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(Quick note to Anne Lopez, Hawaii’s latest version of Attorney General: Hi Anne, Please don’t worry yourself over this. Defrauding the public in Hawaii has long ago become normalized.) The liveaboard waitlist scam: The liveaboard waitlist and associated fees state-sponsored scam: the DLNR is currently accepting waitlist applications and their accompanying yearly fees from applicants wishing to place their name on the liveaboard waitlist. The applicant, of course, has the obvious expectation that the DLNR will, at some point in the waiting process, provide the promised permit that the waitlist application process implies. For some reason, the administrator of the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation has been allowed to make, independently, an arbitrary and capricious change to Hawaii Revised Statues -- a single word change, from "should" to "may" -- that then somehow gives the DLNR the right to accept money in exchange for a waitlist application while at the same time having no intention of ever supplying a liveaboard permit. The fraudulent flat rate electrical fees scam; the scheme to charge non-HECO monitored piers at the Ala Wai Small Boat harbor a non-scaling flat rate fee: The electrical flat rate fees as per §13-234-10 for vessels on floating piers who are not on HECO electrical meters are not being charged on a sliding scale. Someone living on a small 25’ boat is paying the same $100 per month as those living on 60’ boats. Electricity is a consumption item and is usually charged for by the kilowatt hour of consumption. Many of our boaters are not consuming anywhere near $40 per month for regular tenants and $100 per month for liveaboard tenants. What happens to the windfall overages paid by boaters who consume nowhere near the amount of electricity that they’re being charged for? In the current scheme, the less affluent boater is subsidizing the more affluent. (See our in-depth coverage here) The scheme to collect an additional month's fee from tenants (for an empty slip) who sell their vessels, transfer ownership, and then vacate their slips: It is a well-known fact that it is impossible to predict a calendar day when the transfer of ownership will occur for the sale of any vessel in the state of Hawaii. Selling a boat in Hawaii, as is true elsewhere around the country, is unpredictable, at best. To have a rule in place saying that a tenant must give 30 days notice to vacate their slip as a prerequisite to having their deposits and other fees returned to them upon leaving the harbor, as a result of the sale of their vessel, simply amounts to fraud, because the tenant is forced to pay for an extra month's slip fee for a slip that is vacant. This is a scheme that is designed specifically to collect an additional month's rent for a vacant slip. So, for example, if a tenant lists his/her boat for sale on Craigslist, the seller cannot in any way be guaranteed that 30 days from the listing of that vessel that there will actually occur a sale and a subsequent transfer of title resulting in the vacating of his/her slip. In fact, it is a well-known fact that an actual sale and then the subsequent transfer of title, which could occur at any time after that sale (or, as often happens, could actually fall through leaving the owner holding the boat in anticipation of another interested buyer) on the day that buyer and seller actually consummate a deal and subsequently transfer title of ownership. Obviously, completely unpredictable. Yet the state of Hawaii requires tenants who are selling their boat to give them 30 days notice, in writing, of transfer of title before they are eligible to apply for a refund of all deposits and fees properly due relating to the previously occupied slip. This, of course, is nothing more than a scam to collect an extra month's rent on what now must be an unoccupied slip, as the tenant can only give notice of vacating his/her slip on the day -- unpredictable -- that that title actually transfers hands. On that day, the boat no longer belongs to the previous owner and the new owner must find another slip within the harbor system. The problem associated with the timely return of a tenant's fees held, sometimes for decades, by the state of Hawaii, with no interest paid And related to this same scam is the very real problem associated with the timely return of a tenant's fees held by the state of Hawaii with no interest paid for a period of up to or exceeding three months after an application request for a return of fees has been submitted. When asked by the tenant when their fees may be returned, harbor agents will often indicate that "after we get around to submitting your application for a refund, you may receive your money in the mail about three months after they receive your application in the main office". The tenant is then informed that there will be no interest paid on his/her money and that the actual return of his/her money, after being held by the state for a period of perhaps 10 or more years during the tenancy period, will be arbitrarily decided upon by the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Ironically, these same fees are demanded immediately and upfront before the issuance of a slip in the public's harbor system. At the DLNR and in DOBOR offices, arrogance, smug disregard for the finances of the public, and outright fraud all seem to go hand-in-hand. Three Hawaii DLNR scams that defraud the public out of hundreds of thousands of dollars every year
When we questioned DLNR personnel about the ongoing fraud, we were met with a wall of silence
DOBOR’s Ed Underwood made it clear, once again, at an invitees-only meeting yesterday, that he will do whatever it takes to push for public lands privatization, even if it means… Hawaii’s legislature seems determined to set a precedent that will allow the unfettered leasing of Hawaii’s public-owned submerged and fast lands to for-profit corporations, beginning with all of Hawaii’s publicly… Opinion A recent series of reports by Hawaii’s mainstream print media outlets have been misreporting, perhaps out of ignorance, or lack of qualified talent, the events unfolding at the Ala… Sad, Sad Hawaii – Corruption in our State Government that Would Hand Over its Publicly Held Lands and Assets to Corporate, for Profit, Interests Yesterday, the Committee on Ways and… An open letter to Hawaii’s Attorney General, Clare Connors Aloha Attorney General Connors, We would like to begin by fulfilling a promise that we made to you regarding an error… Sections 171-13 HRS (2016) Gives the State the right to privatize any or all publicly held land-based assets. Let’s be clear about this: that’s all publicly owned lands. Let’s think… DLNR Chief, Suzanne Case, seems to be on a rampage to increase ocean recreation user fees in various poorly thought-through rate increase proposals, many of which have attracted attention for… We have investigated reports from members of the public who attended the Friday, March 15, 2019 legislative hearing regarding SB1257, claiming that DOBOR administrator, Ed Underwood, lied to Rep. David… Below we have published a registry of shared public testimony, a reaction by the public to a rules package proposal authored by Suzanne Case’s DLNR and Ed Underwood’s DoBOR. Ms…. The ancient Hawaiians were right. Harmony, synchronicity, uncluttered simplicity, and aloha, are the foundation of a solid community. Harmony with the land and surrounding ocean, mindful synchronicity with the environment,… The DLNR’s history of fiscal mismanagement has been documented time and again by independent audit. Audits as far back as 2001, right up through January, 2019, indicate that DLNR funds… “Ladies and gentlemen, we will be landing in Honolulu-By-The-Sea International Airport in just a few minutes. Please have your temporary QR-code visitor ID card ready for scanning at the exit. … (Editor’s Note: The DLNR has a history of funds mismanagement. See this article by West Hawaii Today: CLICK HERE) Public Testimony Eric R., Honolulu I live at the Ala… The Hawaii Boat Owners Association is for everyone who uses a boat in Hawaii. Whether you’re a fisherman, sailor, motor or sail, part time or full time, please join your… Testimony of SUZANNE D. CASE, Chairperson Before the Senate Committee on WAYS AND MEANS Friday, February 15, 2019 1: 15 PM State Capitol Conference Room 211 In consideration of: SENATE… (NOTE: SEE PUBLIC TESTIMONIES HERE) A packed March 2nd, 2019 public hearing outed Ed Underwood’s DOBOR and Suzanne Case’s 13-234 rules package proposal as “outrageous,” “dishonest,” and a “shocking betrayal… In this post, we share with you, not only the testimony that we submitted to the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR), but the testimony submittals of a cross section… Environmentalist Suzanne Case, who was Governor David Ige’s pick for DLNR Chair, seems to have no answer for why it was impossible for the United States Coast Guard to secure… OPINION Opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff at Hawaii Ocean News “Weeeeeee . . . we’re going… OPINION Opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff at Hawaii Ocean News DLNR Chair, Suzanne Case, did not… OPINION Opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff at Hawaii Ocean News Stealing public assets from the people… Up until a few days ago, anyone wanting to put their name on a list of those interested in receiving an email notification of upcoming public hearing dates were told that… It’s been said that “. . . there are ten thousand steps before one can expect to achieve enlightenment . . . “. Over the past year, Hawaii Ocean News… – Opinion – “The people of Hawaii believe that public officers and employees must exhibit the highest standards of ethical conduct and that these standards come from the personal… We have submitted to the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) our Public Testimony for Agenda Item J-1, “Request approval to initiate Rule-Making Proceedings, including Public Hearing, to amend… OPINION Opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff at Hawaii Ocean News The State of Hawaii’s latest proposal… We have submitted to the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) our Public Testimony for Agenda Item J-3, “Request approval to initiate Rule-Making Proceedings, including Public Hearing, to amend… We’re wondering, at this point, if Governor David Ige is actually aware of what is going on in his DLNR, headed by his Chair pick, Suzanne Case. In an attempt… A near-collision, on July 4th, between a Cal 20 sailboat, under sail, and a commercial parasail vessel that was towing a kite behind it with two passengers under, ignited an… The DLNR under Suzanne Case, with the administrative support of DOBOR’s Ed Underwood, has hatched a plan to make the harbor system and boating in Hawaii even less appealing. A… A boater at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor recently shared this surveillance video with us of a repeat offender cat burglar pilfering tools, etc. from his cockpit . …. Yet another robbery two nights ago at the Ala Wai Small Boat public harbor is making tenants nervous there. The owner of a fishing boat on D-pier lost over $5,000… While the information in this article is based on original statute documentation, and comments appearing from boaters were gained through boater interviews, any opinions expressed herein are those of the… In this video, a Hawaii boater shares his experience at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. The individual in this video is a resident with a busy professional life… In September of 2017, boaters were notified that the DLNR had begun the process of formulating a new slate of fee increases. Time is now rapidly approaching when the Board… Opinion The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hawaii Ocean News or its staff. Kirk Caldwell would… Opinion The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hawaii Ocean News or its staff. The DLNR under Suzanne… Boaters are about to get walloped with an array of fee increases ranging from 30% to 1000% in addition to more restrictions. This revision of will slam boaters with much… Break-ins and robberies at the Ala Wai are nothing new. The recent increase in the number of break-ins, however, is being felt by more and more vessel owners there. There…DOBOR’s Underwood Willing to Break the Law to Push His Public Lands Privatization Agenda?
Do Not Steal Our Public Lands: We OPPOSE SB1257 and HB1032
Hawaii’s Mainstream Media Deliberately Stokes Division with Shoddy Journalism
Shame! These Senators Just Voted to Give Hawaii’s Public Lands to Corporate Interests
An Open Letter to Hawaii Attorney General, Clare Connors
The State of Hawaii Has Given Itself the Right to Privatize ALL Public Lands
House Committee Strikes Down Harbor Appraisal Requirement and Sets Primary Residence Fee Increase Cap
DOBOR’s Underwood Called on Lying to Rep. David Tarnas
A Registry of Shared Public Testimony
Dismantling Hawaii: a Leadership Drugged and Mugged by the Goddess, Money
Auditor Condemns DLNR’s Fiscal Management
Welcome to Hawaii’s New Dystopian Paradise
Where’s the Money? Hawaii’s DLNR Unclear About Harbor Revenue/Expenditure Trail
Hawaii Boaters Come Together as One Voice: Join the Hawaii Boat Owners Association
Why Did Hawaii’s DLNR Chair, Suzanne Case, Lie to a State Senate Committee?
Hawaii Boaters at Packed Public Hearing Vent Outrage Over Boating System Mismanagement
Public’s Testimony Outs DLNR Harbor Management Nightmare
DLNR Stands Idly by as Giant Diesel Fuel Spill Pollutes Harbor
Hawaii is NOT an Amusement Park
The DLNR Just Located a Crucial Public Hearing to Limit Public Response
Privatizing Public Assets is a Vile Betrayal of Public Trust
DOBOR Forced to Shift Tactics in Wake of HON Investigation
Ed Underwood’s DOBOR
DLNR Board Approves Document that Openly Lies to Hawaii’s Public
Public Testimony Again Exposes Misleading Verbiage in State’s 13-234 Proposal
On Ferris Wheels, Wedding Chapels, Lava Bombs and Incoming Missiles
Public Testimony Exposes Misleading Verbiage in State’s 13-234 Proposal
We Asked Ed Underwood How DOBOR Came Up With Fee Increase Numbers
U.S. Coast Guard Clarifies Commercial Parasail Vessel Encounter Rules
Despite Huge Profits from Harbor Properties the DLNR Still Proposing Big Increases in Fees
Cat Burglar Video Signals Ongoing Crime Problems in the State’s Public Harbor System
Yet Another Break-in and Robbery at the Ala Wai Unnerves Tenants
Top Ten Reasons Why Hawaii’s Plan to Hijack Boaters for More Money Might Be Nothing More Than Quiet Extortion
Hawaii’s Public Harbor Crisis – Boater Comes Forward to Share His Recent Experiences
Upcoming Boater Fee Increases: Boater Feedback
Kirk Caldwell’s Final Solution: Kill the Showers at Diamond Head
One Single Change to Hawaii Harbor Statutes Could Transform the Harbor System
Hefty Boater Fees Hike Proposal
Multihull Break-In at the Ala Wai Small Boat Public Harbor May Signal Scary New Trend