Hawaii AG Instructs Chiefs of Police to Broadly Grant Concealed Carry Licenses, but not Unconcealed Carry
Three Former Hawaii Correctional Officers Convicted of Assaulting Inmate and Attempting Cover Up
Whipsaw: Four Crypto Firms Quit Hawaii
Does Navatek Have A Business Plan Without Corruption?
CB: … Prison isn’t the only thing Hawaii defense contractor Martin Kao needs to worry about as he faces a series of federal charges for defrauding the federal government out of millions of dollars in Covid-19 relief aid and creating a shell company to funnel illegal campaign donations to a super PAC backing U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.
He and his alleged co-conspirators have also been named as defendants in a series of lawsuits meant to save his former company, Martin Defense Group, from financial ruin.
Already an arbitrator has issued a decision in one of the cases that effectively stripped Kao of his ownership interest in Martin Defense Group and ruled that he must pay more than $6 million in damages to the company.
The driving force behind the litigation is Steven Loui, president and CEO of Pacific Supply & Marine Co., which is the parent company of Martin Defense Group.
Loui founded Martin Defense Group in 1979 when it operated under the name Navatek….
Over the years, Pacific Marine and Martin Defense Group have received tens of millions of dollars in lucrative government contracts while at the same time pumping tens of thousands of dollars into the campaign coffers of federal politicians….
Court records show that Loui spent more than $1 million in legal fees to make his case, including hiring former Hawaii attorney general David Louie….
Loui has also targeted the Honolulu law firm Goodsill, Anderson, Quinn & Stifel and one of its partners, Michael O’Malley, who at one time worked closely with Kao….
Kao meanwhile is scheduled for trial in his criminal cases in early 2023. While he is represented by private attorneys in the PPP fraud case, he has been appointed a federal public defender in the illegal campaign contribution case, which is being prosecuted out of Washington, D.C….
read … The Fight To Save A Top Hawaii Defense Contractor As Federal Fraud Charges Swirl
Ikaika Anderson owned and operated by Carpenters Union
SA: … Former Honolulu Council Chair Ikaika Anderson has received a key endorsement from the powerful carpenters union in his bid to become Hawaii’s next lieutenant governor, but one of his Democratic opponents — state House Finance Chair Sylvia Luke — has endorsements and “recommendations” from 11 labor unions and other organizations with just over a month until the Aug. 13 Democratic primary election….
Anderson Flashbacks:
read … Ikaika Anderson receives key endorsement, Sylvia Luke has most in race for lieutenant governor
City rules on single-use foodware to take effect after long delay
KITV: … After a lengthy pandemic-related delay, the city’s ban on foam plate lunch containers along with disposable plastic food, drink and other serviceware is set to take effect on Sept. 6 ― and eateries are gearing up.
Under the ordinance, banned plastics include traditional petroleum-based types that are “fossil-fuel derived.”
Compliant products include bioplastics made from organic materials….
“Styrofoam, you can get like 150 containers for 20 bucks. But the compostables, if you want to get 150 it’s going to cost you 40 bucks. Anywhere from $40 to $60, depending on the type of compostable container,” he said….
Young said Egghead has increased its prices to offset the cost of compliant products….
If the city Department of Environmental Services determines an establishment is a repeat offender of the law, the business can face up to $1,000 for each day of violation. Inspections, meanwhile, will be complaint-driven….
compostable plastics are not meant to be recycled as they can cause contamination when mixed with petroleum-based plastics.
(IQ Test: Are you laughing?)
If disposed of correctly, Gabriel says these products will go to the same place regular plastic products go: the H-Power waste-to-energy plant, where most of Oahu’s residential and general commercial trash is disposed.
(IQ Test: Are you laughing harder?)
Because they might not sufficiently decompose on their own, bio-based products could still end up polluting the oceans along with their plastic counterparts….
(IQ Test: Are you laughing even harder?)
read … Hold the plastic! City rules on single-use foodware to take effect after long delay
Sunscreen ban becomes law: Roth lets bill become law without his signature
HTH: … Sunscreens containing any active ingredient other than titanium dioxide and zinc oxide will be banned from sale on Hawaii Island starting Dec. 1, under a bill Mayor Mitch Roth let become law Friday without his signature….
The new law, Ordinance 22-81, will, however, allow people to use other sunscreens with a prescription from a licensed health-care provider….
read … Sunscreen ban becomes law: Roth lets bill become law without his signature
Hawaii Utilities Rely on a Wide Variety of Fossil Fuels
IM: … The KIUC fuel mix is primarily naphtha (70-85%) and the rest is Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD).
The Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO, MECO, HELCO) fossil fuel use by type is available for the five fiscal years of 2017-21….
The use of various types of fossil fuel for the five fiscal years is also known for Hawaii Gas…
There are four major independent power producers: AES (coal) and Kalaeloa (LSFO) on O`ahu and Hamakua Energy Partners (naphtha) and PGV (geothermal) on the Big Island….
read … Hawai`i Utilities Rely on a Wide Variety of Fossil Fuels
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