Marine Corps plans Osprey training on Kauai, state Supreme Court approves Maui telescope, Red Hill fuel spill meeting draws concerned crowd, union calls for ouster of Honolulu fire chief, huge jury pool summoned for Kenoi trial, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

A U.S. Marine MV-22 landing on flight deck of aircraft carrier Nimitz, public domain photo

So quietly it almost went unnoticed, the Marine Corps has floated a plan to conduct training with three types of aircraft, including one critics say is prone to crashes, on Kauai and The Forbidden Island. Civil Beat.

An estimated 41,000 Hawaii residents will see a substantial jump in their Obamacare health insurance premiums in 2017. Star-Advertiser.

This Group Is Looking For Better Ways Hawaii Can Limit Painkillers. Once a leader, Hawaii has fallen behind on ways to identify doctors who overprescribe as well as patients who shop around for opioid pain pills. Civil Beat.

The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 8 general election is Oct. 10 — that’s Monday by 4:30 p.m. (Note: Effective this year, qualified Hawaii residents who are not registered may go in-person to any early walk in voting location within their county to register and vote. That’s Oct. 25 through Nov. 5.) Civil Beat.

Securing a future for Hawai’i’s keiki. That was the focus of a conference on emerging technologies today. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu
Nearly three years after one of the Navy’s massive underground fuel tanks at Red Hill leaked 27,000 gallons of fuel, the military has yet to clean up the spill or commit to long-term remedies for improving the 18 active World War II-era tanks that sit just 100 feet above a critical aquifer that supplies Oahu drinking water. Star-Advertiser.

The Environmental Protection Agency says millions of gallons of fuel stored in a military facility under Red Hill is unlikely to reach the water supply. Hawaii News Now.

Dozens filled the Moanalua Middle School cafeteria Thursday evening for a public meeting on the US Navy's fuel tank facility at Red Hill. KITV.

The union for Honolulu firefighters is calling for Fire Chief Manuel Neves to step down following recent safety concerns. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu’s mayor is calling on the Honolulu Fire Commission to ask for a review of the fire department’s training and safety procedures in the wake of two accidents in the past few months. KHON2.

The state Agribusiness Development Corp. has received $31.5 million to buy nearly 900 acres of agricultural land in Central Oahu to be used as part of the Whitmore farming project in the area, Pacific Business News has learned.

Kakaako Waterfront Park's temporary shorter hours took effect Thursday night. But dozens of park users were unaware of the early closure because of the short notice, and officials took it easy on enforcement as a result. Hawaii News Now.

Incumbent state Rep. Bob McDermott and the Democratic challenger Rose Martinez share the same desire to ease traffic gridlock, relieve overcrowding at Campbell High School and find upgrades to all of the schools in Ewa Beach. Star-Advertiser.

Former Hawaii first lady Vicky Cayetano’s United Laundry Services, which a few months ago joined Las Vegas’ PureStar Linen Group, has sold its properties for a total of $44.5 million, Pacific Business News has learned.

Hawaii

Summons have been sent to 1,600 potential jurors for Mayor Billy Kenoi’s theft trial, which is scheduled to start Monday in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Over the objections of some local businesses, the County Council on Wednesday advanced a bill closing the parking lot between Kuakini Highway and Likana Lane from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. West Hawaii Today.

Now in its second year, Ka‘u Learning Academy is readying for a growth spurt. West Hawaii Today.

Cory Harden called the Puna geothermal power plant a "dragon in the backyard that can wake up at any time," following recent steam releases at the Pohoiki facility. Big Island Video News.

Maui

The Hawaii Supreme Court handed down two opinions Thursday that upheld government approvals for the advanced-technology solar telescope under construction at the summit of Haleakala. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed a permit to build a solar telescope on a Maui mountain. The ruling denies a challenge by a group seeking to protect the sacredness of the summit of Haleakala. The University of Hawaii followed proper procedure for an environmental assessment, the Supreme Court also ruled in a separate ruling. Associated Press.

President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for Hawaiʻi on Thursday, which triggers the release of federal funds to help communities recover from the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that occurred Sept. 11-14, 2016. Maui Now.

Heavy rains and flooding in September caused no more than an estimated $1 million in damage to  Maui County’s water system, and about 3 million gallons of water per day continues to be lost as crews continue repairs. Maui News.

Proceedings before the state water commission involving stream flow standards and diversions in East Maui and Central Maui, which will be impacted by the closure of Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co., are expected to commence at the end of this year and into early 2017. Maui News.

Kauai

Hawaii has been dubbed the endangered species capital of the world, and the state’s Department of Agriculture is partnering with other agencies to create a plan to protect the biodiversity of the archipelago. Garden Island.