Showing posts with label Keck Observatory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Keck Observatory. Show all posts

Monday, May 29, 2023

Canoe club faces fines after cinder blocks placed on coral, Hawaii joins interstate compact to lure doctors, census shows state population aging, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Damage to be assessed after moorings were placed on coral during Hawaiʻi Island canoe regatta. 16 cinder block lane markers were found resting on coral structures during the Founders Regatta hosted by the Keauhou Canoe Club on Saturday. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now.

Hawaii moves to lure mainland doctors. Doctors from other states may soon be able to quickly acquire licenses to practice medicine in Hawaii after state lawmakers passed a bill this month enabling the governor to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, an agreement among states that streamlines the licensing process. Star-Advertiser.

The aging of Hawaii is accelerating, 2020 census shows.  The U.S. Census Bureau’s demographic profile released Thursday shows there were 282,451 people age 65 and older in Hawaii, representing 19.4% of the state’s total population of 1.45 million. That’s a 45% increase from the number of residents in that age group who were counted in 2010, when they comprised 14.3% of the population, or 1 in 7 residents. Star-Advertiser.

Slight summer cool-down predicted for Hawaii tourism.  A rush of travelers to Hawaii is expected for the Memorial Day weekend, the kickoff to summer, but there are signs in the state’s visitor industry that the season may not be as robust as last year. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Green to name new HTA board members; De Fries’ future uncertain. Gov. Josh Green on Friday morning said in an online interview he would be appropriating more than $60 million for tourism promotion, marketing and management when he signs the state budget into law in mid-June. Tribune-Herald.

Solar loan program gets $100M recharge. The Legislature this year appropriated a $100 million infusion to an agency nicknamed Hawaii’s Green Bank to continue lending money to households with low and moderate incomes for installing rooftop solar systems while also expanding the program to finance energy storage systems. Star-Advertiser.

State funds for late rent, mediation to be revisited. Key state lawmakers are vowing to revisit a bill that died in the final days of the legislative session that would have required mediation between landlords and tenants before filing for eviction, while providing landlords millions in emergency rent relief. Star-Advertiser.

New $15 Million Grant Seeks To Address Root Causes Of Health Disparities In Hawaii. Hawaii Island Community Health Center will use the funding to elevate children's access to care. Civil Beat.

Hawaii private-school tuitions rise with inflation. While increases in the average tuition for Hawaii’s private schools statewide for this fall will be smaller than expected at about 2.3%, some prominent schools are raising their tuition by much more as they start to catch up with the past two years’ inflation and rate hikes that were delayed or cut back during the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Calls Mount For The Honolulu City Council To Vote On Salary Increases. Many constituents feel that the increases are a "slap in the face," and they want more accountability. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Council Members Seek To Make The Chamber A Full-Time Job Amid Pay Criticism. Two measures would ban council members from having other jobs in a move aimed at ensuring they focus all their attention on the public's business. Civil Beat.

‘This Is Gold’: An Unprecedented Push To Restore Urban Honolulu Watersheds From Ridge To Reef. A nearly $8 million project will take the Hawaiian approach to land management and apply it to busy parts of town. Civil Beat.

Pay per wave: Native Hawaiians divided over artificial surf lagoon in the birthplace of surfing. The project has landed in court and reflects the unease some Native Hawaiians feel about the commercialization of what long has been a cultural touchstone. Associated Press.

Kuhio Beach hours to change for safety, cleanliness’ sake. The city Department of Parks and Recreation is making plans to extend Kuhio Beach Park’s daily closure by an extra two hours — a move that will broaden the park’s shutdown from midnight to 5 a.m. Star-Advertiser.

24 people cited at Kaʻena Point State Park, most for access during off hours. Eighteen people were cited Saturday night for being in a closed area, in violation of Ka‘ena Point State Park closure hours on Oʻahu; and five others were cited for not having special access permits, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Maui Now.

Hawaii Island

Mayor Roth To Hold Island-Wide Town Hall Circuit. Mayor Mitch Roth announced the debut of his town hall series, “Sustainable Horizons: Mayor Roth’s Community Impact Check-in,” aimed at providing updates and fostering engagement with communities across Hawaiʻi Island. Big Island Video NewsBig Island Now.

Keck Observatory director retiring after nearly 40 years. When Hilton Lewis began working at the W. M. Keck Observatory in 1986, astronomy was a very different field. Tribune-Herald.

HVO clears final hurdle in move to UH-Hilo.  In a couple of years, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and support staff should be able to move from their temporary headquarters at Hilo Iron Works and a Keaau warehouse and into fancy new digs at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Keaau Middle School top site for proposed new library.
A draft environmental assessment for a proposed new library to serve the Keaau and Mountain View communities was published Tuesday and lists five preferred sites for the 13,900-square-foot building, but rates a site at the Keaau Middle School as the most preferred. Tribune-Herald.

64 Cats Captured, Relocated From Waikoloa. An effort to catch and relocate a large number of feral cats from a parking lot in the Waikōloa Resort area is underway, with 64 cats already reported captured, spayed/neutered, and rehomed. Big Island Video News.

Maui

County water directors to discuss water rate increases. Maui County Water Supply Director John Stufflebean and Deputy Director James “Kimo” Landgraf will discuss possible water rate increases and other important issues on the county radio show at 7 a.m. Thursday on KAOI. Maui News.

Hawaii Lawmakers Did Not Fund The Overpass To Kihei’s New High School.
The ongoing effort to build a protected pedestrian crossing over a bustling highway to Kihei’s new high school has hit yet another barrier: Lawmakers didn’t put money in the state budget this past session to build it. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Emergency preparedness survey to be conducted on Kaua‘i. The state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office said it will conduct a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) survey from June 6-9. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

County offers free composting bins. The County of Kaua‘i Department of Public Works Solid Waste Division announced two new distribution points on the North Shore for Earth Machine Home Composting Bins — ‘Aina Ho‘okupu o Kilauea and the Hanalei Initiative. Garden Island.

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

U.S. surgeon general cited for COVID-19 lockdown violation, Fauci meets with Lt. Gov. Green, islands seek to opt out of state tourism reopening, Keck Observatory astronomer wins Nobel Prize, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2020 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Keck Telescopes and others on Mauna Kea ©2020 All Hawaii News

U.S. surgeon general cited for being in closed Oahu park. The U.S. surgeon general was cited for being in a closed Oahu park in August while in the islands helping with surge testing amid a spike in coronavirus cases, according to a criminal complaint filed in court. Associated Press.

Surgeon General among thousands cited for violating emergency orders. Surgeon General Jerome Adams has a court date pending here in Hawaii. Turns out, when he was here helping the city with surge testing, he went to a park while they were off-limits and an officer cited him. KHON2.

U.S. Surgeon General cited for allegedly violating Mayor Caldwell's emergency rules. According to court documents the U.S. Surgeon General was observed in Kualoa Regional Park with two other men standing and taking pictures. KITV4.

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Dr. Anthony Fauci to join Lt. Gov. Josh Green for live talk story session 7 a.m. Wednesday. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, will participate in a live talk story session Wednesday morning with Hawaii’s lieutenant governor, Dr. Josh Green. Hawaii News Now.

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Keck Observatory astronomer wins Nobel Prize in physics. Longtime W.M. Keck Observatory astronomer Andrea Ghez has won the Nobel Prize in physics for research proving the existence of a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Tribune-Herald.

Keck Astronomer Andrea Ghez Wins Nobel Prize. Longtime W. M. Keck Observatory astronomer Dr. Andrea Ghez has won the Nobel Prize in Physics 2020 for her research on the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy. Big Island Video News.

Winner of Nobel Prize in Physics is longtime user of Hawaii’s Keck Observatory.
U.S. astronomer Andrea Ghez, of the University of California, Los Angeles, has been studying the Galactic Center — the central region of the Milky Way galaxy — at the Keck Observatory on Hawaii island since 1995. Star-Advertiser.

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Neighbor Islands not sold on plan to welcome visitors back; Big Island opts out. Hawaii Island Mayor Harry Kim said he plans to opt out of the state’s pre-travel testing program, and Maui and Kauai appear to be considering a pullout, too. The defection of Neighbor Islands from the program ― seen as a major step in rebooting the tourism industry and the state’s economy ― could be disastrous for its prospects and even trigger a delay. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. says mayors can ‘opt out’ of pre-travel testing program.
Just a day after the governor denied Kauai’s request for a post-arrival test, there is some uncertainty over what happens next for the neighbor islands. KHON2.

Hawaii Island Mayor stands behind decision to keep 14-day quarantine in effect. Hawaii island Mayor Harry Kim is standing by his decision not to participate in the state’s pre-travel testing program unless the governor approves a two-test option for the island that has seen coronavirus cases surge in recent weeks. Star-Advertiser.

Kim wants more tests; Big Island mayor might opt out of governor’s plan for trans-Pacific travelers. Mayor Harry Kim said Tuesday he thinks the county can provide a second or even a third COVID-19 test to arriving trans-Pacific passengers on the Big Island without draining the state’s “limited amount of test kits.” Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Kim: “We Have To Have A Second Test” For Visitors To Hawaii. Mayor Harry Kim clarified his position after it was reported that he planned to opt out of the State's pre-travel testing program. Big Island Video News.

Mayor Kim Pitching Two-Test System to Reopen Big Island to Tourism. One test simply won’t do. Big Island Now.

Mayor Harry Kim confirms Hawai'i County will not take part in state's pretravel testing program. Mayor Kim said he wants a multi-test system. Until then, people who travel to the Big Island will be required to quarantine for 14 days, even if they have a pre-arrival negative result. KITV4.

Hawaii County Mayor Kim calls for two-test policy for arriving passengers. In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, Kim said that he wants travelers to undergo a second round of testing after they arrive in the Islands. Pacific Business News.

Kaua'i Mayor: A decision has not yet been made on whether Kaua'i will opt-out of state's pre-travel testing plan. Kaua'i Mayor Derek Kawakami says he hasn't made a decision yet on whether the Garden Isle will opt-out of the state's plan. KITV4.

Honolulu City Councilmember urges Governor Ige to adopt additional testing for travelers.
With the state slated to reopen next week, a Honolulu City Councilmember is urging Governor David Ige to adopt additional testing for travelers. KITV4.

10 Days to Go: Ironing Out County Options Ahead of Pre-Travel Testing Launch. With just 10 days to go before the state’s Oct. 15 launch of its pre-travel COVID-19 testing program, counties across the state are ironing out how much they will or will not be involved. Maui Now.

As Hawaii prepares to welcome visitors back, input sought on tourism management plans. The Hawaii Tourism Authority is seeking input for new plans aimed at crafting the future of tourism management in the islands. A destination management action plan is being developed for each county. Hawaii News Now.

‘We’re In A Really Tough Place Right Now’: Can Hawaii’s New Health Director Make A Difference? Dr. Libby Char has directed some of the largest emergency agencies in the state. Her supporters say she offers a badly needed collaborative approach to leadership. Civil Beat.

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Ballots going out for Hawaii’s first all-mail general election. The ballots — the first of many more sent to registered voters across the state this week — are being mailed early to ensure timely delivery before the Nov. 3 general election. Star-Advertiser.

Office of Elections begins mailing out general election ballots. While Election Day is still weeks away, ballots will soon be showing up in your mailbox. KHON2.

Health Department urges safe Halloween with household members at home and not trick-or-treating. DOH recommends celebrating with household members at home and avoiding trick-or-treating door to door or wherever treats are handed to children or taken from a shared bucket. Star-Advertiser.

VIRUS TRACKER — Oct. 6: 83 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. Of the cases diagnosed on Tuesday, two were in Maui County, 14 were on Hawaii island and 67 were on Oahu. Civil Beat.

Oahu


Honolulu Agencies Asked To Identify Potential Budget Cuts Up To 10%. The City Council budget chair says property tax increases may be necessary in a year or two if revenue continues to drop. Civil Beat.

Voters Will Have Their Say On A Proposed Honolulu Youth Commission. If approved by voters this year, the new panel would advise the mayor and Council on issues critical to younger residents such as climate change. Civil Beat.

Delays, Lack of Transparency Among Reasons For City Withdrawal From Critical Rail Partnership. Officials had described the P-3 private-public partnership as a way to ease the financial burden on city taxpayers for the last, and most difficult, part of the rail project -- the stretch into the urban core from Middle Street to Ala Moana. Hawaii Public Radio.

$332K project to rebuild the Maunalua Bay loading dock begins.
Workers will be installing a new loading dock at Maunalua Bay. Hawaii News Now.

2 more of Oahu’s Irish pubs close up shop for good amid pandemic woes. Bar owner Bill Comerford confirmed Tuesday that he’s closing two of his four Irish pubs on Oahu. Irish Rose in Waikiki and Anna O’Brien’s in Moiliili will no longer welcome back customers ― even after Oahu reaches the tier 4 level of reopening. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

In or out? West Hawaii’s businesses await Mayor Kim’s decision on pre-travel testing program. Conflicting messages regarding Hawaii County’s participation in the state’s pre-travel testing program, scheduled to begin Oct. 15, have prompted unease among West Hawaii businesses on Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

Questions surround county composting plans.
The future appeared muddy Tuesday for a county compost project, leaving members of a County Council committee frustrated that the long-awaited project may never be completed. West Hawaii Today.

26 UH-Hilo, HCC employees to have salaries reduced. Eighteen University of Hawaii at Hilo and eight Hawaii Community College employees will be among 216 executive-managerial staffers throughout the UH system to have their salaries reduced Nov. 1 as UH braces for budget shortfalls amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Tribune-Herald.

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University of the Nations Kona confirms 4 new COVID-19 cases as 492 undergo testing. Four new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed by the University of the Nations Kona on Tuesday as hundreds of staff members and their families underwent testing for the novel coronavirus. West Hawaii Today.

Testing reveals 4 new COVID cases at the University of the Nations Kona campus. New cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at a faith-based college on Hawaii Island. Hawaii News Now.

Four additional people from University of the Nations Kona, already identified through contact tracing and in quarantine, have tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. KITV4.

Maui

Maui County Voters Weigh In On Top Election Issues, Charter Changes Among Them. Maui County residents will be casting ballots for state representatives, county councilmembers, Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees and seven county charter amendments. Hawaii Public Radio.

"Habitual DUI" Arrests up 500% in Maui County. Despite nearly two million fewer tourists, the Maui Police Department has made nearly the same number of DUI arrests as they did in 2019. KITV4.

New pediatrics clinic opens.
A nonprofit health care center has launched a new pediatrics clinic in hopes of increasing drop-in visits and child immunizations, both of which have declined during the pandemic. Maui News.

Four Seasons Maui Welcomes Guests Back with Specialized Travel Solutions, Nov. 20. General Manager Marc Bromley said the Resort’s new Safe on Maui program is aimed at helping to protect guests and ultimately, employees. Maui Now.


Kauai

Meet the candidates: Billy DeCosta. “I think everyone in that council has a good heart, but at this time it’s not enough,” said Billy DeCosta, a candidate for one of seven available seats. Garden Island.

$5M for Veterans Cemetery upgrades. The Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery is scheduled to receive a grant of over $5 million primarily to fund the construction of 215 pre-placed crypts, 407 in-ground cremains gravesites, 640 columbarium niches and a new memorial wall. Garden Island.

Kauai home prices jump by 32% on fewer sales. Home sales on Kauai declined by single digits last month even as the median price of a single-family home jumped by 32.5% and the median condominium price rose 17%. Pacific Business News.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Where's the GOP? Campaigns kick off after filing deadline, entire neighborhoods lost to lava, Gabbard signs book deal, Japanese royalty visits Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

USGS
Lava fills Kapoho Bay PC:USGS
Late Moves Shake Up Hawaii Races For Governor, Congress. While half of the state legislative seats have just one candidate in the primary, many others will be competitive. Civil Beat.

Isle GOP’s collapse makes primary critical. In a state where one party dominates as much as the Democrats do in Hawaii, the next 67 days of campaigning leading up to the primary will decide just about everything. Star-Advertiser.

State Rep. Cedric Gates, the youngest state legislator in Hawaii, thinks the best way to get young voters to the polls is to put them in office. Hawaii News Now.

Ed Case joins crowded race for Congress, but some see him as a front-runner. Former Congressman Ed Case kicked off his campaign for Congress on Tuesday by sign waving in east Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Former Democratic Congressman Ed Case has joined the race for the U.S. House of Representatives, an 11th-hour move that could shake up the contest for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who is competing to become Hawaii’s next governor. Star-Advertiser.

Former Congressman Ed Case, a native of Hilo and a graduate of Hawaii Preparatory Academy, is lacing up his running shoes after six years on the political sidelines. West Hawaii Today.

Tulsi Gabbard Is Writing A Book. The Hawaii congresswoman has signed with a high-profile literary agency that says it represents “presidential contenders.” Civil Beat.

Hawaii has the ninth-worst state economy in the nation, according to a WalletHub report, “2018’s Best & Worst State Economies,” released Monday. Star-Advertiser.

While Hawaii has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation, its overall economy is the ninth worst among all 50 states and the District of Columbia, according to a new report. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

This Sludge Pit Plan Gets Little Love In Manoa. Critics question why the state didn’t conduct an environmental review for the Manoa Stream dredging project. Civil Beat.

Coco Palms developer Chad Waters was cited by the Department of Health in late March for a reported environmental infraction at his Sound Investments LLC development on Oahu. Garden Island.

Lawsuit filed against Zippy's restaurants after data breach. Associated Press.

Ride-hailing service Uber sent emails to customers and drivers urging them to reach out to the Honolulu City Council and push back on a bill that would place more restrictions on the transportation network company and similar operations. Hawaii News Now.

Federal investigators say the single-engine aircraft that crashed in a mountainous area on Oahu, killing all four people on board last year, was over its weight limit when it took off. Associated Press.

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii was full of hustle and bustle Tuesday in preparation for a morning visit by Prince Akishino, the second son of Japan’s Emperor Akihito, and his wife, Princess Kiko. Star-Advertiser.

Lime, the bike and scooter sharing company that created a stir in Honolulu before pulling out of the market, is raising about $250 million in a funding round led by Google Ventures. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

USGS
June 5 lava fountain PC:USGS

Gov. David Ige has signed a second emergency proclamation, focusing on housing needs and beefing up violations of emergency rules to criminal penalties during the ongoing Kilauea eruption. Star-Advertiser.

Big Isle mayor’s vacation home destroyed by lava, county confirms. Final confirmation came early this evening that Mayor Harry Kim’s Vacationland home has been destroyed, according to Hawaii island managing director Wil Okabe. Star-Advertiser.

After losing his Vacationland home the night before in the lava flow, Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim spoke to the public at the weekly meeting in Pahoa about the ongoing eruption. Big Island Video News.

A massive river of lava covered hundreds more homes overnight as it poured into the sea, filling all of Kapoho Bay and decimating entire neighborhoods. Hawaii News Now.

'Hang in people': Big Island Mayor Harry Kim offers words of encouragement to lava evacuees. Hawaii News Now.

Lava claims hundreds of Kapoho-area homes; destruction assessments continue. County agencies continued their assessments Tuesday of the destruction around Kapoho after most of Kapoho Beach Lots and Vacationland were buried by lava Monday night. Tribune-Herald.

Hundreds Of Additional Homes Lost To Lava. Most were in Kapoho Beach Lots and Vacationland. Meanwhile, lava has completely filled Kapoho Bay. Civil Beat.

Overflight Video: Lava Torches Hundreds of Homes. Big Island Now.

Kapoho Beach Lots and Vacationland Inundated with Lava. Hawaii Public Radio.

The lava flow that caused the sudden loss of Kapoho Bay in the past 48 hours has taken away properties, livelihoods and an iconic shoreline. Hawaii News Now.

Officials Create Housing Solutions for Displaced Residents. Big Island Now.

With lava from Fissure 8 pouring into Kapoho Bay, the current eruptive phase at Kilauea is pressing into its fifth week, and its effects are taking a toll. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lava from fissure 8 continued to fountain Tuesday night to heights consistent with those observed earlier in the day. Star-Advertiser.

A bill to regulate short-term rentals on Hawaii Island will get another go before the Hawaii County Planning Committee after more amendments were proposed on Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

After Eruption, Vacation Rental Bill Discussion Changes. The Hawaii County Council Planning Committee took up Bill 108, the day after lava destroyed almost all of Kapoho. Big Island Video News.

Expect a papaya shortage as lava destroys more farms. The Puna area is one of the largest producers of papayas. With farms there either destroyed or cut off by the lava, the price of the popular fruit could soon double. KHON2.

Along with the homes being destroyed, the latest lava flows have also cut off or covered cultural sites, important habitats and even popular recreation sites. KITV.

W.M. Keck Observatory officials on Monday notified the state Department of Health that they detected “a small seepage of oil” from the hydraulic system supporting the Keck I telescope and acted to contain the oil, according to a news release from the observatory. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii island’s housing prices soared in May, but the real estate market has taken a back seat to the daily drama affecting the livelihood of its residents. Star-Advertiser.

Sales of single-family homes on Hawaii’s Big Island fell 17 percent last month, compared to May 2017, but the median price of those homes jumped by 26 percent, while the median price of a Big island condominium soared 45 percent on 19 percent fewer sales. Pacific Business News.

Maui
There will be some changes to the paratransit fares and passes beginning July 1, according to Maui Economic Opportunity, which has the Maui County contract for the transportation service. Maui News.

Kauai

By Tuesday’s filing deadline, 24 candidates had officially filed to run for the Kauai County Council, while seven filed for the mayor’s seat. Garden Island.

A political forum featuring candidates for the lieutenant governor’s seat is set for Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Aqua Kauai Beach Resort. Garden Island.

Sales of single-family homes on Kauai declined in May, while sales of Garden Island condominiums grew and prices dropped, according to statistics from Hawaii Information Service on behalf of the Kauai Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.