Hawaii voters seek legal marijuana, Oahu teacher sprays sanitizer into mouth of swearing student, Election Commission report due today, Senate sets priorities, norovirus outbreak in hospitals, Kauai council mulls rainy-day fund, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Pohakuloa military training area (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

The Marine Corps stands to see the biggest military increases in Hawaii in coming years as other services here go through less of a change and as all shift from a wartime footing to greater engagement in Asia and the Pacific, officials said at an annual military-business conference Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii has lost a lot of firepower in the U.S. Congress, when it comes to the military, with the death of Sen. Daniel Inouye, but the state’s younger congressional delegation and its strategic importance will ensure that it plays an important part in the country’s pivot to the Pacific. Pacific Business News.

More than half of Hawaii voters want the state to follow the lead of Colorado and Washington and make recreational marijuana legal for adults, a new poll shows. Civil Beat.

The state Election's Commission is expected to release the findings of its investigation into problems during November's general election at a meeting on Friday morning. Hawaii News Now.

Thousands of public correctional, institutional and health workers will receive pay raises in the next six months under a draft arbitration award that could lead other public employees to seek similar raises. Star-Advertiser.

Representatives from the state Department of Education and the Hawaii State Teacher's Association will resume negotiations on Friday, nearly a month after the teacher's union rejected the state's latest proposal. Hawaii News Now.

The uproar over Hawaii’s solar tax credits will fuel a good deal of the debate on energy policy this legislative session, which opens next week. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Co. customers will be on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars if the utility doesn't switch to liquefied natural gas to power its generators, the executive vice president of the company says. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii State Senate Majority Caucus today unveiled its priorities for the 2013 Legislative Session, which begins on January 16. Hawaii Reporter.

The Senate Committee on Energy and Environment, with Senator Mike Gabbard as the Chair, will host an informational briefing on invasive species issues on Friday, January 11, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. in Conference Room 229 in the State Capitol. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii lacks a state-funded preschool program, something that Gov. Neil Abercrombie is making a top legislative priority this year. Civil Beat.

The state will bestow the prestigious Aloha Order of Merit upon former US Sen. Daniel K. Akaka during a ceremony on Monday, January 14. Maui Now.

Island Air, the interisland carrier that has struggled to find its niche among rivals Hawaiian Airlines and Mesa Air Group's go!, is being sold to an undisclosed buyer. Star-Advertiser.

Exhibit highlights honor bestowed upon Japanese-American veterans. Star-Advertiser.

State health officials monitoring outbreak of possible norovirus. KITV4.

State roundup for January 11. Associated Press.

Oahu

The cost of construction delays tied to a recent Hawaii Supreme Court ruling that suspended the city’s $5.26 billion rail transit project are coming in lower than anticipated, the project’s oversight agency announced Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation officials said Thursday the costs of construction delays for September and October stemming from an Aug. 24 Hawaii Supreme Court were 31 percent lower than what they had anticipated. Pacific Business News.

Members of Defend Oahu Coalition gathered at City Hall on Thursday to urge state and city government leaders to stop the planned expansion of Turtle Bay Resort. Star-Advertiser.

A 79-year-old man who was paralyzed by a fall 15 to 20 feet from the illuminated first tee at the Mid Pacific Country Club late at night in 2009 was awarded about $6.2 million in a jury verdict Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

One of the figures in the Stevie Wonder Blunder, Hawaii promoter Bob Peyton, died Thursday morning at Castle Medical Center. Hawaii News Now.

A Hawaii extreme sports athlete plans to liven up a dingy block in Kakaako with a year-round fairgrounds featuring a stationary surfing wave, skateboard park and go-kart track. Star-Advertiser.

An Oahu middle school teacher is on leave after allegedly squirting hand sanitizer into the mouth of a eighth-grade student on Wednesday in front of the class. KHON2.

Hawaii

The Windward Planning Commission was poised Thursday to give the Connections Public Charter School a failing grade for its Kaumana campus proposal. Tribune-Herald.

Waimea’s North Hawaii Community Hospital on Thursday appointed an interim CEO and hired a consulting firm in an effort to improve the facility’s financial performance and attract a permanent chief executive officer. West Hawaii Today.

A professor of Hawaiian language believes he has traced the ancestors of Hawaii’s first inhabitants to the remote, Polynesian Outlier atolls to the southwest. Tribune-Herald.

The same day plaintiffs in a lawsuit against 1250 Oceanside Partners announced they had reached an impasse after several years of negotiations, a South Kona property owner signed a $13 million complaint against the developer. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island's economy is gradually improving, but it still has a lot of catching up to do to match other parts of the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui
Complete with nine different teaching laboratories, an observatory, a rooftop garden, wind turbines and a photovoltaic system, University of Hawaii Maui College's long-awaited $26 million science facility is expected to open in the next few weeks. Maui News.

David Raatz Jr., the new director of Maui County's Office of Council Services, had worked as a legislative attorney for the same office for 16 years until March 2012. Maui News.

Maui Memorial Park is planning to rebuild 153 feet of wall within the next three to four weeks, cemetery officials said this week. Maui News.

Kauai

After routinely ending each recent fiscal year with tens of millions of dollars with a budgetary surplus, the county may start using some of that money for a permanent rainy-day fund. But will it cost more to taxpayers? Garden Island.

Five Kaua‘i residents have been selected to appear on the ballot for the board of the Kaua‘i Island Utilities Cooperation. Garden Island.

After a few weeks in plain view on the island’s busiest traffic corridor, the graffiti on the rockwall of the southbound Wailua Bridge was removed Wednesday. The same cannot be said about the graffiti at the bridge’s foundation. Garden Island.

Obama prepares for Hawaii vacation, inauguration, Inouye to lie in state in U.S. and state Capitol, state Democrats to meet on successor, transportation secretary signs off on $1.55B rail funding, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kamehameha Schools band (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

Two Hawaii school bands will participate in President Barack Obama's second inauguration Jan. 21 in Washington, D.C. Star-Advertiser.

Law enforcement and security agencies on Oahu are planning for the arrival of President Barack Obama and his family in Kailua this weekend, although federal fiscal negotiations may delay the start of his annual vacation in his birth state. Star-Advertiser.

The White House has not said whether President Barack Obama, who has delayed a planned vacation on Oahu to continue negotiations on the fiscal cliff, will attend a Hawaii memorial service for U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye this weekend, but several federal agencies have issued warnings about security zones being set up in the air and in the ocean near Kailua. Pacific Business News.

Memorial services will be held in Washington D.C. and Hawaii for the late Senator Daniel Inouye. Hawaii News Now.

The body of U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol, an honor requiring approval from both chambers of Congress and bestowed previously to only 31 Americans. Star-Advertiser.

Filling in for U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye won’t be easy, but depending on when a replacement is named that person could have an inside track on garnering national influence for Hawaii. Civil Beat.

The death of U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii leaves open a seat in the Senate to be filled by a Democrat, with U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa the immediate front-runner thanks to Inouye’s wishes. Associated Press.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye's heartfelt request on who should succeed him will hang over Hawaii Democrats as they meet next week to choose three nominees for his replacement.Star-Advertiser.

Governor Neil Abercerombie has requested the Democratic Party of Hawai’i provide him with a list of 3 nominees to pick from to fill the vacant seat left by Senator Daniel Inouye who passed away Monday. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Democratic Party State Central Committee has notified members it will meet Friday December 28 and by the end of that day they will have narrowed the list of Senate candidates to three names. Hawaii News Now.

The process of picking a successor to fill the remainder of Senator Dan Inouye's term has begun and political analysts have a good idea of whose in the running. KHON2.

Isles face own fiscal cliff as many expect sizable drop-off in federal funds. Star-Advertiser.

Lesson From Alaska: Loss of Inouye Won't Be as Bad as We Thought. Civil Beat.

The state Elections Commission knows it needs to take action after dozens of polling places ran short on ballots during the Nov. 6 general election. But the commission isn't sure yet who to hold accountable or for what exactly. Civil Beat.

"We are trying our very best to get this thing under control and get a grasp on it," said Commissioner Danny Young, who is part of a subcommittee investigating what led to a massive ballot shortage during November's general election. KITV4.

State roundup for December 19. Associated Press.

Oahu

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today participated in a ceremony to sign an agreement to provide $1.55 billion to the City and County of Honolulu on the island of Oahu to build Hawaii's first-ever rail transit system. KHON2.

Hawaii

The Hawaii County Council’s finance committee postponed a resolution to create a task force to consider possible changes to the county’s property tax code. West Hawaii Today.

A report by the International Association of Assessing Officers takes Hawaii County to task for insufficient internal controls, oversight and cross-checking of property assessments, issues that could lead to inequities in how much taxes property owners are paying. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Capitalizing on some of Maui's busiest months for tourism, Hawaiian Airlines will offer for the first time twice-daily nonstop service between Los Angeles International and Kahului airports during the summer. Maui News.

A new security screening checkpoint was dedicated today at Kahului Airport. Maui Now.

Thanks to several years of advocating by community groups, Maui County is moving ahead with $2.5 million worth of improvements for a Maalaea road that has suffered extensive flood damage from heavy rain events in recent years. Maui News.

Kauai

Year after year, the county gives a new timeline to fix the eroding Pono Kai seawall in Kapa‘a, but the project never takes off. The Moanakai Road seawall, just south of Pono Kai, has a similar history. Garden Island.

Obama coming home for the holidays, beach smoking ban advanced, elections investigations multiply, Hunger Games casting call, invasive frog hops Christmas tree shipment, Kauai HR director theft case dismissed, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

White House gates on Obama Kailua beach rental, White House courtesy photo

President Barack Obama and his family are preparing for their annual December vacation in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Residents living near the beachfront homes where President Barack Obama and First Family vacation with their friends every year since 2008 were alerted on Monday to some specifics of the Obamas' holiday vacation plans. Hawaii Reporter.

The state Elections Commission opted not to fire or discipline Chief Election Officer Scott Nago after a meeting Tuesday and instead will form a subcommittee to study the ballot shortages that led to long lines and frustrated voters on election day. Star-Advertiser.

After sitting through an hour of impassioned pleas from the public calling for his head to roll Tuesday, Scott Nago had to endure an hour of criticism and questions from the state Elections Commission. Civil Beat.

The state Elections Commission Tuesday decided to appoint a subcommittee to investigate ballot problems on Oahu during the Nov. 6 election, following testimony from some members of the public who called for Chief Election Officer Scott Nago to be fired. Hawaii News Now.

The state’s elections commission met Tuesday to review alleged problems in the primary and general elections. Hawaii Independent.

The state elections commission on Tuesday formed a subcommittee to investigate what caused two dozen Oahu polling places to run out of paper ballots during the Nov. 6 General Election. Associated Press.

Accusations and emotions flew at an elections commission meeting on Tuesday, to try and address the ballot shortage fiasco that turned Hawaii's general election into a nightmare. KITV4.

Angry voters are calling for state and federal investigations of the Office of Elections. KHON2.

Hawaii Gas President and CEO Jeffrey M. Kissel will discuss his company’s plan to bring liquified natural gas to Hawaii at the Natural Gas Roundtable at the University Club in Washington on Thursday. Pacific Business News.

UH researcher attempts to fill gaps in tsunami buoy system. KITV4.

A casting call has been put out for stand-ins in Hawaii for several cast members of ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire'. Hawaii News Now.

Catching Fire, the much anticipated sequel in The Hunger Games trilogy, is shooting at several locations in the state between November 26 and December 22. Hawaii News Now.

State briefs 11/28. Associated Press.

Oahu

A bill to ban smoking at five of Oahu's most popular beach parks got a favorable nod Tuesday from a key Honolulu City Council committee. Star-Advertiser.

A proposed Bill to make Waikiki Beaches smoke free was advanced by a Honolulu City Council Committee today. Hawaii Public Radio.

State Department agent Christopher Deedy spent the night drinking and bar-hopping before going to a Waikiki McDonald's restaurant where he shot and killed a 23-year-old Kailua man, city prosecutors said in court papers filed in Deedy's murder case. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Mayor Billy Kenoi on Tuesday solidified his administration’s West Hawaii presence by naming Deputy Managing Director Wally Lau his new managing director, replacing retiring Managing Director Bill Takaba. West Hawaii Today.

The Water Board voted down changes to its rules that would have codified requirements that standpipe lessees comply with all federal, state and county laws, rules and regulations. West Hawaii Today.

Plans are underway to relocate the Hilo Adult Day Center to a new home to be built adjacent to a senior rental housing project now under construction. Big Island Now.

Maui
A Maui County Council committee on Monday advanced the second piece of a three-part package aimed at eliminating the long-standing Upcountry water meter waiting list. Maui News.

A recent donation from the Alexander & Baldwin Foundation was used to improve facilities for the homeless at The Salvation Army in Kahului. Maui Now.

The invasive veiled chameleon is close to being eradicated from Maui with the Maui Invasive Species Committee reporting that they have not seen the critter since spring 2008. Maui News.

Phasing in the Lahaina bypass. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai Circuit Judge Randal Valenciano dismissed Tuesday an indictment against county Human Resources Manager Janine Rapozo, who was charged with falsifying business records to aid Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. in the theft of gasoline using a county-issued gasoline card. Star-Advertiser.

The case against a county manager over accessory to theft charges was dismissed at her initial appearance in 5th Circuit Court Tuesday. Garden Island.

There was more drama today in the ongoing controversy over Kauai Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr.'s alleged criminal use of a county gasoline card. Hawaii Reporter.

The Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission has dismissed a formal complaint with prejudice against the Kauai Island Utilities Commission. Garden Island.

Officials captured an non-native frog that jumped from a Christmas tree a couple had just bought Tuesday at a Walmart in Lihue, the Kauai Invasive Species Committee reported. Star-Advertiser.

Marine experts will collect samples off Kauai's North Shore today to determine whether one of the state's major coral disease outbreaks in recent years is related to lesions being found on Hawaiian puffer fish. Star-Advertiser.