Hawai`i Free Press 
Today's News Read
May 5, 2019

Conflict of Interest? Judge Hiraoka's Adventures in Dubinland
...For three and a half years, Gilpin alleges, Hiraoka was simultaneously fighting to save Gary Dubin's law license in one court while opposing Dubin in another, creating a conflict of interest....
Waimea DHHL Association Seeks Federal Recognition as Indian Tribe
...Waimea Hawaiian Homes Association is attempting to become a federally recognized government called Waimea Nui under DOI....
OHA: Where is the promised audit for fraud, waste and abuse?
...It's been over two years since the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees unanimously approved an independent audit of OHA and its limited liability companies for fraud, waste and abuse....
Senators: House Played us for the Fools that we are
...House Leaders Lock Senators out of Closing Ceremony....
Audit: HART Gives HECO Anything it Wants for Overhead--No Questions Asked
"...HART does not require Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., (HECO) to provide overhead cost supporting documentation. HART reimburses Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. 100% of their costs incurred...."
Proposed Hawaii Carbon Tax -- $66,000 per Person?
"...On average a single Hawaii resident is responsible for emitting 12 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. That`s three times more than the global average...."
ERS Invested Millions With Alleged Fraudster
...As of Sept. 30, Hawaii has paid $36.4 million to Abraaj Global Growth Markets Fund....
Will Next Kauai Auditor have a Fake Diploma?
... Rapozo, who has made no secret of the fact that he wants the job of county auditor, is possibly the favored candidate and may have the votes of four of the seven County Council members....
KFD Pension Bill $115K per Pensioner per Year
...Audit to target 'pension spiking'....
City prosecutor hired felony defendant Miske while case was pending
...Kamaaina Plumbing Co. performed emergency repairs to fix leaky pipes and valves in two units of the Prosecutor's 'Safe House'....
HPD officers accused in federal corruption case still getting pay checks
...and just Why Is It So Hard To Fire Honolulu Police Sgt. Darren Cachola?....
Corrections Officer charged with felony drug offense
...the police officer observed drug paraphernalia in plain view and subsequently arrested Espejo....
Schofield Manager Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy
... REK's "senior construction manager" told Raby he should suggest Cherokee Nation Environmental Solutions - to which REK would serve as subcontractor, according to the plea ....
Ethics Commission Resolves Second Charge Against Rowena Akana
... This case is separate from the Commission's Decision, issued on February 5, 2019, which imposed an administrative penalty of $23,106.53; Ms. Akana has appealed that Decision ....
HART Moves to Part Two of P3
... a short list of not more than 3 preferred offerors is now being asked to put together proposals that include pricing and technical details of how they plan to complete the rail project to Ala Moana Center, construct the Pearl Highlands parking garage and transit center, and operate and maintain the rail system for a period of 30 years ....
Video: Akina and Roth Talk Rail
... Randy Roth discusses key issues in the rail controversy and gets his insights from having watched the project since its beginning ....
'Sticks' won't resolve vacation rental debate
... Hawaii's contradictory approach to short-term vacation rentals hasn't been doing much to make anybody happy, and could, in fact, just be making things worse ....
'Hit List' Targets Foes of Airbnb Tax
... A list of endangered bills that once appeared assured of passage is circulating around the Hawaii Legislature - essentially a hit list of bills backed by senators who voted last week against taxing the revenues from short-term vacation rentals ....
Special Purpose Revenue Bonds: More Millions for Navatek Front Company
... The bonds total $60 million. The tax credits would be up to 35% of the cost of designing and building the dry dock, which could be as much as $21 million....
Hawaii to Sue Oil Companies for 'Climate Change'?
...A recent poll by the Center for Climate Integrity showed strong support among Hawaii voters for holding climate polluters responsible for these impacts....
Hawaii Gun Rights Group Sues FBI over 'Rap Back'
... Hawaii Firearms Coalition Today Filed Suit in the D.C District Court Seeking Information Regarding Hawaii's use of the FBI Rap Back Service for gun owners ....
Two Anti-Gun Bills on Governor's Desk
... NRA-ILA will be back at the Capitol for the 2020 session ....
Hawaii Family Forum Legislative Week in Review
...On Thursday, May 3, 2019, the 30th legislative session closed....
House Passes 298 Bills
"...There is more to be done, and we will use this interim to develop priorities for next year...."
House Republican Caucus: Session Mostly Notable for Marijuana Legislation
... 2019 Legislative Session - Notable Bills ....
Neighborhood Board Voting Ends May 17
...The election is slated to begin April 26, 2019 and end Friday, May 17, 2019.....
Contract Reopener: HSTA Gets Another $45.6M
...salary increases and employer contributions to our health care plan, while establishing a pilot program to give teachers more control over their 21 hours (of professional development time)....
DoE Changes Teacher Evaluations: De-Emphasizes Student Performance
"...In an effort to eliminate the predictive nature of expected targets, EES will focus on student-centered growth that assesses what is valued in the school or Complex Area rather than on Student Learner Outcomes (SLOs)...."
To What Extent Does Your State Rely on Property Taxes?
...Alabama and Hawaii raise the smallest portion of their state and local tax revenue through property taxes: 17.1 percent and 17.6 percent, respectively....
BEA: Hawaii Economic Growth Slows to 1%
...Gross Domestic Product by State: Fourth Quarter and Annual 2018....
UHERO: Recent data confirm weaker growth
... The number of visitor days remains below last year's peak, with more worrying signs from falling visitor spending. Job growth has largely stalled and income gains have receded ....
Kailua Crash Kills 3: Case, Thielen ask FAA to Ground Helicopters
...three helicopter crashes since October....
Hanalei Finds Excuse: 20 More Days Without Tourists
...prompted by community concerns brought to HDOT by Senate President Ronald Kouchi, Representative Nadine Nakamura, and Mayor Kawakami....
USD Finds 'Hawaiian Day' Legal
... The University of South Dakota determined that a student group naming its party "Hawaiian Day" did not violate the school's policy ....
Carbon Credits
...Department of Land and Natural Resources is doing a reforestation project in East Maui. It's hired a vendor to certify the project for "carbon credits." Why are they doing that if we don't even have a carbon tax ....
How Clean Is Your Electric Vehicle?
...electric vehicles are dirtier on Oahu ....
Legislators Vote to Spend Millions More on Electric Vehicles
... program for the installation or upgrade of electric vehicle charging stations in publicly accessible commercial areas, workplaces, and multi-unit dwellings ....
Trump, the Jones Act and LNG
... Michael Hansen on ThinkTech discusses a blanket Jones Act waiver for LNG Tankers ....
US Shipbuilders oppose Trump's proposed LNG carrier waiver
..."America first." This is the phrase we hear repeated by President Trump more than any other-the simple yet powerful promise that our government will "buy American and hire American."....
Mazie Hirono's rancorous attacks play into Trump game plan
...her points were lost in a rambling statement in which she compared Barr to Rudy Giuliani and Kellyanne Conway, called Trump a "grifter and liar" and re-litigated old business from Barr's confirmation hearing to the 1989 arrest of Manuel Noriega....
Republicans: Hirono an Embarrassment
... "Senator Hirono predictably demonstrates a clear pattern of malicious and abhorrent behavior towards anyone and everyone associated with President Trump," stated Kulbis ....
Hawaii 2nd Worst State for Nurses
... 2019's Best & Worst States for Nurses ....
DoH: CBD Products are Illegal, 'Adulterated'
...warning letters have been sent to companies that have targeted vulnerable populations with false advertising....
Mayor signs Bill 96 relating to fire safety into law
...amended sprinkler requirements....
DLNR Audit: Four Material Weaknesses
... "Improve record keeping to prepare accrual basis financial statements" ....
EPA Imposes $425K fine for Waimanalo Gulch Spill
...The agreement also calls for a series of facility upgrades to maintain compliance with stormwater regulations....
 
FEATURED ARTICLES
  1. Secret Timeline Shows OHA Lying to Legislature While Stonewalling LLC Audit
  2. OHA's Crabbe out of the Bucket?
  3. Senate: OHA Must Complete Audit of LLCs
  4. OHA CFO Ousted to Block 'Fair Treatment' of Grant Requests?
  5. How Kealoha, Kaneshiro Retaliated Against Officers After Miske Arrest
  6. $100M Hawaii tax hike bills -- Job Loss and Lawsuits
  7. OHA Criminal Activity Since 2012: A Handy Guide for FBI Agents
  8. Several Hawaii Charter Schools Under Federal Investigation
  9. HART board chair under federal investigation - but it's not about the rail project
  10. HB172: Legislature Denies Funding for OHA and LLCs Unless Audit for Fraud, Waste and Abuse is Completed
  11. Charlie Wade Sex Complaint Filed Over Year Ago
  12. Contract Reopeners: More Raises on Tap for Public Employee Unions
  13. Rich States, Poor States: Hawaii Ranks 45th 
  14. Activist Attacks Destroy 15% of Hawaii Agriculture
  15. Are Hawaii officials paid too much or too little?
  16. Feds Demand City Pony up $111M for Rail--No Money Beyond Middle Street Until P3 Settled 
  17. Profitable Nonprofit: Sand Island Rehab Exec Scores $500K Salary and a Slightly Used Miss Hawaii
  18. Is Federal Recognition Dead or Dormant?
  19. Hawaii Democrats Propose Ranked-Choice Voting in Presidential Preference Poll
  20. UH: Ken Lawson Admits his "Innocence Project" Brought Alleged Pimp to Hawaii
  21. Unlucky and Unclean: How Not to Steal House 13
  22. Lavish salaries, perks focus of federal theft investigation into union boss
  23. Janus: UH Employee Sues HGEA
  24. Activists hurt farmers by fueling public's disconnect with modern agriculture 
  25. 40 Legislators, Insiders Set for Singapore Junket After Session
  26. Disbar Dubin--Disciplinary Board
  27. Ala Wai? Corps of Engineers has Long History of Corruption and Cost Overruns 
  28. Victory: Changes would make it easier to force homeless with severe mental illnesses to get treatment 
  29. The Unintended Hazards Of Red-Light Cameras 
  30. Will Trump waive the Jones Act for Domestic LNG shipments?
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