Hawaii Democrats Talk a Big Game on the 'Climate Crisis.' They're Also Shielding an Oil Company Whose Execs Backed Their Campaigns
Is another great year too much to ask?
Not Everybody is Leaving: COVID fraud helps one family move to Kapolei
OHA Legislative Agenda: Kakaako 400 Foot Towers (again)
OHA Trustees Swear to Uphold Two Constitutions
Hawaii attorney general questions Walmart's retreat from DEI
Judiciary Seeks Nominees for Big Island, Maui
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Finds Pierick Won House Race by 11 votes
CB: … Pierick, a Republican representing Royal Kunia, Village Park, Honouliuli, Ho‘opili and a portion of Waipahu, edged Democratic challenger Corey Rosenlee 4,712 votes to 4,701.
In his challenge to the results, Rosenlee alleged mistakes by Honolulu City Clerk Glenn Takahashi in reviewing signatures on return identification envelopes and in securing and monitoring in-person voting lines, among other things….
With Pierick’s win, there will be nine Republicans in the House out of 51 members. That’s the most GOP representatives in at least 20 years….
(REALLY OBVIOUS QUESTION: If Hawaii is rife with election fraud, why didn’t Dems steal this race?)
Meanwhile: Long Lines Suppress Republican Votes on Election Day: City Clerk Plans to do it Again in 2024 (CLUE: Voter fraud and voter suppression are two different things.)
read … Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Finds Pierick Won House Race - Honolulu Civil Beat
Law enforcement department looks to upgrade technology nearly five years after evidence deleted
HNN: … The Department of Law Enforcement still does not have equipment that would automatically record and save dispatch calls or radio transmissions.
Their law enforcement officers are also not equipped with body cameras.
Those issues are still being addressed, nearly five years after deputy sheriff Gregory Bergman shot and killed Delmar Espejo, an unarmed, disabled homeless man with an open container of alcohol on the Capitol grounds in February 2019.
The state and Bergman tried to use self defense when Espejo’s family sued, but a judge denied that defense because evidence that could prove or disprove it was destroyed.
“Body camera footage is gone. Video from the state Capitol is gone. Audio transmissions are gone. A reenactment video is gone,” said Terry Revere, one of the attorneys for the Espejo family.
“The state was completely out of control in the amount of evidence that they lost, didn’t preserve,” Revere said….
read … Law enforcement department looks to upgrade technology nearly five years after evidence deleted
Key leader in Waianae cockfighting case pleads guilty, two others also changing their pleas
ILind: … Edward Caspino, in addition to operating the chicken fights and associated gambling, is alleged to have been the leader of a gang known as “WestSide,” according to the affadavit of a DEA agent filed in the criminal case.
On July 20, just two days after a federal jury found Michael Miske guilty on 13 charges, Jacob “Jake” Smith was quietly talking with Edward Caspino in the Federal Detention Center when Smith was attacked from behind, punched and kicked in the head and body by two men described as “soldiers” in Caspino’s WestSide gang, while Caspino casually walked away.
Smith had earlier pleaded guilty to being part of Miske’s racketeering organization and being “on call” to assault victims at Miske’s request. He spent several days on the witness stand during Miske’s trial, and provided key testimony against his former boss.
Smith’s attorney alleged in court filings that Caspino had ordered the assault in retaliation for Smith’s testimony against Miske.….
ILind: Another guilty plea in Waianae cockfighting case | i L i n d
read … Key leader in Waianae cockfighting case pleads guilty, two others also changing their pleas
Front Street Recovery: Generational landowners launch initiative to rebuild Lahaina Town
MN: … a grassroots coalition of generational Lahaina landowners has come together to form Front Street Recovery (FSR). Representing 73 landowners, FSR is committed to rebuilding the heart of Lahaina by restoring over 800 businesses and providing more than 7,000 jobs critical to supporting local families and the community.
Working to rebuild Lahaina’s historic Front Street is top of mind for these landowners, providing job opportunities for local families as they return to live in Lahaina Town.
“Our mission is to restore Front Street as the beating heart of Lahaina—bringing back the jobs, businesses, and sense of community that have sustained generations of families,” said Kaleo Schneider, FSR member and spokesperson. “You can’t live in Lahaina without a job. My family’s property housed shops and businesses for over 125 years, and we are determined to rebuild.” …
Organizers say the coalition is actively collaborating with consultants, legal experts, and policymakers to streamline the rebuilding process and create an efficient plan that respects Lahaina’s deep cultural and historical roots….
For more information on how to get involved, or to donate, visit www.frontstreetrecovery.org.
read … Front Street Recovery: Generational landowners launch initiative to rebuild Lahaina Town : Maui Now
Lahaina Underground power lines put on hold, says Hawaiian Electric
AAN: … Lahaina residents wanting Hawaiian Electric to rebuild their electric lines underground will have to wait, company officials said.
(TRANSLATION: ‘No.’)
West Maui community liason Mikey Burke said HECO is listening to residents who want underground utilities and other fire-proofing improvements. That process would take longer and slow down the rebuild. But it’s still in the conversation for Maui’s long-term planning, Burke said.
(TRANSLATION: ‘No.’)
“We are committed, because we have heard you from day one, about your desire to underground electrical lines. We are committed to continue that conversation with our community, with our federal, our state and our local agencies on how we bring that vision to life for the Lahaina community. It’s just going to take some time. Bear with us, give us grace, we will work on it.” …
(TRANSLATION: ‘No.’)
read … Underground power lines put on hold, says Hawaiian Electric – AsAmNews
Hawaii State fireworks laws misaligned with Honolulu City ordinances
KHON: … Using, possessing or selling over 25 pounds of aerials is currently a misdemeanor in Honolulu, though State law says it is a felony.
“How can it be a misdemeanor under city law and then a Class C felony under state law? It doesn’t make any sense,” Kiaaina said. “The current bill increases the penalty from one year to five years and labels it a Class C felony akin with State law.”
Current city law also calls for a $250 to $1,000 fine for the same charge. Kiaaina and her co-sponsor would like to increase it to between $1,000 and $10,000.
read … Hawaii State fireworks laws misaligned with Honolulu City ordinances
Honolulu City Council ‘reaffirms’ opposition to landfill over aquifer
SA: … Formby replied the city has set out a plan “to exhaust as many options as we could, respecting the rule of law.” ….
read … Honolulu City Council ‘reaffirms’ opposition to landfill over aquifer | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
I can braid hair, but Hawaii will not let me work
HR: … Five times since 1980, Hawaii’s Office of the Auditor has studied whether the beauty industry needs licensing at all. The answer is always the same: No. Yet lawmakers fail to act.
Exempting braiders would be a good first step. It would mean that all braiders could operate in the open, providing income for themselves and their families without fear of anyone shutting them down.
I personally would feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I finally could relax as a braider, like I used to do when practicing on my father as a child….
SA: Column: Detangle hair braiding license process | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
read … I can braid hair, but Hawaii will not let me work | Hawaii Reporter
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