Medical marijuana farmers await state OK, Honolulu mayoral candidates woo Native Hawaiians, DLNR rejects foreign fisher proposal, feds to make rules for fish farms, Marine Corps re-establishing landing zones on Kauai, Maui approves $5M OT for disaster, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Medical marijuana dispensary

The groups that plan to open medical marijuana dispensaries in Hawaii have all identified sites to grow their products, but none of the eight licensees has begun cultivating the plants because they haven’t been given a green light from the state Department of Health. Associated Press.

Hawaii’s eight medical marijuana dispensary licensees have been hustling to get operations up and running, but the state has yet to finalize a contract for a tracking system required to monitor production and sales. Star-Advertiser.

The state agency that oversees aquatic resources has recommended denying a petition submitted by five Hawaii residents to amend rules for obtaining a state longline fishing license — a petition aimed at cracking down on reported labor abuses aboard Hawaii- based fishing vessels. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii officials are recommending rejection of a petition to require additional information of applicants for commercial marine licenses. Civil Beat.

In a posting dealing with undocumented foreign fishermen in Hawaii, the state Department of Aquatic Resources is recommending that a board deciding on rule changes for commercial fishing licenses deny the petition. Associated Press.

Federal officials plan to develop rules for the operation of fish farms in 2.2 million miles of U.S. waters in the Pacific — a move that many hope will help stem the nation’s annual $11 billion seafood trade deficit. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s tourism industry and construction sector continue to keep the economy humming, but there are signs on the horizon that the state’s growth may be downshifting. Star-Advertiser.

The largest Hawaii outbreak of hepatitis A in at least 25 years is largely over despite the report of another case on Wednesday, which raised the number of those afflicted by the food-borne illness to 289. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Finds Itself Stuck As Others Abandon For-Profit Prisons. Even as the ground shifts nationally away from private prisons, Hawaii Gov. David Ige said he sees no way it will change here anytime soon. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The two candidates for mayor of Honolulu made their appeals Wednesday to an influential organization representing the state’s indigenous people. The Council on Native Hawaiian Advancement welcomed incumbent Kirk Caldwell and challenger Charles Djou to the Sheraton Waikiki. Civil Beat.

With less than a month to go until the General Election, Honolulu mayoral candidates  seized the opportunity to lay out their plans for serving Native Hawaiians at the 15th annual Native Hawaiian Convention in Waikiki. KITV.

The Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association isn't endorsing either of Honolulu's mayoral candidates deeming them “equally deserving of an endorsement.” Pacific Business News.

One man was arrested and more than 250 dogs were seized Wednesday from an animal shelter in Makaha. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaiian Humane Society rescued hundreds of dogs from a Leeward Oahu property on Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

A state lawmaker is suing the governor and the Department of Education. Rep. Bob McDermott, R, Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point, says it’s what he had to do to fix what he calls “emergencies” at an Ewa school. KHON2.

More safety concerns are being raised at Ala Moana Center. Experts tell us that other railings in the mall need immediate attention. KHON2.

Honolulu 2nd ‘Greenest’ City. The latest from the data crunchers at WalletHub. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

Walk in their shoes; Mayor-elect Kim says Thirty Meter Telescope proponents need to better understand those opposing project. West Hawaii Today.

Gov. David Ige visited the micro-housing project in the Kona Old Industrial Area on Wednesday, nearly one year after he issued an emergency proclamation for Hawaii’s homelessness crisis. West Hawaii Today.

A blessing was held Wednesday for the Kamakana Villagaes at Keahuolu on the Big Island that will provide 170 homes for families and seniors in Kailua-Kona. Hawaii News Now.

Workers with the county Department of Public Works Traffic Division are continuing to convert existing streetlights to LED lights as part of an ongoing statewide replacement effort. According to the county, 90 percent of the streetlights on the Big Island already have been converted. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

After two hours of emotional testimony focused on spending transparency and government response to last month’s severe flooding event at ʻĪao and Kahoma Valleys, the Maui County Council voted 7-2 on Tuesday to approve $5 million in reimbursement funds, to pay for emergency work conducted so far. Maui Now.

The Maui County Council approved $5 million — already doled out by the county for overtime payment and disaster costs related to last months’ flooding of Wailuku River in Iao Valley — during an emergency meeting Tuesday in Council Chambers. Maui News.

What was billed as a special emergency meeting of the Maui County Council to authorize $5 million in reimbursements for expenses the county incurred during flooding of the Wailuku River during the severe storm of Sept. 13th turned into a marathon session that took public testimony from 32 speakers. MauiWatch.

The state is proposing the establishment of parking fees for the ‘Āhihi-Kina‘u Natural Area Reserve on Maui in an effort to provide a self-sustaining funding source for the facility. Maui Now.

More than 200 Native Hawaiian and part-Hawaiian families will receive more child care services through Maui Family Support Services after the agency receives a $1 million federal grant, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard announced. Maui News.

People will have a chance to provide their thoughts and opinions on proposed rule changes for Hawai‘i Natural Area Reserves (NARs). Testimony can be given at a hearing on Maui on Thursday, November 10, 2016 starting at 6 p.m. It will be at the Kihei Community Center, 303 E. Lipoa Street. MauiWatch.

Kauai

The U.S. Marine Corps is considering a re-establishment of two landing zones on Kauai for aircraft training, and residents on the island are demanding more information. Garden Island.

As much as some Kauai County Council members wish the efforts going into securing a grant would have gone elsewhere, they agree it will benefit the community. Garden Island.

A bill aimed at allowing the sale of alcohol on the Wailua Golf Course was deferred Wednesday, giving officials time to answer insurance questions. Garden Island.

The first live mongoose in four years was captured on Kauai Tuesday morning when the unwelcome stowaway was seen in a bread shipment from Oahu at the Lihue Airport. Garden Island.