Dirty OHA Contract is Model for CNHA Takeover of Tourism Marketing
Why Ethics Reform Hasn’t Been A Bigger Issue In The Hawaii Governor’s Race
CB: … You might think the stunning parade of criminal wrongdoing in state, city and county government in recent years would inspire a robust slate of reform proposals. But that hasn’t happened in the campaign for governor so far.
Consider: A former Honolulu police chief was convicted of conspiracy and obstruction of justice along with his estranged wife, a former deputy city prosecutor. A former elected city prosecutor was indicted for conspiracy to commit fraud, and a Honolulu architect admitted to paying more than $100,000 in bribes to city permitting employees.
Two former state lawmakers pleaded guilty to accepting bribes to influence legislation. A former Kauai county councilman pleaded guilty to methamphetamine trafficking in an enterprise linked to a prison gang, and a former Big Island county housing specialist admitted to accepting nearly $2 million in bribes. A former Big Island county council chairman and two-time candidate for mayor was sent to prison for embezzlement and bribery.
In response to that long nightmare, Democratic Lt. Gov. Josh Green and Republican former Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona have offered a short, tepid list of reform proposals that can mostly be summarized in a sentence: Aiona advocates for the election of more Republicans to clean up Hawaii government, and both Green and Aiona support term limits for state lawmakers.
Green also floated his own version of campaign finance reform that would involve providing candidates with free TV time so they don’t need to raise so much money to finance their campaigns …..
read … Why Ethics Reform Hasn’t Been A Bigger Issue In The Hawaii Governor’s Race
HPD officer arrested in Waipahu, accused of domestic violence
HNN: … Police confirmed 44-year-old Antonio Mendoza was taken into custody on Awanei Street in Waipahu Saturday.
Sources said the victim is another HPD officer and it allegedly happened in a Waipahu home.
Mendoza is assigned to the Pearl City, Waipahu district. At last check Sunday, he has not been charged….
read … HPD officer arrested in Waipahu, accused of domestic violence
Roth touts joint Waipi‘o effort: Says long-term solution should come from both community, county
HTH: … “The community decided that’s not right,” Roth said. “… That road is kind of like a driveway going down to their property.”
The mayor also acknowledged the ocean-users who aren’t valley residents who “believe they have right of entry.”…
That prompted a lawsuit against Roth and the county by a group called Malama I Ke Kai ‘O Waipi‘o, MaKa for short, alleging their access to the valley’s black sand beach was being unlawfully denied. A federal lawsuit also was filed, and later dropped, by tour companies wanting access to the valley.
After a mediated settlement between MaKa and the county, Roth issued a second emergency order last month opening the road to Hawaii County residents, Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, and licensed tour operators.
That led to a group called Protect Waipi‘o Valley, consisting mostly of valley residents, to form a “kupuna checkpoint” at the valley rim, where they stop vehicles and attempt to dissuade those who aren’t residents of the valley or valley farmers from going there.
The one issue where both sides are in agreement is in not wanting tourists in the valley….
read … Roth touts joint Waipi‘o effort: Says long-term solution should come from both community, county
Election News:
QUICK HITS: