Child Molester: State Gives Probation, Feds Give 11 Yrs
Hirono Pushes DoJ to Enforce 'COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act'
PSD: 12% More Criminals Vaccinated
Moderna chief executive sees pandemic over in a year
R: …"Those who do not get vaccinated will immunize themselves naturally, because the Delta variant is so contagious. In this way we will end up in a situation similar to that of the flu. You can either get vaccinated and have a good winter. Or you don't do it and risk getting sick and possibly even ending up in hospital."
Asked if that meant a return to normal in the second half of next year, he said: "As of today, in a year, I assume."
Bancel said he expected governments to approve booster shots for people already vaccinated because patients at risk who were vaccinated last autumn "undoubtedly" needed a refresher.
Its booster shot had half the dose of the original dose, which meant more of them would be available.
"The volume of vaccine is the biggest limiting factor. With half the dose, we would have 3 billion doses available worldwide for the coming year instead of just 2 billion," he said.
The composition of the booster shot remains the same as the original for this year because Moderna had not had enough time to change it.
"We are currently testing Delta-optimized variants in clinical trials. They will form the basis for the booster vaccination for 2022. We are also trying out Delta plus Beta, the next mutation that scientists believe is likely."…
TP: Anders Tegnell: Sweden won the argument on Covid
read … Moderna chief executive sees pandemic over in a year
Missing girl’s adoptive parents seeking to get other kids back
SA: … The adoptive parents of missing 6-year-old Isabella Kalua attended a family court hearing Monday on the status of their three foster children removed from their Waimanalo home Sept. 13, after they reported her disappearance.
Isaac “Sonny” Kalua and wife Lehua met Monday with police, the same day police suspended the multiagency search for the Waimanalo girl.
William Harrison, a criminal defense lawyer, said it was the Honolulu Police Department that made the allegations to have the three sisters, ages 12, 3 and 1, of Isabella removed, not Child Welfare Services….
Hawaii News Now reported CWS investigated a broken finger in October 2019, which the family says was due to slamming her hand in a door, and a broken leg in January 2020 due to an alleged trampoline accident.
HNN, citing unnamed sources, says there was a delay in reporting the 2019 injury and getting treatment, yet a panel of experts found no maltreatment in either case.
Steve Lane, who has served as a court-appointed special master in the Peter “Peter Boy” Kema Jr. abuse case, said holding two multidisciplinary team meetings for two injuries could only mean the injuries were suspicious or there was a history of harm.
Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 346-17 says any adult living in a foster home convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation could be reason to deny certification of the home. Isaac Kalua has a felony assault conviction record….
read … Missing girl’s adoptive parents seeking to get other kids back
Belatti should stop lying -- admit goal is to oust Auditor
SA: … What would help considerably would be for Belatti and the House committee to make it clear what they’re after. If the aim is to remove Kondo from office — which would take a two-thirds vote by a joint session of the Legislature — say it already.
“Let’s put our cards on the table,” as Kondo has said.
Until now all we’ve seen is a lot of smoke, with the implication that there’s a fire somewhere….
CB: Puppet Master
REALITY: Hanabusa Attack on Auditor is all about hiding corruption in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs
REALITY: Hawaii State Auditor Les Kondo challenges ‘Sneaky Underhanded’ investigation of office
read … Editorial: Protect integrity of auditor’s office
Advocates Raise Transparency Concerns Over Oahu’s Redistricting
CB: … According to 2020 census data, Oahu’s population topped 1 million for the first time – a 6.6% increase since 2010. Most of the population growth happened on the Leeward Coast, with a 20.7% increase, and city officials expect the biggest changes to occur there.
Ma submitted written testimony at the Sept. 1 meeting complaining that the commission’s meeting packets, which contain information such as staff presentations and reports about redistricting, were not submitted ahead of time.
While the commission isn’t required by law to post those packets prior to meetings, Ma says they are important for public input. As it is, she said, she and other advocates must submit written testimony without seeing the materials, then try to read and absorb them as the commission is talking.
“It’s like the public is not being allowed to give meaningful testimony,” she said.
During the Sept. 1 meeting, Commissioner Natalia Hussey-Burdick also voiced her concerns about the meeting packets being made available to commissioners and the public only five minutes before the meeting. She said she wanted them to be available 48 hours in advance.
Elections administrator Rex Quidilla told the commission that the packets were prepared just hours before the meeting by the commission’s staff at the City and County of Honolulu clerk’s office.
Chairman James “Duke” Aiona defended the process, saying, “I don’t see how anyone is put at a disadvantage.”
“They get it out as quickly as they can,” he said at the meeting. “Everybody is on the same level in regards to getting the information and getting the packets. Of course it takes time. All the agenda items are there. They’re broad enough for you to talk about.”….
read … Advocates Raise Transparency Concerns Over Oahu’s Redistricting
Police Commission seeks public input on HPD Chief selection
KITV: … The Honolulu Police Commission (HPC) announced on its September 15 meeting that it has begun an initial process for seeking widespread community input regarding the qualities desired in the next Chief of Police.
"The selection of the Chief of Police is one of the most important responsibilities that the commission holds. Our police force serves a variety of neighborhoods and needs across the Island of Oahu, and we wish to make sure that all perspectives are considered as we begin the hiring process," said Commission Chair Shannon Alivado.
All representatives and testimony will be forwarded to the consulting firm, once hired, to review and assess applications and help the Commission determine the final candidate pool.
Organizations who are interested in formally presenting material focused on the three questions below and how it may relate to their interactions with HPD are asked to register on the HPC website by October 11, 2021, and will be contacted to schedule presentations during specific Commission meetings. …
To send in your input or to register head to the website at https://honolulu.gov/hpc/chief-selection-form ….
read … HPC seeks public input on HPD Chief selection
Honolulu Community Services Director Resigns
CB: … Honolulu Department of Community Services Director Sarah Allen will resign at the end of the month, the city announced in a press release on Wednesday.
Allen was appointed by Mayor Rick Blangiardi earlier this year to lead the department, which administers human services and housing programs to economically disadvantaged individuals and families.
Sarah Allen was appointed by Mayor Blangiardi earlier this year.
She cited family medical reasons for her departure, the city said. In the interim, Deputy Director Joy Barua will serve as acting director of the department….
read … Honolulu Community Services Director Resigns
HTA: Progress on 2021 sustainable tourism goals
HTH: … A tourism management plan for Hawaii Island is gradually being implemented, with the Hawaii Tourism Authority reporting steady progress on goals for 2021.
Of the 45 sub-actions in the first phase of the project to be completed this year, 33 were in progress as of July 31, the agency reported….
HNN: What do Hawaii visitors want? A new survey shows most support ‘sustainable tourism’
read … HTA: Progress on 2021 sustainable tourism goals
Banyan Drive Deal--Legal challenge could cast shadow over land board meeting
WHT: … The state Department of Land and Natural Resources announced on Sept. 8 that it had received four redevelopment proposals for two sites on Banyan Drive: one for the former Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel and three for the former Country Club Condominium Hotel.
At the same time, a DLNR committee announced that it would recommend the approval of two proposals submitted by Tower Development Inc., a managing partner of the corporate entity that owns the Grand Naniloa Hotel, another Banyan Drive property.
The BLNR will discuss that recommendation at a meeting Friday.
Both of Tower Development’s proposals for the two sites would convert the properties into Hilton franchises. Uncle Billy’s would be partially demolished and become a Hampton Inn &Suites, while the Country Club would be renovated to become a Home2 Suites location.
However, a lawsuit filed Tuesday by Olson/Naniloa LLC, another partner of the Grand Naniloa entity, accused Tower executives of breaching a contract that forbade it from acquiring or developing any nearby hotel property that could compete with the Grand Naniloa. That lawsuit calls for the court to halt Tower’s development projects indefinitely….
HTH: Olson Trust lawsuit alleges Tower Development execs violated noncompete agreement
read … Legal challenge could cast shadow over land board meeting
COVID-19 survivor urges people to monitor blood-oxygen levels before it's too late
KITV: … Pat Souza was rushed to the hospital after suffering from complications of COVID-19 on his 62nd birthday Aug. 23. He tested positive for the virus and had been isolating at home with no idea pneumonia was ravaging his lungs.
"When I got to Queen's I already knew I was in trouble," he said.
His blood oxygen levels were dangerously low -- just above 80 percent. The normal percentage of oxygen in the blood is between 95 and 100 percent. Souza was extremely close to being placed on a ventilator .., or maybe worse.
"It's still a tough time. Now I come home with oxygen and I have to use a walker," Souza said. "It affected my lungs -- my lungs are severely damaged from this."
The virus also affected his liver and he's now taking medicine for the first time for high blood pressure.
He says while in the hospital he learned how critical it is for people to use a tiny medical device -- called a pulse oximeter -- to monitor blood-oxygen levels before it's too late.
"I wish I had this early on, this would have prevented everything. Maybe it would have prevented me from being in a hospital or going to the ER, but not everyone knows about this," he said. "We only learned about this after I got severely sick."….
In all, Souza spent 25 days in the hospital, including his 38th wedding anniversary to his wife, who also contracted the virus along with his daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren -- just three and two months old….
KHON: 29-year-old Maui executive chef dies of COVID
read … COVID-19 survivor urges people to monitor blood-oxygen levels before it's too late
Online petition asks for change to county mandate barring sports spectators
MN: … An online petition asking that parents be allowed to watch their children’s games and practices in Maui County reached 1,600 signatures on Wednesday afternoon.
The change.org petition titled “Let Parents Watch Their Kids Play Sports with Mask Wearing and Social Distancing Outdoors” was created by Aaron Ambrocio of Pukalani last week….
KITV: Lt. Gov. Josh Green wants fully vaccinated fans to attend University of Hawaii games
read … Online petition asks for change to county mandate barring sports spectators
A Year later COVID is still just an excuse for mass release of criminals
WHT: … Deputy Public Defender Jon Ikenaga told the state Supreme Court on Wednesday the current COVID-19 situation in Hawaii’s jails and prisons is “significantly more dire” than in August 2020 when the court issued an order to decrease populations in correctional facilities in an attempt to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The Office of the Public Defender petitioned the high court Aug. 27, asking the panel to order lower courts, the Department of Public Safety and the Hawaii Paroling Authority “to take immediate steps to significantly reduce the population of persons being held in Hawaii correctional facilities” to reduce the possibility of a potentially deadly COVID outbreak in jails and prisons….
CB: Court Urged To Order More Hawaii Inmate Releases To Slow Virus Spread
SA: Hawaii Supreme Court hears arguments on early prisoner release
SA: Lawyer says alleged Fentanyl dealer should be released due to COVID
read … Public defender tells high court prison situation ‘dire’ or something
Prosecutors Say Freeway Stabbing was Self-Defense
HNN: … Prosecutors said Waialae was 6-foot-8, weighed about 300 pounds, and appeared to be heavily intoxicated at the time of the stabbing. They also said that witnesses reported Waialae intentionally rammed the suspect’s car while driving on the freeway and had a violent criminal history with multiple felony convictions….
read … Family outraged after prosecutors drop case in fatal road rage stabbing
Big Island Police Killings Often Involve Troubled Victims And Guns — And The Number Has Spiked
CB: … Compared to Honolulu, people who died in police shootings were often armed with guns themselves. Many also suffered from mental illness and substance abuse….
read … Big Island Police Killings Often Involve Troubled Victims And Guns — And The Number Has Spiked
Mafia News: IATSE to Strike?
DM: .. Hollywood union workers could start a historic strike as early as next week that would halt almost all film and television production across the country.
Leaders of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, or the IATSE, will ask tens of thousands of their 150,000 union members to authorize a strike during an emergency virtual town hall Wednesday night.
The vote, if approved, would allow union president Matthew D. Loeb to order the strike if given the green light. …
Background: Miske Mob Were All Union Drivers on Set of Hawaii 5-0
Background: Miske News: Union Boss Gets Greedy -- Almost Pays Price in Blood
read … Mafia News
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