PACOM warns Congress of North Korean nuclear missile threat, Maui mayor to run for lieutenant governor, two candidates for schools superintendent, Legislature spars over rail, Honolulu council advances tax hike, lifeguard liability protection at risk, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Adm. Harry Harris C-SPAN3 screenshot

The head of the U.S. Pacific Command told Congress on Wednesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “is clearly in a position to threaten Hawaii today,” adding that a defensive radar for the islands is being planned and that installing intercontinental ballistic missile interceptors here is being discussed. Star-Advertiser.

Pacific Command Head Calls For Missile Interceptors In Hawaii To Defend Against North Korea. Adm. Harry Harris said Hawaii needs missile interceptors and improved radar capabilities. American Military News.

U.S. ballistic missile architecture is sufficient to protect Hawaiʻi today, Navy Adm. Harris testified, but it can be overwhelmed. Big Island Video News.

In a House Armed Services Committee hearing Wednesday, Admiral Harry Harris, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, confirmed the threat of North Korea to Hawaii. Garden Island.

Does Hawaii face a nuclear missile threat from North Korea? The top U.S. commander in the Pacific says yes. KHON2.

In a House Armed Services Committee hearing today, Admiral Harry Harris, Commander of the US Pacific Command, confirmed the threat of North Korea to Hawaiʻi and detailed potential vulnerabilities that exist within current US missile defense capabilities that could put Hawaiʻi at risk. Maui Now.

=====

Two mainland schools chiefs are in the running to become the next superintendent of Hawaii’s public school system. The Board of Education announced Linda Chen and Christina Kishimoto as the top candidates for the position. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Board of Education is one step closer to finding the state’s next schools superintendent. KHON2.

The state Department of Transportation wants to transfer management of Hawaii's airports from the DOT's Airports Division to a separate entity that it would no longer manage. KITV.

Hawaii airports chief admits failure to bring about changes addressed in airport authority bill. Pacific Business News.

State lawmakers have less than a week to agree over a bill that would protect county lifeguards on state beaches or to let it expire and open the state up to the possibility of personal injury lawsuits — and it appears neither side is budging, a Maui senator said Wednesday. Maui News.

Despite the upswing in rat lungworm cases, researchers who have been studying the disease for years at the University of Hawaii at Hilo are still pleading for state funding. Hawaii News Now.

Extensive environmental protections put in place by former President Barack Obama in waters surrounding the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands could be in jeopardy following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on Wednesday that requires a review of national monuments. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Key state lawmakers gathered Wednesday to discuss a new plan to extend the Oahu excise tax surcharge for rail by another 10 years, but it isn’t clear whether the idea has the support it would need to win approval in either the Senate or the House. Star-Advertiser.

Feuding over the future funding of Honolulu’s rail project, normally confined to behind-the-scenes negotiations, broke out into the open Wednesday at a crowded legislative hearing. Civil Beat.

State lawmakers clashed Wednesday over plans to extend a tax to cover a $3 billion shortfall for Honolulu's rail project. Hawaii News Now.

Some called it a drastic departure for Honolulu's train. A new Senate draft of the bill that would fund rail extends the tax by 10 years. That's longer than the two years the House proposed. KITV.

In a series of 5-4 votes, several of Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s proposals to increase taxes and fees won preliminary approval Wednesday from the Honolulu City Council. Civil Beat.

In bid to boost revenues, council passes bill to allow sponsorship of city properties. Hawaii News Now.

The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday passed a bill banning sitting and lying on sidewalks in parts of Kapalama and Iwilei. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu’s Water Pipes Keep Rupturing. Customers pay millions annually to repair main breaks, but the Board of Water Supply would need far more to fully upgrade the infrastructure. Civil Beat.

Sears is planning a homecoming of sorts at Ala Moana Center, where the retailer closed a store in 2013 after spending more than 50 years at Hawaii’s largest shopping mall. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The state’s proposed budget includes $40 million for additional widening of Highway 130, according to Puna lawmakers. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii’s Parker Land Trust, the sister entity of Parker Ranch Inc., one of the largest cattle ranches in the United States, has filed a foreclosure lawsuit against German industrialist and clean energy pioneer Michael Saalfeld for not paying the trust the full amount for the 3,509 acres of land he purchased in 2010 at the Big Island ranch, according to public documents. Pacific Business News.

After decades of discussions, adjustments and scrapped plans, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources has released an environmental impact statement preparation notification for the master plan for Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park in South Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Several cases of rapid ohia death were confirmed in the main unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, marking the first instances of the deadly fungal disease in one of the most visited locations on the island. Tribune-Herald.

Father reportedly said he disposed of Peter Boy’s body in ocean. Star-Advertiser.

Family members of Peter Kema Jr. were escorted Wednesday morning to the Puna site where Peter Kema Sr. said he left the body of his son, also known as “Peter Boy,” in 1997. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa said Wednesday that he is “very strongly inclined” to run for leiutenant governor, the second-highest office in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

On the surface, it seems that the more than 600 workers who lost their jobs with the closure of Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar last year have been absorbed by the labor market with Maui unemployment rates below 3 percent and falling, a University of Hawaii economist said Wednesday. Maui News.

An Upcountry dance academy has until Monday to vacate its longtime studio at the Old Kula Community Center, after Maui County condemned the 82-year-old building earlier this week. Maui News.

With worries about rat lungworm disease in the East Maui community, the Kaupo Community Association and the Jonathan Starr Foundation will be sponsoring a free rat trap giveaway during the East Maui Taro Festival on Saturday at the Hana Ballpark. Maui News.

Kauai

Alakai O Kauai Public Charter School will not be opening in August. That decision came after an almost eight-month endeavor to find a space for the school came up short. Garden Island.

Speedie Lube closing Saturday after 30 years in business. Garden Island.

Hawaii set to be first to challenge Trump's travel ban, state Senate passes assisted suicide bill, Honolulu may charge for checkout bags, Kona beach closed after high bacteria counts, Kauai searches for entangled humpback, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 Feb. 10, 2017, rally, courtesy Muslim Association of Hawaii

Hawaii is expected to become the first state in the nation to challenge President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii is poised to challenge President Donald Trump’s new executive order on immigration as early as Wednesday — more than a week before the travel ban is set to take effect. Civil Beat.

Hawaii is not wasting any time challenging President Donald Trump's new travel ban. KITV.

A day after President Donald Trump signed a revised travel ban, attorneys for Hawaii said the state plans to challenge that order as well. Associated Press.

As Hawaii Muslims offered mid-day prayers Tuesday, the president of their association talked about recent anonymous hate messages directed at the Oahu mosque and its members via social media posts, emails and voicemail messages. Hawaii News Now.

Statement of Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin can be found here.

======

Hawaii’s full Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to advance a bill that would let terminally ill patients obtain prescriptions for lethal doses of drugs after an emotional debate on the floor that included one senator’s personal story about his battle with pancreatic cancer and why he opposed giving patients the option to end their own lives. Star-Advertiser.

Aid In Dying Bill Clears Senate Despite Emotional Appeal. On a big day at the Capitol, senators also passed a rail tax bill while the House voted to decriminalize drug paraphernalia possession. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Senate passed a bill to allow terminally ill patients to receive medical aid in dying, one of hundreds of bills lawmakers passed Tuesday ahead of a legislative deadline. Associated Press.

The state Senate passed a medical aid-in-dying bill and a bill to ban vaping and smoking on all University of Hawaii campuses. The two measures were among hundreds of bills lawmakers passed Tuesday ahead of a legislative deadline. Tribune-Herald.

======

Growth in visitor arrivals has outpaced hotel usage in Hawaii, according to a recent survey commissioned by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, which shows consumer demand for alternative accommodations is growing. Star-Advertiser.

The Board of Education promises to be open and transparent regarding its search for a new superintendent. KHON2.

The ideal candidate to be Hawaii’s next schools superintendent will be a “transformational leader” who encourages innovation and risk-taking, inspires teamwork and demonstrates a deep commitment to helping students maximize their potential, according to a list of job characteristics endorsed by the state Board of Education. Star-Advertiser.

The state Department of Health said today that Meadow Gold Dairies may resume selling 2 percent reduced-fat milk processed at its Honolulu plant after sales were suspended more than a week ago because of signs of potential contamination. Star-Advertiser.

Thousands of public school teachers across Hawaiʻi waved signs to motorists before school this morning, Tuesday, March 7, and then walked into schools together before classes began. Maui Now.

Oahu

The state Senate passed a proposal to deal with Oahu’s troubled transit project Tuesday, but not before several members vented about the city’s handling of rail and called for more accountability. Star-Advertiser.

A bill expanding the city’s controversial “sit-lie” ordinance into Iwilei and additional parts of Kapalama moved out of a City Council committee Tuesday after receiving passionate testimony from area merchants and residents. Star-Advertiser.

Paper or plastic? Either way, you’d have to pay under a proposal to make Honolulu’s plastic bag ban even stricter. KHON2.

A leading surfers group, with a track record for stopping projects, turned out in full force Tuesday to make waves against a plan to replace Waikiki’s aging Royal Hawaiian Groin with a design that has a much larger footprint. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Foodbank expects to save about $2.1 million over the next 25 years on its newly installed rooftop solar energy system, the Honolulu-based nonprofit said Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii's residents take the top spot in terms of the country’s happiest and healthiest, but those who call urban Honolulu home appear to be below the state’s average. Pacific Business News.

Commentary: The Honolulu Ethics Commission last month concluded it lacks legal authority to apply the conflict of interest prohibitions and disclosure requirements of the ethics code to City Council members who receive significant campaign support from special interest groups. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

The Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch issued a beach advisory for Kona Coast Beach Park Tuesday, citing elevated levels of enterococci bacteria in the water. West Hawaii Today.

The Department of Public Works is instituting new procedures — such as requiring tools to be checked in and out each day — in response to an audit that found too much inventory unaccounted for. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism and the U.S.-Japan Council, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit educational organization, will host the first ever Japan-Hawaii Economic Summit in Kona from May 9-11. Pacific Business News.

Teachers rally for better wages. West Hawaii Today.

A woman wearing a full-face snorkel mask died at Pohoiki Bay. Her husband thinks the new style of mask may be to blame, but no one keeps track of the equipment being used when someone drowns. Civil Beat.

Maui

Teachers out in force. Maui News.

Overnight receiving kennels for strays and owner-surrendered animals at The Maui Humane Society shelter in Puunene will be closed on April 1 in a decision made for “the welfare of the animals,” said the nonprofit organization’s chief executive officer. Maui News.

Kauai

A search continues for an entangled humpback whale last seen near Koloa Landing on Kauai’s south side at 9 a.m. Monday by a kayaker about a mile off-shore. Garden Island.

Educators push for progress in contract talks. Garden Island.

Kauai Women’s Caucus aims to bring social change. Garden Island.

Hold onto your wallets--the Legislature's in session; Maui mayor's denial of sacred rocks draws ire; insecticide ban urged; bills die on deadline; Kim kills compost contract; rail car construction to resume; more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Capitol © 2017 All Hawaii News

State lawmakers are advancing a startling array of more than a dozen proposals this year to increase taxes or impose new levies on everything from marijuana and prepaid cellphones to rocks. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Residents, brace for a clear money grab by politicians. Star-Advertiser.

After a major legislative deadline, the number of bills still alive in the Hawaii Legislature has dwindled. Proposals to boost the use of batteries for renewable energy and take parts of the federal Affordable Care Act into state law are survived. But the variety of unusual proposals to solving homelessness — from setting up sanctioned campgrounds to allowing people to live in driveways — had a mixed fate. Associated Press.

Environmental activists are urging Hawaii lawmakers to implement a statewide ban on a widely used insecticide that’s been linked to disruptions in the brain development of babies and young children — a cause they say is all the more urgent now that President Donald Trump has assumed office and signaled his intent to curtail environmental regulations. Star-Advertiser.

A twice-defeated Senate bill that would allow media access during island disasters and emergencies has passed one committee and is on its way to the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association will host its second annual "Tourism Day at the Capitol" this week. KITV.

The state Legislature is considering taking money generated by the transient accommodations tax away from the counties. Garden Island.

The Board of Education has tapped an Iowa-based executive search firm to help it find and screen candidates for the schools superintendent position. Star-Advertiser.

The Board of Education is asking Hawaii residents for their input in choosing the state's new schools superintendent. Hawaii News Now.

Candidates are again being sought to fill a vacancy on the five-member Kamehameha Schools board of trustees after one of three finalists withdrew from the search. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii is ranked fourth among states with the highest percentage of millionaire households, according to the 2016 Phoenix Wealth & Affluent Monitor, a study released by Phoenix Marketing International. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Nearly three months after its halt, production of rail cars for the Honolulu rail project is about to start up again. KHON2.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell's affordable housing strategy aims to add up to 800 units per year. Pacific Business News.

One of the hottest areas for new housing production on Oahu could soon have a longer-lasting supply of moderate-priced homes for sale or rent — and at lower prices — if a state board adopts new rules recommended by its staff. Star-Advertiser.

A man in his 40s died Saturday morning after breaching a TSA security checkpoint at the Honolulu International Airport. Hawaii News Now.

A couple of shopping malls on O‘ahu are dealing with some of the challenges of middle age. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii

Mayor Harry Kim on Thursday signed a termination of a composting contract that was “deemed disadvantageous” to Hawaii County. Tribune-Herald.

As the days add up in the Thirty Meter Telescope contested case, so does the cost. As of Dec. 31, the state’s bill for the quasi-judicial hearing was $224,789.62, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Tribune-Herald.

Using a wheelchair or walker to reach the best areas of Hawaii County parks will get easier. But it won’t happen overnight. Tribune-Herald.

Vog experts, health professionals and concerned citizens gathered in Kona for a seminar meant to answer one simple question: Is vog the greatest daily threat to the health of Hawaii Islanders? West Hawaii Today.

A former police officer charged with fatally striking a bicyclist is scheduled to appear in court for a fitness hearing Friday accompanied by an attorney still seeking assurances the county will pay for his defense. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor Alan Arakawa is coming under fire from social media and elsewhere for saying in a televised “Hawaii News Now Sunrise” interview Friday that “there’s no such thing as sacred rocks.” Maui News.

Public scoping meetings have been scheduled for Alexander & Baldwin’s application to the state Board of Land and Natural Resources for a 30-year lease for water from streams in Nahiku, Keanae and Huelo. Maui News.

Jeanne Unemori Skog, the longtime head of the Maui Economic Development Board who began with the nonprofit 33 years ago, will step down in June, she announced Friday. Maui News.

Kauai

The County of Kauai will discuss a resolution that will allow the County Council to establish an investigating committee when it meets Wednesday. Garden Island.

When it comes to updating Rice Street, the Kauai Board of Realtors wants to hear what the community has to say. Garden Island.

Kauai has a new state district health officer. Garden Island.