Honolulu

Honolulu Jury Awards Over $2 Million to Family of Homeless Man Killed by Deputy Sheriff at State Capitol

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Honolulu, Hawaii – A jury in Honolulu awarded over $2 million to the family of a homeless man fatally shot by a deputy sheriff at the state Capitol, a court determined on Friday. The verdict, which concluded deliberations that began on Wednesday, marks a significant moment in the legal ordeal stemming from the 2019 incident. Delmar Espejo, 28, lost his life during a physical altercation with former deputy sheriff Gregory Bergman, which allegedly occurred after Espejo was confronted for possessing alcohol on Capitol premises. The altercation led to Bergman shooting Espejo in the back, igniting … Read more

Voters Rein in Honolulu City Council Pay Raises and Usher in New Amendments to Tackle Emergency Management and Climate Change

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Honolulu, Hawaii – A significant change in pay policy for Honolulu City Council members will take effect with the new year, following overwhelming voter support for a charter amendment that limits annual council raises to 5%. This decision comes after a controversial 64% salary increase approved in 2023, which propelled council salaries to over $113,000 from approximately $68,900. The approval for the charter amendment garnered an astonishing 90.6% of votes in the November general election. Under the new rules, any future raises for council members will now be aligned with the average salary increases of … Read more

Sunlight Denied: Honolulu Police Commission Under Fire for Repeatedly Violating Transparency Laws

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Honolulu, Hawaii—The Honolulu Police Commission has once again found itself under scrutiny for non-compliance with Hawaii’s Sunshine Law, according to findings from the state Office of Information Practices (OIP). The law mandates transparency regarding the content discussed in executive sessions of public boards. This breach by the Honolulu Police Commission highlights recurring transparency issues concerning what is specifically being discussed behind closed doors, thus stifling public participation and oversight. State law clearly stipulates that prior to conducting private discussions on public matters, governmental bodies must disclose the topics of discussion to the public. However, the … Read more

Rise in Untraceable ‘Ghost Guns’ Triggers Call for Tougher Laws in Honolulu

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Honolulu, Hawaii – Honolulu police are advocating for stringent regulations on the assembly and possession of “ghost guns” after revealing a significant uptick in the confiscation of these untraceable firearms. By the end of October, law enforcement authorities had seized 88 of these weapons, marking a dramatic 70% increase from the previous year. Ghost guns lack serial numbers, making them nearly impossible for officials to track when used in criminal activities. These weapons are typically constructed from kits that can be easily purchased and assembled without much technical skill, using common household tools. This accessibility … Read more