Zinke gives congresswoman Japanese greeting
WASHINGTON — Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is drawing criticism for his use of a Japanese greeting when responding to a question from a congresswoman of Japanese descent.
Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, D-Hawaii, asked Zinke on Thursday whether he would continue a program that preserves sites where Japanese-Americans were interned during World War II.
Zinke replied using a Japanese greeting typically spoken in the afternoon. The Democratic congresswoman corrected him and used the Japanese phrase for good morning.
Democratic Rep. Judy Chu of California says Zinke responded to Hanabusa as if she didn’t speak English. Fellow Democrat Grace Meng of New York called Zinke’s remark insensitive.
President Donald Trump’s budget does not include the funding. Zinke thinks that was an oversight.
Chin fights off ‘anti-LGBT preacher’ claims
HONOLULU — Lt. Gov. Doug Chin said he won’t “quibble” about what’s on a recording posted on YouTube last year, or its context, and apologized for a decades-old rant perceived as intolerant of gay people.
But the candidate for Congress and the state’s former attorney general hasn’t been able to put the issue entirely behind him.
A YouTube user called Hawaii Politics posted a 39-second audio clip of Chin speaking — and in parts screeching — about the Bible and faith. Chin said he was working as an intern for the Oahu Church of Christ after graduating from law school.
Chin says he is sorry “for making anyone feel like something was wrong with them because of who they loved or how they identify.”
The candidates are vying to replace U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who is stepping down to challenge Gov. David Ige in the gubernatorial Democratic primary.
Judge: Abuse investigation must continue
HONOLULU — Allegations of physical abuse against a 91-year-old Hawaiian heiress require further investigation, a judge ruled Thursday.
The ruling came in the ongoing legal fight for control over Abigail Kawananakoa’s $215 million trust. Many Native Hawaiians consider her to be the last Hawaiian princess because she’s a descendant of the family that ruled the islands before the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom.
Her longtime lawyer, James Wright persuaded a judge to appoint him as trustee, arguing a stroke over the summer left her impaired. Kawananakoa claims she’s fine, and since fired that lawyer and married her girlfriend of 20 years.
In court documents, Wright alleged that the heiress’ wife, Veronica Gail Worth, physically abused her. However, Kawananakoa’s attorney said in court papers the abuse claims are false and that Kawananakoa fell and “struck furniture, which caused the bruising, which is not uncommon at someone her age.”
The judge in September appointed a special master — a lawyer not involved in the case — to independently investigate her mental capacity and the abuse allegations. Lawyers for Kawananakoa and Worth requested the abuse allegations not be part of the special master’s probe because they’re untrue.
Judge Robert Browning denied the request, saying the allegations are relevant to the case.