Kahuku wind farm protesters arrested as equipment moves to site, wetter than average winter, lawmakers debate flavored e-cigs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Double rainbow in Hilo ©2019 All Hawaii News

Above-average rainfall and temperatures coming this winter. The National Weather Service announced Thursday that the islands likely will experience above-average rainfall this winter along with warmer-than-normal temperatures. Star-Advertiser.

NOAA Forecast: ‘Above Average’ Rainfall For Hawaii Through April. As such, existing drought is expected to be eliminated by the end of the rainy season. Civil Beat.

National Weather Service: Expect 'Wetter Than Average' Winter. According to the National Weather Service's outlook on the state's wet season, you can expect a "wetter than normal" winter this year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Warmer temps, above average rainfall predicted for upcoming wet season. Weather models predict Hawaii will see a wetter ― and warmer ― wet season, which extends from October through April. Hawaii News Now.

Upcoming Wet Season to Eliminate Current Drought in Hawai‘i. Maui Now.

Forecasters predict wetter-than-average rainy season. Hilo International Airport averages 80.63 inches during the rainy season, October through April. Tribune-Herald.

Ready for rain. It’s going to be a rainy wet season across Hawaii, and Hanalei could be looking at potential flooding throughout the season. Garden Island.

Marine heat waves, like the one behind Hawaii’s sweltering summer, poised to be ‘new normal’. Five years ago, a vast stretch of warm water emerged across the North Pacific Ocean, extending from Alaska to California to Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s surf might disappear completely if climate change worsens, experts say. Hawaii News Now.

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Lawmakers to revisit statewide ban of flavored e-cigarettes. State lawmakers, grappling with how to stop an unprecedented rise in vaping among Hawaii youth, will consider a statewide ban of flavored electronic cigarettes again next legislative session amid a growing outbreak of lung illnesses nationwide. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers discuss options after second case of vaping-related lung illness. After a second vaping-related lung illness was confirmed, lawmakers met today to discuss options for what to do to address the vaping epidemic in Hawaii. KHON2.

Hawaii High Schooler To Legislators: Ban Flavored E-Cigs. Meanwhile, a major Hawaii e-cigarette retailer said a flavor ban wouldn’t do any good. Civil Beat.

State confirms 2nd case of lung illness associated with vaping. State health officials confirmed Thursday that there is now a second severe lung illness case associated with vaping. It involves a young adult from Kauai.  KHON2.

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Shortage of Hawaii Pro Bono Attorneys Hobbles Legal Aid To Asylum-Seekers. As many as 150 Central American migrants seeking asylum have found their way to Hawaii from the U.S. Mexico border. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii to receive $1.5 million from Johnson & Johnson for not properly disclosing side effects of device. Hawaii will receive about $1.5 million from pharmaceutical company Johnson and Johnson for deceiving customers on one of its medical devices. KITV.

Johnson & Johnson, Ethicon Inc. reach $116.9M settlement over medical device: Here's how much Hawaii gets. Hawaii will be receiving $1.5 million from the settlement. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Wind Farm Protesters Arrested As They Blockade Road For Construction Vehicles. After the arrests, four construction trucks carrying sections of turbines left for the wind farm site in Kahuku. Civil Beat.

Kahuku wind farm convoy blocked by felled electric pole after protesters arrested. Equipment for Kahuku wind farm project leaves Kapolei after police arrest protesters. Police are turning around vehicles on Kamehameha Highway near Sunset Beach because a Hawaiian Electric Co. electric pole was cut down, officers confirmed, presumably to stop the wind turbine convoy from reaching Kahuku. Star-Advertiser.

Police arrest 22 Kahuku wind farm opponents staging late-night blockade in Kalaeloa. Honolulu police arrested 22 opponents of a planned wind energy farm in Kahuku after they tried to block large turbines and other pieces of construction equipment from getting to the North Shore late Thursday into early Friday. Hawaii News Now.

Demonstrators opposed to the new wind turbines on the North Shore are arrested overnight. Police have arrested 22 people in Kalaeloa where demonstrators have been blocking the large wind turbine equipment from leaving the AES Baseyard. KHON2.

Kahuku wind farm opponents arrested during blockade in Kalaeloa. Those opposed to the project are concerned about the environmental and health impacts to the small north shore community. KITV.

Kahuku Wind Farm Protesters Want A Solar Farm Instead. Protesters in Kahuku who have been blocking the movement of equipment for a wind farm said they would support a solar farm in its place. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Navy eyes new 2045 deadline for Red Hill tank improvements. Navy officials said Thursday that they’re committed to finding a way to install a secondary containment system around their massive, underground fuel tanks at Red Hill where 27,000 gallons of fuel leaked in 2014 — and if they can’t, they will remove the fuel around the year 2045. Star-Advertiser.

Navy Resists Calls To Relocate Or Strengthen Red Hill Fuel Tanks. Critics worried about leaks into Honolulu’s drinking water are calling for the Navy to relocate the tanks as fast as possible. Civil Beat.

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Staffer Convicted In Union Vote Rigging No Longer At HART. Yamanoha’s continued employment at HART drew criticism, but rail agency officials won’t say whether he was fired or left voluntarily. Civil Beat.

Once-Defeated Kaneohe Cemetery Expansion Plan Is Back. While many neighbors are mounting opposition to the new proposal, the expansion has the vocal support from several Native Hawaiian organizations. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s Green Energy Projects Search For Ways To Navigate Community Opposition. A number of new solar and wind projects are needed in Oahu to replace the last coal-fired plant, which is scheduled to close in 2022. Civil Beat.

Uncertain future for The Arts at Marks Garage. The Arts at Marks Garage has been a gathering place for local artists for nearly 20 years. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Altitude sickness challenges state officers and TMT protesters. Union filed grievance over evacuations from Mauna Kea. Hawaii News Now obtained a HGEA grievance and letter sent in September to the Department of Public Safety. Hawaii News Now.

UH On Mauna Kea, “Why Are We Stuck?” Greg Chun, the executive director of Maunakea stewardship at the University of Hawaiʻi, gave a talk at UH-Hilo on Thursday about the ongoing conflict on the mountain. Big Island Video News.

University of Hawaii regents call for civility and nonviolence in TMT debate. The University of Hawaii Board of Regents is calling for nonviolence and de- escalation of tension in the university community in connection with the conflict over Mauna Kea. Star-Advertiser.

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NOAA Ship Surveys New Lava Deltas Off Puna. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Ship "Rainier" was off the Puna coast in September, measuring the bathymetry following last summer's lower East Rift Zone lava flows. Big Island Video News.

Kona Community Aquatic Center to reopen Tuesday. The Kona Community Aquatic Center reopens to the public on Tuesday following a lengthy over-the-summer closure. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Council to consider hiring special counsel over charter debate. Attorneys dispute who has authority to withdraw county from injection wells case. Maui News.

Judge Kelsey Kawano Appointed to Maui’s Circuit Court. Maui Judge Kelsey Kawano has been appointed to fill the vacancy on the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit. Maui Now.

Expert: Hawaii could lose ‘localness’ if housing not fixed. 2-day forum on attainable homes held at MACC. Maui News.

Mahi Pono Potatoes to Debut at Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival on Maui. Maui Now.

Ross Opens Third Maui Store, New Anchor Tenant at Lahaina Gateway. Maui Now.

Tori Richard signs lease as part of Westin Maui's $100M upgrade. Tori Richard Ltd. has signed a lease for a 1,100-square-foot lobby retail space at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali, which has been undergoing a $100 million repositioning. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Three Kauai schools on lockdown. Police detained one person and are looking into “persons of interest” in connection to threats that forced lockdowns of school campuses in Lihue and Kapaa for over an hour Thursday. Garden Island.

USS Arizona Memorial to reopen Sunday, Gabbard misses presidential debate cut, ex-IBEW boss pleads not guilty, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

USS Arizona Memorial PC:National Park Service

USS Arizona Memorial To Reopen Sunday After Lengthy Repairs. The National Park Service, which oversees the site, announced Wednesday that contractors completed the final phase of construction this week. Hawaii Public Radio.

Reopening of USS Arizona Memorial to walk-on access scheduled for Sunday. The National Park Service said today that the much-awaited reopening of the USS Arizona Memorial to walk-on access will take place this Labor Day weekend on Sunday after a 15-month closure. Star-Advertiser.

USS Arizona Memorial set to reopen after being closed for more than a year. Hawaii News Now.

After more than 1 year, the USS Arizona set to reopen to the public. Since May 2018, the National Park Service has been restoring the dock's anchoring system after it cracked. KITV.

USS Arizona Memorial reopens Sunday. West Hawaii Today.

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Gabbard forges ahead despite not qualifying for debate. Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is forging ahead with her campaign for president despite missing the cut for the third Democratic primary debate. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard Misses 2020 Presidential Debate Threshold. The Hawaii congresswoman didn’t qualify for the September debates due to her low poll numbers, but she hopes to be back on stage in October. Civil Beat.

Gabbard falls short in qualifying for third Democratic presidential debate. U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard will not be in the next Democratic presidential debate, a campaign spokesperson said. Hawaii News Now.

10 Democrats Set For Next Debate As Gabbard, Others Miss Cut. Struggling Democratic presidential candidates, including Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, are facing the bad news that they are not among the 10 who have qualified for the next debate, a predicament that is likely to spell doom for their campaigns. Associated Press.

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Lawsuit Planned Over Backroom Deal to Downsize University Board of Regents. A former University of Hawaii regent plans to sue over what he calls an unconstitutional reduction of the university’s governing board. Hawaii Public Radio.

Monsanto Could Soon Be Facing Dozens Of Lawsuits in Hawaii Over Pesticide. Massive damage awards in previous cases are triggering a new onslaught against the chemical company. Civil Beat.

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Ex-IBEW union boss and family plead not guilty. Ex-union boss Brian Ahakuelo, and his wife and sister-in-law — also union employees — pleaded not guilty in federal court to a 70-count indictment of criminal conspiracy and wire fraud for using union money for personal expenses, rigging a vote to increase union dues, embezzlement and money laundering. Star-Advertiser.

All three indicted in IBEW case plead not guilty. It’s a case nearly five years in the making. KHON2.

Former union leader accused of misusing funds pleads not guilty. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260′s past business manager was released on a $50,000 bond. Hawaii News Now.

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TMT Protest Movement Spurs Enrollment In Immersion Schools. Several Hawaiian immersion schools are seeing a spike in interest this year from parents energized by opposition to construction of a telescope on Mauna Kea. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Air flight attendants picket over contract negotiations. Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants took to the picket lines at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport Wednesday to protest extended contract negotiations. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian flight attendants hold third airport protest. Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants held a major labor demonstration on Wednesday at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport over protracted negotiations for a new contract. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants hold 'informational picket' over pay & benefits. Nearly a hundred flight attendants and supporters marched outside the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport echoing that message. KITV.

Oahu

Dozens of firefighters battled a blaze early Thursday at the H-Power plant in Kapolei that officials say was sparked by welding work. The Honolulu Fire Department said it took crews four hours to extinguish because it was difficult to reach all the hot spots in the pile of rubbish. Hawaii News Now.

Kapolei’s second affordable housing tower to rise. It’s not done yet, but the tallest building in Kapolei is slated to soon connect with a sister tower providing homes for Hawaii residents with low incomes. Star-Advertiser.

Dignitaries broke ground Wednesday on the second phase of an upcoming senior housing complex in Kapolei. Hawaii News Now.

‘Sentry Aloha’ training has skies buzzing. The Hawaii Air National Guard is once again conducting its large-scale Sentry Aloha fighter exercise, with this iteration running from Aug. 21 through Sept. 4. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s system for listing people on a registry of child abusers “makes no sense” and may have resulted in a “great injustice,” according to an opinion by a U.S. appellate court judge. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

TMT vice president says project partners concerned over inaction. Although the deadline to begin construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope was pushed back until 2021, project authorities believe a decision about the project’s future will have to be made soon. Tribune-Herald.

Gov. Ige explains why he couldn’t grant Mayor Kim’s wish of delaying TMT construction. After receiving the letter, Ige said he told Kim that it was too late for a timeout. Hawaii News Now.

Important Lava Recovery Measures Go Before Council Next Week. The Hawaii County Council will consider a grant to establish another temporary road and a resolution to adopt an Interim Recovery Strategy. Big Island Video News.

Kohanaiki Shores wins tax appeal: Kona resort one of hundreds lobbying to get amounts reduced. West Hawaii Today.

Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades delayed. Completion of upgrades to the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant to produce R1 recycled water and the ability to move that water to customers has been pushed back “significantly.” West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mahi Pono Needs Water, But Isnʻt Sure of How Much. During a contested case hearing that drew a decent audience at the UH Maui College earlier this evening, Mahi Pono representatives said they are unsure of how many gallons of water they will need to divert for their crops. Maui Now.

Mahi Pono Wants to Divert Water from Wailuku Streams. Mahi Pono, the Maui agricultural venture, is asking to divert stream water originally sought by the old Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company that it never got. Hawaii Public Radio.

Petitions Delivered Urging County to Settle Lahaina Injection Well Case. A petition signed by over 15,000 members of the Sierra Club and Surfrider Foundation was delivered to Maui County Council Chairwoman Kelly King today. Maui Now.

In a stunning turnabout, the Economic Development and Budget Committee of the Maui County Council voted 6-3 to cut already allocated bond funds for the Wailuku Parking Garage from $42 million to $27.7 million. Maui Watch.

Calls for police reform strengthened in light of misconduct allegations in MPD. Maui Police Officer Brandon Saffeels was suspended last year after a woman complained to Internal Affairs that he was trying to exchange information for sexual favors. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Organizations Make Effort to Curb Overtourism. From leading the state in hotel performance, to experiencing growth in visitor arrivals, Mauiʻs tourism industry has been making noticeable strides. Maui Now.

Chairwoman’s decision to remove tapestry criticized. Issues of cleanliness of the 45-year-old art piece led to its removal, says King. Maui County Council Member Riki Hokama is taking issue with council Chairwoman Kelly King’s decision to remove a more than 45-year-old tapestry that has hung in Council Chambers since 1972 and replace it with the county seal. Maui News.

A third Maui establishment has been hit with a red placard in the span of a week due to an apparent rodent infestation. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Property tax bill goes to mayor. Families that have lived on their properties for generations but whose names are not on title are one step closer to applying for the same tax exemptions other owner-occupants enjoy. Garden Island.

Waimea Huakai Housing Development will feature 67 units. The project, the Waimea Huakai Housing Development, is a partnership with Kauai Habitat for Humanity, the Ahe Group and the County of Kauai. Garden Island.

Ige pressured to veto vacation rental tax bill, FBI investigates false tsunami alert, Kealoha trial to begin, Caldwell signs perks for affordable rentals, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii vacation rental ©2019 All Hawaii News

Coalition Pressures Ige To Veto Vacation Rental Bill. A new television ad warns of legitimizing illegal vacation rentals. Civil Beat.

Governor Mulls Passed Bills for Signature or Veto. Governor David Ige has one month to let lawmakers know which bills he intends to veto. His staff is currently reviewing other bills for him to sign or for passage without his signature. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii has seen a 50% jump in tourists since 1989, but spending has remained flat. Last year, the state had a record number of nearly 10 million tourists. That’s a 50 percent jump in 30 years. But spending is unchanged at $18 billion. Hawaii News Now.

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PTWC, FBI investigating false tsunami alert over international system. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center is investigating a false tsunami alert that startled some Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

It was not as widespread as the false ballistic missile threat of last year -- but it was just as fake. Just before 4:30 this afternoon, a false tsunami threat was spread around the world through official channels. KHON2.

Fake Tsunami Report Issued on Fabricated Large Quake. Authorities with the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center are calling an email report that was distributed at around 4:33 p.m., a false tsunami message.   The email appeared to be from an email address at the warning center. Maui Now.

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Hawaii among states suing over Trump’s anti-abortion rule. Hawaii Attorney General Clare E. Connors today joined a coalition of 23 cities, states, and municipalities, in filing a lawsuit against a set of revised rules issued by the Trump Administration that the plaintiffs said would allow businesses and individuals to refuse health care on the basis of religious beliefs or moral convictions. Star-Advertiser.

Debate over abortion laws hits the streets of Honolulu with supporters and opponents. Hawaii activists rallied Tuesday both for and against new abortion laws sweeping across states on the mainland. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Kealohas’ trial set to start today. It’s put-up-or-shut-up time for federal prosecutors in the conspiracy trial of retired Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his wife, former Deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha. Star-Advertiser.

‘The Mailbox Trial’: Prosecutors prepare to make public corruption case against the Kealohas. In June 2013, a mailbox was plucked from its post in the middle of the night outside then-Police Chief Louis Kealoha’s home in Kahala. Hawaii News Now.

In what would be an unprecedented move, several Honolulu City Council members want to take the Honolulu Police Commission to court over whether the city should pay former Police Chief Louis Kealoha’s legal fees. In what would be an unprecedented move, several Honolulu City Council members want to take the Honolulu Police Commission to court over whether the city should pay former Police Chief Louis Kealoha’s legal fees. Star-Advertiser.

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Mayor signs Affordable Rental Housing Bill. Bankers, builders and housing advocates flanked Mayor Kirk Caldwell as he signed the Affordable Rental Housing Bill into law Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Affordable Housing Pilot Program Signed Into Law. A measure to promote the building of affordable rental units in Honolulu is now a law. Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed Bill 7 Tuesday after it passed the City Council earlier this month. Hawaii Public Radio.

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It’s Too Soon For A Pedestrian Safety Commission, Council Panel Decides. Honolulu’s transportation chief says the city should first consider a newly released plan to protect pedestrians. Civil Beat.

There’s Still No Word On How Much Honolulu Rail Will Cost —To Ride. Interim service looms next year, but city officials don’t know what the fares will be, and no formal proposals have been made. Civil Beat.

Rezoning preservation land for Kaneohe homes draws community ire. A developer's proposal to turn Kaneohe preservation land into a housing development has cleared key steps toward re-zoning. KHON2.

Dillingham Ranch back on the market. A California company has put Oahu’s Dillingham Ranch up for sale after positioning the 2,721-acre property for subdivision with homes in the face of heated community opposition. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big boost for nonprofits: Council votes to increase grants to $2.5 million. Hawaii Island nonprofits could soon see a big boost in county grants, thanks to action Tuesday by the County Council. West Hawaii Today.

Why Bikini Islanders Bought Land On The Big Island. The Micronesians have been nomads since the U.S. tested nuclear weapons there in the 1940s and 1950s. Civil Beat.

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Power poles at Puna geothermal plant are ‘smoldering’. Four wooden power poles installed by Hawaiian Electric Light Co. a week ago along a new road opened by the Puna Geothermal Venture are “smoldering” due to residual heat from last year’s Kilauea Volcano eruption. Star-Advertiser.

After residual underground heat caused four wooden poles on Puna Geothermal Venture property to smolder, the utility said it will immediately replace them with steel poles. Big Island Video News.

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Dolphin swimming ban under final review. Approaching and swimming with Hawaiian spinner dolphins is moving closer to being a thing of the past as federal officials work toward finalizing a rule outlawing the practice that’s created a booming tourism industry in West Hawaii and around the state. West Hawaii Today.

County OKs plans for former Hilo Lanes. The county approved a Hilo businesswoman’s plans to turn the former Hilo Lanes building into a fitness gym and commercial center. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

County fears settling injection well case could lead to more suits, fines. Council members want county to settle, pull it from US Supreme Court. Maui News.

Conservation Leadership Program Accepting Applications. Applications are now being accepted for Na Hua Hoohuli i ka Pono, a service-learning program designed to help develop Maui’s next generation of conservation leaders. Maui Now.

Kauai

Pesticide pushback grows. While Kauai beekeepers celebrated the canceled registration of some pesticides in the Federal Register, some remain concerned about threats to their honey. Garden Island.

Former homeowners sue Bank of America. Three people who lost their homes on Kauai are suing Bank of America for purportedly using deceptive, unethical and illegal business practices to manipulate the outcome of foreclosure auctions. Garden Island.