November 8, 2025 News Read > Hawaii Free Press

Hawaii Daily News Read

Saturday, November 8, 2025

November 8, 2025 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 2:47 PM :: 181 Views

Just the beginning: 36-40 Flights Cut over Weekend

'Building common ground' housing event travels to Kauai on Wednesday, Nov. 12

Slink Away in Shame: ‘Missen Bissen’ Announces Reelection Campaign

MN: … Let’s just skip to the comments …

One of the laziest Mayor's we've had. Hard to believe that Victorino was a better Mayor! Bill 9 is a lazy attempt to fix a non-affordable housing problem that the County has created. He could solve this right now by changing zoning, planning, and making staff accountable. Maui County is the worst place I have ever seen for red tape, slow walking permits/paperwork, and generally making things difficult for developers who actually want to do the right thing. He could have been the change agent, instead he's been more of the same with a law degree….

No, here is your chance. Slink away in shame. I like to relate leaving Lahaina as it was burning. Almost no first responders, the Mayor was nowhere to be found, his staff was texting jokes about the fire. Then they closed the highway and wouldn't let food, supplies, medicine etc in or out. It's hard to believe how bad he was at our time of need. The feds saved our asses….

Mayor Bissen, what happened to Lahaina under your watch? The heart of not only Maui but the once capitol of the Hawaiian Kingdom burned to the ground and has yet to be rebuilt. Instead of putting your energy into approving building permits for homeowners and creating a redevelopment plan for businesses on Front Street you have chosen to put all of your energy into stealing STR owners' property without compensation and pursuing feel-good, accomplish-little environmental policies. Homelessness has gotten worse under your watch. Tax revenue for Maui County is lower and the economy as a whole is down because your policies have kept visitors away. No thanks, Mayor Bissen….

Just wait until revenue forecasts show how poorly everything Bissen has touched is performing. We're in for some rough times when the taxman doesn't have a magic checkbook to pay for everything with TAT, GET, HARPTA/FIRPTA revenue at record low levels. Complete programs and staff are going to have to get cut and this will land squarely on Bissen!...

read … Mayor Richard Bissen announces re-election campaign : Maui Now

‘Bad Actors Within Department’ -- Internal HPD memo warned that officers were arresting sober drivers for DUI, but practice continued

HNN: … A high-ranking Honolulu police officer warned the department that sober drivers were being arrested for DUI, but the practice continued despite the alert.

On Feb. 26, 2024, then-HPD Maj. Mike Lambert hand-delivered a memo to Assistant Chief Calvin Tong.

The document called for an investigation into cases where officers arrested drivers for operating a vehicle under the influence of intoxicants despite breath alcohol results of 0.00.

Lambert conducted an internal audit, checking all DUI arrests in the prior year where drivers were released and never charged. The audit identified 166 instances with 36 being strictly alcohol-related cases.

The warning came two months after HNN Investigates exposed the issue with the arrest of Ammon Fepuleai and others who were jailed despite having no alcohol in their system.

“Somebody should get in trouble if they squashed it though, because that major made a major allegation. It should have been investigated,” said Jonathan Burge, an attorney and former HPD officer.

HPD provided a list of DUI arrests that took place after Lambert sent the memo. HNN Investigates found 82 more arrests where drivers were released, not charged (RNC) with breath results of 0.00.

Burge said there are instances when a driver is suspected of being under the influence of illegal drugs so alcohol wouldn’t register. However, it’s rare for those drivers to be RNC.

HNN Investigates asked HPD about the memo, a spokesperson said, “based upon our multiple attempts to locate it, HPD does not have this memo, nor record of it.” The person it was delivered to, Tong, has since retired….

“The letter is a significant piece of evidence. It’s going to put HPD in a bad light if they didn’t take corrective action or sufficient corrective action,” said Alexander Silvert, a retired federal public defender. “It’s certainly going to help ACLU prove that citizens’ rights were knowingly violated.”

The memo ends with Lambert reiterating the need for a review to “ensure that policies and procedures were followed” to determine if “this is a training issue or the if this is a result of poor intent by bad actors within the department.” …

read … Internal memo warned that officers were arresting sober drivers for DUI, but practice continued

Former informant in high profile case now missing

KHON: … Honolulu police have opened a missing persons case for Jonnaven Monalim, who was last heard from after leaving his Ae Street residence in Kapolei on Nov. 5, at around 7:13 p.m….

Monalim has a criminal record spanning from the 1980s to the early 2000s. He was also the star witness in the 2004 Pali Golf Course shooting trial and was an informant for the government.

His recordings ultimately led to his family member, Rodney Joseph Jr., and Ethan Motta being sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole….

Police were seen searching the Pearl City industrial area on Thursday afternoon with K9s, drones and homicide detectives.

According to family attorney Michael Green, Monalim’s girlfriend said his hearing aid was found in the Pearl City area, and his phone had been pinged at the location, too. Sources tell KHON2 two bullet casings were also found at the scene, along with blood, but no sign of Monalim…

Green said police are testing one of the son’s DNA to see if it matches the blood found at the scene….

HNN: Former government witness who testified about gang shootout goes missing

Monalim 2010: Hanabusa, Souza tied to Pali Golf course shooters’ mob

read … Former informant in high profile case now missing

Discussions underway for $3 billion Thirty Meter Telescope to be built on alternative site on Mauna Kea

BIN: … Last month, Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green committed to working with the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority and the University of Hawaiʻi to establish a procedure for permitting the construction of the telescope, now estimated to cost $3 billion, at a decommissioned telescope site on Mauna Kea.

In a September presentation, TMT project manager Fengchuan Liu said it could be possible to redevelop a former telescope site, including the former location of the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory.

Hawaiʻi Island Mayor Kimo Alameda, a member of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority board, expressed support for this idea, believing it could meet many criteria for the Kū Kiaʻi Mauna (Guardians of the Mountain).

“The truth is that the Thirty Meter Telescope is a potential economic driver for us, and I think it is a good idea to consider,” Alameda said. “For one, the decommissioned area is already disturbed, and this would not be a new site on the mountain. I also think there have been many misconceptions about the potential build.”…

Alameda said TMT’s 18-story observatory building would not be visible if built on the former Caltech site because of a gully atop the 13,803-foot mountain….

Although the Mauna Kea Oversight and Stewardship Authority cannot make decisions on leases until 2028, (WHY?) TMT has been investing and waiting to see what its future in Hawaiʻi will be for more than 10 years.

“(TMT) has been holding out for a long time and is paying $1.2 million every year when they aren’t on the mountain,” Alameda said. “I think their board and staff have worked hard to address most concerns while being more communicative and collaborative.

“It will be up to the Authority, and I’m not sure how it will shake out, but we need to come to some agreement or decision soon to let (TMT) know,” Alameda added….

Under the UH Mauna Kea master plan, no more than nine observatories would remain once a science reserve area lease expires in 2033. The Caltech Submillimeter Observatory and Hōkū Keʻa have already been removed, and the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope is in the early stages of decommissioning….

A bill introduced by Stanley Chang and Lorraine Inouye in January 2025 sought to clarify the responsibilities between the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Mauna Kea Authority, ensuring clear management of these critical natural lands. The bill did not advance past committee….

State Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz also disagreed with Komeiji’s assessment that the Authority acts as an advisory board to the Board of Land and Natural Resources, although he grew frustrated with the lack of progress in the last two and a half years into the five-year transition.

“The thing I took issue with is if the Authority is stuck on the fact that they don’t have the ability to issue conservation use permits, then that one thing will prevent them from moving forward on other issues,” Dela Cruz said after the meeting. “We want them to get the plan going, get the rules together that are needed, fill positions, establish a long-term plan for its consultants, and establish a final plan for transferring permits, leases and equipment from UH.”…

According to Act 255, during the five-year transition period, the Authority must adopt a management plan, create a framework of rules, develop a financial plan that strives for financial self-sustainability, and prepare to assume all legal and operational responsibilities currently under UH management…

read … Discussions underway for $3 billion Thirty Meter Telescope to be built on alternative site on Mauna Kea : Big Island Now

A Campaign to Make Guam the 51st State Is Gaining Traction

WSJ: … A campaign to change Guam’s status is seizing the moment, with potential ramifications for America’s military strategy and diplomatic standing in a region primed for conflict.

Will Parkinson, a local lawmaker who supports statehood, has organized a series of town halls to spread the word about options for the future of the island, which the U.S. captured from Spain in the 1898 Spanish-American War.

“We must solidify our place in the American family such that any attack on Guam is unmistakably an attack on the United States itself,” Parkinson said at one of the recent events, which was attended by several dozen people. Statehood, he said, “would remove any question in any adversary’s mind about America’s commitment here.” …

Parkinson, who is Filipino American and was raised on Guam, is pushing for a referendum next November on whether the island’s status should change.

In his plan, a “Yes” result would lead to a vote on the options, which would include statehood, becoming an independent nation, or another arrangement known as free association.

With the latter, Guam would be independent but allow Washington control over areas such as defense in exchange for financial support or other incentives. Three Pacific countries have such arrangements with the U.S.: Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands.

Statehood would require approval from Congress—a tricky prospect if lawmakers think adding two senators and a voting representative would tip the balance of power in Washington.

But given that President Trump has mused about taking Greenland, the Panama Canal and Canada, some believe it is a good time for statehood supporters to make a push….

read … A Campaign to Make Guam the 51st State Is Gaining Traction - WSJ

Drama: Hawaii National Guard activated to make statewide food distribution efforts look more like an emergency

HNN: … Hawaii Gov. Josh Green and Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke requested Adjutant Gen. Stephen Logan to place members of the state’s National Guard on active duty Friday morning.

The state said that so far, Guard members have helped transport donations collected at public libraries, which was led by Lt. Gov. Luke with support from the Hawaii State Public Library System.

The state said the National Guard will also be helping the Hawaii Foodbank with traffic control, transporting supplies, and distributions.

Upcoming Hawaii Foodbank distribution supported by the Hawaii National Guard includes:

Nov. 9 at Leeward Community College
Nov. 13 at Aloha Stadium

The state said the National Guard is expected to remain activated as its support is needed for emergency food assistance, and members will receive state pay while serving under state active duty status….

(CLUE: Trump uses Nat’l Guard to make Dem city crime problems look worse. Green uses Nat’l Guard to make gov’t shutdown look worse.)

read … Hawaii National Guard activated to support statewide food distribution efforts

How parking spot mandates affect affordable housing in Honolulu

HPR: … Over the last five years, for-sale projects have seen the average number of parking stalls per unit drop by only about 3%, while rental projects have seen a decrease of about 19%.

“Something that we hear is, in some cases, particularly for-sale developers, whether how much of this has been studied or not, is that they feel that they need to build some level of parking to attract buyers. And I think that's maybe lesser of the case, in rental housing development,” Seitz said.

For a 200-unit high-rise building, building one stall for every two units would add $6.8 million to the cost of the project. For a small rental studio in Honolulu, a parking stall could add up to $410 a month to rent.

Geena Thielen, who develops Bill 7 housing, wrote in an email to HPR that adding a parking requirement to any development of fewer than 50 units would kill the project.

She developed three buildings with no parking, but the demand for the units has been strong with low vacancies.

There has been some pushback against the lack of parking mandates for Bill 7 projects. Earlier this year, the council considered Bill 53, which would have added parking mandates back to those developments: one stall per two units.

Some testimony in support of the bill came from those who lived near the Bill 7 buildings and felt that the lack of in-unit parking exacerbated street parking issues in the surrounding areas….

read … How parking spot mandates affect affordable housing in Honolulu | Hawai'i Public Radio

HPD arrests 4, seizes 48 gambling machines in Waialua, Pearl City raids

SA: … On Tuesday at about 5 p.m., officers with the Honolulu Police Department’s Narcotics/Vice Division, District 2 Crime Reduction Unit and the Specialized Services Division executed a search warrant at an illegal gambling room on Wanini Street in Waialua.

(Affordable Housing Program: Return illegal gameroom sites to use as housing.)

The officers seized 14 gambling machines and more than $4,000 in cash. A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of second-degree promoting gambling and possession of a gambling device. A 40-year-old man and a 49-year-old man were arrested on separate criminal contempt warrants, police said.

At about 6 p.m. Wednesday, officers with the Narcotics/Vice Division, District 3 Crime Reduction Unit and SSD executed a search warrant at two illegal gambling rooms on Kamehameha Highway in Pearl City. Officers found 34 gambling machines and more than $9,000 in cash. A patron was arrested on a criminal contempt warrant and two additional arrest warrants, according to police.

The seizures and arrests come less than a month after police shut down three Kalihi gambling dens and confiscated an assault rifle, ghost guns, drugs and $24,000 in cash over two days of enforcement operations….

read … HPD arrests 4, seizes 48 gambling machines in Waialua, Pearl City raids | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Nanakuli Homeless Refuse Shelter, Pledge to ‘go stealing’ even after EBT Cards Filled

HNN: … “We had asked the city and our elected officials to not do this sweep. The reason being that it’s the holiday season, and with the SNAP benefits all being cut, people are afraid. People in homes are afraid,” Suzuki said.

SNAP benefits were unexpectedly deposited Friday morning, but many in the encampment were unaware.

A mother of two named Pua, who did not want to show her face, says she received notice of the sweep just a day before. She fears it could trigger wider impacts.

“That SNAP thing is just crazy. It’s scary because people are going to start stealing. ….

Outreach workers say while they continue to offer help, the sweep highlights the lack of available housing on the Waiʻanae Coast. The 2024 Point-in-Time Count reported about 800 unsheltered individuals (refusing shelter) in the area and only two operating shelters ….

read … ‘People are afraid’: Homeless encampment cleared in Nanakuli

2,400 Hawaii households missing SNAP payments after Supreme Court stay

HNN: … The U.S. Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food aid payments amid the government shutdown.

The stay comes after a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration to find the money to fully fund SNAP benefits for November, and an appeals court left the order in place by the Friday deadline.

Early Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture sent a memo informing state agency directors that the Food and Nutrition Service was following the order and putting billions in the pipeline to EBT cards.

Officials in at least a half-dozen states confirmed that some SNAP recipients were issued payments.

In Hawaii, officials uploaded client eligibility data as soon as the judge made his ruling, and a few hours later, money began appearing in beneficiaries’ accounts.

SNAP recipients in Hawaii were surprised to find their usual monthly food allowance on their cards Friday morning.

“I believe we uploaded it at 7 a.m. this morning, and by 9:30 a.m., individuals saw their full SNAP benefit on the card,” Department of Human Services deputy director Joseph Campos told Hawaii News Now.

“We’ve been getting a lot of calls asking, ‘Is this for real?’” Campos added. “Definitely, people have the ability to use the full SNAP dollars that they received today.” …

“While many households were issued November SNAP benefits earlier today, we do know that at least 2,400 households are directly impacted by the stay and will not be issued the November SNAP benefits they were approved for until the stay is lifted….

read … Some Hawaii households among SNAP recipients missing payments after Supreme Court stay

Burning Man comes to Papaikou (again)

SFG: … Despite repeated warnings by the Hawaii Planning Department not to hold the event, it took place last year from Nov. 8 to 11, with over 200 attendees.

No event has been publicized this year, but details were sent out to an email listserv from an email address associated with Falls on Fire stating that an event would take place Nov. 7 to 9, 2025, referring to it as a “private gathering” with no charge and advising participants to “keep it off all public pages” so it can avoid a “$500 per day fine.”

SFGATE obtained a copy of the email, dated Oct. 8, and it links to a new website with private access and a “bible for everything FoF” that details rules, fire safety, sound policy, theme camps and volunteer information. Tepper confirmed that it was from an email address that he and other organizers are using, but also added that “it is not the email that invitations were sent from.”

Tepper also told SFGATE that he is “having a smaller private gathering while the permit is pending. I hope to have the permit next year, and if I do, I will again welcome members of the public to experience this incredible property.” …

read … With new ranch, mysterious Hawaii landowner now has 15,000 acres

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