The FBI Continues To Stall On Releasing Hawaii Lawmakers' Bribery Investigations
CB: … the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office continue to insist in court filings that the investigation into Cullen and English must remain secret because going public could compromise ongoing investigations….
We’re now thinking there are about 30,000 pages of records and audio and video material that we are eager to see.
There has really been no ability for the public to see what these two elected officials actually did when they violated the public trust. Because they pleaded guilty, there has been no trial and no evidence made public.
The investigative files are the only records that exist of not only what these two did but also how the government handled the case. There’s lots of scrutiny to be done here.
We think that is vitally important, especially in order to evaluate if there are any changes needed in how our legislative process works. It’s hard to imagine how you stop unscrupulous officials from taking envelopes of cash in the men’s bathroom of a local restaurant, but we just won’t know until we see the files….
read … The FBI Continues To Stall On Releasing Hawaii Lawmakers' Bribery Investigations
Lahaina Strong Sells out to Hawaiian Electric: Grabs for Millions from ‘Community-Based’ Energy Plan
CB: … Paele Kiakona, organizer of Lahaina Strong — a(n) grassroots organization focused on resilience, recovery and rebuilding efforts (backed by meth dealers) in Lahaina — acknowledged there has been community criticism of HECO regarding the fire, but emphasized the need for collaboration, given its current grid ownership.
(TRANSLATION: Meth dealers see an opportunity to scoop millions of dollars in GEMS loans just like team Ritte did on Molokai. Rawlins-Fernandez in on both deals.)
“We understand that we’re going to have to work with them at some point when it comes to that, for the planning in general, because we are all tied to HECO at the moment,” he said….
“The Lahaina community, all of you, are the decision-makers,” Kiakona said at the meeting. “You’ll basically lead the process going forward. He added Lahaina Strong’s role is to make sure everyone is involved in the project and is continually informed.
(IQ Test: Do you believe this?)
Ha Sustainability and Shake Energy Collaborative are on-the-ground experts in Hawaii as far as what the grid looks like and what it can be, he said. They can take the community’s goals, wants and needs and put them into a “chewable form,” but first offer opportunities to educate people on how it actually works.
(IDEA: Try a smokable form.)
Ha Sustainability co-founder and principal Alex de Roode said the plan will address the needs of the entire Lahaina community, including commercial and residential customers.
Headquartered on Maui, the organization is a sustainability and climate action consulting firm.
De Roode told Civil Beat that Ha Sustainability is a relatively new firm, having been around about a year and a half. But he and his partner, Hannah Shipman-Peila, have worked for Maui County under the Office of Climate Change and Sustainability, where they were involved in many projects dealing with climate change, resiliency planning for hubs and electric transportation initiatives.
“We bring a lot of experience from our local government work,” he said.
(TRANSLATION: Political connections pay off.)
The hope is that community leaders in Lahaina would be empowered to take the lead and guide their energy future even beyond the project’s 30-month period, de Roode said.
The third partner, Shake Energy Collaborative, based on Oahu, is a community-based renewable energy developer. Among other projects, the organization was involved as resource partner and technical adviser for the (Ritte gang’s) Molokai Community Energy Resilience Action Plan (BINGO!).
RELATED: ‘Community Based Energy’: $27.5M in GEMS for Hawaii Democratic Party Officials, Maui Councilmember -- Ho’ahu’s Board of Directors includes Walter Ritte’s sister Lori Buchannan, Makena Fernandez, husband of Maui County Council Vice-Chair Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, and former HD13 Democratic Party Chair and PRP operative Chair Todd Yamashita who also publishes the Molokai Dispatch.
RELATED: Meet the Meth Gang Behind ‘Lahaina Strong’
CASH SOURCE: Lahaina Energy Partnership | State, Local, and Tribal Governments | NREL
PDF: Lahaina Energy System Context (nrel.gov)
read … Feds Partner With Maui Groups To Develop An Energy Plan For Lahaina
Waianae Shootings May Spur A Push To Change Hawaii’s Self-Defense Laws
CB: … The six bills proposed last session by more than a dozen lawmakers, both Democrats and Republicans, vary in scope but share the goal of empowering citizens in threatening situations.
Among the proposals was House Bill 86, which would have clarified that someone who uses deadly force in self-defense does not have a duty to retreat if they are in their dwelling or on their property, “unless they are the initial aggressor.”
“The Legislature finds that the people of Hawaii have a fundamental right to be safe in their homes,” the bill read. “However, the recent rise in violent crimes is threatening the public’s sense of security.”
The bill cites HPD’s 2021 annual report that found Oahu had seen a rise in violent and property-related crimes including murder, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft.
Introduced by Kila and fellow Democratic Reps. Sean Quinlan and Daniel Holt, the bill states that it is “imperative that residents be allowed to defend themselves when in their home, even when using deadly force if necessary, but that the use of deadly force is less justified when the person using force is at the person’s place at work.” ….
TAG: Self-Defense Shooting Reignites Stand-Your-Ground Debate In Hawaii - The Truth About Guns
CN: Deadly Dispute: Family Gathering In Hawaii Turns Fatal After Neighbor's Rampage | Concealed Nation
read … Waianae Shootings May Spur A Push To Strengthen Hawaii’s Self-Defense Laws
HNA files injunction to stop ‘morally indefensible’ lockout
KHON: … “It’s morally indefensible for Kapi‘olani to lock out the nurses who care for our keiki and community until nurses give in to their contract demands…Kapi‘olani’s decision to lock out local nurses is about intimidating and terrorizing the hard-working nurses,” HNA President Rose Agas-Yuu said in a news release.
In an effort to stop the lockout, The Hawaii Nurses’ Association (HNA) filed an unfair labor charge against the hospital and Hawaii Pacific Health, calling the lockout “retaliation at its best,” according to HNA President Rosalee Agas-Yuu….
read … HNA files injunction to stop ‘morally indefensible’ lockout | KHON2
For more enjoyable, drama-free vacations -- Skip Hawaii
BH: …One reader shared how they have come to Maui every year but now find themselves searching for cheaper alternatives on other islands. They remarked, “Not the best way for Maui to recover. Lowering prices would be better to entice people like myself to return to Maui.“
Another long-time visitor, James, mentioned how, after 20 years of annual trips to Maui, they decided to try Tahiti due to the rising costs and unfriendly attitude they’ve encountered. They reflected, “Perhaps one day the local government will realize that they went too far with their fees and tourist gouging. Sadly, I feel it will be too late as folks like us move on to more enjoyable, drama-free vacations.“
Many readers have expressed frustration over Hawaii’s high taxes and fees. Bob described the impact of surcharges on restaurant meals and room taxes at timeshares: “Surcharges on almost all restaurant meals… still the expectation of a tip. Over days, that adds up. Car rental prices are still high after COVID. We are hit with about an 18% room tax.“
Melissa said, “As a resident, I love our state, but I do not support the price gouging that has taken place since COVID. Hawaii and also Las Vegas need a wake-up call in relation to surcharges. The prices are absolutely outrageous.”
Harriett expressed similar disappointment, noting how “flights and condo taxes” have made it difficult for them to enjoy their time in Hawaii. They have even considered skipping activities altogether: “We may have to stay at the condo and swim in the pool. Do they charge more for that too?“
read … Why Is Hawaii So Expensive? Who’s Responsible and How To Complain - Beat of Hawaii
Sidestepping Anti-5-G Nuts: Proposals would take County out of approval process for cell towers
HTH: … Cell towers on the Big Island could be installed without a Hawaii County permit under a proposed new policy.
The county Planning Department introduced to the Windward Planning Commission on Thursday a draft bill that would remove the requirement for telecommunication companies to apply for a use permit to build and operate cell towers in certain zoning districts.
Currently, cell towers require the county to issue a use permit to the telecom company, which entails a planning commission review process that can take up to 150 days and are subject to contested case hearings — a mechanism by which people or organizations impacted by a governmental decision can challenge it.
However, state laws require that all broadband-related permits be approved or denied within 60 days of the application’s submittal. Should no decision be made within 60 days, the permit is de facto approved.
Planner Tracie-Lee Camero said Thursday the bill is in part a response to an incident last year, when company Renegade Towers LLC proposed to build a 150-foot tower on a parcel in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. Neighboring residents, arguing that the tower would negatively impact their property values, petitioned for a contested case, and were in December 2023 granted standing by the Windward Planning Commission.
But, it turned out, that didn’t matter. The commission, discovering that it was in contradiction of state law, voided its December decisions, leading to the permit being approved by default when the 60-day deadline expired Dec. 21….
read … Changes eyed for cell towers: Proposals would alter the approval process
Hawai`i Shared Solar Projects in Deep Trouble
IM: … The Public Utilities Commission sent a letter to HECO regarding the shared solar program on September 6, 2024.
“The CBRE Independent Observer has informed the Commission that Kawela Plantation, Mililani Tech Solar 1 and Palailai projects currently have not attained/retained the minimum subscribership after six months of commercial operations needed to avoid the penalty to specified in Section D.8 of Hawaiian Electric’s Rule No. 26….
read … Hawai`i Shared Solar Projects in Deep Trouble
Latest Plan to Renovate Natatorium
SFG: … The memorial is not going to be torn down and rebuilt, but rather rehabilitated. The archway is slated to stay intact. Some areas, such as the bleachers and fence wall, are to be repaired. The underwater portions of the seawall are to be removed and replaced. “This is a massive project,” Sugg said, “You’re literally building in the ocean.”
The project is currently in the design phase, and engineers are finalizing plans. Sugg said he hopes that step will be done next year, and then construction can begin. The cost of repairs, he estimated, will be about $30 million to $35 million. “The Friends of the Natatorium are the ones that are going to be raising the funds to support the vast majority of construction,” Sugg said.
As the centennial nears, Ching hopes that the restoration will be done in time for the anniversary. Sugg said it’s too early to nail down a date: “I don't know if the project would be completed by August 2027, but it is our intention to have some real, solid work done so that we can celebrate the 100th anniversary of the natatorium in August 2027.”
Blangiardi’s second term ends in 2028, so all parties want to see the natatorium reopened before a new mayor is elected. “That is absolutely our hope,” said Sugg, “That’s our intention.” …
HNN: City, nonprofit aims to reopen shuttered Waikiki natatorium after 40 years
read … How a crumbling Hawaii monument will finally be restored (sfgate.com)
Election News:
Lahaina Fire News:
QUICK HITS: