Monday, October 10, 2016

Hawaii tourism strong, Ige announces Electronic Records Day, state rainy day fund increases, lax oversight at UH-Manoa, Maui mulls tiny houses, Kenoi jury selection starts today, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

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Hapuna Prince resort © 2016 All Hawaii News
August provided a strong finish to a record-breaking summer for hotels, and industry leaders say momentum should continue well into next year. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige has adopted a new budget reserve policy that seeks to sock away $680 million or more in the state’s “rainy day” budget reserve fund in the years ahead, creating a cash pool for future emergencies that would be far greater than any amount the fund ever held before. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige today is expected to electronically sign a ceremonial proclamation. The “eSigning” of “Electronic Records Day” in Hawaii will mark the state’s first paperless proclamation by a governor. Star-Advertiser.

The Office of Elections conducted a logic and accuracy test Saturday morning of the vote counting system that will be used in the November 8 General Election. KHON2.

Overfishing? Hawaii Longliners Want Even More Tuna. Critics say the fisheries council is ignoring the reality of overfishing if it allows longliners to continue current practices. Civil Beat.

Oahu

State Rep. Andria Tupola is seeking a second term, contending her education and commitment to community service prove she is fit to represent District 43. But Stacelynn Eli maintains that her own experiences as a lifelong Waianae Coast resident and former legislative aide make her the right candidate for the job. Star-Advertiser.

The Democratic Party of Hawaii said Saturday that it recommends that a state House of Representatives candidate whose party qualifications had been challenged now be offered membership. Cedric Gates, a candidate for District 44 seat representing Waianae, Makaha, Makua and Maili, defeated incumbent Jo Jordan in the Aug. 13 primary, making her the only incumbent to lose in that election. Civil Beat.

The City and County of Honolulu has sold its first-ever green bonds, with the money raised to be used to refinance debt that was originally sold to pay for the Honolulu Program of Waste Energy Recovery, or H-POWER, in Kapolei. Pacific Business News.

Kuhio Avenue in large respect has been the grungy back street of Hawaii’s premier vacation destination that tourists never see in postcards. That’s changing, however, in a momentous way with several big real estate redevelopment and renovation projects concluding in recent months and more to follow. Star-Advertiser.

The over-budget Honolulu rail project may never end up reaching the Ala Moana Center, but the city is still moving forward with a bus system that was originally envisioned to take rail riders from the mall into the tourist mecca of Waikiki. Civil Beat.

Lax oversight and outdated procedures are to blame for several financial and operational deficiencies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s student housing branch, an internal audit has found. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The theft trial of Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi will commence today with jury selection. This marks the first time a sitting mayor in Hawaii has been tried on criminal charges in nearly 40 years. Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi was tried on a bribery charge in 1977. Star-Advertiser.

A Hilo man serving a life sentence without parole for a violent underworld clash on Oahu over control of illegal gambling that left two men dead of gunshot wounds and another man critically injured has taken to social media in an attempt to gain his freedom via a pardon from President Barack Obama. Tribune-Herald.

State and county officials are encouraging residents to register — and vote — following a "dismal" primary showing. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County Council candidates involved in run-off contests on the general election ballot focused on the county budget during a recent forum in Hilo. Big Island Video News.

The ongoing realignment work on the easternmost portion of Saddle Road continues on budget and on schedule. The project began in April and is expected to be complete in August of next year, weather permitting. Tribune-Herald.

Results from the first-ever prevalence study for exposure to rat lungworm disease in the United States are in, with Puna showing noticeably high exposure rates. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Differing views over the scope of work allowed under an emergency permit at the Wailuku River in ‘Īao Valley led to a small demonstration that resulted in a work stoppage at the site of Wailuku Water Company’s diversion on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. Maui Now.

A Maui County Council investigative group has recommended action, including the possibility of allowing “tiny houses,” to increase the islands’ inventory of affordable housing. Maui News.

Maui’s coral reefs are in trouble. Many of the hazards are complex and global — climate change and ocean acidification, for example — but there is a simple step we can take to protect coral: read the label on our sunscreen. Maui News.

Kauai

Climate change and overfishing in Hawaiian waters could be having an affect on the populations of Newell’s shearwater seabirds, according to the Kauai Community Cat Project. Garden Island.

Food truck owners agree that the mobile establishments are an easy first step into the restaurant business. Garden Island.

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