Those over 65 could get less health care in COVID triage plans, Kauai council passes 3% local hotel tax, Ventura tapped as Maui fire chief, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Elders stay active in Hawaii ©2021 All Hawaii News

Hawaii’s Pandemic Crisis Care Plan Raises Legal And Ethical Concerns. Hawaii stood by its decision to use age as a tiebreaker if needed in treatment decisions, according to the latest version of its plan for allocating resources if the pandemic overwhelms the state’s health care system, despite criticism that the plan may discriminate against older patients. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Audit Finds That Young Brothers Failed To Offset Rising Labor Costs. The report calls for no more shipping rate increases until at least 2023 and for a third party observer to help oversee one of Hawaii’s oldest companies. Civil Beat.

Gov. Ige’s request to halt nonessential travel impacts Hawaii hotel bookings, prices. The rebound of tourism over the summer months came to a screeching halt. People in the hotel industry said travel typically slows down during the fall, but rising COVID cases and the governor’s message to tourists to not come magnified the slow season. KHON2.

COVID-19 screening ramps up in Hawaii’s public schools. After a slow start, state officials are ramping up COVID-19 testing throughout Hawaii’s public schools, part of an overall strategy to help contain the spread of the coronavirus at school facilities where close to 3,000 cases have been reported since the start of the school year. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii records 11 new coronavirus-related deaths, 493 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 314 new cases on Oahu, 62 on Maui, 89 on Hawaii island, 19 on Kauai, three on Molokai and six Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Despite complaints and lawsuits, high-ranking ‘bully’ commander at HPD keeps getting promoted. A battle is brewing within the Honolulu Police Department as members of the rank-and-file push back against one of their leaders, Assistant Chief Stephen Gerona, accusing him of retaliation, sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Hawaii News Now.

COVID-19 sidelines 22 Honolulu Police Department officers. Twenty-two Honolulu police officers were isolated or quarantined Wednesday after testing positive or being exposed to the COVID-19 virus, but the absences are not hindering department operations, interim Chief Rade K. Vanic told Honolulu police commissioners. Star-Advertiser.

No violations found of Honolulu’s new vaccination, COVID-19 testing rules. Honolulu police have found no violations while spot checking Oahu restaurants — particularly in Chinatown and Kakaako — for compliance with new COVID-19 vaccination and testing rules for employees and customers that went into effect on Monday. Star-Advertiser.

DOH issues Honolulu restaurant second red ‘closed’ placard; Failed to pay $3k fine. Doner Shack, a local restaurant in Honolulu, received its second red “closed ” placard and a cease-and-desist order from the Hawaii Department of Health Food Safety Branch. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Still no whistle-blower hot-line: Four years later, audit recommendation yet to be implemented. The Human Resources Department has been scrutinizing interview packets before county departments vet candidates for employment, one of several practices instituted after a scathing 2017 audit found favoritism in county hiring. West Hawaii Today.

Decisions Made On Puna Roads, Water Service Following 2018 Kīlauea Eruption. The County of Hawai‘i provided an update on Wednesday regarding restoration of infrastructure in Puna following the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. Big Island Video News.

Hele-On Announces More Routes, Later Service For Hawaiʻi Island. The Hele-On bus is adding more routes on Hawaiʻi island, and offering later service, according to officials. Big Island Video News.

COVID cases trend downward, but HMC still over capacity. Altogether, there are 49 patients, or 35% of the hospital’s total patient count, affected by the virus, 11 of whom are on ventilators, the hospital said. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Brad Ventura chosen as Maui Fire Department’s new chief. Brad Ventura, 19-year veteran of the Maui Fire Department, will become the department’s new chief starting Oct. 1.  Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Maui Commission Debates Whether To Hire Next Police Chief In Private. The commission’s attorney argued Wednesday that discussions should take place in public. Civil Beat.

Conservation groups notify Maui resort of intent to sue for lights that harm endangered seabirds. Conservation groups today filed a notice of intent to sue the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui for violations of the Endangered Species Act if it does not fix lights that it says are harming and killing endangered seabirds. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required to enter Maui County restaurants, bars, gyms under new rules. Maui County’s new set of Safer Outside emergency rules in response to the COVID-19 surge went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Kauai

Council passes county’s own 3% TAT. A 3% transient accommodation tax levied by the county will soon be applied throughout the tourism industry. Garden Island.

Island enters shearwater fallout season. Seabird fallout season, when fledglings risk potentially-fatal disorientation caused by artificial lights, began Sept. 15, and will run through Dec. 15. Garden Island.

Hawaii donors ante up in 2020 presidential race, state accidentally kills fish it meant to protect, proposed Mauna Kea rules released, shearwaters killed on Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

While Hawaii is infamously known for having the lowest voter turnouts of any state, recent elections have spurred a more active voting culture across the country, with people who previously sat on the sidelines now heading to the ballot box — and the bank — to support their candidate. Using Federal Election Commission campaign donation data from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2019, Pacific Business News gathered information on Hawaii communities that donated to the campaigns of Democratic presidential candidates to see which presidential hopefuls have the most support in the Islands. Pacific Business News.

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Ocean Plastic Pollution Prompts Lawsuit. A nonprofit announced its intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for failing to protect Hawaiian waters. Civil Beat.

Lawsuit Launched Over “Failure to Recognize Plastic Pollution” in Hawaiian Waters. The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for allegedly “failing to protect Hawaiian waters contaminated by plastic pollution.” Maui Now.

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Fifteen Unaccompanied Migrant Children Came To Hawaii In The Past Year. The children often crossed the U.S.-Mexico border after traveling from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. Civil Beat.

Remains of Coast Guardsman, a WWII prisoner, are flown home. On Thursday the remains of Lt. Thomas “Jimmy” Crotty, identified by a Hawaii lab in September, were carefully carried in an flag-draped casket to a C-130J Super Hercules at Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point for the long-overdue journey home and a hero’s burial Saturday in Buffalo, N.Y. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Handicapping Hawaii’s CD2 Election. Possible candidates include many of the usual suspects, but these are highly unusual times. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Airbnb Crackdown Does Not Deter Oahu Visitors. Visitors to Oahu continued to increase in September despite a crackdown on illegal vacation rentals that some economists predict will seriously hurt the island’s economy. Civil Beat.

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Retired Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his former deputy prosecutor wife, Katherine Kealoha, will have to wait 5-1/2 more months to learn their fates. Star-Advertiser.

March Sentencing Set For Kealohas And Their Co-Conspirators. In December, a federal judge is expected to decide whether Katherine Kealoha’s sentencing should be based on sentencing guidelines for deprivation of civil rights or obstruction of justice. Civil Beat.

New sentencing dates set for Kealohas and co-conspirators. Katherine Kealoha is behind bars at the Federal Detention Center, where, according to her attorney, she was recently placed in solitary confinement. KITV.

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Controversial developer of an Ala Moana project faces new legal problems. 17 investors from China have filed suit against the developer of a pair of controversial Honolulu construction projects, saying he defrauded them out of their funds. Hawaii News Now.

City opens more appointments for driver license and state ID renewals. An additional 100 slots per day have been opened for residents to book appointments to renew a driver's license or state identification card. KITV.

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Honolulu Zoo welcomes 3 cheetah sisters from Smithsonian. The Honolulu Zoo Thursday morning celebrated the arrival of three new South African cheetahs from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, where they were born. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Zoo Welcomes South African Cheetahs. With a nod to Harry Potter, say hello to Fawkes, Nagini and Pickett. Civil Beat.

3 new cheetahs arrive at the Honolulu Zoo. The zoo unveiled its three new South African cheetahs Thursday ― Fawkes, Nagini and Pickett. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

UH Board of Regents is set to consider controversial Mauna Kea rules. Following months of public hearings and revision, the latest version of the controversial Mauna Kea administrative rules will be considered for adoption Wednesday by the University of Hawaii Board of Regents. Star-Advertiser.

Maunakea rules unveiled. The final version of proposed administrative rules for Maunakea lands managed by the University of Hawaii was unveiled Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Regents to Consider Maunakea Management Rules Draft. The proposed draft of the administrative rules for University of Hawaiʻi managed lands on Maunakea is now available for public review along with related supporting materials. Big Island Now.

Mauna Kea kia’i have concerns over the proposed rules released by the UH Board of Regents Thursday. The latest draft of the rules comes after years of hearings, testimony and research by UH. KHON2.

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Recycling groups, projects, cropping up as county reduces recycling. Learning that the county on Oct. 16 stopped collecting recyclable non-HI5 plastics, a bunch of people got together to do it themselves. West Hawaii Today.

Native Hawaiian Chamber Of Commerce Starts On Big Island. The island with the largest population of Native Hawaiians — the Big Island — is now joining by forming its own Native Hawaiian Chamber.  Hawaii Public Radio.

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Foster mother is charged with murder of boy, 3. A Hawaii island grand jury has indicted a Waimea woman on a charge of second-degree murder in the 2017 death of a 3-year-old boy while under the temporary foster care of the woman and her husband. Star-Advertiser.

Big Island woman indicted for murder in connection with foster child’s death. A Big Island woman has been indicted for second-degree murder in connection with the death of one of her foster children. Hawaii News Now.

A Big Island woman has been indicted for the death of a three-year-old boy. Fabian Garrett-Garcia died while under the care of his foster mother Chastity Alco-Siba-McKenzie. KHON2.

Maui

State issues apology after thousands of native fish in Wailuku killed. A state project earlier this week meant to boost survival for native fish and shrimp resulted in killing possibly thousands of them days later. Maui News.

Hundreds of Dead ‘O‘opu During Fish Ladder Construction at Wailuku River. A video documenting a substantial fish kill of native ‘o‘opu (gobies) at the mouth of the Wailuku River was brought to the attention of the Commission on Water Resource Management on Wednesday during the installation of a fish ladder that is meant to help such species survive by ensuring mauka to makai water flow. Maui Now.

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Owners of Rodeo General Store looking to sell. They are hoping to hand off the torch to a new owner/operator. Maui News.

Kauai

Nearly 150 wedge-tailed shearwaters killed by cats and dogs on Kauai. State wildlife officials said that nearly 150 wedge-tailed shearwaters on Kauai have been killed by off-leash dogs and feral cats during this year’s nesting season, so far. Star-Advertiser.

Wedge-tail massacre. Wedge-tailed shearwaters are common in Hawaii, but are vulnerable to predation by cats, dogs, rats and other predators. Garden Island.

Almost 150 birds dead on Kauai from off-leash dogs and feral cats this year. Off-leash dogs and feral cats are responsible for the killings of between 140 and 150 Wedge-tailed Shearwaters on Kauai during 2019’s nesting season.  KHON2.

Kealohas close to plea deal, drone plans for Maui, teachers' association seeks flavored vape ban, opposition mounts to Kahuku wind farm, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Katherine and Louis Kealoha

Kealohas close to reaching a plea deal for remaining federal charges. The Kealohas are reportedly close to making a plea deal with federal prosecutors on financial fraud and other charges. Hawaii News Now.

Federal prosecutors offer Katherine Kealoha plea deal. Federal prosecutors have offered to reduce their recommendation for the length of Katherine Kealoha’s imprisonment by a few years and will dismiss multiple charges against her if she agrees to plead guilty to two felony counts in a bank fraud prosecution and a misdemeanor charge in a separate drug-related case, according to one of her attorneys. Star-Advertiser.

New plea offer for Katherine Kealoha. Renewed negotiations for Katherine Kealoha and the federal government. One of her attorneys says both sides met Wednesday with a new offer on the table. KHON2.

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The Hawaii State Teachers Association wants lawmakers to ban all flavored tobacco products to help protect their students. The Department of Education banned electronic smoking devices back in 2015 but teachers report the problem continues to show up on campus. KITV.

State Sen. Kai Kahele criticizes Tulsi Gabbard for missing House vote on Syria. State Sen. Kai Kahele (D-Hilo) is criticizing Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard for failing to show up to vote today on a House resolution that condemns President Donald Trump’s withdrawal of American forces from northern Syria. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Democrats To Hold Presidential Primary April 4. The Democratic National Convention has approved how the local party will select delegates. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Kiewit’s Payments On Hold Pending Findings Of Rail Investigation. State finance officials rejected more than $30 million in payments to Kiewit Infrastructure West this past quarter because they believe the former rail contractor may be part of the federal criminal probe into the multibillion-dollar transit project. Civil Beat.

Wind turbine protesters gear up for a drawn-out battle in Kahuku. Opponents of the construction of eight wind turbines in Kahuku are preparing for a drawn-out fight against the project, which they say will have detrimental health effects for residents and farmers of the rural town. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s Green Energy Projects Search For Ways To Navigate Community Opposition. A number of new solar and wind projects are needed in Oahu to replace the last coal-fired plant, which is scheduled to close in 2022. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Police Acquire More Military-Style Equipment. The local ACLU criticizes the purchase of equipment like the $580,000 Lenco Bearcat armored vehicle as encouraging local police to adopt a “warrior mentality.” Civil Beat.

Council aims to silence excessively loud mopeds. Councilman Tommy Waters, who introduced the measure, says mufflers are required on motor vehicles but under the current law it excludes mopeds. KHON2.

Affordable housing options expanding in Kakaako. Affordable housing is expanding a foothold in one section of Kakaako with construction about to begin on a 42-story tower offering mainly midpriced condominiums. Star-Advertiser.

This playground is within permitting guidelines. But still, safety concerns linger. Realtors often highlight the kids-friendly playground at the upscale Waikalua Bayside project along Kaneohe Bay. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Council passes climate resolution despite doom and gloom from Chung. The Big Island is officially facing a climate crisis, according to a resolution unanimously passed Wednesday by the Hawaii County Council. Tribune-Herald.

Three dozen protest bombing at Pohakuloa Training Area. About three dozen activists gathered at the main gate of the Pohakuloa Training Area on Wednesday to protest continued bombing and shelling on the sprawling U.S. Army base, which regularly hosts life-fire training exercises for Hawaii-based soldiers and Marines. Star-Advertiser.

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Mayor Kim reassures protesters that TMT equipment won’t be snuck up the mountain. After fears that law enforcement could come in soon to clear the protest camp at Mauna Kea, Mayor Harry Kim and protest leaders say there’s assurances Thirty Meter Telescope equipment will not be sneaked in. Hawaii News Now.

UH regents unveil Maunakea resolution. A new resolution proposed by members of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents would establish deadlines for the decommissioning of several Maunakea telescopes and set groundwork for future educational programs on the mountain. Tribune-Herald.

UH Regents Maunakea Governance Report Calls For 12 Specific Action Items. The findings and recommendations of the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents' Maunakea Governance Permitted Interaction Group have been published. Big Island Video News.

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Change paves way for more indoor amusement facilities. Indoor amusement facilities such as fitness and martial arts centers, pool halls and game rooms will be allowed in commercial and industrial zones under changes the County Council approved Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Drone officials plan to submit new application. Project officials plan to resubmit an application for the Hawk30 program, which is seeking to use agricultural lands on Lanai to develop and test two high-altitude platform drones. Project is also expected to undergo environmental review. Maui News.

UH: Forest Conservation Could Save $1.4M to Maui Water. Preventing the degradation of the native forest and facilitation of conservation efforts could save the local water utility up to $1.4 million and make important contributions to local water supplies in East Maui according to research conducted by the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa. Maui Now.

County files complaint over Haiku zip line. Company accused of breach of the settlement pact. Maui News.

Kauai

Full closures on Kuhio Highway near Hanalei. Emergency full closures on Kuhio Highway at mile marker 1 (the hill approaching Hanalei Bridge) will be hourly for about 30 minutes between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the top of each hour today and Friday. Garden Island.

Hourly full closures for emergency slope work on Kuhio Highway at Hanalei Hill. KHON2.

Grave site search going high-tech. Radar technology will be used this Sunday at the Hanapepe Filipino Cemetery to help a team of Kauai researchers determine where the unmarked mass grave of 16 Filipino sugar cane workers lies. Garden Island.

Kauai is coming up on peak fledging season for the endangered Newell’s shearwater and other seabirds, and that means it’s peak fallout season, too. Garden Island.

Poll shows voters prefer term limits, oppose legal marijuana; state prepares for medically assisted death; Honolulu seeks poll workers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii's Big Island ©2018 All Hawaii News

On Tuesday, U.S. News &World Report named Hawaii’s southernmost island the 2018-19 Best Winter Vacation spot in the world, beating out 19 other locales on the list of the top 20 global destinations. Travelers and U.S. News &World Report editors alike ranked the Big Island No. 1 winter vacation destination for its “warm weather and excellent surfing conditions.” West Hawaii Today.

Civil Beat Poll: Voters Want Term Limits For State Legislators. They also support an initiative process, all-mail voting and a lottery. But forget about legalizing pot. Civil Beat.

Civil Beat Poll: Voters Like The Idea Of A ConCon, They’re Just Not Going To Vote For It. There is significant support for the idea once it’s explained, but that support has decreased from previous polls. Civil Beat.

State prepares for new medically assisted death law to take effect. The state Department of Health is urging health care organizations to prepare for the new law that permits terminally ill adult residents with six months or less to live to obtain a prescription for medication to end their lives.  Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii  Department of Health is telling healthcare organizations statewide to prepare for the Jan. 1, 2019, effective date of the Our Care, Our Choice Act, which allows adult residents with a medically confirmed terminal disease and less than six months to live the choice to obtain a prescription for medication to end their life. Maui Now.

Gov. David Ige lent his political weight Monday night to a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state to tax investment properties to support public education, while also promising to veto any resulting bill that might raise property taxes for owner- occupied homes or increase rents on affordable housing. Star-Advertiser.

Congressional District One: Republican Cam Cavasso. The Republican Candidate for the Congressional District One seat, representing urban Honolulu, is a veteran politician.  Hawaii Public Radio.

DOH employee questions medical marijuana quality, policies for checking it. Is the weed you need in Hawaii clean and safe? An employee of Hawaii's Department of Health, who wishes to remain anonymous, says no. KITV.

How OHA Trustees Spent Their Allowances. Thousands of dollars went to support athletic competitions, charitable galas and beauty pageants. Civil Beat.

A United Nations scientific panel on Climate Change released a report earlier this month that warned of a worsening crisis by 2040. Here in Hawaii scientists have been raising the red flag about global warming and sea level rise and the need to deal with protecting our natural resources. Hawaii Public Radio.

Nine members of a Southern California drug trafficking ring accused of disguising methamphetamine as decorative Aztec calendars and statues to ship the drug to Hawaii are behind bars, federal authorities said today. Tribune News Service.

The hotel strike on Oahu and Maui could put a damper on two high-profile group events coming to Hawaii this week, including Waikiki’s largest convention of the year. Star-Advertiser.

No negotiations planned as Marriott hotel worker strike continues. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Record number absentee ballots mailed on Oahu. The Honolulu County Clerk's office mailed 164,000 absentee ballots Tuesday. KHON2.

Office of Elections looking to fill over 300 volunteer positions for General Election. Twenty-days until the General Election, over 300 volunteers needed. KITV.

Major portions of Ala Wai Community Park and next-door Ala Wai Neighborhood Park will be closed for maintenance through Dec. 26. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu has been ranked as one of the 10 greenest cities in the United States, according to a new report. Pacific Business News.

Waikiki’s last lei stand could be revived if an ‘experiment’ goes well. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Humane Society opens community clinic for spay, neuter services. A ‘high-quality, high-volume’ sterilization clinic for pets on Oahu has been opened by the Hawaiian Humane Society. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Brenda Carreira is set to become the latest in a line of administrators to try to repair Hawaii County’s beleaguered Mass Transit Agency since Mayor Harry Kim assumed office in 2016. West Hawaii Today.

A bill regulating vacation rentals took a big step forward Tuesday, clearing a council panel on its way to two final votes. West Hawaii Today.

Puna Councilwoman Eileen O’Hara introduced a resolution Tuesday recognizing animals as “sentient beings” but quickly withdrew it because of lack of support from other council members. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A striking employee was put in handcuffs and banned from hotel grounds for one year after passing out leaflets to guests informing them of the strike at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, according to the union that represents the workers. Maui News.

UNITE HERE Local 5 has filed an unfair labor practice charge against Sheraton Maui, alleging violations of federal labor law against three Sheraton Maui employees. Maui Now.

Malamalama Maui launched its final campaign, “36,000 Acres. 36,000 Hearts.” to engage 36,000 people—approximately one for every acre of the previous sugarcane lands—in sharing a message, vision and/or solution from their heart for the future of the Central Valley. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai County Council Elections Shaping Up As A Free-For-All. The winners must deal with several looming issues, including combating climate change, worries over the relentless growth of tourism and maintaining the island’s rural lifestyle. Civil Beat.

While those caught using tobacco products at two county parks can now face fines, the tobacco-free status is more about changing society’s views than issuing citations. Garden Island.

Four Newell’s shearwater birds were released at the Kamalani Playground at Lydgate Park Tuesday in the annual Releasing of the 'A'o. Garden Island.