The live updates from Mauna Kea have been trickling in all day and I brace myself for the images I might see every time I hit refresh. This latest dispatch, though, as I write on Tuesday afternoon, is peaceful. Hawai‘i Public Radio reporter Ryan Finnerty has tweeted that a checkpoint established by activists (also known as protectors or kia‘i of Mauna Kea) to halt construction … [Read more...] about State Arrests Activists on Mauna Kea: Gov. Ige hopes for “the co-existence of culture and science” but others see the dispute as symbolic of the struggle against colonization
law enforcement
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard co-sponsors House bill that restricts asset forfeiture
Here's a small bit of very encouraging news that comes from, of all places, the U.S. House of Representatives. Yesterday, the House actually approved a bi-partisan amendment to an appropriations bill that restricts Attorney General Jeff Sessions' plans to expand the loathsome practice known as asset forfeiture. What's more, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D–Hawaii, was one of the amendment … [Read more...] about Rep. Tulsi Gabbard co-sponsors House bill that restricts asset forfeiture
2016 Crime in Hawaii report shows mostly good news for state and Maui County
Last week, President Donald Trump trashed an old Obama Administration rule that prevented the U.S. military from giving surplus weapons and equipment to local law enforcement agencies. His stated reason was based on rising crime rates or a "war on cops" or some other such nonsense. In fact, crime rates have been falling for years all over the U.S. In fact, the Hawaii … [Read more...] about 2016 Crime in Hawaii report shows mostly good news for state and Maui County
Libertarian author Steven Greenhut will talk public employee pensions at Maui County Club
And now for something fun: Steven Greenhut, a very intelligent and conscientious writer–and one of my former editors from my time in California–will be on Maui this weekend to do a talk for the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii about public employee unions and pensions. “County public employees in the state of Hawaii make among the highest wages in the nation, even after … [Read more...] about Libertarian author Steven Greenhut will talk public employee pensions at Maui County Club
New Hawaii bill reaffirms public’s right to film law enforcement
Let's talk briefly about Senate Bill 2439, introduced by Sen. Gil Keith-Agaran, D–Kahului. It reaffirms the public’s right to record or photograph “a law enforcement officer while the officer is in the performance of the officer's duties in a public place or under circumstances in which the officer has no reasonable expectation of privacy.” Not too long ago, we would have … [Read more...] about New Hawaii bill reaffirms public’s right to film law enforcement