Maui Rep Kaniela Ing Forms Urban Honolulu Congressional Campaign Committee
The Importance of Accurate Testimony
New DoH Website Reports Beach Water Quality
Feds Move to Disqualify Kealoha attorneys – Say Defense Lawyers in on Schemes
CB: “It’s mind-boggling how many different forms of conflicts there are here” … The motion lays out in detail how Breiner was alleged to have been playing both sides in at least two criminal cases in state court that were prosecuted by Katherine Kealoha.
Breiner also represented Tiffany Masunaga in a high-profile drug case that involved the arrest of a Honolulu police officer, the motion states. Kealoha was the lead prosecutor in that case despite the fact that Breiner was representing her at the time.
According to the motion, the two had “substantive discussions” about the case. They also met with Circuit Court Judge Rom Trader on at least one occasion to have an “off the record” talk regarding the status of the case.
The government’s motion also addressed allegations lodged by Breiner in the media that Wheat had leaked confidential information in violation of federal rules.
According to court documents, Breiner filed a sealed motion in 2016 to dismiss the grand jury and have Wheat disqualified from the case. Sumida filed a memorandum on behalf of the Kealohas supporting Breiner’s motion, which was ultimately denied.
The government argued that this maneuver alone is enough to hurt Breiner and Sumida’s credibility should the case go to trial, especially in light of Yoshimura’s testimony.
“As demonstrated by Yoshimura’s unrefuted sworn statement, K. KEALOHA and Defense Counsel were actually the source of the ‘leaks; the United States is prepared to prove that K. KEALOHA was behind other leaks as well,” the motion states.
“Defense Counsel would therefore be in a compromised position if they attacked the case by alleging grand jury ‘leaks.’”
(Hopefully this is only the beginning of the exposure of the culpability of Hawaii’s defense bar in HPD corruption.)
PDF: Motion to Disqualify
read … Explosive Motion Calls For Ouster Of Kealoha Attorneys
Men attacked by former HPD officer agree to settle lawsuit for large payout
HNN: …Plainclothes Officer Vince Morre was caught on video in September 2014 striking the men in an illegal game room. Morre and two other officers were searching the building for a wanted fugitive.
Security camera footage captured Morre punching, kicking and slapping the men. During the unprovoked attack, he then threw a chair at one of them, hitting the victim in the head.
That man was transported to a hospital needing stitches for his head and suffered a broken finger.
Morre is now serving a 30-month prison term for the incident.
Pending approval from the city council, the men will get $175,000 under the settlement….
CB: Officer Charged In Corruption Case Challenges Police Commission—Wants Taxpayers to Cover Legal Bills
read … Men attacked by former HPD officer agree to settle lawsuit for large payout
Telescope: Kim, Ige Push Peace Monument While UH Renegotiates Master Lease
HTH: Mayor Harry Kim made a plea for reconciliation Wednesday during his first public remarks about Mauna Kea since Gov. David Ige gave him the green light to pursue his vision for the mountain as a monument to peace.
While speaking for about half an hour, Kim again laid out his hope that Hawaii can become a model of harmony in a world of conflict, and that concerns of Native Hawaiians can be addressed while continuing astronomy on Mauna Kea.
“Some of us condemn them for their actions,” he told members of the Rotary Club of Hilo Bay, in an apparent reference to opponents of building the Thirty Meter Telescope on the mountain. “I ask you to put that away.”….
Such statements, though, won’t be enough to win over TMT opponents, who say they won’t support the effort if it still allows for the $1.4 billion project.
“If that is the case, if the peace park includes TMT, we have no idea how it could be possible to be construed as a peace park,” said Kealoha Pisciotta, who is among those who on Monday filed an appeal of the project’s construction permit to the state Supreme Court…..
In a letter dated Oct. 14, Ige asked Kim to lead the effort to make that a reality. Kim responded Oct. 26 that he would pursue it with all the “energy I can possess and reach out for wisdom and guidance.”
He told West Hawaii Today on Friday that he would take two or three weeks to choose about eight people to be on a working group to create the “living monument to world peace” on the mountain.
Kim said he won’t choose people based on their positions for or against TMT.
“I will carefully make sure people are picked that are reputable, respected and have shown a lifetime or job-time of being responsive to this and are very caring people about this,” he told the Tribune-Herald.
He said after Wednesday’s meeting that he doesn’t blame TMT for the conflict. Instead, Kim said blame belongs with policymakers.
“They (TMT) have nothing to do with this controversy,” he said. “These are our mistakes.”….
UH is supportive of Kim’s concept, but also plans to seek renewal of its master lease for the science reserve, or perhaps a smaller portion of it, said spokesman Dan Meisenzahl. That lease expires in 2033.
read … Mayor’s vision for peace monument on Mauna Kea includes end to division over TMT
Maui Property tax hike bills move forward
MN: The Maui County Council gave first reading approval Friday to two bills that would affect property tax classifications for short-term rentals, which some fear could lead to higher taxes.
Second reading approvals are required for both bills to be sent to Mayor Alan Arakawa.
One measure establishes a new property tax category for short-term rentals. Currently, short-term rental permit holders fall in the commercial classification.
Others facing reclassification to the new category include short-term rentals in hotel-zoned areas and condominium units where short-term rentals are allowed. Those owners currently fall in the hotel and resort classification.
The second measure would assess condominium units at their “highest and best use,” which is usually reflected in the property’s zoning. Condo units are currently assessed on actual use….
SA: Tax code change threatens Lahaina affordable rentals
read … Property tax bills move forward
Demanding More Tate Hikes and Taxpayer Money, Green Lawyer Becomes Abusive to State Employee
SA: Moriwake said his intention was to refocus the meeting on how to count battery systems connected to the grid.
(Translation: I want batteries counted in a way which puts more taxpayer and ratepayer money in my clients’ pockets.)
In an unusual use of taxpayer money, the state Public Utilities Commission met Thursday to discuss an argument that broke out between a state worker and an attorney at an informal industry meeting Oct. 11.
The PUC met following a complaint about the inappropriate behavior of attorney Isaac Moriwake, who represents the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, at a meeting convened by Hawaiian Electric Co. where he exhibited “hostile, aggressive, bullying behavior” toward Marcey Chang, chief engineer for the state Division of Consumer Advocacy, according to a complaint filed by Consumer Advocate Dean Nishina….He added that Moriwake, whose behavior was “unacceptable,” shouldn’t be allowed at future meetings. “No party or person should be required to experience such a hostile environment. The behavior exhibited … represents the worst example of bullying and cannot be tolerated.”
Moriwake kept interrupting her and told her, “You have no value and you shouldn’t be here.” “It is very hard to describe really how bad that meeting was,” Chang told the commissioners….
Another Counting Game: Why Stop at $500K? DoTAX Quietly Multiplies Hawaii Solar Tax Credit
read … Quarrel at PUC meeting sparks discussion on conduct
The Atlantic: Laid-Back Hawaii's Strict Approach to Marijuana
TA: After 16 years, medical-cannabis patients in the state can finally buy pot from dispensaries. But there’s a lot of fine print….
The litany of restrictions might seem odd for a state that’s solidly Democratic and is known—or at least stereotyped—as being easygoing and fun….
In a recent editorial, Chris Garth, the head of the Hawaii Dispensary Alliance, argued that this so-called vertical-integration mandate drives up prices and has limited cultivation on the island to just a few strains….
Franklin G. Snyder, a law professor at Texas A&M University, says that while nothing Hawaii is doing is especially unusual, the combination “makes it one of the strictest laws in the country.”….
Kleiman, meanwhile, thinks medical marijuana is often just the first skid on the slippery slope to full legalization. “Why Hawaii hasn’t gone ahead and legalized marijuana, I don’t know,” he said….
(Answer: Because the goal is to create a politically controlled oligopoly whose operators are beholden to the politicians and therefore make lots of campaign contributions and keep their dumb paranoid customers voting.)
read … Marijuana Oligopoly
Oahu Greets Ing: ‘Aloha Means Goodbye’
MN: South Maui state Rep. Kaniela Ing will be holding a sign that reads “Aloha means goodbye” today … on a two-day visit on Oahu….
“Welcoming him here undermines the values we hold dear.”….
Ing will be marching and speaking at this morning’s “The Nightmare Must Go!” protest starting at Ala Moana Beach Park….
read … Goodbye
Chin: Possible run for office
SA: By Chin’s count his office has taken positions against more than 20 Trump policies and practices, mostly through lawsuits, legal briefs supporting other states’ lawsuits and official letters sent to the administration or Congress.
In one of those cases, Chin took the lead in suing the federal government over a travel ban affecting eight countries — an unprecedented step for a Hawaii attorney general.
Several legal experts contacted by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser couldn’t remember any prior attorney general suing the federal government over a major policy or even joining other states in suing the administration on multiple matters…..
Chin said his opposition to Trump policies has nothing to do with any possible run for office and is important for Hawaii’s people….
(Translation: I am running for CD1.)
Asked whether he intended to run for an elected office, Chin declined to discuss that….
(Translation: I am running for CD1.)
Suggested Campaign Song: ‘Mighty Chinn’
Two Doomed Members of the Smug Millennial Caucus:
- Maui Rep Kaniela Ing Forms Urban Honolulu Congressional Campaign Committee
- Ponzi Scheme Blues? Fukumoto will not run for Reelection—Claims to be Considering Run for Congress
read … Silence not an option in response to Trump agenda, Chin says
Veterans Day Parades
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