Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More the completion of improvements to Paakea Road — which would provide secondary access for a roughly six-mile stretch between Nanakuli and Mailiili Beach — has been moved to the fall of 2025 According to the Hawaii Department of Transportation the primary reason for the delay is the acquisition of land needed for HDOT to do the work and open the road for public use This involves acquiring private properties along Paakea Road between Mailiili Road and Hakimo Road; transfer of the city-owned portion of Paakea Road between Hakimo Road and Lualualei Naval Road to the state; and obtaining the easement on Lualualei Naval Road from Farrington Highway to Paakea Road round-the-clock alternative to Farrington Highway is important for Waianae Coast residents for emergencies and daily commutes,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen in a release “HDOT continues to work on cost-effective measures like the Paakea Road Improvements to increase the reliability of our ground transportation systems.” The work involves the completion of road resurfacing including cold planing and pavement reconstruction where needed; gate removal; and other construction to meet public road standards such as upgrade to guardrails our community faces heavy traffic along Farrington Highway and the constant risk of having only one way in and out,” said Representative Darius K “Having alternate routes is a necessity for the residents of the Waianae Coast it becomes clear that this isn’t just about reducing traffic it’s about protecting lives and ensuring we’re prepared in times of emergency.” Crime in Hawaii Police have opened up a murder investigation this morning after a 28-year-old man was fatally shot in Maili Thursday night Police responded to the 87-100 block of Maliona Street at 9:14 p.m. and found the man had sustained a gunshot wound and was unconscious An initial investigation found that the man was with friends at a residence in the area A witness told police that a white Toyota Camry drove past them and “seconds later multiple gunshot sounds were heard,” according to police The victim fell to the ground and said he had been shot Emergency Medical Services also responded to a call at 9:14 p.m EMS personnel used advanced life-saving treatment on the man who was apparently shot in the lower extremities EMS took the man to the Queen’s Medical Center-West Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInMAKAHA (HawaiiNewsNow) - A 17-year-old Maili teen who is being tried as an adult in the shooting death of a Makaha rancher in February has been indicted Chantston Pila Kekawa was indicted Friday on all five counts He’s accused of killing 39-year-old Cranston Pia on Feb. 17 with a pistol shot to the head Pia had armed himself with a rifle to confront a group of hunters trespassing on his Makaha ranch while their dogs harassed his cattle Pila Kekawa’s attorney opposed the court treating his client as an adult Pila Kekawa is being held at the juvenile detention facility on $1 million bail he will be transferred to Oahu Community Correctional Center on his 18th birthday next month to be held with other adults awaiting trial Pila Kekawa would automatically receive a sentence of life with the possibility of parole he could be eligible for sentencing as a youthful offender By Leila Fujimori Crime in HawaiiEditors' Picks Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading The 17-year-old Maili boy charged as an adult with murder in the Feb 17 shooting death of rancher Cran­ston Pia in Makaha will be transferred to the Oahu Community Correctional Center by Monday Circuit Judge Ronald Johnson signed the order Wednesday to have Chantston Pila Kekawa transported from the juvenile detention center The order also confirms that he be held without bail in accordance with a grand jury bench warrant Deputy Prosecutor Melody Kaohu made the oral motion at his arraignment Monday for the transfer and no-bail confirmation The 17-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charges 20 on charges of second-degree murder two felony firearm offenses and first- degree theft He allegedly fired a single shot to the head of the 39-year-old rancher and had been held in the juvenile detention facility But a Family Court judge waived the court’s jurisdiction and Pila Kekawa was transferred to the Circuit Court’s Criminal Division who owns the Ohikilolo Ranch where her son lived told police he fired a single warning shot at what he thought were wild dogs trying to injure his steer then appeared from a bush and asked why Pia shot at his dogs Pia’s mother said she tried to intervene but Pila Kekawa allegedly pushed and threatened to shoot the mother with the black handgun he held Pia’s mother told police she heard a gunshot and saw her son fall to the ground Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm had Pila Kekawa also known as Chantston Pala Kekawa and Chantston Pila charged as an adult for what he called an “execution-style murder.” This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Fortunately, O‘ahu is full of great hikes In this web series, we bring you our favorite O‘ahu trails TRAIL NAME: Māʻili Pillbox Hike (Pink Pillbox Hike or Pu‘u O Hulu Trail) about 1.5 hours total (2 miles round trip) and not every trail is a good idea for every person Keep your personal fitness and skill level in mind and always take proper precautions when venturing off road Heed “no trespassing” and other warning signs This Leeward Side trail has World War II bunkers and stunning views just like its North Shore (ʻEhukai Pillbox) and Windward (Lanikai Pillbox) counterparts.  However the Pu‘u O Hulu Trail has nearly a handful of these graffiti-covered concrete bunkers known as “pillboxes,” including the bright pink pillbox The very start of the hike was lined with small these disappeared within the first 50 feet of the hike and were replaced with a thin dusty trail. With every step we took we kicked up a small puff of dust. Because of this easily moveable layer of dirt I would assume that if we had tried to do this hike after a rare West Side rainy day we would have had quite a difficult time finding and sticking to the trail There are many paths to reach the pillboxes at the top of the hike. When we reached the occasional fork in the road not-as-steep path. We managed to get all the way up without having to maneuver our way up steep inclines. Other hikers who took the right path also made it to the pillboxes. As long as you keep the pillboxes in view once you catch sight of them (about halfway up) Because this hike wasn’t particularly strenuous there weren’t any exercise-focused hikers who were completely in the zone. Instead nearly every hiker we passed was extremely friendly and ready to strike up a conversation. A couple of times we were given tips when we didn’t even ask for them. We even ended up giving a couple tips of our own like our favorite place to snorkel in the nearby area (Mākaha Beach Park and the first of four pillboxes will be right in front of you including the famed pink pillbox will follow right behind it.  In October 2015 the third of the four pillboxes on the Pu‘u O Hulu Trail was painted bright pink for breast cancer awareness. On the inside of it hikers have written messages to those who have previously fought or are currently fighting against cancer.  The other pillboxes are filled with brightly colored graffiti If you choose to climb in or on top of any of the pillboxes unobstructed view of nearly the entire west coast of the Island. Looking toward the south you’ll recognize the Ko Olina resorts. If you look north you’ll see all the way to Mākaha Beach Park this hike is quite quick and not too difficult so it can be appropriate for children and dogs. Just be sure to keep an eye out for them because there are a couple of areas with steep drops The start of the hike is between the 10th and 11th lightpoles on Kaukama Road (It is the only clear break in the grass.) There is plenty of parking along the sides of Kaukama Road near the start of the trail Because there is hardly any shade on this hike it may be better to start early in the morning. We started at 9 a.m Be prepared to chat with other friendly hikers Developmental psychologist Ili Ma has been awarded an ERC grant to investigate misinformation among teenagers aiming to bolster their resilience against its potentially severe consequences ‘The ERC grant allows me to establish a comprehensive research programme investigating youth susceptibility to misinformation and disinformation with the aim of enhancing their resilience as false information fuels significant societal problems such as polarisation Despite growing up in an increasingly digital world in which misinformation is abundant teenagers have been largely overlooked in existing research This grant also facilitates close collaboration with youth and professionals such as digital neighborhood officers and counterterrorism experts Their insights are essential to ensuring that the research is both relevant and directly applicable to society.’ ‘Misinformation affects not only adults but also teenagers and young adults who express a clear need for better tools to identify and navigate false information There are already several youth-driven initiatives addressing this issue and I believe it is a key role of scientific research to support and amplify these efforts teenagers are at a pivotal stage in their development where exposure to misinformation can have lasting negative impacts It is therefore essential to equip them with the critical skills needed to engage thoughtfully and responsibly with the information they encounter.’ 'Young people express a desire for more tools to better recognise misinformation' ‘My research will employ a range of methods with a primary focus on understanding the factors that make misinformation and disinformation particularly convincing to youth as well as how susceptibility varies with age By integrating experimental and qualitative approaches I aim to pinpoint the specific fallacies to which teenagers are most vulnerable These insights will ultimately inform strategies to help teenagers and young adults more effectively recognise when they are being misled.’ indicate that conspiracy theories are gaining acceptance particularly among teenagers who are highly active on social media A concerning trend is also emerging in health-related topics where more young adults are considering risky cosmetic procedures like tummy tucks or Botox often traveling abroad for cheaper options This rise in interest might be fueled by influencers promoting cosmetic tourism and sharing their positive experiences which creates a false sense of safety around these procedures such surgeries can carry significant risks and long-term consequences.’ ‘US research shows teens who spend a lot of time on social media are more susceptible to conspiracy theories’  ‘Research has shown that interactive interventions are effective in illustrating how misinformation can be persuasive most of these programs are based on studies with adults we need a deeper understanding of the specific factors that make them vulnerable to misinformation and how this susceptibility changes with age focusing directly on the experiences and developmental stages of young people we can foster critical thinking skills that have a lasting impact.’ we need to identify the factors that make them susceptible to misinformation’  as commercial tech companies typically prioritise profit which creates a conflict between ethical responsibility and business interests While tech companies have a duty to design their platforms ethically and reduce the spread of misinformation their commitment and approach to this varies significantly might therefore also play a role in developing policy and regulation they can learn to critically navigate both misinformation and the addictive features of these platforms.’ Maili Wong won big at the 2024 WP Awards. The Senior Wealth Advisor & Senior Portfolio Manager at Wellington-Altus Private Wealth Inc won both the Avenue Living Award for Portfolio/Discretionary Manager of the Year and the Equiton Award for Canadian Advisor of the Year Wong recently sat down with WP to explain why she believes she won these awards and what she’s doing to help her clients overcome challenges now “I think winning the awards is really a testament to many years of dedication to continually focussing on trying to enhance the client experience,” Wong says “That means having the discipline to do daily huddles with our team the discipline to focus on any operational opportunities to enhance what we’re doing for our clients the discipline to make sure that we’re always paying attention to the key areas that impact the client experience Finding ways to move the needle every single day.” It's those small acts of constant improvement that Wong believes have driven her and her team to grow and become successful She says that through that approach and mindset she has been able to make a significant impact with her clients and that impact has resonated growing her influence and presence across the community she serves She also credits the freedom afforded by her firm to take an entrepreneurial approach to wealth management That freedom is best exemplified by Wong winning the Avenue Living Award for Portfolio/Discretionary Manager of the Year She has worked as a discretionary manager for more than a decade  Using those skillsets she offers clients what she calls a “smart risk approach.” That approach involves the application of multiple lenses to client portfolios Her team can then offer investment approaches built around different client goals and outcomes Wong can offer a sustainable dividend focus she proposes an optimal growth portfolio aiming at capital appreciation is to provide her clients with a “work-optional life,” where they have the ability to live off income from their investments so they can choose when they want to stop or slow down their work Achieving that end result as a discretionary manager is not easy Wong says her team casts a wide net to capture high quality equities in North America and globally which meet certain quantitative criteria She looks for the right blend of balance sheet strength In addition to applying the aforementioned risk management and fundamental overlays to this process she also consults with a team based in New York who she has strong connections with based on her time working in New York herself Just as her overall approach is built around constant improvement her discretionary approach also requires constant vigilance and maintenance The discretionary management that Wong offers clients is part of how she helps them answer one of the core fundamental questions that she hears them asking: ‘how can I ensure that I can afford my retirement lifestyle?’ As the cost of living has risen and professionals have become increasingly concerned with this question The expenses associated with supporting the next generation are a significant source of worry for clients Whether in the care she provides to clients and their families or the technical expertise she brings managing their portfolios Wong has shown herself to be a leading Canadian advisor she refocused her own work on the clients who sit at the core of everything she does “I'm so grateful to win these awards because I feel like they’re a testament to the unwavering commitment we have towards our clients financial wellbeing,” Wong says “This award has really fuelled our determination to continually raise the bar on our clients behalf and to continually set new standards of excellence within the financial industry based on competence and care And we hope this inspires the industry to continue on this quest alongside us Stanford University The Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center is part of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies The Pacific islands are known for their tropical climate but as coterminal student Ma’ili Yee has learned they also form a backdrop to multiple geostrategic agendas in the Pacific Ocean region and geopolitical roles the Pacific island nations play at a time when the U.S.-China great power competition is generating renewed interest in the region Yee received her BA in International Relations in 2020 and is completing her MA in East Asian Studies this summer relations in the South Pacific and noticed the scarcity of materials that incorporate Pacific Islander perspectives on the geopolitical developments in the region and how the island nations are affected by and responding to the tensions in the U.S.-China relation Yee’s research over the past year has been supported by the Shorenstein APARC Diversity Grant As part of its commitment to promoting inclusion and racial justice at Stanford APARC established the grant in summer 2020 to support students from underrepresented minorities interested in studying contemporary Asia Yee originally intended to use the grant to conduct field research in Fiji and Tonga but had to adjust her plans due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. She ended up studying primary source materials shared online by country members of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) an inter-governmental organization that aims to enhance cooperation between countries and territories of the Pacific Ocean region including the formation of a trade bloc and regional peacekeeping operations Yee’s research reveals that Pacific island nations do not share the same strategic and diplomatic agendas of traditional powers they have developed a more assertive diplomatic posture becoming highly involved in promoting blueprints that are vital to their objectives and creating their own framework for defining strategic priorities in the Pacific region as Yee explained in a recent presentation to the APARC community Pacific island nations reject being viewed as pawns in a power game by larger states particularly amidst the intensifying U.S.-China competition Against the framework of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific, island nations have endorsed a collective framework they call the Blue Pacific which was introduced by Japan and later formalized by the United States is a strategic vision that often privileges the Indian Ocean over the Pacific Ocean and prioritizes U.S.-led maritime concerns “The uncertainty of COVID-19,” write PIF Members “only reinforces the need for a long-term strategy for how we work together as one Blue Pacific.” By consolidating their interests as a unified political bloc, Yee concludes, Pacific Island nations now exercise significant agency in determining the trajectory of their region and using their voices to shape multilateral initiatives such as the Paris Agreement External powers who seek to exercise influence in the Pacific Ocean region would do well to develop reciprocal relationships with island nations and consider their goals Yee's research also examines the opportunities for fintech to promote sustainable development in the Pacific Ocean region and as an area for potential collaboration and competition amongst world powers as U.S.-China tensions continue to unfold “I am grateful to APARC for this Diversity Grant and for allowing me to do this kind of work,” says Yee “It really would not be possible without such support so it was cool to see this resource come out last summer.” Learn more about how your support makes a difference or make a gift now Call 808-620-9500 to tell us which language you speak Sipwe angei emon chon chiaku ngonuk ese kamo Kokori 808-620-9500 omw kopwe ureni kich meni kapas ka ani Makemake `oe i kokua i pili kekahi `olelo o na `aina `e Makemake la maua i ki`i `oe mea unuhi manuahi E kelepona 808-620-9500`oe ia la kaua a e ha`ina `oe ia la maua mea `olelo o na `aina `e Masapulyo kadi ti tulong iti sabali a pagsasao Awaganyo ti 808-620-9500 tapno ibagayo kadakami no ania ti pagsasao nga ar-aramatenyo 私たちは、貴方のために、無料で 通訳を用意できます。電話番号の、808-620-9500 に、電話して、私たちに貴方の話されている言語を申し出てください Kim naj lewaj juon am dri ukok eo ejjelok wonen Kirtok 808-620-9500 im kwalok non kim kajin ta eo kwo melele im kenono kake E te mana'o mia se fesosoani i se isi gagana Matou te fesosoani e ave atu fua se faaliliu upu mo oe Vili mai i le numera lea 808-620-9500 pea e mana'o mia se fesosoani mo se faaliliu upu Nosotros le ayudaremos a conseguir un intérprete gratuito Llame al 808-620-9500 y diganos que idioma habla Kailangan ba ninyo ng tulong sa ibang lengguwahe Tumawag sa 808-620-9500 para sabihin kung anong lengguwahe ang nais ninyong gamitin Bạn có cần giúp đỡ bằng ngôn ngữ khác không Chúng tôi se yêu cầu một người thông dịch viên miễn phí cho bạn Gọi 808-620-9500 nói cho chúng tôi biết bạn dùng ngôn ngữ nào Gakinahanglan ka ba ug tabang sa imong pinulongan Amo kang mahatagan ug libre nga maghuhubad Tawag sa 808-620-9500 aron magpahibalo kung unsa ang imong sinulti-han DHHL to Publish Draft EA for Mā’ili Residential Development Oʻahu) – The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is readying to publish a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the development of new Residential homestead lots on 40 acres of Hawaiian Home Lands in Mā’ili DHHL staff presented the draft EA to the Hawaiian Homes Commission at its March regular meeting The draft EA is scheduled to be published in The Environmental Notice periodical on April 8 DHHL will host a virtual Beneficiary Consultation meeting on Thursday 2022 to discuss the findings of the draft EA with beneficiaries The Department will also brief the Nānākuli-Māili Neighborhood Board and Waiʻanae Coast Neighborhood Board Members of the public can provide input during the public comment period that concludes on May 9 “The environmental compliance portion of our production pipeline is a major milestone in the development of homestead lots,” said Hawaiian Homes Commission Chair William J “This is our second draft EA of 2022 and our first major development of homesteads on Oʻahu’s Leeward coast in many years We look forward to continuing conversations with the beneficiary community as this project moves forward.” The proposed development envisions 200 Residential homestead lots or up to 280 units in a combination of single-family lots and multi-family units on 40 acres bordered by the Māʻili drainage channel Kamehameha Schools Community Learning Center Current project projections of the Māili development include an engineering design phase that will last through 2024 followed by infrastructure construction and house construction Future occupancy is anticipated for late 2028 The cost of infrastructure construction is projected to be approximately $55 million and has been included for consideration in the Legislature’s $600 million budget proposal for the Department The Legislature’s proposal envisions funding to develop nearly 3,000 new homestead lots over the next 5 to 8 years as well as provide funding for mortgage assistance to applicants on the DHHL Waiting List To learn more about the Mā’ili Residential Development project and review the draft EA, visit dhhl.hawaii.gov/po/oahu.  By Mark Ladao Editors' Picks CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM helped guide Thursday’s vigil at Maili Beach Park with the Rabellizsa family and friends Cathy Rabellizsa’s grandchildren Elyjah Floerke-Rabellizsa helped guide Thursday’s vigil at Maili Beach Park for Gary Rabellizsa-Manner Community members spoke out against gun violence Thursday at a Maili Beach Park vigil following a deadly shooting that killed two people Local religious and elected leaders led the vigil at the park in response to the death of Gary Rabellizsa- Manner who were killed April 14 in what is being classified as a mass shooting at a Maili cockfight many of whom were described as members of the Rabellizsa family The vigil took place on the grassy area near the beach right before sunset Family members could be seen embracing each other at the vigil was one of the attendees and was also embraced by many who were there She said in a GoFundMe page set up for her husband that they were together for 16 years and had six children together She wrote that he was “a victim of ‘wrong place wrong time,’ when he bravely inserted himself between two groups of men who had started an altercation amongst themselves my husband was fatally shot multiple times.” at the vigil told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser “I know that they’re both watching over us I just wish it didn’t happen the way it happened They weren’t supposed to leave us like that.” was one of the religious leaders at the vigil He said afterward that bringing the community together after tragic events helps the healing process for families and communities He said that gun violence is becoming “its own pandemic.” “The only way we’re going to stop it is really by reaching out and having community opportunities to come together.” remembered those who died because of gun violence and mass shootings The vigil was organized by the offices of elected officials who represent the area told the attendees that on the night of the shooting he “could not sleep not knowing fully what was happening.” he said that there are laws protecting against gun violence and illegal cockfighting that need to be better enforced He was considering the idea of legislation for more gun protections but said he has to consider the responsible gun owners and hunters who also would be affected noting that illegal activity with guns is often associated with illegal gun ownership Kila said that there are laws to prevent shootings but that they’re not enforced properly but what this has highlighted is the lack of … enforcement,” Kila said “Criminals know the Honolulu Police Department is short 300 officers and they’re taking advantage of the shortfalls.” He added that cockfighting is also illegal and that it’s a problem because it attracts violence “It has now become more than just a backyard sport — it’s an organized “It has then in turn become a magnet for more crime because all you need is one area for crime to be sanctioned for other crime to happen.” Hawaii already has among some of the strictest gun laws in the country and Kila said more gun restrictions in the state are coming before focusing again on the need for enforcement but it doesn’t matter if we can’t enforce the law,” Kila said Two suspects have been charged with first- and second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder for the shooting The suspects turned themselves in to police Tuesday night Star-Advertiser photographer Cindy Ellen Russell contributed to this story By Rosemarie Bernardo Jacob Borge makes an initial appearance via video call from the courthouse cellblock in the District Courtroom of Judge Kristine Yoo Borge is charged in connection with the shooting death of Gary Rabellizsa and wounding three others A 23-year-old man charged in connection with a mass shooting in Maili made his initial appearance at Honolulu District Court Borge appeared before Judge Kristine Yoo via video conference from the courthouse cellblock today on charges of one count of second-degree murder in the shooting death of 34-year-old Gary Rabellizsa-Manner Borge also was charged Wednesday with one count of first-degree attempted murder in connection with the shooting at Rabellizsa-Manner and three other men wounded in the incident three counts of second-degree attempted murder five counts of carrying a firearm in commission of a separate felony and one count of place to keep a pistol or revolver He is being held at the Oahu Community Correctional Center in lieu of $2 million aggregate bail A petition was filed against a 16-year-old boy identified by sources as Shaedan-Styles McEnroe-Keaulii He is being held at a juvenile detention facility Court documents filed at district court today indicate McEnroe-Keaulii is related to the Rabellizsa family Police said a fight broke out among a group of males in the parking lot after the cockfight in Maili ended Shots were fired and five people in the immediate area were struck Police in court documents said Rabellizsa-Manner and two other men were not involved in the group and attempted to stop the fight One of men who attempted to stop the fight told police he saw a person holding a handgun and began shooting at the crowd also told police that he and Gary Rabellizsa-Manner attempted to stop the fight when one of the males attacked Gary Rabellizsa-Manner allegedly punched the male to defend himself when Rabellizsa-Manner was attacked by other males Cathy Rabellizsa’s husband told police the male who initially punched Rabellizsa-Manner got back on his feet allegedly pointed a handgun at the husband and Cathy Rabellizsa and shot about five to six times A second male with a handgun allegedly shot at Rabellizsa-Manner multiple times Officers responded to a call of a shooting in the rear lot of 87-131 Kaukamana Road just after 12:10 a.m Rabellizsa-Manner and Rabelliza were taken via personal vehicles to the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center where they were later pronounced dead Rabellizsa-Manner sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his hand and torso and Rabellizsa sustained a single gunshot wound to her face Police said two men sustained a single gunshot wound to their right arm and a third man sustained a single gunshot wound to his inner left thigh All were treated and released from hospitals The suspects fled the scene before officers arrived Police recovered several spent casings on the ground at the scene Borge and McEnroe-Keaulii turned themselves in at the Honolulu Police Department’s Alapai Street headquarters Tuesday night In a GoFundMe page set up to help with funeral expenses Rabellizsa-Manner’s wife said her husband was in the wrong place at the wrong time when he intervened between two groups of men involved in an altercation “As a result of trying to keep the peace my husband was fatally shot multiple times,” Kat Rabellizsa said on the page She described her husband as a kind-hearted “He was incredibly humble and grateful for all the blessings he received throughout his life,” Rabellizsa-Manner’s wife said Cathy Rabellizsa was described as loving, caring and friendly. In a separate GoFundMe page set up by her daughter Keri Rabellizsa said her mother had a heart of gold and put others before herself Investigative stories and local news updates Coverage of the Hawaiʻi State legislature in 2025 Award winning in-depth reports and featured on-going series Get the week’s news delivered straight to your inbox PCBs have been awaiting cleanup for years at a contaminated lot near a residential neighborhood in West Oahu State and federal officials say they will finally move forward with the clean up of highly toxic PCBs that have been present for decades near homes and schools on the west side of Oahu The state Department of Health and the U.S. Coast Guard have been working together to organize a clean up of the chemical pollution in a portion of an 84-acre vacant lot partly owned by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands as well as the Coast Guard in Maili Coast Guard officials said $3.3 million has been allocated for the cleanup A town hall meeting is planned for Thursday evening in Maili to update residents on the project a residential neighborhood and Kamehameha Schools Community Learning Center are adjacent to the property “Given the close proximity of the houses that were built and the potential for the trespassing they’ve been very very negligent in my opinion,” environmental activist Carroll Cox said The property is part of a former Voice of America radio transmitter site that was used during World War II The land was later taken over by the Coast Guard and a 5-acre portion of the land was transferred to the state to construct a homeless transitional shelter But from 1944 to 1971, a portion of the lot had electrical transformers on concrete slabs which left toxic chemicals known as polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs PCBs were manufactured from 1929 until the United States banned manufacturing in the 1970s amid concerns that it could have an impact on human and environmental health the chemical could be found in electrical equipment and industrial solvents Although the contamination was discovered years ago, a recent study by environmental consultant ITerashima Environmental Services found high levels of PCBs in 30 of the areas tested One sample also contained levels 95 times what is considered safe for residential areas High levels of these chemicals can cause respiratory problems and skin lesions, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency the Coast Guard built a fence around the property and “no trespassing” signs were posted after sampling revealed contamination in the area But in a letter addressed to the Coast Guard the Department of Health suggested military officials “make the clean up a high priority” and expressed concerns over the potential scattering of contaminated soil to the neighboring homes Paul Chong, project manager and environmentalist specialist from the Department of Health’s Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office said a vegetation cap was in place for years prior to the letter The vegetation cap covers the entire area and keeps the affected soil from being blown by the wind or storm run off Chong also said funding for the clean up was originally received in 2015 but was redirected to a “more critical site” related to the endangerment of sea animals The funding has since been renewed and clean up efforts will begin once the weather improves But Cox said the property should have been cleaned up a long time ago “It’s PCBs but it’s an alphabet soup of trouble brewing there in that area,” he said Andria Tupola is scheduled for Thursday to provide up-to-date information on the planned clearing of the land Coast Guard officials will also be there to answer community member’s questions “This is going to be the full disclosure of the plan and that they’re already going to start removing the contaminated area,” Tupola said The meeting will be held at the Kamehameha Schools Learning Center at Maili from 6 p.m Thoughts on this or any other story? Write a Letter to the Editor. Send to news@civilbeat.org and put Letter in the subject line. 200 words max. You need to use your name and city and include a contact phone for verification purposes. And you can still comment on stories on our Facebook page Unfortunately, being named a finalist for a Pulitzer prize doesn’t make us immune to financial pressures. The fact is, our revenue hasn’t kept pace with our need to grow, and we need your help Civil Beat is a nonprofit, reader-supported newsroom based in Hawaiʻi. We’re looking to build a more resilient, diverse and deeply impactful media landscape, and we hope you’ll help by supporting our essential journalism Bianca Smallwood is a reporting fellow at Civil Beat. You can reach her at bsmallwood@civilbeat.org or follow her on Facebook and Twitter at @biancasmallw Civil Beat has been named the best overall news site in Hawaii for the 14th year in a row by the Society of Professional Journalists Hawaii Chapter By Timothy Hurley Kulaaupuni Street resident Ted Kuahine points to the upper part of Mailiili Stream in Waianae Area residents are adamantly against the excavation and installation of a new drain line at the north end of Kulaaupuni Street which will discharge stormwater and overflow from the Hale Makana o Maili apartment complex and parking lot directly into Mailiili Stream of the drainage system to Hale Makana o Maili pose for a photo on Kulaaupuni Street in Waianae The unhappy neighbors of a housing development under construction in Maili have banded together once again this time to stop the subdivision’s $300,000 drainage project who have been blocking crews from completing a concrete drainage structure this month say the project will end up discharging polluted stormwater into the Mailiili Stream channel and undermine a healthy riparian area filled with wildlife “It’ll kill the environment of the stream,” said Michele Kuahine who lives across the street from the nearly completed Hale Makana o Maili apartment complex Kuahine and about 15 of her neighbors were at the construction site Nov holding vigil against the unfinished drainage project at the end of Kulaaupuni Street Beyond the dead end is the channelized Mailiili Stream which flows toward the ocean for a few hundred yards before meeting the sea on the north side of Maili Beach Park The residents say the project could ruin a natural estuary habitat where residents have fished and enjoyed viewing sea turtles native birds and other creatures for generations “This is an irreplaceable natural resource that must be protected,” Kuahine said The drainage project is planned in part to serve the 52 units of the affordable-housing project Hale Makana o Maili which is being built by the nonprofit Hawaiian Community Development Board The neighbors came together a year ago to oppose the proposed complex saying its density threatened to overwhelm the rural neighborhood And although a suit brought by the neighbors was dismissed in court construction of the $22 million project continues with a target completion date now about one month away Hawaiian Community Development Board Executive Director Kali Watson says the project — more than four years in the making — aims to help alleviate Hawaii’s homeless crisis Watson said the off-site drainage system was not part of the original design a pair of on-site “vegetative bio-filter basins” were planned to handle precipitation and keep runoff to a minimum resident and city representatives asked the developer to address the chronic flooding situation on Kulaaupuni Street Money was initially allocated in the city budget for the drainage project The company decided to take care of it anyway proposing a drainage project that was ultimately reviewed and approved by the city “We were trying to be the good guys in this situation,” said Watson former director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands “They’re making it out like it’s going to be an environmental disaster The dispute escalated when work crews — confronted on-site by Kuahine and asked for a work permit — produced a document with the wrong address “That shows how very underhanded this is,” said neighbor Lilly Cabinatan “(Watson) has the right idea to build affordable housing but now he’s going to pollute our stream This is underhanded with a phony permit.” said that the mistake was the city’s fault because the wrong address was put on the permit A new permit was obtained from the city after the contractor pointed out the mistake Watson said the drainage project has been put on hold pending a resolution of the dispute He said he’s also considering abandoning the effort and returning to the original on-site drainage plan “I don’t want a confrontation,” he said “That’s the furthest thing from what I want It’s a good (housing) project that’s needed.” inspectors with a handful of state and city agencies have come out to check out the situation The state Department of Health has directed the developer to remove the 80 or so sandbags that were placed by crews in the streambed to prevent runoff from the excavation work Watson said he’s also been asked to look into whether he needs an additional permit from the U.S who lives across the street from the new development insists that flooding on the street is not a problem She said the developer should be taking less severe measures to deal with the runoff from the housing project “No one should be able to come in so easily and destroy a place where the water the Hawaiian stilt all live and were all here first,” she said Watson contends the real reason for the protest is trying to stop the project “It’s a new angle,” he said “They’re trying to make it seem like an environmental thing.” Kuahine denies the protest is about the housing project She said she and her neighbors have been playing in and around the stream their entire lives — fishing Now her own grandchild is experiencing and enjoying the same things “What I am protecting is my jewel in my backyard By Kyle Galdeira KYLE GALDEIRA / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER Keli‘i Keawe‘ehu and Mana Kamakele won the half-mile race in 3 minutes CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM The crew and club members returned to shore after the men’s open 4 race The competition on the water was nearly as scalding as the heated westside sand as Manu O Ke Kai beat the heat to maintain its undefeated season at Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a’s Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i Regatta at Ma‘ili Beach on Saturday bodyboarders and barbecue aficionados alike sought out shade and ditching one’s slippers was not an option – the piping hot sand sent those trying to traverse it scrambling for relief as the two-time defending Hui Wa‘a AAA Division (25-plus events) champion held on to the large division trophy with 97 points and outdueled host Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i (67 points) – winners of six of the past nine Hui Wa‘a championships – and ‘Alapa Hoe (57 points) Manu O Ke Kai built a slim 49-48 advantage over an energized Ka Mo‘i squad through 28 races stemming from four victories during that stretch and widened the lead as the regatta progressed with a total of 12 race wins Manu has won all six Hui Wa‘a regattas throughout the summer season and extended the club’s undefeated run to 20 consecutive regatta victories dating back to 2017 “This was big as we continue to help our club and build the lead,” said Manu O Ke Kai steersman Tavita Maea who guided the club’s men’s open 4 crew to a dominant victory Thomas Pule and David Fuga completed the ½-mile course in 3 minutes and claimed the win over Kaneohe (4:08.50) we’re still trying to finalize the group that we will take to states,” said Maea do what we need to do in the water and make sure everyone keeps coming to practice Our club has come a long way to be where we’re at today and our kids and women’s paddlers have really stepped up to help us continue this run we’re on.” Kaneohe dominated the AA Division (13-24 events) with 51 points and held off Ka Mamalahoe (28 points) Waikiki Yacht Club took home the A Division (1-12 events) title with 28 points and topped Kai Poha (13 points) and the neighboring Waikiki Beach Boys (12 points) Nearly 1,400 paddlers raced in flat ocean conditions and braved the sweltering heat on the beach as the competitors ranging in age from 12-and-under to 65-and-above represented Hui Wa‘a’s 19 member clubs in 43 races spanning a quarter-mile to 1½ miles Winning crews earned 5 points toward the team standings third- and fourth-place finishers were awarded 3 Saturday’s event was set up perpendicular to the sand as crews started just off the beach raced straight out to the ¼-mile flags and turned back to finish at the original starting line The course allowed crews to use occasional ocean swells and varying currents to their advantage – a change of pace from races in the stagnant lagoon waters The home water advantage came in handy for Ka Mo‘i’s men’s 40 crew which won its ½-mile race in a swift 3 minutes 53.25 seconds by holding off the Waikiki Beach Boys (3:57.07) showed its familiarity with the currents and officially locked up a state championship race berth “It’s always good to win at home in our race,” said Kamakele and things we can brush up on to be ready for states.” In addition to competing for championship medals in individual races crews tallied points necessary to qualify for the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship regatta on Aug The top three crews from each Hui Wa‘a event are slated to earn automatic berths in the state competition based on cumulative point standings Hui Wa‘a paddlers return to action on Saturday at Waikiki Beach for the Waikiki Beach Boys Regatta an exhibition contest preceding the organization’s championship regatta scheduled for July 20 at Keehi Lagoon Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association crews continue their season on July 14 at Marine Corps Base Hawaii with the John D after being charged with second-degree murder in Dustin Molina’s death A Circuit Court judge found a 26-year-old man guilty of second-degree murder in the 2017 stabbing death of his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend at Maili Beach was originally set in January as a jury trial Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm said Van Gieson’s trial “faced multiple delays but persistence paid off and today justice was served.” Van Gieson faces life in prison with the possibility of parole when he is sentenced Sept The state presented evidence showing Van Gieson was angry over his ex-girlfriend apparently starting a relationship with Molina He stabbed Molina in the neck at Maili Beach Beachgoers discovered Molina’s body on the beach the next day “There are no winners in a case like this,” said Alm Another young man faces a long prison sentence Countless friends and family are suffering.” An Oahu grand jury returned an indictment against a 23-year-old man today charging him with murder and other offenses in connection with the shooting in Maili that left two people dead and three others injured Borge with one count of first-degree attempted murder The charges against Borge are in connection with the death of 34-year-old Gary Rabellizsa-Manner and three other men wounded in the shooting The shooting occurred when a fight broke out after a cockfight at 87-131 Kaukamana Road ended early Saturday First-degree attempted murder carries a penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole A judge ordered Borge be held without bail at the Oahu Community Correctional Center Borge should be held without bail reflects the seriousness of the crimes.” Borge is accused of firing repeatedly into a large crowd killing one person and injuring several others We are grateful police gathered evidence allowing us to file charges and keep Mr Borge from hurting anyone else in the community.” Petitions for the same charges Borge faces in the shooting case were also filed against 16-year-old Shaeden-Styles McEnroe-Keaulii Court documents allege McEnroe-Keaulii shot at Rabellizsa and her husband and Borge shot at Rabellizsa-Manner Rabellizsa’s husband was not injured Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors By Peter Boylan A town hall meeting was held Wednesday at the Kamehameha Schools Community Learning Center in Maili with Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm Council member Andria Tupola and Honolulu police Maj Mike Lambert to address the issue of crime in the west side communities An attendee held an informational booklet about crime in the district during Wednesday’s meeting A community member livestreams the town hall meeting Community member Sabrina Grace-Dereis confronted the panel during the meeting A public meeting to address illegal game rooms and cockfighting on Oahu’s west side on Wednesday was marked by emotional public input allegations of public corruption and pleas to end the proliferation of guns in the community The “Tough on Crime” community town hall organized by City Council member Andria Tupola featured Honolulu police Maj a former narcotics vice detective who assumed control of the division in March and Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm More than 50 community members attended the meeting at the Kamehameha Schools Community Learning Center in Maili whose 17-year-old son was shot and killed May 21 in the parking lot at Makaha Beach have been accused in the death of Miguel Agoo Jr His father urged the community to come together and talked to Lambert about how things have changed from the days of fighting with fists to everybody packing firearms it’s easy to say … they making guns these kids playing with automatic guns,” Agoo Sr “One man is broken … what if a kid goes into an elementary school and kills kids The west side has been home to several high-profile gun deaths this year a mass shooting at a cockfight took the lives of Gary Rabellizsa Jr. Community members also voiced frustration with gambling dens drug houses and the collateral crimes associated with them crime dropped in five of seven categories in police District 8 There were seven murders in District 8 in 2022 Rape fell from 77 in 2021 to 76 last year and robberies increased from 102 in 2021 to 109 in 2022 Aggravated assaults dropped from 297 to 268; burglaries went down from 549 in 2021 to 401 last year; larceny fell from 2,889 in 2021 to 2,586; and car thefts declined from 661 in 2021 to 503 in 2022 For about the first 30 minutes of the public meeting Tupola moderated a discussion between Alm and Lambert about the plan for making gambling and drug cases “Tonight’s meeting is about public safety,” Tupola said “What we’re concerned with is having more police presence to respond to these cases.” who was named detective of the year in 2016 for his ability to make gambling and drug cases said many of the police takedowns of drug houses and illegal game rooms start with tips from the community “The ones that are in our neighborhoods are a big deal … We’ve had shootings and we’ve had robberies … what we don’t want is our keiki our kupuna … coming down the street and getting caught in that,” Lambert said “We need specific information … we will take action.” To report drug and gambling offenses 24 hours a day Alm detailed the evolution of gambling offenses from the days of continual misdemeanor cases and $50 fines that were the “cost of doing business.” He told the story of a two-year HPD undercover operation that led to a civil forfeiture proceeding of a notorious drug house in Chinatown that is today the home to an HPD substation “It went from a crack house to a police station,” Alm said He reiterated his belief that civil asset forfeiture proceedings and nuisance abatement efforts are critical to permanently shutting down locations that house illegal activity He pointed to the successful shutdown of game rooms in the McCully area that he uses as a test case for filing civil actions in court against property owners to end the operations Alm is assigning a deputy prosecutor full time to the task who will also assist with gambling search warrants “I’m a big believer in doing that “We’re in the process of working cases with them (police) … filing lawsuits that’s what it’s going to take.” Sabrina Grace-Dereis stood up and stated that she was an informant and wore a wire for the U.S Department of Justice during the late ’80s and early ’90s during efforts to shut down cockfights and illegal gambling Tupola and Lambert that contained photos and documentation she said were of businesses and people involved in organized drug and gambling operations She alleged elected officials had family members involved and named three Honolulu police officers she accused of taking money from organized crime Her comments could not be immediately verified “It’s a shame,” said Grace-Dereis Council staff told her to calm down and that she had to go which appeared to have blackened much of Puu O Hulu the towering coastal hill that is home to the Maili pillboxes started at 3:14 p.m Wednesday and was contained at 5:09 p.m A possible arson suspect was taken into police custody in connection with a brush fire that burned 20 acres in Maili Wednesday afternoon The man was arrested not only on suspicion of arson but a number of different charges an officer at the Waianae police substation said tonight started at 3:14 p.m and was contained at 5:09 p.m. including the Honolulu Fire Department’s A-1 helicopter battled the blaze near Kaukama Road and Farrington Highway Maile Shimabukuro happened to be riding TheBus home from the state Capitol and took photos of the large brush fire as the bus slowly moved through congested traffic the bus came upon a roadside confrontation on Farrington Highway near Leihoku Street Shimabukuro continued taking video footage which showed a police officer was pointing a gun at a man who was holding an object by his side that looked like a 2-foot-long stick or cylinder and yelling Some 25 feet away from the standoff was a smaller fire that appeared to have been recently started near the highway’s shoulder Officials did not confirm whether the confrontation caught on video by Shimabukuro was related to the fires A 16-year-old Waianae boy was indicted Tuesday on 11 felony murder and firearm charges in the April 15 shooting in Maili that left two people dead and three injured could spend the rest of his life in prison An Oahu grand jury indicted McEnroe-Keaulii for second-degree murder in the death of 59-year-old Cathy Rabellizsa who was killed by a single gunshot to the head after a Maili cockfight He was also indicted on three counts of second-degree attempted murder for allegedly shooting three men: Randall Medeiros The teenager is indicted on first-degree attempted murder because he engaged in conduct intended or known to cause the deaths of more than one person namely Rabellizsa and the three men he is accused of shooting and wounding the charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole McEnroe-Keaulii was also indicted on six firearm charges The grand jury set his bail at $2 million His arraignment and plea hearing is scheduled for Monday before Circuit Judge Ronald Johnson Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm said that although the defendant is just 16 years old “we have charged him as an adult because of the seriousness of the crimes he is alleged to have committed.” He said the evidence shows he and Jacob Borge “fired guns into a large crowd killing two people and injuring several others Their actions demand we prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.” was indicted in April with identical charges except that he is charged in the death of Gary Rabellizsa who received multiple gunshot wounds to the hand and torso An initial court document supporting probable cause for the arrest of the two suspects gave the following account of the shooting on April 15 The cockfight was in the rear dirt lot at 87-131 Kaukamana Road Shooting victim Miyose told detectives three brothers began arguing after the event was over with six male affiliates of Eddie Caspino a well-known Waianae chicken fight organizer and the other two men who were also shot but not seriously injured were not involved in the fight and had tried to stop the fight Cathy Rabellizsa went to the cockfight with her husband who told police that he accompanied her around midnight to the restroom where a fight with about 10 people had erupted Stanley Rabellizsa also told detectives he and Gary Rabellizsa tried to break up a fight and a male attacked Gary so Gary punched him Gary also punched and knocked down a second male attacker pointed a gun and shot five or six times at Stanley Rabellizsa and his wife heard that a person named Shaedan-Styles had shot at people and discovered a photo on social media with that name who identified him as the person who shot at his wife received information about Gary Rabellizsa’s alleged shooter known as “Hot Boi Jake.” They found social media photos of him and Stanley Rabellizsa identified him as the person who shot at Gary Rabellizsa Stanley Rabellizsa identified Borge from a photo lineup as the man who had two handguns and shot at Gary Rabellizsa Officials posted shark warning signs today at Maili Beach after a large shark was seen near shore Shark warning signs have been posted at Maili Beach, and swimmers are also being warned about a shark at Kahe Point beach after lifeguards spotted a shark in the water at the Leeward Oahu beaches Honolulu Ocean Safety confirmed the Maili Beach sighting about 10 yards off shore at about 11:20 a.m Signs are expected to remain up for the rest of the day lifeguards saw a 12-foot shark behaving aggressively near Kahe Point Ocean Safety said lifeguards were warning swimmers in the area and encouraged swimmers to see a lifeguard for updated information before entering the water Updates will be posted at hawaiibeachsafety.com The owner of the four bedroom Maili house at 87-794 Farrington Highway said the 83-year-old tenant died in August 2020 and since then the owner has been in a dispute with the tenant’s two adult sons one of whom which was notified last week by a deputy sheriff that the property must be vacated by July 23 The Honolulu Fire Department is investigating a fire that destroyed a home in Maili Twelve units with more than 35 firefighters responded to the blaze at 87-794 Farrington Highway near the intersection of Maipalaoa Road shortly before midnight Tuesday Firefighters reported the single- family house was engulfed in flames Crews brought the blaze under control at about 12:45 a.m Wednesday and extinguished it a half-hour later Emergency Medical Services personnel evaluated a 23-year-old neighbor who suffered smoke inhalation The cause of the fire and a damage estimate have yet to be determined said he’s thankful he and his family members were not injured by the flames His home and two vehicles sustained minor damage from the intense heat from the fire The damage include six windows of his house that shattered from the heat Sylva said he was sleeping when his 11-year-old granddaughter alerted family members of the fire when she heard crackling and popping sounds The patriarch grabbed a water hose and sprayed their roof with water to prevent the fire from spreading to his property “It was pretty intense,” he said neighbors have complained of at least a dozen or so squatters regularly seen entering and exiting the property throughout the day and night Area residents also alleged drug activity as well as heaps of rubbish and a derelict vehicle on the grounds that appeared to be stripped of most of its parts said he has been involved in a dispute with family members of an 83-year-old tenant who died in August 2020 the court issued Ho’s property manager a writ of possession to evict the late tenant’s two adult sons from the home In a November 2020 letter to the occupants filed with the court order Ho wrote the sole tenant on the lease was the 83-year-old and that after his death “no current occupants have any legal right to live on the property.” He also noted in the letter that he received reports of numerous individuals residing at the property and trash and broken vehicles in the yard In a phone interview with the Hono­lulu Star-Advertiser Wednesday Ho alleged he did not receive any rent payments approximately three months prior to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic Ho boarded up the property two months ago but noticed the barriers were taken down the next day a deputy sheriff notified one of the late tenants sons last week to vacate the property by July 23 The son could not be reached for comment Wednesday When Ho last visited the home with a handyman Tuesday afternoon he recalled encountering two unknown women sleeping inside The women left after Ho told them to leave Ho received a call from his property manager at about midnight Wednesday that his house was on fire “It completely burned down,” he said HFD investigators said the property appeared abandoned at the time of the fire the city Department of Planning and Permitting issued a notice of violation to Ho Friday concerning the rubbish and dilapidated vehicle allegedly left on the property by squatters The notice ordered Ho to remove the trash and vehicle within 30 days or face civil penalties