Victoria Budiono, Author at Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Local crime boss’s cause of death still a mystery

Victoria Budiono — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Hawaii, announced Tuesday that no determination of foul play or suicide has been made in the death of Honolulu businessman and crime boss Michael J. Miske Jr.

Mid-Pacific accepts cryptocurrency

Victoria Budiono — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Mid-Pacific Institute has announced a new policy allowing cryptocurrency donations, highlighting the school’s commitment to embracing innovation and broadening opportunities for inclusive philanthropy.

Hawaii crime boss Miske found dead at detention center

Victoria Budiono — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Honolulu businessman Michael J. Miske Jr., 50, was found dead Sunday at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu, where he had been held since his arrest in 2020 and was awaiting sentencing in January.

Honolulu crime boss Michael Miske found dead at FDC

Victoria Budiono — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 23:12:00 +0000

Honolulu crime boss Michael J. Miske Jr., 50, was found dead today at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu, where he was being held while awaiting sentencing in January.

Good Neighbor Fund: Hawaii student finds holiday joy in volunteering

Victoria Budiono — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Honolulu Community College student Tiffany Nunies started volunteering with Helping Hands Hawaii in September, contributing to the organization’s Adopt a Family program. The initiative connects donors with families in need, providing essential items such as food, clothing, toys and household goods.

Injured hiker rescued at Maunawili Trail

Victoria Budiono — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 00:17:00 +0000

On Wednesday at 9:35 p.m., the Honolulu Fire Department responded to a 911 call reporting an injured hiker on the Maunawili Trail in Kailua.

1 suspect still wanted in Chinatown vandalism case

Victoria Budiono — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 23:46:00 +0000

One suspect is still at large for alleged criminal property damage of a Chinatown building.

Good Neighbor Fund kicks off holiday drive to help needy Hawaii families

Victoria Budiono — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The Good Neighbor Fund, a charitable collaboration between Helping Hands Hawaii, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and First Hawaiian Bank, today kicks off its annual campaign dedicated to supporting local families and individuals facing financial hardships, especially during the holiday season.

Par Hawaii to invest $90 million in renewable-fuel transformation

Victoria Budiono — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A petroleum refinery in the James Campbell Industrial Park officially began its transition into the clean- energy sector with a blessing ceremony Thursday, marking the start of its efforts to adopt more sustainable energy practices and work toward Gov. Josh Green’s goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2045.

EPA amends 2023 Red Hill order

Victoria Budiono — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Navy and the Defense Logistics Agency on Tuesday finalized amendments to the 2023 Red Hill Administrative Consent Order with the aim to “improve public outreach during closure and cleanup of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, as well as continued efforts to safeguard drinking water at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.”

Red Hill Registry launches virtual focus groups

Victoria Budiono — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The University of Hawaii is hosting virtual focus groups to help shape the development of the Red Hill Registry, a new initiative aimed at connecting those affected by the Red Hill water crisis with resources and tracking health impacts over time.

Major coral relocation effort completed on Hawaii island

Victoria Budiono — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A team of conservation divers has successfully removed and relocated nearly 11 years’ worth of coral growth from a decommissioned offshore fish farm pen that was towed into the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor on Hawaii island last week.

Local artists to highlight Oahu’s culture through public art initiative

Victoria Budiono — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and the Wahi Pana project team Monday announced the launch of Wahi Pana: Storied Places, a public art initiative that will showcase the history and culture of Oahu’s landmarks.

Gov. Green calls Kennedy’s choice as HHS leader ‘insane’

Victoria Budiono — Sat, 16 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Gov. Josh Green has “severe reservations” and is strongly criticizing President-elect Donald Trump’s choice of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Youth invited to participate in Climate Action Summit

Victoria Budiono — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Children, teens and young adults are invited to attend the Youth Climate Summit on Saturday at the state Capitol.

Toxic fire suppressant spills reviewed

Victoria Budiono — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General released a management advisory report Thursday detailing concerns about the Navy’s handling of spills involving thousands of gallons of aqueous film- forming foam concentrate — a toxic fire suppressant containing “forever chemicals” — at Red Hill from 2019 to 2022.

FEMA extends assistance to Maui survivors; Schatz asks for further aid

Victoria Budiono — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved Hawaii’s request to extend Financial Assistance and Direct Temporary Housing Assistance for an additional year, now through Feb. 10, 2026. Originally, the 18-month assistance period was scheduled to end on Feb. 10, 2025.

DHHL receives over $72 million for broadband connectivity expansion

Victoria Budiono — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has received a more than $72 million grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program to expand high-speed internet access for Native Hawaiian households.

Plaque near McKinley statue addresses misrepresentation

Victoria Budiono — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs unveiled a new plaque Monday at the President William McKinley High School campus. The plaque, placed near the statue of the school’s namesake, seeks to address Hawaii’s contested annexation history and the statue’s representation of it.

Maui court strikes down new shoreline management rules

Victoria Budiono — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Maui Environmental Court Judge Kirstin Hamman ruled against the Maui Planning Commission’s recently updated special management area rules, siding with the Maui Tomorrow Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental preservation.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs incumbents secure reelection

Victoria Budiono — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 10:50:00 +0000

Three incumbent trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs retained their seats on Wednesday, while a former Native Hawaiian congressman also secured a spot on the board.

Hotel workers, Hilton reach tentative agreement

Victoria Budiono — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The 40-day strike by workers at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort appears to be nearing an end after Hilton and UNITE HERE Local 5 announced a tentative agreement on a new contract late Saturday.

Hilton, hotel workers reach tentative agreement to end strike

Victoria Budiono — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 07:00:00 +0000

UNITE HERE Local 5 officials said they have reached a tentative contract deal with the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort to end the 40-day strike by hotel workers.

MEMA awards contract for emergency technology

Victoria Budiono — Sat, 02 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The County of Maui Emergency Management Agency announced Friday that it has awarded a four-year contract to Genasys Inc. to provide two advanced public safety and emergency management software platforms.

Motorcyclist, 26, dies after crash on Oahu’s North Shore

Victoria Budiono — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 05:30:00 +0000

A 26-year-old motorcyclist was killed Thursday following a collision on Kamehameha Highway near Ke Nui Road in Haleiwa.

Honolulu updates its nondiscrimination law

Victoria Budiono — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi hosted city officials and community groups focused on diversity, equity and inclusion on Wednesday to sign Bill 32 into law, updating Honolulu’s nondiscrimination policy that prohibits discrimination in hiring and employment within Oahu as well as in the delivery of city services.

Enrollment at UH’s 10 campuses surpasses 50,000

Victoria Budiono — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Enrollment across the 10 campuses of the University of Hawaii has exceeded 50,000 students for the first time since 2018. For the fall 2024 semester, the UH system reported a head count of 50,418 students, marking a 3% increase over fall 2023.

Hawaii’s motorists are worst in the U.S., survey says

Victoria Budiono — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Hawaii motorists exhibit the worst driving behavior in the nation, according to a recent report by Forbes Advisor.

Beloved boat captain, master diver, reality TV star remembered

Victoria Budiono — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 20:30:00 +0000

Sarah Danser, a 34-year-old reality show survivalist, diver and boat captain from Castle Rock, Colo., died Tuesday after being involved in a car crash Sunday night on Diamond Head Road.

Younger brother was driving in fatal ATV crash

Victoria Budiono — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The 8-year-old boy driving the all-terrain vehicle that crashed Tuesday evening and killed Maxim Beregovoy, 13, of Kailua-Kona in North Kona was the victim’s brother.

Boy, 13, dies in Big Island ATV crash

Victoria Budiono — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A 13-year-old Kailua-Kona boy died in an all-terrain vehicle crash in which an 8-year-old boy was behind the wheel Tuesday evening in North Kona, according to Hawaii island police.

Hawaii youth engage in voting process

Victoria Budiono — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Hundreds of students gathered around the Kamehameha statue Tuesday, sign-waving before walking over to Honolulu Hale to drop off general election ballots or watch the process unfold.

Honolulu police officer shoots machete-wielding man in Waipahu

Victoria Budiono — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A Honolulu police officer shot and injured an 18-year-old man Sunday night before arresting him on suspicion of attempted murder at a Waipahu home.

Voter service centers to open Tuesday

Victoria Budiono — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Voter service centers in the City and County of Honolulu will open Tuesday, offering accessible in-person voting, replacement ballots and same-day voter registration services. Voters are reminded to bring a picture ID.

University of Hawaii faculty ratify new contract

Victoria Budiono — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

University of Hawaii faculty, represented by the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, have voted to approve a new successor contract that includes a 3.5% wage increase in the first year and a 3.79% increase in the second year.

Hawaii likely to see wetter-than-average rainy season

Victoria Budiono — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

After a slow start to Hawaii’s wet season this month, forecasters project above-average rainfall from December through April, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Red flag warning issued for all islands expires

Victoria Budiono — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A red flag warning issued Wednesday by the National Weather Service for leeward areas on all islands due to high wind and dry conditions expired at 5 p.m.

Kalani High’s Silver is named Hawaii State Teacher of the Year

Victoria Budiono — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The state Department of Education announced Tuesday that Bryan Silver of Kalani High School has been named the 2025 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year, the highest honor given annually to one of over 13,000 DOE teachers statewide.

Temporary housing aid for Maui fire survivors is extended for a year

Victoria Budiono — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Thursday, at the request of the state, approved a one-year extension of the Individuals and Households Program for survivors of the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires.

Keiki issues a priority for mayoral candidates in Hawaii, survey finds

Victoria Budiono — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A recent survey revealed that a majority of Hawaii voters believe that elected leaders should prioritize early childhood programs and support their inclusion in county budgets.