Hurricane Hector to pass south of Hawaii today, $550M price tag for volcano recovery, super PAC criticisms intensify as election nears, fish return after tourists fled Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Hector Wednesday morning, NOAA

Hurricane Hector, a major storm in the Central Pacific, has maintained its strength as it continues churning closer to the islands. At 5 a.m. Wednesday, the storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 125 miles per hour, with occasional higher gusts. Hawaii News Now.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 125 mph this morning, the still-powerful Category 3 Hurricane Hector is well south of the islands and expected to stay on a westward track away from Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Northern fringes of Hector expected to ‘brush the Big Island’. A state of emergency was declared late Tuesday by Hawaii County Managing Director Wil Okabe due to the threat of Hurricane Hector. Tribune-Herald.

Fringes of Hector to Brush Big Island, 73 mph Winds. Maui Now.

Hector may have weakened to a Category Three hurricane, but with maximum sustained near 125 mph, it is still a powerful storm. Big Island Video News.

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Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard Avoids Public Debate/Forum in Primary Election Race. Hawaii’s Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has made it through two election cycles without facing any of her challengers in a public debate or forum. Hawaii Public Radio.

Four days before the primary election, some candidates are pushing back against a slew of ads paid for by Super PACs. Hawaii News Now.

Super PAC donations draw criticism. Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho raised concerns about the influx of super PAC money in the race to be Hawaii’s next lieutenant governor during remarks in the rotunda of the state Capitol on Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

It may be a few days before Hawaii’s primary election, but for Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., that doesn’t mean he’s slowing his campaign for the lieutenant governor’s seat. Garden Island.

How Martin Hamburger Became A Staple Of Hawaii Politics. A Washington advertising consultant made headway in the islands by helping big-name clients who were willing to poke fun at themselves. Civil Beat.

RIMPAC glitches adjusted on the fly. There’s an old military adage that no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy — and the need to adapt on the fly applies to military exercises such as Rim of the Pacific as well. Star-Advertiser.

After several disasters, Hawaii Foodbank sees its stockpile dwindle. Every day, the Hawaii Foodbank distributes up to 50,000 pounds of food to member agencies who get it to the hungry. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Foodbank in 'urgent need' of supplies following recent natural disasters. The Hawaii Foodbank said it is in “urgent need” of emergency food and monetary donations, following a decrease in summer donations. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Lawsuit over Kakaako condo tower ‘defects’ dismissed. A federal judge in Honolulu has dismissed a lawsuit in which a developer sought more than $75 million in damages from a contractor for alleged construction defects in the ultraluxury Waiea condominium tower in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

Settlement talks set to begin in civil rights suit over huge gambling case that failed twice. City attorneys are heading to the bargaining table to try and settle a civil lawsuit over a gambling case that failed twice in court and resulted in state judges scolding deputy prosecutors. Hawaii News Now.

Forensic lab in Hawaii begins long process to identify Korean War remains. Inside a government forensic lab on Oahu are the remains of what are believed to be American soldiers killed in the Korean war. KITV.

The U.S. Army has agreed to restore access to a valley considered sacred on Oahu in a settlement with a Native Hawaiian cultural group. Associated Press.

As thousands of students return to school this month, the Hawaii Department of Transportation announced it will suspend one week of morning road closures as part of its “Beat the School Jam” initiative. Star-Advertiser.

After more than 40 years of creating some of Hawaii's favorite desserts, today is the last day for Saint-Germain and Dee Lite Bakery. KHON2.

Solar permits issued on Oahu fell in July for the second month in a row but are still ahead of the year-earlier period. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mayor Harry Kim plans to ask the state Legislature for $550 million for disaster recovery following three months of destructive lava flows and earthquakes in the wake of the May 3 eruption of Kilauea volcano. West Hawaii Today.

County spending for lava response tops $5 million. Hawaii County has spent $5.1 million responding to the Kilauea eruption in the past three months. Tribune-Herald.

The County of Hawaii Clerk's Office will close absentee walk-in voting sites at the Pahoa Community Center and the Pahala Community Center on Wednesday, August 8, due to the threat posed by Hurricane Hector. KHON2.

Respected cultural practitioners spoke during Tuesday council committee meeting in support of an appropriate process to name the volcanic Fissure 8 on Kilauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone. Big Island Video News.

News of a slowdown in the 3-month-old Kilauea volcanic eruption has brought a glimmer of relief to the Big Island’s tourism industry. Star-Advertiser.

Lava flow’s impacts hit Kona and Kohala Coast. While Hawaii island tourism is still up year over year, it experienced a 5 percent drop in visitor arrivals in June. Hotel occupancy also dropped in June by its largest amount in almost five years. Star-Advertiser.

A district on Hawaii’s Big Island is among the top 10 markets where homebuyers look to buy vacation rental properties, according to a report from Vacasa. North Kona, which includes Kailua-Kona, was ranked No. 9 on Vacasa’s list of the top 25 markets for buying a vacation rental. Pacific Business News.

Array of tests zero in on disease afflicting wild horses in Waipio Valley. Around a dozen wild horses in Waipio Valley have died inexplicably and in similar fashion over the last two months. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui re-launching Junk Vehicles Disposal Assistance Program. Under this program, residents will be able to dispose of one vehicle per year at no charge. KHON2.

Along with seat belt, cellphone and speeding violations, police are watching for adults smoking in vehicles occupied by children, as students go back to school this week. Maui News.

Maui’s largest private landowner, Alexander & Baldwin, is selling 313 acres adjacent to Kahului Airport to the state for $8.6 million and the Lahaina Square Shopping Center and adjacent parcels to an unnamed buyer for $11.3 million, the company said in announcing its second-quarter results last week. Maui News.

Kealii Reichel hopes to break ground on his halau’s permanent home in Piiholo next year, the kumu hula said Monday.  Maui News.

Kumu hula plans construction of permanent halau home on Maui next year. Associated Press.

Kauai

Holy Mackerel, With No Tourists In Sight The Fish Are Returning To Kauai’s North Shore. Local fishermen say the impact of the April storm on tourism has been a boon to the fish population. Civil Beat.

Ishihara opens under new ownership. The common concern among shoppers was the poke, and bento lunches, Tuesday when Ishihara Market reopened under the ownership of the Kalama Beach Corporation. Garden Island.

The median price of a single-family home on Kauai rose 11 percent last month, compared to a year ago, while the median price of a condominium in July jumped by more than 30 percent, according to statistics from Hawaii Information Service on behalf of the Kauai Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Hurricane Hector coming closer, candidates make last-minute pitches, Makua Military Reservation must allow cultural access, monk seal Rocky rejects pup, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Hector on Tuesday, NOAA

Hurricane Hector is still churning closer to the Hawaiian islands on Tuesday as a powerful Category 4 storm to the southeast of Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Hector weakened slightly overnight but remains a category 4 hurricane. Located 540 miles east-southeast of Hilo and 750 miles east-southeast of Honolulu, Hector was packing maximum sustained winds of 130 mph — a drop of 15 mph from Monday night — at 5 a.m. today, according to the National Weather Service. Star-Advertiser.

At 2 a.m. HST on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, the center of Hurricane Hector was located 585 miles ESE of Hilo, 670 miles ESE of Hana, Maui, and 705 miles ESE of Kahului, Maui (near latitude 15.9 North, longitude 147.1 West). Maui Now.

The National Weather Service on Monday posted a tropical storm watch for the Big Island as Hurricane Hector continued its trek toward Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

A powerful hurricane expected to pass to the south of the state is forecast to bring dangerously large waves to east-facing shores of some islands starting Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

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Candidates debate energy, climate issues in last major public forum before primary election. With the primary election coming up this Saturday, candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, and congress tried one last time to set themselves apart from their opponents in the last major public forum before the primary. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii Republican Party’s Slow Path To Extinction. The GOP is unable to field candidates in a growing number of races — and that, worry experts, is a problem for democracy and government transparency. Civil Beat.

Hanabusa’s Legacy in Congress: From Military Spending To A Post Office In Kahala. In D.C., the Democratic candidate for governor prided herself on funneling military dollars to Hawaii and was a strong advocate for the fishing industry. Civil Beat.

Some Gabbard campaign material runs afoul of military ethics rules. The Hawaii Army National Guard has instructed Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to take down or amend certain campaign material from her VoteTulsi Facebook page because it violates military ethics rules. Star-Advertiser.

Ad Watch: Governor, LG Wannabes Hone Their TV Pitches. The leading Democratic candidates sometimes shine in a series of mostly positive campaign commercials. Civil Beat.

Can non-citizens vote? Elections officials rely on affidavits to verify citizenship. In a state that values access to the ballot, Hawaii election officials pretty much take your word for it when you claim to be a U.S. citizen and thus are eligible to vote. West Hawaii Today.

Some OHA Candidates Continue To Spend Big On Their Campaigns. Sam King has the most cash on hand in the Oahu race, while Rowena Akana has the most in the at-large contest. Civil Beat.

Lanialoha Lee of the Aloha Center Chicago is helping to organize a demonstration at Aloha Poke Company's corporate office this Friday and a protest march on Monday. Activists call it cultural appropriation and believe it will be the first Native Hawaiian protest march in Chicago. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Nonprofit group Malama Makua is regaining cultural access to Makua Military Reservation, $80,000 in attorney fees and the Army’s agreement to address an unexploded ordnance stockpile with the settlement of a 2016 lawsuit against the Army. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Ponders How To Be More ‘Age-Friendly’. Oahu has the fastest-growing population of people 65 and older in the country. Civil Beat.

Super PAC Be Change Now Spends $62K to Oppose Honolulu City Councilmember Carol Fukunaga. An Independent Political Action Committee is financing a negative campaign against an incumbent Honolulu City Councilwoman. Hawaii Public Radio.

29th annual Hiroshima commemoration and peace service ceremony held on Oahu. KHON2.

Oahu’s housing market posted modest median price gains in July and again fell a little shy of setting any new records. The Honolulu Board of Realtors reported today that previously owned single-family homes sold for a median $789,500 last month, up 5.3 percent from $750,000 a year earlier. Star-Advertiser.

Box jellyfish force closure of Hanauma Bay. City officials have closed Hanauma Bay for the rest of the day after many people were stung by an influx of box jellyfish. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The scientist-in-charge at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said there “were some hints” the near cessation of seismic activity at Kilauea’s summit and drastic reduction of lava production by fissure 8 might happen. Tribune-Herald.

Although earthquakes decreased over the weekend, the majority of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a top attraction for the state, remains closed due to damage and will not be reopening any time soon. Star-Advertiser.

Legislative candidates drain accounts as election nears. New money flowed into state House and Senate candidates’ campaign coffers last month, but for most candidates racing toward Saturday’s election, it was flowing out just as fast. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island grapples with lava, hurricane as election nears. As Hawaii readies for its primary elections, voters are grappling with an erupting volcano and Hurricane Hector. Associated Press.

Maui

Maui continues on record-setting pace for visitor arrivals. Maui island visitor arrivals are on pace to reach nearly 2.9 million visitors by year’s end, a milestone that would make 2018 the fourth straight record-breaking year for air travelers to the Valley Isle, according to statistics released this week by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Maui News.

Outrigger Hotels and Resorts recently acquired the Honua Kai Resort &Spa’s on-site resort rental program from affiliates of Alterra Mountain Co. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Hanabusa sweeping state before primary. As four lanes of vehicles passed by Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa and some of her supporters Monday afternoon, there was a lot of honking and waving and shouting. Garden Island.

‘I remember’. On Aug. 6, 1945, at 8:15 a.m., Hiroko Kunioka’s grandmother was in Hiroshima with her nephew. That was when the United States dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Garden Island.

Significant quantities of honey in the Garden Isle have tested positive for RoundUp, a popular herbicide used to kill weeds and plants, according to a recent study. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii Marine Animal Response team says Rocky the Hawaiian monk seal has rejected her three-week-old pup. Officials say the baby is malnourished but is stable and is being fed through tubes until it can eat on its own. KHON2.

The median price of a single-family home on Kauai rose 11 percent last month, compared to a year ago, while the median price of a condominium in July jumped by more than 30 percent, according to statistics from Hawaii Information Service on behalf of the Kauai Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Category 4 Hurricane Hector swinging south of islands, Dems to send no poll watchers, Roundup found in Kauai honey, aquarium fish take down 80%, Kilauea volcano takes a breather, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Hector wind forecast NOAA

Hurricane Hector remains a powerful Category 4 storm as it continues moving westward across the Central Pacific. The latest forecast at 5 a.m. Monday said the hurricane intensified slightly, packing maximum sustained winds of 145 mph with higher gusts. The storm was moving west at 15 mph. Hawaii News Now.

Hurricane Hector gained in strength overnight as it continues its march westward across the Central Pacific. With maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, up 5 mph from Sunday night, Hector’s center was located about 930 miles east-southeast from Hilo as of 5 a.m. today and moving west at 15 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Star-Advertiser.

NextEra deal helped shape Democratic primary. It wasn’t obvious at the time, but the fight two years ago over NextEra Energy Inc.’s effort to buy out the state’s largest utility was a pivotal event that instigated this year’s hard-fought Democratic primary for governor. Star-Advertiser.

Do New Pro-Hanabusa Ads Violate State Campaign Rules? The independent PAC, Defend Hawaii Now, has not disclosed any financial information with the state. Civil Beat.

Ballot-counting machines tested in latest phase of primary election preparations. Hawaii's primary election is just a week away, and on Saturday, tests were conducted to make sure the votes are counted correctly. KHON2.

Medley of Democrats compete for Hawaii U.S. House seat. The seat representing Honolulu in Congress is open for anyone’s taking, as the incumbent, U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, runs for governor instead of re-election. Associated Press.

No Democratic Party Poll Watchers For Primary. The party’s state chair says it’s too late to train volunteers to keep an eye on poll workers in Saturday’s election. Civil Beat.

Local Unions Watch Lawsuits in Wake of Janus Decision. The Hawaii Government Employees Association is closely watching the outcome of lawsuits filed on the mainland by some groups looking to claim back dues following the recent decision by the US Supreme Court. That ruling, tied to first amendment arguments, allows public employees to opt out of paying union dues altogether. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s New Police Shootings Review Board Finally Has Its First Case. But it’s loaded with former police, prosecutors and judges, raising questions about whether it’s just a rubber stamp. Civil Beat.

The number of Hawaii reef fish caught by fishermen with commercial marine licenses has plummeted 80 percent since an October court order slowed the industry; meanwhile, the future of reef fish collecting for aquariums is likely to be determined by a review process that begins Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

The state appears to be getting ready to appeal last month’s 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals opinion striking down the portion of Hawaii’s firearm licensing law that effectively prohibits carrying a firearm in public. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation reports that the Airports Division’s bond rating was upgraded by S&P Global Ratings to AA- from A+ in advance of its upcoming bond issuance. Big Island Now.

Why College Now Starts In High School For So Many Hawaii Kids. As the number of college-level courses offered in high school soars, state officials hope it will lead to a better educated workforce in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.’s earnings jumped 19.1 percent in the second quarter as the holding company’s utilities and its bank subsidiary posted strong results. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Nasty Tactics Distract From Issues In North Shore City Council Race. Four candidates are vying for an open seat in a district struggling with traffic and the loss of affordable housing to short-term vacation rentals. Civil Beat.

A four-day event aimed at helping Hawaii's community leaders prepare for natural disasters is set to kick off at the Hawaii Convention Center on Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii to test alternative fuel technologies at Honolulu airport. Pacific Business News.

A year-over-year comparison of homes sales on Oahu by Honolulu real estate firm Locations found that prices rose by a greater percentage for condominiums than for single-family homes during the 12-month period that ended on Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Scientists, authorities still vigilant despite volcanic lull. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists confirmed Sunday that rates of seismicity and summit deformation have decreased, as has lava output from fissure 8. Tribune-Herald.

More than a thousand people, including police officers and first responders from across Hawaii and beyond, paid their final respects Saturday to fallen Hawaii Police Department Officer Bronson Kaliloa. Tribune-Herald.

Thousands gather to honor fallen Hawaii County police officer Bronson Kaliloa. KHON2.

Officials say the Hawaii National Guard has experienced delays in paying members deployed for duties related to the flooding on Kauai and the lava flows on the Big Island, causing financial burdens for families. Associated Press.

Teachers, students face a new normal in lava-ravaged areas. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

For the second mayoral election in a row, seven candidates have tossed their hat into the ring, and only two will emerge after the primary election Aug. 11. Maui News.

A performance audit of the county Department of Liquor Control has been extended to Sept. 21, Maui County Council Member Yuki Lei Sugimura announced Saturday. Maui News.

Maui High School’s staff and teachers are doing their best to handle a record-breaking student population of more than 2,000 at the Kahului campus. Maui News.

Kauai

Roundup found in 1/3 of Kauai honey on store shelves. re bringing more than just pollen back into their hives when they return from foraging, according to a recently released, peer- reviewed study published by Kauai scientists. Garden Island.

The County of Kauai is launching the West Kauai Community Plan to update two outdated regional development plans: the Hanapepe-Eleele Development Plan (1974) and the Waimea-Kekaha Development Plan (1978). Garden Island.

Hurricane Hector weakens but remains a threat, congressional candidates promise to oppose single-payer health care despite public positions, Aloha trademark dispute readies for court, lots of candidate info, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Hector Friday morning, NOAA graphic

Although Hurricane Hector weakened slightly overnight, weather officials still expect the storm to strengthen into a major hurricane this weekend. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane Hector is weakening as it churns in the Eastern Pacific but it could still become a major storm over the weekend, forecasters say. Hawaii News Now.

Hurricane Hector weakened overnight, but is still forecast to become a major hurricane. Maui Now.

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3 candidates dispute site’s take on their health care opinions. Three Democratic candidates running for the congressional seat being vacated by Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa indicated to a national health care lobbyist in private meetings and other surveys that they oppose a single-payer health care system, despite campaigning in favor of it. Star-Advertiser.

Health Care Lobbyists Secretly Secure Democrats’ Opposition To ‘Medicare For All’. A lobbyist group approached a raft of candidates for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District seat — then prepared internal dossiers on their positions. Civil Beat.

Super PAC Spending Revealed. More than 8.5 million dollars has been spent so far in primary election races for the top two state executive offices. Hawaii Public Radio.

Carpenters Union Makes Josh Green A Million-Dollar Candidate For LG. A legislative leader says the union is retaliating against Green’s closest rival, state Sen. Jill Tokuda, for her criticism of the rail project. Civil Beat.

The remains handed over by North Korea last week in 55 boxes are “consistent with being Americans,” based on an initial examination, although none has been positively identified, a U.S. scientist who has seen the remains said Thursday. Associated Press.

The lone Republican candidate who campaigned for the state House seat being vacated by Rep. Andria Tupola is ineligible to run, which could torpedo the party’s effort to retain one of the last five seats it holds in the state Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. judge dismisses lawsuits against former Hawaii journalist. Malia Zimmerman was accused of making up quotes in a story that ran on Fox News suggesting that Democratic National Committee staffer Seth Rich murdered for leaking political emails. Hawaii News Now.

Several Native Hawaiian advocacy groups announced on Thursday that they are building a legal case against a Chicago eatery that trademarked the words "Aloha Poke." Hawaii News Now.

Aloha Poke Case Raises Issue for All Hawaii Businesses: Protecting Your Brand Name. Hawaii Business magazine.

The world’s largest international maritime exercise concluded Thursday following more than a month of training events conducted in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. Garden Island.

Federal funding to fight infectious diseases in Hawaii. The U.S. Department of Health awarded nearly $2.5 million to Hawaii's infectious disease control program. KHON2.

Hawaii pays the most for electricity by far, according to a report revealing Hawaii's prices are more than twice the national average. But those high prices seem to be pushing residents toward a sustainable future with rooftop solar, or photovoltaic, systems. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

A developer and a road’s owner feud over access to new student housing. A new apartment tower in Moiliili for university students is slated to open Aug. 16 with chic furnishings, a fitness center and a rooftop terrace lounge. Star-Advertiser.

A Tough First Year Comes To An End For This Innovative Oahu Charter School Despite efforts to build a culture of collaboration, Kamalani Academy faced a multitude of challenges with staff turnover and figuring out exactly how the school should be run. Civil Beat.

Brookfield buying developer of Hawaii military housing for $11B. Brookfield Asset Management, which won shareholder approval this week to buy GGP, the owner Hawaii’s Ala Moana Center, for $15 billion, is adding another company with Hawaii ties to its portfolio with an $11 billion deal to acquire Forest City Realty Trust. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu's rail authority received the third train for its 20-mile elevated rail project on Wednesday. Pacific Business News.

Alexander & Baldwin posts lower profit. The owner of Aikahi Park Shopping Center disclosed Thursday that it is preparing plans to renovate and reposition the Kailua retail complex. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County officials have begun drafting a resolution that would create a redevelopment agency to oversee Puna’s recovery. Tribune-Herald.

Volcano Alternate Routes Planned In Case Highway 11 Fails. The Volcano Village community got a glimpse of their possible future ingress and egress to their Kilauea summit town, during a public meeting Thursday night at the Cooper Center. Big Island Video News.

Road Damage From Earthquakes Is Latest Volcano Peril. Officials worry that future quakes could shut down Highway 11, a vital link between Hilo and a rural district. Associated Press.

Lava a hot topic for Puna council candidates. With two candidates running for each seat, both races will be decided in the Aug. 11 primary. Tribune-Herald.

The University of Hawaii at Hilo was awarded nearly $200,000 by the National Science Foundation to study the wider effects of rapid ohia death on animal communities. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Democratic incumbent Kyle Yamashita and challenger Tiare Lawrence are gearing up for round two of their winner-take-all primary election contest for the Upcountry 12th House seat that was decided by just a few hundred votes two years ago. Maui News.

When South Maui voters head to the primary polls to cast their ballots for the 11th District state House of Representatives, they’ll have three Democratic candidates to choose from. Maui News.

Charges have been dismissed without prejudice against a Haleakala telescope protester, who could be charged again in the case. Maui News.

Kauai

Despite major flooding damage to the North Shore following mid-April’s epic rainfall, visitors continue flocking to Kauai. Garden Island.

Na Pali Coast stamp to be dedicated at Hanalei Post Office.  The U.S. Postal Service will commemorate the issuance of a Forever stamp depicting Kauai's iconic Na Pali coast at a special event at 10:45 a.m. on August 16 at the Hanalei Post Office, located at 5-5226 Kuhio Highway. KHON2.

Pence joins Korean war remains transfer ceremony, Hurricane Hector 2,000 miles out, noncitizen is on Oahu ballot, campaign spending reported, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

55 caskets of believed-to-be Americans missing from the Korean War are brought to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, during an Honorable Carry Ceremony, Aug. 1. The remains will be sent to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency laboratory for identification. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Apryl Hall)

In an emotional and solemn ceremony, the remains of dozens of presumed casualties from the Korean War were escorted by military honor guards onto U.S. soil on Wednesday, 65 years after an armistice ended the conflict and weeks after President Donald Trump received a commitment from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for their return. Associated Press.

The remains of 55 presumed Americans turned over by North Korea were welcomed back to American soil Wednesday in a solemn ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor- Hickam. Star-Advertiser.

Vice President Mike Pence, other dignitaries and dozens of veterans gathered at Pearl Harbor on Wednesday for a somber repatriation ceremony to receive the possible remains of 55 American soldiers killed in the Korean War. Hawaii News Now.

Vice President Pence: 'Today our boys are coming home'. KHON2.

"These heroes were never forgotten": Pence comes to Hawaii to formally receive war remains. KITV.

Slideshow: The Long Road Home. The presumed remains of 55 casualties from the Korean War arrive in Honolulu as Vice President Mike Pence leads a repatriation ceremony. Civil Beat.

How the U.S. military will identify the remains. Associated Press.

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Having formed as a tropical storm Wednesday, Hector reached hurricane status this morning and is continuing its march toward the Central Pacific. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane Hector in East Pacific forecast to strengthen into Category 3 storm. Hawaii News Now.

Candidates, PACs report primary election spending. Gov. David Ige has spent $2.33 million so far on his re-election effort, which is somewhat more than U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa spent on the race, but that tells only part of the money story. Star-Advertiser.

Super PACs spending to influence the vote. Star-Advertiser.

Carpenters Union Pumps $3 Million Into Hawaii’s Primary Race. The union’s super PAC is flexing its political muscle in support of Colleen Hanabusa for governor and Josh Green for lieutenant governor. Civil Beat.

Will The Next Governor Support Safe Zones For the Homeless? Gov. David Ige has taken a strong stand against tent cities, while Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa supports the concept of “ohana zones.” Civil Beat.

A Livelier Ige Comes Out Swinging In One-On-One Interview. The governor was feisty and playful in responding to criticism from Congresswoman Hanabusa and her supporters. Civil Beat.

The U.S. Senate has unanimously confirmed prosecutor Jill Otake to be a federal judge in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

It may be years before Hawaii sees changes to its firearms law following the July 24 ruling by a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that the state’s requirement for a license to openly carry a firearm in public violates the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii cannabis leaders explore new edibles regulations and employment issues. Hawaii News Now.

Study: Plastic degrading in the oceans could be contributing to global warming. Hawaii News Now.

Transfer of Hawaii inmates to Arizona comes amid growing scrutiny of practice. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii state pension fund names new chief investment officer. The Employees’ Retirement System of the State of Hawaii named Elizabeth Burton its new chief investment officer, replacing Vijoy Chattergy, who left the $16.5 billion public workers pension in February. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Lack Of US Citizenship Trips Up GOP State House Candidate. Sailau Timoteo is a citizen of American Samoa, which apparently makes her ineligible to even vote, much less run. Civil Beat.

State House contender born in American Samoa told she's ineligible to run. Hawaii News Now.

Department of Land and Natural Resources personnel removed four vessels Tuesday that were illegally stored along Lanikai Beach. Star-Advertiser.

Work continues to reduce Waianae's soaring homeless pet population. Hawaii News Now.

Improvement projects at two Leeward Coast parks have been completed, and the impacted facilities are now open to the public. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

The state and county are looking at the possibility of building a bypass route or routes as the condition of Highway 11 near Volcano Village and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park deteriorates because of near-constant seismic activity at the summit of Kilauea volcano. Tribune-Herald.

The Volcano Fire Station which was located within the National Park at the former Kilauea Military Camp (Station 19) has been temporarily relocated to a safer location, officials say. Big Island Video News.

The county has instituted an amnesty program for owners seeking to get rid of their unwanted vehicle. West Hawaii Today.

The state Department of Transportation’s Airports Division later this month will host a public information meeting regarding commercial helicopter flights over residential areas, the DOT announced Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

A fairly new pest is making its presence known on Hawaii Island's east side. Cacao Farmers of Hawaii and the Big Island Invasive Species Committee is warning farmers of the Longhorn Beetle, which poses a major threat to tree-related agriculture businesses. Hawaii News Now.

'Hilo Massacre' commemorated. Eighty years ago, a peaceful protest took a tragic turn as police opened fire on an unarmed crowd of union workers and their supporters at the docks of Hilo Bay in 1938. Tribune-Herald.

Scientists have started analyzing live data collected by two ocean robots on the impacts of lava flowing into the water off lower Puna. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

For candidates, similar issues, different takes. State Rep. Justin Woodson says he’s seeking re-election to the House District 9 seat to continue work on issues including affordable housing, homelessness, public school funding and kupuna care. Maui News.

Questions raised about the post office site lease. Councilors concerned about funds already used to plan new building. Maui News.

The entangled whale shark seen off the coast of Maui in early July was cut free from about 150 pounds of line on Sunday off the coast of Lanai. Garden Island.

A juvenile whale shark that was entangled with heavy rope in recent weeks has been freed. Maui Now.

Judge’s ruling allows shoreline project to go on. Opponents of Hololani project sought to stop steel piles. Maui News.


Kauai

A Tiny Company’s Big Battle Over Water Rights. The bottlers have long sought a permit to validate the taking of a small amount of spring water that some customers say has healing qualities. Garden Island.

KPD Chief Darryl Perry retires, search underway for replacement. KHON2.

Cesspools are front and center at two meetings scheduled for Kauai at the beginning of August and the public still has the chance to get in on one of them. Garden Island.

Molokai

The Public Utilities Commission has approved the first grid-scale solar and battery energy storage project to be built on Molokai. KHON2.

The first grid-scale solar and battery energy storage project to be built on Molokai has gained approval from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Maui Now.