Hawaii airfares rise, state lawmakers tackle hot schools, legislator continues fight against sex-ed class, UH cancer director keeps job, Honolulu councilman to run for state Senate, monitors planned near geothermal plant, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Airplane over Waikiki sunset (c) 2014 All Hawaii News

The chief executive of Hawaiian Airlines says airfares that have risen for travelers throughout Hawaii are reasonable given rises in fuel costs, government fees and other operating costs. Associated Press.

Ask most folks about the cost of an airline ticket these days, and they’ll tell you they’re too high. Cost too much. No reason for those airfares to be what they are, other than filling the pockets of CEOs. We have no choice here on Kauai, some say, so the airlines are sticking it to us. Mark Dunkerley says otherwise. Garden Island.

Hawaii’s blistering classrooms could soon see cooler days if state lawmakers decide to give public schools money this year for air conditioning, a rare commodity that’s lacking even in the hottest parts of the islands. Legislators on the education committees expect classroom cooling to get some buzz during the upcoming legislative session, which kicks off Jan. 15. Civil Beat.

About 640 children from low-income families across the state will be eligible to enroll in pre-kindergarten classes next year at 30 public school campuses that were announced Thursday by the state's Executive Office on Early Learning and the Department of Education. The plan is contingent on $4.5 million in state funding that legislators have yet to consider. But Gov. Neil Abercrombie says he's confident the Legislature will make the investment. Star-Advertiser.

It's a topic that's been on the table for quite some time -- a state-funded pre-kindergarten program for 4-year-olds. On Thursday, the state announced that it finally hopes to have one in place by August. KHON2.

A state House lawmaker complained Thursday that a pilot sex education curriculum for middle school students is not medically accurate or age appropriate, and deliberately minimizes the health risks of homosexual behavior. Pono Choices is part of the state Department of Education's abstinence-based sex education policy but also emphasizes condom use to reduce the risk of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The pilot curriculum is now in 12 schools, with eight other schools scheduled for training. Star-Advertiser.

There's more controversy over the state's Pono Choices sex education program. This time it involves one of the controversial curriculum's critics. Tito Montes, president of the Hawaii Republican Assembly, is under fire for calling a respected Hawaiian leader and cultural practicioner a "transvestite" and a "drag queen." Hawaii News Now.

Bob McDermott, it seems, is obsessed with anuses. In particular, the state legislator believes that the anus is not the same as a penis or a vagina because it isn't involved in making babies. Public schools should not teach kids in grades 6-8 that anal sex is appropriate behavior — something the Republican representing Ewa, Ewa Beach and Iroquois Point, argues is part of the "agenda" of a Department of Education sex-ed program called Pono Choices. Civil Beat.

There are 210 days left before the Primary Election and the race for Hawai’i’s U.S. Senate seat will be gearing up for what could be a close vote. Hawaii Public Radio.

The U.S. Attorney's office in Hawaii says it collected more than $2.4 million in civil and criminal actions for the 2013 fiscal year. U.S. Attorney Florence Nakakuni announced Thursday $1.5 million was collected in criminal actions and about $930,000 was collected in civil actions. Associated Press.

The Hawaii House and Senate majorities are planning to advance legislation this session that would put the state on a timetable to determine the potential impacts of climate change in Hawaii and implement policies to counteract them. Lawmakers met Thursday during an informational briefing at the state Capitol that was called in response to recent destructive coastal erosion on Oahu’s North Shore. Civil Beat.

Gordon Ito, insurance commissioner for the state of Hawaii, has an inbox filled with all matters relating to regulating insurance in the islands, with the exception of paying workers' compensation benefits. Earlier this week, the Insurance Division released rate guides for health, homeowner and car policies, posting them online (cca.hawaii.gov/ins). Star-Advertiser.

A new plan to calm a broadening controversy at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center won't solve the main problems, according to least a half-dozen faculty members who have spoken out, written letters or filed complaints with the university. Civil Beat.

Michele Carbone, the embattled director of the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, will retain his job under a revamped leadership team that will include a chief operating officer and senior adviser as well as new reporting lines, the university announced Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

State roundup for January 10. Associated Press.

Oahu
Honolulu City Councilman Breene Harimoto announced this week that he is forgoing a re-election bid this fall to run for the state Senate 16th District seat. Meanwhile, Harimoto legislative aide Brandon Ele­fante said he intends to run for the seat his boss is leaving behind. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu officials continue to negotiate with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development over how much money the city owes the federal agency for mismanaging grant funds that were given to a Central Oahu nonprofit. HUD just lowered their demand to $3 million. Civil Beat.

Reviews from the Waikiki community were mixed upon getting the first glimpse of the planned Ritz-Carlton Waikiki Beach Residences luxury tower and an adjacent second tower in their totality. The developer, PACREP LLC, held a community meeting Thursday night in Wai­kiki to respond to the community furor that broke out last month when it filed plans with the city to construct a 39-story tower at 2139 Kuhio Ave., which will be a stand-alone, 350-foot building with up to 280 units. Star-Advertiser.

“How do you musubi?” That’s the theme of 12 television commercials featuring Spam that Hormel Foods is filming in Hawaii, in partnership with Aloha Plate food truck and Cooking Hawaiian Style. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

The Windward Planning Commission made a small first step Thursday toward funding some of the recommendations of the geothermal working group. The commission’s agenda included requests from Mayor Billy Kenoi to tap the county’s geothermal asset fund for several of the group’s recommended projects, including the purchase of stationary and hand-held gas monitors. Tribune-Herald.

Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, has erupted many times — most recently three decades ago with lava coming within just miles of Hilo — and it will erupt again, posing a significant risk to those who call Hawaii Island home, a Hawaii Volcano Observatory geologist said Wednesday. But, the million dollar question remains: When is Mauna Loa going to erupt again? West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The County of Maui, Office of the Mayor in partnership with the state Department of Agriculture issued an urgent advisory this afternoon asking the public to check hāpuʻu tree ferns purchased on Maui over the last 12 months for little fire ants. Maui Now.

Despite a public notice and signs telling people to stay away, motorists are still trying to drive around the north side of West Maui and getting caught in a road-paving project area with no option except to turn around, Maui County officials said. Maui News.

Kauai

Little fire ants, considered one of the world’s smallest and nastiest invasive species, are back in the spotlight after turning up on Oahu and Maui last month. Garden Island.


Molokai

Students at Molokai High School will get science classroom labs up to state Department of Education standards to replace their makeshift ones in a construction project set to begin this year. Maui News.

Hawaii candidates enter federal races, Maui musician appointed to Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii County mayor mulls bag ban, economy, assisted suicide tax credits for film industry on lawmakers' plates, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Councilwoman and congressional candidate Tulsi Gabbard with Gov. Neil Abercrombie, courtesy photo

In recent years, Honolulu Councilwoman and congressional candidate Tulsi Gabbard has undergone what she describes as a "gradual metamorphosis" on social issues. Civil Beat.

An Oahu counselor will take on a former governor and a perennial GOP candidate for the Republican Party's U.S. Senate nomination. West Hawaii Today.

Lawmakers will head back to the state capitol for the 2012 session on January 18. KHON2.

"It's the economy, stupid" — the mantra Bill Clinton used in his 1992 election to the presidency — is the theme most heard around the halls of the state Capitol this month. Civil Beat.

Members of Maui County's state House delegation want to put more wind in the sails of the state's economic recovery. Maui News.

An obscure 1909 law intended to ease suffering of Hansen's disease patients does not make physician-assisted suicide legal in Hawaii, according to an opinion by the state attorney general's office. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers are working on crafting a bill that'll give movie and TV productions larger tax credits. KHON2.

Hawaiian Electric Co. could be in the political crosshairs this legislative session when it comes to energy policy. Civil Beat.

Last year, the big education issues at the Hawaii Legislature were instructional time, school bullying and the appointed Board of Education. Civil Beat.

State Department of Education officials traveled to D.C. to discuss what needs to be done to keep 75 million dollars in Hawai`i’s public schools. HPR spoke with one member of the team who traveled to D.C. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association has listed the polling places for members to vote to ratify a new six-year contract that includes a back-loaded pay raise and 50% contribution to medical insurance coverage seen in other state contracts. KITV4.

Military contractors and top commanders may have even more reason to be excited about all the talk of increasing the focus of U.S. military might the Pacific — it could translate to new construction work and additional troops in Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

State Roundup for Jan. 17. Associated Press.

Honolulu

Former Mayor Ben Cayetano will officially announce his candidacy for Honolulu mayor by the end of the week. Hawaii News Now.

Members of the Occupy Wall Street movement plan to gather Friday at the Prince Kuhio Federal Building in Honolulu and 79 other court houses across the country to rally against the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision by the U.S. Supreme Court issued two years ago. Hawaii Reporter.

For several Hawaii teachers and their families, the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. was more than a day off work and a chance to sleep in -- Monday was a chance to celebrate the life and legacy of the nation's most lauded leader of the civil rights movement. Star-Advertiser.

Neil Abercrombie was against the controversial Hoopili development before he was for it, according to environmentalists who said they met with him before the 2010 election. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

A bill banning plastic bags at the retail checkout stand will become law today if Mayor Billy Kenoi doesn't execute a last-minute veto. West Hawaii Today.

Median home prices fell across the island in 2011 to their lowest level in years. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Noted Hawaiian music performer Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey said Monday that she has been appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie to fill the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' vacant Maui seat. Maui News.

An advocate for people with disabilities said he's hoping to see Makawao's sidewalks become more wheelchair accessible - four years after he began working to bring about improvements. Maui News.

The State Department of Transportation will host a public meeting on Maui to discuss runway rehabilitation options at the Kahului Airport. Maui Now.

Kauai

Moviegoers saw a fair amount of the Garden Isle on the silver screen in 2011, but industry experts said Monday the Golden Globe-winning “The Descendants,” filmed partly on Kaua‘i, will boost tourism on the island. Garden Island.

First plantation, last homes. Tenants of a former Kauai sugar camp face eviction for a new development. Star-Advertiser.

The effect of genetically engineered foods on health and the environment is the topic of a free dinner and film presentation later this month in Kapa‘a. Garden Island.

Molokai

Hansen's disease survivors and National Park Service workers at the Kalaupapa Settlement say they will be traveling easier now that a new air carrier has started federally subsidized service to their isolated community at lower ticket prices. Star-Advertiser.