Showing posts with label circus animals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label circus animals. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Foreign investment soars, owners to face fines for fake service animals, homeless qualify for Medicaid housing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2018 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Honolulu ©2018 All Hawaii News
Amid already hot housing market, foreign investment in Hawaii properties soars. Decades after the collapse of the Japanese investment bubble, foreign investment in Hawaii is making a big comeback. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii to roll out database to track school repair backlog. The Hawaii Department of Education is rolling out an online database to track the estimated $868 million backlog of repair and maintenance projects in the public school system. Associated Press.

Homeless people in Hawaii who are enrolled in Med-QUEST, the state’s Medicaid program, will have access to housing support services starting Jan. 1 that were previously offered to only a handful. Civil Beat.

As Ed Case prepares to be sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives in January, he’s been hiring key staff and gearing up for what he hopes will be major reforms in Congress. Star-Advertiser.

Claiming an ordinary dog to be a service animal will soon be illegal in Hawaii. Thanks to a law passed in July, the new year will add “misrepresentation of a service animal” to the state’s list of offenses punishable by a civil penalty. Tribune-Herald.

Circus and carnivals in Hawaii can’t bring lions, tigers or bears in for the show thanks to updated state rules signed by Gov. David Ige, and the head of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture says it’s been a long time coming. Garden Island.

Hawaii’s economy remained relatively strong through the year, with continued job growth, increasing wages and tax revenues that exceeded government projections in 2018, according to an annual financial report released last week by the Department of Accounting and General Services. Garden Island.

IMAGES OF 2018: A Year Of Alarms, Elections, Lava And A Notable Passing. The mother of all false alerts preceded very real disasters that flooded Kauai with rainwater and the Big Island with lava. Then came the threat of Hurricane Lane. Civil Beat.

Oahu

State Hospital overtime raises safety concerns. Big paychecks for overtime, also leads to big concerns about safety at the Hawaii State Hospital. KITV.

State and county officials, social service agencies and law enforcement are working together to address the highest per capita rate of homelessness in the country, but more needs to be done, according to the regional coordinator for the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. Star-Advertiser.

'It’s paradise’: Crowds head to the beach, trails for a sunny Christmas Day in Hawaii. A sunny Christmas Day sent throngs of merry-makers to Oahu beaches and parks Tuesday, where first responders were out in full force, too. Hawaii News Now.

Nearly 5 years after a huge fuel leak at the Red Hill Bulk Storage Facility, a forum will be held so people can get answers about preventing future leaks while protecting our water supply. KITV.

No flood, tsunami, earthquake or hurricane — not even retirement or a near-fatal heart attack — can keep Danny Tengan from readying East Honolulu residents for disaster. Star-Advertiser.

Water service will be temporarily suspended for four hours this morning at Magic Island, also known as Aina Moana, for a shower improvement project. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii officially down to one refinery. In line with the findings of the Hawaii Refinery Task Force's interim report from November 2013, one of the state's two refineries has, as predicted, officially ceased its refining operations before the year 2020. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Embattled dairy intentionally discharges 800,000 gallons of sewage into Big Island waters. Hawaii News Now.

Big Island Dairy Discharges More Wastewater Amid Heavy Rains. Hawaii health officials say the diary, which was fined for spilling nearly 8 million gallons of wastewater this summer, is pumping out nearly 800,000 gallons in the latest incident. Civil Beat.

The owners of Big Island Dairy illegally discharged Monday roughly 600,000 gallons of sewage that contaminated coastal waters through Kaohaoha Gulch. Star-Advertiser.

Water within Kaohaoha Gulch was contaminated with animal waste due to an overflowing retention pond at the dairy facility caused by heavy rainfall, health officials say. Big Island Video News.

Waimea residents and others will get a chance next month to weigh in on which of two air service providers they’d rather see offer subsidized flights out of the Waimea-Kohala Airport. West Hawaii Today.

The reins of the Big Island’s fourth-largest private landowner quietly changed hands last week. The new president of W.H. Shipman Ltd. is Margaret “Peggy” Farias, previously the chief financial officer and treasurer of the Keaau-based company. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Timeshare resorts report occupancy rate of 91.8% in Q3. Maui News.

Chief: Officers’ actions ‘justified’ in shooting. Suspect, who was shot to death, drew a handgun, he said. Maui News.

New video of Sunday’s deadly officer-involved shooting in Wailuku was released at a press conference today at the Wailuku Police Station. The 23 second encounter at the Kaohu Street, South Market Street intersection, came following a chase that ensued for approximately 12 minutes. Maui Now.

Maui Electric is proposing to assume ownership and operation of the existing electric vehicle fast-charging network established on Maui through the JUMPSmartMaui demonstration project. Maui Now.

Maui Electric Co. on Friday proposed to assume ownership and operation of the JUMPSmartMaui electric vehicle fast-charging network on the Valley Isle. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

The last several miles of road along Kauai’s North Shore remain closed to the public since the April flood. Local residents are limited to commute along one lane of the highway and only during scheduled convoy times. Hawaii Public Radio.

More than 100 threatened and endangered seabirds have fledged from the Nihoku restoration site within the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge in the past four years. Garden Island.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Hawaii bans wild animal shows, Caldwell urges swift action on rail, Coco Palms hearing deferred, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Elephant act at a 2009 circus in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico. In December 2014, as a response to reports of animal mistreatment, the Mexican Congress passed a law banning the use of animals in any circus in the country. PC: Alejandro Linares Garcia
The state today banned carnivals and fairs from bringing the animals into Hawaii. The president of EK Fernandez said Tuesday's decision could mean the end of the 115-year-old company. KHON2.

Wild animals banned from being shipped to Hawaii for entertainment or performance. Under new rules passed by Hawaii's Board of Agriculture on Tuesday wild, dangerous animals will be banned from being shipped to Hawaii for entertainment or performance. KITV.

Trump official accused of ethics violation over Hawaii GOP event. Don Benton, President Trump’s Selective Service director, has been accused of violating the Hatch Act during a speech he gave at the Hawaii Republican Party’s Constitution Day Dinner on Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, has made national headlines in the last week with her blunt comments about the treatment of women and the sexual assault allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh. New York Times.

Experts troubled state’s economy too dependent on visitor industry. Strong Mainland economy causing residents to leave. Maui News.

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced Tuesday that it will award $450,000 to continue the Hawaii State Trade Export Program, which helps local companies export their products. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Gets $8 M Federal Grant to Fight Against Opioid Misuse. The Hawaii Department of Health has received a two-year, $8 million federal grant that will be used for continued efforts to combat opioid misuse in the state. Maui Now.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority’s upcoming Global Tourism Summit will highlight artificial intelligence through sessions and speakers; perhaps the most notable being Sophia the Robot, which will converse with Oahu Visitor Bureau’s Kainoa Daines during a lunch keynote. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

In response to stern warning from feds on rail, Caldwell tells council this isn’t the ‘time to play’. At stake is $750 million in federal funds that are being withheld. Honolulu’s mayor and members of the City Council said they’re troubled by a warning letter from federal officials over rail funding and will work quickly to address the situation. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor calls for swift action after FTA rail letter: 'This is not a time to play chicken'. KHON2.

Caldwell urges HART, Council to act quickly to satisfy FTA. Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Tuesday urged the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation and the Honolulu City Council to work quickly to respond to demands made by the Federal Transit Authority or risk dire consequences. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Rail Project Faces Critical Decisions In Next 60 Days. City leaders are once again sparring over rail as they look to comply with a federal agency’s challenging demands. Civil Beat.

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Concerns over rising sea levels prompt city to scale back a Waianae residential project. The number of homes planned was slashed from 21 to eight. Hawaii News Now.

UH Manoa enrolls record freshman class. The University of Hawaii at Manoa attracted its biggest freshman class ever this fall, helping reverse a five-year trend of declining total enrollment on the flagship campus. Star-Advertiser.

Windward groups organize monthly aid for Kailua homeless. Several dozen homeless people in Kailua Monday got a chance to eat, shower, and connect with agencies that could help them get off the streets.  KITV.

The Kuahea Street interim improvements project will resume on Wednesday, Sept. 26, and is scheduled to be completed by Monday, Oct. 1. KHON2.

Waikiki hotel housekeeper alleges a member of a Saudi Arabian royal entourage grabbed, threatened her. Honolulu police are investigating the allegations. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Pacific University consolidation downtown set. Hawaii Pacific University has arranged the final step in consolidating its downtown Honolulu “campus” under a 2014 master plan to leave its longtime Windward Oahu base. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Pacific University is the new leaseholder of 120,000 square feet of space in downtown Honolulu making it the largest private occupant of real estate in the urban core. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Jen Ruggles Holds Community Meeting On War Crimes. A community meeting organized by Puna councilwoman Jen Ruggles to explain her ongoing absence from council drew a standing room-only crowd to the Keaau Community Center on Monday night. Big Island Video News.

Newly expanded highway will still shut all the way down for Ironman. When it comes to road closures on the Ironman World Championship race day, it will be business as usual this year — which is to say Queen Kaahumanu Highway will be closed for the majority of the day despite additional lanes having been extended this year. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaiian Homes Commission kicked off meetings in Hilo on Monday by hearing statements from beneficiaries. Big Island Video News.

In waters off Kona, a strange fish came out of the deep blue. Divers capture the ‘unusual’ moment in stunning photographs. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Napili resort facing violations for unpermitted rock wall work. Maui County has ordered the Napili Sunset Beachfront Resort to stop work on an existing rock structure near the shoreline after West Maui residents complained that the work may be unpermitted and unsafe and could impact the nearby bay and beach. Maui News.

Maui County hotel occupancy fell 4.1 percentage points in August, compared to 2017, according to a Hawai’i Tourism Authority report released Thursday that offered a statistical indication that Hurricane Lane dinged tourism. Maui News.

A new DC fast-charging station is now available at the Maui Electric office in Kahului for drivers of electric vehicles. Maui Now.

The Aloha Villas, a four-unit beachfront residential building on Maui that operates as a vacation rental for an average of $3,800 a night, is set to be sold in a three-day online auction later this fall with an opening bid of $3.5 million. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Coco Palms hearing deferred. A hearing to determine probable cause of violations regarding permitting conditions of the Coco Palms development was deferred Tuesday at the Planning Commission meeting. Garden Island.

Mock council, real issues. Residents got a taste of what the new county council might look like after the Nov. 6 general election at a mock county council Monday night at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. Garden Island.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Board of Agriculture mulls wild animal acts, Japan defense minister visits USS Arizona, Thirty Meter Telescope to be last atop Mauna Kea, dengue fever worries tourism authorities, more government and political news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2015 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Zoo animals, such as these elephants at Honolulu Zoo, won't be affected by animal act ban © 2015 All Hawaii News
The state Board of Agriculture is expected to vote today on an initiative that would ban wild animals, such as lions, elephants and tigers, from being brought to Hawaii for display at circuses and fairs. Star-Advertiser.

The State Board of Agriculture will be reviewing the formal rule proposal banning the importation of wild animal acts to Hawaii Tuesday morning. KITV4.

Japan’s defense minister has arrived in Hawaii to meet senior U.S. military officials this week. Defense Minister Gen Nakatani was scheduled to lay a wreath at the USS Arizona Memorial on Monday. He’ll also due to see a ballistic missile defense radar and a guided missile cruiser at Pearl Harbor. Associated Press.

The state’s largest labor federation and three local chambers of commerce have announced their support of the $4.3 billion buyout of Hawaiian Electric Industries by Florida-based NextEra Energy. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed into law Monday measures that range from rezoning land in Waikiki to ensuring that homeowners who are renovating their homes don’t miss out on property tax exemptions. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and members of the Strategic Housing Development office presented Monday the city’s plan to convert a former school campus in Makiki into a transitional housing facility. KHON2.

The Hawaii Community Development Authority says a $7 million appropriation from the Legislature to move utility lines underground in Kalaeloa isn't enough to complete the project after bids to do the work came in high, and it will ask for an additional $6 million. Star-Advertiser.

Doubt continues to reign over the ownership of Ansaldo, the Italian rail-car maker that has the $1.4 billion contract to build and operate the train cars for Honolulu’s rail transit system, as Italian regulators are taking a complaint over Hitachi’s bid for the company seriously. Pacific Business News.

People living in tents and makeshift shacks on state land bordering the Waianae Boat Harbor have long known their situation was precarious at best.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii

The University of Hawaii has made it official: the Thirty Meter Telescope site will be the last spot on Mauna Kea to be developed for astronomy. Tribune-Herald.

The University of Hawaii is confirming that the planned location for the Thirty Meter Telescope on the Northern Plateau of the Mauna Kea summit will be the “last new area on the mountain where a telescope project will be contemplated or sought.” Big Island Video News.

While tourism apparently hasn't suffered much yet, there's growing concern the visitor industry on the Big Island could take a major hit if the number of dengue fever cases continue to mount. Star-Advertiser.

The Big Island’s dengue fever outbreak reached 92 cases Monday, matching the number confirmed on Maui during a 2001 outbreak. Tribune-Herald.

There are nearly 90 confirmed dengue fever cases on the Big Island, primarily centered in Kona.   One elected official in a neighboring district is concerned the state is not doing enough to prevent its spread. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

The County of Maui Department of Environmental Management reported that a wastewater overflow of approximately 2,160 gallons occurred on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 at the Paukūkalo Pump Station along Waiehu Beach Road. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai police officials are warning the public to be aware of fake $100 bills with red Chinese markings being used to buy merchandise. Star-Advertiser.

Three experienced voyagers from Kauai who set out nearly two decades ago to build the island's first long-distance Polynesian canoe in more than a century are almost ready to set sail. Associated Press.

Lanai

Shipping volume between Honolulu and Lanai took a double-digit dive for the first nine months of this year compared to last year. Maui News.