Akaka most erudite, youth smoking down, vets commemorate Midway, Hawaii candidate filing deadline today, Harry Kim running for Big Island mayor again, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Sens. Inouye, left, and Akaka. (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

The Sunlight Foundation, a Washington group that pushes for government transparency, ranks U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, in the top five among members of Congress for his use of longer sentences and more complex words. Associated Press.

As Hawaii’s state legislative election filling deadline looms on June 5th, election experts are hoping for a more competitive race than in previous years. Ballotpedia.

It's official! There are a lot of eager politicians already lined up for the 2012 election -- even before the official filing deadline. KITV4.

Hawaii has long been known as a Democratic party state but the Hawaii Republicans are trying to change that. KHON2.

Advocates for youth and health officials are celebrating new survey results that show a dramatic decline over the last decade in the number of Hawaii middle and high school students who are active smokers. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii State Department of Health and the Department of Education released new survey findings showing great improvements in reducing tobacco use among Hawaii's youth. Hawaii News Now.

State health officials are setting new rules for the regulation of pesticides after a federal court ruled that the chemicals fall under the Clean Water Act when they enter waterways. Civil Beat.

Two retired Marines — both of them 90 years old — made the long trip to this isolated spit of coral and sand for the first time in 70 years to commemorate the Battle of Midway, while the head of the Pacific Fleet vowed that America will continue to commemorate the battle "as long as we have a United States Navy." Star-Advertiser.

Six months after the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan sent four aircraft carriers to the tiny Pacific atoll of Midway to draw out and destroy what remained of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Associated Press.

With a large banner proclaiming "Aloha, New York," Hawaiian Airlines and 173 passengers aboard a new Airbus A330-200 flew off Monday on the inaugural nonstop flight to John F. Kennedy International Airport to mark a new chapter in the carrier's 82-year history. Star-Advertiser.

Families of two Hawai‘i residents who were killed while serving time at a private prison in Arizona have filed lawsuits against the state of Hawai‘i and Corrections Corporation of America. Garden Island.

Hawai`i played a significant role in calculating the exact size of our solar system through observing a planetary phenomenon called the Transit of Venus. Hawaii Public Radio.

State roundup for June 5. Associated Press.

Oahu

It's been a record-setting five months since the Oahu Burial Council last met, potentially delaying projects such as resorts and infrastructure plans that need approvals from the committee to move forward. Civil Beat.

Several unions have placed their support behind Mayor Peter Carlisle in his bid for re-election. Star-Advertiser.

Vandals used permanent markers to deface dozens of color photos on political signs in Kailua and Keolu over the weekend. Hawaii News Now.

In spite of losing to Democrat Sharon Har two years ago, GOP state House candidate Marissa Capelouto, 50, says she's eager for another try because taxes and regulations are killing businesses. Civil Beat.

Former iPad developer opens Hawaii Apps in downtown Honolulu. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

Wearing his trademark blue jeans and plaid shirt, former Hawaii County Mayor “just call me Harry” Kim strode into the Office of Elections on Monday and dramatically changed what some had thought would be a two-way battle for the county’s top elected office. West Hawaii Today.

Former Mayor Harry Kim wants his old job back. Tribune-Herald.

Former two-term mayor Harry Kim today took out nomination papers to run for the chief executive position on the Big Island. Big Island Now.

Former Big Island Mayor Harry Kim today shook up the 2012 campaign by announcing that he’ll try to win back his former job this fall. KPUA.

U.S. Senate candidate Ed Case just wrapped up a two-day campaign swing through West Hawai`i, where he told voters that the upcoming election is important to the future of our state and country. KPUA.

Longtime East Hawai`i lawmaker Jerry Chang has announced he won't be seeking re-election and will step down when his current term ends in January. KPUA.

It was a heated public meeting in Naalehu on Saturday, as hunters from across the island converged on a meeting at the community center about a plan to manage the 61,641-acre Ka‘ū Forest Reserve. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Funds for improvements to a softball field at Molokai High School and the construction of two portables at Lahaina Intermediate School are part of $26.8 million released by the governor for capital improvement projects at school facilities statewide. Maui News.

A long-time Maui police officer was indicted today on four counts of sexual assault in the third degree following allegations of sexual misconduct by a 15-year-old juvenile female. Maui Now.

Kauai

Gary Hooser may be coming home. He filed Monday to run for Kauai County Council, nearly one decade after leaving his seat at the seven-member table to run for state Senate. Civil Beat.

Former state Sen. Gary Hooser, director of the state Office of Environmental Quality Control, filed Monday to run for a Kaua‘i County Council seat. Garden Island.

A report recently released by the county Office of Economic Development prompted county officials to say Monday that Kaua‘i is “finally seeing job growth in its long economic recovery.” Garden Island.