Email from Hawaii Free Press

Weekly News Read

August 9 2026

... Races involving three legislative incumbents may go to a recount ....

Maui Police Department Lieutenant Charged with Taking Bribes from Criminals to Protect Chicken Fighting and Drug Operations on Maui

... Vaituulala aspired to become the “Larry Mehau” of Maui ....

Will Scandal Force Out Maui’s Outsider Chief?

… CIU was the only unit within MPD that was handpicked by Chief John Pelletier, and Vaituulala answered directly and only to him ….

Corruption: Green’s SD18 Appointee Worked Under Both Yamane and Asuncion

... Bass was a legislative manager for former Rep. Ryan Yamane before being hired under Asuncion ....

Dela Cruz Silent On Bribery Charges Leveled At Former Staff Member

… Fuchigami worked for Dela Cruz in 2022. During that legislative session, Fuchigami is accused of taking a $7,000 bribe from lobbyist Tobi Solidum ….

How Legislative Bribe-taker Ensured that Latest Round of Corruption Defendants Could Only Lose Half Their Pensions

… The law only applies to crimes that occurred after June 24, 2021. That’s thanks in part to then-Senate Maj. Leader J. Kalani English ….

‘One of the most Conservative Democrats’ Ed Case bucks socialist trend in deep-blue Hawaii district

… The Democratic Party’s anti-incumbent wave has skipped Hawaii, with centrist Rep. Ed Case handily defeating state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole ….

Team Methamphetamines on the Ballot in Upcountry Maui Council Race

… Pahia’s supporters —including Maui County Council member Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, Paele Kiakona, (the son of convicted 20-lbs-a-month meth dealer Moses Kiakona) gathered to watch the results come in ….

Judge Shakes Up OHA CEO's Lawsuit

..."I was pleased with the judge’s affirmation that trustees retain the right to voice differing views in matters affecting the agency and its beneficiaries."...

Hawaii's End Run Around Citizens United Faces a First Amendment Roadblock

... A new Hawaii law reclassifies corporate political speech as a "power" the state can revoke at will ....

Does The "Aloha Spirit" Violate The Establishment Clause?

... The statutory definition of the "aloha spirit" seems very much like any other progressive non-deist religion ....

Lawsuit: UH Hides Public Records to Protect Climate Scheme

... A watchdog organization filed a complaint Monday accusing the University of Hawaii of unlawfully withholding public records that reveal whether climate activists and legal advocates influence climate lawsuits ....

Hawaii AG Conspired to Sue Trump Seven Days After He was Reelected

...The document also incorporated plans to withhold some information from the public surrounding the lawsuits....

Maui County Lied Twice About Front Street building permit—none have been issued

… Saturday will mark three long years since the fire. Not one recovery building permit has been issued for a commercial property destroyed on Front Street ….

Hawaiian Homes Commission lawsuit continues after evictions averted

… David Kalahiki and Linda Twitchell sued the Hawaiian Homes Commission last month after they were served eviction notices ….

State agrees to $3.25M settlement with Peter Boy Kema’s siblings

… The proposed settlement is not yet final and still requires approval from both the court and the state Legislature ….

Maui: Congressional Candidate Should Have Used a Hammer

… the heavy hand here contrasted with the inexplicable failure to prosecute for the vicious hammer attack outside a bar in Wailuku on June 10 ….

FEMA reviews Hawaii’s COVID funding after Sylvia Luke indictment

… “Consistent with President Trump’s executive order establishing the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, FEMA will review any information arising from the Hawaii indictment that may relate to FEMA-funded COVID-19 work.” ….

Maui County offers buyouts to iconic Lahaina properties as owners struggle to rebuild

… Lahaina voices: 'They're almost driving us out' ….

Purposeful Slow-Walking: Waters lawyers Still Haven’t Filed Appeal with ICA

… Waters said, “We’re hopeful the courts will affirm my eligibility in time for the Nov. 3, 2026, General Election.” ….

Below average number of open state legislative seats in Hawaii in 2026

...Four seats are open in Hawaii’s state legislative elections this year, meaning no incumbents filed. That is the second-fewest since 2010....

Honolulu Special Funds

... proposals on the ballot in Honolulu that have been put forward by the Honolulu Charter Commission ....

'Office of Economic Revitalization' will officially cease operations on August 14, 2026

... Between 2020 and 2026, OER managed approximately $408 million in federal pandemic relief and other private and competitive federal grants ....

Three years later: Lahaina Rebuild Bleak

... so far only about 220 houses have been restored, and the status of non-residential rebuilds is even more bleak ....

Praising Lahaina recovery is premature

... and permit delays are largely to blame ....

State Takes Control of Maui Fire Survivors' Case Management

...helping survivors prepare for the February 2027 conclusion of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA’s) Temporary Housing Assistance program....

Honolulu Council should reconsider restrictions on homeowner repairs

... updating the City’s rules for repairing older, nonconforming homes that conflict with current zoning codes ....

HECO: 'We did not ask PUC to Approve 500MW Plant'

...The Honolulu Star-Advertiser has corrected an Aug. 6 story that inaccurately described an action by Hawaiian Electric related to the procurement of new generation resources....

This Day in History: Truman Announces Hiroshima Bombing

...August 6 and 9 have been made into International Days of Anti-American historical revisionism. So here is a look at reality as seen from first-hand sources instead of whining activists....

DLNR to Increase Punishment for 'Harassing' Animals

... Public Input Invited Through an Online Survey and Public Hearing ....

AI Robot to Control Permitting for eligible residential projects beginning Sept. 1

... DPP will require applicants to utilize the CivCheck Guided AI pre-application process before submitting their permit application ....

Hawaii Sues to Protect Welfare Cheats

... A coalition of 24 states and Washington, D.C. sued the Trump administration on Monday, challenging a decision authorizing the disclosure of personal information for individuals participating in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program ....

Tariffs Again: Hawaii AG Joins Another anti-Trump Lawsuit

... another lawsuit against the Trump administration over tariffs ....

Kona Hospital Verifies Level III Trauma Certification

... Verification recognizes Kona Community Hospital’s commitment to providing optimal care for injured patients. ...

City burns $9 million from 'Climate Resiliency Fund'

... a 'resilient' and 'sustainable' slush fund ....

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Awards Record Number of Leases in July

...the DHHL is set to award a record number of leases in 2026 – nearly 3,000 across the pae ‘āina....