Looming federal shutdown threatens holiday tourism season, state psychiatric patient arrested in fatal stabbing of staffer, some public schools lack fire alarms, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Potential government shutdown could hit heart of Hawaii’s economy. As Congress gets closer to their Friday deadline to pass a budget, a potential government shutdown threatens Hawaii's tourism industry. The state's top industry could be greatly impacted with the staffing of air traffic controllers.  KITV4.

Hawaii holiday travel is expected to be soft. The latest tourism data from the state  Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism for September showed that some 651,286 visitors came to the Hawaiian Islands, down 7.4% from September 2022. Arrivals to Maui plummeted 57% to 94,221 visitors in September, according to the DBEDT data. Star-Advertiser.

Not Acceptable’: Why So Many Hawaii Schools Lack Fire Alarms. A recent report from a House working group highlights the lack of working fire alarm systems and other safety precautions in some public schools. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric tallies $20.4M in early disaster costs from Maui wildfires. Hawaiian Electric has shared a glimpse of expenses from the Aug. 8 Maui wildfires while vowing to vigorously contest litigation blaming the company for the disaster. Star-Advertiser.

Firefighters battle blazes across Hawaii. Amid continuing hot weather, drought and strong tradewinds, firefighters across the islands are continuing to battle wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Josh Green and First Lady Jaime Kanani Green headed to Japan on Sunday to meet with Japanese government officials and key business stakeholders, his office announced. Green will thank Japan’s government for its $2 million contribution to Hawaii in the aftermath of the Maui wildfire disaster, promote made-in-Hawaii products, and invite the return of Japanese visitors to Hawaii’s shores. Maui News.

Hawaii Voters Could Be Asked To Amend Constitution On Marriage Equality. A section of the state's Bill of Rights still gives the Legislature the power to limit marriage to opposite-sex couples. Civil Beat.

National Climate Report Lands As Hawaii Grapples With Wildfire Threat. It features a new focus on Indigenous knowledge to combat the islands' climate challenges. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Patient at state psychiatric facility arrested in fatal attack on staff member. Man, 29, fatally stabbed at State Hospital in Kaneohe. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services officials say a 29-year-old man was fatally stabbed late Monday afternoon at the Hawaii State Hospital in Kaneohe. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Court battle underway as Red Hill families accuse Navy leaders of destroying evidence. A federal judge heard arguments Monday in Honolulu on legal claims that Navy leaders lied and destroyed cellphone evidence after the Red Hill fuel leaks. The government insists that’s not true. Hawaii News Now.

Pig farmer prevails in appeals court. A 56-year-old Waianae Coast pig farmer prevailed both in a state appeals court and district court over a landlord who took steps to evict him. The court rulings pave the way for Matthew Reyes to return to the 1.75-acre portion of the 5-acre Maili property on Paakea Road and continue to farm. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kona Vistas heads back to planning commission. A long-delayed and controversial $170 million West Hawaii housing project is returning to the Leeward Planning Commission in January after months of cultural review. Tribune-Herald.

‘Super prime’ land in Keauhou sold for just over $4M. A privately owned global real estate firm headquartered in San Diego has sold a 24.5-acre parcel of undeveloped land within the Keauhou Resort to a Los Angeles-based real estate developer and investor. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo Tsunami Museum in Danger of Closing. It's a race against time for those who want to preserve Hilo's Tsunami Museum, an educational site which raises awareness of what occurred during the Big Island's deadliest natural disaster.  KITV4.

Sixteen Live Sheep Freed From Alleged Poachers At PTA. Five cited, fined for attempting to poach sheep. Four Big Island residents and one Oahu resident were cited and fined Thursday for attempting to poach 16 sheep on Daniel K. Inouye Highway. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Texas Developer Seeks $50 Million From Maui County To Build Affordable Housing. Dallas-based real estate developer Paul Cheng has already received $18 million in county subsidies for his Pulelehua housing development. Civil Beat.

Thousands of Maui property owners haven’t yet given government permission to clear debris. About 900 Maui property owners who saw their homes destroyed in the catastrophic wildfires have given the government permission to remove debris. But thousands more have yet to sign right-of-entry forms. Hawaii News Now.

MEO handling fire grants for businesses with $300,000 revenues or less. The Maui Business Bridge Grant that provides financial support to businesses directly or indirectly impacted by the August wildfires began accepting applications today, Nov. 13, with Maui Economic Opportunity working with establishments of $300,000 in gross revenue or less. Maui Now.

Brush fire burns 35 acres, 70% contained; Maui Veterans Highway now OPEN. According to the County of Maui, multiple fire crews and Air 1 responded to the blaze, which was fed by 20-25 mph winds. Maui Now. KHON2.

Maui Wellness Group, LLC gets approval as medical cannabis retail dispensary. The Hawai‘i State Department of Health has issued a formal notice to proceed for Maui Wellness Group, LLC, dba Maui Grown Therapies after it passed its final on-site inspection for its fourth retail facility.  Maui Now.

Kauai

The Kaua‘i Marathon shares $25K with four groups. The YWCA of Kaua‘i, Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank, Kaua‘i Humane Society and the Kaua‘i Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals received awards. Garden Island.

$30M to repair leaky roof at Capitol, state braces for federal government shutdown, Lahaina schools to reopen next month, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Leaky ceilings at State Capitol lead to $30M in repairs. After years of leaky ceilings at the state capital, repairs are finally underway on the 54-year-old building. Hawaii News Now.

Can The GOP Set Aside Partisan Politics To Find Out What Really Happened In Maui? A House oversight committee will hold its first public hearing focused on the role of Hawaiian Electric in the Aug. 8 Maui fires. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii House members hope to keep U.S. government running. The possibility that the federal government might shut down this weekend could mean that more than 30,000 federal employees in Hawaii — including “essential” workers helping Lahaina fire survivors — may have to keep working, but without pay. Star-Advertiser.

Battle over federal spending could hurt Hawaii economy. A University of Hawaii economist said Tuesday a prolonged federal government shutdown could have serious local consequences. Tribune-Herald. KHON2.

Study finds La Ninas lasting longer, intense El Ninos likely to follow. A new University of Hawai‘i study has discovered that La Nina climate events are growing more common and lasting longer, increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events across the globe. Garden Island.

Federal Wildfire Grant Opportunities Open For Hawaii. Three grants are now available to help Hawaii's landowners fortify their wildfire defenses. Civil Beat.

This Lahaina Fundraiser Quickly Raised $1M Amid Conspiracy Theories And Questions By Critics. The Lahaina Fire Fund was never a registered nonprofit yet collected hundreds of thousands of dollars through online donation sites. Civil Beat.

DLNR opens grant applications to purchase land for conservation. Each year, the state gives a portion of its revenue from real estate conveyance taxes to the Land Conservation Fund. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Electric postpones, revises ‘Save and Shift’ program.  Originally, customers with advanced smart meters were selected at random to test time-of-use rates on Oahu, Hawaii island and Maui under an order by the state Public Utilities Commission, which regulates public utility companies. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Hawaii Inmate Gets Life In Prison After Death Penalty Case Dropped. Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer finally abandoned the effort to have Miti Maugaotega Jr. sentenced to death for the killing of another prisoner in Arizona. Civil Beat.

Kaiser clinics offer COVID vaccines in Hawaii. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii officials say updated Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines will be available to members at most clinics statewide, starting Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Government shutdown would not affect Red Hill defueling, Navy says. The top officer in charge of defueling the Navy’s underground Red Hill fuel storage facility says a possible federal government shutdown would not affect the operation. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kohala community could be months away from preserving Mahukona into perpetuity. Community groups are trying to preserve more than 640 acres of culturally and historically significant land along the Kohala coast on the north side of Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

First phase of lava buyouts nearly pau. Nearly 300 residents whose primary homes were damaged or destroyed during the 2018 Kilauea eruption in lower Puna have had their properties bought out by Hawaii County. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Lahaina schools to reopen to students in October. Lahainaluna High, Lahaina Intermediate and Princess Nahi­enaena Elementary schools in Lahaina will reopen to students in a phased plan after the October fall break now that their soil, water and air have been deemed safe, and monitoring will continue, state and federal officials have announced. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  KHON2.  KITV4.

States partners with Corps of Engineers to erect temporary Lahaina school by January. Experts say the pandemic underscored just how key reopening schools is to restoring normal life and emotional wellness. Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina family members are latest fatalities named. The Maui Police Department on Tuesday released the names of six people who died in the Aug. 6 Lahaina wildfire — all members of an extended Filipino clan who lost eight family members in the disaster, with one still missing. Star-Advertiser.

Furloughs, layoffs mount on Maui as economic headwinds continue. Nearly two months after wildfires decimated Lahaina town, Maui’s economy continues to suffer — and unemployment claims are mounting. Hawaii News Now.

Former Civil Defense council chair: Officials failed to heed key warnings ahead of Lahaina disaster. A hazard mitigation plan published by the county back in 2020 warned if any section of the road or utility line were to be damaged by a wildfire the entire system could collapse. Hawaii News Now.

Maui's price freeze extended for essential commodities and services. The existing price freeze that was implemented for Maui in August will now only continue for essential goods and services, according to the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Office of Consumer Protection. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Lawsuit Accuses Kauai Chief Judge Of Sexually Harassing His Assistant. The Hawaii Judiciary prohibits hugging, which the assistant alleges Chief Judge Randal Valenciano did in a "sexualized" manner numerous times. Civil Beat.

Hawaii heads toward full shutdown if coronavirus cases don't subside, 'right to die' lobbyist Radcliffe dies, Caldwell denies city employee potluck source of COVID-19 cluster, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

An exhausted Lt. Gov. Josh Green at July 29, 2020, press conference Facebook Live

Green says ‘full shutdown’ might be necessary if COVID-19 cases don’t decline. Lt. Gov. Josh Green said Wednesday that if the daily statewide COVID-19 case numbers continue to be in the 150-200 range in a week, he’d advise Gov. David Ige “to do the full shutdown and go back to a four-week period of stay-at-home” mandates. Tribune-Herald.

Hospitals could be overwhelmed in a month if cases of COVID-19 continue to increase at the current rate. Hospitals could be overwhelmed within a month if the number of COVID-19 cases doesn’t start to decrease according to Lieutenant Governor Josh Green. KHON2.

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Governor Defends Anderson, Park In Face Of Growing Criticism. New reporting out yesterday from Hawaii Public Radio shows that the state Department of Health significantly exaggerated its capacity to perform contact tracing, while downplaying challenges facing the program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Health Department has new contact tracing leader. Hawaii’s top health officials have turned their much maligned “contact tracing” program over to a new hire, following record numbers of COVID-19 cases and a call for the removal of the state’s health director and epidemiologist. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s Contact Tracing Effort Falls Short Of National Standards. The state Department of Health is trying to hire new staff to address a shortage as the virus spreads. Civil Beat.

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Triple-digit cases persist with death toll hitting 38. Hawaii recorded 202 cases of novel coronavirus and two more deaths Wednesday as various clusters of infection continued to pop up around Oahu and some clusters grew. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 Data Shows Hawaii Is In A ‘Very Dire Situation’. Despite a troubling rise in the number of cases, the public does not seem to have an appropriate sense of urgency, an epidemic tracking expert says. Civil Beat.

VIRUS TRACKER — Aug. 12: 202 New Cases And 2 Deaths. Health officials have reported four deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the state’s coronavirus death toll to 38. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Updates For August 12th: 202 New Cases, 4 Deaths. The state has identified several distinct restaurant clusters. Big Island Video News.

202 New COVID-19 Cases in Hawai‘i (O‘ahu 197, Kaua‘i 2, Hawai‘i Island 2, Maui 1). The state has reported another triple digit increase in new COVID-19 cases with 202 new cases today including 197 on Oʻahu, two each on Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island, and one on Maui.  There were also four deaths on the island of Oʻahu. Maui Now.

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Longtime lobbyist of Hawaii's 'right to die' legislation passes away. When the state passed the "Our Care, Our Choice" act last January allowing patients to end their life with lethal medication he decided to take his life and his death into his own hands. KITV4.

John Radcliffe / 1942-2020: Fought for dignity for the dying. John Radcliffe, an educator, lobbyist, former executive director of the Hawaii State Teachers Association and unrelenting advocate for death with dignity, died Tuesday night in his Makiki home surrounded by family and close friends after ending his life with prescribed medication. Star-Advertiser.

Veteran Hawaii Lobbyist John Radcliffe Dead At 78. He helped lead the fight to legalize medical aid in dying. Civil Beat.

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State pension fund pops in final quarter to end year in the black. It was a get-well quarter for the state’s largest public pension fund as it overcame the effects of COVID-19 to post a 6.2% investment return and edge into positive territory for fiscal year 2020. Star-Advertiser.

HMSHost may layoff up to 500 furloughed Hawaii airport food service staff. In a notice to the State Labor Department, HMSHost, which runs most of the food stands at Hawaii’s airports in Honolulu, Kahului, and Lihue, says it began furloughing employees back in March. KHON2.

Over 220 Securitas employees get back pay for Fair Labor Standards violations. Securitas is paying more than 220 employees $176,000 in back wages. The U.S. Department of Labor found the private security company wasn’t paying staff that went back on the job during meal breaks. Hawaii News Now.

Vote-By-Mail Helped Perk Up Hawaii Turnout But So Did Some Competitive Races. Voting was up throughout the state, in some areas more than others. Civil Beat.

People In Hawaii Are Struggling. The Nonprofits That Help Them Are Too. The pandemic will force some nonprofits to close. Others will have to change and adapt to survive. Civil Beat.

DOH cites four companies for air permit violations. The Hawai‘i Department of Health Clean Air Branch issued fines to four companies last week for violating air permit regulations, including one on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

4 monk seals released on Midway Atoll refuge. Four healthy Hawaiian monk seals were successfully released on the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge after staff at Ke Kai Ola, The Marine Mammal Center’s monk seal hospital on Hawaii island, cared for the endangered mammals for more than 10 months. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Mayor Caldwell says no coronavirus cases tied to employee retirement party at Honolulu Hale. Mayor Kirk Caldwell, who last week issued an executive order instructing Oahu residents to stay away from those not in their immediate family, on Wednesday sent a memo to about 10,000 city employees urging them to not gather for lunch or other social occasions. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor: ‘Give Us Evidence’ Potluck Caused Virus Cluster At Honolulu Hale. The headquarters of Honolulu’s city government has seen its total cases rise to at least 13. Civil Beat.

Caldwell denies retirement potluck was source of COVID-19 infections at Honolulu Hale. Two days after a cluster of COVID cases led to the closure of Honolulu Hale, the Department of Health reports the virus may have spread at an employee potluck at the city building ― and that 11 cases are “potentially linked” to the luncheon. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Caldwell says no known COVID-19 cases linked to an employee retirement party.  Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said they investigated details surrounding a retirement party in late July on municipal grounds after Hawaii state officials said an employee gathering or potluck had the potential to transmit the illness to 11 city and county workers. KHON2.

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Campbell High School teacher arrested for violating Hawaii quarantine. A Hawaii high school teacher was arrested for violating the 14-day traveler quarantine the state mandated to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

Schofield Barracks School Age Center employee tests positive. The employee is not a direct caregiver. KITV4.

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16 cases at OCCC after 7 more inmates test positive for COVID-19. The Department of Public Safety announced today that seven inmates at the Oahu Community Correctional Center have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of inmates at the facility with the virus up to 16. Star-Advertiser.

OCCC corrections officers plead for change as COVID-19 outbreak grows. "When I broke the news to my family, it was hard," described an adult corrections officer at the O'ahu Community Correctional Center who tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend. KITV4.

Mainland college students seek rentals on Oahu. One realty company is apprehensive. There's high demand from mainland college students who want to rent homes together in Hawaii to ride out the pandemic, but one realty company says it's rejecting the new business. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu North Shore businesses closing as tourist torrent slows to a trickle. It’s not just Waikiki that’s been hit hard by the drop in visitor numbers due to the coronavirus pandemic. Hawaii News Now.

Mayoral race analysis shows Blangiardi won 26 of 34 districts in primary election. A Hawaii News Now analysis also shows that Blangiardi won in all but eight House Districts and held double-digit percentage point leads in places like Hawaii Kai and Kailua. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Kamehameha Schools Hawaii student tests positive for COVID-19. The student is in isolation, and contact tracing is underway to identify and follow up with all close contacts. Tribune-Herald.

Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i to Transition to Distance Learning Thursday. Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i will transition to distance learning for at least the rest of August after a case of COVID-19 was identified in a high school student on its Big Island campus Wednesday. Big Island Now.

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Maunakea protest camp spurs ethics complaint: Ethics Board debates jurisdiction, postpones action until September. The Board of Ethics considered a citizen petition Wednesday asking why Hawaii County isn’t enforcing laws on Maunakea ranging from last year’s blockade of the mountain’s access road to the construction of unpermitted structures near the protest site. West Hawaii Today.

Location Chosen For Student Telescope On Mauna Kea, As Hōkū Keʻa Removal Planned. The precise location preferred by scientists for the new UH-Hilo student telescope was revealed this week, as the process to decommission the Hōkū Keʻa observatory on the summit of Maunakea continues. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui County may see bump in COVID-19 case numbers soon. There was one new COVID-19 case reported on Maui, but officials say there may be a bump in COVID-19 cases reported on the island within the next few days. KHON2.

Maui County says they’re flooded with traveler quarantine exemption requests. It is day two of the inter-island travel quarantine requirement and Maui county has already received thousands of exemption requests. Hawaii News Now.

Kamehameha Maui Campus Announces Full Distance Learning Through Aug. 31. The Kamehameha Maui campus transitions to a full distance learning program today, through at least the end of the month. Maui Now.

Illegal encampments blocking sewage pumping station. Maui County has issued notices to vacate to people with illegal encampments and vehicles blocking access to the Wailuku sewage pump station off Kahului Beach Road. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i looking to limit outdoor gatherings. Mayor Derek Kawakami requested an additional amendment to an emergency rule that would bring the maximum number of people at a social outdoor gathering from 100 down to 25. Garden Island.

FTA funds to replace six in Kaua‘i Bus fleet. The County of Kaua‘i received $1.4 million in funds, as part of a Federal Transit Administration package of $9,596,669 to purchase new buses on Kaua‘i, Maui and Hawai‘i Island. Garden Island.

Hawaii feeling the shutdown strain, sole GOP state senator affirmed by Supreme Court, Gabbard criticizing Democratic colleagues, bacteria closes Oahu beaches, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu International Airport ©2019 All Hawaii News

Shutdown strain could lead to longer airport lines. Working without pay for weeks. While the battle over the partial government shutdown takes place in Washington D-C, it's putting a strain on people here in Hawaii. KITV.

Impact in Hawaii likely to worsen as shutdown continue. The number of federal civilian employees in Hawaii that are either furloughed or working without pay 20 days after the government partially shut down has been tallied at some 2,741, according to website governing.com, which focuses on state and local government. Star-Advertiser.

Day 19: Federal workers in Hawaii take on side jobs, loans as shutdown drags on. Hawaii News Now.

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The State’s General Fund forecast for the current fiscal year was lowered less than one percentage point today, meaning there’s less money to spend in the upcoming legislative session. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Hawaii Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a challenge filed by defeated state Senate candidate Matt LoPresti, clearing the way for Kurt Fevella to be the state’s only Republican senator. Star-Advertiser.

Minimum Wage And Marijuana: What To Expect In The 2019 Hawaii Legislature. Lawmakers will tackle familiar issues like public school funding. They’re also likely to raise the minimum wage and might even legalize recreational marijuana. Civil Beat.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard took aim at Democratic colleagues, including U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, accusing them of religious bigotry in their questioning of Brian Buescher, a nominee to the U.S. District Court of Nebraska, in an opinion piece published by The Hill yesterday. Star-Advertiser.

Childhood sexual abuse, drug use, violence and fractured families are among the common threads in the victim stories told to researchers examining the scope of sex trafficking in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

High bacteria levels at various beaches lead to closure of a popular spot. Due to the elevated levels, a city spokesperson said Hanauma Bay would be closed on Thursday. The upper viewing area, parking lot, and visitor center will remain open. Hawaii News Now.

Hanauma Bay will be closed Thursday after testing showed elevated levels of bacteria in the water. It's one of six separate areas of Oahu where high bacteria levels were found. KHON2.

Honolulu Police Chief increases patrol staff for the next few years. KHON2.

An erased crosswalk renews calls for safer roads after elderly man’s death. It was Oahu’s first traffic fatality of the year. Hawaii News Now.

"Put the crosswalk back on Hawaii Kai Drive," residents urge the city after a man dies in the area. KHON2.

The tail section of a crashed Hawker Hunter fighter jet -- with its engine and "black box" -- was recovered in about 265 feet of water Monday off Kewalo Basin, the Coast Guard said. Star-Advertiser.

Non-Profits Contribute Funds, Staff to Keep Pearl Harbor Open During Shutdown. Hawaii Public Radio.

The International Market Place — more than two years after opening a glitzy $500 million shopping complex in the heart of Waikiki — is redesigning its Kalakaua Avenue entrance to improve the flow of customers. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Despite perennial complaints about the cumbersome process of getting building permits, the head of that county division was elevated Wednesday to director of the Department of Public Works. West Hawaii Today.

David Yamamoto, a long-time County engineer, was confirmed as the new Director of Public Works by the Hawaii County Council during a meeting in Hilo on Wednesday. Big Island Video News.

A pair of bills that appropriate millions of federal dollars to recover from 2018’s disasters passed their first readings by the County Council on Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

A priority list of Kilauea Volcano eruption recovery projects was provided to the Hawaii County Council today, as a bill to appropriate an early round of Federal Emergency Management Agency funds passed first reading. Big Island Video News.

Big Island officials are asking state lawmakers for $155 million to fund repairs and losses due to the Kilauea eruption. That’s on top of more than half a billion dollars in federal funding sought by the county and Big Island residents. Hawaii News Now.

When the new legislative session opens next week Hawaii County will ask the state for $155 million dollars to help with the Kilauea eruption recovery. KITV.

County Council members Wednesday held their noses and advanced a sewer rate hike few seemed to like, sending it to the council for two more votes. West Hawaii Today.

Federal class-action suit claims Lloyd’s, underwriters, defrauded Puna homeowners. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Department of Water Supply employees at a public meeting in Holualoa Wednesday evening fielded inquiries on a new 16-inch transmission line set to span 5,240 feet of Mamalahoa Highway between Water Pipe Road and Kamila Place. West Hawaii Today.

Other Spaceport Plans Crashed — Will This One Fly? The site of a proposed launch pad in Puna has not been revealed, but a preliminary possibility is described as “east or northeast of the macadamia nut farm.” Civil Beat.

Maui

The Maui Planning Commission has approved a settlement agreement between Maui County and the Kapalua Resort Association, which dismantled a rock wall on its property without permits in June 2017. Maui News.

The state Health Department said this morning it has ordered Maui Land & Pineapple Co. to pay a penalty of $230,000 for 15 wastewater effluent violations from the Haliimaile waste stabilization ponds on the Valley Isle. The company must also build a new wastewater treatment plant. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii State Department of Health issued a Notice of Violation and Order against the Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc. for 15 alleged wastewater effluent violations from the Haliimaile waste stabilization ponds on Maui. The company has been ordered to pay a penalty of $230,000 and construct a new wastewater treatment plant. Maui Now.

Maui Land & Pineapple fined for wastewater violations. KHON2.

Department of Taxation special agents and state Deputy Sheriffs arrested today a former tax preparer in Lahaina for tax violations. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

On Kauai, election officials are preparing for a big experiment: All mail-in voting. Last year, Governor David Ige signed a law that allows Kauai County to distribute mail-in ballots to all registered voters for the 2020 primary and general elections. Hawaii News Now.

Knee-deep in keawe and spiders, about 15 sailors at the Pacific Missile Range Facility were on the hunt for albatross nests Wednesday morning, under the guidance of the base’s natural resource team and members of federal and state wildlife and land management agencies. Garden Island.

The opening of Kuhio Highway on the North Shore remains uncertain. In an update on emergency repairs to the road damaged in the April flooding, the Hawaii Department of Transportation said Wednesday there have been “unavoidable extensions in the project schedule.” Garden Island.

State keeps Pearl Harbor open in federal shutdown, FEMA sending $61M to Big Island, Ozawa to be Honolulu council chairman, Kalapana band founder Bilyeu dies, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

USS Arizona Memorial, courtesy NPS

The Hawaii Tourism Authority on Thursday agreed to provide $126,000 in emergency funding to keep the USS Arizona Memorial visitor center staffed and open during the partial government shutdown — which could extend into the new year. Star-Advertiser.

Emergency funds approved to keep Pearl Harbor monument open as shutdown drags on. Hawaii News Now.

How Pearl Harbor Historic Sites stay open during government shutdown. KHON2.

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Hawaii won’t top earlier projections of 10 million visitors this year, but is still expected to have record tourism. There were more tourists visiting the islands year over year in November, with total arrivals up 4.3 percent to 781,990, according to the latest report released Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Sen. Mazie K. Hirono announced today that she will donate pay she receives during the partial government shutdown to food banks in all four counties across Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hirono says she’ll donate salary earned during government shutdown. Hawaii News Now.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs says state agencies have been vastly under­reporting to the Legislature the amount of revenue they are generating from the state’s public land trust and that OHA’s share of that revenue should be more than double what it’s currently receiving. Star-Advertiser.

OHA Wants A Lot More Ceded Land Money From The State. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs says the annual cap of $15.1 million is too low and that state agencies should do a better job reporting their revenues. Civil Beat.

The University of Hawaii is expected to sign a new contract with the U.S. Navy for $80 million worth of research during the next five years for projects ranging from cybersecurity to renewable energy. Civil Beat.

Here’s a look at some of the laws set to take effect in the new year. Hawaii News Now.

Injured Workers Still Searching For Relief. A key lawmaker is promising to again pursue reforms in Hawaii’s workers’ comp system during the upcoming legislative session. Civil Beat.

Malani Bilyeu, founding member of iconic Hawaiian band Kalapana, dies. Hawaii News Now.

Malani Bilyeu, founding member of Kalapana, dies. KHON2.

Malani Bilyeu, founding member of Kalapana, and Hoku Award-winning solo artist, dies. Star-Advertiser.

Sashimi prices are still uncertain as the new year approaches. It’s still too soon to say what kind of prices customers will face as demand for sashimi rises with the arrival of the New Year. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Trevor Ozawa will likely take the gavel as chairman of the Honolulu City Council when the new Council meets for the first time Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

East Honolulu Councilman Trevor Ozawa could be the new chairman of the Honolulu City Council, replacing his political ally Ernie Martin, who leaves office at the end of the year. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Over $61 Million From FEMA For Hawaii County After Eruption, Hurricane. According to a series of communications from Hawaii County Finance Director Deanna Sako to the Hawaii County Council, FEMA is providing funds to be used for the repair of damages from the eruption of Kilauea Volcano, as well as the flooding caused by Hurricane Lane. Big Island Video News.

An environmental assessment is being drafted for a proposed small satellite launch facility in East Hawaii. The Alaska Aerospace Corp. operates the Pacific Spaceport Complex on Kodiak Island and wants to build its next site for launches closer to the equator. Tribune-Herald.

The Alaska Aerospace Corporation is considering developing a commercial spaceport on the Island of Hawaii, possibly in the Keaau area. Big Island Video News.

Puna Geothermal Venture’s $150,000 donation to Hawaii County aimed at helping Puna residents affected by the Kilauea eruption was unrelated to its request to build an emergency access road over the lava flow, says its Hawaii representative. Tribune-Herald.

Tourism to the Big Island was down from last year for the sixth month in a row in November, according to preliminary data from the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Lieutenant Governor Josh Green will deliver the keynote address at the Maui County Council inauguration on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019 at 10 a.m. in the Council Chamber. Maui Now.

Council organizational meeting set for Jan. 2. Maui News.

A bill restricting the use and sale of polystyrene foam food service containers in Maui County goes into effect on Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. Maui Now.

Kauai

Zuckerberg Could Still Absorb Tiny Parcels Into His Estate. The Facebook founder said he would no longer try to acquire “kuleana” parcels held by families for generations on Kauai’s North Shore, but now they’re being auctioned off. Civil Beat.

On The Rebound: Natural Resources Bounce Back After April Floods. Hawaii Public Radio.

While some federal programs are screeching to a halt as a result of the ongoing government shutdown, life on Kauai is pretty much business as usual. Garden Island.

The tourism industry on Kauai is continuing a strong push to the finish of 2018. Garden Island.