Inside Honolulu: Feb. 25
What a week! Tuesday was the city’s rail ground breaking, Wednesday was a long and heated City Council meeting, and Mayor Peter Carlisle gave his first State of the City address on Thursday. Today is another Furlough Friday, but there’s always something going on with city government. Civil Beat is reporting from the inside.
Police Chief Mum on Major Suspected of Corruption
1:37 p.m.
Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha is keeping quiet about his decision not to put a police major indicted for corruption on administrative leave. A federal grand jury indicted Carlton S. Nishimura, who allegedly took kickbacks from an illegal gaming operation in Honolulu and tampered with a witness in a subsequent FBI investigation.
“I cannot go through the process,” Kealoha told Civil Beat. “Just to say that it’s the administrative process that we went through. We removed his police authority, and that’s about it. It’s an internal process that we have.”
Without police authority, Nishimura is still earning a paycheck by working in HPD’s legislative liaison office.
More Progress at Waimanalo Gulch
The city’s Environmental Services Department announced they are lifting another restriction on Honolulu waste disposal. Starting on Tuesday, the city will begin accepting non-combustile waste at all refuse convenience centers.
City officials wrote in a statement that households will be allowed one load of non-combustible waste per week until further notice. The city had restricted such disposal after the Jan. 13 storm nearly caused a catastrophic failure at Waimanalo Gulch.
Catch Up on Inside Honolulu
Feb. 24, 2010: Mayor Peter Carlisle illustrates debt spike in first State of the City address; Nestor Garcia waits to hear “the ‘T’ word;” Ann Kobayashi‘s faith in the mayor restored.
Feb. 23, 2011: Republicans cuts scare City Council Chairman Nestor Garcia; Fighting words from Romy Cachola on Wayne Yoshioka nomination; Tom Berg condemns Saturday Night Live.
Feb. 22, 2011: Hawaii’s political stars came out for a Kapolei groundbreaking, including Sen. Dan Inouye, Sen. Dan Akaka, Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa and a slew of city and state leaders.
Feb. 21, 2011: Transportation consultant warns clients about dwindling federal funds; Rush of candidates in Neighborhood Board elections; State bill to raid city rail funds still alive; Short but busy week for City and County; Mayor’s trip to the gulch.
Feb. 18, 2011: Rail critics plan to picket groundbreaking; Big Island County Council advances plastic bag ban; Oahu Neighborhood Board elections survive in “surprise” turn.
Feb. 17, 2011: Two-time mayoral candidate Panos Prevedouros at City Hall; Ann Kobayashi to skip rail groundbreaking; Mayor mum on budget; State fines city for air violation.
Feb. 16, 2011: Mayor Peter Carlisle taps three new deputy directors; Florida rejects federal funds for rail.
Feb. 15, 2011: City Council members turn out in force for Haleiwa planning meeting; Landfill hits key federal deadline.
Feb. 14, 2011: Power outage at Honolulu court; Duke Kahanamoku statue to undergo maintenance; Still “no telling” what Congress will do about rail.
Feb. 11, 2011: Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle sends out invitation to rail groundbreaking.
Feb. 9, 2011: Rail critics turn out for Wayne Yoshioka nomination hearing; Mayor Peter Carlisle pushes back his inaugural ball to April.
Feb. 8, 2011: Council committee moves forward Gary Cabato and Sam Moku nominations; Bill to ban Segways from city parks put on hold; Oahu residents could see water bills spike.
Feb. 7, 2011: Council clashes over response to Rush Limbaugh comment; Bryan Mick withdraws nomination to Neighborhood Commission; Carrie Okinaga says mayor has “phenomenal” pick for city’s next top lawyer.
Feb. 4, 2011: City zoo could get giant bats; State wants city’s rail funds; Homeless assistance programs get a boost from the feds.
Feb. 3, 2011: Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa ratchets up fight against landfill; FTA to announce New Starts funding any day.
Feb. 2, 2011: Landfill hearing gets heated; Tom Berg wants to meet fellow tea partier Michele Bachmann; City Council asks Rush Limbaugh to apologize; Rail lawsuits start trickling in.
Feb. 1, 2011: Bulky item pick-up to start again; Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz introduces bill that would create development exceptions for rail; Tom Berg invites anti-rail groups into his office to discuss next steps in rail opposition.
