Lawmakers tackle homelessness, Mauna Kea management, average Oahu home price breaks $1M mark, Stevie Wonder UH concert scammer gets 5 years in prison, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Unukupukupu performs during Merrie Monarch week in Hilo ©2018 All Hawaii News

When the Merrie Monarch Festival comes to Hilo, the normally sleepy town awakens with the hustle and bustle of adoring hula fans from around the world. Hawaii News Now.

State lawmakers push for ohana zones to aid the homeless. The push for ohana zones comes as the House and Senate are taking vastly different approaches toward homelessness. Star-Advertiser.

Elaborate homeless camps continue to pop up, but homeless numbers are going down. KHON2.

Candidates For Governor Focus On Native Hawaiian Issues At Forum. All seven candidates appear — separately — before the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. Civil Beat.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has joined the many friends and colleagues of the late U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka, who have sent condolences and fond remembrances. Star-Advertiser.

Akaka family says mahalo to the community for their support. KITV.

Ige’s Pick To Lead School Board Has An Unusual Background: Education. Catherine Payne wants the Hawaii Board of Education more involved in setting policy and more visible to the public. Civil Beat.

Blue Planet: From ‘Harry Potter’ To Formidable Political Force. The foundation’s vision of moving Hawaii to 100 percent renewable energy is now central to the state’s energy plan — and has some traction on the mainland. Civil Beat.

Girl Scouts planted more than 1,000 pinwheels in the lawn of the state Capitol this afternoon to bring attention to child abuse and neglect prevention. KHON2.

Longliners codify ethics in push-back against human rights allegations. Stung by lingering allegations of human trafficking and forced labor, the Hawaii fishing industry has developed a formal code of conduct, crew handbook and model employee contract aimed at protecting the workers aboard its fleet of more than 140 vessels. Star-Advertiser.

Isle hotels sell for nation’s top per-room price. Hawaii was such a hot hotel investor market in 2017 that four out of the 10 most expensive hotel transactions, based on total price, were in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Judge Gives Stevie Wonder Concert Scammer 5 Years In Prison. The University of Hawaii paid out $200,000 in what became known as the “Wonder Blunder.” Associated Press.

Island Energy Services to cut 10% of its workforce at Hawaii refinery. IES, which owns and operates the the state's second largest refinery in Kapolei, said on Friday that the affected employees will be offered a severance package based upon their total years of service. Pacific Business News.

Electric cars overtake gas cars in isle road map. Hawaiian Electric Co. filed a report it calls a “road map” with the state Public Utilities Commission last week to reach that 2045 goal. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu home sales break million-dollar mark for average price. Star-Advertiser.

Demolition awaits TV home of ‘Magnum, P.I.’ detective. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mauna Kea, TMT need closer monitoring, report finds. Star-Advertiser.

Second Gut-And-Replace Bill Concerning Mauna Kea Emerges. Once again, a House Bill making its way through the Senate has been completely altered to take aim at Mauna Kea management practices. Big Island Video News.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is proposing changes to rules regulating activity in the state’s forest reserves. Tribune-Herald.

Creagan to stick with House seat; Ford to run for Senate. With four months until the Aug. 11 primary, Brenda Ford and Richard Creagan are changing their plans. West Hawaii Today.

Hundreds of Big Island property owners are on the verge of losing their land because of unpaid property taxes, most of them in two communities — Nanawale in Puna and Ocean View in Kau. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island Police Officer Dead In Apparent Murder-Suicide. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Island police are investigating an officer involved murder-suicide. KHON2.

Friction between county officials and West Hawaii septage haulers has been mounting for months as pumpers contend policies at the Kealakehe Waste Water Treatment Facility are onerous and costing them money. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Ige expresses confidence in re-election, despite setbacks. ‘We have a good plan in place and are executing it,’ governor says. Maui News.

With the latest phase of the contentious Lahaina bypass to be blessed in a week, Gov. David Ige defended the Department of Transportation’s plans for the highway and its interaction with the Lahaina community. Maui News.

The County of Maui is proposing a roundabout at the intersection of Maui Lani Parkway and Kamehameha Avenue in Kahului. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Kalaheo Neighborhood Center gym could become Kauai’s newest emergency shelter. That’s if the County Council approves a $650,000 project Wednesday to update the building. Garden Island.

Council members will be asking for a tax exemption to be considered for residential homeowners who install an automatic fire suppression system, which meets minimum design specifications. Garden Island.

What Southwest Airlines' application to rent space at Lihue Airport could mean for travelers. KHON2.