Tourism money for Ala Wai, more rail special session analysis, youth jail operations questioned, surviving the end of sugar, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Along the Ala Wai © 2017 All Hawaii News

Tourism dollars will soon augment efforts to improve the viability of the Ala Wai watershed, including the filthy Ala Wai Canal. Star-Advertiser.

How the Legislature’s ‘Big Five’ Crafted A Deal To Rescue Honolulu Rail. Civil Beat.

Rail bailout forever weds state to project. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu rail officials and Ansaldo Hawaii Joint Venture, the vendor building the city’s rail cars, will begin live testing of the driverless train cars Tuesday along a section of elevated guideway, which will mark the first time the cars will be operated under their own power. Pacific Business News.

Tuesday marks a big step forward for Honolulu’s rail project. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation plans to energize the rail for the very first time. KHON2.

Former Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation head Daniel A. Grabauskas has taken a job with the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority in Boston, where he worked until 2009. Pacific Business News.

An Idaho general contracting company owned by a Hawaii native from Laie has defaulted on 11 government contracts in Hawaii worth about $57 million — leaving various projects incomplete or barely begun. Star-Advertiser.

A firm that controls one of two air ambulance companies in Hawaii is acquiring the second medevac business in a transaction that could create a monopoly in the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Island Air’s fleet makeover is complete. The state’s second-largest airline retired the last of its 64-seat ATR-72 aircraft on Monday and now has a fleet of all Bombardier Q400 turbo­props. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Direction by youth jail Administrator Mark Patterson raises concerns. Administrator Mark Patterson tools around the sprawling grounds of the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility in a bright blue utility vehicle, his latest purchase in an equipment shopping spree for the ranch he is building. Star-Advertiser.

Reforms helping more teens stay out of jail. Star-Advertiser.

With juvenile incarceration lowered, where did the budgeted money go? Star-Advertiser.

Will Kalihi Redevelopment Push Out Current Residents And Businesses? A state “vision report” says “Mom and Pop stores would thrive and gentrification would be mitigated.” It just doesn’t say how. Civil Beat.

The state and former prison guard Irwin Ah-Hoy have each agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a former Women’s Community Correctional Center inmate whom Ah-Hoy sexually assaulted. Star-Advertiser.

A Los Angeles-based developer is proposing to build a condo-hotel project and affordable senior rental units in Honolulu. This Wednesday Honolulu City Council is expected to vote on whether to move forward with the project. KITV.

Following a sweep of homeless encampments in Waipahu in May that saw the typical return of tents and tarps, 18 agencies last week offered services at Hawaii’s Plantation Village in an effort to get nearby homeless people one step closer to seeking help. Star-Advertiser.

Residents say hikers impacting street parking, privacy. Picturesque backdrops off Manana Ridge Trail in Pearl City attract thousands of hikers each year. KITV.

The city is working to make Kailua safer for bicyclists especially for kids who bike to school. A bicycle boulevard is currently in the planning stages. KHON2.

The wreckage of the Beech 19A aircraft that crashed near Kunia on July 28, killing all four Oahu residents on board, likely will stay in the state-owned Honouliuli Forest Reserve where it went down. Star-Advertiser.

Not far from the Kim Taylor Reece Gallery in Hauula is a newly formed hole several feet deep in the makai lane of Kamehameha Highway. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Rep. San Buenaventura To Host Puna Roads Meeting. Big Island Video News.

Repairs to a one-lane bridge leading to Hakalau Beach Park could begin in early November, according to Hawaii County Public Works. Tribune-Herald.

Restoring Hale Nana Mahinaai: Nonprofit working to bring king’s quarters back to ‘prisitine condition’ West Hawaii Today.

As the date for the Hawaii County Council’s hearing for Bill 13, reducing the use of polystyrene foam on Hawai‘i Island, the “Hold the Foam Working Group” has issued a full media kit complete with a press release, a Call to Action document, and fact sheet, and a photo of a Kailua-Kona rubbish can overflowing with Styrofoam food containers. Big Island Video News.

Douglas Shinsato, a corporate executive and consultant who lives in Waimea, was nominated by Gov. David Ige this week to fill the open seat on the Board of Regents. He was confirmed by the state Senate on Friday. Tribune-Herald.

Honolulu-based property management firm Hawaiian Properties is expanding to the Big Island with the acquisition of Augustine Realty in Kailua-Kona. Pacific Business News.

Heroes honored: 9 lifesavers receive awards as Sayre Foundation marks 20 years. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

University of Hawaii researchers are helping local sugarcane growers and processors to choose and cultivate native varieties that best suit their purposes. Maui Now.

Kahului-based Pacific Biodiesel has begun its second harvest of sunflower seeds that can be used to create biofuel. Star-Advertiser.

Mokulele Airlines, the only company that offers flights in and out of Hana, is seeking to have the federal government subsidize flights to the East Maui community. Maui News.

Nighttime sewer line work will cause a lane closure on Kaahumanu Avenue this week, according to an announcement from the state Department of Transportation. Maui News.

Gene Zarro, CEO South Maui Learning Ohana, has announced that the Kihei Charter School, A new Century Public Charter, will be opening on schedule in August 2018 with an expected K-12 enrollment of 625 students. Maui Now.

Kauai

The state Department of Education reports that progress is being made by school bus contractors to address the shortage of Commercial Driver Licensed drivers on Kauai and Maui qualified to operate school buses. Garden Island.

Housing rentals are limited on the island, and costs are climbing. Garden Island.

The black, tar-like goo coating the tidepools on the eastern side of Mahaulepu Beach is most likely a petroleum substance that washed onto the rocks from offshore, according to the state Department of Health. Garden Island.

New toilets and flush valves are just a few of the upgrades to the restrooms at Kee Beach State Park, which were closed from Aug. 21 to 28 for routine maintenance, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Garden Island.