Friday, July 20, 2012

Musings: What To Do


The east was a curtain of gold and Waialeale was clear and blushing lavender, with the light and cloud shadows creating the effect of a bowl on her flat face, when the dogs and I went out walking on the finest morning I've seen in quite some time, though I shivered a bit, since it was only 68 degrees. My sister, cooking through triple digit temps in the Midwest, wasn't amused when we talked the other evening and I told her I was wearing slippers — and not the rubber kind.

Some folks camping in Kalalau this past weekend weren't amused by the Navy's international RIMPAC war games, what with the audible explosions and the beach literally shaking beneath their feet. So much for the designation of a “wilderness park.” A young family camping at Polihale on Saturday, when RIMPAC was sinking those two ships, reported a large pod of dolphins unusually close to shore. And a friend told me he saw a submarine off Kikiaola harbor yesterday “and that's not something you see every day.”
But we could be seeing it a lot more if the Navy gets its way and ramps up training in Hawaii. Though the mainstream media is all rah-rah about RIMPAC, plenty of people are upset about these deadly games. Check out the Kohola Leo website for some ideas on what you can do about it.

And what can people do about the 20-foot-wide public easement at the old Hanalei Plantation Resort, which remains blocked, despite repeated assurances from the developer, Ohana Hanalei LLC, that the access has always been open?
Maybe it's time for the Hanalei Bay Coalition to lodge a complaint with the planning department, which has the ability to levy civil fines of $10,000 per day.

I had asked Justin Kollar, who is running for prosecutor, what he would do about protecting public access, and he sent me this strong response:

If elected, I will work with our County and State legislators, as well as other governmental stakeholders (Planning, DLNR, etc) to make it a crime to intentionally or knowingly obstruct a legal public beach access, and I will, whenever appropriate, prosecute those offenses.  I will also work to make sure landowners understand their obligations to allow access, and assist whenever possible indigenous or other people who seek to exercise their rights to access what should be and what must be public space.

I am committed to ensuring the rights of all Hawaiians and all citizens are protected when it comes to access issues.  Our Supreme Court has been nothing but clear in demanding that access be protected and I will honor that imperative.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho has been caught in a lie. During the May 15 budget hearing, Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura made a motion to change the program assistant position held by Lianne Parangao back to its original status as a victim witness counselor, at the same salary of $55,000 annually. “This is just another way of removing POHAKU from the Prosecuting Attorney's budget,” JoAnn said.

Shay resisted the proposal vigorously, saying she needed Lianne in that position. In response to queries by Councilman Mel Rapozo, Shay maintained “our program assistant does not only handle POHAKU.” Upon questioning by Councilwoman Nadine Nakamura, Shay claimed, “Our program assistant does not only do POHAKU but all the diversionary programs. She reviews all the applications and people who want to participate.”

But what Shay didn't tell the Council was the OPA actually had no functioning diversionary programs. Just a few hours prior to the Council meeting, she had sent an email to her staff saying:

We are making operational changes to all our diversionary programs. Henceforth, no one is permitted to make any referrals to Teen Court, Drug Court, Jail Diversion and Pohaku until further notice. This policy shall be strictly enforced.”

So what was Lianne doing, besides running Shay's campaign? And now Lianne is off to another well-paying job, reportedly in the judiciary.

Finally, I'm not sure what DLNR expects people to do about the dog attacks on North Shore albatrosses, seeing as how they were discovered on June 22, but no press release came out until July 13 and The Garden Island didn't run it until today. Meanwhile, nearly all the chicks have fledged and the parents are long gone.

Unfortunately, the newspaper's account of dangers facing these seabirds left out some key info, like the way some people have been trying to attract the birds to nest on private property, where they are most vulnerable, and how PMRF was dumping juvenile albatrosses collected from the base onto these private lands, rather than the Kilauea Refuge.

The Navy also loves to tout its “innovative solution to a daunting problem,” which amounts to collecting all the viable albatross eggs laid at PMRF and placing them in the nests of surrogate parents at the refuge and private North Shore lands. Since the birds return to their birthplace when they are ready to nest, the idea is that eventually, no birds will nest on the base if none are allowed to hatch. The program was quite successful when federal wildlife biologist Brenda Zaun was managing it at the Kilauea refuge, and she reported a 71% percent hatch rate for the swapped out eggs for 2009. This most recent season, it was down to a dismal 20% hatch rate. But the Navy still pats itself on the back.

The article quotes Kauai state wildlife manager Thomas Kaiakapu as saying, "Volunteers and landowners are trusted individuals who know not to disturb the nesting birds." Well, some are, and some aren't. I personally have made reports about volunteers engaging in totally inappropriate behavior with nesting birds and fledglings, including shoving a tiny camera into the nest of a new hatchling, group tours of colonies as the birds were hatching and sleepovers in nesting colonies.

As a result, the state and the feds are supposedly developing protocols for how volunteers should interact with the birds on private lands. Unfortunately, the federal biologist who was working on it has taken another job, though she promised to develop a draft before she left. I can only hope this project doesn't fall through the cracks, because an increasing number of wealthy retirees with North Shore estates are keen to have birds nest on their land. As one of the truly responsible volunteers, Cathy Granholm, so astutely notes: “It’s a status symbol."

68 comments:

Anonymous said...

The council should not be in the business of nitpicking what a lower level employee is doing in any department. That's just plain micro-managing whether you're a Shay supporter or not. Instead, the council should focus on multi-year funding and on seeing if the strategic goals of OPA are being implemented.

Anonymous said...

Strategic Goals like prosecute your enemies and and drop charges for your friends?

Anonymous said...

Another place where the birds are used is at Lepeuli, where they installed the bird fence right on the alaloa. Now why on earth would you encourage the birds to nest on an access path. Well that is so very convenient. This same wildlife biologist approved it there rather than really working to protect the birds.

Anonymous said...

Nor should the Council be basing any decisions on false information provided by a department head.

Does State law require those diversion programs? Can a prosecutor single handedly kill all diversion programs? If can, should they?

Really it seems a little unfair. One person gets diversion and no criminal record, and the next day another person who did the same thing gets no diversion and a permanent criminal record. If the only reason is the DA's pissing contest with the Council then it is time for an election.

Anonymous said...

The Navy keeps kicking off the birds but they keep coming back anyway. Maybe the Navy should leave?

Anonymous said...

Is it an Ethics Cide violation for a dept head lime Shaylene to withhold relevant information from the council? I think the council should be concerned about an employee making $55,000 but has no work.

Anonymous said...

All County employees are public servants--salaries paid for with taxpayers' monies. A diligent County Council, truly representing their electorate should absolutely be concerned about employee salaries and ensure that those salaries are being earned. $55,000 is a huge amount. I'd like to know what Parongao is doing to earn that kind of money.

Anonymous said...

Still smoking hot Joan

Anonymous said...

Of course Lianne Parangao is the girl friend of Ale Quibilan so there is reeking of corruption in the prosecutor's office as well as the police department that is no surprise...

Anonymous said...

Council does tend to micro mange, especially when they pass a law delegating some to a specific department in the executive branch and then demand a report on it...

Whatever.

They can't fix the corruption, it is beyond their control, they are merely the legislative body charged with creating laws and not the judiciary and not the executive branch.

Anonymous said...

Ethical? Ethical to drive from the county building in a county vehicle to the mall for grocery shopping or coffee talk?

No, really, sAys who?

Anonymous said...

They've been doing that for a long time now, that's why they want to keep the current people in place.

The GOB are the real criminals on Kauai for protecting their criminal friends and family.

Kauai is the 4th Reich, the county practices the principles of Nazism (militarism, fascism, conquest, widespread spying on citizens, use of corporations and propaganda to control the GOB interests and ideas) into culture, government, business county wide.

Anonymous said...

That is not PONO

Anonymous said...

I see 5 guys in a county truck at Home Depot and other stores like Walmart, Engine running, windows rolled up and AC blowing like a Alaska winters day. That's our tax dollars in good use.

Anonymous said...

Take a picture and send it along to the Ethics Commission - if We, the People, stand up and demand that Our Tax dollars stop being misspent - then MAYBE it will stop.

Anonymous said...

I don't want to hear, I have my afternoon break because it takes more than 15 minutes AND should not be using Government vehicles to run their personal errands. Period.

Anonymous said...

Force the retirement of those who no long can perform their duties or job descriptions.

Anonymous said...

does anyone else feel a little manipulated by or even a little dubious of all the unattributed allegations and character indictments on this site?

Anonymous said...

11:12 PM

sounds like a guilty conscience speaking....

Anonymous said...

Pictures don't necessarily need names, now do they?

Anonymous said...

You can find them at Post offices, banks, insurance companies, kiuc, all the time at kukui grove, walmart, kmart, at the beaches, and all kind other places.

Anonymous said...

Do you know who is on the Ethics Board?

Mannequins

Just like those good for nothing lazy county workers but not all is like that only most of them.

Braj just drug test these chumps and get rid of the dirt bags and the unqualified.

This is what a HR department suppose to do.

Anonymous said...

Ask them which one you like Fire or Retire?

Anonymous said...

Isn't this the same reason why the PA terminated Erin Wilson and others in the crime victim witness program.

There must be some kind of violation or crime being committed for this double standard to be accepted and displayed by the OPA.

Anonymous said...

"sounds like a guilty conscience speaking...."

Sure thing there Clem. If Joan says it, it must be true! Who needs attribution? Baaaah. Baah sheople. Salem.

Joan Conrow said...

I'm always amused when someone tries to discredit me — without providing any documentation to refute what I've written, or even giving his/her own name. Like that's a credible source, lol!

Anonymous said...

you report on the most minini non-news crap you can find about OPA. Do I hear you reporting how they've won all but 1 jury trial they've done dating back to January? Nope...you aren't in it for the facts, ur in it for the Koller campaign.

Anonymous said...

The layers of issues and injustices at OPA have hurt many people. Justice, difficult in the best of circumstances, is in really bad shape on Kauai because of it. This is the most important story impacting our community and it is actively being covered up. Few of our leaders have shown courage in the face of intimidation. Keep it up Joan. It is important.

Anonymous said...

Hear hear Joan. To 6:56AM--The Garden Island Newspaper "reports" on the jury trials won and lost by OPA. Actually, what the Garden Island appears to be doing is simply printing press releases from the OPA. How difficult is that? Joan has to invest her time and energy going to Council meetings, requesting documents. I like seeing the small-island homey news the GI prints up, but I also appreciate Joan's investigative reporting. I'd like to see the GI print up some of Joan's findings about not only OPA issues, but others as well.

Anonymous said...

The OPA misinforms the stats for criminal justice. What is never said is the gravy plea deals that they offer, the friends and family that is not being prosecuted, and all of the show me the money and get out of a record program that was called POHAKU.

You people like to misinform the community and pass out what a wonderful job that you guys are doing but the citizens know the truth.

TGI is your propaganda and campaign headquarters and that's a damaged Shayme.

Anonymous said...

Yes I read recently a guy had 40 charges against him, every dangerous drug and dangerous weapon that is known in the law enforcement community and most are felonies but only gets 2 years jail time and 5 years probabtio.

Sandusky would have taken that kind of plea bargain if given that freebie. Can imagine what kind of gravy deal they are gonna give Hilario or they just might throw the case.

If the Colorado movie theater killer moved here and did what he did, he would get out probably 3 to 5 years at the most. Thats if and only if KPD would solve the case.

Now thats a horrible thing but just pay attention to your surroundings, look around Kauai and research the last 10-40 years it's frightening.

Anonymous said...

Saying, "prove what I've written isn't true" is not a meaningful response to the criticism that many of your claims about the prosecutor's office are unattributed and the reader is forced to take you entirely on faith that your acerbic onslaught is faithful to the facts.

This is made more difficult when the series reads more like some kind of vendetta based in personal reasons than a dispassionate expose.

Anonymous said...

I just saw a ton of "claims about the OPA" backed up by actual emails the OPA tried to redact. Who is misleading whom?

Please specify which of Joan's OPA stories are false. Let's see that claim withstand scrutiny.

More coming on OPA's fearless leader. Thank you EEOC. Time for the rats to jump ship. (those not already swimming).

Anonymous said...

The taxpayers are paying the salaries of OPA employees who write the press releases to make Shayme look good.

Joan Conrow said...

For the record, this particular post was based on the webcast of the Council meeting and an email that Jake would not release until the OIP ordered him to.

Anonymous said...

It's curious when you choose to describe rather than reveal the contents of emails. I assume you do so because the email itself is not as sinister as your assertion about its meaning. It's a safe bet that you've been less than scrupulous with your interpretations.

Joan Conrow said...

Apparently you don't know how to follow links. Just click on the highlighted text and it takes you right to the original email. They're all right there. So enough of your nasty aspersions.

Anonymous said...

Hahahaha. Now apologize to Joan for being such a douche bag.

Anonymous said...

Everyone on Kauai should read those emails that Joan posted and make their own interpretation.

Then ask your elected officials where the OPA has the lawful authority to suspend all diversion programs in the county.

Every island on the State gets diversion except Kauai? How's that appropriate?

Anonymous said...

Be sure to take pictures of the sign waivers too, if they are being paid by the taxpayers to waive signs for a candidates - like last election cycle - then report them for theft because that is what it is, unless they are taking personal time, which often goes unrecorded.

Anonymous said...

Name one post on this blog about the prosecutor that isn't supported by a citation to a public hearing or public document. Shay lied to the council. That is not new but it is news.

Anonymous said...

If you think the salaries of OPA are high, you should check the salaries of individuals working in the Mayor's office and the Office of Council Services.

Anonymous said...

Name one allegation not supported by the facts...well that's easy.

1) The presenters at the town-hall meetings are being paid to present.

There ya go, one untrue allegation.

Anonymous said...

and just so u know, that was easy.

Anonymous said...

Some of Shay's deputies are really excellent. But Shay deserves no credit for that. They are hard working because of their own initiative.

Anonymous said...

Shay's deputies are paid a salary. Attendance at the meetings are mandatory. No attendance, no job. So they are, in essence, being paid to attend.

Anonymous said...

Don't forget police OT.

Anonymous said...

You have to factor in travel, special counsel and liability costs into that equation. Plus, they drive their own cars. Nond of them take the fifth, either.

Anonymous said...

It may be legal for Shayke to secretly tape record everyone they talk to, but is it legal for them to disclose those recordings to third parties?

Anonymous said...

They go to conferences as if it's mandatory continuing education courses.

Travel expenses includes airfare, hotel, car rental, and meals.

How many paid vacation field trips have they attended?

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't that be considered blackmailing or bribery?

Anonymous said...

it is both unethical and brings into light her campaign practices - which are both illegal and unethical.

Who out there wants to vote Shayke back in office? The other corrupt people.

Impeach her sorry unethical butt.

Anonymous said...

The presenters at those town meetings are salaried. In essence, they are being paid. Also, they may not be getting a dollar amount in overtime pay, but they may either be receiving comp time, or administrative comp time. They may have been allowed to flex their schedules so they start work a little later to make up for the time they're at those meetings. None of those presenters were volunteering their time for the good of the community.

Anonymous said...

Those public safety meetings are legit. Just ask Shayme and Melfeasance. They always speak the truth.

Anonymous said...

any adult that is childish enough to refer to other adults using petty, contrived nicknames like "melfeseance" has no credibility and is typically ignored by all but other similarly childish individuals.

But hey, i guess you can't help what you are. at least you are easy to spot

Anonymous said...

Frankly I thought Melfeasance was brilliant.

Anonymous said...

How about smelly Melly because he is as stinky as Shayke.


Yes!

But Melfeasance is brilliant and by far the best,

Anonymous said...

if you were in seventh grade and you came up with it, yes it'd be brilliant. Then again this is an anonymous board, you may very well be in the seventh grade.

Anonymous said...

Melfeasance is an appropriate nickname for one who prevents legitimate inquiry into the corrupt practices of the prosecutor and her first deputy.

Anonymous said...

sure thing, keep peddling your childish nicknames, see how much credibility that gets you. put it on the sign you wave even. please do it, o wait, then your face would be associated with the childishness of the sign you were holding. you wouldn't want that now would you? So, unless ur willing to go public with it, even you don't believe the statement you just made about its appropriateness do you? Application of the most rudimentary logic is all that is necessary to reveal your hypocrisy.

Anonymous said...

July 25, 2012 2:39 PM

Poor sMelly. keep defending you and your girlfriend - we will keep watching you make yourself look silly on those webcasts kauai.gov

You just wish we couldn't vote..haha - jokes on you.

Anonymous said...

Always the obvious joker - Mel, once again, shows his allegiances. Does he not know that when he asks these questions,we all know whose side he is on?

We vote and not for you and your ilk.

Anonymous said...

Mel has his good points.

Anonymous said...

really funny u are so dilusional and conceited to think that anyone defending him must be Mel himself.

if u feel that secure, that everyone's on your side...the epic crash back to reality come november is really going to hurt your face

Anonymous said...

Mel just has to beat Dickie, Ross or Kipu Kai. He can do it.

Anonymous said...

Is Shayme ok or does it violate commenting etiquette?

Anonymous said...

"any adult that is childish enough to refer to other adults using petty, contrived nicknames like "melfeseance" has no credibility and is typically ignored by all but other similarly childish individuals."

Shay is corrupt. Why does he support her? If it's not malfeasance, what is it?

Anonymous said...

Isn't this a public forum?