A Call For Better State Government

Hawaii legislative report call for combating corruption, improving transparency, and changing fundraising rules.

Views expressed in this Hawaii State News summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.

Accessed on 01 April 2022, 2037 UTC.

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4.1.22

TOP STORIES

Hawai‘i legislative report calls for ‘better, honest’ government
A recently formed commission is recommending passage of 14 bills at the Legislature largely aimed at combating public corruption, improving government transparency and changing fundraising and campaign spending rules. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i state Legislature bills to combat illegal fireworks fizzle out
Bills aimed at cracking down on illegal fireworks in Hawai‘i have essentially died this legislative session. What remains are far less aggressive bills that would increase fines and a resolution asking for an audit of harbor inspections. Star-Advertiser.

Senate set to vote on making state police shooting board permanent
The Law Enforcement Officer Independent Review Board will disband by July if the measure does not pass. If passed, the bill would set four-year term limits for members of the board, which reviews fatal police shootings and makes recommendations on whether officers should be criminally prosecuted. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i to receive $3.6M to help working families lower energy costs
The state of Hawai‘i is slated to receive more than $3.6 million in federal funding to help lower-income households increase energy efficiency in their homes, U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono announced, thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law last year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i tourism is rebounding but Japan remains a barrier
Data shows that roughly 200 to 300 visitors came from Japan this past March, compared to 4,000 to 5,000 in 2019. Japan, which is Hawai‘i’s third-largest market, has eased most restrictions on travel, raising hopes a significant return of tourists may be near. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Hawaiʻi’s Best Places to Work 2022
Want a better job, where workers are treated well? These companies made the 2022 Best Places to Work list in categories like Most Family-Friendly companies, Healthiest companies, Top Five Best Places to Work for Women… read more.

OʻAHU

Honolulu rail project gets estimated time arrival
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has three months to submit its revised plans for the rail to federal officials for funding. The new plan shortens the route by more than a mile and removes two stations, HART said the changes were necessary to afford the project and get it on track. KHON2.

River of Life serves up final meal at longtime Chinatown site
River of Life Mission, which has been offering free meals to homeless and other needy people for some 35 years, on Thursday served up its last dishes at its Chinatown location. The nonprofit Christian mission is moving its meal distribution center to various “mobile” locations across O‘ahu. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

DOH investigates after piles of construction material are dumped at property
The Department of Health said it is actively investigating a property on 20th Avenue in Kaimuki after neighbors raised concerns about piles of construction material. A carport and a single-family home sit among what appears to be piles of debris, mostly uncovered. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i State Senator Stanley Chang presents a certificate to Management Committee Members Amanda M. Jones and Nathan T. Okubo. | Photo: courtesy of Cades Schutte

SPONSORED BY CADES SCHUTTE LLP

Cades Schutte LLP Celebrates a Century of Dedicated Legal Service

Attorneys Arthur G. Smith and Urban E. Wild founded the firm on April 1, 1922 as Smith & Wild. Over the past 100 years, the firm has been involved in some of the most notable cases and transactions in the State of Hawai‘i… read more.

HAWAIʻI ISLAND

Katherine Kealoha to be a witness in case targeting her brother
The trial of a Hawai‘i Island doctor accused of writing opioid prescriptions for his friends to sell or trade to fuel their cocaine consumption opened Thursday with federal prosecutors labeling him a drug dealer and the defense arguing he was an addict legally treating people in pain. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Tsunami museum reopens in Hilo: Today marks anniversary of devastating 1946 wave
The Pacific Tsunami Museum has reopened after being shuttered for two years because of the pandemic. During the period the museum was closed, staff continued to work on projects including the brand-new Tsunamis in Japan Exhibit and Local Tsunamis Exhibit. Tribune-Herald.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Register Now for Need to Know: Regenerative Tourism
Can we persuade millions of tourists each year to also embrace sustainable or regenerative tourism? Join us on April 21 for Need to Know: Regenerative Tourism. This event will focus on how some local organizations have already made regenerative tourism work and how we can expand that model to other venues and activities. Register Now!

MAUI COUNTY

DOE plans to open Kihei high school with ‘hybrid model’
The state Department of Education plans to open the new Kihei high school through a “temporary hybrid model” that will allow incoming freshmen to use space at Lokelani Intermediate this fall before transitioning to the high school’s new campus in January. Maui News.

Maui visitors in February more than double from same month last year
February’s visitor arrivals jumped nearly 109% year over year: There were 193,232 visitors last month compared to 92,608 visitors in February 2021, according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s preliminary visitor statistics report released today. Maui Now. Maui News.

Arrests made in connection with theft that preceded deadly crash involving MPD employee
Maui police arrested two suspects in connection with a theft, that preceded a deadly crash which claimed the life of the Chief’s Executive Secretary Terry Jones last month. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

KAUAʻI

Kaua‘i Creative Technology Center granted $650K
The Kaua‘i Creative Technology Center, a long-planned facility to build a local creative industry, is projected to break ground sometime next year. The new construction timeline follows the Center’s receipt of $650,000 in federal Community Project Funding, announced by U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele. When complete, the Center will occupy 2,800 square feet of renovated office space within the West Kaua‘i Technology and Visitor Center in Waimea Town. Garden Island.

MARCH 2022 ISSUE