REP. BERTRAND KOBAYASHI ANNOUNCES FUTURE RETIREMENT FROM LEGISLATURE
City Council adopts Climate Ready Oʻahu, the City’s first climate adaptation strategy, as guiding policy document for the City
Blangiardi submits FY2025 budget proposals to Honolulu City Council
149 Candidates Pull Papers Statewide
SB3381: Hundreds of Lahaina Residents Oppose Landgrab Bill
SA: … The opposition was overwhelming and included impassioned pleas from people who were displaced by the Aug. 8 wildfire that laid ruin to most of the town.
“As a resident of Lahaina, a real property owner, and someone who lost a home, place of work, and sense of self on August 8th, I find this proposition short-sighted, coercive, and manipulative in both language and agenda,” Penny Guth Tuipulotu said in written testimony. “I understand that Lahaina must rebuild, but why must an additional overlord manage how, what, when, and where? Is that not the duty of the county and state?”
Debbie Wyand of Lahaina also criticized the bill. “We need less government regulation not more,” she said in written testimony. “There are already processes in place for rebuilding Lahaina. Another board funded by taxpayers is not necessary!”
Another vocal opponent of the legislation is Tamara Paltin, Lahaina’s representative on the Maui County Council. “I testify in strong opposition of this bill,” she said in written comments….
…language in the bill, including power to acquire property by condemnation and assess landowners for improvements, has generated concerns from Lahaina community members.
Some of the opposition may be coming from (wise) misunderstandings or (clear) misperceptions of the legislation, or at least the intent of the legislation.
(CLUE: The road to hell is paved with good intentions.)
Many people criticizing the bill fear (know) that it will result in a government “land grab” or that a state agency on Oahu will be making decisions over rebuilding Lahaina.
“As a Lahaina fire survivor, we don’t need the state to step in cause I know they will just take our land,” (the very wise) Zeldine Martinez said in written testimony….
All 13 members of the committee voted to pass the bill. If the full 25-member Senate passes the bill next, the measure would be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration….
Under the bill (as amended) a board chosen by West Maui residents during a Jan. 1 special election would be tasked with creating a new community plan for a newly formed Lele Community District, which is an old name for the Lahaina district, which stretches from Maalaea to Kaanapali….
(CLUE: The planning IS the problem. Lahaina can only be saved by a rights-based rebuild. Property owners will be blocked from rebuilding either by an appointed board of Carpenters Union operatives or by an anti-development majority of tinkerers and dreamers on the elected board.)
read … Lahaina rebuilding board bill gains speed amid heavy public opposition
Green Against FEMA Trailers for Lahaina
KHON: … “Are we doing what they’ve done in other states, what FEMA has done in other states by offering trailers and tents,” asked Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, (D) Kapalama, Kalihi, Kalihi Valley.
(FEMA does not use tents. Kim is helping Green by injecting this red herring into the discussion.)
“That was very distressing that anyone would suggest that after our people and many children were traumatized by the state’s worst natural disaster in history that they would turn them into refugees into tent camps and trailer parks,” said Gov. Josh Green. “I think it’s unconscionable to suggest that.”
(The use of the word ‘tents’ allows Green to call FEMA trailers a ‘refugee camp' when FEMA trailers are the normal solution for disaster-impacted communities.)
The Governor said he’s working with the federal government to see what other costs can be covered. Gov. Green added that the state has already purchased 450 transitional homes and FEMA will pay for 1,000…..
RELATED: SB3381: Stop Lahaina Property Owners from Rebuilding
read … Governor responds to criticism over Maui wildfire shelter costs
Move afoot to kill stadium redevelopment amid wildfire recovery need
HNN: … With the state moving closer to choosing a team to redevelop Aloha Stadium and neighboring district, state House leaders are proposing to repeal the plan.
State officials say they were encouraged this month by how many development teams expressed interest in replacing the stadium and redeveloping the district. With eight members opposed, the state House approved the bill on second reading Friday for final approval next week.
Manoa Rep. Andrew Garrett sponsored House Bill 2664.
“We were just starting to understand the depth of the state’s obligations for the Maui recovery,” Garrett said….
“This bill is going to kill the entire stadium project,” Wakai said….
Aloha stadium has been closed to spectators four years now…
KITV: Lawmakers struggle to balance state budget amid Lahaina tragedy
read … Move afoot to kill stadium redevelopment amid wildfire recovery need
Officials report receiving Aloha Stadium bids--won’t say how many
SA: … A spokesperson for the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District declined to specify “for competitive reasons” how many contractor teams responded with proposals.
The new stadium is expected to be ready in time for the 2028 football season, according to the state’s most recent projections.
(IQ Test: How hard are you laughing?)
The state is now evaluating the proposals and plans to announce finalists late this month or in early April, Sadayasu said. After the successful bidder is chosen in 2025, demolition of the existing stadium and construction of the new stadium and district will start….
SN: NASED team 'pleased' with submissions from stadium bidders
read … Officials report receiving Aloha Stadium bids
PUC Secret Briefings on Rolling Blackouts
IM: … Oahu faced rolling blackouts on January 8, 2024. The Public Utilities Commission required Hawaiian Electric Company to brief the Commission on January 16, 2024.
There were a series of Hawaii Electric Light Company (HELCO) events that affected power delivery on the Big Island in late January and early February.
On January 30, 2024, the utility had an underfrequency load shed event and subsequent rolling outages. The following day HELCO planned a call for conservation (which was not implemented).
On February 13, 2024, HELCO issued a call for conservation, underfrequency load shedding event, and subsequent had rolling outages.
The Public Utilities Commission is requiring Hawaiian Electric Company to brief the Commission on March 4, 2024. The public is not allowed to attend….
Life of the Land wonder why rolling blackouts require secret briefings but 101 dead people from the Lahaina wildfire is not being investigated by the Commission even though state law requires a Commission wildfire investigation….
read … Public Utilities Commission To Receive Second Secret HECO Briefing
Witnesses in Miske trial have described several unreported assaults
ILind: … The situations were different, but the stories of assaults and threats were quite similar. The victims included: an employee at another nightclub who was the ex-boyfriend of Miske’s girlfriend at the time; a high school student pursued through the streets of Kalihi after a run-in with Miske at St. Louis High School; and an employee at a competitor of Miske’s Kamaaina Termite and Pest Control whose sales pitch to prospective customers included negative information about Kamaaina.
And then there was the assault of a bartender who was working at Miske’s M Nightclub in 2011….
He said he was hit multiple times in the face, neck, head, body, hit in both eye, and the beating continued even after he fell to the ground. He said they were “full throttle hits.”
After 45 seconds or a minute, Bass was lifted up, and Miske told him, “You owe me $10,000.” When Bass said he didn’t have money like that, Miske told him to pay in $100 installments.
The came Miske’s threat.
“I know where you live, I know where your girlfriend lives, so don’t call the cops.” He then took Bass’s phone and threw it into the ocean. Miske told Bass to turn around, face the ocean, and get down on his knee. He then pushed Bass’s head down, and they drove off, leaving Bass on the shore in darkness, bleeding, eyes swollen lip bleeding, missing a shoe, and covered in sand.
He began walking, and reached La Marianna restaurant, which was closed, but he was able to use the phone and call his girlfriend.
He didn’t go to the hospital, despite his injuries, and didn’t call the police, because he was afraid of Miske, and took his threat seriously….
While on the witness stand, Bass identified photographs of those involved in the Sand Island incident, including Miske and two others, Andrew Kim and Alfredo Cabael.
Neither Kim nor Cabael have been charged in this case, or for anything connected with the assault on Bass.
However, both have multiple links to Miske….
read … Witnesses in Miske trial have described several assaults
Lahaina Fire News:
Legislative Agenda:
QUICK HITS: