Vacation rentals changing Hawaii economy, empty Kakaako condos, fighting beach erosion, Molokai policeman arrested on drug charges, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki beach ©2019 All Hawaii News

Hawaii allocates $13M to keep Waikiki Beach from disappearing. The economic impact to Hawaii of Waikiki Beach was recently estimated at $2.2 billion a year, but the crumbling Royal Hawaiian groin and other man-made structures are all that is keeping the state’s most visited beach from being swept away. Star-Advertiser.

HTA: Visitors In Vacation Homes Spend Less. Hawaii Tourism Authority data might seem merely to quantify the obvious, but the data could explain a trend that concerns local economists. Civil Beat.

Vacation rental guests contributing less to tourism economy. Guests staying at vacation rentals in Hawaii aren’t exactly big spenders. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Air fixes tech glitch that grounded some flights on Saturday. The airlines says it's a software problem that interrupted reception of the Global Positioning Satellite system. KITV.

Oahu

Vacation rental giants look to temper Council bills. Representatives for two of the world’s largest operators of web platforms that broker vacation rentals voiced disappointment at a Honolulu City Council committee’s decision Friday to advance two bills they said will cause thousands of job cuts in Hawaii and severely hurt the visitor industry. Star-Advertiser.

Kakaako’s Empty Condos: ‘At Night, It’s A Ghost Town Down Here'. Merchants say they leased new space in Ward Village expecting to benefit from the proximity of hordes of condo-dwellers. Now they wonder where they are. Civil Beat.

Kakaako homeless group wants state to provide land for a 'safe place'. A group of homeless residents in Kakaako are working towards finding state land to live on permanently.  KITV.

Honolulu Rail Officials Hand-Deliver Recovery Plan To Feds. The trip to San Francisco was made in hopes that the Federal Transit Administration will start releasing more money for the project. Civil Beat.

Scientists hopeful for endangered orangeblack Hawaiian damselfly. Today only one population of the colorful native aquatic insect remains on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

21 charter amendments heading to 2020 ballot. West Hawaii Today.

DLNR bounces wells application back to PGV. Applications for two new geothermal wells have been reviewed and returned to Puna Geothermal Venture with comments, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources confirmed this week. Tribune-Herald.

Hu Honua Delays Compound While Waiting For Court Judgement. The bioenergy company says the continued employment of its workers are placed at risk as it awaits the Hawaii Supreme Court Judgement that will reopen the PUC docket. Big Island Video News.

New possibilities for Alii corridor. More than a decade after an effort to develop Alii Parkway stalled, a subcommittee under the Kona Community Development Plan action committee is taking a new look at a possible future for the project. West Hawaii Today.

Legacy still on watch list. Legacy Hilo Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has shown improvement since being named a special focus facility nearly two years ago, according to a list of such facilities provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that was updated in May. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Problems at Baby Beach. Effort to halt erosion, block access to some wrongdoers backfires. Maui News.

Celebrity couple’s request highlights Maui’s housing woes. A celebrity couple’s request to convert their Hawaii home into a short-term rental is landing them in the middle of a housing debate on the island of Maui. Star-Advertiser.

Maui police are reporting that they have arrested one of their long-time police officers on suspicion of multiple drug-related offenses. Star-Advertiser.

MPD officer on Molokai arrested on drug-related charges. Daniel Imakyure is a 10-year veteran of the department. Maui News.

Kauai

Haena, Wainiha communities prepare to welcome visitors after a year of seclusion. Kuhio Highway on Kauai's North Shore has been closed since April 2018 after devastating flooding caused millions of dollars in damage to the Wainiha and Haena area. KHON2.

A Kapaa man is questioning the county’s actions in the delayed reopening of Black Pot Beach Park in Hanalei. Garden Island.

Trespassing bride and groom. Just as the sun was rising on the first day in June, a wedding planner allegedly held a private and pretty ceremony at Hanalei’s Black Pot Beach Park. Garden Island.

Molokai

Maui police are reporting that they have arrested one of their long-time police officers on suspicion of multiple drug-related offenses. Star-Advertiser.

MPD officer on Molokai arrested on drug-related charges. Daniel Imakyure is a 10-year veteran of the department. Maui News.

Police misconduct reports may include names, feds indict police accused of making man lick urinal, Big Island may have special election, water rights bill resurfaces, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii police on parade ©2019 All Hawaii News

Public disclosure of the names of officers discharged or suspended from a county police department could come as early as 2021. A bill, if enacted into law, would require Hawaii’s four county police chiefs to disclose in annual reports to the state Legislature the identity of an officer upon an officer’s suspension or discharge from a county police department. West Hawaii Today.

Water Rights Bill May Have New Life. There is talk that the Hawaii state Senate will vote on the controversial legislation as early as Tuesday. Civil Beat.

A legislative panel has passed a bill that would reduce penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana. The measure adopted by the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Friday says possession of 3 grams or less of marijuana would be a petty misdemeanor punishable by a $30 fine. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers tout ‘Hawaii Saves’ program despite pushback from some. State legislators are expected to vote this week on “Hawaii Saves," a measure which would create a state retirement savings program for local businesses. Hawaii News Now.

Bill expands authority to eradicate invasive species on private property. The Hawaii Legislature is close to passing a measure that will provide invasive species committees another weapon in the fight against biological intruders. West Hawaii Today.

Following Lawsuit, DOE Revives Its Gender Equity Committee. After a long absence, Hawaii’s education department is bringing back a committee to advise top leaders on how schools can comply with Title IX. Civil Beat.

Ige Appoints Kamehameha Schools Official To Board of Education. Damien Barcarse of the Big Island would bring Hawaiian language fluency and cultural knowledge to the position. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Attorney General Defends SNAP Benefits. Attorney General Clare E. Connors joined a coalition of 21 states and territories in opposing the Trump administration’s effort to end Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Maui Now.

Oahu

Feds Indict Two Honolulu Cops For Making Man Lick Urinal. They are accused of violating the victim’s civil rights. Four officers were initially disciplined after the January incident. Civil Beat.

Officers who allegedly forced man to lick urinal indicted on civil rights offenses. Two Honolulu officers who allegedly forced a homeless man to lick a urinal in a public restroom were charged Friday with civil rights offenses, federal authorities said. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Police Officers Allegedly Forced Man To Lick Urinal. Two Honolulu police officers arrested Friday are innocent of allegations they forced a man to lick a urinal, a defense attorney said. Hawaii Public Radio.

=====

Impeachment proceedings for Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney hit a snag over signatures. Organizers switch websites to help the state verify signatures. Hawaii News Now.

Judge OKs recorded testimony from 99-year old key witness in Kealoha case. A key witness in the case against the Kealohas will be deposed ahead of the May trial because the 99-year-old is in failing health. Hawaii News Now.

Proposed ‘food hub’ would foster small-scale diversified farming. Star-Advertiser.

Vacation rentals in Waikiki rival largest hotels. New research from AllTheRooms, a New York-based search engine, shows there are about 3,300 vacation rental units in Waikiki. Star-Advertiser.

Kahana Valley living park concept ‘broken’. About a half a century ago the state paid $5 million to acquire a prized 5,000-acre Windward Oahu parcel, stretching from the mountains to the sea, and subsequently adopted a unique approach to protect the rural area from development. Star-Advertiser.

One of Hawaii’s first state-licensed pot growers shows off its operation. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The Charter Commission will consider holding a special election later this year, rather than adding charter amendments to a 2020 general election ballot already crowded with candidates for president, Congress, county mayor, prosecutor and County Council. West Hawaii Today.

Charter Commission wraps up six-town roadshow. A sparse audience Thursday evening capped off six public hearings as the county Charter Commission wrapped up its roadshow giving residents all over the island a chance to weigh in on proposed changes to the county’s fundamental governing document. Star-Advertiser.

Lawsuit filed in toddler death: Family of child who died in foster care seeks justice, awareness and change. West Hawaii Today.

The state Land Board will consider Friday renaming Mauna Kea Recreation area after the late-Sen. Gil Kahele. Tribune-Herald.

Revitalizing Banyan: Bill to create agency on its way to final vote. The peninsula consists of mostly state land and is home to Hilo’s large hotels, including the Hilo Hawaiian and Grand Naniloa Hotel, and the shuttered Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel, along Banyan Drive. Tribune-Herald.

The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan is looking for additional partners to help fund the Subaru Telescope. Michitoshi Yoshida, Subaru director, said Japan would remain the owner and main source of funding for the 8.2-meter telescope, located on Maunakea. Tribune-Herald.

The former vice chairman of the state Real Estate Commission was sentenced Friday to 10 years of court supervision, including six months in jail, for embezzling more than $200,000 from Hilo clients. Tribune-Herald.

A county employee says abrupt transfer station closures like those experienced last week could pop up again in the future unless the Hawaii County Department of Environmental Management adds to its solid waste division workforce. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Preliminary injunction issued over handling of Hawaiian burials. Meeting planned for next week to mull specifics for Maui Lani project. Maui News.

Report on isle coral resiliency a mixed bag of good, bad news. Some reefs surviving better but all areas at risk with climate change, land-based sediment, toxic runoff. Maui News.

Kauai

An emphasis on renewable energy. The world is getting closer to matching Kauai’s renewable energy profile, according to recent statistics, but Kauai is still strides ahead in renewable energy generation. Garden Island.

Kahoolawe

Making it right with Kahoolawe. Restoration of Kahoolawe is a multigenerational endeavor after all. Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission’s ocean resources manager said the restoration work they are doing won’t be completed in his generation but “might be done in my children’s generation.” Maui News.

Sea level rise worse than expected, education tax fight garners big bucks, Arizona Memorial closed this week, councilwoman refuses to legislate, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Paddle boarder at Hilo beach park ©2018 All Hawaii News

New study doubles estimates of land vulnerable to sea level rise. A team of researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources found that island land affected by sea level rise may be double previous projections. Star-Advertiser.

Sunscreen May Be Killing Hawaii’s Ecosystems. Chemicals in sunscreen put the Aloha State’s popular yet fragile coral reefs at risk, so the state passed a ban on the toxins, effective in 2021. U.S. News.

Chamber Of Commerce Pours $600K Into Fighting School-Funding Measure. Teachers have a half-million dollars of their own to support the proposal, while unions organize opposition to a constitutional convention. Civil Beat.

Educators around the state say they will organize a walk-in protest from 7 to 8 a.m. today because they are “frustrated by the lack of funding in Hawaii’s schools and by the state’s being ranked worst in the country for teachers just last week by a national survey,” according to a press release. Garden Island.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alert on Wednesday. Garden Island.

Oahu

Arizona Memorial to remain closed through Saturday. The USS Arizona Memorial is closed for the rest of the week due to the submersion of the shoreside floating dock where visitors board vessels for harbor tours, according to the National Park Service. Star-Advertiser.

Structure struggles at Pearl Harbor. Not only is the boat-ramp at the USS Arizona Memorial still damaged, the shore side dock is now underwater. KITV.

Caldwell opposed to altering sidewalk bills. Mayor Kirk Caldwell wants Honolulu City Council members to pass his bills banning “obstructing” and “lodging” on Oahu sidewalks without language they’ve added that would delay their implementation. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor claims City Council is trying to stall efforts to move homeless from parks, sidewalks. At Aala Park on Monday, pedestrians zig-zagged down sidewalks cramped with tents. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor urges City Council to streamline bills to keep sidewalks clear. KITV.

Oahu voters asked to solve HART board members quorum issue. A proposed amendment to the Honolulu City Charter that’s before voters on the General Election ballot would state clearly that six members are needed to hold a vote and that six members are needed to constitute a quorum. Star-Advertiser.

Gambling, game rooms still have strong hold in Honolulu. Gambling has long been outlawed in the islands, but that hasn't stopped people from getting their fix. KHON2.

A new charter school in Wahiawa is facing mounting complaints as parents raise concerns about staffing, communication, even safety. Some parents say at least 10 teachers and staff resigned from the Kamalani Academy since school started in August, and they believe that's one of several red flags. Hawaii News Now.

From Capri Suns To Resumes: Meeting The Needs Of Homeless Young People. A first-of-its-kind program specializes in helping those 18-24 move from the street to independent living. Civil Beat.

Cardax Inc. has launched a clinical trial to evaluate the effect on cardiovascular health for low and high doses of its new anti-inflammatory product ZanthoSyn. Star-Advertiser.

Heads up, drivers: That pedestrian might be a plainclothes officer. Hawaii News Now.

HPD cracking down after 2 more pedestrian fatalities. Three weekend crashes, which left two dead and one seriously injured, have prompted the Honolulu Police Department this month to step up enforcement, including the use of plainclothes officers in crosswalks. Star-Advertiser.

Kailua residents weigh in on new public park coming to Kailua. It will come with the first public outdoor climbing facilities at a state park, and it will be the first dog park in Windward Oahu. KHON2.

Sophia the Robot Takes Center Stage at 2018 Global Tourism Summit. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waikiki Parc Hotel closed Monday and will reopen next fall following a multi-million-dollar renovation as Halepuna Waikiki, “a new upscale boutique hotel,” according to Halekulani Corporation and Japan-based Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Council plays waiting game as Ruggles won’t return. Faced with the curious case of a County Council member who refuses to vote or sponsor bills, county legislative leaders want more teeth added to local laws to require elected officials perform to stricter standards. West Hawaii Today.

Hirono: $483k In Fed Funds For Puna Farmers Impacted By Eruption. Puna farmers impacted by the eruption of Kilauea Volcano will soon be getting federal assistance, according to U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). Big Island Video News.

September comes to a close with record-high temps. Record-high temperatures in Hilo were recorded on three days during the past week, and hot, muggy conditions prevailed regardless of records. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

National Park Releases Kipahulu EA for Public Review. The purpose of the KCP is to improve visitor access to and enjoyment of the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park while reducing visitor-caused impacts to the park’s resources; to improve safety; and to ensure adequate operational capacity and facilities given the area’s remote location. Maui Now.

Commentary: 3 charter amendment proposals to be on general election ballot. Maui News.

Electric vehicle drivers can top off at MECO office. A new fast-charging station is available 24 hours daily at Maui Electric Co.’s Kahului office for owners of electric vehicles. Maui News.

Joshua Bradbury sacrificed his life saving a dog from a swollen Kauai stream during Hurricane Lane, and a puppy who survived the storm on Maui now sports his name. Garden Island.

Kauai

Some Hawaii candidates were taken by surprise recently when they received fines for not reporting the cost of advertisements to the Campaign Spending Commission within 24 hours of the contracted purchase. Garden Island.

How This Popular DJ Became ‘Part of the Family’ On The Garden Isle. Ron Wiley, a fixture at KONG radio for more than three decades, spent months talking locals through Hurricane Iniki and its aftermath. Civil Beat.

Veterans Day marked in Hawaii, state Senate shifts some leaders, aquarium fish lawsuit moves to state Supreme Court, Maui and Kauai charter amendments pass, Honolulu police, zoo at issue, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Veterans Day parade © 2016 All Hawaii News

Events this morning marking Veterans Day include the annual National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific ceremony and the annual Wahiawa Lions Club parade, while an afternoon ceremony honoring veterans will take place aboard the Battleship Missouri Memorial. Star-Advertiser.

In observance of Veterans Day, all federal, state, city and county offices will be closed. KITV.

Hawaii Senate President Ron Kouchi announced slight changes to the 25-member chamber’s leadership structure Thursday as lawmakers get ready for the next session, which opens Jan. 18. Civil Beat.

The State Senate announced its leadership lineup today with only a few changes.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Conservation groups are appealing to the state Supreme Court to require more oversight of the aquarium fishing industry. Hawaii News Now.

Issues surrounding aquarium fish collection are being taken to Hawaii’s Supreme Court after the Intermediate Court of Appeals sided with the state on permit issuance. Garden Island.

The Coast Guard cited three commercial fishing vessels for safety and other violations, and sent the boats back to port during inspections this month, in one instance discovering a non-U.S. citizen at the helm of a U.S. vessel. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Medical Service Association has named Michael Stollar president and chief operating officer. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Commission changes cast uncertainty over future of Honolulu’s police department. KHON2.

The city’s quest to regain accreditation for the Honolulu Zoo received a big boost this week when Oahu voters approved an amendment to the City Charter that requires 0.5 percent of estimated property tax revenue each year to be dropped into an account set up to exclusively fund the 42-acre facility. Star-Advertiser.

A state board guiding affordable-housing production voted Thursday to move ahead with a plan for developing 590 rental apartments and a public elementary school in two towers on state land in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

The board overseeing construction of Oahu’s rail transit system has selected its new leader, as the financially challenged project continues to face future uncertainty. Star-Advertiser.

The dean of Hawaiian studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa is being recommended for the chancellor position at UH West Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

A large Kahuku farm must stop selling and distributing its sea asparagus and seaweed products because salmonella, which has sickened at least 14, was found on the farm last week. Star-Advertiser.

Makaha animal shelter volunteers say dogs wrongfully taken in massive raid. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

The Hawaii County Board of Ethics found there is probable cause that Mayor Billy Kenoi violated the county code when he used his government issued purchase card for personal expenses. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi has acknowledged in an agreement there is probable cause that he violated ethics code by using a county-issued credit card for personal purchases. Associated Press.

Hawaii County is hoping more access to pesticide treatments will help efforts to combat the little fire ant population. Tribune-Herald.

Organizers of the 100% Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon have canceled this weekend’s scheduled run over uncertainty whether there would be enough police officers available to assist with road closures. West Hawaii Today.

Managers and employees celebrated a new Grand Naniloa Hotel on Thursday as they marked the official launch of its partnership with DoubleTree by Hilton. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui’s three senators secured key leadership roles and committee assignments in the upcoming 29th session of the Hawaiʻi Legislature. Maui Now.

A majority of Maui County voters cast “yes” ballots for proposed Maui County Charter amendments, including one that provides for council members to confirm most directors of county departments. Maui News.

A hearing was scheduled for testimony on the state’s proposal to establish parking fees for the ‘Āhihi-Kina‘u Natural Area Reserve on Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Five of the seven proposed amendments to the Kauai County Charter were approved by voters Tuesday. Garden Island.

The finish line for the demolition of Coco Palms is in sight. Garden Island

Ala Wai cleanup mulled, changes to state constitution, local charters on ballot, Oahu wants feral cat cleanup, Department of Education pares teacher suspension list, lots of candidates on ballots, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Canoe on the Ala Wai © 2016 All Hawaii News

The Ala Wai Canal is home to the largest concentration of canoe clubs in the state, yet according to city readings it sometimes has 20 times the level of contaminants considered safe for human recreation. Star-Advertiser.

The Department of Education’s backlog of employee misconduct cases has dropped to its lowest level in at least two years amid efforts to resolve investigations quicker and provide consistent guidelines to schools. Star-Advertiser.

Public high schools across the state saw an increase this past year in ACT results for 2016 graduates, increasing scores in mathematics by 2 percent and 1 percent in English and science.Garden Island.

From Now Through Nov 8, Every Day Is Election Day In Hawaii. Plenty of people have their ballots in hand, but there are a lot of decisions to make. Civil Beat.

Hawaii residents who missed the deadline to register to vote will get a second chance. Late registration will be available during Early Walk-In voting starting on Tuesday. KITV.

Voters won’t just be deciding political races in November. Also on the general election ballot, voters will find two proposed constitutional amendments adopted during the Twenty-Eighth Legislature’s Regular Sessions of 2015 and 2016, as well as proposed charter amendment questions for individual counties. KHON2.

University of Hawaii researchers have been awarded more than $1 million to test and evaluate technology used to observe aquatic ecosystems, the university announced. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Democratic hopeful aims to unseat Hawaii’s only GOP senator. Associated Press.

Honolulu Charter Commission leaders say there’s a legitimate argument for allowing the mayor and City Council members to serve up to three consecutive four-year terms instead of the current two terms. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu voters are being asked to study up on 20 proposed changes to the Honolulu City Charter dealing with topics as diverse as giving more teeth to the Honolulu Police Commission to creating a new Department of Land Management. Star-Advertiser.

Amendment Would Help Fund Honolulu Zoo With Property Taxes/ Voters are asked to dedicate a portion of the tax revenue. The zoo recently lost its accreditation, partially due to the lack of a steady funding. Civil Beat.

Nearly 70 percent of Oahu voters want feral cats removed from Hawaii, according to The Civil Beat Poll conducted earlier this month by Merriman River Group.

Mayoral candidate Charles Djou has filed an ethics complaint against Mayor Kirk Caldwell, alleging the incumbent lied on his official financial disclosure form about the value of his stock in Territorial Savings Bank. Civil Beat.

The race for state House District 22 comes down to an incumbent Democrat who does not think government is hard enough on the homeless versus a Republican businesswoman who maintains the homeless should be shown more compassion. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu has the second-highest construction costs in the world behind only Oslo, Norway, according to a new report. Pacific Business News.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is working on a plan to better protect the Pahole Natural Area Reserve at Mokuleia. Star-Advertiser.

A Haleiwa landowner is seeking to rezone 7 acres of agricultural property for development of 29 homes on the edge of an existing residential neighborhood and large farms. Star-Advertiser.

Palolo Valley: ‘Overshadowed By Its Past,’ But Making Progress. Though outsiders have long been wary of the community east of Manoa, its reputation is changing for the better. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

After more than 770 absentee voters cast mail-in ballots too late to be counted in the primary election, officials have tucked a bright orange reminder in the ballot packages being mailed for the general election. West Hawaii Today.

Depending on whom you ask, the single local amendment on the Big Island’s general election ballot will either do nothing or quite a lot. The amendment changes language in the county charter, the county’s governing document. It would broaden the scope of the General Plan, the document that dictates what can be developed, where. West Hawaii Today.

The House District 3 race is probably the closest it gets to putting the Thirty Meter Telescope on the ballot. Tribune-Herald.

Rep. Cindy Evans, who’s represented North Kona, South Kohala and North Kohala since 2002, said it’s her experience that makes her suited to continue representing the district during the next legislative cycle. Her opponent, community organizer Jeffrey Coakley, said it’s time to “bring in a change,” and fight for a less “Oahu-centric” government. West Hawaii Today.

For the first time in 2016, voters in West Hawaii’s 5th District have a choice to make regarding who will represent them in the State House of Representatives. Incumbent Democrat Richard Creagan’s seat, which covers the southern tip of the island from Keauhou down to South Point, is being challenged by Libertarian candidate Michael Last. West Hawaii Today.

Two community association leaders are seeking to represent lower Puna on the Hawaii County Council. Maddie Greene of Nanawale Estates and Eileen Ohara of Hawaiian Shores will face off in the Nov. 8 general election in the District 4 race. Tribune-Herald.
http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/local-news/candidates-share-puna-visions-greene-ohara-both-proven-leaders-district-4-race

During the first day of the contested case hearing in Hilo, Pua Case – a Hawaiian cultural practitioner and one of the original legal challengers of the Thirty Meter Telescope permit – asked planner Perry White if he believes Mauna Kea is sacred. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Wailuku council race draws candidates with contrasting styles, goals. Maui News.

Some Haiku residents are seeking help and guidance from county officials and landowners to establish a pedestrian and bike path to link Haiku’s two commercial centers — the old Pauwela and Haiku canneries. Maui News.

Record flood was a close call for parts of Wailuku. Levee holds, barely preventing massive destruction, loss of life. Maui News.

Kauai

Justin Kollar, incumbent, is seeking another term as the county’s prosecuting attorney. If re-elected, he hopes to address drug houses, domestic violence and find ways for drug addicts to get the help they need. Garden Island.

If elected, Lisa Arin promises to tackle the island’s methamphetamine problem, beginning by making sure children are safe in their homes. Garden Island.

Kauai public high schools made big strides during the 2015-16 school year. The Hawaii State Department of Education announced an increase in the number of public high schools and public charter schools in terms of their academic performance; in particular, graduation rates and test scores. Garden Island.

An online petition is circulating, demanding changes to the contract between the County of Kauai and Kauai Humane Society. Garden Island.

On Monday, the second round of Hawaiian Petrel translocation will bring another group of chicks into the borders of the predator-proof fence within the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Garden Island.

Feral cats plague Hawaii, clean energy rut, Maui mayor stops community projects, state Ethics Commission seeks public input, Kenoi trial starts this week, charter amendments on county ballots, rail a factor in Honolulu mayoral race, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Feral cat with petrel on Kauai, courtesy Hawaii DLNR

Two wildlife issues have collided in Hawaii, pitting one group of animal defenders against another in an impassioned debate. The point of contention? Deadly cat poop and the feral felines that produce it. Associated Press.

It’s no secret that invasive species have stuck Hawaii with a series of ever-mounting bills. Battling fruit flies alone costs about $300 million a year. Estimates for future costs of little fire ants push past $200 million. Tribune-Herald.

When it comes to clean energy use, Hawai‘i is in a bit of a rut. That’s according to the Blue Planet Foundation, who released their 4th annual energy report card. Hawaii Public Radio.

While Maui Electric Co. is re-examining the idea of an undersea cable between Maui and Oahu, the utility understands that it’s a “very culturally sensitive issue,” a MECO official said Thursday night during a community energy forum in Spreckelsville. Maui News.

The State Ethics Commission is asking the public to share ideas on how it can best promote integrity in government, inviting written comments and active participation at its meeting Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

There are 42 real estate investment trusts (REITs) doing business in Hawaii with an estimated net income of $720.6 million, according to a new report. Pacific Business News.

Nearly 500 people linked to more than 50 companies competed for licenses to operate Hawaii’s first medical marijuana dispensaries. Civil Beat.

Isles fare well in new shooting study. Associated Press.

The state agency in charge of commercial fishing licenses has rejected a petition to change its rules, a request that sought to ensure foreign fishermen understand what they’re signing. KHON2.

Hawaii’s longline fishermen will be able to go after similar amounts of bigeye tuna next year under a policy passed last week by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. Civil Beat.

It took a few small conversations to kickstart the statewide talk about concussions in high school athletes. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Mayor Kirk Caldwell and his mayoral challenger, Charles Djou, have traveled very different paths since 2005 to get to the same conclusion: Honolulu’s elevated rail line, both of them now say, must be built to Ala Moana Center. But the candidates still disagree sharply over how to pay for the severely cash-strapped project. Star-Advertiser.

Both Mayoral Candidates Ask: Better Off Than 4 Years Ago? Mayor Kirk Caldwell steals challenger Charles Djou’s frequently asked question, but supplies very different answers. Civil Beat.

There are no less than 20 charter amendment questions on the ballot for voters living on Oahu, and it may prove challenging to determine what to do with all of them. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Oahu voters next month may be deciding not only who will lead the city for the next four years, but also for the following four years through 2024. That’s because of controversial proposed City Charter amendment No. 15, which would perpetuate our political elite by extending term limits for City Council members and mayor from two consecutive four-year terms to three. Star-Advertiser.

Here’s a little-known fact: Honolulu’s charter currently says that the city police chief and prosecuting attorney have discretion over what records from their departments get released to the public, with the exception of traffic accident information. Civil Beat.

Unlike many police agencies across the country, the Honolulu Police Department excludes violent crimes from the public mapping service it provides online, giving residents only a partial picture of the types of offenses happening in their neighborhoods. Star-Advertiser.

A Honolulu rail contractor is getting paid $1 million to come up with a plan for an electric bus system that would connect Waikiki to a rail station that may never see the light of day. Civil Beat.

The once rat- and crime-infested Mayor Wright Homes in the heart of Kalihi could be torn down and reborn as a series of high-rise towers designed to shed the stigma of low-income housing beginning with groundbreaking in early 2018. Star-Advertiser.

Decades of waiting end for 44 families awarded Hawaiian homestead lots. Star-Advertiser.

Folks in Leeward Oahu say erosion is creating a safety concern for visitors at a local beach. KHON2.

Hawaii

For the Big Island, it's one of the biggest trials in decades. A crowded courtroom is expected in Hilo Tuesday as Mayor Bill Kenoi becomes the first mayor in Hawaii since Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi to defend himself against criminal charges while still in office. Hawaii News Now.

Don’t let the lack of registration and regulation fool you. The Big Island has a thriving agricultural tourism industry, where visitors tour workplaces, sample everything from vanilla to chocolate to coffee to honey to mushrooms and visit the gift shop to buy value-added farm products. West Hawaii Today.

In June, the County Council defeated a bill that would have heavily restricted the use of expanded polystyrene products, more commonly known as Styrofoam, across Hawaii Island’s food industry. But proponents of the legislation aren’t ready to put the issue to bed. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Department of Public Work’s Building Division went before the county Board of Ethics on Tuesday to answer accusations of unfair treatment. Big Island Video News.

The Thirty Meter Telescope debate placed Native Hawaiian activist Kealoha Pisciotta in the spotlight, making her name and face recognizable across Hawaii island. Pisciotta, considered a long shot against incumbent Rep. Richard Onishi, said the Democratic nominee garnered just 3,346 votes in the primary out of more than 14,600 registered voters in sprawling District 3, which extends from Hilo to Kau. Star-Advertiser.

Dentist, homeless advocate, community supporter dies suddenly at 60. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor Alan Arakawa has directed the Department of Planning to suspend work on upcoming Maui island community plans and focus instead on revamping the county’s long-range planning process. Maui News.

Kihei association to host candidate forum Candidates for three competitive Maui County Council races will be appearing at a Kihei Community Association forum Tuesday at Kihei Charter Middle School. Maui News.

Bail was maintained Friday at $650,000 for West Maui-north Kihei Republican state House candidate Chayne Marten, who allegedly sexually assaulted a preteen female family member over the course of three years. Maui News.

The end of incentive programs doesn’t mean the door has closed on rooftop solar, but customers and businesses will have to start relying more on the still-growing technology of energy storage, industry experts explained at a community forum Thursday night. Maui News.

Forest City Hawaii plans to develop an affordable rental project on Maui, Pacific Business News has learned.

Using newly declassified documents, we examine the legacy of Elmer Cravalho, Maui County’s most important political leader. MauiTime.

Kauai

Proposed modifications to the TIGER Grant projects and measures amending the county’s operating budget will be discussed Wednesday during the Kauai County Council meeting. Garden Island.

The state proposes to install an aluminum bridge over a stream at Hanakapiai Valley on Kauai’s North Shore to keep hikers from trying to ford the stream during flash floods. Star-Advertiser.

When Kauai residents take to the polls on Nov. 8, they will have more to vote for than just state and county officials. Seven amendments to Kauai’s Charter, which was adopted in 1968, will appear on the ballot. Garden Island.

Ross Kagawa, incumbent, is seeking re-election. He is running on a platform that includes cutting government spending and trimming the county budget. Garden Island.

Two years ago, Kauai was the lowest in the state for incidents of property crime, according to a Crime in Hawaii Report. Garden Island.

Two more Newell’s shearwater chicks fledged from Crater Hill last week, bringing the number of babies under the care of the Pacific Rim Conservancy team to five. Garden Island.

Nurses to prescribe marijuana, Ige vetoes Maui hospital workers bill, Pacific Missile Range facility named for Inouye, drive-thru voter registration begins, electricity returned to Oahu jail, former Maui film commissioner sues over firing, PUC chairman calls for attorney general investigation, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Medical marijuana permits handmade sign © 2016 All Hawaii News

Hawaii patients may have easier access to medical marijuana now that nurses can certify them for the drug. Advocates say the change was needed because there’s a shortage of doctors willing to certify patients. Associated Press.

Gov. David Ige signed House Bill 2707 into law Monday. The measure allows for greater access by allowing registered nurses to certify patients for medical marijuana use. KITV.

Proponents are giving new updates to Hawaii’s medical marijuana dispensary law an “A” grade, but plan to lobby for more changes in the future. On Monday, Gov. David Ige signed House Bill 2707, an omnibus bill that aims to tie up loose ends in current dispensary law and increase access for patients. Tribune-Herald.

Before Hawai‘i cannabis can hit the market, it will have to be tested. HPR’s Molly Solomon visited one lab that’s hoping to be the state’s first. Hawaii Public Radio.

A new study says large majorities of people surveyed online in Hawaii (76 percent) and California (72 percent) support physician-assisted death. Civil Beat.

The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission is calling for a state Attorney General investigation into what he says is a "smear" campaign against interim PUC commissioner Tom Gorak. Hawaii News Now.

The Governor hosted an Education Summit over the weekend with more than one-thousand teachers, parents, students and policy makers in attendance. Hawaii Public Radio.

The state Office of Elections and county clerks will hold drive-thru voter registration Wednesday and Thursday, the deadline to register for the Aug. 13 primary. Star-Advertiser.

Family and general practitioners have the highest average annual salaries in Hawaii at $228,220, according to a top-100 list by Zippia, a career resource website that culled its data from the May 2015 occupational employment and wage estimates from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Star-Advertiser.

Solar applicants on Maui are pushing the limit, while Oahu and Big Island are well past the halfway point for the capacity for residential solar systems that can export excess power to the grid and receive credit. Star-Advertiser.

Why Everyone Wanted To Work For Hawaiian Electric. With a devastating war behind it, Hawaii embraced the promise of a bright future. And it needed HECO more than ever. Civil Beat.

Two environmental groups support holding public meetings on Kauai and Oahu to discuss two proposals to put floating wind turbines in a channel that separates the two islands. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

The Honolulu Charter Commission, at a busy meeting Thursday, nixed a plan to give city planners more leeway in issuing zoning variances and advanced a proposal requiring all nonprofit groups to be vetted before being allowed to get taxpayer grant money. Star-Advertiser.

Electricity was restored Monday afternoon to most areas of Oahu Community Correctional Center, the state’s largest jail, following an outage that began Friday afternoon. Star-Advertiser.

The Oahu Community Correctional Center continued to experience electrical problems Monday, three days after the issue first began. Hawaii News Now.

The director of the City and County’s Emergency Medical Services says he is looking at possibly changing the department’s 12-hour shifts or making other shift changes to alleviate the staffing shortages. KHON2.

The smell of urine emanated from the sidewalks of Iwilei on Monday as the city’s homeless enforcement team returned to once again break down makeshift shelters built out of cardboard, tarps and wooden pallets — one of hundreds of sweeps that have taken place since the cleanup crew was created more than three years ago. Star-Advertiser.

The primary race for the state House District 44 seat, which includes Maili, Waianae, Makaha and Makua, pits two familiar faces against each other on the Democratic side and two newcomers on the Republican end. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Time is running out if you want a say in who’s going to be the next mayor, or who will fill any number of federal, state and local seats up for grabs on the primary election ballot. West Hawaii Today.

The candidates for Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney spent an hour on Saturday fielding questions from Puna’s members of the Hawaii County Democratic Party. Big Island Video News.

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has announced two public meetings to discuss an application filed by Young Brothers, Ltd., an interisland shipping company, for approval of a general rate increase. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Gov. David Ige on Monday vetoed a bill that would provide extra severance and retirement bonuses for workers affected by the privatization of Maui County hospitals. At the same time, he offered up an amended and less costly version of the measure for the Legislature’s consideration. Star-Advertiser.

The former Maui film commissioner has filed a wrongful termination suit against the island’s mayor, accusing the mayor of firing him in 2013 at the request of Relativity CEO Ryan Kavanaugh, a longtime friend and booster of the mayor. Maui Watch.

The Maui Police Department launched a feasibility study on Friday, July 8, 2016, on the use of the VIEVU body-worn camera.  Maui Now.

The construction of two portable classrooms to ease overcrowding at Makawao Elementary School is expected to begin in October, said state Sen. J. Kalani English, who represents the district. Maui News.

State Sen. Michelle Kidani, chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, has organized a town hall meeting on the new federal education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act, for Maui from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Baldwin High Auditorium. Maui News.

Kauai

The range and range operations center at the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands will be named in honor of Daniel Inouye, the late Democratic U.S. senator from Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative is in the process of renewing its Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit, and an upcoming meeting on the subject is designed to bring the public up to speed. Garden Island.

Councilman Ross Kagawa wants to talk dogs and trees when the Kauai County Council meets in committee Wednesday. Garden Island.

Federal court hears GMO arguments, Honolulu ethics chief steps down, cesspool tax credit unpopular, Kauai council kills county manager plan, Ige asks courts to allow Maui hospitals room to breathe, one ballot initiative survives Hawaii County Council, residency complaint in Maui council race, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Screenshot of GMO hearings in U.S. District Court in Honolulu

A federal appeals court is weighing whether Hawaii counties have the right to regulate genetically modified crops and impose restrictions on how farmers apply pesticides. Three California-based judges flew to Honolulu to hear oral arguments Wednesday in a string of cases involving regulations on genetically engineered agriculture in Kauai County, Hawaii County and Maui County. Civil Beat.


Observers packed a federal courtroom in downtown Honolulu on Wednesday to watch attorneys for several of the world’s agricultural giants and opponents of genetically engineered farming battle over three county laws that target GMO crops and pesticide use. Star-Advertiser.

The fight over regulating genetically engineered crops in three Hawaii counties was back in a federal courtroom Wednesday as some agricultural giants look to protect their farms from bans against modified food. Associated Press.


Fern Rosenstiel said Wednesday’s 9th Circuit Court of Appeals hearing has been a long time coming. That’s because the federal appellate court heard three cases dealing with pesticide labeling and GMO laws created by Hawaii, Maui and Kauai counties. Garden Island.

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State efforts to phase out use of cesspools and encourage use of other wastewater systems are off to a slow start. A statewide ban on new cesspool construction began in March, two months after a law providing tax credits to help homeowners upgrade cesspools to a septic system or an aerobic tank system went into effect. Tribune-Herald.

The U. S. House of Representatives has approved an amendment to the Department of Defense 2017 appropriations bill that would provide $5 million to “initiate planning and design for a new ballistic missile defense radar in Hawaii,” Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said in a press release Wednesday. Civil Beat.

The embattled head of electrical workers union faces new allegations that he oversaw an improper union vote that doubled dues for hundreds of Hawaii union members. Hawaii News Now.

Scientists believe they found two new species of colorful reef fish and for the first time collected a male Hawaiian pigfish during a 25-day expedition to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Star-Advertiser.

Researchers in Hawaii have discovered three probable new species of fish while on an expedition in the protected waters of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. Associated Press.


Oahu

Chuck Totto’s decision Wednesday to step down under duress as the city’s longtime ethics director ends a years-long saga of his butting heads with Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration, Caldwell’s recently appointed city Ethics Commission members, and even members of Totto’s own staff. Star-Advertiser.

The longtime executive director of the city agency responsible for ethics enforcement resigned Wednesday. Civil Beat.

The embattled executive director of the Honolulu Ethics Commission, Chuck Totto, has resigned, effective immediately. Totto had led the commission since April 2000. Hawaii News Now.

After more than 16 years, the head of the Honolulu Ethics Commission has resigned. KHON2.

Honolulu Mayor Candidate Profiles: Kirk Caldwell. Hawaii Public Radio.

A desire to kick Kirk Caldwell out of office brought three top Hawaii Democrats together Wednesday at a press conference to voice their support for Charles Djou for mayor. Civil Beat.

Since November, the city has purchased and gutted a former private school in Makiki and plans to open it early next year as the first project of its kind in which the city will serve as landlord to as many as 75 low-income and homeless people. Star-Advertiser.

Howard Higa, president of The Cab taxi company, said Wednesday he has had enough of Hawaii politicians dillydallying when it comes to the regulation of app-based ride-hailing companies Lyft and Uber. Civil Beat.

Biotech startup Cardax Inc., seeking additional capital as losses mount, has increased the pay of two of its top officers who previously had seen their compensation reduced to minimum wage of $8.50 an hour. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii businessman Duane Kurisu to partner with city, state on homeless housing project. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

A charter amendment giving the County Council more control over department heads is unlikely to make it to the Nov. 8 ballot, following its postponement Wednesday in the face of scattered opposition and several proposed changes. West Hawaii Today.

Petitioners say the Thirty Meter Telescope, as well as the newly incorporated PUEO group, should not be allowed to intervene in the upcoming contested case hearing. Big Island Video News.

Persistent questioning Wednesday by County Council members eventually arrived at the cost of perks a developer is seeking to build affordable housing and a senior care facility on Hualalai Road: $1.8 million. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

For now, Maui Memorial Medical Center and its staff continue to cover shortages and to deal with uncertainties created by a federal appeals court injunction halting the operational transition of the public hospital to the private Kaiser Permanente, but the hospital's CEO warned that those efforts cannot be sustained for long and "will fall apart." Maui News.

The Maui Planning Commission approved plans Tuesday for a hybrid seawall and rock revetment fronting the Hololani Resort, where residents, like many of their neighbors, fear for the safety of their homes perched precariously on the West Maui shore. Maui News.

The Maui County clerk's office is investigating a complaint about the residency qualification for Maui County Council candidate Alan Kaufman, an Upcountry veterinarian. Maui News.

South Maui Rep. Kaniela Ing's announcement of his endorsement by the Sierra Club of Hawaii has led to a political tit-for-tat with his Democratic primary opponent, Deidre Tegarden. Maui News.

The Maui Police Department advises motorists that the speed limit between has been temporarily reduced on the Mokulele Highway between the Maui Humane Society animal shelter and North Kīhei Road. Maui Now.

Kauai

Arguing that a council-manager form of government would not solve the county’s problems, the Kauai County Council unanimously voted Wednesday to kill a resolution that would have let the people decide. Garden Island.

Four council members voted to approve a bill that allows additional dwelling units to be built on ag land. Bill No. 2601 amends the county code relating to ADU’s by removing the deadline for those units to be built. Per the code, ADUs had to be built by 2024. Garden Island.

New Hawaii website helps hikers find safer trails, big pukas in medical marijuana law, Hawaii County Council kills polystyrene ban, Maui Council approves $659.5M budget, Kauai pesticide study questioned, Land Board again confirms judge for Thirty Meter Telescope, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hiker on Pauoa Flats Trail © 2016 All Hawaii News

The state has launched its newly revamped website designed to help hikers easily find sanctioned trails in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Find the Hawaii trails website here.

Hawaii is the only state that doesn’t participate in the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics Program. Instead, state officials currently compile their own hate crimes report with information collected from local prosecutors rather than police. Associated Press.

There’s a “gray area” in Hawaii’s up-and-coming medical marijuana dispensary program that few are talking about: In order for dispensaries to procure their first batch of cannabis, someone’s going to have to break the law. Tribune-Herald.

NextEra Energy Inc. and Hawaiian Electric Co., the two companies involved in a $4.3 billion acquisition, were both silent on Friday, the day two companies contractually agreed that either could walk away from the deal. Pacific Business News.

Rat lungworm, a debilitating, sometimes fatal disease caused by parasites that worm their way into the human brain is the focus of a newly created state joint task force, but some say that’s not what’s needed. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The cost to build the rail transit system has already increased from $5.3 billion to $8 billion. But the project will cost city taxpayers another $100 million a year once it's finally operating. Hawaii News Now.

A jump in offers above asking price, key market indicators showing continued strong demand and the rapid pace of condominium sales indicates strong competition continues for available residential properties on Oahu, according to a new report. Pacific Business News.

Loretta Sheehan, a former prosecutor, was nominated to the Honolulu Police Commission only on Friday, but she already has big ideas for how to rebuild trust in the agency after watching its stature crumble under the weight of scandals involving officer misconduct and excessive use of force. Civil Beat.

Police want to make it easier to become a radio dispatcher. The Honolulu Police Department’s Communications Division, which includes civilian police dispatchers who answer emergency and nonemergency 911 calls, says it streamlined a previously cumbersome application process to allow more people to apply and be hired. Star-Advertiser.

Videos of daredevils on a swing atop the summit of the forbidden Haiku Stairs hiking trail, thousands of feet above the H-3 Freeway, have been popular on social media. The Board of Water Supply, however, is hiring a contractor to take it down in the next few weeks. KITV4.

A state Circuit Court jury awarded the association of Lagoon Tower timeshare owners $5.7 million in damages to be paid by the association’s former board president after a 10-day trial in April. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

County Council kills bill banning foam food containers. West Hawaii Today.

Despite a continuing problem fielding enough members to vote on important issues, there will be no changes to the Board of Ethics this year. Nor will there be more than four consecutive terms for County Council members. West Hawaii Today.

The state Land Board on Friday again affirmed a retired judge to oversee Thirty Meter Telescope permit proceedings despite calls for her removal from the project’s builder and those who opposed building the telescope on Mauna Kea. Associated Press.

Big Island’s New Marine Reserve Was A Long Time Coming. The state’s decision to establish a “no take zone” along a popular stretch of the island’s west coast is hailed by some, derided by others. Civil Beat.

Forty or so fishermen lined Queen Kaahumanu Highway waving signs on Saturday to protest the establishment of the Kaupulehu Marine Reserve, the island’s first initiative to put a reef off-limits to fishing while a subsistence plan is drafted for the 3.6 miles of coastline at Kaupulehu Bay. West Hawaii Today.

In the four years since the county ordinance known as “Aliyah’s Law” went into effect, Hawaii Island police have ordered 2,168 vehicles towed at the drivers’ expense. Tribune-Herald.

A planned affordable- housing project on Hawaii island that is more than four years behind schedule is close to breaking ground on its first homes, but the master developer of the envisioned community with 2,330 residences on state land wants out. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Maui County Council members gave final approval Friday to the $659.5 million fiscal 2017 budget, making a last-minute change to eliminate proposed increases in commercial ocean recreation activity permit fees. Maui News.

A bill that would require residents to own a property for five years before applying for a short-term rental permit could soon be headed to the Molokai, Lanai and Maui planning commissions for input from the public and commission members. Maui News.

After hearing sharply divided public testimony Friday, Maui County Council members referred to committee a proposal to switch from the current mayor-council form of county government to a council-manager system that includes an elected, but less powerful mayor. Maui News.

Offshore sand could help deter beach erosion in west Maui. The county planning department has been working with consultant Moffatt &Nichol since February on a study that resulted in the discovery of 300,000 cubic yards of sand off Kahana Bay in April. Associated Press.

Maui County shoreline planners are "elated" after discovering more than 300,000 cubic yards of "beach-quality sand" off Kahana Bay, which could replenish the beachfronts of numerous condominiums that have been slowly disappearing into the ocean. Maui News.

Officials at Lahainaluna High School are working to fix a water discoloration issue in bathroom sinks and hope to have it resolved by the beginning of next school year, acting Principal Joanne Dennis said Friday. Maui News.

The cross-country odyssey of a pair of glamorous twin sisters who found fame teaching yoga to the elite of South Florida and ignominy in a series of criminal incidents in Utah ended in bizarre tragedy May 29 when a white 2016 Ford Explorer veered off Hana Highway and plunged 200 feet onto a rocky shoreline. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

State regulators and experts in the fields of health and environmental science say that many of the recommendations put forward by a joint fact-finding group convened to study the potential hazards of pesticide use by large agricultural operations on the west side of Kauai likely aren’t useful, would cost millions of dollars annually and in some cases exceed state resources and expertise. Star-Advertiser.

For Councilman Arryl Kaneshiro, allowing Kauai residents to build multiple family dwellings on their property is a step in the right direction toward addressing the island’s affordable housing problem. Garden Island.

As of Friday, 20 Kauai residents filed papers, announcing their candidacy for different posts. Garden Island.

James “Jimmy” Tokioka (D-15, Wailua, Hanamaulu, Lihue, Koloa, Omao) — first elected to the state house in 2006 — is seeking his sixth, two-year term as a state house representative for Kauai. Garden Island.