Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Happy in Hawaii, officer in Navy corruption scandal sentenced, layoffs at Honolulu newspaper, media sues over police commission secrecy, police stun the wrong man, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

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Hawaii has been named one of the happiest states in the United States, according to a new report by the personal-finance website WalletHub. Pacific Business News.

The state's tax revenues are up 8.9 percent for the first two months of fiscal year 2018, according to the Hawaii Department of Taxation. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii’s Pacific Command took another blow to its reputation Monday when a former deputy chief of staff for U.S. Special Operations in Honolulu was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for his role in a Navy corruption and bribery scandal. Civil Beat.

A retired Navy officer who later became a high-ranking civilian defense employee at Camp Smith told a federal judge Monday it was “hubris, selfishness and a sense of entitlement” that led him to take part in a massive Navy corruption scandal centered around Singaporean-based defense contractor Leonard Glenn “Fat Leonard” Francis. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s medical marijuana dispensaries will be able to open bank accounts after the state reached a deal with a Colorado-based credit union, according to one of the local dispensaries. Pacific Business News.

Invasive seaweeds have taken a stronghold on Hawaii reefs over the last half of the 20th century, contributing to a decline in the health and productivity of once-thriving marine ecosystems. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

The Star-Advertiser and Civil Beat are taking the Honolulu Police Commission to court in an effort to make public any proceedings involving requests by officers for attorney’s fees. Star-Advertiser.

Two media outlets have filed a legal challenge to the Honolulu Police Commission’s long-standing practice of conducting closed-door hearings for officers seeking taxpayer-funded attorneys. Civil Beat.

How A Police Officer’s Complaints About HPD Corruption Went Viral. Denny Santiago says he’s worried about being ostracized for speaking out about the Kealoha scandal to the Police Commission. Civil Beat.

Oahu Publications plans a new round of job cuts — the second in the past year — at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, raising worries that the smaller newsroom won’t be able to sustain the quality of the newspaper’s journalism. Civil Beat.

Oahu hunters are criticizing the Department of Land and Natural Resources over an aerial eradication program meant to protect native watersheds. Hawaii News Now.

New city parks rule to crackdown on vendors who hide behind free speech permits. KITV.

Nearly two months have passed since the fatal Marco Polo high-rise fire, which caused more than $100 million in damage, yet the cause remains a mystery to the public. Star-Advertiser.

Just since mid-August, newly hired off-duty Honolulu police officers have kept at least 900 illegal hikers from trespassing onto one of Oahu’s most popular outlaw trails: Kaneohe’s Haiku Stairs, also known as the Stairway to Heaven. Star-Advertiser.

Over the past month alone, Honolulu police prevented 630 people from illegally accessing Haiku Stairs - or Stairway to Heaven. KITV.

Lawsuit filed over school lockdown drill that brought students to tears in 2015. KHON2.

A local nonprofit that helps at-risk teens and young adults received approval last week to use a state-owned waterfront storage building for up to 35 years following a split decision by a board. Star-Advertiser.

The state agriculture and health departments and University of Hawaii are coordinating three public informational meetings on rat lungworm disease on Oahu this month. Star-Advertiser.

Sarento’s at the top of the Ilikai will serve its last customers Sept. 30, after which the 25-year-old restaurant will close. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County police officers realized they arrested the wrong person after shooting him with a stun gun and assaulting him, a federal lawsuit alleges. Associated Press.

Enrollment at Big Island private schools was about on par in the 2016-17 academic year compared to the previous school year. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Service has been restored to all school bus routes on Maui, but more drivers are needed to increase frequency to normal levels. Star-Advertiser.

Maui police issued 1,600 traffic citations, including 55 DUI arrests during the 20-day Drive Sober or Get Pulled over campaign that ran from Aug. 16 to Sept. 4. Maui Now.

A community meeting is planned to discuss transportation issues as they relate to the update of the West Maui Community Plan on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the West Maui Senior Center at 788 Pauoa Street, Lahaina. Maui Now.

Bridge being replaced. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai Community Cat Project opposes changes to the small boat harbor rules that would stop trap-neuter-release activities in those areas. Garden Island.

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