UH Manoa Socialists Threaten to Throw Poop
Hirono: FBI Should Investigate Witness Tampering Against Alleged Kavanaugh Accuser
Expected: Hawaii Files For Ninth Circuit En Banc Ruling On Right To Bear Arms
Auditor: RCUH Goes 11 for 11
KITV to host first General Election governor's debate—8 Days Before Election Day
HNN: …Incumbent David Ige will square off against challenger Andria Tupola.
It's a LIVE one hour debate on October 29 at 9 p.m. here in our KITV4 Studios….
We'll also have post-debate analysis from analysts Duke Aiona and Beth Fukumoto….
Coverage:
read … KITV4 Island News to host first General Election governor's debate
HSTA: HGEA and UPW Hypocrites Should Share With Us
SA: …A court ruling against Hawaii’s four counties’ lawsuit to block a proposed constitutional amendment suggests that the legal challenge is arbitrary, as well as a hypocritical attempt to prevent the state (HGEA and UPW) from sharing its revenue pie to help improve public education (HSTA).
even though the county governments (HGEA and UPW) want to share in state tax revenues, they don’t want the state (HSTA) to touch their cash cow….
SA: The Legislature already has plenty of ways to raise more money for public education
read … A Column by HSTA Representative
DoE Spends $5000 per Student on SPED? -- And Doesn’t Ask for Federal Funds
SA: … when they quote $13,748 per-student expenditure, it is a major distortion, since after big money is spent on special-needs students, there is only about $8,000 per nonspecial-needs student…..
Meanwhile: State forgoing millions in federal reimbursements for SPED
read … SPED
Report: Hawaii students stumble in math
KHNL: …Other problem areas: High-needs students continue to fall behind their peers and chronic absenteeism remains a concern.
According to the figures, 54 percent of all public school students met proficiency standards for English language arts and literacy in standardized assessments during the 2017-18 school year. That's up from 50 percent in 2016-17.
The highest performers were 11th graders, 61 percent of whom tested proficient.
And in every grade that took the test, more than half of students met the mark.
But math was a very different story: Just 42 percent of students met proficiency targets. That's the same percentage as in the two previous years.
Eleventh graders had the lowest level of proficiency: Less than a third of students met targets. Third graders performed the best: 55 percent were proficient in math.
On the science assessment, 46 percent of public school students were proficient. That's the same as in 2016-17.
Meanwhile, "high needs" students continue to perform well bellow their peers. The Education Department says high needs students include those who are economically disadvantaged, in Special Education and English language learners.
In the school year that ended in May, just 39 percent of high needs students were proficient in English language arts. That compares to 72 percent among non-high needs students.
In math, 29 percent were proficient. Among non-high needs students, 58 percent met proficiency targets.
The so-called "achievement gap" was the largest among Special Education students (9 percent were proficient in language arts and 7 percent met targets in math).
But performance among those who are economically disadvantaged was also disappointing. Just 29 percent overall were proficient in math, while 39 percent were proficient in English language arts.
One significant bright spot this year: Some 42 percent of the Class of 2017 took an AP or other course to earn college credit while still in high school. Among the Class of 2013, that figure was 33 percent.
DOE officials recognized that more work needs to be done, meanwhile, to address chronic absenteeism.
From 2016 to 2018, the percentage of elementary and middle school students who were chronically absent — or gone for 15 or more days during a school year — stayed the same.
And among high school students, it actually nudged up, from 19 to 20 percent.….
read … Report: Hawaii students make strides in language arts, stumble in math
Hawaii County Council reallocates GET surcharge proceeds to help pay for damages from Hurricane Lane
HTH: …Two Kona road projects and an express Kona-Hilo bus route face delays because of new expenses created by Hurricane Lane.
The County Council put its final stamp of approval Wednesday on a revised budget, reallocating the proceeds of $10 million the county anticipates receiving this fiscal year from a quarter-cent surcharge on the state general excise tax that starts Jan. 1….
County administration anticipates $35.1 million in new costs to fix East Hawaii roads and bridges, following a deluge that dumped about 50 inches of rain in some areas throughout a four-day period late last month, Sako said.
While the Federal Emergency Management Agency is expected to reimburse 75 percent of the hurricane expenses, the county still needs to come up with 25 percent, she said….
Hurricane Lane damages especially stung the county budget, coming on the heels of a $3.9 million general fund reduction to account for property tax revenues lost from Puna properties devalued because of the May 3 lava flow.
And next year is likely to be even more of a challenge, Sako said.
Even though the budget will see a $20 million to $25 million increase in revenues from the GET, the county also faces big increases in its contributions to the employees retirement fund and post-employment benefits as dictated by state law. Retirement benefits are expected to climb from $43 million to $51 million, and post-employment benefits to increase from $39.8 million to $41.8 million, according to budget documents.
The GET can be used only for transportation purposes, such as roads, bridges, mass transit and trails, but county officials hope the requirements can be loosened when the state Legislature next meets.
Sako said top county administrators and department chiefs recently had their budget kick-off meeting, with departments scheduled to bring back their budget requests before the county begins drafting next year’s budget in December.
Property values won’t be calculated until early next year….
read … Council reallocates GET surcharge proceeds to help pay for damages from Hurricane Lane
Vacation rentals bill: City Panel Demands Greater Political Sacrifice by Councilmembers
SA: After more than eight hours of divided testimony spread across two days, the Honolulu Planning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to reject Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s proposed short-term vacation rental bill.
Because the commission is only advisory, the bill still will go to the Council for a final decision. But under city law, six of the nine Council members must now give the thumbs up for the bill to become law instead of the typical five…. (Translation: Six of you guys will have to put your heads on the chopping block.)
The decision came after often-emotional testimony from the public that also was divided.
Those who support having more bed-and-breakfasts and transient vacation units argued that the omnibus proposal is too restrictive for families just trying to eke out a few extra dollars. Backers of the units also said they provide visitors to Hawaii a different experience from a standard hotel stay.
But those opposed to more short-term rentals said the proposed bill goes too far by allowing an unlimited number of B&Bs in residential districts when there are already too many illegal vacation rentals being allowed to operate in their neighborhoods with little DPP enforcement. They also argued that they overburden a neighborhood’s infrastructure and reduce the city’s housing supply.
Commissioner Art Challacombe said he made the motion to reject the plan “based on the numerous concerns that we heard both from the public and the board members.”….
read … City panel rejects vacation rentals bill
Pressure Pays Off -- Waianae Homeless to Abandon Tent City?
HNN: …The head of Puuhonua o Waianae, Twinkle Borge, says she's working with a landowner to purchase a 20-acre property in Waianae and hopes to have the deal done by the end of the year.
"We are working with one architect right now," said Borge.
It's a move Borge says has been in the works since March. That's when state officials announced plans to sweep the decade old encampment, which sits on conservation lands near Waianae Boat Harbor….
"We are actually going to be doing it in private," said Borge. "Trying to do things on our own. Just to secure a little bit more for our people."
Her plan is to move people out of tents and into permanent structures. Borge says there will be plumbing and electricity in communal kitchens and restrooms. Residents will also pay monthly rent.
"We have been calculating things and I think that people will pay not more than $120," said Borge….
Queenie Marcellino-Filo has lived in the encampment going on six years.
"Ninety percent of the people here would love to go to the land," she said.
Although it will be hard to say goodbye, Marcellino-Filo says she's excited for the future.
"Oh yes. I am very happy to say that I'll have a roof over my head. A solid roof and not a tarp," said Marcellino-Filo.
Although the exact location isn't public yet, Borge says the $1.3 million property is convenient.
"It's on the bus line. It's got water lines," said Borge.
She added she's already started receiving donations to go towards payment on the land.
"I think people donate because they believe in what we're doing," said Borge.
In a statement, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said it wants to support the move.
"The Dept. of Land and Natural Resources is working with the Puuhonua o Waianae to identify possible land parcels to relocate the village," the department said. "In addition, DLNR has met with various state and county agencies to understand what permits are required to implement the Puuhonua vision….
read … Permanent home within reach for tenants of Waianae encampment
Waimanalo NIMBYS -- After Finally Getting the Tweekers out of our Neighborhood, we don’t Want their Homeless Camp Disturbed
KITV: …A homeless encampment in Waimanalo tucked away downhill on the Kailua side of Makai Pier is causing some to push for action.
Volunteers from an East O'ahu group say trash is spread out along the sand at Kaupo Beach and is threatening the ocean.
(Translation: People who live in beach homes want the tweekers off their beach.)
"Batteries, feces, propane tanks, moped parts it's right into the shoreline,"….
The land falls under the Department of Hawaiian Homelands but is leased to the City and County of Honolulu.
City officials tell Island News that they're aware of the population and have conducted homeless outreach in the area.
However, by the request of the neighborhood board, the city says it has opted to hold off on any enforcement. (Translation: If you clear out the camp, they will move back into our neighborhood. We don’t want them either.)
Waimanalo resident Kukana Kama-Toth says a majority of the homeless in her town are from the homestead. (See!) Kama-Toth says before any sweeps take place, its vital to ensure the homeless have a place to go (other than our neighborhood).
"In no way am I trying to give excuses for that because that's not maika'i, its pono 'ole, it's not well," Kukana-Toth said. "But we have to understand too that it's not a quick fix. Yes, there's plenty of rubbish, plenty of garbage. You try live without a house and see how easy it is for you to (smoke meth) take care of your opala or bathe your children or go to the bathroom."
Kama-Toth is proposing the state set aside a safe zone for homeless in Waimanalo (but far far away from residential areas).
Community members are working on acquiring state land to meet that goal. … (Idea: Give them Bumpy’s place.)
HPR: Affordable Rentals on Maui? Where?
read … NIMBY
Hawaii homeowners see average home equity gain of $30K
PBN: …Hawaii had the fourth-highest average year-over-year equity gain per borrower at $29,565, from the second quarter of 2017 to the second quarter of this year, according to the CoreLogic (NYSE: CLGX) report.
Nationally, the average homeowner gained $16,200 in home equity, and western states saw the greatest gains, led by California with an average of $48,832, followed by Washington state with $41,138 and Nevada with $32,193.
The report also found that nationally, the number of homes with mortgages in negative equity, or borrowers who owe more than their homes are worth, decreased to 4.3 percent of all mortgaged properties.
Hawaii’s negative equity rate was 1.7 percent, the same as Alaska’s, and only four states had a lower negative equity rate. Washington had the lowest rate at 1.4 percent, while Texas and Oregon were at 1.5 percent and Colorado was at 1.6 percent….
read … Hawaii homeowners see average home equity gain of $30K
Honolulu rail authority files condemnation suit against Kakaako business
HNN: …"Quite frankly, it angers me. I'm tired of the city and government, their abuse of power, their arrogance," said Steve Scott, chief executive of the popular Scott Hawaii footwear brand, which has operated out of its Kona Street location since 1955. "They just went ahead and filed suit without really getting back to us."
Back in 2016, Scott said rail officials offered him $410,000 for the 350-square foot parcel in front of his Kakaako office. He claims the deal fell through when HART began to have financial problems.
Two years later — even though land values have risen as much as 20 percent since then, according to some estimates — Scott says HART offered $15,000 dollars less than they had previously. When he didn't accept the offer fast enough, Scott says HART sued to condemn the land in court….
read … Honolulu rail authority files condemnation suit against Kakaako business
Honolulu airport considered one of the worst in the country
KHON: …Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, however, didn't fare as well. It tied for the sixth worst airport in the nation.
The study takes six factors into consideration: terminal facilities, airport accessibility, security check, baggage claim, check-in and baggage check, and food, beverage and retail….
Link: Click here for more information.
read … Honolulu airport considered one of the worst in the country
Why Aren’t There More Women Judges In Hawaii? – Because They Don’t Apply
CB: …When Gov. David Ige makes his selection next month on who should fill a vacancy on the Intermediate Court of Appeals, the odds are good that it will be a man. Of the six finalists, only one is a woman.
Despite calls for more female lawyers to apply for judgeships, even from Ige himself, fewer women than men apply for the posts, and fewer make it onto the finalist lists submitted by the Judicial Selection Commission. There were initially 12 applicants for the appellate judgeship, four of them women.
Today in Hawaii, 33 of 80 full-time judges are women. Last year, Ige urged more women to apply….
(Idea: Trannies.)
read … Why Aren’t There More Women Judges In Hawaii?
Hawaii’s Soft-on-Crime Policy Leads to Child Death in Puerto Rico
SA: …Willoughby had several previous legal problems, some involving violence, including during her time in Hawaii.
In 2009, she pleaded no contest in a plea agreement and was sentenced to five years probation following a fight in 2006 outside of Pipeline Cafe in Kakaako. Willoughby originally pleaded not guilty to allegations of assault causing broken nose and eye socket bones to Sara Daniel. Willoughby claimed self-defense, but judge Sherri Chun disagreed, since evidence indicated Willoughby followed Daniel out of the club.
Willoughby was also charged with assault in two other separate incidents around the same time as the Pipeline fight.
While she was a student-athlete at UH in 2001, Willoughby was charged with abuse of a family or household member and third-degree assault. The victim filed for a temporary restraining order and a three-year protective order was issued.
While playing professionally for an Italian team in 2009, Willoughby tested positive for nandrolone, an anabolic steroid and banned performance enhancer. She was suspended two years by the Italian Olympic Committee.
(IQ Test: Do you think she wasn’t using steroids at UH?)
At UH, Willoughby was a star performer on some of the most talented teams in Rainbow Wahine history….
Police had accused her of murder and child abuse, but Willoughby said the child died by hitting her head after an accidental fall in a shower while Willoughby had gone to look for a towel.
But new evidence presented at a hearing Sept. 10 revealed injuries inconsistent with such a fall, according to testimony by Dr. Irma Rivera Diez, who conducted an autopsy on the child (whose name has never been revealed in media reports).
Rivera Diez testified to finding 11 evidences of external trauma, including abrasions, bruises and lacerations on the child’s face, forehead, the back of her head and arms. The forensic pathologist testified that some of the injuries were not recent and indicated a pattern of abuse.
Also, some of the injuries were consistent with the child being struck minutes before death, Rivera Diez testified….
read … Ex-UH volleyball player Willoughby reportedly to be indicted in child’s death
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