Mehau in Majuro – How the US Meth Epidemic Began
Hawaii Congressional Delegation How They Voted April 24, 2021
'Stop The Racializiation Of Everyone’--Tulsi Gabbard
Oahu residents rally to show support for police
KITV: … Showing their support for Honolulu police on Oahu streets. Following two different deadly officer involved shootings, and criticism of Honolulu Police Department for its handling of the cases, a caravan on Saturday took a different turn in the debate.
"The assumption is that HPD is bad. Well, let me tell you people today, 80 percent is good and maybe 20 percent is bad. Today I come before you and say give HPD a chance and back the blue," says participant Austin Maglinti.
Saturday's "Back Da Blue" rally started with caravans leaving from Kapolei, Mililani, and Kane'ohe District Parks, and meeting up at Kapolani Regional Park in Waikiki. Many of the people we talked had HPD members in their family and say the narrative being pushed by some is too anti-police. They say their goal Saturday was to let officers know there are members of the community who support them. ….
BB: VIDEO: Hundreds Rally for Police at ‘Back Dah Blue’ Event in Hawaii
read … O'ahu residents rally to show support for police
Brother of slain teen arrested for robbing girl near memorial of deadly police shooting
HNN: … An 18-year-old man was arrested for first-degree robbery Saturday night near the scene of a deadly police shooting just weeks ago.
Mark Sykap, 18, was arrested for the alleged robbery. HPD says he and a 21-year-old used force and a “dangerous instrument” to rob a 20-year-old woman around 1 a.m. Saturday at the corner of Kalakaua Avenue and Philip Street.
That’s the same location where Iremamber Sykap, a relative of the suspect, was shot and killed by police earlier this month.
Loved ones of Iremamber have set up a memorial at that corner following the incident in which HPD refuses to release body camera footage.
Saturday’s victim sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. Officers found Sykap back at the scene around 9 p.m. Saturday when the arrest took place….
SSH: Victim of Sykap Dies after Robbery
SA: Older brother of teen slain in recent Honolulu police shooting arrested in connection with robbery
read … 18-year-old arrested for robbery near memorial of deadly police shooting
Tax Hike Trick: City Council considers measure that would create a progressive residential property tax
SA: … A proposal before the City Council would expand the tiers for property taxes on investment properties to allow for five different property tax rates to be applied as a property’s value increases.
The five tiers would apply to the “Residential A” Honolulu property tax rate, which is for owners who do not live in the home as a primary residence and the home is valued at over $1 million.
The proposed change would not affect homeowners who live in their home as their primary residence. The property tax rate for owner-occupants is currently 0.35% regardless of the home value.
Currently, “Residential A,” has two tiers: 0.45% tax for the portion of the property valued under $1 million and then 1.05% for the rest of the value over $1 million.
Bill 20, introduced by Councilwoman Radiant Cordero, would break “Residential A” into five tiers:
>> Tier 1: up to $1.3 million
>> Tier 2: $1.3 million to $4 million
>> Tier 3: $4 million to $8 million
>> Tier 4: $8 million to $10 million
>> Tier 5: over $10 million
The change will allow the City Council and mayor to set different tax rates for each tier. The tax rate is not specified in Bill 20….
read … City Council considers measure that would create a progressive residential property tax
Lawmakers plan to use half of federal relief funds to bail out Hawaii businesses
SA: … The state budget, which is expected to receive a final vote in the House and Senate on Tuesday, allocates more than $700 million in rescue plan funds to shield businesses from tax increases incurred by this past year’s soaring unemployment rates….
The Legislature earlier this year fast-tracked the bill that lowered unemployment taxes for businesses, sending it to Ige’s desk in February, well before the state budget was finalized.
Ige signed the bill March 2. Federal requirements say states are only forbidden from using the federal funds to cover tax cuts that were implemented since March 3…..
read … Lawmakers plan to use half of federal relief funds to bail out Hawaii businesses
Guardian Ad Litems Are A Better Choice To Help The Mentally Ill Than Public Defenders
CB: … the intent of House Bill 345, Relating to Assisted Community Treatment, is to meet the basic mental health needs of people who suffer from severe mental illness.
This bill will mandate the appointment of a guardian ad litem to represent the best interest of a mentally ill individual in assisted community treatment proceedings and eliminate the requirement for the Office of the Public Defender to participate in the proceedings….
The law needs to be written and interpreted in such a way that the mentally incompetent who refuse necessary medical attention are not allowed to misuse their legal rights to further jeopardize the safety and well-being of themselves and others. Human beings who are misusing their legal rights in this way need immediate medical attention, not a lengthy legal process in court….
read … Guardian Ad Litems Are A Better Choice To Help The Mentally Ill Than Public Defenders
Expand access to government
SA Editorial: … Senate Bill 1034, which would authorize in statute the use of “interactive conference technology” for legislative bodies and other government boards, is due this week to come up for a final vote….
House Bill 103, would put additional guardrails on the governor’s emergency proclamation powers. It would clarify, for starters, that no exercise of that power can be inconsistent with the state Constitution, and it would strengthen requirements to justify suspension of any laws. That’s critical, because at various points in the pandemic, the governor has suspended laws governing open records and meetings. That prerogative, and even the state of emergency itself, can and should have better-defined duration limits….
A long-sought measure to establish automatic voter registration has made it out to a final vote….
The Capitol isn’t exactly closed to all. Lobbyists do get called in to meet with lawmakers…. Soon attention should turn to restoring regular public access to the building….
read … Expand access to government
Spat over Gov. David Ige’s emergency power misses real emergency
Shapiro: … The Legislature pressed to restrict the governor’s emergency powers and claim their own control after Ige issued 19 COVID-19 proclamations in 13 months. Does it matter if the Legislature and governor ARE the emergency? ….
read … Spat over Gov. David Ige’s emergency power misses real emergency
Why some people oppose a vaccine passport
KITV: … In this video, Aloha Freedom Coalition president Gary Cordery explains why the group is protesting the idea of a vaccine passport. The group advocates for personal freedoms and opposes the state's COVID-19 restrictions. …
read … Why some people oppose a vaccine passport
Gay Daddy Joins State Commission On Fatherhood
CB: … “So much of my life has been about wanting to be a father and being a father, and when you are given an opportunity to help other families, you jump on that opportunity,” said Esmond….. It will involve giving thought not only to fathers who are gay but also their children, friends and classmates….
read … Daddy
State recommends renewal of stormwater runoff permit for TMT construction site
HTH: … The state Department of Health recommended a permit for storm runoff from a future Thirty Meter Telescope construction site be approved.
On April 8, the DOH Clean Water Branch issued a recommendation that the department’s director renew the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit for the TMT International Observatory Site on Maunakea, which was originally issued in 2014 ….
read … State recommends renewal of stormwater runoff permit for TMT construction site
State Supreme Court examines challenges to controversial Big Island power plant
HNN: … On Friday, the State Supreme Court heard oral arguments about a controversial wood-burning power plant on Hawaii Island.
Environmental advocates questioned whether Hu Honua’s owners could appeal the Public Utility commission’s denial of the project.
The PUC rejected the company’s proposal twice last year even though construction of the plant is 99% complete….
The Pepeekeo plant has taken a dozen years to build at a cost of about $350 million.
The non-profit “Life of the Land,” which first challenged the plant in 2017, says even if the court overturns the PUC’s rejection, Hu Honua still has to resolve an issue concerning its injection wells for water-cooling.
A ruling on the appeal likely won’t happen for several months….
read … State Supreme Court examines challenges to controversial Big Island power plant
Reserved areas for residents-only: HTA asks communities to consider (unconstitutional) new ideas for tourism
KHON: … Reserving areas for residents-only on the weekends. It’s an idea brought up by the President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. HTA says it has been talking to residents in every county as part of its community-based tourism program.
John de Fries, the head of HTA, says on every island there are hotspots that can get overcrowded and congested with traffic….
“What we’ve asked them to consider is whether or not there are certain hotspots or certain areas that maybe belong to local residents only on Saturday and Sunday,” said De Fries.
The concept was shared as part of the Destination Management Action Plan community meetings, also known as DMAP. HTA says DMAP actions are created entirely by members of the respective communities, so it would be up to the communities to decide….
TD: Closing beaches to nonresidents is illegal
GMU: CAN TOWNS RESTRICT PUBLIC PARK ACCESS TO RESIDENTS AND THEIR GUESTS?
read … Reserved areas for residents-only: HTA asks communities to consider new ideas for tourism
COVID Wrecks TVR Market, Big Island Regulations Now Unsustainable
HTH: … The Big Island’s vacation rental industry took a hit during the coronavirus pandemic, leaving county government unsure how it would pay for the extra staffers hired to process permits in the department.
The program was to be self-sustaining through permit and renewal fees and fines. But the county’s prohibition of short-term rentals during the height of the pandemic’s first wave and its continuing ban on the rentals’ use as quarantine facilities, coupled with families returning to live in their formerly rented units, led to an attrition of units on the short-term rental market….
SA Off the News: High interest in vacation rentals
read … Vacation rentals take a hit: County looks to revise rules
Legislators Dump Bill Requiring Financial Literacy Classes
KITV: … A bill requiring a financial literacy class for Hawaii public high school students to graduate died in the legislature this week. Some families are finding other ways to teach fiscal responsibility.
read … No personal finance class in school? Parents use apps to teach kids how to manage money
Campaign Finance Records Suggest An Easy Reelection Bid For Brian Schatz
CB: … Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz recently announced his 2022 reelection campaign. He already has more than $3 million in the bank for it….
The Democratic Party bench is relatively thin in the Aloha State and the race with the most intrigue — at least for now — involves the battle to replace Gov. David Ige, who is term limited…..
read … Campaign Finance Records Suggest An Easy Reelection Bid For Brian Schatz
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