First furlough Friday for local governments today, Akaka told to hurry on Hawaiian recognition, Big Island papaya farmer hit hard by vandals, new cruise ship coming, more news from around the isles

U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka has been advised he must act quickly on a native Hawaiian federal recognition bill or lose the chance to bring it to a vote before the November elections change the political composition of the Senate. Star-Advertiser.

There are two words in our language that can be used to mean independence: kuokoa and ea. Civil Beat.

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona called yesterday for a "comprehensive, independent" audit of the state Department of Education and said if elected governor he would make sure schools get 90 cents out of every dollar that goes to the department Star-Advertiser.

It's already turning into a heated battle. The democratic candidates for governor continue to point fingers at each other. Hawaii News Now.

A bill banning all consumer fireworks advanced out of the City Council Public Safety and Services Committee by a vote of 3-0. A public hearing on the measure before the full Council is set for July 14. Star-Advertiser.

A Big Island farmer is devastated by the destruction of thousands of his papaya trees at the hands of vandals. Hawaii News Now.

The first image to come out of Mauna Kea's newest telescope doesn't amount to much, from a scientific standpoint.Tribune-Herald.

Carnival Cruise Lines said it plans to offer two California-to-Hawaii round-trip voyages next year and the year after. KITV.

Property tax rates for homeowners and other categories will go up, landfill tipping fees will increase and it will be a little more expensive to play a round of golf at the Waiehu Municipal Golf Course, starting today. Maui News.

First it was the state, now it's the city's turn. KHON2.

Starting Friday, residents will find most Hawaii County government offices closed on the first and third Fridays of every month, as the county struggles to balance its budget in a sour economy. West Hawaii Today.

In union-employer negotiation parlance, what the forced Friday off today for many county employees is known as is a “give back” or “concessionary takeaway.” Garden Island.

Mayor Charmaine Tavares announced that all County of Maui civil service and appointed employees, excluding uniformed police and fire department employees under separate collective bargaining agreements, will be furloughed 12 days in the next fiscal year, July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011. Lahaina News.

Wayne Meadows said he's at a satellite City Hall nearly every day for his business as an auto dealer, sometimes more than one in a day. By law he's allowed only two title transfers a day per location. KITV.

Plans are moving forward for two new condo projects in the Ala Moana-Kakaako Area. KHON2.

Ranch Attempts to Legalize Water System. Molokai Dispatch.

The state's Natural Area Reserve System would grow by 6,600 acres under a proposal to incorporate most of the former Kulani Correctional Facility for research and species preservation.Tribune-Herald.

Just as DW Aina Lea representatives are set to argue before the state Land Use Commission their project is moving forward, contractors working on the project say they haven't been paid in months. West Hawaii Today.

A lawsuit seeking to remove Lanai Council Member Sol Kaho'ohalahala from office will go to trial next month, after a judge on Wednesday said he would not make an immediate ruling on the case. Maui News.

Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. said he still intends to site a residential, adolescent, drug-treatment facility on the island before year’s end. Garden Island.