Another 'Clean Elections' Bill Introduced
2022: Hawaii Had Largest Increase in Energy Costs
Mizuno, Holt Bill Would Legalize Gambling Parlors and restrict ownership to local criminals
HNN: … Both of the representatives pushing the gambling bill, Rep. John Mizuno and Rep, Daniel Holt, represent parts of Kalihi, where illegal gambling is a big issue, and they want to provide a legal alternative….
They propose the money would go the law enforcement - to crack down on illegal gambling - for gambling addiction programs and to Hawaiian Homelands.
Mizuno introduced Eric Ford as his expert on gambling and the proposal, he said as more parlors are rolled-out they could generate millions in tax revenue.
Ford is involved with Full House Poker in Eugene, Oregon. He also was sentenced in 2013 to 20 months in federal prison for masterminding an illegal gambling operation in Kona. His codefendant in the case, Kendale Limahai, is also part of his current organization Rise Hawaii Gaming.
(3rd ‘organizer’ of Rise Hawaii Gaming is Full House Poker owner Justin Zinser who went bankrupt in 2015 -- Federal Bankruptcy Petition #: 15-62238-fra13.)
Ford said his proposal would allow convicted gamblers to run the parlors - but not tax evaders or Mainlanders.
(IQ Test: Do you think there are any Hawaii illegal game room operators who are not cheating on their taxes?)
“Have to be local, have to be born in Hawaii have to be a 35-year resident in Hawaii to go for this license,” Ford said….
But retired Honolulu police Deputy Chief John McCarthy said barring convicted criminals from ownership of the parlors, especially gamblers, is crucial because the sites will be essentially self-monitored.
“You need these people to be above reproach, and be able to follow the rules and, you know, do what’s right,” McCarthy said. “And these two with their past criminal records have obviously proven that they can’t follow the rules.”…
MN: “As of now I’m going to first focus on housing and homelessness and health care, and maybe by year three I’ll give you a position on gambling,” Green told The Maui News….
SA: State lawmakers have introduced many bills related to gambling in past years that have died at the Legislature.
Big Q: Do you support legalization of a poker-and-sports betting operation on Oahu?
read … Lawmakers try new tactic to being legal gambling to Hawaii
Mainland Criminal Shot in Waikiki: Found not guilty in attempted murder case but foolishly did not leave Hawaii--now HPD Shows Little Interest in Catching Vigilantes
HNN: … It’s the latest in a string of violent attacks in the tourist district.
Lewers Street was littered with upwards of 20 shell casings after sources say two men — both armed and wearing black hoodies — opened fire in the crowd just before 10:30 p.m.
Hawaii News Now confirmed through multiple sources that the 25-year-old victim (Theotis White) had recently been found not guilty in an attempted murder case. At last check, he was still hospitalized in critical condition.
Meanwhile, it’s been radio silence from the Honolulu Police Department.
Despite multiple requests for information, officials have not released the suspects’ descriptions. There’s also been nothing on a getaway vehicle or an official motive for the crime.
(Translation: The shooters performed a public service. We are helping them lay low.)
HNN learned through sources that the victim in Friday’s shooting was actually the suspect in a 2019 attempted murder case where a driver was shot on the H-1 freeway.
In late November, the 25-year-old went to trial. A jury found him not guilty of the crime (so other means had to be arranged) ….
2021: One of Hawaii’s Most Wanted Arrested in Decatur, GA
Meanwhile in our Shambolic Judiciary:
read … Victim in Waikiki shooting was recently found not guilty in attempted murder case
New Preschools Designed to Fail: DoE Assigns only Three People to Spend $200M
CB: … The head of the new state school construction agency is asking the Legislature to fund three additional positions to help build and renovate up to 200 preschool classrooms by June 2024.
The School Facilities Authority, created in 2020, has $200 million for the task but is off to a slow start with only three people working on it so far….
(Translation: Designed to fail.)
Farias, a former principal and complex area superintendent at the state Department of Education, said he needs more staff to get the work done faster as the authority barely has a working website and a temporary office in Hilo. He said he also hopes to get a permanent office for the state authority in Honolulu.
(IQ Test: Are you laughing?)
During the meeting, Rep. Bertrand Kobayashi said people were unsupportive of the new authority when it started and asked Faris if he anticipates any milestones in the next couple of years.
“I’m a little surprised that you still don’t have staff fully on board,” Kobayashi said.….
(He shouldn’t be surprised.)
read … Hawaii Agency Is Racing ‘Against The Clock’ To Build New Preschools
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green pledges $100M to line global warmers pockets
SA: … Green’s announcement was applauded by speakers, attendees and online viewers monitoring the Climate Action Week panels and events.
“I am a little gobsmacked, I’ll have to say — that was a huge announcement,” said state Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Coordinator Leah Laramee….
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR – NEWS RELEASE: GOVERNOR GREEN SETS COURSE FOR HAWAI’I CLIMATE LEADERSHIP
read … Hawaii Gov. Josh Green pledges $100M to fight climate change
Handi-Van Delivers Dude with Firebomb to FBI HQ in Kapolei
SA: … Hollins allegedly has an existing trespass warning, issued March 29 because he refused to leave the FBI Honolulu Field Office.
Hollins also allegedly trespassed on the FBI’s property on April 29, 2021, and Jan. 26, May 2 and May 4, 2022, and criminally trespassed the FBI Honolulu Field Office property.
Allegedly during the Jan. 26, 2022, and April 29, 2021, incidents, Hollins “vandalized the FBI Honolulu Field Office property with spray paint.” TheHandi-Van driver told federal agents that Hollins was picked up from a fuel station on South King Street at about 1 p.m. and dropped off in Kapolei with a sign, a wheelchair and a bag at about 2 p.m.
The driver told FBI agents that he saw Hollins with a “plastic jug, that had a rag or cloth sticking out from the top.” The driver allegedly saw Hollins “ignite the rag or cloth” using “a small lighter.”
The driver allegedly saw “the object Hollins was holding catch fire and then watched Hollins throw the object over the fence,” according to the complaint. The driver saw smoke rising from the ditch where Hollins tossed the object that was on fire.
Employees of the fuel station told FBI agents that Hollins filled a plastic jug with about $3.50 worth of gas before buying another $1 worth of fuel. He allegedly yelled at one of the employees….
read … Man allegedly lobs firebomb at FBI’s office in Kapolei
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