Showing posts with label sex trafficking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sex trafficking. Show all posts

Friday, August 4, 2023

FBI rescues 11 potentially trafficked children in Hawaii, Mauna Kea telescope suspends operations after cyberattack, Hurricane Dora now a Category 4, no AC for many Hawaii classrooms as school year begins, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

FBI recovers 11 missing children in Hawaiʻi, rescues 200 victims of sex trafficking nationwide. The Federal Bureau of Investigation recently announced the results of "Operation Cross Country," a nationwide sweep targeting sex traffickers. The effort involved local police departments, non-profit groups and more. Hawaii Public Radio.

New Hawaii BOE Chairman Brings Corporate Expertise To The Table. Veteran businessman Warren Haruki says he accepted the position to help students in the public school system. Civil Beat.

Thousands of Hawaii classrooms still need air conditioning. As students get ready for the new school year, the state’s Department of Education facilities staff are busy making updates to campuses across the state; but the DOE is still ways away from reaching its goal of installing air conditioning units in the majority of public school classrooms. KHON2.

Increase in Hawaii COVID cases points to late-summer wave. The state Department of Health on Wednesday reported a seven-day daily average of 115 new cases, reaching triple digits for the first time since mid-May. The average positivity rate was about 12% statewide, roughly double what it was in mid-May. Star-Advertiser.

Dora strengthens to Category 4 hurricane. Dora, located about 2,050 miles east of the Big Island, is moving west at 18 mph and this general motion is expected to continue during the next several days. Dora’s winds have decreased to near 130 mph with higher gusts. Star-Advertiser.

Enhanced security screening at the Hawaii State Capitol has been delayed again due to electrical and installation requirements, the state announced Wednesday.  Maui News.

Hawaiian Airlines announces route suspensions amid recalled engine inspections.  Hawaiian Airlines announced Thursday it will be altering its flight schedule for the next couple months after some of its engines have been recalled for inspections. Hawaii News Now.

Second Pasha ship powered by natural gas now serving Hawaii
. Hawaii is now being regularly supplied with goods delivered on two cargo ships powered by natural gas instead of higher­-emissions fuel. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Fundraising For Mayor’s 2024 Campaign Is Off To A Slow Start. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has close to $600,000 in his war chest with just over a year to go until the next election, according to his most recent disclosure to the state Campaign Spending Commission.  Civil Beat.

Honolulu Rail Is Still Waiting For The Feds To Release Large Chunks of Money. HART had hoped $125 million would quickly be released last year to help fund the $10 billion project but now expects that money won't arrive until December. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Liquor Commission Selects New Administrator. The Honolulu Liquor Commission voted in Sal Petilos as its new administrator Thursday. Petilos had originally been nominated to join the commission itself, but the nomination was deferred because he did not meet the state requirement that county liquor commissioners must have lived in the county for the last three years. Civil Beat.

Waikiki Community Center matching savings to help residents.  The Waikiki Community Center over the next three years will provide a dollar-for-­dollar savings account match for low-income kupuna and financially struggling working families who earn too much to qualify for traditional aid programs like food stamps. Star-Advertiser.

No longer hidden from view, homeless encampment in Kalihi draws concern. DeCorte Neighborhood Park is hidden in the Kalihi Valley neighborhood, which means a homeless encampment there has been allowed to grow. At a meeting at the park Thursday evening, residents aired their concerns and frustrations about that encampment — and the people it has attracted. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Mauna Kea telescope suspends operations following attempted cyber attack. A Mauna Kea telescope has paused operations after an attempted cyber attack threatened its computer systems on Wednesday. The telescope — known as the Gemini North — had its system immediately shut down following the attempted attack, The National Science Foundation said. Hawaii News Now.

Long-awaited draft EA puts county one step closer to reopening Puna roads cut off by lava.  Nearly five years after the end of the 2018 Kilauea eruption, a long-delayed environmental report about the reopening of Pohoiki Road and other lower Puna roads inundated by lava finally was published Thursday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Kohala Swimming Pool to reopen this month after being closed nearly 2 years.  After being closed for almost 2 years because of numerous system failures in the pump room, the Kohala Swimming Pool at Kamehameha Park in Kapaʻau will reopen Aug. 12. Big Island Now.

Honokohau Harbor drainage project begins.  Work began Monday at Honokohau Small Boat Harbor on the boat wash down area to improve drainage. West Hawaii Today.

Food Basket clears part of Hilo site that will house ag campus.
  The Hawaii Island Food Basket has started clearing a portion of its 24.5 acres of land meant for an agricultural innovation campus in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Maui


1st phase of Liloa extension could be ready in 2027. County recently received $25M in federal funding for project. Maui County officials anticipate that by 2027, the first phase of a north segment of the long-awaited Liloa Drive extension — which aims to provide an alternative to busy Piilani Highway and South Kihei Road — will be operational in Kihei.  Maui News.

Senate WAM Committee delves into priorities during recent site visit to Maui and Molokaʻi.  The schedule featured vigorous discussions that gave Senators an opportunity to convene Cabinet members and private sector leaders to learn more about the status of critical and urgent statewide and regional initiatives, according to a Hawaiʻi State Senate recap.  Maui Now.

Kauai

June home sales highest of year on Kaua‘i. Single-family home sales on Kaua‘i hit the highest level of the year in June, marking a rare bright spot for a housing market struggling to rightsize itself in the post-pandemic era. Garden Island.

Disaster relief effort aims to help Philippines.  Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami and other county employees joined leaders of the Filipino community, including the Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center, in soliciting relief funds to help the Filipino people that were impacted when Super Typhoon Egay impacted Northern Luzon on July 23. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall auditorium closed through first week of September.  The Department of Parks and Recreation is announcing that the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall auditorium is estimated to be closed through the first week of September due to construction. Kauai Now.

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Tourist reservations required for Diamond Head, Hawaii has nation's highest hotel rates, Hawaii CEO pay rises 20%, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2022 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Atop Diamond Head ©2022 All Hawaii News
Diamond Head to require reservations for tourists. As part of efforts to reduce congestion and visitor impacts at the iconic Diamond Head State Monument, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources will require out-of-state residents to make reservations to visit the popular site starting May 12. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Proposal for $300 tax rebate still alive in Legislature. A potential $300 tax rebate for most Hawaii taxpayers faces one final hurdle in the state Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

New contracts give most Hawaii public union workers pay raises. At least 12 of the 15 collective bargaining units representing state and county workers in Hawaii have ratified contracts, according to information from the unions involved. Star-Advertiser.

The average childcare worker makes about $12 an hour. This bill aims to change that. State lawmakers are close to passing two measures aimed to addressing the shortage of qualified childcare workers. Hawaii News Now.

In another sign of economic rebound, average Hawaii CEO pay rose 20% last year. A Hawaii News Now review of company proxy statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission shows that the top executives of Hawaii’s largest publicly traded companies received an average pay increase of more than $750,000 in 2021. Their average take-home pay: $4.5 million. Hawaii News Now.

Ige’s Education Board Nominees Are A Step Closer To Confirmation. The full Senate must still vote to approve the two incumbents and three new members for a three year term. Civil Beat.

Bill to provide free period products at public schools advances.
Senate Bill 2821 would require the department of education and charter school commission to provide products such as tampons and pads at all school campuses. Members of the senate and house education committees met Friday to discuss a final version of the bill. Hawaii Public Radio.

Legislation would give landlords the OK to question tenants about assistance animals. Landlords and other property managers would be allowed to question the validity of assistance animals under a new bill passed by the state House and Senate on April 21. This would include therapy, comfort and other emotional support animals. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii’s Prison Oversight Commission Finally Gets A Staffer — 3 Years Later.
The lack of staff has effectively hobbled the work of the Hawaii Correctional Systems Oversight Commission. Civil Beat.

Waters: Hawaii Needs Congressional Rep In It For the Long Run. As one-term U.S. Rep Kai Kahele weighs a run for governor, Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters said Hawaii deserves a federal representative who will live and work in Washington, D.C. for the next 20 years. Civil Beat.

Alaska Airlines to suspend Anchorage-Hawaii nonstop flights during summer, fall. Alaska Airlines says its canceling nonstop flights between Anchorage and Honolulu during the summer and fall, primarily because of limited staffing. Associated Press.

Cruise ship on Hawaii-San Francisco trip suffers COVID-19 outbreak. The San Francisco Department of Public Health confirmed there were 143 passengers aboard the Ruby Princess cruise ship who tested positive for the coronavirus during a round trip from San Francisco to Hawaii and back that ended April 11. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii hotels fetched nation’s highest daily rates in March. The occupancy rate at Hawaii hotels in March was fifth best among the nation’s top tourism markets for the first quarter in a strong rebound from 2021’s pandemic-­related downturn. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

HART board chair confident rail will get to Ala Moana. Colleen Hanabusa, chair of the Board of Directors for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, said she still believed the train will ultimately run to Ala Moana Center and possibly even the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Hawaii Public Radio.

Another HPD commander prepares to leave as search for police chief drags on. There’s another major leadership change at the Honolulu Police Department as the search for a new chief drags on and crime is on the rise. The department’s third-in-command, acting Deputy Chief Lisa Mann, will retire June 1. Hawaii News Now.

With water restrictions possible, BWS eyes worsening drought with concern. With three public water wells shut down because of the Navy’s tainted water crisis, water restrictions this summer are a real possibility. And on Monday, Board of Water Supply members learned the weather is making the situation worse. Hawaii News Now.

Makiki man is convicted of trafficking underage girls. Marquis Green, who was 30 at the time of his crimes and claimed a Makiki address, was found guilty of two counts of sex trafficking, one count of first-degree sexual assault and one count of misdemeanor assault for trafficking a 15-year-old local girl in Waikiki in 2013, charging $150 per half-hour or $200 per hourlong encounter, according to court documents. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Amid progress in Chinatown, mayor hopes to focus revitalization efforts in Waikiki. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi says the city is making progress in its effort to revitalize Chinatown ― and he’s hoping to turn his sights on Waikiki next. Hawaii News Now.

Schofield Barracks soldiers helped shape new Army policies for parents. Two Schofield Barracks soldiers played a key role in crafting reforms in how the Army handles pregnant soldiers and new parents. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island


Affordable housing measures advance to council. A pair of bills moving through the County Council will carve out 1% of property tax revenues each year and dedicate the money to an expanded range of programs to increase affordable housing. West Hawaii Today.

County, mayor sued over Waipi‘o road closure. A community organization has filed a lawsuit against the county, Mayor Mitch Roth and Public Works Director Ikaika Rodenhurst, alleging the closure of Waipi‘o Valley Road to all but a handful of people is unlawful. Tribune-Herald.

Maui


Thousands Of Houses Are Empty On Maui.
Would Higher Taxes Change That?. An estimated 15,000 housing units — about 1 in 5 throughout all of Maui County — are vacant, according to 2020 census estimates. Civil Beat.

Maui lawmakers propose restrictions on vans, campers tourists are renting as lodging. There's a growing trend on Maui -- people are leasing out cars and campers for visitors to stay in. KITV4.

Major police bust on Maui fuels concerns about use of ‘ghost guns’.
The Maui Police Department’s Crime Reduction Unit and its Special Response Team raided a home in Kihei on Thursday morning and found crystal meth, fentanyl, heroine and other illegal drugs. They also discovered a 3D printer and parts needed to make ghost guns. Hawaii News Now.

409 citations, 41 warnings, and 2 arrests during MPD distracted driving campaign. The Maui Police Department’s Traffic Division issued a total of 195 citations for use of a mobile electronic device while driving during the department’s distracted driving awareness campaign last week. Maui Now.

Kauai

Plan approved for Wi-Fi in parks. The County Council unanimously approved a request to receive and expend $50,000 in state funds for a program providing 24/7 public internet access at seven parks throughout the island. Garden Island.


Monday, February 14, 2022

Blinken outlines Hawaii's strategic importance, corruption a big issue in state Legislature, affordable housing plan not so affordable, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a joint press availability with South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi following their meeting in Honolulu, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. PC:Kevin Lamarque/Pool Reuters

Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Japanese and South Korean counterparts in Hawaii. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met his Japanese and South Korean counterparts Saturday in Hawaii to discuss the threat posed by nuclear-armed North Korea after Pyongyang began the year with a series of missile tests. Associated Press. Civil Beat.

Why Russia has its eye on Hawaii. While American policymakers have been vocal about wanting to keep an eye on China’s growing presence in the Pacific, over the last year it’s been Russia’s military operating most overtly near Hawaii — the nerve center for American military operations in the region. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Senate Wants To Beef Up Corruption Fighting Unit. Lawmakers are also considering reopening the State Capitol. Hawaii lawmakers want to create two new divisions in the state Attorney General’s Office that would be responsible for investigating fraud and political corruption as well as sex trafficking. Civil Beat.

Legislation would help victims exit sex trade with $2,000 per month. Victims of sex trafficking in Hawaii would receive $2,000 a month to leave the life in what proponents call the first pilot project of its kind through a bill in the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Gambling measure moves forward: HB 1962 would fund revenue, health study on possible DHHL casino. A bill that would require the Department of Hawaiian Homelands to study potential revenue generation as well as public health and safety concerns arising from “limited casino gaming” on DHHL lands is moving through the state Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

Lawmaker introduces bill to legalize online sports gambling in Hawaii.
Sports gambling is sweeping the nation. It’s now legal in some form in 31 states and the District of Columbia after becoming federally legal in 2018. Hawaii and Utah now remain the only two states that outlaw all gambling. KHON2.

‘The fireworks problem is a multifaceted problem’: State measures include increased fines, permit costs. Five of seven fireworks bills introduced by the state House of Representatives this session cleared their initial committee hurdle, with amendments, while two were shelved. Tribune-Herald.

Should Hawaii Counties Be Allowed To Require Fire Sprinklers In New Homes? It’s illegal for counties to require fire sprinklers in single-family homes and duplexes in Hawaii. A new draft law would change that. Civil Beat.

Electric, zero-emission vehicle bills in Legislature. Several bills have been introduced in the state Legislature this year to stimulate the adoption of electric and zero-emission vehicles and the development of electric and zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. Tribune-Herald.

Widespread corruption begins with small, illegal behavior.
Unethical and criminal behavior from people in positions of trust in most cases begins simply enough. Star-Advertiser.

New stain at Hawaii Legislature could be its worst.
If Hawaii’s state Capitol had a hall of shame for legislators, J. Kalani English and Ty J.K. Cullen could be its headliners with the biggest fallen stars. Star-Advertiser.

Legislative committee pursuing investigation against state Rep. Sharon Har. A special House committee has decided to continue investigating whether state representative Sharon Har should face legislative sanctions for her drunken driving arrest nearly a year ago. KITV4.

Hawaii residents share their struggles with long COVID-19. The Queen’s Medical Center and the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine are collaborating on a study to determine why some people in Hawaii develop chronic symptoms, part of a national initiative funded by Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery, or RECOVER. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii records 4 new coronavirus-related deaths, 532 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count includes 287 new cases on Oahu, 64 on Hawaii Island, 82 on Maui, 62 on Kauai, three on Molokai, six on Lanai and 28 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Proposal for Hawaii to build and sell leasehold condos judged unfeasible.
A big, unconventional idea to end Oahu’s affordable-housing shortage at no long-term public expense has been diminished at the Legislature after three years of effort. Star-Advertiser.

Red Hill’s Firefighting System Was Damaged Long Before Contamination Crisis. The system would deploy water automatically in case of a fire at the Navy’s fuel facility, but firefighting foam would have to be turned on manually, a spokeswoman said. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Roth considering charging tourists to visit beach parks, zoo. Charging tourists to visit county beach parks and the zoo is being considered as a potential way to help pay for facilities, Mayor Mitch Roth said. West Hawaii Today.

Isle transition to electric vehicles slow. The Big Island has a long way to go before all its vehicles are fully electric. Tribune-Herald.

Acting HR Director Leopoldino named to permanent post
. Acting Human Resources Director Waylen Leopoldino was awarded the permanent position on Friday, eight months after he assumed the acting role when the former director retired. West Hawaii Today.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park plans restoration of summit facilities. Nearly four years after earthquakes from the 2018 Kilauea eruption crippled buildings and roads at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the National Park Serv­ice is proposing a multimillion-dollar plan to rebuild the park’s summit region. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Commission mulls pay hike for police chief.
Maui County Salary Commission members questioned whether any salary increases for county department heads, including the police chief, would take away money from other programs, as the commission continues reviewing salaries for county directors and deputies. Maui News.

MEO to start drug, suicide, bullying prevention with youth on Molokaʻi
. Kāohi mirrors MEO Youth Services’ evidence-based prevention curriculum on Maui, and is expected to get underway soon when a program coordinator is on board. Maui Now.

Kauai

CC&R bill continues through Kaua‘i County Council. County lawmakers are pushing legislation that would prevent new housing developments from locking out lower-income families through strict covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs), which often exceed the county’s own zoning ordinances. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi taro farmers spearhead a measure to streamline the water lease process for loʻi kalo. Hawaiʻi lawmakers are considering streamlining the process for taro farmers looking to secure freshwater for their crops — a complex and time-consuming task that often requires a lawyer. Hawaii Public Radio.



Friday, November 19, 2021

Most Hawaii lower-grade students a year behind, woman indicted in church sex trafficking ring, USS Daniel Inouye reaches Pearl Harbor home port, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2021 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaii schoolchildren pre-COVID ©2021 All Hawaii News

Most Hawaii elementary and middle schoolers are at least one grade level behind, testing shows. An analysis of fall testing data indicates that three-quarters of Hawaii’s public school students in first through eighth grades were at least one or two grade levels behind in math after the first quarter of the 2021-22 school year while two-thirds were also behind in English language arts. Star-Advertiser.

Slight increase in Japanese visitors after eased restrictions, but obstacles remain. According to daily visitor counts from the state, 720 Japanese visitors traveled to the state in the week after restrictions were lifted — fewer visitors than the previous seven days. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s unemployment rate drops to 6.3% in October. Hawaii’s unemployment rate fell to a seasonally adjusted 6.3% last month compared to 6.6% in September, the state said Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Native Hawaiian trailblazer Suzanne Vares-Lum named East-West Center president. The East-West Center Board of Governors announced today that it has selected Suzanne Vares-Lum to serve as the institution’s next president. Vares-Lum will be both the first Native Hawaiian and the first woman to hold the position. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii records 7 new coronavirus-related deaths, 226 additional infections.
The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 116 new cases on Oahu, 57 on Hawaii Island, 22 on Maui, 21 on Kauai, and 10 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

USS Daniel Inouye reaches home port at Pearl Harbor.
The U.S. Navy’s newest warship, the USS Daniel Inouye, arrived Thursday at its home port at Pearl Harbor. The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer is named for the late Hawaii senator and war hero. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Oahu’s short-term rental rule decision likely to extend an additional 4 months.
Holiday scheduling delays at the Honolulu City Council mean owners of short-term rental properties will likely have to wait longer for a decision on new rules that would extend the minimum stay for guests from 30 days to 180 days. Star-Advertiser.

Up to 50% of a new hotel tax fund could go to the Honolulu rail — which has an estimated cost of $11.4B. A Honolulu City Council committee Wednesday agreed to allocate between one-third to one-half of revenues from a proposed visitor bed tax to the city’s rail transit project. Hawaii Public Radio.

Army Corps of Engineers, city try again on Ala Wai flood control — this time with more modest goals. Officials are now looking to protect the area from more frequent storms, not just a once in a century flood. Hawaii News Now.

State seeking to sell Waianae rental complex. Board members of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. unanimously approved a plan Thursday to sell the 72-unit project called Kulia I Ka Nuu with a land lease. Star-Advertiser.

Why It’s So Hard For Homeless People To Collect Seized Belongings On Oahu. Civil rights advocates say the storage warehouse is too hard to reach and homeless people should be allowed to keep possessions needed to survive. Civil Beat.

Man, 27, arrested for allegedly punching security guard, 71, over mask dispute. Honolulu police arrested a 27-year-old man after he allegedly punched a 71-year-old security guard who attempted to escort him out of a COVID-19 testing site area in Waikiki following a mask dispute. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Kapolei woman, 50, indicted in connection with alleged church sex trafficking operation. A superseding indictment unsealed in California today charged the founder and administrators of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name (KOJC) with running a sex trafficking operation that threatened girls and women with “eternal damnation” if they did not have sex with the church’s leader, Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, who was referred to as “The Appointed Son of God,” according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

No Big Island hotel tax exemption. Big Island residents will not be exempt from a proposed extra 3% tax on hotel, timeshare and transient vacation rental charges, despite efforts from County Council members. Tribune-Herald.

Tour van burns on Mauna Kea; 9 escape after smelling smoke while driving. The driver and eight passengers of a tour van heading to the summit of Mauna Kea on Nov. 9 had to evacuate the vehicle after it caught fire and was eventually engulfed in flames. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Maui

New chief picks deputy from Las Vegas. Residency requirements to be waived; county to cover moving expenses for incoming chief. Incoming Maui Police Chief John Pelletier has chosen a fellow colleague of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to be his second in command. Maui News.

$3 million federal grant to help replace Kaupakalua Bridge. Structure was washed out in March, forcing residents to drive farther for services. Maui News.

2 nene geese on Maui killed by cars near Kahului Airport. State wildlife officials are urging motorists to slow down and drive with aloha after a bonded nene pair — a male and female — were struck and killed Tuesday near Kahului Airport on Maui. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KHON2.

Partial Humpback Whale Birth Off Maui, Detailed in Scientific Publication. Underwater footage captured by author Deborah Patton’s GoPro on Feb. 3, 2020 reveal an in-process birth with two male escorts surrounding the mother in labor after approaching a whale watching boat operated by Captain Steve’s Rafting Adventures in Lahaina. Maui Now.

Kauai

Solid Waste Management Plan adoption delayed. The Kaua‘i County Council deferred the adoption of the 2021 Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan on Wednesday, citing the need for further discussion. Garden Island.

Kamalani Inclusive Playground construction begins. Construction on the county’s new Kamalani Inclusive Playground began this week, according to the county Department of Parks and Recreation. The playground is designed for keiki with developmental disabilities. Garden Island.

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Ige may veto 28 bills, Green pushes for COVID travel clarity, Russian warships come within 30 miles of Hawaii, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige talks about veto list Monday PC:Governor's Office

Gov. David Ige to veto budget, teacher bonuses. Gov. David Ige announced Monday his intention to veto up to 28 bills passed by the legislature this year, including the state budget, teacher bonuses and a requirement to disclose the name of public schools with COVID-19 cases. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Local-option TAT among 28 bills Ige may veto.
Gov. David Ige has included on his list of 28 legislative measures for possible veto a bill taking away the counties’ share of the tax on hotel rooms and short-term rentals. West Hawaii Today. Star-Advertiser.

Green wants COVID rules for U.S. visitors updated before July 4 to avoid ‘chaos’. Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green is urging the state to commit to dropping its COVID-19 testing and quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated mainland visitors ahead of the Fourth of July weekend to avoid “chaos at the airports.” Star-Advertiser.

North American travelers lift state’s hotel occupancy. Travel demand from North American travelers is bolstering Hawaii’s travel industry, but the absence of international travelers is still hampering recovery for some members. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Domestic business improves for Hawaiian Airlines, but international travel still grounded. During a livestreamed interview Monday, Hawaiian Airlines CEO Peter Ingram said the number of people traveling to Hawaii is returning to normal and has, in some cases, even surpassed pre-pandemic rates. Tribune-Herald.

Advocates Concerned About Hawai‘i's Decline in Child Well-Being Ranking. Hawaiʻi children are falling behind—that's according to the latest Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a report highlighting the well-being of children across the country. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Child sex trafficking appears to be on the rise in Hawaii. The demand for support services for children involved in sex trafficking or those in danger of exploitation has quadrupled during the pandemic. KITV4.

Military: Russian ships came within 30 nautical miles of Hawaii during exercise. Russian naval exercise ends as spy ship remains in Hawaii area. A Russian naval and air exercise off Hawaii that Moscow said was its largest drills in the Pacific since the end of the Cold War and involved surface ships, anti-submarine aircraft and long-range bombers, has ended, but a Russian spy ship remains in the Hawaii operating area, according to a variety of sources. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Daily Virus Average Drops to Lowest Total This Year
. The state’s two-week average is 39 new cases daily, with a test positivity rate of 1.1%. Big Island Now.

June 21, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 14 Cases; State Vaccination Rate Now 57%. The confirmed cases included: two on Hawai‘i Island (-1 probable); 11 on O‘ahu (+1 probable); Kaua‘i (-1 probable); and two in a Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state. Maui Now.

Oahu

State slaps TheBus with big fine for not properly training workers on COVID cleaning sprays. The state Occupational Safety and Health branch has fined TheBus more than $26,000 for not properly training workers who used coronavirus cleaning sprays. Hawaii News Now.

New beach could come to Waikiki as part of improvement and maintenance proposal. Behind the Halekulani Hotel and Sheraton Waikiki there could be a new beach coming in a few years. It’s all a part of the Department of Land and Natural Resource’s proposed Waikiki beach improvement and maintenance program. KHON2.

Meeting to address plan for Makaha Beach bridges. Following public opposition to replacing two eroded, 1937 wooden bridges on Farrington Highway at Makaha Beach with concrete bridges, and adding a temporary bypass road across the beach closer to the sea, the Hawaii Department of Transportation has modified its plan. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu Veterans Bid Emotional Farewell To Coast Guard Ship Getting ‘New Life’ In Vietnam. The ship’s public decommissioning ceremony was called off due to COVID-19 last year, but it made a port call in Honolulu last week. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Staff, inmates describe deplorable conditions in Hilo jail. Staff and inmates at a Hilo jail that has been jolted by a major COVID outbreak have described harrowing conditions inside the facility, including cramped conditions that reek of human waste and a complete breakdown of safety protocols in statements taken as part of an ongoing class action lawsuit filed against the state and Hawaii Department of Public Safety alleging a gross failure to protect inmates from the coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

Waipiʻo Valley To Close To Non-Residents July 4th Weekend. Guards will be positioned at the top of the road throughout the weekend to ensure compliance, a County news release stated. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Brown Water Advisory Issued For Kona Shoreline. The public is advised to stay out of flood waters and storm water runoff following recent heavy rains in the area. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Tourists Are Back In Force On Hana Highway. Why Not Charge Them? It would be a simple solution to help reduce neighbor-island traffic — and make life better for the locals there, a UH economist says. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Maui County Hotels Doing Better in May 2021 than May 2019 in Two Categories. Maui County hotels have rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic to the point that revenue per available room in May 2021 was at $314, 19% higher than at same time in 2019 — and the average daily rate was at $467, 35.3% higher than in May 2019, according to the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority’s latest report on hotel performance. Maui Now.

Kauai

Waimea 400 parcel discussion continues. The County of Kaua‘i Planning Department hosted its second Waimea 400 Master Plan conceptual alternatives community meeting virtually Thursday. Garden Island.


Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Interisland travel reopens, Honolulu patches economic stimulus package, mayor says call 911 on shoppers not wearing masks, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy Hawaii Department of Transportation
Honolulu airport PC: Hawaii Department of Transportation
Lifting of interisland quarantine brings slight boost to Hawaii’s tourism industry. Local travel demand for Hawaii did pick up slightly with the lifting of the interisland quarantine. However, interisland travel alone won’t be enough to keep Hawaii’s nearly $18 billion industry from falling off a cliff. Star-Advertiser.

First Day After Inter-Island Quarantine Lifted. State officials say things went smoothly on Tuesday, the first day of inter-island travel without a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Big Island Video News.

First day of quarantine-free travel between islands begins. Tuesday was the first day you could travel between the islands without having to quarantine. KHON2.

Kaua'i, Maui, and Hawai'i Island reopen vacation rentals as interisland travel quarantine is lifted. With interisland travel reopening on Tuesday, many have been eager to hop on flights to see friends and family, or explore a neighbor island. KITV4.

Along with the reopening of the state Tuesday to quarantine-free interisland travel, comes the reopening of short term vacation rentals to those not under quarantine. Mayor Harry Kim on Friday joined two other county mayors allowing STVRs to reopen, but he clarified Tuesday it applies only to renters not under the mandatory 14-day quarantine. West Hawaii Today.

Vacation rental owners, managers say they're suffering from COVID-19 changes. The state's latest data from the Hawaii Vacation Rental Performance Report shows vacation rentals had just five percent occupancy in April. In comparison, Hawaii’s hotels were 8.9 percent occupied in April 2020. KITV4.

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June 16, 2020 marks the first of two days Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is spending in the islands. His office confirmed that Tuesday but did not detail why he’s here. KHON2.

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A financial lifeline for local businesses is running out. Thousands of Hawaii businesses have been helped financially by the federal government’s Payroll Protection Plan, but those funds will soon dry up. KITV4.

State seeks to crack down on fraudulent jobless claims.  The longtime unemployment administrator who is now running the state Labor Department while her boss is on leave says staff shortages and fraud continue to impact delivery of unemployment payments. Hawaii News Now.

Women In Hawaii Hit Harder By Job Loss Than Men. Women in Hawaii are more likely to have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 recession than male residents, despite equal representation in the workforce. Hawaii Public Radio.

What’s Happened To Hawaii’s Police Shootings Review Board? The panel has stopped looking into officer-related deaths and can’t say when it will resume its work despite deep public interest in law enforcement’s use of force. Civil Beat.

VIRUS TRACKER — JUNE 16: 4 New COVID-19 Cases On Oahu. The total number of cases in Hawaii now stands at 740. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Mayor: If a customer gets confrontational over wearing a mask, call 911. Mayor Kirk Caldwell addressed growing concerns Tuesday about some people forgetting or refusing to wear a mask in stores and other public venues, saying that mask wearing is vital to pretending the spread of COVID-19. Hawaii News Now.

Shoddy Record Keeping By HPD Skews Public Picture Of Police Killings. A Civil Beat review found that Honolulu police officers killed at least 29 people in the past decade, at least 11 more cases than are listed in HPD’s use of force reports. Civil Beat.

Former Lt Gov. Doug Chin’s nomination to Honolulu’s police panel opposed. Honolulu City Council members have received more than 100 emails this past week voicing opposition to former Lt Gov. Doug Chin’s nomination to the closely scrutinized city Police Commission. Star-Advertiser.

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Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell adds $25M to small-business grant program. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is adding another $25 million to a grant program developed by the city to help small businesses financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

From 'concern to desperation’: City adds $25M to program aimed at helping small businesses. The city has added $25 million in federal stimulus funds to a small business recovery program after the first $25 million was nearly depleted in less than a month. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Caldwell discusses updates to the City’s Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund. With 4 new cases of COVID-19 reported and the state’s mandatory 14-day travel quarantine for all inter-island flights now lifted, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell held a news conference to discuss updates to the City and County’s Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund. KHON2.

Honolulu Expands Small Business Relief Program. Grants of up to $10,000 are available for a wider range of businesses. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii’s agricultural industry is hoping to play a bigger role in a diversified economy. A working group is planning new investments to make Hawaii farmers stronger. But the group is seeking millions in aid from the city and state. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Police lieutenant: Missing child reports have decreased. Police representatives reassured the County Council on Tuesday that there is not an increasing trend of child abductions on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

Testifiers Express Urgency to Address Child Sex Trafficking on Hawai‘i Island. The pervasiveness of child sex trafficking dominated public testimony during Hawai‘i County Council’s Public Safety Committee meeting Tuesday morning. Big Island Now.

Sex trafficking and drug dangers lurk for missing and runaway youth. There’s a growing concern on the Big Island about the number of missing children, and while most are runaways, that doesn’t mean they’re not in danger. KHON2.

A growing number of missing children on the Big Island is causing concern. At least 15 cases have been reported over the past two months. KITV4.

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County announces more road restorations for lower Puna. The Hawaii County Kilauea Recovery Task Force confirmed Tuesday that it will restore several more roads in lower Puna that were buried by lava during the 2018 Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i County has announced road restoration plans in order to facilitate long-term recovery and resilience in Puna following the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. Big Island Now.

More cult members leave Hawaii Island to return to the mainland. After allegedly violating quarantine, and being arrested, more members of a cult have left Hawaii Island. New video Tuesday night showed 18 members being escorted to the gate at the Hilo Airport. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Interisland Travel Resumes; Rental Companies Begin Sending Cars Back to Mainland. Transportation workers at Kahului Airport were met with about 150 people already waiting in line at 6 a.m., as interisland travel resumed today without the previously required 14-day quarantine. Maui Now.

New program set to help residents get into housing. Maui County and two local agencies are partnering up to launch a Financial Opportunity Center that will help thousands of residents into housing, Mayor Michael Victorino announced Monday. Maui News.

Kauai

County accepting CARES Act grant proposals. The county is looking for sector projects that include meal-delivery programs to high-risk groups, nonprofit economic-loss support for increased services like childcare and other community services, mental health and domestic violence prevention, agriculture assistance, transforming tourism and economic diversification, and support for new temporary hires in the way of agriculture, information technology and conservation. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i Restart: Public Health. Establishing a multi-purpose resilience center, improving and increasing health resources communications and creating high-speed broadband access are a few of the ideas generated by the Kaua‘i Economic Recovery Strategy Team to address Kaua‘i‘s public-health going forward. Garden Island.

Interisland travelers tell all. Tuesday was the first day for residents to travel interisland without being quarantined, and at Lihu‘e Airport three women from O‘ahu took the opportunity to fly over to Kaua‘i and pick up new, furry family members. Garden Island.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Space control squadron coming to Kauai, Airbnb to provide records to state, DHHL beneficiaries sound off at Senate hearing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Antenna field in Barking Sands PC:National Institute of Standards and Technology
Space Control Squadron Approved For Barking Sands. The Air Force will create a high-tech unit to monitor U.S. satellites to support national security. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Air Guard adding new space control squadron. The Hawaii Air National Guard is expected to take on a new space mission with the Air Force announcing that the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai is the preferred location for a Pacific-based space control squadron. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai Selected As 'Preferred Alternative' For New Air Force Squadron. The United States Air Force has approved Barking Sands Pacific Missile Range Facility as the preferred alternative for the Air National Guard's Space Control Squadron. Hawaii Public Radio.

Air Force selects Kauai for new squadron charged with monitoring satellites. The Air Force will create a new squadron on Kauai to monitor U.S. satellites as part of the national security space mission, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Air Force selects Kauai for new space squadron. The United States Air Force has approved Barking Sands Pacific Missile Range Facility as the preferred alternative for the Air National Guard’s Space Control Squadron. KHON2.

Space Squadron Destined for Kaua‘i. The United States Air Force will place its new space squadron on the island Kaua‘i. Big Island Now.

Space squadron settles on PMRF. The United States Air Force has approved the Barking Sands Pacific Missile Range Facility as the preferred alternative for the Air National Guard’s Space Control Squadron. Garden Island.

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Airbnb agrees to provide host records to state. Airbnb Inc. has agreed to provide Hawaii with records of many of its island hosts as the state tries to track down vacation rental operators who haven’t been paying their taxes. Star-Advertiser.

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Lawmakers Consider Fixes To Hawaiian Homelands Shortcomings. State senators may take up some legislative proposal put forward by beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. Civil Beat.

DHHL beneficiaries urge restructuring of department. Major changes need to be made to the Hawaiian Homes Commission and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands before Native Hawaiians can be reconnected to their homelands, a series of speakers told a state Senate panel Monday in Honolulu. West Hawaii Today.

Beneficiaries Speak Out At Senate DHHL Meeting. Leaders from Hawaii Island homestead associations and beneficiary councils made the trip to Oʻahu on Monday to participate in a Department of Hawaiian Home Lands information briefing at the Capitol. Big Island Video News.

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Sex trafficking a big concern to tourism authority. Hawaii’s visitor industry is known for its aloha — but this week hoteliers and other members are learning to be less welcoming to sex traffickers whose $100 billion industry casts a dark shadow on this paradise. Star-Advertiser.

Training recognizes key role hotel industry could play in cracking down on sex trafficking. Experts say the vast majority of sex trafficking cases take place at hotels ― and Hawaii is no exception. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Hawaii Gas Faces Uncertain Future In State’s Renewable Energy Push. A bill to limit the use of natural gas in new homes could be a first step to broader bans, a gas company official says. Civil Beat.

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Waianae homeless camp to move inland. In the first project of its kind, the leaders of the 219-person homeless encampment known as Pu‘uhonua o Waianae next to the Waianae Small Boat Harbor announced Monday that they are in escrow to buy a 20-acre parcel of private, undisclosed agricultural land mauka of Farrington Highway where they plan to create permanent housing out of tiny homes. Star-Advertiser.

Homeless residents closer to creating their own community. A group of homeless residents on Oahu’s west coast is one step closer to creating their own community. KHON2.

Potential new site for Wai'anae homeless village worries Piliuka Place residents. The 10-acre homeless village near the harbor has a deal in escrow to purchase a new site, about 20 acres of agricultural land further inland. KITV.

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Kalaeloa Water Company customers told to use alternative water sources immediately until further notice. The taps are running again in West Oahu, but Kalaeloa Water Company customers are warned not to start drinking it just yet. Hawaii News Now.

Katherine Kealoha’s ‘Alison Lee Wong’ resurfaces in bizarre court filing. Hawaii News Now tracked down the bank employee after her business card was included in a federal court motion for a Kauai woman who seems to have ties to Kealoha. Hawaii News Now.

Women Make Great Cops. Now HPD Wants More. Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard is hoping to achieve a force that is half female. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Mauna Kea Board Wants Deferral Of UH Regents Resolution. On Wednesday, the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents will consider a Maunakea stewardship resolution, but UH's Mauna Kea Management Board is not happy with the proposal. Big Island Video News.

Most Mauna Kea arrestees reject plea deal, citing ‘moral and sacred obligation’. Trial scheduled for December 20. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai'i County Vacation Rentals Draw Hundreds of Neighbor Complaints. Hundreds of owners on the Big Island are seeking exemptions to operate short-term vacation rentals legally in residential neighborhoods but their neighbors have flooded officials with letters of objections. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council committee to talk animal control. After a Hawaiian Acres woman was attacked by unrestrained dogs in October, a Hawaii County Council committee will look into ways to improve the county’s animal control laws. Tribune-Herald.

Palace readies for restoration. Repairs to a seawall damaged by high surf this summer and site improvements are planned for Hulihee Palace in the heart of Kailua Village. West Hawaii Today.

Baltimore Clean-up activist hits Big Island. Conservative activist and Baltimore Clean-up organizer Scott Presler is coming to Hawaii Island to speak in support of President Trump and what can be done in the local community by ordinary citizens. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The Stakes Are High As Maui Wastewater Case Heads To US Supreme Court. The lawsuit has drawn attention from environmental groups, fossil fuel interests and the Trump administration, which is backing Maui County. Civil Beat.

Visitors on Maui Spent $5B in 2018. More tourists came to Maui in 2018 than the previous year- and they spent more too. Maui Now.

For 2 decades, Valley Isle business key to Maui’s emergency response. MFD doesn’t own its own helicopter. So for nearly two decades, the department has had a contract with the company to handle air operations. Hawaii News Now.


Kauai

Finalists set in chancellor search. Two finalists for the Kauai Community College chancellor position have been selected by the chancellor search advisory committee and will participate in a final round of interviews that includes public forum for each candidate. Garden Island.

Lanai

MECO to recoup charges from Lanai solar farm. Battery issue leads to $360,000 in overpayments; customers to benefit. Maui News.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Hawaii bankruptcies hit 5-year high, state looks to curb child sex trafficking, counties struggle with vacation rentals, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2019 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Orchids at Hawaii show ©2019 All Hawaii News
Senate Provision Requires Impact Study Of Imported Orchids. Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaiʻi, a state known for its orchid growing industry, wants the U.S. Department of Agriculture to submit a report on the economic and environmental impacts of importing foreign orchids in growing media. Big Island Video News.

State bankruptcies hit highest level in 5 years. There were more bankruptcy filings in October than in any month since 2014 as the number of cases now appears nearly certain to top 2018’s full-year total in just 11 months. Star-Advertiser.

Feds called to resolve rail land dispute. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the city are turning to the federal government to help resolve a years-long stalemate over how to value land in a property exchange involving the rail project. Star-Advertiser.

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Protests are continuing against three separate projects in Hawaii. That’s led people who work with infrastructure development to rethink how they engage the public. Hawaii Public Radio.

Mauna Kea protests have exposed ‘corruption,’ activists say. There is a strong sense among them that the struggle over Mauna Kea has finally exposed systemic unfairness in public institutions that, among other injustices, allowed the TMT to win government approval. Star-Advertiser.

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Why Some Native Hawaiians End Up Selling Coveted Homesteads. So far this year, 16 residential homesteads have been sold on Oahu — allowing buyers to shortcut DHHL’s long waiting list. Civil Beat.

Aloha United Way helps families stay out of poverty. After waiting 60 years for a Department of Hawaiian Home Lands lot to build their home, Keonaona Salis and his family finally felt like they won the lottery. Star-Advertiser.

Principals Forced to Hire Non-speakers for Hawaiian Immersion Positions Amid Teacher Shortage. About 43 percent of Hawaiian immersion teachers do not speak Hawaiian. Maui Now.

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Authorities seek ways to protect children in the islands from sexual exploitation. It's a relatively unknown crisis that has hit our island paradise, but officials say more awareness about the issue of child sex trafficking is the first step to ending its vicious cycle. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii tourism industry is getting involved with sex trafficking awareness. It's part of an inaugural symposium that kicks off on Oahu Monday and will continue statewide through the week. KITV.

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September Vacation Rental Performance Report. For seven years, the State of Hawai‘i has set visitor arrival records. But during those years, the number of traditional lodging units, like hotels and timeshares, has increased only minimally. Big Island Now.

State drives toward renewable energy. Hawaii is getting a boost toward the goal of transitioning its municipal fleets to 100% renewable energy by 2045 thanks to a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Garden Island.

State Rep. John Mizuno (D-Kalihi Valley, Kamehameha Heights) is calling for the U.S. Attorney General’s office to investigate allegations that New York City officials are shipping homeless people to Hawaii. Garden Island.

Why Nearly Half The Kids In An Island State Can’t Swim. Some Hawaii schools are working with community groups to make swim lessons more affordable and more widely available. Civil Beat.

Kaiser billing-practices suit against Queen’s dismissed. A federal court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc. against The Queen’s Health Systems over unfair billing practices. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Oahu short-term vacation rentals drop steeply since city’s crackdown Vacation rental supply fell on Oahu and the number of visitors reporting vacation rental stays dropped by about half in September, the first month since the city’s crackdown on illegal rentals took effect. Star-Advertiser.

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State to extend Pali Highway hours as crews prepare to wrap up repairs. The state is extending Pali Highway hours, giving Windward Oahu drivers the opportunity to use the route seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hawaii News Now.

Pali Highway to open daily starting Monday. The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) has completed emergency slope repairs and is reopening the Pali Highway (Route 61) daily during daytime hours. KHON2.

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A new village-style homeless project could begin to rise by Thanksgiving on Oahu. A new village-style homeless project could start to rise in Kalaeloa before the end of the month. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Vacation rental applications flood Planning Department. A month after a key deadline for short-term vacation rentals, the Hawaii County Planning Department is plowing through almost 4,000 applications, including 1,150 seeking exemptions for nonconforming zoning. West Hawaii Today.

County to hear first appeal of vacation rental permit denial. A Captain Cook homeowner is appealing the county’s new short-term vacation rental law, saying it’s unconstitutional. West Hawaii Today.

Second lab sought for HMC cardiac clinic. Cardiac services continue to expand at Hilo Medical Center, with a full panel of cardiologists now on staff and treating patients, and hospital officials are hoping to keep that momentum going. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Thousands of meals made for local children in need. Two local companies team up for a good cause. Many hands made light work Saturday during a joint local effort to pack 20,000 dry meals for Maui children in need. Maui News.

Kauai

Spectrum restores internet, cable for Kauai residents after second lapse in service. Kauai residents are back online after another outage of phone, internet and cable services Saturday. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami on Thursday signed a proclamation declaring Stop the Ant Month in support of little fire ant awareness on Kauai. Garden Island.