Legislative leaders introduce Native Hawaiian reconciliation measures, Chinese seek asylum from coronavirus, lawmakers want to tighten gun laws, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Native Hawaiian oli at Mauna Kea ©2020 All Hawaii News

Hawaii Lawmakers Want State To Reconcile With Native Hawaiians. Resolution would create a “blue ribbon commission” to establish a new relationship based on trust. Civil Beat.

Mauna Kea Ignited A New Wave Of Hawaiian Pride. Where Does It Go From Here? The protests are seen as part of a long push toward more self-determination for Native Hawaiians, but there is little consensus on how best to achieve that. Civil Beat.

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Pearl Harbor coronavirus quarantine site is readied. Hawaii officials Tuesday toured a Pearl Harbor quarantine site provided by the Navy to monitor the dwindling number of U.S. citizens returning to the United States from Hubei province in China, which is the epicenter of a coronavirus outbreak. Star-Advertiser.

Lt. Gov. Green visits coronavirus quarantine facility, tries to extinguish fears. The state set up a quarantine site on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for any US citizens traveling from Hubei province in China diverted to Honolulu. KHON2.

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Asylum seekers from China being held in federal detention center at Honolulu airport. Two asylum seekers from China trying to flee from the deadly coronavirus were taken into custody at the airport by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after trying to enter Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Two People From China Seek Asylum in Hawaii Prior To Mandatory Coronavirus Quarantine. Two asylum seekers from China have been taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after arriving at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Hawaii Public Radio.

2 Chinese nationals seeking asylum arrived in Hawaii before new restrictions took effect. The state Health Department is seeking to reassure the public following news that two asylum seekers from China are being held in Honolulu. Hawaii News Now.

Two asylum seekers from China held at Federal Detention Center. The state says two asylum seekers from China arrived in Honolulu over the weekend most likely before the travel ban went into effect. KHON2.

Two asylum seekers from China detained at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Two people from China seeking asylum in the United States were detained at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport over the weekend. KITV4.

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6 Hawaii residents on ship quarantined. An Ewa Beach couple is among at least six Hawaii residents who have been quarantined to their rooms on a cruise ship in Japan after 10 people aboard tested positive for the coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii couple among those quarantined on cruise ship after passengers fall ill with coronavirus. An Ewa Beach couple is among thousands quarantined on a cruise ship off Japan after 10 people on the vessel tested positive for the deadly coronavirus. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants ask again to be allowed to wear masks. Flight attendants from Hawaiian Airlines are again asking the company to allow them to wear masks while in flight especially from Asian destinations. KHON2.

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Changes to laws on mental illness and guns are proposed. State lawmakers announced a package of proposals Tuesday afternoon designed to provide more help to people with mental illnesses, and to close loopholes in Hawaii’s firearm laws in the wake of the Jan. 19 shooting deaths of two Honolulu police officers. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Lawmakers Work To Keep The Mentally Ill Out Of Jail. Mental health advocates, state officials, police and lawmakers have been working together to come up with better ways to get treatment for non-violent offenders. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers aim to address gun violence, mental health. Hawaii lawmakers on Tuesday unveiled several measures to prevent gun violence and boost mental health care weeks after a Honolulu resident fatally shot two police officers, started a fire that burned down several homes, and killed his landlord and himself. Associated Press.

Lawmakers seek to boost mental health care, tighten gun laws with new bills. Hawaii lawmakers announced a legislative package Tuesday aimed at preventing gun violence in the state by filling the gaps in mental health care. Hawaii News Now.

Law enforcement and legislators call for stricter gun laws and mental health care expansion. Gun violence and mental health were big discussions at the capital as Hawaii state leaders bring these two issues to the forefront after last month’s tragedy at Diamond Head. KHON2.

State lawmakers propose stricter gun laws to keep firearms out of criminals' hands. A public hearing is set for Thursday to discuss a range of gun control measures, including notifying police when a gun owner passes away and requiring permits for ammunition purchases. KITV.

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Measure could put early learning classes in Hawaii libraries. Hawaii libraries could accommodate early learning classrooms under a state legislative proposal to expand childcare services, officials have said. Hawaii News Now.

Bill Banning Moonlighting Mayors Moves Forward. But the Senate Judiciary Committee removed provisions prohibiting the governor from holding an outside job. Civil Beat.

Smoking in the crosshairs: Bill raising Hawaii’s legal tobacco age to 25 passes House committee. Nearly four years after the Aloha State banned the sale of such items to those under 21, expanding statewide a law passed in 2014 by the Hawaii County Council that did just that on the Big Island, Rep. Richard Creagan (D-Kona, Ka‘u) is looking to up the age again. West Hawaii Today.

Bills Relating to Flavored Tobacco Bans Up This Week. Here is a list of bills relating to tobacco bans and regulations that are scheduled for public hearing this week. Maui Now.

Lawmakers propose decriminalizing larger amounts of cannabis. In what may be another small step toward eventual legalization of cannabis here, a key state Senate committee Tuesday tentatively approved a bill to decriminalize possession of up to 10 grams in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers Look To Add Dental Coverage For Medicaid Recipients. The benefit was cut from Medicaid 10 years ago and local dentists say they can see the consequences. Civil Beat.

Isles won’t have Iowa’s caucus problem, says head of state party. Hawaii Democrats will use a new mail-in balloting process and a new ranked-choice voting system to poll party members on who they want to be the next president of the United States, but interim Hawaii Democratic Party Chairwoman Kate Stanley said she does not expect to see anything like the problems on Monday that threw the Iowa caucuses into turmoil. Star-Advertiser.

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25% of sex trafficking victims led into it by family, study finds. The “Sex Trafficking in Hawaii 2019” report released Tuesday is the third segment of a multipart study on sex trafficking by the Arizona State University Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research and the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women. Star-Advertiser.

Sex trafficking study finds high percentage of Native Hawaiian victims. Nearly 65% of victims say they are full or part Native Hawaiians. KITV.

Study: Hawai‘i 3rd Most Expensive State for Kupuna Renters. More than half of Hawaiʻi’s kupuna living alone lack the financial resources to pay for basic needs, according to a new study. Maui Now.

Oahu

‘Kauhale’ housing for homeless suffers setback. Lt. Gov. Josh Green’s dream of a statewide system of “kauhale” tiny homes to provide permanent housing for Hawaii’s homeless suffered a setback Tuesday when two House committees voted to study the concept rather than move out a bill that would have provided $20 million for a one-year pilot program. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu group sends thousands of masks, protective clothing to China to aid in coronavirus outbreak. The Hawaii Fujian Business Association has sent 100,000 masks and 2,500 pieces of protective clothing to Fuzhou to assist in the containment of the coronavirus from China that has spread across the globe. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council panel nixes herbicide resolution. A nonbinding resolution urging Mayor Harry Kim and his administration to reduce herbicide use was withdrawn by its sponsors Tuesday when it became clear the measure was about to be voted down. West Hawaii Today.

Public Outraged Over Herbicide Bill Veto, Override Fail. Testifiers criticized Hawaii County officials over the failure of a bill that proposed to end county herbicide use at parks and roads. Big Island Video News.

County Council Squashes Herbicide Resolution. A short-lived resolution to reduce Hawai‘i County’s use of herbicides on government-managed lands met its end Tuesday in committee. Big Island Now.

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Federal notice includes $83M for county. Hawaii County can now take its next step to secure than $80 million in federal money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to aid in recovery from the 2018 eruption of Kilauea volcano. Tribune-Herald.

Transfer station waste limits likely to be delayed. A series of new limits to how much waste can be disposed of at the county’s transfer stations will likely be rolling out later than expected. Tribune-Herald.

Council members briefed on status of closed beach parks. One long-closed beach park on the Hamakua coast could reopen by March, while another will remain closed indefinitely. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai'i County Offering New Heart Attack Help on Big Island. Hawai’i County has started to use a new strategy to respond faster to a particular kind of medical emergency. It’s a way to get qualified people to help with cases of sudden cardiac arrest. Hawaii Public Radio.

Big Island police captain elected head of international homicide investigators group. Hawaii County Police Department’s Capt. Gregory Esteban was elected as president of the 2,600-member International Homicide Investigators Association, the department announced this week. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Lawmakers propose that state buy Maui watershed area. County has tried for years to purchase Wailuku Water Co. land. Calling it “a rare opportunity” to preserve an ecosystem of native plants, endangered species and a key source of drinking water, lawmakers are looking to have the state purchase a nearly 9,000-acre watershed in the West Maui Mountains. Maui News.

County to Repair Coastal Dune in Kihei. A project to provide targeted sand dune restoration at the southern end of Kamaole I Beach Park is slated to begin next week and last up to three weeks, the county announced on Tuesday. Maui Now.

Ram Dass services set for Monday at the Castle Theater. A celebration of life for counterculture icon Ram Dass will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday at the Castle Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului. Maui News.

Kauai

Safari pilot had licensed revoked. The pilot of the helicopter that went down near Koke‘e a month ago had his license revoked by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2010 for drug use but was issued new certifications a year later and rehired after completing a substance abuse treatment program. Garden Island.

Peaceful demonstration at Lihue Airport. On the first day of negotiations between Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants and the board of directors, a handful of flight attendants held a peaceful demonstration at Lihue Airport. Garden Island.

HART predicts October rail run, herbicide ban dies on Big Island vote, Honolulu Police Commission chairwoman ousted, Sherwood Forest protesters cleared, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu rail map PC:HART

Rail will start running Oct. 20, Robbins says. Not only will the first 10 miles of the Honolulu rail system be completed by December 2020 as predicted, but it will be ready to run three months earlier, by Oct. 20, announced a sanguine Andrew Robbins, executive director and CEO of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, at a Wednesday press conference overlooking the Halaulani Rail Station at Leeward Community College. Star-Advertiser.

HART sets goal of getting trains moving in October. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation says the rail project is on track, and it's full speed ahead to an October opening date. KITV4.

By October, football fans could be riding the rail line to Aloha Stadium. HART’s CEO said Wednesday that trains will be ready for passengers between Kapolei and Aloha Stadium by October 20, and suggested fans of University of Hawaii football games could be among the first enthusiastic customers. Hawaii News Now.

Still no word on what it will cost to ride or operate the Honolulu rail. In an announcement on Wednesday afternoon, HART says that they plan to have the first 10 miles open by October 20. KHON2.

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Nearly A Quarter of Hawaii Homes Are Purchased By Out-Of-State Buyers. Hawaii’s chief economist told lawmakers on Tuesday that 24% of Hawaii homes were purchased by buyers from outside the state. The figure is even higher on the neighbor islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Lawmakers Pushing For A Crackdown On Vaping. Legislators are drafting bills that include a flavor ban on e-cigarette liquids and a tax on vaping products. Civil Beat.

State Makes Progress in Helping Homeless But Experts Call For Larger Effort. Hawaii is making progress in addressing homelessness, but hasn’t expanded existing programs enough to make a major dent in the problem, state lawmakers were told at a summit on the issue Tuesday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Report: Too Many People Are Dying While Waiting For Medical Aid In Dying. Doctors say Hawaii’s mandatory 20-day period is too long in some cases. Civil Beat.

Bristol-Myers, Sanofi countersue Hawaii over Plavix marketing case. Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and Sanofi fought back against an $8 billion lawsuit filed by Hawaii over marketing of their blockbuster blood-thinning drug Plavix, arguing in a counter-suit that the state is trampling on their free-speech rights by demanding unnecessary warning labels. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian carries fewer passengers in 2019 despite December bump. The state’s largest carrier transported 11,751,003 passengers in 2019 — a nearly 1% drop compared to 2018. During the same period, Hawaiian’s load factor — the share of seats filled — increased by 1.3 percentage points to 85.6%. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Commission votes out chair Loretta Sheehan. At a commission meeting Wednesday, the Honolulu police commissioners ousted current chair Loretta Sheehan. Hawaii News Now.

Citing flaw in charges, judge dismisses cases for 28 arrested at Waimanalo Sherwoods park protest. The 28 people arrested for blocking the road at the city’s controversial redevelopment project at a Waimanalo park got a big victory Wednesday: A Kaneohe District Court judge dismissed the final petty misdemeanor cases for all those arrested. Hawaii News Now.

Augie T announces his run for Honolulu City Council. Comedian Augie Tulba officially announced his candidacy for Honolulu City Council on Wednesday. KITV4.

Surf park proposed in birthplace of surfing. Hawaii could have its first man-made barreling surf wave suited for skilled board riders as part of an aquatic recreation park proposed on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

State eyes converting a number of stalls to paid parking at a popular surf spot. The group “Save Our Surf” is mobilizing to fight a new state proposal to switch 125 free parking spaces to paid stalls at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. Hawaii News Now.

Homeless outreach court makes progress, but funding needed. In its first two years of existence, Oahu’s Community Outreach Court that addresses minor, nonviolent crimes committed by homeless “participants” “has made significant progress,” Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald wrote in a report to the state Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

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Aircraft carrier with 5,000 sailors stops off in state after long deployment. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and more than 5,000 sailors arrived Wednesday in Pearl Harbor for a port call after sailing from Norfolk, Va., and serving unexpected and yeoman duty in the Middle East as an Iranian deterrent. Star-Advertiser.

Amid near record-setting deployment, USS Abraham Lincoln pulls into Pearl Harbor. More than 280 days after deploying from a port in Virginia, sailors from one of the largest ships in the U.S. Navy returned to American soil on Wednesday, docking at Pearl Harbor for what’s believed to be one final stop before heading home to San Diego. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii planning to auction off fishing boat at Ala Wai Harbor. The state is preparing to auction a 112-foot-long fishing boat next week if the owner does not claim it and pay off $1,000 in fees. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council fails to override herbicide ban veto. After almost six hours of testimony and debate Wednesday, the County Council came up one vote short of overriding Mayor Harry Kim’s veto of a bill banning the use of herbicides by county workers. West Hawaii Today.

Council Vote Fails To Override Veto On County Herbicide-Use Ban. The Hawaiʻi County Council failed to override Mayor Harry Kim’s veto of a bill that would have ended the County’s use of herbicides in maintaining parks and roads. Big Island Video News.

Herbicide Ban Dies as Council Fails to Override Mayoral Veto. The Hawai‘i County Council on Tuesday fell one vote shy of overriding Mayor Harry Kim’s veto of Bill 101, which would have eliminated the use of herbicides on county-owned and maintained property across the Big Island. Big Island Now.

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Council passes bill updating energy conservation code. The Hawaii County Council unanimously voted Wednesday to pass at first reading a bill updating the county’s energy conservation code. Tribune-Herald.

Council approves Hilo Bay breakwater study. The Hawaii County Council voted Wednesday to approve funding for a study investigating how to improve the water quality of Hilo Bay. Tribune-Herald.

DHHL looking to build homes in Kealakehe. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands this year plans to award handful of vacant lots and start construction on more than a hundred homes for beneficiaries at the Villages of Laiopua in Kealakehe. West Hawaii Today.

Staffing shortages disrupt more solid waste services. The Solid Waste Division will hold public informational meetings to discuss transfer stations’ operating days and the possibility of modifying the current schedule for transfer stations across the island. Tribune-Herald.

Informational Hearings to Discuss Transfer Stations. The county invites the public to attend public informational hearings to discuss residential transfer stations islandwide. Big Island Now.

Hawaii County sees progress on homelessness. An executive assistant to Mayor Harry Kim told state lawmakers Tuesday the number of homeless people on Hawaii Island is decreasing, but “there is still much work that needs to be done”. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

County was short 153 doctors in 2019. Maui County last year was short 153 physicians, up from 141 in 2018, according to the final Hawaii Physician Workforce Assessment Project Report for 2019 conducted by the University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine. Maui News.

The median price for Maui single-family homes rose to a record last year, marking a second consecutive year for the feat. A report released by the Realtors Association of Maui showed that single-family homes on the Valley Isle sold for a median $741,355 last year, up 4% from $710,000 the year before. Star-Advertiser.

Maui Median Home Price in December Increased 4.6% to $740,000. Maui Now.

Kauai

Peep hole gets temporary fix. A peeping hole at Kauai comfort station has been temporarily patched up by three men who said they had enough. Garden Island.

Molokai

Investigation reveals violations at Molokai Community Health Center. The investigation done by the state Health Department shows several critical violations and that the health center had been operating without a physician since August 2017. Hawaii News Now.

Lanai

Lanai Water Co. seeks test run of increased rates. Company says it’s losing money at current rates. Maui News.

LGBTQ+ students added to Hawaii Title IX, high-tech economy boosted by cyber spies, Sensei Farms transforms Lanai agriculture, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gay pride parade in Hawaii ©2020 All Hawaii News

Hawaii's new Title IX law includes protection for LGBTQ+ students. Hawaii's new Title IX law is the first in the nation to include protection for LGBTQ+ students. Activists say this addition is a positive step forward in expanding rights in educational programs. KITV.

State senators grill University of Hawaii on salary funding details. University of Hawaii officials Friday were unable to answer pointed questions from state senators about who should pay for what could be more than $14 million worth of “fringe” employee benefits for an estimated 1,076 UH salaried positions paid through tuitions rather than the state’s general fund. Star-Advertiser.

Cyber Spies Are Quietly Boosting Hawaii’s High Tech Economy. Can the state build on a massive base of National Security Agency and other government cyber jobs? Civil Beat.

Hawaii's New Asset Forfeiture Rules Take Effect Jan. 17. New requirements will apply to local enforcement authorities in seizing cars and other property of criminals under long-awaited asset forfeiture rules issued by the Hawaii attorney general on Dec. 31. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii bankruptcies in 2019 hit highest level in 5 years. The U.S. stock market had a record bull run in 2019. But not everyone shared in the wealth. Star-Advertiser.

Pay Hikes for Special Ed, Hawaiian Language, Rural School Teachers Start On Tuesday. Pay increases for public school teachers in hard-to-fill positions, including those for special education, rural areas and Hawaiian language immersion, start on Tuesday. Hawaii Public Radio.

A $75,000 Settlement Is Scaring Hawaii Charter Schools. A recent legislative directive that forces state agencies to cover the costs of legal claims could have a big impact on charter schools. Civil Beat.

New law on reporting inmate deaths exposes alleged prison homicide. A new law that requires prison officials to report to the governor each time an inmate dies in custody has already revealed the case of a prisoner who died on Christmas morning after being assaulted at Oahu Community Correctional Center.  Star-Advertiser.

Maunakea Looms Over American Astronomical Society Meeting. The Thirty Meter Telescope controversy will be a major topic of discussion during the four-day conference being held at the Hawai‘i Convention Center on Oʻahu. Big Island Video News.

TMT supporters rally at Hawai‘i Convention Center. Supporters of the Thirty Meter Telescope waved signs and flags Sunday outside of the Hawai‘i Convention Center while a major astronomy conference was being held inside. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Board Of Water Supply Fined For Stream Pollution. The Board of Water Supply failed to notify state health officials about a sediment discharge for 15 days, according to the state health department. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply faces $420K penalty for polluting Nuuanu Stream. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply and a trio of contractors face a possible $420,000 fine for polluting the Nuuanu Stream over an 18-day period last year. Star-Advertiser.

Dead Koi fish led to a $420K fine from the Department of Health. The Department of Health announced a notice of violation for the Board of Water Supply and some of its consultants and contractors carrying a $420K fine. KITV.

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Hauula residents want long-term fix for collapsed road. Repair crews began work Sunday morning along a portion of Kamehameha Highway that collapsed into the ocean in Hauula, but some residents questioned why the state allowed the road’s condition to deteriorate to that extent. Star-Advertiser.

Traffic in Hauula still impacted as crews make emergency repairs to crumbling roadway. A lane of Kamehameha Highway in Hauula remains closed Monday morning as crews make emergency shoreline repairs to the crumbling roadway. Hawaii News Now.

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Development firms to build affordable housing through state resolution. A development partnership is positioned to start building a low-income housing tower in Pawaa later this year following a recent tentative endorsement by the state to finance the $89 million project. Star-Advertiser.

New rules for tent installers impact vendors at Aloha Stadium Swap Meet. Vendors of the popular Aloha Stadium Swap Meet say they were caught off guard when trying to set up Saturday, leading to tensions over the market. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Herbicide ban not a sure thing. While the County Council had voted 6-3 to approve Bill 101 — the same number of affirmative votes needed to override Mayor Harry Kim’s veto — there’s no guarantee all six council members who previously voted yes on the bill will also agree to override the veto. West Hawaii Today.

Kim to meet with governor, TMT officials this week. Although the protesters at Maunakea Access Road have physically changed their position, their philosophical position remains the same as in July. Tribune-Herald.

Charges dropped against retired police captain. Charges against a retired Hawaii Police Department captain accused of tipping off arcade owners prior to a gambling raid have been dropped. Tribune-Herald.

Charges in a 2-year-old drug case have been dropped because of officer misconduct, a judge ruled. ose Miranda was charged in December 2017 with 11 counts of first-degree promoting a dangerous drug, class A felonies punishable by up to 20 years in prison. West Hawaii Today.

Councilwoman seeks affordable housing fund. The Big Island’s shortage of affordable housing is reaching the crisis stage, says a County Council member sponsoring a nonbinding resolution pushing for the creation of an affordable housing fund. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo Woman Pulls Slug From Mouth After Eating Island Naturals Sandwich. A Hilo woman will have to wait about two weeks to find out if she’s contracted rat lungworm disease after nearly ingesting a half-inch slug on New Year’s Eve. Big Island Now.

Maui

Mahi Pono: ‘We are not profiting off water’. Officials offer details of approach to vital resource. Maui News.

New Self-Service Kiosk for Vehicle Registrations at Maui County Building. A new self-service DMV kiosk was installed and blessed today at the county’s Kalana O Maui Building, bringing to five, the total number available in Maui County. Maui Now.

Crab, lobster hearings next week. Hearings are set on Molokai, Lanai and Maui next week on a housekeeping consolidation of rules regulating the take, possession and sale of Samoan crab, Kona crab and lobsters in state waters. Maui News.

Maui fires burned 25,000 acres in 2019. Brush fires took their toll on Maui in 2019, setting ablaze more acres of land last year than in recent years, and in the process destroyed utility poles, amassed hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs by the county and displaced hundreds of people. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Hawaii Tour Helicopter Owner Rejects Congressman’s Criticism. Richard Schuman says the industry is safe and does not need increased federal regulation. Civil Beat.

Forums target climate change. The National Tropical Botanical Garden is holding another series of forums on climate change, starting in February, titled “Climate Crisis 2020.” Garden Island.

Lanai

Lanai undergoes agricultural transformation using hydroponic greenhouses. Lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers are lined up to be part of the first commercial harvest from a pioneering hydroponic greenhouse farm on Lanai developed by technology billionaire Larry Ellison and envisioned for expansion to serve the state and potential replication beyond Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Sensei Farms Lanai’s greenhouses mix old and new technology. Paving over red dirt that was once part of the most productive pineapple plantation in the world might not seem like the way to start a positive transformation of agriculture on Lanai. Star-Advertiser.

Prison oversight panel takes shape, Kaneshiro impeachment setback, herbicide ban vetoed, car towing for DUIs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Bunks at Hilo jail, Hawaii's most crowded ©2019 All Hawaii News

Critics: New Hawaii Prison Commissioners Too Connected To Long-Troubled System. The new state commission is supposed to bring a new vision for prisons. But it’s made up of people who have been part of the problem. Civil Beat.

Case Takes His Time To Make A Historic Decision On Impeachment, The Hawaii congressman says he wants to see if President Donald Trump has a “plausible explanation” for his conduct before making up his mind. Civil Beat.

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Judge Rules American Samoans Are US Citizens. A federal judge in Utah ruled denying birthright citizenship to people born in American Samoa is unconstitutional. Civil Beat.

US should recognize American Samoans as citizens, judge says. People born in the territory of American Samoa should be recognized as U.S. citizens, a federal judge in Utah decided Thursday in a case filed amid more than a century of legal limbo but whose eventual impact remains to be seen. Associated Press.

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DOH: Hawaii Needs To Remain On Guard Against Measles. Hawaii is unlikely to see a measles outbreak at the scale of what Samoa has experienced, but its location in the Pacific heightens the risk for imported cases. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Kaneshiro impeachment effort suffers setback. The effort to remove Keith Kaneshiro as city prosecutor suffered a small setback Thursday when the Hawaii Supreme Court rejected a request to require a lower court judge to reopen the impeachment case that he dismissed. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu businesses have until the end of the month to switch from using plastic bags. Businesses in Honolulu have until the end of the month to stop using plastic or non-biodegradable bags. KITV.

HPD adding more detectives to combat rash of violent crimes. Authorities are asking the elderly to travel in groups after a huge spike in purse snatchings lately. Hawaii News Now.

Ewa Wind Farm Seeking Community Input. The large project is awaiting word from Hawaiian Electric. Civil Beat.

Homeless seniors check out city-backed apartments. Ten low-income, homeless seniors — most of whom are living in transitional shelters — got their first glimpse of their new studio apartments Thursday and proclaimed them “beautiful” and “nice.” Star-Advertiser.

Volunteers help patch up Waikiki walkways. Crumbling, cracked and lifted sidewalks in Waikiki are a hazard for pedestrians and contribute to Hawaii’s ranking by the National Complete Streets Coalition as No. 1 in the nation for fatalities among pedestrians age 65 and older. Star-Advertiser.

What To Know About Oahu Real Property Assessments Coming To Mailboxes Soon. The city plans to send out real property assessment notices for the 2020-2021 tax year by Dec. 15. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waipahu High incorrectly announced there was an active shooter on campus. Waipahu High School caused some panic Thursday when they incorrectly announced there was an active shooter on campus while police were searching for armed suspects in the area. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Kim vetoes herbicide bill. Mayor Harry Kim on Thursday exercised his first veto of this term, sending a ban on county herbicide use back to the County Council. West Hawaii Today.

Public gets information about draft waste management plan. Environmentally minded residents had mixed feelings about the county’s proposed new solid waste management plan during a public information meeting Wednesday evening. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Bill to Tow Drunken Drivers Passes First Reading. A new bill that would allow police to tow the vehicles of drunken drivers upon arrest passed its first reading before the Maui County Council on Thursday. Maui Now.

Drunken drivers may get towed. Bill would allow police to remove vehicles after DUI arrestsThose who get arrested for drunken driving may have their vehicles towed on the spot, according to a bill up for first reading before the Maui County Council. Maui News.

Olowalu project includes 59 units. A new affordable housing proposal for undeveloped West Maui land is on the horizon, and landowner Peter Martin will be asking to fast-track the project early next year if all goes according to plan, the project manager said Wednesday. Maui News.

Kauai

Police finances under investigation. The Hawaii State attorney general’s office is investigating the Kauai Police Department’s finances. Garden Island.

UH Board of Regents approves Mauna Kea rules, Gabbard qualifies for DNC debate, Honolulu lifeguard hours extended, Big Island to ban county herbicide use, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tourists view Mauna Kea telescopes ©2019 All Hawaii News

Controversial rules passed to protect Mauna Kea’s natural resources. The proposed Mauna Kea administrative rules were battered and bruised over eight hours of testimony Wednesday, but the University of Hawaii Board of Regents unanimously approved them anyway, with one substantial provision. Star-Advertiser.

UH Board of Regents Approve Mauna Kea Resolution and Rules. The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents approved the latest draft of rules yesterday governing activities on Mauna Kea. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH regents amend, approve draft administrative rules for Maunakea. After eight hours of impassioned opposition from community members, the University of Hawaii Board of Regents ultimately voted Wednesday to amend and approve a draft of administrative rules governing Maunakea. Tribune-Herald.

UH Regents approve stewardship resolution, rules on management for Mauna Kea. The guidelines aim to limit the amount of vehicles and commercial activity on the mountain. Hawaii News Now.

UH regents approve resolution on Mauna Kea stewardship, proposed administrative rules. The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents approved the latest draft of the administrative rules for University of Hawaiʻi-managed lands on Maunakea at a special meeting on November 6 on the UH Hilo campus. KHON2.

UH Board of Regents passes Mauna Kea administrative rules with one change. The UH Board of Regents has passed administrative rules related to Mauna Kea but has made one change: removing the section regarding group use registration. KITV.

UH Regents Approve Mauna Kea Admin Rules. The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents voted unanimously in favor of the rules with one amendment after a marathon meeting in Hilo. Big Island Video News.

Regents agenda and rules (page 627) can be found here.

Mayor on Maunakea impasse: ‘If we work on it, we can do it’. Mayor Harry Kim remains steadfast in his commitment to finding a way forward as the standoff over the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea continues. West Hawaii Today.

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Tulsi Gabbard qualifies for November presidential debate, defying predictions. Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has qualified for the November presidential debate, defying predictions that her performance last month in Westerville, Ohio, would mark the last time she would be on the national debate stage. Star-Advertiser.

Gabbard Qualifies For November DNC Debates. She has yet to meet the criteria for December, however. Civil Beat.

Gabbard meets criteria to participate in next Democratic presidential debate. Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has met the qualifying criteria for the next Democratic presidential debate and is poised to join nine other candidates on stage later this month. Hawaii News Now.

Gabbard Says She Won't Mount 3rd-Party 2020 Presidential Bid. Longshot presidential hopeful Tulsi Gabbard says she will not launch a third-party bid for the White House if she fails to secure the Democratic nomination. Associated Press.

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Judge Considers Whether To Allow Hawaii To Subpoena Airbnb. A judge on Wednesday ruled Hawaii tax authorities may subpoena Airbnb for records of its hosts as part of an investigation into whether operators of vacation rentals have been paying their taxes. Associated Press.

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Singapore Is An Affordable Housing Model, But Can Hawaii Follow? Hawaii’s challenges include divided state and county governments and no overall coordination. Civil Beat.

Housing experts weigh in on affordable housing plan based on Singapore’s model. State Sen. Stanley Chang wants to take a page from Singapore's public housing playbook and apply it to Hawaii's affordable housing shortage. Hawaii News Now.

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DOT has a long-term fix for Hawaii’s roads. The Department of Transportation has a solution that could double the life of their roads. It’s called stone matrix asphalt, a stronger and more flexible aggregate that could last up to 25 years. KHON2.

Flying into the uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Midway Atoll appears out of the vast blue Pacific as a tiny oasis of coral-fringed land with pristine white sand beaches that are teeming with life. But on the ground, there’s a different scene: plastic, pollution and death. Associated Press.

Political Feuding Over The Border Wall Is Stalling Military Housing Reform. Grim housing conditions on military bases in Hawaii and elsewhere remain as Congress continues to argue over diverting military dollars to pay for Trump’s proposed border wall. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Council OKs extending workday of lifeguards. Lifeguard service on Oahu beaches will be extended to sunrise-to-sunset from the current 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. hours under a measure adopted by the Honolulu City Council Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

City Council votes to extend lifeguard hours, but the change won’t go into effect immediately. On Wednesday, the Honolulu City Council voted to pass Bill 39. It begins the process of extending lifeguard hours from sunrise to sunset. Hawaii News Now.

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New Ala Moana Pedestrian Bridge Planned Near Fatal Crash Site. Kakaako developers hope the new bridge will also serve as a “linear park” for pedestrians, similar to New York City’s High Line park. Civil Beat.

State awarded $20M in federal funds for Ala Moana pedestrian bridge. Federal transportation officials have committed to $20 million in funding to help the state build a pedestrian bridge over Ala Moana Boulevard, according to U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz. Star-Advertiser.

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City Plastics Ban Bill Undergoing Changes But Businesses Want Statewide Approach. A bill banning single-use plastic items on Oahu has been moved back to a City Council committee for more discussion but that’s not stopping business owners from wanting a statewide approach to the issue.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Major project begins to tackle erosion hotspot on Oahu’s most famous shoreline. Crews have started working on a new fix for an erosion hotspot in Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Herbicide ban advances. A ban on the county’s use of weedkillers in parks and along its highways advanced Wednesday on an 8-1 vote, although some members of the County Council asked for more clarification before its final vote later this month. West Hawaii Today.

Food Basket to receive nearly $1M to help low-income families. The Food Basket, Hawaii Island’s food bank, will receive nearly $1 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help more low-income families throughout Hawaii access locally grown produce and healthy food, it was announced Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

Farmers market canopy to be constructed ‘soon’. While the actual building of a permanent canopy over Hilo Farmers Market’s produce area hasn’t yet started, a sign was posted saying construction will start soon. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

US Supreme Court Hears Maui Pollution Case As Mayor, Council Fight Continues. The high profile case is now in the hands of the justices, but if the Maui County Council gets its way a decision may never come. Civil Beat.

Justices Seem Uncertain About Reach Of Clean Water Act In Maui Case. The justices heard arguments Wednesday about whether a sewage treatment plant needs a federal permit when it sends treated wastewater deep underground, instead of discharging the sewage directly into the Pacific Ocean. Associated Press.

Supreme Court hears debate in Maui injection well case. Maui County Council members who tried to stop a case involving wastewater injection wells from being heard before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday say they still hope Maui Mayor Michael Victorino will withdraw the case before justices can come out with a ruling sometime next year. Star-Advertiser.

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Water supply impacted by redirection of river. County says plant shutdown coincides with fish kill incident. Damage to diversions and redirecting of stream flow in the Wailuku River reduced water intake to the county treatment plant to the point that it had to shutdown three times since Oct. 28, the county water director said. Maui News.

Special Counsel Sought in County’s Climate Change Lawsuit. The County of Maui is seeking to hire special counsel in a lawsuit that alleges fossil fuel companies are responsible for the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels. Maui Now.

Kahului Airport terminal expansion project under way. DOT submits SMA application for 27,300 square foot, 400 seat growth. Maui News.

DLNR completes new Maui annex building. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources held a blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday to mark the completion of its new 8,000-square-foot Maui annex building, which will house four divisions. Maui News.

Two meetings on Pulelehua project set for Saturday. Community open house for the 304-acre Pulelehua community in West Maui will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today and 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Princess Nahienaena Elementary School Cafeteria. Maui News.

Kauai

Bringin’ back the ‘o‘opu. For three years, hydrologist and water resources engineer Matt Rosener has been heading up a stream-restoration project in the North Shore Waipa watershed. Garden Island.

Molokai

CEO of Molokai’s only health center not stepping down despite residents’ demands. Tempers flared on Molokai Wednesday night at a meeting about the island's only health center. The CEO of the Molokai Community Health Center is resisting demands for her to step down. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Dems opt for ranked-choice mail-in ballots for presidential primary, convicted ex-police chief Kealoha files for divorce, Hawaii County Council advances pesticide ban, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tulsi Gabbard ©2019 All Hawaii News

Tulsi Gabbard’s take on Syria gets slammed as ‘dead wrong’ during Democratic debate. Tulsi Gabbard came under attack for her stances on Syria during Tuesday’s presidential debate, marring what needed to be a strong performance for the Hawaii congresswoman, who has struggled to gain traction in her bid for the presidency. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard: ‘Blood Of The Kurds’ On Trump’s Hands. The Hawaii congresswoman continued to push for ending U.S. involvement in “regime-change war” during Tuesday’s Democratic presidential debate. Civil Beat.

Gabbard Restrained In Debate But Questions Warren About Syria. Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard did not have significant air time in Tuesday's crowded debate of 12 Democratic presidential candidates but she was most emphatic when arguing in support of the U.S. pullout from Syria. Hawaii Public Radio.

Federal Campaign Filings Show Gabbard Has Raised Another $3 Million. State Sen. Kai Kahele continues to rake in cash in his bid to oust the CD2 congresswoman. Civil Beat.

DNC approves delegate plan. The party-run presidential primary scheduled for April 4 will include vote-by-mail and ranked choice voting. Garden Island.

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Protests concern Hawaii business leaders. Hawaii often gets rapped as being unfriendly to business over regulations, taxes and litigation. Now a new layer to this perception may be forming as activists inhibit construction of three development projects. Star-Advertiser.

UH Pay Increases For Top Executives Drawing Scrutiny. The double-digit percentage pay increases are permissible under a UH policy giving discretion to the university president to elevate pay. Civil Beat.

Vaping Summit, Legislative Briefing Set As Lung Illness Count Continues To Rise Nationwide. An anti-vaping summit is planned this week in Honolulu and state lawmakers scheduled a briefing Thursday on the rising youth use of e-cigarettes. Hawaii Public Radio.

More Hawaiian homeland residents struggling with loan payments, face eviction. DHHL beneficiaries asked Lt. Gov. Josh Green and state legislators for the same loan mitigation programs offered to other citizens. They say current state law prohibits that. KITV.

Why Hawaii Still Has So Few Electric Cars. Only about 1% of cars here are electric vehicles. Advocates say boosting that number requires mandating builders install charging stations at new developments. Civil Beat.

$88 Billion: A New Price Tag For Fixing Hawaii’s Infrastructure And Retirement Systems. A new report from the Hawaii Executive Conference details the state’s worsening financial problems, but it doesn’t offer any solutions. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha files for divorce from wife Katherine. Louis Kealoha, the retired police chief and convicted felon, filed for divorce Monday from his wife, former deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha, also a convicted felon. Star-Advertiser.

Louis Kealoha Files For Divorce From Katherine Kealoha. The marriage is irretrievably broken, Louis Kealoha indicated in his court complaint. Civil Beat.

As both await sentencing, ex-police chief files for divorce from his wife. Former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha has filed for a divorce from his wife Katherine, a former deputy prosecutor. Hawaii News Now.

Retired Police Chief Louis Kealoha files for divorce. Retired Police Chief Louis Kealoha has filed for divorce against his wife, Katherine, a former deputy prosecutor. KHON2.

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Gov. David Ige backs wind farm’s construction in Kahuku. The company planning to build a wind farm in Kahuku “should be allowed to proceed,” Gov. David Ige’s office said Tuesday as protesters continued to rally at the construction site. Star-Advertiser.

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State health officials fine bubble tea shop in Moiliili for removing yellow placard. The state Health Department has fined a bubble tea shop at Puck’s Alley in Moiliili $2,000 for unlawfully and intentionally removing a yellow placard, which stands for a conditional pass, from their facility. Star-Advertiser.

Popular bubble tea shop slapped with fine for removing yellow health placard. The Department of Health has fined a popular Oahu bubble tea shop after removing a conditional yellow health placard from their window. Hawaii News Now.

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Home and condo sales rise on Oahu. Home and condo sales are picking up with several regions seeing double-digit gains. KHON2.

Sea Life Park announces death of Kina the false killer whale. Sea Life Park Hawaii announced today the death of Kina, the false killer whale that had been a beloved part of its family since 2015. Star-Advertiser.

Kina, the beloved false killer whale at Sea Life Park, dies. A mainstay at Sea Life Park on Oahu has died. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Herbicide ban advanced: Bill prohibits county use of weed killers in parks, roadsides. Hawaii Island is moving toward banning county-applied herbicides on parks and roadsides. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaiʻi County Council Committee of Agricultural, Water, Energy and Environmental Management voted to advance Bill 101 to the full council with a positive recommendation. Big Island Video News.

Pesticide Ban Advances to Council. The Hawai‘i County Council Committee on Agriculture, Water, Energy and Environmental Management voted 7-0 today to advance Bill 101, a pesticide ban in Hawai‘i County, with a positive recommendation to the Council late Tuesday night. Big Island Now.

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Committee gets update on lava recovery efforts. Hawaii County Council members appeared pleased with the current state of the Kilauea eruption recovery efforts after an update provided Tuesday to the Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development. Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea Eruption Recovery Progress Report Delivered. It has been one year since the eruption of Kīlauea ended, but the recovery effort in Puna continues. Big Island Video News.

University of Hawaii regents panel pitches plan to improve Mauna Kea. Following a two-month examination of the issues related to Mauna Kea, a University of Hawaii Board of Regents committee did not recommend any change in its support for the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope. Star-Advertiser.

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Men’s shelter in old Hilo hospital accepts its first residents. The old Hilo Memorial Hospital has a new purpose: helping homeless men. Tribune-Herald.

Old Hilo Hospital Site Now An Ohana Zone. The goal is to improve access to needed services for those experiencing homelessness. Civil Beat.

Keolahou Shelter To Address Homelessness In Hilo. The shelter is on the site of the old Hilo Memorial Hospital near Rainbow Falls, and is made possible by state ʻOhana Zone funds. Big Island Video News.

Maui

State restricts access to cliff in West Maui. Concerns over rock climbing impacts have led the state to close a cliff face in the Lihau section of the West Maui Natural Area Reserve. Maui News.

Maui Marketplace seeing some new tenants, changes. Jollibee, a fast food chain from the Philippines, is coming to the center. Maui News.

Jollibee “Home of the Famous Chickenjoy” Coming to Maui Marketplace. Jollibee, a popular fast-food chain in the Philippines, will be opening a restaurant at the Maui Marketplace in Kahului. Maui Now.

Island home prices dip in September as purchases spike. 83 properties have sales pending, up 26 percent from September 2018. Maui News.

Kauai

Water rights contested. A case that began before the county planning commission and made its way to the highest court in the state continued Tuesday in Kauai’s circuit court, where a judge appeared on the verge of siding with a Koloa couple embroiled in the 13-year legal battle. Garden Island.

Southwest on the way. Southwest will launch service between Honolulu and Kauai, Maui and Sacramento on Nov. 10. Garden Island.

Hawaii airports among the worst, Health Department says stop vaping, Caldwell off to European climate summit, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Daniel K. Inouye Honolulu International Airport ©2019 All Hawaii News

Satisfaction study ranks Hawaii airports among the worst. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport nearly tops a list of this year’s worst airports for customer satisfaction, mainly because of construction, which tends to delay passengers and sour their travel experiences. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii Health Department Is Prepared To Ban E-Cigs If Needed. After the second confirmed case of a vaping-related illness in the islands, the state health department is urging the public to stop vaping. Civil Beat.

Second lung patient cited as officials call for halt to vaping in Hawaii. Everyone in Hawaii should stop vaping until more is known about how it is triggering serious lung illnesses, officials announced Monday as they began investigating a second possible case here. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Health Officials Advising All E-Cigarette Users To Stop Vaping. The Hawaii Department of Health is advising all e-cigarette users to immediately stop vaping until more is known about its health impacts. Hawaii Public Radio.

State urges anyone who vapes to stop immediately, but decides against a ban. The state Health Department has issued a broad new advisory urging anyone who vapes to stop immediately until more is known about why people across the country who use vaping devices are getting gravely sick and even dying. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Department of Health issues public health advisory urging everyone to stop vaping. KHON2.

Department of Health: ‘Stop vaping’. The state Department of Health issued what it called a “health advisory” Monday, urging everyone to stop vaping, no matter the substance or source, until current nationwide investigations are complete. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Issues Public Health Advisory Urging Everyone To Stop Vaping. The Department of Health wants everyone to stop vaping until current nationwide investigations into illness are complete. Big Island Video News.

State: Stop vaping. The Hawaii State Department of Health has issued a health advisory urging everyone to stop vaping, no matter the substance or source, until current nationwide investigations are complete. Garden Island.

Health Advisory Urges Public to Stop Vaping. The Department of Health today issued a health advisory urging everyone to stop vaping, no matter the substance or source, until current nationwide investigations are complete. Maui Now.

Lawmakers planning to crack down on underage vaping. In light of the latest vaping-related illnesses, lawmakers are hoping to crack down on underage vaping in the next legislative session by making it harder for them to purchase e-cigarette products. KHON2.

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FBI: Violent crimes in Hawaii fall in recent years despite rise in rapes. A new report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows a drop in violence in Hawaii recently. Hawaii News Now.

FBI: Property crimes and thefts on the rise in Hawaii. The latest data from the FBI shows property crimes and thefts are on the rise in Hawaii, especially on Oahu. KHON2.

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The state Public Safety Department’s top trainer appears to be off the hook — for now. The state Labor Board is dropping its request for Marte Martinez’s personnel file after fierce resistance from two other state agencies defending her: Public Safety and the state Attorney General’s Office. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Struggling To Find Out If Full-Face Snorkel Masks Are Dangerous. The counties have been unable to collect enough data on the type of mask worn in drowning incidents to draw any conclusions yet. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Coffee Farmers: State Policy Is Putting Crops At Risk. Growers want Hawaii to adopt a strict federal policy designed to protect Hawaii coffee from invasive species. Civil Beat.

DOE awarded $50M federal grant to boost literacy skills in kids. The state Education Department has been awarded a five-year, $50 million federal grant to boost literacy development at Hawaii public schools. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Land Use Commission again will convene to determine landfill’s fate. The city finally might win its long-running quest to win state approval to extend the life of Oahu’s only municipal landfill, but not if neighbors of the West Oahu facility have anything to do with it. Star-Advertiser.

Proposed Bill could force non-union workers to pay union dues. Bill 37 is up for a vote in Wednesday's City Council meeting. KITV.

Councilmember calls for delay of Kakaako parks transfer to city. Honolulu City Councilmember Kymberly Pine is asking the city administration to delay taking over Kakaako Waterfront Park and other nearby parcels in a handoff from the state slated for this fall. KHON2.

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Caldwell On Business Trip To Denmark, Germany And France. The Honolulu mayor is attending a climate conference, among other things. Civil Beat.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell left Oahu Monday morning for a two-week business trip to Europe. Caldwell will visit Denmark, Germany and France during his trip, with his first stop in Copenhagen to attend the C40 World Mayors Summit to provide an “island perspective.” Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Invited To Climate Summit With World's Largest Cities. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is off to Denmark this week for a global gathering of big city mayors. Their goal is to tackle the major challenges of climate change. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Two young monk seals found dead on Oahu’s North Shore, NOAA says. On Monday, Hawaii Marine Animal Response officials revealed the deaths of two young Hawaiian monk seals in recent months. Hawaii News Now.

Waikiki doctor pleads guilty to filing nearly $1M in false medical claims. Dr. Sung Yang admitted to filing fraudulent claims amounting to nearly $1 million to government and private insurance agencies. Hawaii News Now.

'Golf ball' radar leaves Pearl Harbor after $24M upgrade. The towering Sea-Based X-Band Radar is back at sea after nearly four months in Pearl Harbor, during which $24 million in repairs and upgrades were made, the Missile Defense Agency said. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Why Dismantling of Mauna Kea Telescopes Raises Questions. The state’s commitment to remove five existing telescopes on Mauna Kea to build the Thirty-Meter Telescope remains part of the effort to resolve the protest on the mountain. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kupuna meet with Kim, reject proposal for TMT. A group of kupuna, or elders, from the movement opposed to the Thirty Meter Telescope being built on Mauna Kea met with Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim on Monday to discuss Kim’s plan for resolving the dispute, which proposed that the TMT would be the last telescope built on the mountain. Star-Advertiser.

A bill banning the county’s use of toxic herbicides has resurfaced at the County Council. Bill 101, sponsored by Kona Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas, will be heard Oct. 15 by the council sitting as the Agriculture, Water, Energy and Environmental Management Committee. West Hawaii Today.

Court order calls for property owners to clear homeless camp. A Hilo judge signed an order last week that would compel two Big Island property owners to clear a homeless camp from downtown Hilo, but they can still appeal the court’s decision. Tribune-Herald.

Legacy Hilo files for bankruptcy; Nursing facility also being sold. Legacy Hilo Rehabilitation and Nursing Center filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and entered into a contract to sell the facility to Hilo SNF. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Comments on East Maui Water Lease, Draft EIS Due by Nov. 7. Alexander & Baldwin Inc. and its East Maui Irrigation Company, Limited subsidiary have filed a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed lease of water in the East Maui areas of Nāhiku, Keʻanae, Honomanū, and Huelo. Maui Now.

Opening of new Kihei High School could be delayed 3 to 4 years. Andrew Beerer’s two children were just starting elementary school when he joined the campaign to build a public high school for their fast-growing Kihei community. Star-Advertiser.

NOAA Needs Help Counting Hawaiian Monk Seals. NOAA Fisheries is calling on marine life enthusiasts to help survey Mauiʻs shores for endangered Hawaiian monk seals. Maui Now.

Maui Brush Fire Fully Contained But Public Asked To Avoid Burn Area. A fire that burned in the Maalaea Mauka area and forced evacuations and road closures has been 100% contained as of Monday morning, Maui Fire Department said. Hawaii Public Radio.


Kauai

Take a number. The County’s Drivers License Division is piloting a take-a-number system that started Monday to make acquiring licenses and permits for drivers of motor vehicles and customers seeking Hawaii Identification Cards more efficient and comfortable. Garden Island.

No answers in duck deaths. Near the end of September, Kilauea resident and avid golfer Barbara Trombley visited Wailua Golf Course to feed some domestic ducks dumped in the area. Garden Island.

Molokai

Original Hawaiian Homes Leases Near 99-Year Mark. The first leases awarded through the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act are approaching their 99-year limit. According to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in a press release sent out today, beneficiaries in Kalamaʻula and Hoʻolehua on the island of Molokaʻi can submit requests to extend their leases for an additional 100 years. Maui Now.

UN honors Molokai group for fishery conservation. Hui Malama o Mo‘omomi receives its prize in NYC. Maui News.