Friday, May 3, 2019

Sine die for Hawaii Legislature, Ige's top aide Fuchigami resigns, schoolteachers average $57,866, Kilauea anniversary marked, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

PC: Hawaii House Democratic Majority
Hawaii House members sing 'Hawaii Aloha' at session end PC:Hawaii House Majority
Hawaii legislative session ends on a divisive note. The state Legislature on Thursday adjourned for the year without its traditional display of unity, when House and Senate members clasp hands and sing “Hawaii Aloha.” Star-Advertiser.

Senate Closes The 2019 Session With Some Sharp Divisions. The state House adjourned while highlighting its successes. The Senate, meanwhile, is left reflecting on its compromises and splits. Civil Beat.

Legislature Adjourns, Attention Shifts To Governor's Intent On Key Bills. Hawaii lawmakers wrapped up their 2019 legislative session Thursday with an olive branch extended to Gov. David Ige. Hawaii Public Radio.

Fate of bills now in governor’s hands as legislative session comes to a close. The 2019 legislature came to a close Thursday, and proposals that made it through the House and Senate now have one more hurdle before becoming law: Gov. David Ige. Hawaii News Now.

The 2019 Legislative session has officially ended. "Today I'm just going to be honest, this has been incredibly difficult," Senate President Ron Kouchi said.  A difficult session that ignited results, all the way to the very end. KITV.

Lawmakers wrap up 2019 legislative session. State lawmakers wrapped up their 2019 legislative session Thursday after several months of work at the state Capitol debating and passing bills, including measures reducing penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana and establishing all-mail elections. Associated Press.

Despite Legislative Setbacks, Ige Sees ‘Progress’ For His Agenda. In the 2019 session many administration bills died, programs got less funding than sought and nominees faced tough grilling. Civil Beat.

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Ford Fuchigami leaving post as Gov. David Ige’s administrative director. It’s not clear why Fuchigami is stepping down. Star-Advertiser.

Ford Fuchigami To Leave Ige Administration. The top aide to the Hawaii governor will step down at the end of May. Civil Beat.

Vacation Rental Bill: Where Lawmakers Live Determined How They Voted. Legislators from beachfront communities largely opposed the vacation rental bill, while support came from lawmakers who haven’t seen a proliferation of the properties. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s average public school teacher salary in 2017-18 was $57,866, a 2% increase from the year before that ranks its pay 18th highest among the states, but falls below the U.S. average, according to a new analysis released by the National Education Association. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Executive Conference announced a partnership with Landed, a down payment assistance and homebuyer education program aimed at helping teachers and school employees afford to buy homes, to bring new homeownership options to K-12 educators across the state. Maui Now.

State Lawmakers Asking FAA To Take Action On Tour Helicopter Operations In State. State lawmakers are asking federal officials to either ground all tour helicopters in the islands or ban flights over residential neighborhoods. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Army manager got antique car, other bribes in exchange for contracting info. A former Schofield Barracks range operations manager pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiring to accept bribes in exchange for disclosing sensitive Army procurement details. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu mayor signs high-rise fire safety bill. A measure making it easier for owners of older high-rise condominiums to meet stricter fire safety regulations was signed into law Thursday by Mayor Kirk Caldwell. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell signs Bill 96 relating to fire safety into law. Bill 96 gives condominium associations the power to decide whether or not to retrofit high-rises with sprinklers or complete a life safety evaluation. KITV.

Final State Audit On Rail Finds Overpayments To Contractors, Billing Issues. The audit relied on a small sample of invoices so it’s not clear whether those billing problems within HART extend to other rail contracts, the state auditor said. Civil Beat.

Union announces layoffs imminent at The Modern Honolulu hotel. Diamond Resorts has notified 78 workers at The Modern Honolulu that their positions are to be eliminated in the next 30 days, according to Unite Here Local 5, the labor union representing the workers. Star-Advertiser.

There have been 21 dog attacks at this Kakaako park in the last 3 years. State taxpayers could end up paying big after another dog attack near a Kakaako homeless camp. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Kilauea, One Year Later: Volcanic Hazards Remain A Threat. This Friday makes a year since Kilauea erupted, sending lava into residential communities on Hawaii Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

USGS
KILAUEA ERUPTION — ONE YEAR LATER: Displaced farmers face 'a long road ahead'. Tribune-Herald.

ONE YEAR AGO: Volcano Watch Details Eruption Start. Hawaii Public Radio.

One year anniversary - Kilauea: Reshaping the Aina. KHON2.

KILAUEA ERUPTION — ONE YEAR LATER: Midwife, husband vow to return to Leilani despite losing homes in two eruptions. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County residents continue to file for building permits in riskiest zones. Since the eruption subsided in August, county officials say, 127 people have pulled permits to build or rebuild in Lava Zone 1, which includes areas experiencing recent flows. Star-Advertiser.

Man who fell into Kilauea caldera in stable condition. A 32-year-old man airlifted to Hilo Medical Center on Wednesday evening after falling into the Kilauea caldera is a solider stationed at Pohakuloa Training Area. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The Pools of Oheo in Haleakala National Park’s Kipahulu District have reopened after issues with the stream monitoring system caused a closure three weeks ago. Maui News.

Community looks to crack down on illegal fireworks; meeting held Wednesday. Lack of evidence, authority make it tough to prosecute, search cargo. Maui News.

Maui staying vigilant in fight against rapid ohia death disease. Regular aerial surveys, sampling aim to keep island free of fungus deadly to tree. Maui News.

Kauai

‘Fruitful’ session, says Nakamura. State Rep. Nadine Nakamura said she thought it was an especially fruitful session for Kauai. Garden Island.


Robust reefs, fewer floods. Kauai’s coral reefs protect the island from about $11 million worth of damages every year, according to a new study released by the U.S. Geological Survey, The Nature Conservancy and the University of California Santa Cruz. Garden Island.

For the seventh time in history, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has declared glyphosate unlikely to cause cancer in humans. On Kauai, glyphosate has been found in roughly one third of tested beehives, according to a 2018 study, with concentrations as high as 179 parts per billion. Garden Island.

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