More Ige agencies oppose NextEra buyout of Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiian Independence Day set, tsunami money coming to Hawaii, monk seals increase, Maui defines dancing, Kakaako homeless sweep continues, median Honolulu home surges to $730l, coral bleaching worries Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian Electric Co. worker courtesy photo

Gov. David Ige’s administration said Wednesday it is not in favor of NextEra Energy Inc.’s purchase of Hawaiian Electric Industries even after NextEra revised its proposal in August, adding more than 50 new binding commitments. The state Office of Planning; the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; and the state Consumer Advocate filed more than 480 pages Wednesday with the Public Utilities Commission, saying that even with Next­Era’s revised commitments, the sale is not in the public interest. Star-Advertiser..

The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved legislation that would improve tsunami preparedness and provide more money for research to protect coastal communities from the giant waves. Civil Beat.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced Thursday that both the House and Senate have given the nod to a new bill he has co-sponsored which will increase tsunami readiness and improve the accuracy of alarms and forecasts. West Hawaii Today.

Some 148 monk seal pups were born in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in 2015. That’s up 22 percent from the 121 documented births in 2014, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

Scientists recently returned from a months-long deployment monitoring the monk seal population, tallying births and intervening with sick and injured animals, according to a NOAA Fisheries update. They reported that 148 pups were born in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in 2015, a 22 percent increase over the previous year. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Department of Education is recommending changes to its school calendar after parents and lawmakers urged the state to consider starting school later due to high temperatures this summer. Associated Press.

An independent court master is recommending that Probate Judge Derrick Chan not reappoint Janeen-Ann Olds to a second term as a Kamehameha Schools trustee because she’s lost the support of her fellow trustees in the wake of scandals involving telecommunications company Sandwich Isles Communications and its parent company, Waimana Enterprises. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu
Discussion on a bill extending the 0.5 percent excise tax surcharge for rail on Oahu through the end of 2027 will be heard by a Honolulu City Council committee in the coming weeks, Council Chairman Ernie Martin said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu received $9.8 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to combat homelessness last year, but any future funding could be in jeopardy. That’s because HUD is wielding the power of federal purse-strings to crack down on efforts to criminalize homelessness — something critics say Honolulu is doing with its expanding sit-lie ban. Civil Beat.

As the city prepares its final push to clear out the last of the Kakaako homeless encampment today and Friday, Mayor Kirk Caldwell said some homeless people have simply moved next door and set up an illegal camp on state land at Kewalo Basin. Star-Advertiser.

With final sweeps set to begin Thursday, people in the densest parts of the Kakaako homeless encampment were preparing Wednesday for their looming eviction. Civil Beat.

State homelessness coordinator Scott Morishige says there is shelter space available for all the residents.  Efforts of a different kind are continuing for another segment of the homeless population: military veterans. Hawaii Public Radio.

The median sales price of a single-family home on Oahu rose by more than 7 percent in September to hit a record-shattering $730,000 on a 3.5 percent jump in sales, according to Multiple Listing Service data compiled by the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

There’s been no food served at the Honolulu Community College cafeteria for the last 13 months as school officials struggled to find a new vendor and brought in food trucks to temporarily serve the campus. Hawaii News Now.

University officials confirm that after Thursday, classes will no longer be held in Building 1 on UH's College of Education campus. This comes less than 24 hours after Hawaii News Now exposed what faculty said were unsafe and unhealthy conditions.

A popular Waialua bakery known for its “snow puffies” pastries has closed after the state Health Department temporarily suspended its food safety permit due to improper temperature controls. Under the state’s color-coded food safety inspection program, the Health Department’s Sanitation Branch on Tuesday issued Paalaa Kai Bakery a red placard — the first one to be issued to a food establishment in Hawaii since implementation of the system in July 2014. Star-Advertiser.

The developer of a condominium tower that opened in Kakaako earlier this year made its argument Wednesday to a state board for why the firm should be excused for violating an ineffective rule aimed at limiting reflectivity of high-rise building glass. Star-Advertiser.

State agricultural pest officials are refocusing efforts to eradicate a beetle that has touched off the deaths of more than 100 coconut and palm trees on Oahu, shifting traps to an area stretching to Nanakuli from Iroquois Point. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The Hawaiian Kingdom’s most important national holiday — La Kuokoa, or Independence Day — was officially recognized Wednesday by the Hawaii County Council in a nonbinding resolution asking the state Legislature to add Nov. 28 to its list of state holidays. West Hawaii Today.

Today marks the anniversary of the ceremonial groundbreaking celebration for the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea. The day was so mired in confusion and interrupted by opposition to the project that the actual groundbreaking for the $1.4 billion observatory never happened. Big Island Video News.

Maui

The Maui County Liquor Control Commission defined dancing Wednesday after years of pressure from Maui dance advocates, who now hope the ruling will allow customers to bob their heads or tap their toes outside a designated dance floor. Maui News.

Dana Souza was selected as the next director of the Maui County Department of Liquor Control on Wednesday, following the announced retirement of longtime head Franklyn Silva. Maui News.

A newly published study on the health effects of cane burning finds a link between sugar cane burning and acute respiratory illness on Maui, though an official with Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. disputes the findings and methodology of the research. Maui News.

More Upcountry residents may be getting their long-awaited water meters as the Maui County Council passed a bill Tuesday that offers exemptions from expensive street and fire protection improvements for some on the waiting list. Maui News.

County of Maui wants to teach us all Aloha because of the 2014 Kalama Park video guy. MauiTime.

Kauai

Kauai’s colorful corals are going white, a crisis that is spreading and devastating reefs across the globe. Garden Island.

The public is advised that a portion of Waipouli Road, about a quarter-mile from the Hauiki Road junction in Kapaa, will be closed to through traffic next week to allow for a drain culvert replacement. Garden Island.

In preparation for the next application cycle for the Community Development Block Grant funding, the Kauai County Housing Agency will be conducting workshops for those new to the program. Garden Island.

First former public defender sworn to Hawaii Supreme Court, Cayetano hospitalized for ulcer, hugs, kisses are traditional Hawaii greetings, lots of politics and more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Supreme Court (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

Richard Pollack

Richard Pollack was sworn in as the newest member of the Hawaii Supreme Court on Monday, becoming the first person who served in the public defender's office to sit on the state's high court. Star-Advertiser.

On Monday, a new Hawaii Supreme Court justice was sworn in. KITV4.

Over the past six months, the PAC Pacific Resource Partnership has spent $1.3 million to advertise on local TV stations, which is more than any other campaign in the primary election. Civil Beat.

Republican Linda Lingle faces no serious competition in Saturday's primary election, yet she's still raising more money than Democrats Ed Case and Mazie Hirono, who are in a tight race. Civil Beat.

Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, last week continued to miss voting on key measures so she can fundraise and campaign for the seat left open by the retirement of U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii. Hawaii Reporter.

Honolulu Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard lent her campaign $30,000 on Friday, about a week after former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann loaned his campaign $150,000. Star-Advertiser.

The two top contenders for Hawai’i’s Second Congressional District seat are trailblazers and leaders in their ethnic community … but only Mufi Hannemann can be elected as the first U.S. House member of Samoan descent. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Primary Election is this Saturday, and the State Office of Elections still needs about three hundred more volunteers to work at the polls. KHON2.

Hundreds of Hawaii residents should have received higher prices for their properties sold through nonjudicial foreclosure auctions during the past four years, according to lawsuits recently filed on behalf of borrowers who allege unfair and deceptive practices by four major banks. Star-Advertiser.

In Hawaii it's not uncommon for business associates to greet one another with a hug and a kiss. Friends and family do the same, and sometimes even strangers. Star-Advertiser.

State roundup for August 7. Associated Press.

Oahu

Former Gov. Ben Cayetano, the front-runner in the race for Honolulu mayor, is recovering after he was hospitalized Sunday with what doctors "strongly suspect" to be a bleeding ulcer, his wife said Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Mayoral candidate Ben Cayetano, 72, is in the hospital, but his wife said the health scare won't stop him from returning to the campaign trail. Hawaii News Now.

Cayetano’s condition is not considered life threatening, and his wife said during a Monday press conference that he could be discharged as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday. Civil Beat.

Former Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano has a real chance to exceed 50 percent in Saturday's primary and become Honolulu's 14th mayor. It would be only the second time in the last 16 years that the mayor would be elected without the need for a runoff. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle joined transportation officials today to dedicate the new Alapai Transit Center and 48 new fuel-efficient buses. Hawaii Reporter.

Seeing is believing and today Senator Daniel Inouye went to see the 13 rail transit columns that have been built so far. Hawaii News Now.

The sister of a Nanakuli man who suffocated while being restrained by police is suing the city of Honolulu and the police officers involved for $10 million. Star-Advertiser.

According to the lawsuit filed Friday, Aaron Torres' sister did not know why the police had shown up at their property. Civil Beat.

THE USS Arizona Memorial, a grave for most of the battleship's 1,177 sailors killed in the Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese attack, continues to evolve, and its museum will include a new exhibit on the Hiro­shima atom bomb attack and reconciliation after the war, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Volunteers, vendors and elections workers dummied up absentee ballots Saturday for a statewide test of the counting machinery and data network in preparation for this coming Saturday’s primary election. West Hawaii Today.

Dominic Yagong lists opening up the public’s access to government among his accomplishments during his 12 years as a County Council member, but it’s also an area where he wishes he’d done more. West Hawaii Today.

Political experts are calling this fall’s race in the Big Island’s 2nd senate district representing Puna and about half of Ka`u one of the tightest in the state. KPUA.

A number of police critics as well as several supporters showed up at the County Building in Hilo on Monday night to weigh in on the Hawaii Police Department’s efforts to obtain national accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Tribune-Herald.

The lawyer representing the founder of Hawaii Cannabis Ministry will ask a federal judge today to release his client to a halfway house. Associated Press.

As the federal No Child Left Behind Act’s benchmarks for success have continued to climb, many schools have struggled to meet the standards set for them. In Hawaii, less than half of the state’s students met last year’s federally mandated goals, according to preliminary 2012 Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) results released last month. Tribune-Herald.

Proposed rules to govern the recently created Public Lands Development Corp. are “fundamentally flawed,” Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter officials said in an email sent to members last month. West Hawaii Today.

Pahoa residents could be getting a supermarket and more with a proposed new shopping center. Tribune-Herald.

Pahala Public and School Library on the Big Island has adjusted its public service schedule temporarily due to a staffing shortage. KHON2.

Maui

Prices of single-family homes in Maui County jumped by 24 percent in July, while sales declined, according to the Realtors Association of Maui. Pacific Business News.

Democratic challengers for the 10th House District seat, Edward Kaahui and Angus McKelvey, agree that West Maui's main thoroughfare, Honoapiilani Highway, is in dire need of improvement. Maui News.

Maui County Council Member Riki Hokama was elected recently as the second vice president of the National Association of Counties at its annual conference in Pittsburgh. Maui News.

The state’s Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Program will launch a new guided hike program at Maui’s Haleakala Ranch this weekend. Maui Now.

Kauai

A year after a major brush fire burned Weliweli homes, residents are concerned that the brush needs to be maintained to prevent another fire. Garden Island.

A road closure due to a traffic accident and a pavement resurfacing project brought traffic in Lihu‘e to a near standstill Monday afternoon. Garden Island.

Twelve Canadians from four different provinces and a team leader picked up where the Kaua‘i Board of Realtors left off at the Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity’s Anahola house sites. Garden Island.