Printer malfunction: The Sunshine Blog realizes the Honolulu Star-Advertiser has been struggling to get by in recent months as it sheds staff and tightens its belt in anticipation of new management. And then there was that unfortunate ransomware attack that cost it $150,000 before the cyber pirates would turn its business functions back on.

But the newspaper hit a new low on Friday when it passed off a Bennet Group press release as an actual news story on its Local News cover page. The write up was a copy-paste job, virtually word for word from the press release, yet billed as being authored by “Star-Advertiser staff.”

Worse, the press release which had gone to numerous news outlets the day before – oddly embargoed until 2 p.m. Friday — heralded the news that the S-A’s new owner, Carpenter Media Group, had finally taken over the paper from Black Press after a bankruptcy proceeding in Canada.

If this is how Carpenter Media does things in the small community newspapers it runs in Alabama and Mississippi, it’s not a good sign for Hawaii.

Take a gander for yourself, here’s the press release and the Star-Advertiser “story” which has since been removed from the S-A’s website.

The Blog was happy to see that S-A readers had to make do with canned quotes from new owner Todd Carpenter and old publisher Dennis Francis. Those guys didn’t return our phone calls either.

Work in progress: If someone has been convicted of public corruption or found in violation of various campaign finance, ethical or lobbying offenses, should they be banned from making political campaign contributions? That’s the question posed by House Bill 2184, which is being discussed in the Hawaii Legislature this session.

Last week, Sen. Karl Rhoads narrowed the scope of the bill after hearing concerns about First Amendment rights and other issues from the Hawaii Attorney General’s Office, the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission and the Hawaii State Ethics Commission.

Rhoads took out the language prohibiting people found in violation of campaign finance, ethics or lobbying activities and replaced it with persons who have been “quasi-government” employees convicted of a criminal offense involving the acceptance of bribes.

Rhoads called HB 2184 “a work in progress.”

Just say no, again: Another House floor session, another close call on allowing adult use of recreational pot. That’s what happened Friday, when the tally on Senate Bill 3335 was 25 in favor of the bill (but three of them yes with reservations) and 23 against.

Three members were also excused from the vote. It only takes a simple majority of the 51 members to pass or kill a bill.

The more House reps debate this bill, the more inflexible their views become. Pot is either seen as criminal, a gateway drug, opposed by Japanese tourists, unhealthy and even deadly, or it is medicinal, commonplace, no worse than booze and should be regulated and taxed.

Pro: “This bill is a reasonable and moderate and measured approach to regulating the legal use of cannabis by adults in Hawaii,” said Rep. David Tarnas. “Legalizing cannabis for use by adults will actually have significant public safety and public health benefits for our community. It’ll better protect youth from drug use through education and investment in youth programs. It will reduce drug violence. It will promote public safety by allowing people to buy from legitimate businesses, not on the illegal market.”

Con: “Attorney General Lopez has made very clear that federal illegality, the growth of the illicit market driving while high, and concerns regarding public health and protecting children are serious issues associated with legalization,” countered Rep. Lisa Kitagawa. “No effort to legalize cannabis, however carefully planned and well-intentioned, will be without such problems and risks. As the chief legal and law enforcement officer for the state, it is extremely concerning to hear from the attorney general this level of concern over so many aspects of legalized marijuana. The Department of Health’s testimony also highlights clear concerns regarding the legalization of marijuana, and how legalization will not help individuals reach their full health potential, but will in fact have negative impacts on the health of the public.”

Next up for SB 3335: The House Finance Committee, where hot potato legislation often goes to die.

Promises, promises: Interesting lineup for a panel discussion Monday on Prince Kuhio and Hawaiian homestead lands: retired reporter Rob Perez, former Gov. John Waihee, former Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Peter Apo, Kali Watson of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Sen. Kurt Fevella, Rep. Diamond Garcia and housing expert Peter Savio.

The moderator of the “Broken Promises II” panel, which will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Room 325 in the State Capitol, will be Rep. Gene Ward.

The Blog wondered, though, why no current Democratic lawmaker was invited, given the significant bills involving DHHL still moving through the Legislature. Ward says they were, but none accepted.

Read more about Kuhio and his legacy in Civil Beat’s special report.