Halbert-Lyon Indictments: Timeline of Corruption in FSM
Legislative Preview: This Week's Bills on the Move
Hawaii Congressional Delegation How They Voted February 18, 2019
Solar Fail: EnSync Going Bankrupt 'Very Short Term'
Hawaii: Anti-Gun Bills to be Heard in Committees of Both Chambers
Hawaii: Sanctuary State?
Trump Sued by Hawaii Over Emergency Declaration
New report urges 'building out' to ease housing crisis
WOTUS: Lahaina Injection Wells Case to be Heard by US Supreme Court
Kirk Caldwell’s Side Job At The Bank Would Be Outlawed Under This Bill
CB: …The Hawaii Legislature is again considering a bill that would prohibit the governor and county mayors from having other jobs outside of their elected positions.
That would include Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, who has reported earning at least $200,000 from Territorial Savings Bank in two of the years he’s been in office. He reported earning less than $50,000 from the bank last year.
House Bill 361, which would take effect Jan. 1, would require the executives to give up other jobs within 61 days of taking office. In addition to Caldwell, two other current mayors would be affected.
This is the third time in as many years that House Speaker Scott Saiki has proposed the measure. …
read … Kirk Caldwell’s Side Job At The Bank Would Be Outlawed Under This Bill
FBI: Kealoha sent emails from coworkers’ computers to mislead probes. HNN got one
HNN: … Former deputy city Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha tried to deflect investigations into her behavior by “surreptitiously sending emails from other deputy prosecuting attorneys’ computers," federal authorities alleged in a recently-filed court document.
Federal prosecutors made the claim in a motion that sought to increase Kealoha’s bond after a new indictment that charged her and her brother, Dr. Rudy Puana, with alleged drug crimes.
And at least one case the FBI worked on is connected to a 2016 email to Hawaii News Now.
The email came in a day after HNN reported on a speeding ticket that Kealoha fixed in court for her electrician….
After airing a story on the ticket fixing, HNN got an email from a deputy city prosecutor’s address.
That deputy prosecutor worked under Kealoha, prosecuting felony crimes, and later testified before a federal grand jury about the message. The email claimed that Kealoha’s ticket fixing was all above board….
The author of that email then attempted to steer HNN in a different direction, alleging that Kealoha was having an affair with a Honolulu businessman who is also a convicted felon.
The email ended with, “Erase this will send more.”
Instead of erasing it, HNN replied to it. And within a couple of hours, the deputy prosecutor whose email address appeared on the message had a friend call the newsroom.
The friend wanted to make it clear that the deputy was not the email’s author. And the FBI now claims that Kealoha actually sent the message to HNN.
The deputy, whose name HNN is not using, told the FBI that someone sent the email using his computer while he was at lunch with others ― who verified his story.
He was very concerned about his email address being abused and, weeks later, he left the city Prosecutor’s Office for private practice….
Days after that first email, HNN was sent another email from a different address. The author scolded HNN for not deleting the first email.
“That was not very smart to respond. Poor kid almost got fired," the message said. “I’m disappointed that you haven’t figured some of this out. I hack account, to send you scoops."
The author of that email also again tried to steer HNN away from Kealoha.
“You are going in the wrong direction. Missing the real corruption,” the email said….
CB: So Why Would Anyone Fake Stealing A Mailbox? The Feds Make Their Case
read … FBI: Kealoha sent emails from coworkers’ computers to mislead probes. HNN got one
SB637: Hawaii to Get 3-Strikes Law—But Only for Waikiki
SA: … Senate Bill 637 would allow a judge to sentence a defendant who has been convicted of three misdemeanors in Waikiki to a probationary term prohibiting them from entering Waikiki from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m….
SA: Police arrest juvenile after mob mugs tourist on Waikiki street
read … 3-strikes bill would ban Waikiki repeat offenders
SB12/SB114: $500/mo Raise--Voucher Program for Teachers
HTH: …Legislation working its way through the state Senate aims to improve teacher retention and recruitment by creating a housing voucher program for full-time teachers employed by the state Department of Education or at public charter schools.
Senate Bill 12 and Senate Bill 114 would authorize the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. to implement the housing program….
As drafted in SB 114, the program would provide vouchers to full-time teachers employed by the DOE who teach in a “hard-to-fill” school, a designation to be determined by the department, and whose household income does not exceed 80 percent of the area median income.
The vouchers, which are not to exceed $500 per month, would be provided on a first-come, first-served basis…
Neither bill currently includes an appropriation amount.
SB 12 and SB 114 passed second readings last week and were referred to the Senate Ways and Means committee….
Meanwhile: Contract Reopeners: More Raises on Tap for Public Employee Unions
red … Vouchers
Deputy sheriff fatally shoots man at Hawaii State Capitol
HNN: … A man who was killed in an officer-involved shooting at the state Capitol on Monday night was “physically combative" with a sheriff’s deputy despite numerous warnings, Honolulu police say.
It all started around 8:20 p.m.
Authorities said the sheriff’s deputy was responding to reports of a man who was possibly drinking alcohol on state property. That’s when the man became combative and fought with the deputy.
Police said the situation escalated, and the deputy opened fire.
The man, 28, was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The deputy was treated for cuts..…
read … Authorities respond to report of a gunshot at Hawaii State Capitol
Should State Chip in to Send Homeless Back to Mainland?
KITV: … Hundreds of homeless people have been helped off our streets with "One Way" airline tickets out of Hawaii. The (privately funded by tourism and hospital interests) program has been in place for three years, but now some lawmakers want to turn it into a state service. …
"The streets are brutal, I've been to two hospitals because I've been mugged," said the 63 year old….
Thirteen months ago he came (was sent?) to Hawaii. When a business deal fell through (insert excuse here,) he wound up homeless….
"I have no friends or family here and at my age, it is time for me to move on," stated Raymond.
Every year hundreds of homeless residents not only want to leave Hawaii, but actually apply for relocation assistance to do so….
the majority of those taking part are single men and recent arrivals to the state, those who have been here less than a year….
Last year, just under 20% of the 128 people who relocated through the assistance program went to mid-western states, while another 20% made the southern U.S. their destination. 40% traveled to the west coast or Nevada, with most headed to California.
As for Raymond, (when winter is over) he would like to end up in the Pacific Northwest. So he has been reaching out by computer to family and friends (homeless shelters) there…
While the relocation program is currently privately funded, there is a bill being heard this legislative session that would have the state pick up some of that tab. An effort to help more homeless residents return (to the mainland)….
read … Helping Hawaii's homeless with a one-way plane ticket
Urine, Drugs, Theft: Homeless Harass Students at Kaimuki HS
HNN: … On Kaimuki Avenue, right next to Kaimuki High School, there’s barely enough space for students to walk on the sidewalk.
Pedestrians who venture into the area find themselves on a foul obstacle course. In one spot, a jug of urine sits next to an intricate network of tarps and tents.
“A lot of drugs and fights going on,” said neighbor Hannah Brown.
“It’s not safe for other people. It’s not safe for them,” added neighbor Keenan Libadisos.
Last September, Crane Community Park closed for repairs ― forcing dozens of illegal campers out. When it reopened two months later, the city had hired a private security company to make sure the camp didn’t come back….
Around the corner, the owner of Sweet Blossoms says she’s also seen a dramatic shift. People who used to sleep in the park are ending up on her doorstep.
“Two, three weeks ago, they trashed the whole front,” said Irene Cheng.
Cheng added that her neighbors just replaced their door after it was smashed in. And she’s installed security cameras after thieves burglarized her shop.
“They broke the lock. The came. They take all my cash,” said Cheng. “It’s hard, you know? Because we’re a small business. Every penny counts.”…
“No, no. Not safe at all. That’s why I’m scared to work by myself here,” said Cheng….
Back in November, the mayor acknowledged the same problems happening in communities across the island.
He touted bills 51 and 52, saying they would outlaw sidewalk obstructions and make it illegal to live in a public space if shelter is available. He also called out council leadership for delaying enforcement.
The bills eventually passed.
But now the same people who had a hand in writing the measures say they could get the city sued.
“We may have missed some of the concerns for both practical and legal issues,” city attorney Duane Pang told the City Council earlier this month.
(Really? Such as what? Notice the lack of a proposed amendment to the ordinances?)
read … After squatters were kicked out of an urban park, the really big problems began
Auction set for kuleana on Zuckerberg estate
KGI: … Several small land parcels located within the boundaries of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s 700-acre estate on the North Shore will be sold at a public auction next month.
A Fifth Circuit judge in October ordered a public auction of the land parcels, an outcome sought by a quiet title lawsuit initiated by Carlos Andrade, a retired University of Hawaii professor who owns about a 25-percent stake in the lots, according to a recent article in The Guardian….
County property tax records list Andrade as the owner and show they are located within the property purchased by Zuckerberg in 2014.
The four kuleana have been the subject of a controversial dispute that has pitted the world’s fifth-richest man against hundreds of descendants of Manuel Rapozo, a Portuguese emigrant to Kauai, who acquired the land in the 19th century.
“This has been quite painful for the extended family, but we intend to resist and not be ashamed if we lose,” said Wayne Rapozo, a London-based corporate lawyer who is a descendant of Manuel Rapozo’s brother and is helping to coordinate and finance the legal battle against Andrade’s quiet title suit….
read … Auction set for kuleana on Zuckerberg estate
Waters Campaign Worker Says Ozawa’s behavior disrespectful, unprofessional
HNN: …He acknowledged he approached Anakalea at Honolulu Hale and outside of work to discuss whether she was sign-waving for Waters.
In one incident, before a committee meeting, the councilman confronted her at her cubicle and questioned her about why she was supporting his challenger, Tommy Waters….
Anakalea told her boss the interactions made her uncomfortable….
(And she is a Waters campaigner so her word must be golden. Hello?)
read … Investigation found Ozawa’s behavior toward staffer was disrespectful, unprofessional
Enforcing the Oligopoly: Raids hit Unlicensed Weed Dealers
HTH: … A man originally charged with commercial promotion of marijuana last November was indicted by Kona Grand Jury on Friday.
The indictment filed in 3rd Circuit Court states Vincent W. Parker possessed two pounds or more of marijuana as well as possession or cultivation of 100 or more plants in the Kona area on Nov. 28, 2018….
Also in a separate indictment Friday, the grand jury charged a woman with commercial promotion.
According to the court document, Heidi Sierra Campbell was found in possession of 100 or more marijuana plants in the Ka‘u area on Feb. 13, 2018….
NYUN: NYU Student comes to Maui to sell Weed
read … Prohibition
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