Hawaii tackles nursing shortage, Kahele must return $48k in campaign contributions, Honolulu rail delayed again, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s shortage of health care workers worsens. The shortage of health care workers has dramatically worsened over the past three years, according to a new report released Tuesday by the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, with job vacancies jumping 76% — from 2,200 job openings in 2019 to 3,873 this year. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2.

FEC says Kahele congressional campaign must return $48K. The Federal Election Commission says U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele’s congressional committee must refund more than $48,000 to its political donors. That’s because the contributors donated for the November 2022 general election, which Kahele didn’t run in. Hawaii News Now.

Tokuda Says She’s Ready To Take On A Divided Washington. The newly elected Hawaii congresswoman will be in the minority party for the first time in her career. Civil Beat.

Interest Rates are Up, So Number of New Mortgages is Down. The total of home loans issued in Hawai‘i through the end of October dropped 38% from the same period last year. Hawaii Business Magazine.

State sees spike in road fatalities compared to last year. All four counties in Hawaii have seen an increase in fatal road accidents compared to the same time last year, according to state transportation officials, who are warning of a spike in traffic deaths heading into November. Maui News.

Oahu

‘Hammerhead’ crack fixes in limbo, delaying Oahu’s rail service. Eight of 21 cracked rail “hammerheads” along the city’s rail route appear to require more extensive — but undetermined — repairs, likely delaying Honolulu Authority of Rapid Transportation’s transfer of the transit system to the city for paid passenger service deeper into 2023. Star-Advertiser.

Change underway to tackle Oahu building permit backlog. An initial overhaul stage is underway to reduce a chronic building permit application backlog on Oahu at the city’s troubled Department of Planning and Permitting. Star-Advertiser.

Riders say the Handi-Van is failing them. And the city agrees. The Handi-Van is a federally-required service for the disabled citizens who can’t ride traditional buses. Hawaii News Now.

Researchers use drones to understand how waves are shifting Waikiki beach. One study, based on weekly drone surveys between 2018 to 2020, found the sand appears to move from one end of the beach to the other — not to and from offshore, as previously believed.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Bill to help reduce backlog of building permit applications deferred. A bill that would temporarily suspend the requirement that the Department of Public Works review plans submitted for building permit applications was met with mixed reactions Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Water Department contingency plans cleared by auditor. The Department of Water Supply has successfully addressed three issues identified in a 2020 audit that found the department lacked sufficient contingency plans to ensure the public had dependable access to water when equipment breaks down, the county auditor told the County Council Finance Committee on Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

Lawsuit: Hawaii County, cops culpable in shooting death. Trial has been set in a civil lawsuit brought against Hawaii County, two Hawaii Police Department officers, and the man who allegedly shot and killed a 59-year-old Volcano resident in 2021. Tribune-Herald.

Grant Helps Hawaiʻi Island Fruit Producers, Food Basket. USDA funds will help the Olohana Foundation collaborate with local fruit producers to create new products, which will be dispersed into the local food system via The Food Basket. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Zoning change for Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute’s proposed marine conservation center. The Planning and Sustainable Land Use Committee will discuss a proposed resolution and bill for a zoning change for construction of a marine conservation and research center by the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute in Mā‘alaea, Maui. Maui Now.

Mauka-to-makai efforts aim to protect critical Maui reef. Groups work to carry out restoration projects in along the coastline. Maui News. KITV4.

Maui summer update of destination management action plan now available. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority published the Maui Summer 2022 progress report that provides updates on the progress toward fulfilling the Maui Destination Management Action Plan that is part of the Maui Nui action plan. Maui Now.

At a Maui school, a tradition revived offers new opportunities for the future. Lahainaluna High School is reviving its agriculture program to help grow Maui’s next generation of farmers. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Recount confirms County Council outcome. An automatically triggered recount conducted Thursday evening confirmed the previously reported results of the Kaua‘i County Council race. Garden Island.

Kauai mayor gears up for second-term priorities after re-election. Mayor Derek Kawakami has been Kauai’s mayor for four years and just won another four with last week’s re-election. KHON2.

Lihu‘e runway project gets Kaua‘i planning commission approval. The Lihu‘e Airport runway has been out of compliance with federal law since 2006. Garden Island.

Meth runner for ex-Kauai Council member gets 3-year term. A 41-year-old Kauai man who agreed to run drugs and collect money for a drug trafficking organization headed by a former Kauai County Council member and supplied by Samoan gang members, was sentenced Tuesday to three years in federal prison. Star-Advertiser.

Kauaʻi putting together reentry transition packs for those leaving prison. The transition back into everyday life after being incarcerated can be difficult. For some, finding a place to stay or a ride to meet with a probation officer can be a barrier to successful reintegration. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii to train more nurses, judge halts Oahu's 90-day vacation rental limit, ballots coming to mailboxes soon, more news from all the Hawaian Islands

Graduating nurses PC:University of Hawaii - Manoa

University of Hawaii nursing programs receive $1.75 million boost. Gov. David Ige said Thursday he is allocating $1.75 million to hire instructors for the University of Hawaii’s nursing schools in an attempt to fill 1,000 nursing vacancies in the state. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Rule changes for Hawaii oceanfront property owners questioned. Proposed state rules governing emergency permits for sandbags and so-called burrito systems installed by property owners to protect their homes and hotels are getting a mixed reception, with some environmental law attorneys saying the changes would do little to safeguard shorelines threatened by mounds of heavy sandbags and tarps. Star-Advertiser.

Gubernatorial candidates Duke Aiona and Josh Green want to tame overtourism, but they don’t agree on how to do it. While both candidates support user fees for access to popular sites, Green goes further with a $50 fee on every visitor, exempting only toddlers and residents. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii sees spike in child respiratory illnesses. Hawaii health officials are contending with a spike in the count of children in the islands contracting respiratory illness not related to COVID-19, following a nationwide trend. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Judge halts Honolulu’s 90-day short-term rental law. A U.S. District Court judge has granted a preliminary injunction ordering the city not to enforce the provisions in a new Oahu law that pertains to increasing the minimum allowable stay for Oahu rentals outside of resort districts to 90 days from 30 days. Star-Advertiser.

City gears up to mail out ballots for general election. The city said mailout on Oahu begins next Monday and ballot drop boxes will open the following day. Hawaii News Now.

The Race To Represent Mililani In The House Pits A Republican Incumbent Against A Democrat. State Rep. Lauren Cheape Matsumoto and former Rep. Marilyn Lee are vying to represent the central Oahu district of Mililani in the House, setting up a race between one of the Legislature’s few current Republican members and the Democrat who served for years before her. Civil Beat.

State board OKs Moiliili tower. A state board has endorsed a developer’s plan to build a 1,005-unit residential tower in Moiliili mainly for households with moderate and high-moderate incomes. Star-Advertiser.

Kuhio Avenue likely to see bus-only lanes installed. The City is looking at Kuhio Avenue in Waikiki as the next location to introduce bus-only lanes, officials said it will mean a quicker commute for bus riders, but some who live and work in the area question the proposal. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Updated fire code proposed. A revamp of the county fire code is in the works, with Puna Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz proposing updates in both the requirements and permit fees to prepare the county for compliance with the latest state requirements. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaiʻi County to begin updating zoning codes. Hawaiʻi County is modernizing its zoning and subdivision codes and beginning a round of community engagement event. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hu Honua Says It Can’t Afford To Ride ‘Merry-Go-Round’ Any Longer. The embattled bioenergy plant on Hawaii island’s windward side is back before the state Supreme Court asking for relief. Attorneys for the proposed Hu Honua tree-burning plant on the Big Island have filed their opening brief in their appeal of state utility regulator’s denial of a power purchase agreement that would have allowed the plant to fire up. Civil Beat.

More firebreaks sought to protect palila habitat on Maunakea. A proposed project by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources would expand firebreaks on Maunakea in order to protect an endangered bird. Tribune-Herald.

Prices to go up for Merrie Monarch tickets. Tickets for the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival will go on sale Dec. 1. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

This Is How The Candidates For Maui Mayor Want To Tackle The Housing Crisis. The Maui mayoral race has been defined by candidates’ sweeping promises to boost the availability of housing that local residents can afford and stop the exodus of longtime families who’ve been priced out. Civil Beat.

Less commercial, more housing in project plans. Downtown Kihei project to have 223 affordable rentals in response to community requests. Maui News.

Pay to park: Maui officials will discuss bill to rollout program. Maui’s paid parking system is shaping up to being next year. The Maui County Council is taking steps to finalize the rollout. KHON2.

Maui welcomes 6 hybrid electric buses. The County of Maui Department of Transportation's buses are powered by diesel fuel and a rooftop battery system. The battery charges from the energy produced when braking and coasting. Hawaii Public Radio.

Survey teams conduct mosquito field studies on Maui in an effort to control avian malaria. Several times each week, staff from the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project check mosquito traps in the rural residential areas along Maui’s north shore. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai County to hand out thousands of free COVID home test kits. The county, in partnership with the state Health Department, is offering about 6,000 COVID tests kits on a first-come, first-served basis, starting Wednesday. There will be a limit of five tests per individual or household. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

State scrambles to contain little fire ant infestation on Kauai covering at least 13 acres. Invasive species experts on Kauai are working to get a handle on an emerging threat as an infestation of little fire ants has been found at the Wailua River State Park. Hawaii News Now.

Hotel worker, nurse shortage persists, Honolulu backs off Sherwood Forest development plan, 'alarming' spike in ghost guns, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Travel demand creating historic opportunities for Hawaii hotel employees, but labor shortage persists. Hawaii hotels are looking to fill thousands of jobs statewide as the hospitality industry, one of Hawaii’s top economic drivers, continues a recovery this year that’s projected to surpass 2019’s pre-pandemic levels. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Amid severe shortage of nurses, Hawaii nursing schools reject 100s of qualified applicants. While Hawaii’s hospitals grapple with a dire shortage of nurses, nursing schools across the state are rejecting hundreds of qualified applicants. The reason: There aren’t enough instructors to teach them. Hawaii News Now.

Minimum-wage increase coming Oct. 1. Hawai‘i’s minimum wage will rise to $12 per hour on Oct. 1, and then will go up by $2 every other year until it reaches $18 per hour on Jan. 1, 2028. Garden Island.

A Hawaii Supreme Court ruling has inmates in legal limbo — held behind bars even though their charges are no longer valid. Prosecutors grapple with ‘impossible’ situation after serious criminal charges against scores are invalidated. On Oahu alone, prosecutors have identified 160 people who were charged with serious crimes by criminal complaints whose cases now have to go before a grand jury for an indictment. Hawaii News Now.

Federal agencies report alarming spike in illegal ghost guns, attachments on Hawaii streets. Federal agents are sounding the alarm about illegally obtained ghost guns and other gun parts they’re finding in Hawaii homes. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii public schools: White teachers, Hawaiian students. For the 2020-2021 school year, there were 174,704 students attending Hawaii public schools, according to the annual report published by the State of Hawaii Department of Education. There were also 11,627 public school teachers. KHON2.

DLNR looking for volunteers for habitat restoration project at Kure Atoll. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is looking for volunteers for a six-month habitat restoration program at the Kure Atoll State Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Star-Advertiser.

Bank of Hawaii, venture fund join to boost state’s growth. Mana Up, an accelerator and venture fund for Hawaii-based products, said Wednesday it is partnering with Bank of Hawaii to boost the success of Hawaii entrepreneurs in an effort to diversify the local economy. Star-Advertiser.

Shidler donates $1 million to UH’s law school. Business leader Jay H. Shidler has donated $1 million in cash to the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii to establish the Dean’s Innovation Fund, encouraging legal education that keeps pace with today’s fast-changing business landscape. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Hawaii health officials report 1,343 new COVID-19 infections, 10 coronavirus-related deaths. The state’s average positivity rate, meanwhile, increased slightly to 6.7% compared with 6.4% reported the previous week. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Oahu

Start of rail ridership hinges on damage, repairs to pillars. The severity of damage from hairline cracks on pillars that hold up the rail system’s overhead tracks could delay the launch of paid ridership expected early next year, the head of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation said. Star-Advertiser.

A Major Overhaul Of Honolulu Land-Use Rules Has Been Quietly Advancing. Now, Some Say Not So Fast. The wide-ranging bill would change zoning rules for thousands of Oahu properties. But it has gone largely unnoticed until now. Civil Beat.

City agrees to cease controversial Waimanalo development project. A three-year battle to redevelop Waimanalo Bay Beach Park is now on hold indefinitely. The Blangiardi administration confirmed Wednesday a settlement with the Friends of Sherwood Forest and closed its Special Management Area Permit. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Neighborhood Parking Zones Are Still Not Being Set Up. Here’s Why. Oahu residents covet neighborhood street parking, but a pilot study to manage and restrict those spaces has been stuck in limbo for five years. Civil Beat.

Fatal ambulance fire linked to oxygen device. Preliminary findings from the investigation into a fatal ambulance fire in Kailua point to a portable oxygen regulator as the cause of the August incident. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Homeless roadmap: Permanent housing, detoxification lead priority list. Providing permanent housing with support systems and treating substance abuse problems in homeless individuals are the two top priorities for the use of some $10 million annually the county has devoted to homeless programs. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaiʻi County Hires New Solid Waste Division Chief. The County announced Michael Rivera has been hired to head the Department of Environmental Management's Solid Waste Division, replacning acting chief Michael Kaha. Big Island Video News.

State agencies fail to find proof of reported big cat on Big Island. In August, a Holualoa man anonymously reported seeing a wildcat near his property, taking some blurry photographs of the animal before it scampered away. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui mayor, council move to acquire Lahaina Crossroads after tenants face eviction. After longtime residents, including kupuna on fixed incomes, spoke out about looming evictions at one of the last affordable apartment rentals left in Lahaina, county leaders are making moves to purchase the 20-unit Lahaina Crossroads, located building blocks away from Front Street. Maui Now.

Fishermen Spot First Humpback Whale of the Season off South Maui. It is the earliest sighting of the beloved mammals in the past 24 years. Maui Now.

Kauai

Surfrider Foundation Kaua‘i Sponsors International Coastal Cleanup Day Saturday. Surfrider Foundation Kaua‘i is sponsoring a marine-debris cleanup at Nukoli‘i Beach on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. as part of global International Coastal Cleanup Day. All are encouraged to attend. Garden Island.

Ige emergency order seeks out-of-state nurses, ballots slow down before election, workers battle Pohakuloa wildfire, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hospital nurse PC:SJ Objio via Unsplash

Gov. David Ige approves emergency rules addressing health care staff shortage. Gov. David Ige today announced the approval of emergency rules authorizing out-of-state nurses to temporarily practice in Hawaii without applying for and obtaining a license if certain requirements are met. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii to follow CDC’s relaxed COVID-19 guidelines. The state Department of Health says it plans to adjust its COVID-19 quarantine guidelines to align with those issued Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC dropped the recommendation that Americans quarantine if they come into close contact with an infected person, saying there is now significantly less risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death than earlier in the pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Lack of ballots to count leaves Hawaii election volunteers at home. As of Wednesday over 234,000 ballots had been received via mail, dropped off at collection sites or cast in person at voter service centers. That’s 32% of the 730,000 ballots that were sent out to registered voters in Hawaii two weeks ago. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Federal agency failed to protect 49 at-risk Hawaii species, lawsuit says. The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit Thursday against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, accusing the agency of failing to designate and protect critical habitat for 49 Hawaii endangered species. Star-Advertiser.

Alaska Airlines to fly Hawaii veterans to D.C. for free on special flights. Alaska Airlines is offering Hawaii military veterans free flights to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials and monuments honoring their service and sacrifice. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Oahu

Hawaii’s first major solar farm with batteries is currently producing electricity on Oahu. Hawaii’s first major solar farm with batteries is currently producing electricity on Oahu. The first utility-scale solar farm on Oahu linked with batteries recently began commercial power production ahead of seven similar projects slated for completion over the next two years. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s Urban Core May See More Affordable Housing For Older Adults. The Catholic Church has joined a nonprofit organization to develop a 17-story affordable housing building for older adults on downtown property owned by the church at Fort Street Mall, nestled on one of the oldest streets in Honolulu. Civil Beat.

Marine Corps Pledges To Improve Stormwater Management In Kaneohe. After the U.S. Marine Corps was found to be polluting Oahu’s coastal waters with stormwater discharges, the military and Environmental Protection Agency have entered into an agreement to address “significant deficiencies” in the base’s stormwater program, the EPA announced on Thursday. Civil Beat.

TheBus will be free for 5 days beginning Aug. 22. To regain and encourage ridership, regular fares for TheBus on Oʻahu will be suspended for five days later this month. Riders will need to have HOLO cards to participate, which is how the city will evaluate the program. Hawaii Public Radio.

West Oahu Charter School Finances Expansion Through Municipal Bonds. One of Hawaii’s newest charter schools turns to an untraditional source of funding to finance its expansion. A West Oahu charter school that opened in 2019 with 100 sixth graders welcomed its first class of freshmen this year, but DreamHouse Ewa Beach doesn’t yet have a high school. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Large wildfire burning amid Big Isle drought. A large wildfire in a rural area of Hawaii island is not threatening any homes, but high winds and extremely dry conditions are making it difficult for crews to contain the blaze. The fire had burned more than 15 square miles as of Thursday. Associated Press. West Hawaii Today.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi County Council considers affordable housing credit audit. Earlier this month, Hawaiʻi County Council member Holeka Goro Inaba introduced a resolution for an audit into the county’s affordable housing credits after state and federal investigators indicted four people in an affordable housing scheme. Hawaii Public Radio.

Officials work to fix traffic woes near Mt. View school. Since students returned to school last week, there has been a substantial increase in traffic congestion on Highway 11 near Mountain View Elementary. Tribune-Herald.

Surf’s up: Business gets permit for surf school at Old Kona Airport Park. Kona Town Surf received a permit from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources hours before Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers on Wednesday attempted to cite the surf school business for operating without the necessary documentation. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Iwi kupuna discovered on Maui public beach sparks debate over erosion plans. Rising sea level and erosion are provoking a painful debate on Maui between protecting the beach and protecting the dignity of Native Hawaiian ancestors. Last week, a visitor stumbled across ancestral skeletal remains on a public beach near the Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club in West Maui. Hawaii News Now.

District 13 Democratic primary features new faces with deep ties. House District 13 has seen plenty of turnover in recent years. In 2015 Lynn DeCoite was appointed to the seat after the death of former Rep. Mele Carroll. In 2021 Linda Clark was appointed to the office after DeCoite moved over to the Senate. Maui News.

The long-awaited opening of Kīhei High School is planned for January, but will it happen? Construction of the upper campus of the beautiful new Kīhei High School — which sits mauka of Piʻilani Highway with Haleakala as a backdrop — is expected to finally be completed enough to open in January for a small inaugural class of ninth graders. Maui Now.

Kauai

HDOT to begin work on Lihu‘e Airport parking lot. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation-Airports Division is set to begin a $2.4 million project at Lihu‘e Airport this Monday. Garden Island.

Primary election update; ballots due Aug. 13. Here are the preliminary numbers on ballots turned in so far, according to Elections Administrator Lyndon Yoshioka: Total ballots sent out: 40,947. Ballots turned in: 8,684. Percent of ballots cast: 17.5. In-person votes: 241. Percent in person: 2.7 Garden Island.

Hawaii governor tells tourists to stay away as coronavirus surges, Honolulu mayor limits crowds, unvaccinated lead hospital overcrowding, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige tells visitors to stay away from Hawaii. Tourists should stay away from Hawaii, and residents should restrict travel to essential business only at least through the end of October, Gov. David Ige said Monday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Garden Island. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now, KHON2. KITV4.

FDA’s approval of Pfizer shot is expected to boost Hawaii COVID vaccinations. Hawaii health officials said the Food and Drug Administration’s full approval Monday of Pfizer-BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine will likely help boost vaccination rates in the state. Star-Advertiser.

Limit gatherings but don’t curb tourists, Hawaii visitor industry execs say. The summer surge in visitors that revved up Hawaii’s tourism industry rebound was already slowing due to fall seasonality and growing uncertainty about the safety of travel as COVID-19 cases surge across the country. Star-Advertiser.

Fewer mainland nurses arrive than were expected as Hawaii’s hospital crisis worsens. The number of people sick with the coronavirus who are showing up at Hawaii emergency rooms is climbing at an alarming rate. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii sees 571 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 56,670. Today’s new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 359 new cases on Oahu, 79 on Maui, 107 on Hawaii island, 23 on Kauai, two on Lanai, and one Hawaii resident diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Oahu to suspend large gatherings. As Oahu hospitals reach capacity, Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced that large gatherings will be canceled for four weeks beginning Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

More than 600 Honolulu County workers remain unvaccinated as deadline passes. The deadline for city employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, apply for an exemption or face possible termination passed Monday with police, firefighters and emergency medical services workers among the more than 640 county employees who have not been inoculated. Star-Advertiser.

UH Mānoa: About 97% of Students Living in Residence Halls Are Vaccinated. According to the school's health and wellness team, around 97% of students living in residence halls are vaccinated, and the remaining students who have exemptions are required to undergo weekly testing. Hawaii Public Radio.

City Council Leaders Urge Honolulu’s Mayor To Find More Quarantine Rooms. Despite high demand, the city hasn’t expanded isolation rooms for Covid patients, citing tourists filling up hotels and transmissibility of the delta variant. Civil Beat.

EMS stretched thin amid coronavirus surge. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services says they’re extremely busy across the board, but especially paramedics. KHON2.

Queen’s Health welcomes nurses from out-of-state to help with COVID-19. Queen’s Health welcomes nurses from out-of-state to help with COVID-19. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

City explores new rules for future vacation rental properties. The city’s pitching a new plan to stop illegal vacation rentals in neighborhoods all across Oahu  Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steven Alm stands by failed attempts to prosecute 3 officers. Prosecuting Attorney Steven S. Alm hasn’t decided whether to campaign for a second term, but he doesn’t believe two failed attempts to put three Honolulu police officers on trial for murder and attempted murder for the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old crime spree suspect will impact his political fortunes. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

TMT backup site in Canary Islands in jeopardy; court voids agreement to use public lands. The Thirty Meter Telescope lost a potential backup location after a court in the Canary Islands, Spain, revoked an agreement to use public lands as a site for the contentious observatory. Tribune-Herald.

Plaque stolen from North Kohala heiau. A plaque denoting Mo‘okini Heiau as a registered national historic landmark was recently cut or pried loose from a boulder and stolen from the centuries-old North Kohala temple. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

California Man Arrested on Maui for Alleged Quarantine Violation. Police say 64-year-old Hugo Monterroso did not have a negative pre-travel COVID-19 test from an approved facility and did not have approved lodging in which to complete the state’s mandatory 10-day travel quarantine. Maui Now.

Occupancy at 81.7% for Maui County Hotels in July 2021. Maui County hotels occupancy was 81.7% for July, with revenue per available room (RevPAR) at $505, up 41.1% from pre-pandemic July 2019, according to the July 2021 Hawaiʻi Hotel Performance Report published by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Maui Now.

 Kauai

Kauai Bus riders may have been exposed to COVID-19. The district health officer reported people who rode The Kaua'i Bus -- route 100 or 200 -- from Kekaha to Lihu'e between August 10 and 12 may have been exposed to COVID-19. KITV4.

Kaua‘i Community College campus opens amidst COVID-19. The population census that normally accompanies the opening of the semester was absent due to late registrations taking place. Garden Island.

Upgrades to state-run nurseries growing plants facing extinction. Plant nurseries dedicated to the propagation of native species are set to receive upgrades, using $150,000 acquired from the state. Garden Island.

Hawaii sends mixed signals on COVID restrictions, officers in court over 16-year-old's shooting death, missiles tested off Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii luau Aug. 12, 2021 Hawaii Quarantine Kapu Breakers Facebook page

Hawaii Greenlights Large Events Amid Surge In Covid Cases. Crowd size restrictions enacted by Gov. David Ige included exceptions for professionally planned events with more than 50 people, including weddings, concerts, festivals and conventions. Civil Beat.

Officials consider statewide curfew and new restrictions if COVID-19 cases continue to surge. Officials are also thinking about reinstating the safe travels program and implementing new enforcement plans for people who violate COVID-19 related rules. KITV4.

Hawaii Businesses Are Considering Vaccine Requirements For Customers. As the Covid-19 delta variant drives new cases, business groups are discussing whether to support policies requiring customers to be vaccinated. Civil Beat.

Survey of restaurant owners reveals most don’t support an employee vaccine mandate. About 90% of those who responded weren’t in favor, fearing they would lose workers. Hawaii News Now.

Union questions school safety as COVID-19 cases surge throughout the islands. The union representing Hawaii’s public school teachers is pressuring state officials to implement safer school conditions as COVID-19 cases surge throughout the islands and teachers express concerns about the safety of classrooms. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii students face a vaccine mandate or weekly testing. With the pandemic spiking to unprecedented levels, Hawaii’s institutions of higher learning are taking the extra step in an attempt to safeguard their campuses against the highly contagious delta variant, which is driving the surge. Star-Advertiser.

Hundreds of COVID cases are reported daily, but it’s the undetected cases that worry scientist. Hundreds of COVID cases are reported in Hawaii daily. But there’s growing concern among scientists about the COVID cases going undetected. Hawaii News Now.

Aug. 17, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 460 New Cases in Hawai‘i. The confirmed cases included: 265 on O‘ahu (+65 probable); 74 on Hawai‘i Island (+10 probable); 19 on Maui (+2 probable); 15 on Kaua‘i; two on Molokaʻi; one on Lāna‘i; and six in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state (+1 probable). Maui Now.

Oahu

Attorneys at odds in recounting Iremamber Sykap shooting. Attorneys dueled Tuesday over the descriptions of the actions taken by three Honolulu police officers during 16-year-old Iremamber Sykap’s final moments as both sides sought to assign responsibility for the deadly showdown April 5 on Kalakaua Avenue. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Emerging Plan Would Pump Hotel Room Tax Revenue Into Rail. HART is looking into helping to cover a $3.6 billion shortfall with a share of a new 3% city hotel tax, but the City Council is noncommittal and the hotel industry is wary. Planners with the Honolulu rail authority are analyzing how much money could be raised to help fund construction of the unfinished transit line if the city imposes its own hotel room tax and gives the project a share of the money. Civil Beat.

Facing New Covid Cases, Waianae School Returns to Distance Learning. Kamaile Academy’s principal informed parents of the move in a letter sent Monday. Civil Beat.

Nonprofit to hold meeting on cesspool solutions. Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations will hold an “Innovations in Sanitation” meeting from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. today at the Pacific Club with presentations by policymakers, engineers, community organizations and wastewater professionals. Star-Advertiser.

Ocean Safety conducts 271 rescues, 2,100 preventative actions in high Oahu surf. In powerful waves with up to 12-foot faces today on Oahu’s South Shore, Honolulu Ocean Safety personnel made 271 rescues, and took over 2,100 preventative rescues, the Honolulu Emergency Services Department reported shortly after 4 p.m. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Clamping down: County could return to beach closures amid coronavirus spike. Closing parks and beaches and canceling the Ironman World Championship are among measures being considered by Mayor Mitch Roth as the administration works to tamp down a surging coronavirus pandemic on the island. West Hawaii Today.

Help Arrives At Kona Community Hospital. Thirty-three critical care nurses and three respiratory therapists were welcomed to Kona Community Hospital by leadership and nursing managers on Monday morning. Big Island Video News.

Relief arrives at HMC: 11 nurses, respiratory therapist will help ease ‘exhaustion, frustration’. Twelve relief workers showed up Monday at Hilo Medical Center for an eight-week stint to help care for COVID-19 patients. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island Hospital Offers Booster Shots to Certain Individuals. Queen’s North Hawai´i Community Hospital announced that as of Tuesday, Aug. 17, it was offering the booster to patients who qualify. It is the first healthcare facility in Hawai´i County to offer the shot publicly. Big Island Now.

Council members hear pitch on Sentinel Landscape designation. Hawaii County might seek a partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies in an attempt to obtain federal conservation funds. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Sato named parks deputy director. Mayor Michael Victorino has appointed Marci Sato as deputy director of the county Department of Parks & Recreation. Maui News.

The VA Is Shopping For Land For A ‘One-Stop Shop’ Clinic In Maui. The VA would own the new facility, which would consolidate medical care, mental health and benefits for veterans on the Valley Isle. Civil Beat.

Lottery Applications Being Taken for Buying Home in New Maui Workforce Complex. Alaula Builders is working through the last steps of the permitting process and is expecting to break ground this summer on Hale Kaiola, 20 affordable workforce duplexes on three acres in North Kīhei. Maui Now.

Median housing prices surpass $1 million for 3 months in a row. Maui County single-family home median sales prices have surpassed $1 million for three months in a row, capping the first half of the year, which shows record or near record-setting medians each month. Maui News.

Kauai

Marines fire Naval Strike Missiles from Kauai. During the two-week Large Scale Exercise 2021, which ended Monday, groups of Hawaii-based artillery Marines came ashore at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai via big hovercraft and MV-22 tilt-rotor Ospreys. Star-Advertiser.

Kauaʻi Mayor Says 'We Need People to Stay Healthy'. Mayor of Kauaʻi Derek Kawakami is urging residents and visitors to heed the directive from State Health Director Libby Char: mask up and get vaccinated. Hawaii Public Radio.

Island health care must attract Kaua‘i talent, administrators say. A long-term-care facility is offering tuition reimbursement for anyone completing the certified nursing assistant course and going to work there. Garden Island.

Project Vision’s mobile shower continues to make the rounds. Project Vision and Hiehie partnered with several groups to anchor a weekly schedule of shower appearances following the close of the county’s Shelter-In-Place sites across the island. Garden Island.

ASL interpreter succumbs to COVID-19, Hawaii legislative leaders to forego pomp and speeches, nurses in Hawaii paid the most, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Patty Sakal interprets Gov. David Ige's speech for the hearing impaired on Aug. 13, 2020

Beloved ASL interpreter for state dies from COVID-19 complications. Patty Sakal, 62, died from COVID-19 during a trip to California. KHON2.

ASL interpreter whose services amid pandemic helped keep community safe dies of COVID. A woman who helped the deaf community follow what was happening with the coronavirus crisis has been taken by the disease. Patty Sakal, 62, a veteran sign language interpreter and inspiring leader for the hearing-impaired community, died last week after contracting COVID-19. Hawaii News Now.

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Vaccinated travelers could be exempt from quarantine, testing by spring. Lt. Gov. Josh Green said travelers who get vaccinated for COVID-19 will likely be exempted from quarantine and testing requirements as early as this spring. Hawaii News Now.

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Opening day of Hawaii legislative session to be void of typical festivities. The typical pomp and circumstance will not be seen Wednesday, such as attendance by friends and family, entertainment, food and even speeches by key majority and minority leaders.  Star-Advertiser.

The Battered State Budget Will Dominate The Next Hawaii Legislature. With money tight, lawmakers are looking to the Biden administration and Congress to help shore up a huge deficit as the 2021 session opens this week. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Owes The Feds $700 Million. Businesses May Have To Pay The Tab. The state borrowed $700 million to pay unemployment benefits, but businesses may have to repay it. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii and Department of Education brace for budget cuts. Millions of dollars in budget cuts to the state Department of Education and University of Hawaii system are expected to be finalized Thursday during separate board meetings for both departments. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers Still Hope To Pass Climate Legislation in 2021. Big ticket items like targets for cutting national carbon emissions or raising infrastructure ahead of sea level rise are often the focus in discussions of climate change. Hawaii Public Radio.

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What New Federal COVID-19 Relief Bill Means for Hawaiʻi Employers. The $900 billion pandemic aid bill passed by Congress at the end of 2020 aims to drive more money to small and minority-owned businesses, which makes it particularly relevant for Hawai‘i. Hawaii Business magazine.

Study shows nurses in Hawaii get paid the most in the country compared to other nurses. Nurses in Hawaii are paid the most in the country according to Business.org. KHON2.

Community Health Centers in Hawaiʻi Awarded $1.3 Million Grant for Telehealth Services. The Freeman Foundation and Hawaiʻi Community Foundation awarded $1.3 million in grants to 14 Federally Qualified Health Centers across the state, according to a news release. Maui Now.

HAWAII VIRUS TRACKER — Jan. 18: 129 New COVID-19 Cases. Hawaii has seen a triple-digit increase in cases for 14 straight days. Hawaii health officials reported 129 new cases of COVID-19 statewide on Monday, including 83 on Oahu, 21 on Maui, nine on the Big Island, two on Kauai and 14 residents diagnosed out of state. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Hundreds get immunized at Oahu’s first mass vaccination site. The soggy weather didn’t deter kupuna eager to receive a COVID-19 vaccine from filing into the cruise ship terminal at Pier 2 Monday morning. Hawaii News Now.

Kupuna get inoculated at Pier 2 as Hawaii mass vaccinations begin. But health officials are worried that there isn’t enough vaccine to sustain the huge demand. Nearly all of the 12,800 appointments for the large vaccination clinic are full through Jan 27, said Melinda Ashton, chief quality officer at Hawaii Pacific Health. Star-Advertiser.

Hundreds of appointments booked at mass vaccination sites on Oahu. Oahu’s senior citizens are starting to get their first COVID-19 shot as a mass vaccination site at Pier 2 kicked off on Monday with about 600 appointments booked. KHON2.

Hawaii bar owners John Harrison and Bill Comerford appeal to leaders to lift coronavirus restrictions. Bill Comerford and John Harrison have each owned and operated bars in Honolulu for decades, but both say that if COVID-19 restrictions are not lifted soon, they will lose their businesses. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Why more kids aren’t back at school; Despite low COVID case counts, administrators say numerous hurdles remain. Despite relatively low COVID-19 infection rates on the Big Island, some schools have opted to continue with distance learning this quarter, while others are working to bring students back to campus. Tribune-Herald.

Big Isle pediatricians to DOE: ‘Open our schools’. In a letter sent to Superintendent Christina Kishimoto and local complex area superintendents, six East Hawaii pediatricians — Lauren Stuart, Miki Cain, Darrett Choi, Joseph D’Angelo, Ty DeSilva and Diana Lindreoth — have recommended keiki return to full-time, in-person learning without delay. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New rules requested by Maui County Mayor Mike Victorino take effect Tuesday. Travelers headed to Maui must download the “Aloha Safe Alert” app and stores must limit the amount of customers they let inside. KHON2.

Public Virtual Presentation: 7 Environmental Projects Funded Through Maui CARES. With unemployment at record levels due to COVID-19, Maui County followed the Great Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps’ model that put 3 million people to work. The County used federal CARES Act funding to put more than 70 Maui and Molokai residents to work in November for seven local conservation nonprofits. Maui Now.

Maui home prices reached new peaks last year. The Realtors Association of Maui recently published data showing that median sale prices rose to $795,575 for single-family homes and $570,000 for condos last year. Star-Advertiser.

Entrance, parking fees coming soon for Wai‘anapanapa State Park. In an effort to manage high traffic flow to Maui’s remote East Maui, a reservation system for commercial vehicles and individual tourists seeking to visit Wai’anapanapa State Park is anticipated to launch next month. Maui News.

Entry and Parking Fees at Waiʻānapanapa State Park Expected to Begin in February. A reservation system is expected to begin at East Maui’s Waiʻānapanapa State Park in the second or third week of February according to state leaders who provided an update during a weekend Zoom meeting. Maui Now.

Kauai

DPW briefs council on road resurfacing projects. The county is estimating about $10.625 million in General Excise Tax revenue this fiscal year, down about $7.46 million from the year before. Garden Island.

Hearing on home exemptions is Feb. 8. The County of Kaua‘i Department of Finance will hold a public hearing on Monday, Feb. 8, on the proposed amendments to the rules and regulations relating to home and related exemptions. Garden Island.

Hawaii hospitals in crisis, Health Department releases COVID-19 age, gender, racial data, House Speaker Saiki fined by Ethics Commission, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hospital scene. Photo by Javier Matheu on Unsplash

Hawaii Asks Feds To Send More Nurses To Help With The Pandemic. Local hospitals still have enough space to expand and respond to an increase in coronavirus patients but need more specialized nursing staff. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Hospitals Appeal To FEMA To Help Staff Beds, Move Patients To Tripler. The state’s hospital industry says it’s facing a crisis and has appealed to the federal government to help it staff critically needed beds. Hawaii has reached 100% hospital capacity -- not for lack of space but because it doesn’t have enough personnel. Hawaii Public Radio.

With scores of Hawaii health care workers sidelined by COVID-19, state seeks mainland help. Hawaii’s health care workers have been hit hard by a surge in COVID-19 cases, with upwards of 100 in quarantine after testing positive for the virus or being exposed. Hawaii News Now.

State needs more than 200 nurses to handle hospital surge. Health officials say we have already reached capacity with staffing at our hospitals, and are hoping to get some help from the military. KHON2.

Healthcare insiders expect hospitals to be at full capacity by the end of this week. Community Physician Dr. James Island worked inside several of them over the weekend he shared with us first hand what he saw on Monday. KITV4.

Hospital space at a premium, some COVID-19 patients are now sharing rooms. Nurses on the front lines of the pandemic say as hospitals fill up with COVID-19 patients, at least one hospital is having some coronavirus patients share rooms. Hawaii News Now.

Ambulance Services Could Be On The Chopping Block Throughout Hawaii. The state Department of Health asked service providers to prepare for cuts up to 20% in anticipation of budget cuts related to the coronavirus pandemic. Civil Beat.

EMS worries potential budget cuts will slash their crucial operations. Hawaii’s Emergency Medical Services officials are bracing for possible budget cuts of up to 20 percent — at a time when demand for their services is soaring due to the pandemic. Hawaii News Now.

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New data shows young adults have the highest number of COVID-19 diagnoses in Hawaii. Older adults may be the most vulnerable to COVID-19, but 20- and 30-somethings are the ones driving the disease in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Pacific Islanders Have The Highest COVID-19 Death Rate In Hawaii. Filipinos in Hawaii have the next-highest death rate, composing 24% of deaths compared with 16% of the population. Civil Beat.

New DOH graphs breakdown cases by age, gender and race. The Department of Health is now releasing more data surrounding COVID infections in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

New data from health department reveals impacts of coronavirus on community. The Department of Health has released new data on COVID-19 cases reported since March, and it shows how the virus has been spread across age, gender and ethnicity. KHON2.

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Hawaii airports getting facial imaging technology by end of the year. State officials hope to have facial imaging technology in place at Hawaii’s airports by the end of the year to better identify passengers who arrive with elevated temperatures so they can be offered further screening for COVID-19 before they potentially fan out into the community. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii behind in launching new web app that collects traveler information. The state is behind in launching a new version of a web application, Hawaii Safe Travels, to collect traveler information needed to enforce public safety measures related to the coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

New Local Apps Will Help with Contact Tracing. Contact tracing helps fight the spread of COVID-19, but it is time consuming work that has overwhelmed the state Health Department. Two local apps designed to help contact tracers do their job faster and more effectively are in the works to combat this issue. Hawaii Business magazine.

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2 new COVID-19 deaths and 169 new coronavirus cases as Hawaii’s total climbs to 6,769. Hawaii Department of Health officials reported two new COVID-19 deaths on Oahu and 169 new coronavirus cases today, bringing the statewide totals to 6,769 infections and 49 coronvirus-related fatalities since the start of the pandemic in the islands in late February. Star-Advertiser.

VIRUS TRACKER — Aug. 24: 169 New Cases In Hawaii And 2 Deaths. Two more deaths on Oahu takes the state COVID-19 death toll to 49. Civil Beat.

DOH Reports 169 New COVID-19 Cases, 2 Deaths. The Hawai‘i Department of Health reported 169 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the statewide total to 6,769 since DOH began tracking the pandemic in late February. Big Island Now.

The Faces Of Hawaii's COVID-19 Dead. The state reports people who die only as numbers in the daily toll of the pandemic. We'll introduce you to three who died.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii residents happy to join fight against COVID-19 in vaccine clinical trial. A global study for a vaccine is taking place here in the islands, and is looking for participants. KHON2.

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Ethics Commission Fines Speaker Saiki, Rep. DeCoite. Both lawmakers will pay the state $250 for “likely” violation of the Fair Treatment Law. Civil Beat.

Hawaii political consultant charged in covert lobbying of Trump officials. Hawaii political consultant and fundraiser Nickie Lum Davis has been charged in an illicit lobbying effort to get the Trump administration to drop an investigation into the multi-billion-dollar looting of a Malaysian state investment fund, and to arrange for the return of a Chinese dissident living in the U.S. Associated Press.

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Hawaii Schools Dump Distance Learning Program Over ‘Racist’ Content. The Department of Education approved Acellus Learning Accelerator as an option for students learning remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Civil Beat.

Parents raise concern over online teaching program used by DOE. People against it want the DOE to remove it from its curriculum. KITV4.

3 Hawaii schools cancel use of DOE-approved platform for online learning. The number of Hawaii schools who have immediately suspended use of a Department of Education-approved platform for online learning is now at three. Hawaii News Now.

Classes resume at all ten University of Hawai'i campuses. It was back to class for students at all ten University of Hawaii campuses on Monday. KITV4.

Oahu

Some released OCCC inmates quarantining at Oahu hotels. Some inmates being released from Oahu Community Correctional Center are being isolated or quarantined at Honolulu hotels if they have either tested positive for COVID-19, are awaiting test results or have been in contact with someone testing positive, joining other local residents in similar situations, the Department of Health confirmed Monday. Star-Advertiser.

DOH Official: Some Inmates Who Were Released Caused ‘Spillover’ Infections. State officials say it’s tough to find safe places for ex-inmates to spend their 14-day post-release isolation. Civil Beat.

Alm To Kau: Ask Me For A Job When I’m Elected Prosecutor. The candidates for Honolulu prosecutor sparred in a debate on Monday. Civil Beat.

Confusion continues regarding gathering restrictions on Oahu. New gathering restrictions on coronavirus-prone Oahu were intended to reduce the daily surge of three-digit cases in the state. Star-Advertiser.

State to name priority developers for New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District. The state said it will announce the the names of the three priority-listed developer-led teams for the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District after it wraps up loose ends left by the deferral of Senate Bill 2940. Star-Advertiser.

Warbird aerial parades provide a bit of horsepower for coronavirus-diminished 75th end-of-WWII event. A cavalcade of World War II flying history will land at Wheeler Army Airfield from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday in preparation for three aerial parade flyovers commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of the war, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Jury trials in U.S. District Court on hold until mid-October. The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in partial closure of Hawaii’s U.S. District Courts. On Monday, it was announced that all jury trials are now on hold until at least Oct. 13. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Surge in East Hawaii cases leads to greater enforcement. The county’s Civil Defense chief said Monday he and his staff are “hearing that people are almost rebelling” against emergency measures put in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Tribune-Herald.

HMC has 10 virus patients. Amid growing numbers of COVID-19 cases in East Hawaii, Hilo Medical Center as of Monday had 10 patients admitted with the virus. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo restaurants curtail services in response to COVID-19 spike. Some Hilo restaurants are temporarily closing or reverting back to takeout service only because of a surge in COVID-19 cases in East Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

State Seeks Lessees For Two Banyan Drive Area Properties. Lessees are being sought for long-term lease agreements for the former Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel and the former Country Club Condominium Hotel in the Banyan Drive area of Hilo. Big Island Now.

DLNR seeking applicants to take over leases of 2 troubled Hilo hotels. The Department of Land and Natural Resources is in search of applicants to take over the leases of Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel and the former Country Club Condominium Hotel. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Mayor Needs Another Day or Two to Weigh Potential Reinstatement of Restrictions. Maui Mayor Michael Victorino said he needs another day or two to make any decisions on whether or not to reinstate previous restrictions aimed at helping to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Maui Now.

25 COVID patients being treated at Maui Memorial; 14 additional workers test positive. Maui Health is caring for 25 COVID-positive patients, according to an update Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Maui hotel revenues, occupancy still lowest in state. Numbers improve from June to July but still far below normal rates. Maui News.

Maui concrete business merges with Hilo company. Longtime owners of Miyake Concrete Accessories to retire. Maui News.

Maui’s Miyake Concrete Accessories, Inc. Merges with Hilo’s HPM Building Supply. Maui family-owned Miyake Concrete Accessories, Inc. is merging with Hilo family-founded, fifth generation HPM Building Supply. Maui Now.

Hilo’s HPM Building Supply Merges With Maui-based Miyake Concrete. The fifth generation family founded HPM is now in 13 locations across the State of Hawaiʻi, with five on Maui. Big Island Video News.

Kauai

Hundreds apply for small business grant. The Small Business Boost Grant offers a one-time $7,500 grant to businesses financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The money comes from federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act money given to the county from the state. Garden Island.

Waimea pool closed until further notice. The Waimea swimming pool is closed until further notice, due to mechanical problems. Garden Island.