Latest news with #GlennWakai
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State land board rejects Army lease extension on training site
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The state's land board rejected the U.S. Army's extension of its lease of the Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island, leaving the future of the military's training in Hawaiʻi unclear. State Senator Glenn Wakai says that if the military is not able to use the lands for training such as live fire exercises. Federal, local law enforcement aim to crack down on ghost guns 'America needs to be ready, and the frontline for America is Hawaiʻi,' Wakai said. 'America's military readiness is going to be hampered because they're not able to do live fire exercises anywhere in the state of Hawaiʻi.' Wakai warns that the consequences of the military not having access to Pohakuloa Training Area, Kahuku, Makua and Poamoho for training won't just be a national security issue, but an economic one as well. 'In light of [the military] being the third largest economic driver, after tourism and real estate, the military is a significant player here,' the senator said. 'We need to do whatever we can to accommodate their needs, but not, of course, jeopardizing our environmental factors as well.'The Board of Land and Natural Resources' rejection of the military's lease extension was not out of left field, with the military having a spotty history in Hawaiʻi's ʻāina. 'I think what the problem with the military has been is that they haven't always been the perfect environmental stewards of our lands,' Wakai said. 'They have not cleaned up Kahoʻolawe. They had a disastrous catastrophe with red hill.' The military used the island of Kahoʻolawe for bomb testing in the 1940s, with decades of military activity taking place on the sacred island. Military bombing of the island stopped in the 1990s. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The island still has ordnances, with efforts to clean up the land ongoing. In addition to the military activity on Kahoʻolawe, the military only paid $1 annually on the 65-year lease agreement, leaving a poor taste in everyone's mouth. 'The military only paid us $1 a year. That needs to change,' Wakai said. 'They need to pay fair market value for whatever lease agreement is reestablished. They got away with it for, almost free, for 65 years.' The BLNR Chair Dawn Chang says the Army can appeal the board's decision or file a lawsuit. The board will consider a lease extension for Kahuku, Makua and Poamoho in June, Chang said. The Army's land leases on Pohakuloa Training Area, Kahuku, Makua and Poamoho are currently set to expire in 2029. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pacific Pipeline: Hawaii lawmakers look to Asia for UH athletics boost
HONOLULU (KHON2) — With more than 360 division one athletic programs across the U.S., the University of Hawaii often finds itself fighting for scraps in the national recruiting game. But one state lawmakers says the key to leveling the playing field might be found across the Pacific. Interested in early childhood education? UH Manoa posts new degree option For decades, the University of Hawaii has struggled to keep pace with powerhouse athletic programs on the mainland, which have deeper pockets and larger platforms. 'There are 360 D-1 programs in America, and Hawaii is trying to get a small sliver of that. We should still try to go after that small sliver. But I think our strength is on the other side of the Pacific,' said State Senator Glenn Wakai. Wakai is spearheading an effort to position UH as a gateway for elite athletes from Asia, particularly Japan, where what he calls the 'Shohei Effect' is inspiring a new generation of young stars who dream of playing in the U.S. 'Kids nowadays are in Japan in middle school, they don't want to live their dreams in the Japanese major leagues. They want to come to America,' said Wakai. 'We really should be looking towards Asia to get athletes to develop a fan base and ultimately get NIL money to go pay for the future quarterbacks the University of Hawaii needs.' UH this year, has five student athletes from Japan. Wakai believes there is untapped potential in other parts of Asia, and this year, the state legislature has set aside some money for going after UH fans in the region. Kauai spearfisher lands 130-plus pound fish, almost dragged to the depths 'But now we also have to have a concerted effort where we're going to develop relationships with these athletes, schools, develop relationships with the coaches,' said Wakai. 'It's not a brand new idea. This idea has surfaced in the last couple of decades,' said sports analyst Rich Miano. With aging facilities and without any Fortune 500 companies in Hawaii, what's needed is a larger investment in infrastructure and long-term commitment. 'I think it's worth not only exploring, but actually financing to see how it could actually help the university because there's not a whole lot of avenues for the University of Hawaii to create not only great sports teams, but revenue producing sports teams,' said Miano. Wakai is also trying to work with local broadcasters to livestream games involving Asian athletes, making it easier for fans across the Pacific to stay connected. Others agree an international strategy could give UH a unique edge.'I would think any corporation in Asia would love to have their student athlete or their talent, being showcased in the United States, on the college level, you see it on the professional level, so it would be a win-win,' said David Kawada, Ahahui Koa Anuenue President and Executive Director. Wakai thinks it'll take at least five to see efforts pay off, but says its more than wins and losses. It's reimagining UH's place in the college sports landscape. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New bill seeks to build casinos and legalize gambling
KHON2 (HONOLULU) — Hawaii is one of two states in the country where gambling is illegal. A new bill aims to bring in casinos and legalize gambling.'Considering that we kind of all joke in this community about how Las Vegas is the Ninth Island, this approach is to bring that Ninth Island back home, to bring the revenues back up, to bring the excitement of casino gaming to Hawaii,' stated Senator Glenn Wakai. Super Bowl LIX could break sports betting records A new bill would grant 20-year licenses for casinos in the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District and Hawaii Convention Center. It would also establish the Hawaii Gaming Control Commission, impose a 15% tax on gross receipts and create a state gaming fund and compulsive gambler program. 'Today is the biggest gambling day of the entire year. People are doing parlay sheets. They're betting galore today. Why can't we as a state legalize that and take a tax off of all of that action taking place?' said Wakai. Lawmakers who voted against the bill said it could be harmful to communities. 'All of the people who are going to spend their paycheck every couple of weeks with that hope of trying to win— it's known that when you have access easily to lose your money, you're probably gonna lose your money if you're not disciplined,' said Senator Brenton Awa. Those in favor of bringing casinos to Hawaii said it could lead to fewer illegal game rooms across the state. 'Gambling is happening in our community, kind of in the dark alleys and in some closed quarters. By having it out in the open in a casino, all of those poker parlors that are the scourge of many areas… those will have just no reason to exist,' Wakai said. Wakai said most of the revenue would go to the Department of Education among other programs. 'For those who might fall into addictive behavior, we have to make sure that we have programs for them. So a small portion will go to that, but a bulk of it will go to education,' Wakai said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hawaii's first Water Safety Plan addresses keiki drowning prevention
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Drowning is the number one cause of death for Hawaii keiki ages one to 15 and now, the state of Hawaii is taking steps toward first Hawaii Water Safety Plan, 'I Palekana Kākou Ka Wai: Let Us Be Safe in the Water,' was released by the Hawaii Water Safety Coalition. HWSC introduced the measure to call on stakeholders to help identify the state's most urgent drowning prevention recommendations. Death by negligence? Family sues after teen swimmer's tragedy 'Drownings are preventable with constant adult supervision in and around the water, including at home. Our goal is to protect children from drowning in Hawai'i,' said Dr. Pat Morgan, Child Death Review in Hawaii member and Kapiolani Child Advocacy and Protection medical director. The Water Safety Plan outlined the following drowning statistics: Hawaii resident drowning rate is the second highest in the nation behind Alaska Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are about 27 percent of Hawaii's population yet to make up 36 percent of resident drowning deaths Less than two percent of Hawaii second graders have basic skills to avoid or recover from drowning Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for Hawaii visitors Several measures are being introduced during the 2025 legislative session including requiring swim education at public schools and better regulation around ponds. 'It seems to us that it's a common sensical desire to put this in DOE's curriculum but that comes at an expense. DOE is set up to educate our kids, prepare them for potentially a life in college, and swimming some might say is not part of their mission,' said Glenn Wakai, Senate majority floor leader. Hawaii Safety Plan's lead writer Allison Schaefers is also a bereaved parent after her daughter drowned in 2004 in a detention pond. Check out more news from around Hawaii 'What inspired me to keep going was her. I kept thinking if a five-year-old can be a hero, that we could all be heroes,' Schaefer said. 'I do not want any of Hawaii's children to ever go through that again and so that's my inspiration.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
