Showing posts with label Cabinet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cabinet. Show all posts

Friday, March 17, 2023

Hawaii Tourism Authority could be dissolved, 4 Honolulu police charged in chase crash, Green's cabinet appointees face tough time in Legislature, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

The Hawaii Tourism Authority Is A Step Closer To Being Dissolved. Hawaii lawmakers moved toward dramatically reshaping how the island state markets itself as a tourist destination on Thursday, when a joint House committee voted to approve a Senate bill dissolving the Hawaii Tourism Authority.  Civil Beat.

Senators Reject Governor’s Pick For Economy Chief But Give Thumbs-Up To New DHHL Director. Hawaii lawmakers divided over governor’s latest nominees. Two more of Gov. Josh Green nominees to lead state departments had rough job interviews Thursday by Senate committees, with one receiving a rejection recommendation. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Chief Energy Officer Mark Glick is the latest cabinet confirmation. Ten of Gov. Josh Green's administrative appointees have received Senate committee recommendations so far — a crucial milestone before the nominees appear before the full Senate to be confirmed. Hawaii Public Radio.

House highlights bills to assist families, keiki and environment.
The state House passed its version of the state budget and other bills that leaders say will assist struggling families through tax relief, help them finance rooftop solar systems, improve the environment and lead to “a sustainable future for our state.” Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Following Labor Department pushback, paid family leave proposal dies. Efforts to establish a family leave system in Hawaii similar to unemployment insurance have died again at the state Capitol. Hawaii News Now.

Computer science mandate for Hawaii public schools debated. A bill to require the state Board of Education to determine whether computer science should become a requirement for public school graduation is moving through the state Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Cops Have Jurisdiction On Homelands, But DHHL Says Policing Is Patchy. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands wanted the Legislature to pass Senate Bill 490, which would have given the Hawaiian Homes Commission its own police powers, allowing the chair to hire law enforcement officers dedicated to Hawaiian homelands. The bill died after passing two committees. Civil Beat.

Oahu

4 Honolulu police officers charged in crash that paralyzed teen. Four Honolulu police officers face felony charges in connection with a September 2021 police pursuit that ended in a crash that the officers allegedly fled and conspired to cover up. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Honolulu considers allowing some commercial activities at parks, beaches with uniform rules. Honolulu's Bill 19 proposes creating a uniform set of rules for commercial activities at Oʻahu parks — allowing businesses to resume with some restrictions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Navy discloses another Red Hill spill. Approximately 1,500 gallons of concentrated firefighting suppressant containing toxic chemicals spilled at the Navy’s Red Hill underground fuel facility on Dec. 7, 2019, the Navy disclosed to regulators this week, bringing the number of known spills at the facility to three and elevating concerns that dangerous chemicals, called PFAS, still may be lurking in the environment as a result. Star-Advertiser.

Speeding in Honolulu could cost you hundreds. On Oahu speed is a huge factor with traffic fatalities. The Honolulu Police Department credits half of their traffic fatalities involving a motorist driving over the posted speed limit. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

HVO lowers Mauna Loa alert level. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has downgraded its alert level for Mauna Loa after more than three months of calm. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Mauna Loa Observatory “Back in Action." The Mauna Loa Observatory is back measuring the carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere, three months after the end of the lava eruption that forced scientists to abandon the facility. Big Island Video News.

Proposed new HVO site could benefit students. Plans for a new 60,000-square-foot facility on state land at the intersection of Komohana and Nowelo streets in Hilo are taking shape, and could provide for more partnerships between the observatory and university faculty and staff. Tribune-Herald.

Mobile health clinic unveiled. A new mobile health care clinic has arrived on the Big Island courtesy of Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, a Hawaii-based nonprofit dedicated to improving maternal, child and family health care. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Michelle L. Drewyer appointed to fill judicial vacancy created by now-Maui Mayor Bissen. With her selection, the Second Circuit Court of Maui County will fully achieve gender parity, with two female and two male judges. Maui Now.

Maui police ramp up foot patrols in Paia amid merchants’ complaints. Police are ramping up enforcement efforts on Maui’s North Shore after repeated complaints from merchants about illegal activity in the area. Hawaii News Now.

Input sought for management of Kīpahulu Forest Reserve. Management efforts on the southeast slopes of Haleakalā aim to gradually restore the native forest ecosystem of Maui’s Kīpahulu Forest Reserve.  Maui Now.

Lahainaluna’s stadium to undergo renovations. Project will impact the track and field season; graduation ceremony is moved. Maui News.

Hawaiʻi Department of Health issues red placard to restaurant in Pā‘ia. The Hawai‘i Department of Health issued a red “Closed” placard to Café Mambo to protect public health. The restaurant, owned and operated by Betham Pacific LLC, is located at 30 Baldwin Avenue in Pā‘ia.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i county council to stop accepting Zoom testimony. Starting next week, the Kaua‘i County Council will no longer be accepting testimony via Zoom. Officials say the change was prompted by state statutes, which might require meetings that use interactive conference technology to be repeated if the connection gets interrupted. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Hazelton appointed as Kaua‘i governor’s representative. In her new role with the Gov. Josh Green administration, Dana Hazelton will be the governor’s “eyes and ears” for the Kaua‘i community. Garden Island.

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Green appoints first staffers, Bezos donates $7.5M to Oahu and Maui homeless efforts, new women's dorm coming to Maui jail, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Governor-elect Green appoints 8 women to key positions in his administration. Hawaiʻi Governor-elect Josh Green announced Tuesday evening the appointments of eight “strong women” to his administration. They include chief of staff, Brooke Wilson, who had served in the same position when he was Hawaiʻi’s lieutenant governor. Big Island Now. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.


Josh Green Names Longtime Advocate To Be New Hawaii Housing Chief.
Some two weeks before he is due to be sworn in, Gov.-elect Josh Green said Tuesday that longtime advocate Nani Medeiros will be the state’s new housing chief as his new Cabinet starts to take shape. Civil Beat.

Jeff Bezos donates $7.5M to fight homelessness in Hawaii. Two Hawaii nonprofits have received a total of $7.5 million in grants from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’s Day 1 Families Fund. On Oahu, Family Promise of Hawaii received $2.5 million — the largest private grant the organization has ever received. Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers, Maui’s largest homeless shelter provider, received a $5 million grant. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Space Force establishes its first regional command in Hawaii. The newest branch of the U.S. military opened its first regional command Tuesday in Hawaii: U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Thanksgiving travel bustling, but Hawaii eyeing weak festive season. The holiday rush is back this year with travelers nationwide expected to catch planes for Thanksgiving and the festive season in numbers not seen in years — although Hawaii’s visitor industry reports that fewer visitors are headed here for vacations. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Kauai Now.

Discussion progresses on UH tuition increase. The University of Hawaiʻi will hold two more meetings to discuss raising tuition for both residents and non residents at three of its campuses. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Gov.-elect Green, Mayor Blangiardi team up on housing push. Gov.-elect Josh Green and Mayor Rick Blangiardi on Tuesday asked the owners of thousands of illegal Oahu rental units to help ease the island’s affordable housing and homeless crises by renting to local families instead of tourists as both named new housing directors to lead state and city housing efforts. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu to get new affordable housing chief. State Finance Director Craig Hirai will be joining the city of Honolulu in a new position known as chief of affordable housing policy and strategy, it was announced today. Star-Advertiser.

With a long local waitlist, ‘portability’ of Section 8 vouchers from other states draws concern. Anton Krucky, director of Community Services for the city, said there are currently 532 people on Oahu that are waiting for a Section 8 voucher. Hawaii News Now.

Rules for concealed-carry weapon license are finalized. Honolulu police will process applications and likely issue a first batch of concealed-carry weapon licenses before the City Council votes on legislation that outlines where guns can and cannot be carried on Oahu, police Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan confirmed Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hundreds Of Honolulu Residential High Rises Fail To Meet ‘Acceptable’ Fire Safety Standards. A new report on the results of comprehensive safety evaluations was recently shared with the Honolulu City Council. Very few high rises have fire sprinkler systems. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Top cop search down to 5. The number of candidates in the running to become Hawaii County’s top cop is down to five. Charisse Correa, secretary for the Hawaii County Police Commission,  said Tuesday the commission is “seeking permission right now to unmask their names.” Tribune-Herald.

Solar projects to benefit low- and moderate-income electric customers. A trio of solar projects slated for West Hawaii will be the first on Hawaii Island to offer Hawaiian Electric’s shared solar program. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority will host two meetings next week on the Big Island. Through a pair of public meetings, HTA will present the agency’s progress in fulfilling the goals of its Destination Management Action Plan for the Big Island, which it released in early 2021. Tribune-Herald.

Kawaihae Small Boat Harbor Renovations Begin Next Week. The boat ramp will remain open during the work, which includes new asphalt pavement, drainage improvements, and new, solar powered streetlights. Big Island Video News.

Maui

New women’s dorm at MCCC is expected to help alleviate overcrowding at the Maui jail. The state Department of Public Safety held a ceremonial groundbreaking today to mark the start of construction of a new medium security housing structure for female inmates at the Maui Community Correctional Center. Maui Now.

DOH approves third medical cannabis retail dispensary for Pono Life Sciences on Maui. The Hawai‘i State Department of Health has issued a formal notice to proceed to retail to Pono Life Sciences Maui, LLC (PONO LIFE MAUI) after it passed a final on-site inspection for its third retail facility on the Valley Isle. Maui Now.

Hawaiian Electric selects 3 solar projects on Maui to benefit low/moderate income customers. The program, which also is known as community-based renewable energy or CBRE, also is for customers who are unable to install privately-owned rooftop solar. Maui Now.

Kauai

Millions released for Kaua‘i improvement projects. Outgoing Gov. David Ige announced on Monday the release of $392 million in funds for capital improvement projects, including millions for a range of projects on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

DMV customers encouraged to make appointments. In a move aimed at providing more efficient service through the holiday season, the county Department of Motor Vehicles is encouraging customers to make an appointment. Garden Island.

Monday, April 20, 2015

Wealthy taxes to drop, Hawaii voters favor medical marijuana dispensaries, state fails most nursing home standards, more government and political news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2015 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaii state Capitol, copyright 2015 All Hawaii News
Despite concerns that the state is spending more money than it takes in each year, Gov. David Ige and state lawmakers have quietly opted to allow a $36 million-a-year tax cut to take effect for Hawaii's highest-income residents starting in 2016. Star-Advertiser.

Far more Hawaii voters support establishing medical marijuana dispensaries than just over a year ago, according to a new Civil Beat poll. But voters still oppose legalization of marijuana for recreational use by about the same margin as last year.

The state failed to meet nearly 70 percent of federal performance standards related to inspections of nursing homes and other federally certified health care facilities last year, according to a new evaluation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Star-Advertiser.

Three years ago the state unveiled a $5 million, 1,300-page plan to modernize and trans­form the state's antiquated computer and information technology systems — an initiative that former Gov. Neil Abercrombie praised at the time as a "key initiative" in the administration's New Day Plan. Today, the state's top information technology official is warning lawmakers the plan is so huge that it "was not implementable," and must be revisited to break it down into smaller, more manageable pieces to allow state agencies to make a series of far more modest improvements. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Legislature has three weeks left to wrap up all its business for the 2015 session, and most of the major legislation remains undecided. Lawmakers in both chambers have passed bills that would set up a system of medical marijuana dispensaries, solve problems at Hawaii’s financially troubled health insurance exchange and allocate all of the state’s spending. Associated Press.

Hawaii lawmakers are urging state regulators to go along with the Hawaii Consumer Advocate's request to establish a schedule that would complete the regulatory review process of NextEra Energy Inc.'s $4.3 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Electric Co. by June 2016. Pacific Business News.

A group of Native Hawaiians wants to bring back a centuries-old island burial practice that it says is more environmentally friendly than some modern interment methods. Associated Press.

The Senate Water and Land Committee voted Friday to recommend that William Balfour be confirmed to a four-year term on the state Water Commission, despite opposition from environmental and Native Hawaiian organizations. The vote was 5-2. Sens. Laura Thielen, Brickwood Galuteria, Les Ihara, Sam Slom and Maile Shimabukuro voted in favor of the nomination. Sens. Russell Ruderman and Gil Riviere voted against it. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige's three nominees to the state Board of Education sailed through a Senate Education Committee hearing Friday. The governor nominated Lance Mizu­moto, president and chief banking officer of Central Pacific Bank; longtime Kauai educator Margaret Cox; and former teacher Hubert Minn to three-year terms on the school board. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Those guiding Oahu's rail transit project are struggling to come up with the cash to finish building the system, but another challenge still looms down the track: How will the island pay for the rail line's operations once it's up and running? Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The owner of Puna Geothermal Venture has two weeks remaining to file an answer to a complaint alleging it defrauded the federal government of $13.8 million in stimulus funds to cover an expansion at the plant. Tribune-Herald.

A bill lawmakers passed Friday could soon make it easier for lower Puna residents to obtain property insurance as the June 27 lava flow remains a more distant threat. Tribune-Herald.

New rules governing surf schools — plus other regulations to address overcrowding and conflicting uses — resurfaced at Kahaluu Bay. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

A group of East Maui taro farmers, fishermen and gatherers recently filed suit against the state, Alexander & Baldwin and others after learning the state granted revocable permits to allow the company to continue to lease land in East Maui for its stream diversions. Associated Press.

Ten Maui police officers are using body-worn cameras in the field, recording some of their interactions with the public while responding to emergency calls, in a monthlong test of the technology. Maui News.

Kauai

County transportation planner Lee Steinmetz said a planned transit study, set to kick off in mid-May, will seek “to determine ways to shift transportation modes from automobiles to transit to reduce roadway congestion and parking demand.” Garden Island.

A multi-million dollar project aimed at removing hundreds of invasive trees along a well-traveled section of Kuhio Highway on the North Shore is moving forward. Garden Island.


Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Honolulu Zoo loses another director, panhandler civil rights lawsuit settlement nears, Ige names more top staff, Maui harbor drains $7M from state budget, lava follows new path, state arts foundation audited, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2015 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Honolulu Zoo © 2015 All Hawaii News
Jeffrey Wilkinson, director of the Honolulu Zoo since April, announced his resignation to zoo staff Sunday. Wilkinson is the fourth zoo director to resign in the past five years, and the third since March 2013. Star-Advertiser.

Elizabeth Kim, part of a senior leadership team that advises the U.S. secretary of labor, has been named state labor director, Gov. David Ige's office announced Monday. The governor also announced the hiring of Hono­lulu public relations professional Cindy McMillan as his administration's director of communications. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige has chosen Elizabeth Kim to head the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and Cindy McMillan to be his communications director. Civil Beat.

The state agency responsible for helping the public access government-controlled information and ensure public meetings remain as open as possible has been mired in a backlog so big its rulings are often irrelevant by the time they’re issued. Yet relief appears nowhere in sight for the Hawaii Office of Information Practices as Gov. David Ige’s term begins and the Legislature gets set to work on his proposed biennium budget, which despite a modest increase only gives the agency half the resources it had 20 years ago. Civil Beat.

The Hawai‘i Health Connector — beset by delays, computer malfunctions and low enrollment since its inception in late 2013 — expects to be self-sufficient by 2022. Star-Advertiser.

On the eve of the 2015 legislative session, Hawaii Public Radio’s Noe Tanigawa takes a look at a recent auditor’s report on the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Oahu

State regulators have approved a wind farm planned for Kahuku despite objections from members of the North Shore community and concerns from Hawaii’s consumer advocate that the developer should have completed its environmental review of the project first. Civil Beat.

A Honolulu city councilman is looking for ways to boost regulation on vacation rentals on Hawaii’s most populous island. Associated Press.

For years, Kapaa Quarry Road has been used as an illegal dump site by people getting rid of trash, equipment, even furniture. Residents and lawmakers say it’s long been a problem with no clear solution and it sits right next to the Kawainui Marsh. KHON2.

The lei sellers at the Honolulu International Airport say their daily struggle to stay in business would be eased if they had 15-year leases like they did in the past, and more respect. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

A settlement is in the works in a civil rights lawsuit filed against the county by a Kailua-Kona man cited for panhandling last year. West Hawaii Today.

The June 27 lava flow could begin following a new path as breakouts upslope of the stalled front advance to the north. Darryl Oliveira, Hawaii County Civil Defense administrator, said the most active breakout was located about 1.5 miles from Pahoa Marketplace as of Monday morning. It had advanced about 200 yards to the north in 24 hours. Tribune-Herald.

Daily nonstop flights between Kona and Haneda, Japan, could begin as early as June 1, if Hawaiian Airlines Inc. is successful in its application with the U.S. Department of Transportation. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island health care providers are seeing a recent spike in cases of the flu. Hilo Medical Center reports that in the last month its influenza rate has risen about four times higher than normal, and Kona Community Hospital said Monday it has already confirmed 24 cases of the flu since New Year’s Day. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

It was supposed to be a part of the state's plan to revitalize the Maalaea Harbor on Maui. But for the past 20 years, the 1.1-acre dirt lot has remained undeveloped with Hawaii taxpayers footing the bill. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has paid more than $7 million -- or about $1,000 a day -- to lease the property that's used only to store old boats, buoys and other ocean equipment. Hawaii News Now.

The new year brought entirely new Maui County Council leadership–exactly what was predicted shortly after the November 2014 election. Mike White is the new Council Chairman and Don Guzman is the new Vice Chairman. Maui Time.

Kauai

Ulupono Initiative, the same investment company backing Hawaii Dairy Farms’ proposed dairy in Mahaulepu Valley on Kauai’s south side, has its sights on purchasing the last locally owned and operated large-scale dairy in the state. Garden Island.

Monday, December 29, 2014

POW/MIA ID program cut, Ige seeks new DLNR chairman, state seeks tourism chief, Honolulu prosecutor bungles gambling probe, telescopes net $91.5M for Big Island, Hawaiian Electric/NextEra Energy merger more a sale, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2014 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Pearl Harbor © 2014 All Hawaii News
A program that provides dozens of scientists and other experts to the Hawaii-based Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command is being sharply cut. The move comes at the same time that Congress is seeking more recoveries and identifications from JPAC, whose headquarters and main lab are at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Associated Press.

There had been great interest in whether William Aila would be retained by Gov. David Ige as chairman of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and head of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Neil Abercrombie, the governor who Ige defeated in the Democratic primary, was among those who urged the new governor to keep the popular Aila. Turns out that Ige is keeping Aila, but not on the Land Board. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige appointed five new cabinet members. Ige says all of the appointees have a leadership style that will move Hawaii forward for the benefit of the public. Some are staying on from the previous administration. Associated Press.

Almost two dozen Hawaii media outlets and nonprofit organizations have come together to start a dialogue with Gov. David Ige’s administration about government transparency and accountability issues. Brian Black, the executive director of The Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest and the organizer of the effort, delivered a jointly signed letter to Ige’s chief of staff, Mike McCartney, on Friday. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority has chosen a search committee to establish the search process and qualifications for a permanent president and CEO of the state agency. Pacific Business News.

On the ninth day of President Barack Obama's vacation in Hawaii, he went to the Kaneohe Klipper Marine Corps Base Hawaii golf course. Star-Advertiser.

How President Barack Obama spent the ninth day of his family’s holiday vacation on Sunday. Associated Press.

Are Hawaiian Electric and NextEra Energy Getting Married? Company officials are describing the proposed deal in many ways, including a "marriage," "partnership" and "combination," blurring the true nature of the acquisition. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Judge criticizes city's bungled prosecution in tossing indictment. Misconduct by two government attorneys scuttles a trial about gambling machines. Star-Advertiser.

Cleaner air and less litter at beaches and parks. That’s what some Oahu residents say is the result of a smoking ban that went into effect almost one year ago. KHON2.

Vacation cons take their toll. Police often can't solve the crimes because many occur out of state, leaving travelers with a loss of cash and no place to stay. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Hawaii Island raked in $91.48 million in 2012 thanks to direct and indirect impacts of the astronomy sector, according to a recent study by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Tribune-Herald.

The front of the lava flow coming from the Kilauea Volcano advanced another 10 yards Sunday. Hawaii County Civil Defense said the front of the flow remains active but sluggish, moving 15 yards on Saturday after stalling for five days. Star-Advertiser.

According to Hawaii County Civil Defense their Sunday morning flyover of the June 27 lava flow from Kilauea volcano showed the flow front, which had been stagnant for several days, had advanced about 10 yards since Saturday afternoon, and about 25 yards in the previous 48 hours. Tribune-Herald.

They say bad news comes in threes, but in the case of the Department of Water Supply, it’s come in fours. Four water wells in West Hawaii experienced breakdowns in rapid succession, leaving the department scrambling to repair them, even as meteorologists predict a drier than normal winter. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii's supply of locally grown tomatoes has gotten considerably smaller after one of the state's biggest producers decided to exit the business. Hamakua Springs Country Farms on Hawaii island ceased tomato production at the end of November, leaving stores around the state such as Costco, Foodland, Safeway and Whole Foods without the company's hydroponically grown varieties, which included cocktail, beef and heirloom tomatoes. Star-Advertiser.

As the end of 2014 draws near, a prominent construction project in Kona is on schedule for completion. Traffic circulation and public safety will improve when the extension of Laaloa Avenue, a mauka-makai connector road, opens next month, said Warren Lee, Hawaii County Department of Public Works director. West Hawaii Today.

The county Department of Public Works Traffic Division will begin internal testing today of a traffic camera on the Keaau bypass portion of Keaau-Pahoa Road (Highway 130) at the intersection of Milo Street. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County is sending notices of violation to several hundred unpermitted vacation rental operators who've been doing business under the radar but now have been targeted for enforcement because their online advertising is evidence of illegal activity. Maui News.

Maui, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi are the three islands that are no strangers to experiencing frequent housing shortages. Maui Now.

A $12 million retail/office, residential apartment and independent senior living development with more than 170 additional public parking spaces is proposed for a 9-acre site within the Baldwin Avenue-Paia Mini Bypass pocket of former sugar cane fields. Maui News.

A piece of ordnance found by a diver in waters off of Maui on Saturday, has since been safely removed and detonated. Maui Police say the ordnance, identified as a M301A3 81 millimeter mortar illumination round was safely transported to the Ukumehame Firing range for safe detonation. Maui Now.

Kauai

Mochi making, a traditional New Year’s practice, got in the way of the first visit by Gov. David Ige and his family to Kauai since being elected governor in early November. Garden Island.

Tensions bubbled to the surface during a Wailua-Kapaa Neighborhood Association meeting on Saturday, where one of the main topics of the day was HoKua Place, a planned 769-home community behind Kapaa Middle School. Garden Island.

Two luxury condo owners are claiming they were mislead and overcharged as their development surrounded by blight was converted into a timeshare resort. Garden Island.

Lanai

Lanai's only movie theater reopened Dec. 20 as Hale Keaka - "theater" in Hawaiian - after being closed since the 1990s. The Pineapple Isle landmark underwent a $4 million renovation and features a modern interior and exterior reflecting the character of the island in the 1930s. Maui News.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Honolulu rail project transforming Oahu landscape, Ige names 6 to Cabinet, Florida company to buy Hawaiian Electric, Kauai mayor vetoes GMO land tax, 11,750-home Hoopili development approved, audit finds need for medical marijuana dispensaries, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

photo courtesy Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation
Honolulu rail heads east into Oahu, courtesy HART
City and rail officials eagerly showed off the transit system's first 220 feet of track on Wednesday and gave the first public view from atop the so-called elevated guideway 37 feet above farmland in East Kapolei. Star-Advertiser.

The administration of Gov. David Ige began taking shape Wednesday as the new chief executive named six Cabinet member appointments and a deputy chief of staff as he continues the transition into office. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige on Wednesday named six more people to his Cabinet and two deputy directors, all of whom are subject to Senate confirmation. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige announced six new members of his cabinet and two new deputies Wednesday. Associated Press.

NextEra Energy Inc. said Wednesday it plans to buy Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. to expand clean energy in Hawaii. The companies value the deal at $2.6 billion, or $4.3 billion including the assumption of Hawaiian Electric’s debt. Associated Press.

Hawaiian Electric Industries will be acquired by Florida-based NextEra Energy Inc., one of North America's top producers of wind and solar energy, in a deal valued at about $4.3 billion, the two companies said Wednesday. Pacific Business News.

NextEra Energy announced on Wednesday a deal to purchase Hawaiian Electric Industries, which includes utilities serving Oahu, the Big Island and Maui County, for $2.63 billion. The overall transaction, valued at $4.3 billion, includes the assumption of $1.7 billion in debt. Under the deal, American Savings Bank will be spun off into an independent, publicly traded company. Civil Beat.

A Florida company announced Wednesday it would buy Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. for $4.3 billion and take on the challenge of moving the state off its near total dependence on imported fossil fuels for power generation. Star-Advertiser.

NextEra Energy, one of the nation's largest clean energy companies, announced Wednesday it wants to buy Hawaiian Electric Company in a deal worth $4.3 billion that both sides would mean lower bills for electric consumers on five Hawaiian islands who pay some of the highest rates in the country. Hawaii News Now.

It’s a business deal that will change the face of business in the state. Florida-based NextEra Energy is buying Hawaiian Electric Industries in a $4.3 billion deal. As part of the agreement, American Savings Bank would become a separate publicly-traded company. Hawaii Public Radio.

NextEra Energy is best known in Florida, where it’s based, as Florida Power and Light. But it’s already doing business in 26 other states and in Canada. KHON2.

Hawaiian Electric Co. was not for sale, according to to CEO of the parent of the state's largest electric utility, who said that Florida-based NextEra Energy approached the Honolulu-based utility regarding an acquisition. Pacific Business News.

A new fee showing up on power bills will help secure low interest loans for those who couldn’t otherwise afford to install photovoltaic or make other investments in clean energy. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii lawmakers are moving ahead on bills creating medical marijuana dispensaries, following an audit released this week that said flaws in existing law justify a better way to provide the drug to patients. West Hawaii Today.

Last December, same sex marriage became legal in Hawai‘i. The state Department of Health says same-sex marriages make up about 12% of all weddings here, with more than 3000 registered couples in the past year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Opinion: Education reform in Hawaii is on a really rocky path. Some things, like universal early childhood education, are going way too slow. One really crucial thing is going too fast. Hawaii’s educators and politicians have fallen head over heels for the Common Core. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The 11,750-home Hoopili development on agricultural lands on the Ewa Plain got the thumbs-up Wednesday from the Honolulu Planning Commission. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a zone change that would pave the way for developer D.R. Horton to build 11,750 homes in West Oahu. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

The June 27 lava flow hasn’t shown signs of slowing yet as it approaches a low spot that will determine its future course. As of Wednesday morning, the flow’s leading edge had advanced another 420 yards and was about 2.5 miles from Highway 130. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Billy Kenoi has signed a Second Supplementary Proclamation to the current State of Emergency. Big Island Video News.

The Nature Conservancy acquired a conservation easement to preserve a 922-acre area with an ancient forest and disappearing stream on the Big Island. Associated Press.

Maui

After leasing the Kula Gym for more than 30 years, Maui County now has an opportunity to purchase and preserve the facility that has, over the years, been host to community gatherings, youth sports leagues and pickup basketball games. Maui News.

Kauai

Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. has vetoed a bill that would likely have resulted in higher taxes for agricultural lands being used for biotech research. Garden Island.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources will begin a $1 million improvement project at Kokee and Waimea Canyon state parks today. Garden Island.

A reward for information leading to a conviction of the person responsible for bludgeoning a female Hawaiian monk seal pup to death in Anahola has doubled.  The reward is now at $10,000, up from $5,000 on Tuesday. Garden Island.

A longtime Kauai Police Officer has lost his job after being convicted of firearms violations. Garden Island.