Legislature begins conference committees, homeless efforts stall, few use cesspool replacement tax credit, Kauai water agreement restores stream, Maui audit shows post office demolition errors, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Legislative conference committee, courtesy Sen. J. Kalani English

The Legislature’s critical conference committee period kicked off Tuesday at the Capitol with Hawaii lawmakers making earnest statements about how they have found a lot to agree on when it comes to the state’s $28 billion budget. Civil Beat.

The traditional Hawaiian value “hookipa” prompted state lawmakers to push a resolution to make Hawaii a sanctuary state, honoring Hawaii’s history as a home to a diverse group of immigrants who dramatically shaped the island state’s economy and culture. Associated Press.

Homelessness: A Lot Of Talk But No ‘Game-Changer’ At The Legislature. Some bills are still alive, with their fate to be decided in conference committees. Civil Beat.

There's nearly 90,000 cesspools across Hawaii, and many could be polluting our groundwater. That fact prompted the state to offer tax-credits to home-owners to clean up and clear out their sewage, but very few have switched to safer septic systems. KITV.

A new poll sheds light on some of the most controversial issues facing the state, and shows opinions aren't as divided as some might think. Hawaii News Now.

The Department of Education closed out 19 employee misconduct investigations during the first three months of the year, resulting in six terminations and five resignations or retirements in lieu of termination, according to data shared Tuesday with the state school board. Star-Advertiser.

New school lunch program emphasizes fresh local fare made from scratch. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines said a shift in the wind blew it off course in February and resulted in the worst monthly on-time performance in more than a decade. Star-Advertiser.

Federal legislation to improve tsunami detection and climate forecasting, long championed by Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii, was signed into law by President Donald Trump on Tuesday. Civil Beat.

Commentary: The United Public Workers, the union which represents some 13,000 state and county blue collar workers, including about 1,200 prison guards, believes the Department of Public Safety is violating the state constitution and state law by refusing to promote prison guards into supervisory positions if they have been suspended from their jobs within the previous two years. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The Honolulu Police Commission said late this afternoon that it had received 38 applications for police chief, roughly 25 to 30 percent of them from out-of-state candidates. Star-Advertiser.

Dozens are applying to be the next chief of the embattled Honolulu Police Department. Associated Press.

Under a new lease deal, the Missouri memorial will stay in Pearl Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

As sit-lie ban expands, businesses wonder: Where will volatile homeless camp go next? Hawaii News Now.

Waimanalo Gym Closure Leaves A Town Feeling Sidelined. Residents are frustrated by the long wait to start a $3.12 million repair job on the damaged gym, which was a “safe haven” for kids. Civil Beat.

Manoa residents want their rough roads fixed, and some would rather not wait for the city to get around to fixing them. They’re offering to do the work themselves. KHON2.

Hawaiian Electric Co.’s time-of-use program, which makes energy use cheaper during the day and more expensive at night, is proving popular among retirees. Star-Advertiser.

PacRim Marketing Group, one of the largest public relations firms in Hawaii, is rebranding following its acquisition by Vector, Inc., a Tokyo-based communications firm. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Substance abuse programs, elderly transportation, domestic violence and Native Hawaiian health care took top billing Tuesday as a Hawaii County Council panel recommended disbursing $1.5 million to 85 community nonprofits. West Hawaii Today.

Kolekole Park has been closed due to lead levels in excess of safe amounts, according to Mayor Harry Kim’s office. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo Medical Center received a top grade from the nonprofit Leapfrog Group — a leading proponent of patient safety. Tribune-Herald.

Veterans troubled over newly tapped director of Hawaii VA health system. West Hawaii Today.

Moanike‘ala Akaka, longtime Hawaiian activist and advocate, former Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee and a founding mother of the renaissance of Hawaiian language and culture in the 1970s, died Saturday at Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Facility after a monthslong battle with cancer. She was 72. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A 47-page audit was released today by the Maui Office of the County Auditor on the demolition of the Old Wailuku Post Office. Maui Now.

Another 6 megawatts — enough for possibly 850 residential rooftop photovoltaic systems — will become available for hookup to the grid on Maui, according to Maui Electric Co. Maui News.

VIDEO: Support Waiehu Golf Course Rally. Maui Now.

Controlling snail and slug populations is one of the most important steps in fighting the spread of rat lungworm disease, health and agricultural experts said Monday evening during a meeting at the Haiku Community Center. Maui News.

The new California owners of the Safeway and Longs Drugs-anchored Lahaina Cannery Mall on Maui plan to spend $18 million to renovate the 15-acre mall that will include nearly doubling the size of the Safeway store, the company said Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

In a move all sides are calling historic, the Hawaii State Water Commission on Tuesday approved a mediated settlement that restores tens of millions of gallons of water a day to the Waimea River on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

In what’s being dubbed a “historic” agreement, groups representing cultural, environmental, agricultural and development interests have reached a settlement in a longstanding dispute over the diversion of millions of gallons of water on the west side of Kauai. Civil Beat.

After more than 100 years, water is being returned to the Waimea River. Garden Island.

Access and safety at Kee were among the top concerns at the Hanalei School Cafeteria on Tuesday, as community members gathered to hear updates about the Hanakapiai Bridge project and the Haena State Park Master Plan. Garden Island.

The state has cited a 39-year-old Lihue man after he allegedly tried to pry open the shell of a live Hawaiian green sea turtle using a knife and rock. Star-Advertiser.

Two gardeners said they were evicted from Kalihiwai Community Garden because they refused to sign a contract they claim didn’t match their original agreement. Garden Island.

Lanai

Larry Ellison, the billionaire co-founder of Oracle Corp. and majority owner of the Hawaiian Island of Lanai, is looking for someone to run the operations of the 21 resort residential properties he purchased three years ago near the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay. Pacific Business News.

Federal Transit Administration extends Honolulu rail finance deadline, Big Island Democrats mull transparency rule changes, workers comp revamp sought, Kauai electric rates fall, Maui leaders join administration, Abe not the first to visit Pearl Harbor,more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Red ohia blooms front Maua Kea this week, Facebook photo

The snowfall is returning to the summits of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea on the Big Island.Hawaii News Now.

Shipping ʻōhiʻa plants and plant parts from Hawaii Island is now illegal on a permanent basis, thanks to new administrative rules drawn up to prevent Rapid ‘Ōhi’a Death from spreading across the state. Big Island Video News.

Shipping ohia from the Big Island is now forever banned. Civil Beat.

Delays, Denials Plague Hawaii’s Program To Help Injured Workers. The state is trying to streamline its workers’ compensation system, but critics say wholesale changes are needed. Civil Beat.

Tuna Commission’s ‘Glacial’ Pace Suits Some In Industry Just Fine. Diverse interests always seem to stymie a global organization charged with saving bluefin and bigeye tuna from overfishing. Civil Beat.

A report has been delivered to the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources from a group of experts and organizations with interest in establishing non-commercial fishing licenses in Hawaii. Garden Island.

Not the first: Abe predecessor visited Pearl Harbor in 1951. Associated Press.

The faithful turned out in droves Wednesday to remember Pearl Harbor and the men who valiantly tried to defend it on Dec. 7, 1941, three-quarters of a century ago. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii remembers 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack: Slideshow Pacific Business News.

Oahu

The rail system’s federal partners have again extended the deadline for the city’s crucial rail “recovery” plan, giving local leaders four more months to deal with daunting budget problems but not as much time as they’d hoped. Star-Advertiser.

The Federal Transit Administration has given Honolulu’s troubled rail project until the end of April to submit a plan for how it plans to bridge a shortfall likely to approach $2 billion. Civil Beat.

The Federal Transit Administration has extended the deadline for the Honolulu rail project’s recovery plan, but did not give the agency overseeing construction of the multibillion-dollar project as much time as it requested. Pacific Business News.

In a letter sent to Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, the Federal Transit Administration said it’s giving the city a four-month extension to secure more funding for the cash-strapped Honolulu rail project. Hawaii News Now.

The seven-member Honolulu Police Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to make hotel executive Max Sword the chairman of the closely watched panel effective Jan. 1. Star-Advertiser.

A state board is taking more time before deciding whether to approve another condominium high-rise at Ward Village after receiving lots of public testimony for and against the project. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

New rules are being proposed by Hawaii County Democratic Party officials to select candidates to fill legislative vacancies, after a text message between district officers showed the outcome prior to Saturday’s vote of candidates for the House seat vacated by the death of Rep. Clift Tsuji. West Hawaii Today.

Mayor Harry Kim has one more major hire to make as he fills out his administration. Ed Teixeira, who started as interim Civil Defense administrator last May, retired Monday, leaving the administrative position vacant for the time being. Tribune-Herald.

It took about a year of arguing with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, but we finally got our hands on Ethan Ferguson’s job application. Ferguson is the DLNR officer accused of sexually assaulting a teenager on the Big Island.  Civil Beat.

Food safety rule amendments that will require every restaurant to have at least one certified food handler per shift, among other changes, will be the subject of a public hearing from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. today at the West Hawaii Civic Center. West Hawaii Today.

The leasehold Pagoda Hilo Bay Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii, known for years as Uncle Billy's Hilo Bay Hotel, could be demolished and be redeveloped into a Hilton Garden Inn under a plan by the owner of the nearby DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Naniloa Hotel, Pacific Business News has learned.

Maui

Familiar faces in Maui County government, including two outgoing council members, are joining Mayor Alan Arakawa’s administration as vacancies open up in some key positions. Maui News.

A dispute over water rights that dominated the last legislative session is expected to continue Friday at a Board of Land and Natural Resources hearing. Civil Beat.

Kauai

The Public Works/Parks and Recreation Committee unanimously approved a bill Wednesday that would allow the sale of alcohol at Wailua Golf Course. Garden Island.

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative's rates for its members have fallen by 18 percent since 2008, the Lihue-based cooperative said Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

Hanalei Watershed Hui is accepting applications from Hanalei residential property owners interested in a funding subsidy to replace aging cesspools with updated waste water systems. Garden Island.

The last of the 20 Hawaiian Petrels brought into the 7.8-acre Nihoku colony this fall fledged, flying safely out to sea Wednesday on Kauai. Garden Island.

The first real estate component of the 450-acre Hokuala Resort master-planned oceanfront community on the site of the former Kauai Lagoons project in Lihue is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2017. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu rail, other votes could be invalidated in City Council gift ethics probe, med fly wasp to be released, 21 state employees fined for accepting free rounds of golf, search on for 1,400 special ed students due aid, Maui growing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki beach © 2014 All Hawaii News

Although visitor arrivals in August declined slightly and spending was flat against the same month last year, year-to-date results for Hawaii's visitor industry continue to surpass last year's records. Star-Advertiser.

Twenty-one state employees have agreed to pay a combined $16,500 in fines for accepting free rounds of golf from private contractors, consultants and vendors, according to a settlement with the Hawaii State Ethics Commission. The resolution issued Monday by the commission does not name any of the state employees, instead only identifying them by department and position. Civil Beat.

A tiny wasp that attacks harmful Mediterranean fruit flies could be released in Hawaii. The University of Hawaii has applied to a state agency for permission to release wasps to attack the pest also known as "medflies" that cause millions of dollars in damage to crops. Associated Press.

National Dems Play the Democrat Card for David Ige. The Democratic Governors Association TV spot counters a previous Republican Governors Association spot on behalf of James Duke Aiona. Civil Beat.

A federal judge has ruled that some 1,800 special-education students who did not earn a high school diploma before they aged out of Hawaii's public school system at 20 years old are entitled to free educational services to make up for the two years they were denied schooling as allowed under U.S. law. Star-Advertiser.

More than 1,400 former special needs students are being sought out by the Department of Education. KITV4.

Hawaii is the only state that isn’t broken up by multiple school districts. That means Hawaii — whose population of roughly 1.4 million people makes it the 11th smallest state —  actually encompasses one of the largest school districts in the country. Civil Beat.

Opinion: Hawaii’s candidates for governor and the 1st Congressional District may be too squeaky clean and Boy Scout-ish for any dirt to emerge about them in the upcoming election. Civil Beat.

State roundup for Sept. 30. Associated Press.

Oahu

Key votes on the city rail transit project and other issues might be invalidated because Honolulu City Council members failed to disclose conflicts of interest after being wined and dined by lobbyists. Hawaii News Now.

State Rep. Romy Cachola says former colleagues on the Honolulu City Council accepted the same meals that Ethics Commission staff accuse him of taking illegally. And if that's the case, Cachola says, their actions collectively could call into question the legality of some crucial decisions the Council has made, including ones that cleared the way for the city's $5.26 billion rail project. Star-Advertiser.

Just days after word emerged that state Rep. Romy Cachola had agreed to pay a $50,000 fine over dozens of alleged ethics violations relating to gifts and transportation expenses when he was on the Honolulu City Council, he took aim at former colleagues, arguing that they engaged in similar behavior. Civil Beat.

Ethics violations cast doubt over City Council’s integrity. After an investigation into alleged ethics violations, State Rep. and former City Councilmember Romy Cachola has been ordered to pay a $50,000 fine. Hawaii Independent.

City Ethics Commission widens illegal gift probe. Hawaii News Now.

Former Honolulu City Council member Romy Cachola is paying a big fine over alleged ethics violations. Now, the Honolulu Ethics Commission is investigating several other current and former city council members after Cachola said he’s not the only one who should be in the hot seat. KHON2.

About two dozen city ground maintenance workers are expected to attend Tuesday's initial training session on how to spot and eradicate invasive fire ants and coconut rhinoceros beetles. Star-Advertiser.

Food safety placards are putting the pressure on Hawaii restaurant owners. Hawaii News Now.

The state Department of Health has fined the owners of Iyo Udon restaurant at Ala Moana Center $11,000 for intentionally removing a yellow "conditional pass" placard and for food safety violations during a health inspection. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The leading edge of the Puna lava flow has not advanced since Sunday morning, but the northern edge of the flow front is active and the breakout upslope has progressed forward another 100 yards -- according to a flyover by Hawai‘i County Civil Defense officials Monday morning. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island Civil Defense officials long ago gave up on the idea of trying to halt a river of 2,100-degree molten lava heading along a path of destruction toward Pahoa. But they're certainly listening to ideas coming out of the lower Puna district about how to get both people and supplies in and out if 8,500 residents get trapped behind the lava spewing from Kilauea Volcano. Star-Advertiser.

Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille thinks she may have found the way to eliminate fraudulent use of the homeowner property tax exemption. Wille, who has been serving on the county’s Real Property Tax Task Force, is proposing that the credit only be available for people who file a Hawaii state income tax return listing themselves as full-year residents of the island. West Hawaii Today.

The Village Green Society and Hawaii’s Volcano Circus will be fined $53,743 for building illegal structures on state land and removing protected trees. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources approved the fines Friday after an investigation found several structures on state land adjacent to VGS’ Bellyacres community in Kalapana Seaview Estates. Tribune-Herald.

Kale Gumapac, who has challenged the legitimacy of land titles in the state, plans to make his case for Hawaiian sovereignty at a court hearing in November. Tribune-Herald.

Despite Tropical Storm Iselle and the current threat of the June 27 lava flow, Hawaii Island is expected to continue its recovery from the Great Recession in the coming year, according to economist Dr. Jack Suyderhoud. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A bill to create agricultural conservation lots in Maui County will be heard Tuesday afternoon by the Maui County Council's Economic Development, Energy, Agriculture and Recreation Committee. Maui News.

A U.S. Census report last week put Maui County’s estimated population at 160,195 for 2013, up 3 percent from 2010, and offered a socio-economic view of Maui County residents. Associated Press.

Maui experienced the largest growth in visitor spending for first eight months of 2014, reaching $2.8 billion, according to new data released by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Maui Now.

Cynthia Reeves began her new job as Maui County administrator for the University of Hawaii-Manoa's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources last week, UH announced Friday. Maui News.

Kauai

The outbreak of black band coral disease on Kauai’s North Shore and a controversial biologist documenting it will be subjects of a documentary style reality TV series. Garden Island.

Hawaii-based Manu Kai LLC has been awarded a $74.3 million contract under a previously awarded contract to provide range operations support and base operations support at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai for another year. Pacific Business News.

The Kauai Board of Realtors and the Hawaii Association of Realtors are opposing revisions to wastewater regulations being proposed by the Department of Health. A public meeting on cesspool, septic system and other wastewater related regulations is scheduled at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Kauai District Health Office. Garden Island.

Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is the likely buyer of a 357-acre beachfront estate on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai’s North Shore, according to a source close to the situation. Pacific Business News.

Chicken causes major power outage. Garden Island.