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Attorneys unknowingly being used to smuggle drugs to Hawaii inmates

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Attorneys unknowingly being used to smuggle drugs to Hawaii inmates


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Legal mail is being used to send illegal drugs to Hawaii inmates, Hawaii News Now has learned.

It’s a common problem in many states, but not one that attorney Jonathan Burge thought he would be involved in. Burge said he doesn’t have any clients in the Halawa Correctional Facility so he was surprised when a large envelope arrived at his office that was originally destined for HCF.

Legal mail being used to smuggle illegal drugs into jails, prisons(None)

It had his return address stamped in the top corner to look like it came from him.

it was marked “confidential” to give the appearance it was legal correspondence for a client.

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But it was addressed to an inmate Burge does not know — who was not found to be in the prison. That’s why it was marked “return to sender.”

When Burge’s employee opened the package, it appeared to be a stack of papers. But hidden inside a cut-out piece of cardboard, was a bag of meth.

“I was surprised and I was upset that they’re using my name to get drugs in,” said Burge, who called the Honolulu Police Department.

“When I thought about it, well, how many times are they doing this?” said Burge.

He was especially concerned because the smugglers had a stamp made with his return address.

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The state Department of Public Safety said this scheme is not new but takes various forms. Sometimes envelopes are dipped in narcotics so inmates can put it on their tongue.

Tommy Johnson, director of DPS, said it’s disturbing the scheme continues despite their many efforts to stop it. “We have no-contact visitation,” Johnson said, adding mail seems to be the most common way drugs are getting in. “It’s unfortunate sometimes staff are involved.”

K9 Units at OCCC for surprise shakedown
K9 Units at OCCC for surprise shakedown(HI Department of Public Safety)

There have been corrections staff arrested for smuggling and DPS has increased surprise sweeps in all the jails and prisons statewide.

The most recent was Monday morning when K9 units hit the Oahu Community Correctional Center, Module 18. No illegal drugs were found in this shakedown but lots of other contraband was, including batteries, unapproved clothes and foods.

In other recent raids, meth and cocaine were found.

Burge, a former HPD officer, said he was surprised at how much meth fit into the package.

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“It was over an eighth of an ounce. And distribution of over an eighth of an ounce is the highest felony there is,” he said.

DPS is considering scanning mail so prisoners get a digital copy and not the originals.

Johnson said the smugglers are getting innovative “but we’re getting innovative as well. We’re learning as we go.”



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Hawaii

Hawaii surfer Landon McNamara wins the 2024 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational

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Hawaii surfer Landon McNamara wins the 2024 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational


WAIMEA BAY (HawaiiNewsNow) – It’s official: Landon McNamara has won the 2024 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational.

He received 135.8 points as well as the highest-scoring wave of the competition — a perfect score of 15 — which earned him the Best Wave Award.

“This is a childhood dream of mine, something I’ve been working at since being a little kid on the beach here, watching these events go down,” he said. “I don’t know what to feel right now. I’ve already cried 10 times.

“I’m grateful to Eddie,” McNamara said. “Both my heats, I had a turtle I was following. For real. … They say Eddie picks the winner, and I’m so grateful he picked me.”

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The accomplishment is even more fitting considering his father, Liam McNamara, is the contest director.

The top nine finishers were:

  1. Landon McNamara (HI, 2024 WINNER)
  2. Mason Ho (HI)
  3. Billy Kemper (HI)
  4. Jamie O’Brien (HI)
  5. Nic Lamb (CA)
  6. Luke Shepardson (HI, 2023 WINNER)
  7. Nathan Florence (HI)
  8. Kai Lenny (HI)
  9. Koa Rothman (HI)

Competitor Greg Long received the Aloha Spirit Award. “Participating in this event has been the greatest honor and privilege of my life,” he said.

THE EDDIE IS ON: View our complete coverage

Tens of thousands of people gathered on Oahu’s North Shore to witness the historic event Sunday.

Waves were 50 feet in face height, according to Liam McNamara.

“The conditions are amazing. There’s a strong offshore breeze right now,” McNamara told Hawaii News Now early Sunday morning. “We’re looking for an amazing day of competition. This is a historic day. We want to make sure we start it with a bang and we end with a bang.”

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This is the 11th time “The Eddie” has run in the last 40 years, and participation is by invitation only.

Previous Coverage:
For more information:
  • Rip Curl The Eddie Big Wave Invitational
  • TheEddieAikau.com



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Hawaii surfing competition 'The Eddie' braces for 50-foot waves Sunday | Latest Weather Clips | FOX Weather

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Hawaii surfing competition 'The Eddie' braces for 50-foot waves Sunday | Latest Weather Clips | FOX Weather


Hawaii surfing competition ‘The Eddie’ braces for 50-foot waves Sunday

The forecast for massive 50-foot waves in Hawaii prompted the organizers of The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, the premier surfing event in the world, to schedule the event for Sunday. “The Eddie” competition requires consistent 40-foot or higher surf. If Sunday’s event goes on as planned, it’ll be only the 11th time it has happened since 1984.



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This Popular Hawaii Resort Has A New 3-Story Penthouse And Renovated Pools With Local Amenities

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This Popular Hawaii Resort Has A New 3-Story Penthouse And Renovated Pools With Local Amenities


When it comes to Waikiki’s luxury hotels, the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, is one of the most beloved properties for frequent visitors to this popular corner of Hawaii. With all its spacious rooms boasting balconies with ocean views and kitchens to ensure a comfortable stay no matter how long your trip may be, it’s a true home away from home, with the added magic that comes with the brand’s phenomenal customer service. To make things better, the resort recently unveiled a collection of new suites and reimagined pools, providing guests an even more elevated experience than before.

Dubbed the Sky Suites, these sumptuous, multi-bedroom accommodations have become the pinnacle of luxury living in Waikiki. Encased in floor-to-ceiling windows, delivering sweeping panoramas of the neighborhood’s namesake beach and the beautiful blue Pacific at every turn, the vistas alone are worth every penny. But once you add in the modern furnishings, full kitchens with Miele appliances, the formal dining spaces, and pristine white marble bathrooms, you’ll never want to look back. To top it all off, they also come with exclusive perks, including roundtrip airport transfers, a dedicated VIP concierge, and a pre-stocked refrigerator with preferred beverages and snacks.

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Guests have the option between three- or four-bedroom Sky Suites. The former is a coveted corner unit that features what is arguably the resort’s best view of Diamond Head, along with a sleek, marble kitchen island that’s great for entertaining. The latter is the property’s largest, spanning nearly 3,000 square feet across two floors, and is the only four-bedroom suite in all of Waikiki. It also sports the resort’s biggest kitchen, making it particularly great for private chef dinners, and the double-height living room allows for plenty of natural light to filter in.

But the Ritz-Carlton’s crowning jewel, quite literally, is the Sky Penthouse. Occupying the top floors of the resort’s Diamond Head Tower, this three-story, two-bedroom suite soars 350 feet above Waikiki. The first level houses the living spaces, a kitchen with a wine fridge, one bedroom, and a small media room that also doubles as a great private reading nook. The second floor is entirely dedicated to the master bedroom, but it’s the rooftop that’s the real selling point. Touting one of the neighborhood’s highest infinity plunge pools, the furnished deck also features a hot tub and grill, and is particularly ideal for sundowners.

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You won’t need to book the Sky Penthouse for an incredible pool experience, though. The property offers its guests two infinity pools, one of which is an adults-only oasis. Both offer private cabanas, with the options at the family-friendly pool being larger, that come with a mini refrigerator stocked with local beverages and snacks. All guests can also expect a variety of thoughtful pool amenities, including sunscreen service and hourly snacks that pay homage to local favorites, like fresh pineapple dipped in li hing mui. The resort’s popular daily afternoon ritual of complimentary ice cream and sorbet is still available, and now includes an adult version with the addition of sparkling wine float. Quite frankly, there’s enough to keep you at the pool that you may never want to leave.



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