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Friday, July 3, 2026

July 3, 2026 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 8:29 AM :: 153 Views

Two Worlds, One Foundation: Hawaiian and American Ideals of Freedom

Professionalism, Respect, and Our Responsibility to the Lāhui

University of Hawaii officials win personal immunity after professor criticized Black History event

Medicaid Fraud: Hawaii AG Joins Another 'Global' Settlement

Auditor: Maui Fraud Risk Assessment identifies millions of dollars in ‘direct pay’

MN: …The report’s second finding noted that there is no policy on handling fraud complaints. Multiple entities receive, investigate, and make decisions on fraud using their own processes—creating confusion and potentially inconsistent outcomes. This can result in the following consequences according to the report:

Forum shopping: The public and employees might close to file complaints with whichever entity they think will give them the result they want.

No policy on handling fraud complaints: The county has no written policy on where to send complaints it receives. The department must decide on their own where to report fraud.

Departments left in limbo: The April 2025 Security Policy requires fraud reporting to the MPD and Managing Director, but does not say whether departments can retain their existing disciplinary processes….

2027 Audit Plan to include review of private jet travel

In addition to charter mandated projects, items added to the FY2027 Audit Plan include the following Self-Initiated Projects:

Review of “Direct Pay” Transactions of the Department of Water Supply
Review of the County’s Travel Policy regarding private jet travel.
Evaluation of the County’s Vacant Positions.
Audit of Improvement Agreements related to three lots or less subdivisions, also known as deferral agreements (Postponed).

Details of travel incidents were not covered during the meeting, but County Auditor Lance Taguchi provided further context saying:

“Specifically private jet travel provided to county employees by entities with businesses in front of the County… This just came to my attention a few months ago, but I believe it warrants us taking a look to find out if this was widespread and whether or not the county travel policy allows such things.”…

BACKGROUND: Maui County Fraud Risk, Let Me Count the Ways

BACKGROUND: Sentry Tourney News: Free Private Jet to Green Bay for Bissen Admin Official?

PDF: REPORT_Maui Countywide Fraud Assessment - FINAL - 20260205_secure.pdf (SECURED)

Read … Maui Fraud Risk Assessment reveals inadequate policies, identifies millions of dollars in ‘direct pay’ : Maui Now

10 years later, DoE Suspends principal over $2.5M recording studio built at Washington Middle School

HNN: … Michael Harano, the principal of Washington Middle School for 25 years, has been placed on paid leave and is under investigation following a routine audit, according to Harano and his union.

The suspension appears connected to a $2.5 million professional-grade audio recording studio built on campus….

The recording studio, known as the Line Studio, received legislative approval in 2015 and was used by Disney for the new “Lilo & Stitch” movie.

The concept, as described in a video about the facility, was to bring professionals on campus to inspire students toward production or music careers while teaching the physics, math, and science of sound. Professionals would pay to use the studio, with proceeds going toward maintaining the facility.

In a statement, HIDOE officials indicated that arrangement was inappropriate.

“The Department has a responsibility to ensure that publicly funded educational resources are used for their intended purpose and in ways that directly benefit public school students,” the statement read.

The HIDOE also said it is “committed to fully integrating the recording studio into student learning and ensuring Washington Middle School students, as well as students across public schools, have meaningful opportunities to benefit from this unique educational resource.”

Harano’s interim replacement reversed several hiring decisions he made for the coming school year.

Among those not returning is Sam Fong, a former public school music teacher who became an audio engineer and led construction and management of the studio since 2015.

Fong said he was told he was not the top candidate after interviewing for a position overseeing a project he helped build.

“I have to go to an interview for a project that I spent 10 years of my life, blood and sweat,” Fong said. …

Read … Veteran principal fights removal after $2.5M school recording studio dispute | Hawaii News Now

David Lazar sworn in as Honolulu Police Department’s 13th chief

HNN: … At a ceremony at Mission Memorial Auditorium, Lazar’s wife — whose family is from Kahuku and Halawa — and their three children pinned his rank and badge on his uniform.

The Honolulu Police Commission selected Lazar for the job in May after a nearly year-long search.

Among his priorities, Lazar said he plans to build trust within HPD and the community.

“To the community, we will build on community trust and transparency by being open and honest,” Lazar said. “As your chief, I will be responsive on the issues we are facing. It starts with me being humble and respectful. First, it means listening and learning from all of you.”

Staffing and retention are also challenges Lazar said he is ready to tackle.

He said he is forming a recruitment plan to address more than 460 vacancies, and he said he knows morale needs to be boosted.

Lazar is a retired assistant chief from the San Francisco Police Department who worked his way up the ranks over 33 years….

HPR: David Lazar sworn in as Honolulu's new police chief | Hawai'i Public Radio

SA: Lazar sworn in as Honolulu’s 13th police chief | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Read … David Lazar sworn in as Honolulu Police Department’s 13th chief | Hawaii News Now

Dude gets measly 30 days for assaulting police—but it’s too much for State Supreme Court

ASD: … A man’s blurted apology to a police officer arresting him has overturned his conviction for assaulting that officer, the Hawai‘i Supreme Court decided.

Henry Tolentino told a Honolulu Police officer “I’m sorry, I was just trying to get a Zip Pac” one night in September 2019.

(Zip Pac = oz of drugs)

The officer had pulled Tolentino over for speeding, but after Tolentino left his vehicle, the traffic stop escalated into a brief pursuit: Tolentino fled, the officer followed, and Tolentino reportedly kicked and punched the officer in the struggle. In turn, the officer reportedly punched Tolentino in the face repeatedly to subdue him until a second officer reached the pair and ended the scuffle.

As the officers handcuffed Tolentino, he reflexively said his apology. But, as a prosecutor later told a jury, “[he] knew he did something wrong by saying ‘I’m sorry.’”

Tolentino’s “unsolicited excited utterance” was used to suggest admission of guilt and contributed to him being found guilty of second-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, a misdemeanor offense for which he was sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined $155….

Read … Supreme Court: 'I'm sorry' doesn't mean you're guilty

Man avoids jail after no-contest plea in illegal explosive device case

HNN: … During an undercover Department of Law Enforcement investigation, officials said Calizo was seen launching an aerial device from the middle of Hina Street that exploded above nearby homes, creating an audible sound and visual display….

Read … Man avoids jail after no-contest plea in illegal explosive device case | Hawaii News Now

Lahaina Stores Can Reopen—but only if ‘Hawaiian Council’ is Your Landlord

SA: … Front Street’s commercial core remains largely empty nearly three years after the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire, but Maui County and the Hawaiian Council on Thursday unveiled an $8 million pilot marketplace that will return the first storefronts to (profit amidst the wreckage of) what was once one of Hawaii’s busiest economic corridors.

The ‘Ulu o Lele Marketplace, opening in September on the former Outlets of Maui site, marks the first major commercial reinvestment in a district where recovery has (been purposefully) lagged behind the residential rebuild. More than 1,200 homes are in construction or permitting, but Front Street’s return has been slowed by complex approvals, reduced building footprints and disagreements over how historic Lahaina should be rebuilt (which coincidentally benefit ‘Hawaiian Council’, what a surprise)….

HNN: New Lahaina marketplace aims to boost local economy

Read … First storefronts returning to Lahaina’s Front Street | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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