Showing posts with label murder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label murder. Show all posts

Friday, November 24, 2017

Stable economy predicted, twin who drove off Maui cliff wants murder charge dismissed, free school bus rides for military kids, rail stations get Hawaiian names, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki shoppers copyright 2017 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Waikiki shoppers © 2017 All Hawaii News
The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is predicting stable economic growth for the next few years, after releasing its fourth quarter 2017 Statistical and Economic Report. Pacific Business News.

DBEDT predicts stable economic growth. The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism released its fourth quarter 2017 Statistical and Economic Report Wednesday, which indicated Hawaii’s overall economic condition should remain stable into the next few years and predicted steady economic growth at around 1.5 percent. West Hawaii Today.

E-commerce has been good to Hawaii’s air cargo industry over the last 15 years, but inbound and outbound air freight volumes are still lagging decade-old peaks, a new state report shows. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority will begin publishing monthly Hawaii hotel data starting next week after securing the rights from STR, the analytics firm that gathers the data. Pacific Business News.

Free bus rides considered for military kids. The idea is among possible changes to administrative rules that the Board of Education on Tuesday agreed to offer for consideration by the governor and the public. Star-Advertiser.

Scientific evidence on the pros and cons of medical cannabis is limited, but interest is strong, judging by the sold-out turnout at the first symposium on the subject at the University of Hawaii Medical School. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The nine rail stations at the Ewa end of the city’s mass-transit line have been given Hawaiian names that experts say are reflective of ancient place names and legendary sites along the rail route. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation announced on Wednesday the Hawaiian names for nine rail stations on the Ewa end of the rail system, as recommended by the Hawaiian Station Naming Working Group. KITV.

Park users are complaining that the Sand Island State Recreation Area has become a haven for illegal dumping. Hawaii News Now.

A state judge has put a freeze on two Oahu properties on which an accountant is accused of paying for mortgages and improvements using money she stole from a nonprofit organization that serves adults and children with physical and developmental disabilities. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The Sierra Club of Hawaii is asking the County of Hawaii to withdraw and amend the Draft​ ​Environmental​ ​Assessment​ ​​for​ ​the​ ​South​ ​Hilo​ ​Sanitary​ ​Landfill​. The environmental organization wants the draft document ​amended​ ​to​ ​include​ ​the​ ​option​ ​to​ ​capture​ ​and​ ​reuse​ ​methane​ ​gas. Big Island Video News.

Initiative expands scope in hopes of establishing Christmas tree industry on the Big Island. Christmas trees remain scarce and expensive on Hawaii Island, but a stand of fir trees on a remote Maunakea hillside might be the beginning of an island Christmas tree industry. Tribune-Herald.

Community members form new group to care for, improve skate park in Pahoa. Tribune-Herald.

Major commercial center pitched in Kailua-Kona. The Kailua Village Design Commission Tuesday night deferred taking action on a new 14-building commercial center proposed for Kailua-Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Company to expand amphibious tours. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A murder charge against a woman accused of deliberately driving off a cliff in Hawaii and killing her identical twin sister should be dismissed because prosecutors misled the grand jury that indicted her, a defense attorney said. Associated Press.

Maui police officer busted for stealing on the job. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Managing Director Earns Credentialed Designation. The International Local Government Management Organization recently awarded Maui County Managing Director Keith Regan with the Credentialed Manager designation. MD Regan is now one of 1,400 local government management professionals currently credentialed through the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program. Maui News.

Kauai

A former Kauai police detective who relocated to Oahu was issued a temporary restraining order against his neighbors after increasing conflicts. Garden Island.

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Dangerous mental patient already in California when Hawaii hospital officials raise escape alarm, seawater air conditioning coming to state buildings, ticket-fixing alleged in Honolulu prosecutor probe, City Council to take up foam food container ban, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Henry Curtis Ililani Media
Hawaii state Capitol PC:Henry Curtis Ililani Media
State Capitol to get seawater air conditioning. The state Department of Accounting and General Services said Tuesday it has reached an agreement with Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning LLC to air-condition eight state buildings, including the Capitol. Star-Advertiser.

The state of Hawaii on Tuesday said it reached a preliminary agreement with Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning to cool seven state office buildings and the state Capitol, a move that could save taxpayers more than $14 million a year. Pacific Business News.

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Hawaii State Hospital officials, citing patient privacy laws and a criminal investigation, offered no explanation Tuesday of how a killer in their care walked out of the Kaneohe facility and found his way to California even before the hospital reported him missing. Star-Advertiser.

Officials Still Silent About How Killer Escaped From Hawaii State Hospital. The AG’s office issued a $500,000 warrant for the arrest of Randall Saito, calling him a “dangerous individual” who needs to be off the street. Civil Beat.

Escapee had cell phone, change of clothes, paid in cash. Hawaii News Now.

Surveillance video shows escapee in taxi, dispatcher says ‘he sounded so nice’ KHON2.

All the way to San Jose. That is how far a Hawaii State Hospital patient, with a violent past, got before law enforcement was notified he escaped. KITV.

Documents: Hospital escapee had sexual relations with staff. Hawaii News Now.

Escapee married former hospital worker, allegedly threatened to ‘blow away the staff’ KHON2.

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Homeless safe zones are catching on — everywhere but Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

State and City leaders on Homelessness in Hawaii took part in a Housing Summit to discuss current homeless/housing issues and learn from others about different strategies used to combat the problem. KITV.

Oahu

City Council committee to discuss bill banning plastic foam containers Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

A 31-year-old Niu Valley man says city Deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha had his speeding ticket dismissed after he did some electrical work for her and her husband, former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha. Star-Advertiser.

The federal court has named the lawyers who will represent former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his deputy prosecutor wife Katherine Kealoha against charges that they conspired to and obstructed justice, lied to investigators, and committed bank fraud and identity theft. Star-Advertiser.

Kealohas Get New Defense Attorneys In Federal Conspiracy Case. The couple could no longer afford to pay their long-time lawyers to defend them in one of the largest public corruption cases in Hawaii history. Civil Beat.

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Honolulu police officials Tuesday urged City Council members to provide funding for a permanent, departmentwide body-worn camera program. Star-Advertiser.

A Honolulu City Council committee decided Tuesday to defer a measure that would require the owners of approximately 150 Oahu residential high-rises to install automatic fire sprinklers throughout their buildings. Star-Advertiser.

New Council Proposal Cuts Back Fire Sprinkler Requirements. Only about half as many high rises built before 1975 would have to be retrofitted under an amended version of the measure. Civil Beat.

City May Get Tougher On Tour Vans In Waimanalo. A bill to establish permit fees for commercial stops at Waimanalo Bay Beach Park would help pay for monitoring compliance. Civil Beat.

The city is hiring someone to figure out what caused the lights to go out at a baseball field in Waipio. KHON2.

Hawaiian Electric Co. has struck a deal to buy renewable fuel at a lower price from a local company to produce power on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Earlier this year, 75 acres of East Honolulu land, in one of Hawaii’s wealthiest areas, sold for $380,000. The parcel is on the slope that stretches from the east side of Aina Haina up to the luxury homes of Hawaii Loa Ridge.  Star-Advertiser.

In unrelated cases, two Hawaii women have been charged after suspicion of welfare fraud. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu nonprofit Arc in Hawaii is suing its longtime bookkeeper, claiming she embezzled nearly $7 million. Star-Advertiser.

Cardax Inc.’s revenue soared last quarter as the nationwide launch of the company’s new anti-inflammatory product ZanthoSyn generated strong demand. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The career ladder reaches only so far for Hawaii County firefighters, at least if they don’t want to take a pay cut. Concerns over a lack of interest from rank-and-file firefighters about rising to battalion chief have Fire Chief Darren Rosario and Acting Human Resources Director Bill Brilhante meeting with Mayor Harry Kim, asking for a classification study to determine whether the position should be moved up a few rungs. West Hawaii Today.

A discussion regarding Hawaii County Fire Department battalion chiefs’ pay grade was held on Tuesday during the Hawaii County Council Finance Committee meeting. Big Island Video News.

After circumnavigating the globe for three years, Hokulea’s historic Malama Honua voyage will officially come full circle in April when the double-hulled sailing canoe returns to Hawaii Island. Tribune-Herald.

A nonprofit from California is working to renovate youth baseball fields in Hilo this week with the help of some professionals: three Major League Baseball players. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The Maui Planning Commission approved amendments Tuesday to a special management area use permit to allow ATC Makena Holdings to demolish the old Makena Beach & Golf Resort hotel and no longer pursue a separate 76-unit boutique hotel at the nearly 24-acre site. Maui News.

An affordable hotel in Kahului being modeled after the popular local Pagoda Hotel on Oahu is still in the works, although it will take a little longer to build. Maui News.

A Maui County Council committee has recommended that sunscreens containing certain chemicals be banned in the county. Associated Press.

A 10-year prison term was ordered Tuesday for a former jail guard convicted of sexually assaulting an inmate while he was working at the Maui Community Correctional Center three years ago. Maui News.

The Maui Police Department will conduct emergency preparedness exercises at two Kahului locations this week. Maui Now.

Voyaging canoe Hokulea sets sail for a return visit to county. Kick-off event is a ‘talk story’ Friday. Maui News.

Kauai

Dairy farm violated Clean Water Act, told to pay up. A federal court ordered Hawaii Dairy Farms to pay $506,000 to The Friends of Mahaulepu, an environmental watchdog organization. Hawaii News Now.

Hotel working with county. In August, the county Planning Department issued violations to Hanalei Bay Resort for illegal dwellings and insufficient parking. Garden Island.

The Kauai Community Alliance, Continuum of Care for homeless services, and the County of Kauai will host “Hope in the Park: Information and Free Lunch,” starting at 11 a.m. today on the lawn of the Historic County Building in observance of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Garden Island.

Resource Recovery Solutions, the operator of Puhi Metals Recycling Center, accepts e-waste at no cost to residents and businesses. Garden Island.

Molokai

Two women have been charged with embezzling more than $1 million from a Molokai federal credit union. Pacific Business News.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Russian spy ship watching RIMPAC war games, Ige signs murder, rape crime bills, Honolulu City Council reorg fails, affordable housing breaks on Honolulu and Kauai, solar industry falters, homeless turnaround plan a success, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy office of the Hawiai governor
Gov. Ige signs Joel's Law, courtesy governor's office
Gov. David Ige on Wednesday signed “Joel’s Law,” or Act 214, an amendment to the state’s narrow first-degree murder law adding anyone who knowingly causes a death while restraining or holding a person for ransom or reward, or using a person as a shield or hostage. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige signed a bill into law Wednesday that broadens the offense of first-degree murder. KHON2.

Gov. David Ige signed a bill into law that broadens the offense of first degree murder. Previously, the offense has been narrowly defined and limited to rare cases in which there are multiple victims, the victim is killed by a hired killer or the victim was under the specific protection of the courts or law enforcement system. Press release.

A parent of a child conceived through rape in Hawaii could lose parental rights if they’re accused of sexual assault. Gov. David Ige signed a bill today which aims to deprive rapists of parental rights. Associated Press.

Gov. David Ige on Tuesday signed into law a bill requiring insurers cover a year’s worth of birth control at one time. The signing of Senate Bill 2319, which the governor’s office touted as “a groundbreaking bill that will dramatically expand access to birth control in Hawaii,” makes Hawaii the first state in the nation to require all public and private insurance providers to cover 12 months of birth control at a time, meaning that women will only have to pick up their prescription once a year. West Hawaii Today.

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The U.S. Navy has confirmed that a Russian spy ship has been stationed in international waters off Hawaii, but says its presence is not affecting military exercises. Associated Press.

State senators are taking their first legal steps in a fight with the governor over a Public Utilities Commission appointment. KHON2.

After unexpectedly high construction bids delayed the state’s efforts to cool 1,000 classrooms before 2017, the Hawaii Department of Education is seeking new bids for the project, according to a July newsletter. Civil Beat.

More than 1,500 scientists from around the world have signed a letter urging President Obama to use his executive authority to expand Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Civil Beat.

A large majority of Hawaii solar energy industry companies are reporting job losses. Star-Advertiser.

Islandwide Solar is in the midst of a “restructuring,” central to which is the liquidation of assets totaling more than $800,000 in wholesale value from the company’s operations on Hawaii Island, Kauai and Oahu. West Hawaii Today.

Friends In High Places Helped HECO Tighten Its Grip On Hawaii. The federal government’s takeover of Hawaii proved extremely fortuitous for Hawaiian Electric. So was the involvement of leading local. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The Honolulu City Council green-lighted a bill Wednesday that waives building permit and sewer hookup fees for homeowners who want to build accessory dwelling units — secondary rental units on their property. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday confirmed John Henry Felix to a seat on the board of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation. Pacific Business News.

A move to oust Honolulu City Councilman Ikaika Anderson as Council vice chairman was shelved just before a vote on the maneuver was to happen Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council shelved a resolution today to reorganize its committee leadership positions. But they did pass a few measures relating to the Rail Transit Project. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Honolulu City Council voted Wednesday to shelve a bill that would have given the position of vice chair to Joey Manahan from Kalihi instead of Ikaika Anderson from Waimanalo. Civil Beat.

Kakaako’s state-owned Mauka and Makai Gateway parks, home to a persistent group of homeless encampments, are now closed indefinitely for repairs and a cleanup. Star-Advertiser.

Housing First rental units didn’t work out for five homeless people out of 166 placed in the program on Oahu last year. Star-Advertiser.

A future wave of new homes in Kakaako could be subject to dramatically different affordable-housing rules based on a report presented Wednesday to the state agency governing development in the area. Star-Advertiser.

Sewage Spill Closes Kewalo Basin. The Hawaii Department of Health advises the public to stay clear of the area because it may have been affected by a sewage spill over the Fourth of July weekend. Civil Beat.

Two Honolulu police officers have been charged in the past week with felonies — one for allegedly assaulting a truck driver during a road rage incident and another, now retired, for allegedly shooting a bartender in a mishap. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The envisioned Puna Makai Alternate Route, or PMAR, has become a political issue in the primary election. Big Island Video News.

Senior’s striptease a hit on TV: Hilo woman, 90, competes on ‘America’s Got Talent’ Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The Paia Courtyard, a proposed mixed-use retail, office and residential project along with senior living apartments, is now on its way to seek further county approvals. Maui News.

State Department of Land and Natural Resources officers issued 46 criminal citations and impounded 10 off-road motorcycles as evidence after observing illegal dirt biking Sunday in the Kula Forest Reserve. Maui News.

A live snake was captured by a Maui coffee farm worker on Friday afternoon, July 1, 2016. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Kauai County Council unanimously voted Wednesday to give a tax break to people who rent their homes as long-term affordable housing. Garden Island.

Citing the need to get input from the administration, the Kauai County Council unanimously voted Wednesday to refer to committee a bill that would allow additional rental units in the Lihue Planning District. Garden Island.

Shuttle systems, parking reservations, and rearranging the layout of the welcome buildings are all part of the newly released comprehensive conservation plan for the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Garden Island.