County TAT could further debilitate Hawaii tourism
State Unemployment Recovery? -- Hawaii 49th
COVID/vaccination issues put enduring problems on back burner
Strive-HI Test Results Chart DoE COVID Failure
State Wins $1.5M Judgment in Mortgage Rescue Fraud Case
A+ Fees to Increase 67%
BLNR to Rule on Whether UH Missed Deadline to Break Ground on TMT
City to Merge DCS, OHH
Judge Dismisses Union Challenge To Vaccine Mandate
CB: … U.S. District Court Judge Derrick Watson ruled the issue is moot because none of the plaintiffs has been required to get vaccines….
SA: Judge dismisses lawsuit against COVID-19 vaccination policies for Hawaii state and county employees
Related: Union Lawsuit Compares COVID Vaccine to Nazi Experiments
read … Judge Dismisses Oahu Firefighter’s Challenge To Vaccine Mandate
COVID: Domestic violence cases surge
SA: … In April 2019, pre-pandemic, the Domestic Violence Action Center’s (DVAC’s) 31 direct services staffers had contact with clients 519 times. A year later, in April 2020, client contacts had increased more than six-fold, to 3,304, revealing the stresses of the pandemic manifesting in too many cases of household violence….
read … Domestic violence cases surge
Kailua kayak company slapped with $25K fine for operating without permit
HNN: … Officials said Twogood Kayaks Hawaii, Inc. conducted unpermitted commercial activity on at least five separate occasions, in which workers were seen meeting customers and launching kayaks into the ocean.
The board fined the company $5,000 for each of the violations between May and August.
Officials said the company’s permit had expired, and the owner admitted his company’s guilt….
8th: Excessive Fines, Cruel and Unusual Punishment
SA: Kailua company fined $25K for commercial activity
read … Kailua kayak company slapped with $25K fine for operating without permit
Senate to consider judicial appointments
MN: … The Hawaii State Senate will convene a special session to review six judicial appointments, including Kirstin Hamman in Maui’s 2nd Circuit Court.
The process will begin with a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing at 9 a.m. Wednesday, followed by a floor session at 10 a.m. Thursday and a separate decision-making meeting of the Judiciary Committee at 10:30 a.m.
Final Senate votes on the appointments are expected at 11 a.m. Oct. 29.
Along with Hamman, senators will also consider the appointments of Clarissa Malinao, Kevin Morikone and Shanlyn Park to the 1st Circuit Court on Oahu, and Wendy DeWeese and Kimberly Taniyama to the 3rd Circuit Court on Hawaii island.
To testify on the hearings via videoconference, visit capitol.hawaii.gov and click on “2021 3rd Special Session” to submit written testimony on a specific appointee. Testifiers should select “yes” when asked if they will be testifying remotely for the hearing. Written testimony is required to participate via videoconference and must be submitted at least 24 hours before the hearing. Additional information and details are on the Legislature’s website….
read … Senate to consider judicial appointments
Appeals court reverses conviction in fatal hit-and-run that rocked Nanakuli
HNN: … In 2019, a jury found Myisha Armitage guilty of hitting Kaulana Werner in Nanakuli as he walked along Farrington Highway in April 2016.
However, the appeals judges ruled Friday that police should have sought a warrant before a blood test was taken to confirm she was drunk, reversing her negligent homicide conviction.
The new ruling has brought new heartbreak for the family of the former Kamehameha football player that was killed in the crash.
“It’s very disturbing. It’s been six years, we wanted closure,” said Ed Werner, Kaulana’s father. “You know we put our faith and trust in our system, but I guess our system is failing us now so it’s sad.” …
read … Appeals court reverses conviction in fatal hit-and-run that rocked Nanakuli
Shoplifting losses mount amid inflation, product shortage and labor crunch
KHON: … “One of our highest things is Spam that people steal,” Yamaki said….
The most frustrating issue for stores and police: what they said is a revolving door for repeat offenders targeting stores over and over.
“Here at CrimeStoppers, we have seen many ‘frequent fliers,’ people who have been arrested, have been identified and next thing you know, we see him again; we feature them again,” said Kim….
Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm told Always Investigating that his office will push judges to crack down on the revolving door, even though anything worth $250-$750 is a misdemeanor theft.
“Particularly, if they’re professionals, and we have repeated misdemeanor cases, we can charge them as a felon with a habitual property crime,” Alm explained. “We really will try to work with the courts on sending those guys to jail. OCCC is open for business.”…
The official data can be deceptive. The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) recorded 3,141 shoplifting cases in 2019, then a drop to 2,100 in 2020 but that is with many retailers forced to close or scale-back entries during the height of the pandemic. HPD told Always Investigating they have had about 1,500 shoplifting cases so far in 2021….
read … Shoplifting losses mount amid inflation, product shortage and labor crunch
State calling on landlords to help solve the homeless crisis
KITV: … A woman who estimates she's been living on the streets for more than 30 years said she's still waiting for Section 8 housing.
"I've been trying to get my Section 8 housing for nine years. Nine years. Why does it take that long?," said Royce. "I used to have a joke it took eight years and that's why they called it Section 8, but now it's taken nine years."
Thielen said the state needs 500 to 600 new units over the next several months to maximize federal funding and really make a difference in getting more people off the streets.
She said on average programs pay anywhere from $1600 to $2300 a month. And many housing subsidies now come with incentives, including signing bonuses, money to hold units and funds to compensate landlords for any damages to their property. …
read … State calling on landlords to help solve the homeless crisis
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