Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Hawaii mulls road usage charge, sanctuary bill dies in Legislature, economic growth slowdown predicted, Maui jail riot likely caused by overcrowding, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

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Hawaii transportation officials consider swapping gas tax for road-use charge. The state Department of Transportation wants the public to weigh in on the concept of a road usage charge to fund the upkeep of state roads and bridges, and is holding 14 community meetings about the possibilities in the next few months. Star-Advertiser.

Public Meetings Scheduled For Potential Road Usage Charge. The state Department of Transportation will be holding community meetings across the state starting on March 20 in Kapolei to get feedback on a possible road usage charge. Hawaii Public Radio.

State proposes nixing fuel tax in favor of charging you for how much you drive. Hawaii News Now.

DOT plans community meetings to discuss road usage charge demonstration project. Tribune-Herald.

State residents will get a chance in coming weeks to give input during a series of meetings planned throughout the state about a concept to replace the state fuel tax with a road usage charge. West Hawaii Today.

The state is seeking public feedback on the concept of a road usage charge to fund upkeep of roadways and bridges. Big Island Video News.

Public input needed for possible "road usage charge". KHON2.

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Hawaii immigrant sanctuary bill dies in state Legislature. A bill that would have made Hawaii the third so-called sanctuary state for immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally has died at the state Legislature. Associated Press.

The state is taking a step back from setting up Hawaii as a sanctuary for illegal immigrants in the U.S., a decision people on Kauai were calling for as the topic moved through the Legislature. Garden Island.

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Revenue Council Predicts Slowdown In State Economic Growth. The forecast means a little less money is available for the Hawaii Legislature this session, but leaders of the money committees aren’t too concerned. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's predicted to bring in about $80 mil fewer dollars in tax revenue this fiscal year. At their last meeting in January, the Council on Revenues forecasted the economy to grow 4.2% for fiscal year 2018/2019. They've now lowered it to 3%. KITV.

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Two bills that aim to improve teacher retention made it through the state Senate and now are before the state House for consideration. Senate Bill 12 and Senate Bill 114 call for the creation of a housing voucher program for teachers employed by the state Department of Education or at public charter schools. Tribune-Herald.

School Chief Chooses Some Of The People Helping To Evaluate Her. While this feedback doesn’t affect the superintendent’s year-end performance rating, it’ll be followed closely by the Board of Education. Civil Beat.

Movement afoot to establish Hawaiian Recognition Day as state holiday. A push to establish La Kuokoa -- Hawaiian Recognition Day -- as an official state holiday and repeal Good Friday from among the state’s official holidays is gaining steam at the state Legislature. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Judge allows some evidence of motive in Kealohas’ trial. A federal judge granted part of a motion filed by federal prosecutors to admit certain evidence of the motive by the former police chief and his former deputy prosecutor wife to frame a relative for the theft of their mailbox. Star-Advertiser.

Judge rules bank fraud evidence can't be used in Kealoha corruption trial. Allegations of bank fraud and theft will not be allowed in the Kealoha trial accusing them of framing a relative for mailbox theft. KHON2.

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A face to face meeting with Federal Transit Authority over the revised financial recovery plan for Honolulu’s rail project is expected to happen in April. Hawaii Public Radio.

Registration deadline approaches for City Council special election. The deadline to register for April’s electoral rematch between Trevor Ozawa and Tommy Waters to represent Honolulu City Council District IV is quickly approaching. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s congressional delegation said it wants monthly updates from the acting director of the National Park Service on progress being made to restore walk-on access to the USS Arizona Memorial. Star-Advertiser.

5-foot-long boa constrictor found in Kunia. Snakes pose a serious threat to Hawaii's environment, as they have no natural predators. KITV.

Hawaii Island

The county official charged with ensuring building permit laws are followed didn’t get building, plumbing or electrical permits for a solar water and photovoltaic system on his own property until 23 years after the fact. West Hawaii Today.

Puna police resolution elicits emotional testimony. A resolution asking for more police officers for Puna cleared the Hawaii County Council’s Public Safety Committee on Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Emotional Testimony On Situation Facing Police In Puna, Ka'u. Big Island Video News.

The University of Hawaii today said its investigation into the ski and snowboard incident at Mauna Kea earlier this year found no damage to cultural, archaeological, natural or scientific resources. Star-Advertiser.

As the developer of the Thirty Meter Telescope prepares for construction atop Mauna Kea, opponents of the billion-dollar-plus project continue to press their case with demonstrations at universities in Hawaii and on the mainland. Star-Advertiser.

A 5.5 magnitude earthquake shook parts of the Big Island early Wednesday, but officials said there’s no tsunami threat to the state. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Maui mayor delivers State of the County address, outlining priorities. Maui Mayor Mike Victorino struck a message of making Maui a welcoming place early on in his State of the County address Tuesday evening. Hawaii News Now.

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Severe overcrowding at Maui’s jail is likely what led to an uprising at the facility Monday afternoon that left three staff members with minor injuries, according to Nolan Espinda, director of the state Department of Public Safety. Star-Advertiser.

The riot at Maui Community Correction Center on Monday was actually the second inmate uprising at the aging facility in less than a year, officials said. Department of Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda said overcrowding was at the root of both incidents, and he fears more violence could be in store. Hawaii News Now.

Overcrowding. Public Safety officials say that could be a big reason for Monday's riot at Maui's jail. The damage prisoners caused from the incident has made things even worse. KHON2.

Internal and criminal investigations are underway following an disturbance at the Maui Community Correctional Center yesterday that left several staff members with minor injuries. Hawaii Public Radio.

42 Inmates Refused Order During MCCC Disturbance. Maui Now.

Standoff at Maui jail: ‘Disturbance’ at MCCC resolved after 3 1/2 hours. No injuries reported in incident that closed roads, drew heavy police, fire presence. Maui News.

Inmates wreck module at MCCC after staff advise them to return to their cells. KITV.

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Beach neighbors plan, propose to pay for multimillion-dollar groin repairs. Rock structures were constructed pre-1944 to stem sand loss and shoreline recession. Maui News.

The Kahana Bay Steering Committee is proposing a beach nourishment project to restore a coastline that’s been severely eroded from sea level rise, frequent storms and seawalls. Maui News.

Kauai

Film crews shooting scenes on Kauai. A un-named film crew records a man digging through the garbage for his lost wedding ring Sunday night at the Hilton Garden Inn Sunday. The general manager of the resort said that there are two production crews staying at the resort currently, but is bound by a confidentiality agreement to not reveal their identity. Garden Island.

Kauai graffiti: Works of art, or public nuisance. Garden Island.

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