Federal Lawsuit Filed: Cruise Lines Challenge Hawaii’s ‘Green Fee’ as Unconstitutional
Applications Open for Honolulu City Lights Display Permits
3 Big Public Projects That Should Make You Mad
CB: … A trio of big government projects, the stadium, the rail and school air conditioning, are all delayed again….
There are basically two questions about a delay. The most obvious, the one that gets all of the attention, is “why?”
But there is also “how?” How was the delay announced? How did the public find out? How candid or evasive are the bearers of the bad news?
Bad answers to the “why” question frustrate people. Bad answers to the “how” questions, though, really piss people off. They linger and add to cynicism that’s chronic already.
As they should. Because the “how” questions are about the basics: transparency, accessibility and trustworthiness of political leaders who may weasel, fabricate or bury their heads in the sands of ignorance or rosy optimism.
That’s accountability. When it comes to the relationship between leaders and the public, it doesn’t get more basic than that.
With these three delays, it’s the “how” that makes the difference….
you can’t trust public officials to give timely information about bad news.
The media has to take more responsibility for digging out the nuts and bolts, often concealed hard stuff.
Studies show that where there are “newspaper deserts,” places that no longer have local papers, local politicians get away with more because once the papers leave, no one pays close attention.
Honolulu is not a news desert, at least not yet, but the same principle applies. The local media, including social media, needs to work harder to fill the information vacuum.
It’s a tall order, but there really is no other option….
read … Neal Milner: 3 Big Public Projects That Should Make You Mad - Honolulu Civil Beat
Schatz Calls for Increased Urban Density
MN: … Schatz emphasizes the need to rethink outdated policies that limit growth and affordability. He highlights the importance of increasing density in Hawaiʻi’s urban cores to “keep the country country” and reaffirms his commitment to “fight like hell” to protect local families’ ability to live and thrive in Hawaiʻi, alongside the state’s transition to clean energy….
read … Schatz joins Ka Pewa podcast to talk about housing challenges and solutions : Maui Now
Elections Commission Panel Calls For A Shakeup In How Hawaiʻi Votes
CB: … Hawaiʻi should return to in-person balloting and fire its chief elections officer, a three-member subcommittee of the state Elections Commission is recommending.
But it’s far from certain whether those actions will ever be approved by the full commission, which conducted an acrimonious meeting Wednesday.
The recommendations come after another three-member subcommittee found discrepancies in the 2024 Kauaʻi County general election results, in which the state counted more ballots than the county said it delivered.
On Wednesday, the full commission voted 5-2 to conduct an independent audit of the Kauaʻi County results.
The commission has scheduled a Sept. 24 meeting to address the findings of the second investigation, this one focused on possible election malfeasance and recommending the firing of Hawaiʻi Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago and a return to in-person voting on paper ballots. ….
read … Elections Commission Panel Calls For A Shakeup In How Hawaiʻi Votes - Honolulu Civil Beat
Court says state failed to require environmental review for GMO farm
HNN: … Eight years ago, when Syngenta Seeds got a permit from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to do corn and pesticide research in Kekaha, Kauai, the state decided it didn’t require an environmental assessment.
(REALITY: GMOs have never been shown to have harmed anybody, anywhere.)
Now the Supreme Court says that was wrong, but it’s too late. Syngenta has left the property.
In 2017, the Board of Land and Natural Resources (rightly) decided that the research farms have no more impact than sugar or pineapple operations.
That’s what the Supreme Court (wrongly) said was wrong….
The ruling said “the BLNR had not analyzed possible environmental impacts of a seed research operation involving the use of restricted use pesticides and genetically modified organisms.”…
other seed companies won’t face the reviews either, unless they seek new leases or permits….
(Another blow to the seed industry. Soon only tourism will be left.)
KN: Hawaiʻi Supreme Court rules against state land board in case involving seed research operations on Kauaʻi : Kauai Now
read … Court says state failed to require environmental review for GMO farm
Activist Protests Pledge of Allegiance in Schools
HNN: … Kihoi, who is Native Hawaiian, decided to sit with her daughter every day since to let her know that she does not have to participate.
“It was pretty upsetting because, for me, it’s a type of indoctrination that I myself don’t participate in, and it should be a choice. And parents should be advised during the enrollment process that it is something that the school participates in,” Kihoi said.
The school has respected their decision to sit out.
In a statement, the Hawaii State Department of Education said: “Students cannot be compelled to participate in the pledge or anthem if they or their parents object on religious, political or other grounds.”
The statement continued, “This right is protected under the First Amendment. A student who refrains from participating cannot be disciplined for doing so.”
Hawaii is one of just a handful of states with no requirements for the pledge to be said in class. Instead, it’s up to the schools to decide if they will carve out time daily for it.
The individual right to opt-in or out was the result of a 1943 U.S. Supreme Court Ruling.
Hawaii News Now wanted other families to weigh in, and found several students and parents outside of Moanalua High School….
Some Moanalua High students chimed in, saying they felt it should be said in class.
“Because we live in America, and that’s just — it’s good respect. Yeah, it’s just good respect for the flag, and our country, and the people,” two sophomore girls said….
read … Hawaii Island mother stirs up discussion over long-standing classroom practice
Without Force, it takes two weeks to get one homeless off street
CB: … It was the best news Ramirez had received since she flew to Honolulu two weeks ago to trace Surls-Kane’s steps to a Sand Island homeless encampment, only to find her distressed and unwilling to cooperate. Surls-Kane was adamant that she had no family at all.
It broke Ramirez’ heart to have no choice but to walk away that day, leaving her aunty alone on the streets. It was the first time in over a decade of mental illness that Surls-Kane failed to recognize her.
For people with serious mental health diagnoses, a common and damaging issue is a lack of insight into their illness. People who don’t know they’re sick are unlikely to agree to receive help.
It’s unlawful to treat someone with mental illness against their will unless they pose a danger to themselves or others. Yet many mental health advocates say it’s inhumane to allow someone to go without help when they aren’t well enough to know they need it.
On Wednesday afternoon, Ramirez was hopeful again. If her aunty’s condition improved, perhaps she could rekindle their connection. She’d start with a phone call. Then, a visit.
“Maybe when she comes down from the drug she’ll remember me,” said Ramirez, who has Surls-Kane’s power of attorney. “Maybe she’ll come back home to Hilo.”
For now, all Ramirez can do is wait (for an insane person to randomly say the magic words)….
Meanwhile: Man, 50, critically injured in hit-and-run by 2 cars while lying on Nimitz Highway | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
read … Struggling And Lost On Oʻahu's Streets, Woman Says Yes To Help - Honolulu Civil Beat
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