Complete Debunk: Hawaii AG Files Climate Change Lawsuit in State Court
DOJ Urges Supreme Court to Hear Hawaii ‘Gun-Free Zone’ Case
State Launches Operation Hire Hawai‘i to Fill Vacant Positions
Visitor Industry Expanded in March 2025
Grassroot hails passage of bills aimed at boosting housing supply, helping Lahaina
Hawaiʻi Consumer Advocate: Saltchuk Milks Young Brothers to Justify Fraudulent Rate Hike
CB: … The state Division of Consumer Advocacy says it could support a temporary rate increase for Young Brothers to pay off outstanding debts while maintaining the vital interisland shipping service it provides.
But that’s only if the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission opens an investigation into how the freight company manages its finances and its broader relationship with Seattle-based parent company Saltchuk Resources.
Young Brothers has asked the PUC to approve a temporary rate increase of up to 25% to stave off $18 million in anticipated losses for 2025, which would be on top of last year’s losses of just over $23 million….
The public watchdog says two conditions should be applied to the temporary increase: a pre-approval for any dividend payments from Young Brothers to its parent company, Saltchuk Resources; and an investigation into the companies’ relationship to ensure their dealings are in the public’s interest. Saltchuk Resources acquired Young Brothers in 1999.
Since then, the Consumer Advocate said, Young Brothers’ managerial and financial decisions have “strongly implied that Saltchuk has not treated Young Brothers like a public utility and vital service for the state of Hawaiʻi, but rather purely like a financial asset from which resources can be extracted in good times, but for which no support is maintained during hard times.”…
(CLUE: In ANY business with a regulated division and a non-regulated division, the function of management is to maximize the expenses and minimize the income of the regulated division. The purpose of this exercise is to justify regulated rate hikes. Managers who do not understand this get fired.)
Saltchuk’s involvement with Young Brothers has never been investigated by the state, but Young Brothers was audited following its request to impose a 47% rate increase during the pandemic….
“We keep coming into this recurring situation where, over the years, Young Brothers comes in urgently needing some sort of rate increase request. They get the rate increase and then they’re back again,” Angelo said….
Young Brothers has also asked the commission to consider implementing a system that will see its annual rates increase automatically based on inflation, by up to 5% annually.
2021: 46% Rate Hike: Audit Exposes Young Bros Fraudulent Accounting Tricks
MN: Consumer Advocate criticizes interisland rate increase
read … Hawaiʻi Consumer Advocate Pushes Back Against Young Brothers' Rate Hike - Honolulu Civil Beat
The End: East-West Center offers buyouts to 80% of employees
SA: … The East-West Center is offering buyouts to 80% of its 137 employees as federal funding concerns continue under Donald Trump’s efforts to slash the State Department’s budget by half next fiscal year.
The center has 127 employees in Honolulu and 10 in Washington, D.C. EWC interim President James K. Scott let employees know Wednesday that they have until May 9 to decide whether to accept a voluntary separation/early retirement incentives offer.
Employees who have been at the center less than a year, part-time workers, and positions funded entirely by grants are not eligible for the voluntary separation incentives.
In a statement to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, officials said the continued delays in delivery of the East-West Center’s federal funding that was approved by Congress for the current fiscal year, as well as lack of certainty surrounding the center’s appropriation level for the coming federal fiscal year starting in October, prompted the buyout offers “as a means to further reduce expenses.”
A hiring freeze and cuts to nonessential expenditures were implemented in mid-February. Several programs are postponed or called off because of the funding issues….
2024: East-West Center President Vares-Lum leaving position at end of year | University of Hawaiʻi System News
read … East-West Center offers buyouts to 80% of employees | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Lawsuit seeks damages from Miske estate for kidnapping and murder of Jonathan Fraser
ILind: … A wrongful death lawsuit seeking monetary damages has been filed against the late racketeering boss Michael J. Miske, Jr., his estate, and several of his associates, alleging they “knowingly, deliberately, intentionally, and maliciously” caused the death of 21-year old Jonathan Fraser in 2016….
The wrongful death claim was filed several weeks ago on behalf of Fraser’s biological father, William A. Fraser III, and indicates he is also seeking to be appointed as personal representative for Johnny Fraser’s estate. There is no mention of Johnny Fraser’s mother, who campaigned publicly for years to keep his disappearance in the public eye, and pressed relentlessly for the investigation to continue until charges were filed.
The wrongful death claim names two defendants alleged to be responsible for the murder–Jacob “Jake” Smith and Lance Bermudez. Miske’s longtime employee and business partner, Jason Yokoyama, and Caleb Miske’s widow, Delia Fabro Miske, were allegedly active parts of the conspiracy as well and are also named as defendants. All four have pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges stemming from their roles in the racketeering enterprise Miske controlled until his arrest in July 2020….
It is the second lawsuit filed by the Seitz law firm on behalf of a Miske victim seeking monetary damages. An earlier lawsuit was filed on behalf of Seung-Ji Robert Lee, an accountant who was kidnapped and assaulted on Miske’s orders. That case is pending in Honolulu’s First Circuit Court.
Although prosecutors did not present evidence, or even a theory, of exactly how and by whom Fraser was kidnapped and murdered, the latest complaint pulls together bits and pieces of evidence from trial testimony and documents disclosed in discovery and eventually made public, and draws a direct conclusion.
“Smith and Bermudez were tasked with abducting and murdering Jonathan,” according to the lawsuit. “Miske offered Smith $50,000 to torture and murder Jonathan and to provide him with video of the killing.”
The case appears to rest heavily on statements by James Borling-Salas, a young associate of Smith’s, who told investigators in December 2019 that he had assisted in Fraser’s kidnapping, and later saw him being assaulted by Bermudez and Smith in a 12-bedroom Kalihi home where they were renting the second floor. He also said Smith showed him a video of the torture on his phone.
Borling Salas had a record of arrests for petty crimes as a teen, and while in custody became associated with the La Familia prison gang, where he met Jake Smith, also a La Familia member. He lived with Smith during one period, and joined Smith and others in several assaults prosecutors attributed to the Miske Enterprise as well as the Fraser kidnapping.
However, three years later, Borling-Salas was severely beaten by three inmates in December 2019 while detained at the Oahu Community Correctional Center on a probation violation. He died in January 2019. The beating was allegedly in retaliation for being a “snitch” and for attempting to end affiliation with La Familia. The three inmates who took part in the beating were La Familia members.
The Seitz law firm conducted its own investigation in support of a lawsuit filed on behalf of Janet Salas, James Borling-Salas’ mother, alleging the Department of Public Safety action and inaction contributed to his death….
PDF: Wrongful Death lawsuit filed against Michael Miske's estate
read … Lawsuit seeks damages from Miske estate for kidnapping and murder of Jonathan Fraser | i L i n d
Maui Council reverses budget course, adds $55.4 million for fiscal year 2026
MN: … A little more than two weeks after Council Chair Alice Lee signaled the potential for “deep cuts” to Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed $1.512 billion fiscal 2026 budget, the Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee has reversed course, recommending an increase of approximately $55.4 million – nearly 3.7% more than the mayor’s proposal.
When asked about the apparent turnaround for overall county spending, Lee described the budget process as being “long, complicated and constrained by a number of critical deadlines set in the Charter.”
“Most, if not all, of the Council Members hoped to reduce the Mayor’s proposed budget, but there were a number of projects and programs which we considered to be a high priority, which needed to be added,” she said. “Further, about $15 to $20 million of the additional $50 million added to the budget were additions from the administration, including a shortfall of $7 million in real property taxes.” …
read … Maui Council reverses budget course, adds $55.4 million for fiscal year 2026 : Maui Now
Nearly 20% of fire survivor families in FEMA rental housing have missed a payment
HPR: … FEMA says 175 families in the program have missed at least one rental payment since March. That’s almost 20% of the 984 households currently in the program.
FEMA attempted multiple calls, text notifications and in-person outreach to each of those fire-displaced families. More than 40 families did provide payment. FEMA says another 45 households could not be reached — and 23 ʻohana received final notices because payments were not made.
Families were required to start paying fair market rent as set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, based on location. It's a standard FEMA policy to start charging rent 18 months after a disaster. FEMA says it also took into account the household’s ability to pay….
read … Nearly 20% of fire survivor families in FEMA rental housing have missed a payment |
Military couple demands child abuse probe at Navy daycare
HNN: … Evie, who was nearly two years old, had been attending daycare at the Navy’s Ford Island Child Development Center (CDC) since she was baby.
In August 2022, Army servicemembers Jennifer and Matthew Glick were notified their daughter had bumped her head in a fall. Months later, the Glicks say the Navy Family Advocacy Program told them another mother reported little Evie had been harmed.
“It’s baffling that this was turned in by another mother,” Jennifer Glick said.
That was the mother of then 2-year-old, Bella Kuykendall, seen on surveillance footage with two childcare workers who were eventually convicted for misdemeanor assault, and posted the video to social media.
The Glicks didn’t know what had happened until seeing Kuykendall’s Facebook, called “Operation Mei Mei” in March, which showed hours of footage. They recognized their daughter even though she’s blurred.
“As I watched, I was in shock,” said Jennifer Glick.
Glick, an Army criminal special agent, says she knows what child abuse looks like. They claim the video shows one worker abusing their daughter during two incidents….
FB: Welcome to Operation Mei Mei -- Facebook
read … Military couple demands child abuse probe at Navy daycare
Hawaiian Electric Fuel Supply Proposal Designed to bypass Pacific Biofuel
IM: … Hawaiian Electric Company is in the process of signing multiple power purchase agreements with independent power companies as part of its third Request for Proposals (Stage 3 RFP) in docket no. 2017-0352.
Hawaiian Electric proposed a tolling concept to the Public Utilities Commission. The utility would buy all the biofuel, sell it to the independent power companies (IPPs) and then buy the electricity produced by the independent power companies….
Hawaiian Electric asserted that they want to fast track the proposal and allowing intervenors would delay the fast tracking.
Hoku Kai Biofuels, LLC (aka Pacific Biofuel) requested that the Commission hear concerns in opposition to the tolling concept. Hoku Kai Biofuels operates the only dedicated biofuel terminal in the state of Hawaii. The biofuel terminal is in Hilo. The comments were filed on April 29, 2025….
read … Hawaiian Electric Proposes Unusual Fuel Supply Agreement | Ililani Media
Motor Carrier Law Exemption for community-based transportation programs passes
MN: … The state House and Senate approved HB1422 CD1, a bill that exempts nonprofit and community-based organizations from Hawaiʻi’s Motor Carrier Law under certain conditions.
Introduced by House Speaker Nadine K. Nakamura and supported by her fellow Kauaʻi legislators, Sen. President Ronald D. Kouchi, Rep. Luke A. Evslin, and Rep. Dee Morikawa, the measure highlights a shared commitment to providing support for sustainable, community-led transportation initiatives.
“This bill recognizes that programs like the Hā‘ena State Park access and entry management program, which reinvests its proceeds into environmental and community benefits, shouldn’t be treated like traditional, for-profit carriers,” said House Speaker Nadine K. Nakamura (House D-15 Hā‘ena, Wainiha, Hanalei, Princeville, Kīlauea, Anahola, Keālia, Kapa‘a, portion of Wailua, Kawaihau). “These organizations’ efforts have proven effective in reducing traffic and managing visitor impact, but existing regulations create roadblocks for operations. This legislation intends to remove those roadblocks and inspire similar partnerships statewide to advance sustainable tourism and resource management.” …
read … Motor Carrier Law Exemption for community-based transportation programs passes : Maui Now
ICE Takes Aim At Illegals In Big Island's Coffee Belt
CB: … At the start of March, a Big Island first grader was taken into custody at his elementary school by a Hawaiʻi Police Department school resource officer and turned over to Child Welfare Services.
The agency then turned him over to federal immigration authorities, who earlier that day had arrested his father. And both were deported.
That same week, federal immigration law enforcement agents descended on a small blue house in South Kona’s coffee belt region and interrogated a mother and her three children. They returned the next day with warrants to apprehend all four, who within a week were deported to Honduras.
A month later, federal agents took a 17-year-old South Kona high school student into custody. The teenager is now reportedly being held in a youth detention center in Texas. …
read … ICE Takes Aim At Immigrant Kids In Big Island's Coffee Belt - Honolulu Civil Beat
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