Supreme Court sends Hokulia case back to Ibarra
Update: Advertiser article Jan 3, 2009
A state Supreme Court ruling has cleared the way for progress on the Hokulia bypass road, but not without another visit to the 3rd Circuit Court.
Analysis by Coupe attorney Statement from County
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Ceded Lands: OHA protesters seek Obama's attention
Native Hawaiians in a land dispute with the state that has advanced to the U.S. Supreme Court plan a Dec. 26 rally at the state Capitol to try to draw President-elect Barack Obama’s attention to their battle. Obama is currently vacationing on Oahu.
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Ruling on hearsay evidence frees convicted man
Ezra ruled Sept. 30 that two defense witnesses should not have been excluded at trial. The witnesses allegedly heard another man confess to the killing of Vilmar Cabaccang. Cabaccang was stabbed to death after pursuing a car thief near his home in Kihei on July 14, 1995.
Maui prosecutors are appealing Ezra's decision to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Maui Deputy Prosecutor Peter Hanano said if his office loses the appeal, it will give strong consideration to pursuing a new trial.
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Lingle requests disaster declaration
More than 500 O'ahu residents reported damage to their residences or cars, officials said. Nearly half that number reported homes were severely damaged or destroyed. Kaua'i residents also suffered losses, and damage to public facilities exceeded $2.5 million, officials said.
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Alfred Shaheen, giant of garment industry
Island textiles icon Alfred Shaheen was among the founders of the modern Hawaiian garment industry, helping revolutionize the business not only through innovative designs but by establishing a business model that allowed him to introduce Hawaiian wear to people around the world.
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Rail: Now its the enviros turn
The city's planned $5.3 billion elevated commuter rail project was victorious in the polls on Nov. 4 but still must go through a lengthy and potentially contentious environmental review.
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Hamakua lease battle: Biofuel Cos vs Haina Mill
Sun Fuels and Hamakua Biomass are suddenly interested in leasing land from the state to produce alternative energy. So far the community has been invited to a handful of meetings and many residents are not welcoming these new companies with open arms, even if they will bring in a few jobs.
Barker shares his personal opinion by saying, "their fatal flaw is the continuance of the model of arrogance. They present themselves like 'this is what is happening' instead of consulting residents and bringing something that could benefit the community through the use of their land." ...
Currently the Haina Hawaiian Hardwood Mills is seeking to lease at least 10,000 acres of public forest land. Although they are up against other corporations with investment partners....
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