Good evening, Hawaii. City officials will hold two events on July 15 seeking feedback on the Waianae Sustainable Communities Plan update; and former Honolulu police chief Lee Donohue died Sunday following an extended illness. He was 80. Nationally, Amazon is warning shoppers to beware of impersonators ahead of the online retail giant's annual Amazon Prime Day event. Read about the important stories you need to know.
Your Weather Planner
Moderate to breezy easterly trade winds will stick around all week long. Showers and clouds will favor windward and mauka areas overnight through mornings. Tonight through midweek, leftover moisture from former Tropical Storm Adrian will move through, increasing local rain chances. Drier trade winds will return later this week into the weekend.
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Today's Big Stories
1. Honolulu to hold 2 events to collect feedback on Oahu’s west side
Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting is reaching out to Oahu’s westside communities through two pop-up events on July 15. The events will inform the community as well as gather feedback on the Waianae Sustainable Communities Plan update, according to a news release.
The first event takes place from 8 a.m. to noon at the Waianae Farmers Market. The second is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nanakuli Village Center.
Officials are looking for input regarding issues communities face on the west side, including affordable housing, homelessness, economic development, the environment, and the desire to keep the area’s rural character.
The Waianae SCP encompasses the area from Nanakuli to Kaena Point bordered by the Waianae mountain range. It’s one of eight regional plans for the island that provides guidance for land use development and infrastructure investments, according to the release.
The Waianae SCP was last updated in 2012.
DPP staff will be onsite at both July 15 events to explain the plan and collect input from residents. Comments can also be submitted via the Waianae Sustainable Communities Plan Vision Statement and Elements Survey site.
2. Former police chief, Lee Donohue, 80, died Sunday
In 40 years with the Honolulu Police Department, Lee Donohue distinguished himself as a leader whose philosophy on law enforcement was rooted in community ties as deep as they were broad.
Donohue, 80, died Sunday at Straub Medical Center following an extended illness.
“On behalf of the officers and civilian employees of the Honolulu Police Department, I extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to the Donohue family,” said HPD chief Arthur “Joe” Logan. “Chief Donohue was known as a ‘cop’s cop’ and for being a strong, decisive leader. We will miss him and are blessed to have had a very wonderful and passionate chief.”
Born and raised in Honolulu, Donohue joined the department in 1964 and worked his way up the ranks, primarily in patrol and field operations. In 1998, he succeeded Michael Nakamura to become Honolulu’s eighth chief of police. He retired in 2004 to focus on his numerous community projects and initiatives, including the Police Activities League program, Kick Start Karate.
As chief, Donohue led the department to successful accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, just the 14th major police department in the country to earn the distinction.
3. Hawaii Island police report missing opihi picker
The Hawaii Island Police Department has put out a call for a missing person, 29-year-old Shanice Ogata-Staudinger, who did not return from picking opihi, according to a news release.
The Pahoa woman was reportedly picking opihi with a relative on July 9 at 11 a.m. in the vicinity of Kahakai Blvd. and Papio St. in Pahoa, commonly known as Hau Bush. When the two became separated, Ogata-Staudinger failed to meet her relative at a pre-arranged spot later in the afternoon.
Ogata-Staudinger is described as a local woman with brown hair, hazel eyes, has a medium build, stands at 5 feet 2 inches in height and weighs 150 pounds. She was last seen wearing a black tank top, blue jeans and purple tabi water shoes. She has a dollar sign symbol tattoo on her left cheek.
Police ask for the public’s assistance to contact the police department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311 if they have any information on the missing woman.
4. Honolulu Civil Beat: Biden officials had to charter a plane so they wouldn’t get stuck on Molokai
As Biden administration officials descended on Honolulu last week to discuss efforts to advance equity, justice and opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, a small cohort of the president’s aides, led by Rep. Jill Tokuda, chartered a plane to Molokai to assess the island’s shaky health care infrastructure.
The chartered flight on Mokulele Airlines ensured that the federal officials wouldn’t be left stranded overnight on the remote island by delays or cancellations, Tokuda said.
“That’s the only reason that we knew we would get there on time and leave on time, which is really too bad because part of what I wanted them to appreciate is the struggle,” Tokuda said.
The problem goes beyond airline scarcity and unreliability. Also to blame is a statewide doctor shortage, a consequence of Hawaii’s high cost of living and limited medical training opportunities.
Tokuda said she’s also been pursuing a face-to-face meeting with executives from Southern Airways, the parent company of Mokulele Airlines, to discuss the need for more reliable flight service.
5. Amazon warns of impersonation scams targeting shoppers ahead of Prime Day
As shoppers prepare for the upcoming Amazon Prime Day later this week, the online retail giant is warning customers of the most common impersonation scams that have been targeting shoppers.
Impersonation or imposter scams are when people pretend to be a trusted company, such as Amazon, and reach out to consumers to try to obtain sensitive information, such as logins, credit cards, social security, among other information.
The most common scam Amazon has been seeing is credential phishing, according to Scott Knapp, director, and worldwide buyer risk prevention for Amazon.
Last year, Knapp said Amazon took down more than 20,000 phishing websites, 10,000 phone numbers and reported hundreds of “bad actors” to law enforcement in the U.S. and around the world.
“It can make a difference if folks can tell us,” he said.
Knapp said he understands being scammed or almost scammed can be embarrassing, but if it is reported, Amazon can help stop the scams.
To learn how to report an Amazon impersonation scam, click here.
Your Notes for Tomorrow
Tuesday, July 11
- President Biden attends NATO Summit opening
- Senate Governmental Affairs subcommittee hearing on the PGA-LIV Golf deal 4 a.m. HST
- Amazon Prime Day
- Court hearing for man charged with murdering Los Angeles bishop
- What: Waikiki Steel Guitar Week
- Where: Royal Hawaiian Center, Royal Grove | 2201 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu | 808-922-2299
- Details: Free and open to the public, this fifth annual event features performances 5:30-6:30 p.m.: July 10, Alan Akaka and The Islanders; July 11, Mālie Lyman; July 12, Greg Sardinha & Poʻokela; July 13, NextGen Steel Guitarists; July 14, 4-6:30 p.m., 2nd Annual Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival; July 15, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-6:30 p.m., Waikiki Steel Guitar Festival.
- What: Aquari-om Yoga Classes
- Where: Maui Ocean Center | 192 Maalaea Road, Wailuku | 808-270-7000
- Details: Practice the calm of yoga next to schools of fish, manta rays, sharks and other marine life held after hours, 5-6 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday throughout July. Open to all levels ages 12 and up. Bring your own yoga mat and water bottle. Classes will also take place every Tues. and Thurs., through Aug. 17 and Sept. 26-Jan. 11, 2024. A portion of the proceeds support sea turtle rescue and coral restoration on Maui. Register.
- What: Hawaii County’s ‘Meet the Bus’
- Where: Public parking lot | 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Kailua-Kona
- Details: The Hawaii County Mass Transit Agency invites the public to engage with MTA, explore an alternatively fueled bus, and learn about the latest developments in public transportation, 9:30-11:30 a.m. July 11. Voice your opinions, offer suggestions to agency representatives and gain insight into plans to improve the public transit system. Info: 808-961-8555.
- What: Guided Tours
- Where: Limahuli Garden & Preserve | 5-8291 Kuhio Hwy., Hanalei | 808-826-1053
- Details: Docents share the Hawaiian history, culture, nature and plants of this ancient valley as you gain a deeper understanding of the delicate balance of the ecosystem in ancient and modern times, and how stewardship today is modeled after the traditional practices of the Native Hawaiian people. Tours are 2.5 hours starting at 9 a.m. Adults 13 and older/$60, kamaaina with valid Hawaii ID/$40, kids 12 and under are free with an adult. Reservations (scroll down).
For more on these and other events, see this week's HI Out & About.
In Case You Missed It
Allisen Corpuz posed with the U.S. Women's Open trophy after prevailing by three shots at Pebble Beach on Sunday for her first career LPGA victory. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Allisen Corpuz wins the U.S. Women's Open at Pebble Beach
Hawaii's Allisen Corpuz became the first American in 20 years to make the U.S. Women's Open her first LPGA title, closing with a 3-under 69 on Sunday and handling her historic moment at Pebble Beach as if she had been there before.
Corpuz, a 25-year-old from Kapolei, pulled away with a big par putt and back-to-back birdies on the back nine to enjoy the most scenic walk in golf up the 18th fairway, the Pacific Ocean on her left and her place secured as the first U.S. Women's Open champion at Pebble Beach.
Corpuz, a Punahou School and USC alumna, was so calm and cool on the grandest stage in women's golf, regardless of the shot or the circumstances, until reality began to set in down the 18th, the same path walked by Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods, all Open champions at Pebble Beach.
When she tapped in for par, she covered her smile with her hand and wiped tears away with her Aloha-print towel.
“Unreal,” Corpuz said. “This week has felt like a dream come true. It's been really awesome to be at Pebble Beach this week. Every few holes I kind of looked out and thought, ‘I’m here at Pebble. There's not many places better than this.'”
Former President Barack Obama was among the first to congratulate her on Twitter. Both went to Punahou School in Honolulu.