Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Thirty Meter Telescope case mulled by hearings officer, Native Hawaiians may lose federal funds, attorney general investigating state boating agency, Maui public works whistleblower sues, Kauai median home price hits $752k, new workforce housing slated for Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy Occupy Hilo Media
Thirty Meter Telescope protestor, courtesy Occupy Hilo Media
Telescope case is now in judge’s hands. More than a year after she gaveled open the first pre-conference meeting of the Thirty Meter Telescope contested case hearing, former Circuit Judge Riki May Amano must weigh the facts and make her recommendation to the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. Star-Advertiser.

Big Island Mayor Harry Kim says he continues to find receptive audiences for his vision of a Mauna Kea park more than six months after he promoted the concept during his inauguration. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Leaders Say State Is Under ‘Attack’ With Loss Of Federal Funds. The proposed re-authorization of a housing bill leaves out annual funding of up to $13 million for Native Hawaiians. Civil Beat.

A move to exclude Native Hawaiians from federal legislation that would reauthorize funding for native housing programs is being challenged by Hawaii’s congressional delegation. Big Island Video News.

The State is in the process of updating its Pesticide Rules for the first time since 2006. Hawaii Public Radio.

Fewer teens in Hawaii are getting pregnant, according to a national report released Tuesday, though the number of 3- and 4-year-olds attending school dropped and the state’s education performance still trails slightly behind national averages. Tribune-Herald.

United Airlines, which has more mainland flights to Hawaii than any other carrier, is increasing the frequency of its service on 11 routes from four cities. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Wonder Woman? Mazie Hirono is pretty wondrous herself. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

There's more opposition to the city's new Bikeshare Hawaii program as crews continue to install 100 docking stations from Chinatown to Diamond Head. Hawaii News Now.

The City Council has approved paying a Honolulu law firm up to $50,000 to represent a Honolulu Police Department detective in a civil lawsuit brought by a man who said he was unlawfully arrested and maliciously prosecuted by former Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his wife, Katherine, a Honolulu deputy prosecutor. Star-Advertiser.

Neighborhoods Benefit From Program Meant To Help Poor Communities. An oft-criticized federal immigrant investor program designed to create jobs in distressed areas is instead targeting thriving places like Kakaako and Ala Moana. Civil Beat.

After years of complaints, city crews dismantled two of the most volatile homeless camps on Oahu on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Crews with the state Department of Transportation were out Tuesday clearing sidewalks in Iwilei of homeless encampments. KHON2.

Hawaii energy industry stakeholders and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting have been working on improving the process for battery storage permits, and it has paid dividends. Pacific Business News.

The Kahala Hotel & Resort’s request for an easement to use state public shoreline for commercial enterprises such as beach activities and weddings has encountered community resistance. Star-Advertiser.

The Howard Hughes Corp. was issued a building permit worth $95,669,455 for electrical and plumbing work on its Ward Village Anaha luxury condominium tower, currently under construction at 1108 Auahi St. Pacific Business News.

A California court dismissed Volvo Car USA’s lawsuit against Envy Hawaii LLC, which operates as Volvo Cars Honolulu, citing the state as an improper venue for the lawsuit. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii


Investigations and complaints are piling up in a case involving a Keauhou Bay charter captain, a Department of Land and Natural Resources official and Hawaii County Prosecutor Mitch Roth. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Board of Ethics again delayed their discussion on a draft order dismissing a petition by Edward Underwood on Tuesday due to a lack of quorum. Big Island Video News.

Kailua Bay remained closed to swimming activities Tuesday afternoon as work on a ruptured sewer line discovered Monday on Palani Road and Alii Drive continued. West Hawaii Today.

The hearings officer overseeing a contested case challenging the proposed development of a 306-unit timeshare will consider on Friday the county planning director’s request to reopen the public hearing on the issue. West Hawaii Today.

A tearful Jaylin Kema apologized to her family and community Tuesday, and a judge, despite expressed misgivings, sentenced her to 10 years probation for her role in the 1997 death of her son, "Peter Boy" Kema Jr. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiian Airlines said Tuesday it is seeking candidates who speak Japanese or English for customer and ramp service contract positions at Kona International Airport. Contract workers serve as Hawaiian employees who provide services to other airlines. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

The former Maui County highways chief says in a federal whistleblower lawsuit that she was fired for reporting and investigating county worker abuses, including the repairing of private motor vehicles at county facilities on county time and with parts purchased using county pCards. Star-Advertiser.

An 8.8-acre property that includes old college dorms is being considered as a possible site for a county homeless or affordable rental facility. Maui News.

There’s a new workforce housing project in the works on Maui and this one involves rental units. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will award vacant lots in the homestead community of Kēōkea-Waiohuli on the Island of Maui this weekend. Maui Now.

The Hana Community Association has published a “Road to Hana Code of Conduct” as a first in its Hana Highway regulation initiative. Maui News.

Kauai

The Planning Commission’s work on the General Plan update is complete. On Tuesday, commissioners voted 4 to 2 to approve the seventh version of the General Plan Update, which restores Hokua Place, a proposed affordable housing development along Kapaa Bypass Road. Garden Island.

Many Kauai residents may not be able to afford homes here, but Realtors said out-of-state residents are buying. Garden Island.

Brandon Miranda received the green light to open a green waste facility in Moloaa. Garden Island.

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