The ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi Foundation have sent a demand letter to Kāhala Nui, an O‘ahu-based retirement community, calling on it to immediately stop engaging in illegal and discriminatory housing practices. In particular, the demand letter notes that Kāhala Nui’s residency agreement and a memorandum sent to residents on May 11, 2018, seek to prohibit residents from exercising their rights under the provisions of the recently passed “Our Care, Our Choice” Act because it was opposed by the Catholic Church. The memorandum refers to... Read More

A 1998 Kalaheo High School graduate and Kailua, Hawaii, native is currently an instructor for the U.S. Navy training Sailors in operating the technologically advanced Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Electronic Warfare Systems. Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Chief Petty Officer Dean Gushikuma is currently an instructor at the LCS Training Facility (LTF). The LTF, the first surface warfare training facility to provide integrated bridge and combat systems tactical scenario training for Sailors serving... Read More

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today responded in writing to both Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Council Chair Ernest Y. Martin, to clarify the funding requirements and deadlines for the rail project (see attached letter). The letter formalizes most of the points made in a telephone conference call on Wednesday morning, October 24, in particular that the $44 million in city funds must be fully available to use for rail, with... Read More

Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West today reminded Hawaii private nonprofit organizations of the Nov. 26, 2018, deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for property damage caused by Hurricane Lane that occurred Aug. 22-29, 2018. Private nonprofits that provide essential services of a governmental nature are eligible for assistance. According to Garfield, eligible private nonprofits of any size may apply for SBA federal disaster loans of up... Read More

Strengthening industry access for Hawaii’s creative entrepreneurs, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s (DBEDT) Creative Industries Division (CID) announces selected fellows of the Creative Lab Hawaii (CLH) Immersive Program who will participate in the world’s largest motion picture business event at the 2018 American Film Market (AFM). Hosting professionals from across the globe looking to establish partnerships and strike film deals in every stage of development and production, the... Read More

The County of Hawaii granted a REAL ID compliant driver’s license to a Muslim woman wearing a headscarf in the license photograph on April 18, 2018, after ascertaining the most recent Federal guidelines for identification. The woman, identified as Laycie Tobosa, received a REAL ID compliant driver’s license from the Hilo office of the Hawaii County Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division (VRL). Initially, the County followed the REAL ID requirements in... Read More

The ACLU of Hawaii (ACLU) has sent a demand letter to County of Hawai’i government offices that oversee the issuance of motor vehicle licenses for the county (”Hawaii County DMV”). The letter details the unconstitutional 18-week ordeal that Hilo resident and local small business owner Laycie Tobosa endured to renew her county-issued driver’s license simply because she is a practicing Muslim. The letter also demands that the Hawaii County DMV change... Read More

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) released a report on Top 20 Occupations in Hawaii. Retail Sales Workers topped the list at 42,445 workers in 2016, which accounted for 5.9 percent of Hawaii’s civilian workforce; followed by Food and Beverage Serving Workers at 40,775, which accounted for 5.7 percent of Hawaii’s civilian workforce. Construction Trade Workers ranked third place 34,137, which accounted for 4.8 percent of Hawaii’s civilian... Read More