August 30, 2026 News Read > Hawaii Free Press

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August 30, 2026 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 11:49 AM :: 208 Views

VIDEO: 2026 Maui Mayoral Candidate Forum

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Education Freedom Tax Credits

Ozawa vs. Waters III: The final round?

Grassroot at 25: Celebrating our past, shaping our future

30 Years Since Peter Boy: Yamane Corruption Case Leaves CWS with fatal flaws

SA: … The resolution on behalf of Peter Boy’s siblings, overdue as it is, must refocus public attention on the many young people who are at the mercy of the foster care and adoption systems — children who, if not protected by “the system,” are left vulnerable and have no one on their side.

Peter Boy’s case was affected by state emphasis on uniting families, and policy has shifted to place more weight on risks to children’s safety, but this alone is not enough. Continued reforms and laser-focus on effective, early intervention are necessary.

Last fall, the Hawaii Supreme Court established that details of state action, including otherwise confidential Child Protective Act records, can be made public for the benefit of a child who has been harmed or may be in mortal danger, and also for the legitimate purpose of assessing (truly) fatal flaws in the system.

The “stunning” ruling last fall opened Family Court records connected to foster care and adoption decisions by the state that had put a preschool-aged girl under unsupervised care by those who allegedly tortured and killed her. However, this wedging open of a previously secretive system by court order provides little assurance that the state will embrace a mandate to improve its processes. The department hardly budged after the girl went missing, and there’s been little acknowledgment that structural changes are needed.

The court’s decision opened CWS procedure to public scrutiny, but it did not come soon enough to spare the life of Isabella Kalua, born Ariel Sellers, who was 6 when she was reported missing by her adoptive parents in 2021. Instead, CWS’ foot-dragging response raised disturbing comparisons with Peter Boy’s case, as the girl’s disappearance prolonged uncertainty and suffering for those left behind….

The Malama ‘Ohana Working Group, which made its report in the wake of Isabella’s death, has called for a full reevaluation and reimagination of the child-protective “system,” ….

Former Department of Human Services Director Ryan Yamane praised the group’s work, and committed to adopt suggestions into CWS practice….

Then Yamane suddenly announced his retirement in May, and soon came under a cloud, in a corruption investigation involving pandemic-era transactions he facilitated to fund COVID-19 testing. …

read … Editorial: CWS’ fatal flaws must be fixed | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Is Ed Case Hawaiʻi’s Most Popular Politician? Voters Say Yes

CB: … If you’re a progressive in Hawaiʻi, please consider this your trigger warning.

Voters in Hawaiʻi seem to really like Ed Case.

The Democratic congressman trounced state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole in this month’s primary election by 20 percentage points. The result came as a shock to many — particularly in Keohokalole’s camp — given the anti-incumbent sentiment nationally and narratives that Case, a moderate, was a vulnerable Democrat in a year when more progressive candidates were winning.

But what might be even more surprising is just how well Case, 73, performs in general elections – November contests that have higher voter turnout and ultimately dictate who controls Washington….

Read … Is Ed Case Hawaiʻi’s Most Popular Politician? Voters Say Yes - Honolulu Civil Beat

Rapozo takes center stage at solo Kauaʻi mayoral town hall after Carvalho bizarrely withdraws from debate

KN: … In a surprising turn, the Kaua‘i mayoral debate became a solo town hall as candidate Bernard Carvalho Jr. withdrew, leaving opponent Mel Rapozo to address community concerns….

Read … Rapozo takes center stage at solo Kauaʻi mayoral town hall after Carvalho withdraws from debate : Kauai Now

Private-practice doctors alarmed by HMSA policy changes

SA: … Starting Tuesday, patients who have not had a claim processed within the past 18 months will be dropped from their provider’s panel. Additionally, if a patient sees more than one primary-care provider during a calendar year, only the provider with the higher number of visits will be reimbursed….

SA: Column: Primary care shortage is a health crisis | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Read … Private-practice doctors alarmed by HMSA policy changes | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Tempers flare over DelaCruz’ Wahiawa pedestrian bridge

HNN: … Many residents said the bridge should be open to more than just pedestrians.

“I heard about it years ago and at that time it was 13 million dollars. And I thought that’s ridiculous. And then the design shows this bridge 12 feet wide. That’s the same as a car lane, but it’s supposed to be for people that walk, or bicycles,” said Wahiawa resident David Nelson.

“The priority for our community is really vehicle access,” said Wahiawa resident TJ Cuaresma. “We don’t have a way for our kupuna and our community residents to exit Whitmore Village if there is an emergency.”

“Right now, the pedestrian access is 27 million (dollars),” said Sniffen. “When we look at vehicular access, it’s 70 to 80 million already. So it’s a number we just can’t afford at this time.”…

Read … Tempers flare over Wahiawa pedestrian bridge

Will They Or Won't They? Vote By Mail, That Is

CB: … On Thursday another federal judge issued a ruling preventing the Postal Service from implementing regulations carrying out the president’s wishes.

Scott Nago, Hawaiʻi’s election chief, tells The Blog that the Supreme Court’s ruling “puts the cart behind the horse again” amid numerous legal challenges, but voters shouldn’t be distracted by it. They should still expect to receive their ballots as normal and don’t need to take any extra steps.

“We’re going to continue to monitor and see how other states handle this,” Nago says, “and do the best we can to get the ballots out.”

Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez says her office is continuing to push back on the administration’s plans and was a party to the legal action in Massachusetts that resulted in Thursday’s temporary restraining order. There’s a hearing scheduled next month on that very TRO, and any ruling is expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court.

Trump has been seeking to restrict mail-in voting for years…

Big Q: Are you fine with the U.S. Postal Service being more involved with mail-in election ballots? | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

NYT: U.S. Postal Service rule could bar millions from voting by mail | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Read … The Sunshine Blog: Will They Or Won't They? Vote By Mail, That Is - Honolulu Civil Beat

Green will not be debating anti-Semite anti-Vaxxer Cordery

CB: … GOP gubernatorial candidate Gary Cordery is itching to debate incumbent Gov. Josh Green. But Green’s people have already told The Blog no way. Green is still wary of the unruly tactics and antisemitic threats from the Aloha Freedom Coalition, headed by Cordery, that came his way when he was lieutenant governor and the ‘conservative’ activists didn’t like how Green was dealing with Covid-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates for travel, among other things….

Read … The Sunshine Blog: Will They Or Won't They? Vote By Mail, That Is - Honolulu Civil Beat

New York governor pardons Hawaii Purple Heart veteran forced to self-deport

HNN: … Officials say the pardon does not automatically allow Park to return to the U.S., but he can now begin the process of overturning his removal order….

HB: NY Gov. Grants Clemency to Deported Hawaiʻi Resident and Purple Heart Veteran - Hawaii Business Magazine

News Release: Governor Hochul Grants Clemency to Six Individuals

Read … New York governor pardons Hawaii Purple Heart veteran forced to self-deport

Hawaii County: Lets Raise Taxes on Housing to Pay for Homeless Programs

CB: … (Skip to the comments) “You can throw money all you want but what you do not mention is the lack of competency in the orgs that are getting the money. Their achievements are minimal while their spending is self-indulgent. They drive new SUVs. They travel the world going to conferences. They have romantic relationships with people who approve their funding. Funding is one thing who gets it even more important.” …

Read … Big Island Should Strengthen Its Homelessness And Housing Fund - Honolulu Civil Beat

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