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M A LIB U ’S AWA RD W IN NING N E WSPA P E R S I N CE 1 94 6 VOL. LXXX • NO. XLVII
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026
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Two planning commissioners cleared by FPPC
Malibu educators, parents lead statewide push for AI standards in schools
Fair Political Practices Commission rules no conflict of interest By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
Nearly three years after charges were filed in a conflict of interest complaint involving two then-sitting Malibu City Council members and two planning commissioners, the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has finally ruled that no unfair or illegal practices occurred by appointing contractors as voting members of the Students of the newly formed Malibu High School Junior Fire Brigade gather in front of visiting fire trucks on campus, marking the launch of the program founded by Maxson Chiate. city’s Planning Commission. Photo by Alexander Swedelson. Los Gatos attorney Ann Ravel, a former chair of the Federal Election Commission and former chair of the California FPPC had filed a complaint suggesting that two Malibu After witnessing his family home burn — twice — Malibu High Junior Maxson Chiate turns tragedy into purpose Planning Commissioners’ work as in any way he can. large group of inquisitive MHS students By BARBARA BURKE local contractors created a conflict When he can, Chiate backs the bri- discussed how they can prepare for fires Special to The Malibu Times of interest “specifically in matters in gade members’ play by providing them and contribute to mitigating fire risks in which they have a reasonably foreHe’s humble and well-humored and he’s with water and helping to stock supplies an effort to minimize their impact. Led by seeable material financial benefit.” a doer. Against the background of watch- and, when he can, he’s listening to training Capt. Jeremy Collings, some of Malibu’s Ravel contended that as licensed ing and photographing a large part of his sessions to learn more about fighting fires. firefighters from Station 71 of the Los Ancontractors in a position to bid on hometown burn down and after seeing his In the face of disaster, many flee. In the geles County Fire Department, joined by projects within city limits, former patriarch’s home burn to the ground for face of disaster, a seed was planted with- Keegan Gibbs and Tyler Hauptman of the CONTINUED ON PAGE A6 the second time — it burned in 1993 in in Chiate, energizing his motivation to Malibu Fire Brigade, fielded teens’ questhe Old Topanga Fire as well — Malibu contribute meaningfully to how our com- tions and explained all the equipment on, High School junior Maxson Chiate has munity can be prepared and equipped to and capabilities of,the fire trucks. immersed himself in contributing to Mali- respond to the next fire or to any disaster. “Watching my dad and the brigade CONTINUED ON PAGE A7 bu’s Fire Brigade and area fire departments That explains why on March 11, a
From fire to purpose: Student-led Fire Brigade
With tools like ChatGPT and Google Classroom already embedded in classrooms, PTSA effort aims to set state’s first policy By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
Google Classroom, Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude, MagicSchool. ai, DreamBox, and IXL — all are artificial intelligence tools commonly used in American classrooms. In our rapidly changing world, AI is constantly evolving and increasingly pervasively impacts our entire society. As technology races on, many feel they are racing to try to keep up. Teachers, administrators and parents involved in Malibu public school education are no different. Since 2023, a team of Malibubased dedicated parents and public school faculty and administrators have assiduousl y worked CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
INSIDE
this week
Bill Miller, former proprietor of Malibu Kitchen and beloved purveyor of cookies and brownies across Malibu, collaborated with California Incline. Photo by Barbara Burke
Stumbling into success: Two brands may sell better than one
From sweets at the boutique to ‘Wine & Words,’ local businesses learning the value of collaboration By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
“Lucky opportunities tend to be stumbled upon,” author James Clear famously quipped, adding a very important qualifier — if one is exploring and moving, mixed and engaged, as opposed to simply passively waiting and hoping some serendipitous and sensational opportunity occurs by happenstance, then, luck may bring one opportunities that are new and possibly, quite successful. What better day than St. Patrick’s CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
Inclusivity celebrated at Hand in Hand’s Spring Dance B1
The iconic Pacific Coast Highway Hawaiian-themed restaurant welcomes visitors again, as staff pose for a photo just before opening after a 14-month closure due to the Palisades Fire and a post-fire mudslide that delayed renovations. Photos courtesy of Duke’s Malibu
Aloha returns to Malibu with reopening of Duke’s
After 14 months of closure due to the Palisades Fire and a severe mudslide, one of Malibu’s most cherished restaurants has reopened, drawing guests from near and far to savor its iconic cuisine By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
Seafood, burgers, Aloha spirit, and the original Gidget greeted crowds Friday, March 13, for the reopening of Malibu’s beloved Duke’s restaurant. The iconic Pacific Coast Highway Hawaiianthemed restaurant is now the first landmark to greet most visitors driving into Malibu. It’s closure of 14 months since the Palisades Fire, and a disastrous post-fire mudslide forced its renovation and long-delayed opening. It was an auspicious day to reopen on Friday the 13th. A line of eager diners stretched out the
front door before the clock even struck noon. They had come from as far as Las Vegas and the South Bay — braving two hours in traffic — and they weren’t going to be deterred. After 14 months of closure caused by the Palisades Fire and a devastating mudslide, one of Malibu’s most beloved institutions was finally back. Duke’s Malibu, that has anchored its stretch of Pacific Coast Highway since 1996, officially reopened its dining room and Barefoot Bar, welcoming back a flood of regulars, locals, and devoted fans — and beginning what general manager and partner Jimmy Chavez described as a new chapter for the landmark establishment.
“We still have work to do, we still have a punch list,” Chavez said, sounding a bit weary after working tirelessly this past week on final details, but unmistakably proud. “But we were able to pass inspections and get reopened on Friday, and the reception was just so overwhelmingly positive.” The road back was long and punishing. Duke’s closed on January 7, 2025, the first day of the Palisades Fire, as flames tore through the Malibu coastline and first responders staged operations in the restaurant’s parking lot. The structure survived the fire, but the relief was short-lived. When February rains soaked the fire’s burn scar CONTINUED ON PAGE A4
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . A2 • A simple water system fix could help Malibu fight the next wildfire News Briefs . . . . . . . . A3 • Mixed verdict in Ye case as beachfront home faces foreclosure Calendar . . . . . . . . . . A4 • MARCH 26: McKinna Learning Academy open house invitation Malibu Life . . . . . . . . B1 • Malibu’s Lippman to take next step with Cal Lutheran water polo People . . . . . . . . . . . B2 • Malibu Scene: Ramble On Legals . . . . . . . . . . . B3 Business & Directory . . B8 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . B8 Sports . . . . . . . . . . B10 • Malibu’s Ceylon Zappa caps standout season with second league MVP honor