Good evening, Hawaii. Two bills, SB52 and SB32, that seek to change the way OHA trustees are elected passed the Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs on Thursday and there was a groundbreaking and blessing for the Kukuiola Emergency Shelter and Assessment Center in Kona. Nationally, the city of Memphis released the video of the brutal police beating of Tyre Nichols. Here are the most important stories you need to know.
Your Weather Planner
It’s umbrella weather for parts of Hawaii. We are in a showery pattern for the windward slopes of the Big Island and Maui County. Cool and dry conditions remain over Oahu and Kauai. Over the weekend, we could still see some rain over the island chain and the possibility of thunderstorms too. The rain will be heavy at times during the weekend as well. We are tracking even more rain for Monday too as this cold front lingers on. So expect, a soaked couple of days.
Today's Big Stories
1. Bills would reapportion OHA districts
A pair of bills that would change the way Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees are elected passed the Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs Thursday with key questions about their constitutionality yet to be answered.
Currently, the nine-member board is composed of trustees representing Oahu, Maui, Kauai-Niihau, Hawaii Island, and Molokai-Lanai plus four at-large trustees. Each seat is subject to a statewide election.
Bill 52 proposes to eliminate at-large seats and reapportion districts so that each trustee is elected by and according to their respective districts.
Bill 32 would amend the state constitution to reapportion OHA Board of Trustee districts to four districts: Hawaii Island; Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe; Oahu; and Kauai and Niihau. Each district would be represented by at least one trustee on the board.
Previous legislative efforts have been made to address perceived flaws in OHA election processes, most recently in 2018 and 2021.
The much-needed and long-planned Kukuiola Emergency Shelter and Assessment Center moved a step closer to fruition Thursday with a groundbreaking and blessing ahead of the start of mass grading of the site in Kailua-Kona.
“It’s been a long time coming and a much-needed community setting for this envisioned community to provide emergency shelter, permanent housing and a supportive community for men and women coming out of homelessness,” said Hawaii County Housing Administrator Susan Kunz. “We appreciate the tireless commitment from everyone involved in this significant project that has led us to today.”
Work will begin soon with mass grading of the 6-acre site and construction of the access road, she said. The state allocated $4 million for the road while the county footed the $2 million bill for the mass grading of the site on the south side of Kealakehe Parkway, across from the West Hawaii Civic Center and adjacent to the proposed Kealakehe Regional Park.
3. Free classes to start a child care business offered through Windward Community College
People interested in launching a business that provides child care may take free classes through Windward Community College.
Free course materials are also offered to those enrolled in the class through a donation from the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Hawaii Resilience Fund and the Omidyar Ohana Fund.
The 17-week course is aimed at people interested in starting a child care business in their own home. It includes training from PATCH (People Attentive to Children), non-credit online courses from Windward Community College, and group and individual coaching sessions.
For more information, call 808-235-7363. Course information, registration and sign ups for information sessions can be found at windwardcce.org/efcc.
4. The Garden Island: Former Kaua‘i prosecutor sues county for wrongful termination
The former Kaua‘i deputy prosecutor, who was fired after lodging a complaint against a judicial nominee, is suing the County of Kaua‘i for wrongful termination, defamation and violation of free speech rights.
In a lawsuit filed earlier this month, Robert Christensen, who served as a junior deputy prosecutor from December 2021 to June 2022, requested damages from the county, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, and head Prosecutor Rebecca Like. Christensen and his lawyers could not be reached for comment on Thursday.
The suit describes Christensen’s June 21, 2022 termination as “blatant retaliation for (his) choice to express views as a concerned citizen on a matter of supreme public interest in violation of his rights as a whistleblower.”
Days before he was fired, Christensen submitted testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee opposing Kaua‘i attorney Gregory Meyers’ appointment as a state district judge for Family Court using Office of the Prosecuting Attorney letterhead.
5. Police video shows struggle for hammer during Paul Pelosi attack
The police body camera footage appears to show both Paul Pelosi and suspect David DePape with a hand on the hammer as police opened the door. DePape was holding Pelosi's arm when police responded.
One officer told DePape to "drop the hammer."
"Uh, nope," the suspect replied.
The video then shows DePape attempting to wrest the tool from the 82-year-old before lunging toward him with the hammer over his head. The blow to Pelosi occurs out of view and the officers — one of them cursing — rush into the house and jump on DePape.
Pelosi, apparently unconscious, can be seen lying face down on the floor in his pajama top and underwear.
The release comes after a group of news agencies sought access to the evidence that prosecutors played in open court last month. The San Francisco District Attorney's Office had refused to make the exhibits available to journalists, but a state court judge Wednesday ruled there was no reason to keep the video secret.
6. Memphis releases video of brutal police beating of Tyre Nichols
The city of Memphis released footage of Tyre Nichols' arrest Friday evening. The video footage is incredibly disturbing and contains strong language, viewer discretion is advised.
Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, died three days after a confrontation with Memphis police officers. The five officers, who are all Black, were charged with second-degree murder and other crimes on Thursday.
Your Notes for the Weekend
Saturday, Jan. 28
- Donald Trump makes first public 2024 presidential campaign appearance
- Doug Emhoff on Europe trip to advance efforts to combat antisemitism
- Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary ocean count
- Virginia War Memorial hosts opening of Vietnam War exhibit
- Malcolm X Commemoration Committee holds showing of 'Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary' film
Sunday, Jan. 29
- NFL Conference Championships
- Secretary of State Blinken on Egypt/Israel/West Bank trip
- Defense Secretary Austin begins South Korea/Philippines trip
- Holding period for the Billabong Pipeline Pro begins
- What: ‘Hamilton’
- Where: Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall | 777 Ward Ave., Honolulu | 808-768-5252
- Details: Now Hawaii audiences can be in "The Room Where It Happens," when 'Hamilton' takes to the stage at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall. Broadway in Hawaii presents the award-winning musical, “a story of American then, told by America now,” blending the sounds of hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway. Tickets.
- What: Watercolor Anywhere - Expressive Flow
- Where: Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center | 2841 Baldwin Ave., Makawao | 808-572-6560
- Details: Join instructor Maggie Sutrov for an adult watercolor class, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Jan. 28. $99/non-members, $83/members. Register. Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center offers a wide range of art classes in all mediums; visit their website for class information.
- What: 27th KWXX Hoolaulea
- Where: Downtown Hilo
- Details: Enjoy some of the best island entertainment on four stages, 5-10:30 p.m. Jan. 28. Visit the event website for info on street closures and more. Free parking and shuttle service are available at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium and Aupuni Center on Pauahi Street.
- What: Kauai Island Crafters Fair
- Where: Kauai Veterans Center | 3215 Kapule Hwy., Lihue | 808-635-4314
- Details: Kauai crafters and artisans showcase their products for purchase, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 28. Find an array of items such as wood and bone carvings, jewelry, Hawaiian print fabric quilts, bathmats, photographs and more.
For more on these and other events, see this week's HI Out & About.
In Case You Missed It
Moana Jones Wong at the Pipeline Pro. (Photo courtesy of World Surf League/Brian Bielmann)
World Surf League’s Championship Tour will begin with Billabong Pro Pipeline
The World Surf League’s Championship Tour will begin at the Billabong Pro Pipeline, with a competition window from Jan. 29 to Feb. 10, 2023.
Pipeline is an iconic wave located in the middle of the “Seven-Mile Miracle” on Oahu’s North Shore. It is known for its powerful barrels that break over a shallow reef. Last year, the first-ever full-length women’s Championship Tour event was held at Pipeline.
The 2023 Championship Tour will include 10 events in seven countries, starting with the Billabong Pro Pipeline. The first two events are in Hawaii, with the second being the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach, which has a competition window from Feb. 12 to 23. A total of 36 men and 18 women will compete in the first five competitions. After the fifth event at Margaret River Pro, the mid-season cut will reduce the competitions to 24 men and 12 women.