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Probe ongoing in 10 likely felony charges against officers
SA: … Only five of the 24 officers named in the Honolulu Police Department’s 2022 disciplinary report Opens in a new tab as facing possible criminal prosecution between 2017 and 2022 have been charged, according to a review of state court records….
State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers President Robert Cavaco told the Star-Advertiser in a statement that every officer, “just like every citizen,” should be afforded “a fair process, where all the facts are examined, and decisions are made based solely on those facts.”
“We trust in that process and advocate to ensure it’s adhered to. It’s important to remember that the number of officers identified here represents a small fraction of the nearly 2,000 officers who work daily to keep our community safe and the cases date back over five years,” Cavaco said.
The 24 officers in question and a description of the criminal cases initiated against them are listed in the department’s 2022 Legislative Disciplinary Report Opens in a new tab….
Of the five cases that resulted in criminal charges against HPD officers, four involved misdemeanors, and one was a Class C felony subject to a possible five-year prison term upon conviction.
The felony case involved then-officer Zachary Pang, who was subsequently fired by HPD.
On Aug. 31, 2018, Pang, an HPD detective who worked part time for Security Industry Specialists Inc. as a private security officer, was at his side job at the Apple Store in Waikiki, according to state court records. The store was closed and being cleaned when Pang entered the stockroom and reportedly stuffed $4,596 worth of merchandise into his backpack and left the store unattended before returning “a short time later with an empty backpack,” the records state.
The next day, Apple Store managers saw footprints on the freshly cleaned floor and contacted the cleaning company. A representative for the cleaning company insisted the floor had been cleaned and waxed.
A review of the store’s surveillance video showed Pang “removing merchandise from the stockroom shelves and placing them into his backpack,” according to court records. The Apple Store reported the incident to Security Industry Specialists, which in turn filed a police report.
After initially pleading not guilty to second-degree theft, Pang agreed to a “deferred acceptance” of his no-contest plea and was placed on conditions similar to probation for four years. In February 2022 he requested to have the period of his deferral end early, and the case was dismissed that same month by Oahu Circuit Judge Trish Morikawa, according to court records….
read … Probe ongoing in 10 likely felony charges against officers
Gov. Josh Green requests additional $2.5B for state budget
SA: … House Speaker Scott Saiki (D, Ala Moana-Kakaako- Downtown) said many of the governor’s requests align with House priorities, especially for affordable housing, climate change, medical care and homelessness.
“We will work with the governor to clarify his specific proposals over the next few weeks,” Saiki said in an email. “We hope to use the budget surplus to fund many unmet needs identified by the governor and the House.”
(Translation: “Whatever.”)
Jacob Aki, director of communications for the Senate, deferred comment on the additional budget requests because many are still being reviewed….
(Translation: “Whatever.”)
read … Gov. Josh Green requests additional $2.5B for state budget
Green requests $45M to reimburse physicians who treat Medicaid patients
HTH: … In an attempt to address the physician shortage in Hawaii, Gov. Josh Green has asked the state Legislature to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates.
The Hawaii Physician Workforce Assessment reported that Hawaii County had a 40% physician shortage, with a need of roughly 187 providers. Both Hawaii Island and Maui tied for the county with the most severe shortage of doctors in the state.
“If they don’t increase the rates rapidly, you’re not going to have any doctors left in the community,” said Dr. Frederick Nitta, a Hilo-based physician. “There’s only going to be hospital employees or big group nonprofits left, and it’s already happening.”
Medicaid reimbursement rates are the rate at which doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other medical service providers are reimbursed for the treatment of Medicaid patients, which includes eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
Green’s proposal would allocate $45 million in the fiscal years of 2024 and 2025 to bring the Medicaid reimbursement rates up to 100% of the reimbursement rates for Medicare, which is the federal health insurance program for people 65 or older….
In addition to the governor’s request, Senate Bill 397 and its companion, House Bill 1367, propose an increase of Medicaid reimbursements of up to 100% of the current Medicare rates….
As of Friday, the Senate bill passed a third reading and has been sent to the House. The House bill has passed a second reading and has been referred to the Finance Committee for further review….
read … Green requests $45M to reimburse physicians who treat Medicaid patients
Council passes bill for organic standards, regulations at Kula Agricultural Park
HTH: … The Maui County Council passed a bill last week that reserves the Kula Agricultural Park Phase 1 expansion area for practices that comply with the National Organic Standards Act….
“By removing some of the barriers for new farmers to apply for these lots, such as requiring a marketing plan and financial statements, we can support a long-term increase in food production,” said Johnson…
(Two Words: “Sri Lanka”)
read … Council passes bill for organic standards, regulations at Kula Agricultural Park
Legislative Agenda:
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