Monday, September 10, 2018

Hurricane Olivia approaches, education tax question to stay on ballot, first ID of Korean war remains anticipated, Navy scales down Red Hill fuel tank plans, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Olivia 4:30 a.m. Monday  NOAA
Tropical storm warning issued as Olivia nears islands. Hurricane Olivia continues on a path toward the Hawaiian Islands and has prompted a tropical storm warning for Hawaii and Maui counties. Star-Advertiser.

At 5 a.m. Monday, forecasters said Olivia remained a Category 1 hurricane, with sustained winds of 85 miles per hour. Hawaii News Now.

Maximum sustained winds are near 85 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast today, with slight weakening starting tonight and continuing through Tuesday. However, Olivia is forecast to be a strong tropical storm when it reaches the Hawaiian Islands. KHON2.

On the forecast track, Olivia will be approaching the main Hawaiian islands later Tuesday or Tuesday night. KITV.

Governor signs emergency proclamation as Olivia heads toward Hawaii. KHON2.

An emergency proclamation was signed by Gov. David Ige Sunday in preparation of potential impacts from Hurricane Olivia, which is expected to approach the state as a tropical storm this week. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Ige signed an emergency proclamation that will provide relief for disaster damages, losses and suffering caused by Hurricane Olivia. KITV.

=====

A judge has ruled against a motion by Hawaii’s four counties to block November ballots from asking voters if they want to amend the Hawaii Constitution to allow the state to tax investment property. Associated Press.

Hawaii judge allows property tax con amendment to stay on ballot. A proposed amendment to the Hawaii Constitution that would permit the Legislature to place a “surcharge” on investment properties will be allowed on the November ballot following a judge’s ruling on a motion filed by the counties seeking to block the question. Pacific Business News.

The state Department of Taxation wants to subpoena Airbnb Inc. records for the past 10 years to determine whether transient vacation rental operators in Hawaii have been paying their state taxes. Star-Advertiser.

First identifications of remains turned over by North Korea to be announced. In coming weeks, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency is expected to announce the first two identifications from 55 sets of remains turned over by North Korea following a historic June summit between Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump. Star-Advertiser.

We Don’t Give Up’: Identifying America’s Long-Lost Soldiers. The POW/MIA forensic lab in Hawaii has more than 1,400 service members who have been missing in action, some for decades. Civil Beat.

This Massive Boom Aims To Snag Pacific Ocean’s Plastic Trash. The collection system created by a Dutch innovator is headed to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Associated Press.

Oahu

Mayor to residents: Prepare for Olivia, but avoid overbuying supplies. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu mayor urges residents to stay vigilant despite potential hurricane fatigue. KHON2.

Navy plan for Red Hill tanks in question. After more than four years of discussion about upgrading 20 massive, aging underground fuel tanks that could pose a threat to a major source of Oahu’s drinking water, the Navy is saying, in part, that it isn’t sure of its future fuel needs in the Indo-Pacific region — pushing for the cheapest and least protective option to satisfy federal and state regulators. Star-Advertiser.

Invasive, reef-smothering algae are being kept in check at Kaneohe Bay thanks to tiny, native sea urchins that graze on them the same way goats feed on grass. Star-Advertiser.

A police motorcade led the fanfare for Saturday’s parade for the Honolulu Little League All Stars, who made Hawaii proud last month by beating South Korea to become the 2018 Little League World Series Champions. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on 4 new homes in Waimanalo. Hawaii News Now.

Commentary: Alleged mail-in voting abuse demands deeper investigation. Twice in six years, state Rep. Romy Cachola has been accused of effectively stealing elections by intimidating elderly immigrants in his Kalihi district to vote for him via mail-in ballots. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Before Hawaii County creates a redevelopment agency to guide eruption recovery in Puna, it may need some help from the state Legislature. Roy Takemoto, executive assistant to Mayor Harry Kim, said state law may only allow counties to have one such agency at a time. Star-Advertiser.

Residents flock to MacKenzie to relax, see new beach. MacKenzie State Recreation Area is located at the end of the road, where Highway 137 meets a barricade and not far from where lava from the lower Puna eruption first entered the ocean. Tribune-Herald.

Mandatory evacuation pau: Leilani Estates residents being allowed to return starting today. Tribune-Herald.

The Lessons Learned In Puna As Lava Shelters Shut Down. Public agencies and private organizations devised massive relief efforts, but “they knew a lot less about living rough than we did,” said one evacuee. Civil Beat.

Federal Support Critical to Kilauea Recovery Effort. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposed compost site draws questions. Administrators with Hawaii County’s Department of Environmental Management say a new proposed site for a island-wide composting facility will have fewer impacts on the community and won’t be near any residences. Tribune-Herald.

New life for Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden. With the announcement of a $550,000 grant through a federal community forest program, the nonprofit Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden have collected $1.3 million in raised funds that can go toward purchasing the garden from the Bishop Museum. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui County prepares for Olivia with key port ready to close.  As Olivia approaches, Maui is still reeling from Hurricane Lane. KHON2.

Former Maui County Council Member Mike Victorino reported having a campaign war chest surplus of $33,280.40 as of last month’s primary election while Council Member Elle Cochran, his rival for the Mayor’s Office, disclosed having a deficit of $1,283.47, reports to the state Campaign Spending Commission show. Maui News.

The county Urban Design Review Board has recommended approval of plans for a Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission education and operations center on 8.26 acres next to the Kihei Boat Ramp. Maui News.

Visitors are overwhelming Maui’s Hana Highway and the residents who live along the remote route. Even as Hurricane Lane loomed over the Hawaiian islands last month, dumping 24 inches of rain on East Maui and triggering landslides, flash flooding, downed trees and other perils, tourists were hitting the famed “Road to Hana.” Star-Advertiser.

Roadwork in Haiku that was delayed due to weather will resume Monday, Sept. 10 along Awalau Road from the half mile mark to Kaupakalua Road. Maui Now.

Opposing candidate signs face off: Political signs a given for homeowners with prime visible locations. Maui News.

New guestrooms, restaurant at Sheraton Maui following $26.5 million renovation. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

The County of Kauai will hold an open house and presentation on Wednesday to provide an update on the Lihue Town Core Mobility and Revitalization project. Garden Island.

Time Is Literally Running Out For This Historic Kauai Radio Station. President Donald Trump’s proposed 2019 budget would wipe out an annual $6.3 million appropriation that supports the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s 70-year-old broadcast at the Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kekaha, as well as its two sister stations in Fort Collins, Colorado. Civil Beat.

It took the Ewings only two days to get the water out of their yard after the August storm. That’s an improvement, since it took two weeks to get rid of the water after the April floods. Garden Island.

No comments:

Post a Comment