Gays filing lawsuit over civil unions, Big Island courthouses could close, Molokai newspaper opposes developer, Hawaii County targets vets, poor, for tax hikes, Honolulu councilman under criminal investigation wants to be mayor, more Hawaii news

Six gay couples in Hawaii are filing a lawsuit Thursday asking for the same rights as married couples, three weeks after Gov. Linda Lingle vetoed a same-sex civil unions measure. Associated Press.

First the veto, now a lawsuit. Two legal rights groups want the issue of same-sex marriage to be decided not by a public vote, but by a judge. Hawaii News Now.

Lambda Legal and the ACLU of Hawaii Foundation today said they will sue Gov. Linda Lingle over her July 6 veto of House Bill 444, which would have allowed Hawaii civil unions. Civil Beat.

Having been together since 2005, Sean Smith and Kale Taylor are like many committed couples -- they want to make things official. Star-Advertiser.

The Judiciary may shut down three of its part-time satellite courthouses on the Big Island temporarily because of a lack of sheriffs to provide security. Star-Advertiser.

Double-digit increases in arrivals and spending last month have made summer hotter for Hawaii tourism, though it still lacks the sizzle it had a few years ago. Star-Advertiser.

Economists hope the worst is over for Hawaii's housing slowdown. KHON2.

The last of Hawaii tax refunds are being mailed this week after they had been delayed because of state government budget shortages. Associated Press.

Councilman Rod Tam -- who's under criminal investigation for using city funds on meals for friends and family -- filed his nomination papers to run for Honolulu Mayor Wednesday. KITV.

The state dedicated a new $2.5 million dock at Keehi Small Boat Harbor Wednesday. KHON2.

The Governor says she's in no rush to sign off on the city's rail project. Wednesday, the city awarded a $5.5 million contract for the design of the West Loch, Waipahu and Leeward Community College stations along Farrington Highway. Hawaii News Now.

Mililani residents joined forces at a neighborhood board meeting Wednesday night, to oppose an affordable housing project in their community. KITV.

The House committees on Housing and Human Services’ joint informational briefing, held July 15, explored solutions–some more controversial than others–to the issue of chronic homelessness in the state. Honolulu Weekly.

Hawaii County is looking to scoop up an additional $270,000 in property taxes by targeting 6,000 disabled veterans and poor property owners who don't currently pay the minimum $100 tax. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County is receiving $115 million in federal economic stimulus dollars, but you wouldn't know it by the 1,150 jobs that various industries shed on the Big Island so far this year. Tribune-Herald.

Wailuku resident Ken Kekona told officials how his teenage granddaughter nearly died in a crosswalk, and Kula resident Harriet Sibonga and other senior citizens pointed out dangerous places for pedestrians and motorists on Maui. Maui News.

Lava is now entering the ocean in two locations in Kalapana, and a third flow may reach the ocean soon. Star-Advertiser.

This past Saturday night, July 25, I stood alongside a small handful of neighbors and photographers watching Madame Pele’s molten lava consume a beautiful little home, custom-built by my neighbor Gary, complete with beautiful landscaping - tropical flowers, bananas, a little gazebo overlooking the lava fields, ancient ironwood and mango trees - all burning, falling all over the former end of Highway 137 in Kalapana. Big Island Weekly.
The names of the characters may be the same and the backdrop is still Hawaii, but that's where the similarities end between the old and new "Hawaii Five-0," the re invented CBS series that should leave audiences breathless for more. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu Star Advertiser is saying good-bye to three longtime employees. KHON2.

Although the county received $1.21 million almost two years ago to retrofit lights at four county parks — Isenberg Park, Vidinha Football Stadium, Hanapepe Stadium and Peter Rayno Park in Hanama‘ulu — the project has yet to commence, according to the County Attorney’s Office. Garden Island.

Stop Molokai Ranch Windmills Petition. Molokai Dispatch.

PUC: Smart grid dumb idea, cable repair could take weeks, WWII munitions no danger yet, lawyers speak out on chief justice pick, more

Hawaii regulators have rejected plans for a broad expansion of smart grid electric technology that would have been paid for by residents and bus- inesses. Asso- ciated Press.

When it comes to repairing a severed fiber-optic cable 3,000 feet under the sea, it won't be as simple as calling the cable guy. Star-Advertiser.

Internet, cable television and telephone service began returning to normal Tuesday afternoon for thousands of Oceanic Time Warner Cable customers after a break in an undersea fiber-optic cable disrupted service about 12 hours earlier. Maui News.

A rare break in an undersea fiber-optic cable Tuesday morning, left around 400,000 people without Internet, phone and TV service, for 12 hours in some cases. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu resident Ian Kurihara discovered early Tuesday morning he wasn't able to go online. KITV.

A wind farm on Oahu's North Shore is receiving a big boost in federal funding. KHON2.

Chemical weapons dumped off Pearl Harbor after World War II pose no threat to humans for now but are "clearly deteriorating" and should continue to be monitored, the lead scientist on the University of Hawaii project said Tuesday. Associated Press.

They're safe for now. There's no threat to humans or the ocean so far. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii Women Lawyers will be expressing their strong support of Gov. Linda Lingle's appoint- ment of appeals Judge Katherine Leonard as the next chief justice, a spokeswoman for the group said yesterday. Star-Advertiser.

In a letter to the Hawaii Bar Association, attorney Eric Seitz calls Katherine Leonard "ill equipped and unqualified" to be Hawaii's next Chief Justice. Hawaii News Now.

After failing at its first bid for federal Race to the Top funds, Hawaii has placed among 19 finalists with its second application for one of the coveted education grants. Civil Beat.

A West Hawaii ranch owner says a local business owner who bought part of Hokukano Ranch is cutting down old-growth sandalwood in the upper reaches of the property. West Hawaii Today.

Recreational off-road vehicles have damaged much of the terrain at Kaena Point. KHON2.

A city contractor working on a 42-inch main that broke late last week in Pearl City accidentally severed the 30-inch backup force main near the 14th hole of the Ted Makalena Golf Course, causing a spill of about 108,000 gallons of sewage yesterday. Star-Advertiser.

Officials posted signs warning of a sewage spill are being posted along the Pearl Harbor bike path and at Middle Loch. KITV.

Hawaii County property taxes are leaving the state this year. But don't worry, say county administrators, the money will come back. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii's "Sunshine Law" is hampering the County Council and should be overturned, says North Kona Councilman Kelly Greenwell. Tribune-Herald.

A forum on the topic of “In Search of Real Security for Kaua‘i” will include remarks by Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, D-2nd District. Garden Island.

Local divers will be competing in a tournament targeting invasive fish. The "Westside Roi Reckoning" takes place Saturday off Kahe Point. Hawaii News Now.

Internet outage brings state to a halt, Hawaii schools racing to the top, Hannemann wants Superferry back, more news from around the state

About 400,000 Oceanic Time Warner Cable customers were without Internet, phone and television service after a break in an undersea fiber-optic cable early this morning. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii is one of 18 states and the District of Columbia named finalists Tuesday in the second round of the federal "Race to the Top" school reform grant competition, giving them a chance to receive a share of $3 billion. Star-Advertiser.

As they prepared to head back to work Tuesday, public school teachers said they were excited about the new school year, especially since furlough days have been eliminated. Maui News.

Hawaii's Democratic candidates for governor proposed competing economic plans Monday, with Mufi Hannemann's ideas focused on construction and Neil Abercrombie's pitch centered on energy and agricultural sustainability. Associated Press.

Mufi Hannemann said Monday if he is elected governor, he will push to get the Hawaii Superferry back in island waters. KITV.


What do the websites of the three leading Hawaii governor candidates tell us? Civil Beat.

Honolulu lawyer Eric Seitz wrote to the Hawaii State Bar Association yesterday "strongly" opposing Gov. Linda Lingle's appointment of appeals Judge Katherine Leonard as the next chief justice. Star-Advertiser.

A consortium of in-state investors has purchased Hilo Hawaiian Hotel for $17.3 million. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County property taxes are leaving the state this year. But don't worry, say county administrators, the money will come back. West Hawaii Today.

A West Hawaii ranch owner says a local business owner who bought part of Hokukano Ranch is cutting down old-growth sandalwood in the upper reaches of the property. West Hawaii Today.

Kaua‘i cannot continue on its current path of unsustainability, Ken Stokes said Saturday at the Wailua-Kapa‘a Neighborhood Association meeting. Garden Island.

Volcano consumes Kalapana home, Maui beach widening suspended, gubernatorial candidates mix it up, drought worsens, Heftel Post Office nixed

Lava from Kilauea showed off its unstoppable power of beauty and destruction on Sunday. Hawaii News Now.

An innovative and privately funded beach replenishment project on Stable Road has been suspended early. Maui News.

Unlike open beaches, pocket beaches tend not to wax and wane with the seasons. Building groins - walls extending perpendicularly from the shore into the water - is a way of creating an artificial cove with a pocket beach. Maui News.

Former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie is sending the message to gay activists that they could have to wait four years or longer for civil unions if he is not elected governor. Star-Advertiser.

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona leans forward as if he wants to share a secret. Star-Advertiser.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mufi Hannemann opened his West Hawaii campaign headquarters Saturday in Kailua-Kona where he committed himself to improving Hawaii's education and economy while reminding area residents of his Big Island connection. West Hawaii Today

Gubernatorial candidate Neil Abercrombie this week announced he has accepted invitations from media outlets offering a series of live debates leading up to the Sept. 18 primary election. Garden Island.

A proposal to rename Makiki Post Office after the late Democratic U.S. Rep. Cecil Heftel has stalled because Heftel's widow objected to the bill's author: U.S. Rep. Charles Djou, a Republican. Star-Advertiser.

Every morning, Tony Williams wakes to the sound of waves crashing on Hawaii's famed Waikiki beaches and has a spectacular view of the Pacific. But he's not paying a cent for his priceless vista. Associated Press.

Hawaii taxpayers are on the hook for billions of dollars in construction projects over the next few decades, ranging from sewer upgrades to undersea power cables. Star-Advertiser.

A new attraction at the Waikiki Aquarium may be small but it's hoping to make a huge impact.KHON2.

Michelle Galimba has been moving her livestock across her 10,000-acre Kuahiwi Ranch to higher elevation in Kau on the Big Island in hopes of finding better pastures during a drought that is causing her business and others hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii  may turn to a surprising source as it deals with a yawning budget shortfall brought on by a poor economy and lower legislative outlays: Mainland and foreign students who can provide a boost to tuition revenue. Civil Beat.

The Kaua‘i County Council Planning Committee, after several deferrals, on Wednesday approved a controversial bill that would allow vacation rental owners to apply for non-conforming use permits. Garden Island.

It's been two and a half years since Dawn K. Gambsky's life ended and she was buried in a shallow grave in her own backyard. Tribune-Herald.

Fewer immigration services will be available starting Monday while Honolulu's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office moves to a new location. Associated Press.

Even in the face of furloughs, two Molokai schools – Maunaloa and Kilohana Elementary – met adequate yearly progress (AYP) benchmarks in math and reading scores this year. Kaunakakai Elementary landed on the cusp, missing its goal by only 1 percent. Molokai Dispatch.

Lingle appoints first woman chief justice, hoary bat stops roadwork, Honolulu sets mayoral election, Republicans get a mulligan, more Hawaii news

Gov. Linda Lingle appointed appeals Judge Katherine Leonard yesterday to become the state's fifth chief justice and the first woman to serve as head of the Hawaii Judiciary. Star-Advertiser.

Governor Linda Lingle has announced the nomination of Judge Katherine Leonard to be Hawaii's next chief justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court. If approved by the state senate, Leonard would become Hawaii's first female chief justice. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Linda Lingle has nominated Intermediate Court of Appeals Judge Katherine Leonard to be the next chief justice of the Hawaii state Supreme Court. Associated Press.

Text of Lingle's speech.

About a thousand members and supporters of the UNITE HERE Local 5 hotel workers union showed up in Waikiki Thursday to protest against the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Hotel, with more than 80 of them arrested after they blocked Waikiki traffic. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii's two U.S. House members on Thursday split their votes on a bill to restore jobless benefits, an issue that may resonate with unemployed workers who go to the polls in November. Associated Press.

The state labor department expects to process $10,000 retroactive claims, now that President Obama has signed off on an extension of unemployment benefits. KHON2.

Honolulu voters have just less than two months to decide who should serve the final two years of Mufi Hannemann's term as mayor. Star-Advertiser.

Looking back five decades to statehood, Honolulu mayors have marked many of the same political milestones en route to Honolulu Hale. Civil Beat.

The special election in May to fill Hawaii's 1st Congressional District seat vacated by former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie cost taxpayers $670,000, state elections officials confirmed on Thursday. KITV.

Republicans, taking advantage of a state law that gives political parties extra time to find replacements for candidates who have withdrawn, have found a challenger to state Rep. Hermina Morita on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

State Rep. Mina Morita said even her Republican friends are upset about the 11th-hour competition Morita got in her bid for re-election to the district that runs from Wailua Houselots to Ha‘ena. Garden Island.

It's a sign of the season. Politicians and political wannabe's signs and banners jockey for space on fences and walls. Hawaii News Now.

Perhaps sensing voter discontent, political challengers have cropped up right and left this election year to try to unseat Maui County incumbents in the state Legislature. Maui News.

Honolulu Councilman Rod Tam Thursday spoke for the first time publicly about being the subject of a criminal investigation. KITV.

In Kahana Valley State Park, fresh taro and sweet potato sprout from a garden adjacent to a road made from dirt and small chunks of cement. Cinder blocks mark grave sites of kupuna. Some trees have been chopped down or burned, their rotten insides exposed. Star-Advertiser.

Kilauea Volcano continues to put on a show that's delighting hundreds of visitors. KHON2.

West Hawaii residents are breathing easier these days, thanks to reduced sulfur dioxide emissions from Kilauea's east rift eruptive vents and weather conditions controlling the dispersal, said Tamar Elias, gas geochemist at U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. West Hawaii Today.

Economist Paul Brewbaker of TZ Economics told a meeting of the Realtors Association of Maui this past Friday that the great recession is over and the economic expansion has begun. Lahaina News.

Nearly 75 percent of the grading for Phase 1 of Ane Keohokalole Highway, known as the midlevel road, has been completed since its March groundbreaking, but work has been stopped until Aug. 15 because of the Hawaiian hoary bat, said Alex Leonard, project manager of Honolulu-based Nan Inc. West Hawaii Today.

The driving time between downtown Hilo and Kaumana will be shortened under a proposal from Mayor Billy Kenoi's administration to boost the speed limit on the Puainako Street extension. Tribune-Herald.

County Council members Wednesday approved a resolution urging the state Board of Education to reconsider its plan to consolidate three North Kohala schools into one K-12 school. West Hawaii Today.

Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares is demanding an apology from former Mayor Alan Arakawa over his comments during his radio show. Maui News.

After seven months with no metal recycler on Molokai to dispose of junk cars and appliances, the County of Maui has secured a new contractor to run the island’s facility. Molokai Dispatch.

It’s not often that the object of a spearfishing contest is to get rid of introduced, invasive species. Garden Island.

A lawmaker in American Samoa has filed a lawsuit to stop the U.S. territory from spending money on Samoan Heritage Week in Hawaii without legislative approval. Associated Press.

Djou is 'endangered,' candidates talk tech, gubernatorial debates set, hopefuls crowd races, Maui prepares for plastic bag ban, more Hawaii news

Four weeks into Summer and the heat is on.... KHON2.

The three major gubernatorial candidates, seeking to woo an increasingly visible sector of Hawaii's economy, yesterday promised to foster partnerships with the high-tech industry and improve the state's information systems. Associated Press.

Mufi Hannemann, Neil Abercrombie and James "Duke" Aiona traveled to the Plaza Club — "the heart of Honolulu's Wall Street" — on the top floors of Pioneer Plaza Wednesday to share their thoughts on growing Hawaii's high-tech industry. Civil Beat.

Democratic gubernatorial candidates Neil Abercrombie and Mufi Hannemann will square off in front of the media and public on Aug. 11, just weeks prior to Hawai‘i’s 2010 primary election. Garden Island.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Neil Abercrombie has accepted invitations to four television debates and is accusing his rival of attaching conditions that make one of the events more difficult to hold. Associated Press.

U.S. Rep. Charles Djou has been placed on a list of nine Republican incumbents who are considered endangered by their party. Associated Press.

The state Office of Elections has given the major political parties a chance to find replacements for four candidates who withdrew from state House races, including one Republican candidate on Kauai who deliberately filed and withdrew papers before Tuesday's deadline to buy time for the GOP to field a challenger against a popular Democrat. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Peter Carlisle turned in his letter of resignation Wednesday to the Honolulu City Clerk's office. KITV.

This election season promises no shortage of fireworks, with words already flying between contenders for Mayor about when to take a vote. KHON2.

A flurry of candidate filings may signal a summer of voter discontent, with few Big Island incumbents getting free passes. West Hawaii Today.

A crowded field will vie to challenge Mayor Charmaine Tavares in her bid for re-election this year, with a total of 11 political veterans and newcomers filing to enter the race. Maui News.

Voters can look forward to some spirited races to fill seats being left vacant by departing Maui County Council members this year. Maui News.

Last week, Civil Beat reached out to the three leading candidates for governor and asked each of them to show us evidence of what they do to live sustainably, to see how what they actually do stacks up against their own policy platforms. Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Councilmember Rod Tam has already admitted to making mistakes when he sought reimbursements for meals that had nothing to do with council business. Hawaii News Now.

In less than six months, Maui County's ban on plastic bags will take effect. KHON2.

Hawaii auto sales were up 1.4 percent in the first half of the year compared with the same period last year, and if the trend holds, 2010 will be the first year of growth since 2005. Star-Advertiser.

Madame Pele appears to be putting the brakes on the flow of lava in Kalapana, but it may be a case of too little too late for one home that county Civil Defense evacuated Sunday. Tribune-Herald.

Civil Defense was on scene as crews set up barricades late Wednesday evening. Stephen Rose, the supervisor of the Kalapana viewing area told Hawaii News Now that Kilauea's newest lava flow has begun creeping toward a neighborhood. Hawaii News Now.

Now that a law has been passed banning the sale of fishponds on state-owned property, citizen groups are looking to take two off the hands of the Department of Transportation. Honolulu Weekly.

A County Council committee delayed action Tuesday on a bill that would discourage the export of fish for aquariums. West Hawaii Today.

The state is moving forward with plans to renovate ferry facilities on Kaunakakai Wharf with a new waiting area, restrooms, sewer main and two water lines to supply water in case of fire, detailed in a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) released last month. Molokai Dispatch.

The talk Wednesday was about moving the homeless, but this time it is with a much needed service. KITV.

A Kapa‘a man said he remains traumatized nearly three weeks after three Kaua‘i Police Department officers delivered him a written warning of trespassing on July 2. Garden Island.

The time that Babe Ruth came to town. Big Island Weekly.

Campaign season officially begins, Honolulu needs a mayor, Honolulu councilman under criminal investigation, Big Island councilman fights arrest, Maui councilman fights residency requirement, Superferry leaked red ink, more Hawaii news

The Hawai‘i Superferry was sailing under a facade of success in the summer of 2008 — boasting of record ridership — but it had already begun to shortchange the state on its monthly fees, according to an Associated Press review of Department of Transportation records. Associated Press.

Political hopefuls made their candidacy official for the state primaries and the general election Tuesday. KITV.

Hawaii's vastly outnumbered Republicans are looking to make a comeback this election year, with GOP candidates running in almost every legislative district of the nation's second-most politically monolithic state. Associated Press.

This year's election is drawing a lot of interest from both parties and today as many as three dozen more people became candidates in the nick of time. KHON2.

Former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said yesterday that his chief executive experience as mayor of the state's largest city would shape his campaign for governor, but his opponent, former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, dismissed that record as a failure. Star-Advertiser.

The feisty race for governor is on. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann Tuesday became candidate Hannemann after he filed to run for Hawaii governor. KITV.

Neil Abercrombie also had harsh words for his democratic challenger in the governor’s race. KHON2.

As Mufi Hannemann leaves one political arena for another, Hawaii News Now asked three observers to grade his job performance as Honolulu's mayor. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii State Office of Elections released the completed list of all candidates for office on the filing deadline, Tuesday July 20. Hawaii News Now.

With a vacancy in the mayor's office created by Mufi Hannemann's resignation to run for governor, the City Council has scheduled a meeting tomorrow to set the date of a special election to fill the final two years of his term. Star-Advertiser.

North Kona Councilman Kelly Greenwell vowed Monday to fight charges after an altercation Saturday with police that Greenwell claimed left him "tethered to a post like a goat while being booked as a criminal." West Hawaii Today.

North Kona Councilman Kelly Greenwell has been arrested and released after getting into a "wrestling match" with a police officer who cited him for speeding Saturday in Kailua-Kona. Tribune-Herald.

The Lanai City hearing in the voter registration appeal against Maui County Council Member Sol Kaho'ohalahala concluded Monday, and now a decision is once again in the hands of the state Board of Registration for Maui County. Maui News.

The Department of the Attorney General  is leading a criminal investigation into mayoral candidate and City Councilman Rod Tam’s spending of city funds, Civil Beat has learned. Civil Beat.

Reading and math learning goals for Hawaii public schools are "mediocre" and "often vague," says a new national report that gives the state a "C" for its educational standards. Star-Advertiser.

Fishermen who use longlines to catch ahi, mahimahi and other fish off Hawaii should use a different kind of hook so they don't accidentally severely injure or kill a rare dolphin species, a federal advisory group said. Associated Press.

A beloved Kauai tradition may be going to the birds. Hawaii News Now.

A former military public affairs officer said she was trying to "inform and entertain" readers when she described Rim of the Pacific naval exercises as "snoozepac" and the "world's largest floating cocktail party" in a separate blog. Star-Advertiser.

The state Supreme Court has affirmed an earlier ruling saying the owners of Turtle Bay Resort must complete a new environmental study if they want to build thousands more hotel rooms on Oahu's North Shore. Associated Press.

A steadily moving lava flow remained about 100 yards from a Kalapana home Monday afternoon, and threatened four others as it continued to make its way eastward toward the ocean. Tribune-Herald.

The Kaua‘i County Council in 2008 budgeted hundreds of thousands of dollars for Kekaha to spend on community improvements in exchange for hosting the island’s only landfill for decades. Garden Island.

A study comparing the cost of trucking garbage to West Hawaii to expanding the Hilo landfill seems to have stalled with the departure of former Environmental Management Director Lono Tyson. West Hawaii Today.

A notice to proceed for design of Phase 2 of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway widening project was given July 7 to Goodfellow Bros. Inc. by the state Department of Transportation, but announced Monday, said Ed Brown, Goodfellow Bros. regional manager. West Hawaii Today.

Because of a staff shortage, trash was not collected as planned in parts of Kihei on Monday. Maui News.

Maui County is invalidating the environmental study for a plant that would treat water diverted from central Maui streams. Associated Press.

There were many people on Monday who wanted to connect to the past when sugar was king in Hawai‘i. Garden Island.

Hawaii Centers for Independent Living offers services to adults with permanent disability and now has an office open on Molokai. Molokai Dispatch.