Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Hawaii bans wild animal shows, Caldwell urges swift action on rail, Coco Palms hearing deferred, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Elephant act at a 2009 circus in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico. In December 2014, as a response to reports of animal mistreatment, the Mexican Congress passed a law banning the use of animals in any circus in the country. PC: Alejandro Linares Garcia
The state today banned carnivals and fairs from bringing the animals into Hawaii. The president of EK Fernandez said Tuesday's decision could mean the end of the 115-year-old company. KHON2.

Wild animals banned from being shipped to Hawaii for entertainment or performance. Under new rules passed by Hawaii's Board of Agriculture on Tuesday wild, dangerous animals will be banned from being shipped to Hawaii for entertainment or performance. KITV.

Trump official accused of ethics violation over Hawaii GOP event. Don Benton, President Trump’s Selective Service director, has been accused of violating the Hatch Act during a speech he gave at the Hawaii Republican Party’s Constitution Day Dinner on Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, has made national headlines in the last week with her blunt comments about the treatment of women and the sexual assault allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh. New York Times.

Experts troubled state’s economy too dependent on visitor industry. Strong Mainland economy causing residents to leave. Maui News.

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced Tuesday that it will award $450,000 to continue the Hawaii State Trade Export Program, which helps local companies export their products. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Gets $8 M Federal Grant to Fight Against Opioid Misuse. The Hawaii Department of Health has received a two-year, $8 million federal grant that will be used for continued efforts to combat opioid misuse in the state. Maui Now.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority’s upcoming Global Tourism Summit will highlight artificial intelligence through sessions and speakers; perhaps the most notable being Sophia the Robot, which will converse with Oahu Visitor Bureau’s Kainoa Daines during a lunch keynote. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

In response to stern warning from feds on rail, Caldwell tells council this isn’t the ‘time to play’. At stake is $750 million in federal funds that are being withheld. Honolulu’s mayor and members of the City Council said they’re troubled by a warning letter from federal officials over rail funding and will work quickly to address the situation. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor calls for swift action after FTA rail letter: 'This is not a time to play chicken'. KHON2.

Caldwell urges HART, Council to act quickly to satisfy FTA. Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Tuesday urged the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation and the Honolulu City Council to work quickly to respond to demands made by the Federal Transit Authority or risk dire consequences. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Rail Project Faces Critical Decisions In Next 60 Days. City leaders are once again sparring over rail as they look to comply with a federal agency’s challenging demands. Civil Beat.

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Concerns over rising sea levels prompt city to scale back a Waianae residential project. The number of homes planned was slashed from 21 to eight. Hawaii News Now.

UH Manoa enrolls record freshman class. The University of Hawaii at Manoa attracted its biggest freshman class ever this fall, helping reverse a five-year trend of declining total enrollment on the flagship campus. Star-Advertiser.

Windward groups organize monthly aid for Kailua homeless. Several dozen homeless people in Kailua Monday got a chance to eat, shower, and connect with agencies that could help them get off the streets.  KITV.

The Kuahea Street interim improvements project will resume on Wednesday, Sept. 26, and is scheduled to be completed by Monday, Oct. 1. KHON2.

Waikiki hotel housekeeper alleges a member of a Saudi Arabian royal entourage grabbed, threatened her. Honolulu police are investigating the allegations. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Pacific University consolidation downtown set. Hawaii Pacific University has arranged the final step in consolidating its downtown Honolulu “campus” under a 2014 master plan to leave its longtime Windward Oahu base. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Pacific University is the new leaseholder of 120,000 square feet of space in downtown Honolulu making it the largest private occupant of real estate in the urban core. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Jen Ruggles Holds Community Meeting On War Crimes. A community meeting organized by Puna councilwoman Jen Ruggles to explain her ongoing absence from council drew a standing room-only crowd to the Keaau Community Center on Monday night. Big Island Video News.

Newly expanded highway will still shut all the way down for Ironman. When it comes to road closures on the Ironman World Championship race day, it will be business as usual this year — which is to say Queen Kaahumanu Highway will be closed for the majority of the day despite additional lanes having been extended this year. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaiian Homes Commission kicked off meetings in Hilo on Monday by hearing statements from beneficiaries. Big Island Video News.

In waters off Kona, a strange fish came out of the deep blue. Divers capture the ‘unusual’ moment in stunning photographs. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Napili resort facing violations for unpermitted rock wall work. Maui County has ordered the Napili Sunset Beachfront Resort to stop work on an existing rock structure near the shoreline after West Maui residents complained that the work may be unpermitted and unsafe and could impact the nearby bay and beach. Maui News.

Maui County hotel occupancy fell 4.1 percentage points in August, compared to 2017, according to a Hawai’i Tourism Authority report released Thursday that offered a statistical indication that Hurricane Lane dinged tourism. Maui News.

A new DC fast-charging station is now available at the Maui Electric office in Kahului for drivers of electric vehicles. Maui Now.

The Aloha Villas, a four-unit beachfront residential building on Maui that operates as a vacation rental for an average of $3,800 a night, is set to be sold in a three-day online auction later this fall with an opening bid of $3.5 million. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Coco Palms hearing deferred. A hearing to determine probable cause of violations regarding permitting conditions of the Coco Palms development was deferred Tuesday at the Planning Commission meeting. Garden Island.

Mock council, real issues. Residents got a taste of what the new county council might look like after the Nov. 6 general election at a mock county council Monday night at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. Garden Island.

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