Monday, April 23, 2012

'Exceptional' trees get tax breaks, Honolulu seeks $450M line of credit for rail, Green Party certified for state ballot, Kauai daily newspaper goes to 6-day schedule, Hilo newspaper hit with labor ruling, electric company makes big profits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mynah bird on African tulip tree (c) 2012 All Hawaii News
The focus of some ridicule is a state law that allows Hawaii residents to claim up to $3,000 in personal income tax deductions for qualified expenses related to maintaining "exceptional" trees on their private property. Star-Advertiser.

A proposal headed to the state Senate could help Hawaii double its locally grown food supply by 2020. Associated Press.

By weight, Hawaii’s honeybees may be the state’s most valuable export as farmers struggle to replenish bee populations suffering from colony collapse. Associated Press.

The Green Party of Hawaii announced that it has been certified to be included on Hawaii partisan election ballots. Tribune-Herald.


The Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter on Sunday endorsed U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono for U.S. Senate, giving the congresswoman an edge in the environmental community to go with her support from labor unions and traditional Democrats. Star-Advertiser.

Consumer advocates are pushing Hawaii senators to pass a bill that excludes health insurer representatives from holding voting positions on a state board. Associated Press.


Cuts in the number of inspectors who check cargo and passengers entering Hawaii have some worried that more pests will get established in a state that is especially vulnerable because of its subtropical weather and few natural predators. Associated Press.

State roundup for April 23. Associated Press.


Oahu

The Navy wants to cover Ford Island's historic runway with photovoltaic panels — an addition the service said would "define and interpret" the original runway while providing environment-friendly power. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Peter Carlisle's administration has formally asked the City Council to approve a $450 million city-backed line of credit that could be used to complete the rail line in the event of a "catastrophic, unforeseen event" that causes the project to run out of money. Star-Advertiser.

Construction of the elevated portion of Oahu's rail project starts Monday, as more groups step forward to support the City's transit plan in court. Hawaii News Now.

The city's $5.7 million, 500-day Waikiki sewer project has been backed up for a couple of months but is expected to get moving in May. Star-Advertiser.

Keeping Kakaako-makai free from residential development was the motivation behind a loud rally held earlier today in an effort to stop a bill that would allow high rises on one of Honolulu's last public oceanfront land. KITV4.

Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle’s landfill advisory committee has named a site in the Windward Oahu town of Kailua as the top choice for the location of a landfill to replace the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu’s monopoly newspaper has again slashed advertising rates in the face of new government objections to the charges as well as competition from a newcomer to the market. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii

An average Hawaii Electric Light Co. customer doles out around $225 every month for 500 to 600 kilowatt hours of electricity, a far cry from the nation’s average of $63 for the same usage. West Hawaii Today.

While the electric grid itself may not be operating at peak efficiency, shareholders in the investor-owned corporation aren’t feeling the pinch. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii isn’t well-known for consumer advocacy, said Jack Gillis, public affairs director for the Consumer Federation of America. West Hawaii Today.

A federal appeals court on Friday upheld a National Labor Relations Board's decision that two reporters fired from a Hilo newspaper should be reinstated with back pay. Associated Press.

Maui

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the Maui Economic Development Board. Maui News.


Kauai

The Garden Island newspaper on Kauai will be combining its Friday and Saturday publications into a weekend edition starting May 4. Pacific Business News.

Construction is expected to begin during the second half of this year on a second Kaua‘i Safeway supermarket and retail center. Garden Island.

Meeting the demand of an increase in felony cases was among concerns expressed by Office of the Prosecuting Attorney staff members during a Kaua‘i County Council fiscal year 2013 budget hearing Friday. Garden Island.

Molokai

The Friendly Island will be well represented at the 35th annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. The Awards Show, hosted by the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts (HARA), is an annual event held to celebrate “the connections between music, our culture, and the spirit of aloha,” according to their website. Molokai Dispatch.

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