Hawaii Supreme Court halts commercial aquarium fish collecting, state joins DACA lawsuit, Honolulu council approves GET extension for rail, Pacific Resource Partnership fined for anti-Cayetano campaign, Kim declares state of emergency after well breakdowns, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Butterflyfish in the wild © 2017 All Hawaii News

A Hawaii Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday halts the commercial scooping of reef fish for aquariums until the state reviews the trade’s environmental impact. Associated Press.

The state Supreme Court has ordered a stop to the commercial collection of aquarium fish in Hawaii pending an environmental review. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Supreme Court put the brakes on aquarium fishing in the state in a decision announced Wednesday. Garden Island.

Conservationists are hailing a ruling from the Hawaii Supreme Court ordering a halt to the collecting of Hawaii reef fish for aquariums. Hawaii News Now.

Today, the Hawai‘i Supreme Court unanimously sided with citizens and conservation groups who have been fighting to protect the state’s coral reefs from the aquarium industry’s collection and sale of reef fish and other wildlife. Maui Now.

As the federal government eyes shrinking some of the United States monuments, Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument is winning awards in marine conservation. Garden Island.

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Guide To The 2018 Elections. Gov. David Ige faces a strong challenge, and several well-known politicians may battle each other for high-profile positions. Civil Beat.

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Fifteen states, including Hawaii, and the District of Columbia sued Wednesday to block President Donald Trump’s plan to end a program protecting young immigrants from deportation — an act Washington state’s attorney general called part of a “dark time for our country.” Associated Press.

Fifteen states, including Hawaii, and the District of Columbia sued today to block President Donald Trump’s decision to end a program protecting young immigrants from deportation, a plan that Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin said “robs hundreds of Hawaii residents of certainty in their future.” Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii has joined 15 other states in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration for ending the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Pacific Business News.

The State of Hawaii says it has joined a coalition of 16 states in filing suit to protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) grantees. Tribune-Herald.

The Trump administration’s decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals created by President Obama in 2012 to protect immigrants who came to this country as children was criticized by the Democratic Party of Hawaii. Garden Island.

Hawaii joined a coalition of 16 states today in filing a lawsuit to protect grantees of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which was brought to an end in an announcement by the Trump administration yesterday. Maui Now.

President Donald Trump’s decision to repeal the President Barack Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, has caused some “concern and confusion” in the Aloha State. Tribune-Herald.

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The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has launched a Global Entry pilot program with Japan that will allow up to 1,500 Japanese citizens to receive expedited screening when visiting the United States. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii will receive additional funds from the federal government's highway program, making the state the largest beneficiary of the program based on lane miles. Pacific Business News.

The state is getting more than $41 million in federal funding to improve freeways and highways. KHON2.

Scores on the ACT college entrance exam ticked up slightly for Hawaii public school graduates for the third year in a row, but most students are not prepared to succeed in college, according to results released late Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Heiress Hires Doctors To Help Reclaim Her $215M Fortune. Abigail Kawananakoa, 91, says she’s mentally fit to manage her own finances even though she suffered a stroke in June. Civil Beat.

Oahu

A years-long dispute over the failure of pro-rail political action committee Pacific Resource Partnership to disclose campaign expenditures it made against former Gov. Ben Cayetano in his 2012 bid for mayor will be resolved with a state-imposed fine. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council voted 8-0-1 today to extend the island’s 0.5 percent general excise tax surcharge funding rail another three years to 2030. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council Approves Rail Funding Extension. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday approved extending Oahu's general excise tax surcharge to help bail out the rail project. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu officials recently canceled their long-stalled effort to award the construction contract for rail’s final 4.3 miles and eight stations into town, opting to start over instead. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s statewide police union has filed a lawsuit against the city of Honolulu to block the release of officers’ names to Honolulu Civil Beat.

After a six-year wait, the developer seeking to build a solar farm in Kalaeloa was rejected by the state agency responsible for managing the land. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric Co. has teamed up with distributed energy resource developer EnSync Energy to test the company's new utility vertical, which will provide the utility with more gird visibility and control. Pacific Business News.

The federal Equal Employment Opportunities Commission is suing the Blood Bank of Hawaii, claiming it terminated an employee who was fighting cancer because she ran out of sick leave. Hawaii News Now.

A state board made a bold and admittedly imperfect decision Wednesday aimed at increasing the long-term supply of affordable housing in Honolulu’s hottest area for residential development, Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu’s condominium market stayed hot in August, as buyer demand for condos hit its highest level in more than a decade after a price record set in July. Star-Advertiser.

Three new restaurants are coming to Kakaako, planned by the Aoki Group, owner and operator of Honolulu’s Doraku and Bluetree Cafe locations. Star-Advertiser.

Queen Emma Land Co. has announced a partnership with developer OliverMcMillan to redevelop seven parcels of land at Kuhio Avenue and Kanekapolei Street in Waikiki to create a commercial mixed-use project. Civil Beat.

The Waikiki Shell will be renamed the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell in honor of the late concert promoter, under a resolution approved unanimously by the City Council Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mayor Harry Kim on Wednesday signed a proclamation declaring a state of emergency to ensure the county can react quickly to water well breakdowns in West Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

Craft Brew Alliance Inc., the owner of Kona Brewing Co., is facing further legal action over the brewing sites of its Hawaii-themed beers. Pacific Business News.

After years of work, the proposed Ka’u Community Development Plan is on the verge on final adoption. Big Island Video News.

One month after Big Island Mayor Harry Kim created the state's only safe zone for homeless campers, the county says it's looking to expand the program. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island has become mired in a months-long dry weather pattern. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

State commits to pay for lifeguards at Makena Beach Park. The matter of legal liability remains a ‘big concern’ for county lawmakers. Maui News.

The head of Alexander & Baldwin’s diversified agriculture operations told a Maui County Council committee Tuesday that the company is not farming any genetically modified crops for food or for animal feed. Maui News.

A&B on Tuesday presented their “diversified agriculture” plan to the Maui Policy, Economic Development and Agricultural Committee. Maui Now.

Kauai

The 287-page county document created to plan for Kauai’s future has some residents fearful of what’s ahead. Garden Island.

Kuhio Highway is targeted for $7.3 million in improvements as part of $41.1 million in funding through the Federal Highways Administration. Garden Island.

Commemorating the historic landing of Captain James Cook, Waimea Town’s Hofgaard Park continues to make history. Garden Island.

Humpback whales taken off endangered list, new butterflyfish discovered off Hawaii, state school chief gets good reviews, housing market tightens, OHA spends to boost image, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Humpback whale, Danielle Cholewiak, NOAA

 Federal authorities took most humpback whales off the endangered species list Tuesday, saying their numbers have recovered through international efforts to protect the giant mammals. Associated Press.

Scientists have named a new species of butterflyfish discovered in the deep reefs of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument after a veteran Kona diver who has assisted in collecting reef fishes in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands for numerous scientific studies and educational displays. Star-Advertiser.

Pete Basabe’s Butterflyfish

Scientists from Bishop Museum and NOAA have published a description of a new species of butterflyfish from deep reefs of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Maui Now.

Here Are The Actions The IUCN Is Considering Taking. The IUCN kicked off its Members’ Assembly deliberations this week in which more than 1,300 members will debate issues like wildlife trafficking and protecting the rights of indigenous people. Civil Beat.

A potentially game changing new tool for business has been launched at the World Conservation Congress in Hawai‘i.  It’s called the Natural Capital Protocol and was tested with over fifty companies including Coca-Cola, Dow, Nestlé, and Shell. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources is urging the public to be cautious when choosing sunscreen. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Department of Education is considering a proposal to seek from legislators next year a $50 million boost in per-pupil funds aimed at helping public schools narrow achievement gaps between high-needs students and their peers. Star-Advertiser.

For the third consecutive year, Kathryn Matayoshi is exceeding expectations in her role as Hawaii Department of Education superintendent, according to the Board of Education’s annual job performance evaluation. Hawaii News Now.

Schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi for a third straight year received high marks on her annual performance evaluation by the state Board of Education. Star-Advertiser.

The State Public Charter School Commission will undergo a performance review following a “pattern of well-founded complaints” from multiple charter school leaders, the state Board of Education decided Tuesday during its regular meeting. Tribune-Herald.

A quasi-governmental agency that has sometimes received negative press has hired a major public relations firm to improve how people think of it. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has retained the services of Honolulu-based Stryker Weiner & Yokota. The $293,969 contract is for a two-year period. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The City Council is expected to approve a $6 million settlement of a lawsuit brought by a man who was severely injured when his motorcycle was struck by an on-duty Honolulu Police Department officer’s SUV. Star-Advertiser.

A plan to build a 36-story luxury condo and hotel across the street from the Hawaii Convention Center is facing resistance from affordable housing advocates on the eve of its final vote before the Honolulu City Council. Civil Beat.

A controversial resort development in Ewa Beach prompted tempers to flare at the Honolulu City Council on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Thousands of homeless patients frequent Hawaii hospitals, many of whom have chronic health conditions that often lead to costly emergency room visits and repeat admissions. Star-Advertiser.

Areas closed for rail construction may no longer reopen as businesses struggle to survive. KHON2.

Condominium sales surged on Oahu during August while median sales prices jumped for both condos and single-family homes, according to a Honolulu Board of Realtors analysis of Multiple Listing Service data. Pacific Business News.

Oahu "desperately" needs more housing inventory to meet high demand, the president of the Honolulu Board of Realtors said Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees met on Oahu Tuesday, and Mauna Kea was on the agenda. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii County is nearing the end of the waiting list for its geothermal relocation program more than four years after it saw a surge in applicants. Joaquin Gamiao-Kunkel, deputy planning director, said offers are pending with the last two of the 39 applicants. Tribune-Herald.

Residential home sales on Hawaii Island are continuing along an upward trend for the first half of 2016. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

From 2012 – 2014, 90% of the Department of Health’s water quality samples collected on Maui failed to meet state standards for nutrients, bacteria, and turbidity (a measure of water clarity). Program leaders say these results, combined with other data, raise concerns about the health of Maui’s coral reefs. Hui O Ka Wai Ola, a citizen science, coastal water quality monitoring program was launched under a joint effort from the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, The Nature Conservancy, the West Maui Ridge to Reef Initiative and University of Hawaiʻi. Maui Now.

The major walkway along the coastline of Wai‘ānapanapa State Park in East Maui will be replaced beginning today, Sept. 6, 2016. Maui Now.

Kauai

The euthanization of five kittens by the Kauai Humane Society has upset some community members, while those who work within the nationwide animal shelter sector say KHS’s actions are acceptable. Garden Island.