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Hawaii lawyers launch deportation defense hotline amid stricter immigration enforcement

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Hawaii lawyers launch deportation defense hotline amid stricter immigration enforcement


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Increased immigration enforcement is prompting local attorneys to respond to a worsening backlog of detainees.

People arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are held at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu, and a stay can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the case.

Immigration lawyers say there are reports of ICE raids in homes, workplaces and schools, and it’s not just undocumented immigrants, but also all non-US citizens, from COFA migrants to student visa holders to green card holders.

Attorney Amanda Chang said one green card holder was flagged due to an assault conviction 30 years ago.

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“He was picked up by ICE agent after his entry back to the U.S. after a trip so he was picked up,” Chang said. “The family was in crisis because he was a father of four daughters, U.S. citizens, and one grandchild.”

The detainee spent two months in detention. His case was resolved with the help of a private attorney.

“But there are some people who are not able to afford so we are providing the services to match up pro bono immigration attorneys for deportation defenses if they are put into deportation proceedings,” Chang said.

To help, the Hawaii American Immigration Lawyers Association created a Deportation Defense Response Team, and it starts with a phone call.

“If you have a family member, coworker, or a neighbor who is detained at the Federal Detention Center and subject to deportation, waiting for deportation, you don’t know what is going on, you can call the number and volunteering attorneys will visit those detainees every Friday starting from May, and then we will try to help out those detained people as well as the families who are calling us,” Chang said.

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The service aims to provide relief to families who’ve been separated due to stricter immigration enforcement and advocates trying to help people like Tian and her 9-year-old son, who escaped religious persecution in China.

“Their English is limited, and their knowledge of the U.S. is also limited. And so I definitely think it’s very, very important to have more of a legal help,” said Hong Jiang, a human rights advocate who has helped many Chinese immigrants seek asylum in the U.S.

“It’s just very hard and not only the wait is so long, usually within a month or two, you should get the first hearing, at least to know what’s going on with the next step. But it’s been now three months, no information. I also don’t know who to check through,” Jiang said.

The service comes as advocates brace for the worst.

“I’ve been doing immigration law for the last 25-plus years. The mood lately is a lot of people are very concerned about traveling abroad, like, you know, if I were to travel and I’m not a U.S. citizen, I’m a visa holder or green card holder, upon my entry, would I be able to return?” Chang said.

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To reach the immigration help hotline, call 808-204-5951.



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Hawaii Island asks for the public’s assistance finding elderly woman, Jacquelyn Glenn

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Hawaii Island asks for the public’s assistance finding elderly woman, Jacquelyn Glenn


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island police are renewing their request for the public’s assistance in locating 82-year-old Jacquelyn Glenn of Kailua-Kona, who was reported missing by her family.

Police said she is considered endangered due to her age.

Glenn was last seen on Friday, Dec. 5, around 6:37 a.m., on the 75-200 block of Nani Kailua Dr. in Kailua-Kona.

She was wearing a peach-colored shirt, blue denim jeans, and black tennis shoes. She reportedly mentioned going to Hilo with friends, but did not say when she planned to return.

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She is described as 5′6″, 125 Ibs, with curly grey hair and brown eyes.

Police ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jacquelyn Glenn to call the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.



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Hawaii gets nearly $190 million for rural health care | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Hawaii gets nearly 0 million for rural health care | Honolulu Star-Advertiser




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Hawaiian announces $600 million airport, wide-body upgrades | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Hawaiian announces 0 million airport, wide-body upgrades | Honolulu Star-Advertiser


COURTESY HAWAIIAN AIRLINES

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Hawaiian Airlines today announced an investment of more than $600 million over five years to improve airport passenger areas across the state and interior upgrades to widebody aircraft.

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Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkett Rakow told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser ahead of today’s announcement at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport that other improvements will include better apps, a better website that will make it easier for passengers to change flights, among other things that also include better integration with Alaska Airlines, which acquired Hawaiian in 2024, making it a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group.

“We have pushed a lot of change through the system for the last couple of months,” Rakow said. “We’re working on integrating our ticketing systems because right now we’re on two separate ticketing systems that don’t talk to each other.”

After late April, she said, booking on the shared Alaska Air and Hawaiian Air ticketing system “will be much more seamless.”

In announcing the renovations and changes, Hawaiian pledged “a significantly smoother guest experience … once Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines share the same passenger service system and Hawaiian Airlines joins the oneworld alliance, both scheduled for late April.”

Right now, Rakow acknowledged, “unfortunately there is some friction.”

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“There’s been so many changes and all of that friction is really painful,” she said. “We are committed to making sure we are addressing the issues. … We are certainly not perfect, but we are committed to working together. … Really, after April, it is going to improve significantly.”

Each island airport also will see renovated lobbies and gates designed to increase comfort, provide better seating and amenities such as improved power charging.

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Daniel K. Inouye International also will get a new 10,600-square-foot lounge at the entrance of the Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1.

And starting in 2028, Hawaiian’s wide-body Airbus A330s will get new seats, carpets, lighting, business class suites, a Bluetooth-enabled in-flight entertainment system with high-definition screens and free Starlink Wi-Fi.

Gov. Josh Green said in a statement ahead of today’s announcement that, “Hawaiian Airlines’ investment is exactly the kind of long-term commitment Hawaiʻi needs. Modern, welcoming airports improve the experience for residents and visitors alike, strengthen our economy and keep Hawaiʻi competitive as a global destination. We appreciate Hawaiian Airlines’ partnership in advancing workforce development, regenerative tourism, clean energy, and community programs that reflect the values of our islands.”

The New Year began with a .75% increase in Hawaii’s Transient Accommodations Tax that will help the state fight climate change.

Rakow said that Hawaiian is working to better inform inbound passengers about how to respect Hawaii’s culture and environment.

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Hawaiian said it will continue to support “programs promoting regenerative tourism, culture and conservation.”

The airline also said it will fund grants to nonprofit organizations “promoting cultural programs, environmental preservation, and perpetuation of native Hawaiian art and language through the Alaska Airlines | Hawaiian Airlines Foundation.”




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