Seafood found safe after Fukushima disaster, Hanabusa political aspirations questioned, audit blasts Big Island hiring practices, entire island of Kauai loses electricity, hurricane shelters lacking, new rules for boat harbors, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Slicing ahi at Hilo fish market © 2017 All Hawaii News

It’s OK to keep salivating over seafood. A new study from an international research team has found that migratory marine predators in coastal waters near Japan and Hawaii had negligible contamination from the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami that caused a Fukushima power plant to release large quantities of radioactive material. Star-Advertiser.

Saving Coral: Researchers in Hawaii are involved in cutting-edge science aimed at countering the effects of climate change on the world’s oceans. Civil Beat.

The Board of Land and Natural Resources Friday approved amendments to a wide range of state boating rules intended to improve management of state small boat harbors and ocean recreation-related activities in state waters. Associated Press.

Reversal by Hanabusa prompts criticism. Colleen Hanabusa said she will soon file papers to form a new campaign committee to run for governor, confirming long-standing speculation in Hawaii political circles that she would challenge fellow Democrat and incumbent Gov. David Ige in 2018. Star-Advertiser.

Immigration and Island Dreamers: The cancellation of DACA could cost Hawaii more than half a billion dollars. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Prison Warden’s Case Shows Firing A Public Worker Isn’t Easy. Despite dozens of sexual harassment and discrimination concerns, appeals board says her prior clean record counts for a lot. Civil Beat.

Twenty-five years after Hurricane Iniki pummeled Kauai, Hawaii has made substantial progress in some ways to prepare for the next major hurricane. But the state remains significantly ill-prepared in other areas, including not having adequate facilities to house everyone who would likely seek public shelter from an Iniki-like storm. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s students are making strides in their ACT college exam scores, though their performance as a whole still trails behind some of their counterparts nationally, according to test score data for the class of 2017 released this week. Tribune-Herald.

Alexander &Baldwin Inc. is about to join a special group of companies — mostly mainland firms — that funnel almost all their profits to stockholders and qualify for a unique tax break known as Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The typical household electrical bill for Oahu residents in September declined 40 cents from the previous month. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Officials Push For $200 Million Ala Wai Canal Makeover. Devastating storms on the mainland are prompting a renewed effort to finally fix the Ala Wai’s potential for flooding that could wipe out Waikiki. Civil Beat.

As the search for Honolulu's next police chief continues, two more names have emerged as candidates. Sources confirmed for Hawaii News Now that Gary Yamashiroya and Paul Putzulu are in the running for the position. Hawaii News Now.

The redevelopment of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority’s Mayor Wright Homes into a mixed-income, mixed-use project would add more than 2,000 new residential rental units to what is currently a 15-acre public housing project near Downtown Honolulu, according to a draft environmental impact statement filed with the state. Pacific Business News.

A $100 million public housing project has been further delayed after Hawaii officials voted to end a partnership with a private developer. Associated Press.

Some investors question claims over partially submersible vessel. Curtiss Jackson, owner and CEO of Semisub Inc., says he expects his partially submersible vessel to start commercial tours in Hawaii’s waters next month. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County’s hiring practices, long a source of complaints of unfairness and favoritism, are sharply criticized in a report released last week by the county’s legislative auditor. West Hawaii Today.

The state Department of Transportation might need to keep its options open for how it spends $40 million added to the state’s capital budget for improving Highway 130. Tribune-Herald.

A community forum on Puna roads was held at the Hawaiian Paradise Park Activity Center on Saturday. Big Island Video News.

The Kailua Village Design Commission this week signaled its approval for Kona Brewing Co.’s proposed brewery, recommending only some minor changes to the proposed plan. West Hawaii Today.

One year after its inception, Kona’s bikeshare program is rolling right along. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim recently sat down with Sherry Bracken to discuss his decision to bar a handful of visiting hula halau from staying overnight in county gyms during the Merrie Monarch Festival. Big Island Video News.

Kailua-Kona has been named one of the top foodie towns in the United States, according to a new rankings. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Meeting set to discuss Iao Valley State Monument closure, stabilization. Maui News.

Almost a year has passed since one of the largest floods in Maui County’s history destroyed homes, properties and swept up entire landmasses in Iao Valley. Maui News.

For the first time in four years, Newell’s shearwaters have started laying eggs in an artificially created seabird colony in West Maui. Maui News.

Central Maui, consistently the busiest housing market in Maui County, hit a 12-month-high median housing price at $650,000 in August as median prices countywide held steady at $700,000. Maui News.

Maui’s residential real estate market was mixed in August as the median price and sales of single-family houses rose during the month but condominiums saw decreases in both categories. Star-Advertiser.

Condominium sales dropped 11.3 percent to 110 in August, while the median price decreased 4.8 percent to $400,000, from $420,000 last year, according to statistics by the Realtors Association of Maui. Pacific Business News.

Kaanapali Beach and Lahaina Beach have just been named as two of America’s favorite beaches in 2017. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai residents were without power for some time Sunday as Kauai Island Utility Cooperative officials worked to restore an island-wide blackout. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai is suffering. A 2017 suicide epidemic is increasingly worrying police and service organizations with the death toll so far this year already nearly double the number reported in all of 2016 and far higher than any year since at least 2012. Garden Island.

Reflections on the past decade of Hawaiian monk seal conservation will be offered Wednesday at the Princeville Library in a program that will focus on the research and conservation efforts to help the species. Garden Island.

Monday marks 25 years since Iniki pummeled Kauai. Hawaii News Now.

Hurricane Iniki made landfall on Kauai on Sept. 11, 1992. Garden Island.

Actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have sold a Kauai compound above Secret Beach that was once owned by NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for $12 million, according to a report in Variety. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Supreme Court halts commercial aquarium fish collecting, state joins DACA lawsuit, Honolulu council approves GET extension for rail, Pacific Resource Partnership fined for anti-Cayetano campaign, Kim declares state of emergency after well breakdowns, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Butterflyfish in the wild © 2017 All Hawaii News

A Hawaii Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday halts the commercial scooping of reef fish for aquariums until the state reviews the trade’s environmental impact. Associated Press.

The state Supreme Court has ordered a stop to the commercial collection of aquarium fish in Hawaii pending an environmental review. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Supreme Court put the brakes on aquarium fishing in the state in a decision announced Wednesday. Garden Island.

Conservationists are hailing a ruling from the Hawaii Supreme Court ordering a halt to the collecting of Hawaii reef fish for aquariums. Hawaii News Now.

Today, the Hawai‘i Supreme Court unanimously sided with citizens and conservation groups who have been fighting to protect the state’s coral reefs from the aquarium industry’s collection and sale of reef fish and other wildlife. Maui Now.

As the federal government eyes shrinking some of the United States monuments, Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument is winning awards in marine conservation. Garden Island.

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Guide To The 2018 Elections. Gov. David Ige faces a strong challenge, and several well-known politicians may battle each other for high-profile positions. Civil Beat.

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Fifteen states, including Hawaii, and the District of Columbia sued Wednesday to block President Donald Trump’s plan to end a program protecting young immigrants from deportation — an act Washington state’s attorney general called part of a “dark time for our country.” Associated Press.

Fifteen states, including Hawaii, and the District of Columbia sued today to block President Donald Trump’s decision to end a program protecting young immigrants from deportation, a plan that Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin said “robs hundreds of Hawaii residents of certainty in their future.” Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii has joined 15 other states in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration for ending the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Pacific Business News.

The State of Hawaii says it has joined a coalition of 16 states in filing suit to protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) grantees. Tribune-Herald.

The Trump administration’s decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals created by President Obama in 2012 to protect immigrants who came to this country as children was criticized by the Democratic Party of Hawaii. Garden Island.

Hawaii joined a coalition of 16 states today in filing a lawsuit to protect grantees of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which was brought to an end in an announcement by the Trump administration yesterday. Maui Now.

President Donald Trump’s decision to repeal the President Barack Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, has caused some “concern and confusion” in the Aloha State. Tribune-Herald.

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The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has launched a Global Entry pilot program with Japan that will allow up to 1,500 Japanese citizens to receive expedited screening when visiting the United States. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii will receive additional funds from the federal government's highway program, making the state the largest beneficiary of the program based on lane miles. Pacific Business News.

The state is getting more than $41 million in federal funding to improve freeways and highways. KHON2.

Scores on the ACT college entrance exam ticked up slightly for Hawaii public school graduates for the third year in a row, but most students are not prepared to succeed in college, according to results released late Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Heiress Hires Doctors To Help Reclaim Her $215M Fortune. Abigail Kawananakoa, 91, says she’s mentally fit to manage her own finances even though she suffered a stroke in June. Civil Beat.

Oahu

A years-long dispute over the failure of pro-rail political action committee Pacific Resource Partnership to disclose campaign expenditures it made against former Gov. Ben Cayetano in his 2012 bid for mayor will be resolved with a state-imposed fine. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council voted 8-0-1 today to extend the island’s 0.5 percent general excise tax surcharge funding rail another three years to 2030. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council Approves Rail Funding Extension. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday approved extending Oahu's general excise tax surcharge to help bail out the rail project. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu officials recently canceled their long-stalled effort to award the construction contract for rail’s final 4.3 miles and eight stations into town, opting to start over instead. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s statewide police union has filed a lawsuit against the city of Honolulu to block the release of officers’ names to Honolulu Civil Beat.

After a six-year wait, the developer seeking to build a solar farm in Kalaeloa was rejected by the state agency responsible for managing the land. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric Co. has teamed up with distributed energy resource developer EnSync Energy to test the company's new utility vertical, which will provide the utility with more gird visibility and control. Pacific Business News.

The federal Equal Employment Opportunities Commission is suing the Blood Bank of Hawaii, claiming it terminated an employee who was fighting cancer because she ran out of sick leave. Hawaii News Now.

A state board made a bold and admittedly imperfect decision Wednesday aimed at increasing the long-term supply of affordable housing in Honolulu’s hottest area for residential development, Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu’s condominium market stayed hot in August, as buyer demand for condos hit its highest level in more than a decade after a price record set in July. Star-Advertiser.

Three new restaurants are coming to Kakaako, planned by the Aoki Group, owner and operator of Honolulu’s Doraku and Bluetree Cafe locations. Star-Advertiser.

Queen Emma Land Co. has announced a partnership with developer OliverMcMillan to redevelop seven parcels of land at Kuhio Avenue and Kanekapolei Street in Waikiki to create a commercial mixed-use project. Civil Beat.

The Waikiki Shell will be renamed the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell in honor of the late concert promoter, under a resolution approved unanimously by the City Council Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mayor Harry Kim on Wednesday signed a proclamation declaring a state of emergency to ensure the county can react quickly to water well breakdowns in West Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

Craft Brew Alliance Inc., the owner of Kona Brewing Co., is facing further legal action over the brewing sites of its Hawaii-themed beers. Pacific Business News.

After years of work, the proposed Ka’u Community Development Plan is on the verge on final adoption. Big Island Video News.

One month after Big Island Mayor Harry Kim created the state's only safe zone for homeless campers, the county says it's looking to expand the program. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island has become mired in a months-long dry weather pattern. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

State commits to pay for lifeguards at Makena Beach Park. The matter of legal liability remains a ‘big concern’ for county lawmakers. Maui News.

The head of Alexander & Baldwin’s diversified agriculture operations told a Maui County Council committee Tuesday that the company is not farming any genetically modified crops for food or for animal feed. Maui News.

A&B on Tuesday presented their “diversified agriculture” plan to the Maui Policy, Economic Development and Agricultural Committee. Maui Now.

Kauai

The 287-page county document created to plan for Kauai’s future has some residents fearful of what’s ahead. Garden Island.

Kuhio Highway is targeted for $7.3 million in improvements as part of $41.1 million in funding through the Federal Highways Administration. Garden Island.

Commemorating the historic landing of Captain James Cook, Waimea Town’s Hofgaard Park continues to make history. Garden Island.

$2.4B rail bailout bill signed into law, Hawaii reacts to Trump DACA termination, bird, fish deaths in wake of Lehua rat poison drop, A&B says no GMO crops on Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige signs rail bailout bill, governor's office photo

Gov. David Ige signed into law Tuesday Senate Bill 4, an estimated $2.4 billion bailout package that island leaders hope will finally complete the transit project to Ala Moana Center, following three years of steep cost increases that have left its outcome uncertain. Star-Advertiser.

Legislation to help pay for Honolulu's rail transit project became law Tuesday with Hawaii Gov. David Ige's signature. Pacific Business News.

Governor Signs Rail Funding Bill Into Law, Next: Transient Accommodations Tax. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. David Ige signed a bill into law Tuesday to bail out Honolulu’s rail project. KHON2.

Gov. David Ige today signed the rail funding bailout bill, SB 4, after completing legal and policy reviews of the measure over the weekend. Maui Now.

And with the stroke of the governor’s pen, Senate Bill 4 becomes law. The legislation was passed by the State House and the Senate during a divisive special session. Big Island Video News.

Gov. David Ige signed a bill Tuesday that provides additional funding for Honolulu’s financially troubled rail transit project. Maui News.

Newly appointed House Majority Leader Cindy Evans of Hawaii island could lose her leadership role in a bit of collateral damage from the Honolulu rail controversy. Star-Advertiser.

Within minutes of the Honolulu rail bailout bill being signed into law Tuesday, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell issued a statement crediting the state House and Senate for “hard work” on the legislation. Civil Beat.

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There used to be a time in Hawaii when an incumbent governor was a shoo-in for re-election. But in the 2014 primary election, now-Gov. David Ige unseated a fellow Democrat. Now U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa is attempting to do the same to Ige. Associated Press.

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President Donald Trump’s decision to end a program that allowed young, unauthorized immigrants known as “Dreamers” to stay in the country has sparked fear in families who could be ripped apart and drawn condemnation from Hawaii leaders. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s representatives in the U.S. Congress strongly condemned the Trump administration’s decision Tuesday to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Civil Beat.

Demonstrators lined the sidewalk outside the Federal Building in Honolulu, holding signs to voice their opposition to the decision to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). KITV.

Dozens gathered in front of the Prince Kuhio Federal Building Tuesday evening to rally against President Donald Trump’s plan to phase out a program offering protections to young illegal immigrants. KHON2.

At least 100 protesters took to the streets of downtown Honolulu on Tuesday afternoon, part of nationwide rallies against President Donald Trump’s plan to rescind the Obama-era program that protects young undocumented immigrants who came to the country as minors. Civil Beat.

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Convincing Landlords That Housing The Homeless Is Good Business. By promising guaranteed rent and regular check-ins, shelters are creating networks of landlords willing to rent to homeless people. Civil Beat.

Retired Maj. Gen. Kelly McKeague, a 1977 Damien Memorial School graduate, was named director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on Tuesday, returning to the program that was mired in controversy several years ago. Star-Advertiser.

The Pentagon announced retired Maj. Gen. Kelly McKeague, a 1977 Damien Memorial School graduate, is the new director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Associated Press.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will award $7.6 million in federal funding to Hawaii to prevent and respond to natural disasters, terrorism, and other emergencies. Garden Island.

Twenty-four companies have what it takes to be named to this year’s list of Hawaii’s Best Workplaces. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Blaisdell Park free of homeless for now. Star-Advertiser.

Cuts in funding leads to a halt in Kakaako park homeless sweeps. Hawaii News Now.

New rental housing and retail is coming to the Diamond Head side of Waikiki when Queen Emma Land Co. begins the long-anticipated redevelopment of a tired 2.5-acre tract of prime leasehold land. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Communities in Kailua-Kona and Puako are battling contamination from cesspools leaking into the nearby sea. But the solution won’t be easy — nor will it be cheap. West Hawaii Today.

Kahilihili Road, which will provide a means for motorists to make left turns in to and out of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority, opened Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

A Kona doctor arrested on suspicion of prescription fraud last year pleaded not guilty to charges Tuesday afternoon. West Hawaii Today.

Condominium sales have lost momentum on the Big Island, dropping 22.7 percent in August after a 60 percent increase in July, according to statistics from Hawaii Island Realtors provided by Hawaii Information Service. Pacific Business News.

‘Part of who we are’: Harvey relief volunteers with Hawaii ties exude aloha spirit. Tribune-Herald.

The Big Island Fair is returning to Kailua-Kona after the threat of storm last year forced the carnival to cancel, interrupting 30 years of consecutive entertainment to the Big Island each September. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The head of Alexander &Baldwin’s diversified agriculture operations told a Maui County Council committee Tuesday that the company is not farming any genetically modified crops for food or for animal feed. Maui News.

Several key school bus routes on Maui have been restored after a driver shortage had disrupted the start of the school for hundreds of students, Hawaii education officials said Tuesday. Civil Beat.

Dimino Named Complex Area Superintendent for Baldwin-Kekaulike-Maui. Maui Now.

A Kihei man says he found suspected ordnance along a South Maui road last week and turned it into the Maui Police Department for disposal. Maui News.

Mālama Maui Nui will host a cleanup at the Kahului Harbor small boats ramp from 9 a.m. until noon on Sept. 16, 2017. The cleanup will kickoff the annual Get the Drift and Bag It! campaign. Maui Now.

Kauai

The monitoring team on Lehua Island has collected 45 dead fish and two dead birds from the near-shore waters, after two applications of rodenticide were dropped from a helicopter over the island. Garden Island.

After numerous social media posts, photos, and videos showing dead fish or birds that posters claim were killed by a rodenticide currently being used to eradicate non-native, damaging (invasive) rats from Lehua Island, the DLNR, Island Conservation, and other Lehua Island Restoration Project partners have deployed on-island monitoring teams to investigate. Maui Now.

Photos and video of dead fish and birds washing up on Lehua Island have been spreading on social media days after rat poison pellets were dropped from a helicopter on the steep cliff side of the island to eradicate invasive rodents. Star-Advertiser.

Single-family home and condominium sales experienced double-digit decreases on Kauai in August, dropping 27 percent and 11.5 percent, respectively, according to statistics from the Kauai Board of Realtors provided by Hawaii Information Service. Pacific Business News.