UHERO: Regulations Double Cost of New Condos in Hawaii
Unanimous Supreme Court: Trump Stays on Ballot
The Hawaii Republican Presidential Caucus is shrinking again
State Hospital pretends to make changes in wake of slaying of staffer
Rate Hike News: Comments Sought on next round of renewable energy procurements
Rate Hikes Coming: Hawaiian Electric Tinkers with Solar Subsidies
Change in Law Makes 8% of 'Renewables' Disappear
Hawaii Congressional Delegation How They Voted March 2, 2024
Mayor allocates $80M for COVID hazard pay
KITV: … Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi's proposed $3.6 billion operating budget for the next fiscal year includes $80 million for back pay to city workers exposed to hazardous situations in the pandemic. It's owed to union members, and the city doesn't have a final dollar amount yet because the two sides are still negotiating.
They are potential payments to essential City employees at risk of exposure to COVID-19 during the height of the pandemic. Andy Kawano, director of the City's Department of Budget and Fiscal Services, noted, "We've set that aside as we continue to pursue collective bargaining settlements or settlements through arbitration. We're working on that with the unions and various employee groups of the city."…
read … Mayor allocates $80M for COVID hazard back pay in his FY25 proposed budget
Hawaii Lawmakers Take Campaign Money From Hawaiian Electric
CB: …“Hawaiian Electric’s contribution decisions are based on the alignment of candidates with the company’s business strategy, objectives and values,” the report said.
The majority of donations to candidates and members were in the range of $200 to $500 each, but some lawmakers have received multiple contributions.
Top elected officials who received money from the PAC include Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz $2,000, Sen Lynn DeCoite $1800, House Speaker Scott Saiki $1,500 and Senate President Ron Kouchi $1,000.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi got $1,200 from Hawaiian Electric CEG, the largest amount to any county lawmaker over the four years.
The total amount of individual donations by Hawaiian Electric Industries and Hawaiian Electric Co. executives since 2020 comes in at just under $30,000.
Gov. Josh Green took in two-thirds of that total with $19,375 in individual donations between July 2022 and October 2023. A dozen HECO and HEI executives gave substantial contributions including $4,000 from HECO President Shelee Kimura and $3,000 from HEI President and CEO Scott Seu. Green did not receive any funds from Hawaiian Electric CEG.
Lt. Gov Sylvia Luke received a total of $6,300 from Seu and other executives.
Saiki received $2,000 in total from Kimura, Seu and HECO VP Darcy Endo-Omoto, and Dela Cruz received $750 from Seu…..
read … Hawaii Lawmakers Take Campaign Money From Hawaiian Electric But Don't Own Its Stock - Honolulu Civil Beat
State to embark on search for geothermal energy sources
KHON: … The Chief Energy Officer Mark Glick said they are preparing to begin exploring on Maui this year….
Glick said they are gearing up to begin exploring geothermal sources throughout the state, $5 million from COVID federal relief monies have been appropriated to conduct slim hole drilling, and the state said Maui Island shows promising signs.
Glick said, “We’re looking at very seriously at Maui island for that, there certainly are locations along the rift zone that may be very applicable for that.”…
IM: Geothermal Energy Proponents Looking to Maui | Ililani Media
read … State to embark on search for geothermal energy sources | KHON2
Prefab buildings in Lahaina to house wildfire survivors
SA: … A state social services agency is working to produce what could be the first temporary housing community developed for Maui fire survivors, a 450-unit project where initial occupancy is expected in a few months.
The $115 million project has been named Kala‘iola and is being created using furnished, prefabricated homes from four manufacturers arranged with 26 community buildings on undeveloped state land in Lahaina long planned for residential development.
An initial phase with 270 homes and some community buildings likely won’t be ready until August because of time needed to develop roads and utility infrastructure on the site.
However, fire survivors may be able to move into some of the homes with temporary utility connections in April or May, and perhaps one day purchase the units at a discount for use on property that homeowners lost in the Aug. 8 fire.
The state Department of Human Services is heading up the project at the direction of Gov. Josh Green….
DHS is buying the homes from four companies and will put them on 72 acres near Lahaina Civic Center and within a larger state-owned parcel where development of the master- planned Villages of Leali‘i has been long stalled….
other plans, according to Maui County officials, include 34 homes to be developed at Maui Lani by the county, 214 homes planned in Kaanapali by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 88 homes being built in Kahului by the nonprofit Family Life Center, 77 homes planned in Napili by the Holomua Institute and 50 homes being developed at Kapalua Resort for resort employees by their employer.
Development timetables for all the projects are somewhat uncertain, according to Maui County officials. It’s possible that the 270-unit initial phase of Kala‘iola becomes the first one ready for fire survivors.
The cost for all 450 housing units totals $56 million, according to DHS, or about $118,000 per unit on average….
FLASHBACK: Supreme Court 9-0: "The Apology Resolution did not strip (the State of) Hawaii of its sovereign authority"
read … Prefab buildings in Lahaina to house wildfire survivors
CNHA’s Latest Grift Could Lead to Lawsuit
SA: … To fund the operation of the show — which Lewis said is approximately $130,000 each month — CNHA plans to hold revenue-generating activities on the evenings the hula show is held. Lewis said the organization is still figuring out exactly what the evening activity will be, but said it will not be called a luau. He said the evening activity would start after the Merrie Monarch Festival, but “the sooner, the better.”…
But ongoing commercial use of Kapiolani Park breaks the park’s public charitable trust, according to the Kapiolani Park Preservation Society, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that Kapiolani Park, which includes the Waikiki Shell, remains free and open to the public.
“Reviving the Kodak Hula Show would be lovely. It could be a very nice thing for visitors and residents, but it has to be done properly,” KPPS President Alethea Rebman said. “(CNHA) has to follow the rules, and they can’t use (the hula show) as a wedge to set up a commercial business at the Shell.”
The trust, which was originally created in 1896, dictates that Kapiolani Park “be permanently set apart as a free public park and recreation ground forever” in its terms.
In 1988 the state Supreme Court ruled on a case between KPPS and the city, which planned to build a Burger King and construction equipment yard on the park’s property….
HNN: Suit looms over proposed commercial activities to help fund free Waikiki hula show
read … Plan to fund Waikiki hula show could spur lawsuit
Supporters Say ‘Abuse Of Power’ Is At The Heart Of Senate Committee’s Rejection Of UH Regent
CB: … The full Senate is set to vote on Alapaki Nahale-a's reappointment this week. The future of the university is at stake, the faculty union says….
HNN: Swell of support emerges for embattled Board of Regents chair ahead of full Senate vote
read … Supporters Say ‘Abuse Of Power’ Is At The Heart Of Senate Committee’s Rejection Of UH Regent
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