Cat 4 Hurricane Lane about 200 miles from Hawaiian Islands, Trump issues presidential disaster declaration, emergency shelters open, FEMA arrives, seaports close, here's what you need to know to stay safe

Hurricane Lane track 5 a.m. Thursday Central Pacific Hurricane Center

Hurricane Lane continued to weaken slightly overnight but is still moving closer to the islands. Clocking in with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph and moving northwest at 7 mph, Lane was located about 210 miles south-southwest of Kailua-Kona and 305 miles south of Honolulu at 5 a.m., according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Star-Advertiser.

Heavy rains pound Big Island as Cat 4 Lane barrels toward Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Trump issues presidential disaster declaration as Lane marches toward Hawaii. Hawaii leaders are ramping up preparations for Hurricane Lane as the ferocious Category 4 storm continues to march toward the island chain. Hawaii News Now.

Islands remain vulnerable as category 4 Hurricane Lane continues to move northwest. KITV.

Hurricane Closes Hawaii’s Harbors, Freezing A Fragile Supply Chain. If Hurricane Lane strikes Oahu, officials say they have a plan in place to clear roads for emergency access as soon possible. Civil Beat.

Depending on hurricane track and scope of damage, Hawaiian Electric says customers should anticipate power outages from Hurricane Lane. KHON2.

Unplugged. That will likely become reality for many in Hawaii as Hurricane Lane triggers power outages, the Hawaiian Electric companies warned Wednesday as they urged customers to prepare. Star-Advertiser.

Power outage tips: Keep your refrigerator closed, unplug other appliances. Hawaii News Now.

FEMA workers arrive in Hawaii; airports remain open. About 150 FEMA workers are spread out across the state to help out with Hurricane Lane. Hawaii News Now.

Here’s a list of Hurricane Lane emergency shelters. Star-Advertiser.

Forecasting Hurricanes In The ‘Cone Of Uncertainty’ Is A Rough Challenge. Meteorologists get plenty of data to predict a storm’s path, but even minor fluctuations in models can mean a world of difference. Civil Beat.

Category strengths of a hurricane and wind shear ... How do they relate? Hawaii News Now.

Hurricane Lane impacts U.S. Postal Service operations, mail delivery. KHON2.

State investigating reports of price gouging as Hurricane Lane nears. KHON2.

Insurance commissioner authorizes assistance of unlicensed adjusters due to Hurricane Lane. Pacific Business News.

Real estate contributes to Hawaii's empty shelves as hurricane approaches. The empty supermarket shelves Hawaii residents are finding this week as they try to prepare for Hurricane Lane are a byproduct of the cost of shipping and industrial real estate in the Islands. Pacific Business News.

Storm likely to further curb September hotel performance. Star-Advertiser.

Ige Relaxes Rabies Rules for Hawaii-Bound Pets. Owners will be allowed to bring their dogs and cats to the islands 30 days after completing tests and vaccines, instead of 120 days. Civil Beat.

State's Plans To Deal With Abandoned and Derelict Cars. The problem of abandoned and derelict vehicle varies from island to island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Mayor says slow-moving storm could cause major problems. Mayor Kirk Caldwell, flanked by first responders, urged Oahu residents to prepare for the coming of Hurricane Lane and to shelter in place. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Designates 20 Schools As Hurricane Shelters. The shelters — to be used as a last resort — have a total capacity of 55,000, according to city officials. Civil Beat.

Pearl Harbor ships and subs head to sea ahead of Lane. Navy ships and submarines based in Hawaii — excluding those undergoing maintenance — began an exodus from Pearl Harbor Wednesday as Hurricane Lane, still packing 145 mph winds, swirled ever closer to the state. Star-Advertiser.

Last-minute shopping a challenge. Don Quijote was one of the stores that had sold out of water, butane and flashlights, but were expecting an emergency shipment Wednesday night of additional pallets of water and butane. Star-Advertiser.

Visitors to Oahu brace for Hurricane Lane, tourism impacted. Gusts of wind blew through Daniel K. Inouye International Airport Wednesday as travelers braced for the unknown. KHON2.

Hundreds of residents on Hawaiian Homelands are without phone and internet service as Hurricane Lane threatens the state. KHON2.

Honolulu police officers, state officials and outreach workers canvassed various communities on Wednesday to warn Oahu’s homeless population about Hurricane Lane and urge them to seek shelter. Hawaii News Now.

Art Ushijima, president and CEO of The Queen’s Health Systems, said Wednesday he will retire in January 2020 after nearly 30 years on the job. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Bracing for Lane: County, state prepare as significant rain, flooding and high winds are expected from hurricane. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim stressed Wednesday that West Hawaii residents need to remain vigilant as Hurricane Lane remained on course to pass very close to the Hawaiian Islands. West Hawaii Today.

Storm-tested East Hawaii residents take Lane in stride. Despite the approach of Hurricane Lane, residents on the east side of the Big Island were largely unperturbed Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

No panic in Kailua-Kona as residents prep for hurricane. West Hawaii Today.

Disaster-Weary Big Island Braces For Lane’s First Effects. South- and west-facing coastal areas are considered at greatest risk in Hawaii County. Civil Beat.

Hawaii County won’t even begin collecting its share of the general excise tax for more than four months, but there’s already disagreement over how to spend it. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa hosted a press conference on Wednesday afternoon ahead of Hurricane Lane as it continues its approach up the island chain. Maui Now.

Maui County officials are preparing for the worst that Hurricane Lane might bring — and are bracing for a long recovery. Hawaii News Now.

Maui County residents, tourists and businesses are preparing for Hurricane Lane and the possibility of stores running out of supplies due to the anticipated closure of all ports statewide when the storm hits. Maui News.

Maui visitors deal differently with approaching storm. Star-Advertiser.

Feels Like Hana Of Old After Hurricane Threat Chases Tourists Away. The iconic but usually congested Hana Highway is quiet as confident residents get ready to hunker down. Civil Beat.

C-SPAN bus visits Maui with Lane looming. Mobile TV studio parked at county building, mall. Maui News.

Kauai

In this together. Stores like Times, Costco, The Home Depot and Longs weren’t quite as busy Wednesday, but residents and visitors alike were stocking up on essentials before the possibility of Hurricane Lane wreaking havoc on Kauai. Garden Island.

Wainiha-Haena residents are being advised to evacuate the area today due to the possibility of tropical storm force winds and heavy rains. Garden Island.

Water diversion plan contested. A move to amend the Interim Inflow Stream Standard for the Waikoko and North Fork Wailua streams by State of Hawaii Commission on Water Resources Management Tuesday has been delayed due to a request for a contested-case hearing filed by Kauai Island Utility Cooperative. Garden Island.

Kilauea eruption sends ash miles into air, Hawaii County Council advances general excise tax, Honolulu to cap ride-share prices, political races firm up, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Volcanic activity on June 6 PC:USGS

An ash eruption at the Kilauea summit sent a plume 10,000 feet above sea level Wednesday to punctuate a devastating 24-hour period in which lava covered the subdivision of Vacationland, leaving hundreds of homes likely destroyed. Star-Advertiser.

An explosive eruption at the summit of Kilauea Volcano sent an ash plume 10,000 ft above sea level at 4:07 p.m. on Wednesday. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano may be disrupting life in paradise with its bursts of ash and bright-orange lava, but it also has scientists wide-eyed, eager to advance what's known about volcanoes. Associated Press.

One U.S. Senate seat in Hawaii and both of our U.S. House seats will be on the Aug. 11 primary ballot. All 51 House seats are up for election along with 13 of the 25 state Senate seats. Civil Beat.

The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly endorsed Beth Fukumoto to represent Hawaii's First Congressional district in the Democratic Primary. Hawaii News Now.

Why Women Lack Power In Hawaii’s Legislature. Men hold most of the leadership positions, setting the agenda and passing legislation. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday passed a $2.6 billion executive operating budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Star-Advertiser.

Feds May Require Honolulu To Sell Bonds For Rail Project. The City Council’s latest plan to demonstrate a willingness to help pay for rail construction has hit a snag. Civil Beat.

A bill that would lead to a cap on how much Uber, Lyft and other transportation network companies on Oahu could charge during peak hours won a 6-3 approval from the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

City Council Votes To Cap Uber And Lyft Prices. The restriction would be the first of its kind in the nation, the ride-sharing companies said. Civil Beat.

New bill caps surge pricing on ride sharing companies. KHON2.

City Council shoots down mayor's plan to change parking at Ala Moana Beach Park. KHON2.

A Waikiki beach stand ordered to explain why it's not complying with its contract. According to the Department of Environmental Services, concessions at Kuhio Beach are required to provide daily canoe rides to customers. KITV.

The U.S. House has approved a measure that includes $199 million for a flood control project in the Ala Wai watershed, including the Ala Wai Canal that borders Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu’s $4 Million Food Fight. The City Council approved funding for a facility to turn table scraps into compost, but others want the waste used for pig feed. Civil Beat.

Woman faces more than 100 years in prison for stealing millions from non-profit. KHON2.

Staff members and clients of The Arc in Hawaii, a nonprofit organization that provides services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, packed a state courtroom Wednesday to hear Lola Jean Amorin plead no contest to two counts of first-degree theft, two counts of computer fraud, money laundering and 13 tax evasion charges. Star-Advertiser.

Lola Jean Amorin, 70, accused of embezzling nearly $7 million from the local non-profit, changed her plea to "No Contest" Wednesday. KITV.

UH-Manoa rises in another ranking of world’s universities. The University of Hawaii at Manoa is ranked No. 302 in the 2019 QS World University Ranking (QSWUR) by London-based Quacquarelli Symonds, according to the university in a news release today. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii has awarded a $33.3 million design-build contract to general contractor Kiewit Building Group and architecture firm Next Design for the design and construction of the Academy for Creative Media building on the UH West Oahu campus. Pacific Business News.

Oahu housing prices moved up slightly in May but sales continued to lag during the spring homebuying season amid concerns that rising interest rates may be starting to have a dampening effect. Star-Advertiser.

Home sales on Oahu declined by 8 percent in May, compared to a year ago, as the median price of a single-family home and condominium rose by more than 4 percent, according to separate reports from the Honolulu Board of Realtors and the Locations real estate firm. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Council passes GET-lite. It took a volcanic eruption and a few compromises to convince them, but a majority of County Council members now supports a half-sized version of the previously ill-fated general excise tax surcharge. West Hawaii Today.

A neighborhood called Vacationland had disappeared by Wednesday as lava poured into two oceanfront subdivisions, smothering hundreds of homes and filling an ocean bay, turning it into new land that now juts into the sea. Associated Press.

Mayor reflects on destruction of Kapoho. In the course of three days, hundreds of homes, farms and vacation rentals in Kapoho became buried under a relentless aa lava flow that turned lives upside down and erased an entire community from the map, leaving its iconic tide pools and gentle bay to live on in the memories of those who cherished them. Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea Lava Flow Swallows 279 Homes In 2 Coastal Subdivisions. An oceanfront subdivision known as Vacationland is the latest to be swallowed by lava flows as the Kilauea volcano continues to reshape the landscape on Hawaii's Big Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

After taking out entire neighborhoods and hundreds of homes in Kapoho, lava continues to reshape the coastline of the Big Island, cascading into the water and forming new land. Hawaii News Now.

Video Overflight: 300 Homes Destroyed in 48 Hours. Big Island Now.

Psychological Fatigue Sets in as Eruption Continues. Kilauea Volcano has been erupting for more than a month now. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tiny houses offer glimmer of hope — and home — for lava evacuees. As Hawaii County and the state discuss what to do about hundreds of lava evacuees, the first temporary housing project is already being built — without government help. Hawaii News Now.

20 micro-unit structures will go along along with some ancillary support facilities - such as restrooms and common area for meeting and dining - to be managed by HOPE Services. Big Island Video News.

Residents feel safe despite lava but chafe at government controls. Star-Advertiser.

Confusion, apprehension and frustration, along with a greater-than-capacity crowd, spilled out the open doors of the West Hawaii Civic Center’s County Council Chambers Wednesday night at a meeting to discuss deteriorating air quality in the region. West Hawaii Today.

A community meeting about volcanic ash and vog will take place today in Volcano. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Cooper Center. Tribune-Herald.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently published a notice of intent to prepare a draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement addressing the potential effects of operations and maintenance activities on the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat, Hawaiian goose and Hawaiian petrel at four wind farms in the state, including one in Kau. West Hawaii Today.

W. M. Keck Observatory officials on Tuesday disclosed the discovery of an oil leak from the hydraulic system supporting the Keck I telescope. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

A Maui committee has approved a charter amendment that would increase the penalty for illegal vacation rentals to $20,000. Associated Press.

A charter amendment to establish a $20,000 penalty for illegal transient accommodations and a proposal to streamline the processing of legal claims against the county were recommended for approval by a Maui County Council committee Tuesday. Maui News.

Maui County Council Member Elle Cochran pressed for answers Wednesday about the extent to which county directors, including Managing Director Keith Regan, contributed money to Mayor Alan Arakawa’s campaign. Maui News.

Maui candidates set for competitive election races. Seven vie for mayor’s seat; all council races contested. Maui News.

Gov. David Ige has signed a bill that will provide $700,000 for scholarships to help students attend community colleges in the University of Hawaii system, including UH-Maui College. Maui News.

Kauai

Emergency permitting bill passed. Due to April’s historic flooding and landslides that left many homes destroyed or damaged, the Kauai County Council passed an emergency bill Wednesday that would expedite the permitting process for impacted homesteads, residential and agricultural buildings. Garden Island.

Nearly 2 months after historic floods, recovery on Kauai has just begun. Hawaii News Now.

First 2018 Kauai Hawaiian monk seal pup is a female. Kauai’s first monk seal pup of the season has already been weaned and the large pup is learning to forage for her own food on the South Side. Garden Island.

Legislature bans gay conversion therapy, conference committees advance sunscreen and pesticide bans, new money for homeless housing, pot sales to tourists, Land Board rejects Shangri La plan, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hilo gay pride parade ©2018 All Hawaii News

Hawaii becomes 12th state to ban gay conversion therapy for minors. Hawaii News Now.

From homelessness to agricultural issues, conference committees on Friday worked to reach final deals on bills before they advance in the legislature. Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers Want To Spend $30M On Legal Homeless Encampments. Three “ohana zones” would be built on Oahu, and one each on Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers Offer Hawaii Developers Big Tax Break To Build Apartments. But critics question a proposal that would subsidize rents as high as $3,000 for a one-bedroom unit. Civil Beat.

Out-of-state marijuana patients visiting Hawaii soon may be allowed to buy their medicinal pot at local dispensaries, a potential boon to the fledgling cannabis industry. Star-Advertiser.

Sunscreen ban one step closer to becoming law. KHON2.

Bills regulating pesticide use and protecting Hawaii’s coral reefs advanced in conference committee ahead of Friday’s final decking deadline. Maui Now.

Pesticide Compromise Reached As Conference Committee Time Expires. Measures on medical marijuana and all-mail voting are moving forward before the session wraps up next week. Civil Beat.

Hawaii is one step closer to buffering the use of several pesticides around schools, while outright banning the use of another throughout the state. West Hawaii Today.

Lawmakers have tentatively agreed to amend state law to position Hawaii to quickly begin collecting excise taxes from online sales if the U.S. Supreme Court authorizes the states to do so. Star-Advertiser.

State lawmakers agreed last week to trim the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s funding but lessened the impact by agreeing to forgive its debt on the Hawaii Convention Center. Star-Advertiser.

A renewed call from a national hotel group asks state and local government leaders to start taxing Airbnb and other short-term rental sites with the same oversight and transparency as hotels. KITV.

Domestic violence victims decry legislative inaction. Star-Advertiser.

2018 Legislative Wrap Up. Hawaii Public Radio.

The state Campaign Spending Commission is taking a close look at state lawmaker and Congressional Candidate Kaniela Ing's campaigns for his state House seat. Hawaii News Now.

UH campuses take the lead with solar power. Star-Advertiser.

The state Department of Agriculture announced earlier this month that it is accepting applications for state licenses to grow hemp. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Ballard Promises Aggressive Recruitment To Fix Cop Shortage. Honolulu’s police chief offers blunt assessments of homelessness and the scandal that tarnished her predecessor. Civil Beat.

City officials plan to send Honolulu police into state-owned Kakaako Waterfront Park and adjacent parks starting at 11 p.m. Monday to sweep an estimated 80 — mostly chronically — homeless people. Star-Advertiser.

State rejects plan to remove breakwaters near Doris Duke's Shangri La. KHON2.

The state Health Department said the Weinberg Foundation must conduct lead abatement at the former site of the Swat Gun Club in Waikiki. Star-Advertiser.

Olomana Golf Links reopened Friday, two weeks after shutting down operations at the 18-hole Windward Oahu golf course, and has paid more than $100,000 in back rent to the state of Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

After two decades in service, the Hawaiian Airlines Drive-Thru Check-In will say goodbye to its final guests. The full-service check-in opened in the summer of 1998 on the ground level of the inter-island terminal. KHON2.

Hawaii-based Wi-Fi service provider Sun Global Broadband signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Japanese Wi-Fi service provider NTT Broadband Platform for services in Waikiki on Thursday. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Mayor Harry Kim recuperating at home. Star-Advertiser.

A bill that would create a sprawling redevelopment district for Hilo under a 10-year pilot program is headed for a vote in the state House and Senate. Tribune-Herald.

A Hawaii State House and Senate conference committee approved a bill on Thursday that would give Hilo a needed economic boost, according to the senator who introduced it. Big Island Video News.

Lawmakers Wednesday signed off on $69 million to construct a permanent federal inspection station at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole. West Hawaii Today.

The future of the Na Hoa Holomoku of Hawaii Yacht Club might be scuttled after the county Department of Parks and Recreation ordered the club to move its boats off of Hilo Bayfront shores. Tribune-Herald.

The Days Are Numbered For These Lava Flow Vendors. Hawaii County looks to clear out roadside businesses and relocate the parking lot for its lava flow viewing area. Nearby residents are unhappy. Civil Beat.

Police have charged a 32-year-old South Hilo patrol officer with misdemeanor assault for an incident that occurred on duty. Tribune-Herald.

A Hawaii Police Department officer has been charged with assaulting a boy who ran away from the Salvation Army Interim Home in Hilo. Star-Advertiser.

Kamehameha Schools completed construction Tuesday on a produce processing facility in East Hawaii for farmers to prepare crops for sale. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

State bill mulls condemnation of land under Front Street Apartments. Compromise measure also sets aside $30 million for affordable housing in Lahaina. Maui News.

A Maui County Council committee rejected a draft settlement agreement earlier this month that was aimed at resolving a lawsuit over Mayor Alan Arakawa’s termination of Department of Water Supply Director David Taylor. Maui News.

Japanese training ship to anchor at Kahului Harbor. Visit of tall ship to celebrate the 150th anniversary of first Japanese immigrants in Hawaii. Maui News.


Kauai

Disaster worsens rental housing, labor pool woes; can General Plan help? Garden Island.

Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. and county officials continued his tour on Saturday visiting residents in Koloa and Hanalei affected by the recent flood. KITV.

Kahoolawe

Kahoolawe Bill Passes: Reestablishes Cultural Resources Coordinator. Maui Now.

Voters to decide on investment/rental property tax for education, $93k considered low-income for Honolulu family of four, Kauai seeks tourists after flood, pesticide-free school zones bill failing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kauai rental investment property ©2018 All Hawaii News

Hawaii voters will decide in November whether they want to tax investment property to help pay for public education after a proposed constitutional amendment sailed through the Senate in a 23-1 vote Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Voters Will Decide Whether To Hike Property Taxes To Fund Schools. Even if the proposed constitutional amendment passes in November, it won’t automatically guarantee new money for schools. Civil Beat.

Should the state help pay for public schools through property taxes? That's a question voters will be able to answer in November's General Election. KITV.

Voters to decide tax surcharge on investment property to help fund public education. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii state Senate on Monday gave final passage to a bill that seeks to amend the state constitution by allowing the Legislature to tax investment properties and earmark the revenue for public schools, after bypassing a conference committee to discuss amendments made by the House. Pacific Business News.

Voters this year will have the opportunity to decide if Hawaii should establish a surcharge on investment property to help fund public education. Associated Press.

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The Kupuna Caregivers program, which the Hawaii Legislature approved in 2017, will see a doubling of its resources if the state budget bill passes in its current form. Pacific Business News.

A bill to create restricted pesticide-free buffer zones around Hawaii schools is currently stalled at the legislature. Hawaii Public Radio.

This New Military Spending Site Is Floundering. The state launched a website to track defense dollars with the help of a federal grant. But now there’s no one keeping the site updated. Civil Beat.

Air carriers servicing Hawaii have been largely unaffected by the Federal Aviations Administration’s recent call for emergency inspections after a fatal engine explosion on a Southwest Airlines flight last week. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

$93K Is Now Considered Low-Income For Honolulu Family Of 4. Oahu’s median income jumped nearly 11 percent in a year, according to new federal housing guidelines. Civil Beat.

Oahu residents are likely to see their rent go up. KHON2.

Feds: Honolulu Needs $250 Million More To Complete Rail. Local officials believe their $8.16 billion cost estimate remains sound, despite the shortfall identified in an unreleased draft report. Civil Beat.

Two measures aimed at relaxing building and zoning requirements for Oahu landowners and developers who build smaller, walk-up apartment buildings are up for a final vote of the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

City councilman Ikaika Anderson introduced Bill 33 Thursday,  which would require certain buildings without permits to be demolished at the owner's expense. KITV.

City enforcement of zoning and building laws has been a chronic problem. After one local contractor, Brilliant Construction, continued building after receiving an order to stop. City Councilmember Ikaika Anderson is trying to get tough on violators. Hawaii Public Radio.

Local police getting more federal support to handle repeat offenders. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu's police chief says staffing shortages means property crimes will have to wait while her department investigates more serious crimes. Hawaii News Now.

A portion of the sidewalks along Kalakaua Avenue will soon get an overhaul as the city and its private industry partners begin their first major Waikiki sidewalk project since the city readied the tourism district to host the 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering. Star-Advertiser.

Sidewalk improvements will be performed along Kalakaua Avenue for 275 calendar days as part of a construction project in Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu’s Morgue Is So Run Down Even The Autopsy Room Leaks. The conditions raise concerns about employee health and the quality of lab results, including whether evidence is being contaminated. Civil Beat.

Your water rates could be going up, and this week you'll get your first of many chances to weigh in. KHON2.

Hawaii Gas's first renewable natural gas project remains on track for completion later this year after holding a blessing ceremony at the Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant last week. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Lava from Kilauea’s summit lava lake spilled out of its Overlook crater onto the floor of Halemaumau Crater on Monday, resulting in the largest overflow since the summit vent opened up 10 years ago. Star-Advertiser.

Lava lake spills onto Halemaumau Crater floor. Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea Lava Lake Overflow Captured In Various Views. Big Island Video News.

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Astronomers using the Gemini Observatory on Maunakea have confirmed what has been speculated for years: Uranus stinks. Tribune-Herald.

For yet another year, the state legislature has killed a bill to fund lifeguards at Kua Bay, but there is another possible avenue. Big Island Video News.

Big Island receives little fire ant funding as Legislature mulls Hawaii Invasive Species Authority. West Hawaii Today.

864 pounds of debris removed from South Kona shoreline. West Hawaii Today.

Three bills affecting use and management of Maunakea appear headed for the dust bin after the state House of Representatives refused to assign members to a conference committee. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

County Council budget chairman Riki Hokama released his proposed county budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 on Monday, taking a knife to Mayor Alan Arakawa’s proposal to the tune of $33 million. Maui News.

The newly opened section of the Lahaina bypass created an early morning traffic jam, doubled the work commutes for many residents and even confused some navigational apps on its first day open to the public Monday. Maui News.

The opening of a new traffic solution for West Maui ended up creating a nightmare for many drivers on Monday. Hawaii News Now.

A coalition on Maui has launched a “15% for the Future” campaign, which is petitioning Alexander & Baldwin to donate or allow the sale of former sugar cane lands in Central Maui to support affordable housing and agriculture. Maui Now.

The House and Senate money committees finalized negotiations on the state budget on Friday, April 20, which included funding that will benefit Central Maui. Maui Now.

King Kekaulike, Maui High among state’s most improved schools. Maui News.

Kauai

The Hawaii Tourism Authority wants visitors to know that Kauai is still open for business, and welcomes travelers to the Garden Isle, except for the northernmost communities from Wainiha to Haena, which are temporarily closed to vehicles while repairs continue on Kuhio Highway. Star-Advertiser.

HTA: Kauai open for business. All of Kauai is open, with the exception being the northernmost communities from Wainiha to Haena. And it’s still a beautiful island. Garden Island.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority is trying to combat dips in Kauai tourism by sending a message to visitors and stakeholders that the island is “open and welcoming travelers,” with the exception of the northernmost communities from Wainiha to Haena. Pacific Business News.

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More than a week after floodwaters ravaged homes, businesses, hillsides and roads, there is still no idea of the cost of the damage — or even a guess of how many structures were destroyed or left uninhabitable. Star-Advertiser.

Backpacks lined the edges of classrooms at Hanalei School once again on Monday as the Department of Education welcomed kids back to class after record-breaking rains caused flooding throughout Hanalei. Garden Island.

Self-Reliance Runs Deep on Kauai’s North Shore. Hawaii Public Radio.

Money flowing in to Kauai as Legislature, Zuckerberg, Omidyar send relief funds, 'rescuers' in boats extort evacuees, sunscreen ban advances, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

House Finance Chairwoman Sylvia Luke and Senate Ways and Means Chairman Donovan Dela Cruz announce relief funds, courtesy photo

House and Senate lawmakers on Wednesday agreed to set aside $100 million to help finance the Kauai flood recovery effort and $25 million to speed the Oahu recovery, money that can be made available quickly until federal relief funding is available. The appropriation could be signed into law by Gov. David Ige as early as this week. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii legislators are rushing to send $100 million to rain-soaked Kauai and make $25 million available statewide for damage caused by last weekend’s deluge. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers are appropriating $125 million to help with flood relief efforts on Kauai and elsewhere in the state. Associated Press.

Legislators proposing $100M aid package for storm-ravaged Kauai. Hawaii News Now.

The state Legislature Wednesday funneled $125 million for road, bridge and other infrastructure repairs for the stricken communities in the wake of devastating flooding on Kauai. Garden Island.

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House and Senate conferees began negotiations on a final version of HB1900 HD1 SD1, the state budget bill. Early agreement on a number of budget items included: $7.1 million to increase payments supporting foster children and resource caregivers; $1.7 million for services at Aging and Disability Resource Centers; $3.4 million for rescue and fire fighting staff and vehicles at Lihue Airport; and $500,000 for books and materials for public libraries statewide. Maui Now.

Hawaii Seems Poised To Ban Coral-Damaging Sunscreen. It would be the first state to prohibit the use of sunscreen containing ingredients that scientists say harm sea life. Civil Beat.

Bill seeks to ban 2 sunscreen chemicals suspected of damaging coral. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers are discussing versions of two bills that would tighten the state’s already strict gun regulations. Associated Press.

Few Hawaii Students Have Access To After-School Meals. A new report by the Food Research & Action Center shows Hawaii near the bottom in terms of serving an after-school supper to low-income students. Civil Beat.

The American Lung Association's State of the Air 2018 report shows that Hawaii continues to have some of the best air quality in the nation. KHON2.

State seeking to improve how it regulates HECO. State regulators are seeking public participation in an effort to better align the interests of Hawaii’s biggest electric utility and its customers. Star-Advertiser.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has fined Hawaiian Airlines $125,000 for violating the agency’s airline consumer protection rules. Star-Advertiser.

Home Depot is gearing up for spring season by hiring 150 associates in Hawaii, with hiring events taking place at several of its stores across the state on Wednesday. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Efforts to clean and restore damaged areas began coalescing Wednesday, with Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell issuing an emergency declaration for Oahu while Gov. David Ige announced that the island was joining Kauai on his state-of-emergency proclamation. Star-Advertiser.

East Honolulu residents still bogged down by mud ask: Where's the government? Hawaii News Now.

Red Hill Underground Storage Fuel Tank Legislation Fails. Local efforts to mandate more timely upgrades for the Navy’s Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility on O’ahu failed in the Legislature this session. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ige announces program to divert Honolulu homeless from jail. Under a new program announced Wednesday by Gov. David Ige, homeless people who commit minor crimes could receive social services instead of going to jail. Star-Advertiser.

The state Wednesday launched a collaborative pilot project called Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, or LEAD, to help Oahu's homeless and reduce criminal activity. KITV.

Waikiki lifeguards frustrated as homeless fights, obscene acts distract from job duties. Hawaii News Now.

The Board of Water Supply has completed repair of the 24” water main which ruptured Tuesday near the entrance to the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill on Farrington Hwy. above Ko Olina in Leeward Oahu. This main feeds water to the entire Waianae Coast. KHON2.

The state held a ceremony Wednesday for starting construction on a $7.3 million technology business incubator building in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

Funding for the construction of a 120-bed extended-care veterans’ facility on Oahu has been accelerated due to $685 million in increased funding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs received from Congress for the VA State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Juvenile crime is down 58.5 percent over the past five years, despite heavy caseloads and limited budgets in the Office of the County Prosecutor. Crimes in other categories have also been dropping. West Hawaii Today.

Planning director Micheal Yee gave the Hawaii County Council Finance Committee an overview of his department’s operations during a special budget review meeting in Hilo on Tuesday. Big Island Video News.

Big Island Police and the military are investigating a reported sexual assault at the Hawaii Youth Challenge Academy in Hilo. KITV.

Solar contractor sues former customer to remove blog. A Big Island solar contractor is suing a former customer, seeking a court to order the Pahoa man to remove a blog from the internet that the contractor claims was “maliciously created … with the intent to cause financial harm.” Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is reporting that the magma system beneath Kilauea’s Puu Oo cone has become increasingly pressurized, leading scientists to believe a new vent and lava flow may be imminent. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Mayor has at least $2M in land and farm holdings. Arakawa, other county officials financial reports released. Maui News.

South Maui residents object to bridge project. Residents say Kulanihakoi Bridge Replacement project won’t stop flooding, offer alternative idea. Maui News.

Repairs Continue at Site of West Maui Waterline Break. Maui Now.

Kauai

Zuckerberg, Chan pledge $1 million. In response to severe flooding on Kauai, Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg have pledged to donate $1 million to organizations working tirelessly to assist the community’s storm relief efforts as well long-term recovery. Garden Island.

Facebook founder and part-time Kauai resident Mark Zuckerberg is donating $1 million to flood relief efforts on the Garden Isle. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii Community Foundation said it is partnering with eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, his wife Pam and two anonymous donors to establish the Kauai Relief and Recovery Fund to assist with recovery efforts from the recent floodingthat has devastated the island’s North Shore. Pacific Business News.

Zuckerberg, Omidyar among donors supporting flood relief, recovery on Kauai. KHON2.

Kauai Braces For More Rain: 340 Airlifted, 12 Landslides, Thousands of Pounds of Debris. Maui Now.

Here’s Why The Weather Experts Didn’t See The Kauai Storm Coming. The rain-laden system was hard to track because it wasn’t large-scale, like a tropical storm. Civil Beat.

Survey finds flood damage in parts of Kauai worse than formerly thought. Hawaii News Now.

Relief efforts will continue for stranded residents and visitors in Haena and Wainiha on Kauai today despite a flash flood watch that is set to go into effect Thursday through Friday for the entire state. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Reps. Tulsi Gabbard and Colleen Hanabusa spoke of the destruction caused by severe flooding on Kauai and East Oahu on the House floor this morning, calling attention to victims while thanking first responders for their hard work. Star-Advertiser.

The Kauai Police Department and Kauai County prosecutors said Wednesday that they were investigating multiple extortion cases involving would-be rescuers during the island’s historic rain and flood event over the weekend. Hawaii News Now.

A female bison frightened by the on-going, helicopter storm relief efforts in Hanalei bolted into the ocean Wednesday and was roped and brought back to shore: First by boat, then with the help of personal watercraft and —finally — four paniolo from the bison’s Hanalei ranch who patiently nudged it out of the surf. Star-Advertiser.

Reality Sets In For Kauai’s Flooded-Out Residents. Civil Beat.

Hanalei Elementary School on Kauai will remain closed for all students for the rest of the week as the campus is cleaned after suffering flood damage this weekend, state Department of Education officials said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Lenny Rapozo, director of the county Department of Parks and Recreation, has officially filed his papers for the upcoming mayoral race. Garden Island.

Hanabusa has 20-point lead over Ige in poll, Green leading Lt. Gov. race, Kim and Chin tied in #HI01, public strongly favors Thirty Meter Telescope, Maui mayor pushes $900M budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

David Ige, Colleen Hanabusa

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa has a 20-percentage-point lead over incumbent Gov. David Ige less than five months away from the Democratic primary, with 47 percent of likely Democratic voters saying they would vote for Hanabusa if the election were held today, according to a new Hawaii Poll by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Star-Advertiser.

According to a new poll by the Star-Advertiser, Hawaii voters may be leaning towards electing a new governor. Hawaii News Now.

Many Hawaii voters are still undecided on who should be the state’s next lieutenant governor, but state Sen. Josh Green of Hawaii island has an early edge in the crowded race, according to the latest Hawaii Poll. Star-Advertiser.

Kim, Chin tie in race for U.S. House. Veteran lawmaker Donna Mercado Kim and Lt. Gov. Doug Chin are in a near tie in the race to represent urban Honolulu in the U.S. House, according to the latest Hawaii Poll, which shows the two front-runners each attracting roughly 30 percent of likely Democratic primary votes. Star-Advertiser.

Most see homeless problem getting worse. Registered island voters, in general, do not believe Hawaii’s homeless problem has improved over the last year, and 62 percent support the idea of so-called “safe zones” for homeless people to live without fear of getting swept. Star-Advertiser.

Nearly 20 years after Hawaii legalized medical marijuana, a slim majority of local residents support full legalization for recreational use of the federally illegal drug. Star-Advertiser.

A proposal to legalize medically assisted death for terminally ill patients cleared its last major hurdle at the state Legislature on Friday, paving the way for a full vote by the Senate, where the bill is expected to pass comfortably. Star-Advertiser.

The Last Committee: Medical Aid In Dying Bill Now Goes To Full Senate. The measure has been fast-tracked through the Hawaii Senate after coming over from the House earlier this month with additional safeguards. Civil Beat.

DOH Food Safety Branch says placard program working but hand-washing still an issue. It appears the state Dept. of Health's color-coded placard program is working, but even after three years since its launch, the number one problem is getting employees to wash their hands. KHON2.

Paying the Price of Technology Failures. High-profile failures of local government technology often make headlines in Hawaii. But there’s an everyday cost to those failures that are paid by businesses and citizens around the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

About 1 in 24 homes in Hawaii is a vacation rental, which is contributing to the state’s shortage of affordable housing, according to a report by an advocacy group. Associated Press.

State begins training Hawaiian language interpreters for courtrooms. Over the weekend, the state became one step closer to ensuring Hawaiian language interpreters are available for all courtrooms. Hawaii News Now.

Coast Guard crews located eight people in a life raft in waters hundreds of miles away from Hawaii Island Sunday. The Coast Guard says the eight people were part of the crew from a commercial fishing vessel named The Princess Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

A bill that would allow for a limited number of new bed-and-breakfast permits to be issued on Oahu while establishing stiffer fines for unlawful vacation rentals soon will go before the City Council. Star-Advertiser.

A hotel and condominium tower on Kapiolani Boulevard and mostly modest-priced homes on farmland in Waialua are a step closer to being developed after a Honolulu City Council committee vote Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Biki has increased the size of four existing Biki stops and installed two brand new ones. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu students lend voices as marches across country publicly decry gun violence. Star-Advertiser.

Students, teachers, parents march through downtown Honolulu to end gun violence. An estimated 5,000 people converged on the state Department of Education and then back to the state capitol. KHON2.

City and County of Honolulu offices will be closed Monday, March 26, 2018, in observance of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana‘ole Day, a state holiday. KITV.

Hawaii Island

On the eve of a court ruling that could determine the fate of the Thirty Meter Telescope in Hawaii, public support for the stalled $1.4 billion project has never been stronger. Star-Advertiser.

Kim says balanced budget isn’t enough. West Hawaii Today.

Creation of Hilo homeless facility in ‘very preliminary’ stages. Roy Takemoto, an executive assistant to Mayor Harry Kim, told the Tribune-Herald last week that the county is in the initial stages of acquiring access to two adjoining land parcels at the old airport in Hilo — located about 850 feet from Access Road — where it is looking to possibly erect tents and domes. Tribune-Herald.

There are opposite takeaways from this week’s sudden closure of Hawaii’s only homeless, government-sanctioned “ohana zone,” Camp Kikaha in Kailua-Kona. Star-Advertiser.

The County of Hawaii has ordered Hilo Farmers Market to remove the tarps and the tents that have been its primary structures for over 33 years or face $4,000 in fines for each day they remain in place. Big Island Now.

Pace of Kolekole Beach Park lead testing frustrates residents. State officials are going out to bid for more soil sampling at Kolekole Beach Park, which closed almost a year ago due to lead contamination. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Island’s natural beauty and seemingly endless opportunities for adventure have earned it a spot among TripAdvisor’s top destinations in the United States. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa is asking the Valley Isle's council members to approve a $900 million budget for fiscal year 2019. The mayor is also proposing a new three-tiered progressive property tax structure, which he said would allow rate adjustments to generate the revenue required to maintain services and infrastructure. Pacific Business News.

Mayor’s final budget proposal calls for $820 million for fiscal year 2018-19. Spending would increase by $114.8 million, or 16.3%, over current period. Maui News.

Mayor Alan Arakawa’s budget proposes a tiered scheme for property taxes designed to increase income from second homes and investment properties, a growing trend that many say aggravates Maui County’s housing crisis. Maui News.

Maui County fiscal 2018-19 budget highlights. Maui News.

The Budget and Finance Committee received Mayor Arakawa’s proposed fiscal year 2019 budget today and will begin its review with committee meetings commencing on March 29. Maui Now.

Five Wailuku residents have checked out nomination papers to seek the Central Maui 8th House District held by two-time speaker and longtime Rep. Joe Souki. Maui News.

Kauai

Prince Kuhio Park expands. Tom Shigemoto of A&B Properties announced that the deed for 16 additional acres to the existing five-acre Prince Kuhio Park is nearly done, and turnover of the land to the Royal Order should be complete by year’s end. Garden Island.

You can now get a digital camera to help out with whale and dolphin research on Kauai, but there are only five available so the waiting list could be long. Garden Island.

The county will begin relocating the Poipu lifeguard tower on Tuesday morning. The tower will be moved 75 yards east of its current location. Garden Island.

Vacation rental tax loss creates $33M hole in budget, visitor spending hits new record, assisted suicide bill advances in House, 'monster home' moratorium passes Honolulu council, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki tourists and shoppers ©2018 All Hawaii News

Airbnb Revenue Loss Leaves a $33M Hole in Executive Budget. State lawmakers are tallying spending bills to balance the budget. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii tourism kicked off the new year with solid gains in visitor arrivals and spending, which rose to the highest statewide total for visitor spending ever recorded for a single month in Hawaii’s history. Star-Advertiser.

Visitor spending increased 4.9 percent to $1.69 billion in January, the highest statewide monthly total on record, according to preliminary statistics released Wednesday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

Independent airport authority bill passes Senate Ways and Means Committee hearing with amendments. Senate Bill 2996, which would transfer the operations of Hawaii’s 15 airports from the Hawaii Department of Transportation to an independent agency dedicated to managing and improving Hawaii’s airports, now moves to the House. Pacific Business News.

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Medical Aid In Dying Bill Takes Major Step Forward In Hawaii Legislature. The measure cleared a joint committee after additional safeguards were added. It now heads to a vote of the full House. Civil Beat.

The House Judiciary and Health and Human Services Committees passed the "Our Care Our Choice Bill" Wednesday. KITV.

Two key state House committees voted today to advance a controversial measure that would allow terminally ill patients to request prescriptions for lethal doses of medication. Star-Advertiser.

Two key House committees approved a controversial medical aid-in-dying measure Wednesday, paving the way for the bill to go to a full House vote. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii Tourism Authority faces $30M budget cut after 'abusive' spending. Hawaii News Now.

A public hearing Wednesday on a state audit that found the Hawaii Tourism Authority suffered from “lax oversight (and) deficient internal controls” turned into a debate about whether the state’s record-setting tourism performance should override concerns about how the marketing agency operates. Star-Advertiser.

14 years after audit blasted Public Utilities Commission, new report finds not much has changed. Hawaii News Now.

Auditor: PUC Isn’t Keeping its Eye On ‘Big-Picture Matters’. The Public Utilities Commission staff is overloaded and lacks the proper tools and guidance, according to a state report. Civil Beat.

U.S. Reps. Tulsi Gabbard and Colleen Hanabusa introduced a bill that could give floriculture research in Hawaii a boost. The State Assistance for Tropical Floriculture Research Act of 2018 would allow states to seek grants of at least $250,000 per year to research and develop disease-resistant varieties of tropical flowers. Tribune-Herald.

Tax Dollars May Get Tapped To Fly Homeless Out Of Hawaii. Privately financed relocation programs have already flown hundreds back to the mainland. Now there’s a move afoot to spend public money as well. Civil Beat.

A major construction delay at Halawa Correctional Facility will keep hundreds of Hawaii inmates on the mainland, and cost millions of our tax dollars. KHON2.

Homebuyers in Honolulu have the highest mortgage debt-to-income ratio in the nation, while homebuyers on Maui have a ratio that’s third-highest in the U.S., topped only by San Jose in California’s Silicon Valley, according to a report by the personal finance company SmartAsset. Pacific Business News.

There’s still plenty of opakapaka in Hawaii’s waters, according to a recently released federal assessment of Hawaii’s Deep 7 bottomfish stock. Garden Island.

The State’s monthly test of the Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System, coordinated with the test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System, is scheduled for today, Thursday, March 1, 2018 at 11:45 a.m. Maui Now.

Oahu

Moratorium on ‘monster homes’ gets Council approval. After months of discussion, the Honolulu City Council approved a bill on Wednesday that imposes a moratorium on larger-scale houses in residential districts on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

City council passes bill to stop ‘monster homes’ by unanimous vote. KHON2.

Two measures aimed at giving breaks on taxes and fees to high-rise property owners in exchange for installing automated sprinkler systems in their buildings won final approval from the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

A 41-story residential tower, which drew criticism for its so-called poor door, won final approval by the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday after the developer did away with separate entrances for homeowners and renters. Star-Advertiser.

Coming Soon To Ala Moana: Another 400-Foot Tower. After it nixed its “poor door” entrance, the ProsPac Tower developer gains zoning exemptions from the City Council. Civil Beat.

Rail inches closer to completion as vital operating system is activated. Hawaii News Now.

Former Queen's nurse awarded $3.8 million in racial discrimination suit. It's one of the largest damage awards in state history. Hawaii News Now.

Former Queen's Medical Center nurse, Ellen Harris was awarded more than $3.8 million in damages by a circuit court jury, on Wednesday. KITV.

Project Hiehie Oahu's first mobile shower for the homeless debuted this week. KITV.

The City Council unanimously approved Wednesday a $1 million payment to settle a lawsuit with a Kahala woman who sued the city for injuries she sustained when a coconut tree struck her in 2012 at a Waikiki park. Star-Advertiser.

Pali Lanes supporters rallying to save the Kailua bowling alley delivered a petition with more than 5,000 signatures to the headquarters of property owner Alexander &Baldwin on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Bill would require 4-wheel drive to enter Waipio, ascend Maunakea. Tribune-Herald.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources is considering a Conservation District Use Application for the proposed Infrastructure Improvements at Maunakea Visitor Information Station. Big Island Video News.

Environmental officials are bracing for local repercussions from a U.S. appeals court ruling that Maui County violated the federal Clean Water Act in handling its treated wastewater. West Hawaii Today.

2 concepts create funding potential for Hawaii Island homeless initiative. West Hawaii Today.

Royal Hawaiian Orchards LP, Hawaii’s largest macadamia farm plans to exit the business of producing and selling packaged retail snacks by selling to a competitor after a six-year effort that failed to become a bigger profit generator. Star-Advertiser.

Acquisition combines Hawaii's 2 largest macadamia nut growers. Hilo-based macadamia nut producer Royal Hawaiian Orchards is selling its brands and macadamia nut snack products business to Buderim Group, the Australian parent of rival macadamia nut producer MacFarms LLC, in a deal that will create the largest retail marketer of branded macadamia nuts in the United States. Pacific Business News.

Maui

New $3-per-visit landfill fees generating $32,500 monthly. People making fewer visits but leaving same amount of trash. Maui News.

A council committee voted Wednesday in favor of allowing Honuaula Partners to build some or all of 250 affordable housing units within its 670-acre, master-planned community south of Maui Meadows. Maui News.

Mayor delivers his final State of the County. Arakawa shows he has no shortage of goals in his last year. Maui News.

Skyline Hawaii announced it has removed more than one ton of rubbish from Maui beaches since December 2017. The clean-up efforts are part of an on-going company campaign to address marine debris called Wipe Out Plastic. Maui Now.

EnSync Energy to deliver over $450K in cost savings to Maui nonprofit incubator space. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Council Chair Mel Rapozo told state transportation officials Wednesday a decision has to be made about the Hanalei Bridge, because it’s inadequate to meet rising traffic demands on the North Shore. Garden Island.

Program targets drug houses. Because Kauai is a small community, Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar said it’s easy to know where the drug houses are, but it’s equally as difficult to build a case against a drug trafficking ring. Garden Island.

Ground broken for Koloa mixed-use project. Starting from Koloa Road across the Koloa post office, Koloa Village is scheduled to be completed in two phases. Garden Island.

Kauai sees record January visitor arrivals, spending. Garden Island.