Showing posts with label Coast Guard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coast Guard. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Coin honoring Edith Kanakaole enters circulation, Legislature delays managed retreat plan, gun control bill advances, more news from all the Hawaiian islands


U.S. Mint releases Edith Kanaka‘ole quarter into circulation. Kanaka‘ole, who died in 1979, was an award-winning composer, chanter, master instructor for hula, and venerated cultural icon who taught at Hawaii Community College (1971-1974) and the University of Hawaii at Hilo (1974-1979). Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Maui Now.  Kauai Now.  KHON2.

Tax credit, early childhood education bills remain alive. Do not expect a direct cash rebate from the state this legislative session, but several bills in motion would offer tax credits, helping keep more money in your pocket. KHON2.

Hawaii Lawmakers Grappling With Sea Level Rise Say It’s ‘Not The Right Time’ For Managed Retreat. The task of moving people away from the coast faces a hurdle: economic complexities. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers inch closer to eliminating Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.
State lawmakers advanced measures in both chambers last week that would disband the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and place some of its functions under a new office at the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Hawaii Public Radio

Hawai‘i gun control bill moves forward
. A bill aimed at restricting who can obtain firearm permits and where they can carry them passed its second reading in the state House of Representatives, moving it one step closer to becoming law. Garden Island.

Push To Lower The Legal Alcohol Limit For Hawaii Drivers Runs Out Of Gas Again
. A push to lower the legal blood alcohol concentration for Hawaii drivers fell short again this year, as it has for the past five years. Civil Beat.

Coast Guard to send additional cutter to Hawaii. The service announced that it has selected the CGC Harriet Lane as its new “Indo-Pacific Support Cutter” and that the vessel will move from Portsmouth, Va., to Honolulu early in fiscal year 2024. Star-Advertiser.

Feds seek prison for wife of convicted former union boss.
The wife of the former business manager of a Hawaii labor union convicted of rigging a vote to raise dues and using members’ money to live a luxurious lifestyle should spend 70 to 87 months in federal prison, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Star-Advertiser.

As manufacturers pay for e-waste, local recyclers see huge demand. Hawaii’s new system for collecting old computer equipment and televisions is moving into high gear, three months after electronic companies began footing the bill. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Bill aims to regulate commercial activity at Oahu public parks.
An effort to get away from allowing commercial activities at city and county parks around Oahu on a park-by-park basis has met resistance from the public as well as local officials. Star-Advertiser.

Tiny Homes Proposed For DHHL Lands In West Oahu. However, the chairs of the Senate and House Hawaiian affairs committees are proposing two different approaches to providing housing options to certain DHHL beneficiaries. Civil Beat.

Honolulu rail moves step closer to opening as HART expands trial run
.  The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation released new drone video showcasing the Honolulu Rail Transit Project’s latest trial run.  Hawaii News Now.

Questions remain over future of Concealed Gun Carry policies in Honolulu. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi is expected to sign into law soon -- a bill aiming to protect sensitive places, such as schools, from gun violence. KITV4.

Patients armed with weapons: Gun scare at Straub highlights disturbing trend. A patient armed with a ghost gun was arrested at Straub Medical Center after sources say staff discovered the firearm along with a high capacity magazine hidden in the man’s backpack. Hawaii News Now.

Environmentalists criticize health department for delayed toxic chemical reporting in Kunia Village. Environmental advocates are criticizing the Department of Health for the delay in telling the public that a drinking water well in Kunia Village was contaminated with toxic forever chemicals. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Mass Transit Launches New Website. The Hawaiʻi County Mass Transit Agency on Monday announced it has launched a new website to improve the way in which riders connect with the Hele-On bus service. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Court dismisses challenge against the state on lease revision. Lessees of state land within the Kanoelehua Industrial Area in Hilo were allowed in 2018 to apply with the Department of Land and Natural Resources for lease extensions of up to 40 years, so long as they made certain improvements to their properties. Tribune-Herald.

Community receives $10 million for new Papa‘aloa Community Center Gym
. There is a bright future on the horizon for Papa‘aloa and the Hamakua Coast with the newly acquired $10 million for a new community gym. Tribune-Herald.

The former Country Club Condominium Hotel is up for new development. The former Country Club Condominium Hotel may become a hotel again under new management. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui councilmembers vote against exemptions for Waiehu affordable housing project. An affordable housing project on the Valley Isle that needed Maui County Council's approval to move forward is facing complications. Hawaii Public Radio.

Rep. Tokuda to host first community town hall on Maui, April 6. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) announced her first community town hall on Maui, Thursday, April 6, 2023, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, Pāʻina building. Maui Now.

Kīhei Community Association president hopes to overcome funding road blocks. Kīhei Community Association president Michael Moran points out that his group has had its measure of successes in pushing forward projects that benefitted South Maui from Māʻalaea to Mākena.  Maui Now.

Expansion plan at Grand Wailea hits permitting complication.  A Maui Planning Commission hearing officer has recommended denying the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort’s applications for a planned development and special management area permits, which are needed for the luxury resort to complete its plan to add about 137 more units. Star-Advertiser.

Mokulele adding planes to aid scheduling for Lanai and Molokai.
Southern Airways, the parent company of Mokulele Airlines, announced Monday that it will deploy $10 million in additional aircraft to Molokai and Lanai. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Kauai

Farmers market vendors encouraged to take part in nutrition program. The Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i is encouraging vendors in farmers markets to participate in the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program, SFMNP. Garden Island.

Moriyama connects with Kaua‘i. Three high school students from Moriyama, Japan, all winners of an English language proficiency contest sponsored by Moriyama, arrived on Kaua‘i on Sunday and met their respective host families. Garden Island.



 

Friday, September 3, 2021

Officials plead, but take no further action to prevent Labor Day gatherings, COVID counting system falters again, hundreds testify against vaccines, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands


Why Are Data Glitches Continually Skewing Hawaii’s Covid-19 Numbers? The state’s tracking system is like a complex information highway, moving data from many labs to a central reporting point. But some say there are too many traffic jams. Civil Beat.

Governor pleads with residents to avoid Labor Day gatherings, crowds. The governor is pleading with residents to avoid gatherings over the Labor Day weekend, saying Hawaii is facing a “worst-case scenario” because of the COVID surge. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. Big Island Now.

Coast Guard and NOAA targeting illegal boat charters. The Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement are targeting illegal boat charters in Hawaii through September. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now.

Couple allegedly falsifies vaccine cards to travel to Hawaii. A Georgia couple is the latest case of visitors who attempted to circumvent Hawaii’s Safe Travels program by allegedly using falsified COVID-19 vaccination cards to travel to Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Crowded Prisons And Poorly Ventilated Restaurant Kitchens Fuel Hawaii’s Pandemic. The state’s latest cluster report describes one instance in which seven of 12 fully vaccinated people who went to karaoke without wearing masks caught Covid. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

State reports increase in COVID cases among the vaccinated as overall infections soar. The state Health Department says it’s seeing an increase in the number of COVID cases among vaccinated people because of widespread community transmission. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii records 4 new coronavirus-related deaths, 1,068 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 724 new cases on Oahu, 128 on Maui, 169 on Hawaii Island, 39 on Kauai and eight Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

In impassioned address to City Council, Honolulu’s mayor warns hospitals are near ‘breaking point’. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi told the City Council on Thursday that government is doing everything possible ― short of a lockdown ― to address an ongoing surge in COVID cases, but warned hospitals and the health care system are nearing a “breaking point.” He also said that those refusing to get vaccinated are a vocal minority. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hundreds testify on COVID-19 vaccine programs. The testimony largely became a critique of the city’s new Safe Access O‘ahu program, which would require patrons at establishments such as restaurants, movie theaters and gyms to have a negative COVID-19 test within the past 48 hours or show proof of a vaccination starting Sept. 13. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

The illegal vacation rental industry is now one of the biggest targets of Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration. But his proposed crackdown is also part of a strategy that could help reduce overtourism as well as freeing up housing for residents. Hawaii News Now.

U.S. Postal Service supplier plans to close in Manoa. The closure means the Manoa area will be without a post office or location offering USPS services, and it was an issue brought up at a Wednesday night neighborhood board meeting in Manoa. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

UH-Hilo faculty given option to use hybrid model. Faculty at the University of Hawaii at Hilo last month were given the option to temporarily move from in-person classes to a hybrid model due to the surge of COVID-19 cases. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island Invasive Species Committee May Have To Cut 'Critical' Programs. The Big Island Invasive Species Committee faces a budget shortfall of about $220,000 for 2022. Hawaii Public Radio.

DUI arrests on the rise: Despite ongoing pandemic, numbers are just shy of 2019. According to a Wednesday statement from the Hawaii Police Department, there have been 727 DUI arrests for the year. That’s up 18.2% from the 615 DUI arrests at this time in 2020. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Hawai‘i Land Trust Receives Donation from Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos. Amazon founder and Executive Chair, Jeff Bezos has made two more personal donations to nonprofits on Maui, bringing the growing list of philanthropy on Maui for the e-commerce executive to four.  Today’s announcements include monetary donations of unspecified amounts to the Hawaiʻi Land Trust and the Mālama Family Recovery Center. Earlier this week, Bezos contributed personal donations to the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center and The Maui Farm. Maui Now.

Kauai

$2M to help low-income renters. In the last two years, the County Housing Agency’s Housing Choice Voucher program has been able to grow from a monthly average of around 650 to 870 households. Garden Island.

Final Waimea 400 plan meeting is Sept. 9. A final community meeting for the Waimea 400 conceptual community master plan will be held virtually online on Thursday, Sept. 9, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Garden Island.


Friday, September 15, 2017

Hawaii jobless rate hits 10-year low, legislation sought for pension spiking, Honolulu rail board accepts oversight, changes coming to public records and Sunshine Law, Coast Guard cutter leaving Hawaii Island, campaign on for Maui mayor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy Hawaii Department of Public Safety
Ige visits Women’s Community Correctional Center hydroponics project, courtesy photo
Hawaii’s jobless rate fell to a 10-year low of 2.6 percent last month.The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said Thursday the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell 0.1 percentage point from July.The rate was last this low in April 2007. Associated Press.

Jobless rate at its lowest in 10 years. Star-Advertiser.

Pension Spiking Costs Taxpayers Millions — Now The Push Is On To Stop It. Honolulu City Councilman Joey Manahan urges state to change how it sets retirement payouts to prevent overtime abuse. Civil Beat.

Changes are coming to Hawaii’s records and open meeting laws, affecting how people can find out about public meetings as well as how much they’ll pay for public records. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaiian Airlines’ parent company Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: HA) has appointed Abhi Dhar, the previous chief information officer of Walgreens, to its board of directors. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Honolulu Rail Board: What Do You Do With A $2.4 Billion Bailout? A board member expressed concern about new oversight rules, but rail managers say those are “not much of an issue.” Civil Beat.

An environmental consulting firm has found soot and dust containing potentially hazardous byproducts of the deadly and destructive Marco Polo high-rise fire in condo units and common areas, the homeowners association told owners this week in a memo. Star-Advertiser.

Residents of the Marco Polo condominium on Kapi’olani Boulevard are now eligible for low-interest loans following a devastating fire two months ago. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser is starting on Monday a daily digital news program, anchored by veteran journalists Yunji de Nies and Ryan Kalei Tsuji. The one-minute newscast will feature headlines from the Star-Advertiser and run on the Digital Billboard Network, a network of screens in more than 70 stores across Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Constant Flooding in Mapunapuna Prompts State To Cut Lease Payments. Businesses that rent from DLNR in Mapunapuna can ask for rent reductions when their leases come up for renewal. Civil Beat.

For years, residents have wanted safety improvements for years on this stretch of Leahi Avenue between Monsarrat Avenue and Noela Street, just mauka of Kapiolani Park. But there's one major problem. No one knows who actually owns this stretch of roadway. Hawaii News Now.

The debate over what to do about a fallen seawall on Oahu's North Shore is causing tension in a Sunset Beach neighborhood. Hawaii News Now.

Construction of a four-story student apartment complex being built on the corner of South King and University Avenue is raising safety concerns for some neighbors of the project. Hawaii News Now.

The future of 133 Kaiulani, the 32-story high-rise condominium hotel that was planned to replace the aging King’s Village Shopping Center in Waikiki, is less certain following the filing of a lawsuit in Honolulu 1st Circuit Court on Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The Coast Guard cutter Kiska is scheduled to pull out of Hilo Harbor for good Saturday en route to its new home in Guam, leaving Hawaii island with only two Coast Guard personnel and prompting concern over how open-water searches and rescues there will be conducted. Star-Advertiser.

A federal after-school program that has been on the chopping block is now almost certain to stay in the 2018-19 school year. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program has been in limbo since March when President Donald Trump proposed to cut it in his 2018 fiscal budget. Tribune-Herald.

A website is about to go live for bird lovers seeking the best spots from Hilo to Kona to see the diversity of the Big Island’s feathered friends. Tribune-Herald.

Six NASA-backed space psychology research subjects are set to emerge Sunday after eight months of isolation together in a Mars-like habitat on a remote Hawaii Volcano. Associated Press.

Maui

Mayor Alan Arakawa suggested the Maui County Department of Liquor Control return to “common-sense rules” Wednesday after his office was inundated by complaints from the community over the past year. Maui News.

Maui County Council Member Don Guzman announced his candidacy for mayor Thursday evening, packing in an enthusiastic crowd of more than 700 supporters at the Velma McWayne Santos Community Center in Wailuku. Maui News.

Some West Maui residents believe they have a solution to the nagging issue of traffic jams on Honoapiilani Highway, and it doesn’t have to do with the Lahaina bypass. Maui News.

Kauai

The county is shutting down parking on Black Pot Beach until further notice because of sand erosion, starting today. Garden Island.

Severe erosion issues have forced Kauai County officials to close off a portion of a popular Hanalei beach park to any vehicular traffic, a county spokesperson says. Hawaii News Now.

Students at Kauai Community College can count on new support for academic issues. The University of Hawaii Board of Regents elected Norma Doctor Sparks of Kauai to replace outgoing regent David Iha. Garden Island.

International Coastal Cleanup Day is Saturday. It’s the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup Day, and worldwide people will be joining together to pull trash from beaches and catalogue it into a database. Garden Island.

Meet the monk seals. Scientist outlines misconceptions about endangered species. Garden Island.