Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Takai to lie in state, special HI01 election set, poll shows Djou leading Honolulu mayoral race, Gabbard backs Clinton, flight attendant has Hepatitis A, Kona hospital ranked lowest in state, audit blasts Parks and Rec Department, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mark Takai
Gov. David Ige and the state Office of Elections issued an official proclamation Tuesday authorizing a special election, in conjunction with the Nov. 8 general election, to decide who will serve out the last two months of the unfinished term of the late U.S. Rep. Mark Takai. Star-Advertiser.

The state Office of Elections said Tuesday that it will conduct a special election Nov. 8 to fill a vacancy in the 1st Congressional District. Civil Beat.

Services for the late U.S. Rep. Mark Takai, who died July 20, have been set for Aug. 18 and 19. Takai died in Honolulu, nine months after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was 49. Star-Advertiser.

The family of the late Mark Takai on Tuesday announced two ceremonies for the congressman to honor “the beloved servant leader.” Civil Beat.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard says she will vote for Hillary Clinton for president in November, but was tempered in her support as she reiterated her concerns with the former secretary of state’s Middle East policies. Star-Advertiser.

The state Department of Health this afternoon confirmed two new food service-related hepatitis A cases on Oahu: an employee at Chili’s restaurant in Kapolei and a Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant. Star-Advertiser.

A Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant was among the people in Hawaii infected with Hepatitis A. The state Department of Health says the attendant was on 33 flights from Honolulu to California, Nevada and neighbor islands in July. Associated Press.

Higher demand for shipping goods to Hawaii helped Matson Inc. almost double its profit in the second quarter, but the gain mostly reflected abnormally low earnings a year earlier. Star-Advertiser.

In an apparent violation of Arizona regulations, the Corrections Corporation of America, the largest for-profit prison company in the country, is failing to report the cases of valley fever among Hawaii inmates at the Saguaro Correctional Center. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige is defending his decision to delay several highway projects aimed at increasing capacity and reducing traffic congestion, saying the state needs to focus more on maintaining the roads. Associated Press.

Oahu

Charles Djou leads incumbent Kirk Caldwell 42 percent to 33 percent in the race for Honolulu mayor in a new Civil Beat Poll, suggesting that neither candidate will garner a majority of the votes in the Aug. 13 primary necessary to win the contest outright.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell touted his “compassionate disruption” and Housing First strategies for tackling chronic homelessness while major opponents Charles Djou and Peter Car­lisle declared them failures during a forum sponsored by Hawaii News Now and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Tuesday night.

In the last televised debate before the primary election, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Tuesday night sought to defend his record at Honolulu Hale, while his two major challengers criticized it, taking him to task for his handling of the beleaguered rail project and the homeless crisis. Hawaii News Now.

Caldwell’s Inaction On Police Reform Draws Political Attacks. Charles Djou and Peter Carlisle say the mayor should ask the police chief to step aside during a federal corruption investigation. Civil Beat.

In the wealthy district surrounding the University of Hawaii’s flagship campus, incumbent state Rep. Isaac Choy is facing a Democratic primary challenge from a well-financed political newcomer with a familiar name. Civil Beat.

The National Park Service blames the improper demolition of a historic building at Pearl Harbor on a lack of understanding and training. Associated Press.

Hawaii

The federal government released Medicare hospital ratings last week, and one Hawaii Island facility was found wanting.  Kona Community Hospital received a below-average rating of two stars, the lowest mark of any Big Island facility evaluated. West Hawaii Today.

Several County Council members quizzed the legislative auditor and administration officials Tuesday, seeking assurances the county isn’t leaking cash when people rent facilities. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaiian Electric Co.’s Big Island subsidiary is looking to spend $6.2 million on an upgrade of its nearly 100-year-old hydroelectric plant. Pacific Business News.

Big Island residents have several opportunities this month to suggest ways to improve Hawaii’s education system. Tribune-Herald.

The new owners of Downtown Hilo’s historic Kaikodo Building see little in need of changing. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Reductions in health care services and layoffs could be in store for the three Maui County public hospitals as their board of directors meets Wednesday, with the transfer of operations to the private Kaiser Permanente Maui Health System in an indefinite limbo that is going on three months. Maui News.

Here are the Maui County candidates who’ve filed for public funds. MauiTime.

It is a crowded field, with five candidates vying for the Wailuku, Waihee and Waikapu residency seat on the Maui County Council, which is being vacated by Mike Victorino because of term limits. Maui News.

On the 100th anniversary of Haleakala National Park, the weather could have hardly been better: Perfectly clear, bright blue, sunny skies. Maui News.

Kauai

Hawaii Senate President Ron Kouchi threw his weight behind the expansion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument at a public meeting Tuesday night at the Kauai Community College’s Performing Arts Center. Garden Island.

A partial motion to dismiss claims in a case against a Kauai medical marijuana dispensary licensee and Green Aloha Ltd. was granted in the Fifth Circuit Court last week. Garden Island.

A nonprofit organization denied a Kauai County office’s application request to use money raised in a charity walk, officials from Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Authority told The Garden Island.

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