Health and Human DevelopmentStudent wins Marriott Vacation Club competition and tourism management and pursuing a Meetings and Events Management Certificate won an innovation contest during an internship at Marriott’s Ocean Pointe for her program “Turtle Talk.” Credit: Provided by Emily Raneri — “Turtle Talk” started as an idea Penn State undergraduate student Emily Raneri developed during her summer internship with the activities department at Marriott’s Ocean Pointe in Palm Beach Shores after Raneri won a company-wide innovation contest for her program it is a staple for Marriott Vacation Club ocean-front locations in south Florida An educational program for families and people of all ages “Turtle Talk” teaches guests about sea turtles and how to create a safe space for them Following an informational presentation about the turtles guests can also participate in a beach cleanup helping to remove trash and waste from the shore to support the safety of the wildlife "When I began my internship, I noticed there were a lot of turtles on the beaches,” said Raneri, who is majoring in recreation, park, and tourism management and pursuing a Meetings and Events Management Certificate “I wanted to find a way to educate guests about the turtles and the proper safety measures needed to protect the wildlife.” During her internship with Marriott’s Ocean Pointe location Raneri submitted “Turtle Talk” to Marriott Vacation Club’s highly competitive innovation contest which allows interns to pitch ideas for improving current processes or creating brand-new processes or activities Raneri’s was selected as the winning entry she presented her educational program to a panel that included company executives and directors “It was an absolute pleasure to work with Emily,” said Lisa Ruggerio Raneri’s supervisor and director of activities at Marriott’s Ocean Pointe “She did so much research outside of what her responsibilities were for working in our department The fact that we already incorporated it into our activities guide highly attended event were also key contributors to her overall victory.” Red light is less disruptive to the turtles turtle hatchlings can rely on the moon to help find the ocean Human-made white light can interfere with this natural ecological process guests receive a text message each night reminding them to close their blinds or turn off their lights to provide a safer environment for the turtles on the beach Guests could also participate in a nighttime “turtle walk,” which allows them to walk the beach with red flashlights and safely look for turtles “It was a lifelong dream of mine to see turtle hatchlings,” Raneri said I saw so many more than I thought I ever would Raneri hosted “Turtle Talk” a few times before she completed her internship She also trained an associate at the company in how to run the presentation and program so it could continue at other Marriott resorts with similar ocean-front settings “I would recommend students with similar passions to pursue a major in recreation “The really great thing is that it is such a versatile major It is useful in a lot of different career fields.” Raneri said her internship at Marriott’s Ocean Pointe taught her how to bring a design or concept to life and create memorable guest experiences which are topics at the heart of the Meetings and Events Management Certificate “The Meetings and Events Management Certificate is a great program for anyone who is interested in event planning and guest experience,” Raneri said “This was an invaluable experience to take an event from start to finish These real-life event and program management experiences are ones I will take with me through my career.” The Meetings and Events Management Certificate is a joint program between the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management and the School of Hospitality Management. Email coordinators Kristin Thomas in recreation, park, and tourism management or Nada Madrid in hospitality management for more information 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 “As long as everyday citizens continue to allow the lack of enforcement Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected Democratic candidate for state House District 41 Go to Civil Beat’s Election Guide for general information, and check out other candidates on the General Election Ballot What is the biggest issue facing your district We have three serious challenges in Ewa and Kapolei: education With the recent transfer of 400 acres of land from the Navy to the City and County of Honolulu we must be deliberate in how we allow development community development is placed in the hands of developers who seem to lack insight into what the community really needs wouldn’t it be nice to have a public swimming pool in the Ewa/Kapolei area When I was elected to the Ewa Neighborhood Board in 2015 I was appalled at the lack of air conditioning in our schools I worked diligently with other leaders to install AC in our schools we must prioritize a vision for our future; we need to plan for tomorrow — today we must find innovative ways to optimize and integrate an improved education system better economic opportunities for area residents and a more proactive approach to protecting our environment … Not just protection for the ina and our precious water; I’d like to make our community safer for pedestrians bikers and drivers; we all need to live together How do you feel about the massive income tax cut just approved by the Legislature and the governor Do you have any concerns that it will force reductions in state services in the years to come The bottom-line fact is that living in Hawaii is expensive Every dollar counts as families do what we can to make ends meet As the primary breadwinner for our family that includes my wife and young-adult daughters I remember when a trip to local restaurants was a night of family fun that could be enjoyed for less than $40 that dinner tab can easily reach $100; and that is definitely not fun I also understand the importance of revenue versus spending and I am having difficulty understanding how the massive tax cut can be sustained despite the governor’s statements regarding cuts to projects that were not likely to materialize there is a growing consensus that valuable services will be affected I’d be interested in seeing the math behind the purported sustainability of the cuts I am most disappointed to see cuts in the budget for the Department of Education and its never-ending facilities improvements list I was shocked when the DOE and others allowed nearly half a billion dollars to lapse this past session and it is a major reason why I’m running for office Hawaii continues to struggle with pay-to-play politics and corruption in government What meaningful reforms do you think would change state government for the better As long as everyday citizens continue to allow the lack of enforcement in a world where we are all doing our best to raise and protect our families enjoy our community and plan for a better future other unscrupulous people are investing enormous amounts of energy and backscratching to tip the scales in their favor One of the most innovative reforms I’d like to see is to utilize community network television to continuously broadcast key meetings that can have the ability to display the antics of dishonest police and other community leaders who hold a special If the Kealoha corruption cases have proved nothing else they showed us how bad things can really get The worst part about those cases is the fact that there were undoubtedly more people in their orbit who knew exactly what was going on Candidates often say they will support reform proposals in the Legislature And yet major reform proposals don’t pass Will you back good-government proposals even if it means going against leadership can you point to an example of a reform that you supported I served on active duty for over three decades in the United States military I worked for some outstanding leaders who showed great care and concern for their respective teams I also worked for (and with) what some people would call “straight-up criminals.” On many occasions I stood up to and called out unacceptable behavior by senior officers standing on my principles cost me politically I have found that my life is a much more enjoyable journey when I do what is right if I am elected by the residents of District 41 my mission and my life’s work to stand on the principles of being a good and faithful servant of the people of our district If that means “going against leadership,” I will stand on my principles; it’s the only way I know how to live Do you support comprehensive public financing of elections for candidates who choose to participate I support comprehensive public financing of elections for candidates who choose to participate Politics and elections in Hawaii are fascinatingly different than other places Not many people like to talk about how many voters don’t necessarily vote along ideological lines more overtly distinguishable characteristics there is so much money flowing without knowledge or assistance of the candidate … so much money that public financing and the implied restrictions won’t likely make a significant difference except to perhaps limit the reach of candidates who don’t have friends with deep pockets Hawaii is the only Western state without a statewide citizens initiative process I support a statewide citizens initiative process monies from political action committees and similar organizations have pretty much ruined politics forever Federal Election Commission” ultimately had the effect of disenfranchising millions and millions of Americans by simply mitigating the age-old adage of “one person; one vote.” the case did nothing to unite the citizens of the United States of America it opened the floodgates of spending by corporate entities it’s important to remember that corporations have almost as many rights and privileges as real humans but the corporate entity will never go to jail you can be assured jail time is part of the equation A citizens initiative process would be subject to big-dollar marketing and campaigns the fight would not be fair; corporate interests would likely still prevail Thanks to their campaign war chests and name familiarity incumbents are almost always reelected in Hawaii legislative races Should there be term limits for state legislators as there are for the governor’s office and county councils There are pros and cons associated with mandating term limits for elected officials I’d like to see a Board of Advisors who objectively grade and publicize how well elected officials are governing When faced with objective information regarding their elected officials it would be up to the voting public to keep the person who represents them … or not I believe it is my duty to listen and collaborate with my (new and long-serving) colleagues and assist them in their respective ideas and efforts Facilitating an overall increase in the number of affordable housing units Increasing efforts to better understand and prepare for the effects of climate change Ensuring developers plan and proceed in accordance with community input and expectations Strategic upgrading of the physical infrastructure Creating a long-term solution for addressing the houseless population Finding ways to leverage the tourism industry in a manner that has not previously existed Though I plan to vigorously represent the Ewa Plain I must also consider the broader picture and aloha aina What will you do to ensure accountability at the Legislature Do you support ideas such as requiring the Sunshine Law to apply to the Legislature or banning campaign contributions during session I am absolutely committed to ensuring accountability at the Legislature As a member of the Ewa Neighborhood Board since 2015 I am very familiar with the state’s Sunshine Law; our members were rather fanatical about respecting the spirit and intent of the law again … with enormous amounts of money flowing through the politics machine I am not entirely confident all legislators abide by the Sunshine Law in the same manner we do on the Ewa Neighborhood Board And … unless and until we stop believing in fairy tales we really should require the Sunshine Law to apply to the Legislature and we definitely should ban campaign contributions during session How would you make the Legislature more transparent and accessible to the public Opening conference committees to the public Stricter disclosure requirements on lobbying and lobbyists How could the Legislature change its own internal rules to be more open Let’s be creative and utilize public-access television for something innovative like “C-SPAN for Hawaii.” It would be a series of awesome civics lessons a weekly synopsis of sessions should be created published and distributed so residents would be able to better understand how their respective elected officials voted … and how/if their elected officials actually add value to not only their respective areas of responsibility Being an elected official is not just a job; it carries significant responsibilities all of which have associated long-term repercussions and consequences Many people have talked about diversifying the local economy for many years now and yet Hawaii is still heavily reliant on tourism should be done differently about tourism and the economy and some of the best weather on the planet Hawaii remains an ideal destination for millions of tourists the tourism industry has been a mixed blessing for the state Billions of dollars have flowed into the state there are also costs associated with using the state as a popular resort stop Some costs are quantitative and can be estimated and computed to determine how much it costs the state to maintain and repair the infrastructure that is more heavily trafficked due to tourism Other costs are more difficult to see.  I really like the idea of promoting eco-tourism We can be as “creatively restrictive” as we want to be in our evolution to charge fees and market expectations for tourists who visit our home I would make economic diversification one of my top 5 priorities and I would establish an economic development plan within the first 100 days in office though feelings are mixed on the possibility of allowing gambling in the state perhaps it’s time to give off-shore gambling a try; enough talk … let’s try and see what happens An estimated 60% of Hawaii residents are struggling to get by a problem that reaches far beyond low-income and into the middle class What ideas do you have to help the middle class and working families who are finding it hard to continue to live here the governor and the Legislature could have earmarked those funds for immediate investment in income-restricted housing massive job-training programs and possible tax incentives and/or grants to small businesses that can provide real new expansion in areas that desperately need improved economic opportunities The United States subsidizes numerous industries that could do very well without those subsidies The state of Hawaii needs to get innovative … we need to create innovation labs to generate ideas on how to effectively navigate allocations of tax revenue albeit in a manner that is respectful to the neediest citizens and families as well as to the most productive members of our society we must remember that it is our responsibility — our kuleana — to provide protection for our people as well as this sacred place we all call “home.” it takes a village to not only raise a child but to also ensure care and concern for our entire village especially those who can no longer care for themselves resourceful and (perhaps) imaginative about how we do it 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 Being unlicensed as a contractor in Florida does not necessarily void a storm-remediation contract a Florida appeals court said in a decision that could affect insurance defense strategy in hurricane claims “This shows that it’s really important to know the scope of work being performed,” said Josh Beck an insurance defense attorney in Boca Raton Florida’s 3rd District Court of Appeals last week reversed a Monroe County circuit judge’s decision in three lawsuits brought by mold remediation contractor Incident365 Florida against Ocean Pointe Condominium Associations The circuit judge had agreed with the condo associations that Incident365 was not a licensed contractor But the appellate judges said the situation was not so cut-and-dried The cases stemmed from damage incurred at a group of Upper Keys condos in Hurricane Irma in 2017 These were not assignments-of-benefits disputes but could impact some AOB litigation that remains after 2022 Florida legislative changes as well as more recent claims involving directives-to-pay He was not associated with the Ocean Pointe case but has handled AOB and other insurance claims disputes The decision does not take away the defense that work by an unlicensed contractor is an unenforceable contract in all cases But it makes it more important “to figure out if the contractor was licensed for the type of work done and if they have to meet statutory requirements,” he said Similar cases are likely to arise after damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton become clear Incident365 was hired by the condos for $1.4 million to dry the buildings and mitigate mold that had spread after water intrusion from the storm The condo association paid about $400,000 but refused to pay more Ocean Pointe argued that Incident365 was not a licensed contractor as required by Florida statutes The remediation company had engaged in significant demolition and remodeling-type work at the condo buildings But it was not licensed to perform construction work and entered summary judgment in favor of the condo associations The wording of the Florida statute is a little contradictory and the lower court relied on dictionary definitions of “repair,” “improvement” and “contractor.” But looking at bigger picture, the appellate judges found that Florida law does not specify that mold removal firms have to be licensed as building contractors as necessary,” Judge Monica Gordo wrote for the 3rd DCA panel The judges explained that following the lower court’s logic would mean that practically any work done for a homeowner would require a contractor’s license if a homeowner hired someone for compensation to clean their home the individual scrubbed the toilets and vacuumed and cleaned the floors the first prong of section 489.105(3) (the contractor license statute) would be satisfied because this process resulted in the “subtract[ion]” of dirt and dust from the building,” the appeals court wrote Citing a 2016 Florida appeals court decision the judges said that courts should avoid a statutory interpretation that leads to an absurd result The mold contractor had asked that the mold remediation work be separated to allow payment at least for the non-structural work done on the condos The appellate judges did not address that question directly but remanded the case to the Monroe Circuit Court for further proceedings The full opinion in the condo cases can be seen here Please tell us what we can do to improve this article STUART — Life has slipped into uncertainty for residents of Ocean Pointe Apartments with many fearing they will be priced out of their homes at the end of their lease and now it is through the roof," said Jessie Heilman plans to abandon a federal subsidy program that kept rent affordable for low-income residents Heilman has called Ocean Pointe home for more than a decade one-bedroom unit with a view of a pond and the community pool just on the other shore Her income comes from Social Security and part-time pet-sitting anticipate will increase substantially if the rents climb to market rates Apartments in the surrounding area often go for about $2,500 monthly a price unaffordable for Heilman and others on modest incomes Stuart Acquisition LLC, whose mailing address is in Minnesota, purchased the complex Sept. 19 for $31.75 million, according to the Martin County Property Appraiser's Office, and Dominium It was only months later, when a curious resident went to the front office to ask about any changes, that tenants learned the new owner was opting out of the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program News that monthly rent would be increasing spread neighbor-to-neighbor Dominium confirmed to TCPalm that Ocean Pointe would not be re-enrolled in the affordable-housing program when its participation expires in January Federal regulations require a participating property to remain in the program for 30 years The owner isn't required to continue in the program after that While Dominium maintains it intended to re-enroll the property in Florida's affordability program so close to the 30-year federal expiration date "We had hoped to secure gap funding to bring Ocean Pointe back into the affordable-housing program we realized there were not sufficient resources available,” Nick Andersen Dominium representatives declined additional comment “You can’t understand how this is going to affect the people in this complex the people who live here year after year who have nowhere else to go," said Jean Brennan Many are preparing for an uncertain exodus if their rents are increased once current leases expire Some residents of Ocean Pointe have been residents of Stuart for decades “It's sad the town I grew up in could care less,” Alex Mccaddon "The community management team is meeting with residents individually to discuss options,” Andersen said in the statement “Dominium will not impose any fees on residents who choose to end their leases early and will allow residents to remain in their homes until they secure other housing We will be providing additional relocation support as we continue to have conversations with residents.” Tenants received a notice from Dominium on Monday explaining the complex would "transition out of the (affordable-housing) program," but that future rents "have not been determined." Ocean Pointe was built in 1995 using the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program the largest source of federal funding for developing affordable rental housing Developers who participate in the program agree to keep rent low for a duration of time, and in exchange they receive tax credits, which typically are passed down to private equity investors States such as California and Colorado mandate landlords notify state and local governments and tenants before the affordability expires. Colorado requires a two-year notice. California requires a three-year notice to be posted in accessible locations on the property so it's seen by all tenants and prospective tenants yeah," if she had been given advance notice "I would have had time to get a better plan for myself There is no federally required transitional period for affordable housing and no protections for tenants, either. After 30 years, owners in the program are free to — and expected to — convert their properties to market-rate units Department of Housing and Urban Development More: Panel discussion addresses lack of affordable housing, needs in Indian River County More: Affordable housing: St. Lucie was first in Florida and third in U.S. for worst decline With many properties in the federal program developed during the '90s, the U.S. could lose nearly a half-million affordable-housing units this decade according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition and the Public and Affordable Housing Research Corp — and many residents of those units across the country seemingly have no clue I’m going to have to leave the only town I’ve never known Jack Randall is TCPalm’s economy and real estate reporter You can reach him at jack.randall@tcpalm.com or 904-466-4755 When you write a Golf Advisor course review now through December 31 your review will be entered into Golf Advisor’s Rate to Escape: Maui Sweepstakes for a chance to win a five-star trip to Maui One Grand Prize winner and guest will travel in an AVIS rental car for six nights/ seven days of accommodations with the latest gear from OGIO to play on the finest fairways in Maui We’re also giving away 12 Golf Advisor Swag bags to lucky reviewers Even with Waze as my guide and my wife and daughter snoozing in the car behind me I felt the slightest uncertainty over where I was going The feeling of getting lost while knowing where you’re going is rare and special With the lights of Beaufort disappearing behind us we glided down two-lane roads and darkness-swaddled bridges over marsh-lined creeks Miles of ghostly live oaks and the occasional dark mailbox flew past a state park of preserved coastal wilderness No cars came the other direction for what seemed like 10 miles civilization reappeared in the form of a squat gatehouse welcoming residents and registered guests to Fripp Island Over the last three-mile meander at 30 miles per hour we crept past twice as many deer as we had seen other cars in the last 45 minutes and the beginning of a lovely pre-Thanksgiving vacation-within-the-vacation The original Ocean Point’s golf features were fairly rudimentary: elliptical bunkers and small, pushed-up greens. So to mark the course’s 60th anniversary, the resort hired Dye Designs Group – Cynthia Dye McGarey and her son, Matt – to renovate it. Interestingly, the Dye Designs team left Cobb’s greens alone. There is occasional dissonance between the contemporary bunkering and the attractively Mid-Mod curvilinear putting surfaces (including some inventive forms like the corseted par-5 4th green), but overall Ocean Point is much improved for the renovation project that came in at a relatively lean $2 million. Ocean Point might be the longest sub-6,600-yard par-72 golf course in America. The longest hole on the course barely tops 500 yards, leaving more room than usual for meaty par 4s and a set of brusque par 3s like the 219-yard 7th, which plays into a prevailing wind. If ever there was a course to break an arbitrary rule about never playing tees shorter than 6,000 yards, it’s this one. I’ve long been a fan of their work, but this brilliant little golf hole confirmed my suspicions that Love & Co. are the most underrated golf design firm currently active. During my visit I learned that they are in talks with the resort to return to make some future refinements to Ocean Creek, hopefully mainly to address a couple of inoffensive but pedestrian holes over the course’s latter third. In truth, though, they gave themselves a very good platform to work from 30 years ago. Like most of South Carolina’s coastal destinations, Fripp Island bops between identities as a summer family vacation hub every summer and more of a golf trip zone in the spring and fall. It is well-suited to both purposes. The beaches speak for themselves – broad, bright and relatively unencumbered by development. Fripp trip tip: Its position and orientation on South Carolina’s coast gives Fripp Island an advantage over many other Atlantic-facing resorts: equally spectacular sunrises and sunsets. At dusk, in-the-know locals and visitors gather on the western tip of the island at Skull Point, whose foreboding name belies its status as one of the best sunset vistas on the eastern seaboard. The resort-owned house my family and I stayed in, adjacent to Ocean Creek’s 16th hole, was large and functional without being flashy, with bedrooms of various layouts, including kid-friendly bunks. A full kitchen encouraged visitors to shop at the on-island market beside the gatehouse and cook in at least a night or two. If there is one area where Fripp has some ground to make up on peer resorts, it’s dining; options are somewhat limited, especially in shoulder seasons, and restaurant menus are on the more basic side. Anyone visiting for more than three or four days should plan to venture into Beaufort for dinner at least once. Ownership of Fripp Island Resort transacted out of family hands in 2023. The new overseers include longtime golf management executives, including a major player in Invited (formerly ClubCorp). The renovation of Ocean Point is just the beginning of a multi-stage plan to update restaurants and other amenities. Construction of a fun putting course by architect Agustin Piza is on the horizon, bringing a version of golf’s hot short-course trend to the island, too. Fripp Island will never be as large and busy as Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach. Nor will it ever be as upscale as Kiawah Island. That’s for the best. It has found a niche as a mid-range spot for family beach trips and buddy-golf retreats. As long as it retains its off-the-beaten-path charm and strong value proposition for visitors, it will find its following. And as long as golf and tourism’s macroeconomics remain strong, its stock should continue to rise. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tim Gavrich (@timgavrich) Sign In Subscribe Now Greater Victoria has been designated a Sport Heritage Community by the BC Sports Hall of Fame The designation recognizes communities that have made significant contributions to British Columbia’s sports history Greater Victoria joins Kamloops as one of only two cities in the province to receive this honour called it a top acknowledgement for any community a natural way for the BC Sports Hall to recognize the important role that communities play in fostering physical activity The Hall highlighted several events from Victoria’s past that contributed to this designation including hosting the XV Commonwealth Games in 1994 and Hockey Day in Canada in 2024 Victoria’s storied sports history also includes the city's 1925 Stanley Cup win and producing back-to-back NBA MVP Steve Nash executive director of the Greater Victoria Sport Tourism Commission said Victoria’s sports community is more than deserving of the honour “When Victoria hosted Hockey Day in Canada, the community was celebrated coast to coast on national television and the iconic Cougars were certainly a proud part of that rich hockey and sport history that is synonymous with leadership “These are all qualities that help attract athletes and other sport leaders – not to mention everything from major events to training camps.” The designation will be presented at a celebratory reception on March 27 at the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines David Alcos was accused of failing to disclose millions of dollars in debts to various creditors including the IRS and the state Tax Department The State Ethics Commission has agreed to settle a complaint against State Rep David Alcos over allegations that he failed to disclose an array of debts on disclosures that candidates and lawmakers are required to file Those debts include more than $3.2 million in federal and state tax liens filed against Alcos in an attempt to collect taxes owed by Alcos’ company D.A according to the resolution of charge report by the ethics commission grew out of a dispute over millions of dollars that were owed but never paid to his company D.A Builders for work it did as a subcontractor in 2015 and 2016 on the International Marketplace project His company closed in 2016 after it was “thrown off the job” at International Marketplace The lawmaker said he believed he only needed to list his personal debts on the ethics disclosures and not the disputed claims against his company He said he should have consulted with his lawyers about the required ethics filings so I filled out the forms to the best of my ability All of the flawed filings were made years after his company closed The Ethics Commission settlement involves candidate financial disclosure statements from 2020 and 2022 and his financial disclosure statement as a lawmaker from 2023 The ethics commission Resolution of Charge document dated Wednesday said Alcos was required to disclose each of his creditors who were owed $3,000 or more But Alcos failed to include in those filings court judgments against D.A Builders totaling nearly $112,933 by Pacific Gypsum Supply Inc. Bank of Hawaii and A&B Properties Hawaii LLC Also not listed in the 2022 and 2023 filings were an unspecified sum that D.A Builders owed to the law firm Cades Schutte LLP for legal work done for the company and an unspecified amount owed to World Business Lenders in connection with a $400,000 line of credit it extended to Alcos’ company A $1.176 million state tax lien against D.A Builders for unpaid withholding taxes and general excise taxes and two liens filed by the Internal Revenue Service in 2017 for unpaid federal taxes totaling more than $2 million also were not listed “Although Respondent Alcos disputes some of the above debts to comply with the Financial Disclosure law and promote public transparency he should have disclosed the above information on the applicable financial disclosure statements filed in 2020 and 2023,” according to the commission He agreed to pay $12,500 to settle the matter Alcos said he sued another subcontractor who owed him money for work his company did at International Marketplace in 2015 and 2016 and won a judgment of $13 million in the case But the company he sued then filed for bankruptcy Builders owing money to its suppliers and others and he is trying to recover money from the developer of the International Marketplace project The Ethics Commission also said it was also “referring this matter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives for disciplinary action as appropriate.” House Speaker Scott Saiki did not respond to a request for comment on the matter Thursday Alcos said he “attributes a significant portion of these challenges to the detrimental actions of mainland contractors who have exploited and harmed local business owners,” according to a written statement “The impact of these unscrupulous practices has had far-reaching consequences resulting in financial hardship and the closure of his company Read the resolution of charge document below: Kevin Dayton is a reporter for Civil Beat. You can reach him by email at kdayton@civilbeat.org The DDG was selected for its experience designing world-class courses The planned renovations will modernize the classic Ocean Point layout to elevate the overall playing experience for golfers of all skill levels while paying tribute to the course’s original designer A key objective of the project is to incorporate several Cobb design elements throughout the course DDG reviewed original Cobb design plans from multiple courses to gain inspiration for the Ocean Point project To maximize the natural coastal beauty of the course and create an interesting design element over 200,000 square feet of grass will be converted to sand-based waste areas This is a common Cobb design element and a feature the DDG has used to elevate the aesthetic of premier Lowcountry courses The full scope of the renovations will enhance both the course design and the surrounding facilities Bunkers on all 18 holes will undergo substantial reconstruction The DDG will also be replacing most of the cement cart paths with crushed limestone that ties into the natural elements of the area and will add to the coastal charm of the course as well as the leveling of several tee boxes The project also includes the purchase of several new state-of-the-art course maintenance equipment units and a refresh of the Ocean Point clubhouse interior The extensive modernization of Ocean Point is the latest in a series of investments announced since Seascape Hospitality Group purchased Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort in 2023 “This project is one of many significant capital improvements planned for the entire Resort with several already underway,” says John Scappatura Chief Operating Officer of Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort “These renovations will significantly enhance the overall golf experience for our members and guests to enjoy The totality of the facilities upgrades underway embody our unwavering commitment to this area We couldn’t be more excited about the future of Fripp Island.” The approved renovation plans were completed by the world-renowned Dye Designs Group led by Cynthia Dye who is following in the footsteps of her late uncle and distinguished golf course architect The firm also includes Cynthia’s son Matthew McGarey who has over 20 years of golf course design and construction experience The mother and son duo are both personally engaged in the Fripp Island Ocean Point project the Dye family of golf course architects has designed and renovated more than 250 golf courses worldwide The Dye family of experienced golf course architects is a leader and innovator in sustainable golf course design and construction Cynthia has more than 45 years of experience as a golf course architect plying her trade worldwide and is a full member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects “With five holes of unobstructed oceanfront views Ocean Point golf course is undoubtedly an architect’s playground,” says Cynthia Dye “The premier course location coupled with its natural Lowcountry elements provide a solid foundation for our design team to elevate We’re excited to bring our modern course vision to life while preserving historic elements inspired by Cobb’s original design.” The completed project will further elevate the golf quality Fripp Island’s members The Resort also features the Davis Love III designed Ocean Creek course which features a modern design where five holes are edged by marsh and another six incorporate interior wetlands preserved and connected to the course through a network of wooden walkways and bridges food and fun for a good cause: Fashion for Compassion takes place on Sunday 20 at Delta Ocean Pointe Resort and tickets are now on sale which offers compassionate end-of-life care and bereavement support Last year's event raised more than $90,000 Sponsored by Sands Funeral Chapel Victoria the fashion show features garments and accessories from Turnabout Luxury Resale modelled by volunteers and hospice care team members There will also be pop-up boutique shopping Tickets for the event, which runs from noon to 3 p.m. at 100 Harbour Road, can be purchased at hibid.ca/events/fashion-for-compassion Restoration efforts were under way around Ocean Point and King Phillips Trail in East Boothbay after two storms battered coastal roads. Although crews quickly responded to clear pathways, roads were in rough condition. The town has placed signs and cones on many roadways to limit traffic in the interest of safety. Photos of the Jan. 10 storm damage before roadwork are in the Register We continue delivering the news our communities need during these ever-changing times If you already subscribe in print or online please subscribe or become an online supporter today New print or eEdition subscriptions are available at a 30% discount (use 'subscribe-to-support' coupon code at checkout) Or become an online supporter for as little as $2.99 per month X the East Boothbay resort hotel in its 124th year of operation was sold to East Boothbay Bluebird Holdings LLC a Maine subsidiary of Lark Hotels headquartered in Amesbury The inn has 60 rooms and the property includes about 20 acres Previous owner Tony Krason told the Register in a recent interview “We tried hard to locate the right buyer that had a sense of stewardship and would take care of the Ocean Point Inn for another 120 years We wanted to maintain its community relationship.”   Krason said the research in choosing a buyer included talking with local residents who liked to visit Lark hotels Lark is the umbrella hospitality company that manages and owns boutique hotels in the U.S Lark provides “Acquisition and development marketing and communications and management and operations.” Lark Hotels has recently started managing Topside Inn and Mid-Town Motel in Boothbay Harbor  there will be familiar faces and not a lot of radical change this year.” The menu may be cut down a bit from 68 items to make it more manageable but “the program will be close to what it was last year.” “The majority of staff has either returned or been recommended by a staff member,” he said Twachtman said the inn’s team is very important to him and he wanted to make sure the staff and Lark personnel would work well together “We truly care about the location and we recognize that we can’t operate without the people who work for us.” “We don’t shy away from recognizing good people We believe that if you take good care of the people on the ground and support them you can run good operations,” Twachtman added “We will start renovations in November and that will take place through the winter We’ll open under the Bluebird brand in time for next year’s opening.” Twachtman said the construction schedule will determine next year’s opening date Asked about the hospitality industry during COVID he said although managing during COVID was challenging and hotels shut down in March 2020 the business came back and is “robust” in 2022 “In some ways we have the perfect business model,” he said Lark’s portfolio includes a number of small hotels in the Northeast “We are very fortunate to represent the places we represent,” he said he added a request: “These men and women are doing the best they can in challenging times As much as we try to be gracious to all of you Press Release: The LineUp at Wai Kai “Wai Kai aims to create community and connection through interactive and engaging activities dining and events,” said Director of Retail Development Larry Caster “We’re excited to provide a unique place for locals to gather while introducing travelers to the vibrant surf and waterman lifestyle for which Hawaii is known.” the Wai Kai Wave is Hawaii’s first deep-water standing wave offering an unrivaled surf experience for all levels from beginner to pro Spanning 100-feet wide and adjustable from two- to six-feet high the wave allows up to three lanes with 10 surfers per lane and emulates famous natural standing river waves like Oahu’s legendary Waimea River Six Surfside Cabanas adjacent to the Wai Kai Wave feature interior sofa seating live video feeds of the wave and additional amenities Upcoming plans include the Wai Kai Wave Surf Academy developed in collaboration with Wai Kai partner Shane Beschen X-Games Champion and Red Bull’s high-performance surf coach.  rather to be a valuable resource for water enthusiasts,” said Beschen “Our custom surfing program and innovative technology enable an in-depth approach to coaching made easier by the consistent and predictable nature of the Wai Kai Wave It’s the perfect practice arena for the sport’s best to hone their craft and an accessible entry point for beginners to learn in a controlled environment.” Beschen and other internationally acclaimed surfers are available for personalized instruction and training sessions Current and former professional surfers are already flocking to the wave including Olympic gold medalist Carissa Moore “I had the best time visiting The LineUp,” said Lenny “It’s the perfect environment to improve surfing technique and try out different tricks because it’s a never-ending ride Guests can choose from a robust program of water activities on the protected 52-acre Wai Kai Lagoon A variety of watercraft are available to rent stand-up paddleboards (SUP) and pedalboards Duffy boat cruises and AquaBana floating cabanas Rentals are bookable by the hour or through the Play Your Way package which allows visitors to swap out different watercraft and use the floating cabanas for the same hourly rate as a kayak or paddleboard rental Individual or double-clamshell lounge chairs are available by reservation at the waterfront Three unique dining venues will bring friends and family together for a variety of epicurean experiences a Surfrider Foundation Ocean Friendly Restaurant provides front-row views of the surf action from its expansive lanai and wave deck as well as unobstructed views of the adjacent Wai Kai Lagoon and sparkling Pacific Ocean The menu is inspired by famous surf spots around the world and celebrates the island’s unique bounty with a focus on locally sourced products and handcrafted cocktails along with snacks and grab-and-go food items Critically acclaimed Kitchen Door Napa debuts in Hawaii as Wai Kai’s signature restaurant with a dual-dining concept housed in a two-story Presented by the trio of partners known for their hospitality and culinary expertise: Michelin-awarded Chef Todd Humphries the synergistic restaurant offers a sophisticated yet approachable menu for broad-ranging appetites the premier restaurant on the upper Plaza Level a spacious lanai with lagoon views and a parlor for intimate gatherings and celebrations an interactive counter-service restaurant ideal for quick-service It features an all-day menu of eclectic yet traditional favorites elevated and prepared a la minute by classically trained chefs Hawaii-based Events International has partnered with Wai Kai to curate a robust schedule of interactive and engaging events and experiences for all ages Wai Kai will host memorable group functions and catered events ranging from intimate gatherings to full buyouts Venues include the 61,200-square-foot Event Lawn Lagoon Promenade along the adjacent Wai Kai Lagoon the 12,600-square-foot Surfside Lawn by the Wai Kai Wave Set events include social paddles on the Wai Kai Lagoon; farmers markets highlighting local products and vendors; Wahine Wednesdays paddle or yoga session followed by food and drink specials at The LookOut; and Sustainability Sundays a monthly event featuring a locally based non-profit organizations committed to sustainable solutions Additional future offerings will include Camp Kai a multi-day camp for children during certain dates throughout the year.  The signature Wai Kai Show will enthrall guests every Monday evening starting April 17 and includes a family-style dinner alongside a spellbinding show featuring dancers Hawaiian and Tahitian performers weave a story of water through song and dance and incorporate live surfing by utilizing the Wai Kai Wave – the perfect way to learn about the history of Heʻe Nalu (surfing) and Heʻe Puʻe Wai (river wave surfing) The LineUp at Wai Kai has been benchmarked by Sustainable Tourism & Outdoors Kit for Evaluation (STOKE) the only sustainability standard built for the surf park industry The STOKE Surf Parks standard was created with input from major wave technology providers and surf parks.  The LineUp at Wai Kai is proud to be working with Sustainable Surf and its Hawaii-based SeaTrees program For every guest activity booking on the Wai Kai Wave or the Wai Kai Lagoon one dollar is donated to the SeaTrees program to provide support for the restoration of coral reefs Each token purchased sequesters one ton of carbon emissions through double certified carbon credits and restores one square-foot of coastal watershed on Maui.  Wai Kai operates with a no single-use plastic policy and all disposable products must be 100 percent BPI certified compostable Sustainable options for grab-and-go packaging include Sustainable Island Products and Mananalu Water.  The private Nalo Kai Lounge features a club-style locker room showers and air-conditioned lounge with concierge services Visitors can access the club with a day pass or monthly membership Pricing starts at $90 for a 45-minute surf session and $45 for a one-hour watercraft rental The LineUp Local is a monthly and annual membership program designed for Kama‘aina (local Hawaii residents) and military with price discounts and preferred access to special programming and events LineUp Local pricing starts at $70 for a 45-minute surf session and $34 for a one-hour watercraft rental.  Bookings are available online here. For more information visit, https://waikai.com/ or https://atthelineup.com/.  commercial and resort properties in Hawaii since 1973 the Haseko Family of Companies have built a solid reputation for high-quality projects and a genuine commitment to the community commercial and residential projects are the award-winning master planned communities of Ocean Pointe and Hoakalei Resort Kaanapali Shores resort condominiums on Maui The Courtyards at Punahou and Ocean View Center in Honolulu The Haseko Family of Companies are separate and independent companies which include Wai Kai these companies are referred to as the Haseko Family of Companies.  is a proven and professional management team focused on delivering successful business results in the emerging surf park arena SPM provides consulting and management services to developers and investors to surf parks and their related recreational and hospitality operations SPM is technology-agnostic and works with the surf technology that works best for the specific venues and its operating parameters The team consists of surf and sports enthusiasts with deep expertise in complex resort operations and event management You must be logged in to post a comment Press release from URBNSURF: URBNSURF Melbourne the original and most surfed wave park on the planet has officially turned five – celebrating not just.. We’re a third of the way through 2025 and we’ve seen some exciting news in the surf park industry By Jess Ponting Academic Research Finds That Environmental Sustainability and Community Benefit are Both Achievable and Non-Negotiable for the European Surf Park Market Copyright Surf Park Central. All rights reserved. | Terms of use Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Roger Sands covers travel and the hospitality industry 01:24pm EDTShareSaveComment@font-face{font-family: "Schnyder"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Merriweather"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Euclid"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/euclidcircularb/euclidcircularb-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") 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.quote-embed.bg-base #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .bg-base{background-color: #000000;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.font-accent #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .font-accent{font-family: Schnyder,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.font-size p #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .font-size p{font-size: 36px;}Dining has become a core component for The Marriott Vacation Clubs TMVCs offers a variety of distinctive culinary experiences across their portfolio of properties including full-service restaurants unique bar programs and exclusive culinary themed owner-only events The brand is elevating dining from a mere amenity to a core component of the vacation experience Corporate Chef at Marriott Vacations Worldwide “Our culinary strategy marks a significant shift in the industry establishing The Marriott Vacation Clubs as one of the few vacation ownership brands to prioritize food and beverage experiences as a core part of our offerings What began as a simple amenity has evolved into a true business operation so much so that our new Orlando headquarters was built to include a test kitchen underscoring our commitment to culinary innovation We’ve responded to owner feedback for elevated dining options at our resorts ultimately strengthening our brand and boosting long-term financial performance This approach also opens new revenue streams by attracting both new owners and repeat visitors who prioritize vacationing at resorts with a variety of delicious and convenient food and beverage offerings.” TMVCs offers a variety of distinctive culinary experiences Highlights of this ambitious F&B initiative include: Creative cocktails are served at many of the brand’s timeshares An array of dining options are part of the timeshare experience The Marriott Vacation Clubs have more than 90 domestic and international properties Owners and guests (leisure guests can stay at the properties too) enjoy villa-style accommodations When you become an owner in a real estate trust you receive an annual allotment of points which can be used to book vacation experiences for you or loved ones The Marriott Vacation Clubs’ corporate culinary team’s strategy is to transform F&B from a “nice to have” amenity that barely existed on properties ten years ago to a true business operation within the portfolio Over the last 10 years The Marriott Vacation Clubs has more than doubled food and beverage revenue Grilling areas have become popular social hubs This F&B approach opens new revenue streams More Than Looks displayed an impressive closing kick to rally from the back and easily win Saturday’s 43rd running of the $200,000 Jefferson Cup for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs by 2¾ lengths over Smokey Mandate Ridden by Cristian Torres and trained by Cherie DeVaux More Than Looks had one horse beat in the early stages of the two-turn turf race as Gaslight Dancer dictated the pace and led the field of nine through early fractions of :23.77 More Than Looks still had one horse beat when he was asked for his best run and responded willingly with an impressive run down the center of the stretch to collar Smokey Mandate inside the final sixteenth of a mile “He settled well from just off the pace and closed strongly down the lane,” Torres said “The pace wasn’t too fast but he handled it well and I’m proud of how he ran today.” More Than Looks clocked one mile on the firm Matt Winn Turf Course in 1:36.55 and won for the fourth time in seven career starts for owner Anthony Bartolo’s Victory Racing Partners The $119,280 winner’s share boosted the More Than Ready colt’s earnings to $453,215 More Than Looks finished third in the Hall of Fame (G2) on Aug 11 at Saratoga after winning the $250,000 Manila (G3) in June at Belmont Park “The race ended up unfolding OK and he was able to close well This was one of the first times he really put his head down and ran through the wire Sometimes he got a little green and would hang a little bit once he got in front I’m thrilled for all of the partners involved with this horse.” More Than Looks paid $5.26 as the 8-5 favorite finished 3 1/2 lengths to the good of third-place finisher Worthington Ocean Pointe was fourth and was followed by Noises Off Out of the Harlan’s Holiday mare Ladies’ Privilege More Than Looks was bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms He was a $130,000 Keeneland September yearling sale purchase from his breeder in 2021 DeVaux said More Than Looks would likely be aimed at the $300,000 Bryan Station (G3) at Keeneland on Oct 28 for his next start and a possible follow-up run in the $300,000 Hollywood Derby (G1) at Del Mar on Dec which returned to the stakes schedule following a three-year hiatus the most populous county in Kentucky which Churchill Downs resides and the debates surrounding trainer Bob Baffert Located in the vibrant coastal city of Stuart The Pointe offers 160 Independent Living units designed to provide a dynamic and engaging lifestyle for seniors Known as the Sailfish Capital of the World Stuart sits along Florida’s renowned Treasure Coast just north of Palm Beach and south of Vero Beach The city is recognized for its historic charm and access to world-class fishing and water activities The Pointe at Ocean Boulevard offers an ideal location: Designed to foster an active and social lifestyle The Pointe at Ocean Boulevard provides residents with an enriching environment with coffee socials and scheduled transportation for off-site outings Each residence—whether a studio or one-bedroom apartment—is thoughtfully designed with aging in mind ensuring both comfort and safety for residents “We’re excited to welcome The Pointe at Ocean Boulevard into the SRI Management family This community fits well with our commitment to providing seniors with comfortable well-designed living spaces in great locations With its strong sense of community and engaging lifestyle The Pointe is a place where residents can truly enjoy their independence,” said Todd Filippone Media Contact: Dave Cone Phone: (850) 583-7990Email: communications@srimgt.com Kurt Fevella remains minority leader in the Senate Hawaii’s House Republican Caucus on Saturday elected Rep Lauren Cheape Matsumoto (District 38: portions of Mililani and Waipio Acres Mililani Mauka) its new House minority leader Alcos and Pierick are new to the House minority caucus which now numbers six out of the 51-member House controlled by Democrats “I am inspired by this new group of Republican Representatives with all of the strengths that they bring to the table,” Matsumoto said in a press release “Together we will be a strong voice and advocate for the people of Hawaii.” portion of Ewa Villages) remains minority leader and minority floor leader Kunia Village) doubles the GOP caucus to two in the 25-member A patient received comprehensive dental care at Goehring Dental Looking to diversify your marketing mix and elevate your brand Share yours to be featured in our newsletters and on our website By: Vanessa Londono 7:00 am on April 13 Available on NYC Housing Connect are 95 units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI) ranging in eligible income from $33,806 to $152,500 1 Park Point at 11 Ocean Parkway in Windsor Terrace a garage with electric vehicle charging stations there are 28 one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $874 for incomes ranging from $33,806 to $50,840 and ten two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,031 for incomes ranging from $39,738 to $61,000 there are 26 one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,374 for incomes ranging from $50,949 to $76,260 and 12 two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,631 for incomes ranging from $60,309 to $91,500 there are 13 one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,375 for incomes ranging from $85,269 to $127,100 and six two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,832 for incomes ranging from $101,486 to $152,500 Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than June 4 Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates Like YIMBY on Facebook Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews Looking forward to applying and hopefully get one of these affordable apartments Simone Milien April 15,2024 at 9-1l8 am reply looking forward to applying for 2 bedrooms apartment hopefully I will get one of these affordable apartments in the name of Jesus thank you in advance ga('send', 'event', 'beautyofblock', 'Impression', 'https://newyorkyimby.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Standard_336x280-100-2.jpg', { nonInteraction: true }); ADVERTISEMENT ga('send', 'event', 'PCRichards Builders Division', 'Impression', 'https://newyorkyimby.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PCR_Beko_Compact_YIMB_336x280.jpg', { nonInteraction: true }); ga('send', 'event', 'yimby+', 'Impression', 'https://newyorkyimby.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/image.png', { nonInteraction: true }); Follow on Instagram var sb_instagram_js_options = {"font_method":"svg","placeholder":"https:\/\/www.newyorkyimby.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/instagram-feed\/img\/placeholder.png","resized_url":"https:\/\/www.newyorkyimby.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sb-instagram-feed-images\/","ajax_url":"https:\/\/www.newyorkyimby.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php"}; © COPYRIGHT New York YIMBY® LLC YIMBY IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF NIKOLAI FEDAK / NEW YORK YIMBY LLC “But when I was getting my bachelor’s degree I was assigned to work in a kindergarten classroom They never had a man there before at that grade level and they didn’t know what to do with me.” The California native went on to get his master’s degree in education of exceptional children from Western Washington University CEO and executive director of Seagull Schools – a private nonprofit early education facility based in Kailua on Oahu’s Windward side Seagull has added early education centers downtown and in  Kapolei and at the Mauna Lani Resort on Hawaii Island “My landlady told me about this federal stream of funding for a preschool for abused and developmentally disabled children,” recalls Larson “We began in 1972 under a contract with the state at our current location at Christ Church Uniting Disciples and Presbyterians in Kailua “I named the preschool after a popular book at that time the school started accepting nondisabled students for an affordable fee and now accepts children from all backgrounds The nonprofit uses grants to provide tuition assistance to about half of its families “All of our schools are nationally accredited,” Larson points out “We have lower child-to-staff ratios than almost any other center Seagull was one of only 16 childcare centers nationally to be recognized by then-first lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign promoting healthy lifestyles for children all campuses became Blue Zones Project-certified as environments for healthy living “We don’t have any air-conditioned classrooms because they circulate germs,” explains the Waimanalo resident “Our centers are architecturally designed to be cooled naturally we have a strict no-candies/no-sweets policy We have no screen time – the kids aren’t allowed to watch any videos We serve fresh fruits and vegetables daily as well as whole grain bread and brown rice Seagull’s annual budget is about $10 million with about 180 full-time and 60 part-time staff It survives on a mixture of government and private grants and fees And due to a string of fortunate circumstances the nonprofit owns the land and buildings in three neighborhoods: Kapolei Larson also pioneered a food service program that serves more than 1,500 meals a day to schools and senior centers and in 2000 he began an intergenerational adult day care program opening an adult day care center made sense because so many Hawaii residents are aging,” says Larson “But we also designed daily programs so the seniors can interact with the children: two or three days a week the kupuna are assigned to one classroom so they can build one-on-one relationships with the children “We see such amazing benefits for both generations when they interact in this way.” seagullschools.com 90 Companies and Nonprofits Where Employees Thrive you reduce the homeless population,” says HomeAid Hawai‘i’s executive director a former Indianapolis real estate broker who is facing a slew of legal disputes is asking a judge to set aside a $554,000 default judgment against him in one of those cases The judgment stemmed from a 2017 investor lawsuit accusing Whalen and his company of failing to make promised renovations and pocketing rent money he collected for the investors. The default judgment was not based on the merits of the case but because Whalen disobeyed court orders and did not show up for a hearing after his former attorney withdrew from the case The case had been set for a trial this week Whalen blames his absence on "a litany of professional and personal challenges and miscommunications that have occurred." He goes on to describe what he calls the "greatest period of turmoil" in his life: Legal mayhem from an attempted business coup. Spiraling lawsuits filed against him because of his affiliation with real estate investor and former Fox & Friends host Clayton Morris Personal trauma from negative media coverage. Time-consuming government subpoenas he is also dealing with the "emotionally devastating" health problems of two family members including his mother "It’s a unique situation that we’ve outlined in our motion and we have faith in the court and look forward to presenting our case on the merits as opposed to a procedural judgment," said Ed Bielski who is now representing Whalen in the lawsuit Whalen denies any liability. He is fighting the tenants' allegations in court and says his companies are not responsible for the conditions. He also claims Morris, who recently moved his family to Portugal is pointing the finger at him to deflect responsibility Some of the investor and tenant lawsuits have been dismissed though at least one tenant won a $2,600 small claims case in 2018 and Whalen was on the losing end of a $744,000 real estate-related lawsuit in 2011 Ocean Point is appealing the small claims case Bielski says he is handling 23 different legal disputes related to Whalen or companies with which he's affiliated The $544,000 judgment stems from a 2017 lawsuit filed by a pair of Florida real estate investment companies Bariy Investments and First Indy Investments They claim Whalen assisted them in buying about 40 distressed Indianapolis homes in 2016 Whalen also helped the companies purchase four homes through Marion County's tax sale system The companies say Whalen was supposed to renovate most of the properties and manage all of them. As part of the deal Whalen also was to buy back 12 of the renovated homes The lawsuit claims Whalen failed to complete $116,000 in renovations for which the investors had paid up front He also allegedly stole more than $21,000 in rent payments And he did not follow through on an agreement to buy back 12 homes Even after the Florida companies terminated their management agreement with Whalen in November 2016 he continued with attempts to collect rent payments, the lawsuit says Whalen's failure to live up to his end of the deal resulted in citations and fines by the city Attorneys for the Florida companies did not respond to requests for comment Marion Superior Judge Kurt Eisgruber awarded the companies: The half-a-million-dollar judgment came about four months after one of Whalen's former attorneys, Patrick F Court records show Mastrian withdrew after writing a March 26 letter that lists key upcoming events in the case court records indicate Whalen did not hire a new attorney to represent him and ignored court orders and notices Eisgruber held Oceanpointe and Whalen in contempt last month for failing to obey a court order to produce documents Whalen then failed to appear for two court proceedings in early June Whalen says he "has defenses and the legal and factual claims made by the plaintiff are without merit.” He then goes on to offer a long list of reasons why he let the case move forward without hiring a new attorney “These various challenges and the resulting confusion helps explain why he was temporarily absent from this litigation,” his motion says The explanation concludes: “Unfortunately these multiple distractions resulted in a temporary absence from this matter.” Judgment latest in string of troublesThe default judgment is the latest in a string of troubles for Whalen sold or managed more than 1,200 homes in some of the city's most troubled neighborhoods in recent years is facing similar allegations in other lawsuits filed by investors in connection with home sales and renovation deals involving Morris An IndyStar investigation found last month that companies affiliated with Whalen have been the subject of more than 1,700 housing code violations since 2015 racking up $700,000 in fines — more than $440,000 of which remained unpaid Lawsuits and complaints by tenants claim they were forced to live in disgusting and dangerous situations in homes that were owned or managed by companies affiliated with Whalen he lived in a waterfront mansion with a private dock at Geist It was once owned by former governor Mitch Daniels Whalen also kept a 51-foot luxury yacht in Jacksonville Morris is not a defendant in the case brought by the Florida investors who received the $544,000 judgment He told IndyStar in an email that that he didn't know about the case until this spring, after he severed ties with Whalen.  Flipping Exes: The baggage Bravo's not talking about: Bankruptcy, lawsuits, late taxes Clayton Morris and Bert Whalen: The men behind a wave of real estate investor complaints Whalen told IndyStar last week that he is currently in Jacksonville where he operates a small construction company He said he no longer owns or manages property in Indianapolis I don’t own one piece of property in Indianapolis Nor do I manage one single piece of property in Indianapolis," he said But in his motion seeking to set aside the judgment Whalen's attorney says his client has been "involved in the real estate industry in various capacities" for years sell or otherwise deal with thousands of Indiana properties on a yearly basis." Whalen also testified in May in another court case that he was the managing partner of a company that manages rental properties Whalen held an Indiana real estate license since at least 1995 That action was affirmed by the Indiana Real Estate Commission on Jan Regulators found he failed to reveal several convictions for operating vehicles under the influence The commission also cited an allegation that Whalen failed to turn over rent he collected for a property management client.  Contact IndyStar reporter Tony Cook at 317-444-6081 or tony.cook@indystar.com Contact Tim Evans at 317-444-6204 or tim.evans@indystar.com What does one do with a lifetime collection of rare Ocean Point images and ephemera That's exactly what lifelong Ocean Pointer Susan Kimball Clark did Growing up in a classic Maine turn of the century cottage at Grimes Cove Sue Clark later watched her own children frolic and explore the same rocky playground she did With time she saw the scenery was changing or long gone dories with cork strung herring nets or the automation of lighthouses replacing its keepers Clark painstakingly collected and catalogued images pored through century old newspaper articles She spent time in the Boothbay Region Historical Society communicated with the Penobscot Marine Museum and welcomed the images shared from private collections was enlarged to an 8" x 11" page and placed in a clear archival sleeve Penny postcards were the "social media of the past." The correspondence side reflected brief news and greetings while the image side captured a still life moment or snapshot of history Her passion for collecting the images was refueled every time she discovered another image the time came to turn this collection gone wild into a historic accounting to be shared The publication of "Past Images of Ocean Point Maine" is a comprehensive collection of 280 early historic Ocean Point images spread over 150 color gloss 8.5" x 11" perfect bound pages around the Point starting at the corner of Van Horn and Shore Road where the Ocean Point Wharf welcomed early cottagers traveling by steamship The images continue by numbered address along Shore Road Interior Ocean Point images are in order by street and area including the Casino and General Store Notated at the foot of numerous pages are samplings of actual quotes taken directly from the correspondence on the reverse of the postcard Maine" is currently on display at the Boothbay Region Historical Society Copies are $50 and are available locally at the East Boothbay General Store and the Ocean Point Inn or direct from Sue Clark at Latitude43Designs@hotmail.com or (207) 998-9169 By Andrew Gomes Artist rendering of the proposed retail and seaside space being developed by Haseko is for retail Wai Kai Lagoon development at its Hoakalei Resort and Ocean Pointe communities Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading A $300 million waterfront retail village would be a welcome amenity for many Hoakalei Resort and Ocean Pointe homeowners in Ewa Beach but some of them still want something else: $27 million from a jury award two years ago and more in pending claims announced the retail village plan Thursday saying it represents a big step toward finishing its master-planned Hoakalei and Ocean Pointe project Yet litigation over a key component tied to the retail development Nine homeowners filed a class-action lawsuit in 2013 against Haseko for changing what it promoted as the centerpiece of its community from a boat marina to a lagoon Haseko said the marina was inhibiting development of a hotel and retail component in its 20-year-old project because hotel operators weren’t interested in a marina partly because demand from boaters had waned since original plans were created in the 1970s The company also argued that a lagoon would be a better community benefit and said it had reserved its rights for master-plan changes while also disclaiming the certainty of a marina A jury sided with homeowners who regarded the change as a bait-and-switch and found Haseko guilty of unfair and deceptive trade practices in September 2015 But a judge nullified the jury’s $27 million award a month later Plaintiffs failed to obtain a new trial on this part of the case when Circuit Judge Gary W.B Chang denied a motion for a new trial in February An appeal of Chang’s initial decision to nullify the jury’s monetary award is still possible But other claims in the case await an initial decision These claims were reserved for a judge to decide and final arguments were made before Circuit Judge Karen Nakasone in January argued at trial that Haseko should pay $149 million in damages in the piece of the case pertaining to claims that Haseko unjustly enriched itself and violated the state’s condominium law The previously decided part of the case focused on consumer protection law Chang ruled that punitive damages can’t be awarded under Hawaii consumer protection law and that the plaintiffs failed to prove that their property values had suffered because of Haseko’s marina-to-lagoon change expressed disdain for Haseko after the company announced that it plans to break ground next year on the retail project after it finishes construction documents and applies for building permits which he called a “habitually lying developer,” of promoting the retail plans to help market remaining homes (about 1,000 of 4,850 are left to be built and sold) and questioned whether the company will follow through to deliver the 215,000 square feet of retail restaurant and entertainment facilities fronting the lagoon where recreational uses are envisioned “I hope that something happens,” he said “I hope it’s representative of what they say they intend to build … I just don’t believe them.” Revere said evidence in the trial supports this disbelief which is when the company announced the lagoon plan that said there was an issue with the retail site not being suitable because of its distance from the highway and that tourists and area residents aren’t likely to support a “large scale shopping mall.” The document also said the plan was to sell the retail site after infrastructure installation said in an email that the document was part of a report to Haseko’s parent company in Japan that identified different options that may be considered “We have conducted numerous studies for the commercial portion of our project over the years to help determine what would be the best way to proceed,” she said “The retail plan announced (Thursday) reflects our decision and we believe its unique focus on smaller local merchants blended with targeted national retailers plus a significant number of both local and mainland restaurants and cafes and the recreational opportunities afforded by the lagoon will provide residents and visitors with an experience they can’t find anywhere else.” Tam said construction on the retail project “We’ve been working hard to complete Hoakalei and with only about 1,000 homes left to be brought to market for sale we’re naturally focused on finishing the remaining parts of our project and implementing and increasing the accompanying recreational use of the lagoon.” Tam added that Haseko hopes to receive judgments in its favor on the claims in the lawsuit that have yet to be decided and anticipated that an appeals process would likely begin after a ruling there is flooding occurring around the Boothbay region We have received some photos and our reporters are out getting more Please feel free to send us any photos at news@boothbayregister.com Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation filed a cross claim against Ocean Point Terminals on Thursday that included a photo that Port Hamilton says shows Ocean Point employees declining to help respond to a conveyor belt fire on Aug Ocean Point said in a statement that Port Hamilton’s filing “is replete with inaccuracies.” Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation filed a crossclaim against Ocean Point Terminals claiming the company “repeatedly interfered with Port Hamilton’s efforts to contain the coke smoldering situation” at the St “Had Ocean Point not delayed Port Hamilton’s response the smoldering coke situation would have been contained to a much smaller area; far less smoke would have been released to the atmosphere; and Port Hamilton would have been able to control the situation in a much shorter period of time and at less cost,” according to the crossclaim filed on Thursday by Port Hamilton attorney Andrew Simpson Ocean Point responded to the filing in a statement Thursday “The filing is replete with inaccuracies and we look forward to responding to this and the other baseless claims being advanced by PHRT in the normal course,” according to the statement from Ocean Point General Counsel Mark Chavez The crossclaim was filed in a case originally filed by attorney Lee Rohn on behalf of St which accuses both Port Hamilton and Ocean Point of failing to properly contain and remove potentially toxic materials that were not removed by former refinery owner Limetree Bay Refining The refinery and fuel terminal were previously owned by one entity which split into Limetree Bay Refining and Limetree Bay Terminals Port Hamilton acquired the refinery at a bankruptcy auction in Dec and Limetree Bay Terminals now does business as Ocean Point Terminals and both companies still share the same site One of the chemicals left on site was petroleum coke a pile of coke was found smoldering at the refinery and Wooten “immediately felt smoke enter her lungs” when she arrived at the site as part of her job for U.S had chest pains was shaking uncontrollably with tremors where she was given four vials of inhalation solution and a steroid shot,” according to the lawsuit Wooten “has a permanent loss of lung capacity,” and is seeking damages for gross negligence Port Hamilton filed a crossclaim saying Wooten was allowed access to the property by Ocean Point and “was located on Ocean Point’s property at the time of her alleged exposure.” “Port Hamilton had no knowledge that plaintiff Wooten was inside of the facility and thus was not in a position to warn her of any potential hazards related to the situation at the coke dome.” 2022 and traced to smoldering coke in the refinery but Ocean Point’s Fire Chief called Port Hamilton’s refinery shift superintendent “and informed him that he had been instructed by Ocean Point’s management not to assist with the response to the incident.” Port Hamilton and Ocean Point are in ongoing litigation over a shared services agreement for infrastructure costs and the crossclaim accuses Ocean Point of using the emergency situation to try and demand payment of $7.8 million in disputed invoices which Port Hamilton claims were overinflated “Because of the commercial dispute between Ocean Point and Port Hamilton Ocean Point illegally and improperly used its security control over Port Hamilton’s firehouse and fire equipment in an attempt to extort payment from Port Hamilton of the disputed invoice and to attempt to gain an upper hand in the commercial dispute,” according to the crossclaim “Ocean Point’s actions delayed Port Hamilton’s response to the smoldering coke and directly caused the smoldering coke areas to spread within the coke dome and the situation to worsen,” the claim added A fire broke out in the overhead coke conveyor system on Aug and Ocean Point’s emergency response personnel “chose to observe the situation from a safe distance,” according to Port Hamilton “Had Ocean Point not repeatedly interfered with Port Hamilton’s efforts to contain the coke smoldering situation the fire in the coke conveyor system would never have occurred.” The crossclaim says the smoldering coke and conveyor fire cost Port Hamilton in excess of $2.3 million to control and $2-4 million in damage to Port Hamilton equipment Port Hamilton is demanding judgment against Ocean Point for damages and “for any sums for which Port Hamilton may be found liable to plaintiff Nicole Wooten.” — Contact Suzanne Carlson at 340-714-9122 or email scarlson@dailynews.vi Email notifications are only sent once a day Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Would you like to receive our daily news? Signup today Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Living daily in a place tourists pay thousands to visit we’re jaded about our beaches (those old things?) nonchalant about our reviving downtowns (doesn’t everyone have celebrity chefs gourmet ethnic food and the hottest restaurant trends?) and indifferent to the idiosyncratic diversity that makes our state a weird and wonderful oddity to the rest of the country (another Florida dateline my husband and I have been reclaiming our favorite Florida places with summer weekend trips Without the agony of airline travel or long drives we’ve found that getting away without going far away is rejuvenating — and fairly inexpensive with summer hotel and restaurant deals That was the idea when we headed to Singer Island recently for a getaway that turned out to be just what we needed and more than we expected from a place only 20-minutes from home Even a slight miscalculation on my part couldn’t ruin a couple of perfect days at the beach we learned we had arrived too late for the gel candle or tie dye workshops I hoped that was just a cute name for a two-for-one “It’s where kids make their own stuffed animals,” the desk clerk explained I’d confused the three Marriotts on Singer Island Instead of booking the more sophisticated Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island further north I’d reserved a room at the family-centric Marriott’s Ocean Pointe Vacation Club in Palm Beach Shores which is constructing a second high-rise tower did I screw up,” I apologized to my husband as we looked around what is essentially a lush playground mainly occupied by families with time share villas Dodging the splash trajectory from a knot of kids whooping it up in the main pool we remembered why “kids” and “romantic getaway” are in diametric opposition Nor could we hear them from our fifth floor room which looked out on a sapphire ocean roaring with wind-whipped waves kids let off the parental leash aren’t a problem unless you’re the one having to lasso them back in And the resort seems to have a summer camp full of kids’ activities to keep them occupied was ready to throw down in the ping pong competition and wondering if there was an age limit for the speed checkers tournament with 682 rooms spread among five medium-rise buildings Secluded benches and wooden swings for two are tucked into the dense sea grape hedge along the dune We left the car in the covered garage and walked to shops and restaurants at Riviera Beach’s Ocean Mall While the ocean was too rough for swimming the weekend we visited it made a dramatic backdrop for lounging in rental chairs under the shade of an umbrella Among Palm Beach County’s 29 public beaches Sand-dusted Palm Beach Shores on its southern tip is Florida’s easternmost point At the apex of the bulge where Palm Beach County pushes into the Atlantic it’s also the point where the deep blue Gulfstream swerves closest to land which accounts for the ocean’s Caribbean hue here We could have had a fine time without venturing beyond the resort’s security gates but there’s a certain bliss in a happy hour margarita from a salty beach bar as the day’s heat fades so we waded in the waves to Riviera Beach’s municipal beach The city’s Ocean Park and 1970’s Ocean Mall were refurbished in 2010 in a still-controversial deal with Palm Beach Gardens developer Dan Catalfumo volley ball and tennis courts are beautiful although a promised hotel never materialized Catalfumo defaulted on the mortgage for the Ocean Mall the city’s Caribbean-styled strip of beach shops and restaurants Live music drifted from the patio of the Ocean Mall’s NY Bagel Cafe & Deli while laid-back locals were beating the heat in the mall’s two highly-accessorized theme restaurants - Johnny Longboat’s and Two Drunken Goats Two Goats’ open air bar confirmed that a cold drink in breezy shade makes air conditioning unnecessary we shared coconut ice cream from POPS Costa Rican Creamery a 40-year-old Central American company making its first inroad into Palm Beach County a milkshake made from Kola Champagne ice cream (itself made from a non-alcoholic Jamaican soft drink) topped with powdered milk or a Cocles a blend of coconut and banana ice cream topped with cinnamon Johnny Longboat’s was so jammed it looked like a night in February Decked out to look like a weathered surf shack While our grouper-in-a-bag and crab cakes were tasty I’d have been just as happy with appetizers and drinks under the lively bar’s hanging great white shark We found the hounds’ tooth tracks of female sea turtles who braved the night’s rough seas to dig nests above the high tide line Singer Island is an important nesting beach for loggerhead turtles as well as far rarer green and leatherback turtles Two women working for the state’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were staking the bowl-shaped depressions then roping them off with yellow caution tape clusters of yellow-wrapped turtle nests dot the pristine beach at John D This two-mile-long slice of natural Florida is the reward for a hot hike over a lagoon boardwalk (there’s a tram The rhythms of the tides dictate activities here High tide is the time to snorkel the offshore limestone reef or rent a kayak to explore the park’s lagoon or intracoastal waters we would have spent a couple of hours at Phil Foster Park the tiny beach under the Blue Heron Bridge known as the best shore dive in Florida for viewing sealife An astonishing array of critters —bottom-dwelling batfish arrow crabs and octopus — hangs out around the bridge pilings in shallow water but visibility is good only at slack high tide (from a half before high tide to a half hour after) which is also when the area’s strong current slows our books were absorbing and doing nothing felt like the best use of a few sunny hours Then we reluctantly rinsed our sandy feet and headed back to real life By: Max Gillespie 7:30 am on June 12 Courtyard of One Park Point at 11 Ocean Parkway One Park Point yields 375 units in one- to two-bedroom units The property also features nearly 20,000 square feet of amenities The 13th-floor deck is home to a sundeck with a barrel sauna and cold plunge pool 12th floor lounge of One Park Point at 11 Ocean Parkway Fitness center of One Park Point at 11 Ocean Parkway “Windsor Terrace is a hidden gem in Brooklyn,” said Bobby Dweck “Between Prospect Park and the local restaurants and shops the only remaining piece of the puzzle is a high-quality housing option that enables more people to experience and enjoy the neighborhood One Park Point presented the ideal entry point into Brooklyn as it’s across the street from Prospect Park Between this and our commitment to creating a tier of rental building the neighborhood warrants One Park Point is located steps from stops for a variety of bus lines along with the Fort Hamilton Parkway subway station Why are they releasing renderings for a completed building😂 just take a picture of it These trees will release oxygen to make the building more livable What’s going on with the construction next door They started that building before this one Follow on Instagram var sb_instagram_js_options = {"font_method":"svg","placeholder":"https:\/\/newyorkyimby.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/instagram-feed\/img\/placeholder.png","resized_url":"https:\/\/newyorkyimby.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sb-instagram-feed-images\/","ajax_url":"https:\/\/newyorkyimby.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php"}; © COPYRIGHT New York YIMBY® LLC 9-10 storm brewed 13-14-foot tides that slammed against the coastline of the Boothbay Harbor region leaving destruction in their wake From lost piers and docks of homeowners in Southport and Newagen to the non-existent pier of Ram Island; homes which was pummeled by a wall of water crashing down on it; were damaged - some extensively Some residents with waterfront properties watched in disbelief as their boathouses either floated away or were filled with two feet of water battering walls and shaking up everything inside Shore Road at Ocean Point was transformed into a giant puzzle of torn up shapes punctuated with boulders dropped by the strength of the waves along the stretch of road The owners of the Inn were pleased to report the property damage sustained "was mostly superficial and we expect to be open for the season as planned!"  President of the Card Cove Association of Ocean Point reported the pier and dock at Ocean Point “weathered both storms with amazing resilience.” The Association partners with Ebenecook Maritime and pulled three floats and stored them in a safe cove “The pier itself had undergone significant structural enhancements both below and above the water line 11 years ago and clearly this work done by Prock Marine made a critical difference,” said Slayton the dock pier held as firm as the Rock of Gibraltar with the exception of some minor issues like a washed away safety ladder We are appreciative to our vendors at Ebenecook and Prock for their expertise when it was needed most One area where we will work with the Inn is our two-spot parking pad at the land side of the dock used for loading/unloading It did experience significant wave damage and will be repaired.” Tugboat general manager Bonnie Stover said nine rooms in the building extending over the water closest to Fisherman’s Wharf Inn (there are two such buildings at Tugboat) had over one foot of water fill them “That building sits lower than the other extending out into the water,” Stover said “We moved most of the TVs and furniture out and our maintenance crew has been cutting sheet rock Decking in the parking lot that was lifted is now sitting above the pilings The marina had minor issues - some of the pins came loose but were fixed right off.” Stover was relieved to report no damage at Fisherman’s Wharf the sole issue was a float that got hung up on a pole She further reported flooding in both the former housing the Windjammer Emporium and the ice cream shop There are some minor issues at the marina there as pins came loose “Chuck Fuller is coming out to look at the damage to the building,” Stover said “We are lucky to have a maintenance crew that can remove floors and hang sheet rock But marine contractors … they were booked up before the storms We were already booked to have piling work done at Fisherman’s this year Now I guess we will have to wait and see when the new work can be done ...” Jax van der Veen and Evan Hepburn at Whale’s Tale/Carousel Marina saw more damage to the marina than the restaurant “We had centimeters to spare (at the Whale’s Tale) – thanks to the ramp into the restaurant for the disabled that elevated it just enough - but we were pacing for a little bit!” In preparation for their opening season last summer Van der Veen reported minor damage due to some flooding in the parking lot as well as some expensive items that will be replaced over time “The wind was hard on the siding of the buildings and the water took a lot of the guys tools,” van der Veen said “The first surge knocked the main ramp and all of the decking off the boat launch “Once you get over the shock of it all you think about how this is going to affect us We didn’t do the volume we would have liked to because the weather got in the way of that When you think about all of these residential properties that lost their piers you have to wonder what are people are going to do Will they be able to rebuild and have their boats?” asked van der Veen “Most of our restaurant business is dock and dine because we have parking lot issues One of the driving factors in our state is our coastline and with such destruction it’s possible that we’re going to take a huge tourism hit that will affect us in ways we can’t even predict yet.” She noted Hepburn had taken a few small pier jobs for residential people then there’s the permitting – DMR and the DEP are already backed up as it is so there’s going to be conversation about how do we make this process as seamless as possible?” Sam Kaler reported the loss of some bar equipment “This old building is a barn on the water and does have a bit of a slant from the roadside to the dockside We had about a foot and a half of water come in We spent the following three days cleaning and getting things dried out and that’s really the extent of it We will have to polyurethane the floor again – we always do that after closing in the fall It was different to hear the water running around and gurgling in there Luckily there are plenty of places for the water to escape.” Pier One Pizza is another business picking up the pieces from the double dose of a storm surge followed by high tides Owner Korey Lewis described this weather event as more severe than past flooding but this had 16 inches of water which remained for about an hour and half,” he said Lewis reported the pizzeria needs to replace several pieces of equipment “We’re hoping to complete the clean-up by either Jan and hopefully reopen in mid-March to early April Brady’s also experienced severe flooding but reopened within 48 hours after the storm Owner Jen Mitchell reported “mud was everywhere,” but a “mountain of volunteers friends and family” pitched in with the clean-up “We would’ve been lost without them,” she said “A Maine Health Inspector arrived at the pub a couple days after the storm He asked ‘why we were open’ then inspected the pub Mitchell didn’t have insurance because of high premiums and a high deductible “Mud came in from underneath and erosion lifted up the deck and mud followed ‘shop vacced’ and squeegeed to remove the invasive mud and we re-opened a couple days later.” Here’s a riddle: What is the difference between a marina and a lagoon residents of Ocean Pointe and Hoakalei in Ewa hope That is why they filed a class-action lawsuit on Wednesday against Tokyo-based Haseko, a multi-billion-dollar real estate development firm. Haseko promised potential homeowners real estate next to a vibrant marina but the company instead delivered a less romantic — and likely less valuable — lagoon The lawsuit alleges that Haseko engaged in deceptive advertising when it sold hundreds of units in the 1,100-acre originally called the Ewa Marina Community Development Project “It was going to be the largest marina in the state now it’s a hole in the ground,” said attorney Michael Green who represents the residents a Haseko employee referred Civil Beat to its public relations firm “Haseko is unable to provide comment as they haven’t yet been served the complaint.” Civil Beat did provide Becker with a copy of that complaint earlier in the day The marina was supposed to be a world-class boating destination It is geared toward activities such as swimming or stand-up paddle boarding Green said that residents paid as much as $100,000 more for their homes based on the promise that they would live in a maritime community “They live in tract homes now that are no different from homes a quarter-mile away,” he said The lawsuit doesn’t specify how much money residents are seeking but Green said they are requesting “triple” the loss that they have suffered But the centerpiece of the development remained the marina when Haseko announced that it was downgrading the waterway to a lagoon While residents are making their disappointment clear An array of environmental groups spoke up during state proceedings in the 1990s in an attempt to stop construction due to concerns about the marina’s impact on the natural environment The mutation of the promised marina into a lagoon has highlighted concerns about how effectively state and city officials can hold developers to their word when they seek major land reclassifications Marina class action complaint from Civil Beat The developer of Hoakalei and Ocean Pointe in Ewa removed 500 metric tons of green algae from the lagoon last year Homeowners in the Ewa communities of Ocean Pointe and Hoakalei are complaining that the man-made recreational lagoon serving their communities contains algae The green, crunchy algae known as chara, or “skunkweed” because of its foul odor is viewed by some residents as another disappointment after the developer scrapped its plans for a long-promised marina in favor of a scaled-down lagoon said she’s concerned about getting tangled in the algae and is further put off by what Haseko is charging residents to swim in the lagoon: $840 annually A portion of the lagoon opened to a limited number of residents in August while the rest is still under construction Haseko’s lagoon was empty on a recent weekday were concerned enough about the algae and its effects on the lagoon’s water quality that they had 500 metric tons of it removed from the western and center regions of the lagoon last year the equivalent weight of about 100 adult elephants The case has just gained class-action status consultants for Haseko estimated that it would cost $104,000 a year to keep the algae in check and “maximize future water quality,” according to the internal emails Haseko now says that it no longer needs to remove the chara because its growth at the bottom of the lagoon is self-limiting “While we initially planned and budgeted for the mitigation of the chara algae in the lagoon it has proven unnecessary,” Sharene Saito Tam we anticipate future costs associated with mitigation of chara algae in the lagoon will be minimal.” Canoes rest along the bank of Haseko’s lagoon Tam didn’t respond to an interview request for this story, instead providing emailed responses via the company’s communications firm, Becker Communications, which has tightly managed interactions with the press regarding Haseko’s development Environmental consultants for Haseko who worked on the chara issue also didn’t respond to interview requests provided Civil Beat with the following emailed explanation about the algae through Becker “When the growth gets about three feet high with most of the organic matter consumed by the bacteria and the inorganic portion (calcium carbonate) adding to the sediment load,” he said Morgan added that the chara’s growth hasn’t exceeded three feet Haseko’s draft environmental impact statement on the lagoon suggests that more study of the chara is needed to determine its effect on water quality “The harvest of chara should be suspended until its role and resilience is more clearly understood,” according to the EIS “The system is now at risk for instability.” The EIS also indicates that Haseko plans to drill saltwater wells in order to help flush the lagoon’s water to avoid stagnation Haseko is currently seeking a zoning change for the property since it decided to build a lagoon instead of a marina The city’s Department of Planning and Permitting must sign off on the zoning change while the Honolulu City Council can include conditions on the permit to address any environmental concerns a Hoakalei resident who was recently elected as a state representative has led opposition to Haseko’s decision to scrap its marina plans He said he wasn’t satisfied by Haseko’s assurances about the water quality “It’s very clear to me that we need an independent study,” LoPresti said “We need the state Department of Health to weigh in if they’re going to be selling this as a public swimming hole If people are going to be spending time in it and their children are going to be swimming in it then we need to make sure it is safe at the bare minimum.” a spokeswoman for the Hawaii Department of Health said that the beach fronting the lagoon is tested for water quality but she wasn’t sure whether the health department has oversight over the lagoon When Civil Beat visited on a recent weekday which is surrounded by a chain linked fence and watched over by a security guard A few beach chairs laid out for members sat empty next to an unoccupied picnic area and portable toilet While Haseko has sold more than 900 homes in Hoakalei only 84 people have signed up for membership in the Wai Kai Hale Club which provides exclusive access to the lagoon Tam said that the company hasn’t set a completion date for the lagoon which Haseko began excavating a decade ago and there is no set date for when it will be open to other residents of the adjoining community of Ocean Pointe a protected public swimming area that is planned for the west side is expected to be open within two years “We have not set a completion date for all the amenities envisioned for around the entire lagoon as that is dependent on future resort/commercial development,” Tam said by email “It’s important to note that we will honor our commitment to build a pathway around the lagoon to encourage people to patronize the businesses planned along the waterfront and participate in the many recreational activities and cultural education opportunities provided by the project.” Haseko officials announced in 2011 that they were forgoing plans for the marina and that the body of water would instead remain a lagoon Instead of hosting opulent boat races on the scale of America’s Cup it would accommodate swimmers and stand-up paddle boarders residents are alleging the developer engaged in deceptive advertising when it sold hundreds of units in the 1,100-acre the lagoon and the area around it is “a big mess.” “We bought into the dream of it all,” she said State lawmakers may ask the DOT to study the idea as a way to alleviate traffic A bill that would require the Hawaii Department of Transportation to study the feasibility of a new route to connect Ewa to downtown Honolulu has cleared its first committee The idea would be to have a private-public partner design build and operate an underwater tunnel for vehicle traffic to “provide a more direct connection” between the regions It could include expansion of roadways as necessary “to maximize use of the tunnel.” According to House Bill 1950 the Legislature finds that “the upcoming decades will bring tens of thousands of new homes” to the Leeward Coast and nearby areas of West Oahu “Traffic experts predict that vehicular congestion will double or triple as a result of the growth in population.” It continues: “Completion of Honolulu’s rail transit project will not be enough to provide the additional transportation capacity for west Oahu residents.” a Democrat who represents Ewa and Ewa Beach The legislation does not indicate exactly where an underwater tunnel would be built Navy “will not oppose the construction of an underwater tunnel because naval vessels commonly traverse underwater tunnels on the east coast of the United States and throughout the world.” This is not the first time a tunnel connecting the West Side to downtown has been proposed but the idea never seems to gain much traction which would appropriate an unspecified amount of funds to the DOT for the study awaits a hearing in the House Finance Committee By Kristen Consillio Health News This rendering provided by Queen’s shows the exterior of the planned Queen’s Kahala urgent care clinic The Queen’s Health Systems is opening a health center in Kahala as part of its strategy to increase outpatient services and decrease escalating emergency room visits for non-urgent conditions near Kahala Mall will include primary care imaging and physical therapy in a 10,000-square-foot building “Queen’s has made a commitment to provide high quality and accessible care to all of the people of Hawaii where they live and work and our team looks forward to servicing our East Honolulu communities in the very near future,” Bernadette Merlino vice president of Queen’s ambulatory services Queen’s Island Urgent Care for walk-in patients will be part of the health center restoring urgent care services in the community after the closing of Island Urgent Care in August 2018 Island Urgent Care shut down because of a 300 percent rent hike and a requirement to pay 8 percent of sales following the redevelopment of Kahala Square Queen’s announced in October that it was acquiring Island Urgent Care including four walk-in clinics in Kapahulu the health care provider is expanding to West Oahu with the opening a 15,000-square-foot family health center at 91-6390 Kapolei Parkway in the Ocean Pointe subdivision which will be staffed with nine providers and 30 employees urgent care and lab services starting in the summer STUART (CBS12) — Police arrested a mother from the Treasure Coast who admitted to leaving her daughter unattended and making up a story about her drowning Stuart Police arrested Bianca Wright in Augusta She's charged with manslaughter and child neglect Teriah Smith was found face down in a retention pond at the Ocean Pointe Apartments in early January Wright initially told investigators she put a movie on for her daughter to watch as she went to use the bathroom to get ready for a birthday party But investigators discovered surveillance video at a local store that showed Wright without her daughter Detectives interviewed Wright in Georgia when she admitted to making up the story Police said Wright left her daughter unattended for more than 20 minutes investigators said the little girl walked through an unlocked door and fell into the pond Two people pulled her from the water and gave her CPR Wright's being held at the Richmond County Sheriffs' Office in Augusta on Wednesday celebrated the opening of its newest timeshare resort the 19-story Oceana Palms on Singer Island marks the second vacation club property on Singer Island Marriott already operates the Marriott Ocean Pointe in nearby Palm Beach Shores coming as it does during the lingering recession could provide a tourism boost to the county "This is a renaissance of Singer Island," said Jorge Pesquera president and chief executive of the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau "It adds another option to the Riviera Beach/Singer Island corridor which used to be very significant for tourism." The Oceana's opening is an important Marriott milestone: The property marks the company's 50th timeshare resort Oceana built on the site of the former Crowne Plaza Hotel Each villa measures more than 1,100 square feet The villas also come with plenty of creature comforts including fully equipped kitchens and flat-panel televisions Oceana's resort amenities include a full-service restaurant fitness center and a climbing wall for kids and this beachfront location was a great opportunity," said James Woelbern director of public relations for Marriott Vacation Club Woelbern said sales interest in Oceana already is strong "exceeding our expectations." And timeshare units at Ocean Pointe "have been sold out" for a number of years Woelbern wouldn't give specific prices for the Oceana timeshares but he said Marriott timeshares typically cost $30,000 for one week and slightly more for beachfront properties in which guests can rent rooms for a nightly fee the rental side of the business has been strong Woelbern said Marriott timeshares have maintained average occupancy rates "in the mid-90 percent." to bring the resort's total number of villas to 169 Palm Beach County tourism officials praised the project saying it would boost the region's tourism by bringing in new visitors who will then go out and dine and shop in area stores Pesquera pointed out that tourists staying at this resort may often have a longer stay than other tourists "It will be just a huge ripple effect on the restaurants and entertainment and retail in Palm Beach County." Riviera Beach officials also expressed enthusiasm for the project "This building is going to bring in a tremendous amount of tax dollars and tourism not only to Riviera Beach but to Palm Beach County," said Dawn Pardo as she looked out at the ocean from one of the resort's balconies She said that the Marriott's construction put a lot of local and minority residents to work; 70 percent of the laborers were minorities and 50 percent were from Palm Beach County she said that the resort is looking to hire locally for the more than 50 part-time and full-time positions at the hotel "They've really stepped up for our community," Pardo said Oceana opens to timeshare owners and guests Friday More than 55 percent of the rooms are booked for that day and the resort is expecting 80 percent capacity the following Friday As the lifelong surfer prepared to tackle a “big set” of crashing waves in the Atlantic Ocean off Singer Island he noticed an older couple in ankle-deep water at the shore Serino knew the illusion of calm was potentially deadly “we saw the white water come and take (the) couple off their feet." and numerous agencies — even the Coast Guard — helped rescue the two people on yet another day of seasonal waves and rip currents that washed away both beaches and people The National Weather Service had posted a coastal flood and high surf advisory through Tuesday night and warned waves close to shore would be in the 10-foot range Tuesday and still as high as 8 feet Wednesday and Thursday A high risk of rip currents was set to continue through Friday Lifeguards from Lake Worth to Jupiter were warning people not to go in the water lifeguards strung yellow caution tape blocking entrances during high tide for fear people would get washed away by the big surf “We just want to make sure no one does anything foolish,” Mathew Botts, chief of Lake Worth Ocean Rescue, told The Palm Beach Post on Monday. “We don’t want people getting swept out to sea because they were taking a selfie and a wave gets them.” Riviera Beach Fire Rescue said the two people were on the beach near the Marriott Ocean Pointe resort on Ocean Avenue south of Blue Heron Boulevard when the wave hit them “The water came in too quick,” Serino said Serino said the waves pushed the two as much as 50 feet “my buddy was already jumping in and I (got) on my surfboard to get to the lady.” He said the man appeared unhurt but the woman had been knocked around the rocks and was in trouble He said he called 911 and the Coast Guard was “out there really quick.” He added they would have been in really bad shape.” fire rescue teams from Palm Beach County and Riviera Beach all helped in the rescue Riviera Beach Fire Rescue said the two were taken to St Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach but did not provide updates on their conditions The incident occurred in Palm Beach Shores but Riviera Beach handles emergency medical services for the town The Coast Guard said in a separate release that about 9:20 a.m. it launched a 33-foot boat that pulled one person from the water; it said the sheriff’s office rescued the second person a lifeguard for the town of Palm Beach Shores said he was just coming on duty at about 9:30 Tuesday morning when he heard calls on his radio regarding two people in distress He said he raced to the beach and found a man in his 60s struggling to to return to shore He didn’t have much left in him,” Demonstranti said Demonstranti also said a woman riding a water scooter was believed to have struck rocks on a jetty the Riviera Beach police marine unit had picked up the woman and taken her to fire-rescue crews waiting at Sailfish Marina Demonstranti estimated waves at the beach at 8 to 10 feet more and more are coming with these Jet Skis towing in surfing,” he said But we had another almost fatal incident on Sunday with a Jet Ski.” said he’s surfed the stretch of Singer Island most of his life and even then he has great deference for the dangerous waves He said he’s seen numerous instances of people being washed into the ocean “We do this day in and day out on the water If you’re not comfortable and experienced in the water definitely not a day to be giving it a go.” Reported by staff writer Julius Whigham II and staff photographer Allen Eyestone in Palm Beach Shores and staff writers Eliot Kleinberg and Jorge Milian in West Palm Beach Staff writer Kimberly Miller contributed to this story.