Hawaii DLNR sued over tropical fish-collecting, tax office loses records, Maui, EPA settle landfill pollution case, and plenty politics from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Moorish Idols (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

The Department of Land and Natural Resources should have conducted environmental reviews before issuing aquarium fish collecting permits, environmental groups and several Hawaii residents say in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Oahu’s 1st Circuit Court. West Hawaii Today.

Lawsuit: DLNR Must Study Effects of Aquarium Fish Trade on Hawaii Reefs. Civil Beat.

The nonprofit environmental-law organization Earthjustice on Wednesday filed a civil complaint in First Circuit Court in Honolulu against the state of Hawai‘i and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, seeking to stop all commercial collection of aquarium fish until the industry complies with the Hawai‘i Environmental Police Act. Garden Island.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou have different philosophical approaches to reducing the federal deficit and national debt, with Hanabusa favoring steps already taken by Congress and President Barack Obama and Djou preferring more structural guarantees. Star-Advertiser.

The only Native Hawaiian ever elected to the U.S. Senate is about to retire. Civil Beat.

Candidates for Hawaii’s U-S Senate seat cast their ballots today during early walk-in voting. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu's press corp waited patiently outside Honolulu Hale midday Wednesday for U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye and U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono to arrive for scheduled interviews. Civil Beat.

One after the other, the candidates for U.S. Senate filed in to Honolulu Hale on Wednesday, joining the line of walk-in voters, followed by cheering fans and well-wishers. KITV4.

A 1994 Chevy Silverado, the only vehicle in the state with an "OBAMA" personalized license plate will be auctioned off this weekend. KHON2.

Oahu

Unlike some of his predecessors, it’s doubtful Ben Cayetano will kiss the ring of U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye if he’s elected Honolulu mayor. Civil Beat.

In urban Oahu’s storied Distr. 20, a Green Party candidate who refuses corporate contributions is seeking to unseat the veteran Speaker of the state House of Representatives. Honolulu Weekly.

A World War II veteran who inspired many with his determination to vote even though he had end-stage liver cancer died Wednesday. Associated Press.

What's the in waters off Makua Valley, where the U.S. Army held live-fire military exercises for several years? The Army is now trying to find out by asking those who actually live in the area. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation has released a draft environmental assessment detailing its $600 million plan for modernizing Honolulu International Airport. Pacific Business News.

A state agency has decided to give the public an early look at tentative proposals from two developers competing to build a 650-foot residential tower in Kakaako that would soar above Honolulu's tallest existing buildings. Star-Advertiser.

A Coast Guard aircrew was forced to return to Barbers Point late Tuesday after someone shone a laser at their MH-65 Dolphin helicopter when it was two miles offshore of Oahu, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Chinatown businesses are asking for increased police presence after a spate of burglaries in recent months. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A contracted courier recently lost a bag containing tax documents filed by businesses and individual taxpayers with the Hilo and Kona state tax offices. Tribune-Herald.

Car trouble: Kenoi ticketed for talking on cellphone while driving Kim’s 2009 accident cost county $100K. West Hawaii Today.
Big Island hunters may soon be granted permission to kill axis deer. Tribune-Herald.

Geophysicists in Hawaii and Texas have come up with a mathematical model that could explain how Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes are linked yet have distinct, separate eruptions. Star-Advertiser.

Maui
Maui County has agreed to a $5.1 million settlement with federal officials about alleged clean air violations at its major landfill, including uncontrolled release of gases from rotting garbage. Star-Advertiser.


The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today a $5.1 million settlement with the Maui County to address alleged air pollution violations at the Central Maui Landfill in Puunene, including the construction of new gas-collections systems and a wind farm. Maui News.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa today called a settlement reached between the county and the Environmental Protection Agency a “win-win.” Maui Now.

Dozens of luxury condominiums and hundreds of time-share interests at the financially troubled Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences at Kapalua Bay are headed for the auction block in December. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday took a few minutes to give its final approval to a bill setting bulk rates for bus passes for Kaua‘i Community College students. Garden Island.


Molokai

Hawaiian Airlines announced last week that their parent company, Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., will begin service to Molokai and Lanai sometime next year. Molokai Dispatch.

Molokai's iconic Kanemitsu Bakery remains closed, now for nearly four months, but the 75-year-old establishment's owner said work is nearly complete on improvements aimed at correcting health violations, and he hopes to reopen in time for the busy Thanksgiving holiday. Maui News.