Friday, January 25, 2019

Officials plan for Mauna Kea telescope protests, Native Hawaiians decry OHA violence, judge rejects gut-and-replace lawsuit, $250M rail bonds floated, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

2015 photo Occupy Hilo
2015 Thirty Meter Telescope protest PC:Occupy Hilo
State and county law enforcement officials have started planning for how they aim to allow construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea without protester interference. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii County is taking the lead on responding to anticipated protests of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea, lawmakers were told Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Lawmakers questioned state and University of Hawaii officials Thursday about plans to dismantle five existing telescopes on Mauna Kea. As a condition to building the Thirty Meter Telescope, the University of Hawaii and state Land Board officials said the older telescopes need to be decommissioned by the year 2033. Hawaii News Now.

VIDEO: Thirty Meter Telescope Briefing At The Capitol. Big Island Video News.

A group of prominent Native Hawaiian leaders gathered Thursday morning to speak out against the 13 men who stormed the Office of Hawaiian Affairs offices last week in a failed attempt to seize the agency and its assets. Star-Advertiser.

A group of leaders in the Native Hawaiian community held a press conference today, calling for a greater level of accountability for entities, organizations and their own communities and families in relation to the events that unfolded last week at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Maui Now.

Hawaiian leaders denounce violence after group stormed OHA offices. Hawaii News Now.

Native Hawaiian leaders call for more accountability after OHA occupation. KHON2.

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A Hawaii judge today rejected a lawsuit challenging the state Legislature’s “gut and replace” tactic of passing bills that have been stripped of their original content and replaced with entirely different details. Associated Press.

Chief justice seeks funding for new judges on Oahu, Kauai and Maui. Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald is asking state lawmakers to fund four additional judges, including a new District Court judge on Oahu to help handle a surge in drunken driving cases over the past decade. Star-Advertiser.

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Tulsi Gabbard officially kicks off 2020 presidential bid with campaign video. Associated Press.

Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard launches her presidential campaign in new video 'For The Country We Love'. KITV.

9 Things To Know About Tulsi Gabbard. The Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii seeks to become the first millennial president. Civil Beat.

Sitdown with Representative Ed Case as Shutdown Approaches Week Six. Hawaii Public Radio.

Welcome To The Instant Outrage Of Today’s Washington, Mr. Case. The Hawaii congressman got a first-hand view of how quickly a slip-up becomes headline news in the era of Trump, Twitter and the saturation of social media. Civil Beat.

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A proposal before lawmakers would make it illegal for any registered sex offender to temporarily or permanently live within 1,000 feet of a school, childcare facility, playground or park. Hawaii News Now.

Measures introduced in both the state House and Senate this week would increase gas taxes and other vehicle fees to generate additional money for the State Highway Fund. Tribune-Herald.

Governor proposes hefty hikes to gas tax, vehicle registration fees. Hawaii News Now.

Despite Shutdown, Hawaii Housing Programs Are OK — For Now. Officials worry that if the shutdown drags on too long, landlords will be reluctant to accept Section 8 housing vouchers in the future. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s firearms law was declared unconstitutional by a federal appeals court last year. That ruling is currently being appealed. But there could be change no matter what the final outcome in federal court. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s Never-Ending Teacher Shortage Leaves Many Lawmakers Frustrated. In 2017, the percentage of new teachers hired from the mainland grew, while the percentage from Hawaii shrunk. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The City and County of Honolulu said Thursday it has completed a two-day sale of about $250 million in tax-exempt general obligation bonds to finance construction costs of the rail project. Star-Advertiser.

The chairman of the state House committee on public safety has introduced a bill to purchase the Honolulu Federal Detention Center to replace the outdated, overcrowded Oahu Community Correctional Center. Tribune-Herald.

Proposal to build a new, smaller Aloha Stadium complete with museum and hotel. Hawaii News Now.

A tussle between the state and a private road owner in Kakaako took yet another turn Thursday with the state contending that it now owns seven streets recorded as private property for more than a century. Star-Advertiser.

Drivers might be asked to use hazards lights at crosswalks. A bill that suggests drivers put on their flashing hazard warning lights after stopping for a pedestrian on a street with multiple lanes won tentative approval Thursday from a Honolulu City Council committee. Star-Advertiser.

USS Missouri marking 2 anniversaries. The USS Missouri will mark the 75th anniversary of its launching and the 20th anniversary of it becoming a museum Saturday during Living History Day. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

State mulls long term solutions for popular spot off highway. The State Department of Transportation is looking for a long-term solution for access to the Huehue lava tube. West Hawaii Today.

Salary Commission seeks input. Former Salary Commission Chairman Hugh Ono had a novel idea Thursday for the commission: Why not disband? West Hawaii Today.

Rideshares cleared for neighbor island airports. West Hawaii Today.

Hamakua Flood Victims Feel Overshadowed By Lava Disaster. When Hurricane Lane dumped torrents of rain on this stretch of coastline, attention was still focused on volcanic eruptions. Civil Beat.

Maui

Two mayoral nominees approved by committee. Parks, transportation heads clear panel after full day of testimony. Maui News.

Planning Department Seeks Public Input on West Maui Community Plan. Maui Now.

Patrol police officer shortage easing. Community, crime reduction unit getting staff back. Maui News.

Lyft to Begin Service to Kahului and Kapalua Airports. Maui Now.

Kauai


Lawmakers questioned officials from the Department of Land and Natural Resources Thursday about what changes are being made after the State Ethics Commission found numerous violations within Kauai's Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation office. The investigation found the office manager awarded more than 100 jobs to a private contractor, who the manager admitted was a friend. KHON2.

Uber and Lyft are cheering a state change that will make them eligible, as of Feb. 1, to pick up passengers at Neighbor Island airports, including in Lihue. Garden Island.

A food drop organized by labor unions and the Hawaii Foodbank distributed bags of food Thursday afternoon to nearly a hundred federal employees who have been working for weeks without pay. Garden Island.

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