Ige asked to close beaches, lock down travel as COVID rages, parents say Department of Education isn't doing enough for keiki safety, Ironman postponed, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii mayors weigh more restrictions amid COVID-19 surge. COVID-19 cases are surging across all islands while Gov. David Ige and county mayors discuss the possibility of bringing back tougher restrictions in order to reduce virus transmission. KHON2.

Growing number of COVID cases overwhelms Hawaii’s contact tracing efforts. A DOH spokesman said they recently expanded their team from 269 last week to 313, but the team still struggles to keep up with the hundreds of newly infected people every day. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s unemployment rate plunges to 7.3%. Hawaii’s labor market proved to be resilient in the face of the surging COVID-19 virus as the unemployment rate in July plunged to a 16-month low of 7.3% and nonfarm payroll jobs jumped by 10,200 over the previous month. Star-Advertiser.

Can Hawaii Employers Force Workers To Be Vaccinated? It’s A Hot Topic Right Now. More and more agencies and business are announcing vaccine mandates for employees if they want to keep their jobs. Civil Beat.

Hawaii auto sales more than doubled in second quarter. Hawaii auto sales were off to the races in the second quarter with new-vehicle registrations reaching the highest number in 14 years. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Turns To Mainland Teachers To End Distance Learning Backlog. The state DOE reported 383 new COVID-19 cases among students and staff last week but cited no evidence of school-based transmission. Civil Beat.

Parents and teachers criticize Hawaii’s Department of Education as pandemic grows. Parents and teachers worried about the impact of the growing pandemic on Hawaii’s public schools roundly criticized the state Department of Education on Thursday, saying its efforts to safeguard students are either not working or inadequate. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Problems Persist As Corrections Officials Struggle To Comply With Federal Order. Settlement talks are underway including the creation of a panel to oversee reforms needed to cope with the pandemic in Hawaii’s prisons and jails. Civil Beat.

Legislators ask why HHSC has delayed mandatory vaccinations. Three state lawmakers sent a letter Thursday to the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation requesting information about its decision to delay implementation of mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations until the vaccines have been fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Covid Hospitalizations Climb As Delta Variant Rages. Hawaii’s sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in July was largely fueled by cases in correctional facilities, restaurants, an indoor wedding reception and an indoor concert where the band wasn’t vaccinated, according to the state’s latest report on clusters. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii records 4 new coronavirus-related deaths, 752 additional infections. Today’s new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 426 new cases on Oahu, 125 on Maui, 163 on Hawaii Island, 25 on Kauai, four on Molokai, one on Lanai and eight Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

3 mortuary trailers on standby in event Honolulu morgue runs out of space. Although COVID deaths haven’t spiked as much as cases, the City and County of Honolulu is preparing for the worst. Last year, the Honolulu Fire Department spent about $330,000 dollars of its CARES funding to buy three mortuary trailers. Hawaii News Now.

Advocates told abandoned residents of Hauula care home could be left at ER. The facility notified the state that the state and families it was voluntarily shutting down due to “economic hardship.” The residents must scramble to find homes before the Sept. 11 shutdown. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu police pledge openness about shootings. The fatal shooting of a machete-wielding man who allegedly attacked Honolulu police officers in a North School Street parking lot Aug. 11 was the fifth shooting by an officer this year, surpassing the entire number of incidents from 2020 as the public pushes police to be more transparent any time an officer fires a weapon at a suspect. Star-Advertiser.

Former councilwoman Kym Pine in financial dispute with former employee. Former District 1 City Councilwoman Kym Pine went to small claims court in Pearl City on Thursday to face her former employee who alleges she was not paid for agreed services for Pine’s unsuccessful 2020 mayoral campaign. Star-Advertiser.

Rail Canopy Defects Cost Another $15 Million. Are Taxpayers Liable? The canopy arms have caused numerous problems. It’s not yet clear who’s responsible and who ultimately should pay to fix them. Civil Beat.

HART board still looking for applicants to fill its final vacant seat. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board of directors is still attempting to fill its final vacant seat. Star-Advertiser.

Patrols increase at Oahu’s Laniakea Beach to protect sea turtles as visitors increase. Oahu’s surge in tourism has generated larger waves of visitors to the North Shore’s Laniakea Beach Park, popularly dubbed Turtle Beach, and people continue to break the law by harassing the endangered green sea turtles there, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and the turtle conservation group Malama na Honu report. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Roth asks Ige to OK new restrictions. County parks and recreational facilities would close again under a new emergency rule proposed by Mayor Mitch Roth that has been sent to Gov. David Ige for consideration. Tribune-Herald. KHON2.

Ironman World Championship rescheduled to February 2022 amid spike in coronavirus cases on Hawaii Island. Organizers announced today the event that was originally scheduled for Oct. 9 has been rescheduled to Feb. 5, 2022. Star-Advertiser. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.
 
COVID temporarily shuts down Hilo library. The Hilo Public Library closed Wednesday after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. The library will be undergoing a thorough cleaning and will reopen on Saturday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County Mayor Hopes Vaccinations, Distancing Can Prevent Another Lockdown. Maui County's mayor said the possibility of another lockdown is still on the table, but he hopes more vaccinations and social distancing will slow the spread of cases before that might be necessary. Hawaii Public Radio.

New Destination Manager at Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau. The Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau announced the appointment of Meagan DeGaia as destination manager. In this newly created position being funded by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, DeGaia will be responsible for supervising, managing, implementing and reporting on the Maui Nui Destination Management Action Plan, its Community Enrichment Program, as well as signature events within Maui County. Maui Now.

Hotel’s new pool and improvements approved.  The Maui Planning Commission last week voted 9-0 to allow the Wailea Beach Resort — Marriott, Maui to conduct improvements on its property, including installing a new pool and constructing outdoor living spaces for 14 ground floor guestrooms. Maui News.

Scientists Anxiously Await Opening of Inouye Solar Telescope on Haleakalā. COVID-19 travel restrictions set back construction on the telescope's critical systems. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Rental car companies oppose county’s new proposed tax class. Major rental-car companies are opposing a bill before the Kaua‘i County Council that seeks to create and define a real-property-tax class for rental-car fleets. Garden Island.

NTSB investigates deadly plane crash, Honolulu preps for vacation rental fines, police shortage hits home, TMT protesters fear sound cannon, pesticide foe tours state, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

NTSB investigator Eliott Simpson briefs NTSB Board Member Jennifer Homendy Sunday at the scene of the Hawaii skydiving crash. PC:NTSB

Federal investigators will review repair and inspection records on the skydiving plane that became inverted before crashing shortly after takeoff on Oahu’s North Shore, killing all 11 people on board in the deadliest civil aviation accident since 2011. Associated Press.

NTSB opens probe into Dillingham Airfield plane crash. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board have arrived on Oahu to start their investigation into a plane crash that killed 11 people at Dillingham Airfield on Friday. Star-Advertiser.

NTSB: 'This is the deadliest accident involving a civil airplane in U.S. since 2011'. The NTSB has a team of 11 here on Oahu that are investigating the crash. KHON2.

Medical Examiner: 10 men, 1 woman died in Dillingham Airfield crash. Official identities of the victims may be released starting Monday, the medical examiner said through a city spokeman Sunday afternoon. Associated Press.

Families, friends mourn 11 victims killed in North Shore skydiving plane crash. The Medical Examiner’s Office may release the identities of some of the 11 victims killed in a skydiving plane crash at Dillingham Airfield as soon as Monday. But some families and friends of the victims are coming forward to talk about their loved ones. Hawaii News Now.

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Ige To Sign A Host Of Traffic Safety Bills Into Law. The signings on Tuesday come as Hawaii is ranked the third most dangerous state for pedestrians over 50. Civil Beat.

Gabbard will speak out on war during televised debate. If U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s somewhat obscure presidential campaign is ever going to catch fire, this week may be the time. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Fines for illegal vacation rentals may begin in August. Advertising of an illegal vacation rental on Oahu would become unlawful starting Aug. 1 under a bill that Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is expected to sign into law Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Legal expert: One witness stands out of the 70 in the Kealoha mailbox trial. In all, 70 people took the stand in the 16-day Kealoha corruption trial. Hawaii News Now.

How To Attract Good Police Officers In The Face Of A Nationwide Shortage. The Honolulu Police Department is trying some innovative ideas to fill hundreds of vacancies. Civil Beat.

Stairway to Heaven Could Be Removed By 2022. The Haiku Stairs have been closed to the public for years, but that hasn’t stopped hikers from trespassing and Instagramming the views. Civil Beat.

Developer wants to build homes on Enchanted Lake acres some call a wetland. Residential development around what was once a more than 200-acre fishpond in Kailua has been controversial since the first homes were built more than 50 years ago in what became Enchanted Lake.  Star-Advertiser.

Neighborhood board disputes Diamond Head homeowner’s plan to install a private beach-access tram. One homeowner on the craggy cliff between Diamond Head Road and the uncrowded beach below is causing a community stir with a plan to install a private passenger lift for easier access. Star-Advertiser.

The Only Way To Save This Popular Oahu Park May Be To Close It At Night. Oneula Beach Park in Ewa Beach, a popular spot for local fishermen, is the last park on the island that is still open all night. Civil Beat.

State re-files theft charge against former charter school director. The ousted director of the now-defunct Halau Lokahi Public Charter School has again been charged with one of four felony theft counts that had been dismissed because the state Attorney General took too long to take the case to trial. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Group fears state’s new ‘sound cannon’ could be used against TMT protesters. A Hawaiian and environmental group is asking the head of the state Land Department not to use a sound device that was developed by the military as the state and activists prepare for the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Hawaii News Now.

Food safety inspections find fewer violations thanks to ‘social pressure’. Tribune-Herald.

Charter proposals head to County Council. Land preservation advocate Debbie Hecht left the county Charter Commission meeting Friday vowing to launch a “just say no” campaign to a 2020 ballot amendment that would allow open space preservation money to be used to pay county staff. West Hawaii Today.

US Senate committee hears from official from PGV parent company. Ormat Technologies committed Thursday to continue its engagement with the Puna community and other Big Island stakeholders as the company proceeds to reopen Puna Geothermal Venture. Tribune-Herald.

The Leeward Planning Commission on Thursday voted to give its OK to proposed amendments to the Kona Community Development Plan, or CDP, sending the amendments on for consideration and approval by the Hawaii County Council. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Officials Meet Man Who Sued Round Up Manufacturer And Won. Claiming the herbicide Round Up caused his cancer, the man who took the manufacturer to court and won, Dewayne “Lee” Johnson, was in Hilo on Friday to talk to Hawaii County officials about the dangers of glyphosate. Big Island Video News.

Two Acres Provided For Kona Scenic Park. A County Council committee voted last week to advance a resolution accepting the dedication from the Hokulia developers. Big Island Video News.

Korean War Memorial dedicated at Wailoa State Recretion Area. A memorial was dedicated Saturday to 52 Hawaii Island military members killed in action in the Korean War and five others who died of non-combat causes during the bloody conflict. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County works to cut its pesticide use. Departments reduce use in public spaces; councilor plans to propose a wider ban. Maui News.

County Re-Evaluating Original Wailuku Civic Concept. The County of Maui, Department of Management presented the construction schedule for Wailuku Town improvement projects and detailed its efforts to minimize impacts on the surrounding neighborhood during a community meeting held Thursday night at the Iao Theater. Maui Now.

MECO increases renewable power, storage amounts sought in next procurement. RFP targets are 295 GWh of energy, 58 GWh of storage. Maui News.

Wailuku parking structure construction set to begin in August with roads, infrastructure. First phase moving forward; second phase civic center is being re-evaluated. Maui News.

Kauai

The county Planning Commission will hold a hearing June 25 that will begin the process of whether or not to grant Smoky Mountain Helicopters Inc. a class IV zoning permit, which would allow them the ability to make modifications to an existing helicopter tour facility at Port Allen Airport. Garden Island.

Hawaii braces for federal marijuana crackdown, 500 volunteers needed to count homeless, feral wallaby spotted in Kalihi Valley, should AG Chin resign to run, Maui fights resorts in beach access dispute, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Pot doc advertisement in Keaukaha, file photo ©2018 All Hawaii News

Isle pot industry braces for crackdown. Hawaii’s fledgling medical marijuana industry was dealt a blow Thursday with the Trump administration rescinding a policy that kept federal authorities from prosecuting people for legal pot sales. Star-Advertiser.

Federal Anti-Pot Move Derided As A ‘Reckless Prohibition-Style Decision’. Hawaii leaders oppose stronger federal enforcement. But one cannabis advocate sees a possible “silver lining". Civil Beat.

Lawmakers, dispensary chief react to decision to rescind Obama-era marijuana policy. A Big Island lawmaker says Hawaii should legalize recreational marijuana even if the Trump administration clamps down on sales in states that already took that step. Tribune-Herald.

Non-Interference Policy on Marijuana Reversed. The Department of Justice today issued a memo on federal marijuana enforcement policy announcing “a return to the rule of law and the rescission of previous guidance documents". Maui Now.

Gabbard looking to remove marijuana from federal controlled substances list. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard denounced the decision of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to rescind the Obama-era, non-interference policy and target states that have legalized medical or recreational marijuana use. KITV.

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Chin should resign to run, Hanabusa says. U.S. Rep. Colleen Hana­busa says Attorney General Douglas Chin should resign from his job as the state’s top law enforcement officer to make his run for Congress, and Gov. David Ige on Thursday said he expects Chin will resign if that would be “in the best interest of the people of Hawaii.” Star-Advertiser.

The state needs 500 volunteers for their annual homeless count – and have only 50 so far. Every year, during the last week of January, volunteers canvas the state to get a tally of how many homeless people are living in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

2018 kicks off with the highest gas prices Hawaii has seen since 2014. Experts said the price at the pump will continue to go up. KHON2.

Hawaii timeshare properties had higher occupancy than hotels during the third quarter. Hawaii timeshare properties were 90.1 percent occupied during the third quarter of 2017, nearly 9 percentage points more than hotel properties, according to a report released Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

Timeshare properties in Hawaii continued to demonstrate their importance to the state’s lodging portfolio in the third quarter of 2017, averaging a 90.1% occupancy rate statewide. By comparison, hotel properties averaged an 81.4% occupancy rate for the quarter. Maui Now.

New commander takes the reins at Schofield as Pacific tensions flare. About 5,000 Schofield Barracks soldiers stood at attention Thursday on Weyand Field as Maj. Gen. Ronald P. Clark took over command of the 25th Infantry Division from Maj. Gen. Christopher Cavoli. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Conspiracy charge is brought in fraud case against Kealoha. A man who federal prosecutors say had his and his sister’s trust fund money stolen by Deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha was scheduled to admit in U.S. District Court this morning that he helped Kealoha cover up the theft and lied when he told a grand jury that Kealoha did not rip him off. Star-Advertiser.

New charges brought in Honolulu corruption case. The deputy city prosecutor wife of a Honolulu police chief convinced a man whose trust she allegedly stole from when he was a child to lie for her before a grand jury looking into corruption allegations against the couple, according to court documents filed Wednesday. Associated Press.

Board of Water Supply looks to raise rates to replace aging water mains. Another possible rate hike is in the works, this time from the Board of Water Supply. KHON2.

Justice Coalition Urges Alternative to New Jail.  A proposal to replace the aging Oahu Community Correctional Center by building a new jail has been on the table since last fall. Hawaii Public Radio.

Concerns raised over whether new Waikiki Denny's should serve alcohol. A new Denny's restaurant is nearing completion on what was a vacant corner at the Diamond Head end of Kuhio Avenue. Hawaii News Now.

SBA offers $600K in Marco Polo assistance loans. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Hawaii District Office has approved more than $600,000 in federal disaster loans for Hawaii businesses and residents affected by the Marco Polo fire in Honolulu that occurred July 14. Star-Advertiser.

Spotted: Elusive wallaby makes rare appearance in Moanalua. Wallabies, which are native to Australia, are actually believed to exist in Kalihi Valley. In 1916, three of the animals escaped into the area and bred after they were shipped to Hawaii and delivered to a private zoo nearby. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hele-On routes expanding with new grant. Hilo-Kona bus routes will be expanded, as well as routes in Hawaiian Paradise Park and elsewhere in Puna, thanks to a larger-than-anticipated federal grant. West Hawaii Today.

Andy Levin, Mayor’s Lobbyist, Before Council. The Hawaii County Council's Governmental Relations and Economic Development Committee had the chance to question the administration's legislative assistant on Wednesday. Big Island Video News.

North Kona approaches full year under mandatory water usage reduction. West Hawaii Today.

Feral donkeys in West Hawaii seeking good homes. After once numbering in the hundreds, the feral donkey population in West Hawaii now hovers at about 30, thanks to successful adoption drives during the past few years, according to a rancher who looks after them. Tribune-Herald.

Wheelchair-Friendly Mauna Loa Lookout Opens. The Mauna Loa Lookout shelter was reconstructed and repaved, and a new accessible vault toilet was installed, park officials say. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui lawmaker denounces 'privatization of the public beaches' at Kaanapali. Photos taken Wednesday morning, fronting the Kaanapali Alii resort on Maui, show empty cabanas lining the sandy beach between the hotel and the Pacific Ocean. Hawaii News Now.

McKelvey wants resorts cited for ‘reserved’ beach space. Unused cabanas, chairs and umbrellas are crowding out public access to residents. Maui News.

Staffing woes hinder­ movement on water meter list. A shortage of engineers, difficulty recruiting and a lack of affordable housing are some of the reasons the county Department of Water Supply is struggling to fill staffing positions to help tackle the Upcountry water meter list, the department said Wednesday. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai mayor's holiday gift of paid leave for county workers draws criticism from council chair. A decision by Kauai's mayor to offer all full-time county employees two paid days off during the holidays is drawing major criticism from some council members. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall closed. The community stage isn’t scheduled to reopen until June 30 due to an asbestos removal project. Garden Island.

Families facing underage drug and alcohol abuse issues will soon have the option to seek treatment on island, instead of having to send loved ones elsewhere. A Thursday groundbreaking for the roughly 15,000-square-foot Adolescent Treatment and Healing Center on the north end of Maalo Road was attended by about 100 people. Garden Island.

Hirono battling stage 4 kidney cancer, Honolulu vehicle tax, parking fees advance, Kim defends Big Island property tax hikes, rail authority condemns Blood Bank land, Maui sugar lands going to cattle, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono © 2017 All Hawaii News

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono has been diagnosed with advanced kidney cancer and is scheduled to undergo surgery today to remove one of her kidneys. Hirono, 69, says she expects to make a full recovery and plans “without question” to run for re-election in 2018. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono on Tuesday announced that she has kidney cancer. Civil Beat.

U.S. Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, said on Tuesday that she will undergo treatment for kidney cancer. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono is undergoing treatment for kidney cancer and says she has a favorable prognosis from her doctor in Washington. Associated Press.

Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, has been diagnosed with kidney cancer, according to a statement she released Tuesday morning. Garden Island.

Hawaii U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono announced plans to undergo treatment for kidney cancer. Big Island Video News.

Recently diagnosed with renal cell cancer, Senator Mazie Hirono will have her kidney removed Wednesday. KITV.

US Senator Mazie Hirono today announced plans to undergo treatment for kidney cancer.  Maui Now.

The incidence of kidney cancer in Hawaii has been rising steadily since the 1970s, and today more than 200 people are diagnosed with the disease annually in Hawaii, according to the National Cancer Institute. Hawaii News Now.

How House Leaders Scuttled Better Pay For Foster Parents. House Speaker Scott Saiki said attorney fees were too high in a multi-million-dollar settlement of a lawsuit challenging foster care payment rates. Civil Beat.

The agency in charge of the Honolulu rail project has filed a lawsuit to take property where the state’s non-profit blood bank manufactures, stores and distributes Hawaii’s blood supply. Civil Beat.

Delta Air Lines had an on-time arrival rate of 86.9 percent in March, besting Hawaiian Airlines by 2.2 percentage points, according to the Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

The City Council Budget Committee on Wednesday restored funding for seven staff positions in the new Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, and agreed to do away with two of three planned rate increases for TheBus and TheHandi-Van riders. But in order to balance the city’s $2.45 billion operating budget, the committee also agreed to raise the city’s motor vehicle weight tax as well as metered parking rates. Star-Advertiser.

Proposed increases in parking meter fees, bus fares and the vehicle weight tax were moved ahead Tuesday by the Honolulu City Council Budget Committee. Civil Beat.

Higher downtown parking fees, increased vehicle weight taxes and a fare hike for Handi-Van users were among the proposals approved by the Honolulu City Council's budget committee Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

In a City Council meeting held Tuesday, one of the topics on the table was whether or not to raise Hawaii's vehicle weight tax. KITV.

A new gate blocking a path to the beach at Portlock has renewed a decades-old dispute over access to the ocean. Star-Advertiser.

Aloha Green Holdings is the first medical marijuana dispensary in Hawaii to harvest its first crop. Pacific Business News.

Who’s on furlough? New decision favors public’s right to know. On Tuesday, years after our initial filing and back-and-forth, submitting additional points and requests for review, the OIP instructed public safety to release the list of furloughed inmates. KHON2.

The state’s chief executive addressed Rotary Club of Honolulu members today during their weekly meeting in Waikiki. Hawaii Public Radio.

West Oahu residents are calling for solutions to curb speeding and reckless driving following recent accidents on the Leeward Coast. Hawaii News Now.

Howard Hughes’ Ward Village was recently named the "Best Master Planned Community in the Nation” by Architectural Digest, which applauded the Kakaako community for its design, materials and location. Pacific Business News.

After selling food at the 2017 Waikiki Spam Jam without a Temporary Food Establishment permit, Kona Grill operated under Kona Macadamia Inc. is facing a fine from the Department of Health. Hawaii News Now.

A Hawaii company gained ground in the first quarter selling what it promotes as a new synthetic remedy for inflammation after years of research and development that has consumed $56 million of investment capital. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mayor Harry Kim, a self-described fiscal conservative, spent the afternoon in Kona explaining reasons behind tax hikes set to accompany Hawaii County’s budget for next fiscal year. West Hawaii Today.

Last June, at a mayoral campaign event in Kailua-Kona, then-candidate Harry Kim criticized property tax increases by his predecessor. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County Council members slammed a resolution claiming discrimination against Puna and Ka‘u, saying Tuesday they found it unnecessarily divisive. Tribune-Herald.

The chief financial officer of an international nondenominational Christian school in Kona admitted Monday in U.S. District Court to stealing more than $3 million from the school. Star-Advertiser.

The state Department of Transportation now expects a road improvement project at Shower/Pohaku Drive and Highway 130 in Puna to resume in late June after a storm water discharge permit expired. Tribune-Herald.

Schofield Barracks officials have identified the soldier who was killed in a training incident on the Big Island. The soldier was identified as Sgt. Terrence Hinton of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team in the 25th Infantry Division. KITV.

Maui

Alexander &Baldwin Inc. announced Tuesday that it is moving ahead with a long-range plan to establish a cattle ranch on Maui after shutting down Hawaii’s last sugar cane plantation there in December. Star-Advertiser.

Alexander &Baldwin Inc. has established a grass-fed cattle pasturing operation on the 36,000-acre Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Co. plantation on Maui, which closed in December of last year. Pacific Business News.

Alexander &Baldwin Inc. today announced the establishment of Kūlōlio Ranch, a grass-fed cattle pasturing operation that is situated on approximately 4,000 acres of former sugar lands in Central Maui. Maui Now.

A grease blockage in a sewer lateral caused a 1,237-gallon wastewater overflow in Kahului on Sunday morning, the county Department of Environmental Management reported. Maui News.

Maui veterans are hoping the World War II Veterans Memorial will be up at the Maui Veterans Cemetery in Makawao by next week. Maui News.

Kauai

A $500,000 project to add electricity and infrastructure to the island’s drag racing strip is on the agenda for a May 23 Planning Commission meeting. Garden Island.

Taps played in the background while flags flew at half mast and people bowed their heads to honor police officers around the nation who died on the job. Garden Island.

Kauai police on Tuesday recognized the retirement of K-9 Simon, a 10-year-old Belgian malinois who has been a part of the K-9 unit since 2008. Garden Island.

Hawaii Supreme Court supports Green Party in ballot lawsuit, Hawaiian Electric ends natural gas plan and vows to go it alone, $875M Honolulu rail segment awarded, Legislature back for more on Maui hospital sale, poll workers needed, former Kauai police officer pleads to $25k theft, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Elections Chief Scott Nago © 2016 All Hawaii News

The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the the method the state Elections Office used to order an insufficient number of ballots in the 2012 general election should have undergone an official rule-making process instead of just being an internal management decision. The Green Party of Hawaii sued Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago and the state in December 2012, asking the courts to stop him from conducting another election until there were new rules in place to prevent the type of voter disenfranchisement that occurred that November. Civil Beat

Former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle was one of the speakers at the Republican National Convention on the event’s opening day, but her appearance forced the party to shut down online live chat because of anti-Semitic remarks being posted on its YouTube page. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige has endorsed Hillary Clinton for president of the United States. Ige’s support for the former secretary of state is unsurprising given that both are Democrats. But his endorsement may irk some die-hard Bernie Sanders supporters in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's attorney general is the new chairman for a group of his counterparts in the western states. The Conference of Western Attorneys General elected Doug Chin to be its chairman. The selection was announced Tuesday at the conference's annual meeting in Idaho. Associated Press.

Hawaiian Electric Co. ended its contract Tuesday to bring liquefied natural gas into the state one day after NextEra Energy Inc. walked away from its bid to buy the electrical utility’s parent company. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric announced Tuesday that the company has withdrawn its applications with the state Public Utilities Commission for approval of a liquefied natural gas contract with Fortis Hawaii Energy, plans to upgrade its Kahe power plant to use the gas and a waiver from the competitive bidding process. Civil Beat.

Two important decisions by Hawaiian Electric Industries herald a new era for the state’s largest electric utility. The board of directors authorized a terse news release Tuesday evening that it has decided “to remain independent.” Hawaii News Now.

One day after NextEra Energy and Hawaiian Electric Industries abandoned their efforts to merge, leading foes of the deal gathered at the Capitol on Tuesday, partly to say they were right all along. Civil Beat.

People in Hawaii are talking about what’s next for the state’s largest utility now that a merger between NextEra Energy and Hawaiian Electric failed. Associated Press.

How A Mideast War Made HECO Start To Think Green. The Arab oil crisis brought a new awareness of the promise of renewable energy. But the spark fizzled. Hawaiian Electric was hooked on oil. Civil Beat.

Par Hawaii Inc., one of the largest owners of retail gas stations in the state, is in the process of changing the names of many of these stations from 76 and Tesoro to Hele at a cost of $4 million, its top executive confirmed to Pacific Business News on Monday.

Oahu

Shimmick/Traylor/Granite, a California- and Indiana-based joint venture that’s new to the project, was picked Tuesday for its $875 million proposal to build rail’s next 5.2 miles of elevated guideway and four stations, getting the project as far as Middle Street. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s $8.3 billion rail project is now officially stuck. On Tuesday, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation awarded an $875 million construction contract to a joint venture of three companies to build roughly five miles of guideway and four stations from the airport to Middle Street. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation said Tuesday it has awarded an $875 million contract to build the elevated guideway and stations around the Honolulu International Airport to a trio of contractors from the Mainland. Pacific Business News.

Rail officials are touting some good news for a change on the cost of the project. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation announced Tuesday that the airport section of the rail project has come in on budget. KHON2.

The last time voters had a direct say on Honolulu rail was in 2008 when a slim majority approved the project. Now that the project costs much more than projected, and with public officials talking about stopping it at Middle Street before finding the funds to build all the way to Ala Moana Center, a new group proposes that voters weigh in once again. Civil Beat.

Seven Oahu nonprofit groups that lost their federal funding this year to serve an estimated 300 of the island’s most vulnerable formerly homeless people got a temporary reprieve this week from Gov. David Ige. Star-Advertiser.

Farrington Highway is a deadly stretch of road in West Oahu -- with 6 fatal pedestrian accidents this year alone. So it is no wonder Waianae crosswalks are getting a closer look. But instead of adding more pedestrian crossings, some will be taken away. KITV.

The city is making good on the promise made more than a decade ago to turn a derelict lot in the heart of Waikiki into a neighborhood park. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

With time running out for poll workers to be recruited and trained for the Aug. 13 primary election, county election officials are sending out a plea for help. West Hawaii Today.

The state Supreme Court on Tuesday reversed the state Ethic’s Commission’s ruling that a Connections New Century Public Charter School employee violated the state’s conflict-of-interest law for purchases made in 2006 and 2007. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled Tuesday in favor of a Hilo charter school employee, saying he was not subject to the state Ethics Code and should not have been held liable for violating conflict-of-interest laws. Star-Advertiser.

Those stuck in traffic on Alii Drive may find this hard to believe, but the number of vehicles using the road has actually decreased over the past few years. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The state Legislature will try again Wednesday to come up with amendments to a bill vetoed by Gov. David Ige that was designed to assist state employees at Maui County's three public hospitals who could be adversely affected when the private Kaiser Permanente takes over operations. Maui News.

As new director of the county Liquor Control Department, Glenn Mukai said Monday that he plans to increase transparency with liquor licensees, expand the department's educational program and identify laws that must adapt to the changing liquor industry. Maui News.

The Department of Public Works will be closing down a portion of Piʻilani Highway in Kīpahulu for geotechnical testing next week. Maui Now.

Kauai

A former Kauai police lieutenant pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing $25,000 in federal grant money from the department. Garden Island.

Former Kauai Police Department Lt. Karen Kapua pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court this afternoon to stealing $25,000 from the department. Star-Advertiser.

Parking on the sand is part of life at Black Pot Beach and at Tuesday night’s meeting, it was a main concern as the community shared its thoughts about the new plan for developing the beach park. Garden Island.

Union sues to block privatization of Maui hospitals, Kohala group fights marijuana farms, DLNR chair defends wildlife fences, Laniakea beach barriers staying up, no more open space for Kauai, UH tries to fix cancer center budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Feral sheep and goats on Mauna Loa © 2015 All Hawaii News

Department of Land and Natural Resources chair Suzanne Case affirmed the state’s philosophy on fencing and ungulate removal during her keynote address at the 23rd Annual Hawaii Conservation Conference in Hilo, but she also left the door open for hunters to participate in adaptive management of resources. Big Island Video News.

About three dozen people congregated in the courtyard of the state Capitol on Thursday evening to mark the 50th anniversary of the federal Voting Rights Act, legislation passed at the apex of the civil rights movement that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. Star-Advertiser.

More than $40 million was released by the state to renovate and improve public facilities, buildings, and educational institutions across the state, Gov. David Ige announced Thursday. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

The barriers that have blocked vehicles from parking at Laniakea for the past year and a half won’t be coming down Friday, the deadline originally slated under a state court order. Star-Advertiser.

State officials won’t be removing the barriers along Kamehameha Highway on Friday as courts originally ordered. Judge Karen Nakasone granted an extension Thursday for the Hawaii Department of Transportation so it can continue studying alternatives that are safe and feasible. Civil Beat.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa will pay a San Francisco-based consultant up to $250,800 to develop a business plan for the financially struggling UH Cancer Center. Star-Advertiser.

Government lawyers will be asking a federal judge Monday to approve a $9 million settlement over an alleged botched childbirth at Tripler Army Medical Center. Star-Advertiser.

Less than a week before construction on Radford High School's track came to a halt last year, workers made some unusual finds: a six-inch wide mortar fuse and an 18-inch copper sphere that one Department of Education contractor suspected was a naval mine. Hawaii News Now.

The City of Honolulu hosted a Veterans Stand Down today as part of a goal to end veteran homelessness by the end of this year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii
A group of property owners who want Kohala to be the island’s bread basket, not its medicine cabinet, have started a petition drive to keep medical marijuana farms out of their neighborhood. West Hawaii Today.

The federal Food and Drug Administration has ordered a recall for Big Island-grown macadamia nuts that tested positive for salmonella. All mac nuts and mac nut products from Mahina Mele Farm labeled with Lot No. 016 are included in the recall, which was announced by the FDA on Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

A year after Iselle slammed into lower Puna on Hawai'i Island, signs of the storm's impact are still prevalent in communities across the district. Hawaii News Now.

Maui
One of Hawaii’s largest labor unions has gone to court in an effort to prevent the state from privatizing its public hospitals. United Public Workers, which represents state employees working for health facilities among others, filed a complaint in federal court seeking an injunction to stop the state from implementing House Bill 1075, the union announced Thursday. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s United Public Workers union filed an injunction on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Honolulu in attempt to stop the privatization of the Maui state hospitals. Pacific Business News.

The United Public Workers union representing Hawaii health care workers is suing to block the privatization of the state’s hospitals. West Hawaii Today.

The group Stop Cane Burning has asked a Maui environmental court to order an injunction to halt sugar cane burning, pending the outcome of its lawsuit - which, if granted, would shut down Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co., the state's last surviving sugar plantation, the company said. Maui News.

Overcrowded conditions at Maui Community Correctional Center have escalated to the point where four inmates live in a cell designed for two, with one inmate sleeping inches away from a toilet. Maui News.

In a multi-year effort that began in 2006, a community project created through a partnership between Maui county officials and residents will soon come to fruition. Maui Now.

Kauai

Councilman Gary Hooser came up empty Wednesday in his attempt to increase the amount of money that is set aside for the Open Space fund. Garden Island.

For more than 30 years, plans to create a community agriculture park on 75 acres of undeveloped land bordering Kahili Quarry Road have stalled. Garden Island.

$40M slated for capital projects. Kilauea school, Mailihuna Road and Kapaa Stream Bridge among improvements for Kauai’s roughly $1.4M share. Garden Island.

Hawaii Legislature adjourns sine die, Hanabusa announces U.S. Senate bid, Honolulu rail in the black, Hawaii Island mayor touts 10% tax hike, county employees charged with diesel theft, Maui resort blocks beach access, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Legislature sings Hawaii Aloha on closing day, photo courtesy Mileka Lincoln

Hawaii lawmakers touted the triumphs of this year’s legislative session as it came to a close Thursday at the Capitol. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers in the Hawaii Legislature say the 2013 session provided a smoother, more transparent legislative process than previous years, ensuring the success of key progressive legislation. Associated Press.

State lawmakers on the closing day of the 2013 legislative session revived two bills requiring greater disclosure from super PACs, although both appeared dead earlier in the week as a result of what legislators described as poor communication. Star-Advertiser.

The 2013 legislative session came to a close today, and leaders from both the House and Senate say this was one of the most cooperative and transparent sessions yet. Hawaii News Now.

The State Legislature adjourned its 60-day session today…following passage of a state budget and less than 10 percent of the bills that were originally introduced. Hawaii Public Radio.

On the last day of the 2013 legislative session, Democrats in charge of the Hawaii House of Representatives took the rare step of adding four more members to leadership posts. Civil Beat.

Although the Legislature failed to pass bills this session to fund the state's watershed protection initiatives by collecting a fee imposed on nonrecyclable bags or increasing taxes on expensive real estate transactions, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said it is satisfied with the level of funding lawmakers did choose to provide. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Legislature adjourned Thursday without taking further action on a bill that would have tweaked the law requiring police agencies to file annual summaries listing disciplinary actions taken against their officers. Civil Beat.

Before gaveling the session closed, House Speaker Joseph M. Souki acknowledged the work of everyone involved in the legislative process and summarized the session's accomplishments. Hawaii Reporter.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa of Hawaii says she plans to run against fellow Democrat and incumbent U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz in 2014, setting up a primary battle between two of the state’s four federal lawmakers. Associated Press.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa will emphasize leadership experience, and not the dying wish of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Ino­uye, in her Demo­cratic primary challenge next year against U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa announced in a seven-paragraph letter on her web site that she'll run for the U.S. Senate next year, attaching her name to the Democratic primary that's sure to be a dogfight. Hawaii News Now.

On the day he died in December of 2012, Senator Daniel Inouye wrote a letter to Gov. Neil Abercrombie and reportedly asked that he appoint then-Congresswoman Elect Colleen Hanabusa to replace him in the U.S. Senate after his death. Hawaii News Now.

Civil Beat political reporter Chad Blair chats with U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa in her Nuuanu home about her run for U.S. Senate against incumbent Sen. Brian Schatz. Will she give up her House seat to do it?

Hawaii Gas has withdrawn its application for approval to use liquefied natural gas in its utility gas system to allow both the Honolulu-based company and the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to focus their resources on the review of feedstock supply agreements. Pacific Business News.

This year marks the 100th anniversary for film in Hawaii and with several major movies, such as “Jurassic Park 4” and “Godzilla,” planning to shoot scenes in Hawaii, the next 100 years is starting off with a bang. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Honolulu rail officials reported a third-quarter turnaround Thursday on how much cash the massive project is collecting. They also offered a rosier forecast for how much its yearlong construction delay will cost. Star-Advertiser.

A campus that’s in disrepair. Students paying more. Even cuts in the classroom. So why is the University of Hawaii spending big bucks on recruiting for high-paid positions? And is it money well spent? KHON2.

Less than a week after Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed a new proposal aimed at going after owners of neglected city properties, Hawaii News Now found a city building with tall weeds and grass in front and lots of graffiti on it. Hawaii News Now.

A department store, cinema, hotel and 50 more retailers and restaurants have been added to plans for a first phase of the long-delayed Ka Makana Ali'i regional mall in East Kapolei. Star-Advertiser.

Up close and personal with the mayor. People went to Pearl City, to Mayor Kirk Caldwell's first town hall stop. KITV4.

Honolulu police explosives specialists responded to two more suspicious objects on different sides of the island Thursday, including what was determined to be "an incendiary device" near the Kahuku school complex. Star-Advertiser.

Native vegetation, which is being steadily killed off by invasives, now covers only 32 percent of Hawaii’s land. Our survival is at stake, as well. So how do we carefully take our next step? Honolulu Weekly.

Hawaii

Across-the-board property tax hikes of about 10 percent, along with increases in bus fares and vehicle registration and weight taxes, will fund a revised county budget proposed Thursday by Mayor Billy Kenoi. West Hawaii Today.

Two former Department of Environmental Management employees have been charged with felony theft for allegedly stealing diesel fuel from pumps at the Waimea baseyard. West Hawaii Today.

Thursday morning’s fire in Keaukaha helped to highlight a question that emergency responders are having trouble answering fully: Who exactly has a copy of the key to open the gates for the emergency evacuation route through Hilo International Airport? Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County's finance director Wednesday passionately defended his request for six new Division of Motor Vehicle and Licensing positions, noting his current workers are burdened with new duties and that they need more help to service the public adequately. Maui News.

Gates restrict access to Honokeana Cove. About a month ago, Honokeana Cove Resort Condominiums put up gates that require an access code, which prevents nonguests from walking through private property. Maui News.

Three Maui historic preservation projects will receive Preservation Awards and two printed publications Preservation Media Awards from the Historic Hawai'i Foundation at the group's 30th annual Preservation Honor Awards ceremony May 31 on Oahu. Maui News.

Kauai

Since March 15, the Kauai County Council has been holding numerous sessions devoted to examining the requested departmental budget components. On or before May 8, the mayor may submit any modifications or changes he may seek in the budget, and by June 7, the council must enact the budget ordinance. Garden Island.

The Wailua portion of the Ke Ala Hele Makalae, or the path that goes by the coast, was supposed to be completed Tuesday — a month later than the original deadline. Garden Island.

Biotech seed company Syngenta will relocate about five employees to Kaua‘i from O‘ahu as part of a redistribution of research and development work, according to company spokesman Paul Minehart. Garden Island.

Hawaii Legislature kills GMO labling bill, more seats on the train, firearm registrations up, gun crimes down, $1.25M boost for Thirty Meter Telescope, state Senate seeks marijuana minister's release, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii farmers market (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Senators Thursday afternoon deferred for this session a bill that calls for genetically modified imported produce to carry labels, opting instead to pass a resolution that requests several state groups study the issue in more detail and report back to the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Three Senate committees tabled a measure that calls for labeling imported genetically engineered produce or else bans its distribution in the islands. Civil Beat.

After a packed joint hearing between multiple Senate committees, members voted to kill House Bill 174 in a session today at the state Capitol. Maui Now.

The state Senate committee on public safety has approved two resolutions urging the federal government to release a pro-marijuana reverend from federal prison until his trial. Roger Christie has been in federal prison without bail since his arrest three years ago for growing and distributing marijuana. Associated Press.

A bill that would provide more information about misconduct of county police officers still has life, but there’s little guarantee it will survive the legislative session. Civil Beat.

Hawaii firearms registrations shot up more than 70 percent in 2012, while gun violence continued a four-year decline, according to a new state Department of the Attorney report. Hawaii Reporter.

The number of firearm registrations in Hawaii reached a record high of 50,394 last year, matching a national trend toward more gun ownership as the nation's leaders debate stiffer laws. Star-Advertiser.

The state recorded a record high for personal firearm permit applications processed in 2012.  The findings were detailed in the annual Firearm Registrations report released by the Department of the Attorney General this week. Maui Now.

The state Department of Education this school year paid more than $12.7 million to independent education consulting companies to help revamp underperforming schools. But most of the money has gone to one mainland company that critics say has been largely ineffective. Civil Beat.

In a letter to an accrediting body Thursday, the University of Hawaii acknowledged rocky relationships with legislators in the wake of last year's Stevie Wonder concert debacle but said the situation is improving. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges had warned earlier this month that the episode had included inappropriate external interference from government officials and "revealed the fragility" of the university's autonomy. Star-Advertiser.

UH-Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple plans to ask the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to forgive the athletic department's $11.3 million — and escalating — accumulated net deficit as part of a major restructuring effort. Star-Advertiser.

Debris from the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011 continues to accumulate on Hawaii’s shores, including oyster buoys, refrigerators, driftwood and a 28-foot fishing boat. Honolulu Weekly.

State roundup for March 22. Associated Press.

Oahu

Mayor Kirk Caldwell released a report Thursday that identifies sites that pose rockfall hazards to city property, and announced that the city has warned about 1,000 private property owners whose land is at high risk of rockfall. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation on Thursday approved funding for additional passenger seats on the train cars for the city’s elevated-rail transit project. Pacific Business News.

A joint proposal by owners of the locally owned Foodland supermarkets and landowner Kamehameha Schools to build a new strip mall on 4.5 acres of preservation land in east Oahu has many Hawaii Kai and Niu Valley residents concerned. Hawaii Reporter.

Nearly two years after Foodland closed its Koko Marina location, Hawaii Kai residents turned out in huge numbers Thursday night to hear plans that could move the supermarket back into the neighborhood. Hawaii News Now.

A corrections officer at the Women's Community Correctional Center in windward Oahu has been indicted on four counts of alleged sex assault against an inmate.KITV4.

Upon his graduation from the University of Hawaii, Edwin S.W. Young entered the auditing profession through the arm of Congress that investigates the performance of the federal government. Many years later, he has returned to Honolulu as the city auditor. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii
Four years into the job, Police Chief Harry Kubojiri continues to get rave reviews from the Hawaii County Police Commission. West Hawaii Today.

The international Thirty Meter Telescope project on Hawaii’s Big Island is getting support from the United States in the form of a $1.25 million grant from the National Science Foundation. Pacific Business News.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks will host a public information meeting to discuss parking and entry fees at Hapuna Beach State Recreational Area. West Hawaii Today.

All appeared well at the Waiopae tide pools on Thursday following a die-off of marine life earlier in the week. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui fishermen are invited to "talk story" with the chairman of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, William J. Aila Jr., 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Maui Waena Intermediate School in Kahului. Maui News.

Maui's northern coast would be one of three Hawaii areas studied as possibly being nationally significant sites to include in the National Park System, under the first bill formally introduced in Congress by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz. Maui News.

Unlike their first legislative briefing during the holidays last December, South and West Maui Sen. Roz Baker (D) and South Maui's freshman Rep. Kaniela Ing (D) presented issues and answered concerns to a full and lively house. Maui Weekly.

Kaiser Permanente will build a new home for its rehabilitation specialty services on Maui next to its Maui Lani facility. Maui News.

Officials dedicated Maui County's first double-decker bus on Wednesday, March 14. Maui Weekly.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative members still have time to vote for three seats at the co-op’s Board of Directors. Voting began March 1, and will end Saturday at noon. Garden Island.

After spending hours under fire at a Kaua‘i County Council meeting Wednesday morning and afternoon, state officials and researchers went to Waimea and faced more than 150 Westside residents who were not convinced that Cleome gynandra, locally known as stinkweed, was what made students sick at Waimea Canyon School years ago. Garden Island.

Users of the public Kapa‘a Swimming Pool could be faced with the possibility of having to use “interim toilets” for several years — or until the pool is relocated elsewhere — according to county officials. Garden Island.