At a hastily convened press conference held Friday, March 1, at the Kalana O Maui Building, Mayor Mike Victorino announced Don Guzman as his nomination to serve as the county prosecuting attorney. Guzman replaces controversial appointment John D. Kim, who, until March 1, held the post as “temporary interim acting prosecuting attorney.” Kim, the mayor’s first nominee for … [Read more...] about ‘You’re Just As Surprised As I Am Today’: Don Guzman Nominated to Serve As County Prosecuting Attorney
J.D. Kim
Riki Hokama, Parliamentarian
A friend of mine calls Councilmember Riki Hokama (Lana‘i) by a Trumpian nickname: “Tricky Riki.” The name, this person would say, has been earned over the councilmember’s many years of service at the council, but one entanglement at last week’s director-confirmation hearing for acting Prosecuting Attorney J.D. Kim shows why the nickname stuck – and why the same person who … [Read more...] about Riki Hokama, Parliamentarian
Hawaii Supreme Court rules in favor of MauiTime Publisher Tommy Russo, dismisses case against him
There is no more State v. Thomas Russo. Maui County Prosecutor J. D. Kim's five-year effort to punish MauiTime's publisher for photographing two Maui Police Officers back in November 2012 is finally over. Very long, stupid story short, Russo was coming down Haleakala Highway on the morning of Nov. 20, 2012 and encountered unusually heavy traffic. In fact, he'd run into the … [Read more...] about Hawaii Supreme Court rules in favor of MauiTime Publisher Tommy Russo, dismisses case against him
UPDATED: County of Maui to sweep homeless out of Baldwin Beach Park
Question: What's it called when you do the same thing over and over, each time expecting a different result? Answer: Hawaii's approach to homelessness! It's tough to think otherwise after reading today's Maui News story on the impending sweep at Baldwin Beach Park, which is scheduled to take place at 10am on Tuesday, May 23. After all, it wasn't even six months ago that … [Read more...] about UPDATED: County of Maui to sweep homeless out of Baldwin Beach Park
Maui County Council, Maui Prosecuting Attorney in hot water yet again
Great news, kids! The circus otherwise known as the Mar. 3 Maui County Council hearing is still in town! In fact, it’s bigger than ever! On that day, the Maui County Council finally confirmed J.D. Kim for another term as Prosecuting Attorney, though it did so in one of the most ham-fisted manners possible. The meeting was part love-fest for Kim (dozens of attorneys from his … [Read more...] about Maui County Council, Maui Prosecuting Attorney in hot water yet again