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.

Hawaii, VA, near catchment tank solution, polar bear activist to trail Obama, pesticides reportedly sicken Kauai schoolchildren, legislative committees mull budget, EEOC sues Maui County over police, Hawaii County advances $61.5M bond issue, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii veterans with catchment tank (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Veterans in Hawaii may once again qualify for VA home loans on property served by rainwater catchment systems now that the federal and state governments appear close to untying a bureaucratic knot. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs stopped guaranteeing the financing for VA loans on homes with catchment systems in late 2011 because of a state Department of Health policy that did not recognize the water as safe for drinking or food preparation. Star-Advertiser.

A trio of top Hawaii economists presented a relatively rosy state financial forecast to the Legislature’s money committees Wednesday at the Capitol, but with caveats. The state has a record $844 million surplus on its hands but the carryover balances are expected to be smaller over the next few years. Civil Beat.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie and the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations will announce on Thursday the unemployment insurance tax rate for 2014. Hawaii News Now.

Republican Rep. Bob McDermott and Sen. Sam Slom are slamming the Hawaii Department of Education and University of Hawaii for what they’re describing as a deliberate effort to stonewall them in their recent attempts to access all materials in the “Pono Choices” sexual education pilot program.Civil Beat.

A state lawmaker suing the state for legalizing same-sex marriages says a controversial sex education program being taught in some public schools is inappropriate because it promotes a "homosexual lifestyle as a positive or ‘pono' choice." Rep. Bob McDermott (R, Ewa-Iroquois Point) said he heard from concerned parents during the state's debate over marriage equality that middle school students were being taught about same-sex relationships and oral and anal sex as part of the curriculum for a pilot sex education program called Pono Choices. Star-Advertiser.

President Barack Obama is expected to arrive with his family early Saturday for a 17-day holiday vacation at an oceanfront Kailua house with incredible views. This year, it appears Congress will reach a budget deal before the Christmas holiday, raising hopes for a more restful vacation and allowing additional time for bodysurfing, working out at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, shooting hoops and visiting his favorite local hangouts. Star-Advertiser.

An activist in a polar bear costume will be following President Barack Obama around Oahu during his upcoming holiday vacation with the goal of convincing him to reject the Keystone XL pipeline and take action on climate change. Pacific Business News.

Alleged nepotism, broken or unused facilities and key positions unfilled for long periods of time are several of the problems plaguing the Hawaii State Hospital, where employees have complained about suffering serious assaults from patients. Hawaii News Now.

Federal officials are starting a new effort to try to get better health data from Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday it’s launching a new project with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to increase the number of households from those groups in a national health interview survey. Associated Press.

The State Energy Office will provide technical assistance to the Department of Transportation for a recently announced energy efficiency program at state airports that is expected to save $518 million in energy costs over 20 years, the state announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu
Opponents of a controversial plan to block off parking across the street from Laniakea Beach on Oahu's North Shore say they'll file suit if the Hawaii Department of Transportation puts up barriers along the road. The plan is the state's first effort to improve traffic in the area despite years of complaints by residents and motorists. Civil Beat.

It's called Kapakahi Stream and there's definitely something out of sorts with the Waipahu stream's water quality. Hawaii News Now.

Former Kamehameha Schools teacher Gabriel Alisna was indicted Wednesday on multiple felony charges involving several students and sexual allegations. KHON2.

Patricia Hamamoto will retire from her post as principal of Saint Louis School at the end of the month, school officials announced Wednesday. Before taking on the post about four years ago, Hamamoto had served more than three decades in Hawaii's public school system -- the last eight years as superintendent of schools. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii plans to retain Michele Carbone as head of its Cancer Center, despite calls for a leadership change by some faculty who say the director's poor management has tarnished the center's reputation and jeopardized its funding. UH is working on a solution that would involve the embattled director keeping his job, while providing him support to help stabilize the center. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Three County Council members must have been feeling the holiday spirit Wednesday, attempting to load another eight projects and $2.4 million onto a $61.5 million bond authorization requested by Mayor Billy Kenoi. A parliamentary move by Kona Councilman Dru Kanuha stopped the projects before they even got a hearing, when he forced the council to vote for the original bill without considering the amendments. West Hawaii Today.

Developers of the Hu Honua Bioenergy plant in Pepeekeo scaled back work at the site as they await regulatory permits and approvals, according to company CEO John Sylvia. Tribune-Herald.

An apparent landlord-tenant dispute between Alahou Clean &Sober and its landlord, Tante Urban, has resulted in Urban taking over the current clients until a new organization steps in. Meanwhile, Alahou Clean &Sober Executive Director Sandra McCoy is working to move a downsized program to another location. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed suit against the Maui County Police Department, alleging that it violated federal law by not hiring a police applicant in 2009, according to a statement released from the commission. Pacific Business News.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Maui County for age discrimination Wednesday, saying it didn't hire a 45-year-old to be a police officer because of his age. The lawsuit filed in federal court in Honolulu alleges Maui County police passed over Lars Sandstrom even though it hired several less qualified candidates as police officers. Associated Press.

Christmas came early to West Maui on Tuesday when the second phase of the Lahaina bypass was blessed and opened, allowing motorists the option of skipping several of Lahaina town's busiest intersections. Maui News.

A project was launched Sunday to renovate the first floor of the University of Hawaii Maui College's Noi'i Building as the Daniel K. Inouye Allied Health Center, according to an announcement. Maui News.

Kauai
A noxious smell reportedly left dozens of students at Elsie H. Wilcox Elementary feeling nauseous around 1 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said. But the incident, which county officials believe was caused by a nearby neighbor spraying pesticides, occurred 15 minutes before the end of the school day, so students didn’t have to miss class time. Garden Island.

The Kauai County Council approved a measure Wednesday that Coco Palms Resort developers say will give them enough time to obtain building permits and begin restoring the well-known Wailua hotel. Garden Island.

The Kauai County Council has given new life to an expedited permit process enacted by ordinance 20 years ago to speed the repair of structures battered by Hurricane Iniki. The Council's 6-1 vote on Wednesday gives an Oahu investment group, Coco Palms Hui LLC, more time to work with the county on matters such as building permits and restoration plans for the iconic Coco Palms Resort, which has remained shuttered since the Category 4 storm hit the island 21 years ago. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii vets denied VA loans, Inouye awarded Medal of Freedom, UH makes glow-in-the-dark rabbits, Honolulu Humane Society stops animal pickups, crowded congressional race, Kauai's Coco Palms sold, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii vets denied VA loans (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

For Caleb Churchill, and many vets like him, the American Dream of home ownership almost washed down the drain, when he learned he couldn’t qualify for the Veterans Affairs loan he had counted on. A rule change in late 2011 prohibited VA loans for properties relying on rainwater catchment systems. West Hawaii Today.

Former U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, who overcame racism, earned a Medal of Honor for his bravery in World War II and became a legend in Congress, will posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom later this year, President Barack Obama announced Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

The late Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii is one of 16 people President Barack Obama will honor later this year with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Associated Press.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced Thursday the introduction of major legislation that seeks to expand Social Security benefits while extending the life of the program to 2049. Star-Advertiser.

With Social Security benefits often the primary source of income for the elderly, thousands of state residents have supported protection and expansion of the program. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii and State Rep. Chris Lee held a press conference Thursday in Honolulu as part of a rally with activists to urge other state and federal leaders to support seniors and promise not to cut benefits. Garden Island.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, D-Hi, a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2014, is the target of a Federal Elections Commission complaint filed by attorney Daniel Hempey on Tuesday. Hawaii Reporter.

Doing the Math on Hawaii's 1st District Race. Civil Beat.

Calling himself someone who will fight for the middle class, City Councilman Ikaika Anderson joined the race for Congress in the Democratic primary. Anderson, 35, joins a field of three other declared Demo­crats in the race to represent urban Oahu in the U.S. House. Star-Advertiser.

A Hawaii Reporter inquiry has led  to the resignation of Hawaiian Homelands Commissioner Perry Artates. In June, Artates and his wife, Ronnette, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud and false loan application charges, court records show.

Hawaii is well on its way down a strong expansion path, a new report says. While federal tax increases and sequestration-driven budget cuts have curtailed growth in the first half of the year, progress in construction and the service sector will maintain forward momentum, according to the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Pacific Business News.

Last year, Hawaii spent more than $175 per person — $244 million in all — just to fund its interest payments, the third highest rate per person in the country. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. said its utility is ahead of schedule to generate 15 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2015. The holding company for the state's largest utility and American Savings Bank gave a progress report on its clean-energy target Thursday while announcing that second-quarter earnings rose 4.6 percent from the year-earlier quarter. Star-Advertiser.

When it comes to environmental issues addressed by the 2013 Legislature, repeal of the Public Land Development Corporation grabbed headlines. But aside from the PLDC’s repeal, the environmental measures passed by the 2013 Legislature, for better or worse, generally flew under the radar. Civil Beat.

It's something that must be seen to believe. UH research doctors, in conjunction with staff at a university in Turkey, have found a way to make rabbits glow in the dark. Hawaii News Now.

Thrill-seekers eager to try the next new watersport are rushing to strap on jetpacks that propel people into the air with the help of pumped water. But the devices are meeting calls for regulation in Hawaii, where fishermen, scientists and state officials are questioning their safety and how they may affect fish and coral in the state’s heavily trafficked tropical waters. Associated Press.

In Brief | State 8-9-13. Associated Press.

State roundup for August 9. Associated Press.

Oahu

The Hawaiian Humane Society will no longer pick up stray animals or respond to complaints of barking dogs under a new city contract that went into effect Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii unveiled its revamped Edmondson Hall on Thursday. The 42,000 square-foot, four-story building underwent a $15 million renovation and now features state-of-the-art teaching laboratories, lab storage, offices and meeting rooms. KHON2.

New Year's Day. Superbowl Sunday. Manti Te'o day. Those were the three days from January to June when the largest number of guards at Oahu Community Correctional Center called in sick. Star-Advertiser.

A look at the current state of Kaka‘ako development in the context of HCDA's past, present and future plans for the area. Hawaii Independent.

The Hawai’i Housing Finance and Development Corporation estimates the state needs more than 30,000 affordable “for-sale units” or rentals to meet current demand. One state-backed venture in Kaka’ako, in the heart of O’ahu’s construction boom, is nearly half way to being completed. Hawaii Public Radio.

Closing arguments were scheduled for next week in the murder trial of State Department special agent Christopher Deedy after the defense rested its case, with Deedy's lawyer asking him only one final question Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

West Hawaii residents will have two opportunities a month to meet with a Social Security representative without driving to Hilo. West Hawaii Today.

The Puainako Street widening project is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2016, a consultant announced at a community meeting Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

The principal of a Big Island public charter school says he’s been left scrambling after receiving last-minute notice from the Hawaii Department of Education that his school would no longer be eligible for basic student bus services. Civil Beat.

Maui

The Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority was awarded more than $9 million in federal grant funds for large-scale improvements to public housing units. Maui Now.

Kauai

The iconic Coco Palms Resort in Wailua received a new breath of life. An Oahu-based group of investors announced Thursday the property is in escrow, and they have already secured demolition permits. Garden Island.

The vast majority of Kauai’s transient vacation rentals operating outside visitor destination areas — in residential neighborhoods and ag lands — have incomplete application files, and about a quarter of them have none of the required documents, according to county Planning Director Michael Dahilig. Garden Island.

Kauai police arrested a 74-year-old Kapaa man Thursday morning for Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant (OVUII) after he crashed a school bus into a boat. Hawaii News Now.