$35K Bribe: Kouchi Finally Speaks

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Hawaii Congressional Delegation How They Voted January 9, 2026

Hawaii Has Been Called Before the High Court

Tax Hike?  Profitable Nonprofits Want $82K per Bum to Coddle Homeless

SA: … In 2023, emergency interventions for those experiencing homelessness cost $103 million. In 2025, the state estimated that a person experiencing homelessness costs taxpayers $82,000 a year, providing interim shelter, emergency services intervention and triaging medical services.

The Hawaii True Cost Coalition represents over 75 nonprofits serving more than 500,000 residents. We’re not asking for charity. We’re asking to be paid what it actually costs to do the work the government has contracted us to do….

(TRANSLATION: We want you to give us $82K/year for every bum we keep on the streets.)

COMMENTS: “No amount of subsidized housing will solve that problem unless the political will exists to FORCE them into controlled housing situations, off the streets drugs, and mental health supervision.” 

2024: Thielen: Homelessness is a Money-Spinner, Creates Thousands of ‘Positions’ in Hawaii

CB: National Turmoil Is Adding To Hawaiʻi's Budget Angst - Honolulu Civil Beat

read … Column: Hawaii’s safety net fraying, near breaking | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Profitable: Nonprofit leaders applaud up-front grant funding

SA: … Emergency state funding of $50 million to local nonprofit groups in 2025 comes with an up-front payment of 50% — a model the Hawai‘i Community Foundation hopes continues for future government grants this year and beyond.

The state Legislature began the process for the one-time funding of $50 million soon after President Donald Trump returned to the White House a year ago and began slashing federal money for programs in Hawaii.

Isle nonprofit organizations then faced even more demand for services when the federal government shutdown began Oct. 1 and stretched over a record 43 days, stressing household budgets for federal employees working without pay and leading food banks to create pop-up distribution events….

read … Nonprofit leaders applaud up-front grant funding | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Common Cause Director Loses Gig Distributing Money to ‘Nonprofits’ After Criticizing Mayor

CB: … Common Cause Hawaiʻi director Camron Hurt is the latest to feel the wrath of Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. The mayor removed Hurt from a city commission that directs money to nonprofits the day after Hurt was quoted in a Civil Beat story criticizing Honolulu Managing Director Mike Formby for threatening to withhold funding from two council members’ districts unless the members voted to confirm the mayor’s choice for housing director….

Hurt had served since 2023 on the Grants In Aid Advisory commission, the group that recommends each year which nonprofits should be awarded city funds. 

His removal means the seven-member commission now has two vacancies…

read … The Sunshine Blog: Common Cause Director Off Panel After Criticizing Mayor - Honolulu Civil Beat

Search For Honolulu's Next Police Chief About To Kick Into Gear — Finally

CB: … The Honolulu Police Commission is finally moving forward in its search to replace former chief Joe Logan, who announced his retirement in June after about three years in the job.

The city’s procurement office inked a deal on Dec. 31 with the California consulting firm Public Sector Search & Consulting Inc. for $121,900. The company, which specializes in law enforcement executive hiring, has agreed to come up with three to five candidates for the seven-member commission to choose from.

And it looks like it will still be May or June before a new permanent chief is on board, based on a timeline included in the search firm’s proposal and contract, despite public promises by the city and the commission that this time it wouldn’t take so long to find a new chief. It was nearly a year between when former chief Susan Ballard quit and Logan was in place, mainly because the city’s procurement process takes that long if it needs to bring on an outside search firm to do the heavy lifting….

read … Search For Honolulu's Next Police Chief About To Kick Into Gear — Finally - Honolulu Civil Beat

DHHL runs out of 1% mortgage financing

SA: … DHHL has ramped up subdivision development using $600 million appropriated by the Legislature in 2022 amid relatively high mortgage rates, which mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said averaged 6.16% for a 30-year, fixed-rate loan last week compared with 3.22% at the same time in 2022.

As a result, DHHL has about $31 million in pending or approved loan applications from beneficiary households that qualify for the financing because they earn no more than 80% of a county’s median income. Yet the agency can issue only a fraction of the loans in part due to a state constraint.

That constraint is a $7 million ceiling on a DHHL revolving fund used to make the loans with funding provided under the federal government’s 1996 Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act, also known as NAHASDA.

DHHL hit the ceiling in October for the current state fiscal year that runs to June 30.

Agency officials informed the state Senate Committee on Ways and Means during a Thursday briefing that they would like the Legislature to raise the ceiling for next fiscal year to $23 million. But even that wouldn’t be enough to satisfy demand….

read … DHHL homebuyers in limbo with mortgage financing | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Wisdom to get new year off on momentous journey

Shapiro: … >> For Hawaii Republican Chair Shirlene Ostrov: “Don’t let your loyalty become your slavery.” — Karen Salmansohn

>> For Hawaii Democratic Chair Derek Turbin: “As Democrats, when we try to determine who or what allowed Donald Trump to become president, we should look in the mirror.” — Jason Kander

>> For Hawaii elections administrator Scott Nago: “The largest party in America, by the way, is neither the Democrats nor the Republicans. It’s the party of non-voters.” — Robert Reich

read … Volcanic Ash: Wisdom to get new year off on momentous journey | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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