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November 22 2024 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 1:02 PM :: 1409 Views

"Turmoil and Dirty Laundry" -- UH Athletic Director Craig Angelos Suddenly Ousted

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Angelos Firing: ‘Outright lies’ ‘coup’ ‘conspiracy theories’

HNN: … Speaking before the university’s Board of Regents at a public meeting Thursday morning, Lassner lashed out at critics, but offered very little new information.

“The accusations of a coup by individuals in the department or my rewarding my friends are outright lies,” Lassner said.

Facing the angry faces of student-athletes and surrounded by his bosses, the regents, Lassner delivered a 15-minute statement.

While he did not go into specifics, Lassner said he and Angelos met regularly to discuss his performance.

“I can certainly believe that he felt blindsided by the separation at this time, but to believe that my evaluation and feedback was never discussed would be a false assumption,” he said.

Lassner acknowledged the accomplishments by Angelos during his short stint as athletics director, including helping to secure full-time membership in the Mountain West Conference, providing charter flights for the football team, and negotiating an apparel deal with Nike.

But he offered no new information about why he was terminated and refused to be interviewed.

“A list is important, but does not capture the totality of the performance of an executive,” Lassner said. “I believe my actions have been necessary, appropriate and professional based on the information available to me.

“My job is to make sure that this absolutely critical position is held by someone who can lead all aspects of our program with its diverse internal, and the many important external constituents, into a future that we all know will look very different than the past,” he said.

Because Angelos was fired after the board’s agenda was posted, regents could not legally consider his supporters’ call to reverse the termination.

Lassner addresses ‘ugly lies and conspiracy theories’

The university tapped associate athletics director Lois Manin to serve as acting director starting Dec. 2, with incoming UH president Wendy Hensel to announce the search for Angelos’ replacement after the new year.

Lassner denied social media speculation that he fired Angelos to make way for Manin, who he had passed over in hiring Angelos 18 months ago.

“The suggestion that I was pressured or forced to form a committee is an outright lie,” he said. “If I had wanted to hire her as athletic director, I had every opportunity to do so.”

Manin released a statement Wednesday confirming that she had previously applied for the position and was a finalist. But shortly after losing the top job to Angelos, she decided she would not apply for the position moving forward.

“I respect the job she has done and the integrity she has maintained throughout the personal attacks on her,” Lassner said.

Lassner urged “the haters and liars” to stop fueling “a social media firestorm” over Angelos' exit….

UH News: President Lassner addresses Athletic Director announcement

read … UH president addresses ‘outright lies’ over athletics director firing

Decision to fire AD Angelos reaffirmed during regents meeting

SA: … Despite testimonies of support, the decision to fire Craig Angelos as the University of Hawaii’s athletic director was reaffirmed during today’s monthly Board of Regents meeting at UH’s Bachman Hall.

The regents heard testimony from five people, including three student-athletes, who spoke of their support of Angelos’ leadership and asked to rescind his dismissal.

But there was little chance of a reversal. The matter was not on the agenda, and the regents did not question UH president David Lassner’s decision.

The only query came from board chairman Gabe Lee, who was asked if it was Lassner or Angelos who steered most of UH’s sports into the Mountain West and negotiated the discontinuation of the travel subsidies the Rainbow Warriors paid to visiting MW football teams. Lassner acknowledged the league presidents, who represent their schools on the Executive Council, make the decisions involving the Mountain West.

On May 18, 2023, Angelos was hired on an at-will agreement, meaning he would be without a contract — or buyout — while reporting to Lassner. The agreement did not provide for incentive bonuses. Lassner also was empowered to dismiss Angelos without cause. Angelos had said he agreed to the management-loaded arrangement because he was confident his work would merit extensive employment. Four months later, Lassner announced he would retire at the end of 2024.

This July, Angelos underwent a “360” evaluation, a standard annual review for at-will employees. Internal and external colleagues and associates provide feedback, which is then sent to the employee’s supervisor. In Angelos’ case, the supervisor is Lassner. Lassner shared the results with Angelos, and provided a list of shortcomings that needed to be addressed. Lassner and Angelos met twice a month during the 18-month employment to discuss his status.

Lassner decided to suspend action on Angelos while UH searched for the next president. Wendy Hensel was offered the president’s job in October. She will begin her tenure in January.

Last week, Lassner told Angelos he would not be retained. His last day as AD is Dec. 1, after which associate AD Lois Manin will be promoted to acting athletic director. Manin was a finalist when Angelos was selected but has said she will not apply to become his permanent replacement. The search for a permanent AD will begin after Hensel takes office.

“I can certainly believe that he felt blindsided by the separation at this time, but to believe that my evaluation and feedback was never discussed would be a false assumption,” Lassner said….

SA: UH Board of Regents upholds surprise firing of athletic director | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

HNN: UH student-athletes, supporters still seeking answers after Lassner’s remarks

read … Decision to fire AD Angelos reaffirmed during regents meeting

Bill aimed at taxing vacant homes moves along

KHON: … Honolulu City Council Bill 46 aims at freeing up vacant homes by taxing its owners up to 3 percent of its property tax assessed value.

The council voted on moving the bill to full council for approval….

“The number of exemptions that have been added to the bill that I believe could extremely water down the amount of homes that are ’empty’ based on what we can actually validate and what can actually be supported,” explained Andy Kawano, budget director.

There are nearly 20 exemptions on the current bill, including deployed military, homeowners exemption, legal vacation rentals, death in the family, caregivers, and long-term renters to name a few….

Big Q: Should Oahu approve an 'empty homes tax' in the next few months? | Honolulu Star-Advertiser -- 53% ‘NO’

HNN: Proposed empty homes tax gets exemptions added for Hawaii residents as final vote nears

SA: Honolulu City Council’s empty-homes tax measure advances | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

read … Bill aimed at taxing vacant homes moves along | KHON2

Hawaii agency details plan to improve ‘failing’ foster care

SA: … It could take two to four years for an agency running the state’s foster care system to fully address shortcomings found in an April audit that elevated concerns about the safety of children in foster homes.

Daisy Lynn Hartsfield, administrator of the Social Services Division overseeing the Child Welfare Services Branch within the state Department of Human Services, presented corrective action plan goals to a panel of state lawmakers Thursday in the wake of alarming findings in the audit requested by the Legislature in 2022.

State Auditor Les Kondo also presented the panel with highlights of the performance audit, which in large part focused on foster care household licensing.

PDF: MOWG+Report+Draft+11-19+final.pdf

BACKGROUND: Audit: DHS Skipping Criminal Background Checks on Foster Parents

read … Hawaii agency details plan to improve ‘failing’ foster care | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Teacher housing project in limbo after proposed site stirs community concerns

HNN: … An idea to entice and retain teachers to work in Hawaii is stirring some hesitation from a Central Oahu community.

While many support the idea, they’re calling on developers to rethink its location.

A 3-story apartment complex has been proposed for the Mililani High School campus. It would bring 109 affordable teacher-dedicated units to the school at below-market value.

As a public-private partnership, developer Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation would take on all of the construction and operational costs….

read … Teacher housing project in limbo after proposed site stirs community concerns

HPD pushes for tougher ‘ghost gun’ laws amid spike

SA: … Lambert told reporters the department is pushing for state legislation that would make possession of three or more gun parts a misdemeanor, which would allow law enforcement to educate legal firearm owners who may not be aware of the ghost gun issue.

HPD also supports making possession of any one gun part by a convicted felon a Class B felony.

“If you follow the law … you’ll be unaffected by the change of the law,” Lambert said.

Police are often finding juveniles in possession of homemade weapons and hope new laws will help them target youth before they get into gunplay….

read … HPD pushes for tougher ‘ghost gun’ laws amid spike

Hawaii Sheriff Division Faces New Scrutiny In 2019 Capitol Shooting Trial

CB: … A civil trial over a former deputy sheriff’s fatal shooting of a man outside the State Capitol five years ago began this week in a case that cast a spotlight on turmoil in the understaffed sheriff division.

Underscoring the persistent problems, the Department of Law Enforcement, which assumed oversight of the state sheriffs in a reorganization earlier this year, is in the midst of two unrelated misconduct investigations involving multiple staffers.

The family of Delmar Espejo, the man killed in the Feb. 18, 2019, scuffle, sued the state and former deputy sheriff Gregory Bergman of wrongful death and the use of excessive force. …

read … Hawaii Sheriff Division Faces New Scrutiny In 2019 Capitol Shooting Trial

No fentanyl related arrests made in October on Big Island

BIN: … Hawai‘i Police Department reports there were no fentanyl related arrests made islandwide during the month of October.

Police recovered a total of 5.1 grams of illicit fentanyl last month; zero fentanyl pills were recovered.

That 5.1 grams is enough to kill 2,550 Hawai‘i County residents….

read … No fentanyl related arrests made in October on Big Island : Big Island Now

Par Hawaii debuts new Kapolei refinery

KITV: … Par Hawaii unveiled a new refinery in Kapolei Thursday morning with a blessing ceremony.

Governor Josh Green and environmental leaders spoke at the event.

The company expects the newly constructed site to produce up to 60 million gallons of renewable fuel each year.

The large green tanks will house renewable fuel for things like airplanes….

read … Par Hawaii debuts new Kapolei refinery | News | kitv.com

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