RIMPAC heading to Hawaii, Lingle chairs Djou campaign, Maui to lower property taxes, pot minister gets 5 years, hotel tax downsized, Kauai to make ballot initiatives harder, hospital privatization fails, Hawaii County mulls raises, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

RIMPAC 2012 courtesy U.S. Navy

Twenty-three nations, about 40 ships, six submarines, hundreds of aircraft and 25,000 people are participating in this year's Rim of the Pacific war games in and around Hawaii June 26 to Aug. 1, the Navy said. Details until now have been few, but Navy officials released some of the specifics of this summer's iteration of the world's largest international maritime exercise. Star-Advertiser.

The state's four mayors and County Council leaders failed in their full-court press to get the state Legislature to lift the cap on their share of hotel room tax revenues Friday, but they walked away with $10 million more for their troubles. Star-Advertiser.

A bill that would have authorized Hawaii’s semipublic hospitals to work with private partners won’t become law this year. Senate Bill 3064, sponsored by Sen. Josh Green, D-Kona, Ka‘u, died late Friday night, when officials failed to release it. West Hawaii Today.

A bill to name the ukulele the official state musical instrument stalled and died last week in conference committee because both houses could not reach an agreement. But there is still hope for passage of another measure that could do the same thing before the session adjourns Thursday. Hawaii Public Radio.

State lawmakers advanced a proposal on Friday to increase the state’s minimum wage to $10.10 an hour by January 2018. Maui Now.

Wooley

Jessica Wooley, chairwoman of the House Agriculture committee whom Abercrombie has appointed director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control, faces opposition from key legislators in the Hawaii state Senate. So does  Brian Tamamoto, appointed to serve on the Hawaii Community Development Authority. Civil Beat.

Hawaii environmental groups have launched a campaign to pressure state Senators to confirm House Agriculture Chair Jessica Wooley as the governor’s Director of ​the Office of ​Environmental Quality Control. Hawaii Reporter.

A $500,000 pesticide subsidy aimed at combating the coffee berry borer has made it through its last round of negotiations and is scheduled today for a final vote in the state Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

A cap on the salary Hawaii pays its schools superintendent would get a boost for the first time in 13 years under a bill — initially presumed dead for this session — lawmakers advanced out of conference committee Monday afternoon. Star-Advertiser.

A bill that would have made it easier for residents of high-rise apartment buildings and renters to switch to solar was killed in conference committee on Friday. Senate Bill 2934 was a priority piece of legislation for clean-energy advocates. The measure would have allowed residents without roof space or those living in areas where Hawaiian Electric Co.’s electric grid can’t accommodate any more solar to still take advantage of solar energy. Civil Beat.

Hawaii ranks in the top 10 in the United States for solar energy with both Hawaiian Electric Co. and the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative recognized for being leaders on both the solar megawatts rankings and the solar watts-per-customer rankings, according to a new report released Monday. Pacific Business News.

A state board has issued new rules for solar panel installation that will require journeyman electricians to do more of the work, which is expected to raise the cost of installing the systems. Associated Press.

Hawaii legislators will vote on a bill today that will make it a felony to post a photograph of an individual in the nude without their permission. Tribune-Herald.

Lingle © 2014 All Hawaii News

Former two-term Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle is chairing Charles Djou’s campaign for Congress, the Republican candidate announced Monday. Civil Beat.

State Rep. Mark Takai has a status that no other candidate in the Democratic primary for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District can match. Takai is a combat veteran. Civil Beat.

There were 760 fewer visitors arriving in Hawaii each day in the first quarter of 2014 compared with a year earlier, and those who came spent a dollar less per day, as the tourism industry continued to lag behind last year's record numbers. Star-Advertiser.

The US Department of Education released a report on high school graduation rates across the country for 2012 on Monday. For the first time ever, the rate hit 80%. Hawaii beat the national average at 82%. Hawaii News Now.

State roundup for April 29. Associated Press.

Oahu

The company contracted to oversee various construction projects at the University of Hawaii is suing the school for more than $4.6 million over complications related to two projects, including $2.8 million for costly delays to the brand-new UH Manoa Campus Center. Civil Beat.

Detractors have called it unaffordable housing, but a planned second tower of the 801 South St. condominium project in Kakaako has attracted an overwhelming number of buyers with moderate incomes. Star-Advertiser.

An undercover sting at a Keeaumoku massage parlor could wind up backfiring on Honolulu Police. Police arrested a 41-year-old woman at the VIP Lounge for prostitution back in February but only after the vice officer said he engaged in sexual activity with the woman. Hawaii News Now.

The state has agreed to settle three alleged abuse cases against Kipapa Elementary School employees for a total of $190,000. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Six county department heads and three deputy directors will get 5 percent raises July 1, but heftier pay hikes for the County Council, mayor and top managers are less certain, following action Monday by the county Salary Commission. West Hawaii Today.

A Big Island man who openly used his ministry to promote marijuana use has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for having 300 pot plants as part of a distribution ring. Associated Press.

The wife of a Hilo man who was sentenced Monday to five years in federal prison for having 284 marijuana plants called his sentence — and hers — “disappointing." Sherryanne “Share” Christie, the wife of Roger Christie, received a 27-month prison sentence for her role in what prosecutors described as a drug distribution ring. Tribune-Herald.

Bids to complete the Mamalahoa bypass came in slightly higher than Hawaii County officials had estimated they would. But bids for the second half of the project, building a new intersection at the Napoopoo Road junction with Mamalahoa Highway, came in slightly lower than estimates. West Hawaii Today.

Pohakuloa Training Area could see upgrades, including a runway capable of handling large air transports, under a bill aimed at enhancing the U.S. military’s operations in the Pacific region. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Budget and Finance Committee Chair Mike White today announced a proposed average 9% reduction to real property tax rates for the fiscal year 2015 budget. Maui Now.

As the costs of long-term care for seniors continue to climb, especially in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, officials with Maui agencies that deal with aging suggest senior residents take more preventative measures. Maui News.

Kauai

In the future, amending the Kauai County Charter via a citizen’s petition could be more difficult. On Monday, the County of Kauai Charter Review Commission discussed, and later deferred for one month, a proposal that would quadruple the number of signatures required to petition an amendment to the charter from 5 to 20 percent of registered voters. Garden Island.

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative was honored Monday by the Solar Electric Power Association as one of the nation’s Top 10 utilities for its delivery of solar energy. Garden Island.

No aloha for ukulele, GMO fervor brings campaign cash, final week for Hawaii Legislature, election day voter registration advances, Pohakuloa could get military money, Maui airport improvements bring runway closure, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ukulele player in Merrie Monarch parade © 2014 All Hawaii News

Sorry, ukulele. Hawaii won’t spurn the steel guitar to sound its love for you. Bills in the state Legislature that would’ve declared the friendly little guitar the official instrument of Hawaii both died near the end of the legislative session. Associated Press.

Hawaii lawmakers are heading into the last week of the 2014 Legislative session, preparing to clear the decks on hundreds of bills before the action ends Thursday. Associated Press.

Chad Blair: Why I Hate Conference Committee. Civil Beat.

The fervor surrounding genetically engineered crops in Hawaii is expected to spill into this year's elections, as a number of candidates have already begun framing their campaigns around an anti-GMO sentiment. It's also anticipated to lead to increased spending on particular races that will pit opponents of genetically modified organisms against those who believe that large agribusiness and chemical companies, such as Monsanto, Syngenta and BASF, are a boon to the local economy and global food production research. Civil Beat.

A bill that would ban smoking in and around Hawaii Public Housing Authority units is headed for passage by the state Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

State lawmakers are considering a measure to downward voter turnout reverse the trend by allowing same-day voter registration. Hawaii News Now.

A state board has issued long-awaited licensing guidelines covering workers who install solar panels — a move that will result in a greater involvement of licensed electricians in the installation process. Star-Advertiser.

The influential Sierra Club of Hawaii is urging people to ask state senators to vote in favor of Jessica Wooley's appointment as director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s elevator standards are on their way up — but they have further to go. Two years ago, Hawaii's elevators were on a downward trajectory. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) was way behind on elevator and boiler inspections, and working with an “archaic” code that some experts said was a threat to public safety. More than 5,000 of the more than 7,000 elevators in the state required inspecting, meaning that no one knew for sure how many needed repairs. Civil Beat.

Heart of tourism industry lies in hana hou visitors. Problems with the homeless and increases in travel costs could keep some from coming back, officials say. Star-Advertiser.

State roundup for April 28. Associated Press.

Oahu

Honolulu’s Salary Commission is recommending raises of 8 percent for many of the city’s top officials – a rate that’s almost five times the annual inflation rate. That might seem like a steep increase, but for many of the positions — such as the police and fire chiefs and Honolulu City Council members — salaries would still lag far behind those of their counterparts in mainland cities of comparable size. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

Bill would upgrade Pohakuloa. A measure set to be introduced in Congress would assess security in Asia and the Pacific. Star-Advertiser.

There’s a good chance three former or current council members will be running for the Puna District 4 County Council seat, following the addition this week of former Councilwoman Emily Naeole. West Hawaii Today.

House and Senate conferees have agreed to include funding in the state budget for two major Big Island projects — the planned $90 million Kona Judiciary Complex and the planned $55 million University of Hawaii Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy building. Pacific Business News.

The state Legislature’s budget conference committee has agreed on a proposal to fund a permanent building for the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, legislators and university officials said Friday. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Council members tapped their district contingency funds for $525,354 during the last 10 months, with a majority of expenditures going to park facilities. Tribune-Herald.

Two students at the University of Hawaii at Hilo have filed a federal lawsuit against the school, alleging their First Amendment rights were violated on campus. The lawsuit claims U.H. Hilo staff prevented them from passing out copies of the U.S. Constitution. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

The House Finance Committee and Senate Ways and Means Committee put finishing touches on the state budget, approving funds for several key capital improvement projects in Central Maui, including funds for: the widening of Puʻunēnē Avenue; planning and design of a new middle school in Central Maui; and design and construction of a Central Maui Regional Park and Sports Complex. Maui Now.

Repair and reconstruction of the taxiway for Kahului Airport's main runway that begins Wednesday will force the closure of the runway during nighttime hours most days through the end of the year and will increase air traffic over Kahului and Wailuku, the state Department of Transportation said. Maui News.

The state Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday approved a request to restrict hunting dogs for at least two years in Molokai's Puu Alii Natural Area Reserve and in portions of reserve areas in East and West Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

Several nonprofit organizations are supporting a charter amendment petition to regulate pesticides and the growth of genetically modified organisms on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

It’s a question of in-house versus outsourcing. A cost-saving proposal by the Office of the County Attorney to create a litigation team within the County of Kauai department is being met with some resistance by officials who question how the team would be assembled — and whether the extra attorneys would be financially worth it. Garden Island.

State and county representatives are celebrating the passage of a measure that pushes back the sunset clause on a law that allows county lifeguards to operate on state beaches. Garden Island.

Hawaii Democrats to let Ige, other candidates speak, supporters fret over ukulele bill, Maui bans smoking at parks, beaches, Honolulu bans sweepstakes gambling machines, Kauai mulls golf fees, Hawaii garrison tops in the Army, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

The decision to name the ukulele the state instrument in Hawaii is proving more difficult than some lawmakers expected. Associated Press.

The National Conference of State Legislatures ranked Hawai’i number one for having the most interesting legislative proposal in the country.   It has nothing to do with the state budget … minimum wage increase or proposals to buy conservation land.  The number one topic in the national publication’s monthly magazine has to do with a bill naming Hawai’i’s official musical instrument. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Democratic Party of Hawaii on Tuesday evening reversed course and agreed to allow state Sen. David Ige, who is challenging Gov. Neil Abercrombie in the primary, to speak at the party's state convention in May. Star-Advertiser.

Private school teachers typically make far less than their public school counterparts. That applies nationally as well as locally. The median public school teacher salary in the Aloha State is about $55,300 this year, according to Hawaii Department of Education spokeswoman Dara Young. Meanwhile, for a private school teacher it is roughly $48,700, according to Myra McGovern of the National Association of Independent Schools, an umbrella organization that collects compensation data from member teachers. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers are fast-tracking legislation that would make kindergarten mandatory for 5-year-olds in hopes of giving the state time to run a public education campaign about the change before the school year ends next month. Under Senate Bill 2768, beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, kindergarten attendance would be mandatory for children who are 5 years old on or before July 31 preceding the school year. Hawaii's compulsory education age currently starts at 6. Star-Advertiser.

When the chair of the House Finance Committee dropped key provisions of a bill intended to further limit the legal liability of the state and counties for injuries occurring on public property as long as signs warning of dangerous conditions are property posted, some supporters of the measure responded by accusing Rep. Sylvia Luke of violating the conflict of interest provisions of the state ethics law. Civil Beat.

U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii has received the 2014 Army Community of Excellence Award as the top installation in the Army. Hawaii Reporter.

On Tap at the Hawaii Legislature: April 23. A selective list of bills, resolutions, hearings, briefings, meetings and events for Wednesday at the state Capitol. Civil Beat.

State roundup for April 23. Associated Press.

Oahu

The odds are looking good that sweepstakes gaming machines will be outlawed on Oahu after a Hono­lulu City Council committee Tuesday endorsed a proposed ordinance. Star-Advertiser.

House negotiators on a controversial bill allowing residential development in Kakaako Makai are signaling they may be willing to compromise. Rep. Cindy Evans told Sen. Maile Shimabukuro Tuesday at the State Capitol that the House wants "to move" on Senate Bill 3122 "and that definitely we need to find a solution." Civil Beat.

The 21-year-old woman accused of damaging a 130-year-old glass door at Iolani Palace two months ago entered a plea of not guilty Monday in Circuit Court to criminal property damage and burglary. Drew Paahau is scheduled for trial the week of June 23 before Circuit Judge Rom Trader. Star-Advertiser.

On Tuesday, Forest City Military Communities announced the completion of a decade-long military housing proj­ect to renovate and rebuild about half of the Navy and Marine Corps' more than 6,700 housing units in 36 neighborhoods on Oahu and Kauai as part of just such a public-private venture with the Department of the Navy. Star-Advertiser.

Walgreens plans to open its 19th store in Hawaii in Downtown Honolulu this fall right across from its biggest rival, CVS-owned Longs Drugs, a spokesman for the nation’s largest drugstore chain told Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

State officials are proposing two agreements to settle 11 of the 12 complaints against Dr. John D. Stover for medical and dental work. The pre-petition settlement agreements, filed April 15, will be sent to the state Medical Board and state Board of Dental Examiners for consideration. Tribune-Herald.

Changes to flood zone maps in South Kona could mean elevations of houses as well as insurance premiums. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is in the process of updating flood maps for several areas in Hawaii County, with South Kona and Waikoloa among the most recent areas. South Hilo will also come under FEMA scrutiny in the near future. West Hawaii Today.

Lincoln Ashida, the county’s top civil attorney for the past 13 years, is moving to the private sector. The longtime government lawyer is resigning at the end of the month to join the law firm Torkildson, Katz, Moore, Hetherington & Harris. Big Island Now.

A group of protesters gathered outside of Lincoln Park in downtown Hilo on Tuesday morning, sporting signs that read “Aloha not racism” and “Park for Peace.” Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A bill that effectively bans tobacco use at county parks, beaches and recreational facilities in Maui County, passed second and final reading today in the Maui County Council. Maui Now.

The chairman of the Maui County Council's Budget and Finance Committee is not looking to make any "significant rate changes" or to do any "upheaval" to current real property tax rates - in contrast to Mayor Alan Arakawa's proposed budget calling for an across-the-board 6.5 percent increase in rates. Maui News.

Kauai

It’s been eight months since the County of Kauai began closing Hanamaulu Beach Park at night in an effort to combat excessive vandalism, illegal activity and vagrancy. Garden Island.

For more than eight decades, the County of Kauai-owned Wailua Golf Course has been known as one of the more affordable pastimes on the island. But deciding fees for the golf course could change. The Kauai County Council is expected to decide today whether to put the issue on this year’s ballot for voters to decide. Garden Island.

Obama Hawaii vacation costs add up, ukulele designation controversial, the bridges of Waikiki, Health Connector seeks PR, tax hikes for Maui, $26.5M Hamakua mansion sold, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Obama leaves Hawaii, January 2014 courtesy photo

It cost taxpayers $7.78 million in flight expenses alone for President Barack Obama's Christmas vacation to Honolulu in December and January, according to Judicial Watch, the conservative, nonpartisan foundation. Star-Advertiser.

Judicial Watch announced today that it obtained flight expense records from the U.S. Department of the Air Force revealing that President Obama incurred $15,885,585.30 in flight expenses alone for the Obama family June to July, 2013 trip to Africa and their 2013-2014 Christmas vacation to Honolulu.

The Hawaii Health Connector has issued two requests for proposals seeking contractors to perform marketing services and public relations for the state-run online health insurance exchange. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii lawmakers are considering supporting the state’s troubled health insurance exchange with up to $15 million per year. It’s not clear whether the money would come entirely from a proposed sustainability fee on insurers or general fund appropriations. The fee would hit insurers that aren’t participating in the exchange. Associated Press.

Officially designating the ukulele Hawai’i’s State Instrument is proving to be far more difficult at the State Capitol than many lawmakers ever anticipated. Hawaii Public Radio.

Will Senate Investigators Be Able to Fix the Hawaii State Hospital This Time? Civil Beat.

Hawaii's traditional unemployment rate is low, at 4.6 percent, but newly released federal data shows that more people in the islands are underemployed than are jobless. Civil Beat.

The Blood Bank of Hawaii is relaxing its eligibility guidelines and adopting a friendlier questionnaire on Tuesday, some of the broadest changes by the state's only blood center in more than a decade, to enlarge its donor pool and attract younger donors. Star-Advertiser.

For the first time, the state will allow a limited number of polling place workers to work shorter shifts this election year instead of the 14-hour days they've had to endure in past elections. The state pays election workers $85 for a more than 14-hour shift at polling places from 5:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. or later. Hawaii News Now.

To understand political campaigns you need to answer two questions: how are the candidates doing and why this is the case. Campaign coverage in Hawaii never gives decent answers to these questions. Civil Beat.

There are still some Hawaii state senators who want to see a change in leadership, though it’s unlikely to happen during the current session and maybe not until the fall elections. Civil Beat.

On Tap at the Hawaii Legislature: March 27. A selective list of bills, resolutions, hearings, briefings and events for Thursday at the state Capitol. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Waikiki would get six bridges reserved for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, including four across the Ala Wai Canal, if the city adopts a regional traffic plan designed to make the area more multi-modal. A public meeting will be held Thursday to discuss the bridges and other traffic improvements outlined in the Waikiki Regional Circulator Plan, which aims to reduce growing conflicts between vehicles, pedestrians and bikers. Star-Advertiser.

The budget battles of 2013 may continue into the mayor’s second year in office. Honolulu City Council leaders are already taking a scalpel to Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s proposed budget for the 2015 fiscal year. Council members proposed reducing funding this week for some of the mayor’s top initiatives, including his Housing First program, his energy efficient lighting plan, and even his trumpeted road repaving program. Civil Beat.

Getting a permit to build a condominium tower in Kakaako was never a cakewalk, but the process is now shifting to a more rigorous, quasi-judicial and potentially adversarial format. The state agency regulating development in Kakaako recently adjusted its public hearing process and now is inviting anyone with an interest in future proposed development projects to seek a more active role in the decision-making that includes using expert witnesses and cross-examining developer representatives. Star-Advertiser.

About 1,300 Navy and Marine Corps families in privatized housing on Oahu who got a whopping 123 percent increase in their electric bills starting in October will get their rates dialed back to a 56 percent increase beginning Tuesday and continuing until the end of the fiscal year Sept. 30, the Navy announced. Star-Advertiser.

Scientists expect more endangered Hawaiian geese to migrate to Oahu now that a pair has not only settled near Kahuku, but is raising three goslings. The family of nene is believed to be the first of the rare species on Oahu since the 1700s. Star-Advertiser.

A federal biologist said Wednesday a pair of endangered Hawaiian geese that hatched goslings and settled on Oahu’s north shore were likely on their way back to Kauai from the Big Island when they stopped in Kahuku. Associated Press.

Hawaii

Some Hawaii residents and groups are abusing the state’s environmental rules, Gov. Neil Abercrombie said Wednesday. Abercrombie’s comments came in the context of a conversation that began with the National Park Service’s request to designate the Keauhou aquifer a water management area. West Hawaii Today.



A bill making its way through the Legislature would give a cash infusion to Big Island foster families who haven’t seen a funding increase in more than two decades. West Hawaii Today.

Mansion on Hamakua Coast sold for undisclosed amount. Seventeen miles north of Hilo on Hawaii island, a developer has made a big bet at making the Hamakua Coast more known for ultra-luxury homes than farms by building a helipad-capped mansion next to an oceanfront waterfall and listing the property for sale at $26.5 million. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Electric Light Co. is giving Country Club-Hawaii a little more time to pay down the $212,385 it owes the utility. Tribune-Herald.

Maui
Maui County residents could see hikes in real property taxes, water bills and trash collection fees as proposed in Mayor Alan Arakawa's $622.6 million county budget for 2014-15. Maui News.

Maui County Council members continued to grapple with a measure Tuesday to set aside $50,000 to hire outside legal counsel to represent the county in a lawsuit filed by MAUIWatch Facebook page founder Neldon Mamuad. Maui News.

Mayor Alan Arakawa is proposing $115.8 million of county funds for various capital improvement projects in his fiscal 2015 budget proposal. Maui News.

The Maui County Council's Budget and Finance Committee will hold evening meetings throughout Maui County in April to receive community input on the county's 2014-15 budget. Maui News.

Legislature may name ukulele official state instrument, Schatz most liberal senator, garbage fees coming to Oahu, school superintendent could get huge raise, time-share plan draws ire of Hilton neighbors, minimum wage, unemployment at issue, Io may be delisted as endangered species, Maui's parks boss may be in trouble, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii's ubiquitous ukulele could become the state's official state musical instrument under a bill lawmakers are considering. Associated Press.

Its frisky four strings are the sound of Elvis’ “Blue Hawaii,” of Tiny Tim tiptoeing through the tulips and lately, beyond all reason, of a popular “Bohemian Rhapsody” cover. Above all, the humble ukulele — dubbed “the underdog of all instruments” by virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro who busted out his rendition of the aforementioned Queen classic in a recent performance — sounds like Hawaii. Associated Press.

State Sen. Clayton Hee challenged the Senate on Wednesday to hear a new minimum wage bill while labor and social-service advocates warned lawmakers not to let a pay raise for low-income workers drift into the morass of election-year political maneuvering. Star-Advertiser.

To the casual observer, Hawaii's comparatively low unemployment numbers have long been a point of pride. But the official unemployment rate offers an incomplete portrait of what's going on in Hawaii's job market.  Civil Beat.

A proposal to raise the cap on the Hawaii Department of Education superintendent’s salary by $100,000 has garnered support from key players ranging from school board members to local education advocacy groups. Now the proposal is making its way through the Legislature. House Bill 2257 got the green light from the education and labor committees, while its companion, Senate Bill 2806, moved out of the Education Committee earlier this month. Civil Beat.

Brian Schatz came in first as the most liberal Senator in the nation, tying for that top stop with two other Democrats, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, and Chuck Schumer of New York. Hawaii Reporter.

Get Ready — Political Campaigns Are Rumbling to Life in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Homeless program coming to Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking for the public's input on a proposal to remove the Hawaiian hawk or io from the endangered species list. The agency said Wednesday comments previously submitted on the proposal don't need to be sent again. The hawk was originally listed as endangered in 1967. At the time, the hawk population was believed to number in the low hundreds. Associated Press.

State briefs for February 13. Associated Press.

Oahu

Oahu households would be charged $10 a month for curbside garbage pickup under a bill proposed by Mayor Kirk Caldwell's administration on Wednesday. Those in condominiums, apartments and townhouses who now get city refuse service would have to pay market rates under the measure. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell today proposed levying a uniform $10 per month fee for trash pickup across the island. Is it fair to charge everyone the same for trash pickup? Hawaii Independent.

New Hope Church is paying $775,000 to settle a lawsuit by local activist Mitch Kahle, Hawaii News Now has learned. Most of the money will go to the state's school system but a big chunk -- about $200,000 -- will go to Kahle for pursuing the lawsuit, which accuses New Hope and several other churches of underpaying the state to rent school facilities.

The state Office of Hawaiian Affairs won support from two Senate committees Wednesday for developing condominium towers on land in Kakaako makai of Ala Moana Boulevard despite deeply divided testimony on a bill that would reverse a 2006 law prohibiting residential use in the area. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Councilman Ikaika Anderson is one of two council members running for the 1st Congressional District seat being vacated by Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and one of six candidates in the race. Most are established politicians. Civil Beat.

First Wind has restored the output of its Kahuku wind energy project to full capacity after a fire shut down the facility nearly 1 1/2 years ago. Star-Advertiser.

The owners of Cheeseburger Waikiki plan to open a brewery at the restaurant, pending approval from the Honolulu Liquor Commission. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii
The Thirty Meter Telescope project gained momentum Wednesday following a Mauna Kea Management Board vote in favor of the project’s proposed sublease Wednesday morning. Tribune-Herald.

Hilton Waikoloa Village’s neighbors are protesting a plan that would convert 601 Ocean Tower hotel rooms to 450 timeshare units. West Hawaii Today.

“Don’t keep a dog and bark yourself,” seemed the adage of the day Wednesday as the county Board of Ethics considered a complaint that Finance Department officials punished an employee for violating the ethics code without first getting an opinion from the board charged with making those determinations. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County would have greater authority over the approval of new geothermal projects under legislation two state House committees will consider today. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

County mum on status of its absent parks chief. Source: Department investigated over free rounds of golf at Waiehu. Maui News.

Although businessman Michael Baskin and his associates had short-term rental permits revoked last year for two short-term rental properties in Paia, he continues to operate them, despite an order to stop operations as of Jan. 26, according to a complaint filed Friday in 2nd Circuit Court. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kauai County Council unanimously approved a $75,000 allocation request from the county attorney’s office Wednesday to start searching for special counsel services to defend Ordinance 960 in federal court. Garden Island.

The Kauai County Council on Wednesday approved a request to hire special counsel to represent the county in a lawsuit by three seed companies that want to block the implementation of a new ordinance regulating pesticide use and genetically modified crops. Star-Advertiser.

The installation of bike racks is the latest step in the transformation of the Lihue Civic Center area to a pedestrian — and bicycle-friendly campus linking state and county functions with vibrant commercial areas. Garden Island.

Niihau

Waves of proposals aimed at Niihau have been introduced during this year’s legislative session. The most recent one would require the state to grant “the village elder” of Niihau exclusive konohiki rights to control fishing in the island’s nearshore waters. Garden Island.

Earmarks hit Honolulu Hale, state twice flubs Quest mailings, douple-dippers pull in the paychecks, Molokai students learn ukulele making, TMT opponents file last-ditch appeal, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Hale (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Millions of dollars in taxpayer funds are being funneled to nonprofits and other special interest groups with little public vetting or oversight through a series of earmarks placed in Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s budget by Honolulu City Council members. Civil Beat.

In a mistake that could prove costly for taxpayers, the state will be forced to send a third mailing to 250,000 Quest health insurance members next month because of problems with two earlier correspondences. Star-Advertiser.

The state Department of Human Services has postponed open enrollment for 250,000 low-income people in the QUEST medical coverage program for a second time, a move that will cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars. Hawaii News Now.

Hundreds of people across Hawaii work in state and city government, while collecting a public-sector pension at the same time. It’s called “double-dipping” and it’s legal, but at what cost? KHON2.

A bill sitting on Gov. Neil Abercrombie's desk could increase competition for Hawaii pharmacies and make it easier for some residents to receive their medications. Associated Press.

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who may benefit from her ties to the late Sen. Daniel Inouye as she runs for his old seat against Sen. Brian Schatz, invoked Inouye’s name earlier today at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Advocates for Hawaiian sovereignty and other Native Hawaiian causes, the homeless and the (de)Occupy Hono­lulu movement dominated a community forum on the future of Thomas Square at the Hawaii Museum of Art on Monday night. Star-Advertiser.

The downtown park has been the central battleground in debates over free speech and homelessness for nearly two years after protesters set up camp as part of a movement that became known as (de)Occupy Honolulu. Civil Beat.

Mark Wong, who founded Hawaii-based Commercial Data Systems and was CEO for 26 years until selling the company last year, was named director of information technology for the City and County of Honolulu. Pacific Business News.

A Leilehua High teacher accused of distributing methamphetamine was the person designated by her school to turn in confiscated drugs to police, a federal prosecutor said in court Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Lengthy gun registration lines at the Honolulu Police Department on Beretania Street have City Councilman Ron Menor looking for a solution. Civil Beat.

HPD memorial salutes officers who died on duty. For their families, friends and fellow officers, the service is an emotional recollection. Star-Advertiser.

A former newswoman's arduous solo journey around Oahu proves a test for both body and mind. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Despite a tight economic year that could require tax hikes to pay for basic services, the Hawaii County Council’s budget includes an extra $900,000 so each council member can have $100,000 to spread around his or her district. West Hawaii Today.

Opponents of the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope to be built atop Mauna Kea filed a last-minute notice of appeal Monday afternoon with Hawaii’s Third Circuit Court. Tribune-Herald.

The former chief of the county’s Highways Division is suing the county and Public Works Director Warren Lee, alleging defamation of character. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County previously turned down an opportunity to take over a Kailua-Kona affordable housing complex that is now likely to be transferred from a state agency to a private religious school, a county official said Monday. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island members of the state Legislature say the island will benefit from more than $292 million in capital improvement projects secured during the past legislative session. Big Island Now.

Maui

While occupancies at Maui hotels remained flat in the first quarter of the year and in March, money generated at island accommodations continued its upward climb, according to Hospitality Advisors figures released over the weekend. Maui News.

The Maui Visitor Industry Charity Walk held in Wailuku over the weekend raised $701,716, according to preliminary figures released by event organizers. Maui Now.

Kauai
Kaua‘i has now joined the rest of the island counties in placing the county code online. Garden Island.

A hiker missing for nearly two days with little food and water was found Monday morning off the Kaluapuhi Trail in Koke‘e. Garden Island.

Molokai

Nearly 75 third and fourth graders at Kaunakakai Elementary School took a break from regular classes last week for three days. But far from slacking off, they were engaged in the learning experience of a lifetime — building their own ukulele. Molokai Dispatch.

Award winning writer, storyteller, educator, Makia Malo, was diagnosed with Hansen’s disease at age 12, and exiled to Kalaupapa in 1947.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa spoke with Malo about experiences included in his new memoir. Hawaii Public Radio.