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Police Union President Doesn’t Want An HPD Chief From The Mainland
CB: … As the Honolulu Police Commission launches a search for a new chief, the police union is pushing for the hire of someone from within the department – not the mainland.
(IQ Test: Are you surprised?)
Malcolm Lutu, president of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers, made that clear to Honolulu City Council members during a committee meeting on Wednesday.
“I think we need to keep this local,” he said….
Lutu also indicated that he doesn’t believe Honolulu needs the type of police reform that is being demanded throughout the continental United States – a sentiment previously made by Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard that drew criticism.
“I think our climate is totally different from what’s happening on the mainland, and we’ve said that from the beginning,” Lutu said. “What’s necessarily happening on the mainland is not what we go through here in these islands.”….
Mayor Rick Blangiardi, who SHOPO endorsed early on as a mayoral candidate, has also expressed his desire to hire a new chief from within HPD.
“I would want to cast as wide a net as possible, but my preference is to hire from within (the department),” he told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser….
Precisely as Explained: Say 'Uncle' -- What Connects Miske to Kealoha?
read … Police Union President Doesn’t Want An HPD Chief From The Mainland
Widow of Lindani Myeni Sues Honolulu Police For Wrongful Death
CB: … The widow of Lindani Myeni, a 29-year-old unarmed Black man shot dead by police last week, filed a lawsuit against Honolulu on Thursday, her lawyers announced.
The complaint alleges that officers were negligent when responding to a call about an alleged burglary and approached Myeni without lights or sirens, didn’t announce themselves as police and shined lights in his face. …
PDF: Complaint
read … Widow of Lindani Myeni Sues Honolulu Police For Wrongful Death
Director of city DPP promises immediate changes following bribery scheme
HNN: … “We need to cultivate an environment where staff feels safe to report improper behavior.”
The department also promised a rapid roll out of paperless and online permit applications and review.
The director said the goal is to make it harder to give special treatment or stall applications, which are tactics prosecutors said were used to solicit bribes….
AP: Honolulu bribery scandal prompts permit department overhaul
Background: Free Golf, Methamphetamines, and Building Permits
read … Director of city DPP promises immediate changes following bribery scheme
Miske co-defendant intends to withdraw his “not guilty” plea
ILind: … Hunter Wilson, who allegedly was part of the racketeering conspiracy controlled and directed by former Honolulu businessman Michael J. Miske, Jr., is scheduled to change his “not guilty” plea during a court hearing set for the Morning of May 6. He is the first of Miske’s co-defendants to publicly announce his intention to withdraw his “not guilty” plea. Such a move is typically part of a plea bargain with prosecutors, who have likely agreed to reduce the charges against Wilson in exchange for a guilty plea, along with his cooperation in the ongoing investigation and testimony against the other defendants.
At least six others who were not charged along with Miske have also entered into plea agreements, admitted their involvement in the group’s criminal activities, and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors….
Prosecutors have alleged Wilson was “a principal figure” in an August 24, 2016 armed robbery of another drug dealer….
Wilson faces 15 year mandatory sentences if convicted on the two drug charges (Count 16 & 17) alone.
Soon after his indictment and arrest, Wilson was released on $50,000 unsecured bail to a halfway house for drug rehabilitation operated by Makana O Ke Akua, Inc. (MOKA). In November 2020, his move to a different facility operated by the same organization on Hawaii Island was approved….
read … Miske co-defendant intends to withdraw his “not guilty” plea
Oahu Island Burial Council claims Ige is retaliating against its longtime leader
HNN: … The Oahu Island Burial Council gathered across Iolani Palace on Thursday, claiming that its longtime leader is being retaliated against by Gov. David Ige.
The group claimed Ige did not grant Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu another term because she spoke out publicly in January about alleged mismanagement at the State Historic Preservation Division.
The council said they believe Wong-Kalu’s advocacy about this issue resulted in her removal from the Oahu Island Burial Council chair position, which she served for three terms….
The group said the Ige Administration made a false claim when it said Wong-Kalu was not interested in continuing with the burial council….
In a statement, Ige thanked Wong-Kalu for her service.
He has since named political activist, Nanea Lo, to fill the burial council’s chair position….
KITV: KITV4 obtained an email sent by the Governor's Chief of Staff Linda Chu Takayama on Wednesday, reading in part, "I understand she chose not to reapply, and we respect that decision." Wong-Kalu disputes this, telling KITV4 she was nominated for reappointment by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
read … Oahu Island Burial Council claims Ige is retaliating against its longtime leader
King’s Cathedral on Maui still faces public backlash despite reporting no active COVID cases
HNN: … Although the state says a major coronavirus cluster at King’s Cathedral on Maui is now under control, church leaders say members are still dealing with public backlash.
The state Department of Health’s latest cluster report released on Thursday shows there have been no new clusters or cases in churches in Maui County in the past 14 days.
Last week’s cluster report showed one active cluster, totaling 90 cases, reported within the past 14 days.
“In the particular case of King’s Cathedral and Chapels, we found cases in multiple locations — not just the Kahului cathedral. So those are all being lumped together here,” said Acting State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble at Mayor Mike Victorino’s news conference on Wednesday.
Despite the state reporting no current active cases at King’s Cathedral, the church said members are still facing backlash.
“Very hesitant on allowing them into restaurants, into businesses,” said King’s Cathedral Administrator Kelly Davison.
“One child was discriminated against as a teacher asked any students in the classroom to raise their hand if went to King’s Cathedral.”'…
read … King’s Cathedral on Maui still faces public backlash despite reporting no active COVID cases
University of Hawaii on the fence about coronavirus vaccination requirements
KHON: … Hawaii universities are still undecided about vaccination requirements with less than four months until the fall semester begins.
“About 50 universities, that’s still a minority, but it’s a growing number around the country have announced their intent to require vaccinations by fall,” UH President David Lassner said.
He explained that UH is still looking at the legal implications.
The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) said in a statement:
“Although we believe that COVID-19 vaccinations are a matter of individual choice, mandating such vaccinations on public employees as a term and condition of continued employment would require negotiations and mutual consent since it will impact mandatory subjects of bargaining under the law. While we have taken no position on the matter, we look forward to engaging in discussions and dialogue with the Employer if such a requirement is to be considered.” …
read … University of Hawaii on the fence about coronavirus vaccination requirements
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