VIDEO: Trump Inaugural Address
1959: Martin Luther King Jr Salutes Hawaii Statehood
Housing Affordability: Regulations or Spending?
Do Lahaina recovery efforts hold lessons for LA?
Hawaii Trump supporters journey nearly 5,000 miles for inauguration
HNN: … Hawaii resident Sheryl Bieler who organized more than 30 rallies and convoys for Trump during his three presidential campaigns, traveled to Washington D.C. last week.
After a 20-hour journey, that’s when she found out the inauguration would take place inside the U.S. Capitol and she didn’t have a seat, like planned.
“It’s disappointing for sure, but we are here to make the best of it, so yeah,” Bieler said. “It is freezing cold here.”
Also present in Washington D.C. is Hawaii State Rep. David Alcos and Shirlene Ostrov, chair of Trump Campaign in Hawaii.
Meanwhile, two of four Hawaii democratic federal lawmakers decided to attend the inauguration on Capitol Hill: U.S. Senator Brian Schatz and U.S. Representative Ed Case.
Congresswoman Jill Tukoda (D-Hawaii) and U.S Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) chose not to attend….
Big Q: Did you watch or follow President Trump’s inauguration? | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
KHON: Tamara McKay, Hawaii Republican Party State chair, said over 100 people from Hawaii went to D.C. for Inauguration Day
HNN: Hawaii Republicans in D.C. find alternative ways to watch Trump’s inauguration
read … Hawaii Trump supporters may miss out on inauguration ceremony
Guam Attorney General: Do not tolerate homeless encampments
GPDN: … Why are our leaders and nonprofit groups coddling this unacceptable situation?...
A homeless staging site should be created in the front of Adelup with military grade tents for the evening use, and daytime vetting of the poor and homeless by cabinet officials, or even at some of the closed schools that can be partially legally occupied….
This island and its elected leaders suffer from an “excuse syndrome” that has stalled our development from being like island super economies like Hawaii, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong, to name a few.
The AG’s office and our attorneys stand ready to break the mental and cultural gridlock that is forcing our people to be only a military base, and not the Jewel of the Pacific.
Our level of conversation is so low class and backwards among the elected leaders, especially the governor of Guam and federally funded nonprofit organizations. We don’t speak like we want to be a successful first class tourist destination when we are getting pushback to enforcing Guam’s anti-panhandling laws. Lip service and excuses from Adelup ….
read … Hawaii does not tolerate homeless encampments. Why are we?
Bury all power lines or rebuild the town fast? In Lahaina fire recovery, it’s hard to do both
MN: … As Gene and Joann Milne rebuild the Wahikuli home they lost in the August 2023 wildfire, one familiar sight has returned to the neighborhood — the towering wooden utility poles and power lines that toppled in the hurricane-force winds during the fire.
Like many others, the Milnes are wary of these new poles being installed around their neighborhood more than a year after a downed power line led to the devastating fire that burned through Lahaina town and killed at least 102 people.
Soon after the fires, there was public outcry to bury them, no matter the time and cost. Many lawmakers agreed, too….
read … Bury all power lines or rebuild the town fast? In Lahaina fire recovery, it’s hard to do both
A quick update on a few Miske co-defendants
ILind: … One of Mike Miske’s cousins, Kaulana Freitas, was sentenced this week on two counts, racketeering conspiracy and use of a chemical weapon….
Hunter Wilson, one of the relatively minor characters in the Miske saga, is scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday morning, January 22….
In a surprise move, attorney Birney B. Bervar withdrew from representing Lance Bermudez, another of Miske’s original 10 co-defendants, and was replaced by Myles Breiner. The change, approved by Magistrate Judge Kenneth Mansfield, was quickly approved by Judge Derrick Watson….
read … A quick update on a few Miske co-defendants
HPD officers to be deposed in connection with Jan. 1, 2024, beating of man who attempted to interfere in police chase
SA: … The alleged assault of Cadiente occurred while police were engaged in an islandwide chase of attempted murder suspect Sidney Tafokitau Opens in a new tab, 44.
Tafokitau had told family he would never go back to prison and was shot 23 times and killed by police after he opened fire and wounded two officers on University Avenue that day….
On Dec. 4, Alm said no determination had been made on whether to charge the officers with crimes in connection with the injuries to Cadiente and Mataele.
Cadiente, who knew Tafokitau from the same church, attempted twice in 60 seconds to call him to tell him to surrender, according to the civil complaint….
read … HPD officers to be deposed in connection with Jan. 1, 2024, beating | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Revenge: In-Laws Of Rep. Sue Lee Loy Claim She Doesn't Live In Her Hilo District
CB: … Two in-laws of newly elected state Rep. Sue Lee Loy claim she doesn’t live in the Hilo district she represents and want House leadership to punish her — or even remove her from office.
Lee Loy said she moved into the Waiākea Uka neighborhood in April, before she filed papers in May to run for House District 2. A petition filed with House Speaker Nadine Nakamura by Bridgit Bales and Maureen Rawlins, sisters-in-law of Lee Loy, and three other Big Island voters on Jan. 10 alleges she continues to live in Panaʻewa, outside the district.
In an accompanying declaration, Bales said she lives next door to the home Lee Loy shares with her husband Ian Lee Loy in Panaʻewa. Bales, Ian’s sister, said she has proof: extensive security video footage of Sue Lee Loy at the home.
“Essentially what we’re saying is she’s not qualified to be a representative because she’s not living in the correct district,” said Diego Rivera, a lawyer representing Bales and the others. “Not only is she not living in the correct district, but she’s also fibbing about that fact.”
Lee Loy and her husband are divorcing, according to court records. She said in an interview that she and her husband alternate staying at the Panaʻewa house — usually for a week at a time — to care for their adult son, who is disabled.
She acknowledged that she does spend more of her time in Panaʻewa than in her district rental, but she said the Waiākea Uka unit is her legal residence….
REALITY: Police Corruption Scandals Revenge for Gambling Prosecutions?
read … In-Laws Of Rep. Sue Lee Loy Claim She Doesn't Live In Her Hilo District - Honolulu Civil Beat
Honolulu Has Been Struggling To Regulate Fireworks For More Than A Century
CB: … As 1926 turned into 1927, city streets were filled with the sounds of gunpowder igniting amid what one newspaper called the “wildest carnival” in the community’s history. Fireworks landed in moving cars. A 14-year-old’s dress caught on fire when a firecracker exploded near her legs. Four men were hospitalized with serious eye injuries. Another lost his hearing in a fireworks accident.
It would have taken 1,000 police officers to arrest everyone who broke the city’s limited fireworks regulations, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin wrote. Something had to be done to protect life and limb….
SA: Editorial: Enforceability key for fireworks law | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
read … Honolulu Has Been Struggling To Regulate Fireworks For More Than A Century
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