HECO to farm wind on Neighbor Islands, state Senate Dems hold major money advantage, Sierra Club targets PLDC, Maui could end water waiting list, geothermal drilling draws friends and foes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

wind farm courtesy photo

Meeting part of Hawaiian Electric Co.'s renewable energy target with large-scale wind projects on the neighbor islands would have a net positive effect on the state's economy, according to preliminary findings of a study being done by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Star-Advertiser.

With the election a week away, the Hawaii Sierra Club is making a final push to ensure the Public Land Development Corporation is a major issue in legislative campaigns. Civil Beat.

The Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter has called for repeal of the Public Land Development Corp. and has begun a campaign to target state lawmakers who have supported the law. Star-Advertiser.

Democrats running in the general election for the state Senate have raised a combined $1.9 million compared with just $145,300 raised by their Republican opponents. Civil Beat.

Barbeque spare ribs. Oxtail Soup. Onolicious chicken? Not exactly what comes to mind when you think politics. Unless you reside in Hawai'i, where politicians have been passing out free recipe pamphlets for years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Colleen Hanabusa doubled her advantage over Republican Charles Djou in about a month, pointing to another term for the Democrat, according to The Civil Beat Poll. Civil Beat.

Hawaii is recruiting more applicants for its program to groom people with business, military and other non-education backgrounds to become public school administrators. Associated Press.

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii is proposing a 5.3 percent rate increase on Jan. 1 for more than 150,000 members covered by employer-sponsored health plans. Star-Advertiser.

A new analysis by Edmunds.com of Polk’s new car registration data found that Hawaii ranked 10th in the nation for electric vehicle registrations, with 2.9 percent of all new electric vehicles sold to date this year in the United States registered in Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Since the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation started its archaeological inventory survey in Kakaako in September, bone fragments have been found in a couple of sites under some watchful eyes. Hawaii News Now.

Punahou and Damien Memorial boys were front and center Wednesday at a change of command for the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, the Hawaii-based military unit that investigates, recovers and identifies Americans missing from past wars. Star-Advertiser.

Unions and special interest groups are feeding the campaign coffers of the leading candidates for the three open Honolulu City Council seats. Civil Beat.

Former state Rep. Colleen Meyer is seeking election to the state Senate, challenging incumbent Clayton Hee in a reconfigured district that now includes Waialua, Hale­iwa, Sunset Beach and Pupukea. Star-Advertiser.

An East Honolulu and Windward Oahu state senate race will pit veteran lawmaker Fred Hemmings against the daughter of a fellow Republican.  But, Laura Thielen is a Democrat making her first run for a key office. KITV4.

On Oahu, there are two county charter amendments on the ballot. KITV4.

An Oahu company will soon take over towing responsibilities for the Honolulu Police Department, which is expected to benefit HPD and the public. KHON2.

Drivers beware: All freeway ramps to and from Aiea will be closed tonight through early Friday so crews can reattach a 5-ton, 35-foot-long section of a pedestrian overpass sheared off by an oversize load on a truck trailer last month. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A Hawaii economist offered continued optimism for Hawaii’s economic recovery, according to a report First Hawaiian Bank released Wednesday morning. West Hawaii Today.

Puna Geothermal Venture, criticized for around-the-clock drilling earlier this year, plans to take extra steps to reduce its noise impact. Tribune-Herald.

Opposition is growing to a County Council bill that would limit the drilling of geothermal wells to daytime hours. Big Island Now.

Less than a week after Hawaii County evicted Abel Simeone Lui and a group living on county-owned property at Kawa Bay, the state Intermediate Court of Appeals on Tuesday denied Lui’s appeal of a June 2011 eviction order granted by the 3rd Circuit Court. West Hawaii Today.

In a candid interview, Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Ben Fuata shared what worked and what didn’t during Saturday night’s tsunami scare. Hawaii Reporter.

Maui

A Maui County Council committee has advanced a bill that would ban new applicants from joining the longstanding waiting list for water meters in Upcountry. Maui News.

Both political newcomers running for Maui County Council's Molokai residency seat tout their ability to collaborate and understand other as part of their personal strengths they would bring to the council if elected. Maui News.

Anthony Natividad, renowned for his playing and building of nose flutes and an original cast member of 'Ulalena, died Sunday. He was 48. Maui News.

Kauai
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. on Sunday praised all parties involved in the “excellent response” to a tsunami threat Saturday night. But to some Kaua‘i residents, there was a lot to be improved in future disaster threats, especially when it comes down to giving proper public notice. Garden Island.

Following a meeting convened by Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. earlier this week, the Kaua‘i Police Department has agreed to resume referrals of status offenders to the Teen Court program operated by Hale ‘Opio, according to county officials. Garden Island.

Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. partnered with the Committee on the Status of Women and the American Cancer Society Tuesday for the final Walk and Talk Story with the Mayor. Garden Island.