Showing posts with label fishing licenses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fishing licenses. Show all posts

Monday, January 15, 2024

Hawaii creates recreational fishing license, new ocean fee; Legislature sets session priorities, feral chickens targeted, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New Fishing Rules Approved By Hawaiʻi Land Board. New recreational and commercial fishing rules have been approved by the Hawaiʻi Board of Land and Natural Resources, which include the establishment of a non-resident recreational fishing license and a license for commercial marine vessels. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  KHON2.

New ocean stewardship fund established: $1 will be charged for each customer of commercial vessels, tours. A bill passed into law in 2021 establishing an ocean stewardship special fund became effective Jan. 1. All operators of commercial vessels, water craft, or water sports equipment that are required to have a commercial operator permit are now mandated to charge a $1 user fee from each customer for the fund. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii lawmakers eye help for Maui, housing and ethics ahead of 2024 session. The rebuilding of Lahaina from the tragic Maui wildfires and shortage of homes for thousands of survivors have put into sharper focus the need in Hawaii for affordable housing to help keep local residents from moving to the mainland — issues that will weigh heavily as state lawmakers convene Wednesday for the opening of the 2024 legislative session. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Associated Press.  Hawaii News Now.

Ginoza, Devens Sworn In As Hawaii Associate Justices. Lisa M. Ginoza and Vladimir P. Devens are officially associate justices of the Hawaii Supreme Court. Civil Beat. 

Ryan Kanaka‘ole Named Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources First Deputy. Governor Josh Green on Friday announced his nomination of Ryan Kanaka‘ole, who is currently a Deputy Attorney General, to fill the DLNR position that is being vacated by Laura Kaʻakua, who is moving to the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation. Big Island Video News.

Feral chicken legislation again to be reviewed. The state Legislature once again will consider bills to tackle a feral chicken problem that continues to generate complaints while some people continue to feed them. Star-Advertiser.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs faces large staffing shortage ahead of 2024 legislative session. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is facing a large staff shortage going into this legislative session with nearly one-third of its positions currently unfilled, according to its new CEO Stacy Ferreira. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian homestead leaders gather at 36th annual convention. The convention  covered an array of topics including Act 80, which would lower the minimum Hawaiian blood quantum requirement for successorship of Hawaiian home lands to one thirty- second, as well as conversations over the spending of funds allocated under Act 279, and the various challenges around reducing the 29,000-person waitlist. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Board of Water Supply rejects $75M offer to reopen Halawa Shaft. The BWS says the Nov. 29 proposal by the state Department of Health, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to tap into a portion of the $400 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for money to reopen the Halawa Shaft is premature. Star-Advertiser.

City Council pushes for public access to first responder radio transmissions.
The island-wide police chase of an armed suspect on Oʻahu on New Year’s Day has prompted calls to the City and County of Honolulu to give the public more access to first responders’ radio communications. Hawaii Public Radio.

Residents left scrambling after West Oahu affordable housing complex announces closure
. Scores of Leeward Oahu residents who were once homeless are worried they’ll soon be living on the streets again after they say the management of  Ulu Ke Kukui in Maili announced its closure. Hawaii News Now.

City conducts hearing on proposed amendments to Affordable Housing Requirement Rules
.  The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting held a public hearing to discuss affordable housing requirements on Friday. KITV4.

Three long-delayed Oahu public housing redevelopment projects took big steps forward last week and could produce 554 new homes in 2026 and 911 more in 2028. Star-Advertiser.

Sunset Beach homeowners fined about $1M for unauthorized work. The homeowners, whose properties both on Ke Nui Road front Sunset Beach, were fined by the Board of Land and Natural Resources Friday on the recommendation of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Jury pool whittled down as public corruption trial for ex-city prosecutor nears
. Keith Kaneshiro, Dennis Mitsunaga, Terri Otani, Aaron Fujii, Chad McDonald and attorney Sheri Tanaka are charged with multiple counts, including conspiracy to defraud the government and conspiracy against rights of citizens. Hawaii News Now.

Miske’s Daughter-In-Law Agrees To ‘Fully Cooperate’ In Last-Minute Plea Deal. Delia Fabro-Miske's agreement with prosecutors leaves only two defendants in the federal trial as jury selection continues. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Alameda officially launches campaign to oust Roth.  More than 100 community members crowded the sidewalk in front of the King Kamehameha statue in Hilo on Saturday to support Kimo Alameda and his candidacy for Hawaii County mayor. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Big Island traffic fatalities plummet in 2023. Big Island roads saw a significant decrease in traffic fatalities in 2023 compared to 2022, from 34 official traffic deaths to 16, a 53% drop. Tribune-Herald.

2023 drier than normal for much of the island. December brought rainfall to most of the windward Big Island, but most of the gauges islandwide registered less than the average amount of precipitation for the final month of the year. Tribune-Herald.

Fixes slated for Wailoa boat harbor: $3.2M allocated for the project.
The harbor, which is one of the only functioning boat launches in East Hawaii after the blockage of the Pohoiki Boat Ramp during the 2018 Kilauea eruption, has not been dredged for years, leading to a buildup of sediment in the mouth of the harbor. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Council OKs Olowalu As Dump Site For Lahaina Wildfire Waste. The Maui County Council voted 6-2 on Friday to approve the Olowalu site to temporarily store an estimated 400,000 tons of debris and toxic ash from the Aug. 8 wildfire in Lahaina.  Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Maui Has A Bunch Of Community Plans But A Patchy Record Of Following Them. A fresh community plan for South Maui is outlining a vision for some of the last areas available for growth in Kihei. Civil Beat.

Significant finds made at Lahaina’s historic sites.  Numerous artifacts have been recovered by  Lahaina Restoration Foundation, which serves as steward for 14 historic sites in Lahaina. Star-Advertiser.

Kīpahulu to become third community-based subsistence fishing area. The remote Kīpahulu area on the southeast side of Maui will become the third Community-Based Subsistence Fishing (CBSFA) area in Hawai‘i, following previous designations of Hā‘ena on Kaua‘i and Miloli‘i on Hawai‘i Island. Maui Now.

Maui Has An Axis Deer Problem. So The State Has Put A Price On Their Tails. Landowners will get paid for killing the deer as part of a new animal control program run by the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Civil Beat.

Sudden Deluge Does Little To Move The Needle On Maui Drought
. The disruptive storm forced many roads and schools to close. But it wasn't enough to erase Maui's persistent drought. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Man wanted in connection with assault on Kaua‘i police officer turns himself in. Kaua‘i police say 24-year-old Travis Bonachita of Kōloa, who was wanted in connection with an assault on a police officer, was taken into custody. Kauai Now.

Serving the houseless at Martin Luther King gathering. The Kaua‘i Soto Zen Temple will be hosting a Martin Luther King Jr. birthday gathering on Monday from 1 to 4 p.m. Garden Island.

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Recreational fishing licenses among bills signed to protect Hawaii's ocean, $9 for a loaf of bread highlights food supply chain upheaval, lawsuit filed over jail COVID conditions, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2021 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
A wrasse swims over coral off Hawaii Island ©2021 All Hawaii News

Gov. David Ige signs 9 bills to commemorate World Oceans Day. To commemorate World Oceans Day on Tuesday, Gov. David Ige signed into law nine bills meant to preserve Hawaii’s marine resources which included those establishing fees targeted at visitors, recreational fishing licenses and additional protections for sharks. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Garden Island.

$9 For A Loaf Of Bread? Here’s Why It’s So Expensive To Eat At Home These Days. Bottlenecks throughout supply chains combined with rising demand are pushing up the cost of groceries. Civil Beat.

As business booms with hungry tourists, restaurants struggle to keep up. Approximately 37,000 people flew into and around the state on Monday, according to the Safe Travels program. Hawaii News Now.

Lawsuit alleges poor conditions at Hawaii correctional facilities contributed to COVID outbreaks. A new lawsuit against the state also says the Public Safety Department violated its own COVID policies repeatedly, including by having up to 60 inmates in a single room and mixing sick inmates with healthy ones. Hawaii News Now.

Restrictions could remain until October if pace of vaccinations doesn’t increase. There’s no sign yet that large numbers of unvaccinated residents have been rushing to pharmacies, clinics and other sites to get COVID-19 shots since the state on Friday unveiled its “Hawaii Got Vaccinated” campaign, replete with prizes and discounts at local businesses. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii reports 36 new COVID cases; no new fatalities. Of the new cases, 15 were on Oahu, 13 on Maui, two on Hawaii Island, and one on Kauai. There were also five residents diagnosed out-of-state. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Bomb threats lock down Pearl Harbor-Hickam for 4 hours. Two phoned-in bomb threats claiming an explosive device was on the destroyer USS William P. Lawrence in the shipyard’s Dry Dock 4 led to a lengthy Joint Base Pearl Harbor-­Hickam lockdown Tuesday, bottling up thousands who were told to shelter in place and avoid windows in the event of flying glass, officials said. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Family Of Man Killed By HPD Wants Officer To Face Criminal Charges. The decision will be up to Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm, but his office has yet to review the case even though it happened in 2019. Civil Beat.

Environmental Protection Agency fines 2 Hawaii companies over jet fuel release. The Environmental Protection Agency has fined two companies $150,000 for the release of 42,000 gallons of jet fuel in late 2014 at a bulk fuel storage facility on Sand Island. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

Kapalama Canal project OK’d in final impact review. A proposed $80 million city project that plans to turn a canal in Kapalama into a mile-long recreational area has completed its final environmental impact statement. Star-Advertiser.

Senior housing tower ready to rise in Chinatown. More than 150 senior households with low incomes should be calling Chinatown home two years from now at a soon-to-rise rental apartment tower on city land. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Aquarium industry submits revised EIS: Fishing permits, allowable species to be reduced. A revised environmental impact statement from a commercial aquarium collectors’ group states it will rely on fish population trend data and projected population trends to implement catch quotas along the West Hawaii coast. West Hawaii Today.

Department of Liquor Control to lease office space in Kona. Just a decade after opening, the West Hawaii Civic Center has reached its brim and a Hawaii County department is again leasing office space in Kailua Village. West Hawaii Today.

New eco-hotel in Hilo launches program to clean beaches. The Soul Community Planet Hotel in Hilo — formerly the Hilo Seaside Hotel — opened on June 1 and immediately launched the Pristine Makai program, which partners with the Hawaii Wildlife Fund to clear marine debris from the south shores of the island. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Economist questions hotel moratorium. A Hawaii economist on Monday questioned the timing and the reasoning behind a Maui County Council bill that would temporarily halt building permits for visitor accommodations in the tourism hotbeds of West and South Maui. Maui News.

Maui Home Prices Soar Over Historic $1 Million Mark in May, Up 30% from Year Ago. In May 2021, with inventory low and buyer demand high, the median sales price for single family homes in Maui County increased to an historic high of $1,039,000 — a 30% increase from one year ago, according to data from the Realtors Association of Maui. Maui Now.

A little like the old days. The Upcountry Farmers Market
draws a crowd reminiscent of pre-pandemic days on the morning of May 29 at the Kulamalu Town Center in Pukalani, shortly after Gov. David Ige lifted outdoor mask mandates statewide. Maui News.

Maui Bus Will Combine Certain Monthly Passes Into Single $25 Pass. Riders ages 55 and older, people with certified disability fixed-route cards, Medicare cardholders, and students ages 24 and younger will be eligible. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Kauai

Hawaii Tourism Authority gives $100K to Kauai shuttle, offers other help after rental car shortage. HTA said today that it is supporting Kauai County’s development of a pilot shuttle program between Lihue Airport and resort areas, which is anticipated to start next month. Star-Advertiser.

Scientists Are Running Out Of Time To Save This Critically Endangered Kauai Bird. The new data suggests the population of akikiki — a honeycreeper bird found only on Kauai —  may be declining faster than previously thought. Civil Beat.

Monday, January 18, 2021

Military important economic driver amid pandemic, coronavirus cases spike as vaccinations delayed, new restrictions on Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2021 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Pohakuloa Training Area ©2021 All Hawaii News

State report highlights defense sector importance. As the second largest sector of the state’s economy, military-procurement spending generated $4.5 billion in economic impact last year, with $2.3 billion in federal contracts throughout the state, helping to sustain more than 30,000 jobs statewide. Garden Island.

EPA: Hawaii’s Military Bases Dumped 630,000 Pounds Of Toxic Nitrate Into The Ocean. While federally permitted, the Environmental Protection Agency hopes the data’s public release spurs facilities to reduce their chemical waste. Civil Beat.

Contractor Sentenced In Army Corruption Scheme In Hawaii. John Winslett bribed Army officials with cash, cars and guns to win lucrative construction contracts in Hawaii, Justice Department said. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii Tourism Authority spent ‘exorbitant’ amounts marketing to visitors as lockdowns dropped demand. For the 2020 fiscal year, HTA estimated the cost per arrival for every U.S. visitor was $7.13, up more than 118% from the prior year. The cost per arrival for Japan during fiscal year 2020 was significantly higher at $17.17, a nearly 201% increase. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers face tough choices amid pandemic recession. Cut spending, raise taxes or perhaps both. Hawaii lawmakers face tough choices as they convene a new legislative session this week amid a pandemic that has pummeled tourism, the state’s biggest industry, and depleted tax revenue. Hawaii News Now.

Despite weekend protests rumors, Hawaii’s Capitol was quiet Sunday.
Bracing for large, unruly crowds, state officials put up barricades and fences around the Hawaii State Capitol, and beefed up security. But the effort seemed to be precautionary as there was a significant absence of crowds and protestors over the weekend. Hawaii News Now.

Noncommercial fishing is booming during pandemic. Hawaii is the only coastal state that doesn’t require fishers to have a noncommercial marine fishing license, which could provide information about how many noncommercial fishers there are in Hawaii and how many fish they’re taking from the ocean. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Lawmakers May Cut Solar Credits. The credits help to develop renewable energy projects but also cost the state millions of dollars. Civil Beat.

Farmers to petition lawmakers Opening Day. This past year, the pandemic has led to a rise in people in Hawaii beginning to grow their own produce and start sustainable farming. KITV4.

Isle cattle ranchers invited to join grass-fed beef venture. Hawaii’s largest ranch and an investment firm partner are looking for other local ranch operators to join a grass-feed beef production venture. Star-Advertiser.

Previously unknown cause is found for mysterious snorkeling deaths in a new Hawaii study. Rapid onset pulmonary edema was not previously associated with snorkeling, which has been implicated in 206 Hawaii drownings — 189 involving visitors — from 2009 to 2018, according to the state Department of Health. During that period, snorkeling-related drownings nearly doubled in what officials called an “alarming” rise. Star-Advertiser.

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Fast clip of coronavirus spread in Hawaii puts state at risk of another outbreak. Hawaii is at risk of another COVID-19 outbreak with the worst effective reproduction rate for infections in the nation after Washington state. Star-Advertiser.

Congresswoman Concerned About Hawaii Pandemic Response Got No Answers From Ige
. Five months after a California congresswoman asked Hawaii for answers about its public health response and its spending of federal money, Gov. David Ige hasn’t provided her with any information. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers to Take a Hard Look at Correctional System After COVID-19 Hits 46 Percent of Inmates. State lawmakers are taking a hard look this session at some of the long-standing issues contributing to the spread of the coronavirus in Hawaiʻi’s jails and prisons. Hawaii Public Radio.

Blood bank is looking for COVID survivors.
The Blood Bank of Hawaii is looking for more people who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate their convalescent plasma — the liquid part of the blood that contains antibodies to the new coronavirus — to help treat those who are hospitalized. Star-Advertiser.

HAWAII VIRUS TRACKER — Jan. 17: 132 New COVID-19 Cases And 2 Deaths. Hawaii has seen a triple-digit increase in cases for 13 straight days. Hawaii health officials reported 132 new cases of COVID-19 statewide on Sunday, including 86 on Oahu, 29 on Maui, seven on the Big Island, one on Kauai and nine residents diagnosed out of state. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The state’s first mass vaccination site opens Monday, Jan. 18, at Honolulu Harbor Pier 2. Hawaii Pacific Health said nearly 600 people have signed up for Monday and the rest of the week is booked with appointments. KHON2.

Community vaccination sites to open to essential workers and those 75 years and older. Mass vaccinations for the public are scheduled to begin on Monday. KITV4.

Waikiki Shell to be used in effort to return stranded American Samoa residents home. The state of Hawaii and the City and County of Honolulu have begun assisting about 800 American Samoan residents, who are traveling through Oahu en route to their previously shuttered island home. Star-Advertiser.

Waikiki Shell parking lot to assist in American Samoa repatriation efforts. The City and County of Honolulu is joining the state’s efforts to help bring an estimated 800 American Samoa residents back home. KHON2.

Polynesian Cultural Center reopening with limited capacity and activities as officials look ahead to tourism recovery. The Polynesian Cultural Center, a cornerstone of Laie and an economic magnet for the North Shore community, is set to reopen Monday following a 10-month-long closure — one of that last major attractions on Oahu to welcome back visitors after Hawaii tourism was shut down in March due to the corona­virus pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Plans for 2 more Ward towers set for review. A state agency regulating development in Kakaako has scheduled public hearings in March to consider plans for developing two more condominium towers at Ward Village. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Roth says he’s ‘very hopeful’ following heart attack. The 56-year-old Roth, the former county prosecutor who was elected mayor in November and inaugurated on Dec. 7, had been in office just over a month when he was stricken. Tribune-Herald.

Gas use down 18%, County highway fund takes a hit from less driving. In all, drivers used about 18% less gasoline during a pandemic year that translated to fewer commutes and fewer tourists. It also translated to less money for road repair. West Hawaii Today.

High court denies writ to Honua Ola, appeal of PUC decision still active. The state Supreme Court on Thursday denied Honua Ola Bioenergy’s request to order the Public Utilities Commission to reconsider its denial of a requested waiver of the competitive bidding process used in the sale of electricity. Tribune-Herald.

Waikoloa development up for review: Council Planning Committee to hear rezoning application. A plan to develop a 36-unit housing complex, some units classified affordable, along with eight commercial lots in Waikoloa Village will be taken up by the County Council Planning Committee on Tuesday after a negative recommendation from the Leeward Planning Commission and the Planning Department under the prior administration. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Vaccination Clinic Temporarily Closes Due To Shortage
. All appointments scheduled through Feb. 7 have been canceled. Civil Beat.

Delayed shipment closes Maui vaccination clinic to first doses. Only second doses available at both local Moderna, Pfizer sites. Maui’s only vaccination clinic taking new registrations announced Saturday it will have to close for a week due to a shortage of Pfizer-BioNTech doses that were slated to come from the state. Maui News.

Vaccine Distribution Delay Prompts Temporary Suspension of New Appointments for First Doses at Maui Hospital. Maui Health, which runs the vaccination clinic at the Maui Memorial Medical Center, has also postponed appointments for individuals that were seeking a first dose and had already secured an appointment between Jan. 17 and Feb. 7. Maui Now.

Thousands of vaccinations on Maui pushed back due to shipment delay. Maui Health's clinic is pushing back between 300 and 400 slots a day over the next three weeks after the state notified the company Friday evening it will not be receiving its expected shipment of doses for this weekend and next week. KITV4.

Retailers, gyms face tighter restrictions. Large and small retail establishments will be restricted to 30 percent capacity starting at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, the latest in a series of rule changes aimed at slowing a spike in COVID-19 cases on Maui, county officials announced Friday. Maui News.

Maui County’s state lawmakers say proposed state budget is ‘fluid’. Furloughs and program cuts depend on what federal aid is available. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai employment suffers under restrictive travel policies. Travel to Kauai plummeted after Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami opted out of the Safe Travels program, effective Dec. 2, requiring all travelers to Kauai to undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine with no option to test out. Star-Advertiser.

Paid positions available in youth conservation program
. Kupu, Hawai‘i’s leading conservation and youth education nonprofit organization, recently announced that applications are now being accepted for this summer’s Hawai‘i Youth Conservation Corps program on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.


Monday, November 26, 2018

Hawaii Health Department says local romaine lettuce OK, recreational fishing fee mulled, filmmaker sues state claiming religious bias, Maui Sugar Cane Train returns, Lloyd's to pay lava victims, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2018 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaiian fisherman ©2018 All Hawaii News
Fee to fish?: Group sets public meetings to break down report on recreational fishing regulation. Almost two years after Conservation International Hawaii and the Western Pacific Fishery Council released a feasibility study on a regulatory system for noncommercial fishing in Hawaii, contributors are touring the state to discuss it with the public. West Hawaii Today.

State lawmakers noncommittal on raising minimum wage. Nate Hix, who founded an advocacy group Living Wage Hawaii, is hoping that a significant hike in the minimum wage during the upcoming legislative session, which begins in January, will help alleviate the struggles of many Hawaii residents, and he believes the political momentum is there. Star-Advertiser.

Racing To Save Hawaii’s Songbirds From Extinction. Scientists are urgently searching for backup homes to protect the three remaining species in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Civil Beat.

New climate change report not good for Hawaii. A new U.S. Climate Assessment report is out and it highlights many factors that could change the landscape of the islands. KHON2.

US Climate Report Warns Of Worsening Weather Disasters. In Hawaii and the Pacific, surface temperatures and sea level continue rising, while extremes such as drought and flooding continue affecting the islands. Associated Press.

State says locally grown romaine lettuce OK. Farmers tell us the state Department of Health put out a notice that local lettuce from Hawaii is not linked to the E. Coli outbreak. KHON2.

Filmmaker sues state, claims religious bias. A veteran producer of faith-based films is accusing officials in the Hawaii Film Office of discriminating against his Christian-themed historical movie and conspiring to deny a substantial tax credit due his production. Star-Advertiser.

Appleseed Center urges tough vacation rental rules. A local nonprofit focused on poverty issues is urging that Hawaii follow several cities around the world in getting tough on regulating the use of homes as short-term vacation rentals.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s disability benefit denials reversed at highest rate in nation. he judges in 64 percent of cases ruled in favor of Hawaii applicants who appealed their benefit denials — by far the highest rate among the 50 states and substantially above the national average of 43 percent. Star-Advertiser.

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Hawaii businesses and residents impacted by Tropical Storm Lane, the U.S. Small Business Administration has announced. Maui News.

Marketing Hawaii as a Sports Center. Between the Vans Triple Crown of surfing, the Maui Invitational college basketball tournament and the Los Angeles Rams lined up to play a pre-season game at the Aloha Stadium next year, there are a lot of reasons why sports fans are paying attention to Hawaii. Hawaii Public Radio.

Strike negotiations between workers, hotel management to resume Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Local 5 strikers hold candlelight vigil before Monday's negotiations. The local union represents more than 2,000 employees in Hawaii currently on strike. KITV.

Oahu

Program prevents former inmates from becoming homeless. Waikiki Health continues to exceed expectations in helping prisoners who would otherwise end up homeless once they’re out. Star-Advertiser.

Free Ala Moana Clinic Opens For Young People With Psychosis. OnTrack focuses on getting those with a severe mental disorder back to school or work, and helping them restore their relationships. Civil Beat.

Couple launches new mobile shower service as community service. How many of us take for granted a hot shower? For so many homeless folks, it's a luxury.  KITV.

A UH program is getting federal money to help free innocent inmates. The program analyzes DNA and new evidence to seek justice. Hawaii News Now.

Surf competitions work to protect Hawaii’s shorelines, address coastal erosion. 'We want to see this place preserved for future generations of surfers.' Hawaii News Now.

Three of the four museums and memorials in Pearl Harbor — including the USS Arizona Memorial, one of the most visited attractions in the state — are headed toward name changes to better define their mission and to improve fundraising. Star-Advertiser.

UH Cancer Center Awarded $1.4M for E-Cigarette Research. The effects of e-cigarette marketing on young adults' knowledge, attitudes and behavior is the focus of a University of Hawaii Cancer Center researcher. Maui Now.

New deal to transport Falls of Clyde to motherland. As the holiday season commences, the four-masted, iron-hulled ship originally built in Port Glasgow, Scotland, continues to sit in limbo at Pier 7 near the Aloha Tower Marketplace as a Scottish-­based group works determinedly to secure funds for its return. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County seeks flexibility in using GET funds. Hawaii County officials plan to ask lawmakers for more flexibility in how it can use its general excise tax surcharge. Tribune-Herald.

Lloyd’s of London agrees to pay lava victims, attorney says. Lloyd’s of London has agreed to pay policyholders whose claims were denied following the Kilauea eruption, according to an attorney suing the company. Tribune-Herald.

Councilmembers got an update on a years-long legal fight involving election division employees and former legislative officials. Big Island Video News.

Mass Transit recovery ongoing. Brenda Carreira, the third Mass Transit administrator this year, assured a County Council panel earlier this week she’s taken the first steps to pull the beleaguered agency back together. West Hawaii Today.

Ota Well Project a go: EA clears path for site development in Holualoa. An environmental assessment related to the construction of two wells off a stretch of Mamalahoa Highway in Holualoa has received a finding of no significant impact. West Hawaii Today.

Proposed Biofuel Plant Faces $100M Deadline. Some residents and environmental groups continue fighting the conversion of an old coal-powered plant into a wood-burning facility. Civil Beat.

Consensus reached: Community members agree to potential Pololu Valley Lookout land donation. Nearly two dozen residents found common ground Wednesday night, reaching a consensus that may lead to a five-acre land donation at Pololu Valley Lookout from Surety Kohala Corporation sometime in the next year or so. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Nearly 3 Million Visitors Came to Maui in 2017, New Report Finds. The number of visitors staying on Maui in 2017 rose 4% from 2016 to 2,744,994 visitors, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority's 2017 Annual Visitor Research Report. Maui Now.

Hotel revenue per room drops, first time since January ’16. Official says it is too early to tell if drop the result of stormy weather. Maui News.

Maui Sugar Cane Train’s Holiday Express returned Friday; full schedule of runs expected to depart in May. The iconic Maui Sugar Cane Train may return permanently with regular runs starting in May, a co-owner said Friday. Maui News.

A gauge of new-vehicle sales showed Maui totals down 8.4 percent for the first nine months, compared to last year, the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association reported Wednesday. Maui News.

Kauai

A meeting is set for 3:30 p.m. today at the Historic County Building for the members elected to the Kauai County Council for the term commencing Dec. 3 to discuss their organizational structure for the 2018-2020 council term. Garden Island.

December BLNR meeting key to Kauai’s water. The December BLNR meeting will focus on how much water, if any, should be diverted out of the streams at the Blue Hole. Garden Island.

A tentative settlement has been reached in a civil lawsuit filed against the Kauai County Police Department by the family of a 19-year-old Hanapepe man killed by a speeding police cruiser. Garden Island.

Thursday, October 5, 2017

House majority leader ousted over rail vote, tour helicopter foes sue FAA, public supports retired major for Honolulu police chief, Singapore routes coming, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2017 All Hawaii News
Hawaii Rep. Cindy Evans with late Hilo powerbroker George Yokoyama © 2017 All Hawaii News
House Majority Leader Cindy Evans is being removed from her leadership post after voting against the bailout bill for the Honolulu rail project last month. Star-Advertiser.

Rep. Cindy Evans stepped down as House majority leader in the wake of a tense special session putting the state on the hook for Honolulu’s troubled $9 billion rail project. West Hawaii Today.

UH video seeks to reassure international students concerned over travel bans. The video posted on the UH website is part of the #YouAre WelcomeHere campaign underway at more than 300 colleges and universities. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric Cos. has launched a new online tool for customers that is expected to streamline the application process for the installation of private rooftop solar systems. Civil Beat.

Hawaii is back on Singapore’s radar for the first time in 25 years. Scoot, the low-cost, long-haul subsidiary of the Singapore Airlines Group, said Tuesday it plans to fly to Hono­lulu at the end of this year to mark its first foray into the United States. Star-Advertiser.

Asian low-cost airline Scoot said Tuesday it will launch a new service to Hawaii later this year. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

If the selection of a Honolulu police chief were a popularity contest, retired HPD Maj. Kurt Kendro would have won the job on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Public Input Favors Retired HPD Major’s Candidacy To Be Police Chief. But it’s unclear how much impact the spoken and written support for Kurt Kendro will play in the selection process. Civil Beat.

Overwhelming support for one of seven finalists up for the job of Honolulu Police Chief at the police commission meeting Wednesday afternoon. KITV.

Overtime Costs Keep Going Up For Honolulu City Government. The expense of paying workers time and a half increased 30 percent in the last five years, reaching $67 million in fiscal year 2017. Civil Beat.

It remains to be seen if the latest move in the years-long battle to permanently dismantle homeless encampments in Kakaako by shutting down the waterfront park and others nearby for safety reasons will rid the area of one of Oahu’s most intractable homeless populations. Star-Advertiser.

Attorneys: Hawaiian royalty descendant Abigail Kawananakoa's wife took some of $200M fortune. In court papers filed last week, attorney James Wright said Veronica Gail Worth, who married Kawananakoa on Sunday, took $65,000 “without permission” to pay for her own legal bills. Hawaii News Now.

Proposal aims to stop illegal ‘apartment homes’ by adding caps, requirements. KHON2.

New hillside developments triggering rockfall fears in Palolo. KITV.

State lawmakers want answers from the Honolulu Police Department as to why it allowed a rave party to continue for more than two hours, even after officers responded to the scene. KHON2.

A Navy maritime patrol presence that extends back to the 1920s on Oahu is continuing — albeit in reduced capacity — with the arrival of two P-8A Poseidon jets whose job includes a Hawaii homeland defense mission. Star-Advertiser.

State business regulators are alleging that local developer Lawrence “Larry” Stogdell bilked investors in a planned downtown Kapolei retail and office building. Star-Advertiser.

Manoa Valley will be the first community to receive free ohia trees by the hundreds. Hawaii News Now.

Nonprofit Bikeshare Hawaii, which manages Honolulu's bikeshare program, Biki, named five members to its board of directors on Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii residents and an organization representing federal workers sued the Federal Aviation Administration Wednesday to force it to do something about tour helicopters buzzing their communities and national parks around the U.S. Associated Press.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz wants the Federal Aviation Administration to meet with Hawaii residents frustrated by tour helicopter noise. Tribune-Herald.

A small but vocal group of commercial fishermen from West Hawaii voiced their opinions Wednesday night on a proposed amendment to Hawaii Administrative Rules that would hike the annual fee for commercial fishing licenses from $50 to $150, while requiring fishermen to provide more extensive reporting on marine life. West Hawaii Today.

The Ka’u Community Development Plan was approved by the Hawaii County Council on final reading Wednesday. Big Island Video News.

The former county finance director is about to take the helm of the department once again. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Per direction by the state Legislature, hearings on future electric utility ownership models for each island in Maui County will be held Monday to Wednesday on each island. Maui News.

Another old Maui business has left the scene with the sale of the century-old Ah Fook’s Supermarket in the Kahului Shopping Center. Maui News.

A former Baldwin High School teacher is facing charges alleging he sexually molested a student. Maui News.

Kauai

Of the more than 100 people who attended the Kauai County Council’s General Plan Update hearing Wednesday, it was the voices of Kauai’s youth that echoed throughout the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. Garden Island.

In an effort to curb truancies on Kauai, the Truancy Court Collaboration pilot project has been created to improve student attendance and family engagement. Garden Island.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Beer tax could be slashed, commercial fishing fees double, tourism could benefit from others' troubles, audit slams Honolulu homeless program management, Maui condo war, Princeville founder dies, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2017 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hops to it! Beer making in Hawaii © 2017 All Hawaii News
A new bill could slash beer taxes in half, bolster Hawaii's hops industry. Hawaii Rep. Kaniela Ing will introduce the bill, which would slash taxes that Hawaii residents pay for beer by more than half, from 93 cents per gallon to 42 cents per gallon. Pacific Business News.

Maui Rep. Kaniela Ing plans to introduce a bill during the next legislative session that would cut taxes Hawaii residents pay for beer by more than half, from 93 cents a gallon to 42 cents a gallon. Maui Now.

Democratic South Maui state Rep. Kaniela Ing wants to introduce legislation next year to cut state beer taxes by more than half, from 93 to 42 cents per gallon. Maui News.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources wants to triple license fees for commercial fishermen and charter captains while requiring more paperwork for dealers in fish and other marine life. West Hawaii Today.

A devastating Atlantic hurricane season, along with concerns about safety in Mexico and Europe, could propel Hawaii’s visitor industry to an even stronger finish in 2018, which was already anticipated to be tourism’s best year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige on Tuesday announced the appointment of Catherine Betts as deputy director of the state Department of Human Services, effective Oct. 3. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii schools not prepared to shelter children in event of nuclear strike. As tensions continue to rise between the United States and North Korea, Hawaii's Emergency Management Agency has instructed residents to prepare for a nuclear strike by stockpiling 14 days worth of food, water and supplies – a standard the Department of Education says Hawaii's public schools cannot fulfill. Hawaii News Now.

The number of public school students taking and passing Advanced Placement exams jumped by double-digit percentages over last year, a step forward in college readiness in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Punahou teens all earn top AP calculus score. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

A report by city Auditor Edwin Young gives the city’s initiatives to fight homelessness a lukewarm grade and slams Mayor Kirk Caldwell and his administration for lacking benchmarks and mismanaging programs aimed at sheltering people. Star-Advertiser.

A Circuit Court judge will hear arguments on Wednesday in the Sierra Club’s lawsuit over the underground fuel tanks at Red Hill. The Sierra Club is suing the state Department of Health, saying it did not enact underground storage rules to protect Hawaii’s groundwater. Hawaii News Now.

Some Honolulu High Rises Don’t Need Sprinklers, Fire Safety Panel Says. Residential buildings could each be evaluated to determine if a sprinkler retrofitting is necessary, a City Council committee is told. Civil Beat.

Following summer’s deadly Marco Polo fire, city leaders continue to grapple with how to make hundreds of Honolulu high-rises safer without overburdening owners and tenants. Star-Advertiser.

The secrecy and confusion continue over how Honolulu is choosing its next police chief. Tuesday, a group of local residents -- whose names are being kept confidential -- began the process of ranking the top nine candidates at a Waikiki hotel. Hawaii News Now.

The departure of Luella Costales from the Honolulu Police Commission means the oversight agency will need to collaborate more on future decisions, including the selection of a new chief. Civil Beat.

The battle over beach access in the Portlock community may soon come to an end after the city took its first step in resolving the conflict Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Gentrification for Chinatown?  Honolulu's Chinatown has been a center of revitalization, but there are concerns too many improvements could change the character of the district. KITV.

A startup is using former sugar cane land on the North Shore to “grow oil” — pongamia trees whose seeds can be turned into biofuel. Can pongamia, an obscure plant agriculture startup TerViva is growing on 50 acres of former sugar cane land near Haleiwa, really be Hawaii’s next big cash crop? Civil Beat.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing the owners of Pacific Fun Enterprises LLC, dba Snappers Sports Bar and Grill and Snap-ette Beach and Liquor Store for sexual harassment of female employees. Star-Advertiser.

Federal lawsuit claims owner of Waikiki bar sexually harassed female workers over the course of 7 years. Hawaii News Now.

A 58-year-old Pearl City man is in custody at the Federal Detention Center on charges that he accepted and hid more than $2.8 million in bribes that he solicited to steer more than $400 million worth of engineering and construction work to a particular South Korean-based multinational company when he worked as a contracting officer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Star-Advertiser.

Residents in Makakilo say they've been cited for having plants and objects other than grass in the planting strips fronting their homes. The citations are causing confusion as many say they had no idea they were breaking the city's building code. Hawaii News Now.

Private concert draws dozens of noise complaints in Kakaako. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

The only solar program available that credits residents for the excess energy their solar systems send into the grid on Hawaii Island has hit its limit. Star-Advertiser.

In unanimous floor votes, members of the Hawaii State Senate Tuesday confirmed the appointments of 3rd Circuit District Family Court Judge Henry T. Nakamoto to the Circuit Court of the 3rd Circuit (Hilo) and attorney Robert D.S. Kim to the Circuit Court of the 3rd Circuit (Kona). West Hawaii Today.

Ocean View resident Raina Whiting announced over the weekend that she’ll run for the District 5 House seat being vacated by Rep. Richard Creagan. West Hawaii Today.

Real estate development company Meridian Pacific Ltd. says about two-thirds of storefront spaces at its planned Puna Kai shopping center are spoken for. Tribune-Herald.

Outside the aisle: Local grocery store launches online shopping, delivery service. West Hawaii Today.

Nine months after its last attempt ended in failure, the state and its conservation partners Tuesday released another six captive-born Hawaiian crows into the East Hawaii wilderness, hoping to re-establish a species that hadn’t been seen in the wild since 2002. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Condo War Breaks Out On Maui When Homes Become Hotels. When people were required to wait in line at the front desk to check into their own units, they started complaining. Civil Beat.

Panel moves to allow north shore vacation rentals. County Council will need to amend current Paia-Haiku Community Plan, which prohibits short-term rentals. Maui News.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded more than $1.9 million to Hawaii for improvements at veterans cemeteries on Maui and Lanai, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced Friday. Maui News.

St. Anthony School has a new statue of the Blessed Father William Joseph Chaminade in the same location as one damaged in late March 2016, the school announced. Maui News.

Women Helping Women’s new executive director has firsthand knowledge of how the domestic crisis agency can help victims. Maui News.

Kauai

Harry Trueblood, the pioneer developer of Princeville, died in Denver on Sept. 14 at the age of 92. Garden Island.

Wildland fire on Kauai's Na Pali Coast highlights drought conditions statewide. Hawaii News Now.

A wildland fire burning adjacent to Haena State Park on Kauai’s North Shore closed the park and the popular Kalalau Trail in Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park Tuesday. Garden Island.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Federal Transit Administration extends Honolulu rail finance deadline, Big Island Democrats mull transparency rule changes, workers comp revamp sought, Kauai electric rates fall, Maui leaders join administration, Abe not the first to visit Pearl Harbor,more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Red ohia blooms front Maua Kea this week, Facebook photo
The snowfall is returning to the summits of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea on the Big Island.Hawaii News Now.

Shipping ʻōhiʻa plants and plant parts from Hawaii Island is now illegal on a permanent basis, thanks to new administrative rules drawn up to prevent Rapid ‘Ōhi’a Death from spreading across the state. Big Island Video News.

Shipping ohia from the Big Island is now forever banned. Civil Beat.

Delays, Denials Plague Hawaii’s Program To Help Injured Workers. The state is trying to streamline its workers’ compensation system, but critics say wholesale changes are needed. Civil Beat.

Tuna Commission’s ‘Glacial’ Pace Suits Some In Industry Just Fine. Diverse interests always seem to stymie a global organization charged with saving bluefin and bigeye tuna from overfishing. Civil Beat.

A report has been delivered to the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources from a group of experts and organizations with interest in establishing non-commercial fishing licenses in Hawaii. Garden Island.

Not the first: Abe predecessor visited Pearl Harbor in 1951. Associated Press.

The faithful turned out in droves Wednesday to remember Pearl Harbor and the men who valiantly tried to defend it on Dec. 7, 1941, three-quarters of a century ago. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii remembers 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack: Slideshow Pacific Business News.

Oahu

The rail system’s federal partners have again extended the deadline for the city’s crucial rail “recovery” plan, giving local leaders four more months to deal with daunting budget problems but not as much time as they’d hoped. Star-Advertiser.

The Federal Transit Administration has given Honolulu’s troubled rail project until the end of April to submit a plan for how it plans to bridge a shortfall likely to approach $2 billion. Civil Beat.

The Federal Transit Administration has extended the deadline for the Honolulu rail project’s recovery plan, but did not give the agency overseeing construction of the multibillion-dollar project as much time as it requested. Pacific Business News.

In a letter sent to Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, the Federal Transit Administration said it’s giving the city a four-month extension to secure more funding for the cash-strapped Honolulu rail project. Hawaii News Now.

The seven-member Honolulu Police Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to make hotel executive Max Sword the chairman of the closely watched panel effective Jan. 1. Star-Advertiser.

A state board is taking more time before deciding whether to approve another condominium high-rise at Ward Village after receiving lots of public testimony for and against the project. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

New rules are being proposed by Hawaii County Democratic Party officials to select candidates to fill legislative vacancies, after a text message between district officers showed the outcome prior to Saturday’s vote of candidates for the House seat vacated by the death of Rep. Clift Tsuji. West Hawaii Today.

Mayor Harry Kim has one more major hire to make as he fills out his administration. Ed Teixeira, who started as interim Civil Defense administrator last May, retired Monday, leaving the administrative position vacant for the time being. Tribune-Herald.

It took about a year of arguing with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, but we finally got our hands on Ethan Ferguson’s job application. Ferguson is the DLNR officer accused of sexually assaulting a teenager on the Big Island.  Civil Beat.

Food safety rule amendments that will require every restaurant to have at least one certified food handler per shift, among other changes, will be the subject of a public hearing from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. today at the West Hawaii Civic Center. West Hawaii Today.

The leasehold Pagoda Hilo Bay Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii, known for years as Uncle Billy's Hilo Bay Hotel, could be demolished and be redeveloped into a Hilton Garden Inn under a plan by the owner of the nearby DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Naniloa Hotel, Pacific Business News has learned.

Maui

Familiar faces in Maui County government, including two outgoing council members, are joining Mayor Alan Arakawa’s administration as vacancies open up in some key positions. Maui News.

A dispute over water rights that dominated the last legislative session is expected to continue Friday at a Board of Land and Natural Resources hearing. Civil Beat.

Kauai

The Public Works/Parks and Recreation Committee unanimously approved a bill Wednesday that would allow the sale of alcohol at Wailua Golf Course. Garden Island.

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative's rates for its members have fallen by 18 percent since 2008, the Lihue-based cooperative said Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

Hanalei Watershed Hui is accepting applications from Hanalei residential property owners interested in a funding subsidy to replace aging cesspools with updated waste water systems. Garden Island.

The last of the 20 Hawaiian Petrels brought into the 7.8-acre Nihoku colony this fall fledged, flying safely out to sea Wednesday on Kauai. Garden Island.

The first real estate component of the 450-acre Hokuala Resort master-planned oceanfront community on the site of the former Kauai Lagoons project in Lihue is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2017. Pacific Business News.