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Honolulu ballot proposals would reshape police oversight.

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4.21.22

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Honolulu ballot proposals would reshape police oversight
Honolulu residents may have the opportunity to vote on a number of police reform measures during this year’s general election. The ballot questions would address the Honolulu Police Department’s values and the police chief’s qualifications. Voters may also choose whether to change the makeup of the Honolulu Police Commission and give the civilian body more power to oversee the department and its chief. Civil Beat.

State Rep. Sharon Har skirts question about why she went out during Covid-19
State Rep. Sharon Har has yet to explain to a special House committee why she was out at night during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 while taking prescription medication for a respiratory ailment, drank alcohol and was subsequently arrested — and later acquitted — of drunken driving. Star-Advertiser.

Positive Covid-19 tests on the rise as Hawai‘i’s free testing program comes to an end
On Wednesday, the state’s weekly average positivity rate rose to 7.1% — up from 4.9% the previous week and 4.0% the week prior to that, according to the state Department of Health. Star-Advertiser.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Nathan Wood General Contractor: 2022 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award Winner – Kaua‘i
The family construction business has focused on the island’s renewable energy sector for 15 years. “I used the passion I had for renewables and turned it into a business where I could help people save money and create more sustainability for the Islands… read more.

OʻAHU

Commission recommends prosecution in falsified campaign donations case
The executive of a company leading development in the Ala Moana area could be facing criminal penalties over allegations that he made illegal donations to Honolulu mayoral candidates in 2020. JL Capital CEO Timothy Lee allegedly used employees to funnel money to the mayoral campaigns of Keith Amemiya and Kimberly Pine. He later reimbursed those employees with check or cash payments, according to the investigation report. Civil Beat.

HFD says new $12M helicopter will make rescues safer
The Honolulu Fire Department is asking the City Council for funds to purchase a new helicopter that is larger, has more power and is much safer than their current fleet. HFD’s current aircrafts were built back in the 90s, and some of them have already reached more than 11,000 hours of air time. KHON2.

Wahiawa nursing home will close its doors in July
The staff of the Wahiawa Nursing and Rehabilitation Center will help about 60 residents find new homes, officials said. The nursing home, which is connected to the adjacent Wahiawa General Hospital, comes as demand for care facilities for older adults is rising due to the state’s aging population. The hospital’s chief executive blamed the decision to close the nursing home on a financial shortfall as well as difficulties in maintaining the infrastructure and retaining staff. Civil Beat.

Leilehua High School reverses ban on lei giving at graduation ceremony
The school was under fire for banning lei, saying the decision was based on Covid restrictions. In a letter, school officials said that they do not have enough space to safely accommodate 350 graduates and an unlimited number of guests on their school field all at once. But now, officials have created a plan that will allow loved ones to give graduates lei after the ceremony. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

SPONSORED BY G70

Food Sustainability, What can we do as individuals? │ G70’s Sheryl Seaman, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP, Vice Chairman and Principal.

I am an informed consumer and not an expert but strongly believe that a commitment to food and water sustainability is crucial to the future of our state. I hope we will all contribute to the best of our ability to address this essential… read more.

HAWAIʻI ISLAND

Gas tax cut stalls at council
A move to cut the gas tax by 10 cents a gallon stalled Wednesday in the County Council. The gas tax was 8.8 cents a gallon until 2017, when the County Council voted to raise it incrementally to its current 23 cents. Those who favored the cut said that high costs are making it difficult for them to make a living. Opponents pointed out the rough condition of many island roadways, saying the county needs the money to fix them. West Hawaii Today.

Army study won’t recommend altering Hilo breakwater
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers initiated a second study in 2021 to determine whether opening a breach in the breakwater would demonstrably improve the bay’s water quality. That study, however, determined that it would not. Tribune-Herald.

Katherine Kealoha’s brother convicted of running prescription drug ring
Dr. Rudolph B. Puana, 50, of Waimea was found guilty in federal court Wednesday of 38 counts of distributing and dispensing oxycodone, one count of distributing or dispensing fentanyl “outside the course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose,” and conspiracy to distribute or dispense the drugs. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Pusong Filipinx Showcases Millennial Entrepreneurs and Creatives
Lalaine Ignao and Eric Ganding wear traditional clothing at Pusong Filipinx’s Dec. 12 market at the Bishop Museum. The event gathered 33 vendors selling clothing, art, food – any type of Filipino-inspired product... read more.

MAUI COUNTY

As wastewater soils ocean, Māʻalaea injection wells fuel debate over who’s liable
Wastewater is leaking from archaic Māʻalaea condominiums injection wells, damaging ocean reef and other natural habitats. Environmental groups, condo owners and some county leaders say the county is responsible for rectifying the injection well issue because it forced owners to build them through zoning changes decades ago. However, other county officials said the state — not the county — is responsible for wastewater systems back then. Maui Now.

Maui judge tells irrigation company to temporarily restore water
A Maui County judge on Tuesday told Launiupoko Irrigation Co. that it needs to restore running water to families in Kauaula Valley after the private water company cut it off before the Easter weekend without notice. The families sued the company, which is supposed to provide water to people living on kuleana lands under a legal settlement that was reached almost two decades ago. Civil Beat.

Cleanup underway to remove 175 abandoned vehicles from remote Kanaio area of Maui
Approximately 175 abandoned derelict cars and trucks are being removed from a remote area of Kanaio on Maui over the next three weeks, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Maui Now. KITV4.

Maui parents, students rally against DOE mask rules
About 50 to 75 people rallied in Wailuku on Wednesday against the state Department of Education’s indoor mask mandate. The indoor mask mandate at public schools is one of the last remaining statewide Covid-19 rules. Opponents said that students should have the option to choose. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

KAUAʻI

Most-polluted test site in April is Moloa‘a Stream
Each month, the Blue Water Task Force tests water samples collected from local rivers, streams and surf breaks for fecal-indicating enterococcus bacteria. Test results revealed that Moloa‘a Stream had the highest single-day count of bacteria with 512.0 mls. A normal single-day reading is less than 130. Garden Island.

APRIL 2022 ISSUE