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In a nation that’s seemed particularly bruised lately by discrimination, it’s a relief to see some affirmation of inclusion over exclusion.
The Hawaii Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear an appeal by the owner of Aloha Bed & Breakfast, who was sued for refusing to lodge a same-sex couple in 2007. That means an earlier appellate court ruling stands: that the B&B violated Hawaii’s public accommodations law, which says it’s illegal to deny people access or treat them unequally based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. The B&B owner had cited her religious beliefs against homosexuality for denying accommodations to Diane Cervelli and Taeko Bufford — but as duly noted by the couple’s attorney: “The government continues to have the power to protect people from the harms of discrimination.”
Housing rehab gives new life to old office building
The long-stalled rehab of the Queen Emma Building, a 1960s-era office tower, finally is moving ahead — as a conversion to 71 low-income residential rentals. The state Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. has approved financing to Queen Emma Partners LP for the project, which HHFDC sees as a kind of pilot: There is a lot of vacant commercial real estate, officials say.
Several cities facing similar real-estate imbalances have been pursuing the same course, including Washington, D.C. Not all trends translate perfectly to Hawaii. Housing advocates hope this one will.