Hawaii certifies first medical marijuana lab, old hand picked as new Honolulu transit chief, telescope protest planned for Maui, Kauai police chief wins attorney fees, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Marijuana plant, courtesy Pixabay Commons

The state Department of Health today certified Hawaii’s first marijuana testing laboratory. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii approved its first laboratory to begin testing samples of medical marijuana 17 years after use of the drug was legalized in the state. Associated Press.

Dispensaries Closer To Opening As State Certifies First Cannabis-Testing Lab. A Honolulu laboratory can begin testing the products that will be sold to medical marijuana patients. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Department of Health on Monday granted Steep Hill Hawaii a provisional certification to begin testing medical cannabis from the state’s medical marijuana dispensaries and registered patients and caregivers. Pacific Business News.

The state Department of Health on Monday approved its first laboratory to begin testing medical marijuana, putting Hawaii’s dispensaries one step closer to being able to open. Tribune-Herald.

A private laboratory on Oahu has been certified by the state Department of Health to begin testing medical cannabis products, a long-awaited next step that brings Hawaii's eight dispensaries closer to completing their first sales, which could be as early as mid-August. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu lab first to conduct medical cannabis testing for Hawaii dispensaries. KITV.

The Hawaii Department of Health granted Steep Hill Hawaii, a private independent laboratory on Oahu, a provisional certification Monday after the laboratory passed and met requirements that demonstrate it has the capacity and proficiency to test cannabis and manufactured cannabis in compliance with state law. Maui Now.

Political candidates contemplating running for elected office in 2018 will be allowed to file nomination papers in 6 months. The Republican Party of Hawaii hopes to is resolve ongoing internal issues by then. Hawaii Public Radio.

Christina Kishimoto begins her new job leading Hawaii public schools today, ahead of Monday’s start of the 2017-18 school year. Star-Advertiser.

Public school students head back to class in a week, but the Department of Education says if it doesn’t find more bus drivers before then, there could be issues. KHON2.

Black people have a long history in Hawaii dating back to the 19th century. The state’s more than 21,000 blacks make up a little over 3 percent of the population. That compares to a national average of 13 percent and ranks Hawaii 39th among all state in the percentage of its population that is black. Hawaii Public Radio.

Matson Inc. sailed over a shallow trough of lower Hawaii cargo shipments to produce a 33 percent profit gain in the second quarter largely driven by enhanced business in China and Alaska. Star-Advertiser.

Mary Ann Barnes, who started as an intensive care unit nurse on the night shift with Kaiser Permanente in San Diego and rose through the ranks in a 43-year career to become president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals Hawaii Region, will retire in September. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has selected Andrew Robbins as the next, permanent executive director to lead the island’s financially challenged rail transit project. Star-Advertiser.

HART Board Chooses A New Executive Director. Andrew Robbins will take over as the city and state struggle to fully fund the 20-mile project, which has an estimated $3 billion shortfall. Civil Beat.

Oahu's beleaguered rail project has a new head. Hawaii News Now.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) has named Andrew “Andy” Robbins as its new executive director Monday morning. KHON2.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board on Monday voted to hire Andrew Robbins, an executive with Bombardier Transportation, to oversee the construction of Honolulu’s $10 billion rail transit project. Pacific Business News.

Andrew Robbins was a key member of the Oahu Transit Group that was working on the city’s rail project in the 1990s when it was killed by a Honolulu City Council vote, an outcome he called “a huge disappointment.” Star-Advertiser.

Scrutiny of Oahu company grows after it's tied to 2 recent plane crashes. Hawaii News Now.

How A Diamond Head Pitchman Eludes A Crackdown. The state says to compete with illegal sales of “I Climbed Diamond Head” certificates, it will sell its own souvenirs at the summit. Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi says she’s been receiving complaints about homeless setting up camp along streams in her district. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

A switch to cost-saving LED streetlights has saved Hawaii County enough money to pay for upgrades to traffic signals islandwide. Tribune-Herald.

Waiaha Deepwell’s return to service derailed by malfunction, cable break. West Hawaii Today.

Auto thefts have long been a concern on the Big Island. As of late, however, court documents describing some of these crimes have narratives that seem to be lifted from the script of a made-for-TV movie. Tribune-Herald.

Gov. David Ige has received a list of nominees from the Judicial Selection Commission for the vacancies created by the retirement of former Big Island circuitjudges Glenn S. Hara and Ronald Ibarra. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Health System, the Kaiser Permanente Hawaii entity that took over operation of three state-owned hospitals in Maui County earlier this month, has named Michael Rembis CEO and hospital administrator. Pacific Business News.

Just a month after Maui Health System assumed operations at Maui County hospitals, the Kaiser affiliate and its parent company have announced changes in top leadership. Maui News.

A peaceful protest of a slow-moving wide load of telescope parts for the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope atop Haleakala is planned at King Kekaulike High School in Pukalani tonight and into Wednesday. Maui News.

Sovereignty Restoration Day marked with kalo-pounding event. Maui News.

After more than a century, taro is now once again growing in Kahoma Valley on Maui. Hawaii News Now.

Hokulea Coming to Honolua, Aug. 19. Maui Now.

Kauai

Darryl Perry, chief of the Kauai Police Department, was recently reimbursed over $12,000 for attorney fees after he filed a complaint against the county. Garden Island.

A survey for the Kauai Bus Short-Range Transit Plan will be open until Sept. 4. Garden Island.

Local divers are hosting a public meeting to discuss the preservation of Kauai’s popular dive sites at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Lihue Public Library. Garden Island.

Solar demand increases, more high rises for Honolulu, Kenoi interview emphasizes accomplishments, Kauai girds against ohia fungus, Molokai water restrictions lifted, Christmas trees arrive, Maui Sugar Cane Train back for the holiday, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii represents at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, courtesy King's Hawaiian

More than 400 Hawaii band members, along with 200 hula dancers braved the chilly streets of New York protected by sand-filled dump trucks and bomb-sniffing dogs as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade went off without a hitch today. Associated Press.

courtesy King's Hawaiian

Hundreds of Hawaii keiki braved 40-degree weather in New York for the 90th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. KHON2.

Most of the 108,000 Christmas trees have arrived in the islands just in time for Black Friday sales. Star-Advertiser.

Demand for rooftop solar systems is growing again despite last year’s reduction in incentives. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

A former corrections officer at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center is accused of having relationships with two inmates and lying about it. Hawaii News Now.

Development incentives tied to the city’s rail system combined with strong housing and tourism demand have cranked up efforts to build residential or hotel towers mauka of Ala Moana Center near the transit line’s envisioned last stop in urban Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Chinese investors, through a Honolulu company, plan to develop a 400-unit mixed-use high-rise tower on a block across the street from the Walmart and Walgreens flagship stores in Honolulu. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

Mayor Billy Kenoi Says Aloha. Hawaii Public Radio.

The state Department of Transportation is preparing a “transportation corridor study” for the Hamakua Coast that could impact 50 miles of highway between Hilo and Waimea. Tribune-Herald.

In an October 13 talk story held in Kona, DOT deputy director Ed Sniffen says archaeological sites have stalled the speed of construction of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway. Big Island Video News.

Mokuaikaua Church was selected to participate in a national grant-making program providing a planning grant and in-kind professional services, which is leading to $250,000 in capital grants. West Hawaii Today.

A community sailing canoe, built with the help of a crowdfunding campaign, was set on fire earlier this month, said one of the builders, who believes the damage was intentional. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The Sugar Cane Train is coming back to Lahaina town this holiday season for the first time in two years starting Friday. Maui News.

Kahului state Rep. Justin Woodson will take over as chairman of the state House Higher Education Committee, and East Maui-Molokai-Lanai Rep. Lynn DeCoite will be vice chairwoman of the Agriculture Committee, according to an announcement Tuesday of appointments to House committee leadership positions. Maui News.

Maui ocean safety crews have reopened several beach parks in Kihei after a shark sighting at Kamaole Beach. KITV.

Kauai

Boot cleaning stations at trailheads, encouraging people to wash clothing and boots between hikes, and installing a washing station at the port for vehicles and equipment are just a few ideas for preventing the spread of Rapid Ohia Death to Kauai, according to Sheri Mann, head of Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Garden Island.

An informational meeting on the current bridge construction project over Keahua Stream at the Keahua Arboretum is scheduled Tuesday at Kapaa Middle School. Garden Island.

The Department of Parks and Recreation has scheduled its third community meeting regarding the development of a master plan for the expansion of a popular North Shore beach park. Garden Island.

Greg Allen, developer of Hokua Place, said he doesn’t think a two-week extension for the comment period of the general plan discussion draft matters. Garden Island.

Molokai

Water restrictions for hundreds of users of two Hoolehua water tanks on Molokai were lifted Wednesday by the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Maui News.