Let’s talk about the Jones Act — all eight of them
Hawaii Congressional Delegation How They Voted May 29, 2021
Honolulu Police Commission Announces Recruitment for Chief of Police
PPP Loan Feeds Locations LLC dispute--turns onetime friends into enemies
SA: … The complaint alleges that the “band of five” obtained $2.9 million of the company’s cash reserves by having the company buy back their stock for a high price that they set.
The lawsuit also asserts that Stewart canceled an important bank credit line a few days before the buyback and the board’s resignation in October.
Other assertions in the case claim that some departing board members nullified their noncompete agreements and that the company’s ability to retain agents was damaged because bonuses needed to be reduced to conserve remaining cash….
It appears that discontent at Locations leading up to the lawsuit was partly and perhaps largely rooted in feelings of inequity among employees regarding layoffs and Bigelow’s compensation, which increased last year due to bonuses linked with rising company income supported by federal Paycheck Protection Program aid during an economic downturn in Hawaii triggered by the coronavirus pandemic….
The lawsuit claims that Stewart, a former Bank of Hawaii and Hawaiian Airlines executive who joined Locations in 2015 and became Resco’s CEO early last year, joined other board members to approve a compensation package for Bigelow that was “out of touch with reality” and contrary to company interests.
From January to September 2020, Bigelow earned a $506,498 bonus representing 25% of net operating income from three subsidiaries excluding the brokerage business, according to the complaint….
read … Locations LLC dispute turns onetime friends into enemies
Hawaii County to get First-Ever Volcano Evacuation Plan
WHT: … The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency will develop an evacuation plan for Hawaii County in the event of an eruption of Mauna Loa.
Under a state Senate resolution adopted in March, lawmakers have requested HIEMA to develop evacuation plans for areas within lava zones 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6, which encompasses most the island, save for North and South Kohala and parts of Hamakua….
Kanuha said he began considering the evacuation plan request after the 2018 Kilauea eruption in lower Puna, for which there was no codified evacuation plan.
“We’re continuing that conversation now,” Kanuha said. “But there is not a master plan that exists currently for this kind of disaster.”
Puna Sen. Joy San Buenaventura, who co-introduced the resolution, said state and county responses to the 2018 eruption left much to be desired.
“They were constantly making these last-minute plans as the eruption went on,” San Buenaventura said. “So, on a personal level, I see the need for a master plan, especially if (an eruption) is going to be bigger.”
In the event of an eruption, Kanuha said Hawaii County Civil Defense will conduct the evacuation efforts based on the plans set forth by HIEMA….
read … Mauna Loa eruption evacuation plan in works
COVID Restrictions Still Step on Wedding businesses
SA: … As restrictions loosen for sport events, vendors in Hawaii’s wedding industry want rules to be relaxed for their ceremonies and receptions.
The COVID-19 pandemic directly impacted on the industry with mandates that prohibited large gatherings, resulting in vendors that include florists, bakers, caterers, wedding planners, makeup artists and others forced to shut down their businesses, said Joseph Esser, president of the Oahu Wedding Association.
Indoor gatherings are still capped at 10 people under Oahu’s Tier 3 restrictions. In late March, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Gov. David Ige relaxed restrictions for the wedding industry and approved outdoor weddings of up to 100 people on Oahu.
With many of the eligible population ages 12 and older vaccinated, masks no longer required outdoors and Blangiardi anticipating a move to Tier 4 soon that would allow gatherings of 25 people, the wedding association seeks further loosening of restrictions on wedding sizes.
At a recent news conference, Blangiardi said he supports increasing wedding size. With no reports of any clusters or surges tied to wedding ceremonies and receptions, Blangiardi said he plans to submit a request to the governor to further loosen restrictions. “I am, for one, in favor for that expansion.”
Ige said his office is looking at data and working with the state Department of Health “to determine which restrictions we can begin to relax.”…
Maui: Wedding Planner Punches Actor over unpaid fees
read … Wedding businesses look forward to full reopening
Police Attempted to stop speeding driver before fatal Waikiki crash—he’s dead because he didn’t pull over
ILind: … “Multiple sources said the 39-year-old driver was seen racing by the Waikiki Police substation when police began to pursue his red Ford Mustang,” Daysog reported….
HNN: Advocates urge traffic safety following deadly Memorial Day weekend crashes
read … Did high speed police chase precede fatal Waikiki crash?
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