Sunshine Week: Ige administration keeps false missile alert records close to vest, House passes budget, Honolulu council's leadership drama, endangered species at Coco Palms, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Ige, R, and officials hold press conference on false missile alert fixes, file photo

Hawaii Refuses To Release Internal Records On Missile Alert. The governor’s office has declined to provide phone logs, text messages, instant messages and calendars related to the Jan. 13 false alarm. Associated Press

Hawaii Senate Wants To Restrict State Government’s Hiring Power. Department heads have lined up in opposition to a bill that would end their ability to fill hundreds of temporary positions. Civil Beat.

Hawaii households will see a total reduction of more than $710 million in federal individual income tax for tax year 2018, according to a report released by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism on Monday. Pacific Business News.

Lawmakers in the state House have given their okay on the budget for the next fiscal year. The $28 billion package would fund everything from schools to healthcare to airport improvements. KHON2.

The House of Representatives unanimously approved the State budget yesterday, which appropriates funds for operating government and capital improvement projects for fiscal years 2018 and 2019. Garden Island.

Plan aims to guide battle against destructive albizia tree. To minimize the risk, the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, which was created by the state Legislature in 2003, has a strategic plan that addresses the problem for the first time on a statewide scale. Star-Advertiser.

Three bills introduced earlier this year to improve road safety have quietly died without discussion after failing to pass committee. Tribune-Herald.

John Radcliffe’s Last Fight Is For His Own Right To Die. The longtime lobbyist for tobacco, liquor and gambling interests and prescription drug companies says this time he’s “on the side of angels.” Civil Beat.

Unpermitted vacation rentals have been blamed for everything from sky-high housing prices to overcrowded hiking trails. But what is really going on with Hawaii’s short-term rental market? How many properties are permitted for vacation rentals? And how many are actually being used that way? Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill Advances to Require Showings of Open Captioned/Audio Encoded Movies for Deaf and Blind. There are more than 12-hundred bills still alive at the State Legislature, half-way through the session. Hawaii Public Radio.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa racked up another union endorsement Monday, winning the backing of the Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council in her bid to become governor. Star-Advertiser.

Decades-old sexual misconduct allegations against Inouye have resurfaced. What now? Hawaii News Now.

The state Department of Health is repealing a law that's been limiting restaurants and some farmers for 30 years. The department says it's getting rid of the rule that bans restaurants from buying produce from aquaponics farms. Hawaii News Now.

Students Find Their Voice In Preparing For Wednesday Walkouts. Hawaii youths will join others around the country to honor the Florida shooting victims and demand changes in gun laws. Civil Beat.

The first two Hawaiian monk seal pups of 2018 have arrived — one on Lanai and the second on Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Mayor dreads Council leadership shuffle. Mayor Kirk Caldwell warned Monday that a new Honolulu City Council leadership team needs to be careful how it handles his plan to use bonds to help fund the city’s troubled, $9 billion rail project. Star-Advertiser.

Council postpones budget briefing amid leadership drama. Hawaii News Now.

City council briefing canceled with leadership change expected next week. There were no talks on the mayor's proposed city budget Monday. KHON2.

City plan would force some of the 'hardest to house' to get help. The city may soon do more to force chronically homeless people with severe mental illnesses to get treatment. Hawaii News Now.

The army 25th infantry division announced a change to one of its training exercises in response to an incident last week, when an air-drop bundle missed its mark and landed in Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School. KITV.

Navy’s Red Hill Analysis Concerns Environmental Regulators. The Navy is working on a 20-year-plan to reduce the risk of leaks and fuel contamination from giant fuel tanks on Oahu. Associated Press.

A landmark property will soon feature Downtown Honolulu's largest solar installation. Hawaii Pacific University is expanding the photovoltaic system that crews are installing on the rooftops of the Aloha Tower Marketplace. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu’s third dispensary is preparing to enter the fledgling medical marijuana market, following a blessing today of its Kapahulu location. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu taxpayers shelling out big bucks for every hiker rescue. KITV.

Pearl City is the fourth-happiest city in the U.S., according to a WalletHub study released Monday in honor of the upcoming International Day of Happiness on March 20. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kim says no plans to raid money going to open space preservation. The county budget might be tight in other areas, but there’s still plenty of money to buy and maintain land for open space preservation. West Hawaii Today

The commission charged with prioritizing public land purchases is asking questions about the mayor's plans for the future. Big Island Video News.

Big Island Mayor Can’t Seem To Stop Raising Taxes. It’s a pattern with Harry Kim: He speaks out against tax increases, then turns around and tries to impose them. Civil Beat.

A Senate committee Monday advanced a grass-roots bill that would appropriate about $2.5 million to establish a pilot program to add staff to the state’s beleaguered East Hawaii child welfare system and limit the number of children assigned to each social worker there. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Electric Light Co. is seeking a long-term water lease for its two small hydro power plants on the Wailuku River. Tribune-Herald.

A Waimea woman’s appeal of a small subdivision uphill from her property has been denied by the Board of Appeals. West Hawaii Today.

State takes action after manta ray found gouged off Hawaii island. KHON2.

Maui

The Kusunoki family on Maui became the 35th family to be placed in an affordable home by Na Hale O Maui community land trust. Maui Now.

Resurfacing of Hololani Street and Lower Kula Road will start today and could cause delays for motorists Upcountry. Maui News.

A section of the Pipiwai Trail in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park will be closed today and Tuesday to allow staff to remove hazardous invasive trees along the trail, park officials announced. Maui News.

Kauai

Coco Palms and endangered species. Koloa ducks and moorhens have waddled into the spotlight in the saga surrounding the development of Coco Palms, the historic hotel destroyed in the 1992 Hurricane Iniki. Garden Island.

Term limit amendment to be voted on. A resolution charter amendment, if passed, would give Kauai voters the opportunity to vote on ending term limits for County Council members, who are currently limited to four, two-year terms. Garden Island.

The public is invited to attend the State of the County address by Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. on Thursday. Garden Island.