IUCN World Conservation Congress opens with native rituals, Obama tours Midway, Hurricane Lester veers northward, appeals court denies environmental assessment for aquarium fish collectors, Ige vows more farming and conservation, islands mop up after Madeline, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Native Hawaiian rituals kick off World Conservation Congress, courtesy state Rep. Joy San Buenaventura

Amid the pomp and ritual of the Native Hawaiian culture, the World Conservation Congress came to life in Honolulu on Thursday with a rally cry to save the planet. Star-Advertiser.

The international community came together Thursday in Hawaii for 10 days of talks by leading academics, conservation groups and government officials to address the impacts of global warming, wildlife trafficking and environmental conservation. Associated Press.

Gov. David Ige welcomed a major environmental conference to Hawaii on Thursday by committing to protect more of his state’s watersheds and nearshore ocean waters. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige announced Thursday at the start of an international conservation conference in Honolulu a slew of sustainable pledges for the state, including one that commits Hawaii to double its food production by 2020. Pacific Business News.

President Barack Obama plunked down on a speck of coral reef in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on Thursday and gazed out at the turquoise waters of the marine monument he’s widened to become the largest in the world. Associated Press.

President Barack Obama spent Thursday morning touring Midway Atoll. KITV.

President Barack Obama is back in the islands from his day trip to Midway Atoll. He landed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam at around 8:45 p.m. Thursday. KHON2.

© Joy San Buenaventura

Opening ceremonies for the first World Conservation Congress held in the U.S. were conducted today. conservation issues and Native Hawaiian culture shared center stage. Hawaii Public Radio.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress, a 10-day event, began Thursday in Honolulu and continues until Sept. 10. Speakers include everyone from Jane Goodall to Prince Albert II of Monaco. Tribune-Herald.

Photos: Hawaii Welcomes World Conservation Congress. The traditions of a beach arrival and hula greet thousands of attendees as the signature environmental event makes its American debut. Civil Beat.

Aquarium fish collectors won’t have to go through an environmental assessment in order to get state-issued permits, under a ruling upheld Wednesday by a state appeals court panel. West Hawaii Today.

The National Weather Service dropped a hurricane watch for Hawaii County as Hurricane Lester continued on a west-northwest path toward Hawaii. At 5 a.m., Lester was 435 miles east of Hilo and 625 miles east of Honolulu. It’s sustained winds remained at 110 mph with hurricane-force winds extending 45 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds going out 140 miles from the center. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane Lester is barreling toward the state as a Category 2 cyclone and could pass "very close" to the islands this weekend, bringing pounding surf, heavy rains and high winds. Hawaii News Now.

General closures and cancellations related to Hurricane Lester. KHON2.

Oahu

The largest public works project in state history has turned into a huge cash cow for Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell's campaign. A Hawaii News Now analysis found that Caldwell received more than $916,000 during the past two elections cycles from rail contractors, subcontractors and their executives.

Three Fundraisers For Caldwell. They were all within the last week, bringing the grand total to 41 fundraisers since he was elected in 2012. Civil Beat.

Three educators have been selected as finalists for the chancellor position at the University of Hawaii at West Oahu following a national search, the university announced Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Judge Steve Alm Is Taking His Message Of ‘HOPE’ To DC. The innovative program to decrease prison time and increase probation is being adopted across the country. But Judge Alm wants to do even more. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

A Brown Water Advisory has been issued for all of the Big Island due to heavy rains on Wednesday, the state Department of Health said. The public is asked to stay out of flood waters and storm water runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals, and associated flood debris. Hawaii News Now.

In anticipation for Tropical Storm Madeline, solid waste facilities were closed across the island — which is standard practice when hurricane-like weather looms — but that didn’t stop some rogue residents from piling heaps of garbage in front of the closed locations, despite signs at the sites denoting the practice as illegal and punishable by fines. West Hawaii Today.

After a thorough drenching by Tropical Storm Madeline on Wednesday, the weather was partly cloudy and mild throughout much of East Hawaii on Thursday. Yet, thousands of public school students remained out of class. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The great Maui hospitals deal which only a week ago looked like “All systems GO,” seems suddenly on track to completely unravel and leave Maui facing major cuts in hospital beds and medical services. Maui Watch.

It seemed like a done deal when Gov. David Ige announced two weeks ago he had an agreement with the United Public Workers union that would clear the way for Kaiser Permanente to take over Maui Memorial Medical Center by Nov 6th. But those close to the negotiations said it apparently hinged on having a side deal with the United Public Workers over sick leave and severance signed by last weekend. KITV.

Kauai

While traffic on Kauai’s Westside can be bad at times, residents say it’s manageable. Garden Island.