Showing posts with label iwi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iwi. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Blangiardi defends $1B Ala Wai project, attorney general touts recreational marijuana plan, Young Brothers averts Hilo shipping snafu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Mayor Defends $1 Billion Ala Wai Canal Flood Plan. The project will be funded by the federal government and the city. The city’s share would be about $375 million. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Hawaii looks to Massachusetts for guidance on legalizing recreational marijuana. Legalizing recreational marijuana in Hawaii may depend on the success of another state: Massachusetts. Hawaii’s attorney general has adopted that state’s system in her proposal for Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Change of federal law intends to help Native Hawaiians reclaim ancestral bones.
The federal government has made it easier for Native Hawaiian families to make claims for the return of iwi, or ancestral remains, currently housed in museums and other institutions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Hawaii’s first homeless ‘medical respite’ site closing as concept expands. After more than six months of housing and treating homeless patients discharged from Oahu hospitals, Hawaii’s first “medical respite” kauhale will begin shutting down Thursday and take the lessons learned to two new projects designed to expand to mental health issues affecting the homeless. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor: Credibility of HPD ‘on the line’ as officers are being investigated for mishandling crash probe. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi is responding to police body camera video that shows the actions of Honolulu police officers under investigation for mishandling a crash investigation involving one of their own. Hawaii News Now.

Community shares input on proposed Chinatown hotel. A proposed 15-story hotel in Chinatown now sits in the City’s Department of Planning and Permitting agency review process. KHON2.

Value of urban Oahu properties increases. While the overall assessed value of taxable properties on Oahu for 2024 didn’t skyrocket as it did a year ago, the city says the assessed value of homes in some parts of urban Honolulu are up by as much as 5%. Star-Advertiser.

TSA agents find anti-aircraft ammo in Thermos at Daniel K. Inouye Airport. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers discovered ammunition in a checked bag at the Daniel K Inouye Airport. KITV4.

Over 600 benches and tables installed in Honolulu parks. The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation completed its “Let’s Meet at the Park” initiative Tuesday, installing more than 600 park benches and tables throughout Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Young Brothers averts Hilo shipping snafu. With the help of the Hawaii Fire Department, interisland freight shipper Young Brothers was able to reopen its facility and resume cargo operations at the Port of Hilo on Tuesday afternoon, averting a possible disaster for East Hawaii retailers, wholesalers and consumers during the busy holiday season. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  KITV4.

Pahala gets access to high-speed internet service.
Pahala is the first Hawaii Island ZIP code to be fully enabled to receive Hawaiian Telcom’s high-speed fiber internet service. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Now.

2 options mulled for Mud Lane, including evacuation route.
The Hamakua Community Development Plan Action Committee is mulling whether to request the county maintain Mud Lane or to open it up as an emergency evacuation route. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Hawaiian Electric, Solar Industry Eye Microgrids As A Way To Make Lahaina More Resilient. They would offer plenty of benefits, but it's difficult to build those systems and will need buy-in from the West Maui community. Civil Beat.

Four renewable energy projects slated for Maui. Hawaiian Electric will begin contract negotiations with developers of four renewable energy projects on Maui, that the company says “will further reduce Hawaii’s dependence of imported oil for power generation.” Maui News.

$354,000 grant approved for sediment removal and flood mitigation in South Maui.  The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has approved a $354,000 grant to the Mālama Haleakalā Foundation for site assessment and preliminary design for a stormwater-detention basin at Kūlanihākoʻi in South Maui. Maui Now.

Maui Fire Victims Fight To Keep Lawsuits On Maui. Score of cases have been removed from Maui state court to federal court on Oahu. An attorney says it's unfair to expect victims to have to travel for trials. Civil Beat.

Families Displaced By The Maui Fires Are Tired Of Shuffling Between Hotel Rooms. The American Red Cross says it is continuing to negotiate with hotel and condo properties to extend sheltering program contracts. Civil Beat.

SBA grants 45-day deadline extension for Maui disaster loans. The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering a 45-day grace period from Monday’s deadline for Maui residents and businesses to apply for disaster loan assistance. Star-Advertiser.

All Lahaina wildfire zones reopened.
All 83 zones in the Lahaina Wildfire Disaster Area completed reopening Tuesday, over a week ahead of schedule. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Visitor spending soars. Visitor spending eclipsed the $200 million mark for the 10th straight month in October, as tourists continued to pour record sums of money into the island of Kaua‘i economy while on holiday in 2023. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i hotels fare well in October. The average daily rate for a room jumped to $396 in October, according to the Hawai‘i Hotel Performance Report published monthly by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. That was up 8.3 percent from October 2022 and 56.1 percent from pre-pandemic October 2019. Garden Island.

Friday, May 31, 2019

Interior secretary tours Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Caldwell prioritizes climate change, Ige visits Kauai, iwi discovered during sewer work, Grand Wailea’s $91.5M expansion hits opposition, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

USGS HVO Scientist in Charge Tina Neal (left) and Dept. of Interior Secretary David Bernhardt (center) and USGS HVO scientist Matt Patrick. (DOI Photo/Tami A. Heilemann)
The United States Secretary of the Interior got a firsthand look at the damages and dramatic changes at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that were brought about by the 2018 eruption of Kilauea. Big Island Video News.

Interior secretary visits national park. U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt on Thursday inspected some of the damage that was caused by earthquakes at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park during last year’s Kilauea Volcano eruption, and said there are steps the federal government can take to expedite repairs. Star-Advertiser.

Bernhardt shares recovery options, says decision on long-term solution for HVO still ‘months away’. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory To Stay On Hawaii Island, Hirono Says. Big Island Video News.

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Visitor arrivals climb 7% while spending dips more than 6%. April marked the sixth month in a row that more visitors came to Hawaii than the previous year, while creating less economic benefit. Star-Advertiser.

April Tourism Revenue Declines Despite More Visitors. On Oahu, spending dipped in April despite 494,192 visitors. Civil Beat.

The Challenges Of Finding Hawaii’s Next Generation Of Teachers. As the number of new teachers coming out of local colleges decline, the state Department of Education hopes “teacher academies” and other strategies will ignite new interest in the profession. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Why Is Every Legislative Session Shrouded In Political Mystery? Politics in Hawaii is full of mystery, but not good mystery. Hawaii’s mysteries are not engaging whodunits. They are obscurities and opacities that bewilder us and make us cynical. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Caldwell’s speech gets mixed reaction. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s decision to focus on climate change and his newly minted O‘ahu Resiliency Strategy during his seventh State of the City address Thursday night won favorable remarks from some key individuals — but also some skepticism. Star-Advertiser.

Caldwell Unveils Tax Plans To Increase Affordable Housing. The Honolulu mayor wants the City Council to consider a new vacancy tax and an increase in the property tax for certain high-end parcels. Civil Beat.

The mayor says he supports a ‘vacancy fee.’ Here’s what that means. In his State of the City address Thursday, Mayor Kirk Caldwell proposed a “vacancy fee” for residences that remain empty for most of the year. Hawaii News Now.

"We Are in a Crisis Period" Honolulu Mayor Says of Climate Change. Caldwell used the June 1st start of hurricane season to launch the city’s climate resilience strategy, which he called the issue of our time. Hawaii Public Radio.

In 7th State of the City, mayor focuses on threat of ‘climate crisis’. Honolulu’s homeless crisis and its beleaguered rail project took something of a backseat Thursday at the mayor’s seventh State of the City address, which instead pivoted toward a looming but not yet present crisis: Climate change. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu mayor focused on climate in 7th State of the City address. Resilience he says is where our economy meets the environment. KITV.

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City Council questions payment of Louis Kealoha’s legal fees. It’s likely the Hawaii Judiciary will decide whether Honolulu taxpayers will pay the tab for former Police Chief Louis Kealoha’s defense in the high-profile federal conspiracy case now unfolding in U.S. District Court. Star-Advertiser.

City Council Targets Decision To Pay For Louis Kealoha’s Legal Defense. A council committee wants to file a lawsuit in an attempt to overturn a Honolulu Police Commission decision. Civil Beat.

Council Committee Challenges City Funding of Kealoha's Defense. Hawaii Public Radio.

Katherine Kealoha allegedly didn’t reveal conflict. Katherine Kealoha allegedly didn’t reveal conflict. Star-Advertiser.

KEALOHA TRIAL: FBI video specialist testifies on what was recovered from video of mailbox theft. KHON2.

Testimony in Kealoha corruption trial surrounds surveillance footage of alleged mailbox theft. More witnesses took the stand on Day 6 of the Kealoha Corruption Trial. KITV.

State launches misconduct investigation after deputy sheriff’s testimony in Kealoha trial. The state Department of Public Safety is investigating a deputy sheriff for possible misconduct after he admitted in federal court that he used state resources to do favors for Katherine Kealoha, a former Honolulu deputy prosecutor. Hawaii News Now.

State agency investigating Katherine Kealoha’s meeting with uncle. The state Department of Public Safety says it is “obligated and committed to thoroughly investigate” the actions of a deputy sheriff who testified in U.S. District Court that he arranged to have inmates meet family members at state court even though the inmates were not scheduled to be in court. Star-Advertiser.

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City Council Urges Mayor to Stop Waimanalo Beach Park Project. The city is building baseball fields, a playground, and more parking stalls for park goers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Neighbors oppose planned affordable housing project in Maili, citing infrastructure concerns. Neighbors of a proposed affordable housing project in Maili gathered Thursday to voice their concerns about possible infrastructure and traffic associated with the development, saying their rural road can’t handle a project that will house about 200 people. Hawaii News Now.

Homeless campers remain at Kakaako park despite numerous enforcement efforts. Homeless campers have found reasons to stay at Kaka­ako Gateway parks despite various efforts from the city, state and private organizations to move the homeless away from that area. Star-Advertiser.

Neighborhood board election draws more than 18,000 voters. Results of Honolulu’s neighborhood board elections were certified by the Neighborhood Commission Wednesday and were posted on the commission’s website this morning. Star-Advertiser.

Results Announced In Oahu Neighborhood Board Elections. There are 435 seats on 33 boards islandwide, but there were no candidates for 29 of the positions. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Iwi discovered in lava tube at Lono Kona project. Iwi kupuna, or human remains, were discovered in a lava tube broken into by contractors digging sewer lines for the Lono Kona project in a neighborhood residents call “Hamburger Hill.” West Hawaii Today.

Dairy looks to sell remaining cows, remove lagoons. Big Island Dairy will remain on the Ookala property it is leasing from the state until all remaining cows have been sold and removed, the state Department of Health said Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

Kona pool repair cost lower than expected. A contractor has been hired to repair the Kona Community Aquatic Center, but county officials say the county pool facility will remain closed through the summer. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Grand Wailea’s $91.5M expansion hits opposition. Residents cite concerns over burials, growing tourism, sea level rise. Maui News.

Homeless Encampments at Kanaha Cleared. The County of Maui departments of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Management, Public Works and Housing and Human Concerns collaborated with the Maui Police Department to address homeless encampments and public health/safety concerns Thursday morning at Kanaha Beach Park. Maui Now.

Maui Events Included in OHA Grant Funding. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs announced the selection of 22 community events that will receive a total of $100,000 from OHA’s Ahahui Grants Program. Maui Now.

Kauai

Ige sounds off. Gov. David Ige, speaking before about 300 people at the Koloa Landing Resort, outlined some thoughts for about 25 minutes before taking questions. Garden Island.

Highway reopening pushed back. The reopening of Kuhio Highway west of Hanalei, originally scheduled for June 13, has been pushed back again, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Garden Island.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Honolulu rail costs rise $114M, Kauai plans wood-burning power plant, Hawaii County council chairman clears election ethics charge, Oahu landfill decision delayed, remains found on military site, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation
Honolulu rail route courtesy photo
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation now estimates that contractor delay claims, change orders and new expenses tied to the court-ordered construction shutdown of the rail project will cost the city more than $114 million, the City Council was told Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

The discovery of more human bones in Kakaako along the rail route will mean more delays and more costs to the $5.2 billion dollar project. Hawaii News Now.

Ben Cayetano says the bus rapid transit system he plans to implement instead of rail if elected mayor will be in line for some of the same federal funding as the project it's replacing. Civil Beat.

Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners urged the head of the Honolulu rail authority on Wednesday to find a way to leave burials and other human remains in place when they are discovered along the rail route. Star-Advertiser.

The effects of a state law forcing foreclosure actions in Hawaii to go through the judicial system continued to slash the number of properties going through the process in September, as the number of foreclosure filings dropped 72 percent compared to the same month a year ago, according to RealtyTrac. Pacific Business News.

State Sen. Donna Mercado Kim said she has sent University of Hawaii at Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple a letter asking him to "clarify" some of the statements he made to the Senate Special Committee on Accountability on Oct. 2. Star-Advertiser.

State roundup for October 11. Associated Press.

Oahu

A resolution urging Mayor Peter Carlisle's administration to proceed with plans to continue using the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill was shelved by the City Council's Public Works and Sustainability Committee after it received written testimony from West Oahu leaders opposing the idea. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Councilman Tom Berg was fined $250 by the state Campaign Spending Commission on Wednesday for failing to disclose that he had received 24 T-shirts from a campaign supporter. Star-Advertiser.

A former staffer for City Councilman Tom Berg has claimed in a sworn affidavit that he collected $28,643 in city salary for 77 days of work he actually performed for Berg’s political campaign. Hawaii Reporter.

Honolulu City Council member Tom Berg tongue-lashed his former chief of staff Wednesday morning as he defended himself during a tense Campaign Spending Commission meeting. Civil Beat.

A new federal study of security failures at Honolulu International Airport in 2010 partially blames Transportation Security Administration officers for the lapses but mostly faults top TSA managers for poor planning and supervision. Hawaii Reporter.

Three residential high-rises could start coming out of the ground at Ward Centers in 2014 as part of a revised master plan transforming 60 acres of retail and industrial businesses into an almost entirely new neighborhood dominated by condominium towers and twice as many shops and restaurants. Star-Advertiser.

A pre-20th Century linear fish pond once owned by Victor Ward is the inspiration for an open-air plaza that's the centerpiece of redevelopment plans for 60acres of Kakaako land owned by the Howard Hughes Corporation. Star-Advertiser.

Waihonua at Kewalo, a half block from Ala Moana Center, has been under construction for months. In recent weeks, workers came across a burial site with 18 sets of human remains some believe are of historic significance to Hawaii. KHON2.

Beginning Monday, the Haleiwa-bound lane of Karsten Thot Bridge in Wahiawa will be open for afternoon rush-hour traffic as major repairs continue. Star-Advertiser.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will conduct controlled underwater explosions of unexploded ordnance on Thursday that will close Mâlaekahana State Recreation Area. Hawaii News Now.

Unexploded Ordnance Found Off Oahu’s N. Shore. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

A divided county Ethics Board couldn’t muster the votes Wednesday to proceed on a request forwarded by state Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago for an investigation into County Council Chairman Dominic Yagong’s involvement in the county Elections Division. West Hawaii Today.

The county Board of Ethics today deadlocked on whether it should pursue an investigation into whether County Council Chairman Dominic Yagong may have been inappropriately involved in the operations of the county Elections Division. Big Island Now.

Human skeletal remains have been discovered at Pohakuloa Training Area, an Army spokesman said Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

A call has been issued for Native Hawaiian individuals or organizations with ancestral claims or cultural affiliation with human remains found recently in the US Army’s Pohakuloa Training Area. Big Island Now.

The two men running for Hawaii County mayor highlighted actions their administrations took to help the island’s poorer residents at a forum Wednesday night in Waimea. West Hawaii Today.

The owners of the only trail to Papaikou Mill Beach have made an offer that may be hard for Hawaii County to refuse. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A hui of beachfront homeowners in Spreckelsville wants to move ahead with installing rock groins at a beach along Stable Road, replacing temporary sand-filled "geotubes" that were laid two years ago to slow beach erosion. Maui News.

A project is being proposed to protect a stretch of beach along Stable Road in Central Maui. Maui Now.

A conversation on plastic pollution comes to Maui this week in a series of presentations planned across the island. Maui Now.

Maui hotel rooms were occupied at a rate of 75 percent in August, a 3.9 percent increase over the same month in 2011, Hospitality Advisors reported. Maui News.

Kauai

A company plants to generate electricity for Kauai by burning wood chips from trees grown and harvested on the island. Garden Island.

A renewable-energy developer building a wood-fired power plant on Kauai has finalized its financing plans and is scheduled to begin construction early next year on the facility that will provide an estimated 11 percent of the island's electricity needs. Star-Advertiser.

The Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday by a 4-2 vote approved a request of the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney to apply for a federal grant to establish a Keiki POHAKU program. Garden Island.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawai‘i, was honored Wednesday on Kaua‘i for a lifetime of public service in Washingont, D.C. Garden Island.