How State Government fanned flames of volcano disaster
Court Orders Hawaiian Shallow-set Longline Fishery to Close
Dope Magazine Tours Bumpy's Marijuana Grow-Op
HVO: Risk of Steam Explosion at Kilauea Summit
Inflation Making Minimum Wage Irrelevant
Hawaii’s first public preschool program opens new classrooms
Pressler out at DoH
FEMA denies federal funding for Hawaii flood victims
KHON: …The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied the state's request for federal funding after historic flooding destroyed parts of Kauai and Oahu.
The denial applies specifically to individual aid for private structures, and not public property.
The state's preliminary assessment found 117 homes destroyed or severely damaged as a result of severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides on Kauai and Oahu between April 13 and 16.
But according to the governor, FEMA says the threshold for funding assistance is 173 homes.
FEMA also takes into account affected people with insurance. Ige says only 50 percent of residents on Oahu and Kauai are insured. …
News Release: Ige signs bill providing $125M to flood recovery
read … FEMA denies federal funding for Hawaii flood victims
Amid ongoing eruptions, Big Island faces a daunting new problem: A housing crisis
HNN: …It's been a week since mandatory evacuations were issued in the region, forcing more than 2,000 people from their homes in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens.
About 300 evacuees are staying in two emergency shelters, while hundreds more are staying with friends and family.
One of the shelters, at Pahoa High, does have showers. But down the road, the shelter in Keaau doesn't — so evacuees are actually being bused to Pahoa and other locations just so they can take a hot shower.
The concern among legislators, who toured lava-impacted areas Thursday, is twofold: The eruptions show no signs of stopping and could continue for weeks or months. And the threat of more outbreaks means more subdivisions could be evacuated.
Some 50,000 people live in the east rift zone from Pahala to the ocean off Kapoho…..
State Rep. Sylvia Luke, chair of the House Finance Commission, said she'd like to see a temporary housing situation that officers evacuees showers and restrooms….
Lawmakers also spoke to state and county officials about providing temporary access to homes that are now safe and the possibility of a special legislative session to discuss funding for the disaster.
"If that’s what we need to do to help the residents of the Big Island then we all stand ready to assist," said Senate President Ron Kouchi.
read … Amid ongoing eruptions, Big Island faces a daunting new problem: A housing crisis
Punatics Continue to Obsess over Clean Geothermal Plant
HTH: …The pentane at Puna Geothermal Venture has been removed, but Civil Defense officials remain concerned about another hidden hazard.
Talmadge Magno, county Civil Defense administrator, said state and county officials are talking with well experts in California about how to seal the power plant’s geothermal wells to prevent the release of hydrogen sulfide if well caps are compromised by the ongoing lower Puna volcanic eruption….
(IQ Test: Are you laughing?)
“We’re looking at basically filling the wells with water,” he said, to prevent an unabated gas release. (IQ Test: Are you laughing harder?)
But, to accomplish that, equipment needs to be flown from the mainland. Magno said that could take days, but not weeks.
“I don’t know how much time we have so we’re acting on it,” he said….
Ideal Comment: “Hydrogen sulfide is all around you and you are worried about PGV? Wake up and smell the sulfur.”…
Related: Still No Medicated Marijuana Dispensary on Big Island
read … One fear alleviated, another looms at geothermal plant
Hanalei Flooding a Thrilling Opportunity to Exclude the Little People
CB: …Fixing Kuhio Highway will be costly and complicated, but may provide impetus for a long-term plan limiting daily visitors in the area….
(Idea: Billionaires only need apply.)
read … Repairing Storm Damage Is A Chance To Solve Tourist Congestion
Crabbe Finds Three in Bucket
MN: …At OHA’s Board meeting on Maui on Thursday, members of the community expressed their support for Crabbe. Some told the board to stop the infighting and the debate on the fitness of Crabbe. Although testifiers did not delve into details, they say Crabbe is working to help the Hawaiian people.
Ke’eaumoku Kapu said he supports Crabbe “100 percent” and told the board to “stop being cry babies” because some “people didn’t get what they want.”
Kapu reminded the board of how Crabbe brought home makamae or precious objects or treasures of Hawaiian significance from other countries. Kapu felt that was important.
“He’s a good CEO,” he added.
Clifford Alakai gave thanks to both Machado and Crabbe for their work.
“I hope the trustees continue to support him (Crabbe) because I know he is doing good for the people.”
Alakai added that most Hawaiians he sees around town are “going to say he’s (Crabbe’s) a good person, and he really means well for OHA.”
Alakai said he understands that it is difficult to run an organization such as OHA, where there are people coming from different areas and directions. He reads the OHA monthly tabloid and Crabbe’s writings and believes Crabbe is doing the right things for OHA.
“You guys need to work together and think about what you guys write,” he told the trustees. “Write things for the positive instead of the negative.”
Kyle Nakanelua asked the board to forgive any transgressions, “so this board, this aha and all of its staff can move forward and continue to do the work, which is really in the best interest of our people.”
OHA is always “taking hits” for not being able to get along, he added.
“Let’s quell all of that rubbish, again please let’s forgive each other, let’s all move on,” Nakanelua said.
During the introduction and statements of trustees, Machado told the audience that even though the audit is under review, OHA has “always done due diligence” and “always done the right thing to provide for the people.”
This means the organization will do its best to help those affected by floods on Kauai and the eruption of Kilauea on Hawaii island.
“When it comes to help for a crisis, you can depend on your elected trustees to do the best,” Machado said….
read … In the Bucket
State Hospital patient who escaped to California indicted on identity theft charges
HNN: The Hawaii State Hospital patient who walked away from the facility in November and jumped a plane to California has been indicted on escape and identity theft charges.
Randall Saito remains behind bars, where he's been since being snagged in California amid a nationwide manhunt.
On Thursday, Saito was indicted for second-degree escape and four counts of first-degree identity theft.
He had previously only been charged with escape….
PDF: Indictment
read … State Hospital patient who escaped to California indicted on identity theft charges
In the midst of 'floatilla' madness, a DLNR officer is accused of excessive force
HNN: …"He was mad and he was yelling at me and he said ‘you shut the f*** up and get on the ground," Kam said. "Then he put his foot higher up on the back of my head. He said ‘shut the f*** up or I’ll kick your head in.'"
The catamaran, the "Wind Warrior,' was one of many vessels off Waikiki for the flotilla festivities, which state and county law enforcement were trying to keep under control….
Kam was not formally arrested nor were any of the boaters cited for underage drinking. The boat was not cited for illegal commercial activity.
Kam filed a civil rights complaint last week with DLNR's internal affairs office, naming Helm and DLNR’s Enforcement Chief Robert Farrell, who was on the DLNR boat during the boarding….
Sources say that the arresting officer Helm was relieved of his police authority last month due to an unrelated alleged workplace violence incident. They said Farrell recently reinstated him. (And flotilla lawyers then smelled opportunity?)
read … In the midst of 'floatilla' madness, a DLNR officer is accused of excessive force
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