Schools, businesses close as Hurricane Madeline nears Hawaii, Ige signs emergency proclamation, Obama set to arrive today, World Conservation Congress continues as planned, Syngenta to leave Hawaii, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

5 a.m. Wednesday Hurricane Madeline track, National Weather Service

At 500 AM HST (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Madeline was located 140 miles ESE of Hilo. Madeline is moving toward the west near 14 mph and this general motion is expected to continue for the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the center of Madeline will pass dangerously close to the Big Island later today. NOAA.

At 5 a.m. Wednesday, Madeline’s maximum sustained winds decreased to 80 miles per hour, which still means the cyclone is a Category 1 hurricane. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. David Ige signed a pre-landfall emergency proclamation on Tuesday, as the state prepares for possible impacts from hurricanes Madeline and Lester. The proclamation authorizes the expenditure of state monies for quick and efficient relief of disaster-related damages, losses and suffering resulting from the storms. Maui Now.

Hurricane Lester maintained its Category 4 strength early Wednesday as it churned toward the Central Pacific. Big Island under Hurricane Warning as Madeline nears state. At 5 a.m. Wednesday, the eye of Lester was about 1,085 miles east of Hilo. Hawaii News Now.

To hear some describe it, the World Conservation Congress is the Olympic Games, World Cup and Super Bowl of the world’s conservation community. Let the games begin Thursday as more than 8,500 delegates from 194 countries convene in Honolulu for the premier conference of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Star-Advertiser.

Olelo Community Media announced Tuesday that it will provide over 20 hours of “exclusive” live local coverage of the IUCN World Conservation Congress. Civil Beat.

President Obama is coming to the world conservation congress in Honolulu to herald the creation of the world's largest ecologically protected area, Papahanaumokuakea. Hawaii Public Radio.

In 2008, as economies around the world were reeling from the collapse of the U.S. financial market, a taro farmer on Maui had an idea to bring the world’s largest conservation conference to Hawaii. Civil Beat.

One of Hawaii’s biggest seed companies caught up in lawsuits and protests over genetically modified crop farming and pesticide use has decided to sell its local operations. Syngenta, a Swiss agribusiness behemoth, announced a decision Tuesday to seek a buyer for its Hawaii operations, which include nearly 6,000 acres of land it leases or owns on Oahu and Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Enrollment at Hawaii public schools dipped slightly this school year to 179,902 students, the Department of Education said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Enrollment in Hawaii’s public and charter schools is slightly down for the new school year, according to a report by the state Department of Education. Pacific Business News.

A class action lawsuit recently filed in federal court accuses two prominent law firms, and more than 70 condominium associations they represent, of “the wrongful and unlawful sale” of condominium units through an improper foreclosure process. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The President of the United States will arrive in Honolulu Wednesday evening, and city officials are warning the public of major road closures during rush hour. KHON2.

Honolulu’s tardy, over-budget rail project could lose $1.55 billion in federal funds if it is not built as first planned all the way to Ala Moana Center, the Federal Transit Administration told city officials in a meeting in San Francisco this week. Civil Beat.

Crews on Tuesday began installing three modular housing units in Waianae for working homeless individuals and homeless families with children. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric Co. has executed a 35-year lease with the Secretary of the Army for a planned power plant in Central Oahu that has the state’s largest utility paying the Army $308,515 annually for a total of $10.8 million during the entire lease term, Pacific Business News has learned.

U.S. District Judge Michael Seabright has ruled that redactions the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made to a University of Hawaii biolab inspection report were — for the most part — proper. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

The following are closed or postponed due to the approaching hurricanes. Big Island Now.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education plans to close public schools on Hawaiʻi Island on Wednesday, Aug. 31 and Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 as Hurricane Madeline continues its path towards Hawaiʻi. Maui Now.

Ride it out. That was the survival plan for two residents of a Hilo homeless encampment Tuesday as Hurricane Madeline — followed by Hurricane Lester — marched toward Hawaii Island. Tribune-Herald.

The National Weather Service still was expecting the center of Hurricane Madeline to pass just shy of South Point today in a forecast issued Tuesday evening. But the cyclone could deliver more than a glancing blow. Tribune-Herald.

Members of People’s Advocacy for Trails Hawaii, government officials and biking enthusiasts took shelter from the sun under a makeshift canopy at Hale Halawai Tuesday to celebrate the kickoff of Bikeshare Kona Hawaii Island and an accompanying Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Campaign. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Kaiser Permanente's Maui Health System is now set to take over Maui County's three hospitals on July 1, a year later than the original transfer date, leaving hospital officials with "some hard decisions" on how to deliver health care in the interim. Maui News.

Six green sea turtles get a new home. Maui News.

Kauai

The Department of Water will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 7, regarding the proposed amendments to the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Water Supply, Part 5 Facilities Reserve Charge (FRC) Section III – Applicability. Garden Island.

Kauai saw an increase in visitors, and their spending, in July. The Hawaii Tourism Authority reported that 120,166 guests came to the island last month, up 3.2 percent from June. Garden Island.

Pair of powerful storms approach Hawaii, Honolulu prepares for Obama visit, federal appeals court dismisses Hawaiian sovereignty lawsuit, Maui hospital deal collapses, Ige protective order fails in Thirty Meter Telescope case, foster parents get a raise, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Madeline 2 a.m. HST Tuesday, National Weather Service

At 5:00 a.m., the center of Hurricane Madeline was about 445 miles east of Hilo. Madeline is moving toward the west near 10 mph (17 km/h) and this motion is expected to become west southwesterly later today through early Thursday. KHON2.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Big Island while a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Maui County as Hurricane Madeline draws nearer to the state as a Category 3 storm. Hawaii News Now.

Hurricane Madeline weakened slightly overnight but was still a powerful Category 3 storm and the National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning for Hawaii island and a tropical storm watch for Maui County this morning. The Big Island is also under a hurricane watch. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane Madeline now a Cat. 4 storm. KITV.

The National Weather Service says Hurricane Madeline could come dangerously close to the Big Island by Wednesday and may have impacts worse than Tropical Storm Iselle in 2014. Hawaii News Now.

Hurricane Lester has weakened slightly, but remains a category 3 storm as it churns toward the Central Pacific. Hawaii News Now.

A federal appeals court Monday dismissed an appeal about whether a vote seen as a step toward self-governance for Native Hawaiians should be open only to Native Hawaiians or to all of the state’s registered voters, saying the issue does not merit consideration because the U.S. Supreme Court issued an injunction against such a vote. Associated Press.

Hawaii foster parents will see a boost in the amount the state pays them to care for foster children under an $85 million settlement announced Monday that’s expected to resolve a federal class-action lawsuit and related case filed in state court. Star-Advertiser.

Foster parents in Hawaii will get more money to help pay expenses for the children in their care under a lawsuit settlement announced Monday. Civil Beat.

The state’s largest labor union backed a slate of Democratic candidates heading into the Aug. 13 primary election, shelling out thousands of dollars in contributions and providing extra bodies to do campaign grunt work. The Hawaii Government Employees Association, which represents more than 42,000 state and county workers, endorsed the winner in most races. Civil Beat.

The director of such films as “Freedom,” which starred Cuba Gooding Jr., and “David and Goliath” is helming a new $50 million film about Hawaii’s beginnings that will be shot entirely in Hawaii and create hundreds of jobs in the state. Pacific Business News.

Oahu
President Barak Obama is headed to Honolulu where he’s expected to address members of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature – the I-U-C-N.    In the meantime, preparations for his visit are at a fevered pitch in a number of places on O’ahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

An incident on the H-1 freeway Aug. 1 that left three people with stab wounds and closed several lanes for five hours has prompted a Honolulu city councilman to introduce a bill to discourage road rage. Star-Advertiser.

State and federal investigators raided the Maile Sky Court in Waikiki on Monday in response to allegations of construction irregularities at a $25 million renovation project there. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii School Aide Said He Saw Abuse, Then He Got Fired. The Department of Education is silent about a claim that an educational assistant poured iced coffee over the head of a student. Civil Beat.

Promoters of a planned $25 million artificial reef containing cremated human remains off Hawaii Kai are dropping their “memorial reef” proposal but will push ahead with trying to establish a new fish habitat. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Kai Satellite City Hall and police substation at Hawaii Kai Towne Center will relocate to a different site in East Honolulu after the property owner more than doubled the rent. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A proposed order seeking to prevent Gov. David Ige from testifying in the Thirty Meter Telescope contested case was denied Monday. Tribune-Herald.

A breakdown in Maui hospital negotiations over the weekend could delay similar privatization plans for Kona Community Hospital. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard visited three East Hawaii farms and met with agriculture researchers Monday as part of a statewide tour during Congress’ summer recess. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Kaiser Permanente now plans to wait until July 1 to take over three state-run Maui County medical facilities, a decision that means further delays for the largest privatization effort in state history. It could also mean the Maui hospital operations will be scaled back in the months ahead, according to a top hospital executive. Star-Advertiser.

The much postponed transition of Maui’s three public hospitals to Kaiser Permanent management hit a new setback today with the news that Kaiser has written a letter to Governor Ige to postpone the official start date until July 1, 2017. Maui Watch.

Maui has made great strides toward saving some of its most vulnerable native plants, but many local habitats are still facing "desperate situations," environmental experts said Sunday. Maui News.

Kauai

Today is the last day to share feedback on two alternative plans for the Black Pot Beach Park Master Plan. Garden Island.

Over the past two years, Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project has led expeditions into the forests of Kauai’s Alakai Wilderness Preserve, searching for the nests of two bird species: the akikiki and the akekee. Garden Island.

Hurricane Madeline may play havoc with Obama visit, Hawaii Republicans, Democrats, disavow rebel candidate, prying open secret prison files, scientists leave dome following yearlong Mars simulation, windmills and hoary bat hearing today, county officials get immunity in Kenoi trial, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

5 a.m. Monday Hurricane Madeline forecast, National Weather Service

Madeline has strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane to the east of Hawaii, and continues on a track that will take it close to or over the Big Island around mid week. At 5 a.m. Monday, Hurricane Madeline was about 695 miles east of Hilo or 890 miles east-southeast of Honolulu, and was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 miles per hour. Madeline has maximum sustained winds of 100 miles per hour with higher gusts. Madeline is expected to strengthen slightly through Monday and then begin to weaken Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Madeline strengthened overnight to a category 2 hurricane as it continued heading toward Hawaii island. Packing maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, Madeline was centered 695 miles east of Hilo and 890 miles east-southeast of Honolulu this morning while moving west-southwest at 10 mph. Star-Advertiser.

Hurriane Madeline has entered the Central Pacific area where our islands are located, and although the latest forecast has the storm tracking slightly south, Hawaii County Civil Defense is starting to get the word out for residents to pay attention to upcoming forecasts and, as you should be during the entirety of hurricane season, be prepared. KHON2.

Kiplinger, the personal finance company, has released its rankings of the best and worst states for taxes, and Hawaii places near the bottom. Civil Beat.

First Circuit Judge Edwin Nacino on Friday dismissed a lawsuit challenging the legality of Gov. David Ige’s interim appointment of Tom Gorak to the state Public Utilities Commission. Civil Beat.

Civil Beat is examining how the state manages its troubled, overcrowded prison system, which includes four prisons and four jails in Hawaii, and a contract private prison in Arizona. This story looks at the practice of not disclosing information about settlements in lawsuits, including the amount of damages.

The rise of Tulsi: While congresswoman bucks political trends, definitions and her national profile rises, no telling how far independent path will take her. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Democrats To Challenge Kaaihue’s Candidacy. Civil Beat.

The chair of the Hawaii Republican Party has been urging party members to disavow the candidacy of the GOP nominee for the 2nd Congressional District after she repeatedly made offensive remarks about religion and race toward her Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and other Hawaii leaders. KITV.

Oahu

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation finally lifted the veil this week on hundreds of millions of dollars of rail-related payments that have gone to subcontractors over the past fiscal year, and that have long been kept secret from the public. Civil Beat.

The Neal S. Blaisdell Center and the Hawaii Convention Center will be hot spots during IUCN's World Conservation Congress, which kicks off this week, and surrounding businesses are bracing for the impacts. Hawaii News Now.

Efforts underway in Hawaii Kai to clear dense foliage from areas where homeless people are suspected of camping out are stoking worries that the homeless might end up encroaching on residential areas. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Five current or former high-level Hawaii County officials will receive immunity for their testimony in the upcoming theft trial of Mayor Billy Kenoi, according to court records. Tribune-Herald.

The federal-state Endangered Species Recovery Committee will visit two Big Island wind farms today and take public testimony on the owners’ plans to protect the Hawaiian hoary bat. Star-Advertiser.

Return from ‘Mars’: Scientists emerge from dome after yearlong simulation. Tribune-Herald.

A year ago six volunteers of different nationalities and personalities — some chattier than others, some neater and cleaner — entered a modest dome two-thirds of the way up this desolate volcanic slope, where they had agreed to spend the next 365 days confined together to study potential effects on crews for future missions to Mars. Star-Advertiser.

What Six Scientists Learned In A Year On ‘Mars’. Civil Beat.

The public is getting another chance to weigh in on the designation of Puukohola Heiau as a national historic landmark, as the National Park Service conducts a study that could enlarge or decrease the size of the site itself. West Hawaii Today.

Tina Clothier, executive director of PATH, along with Mayor Billy Kenoi and the Mayor’s Active Living Advisory Council, will officially launch Bikeshare Kona Hawaii Island (BKHI) Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. with the blessing of a bike station at the Hale Halawai Pavilion. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

South Maui state Rep. Kaniela Ing pleaded not guilty Thursday morning in Wailuku District Court to a citation for driving his car without motor vehicle insurance. Maui News.

The Maui Tomorrow Foundation and three individual plaintiffs have filed a lawsuit in the state's Environmental Court to stop the state Department of Transportation from building seawalls along Honoapiilani Highway. Maui News.

Groups struggle to communicate about solar telescope installation. Improved understanding sought between Native Hawaiian organizations and science foundation. Maui News.

Sorghum is a top contender to replace sugar cane in some of Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co.'s 36,000 acres after the plantation closes at the end of this year. Maui News.

Work to replace a nearly 50-year-old walkway at the 105-acre Wai'anapanapa State Park in Hana will begin Sept. 6, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources announced. Maui News.

The Maui Police Department currently is conducting a one-month feasibility study on the use of Axon body-worn cameras, the department announced Wednesday.Maui News.

Takashi Kitaoka was remembered Friday as the first Maui-born judge to serve the Maui County circuit, a first sergeant who fought in the famed 100th Infantry Battalion during World War II and an effective government official who was director of the state Labor Department. Maui News.

Kauai

Because it is unclear who owns part of Anini Road, those who live there say the road is in limbo. Garden Island.

An application for funding for the proposed North Shore High School was denied, but backers said they will continue to support the project. Garden Island.

Molokai

Three decades of transporting workers, tourists and student athletes aboard the Molokai ferry may come to an end in a few weeks as the operator seeks to shut down operations in the face of mounting deficits. Maui News.