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Saturday, May 23, 2026

May 23, 2026 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 10:14 AM :: 202 Views

Election 2026: 353 Candidates Pull Papers to Run--171 File

Bayan-USA Activists Died Fighting for Filipino Communists

$35K Bribe: AG Issues Another Update

Legislature: 22 bills affecting small businesses the most

BLS: Business Employment Dynamics in Hawaii

Passed over for HPD chief, Mike Lambert says he will not be Lazar’s Deputy Chief—ready to return as beat cop

HNN: … Lambert says he wasn’t surprised. ‘Not shocked’ but ‘slightly offended’

“I do know that they do think independently and they have their own ways of judging,” Lambert said. “I was a little concerned and I think there was a little hurt from the officers that there wasn’t an acknowledgement of their feelings on it, but not shocked at all.”

Lambert said the commission was looking for a specific individual through a specific lens….

Lambert said he would not accept a position as deputy chief if future chief Lazar offers it.

“No, because it wouldn’t be fair to him or I. To me, I think that the deputy chief has to be in absolute alignment and be willing to defend the character of the chief as well as the vision of the chief and I’m just getting to know him,” Lambert said.

But down the road, Lambert said he would accept the job if he believes in Lazar’s vision and what he’s doing.

‘A lot of our officers are emotional’

Lambert said it’s hard to say if officers will continue to leave HPD when Chief Lazar comes in.

“It’s really hard to say because right now a lot of our officers are emotional. I would ask them to give him a chance, but I think that there’s a lot of officers that are not, or there’s a concern with some of the policies that San Francisco had,” said Lambert.

He included Lazar’s political stances no cash bail and never working with ICE.

“I think it’s very important for him to explain his stance,” Lambert said.

‘I’m ready’ to return to HPD

At 46 years old, Lambert has already applied at HPD to become an officer. He says he’s ready to take the physical test, which includes running 1.5 miles within 17 minutes, 30 pushups and 30 sit-ups….

KITV: Sen. Fevella holds press conference opposing HPD Chief selection | Livestream | kitv.com

Read … Passed over for HPD chief, Mike Lambert says he’s ready to return as beat cop | Hawaii News Now

What makes Lazar so ‘special’?

KHON: … Lambert added that if Lazar leaves after a short period of time, like some previous chiefs, he would not run for chief again under the current commission system.

“When you’re playing a game, and the goal post keeps moving, you don’t want to play that game anymore,” Lambert said.

The Honolulu charter commission is considering changes to the police chief selection process, which will be voted on in November….

“I think the frustration across the island is that growing sentiment of, ‘Do you really listen to the community?’” Lambert said. “Particularly for the officers, there is a lot of hurt among them that it’s just a reinforcement that people don’t care what they think.”

He also acknowledged that Lazar faces significant challenges when he officially takes over HPD.

“It’s going to be a steep climb for him, but he deserves the opportunity to at least show us what makes him so ‘special,’” Lambert said (while suppressing a grimace) ….

(IQ Test: Can you suppress a grimace?)

Read … HPD chief finalist Lambert speaks out after loss

What’s Gabbard’s Next Move?

SA: … Gabbard’s father, state Sen. Mike Gabbard, said in a statement with wife Carol that their daughter and son-in-law Abraham Williams, along with the whole family, have been receiving overwhelming messages of support and love, and that people are praying for Williams as he fights a rare form of cancer.

“Tulsi and Abraham are loved by so many across our country, and it’s very heartwarming for us as parents,” the Gabbards said. “They’re so grateful for all the aloha and prayers of support they’re receiving, and send their aloha and thanks to everyone back home in Hawaii.” ….

U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii) said in a statement, “Public service is a calling, but family always comes first. I respect the difficult decision Tulsi had to make, and send my prayers and aloha to Abraham and his ohana as they focus on his recovery.”

Bob McDermott, vice chair of the Hawaii Republican Party, acknowledged that Gabbard may not be too popular from a political standpoint in Hawaii where government is dominated by Democrats, but said she still has strong local roots and is a person not only defined by politics.

“We often forget that these people (in political office) are real people,” he said. “I mean Tulsi is na keiki o ka aina. She grew up here. She went to school here. She served our National Guard. Now, she’s not real popular back here, I guess, but she’s still a real person. … I will pray for her.”

McDermott, a former state lawmaker, said Gabbard in his view did a good job in the Cabinet-level position delivering intelligence assessments to the president as the leader of a coalition of 18 federal organizations that include the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Other observers have a different take, but acknowledge that Trump makes it hard for appointees to find lasting success in their jobs….

Moore said that Gabbard’s stepping away from political office due to family health conditions doesn’t mean she can’t return to the national political stage.

“She has a clear identity in conservative politics, a national following, and military credentials,” he said. “She is far better positioned in national conservative politics than in Hawaii — and she almost certainly could return to her previous role as a political commentator if she wants to.” ….

(IDEA: Tulsi should commune with Beth Fukumoto to meditiate on what happens when the 15 minutes of fame are over.)

CN: Tulsi Gabbard resigns as director of national intelligence | Courthouse News Service

Read … Hawaii offers support after Gabbard resigns to focus on husband’s health | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Solar/Diesel Industry Activists go crazy over plan to import liquefied natural gas to Oahu

HNN: … Environmentalists and lawmakers are concerned it (lower electric bills and clean LNG fuel) will slow the island’s ~~progress toward renewable energy~~ (solar/diesel industry and the campaign contributions it makes) ….

Read … Japanese company seeks first permit to import liquefied natural gas to Oahu | Hawaii News Now

HECO installing sturdier replacement poles in Lahaina, with plans for limited underground lines

MN: … Hawaiian Electric put in more than 70 steel poles in Lahaina in 2024 to help restore a critical transmission line, this section of Honoapi‘ilani Highway is the “first targeted area of critical pole hardening in Lahaina.”

It’s also a signal that above-ground utility poles are here to stay and are a key part of Hawaiian Electric’s wildfire risk reduction plans, even as the company looks to bury lines in strategic places around Lahaina.

“I know that we would all love them to be underground, but it’s not a free thing, and who would pay for it is a big question,” said Maui County Council Member Tamara Paltin, who holds the West Maui residency seat.

Mat McNeff, Hawaiian Electric’s director of Maui County, said during the county’s disaster recovery meeting in Lahaina earlier this month that installing stronger poles is part of the company’s “wildfire safety strategy where we seek to strengthen our infrastructure along important egress routes.” ….

Read … HECO installing sturdier replacement poles in Lahaina, with plans for limited underground lines : Maui Now

How corrupt is Hawai‘i?

ASD: ... the State of Hawai‘i has this opportunity to define our reputation regarding corruption starting with the swift and transparent answering of this question. Who the hell took $35,000 in a paper bag? ….

Read … Hamada: How corrupt is Hawai‘i?

Hawaii tax increment financing bills advance to ballot

PBN: … Senate Bills 3218 and 3219 passed to allow for tax increment financing districts. Tax increment financing, or TIF, works by freezing a TIF district's property’s taxable value. While that frozen value is still being paid to tax collectors, the added tax value of the property would also be collected and set aside specifically for a TIF fund. The money collected in that fund would finance infrastructure projects within that district.

If Green approves the bills, they would go on the November ballot, when voters would need to give it final approval.

The tool is essential to the Aloha Stadium redevelopment, according to Stanford Carr, CEO of Stanford Carr Development.

“[If the amendment fails], we will not have a stadium,” Carr said. “We need everybody to vote yes.” …

Read … Hawaii tax increment financing bills advance to ballot - Pacific Business News

UH students and faculty speak out against 'time, place and manner' policies

HPR: … Members of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Faculty Senate met with school leaders to discuss what they perceive as a concerning change to campus free speech policies.

The new rules being proposed are known as “time, place and manner” policies. The changes would impose various restrictions, like limiting chalking and banning sit-ins at Bachman Hall…

Read … UH students and faculty speak out against 'time, place and manner' policies | Hawai'i Public Radio

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