Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has tapped a former island police officer to fill an open seat on the Honolulu Police Commission.Benjamin Mahi is a retired HPD commander and is currently the chief of security at First Hawaiian Bank. If approved by the Honolulu City Council, he would fill the seat vacated by former judge Steve Levinson, who that he couldn’t effect change. His term would run through Dec. 31, 2025.“I am honored that I am a candidate for Police Commissioner,” Mahi said in a statement. “I want to thank Mayor Rick Blangiardi for my nomination and selection to the Honolulu Police...…Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has tapped a former island police officer to fill an open seat on the Honolulu Police Commission.Benjamin Mahi is a retired HPD commander and is currently the chief of security at First Hawaiian Bank. If approved by the Honolulu City Council, he would fill the seat vacated by former judge Steve Levinson, who that he couldn’t effect change. His term would run through Dec. 31, 2025.“I am honored that I am a candidate for Police Commissioner,” Mahi said in a statement. “I want to thank Mayor Rick Blangiardi for my nomination and selection to the Honolulu Police...WW…

he said, yL. James Lo, an expert on ventilation at Drexel University in Philadelphia, said it’s important that air quality standards be developed in a way that takes a building’s structural characteristics into consideration.During this election season, we hope that our coverage provides you with the information to make informed decisions on issues that you care deeply about.Whether it’s affordable housing, education or the environment, these issues depend on your vote, and our ability to report on them depends on your support.So, if you found value in our coverage, …he said, yL. James Lo, an expert on ventilation at Drexel University in Philadelphia, said it’s important that air quality standards be developed in a way that takes a building’s structural characteristics into consideration.During this election season, we hope that our coverage provides you with the information to make informed decisions on issues that you care deeply about.Whether it’s affordable housing, education or the environment, these issues depend on your vote, and our ability to report on them depends on your support.So, if you found value in our coverage, WW…

Five months after a California congresswoman asked Hawaii for answers about its public health response and its spending of federal money, Gov. David Ige hasn’t provided her with any information.U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, who chairs a House subcommittee on health, expressed concern in August about the state’s worsening COVID-19 outbreak, which was resulting in new cases of over 200 per day.In an Aug. 19 letter, she asked about the status of contact tracing and testing, how federal funds were being spent, the state’s response to whistleblower claims that the state health department was reporting...…Five months after a California congresswoman asked Hawaii for answers about its public health response and its spending of federal money, Gov. David Ige hasn’t provided her with any information.U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, who chairs a House subcommittee on health, expressed concern in August about the state’s worsening COVID-19 outbreak, which was resulting in new cases of over 200 per day.In an Aug. 19 letter, she asked about the status of contact tracing and testing, how federal funds were being spent, the state’s response to whistleblower claims that the state health department was reporting...WW…

In other words, its ostensible use is as a thermometer, according to the city’s spending justification, though HPD says it can do more.“It sounds absolutely ridiculous,” said Katrina Langford, a Haleiwa mother of two who has struggled to get rental assistance after she and her husband lost their jobs.“I could think of a lot of better things to do with that money. It seems like people are taking temperatures everywhere and they don’t need robots to do it.”HPD rejected a Civil Beat request to interview a department official about the purchase. Instead, Deputy Chief John McCarthy issued an...…In other words, its ostensible use is as a thermometer, according to the city’s spending justification, though HPD says it can do more.“It sounds absolutely ridiculous,” said Katrina Langford, a Haleiwa mother of two who has struggled to get rental assistance after she and her husband lost their jobs.“I could think of a lot of better things to do with that money. It seems like people are taking temperatures everywhere and they don’t need robots to do it.”HPD rejected a Civil Beat request to interview a department official about the purchase. Instead, Deputy Chief John McCarthy issued an...WW…

On Tuesday, Amemiya confirmed that he asked Say for the job to meet the 10-year mark that allows employees to qualify for retirement benefits. He otherwise declined to comment.Amemiya worked for Mayor Jeremy Harris in the budget department from 1997 through 2000 and was appointed as Caldwell’s managing director in 2015.Someone with 10 years of service may be eligible for 50% coverage of retirement medical expenses and possible access to a pension, according to Bill Kunstman, a spokesman for the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. People do have the option of withdrawing the...…On Tuesday, Amemiya confirmed that he asked Say for the job to meet the 10-year mark that allows employees to qualify for retirement benefits. He otherwise declined to comment.Amemiya worked for Mayor Jeremy Harris in the budget department from 1997 through 2000 and was appointed as Caldwell’s managing director in 2015.Someone with 10 years of service may be eligible for 50% coverage of retirement medical expenses and possible access to a pension, according to Bill Kunstman, a spokesman for the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. People do have the option of withdrawing the...WW…

Recruits at Honolulu’s police academy who are learning the fundamentals of law enforcement are now taking open-book tests to qualify them to become police officers.The city’s police school Ke Kula Makai Academy made the transition this past summer,“The change was made to put more emphasis on comprehension and critical thinking and less on rote and recall,” Yu said.The move is causing concern among some current and former police officers.“How much easier can you make it?” said You might as well hand out the badges.”Civil Beat asked HPD six times to speak with a department official who could...…Recruits at Honolulu’s police academy who are learning the fundamentals of law enforcement are now taking open-book tests to qualify them to become police officers.The city’s police school Ke Kula Makai Academy made the transition this past summer,“The change was made to put more emphasis on comprehension and critical thinking and less on rote and recall,” Yu said.The move is causing concern among some current and former police officers.“How much easier can you make it?” said You might as well hand out the badges.”Civil Beat asked HPD six times to speak with a department official who could...WW…

In just the first nine months of 2020,“The overtime pay is astounding. The word that came to mind is bonkers,” said Honolulu Councilman Tommy Waters, who chairs the public safety committee. “An anonymous source sent Civil Beat a document showing overtime pay for HPD in 2017, 2018 and the first nine months of 2019. An HPD source who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation confirmed that the document was authentic.Separately, Civil Beat obtained a list of the top 30 earners among all city officials for the first nine months of 2020.Waters, who is expected to become the chair of the...…In just the first nine months of 2020,“The overtime pay is astounding. The word that came to mind is bonkers,” said Honolulu Councilman Tommy Waters, who chairs the public safety committee. “An anonymous source sent Civil Beat a document showing overtime pay for HPD in 2017, 2018 and the first nine months of 2019. An HPD source who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation confirmed that the document was authentic.Separately, Civil Beat obtained a list of the top 30 earners among all city officials for the first nine months of 2020.Waters, who is expected to become the chair of the...WW…

People on Oahu in need of help paying their rent, utility or child care bills can still apply for assistance from the City and County of Honolulu through Sunday, Nov. 15.The $25 million Household Hardship Relief Fund was set up with federal CARES Act money granted to Honolulu.Since it launched in May, the city and three nonprofit partners – Aloha United Way, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and Helping Hands Hawaii – have spent $11 million to support over 2,200 Oahu households, according to a press release sent by Bennett Group Strategic Communications on behalf of the city.“The...…People on Oahu in need of help paying their rent, utility or child care bills can still apply for assistance from the City and County of Honolulu through Sunday, Nov. 15.The $25 million Household Hardship Relief Fund was set up with federal CARES Act money granted to Honolulu.Since it launched in May, the city and three nonprofit partners – Aloha United Way, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and Helping Hands Hawaii – have spent $11 million to support over 2,200 Oahu households, according to a press release sent by Bennett Group Strategic Communications on behalf of the city.“The...WW…

“My heart is full of appreciation and gratitude,” he said in remarks late on Tuesday.Blangiardi thanked his supporters and his family and urged all of Oahu to be “unified” as the island works its way out of the public health and financial crisis.“I want to bring everybody together,” he said.Amemiya admitted defeat during a televised broadcast Tuesday evening and encouraged his supporters to support Blangiardi.Blangiardi was able to cultivate support from people who voted for unsuccessful primary candidates, including Hanabusa, Honolulu City Councilwoman Kym Pine, former Mayor Mufi Hannemann...…“My heart is full of appreciation and gratitude,” he said in remarks late on Tuesday.Blangiardi thanked his supporters and his family and urged all of Oahu to be “unified” as the island works its way out of the public health and financial crisis.“I want to bring everybody together,” he said.Amemiya admitted defeat during a televised broadcast Tuesday evening and encouraged his supporters to support Blangiardi.Blangiardi was able to cultivate support from people who voted for unsuccessful primary candidates, including Hanabusa, Honolulu City Councilwoman Kym Pine, former Mayor Mufi Hannemann...WW…

Five current and former Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting employees are facing federal charges for allegedly accepting bribes, the Hawaii U.S. Attorney’s office announced on Tuesday.A local architect has also been indicted in connection with the alleged scheme in the department, which has long been suspected of hosting a pay-to-play culture.“Our citizens entrust their government with great authority and power. It is our responsibility to the communities we serve to represent them ethically and transparently,” said...…Five current and former Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting employees are facing federal charges for allegedly accepting bribes, the Hawaii U.S. Attorney’s office announced on Tuesday.A local architect has also been indicted in connection with the alleged scheme in the department, which has long been suspected of hosting a pay-to-play culture.“Our citizens entrust their government with great authority and power. It is our responsibility to the communities we serve to represent them ethically and transparently,” said...WW…