Monday, February 6, 2012

Ceded lands deal coming before Legislature, Hawaii schools get a 'D' in science, Marine hazing trial starts today, Hilo resort hotels need work, Maui plan faces redo, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Rep. Mele Carroll at 2008 Capitol rally (c) 2012 All Hawaii News   
Two Legislative committees will begin looking into a proposed $200 million real estate deal that will settle the Office of Hawaiian Affairs ceded lands claims with the state. Associated Press.

FACT CHECK False — Hirono: I'm Only Candidate Who Opposed Bush Tax Cuts. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and her political rival, former Congressman Charles Djou, are heading into the 2012 election with about the same amount of money in the bank to spend on what promises to be a spirited general election campaign. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Co. customers installed a record amount of solar power generating capacity on their rooftops last year, causing a reduction in utility revenue that HECO says it will have to make up with an increase in rates. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Friday signed a letter of intent with officials from South Korea to develop a smart grid demonstration project in Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

Bills pending before the state Legislature could make it easier to get fresh, local produce into public school cafeterias - both from school gardens and from island farms. Maui News.

As a cost-saving move, a planned $200 million destroyer modernization program might sail away from Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, and some union officials fear that could be repeated with other cruisers and destroyers based in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

A Marine sergeant accused of hazing another Marine who later committed suicide in Af­ghani­stan will go on trial today. Associated Press.

A new report says Hawai`i’s standards for science education are too far below what students need to compete. In a national K-12 ranking, Hawai`i received a “D”. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii's science standards for public school students are inadequate, inconsistent and include errors, according to a report that rated most states' learning benchmarks for science as "mediocre to awful." Star-Advertiser.

Advocates for public access television networks – such as ‘Olelo Community Media on O‘ahu, or Akaku for Maui Nui – are calling attention to a bill which would force a major reorganization of the networks. According to an Akaku blog post, the bill would lead to a 2/3 reduction in funding for public access television broadcasting. The bill, HB 2652, is scheduled for a hearing on Monday at 2:15 pm in State Capitol room 325. Hawaii Independent.

Weather researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are here in Hawaii this winter to check out storms developing across the Pacific. KITV4.

State roundup for Feb. 6. Associated Press.

Oahu

With the site of next year's Pro Bowl still up in the air, lawmakers are tackling future plans for Aloha Stadium again. Hawaii News Now.

The state spends almost $1 million annually to publish legal notices in Honolulu’s only newspaper and lawmakers are looking for ways to trim that bill. Hawaii Reporter.

A bill that would exempt residential and commercial developments along the 20-mile Honolulu rail transit corridor from state and county planning, zoning and permitting requirements is opposed by both rail supporters and rail opponents. Star-Advertiser.

Protestors were out in Waikiki Saturday night trying to stop a war on Iran. KHON2.

Hawaii

For years, Hawaii County government has been spending far more than it's taken in. The number of employees has increased dramatically, and payments on debt now consume the biggest chunk of operating expenses in at least a decade. West Hawaii Today.

State legislators are dissatisfied with the condition of the Naniloa Volcanoes Resort, the Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and other properties in Hilo's resort district, and they want to do something about it. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Planning Director Will Spence said Thursday that the changes he's proposing to the Maui Island Plan would simplify a document that's "morphed" into something complicated and unwieldy after six years of tinkering. Maui News.

Two Maui schools received awards last month for beautifying their campuses with school gardens. Maui News.

An increase in illegal dumping, brush fires and criminal activity will result in the permanent closure of a portion of Kala Road near the Kahului Airport on Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is seeking up to 30 native Hawaiian families to participate in  Homestead Self Help Projects in Kapolei and Anahola on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

With the U.S. Department of Education placing Hawai‘i’s four-year, $75 million Race to the Top grant on “high-risk status,” Kaua‘i’s public schools could miss out on much of the ambitious, four-year reform plan. Garden Island.

Molokai

The Molokai Irrigation System, which serves the bulk of the island’s agricultural and homestead users, has received $1.25 million for system improvements, Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced last week. Molokai Dispatch.





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