November 28, 2024 News Read > Hawaii Free Press

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Thursday, November 28, 2024

November 28, 2024 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 2:32 PM :: 536 Views

Senate Announces Leadership and Committee Assignments

House Committee Assignments and Leadership Announced

Green Appoints Kusch to HD1 Seat (again)

October Tourist Count up 5.4%

HECO Proposes Controlling Phony Biofuel Industry

IM: … The Hawaiian Electric Companies are wrapping up their third round to competitively Procure Dispatchable and Renewable Generation (RFP-3).

HECO asserted that “the selection process for the Stage 3 RFP has been completed.”

The winners of the third round were privately informed by HECO that they won on December 1, 2023.

Several winners are biofuel developers. Each one of them was responsible for procuring their own fuel.

HECO filed a motion with the Public Utilities Commission on November 26, 2024, to request a modification of regulations to enable the utility to determine if they could purchase all the biofuel needed for each biofuel project…

read … HECO Proposes Controlling Biofuel Industry | Ililani Media

Arbitrator rules 550 UH UPW workers to get 15% hazard pay for pandemic work

KHON: … An arbitrator has ruled that hundreds of state workers are entitled to hazard pay for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting approximately 550 University of Hawaii employees.

The decision, announced this week, covers workers who were employed at the university from March 2020 to March 2022.

The arbitrator determined that these employees are entitled to an additional 15 percent of their base hourly pay, in recognition of the risks they faced during the height of the pandemic….

read … Arbitrator rules State workers are entitled to hazard pay for pandemic work | KHON2

State, deputy sheriff disallowed from claiming self defense in Capitol shooting trial

HNN: … The family of Delmar Espejo, 28, is suing the state of Hawaii and the deputy sheriff who shot him in the back during a scuffle at the Capitol.

Espejo refused to pour out an open container of alcohol.

During trial, it was revealed that Espejo was diagnosed with polio as a child and had trouble walking.

The family lawsuit filed in February 2021 alleged wrongful death, negligence and excessive force.

Ahead of the trial, the court found that evidence, including audio recordings between the deputies and dispatch, were destroyed.

Other evidence, like videos, was turned over late to the Espejo family attorneys.

The judge said during a hearing, “the non-production in a timely manner of critical evidence” means jurors would be instructed that self defense could not be considered when deliberating.

“That eliminates an entire line of defense and probably the most likely line of defense that a law enforcement officer has,” said retired federal public defender Alexander Silvert.

The state attorney general’s office is defending the case.

Silvert said the court’s sanction is a tough one. “It makes it much more likely that the jury can make a finding of liability in favor of the plaintiff,” he said….

read … State, deputy sheriff disallowed from claiming self defense in Capitol shooting trial

County employees accused of stealing gasoline from police station pump

HNN: … Christin Eve Hoomaikainani Ho, 37, was charged with two counts of third-degree theft. Her bail was set at $2,000.

Chase K. Leopoldino, 39, was charged with one count of third-degree theft. His bail was set at $1,000.

On Saturday, Nov. 23, shortly after 5 p.m., police say Ho was seen operating a Hawaii County owned vehicle at the fuel pumps at the Hilo Police Station, where she filled gas into a privately owned vehicle operated by Leopoldino.

The next day, shortly after 5 p.m., police say Ho was again observed operating a Hawaii County owned vehicle at the fuel pumps at the Hilo Police Station, this time with another man who police later determined to be a family member. Police say Ho left the area and the man put fuel into another privately owned vehicle….

BIN: 2 Hawai‘i County employees charged with stealing gas from Hilo Police Station : Big Island Now

read … County employees accused of stealing gasoline from police station pump

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