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Amid mounting legal challenges, Hawaii allows open carry of formerly banned blades

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Amid mounting legal challenges, Hawaii allows open carry of formerly banned blades


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – As of Monday, it is no longer illegal in Hawaii to carry a dangerous weapon in public — and switchblade and butterfly knives are no longer banned.

That change led to an alarming sight in Waikiki at sunset Tuesday.

The governor signed HB 2342 into law Monday without fanfare, making it immediately legal to openly carry weapons that were banned in public until now.

Gun rights activist Andrew Namiki Roberts, leader of the Hawaii Firearms Coalition, decided to celebrate in a very visual way, brandishing medieval bladed weapons in a public park.

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Video of the display was posted on the Coalition’s Facebook page.

“I can be down here with my halberd, walk around with it, and not break the law,” Roberts said, in the video. “I also have an 18-inch Viking axe, perfectly legal.

“The other thing that’s now legal was switch blades and butterfly knives you can own possess and carry them as long as it’s done openly.”

Attorney Alan Beck, who has represented Hawaii gun owners in lawsuits against the state and county’s gun control laws, is in the process of challenging the state’s ban on switchblade and butterfly knives. He said the new law was designed to blunt that lawsuit, by partially loosening the restrictions.

“You can now open carry any dangerous and deadly weapon. And the law now only prohibits the concealed carry of those weapons,” Beck said.

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State Solicitor General Kaliko’onālani Fernandes, who represents the Attorney General in appeals courts, said despite the loosening of some restrictions, existing laws can protect the public.

“It’s a serious crime, both before and after this bill, to carry a weapon in a manner that threatens or terrorizes others,” she said.

Roberts emphasized in his video that he had no intention of using the weapons to scare anyone, even though he admitted they were frightening.

“It’s 6 foot tall. It’s basically a spear, axe, hook all at once. It scares the bejesus out of me. It really, really, really does. But it’s perfectly legal for me to carry as long as I do so safely,” he said, in the video.

In hearings on the bill, the attorney general said the change was to modernize and align Hawaii’s concealed weapons laws with other places and court rulings.

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But some testifiers said it didn’t make any sense to legalize knives only to carry them in public.

Michael Rice, who appeared via Zoom from his home, used a small knife on a clip inside his shirt to explain.

“This is concealed — so, that’s a felony. Now this isn’t concealed. You know, if I’m running down the street with a butterfly knife in my hands, does that make it any better than if I just got it slipped in my pocket?” Rice said.

The new law also says people who legally carry concealed firearms will face felony charges if they commit even a minor crime, like driving without a license.

The state Public Defender’s office, represented by Jerry Villanueva, found itself allied with gun owners in questioning the language of the proposal, which didn’t seem to provide exemptions for crimes not related to the firearm.

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“But if they are validly in possession of a firearm, but they’re driving without a valid driver’s license as a misdemeanor, then they also could face a Class C felony,” Villanueva said.

But prosecutors and the state Attorney General’s Office said there would have to be some relationship between the firearm and the crime to trigger the higher charge.

“For decades, it’s been a felony under state law, to possess a firearm while committing a crime,” Fernandes said. “So this bill does not meaningfully change the scope of that existing prohibition.”

Beck called on the attorney general to publicly clarify how the new law will be enforced, but Fernandes said could not comment on specific hypotheticals.

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Hawaii

Hawaii Health Department alerts residents of recalled carrots | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Hawaii Health Department alerts residents of recalled carrots | Honolulu Star-Advertiser


COURTESY FDA
                                Grimmway Farms of Bakersfield, Calif., on Saturday recalled multiple sizes of bagged, organic carrots — both whole and baby carrots — sold throughout the U.S.

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COURTESY FDA

Grimmway Farms of Bakersfield, Calif., on Saturday recalled multiple sizes of bagged, organic carrots — both whole and baby carrots — sold throughout the U.S.

COURTESY FDA
                                Grimmway Farms of Bakersfield, Calif., on Saturday recalled multiple sizes of bagged, organic carrots — both whole and baby carrots — sold throughout the U.S.

2/2

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Swipe or click to see more

COURTESY FDA

Grimmway Farms of Bakersfield, Calif., on Saturday recalled multiple sizes of bagged, organic carrots — both whole and baby carrots — sold throughout the U.S.

Advertisement
COURTESY FDA
                                Grimmway Farms of Bakersfield, Calif., on Saturday recalled multiple sizes of bagged, organic carrots — both whole and baby carrots — sold throughout the U.S.
COURTESY FDA
                                Grimmway Farms of Bakersfield, Calif., on Saturday recalled multiple sizes of bagged, organic carrots — both whole and baby carrots — sold throughout the U.S.
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The Hawaii Department of Health is alerting residents of a recall involving multiple brand names of organic carrots sold in the state due to potential E. coli contamination.

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Grimmway Farms of Bakersfield, Calif., on Saturday recalled multiple sizes of bagged, organic carrots — both whole and baby carrots — sold throughout the U.S.

Among the brand names available for purchase at supermarkets and retailers in Hawaii were 365 Whole Foods Market, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Good & Gather and O Organics.

A complete list of recalled products is listed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The multi-state outbreak tied to the recalled carrots has so far resulted in one death and 15 hospitalizations from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There have so far been 39 cases tracked in 18 states. To date, Hawaii is not one of them.

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DOH is currently investigating if the recalled products have caused illness or adverse effects in the state.

Although the carrots are likely no longer available for sale in stores, the public is urged to check their refrigerators and freezers for the recalled products.

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The retail-packaged organic whole carrots were available for purchase in stores from Aug. 14 to Oct. 23, 2024. The organic baby carrots have different best-if-used-by-dates ranging from Sept. 11 to Nov. 12, 2024.

Consumers who purchased the recalled carrots should seal them in a zippered package and dispose of them immediately. All surfaces in contact with the carrots should also be cleaned and sanitized due to the risk of cross-contamination.

Symptoms of E. coli O121:H19 infection include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), fever, nausea and vomiting, according to DOH. They can begin anywhere from a day to 10 days after consuming contaminated food. The average incubation period is three to four days.

“Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea and may lead to life-threatening conditions such as a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome,” said the department. “HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly.”

DOH said infection may also lead to the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease and neurologic problems.

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Anyone exhibiting symptoms after consuming any of the recalled products should contact their health care provider immediately.

Consumers with questions may contact Grimmway Farms at 800-301-3101 (3 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, Hawaii Standard Time) or visit grimmway.com.




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Check your freezers: Carrots sold in Hawaii stores recalled over E. coli concerns

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Check your freezers: Carrots sold in Hawaii stores recalled over E. coli concerns


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The state Department of Health is warning the public of multiple brand names of organic carrots being recalled due to potential E. coli contamination.

Grimmway Farms is recalling multiple sizes and brands of bagged organic baby and whole carrots, including 365 Whole Foods Market, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Good & Gather and O Organic brands.

These products were sold throughout the U.S. and were available for purchase at supermarkets and retailers in Hawaii, the DOH said.

Symptoms of E. coli can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and/or vomiting.

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To date, 39 illnesses and one death have been associated with these products nationwide.

The DOH is investigating if the recalled products have affected any individuals in Hawaii.

The recalled carrots should no longer be available for purchase, but health officials urge consumers to check their refrigerators or freezers to see if products match up with any of the recalled products listed on the FDA’s website.



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Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii to Open as Feature Brand in Kenosha, WI Travel Center

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Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii to Open as Feature Brand in Kenosha, WI Travel Center


  • Signed Franchise Agreement Signals New Nontraditional Sector Development Exploration

  • Multi-Unit, Multi-Brand Operator Specializing in Travel Plazas Adds Exceptional Coffee Concept to Growing Portfolio

  • 19,000-square-foot Travel Plaza Set to Open in Q2 2025

KENOSHA, Wis., Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, a leading coffee franchise renowned for its premium sourcing of Hawaiian coffees and unforgettable cafés, announces a new signed agreement that will bring a nontraditional location to the greater Kenosha market in Q2 2025. Bad Ass Coffee is set to become the flagship concept in a 19,000-square-foot travel plaza at County Highway E, I-94 Exit 339. This exciting development marks a major step in the brand’s expansion into nontraditional locations, highlighting significant growth opportunities on the horizon.

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii (PRNewsfoto/Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii)

At the helm of this agreement is Paul Bhardwaj, CEO and founder of Golden Oil, which operates 12 travel centers and employs over 400 team members. In addition to building a multi-million-gallon fuel company, Bhardwaj is well-versed in the QSR space, owning franchises of top brands like Subway, Dairy Queen, and Cinnabon, among others. With over 30 years of industry experience, he’s witnessed shifting consumer preferences and evolving amenities. Driven by the demand for speed and quality, Bhardwaj sought a standout coffee concept to anchor the all-new travel plaza.

“Coffee is an untapped market for us with massive potential,” said Bhardwaj. “For a travel plaza, it’s a natural fit, and being near three college campuses positions us perfectly to become a go-to coffee destination. When we set out to find the right brand, we were looking for something truly distinctive and premium. Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii stood out – not only for its exceptional product, but also for its proven business model and impressive financials, making it a smart and seamless investment.”

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii leadership share Bhardwaj’s enthusiasm for tapping into nontraditional expansion opportunities as a complement to the brand’s overall franchise development strategy.

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“As we continue to grow, it’s crucial in this competitive market to identify nontraditional opportunities that will build awareness for our brand, while presenting an attractive business opportunity for our franchisees,” said Gregg Koffler Chief Development Officer of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii. “With consumer accessibility and convenience top-of-mind, we’re committed to bringing our quality product to consumers through a wide variety of nontraditional locations, including travel plazas, airports, convenience stores, colleges, and other high-trafficked venues.”





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