Ige approves new Mauna Kea rules, DOE seeks more teacher pay hikes, Honolulu mayoral race gets crowded, state repeatedly sent starved child back to abusers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tourists check out telescopes on Mauna Kea ©2020 All Hawaii News

Gov. Ige approves a range of Mauna Kea regulations. Gov. David Ige on Monday signed into law a controversial set of administrative rules designed to offer a new layer of protection for land and natural resources managed by the University of Hawaii on Mauna Kea. Star-Advertiser.

Governor approves rules for Maunakea. Gov. David Ige on Monday approved a controversial series of administrative rules governing the University of Hawaii’s Maunakea land management practices. Tribune-Herald.

Governor Ige Signs Maunakea Administrative Rules. The rules, approved by the UH Board of Regents in November, have been filed and will take effect on January 23, 2020. Big Island Video News.

Six Months Later, TMT National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Comment Responses Posted. The State Department of Health's official responses to public comments have been posted online, but decisions on holding contested cases have yet to be made. Big Island Video News.

Deep Snow Covers Maunakea, Mauna Loa. The Access Road to the summit of Maunakea is closed to the public at the Visitor Information Station at the 9,200 foot level due to snowy and icy road conditions. Big Island Video News.

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DOE Wants To Raise Pay For Experienced Hawaii Teachers. The plan, aimed at reducing the teacher shortage by enticing senior educators to remain in the classroom, is the next phase of a broader teacher recruitment and retention plan. Civil Beat.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2020/01/doe-wants-to-raise-pay-for-experienced-hawaii-teachers/

Results from a 2019 student survey on sexual harassment and violence on UH campuses should be out later this month. In the meantime the university submitted its annual report on campus safety and accountability to lawmakers. KHON2.

Public Safety Department Wants 15 More Guards But Can’t Fill Vacancies. Some members of the House Finance Committee want to know how the new positions can be justified. Civil Beat.

How The Endangered Hawaiian Hawk Became A Political Pawn. The Trump administration has launched an all-out assault on federal environmental regulations, including the Endangered Species Act. Civil Beat.

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Plan calls for $20 million to battle ohi‘a disease. An update to the state’s strategic response plan for rapid ohi‘a death requests more than $4 million in funding each year for five years. Tribune-Herald.

Plan to tackle Rapid Ohia Death. The state updated its response plan for the fight against Rapid Ohia Death on Monday, calling for more than $20 million for research and combat of the disease over the next five years. Garden Island.

Rapid Ohia Death fungus research, response could cost millions. Creating a plan to address Rapid Ohia Death, the Department of Land and Natural Resources is estimating they’ll need $4 million a year for the next five years. Hawaii News Now.

Rapid ʻohiʻa death battle estimated to need $4 million annually. he 2020-2024 update to the original strategic response plan for the fight against Rapid ʻOhiʻa Death notes many challenges ahead. KHON2.

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Stay out of murky water and off eastern shoreline rocks, safety officials warn. On Monday the state Department of Health Clean Water Branch issued islandwide brown-water advisories for the Big Island and Maui, and advisories continued for several beaches on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Real estate broker James joins race for Honolulu mayor. Real estate broker Choon James officially announced her candidacy for mayor Monday afternoon at the steps of Honolulu Hale. Star-Advertiser.

Activist Choon James Running For Honolulu Mayor. James is running as a “good government” candidate who isn’t taking lobbyist donations. Civil Beat.

Businesswoman Choon James announces run for Honolulu mayor. Small businesswoman and frequent city critic Choon James announced Monday she’s running for Honolulu mayor. Hawaii News Now.

Choon James announces Honolulu mayoral run. Small business woman and long time realtor Choon James announced Monday that she is running for Honolulu Mayor. KITV4.

Amemiya Reports Nearly $1M In Mayoral Campaign Contributions. The total includes the $200,000 the businessman loaned himself in his first run for office. Civil Beat.

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City to proceed with first phase of Sherwood Forest project. Honolulu city representatives announced Monday that the city would continue with the first phase of a contentious project to develop a section of Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, also known as Sherwood Forest, representing a loss for opponents who have voiced their opposition to the project for about a year. Star-Advertiser.

City Officials, Hawaiians Find Path Forward On Sherwood Forest Park. The deal drew a mixed reaction when it was unveiled at the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board meeting. Civil Beat.

Controversial Waimanalo park project plan moving forward ... but not completely. Residents in Waimanalo are divided over what is aimed to be a compromise between the community and the city. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell agrees to abandon master plan for Waimanalo park project. The city says it is abandoning both phase 1 and its master plan for its construction project at Sherwood Forest. KITV4.

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Protests shaping up against military’s proposed $1.5 billion radar on Oahu. Activists are already planning to protest a proposed $1.5 billion high-powered radar on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

HPD to hire detectives, increase patrols amid spate of violent crimes. Honolulu police officials say the department will add more detectives and increase patrols islandwide amid a string of brazen purse snatchings and muggings that appear to target the most vulnerable population: The elderly. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu's Recycling Businesses In Crisis As Global Prices Drop. Despite serving as the largest recycling facilities on Oahu, RRR Recycling and Reynolds Recycling are in a crisis, and there are implications for residents who turn in their recyclables for redemption income or reuse. Hawaii Public Radio.

Potholes might not be patched until rain relents. The city wants Oahu drivers to report any new potholes opening up under the puddles they drive through this winter. Star-Advertiser.

City and County news conference on potholes. Ross Sasamura of the Department of Facility Maintenance spoke to the press earlier Monday about potholes. KHON2.

Landlord’s ‘ridiculous’ rent demand blamed for closing of Ala Moana’s Mai Tai Bar. The popular Mai Tai Bar at Ala Moana Center will close Feb. 23 along with Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. due to a lease rental dispute that has made way for Olive Garden. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island child who starved to death was repeatedly returned to alleged abusers, records show. A 9-year-old Hilo girl who died of starvation in 2016 — weighing just 45 pounds — was repeatedly removed from her home only to be returned despite concerns for her safety, according to state records. Hawaii News Now.

Health Department cites 2 teen treatment facilities on Big Island. The department’s Office of Health Care and Assurance issued a notice of violation and order to Christopher Kaiser, Michael McKinney, Suzanne McKinney and Mark Agosto of Pacific Quest Corp. for running the two illegal facilities — one at 15-1973 4th Ave. and the other 15-1736 22nd Ave. — in Keaau. Star-Advertiser.

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Harbor repairs pegged at $8M. At least $8 million will be needed to repair Kawaihae Harbor-North after the state facility was heavily damaged amid high surf at the turn of the year. West Hawaii Today.

DLNR Projects Kawaihae Harbor Repairs at $8 Million. A storm to mark the new year inflicted upwards of $8 million in damages to the Kawaihae North Small Boat Harbor based an DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation engineer’s estimate. Big Island Now.

Repairs to storm-damaged Big Island harbor estimated to cost $8M. A state engineer estimates it will cost at least $8 million to make repairs to Kawaihae North Small Boat Harbor, which was damaged in a New Year’s Eve storm. Hawaii News Now.

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North Kohala subdivision planned. Kohala Shoreline LLC is moving forward with its development of a six-lot subdivision on the North Kohala coastline. West Hawaii Today.

Neighbors battle Mauna Kea hotel. The association of homeowners at the Mauna Kea Resort is appealing the county’s approval of a subdivision without requiring a shoreline survey and other elements of a special management area. West Hawaii Today.

The $14 Million Jail Improvement Project Nobody Seems To Want. State corrections officials, who unsuccessfully sought funding to build a new facility, are proposing construction of an annex to the overcrowded Hilo jail. Civil Beat.

Maui

Lahaina Aquatic Center Closed For Repairs. The Lahaina Aquatic Center will be closed from today at noon through Thursday for repairs to a 10-inch pipe leading to the filtration system, the Department of Parks and Recreation announced. Maui Now.

A whale of show by momma, baby. A mother humpback whale teaches her baby how to tail slap Saturday morning as they frolic in the waters off Launiupoko. Maui News.

Kauai

Council meeting Thursday. The Kauai County Council’s first meeting of the year will be held at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the Historic County Building. Garden Island.

Four candidates for KIUC board election. The Kaui Island Utility Cooperative Nominating Committee confirmed four candidates for its board of directors election on March 14. Garden Island.

Ban proposed on ‘forever chemicals’. Kauai doesn’t test drinking water for a class of chemicals being targeted for manufacturing bans by some members of the United States Congress. Garden Island.

Hawaiian hawk removed from endangered species list, Olive Garden files to enter state, TV Executive Blangiardi weighs run for Honolulu mayor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

'Io Hawaiian hawk at Panaewa Rainforest Gardens & Zoo ©2020 All Hawaii News

Hawaiian Hawk No Longer Endangered. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has removed the ‘io from the list of endangered or threatened species. Civil Beat.

ʻIo No Longer Considered Endangered or Threatened. The ʻio or Hawaiian hawk will be removed from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife on Feb. 3, 2020. Big Island Now.

Hawaiian hawk removed from federal list of endangered wildlife. The io or Hawaiian hawk has been removed from the federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Hawk, or ʻio, to be removed from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule removing the ʻio, or the Hawaiian hawk, from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. KHON2.

Read the Fish and Wildlife Service final rule delisting the 'io here.

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Hawaii Senate Health Chair Plans To Introduce Bills Targeting Youth Vaping. Hawaii Senate Health Chair Rosalyn Baker plans to propose several bills in the coming legislative ssession aimed at reducing youth vaping, but she wants to add e-cigarettes and vaping products to existing tobacco laws. Hawaii Public Radio.

Astronomers to assemble as telescope discord looms. An event described as the Super Bowl of astronomy kicks off Saturday in Honolulu as thousands of scientists descend on the Hawai‘i Convention Center for the biggest meeting of the year for American astronomers. Star-Advertiser.

More vets gain access to commissaries. More than 27,000 veterans with a service-connected disability in Hawaii and over 430 Purple Heart recipients can now shop at commissaries and exchanges and take advantage of greater recreational opportunities under legislation co-authored by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz that went into effect Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Judge Puts Hawaii Taser Case On Hold. A lawsuit over the right to carry a stun gun for personal protection will wait on the outcome of a seemingly unrelated weapons case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Civil Beat.

USS Missouri reaches 9 million visitors. The nine millionth visitor stepped aboard the USS Missouri today, ringing in the 75th year after World War II officially ended on its decks. Star-Advertiser.

Olive Garden files to do business in Hawaii. Could Olive Garden be coming to Hawaii? According to state business records, the company recently filed to do business here in the islands. KHON2.

Samoan crabs, Kona crabs & lobster proposed rule updates. In an effort to facilitate compliance with the rules regulating the take, possession, and sale of Samoan crab, Kona crab, and lobsters in State waters, the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources has scheduled public hearings this month. KITV.

Oahu

TV executive Blangiardi plans mayoral run. Television executive Rick Blangiardi surprised his staff and simultaneously shook up Oahu’s political community Thursday when he announced he is retiring from his job and intends to join the race for Honolulu mayor. Star-Advertiser.

HNN General Manager Rick Blangiardi announces he’s retiring, considering run for mayor. After more than four decades in the broadcasting industry, Hawaii News Now President and General Manager Rick Blangiardi has announced he will retire this month and is considering a run for Honolulu’s mayor. Hawaii News Now.

TV Executive Blangiardi Weighing Running For Honolulu Mayor. The longtime general manager will leave his Hawaii News Now post Jan. 15. Civil Beat.

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Maili group sues city, developer in bid to stop affordable housing project. Construction on a $23 million affordable rental project in West Oahu called Hale Makana O Maili started in October. But neighbors calling themselves Na Kiai O Maili — protectors of Maili — have filed a suit against the city and developer Laulima Development in a bid to stop construction at the end of Kulaaupuni Street. Hawaii News Now.

Plans move forward to rebuild the old P-3 Orion monument. The last remnants of a P-3 Orion monument erected by the Navy in 1999 to commemorate Naval Air Station Barbers Point’s 57 years of fleet service have been demolished, but a local American Veterans post commander said plans are proceeding to completely rebuild the memorial near the Kalaeloa Airport control tower. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Businessman Files Federal Complaint In Prosecutor Impeachment Effort. Tracy Yoshimura has asked a federal court to clear up an e-signature issue that has stalled his initiative to oust Keith Kaneshiro. Civil Beat.

HPD Swears In New Deputy Chief. Deputy Chief Jonathon Grems retired in December. Clyde Ho took over. Civil Beat.

Tougher inspections at Honolulu ports could aid in crackdown against illegal fireworks according to former state lawmaker. While you can set off small sparklers and poppers without a permit, those aerial fireworks we saw thousands of on New Year's Eve are illegal. KITV.

City erects fence blocking shoreline access near Diamond Head, irking park users.  Park users of the Makalei and Leahi Beach Parks near Diamond Head are protesting the city’s decision to block off access to parts of the shoreline. Over the holidays, the city suddenly erected fences at both ends of a walkway on a seawall between the two beaches. Hawaii News Now.

New rules at Honolulu Zoo parking lot irks nearby businesses. It’s a popular parking lot for locals who venture into Waikiki. But changes are coming to prevent anyone from parking outside the Honolulu Zoo late at night. KHON2.

TheBus Redux: A City Transit Leader Responds To Riders’ Questions. Lags in TheBus’ tracking data can cause angst for riders trying to predict when their bus might arrive. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

State orders updated traffic assessment for Pepeekeo power plant. Honua Ola Bioenergy will have to update a traffic assessment submitted for the project in March 2011 before the power plant under construction in Pepeekeo can deliver logs to its facility. Tribune-Herald.

HELCO seeks new power agreement with PGV. Hawaii Electric Light Co. is seeking approval of an amended power purchase agreement with Puna Geothermal Venture, according to documents filed Tuesday with the state Public Utilities Commission. Tribune-Herald.

Chemical sunscreens restricted at Big Island park, a year ahead of statewide ban.  Sunscreens containing chemicals have now been banned for use by commercial vessels in Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island. The restrictions took effect on Jan. 1, a year before a similar statewide ban takes effect. Hawaii News Now.

Changes to Pana‘ewa complex miff equestrians. Extensive accessibility renovations are scheduled for the Pana‘ewa Recreational Complex this year, but several users of the attached Pana‘ewa Equestrian Center are pushing back against some of the proposed changes. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Police seek help in locating families of unclaimed bodies. The Maui Police Department is asking for assistance in contacting family members of eight people whose bodies weren’t claimed after their deaths this year. Maui News.

Staff Shortages Affect Pool Hours in Kahului, Wailuku, Upcountry and Kihei. The Department of Parks and Recreation apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause the community. Maui Now.

Kauai

Removal of ill-fated helicopter on Kauai begins. A National Transportation Safety Board spokesman said the wreckage removal process began Thursday of a tour helicopter that crashed Dec. 26 in a remote area of Kokee, killing all seven on board. Star-Advertiser.

Drones documenting wreckage. Investigators aren’t going to physically set foot on the crash site of the tour helicopter that collided with a ridge on Kauai in December, killing all seven passengers. Garden Island.

Hanalei highway lane closure set. The Hawaii Department of Transportation reminds the public there will be a single-lane closure on Kuhio Highway at Mile Marker 1 (the hill approaching Hanalei Bridge) seven days a week starting today. Garden Island.