Navatek ex-CEO Gets 87 Months for Fraud
Hawaii AG Sues to Stop Musk
Hawaii AG Wins Injunction Against Trump's 'Birthright Citizenship' Order
How to Maintain DEI Programs: Hawaii AG 'Guidance' for State Contractors
$550M Short, Stanford Carr might be forced to walk away from Aloha Stadium project
HNN: … Senate Bill 893 would have granted 20-year licenses for casinos at the new Aloha Stadium Entertainment District and at the Hawaii Convention Center.
Critics testified on Thursday in opposition of the bill, prompting a warning from developers.
Stanford Carr, a developer for the new Aloha Stadium project, argued that without casino revenue his group might be forced to walk away from the project.
“The shortfall is over $550 million, and you just can’t make that up with the real estate investments. Its just not economically unfeasible,” Carr said.
“Realistically, we would be pencils down and walk away from the project.”… (How sad….)
RELATED: HB1494: ‘Stop all Procurement’ for Aloha Stadium Boondoggle (bill is alive, FIN ctte next)
read … Senate kills push for Hawaii casino bill
Another CWS Hell House: Three Babykillers Get Probation
HTH: … A 67-year-old Hilo woman was sentenced Thursday to 10 years of probation for her role in starving her developmentally disabled 9-year-old granddaughter to death in 2016.
In a deal with prosecutors, Henrietta Stone — who had originally been charged with second-degree murder for the death of Shaelynn Lehano-Stone — pleaded no contest to manslaughter on Feb. 6, 2024.
The child died June 28, 2016, mere hours after police and emergency medical services found her emaciated and unconscious in a Kinoole Street apartment almost directly across from the Hilo Central Fire Station.
The apartment was the home of Stone, the child’s maternal grandmother, and the girl’s biological parents, 57-year-old Kevin Lehano and 41-year-old Tiffany Stone….
Deputy Prosecutor Kevin Hashizaki argued that, based on a pre-sentence investigation report, Henrietta Stone should be sentenced to 20 years in prison for the Class A felony conviction.
But Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto opted for probation — the same sentence Lehano and Tiffany Stone received separately in 2021.
Hashizaki sought the maximum prison term based on the PSI report — which isn’t a public document. He told the judge Henrietta Stone’s actions “warrant the imposition of the prison sentence.”
“Shocking is the word that comes to mind when the state reviewed … the submissions of the two (EMS) personnel,” Hashizaki said. “I think that, in and of itself, reflects the seriousness of the crime that Ms. Stone committed upon this, at the time, 9-year-old victim.”…
The judge added the defendant’s age, health, lack of a prior criminal record and length of pretrial incarceration were factors in sentencing.
Henrietta Stone appeared in court free on $100,000 bail posted last July by Tina Kasten, a maternal aunt of Shaelynn Lehano-Stone. Kasten, as representative of the deceased girl’s estate, filed a civil suit in 2018 seeking damages from the state, Lehano and both Stones. The litigation has been on hold pending completion of the criminal cases.
Having been incarcerated almost quadruple the two years maximum in a probation sentence, Henrietta Stone remains free, and Nakamoto ordered the bail returned to Kasten.
In a case marked with similarities to that of Peter Kema Jr. — arguably Hawaii’s most notorious child abuse and homicide case — Lehano-Stone had been removed from the custody of her parents and placed in foster care at least four times in her short life. Like “Peter Boy,” Lehano-Stone repeatedly was returned to abusive parents.
The girl’s two older siblings, who also were in the Child Welfare Services system, are now adults, as Lehano-Stone would be, had she lived….
LC: Grandma avoids prison in starvation death of granddaughter
read … Grandmother sentenced to probation in child starvation case - Hawaii Tribune-Herald
SB897 to Facilitate Clean, Cheap Natural Gas for Hawaii?
IM: … SB897 HD1 heard by the Hawai`i Senate Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs (EIG) and on Commerce and Consumer Protection (CPN) on February 11, 2025.
The bill has several odd sections. No one testified that they liked the bill. The bill passed with most of it gutted.
The bill asserted, "Power plants relying on combustion shall commit to using low carbon fuels upon commencement of operations to be eligible as nonfossil generators."
(CLUE: After closing out the last cheap coal plant on Oahu and seeing it replaced by expensive oil-fired generators, Gov Green is calling for cheap, low-CO2 natural gas to be used to fire several combined cycle plants around Barber’s Point. Result: Lower emissions and lower costs. The solar industry wants its competition to be dirty and expensive, so of course they are opposed.)
As Life of the Land pointed out, "Power plants can be designed to use any type of fuel, but if a power producer ʻcommitsʻ to using undefined “low carbon fuels” at start-up then it is a nonfossil fuel company. The company may then switch back to fossil fuels."
The bill also stated that an independent power producer can include companies that have 59% utility ownership.
The Public Utilities Commission established a Reliability Standards Working Group about a decade ago. The Commission could have adopted reliability rules but left the issue up to the utilities.
Recently the Commission proposed contracting with a Hawaii Electricity Reliability Administrator who would initially oversee reliability while training Commission engineers to handle the job in the future.
The bill proposed expanding the role of the Hawaii Electricity Reliability Administrator to include approving power purchase contracts between utilities and fossil fuel-based "nonfossil generators." The review process would bypass the Public Utilities Commission`s review process, bypass stakeholders, bypass equity concerns, and allow projects that significantly increase rates.
The unsubstantiated rumor is that the Hawaii State Energy Office inserted the language into a short form bill to allow fast-tracking of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects….
(CLUE: This bill would lower HECO’s costs. The next bill, HB982, is the alternative, raise its rates.)
read … SB897 HD1 -- Renewable Fossil Fuels, LNG, Streamlining Regulation and Rate Increases
HB982 Raise Rates Now to Pay HECO for its NEXT Disaster
IM: … The House Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs heard testimony on HB982 HD1, a complex bill on securitization and the establishment of a Wildfire Recovery Fund. The hearing lasted for more than one hour on Thursday, February 13, 2025. (Companion Bill: SB1201.)
Hawaiian Electric Company Senior Vice President Jason Benn asserted that to retore the credit rating of the utility, there needs to be a PUC-accepted wildfire mitigation plan, a Wildfire Recovery Fund, and an aggregate cap on liabilities….
Better idea: No-Fault Insurance for Electricity-Caused Wildfires?
read … Complex Securitization Bill Advances | Ililani Media
Family Ties Could DQ Judge From Hawaii Wildfire Litigation
L360: … The federal judge overseeing a proposed class action brought against Maui County, Hawaii, departments by Lahaina residents whose homes were destroyed in a devastating August 2023 wildfire has indicated she is ….
read … Family Ties Could DQ Judge From Hawaii Wildfire Litigation
Hawaii lawmakers put end to casino gambling bill
KITV: … The decision to end the bill was made on Thursday afternoon. Senate Bill 893 would have established a Hawaii Gaming Control Commission to oversee casinos added to the new Aloha Stadium Entertainment District. A 15% wagering tax of gross receipts was also included in this bill.….
State Senator Lynn DeCoite discussed the bill's overwhelming opposition when she made the pivotal announcement. She said that Hawaii isn't a place where they want to continue taxing residents….
read … Hawaii lawmakers puts end to casino gambling bill | News | kitv.com
SB1432: Dissolve Hawaii’s 5th County--or make Molokai its own County?
MD: … The bill, Senate Bill 1432 and companion House Bill 1113, explains that “after the passing of the last full or part time patient resident at Kalaupapa, the DOH will no longer provide patient care there but intends to complete environmental remediation work.”
The bill also proposes the establishment of the Kalaupapa State Historical Area, which would “commemorate and preserve the historical, cultural and environmental significance of the peninsula and its residents in Hawaii’s history.”
In addition to the changes in the agencies’ accountabilities, the bill also envisions dissolving Kalawao County and merging it with Maui County. Kalawao County is the smallest county by land area in the United States, comprising 12 square miles.
The dissolution of Kalawao County into Maui County raised some questions, concerns and creative thinking from Molokai residents at a Feb. 3 townhall meeting at the Mitchell Pauole Center when the subject of the upcoming bills was broached.
“Any suggestions about Molokai becoming part of Kalawao County?” asked Molokai resident Mahina Hou Ross at the townhall meeting. “I see it as a great opportunity for Molokai to take control of its governance and an opportunity to take control of our own island.” …
RELATED: Kahuku and Waimanalo Protests show why Hawaii Needs Municipal Government
read … Bill Plans for Future of Kalaupapa and Kalawao County | The Molokai Dispatch
Congresswoman demands answers after HNN investigation exposes one-sided kidney trade
HNN: … Records obtained by HNN Investigates show between 2017 and 2024, a total of 604 kidneys have been donated locally. Of those 232, nearly 40 percent were sent to patients living on the continent. During that same eight-year time period, Hawaii received just five kidneys in return…
This comes as the state’s transplant wait list has grown to 230 patients….
read … Congresswoman demands answers after HNN investigation exposes one-sided kidney trade
Delayed teacher paychecks discussed at Hawaii Board of Education meeting (again)
KITV: … The Hawaii Board of Education met today where the agenda’s focus was how teachers are not receiving their paychecks on time….
read … Delayed teacher paychecks discussed at Hawaii Board of Education meeting | News | kitv.com
Toxic Work Environment Concerns Derail Honolulu EMS Director Reappointment
CB: … The Honolulu City Council postponed a vote Thursday on whether to reappoint Department of Emergency Services Director Jim Ireland after several former employees said he fosters a toxic work environment.
They accused Ireland of favoritism and retaliation against people who speak out, which they said makes it difficult for the department to recruit and retain employees and leads to much-needed ambulances being left idle. One paramedic said Ireland inappropriately inserts himself into emergency responses because he enjoys the adrenaline rush.
“There’s definitely a no-confidence feeling within the field personnel,” said former city paramedic Jonathan Lee, who said he left the department in February 2024 after more than 30 years of service. Lee was among four people who testified in person; six more submitted written remarks.
Ireland denied the allegations in an interview with Civil Beat and during the meeting, which ended with the city’s deputy managing director, Krishna Jayaram, vowing to “take a close look.” ….
read … Toxic Work Environment Concerns Derail Honolulu EMS Director Reappointment
Why can’t Hawaii taxpayers use IRS Direct File?
SA: … “The Hawai‘i Department of Taxation is planning on participating in the Internal Revenue Service Direct File program for the 2026 filing season, for tax year 2025. DOTAX was unable to currently participate because our resources and staffing were committed to a major Gen Tax system upgrade which started in August of 2023….”
RELATED: Hawaii taxpayers could benefit from new IRS Direct File system
read … Kokua Line: Why can’t Hawaii taxpayers use IRS Direct File? | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
TRUMP NEWS:
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA:
QUICK HITS:
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Captain Cook's death: What happened on the 14th of February 1779 in Hawaii? - ABC Pacific
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Pacific commander urges faster arming of forces | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
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Mayor Blangiardi celebrates Black History Month in Honolulu | Office of the Mayor
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City’s DMV makes alternative license plates temporarily available | Department of Customer Services
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City and County of Honolulu named to Forbes America’s Best Employers 2025 List | Office of the Mayor
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Governor Josh Green, M.D. | NEWS RELEASE: DHHL Applicants, Lessees Encouraged To Participate In Home Build Program
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Governor Josh Green, M.D. | DLNR News Release – LAND MANAGERS RECEIVE FUNDS TO SUPPORT CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE, February 13, 2025
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States Where People Spend the Most & Least on Groceries—Hawaii 41st
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The City announces Skyline extended operation hours for the Great Aloha Run | Department of Transportation Services
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Lahaina family opens Mexican restaurant in Honolulu after wildfires
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Flu cases start to rise in Hawaii, 19 deaths this season
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Six HPD officers climb ranks in promotion ceremony
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High school students invited to test their global knowledge
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The Conversation: Indo-Pacific Command; Hawaiian language month at HPR | Hawai'i Public Radio
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Video captures Hawaii cliff jumper's final moments before fatal fall
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Water catchment project upcountry promotes community, pono stewardship | News, Sports, Jobs - Maui News
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Work on 2 Hamakua bridges should start this year - Hawaii Tribune-Herald
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Kirstin Downey: A Hawaiian Princess Who Died Too Young Captivated These Writers - Honolulu Civil Beat
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Honolulu woman, 58, is charged with selling meth out of her house | Honolulu Star-Advertiser