Honolulu mayor to unveil homeless plan, another priest molestation lawsuit, Hawaii ranks 15th in hospital safety, Oahu jail deaths spur investigation, Kauai mayor seeks budget hike, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu homeless (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

The first draft of a sweeping plan to battle homelessness heads to the Honolulu City Council from Mayor Kirk Caldwell today. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii was ranked 15th in the nation for hospital safety, according to Hospital Safety Scores from The Leapfrog Group, which assigned a top grade of “A” to a third of the Isle hospitals on its list. Pacific Business News.

Hospital charges vary widely within Hawaii. Medical institutions say the disparities result because patients get individual treatment, depending on their health. Star-Advertiser.

A powerful state senator is blocking efforts to strengthen Hawaii’s ethics and campaign spending laws, state officials and nonprofit leaders say. They point to Sen. Clayton Hee, chair of the Judiciary and Labor Committee, as the major roadblock to good government and political reform laws. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers took modest steps to address the state’s record $25-billion in unfunded liabilities during the 2012 and 2013 legislative sessions. Hawaii Reporter.

A New Jersey man filed a lawsuit Wednesday alleging that he was sexually molested when he attended St. Anthony's parish and school in Kailua from 1978 to 1981 when he was about 10 to 13 years old. Star-Advertiser.

Two lawmakers skipped 10 days of the 60-day session Hawaii Legislature. Civil Beat.

Fifty-four percent of Hawaii's 2012 public school graduates enrolled in two- and four-year colleges — up from 53 percent the year before.  Star-Advertiser.

Civil Beat political reporter Chad Blair gets a visit from Office of Hawaiian Affairs Washington D.C. Bureau Chief Kawika Riley, who talks about a new OHA program aimed at putting more Native Hawaiians in federal government.

Over the past several years, the University of Hawaii has shelled out nearly $800,000 to Mainland executive search firms to recruit more than half a dozen top executives. Hawaii News Now.

A young woman was persuaded to board a plane from Oregon to Hawaii with the promise of a job. When she got here, her belongings were taken from her and she was told she would have to be a prostitute. KHON2.

SolarCity has started work on its largest project in Hawaii — the installation of solar photovoltaic panels on 6,500 military homes. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The third inmate death at Oahu Community Correctional Center in two months has prompted state Public Safety Director Ted Sakai to say "we have a crisis on our hands." Star-Advertiser.

A third inmate death in the holding unit at Oahu Community Correctional Center in the past two months is raising serious questions about the Hawaii Department of Public Safety's oversight of the facility. Civil Beat.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is receiving $400,000 in federal grants to look for petroleum and hazardous substances on several former industrial sites in Kakaako that are among land parcels the state gave the agency to settle a ceded land claim. Associated Press.

Iwi stalls construction plans for Kailua Target. KHON2.

A helicopter pilot and her passenger walked away from a crash landing on a busy downtown street Wednesday afternoon, and no pedestrians or drivers were injured. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A former county employee who designed the bid specifications and helped choose the contractor for the first phase of the Kaloko Housing program got clearance Wednesday to submit a proposal for an expanded second phase in his new job with the nonprofit organization that won the first bid. West Hawaii Today.

A drug and alcohol abuse treatment program is closing its offices in Kealakekua, Waimea and on Oahu, its CEO said Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

The state is moving forward with plans to build two water tanks that will feed diptanks for helicopters to use while fighting fires on the southwestern slopes of Mauna Kea. West Hawaii Today.

More Big Island high schoolers are taking Advanced Placement exams, but they’re not scoring as high as in previous years. West Hawaii Today.

A former Department of Environmental Management employee pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning to a felony theft charge for allegedly stealing diesel fuel from pumps at the Waimea baseyard. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County police deny that they are investigating five local judges for “war crimes,” as an Oahu attorney asserted in a media release sent to the Hawaii Tribune-Herald on Tuesday.

Maui

Maui County Council members approved a council communications director, changes in land-use conditions for a rock-crushing facility in Kihei and funding for two nonprofit affordable housing projects on Tuesday. Maui News.

Results of a remedial investigation of the ‘Āhihi Kīna‘u Natural Area Reserve in South Maui will be discussed during a public meeting tonight, officials said. Maui Now.

The Maui County Council unanimously voted on Tuesday to override Mayor Alan Arakawa's veto of a County Council bill that would target abuse in the "circuit breaker" property tax program developed to help those with limited incomes from being taxed out of their homes due to rising assessments beyond their control. Maui News.

A broken force main sewage line in West Maui on Tuesday afternoon that closed beaches and forced residents to halt dish washing and showers was repaired about five hours later, according to county officials. Maui News.

Kauai
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. sent a revised county budget proposal of $211.2 million to the Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday. Garden Island.

False information was presented to the public during a meeting last month regarding the proposal for a high-elevation horizontal well on Kaua‘i, according to the manager of the Kaua‘i Department of Water. Garden Island.

A new bacterial disease off Kauai's North Shore is quickly killing coral, federal biologists say. Star-Advertiser.

Over the last few months, The Garden Island’s editorial team has increased coverage of our island. We’ve hired an editor and reporter to cover more events, meetings and hard news stories both in print and online.

Molokai

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is planning to hold a public hearing this week about a proposal to increase protections for environmentally and culturally important sand dunes in west Molokai. Associated Press.

Media blames senator for killing shield law, union bosses make big bucks, medical marijuana bill limits doctors, bill of rights passed for domestic workers, HMSA rate hike trimmed, safe place bill dies, tsunami debris removal grants announced, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii state Capitol (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

The Legislature is holding its last session of 2013. Both the House and the Senate plan to meet this morning. They plan to vote on just a handful of bills, including proposals addressing the state's settlements with unions and unfunded liabilities for employee benefits. Associated Press.

Hawaii lawmakers have overwhelmingly approved a historic shift in how the state manages its medical marijuana program after years of failed efforts to reform it. House Bill 668 authorizes the transfer of the program from the Department of Public Safety to the Department of Health. Civil Beat.

A coalition of Hawaii news media is blaming the state Senate for failing to extend a journalism shield law past its expiration on June 30. Associated Press.

Sen. Clayton Hee

Free-press advocates lamented the impending expiration of the state's news media "shield law," hailed nationally as a model for protection of news sources, and laid the blame squarely on Sen. Clayton Hee, the Senate's judiciary and labor chairman. Star-Advertiser.

Senate Judiciary and Labor Chair Clayton Hee is not known for his compassion, consistency or tolerance for mainland folk. This year, it was the media – not a particular person or judicial candidate – who was the focus of his ire. This followed an unflattering and brief but trashy story in a Republican blog during the 2012 election that used no sources when accusing Hee of misdeeds clearly in an attempt to influence voters in the November election. Hawaii Reporter.

A national organization representing local groups of nannies, housekeepers and other domestic workers is praising Hawaii’s Legislature for passing a bill to create a domestic workers bill of rights. Associated Press.

Senate Bill 391 would have established a network of "safe places" for youth. The two-year pilot program would've made use of existing organizations such as the YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club. But the measure, which was the state Keiki Caucus's top priority this year, died in conference committee Friday. Civil Beat.

There's a bill headed to Gov. Neil Abercrombie's desk that could help law enforcement keep tabs on gun registration and this is a proposal some Hawaii gun rights advocates are getting behind. KITV4.

The state Insurance Division has reduced Hawaii Medical Service Association’s proposed 8.6 percent premium rate increase to 6.8 perecent for small businesses renewing health policies in July, for an estimated 118,000 Hawaii consumers, a move it said would save businesses about $10 million. Star-Advertiser.

A national organization that has been ranking states’ educational policies and outcomes for nearly two decades dropped Hawaii’s grade this year in some areas, but noted significant improvements in others. West Hawaii Today.

At a time when many of their members are still struggling to find work, the heads of Hawaii's construction unions are taking home fat pay checks. Hawaii News Now.

Med School Puts Best Face Forward with in-depth report To Lawmakers. Civil Beat.

Former state Rep. Gil Riviere, who represented the North Shore in the House for one term before losing in the Republican primary last year, said he will switch political parties and become a Democrat as he tries to reclaim the seat next year. Currently, there are 44 Democrats and 7 Republicans is in the Hawaii House. Star-Advertiser.

Governor Neil Abercrombie, US Senator Brian Schatz, and State Senator Gil Keith-Agaran will be the featured speakers at the upcoming annual Convention for the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi on Maui. Maui Now.

State roundup for May 1. Associated Press.

Oahu

The ground breaks today on a sweeping four-year $739 million modernization of Honolulu Airport, starting with a new maintenance building for Aloha Air Cargo. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu prosecutor's office says that in the six-month period from October through March, there were 31 trials and 243 dismissals due to speedy trial requirements. That's one trial per eight dismissals. Victims advocates say those statistics are poor incentive for domestic violence victims to stick with their cases. Civil Beat.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Wednesday he will use the newly enacted sidewalk nuisance law to keep members of (de)Occupy Honolulu from camping on sidewalks around Thomas Square. Star-Advertiser.

The city is cracking down on illegal dumping in Oahu neighborhoods. Inspectors can now issue hefty fines for bulky items dumped curbside days or weeks before collection, but some people are concerned about fair enforcement. Hawaii News Now.

A planned Kakaako condominium tower dubbed 803 Waimanu reserved for middle-income buyers will be a relatively tight fit for its location — too tight for residents in an adjacent high-rise who objected to the project at a public hearing Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

A local project is taking steps to ensure that excess produce gets to the people who need it the most. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii

The Hawaii County Council is asking the mayor to find $500,000 to bolster the Fire Department’s budget before summer begins. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii is fighting back against the coffee berry borer beetle. The pernicious pest has frustrated farmers in the Kona and Ka‘u coffee belts since its discovery in 2010, leading to decreased quality of West Hawaii’s famous black gold and many pounds of beans unharvestable. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

At least two Maui County Council members said Tuesday that they intend to seek small increases in the county's current property tax rates to provide more funds for nonprofit organizations and to upgrade needed county services and programs. Maui News.

The Hawaii Wildlife Fund has received a $20,000 grant from the state to help mitigate the possible environmental impacts of Japan tsunami marine debris in Maui County. Maui News.

A rally will be held on Thursday, May 2, to protest the planned lottery for placement in the Hawaiian language immersion kindergarten at Pāʻia Elementary School on Maui. Maui Now.

Maui Land & Pineapple Co. Inc. reported a net loss of $1.8 million, or 10 cents per share, for the first quarter, compared to a loss of $200,000, or 1 cent per share, for the same quarter in 2012. Pacific Business News.

A Lahaina boat captain was ordered to pay $4,000 in fines after pleading guilty Tuesday to negligent homicide and other charges in the death of a diver who was struck by an inflatable boat in waters off Lanai two years ago. Maui News.

Kauai

Fifty residents representing a handful of organizations showed up at the Kaua‘i County Council meeting Wednesday morning, asking for support on a bill against biotech companies that grow genetically modified organisms. Garden Island.

The Surfrider Foundation of Kaua‘i landed a $25,000 grant to help clean up Japanese tsunami debris washing up on Kaua‘i’s shorelines. Garden Island.

Special Report: Hawaii Shield Law in jeopardy

The state House on Thursday rejected Senate amendments that would radically weaken Hawaii's Shield Law, a law seen as landmark legislation when it was enacted five years ago.

Next on the agenda is the creation of a conference committee where House and Senate conferees work out a compromise for floor votes by both bodies. The Shield Law was seen as groundbreaking because it included bloggers as well as traditonal media.

The version as amended by the Senate creates categories of traditional journalists that would be protected, then deletes protection of any unpublished information, such as notes and raw video.

The House had previously expanded the exceptions so journalists would have to disclose information involving potential felonies, serious crimes involving unlawful injury to people or animals and all civil cases.

 If the Legislature fails to act, the Shield Law automatically expires June 30. You can keep up with how the bill, HB 622, is faring here.







Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Clayton Hee became the focal point of criticism by the media -- and especially bloggers -- because of his insistence that "so-called journalists" lie and falsify information. In a committee hearing (audio clip top), Hee produced copies of the famous 1948 Chicago Tribune "Dewey Defeats Truman" article to prove his point.

Hee continued that theme on the Senate floor, ultimately winning approval of his committee amendments on a 24-1 vote in the 25-member Senate.

Hawaii lawmakers may criminalize pet owners who give away their kittens or puppies -- Commentary

Cute kittens, courtesy photo by Adriano

If pets are outlawed, only outlaws will have pets.

This take on a bill now up on the Hawaii Legislature is admittedly extreme, but not that far off the mark considering SB2504 makes it a misdemeanor to sell or give away your dogs, cats, puppies or kittens without first having them spayed or neutered and microchips implanted in them. Big Brother has arrived, at least for your pets.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Clayton Hee, D-Kahuku, La'ie, Ka'a'awa, Kane'ohe, is up for consideration at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, by the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee and Economic Development and Technology Committee.

Hee undoubtedly has good intentions. Feral cats are a huge problem in Hawaii, where, with few natural predators, they breed large colonies and threaten native songbirds.

But taking away even more rights from the citizenry is probably not the way to go. What next? Microchipping our children?

Golden retriever puppy, courtesy Daisy Parker

"Importation of dogs to the Hawaiian Islands is limited and strictly regulated. If all cats and dogs sold or given away must be sterilized, it calls into question where citizens of Hawaii will obtain future generations of pets," warns the American Kennel Club in a public appeal for opposition to the bill.

Lucky we live in Hawaii, where lawmakers steadily add laws to the books but no one actually enforces them. Otherwise, life in the "People's Republic" would be even more onerous than it already is.

But what do you think a pet owner with an unplanned litter is going to do with all the babies? Start with $20 to microchip each kitten, add another $50 to sterilize it, and for a litter of six, you are talking serious kala.

Chances are, those pets are only going to be added to the feral colonies when the owner dumps them in the nearest forest instead of palming a few off on friends and neighbors. This only perpetuates the very problem the bill is trying to fix. And these animals are in for a worse life, not a better one.

How much better if all this effort and angst would go toward voluntary and free spaying and neutering programs and funding for the Department of Land and Natural Resources to trap and euthanize the feral cats on public land.

Ironically, just when they're needed most, spaying and neutering assistance programs have been discontinued by the Hawaiian Humane Society, because the City and County of Honolulu cut the funding.

You, the public, have to take personal responsibility if you don't want Big Brother to step in.

• Don't feed feral animals. It only causes them to breed more of them.
• Keep your pet inside or confined unless you're out with him.
• Spay or neuter your pet. Keep looking for programs to help reduce the cost.
• Lobby your state and local government to put more money into prevention and education, and quit trying to dictate every aspect of our lives.

 Thanks for your consideration.