Kim looks to broker peace on Mauna Kea, County Council seeks TMT moratorium, Honolulu mulls local union preferences in contracts, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim ©2019 All Hawaii News

Big Island Mayor Thinks He Can Find A Way Through The Divisions On Mauna Kea. Hawaii’s governor put Mayor Harry Kim in charge of negotiating with activists blocking construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea. Civil Beat.

With lines drawn, Kim to begin process of seeking common ground over Maunakea. Mayor Harry Kim said Wednesday that he hopes to meet with Hawaiian community leaders, including those leading the protests at Maunakea, before the end of the week. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Kim Talks Mauna Kea, New Way Forward. Big Island Now.

Governor’s decision to step back from TMT conflict gets mixed reviews. Gov. David Ige’s decision to hand over negotiations with protesters on Mauna Kea to Big Island Mayor Harry Kim is getting mixed reviews. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made a surprise visit to Mauna Kea on Wednesday afternoon to add some star power to the protests against the Thirty Meter Telescope, and a surge of people submitting comments about TMT on the governor’s website caused the site to crash. Star-Advertiser.

‘The Rock’ visits Hawaii protesters as envoy prepares talks. Hollywood actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson visited protesters blocking construction of a giant telescope on Wednesday as the Hawaii governor’s envoy to Native Hawaiian leaders prepared to start talks to find a way out of the impasse. Associated Press.

At Mauna Kea, ‘The Rock’ calls for ‘leadership with empathy’ to resolve TMT conflict. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson got a massive welcome Wednesday during a visit to the TMT protest at the base of Mauna Kea, during which he met with Hawaiian elders and called for “leadership with empathy” to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Day 10 TMT standoff: Astronomers on Mauna Kea share their beliefs on science and culture. KHON2.

Supporters say the loss of the telescope could severely harm the state’s future investments in science and business ventures. Star-Advertiser.

Telescope employees find future uncertain as protest blocks access to Mauna Kea. The Thirty Meter Telescope protest at the base of Mauna Kea has had a direct impact on scientific operations at the mountain. Hawaii News Now.

Makeshift ‘university’ established at protesters’ camp. As protesters wait at the base of the Maunakea Access Road each day, a network of volunteers works to ensure their needs are met. Tribune-Herald.

=====

New Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus Formed. Rep. Ed Case says the Indo-Pacific region is the future. Civil Beat.

Bill To Restore Health Care For COFA Citizens Reintroduced. Hawaii’s U.S. senators are backing Medicaid coverage for Micronesians. Civil Beat.

Workers at three hotels have filed a class action lawsuit against the hotels’ owner and operator Diamond Resorts alleging wage theft. The lawsuit covers past and current employees of the Modern Honolulu, Kaanapali Beach Club on Maui and the Point at Poipu on Kauai. KHON2.

Oahu

Oahu supporters of the Thirty Meter Telescope will be holding their first major demonstration in favor of the $1.4 billion project today at 4:30 p.m. at the state Capitol. Star-Advertiser.

Labor Unions Favored For City Construction Projects Under Proposed Bill. Local construction unions will get preference in large city projects under a bill making its way through Honolulu City Council. Hawaii Public Radio.

Squeezing Along Narrow Sidewalks And Racing Crosswalk Timers In Waikiki. A volunteer initiative, Waikiki Safe Walk, is documenting pedestrian hazards and eyesores in a campaign to make the tourism hub easier to walk. Civil Beat.

City hopes to purchase eyesore along Pearl Harbor Historic Trail and create neighborhood park. On Wednesday, the city council budget committee passed a resolution that would create funding to purchase about half an acre along the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail and transform it into a neighborhood park. Hawaii News Now.

Funding boosts efforts to reduce Chinatown homelessness. A combination of state funding and matching donations resulted in checks on Wednesday totalling more than $105,000 to two organizations working to address homelessness in Chinatown. Star-Advertiser.

More than $100,000 in grant money was given today for non-profits servicing the homeless population in Chinatown. KITV.

Oahu may get a race track. It’s something the island hasn’t had for more than a decade. Local motor-sports enthusiasts turned out in force at the Kapolei Neighborhood Board meeting tonight to voice their support. KHON2.

Ward developer opts for 1 larger tower over previous 2-condo plan. A plan for two luxury condominium towers has become a plan for one at Ward Village in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council asks for moratorium on the mauna. Testimony ranged from poetic to pragmatic to piqued. But all speakers were passionate and tears flowed on both sides of the dais Wednesday as the County Council passed a nonbinding resolution backing state Sen. Kai Kahele’s call for a 60-day moratorium on construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea. West Hawaii Today.

Majority of Hawaii County Council votes in favor of TMT moratorium. Dozens of people testified from across the Big Island Wednesday, both in support of and against the telescope. KITV.

Councilman Tim Richards Statement In Support Of TMT. Big Island Video News.

Wahine On Front Line Support TMT Moratorium. Big Island Video News.

Maui

County moves to take wells from exploratory to full production. Final environmental assessment for groundwater source project released. Maui News.

Maui beaches lead state in spinal injuries. Makena had most in state with 40 from 2009 to 2017. Maui News.

Maui beaches have Hawaii’s highest number of spinal injuriesA state trauma registry lists Maui as the location of the highest number of spinal injuries occurring at Hawaii’s beaches. Associated Press.

Kauai

KIUC says power outages are done. No more rolling blackouts are expected, but mechanical issues persist at multiple Kauai Island Utility Cooperative facilities, and residents are still being asked to conserve electricity. Garden Island.