Friday, October 26, 2012

Native Hawaiian evicted from Hawaii County land, state tops in multigenerational households, TV news lacks government info, illegal ballots don't matter, UH selling land to pay bills, Maui approves growth plans, gas average $4.41/gal, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2012 All Hawaii News
Kawa Bay activist Abel Simeone Lui (c) 2012 All Hawaii News
Hawaii County officials on Thursday evicted Native Hawaiian activist Abel Simeone Lui, whom state courts ruled — after years of challenges — was illegally occupying the land at Kawa Bay. West Hawaii Today

U.S. Census Bureau figures released Thursday show multigenerational families make up 11.1 percent of all households in Hawaii. That's by far the highest rate in the nation, and well above the national average of 5.6 percent. Star-Advertiser.

A new study by local citizens groups shows that Hawaii residents see more ads than information when watching local TV news programs, raising questions about whether local news stations are doing enough to educate voters before they head to the polls. Civil Beat.

More than one-half million Hawaii ballots were printed with the presidential candidates in no particular order, despite a state law that says all candidates must be in alphabetical order within their respective races. West Hawaii Today.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa said Thursday that success in Congress depends on how well you get along with your colleagues, but reflecting your political party's values is also important. Former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou said he would work closer to the political center than the extremes. Star-Advertiser.

The Tax Review Commission met Thursday at the No. 1 Capitol District Building to hammer out a draft of revenue evaluation and policy recommendations to make to the Hawaii Legislature in December. The report is expected to be finalized when the commission meets again in late November. Civil Beat.

Ray L'Heureux, assistant superintendent for the Office of Facilities and Support Services, told the Board of Education last week that the district could spend its entire annual capital improvement projects budget on just one of the state's 15 complex areas and still fall far short. Civil Beat.

Gas prices drop in Hawaii for first time in 11 weeks. Star-Advertiser.

The Queen's Medical Center is suing Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc. for more than $4 million, saying Kaiser underpaid Queen's for care given to Kaiser members. Star-Advertiser.

State roundup for October 26. Associated Press.

Oahu

The city of Honolulu sold $913 million of bonds this week at historic low interest rates and refinanced older bonds to save taxpayers more than $75 million, officials said Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

House Finance committee Chairman Marcus Oshiro says the state won't easily give up the general excise tax surcharge that’s currently being collected for the city’s $5.26 billion rail project, he has another think coming. Civil Beat.

In an exclusive interview on Hawaii Reporter Television today, former Governor Ben Cayetano blasts Pacific Resource Partnership for its latest attack ad targeting his record as governor. Hawaii Reporter.

Transportation alternatives … rail or buses … are at the epicenter in the race for Honolulu Mayor. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tom Berg's strident political persona and some well-publicized controversies have made Berg a well-known political figure on Oahu, but that fame may also make him vulnerable to a challenge by four-term state Rep. Kymberly Marcos Pine. Star-Advertiser.

The newly opened UH West Oahu campus is facing future financial shortfalls, and Hawaii News Now has learned that university officials are selling a large portion of land at the campus to the Catholic Church to help make ends meet. Hawaii News Now.

Japanese-based Seibu Group intends to keep its three Hawaii hotels after an unsuccessful effort earlier this year to sell the Hawaii Prince Hotel, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. Star-Advertiser.

Repairs to pedestrian bridge over Moanalua Freeway to begin Nov. 1 State will shut down exits from freeway to Moanalua Road overnight. KITV4.

East Oahu residents complain about it and the City is aware of it. So what's being done to stop an over-population of feral cats in the heart of Hawaii Kai? KHON2.

Hawaii

Negative campaigning seems to be commonplace in the 2012 elections, however, mudslinging should have no place in Hawaii politics, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Mazie Hirono said Thursday during a party rally in South Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Pohakuloa Training Area will open several areas to bow hunting on Saturday, Oct. 27, and Sunday, Oct. 28. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The Maui County Council is getting closer to approving boundaries for future growth after a committee OK'd maps this week that will guide development for the next 20 years. Pacific Business News.

A decadelong process neared an end Wednesday afternoon as a Maui County Council committee recommended approval of maps that will guide future growth and development on the island over the next two decades. Maui News.

Waihee School Principal Leila Hayashida has been tapped as acting complex area superintendent for the Central Maui complex, according to Sandy Goya, spokeswoman for the state Department of Education. Maui News.

An appeal has been filed with the Intermediate Court of Appeals seeking a stay on the County sponsored Halloween event in Lahaina Town. Maui Now.

Kauai

There are three simple ways to improve electric sustainability, according to County Energy Coordinator Ben Sullivan. Garden Island.

After learning last week that the contract between the county and Hale ‘Opio’s Teen Court had expired, Kaua‘i County Council Chair Jay Furfaro introduced Wednesday a bill to appropriate $31,000 to fund the long-standing youth diversionary program. Garden Island.

The Koloa Post Office closed briefly on Thursday after an elderly man crashed his car through the front of the building. Garden Island.

Lanai

The grass may soon be greener on the island of Lanai. New owner Larry Ellison has already set into motion changes around town but there are even bigger plans in store for the future. KHON2.

Molokai

A new county Department of Public Works baseyard will bring upgrades for both the department and Molokai’s emergency response capabilities. Molokai Dispatch.

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