ACLU Sues Maui Prep School to Force Trans-sexualization of little boy
Hawaii 911 Callers to be Screened for Political Correctness
Green Launches Website to Receive Comments on Army Land Lease Negotiations
State Begins Hiring Future College Grads
New HTA Boss has Tumultuous Past
BH: … David Uchiyama is back. The longtime Hawaii travel executive, whose career has spanned airlines, rail, tourism, and even futuristic seaglider experiments, has been named Chief Administrative Officer at the state’s tourism agency.
For those who recall his track record — from the collapse of Island Air to a brief stint on the Honolulu Rail project, the appointment raises eyebrows. At a time when the agency itself has been stripped of much of its authority and struggles to prove its relevance, Uchiyama’s return feels like both a gamble and a perfect fit….
When Larry Ellison sold Island Air to a group of local investors in 2016, Uchiyama was brought in as president and later became CEO. He promised that a new fleet of Bombardier Q400 turboprops would transform the airline into a reliable and competitive interisland option. Employees wept on the tarmac when the first aircraft arrived, believing the airline’s future was finally secure.
That hope quickly faded. By late 2017, Island Air was losing millions and facing eviction from its Q400 lessor. Bankruptcy followed, and the airline ceased operations in November of that year.
Hundreds of employees were suddenly out of work, and travelers were left stranded with worthless tickets. For more than a year, residents had no alternative to Hawaiian Airlines until Southwest entered the market in 2019….
After Island Air, Uchiyama resurfaced at the Honolulu Rail project as chief operating officer in 2019. The troubled effort was already infamous for runaway costs, endless delays, and leadership churn. Less than two years later, new management swept him out along with other top staff. His tenure ended as abruptly as it began, fitting the pattern of a career marked by turbulent exits.
Even while rail faltered, Uchiyama was pitching a new idea: the Hawaii Seaglider Initiative. …
HNN: Hawaii Tourism Authority names new chief administrative officer
MN: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority names David Uchiyama as chief administrative officer : Maui Now
PBN: David Uchiyama named new chief administrative officer of Hawaii Tourism Authority - Pacific Business News
read … Hawaii Airline Executive With Tumultuous Past Returns To Steer Travel - Beat of Hawaii
Oʻahu is updating its climate plan ahead of 2030 state goals
HPR: … The Honolulu Resilience Office is in the process of updating its climate plan. It will lay out actions that the City and County of Honolulu will take over the next five years to help the state meet its goal.
The office held 11 community meetings this summer to get community feedback. That process helped to shape a draft plan, which is out now for public comment.
LINK: Climate Action Plan — Resilience Office - City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency
read … Oʻahu is updating its climate plan ahead of 2030 state goals
Hawaii insurers hold firm on COVID vaccine policies
HNN: … Hawaii’s health insurers say they will cover COVID vaccinations for anyone older than six months, despite new FDA guidance that says children and healthy adults don’t need the shots.
While public health advocates applaud the decision by Hawaii’s insurers, doctors and pharmacies are predicting a big drop in vaccinations.
Hawaii News Now surveyed all Hawaii’s major insurers HMSA, Kaiser, UHA and AlohaCare. All said they will not change their prior policies and will cover COVID vaccinations at no cost for everyone six months and older.
read … Hawaii insurers hold firm on COVID vaccine policies
Express Scripts Fights to Keep Hawaii PBM Suit in Federal Court
BL: … Pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts maintains that a federal judge incorrectly applied federal statute in remanding Hawaii’s case against the company and other entities managing prescription benefits to state court.
Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi of the US District Court for the District of Hawaii improperly disregarded in her April ruling that Hawaii’s lawsuit alleging the PBMs profited from artificially inflating the costs of prescription drugs “necessarily implicates the work Express Scripts performs as a federal contractor,” the company wrote in its opening brief filed in the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit….
read … Express Scripts Fights to Keep Hawaii PBM Suit in Federal Court
Miske Gang: Where are they now?
ILind: … Here’s a list of those defendants caught up in the federal investigation of Mike Miske, who was convicted last year on 13 federal charges ranging from racketeering conspiracy to kidnapping, assault, and conspiracy to commit murder.
I checked to see where these Miske associates are now, relying mostly on the Bureau of Prisons online inmate locator….
read … Where are they now? | i L i n d
Lahaina 55 homes completed
HNN: … More than two years after the Maui fire disaster, hundreds of homes are under construction, and dozens are completed.
One of the newest rebuilt homes belongs to lifelong Lahaina resident Diane Agdeppa on the property where she grew up on Kalena Street….
So far, 55 homes are completed and 285 are currently under construction….
read … Lifelong Lahaina resident happy to be home after inferno
Maui Bill 111: Let Homeless Meth Addicts Stay Wherever they Want
MN: … Bill 111 (2024) was introduced and heard in committee last year. This bill is scheduled to be discussed on Sept. 4 in the WASSP Committee. If more time is required, the meeting may recess, then resume on Sept. 5.
According to Johnson, in its current form, Bill 111, CD1, (2024) “implements clear timelines to notify encampment occupants of a scheduled relocation; requires that sufficient shelter accommodations exist before occupants are removed; establishes procedures for the storage and retrieval of personal property; and requires that outreach and service providers are included in the process.”…
Johnson said the real problems persist(s): “Housing costs have continued to rise, shelter and treatment options remain limited, housing and temporary housing solutions have not been created, and a majority of Maui County residents do not earn enough to cover essential costs (Methamphetamines.)”
Johnson’s Political Ally: Meet the Meth Gang Behind ‘Lahaina Strong’
read … Maui council member seeks solutions to compassionately address homelessness : Maui Now
Nonprofits having hard time finding Lahaina Fire Victims to Help
CB: … Hawaiʻi nonprofits still have millions of dollars in donations and grant funding to help Maui’s fire recovery, but many are struggling to connect that aid with some of the people who could use it the most, nonprofit leaders and others said….
read … Nonprofits Want To Help Maui Fire Victims — If They Can Reach Them - Honolulu Civil Beat
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