New laws to reduce rents, send homeless back to mainland; taxpayers no longer on the hook in HPD chase case, state to regulate deep-sea mining, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New laws signed to increase affordable housing, return homeless to mainland. Gov. Josh Green signed a suite of bills Wednesday approved by the state Legislature aimed at creating more affordable housing, returning homeless people to the mainland and reducing housing rents. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Hawaii’s Critical Data Is At Risk From Flooding. So Why Wait To Move It? Hawaii's IT agency has been asking for funding to move but some state officials think it's better to wait years for a new proposed tech center to be built. Civil Beat.

State to begin deep-sea mining regulation by monitoring vessel access. Gov. Josh Green has signed a law that gives the state Department of Transportation the ability to delay or deny entry and departure for any vessel that is known to have engaged in illegal deep-sea activity. Hawaii Public Radio.

He Was A Solar Industry Advocate. Now He’s On The PUC. That Doesn’t Sit Well With Hawaiian Electric. Colin Yost says he's committed to fairness and impartiality in decision-making including when it comes to the state's largest electric company. Civil Beat.

Group aims to decrease recidivism to Hawaii’s prisons.  In one year, an estimated 15,000 people are booked into local jails and prisons throughout Hawaii. KITV4.

Native Hawaiians weigh in on federal funds, protections. Bipartisan staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs were at the first Western Regional Native Hawaiian Convention held in Las Vegas to highlight that Congress has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in dedicated federal funding, the most ever, for Native Hawaiians and to seek input on amending legislation to extend protection to Native Hawaiian art and artists for the first time. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Judge to decide whether top Navy officer can be deposed. A federal judge is expected to decide soon whether Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of the Navy’s Pacific Fleet, will have to sit for a deposition in a civil lawsuit brought by military and civilian families whose drinking water was contaminated with jet fuel from the Navy’s Red Hill fuel facility in November 2021. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

HPD Cops In Makaha Pursuit Case Withdraw Requests For Publicly Funded Legal Assistance. The department's Professional Standards Office has completed its investigation into the incident. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Amid mounting safety concerns, a favorite swim spot is again facing demolition. A favorite swim spot may be a thing of the past by late 2024. The protected swimming cove known as Cromwells is popular with people seeking both tranquility and thrills — from jumping off surrounding sea walls. Hawaii News Now.

Thrill seekers jumping into polluted Ala Wai Canal waters spark major health concerns. Video posted from a highrise on Monday shows someone in a chair being pushed off the platform at the McCully Bridge into the brown waters of the canal. In another video, you can hear a man shocked by what he just saw: A woman swimming in the waterway. Hawaii News Now.

High bacteria alert issued at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki. During routine monitoring this morning, the department’s Clean Water Branch found levels of enterococci that exceeded the threshold, at 408 per 100 milliliters. The threshold for recreational waters is at 130 per 100 milliliters. Star-Advertiser.

City to hold in-person event for rental and utility relief applications. The City and County of Honolulu’s Rental and Utility Relief Program has closed its online portal. The city, Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement will be holding an event for new applicants to apply in-person at Hauʻula Community Center on Saturday from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Hawaii Public Radio

Bell Tolls For Historic Iron Ship Docked In Honolulu Harbor. The 145-year-old vessel Falls of Clyde will be scrapped or scuttled after years of neglect. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Proposed Hawaiʻi County office of sustainability, climate moving forward. Council members voted 5-1 to approve the first reading of Bill 48, which would create by ordinance a new Hawai’i County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity and Resilience and a new Chapter 37 in county code that lays out its responsibilities.  Big Island Now.

Stolen Merrie Monarch items recovered; two men arrested.  The stolen items were recovered during a police investigation into a criminal trespass case that resulted in two men, 36-year-old Dayson Eblacas of Ewa Beach, Oahu, and 30-year-old Makua Amituanai of Pahoa being arrested. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

7-Eleven Hawaii, the EPA reach agreement regarding cesspools. Under terms of the settlement, the company has agreed to audit all of its properties for the presence of large capacity cesspools, or LCCs, after the EPA discovered three LCCs serving 7-Eleven locations on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea eruption: ‘Deciding whether it’s over is a dynamic question’.  With another Kilauea eruption on pause, geologists are unsure when the volcano will resume activity. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Agriculture Department adds staff, doles out grants. Director also in talks with DOE to get more local food in schools. Maui County’s first-ever Department of Agriculture is slowly expanding as the new directors begin to hire specialists, build programs and plan for Maui’s future in sustainability and food security. Maui News.

Committee to discuss Maui general excise tax surcharge, June 26.  The Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee will meet Monday at 6 p.m. to discuss and receive input on Bill 49 (2023)—which, if approved, would add a 0.5% surcharge on the 4% state general excise tax. Maui Now.

Bissen travels to DC, talks interisland transportation with congressional leaders.  Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to meet with Hawaii’s congressional leaders and promote products from local businesses at the Capitol.  Maui News.

Kauai

Upcoming Kauaʻi budget is paying off debts and lowering residential taxes.  Ahead of the new county fiscal year in July, and Mayor Derek Kawakami signed the legislation last week. Key points of the County of Kauaʻi’s $400 million budget are infrastructure, tax relief and paying off debt. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kaua‘i Habitat breaks ground on 17 Waipouli units.  Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity broke ground on its latest project — Kauhale O Waipouli — on Wednesday, with the ceremony officiated by Kahu Ipo Kahaunaele Ferreira, herself a Habitat homeowner. Garden Island.

Report: Kauai Backslides In At-Home Disaster Preparedness. A significant number of households have less emergency food and water supplies in the aftermath of the pandemic. Civil Beat. Kauai Now.

Recreational marijuana legalization bill advances; 100-year-old smoking age, anti-abortion bills die, court protects Airbnb records from government, heiress Kawananakoa releases video claiming competency, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Marijuana PC:Pixabay Commons

Bill to legalize pot in Hawaii passes state Senate committee. A bill to legalize marijuana passed a significant legislative hurdle with a surprisingly quick approval by the Senate Judiciary Committee today. Star-Advertiser.

Marijuana legalization bill clears committee hurdle. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday became the first legislative committee in Hawaii to pass a bill that would legalize recreational adult use of marijuana. Tribune-Herald.

A bill that would legalize recreational marijuana is moving forward at the state Legislature. On Thursday morning, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to support the measure. It’s now headed to at least two more committees. Hawaii News Now.

=====

DUI bill moves forward in wake of fatal Kakaako crash. State lawmakers advanced a measure Thursday that would allow judges to prohibit drunken drivers from purchasing or publicly consuming alcohol for three years after their conviction, among other increased penalties. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmaker drops plan to ban cigarettes until age 100. A lawmaker who wanted to restrict the sale of cigarettes to people who are 100 years old or older backpedaled from his proposal today, suggesting instead that his bill be amended to limit cigarette sales to people who are age 25 or older. However, the bill failed anyway. Star-Advertiser.

House Health Committee Tables Anti-Abortion Bill. The first anti-abortion bill in 20 years was heard today by the state legislature in a standing-room only committee room. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposed measures could weaken service animal law. While a law prohibiting people from falsely claiming an ordinary dog is a service dog successfully passed last year, two bills recently introduced in the Legislature would broaden the definition of service dogs to include emotional support animals. Tribune-Herald.

A new proposal is taking aim at pet owners who don't pick up after their animals. The law would consider it littering and would carry a hefty $500 fine. KHON2.

Bestiality Is Still Legal In Hawaii. It’s not a crime to have sex with animals. Legislation aims to right that wrong. Civil Beat.

Judge Denies Hawaii’s Move To Get Airbnb Host Records. The state sought the records to find out which hosts haven’t been paying taxes involving their vacation rental listings. Associated Press.

Court sides with Airbnb; state to appeal. Hawaii’s Department of Taxation plans to appeal a Honolulu judge’s ruling Thursday that denied the state’s attempt to subpoena rental records from online vacation rental booking site Airbnb. Star-Advertiser.

In new video, heiress Kawananakoa says she can run her $200 million trust. The descendant of Hawaiian royalty defends wife who is suspected of manipulating her. Hawaii News Now.

Campbell Estate heiress Abigail Kawananakoa says in video that she’s mentally fit. During the eight-minute, edited interview, the 92-year-old Campbell Estate heiress also says she has an obligation to the Hawaiian people but that her hands are tied. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian heiress Abigail Kawananakoa in her own words. For the first time we're hearing from 92-year-old Hawaiian heiress Abigail Kawananakoa. This video of an interview recorded last month was released by public relations firm Comm-Pac Thursday. KITV.

Oahu

City rejects plea to delay homeless sweeps. City rejects plea to delay homeless sweeps. Star-Advertiser.

Homeless camp to city: Stop the sweeps and let us come to the bargaining table. A group of homeless people who typically try to avoid media attention sought it out Thursday morning, inviting cameras inside the tents they call home. Hawaii News Now.

The hui "Ka Poe o Kakaako" or The People of Kakaako announced Thursday that it will conduct weekly clean ups around the Children's Discovery Center. The group is made up of houseless residents in the area focused on improving the cleanliness of area parks. KITV.

=====

HPD plans to speed up rollout of body cameras. The Honolulu Police Department’s body camera program is going so smoothly that Chief Susan Ballard is aiming for full implementation by the end of the year, eight months earlier than projected. Star-Advertiser.

Deployment of body cameras to all officers ahead of schedule. The Honolulu Police Department said Thursday that it was making plans to speed up the implementation of body cameras on the remainder of its police officers after the success of initial field tests. Hawaii News Now.

Faster roll-out of body cams. Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard wants a faster roll out for body cameras to police officers in all districts. KHON2.

Fighting To Keep The Kealoha Case Open To The Public. As the trial nears in a high-profile case involving widespread corruption in Hawaii law enforcement, a silent legal battle is being waged in the background over courtroom transparency. Civil Beat.

City Leaders Unveil Plan to Encourage Affordable Housing Development. Officials with the City and County of Honolulu want to build more affordable rental housing. But rather than directly fund construction, they have prepared a package of incentives to make those type of projects more appealing to developers. Hawaii Public Radio.

At heated meeting, residents clash over future of popular Ewa Beach park. Oneula Beach Park, also known as “Hau Bush,” has been overridden with illegal dumping, homeless encampments and crime for years. Hawaii News Now.

City hopes to install security cameras at Ala Wai Boat Harbor. KHON2.

State puts Falls of Clyde up for auction after decade of waiting. State transportation officials have officially put the 140-year-old Falls of Clyde up for auction. Star-Advertiser.

DOH fines trendy Kakaako bar for failing to get food permit. WorkPlay, a coffee and cocktail bar on Ilaniwai St., was found to have been operating a food establishment without a state permit. Hawaii News Now.

'Secret’ yakitori restaurant now open to the public. For about a year after opening in late 2017, Toridokoro Matsumoto operated solely as an exclusive eatery — you could only make a reservation if someone who was invited to dine there previously gave you a referral and vouched for you. But recently, the secret restaurant opened its doors to the public, and its locale on Kalauokalani Way has been published for all to see. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Planning Puts Off Piilani Partners Water Bottling Permit. The Windward Planning Commission once again took up the permit application for a water bottling facility in Hilo, and once again the applicant failed to receive a recommendation. Big Island Video News.

Residents air concerns about spaceport proposal. A draft EA could be complete in three to six months, followed by a public meeting on its findings. Tribune-Herald.

Long-term relief sought for Hawaii Island. The eruption on Hawaii Island last year destroyed some 700 homes, not including businesses, farms and schools. KHON2.

Prosecutors seek additional funds for Career Criminal Unit. Hawaii County prosecutors are now seeking an additional $365,000 from the Legislature for the office’s unit for fiscal years, 2019-20 and 2020-21. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

$350,000 pact reached in Maui Police Department discrimination suit. Retired captain sues over not being promoted to assistant chief. Maui News.

Goodfellow Bros., LLC has issued a notice to motorists that they will be performing construction along Kulanihakoi Street for installation of underground utilities as part of the infrastructure work for Phase 1 of the Kihei High School project. Maui Now.

Class to raise new crop of Master Gardeners. A new Master Gardener class has begun at University of Hawaii Maui College. Maui News.

Kauai

Talk Story With Mayor Kawakami Of Kauai. It’s been two months since Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami was sworn into office. The Garden Isle lawmaker traded his seat in the State House for the top county job. Hawaii Public Radio.

Woman missing for 7 days on Kauai found safe in ravine behind homes. She’d lost 30 pounds and was very dehydrated, but was otherwise OK. Hawaii News Now.

A Kauai woman who was missing for a week in Kalaheo has been found alive. According to Kauai Police Emi Oka had been yelling for help from a ravine Thursday morning behind homes on Kakela Makai Drive. KITV.

Campaign spending reported as primary Election Day nears, Ige's emergency proclamations sidestep competitive bids, Wong exits as Health and Human Services director, 3 charter schools approved, Maui Beach Hotel loses liquor license, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Falls of Clyde, courtesy Creative Commons

A 138-year-old sailing ship that's been a landmark in Honolulu Harbor for more than 50 years has been ordered to leave by the state. The "Falls of Clyde" was supposed to be scuttled in 2008, but escaped that fate. However, the state Harbors Division said it was time for it to go. Hawaii News Now.

Possibly the safest electoral seats in Hawaii have been on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees. For 20 years, voters have consistently returned the same people to the board of OHA, which is charged with improving the lives of Native Hawaiians regarding land, culture, economic self sufficiency, health, education and governance. Civil Beat.

Most incumbents in the Hawaii Legislature have huge campaign finance advantages this election cycle, often doubling or tripling their challengers’ total contributions. On average, through July 29 incumbents have raised about $54,750 while the challengers have only raised about $12,300. Of the 49 contested legislative races in this election, 42 incumbents have raised more than their challengers. Civil Beat.

Tomorrow is primary Election Day across the state. Some noteworthy races include the Mayor’s office for both Honolulu and Hawai‘i County.  Also at stake are nearly half of Honolulu’s city council and county council seats in Maui, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i County. Hawaii Public Radio.

By issuing sequential emergency proclamations on such issues as homelessness, Gov. David  Ige runs the risk of establishing a new standard in which union rights and procurement rules are no longer factors. Star-Advertiser.

Rachel Wong will no longer serve as director of the state Department of Human Services, effective Sept. 1. Gov. David Ige announced Thursday in a news release that Wong will be leaving the department at the end of the month. She will be replaced Sept. 1 by Pankaj Bhanot, now deputy director. Bhanot’s appointment is subject to Senate approval. Star-Advertiser.

Rachael Wong is leaving her post as director of the state Department of Human Services at the end of the month. She will be replaced by Deputy Director Pankaj Bhanot beginning Sept. 1. Civil Beat.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa didn’t want to leave Washington when she gave up her House seat to run for the Senate two years ago. Associated Press.

Three charter school applicants got the green light Thursday from the state Public Charter School Commission to move ahead with plans for new schools on Oahu and Kauai. The commission, meanwhile, rejected four other applications. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii President David Lassner is seeking approval to expand his duties to include those of chancellor of the flagship Manoa campus, a critical post that for two years has not been permanently filled. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Charles Djou continues to enjoy a fundraising spurt in the race to become mayor of Honolulu. The former congressman received over $40,000 in campaign contributions since July 30, according to a Campaign Spending Commission filing Wednesday. That compares with just over $10,000 for incumbent Kirk Caldwell during the same period. Civil Beat.

Residents and officials offered praise and raised concerns after the long-awaited Nanakuli contra-flow lane opened Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Cost estimates to build the Honolulu rail project have been skyrocketing and officials are trying to figure out the best plan for finishing the line. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, the agency overseeing construction, has been revising estimates as new bids come in. Civil Beat.

New law gives Kakaako businesses a break from skyrocketing property tax. KHON2.

The director of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies plans to step down at the end of his current term. Retired Lt. Gen. Dan Leaf’s last day at the military-sponsored academic institute will be Oct. 31. Associated Press.

Hawaii

A last-minute cash infusion from two labor unions put mayoral candidate Wally Lau over the $200,000 mark, while his two closest rivals have reported about a tenth of that. West Hawaii Today.

Puna Councilman Danny Paleka recently paid a $1,250 fine and filed amended campaign finance reports for 2014, following a state Campaign Spending Commission investigation that found he failed to report numerous contributions and expenditures. West Hawaii Today.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard spent Thursday morning in Kailua-Kona, capping off her visit with a talk story meeting at Daylight Mind Coffee Co. West Hawaii Today.

Despite challenges including higher-than-anticipated cost projections, HOPE Services Hawaii says it’s moving forward with plans to renovate 11 housing units for the island’s low-income kupuna. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii’s fresh milk supply appears as though it might go down in connection with a planned sale of one of the two remaining large dairy farms in the state, though the deal would also lead to a new supply of organic local cheese, yogurt and butter. Star-Advertiser.

The monthslong reconstruction of Komohana Street in Hilo will now carry into the fall. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island loses cultural gem: Aunty Elizabeth Maluihi Lee dies at 87. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The Maui County Council issued a statement this afternoon after becoming aware of a Facebook ad and automated phone calls that they say “misinforms residents” about “retroactive tax assessments on property owners.” Maui Now.

‘Running on empty’ — Many bumps and stalls in hospital management transition. Lahaina News.

The 63-year-old Maui Beach Hotel lost its liquor license for the first time ever and has been dry since July 1, officials told the county Department of Liquor Control Commission Wednesday. Maui News.

The median condo price was $440,000 last month compared with $399,000 in July 2015, an increase of 10.3 percent. The number of condos sold rose to 110 from 87, a jump of 26.4 percent. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Patricia Wistinghausen, member of the Kauai Young Democrats, says the District 14 House of Representatives race is one to watch. Garden Island.

The potential expansion of Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Monument was the main concern at Wednesday evening’s Kauai Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees meeting. Garden Island.

The third time was the charm for Alakai O Kauai Charter School. The school was unanimously approved by the Hawaii State Charter School Commission Thursday, following a recommendation for approval in June. Garden Island.

Over a dozen agencies that participated in an active shooter, first response exercise at KCC on Thursday and agreed the practice of such an event is important. Garden Island.

Top Hawaii Headlines: Monday morning edition

While it may be easy to buy potted plants at a garden center, successful gardeners know the secret to a bountiful harvest starts by selecting plants known to grow well locally.

Chef Chai Chaowasaree said Saturday that he would love to have more locally produced items, but in Honolulu they have a hard time getting them.

Hawai'i's first construction project using federal stimulus money is now under way at Kahului Airport.

They maintain telescopes on Mauna Kea, work in state laboratories and on oceanographic research ships. They are state workers, but their money comes from grants from the federal government and other sources outside the state

Local recording artist Anuhea is asking for the public's help after she had two prized guitars and a laptop stolen from her truck Sunday morning in Waikiki.

Work began on Sunday to restore the Falls of Clyde. And for the first time in recent history, the old ship flew her flag in Honolulu Harbor.

The Hawaii County Council may have an internal shakeup Tuesday that would make Emily Naeole the vice chairwoman, reassign council committee heads and reduce the number of committees from seven to five.

The owners of a Hilo apartment building haven't been receiving a tax break after all, says Hawaii County's property tax administrator. Stan Sitko admits his staff incorrectly left the Hale Haumana apartment at 1452 Kinoole St. off tax rolls, but said that oversight has been fixed and won't cost the county any money.

Maui Electric Co.’s sales, measured in kilowatt-hours, are down nearly 10 percent this year, a drop that tracks closely with declining visitor arrivals, said company President Ed Reinhardt.

The good news is that Graham McCumber, 24, one of the Big Island residents seriously affected by the rat lungworm disease, is home and is recuperating nicely. But it's a long road.