This Day in History: Truman Announces Hiroshima Bombing
Schatz locks up whip race
Lahaina: Four Ways to Speed Recovery
Two years after disaster, Maui recovery inches forward
61% of Hawaii Homeowners Sitting on $250K Capital Gain
UH sets extramural funding record for 4th consecutive year
Trial over jail killing reveals alleged gang control of OCCC
HNN: … The killing of a detainee at Oahu Community Correctional Center is the subject of a dramatic trial in Circuit Court, where prosecutors say gangs were running the module, so that the dying man was not found by guards for hours.
The trial is revealing gang control of the prisons and a climate of fear such that, at the request of the Deputy Attorney General Adrian Dhahkwa, Judge Paul Wong barred Hawaii News Now from identifying any of the witnesses in television stories.
Alleged “Murder, Incorporated” leaders Bronson Tuitelelepaga, his brother, Aaron Tuitelapaga, and Manu Sorenson are on trial for manslaughter after the gang allegedly controlled OCCC’s Module 13 and ordered the beating of Christopher Vaefaga, 36….
He said guards did not do required head counts that would have discovered Vaefaga.
Attorneys say guards alerted from outside the prison found him lifeless about five hours later.
“It’s basically an unwritten rule there at OCCC that you don’t go to the ACOs for anything,” he told the jury. “You don’t go to them for help. If you do it, you’re not going to get it. If you go to them for help, you’re basically going to call attention to yourself. You can bring negative attention so you might risk getting beaten yourself.” …
July 25, 2025: Meth, Tats, and Murder: Gang Controls Guards at OCCC
Read … Trial over jail killing reveals alleged gang control of facility
In newly released demand letter, former police chief seeks $784K citing retaliation, ‘emotional distress’
HNN: … The total of $784,240 includes “payment for all the wages Chief Logan would have earned” in the final two years of his five-year term, or $534,240.
It also includes “damages for emotional distress, harm to reputation” and attorneys’ fees, or $250,000.
He is demanding a “written apology from the Mayor” acknowledging the wrongful nature of his “termination.”
The city responded to the demand letter the same way they responded to the subsequent lawsuit, saying Logan retired and could have pulled his retirement or changed his mind at any time….
SA: Ex-Honolulu police chief wants $784k after alleged ouster | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
HPR: Former Honolulu police chief alleges Mayor Blangiardi forced him out | Hawai'i Public Radio
CB: Former Chief Demands $780,000 From City For 'Wrongful Termination' - Honolulu Civil Beat
Read … In newly released demand letter, former police chief seeks $784K citing retaliation, ‘emotional distress’
Councilmember pushes to speed up hiring of new HPD chief
KITV: … Tupola introduced a new resolution aimed at streamlining the hiring timeline—an effort to fill the top position following the resignation of former Chief Joe Logan last month.
Under the proposed resolution, the hiring process would not only be accelerated but would also include input from HPD officers themselves. The goal is to give those within the department a voice in selecting their next leader.
“The people working in HPD day-to-day have valuable insight,” Tupola said. “It’s important their perspectives are considered in this decision.”
Tupola hopes the new chief will be selected before the end of the year.
The resolution is expected to be discussed at an upcoming council meeting….
(CLUE: Kealoha was the only recent Chief supported by SHOPO and the rank and file cops.)
CB: Honolulu Police Hope Child Care Will Help Recruit And Retain Employees - Honolulu Civil Beat
SA: Council again to review HPD radio channels access | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Read … Councilmember pushes to speed up hiring of new HPD chief | Local | kitv.com
Rebuilding progress: 90 Lahaina homeowners complete no-cost property surveys
KITV: … Through the Lahaina Homeowner Recovery Program funded by the Maui Strong Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF), 90 homeowners in Lahaina and Kula have been able to complete property surveys at no cost. By the end of this month, another 66 surveys will be completed. That means 156 homeowners can now apply for permits to begin their rebuilds—with funds still available for another 544 applicants.
The progress comes as the two year mark nears since the devastating Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires.
At every step of the way, these families have the help and guidance of Hawai‘i Community Lending (HCL), a nonprofit mortgage lender, designated by HCF to administer the program.
This initiative is the first of its kind in the nation, and HCL has retained a survey advisor out of California who is developing a playbook based on results. The playbook will focus on how to establish similar types of programs in disaster areas nationwide to help speed up the redrawing of property boundaries so families can get to construction faster. ….
Read … Rebuilding progress: 90 Lahaina homeowners complete no-cost property surveys : Maui Now
Mileage Fee: State DOT Caught Ripping off E-Car Owners
SA: … Question: I am a kupuna who has owned an electric vehicle for about six years. I received a postcard that I would get to choose the RUC by the miles or a flat rate. When I got my registration renewal about a week later, it said that they do not have sufficient odometer readings so they defaulted me and I must pay $50. I looked at my last safety check and the document clearly shows the odometer reading of 15,022 miles on Aug. 23, 2024. As of July 25, 2025, my odometer has a reading of 17,810 miles. That means I drove my EV 2,788 miles last year so my cost should be about $22, not $50. They need to plan better for the transition and/or someone is not doing their job of inputting the data mileage from the safety check. How can they send out a postcard giving me a choice and then say I don’t have a choice?
Answer: Your question to Kokua Line helped alert the state and the counties to a problem with EV registration renewals eligible for the state Department of Transportation’s new Hawaii Road Usage Charge program, which took effect July 1. The state and counties are working to fix “a system mistake,” a DOT spokesperson said Tuesday. You and others may receive a refund or credit; the exact solution is being worked out.
Read … Kokua Line: What’s wrong with electric vehicle mileage fees? | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Mentally Ill Model Dead Because she was not forcibly incarcerated in lunatic asylum
KITV: … Nadea also battled a darkness in her life.
"She had mental difficulties toward the end. I think she suffered from schizophrenia, she was bipolar, those type of mental issues, along with paranoia. She went from being a model to being homeless."
(IQ Test: Should she have been forcibly incarcerated in a lunatic asylum? Y/N.)
On May 26, her body was found along the Pali Highway, after she was believed to have been living in a homeless encampment here.
Tony says her family tried to track Nadea as she was homeless in other states, but did not know how she ended up in Hawaii.
"As a parent, it's very difficult to know that your child was at one second sitting on top of the world, and at the next moment found dead on the side of a highway in Hawaii, 4000 miles away."
They don't even know how she died.
"She wasn't bruised or didn't have any marks on her. She may have starved to death, we don't know. "
He says the family was told it would be several more months before the medical examiner can determine an exact cause of death….
Read … First a model, then homeless, then found dead along the Pali Highway | Local | kitv.com
Felon tied to baby’s death catches a FEDERAL Case
SA: … A felon who allegedly disposed of the body of an 18-month old girl in a 2021 murder is facing federal criminal charges after he was allegedly caught in Aiea driving a stolen car, carrying a gun, and stashing nearly three pounds of methamphetamine.
Scott Michael Carter, 53, was charged by federal criminal complaint July 25 with one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition and possessing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, according to federal court records.
He is scheduled for a detention hearing today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Wes Reber Porter….
Carter has 48 criminal cases and citations and 15 prior state convictions, including nine felonies, according to state court records. Among those felony offenses, Carter has been convicted of burglary twice, and convicted four times for stealing a car.
Carter is allegedly the only person who knows what happened to the body of 18-month-old Kytana Ancog.
Ancog’s father, Travis Rodrigues, confessed to hitting, shaking, and squeezing the girl against his chest until she became unresponsive while he was high on methamphetamine.
Rodrigues said he put his daughter’s body in a duffel bag and put it in a car driven by Carter, who allegedly told Rodrigues he would “take care of it.” …
Carter was charged Feb. 19, 2021, with hindering prosecution in the case.
A state judge dismissed the charges because the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney failed to try Carter within the required amount of time after Rodrigues refused to help their case and the owner of the home where the murder occurred died.
Carter’s case was dismissed without prejudice, meaning prosecutors could refile the charges. Rodrigues’ attorneys made a plea offer to prosecutors and his trial in June was continued….
REALITY: Lawsuit Exposing HPD Malfeasance in Kytana Ancog Murder: $250K settlement
Read … Felon tied to baby’s death is charged in new crimes | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Hawaiʻi Rarely Takes Guns From People In Crisis, Despite 'Red Flag' Law
CB: … A law enacted five years ago was supposed to help loved ones and law enforcement get a court order to temporariliy take away someone’s guns. Only 10 petitions have been filed….
Read … Hawaiʻi Rarely Takes Guns From People In Crisis, Despite 'Red Flag' Law - Honolulu Civil Beat
Federal judge questions merit of Trump permitting commercial fishing in Pacific marine monument
SA: … a U.S. District Court judge hearing the case did not make an immediate ruling ….
Read … Federal judge questions merit of Trump permitting commercial fishing in Pacific marine monument | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Overstating Tsunami Threat May Lead Some To Ignore Warnings Next Time
CB: … Hawaiʻi was not overwhelmed by big waves on July 29 but by misaligned emergency communication ….
Read … Overstating Tsunami Threat May Lead Some To Ignore Warnings Next Time - Honolulu Civil Beat
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