City, state respond to deadly explosion in Salt Lake Star Advertiser Victoria Budiono January 2, 2025 Original Article GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARADVERTISER.COM Gov. Josh Green, flanked by Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Police Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan and Fire Chief Sheldon Hao, spoke at an HPD press conference regarding the deaths and injuries suffered earlier on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 on Keaka Drive following a massive fireworks explosion. The call for stricter fireworks laws was immediate in the aftermath of the deadly New Year’s tragedy at 4137 Keaka Drive in Aliamanu. Starting at the top with Gov. Josh Green and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, lawmakers and other leaders are again demanding to get a handle on contraband fireworks that each year create massive, illegal blasts that light up the skies in nearly every neighborhood on Oahu. “Right now, people are taking terrible risks with other family members and the community,” Green said at a news conference Wednesday, while also expressing condolences to the loved ones of the victims and imploring residents to prioritize safety. “Soon, you’ll probably be taking a risk with your own freedom,” Green warned. “I don’t think anybody should want to go to jail for five years or pay tens of thousands of dollars of fines.” In addition to the tragedy that killed three women and injured dozens of others in Aliamanu, a 19-year-old man suffered fatal injuries in a separate fireworks-related incident Tuesday night in Kalihi amid dozens of other reported injuries. As the toll climbed Wednesday, authorities turned their focus to tougher enforcement and stiffer penalties. State law establishes times during certain holiday periods — New Year’s, Lunar New Year and the Fourth of July — and other restrictions for the legal use of consumer fireworks such as sparklers and fountains but also allows the counties to set their own stricter rules. Since Jan. 2, 2011, consumer fireworks have been banned on Oahu. State law also prohibits possession of aerial devices, display fireworks or other pyrotechnic articles without a valid license. Unauthorized possession or use of fireworks is a Class C felony carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison and fines up to $10,000. Despite these regulations, fireworks are often set off in residential areas throughout the year, particularly during the holiday season from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. According to Honolulu Police Department Chief Joe Logan, a preliminary review of surveillance footage, witness statements and other evidence from the fatal blast suggests that shortly after midnight, a party attendee lit an aerial fireworks “cake” containing multiple smaller fireworks packed in a box in the driveway near the carport of the home. When lit, the cakes fire a series of fireworks into the air in quick succession, creating a display of colorful explosions. In this case, the cake tipped over, causing an aerial firework to ignite two nearby crates containing additional fireworks, triggering a massive and deadly explosion. Blangiardi expressed his anger and frustration with the fireworks-related deaths and injuries, saying, “No one should have to endure such pain due to reckless and illegal activity. This incident is a painful reminder of the danger posed by illegal fireworks. ‘They put lives at risk, they drain our first responders, and they disrupt our neighborhoods. But most heartbreakingly, this tragedy was entirely preventable. New Year’s Eve should be a time of joy, not danger. Yet the growing prevalence of illegal fireworks on our island has turned it into a night of risk and devastation. Year after year, this threat persists, and it must stop.” Blangiardi said he is committed to taking decisive action on illegal fireworks for the sake of public safety. “We will coordinate with federal and state agencies to strengthen law enforcement, impose tougher penalties, explore new technologies because they exist, and implement a united effort to stop the import of illegal fireworks into our harbors and airports,” he said. The state’s Illegal Fireworks Task Force established under Green in 2023 has reported seizing large quantities of illegal fireworks, and its efforts include intercepting shipments of illegal fireworks, often from overseas, and disrupting the supply chain. In its first year, a total of approximately 93.5 tons of illegal fireworks was confiscated, followed by more than 20 tons in 2024. In early December 2023, the task force said it seized about 16 tons of fireworks from a shipping container, primarily containing aerials. Later that month, it confiscated an additional 17 tons from another container. Just before New Year’s Day a year ago, the task force reported making another significant seizure, confiscating 17.5 tons of illegal fireworks during a routine inspection. Illegal fireworks, however, continue to filter in to Hawaii. “Aerial fireworks are a part of our culture,” said state Rep. Gregg Takayama (D, Waiau-Pearl City-Pacific Palisades). “But we have to recognize that they’re also illegal, and that they’re illegal for a reason: They can be dangerous.” Takayama introduced House Bill 2193 that became Act 208, which strengthened Hawaii’s Fireworks Control Law by increasing the authority of the Illegal Fireworks Task Force. He emphasized the need for continued efforts, particularly targeting large-scale offenders. He also called for increased funding for the task force. State Sen. Glenn Wakai, who represents the Salt Lake area where deadly explosion occurred, said the carnage was preventable and urged the community to recognize the risks. “It was more than an accident. An accident would be one of those rockets going off. I mean, these guys had a stash of stuff there,” Wakai said. “So, sure, it was not meant to go off that way. But they had full intention of shooting off way more than they could possibly handle.” He noted that after decades of legislative action, the issue remains a significant problem and the community needs to recognize the problem and say “enough is enough.” However, Wakai said he isn’t confident about seeing meaningful change. “Obviously, (the seizure) wasn’t enough, and I don’t really know what it’s going to take for us as a community to wake up in the new year to see that shooting aerial fireworks is not the right way to bring in a new year. It’s the most tragic way to usher in a new year,” he said. Jordan Lowe, director of the state Department of Law Enforcement, said the seizures by the task force are still under investigation, and fireworks smugglers — and buyers — could face prosecution. “It’s very frustrating, and when you look at this group of criminals who import illegal fireworks with no regard for the community or the safety of the public just to make a profit … like I said, it’s very frustrating, very discouraging,” he said. Fireworks have long been a tradition in Hawaii, rooted in Chinese culture and local celebrations. “It is cultural. We all understand that. But I think we need to start working with the public more in terms of education, because it is dangerous,” Lowe said. “We just saw what happened. And even in the past, regularly, in Hawaii, at least one individual would die as a result of a fireworks mishap. It’s been pretty regular that you might have a house burn down because of a mishap with fireworks, an accident with fireworks. “We don’t deserve that. The public doesn’t deserve that.”

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Friends of the Library of Hawai'i honors State Sen. Lynn DeCoite with Mahalo Award Maui Now February 21, 2025 Original Article Nonprofit The Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i on Wednesday presented the Mahalo Award to State Sen. Lynn DeCoite, recognizing her support of Hawai‘i’s public libraries. The Mahalo Award is given annually to a legislator who has demonstrated exemplary support of Hawaiʻi’s public libraries during the prior legislative session. DeCoite has served in the state legislature since 2015, first representing District 13 in the Hawai‘i State House of Representatives and, since 2021, representing District 7 in the Hawai‘i State Senate. Beyond her dedication to increasing local food production, environmental conservation, affordable housing and transportation, she has been a passionate advocate for libraries and literacy. This includes working to elevate public libraries in her district: the Lāna‘i Public Library, Hāna Public & School Library, Makawao Public Library and Moloka‘i Public Library. DeCoite’s support for the libraries and literacy has extended beyond the 2024 legislative session, said the nonprofit in an announcement Friday. Since 2019 she has promoted childhood literacy through ‘Ohana Readers, an affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that offers free, monthly, age-appropriate books to Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and Hāna keiki ages under the age of 5. The program was launched as an initiative of then-First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige in partnership with then-State Rep. DeCoite, the Learning to Grow program of the State Department of Human Services, the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System, Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi and Read to Me International. “It’s been a pleasure to work with Senator DeCoite to bring books into the homes of her constituents through the ‘Ohana Readers program,” said Nainoa Mau, executive director of Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi. “We are delighted to honor her with the Mahalo Award as our 2024 Legislator of the Year.” DeCoite has also been an advocate for the renovations at the Molokaʻi Public Library to make it a bright and welcoming place for residents to learn and gather. And she has promoted the free employment training resources at the Molokaʻi Public Library, which is a partnership between Goodwill Hawaiʻi, the American Job Center and the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System. “Senator DeCoite cares deeply about her community and the library and works to build bridges to make it a resource for all,” said Stacey Aldrich, a State librarian. DeCoite was honored by Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi at their Annual Meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025 at the Hawai‘i State Library. In her honor, copies of her favorite book, “Curious George” by H. A. Rey, will be donated to the Molokaʻi Public Library and the Hawaiʻi State Library.

UH study on quality of life cites housing, health care as stressors Star Advertiser Nina Wu December 11, 2024 Original Article A new dashboard launched by the University of Hawaii at Manoa offers insights into the pressing social, economic and health issues affecting state residents. The dashboard Opens in a new tab , which went live Tuesday, offers data from a survey of more than 8,000 adult residents conducted earlier this year. It offers snapshots of how residents from a broad range of demographics felt about their neighborhood, workplace, housing, mental and physical health and other factors affecting quality of life. It also delves into how prepared residents are for natural disasters, and their significant sources of stress, which appear to stem mostly from the high cost of housing and living. “The 2024 Hawaii Quality of Life and Well-Being Dashboard is more than a collection of statistics — it’s a call to action,” said lead researcher Jack Barile in a news release. “By making this information publicly available, we hope to inspire collaborative efforts to tackle the challenges facing our state.” While the dashboard shows many residents are feeling economic strain and stress, he noted, it also shows Hawaii’s communities are strong and resilient. Barile, also a professor of psychology and director of UH Manoa’s Social Science Research Institute, said results also highlight the unique needs and strengths of different communities, such as those with lower incomes and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander residents. The survey results can guide policymakers, community leaders and employers toward targeted actions that can improve well-being across the state, he said. Among the dashboard’s key findings: >> Economic stress. Most significant stressors for residents include the economy (73%), personal finances (73%) and housing costs (64%), particularly for households with incomes below $50,000. >> Moving from Hawaii. Among those surveyed, 40% considered moving out of the state in the past year due to high living costs. The rate is even higher, at 47%, among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. >> Health disparities. Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander residents experience notably higher levels of stress and unhealthy days compared with white and Asian residents. Residents also cited challenges to accessing affordable health care, with 19% reporting medical debt over $500. >> Community strength. Despite hardships, 67% of residents said they feel safe in their neighborhoods, with a similar percentage reporting that neighbors are willing to help each other. >> Positive workplaces. 83% of employees felt respected by their employers, while 78% felt their contributions are valued. Employees looking to change jobs cited flexible work schedules, paid family leave and telework options as priorities. >> Disaster preparedness. Only 12% of respondents said they were well or very well prepared if there was a disaster in their community. In February, Hawaii became a trauma-informed state upon Gov. Josh Green’s signing of an executive order directing all state departments to collaborate with the Office of Wellness and Resilience to integrate principles of safety, transparency and peer support into workplaces and services. The UH College of Social Sciences launched the dashboard in partnership with the governor’s Office of Wellness and Resilience, which is funding the project. The surveys, to be conducted regularly, are the first step toward helping Hawaii become a trauma-informed state. The hope is that the data informs policy initiatives that address Hawaii’s unique challenges, said Barile, such as addressing barriers to affordable housing, as well as improving access to health care with a focus on NHPI communities, and the need for better disaster preparedness. “The data in this report shows that we must continue to increase the economic opportunities for our residents, so they can remain in Hawaii,” said state Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz in a statement. “Diversifying our economy in the areas of creative industries, agriculture, and technology must be paired with investments in workforce development so our residents can fill the good-paying jobs here in the state.” Significant sources of stress >> Overall: The economy (73%), money (73%), housing costs (64%). >> Medical debt: Over 81% owe $500 or less. >> Access to health care: 12% said there was a time they needed to see a doctor but could not afford it; 20% said they delayed medical care due to the cost. >> Economic stability: 44% are worried about not having enough income to pay normal monthly bills; in the previous seven days, 10% reported sometimes not having enough to eat. >> Moving: When asked whether they had plans to move out of state, 40% responded yes. Of those who said yes, 65% said cost of living is lower elsewhere, 41% cited economic concerns, as reasons. Source: Hawaii Quality of Life and Well-Being Dashboard. Find the dashboard at health-study.com Opens in a new tab .

State responds to avian flu with voluntary 90-day bird movement pause Maui Now Maui Now December 13, 2024 Original Article In response to the detection of the avian flu virus in Hawai‘i’s wastewater and wild birds, state agencies are urging the public to voluntarily pause the interisland movement of poultry and other bird species for 90 days, effective immediately. This recommendation follows the suggestion of Moloka‘i State Senator and farmer Lynn DeCoite and is a proactive measure aimed at mitigating the spread of the virus. Prior to November of this year, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) had not been detected in Hawai‘i. Although this strain has been circulating in the continental US, Europe, and Asia, Hawai‘i was the last US state to confirm infections among birds. The HPAI strain in Hawai‘i was likely introduced by migrating birds from northern regions around Alaska. Spread occurs through bird-to-bird contact or when birds come into contact with contaminated materials, equipment, or clothing from infected birds. The coordinated response involves multiple agencies: The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), which oversees the management of wild birds on state lands. The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA), responsible for domestic birds. The Department of Health (DOH), which monitors human health concerns related to the virus. While the potential for transmission to humans is low, residents are encouraged to remain vigilant. Sick pets should be reported to their veterinarian. The public is also urged to report multiple or unusual illnesses in poultry, livestock, or other wild birds or animals to HDOA at 808-483-7100 (business hours) or 808-837-8092 (non-business hours, including holidays). Any residents who develop symptoms of avian influenza after exposure to sick birds or other wildlife should contact the DOH disease reporting line at 808-586-4586 for further guidance. State experts acknowledge the challenges of controlling wild bird movements and agree that limiting the interisland movement of domestic birds during this voluntary period will significantly reduce transmission risks. At Sen. DeCoite’s request, the agencies are also collecting data to assess the feasibility and necessity of a formal quarantine while carefully considering the potential economic impacts of premature restrictions on local products. State Senator and veterinarian Dr. Tim Richards expressed his support for the precautionary measure, stating: “As both a senator and a veterinarian, I understand the critical balance between protecting our agricultural industries and safeguarding animal health. In light of the ongoing avian flu threat, I fully support a voluntary 90-day stop movement of birds as a precautionary measure. Similar actions have been successfully implemented before, such as the voluntary halt in Hawai‘i’s beef cattle industry approximately 15 years ago, which effectively mitigated risks to trichomoniasis and protected livelihoods until legislation could be brought forward. By taking proactive steps now, we can prevent greater harm to our poultry industry and ensure the health of our flocks and communities.” Gov. Josh Green, M.D., and DOH Director Kenneth Fink addressed the topic on the Governor’s weekly whiteboard update this morning, which can be viewed here.

Legislators consider new laws to restrict where landfills can be placed Hawaiʻi Public Radio Ashley Mizuo January 9, 2025 Original Article The new Oʻahu landfill will replace Waimanalo Gulch on the leeward coast.City and County of Honolulu Legislators are considering changing laws restricting where counties can place landfills. This comes after Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s controversial announcement to place the island’s next landfill in Wahiawā . “Anger, frustration, disbelief, fear, anxiety and then circling back to anger,” is what Rep. Amy Perruso said she hears from people in her districts. She represents the areas that would be most impacted by the city’s decision. At the heart of the outrage is that the new landfill would be placed over a drinking water aquifer. Board of Water Supply Chief Engineer Ernie Lau told lawmakers that he disagrees with the Wahiawā location because of the potential threats to Oʻahu's drinking water. He said that it will impact future generations. “It's the generations that haven't even been born they're going to depend on these freshwater resources,” he said. “Right now this area in Central Oʻahu and going toward the North Shore — it's the freshwater resources that have not been fully developed yet that may be needed for the communities 100, 200 years from now.” Lau compared the situation to the Red Hill incident in 2021 where jet fuel leaked into the water system poisoning thousands of residents. “ We are at the crossroads that Red Hill was in its decision-making to place 250 million gallons of fuel storage underground fuel tanks, single-walled right over a drinking water aquifer,” he said. “ That decision was 80 plus years ago ... the question I have is, are we going to 80 years from now or 100 years from now find out that wasn’t a good decision?” Local News Wahiawā location selected for Oʻahu's next landfill site Listen • 2:07 One of the main reasons the city felt that it had no choice, but to select a landfill location over an aquifer, is because of a law known as Act 73 . The law says landfills cannot be located in conservation-zoned land or within half a mile of any residence, school or hospital. Landfills also cannot be located in a tsunami zone. Ultimately, the city chose Wahiawā because other locations under consideration were over what's called a well-capture zone, which is even more crucial to Oʻahu's water supply. A capture zone is where freshwater water naturally flows to and collects. Then, wells pump water from capture zones and deliver it where it needs to go. That is what makes it more risky to put a landfill near a capture zone. Adding to the uncertainty is that it's difficult to know what exactly is going on under the surface regarding water flow without drilling a well, which is expensive. However, Rep. Sean Quinlan said that he's working on a measure that would ban landfills from being built over aquifers. In that bill, he is considering adjusting the restrictions in Act 73 to give the city more options. “I think we are looking at all elements of Act 73,” Quinlan said. “One potential solution would be to amend it down to a quarter-mile buffer zone, which would open up certain sites. Another potential solution would be to weaken the language around certain conservation land which would also open up other sites.” Perruso, who is vice chair of the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee, said it's crucial to make it illegal to put a landfill over an aquifer. But she's not sure that decreasing the buffer zone in Act 73 is the answer. “One is a measure that would make citing a landfill over an aquifer illegal. I think that's an important first step because we can't rely on Ernie Lau to be forever holding that position,” she said. “I do think that it's extraordinarily dangerous to engage in the practices of citing these kinds of facilities over our aquifer. I think we should have learned that lesson already from Red Hill.” The Conversation Oʻahu residents invited to learn more about proposal to raise wastewater fees Listen • 10:09 Perruso wants to give the city tools to encourage people to produce less trash. “ The Environmental Caucus will likely be introducing a measure on extended producer responsibility,” she said. “We really have to do more in the area of reducing, recycling, and reusing, and we know that we can because other jurisdictions are doing it, and our counties are just not making those investments.” Sen. Mike Gabbard, who chairs the Agriculture and Environment Committee, explained that he's open to conversation about reducing the buffer zone, but that the city should be instead considering federal lands that are not over aquifers. “I'm not convinced the military cannot spare 150 acres of land that's not over an aquifer to help us out and I want to pursue that,” he said. “The city and county seems to think it's a no-go and it's a done deal. It's not going to happen, but I want to go and pursue that.” The city was considering putting the landfill on Waipiʻo Soccer Complex, which is on land owned by the Navy. However, the Navy rejected its request in April 2024. City Environmental Services Director Roger Babcock explained that although the city did do another study on areas where a landfill could be located if the Act 73 restrictions were loosened, it still intends to pursue the Wahiawā location it selected. “ We're sticking with that plan A is that this is the best option of not a lot of good options,” he said. “ Then if that doesn't pan out for whatever reason or a law is passed that makes it not possible, which I think that legislation is going to be introduced, then we would move to plan B which is to ask the legislature to modify Act 73 so that some other sites that would be outside the no pass zone would become available.” The legislative session starts next Wednesday.

Bills seek to legalize betting on pro sports Hawaii Tribune-Herald John Burnett January 24, 2025 Original Article At least two bills have been introduced in the state Senate with the intent of cashing in by legalizing limited forms of sports wagering — which is still illegal in Hawaii, despite numerous attempts that have gone bust in recent years. Senate Bill 373 has been referred to the Economic Development and Tourism Committee, where a favorable vote would forward the measure to a joint session of the Ways and Means and Judiciary committees. The legislation, introduced by Sen. Angus McKelvey (D-Maui) and co-sponsored by Sens. Joy San Buenaventura (D-Puna) and Glenn Wakai (D-Oahu), the majority floor leader, would establish an online fantasy sports contests registration and monitoring program under the Department of the Attorney General. The measure also would impose an online fantasy sports contests tax on the gross revenues of registrants. “We’ve been such an outlier state,” McKelvey told the Tribune-Herald on Thursday. “And as I say in the preamble of the bill — and I point to that — there’s no law actually on the books against it. It’s the opinion, rather, of a former attorney general’s office.” McKelvey was referring to a 2016 opinion issued by then-Attorney General Douglas Chin, which stated that daily fantasy sports contests, such as those run by FanDuel and DraftKings, constitute illegal gambling under existing state laws. “Gambling generally occurs under Hawaii law when a person stakes or risks something of value upon a game of chance or upon any future contingent event not under the person’s control,” said Chin at that time. “The technology may have changed, but the vice has not.” “They say it’s gambling. I say it’s not,” opined McKelvey, who pointed to a 2018 study by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which also is included in the measure’s preamble. “The studies that were done show that online daily fantasy — not sports book, very important, sports book is gambling — but online daily fantasy is at a same level of skill or greater than solitaire, which is in Hawaii a game of skill,” McKelvey said. McKelvey noted that Utah is the only other state banning online daily fantasy sports contests, and that his measure, if passed, would provide Hawaii with a revenue stream already realized by 48 other states. “I thought it was a way to bring us up to speed with all the other states of the nation, allow us to tap into unrealized tourist revenue, and provide — especially with the federal government conditioning aid now to all sorts of things — trying to create a way for extra investment or extra monies for the Lahaina rebuild which, of course, affects everybody across the state,” he said. “That was the idea. And after that was done, the fund could be used to fund other worthy programs in education and infrastructure and potential tax relief.” McKelvey lost a home in the Lahaina wildfire of Aug. 8-11, 2023, which killed more than 100 people and devastated the historic former whaling town. “My understanding is because of the California wildfires, Maui’s concerned they aren’t going to have the rebuilding ability for Lahaina, because they expect the price of building supplies to skyrocket,” said San Buenaventura. “I support taxing what the federal government has allowed the states to be able to do. And I generally support the idea because people are already gambling online, and I want to be able to regulate and tax it.” The measure would legalize online daily fantasy wagering on professional sports, but not on collegiate or high school sports or sports involving animals, such as horse racing and dog racing. “I’m trying to align this with what’s on online daily fantasy sites,” McKelvey said. The bill, which passed first reading, does have a provision for allocating start-up funds for the registration and monitoring program, but the amount is left blank. The other measure, Senate Bill 1572, introduced by Sen. Lynn DeCoite (D-Maui, Molokai and Lanai) and co-sponsored by Sen. Donna Mercado Kim (D-Oahu), would establish the Hawaii State Sports Wagering Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. The commission would codify licensing requirements for sports wagering operators, as well as penalties for violations. In addition, the measure would specify that sports wagering shall not be considered games of chance or gambling. Under the bill, the commission would be allowed to conduct background checks on applicants for a sports wagering operator license and persons in control of applicants for a sports wagering operator license. It also would require tax revenue collected from sports wagering to fund certain initiatives, including 50% for public education programs and 25% for affordable housing. In addition to “online qualified gaming entities,” the bill also would allow sports wagering “in-person at a retail sports betting location approved by the commission.” The bill, like SB 373, would permit wagering on professional sports but prohibit bets on collegiate and high school sports, as well as sports involving animals. The fee for an initial sports wagering operator license would be $250,000. The fee for renewal of a sports wagering operator license would be $100,000. As of Thursday afternoon, SB1572 passed first reading but hadn’t received a committee referral.

County, state lawmakers to talk priorities during next Waimea Community Association town meeting Big Island Now Big Island Now January 8, 2025 Original Article A new Hawai‘i County Council was seated and got to work in December 2024 with a few new faces at the table, including one who represents Kohala. Opening day of the 2025 session of the Hawai‘i Legislature is next week on Jan. 15. Waimea Community Association invites residents of the Kohala and Hāmākua communities to come learn about the priorities of their elected local and state government officials directly from them during its next town meeting. The meeting is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Jerry Nelson Conference Room of the W.M. Keck Observatory headquarters, located at 65-1120 Māmalahoa Highway, in Waimea. State Sen. Tim Richards , who represents Senate District 4 (North Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, North Kona), and state Rep. David Tarnas , who represents House District 8 (Hāwī, Hala‘ula, Waimea, Makahalau, Waiki‘i, Waikōloa, Kawaihae, Māhukona), will speak about policy issues and priorities, their committee assignments and how the community can participate in the state legislative process. Two members of the Hawai’i County Council are presenting as well — Hāmākua Councilwoman Heather Kimball and newly elected Kohala Councilman James Hustace. Hustace will speak in person. Kimball, chairwoman of the Hawai‘i State Association of Counties, will attend via Zoom from Washington, D.C., where she is participating in briefings with presidential and congressional leadership. There will be time for questions and answers. Community members are urged to submit questions prior to the meeting by email at waimeacommunityassociation@gmail.com . Questions can also be shared in person or on chat by those watching the livestream on Waimea Community Association’s Facebook page and will be be addressed as time permits. The spotlighted nonprofit organization for January will be Hawai‘i County 4-H Equine Council represented by Kohala educator and horsewoman Fern White. Also participating in the meeting will be South Kohala police Capt. Roy Valera and Community Policing Officer Justin Cabanting with an update about public safety news and events. Community members can attend in person or watch the meeting livestream on the Waimea Community Association Facebook page or YouTube channel . A recording of the meeting also will be available on Facebook and YouTube for later viewing. 2025 Waimea Community Association leadership Waimea Community Association recently elected new leadership for 2025. Former vice president Mary Beth Laychak was elected president and former president Nancy Carr Smith was selected as vice president. Mary Beth Laychak was recently elected president of Waimea Community Association. (Photo Courtesy: Waimea Community Association) Other officers for the new year include newly elected secretary Makela Bruno and re-elected treasurer Victor Tom. Board members are Patti Cook, David Greenwell, Lani Olsen-Chong, Riley Smith, Ryan Ushijima and Chris Wong. Email Waimea Community Association President Mary Beth Laychak at waimeacommunityassociation@gmail.com or click here for additional information about the upcoming town meeting or the association.

Officials urge action on speeding problem Star Advertiser Victoria Budiono February 3, 2025 Original Article State lawmakers are pushing for stricter penalties on speeding, which has contributed to nearly half of all highway deaths and accounted for 236 fatalities over the past five years, according to the state Department of Transportation. In 2023 alone, speeding played a role in about 60% of fatal traffic crashes. During a town hall meeting Tuesday at Prince David Kawananakoa Middle School, residents of District 27 — Pacific Heights, Nuuanu and Liliha — voiced concerns about speeding on Pali Highway and in residential areas. State Rep. Jenna Takenouchi, who represents the district, invited the Honolulu Police Department to weigh in. HPD officials noted that while the department frequently receives complaints about speeding in the area, about 95% of drivers caught speeding are residents of the neighborhood. Honolulu police officials said residents who want stricter enforcement of speeding laws must be prepared for the consequences. They noted that while many call for more action, some later complain when they receive citations themselves. Officers emphasized that speeding is speeding, no matter how little a driver exceeds the limit. Takenouchi expressed strong support for legislation this year aimed at imposing stricter penalties for speeding, which threatens public safety and contributes to excessive noise for residents. House Bill 54, along with its companion Senate Bill 97, seeks to increase penalties for excessive speeding, elevating the charge to a Class C felony for a third or subsequent offense. The bills also give the court authority to order the forfeiture of the vehicle involved in the offense as part of the sentencing. SB 97 was introduced by state Sen. Brandon Elefante (D, Aiea-Pacific Palisades-Pearl City), who also chairs the Senate Public Safety Committee. Elefante said he “constantly receives calls on excessive speeding” and has urged law enforcement to take action by citing and arresting those who violate speed limits. He said that while law enforcement has been active in addressing the issue, speeding in his district persists, particularly from Friday to Sunday, between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. The bill proposes that drivers exceeding the speed limit by 30 mph or more, or driving over 80 mph regardless of the limit, would face fines, license suspension, driver retraining and surcharges. For a first offense, penalties include a fine between $500 and $1,000, a 30-day license suspension and either community service or up to five days of imprisonment. Subsequent offenses within five years would result in higher fines, longer suspensions and more community service or imprisonment. Three-time offenders within five years could face a Class C felony, license revocation and vehicle forfeiture. Under current law, excessive speeding is classified as a misdemeanor if a driver exceeds the speed limit by 30 mph or more, often considered a petty misdemeanor. Most speeding violations, however, are treated as civil infractions and do not carry misdemeanor charges. “This is constant. This goes on almost every weekend,” Elefante said. “We have constituents who call 911, we have HPD that goes out and conducts their investigation and enforcement. It’s speeding, it’s noise but it’s also a danger to the community and those who need to use our roadways to get to their destination safely.” Elefante shared that over the last weekend in January, HPD informed his office of two arrests for racing on the freeways of Pearl City and Aiea. Furthermore, between Jan. 14 and 17, additional enforcement actions led to more arrests and citations related to racing and excessive speeding. “There were four arrests, two for excessive speaking and reckless driving without a license,” he said. “Four citations and two reckless driving without a license, excessive speeding.” HPD reported a slight increase in speeding violations over the past two years, with 25,700 offenses recorded in 2023 and 27,252 in 2024. As of Jan. 29, HPD has already documented 1,503 violations for the year. Standard speeding continues to be the most common offense, with 21,172 citations issued in 2023, rising slightly to 21,251 in 2024. Excessive speeding saw a significant increase, with more than 5,000 citations given out in 2024, while reckless-driving violations rose to 602. Racing offenses decreased to 247 in 2024 from 341 in 2023. The year-to-date statistics as of Jan. 29 showed that HPD issued over 180 citations for reckless driving and eight for racing, excessive-speeding citations are close to 200 and standard speeding violations already surpassed 1,000. The city Department of Transportation Services receives about 2,000 complaints annually from across Oahu, with roughly half related to speeding concerns, officials said. As a first step, the city asks HPD to increase speed enforcement in problem areas. If that does not resolve the issue, speed trailers — portable radar devices that display drivers’ speeds — are temporarily deployed as a short-term deterrent, though they can remain in place for only a few weeks. For persistent speeding problems, midterm solutions are implemented, including road striping to create additional shoulder or parking lanes, which visually narrow the roadway to encourage slower driving. Additional signage and solar-powered flashing pedestrian beacons near schools also may be installed to improve safety. Long-term measures require funding and construction, such as installing speed humps, median and curb modifications and roundabouts, which are larger infrastructure projects that often involve contractors and take more time to complete. State Transportation Director Ed Sniffen said the state has installed 258 speed humps, which he credits with reducing overall crashes by one-third and major crashes by two-thirds. Since 2019, Sniffen said, a location that previously saw 25 fatalities now has only one following the installation of a speed hump. Sniffen said about 100 people die on Hawaii’s freeways annually, with speeding as a leading factor and excessive speeding accounting for 30% of those fatalities. Both city and state officials are exploring ways to address the speeding problem in Hawaii. However, they urge residents and community members to take action by adhering to posted speed limit signs, as outlined in each county’s ordinance.