Hawaii Congressional Delegation How They Voted October 1, 2018
Caldwell Signs Bill to Bulldoze Affordable Housing
SA: …Builders of so-called illegal monster homes and other city building code violators now face stiffer penalties under a bill signed into law by Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Thursday.
The new law dramatically increases fines, makes fines non-negotiable, and may force a property owner to tear down an entire building — or at least the portion found to be in violation.
The City Council passed Bill 53 on Sept. 12, sending the measure to the mayor’s desk. Caldwell thanked Council member Kymberly Pine, chairwoman of the Council’s Zoning Committee, for introducing it….
CB: Time To Cut Honolulu’s Monster Houses Down To Size
read … Caldwell signs bill targeting building violators
Tent-Free Waianae Homeless Village Planned
CB: …Land and infrastructure, including electricity, sewage and water lines are estimated to cost $1.5 million, according to Waianae resident James Pakele, who is working with the community on relocation plans.
Pakele and Twinkle Borge, the camp’s leader, are working with architects Natalie Snyder-Pond and Michael Hodge to design a village modeled after a Hawaiian kauhale, a group of houses with communal areas for cooking, eating areas and in this case, bathing….
There are no plans yet for how to build and pay for the actual houses….
Borge wants to relocate the village by the end of 2019….
State homeless coordinator Scott Morishige and DLNR officials are working with the village leaders to identify land….
A few anonymous donors have already dedicated up to $500,000 in a “challenge grant,” meaning the money won’t be available until it is matched dollar for dollar, Koshiba said.
The camp’s leaders also plan to reach out to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Queen Liliuokalani Trust, Kamehameha Schools and other organizations that support Native Hawaiian causes for funds. Most people who live in the village are Native Hawaiian….
Meanwhile: Man, 54, dies after being struck by vehicle while lying in driveway near Queen’s
read … This Waianae Homeless Camp Is Going Legit
After 21 Convictions, Judge gives criminal another chance -- probation
MN: …While following a plea agreement to give a man a “last chance”on probation, a judge said the defendant faced a challenge to succeed.
“I don’t think you’re going to make it on probation. I don’t say this often because I don’t see this often,” 2nd Circuit Judge Richard Bissen told Danis Franco. “I don’t think you have it in you. I say that as a challenge.
“I think you can do time standing on your head. It’s hard for you to live in the community.”
According to the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center, Franco has 21 prior convictions dating to 1996 for crimes including abuse, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, driving without a license, second-degree terroristic threatening and fourth-degree criminal property damage.
In September 2006 and April 2012, he was sentenced to five-year prison terms for unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.
At his sentencing Sept. 14, Franco, 41, of Haiku was ordered to serve a one-year jail term and to pay $200 in fines as part of four years’ probation.
In two criminal cases, Franco had pleaded no contest to unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, disobedience to a police officer, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash involving damage to a vehicle or property, two counts of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, two counts of possessing drug paraphernalia and possession of a butterfly knife. The crimes occurred Aug. 26 to 29, 2017, according to court records.
Franco, who has a history of drug abuse since his teenage years, appeared to be trying to make changes in his life, said Deputy Prosecutor Shelly Miyashiro.
“This is the defendant’s one last chance,” Miyashiro said….
Judge Bissen said Franco had graduated from the Maui Drug Court program of intensive treatment and supervision in 2004 — “a huge accomplishment.”
“But since that time, you’ve gone to prison twice,” the judge told Franco. “If Drug Court can’t turn it around, we don’t have any other alternative….
“You have not changed. After graduating from Drug Court, after pulling prison time, you’re the same guy you were before.”
Bissen said he was following the plea deal recommending probation for Franco “to honor the agreement and give you that last chance.” (again) …
Big Q: Given various shootings this year, some including HPD, how do you feel about public safety?
read … Soft on Crime
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