Hawaii not complying with EPA pesticide mandates, Case-Hirono debate goes radio, tax collections up, Honolulu sewer project nearing completion, state-based insurance exchange coming, military to use biofuels, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ala Wai, Honolulu (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

Hawaii is the only state that isn't complying with new federal regulations that increase oversight of pesticides that are sprayed in and around waterways, according to officials from the Environmental Protection Agency. Civil Beat.

In the liveliest exchanges so far in their Democratic primary campaign, U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, a liberal, used a Hawaii Public Radio debate to link the moderate former U.S. Rep. Ed Case to national Republicans. Case cast Hirono as an out-of-step progressive who is more of a follower than a leader. Star-Advertiser.

Folks following the contest between Ed Case and Mazie Hirono by know now the familiar contours of this race. Civil Beat.

U.S. Senate candidates square off Ed Case, Mazie Hirono debate one another. KITV4.
http://www.kitv.com/U-S-Senate-candidates-square-off/-/8906042/14840912/-/66ev9sz/-/index.html

Download audio: HPR's political reporter Wayne Yoshioka moderated the live debate between Mazie Hirono and Ed Case. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie says Hawaii is the first state to declare its intent to develop a state-based insurance exchange — a key component of federal health care overhaul. Associated Press.

As the U.S. Supreme Court weighs the legality of President Obama’s national health care initiative, a new Hawaii nonprofit agency is spending $15.4 million to put the plan in action here. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii tax collections rose by 8.5 percent for the first 11 months of the state’s fiscal year, with taxes on the tourism industry rising by more than 13 percent, the state Department of Taxation said Wednesday. Pacific Business News.

Next month, in naval exercises off the coast of Hawaii, five U.S. warships will make history: They will be the first to use biofuels to power their huge turbines, as well as the jet planes screaming off a carrier’s deck and helicopters hovering overhead. Wall Street Journal.

A world without HECO. That’s the vision of a new report out by Henry Curtis, executive director of environmental advocacy organization, Life of the Land. Civil Beat.

Solar installations in Hawaii rose 45 percent in the first quarter of 2012 from the same period a year earlier, according to a report from an industry trade group that is forecasting continued strong growth this year. Star-Advertiser.

Off the Beat: When Hawaii Democrats Eat Their Own. Civil Beat.

A new poll commissioned by the Humane Society of the United States suggests a majority of Hawaii residents support a ban on collecting reef fish for aquariums. Associated Press.

Oahu
Two temporary sewer pipes installed in the Ala Wai Canal after the massive 2006 sewage line break and spill are being removed this week as the city nears completion of a new $46 million pipeline beneath the canal, Mayor Peter Carlisle announced Wednesday. Associated Press.

Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle Wednesday announced that the Beachwalk Force Main sewer project in Waikiki is nearing completion. Hawaii News Now.

The city said it is investigating why some outdoor emergency sirens sounded this morning in what officials called a malfunction. No emergency exists, the city Department of Emergency Management said. Star-Advertiser.

This is the year that Oahu's future could literally be set in concrete. Hawaii Independent.

The Department of Transportation is going ahead with its restriping project, which would add a fourth lane in both directions to a portion of the H-1 and lower the speed limit by five miles per hour. KHON2.

Helen Geracimos Chapin, a retired Hawaii Pacific University professor who chronicled the history of newspapers in Hawaii, died Saturday in Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Mall developer DeBartolo Development LLC has named a few retailers that will occupy the initial phase of an envisioned $350 million regional shopping center in East Kapolei, though construction of the project called Ka Makana Ali‘i has been pushed back to early next year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Lance Armstrong was banned from competition in triathlons Wednesday after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency brought formal doping charges against the former cyclist, who was planning to compete in the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii this fall. Pacific Business News.

This election year, Big Island voters may see a few more new names than usual on their ballot. Tribune-Herald.

Questions over jurisdiction are keeping a requested update on the status of the county Elections Office off the County Council agenda, at least for now. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor Alan Arakawa is reviving plans to build a beachfront parkway along West Maui's coastline from Puamana to the pali. Maui News.

Owners of Pukalani Superette voiced their opposition Tuesday to the proposed Upcountry town center near their store, saying that the development would create more traffic and that their preference was for the land to be used for agricultural purposes. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kaua‘i Museum’s Living Treasures program was created so people have an opportunity to appreciate and honor the individuals selected for the Living Treasures program while they are here to know how much difference they make to our island’s quality of life. Garden Island.

Molokai

Tucked away inland among the forests in Waialua Valley exists a farm that claims no fields, no pests, no weeds and yet still produces over 50 varieties of produce on only one acre of land. Molokai Dispatch.

Native Hawaiians on Molokai will get an opportunity to provide feedback to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) at a community forum as well as a regular Board of Trustees meeting. Molokai Dispatch.