Showing posts with label Mars mission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mars mission. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Appeals court rules against B&B owner who refused gay couple, most Big Island vacation rentals don't pay taxes, bill weakens financial disclosures, Maui teacher on leave after showing sex video, humpback whale sightings down, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

photo by Elvis Ties
Aloha Bed & Breakfast PC:Elvis Tie
A Hawaii bed and breakfast discriminated against a couple by denying a room to two women because they’re gay, a state appeals court affirmed. Aloha Bed & Breakfast owner Phyllis Young had argued she should be allowed to turn away gay couples because of her religious beliefs. Associated Press.

The lawyer for a Hawaii Kai bed-and-breakfast business that was found to have discriminated against a lesbian couple says the operator is considering all of her legal options, including pursuing further appeal. Star-Advertiser.

Airbnb Says No To Collecting Taxes On Rentals. State officials are worried they could end up with no new revenue if Airbnb backpedals on the collection process. Civil Beat.

Bills Would Water Down Financial Disclosures For Unpaid State Officials. Supporters say current requirements discourage volunteers, but opponents say they help prevent conflicts of interest. Civil Beat.

Proposal seeks harsher penalties for damage to items of cultural significance. KHON2.

Why Would Anyone Want To Be Lieutenant Governor? The office comes with little power and few responsibilities. But it positions politicians for a leap to higher office — and to raise a lot of campaign cash. Civil Beat.

An email rant sent by DOCARE's chief law enforcement officer draws criticism. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources chief law enforcement officer Robert Farrell has been trying to beef up conservation enforcement. Hawaii News Now.

Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder to Lawmakers: "Help Us". Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu, Kauai Counties Ban Lying Down at Bus Stop. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Cost of water could rise as Board of Water supply seeks rate hike plan. Hawaii News Now.

Waikiki Health’s Next Step Shelter in Kakaako hopes to move 60 homeless clients out of the shelter and into market-rate apartments much faster this year after receiving a one-time grant to pay homeless people’s first month’s rent or security deposits. Star-Advertiser.

Waialua Residents Want The Lights Back On At Their District Park. Swim team members are among the North Shore residents inconvenienced since the old lights were removed in 2016. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard takes a stand against arming teachers in schools. KITV.

Students at Saint Francis School got a chance to speak with Honolulu’s chief of police Monday. KHON2.

Luxury home sales on Oahu look promising for 2018 after slow start. The number of luxury homes on Oahu that sold for $1.5 million or more declined in January, but the number that went into escrow last month rose, especially for homes priced $3 million and higher, according to an analysis by Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties. Pacific Business News.

An injured male wallaby underwent surgery to have its right eye removed Monday morning at Honolulu Zoo after being brought there Friday evening. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Owners of more than 6,000 vacation homes on Hawaii Island are collecting money from short-term renters without registering with the state or paying the required taxes. West Hawaii Today.

Bill to Allow Sponsorship of County Assets. Big Island Now.

Proponents are waging a last-minute crusade to flood the Legislature with testimony in support of funding for a cardiac care unit at Hilo Medical Center. Tribune-Herald.

Puako study simulates marine ecosystem management strategies. West Hawaii Today.

Honua Ola, the planned biomass facility in Pepeekeo formerly known as Hu Honua, is supporting a House Bill that would allow the company to particpate in Hawaii’s enterprise zone program. Big Island Video News.

California-based company SpinLaunch says it is developing new technology to launch small satellites into space — without the traditional rocket fuel and boosters —  and executives are looking at the Big Island as a potential launch site. Hawaii News Now.

Participants in the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Mars simulation on Mauna Loa will be staying Earthside after a crew member withdrew, prompting the exercise’s cancellation less than two weeks after it started. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The Department of Education has placed a Maui teacher on leave after he allegedly showed an animated sex video in class. Hawaii News Now.

Maui humpback whale sightings down for a third straight year. Humpback whale numbers have taken a dive in February, historically the busiest month of year for whales that annually breed and give birth in Hawaii’s warm waters. Star-Advertiser.

529 Whales Sighted off Maui During Great Whale Count 2018.  Maui Now.

Mother Nature leaves shocking damage to ancient Waihee auwai. More than 100 people came to help restore water to taro farmers. Maui News.

Kauai

Plate lunch trays and deli dishes once enjoyed a space on Kauai’s recyclables list, but many of them are now going straight into the landfill instead. Garden Island.

Proposal to allow councilmembers more time voted down. Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura, sometimes, has questions she would like to ask of public speakers at county meetings. But she can’t. The rules say so. Garden Island.

Mayor’s State of the County Address set for March 15. Garden Island.

Weather hampers whale sightings. Garden Island.


Kahoolawe

Meet the tiny island with a big presence in the history of Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Monday, September 18, 2017

Papahanaumokuakea spared in Trump cuts; study recommends sugary drink, 'sin' taxes to balance budget; a few leave voter rolls after Trump commission data request; $1.4M for Honolulu electric buses; Kauai protestors stop Hanalei gate, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy photo NOAA
Papahanaumokuakea Marine Monument, PC: NOAA
Papahanaumokuakea Marine Monument spared from Trump cuts. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is recommending that two marine national monuments in the Pacific and four other national monuments be reduced in size. Star-Advertiser.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has recommended that President Trump modify 10 national monuments created by his immediate predecessors, including shrinking the boundaries of at least four western sites, according to a copy of the report obtained by The Washington Post.

Higher liquor, tobacco and marijuana taxes, fees on sugary drinks among proposals. A consultant hired to study the Hawaii tax code is recommending a potentially controversial package of tax cuts and increases as a way of rebalancing the state tax system and potentially raising hundreds of millions of extra tax dollars for the state. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii voters aren’t leaving the rolls in droves over the prospect of some of their information being sent to a commission impaneled by President Donald Trump, but there have been a few. West Hawaii Today.

Helping Those Who Help Their Kupuna: State Aid Program Takes Shape. The Legislature approved a $600,000 effort to help people who give up their time, work and financial security to help relatives. Civil Beat.

The recent hurricanes in Texas, the Caribbean and Florida are a reminder of just how vulnerable Hawaii is to disaster. That includes the islands’ food supply. Last year Governor David Ige called for a doubling of food production in the Islands by 2020. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz is one of the few congressional Democrats who broken from a consensus in the party to hold fire on climate change politics while hurricane victims in Florida and Texas recover. Star-Advertiser.

Another Growing Threat To Hawaii’s Coral Reefs: Invasive Algae. Several years ago, the state stopped the infestation of leather mudweed by pulling up 3 million pounds of the algae. Now it’s back. Civil Beat.

Scientists are asking the public for help tracking green sea turtles as they return to Hawaiian islands after their nesting season. Associated Press.

Shipping companies’ expansion in isles could go bust for some. A glut could result if the company, TOTE Inc., executes its plan to haul containers on four new ships while two existing carriers, Matson Inc. and Pasha Hawaii, maintain or increase their fleets. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines, one of the state’s largest private employers with a workforce of about 6,500, is increasing its ranks by 300 as part of a major expansion. Star-Advertiser.

Travelers will now have more options when heading to New Zealand. Hawaiian Airlines is expanding its weekly service to Auckland in response to high demand for the 5-year-old route. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu will receive more than $1.4 million in federal funds for electric buses in an effort to reduce carbon pollution, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation spokesman Bill Brennan said that the local rail agency sent its complete “recovery plan” to the FTA’s Washington, D.C., and San Francisco offices late in the afternoon on Friday, the latest deadline to submit that report. Star-Advertiser.

Final approval for a major expansion of the city’s Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant in Ewa now rests with the state Land Use Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Proposal advancing to form dedicated group to oversee traffic, ease congestion in Waikiki. KHON2.

Water wagons set up for east Oahu residents as BWS works to fix leak. A transmission line leak in east Oahu is causing low water pressure in Kalama Valley and Queen's Gate. Hawaii News Now.

Low water pressure for some East Honolulu communities due to leaking transmission line. KHON2.

Permanent shutdown of Waialua kitchen foils farmers. Waialua Community Kitchen was forced to shut down in June over what some thought was a correctable permit problem. Star-Advertiser.

Aloha Green Holdings Inc. is changing its name to Aloha Green Apothecary. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Wait For Drug Treatment On Big Island Can Stretch Months. For those coming out of prison, there are only a handful of residential treatment centers. Civil Beat.

Japan Airlines returns, daily flights resume between Kona, Narita. The airline suspended service to Kona in 2010 as part of a corporate reorganization. West Hawaii Today.

Six NASA-backed research subjects who have been cooped up in a Mars-like habitat on Mauna Loa since January emerged from isolation Sunday. They devoured fresh-picked tropical fruit and fluffy egg strata after eating mostly freeze-dried food while in isolation and some vegetables that they grew during their mission. Associated Press.

Return to Earth: Mars simulation participants leave dome after 8 months. West Hawaii Today.

After eight months sequestered away in a geodesic dome on the slopes of Mauna Loa, the six HI-SEAS crew members “felt the sun and wind on their faces and ate fresh tropical papaya, pineapple and bananas with friends and family,” University of Hawai‘i officials report. Big Island Video News.

Several hula halau are scrambling to find alternate accommodations for Hilo’s Merrie Monarch Festival, now that Hawaii County has ruled out overnight stays in county-owned gyms, citing fire code violations. Star-Advertiser.

Jim Channon, corporate shaman and basis for Hollywood character, dies at 77. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

New documents reveal state system that failed abused boy. Star-Advertiser.

Having affordable rentals, hot showers, a place to do laundry and a resource center are some ideas that around 35 people, some homeless, came up with Saturday as ways to help the homeless population in South Maui. Maui News.

Maui Disposal reported that six tons of materials were collected from Lahaina streets, harbors and beaches from Puamana to the Māla Boat Ramp by over 300 volunteers, including residents and visitors and members of school groups, civic clubs and local businesses. Maui Now.

Four years after Puu Kukui Elementary School opened its doors, its students finally have a playground to play on. Maui News.

Kauai

Residents stop county from erecting gate in Hanalei. Community members stop gate installation at Black Pot Beach Park in Hanalei. Garden Island.

Bacteria levels in Hanalei Bay have spiked again and the state Department of Health has issued another advisory for the bay. Garden Island.

The executive director of Animal Balance is on Kauai for the next week with a team of 16 people — including five veterinarians — to do 600 spay and neuter surgeries in six days. Garden Island.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Hawaii homeless up 11%, Honolulu City Council to mull beach smoking ban, same-sex marriage foes unseat 16-year lawmaker, tech CEO dies, aquarium fish-taking rules considered, Oprah Winfrey plans Maui organic farm, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2012 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Honolulu homeless (c) 2012 All Hawaii News
Some 8,500 people statewide stayed in homeless shelters in the 2011-12 fiscal year, up 11 percent from 2009-10, and their ranks included more of the very young, more senior citizens and more people with at least some college experience, according to a statewide report on homelessness to be released today. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association is mobilizing its 13,000 members this week to publicly pressure the state to resolve the protracted dispute over their next two-year contract. Civil Beat.

Japan's economy is heading for recession and Hawaii's visitor industry are bracing for the fallout. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii tourism industry promoters are visiting California this week to draw more business and convention travelers to the islands.Associated Press.

The Public Land Development Corporation, formed to spur use of the state’s lands, and in the process create revenue for the state, has seemed to generate nothing but controversy since its mission and broad exemptions from county-level regulations began to be digested last summer. Tribune-Herald.

Veterans charged with non-violent crimes stemming from substance abuse or certain mental conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, will soon be a offered the option of completing a new Veterans Treatment Court, in lieu of sentencing. Civil Beat.

Senator Daniel Akaka has attended every Veteran’s Day ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific since he was first elected to Congress in 1976. Hawaii Public Radio.

Scientists track spike in Pacific quakes. Hawaii News Now.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is an expanse of large and small plastic, that's now a constantly floating, ever growing ecosystem created by us. KITV4.

State roundup for November 12. Associated Press.

Oahu

Smoking would be banned at five public beach parks under a bill Honolulu City Council member Stanley Chang will introduced to the Council on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii is kicking off an $11 million project to modernize a public housing complex in Palolo neighborhood of Honolulu. Associated Press.

Election Day was terrible for Republicans from Niihau to New England, but in Central Oahu at least, two GOP candidates defeated Democrats to win new seats in the Hawaii House of Representatives. Civil Beat.

A proposed hotel and vacation rental project on Kauai's North Shore would ruin iconic views from Hana­lei Bay, a group of opponents argues. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A Kona attorney who transitioned from county legislative staff to the personal representation of County Council Chairman Dominic Yagong and County Clerk Jamae Kawauchi in a politically charged lawsuit says it’s not a conflict of interest for him to do so. West Hawaii Today.

A program to test space vehicles on Hawaii Island to prepare them for missions to Mars or the moon is coming of age with a new state investment of $2.34 million to develop and expand the project. Star-Advertiser.

Establishing a long-talked-about “white list,” creating a Kaohe Bay fish replenishment area and outlawing scuba spearfishing are just a few of the proposals West Hawaii residents can provide testimony on Dec. 5 in Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Guy Toyama, president and CEO of H2 Technologies Inc. and executive director of Friends of NELHA, the Natural Energy Laboratory Authority of Hawaii, has died. Pacific Business News.

West Hawaii businessman and sustainability and renewable energy advocate Guy Toyama died early Sunday morning at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. He was 42. West Hawaii Today.

Friends and colleagues of entrepreneur Guy Toyama remembered him as a passionate advocate for Hawaii’s technology community with a knack for bringing people together. Star-Advertiser.


Maui

Oprah Winfrey is apparently getting into the organic food business, according to reports by the New York Post stemming from new online filings at the US Patent and Trademark Organization. Maui Now.

Landscape architect and planner Chris Hart, who made an unsuccessful bid for mayor in 2010 and formerly headed two Maui County departments, died early Monday. He was 71. Maui News.

A California-based investment firm is the new owner of a 4-year-old Maui shopping center lost by its developer to foreclosure last year. Star-Advertiser.

A Final Environmental Impact Statement has been filed for the Villages of Leiali’i Affordable Housing development in West Maui. Maui Now.

Maui County is on the cusp of modernizing windward Haleakala's mile-long, 1930s-era, sievelike Waikamoi flume. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i residents will be faced with two meetings today regarding two developments that may significantly alter the island’s natural beauty, while bringing many jobs to the community. One meeting concerns a proposed development on Hanalei Bay and Hanalei River ridge, and the other concerns a large subdivision across Kealia Beach, on the north end of Kapa‘a. Garden Island.

A brush fire in Hanapepe that forced firefighters to close a portion of Kaumuali‘i Highway burned 30 acres Monday evening before being contained. Garden Island.

Molokai

New Address System Helps Emergency Response. Molokai Dispatch.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Hawaii County bans aerial hunting, Honolulu rail scrutinized, debated, UH officials on leave for $200k Stevie Wonder fiasco, Hurricane Emilia strengthens, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mouflon sheep, courtesy photo
Shooting animals by helicopter on Hawaii Island, even by government agencies such as the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, is now illegal. Mayor Billy Kenoi on Wednesday signed into law a largely symbolic bill that prohibits “any person to engage in the eradication of any animal for any reason while being transported by helicopter, airplane, or any similar means.” Tribune-Herald.

Both Democrats U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono and former U.S. Rep. Ed Case, and former Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, have received the endorsement of the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association in its respective primaries for the state's open U.S. Senate seat. Star-Advertiser.

Republican Senate candidate Linda Lingle on Wednesday released the results of an internal poll showing her ahead of Mazie Hirono and tied with Ed Case in projected November matchups. Civil Beat.

While Hawaii languishes at or near the bottom among the states in voter turnout, several other states have established enviable records of high voter participation. Civil Beat.

Hawaii consumers carried the nation's second-highest credit card debt in June despite the average balance falling 3 percent over the previous year, according to CreditKarma, a California-based credit scoring website. Star-Advertiser.

After downgrading Emilia to a Category Two hurricane, the National Hurricane Center says it has strengthened to a Category Three. Hawaii News Now.

A memo sent to Hawaii sheriffs ordering them to stand down, needs to be clarified. That's according to the interim director who didn't even see the memo before it was sent. KHON2.

State roundup for July 12. Associated Press.

Oahu

Former Gov. Ben Cayetano, campaigning for mayor on a platform to halt the city's $5.26 billion rail project and use the money to improve Honolulu's crumbling infrastructure, would be unlikely to accomplish any of that if he wins the office, his campaign rivals charged. Star-Advertiser.

Peter Carlisle and Ben Cayetano focused many of their attacks on Kirk Caldwell in the KITV-Civil Beat debate Wednesday night, offering a window in the strategies the candidates are implementing a month before the Aug. 11 primary. Civil Beat.

Pacific Resource Partnership is a leading pro-rail spender in this year’s election cycle just as it was in 2008 and 2010, but where the group’s money comes from is shrouded in secrecy. Hawaii Reporter.

Resolutions requesting an audit of all rail-related public relations contracts and seeking tighter controls on rail contract change orders won easy approval from the Honolulu City Council Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii has placed two longtime officials on indefinite leave and is seeking the help of an independent investigator and the FBI to get to the bottom of its ill-fated Stevie Wonder concert venture. Star-Advertiser.

Just a day after the embarrassing announcement that a University of Hawaii athletics fundraising concert featuring Stevie Wonder was canceled, the UH placed Athletics Director Jim Donovan on paid leave and began an investigation into the botched event. Hawaii News Now.

A debate raged during a community meeting Wednesday night, over the spread of deadly infectious diseases and plans for a bio-safety laboratory at Kalaeloa. KITV4.

The Honolulu City Council voted 7-2 on Wednesday to approve a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week ban, on commercial activity at Kailua Beach Park and at nearby Kalama Beach Park. Star-Advertiser.

Aloha Petroleum Ltd. and AeroVironment have installed electric vehicle fast chargers at three Aloha gas stations on Oahu. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

The state Department of Health Underground Storage Tank Section has issued a Notice of Violation against Aloha Petroleum Ltd., the registered owner and operator of Island Mini Mart, a fuel service station in Kailua-Kona. West Hawaii Today.

A local tour company that led youth to Kealakekua Bay’s Kaawaloa shoreline did not have a permit to be in the area where large waves a week ago swept a 15-year-old New York boy into the ocean. West Hawaii Today.

As quickly as David Choe painted an eye-catching mural below Big Island Harley-Davidson on Palani Road, it was painted over and rendered back to its original form: a gray cement retaining wall. West Hawaii Today.

Everybody knows astronauts like Tang, but what about Spam musubi? Six men and women, culled from a field of 700 applicants, will help to answer that question and many more from their perch upon a Hawaii Island lava field next year as part of HI-SEAS, or Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation, a joint NASA study between the University of Hawaii and Cornell University that will simulate a mission to Mars. Tribune-Herald.

The slopes of Mauna Loa are often described as “Mars like” terrain. Soon a handful of people will spend 4 months there living as they would on Mars. It’s a collaborative effort including researchers from the University of Hawai`i and one surprisingly qualified O`ahu mom. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui landowners in agricultural districts could be in for a shorter permitting process to offer short-term rentals under a new state law. Maui News.

The San Francisco-based investment firm co-developing a planned wind farm on Molokai says that it is interested in buying Hana Ranch in rural East Maui. Maui News.

Deer watch, wait while management plan developed. Maui News.

Judge Kelsey Kawano on Wednesday dissolved a temporary restraining order that had kept Dallas-based RadCare from taking over exclusive radiology services at Maui Memorial Medical Center. Maui News.

State crews begin emergency repair work next week to restore damaged sections of the Hana Highway. Maui Now.

Kauai

The biennial exercise known as RIMPAC is hosted by the U.S. Pacific Fleet, with some ships of the 22 participating nations training with hull-mounted active sonar around Hawai‘i’s islands. Despite efforts to reduce deadly exposure of high-pressure sound waves to sea mammals, advocates say the measures fall short. Garden Island.

The memories of Kaua‘i’s Taylor Camp still ripple across the globe, even though the camp was dismantled some 35 years ago. Garden Island.

The Kaua‘i Planning Commission on Tuesday granted a set of permits to McBryde Gardens in Lawa‘i, allowing the National Tropical Botanical Gardens to move along with a new philosophy of making its gardens more accessible and utilizing its vast collection as a tool to teach sustainability. Garden Island.



Friday, July 6, 2012

Scientists selected for simulated Mars mission, Honolulu Ethics Commission looking into fire consultant contract, Hawaii Island mayoral candidates face off, Hirono, Case set TV debate, Maui wind project advances, Inouye defends rail transit cost, food stamp fraud down, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Cornell University
Mars team building training courtesy Cornell University
Six scientists have been chosen to make up the crew of a simulated mission to Mars that will include living in isolation in a Hawaii lava field. Pacific Business News.

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono and former U.S. Rep. Ed Case will appear in a televised debate July 26. Star-Advertiser.

Congressman Ed Case, D-Hawaii (2002-2007) and Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, will come together for a televised debate on Thursday, July 26 between 6:30 pm and 8 pm on KHNL, KGMB and KFVE., Hawaii News Now announced today. Hawaii Reporter.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie, putting aside his concerns about equity, has signed a bill into law that makes private hospitals pay the state provider fees that in turn will attract millions in federal money to help finance medical care for the poor. Star-Advertiser.

The number of food stamp recipients in Hawaii who have been yanked from the program because of fraud has dropped dramatically since 2007 despite a huge expansion in the population getting such public assistance. Star-Advertiser.

The number of initial unemployment claims filed in Hawaii fell 11 percent last week, the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism said Thursday. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii hotels ran fuller as July arrived, aided by increased air connections and the arrival of RIMPAC guests. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Rail opponents, including mayoral candidate and former Gov. Ben Cayetano, are "misinformed" if they believe the Federal Transit Administration does not support the city's $5.26 billion project, U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye said. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu Ethics Commission has opened an investigation into how the Honolulu Fire Department handed out a consulting contract to evaluate the merits of a merger with the Emergency Services Department. Civil Beat.

The city Ethics Commission is investigating allegations of wrongdoing in the 2010 award of a $175,000 consultant contract that recommended a merger of the Fire Department with the Emergency Services Department. Hawaii Reporter.

City of Honolulu officials within the Department of Environmental Services met for five hours today on how to respond to our questions about the Denny Wong Design dumping chemicals down the drain investigation.  They concluded their response was not to say anything because of the lawsuits involved. Hawaii News Now.

The federal agency that oversees fishery regulations opened a service center Thursday at the Commercial Fishing Village at Pier 38. Star-Advertiser.

A new building at Pier 38 in Honolulu promises to make life for commercial fishermen a whole lot easier. KITV4.

Pro-rail political action committee Pacific Resource Partnership hit the $500,000 mark this week, according to Civil Beat’s most recent look into who's buying political TV ads. Civil Beat.

World-famous Lanikai Beach attracts more visitors each year and with that comes an increasing amount of garbage. KHON2.

Hawaii
Santa Claus meets the bully pulpit meets Just Call Me Harry. There are as many campaign styles as there are major candidates for Hawaii County mayor. West Hawaii Today.

The three leading mayoral candidates held a largely cordial discussion about county priorities Thursday evening during their first major forum of the campaign season. West Hawaii Today.

The Fourth of July may have been a day earlier, but that didn’t stop the fireworks from flying Thursday night as three of Hawaii County’s mayoral candidates faced off in their first major debate of the election season. Tribune-Herald.

It was a mostly civil affair tonight as the top three contenders for Big Island mayor squared off for the first time, but the evening wasn’t without some sniping. Big Island Now.

A new biodiesel plant could change the face of locally-produced biodiesel and the Big Island's farming landscape. Civil Beat.

Hawaii County is now handling 17 relocation requests from Puna residents wanting to move away from the district’s geothermal power plant. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Islanders could be riding on a hydrogen fuel cell-powered Hele-On shuttle bus by the end of this year, or early 2013. Tribune-Herald.

A state task force is seeking Big Islanders’ input and concern regarding the number of Native Hawaiians incarcerated in Hawaii and on the U.S. mainland. West Hawaii Today.

Maui
A council committee this afternoon chose not to place land proposed for the Upcountry Town Center, a commercial and housing project across from Pukalani Superette, into an urban growth boundary. Maui News.

With assurances from Mayor Alan Arakawa that the community and the council will be involved with its development, a council committee on Tuesday voted to recommend the purchase of 100 acres in Waikapu for a county consolidated baseyard project. Maui News.

The second phase of Maui's Kaheawa wind energy project began commercial operations Thursday with a battery storage system that will allow Maui Electric Co. to absorb a higher share of intermittent wind power into the relatively small island electrical grid. Star-Advertiser.

A&B Properties, Inc., the real estate subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., announced today that it has begun sales in Phase II of its 179-acre Maui Business Park in Kahului. Maui Now.

Kauai

First, smokers got kicked out of restaurants, bars and enclosed public establishments. Now, they are getting pretty close to being confined to parking lots at county parks. Garden Island.

The public will have the opportunity to address public safety questions and concerns with community leaders from the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, the Kaua‘i Police Department and the County Council’s Chair of Public Safety at a series of public meetings in July. Garden Island.

Two candidates for U.S. Congress paid visits to Kaua‘i Thursday morning, on the heels of Independence Day celebrations. Garden Island.

Molokai

In an attempt to aid west end Molokai residents paying some of the highest water rates in the nation, Maui County filed an appeal last year in the state Intermediate Court of Appeals against the utilities of Molokai Properties, Ltd. (MPL), better known as Molokai Ranch. That appeal was recently denied, leaving ratepayers struggling under rates that have been called outrageous. Molokai Dispatch.