Fa'a Samoa Survives: Supreme Court Lets Citizenship Decision Stand
Housing Crisis: Data Beats Anecdotes
Office of Language Access--15 Years of Doing Nothing
Auditor: DLNR Land Conservation Fund Wastes Money on Non-Land Projects
Honolulu Among Worst Cities to Drive In
Weapon crimes up 26% Robberies up 14% on Oahu
SA: … There were 577 arrests for weapon violations from Jan. 1 through Sept. 25, up from 458 during that same period last year, a 26% increase. Robberies have increased to 626 from 548 in 2021 (up 14%), and assaults ticked up slightly to 893 from 881 last year….
Honolulu Police Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan was asked Oct. 5 by police Commissioner Kenneth Silva about the increase in weapon violations.
“That’s any type of item that was used as a dangerous instrument, such as a sword or knife or firearm. … It’s something that is used as a dangerous instrument,” said Logan in response to Silva’s question during the Oct. 5 Honolulu Police Commission meeting. “We even have a robbery where someone used a skateboard.”
It does not include certain offenses, such as murder and robbery, that were committed with a weapon.
“For example, a murder that was committed with a firearm would be counted as a homicide and not as a weapons law violation,” according to HPD spokesperson Michelle Yu….
KHON: LIST: 500+ crimes reported to HPD in past week
HNN: HPD investigating string of robberies over the weekend amid rising rate of crime on Oahu
read … Robberies, weapon crimes rise on Oahu as other major categories fall
‘The Most Important Decision’: Hawaii Police Commission Ponders Criteria to Ensure a Local Pick for New Chief
CB: …Stephen Keogh, SHOPO’s vice president, said hiring a new chief is the most important decision any commission will make.
“It is important that these police commissions seek input from all stakeholders first — both internally and externally — and then clearly identify the qualities they’re looking for, and the selection process and timeline on the front end,” Keogh said in a email. “No process is perfect, but it should be clear, it should be transparent, and it should be timely.”
According to online recruitment company Zippa Inc., 29% percent of police chiefs across the country hold their positions for only one to two years and 11% leave after less than one year. But 60% stay in their jobs for three years or more.
Hawaii County Chief Ferreira was with the department for 40 years (hint, hint) and became chief in 2016….
Keogh said policing in Hawaii is different than anywhere else in the U.S. and chiefs need to understand that.
“Unless you’ve lived on an island, unless you’ve patrolled an island, it will be hard for you to understand those differences for a long while. That’s not to say that a mainland chief cannot do a good job. They can, but we believe a premium should be placed on qualified internal candidates and then in-state candidates,” he said….
(TRANSLATION: Only local candidates will be considered.)
The Hawaii Police Commission is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. Friday in the County Building Council Chambers, 25 Aupuni St., Suite 1401 in Hilo.
Written testimony can be mailed to the commission at 101 Pauahi St., Suite No. 9, Hilo, Hawaii, 96820 or emailed to Charisse.Correa@hawaiicounty.gov….
read … ‘The Most Important Decision’: Hawaii Police Commission Ponders Criteria For New Chief
Setting The Record Straight On Sunscreens
CB: … As dermatologists and skin cancer researchers, we are dedicated to the health of our patients and, by extension, the larger community we serve. With this responsibility in mind, we became involved in the discussion on the use of certain sunscreens and have reviewed the scientific data on the potential impact on the coral reefs we value in our community.
As this discussion has continued, we strongly feel that we must set the record straight on certain facts. To that end, we were disturbed to see incorrect information and statements printed in the Sept. 23 Community Voice commentary, “How To Avoid Skin Cancer Without Harming Marine Species.”
The Community Voice piece tried to suggest that sunburns have nothing to do with skin cancers. This is completely false and dangerously inaccurate information. We treat patients suffering from skin cancer and address the risks for the disease which is predominately caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Sunburns are precursors to skin cancers caused by UV rays, which is cumulative over a lifetime and can lead to melanoma and non-melanoma cancers. Research shows that having five or more sunburns doubles the risk for melanoma, which kills 20 people a day in the US.
Hawaii has the highest rate of melanoma caused by UV radiation compared to other U.S. states according to an article in the International Journal of Cancer.…
read … Setting The Record Straight On Sunscreens
Repairs to JBPHH water main break could take more than a week
KHON: … Navy officials said crews located a 20-foot crack on the cast iron pipe, causing impacts scattered in and out of the base. Some facilities have normal water pressure, while others have low to no water running. …
“I would estimate between seven and ten days right now is what we’re looking at,” he said. “Hopefully, it’s shorter, but I would plan on seven to 10 days.”
Come Monday, only minimal essential personnel will be on duty. Sohaney said 11 out of the 12 child development centers will be closed, a decision that will be evaluated on a daily basis. …
Ruby Tuesday Hawaii Partner Rick Nakashima said they would like to see compensation for some of the losses during their closure. …
read … Repairs to JBPHH water main break could take more than a week
$10M to house the homeless living outside Waianae Boat Harbor
KITV: … Village leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony on a project for the dozens of houseless people who called the Waianae Boat Harbor home for years. They will rehome approximately 250 people living in tents – many who are kupuna, and working families with children….
The village acquired 20 acres of land on Waianae Valley Road and raised more than $6 million - officials say an additional $4 million will secure completion….
($10M / 250 meth heads = $40K per meth head)
Their goal is to innovate a new model of homes. They said affordable projects out now cost more than $350,000 per unit or home and village leaders aim to cut these development costs by 1/3.
The average rent is set to be $250 per month. …
read … Plan to house the homeless living outside Waianae Boat Harbor
9th Circuit dismisses Dubin appeals of prior disbarment orders
ILind: … Two years after controversial foreclosure attorney Gary Dubin was disbarred by order of the Hawaii Supreme Court, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has dismissed three pending appeals Dubin hoped might save his law license, effectively ending his legal career.
In an order dated September 21, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit (Judges Milan Smith, Daniel Bress, and Lawrence VanDyke) dismissed the appeals “for failure to prosecute.” Smith was appointed by George W. Bush, while Bress and VanDyke are Trump appointees.
The ruling noted Dubin, now 84, had requested, and had been granted, eight prior delays, and eight times he had failed to meet the deadline.
“On August 17, 2022, this court granted appellant’s eighth motion for an extension of time to file the opening brief. The court set a deadline of August 31, 2022, and warned appellant that no further extensions of time would be granted,” the judges said. “He has yet to file an opening brief in any of the three cases, but did file a motion to consolidate the three appeals.”
“On September 8, 2022, appellant filed in appeal No. 21-16863 a motion to consolidate this appeal with appeal Nos. 21-16863 and 21-16839, along with an incomplete draft of a consolidated opening brief and an incomplete index of excerpts of record.”
Absent the long overdue opening brief in any of the cases, the judges dismissed all three, the court’s docket shows….
read … 9th Circuit dismisses Dubin appeals of prior disbarment orders
Robin Danner Grabs for Control of DHHL
SA: … The Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations will put together a Servant Leaders List in an effort to bring civic engagement to the selection of the six incoming Hawaiian Homes commissioners who will be appointed by the incoming 2022 governor-elect.
SCHHA, the oldest and largest self-governing federation of homestead associations, will select people to include on its Servant Leaders List from applications or nominations submitted through its online survey that closes Oct. 31.
Robin Danner, SCHHA chair, said incorporating civic engagement in the selection process was an idea from two Hawaiian Homes Commission Act beneficiaries, Pat Kahawaiola‘a and retired Judge Bill Fernandez….
read … Group seeks to help shape Hawaiian Homes panel
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