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Tupola presents a chance for change
SA: …U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa swapped her congressional seat for a perceived cakewalk to the governor’s office. Whether it was presumption or heavy miscalculation, her chance is gone. What remains now is Gov. David Ige’s legacy of stagnancy or the potential of a new and intrepid direction through Republican GOP candidate Andria Tupola.
So far, the state’s affairs have been poor to mediocre; people are overtaxed, overburdened and barely surviving. Hawaii and her people deserve to thrive. We must choose a leader with a 21st century vision, not someone who will recycle past formulas expecting different results….
read … Tupola presents a chance for change
Now That Primary Election is Over, HTA Moves to Fill Executive Vacancies
SA: …HTA is being tight-lipped about the number of applicants and the screening process. But some members of the visitor industry have suggested that Mufi Hannemann, Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association president and chief executive officer, and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who just ended a failed run for Hawaii governor, were likely to apply for the HTA president and CEO job. They’ve also speculated that former Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona might apply.
Hannemann, Hanabusa and Aiona were among the agency’s top contenders for the position in 2015 but were passed over at the 11th hour when former HTA board member Lorrie Lee Stone and state Sen. Donna Mercado Kim recruited George Szigeti for the job. Hannemann said this week that he does not intend to apply for the position. Peter Boylan, Hanabusa’s director of commu- nications and government affairs, also said this week that “she has no interest.” Aiona said Friday that he’s “not at all interested in the job.”
Prior to Szigeti, the role was held by Gov. David Ige’s chief of staff, former state Sen. Mike McCartney. Before that the job was held by Rex Johnson, a longtime political appointee who resigned from HTA after he used a state-owned computer to forward pornographic, racist and sexist emails to his friends.
Another name being discussed for either the No. 1 or No. 2 HTA position is state Rep. Issac Choy, who did not seek another term for District 23, which includes Manoa, Punahou and Moiliili. There also is state Sen. Brickwood Galuteria, who just lost the primary election….
Other possible applicants include David Uchiyama, former HTA vice president of brand marketing, who was a contender for the president and CEO job when he got passed over for Szigeti. Shortly after taking office, Szigeti fired Uchiyama….
Another possible candidate is Douglas G. Murdock, who left his role as HTA’s vice president for administration and fiscal affairs to join Gov. David Ige’s Cabinet as comptroller….
read … Search for HTA leaders moves into high gear
Hawaii FEMA Officer Indicted in ‘Fat Leonard’ Investigation
SA: … Haas was highlighted by the Navy for his entry in the 2009 Ironman in Kona while on active duty, noting the training challenges he faced as commander of the frigate USS Thach.
According to his LinkedIn page, Haas since 2017 has been a Federal Emergency Management Agency coordinating officer in Hawaii and “directly leads and coordinates timely delivery of all federal disaster assistance to support state and local governments.”
His page said he retired from the Navy in 2016 after 30 years.
“FEMA is aware of the grand jury indictment against Mr. David Haas,” spokeswoman Brandi Richard said Friday afternoon. “The agency takes all charges and allegations of misconduct extremely seriously. However, as with any personnel matter, we cannot comment further at this time.”
Richard said she could not discuss Haas’ position with FEMA.
The commander of the Navy’s Coastal Riverine Group 1 in San Diego in 2013 suspended Haas from his duties as deputy commander, according to a Navy release.
“The decision to reassign Haas was made based upon allegations in connection with an ongoing Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigation into Glenn Defense marine,” the Navy said at the time….
read … Fat Leonard
Hawaii island prison warden, superintendent charged with theft
KHON: …The state Attorney General's office filed fourth-degree theft charges against warden Wanda Craig, alleging she stole a "nene crossing" sign in early 2017.
Kulani superintendent Jerry Crivello is charged with third-degree theft, accused of stealing gates.
The Department of Public Safety says they are both on leave pending administration investigations and the outcome of the petty misdemeanor and misdemeanor charges….
read … Hawaii island prison warden, superintendent charged with theft
Snorkel Rentals--3 off-duty Coast Guard members help save teens at Kahe Beach
KHON: A family visiting Hawaii will head home safely after a harrowing experience at the beach.
Alise and Brandon Kayser were snorkeling at Kahe Beach around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16. Suddenly, they felt a strong current pushing them further out to sea.
"The waves were coming this way and this way and no matter how hard I swam, I couldn't get anywhere," Alise said.
The cousins say they had been in the water for about 45 minutes snorkeling and looking at fish. …
read … Snorkel Rentals
Will Lloyds Cover Charter School Destroyed by Lava?
KITV: …After one of the first fissures surfaced in her subdivision, all was lost. Still she hoped recovery was in reach, she kept up with her Lloyds of London home insurance policy.
But the company informed her by phone it wouldn't cover her claim.
"The whole situation is traumatic and difficult, then to find out that you're being denied coverage, that you've paid in good faith there's no words to describe," Osbourne said.
The 62-year-old doesn't understand why an investigator was never sent on site to assess her claim.
In the midst of it all, lava would also consume her Hawaiian charter school, Kua o Ka La. An institution that took her 20 years to complete.
The charter's foundation is deeply rooted in traditional Hawaiian morals. Something Osbourne says she yearned for through her insurance battle.
"My whole school and life is built up on integrity and values aligned values of being pono. And everything we try and teach our children is not what I just experienced," Osbourne said.
Lloyd's covers the school, as well but that claim is still pending….
SA: Lava insurance paying off for Puna geothermal plant owner
read … Third Leilani resident filed lawsuit against insurance giant
22 Homosexual Child Molesters Identified in Hawaii
KITV: …Attorney Mark Gallagher says the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu has had more than 100 civil lawsuits against it for child sex abuse.
"I can say that it's been a long standing problem," Mark Gallagher, lawyer said.
Gallagher settled 64 of his own cases between 2012 and 2016, a majority of those against the catholic church in Hawaii.
His cases included 13 catholic priests, some of those repeat offenders and nine catholic brothers from private schools on Oahu….
Victims now have until April of 2020 to report their cases and potentially take them to court….
read … Attorney say Father Hannon isn't the only priest who allegedly abused children in Hawaii
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