December 3, 2025 News Read > Hawaii Free Press

Hawaii Daily News Read

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

December 3, 2025 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 3:51 PM :: 131 Views

US Senator Demands Crackdown on 8a Fraudsters

Committee selects three finalists for Kamehameha Schools trustee seat

100th completed structure in Maui wildfire-affected areas

Dawson Hawaii embezzlement case adds to pressure on SBA 8a program

SA: … On June 27, 2023, federal agents raided the offices of the Hawaii Native Corporation (HNC) and its several subsidiaries, seizing documents. The feds’ investigation ultimately alleged that HNC’s founder, Chris Dawson, diverted $17 million from contracts awarded to HNC under a federal program that prioritizes contracts with native-owned companies that benefit their communities.

HNC describes itself as a Hawaii-based community impact organization whose principal mission is to benefit the Native Hawaiian community. This allegedly misappropriated $17 million, then, was essentially stolen from Hawaiians….

Further, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)must account for this purported failure to adequately monitor its contracts…

it’s a natural reaction to wonder how efficient any of its programs created to benefit disadvantaged people or groups truly are.

If more money is wasted than allocated to Native Hawaiians, Alaskan natives, tribal members or disadvantaged communities, these programs should be abolished….

A federal complaint first filed Nov. 6, 2023, and amended this year on Nov. 10 alleges that Dawson embezzled the money from federal contracts to buy homes in Hawaii and Florida, and other luxury items, with assistance from the company’s then-Chief Financial Officer, Bryan Hara.

The money — a lot of it — flowed via the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program, which was created to support disadvantaged businesses. The complaint details more than $893 million paid in federal contracts to HNC-related companies.

HNC had ownership interest in seven companies operating in Hawaii, other parts of the U.S. and internationally — a structure setting the corporation up to be a “Super 8(a),” an umbrella organization qualifying for unlimited-dollar federal contracts fulfilled by one or several subsidiaries under “sole source” contracts that eliminate competition….

Dawson’s case is not isolated, but it adds to the pressure on the 8(a) program. On Nov. 12, Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) sent letters to the SBA alleging that companies qualifying for the award rarely provide the services contracted for. Five days later, Sen. Ernst introduced a bill to stop all 8(a) sole source awards until an audit of the program is completed….

read … Editorial: Hawaii embezzlement case reveals cracks in SBA program | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Hawaiʻi's GOP Continues To Fight Amongst Itself As The 2026 Elections Loom

CB: … The state Republican Party just elected its third chair in six months while several party officials have recently resigned over fights with leadership….

It would take many paragraphs to detail all that has been said among party members over the past six months. It includes a lot of finger-pointing, name-calling and personal outrage, chronicled in reams of (useless) emails and memos and more….

The convention was also marked by the surprise issuing of (civil) subpoenas to McKay, Savaiinae and several other members, stemming from a (junk) lawsuit. (Convicted felon) Christina Everett is suing the party, claiming (key word) that the defendants tried to cause her “reputational harm” by issuing “false, malicious” statements about Everett, who has ambitions to run for office.

(CLUE: They pointed out that she is a convicted felon when she announced plans to run for Lege. If you don’t know this is 1^st Amendment protected speech, you would fit right in with this circus.)

Also named in the lawsuit is Nolan Chang. He was part of the faction that recently resigned, in his case from his posts as chair of the party’s Honolulu County Committee and national committeeman. He cited reasons similar to Savaiinae and three others who quit….

(TRANSLATION: They were scared away by a junk lawsuit.)

Another (worthless) lawsuit, this one targeting the party, Hannemann, Ostrov and others alleges that they violated bylaws and Robert’s Rules of Order. The plaintiff is Tammy Ash Perkins, (a former Goddess Circle organizer) who has served as the Maui County GOP chair and a member of the state committee. According to the lawsuit, she says that party members tried to suppress her rights by ‘censuring’ her ….

(Question: Why do they call Maui ‘Duckburg’? Because there are so many quacks.)

read … Hawaiʻi's GOP Continues To Fight Amongst Itself As The 2026 Elections Loom - Honolulu Civil Beat

Navy proceeds with expansion of vast training areas off Hawaii, California

SS: … The Navy is moving ahead with plans to expand and modernize vast training areas used in waters off Hawaii and California, including the addition of mine warfare ranges, the service announced Tuesday.

The areas, which the Navy calls the Hawaii-California Training and Testing Study Area, have been used by the joint services for decades for air, surface and underwater training and testing.

The Navy contends that modernization of the training areas is needed to complement America’s newest weapons and drone systems that would be used in future conflicts….

SA: Military selects Pacific training preferences | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

USN: Hawaii - California Training and Testing EIS/OEIS

read … Navy proceeds with expansion of vast training areas off Hawaii, California | Stars and Stripes

Film Industry Grifts for More Free Money from Legislature

HNN: … State creative industry leaders also say rebuilding that system, from Hollywood productions to local creators, is what they’re hoping to do through larger tax credits and increasing the $50 million production cap.

“Across the US, 30% is the baseline. We’re at 22% and so you see, it just really erodes the idea of even coming to Hawaii. We are a competitive destination. We always have been, but as the industry changes, we haven’t been able to keep up our competitive edge. That’s what DBEDT is looking at now, along with legislators as well as industry,” said Georja Skinner, Chief Officer of Creative Industries Division. “We are capped right now at a $17 million spend for each project that comes through. Each project. It can be a series, or it can be a streaming series or a feature film, but with that cap reduces our ability to be competitive, and so we need to increase that cap.”….

Reality: Miske Mob Were All Union Drivers on Set of Hawaii 5-0

read … Major 2026 productions signal rebound for Hawaii film

Hawaii’s congressional delegation calls for investigation of former Tripler doctor

HNN: … Hawaii’s congressional delegation is calling on the Department of Defense to thoroughly investigate every allegation against former Tripler Army Medical Center gynecologist Blaine McGraw.

Dozens of women have come forward accusing McGraw of misconduct, including recording secret videos, inappropriate touching, and performing unnecessary procedures.

McGraw worked at Tripler as an intern and resident OBGYN from 2019 to 2023….

SN: Lawmakers urge thorough investigation of Tripler doctor

KITV: State delegation calls on DOD to investigate former Tripler OBGYN accused of secretly recording patients | Crime & Courts | kitv.com

read … Hawaii’s congressional delegation calls for investigation of former Tripler doctor

Lahaina rebuild will include fire safety improvements

HNN: … A fire that destroyed four buildings in Hilo overnight served as a reminder of the Lahaina fire that occurred over two years ago, as architects work to incorporate modern fire prevention measures into the rebuild Lahaina’s historic commercial district.

Parts of the Lahaina rebuild will restore tightly packed businesses made mostly of wood, but architects are building in modern fire prevention techniques to address safety concerns….

read … Lahaina rebuild will include fire safety improvements

AI Is Everywhere. Will Honolulu Voters Get To Set Limits?

CB: … Various departments, including the departments of Planning and Permitting, Customer Services and Parks and Recreation, already use AI in some capacity. The Honolulu Police Department is testing an AI-assisted report-writing tool that transcribes audio from body cameras.

The Honolulu Charter Commission is considering three proposed charter amendments that suggest adding provisions to the city’s governing document to address how AI is used. Proposals include setting up a public registry of all departmental uses of AI or algorithmic systems, creating a process for human review and appeal of any decisions made using AI and requiring the use of AI to undergo regular public audits. …

read … AI Is Everywhere. Will Honolulu Voters Get To Set Limits? - Honolulu Civil Beat

Trump to block a tiny portion of SNAP support to blue states in data dispute

SA: … Democratic state and federal officials have resisted an effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to collect data like immigration status and social security numbers of recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as food stamps, calling it an unlawful privacy violation. The USDA has said it will use the data to root out fraud.

“As of next week, we have begun and will begin to stop moving federal funds into those states until they comply,” Rollins said at a Cabinet meeting today at the White House.

“If a state won’t share data on criminal use of SNAP benefits, it won’t get a dollar of federal SNAP administrative (key word) funding,” Rollins later posted on X….

(IQ TEST: Does this mean EBT cards will run dry?)

read … Trump to block some SNAP support to blue states in data dispute | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Sometimes Classroom Discussions Get Messy — As They Should

CB: … Hawai‘i’s teachers who talk about controversial subjects are getting in more and more trouble.

Teachers don’t know what to do about it. And they are not getting any help from state officials unless you count backing away, inconsistency, paralysis and fear mongering as help.

That’s because state officials see those problems as legalities. They really should see them as conversations.

Like the situation of Nicole Lasko, a Maui teacher who was confronted by a student’s parents who accused her of being anti-conservative and un-American for trying to teach their child how to use more appropriate words than he used in a class discussion about immigrants….

IGNORE THIS: Hawaii DoE Backs Down Completely From Punishing Teacher for Allowing Kirk and Trump Discussion on Constitution Day

read … Neal Milner: Sometimes Classroom Discussions Get Messy — As They Should - Honolulu Civil Beat

Rotting Corpse Smell Annoys Nanakuli residents

CB: … “It seems like somebody’s holding something like right in front of our nose,” longtime resident Kina Palaulalelo said. “Like something’s dead. Whether it’s feces, or dead animal, or whatever it is, it’s just – it’s horrific.” …

(Check out all these excuses for not finding a dead body.)

Kila said the Department of Planning and Permitting was supposed to inspect a property that was potentially the source for land use violations. Department spokesperson Curtis Lum said in an email inspectors are stymied without a specific address — but still investigating. …

“DOH investigated two locations related to this report. Neither was a regulated solid waste management facility. No strong odors were observed at either location,” DOH spokesperson Stephen Downes said in an email.

City Council member Andria Tupola said in a text she believes the source is Ulehawa Stream….

Residents have different guesses about the source, but generally agree on a few details: The stink started in the summer, then got worse about a month ago. It’s organic. It’s most pungent when the trade winds blow in from Hakimo Road….

read … 'What’s That Smell?' Mysterious Stench Stumps Nānākuli Residents - Honolulu Civil Beat

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