Settlements for Thai workers still pending
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is hoping a federal judge in Hawaii approves $2.4 million in settlements for hundreds of Thai workers.
The agency held a court-ordered news conference in Honolulu on Friday clarifying that the settlements with four Hawaii farms announced in June are still subject to the judge’s approval.
U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi’s order says the agency didn’t follow rules for filing the agreements and gave a misleading impression that settlements were finalized. She threatened to deny the settlements.
An agency spokeswoman in Los Angeles read a statement and an attorney answered questions via telephone.
The agency submitted a copy of its news release to the judge. It’s not clear when Kobayashi will decide.
The proposed settlements are for the agency’s 2011 lawsuit claiming Thai workers were exploited.
Input sought on housing project
WAILUKU » The public is being asked weigh in on a proposed Maui affordable housing project for seniors.
The Maui County Land Use Committee has scheduled a site inspection and meeting Wednesday to consider the proposed Hale Mahaolu Ewalu Senior Residential Housing Project. The public is invited to provide testimony.
The project is on a 4-acre site at the Kulamalu Town Center in Pukalani. According to design plans, the project will include 60 affordable units, a resident manager unit, a senior center, an adult day care center and 83 parking stalls.
Lava flows not imminent threat
HILO » Pahoa community members are being assured a lava flow still doesn’t pose an immediate threat.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Jim Kauahikaua told a packed community meeting Thursday the flow appears to be "weeks to months" from reaching Kaohe homesteads or other areas south of Pahoa.
Scientists are monitoring what’s known as Kilauea volcano’s June 27th flow, named for the date it was observed emerging. Hawaii County officials reported that as of Friday, the easternmost tip was about 1.6 miles from the homesteads.
Meetings on the lava flow will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday in the Pahoa High School cafeteria.
