In this Pearl City Local Issue:

🌤️ Pearl City Weather: Mostly Sunny with a High of 86

🔥 Pearl City & Aiea Residents Alarmed as Old Swap Meet Site Faces Growing Safety Risks

🔪 Halawa Correctional Facility Inmate Found Stabbed to Death, Cellmate Suspected of Murder

🚨 Pacific Island Nations Face Rising Threat from International Crime Rings

✈️ Honolulu Airport Among Worst in North America, J.D. Power Report Reveals

🏘️ Pearl City Toastmasters Club - Open House

📆 Current Events

📆 Upcoming Events

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business!

Pearl City & Aiea Residents Alarmed as Old Swap Meet Site Faces Growing Safety Risks

Worries are mounting among Pearl City & Aiea residents as another violation notice has been served to the owners of the old Kam Swap Meet property. This long-vacant site, located near the Pearl Ridge Center, has been a growing concern for local residents due to homeless encampments and an increasing risk of fire caused by dry brush and open fires used by those staying on the land.

Following the devastating Maui wildfires, nearby homeowners are particularly on edge, fearing a similar incident could occur. One resident expressed the widespread anxiety, noting that people frequently see smoke from open fires on the property. The land, which was once home to the Kam Drive-In movie theater and swap meet, has been left largely neglected since 2014, when plans to develop high-rise apartments fell through.

Recent inspections by city officials revealed that the property is overgrown with flammable weeds and littered with debris and abandoned furniture. Two vacant buildings on the site have also been deemed unsafe and are now occupied by homeless individuals. Despite previous efforts by the city to enforce safety measures, including a violation notice issued last year, residents claim that little has changed. Holes have been cut into the surrounding fence, allowing trespassers to re-enter freely, heightening frustrations among neighbors.

The property manager who oversees a condo property across the street, voiced concerns about the situation, explaining that people living in the vacant buildings frequently cause disturbances. He questioned why the buildings still stand despite their poor condition, recalling an alarming incident in which someone fled to his property in fear, shouting that a person had a gun.

Although the city issued another notice last month, giving the property owners until October 5 to make necessary corrections, it appears no substantial action has been taken. The slow pace of enforcement is fueling community frustration, as residents fear that the ongoing neglect will lead to a dangerous outcome.

The city has not yet indicated whether fines will be issued, despite the missed deadline and previous violations being cleared without penalty.

Halawa Correctional Facility Inmate Found Stabbed to Death, Cellmate Suspected of Murder

A fatal stabbing occurred late Sunday night at Halawa Correctional Facility, where a 59-year-old inmate was killed, reportedly at the hands of his cellmate. The incident unfolded just before midnight, with Honolulu Police Department (HPD) investigators discovering the victim around 11:30 p.m. in his cell. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived shortly afterward, pronouncing the man dead at the scene. A weapon, believed to have been used in the attack, was found nearby.

Authorities quickly determined that the victim had been assaulted and fatally stabbed by his 38-year-old cellmate. Neither individual has been identified publicly, and investigators have not yet revealed the motive behind the deadly altercation.

The Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) is overseeing the

ongoing investigation, with assistance from HPD’s Criminal Investigation Division-Homicide Detail and the Scientific Investigative Section.

Pacific Island Nations Face Rising Threat from International Crime Rings

International crime syndicates are increasingly targeting Pacific island nations, raising alarm over a rapidly escalating threat environment, as outlined in a recent United Nations report. These criminal organizations are involved in a range of illegal activities, including human trafficking, drug smuggling, illegal fishing, wildlife poaching, money laundering, and cybercrime. Experts fear that these groups may be looking to establish permanent bases within the Pacific islands, further entrenching their influence in the region.

As this threat grows, countries such as Australia and the United States have intensified their policing efforts in the Pacific, with China also joining the fray as a major player seeking to expand its regional influence. The geopolitical rivalry adds another layer of complexity to addressing the security concerns posed by these criminal operations.

Honolulu Airport Among Worst in North America, J.D. Power Report Reveals

Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport ranked as the fourth-worst in J.D. Power’s latest North American Airport Satisfaction Study, frustrating travelers. Despite significant renovation investments, complaints persist about subpar food, retail, and infrastructure. Long-standing issues like construction delays and poor airport access were also highlighted. The state’s reliance on airline fees, concessions, and federal funds hasn’t prevented a string of poor rankings, and experts suggest that improving access and expanding local offerings may help. For an airport crucial to Hawaii’s tourism, these ongoing issues remain a concern.

The Peoples Open Market @ Waiau District Park - 6:30 am to 7:30 am

Zumba Gold @ Momilani Community Center - 9:00am to 10:00am

Basic Crochet at Pearl City @ Ben Franklin Crafts - 10:30 pm to 12:30 pm. Beginner Crochet Class, learn the basic techniques to make simple crochet projects.

Connecting to and Navigating the Internet @ Aiea Public Library- 10:00am to 11:00am

Pearl City Toastmasters Club - Open House

The Pearl City Toastmasters Club is inviting the community to an exciting open house event today, October 15th @ 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Held at the ‘Aiea United Methodist Church, located at 99-101 Laulima Street, the event is designed to help attendees gain confidence and refine their public speaking and communication skills. No prior experience is required, making it accessible for anyone looking to grow personally and professionally.

The open house will feature two special presentations by distinguished speakers. Luisa Montalvo, the 2024 World Champion of Public Speaking, will deliver a talk on mastering public speaking, while Jeff Beard, a Distinguished Toastmaster, will discuss effective communication strategies. These expert-led sessions aim to inspire and educate attendees on how to become confident communicators.

For those who prefer to attend virtually, the event will also be available on Zoom. Interested participants can join using the meeting ID: 899 5447 8707 and passcode: 23813

The Pearl City Toastmasters Club, part of Toastmasters International, offers a non-profit, educational platform where individuals can practice speaking, leadership, and evaluation skills in a supportive environment. Whether you're a young professional or an experienced leader, the club provides an excellent opportunity for personal development.

For more information, or to RSVP, contact Gerald at [email protected] or visit Toastmasters.org.

Don’t miss this chance to take the first step towards becoming a more confident and effective communicator!

Have an event to add? Let us know! [email protected]

Wednesday October 16

Unity Day - Wear and share orange to show unity for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion and to send a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying.

Preschool Story Time - 10:00 am - 10:30 am

Vegas Lucky Frog - 10:30AM - 12:30pm

Square Crochet Scrubby - 10:00 am - 10:30 am

The HI Standard – Live R&B: Live at Valor - 9:00 pm - 11:30 pm

Thursday October 17

Crochet Glow Yarn Doll  - 10:30am - 12:30pm

Keiki Storytime - 10:30am - 11:00am

Herbarium Starter Kit - 2:00pm - 2:30pm

Crochet Market Bag - 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Country Night: Live at Valor - 8:30pm

Newtown Estates Community Association Fall Craft Fair

On Saturday, October 19, Char-Su Productions and the Newtown Estates Community Association will host the annual Fall Craft Fair at the Newtown Association Recreation Center in Aiea. The event, taking place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 98-456 Kaahele Street, promises a vibrant day of local crafts, delicious treats, and fun activities for the whole family.

A wide variety of handmade goods will be available, including jewelry, crystals, plushies, clothing, and other unique items perfect for gift-giving or personal collections. In addition to the crafts, there will be food and drink vendors offering a tempting selection of treats, including mochi, cookies, and breads, as well as specialty beverages.

For those with a green thumb, fresh produce and plants will be on sale. The event will also feature prize giveaways throughout the day, and visitors can enjoy free parking at the venue.

This family-friendly fair offers a great opportunity to support local artisans, enjoy tasty food, and celebrate the fall season with the Aiea community.

Community Center Classes

We Want To Spotlight Local Businesses!

Would you like us to spotlight your local business in front of thousands of Pearl City area residents in an upcoming issue of Pearl City Local? Apply Here. Not a business owner, but love a local business? Tell us all about it - send us an email at [email protected]