Ex-congressman quits Republican Party, citing Trump
HONOLULU — A former congressman from Hawaii said Monday he’s leaving the Republican Party because of President Donald Trump and the failure of fellow party members to stand up to him.
Charles Djou, who represented Honolulu in the U.S. House from 2010-11, wrote in an opinion piece published Monday in Civil Beat that he’s disturbed that the Republican Party under Trump has become hostile to immigration.
Djou lamented Trump’s desire to launch a trade war, his treatment of veterans such as Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, his belittling of lawmakers and his recitation of conspiracy theories.
“I can no longer stand with a Republican Party that is led by a man I firmly believe is taking the party of Lincoln in a direction I fundamentally disagree with, and a party that is unwilling to stand up to him,” Djou wrote.
Djou said he’s most disappointed by the failure of the GOP to clearly and consistently condemn Trump’s “childish behavior.”
The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Djou served in the Honolulu City Council and in the state House. He is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. He unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2012 and 2014.
He’s not currently seeking public office.
Toys R Us stores in Hawaii slated to close in May
HONOLULU — Toys R Us stores in Hawaii will close May 14, according to filings from the state Department of Labor.
The state’s 48 Toys R Us employees were given termination notices. The chain recently announced it plans to close or sell all of its U.S. stores in coming months.
Officials have not said when stores will begin to liquidate and Toys R Us hasn’t said if all stores nationwide will close at the same time.
There are four Toys R Us or Babies R Us stores in Hawaii.
Toys R Us filed for bankruptcy protection in September and announced a major restructuring deal in January amid slumping sales.
The U.S. branch of Toys R Us hoped to find a buyer or work out a debt restructuring deal.
And while a buyer might still come through, hopes of that happening are dimming.
Fatal crash is Oahu’s 15th traffic death of this year
HONOLULU — Police say a fatal motorcycle crash brought Oahu’s number of deadly crashes so far this year to 15.
Police said the total is almost double last year at this time, when eight traffic deaths were counted.
The motorcycle crash happened Sunday morning on Moanalua Freeway.
A 31-year-old man died at the scene. Police said speed and alcohol were factors.
The man was not wearing a helmet.
Another traffic fatality on Friday was also a motorcyclist.
Good riddens, just another pathic demo rat masquerading as a republican. The demo rats just can not handle the truth so the cowardly scum runs like diarrhea then blames others for his own miserable failure.
You truly are a boring person…same talking points, same wording. If anyone can’t handle the truth, it’s the 35% of the tRumpskis in the country that have their heads up their asses.