March 3, 2017

Federal Search Of Caterpillar Facilities May Relate To Tax Evasion Allegations

Three of Caterpillar's facilities in Illinois — including its headquarters — were searched by federal agents on Thursday. The warrant specified a search for evidence of misleading reports related to the company's exports.

Peoria Public Radio reported, "In 2014, the U.S. Senate issued a report that may be related to today's ... search. The 99-page document was titled 'Caterpillar's Offshore Tax Strategy.' The report alleges Caterpillar used the subsidiary to avoid paying $2.4 billion in taxes over a period of 13 years," the member station reported.

Copies of the warrants for the three facilities as obtained by Peoria Public Radio indicate that while evidence pertaining to dealings of Caterpillar subsidiary CSARL in Switzerland was the focus of the search, agents were authorized to collect documents about Caterpillar's sales outside the U.S. and shipments to any other foreign country.

Some Caterpillar employees were interviewed by authorities, according to Peoria Public Radio.

Read more: http://hawaiipublicradio.org/post/federal-agents-execute-search-warrant-caterpillar-facilities-illinois

March 3, 2017

Subaru Telescope Releases Image Data to Public

A color composite image in the of the Tadpole Galaxy about 400 million light years away. Credit: NAOJ/HSC Project.

The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) has unveiled a massive database available to the public containing cosmic images captured by the Subaru Telescope atop Maunakea.

The Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program (HSC-SSP), a survey conducted using an optical imaging camera mounted on the Subaru Telescope, released its first data for public viewing on Feb. 27. NAOJ developed the database with a dedicated interface for ease of access and searching.

The HSC-SSP survey is an international collaboration started by NAOJ in partnership with the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe in Japan, the Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics in Taiwan, and Princeton University in the United States.

The project is spanning 300 nights over a five to six year period. The total data captured thus far consists of roughly 80 terabytes, or the equivalent of 10 million image taken by a regular digital camera.

Read more: https://newsofhawaii.com/2017/03/02/subaru-telescope-releases-image-data-to-public/

March 3, 2017

Over 170,000 Sign Petition to Stop Bomb Testing Off Kauai

Over 170,000 people have signed a Care2 petition urging the National Marine Fisheries Service to reject a U.S. Air Force proposal to test about 100 bombs per year for the next five years in the waters off of Kaua‘i—a move that would harm over 600 marine mammals and deafen many, according to petitioners.

“The negative impact of ocean noise on whales and dolphins has been well documented,” wrote Care2 petition author Julie Stankiewicz. “Marine mammals depend upon sound to navigate, find mates, hunt and communicate over hundreds of miles. Without the ability to hear, they are rendered unable to perform the most basic tasks necessary to their survival.”

An Air Force squadron based in Florida submitted the request to the National Marine Fisheries Service for permission to harm the hearing of an estimated 637 whales and dolphins, according to Care2 petitioners. Bombs would be t

“As an animal lover, I am deeply saddened that beautiful, intelligent marine mammals around the world are suffering horrifically because of noise pollution caused by humanity,” Stankiewicz wrote. “Collateral damage to innocent wildlife should not be considered an acceptable consequence of military testing.”ested from Sept. 1 through August 2022.

Read more: https://newsofhawaii.com/2017/03/03/over-170000-sign-petition-to-stop-bomb-testing-off-kauai/

March 3, 2017

Developers Weigh-in On Solving Affordable Housing Crisis

Can Hawai’i solve its Affordable Housing crisis? Developers say, “Yes.” HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

There are more than 50 babies born each day in Hawai’i and many of them will need a place to live in when they grow up. Developer Christine Camp says housing prices can be stabilized if real estate speculation is kept in check.

“Glut the market with rental housing. Rental housing will make it so there’s less speculation in the “for sale” housing because people are not going to buy a unit for sake that in 2 years that’s going to double in price and so I’m just gonna buy it and rent it. Because they know they know they’re not gonna be able to rent it. If there’s 5-thousand rental housing coming up in the same year, no one’s gonna speculate to buy a unit. They’re gonna buy a unit because they’re gonna live there.”

But Camp says developers aren’t building rental housing because they can’t afford it and the use of government land with less than a 65-year underlying ground lease will not provide the collateral needed to secure a loan. She says one way government can help is to provide a pathway to homeownership to build net worth. Developer Peter Savio agrees.

Read more: http://hawaiipublicradio.org/post/developers-weigh-solving-affordable-housing-crisis

March 3, 2017

Honolulu Mayor Unveils 2018 Budget and Pitches Rail Transit

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell unveiled his 2018 budget today. He is proposing to raise property taxes for investors and hotels, charge more for trash pickup and increase fuel and vehicle weight taxes. He says there is no fat in the City’s budget and also took the opportunity to ask state lawmakers to fund the rail transit project.

“We’re looking at an operating budget of $2.45 billion dollars. Its higher than last year’s operating budget by 5.1 percent, that equates to a $118 million dollar increase. You know I do want to build rail. I believe it’s about a city that thrives well after we’re all gone from this place. And how we do that and be fair and reduce the burden on the taxpayers of this island is through the GET tax extension because one-third is paid by non-residents – visitors, military and others. And so I’m hoping that the legislature will help us get to where we need to get to make sure we thrive well, well, well into the next generations.”

The City’s construction budget is 956 million dollars. The proposed spending plan now goes to the City Council for review.

http://hawaiipublicradio.org/post/honolulu-mayor-unveils-2018-budget-and-pitches-rail-transit

March 3, 2017

Hawaii's correctional facilities grapple with a 'silver tsunami'

HALAWA (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state's population is aging, including behind bars.

Nearly 1 in 6 inmates at Halawa Correctional Facility, the state's largest prison, are over 55. Some 13 percent of all Hawaii inmates are 55 and up.

And a full 5 percent of the more than 1,000 inmates at the facility are disabled due to age, mobility or cognitive issues.

“People think of inmates as 20-year-olds, but there's a lot of people in here that are over 55,” said Dr. Mike Hegmann, state Department of Public Safety medical director. “You can really think of the whole prison like a nursing home."

Read more: http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/34652867/2017/03/02/hawaiis-silver-tsunami-behind-bars-is-coming-with-big-costs

March 3, 2017

Second Hawaii bill seeking fishing industry oversight dies

HONOLULU (AP) - Another Hawaii bill that sought more oversight of the state's commercial fishing industry is dying.

The bill would have required boat operators to provide contracts between foreign fishermen and employers.

State Rep. Kaniela Ing said Thursday the bill is dead because it wasn't scheduled for a final committee hearing. He says lobbyists were out in force to kill it, and migrant fishermen don't have a strong voice at the Capitol.

The Hawaii Longline Association opposed the bill saying it wasn't the job of the state office that issues fishing licenses to review contracts.

Read more: http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/34654503/second-hawaii-bill-seeking-fishing-industry-oversight-dies

March 3, 2017

Democrat Collier to challenge Patrick for lieutenant governor

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is getting a Democratic challenger for re-election in 2018.

The Texas Democratic Party said Thursday that Mike Collier is stepping down as finance chairman to start a campaign for lieutenant governor.

"Dan Patrick has proven he is unworthy of leading this great state," party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement Thursday. "I am proud to see a courageous Texan like Mike Collier put his name forward to serve."

In his own statement, Collier said he is "assembling a campaign team to run against Dan Patrick for Texas Lt. Governor." He added that he will make a formal announcement after touring the state and gauging support for his run.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2017/03/02/collier-challenge-patrick-lieutenant-governor/

March 3, 2017

Reach out and touch someone. (SFW)

March 3, 2017

$1million lawsuit against Samoa Rugby Union referred to mediation

The Supreme Court has referred the lawsuit by Manu Samoa Sevens former coach, Damian McGrath, to mediation.

The decision was made by Justice Vui Clarence Nelson earlier this week.

McGrath, who is now coaching Canada, is seeking $1million from the Samoa Rugby Union.

The lawsuit targets the S.R.U. over the removal of McGrath from his position as the head coach of Manu Samoa 7s earlier this year.

Read more: http://www.samoaobserver.ws/en/03_03_2017/local/17507/$1million-lawsuit-against-Union-referred-to-mediation.htm