Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Hawaii Daily News Read

Current Articles | Archives

Thursday, September 21, 2017
September 21, 2017 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 5:47 PM :: 5792 Views

Al Hee Minion Robin Danner Grabs for Control of Crooked Sandwich Isles Scam Company

Surprise: CNHA Charter School Scheme Twice as Large as Previously Reported

Record setting applications for UH Manoa--But Enrollment Still Drops

City Fines Go Away for N Shore ‘Shopping Center’ Planned by Mrs. Brian Schatz

HNN:  …"The community's eyes are watching this project really, really closely because of the history of mistrust, but going forward we absolutely hope that they engage the community," said Denise Antolini, president of Malama Pupukea-Waimea.

The city assessed fines for three violations. The fine for a wooden deck built without a permit totaled $38,250, but HanaPohaku only paid $3,825.

"Basically, the city accepted about 10% of the assessed value. (Editor's Note: Sure does pay to grease a Schatz.) We think that is way too low, sending the wrong signal to the development community about what city enforcement really means," said Antolini.

According to the Department of Planning and Permitting, the main goal of its civil fine system is to obtain compliance. Fines may be lowered to close long-standing violations and reduce the backlog of cases (or in response to the political influence purchased by developers).

Two other fines haven't been resolved. For the violation of grading and grubbing without a permit, daily fines have accrued to $62,400. The initial fine of $100 also hasn't been paid. For construction without an SMA permit, daily fines have accrued to $94,500. The initial fine of $2,000 also hasn't been paid. 

HanaPohaku officials said they're waiting for the city to issue the company an after-the-fact grading permit to resolve the grading violation…..  (Translation: They will get off easy. They are ‘connected.’)  

UPDATE: UH Law Prof Antolini: Mrs Brian Schatz’ North Shore Shopping Plaza is Not News – Stop reporting it

Related:

read … Community concerns prompt landowner to scale back North Shore food truck hub

OIP Rules Designed to Cut off Access to Public Records

CB: …the state Office of Information Practices — is taking a giant step backward. 

OIP has proposed draft rules for processing public record requests. The agency administers two key laws designed to promote open and transparent government in Hawaii: UIPA, which requires open access to government records; and the Sunshine Law, which requires open public meetings.

Concerned citizens, media and good government groups, among others, are being given an opportunity to provide input on how the state handles public records requests of government agencies. 

The proposed rules it’s circulating would make it much harder for the public to access their own public records.

There is troubling language regarding under what circumstance a records request may be denied. Other provisions raise questions as to whether an agency could limit the circumstances of requests that it must respond to.

There are vague processes for incremental disclosures that might allow for indefinite delays of information, for example, and “do-nothing” rules on record collection and disclosure for research purposes appear contrary to legislative intent.

But most important, the proposal would triple the already excessive fees agencies can charge for fulfilling a records request — with no protection for requesters to ensure that costs are not inflated and no requirement that an agency prove it isn’t just quoting an exorbitant price in the hopes the requester will go away….

read … Go Away

BLNR Hears Arguments Over Control of Mauna Kea Telescope, Land

SA: Today’s hearing in a Hilo hotel comes after the retired judge overseeing contested-case hearings for the Thirty Meter Telescope recommended granting the project a construction permit. Riki May Amano issued her recommendation in July after hearing testimony that spanned 44 days….

Telescope attorney Douglas Ing says there’s no rational reason why Native Hawaiian religious rights would be affected by developing the project.

Telescope opponent Kahookahi Kanuha $ays it’s up to Native Hawaiian$ to determine which place$ are $acred and how they $hould be protected.

It’s not clear when the board will make a decision…..

read … Pro, anti-telescope arguments aim to sway Hawaii land board

How Some Hawaii Officials’ Paychecks Compare To The Mainland

CB: …the average Honolulu worker earns $918 per week, less than half of the average for workers in mainland cities with a similar cost of living.

But what about some of the islands’ highest-paid public employees? They’re not starving,…

New Hawaii schools Superintendent Christina Kishimoto earns $240,000 annually, which is $40,000 more than her predecessor, Kathryn Matayoshi….

University of Hawaii President David Lassner earns $375,000 for heading the system’s three universities and seven community colleges. He’s the fifth-highest-paid employee in the system and the 10-highest-paid employee in the state….

In 2014, UH head football coach Norm Chow earned an annual salary of $550,000. Before Chow held the title, Greg McMackin raked in $1.1 million per year.

Nick Rolovich, current head coach of UH Manoa’s football team, makes just $400,000 per year. At age 38, he is one of the younger head coaches in Division 1 football….

Former Police Chief Louis Kealoha was making $182,000 when he stepped down after being identified as a suspect in a federal corruption investigation….

Earlier this month, Andrew Robbins took over as executive director of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation…. Robbins will be paid $317,000 per year for his trouble under a three-year contract, which also includes annual housing and transportation allowances….

UH Manoa’s John A. Burns School of Medicine is one of the country’s smaller medical school with 270 students.  Still, the school’s dean, Jerris Hedges, currently earns $534,800 per year, making him the highest-paid UH employee and second-highest-paid state employee….

read … Paid to Brainwash Students

Ige Confuses Renewable Energy with Low Climate Impact Policies

IM: …Governor Ige is in New York City. “Hawai‘i Among 14 States and Puerto Rico to be on track to Meet Paris Climate Targets” according to a press release issued by Governor David Ige on September 20, 2017

Gov. David Ige is attending Climate Week in New York City. The event started on Monday, September 18, and continues until Sunday, September 24.

“State governors to meet with national and international government and business leaders for discussions on climate change and efforts to reduce carbon emissions.”

Sponsors and Partners of the event included Bank of America, Siemens, International Copper Association, MARS (global business owner of M&M, Snickers, Twix, and Milky Way), Dalmia Bharat (low carbon footprint cement company from India), Estée Lauder, Pfizer, JP Morgan Chase, and the World Wildlife Federation….

The report noted what Hawai`i is seeking to achieve.

“Hawaii has become the first state in the nation to commit to achieve 100% renewable electricity, including wind, sun, falling water, biogas, geothermal, ocean water currents and energy conversion, biomass, biofuels, and hydrogen from renewable sources. This will be achieved by 2045 through the state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS), with interim 30% by 2020, 40% by 2030 and 70% by 2040.”

Decreasing greenhouse gas emissions is not mentioned in either the Hawai`i RPS law, nor the 100 percent law. The laws mention only renewable energy and clean energy, neither of which are linked in state law to greenhouse gases, global warming, or climate change. Currently, the State of Hawai`i is supporting high greenhouse gas emission renewable energy and fossil fuel projects.

Some groups such as Life of the Land have sought to include climate, environmental, cultural, and geographic impacts in the definition of clean, green, and renewable energy, but the idea has never passed the state legislature. However, that hasn`t stopped groups and individuals from confusing the issue or alleging some link….

NR: ArcLight agrees to sell Hamakua Energy Partners plant to new HEI subsidiary

read … Ige Confuses Renewable Energy with Low Climate Impact Policies

 Hawaii and other Liberal States Single-Handedly Saving Planet from Global Cooling or Warming or a Big Monster

HNN: …Hawaii and 13 other states are members of the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bi-partisan coalition formed in response to the president’s decision.

According to a new report, the 14 alliance states reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent from 2005 to 2015. That compares to a 10 percent reduction for the rest of the nation.

The alliance states are on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 24 to 29 percent over the next eight years….

read … Send Silicon Valley Billionaires More Ratepayer Money

DOH: Honey Butane Oil is ‘Medicine’ Now

SA: …Hawaii’s only cannabis laboratory received approval Tuesday from the state Health Department to begin testing cannabis-­infused concentrates and tinctures so that patients who don’t want to smoke the drug can buy alternative products.

Medical marijuana dispensaries in Hawaii are allowed to sell derivatives — such as lotions, oils and tinctures — but are not allowed to sell edibles, such as cookies, brownies or candy. Until now, sales of derivatives have been held up by the lack of an approved laboratory to test the drugs….

MN: “That’s very good news for our patients,” said Teri Freitas Gorman, spokeswoman for Maui Grown Therapies. “Many of them have been waiting exactly for this.”

read … Honey Butane Oil

HPD Officer Points out that Chief Selection Process is Corrupt

SA: …On Sept. 8, Santiago expressed his fear of losing his job. He said he spoke with the FBI concerning the events surrounding the alleged theft of the Kealohas’ mailbox, and has been retaliated against by higher-ups….

Santiago said higher-­ranking officers with probable knowledge and/or involvement have applied for the police chief position.

“You’ve got to look at them, and see if they’re connected,” Santiago said. “What did they do? What did they know? Have they done anything since?”

Santiago claims corruption runs rampant within HPD and that a double-­standard exists — cover-ups and lies to protect higher-­ranking officers, while lower-­ranking officers are retaliated against for reporting wrongdoing.

The 47-year-old Santiago, an HPD corporal in the East Honolulu district, wrote the commission Sept. 5 alleging some applicants for police chief likely have knowledge of and involvement with the case involving the alleged theft of the Kealohas’ mailbox, since their subordinates were involved….

read … Officer warns police commission on chief selection and corruption

Kealoha’s Quest For City To Pay His Legal Fees Takes A Nasty Turn

CB: …“From the day you were appointed you have made it very clear that you have it out for Chief Kealoha.” Sumida said, directing his comments toward Sheehan.

Sheehan called Sumida’s claims offensive and refused his request that she recuse herself from commission proceedings involving the former chief.

Kealoha is currently under federal investigation for allegations of public corruption, abuse of power and civil rights violations for an attempted framing of his wife’s uncle.

He’s also being sued by the uncle in a related lawsuit, something Kealoha’s attorney says entitles him to taxpayer-funded legal defense.

But while it’s up to the commission to decide whether Kealoha gets subsidized legal fees, Sumida said he doesn’t want Sheehan taking part in that decision….

read … Kealoha’s Quest For City To Pay His Legal Fees Takes A Nasty Turn

Hawaii Housing Authority -- Kupuna ordered to pay $800 rent increase

KITV: …it's hard at 82 to have all this happen," Parisi explained.

Parisi received a letter just a couple of weeks ago saying her $1157 unit will now cost more than $1900 effective October 1….

Parisi's lived at the Royal Kina'u Apartments for 20 years where she's received Section 8 housing assistance….

Parisi tried contacting building owner Platinum Realty to complain but said no one got back to her. So she hired an attorney.

The owner returned Island News' call. The California based company said the increase was approved by the Hawaii Housing Authority…. 

KITV: Kupuna relieved $800 rent increase withdrawn

ILind: Homelessness in a previous era

read … Kupuna ordered to pay $800 rent increase

Hawaii Co Council Votes to Ban Foam Containers

HTH: Mayor Harry Kim said Wednesday he plans to sign a foam food container ban that passed the County Council by a 7-2 vote earlier in the day.

The ban goes into effect July 1, 2019, with an educational program beginning that January. The passage of Bill 13, and the mayor’s promise to sign it, puts Hawaii County in line to be the second county in the state to ban the ubiquitous plate lunch containers.

The Maui County Council passed a bill that was signed in June by Mayor Alan Arakawa that goes into effect Dec. 31, 2018.

read … Hysteria and Hype

Study: $30B of Hawaii’s Economy based on Obamacare

HNN: …That's according to a new analysis released Wednesday.

The study by the consulting firm Avalere Health found that the Graham-Cassidy bill could lead to an overall $215 billion cut to states by 2026.

And in 2027, thanks to a funding cliff, the reduction could hit $498 billion.

"A reduction in federal subsidies for health insurance is likely to result in more people being uninsured," said Caroline Pearson, a senior vice president at Avalere, which specializes in health industry research. The study itself did not make estimates of the impact on insurance coverage.

Hawaii, the analysis found, would lose $4 billion because of proposed funding reductions from 2020 to 2026.

By 2027, the loss to Hawaii would grow to $5 billion. And by 2036, if funding isn't reauthorized, Hawaii could lose $30 billion.

read … Some Phony Numbers Made up so you will want to pay higher Obamacare Insurance Premiums

QUICK HITS:


Links

TEXT "follow HawaiiFreePress" to 40404

Register to Vote

2aHawaii

Aloha Pregnancy Care Center

AntiPlanner

Antonio Gramsci Reading List

A Place for Women in Waipio

Ballotpedia Hawaii

Broken Trust

Build More Hawaiian Homes Working Group

Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii

Cliff Slater's Second Opinion

DVids Hawaii

FIRE

Fix Oahu!

Frontline: The Fixers

Genetic Literacy Project

Grassroot Institute

Habele.org

Hawaii Aquarium Fish Report

Hawaii Aviation Preservation Society

Hawaii Catholic TV

Hawaii Christian Coalition

Hawaii Cigar Association

Hawaii ConCon Info

Hawaii Debt Clock

Hawaii Defense Foundation

Hawaii Family Forum

Hawaii Farmers and Ranchers United

Hawaii Farmer's Daughter

Hawaii Federation of Republican Women

Hawaii History Blog

Hawaii Jihadi Trial

Hawaii Legal News

Hawaii Legal Short-Term Rental Alliance

Hawaii Matters

Hawaii Military History

Hawaii's Partnership for Appropriate & Compassionate Care

Hawaii Public Charter School Network

Hawaii Rifle Association

Hawaii Shippers Council

Hawaii Together

HiFiCo

Hiram Fong Papers

Homeschool Legal Defense Hawaii

Honolulu Navy League

Honolulu Traffic

House Minority Blog

Imua TMT

Inouye-Kwock, NYT 1992

Inside the Nature Conservancy

Inverse Condemnation

July 4 in Hawaii

Land and Power in Hawaii

Lessons in Firearm Education

Lingle Years

Managed Care Matters -- Hawaii

MentalIllnessPolicy.org

Missile Defense Advocacy

MIS Veterans Hawaii

NAMI Hawaii

Natatorium.org

National Parents Org Hawaii

NFIB Hawaii News

NRA-ILA Hawaii

Obookiah

OHA Lies

Opt Out Today

Patients Rights Council Hawaii

Practical Policy Institute of Hawaii

Pritchett Cartoons

Pro-GMO Hawaii

RailRipoff.com

Rental by Owner Awareness Assn

Research Institute for Hawaii USA

Rick Hamada Show

RJ Rummel

School Choice in Hawaii

SenatorFong.com

Talking Tax

Tax Foundation of Hawaii

The Real Hanabusa

Time Out Honolulu

Trustee Akina KWO Columns

Waagey.org

West Maui Taxpayers Association

What Natalie Thinks

Whole Life Hawaii