R.I.P Legendary Big Wave Rider and younger brother of Eddie Aikau passed at 75 away Saturday night…: **Mahalo Nui loa** to Uncle Joshua Paskowitz for donating Mom’s beautiful artwork this year — what a special gift Written by Gary Kewley aka GQ in last week’s Midweek Surf column It’s going down all Easter Weekend April 19 & 20th The Menehunes are praying for surf but not too much (example April 5th-6th with Hi Surf Warnings) The forecast looks for a declining NNW of 2-3′ for Makaha and pinch smaller on Easter with offshore Easterly Trades The age groups are 4-6 years for the Kokua Super Menehune Hammah’s the 10-12 age group for again both Wahine & Kane Longboard and Bodyboard with a max of 2 divisions per Keiki For those of you who may not know Rell Kapolioka’ehukai Sunn Rell was an American world surfing champion Known as “Queen of Makaha” and “Aunty Rell” she pioneered the world of women’s surfing She got an early start at 4 years young…the same age our current Menehune’s can enter her event She helped cofound the Women’s International Surfing Association in 1975…the 1st Women’s Pro Circuit (WISA) The legend even helped form the Women’s Pro Surfing (WPS) in ’79 and in 1982 Rell ranked #1 longboarder in the world Sunn did not slow down…becoming a radio DJ and surf reporter on SNN a physical therapist at a Waianae care home and a counselor at a cancer research center Rell assisted with a pilot program for breast cancer awareness at the Wai’anae Cancer Research Center… for educating local women about the causes and prevention of breast cancer Rell was only 47 when she left us on January 2nd 1998 Over 3000 came to her memorial and paddle out Her ashes scattered in the ocean of Makaha We miss Rell Kapolioka’ehukai ‘the heart of the sea’ Sunn like we did back in ’98 Thank You for making such a difference in the world and to so many…still to this very day You must be logged in to post a comment State conservation officers are currently on the scene where a juvenile was apparently shot at Makaha Valley on Oahu according to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources DLNR said the shooting was possibly related to hunting and there is no known danger to the public at this time as Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers have seized the weapon The Honolulu Fire Department responded to the scene early this morning and flew the victim He was transferred to Honolulu Emergency Medical Services and transported to Queen’s Medical Center for treatment “DOCARE is investigating potential firearms trespass and other possible criminal charges,” said DLNR in a news release “Due to the ages of the individuals involved More information will be released as details become available.” Privacy Policy | About Our Ads one of Hawaiʻi’s most beloved musical groups will perform a special holiday concert 7 p.m the Maui Arts & Cultural Center announced Tickets are scheduled to go on sale online only at 10 a.m Tuesday for MACC members and Friday for the general public The Mākaha Sons have received multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award; and group members and were inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame the Mākaha Sons have continued to perpetuate traditional Hawaiian music worldwide “Their incomparable vocal arrangements and delightful stage presence are filled with comical antics that have won the hearts of thousands of fans,” a MACC announcement says blends harmonies that only they can create.” The group’s legacy persists with founding member and front-man Jerome Koko on vocals and 12-string guitar; Kimo Artis on vocals and electric bass; and Hanale Kaʻanapu on vocals and six-string guitar “This talented trio creates the magic of an iconic sound and very memorable songs,” the MACC says In keeping with the MACC’s dedication to supporting the victims of the wildfires patrons for this concert are asked to bring non-perishable items for the Maui Food Bank Those who donate the night of the show can enter a drawing to win a signed show poster and a backstage meet-and-greet with the group For those wishing to become a member and receive ticket discounts and many other benefits of membership they can log on towww.MauiArts.org/membership All tickets sold online only at MauiArts.org The MACC Box Office is not currently open for window sales except for day of show patrons may email boxoffice@mauiarts.org Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More Recent testing has revealed the presence of “forever chemicals” in the Hoaeae Wells Granular Activated Carbon Treatment System which supplies water to communities across West Oahu The Board of Water Supply reported Tuesday that low levels of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) were found at the Waipahu water system located on Hoaeae Street According to the state Department of Health the levels of Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) and Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) detected are below the current Environmental Action Limit indicating that they do not pose a health concern at this time While these specific chemicals are not regulated by the U.S the state's EALs are risk-based guidelines that determine when pollution in soil or air might require further investigation or cleanup to protect people and the environment. However residents may still be concerned about the long-term impacts of these chemicals on their health and some residents may choose to install in-home filtration systems.    PFAS are often referred to as 'forever chemicals' because they persist in the environment for hundreds of years making them difficult to remove from water systems These human-made substances have been used for over 60 years in products like non-stick cookware PFAS are known to cause serious health problems and have been linked to cancer The BWS detected these chemicals as part of its ongoing PFAS testing program Improvements in testing methods and technology allowed for the detection of even trace amounts of these substances in water samples Details about the types of PFAS detected and their concentrations can be found in the table below Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information from DOH about EALs and with the map Crime in HawaiiTraffic A fatal hit-and-run collision claimed the life of a pedestrian late Thursday night according to the Honolulu Police Department The incident occurred at approximately 10:49 p.m. HPD’s Traffic Division reported that a motorist traveling southbound struck the pedestrian and fled the scene without stopping to provide aid or information described as a man in his 60s by Emergency Medical Services Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision This incident marks the 49th traffic fatality on Oahu this year a slight decrease from the 54 recorded by the same date in 2023 HPD is urging anyone with information about the crash or the driver involved to contact their Traffic Division at (808) 723-3413 Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInMAKAHA (HawaiiNewsNow) - A 17-year-old Maili youth is being prosecuted as an adult for the shooting of a Makaha rancher in February The young suspect could spend the rest of his life in prison The case highlighted conflicts between ranchers and illegal hunters on the west side of Oahu Chantston 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 opposed the court treating his client as an adult Pila Kekawa is charged with killing Cranston Pia Pia had armed himself with a rifle to confront a group of hunters trespassing on his Makaha ranch while their dogs harassed his cattle Bakke argues the shooting was in self defense “The victim in this case came out and started shooting at them and their dogs The family court judge agreed to adult prosecution because of the seriousness of the crime and because it happened in front of the Pia’s mother Pila Kekawa is charged with second-degree murder terroristic threatening and theft for stealing Pia’s rifle like Bobbie-Jo Griffith of Griffith Livestock Company are pleased the teen will face adult consequences but he’s gonna have to be the example,” she said I’m really sorry that that’s gonna have to happen Griffith’s ranch is next door to the shooting scene She and other ranchers have complained that trespassing hunters and their dogs have killed livestock and put innocent people at risk “We’ve had to invest money into things that we shouldn’t have to invest in stuff like that that we never needed before,” Griffith said Griffith said police and state law enforcement have tried to catch trespassers who easily hide in the brush Pila Kekawa’s attorney hopes prosecutors will make a deal “I am hoping that when the felony prosecutors that hopefully we can come to some type of plea agreement,” Bakke said Pila Kekawa would automatically receive a sentence of life with the possibility of parole he could be eligible for sentencing as a youthful offender SURF’S FUN 1-3’NW WITH A 5-8′ NW SUNDAY GORGEOUS SATURDAY MORNING…LITE LAND BREEZES GIVING WAY TO LITE ONSHORE SEABREEZES TOWARD LUNCH To perpetuate and promote the Hawaiian Culture and Values through interaction from Mauka to Makai To build on an ongoing legacy which ensures that our Leeward O’ahu Community – and all those who visit our shores – learn to respect and help perpetuate Hawaiian Culture in its relationship to land Makaha: thee beach to be sitting & surfing on as family friends and spectators gather for fellowship This 2-weekend event is anything but typical There are 14 categories/divisions this year (see below) It is all done in Honor and in the Spirit of Richard ‘Buffalo’ Kalolo’okalani Keaulana He is Waianae’s…Hawaii’s…The World’s Premiere Waterman Buffalo has mastered most every ocean discipline there is… Though I’m not sure he’s tried the latest ‘Foiling’ craze:) Buffalo began the first annual Big Board Classic back in ‘77 with a men’s only ‘open surfing’ division Buffalo Big Board Surfing Classic has become a ‘collective expression of giving back to surfing’… returning to the community a sense of place and of course This concept has flourished under ‘Buffalo’s sense of what’s right’ “I wanted something for the old-timers to enjoy,” he said “something to bring out those who don’t usually surf in contests something that doesn’t rely so heavily on judgement calls something that uses big boards (10 feet and over) selfless volunteers over the years…Thank you the year of the nation’s bicentennial celebration and the height of a Hawaiian renaissance Polynesian Voyaging Canoe Hokulea’s set sail on its maiden voyage of cultural rediscovery to Tahiti  Buffalo Keaulana was the double-hulled canoe’s steersman   After enduring 35 days beating in rough seas and dealing with others’ experimental ideas 41 at the time emerged tested and toughened in his own sense of self-worth and Hawaiian culture Buffalo got a chance to steer his path in what originally was the pastime of Hawaii Ali’i suggested that Buffalo start a big board surfing classic for older surfers at Makaha   The classic became a collective expression of giving back to surfing and for 48 years has flourished under Buffalo’s sense of what’s right   “I wanted something for the old-timers to enjoy,” he said something to bring out those who don’t usually surf in contests co-founder Adam Holbron and Makaha friends the first mission was to clean up the beach in social ways  “I wanted the boys to feel what it was like to do something good.” Buffalo said   The first Classic in 1977 had only a men’s open surfing division there was no first place (they were all winners!) grown in Charlie Carroll’s back yard from seeds Buffalo brought back from Tahiti  Braving bodyguards and a new sense of asking for something   Two following Classics were funded by the late Carlton Beal  Buffalo had saved his life in a previous surfing accident As word of the Classic spread (there was front-page news coverage) funding got easier with company sponsor’s such as Town & Country Surf and Hawaiian Tropic Through the early 80’s alongside the longboard surfing – Hawaiian music Hula and a Royal Hawaiian Court organized by Kona Smith’s Waianae High School Hawaiiana class were featured Buffalo’s friend and fellow Hokule’a crew mate organized a huge mix of nonstop entertainment and halau  Henry Preece’s ‘The Nobodies’ Danny Kaleikini and Leinaala Kalama Heine’s Napua Lei o Liko Lehua – just to name a few Speedo and bikini contests also flourished with coveted judging seats filled with the likes of emcee Tally Ho Blears and Waianae Coast matrons Auntie Aggie Cope and Frenchy DeSoto  But when the city Managing Director was asked to donate $2 for parking  There was already heat amongst the Makaha Beachboys a non-profit group that ran the Classic and was dedicated to building a double-hulled sailing canoe   It was time to refocus on the church – Makaha and throw creative efforts into why we were there in the first place – surfing bodyboarding was added to the list of Classic events but real ingenuity centered on a team event where two people shared a wave together   A weight division weighed in for longboarding and bodyboarding to give the big guys (250 pounds and over) their time for fun a special bodyboard (bullyboard) was created by Gary Fischer of Wahoo International what was affectionately called “the legends” got older  Guys longing to grow into that division had to wait as the division age cutoff moved from 40 to 47 to 50 and now 60   Forms of surfing that had almost died out Beachboy style (stand-up-paddle) surfing and wood replicas of boards used by commoners during the Hawaiian Monarchy the Classic’s division count has swelled to 15 events  Much of this is thanks to the efforts and ideas of Brian Keaulana Buffalo’s oldest son helped pioneer the use of rescue jet skis with attached sleds  These innovations now double as shuttle in many of the surfing events Buffalo’s contest became well known in international circles Buffalo welcomed the international community by adding a foreign division Mabo Kamoru of Japan responded to Buffalo’s aloha  This brought further sponsorship to the Classic through Mabo Royal Koyama’s Hang Loose and Tenji Oda’s Coast Line  Coconut trees grow near the Makaha’s north-side shower in memory of their generosity the Japan-based lifestyle company has hosted a Buffalo Classic in Shonan  A way that all those down at Makaha beach knew; whenever Buffalo touched the water with his spear  Mahalo Nui loa Buffalo for leading the way Glad to share this video of Uncle Buffalo Keaulana doing what he does best I got the call from Wahoo Bully Board ambassador Kaliko Kamalu that they custom built a board for uncle and a “let’s get him on it!” Next thing I knew we was at Makaha Beach and I got to capture this epic moment of Uncle Buffalo’s joy catching his first wave in a long time It’s great to see him back in the sea and surf You must be logged in to post a comment 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 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 Divers off Makaha on Oahu were treated to an incredibly rare sight on March 28 when they saw a potential pygmy albino blackfish whale known outside of Hawaii as either false killer whales or short-finned pilot whales “[The Blackfish is] one of four species that we call Blackfish because they’re all kind of black in color and hard to distinguish,” said Dr assistant professor at Hawaii Pacific University “Based on the shape of the fin and the white lips Although the false killer whales have skull shapes that closely resemble that of an orca which is why seeing a white one in a pod was so surprising “We noticed there was a white baby with them,” Travis Woo, a safety diver with Iruka Hawaii Dolphin Snorkeling Tours, told KHON2 News According to KHON2, an albino whale of any species has never been seen off Hawaii It’s possible that this calf is leucistic which is a genetic condition where some or all of the whale’s cells don’t produce melanin where there is a complete absence of melanin Albino animals generally have white or pink eyes but there’s really only two ways to confirm that,” Pacific Whale Foundation Chief Scientist Jens Currie explained “One is to do genetic sampling and look for that mutation that would cause a lack of pigmentation and lack of melanin production you can examine the eyes of those individuals and the lack of color in their eyes makes them appear pink.” According to The Cascadia Research Institute white whale calves would have a hard time reaching adulthood They said that this particular calf looks to have sunburns and blistering they go and hunt kind of far off shore and we don’t see them that often but we’re seeing them hanging in closer to shore trying to guard this calf,” Woo said We’re all rooting for it and hopefully it makes it Jerome Koko and Hanale Kaʻanapu will perform Dec Performing with the Mākaha Sons for 48 years founding member Jerome Koko remembers when he first encountered Hawaiian legend Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwoʻole in 1975 “Me and Moon (Kauakahi) was paddling for the Makaha Canoe Club and we just got off practice,” Koko recalls how we used to go back to the house in Makaha Beach and I had seen this gentleman playing music I introduced myself and he introduced himself as Israel we have a backyard group if you wanted to come over and chime in.’ The next day we went over to meet his family right across the street That’s when we met Skippy (Kamakawiwoʻole) and the mom “No Kristo,” in 1976 as the Mākaha Sons of Ni’ihau and Sam Gray were dedicated to perpetuating traditional Hawaiian music But it changed along the way when the reggae music started to get really involved in Hawaiian music We were doing like 70% reggae and 30% traditional Hawaiian music we had a meeting after one of the performances If we came into this business doing traditional Hawaiian music and we just followed along and backed him up so it was like 90% traditional Hawaiian music and 10% a little Bob Marley song here and there.” One of our most esteemed groups and the longest running in Hawaii still performing today the Mākaha Sons are multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winners “It feels good,” he says about their longevity and status “You’re up in the leader pack now It’s such a blessing getting moved to this far There was a lot of talk when we were young they’re never going to make it.’ Oh well still kind of in the mix of the Hawaiian music and the Hawaiian Renaissance The group currently features Koko on vocals and 12-string guitar and Hanale Kaʻanapu on vocals and six-string guitar “Kimo has been with me since 2014,” says Koko he’s been with me right smack dab when the pandemic started We did our first performance together at the Palace Theater in Hilo Collaborating with Grammy-winning producer Daniel Ho “Mākaha Sons Memoirs,” which featured songs the Sons performed but never and “The Mākaha Sons’ Jerome Koko.” Moon and my brother John,'” he explains “Then my brother started to feel ill but the dream was always to keep the legacy going.” the Sons released the EP “It’s Christmas All Over the World” including covers of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “White Christmas.” “There was no Christmas stuff after that Christmas stuff was getting popular and everybody was getting sad because of the pandemic so we just did an EP with six songs.” The Sons are coming to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center for a Christmas show on Dec “It’s going to be a Hawaiian Christmas concert,” he says “We’ll do both Hawaiian and Christmas stuff We’re finishing our newest CD and we’ll do a couple of songs from the new CD We’ll probably release it early next year.” The Mākaha Sons will present “‘Tis the Season” at the MACC’s McCoy Studio Theater at 7 p.m. Dec. 6. Tickets are $45, $55 and $75, plus applicable fees, at mauiarts.org A grant information session for Maui County’s recycling grants program will be at 2 p.m In light of increased property values driving up tax payments the Maui County Council’s budget committee has .. Copyright © 2025 Maui News Publishing Company LTD | https://www.mauinews.com | 100 Mahalani Street announced on the 24th that it acquired the Hawaii Makaha Valley Golf & Resort The 36-hole Makaha Valley Golf Club is located on Oahu Island It is a historic golf course that opened in 1969 and was designed by William F The Makaha Development Project plans to build detached houses and hotels capable of Airbnb (short-term rental) on the resort's idle site Makaha Development operates and owns five Makaha Valley Golf & Resort LLC (Limited Liability Company) corporations to facilitate business in Hawaii we improved our understanding of local laws and regulations and strengthened our expertise in project progress which has a lot of experience in architectural design at famous resorts in Korea such as Seol Hae-won and Yoo Won-jae an architectural planner with more than 67 years of expertise in Hawaii Oahu Island in Hawaii is known as a popular tourist destination for tourists from all over the world due to its outstanding natural scenery The Makaha Valley area is located about a 40-minute drive from Honolulu International Airport and the South Pacific Ocean spreads out in the future It has a heavenly Mother Nature surrounded by the Kaalasan Mountains which are about 1220m (4003 feet) above sea level "Hawaii has limited land that can be developed with green belts for 90% of its total area and it is difficult to redevelop," a Makaha Development official said we are rapidly pursuing development after acquiring the Makaha Valley Golf Resort site." ※ This service is provided by machine translation tool 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 A turf war is brewing between a new police standards board and legislators who are frustrated with the lack of progress the Hawaiʻi Law Enforcement Standards Board has yet to recommend rules for police chases of fleeing cars so impatient lawmakers are taking on the matter themselves Several high-profile police pursuits in recent years have ended with injuries or even deaths of bystanders costing taxpayers millions of dollars to settle lawsuits Absent a statewide policy template from the standards board, each Hawaiʻi police department has been left to create its own policy. So the Legislature is moving forward with House Bill 277 despite concerns from law enforcement The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to make a decision about the bill on Friday The proposal has kicked off a turf war between the Legislature which was created in 2018 to draft statewide policy recommendations certify officers and set training standards.   acknowledged that the bill has forced the board to take a look at police chases but said drafting such a policy fits squarely in the board’s job description The board is also in a better position to get buy-in from police departments “For the Legislature to usurp the role seems a bit unfair,” Dhakhwa said who weren’t consulted on the bill and have said parts of it just aren’t workable The State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers “vehemently opposes” the bill and calls it a “dangerous and misguided attempt to legislate vehicular pursuit policies in a way that severely undermines law enforcement’s ability to protect the people of Hawaii,” according to written testimony HPD officers broke up a party at Māʻili Beach Park and chased a Honda Civic as it sped away The chase reached speeds of over 100 mph and officers rammed the Honda before it crashed over a concrete wall in Mākaha Officers then allegedly fled the scene.  A 14-year-old was paralyzed from the waist down The driver was in a coma for months.  Honolulu spent more than $20 million to settle a series of lawsuits brought by the car’s occupants Three of the four officers were later fired but the cases are on hold pending an appeal.  A 2021 Civil Beat analysis found that nearly a third of police chases on Oʻahu resulted in collisions and nearly half caused injuries according to a review of 140 HPD pursuit reports from 2017 to 2019.    David Tarnas’ mind when he introduced HB 277.  “These are vehicular pursuits that actually put a lot of members of the public in danger,” Tarnas said “Constituents and residents throughout the state have contacted me saying ‘Is it worth it to put the public at risk if they’re chasing after somebody for an offense that is minor?’” After trying without success to get a meeting with the Law Enforcement Standards Board before the legislative session Tarnas brought the proposal back to lawmakers this year The law would require officers to consult with their supervisor before initiating a chase to explain the justification and discuss alternatives create a procedure for terminating a chase and require police departments to report information about chases to the state.  James Slayter told Civil Beat that many elements of the bill are already in the department’s vehicular pursuit policy Other parts — including consulting with a supervisor before starting a pursuit — just aren’t practical.   “You’re making a decision based on what your observations are and the totality of the circumstances,” Slayter said you need to focus on safely operating your vehicle keeping the suspect vehicle in view and continually assessing that risk.” only to roll it back after police said it made it difficult to go after people committing crimes Nearly a third of chases on Oʻahu in 2020 started with a traffic violation But the prohibition on chases for low-level offenses has been removed from the latest version of the Hawaiʻi bill due The Law Enforcement Standards Board got off to a sluggish start they didn’t appropriate money to get it off the ground Finding time to meet was difficult because of scheduling conflicts among board members including leaders of state agencies such as the Attorney General’s Office the Department of Law Enforcement and chiefs of county police departments agencies weren’t authorized to send alternative designees and we’re trying to make something out of nothing basically,” Dhakhwa said.  The board has until July 2026 to be fully operational The police pursuit bill is the first time the Law Enforcement Standards Board is tackling a major policy issue and that work started only after HB 277 was filed Dhakhwa thinks that the board will be more successful than the Legislature in creating a policy on which police departments can agree “Is it easier to get the kids to eat their vegetables when they’re the ones picking the veggies?” he asked “Or would you rather get into a tug-of-war and force-feed them?” But the lack of progress has frustrated lawmakers such as Sen who led the House Judiciary Committee at the time the board was created The slow process “puts the ball back in our court,” he said the public doesn’t care generally which agency or which chamber or which arm of government is trying to solve a problem as long as the problem gets solved appropriately,” Lee said the board can only make recommendations and can’t mandate that police agencies adopt its policy suggestions That responsibility falls to the Legislature Amid the debate about the policy and politics over police chases Tarnas said lawmakers may decide to table the bill until next year allowing the Law Enforcement Standards Board to take a look at the issue.  The board’s work includes getting copies of vehicle pursuit policies from all the counties and it’s waiting on additional data about the frequency of chases.  While Dhakhwa and McCraw couldn’t provide a definitive timeline for when they intend to have a policy recommendation they’re aiming for the end of the year.  Tarnas said he’ll introduce another bill next year.  but I also want to make sure that it’s right,” he said 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 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 From Tubes To Turns, Jai Glindeman's Surfing is a Treat to Behold Gerry Lopez Goes Deep With Justin Jay On The Plug Podcast Spot Guide: Rincon Queen, of the Coast NewsAll NewsEventsBig Wave NewsWorld Surf LeagueEnvironmentalIndustryWave PoolsPosts List Hawaiian Big Wave Icon Clyde Aikau Passes Away at 75 Winners of SURFER's Emerging Brands Grant Announced LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website While the North Shore of Oahu gets all the attention That’s where pioneers of the sport pushed the limits explored what’s possible in terms of riding bigger waves it’s often considered the birthplace of big-wave surfing the Hawaiian word Makaha translates to “fierce.” So, during the recent swell and storm that swept through Hawaii, canceling surf competitions due to the dangerous some surfers looked elsewhere for waves – elsewhere to Makaha Speaking to that history, and documenting the surfing that went down on Thursday, February 15th as the swell was filling in, YouTube channel Oahu Surf Films wrote: “For over 10 years I've listened to and read about the fabled Big Wave Chargers of Mākaha Beach George Downing and Buzzy Trent circa 1953 to the 1967 Mākaha international Surfing Championships featuring Joey Cabell I was finally privileged enough to witness a roaring Makaha as the incoming NW swell peaking around noon – 2pm along the leeward coast Sit back relax turn up and volume and enjoy.” that’s for sure; but “triple overhead” might be a bit of a stretch Maybe “XL” Makaha would’ve been more accurate revolutionary big-wave proving grounds still being surfed and celebrated today Don't miss another headline from SURFER! Subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Instagram and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of surfing We're always on the lookout for amusing interesting and engaging surf-related videos to feature on our channels Whether you're a professional surfer or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SURFER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality surf videos Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInMAKAHA (HawaiiNewsNow) - An Oahu grand jury has indicted 17-year-old Chantston Pila Kekawa for second-degree murder The Maili teen is being prosecuted as an adult He’s also facing several firearms offenses The teen’s attorney argues he opened fire in self-defense He’s now being held without bail pending trial By Andrew Gomes BusinessEditors' Picks MA‘O Organic Farms has received 249 acres of undeveloped land in Makaha Valley from The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation MA‘O farmer Veronica Dacquel checks organic eggplants being grown at the farm in Waianae holds some carrots harvested from the farm in Waianae Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading A nonprofit organic farm in Waianae that provides job and higher-education opportunities for West Oahu residents intends to make affordable housing part of its operation MA‘O Organic Farms has received ownership of 249 acres of undeveloped land in Makaha Valley from the The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation About 200 acres of the gift is zoned for residential use that was designated long ago as part of an unrealized plan to turn much of Makaha Valley into a resort area rivaling Waikiki MA‘O said it plans to provide housing that supports the next generation of aina stewards and their families in the region served by the organization our work has been rooted in our conviction and belief that a healthy aina is essential to a healthy people,” Tina Tagad director of development and impact at MA‘O said in a statement announcing the land grant “We affirm our commitment to growing abundance in Makaha in ways that invest in our community’s strengths uphold our indigenous cultural knowledge and food systems and prioritize aina-based approaches to ecological sustainability.” which is two valleys away from MA‘O’s farm operation in Lua­lualei Valley also includes 36 acres zoned for agriculture including 14 acres fronting the mauka side of Farrington Highway Another 15 acres are zoned for preservation use MA‘O was established nearly 25 years ago to address economic and social challenges faced by youth in Waianae as part of the nonprofit Waianae Community Redevelopment Corp co-founded by Kukui and Gary Maunakea-Forth The farm’s name is an acronym for mala ‘ai ‘opio meaning “youth garden.” Some of the things the nonprofit provides include internships for high school students college scholarships and full-time employment opportunities that continue to expand The farm produces over 100 tons of organic vegetables and fruit annually for grocery stores MA‘O’s annual revenue exceeded $1 million for the first time Expansion of the farm operation has been gradual and grew from an initial 5-acre plot of leased land to 24 acres a decade later After another expansion to 45 acres in Lualualei Valley MA‘O bought an adjacent 236 acres of fallow land in 2019 to continue growth and also embarked on building a state-of-the-art post-harvest processing facility partly using $11.5 million in financing secured in 2020 from 27 organizations The addition now of 249 acres comes close to doubling MA‘O’s previous land base totaling 281 acres The Weinberg Foundation is a Baltimore-based nonprofit established by real estate and business investor Harry Weinberg who operated in Hawaii for many years and died in 1990 as a near-billionaire with major local real estate assets Since then the foundation has made charitable contributions totaling more than $350 million to benefit the poor and vulnerable in Hawaii at a time when almost half of the foundation’s then-$2.7 billion value was represented by its Hawaii real estate portfolio foundation leaders initiated an effort to gradually diversify assets by selling a significant portion of its Hawaii property that includes retail and industrial property leased to tenants as well as land long slated for urban development The Makaha Valley land was once part of an original vision by local business tycoon Chinn Ho about 70 years ago to establish a resort on 3,000 acres stretching from the mountains to the beach in Makaha that had long been part of a sugar cane plantation which had been described as the future Palm Springs of Hawaii and a ranch resort retreat with 10,000 homes and hotel units resulted only in a relatively small piece being realized in the form of two golf courses The hotel was razed in 2014 after closing in 1995 and one golf course has been closed for decades Canadian golf course firm Pacific Links International announced plans to develop a hotel timeshare units and homes on 644 acres it had acquired in the valley then in 2019 announced that golf superstar Tiger Woods would revive one closed golf course with a new design while Gil Hanse Golf Course Design would reconstruct the existing Makaha Valley Country Club also anticipated discussing the possibility of making an arrangement with the Weinberg Foundation to incorporate the foundation’s 249 acres of land which largely borders the shuttered golf course property on the valley’s north side into the master plan for resort development Pacific Links filed for bankruptcy in 2021 managing director of Hawaii programs and communications for the Weinberg Foundation said in a statement that the organization is excited to see MA‘O make use of the Makaha Valley parcels it has received business and community partners to support MA‘O’s plans for the property “MA‘O’s mission of addressing the root causes of poverty aligns with ours and the team has demonstrated that investing in a Native Hawaiian values-led organization with a generational commitment to the land and community will help Hawaii thrive,” Hayase said is the last victim of the 2021 police pursuit and crash to settle with the city His lawyer said he will continue to pursue claims against the driver of the Honda Civic that crashed Honolulu has tentatively agreed to a $7 million settlement with a 17-year-old boy who was riding in the back seat of a Honda Civic when it crashed following a high-speed police pursuit in Makaha in 2021.  is pending approval by the Honolulu City Council.  The lawsuit was filed in 2021 on behalf of Dayten Gouveia, who was 14 at the time of the crash that left him partially paralyzed. He is the last of the crash victims to settle with the city. His lawyer, Eric Seitz, said he will drop a federal lawsuit he filed in September accusing city officials of stalling Honolulu police arrested Perkins-Sinapati on May 4 on gun and drug charges He was later forced to forfeit $750,000 bail after he failed to appear for an arraignment on May 20 He is now being held at the Oahu Community Correctional Center on $1 million bail The city settled with four other passengers of the Honda Civic for $4.5 million last year Seitz said he was upset by how the city handled his client’s case and how long it took them to offer a settlement given how much they were willing to grant Perkins-Sinapati.  “The settlement is for far less than what the case really should’ve been settled for,” he said.   Honolulu spokesman Scott Humber said in a statement the city would not comment on the settlement agreement until the City Council had a chance to review the offer.  Seitz said the civil trial kept getting pushed off due to delays in the criminal case for the officers involved in the crash. He said he advised Gouveia’s family to accept the offer so that they could pay for some of the expensive medical care he requires, which includes intensive physical and occupational therapy I feel that the city’s handling of this case was simply atrocious.”  Jake Bartolome and Robert Lewis — had all been scheduled to stand trial June 3 Nahulu is charged with a collision involving death or serious injury Bartolome and Lewis face counts of hindering prosecution and criminal conspiracy but all have filed grievances with the department Lewis is still employed but was suspended for three days last year.  Seitz said he will continue to pursue claims against Perkins-Sinapati and his then-girlfriend Both are named as defendants in the original lawsuit Seitz filed against the city.  “He was an active participant in all of this,” Seitz said “He could have stopped his car at any time Update: Civil Beat has updated this story with a comment from Perkins-Sinapati’s lawyer said his client wasn’t responsible for Gouveia’s injuries and pointed out Gouveia was lying across the laps of passengers in the backseat and not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash “There’s responsibility that goes around to many people,” he said A trial in the civil case is set for May 26 Madeleine Valera is a reporter for Civil Beat. You can reach her by email at mlist@civilbeat.org and follow her on Twitter at @madeleine_list ‘He Was Such a Legend’: A Decade After His Death, Shawn “Barney” Barron’s Spirit Shines in Colorful Air Show We're going to Oahu's West Side for the newest History Of Surfing chapter a departure from the charm and theme-park comfort of Waikiki tourism in the '50s The break's fiercely exclusive nature was met by a fiercely committed mindset among Makaha's locals to test the limits of big-wave surfing and no one was more committed than George Downing known as ‘The Teacher' from his studentship in the water and he invented a way of corkscrewing his body into the water during a wipeout to minimize the punishment Downing took as much joy in riding waves as anybody But he regarded the vast amount of surf-based knowledge left to be unearthed as both a challenge and a responsibility—almost a burden Give the chapter a thorough read by clicking here and why his quiet legacy is only out of personal choice ‘50s Makaha was no gift shop for the plush Waikiki visitor Makaha and the whole Westside was kind of the badlands of Oahu you come down from your Royal Hawaiian suite and ask the concierge where to go on a day trip he’s gonna point you anywhere but the Westside Has there ever been a deeper pensive mentorship in surfing than Froiseth and Downing But has a kind of dangerous vibe about him You don’t ask questions about his private life To what degree of Downing’s scholarly hyperfocus was personal and how much was because being spoon-fed that information it was this huge interdisciplinary project Soak up all there was to know in a half-dozen different areas which is pretty much where the rest of us stop But George basically figured out how to ride the biggest waves He made what might be called the first big-wave surfboards He just knew more than anybody else about surfing in Hawaii because the knowledge in many cases didn’t yet exist the font of big-wave knowledge was Downing himself Where does Downing’s fin box rank in the pantheon of surfboard advancements The fin box was less important then the way he blended a bunch of other developments: the hot curl board Take all the best aspects of what other people were doing and synthesize the best possible equipment How do you think Downing’s legacy would read today if he had an entrepreneurial bent to him He was close friends with the Hoffman brothers and probably could have made a killing if he’d gone into the rag trade with those guys He’s one of those people who knew very early on what he wanted and it was just a matter of moving steadfastly in that direction Downing did as much as humanly possible in surfing and I think at this stage of the game—George would be around 86 now maybe 87—he’s very much satisfied with the life he's led if George isn’t sitting on a big pile of money How do you think Makaha’s legacy would read today if Downing wanted to train the cameras on him Would Waimea Bay still be the capital of big-wave surfing If you want it big and gnarly—what we all expect from Hawaii—the focus had to go to the North Shore it’ll get big enough for Point Surf Makaha to turn on it’ll make Waimea look like the oversized shoredump it is I can’t remember the last time Point Surf was huge and firing For more, visit the History of Surfing website here By Peter Boylan Crime in Hawaii committed an “execution-style murder” in Makaha and will be tried as an adult An Oahu grand jury indicted a 17-year-old Maili teen today on murder and firearms violations in connection with the Feb. 17 killing of the 39-year-old owner of Ohikilolo Ranch in Makaha according to the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney Chantston Pila Kekawa was indicted for second degree murder Pila Kekawa allegedly shot and killed Cranston Pia with a single gunshot to his right temple after a fight over Pila Kekawa’s hunting dogs Pia’s mother told police that her son armed himself with a rifle and confronted hunters whose dogs attacked cattle on their property Pila Kekawa’s attorney has said his client shot and killed Pia in self-defense after Pia fired first at Pila Kekawa and his dogs Second-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole Pila Kekawa resorted to an extreme and horrific act of violence toward the victim whose property was endangered as a result of Mr Pila Kekawa’s actions,” Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm said in a statement “We have taken steps to address this execution-style murder by this defendant by waiving him as a juvenile and charging him in adult court with these serious crimes.” The court approved a request by prosecutors that Pila be held without bail until trial Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lawrence Sousie presented the prosecution’s case to the grand jury According to state court documents Honolulu police officers were sent to the ranch after Cranston Pia’s mother reported “hunters that were pointing a firearm” at her son Pia was raising a calf and cattle in a pen where the calf was attacked by a hunting dog Pia’s mother was calling 911 as the calf was attacked and said she witnessed her son get shot in the head Most Southern Californians aren't ‘big wave' surfers there are great examples out there: Mike Parsons no matter what delusions of grandeur we harbor the hard fact is that where we surf the waves are small The Challenge would not be given the green light unless Makaha point had waves that measured 20-feet on the face I didn't have butterflies in my stomach This helped explain my heightened anxiety as I arrived in Oahu to surf in the Quiksilver Edition Makaha Ku Ikaika Challenge and Buzzy Kerbox are some of the outer island SUP experts that mingled under the trees Kyle Mochizuki and I lingered in the morning darkness Australian paddle legends Jamie Mitchell and Mick Dibetta strolled about offering “G'days!” waiting for the sun to reveal the glorious swell As the sun rose it quickly became apparent that the swell had not Quiksilver's Glen Moncata made the simple decision the waves were not big enough and the event would wait for 20-foot faces The baby geese in my stomach attempted to fly away Buoy 1 data validated chart forecasts and precisely confirmed length and duration of swells It is the tried and true “go-to” data source no near island data to help decipher what amount of swell energy is in the water when it is arriving and when it is leaving This year Hawaiian surfers have reverted to old school validation – they wake up and check the surf and go with their gut instinct based on years of observation as a baseline the swell and sun rose together and event organizers Quiksilver Edition Ku Ikaika Challenge was greenlighted Wave faces of 20 feet and bigger were on tap although the swell was a bit inconsistent and on average wave faces were in the 12-to-18 foot range The first heat of the morning found my name in it 15-foot streakers rolling off the point with the occasional bigger bomb set After you negotiate the speed run from the point you are then faced with an even larger and ledging Makaha bowl vicious hold-downs and I hadn't even stretched yet There was a surfer who hadn't cleared the contest lineup yet I was committed and I wasn't going to kick out- taking a bomb set on the head was not an option The surfer kindly kicked out and I rode straight and fast for the channel One chicken skin haole moving into the main event Click Here Honolulu Advertiser Article From Last Year Although the shark interrupted the action for 20 minutes that was the only break from wave riding during the whole weekend Unlike conventional surf comps where the highest scoring rides are given to the surfer who completes high performance maneuvers and stays close to the pocket contestants in Buff's Big Board Classic instead are judged based upon a list of 14 tricks and length of ride The list of tricks grows every year and were all founded upon the style of Buffalo Keaulana Big Board maneuvers like “Switch Stance Turn” and “Cheater Five” are also found in competitive longboarding maneuvers like the “Dead Cockaroach” and the “King's Stance” are unique to this recreational contest Buff's Big Board Classic also features boards that you wouldn't find in a regular surf contest the Open Men and Women's longboard divisions require a surfboard measuring at least ten feet If you think that's too big than you ain't seen nothing yet The Beach Boy Division requires competitors to use 12 foot something boards and 6 foot something paddles to stand up paddle into Makaha's peeling rights While the Paipo Board and Bully Board Divisions resemble your everyday bodyboard The Bullyboard resembles a sled on the back of jet skis and Beach Boy boards got the heat time this past weekend as the opening rounds of the Longboard Team Longboard and Beach Boy divisions were completed Duane and Desiree Desoto and Kainalu Froseith were west side favorites that advanced in multiple divisions Darkhorses like Sam George and myself snuck through to the next weekend of competition Keep your monitors on for the complete wrap up of the Makaha fun at the 30th Annual Buffalo Big Board Classic next weekend Hawaii — After years of community lobbying and tortuous negotiations between the state the Waianae Coast Emergency Access Road is scheduled for completion next spring the state Department of Transportation confirmed The work will involve necessary upgrades to Lualualei Naval Road — both the locked area and the open areas between Paakea Road and Mailiili Road — which may include safety improvements the road will be transferred to the city for ongoing management and maintenance called news of the scheduled completion a relief our residents deal with traffic along Farrington Highway and endure the risk of only having one way in and out of our community,” Gates said having just one route proves dangerous and life-threatening.” said he’s advocated for the project since he first took office in 2016 He said the road will provide traffic relief improved traffic safety and peace of mind to residents of the coast “I am grateful to our community for their persistent advocacy for this critical project,” Gates said you’ll understand the importance of this road as a lifeline for people to get in and out of the west side.” Gates said additional traffic-mitigation initiatives for the area are forthcoming “We plan to add another lane to Farrington Highway “Our Makaha Bridge project has just been completed the Maipalaoa Bridge will also be finished.” Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com 2024 - Verizon is seeking a federal license to operate a submarine cable system linking Hawaii and California The segment will also be co-owned by the Hawaiian Telcom Services Company (Hawtel) Verizon has requested that the FCC exempt the cable system from common carrier regulation arguing that it will be leased to other businesses rather than being made available for general public use The filing was submitted by Verizon representatives Jennifer L One factor the FCC is likely to consider in the request is national security Because of the potentially sensitive data transfers over undersea cables experts believe bad actors might target these strategic networks especially in the case of a military conflict.  The Wall Street Journal reported in May that sources within the State Department have warned tech platforms like Google and Meta that Chinese repair ships could be spying on their fiber cables Additionally, submarine cables have been the target of sabotage in the Red Sea during Houthi-rebel attacks on U.S Already have an account? Sign in The bill would codify the USDA’s existing Broadband Technical Assistance Program public and private leaders discussed how they choose where Other broadband resources are doing the job Operators turn to gas and coal to meet data’s power demands was a square-faced juggernaut who took to big waves and on a lazy afternoon among friends he’d hold court for hours and making big sweeping gestures with his arms Everybody laughed—but Trent was a little off somehow as if all settings had been turned up to “10” and left there a tiny danseur waist below a row of corrugated abs Raw ass-kicking masculinity came off him in waves He was a fighter and a bully in high school as well as an all-state fullback who could run a ten-second 100-yard dash Trent’s birth father taught Buzzy that “suffering makes you like steel” and with a note of approval Trent later said his father was a “mean son of a bitch” who would turn loose the family dogs on any Depression-era drifter who made the mistake of stopping by the family house to ask for food passed on a deep and abiding love for German military history and Teutonic glory in general Read the full chapter here We asked Warshaw about the man who practically invented the big-wave surfer and about the Braveheart intensity he brought to Makaha Which surfers rank up there with Trent as possessing his degree of pure physical skill As a wave-rider, Buzzy was point and go, that’s it. Surfed like a guided missile. A guided missile with huge biceps. All Buzzy wanted to do was ride giant waves. Anything else, surf-wise, was just practice. So in terms of what we would think of big-wave surf talent today, the way we think of Shane Dorian or Billy Kemper did a distinct style of native big-wave riding vs I don’t think there were any style differences you could put down to geography Downing was slender and kind of slippery in the water Trent was a load of bricks falling off a building How responsible were guys like Walter Hoffman for sending home through photos a frontier surfing ideal that factoring in the carbuncles and violent diarrhea Walter's little movie reels got maybe three or four surfers over to Hawaii when a photo of Makaha went over the wire and was published in newspapers across the country three guys trimming across the face—including Buzzy and George—and another half-dozen surfers in California saw that shot and lost their shit and flew over you had to go to Hawaii and ride the big ones and a few others had built specialized equipment and pointedly gone out to ride oversized waves But none of them saw the need to redefine themselves as surfers They invented big-wave surfing; that was enough Downing and the rest—they loved big waves but it was't a deal separate from the rest of surfing Makaha was connected in their minds to Queens or Malibu or anywhere else And because he loved war history and bullfighting and because he read War and Peace before going to sleep he turned his big-wave mission into theater It was life and death and empire and glory Trent’s comparison of big-wave surfing to warfare — How have you seen that analogy change throughout history Last year’s El Niño seemed to have a small This Is War vibe but only inasmuch as the fraternity of war It has changed, for sure. Brock Little broke the code by saying riding big surf was just really And that’s the sense you get from a lot of the best big-wave surfers now Laird was the last guy to really bite Buzzy Trent’s style—that super-gnarly You wrote a piece on Buzzy a few years ago that referenced the story told by his daughter about how Trent suddenly walked away from big-wave surfing at the age of 45 Said he saw the ‘green light flashing,’ that it was time to move on Announced he was going to ride his last wave one day did his abrupt departure discredit anything that he said about courage and bravery I think it was coolest thing Trent ever did He’d accomplished all that he set out to do in surfing he couldn’t be bothered to play the “legends” game I flew to Hawaii in 1995 to interview Buzzy for Surfer’s Journal but decided at the last minute he wanted to go for a walk by himself that day and I got a four-day vacation on the Journal’s dime Crime in HawaiiEditors' Picks A trial has been delayed for four Honolulu police officers accused of causing a car chase crash and covering it up in September 2021 It was postponed until an appeals court can rule on a claim by defense attorneys that the law the case hangs on is too vague are free on bail after they were arrested nearly two years following the Sept incident that left a teenager partially paralyzed and a career criminal with a traumatic brain injury whose age was not released by the department also faces criminal charges in connection with the crash and cover-up Nahulu, Smith and Barto­lome were terminated but filed grievances against the department The grievance process is being held in abeyance until the criminal cases are adjudicated Nahulu is charged with collisions involving death or serious bodily injury for allegedly causing the crash near the corner of Farring­ton Highway and Orange Street that paralyzed Dayton Gouveia and left Jonaven Perkins-Sinapati driver of the white 2000 four-door Honda Civic that crashed Nahulu faces a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison Bartolome and Lewis are charged with hindering prosecution in the first degree a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison They were also charged with conspiracy to commit hindering prosecution in the first degree a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail All four entered not-guilty pleas March 23 Bartolome and Lewis were ­released after posting $5,000 bail They were scheduled to stand trial on the charges Oct filed two motions to dismiss the charge against his client prompting Sing to file an interlocutory appeal a move that if successful would nullify the case against the officers we cannot provide any comment at this time,” Christine M special counsel to Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm Hawaii Revised Statue 641-17 allows for an appeal in a criminal matter by a defendant to the Intermediate Court of Appeals from a decision “denying a motion to dismiss or from other interlocutory orders whenever the judge in the judge’s discretion may think the same advisable for a more speedy termination of the case.” Sing is challenging the charges against Nahulu asserting that the statue says you have to stop and render aid if you are involved in a collision the officers are claiming the statute itself is unconstitutionally vague because it doesn’t define what being involved in a collision is Three witnesses allege that one of the three police vehicles chasing the white Honda collided with it before the crash but each witness points to a different vehicle The officers argue that there is not adequate notice of what requires them to render aid but the officers argue if there was no collision how were they supposed to to know that they had to stop and render aid The officers are also challenging a charging document alleging it does not clearly define what it means to be involved in a collision and does not put them on notice about what Defense attorneys argue that it is not a reasonably understandable term Briefs from the prosecution and defense are due to the ICA by Nov with the case expected to be considered in early 2025 either side is free to appeal the ICA’s decision to the Hawaii Supreme Court incident has cost taxpayers at least $24 million in settlements and is one of the costliest civil matters in Honolulu history and city attorneys agreed to pay $7 million to Gouveia a teenager who was partially paralyzed in the crash Four other passengers who sustained injuries in the early morning crash recently settled with the city for $4.5 million 20 and 21 years old at the time of the crash The charges come 18 months after the alleged pursuit and accident Four Honolulu police officers were charged with felonies Thursday for their alleged role in a 2021 pursuit in Makaha that resulted in injuries to six people the officers allegedly chased a car that then crashed after which they fled the scene only to return claiming they had no knowledge of the events Officer Joshua Nahulu faces the most serious allegation: “collisions involving death or serious bodily injury” — essentially a hit-and-run — a class B felony with a maximum 10-year prison sentence Erik Smith and Robert Lewis were charged with “hindering prosecution in the first degree,” a class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison a misdemeanor with a maximum one-year jail sentence Bartolome, Smith and Nahulu have already requested legal representation in a number of civil suits that were brought against them which the Honolulu Police Commission granted “Now that the prosecutor’s office has filed criminal charges if any of these officers want representation now for their criminal charges they’re going to have to ask the Commission again,” commission chair Doug Chin wrote in an email “If they ask, we will schedule a meeting and the commissioners can take into account any new information including anything available from the prosecutor’s investigation The police department removed the police powers of three of the officers after the crash and will restrict the fourth officer’s powers Honolulu Police Acting Chief Keith Horikawa said in a statement Thursday Horikawa did not identify the fourth officer “These charges demonstrate that it is important to seek justice even when those believed to have committed crimes are the very people we expect to uphold the law,” Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm said in a press release Eric Seitz, who is representing Dayten Gouveia — then a 14-year-old passenger who was paralyzed from the neck down in the accident — in a civil case thinks the charges were late and too little “You might want to raise some question about why it took them 18 months to charge anybody,” Seitz said “I think they didn’t want to charge them at all.” The prosecutor’s charges also appeared less severe focusing on the traumatic brain injury driver Jonaven Perkins-Sinapati sustained in the crash despite there being multiple victims “Their offenses are only against the one person,” he said “Any civilian in this case would have been charged with attempted murder or attempted manslaughter These are very minor charges that will probably result in them being put on probation.” Seitz added that the officers have been working for the past 18 months “This is just a whitewash,” he said He said he hopes that federal prosecutors bring civil rights charges The four officers responded to a noise complaint at Maili Beach Park around 3:30 a.m according to a press release from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Perkins-Sinapati and five other people then drove off in a white 2000 Honda Civic. Perkins-Sinapati’s attorney, Michael Green, would later tell Civil Beat that Nahulu had a “vendetta” against him Smith and Bartolome took off up Farrington Highway in an “unannounced pursuit” of the car Passengers in the car later told Civil Beat that the police kept their blue lights off “We felt this bump and I looked at my uncle and he tried to correct the wheel,” then-20-year-old Justus Sinapati Mason Perkins-Sinapati’s nephew in the passenger seat “And then we felt an extra push and my uncle couldn’t control the vehicle Three others were brought to the hospital in serious condition one with a fractured arm and ribs and another with a fractured spine and ribs allegedly drove past and regrouped with Lewis in the driveway of Waianae Intermediate School They were then dispatched to the scene of the crash they allegedly switched on their body-worn cameras and “comported” themselves as if they “had no prior knowledge of the facts that gave rise to the collision,” the charging document states Bartolome and Smith filed accident reports without explaining what led to the crash “despite the fact that” they were “present when the collision occurred.” learned in the school driveway what preceded the crash and left it out of his report Jack Truesdale is a reporter for Civil Beat covering criminal justice. You can reach him at jtruesdale@civilbeat.org His mother says Brandan Maroney was likely in distress when police confronted him and a mental health professional could have helped deescalate the situation A 35-year-old man who was fatally shot by Honolulu police in Makaha was suffering from mental health problems and needed assistance according to his mother and others who knew him 25 after police were called to the scene because the man who was identified by his mother as Brandan Maroney was walking in the middle of Farrington Highway while holding a knife and a black suitcase said her son was homeless and the suitcase held all of his possessions She thinks the police should have brought a mental health professional with them to deescalate the situation The Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Wednesday that the man killed was Maroney and said the cause of death was “multiple gunshot wounds.” “I think he was in crisis,” his mother said “Obviously he was walking through the middle of the road upset.” Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan told reporters last week that a responding officer initially knocked the man down with a Taser after he ignored an order to drop the knife and get off the road The man then got up and “charged” toward the second officer adding that investigators were still trying to determine whether the knife was in his hand when he was shot HPD spokeswoman Michelle Yu said Wednesday that the investigation was continuing “The officer who fired his weapon has 23 years of service and is on leave The second officer has 16 years of service and is on full duty,” she said in an email She said police have been working with medical outreach teams from the city but “our primary concern was the shortage of available mental health specialists.” The police have not yet released body camera footage of the incident Dana Maroney said a detective told her the suitcase her son was holding was full of used toiletries but contained no phone or electronic device She said her son always carried a phone or tablet because that was his only way to contact his family She said her son went through cycles of deep depression and mania “He was a young man with potential,” she said No person should have to die because they’re in a mental health crisis.”  a Honolulu pastor who had known Brandan Maroney for nearly four years said Brandan was never violent and it seemed uncharacteristic for him to have a knife he never carried weapons,” Wonser said.  Maroney moved to Hawaii with his family in 2004 and stayed after they returned to Texas He had been living in homeless encampments for a little more than three years since the house he had been staying in burned down He was known to police because he hung out around people involved with crime But he described Maroney as a “peacemaker” who tried to have a positive influence on those around him Maroney would often spend his days fishing only to turn around and share his catch with others His criminal record over the last 11 years included five drug counts to which he pleaded no contest in 2013 as well as minor traffic infractions a speeding charge that was later dismissed and three citations for being in a park after it was closed Wonser had tried to help Maroney by recommending counselors bringing him food and taking him to the hospital when he was sick or injured. But Maroney didn’t like to go to hospitals and was afraid of law enforcement said her family wants answers about what transpired the moments before her brother was killed They also want to see reforms to how police treat people going through mental health crises.  “We want to know for sure what happened,” she said Wonser said he wishes police worked more with outreach volunteers like himself who have ties to the homeless community to help them build trust and keep interactions peaceful.  “I don’t think HPD understands how overwhelming and how fearful it is for people that are houseless to interact with them,” he said Police have long grappled with the need to balance dealing with the homeless community with other law enforcement responsibilities the department said that behavioral health calls made up 10% to 30% of its call volume HPD started training officers in crisis intervention in 2019, but the number of officers who have completed the training is under 200 with some two dozen finishing the course earlier this week The police department works with the Honolulu Emergency Services Department’s Community Outreach Response and Engagement team but EMS Director Jim Ireland said the CORE team mostly does “proactive work” with police such as joining them on community walks and neighborhood patrols Ireland could not comment about the details of last week’s shooting but he said generally calls involving a person with a weapon are handled by police without CORE’s involvement.  he said creating a specialized team within CORE that could ride along with police to more calls is a possibility.  “and we would look at any model that works in any other city.” In Portland, Oregon, for example, the police department’s Behavioral Health Response Team pairs officers with mental health clinicians to respond to calls with mental health components.  Another model in Eugene, Oregon, called CAHOOTS has been hailed as a way to help alleviate the burden on police who are required to respond to many social service-related calls policy director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii.  “By dispatching an alternative crisis responder we could have deescalated the situation saved this person’s life and not endangered officers,” she said Two trips to the town of Makaha highlight natural beauty On Oahu’s west coast, far from the glitzy North Shore crowds or the tourist-heavy Waikiki Beach, is a small town called Makaha. It’s known for being less than welcoming to “haoles,” a Hawaiian term for outsiders. In fact, when Paul and I decided to visit Makaha for a 2014 photographic assignment for National Geographic we were warned — repeatedly — about the dangers of working on the west side We had a relevant reason for this persistence: Our assignment was to tell the story of Hawaiian culture’s deep connection to the ocean The Makaha community is dominated by descendants of the ancient Polynesian seafarers the first surfing culture who settled the islands and it felt essential to include these locals in this story we wanted to highlight a major accomplishment for Makaha: Despite the decades of marginalization and neglect this town has suffered its community traditions haven’t eroded in the least.  When we pulled into the beach parking lot in Makaha we saw groups of young men covered in tattoos drinking beer while they scoped the best waves but luckily we had a local guide waiting for us — Brian Keaulana a well-known Hollywood stuntman who grew up in Makaha He gave us some advice on how to handle the locals yet high-stakes: We needed to show respect that we should always ask for permission before taking a picture and that we should take time to get to know the community before we immediately jumped into work mode.  Brian introduced us to the “Uncles,” the elders of Makaha who sit under the shade of beach trees to talk and play dominos Paul and I just wanted to listen and learn some of the locals are now our lifelong friends.  including drought caused by climate change the end of native agriculture practices that once enriched the soil and flora Environmental news that isn't all doom and gloom But Paul and I learned that this disrepair does not At the heart of Makaha is a tale of resilience and survival.  While restrictions on tourism and increased governmental support for Hawaii’s residents might prove to be a salve in the long-term there’s much more all of us can do to protect this historically and ecologically rich land I asked our friends in Makaha how we could help and they presented plenty of fantastic ideas First things first: We can aid in preventing wildfires from devastating this coast by investing in habitat restoration. The Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance Foundation aims to support some deeply important conservation work along these lines Finally, there are a couple of initiatives we all can embrace and support to make the islands a better place: Care for ʻĀina Now is an organization with a mission to build visitor stewardship conserve our cultural and natural resources and natural resources — to keep our community safe (Its website makes the very compelling point that the state’s ecosystems and natural and cultural resources “provide over $6 billion in value to our economy each year,” but that only 1 percent of the state’s budget each year goes toward safeguarding the environment.) And since Hawaii’s young people are the ones who’ll guide and shape its future, we can also support programs designed to keep them away from trouble and focused on positive development, like the junior lifeguard training sessions from the Makua to Makaha Foundation In Makaha, there are some signs of revitalization on the horizon: Paul and I returned this winter, 10 years after our first visit. As we crossed the old bridge into town, which used to be a crumbling structure and is now being rebuilt we felt like we were stepping into a time capsule the local surfers —  it all felt exactly the same as it did in 2014 when we first visited this magical place.  The first thing we did upon arrival was to sit under the shade of the milo trees at the beach and catch up with the locals There’s a growing sense of injustice and desperation especially after the devastating fires on Maui But while many of these people are struggling to keep their own lives afloat they’re still working tirelessly to send resources out to those who were affected directly by the fires.  surfing is one of the only remaining tangible links to a pre-colonial past — and it’s a testament to Hawaiians’ near-mystical connection to the ocean Whether you’ve admired the state’s beauty from afar or have taken the journey to witness it for yourself one thing is certain: The land and people of Hawaii need our support — and it’s not too late to pitch in Paul Nicklen, Cristina Mittermeier and Andy Mann co-founded SeaLegacy in 2014 SeaLegacy’s mission is to inspire people to fall in love with the ocean amplify a network of changemakers around the world and catalyze hands-on diplomacy through hopeful Sign up here to jumpstart your mornings with Katie's dynamic daily newsletter Jumpstart your mornings with Katie's dynamic daily newsletter A Honolulu City Council decision in 1989 paved the way for vacation rentals in Makaha decades later Stanford Carr Development’s new condominium complex in Makaha advertises itself as a community of cottages and plantation homes that have all the amenities a resident could want “It’s not just a home, it’s a lifestyle,” the Cottages at Mauna Olu website says But it also has the potential to become a hub for short-term vacation rentals The 26-acre parcel holds a rare resort zoning designation and is therefore one of the few areas on Oahu where the Department of Planning and Permitting allows short-term rentals Most of the 120-unit development is still under construction but the owners of one of 20 completed units have already started advertising it on Airbnb for $500 and up per night “Come to the West Side and enjoy the authentic culture,” the ad says “This 1900 sq ft home was JUST BUILT in a quiet and safe gated community.”  The idea of new residential construction being rented to tourists seems to fly in the face of efforts by the city to crack down on short-term rentals which critics say have gobbled up desperately needed housing stock Twinkle Borge, the leader of the homeless community Puuhonua o Waianae located at the boat harbor just three miles from the new construction said she was angry to learn that short-term rentals will be permitted there “That’s not going to even be for the locals,” she said It’s allowed thanks to a 1989 decision by the Honolulu City Council to rezone the land from country to resort two council members voted after disclosing potential conflicts of interest to the council chair No council since has voted to revert the zoning back as Mayor Rick Blangiardi pushes new legislation to rein in short-term rentals owners at the Cottages at Mauna Olu in Makaha have a unique opportunity to cash in on that zoning decision made decades ago The owners of the Airbnb listing – whose profiles say they’re from California – declined to comment for this story Two of the council members who approved the zoning change stood to benefit from the new designation the Honolulu Advertiser’s investigative reporter Jim Dooley reported in 1990 The institution wanted to rezone 23.5 acres for a 300-room conference facility and resort that could accommodate business groups gathering for seminars Donna Mercado Kim – then a councilwoman in the powerful position of Zoning Committee chair – had been a member of the bank’s board for two years After she disclosed that she had a potential conflict of interest gave her the OK to vote on the matter anyway His philosophy was to allow council members to “disclose and vote.”  Kim was appointed to the HonFed Bank board the same month the bank sought to change the Waianae Development Plan Kim had no banking expertise and told the paper she didn’t know why the bank had asked her to join its board “She speculated jokingly that it was related to the fact that she had maintained a savings account at the institution since she was a teen,” Dooley reported plus $200 to $400 for each committee meeting board members were eligible for below-market loans which Kim took advantage of for her $91,800 mortgage he ruled that it wasn’t a conflict,” she said She said she voted for the measure because and another nearby resort was having issues Former councilman John DeSoto faced a potential conflict of his own DeSoto bought property 200 yards from the parcel although Morgado said he had no memory of this DeSoto told the Advertiser he had spent time in the area as a kid and had always wanted to own land there He denied that his purchase had anything to do with the rezoning the rezoning was passed unanimously in October 1989 bought the land from HonFed for $13.25 million “Hawaii Aistar intended to build a conference center on the parcel for its parent company in Japan,” Curtis Lum fell through and the conference center was never built.”  the assessed value of DeSoto’s property increased Civil Beat was unable to reach DeSoto for comment “Makaha is being turned into Hawaii Kai,” said Swift “It’s supposed to be the uncharted side of the island Most of us have to leave because of stuff like this.” said more tourists in the area might be good for business “I don’t like it,” she said The short-term rentals that are already present on the Makaha shoreline are enough Carr says it was his intention to build homes for locals because of the island’s housing needs and the rural character of the property “We could’ve built a 300-room conference center “But we felt single-family homes is the more appropriate use … That’s what we need Even if the homes were only occupied by locals, though, Mikasobe said they can’t afford it. The home prices, as advertised on Zillow Carr acknowledged that the ability to rent the units short-term adds value to the properties Carr said he sympathizes with people who are frustrated with bed-and-breakfast homes and transient vacation rentals in residential areas “You can understand why residents in certain neighborhoods throw their arms in the air and just don’t want it,” he said Carr defended the right of the owners in his development to operate them Taking that right away would be considered downzoning and an unconstitutional “taking,” he said “You can’t take away resort zoning once you got resort zoning,” he said Department of Planning and Permitting Director Dean Uchida agreed “If it’s resort-zoned, then it’s an appropriate use of the resort zone,” he said. He added that under the proposed Bill 41 anyone operating short-term rentals would have to register with DPP and pay higher property taxes Kim said that just because land is zoned a certain way today doesn’t mean it has to stay that way forever she introduced a City Council resolution in the 1990s that featured a “use it or lose it” provision “If you didn’t develop the property you would lose the zoning,” she said The resolution passed in 1995, council records show Kim said the City Council could have down-zoned the Makaha property after it was clear the conference center wasn’t going to be built or there could’ve been a covenant in which Carr pledged to keep the development purely residential “I don’t think the underlying zoning that was (put in place) 30 years ago really has bearing at this point,” she said who said she opposes short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods said the case underscores the necessity of enforcing a “use it or lose it” rule “Because you don’t know what’s going to happen in the future “The zoning should always reflect what the uses are that is something for which you need to hold the current and future councils accountable.” Kim said rezoning the property is possible you take away something already granted to them Carr said he hasn’t advertised the cottages as short-term rental investment opportunities While the development’s website makes no mention of short-term rentals the real estate company Carr hired has made it a selling point Pacific Island Realty sales agent Travis Palmer, who is representing the project, highlighted that the zoning designation “allows for short term rental” in a write-up on HawaiiIslandHomes.com Carr said he doesn’t believe his development will become a short-term rental hub He said neighbors would frown upon people operating short-term rentals there “So I think peer pressure alone will prohibit some people from doing that because they don’t want to be the bad apple in the neighborhood,” he said The whole development should be complete by September of next year 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.