Hawaii group tries to save social studies as teacher labor complaint simmers, 'human hand' actually dried squid, Honolulu rail tax making money, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Abercrombie in Honokaa (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

North Hawaii residents seeking everything from agricultural education to veterans and workplace resources can now save themselves the two-hour round trip to Kona or Hilo. West Hawaii Today.

The state shot back at the teachers union Thursday in its response to a "prohibited practice" complaint, saying the union has a "pattern and practice of bad faith bargaining" and failed to reach an agreement despite months of negotiations and dozens of proposals and counterproposals. Star-Advertiser.

The state's response to a labor complaint from the Hawaii State Teachers Association is brisk, to the point, at times humorous and even gently sarcastic. Civil Beat.

Educators, parents, students and community leaders have come together with hopes of preserving social studies in Hawaii schools. KHON2.

With just 113 days to go before Hawaii hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings, organizers say they are more and more confident that Hawaii may in fact pull off an event for the record books come November. Pacific Business News.

The state plans to begin work to renovate the historic Kauai courthouse building that has been vacant for most of the last five years. KITV4.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie said Thursday that he expects the University of Hawaii at Hilo to spark a resurgence of Big Isle prosperity that will drive a statewide recovery, adding that he would continue to work to make capital politics less "Oahu-centric." Tribune-Herald.

Revenue from the general excise tax surcharge for the $5.3 billion rail transit project has exceeded the city's recent projections, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation announced Thursday in a news release. Star-Advertiser.

Eligible Hawaii and Pacific Rim farmers and ranchers will soon receive $2.6 million in payments from the federal Department of Agriculture to help offset high shipping costs, U.S. Senators Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka announced Thursday. West Hawaii Today.

Maui community groups represented by Earthjustice have sent Maui County a formal notice of their intent to sue the county for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act at the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility into the nearshore waters of West Maui. Lahaina News.

Securing trail easements, constructing sidewalks, and establishing traffic, pedestrian and bike management plans are just a few conditions Parker School and Waimea residents have agreed upon to settle civil litigation over a school expansion project. West Hawaii Today.

On Thursday, the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee refused to restore $10.8 million to the East-West Center, voting instead to eliminate funding altogether. Hawaii News Now.

As the very existence of the East West Center is threatened by Republican budget cutters in Congress, the 51-year-old institution has given its president a raise and continues to pay more than $1.5 million a year for a Washington D.C. office. Hawaii Reporter.

Honolulu police and law enforcement officials with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources have determined that what was reported to be a severed human hand found at Moku Auia Seabird Sanctuary, also known as Goat Island, was actually dried squid. Star-Advertiser.

On the morning of Thursday, July 21, nearly 500 Local 5 members were joined by community, labor, and faith leaders to stage an early morning rally and bed-making skit on the sidewalk fronting the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. Hawaii Independent.

Honolulu could begin work as early as next week to rebuild a bus shelter that was recently temporarily closed because bus riders complained about a homeless woman living there. KITV4.

Hawaii County Council members warmly embraced some of the more controversial proposals of the Cost of Government Commission, which looked for ways to cut Hawaii County's expenses. Tribune-Herald.

It's been more than a year since plans were unveiled to build on the old Kam Drive-In site. Hawaii News Now.

A former Hawaii Marine will become the first living Marine Corps recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War, according to published accounts. Star-Advertiser.

The evidentiary phase of a contested case challenge to plans for an Advanced Technology Solar Telescope atop Haleakala wrapped up Wednesday in Wailuku. Maui News.

Hawaii Delegation Weighs in on 'Epic Battle' Over Nation's Deficit. Hawaii Reporter.