Hawaii seniors most fit, money for military, union wins hospital smoking judgment, Akana named OHA chairwoman, new Big Island police chief, E. coli in Maui water, 5k pound fishnet pulled off Kauai shore, big plans for Kakaako park, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kupuna hula © 2016 All Hawaii News

Hawaii leads the nation for the highest physical well-being for older residents, a new report shows. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's military installations will receive more than $277 million in construction under the defense spending bill passed by the U.S. Senate Thursday. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii ranks among the top 10 states for percentage of households with wired and wireless broadband access at speeds in excess of 25 megabits per second, according to a study by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. Pacific Business News.

After winning a judgment from the Hawaii Labor Relations Board, a public employees union says its members shouldn’t have to follow a recently enacted state law that prohibits smoking at 12 medical facilities in the islands. Civil Beat.

The State Building Code Council proposed to update the minimal requirements for building construction and design to the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code. If approved, all state buildings will have to comply with the new code. Star-Advertiser.

Veteran trustee Rowena Akana was elected chairwoman of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees on Thursday, edging out incumbent Chairman Robert “Bob” Lindsey of Hawaii island during a rancorous meeting that saw three members walk out in protest. Star-Advertiser.

At-Large Trustee Rowena Akana was elected as the new chair of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees Thursday. Civil Beat.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is seeking public input regarding the latest overview of forest lands throughout the islands. Tribune-Herald.

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission wrapped up its annual meeting Friday as it often has in the past, with many of its international members and nonprofit advocates frustrated by the slow progress made on pressing issues like tuna overfishing and overall accountability on the high seas. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Clearly, something is going down at the BOE, and David and Dawn Ige are in the thick of it, though all we get is ham-handed obfuscation and frustrating denials. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

A major plan to overhaul the park spaces near the waterfronts in the Honolulu neighborhood of Kakaako that includes a sports complex, a beer garden and food concessions, cleared a big hurdle after receiving the approval from the governor. Pacific Business News.

Drug raids target public housing. Star-Advertiser.

Multiple arrest warrants were issued Thursday morning in connection with a drug operation in Honolulu, according to the FBI. KITV.

Two nonprofit organizations hope to provide farm-fresh produce and job training opportunities for the needy through a planned community farm on 14 acres of vacant state land in Waimanalo. Star-Advertiser.

Two Hawaii nonprofits plan to lease 14 acres from the state for a community farming project that includes a learning center in Waimanalo in Windward Oahu, according to public documents. Pacific Business News.

The University of Hawaii Manoa’s Graduate Student Organization is pushing to return Dole Street, a major road through the campus, to its original Hawaiian name. The name Kapaakea has ties to the area’s Native Hawaiian history, while Dole symbolizes American oppression of the Hawaiian people, students said. Civil Beat.

City officials Thursday confirmed that an estimated 201,600 gallons of untreated sewage spilled onto about an acre of vacant land near the Ko Olina Golf Club after a sewage main broke last week. Star-Advertiser.

Lots of golfers were happy when the Ala Wai Golf Course driving range reopened on Monday, Dec. 5.KHON2.

Hawaii

The county Police Commission unanimously selected Deputy Police Chief Paul Ferreira on Thursday to succeed his boss, Chief Harry Kubojiri. Tribune-Herald.

One of former Mayor Billy Kenoi’s last actions Monday was to veto a bill that would have given the County Council more say over the hiring and firing of the county’s civil attorneys. West Hawaii Today.

Tsunami Scare As Mayor Kim Seeks Civil Defense Admin. Big Island Video News.

A Hawaii Island Energy Cooperative representative said Thursday he is under a “cone of silence” regarding efforts to acquire Hawaii Electric Light Co. Tribune-Herald.

At a memorial service Thursday, one theme emerged over and over about the departed Dr. Cliff Kopp, who during his last decade of life was widely regarded as one of Hawaii Island’s most prolific community advocates. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The Maui Department of Water Supply detected E. coli bacteria in the ʻUalapuʻe Shaft on Molokaʻi. Maui Now.

Native Hawaiian beneficiaries on Maui are supporting a rule change that would prevent the sale of empty and undeveloped homestead lots, saying that selling lots allows wealthier families to jump past those who’ve sat on the waiting list for years. Maui News.

Kauai

The community is invited to a celebration of Tim Bynum’s life at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Lydgate Park’s main pavilion. Garden Island.

5,000 pound fishing net pulled from waters off Kapaa. Garden Island.

Hawaii Legislature enters final week, minimim wage hike dies, PACS must name top campaign donors, state employee firings secret, Hawaii needs more hotels, officials warn of Kauai drownings, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Legislature conference committee, courtesy photo

Committees of negotiators in the Hawaii Legislature have approved funding for several new initiatives, including proposals to revitalize emergency funds, create a new school readiness program and establish a new entrepreneurship initiative. Associated Press.

After discussing a slew of election-related bills this session, lawmakers agreed on a bill that will require political action committees to disclose in all advertisements the names of the top three donors that contributed to the message. Star-Advertiser.

Minimum Wage Hike Legislation Dies in Conference Committee. Hawaii Reporter.

The Media Council of Hawaii has sent a letter to all Hawaii state senators and representatives urging them to vote against House Bill 622, the weakened media shield law. Civil Beat.

Some federal and state officials are supporting the idea of shortening the permits process for work on traditional Hawaiian fishponds to encourage more restorations. Star-Advertiser.

State officials say they've recently discovered a conflict in state law that requires them to leave the public in the dark about government employees who are guilty of certain types of misconduct. Civil Beat.

In the past two years, state workers have been suspended and fired for a range of misconduct, including harassment, theft and workplace violence. Civil Beat.

By 2030, more than a third of Hawaii residents will be neighbor islanders, a reality that observers predict will almost certainly have repercussions big and small for everything from the state’s economy to its politics. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii interests are significantly scaling back on federal lobbying, the result of changes in the political landscape that are making it tougher to get issues through Congress and secure dwindling federal dollars. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Mark Dunkerley says that the state needs to provide an even more diverse mix of hotels to accommodate visitors to the Islands, including those from China. Pacific Business News.

Oahu
A new proposal before the Honolulu City Council would add bus stops to the growing number of places a person can't smoke on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

For the first time in more than 60 years, fireworks didn't light up the night in Kailua last Fourth of July. Now a group of residents is raising money to make sure it doesn't happen again. Hawaii News Now.

An excess of fuel inside of a boiler is to blame for a stubborn fire that burned early Monday morning at the Pacific Biodiesel facility on Sand Island, according to sources at the scene. Hawaii News Now.

Ewa Beach residents are now officially ready for a natural disaster, said the National Weather Service. After the 2011 tsunami those living in the town felt that they were not fully prepared, so they took things into their own hands. KITV4.

Kahaluu Elementary principal selected as principal of the year. KHON2.

Hawaii

Just a few weeks after Mayor Billy Kenoi warned County Council members he was considering a property tax increase, the council will vote on forming a task force to consider the county’s real property tax rates and rules. West Hawaii Today.

It sometimes rains on the Veterans Day Parade parade in downtown Hilo, but never like this. The popular, annual November parade won’t be held this year due to the construction along Kamehameha Avenue, a key part of the six-year-old parade route, said the parade’s chairman and founder, Dan Kama. Tribune-Herald.

Leaders of the specialty coffee industry are traveling to the state’s largest agricultural district in May to learn about award-winning Ka‘u coffee. Tribune-Herald.

A lease of state land to a Colorado man nearly two decades ago has turned out to be a nightmare for Hawaii’s taxpayers. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County announced its selection of Anaergia Services of Carlsbad, Calif., for the county's Integrated Waste Conversion and Energy Project that will divert roughly 85 percent of waste from the Central Maui Landfill and produce renewable fuels. Maui News.

Honolua's Lipoa Point is one of few areas left in West Maui that has resisted commercial development, and now that state lawmakers have alloted $20 million toward its preservation, it is likely to stay that way. Maui News.

Maui received an "A" grade for air quality - the best in the state - in an American Lung Association national report that may raise the eyebrows of residents who have complaints about cane burning and dust from fallow fields. Maui News.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa announced the selection of Anaergia Services for the county’s proposed Integrated Waste Conversion and Energy Project. Maui Now.

Kauai

A spate of visitor deaths this year has officials wanting to educate tourists about the dangers. Associated Press.

Residents may be puzzled as to why Census workers are knocking on their doors — three years after the last decennial count, and seven years until the next one. Two basic Census Bureau surveys are the American Community Survey and the Community Population Survey. Participants respond quarterly for two consecutive years to household questions in one and employment or job search information in the other. Garden Island.

Dive tournament targets invasive species. Garden Island.