Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Hawaii drought lingers, Alaska Republicans stump for Lingle, voter rolls swell, elevators go uninspected, free flu shots for keiki, military to inspect for efficiencies, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

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Hawaii drought (c) 2012 All Hawaii News
Farmers and ranchers, especially in parts of Maui and Hawaii island, are hunkering down to survive a prolonged drought as federal weather officials forecast drier-than-normal weather through early 2013. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii added 18,168 voters to its rolls between the Aug. 11 primary and the Oct. 8 general election registration deadline, a 2.6 percent increase that brings the number of registered voters to 705,668. West Hawaii Today.

Alaska Congressman Don Young, who endorsed Mazie Hirono in the Democrat primary, is now endorsing Governor Linda Lingle, for Hawaii's open U.S. Senate seat. Hawaii Reporter.

Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, Monday endorsed fellow Republican Linda Lingle for Hawaii's open U.S. Senate seat in the general election Nov. 6. The Alaska representative previously endorsed Democratic U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono in Hawaii's Democratic primary. Associated Press.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Monday that a bipartisan approach to governing is possible despite the political gridlock in Washington, D.C. The moderate Alaska Republican is campaigning in Hawaii for former Gov. Linda Lingle's Republican drive for U.S. Senate. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa has kept her fundraising advantage over former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou in their campaigns for Congress. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Rarely Prosecutes for Campaign Spending Violations. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii State Association of Counties reports receiving more than 800 emails in opposition to the state’s Public Land Development Corporation. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo and Kapaa residents are the most stable people in Hawaii in terms of where they live, while residents of the Kahului and Wailuku area on Maui are slightly more transient, according to a new analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Pacific Business News.

There are up to 5,000 elevators, escalators and similar equipment in Hawaii that haven't undergone safety inspections this year. That’s more than 70 percent of the 7,000 such machines that the state is supposed to check annually for compliance with safety regulations. Civil Beat.

Hawai’i traffic laws have not kept pace with technological advancements to develop zero-emission vehicles. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii's Department of Health is once more offering free flu vaccinations at hundreds of public, private and charter schools. Hawaii News Now.

The state Department of Health expects to vaccinate more than 60,000 students through its Stop Flu at School program, which began Monday and continues in more than 300 schools statewide through Dec. 7. West Hawaii Today.

The Faculty Senate at the University of Hawaii at Manoa is considering a no-confidence vote on UH President M.R.C. Greenwood at its meeting Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Miss a payment on your solar electric bill? You could be slapped with a bill for $28,000. That’s what Vivint Solar can charge customers who miss a payment on the electricity generated by a typical 4,000-watt solar system installed on their roof. Civil Beat.

Military installations’ electrical systems in Hawaii, Alaska, the mainland and U.S. Territories will be evaluated for efficiency, and recommendations for conservation will be made under new contracts awarded today. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's time-share industry is growing despite the severe visitor industry downturn from 2007 to 2009, according to Howard Nusbaum, CEO of the American Resort Development Association, who will present an overview of the time-share industry today at the Waikiki 20/20 planning conference at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Star-Advertiser.

State roundup for October 16. Associated Press.

Oahu

The city of Honolulu lost about $366,000 in camping permit fee revenues because it installed an online camping system last March that is not capable of collecting fees, according to an audit of the Department of Parks and Recreation's camping operations. Star-Advertiser.

Mayoral candidate Ben Cayetano says he would use revenue from the state general excise tax surcharge currently designated for rail to fund a new Bus Rapid Transit system, and do it without seeking special permission from the state Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council wants the authority to create special funds to ensure fees and taxes paid by the public are spent for the proper purposes, such as requiring fuel tax revenue to pay for road improvements. Star-Advertiser.

New wrinkle in natatorium volleyball plans. Land ownership of lands mauka of arch may limit state options. KITV4.

A drab low-rise office building put up 52 years ago in Kakaako is almost done being transformed into modern apartment lofts as the first major piece of a master plan by Kamehameha Schools to redevelop 29 acres in the area. Star-Advertiser.

Three executive positions need to be filled at the University of Hawaii. The UH Manoa Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs started the formal search for the appointment of the Director and Publisher of UH Press; Dean of the School of Pacific and Asian Studies/Assistant Vice Chancellor for International and Exchange Programs; and University Librarian. KHON2.

Hawaii

The National Defense Center of Excellence for Research in Ocean Sciences, also known as CEROS, announced Monday it had ended operations at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority. West Hawaii Today.

Work to finish the Mamalahoa bypass should begin in fall 2013. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island is expected to see at least some relief this winter from the ongoing drought conditions that have produced lower than average rainfall since at least 2008. Tribune-Herald.

West Hawaii residents will have a chance Oct. 24 to weigh in on a six-year-old Ocean Resources Management Plan to see how to limit the impacts growth will have on the state’s marine areas. West Hawaii Today.

Maui


Some drought recovery is expected on the Big Island of Hawai’i and in Maui County, but a full recovery may not occur due to the intensity and longevity of existing drought conditions, forecasters said. Maui Now.

The proposed West Maui Hospital and Medical Center appears to be arising as promised after the project was shelved about a year ago when the economic meltdown knocked down the hospital's champion. Maui News.

The Pacific Cancer Institute on Maui began use of a new form of radiation treatment today. Maui Now.

Kauai

During the next two days, elementary school students will release protected Hawaiian seabirds back into the wild. Garden Island.

With energy prices continuing to rise on Kaua‘i, businesses are committing to reduce their energy footprint in various ways. Garden Island.



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