June 18, 2026 News Read > Hawaii Free Press

Hawaii Daily News Read

Thursday, June 18, 2026

June 18, 2026 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 7:22 AM :: 142 Views

Feds demands immediate action from governor on unemployment insurance fraud

Maui Police Chief: Bissen was ‘Missen’ again during Gun Incident

CB: … Bissen and Managing Director Josiah Nishita were off-island and unavailable during the May 29 incident, Pelletier wrote, and though there is a clear line of succession, it was uncertain who was in charge. Bissen had notified the county he would be leaving the island, but the notice stated it would not be until the following day.

“Unfortunately, this is not the first critical event or incident where leadership was unavailable to address situations,” Pelletier wrote….

Pelletier’s letter, a chronology of events on May 29, an MPD review of the case and emails predating the May 29 incident about security at county buildings through the Uniform Information Practices Act.

Kirill Basin, who has filed to run for Congress, is accused of flashing a beige gun and threatening county employees at a planning office at the One Main Plaza Building in Wailuku, which is privately owned.

Police say after Basin was arrested hours later in Kīhei, where he lives, they discovered an unloaded pellet gun and a pistol magazine.

Basin fled the planning office confrontation on a black Harley-Davidson motorcycle with no plates, police say, at about 9:30 a.m. But it wasn’t until nearly 11 a.m. that a county employee called MPD, according to the department’s chronology. There was also a delay in notifying county employees about what was going on, MPD’s review found….

March 11, 2025: Crackpot Lawsuit is all it takes--Maui Mayor and SHOPO make Complete Fools of Themselves Trying to get rid of Chief Pelletier

Dec 17, 2025: "I am the mayor. I apologize to no one."

Read … Maui Police Chief: Recent Scare Underscores Lax Security At County Offices - Honolulu Civil Beat

Maui fire survivors receive first settlement award notices

HNN: … Claimants have 30 days to accept the amount or contest it.

“The settlement administrators need to get a number of the claims back in their hands so they can do the math to determine the percentage,” Apo said.

That process could take months.

Apo said no attorney has challenged Cahill’s order so far….If any attorney challenges it, payments will be delayed….

Read … Maui fire survivors receive first settlement award notices

Incoming HPD Chief Lazar begins onboarding; will be sworn in July 2

HNN: … Incoming Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar has moved to Oʻahu and reported to the Honolulu Police Department on Monday on a volunteer status….

Read … Incoming HPD Chief Lazar begins onboarding; will be sworn in July 2 | Hawaii News Now

Ed Case Says No To Debating Jarrett Keohokalole In Congressional Race

CB: … Case told Civil Beat via text message late Tuesday that any debate with Keohokalole would only serve as a forum to amplify his opponent’s criticisms of him and would “add nothing constructive” to the pre-election discourse. Ultimately, he said it will be up to voters to decide whether they want “more noise or real results.”

“My opponent’s sole campaign strategy is to attack me,” Case said. “He offers no real policy proposals of his own, no alternative vision, no argument of effectiveness. His goal is heightened visibility by any means.”…

CB: Beth Fukumoto: The Debate Over Debates - Honolulu Civil Beat

Read … Ed Case Says No To Debating Jarrett Keohokalole In Congressional Race - Honolulu Civil Beat

Hawai‘i Supreme Court Quickly and Easily Slaps Down Trumpster Conspiracy Bots

ASD: … On the morning of June 17, the Hawai‘i Supreme Court denied the petition.

In the court's brief order denying the petition, justices wrote that they decline to preemptively order the state Chief Election Officer to take certain actions in the 2026 election "because we do not know how the Chief Election Officer will act when certifying the election results for the coming election." …

Three people — Ralph Cushnie, a member of the Hawai‘i Elections Commission, Tara Malia Gregory, a candidate for the Honolulu City Council, and resident Douglas Pasnik — filed last week a petition requesting the Hawai‘i Supreme Court to compel election officials to properly account for 2024 ballot data before the 2026 election is certified….

Read … Hawai‘i Supreme Court may rule on 2024 election question

Is Hawaii`s 100% Renewable Energy by 2045 Realistic?

IM: … Hawaiian Electric`s plan is to convert all remaining fossil fuel to local and imported biofuel in 2045….

Read … Is Hawaii`s 100% Renewable Energy by 2045 Realistic? | Ililani Media

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