May 13, 2026 News Read > Hawaii Free Press

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Wednesday, May 13, 2026

May 13, 2026 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 11:50 AM :: 221 Views

Green Raids GEMS to Fund Condo Association Loans

DBEDT Releases New Report Highlighting Economic Ties with Japan

SB2471: Free Speech Under Fire

Navatek Fraudster's Hopes Lay with State Supreme Court

Kapaa Woman Sentenced for COVID Fraud

Kawakami vs Choi for Lieutenant Governor?

KN: … Kawakami is running as a Democrat and is the first person to officially file to run for lieutenant governor. There currently are five other people who have pulled papers to run for Hawaii’s second-highest position: former Deputy Attorney General John Choi, Shaena Dela Cruz, Mike Peacock, Ku Lono Cuadra and Robert Peters, who ran for election to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in 2022 but lost in the primary.

The filing deadline for the 2026 primary is June 2….

MN: ‘Not Pau Yet’: Bissen files for mayoral re-election, saying steady leadership is crucial : Maui Now

MN: Key Maui Council incumbents officially commit to race for re-election : Maui Now

Read … Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami officially files to run for lieutenant governor of Hawaiʻi : Kauai Now

HPD chief finalist Mike Lambert: “HPD doesn’t necessarily want to be something else. The officers want to get back to where they were.”

SA: … The lone local finalist vying to serve as the next chief of the Honolulu Police Department is a 22-year HPD veteran who wants to upgrade equipment and facilities, target gun violence and develop officers of every rank and role.

Mike Keoni Lambert, 46, a former HPD major who ran the Narcotics Vice Division before being named director of the state Department of Law Enforcement in January 2025, said he is the only candidate who can “truly hit the ground running.”

The son of a retired HPD lieutenant, Lambert believes he has the “institutional knowledge to fix what’s broken.” He was a finalist for chief when the Honolulu Police Commission selected Arthur “Joe” Logan for the post in May 2022. Logan retired in June and Rade Vanic has been serving as interim chief in the meantime….

“HPD doesn’t necessarily want to be something else. The officers want to get back to where they were,” he said. “There was a time … where we didn’t have the kind of issues with public trust that we have now. It’s a matter of doing what we do well, which is connect with the community and adopting the technologies that are available to us so that we can account for the current shortfalls in staffing while we rebuild the ranks.

(CLUE: Get back to where they were before the Kealohas were caught.)

“I’m the only candidate that is not guessing what needs to be fixed,” Lambert added. “I know exactly where (change) needs to begin. I’m going to be transparent.”

No matter who the Honolulu Police Commission selects as the city’s 13th police chief May 20, Lambert will soon leave his current post and return to HPD this summer in order to preserve his pension….

He lauded Logan’s work to expand HPD’s recruitment team and meet many national standards. As chief, Lambert said he would continue those efforts and also focus on retention. He said he wants to provide financial incentives for officers to stay on for longer than 25 or 30 years.

The police force has “a lot of great people” at every level who have a lot of potential, according to Lambert. At the command level, he said he knows everyone’s strengths and weaknesses and would like to help them further develop their leadership qualities.

“I can look at every single commander and I know exactly what I need to help them with, what I need to hold them accountable for because of their habits, whether that’s being too nice or too aggressive. … ”

Read … HPD chief finalist Mike Lambert vows to target gun violence | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

SB2694: Hawaii lawmakers pave way for regular Young Brothers rate hikes

SA: … Interisland cargo rates at Hawaii’s regulated monopoly service provider Young Brothers Ltd. could be going up in July after a 26% hike approved in November.

(Wow. ANOTHER bill providing for automatic inflation so politicians and/or appointees don’t have to endure the pain of voting to raise rates, salaries, etc.)

The state Legislature passed a bill last week sought by the company to force the state Public Utilities Commission to apply an automatic inflation-linked rate increase in each of the next two fiscal years beginning July 1.

If enacted by Gov. Josh Green, Senate Bill 2694 would require the PUC to raise regulated rates based on a measure of inflation up to 5% for the tug-and-barge operator that provides a (death-grip on the) lifeline of goods to the neighbor islands….

SB2694: Text, Status

Read … Hawaii lawmakers pave way for regular Young Brothers rate hikes | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

SB2471 Just a Semantic Trick

AP: … “The mistake I think supporters of this are making is thinking you can ignore the substance of a Supreme Court ruling by semantic lawyerly tricks.” …

REALITY: Legislators-Vote-to-Abolish-ERS-End-Free-Speech-for-Star-Advertiser

HPR: Here’s what legislation on 'dark money' will do for Hawaiʻi | Hawai'i Public Radio

Read … States' efforts to limit corporate donations in politics explained

Will Hawaiʻi Consumers Benefit From HMSA-HPH Partnership?

CB: … The fundamental reason for concern about increased monopsony power is that Hawaiʻi already has one of the least competitive insurance markets in the United States. In 2024, HMSA insured roughly 760,000 Hawaiʻi residents (55.8% of the population), while Kaiser covered another 270,000 residents (19.8%).

Across the individual, small-group, and large-group insurance segments, the top three insurers — including University Health Alliance — collectively control more than 90% of the market.

A vertical merger between HMSA and Hawaii Pacific Health (which has a substantial share of the hospital market on Oʻahu) could allow the combined entity to favor its own hospitals in contract negotiations, reimbursement policies, and patient referrals while placing competing providers such as Queen’s at a disadvantage.

In a health care market that is already highly concentrated, this could weaken competition, increase HMSA’s bargaining power over physicians and hospitals, and further limit choices for both patients and healthcare workers.

A final reason for concern is that the proposed merger could make entry into Hawaiʻi’s healthcare insurance market even more difficult. …

2024: Court: HMSA Physician Contracts “oppressive, unconscionable, and unenforceable”

2025: Supreme Court to Decide: Are HMSA Physician Contracts “oppressive, unconscionable, and unenforceable”?

2025: HMSA: AI Robot will be 'Single Source of Truth'

2026: Queens Launches Campaign Against HMSA-HPH 'Merger'

Read … Will Hawaiʻi Consumers Benefit From HMSA-HPH Partnership? - Honolulu Civil Beat

Hawaii Legislature passes laws creating infrastructure finance tool

PBN: … The Hawaii Legislature passed Senate Bills 3218 and 3219 to allow for tax increment financing districts, meant to help raise funds for infrastructure improvements across the state. But the bills still need Gov. Josh Green’s signature and approval from voters in November.

Tax increment financing, or TIF, works by freezing a TIF district's property taxes in place, and while that frozen value is still being paid to tax collectors, the added tax value of the property would also be collected and set aside specifically for a TIF fund. The money collected in that fund would go to financing infrastructure projects within that district.

Infrastructure improvements have proven to be massive undertakings for at least two projects.

One example is the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit’s rail stations going up in Kalihi and Kapalama as those projects are actively tearing through Dillingham Boulevard for infrastructure improvements.

But the massive Aloha Stadium redevelopment project, which is already deep in the demolition phase, is hinging on the TIF fund after uncovering a mess of utility lines under the current stadium, according to Stanford Carr, CEO of Stanford Carr Development, which is leading the stadium project.

“[If the amendment fails], we will not have a stadium,” Carr said. “We need everybody to vote yes.” …

Carr also argues that the tool can be used for a number of projects coming to fruition over the next decade.

Examples include infrastructure improvements for Lahaina’s rebuild, which is already in the works. It can also be used for Oahu’s ambitious plans to build transit-oriented development along the HART rail project.

Hawaii and Arizona are currently the only two states in the U.S. that don’t use the financing tool….

(CLUE: TIF can also pay for the infrastructure underlying a new subdivision, thus eliminating infrastructure cost from the cost of construction.)

Read … Hawaii Legislature passes laws creating infrastructure finance tool - Pacific Business News

SB2061 could resume Hawaii's 99-year leasehold housing pilot

PBN: … A 99-year leasehold pilot project to create more affordable housing was put on pause at the end of last year, but could resume with the passage of Senate Bill 2061, which would remove some restrictions originally attached to the project that were driving down buyer interest.

The bill passed its final reading on May 8 and is now awaiting approval by the governor. SB2061, introduced by Sen. Stanley Chang is an amendment to SB865, introduced by Chang in 2023, that introduced the leasehold program and appropriated $1.5 million to HCDA for the pre-development work. …

Read … SB2061 could resume Hawaii's 99-year leasehold housing pilot - Pacific Business News

Hawaii sticks with its mail-in voting system despite Trump’s (so-called) ‘order’

SA: … Hawaii officials say they plan to follow state law requiring mail-in voting this year while lawsuits proceed over President Donald Trump’s executive order that critics say would give the federal government unprecedented control over U.S. elections despite the Constitution’s guarantee that Congress and each state hold that authority.

(IQ Test: “Federal republic.”)

State Attorney General Anne Lopez announced April 3 that Hawaii had joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in suing Trump in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, saying his executive order is clearly unconstitutional …

MEANWHILE: Long Lines Suppress Votes on Election Day: Election Officials Plan to do it Again in 2026

Read … Hawaii sticks with its mail-in voting system despite Trump’s order | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

HSTA, HGEA Bicker over $5M Apprenticeship Grant

CB: … In summer 2024, state leaders proposed a solution to give students more incentives to pursue education careers. A teacher apprenticeship, funded by nearly $5 million in federal grants, would pay them for full-time work in schools while allowing them to earn their teaching credentials for free.

Nearly two years later, the state hasn’t spent any of the federal funds and the grant is set to expire next summer, although the Hawaiʻi Department of Labor and Industrial Relations may apply for an extension.

The delay has partially stemmed from a disagreement between two powerful unions representing school employees, which both argued that apprentices should have to join their membership.

The original proposal for the program said apprentices would belong to the Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association, which represents roughly 7,800 school workers, including educational assistants. But the teachers union pushed back, arguing apprentices should join their organization since they would be doing the work of student teachers. ….

(COMPROMISE: “None of the above.”)

Read … Will Hawaiʻi Forfeit $5 Million For Teacher Apprenticeships? - Honolulu Civil Beat

Bill 34: New Flood Zone Maps Set to Immediately Increase Cost of Construction

CB: … Oʻahu’s flood zone construction requirements are due for an update, affecting the island’s roughly 42,000 flood insurance policies that have a combined value of about $10 billion — and the clock is ticking to do so if the city wants to preserve millions of dollars in federal grants and loans.

The city needs to implement its changes by the time FEMA’s new flood maps take effect on June 10. If any county doesn’t do so, Honolulu City Council member Esther Kiaʻāina said, “then they’re sleeping and they’re not looking at the interest of the general public, because there’s so much harm that could be done.”

Last month, Kiaʻāina introduced Bill 34 on behalf of the administration to require that structures be built another foot above the depth specified on federal maps and add new certification requirements, among other changes. The goal is to stay eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program….

Losing eligibility would mean losing federal grants or loans for flood mitigation, she said, as well as the ability to renew existing flood insurance policies, federal disaster assistance and federal mortgage guarantees in flood zones.

Building construction costs likely will be higher upfront as a result of the changes, Department of Planning and Permitting Deputy Director Brian Gallagher told council members at an April 30 hearing, but those upgrades will result in insurance savings.

Honolulu residents also receive a 10% discount on their flood insurance policies through a federal Community Rating System, which discounts insurance policies in communities that implement flood mitigation measures.

Honolulu entered this system in 2022 and since has received the second smallest discount level available, out of nine possible levels. Hawaiʻi County and Maui County, which each joined the program years earlier, receive 15% discounts. Kauaʻi County, which entered the system in 2023, also receives a 10% discount. Honolulu’s participation in the system is done through the city’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency. …

Gallagher said part of the reason for delay was due to DPP deliberating on how high of a discount to aim for, keeping in mind that more stringent standards could also mean more complicated construction and higher housing costs….

Roseann Freitas, CEO of the Building Industry Association of Hawaiʻi, submitted written testimony saying her organization is concerned the new regulations could add to the city permitting department’s notorious backlog….

Read … ‘Dire Consequences’: Honolulu Races To Save Flood Zone Funds

Respite centers for sick, injured homeless could close after lawmakers cut funding

HNN: … Without alternatives, 62 people at the Aala Respite Center in Chinatown and 24 people receiving care at the Leahi Respite Center in Kaimuku could be back on the streets on July 1, when the new fiscal year begins.

Hawaii News Now visited the Aala Respite Center on Monday. A doctor, nurses and staff were treating patients for leg injuries, respiratory viruses and cancer. All are too sick to be in shelters or on the streets, but are well enough to be discharged from hospitals, freeing up beds….

“Anybody that lives in Hawaii has been constantly asking us, do something about it. We see these people with amputations, with wheelchairs, with oxygen bottles,” said Dr. Scott Miscovich, who manages the Aala Respite Center.

Miscovich said the location has saved 3,500 ambulance visits to emergency rooms and hospitals based on the patient names and needs.

State lawmakers started the process to cut funding in February at the Senate Health and Human Services committee meeting.

“(The) Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solution is not in the business of providing medical respite,” said state Sen. Joy San Buenaventura, chair of the committee, “They’re supposed to be providing homes.”

Then the House Finance Committee did not add the appropriations in legislation….

The cut eliminated $8 million in state funds that the county would have distributed to the centers….

He said they have been able to reunite 27 patients back with their family after the person received medical or drug treatment from the center, which does routine drug and alcohol screenings….

The Homeless Outreach and Navigation for Unsheltered Persons (HONU) program, a mobile center that has helped house hundreds of people in the last four years, is also affected by the $8 million in state cuts….

HONU has enough county funds to continue as is, but will now have to halt expansion plans to add a second unit….

Read … Respite centers for sick, injured homeless could close after lawmakers cut funding

Doctor Accused Of Fertility Fraud. In Hawaiʻi, No Law Prevents It

CB: … It was 1993, and Victoria Snyder wanted a baby.

The Hawaiʻi resident went to William McKenzie — a popular and renowned gynecologist on Oʻahu’s North Shore — and requested to be inseminated with sperm from an anonymous Filipino donor. The following year, she gave birth to twin boys.

Decades later, when her sons were 23, they made a shocking discovery: Genetic testing showed their father was not an anonymous donor Snyder selected. It was the doctor, according to a civil lawsuit Snyder filed in 2019 seeking damages.

McKenzie denied using his own sperm in the insemination procedure without her consent, according to the court documents, and the case was quietly resolved the following year.

The claims about McKenzie’s fertility practices only surfaced publicly last month after an Instagram user, who said she was a former patient of McKenzie’s, accused him of “artificially inseminating dozens of women with his semen” — a tally Civil Beat was unable to verify. Hundreds of commenters responded, some in horror, others in disbelief. Some identified themselves as his offspring.

When Civil Beat contacted the person who posted the video, she declined to provide additional information to support her claims or explain why she was talking about the matter now, then hid the video from the reporter. …

HNN: Morning Beat: Fertility Fraud Accusations

Read … Doctor Accused Of Fertility Fraud. In Hawaiʻi, No Law Prevents It - Honolulu Civil Beat

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