Oahu: Avian Influenza Confirmed in Backyard Flock of Birds
Day 2: Red Flag Warning May Lead to Power Shutoffs Today
‘Extraordinarily dangerous’: Intelligence community insiders warn against Tulsi Gabbard Nomination
DO: … In 2022, as Russian forces were launching an illegal expansion of their war against Ukraine, Gabbard said the U.S. was to blame, echoing a claim Russian President Vladimir Putin made to justify his invasion—but that NATO and the United Nations fully reject. Putin later said the war was actually a means to reconstitute the territorial empire of Catherine II.
Gabbard has echoed other Russian talking points as well, including one that came directly from Kremlin information operations.
Beyond Ukraine, Gabbard met with Syrian dictator and Russian ally Bashar Al-Assad in 2017. Assad continued to target civilians with chemical attacks after meeting Gabbard. But two years after the meeting, she refused to say whether he was a war criminal—despite clear evidence that he had killed some 1,400 people in Syria in a chemical weapons attack in 2013, among other crimes.
Gabbard’s pattern of publicly taking positions that are not supported by fact but do match up with narratives out of Moscow is going to hurt U.S. intelligence-sharing relationships with partner militaries and governments, the former senior official said. Many allies are already wary of Trump because of actions during his first term in the White House, such as abandoning Kurdish fighters in Syria in 2018—a move that prompted the resignation of several members of Trump’s first cabinet, including then-Defense Secretary James Mattis and anti-ISIS coalition envoy Brett McGurk.
“They're watching. Remember, there are a whole bunch of people that already, from [Trump’s] first term, are not comfortable with Trump because he was willing to throw allies and partners on a whim under the bus…So [allies] are already worried. And now this is a pertinent person who has basically said, ‘Hey, I think these bad guys are good guys.’”
Gabbard’s past public statements will also hurt her ability to earn trust among rank-and-file intelligence workers in the United States, said one current intelligence official.
“Tulsi's history of irresponsibly promoting misinformation and giving comfort to some of America's most aggressive adversaries is counter to the values of the intelligence community. If confirmed, she'll have a steep hill to climb to earn the trust and respect of the community,” the official told Defense One.
As DNI, Gabbard would be ultimately responsible for protecting U.S. intelligence operations and people from adversaries. She also would be the one to make the call on things like the 2022 decision to declassify intelligence analyses of Russia’s intentions in Ukraine, which helped marshal allies to Ukraine’s cause.
“That decision was an ODNI decision,” said the former senior intelligence official. “It is reflective of a new world order where we don't have absolute trust and you do need to be able to build coalitions… Alliances, friendships have always been one of the real elements of our strength. And it's imperiled.”
Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., a former CIA officer, echoed this sentiment on MSNBC on Thursday. “The idea that someone who has aligned herself with and defended Vladimir Putin could potentially have information related to the sources and methods of how it is that we knew that Russia was going to have invaded Ukraine…helps illuminate why this is so extraordinarily dangerous.”
Because of her past statements, intelligence professionals are also worried that she could alter analysis to fit a political narrative, which would leave the president or the public in the dark about key threats….
read … ‘Extraordinarily dangerous’: Intelligence community insiders warn against Trump’s DNI pick
Gov. Green calls Kennedy’s choice as HHS leader ‘insane’
SA: … Kennedy, known as an environmental activist and prominent spreader of vaccine misinformation, briefly ran for president as an independent in this year’s election before withdrawing in August and endorsing Trump, who promised a position in his administration.
In an interview with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Green — the only sitting governor who is also a medical doctor — described the decision as “gross malpractice” and warned that Kennedy’s appointment “will do incredible harm if he’s the director of Health and Human Services.”
The announcement drew widespread criticism nationally and a sharp response from Green, who recalled the urgent call he received in 2019 from Samoa’s prime minister during a deadly measles outbreak that claimed the lives of over 80 people, mostly children.
“It was so shocking to be called by a prime minister of another nation in a desperate moment,” Green, who was lieutenant governor at the time, said of the request made of Hawaii to help get the deadly outbreak under control.
Prior to the outbreak, Kennedy had visited Samoa with his anti-vaccine organization, Children’s Health Defense, meeting with local anti-vaxxers and government officials. Amid rampant misinformation about vaccines, Samoa’s vaccination rates plummeted from 60%-70% to just 31%, setting the stage for the devastating outbreak.
Green collaborated with Samoa’s leaders, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to mount a swift humanitarian response. Within 24 hours of announcing the mission, Green’s office received more than 500 offers of support from health care workers and organizations eager to help. A team of 76 health care workers and support staff from Hawaii was assembled to assist the island nation.
The Samoan government shut down for two days to facilitate a mass immunization campaign. The team worked to immunize the population of nearly 200,000, bringing the highly contagious virus under control. The unprecedented effort helped curb the outbreak, which had infected over 4,000 people and claimed more than 80 lives….
As Many As 30 Republican Senators Are a 'No' on Matt Gaetz
Trump's Cabinet and Inner Circle Sets Stage for White House Power Grab - WSJ
read … Gov. Green calls Kennedy’s choice as HHS leader ‘insane’ | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
HART wants 26% budget increase for fiscal year ’26
SA: … The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has advanced its fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budgets to Mayor Rick Blangiardi and the City Council for possible adoption in 2025.
HART’s combined budgets, which total over $968.3 million and would take effect July 1, show marked increases to debt service on the project’s loans as well as increased labor costs for the nearly $10 billion Skyline construction.
Rail officials indicated that due to the recently awarded $1.66 billion City Center Guideway and Stations, or CCGS, contract meant to take the rail line to Kakaako by 2031, the numbers within HART’s latest budget could change substantially before official review and approval by June.
According to HART’s budget information, 2025’s total operating budget will rise to $174.7 million — an increase of $36.4 million, or 26.3%, over the rail agency’s current $138.3 million spending plan.
Of that amount, $169.7 million — or 97% — is composed of debt service expenditures.
That includes $129 million in principal payments on outstanding general obligation bonds — an increase of $40.8 million over the current fiscal year, reports indicate.
But the agency notes that $40.3 million in interest payments on debt equates to a $4.6 million decrease compared with the current fiscal year.
Conversely, total labor costs are budgeted at $1.5 million — a $368,153 increase, or 32.4% higher than the current year.
HART’s main funding sources — local taxes and federal funding — total $1.2 billion for fiscal year 2026, budget plans indicate.
2025’s federal funding source totals $125 million, or about 10% of the project’s funding budget, compared with nearly $491.3 million, or 40%, derived from local taxes, budget reports state….
read … HART wants 26% budget increase for fiscal year ’26 | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Another Ghetto Lottery Payoff? Settlement negotiations underway after Molokai police shoot homeless man wielding machete
MN: … More than a year and a half after a Molokai man died in a police shooting on April 30, 2023, a civil lawsuit filed by his family might be headed for a settlement.
Nathaniel Naki’s family alleges his death was a result of “excessive” and “unreasonable deadly force.” Maui police have said two officers were responding to a call about a violation of a temporary restraining order and, after an ineffective deployment of a Taser, shot multiple times at Naki, who was carrying a large machete.
The request for a settlement came from the administration of Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen, who once served as the county prosecuting attorney and later as a Maui Second Circuit Court judge. The Maui County Council authorized negotiations through the Maui Corporation Counsel on Oct. 11.
The amount of money authorized for a potential settlement and the reason for settling the case remains undisclosed to the public….
(TRANSLATION: A lot of money.)
Assistant Chief Keola Tom also said the two officers were getting out of their car when Naki immediately advanced on one of them while carrying a two-foot-long machete.
Tom said an officer discharged a Taser, but there was no effect and the officers told Naki 70 times to drop the machete and more than 29 times to move back. Tom said officers also told Naki they did not want to harm him.
During the press conference, Pelletier said the shooting also affected the officers, for whom upholding the law is no longer the singular function of their job.
“With increasing frequency we see officers deal with individuals suffering from mental health issues and substance abuse,” he said.…
Naki, 40, was born and raised on Molokai. He was homeless at the time and residing near the roadside where he was killed. The lawsuit says the officers knew Naki and that Naki occasionally attended the same church as one of the officers….
read … Settlement negotiations underway in wrongful death lawsuit from 2023 police shooting
When ending Ukraine war, Trump must not foresake Taiwan
AT: … Appeasement that leaves Russia holding Ukraine territory will embolden China to take Taiwan, raising the risk of nuclear war – Sam King…
Sa: Taiwan has no arms shopping list for Trump but keen to discuss, officials say | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
SA: Taiwan president plans Hawaii visit on sensitive trip to Pacific | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
read … When ending Ukraine war, Trump must not foresake Taiwan - Asia Times
Rep. Case votes for bill to shut down fake terrorist-funding nonprofits—Can Trump be Trusted with this power?
ILind: … The U.S. House of Representatives this week fell just 14 votes short of passing H.R. 9495, dubbed the “Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act.”
The bill would have allowed future presidents, including the incoming Trump administration, to strip nonprofit organizations of their tax-exempt status if they are deemed to be providing “material support or resources” to a terrorist group. The government could take this action without due process and without having to jusify its action, and without any providing any evidence to prove its allegations.
NW: Full List of Democrats Who Voted for Bill That Gives Trump Admin More Power The House voted against the GOP-led Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act Tuesday, with 256 representatives voting in favor, shy of the 270 needed to pass the bill. Over 200 Republicans along with 52 Democrats supported the bill, and one Republican joined the 144 Democrats who opposed it.
GT: Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act (H.R. 9495) - GovTrack.us
NR: Kustoff Bill, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, Passes Ways and Means Committee | Congressman David Kustoff
read … Rep. Case votes for bill widely seen as threat to the right of dissent | i L i n d
Ambassador calls for 23,000 undocumented Filipino migrants to leave Hawaii
HNN: … Facing the threat of mass deportation, thousands of unauthorized immigrants in Hawaii are being advised to go back to the Philippines.
But immigration advocates say that would devastate families and the local economy.
The independent Migration Policy Institute estimated there are about 23,000 undocumented Filipino immigrants in Hawaii, and there are potentially 250,000-300,000 nationwide.
Jose Manuel Ramualdez, the Philippine ambassador to the United States, is telling them they should all go home….
Mass roundups of Hawaii’s approximately 51,000 unauthorized migrants of all nationalities would require local law enforcement support.
Sen. Joy San Buenaventura is trying to block that cooperation on immigration by asking agencies to resist….
But Republicans supporting the crackdown, like state Sen. Brenton Awa, claiming migrants have displaced local families.
“There’s gotta be stories that are that are heartbreaking for certain families, but we’re standing up for the people that were native to this land,” Awa said….
read … Hawaii advocates dispute ambassador’s call for undocumented Filipino migrants to leave U.S.
West Oahu crash highlights need to open bypass roads
KHON: … A multi-car collision early Friday, Nov. 15 in West Oahu left one man in critical condition and two others injured. The pile-up snarled traffic for hours. Lawmakers said it’s exactly why they need to open emergency access roads permanently.
Farrington Highway traffic was bumper-to-bumper for miles as thousands of West side residents started their Friday. The gridlock was due to a seven-car accident near the 7-Eleven in Nanakuli. The severity of the crash prevented police from clearing it for hours to investigate.
“I got on the road about 6:15 a.m. and I knew immediately when I got out of my house, that there was an accident because the traffic was almost backed up all the way to where I live,” Honolulu City Councilmember Andria Tupola explained.
So she sprang into action to get Paakea Road, one of several emergency bypass roads, open to help the flow of traffic.
But she said it’s not the first time Farrington Highway turned into a parking lot rendering residents hopeless….
Tupola agrees having Paakea Road open permanently is a step in the right direction. But she wants other emergency bypass roads open, like Kolekole Pass, especially after the Lahaina wildfires….
read … West Oahu crash highlights need to open bypass roads
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