Hawaii

Hawaii lawmakers react to Trump ‘assassination attempt’

Published

2 years ago

July 14, 2024

Hawaii lawmakers react to Trump ‘assassination attempt’

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Local elected officials have weighed in about the apparent assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

A common message — despite party differences — was that violence has no place in politics.

Hawaii’s Democratic governor released the following statement on Saturday, July 13:

“As a nation we can never accept violence in the political arena or any other circumstance. I wish the former president a full recovery and send my condolences to the family of the person who was killed. An event like this can be very traumatic to a person and their family, so our thoughts are with them.”
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green

Hawaii’s Republican Party chair watched coverage of the shooting after she arrived at the Milwaukee airport for the upcoming Republican National Convention.

“To formally make him the Republican nominee,” Tamara McKay said, “And it just was, it’s still surreal kind of trying to swallow, ‘Did this really happen?’ To come back up and with his fist, you know, up in the air was very, not only a, maybe a sigh of relief, but strength and, ‘That didn’t get him down.’ But let’s, let’s also be responsible, not promote any retaliation as well.”

State Rep. Diamond Garcia agreed with his party chair and stressed the historic nature of the event — a clean shot has not been taken at a U.S. president since 1981.

“This was a true assassination attempt. Gunshots were fired, innocent bystanders who were there supporting President Trump, one at least has been confirmed killed. The shooter has been killed, so this was a definite assassination attempt, the likes that we have not seen since President Reagan,” the Hawaii House Minority Floor Leader said.

“What needs to be said clearly is no matter what your beliefs are politically, violence has no place in a free society at all,” Rep. Garcia said.

Several other local elected officials including Hawaii Kai Rep. Gene Ward, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Sen. Brian Schatz and Reps. Jill Tokuda and Ed Case have all released their own statements on the shooting that can be viewed below.

Hawaii’s republican chair said the Republican National Convention will be quite the scene.

“I just got a text saying he will come still to accept his nomination and I can only imagine the roar, the thunder for him to stand strong and still take the stage for his nomination,” McKay said.

Stolen jewels, boa constrictors killing owners, check out Weird News here

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said through a statement:
“I am horrified and saddened by the news of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump today. Such acts of violence have no place in our society, and we must stand united against them. My thoughts and prayers are with the former President and his family during this incredibly difficult time. I also extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of the innocent bystander who tragically lost their life in this senseless act. Additionally, my prayers go out for the recovery of the two individuals who were critically injured. In moments like these, it is crucial for us to come together as a community and reject all forms of violence. Let us stand in solidarity, offering support and compassion to those affected by this tragedy, and work tirelessly to ensure such acts do not define our future.”

Hawaii Rep. Jill Tokuda of Hawaii’s second congressional district said through a statement:
“Sending out my deep condolences to those affected by today’s tragic incident, and prayers of recovery and safety to everyone impacted. I spent most of today encouraging civic engagement, telling AANHPI to use their voice and be seen. Our democracy must be grounded in civil discourse, mutual respect, and most of all aloha. These kinds of horrific acts only serve to silence and instill fear, and do not reflect the values of our country. We are better than this, and we must come together to reject all violence.”

Hawaii Rep. Ed Case of Hawaii’s first congressional district said through a statement:
“Our hearts go out to the innocent lost and we pray for President Trump
and the others wounded. Violence must not be the answer. Voters, not guns, must decide
elections.”

Get Hawaii’s latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

Sen. Brian Schatz said on social media:
“This is absolutely horrifying. Political violence is always unacceptable. I am praying for everyone’s safety.”

Hawaii Kai State Rep. Gene Ward said through a statement:
“Americans have the Boston Tea Party in their DNA, but today’s shooting of former President Trump is the extremism that is totally unacceptable, barbaric, and makes me hate my profession when things like this happen. No one from both sides of the aisle should take politics so seriously to turn a rally into a crime scene. Please pray for the former President and our nation.”

Source link

Hawaii

Meet Miss Aloha Hula 2026: Faith Kealohapauole Paredes

Published

3 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Meet Miss Aloha Hula 2026: Faith Kealohapauole Paredes

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Faith Kealohapau‘ole Paredes of Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi (Nā Kumu Haunani & ‘Iliahi Paredes) was crowned Miss Aloha Hula Thursday night at the Merrie Monarch Festival, topping a field of 13 competitors in the festival’s first night of competition.

The contest features performances in hula kahiko, hula ʻauana and oli, showcasing both technical precision and artistic interpretation.

Judges scored competitors on a range of elements, including kaʻi; interpretation and expression; posture and precision; hand gestures; foot and body movement; hoʻi; authenticity of costume and adornments; grooming; and overall performance.

The 21-year-old from Maui received 1,161 points.

“It’s surreal,” she said. “I’m just so honored and blessed to be able to show and share my lineage and share the hula from my hello with all of Hawaii and all of the world.”

Paredes also won the Hawaiian Language Award.

“Hula will forever live,” she said. “It is through us speaking out in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. It is through us (to) not be ashamed of who we are and to hula on. Dance with your heart out.”

Paredes is a Kamehameha Schools graduate and attends Dartmouth College. She won the title of Miss Keiki Hula in 2015.

The rest of the finalists were as follows:

1st runner up: Keoe Momilani Michiko Hoe (1,156)

2nd runner up: Lahela Hoʻokela Medina Maio (1,134 points)

3rd runner up: Leimana Kaleinamanu Purdy (1,115 points)

4th runner up: Jelacia Naomi Waiauokalaniākea Peralta (1,098 points)

The festival continues Friday night with group hula kahiko.

View our Merrie Monarch Festival online hub here.

Samantha Makanani Aguon Newman

Nā Kumu Hula Karl Veto Baker & Michael Lanakila Casupang

Haily Kamakahukilani Nawahine Nascimento

Nā Kumu Hula William Kahakuleilehua Haunu‘u “Sonny” Ching & Lōpaka Igarta-De Vera

Kēhaulani Kaleikaumakamaeʻiʻomakamae Rubonal

Kumu Hula Keolalaulani Dalire

Mālie Kapuaonaonaikamauʻuuaolalokoikealohaokalaniākea Moe

Kumu Hula Kapua Dalire-Moe

Lilia Kaleialohaokealohalani Ka’ōnohi’ula Keohokapuakeakua Iokepa-Guerrero

Kumu Hula Niuliʻi Heine

Jovian Kauanoeokalaulani Range-Semisi

Nā Kumu Hula Kunewa Mook & Kau‘ionālani Kamana‘o

Keoe Momilani Michiko Hoe

Kumu Hula Robert Ke‘ano Ka‘upu IV

Lahela Hoʻokela Medina Maio

Nā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe Lopes

Faith Lynn Kealohapauʻole Paredes

Nā Kumu Hula Haunani & ‘Iliahi Paredes

Jelacia Naomi Waiauokalaniākea Peralta

Kumu Breeze Ann Kalehuaonālani Vidinha Pavao

Hiʻileilanikauakapukapuokeānuenue Puchalski

Kumu Hula Keli‘iho‘omalu Puchalski

Leimana Kaleinamanu Purdy

Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva

Līlianani Maya Rae Pi

Kumu Hula Kenneth Dean Alohapumehanaokalā Victor

Source link

Hawaii

Hawaii lawmakers push for continued tax relief for most families

Published

15 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Hawaii lawmakers push for continued tax relief for most families

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Hawaii State Legislature is entering the final weeks of the 2025 session with at least one point of agreement: income taxes will continue to decline for most families.

Both the House and Senate rejected the governor’s plan to cancel some tax relief, despite earlier uncertainty about the state’s financial situation.

“So what the Senate’s position is, is we want to make sure that the promises that were made are kept, especially with those families that make $350,000 a year or less,” said Senate Ways and Means chair Donovan Dela Cruz.

House Finance chair Rep. Chris Todd agreed the priority is ensuring ongoing tax relief.

Energy tax credits targeted to offset revenue loss

Continuing to reduce taxes means nearly $2 billion has to come from somewhere else. The Senate Ways and Means Committee voted to eliminate state energy tax credits for things like solar power and electric cars in 2029.

The credits could be saved if the economy improves.

“So this becomes a shared approach. Government cuts, business tax credits, get sunset, and then we’re still charging some of the higher end income brackets,” Dela Cruz said. “Their tax breaks are going to get repealed.”

House proposes tax increase on high earners

The House moved along a redesigned tax package that makes tax credits for spending on child care and food more generous and raises income taxes on families with incomes over $350,000.

“It would provide some ongoing tax relief to low to middle income families, but in return, we would request a 1% tax increase on very high income families,” Todd said.

The financial picture is clearer now, even with flood disaster costs, because of the federal disaster declaration.

“Now the state’s eligible to get reimbursed for a lot of these funds. We’re not sure what it’s going to look like, but that’s going to be positive for us,” Dela Cruz said.

Todd said the state is sitting on a solid reserve, a luxury not many states have right now.

All the proposals from the House and the Senate are now going into conference committee, where the final details will be worked out over the next month.

Source link