Hawaii cops sued over DUI arrests of sober drivers
Kauai Police Commission seeks public's input for new KPD Police Chief
Following Biden's Lead, Trump Shuts Down Hawaii Job Corps for Second Year in a Row
Lahaina Rep Elle Cochran Tangled in Lies After Missing 85% of Legislative Session
UPDATE June 4, 2025: Lahaina Calls for Resignation of Absent Rep Elle Cochran
HPR: … Rep. Elle Cochran, (a convicted felon and former drug addict), ‘represents’ Lahaina on Maui. She was absent 51 out of the 60 days of the 2025 legislative session.
(TRANSLATION: Lahaina desperately needs help, but its so-called ‘Representative’ has other priorities.)
In a written statement to HPR, she said she felt she was needed more in her district to help Lahaina fire survivors and deal with on-the-ground problems than at the Capitol.
(REALLY OBVIOUS QUESTION: Was she lying when she previously told media outlets she was ‘caring for a sick family member’? – OR – Is she lying now? -- OR – Both?)
"While absent from the Capitol, I was not absent from work on behalf of my district on Maui,” she wrote.
(REALLY EASY IQ TEST: Cochran relapse?)
"My staff and I kept track of bills that were pertinent to my district. I introduced numerous bills and resolutions of importance to my constituents… Most importantly, there were no complaints from my constituents (I believe because they could see that I was in attendance at public meetings on Maui and responding to their concerns as they asked for help of me in person).”
Cochran did come back to vote on bills that were important to her, like one about regulating midwifery. Notably, though, she wasn’t there for the last week of session when most of the major bills passed.
(NOTE: Midwifery is the one thing important enough to get Cochran to show up for work after Lahaina burns to the ground.)
Because she represents a district on Maui, she receives $225 a day to cover living expenses on Oʻahu. Each neighbor island lawmaker gets that per diem — roughly $15,000 for the legislative session — regardless of their attendance record….
(Hawaii Republicans 2024 campaign in Lahaina got 40% of the vote.)
FLASHBACK 2023: Rep Elle Cochran Accused of Stealing Lahaina Fire Donations?
FLASHBACK 2018: Former Armed Robber Running for Maui Mayor
COCHRAN’s CHANGING STORIES:
Maui Now Feb 20, 2025: “Responding to a phone message Thursday afternoon, Cochran told Maui Now her absences were the result of an ‘illness in the family.’ And, because of that, she has been remaining home on Maui to care for that family member.”
Civil Beat March 2, 2025: “Her office confirmed that Cochran has been absent due to a family illness….”
Civil Beat May 11, 2025: “The Blog called Cochran on Friday to ask about her absence and whether she might consider returning some of the money to taxpayers. But the representative interrupted quickly to ask, ‘Don’t you have anything better to investigate?’ Then she hung up.”
HPR May 29, 2025: “She felt she was needed more in her district to help Lahaina fire survivors and deal with on-the-ground problems than at the Capitol.”
read … How physically present must state lawmakers be during session, if at all? | Hawai'i Public Radio
KSBE Operatives Urge Governor To Veto Bills That Streamline Permitting Process
CB: … The nine panelists, including well-known architects, archaeologists and historians, have followed the progress of historic preservation legislation through the session. They include Commission Chair Kehaunani Abad, a cultural historian at Kamehameha Schools; Hailama V. K. K. Farden, senior director of cultural affairs at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and former president of the Hawaiian Historical Society; and Thomas Dye, who holds a doctorate from Yale University and teaches archaeology at the University of Hawaiʻi.
(TRANSLATION: This comes from KSBE.)
They oppose two measures recently passed by the Legislature. Senate Bill 15 redefines “historic preservation” in ways that opponents say virtually strips many properties from historic preservation review. House Bill 830 allows the state government to hire third-party contractors to do historic reviews for housing projects if the State Historic Preservation Division is backlogged, which the commissioners said they feared would cause problematic conflicts of interest.
(TRANSLATION: The backlog in SHPDA helps prevent others from building homes. The resulting shortfall in housing supply allows KSBE to develop tract homes that sell for $1M each. This is the Ali’i Trust Agenda. It rules your life. It is why you are leaving Hawaii.)
Green has the power to veto or sign legislation until July 10.
read … Kirstin Downey: Historic Preservationists Urge Governor To Veto Bills
Meet Miske’s “inner circle”
ILind: … But at the time of Caleb’s graduation in 2012 Miske was riding high. Kamaaina Termite had been paid over $4 million in 2010 to treat cabinets in a number of apartments in the two-year-old Keola Lai condominium near downtown Honolulu. The owner of a competing termite treatment company estimated he would have bid under $1 million for the job, but was told that competing bids were not being accepted.
The job was a windfall for Miske, who used over $1 million of the proceeds to fund the buildout and opening of his M Nightclub, another $150,000 to pay down a loan for the purchase of the land for his luxury home at Portlock, and over $900,000 to purchase the Longline fishing vessel “Rachel,” which the government suspected was used to transport drugs as well as engage in legitimate fishing operations, according to financial records cited in the government’s pending civil forfeiture lawsuit.
And Miske must have been feeling good because after four years as the focus of an FBI investigation dubbed “Waimanalo Blues,” named after Miske’s home neighborhood, he had avoided any charges.
The photo from Caleb’s graduation celebration gathered some of his inner circle of associates.
Those in the photo, from left to right when viewing the picture, Back Row: John Stancil, Andrew “Drew” Kim, Caleb Miske (wearing the lei), Mike Miske, Josiah Akau, Russel Mascoto, Alfred “Fredo” Cabael; Kneeling in front, Hansen Apo and Jason Yokoyama….
read … Some of those in Miske’s “inner circle” | i L i n d
Appeals court rules Buntenbah must forfeit $250,000 mortgage
ILind: … A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a ruling requiring former MMA fighter and Defend Hawaii owner, Michael Buntenbah, to forfeit a $250,000 mortgage on his Kaneohe home.
Michael Buntenbah, 53, pleaded guilty in 2022 to conspiring with others to commit assault in aid of racketeering as part of the criminal organization directed by the late Michael J. Miske Jr….
read … Appeals court rules Buntenbah must forfeit $250,000 mortgage | i L i n d
Developer Accused Of Campaign Fraud Allowed to Travel out of Country While Out On Bail
CB: … Timothy Lee, chief executive officer of JL Capital, was indicted in February with nine counts of making false name contributions to candidates in Honolulu’s 2020 mayoral election. After his arrest, Lee quickly regained his freedom by paying the $250,000 bail. But he had to surrender his passport.
On Thursday, Circuit Court Judge Clarissa Malinao granted a motion from Lee’s attorneys to return his passport and allow him to travel to the mainland and internationally for work….
Michener said that means Lee could afford to travel to countries from which extradition would be difficult or impossible.
“Lee has substantial financial resources at his disposal, resources that could be employed by him to stay out of the United States indefinitely,” Michener wrote in the court filing. …
Lee is accused of funneling $13,000 to the campaigns of 2020 mayoral candidates Kym Pine and Keith Amemiya through employees of his firm, which developed the Sky Ala Moana high-rise and is building another luxury tower on Kapiʻolani Boulevard called Muse Honolulu. …
read … Developer Accused Of Campaign Fraud Allowed to Travel While Out On Bail - Honolulu Civil Beat
Uncertain Outcomes Raised In Phasing Out Maui Short-Term Rentals
CB: … According to the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization, the proposed policy could lead to the loss of nearly 1,900 local jobs, a $900 million reduction in annual visitor spending, and $60 million less in property tax revenue — funds that support critical public services and potential housing projects….
Many of these units were never built to support long-term residential use. They’re typically small, one-bedroom or studio condos, with limited storage, outdoor space, and parking. Homeowners association rules in many buildings also restrict family living with pet bans.
Additionally, high carrying costs — including mortgage payments, HOA dues, maintenance, and taxes — can easily top $6,000, far beyond what most local families can afford in rent. For a household earning Maui’s median income, affordable rent caps out around $2,500 per month.
According to a 2025 survey conducted by the Realtors Association of Maui, only 8% of apartment-zoned STR owners said they would convert their units to long-term rentals if the bill passed. Most said they would either sell or keep their units for personal use, citing financial strain, HOA restrictions, and the loss of family flexibility.
In short, these properties are unlikely to reenter the market in a way that substantially benefits local residents….
RELATED: Bill 47: Hawaii County Developers to Build TVR Subdivisions
read … Uncertain Outcomes Raised In Phasing Out Maui Short-Term Rentals
Aloha Stadium $20M to demolish
HNN: … As for how the stadium will be demolished, Stadium Authority chair Brennon Morioka said, “They looked at implosion. It was too complicated because it’s primarily a steel structure.
“They just decided to go forward with the traditional dismantling and cutting it apart piece by piece,” Morioka said.
Morioka said the city has put a team together to ensure all permits for the stadium are expedited.
The developer plans to leave the concrete north and south end zones foundations in place for the new stadium.
Demolition is expected to cost about $20 million….
read … Aloha Stadium officials aim to begin 10-month demolition in August
Parents, students call for firing of Kahuku principal after turbulent year
HNN: … Students and parents held a protest Thursday as a turbulent school year is about to end.
They peacefully protested just off campus demanding that the school principal, Donna Lindsey, the athletic director and others at the school be fired because of unsafe conditions, retaliation and intimidation.
Student and girls flag football player Naheiariʻi Toilolo told Hawaii News Now she felt uncomfortable when she and two dozen teammates were forced to change clothes on the school bus with male coaches on board after the game against Castle on March 25 because the bathroom was too far away and they were pressed for time.
“They were trying to hide in the seats and stuff and just change real quick and just get it done as fast as possible,” said Toilolo.
Protest organizers say last month’s dismissal of head football coach Sterling Carvalho was another high-profile problem, but their grievances go beyond sports.
Thursday’s peaceful protest was not specifically about 11-year-old Azaeliyah Pili-Ah You’s death, but there is a makeshift memorial across from the school in her honor. It’s another reason the group is demanding change.
Azaeliyah’s mother, Sina Pili, was a behavioral health specialist at the school. She pleaded not guilty to manslaughter after her daughter’s beating and starvation death.
“A lot of people had grave concern that she was on campus. She was still getting paid and she was still subcontracted to be at Kahuku as a counselor under this administration that knew she was under investigation,” said Christian Park, a parent and girls basketball coach.
“A lot of this has to do with negligence from an administration and a principal because she doesn’t want to address issues,” he added.
Organizers say they sent complaints on behalf of two dozen teachers who are too afraid to speak out to the federal Civil Rights Office and Hawaii State Department of Education….
read … Parents, students call for firing of Kahuku principal after turbulent year
Maui police officer arrested for sex assault
HNN: … A Maui police officer has been arrested for first-degree sex assault.
The Maui Police Department did not release his name, but says he’s an 11-year veteran of the department.
The 48-year-old has been placed on administrative leave….
KITV: MPD officer arrested for sex assault allegations identified as Devin Schoeppner
read … Maui police officer arrested for sex assault
Moody’s upgrades Hawaiian Electric Industries’ credit ratings, positive outlook
IC: … The Hawaii Supreme Court cleared a major legal hurdle in February 2025 by ruling that insurers are barred from pursuing subrogation claims against HEI, HECO, and other defendants if their policyholders settle with the defendants.
In April 2025, Hawaii legislators allocated $807 million toward the State of Hawaii’s portion of the settlement agreement. The court is expected to grant final approval of the settlement in the first quarter of 2026, after which HEI and HECO will be released from the pending lawsuits following the first settlement payment.
HEI has sufficient financial resources to fund its settlement obligations, which will be paid over four years. The company had accumulated around $1.1 billion of cash by the end of the first quarter of 2025. Of this amount, $479 million was set aside in a special purpose vehicle to pay the first of four $479 million annual installments due in early 2026, thirty days after court approval.
Despite the progress in raising the funding for the initial settlement payment, future installments will continue to impact HEI’s balance sheet and depress its credit metrics on a consolidated basis or at HECO, depending on how they are financed. Moody’s projects HEI’s consolidated CFO pre-working capital to debt ratio to reach approximately 14% to 15% in 2026 and 2027.
The State of Hawaii is taking steps to limit the future liability exposure of the company. Senate Bill 897, passed by the Hawaii State Legislature in April 2025, directs the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (HPUC) to structure a liability cap on economic damages from future wildfires to be approved by the governor.….
Moody’s Moodys-Ratings-upgrades-Hawaiian-Electric-Industries-CFR-to-Ba3
CB: State Efforts To Shore Up HECO Gain Traction On Wall Street - Honolulu Civil Beat
read … Moody’s upgrades Hawaiian Electric Industries’ credit ratings, positive outlook
B.J. Penn wanted by Hawaii island police after missing court date
SA: … Officers with the Hawaii Police Department are looking for former UFC lightweight champion Jay Dee “B.J.” Penn III after he failed to appear in court after being charged with assaulting his 79-year-old mother.
Penn, listed as 5 feet, 9 inches and 170 pounds in police booking records, was arrested in Hilo on Sunday and again Monday. He was charged with misdemeanor abuse of a household member.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Herbert H. Mukai filed a motion Tuesday to revoke Penn’s bail “for his willful violation of the terms and conditions of his release on bail” after he failed to appear in court.
“We are actively looking for him,” read a statement to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser from HPD. Penn did not reply to a Star-Advertiser request for comment.
On Sunday at 8:45 p.m., South Hilo patrol officers responded to a fight between Penn and his mother, Lorraine P. Shin, at Shin’s home.
Shin told police that Penn suffers from Capgras delusional syndrome, where a person believes a friend, spouse, parent or family member has been replaced by an identical impostor, according to state court records. He is convinced Shin is not his mother and is working with a “sabotage squad” trying to take all his money.
Shin had filed two felony theft complaints against Penn, whom she accused of taking her purse, credit cards and clothes, and gluing her door shut….
read … B.J. Penn wanted by Hawaii island police after missing court date | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
TRUMP NEWS:
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA:
QUICK HITS: