Showing posts with label retail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label retail. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Hotel keys to keep tourists in quarantine, Ige backs off employee pay cuts, furloughs, Legislature divvies up federal CARES funds, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2020 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Waikiki hotels ©2020 All Hawaii News
One-time use key among new methods for strengthening quarantine monitoring. One of the updates included a new method hotels are making sure their guests are following the quarantine. This is by giving them a one-time use room key. KHON2.

Vacation rentals use loopholes to skirt quarantine. Vacation rentals, which have been ruled nonessential businesses statewide as government tries to stop the spread of COVID-19, are still drawing visitors to Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

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Ige tells state workers: There’s no ‘immediate need’ to consider pay cuts or furloughs. The governor sought to reassure state workers Tuesday, saying there is no “immediate need to consider pay cuts or furloughs” despite the gaping budget shortfall. Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers Are Deciding How To Spend Federal Bailout Money. The House Finance Committee doesn’t want state agencies to use federal stimulus dollars if they already have state money that can be used. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers tackle the state's budget bills. COVID 19 plays a big part in budget requests and spending in the state's multi-billion dollar budget bills. KITV4.

Color-coded state recovery plan to be unveiled. A cryptic, color-coded plan to reopen more parts of Hawaii’s economy will be unveiled this week, the House Finance Committee was told Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

State aims to work with University of Hawaii to train contact tracers. The state Department of Health today asked lawmakers to appropriate about $2.5 million to fund a program at the University of Hawaii that would train workers to track contacts of people who have tested positive for COVID-19. Associated Press.

Hawaii’s Struggling Farms Want The State To Become A Bigger Customer. With local farmers reeling from a drop in demand from hotels and restaurants, advocates hope schools, prisons and hospitals will buy more local produce. Civil Beat.

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As ER Volumes Drop, Hawaii Doctors Worry People Are Delaying Care. Many health professionals across the state suspect the main reason for the decline in ER visits is patients’ fear of catching the coronavirus at the hospital. Hawaii Public Radio.

Doctors worry people are avoiding hospitals despite serious medical needs. Hawaii doctors are alarmed at the dramatic decline in emergency room visits in the last month. They say people are so afraid of contracting COVID-19, many are now ignoring life-threatening illnesses. Hawaii News Now.

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School’s Out And With It A Reliable System For Flagging Abuse. School closures caused by COVID-19 this spring have meant fewer reports of possible abuse, but more neighbors and relatives are making calls. Civil Beat.

One new coronavirus case on Oahu brings statewide total to 635. Health officials said this afternoon that the new case was an out-of-state resident who was screened at the airport and subsequently tested positive. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Pandemic Forces Honolulu Council To Slash Budget. Oahu’s local government isn’t expected to be as hard hit as Hawaii state government. Civil Beat.

State to borrow from new stadium project. While the state Legislature intends to pull back $20 million in general funds that had been appropriated to help build the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, it still expects to allot a full $350 million in financing to the project, lawmakers said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu malls and retail centers plan to reopen Friday. Several of Oahu’s shopping malls and retail centers are getting ready to reopen Friday as part of the first phase in reopening the state’s economy, but with new guidelines in place in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu retailers urge customers to prepare for a very different shopping experience. Two months after they were forced to close down, Oahu retailers are scrambling to put the finishing touches on their stores to be able to reopen Friday. Hawaii News Now.

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Mayor offering grants to very small Oahu businesses. The city is directing at least $25 million in federal coronavirus relief aid to help very small businesses on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Caldwell announces new relief and recovery fund for small businesses. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell announces a Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund to help small local businesses who need it most, like mom and pop shops, and other Honolulu restaurants and stores that have been hit hard by COVID-19. KHON2.

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Rail’s interim opening is pushed back to March. City officials now don’t expect the first segment of the $9.2 billion rail line will be operational until March, three months later than had been forecast. Star-Advertiser.

Date for rail to be up and running pushed back. The date that the Honolulu rail system was set to be up and running has been pushed back. KITV4.

City Council Grows Anxious As Rail’s COVID-19 Problems Deepen. The transit project has been plagued for years by skyrocketing costs. Now it faces a $100 million slump in the revenues that fund construction. Civil Beat.

After more than a year of deliberations, the Honolulu Rate Commission gave final OK to a plan that raises daily fares and monthly and annual passes for bus and rail riders but leaves it up to the City Council to decide when the new rates should kick in. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii police union announces endorsement in Honolulu mayoral race. A former broadcast executive turned mayoral candidate has scooped up a valuable endorsement. The State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers endorsed Rick Blangiardi for Honolulu mayor on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

The Pandemic Ignites A Bike Boom In Honolulu. With gyms closed and other exercise options limited, bicycle shops say they are selling almost every bike they can get their hands on. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

$80M CARES funds could come to Hawaii County. Hawaii County would receive $80 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding under a bill moving through the state Legislature. West Hawaii Today.

PGV reboot delayed again. Commercial operations at Puna Geothermal Venture are expected to begin in the fourth quarter, said parent company Ormat Technologies Inc. on Monday as part of a first-quarter earnings update. Tribune-Herald.

Corporation counsel responds to ACLU letter criticizing county’s decision to remove homeless camp. Hawaii County’s top civil attorney responded to a letter by the American Civil Liberties Union criticizing the county’s decision to remove a downtown Hilo homeless camp in April. Tribune-Herald.

No Active COVID-19 Cases On Hawaii Island, Civil Defense Reports. All 75 identified cases of COVID-19 on the Big Island have been cleared by the Department of Health as recovered, the mayor says. Big Island Video News.

The Big Island now has no active COVID-19 cases, but mayor urges vigilance. Hawaii Island on Tuesday reached an encouraging milestone in the coronavirus pandemic. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Mayor Says “Absolutely Not” When Asked about Lifting Travel Quarantine on May 31st. Maui Mayor Michael Victorino said he plans to announce tomorrow (Wednesday, May 13, 2020), Phase 2 of the opening of Maui’s parks. Maui Now.

A Mixed Reopening. Customers hope more shops resume business. Just because retailers were allowed to reopen Monday didn’t mean they would actually do it, many shoppers learned when visiting malls around Maui. Maui News.

Retail businesses on Maui slow to reopen. Free standing stores and some stores within shopping malls are now allowed to get back to business but many are choosing to remain closed. KITV4.

Kauai

Groundbreaking for Pua Loke. Construction for the $27.5 million project will consist of three residential buildings containing one- to three-bedroom rental units and is slated to begin before the end of this month. Garden Island.

Suicide uptick raises concern. Four suicides on Kaua‘i in less than a week have prompted concern by police and health workers that the COVID-19 crisis is moving in a dangerous new direction, with broad risks to mental health caused by joblessness, financial reversals and despair. Garden Island.

Seal found dead was pregnant. The Hawaiian monk seal found dead on Ha‘ena Beach in late April was pregnant, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Garden Island.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Universities, stores set to reopen, tourists to be welcomed back by July, mass jail releases include violent offenders, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2020 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
UH Hilo campus earlier this year ©2020 All Hawaii News
University of Hawaii, Hawaii Pacific University and Chaminade to resume in-person instruction for fall semester. Star-Advertiser.

UH Plans To Resume In-Person Classes This Fall. The university is still working on what those classes will look like. Civil Beat.

UH announces plans to resume in-person instruction in August across its 10 campuses. The University of Hawaii plans to resume in-person classes across its 10-campus system on August 24, with the start of the fall semester, but stressed that it won’t be business as usual. Hawaii News Now.

In-person instruction at UH campuses will resume this fall — with a host of caveats. The president of the University of Hawaii said Monday all 10 campuses plan to resume in-person instruction for the fall 2020 semester. Tribune-Herald.

UH to Resume On-Campus Education This Fall. University of Hawai‘i students will attend classes on campus this fall, or at least that’s the plan as of Monday, May 4. Big Island Now.

UH Plans for Return to In-Person Instruction at All 10 Campuses in Fall 2020. UH will deploy a “COVID-19-aware approach to providing a safe, high-quality education” for new and returning students, faculty and support staff as the semester begins as scheduled on Monday, August 24. Maui News.

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Gov. David Ige is poised to allow some retailers to reopen their doors. Gov. David Ige said he plans to sign an emergency proclamation today that will allow “low-contact” retailers to reopen as long as they can minimize contact between employees and customers to protect them against the new coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

Ige says he plans to give green light to resume ‘low-contact retail’ operations in Hawaii. The governor said he plans to give more Hawaii businesses the OK to resume operations as the number of new COVID-19 cases in the islands remains low. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Ige says ‘low-contact retail,’ could re-open very soon. Governor David Ige said he plans on re-opening more Hawaii businesses like retail soon. KHON2.

Local retailers preparing new guidelines for reopening. With just one new case of COVID-19 Monday, Governor David Ige said in a press conference that he will issue another order that would allow retailers to open. However, there are a lot of factors that come with that including safety, and security when everyone is wearing a mask. KHON2.

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Hawaii economy not likely to fully recover this year. In a best-case scenario, Hawaii’s economy should start to slowly recover this month, but 2020 will end with double-digit unemployment and the return of only about 75% of the economic activity lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state House Select Committee on COVID-19 was told Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Reshaping Hawaii’s Economy For A Post-Pandemic World. Hawaii’s long-term economic plan is a blank slate by design to be filled in by an ensemble cast, says Alan Oshima, Hawaii’s economic recovery chief. Civil Beat.

Leaders expect 'unified plan' to restart Hawaii economy by end of this week. However economists say tourism is unlikely to start returning to Hawaii before late July and the local economy is expected to regain by year's end only three-quarters of the activity lost to the coronavirus. Pacific Business News.

UHERO Projects 75% of Local Hawai‘i Economy Could Be Regained by End of Year. The House Select Committee on COVID-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness today reviewed estimates of when jobs may start returning to the state, talked about how the retail and restaurant industries can adapt to health measures and still survive, and discussed the growing number of people that may become homeless. Maui Now.

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Economists say tourism could restart in late July. Experts say tourism can start picking up by the end of July. Along with that, more than 100,000 people unemployed could be back to work by the end of the year. KHON2.

When will tourists be welcomed back? The best-case scenario is predicting the end of July. Government officials, economists and business experts are working on a comprehensive plan to restart more businesses that cater to Hawaii residents. Hawaii News Now.

Tourism leaders urge state recovery plan. Hawaii’s visitor industry is adopting new safety protocols to begin tourism’s recovery, but leaders say they can’t reopen until the state’s mandatory 14-day quarantine for out-of-state passengers is lifted. Star-Advertiser.

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Recalling workers presents challenge in unemployment policy. The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations anticipates having to deal with appeals from displaced workers who are receiving unemployment checks that exceed what they can earn when employers decide to restore their pay. Star-Advertiser.

The Long Wait For Unemployment Checks Is Taking A Personal Toll. The state’s huge backlog of jobless claims has left many waiting weeks for benefits. For some, the loss of work has derailed dreams for starting over. Civil Beat.

Flattening the Next Curve, Homelessness In Era Of COVID-19. Hawaiʻi is likely to experience a wave of housing instability and homelessness in the coming months. Big Island Video News.

Federal loans might limit bankruptcies — for now. Federal loan programs to small businesses may be temporarily curbing an expected increase in Hawaii bankruptcies. Star-Advertiser.

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Prosecutors say dangerous offenders are being released to free up space in Hawaii correctional facilities. In the last two months, state prisons have reduced their populations by nearly 38-percent all to socially distance inmates despite there being zero positive cases in any state correctional facility. Hawaii News Now.

1 New COVID-19 Case Confirmed On The Big Island. Four other recoveries from COVID-19 were announced by state health officials on Monday. Civil Beat.

Hawaii is reporting just one new COVID-19 case Monday, bringing the statewide total to 621. The new case is on the Big Island. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture preparing for possibility of "Murder Hornets" landing in Hawaii. "Murder Hornets" are being spotted in Washington State and the Department of Agriculture is preparing for the possibility of them landing in Hawaii. KITV4.

Oahu

Queen’s Medical Center takes down coronavirus triage tent as Hawaii’s infection rate remains low. The outdoor triage tent was erected seven weeks ago on March 12 to evaluate, test and separate COVID-19-infected patients from the rest of the hospital population. Star-Advertiser.

The Queen’s Medical Center removes COVID-19 screening tents at Punchbowl. The hospital will still be screening patients but with fewer people needing the service, operations have moved indoors. KHON2.

Pacific Princess cruise ship returns to Honolulu for fuel and provisions. The Hawaii Department of Transportation reports that the Pacific Princess cruise ship is scheduled to arrive at Honolulu Harbor on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 7 a.m. and depart at approximately 2 p.m. the same day. There are no passengers on the ship and no crew members will disembark in Honolulu. KITV4.

A Prominent Developer Was Charged With Assault. Then The Case Languished For A Year. A politically connected Honolulu real estate mogul didn’t receive a summons until Civil Beat started asking questions. Civil Beat.

Residents report stinky smell coming from Waimanalo Beach Park. City officials say its Maintenance Support Services crews applied an organic fertilizer made at Sand Island. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Lawyers Demand Hawaii Island Stop Homeless Sweeps. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii and another civil rights law firm are demanding Hawaii County immediately cease the sweeping of homeless encampments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Civil Beat.

County seeks site in Kona for homeless housing units. Eighteen temporary housing units are ready to be built for the homeless in Kona, but where they will be built remains to be seen. West Hawaii Today.

South Kona Water Conservation In Effect After Equipment Failure. The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply issued an urgent message for residents in Kainaliu, Keʻei, Honalo, Kealakekua, Napoʻopoʻo, Hōnaunau, and Hoʻokena. Big Island Video News.

DWS Issues South Kona Water Conservation Request. The Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply is asking all South Kona customers to begin water conservation processes immediately. Big Island Now.

Maui

Hawaii Supreme Court To Hear Historic Remote Arguments In Maui Water Case. The Carmichael v. Board of Land and Natural Resources case involves a decades-long battle over water flowing from the East Maui mountains. Hawaii Public Radio.

Jail population in Wailuku drops below 300 with inmate releases. At 283, count is below the facility’s operational capacity. The number of inmates held at the Maui Community Correctional Center dropped below 300 last week and was less than the Wailuku jail’s operational capacity, as part of a “substantial reduction in the jail population across the state,” according to the state Department of Public Safety. Maui News.

Kauai

Two caught sneaking onto Kaua‘i. The Kaua‘i Police Department is currently investigating an incident involving an unauthorized small plane from Maui that dropped off two passengers in Kaua‘i on Sunday. Garden Island.

Opening the doors. St. Catherine School principal David Adams said the reopening of the preschool Thursday is a sure sign of hope during these times of COVID-19. Garden Island.

Friday, November 29, 2019

Visitor spending up as tourism nears 10M mark, Honolulu firearms crimes rise, news photographer alleges UH coach assaulted him, Hilo jail expansion controversial, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2019 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Waikiki shoppers ©2019 All Hawaii News
Visitor spending, arrivals up in October. Both visitor spending and arrivals went up slightly in October when compared to the same time last year, according to recent data on visitor statistics from the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii could have more than 10M annual visitors for 1st time. Hawaii tourism stayed on pace in October to easily top the 10 million mark for visitor arrivals this year and extend a decade-long string of annual gains. Star-Advertiser.

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Rep. Case Demands Hawaii Be Paid Millions More For COFA Costs. If not, the congressman says renewal of the U.S treaties with three Micronesian nations may be at risk. Civil Beat.

Hurricane season ends with above-average number, below-average impact. At five tropical cyclones, the 2019 hurricane season in the Central Pacific was technically an above-average year. Star-Advertiser.

Thanksgiving weekend gas prices remain steady for residents and incoming Thanksgiving holiday tourists, according to the AAA Hawaiʻi Weekend Gas Watch. Today’s statewide average price is $3.66 a gallon, which is the same as last week, also the same as a month ago and eight cents lower than on this date a year ago, according to AAA. Maui Now.

Oahu

Crimes involving firearms are on the rise, HPD says. With a recent string of high-profile violent crimes on Oahu, the Honolulu police chief reassured the public that there is no increase in crime overall. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Kai residents are upset over the removal of crosswalks. City workers removed two crosswalks at the intersection of Lunalilo Home Road and Kalanipuu Street in Hawaii Kai a few weeks ago. Hawaii News Now.

New tiny home community for the homeless now under construction in Kalaeloa. Ground was broken Thanksgiving Day in Kalaeloa on a master-planned community for the homeless made up of tiny homes and shared facilities. Hawaii News Now.

Assault at UH game alleged by Star-Advertiser photographer. A Honolulu Star-Advertiser photographer said he was assaulted at last week’s University of Hawaii football game and suffered injuries after being shoved by the head coach and then knocked to the ground by a UH employee. Star-Advertiser.

Sales of luxury homes on Oahu rise in October as median price declines. Oahu’s luxury home market saw a small increase in sales in October, compared to a year ago, but the median price for homes selling or $1.5 million or more declined by 4%, according to a report by Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Relief for overcrowded jail on the way. When Hawaii Community Correctional Center Warden Peter Cabreros started the job in 1975, he had one inmate. Nowadays, there are considerably more. West Hawaii Today.

Free Wi-Fi coming to parks. Free Wi-Fi is coming to seven Hawaii County parks, thanks to an agreement between Spectrum Oceanic LLC and the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. West Hawaii Today.

Kalapana Without Well Service Until at Least Early Next Year. Roughly 100 households in Kalapana will make do without a working County deepwell until at least early next year. Big Island Now.

Alligator Lizard Found In Christmas Tree In Hilo. A Hilo resident spotted the large lizard on top of the Christmas tree, which was imported from Washington State. Big Island Video News.

Vacation Rentals Increase Slightly in October. Vacation rental performance on Hawai‘i Island increased slightly in October from the previous month, according  to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. Big Island Now.

Maui

Hawaii Water Commission Ruling Could Mark Change In Stream Stewardship. One of Hawaiʻi’s largest water rights cases has come to an end on Maui, possibly signaling a turning point in the stateʻs management of public streams. Hawaii Public Radio.

EPA, state alerted to pesticide found in wastewater. Banned chemical was detected in 2016 test, part of Monsanto case. Maui County notified federal and state officials Wednesday of the presence of a banned pesticide at the heart of a criminal case against Monsanto Co. in wastewater at three treatment plants during testing in 2016. Maui News.

Errors discussed in river fish kill. Water panel reflects on fish ladder project. Improved community engagement, better communication among stakeholders and unrestricted water flow were among lessons that state water commissioners discussed in the wake of a pilot project that accidentally killed hundreds of native fish in Wailuku River last month. Maui News.

Kauai

County Admits It Wrongly Allowed A Divisive Brush Cutting Project. Critics say a homeowner was allowed to cut down trees and brush along a popular trail in order to improve his view. Civil Beat.

Companies respond to outage inquiry. Efforts are underway to repair the undersea cable responsible for islandwide internet outages in late October and early November, but the problem is 10 miles offshore, over a half mile deep and is expected to take several more weeks to fix, according to an executive with the company responsible for maintaining the fiber optics line. Garden Island.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Hawaii could be first to put all gun owners in FBI database, Kauai skydiving plane crash kills five, Hanabusa may run for Congress, union endorsements begin, rail's future eyed, 30 shorebirds killed by dogs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy Augustas Didžgalvis Wikipedia
SIG Pro semi-automatic pistol, Wikipedia photo by Augustas Didžgalvis
Hawaii could become the first state in the United States to enter gun owners into an FBI database that will automatically notify police if an island resident is arrested anywhere else in the country. Associated Press.

Hanabusa To Run For Takai’s Seat In Congress? The Democrat and former congresswoman likely would scare off many potential challengers for the seat she won twice before Takai. Civil Beat.

Not all candidates have filed to run for the state House and Senate, but the Hawaii State Teachers Association already knows who it is supporting in the Aug. 13 primary election. The filing deadline is June 7, but the teacher's union announced its preferred slate last Thursday, nearly all of them incumbents and all but five Democrats. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Rail board members will hold a special public meeting today to discuss the cash-strapped transit project’s ongoing costly challenges with overhead utility line clearances — a problem that an independent oversight firm has dubbed rail’s “most significant risk.” Star-Advertiser.

A new federal estimate that Honolulu rail construction could cost up to $8.1 billion — nearly $3 billion over the original budget — is forcing city officials to re-evaluate the size and scope of the largest public works project in the state’s history. Civil Beat.

John Henry Felix, longtime Oahu businessman, philanthropist and former Honolulu city councilman who once helped block rail from proceeding on Oahu during a pivotal 1992 Council vote is now poised to join the rail board. Star-Advertiser.

The state attorney general has filed criminal charges against the principal and elementary school vice principal of Myron B. Thompson Academy state charter school. Star-Advertiser.

The number of Honolulu drunk-driving arrests is down, so is the number of court cases prosecutors are initiating, and there’s another legal threat looming just months after refusing a breath test got a whole lot easier. KHON2.

Brian Ahakuelo, the embattled leader of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260, announced his retirement for the second time, telling union officials Saturday that he and his wife would step down as the parent union investigates the local’s finances. Star-Advertiser.

The retirement of a longtime Hawaii state senator has several candidates looking to win the open seat. Democrat Suzanne Chun Oakland, whose District 13 includes Liliha, Palama, Iwilei, Nuuanu and neighboring areas, already has state Rep. Karl Rhoads, a fellow Dem, in the running. Now Kim Coco Iwamoto, another Democrat, is in the race as well. Civil Beat.

Jose Fajardo, the new president and general manager of Hawaii Public Radio, says he knew from an early age that he wanted to pursue a career in radio and public broadcasting. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

It’s beginning to look a lot like an election year. With just two weeks to go before the filing period closes, 10 candidates have filed and another seven pulled nomination papers in a crowded mayoral race. West Hawaii Today.

A vacant parcel of land measuring a little more than 3 acres within the Kukio Golf and Beach Club resort community on the Big Island has been sold for $20 million, one of the highest land sales of its size ever in the state. Pacific Business News.

The Hu Honua Bioenergy company’s recent statements on its dealings with the power utility are “woefully inaccurate and misleading”, according to the Hawaii Electric Light Company president Jay Ignacio. Big Island Video News.

The family of musician Robert Keawe Lopaka Ryder, 37, who was murdered in 2013, have sued the Hawaii Police Department for allegedly allowing his identity as a confidential informant to leak out. West Hawaii Today.

Sports Authority is shutting down all of its 463 locations nationwide, including two Hawaii Island locations among eight stores across the state, as part of a liquidation process expected to span several months. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Hemp Institute for Research and Innovation hosts a nine-day Hemp Fest to promote the benefits of industrial hemp and celebrate the theme, “Grow Our Future.”  Maui Now.

Kauai

Five people were killed in a plane crash at the Port Allen Airport Monday morning. The single-engine Cessna 182H owned by Skydive Kauai had just taken off for skydive tour around 9:30 a.m. when it crashed and burned. Garden Island.

Investigators spent the day scouring the wreckage of a skydiving tour plane that crashed at the end of a runway while taking off from Kauai’s Port Allen airport Monday morning, killing all five people on board. Star-Advertiser.

Officials are investigating the cause of a fiery plane crash on the south shore of Kauai that killed all five people on board. Hawaii Public Radio.

More than 30 wedge-tailed shearwaters were found dead Sunday in the seabird colony at Spouting Horn in the Lawai area. Garden Island.

Frank VanderSloot, the billionaire founder of an Idaho-based multilevel marketing company that sells nutritional supplements, has purchased a historic 102-acre estate in Hawaii on the island of Kauai for $14.3 million. Pacific Business News.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Hawaii airports run smoothly, Kona coffee brand imperiled, city, federal officials guilty, UH mulls tuition hike, Black Friday beckons, more news

Reputation of Kona coffee is threatened. Quarantine could ruin brew's lofty status, price in industry. Tribune-Herald.

A state agriculture board approved a quarantine of Big Island green coffee beans. West Hawaii Today.

Invasive species are so pervasive in Hawaii's low-lying areas that the U.S. Forest Service says it's not cost-effective or practical to eradicate them all.  Associated Press.

A crowd of around 50 people was split about whether or not a federal permit for discharge of liquid from a Kekaha shrimp farm to the ocean should be renewed. Garden Island.

A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced to a month in jail a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee who steered an earth-moving job at the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai to a company in which he was a partner. Star-Advertiser.

Despite the national controversy over air passenger security screening, operations at Honolulu Airport went smoothly yesterday, one of the year's busiest travel days. Star-Advertiser.

Thanksgiving travelers crowded Honolulu International Airport on their way to visit friends and family, but delays many feared would be caused by tightened security and security protests did not materialize. Hawaii News Now.

The members of the Garber family are not terrorists. They don't want to crash any airliners. Tribune-Herald.

State airport and Transportation Security Administration officials reported no problems with passenger security check-ins Wednesday at Kahului Airport. Maui News.

The 25th infantry will be sending more soldiers to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. KHON2.

Abercrombie: Nonprofits Aren't Providing Case Management and Support for Veterans. Civil Beat.

Linda Lingle is in the final weeks of her job as Governor of Hawaii. KHON2.

The mother of Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, Frances Helena Lum Aiona, has died. Associated Press.

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents is entertaining the idea of a tuition hike by fall 2012, the first such action since 2005. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaiii researchers are going door-to-door to ask women from the islands to participate in a study designed find answers to childhood problems such as asthma, autism, obesity, and diabetes. The National Children’s Study is the largest long-term study of children’s health ever conducted in the United States. Hawaii Independent.

A recent study suggests that Hawaii’s mahu students are at greater risk of violence than the general student population. Honolulu Weekly.

City Councilman Rod Tam pleaded guilty yesterday to 26 misdemeanor counts of theft and falsifying documents, and for the first time admitted to overcharging the city for meals unrelated to his work as a Council member. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Councilmember Rodney H.C.G. Tam pled guilty today to two counts of Theft in the Third Degree, eleven counts of Theft in the Fourth Degree, and thirteen counts of Unsworn Falsification to Authorities. Hawaii Reporter.

After 26-years on the force with the Honolulu Police Department, Louis Kealoha says the past year as Chief has been the hardest. KHON2.

Kamehameha Schools has proposed buying a 3.4-acre city parcel in Haleiwa for educational and park purposes that businessman D.G. "Andy" Anderson wants to develop for a boutique hotel. Star-Advertiser.

The forecast looks promising for stores in Hawaii.  Hawaii News Now.

Oahu retailers said Wednesday some shoppers are hitting the malls even earlier than Black Friday. KITV4.

The Hawaii County Council has scheduled a special session for Nov. 30 to reconsider a $56 million bond issue. West Hawaii Today.

Up until a few days ago, Kaua‘i County Council Chair Bill “Kaipo” Asing said he had intended to utilize his last meeting to shed more light on the recent harassment allegations that damaged his reputation. Garden Island.

Donald Fujimoto is out as county engineer and Janine Rapozo is out as transportation director, Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Sr. announced Wednesday. Garden Island.

Molokai Farmer without a farm? Not for long. Molokai Dispatch.

The slogan "made from scratch" rings true for The Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory, which is marking its 10th anniversary. Big Island Weekly.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Honolulu welcomes lingerie choices, Hilo Hattie emerging from Chpt. 11, shipping costs come down

People identified as most vulnerable to the H1N1 flu, or swine flu, will find out soon when, where and how they can get vaccinated, state health officials say.

Pomare Ltd. dba Hilo Hattie expects to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Sunday under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Donald B.S. Kang.

About 600 people lined up for the grand opening of the first Victoria's Secret in Hawaii on Thursday.

As a result of recent declines in bunker fuel prices, Matson announced today that it is decreasing its fuel surcharge by four percentage points, from 28 to 24% for its Hawaii service, and from 29.5 to 25.5% for its Guam/CNMI and Micronesia service, effective October 4.

A Kaua‘i judge has ordered a contractor to provide 2,200 cubic yards of rock for a breach in historic Hapa Trail in Po‘ipu.

Whether you're stuck in traffic on the H-1 Freeway, or waiting in line at the grocery store, it's easy to get bogged down with life. But there's a place on the leeward coast that gets down to the basics and teaches people how to live off the 'aina.

Puna residents peppered Mayor Billy Kenoi and his Cabinet with questions Wednesday night in a wide-ranging "talk story" session.


Thanks to the rapid response and generous support of library users across the state, a portion of the donations to the "Keep Your Library Open!" campaign will be used to keep Mountain View Public and School Library open during October.

When incarceration and fines aren't the answer, judges can offer convicted offenders the chance to right their wrongs by making nonmonetary restitution through court-ordered community service.

The Maui Planning Commission voted this week to recommend a long-range plan that would set aside more than 3,000 acres for new development over the next 20 years.