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Monday, December 8, 2025

December 8, 2025 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 4:25 PM :: 234 Views

The Downmarket Impact of New Multifamily Housing: Evidence from a Honolulu Condo Tower

Hawai‘i and Honolulu county councils pass bills supported by Grassroot

Grassroot submits proposals to Honolulu Charter Commission

‘Parking requirements are closer to sorcery than to science’

JSC Still Seeking Nominees for Maui Judgeships

2026 Legislative Agenda: Tax Hikes Coming?

CB: … Gov. Josh Green won’t be releasing his proposed new budget for another two weeks, but he is already floating the idea that he and lawmakers may ~~reduce the scope of the whopping state income tax cuts they approved in 2024~~ (propose tax hikes).

Green has been ~~warning~~ (claiming) in his public statements that the state is facing significant budget problems, ~~citing federal budget cuts and other recent actions by the federal government~~ (blaming Trump who) he ~~says~~ (claims, without providing any evidence,) will cost the state an estimated $3 billion in lost revenue over the next six years.

(CLUE: Trump will be gone in three years.)

~~The situation is so serious~~ Green ~~has said~~ (claims) it may require tapping the state’s emergency budget reserve fund — better known as the “rainy day fund” — for several hundred million dollars to balance the state budget.

Last year’s state tax cuts figure into next year’s budget scenario because the state government will (allegedly) see its cash flow from state income taxes dramatically reduced thanks to House Bill 2404, which Green signed into law last year in an effort to lower the cost of living for struggling Hawaiʻi residents.

Given the increasingly alarming budget situation, Green has been suggesting at public events he and lawmakers may ~~limit the tax benefits that higher income Hawai~~ʻ~~i residents would otherwise receive from the tax cut bill~~ (increase taxes).

Green told reporters at a gathering of governors in Arizona last month that “we will have to see whether we can still keep the out years (later years) of our tax breaks for the more wealthy individuals that were going to benefit.”….

(CLUE: Trump will be gone in three years.)

read … Green Suggests Hawaiʻi Might Scale Back On Income Tax Cuts - Honolulu Civil Beat

Without Fraud and Abuse, layoffs hit Maui Nonprofits

CB: … “It is the grant manager’s function to pull together a package that will not get kicked back,” she said about approving reimbursements and advance payments. “But there are definitely some concerns about fraud, waste and abuse in relation to grants and managing public funds.” …

In Agawa’s letter to the council in November, he said the department’s previous grants manager who had been responsible for overseeing fiscal year 2025 grants until earlier this year had fully or partially disbursed money without receiving reports or proof of payments….

(IDEA: Jail.)

The department’s recently hired grants manager needs time to address longstanding issues …

County government officials told the Maui County Council last week that the unpaid funds are the result of improved enforcement of fraud protection policies and the implementation of new financial practices that require grant recipients to initially pay the cost of most projects before they are reimbursed by the county….

read … Delayed Maui County Grants Leave Local Nonprofits in Limbo - Honolulu Civil Beat

Hawaii County Council questions homeless nonprofit ‘double-dipping, travel’

HTH: … Hawaii County Council on Tuesday advanced a $6 million package of homelessness and housing grants out of committee, but not without sharply criticizing local service providers for what members described as inefficient spending, weak accountability and uneven delivery of services….

Council members stressed that the funds should not be used for travel outside the county, training or conferences. …

Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz questioned whether the community is truly better off despite the spending.

“I cannot take my kid to the park anymore because I don’t know the kind of crap they’re gonna step on or the people they’re gonna see,” she said on Tuesday. She urged more efficient use of funds, focusing on those who genuinely need help.

Kierkiewicz also criticized people who she said avoid responsibility, use drugs, and take advantage of county resources, leaving parks and public spaces in poor condition.

Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas echoed concerns about repeatedly granting funding with limited impact.

“I see the same names … the lion’s share of funding continuing to go to them … with very little impact,” Villegas said.

She also highlighted safety issues at shelters, citing a recent drug bust.

“Somebody just sent me a report of a big drug bust here in Hilo at a Hope Services homeless facility,” she said….

Council Chair Holeka Inaba raised concerns that some organizations, including Hope Services and Neighborhood Place of Puna, might be double-dipping on expenses such as telecommunications, software, leases and insurance….

read … Council questions nonprofit spending - Hawaii Tribune-Herald

First 100 days: Maui County Ethics executive director reports surge in inquiries

MN: … The newly established Office of the Board of Ethics is fielding a significantly higher volume of inquiries than in previous years, prompting the executive director to call for expanded staffing in the upcoming fiscal 2026-27 budget.

In a report delivered Tuesday to Board of Ethics members, Executive Director Lauren Akitake detailed the first 100 days of the office, which was created following a voter-approved charter amendment to strengthen ethics capacity within the Maui County government….

read … First 100 days: Ethics executive director reports surge in inquiries, calls for staff expansion : Maui Now

Veto? Mayor Alameda critiques Hawaii County's new plastic waste ban

KITV: … Hawaii County's new plastic ban has businesses seeking alternatives, but Mayor Kimo Alameda questions its necessity ….

read … Mayor Alameda critiques Hawaii County's new plastic waste ban | News | kitv.com

Hawaiʻi Patients To Join New Lawsuit Against Army Doctor Accused Of Abuse

CB: … Early this week, more than 75 women are expected to file a lawsuit against the Army under the Federal Tort Claims Act, seeking restitution. Among those lining up as plaintiffs are at least 10 patients McGraw saw in Hawaiʻi before he moved on to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood, Texas….

read … Hawaiʻi Patients To Join New Lawsuit Against Army Doctor Accused Of Abuse - Honolulu Civil Beat

Confused About the Public Utilities Commission?

IM: … The role of the Public Utilities Commission confuses many people. That is not new. That sentiment was reflected in the first PUC Annual Report issued in 1914….

read … Confused About the Public Utilities Commission? | Ililani Media

$843K Per Unit: First of 10 towers at Mayor Wright Homes positioned to rise next year

SA: … The first phase of a more than $1 billion plan to redevelop one of Hawaii’s oldest and biggest public housing communities is on track to begin next year after a big recent financing commitment by a state board following over a decade of work.

Board members of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. on Nov. 20 gave preliminary approval to provide about $220 million in public funding for a private developer to build 308 new low-income rental apartments at Mayor Wright Homes in Kalihi.

The project, a 30-story tower estimated to cost $260 million, represents the first of 10 planned high-rises with 2,448 new homes that replace 364 existing low-income apartments in two- and three-story buildings that date back to 1953 on the 15-acre site owned by the state….

Under Hunt’s plan, about two-thirds of the new homes, or 1,650 units, were to be reserved for low- and moderate-income residents. The other 850 would be rented at market rates to offset development and maintenance costs….

HHFDC staff noted that the average cost per unit, at $843,828, is higher than other comparable projects, but said the average cost per square foot for the tower, which includes units with up to five bedrooms, is about average….

Monthly rents for the units ranging from studios to five-bedroom apartments could range from $602 to $1,896 based on Honolulu’s median income this year. Because HPHA is providing 62 federal Section 8 rent vouchers, some households are expected to pay little to no rent….

read … First of 10 towers at Mayor Wright Homes positioned to rise next year | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Hawaii Pacific Health, HMSA discussing possible merger

SA: … Some major changes are potentially afoot for Hawaii’s health care market in the face of labor demands and rising costs.

Two of Hawaii’s largest players, Hawaii Pacific Health, which runs four hospitals including Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children; and Hawaii Medical Service Association, the state’s largest health insurer, are exploring a partnership.

The two confirmed they have been in talks about joining forces, with the goal of addressing affordability, expanding access, and improving long-term financial stability….

read … Hawaii Pacific Health, HMSA discussing possible merger | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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