Showing posts with label Democratic Party. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Democratic Party. Show all posts

Monday, October 9, 2017

Honolulu, Monsanto, spar over land preservation; Legislature asked to comply with Sunshine Law; mixed reviews for Maui hospital transition; no sheriffs for Big Island evictions; overfishing on Molokai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Monsanto Facebook page
Monsanto Hawaii  Facebook photo
A city agency focused its effort to preserve prime farmland on Oahu earlier this year, but one large landowner, Monsanto, doesn’t like the plan and wants to preserve less of its land than the city recommends. Star-Advertiser.

Unhappiness with the recent special session to bail out the Honolulu rail project has prompted all three neighbor island county councils to advance resolutions urging the Hawaii Legislature to finally comply with the state’s Sunshine Law. Star-Advertiser.

Frustrated by a deal state lawmakers struck behind closed doors to bail out the Honolulu rail project, all three neighbor island county councils are urging the Legislature to follow Hawaii’s open meeting laws. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii County Council is poised to become the third in the state to send a resolution to the Legislature, asking that body to comply with the state Sunshine Laws governing open meetings. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Council wants state lawmakers to be more transparent. Big Island Video News.

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A federal judge on Friday said he would give Hawaii an opportunity to make its case that it should be allowed to challenge the Trump administration’s latest travel ban. Associated Press.

Hawaii is one of the worst places to pay taxes in the U.S., according to Kiplinger’s 2017 Tax Map. Pacific Business News.

The Hawaii State Energy Office will host a series of community meetings across the state next week to solicit community input for a study being done on future models for utility ownership and regulation in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii State Energy Office on Thursday said it will host a series of community meetings next week to gather public input for a study about future utility ownership models and regulatory approaches. Pacific Business News.

The U.S. Department of Energy on Friday said two Hawaii businesses will receive close $1.5 million in federal funding to develop offshore seaweed as a potential clean energy source. Pacific Business News.


Pearl Harbor shipyard is Navy’s most backlogged. The Navy’s four public shipyards, including Pearl Harbor, whose oldest dry dock was built in 1919, are in poor condition, contributing to inefficiency that is robbing the Navy of ship and submarine time at sea, according to a government report. Star-Advertiser.

The Pentagon agency that recovers missing American war dead made a record 201 individual identifications during fiscal 2017, meeting for the first time a benchmark set by Congress in 2010, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

The former executive director of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Flo Kong Kee, has died. Hawaii News Now.


Hawaii officials are grappling with how to control rats, snails and slugs that are known to carry roundworm parasites, which can cause significant harm to people. Associated Press.

Commentary: Little medical scrutiny in medical pot screenings. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Acting Police Chief Cary Okimoto announced Friday that he will retire at the end of the month, capping a 33-year career at the Honolulu Police Department. Civil Beat.

Farming and suburban living often peacefully coexist in Hawaii. But in Royal Kunia, residents are clashing with recent buyers of vacant land behind roughly 300 homes where a golf course was once planned. Star-Advertiser.

Structures once intended for survivors of the Japan tsunami are now providing relief for homeless families in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Urban Honolulu's largest park closed Sunday night following safety concerns and a growing number of illegal homeless campers. Hawaii News Now.

A Honolulu councilman is proposing a measure that would create a special fund to attract developers to build along the rail. KHON2.

Home sales on Oahu soared in September on slight price gains, compared to the same month last year, while the median price of a condominium jumped 11 percent to tie with the record set over the summer, according to statistics released Friday by the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Dead honu entangled in fishing line found in Kailua. Hawaii News Now.

Hundreds celebrate life of entertainer Roland Cazimero. Star-Advertiser.


Hawaii Island

An internal review of the eviction process for the sheriff’s division on Hawaii Island has led to benching deputies from assisting in evictions. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County is seeking permission to repair Ahalanui Beach Park infrastructure in Puna. Tribune-Herald.

Being priced out of paradise is one reason island residents find themselves houseless. Big Island Video News.

A key component in the plan for the future Village 9 homeless shelter in Kealakehe is set to be decided this week. Big Island Video News.

Room to romp: With fundraising goal reached, community to reconstruct Anuenue Playground. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Council members unanimously adopted a resolution Friday to refer to county planning commissions a bill to protect dune areas with potentially culturally sensitive sites from sand mining other than for on-site construction. Maui News.

At 100 days: Hospital transition has some hiccups. Island physicians give mixed reviews for Maui Health System’s first three months. Maui News.

Piilani Highway’s closure over three weeks next summer for bridge repairs is not sitting well with East Maui residents who rely on the road to get to medical appointments and do grocery shopping in Central Maui. Maui News.

The Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, which has been closed since May 2014 due to issues with environmental controls in the building, will be reopening Tuesday, just in time for National Wildlife Refuge Week. Maui News.

Kauai

Film to be made on Kauai gets funding. Kauai-made film will feature local actors. Garden Island.

The Lihue Business Association’s 11th annual meeting is set for Oct. 26 at Duke’s Canoe Club in Kalapaki, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Hawaii Gov. David Ige will be the keynote speaker. Garden Island.

KCC program offers healthcare skills. Community Health Workers program helps students, island. Garden Island.

Molokai

Study: Overfishing has less impact on Molokai. Maui News.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Hanauma Bay named America's best beach, no proof agribusiness pesticides harmful in Kauai report, new judge sought for Thirty Meter Telescope case, four seek state Democratic party chair, Kahuku Village opposes wind farm, DOT deputy fined for sending contracts to husband's firm, Hawaiian Airlines pilots picket, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2016 all Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hanauma Bay © 2016 All Hawaii News
For the second year in a row, a beach in Hawaii has been selected as the best beach in America by a Florida professor who’s made a career ranking and studying beaches around the country. This year’s top spot goes to Hanauma Bay, a picturesque nature reserve with gin-clear, turquoise water and abundant sea life. Associated Press.

Hawaii's Hanauma Bay on Oahu has been named America's best beach on an annual top 10 list compiled by coastal science professor Stephen Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach. Associated Press.

Laying bare the complex politics of reconciliation and contrition, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday rejected the idea of visiting Pearl Harbor to reciprocate for President Barack Obama's historic trip to Hiroshima later this week. Associated Press.

Jacce Mikulanec, Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, Florence Kong Kee and Tim Vandeveer are vying to replace Stephanie Ohigashi as chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaii. The election will be held at the party’s state convention this weekend at the Sheraton Waikiki. Civil Beat.

Democrat Colleen Hanabusa will make a bid to return to the seat she once held in the U.S. House of Representatives representing urban Honolulu, according to sources who have discussed the race with her. Star-Advertiser.

A former deputy director of the state Department of Transportation has paid a $13,000 administrative fine to resolve allegations that she violated the state ethics code when she apparently took action on a dozen state contracts with a consulting firm that employs her husband. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture plans to spend up to $2.5 million to install energy efficiency and renewable energy systems at its facilities across the state.Pacific Business News.

Have an idea for how to improve public education in Hawaii? The Department of Education is asking for public input as it undergoes a review of its multi-year strategic plan — a document that lays out goals for public education in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Federal forecasters at the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu are announcing the hurricane forecast for the 2016 season. Officials with the National Weather Service will give a briefing Thursday outlining the probability and frequency of tropical cyclones in the waters around Hawaii. Associated Press.

Oahu

Gov. David Ige’s administration says it will move forward on plans to construct a skilled nursing facility on the edge of the University of Hawaii’s Windward Community College campus in Kaneohe, despite rising opposition from the school’s leadership associations and the college chancellor. Star-Advertiser.

One of the biggest uncertainties for Honolulu’s commuter rail project — aside from concerns that there’s not enough money to build it — is how much it will cost to relocate utilities along the proposed route. Civil Beat.

Roughly 24 residents gathered at Kahuku Village Association Community Center on Wednesday evening to voice their concerns about a proposed 25-megawatt wind project, the second wind farm near the North Shore community. Star-Advertiser.

A windward Oahu wind farm could end up with the tallest turbines in the state. The proposed project is forced to make changes, and the Kahuku community found out what could be going up in their neighborhood. KITV4.

The city’s busiest DMV is getting ready to close and reopen in a new location. Council members want to make sure taxpayers are getting the best deal. KHON2.

With less than two weeks to go before the filing deadline, the race for Honolulu mayor has officially attracted eight candidates. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro made it official. He’s running for re-election. Civil Beat.

The National Park Service and the nonprofit group Pacific Historic Parks on Wednesday launched an effort to win grant money to preserve historic Pearl Harbor battleship moorings. Associated Press.

Dozens of Hawaiian Airlines pilots picketed Wednesday for a new collective bargaining agreement a week after voting to allow union representatives to call for a strike if necessary. The pilots gathered outside Honolulu International Airport. Associated Press.

Naked man gives Honolulu airport 4th security fence breach. Associated Press.

The origins of Hawaii’s eclectic cuisine will be explored in a new TV series on PBS hosted by Hawaii’s own Chef Ed Kenney, who owns and operates four Oahu restaurants. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

Former 3rd Circuit Court Judge Riki May Amano is facing another hurdle to her overseeing the Thirty Meter Telescope’s next contested case hearing — the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

In a surprise turn of events, the University of Hawaii filed a motion Wednesday asking that Judge Riki May Amano be replaced as hearings officer of the upcoming Thirty Meter Telescope contested case hearing. Star-Advertiser.

The question of privatization continues to hover over the East Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corp. Tribune-Herald.

Maui


Despite concerns about traffic, the 1,600-acre Waikapu Country Town project advanced Tuesday as the Maui Planning Commission formalized its comments on the development's draft environmental impact statement. Maui News.

The Makani Kai Air Cessna crash that led to the death of state Department of Health Director Loretta Fuddy three years ago off Molokai's Kalaupapa peninsula could have been prevented, according to a report by the National Transportation Safety Board. Maui News.

Kauai

There isn’t enough data to conclusively connect pesticide use on Kauai to the health of the environment and of the community, according to the group that spent 15 months researching the subject. Garden Island.

Hawaii needs to do a better job of determining the health and environmental effects of the chemicals that genetically modified seed and coffee companies spray on their crops, according to the final joint fact-finding report commissioned by the state and Kauai County. Civil Beat.

The vehicle weight tax has increased only twice on Kauai since it was imposed in 1978, but it’s been steadily producing money for the county. Garden Island.

Nene and farming will be the topic of conversation at the Kilauea Community Center Thursday at a public meeting hosted by The Kauai Nene Habitat Conservation Plan. Garden Island.

Lanai
The thrice-delayed Lanai Community Plan is returning to the full Maui County Council after passing through the Planning Committee on Tuesday. Maui News.

Friday, October 30, 2015

Dengue fever spreads on Big Island, Ethics Commission probes lawmaker spending, special session set to confirm judges, Kewalo Basin development planned, Maui Dems to learn about presidential contenders, Lihue’s Town Core revitalization, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2015 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hotels along Waikiki © 2015 All Hawaii News
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is reportedly in talks with a couple of suitors, including Hyatt Hotels and multiple Chinese entities, and while anything is possible, a Hyatt-Starwood marriage could start some waves in Waikiki. Pacific Business News.

State Ethics Commission staff say lawmakers may have misused their taxpayer-funded annual allowances, and they plan to take a closer look at recent expenditures, particularly those for meals, hotels and event tickets. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii state Senate will convene in special session next week to consider three judicial nominations. Last week, Gov. David Ige appointed Shirley M. Kawamura, the current District Court Judge of the First Circuit, to the First Circuit Court, and Melvin H. Fujino, the current District Family Court Judge of the Third Circuit, to the Third Circuit Court. Also last week, Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald appointed James C. McWhinnie to the District Court of the First Circuit. Civil Beat.

State health officials are pulling overtime to resume posting inspection reports for long-term care facilities online as required by law, but so far it’s only for certain types of homes and there are no guarantees how long the agency will keep up with it. Civil Beat.

A bitter — and increasingly costly — dispute between an Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee and her fellow trustees is entering its third year, with no settlement in sight. Earlier this month a state circuit court judge in Honolulu set a trail date of Oct. 31, 2016, in the case of Akana v. Machado, named for Rowena Akana and Colette Machado, a former chairwoman of the OHA Board of Trustees. Civil Beat.

Oahu

After a decade of trying, Chad Callan and his team at the Oceanic Institute of Hawaii Pacific University have finally unlocked the mystery of the yellow tang. Star-Advertiser.

People who serve their full prison sentences are at great risk of becoming homeless on O’ahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

As part of a program that encourages people to get off public assistance, state officials recently gave a Waipahu family a $30,000 check. The money represented five years of savings: As part of the program, rather than the state keeping rent increases that public housing or Section 8 families must pay when their income goes up, those funds went into an escrow account. Hawaii News Now.

How much — or little — commercial development is appropriate around Hawaii’s only commercial small-boat harbor is being assessed by a state board after two developers presented revised proposals Thursday to develop underutilized state land bordering Kewalo Basin in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

A controversial permit request to construct a church, parking lot and other facilities on a Mililani Mauka site that serves as a water quality detention basin was approved Monday, despite opposition from several community members. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

At least two people, and likely four more, have been infected with dengue fever after being bitten by mosquitoes on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

Maui
Despite calls from the public for more openness and transparency, the Maui Liquor Control Commission waived its selection process again Wednesday - choosing not to solicit a list of applicants - and after meeting behind closed doors re-appointed Dana Souza as director of the Department of Liquor Control. Maui News.

The Maui County Democratic Party will host a County Committee Meeting and a Democratic Presidential Caucus Information Session on Tuesday, Nov. 3, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Lihikai Elementary School Cafeteria in Kahului. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai’s vision for the future of Lihue’s Town Core is what helped secure $13 million in federal money to improve the city. Garden Island.

In the last dozen years, Ed Lyman has helped free 22 humpback whales from entanglements, recovering buoys and more than 9,000 feet of fishing line that were once wound around the bodies of these majestic endangered species. Garden Island.

Molokai
Native Hawaiian activist and Molokai resident Walter Ritte Jr. announced Wednesday that he is no longer seeking to be a delegate to a Native Hawaiian constitutional convention, calling the process "not pono" and asking others to boycott the election of delegates beginning next month. Maui News.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard disinvited from today's Democratic presidential debate, Maui to fly its homeless one-way elsewhere, state senator says Honolulu police chief should be on leave pending ethics probe, Puna group fights Hualalai geothermal drilling plan, newspaper tours Syngenta secret seed research facility, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

photo courtesy Gabbard
Rep. Tulsi Gabbbard promoted to major, courtesy photo
The Democratic National Committee has taken the highly unusual step of disinviting one of its own leaders from Tuesday’s presidential debate: U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who serves as one of five vice chairs of the organization. The reason for the very public slap at the second-term Hawaii congresswoman? Apparently, it stems from her call earlier this fall for more debates. Civil Beat.

For the past several weeks, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been outspoken in her calls for more Democratic Party presidential debates. But after renewing that point during an interview with MSNBC on Saturday, she said officials with the Democratic National Committee told her not to show up for first presidential debate Tuesday in Las Vegas. Hawaii News Now.

Comparing it to childish games by those still in high school, Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard spoke out against DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz Monday after she says she was disinvited from the Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas Tuesday evening. KITV4.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D, Hawaii, is making national headlines for saying she has been asked not to attend Tuesday’s Democratic debate in Las Vegas. KHON2.

Representative Tulsi Gabbard, a vice chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, said she was disinvited from the first Democratic presidential primary debate in Nevada after she appeared on television and called for more face-offs. New York Times

Democratic U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard was promoted from captain to major in the Hawaii Army National Guard on Monday morning in a ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Army National Guard promoted U.S. Congressional Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, to the rank of major. At a ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on Oahu, former U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka led her in taking her oath of office, according to a a news release sent out by her office. MauiTime.

The proposed sale of Hawaii’s electric company to a giant energy firm based in Florida has played out publicly since the deal with announced last December. At times, it’s felt more like an election campaign than an agreement between two utilities that must clear regulatory hurdles, not win a majority of voters’ hearts. Civil Beat.

Voter registration for one of the biggest elections for Native Hawaiian self-governance will close this week. Nearly 100,000 Hawaiians have been certified by the state-sanctioned Native Hawaiian Roll Commission to vote in a private election for delegates who will gather in Honolulu this winter at a constitutional convention. The governing document these delegates write will form the foundation of a new government by and for Native Hawaiians. Garden Island.

Oahu

State Senate Vice President Will Espero said HPD Chief Louis Kealoha should step aside from his leadership role until the FBI completes its criminal investigation over allegations that he abused his power. Hawaii News Now.

A proposed modular housing project for homeless families in Waianae is drawing criticism from residents who contend that it is not a good fit for their community. Star-Advertiser.

The last vestiges of the Kakaako homeless encampment are expected to be removed from Ohe Street beginning at 7:30 a.m. today — a day later than had been anticipated. Star-Advertiser.

One of the longest-lived military airplanes in Hawaii — the P-3 Orion turboprop — is starting to fade away, with the Navy deciding its sub-hunting jet replacements could be more economically based in Washington state. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A group that has long fought geothermal development in Puna plans to challenge a geothermal survey on Hualalai for lacking an environmental assessment. Terri Napeahi, Pele Defense Fund vice president, thinks the state erred by not requiring the review for the exploration project, which will measure very low-frequency electromagnetic waves underground, and plans to file a lawsuit. Tribune-Herald.

The public has a right to read emails exchanged between Hawaii state legislators and the agribusiness industry, Ashley Lukens, program director for the Hawaii Center for Food Safety told scores Thursday night in Kona. West Hawaii Today.

South Kona paniolo should see about $3 million in improvements to the Honaunau Rodeo Arena by this time next year, as the county begins sprucing up the old arena to better serve the public. West Hawaii Today.

Higher education enrollment on Hawaii Island continues to dwindle, leading University of Hawaii administrators to look for ways to boost revenue. The last three fall semesters at University of Hawaii at Hilo have begun with consistent dips in enrollment, with overall numbers dropping by 328 students, or 7.9 percent, since 2012, according to head counts provided by the University of Hawaii Institutional Research Office. There currently are 3,829 students enrolled. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The HawaiÊ»i Lodging and Tourism Association will donate a $25,000 grant toward a new project to fly an estimated 120 homeless individuals on Maui back to the mainland. The non-profit, statewide trade organization will present a check to Kahului’s Family Life Center this weekend as part of its initial neighbor island funding for the repatriation program. Maui Now.

As Hawai‘i continues to wrestle with the highest rate of homelessness in the nation, one Maui group has come up with a creative solution to alleviate the problem. Hawaii Public Radio.

The burning of large sugar cane fields on Maui has been linked to acute respiratory distress in a new study by health professionals. Civil Beat.

A Final Environmental Assessment has been filed for the proposed Kuhua Street Extension project that is designed to provide an alternate local transportation corridor parallel to the Honoapiʻilani Highway between Front Street and Keawe Street in West Maui. Maui Now.

Except for a double-digit jump in single-family home sales, little has changed significantly in Maui County residential and condominium real estate when comparing the first nine months of this year with the same period in 2014, according to statistics released last week by the Realtors Association of Maui. Maui News.

Opinion: Oh, to be a fly on the wall in Mayor Alan Arakawa’s 9th Floor county office today. You guys saw The Maui News’ huge front-page story yesterday on the dramatic Mar. 5, 2013 meeting at Starbucks in Kahului between then-Maui Film Commissioner Harry Donenfeld (who secretly recorded the meeting because he was worried about his job) and three key aides to Mayor Alan Arakawa: Managing Director Keith Regan, Chief of Staff Herman Andaya and Communications Director Rod Antone. It’s quite the tale of power and influence, concerning the Maui Film Studio (the island’s first locally financed and run film studio, which has since gone out of business) and big-time Hollywood producer Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media (which recently declared bankruptcy). MauiTime.

Kauai

On a recent sun-drenched afternoon at Syngenta’s seed research facility, tidy rows of spring green leaves peered out of cracks in the earth. Garden Island.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Military seeks to exhume Punchbowl cemetery unknowns, Oahu Democrats want gay marriage session, Honolulu preps for rail hearing, tons of taxpayer-purchased food go to waste, Lanai gets new emergency room, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Punchbowl cemetery courtesy photo
The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command wants to take the unprecedented step of exhuming all of the Dec. 7, 1941, casualties of the USS Oklahoma buried as "unknowns" at Punchbowl cemetery — more than 330 crew members — to help it reach a higher number of annual identifications mandated by Congress. But the Hawaii-based military command, known as JPAC, is getting resistance from the Navy, which prefers to maintain the "sanctity" of the graves at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

After one of its best first quarters ever, Hawaii's hot hotel industry cooled off some in the second quarter, allowing New York to reclaim the distinction of having the nation's costliest nightly hotel rate. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu Democrats on Saturday moved to temper an intraparty fight over traditional marriage and focus on persuading Gov. Neil Abercrombie and the state Legislature to return in special session to consider marriage equality. Star-Advertiser.

The fight in Congress over eliminating sugar subsidies has been good to members from Hawaii. The delegation has raked in tens of thousands of dollars in the past couple years as the U.S. sugar industry spends millions to convince Congress that it needs help in order to compete with foreign producers. Civil Beat.

Hawaii struggles to keep new teachers. Associated Press.

Top U.S. Navy commanders in the Asia-Pacific region have formed a task force to discuss sexual assault issues as the branch fights to stem a military-wide problem within its ranks. Associated Press.

The Hawaii State Judiciary is warning the public to be on the alert for an apparent telephone scam by a person claiming to be a court employee. Associated Press.

State roundup for August 12. Associated Press.

Oahu

Heading into Thursday's hearing before the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, proponents and opponents of the city's $5.3 billion rail system expressed confidence in their positions. Hawaii News Now.

The multi-billion dollar Honolulu rail project was only minimally stunned by the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii for its failure to adequately study the project’s possible effects on Chinatown and Mother Waldron Park (an old urban park/playground), and for its failure to articulate the reasons why a tunnel under Beretania Street (a major city arterial) was rejected.  But bumpy track still looms ahead. Hawaii Reporter.

A proposal to give the City Council more power over the Honolulu Board of Water Supply remains alive, but the board has gained some breathing room. Star-Advertiser.

Trying not to smell the stench from the Ala Wai is becoming a challenge. Residents say ever since the city began working on removing the temporary sewer pipe from the canal the smell is almost too much to bear. KITV4.

Teenage Girl to State: Clean Up the Ala Wai and Comply With Law. Civil Beat.

Where there once was a flat and empty rooftop, there now grows a garden. The 4,400-square-foot garden atop the Institute for Human Services' service center on Kaaahi Street is expected to provide healthy meals, training opportunities and an escape from the industrial setting of Iwilei. Star-Advertiser.

When it comes to recycling…Hawaii has struggled with a lack of resources and funding. But a new hands-on project in Oahu is taking a do-it-yourself approach. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii

The Hawaii Island Food Basket had to throw out more than 19,000 pounds of food — almost 10 tons — because it couldn’t distribute it fast enough after the County Council declared a food emergency and gave it $275,000 last year. That’s according to a report the Food Basket sent Monday to Council Chairman J Yoshimoto after a West Hawaii Today investigation revealed the nonprofit had not met the reporting requirements in the May 3, 2012, contract where the council took the unprecedented step of dipping into the county disaster fund for the money.

A series of amendments that would ban scuba spearfishing and limit aquarium fish collecting in West Hawaii waters is set to go to Gov. Neil Abercrombie next week, Department of Land and Natural Resources Chairman William Aila said Friday. West Hawaii Today.

A University of Hawaii research program that involved six people living in a Mars-like habitat on the slopes of Mauna Loa volcano is about to come to an end after four months. The press is invited to a media conference later this week with the researchers who have been living in the habitat and emerging only in space suits. Civil Beat.

The fast-growing albizia trees, an invasive species, have earned a reputation in Hawaii as “junk trees,” due to their propensity for spreading and growing like weeds and posing a danger to people, power lines, vehicles and homes due to their brittle nature and tendency to collapse. Tribune-Herald.

Maui
The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Maui County Council violated the state open meetings "Sunshine Law" in approving a Wai­lea development, but declined to invalidate the county's approval for the residential community. The court instead sent the case back to Maui Circuit Court to determine the amount of attorney fees for the five residents who filed the lawsuit contending the law was violated. Star-Advertiser.

The plaintiffs in a "Sunshine Law" challenge to the Maui County Council's approval of the Honua'ula project in 2008 claimed victory Friday in a ruling on the case Thursday by the Hawaii Supreme Court. Maui News.

The third of four wells that aim to space out pumping on the south side of the Iao aquifer to help protect the main water source for Central and South Maui could go out to bid soon and possibly be operational in a year, said the deputy director of the Department of Water Supply on Thursday. Maui News.

Native Hawaiian community and Maui labor leader Perry Artates resigned last week from his post as a Hawaiian Homes Commission member after pleading guilty to federal wire fraud and false loan application charges in June, according to state officials and federal court documents. Maui News.

Kauai
Intermediate Court Ruling Could Lead to Substantial Cash Settlement for Victims of Ka Loko Dam Breach. Hawaii Reporter.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation is holding a public information meeting next week to discuss the upcoming Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor Sand Bypass System and Breakwater root repair projects. Garden Island.

Kauai County officials say vandalism is the reason behind a decision to close a popular beach park at night. Starting Monday, Hanamaulu Beach Park will be closed from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. Associated Press.

Kauai County Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. says he plans to select a site for a proposed residential adolescent drug treatment center by the end of the year. Garden Island.

The Kauai County Council’s Finance Committee deferred for two weeks a proposal that represents the last stage of a three-year property tax reform to address inequities and create a fair system going forward. Garden Island.

Lanai

The blessing of its new emergency room and diagnostic lab Friday may be just the beginning of Lanai Community Hospital's efforts to further satisfy the health care needs of island residents and the plans of billionaire Larry Ellison's Pulama Lana'i. Maui News.


Monday, January 14, 2013

Hawaii voters like Schatz, Maui Dems release names but not finalists for House seat, more bones found on Honolulu rail route, Oahu ballot shortage questions remain, state to get $150M from travel sites, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

announcement of appointment to U.S. Senate
Brian Schatz with Gov. Neil Abercrombie file photo
Hawaii voters generally think Gov. Neil Abercrombie was right to pick his former lieutenant governor, Brian Schatz, to replace the late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, according to a new Civil Beat Poll conducted last week. Civil Beat.

Hindus now have a fellow believer in Congress. Associated Press.

Steady revenue growth from Hawaii's tourism-driven economic recovery may tempt state lawmakers this session to satisfy some of the pent-up demand for state spending since the recession, but lawmakers do not have enough confidence in the economy for much of an expansion. Star-Advertiser.

Teachers who organized the so-called "work to the rule" protests that spread to schools statewide are planning a rally at the State Capitol this week for legislation that the teachers' union says it does not support. Hawaii News Now.

The investigation of widespread ballot shortages that plagued Oahu voters on Election Day is finished, but the thoroughness of the probe is now being brought into question. KITV4.

A judge has ordered some online travel sites to pay the state roughly $150 million for a decade’s worth of back taxes and interest. Associated Press.

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources is mounting a renewed push for long-term funding for the protection of the state’s critical watershed areas. Civil Beat.

A Civil Beat poll found 80 percent of respondents had both cell phones and landlines, 11 percent said cell phone only and 9 percent said landline only. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Co.’s Robbie Alm said Thursday that Hawaii will meet, and probably even exceed, its preliminary mandate of achieving 15 percent clean energy by 2015. Pacific Business News.

Of 27 movies, Elvis Presley made 3 in the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Ben Jay, the new athletics director at the University of Hawaii, will spend his first official day on the job in Manoa on Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu
Archaeologists for the city’s rail transit project unearthed another set of human remains Sunday as they worked on one of two remaining trenches in the proposed downtown corridor. Star-Advertiser.

A company that leases more than 35 acres from the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to operate a racing facility in Leeward Oahu has been hit with more than $100,000 in property-related violations, is several months behind on its rent and is under investigation by DHHL for allegedly clearing land outside the parcel's boundaries and possibly damaging historically significant sites, according to public records and information from city and state agencies. Star-Advertiser.

Former Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle announced he would be an international business adviser for the law firm O’Connor, Playdon & Guben. Civil Beat.

Nearly a dozen people woke up early Saturday morning to take a stand against animal cruelty, specifically cock fighting. KHON2.

Hawaii

Former veteran lawmaker from Hilo Jerry Chang has been named to replace Gerald De Mello, the longtime University of Hawaii at Hilo public relations chief. Big Island Now.

A Big Island landowner has racked up a sizable tab with the Hawaii County Planning Department. Tribune-Herald.

After nearly a year of inaction, some South Kona residents are frustrated by the county’s apparent inability to fix a broken solar heating system for its public swimming pool at Konawaena High School. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Democratic Party releases names of seven qualified applicants for the state House seat vacated by Gil Keith-Agarn, but didn't reveal the three finalists sent to Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Maui News.

A dedication ceremony was held on Friday for the new $26 million science building at the University of Hawai’i Maui College campus in Kahului. Maui Now.

Members of the community last week objected to the proposed removal of concrete modules that were mistakenly dropped on coral within the Keawakapu artificial reef three years ago, citing cost issues and the possibility of creating more problems. Maui News.

Maui County has disclosed it paid $40,000 last year to settle a federal lawsuit filed by a Maui woman who was shot by a Taser gun by one of four police officers in 2006 at her Wailuku home. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai
On Sunday, less than two weeks after being sworn into office, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-District 2) made her first visit to Kaua‘i since the election. Garden Island.

One month and one week after taking office on December 3, the new Kaua‘i Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar said the staff is coming together more quickly than he expected. Garden Island.

If all goes smooth, one of the best skate parks in the state will be ready by the end of the year in Hanapepe, thanks to a partnership between a hardcore group of community members, do-it-yourself skateboarders and local government. And that’s just the first of a series of planned skate facilities. Garden Island.

Molokai

Molokai’s Native Hawaiian Library is sponsoring an Open House and Event, Ua Mau Ke Ea: Sovereignty Endures on Thursday, Jan. 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. Molokai Dispatch.


Monday, January 7, 2013

Hawaii humpback whale count begins, congressional delegation gets plum posts, Maui Senate list trimmed to 3, uninsured motorist group seeks database, fee hikes, Oahu marsh takes shape, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Maui Hawaii
Humpback whale breaches near Maui
Armed with binoculars and stationed at various sites overlooking the ocean, humpback whale aficionados will again spend three Saturdays searching for a burst of mist in the air, an arch, pectoral fin slapping, a spy hop or breach. West Hawaii Today.

The new members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation were assigned to some powerful committees Friday, the second day of the 113th U.S. Congress. including the Senate Armed Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Pacific Business News.

Late last week, Hawaii's freshmen senators and representative landed choice committee appointments overseeing issues crucial to the state — military, transportation, Native Hawaiian affairs, among others. Civil Beat.

Gary Hooser, the former director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control and a staunch environmental advocate repeatedly clashed with Gov. Neil Abercrombie and his environmental policies. Civil Beat.

There’s no indication it will help – and it’s likely to add to the cost of registering a motor vehicle in Hawaii — but a task force on uninsured motorists is nonetheless recommending the state create an online database to track who is carrying required insurance and who is not. West Hawaii Today.

Importing liquefied natural gas to Hawaii could provide residents with “huge” savings over oil, according to a recently released University of Hawaii study designed to help chart a path for importing the fuel. Civil Beat.

On Thursday, the US Department of Health and Human Services gave conditional approval to the Hawaii Health Connector to operate a state-based health insurance exchange in Hawaii in compliance with the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”). Maui Now.

Oahu

There were 57 traffic fatalities on Oahu in 2012, up about 10 percent from 2011. Star-Advertiser.

Former Gov. Ben Cayetano will keynote the Smart Business Hawaii annual investment conference on Wednesday, January 9, at the Ala Moana Hotel, where he will discuss what impact Sen. Daniel Inouye's death will have on Hawaii's economy and politics. Hawaii Reporter.

A restoration is under way of nearly 40 acres of wildlife habitat within the 830-acre Kawainui Marsh, the largest remaining wetland in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Inouye likely to be honored by state; county. KITV4.

As the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Elvis Presley's "Aloha from Hawaii" concert descends on Honolulu, local fans are getting into the spirit with memories sweetened through the ages, just like wine. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

On Saturday, various state and Hawaii Island dignitaries gathered in Waimea to celebrate the graduation of an inaugural class of 14 students from a program, Veterans to Farmers, which aims to teach veterans the business of agriculture. Tribune-Herald.

The number of traffic-related fatalities on Hawaii island jumped from 22 in 2011 to 38 last year — a spike of 72 percent. Star-Advertiser.

Neighbors say the gulch roadway where tourist Yogi Yoswara disappeared on the night of Dec. 19 is dangerous, and want something done about it. Tribune-Herald.

Planning and designing the new West Hawaii shelter and offices is taking longer than expected, a Hawaii Island Humane Society official said Friday. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

About 30 Maui Democrats met behind closed doors to hear pitches Saturday from seven applicants for the vacant Central Maui 5th Senate District seat. Maui News.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has released $6 million for construction of the Kahului Airport access road, one of the larger amounts in $70.2 million the governor released for capital improvement projects statewide. Maui News.

A proposal for a $200 million West Maui Harbor will not go beyond the words and conceptual images in a glossy, 42-page booklet because the landowner, The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, has no interest in pursuing the idea. Maui News.

Kauai

Faulty pump controls are being blamed for sending more than 200 gallons of sewage up through manholes onto Iona Road in Hanapepe Sunday. Garden Island.

The multi-use path at Wailua Beach is moving forward, regardless of an enduring resistance from some Native Hawaiians and community members, unbent on agreeing to concrete slabs covering any sliver of beach sand. Garden Island.

Molokai

The second annual Energy Festival, hosted by I Aloha Molokai (IAM) will be held next weekend and focuses on sensible, renewable energy solutions. On Jan. 11 and 12, 2013, at Mitchell Pauole Center, Kaunakakai, Molokai over 1000 people are expected to participate in panels and workshops, listen to local music, and eat ono food at the event. Molokai Dispatch.



Thursday, November 8, 2012

Tsutsui remains Senate president, Hawaii ballot shortages widespread, Inouye defends UH president, HECO posts profit, Maui council keeps 2-year terms, Hawaii County Council gets 6 newbies, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

All Hawaii news
Hawaii state Capitol (c) 2012 All Hawaii News
State Sen. Shan S. Tsutsui from Maui has been re-elected president of the state Senate. Maui News.


Shaun Tsutsui
A major election-day snafu led to a ballot shortage across Oahu that has some calling for an investigation. KHON2.

State elections officials acknowledged Wednesday that they failed to order enough paper ballots for Oahu, causing long waits for a turn at electronic voting machines and leading many people to walk away in frustration without casting a vote. Associated Press.

The state Office of Elections will change how it calculates the number of ballots needed at individual polling places and consider keeping reserve ballots on hand at precincts after an Election Day failure that had 70 polling places on Oahu running short or running out of paper ballots and hundreds of frustrated voters waiting hours to vote. Star-Advertiser.

The State Office of Election said at least 23 Oahu polling places ran out of paper ballots. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Chief Election Officer Scott Nago said Wednesday that the state did not give precincts enough paper ballots on Election Day because of an error in the formula used to determine the number of ballots. KITV4.
copyright 2012 All Hawaii News
Scott Nago (c) 2012 All Hawaii News


Hundreds of voters on O’ahu were delayed on Election Night because a number of polling stations ran out of ballots. Hawaii Public Radio.

One thing is perfectly clear: Hawaii remains just about the bluest of the blue states, despite decades of talk that a GOP resurgence is just around the next electoral corner. Civil Beat.

Four more years in office potentially means more visits home to Hawaii for the First Family. Most of the reaction to their trips is positive, and many are hoping the President's next term will help open even more doors to the Asia-Pacific market. Hawaii News Now.

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono's landslide victory over former Gov. Linda Lingle for U.S. Senate was built on a coordinated get-out-the-vote campaign by Democrats that exceeded expectations.Star-Advertiser.

Republican Senate candidate Linda Lingle, a two-term governor, carried just one of Hawaii's 51 state House districts, while GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney failed to do even that, a Civil Beat analysis of general election results shows. Civil Beat.

After trouncing former Gov. Linda Lingle, Mazie Hirono is embracing her standing as the state’s first woman — and the nation’s first Asian-American woman — to serve as senator. Associated Press.

Hawaii’s powerful Senior Senator Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, showed he still has control of state politics. Hawaii Reporter.

Election Day 2012 was a big win for the Pacific Resource Partnership and its membership of unionized carpenters and contractors. Civil Beat.

As the University of Hawaii regents held their third closed-door meeting on the future employment of UH President M.R.C. Greenwood, Hawaii's senior senator is expressing support for the embattled leader. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents has approved the deal that removed Jim Donovan as UH athletic director and created a new communications position in the office of Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple. Hawaii News Now.

The University of Hawaii Intercollegiate Athletics Office lacks proper controls for handling cash and ticketing to certain events and activities, an internal audit has found. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. reported a third-quarter profit of $47.7 million, or 49 cents per diluted share, compared to a profit of $48.4 million or 50 cents per diluted share, for the same quarter in 2011. Pacific Business News.

Oahu
From the city standpoint, the election of Kirk Caldwell as Honolulu’s next mayor means that the rail transit project is back on track ­— never mind the federal and state lawsuits holding it up. Pacific Business News.

Support for the city of Honolulu's controversial $5.3 billion rail project has grown since voters first agreed to build a steel-on-steel transit system in November 2008. KITV4.

The State Transportation Department unveiled new plans Wednesday night to transform the section of roadway, between Middle Street and Pensacola. KHON2.

Former city Managing Director Kirk Caldwell beat former Gov. Ben Cayetano in 24 of 35 House districts on his way to winning the mayor's seat Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

An influx of newcomers is giving the Hawaii County Council an unusual opportunity to have all nine elected members meet behind closed doors to choose a new chairman and vice chairman. West Hawaii Today.

If there’s a lesson learned from Tuesday’s mayoral election, it may be that money goes a long way in politics, but it’s not everything. Tribune-Herald.

Kenoi strong in West Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

There still exists a split between East and West Hawaii, if votes from the mayor’s race are any indication. Tribune-Herald.

Work on the long-awaited Hawaii Community College at Palamanui campus is expected to begin next year with the hope of opening to West Hawaii students in autumn 2014. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui County voters rejected four-year terms for council members, keeping the two-year term status quo. But voters approved all 10 other proposed amendments to the Maui County Charter. Maui News.

Councilmember-elect Don Guzman is among three new faces that will represent Maui after winning respective races in last night’s general election. Maui Now.

Maui Democrat Kaniela Ing unseated Republican incumbent George Fontaine to win the state House seat representing South Maui in Tuesday's general election, pulling in 61 percent of votes in the hotly contested race. Maui News.

Kauai

The latest development in the Kapaia Swinging Bridge project brings its price tag right back to its original estimate of seven figures, as federal funds are being courted. Garden Island.

Voters and election volunteers said Tuesday’s general election went smoothly, with large turnouts and short lines, if any at all. Garden Island.

Alaska Airlines launched the inaugural direct flight from Lihu‘e to Portland, Ore. Garden Island.


Friday, November 2, 2012

Honolulu rail project to move forward despite federal court ruling, Blue Hawaii has lopsided Legislature, $9M condos slated for Ala Moana, Hawaii Island ready for election day, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu rail construction HART courtesy photo
A federal judge has concluded there were flaws in some of the environmental and cultural reviews done for the city's $5.26 billion Hono­lulu rail project, and ruled the city must fix those problems by producing a new supplement to the federal environmental impact statement for the project. Star-Advertiser.

A federal judge's long-awaited decision in the environmental lawsuit against Honolulu's rail project is a split decision giving both opponents and proponents of the $5.2 billion system talking points heading into Tuesday's election. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle said the city's elevated-rail mass-transit project will move forward, and the three areas where a federal judge ruled against the City and County of Honolulu in a decision made public Thursday afternoon were minor issues that would be addressed. Pacific Business News.

A Federal judge today ruled that the city's plan to develop the $5.3 billion rail transit system "arbitrarily" failed to identify native Hawaiian cultural properties and did not adequately address at least one alternative route for the system. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu’s controversial rail project has been derailed in federal court. This after Ninth Circuit Court Judge Wallace Tashima ruled today in HonoluluTraffic.com v. Federal Transit Administration et al that the city violated federal law on major three counts. Hawaii Reporter.

Both sides of the Honolulu rail project argument are claiming victory Thursday after a U.S. District Court ruling was handed down. KITV4.

Both sides of the debate over Honolulu's Rail Project are claiming victory Thursday night after a ruling by a Federal Judge. KHON2.

For the second time in recent months, a ruling has been made on Honolulu’s rail transit project, putting it to a halt again. KHON2.

Read the federal court order on the Honolulu rail project here.

Democrats running for the Hawaii House this fall have outraised their Republican opponents by a 4-to-1 margin. Civil Beat.

Hawai’i’s State Legislature is the most-lopsided in the nation … with Democrats outnumbering Republicans 8-to-one. Hawaii Public Radio.

President Barack Obama is going to carry Hawaii's four electoral votes Tuesday. Civil Beat.

Orson Swindle, a former Hawaii resident and decorated Vietnam Prisoner War who served as a Federal Trade Commissioner (1997-2005), joined 149 other Prisoners of War in endorsing Mitt Romney for President today. Hawaii Reporter.

Super PACs' TV spending sprees may be winding down in Hawaii for the most part, but one independent mainland committee — the Fund for Freedom — is only getting started, according to Civil Beat's most recent review of the public files. Civil Beat.

Medical premiums for roughly 78,000 people covered by Hawaii Medical Service Association could rise by an average 1.2 percent — the lowest rate hike in more than five years. Star-Advertiser.

Louise Kim McCoy, the former press secretary for Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle, has been named communications director and press secretary for Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Star-Advertiser.

The administrator for the University of Hawaii Board of Regents is stepping down to take a position in the private sector, the UH announced tonight. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents on Thursday scheduled a special meeting next week to continue its discussion on UH President M.R.C. Greenwood's employment and the university's settlement with former athletic director Jim Donovan. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Top executives and employees of the lead consulting firm on Honolulu’s delayed $5.2 billion rail project have given more than $26,000 in political donations to pro-rail mayoral candidate Kirk Caldwell, an analysis of campaign records show. Hawaii Reporter.

Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle can talk until you stop him about his love for rail. But if you ask him about Kirk Caldwell and whether he’d support him for mayor if the $5.26 billion project wasn’t an issue, Carlisle clams up. Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Councilman Tom Berg was slapped with $250 in additional fines by the state Campaign Spending Commission on Thursday for failing to report campaign contributions and the purchase of a voter list when he first ran for office in 2010. Star-Advertiser.

The city of Honolulu has hired a single vendor to handle all police-initiated vehicle tows on Oahu, a new approach designed to improve a service that over the years has generated numerous motorist complaints, lawsuits, fines and an ongoing criminal fraud investigation. Star-Advertiser.

A 23-story ultra-luxury condominium tower to be built atop a parking garage adjacent to Nordstrom’s Ala Moana Center store will have penthouse units priced at more than $9 million. Pacific Business News.

The failure of sirens during weekend tsunami alert, triggered more attention to the regularly scheduled drills. KITV4.

Hawaii

State elections officials on Thursday said they’re looking forward to a smooth General Election, now that they’ve taken over the reins following a problematic primary. West Hawaii Today.

The state Office of Elections has assembled a staff of nine in Hilo to administer Tuesday's general election in Hawaii County, state Chief Election Officer Scott Nago said this week. Star-Advertiser.

An unscheduled tsunami siren activation Thursday afternoon caught the public and Civil Defense off guard. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Civil Defense has apologized for testing warning sirens on the Big Island Thursday afternoon - without giving anyone the heads up. Hawaii News Now.

The first Big Islanders could move in to Hawaii County’s $44 million Kamakoa Nui affordable housing project at Waikoloa in summer 2013, Hawaii County officials said Thursday. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission levied $375 in fines Thursday against Democratic South Maui House candidate Kaniela Ing, ruling on two Hawaii Republican Party complaints filed since August that sought thousands of dollars in fines. Maui News.

Council Member Mike Victorino has much in common with Joseph Blackburn, the challenger working to deny him a fourth consecutive term in the council's Wailuku-Waihee-Waikapu residency seat. Maui News.

Kauai

Accident makes for nightmare commute, leaves 900 without power. Garden Island.

Volunteers attack Morgan’s Pond waters to Make A Difference. Garden Island.