Good evening, Hawaii. The state Attorney General's office reiterated its commitment to combatting human trafficking by listing some ways the public can help. Large surf continues to batter the northwest shores today, and the swell will move more north on Friday. Nationally, U.S. AG Merrick Garland appointed Robert Hur as a special counsel to investigate classified documents found at President Joe Biden’s home and former office. Here are the most important stories you need to know.
Your Weather Planner
We’re tracking trade winds from the southeast Thursday night. These trade winds will influence land and sea breezes over the smaller islands that will continue through Saturday. Additionally, a High Surf Warning continues in the state through Friday morning for some of the north-facing shores (25-35 feet) and west-facing shores (18-24 feet), also leading to the potential for damage to vulnerable property. We also have no rain chances through the late weekend. We could see a return of a trade wind shower pattern by Saturday night.
Today's Big Stories
1. Newly created AG division cracks down on trafficking
On National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, the state Department of the Attorney General’s newly formed Special Investigation and Prosecution Division reiterated its commitment to combatting the problem and encouraged the public to get involved.
The division advises members of the public who suspect human trafficking to make a report via one of the following resources:
- In cases of emergency, call 911
- For child trafficking reports on Oahu: (808) 832-1999
- For child trafficking reports on neighbor islands: 1-888-398-1188
- For human trafficking reports to federal law enforcement: 1-866-347-2423
- To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
SIPD was created via an appropriation by the 2022 state legislature.
2. XXL swell continues through Friday followed by a XL one
An extra-large northwest swell will be slow to diminish Thursday per the National Weather Service, then shift to the north tonight and Friday as it gradually eases.
Another powerful, but smaller, very long-period northwest swell is expected Saturday through Monday, with peak surf heights approaching High Surf Warning values.
3. Honolulu Star-Advertiser: Red Hill task force expands scope after toxic foam spill
Joint Task Force Red Hill, the military organization tasked with defueling the massive fuel tanks at the Navy’s underground Red Hill fuel facility, has expanded its scope of operations after a spill of toxic firefighting foam in November. Vice Adm. John Wade, the officer leading the task force, made the announcement during a panel at the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Council Partnership Conference on Wednesday.
JTF Red Hill originally was formed to focus entirely on defueling the tanks, which sit just 100 feet above a critical aquifer that most of Honolulu depends on for drinking water, with the shutdown of the facility and day-to-day operations of the site being handled by other military organizations and contractors.
“Now, not one activity occurs in that building without a review by my team and approval by me,” said Wade. “If any activity has high risk, there’s a concept of operations that’s briefed to me personally. And if it says a significant level, it is briefed to Admiral (John) Aquilino with a report to the secretary of defense.”
Wade said that he also has requested more manpower on the site to provide more oversight of day-to-day operations of the facility, telling attendees at the conference “there has not been what I would call sufficient controls… there have been activities throughout the facility, again, all well-intentioned, but by different organizations with no integrated schedule. And that is a challenge risk to safety, to personnel, and also for potential mishaps.”
4. ILH girls soccer rivals Kamehameha, Punahou play to controversial 1-1 draw
Kamehameha and Punahou entered Wednesday’s girls' soccer match with a clean sheet on the Interscholastic League of Honolulu season.
Neither left Alexander Field the same way after an unusual finish to a 1-1 draw.
After the three-time defending state champion Warriors broke through a disjointed game with Kamryn Kaleiohi’s counterattack in the 76th minute, Kamehameha appeared to be on the cusp of control in the ILH. But that was short-lived as the Buffanblu scrambled over the next few minutes, caused chaos in the Kamehameha penalty box and earned a game-changing indirect kick in controversial fashion.
5. AG Garland names special counsel to investigate Biden documents
Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday announced Robert Hur will serve as special counsel to investigate classified documents found at President Joe Biden’s home and former office from his time as vice president.
The announcement comes hours after the White House confirmed President Biden's legal team discovered "a small number" of additional Obama-Biden administration documents with classified markings at his residence in Wilmington, Delaware, and just days after an attorney for the president said Biden's lawyers had discovered a "small number" of classified documents at his former office space in Washington.
Hur, the former Trump-appointed U.S. attorney in Maryland, is to begin his work soon.
Hur was a close ally of former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, a key figure in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election and contacts between then-candidate Trump's associates and Russian officials. He also worked as an adviser to FBI Director Christopher Wray in the Justice Department.
"I will conduct the assigned investigation with fair, impartial, and dispassionate judgment," Hur said in a statement following the announcement. "I intend to follow the facts swiftly and thoroughly, without fear or favor, and will honor the trust placed in me to perform this service."
Your Notes for Tomorrow
Friday, January 13
- Pres. Biden hosts Japanese PM at White House
- Court hearing for Colorado gay club shooting suspect
- Kevin Spacey in UK court on additional sexual offense charges
- Sentencing in criminal tax fraud case against Trump Organization
- 2 years since Donald Trump’s second impeachment
- 3 years since first COVID case outside China confirmed
- Secretary Blinken and Japanese PM visit NASA headquarters
- National Blame Someone Else Day (First Friday the 13th of the Year)
- National Rubber Ducky Day
- What: The Vibe
- Where: Hawaii State Art Museum | 250 S. Hotel St., Honolulu | 808-586-0900
- Details: In partnership with the Dae Han Ensemble, this month’s live music series includes special guests Abe Lagrimas on vibraphone, Jabari Prevost on tenor sax, and Hawaii State Poet Laureate, Brandy Nalani McDougall, 6-9 p.m. Jan. 13. Also enjoy Pau Hana Painters, food vendors and a bar.
- What: 2023 Annual Juried Exhibition
- Where: Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center | 2841 Baldwin Ave., Makawao | 808-572-6560
- Details: Recognized by the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture & the Arts, this prestigious exhibition features current works by local artists in all media with renowned guest juror Rosina Potter, executive director of Hawaii Contemporary, offering her unique perspective of the artwork, Jan. 13-Feb. 17. Juror walkthrough is 4-5 p.m. Jan. 13; opening reception is 5-7 p.m. For a list of adult and keiki classes and workshops, visit the Hui Noeau website.
- What: Stewardship at the Summit Rainforest Restoration
- Where: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park | 808-985-6011
- Details: Join Stewardship at the Summit to help remove invasive, non-native plant species, 9 a.m.-noon, Jan. 13, 21, 27. The moderate, one-mile roundtrip hike departs from Kilauea Visitor Center over rough, uneven terrain with up to a 400-foot elevation change. Wear hiking shoes, long pants and a hat; bring rain gear, snacks and water. Gloves and loppers will be provided. Park fee applies. For info, email Paul and Jane Field at field@hawaii.edu, otherwise, meet at the Kilauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. Groups should contact Kupono McDaniel at 808-985-6015. No registration required.
- What: Aloha Friday Art Night
- Where: Along Kress St., Lihue
- Details: Island artists put their passion on display, 2-6 p.m., along Kress Street. Whether they’re inspired by the beauty of Kauai, by the places they’ve been to or their cultural roots, these artists share their talents with the local community on creative, colorful murals.
Watch Live
- Ball State takes on the UH Rainbow Warriors in men's volleyball at 6:30 p.m. Friday, on Spectrum Sports or streaming on the Spectrum News app.
For more on these and other events, see this week's HI Out & About.
In Case You Missed It
Like members of the royal family before her, Princess Abigail Kawānanakoa will lie in state in the Throne Room of Iolani Palace. (Photo courtesy of The Friends of Iolani Palace)
Princess Abigail Kawānanakoa to lie in state at Iolani Palace
Her Royal Highness Princess Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa will be the 12th person to lie in state in the Throne Room of Iolani Palace for a public memorial service on Sunday, Jan. 22 from 2 to 8 p.m.
The arrival of Princess Abigail in a handcrafted koa casket at 1:30 p.m. will follow traditional Hawaiian protocol. A small procession will accompany the casket carried by law enforcement honor guard into the Throne Room, where family and the Hawaiian Royal Societies will keep vigil, according to a news release.
The pedestrian gate on King Street will open at 2 p.m. for the public to enter to pay their respects. This will be the only entrance available. Palace grounds will be closed to vehicles and no parking will be available. The public can access parking at the Civic Center Municipal Building.