State could employ cameras to nab speeders, school facilities director resigns after legislative backlash, shaka advances as official gesture, more news from all the Hawaiian islands

Bills focus on cameras to cite speeding drivers. A bill proposing a traffic enforcement system using cameras at fixed locations with posted warning signs and possibly managed by private contractors was advanced Tuesday by an initial House of Representatives committee and is scheduled for a second public hearing Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Police Chiefs, Honolulu Mayor And Prosecutor Join Forces Against Legalizing Recreational Weed. Proponents of a bill that would legalize recreational use of marijuana in Hawaii say support from the Attorney General's Office means it may actually pass this year. Civil Beat. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi Health Department monitoring proposed ban on sale of menthol cigarettes. According to the DOH, most recent cigarette-use data shows that nearly 87% of Native Hawaiians and 84% of Filipinos who smoke use menthol cigarettes. Maui Now.

Hawaii School Facilities Authority Director Chad Farias Steps Down From Post. Riki Fujitani will serve as interim executive director of the School Facilities Authority, tasked with overseeing the construction and completion of school projects. Civil Beat.

New Deputy Director for Correctional Institutions appointed in Hawai’i. The Hawai’i Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced the appointment of the new Deputy Director for Correctional Institutions, Pamela Sturz. Maui Now.

State Buildings, UH Campuses May Provide Period Products For Free. Supporters say it would be an important step toward gender equity since too many people aren't able to buy menstrual products. Civil Beat.

A bill to claim the shaka as Hawaii’s official state gesture moves forward. Historians trace the most well-known origin story back to the 1940s ′s when Sugar mill worker Hamana Ka-lili used to wave with only his pinky and thumb after losing his three right middle fingers in an industrial accident in Laie. Hawaii News Now. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Board of Water Supply drills new well to monitor aquifer. The Board of Water Supply began drilling a new monitoring well in Halawa Valley this week that will help determine how much contamination there is in the aquifer from the Red Hill fuel leak. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Navy holds final community open house as defueling nears end, closure process begins. More than two years after the disastrous fuel spill at Red Hill, the military is in its final weeks of cleanup. Hawaii News Now.

How Much Housing Should Be Allowed In Oahu’s Business Districts? The City Council is considering a bill that would expand the number of mixed-use districts in Honolulu amid a worsening housing crisis. Civil Beat.

Planners mull extension to find new landfill site. The Honolulu Planning Commission says it will soon decide on the city’s request for a two-year extension to find an alternate site for the 34-year-old Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Kapolei. Star-Advertiser.

HPD plans to appoint officer as spokesperson. The Honolulu Police Department once again will use a uniformed officer as official spokesperson as part of Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan’s plan to improve transparency and public communication. Star-Advertiser.

UH selects developer to design new film studio in West Oʻahu. Island Film Group's team, which has local and national expertise, will work with SHM Partners, Hawaii Media Inc. and CR50 Production Ventures to design, build and finance the private film studio. Hawaii Public Radio.

Cultural reaction spurs new name, Ka La‘i, for ex-Trump hotel in Waikiki. Trump’s surname came off the Trump International Hotel, Waikiki, and was replaced Wednesday by a new name Ka La‘i Waikiki Beach, which references the feeling of calm, serenity and tranquility that homeowners and guests feel through the aloha of the property’s ohana. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

New Bill Funding Puna Alternate Routes Study Advanced By Council. After a previous bill to fund a Puna Makai Alternate Route study failed at the previous council meeting, Bill 131 was given a positive recommendation. Big Island Video News. Tribune-Herald.

Kona Vistas draws more opposition: Concerns raised during meeting of state Land Use Commission. The proposed 450-unit Kona Vistas multiple-family housing project planned mauka of Queen Kaahumanu Highway, between Kona Vistas and Pualani Estates subdivisions, includes 174 two- and three-bedroom rental units with a manager’s unit in two-story units and an additional 274 two- and three-bedroom for-sale units in clusters of two- and three-story buildings, also with a manager’s unit. West Hawaii Today.

The State Placed A Foster Teen With A Young, Single Man — And Failed To Tell Her Mom. Sarah Coultas only found out about the placement by chance two and a half months later, despite a state regulation requiring parents to be informed. Civil Beat.

Settlement reached in Hilo case involving DLNR officer: Assault will cost state $1.25M. Companion bills in the state Legislature that appropriate money to settle claims against the state and its employees contain $1.25 million for a Hilo woman who was sexually assaulted when she was a teenager on a Hilo beach by a Department of Land and Natural Resources enforcement officer. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui wildfire survivors mark six months since the deadly disaster. Six months after the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire, survivors today are likely to reach an emotional low that could last for months. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. KITV4.

Council panel recommends confirmation of Kate Blystone as planning director. Kate Blystone won a recommendation for confirmation as Department of Planning director in an 8-1 vote Tuesday afternoon from the Maui County Council’s Government Relations, Ethics and Government Transparency Committee. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County releases list of verified firearm instructors. Those interested in obtaining a license to carry a firearm or permit to acquire a firearm may now find a list of verified firearm instructors on the Kaua‘i Police Department webpage. Kauai Now.

Public invited to workshop for Waimea 400 Affordable Housing project. This workshop will share more information and gather input from the community on the different types of housing the public would like to see at Waimea 400. Kauai Now.

A peaceful coexistence at Barking Sands. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Louis Lea of the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands said there has been a significant comeback of the nene through the help of statewide conservation efforts. PMRF has documented as many as 637 individual nene. Garden Island.

 

Hawaii PPP recipients include Trump hotel, hospitals, newspapers; police reform bill passes Legislature; Ige warns of financial crisis, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Trump hotel in Waikiki ©2020 All Hawaii News

Trump Hotel In Waikiki Received Millions From Small Business Bailout. While President Donald Trump doesn’t own the property, he does license his name to the California company that does. Civil Beat.

Over 3,000 Hawaii PPP loan recipients named in transparency effort. A jewelry store chain, two hospitals and a private school are among the biggest Paycheck Protection Program loan recipients in Hawaii, according to data released Monday. A condominium-hotel tower in Waikiki affiliated with President Donald Trump also has benefited from the program, the data shows. Star-Advertiser.

These Hawaii Businesses Got Federal Loans During The Pandemic. The U.S. government finally released the names of companies participating in federal coronavirus relief programs after months of obfuscation. Civil Beat.

Federal loans helped keep thousands of Hawaii businesses afloat during pandemic. More than 24,000 Hawaii-based businesses and non-profit organizations applied for federal loans to help keep employees paid during the coronavirus pandemic, according to data released by the U.S. Department of the Treasury on Monday. Hawaii News Now.


Explore the SBA data on businesses that received PPP loans. Washington Post.

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Does Hawaii Have A Grip On COVID-19? Health officials are expressing concern over a recent spike in cases, but say Hawaii has the capacity it needs to scale back the travel quarantine. Civil Beat.

Surge in cases elsewhere forcing state leaders to reassess reopening plan set for Aug. 1. Hawaii is still planning on allowing tourists without a mandatory quarantine on August 1, provided they get a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of landing and that test is negative. But Governor David Ige admitted in a press conference Monday afternoon that the surge in cases from other states is concerning. Hawaii News Now.

Ige outlines features of new financial plan to cope with COVID-19 pandemic. In light of the looming financial challenges, Ige said the state is seeking a loan from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, implemented a hiring freeze, is working with state agencies on possible reductions and wants to stop non-personnel expenditures. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii’s state government is facing a ‘financial crisis’. Hawaii’s state government is facing a $2.3 billion loss in revenue over the next two fiscal years as it prepares to invite trans-Pacific travelers back to the islands Aug. 1. Star-Advertiser.

State facing $2.3B in lost tax revenue due to coronavirus pandemic. The financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Hawaii is beginning to come into focus, Gov. David Ige said Monday ― and the picture isn’t pretty. Hawaii News Now.

State facing massive projected budget shortfalls, increasing to $6.4 billion in 2026.  Governor David Ige warned the state of Hawaii Monday that there is a budget shortfall of $2.3 billion looming in the fiscal year 2021, but projections forward are more daunting. KHON2.

Governor Warns Of Future Financial Challenges. Hawaiʻi revenues are expected to drop by $2.3 billion in fiscal years 2020-21, says the Council of Revenues, forcing the State to consider potential cuts. Big Island Video News.

‘Looming Financial Crisis’ Ahead for Hawai‘i as Tax Revenues Plummet. The Council on Revenues predicts Hawai‘i will lose out on $2.3 billion in tax revenues over the next 12 to 15 months. Big Island Now.

Gov. Ige Outlines How COVID-19 Has Impacted the State’s Finances. During the pandemic more than 200,000 residents lost their jobs and filed for unemployment. Maui Now.

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Police reform bill passes; law would require county departments to disclose identity of an officer upon suspension. The Legislature passed a police reform bill Monday that would make public the identities of police officers who have been suspended or discharged, putting them on equal footing with other public agency employees. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Legislature Removes Police Exemption For Misconduct Cases. The bill now goes to Gov. David Ige who can approve it, veto it or let it become law without his signature. Civil Beat.

Police accountability bill headed to Ige’s desk. A bill that would identify fired or suspended county police officers is headed to Gov. David Ige’s desk. West Hawaii Today.

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Hawaii Senate committee rejects Gov. Ige’s pick for state director of finance. The Senate Ways and Means Committee this morning voted to reject the appointment of state Director of Finance Craig Hirai, the second time in a week that one of Gov. David Ige’s cabinet appointments has been jeopardized by Senate push-back. Star-Advertiser.

Senate committee recommends rejection of Ige’s BLNR nominee. A state Senate committee voted Monday to recommend against confirming Gov. David Ige’s nominee to represent Hawaii Island on the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. Tribune-Herald.

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Substitute teachers’ unemployment benefits in limbo in Hawaii. When public schools shut down in Hawaii in March, substitute teachers were able to file for unemployment insurance, but that money stopped flowing in June. Star-Advertiser.

Advocates: Lack Of Interpreter Services At Unemployment Office Is Illegal. Immigrants and people who don’t speak English have had a hard time accessing unemployment benefits. Civil Beat.

COVID-19 clusters form after people skip masks, distance. State health officials said Monday that recent clusters of the coronavirus detected in Hawaii have been associated with people not wearing masks and not social distancing. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Updates: 7 New COVID-19 Cases; Mayor Says Spike In Oahu Cases 'Concerning'. The state's total case count now stands at 1,030 with 19 deaths. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Updates For Monday, July 6. One new case of COVID-19 was reported on Hawaiʻi Island at noon on Monday, part of the 7 new cases reported statewide. Big Island Video News.

Oahu

Warnings, citations given on Oahu for face mask violations.  On Oahu, Honolulu Police tells us from July 3-5 it has issued 108 warnings and 2 citations for face mask violations. KHON2.

Local security companies say they're being asked to help enforce COVID-19 guidelines. Star Protection Agency and Securitas tell KITV4 that they're being asked to help make sure customers wear face masks and follow other guidelines issued by Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell. KITV4.

Gyms battle germs as officials consider rollbacks of high-risk businesses. There’s a cluster of 9 coronavirus cases that has been linked to an unnamed but temporarily closed Oahu gym, and Governor Ige said Monday that gyms may be the type of business that could shut down down again if positive tests continue to rise. Hawaii News Now.

Judge blocks auction of Abigail Kawananakoa’s belongings. An auction of 94-year-old Campbell Estate heiress Abigail Kawananakoa’s belongings can’t go forward until a conservator is named to handle her finances, a judge ruled Monday. Associated Press.

Punahou School prepares to welcome back students on-campus in August. Due to COVID-19, instruction went online back in March and it has remained that way during the summer. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Plea deal still on table in alleged child starvation. A plea deal is still in the works for a 52-year-old Hilo man accused of starving his 9-year-old daughter to death more than four years ago. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Dairy milks any business it can get. As sales decline during pandemic, Surfing Goat Dairy fights to stay afloat. Maui News.

Kanaha Hotel opening pushed back a year. Public meeting to be held on formerly named Windward Hotel. Maui News.

Kauai

Newest cases travel related. Two new positive cases of COVID-19 were announced by the Kaua‘i District Health Office on Monday, bringing the cumulative total to 42 cases, with the number. Garden Island.

New life for Alekoko Fishpond. For the first time in over half a century, The Alekoko Fishpond is clear of adult mangrove. Garden Island.

Senate president's son now a lobbyist, vacation rentals eat into hotel profits, BLT Steak restaurant in Trump Tower cited by Health Department, dead baby humpback washes up off Kauai, national parks reopen, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Trump International Hotel Waikiki ©2019 All Hawaii News

Hotel units drop as vacation rental units fuel growth. Hawaii’s visitor accommodation units grew just a smidge in 2018 with growth in vacation rentals and timeshares offsetting a dip in the state’s larger supply of traditional lodging. Star-Advertiser.

The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii has hired the son of Senate President Ron Kouchi as its new assistant vice president for government affairs and alliances, which some at the state Capitol fear could mean trouble this year for proposals to increase Hawaii’s minimum wage. Star-Advertiser.

House Speaker Scott Saiki says he works well with Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald despite tension over court decisions that sparked a turf fight between the two branches. Civil Beat.

"Tax Season" started Monday. It's the first big test of the state's new "E-Filing" system. The upgrade to the tax department's website is intended to make it quicker to file, and should make it easier for the state to track people who don't pay their taxes. KITV.

A bill that would allow restaurant owners to decide whether dogs are allowed on their premises has been introduced at the Hawaii State Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

A House bill introduced this session aims to arm student journalists in Hawaii’s public high schools with greater First Amendment protections. Civil Beat.

Representative Roy M. Takumi, Chair of the House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee, introduced a package of bills in an effort to protect consumers. KHON2.

Lawmaker proposing no down payment on a home for returning kamaaina. KHON2.

The effort to control non-native species in Hawaii was dealt a significant setback by the 35-day partial shutdown of the federal government. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

East Honolulu voters might learn today or Wednesday when and how they’ll cast a vote for their City Council member, City Clerk Glen Takahashi said Monday. Star-Advertiser.

The upcoming Special Election for the Honolulu City Council District 4 seat has not been scheduled. But the candidates aren’t waiting to go back on the campaign trail. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Honolulu City Council is now required to temporarily fill the City Council District 4 seat left vacant after the Hawaii Supreme Court invalidated Trevor Ozawa's win over Tommy Waters. KITV.

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The state Office of Planning's Coastal Zone Management Program is developing comprehensive high-resolution Tsunami Design Zone maps for the Island of Oahu. KHON2.

Officials with the city climate office toured the island over the past few months to spread public awareness of the issue and gather feedback on ways to reduce emissions. Civil Beat.

Over the past decade, crime against the elderly on Oahu has shot up 300 percent. Hawaii News Now.

A Hawaii Kai man sued the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Monday along with several other DLNR law enforcement officers over an aggressive boat seizure in 2017. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Disability Treatment Center For Kids Will Close. Civil Beat.

State health inspectors have issued a yellow placard to an upscale steak house at Trump International Hotel in Waikiki after finding a number of serious violations. Hawaii News Now.

A $70 million 120-bed home veterans home planned for about seven acres of a 26-acre state-owned parcel across from the Walmart store in Kapolei must choose a general contractor by March to meet Veterans Administration deadlines or risk losing nearly two-thirds of the project’s federal funding. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park returned to normal operations Monday after more than a month of partial closures during the shutdown of the federal government. Tribune-Herald.

The possibility of creating a future Hawaiian cultural and/or educational center somewhere on the higher elevations of Mauna Kea was discussed during a recent informational briefing at the Capitol. Big Island Video News.

State Senators are hoping to pass a bill this legislative session that will establish a Hawaii Airports Corporation, as lawmakers question some of the issues at Hilo International Airport. Big Island Video News.

As little fire ants continue to swarm West Hawaii, the state inches closer to fortifying permanent reinforcements to combat the invasive species on the Big Island’s leeward side. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Park services at Haleakala getting back to normal after shutdown. Visitors center back in business; Pools of Oheo also open. Maui News.

Hilton Grand Vacations has started construction at the Maui Bay Villas, with work on the first phase slated for completion in the first quarter of 2021. Maui Now.

Kauai

A whale was reported dead on the beach in Kekaha Monday morning. Garden Island.

Five whale sightings reported at Princeville. Garden Island.

Recap of Trump's Hawaii visit, Navy to hold sonar scoping meetings this week, lieutenant governor race gets more crowded, Honolulu police to test body cams, sewage causing Maui reef ills, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Trump wears lei in Hawaii PC: Anthony Quintano/Civil Beat

Trump’s Hawaii Visit Inspires Supporters, But More Opponents. A lonely contingent of Honolulu Tea Party members were in a welcoming mood that wasn’t shared by people at a Capitol rally. Civil Beat.

Trump departs Hawaii for Japan after a short but busy visit. While in Hawaii, Trump did spend time talking to Hawaii’s government leaders and top military brass. On Friday, he met with the governors of Hawaii, Alaska and the Pacific U.S. territories. Trump and his advisers also attended a Friday briefing at Camp Smith with the commanders of Pacific Air Forces, U.S. Army Pacific, Marine Forces Pacific and other brass. He also got a private briefing later in the day. Star-Advertiser.


President Donald Trump visited one of his Trump-branded properties in Hawaii on Saturday shortly before he was scheduled to depart for Japan amid his 13-day trip to Asia. Politico.

President Donald Trump paid a solemn visit Friday to Pearl Harbor and its memorial to the USS Arizona, a hallowed place he said he had read about, discussed and studied but had never visited until just before opening his first official visit to Asia. Associated Press.

President Donald Trump is naming two of his local campaign supporters, Allen Frenzel and Gigi N. Jones, to oversee much of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s operations in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

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Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is quietly putting his political weight behind the re-election campaign of Gov. David Ige in an alliance that appears to have already shifted some key Caldwell campaign staffers into the Ige camp. Star-Advertiser.

Former BOE member running for lieutenant governor. Former Board of Education member Kim Coco Iwamoto announced Sunday she is running for lieutenant governor to bring “courageous, compassionate leadership” to the office and “to set a tone of accountability that we are listening to the people.” Star-Advertiser.

Kim Coco Iwamoto announces bid for Lieutenant Governor. KITV.

The federal government wants to designate critical habitat for the endangered main Hawaiian Islands population of false killer whales. Garden Island.

U.S. Navy Holding Statewide Meetings. Navy officials will be presenting a draft environmental impact statement reevaluating potential impacts associated with ongoing military activities. Including: active sonar use and explosives while employing mitigation measures to protect marine life. Hawaii Public Radio.

The state’s largest health insurer says it has an estimated $20 million a year in “excessive and unnecessary” costs due to nonprofits paying health insurance premiums for patients, some of whom are on dialysis and could be covered by government health plans. Star-Advertiser.

Congressional Crackdown On The Shark Fin Trade. Harvesting shark fins has long been prohibited but loopholes in their sale has allowed an underground trade to continue. Civil Beat.

Upgraded Website Provides Updates on Beach Water Quality. Big Island Now.

New advocacy group aims to put kids first in educational policy. Star-Advertiser.

Quarrel at PUC meeting sparks discussion on conduct. An an unusual use of taxpayer money, the state Public Utilities Commission met Thursday to discuss an argument that broke out between a state worker and an attorney at an informal industry meeting Oct. 11. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Ruth’s Chris restaurants changing ownership. Ruth’s Hospitality Group Inc. said Friday it is acquiring the six Hawaii Ruth’s Chris Steak House locations from franchise partner Desert Island Restaurants for about $35 million. Star-Advertiser.

Ruth’s Hospitality Group Inc. said Friday that it is acquiring six Hawaii Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants from franchisee Desert Island Restaurants for approximately $35 million in cash. Pacific Business News.

Real estate firm Coldwell Pacific buys rival. The firm announced Friday that it acquired the Oahu operations of Century 21 All Islands Fine Homes & Estates, which includes four offices and about 150 agents. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The Navy is holding a public meeting today as it re-evaluates the environmental impacts of training, research and testing — particularly from sonar and explosive sound effects on marine animals — over a wide swath of ocean between Southern California and the Hawaiian Islands. Star-Advertiser.

HPD to start bodycam pilot program. Honolulu Police Department's body camera pilot program is set to begin Monday following an initial delay. Hawaii News Now.

Explosive Motion Calls For Ouster Of Kealoha Attorneys. The Justice Department claims conflicts of interest should disqualify defense attorneys Myles Breiner and Kevin Sumida. Civil Beat.

Officer Charged In Corruption Case Challenges Police Commission. Minh-Hung “Bobby” Nguyen says the city should be paying for his legal defense against a related lawsuit. Civil Beat.

Missing School Has Become A Huge Problem in Hawaii. A Waianae school, where 40 percent of students are chronically absent, is trying home visits and a partnership with family court to keep kids in class. Civil Beat.

Public comments sought for Blaisdell Center face-lift. City officials are inviting the public to a third and final workshop next week for commenting on a plan to improve Blaisdell Center by renovating some parts and redeveloping other parts of the 53-year-old complex. Star-Advertiser.

Flashing lights, raised curbs among added pedestrian safety improvements in Waimanalo. Hawaii News Now.

'Dear Mayor': Students write letters asking for new lights at North Shore park. KITV.

A large fishing boat that ran aground off Waikiki three weeks ago is again raising concerns about safety. KHON2.

No Water For The Homeless At The Waianae Boat Harbor Camp. A repaving project at the boat harbor has been long planned but no one told homeless campers next door their water was being shut off. Civil Beat.


Home sales on Oahu saw a “healthy uptick” in the number of sales in October, compared to the same month last year, as the median price of a single-family home and condominium nudged up slightly, according to a report by Honolulu-based real estate firm Locations LLC. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Vacation house rules in works: Regulating ‘unhosted’ rentals seen as way to preserve housing for residents. Tribune-Herald.

Kawa revisited: Community groups, county grants in play five years after Lui eviction. West Hawaii Today.

Online auction and sales giant eBay has removed numerous listings advertising the sale of sand purported to be from Hawaii beaches, including iconic Papakolea Beach — also known as Green Sands Beach — after the Tribune-Herald inquired about the sand sales. Tribune-Herald.

State evaluates West Hawaii roads, says 4 miles classify as ‘poor’. On a given day, more than 16,000 cars come along this road, bringing travelers along the Mamalahoa Kona Heritage Corridor as it winds its way along the slopes of Hualalai through towns like Kainaliu, passing by historic buildings through Kona’s coffeelands. West Hawaii Today.

Nonemergencies put strain on hospital ER. Nearly one of every three Hilo emergency room patients isn’t actually experiencing a medical emergency. Tribune-Herald.

A Kona coffee farmer organization is complaining to state regulators that a California company is misleading consumers over the quantity of premium-priced Kona beans in a line of cold-brew coffee drinks. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s only exotic animal sanctuary receives full re-accreditation. Hawaii News Now.

A year-long, $4.2 million, capital improvement construction project is underway at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Study links treated sewage to reef degradation. A new study by federal scientists has found that discharge from a sewage treatment facility in West Maui for years has been drastically undermining the coral reefs off Kahekili Beach Park. Star-Advertiser.

Affordable Housing Bill Introduced on Maui. A new bill has been introduced to the Maui County Council, proposing that housing be kept affordable for an extended period through deed restrictions. Maui Now.

Property tax bills move forward. The Maui County Council gave first reading approval Friday to two bills that would affect property tax classifications for short-term rentals, which some fear could lead to higher taxes. Maui News.

Rep. Kaniela Ing to Announce Run for Higher Office. State Representative Kaniela Saito Ing of Maui will hold a press conference on Monday to officially announce his 2018 candidacy for higher office. Maui Now.

Census says: Maui population growing, aging, working longer. Maui County’s population increased 17 percent from 2006 to 2016 with Hispanic and Latino people representing the fastest growing race, according to 2016 U.S. Census Bureau surveys released recently. Maui News.

Kauai

Navy meeting is on environmental impacts of testing, training. The Navy is taking another look at how training exercises are affecting the Pacific environment, and a meeting is set for Wednesday in Lihue to talk about it. Garden Island.

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative’s renewable energy project is taking another step forward, as KIUC has issued a request for qualifications for services and equipment supplies for the Pu‘u Opae Energy Project. Garden Island.

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative has issued a request for qualifications — called an RFQ — from companies that can provide services and equipment for the Pu‘u ‘Opae Energy Project. The RFQ is intended to draw responses from as many interested parties as possible for engineering, equipment supply and construction services. Star-Advertiser.

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative will receive a loan of more than $60 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to build and upgrade more than 70 miles of powerlines and support smart grid and other projects. Garden Island.

The sterilization clinic at Kauai Humane Society is opening its doors back up to the public on Tuesday. Garden Island.

Hawaii lawmakers grill Obamacare health exchange head, Trump developer sued, campaign finance in federal court, Awana fined again, truancy can't be stopped, Oahu charities get grants, Hawaii County can't help department head, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Health Connector briefing courtesy House majority

The head of the $205 million Hawaii Health Connector pledged to get medical plans and prices on the state’s health insurance exchange by Tuesday, two weeks after the Oct. 1 scheduled start of open enrollment. Executive Director Coral Andrews apologized Wednesday for the software problems that continue to plague the website where consumers were supposed to be able to compare policies, get rates and enroll as of last week. Star-Advertiser.

It's been more than a week since the Hawaii Health Connector launched with a major glitch -- no way yet for consumers to compare and buy health insurance and avoid federal penalties. On Wednesday, lawmakers grilled them about what went wrong, while the Connector says a fix should be up within a week. KHON2.

One week after the debut of the Hawaii Health Connector, its Executive Director sat before a Senate Health Committee, apologizing and asking for understanding. KITV.

A three-judge federal appeals panel on Wednesday heard a challenge to Hawaii's campaign-finance law, questioning lawyers about the ban on political contributions by state and county contractors and the spending threshold for triggering disclosure requirements. Legal experts caution against reading too much into the judges' questions at such hearings. But the judges did appear skeptical about claims that the contribution ban on contractors, passed by the state Legislature in 2005 in response to the "pay to play" scandals, is unconstitutional. Star-Advertiser.

Awana

The state Campaign Spending Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to fine state Rep. Karen Awana $8,590 for campaign finance violations. The fine — Awana's fourth since 2011 — was for filing false or inaccurate disclosure reports, untimely deposits of campaign contributions and failure to keep campaign finance records. The representative was urged to pay the fine within a year. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission on Wednesday fined state Rep. Karen Awana for the fourth time since 2011. The four-term Oahu Democrat had just paid off the last $800 that she owed from previous fines, completely draining her campaign account this week and paying a portion out of pocket. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Campaign Spending Commissioners sanctioned Rep. Karen Awana on Wednesday, issuing the maximum fine of $8,590 against her for 54 violations of the state’s campaign spending law. Hawaii Reporter.

Teachers, in many cases, can't do much about frequently truant students. That is because few schools have a mandatory attendance requirement and teachers are expressly prohibited from grading students based on attendance. It might seem surprising, but the Hawaii Department of Education doesn’t specify a minimum number of instructional days that middle and high school students must be present in order to be eligible to pass their courses. Civil Beat.

In 2043, Honolulu will probably be off-the-charts hot — permanently. Oahu’s residents and its unique, fragile ecosystem will likely enter a scorching new reality with grave impacts to the natural environment. That’s according to a University of Hawaii study on global warming that started as a graduate-level course project and now is getting national attention. It pinpoints the probable dates for when cities and ecosystems around the world will regularly experience hotter environments the likes of which they have never seen before. Star-Advertiser.

Climate change will begin within a generation, according to a study published Wednesday by researchers at the University of Hawaii. The UH group determined that the world's climate will change sometime in the year 2047. Hawaii News Now.

University of Hawaii’s Michael Liu said his team of astronomers’ latest discovery of an exotic young planet not orbiting around a star will lead to more discoveries in the future. Tribune-Herald.

The number people in Hawaii suffering liver damage linked to taking a dietary supplement for weight loss or muscle gain is now at 30, with the majority of cases on Oahu, state Department of Health officials said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Some 20,000 civilian Department of Defense employees in Hawaii -- and more than 350,000 workers nationwide --- shouldn't have been ordered off the job last week due to a new law that provided for funding for their pay, according to Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa. Hawaii News Now.

Members of the military have been neighbors in the islands since long before Hawaii was a state. And today, they continue their presence around the islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Eleven Oahu nonprofit agencies learned Wednesday they will get a slice of the city’s $5.1 million grants-in-aid pie because of a City Council decision to increase the number of organizations selected to benefit from the new fund. Forty-one other nonprofits that had already been awaiting grants found out their slices of the pie will be considerably smaller than expected under the plan proffered by City Council Chairman Ernie Martin and approved Wednesday with a 7-1 vote. Star-Advertiser.

Donating to charity is supposed to be a fuzzy, feel-good experience. This hasn’t been the case at Honolulu Hale. A protracted political debateover which nonprofits are worthy of taxpayer subsidies has soured relationships inside city hall. It’s also raised questions about equity and fairness. Civil Beat.

One month after 233,000 gallons of molasses spilled into Honolulu Harbor, Department of Land and Natural Resources officials are continuing to evaluate the full scope of damage to coral, fish and other marine life. Star-Advertiser.

One month after 233,000 gallons of molasses spilled into Honolulu Harbor, researchers have learned a little more about its impact on the coral and underwater ecosystem, but studies are ongoing to determine the full scope of damage. Hawaii News Now.

The buyer of four units at the Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk is suing the developer, Los Angeles-based Irongate, for breach of contract, claiming the developer failed to return the excess deposits and refused to instruct the escrow company to release the funds, according to a lawsuit filed recently in 1st Circuit Court in Honolulu. Pacific Business News.

Last night members of the Ko‘olau Loa communities from Kahuku to Ka‘a‘awa came to the Kahuku Intermediate School cafeteria to give testimony on Bill 47 before the Honolulu City Council Zoning and Planning Committee, chaired by Ikaika Anderson. If passed, the bill would put the Ko‘olauloa Sustainable Communities Plan into place. Hawaii Independent.

Hawaii

Although the mayor appointed her and the County Council confirmed her to head the Department of Environmental Management, Bobby Jean Leithead Todd must go it alone defending her qualifications for the position before a 3rd Circuit Court judge. Judge Ronald Ibarra on Sept. 26 denied Hawaii County’s motion to intervene in the challenge to Leithead Todd’s job that was filed by Councilwoman Brenda Ford, who represents South Kona and Ka‘u. West Hawaii Today.

A possible burial site is likely the cause of the latest delay in the Kawaihae Road intersection work at Queen Kaahumanu Highway. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

August's continuing trend of lower occupancy coupled with higher daily room rates in Maui resorts is part of a "stabilization" of the tourism market on the island, said the executive director of the Maui Visitors Bureau. Maui News.

County officials have announced a fall schedule for restroom repairs at four park facilities 0n Maui. The repair work will result in the closure of restrooms at respective locations, with portable toilets provided for public use during the repairs. Maui Now.

Kauai

Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.’s recommendation that the Kauai County Council defer Bill 2491 for two months stirred up a wide range of reactions Wednesday. If passed in its current form, the bill would require Kauai’s largest agricultural companies to disclose the presence and use of genetically modified crops and pesticides. It would also establish buffer zones around schools, hospitals, homes and other areas, and require the county to conduct a study on the health and environmental impacts of the industry. Provisions deleted from the bill last month include those that would have prohibited open-air testing of experimental pesticides and genetically modified organisms, established a permitting process and placed a temporary moratorium on the expansion of GMO fields. The Kauai County Council will resume its discussion of Bill 2491 at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the History County Building. Garden Island.

Representatives for CVS Longs Drugs overcame public opposition and a 13-hour meeting Tuesday to secure a set of permits from the Kauai Planning Commission to build a 23,200-square-foot retail store in Kapaa. Garden Island.

The coastal and nearshore areas surrounding the privately-owned island of Niihau may be considered for inclusion in the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Garden Island.

Molokai

Five members from Sisters of the Sacred Hearts from Rome, Italy — the same Catholic congregation as St. Damien — arrived on Molokai Thursday, Sept. 27, as part of their trip to visit other Sacred Heart provinces across the world. Molokai Dispatch.