Legislature mulls response to possible North Korea attack, $163M upgrade for Honolulu Harbor, lawsuit over water use in Kauai general plan, swimming warning after Maui sewage spill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Native dancers at Kona luau © 2017 All Hawaii News

Culture and commerce are often seen as forces in conflict. But here in Hawaii, the culture is one of the driving forces of the state’s largest commercial sector – tourism. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii has ratcheted up its planning for a possible — but still very unlikely — North Korean nuclear attack on the isles to 100 kiloton yield from 15 kiloton as the threat from the rogue nation seems to escalate by the week. Star-Advertiser.

The State Emergency Management Agency provided a briefing on what residents and visitors should do in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack targeting Honolulu and Pearl Harbor. Hawaii Public Radio.

An informational meeting was held Thursday to brief the public on preparations and instructions in the event of a foreign attack. KITV.

Here's what the state wants you to do if North Korea attacks Hawaii. Get inside, stay inside and stay tuned. Hawaii News Now.

Attack siren tests on hold: More specific sound considered as part of state’s nuclear threat response. Tribune-Herald.

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The latest Republican move to repeal the Affordable Care Act and instead pay states to shape their own systems would hit Hawaii particularly hard, according to health care analysts. Civil Beat.

One big driver of Hawaii’s economy — construction — has been on a fairly consistent seven-year growth run. But that run is likely done this year, and some coasting near the current high level is expected for the next three years. Star-Advertiser.

Controversial Pesticide Remains Unregulated In Hawaii. The chemical dicamba appears to have caused widespread crop damage on the mainland but in Hawaii you can’t even find out whether it’s being used or where. Civil Beat.

OHA considers changing contract to award charter school funds, unsettling many. Hawaii News Now.

The man behind an in-flight scare in May has been deemed mentally fit for trial, the Associated Press reports. Hawaii News Now.

Airline capacity to Hawaii is projected to keep growing, but the number of seats being added is expected to slow and fares are projected to come down as carriers strain the limits of what the airport and hotels can handle. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Oahu’s second medical marijuana dispensary will open in early October, one block away from the island’s first cannabis retailer. Star-Advertiser.

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State invests millions for Honolulu Harbor upgrade. State officials said Thursday they plan to spend $163 million on phase one of the Kapalama Container Terminal Project. Hawaii News Now.

Space in congested Honolulu Harbor will be cleared to allow a prospective third major ocean cargo carrier to launch a new service from the mainland in 2020. Star-Advertiser.

Pasha Hawaii will be the exclusive operator of Honolulu Harbor's yet to be constructed Kapalama Container Terminal and TOTE Maritime will move in to Piers 1 and 2, currently operated by Pasha’s Hawaii Stevedores, which handles APL and NYK, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Pacific Business News.

Harbor upgrades on track with new shipper. KITV.

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An Oahu grand jury today indicted a 69-year-old woman for stealing more than $5.7 million from the nonprofit Arc of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

A grand jury Thursday indicted a 69-year-old woman for allegedly stealing more than $5.7 million from Honolulu-based nonprofit Arc of Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

A farm on Oahu's west side is getting a major financial boost from the Economic Development Administration that is expected to bring hundreds of jobs to Waianae. Hawaii News Now.

Dozens of descendants of Japanese soldiers killed in World War II visited Pearl Harbor on Thursday to pay respects to fallen American soldiers. Civil Beat.

MyGoCenter, a co-working space in Kapolei, is opening an expanded suite at the Kapolei Marketplace on Sept. 28. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Former County Councilwoman Brenda Ford announced her candidacy Thursday for the state House District 5 seat being vacated by Rep. Richard Creagan. West Hawaii Today.

The Kohala Ranch Water Company was hoping by Wednesday to have water running to the several developments it supplies exclusively. After suffering equipment issues, the new target date is sometime Saturday night. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

State Department of Health officials are advising people to stay out of the ocean north of Kahului Harbor because of a Wednesday morning sewage spill. Maui News.

About 62,500 gallons of wastewater overflowed Wednesday morning off of Kahului Beach Road in Wailuku, the county Department of Environmental Management reported. Maui News.

Ninety-one percent of students at Kamalii Elementary School in Kihei are meeting or exceeding science standards, one of the highest percentages of student subject-area proficiency in the state, according to a performance report released Tuesday by the state Department of Education. Maui News.

Commentary: The announcement Thursday by County Council member Don Guzman that he will seek the office of mayor in 2018 adds yet another dynamic to that race. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai County is creating a roadmap for the next decade of growth on the garden island, and it’s drawn a lawsuit claiming the plan doesn’t protect public trust resources. Garden Island.

The Hanapepe Stadium will be fully lit for Friday night football tonight, and the County of Kauai could be taking a legal risk doing it. Garden Island.