, a county councilman says.

(Yagong vs Kenoi on budget, continued....)

RELATED: Big Island Mayor Eyes 'Deep and Painful' Budget Cuts

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Kauai: Burial council to meet in October

Administratively, the various island burial councils are under the DLNR Historic Preservation Division, and are charged with addressing concerns relating to Native Hawaiian burial sites.  The next KNIBC meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 8, at a time and place to be determined soon, she said.

(And it will be targeted by the shake-down artists from Kau Preservation and anti-Superferry protesters who are busy trying to steal a Kauai single family residence from its owner.)

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