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Associated Press
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Lawsuit asks court to halt Haiku Stairs demolition, citing Hawaii agency flip-flop
An Oʻahu court is being asked to reverse a decision made by the State Historic Preservation Division backing plans by the City and County of Honolulu to demolish the Haʻikū Stairs. The suit was filed in district court Thursday by the Friends of Haʻikū Stairs – a nonprofit that has lobbied for retaining all or part of the 50-year-old mountain path that rises more than 2,000 feet offering climbers spectacular views of the Windward Coast. The city has been trying to dismantle the structure since 2021, but requires the agreement of the State Historic Preservation Division, a branch of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, under Hawaiʻi statutes. The filing asks the court to permanently halt the demolition, alleging that SHPD failed to require the city to 'conduct adequate historic and archaeological surveys of the full project area,' and allowed the city to reject 'a viable alternative to preserve the Stairs.' SHPD had previously expressed a preference for preserving and restoring the structure in a 2019 letter to the city, according to the filing. 'SHPD's preferred alternative would be to keep the Haʻikū Stairs and … and restore the damaged section of the stairs,' the letter read. But on April 9, SHPD wrote to the city's Department of Design and Construction that the demolition could proceed. The Friends of Haʻikū Stairs argue that SHPD's April letter was deficient because it didn't adequately explain why it abandoned its previous support for preservation. 'We just think that SHPD's rapid shift from preservation to demolition without explaining or doing any of the steps necessary under state law was fundamentally wrong and voids the whole process,' Justin Scorza, vice president of the Friends of Haʻikū Stairs, said on Monday. The group had first appealed the letter April 12 with the Hawaiʻi Historic Places Review Board, but the board lacked a quorum to rule on the legality of the letter, Scorza said. DLNR spokesman Dan Dennison said Monday he would not comment on pending litigation. City spokesman Ian Scheuring said the city was confident the Circuit Court does not have jurisdiction over the case and expected the lawsuit to be dismissed. Demolition Already On Hold Pending Appeal The lawsuit is the latest installment in the legal maneuvering around Honolulu''s efforts to demolish the stairs citing safety concerns, liability and security costs. Built during World War II as part of a top-secret naval radio project, the nearly 4,000 stairs remained an off-limits destination for hikers despite being closed in 1987. In 2019, former Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell had briefly floated the idea that the county's Department of Parks and Recreation take over the stairs and develop a managed access plan, including addressing traffic jams at the trail's residential access point. But an environmental impact statement in 2020 by the Honolulu Board of Water Supply recommended demolishing the stairs, and the formal decision was made by the Honolulu City Council and Mayor Rick Blangiardi in September 2021. The demolition was meant to take six months and cost $2.6 million but in August 2023 Friends of Haʻikū Stairs asked a court to halt the plan, arguing that the Board of Water Supplies environmental impact statement was out of date. Friends of Haʻikū Stairs lost that decision, but nevertheless, a temporary injunction was placed on the project in June last year, pending a decision by the Intermediate Court of Appeals on whether the lower court erred in its finding. Honolulu filed for an expedited appeal decision in February, saying it had spent nearly $2 million on police overtime to guard the steps from June to December last year. Over 120 arrests for trespass were made during that time, according to the city. Although there have been no reported deaths on the stairs, emergency workers rescued nearly 200 hikers from the trail from 2010 to 2022, the city said. ___ This story was originally published by Honolulu Civil Beat and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
State claims many Iwi Kūpuna ‘destroyed' on North Shore property
PUPUKEA, Hawaii (KHON2) — The state claims over 1,000 bone fragments, said to be Iwi Kūpuna, were disturbed and destroyed at a North Shore home in May. Now, the state is seeking a restraining order against the homeowner and contractor. North Shore community members discuss gondola plans Court documents state that on May 1, a contractor and his team were digging out ground and constructing a new septic system at a property on Ke Iki Road when bones were discovered. The state alleged in the document 'that even though the defendants were told to stop work, and even after the defendants agreed to stop work, the defendants continued ground-disturbing activities, apparently attempting to finish their work before they can be forcibly stopped.' According to a now former employee of the contractor, two burials were found on May 1. 'After they had encountered Iwi, the manager had instructed the crew to collect the bone fragments and place them in a cardboard box, place ti leaf over them, say a prayer and finish the job,' the former employee told state officials according to the document. The former worker said a third burial site was discovered on May 2, and that was the same day Honolulu police and the State Historic Preservation Division went to the archeologist with SHPD stated she was notified of inadvertent discovery of human remains and she and another archaeology branch contractor visited the site. She stated she observed Iwi Kupuna and placed pin flags where bone fragments had been encountered by the former employee and where she observed them on May 2. The former employee then told SHPD that additional bone fragments had been uncovered and placed in an L&L disposable cup. That same day, May 2, the documents state SHPD notified the property owner that no additional ground work could be completed until he retained an archaeological firm and consulted with SHPD. The property owner said he was not at the property during the work and he said he allowed authorities access quickly, and he understands and respects the process. He also hired an archeological firm. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news On May 15, SHPD received an anonymous complaint about ground disturbance at the property. SHPD and DOCARE responded and confirmed ground disturbance activity had occurred at the property and a portion of a previously dug area was infilled with sand and the excavator was now outside the property. The document states the excavator had already been removed from the site and placed on a trailer when SHPD staff arrived. And in the tracks of the excavator, two separate bone fragments were recovered. On May 16, the hired archeology team began their assessment of the property. They recovered remains of a 'very young child in-situ burial.' And had identified over 1,000 bone fragments with the project area. Laulima Giving Program hosting 'Back 2 School' drive 'Burials should be treated with the greatest level of honor, care, dignity and respect,' explained Kumu Hina, Oahu Island burial council chair. She explained that if a previous survey of Iwi has been done in an area then the survey falls under the burial council jurisdiction. Because this was an inadvertent discovery, it falls under SHPD. The Attorney General's office filed a temporary restraining order saying it's necessary to protect Iwi and prevent further desecration. The owner said he knew no one was allowed on his property until the issue was resolved. 'I can't say whether it was intentionally callously done or not,' Kumu Hina said. 'In a different time and in a different world it may have been sufficient to those involved to be dismissive like that and gather the bones, grab a ti leaf, say a prayer and toss them aside and move along, but our Hawaii has moved past that callous treatment of burials and so whether the burial is found in a sandy loam near the shoreline, or inland or at Punchbowl cemetery, they should be treated with the greatest level of honor, care, dignity and respect.' Hawaiʻi state flag derives from King Kamehameha I She said depending on the area's history, finding 1,000 bone fragments could allude to previous disturbance. 'It might also allude to simply the natural process of bones going back to the land.' She explained burial laws came about around 1980 and property tax records indicate the home on the property was built in the 1970s. But as more owners will be required to shift to septic in the near future, she said we can expect to see more burials unearthed. 'When people go forward callous and careless with poor intention and forego giving respect to the burials found, that's when I can say advise caution,' Kumu Hina said. 'Because that's what begets all sorts of emotions within the Hawaiian community, and misfortune tends to come upon those whom are not careful.' How Generational Hawaiian Music Plays an Impact in Todays Culture She said the city and state should also be prepared for more calls on burials being unearthed as the conversion deadline nears and possibly offer some kind of support. 'Whenever you go digging around in the spaces and places in Hawaii there is a great potential for burials to come up and just as we would treat our loved ones who we know and treat with care and respect, so we treat with care and respect the burials that were at one time someone's parent, sibling, relative and we honor them as well, that's important,' she said. KHON2 reached out to the contractor to find out why the excavator was removed, but did not hear back. The property owners attorney said 'they look forward to cooperating with the state AGs office to resolve this.' The TRO is set to expire on June 16. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Teen charged after baby struck by stray bullet in Spring Hill
SPRING HILL, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Spring Hill Police Department announced that a 17-year-old was arrested after a stray bullet struck a sleeping child last week. On June 6, a shooting was reported around 1 a.m. in the 3000 block of Shandor Street in the Harvest Point subdivision off Cleburne Road. Police said a man was outside on the street when a sedan drove up next to him. The occupant of the sedan reportedly shot at the man, who fired back. PREVIOUS: Baby hit by stray bullet during shootout in Spring Hill About 15 rounds were fired in all, and several penetrated a nearby home. One of the bullets went through the wall, grazing the skull of a young child. Police added that the circumstances surrounding the shooting are still under investigation. The SHPD said that the Columbia teen has been charged with attempted second-degree murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment by discharging a firearm into a habitation. It is up to the District Attorney's Office to make a decision about transferring the hearing from juvenile court to adult court. 'Our thoughts remain with the child and their family,' the SHPD added in the update. 'We are all hoping for a full and swift recovery.' While the family didn't have a GoFundMe page by the time this article was published, the community has set up a meal train where people can donate both meals and money. Follow this link if you'd like to make a contribution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
Baby hit by stray bullet during shootout in Spring Hill
SPRING HILL, Tenn. (WKRN) — A baby is recovering at the hospital after a stray bullet from an early morning shootout in the street tore through a Spring Hill home and struck the sleeping child in the head. According to the Spring Hill Police Department, officers responded to a reported shooting in the 3000 block of Shandor Street in the Harvest Pointe subdivision shortly before 1 a.m. on Friday, June 6. PREVIOUS: Baby injured after shot fired into Spring Hill home Authorities said they believe a sedan stopped next to a person out on Shandor Street. The occupants of the vehicle reportedly shot at the young man, who fired back. Door bell camera footage shows grainy figures in and around a car. You can hear the loud gunshots before the vehicle accelerates out of frame. Several of the roughly 15 rounds fired in the shootout penetrated a nearby home. Police said one of the bullets went through a wall and grazed the skull of a 1-year-old girl who was sleeping inside the house. Body camera footage shows the intense response as a large number of officers flooded the neighborhood to collect evidence and search for those involved in the shooting. 'Hopefully they find out who did this and they seek justice,' a mother who lives in the neighborhood told News 2. The woman didn't know the family of the child who was injured, but like many residents, she was shaken by the outburst of violence that rocked the normally quiet community. 'I'm feeling for the family and our community, and I hope that we get through this and we find out who these people are. It's just horrible what's happened here today,' she said. News 2 spoke with the family's pastor from Southview Church, Josh Clendenen, who said the little girl suffered a skull fracture and some bleeding on the brain, but she is stable. ⏩ 'As a church community, we were shocked to hear of the events that took place last night in Spring Hill, and to learn one of the babies of our church family was injured, was devastating. We are rallying around the family with prayers and support, but also praying diligently for the protection of our community and its first responders,' Clendenen said. 'We're asking everyone to keep this family in your prayers and we encourage you to pray for your communities as well. We know God was protecting the entire family, and are believing for a complete healing and speedy recovery.' While the family didn't have a GoFundMe page by the time this article was published, the community has set up a meal train where people can donate both meals and money. Follow this link if you'd like to make a contribution. Meanwhile, SHPD urges Harvest Pointe residents to check any home camera footage between 12:30 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. for any vehicles or person(s) walking during those hours. You can send videos to Detective Jonathan Tiller at jtiller@ If you have any other information related to this investigation, you can submit an anonymous tip by clicking here. The SHPD is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for any information leading to an arrest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Long Island cop Michael Arkinson who arrested Justin Timberlake in Hamptons awarded ‘Officer of the Year'
The Long Island cop who arrested pop superstar Justin Timberlake for driving drunk in the Hamptons was awarded for making an 'immediate impact' during his first year on the job. Sag Harbor Village Police Officer Michael Arkinson, 24, was named the department's Officer of the Year during a ceremony on Jan 31, according to the Sag Harbor Express. 'Although Officer Arkinson was newly hired last year, he has made an immediate impact within the department and the community,' Chief Rob Drake said. '…He has a positive attitude and shown tremendous initiative, always wanting to participate and learn to improve his knowledge and skills to become a more well-rounded police officer.' Arkinson, who joined SHPD in March 2024, led the department in summonses and arrests — including pulling over and busting Timberlake in the ritzy Long Island town last year. In June, Arkinson spotted the 'Sexy Back' singer blow through a stop sign in his 2025 BMW SUV and swerve out of his lane. Timberlake claimed he had 'one martini' when hanging with his friends at Sag Harbor's posh American Hotel and was following them home before he was pulled over. Akinson noted in a criminal complaint that the singer 'appeared intoxicated' with 'bloodshot and glassy' eyes and was 'unable to follow instructions correctly' during his field sobriety test. He refused to take a Breathalyzer three times, according to documents. Atkinson 'was so young that he didn't even know' who Timberlake was during the early morning traffic stop, a source told Page Six. The Grammy winner allegedly told Atkinson, 'This is going to ruin the tour' at the time. Timberlake was charged with driving while intoxicated, which was dropped when he pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired, a lesser charge. He was also cited for running a stop sign. In August, the 'Cry Me a River' singer pleaded not guilty to a DWI charge and had his license suspended in New York. He accepted a plea deal over a month later to avoid rehab treatment. As part of his plea deal, Timberlake was ordered to complete 25 hours of community service, make a public statement and pay a $500 fine with a $260 surcharge. 'This is a mistake that I made but I'm hoping that whoever is watching and listening right now can learn from this mistake,' Timberlake said last September. Arkinson developed a strict reputation among locals — who described the officer as the 'Sag Harbor Nazi' — despite having spent less than a year with the department. The Long Island native graduated from Southampton High School and Roger Williams University before he became a part-time traffic control officer in 2017. According to Page Six, Arkinson jumped into action to save a local, 25, who had been overdosing — just days before his confrontation with Timberlake.
