Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Endangered crow hatches, Democrats apologize for polling mishaps, Kauai bacterial pollution probed, family sues over Osprey crash, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy San Diego Zoo
Alala, native Hawaiian crow, hatches, courtesy San Diego Zoo
The year's first alala, Hawaii's last remaining native crow species, has hatched at a conservation center run by the San Diego Zoo as part of an alala reintroduction program. Associated Press.

Nearly half of Hawaii residents say they are living paycheck to paycheck, according to a poll released Monday by the Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, which says the research underscores the need for tax reform measures that will aid those on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder. Star-Advertiser.

Long lines. Disorganization and poor communication. Voters turned away. Those are some of the criticisms that have been shared about Saturday’s presidential preference poll, where Hawaii Democrats chose Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton by a more than 2-to-1 margin. Civil Beat.

The chairwoman of Hawaii’s Democratic Party apologized for Saturday’s confusing and crowded preference poll, which turned away untold numbers of potential Democratic presidential voters, mainly on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

State lawmakers are asking how much marijuana a driver can safely consume before getting behind the wheel of a car. Associated Press.

A bill moving through the Hawaii Legislature retains a loophole in state law that allows elected officials to use their campaign money to buy up to two tickets to another politician’s fundraiser. But a proposal to allow direct contributions from one campaign to another has been cut from the current version of House Bill 2156. Civil Beat.

Senate Bill 2242, which has a hearing Tuesday before the House Judiciary Committee at the Hawaii State Capitol, would allow a voter to distribute or share an electronic or digital image of the voter’s own marked ballot via social media or other means.Civil Beat.

Congressional investigators have begun looking into the Transportation Security Administration's controversial practice of involuntary employee reassignments with short notice, following a lawsuit filed by two former TSA managers in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

The deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Command wasted government resources when he conducted “predominantly personal travel” to Alabama for his promotion ceremony in June 2014 instead of holding it in Hawaii, the Department of Defense inspector general found. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City and state leaders launched the three Western-most rail stations at a groundbreaking ceremony in West Oahu on Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Plans for a 350-foot, 213-unit condo-hotel on the site of King’s Village and two adjoining Waikiki properties will get its first airing before the Honolulu City Council Zoning Committee on Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell wants to make it cheaper for homeowners to build a second unit on their property after a law that was expected to create thousands of rental units island-wide produced just a handful of permits in its first six months. Civil Beat.

Another group of young skateboarders is calling for improvements to their neighborhood skate park. Star-Advertiser.

The family of a U.S. Marine killed in last year's deadly MV-22 Osprey crash at Bellows Air Force Station have filed a wrongful death lawsuit. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii
Thirty Meter Telescope officials plan to visit India as they continue their search for alternative sites to Mauna Kea, according to a newspaper report. Tribune-Herald.

A proposed improvement district along Nalani Street in Kona’s Sunset View Terrace subdivision is drawing a mixed reaction from residents there. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

During a Congressional visit to Maui on Monday, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) visited with HC&S employees and met with leaders from ILWU Local 142 (Maui/Lānaʻi/Molokaʻi Division) to discuss the transition and support for Maui’s displaced sugar workers and others affected by the closure of HC&S. Maui Now.

A Haiku man suspected of contracting the Zika virus has either Zika or dengue fever, and health officials are awaiting the results of a blood test for a definitive answer, the state Department of Health's Maui County district health officer said Monday. Maui News.

Workers from Swinerton Builders and D&D Builders begin putting up a perimeter dust fence as site work begins last week for the Kamalani master-planned community in north Kihei. Maui News.

Kauai


The search continues for the source of heavy bacterial contamination in the Waiopili Stream. Garden Island.

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