Patsy Mink quarter design unveiled, corrupt union boss gets more than 11 years, dog attack likely killed monk seal pup, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

US Mint Releases Design For Patsy Mink Quarter. The United States Mint on Thursday announced designs for the third year of the American Women Quarters Program. Mink, who died in 2002, was the first woman of color to serve in Congress and championed gender and racial equality, affordable child care and environmental protection. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Former Hawaii union boss is sentenced to federal prison.  The former business manager of a Hawaii labor union who was convicted of rigging a vote to raise dues and taking members’ money to pay for his family’s extravagant lifestyle was sentenced Thursday morning to more than 11 years in federal prison. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii’s Clean Energy Transition Faces Steep Hurdles, Study Finds. Aggressive action must be taken by all sectors of the state’s economy if Hawaii wants to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 as mandated by state law, according to a new study commissioned by Hawaiian Electric. Civil Beat.

‘They’re working us to death’: Hotel workers calling for change. Hawaii’s hotel industry could face another strike during the 2024 summer unless things change according to the union that represents thousands of hotel workers. KHON2.

State unemployment rate sinks to 3.0%. Hawaii’s unemployment rate dipped to 3.0% in June, its lowest level in more than three years, and is expected to keep heading lower as the state’s economy strengthens. Star-Advertiser.

Matson sees pickup in trade, but forecasts a big drop in earnings. Matson Inc. said shipping demand picked up in the second quarter from the first three months of the year, and expects business to improve through 2023. Star-Advertiser.

UH Got Nearly $516M In Extramural Research Funding. Here’s What That Means. The University of Hawaii set a new record in grants received from the federal government, industry and nonprofit groups. Civil Beat.

Visitor snorkeling deaths continue to rise. According to preliminary state health data, from 2013 to 2022, there were nearly 800 fatal ocean drownings, with 54% being visitors compared to residents. Nearly 30% of those fatalities were due to snorkeling, while 21% were swimming. KHON2.

Oahu

HART board calls for more financial information on Honolulu rail.  Just three weeks after the opening of the first segment of Skyline, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board is pressing its executive director for more financial information on ongoing construction of the city’s rail project and questioning why the board was not fully made aware of a $99.1 million lawsuit filed earlier this month by a contractor. Star-Advertiser.

City director reports drop in Honolulu building permit backlog.  During a special meeting Wednesday of the Honolulu City Council’s Committee on Planning and the Economy, DPP Director Dawn Takeuchi Apuna told the panel that her current staff had managed to knock down the backlog of 3,600 applications awaiting pre-screening by nearly 70%. Star-Advertiser.

Neighborhood Board Election Outcome Reversed After Rematch. The Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board incumbent who asked for a re-vote after a series of computer glitches has won the repeat election, and the Honolulu City Council is asking for a written report on what went wrong with the original vote. Civil Beat.

City starts installation of new smart parking meters. New smart parking meters are now going up on Honolulu’s sidewalks, with the first 300 already installed in the Chinatown area. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu Condo Board Members Feel ‘Muzzled’ By Management Companies. Hired to manage properties, the companies frequently tell board members to not talk to contractors or others outside board meetings. Civil Beat.

Honolulu officials hope for new liquor commission administrator by end of summer.  City and County of Honolulu officials say progress is being made within the liquor commission. Hawaii Public Radio.

Monk seal pup’s death likely caused by dog attack, officials say. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration today said it had determined that monk seal RS48, or Ho‘omau Lehua, likely died from a dog attack, based on necropsy and histopathology results. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Lack of clarity plagues Mauna Kea transition.  Act 255 called for a transition period in which the previous manager, the University of Hawaii, would share duties with the new one, the Maunakea Stewardship Oversight Authority, over a five-year time frame that started July 1. Star-Advertiser.

Federal lawsuit claims Hilo attorney maliciously prosecuted, defamed by Roth and Waltjen. A Hilo attorney has filed a federal lawsuit against Hawaii County, Mayor Mitch Roth, county Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen and Deputy Prosecutors Kate Perazich and Sylvia Wan. Tribune-Herald.

County mulling management, use of tiny structures.  The county is looking for a new non-profit to manage Ka Lamaku, the tiny homes located at the entrance of Old Kona Airport Park in Kailua-Kona that have served as an emergency shelter since 2020. The shelter closed on June 30 when service provider HOPE Services Hawaii’s contract to manage the emergency shelter expired. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Electrical upgrades might seem like a simple job — anywhere other than Kalaupapa. Reliable electricity is critical to daily life and operations in Kalaupapa on Molokaʻi and the current electrical system is aged and failing. It was first installed in 1969. Hawaii Public Radio.

An island sold for a dollar? A little over a decade ago, tech billionaire Larry Ellison made headlines when he acquired Lānaʻi for $300 million. How Lānaʻi came under private ownership for the first time.  Before James Dole transformed Lānaʻi into one of the world's largest pineapple plantations, another man set his sights on the island. In 1909, businessman William Irwin bought nearly the entire island of Lānaʻi for $1.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Volunteers make an impact at Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank. With the start of school looming in less than two weeks, a group of 20 volunteers from Starbucks and Mason Taylor of Southern California made an impact on the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank’s (KIFB) school preparations on Thursday. Garden Island.

Legislature advances wealth tax, Jason Momoa seeks higher film tax credit, Mink to be featured on quarter, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

A ‘Wealth Asset Tax’ On Hawaii’s Richest Residents Advances In The Legislature. A key Senate committee gave preliminary approval Thursday to a measure that would impose a new tax on Hawaii’s wealthiest residents in what one senator described as an effort to reduce income inequality. It would impose a tax of 1% of net worth per year on taxpayers with assets of more than $20 million in assets in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Jason Momoa and his ‘Chief of War’ team throw support behind film tax credit bill. Hawaii-born actor Jason Momoa can now add lobbyist to his titles. He’s supporting a bill at the Legislature to raise the tax credit cap for movie and tv productions. Hawaii News Now.

State Senate passes fix for felony charging rules. The state Senate passed a measure Thursday intended to address the Hawaii Supreme Court ruling that preliminary hearings are not a lawful method for charging major felonies including murder. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Monetary fines for juvenile offenders could be eliminated in Hawaiʻi . Minors going through the court system can face fees and other monetary costs, but a proposal making its way through the state Legislature would eliminate those fines. Hawaii Public Radio.

Changes could be coming to the annual car safety check. One bill proposes to flat-out end safety checks, while another bill suggests changes by not requiring safety checks for the first five years of new cars. KHON2.

Senate advances bill that would protect out-of-state patients seeking abortions. The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services advanced two bills this week that could impact the safety and privacy of out-of-state patients who receive an abortion in Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi is 1 of 10 states mulling cross-border rules to tackle teacher shortage. The national teacher shortage has prompted lawmakers in 10 states, including Hawaiʻi, to suggest legislation that would get rid of relicensing requirements for teachers when they move across state lines — an oftentimes cumbersome and costly process of waiting periods, licensing fees, and expensive exams. Hawaii Public Radio.

Strategic plan outline for Hawaii’s public schools is OK’d.  An ambitious first-phase framework for a new strategic plan for Hawaii’s statewide public school system that includes academic proficiency for every single student and qualified hires in every teaching position among its goals won unanimous approval Thursday from the state Board of Education. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Native Hawaiians are denied loans that other applicants get.  Can the federal government underwrite mortgages for homes in Hawaii on a spot where there may be buried bombs from World War II? Star-Advertiser.

Late Hawaii U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink to be honored on commemorative U.S. quarter.  The U.S. Mint on Wednesday announced that Mink, the first woman of color to serve in U.S. Congress, will be honored in a commemorative quarter Opens in a new tab through the program. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

‘Eggflation’ Puts Hawaii Egg Prices On Par With Mainland Imports. Local layers are now racing to expand operations as the islands remain bird-flu free. Civil Beat.

Oahu

FBI arrests ex-Punahou coach for alleged child sex crimes. A longtime girls’ basketball coach and educator, who settled civil suits accusing him of grooming and sexually assaulting his players in 2021, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation this morning. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Former U.S. Navy captain from Kailua sentenced in massive bribery scandal. Prosecutors said retired Capt. David Haas, 54, of Kailua, was among dozens of Navy officials who were bribed to help obtain defense contracts for a man known as “Fat Leonard” Francis. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s $2.85M settlement with Gerard Puana resolves all claims. The city’s $2.85 million settlement of a civil lawsuit with Gerard Puana, a victim in the Kealoha corruption and bribery scandal, is the final case of its kind filed by Puana against the city, officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Workers find coconut rhinoceros beetle breeding site in Oahu mulch pile. Some 3,000 traps have gone up around Oahu in an effort to track the spread of the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle, an insect capable of destroying thousands of coconut trees. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Audit finds flaws in management of county’s affordable housing credits program. A report to the County Council released Wednesday by county Auditor Tyler Benner concluded the Office of Housing and Community Development had “inadequate internal controls” over its affordable housing credits program. Tribune-Herald.

Deputy Prosecutor With History Of Neighbor Problems No Longer Employed By County. County officials wouldn't say why Randall Albright is no longer with the office. Civil Beat.

Funds eyed for Pohoiki Boat Ramp restoration. A Big Island lawmaker is spearheading an effort to secure $40 million in state funding to reopen the Pohoiki Boat Ramp. Tribune-Herald.

Another setback for Ka‘u satellite dish project. At a meeting of the Windward Planning Commission, the Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics was scheduled to make its case for a special permit to operate an array of 10 satellite dishes on a two-acre rural lot in Wood Valley. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

‘Election Day Heroes’: Maui County Clerk Has Not Been An Easy Job To Fill. The council extended its recruitment process last month after getting pushback from residents. The saga over who should serve as Maui County’s top election official and administrator for the council could soon come to an end.  Civil Beat.

Mayor visits site of diesel fuel spill at Haleakalā, Air Force plans update on remediation plan. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen, Jr. visited the site of large diesel fuel spill at the summit of Haleakalā to view the impacted site and receive an overview of the incident from Space Force personnel. Maui Now. Maui News. KITV4.

Kauai

Two new FM radio stations launch on Kaua‘i.  Two of Kaua‘i’s FM radio stations have been revamped to target a younger audience and larger market. Hawaiian 107.9 has become 107.9 The X, an active rock station, and Sunny 101.3 has shifted to newer classics. Garden Island.

State Department of Health confirms Kaua‘i youth’s death a result of COVID-19. The deceased boy was under the age of 17, one of only six COVID-19 deaths in that age range across the entire state throughout the duration of the pandemic.  Garden Island.

‘Mr. Coco Palms’ who played with Elvis dies at 92. Kaua‘i singer and songwriter Larry Rivera, who performed with Elvis Presley at the famous Coco Palms resort, has died. Kauai Now.

Pearl Harbor anniversary commemorated, Hawaii Department of Education sued over Title IX female access to sports, Big Island beach reopens after lava flow, Patsy Mink statue unveiled, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

The USS Arizona burning after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, public domain photo

Hundreds to gather for 77th anniversary of attack on Pearl Harbor. As they do every year, hundreds of veterans, service members and dignitaries will solemnly gather Friday to mark the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Hawaii News Now.

Ceremonies mark 77th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack. There will be a number of public events commemorating the date, including a ceremony at Barbers Point, which was also hit that day, and a parade through Waikiki. KHON2.

Pearl Harbor attack survivor remembers the day from afar. Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Don Long was alone on an anchored military seaplane in the middle of a bay across the island from Pearl Harbor when Japanese warplanes started striking Hawaii on December 7, 1941, watching from afar as the bombs and bullets killed and wounded thousands. Associated Press.

Pearl Harbor re-burials across the US give families closure. Some who died on Dec. 7, 1941, are finally being laid to rest in cemeteries across the United States. KITV.

Pouring of Blackened Canteen WWII relic helps heal U.S.-Japanese rifts. For 26 years a U.S canteen blackened and battered in the midair collision of two B-29 bombers in Japan during World War II — a symbol of the horror of war — has been an instrument of peace and reconciliation at Pearl Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

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ACLU files class action lawsuit against DOE, OIA for Title IX non-compliance. Campbell High is at the center of this lawsuit, but the accusations extend to public schools across the state, and go back decades. KITV.

'Unequal treatment’: Athletes file class action over lack of girls’ facilities, opportunities at Hawaii schools. Athletes at Campbell High have filed a federal class action lawsuit over a lack of girls' sports facilities and opportunities at Hawaii high schools. Hawaii News Now.

A federal class action lawsuit against the Hawaii Department of Education was filed Thursday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii over gender inequities for female athletes at the state’s most populous high school. Civil Beat.

Class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of Campbell High's female student-athletes. On Thursday, the ACLU of Hawaii filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court on behalf of two female student-athletes attending James Campbell High School. KHON2.

With a lei-bedecked statue of Congresswoman Patsy Mink as a backdrop, civil rights attorneys announced Thursday they had filed a lawsuit seeking to end discrimination against female athletes in Hawaii’s public schools. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmaker says Legislature to blame for Title IX lawsuit. Changing in teachers closets, in plain view on the practice field, even at a nearby Burger King bathroom -  the ACLU of Hawaii says that's what female athletes at Campbell High School deal with daily. KHON2.

A major opportunity has opened in Hawaii for those hoping to work in the airline industry. The University of Hawaii is partnering with an aviation academy to create courses which will foster pilots, mechanics, flight attendants, and aeronautical engineers. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Things Are Actually Looking Up At Honolulu Airport. Modernization of Daniel K. Inouye International has been years in coming. But real change is in the air. Civil Beat.

Patsy T. Mink Monument Dedicated On Her Birthday. A statue of Hawaii’s former Congresswoman Patsy Mink was dedicated today. Hawaii Public Radio.

Statue honors legacy of former Congresswoman in place close to her heart. The legacy of former U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink was honored Thursday at the Hawaii State Library, where a life-size bronze sculpture was dedicated. KHON2.

Kakaako condo Aeo ready for owners. By late January all 466 owners in the sold-out building are scheduled to take possession of their new homes, which cost $1 million on average. Star-Advertiser.

State removes eyesore from Maunalua Bay shoreline. Contractors moved concrete one shovel at a time Thursday in order to successfully remove a large eyesore that’s been parked on the Maunalua Bay shoreline. Hawaii News Now.

Kamehameha Schools and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands have executed the ground lease on three acres of land for the trust’s $10.9 million learning center on the Waianae Coast. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu home prices rise 3% but sales drop by double digits. Home prices on Oahu rose by about 3 percent last month, compared to November of last year, but the number of single-family homes and condominiums sold fell by more than 10 percent, according to statistics from the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Hundreds turn out for reopening of Isaac Hale Beach Park at Pohoiki. The reopening of Isaac Hale Beach Park attracted hundreds of Puna residents eager to witness the creative side of the recent Kilauea eruption and return to a refuge many thought would be consumed by lava. Tribune-Herald.

Today, the gate at Isaac Hale Beach Park opened to the public for the first time since the eruption of Kilauea Volcano forced its closure. Big Island Video News.

Puna Park Cut Off By Lava Reopens, Attracting Hundreds. “They needed something to feel good about,” said Mayor Harry Kim of the locals who showed up in Pohoiki on Thursday. Civil Beat.

Months after lava swallowed Pohoiki, hundreds flock to reopening of Isaac Hale Beach Park. ‘It’s still beautiful... but it’s changed. It will be forever changed.’ Hawaii News Now.

Hundreds celebrate reopening of Hawaii island beach nearly lost to lava. KHON2.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim today signed a Sixth Supplementary Emergency Proclamation, lifting a set of lava-related prohibitions but keeping others in place for the time being. Big Island Video News.

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Proposed water bottling plant raises concerns. The Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission delayed the approval of a permit for a water bottling facility near Wailoa River State Recreation Area after a contentious meeting Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

The Department of Environmental Management has announced a public meeting to discuss the Lono Kona sewer project, which will connect 145 assessment units on 110 lots, the equivalent of 268 single-family homes, to sewer lines mauka of the Kuakini Highway McDonald’s in an area more popularly known as Hamburger Hill. West Hawaii Today.

Kona Community Hospital shuts down due to scabies outbreak. Hospital leadership made the decision to “temporarily close all patient units” as an “aggressive preventive measure to protect patients and staff from potential exposure to infection.” Star-Advertiser.

Maui

End of sugar farming may impact aquifer water yields. As planners chart out Maui island’s water use over the next 20 years, uncertainty hovers over the region with the largest population but the least groundwater resources. Maui News.

Two-story clubhouse plan for Waiehu to be unveiled. Public can see conceptual vision for municipal course at two events. Maui News.

Kauai

Gary Hooser an ‘Unsung Hero’. From grassroots organizing to state senator and majority leader, Gary Hooser has been advocating for Hawaii’s environment and people for years. Garden Island.

Portions of Waha Road in Kalaheo will be closed for reconstruction work, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., from today to Dec. 10 or 11, weather pending. Garden Island.

Coral reef health debated, Hawaii's high cost of living, DOE wastes $1M on unused timeclocks, Honolulu council candidate sues over election, barrier redirects lava, hospital woes continue, two sue over Waikiki beach widening, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Endemic mamo Hawaiian sergeant fish on coral reef © 2014 All Hawaii News

A new study found just one-third of Hawaii’s coral reef ecosystems are dominated by healthy corals and calcareous algae. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii has the most frugal consumers, but it also has the highest percentage of people spending more than they make, according to a new release from WalletHub. Pacific Business News.

Living Hawaii: Where the Rent Is Too Damn High. Islanders pay far more on average than in any state in America to live in rentals — and that's just the beginning. Civil Beat.

While Gov.-elect David Ige's transition team sifts through more than 800 applications for administration positions and works to put together his Cabinet before taking office Dec. 1, one appointment to a powerful, high-profile position remains unsettled - the chairperson of the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Maui News.

At the Kapolei state building, in the break room of a Department of Education office, behind the recycling and the to-be-filed pile, are stacks and stacks of timeclocks –- nearly $1 million worth of them. The machines are still nicely boxed, all taped up and just sit, collecting dust and cobwebs. KHON2.

President Barack Obama said this year's recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom — including the late U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink of Hawaii — made the world stronger, wiser, more beautiful and more humane. Obama praised the 18 artists, activists and lawmakers receiving the award at a White House ceremony Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Opinion: Hawaii Needs To Stop ‘Scam Artist’ Prison Guards. Correction officers calling in sick are costing taxpayers millions of dollars in overtime and preventing families from visiting inmates. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Defeated Honolulu City Council candidate Tommy Waters, who lost the 4th District seat to Trevor Ozawa by 41 votes, wants the Hawaii Supreme Court to order either a recount by hand of the 4,455 "blank" votes recorded in the election — or a new election. Star-Advertiser.

Tommy Waters is seeking a recount of ballots cast in the Honolulu City Council District 4 election that ended with Trevor Ozawa beating him by 41 votes. Star-Advertiser.

A man injured while surfing and another who became a quadriplegic after diving from a so-called “booze cruise” filed lawsuits against the state on Monday, blaming their injuries on a project to widen an eroding section of Waikiki beach. Associated Press.

In the first lawsuits of their kind, two Oahu men allege that the state's efforts in 2012 to resupply Wai­kiki Beach with sand raised the seafloor and left them with permanent and debilitating injuries. Star-Advertiser.

A deputy city prosecutor who lost track of a misdemeanor negligent homicide case more than a year ago was suspended without pay for four days earlier this month. Civil Beat.

The number of rooftop solar permits Honolulu issued in October fell by 58 percent from the prior year. Still, the solar industry is hopeful sales will rebound this month and next after Hawaiian Electric Co. said earlier this month it is working fast to get more solar systems approved. Star-Advertiser.

The owner and the operator of a 733-foot cargo vessel that ran aground near the entrance of Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor in 2010 have agreed to pay $840,000 for causing damage to coral. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A ridge created by the June 27 lava flow as it advanced downslope in the previous months has created a barrier that scientists and officials say is sending a breakout away from the Kaohe Homesteads subdivision in Puna. West Hawaii Today.

“Catastrophic cuts to services” are on the horizon if legislators don’t provide more funding this year, says the head of East Hawaii’s public health care system. Hawaii Health Systems Corp.’s East Hawaii operations are expected to see a revenue shortfall of $29 million in the coming year out of a total operations budget of $160 million, said East Hawaii Interim CEO Dan Brinkman. The following year, the shortfall is predicted to balloon to $35 million. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Volunteers collected 3,075 cigarette butts at Kalama Beach Park on Saturday as part of the American Cancer Society's 39th annual "Great American Smokeout." Maui News.

Kauai

First Deputy County Attorney Mauna Kea Trask has been nominated by Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. to lead the county’s legal department once County Attorney Al Castillo resigns next week. Garden Island.

Kauai’s mayor is nominating the county attorney’s replacement to be a man who’s currently serving as a deputy county attorney.  Associated Press.

Around 900 residents of Makaweli, Kaumakani and Pakala are still waiting for water. A pump in the water system owned and managed by Gay & Robinson failed Saturday and it was hoped it would be repaired Monday. Garden Island.

Puna Lava flow burns first home, Abercrombie starts new business, Honolulu named best place to retire, state sues Hawaii County over hunting, raises for Kauai officials, Patsy Mink awarded posthumous Medal of Freedom, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

First house torched by lava courtesy Ena Media Hawaii and Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

The destruction of her grandparents’ house Monday brought the reality of the June 27 lava flow home for Kanoe Pelfrey. Tribune-Herald.

First video of the house fire ignited by lava in Pahoa, filmed by Mick Kalber of Tropical Visions Video aboard Paradise Helicopters. Big Island Video News.

 

 Lava from Kilauea Volcano's so-called June 27 flow ignited its first house in Pahoa on Monday and threatened more destruction in the days ahead. Star-Advertiser.

The slow moving lava flow on Hawaii Island has set fire to its first home, making contact with the residence just before noon.  The home’s renters had already left the residence. Hawaii Public Radio.

The first home has been claimed by the Puna lava flow, just across the street from the Pahoa Transfer Station along Cemetery Road/Apaa Street. Hawaii News Now.

A home is burning after coming into contact with the June 27 lava flow. Darryl Oliveira, Hawaii County Civil Defense administrator, said he received confirmation at about 11:55 a.m. that the home off Cemetery Road had ignited after lava reached the vacant 1,152-square-foot residence. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Civil Defense says that an upslope lava breakout on Cemetery Road destroyed a home and shed at around noon Monday.  This is the first residence claimed by the June 27th lava flow. KITV4.

With just weeks left in his 44-year career of public service, Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie is listed as the sole officer of a new company called Pacific Strategies LLC. The business was registered with the state Oct. 3, about two months after Abercrombie’s re-election effort was derailed by state Sen. David Ige in the Democratic primary. Civil Beat.

Some 1,853 of Hawaii’s 13,505 marriages held since Dec. 2, 2013, were between same sex couples. But Hawaii’s same sex marriage law, passed by the Hawaii Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Neil Abercrombie in Nov. 2013, could come to an end if the Hawaii Supreme Court rules the law invalid. On Dec. 18, the state’s high court will hear oral arguments in the challenge brought by Rep. Bob McDermott, a Republican in the Hawaii Legislature. Hawaii Reporter.

The U.S.-China agreement to extend short-term visas for tourists and business travelers from one to 10 years drew applause from Hawaii business leaders and politicians, including Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Mark Dunkerley, who called it a "significant step in the right direction." Pacific Business News.

Starting today, a reciprocity agreement will extend short-term business and tourist visas to-and-from China to 10 years, and student and exchange visas to five years. The move is aimed at providing economic benefits in tourism, trade and investment. Garden Island.

President Barack Obama on Monday named Patsy Mink one of 19 people to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Star-Advertiser.

Health insurance rates for nearly 13,000 individuals will rise Jan. 1, while close to 33,000 people may be pleasantly surprised to see premium decreases. The state Insurance Division has approved an average 9.2 percent rate hike for 9,600 individuals covered by Kaiser Permanente Hawaii and 3.8 percent increase for 3,141 members with the Hawaii Medical Service Association. Star-Advertiser.

The state Health Department says a restaurant can have roaches and rodents and still pass inspection. Hawaii News Now.

Switching from diesel oil to liquefied natural gas for electric power generation could drop Hawaii's highest-in-the-nation electric rates from 6 to 25 percent by the year 2040, according to a working paper posted online last month by the Economic Research Organization at the University of Hawaii. Maui News.

The longtime head of the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly says he’ll leave the organization next August. The search is underway for a replacement for J.N. Musto, who has been with the union for more than 35 years. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Association of Independent Schools Board of Directors has named Robert Landau the organization’s new executive director, replacing longtime Executive Director Robert Witt, who is retiring. West Hawaii Today.

Oahu

Livability.com has named Honolulu a Best Place to Retire, 2014. Honolulu, the website says, “offers access to affordable and quality health care, practical cost of living, retiree-friendly businesses and services, as well as several amenities to help keep residents active.” Star-Advertiser.

Luxury high-rise condominiums planned in Kakaako have been big sellers this year. Really big. So big that a single developer has sold $783 million worth of residences slated for completion in 2016 and 2017. Star-Advertiser.

Cash, cars, jewelry. All kinds of property are taken by law enforcement every year and sometimes, there are no arrest or criminal charges. But authorities get to keep the goods, and it’s legal. KHON2.

Former state prison guard Mark Damas was sentenced Monday to just shy of five years behind bars for accepting bribe money to smuggle meth­am­pheta­mine, cigarettes and other contraband into Halawa Correctional Facility and for scheming with inmates to do so. Star-Advertiser.

An additional 6,000 hatchery-raised sea urchins were recently placed in Kaneohe Bay on Oahu by Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Aquatic Invasive Species team divers in the battle against invasive seaweeds that threaten to smother coral patch reefs. West Hawaii Today.

Unanticipated costs and delays might doom Mayor Kirk Caldwell's controversial plan for a temporary transition center for up to 115 homeless people at Sand Island. Star-Advertiser.

Starting Wednesday night, state transportation officials plan to make full and partial lane closures in both directions of the H-1 freeway in Kalihi from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The state is suing the county over its aerial hunting ban. The suit, filed Thursday in Hilo Circuit Court by the Office of Attorney General David Louie, seeks to exempt state employees and private contractors hired by the state to eradicate feral sheep, goats, swine, cattle and axis deer from the 2012 county ordinance prohibiting aerial hunting. Tribune-Herald.

Kawaihae South Small Boat Harbor, the first new harbor opened in the state in 34 years, was dedicated Monday. West Hawaii Today.

New court program gives veterans a second chance. West Hawaii Today.

Maui
A standing room only crowd showed up to testify at an informational briefing and hearing on Maui focused on the state health system and district plans to address anticipated budget shortfalls. Maui Now.

It's been a week since the controversial initiative calling for a moratorium on the cultivation of all genetically engineered crops in Maui County managed to squeak by in one of the closest races of this election. Now that the campaigning is over, its passage has left residents wondering, “What now?” Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Raises may be on the horizon for some top county officials whose salaries have been frozen for nearly five years. The county Salary Commission, by a 6-0 vote, approved a measure that would raise the maximum salary limit for 22 department heads by a total of $150,265. Garden Island.

The Missile Defense Agency released video of the Hawaii-based destroyer USS John Paul Jones shooting down a simulated ballistic missile and a "raid" of cruise missile targets Thursday off the coast of Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Hanauma Bay supporters seek funds, Kauai looks to body cameras for police, whales distressed by RIMPAC, Oahu land reclassified in flood zone, Maui mulls plan for Patsy Mink's school, election fallout and more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hanauma Bay © 2014 All Hawaii News

Frustrated members of Friends of Hanauma Bay said that they've tried repeatedly to determine whether a portion of the money from the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Fund is being siphoned off for other city parks. Now the City Council will consider asking the city administration to remove itself from the picture entirely. Star-Advertiser.

Whales beware. Naval exercises like RIMPAC cause clear harm and distress to marine life including dolphins, fish and especially whales. Hawaii Independent.

The state Elections Commission on Friday appointed three subcommittees to examine issues surrounding the 2014 primary election and the actions of the chief election officer, who faced heavy criticism over the decision to carry out two elections in a tropical-storm ravaged district on Hawaii island and the late discovery of about 800 mail-in ballots on Maui. Star-Advertiser.

State lawmakers and concerned citizens took turns Friday accusing Hawaii Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago of disenfranchising voters as Elections Commission members nodded and prodded him for answers. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Chief Election Officer Scott Nago tried to explain a host of problems that occurred during the recent primary election held in the wake of a tropical storm — from why a makeup election was held after initially telling voters of closed Big Island precincts they would be mailed ballots to why 800 ballots went uncounted on Maui. Associated Press.

The Hawai‘i Elections Commission is investigating the state’s primary. Nearly 70 people packed into the commission meeting on Friday, with several calling for chief elections officer Scott Nago to be fired. Hawaii Public Radio.

The state Office of Hawaiian Affairs administrator paid a controversial political scientist $25,000 to write a memo that calls into question the validity of OHA's nation-building effort, even raising the question of whether the office's trustees are committing war crimes by pursuing it. But the board apparently has not been swayed by his arguments. Star-Advertiser.

Three out of four candidates for Hawaii governor say they agree Hawaii’s health exchange is a mess, taxes are burdensome and leadership style in the state’s top office needs to change. The fourth — and most formidable opponent to each of the other candidates — was absent Friday during the first debate of the General Election after a disagreement with organizers. Associated Press.

PACs aim to build congressional rivals' name recognition. The race between Djou and Takai garners interest from the VoteVets organization. Star-Advertiser.

Opinion: I’ve seen this parade before. Dozens of hopeful candidates from diverse walks of life, hopeful, excited, sporting banners and signs and buttons and T-shirts and stickers and websites, all believing this will be the election year that Hawaii elects more than a token representation of Republicans. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Hundreds of property owners on Oahu have been told their land has been reclassified and is now in a "high-risk" flood zone as the result of remapping by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Star-Advertiser.

Lately the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s finances have garnered a lot of attention as faculty members, students and the public speculate about the mysterious firing of Chancellor Tom Apple and its connection with his directive to freeze all hiring in an effort to stop the budget bleeding. Civil Beat.

With evacuated residents allowed back to their homes, Honolulu firefighters shifted their focus Sunday to stopping a massive brush fire from reaching the Honouliuli Forest Reserve — home to dozens of threatened and endangered species. Star-Advertiser.

Opinion: City transit officials are tiresome in their dishonest attempts to blame citizen lawsuits for massive cost overruns that are shredding their promise to build Oahu's $5.26 billion rail line on time and on budget. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu-based solar energy firms RevoluSun and Distributed Energy Partners, which together have designed and built solar energy systems totaling more than 50-megawatts of energy in Hawaii since 2009, are restructuring to divide work for the residential and commercial markets. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

The state of Hawaii depleted its Major Disaster Fund in response to Tropical Storm Iselle, according to a Thursday letter sent by Gov. Neil Abercrombie to President Barack Obama seeking federal assistance. Tribune-Herald.

A day after completing its two-week effort to restore power to upper Puna, Hawaii Electric Light Co. personnel continued to work with county crews and other agencies Sunday to clear debris left by Tropical Storm Iselle. Star-Advertiser.

He was a hotelier, a police commissioner, a County Council member, a state senator, a state representative and, more recently, a member of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. But most of all, Robert “Bob” Herkes was a dogged fighter for the people. West Hawaii Today.

Tawn Keeney is determined that the Honokaa People’s Theater will not follow so many others of its kind into the twilight. West Hawaii Today.

There will be an increase in nighttime aircraft traffic over Hilo throughout this week due to runway repairs at the Hilo International Airport. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Maui officials are looking for ideas on how to repurpose a high school campus that was once home to Congresswoman Patsy Mink, its class valedictorian for 1944. Associated Press.

Pulama Lana'i continues to move ahead with development of a facility to convert salty groundwater to drinking water and for irrigation use. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kauai Police Department may become the first law enforcement agency in the state with all officers wearing body cameras. Garden Island.

County of Kauai officials say they would like to give nonresidential landowners more time to construct additional dwelling units on their property as the economy continues to recover. Garden Island.

Hawaii tourism, jobs, economy perking, powerless principals peeved, lawmakers fret over hemp seed supply, state rep charged with campaign spending violations, Hawaii County deputy clerk in hot seat over her campaign, state mental hospital in the cross-hairs, Kauai council hikes fees in budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii hotel pool party © 2014 All Hawaii News

The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism projects stable economic growth in 2014 and beyond. Civil Beat.

Despite a sharp drop-off in room rate growth in March, Hawaii's hotel market hit a first-quarter hotel revenue record of $1.44 billion and ended its first three months with the nation's highest room rates and revenue per available room, and the second best occupancy after Miami/Hialeah, Fla. Star-Advertiser.

The tightening of Hawaii's job market was clearly evident Wednesday at the state's largest job fair. Employer turnout for the WorkForce job fair at the Neal Blaisdell Center was the strongest in more than five years, and several companies' representatives said they were recruiting at the event for the first time because they are having a difficult time finding qualified workers. Star-Advertiser.

Some 3,300 job seekers met up with 187 Hawaii employers Wednesday during the WorkForce 2014 job fair at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. Pacific Business News.

A Hawaii lawmaker hopes U.S. Customs won't stop the shipment of hemp seeds from China that will launch a research project in Hawaii after a hold was put on seeds headed to Kentucky this week. Star-Advertiser.

Officials with the state Campaign Spending Commission charge that state Rep. Romy Cachola misused his campaign funds for an SUV, as well as questionable public relations efforts and meals, and want him to pay reimbursements and fines totaling nearly $70,000. Star-Advertiser.

The state launched a $95 million online eligibility system late last year to streamline the Medicaid process. But state Department of Human Services eligibility workers, who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation, said the system is not working properly and cannot verify income to determine whether people actually qualify for the program. Star-Advertiser.

An overwhelming majority of Hawaii public school principals who responded to an independent survey about their working conditions say they lack the needed support and autonomy to act in the best interests of their schools, but hesitate to speak out for fear of retaliation. Star-Advertiser.

Thousands of rock climbers, para gliders, bikers and other aficionados of extreme sports are feeling a little let down after the latest legislative session. A group of outdoor enthusiasts urged Hawaii lawmakers to strengthen a law that limits the state’s liability for accidents on public land. Civil Beat.

The vetting of allegations of misconduct at the Hawaii State Hospital by the state Senate Special Investigative Committee continued on Wednesday with the questioning of a nursing office clerk whose job is to fill vacancies when staff call in sick and two psychiatric technicians who have been assaulted by patients. Star-Advertiser.

The Senate Committee conducting a special investigation of the Hawai’i State Hospital questioned employees about over-time practices today. Hawaii Public Radio.

Elwin Ahu, senior pastor at New Hope Metro church, today announced his candidacy for Hawaii lieutenant governor. Ahu will run in the Republican primary. If he wins, he will likely be on a ticket headed by former Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona. Civil Beat.

Leading up to the November election, hundreds of Hawaii Republicans from around the state will gather on Saturday, May 17 to vote on the Party’s platform, listen to Legislative updates from incumbents, and rally with candidates. The “Back to Basics” themed convention, held at the Ko’olau Ballrooms and Conference Center in Kaneohe, is the Hawaii Republican Party’s first major event since former Congresswoman Pat Saiki assumed the Chairmanship in March. Hawaii Reporter.

VIDEO: Controversy Follows UH President Candidate Wiercinski. Big Island Video News.

Dan Inouye and Patsy Mink are two of modern Hawaii's greatest political leaders. To honor their memory, last year the Hawaii Legislature passed a bill calling for the commissioning of works of art of the late U.S. senator and late U.S. representative "to use their examples to inspire current and future generations." Civil Beat.

Scientists say there's a 65 percent chance that El Nino conditions will develop in the central and eastern Pacific this year, increasing the chance for tropical cyclones in the central and eastern Pacific. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

A new softball stadium and locker room at McKinley High School have been sitting idle even though construction was completed last December. While there’s nothing wrong with either facility, it will be a several more months before they’ll be used, school officials said. KHON2.

Former Kaiser High School Principal John Sosa, who was abruptly placed on leave last fall as the Department of Education conducted an internal investigation, says he still hasn't been told of the accusations against him. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Deputy County Clerk Maile David found herself the topic of discussion on both sides of the hallway Wednesday, as the Ethics Board finalized an advisory opinion allowing her to keep her job while running for election, and the County Council mulled cutting her salary in half because her duties are curtailed. West Hawaii Today.

County road striping crews will continue doing their work the old-fashioned way, following a 2-7 County Council vote Wednesday denying the lease of a road-striping truck. The amendment was one of a handful of amendments council members mulled while moving Mayor Billy Kenoi’s $416.9 million budget forward on a 9-0 vote. West Hawaii Today.

Third Circuit Court Judge Greg Nakamura issued the final judgment in the Thirty Meter Telescope case May 5. The release of the final judgment, where Nakamura ruled in favor of the Thirty Meter Telescope project, means the six petitioners arguing the state erred when issuing a conservation district land use permit for construction of what is poised to be one of the world’s largest telescopes atop Mauna Kea will have 30 days to file a notice or intent to appeal to the Hawaii Supreme Court. West Hawaii Today.

East Hawaii bowlers are expecting the worst after Hilo Lanes abruptly closed about two weeks ago. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Two meetings are planned on Maui following public concerns raised over a letter sent from the top executive at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to the US Department of State, seeking an opinion on the legal status of Hawai‘i under international law. Maui Now.

Diana Crow, a horticulturist at Ulupalakua Ranch, has helped release more than 10,000 Madagascan fireweed moths and larvae over the past year on Maui to combat a toxic plant overwhelming island pastures. Maui News.

A group gathering signatures for an initiative to ban genetically modified organisms on Maui is being criticized for posting private voter information on its website. Associated Press.

Complaints have surfaced about a SHAKA Movement effort to gather thousands of voters' names on a petition seeking a citizens' initiative on the Nov. 4 ballot for a moratorium on genetically modified organisms in Maui County. Maui News.

After a less-than-60-day closure, West Maui's Mala Ramp is slated to reopen to boaters this morning, state officials said. Maui News.

Kauai

On the third day, increases continued. The Kauai County Council on Wednesday approved a set of tax and fee hikes intended to balance the county’s budget and avoid projected dips in funding for public access and open space projects over the next fiscal year. Garden Island.

Bees have buzzed their way into the budget. The Kauai County Council voted unanimously Wednesday to fund a measure to protect the island’s black and yellow pollinators. Garden Island.

Atrazine expert and University of California Berkeley professor Tyrone Hayes returns to Kauai to speak on the polarizing issue of pesticides. Known for his research related to Syngenta’s chemical herbicide atrazine, Hayes will take the stage for the free event at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center in Puhi. Garden Island.

An open house and public information meeting will be held next week to discuss a proposed road that would run from Hanamaulu to Puhi. If pursued, it would be built in phases on former cane haul roads. The meeting is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the King Kaumualii Elementary School cafeteria, 4380 Hanamaulu Road. Garden Island.

Molokai

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard visited the Friendly Isle of Molokaʻi on Tuesday where she recognized students, visited with veterans, and talked story with business owners. Maui Now.

Flossie downgraded after flustering Hawaiian Islands, schools lose high-risk status, Maui News erecting paywall, Hanabusa aide allegedly broke campaign law, artists sought to honor Mink, Inouye, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii County emergency operations center, courtesy Mayor Billy Kenoi

The worst of what is now Tropical Depression Flossie has now passed through most of the state, bringing thunderstorms and dangerously high surf but sparing most islands from serious storm related damage. Hawaii News Now.

Strong wind and heavy rain from Tropical Depression Flossie resulted in more than 80 flight cancellations to and from the islands Monday, preventing some visitors from starting their Hawaii vacations and keeping others from going home. Star-Advertiser.

Airlines have canceled flights in and out of Hawaii due to Tropical Storm Flossie. Powerful winds and heavy rains have left many visitors stranded or unable to get here. Hawaii Public Radio.

Even as Flossie drifts away and dissipates to a remnant of a tropical storm, she leaves behind ample moisture to cause thunderstorms this afternoon and heavy rain Wednesday in Honolulu, forecasters said. Star-Advertiser.

Although the state received a drenching and strong winds, Hawaii benefited, as it has in the past, from high-altitude wind shear that took the top off the storm along with some of its dangerous punch, experts say. Star-Advertiser.

A week before most of Hawaii’s students return to school, the state education department was cleared from its “high-risk” status that had threatened a $75 million grant targeted for reforming struggling schools. Associated Press.

The U.S. Department of Education has lifted a restriction on a $75 million federal grant that had raised doubts about Hawaii’s ability to improve low-performing public schools. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii State Department of Education’s four-year, $75 million Race to the Top grant is no longer considered high risk after a recent evaluation from the U.S. Department of Education, according to a Monday announcement. Pacific Business News.

Hanabusa Aide May Have Mixed Campaign and Congressional Work. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and Arts is putting out an international call for artists to create art in honor of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye and U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink. The foundation says the state Legislature passed a measure to commission sculptures honoring Inouye and Mink to go near the state Capitol. The Legislature instructed that $250,000 be spent for each work. Associated Press.

State Rep. Karen Awana still owes $800 in fines for failing to keep campaign spending records and filing false reports dating back to 2008. The four-term Democrat has $16,000 in her campaign account, which she could have used to complete the delinquent payments months ago. Civil Beat.

A Hawaiian Electric Co. report outlining its strategy for meeting the energy needs of its customers fell short in several areas and did not adequately address the impact of the rapid growth of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems on the utility's grid, according to consultant hired by state regulators to oversee the planning process. Star-Advertiser.

The independent expert hired by state regulators to oversee Hawaiian Electric Co.’s energy planning process is refusing to certify the utility's five-year energy plans, saying the company's work was shoddy despite what's expected to be an $11 million effort. Civil Beat.

State roundup for July 30. Associated Press.

Oahu

Paradise lost: Honolulu taxpayers drowning in crystal clear sea of debt. Hawaii Reporter.

The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Hawaii's Wastewater Treatment Plant at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam has reported that a clogged sand filtration polishing system touched off two partial bypasses — one last night and one today — at the effluent sand filtration system overflow weir. During the bypass incidents, the plant discharged a total of about 18,000 gallons of fully treated and disinfected secondary effluent through its deep multiport outfall without polishing effluent sand filtration. Star-Advertiser.

A defense attorney suggested Monday that a key prosecution witness knew that State Department Special Agent Christopher Deedy was a law enforcement officer when the witness said he initially thought the agent was carrying a Taser electronic stun gun. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Tropical Storm Flossie is expected to continue to fizzle as it moves westward after barely brushing the Big Island on Monday. Stephens Media.

The threat of Tropical Storm Flossie cost taxpayers more than $350,000 in lost worker productivity and it inconvenienced residents when garbage transfer stations were closed and public bus service suspended, but Mayor Billy Kenoi on Monday afternoon maintained a “better safe than sorry” stance. Stephens Media.

A federal judge indicated she will rule by Wednesday whether she or the jury should allow Hawaii island cannabis advocate Roger Christie to use a religious freedom defense at his marijuana trial. U.S. District Judge Leslie Koba­ya­shi heard arguments Monday by federal prosecutors who want her to rule that the defense under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act doesn't apply. Star-Advertiser.

Researchers at the University of Hawaii and the U.S. Department of Agriculture try to resolve vexing questions about how to deal with coffee berry borer beetles, an unwelcome new species that came to the state and quickly began to devastate Kona’s coffee crop. Civil Beat.

It was around 11 p.m. Sunday, and the dozens of families camping in tents at Keaukaha Beach Park had largely packed up and gone home in anticipation of Tropical Storm Flossie’s expected arrival. Stephens Media.

Maui

Maui Electric Company officials say 4,400 customers were brought back online overnight following multiple power outages reported across the island. Maui Now.

The Maui News set to launch all-digital access next month. Nonsubscribers will be able to view the beginning of each story.

Haleakala National Park is in the midst of repairing all seven visitor parking lots after "decades of wear," but the project is creating challenges for those who make the trek up the 10,000-foot mountain. Maui News.

Celebrating its fourth year of protecting fish along 2 miles of West Maui coastline, dozens of volunteers and officials with the Kahekili Herbivore Fishery Management Area gathered Sunday morning for food, entertainment and a seaweed-eating competition. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai’s Westside could feel the most of what remains of the diminishing power of Flossie as it passes west of the island today. At about 5 p.m. Monday, the tropical storm was downgraded to a tropical depression, but a flash flood watch remained in effect for Kauai and Niihau. Garden Island.

On the eastern edge of Hanalei Bay, next to the St. Regis Princeville Resort, lies a hidden piece of ancient Hawaiian history — the remnants of a 600-year-old fishpond. Garden Island.