PUEO Hawaiians Support Telescope
Hawaiians Lobby DC Against Fake Indian Tribe
The NFL Pro Bowl Is Moving to Orlando
Hawaii Republican State Convention Set for May 21
Who’s Running: Candidates Pulling Papers as of May 20, 2016
Will Hanabusa Jump into CD1 Race to Escape HART Deathtrap?
HNN: …That might all depend on whether former U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (selected HART Chair just last month) seeks her old job, according to one political analyst….
Political onlookers suspect some familiar names might seek the seat. But whether they do could hinge on whether Hanabusa runs for it.
"It's a game of dominoes. Once something like this happens, then the dominoes begin to fall," said University of Hawaii political science Professor Dan Boylan.
And from analysts to politicians, all eyes are on Hanabusa.
"Certainly who announces they're in or out will impact everyone else," said state Senator Will Espero.
Potential candidates must not only size up their own chances, but do so in relation to the heavyweights.
If Hanabusa runs, it could be a significantly smaller field. If not, the field could be as big as what was seen in 2014, when seven Democrats ran….
if Djou enters, he'll be an early favorite.
"He came very close in the general election against Takai. Charles has won more than once," Boylan said.
While Djou has won the race before, he's also lost it -- to Hanabusa….
read … Field of candidates for Takai's seat could hinge on whether political heavyweight runs
Prosecutor Kaneshiro Trying to Save Police Chief, and Deputy Prosecutor
KHON: …The county’s top attorney is calling a federal grand jury into question. Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro, the boss of the chief’s wife, was called before the grand jury to testify this week….
Kaneshiro also criticized the conduct of Honolulu-based FBI agents who are assisting the visiting prosecutor with investigations.
“The concern is the FBI agents who are also here and may cause some tension in whether the FBI can really work impartially or fairly with our local law enforcement,” Kaneshiro said…. (Translation: They know we are all dirty and they are looking for a crack in our shell of silence.)
The Kealohas’ attorney, Myles Breiner, said many witnesses who are being subpoenaed are opting to stay silent.
“People are invoking their right because they don’t know what’s going on. They don’t know if they could be a target, and the problem too — and this is critical — they could be charged with lying to a federal officer, and the determination whether they’re lying or not is in the eye of the beholder,” Breiner said. “It puts a premium on, guess what, remaining silent. (Translation: Snitches get stiches.)
“It’s a dog-and-pony show for public consumption,” Breiner added. “The only purpose behind it is to send a message to the possible targets ‘We’re coming after you.’ It is intended to threaten and intimidate. It’s intended to push people to the point that they’re afraid to say anything or go against the U.S. attorney…. (Translation: They are pressuring all of our dirty associates, we are afraid they will get someone to talk and all of us will go down.)
“Dismiss the U.S. attorney, have him replaced. Dissolve the grand jury, because they’re tainted by the prejudicial conduct of the U.S. attorney and the FBI agents conducting the investigation. Also, have the U.S. attorney and the agents referred to the Office of the Inspector General, which is the internal affairs type of body inside the Department of Justice, to investigate prosecutorial misconduct,” Breiner replied. (Translation: Obama save us!)
“We are pursuing our investigation and will address that in the next several weeks with how we are going to proceed with this,” he said. “Our concern is the U.S. attorney is going to rush to judgment, get some type of indictment before we’ve had a chance to fully investigate some of the behavior, what we consider misconduct in the handling of this grand jury.” (Translation: We’re afraid we haven’t gotten to every witness to shut them up.)
read … City prosecutor: Federal investigation into Kealohas ‘defies all principles of justice’
Pro-telescope Hawaiians seek hearing participation
MN: A Native Hawaiian nonprofit educational corporation that's supportive of building a giant telescope atop Mauna Kea is asking to participate in a hearing for the project's construction permit.
In a motion filed with the state Board of Land and Natural Resources this week, Perpetuating Unique Educational Opportunities, Inc., known as PUEO, said that the Thirty Meter Telescope will enhance educational opportunities for children.
The organization's board members "include Native Hawaiians who seek knowledge and understanding and exercise customary and traditional Native Hawaiian rights on Mauna Kea," according to the motion.
Unlike those who protest the project, the group's members say that the telescope won't diminish their culture….
read … Pro-telescope Hawaiians seek hearing participation
State attorney general files motion asking court to lift injunction on Maui hospitals
KHON: …Kaiser was supposed to take over on July 1, but the United Public Workers Union filed a complaint to stop the transition over contract concerns.
It is not known when the court will rule on the attorney general’s motion.
“We asked the Court to lift or modify the order now and allow the work necessary to implement the transition to go forward. The Court’s order came six weeks before the transfer to Kaiser. By all accounts that is not enough time to reverse course and run the hospitals as public facilities,” Chin explained….
read … Lift
Supreme Court Justices Slam Scott Nago: “Fundamental right to vote is being denied”
DN: “What does it take to affect people? We had people whose votes weren't counted. And according to you, that doesn't affect people's right to vote.”—Justice Richard Pollack
”So the remedy is make people sue and not to create a system that avoids this?”—Justice Richard Pollack
”This is the constitutional, fundamental right to vote that is being denied. This is not the right to paper clips.”—Justice Sabrina McKenna
”Does the record reflect how much money the state saved by denying these people the right to vote?”— Justice Sabrina McKenna
read … Defending the indefensible
HTA Incompetent Sports Management
SA: …The event’s departure must compel the HTA and Aloha Stadium officials to regroup, to do a serious post-mortem of the Jan. 31 debacle to ensure future events don’t experience the same fate.
And just weeks before the all-star matchup, the U.S. women’s soccer team abruptly canceled its game at the Aloha Stadium against Trinidad and Tobago, citing unsafe turf conditions.
The 11th-hour cancellation also brought to light that there was no executed contract between the HTA and the U.S. Soccer Federation.
The HTA argued that the lack of an executed contract worked in its favor, saving it from paying the soccer federation $200,000 to serve as a marketing sponsor — but it also highlighted the authority’s loose oversight of the contract.
These missteps clearly call for better management of high-profile sporting events.
Management of sports tourism is the responsibility of the HTA…
read … Pro Bowl loss a wakeup call for Hawaii
Iwase: I Will Stall PUC Until Merger Votes are Gone
HNN: The PUC is deliberating HECO's sale, and Chairman Randy Iwase said the body won't be rushed.
"Looking at the LNG issue and whether it's a good fuel source for us going forward is totally unrelated to whether or not the parties are asserting that the merger has to be approved," he said.
HECO's proposal was filed just two weeks before a self-imposed deadline, after which the merger could fall apart.
Iwase says the PUC won't be pressured to come to a decision too quickly….
read … Critics call HECO's liquefied natural gas proposal
Child welfare social worker shortage leads to high caseload
KHON: …It’s a problem that’s plagued Hawaii’s Child Welfare Services Branch for years — not enough social workers to properly handle all of the cases of child abuse and neglect.
Currently, CWS has 170 social workers, but that’s not enough to maintain a manageable case load, says the head of the branch formerly known as CPS….
“…some social workers have had difficulty managing their cases, unable to transfer, close, and log their contacts on a timely and consistent basis.”
Currently, there are 31 job openings, and that’s just for social workers. There’s an additional 16 job openings for support staff.
Some social workers handle the cases for as many as 20 to 30 families, which Perez says is double the ideal amount….
In 2014, there were more than 2,000 reports of child abuse or neglect investigated in the state. Those cases involved more than 3,600 children….
read … Shortage
Family of autistic McKinley High School student sues over claims son is being forced to graduate
KHON: …The 19-year-old student, Anthony, is autistic and his family says he's being forced to graduate before he's ready.
Under federal law, students with disabilities can receive educational services until they're 22.
The family at the center of the lawsuit, who asked that their last names not be used, say they wanted to tell their story to help others who might be in the same situation.
The autistic student's parents argue the state hasn't provided Anthony with the skills he needs to function in the community.
Anthony was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3. McKinley High says it's time for him to graduate. His parents disagree….
read … Lawsuit
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