Tropical Storm Wali to bring wet weekend, Schatz, Hanabusa, claim other lacks experience, RIMPAC lures prostitutes, hiring freeze at UH Manoa, eight want to be Maui police chief, state House sets Obamacare hearing, OHA won't fight Thirty Meter Telescope, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

NOAA 5 a.m. satellite image of Tropical Storm Wali near Hawaii

The first tropical storm in the Central Pacific could bring heavy downpours to the state this weekend.  The Central Pacific Hurricane Center said at 5 a.m. Friday, Tropical Storm Wali was located about 970 miles east-southeast of Hilo. It was moving northwest at 12 miles per hour with maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour with higher gusts. Hawaii News Now.


Wali is weakening as it approaches Hawaii and is not expected to be a tropical storm for much longer. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz on Thursday night tried to undercut U.S. Rep. Colleen Hana­busa's main political strength — her legislative experience — by claiming that she often talks about her record in the state Senate because she has not been very active in Congress. Hanabusa countered by suggesting that Schatz has embellished his record in the Senate. Star-Advertiser.

Democratic Party U.S. Senate Candidates, Brian Schatz and Colleen Hanabusa, passionately debated policy points in their final statewide, televised prime-time debate before the primary election. Hawaii News Now.

 When the Rim of the Pacific maritime exercise is here, so are more prostitutes. Hawaii News Now.

House Committees to Hold Informational Briefing for Updates on Hawaii Health Connector. Hawaii Reporter.

A company aiming to provide easier access to sexually transmitted disease test results and other medical records announced a new name Wednesday after facing protests by Native Hawaiians for using the word hula. Associated Press.

Plumes of vapor from e-cigarette users can be seen all around Hawaii, on the beach, at the bus stop and even in restaurants. E-cigarettes are pervasive, sometimes controversial and, for now at least, unregulated. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The board overseeing Oahu's rail transit project has agreed to nearly $6 million in added costs as it rushes to acquire dozens of properties by the end of 2014 and aims to ensure all of the rail line's foundations are structurally sound. Star-Advertiser.

The Board of Directors for Honolulu’s $5.2 billion rail project approved an additional $6 million for two city contracts Thursday. But they didn’t do so easily, grilling city project managers and contractors about the necessity of spending more taxpayer money. Civil Beat.

Homelessness and high housing costs top the list of concerns of the four candidates running for the District 4 seat on the Honolulu City Council, perhaps the most competitive of four Council races this year. Civil Beat.

The University of Hawaii Manoa plans to place a hold on new hires. Chancellor Tom Apple said 50 to 70 positions will go unfilled this year as the university looks to reduce spending by $10 million. Hawaii News Now.

Ho Farms, a 50-acre farm on Oahu’s North Shore known for its speciality tomatoes, plans to move its headquarters to Central Oahu after more than two decades in Kahuku as part of effort to help revitalize the economy and agricultural production in the area, the state senator heading up the initiative told Pacific Business News.

Some 3,000 men and women are expected to try to become Honolulu Police Department officers during a recruitment drive slated to begin next week. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Candidates for Senate District 4 and County Council districts 1 and 9 laid out their platforms in Waimea Thursday night. In a speed-dating format, candidates moved from table to table and had face to face discussions with about 50 residents on topics ranging from roads to agriculture. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County is hearing mixed reviews from its effort to crack down on property owners suspected of abusing the agricultural tax break, according to the real property tax division chief. Tribune-Herald.

Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs have decided not to pursue a contested case hearing for the Thirty-Meter Telescope (TMT) project despite voicing concerns over the project during a meeting on Tuesday. Hawaii Independent.

It’s back to the drawing board for developers of Hawaii Island’s first Holiday Inn, after a County Council committee Thursday balked at their plans to construct signs ranging up to almost four times those allowed by the county sign ordinance. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Eight people have requested applications for the job of Maui County police chief, which will be vacant when Chief Gary Yabuta retires at the end of the month. Maui News.

The vessel Prodiver Maui sank in waters by Molokini Crater on Wednesday morning, July 17, the Coast Guard confirmed. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Kauai Humane Society may ban non-neutered dogs from Freddie’s Dog Park. Garden Island.

A Kapaa women who took an iPad that belonged to the County Council pleaded no contest to a second-degree theft charge on Thursday in 5th Circuit Court. Garden Island.

Hawaii Supreme Court sides with media in court closing dispute, Honolulu rail to link airport, Waikiki, Maui mayoral candidate arrested at forum, China plays war games at RIMPAC, feds audit Hawaii Dems, RNC sees hope in Hawaii, Aiona unveils housing plan, last Hanabusa-Schatz TV debate tonight, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Supreme Court ©2014 All Hawaii News

The Hawaii Supreme Court overwhelmingly ruled Wednesday that a circuit judge improperly denied the public and the media access to the first Christopher Deedy murder trial, in a decision that the plaintiffs' attorney says has wide repercussions for criminal proceedings statewide. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that a judge improperly closed her court and sealed transcripts during a murder trial against a federal agent. Associated Press.

The Federal Election Commission is auditing the Democratic Party of Hawaii after flagging multiple discrepancies with the party’s federal campaign finance reports during the 2012 election cycle. The commission voted in September to undertake the probe, and auditors are still gathering information from the party, sources familiar with the process say.  Star-Advertiser.

As part of its efforts to expand the map, the Republican National Committee is announcing that its putting additional staff in Hawaii and Oregon, two blue states the GOP hopes to put in play this November. Thanks to a divisive Democratic gubernatorial primary in Hawaii, the party committee thinks that seat may now be in play. CNN political ticker.

Former Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona would divert 25 percent of the money collected by the state’s corporate income tax to the rental housing trust fund, hoping to create a financing pool to build more affordable rentals. Star-Advertiser.

In the reporting period that ran from Jan. 1 through June 30, Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui raised nearly nearly three times what his Democratic primary challenger Clayton Hee did, or $356,000 to $122,000. Civil Beat.

Commentary: If the 2014 Hawaii races go the way the state’s elections usually do, here are the results: Brian Schatz wins the U.S. Senate Democratic primary.  Whoever wins that Democratic primary overwhelms the Republican challenger. The winner of the 1st Congressional District’s Democratic primary defeats Republican Charles Djou. In the 2nd Congressional District Tulsi Gabbard wins virtually by default against a Republican whose name no one remembers. Neil Abercrombie is re-elected governor. Civil Beat.

Hawaii News Now and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser will host the final statewide, prime-time debate between Democratic Party U.S. Senate Candidates 7 p.m. Thursday night, July 17, on all three Hawaii News Now stations: KGMB, KHNL and KFVE.

China has been boarding ships looking for mock pirates and contraband as it joins the world's largest maritime exercises for the first time. On Wednesday, Chinese sailors from the destroyer Haikou boarded the Coast Guard cutter Waesche for a drill checking cargo as part of Rim of the Pacific exercises the U.S. is hosting in Hawaii waters this month. Associated Press.

Commentary: As part of the joint military RIMPAC exercise, the U.S. Navy’s “Great Green Fleet,” along with warships from the 21 other participating nations, have fired on and sunk two retired U.S. naval vessels off the coast of Kauai. Hawaii Independent.

The state Land Use Commission is one member closer to being able to meet again thanks to Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s decision Wednesday to appoint Jonathan Scheuer on an interim basis. Civil Beat.

A Senate Committee continued its investigation of alleged misconduct at the State Hospital.   Top administrators were ordered to testify today under oath on a number of issues. Hawaii Public Radio.

Visitor arrivals by cruise ships for the first five months were down 26 percent from the same period last year, according to the latest monthly visitor statistics released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

Oahu
Oahu's future rail transit system will wind its way through the middle of Honolulu Airport — dropping off and picking up thousands of passengers and airport workers at a central station there, newly unveiled designs reveal. Star-Advertiser.

The city hopes to reconfigure the financial plan for the $5.2 billion Honolulu rail project to make sure that tens of millions of dollars in federal funds traditionally used to replace aging city buses and Handi-Vans isn’t diverted for rail construction. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) unveiled plans for the rail station at Honolulu International Airport and also revealed plans for adding bus routes to Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

A measure now before the Honolulu City Council takes aim at commercial activities that are not allowed in a residential community. KHON2.

A former school clerk was sentenced to probation and jail Tuesday for stealing $19,750 from an Oahu public charter school. West Hawaii Today.

The defense attorney for federal agent Christopher Deedy on Wednesday attacked the credibility of the first officer to respond to the fatal 2011 shooting, hoping to undercut the officer's assertion that Deedy, the shooter, appeared intoxicated. Star-Advertiser.

Bob Benyo, president of Aerial Banners North, says he is ready to fight in court for his companyʻs right to keep towing advertising banners over Oahu. Civil Beat.

Kapolei residents will get some answers on how truckloads of contaminated dirt from Radford High School wound up in their neighborhood. Hawaii News Now.

It's rising behind a construction screen now and doesn't look like much, but when a new Walgreens on Keeaumoku Street opens in February it will be unlike any drugstore ever seen in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Former County Clerk Jamae Kawauchi was cleared by the Board of Ethics on Wednesday to represent a client before the Windward Planning Commission, ending six months of delays for a Hawaiian Acres farmers market. West Hawaii Today.

A bill expanding agricultural tourism was one of the first measures introduced by Puna Councilman Zendo Kern when he took office in late 2012. After numerous delays, it may become among his last to clear the County Council before he leaves. West Hawaii Today.

A maddening recording of a Comcast customer service phone call that went viral on the Internet this week was one of two concerns presented Wednesday at a public hearing in Hilo regarding the merger of Comcast and Oceanic Time Warner Cable. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui mayoral candidate Nelson N. Waikiki Jr. was arrested on Tuesday night following a mayoral candidate forum in Makawao. The 49-year-old was located at the Seabury Hall campus on Olinda Road, where he was placed under arrest for allegedly violating conditions of release on bail, police said. Maui Now.

Following his arrest Tuesday night after a candidate forum at Seabury Hall, mayoral candidate Nelson Waikiki Jr. appeared Wednesday morning in 2nd Circuit Court for a hearing on allegations that he failed to comply with conditions of his release in his criminal case. Maui News.

For the first time this election season, Maui residents heard from all six mayoral candidates, including incumbent Mayor Alan Arakawa, during a forum hosted Tuesday by Upcountry community associations. Maui News.

A one year report will be released on Friday for the state’s first community fisheries enforcement unit, which operates in the waters around North Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

A lawsuit demanding Hawaii Dairy Farms complete an environmental assessment for its proposed dairy in Mahaulepu Valley has added fuel to a fiery situation. Garden Island.

It has been four years since County of Kauai officials acquired a 75-arce piece of land in Eleele from the McBryde Sugar Company to plan what some housing officials say is one of the county’s most ambitious affordable housing projects. But in the years since then, ground hasn’t been broken on the now barren land set aside for the project. Garden Island.

There’s a major energy transformation happening on Kauai. Garden Island.

The Fourth of July fire that torched a portion of the Coco Palms Resort was classified as undetermined Wednesday by those investigating the cause. Garden Island.

Hanabusa-Schatz debate tackles elder issues, Abercrombie takes to a taxi, Ige criticizes move to limit debates, Honolulu paramedics get raises, RIMPAC showcases war machines, Maui councilman Hawaii's first NACo president, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hanabusa Schatz debate, KHON2 screen capture

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa waded through Social Security, Medicare and other issues important to seniors Tuesday night in a mostly tame Democratic primary debate that had a few barbed edges. Star-Advertiser.

Seniors living on a fixed income were contrast with lawmakers taking big pay raises in a debate between U.S. Senate hopefuls. U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa was cheery as she delivered punchy jabs Tuesday night, as if enjoying the fight. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz looked miffed at times, but retained a polite, even demeanor. Associated Press.

Sen. Brian Schatz and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, the Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate, participated in a live debate Tuesday hosted by KHON2 and AARP.

Commentary: Who will do more to protect Social Security, Brian Schatz or Colleen Hanabusa? How Hawaii Voters Might Be Misled in US Senate Debate. Sen. Schatz and Rep. Hanabusa have pointed to their opponent's votes on entitlements, but not given the full story. Civil Beat.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie, caught up in an unexpectedly difficult Democratic primary against underdog state Sen. David Ige, has revived a populist image from his early days in Hawaii politics: the yellow Checker cab. Star-Advertiser.

Gubernatorial candidate David Ige criticized incumbent Neil Abercrombie for backing out of three of four debates sponsored by AARP on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island in a news release sent out yesterday. Hawaii Independent.

Cook Political Report, an independent, non-partisan newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the US House of Representatives, US Senate, Governors and President as well as American political trends, just moved the Hawaii Governor's race from "Likely Democrat" to "Lean Democrat." Hawaii Reporter.

State Rep. K. Mark Takai led all Democrats in fundraising for the most recent quarter in the race for the 1st Congressional District, but state Sen. Donna Mercado Kim has the lead in cash on hand for the stretch run of the campaign. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: We’ll Soon Forget the Fuss About Financial Disclosures. Every year, hundreds of people have complied with disclosure requirements without whining or complaining. Civil Beat.

A not-so-simple mule has so far been one of the stars of the show at Rim of the Pacific war games. The Legged Squad Support System, also known as the LS3 and the robotic mule, was one of 16 technologies incorporated into the just-ended Marine Corps Advanced Warfighting Experiment on Oahu and Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu paramedics will get pay raises, and the city will save more than $1 million in overtime, according to a tentative agreement that better controls schedules for the city's more than 200 paramedics. Star-Advertiser.

World-renowned marine ecologist Dr. Jane Lubchenco opened the 22nd annual Hawaii Conservation Conference Tuesday morning with a message of hope.  Hundreds filled the room in the Hawaii Convention Center to hear her explain why she believes people will be able to solve the “myriad escalating environmental problems” plaguing the planet. Civil Beat.

Within the next couple of months the U.S. Navy will install two ground water monitoring wells between its Red Hill fuel storage facility and the Board of Water Supply's Halawa Shaft, an important source of drinking water. Hawaii News Now.

These are uncertain times for the Navy’s strategic Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility. Some of the site’s 20 massive fuel tanks may have to be shut down or the facility closed altogether if costly new environmental controls can’t be put into place. Civil Beat.

Castle Medical Center is investing $28 million to renovate the hospital and expand its emergency room to keep up with demand in the growing Windward community. Star-Advertiser.

Ko Olina Resort & Marina may soon be adding another new hotel, and it could carry the Four Seasons name. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A North Kohala dairyman testified Tuesday that the Big Island’s — and the state’s — largest and only other dairy is requesting state permission to sell milk below the legal minimum price because of a deal already in place with the state’s only milk processor. Tribune-Herald.

West Hawaii patients needing urgent medical care at hospitals on Oahu and Maui are flying there in a faster, safer and more versatile helicopter. West Hawaii Today.

There's an interesting shift of property ownership that's taking place on Hawaii Island this summer.  Mauna Kea State Recreation Area is a 20 acre state park that's shifting to a facility under control of Hawaii County. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui County Council Member Riki Hokama on Monday was installed as president of the National Association of Counties on the final day of the group's 79th annual conference held this year in New Orleans. ‘Historic moment’: Hokama first in Maui County to hold lead NACo role. Maui News.

Hawaii's public hospitals need to look for new ways to bring in revenue with government funds drying up and the many change coming with health care reform, says Wesley Lo, CEO of Hawaii Health Systems Corp.'s Maui Region, which is in talks with Hawaii Pacific Health about a possible partnership. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

The four candidates vying to represent the South Shore and Westside of Kauai in the state Legislature sparred on a number of issues during their first primary election forum, ranging from the Hawaii Superferry to marijuana distribution centers. Garden Island.

Rim of the Pacific, better known as RIMPAC, the world’s largest multi-national maritime war exercise, continued Saturday through Monday with heavy activity on, above and around Kauai — from helicopters and B-52 bombers flying overhead, to warships dotting the horizon and the sinking of a decommissioned Navy vessel. Garden Island.

The County of Kauai will take on four additional bridge projects due to a state and federal partnership.   According to a state Department of Transportation announcement Tuesday, 11 additional statewide highway infrastructure projects were made possible is partnership with the Federal Highway Administration’s Central Federal Lands Highways Division. Garden Island.

Flores seeks accountability in the state Legislature. Garden Island.

Hawaii state psychiatric hospital in the cross-hairs, military cuts feared, US-Japan military ties, Honolulu Handi-Vans, EMS under fire, beleaguered super PAC training Big Island candidates, dairy wants lower milk prices, Kauai resort fights dairy farm, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii State Hospital, photo courtesy watchdog.org

The Hawaii Senate's special investigative committee on the Hawaii State Hospital has subpoenaed adult mental health division Administrator Mark Fridovich, acting Hawaii State Hospital Administrator William Elliot, and Linda Rosen, director of the Hawaii State Department of Health, to testify at a hearing in Honolulu on Friday. Pacific Business News.

Three state hospital administrators will testify before a state Senate investigative committee Wednesday in connection with allegations of workplace hazards and administrative misconduct. Star-Advertiser.

From charges of overcrowding, assaults by patients on staff, to being an outdated facility, the Hawaii State Hospital has been under the microscope lately. A legislative committee went on a tour of the hospital recently and found it lacking in several areas. KHON2.

Hawaii’s state-run psychiatric hospital has a new chief, whose job is to operate a facility that has come under intense scrutiny for mismanagement and safety concerns. Civil Beat.

Addressing staff shortages and safety are among the top priorities for the new administrator of the Hawaii State Hospital, the state's predominant mental institution. Star-Advertiser.

On Tuesday evening, Sen. Brian Schatz and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, the Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate, will face off in a live debate on KHON2. The debate will begin at 7 p.m. and live-streamed on KHON2.com.

Former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou, bidding to return to the job he held for seven months in 2010, announced Monday his GOP campaign has raised $435,000 since launching his campaign in early April. Star-Advertiser.

It's a crowded race to fill Hawaii's first congressional district seat. Stanley Chang is trying to reach every voter in the first congressional district with a personal pitch that helped him win his city council seat on back in 2010. KITV4.

U.S.-Japan naval cooperation is deepening, top U.S. and Japanese admirals said Monday as they met on the sidelines of the world’s largest maritime exercises. Associated Press.

Department of Defense spending, the 2nd largest source of revenue for the state behind tourism, is facing potential budgetary cuts which could hurt Hawai’i’s economy. Hawaii Public Radio.

State Rep. Rida Cabanilla wants Gov. Neil Abercrombie to reconsider an idea that his administration has already shot down. In a news release Monday, Cabanilla urged the governor to release $100,000 that the Legislature approved in 2013 for a three-year “Return to Home” pilot program. The initiative provides money for one-way tickets so eligible homeless individuals from the mainland can return to their families. Civil Beat.

Political candidates will be changing the way they report their expenses online to make it easier to track how they’re spending their election dollars. The state Campaign Spending Commission has instituted rules requiring candidates to file each expenditure under one of eight categories. Associated Press.

Oahu

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam will lose 238 positions in a move announced Monday by the Air Force to cut costs and eliminate nearly 3,500 positions worldwide over the next five years. Star-Advertiser.

Fires that destroyed two city Handi-Vans used to transport the disabled were caused by the excessive age of the vehicles, according to the city’s top transportation official. Civil Beat.

The accident at Ala Moana Center on Saturday is prompting calls for the city to fix the chronic staffing shortages at the Emergency Medical Services department. Hawaii News Now.

A veteran registered nurse in need of back surgery said Honolulu paramedics did not follow common sense for her injuries when they allegedly sat her upright in her husband's truck and had him drive to the hospital on his own. Star-Advertiser.

The state Health Department has launched the Choose Healthy Now initiative at eight snack shops on Oahu. Food and beverages have been flagged with green, yellow and red stickers to help customers identify healthier items, while printed materials explain the system and benefits of healthful eating. Star-Advertiser.

Hundreds of concerned Oahu residents filled the seats of Mililani-Mauka Elementary School cafeteria Monday evening to brainstorm a plan of eradicating the little fire ant, a tiny species creating a big problem. Hawaii News Now.

State roundup for July 15. Associated Press.

Hawaii

A Honolulu political action committee under investigation for questionable campaign practices has spent thousands this year training six Hawaii County Council candidates how to campaign. West Hawaii Today.

The state’s largest milk producer is seeking the state’s permission to sell its milk at a price lower than the law currently allows. A public hearing on that request is scheduled for 10 a.m. today at the state Department of Agriculture’s Waimea Irrigation System Branch conference room at 66-1220B Lalamilo Farm Lots Road. Tribune-Herald.

Next month, Hawaii Island’s 1,400 restaurants and other establishments serving food will begin being issued new food safety inspection placards, making it easier for customers to decide where they want to eat. Tribune-Herald.

A public hearing to gather input on the planned merger of Time Warner Cable and Comcast Corp. yielded one comment Monday. West Hawaii Today.

Maui
Kahului state Rep. Justin Woodson is financing his campaign mostly from money donated by political action committees and labor unions while opponent and former Maui County Mayor James "Kimo" Apana and members of his family are paying for most of his campaign expenses, state Campaign Spending Commission reports show. Maui News.

Maui County has agreed to a settlement with the state Health Department totaling $140,000 for violations at the Central Maui and the Molokai landfills in 2011, the Health Department said. Maui News.

Kauai

A neighboring resort filed suit to stop a proposed dairy farm. Garden Island.

Victoria “Vickie” Franks said she has wanted to be involved in government since she was a girl. Garden Island.

Molokai

After years of effort, UH Maui College, Molokai (UHMCM) has completed its Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) 2013, which was approved and received in June 2014.  The purpose of the LRDP is to guide the development of the Molokai Education Center to the year 2027, beginning with the transition from the existing two-acre campus and expanding to a five-acre campus utilizing the land to the west along the main road to Duke Maliu Regional Park. Molokai Dispatch.

RIMPAC war games continue, Maui tourism data questioned, Kauai officials want pay hikes, Interior Department reconsidering Native Hawaiian sovereignty rule, Abercrombie scraps debates, condo association rules tighten, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

The Indian navy Shivalik-class stealth multi-role frigate INS Sahyadr, U.S. Navy courtesy photo

Rim of the Pacific maritime exercises in Hawaii are many things to many nations in an increasingly interconnected world. RIMPAC provides the ability to work in large ship formations at sea. For the United States, this year it's a chance to develop better military-to-military working relationships with China, which is participating for the first time. Star-Advertiser.

For both Norway and the U.S. Navy, the firing of a Norwegian Naval Strike Missile during Rim of the Pacific war games was a big deal. Star-Advertiser.

The Interior Department will not pursue a rule creating an administrative mechanism for recognizing a future Native Hawaiian government if the consensus from written and oral testimony is against that path, an agency spokeswoman told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has backed out of three of the four AARP Hawaii debates with state Sen. David Ige before the Democratic primary. Star-Advertiser.

David Ige and Neil Abercrombie may be longtime Democratic elected officials, but they have clashed repeatedly in recent debates over leadership, policy and the direction of the state. A Civil Beat examination of the campaign finances and spending patterns of the two candidates also reveals dramatically different politicians. It’s entirely lopsided, with the governor raising and spending millions of dollars compared to the senator’s very modest donations and expenditures.

Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui, bidding to win election to the job to which he ascended, raised $357,000 over the past six months, according to his campaign finance report. Star-Advertiser.

With less than a month to go before the Aug. 9 primary, state Senate President Donna Mercado Kim, a veteran campaigner, and human rights activist Kathryn Xian, a political newcomer, are the U.S. House candidates who are stepping away from the pack on key issues. Star-Advertiser.

Here’s a look at the week’s most interesting and important developments in Hawaii’s election campaigns. Associated Press.

The Candidate Advisory Council for the University of Hawaii has begun the recruitment process for six seats on the Board of Regents after two more resignations. Four of the seats need to be filled immediately because the resignation of regents Saedene Ota of Maui County, Carl Carlson of Hawaii County, Tom Shigemoto of Kauai County and John Dean of Honolulu County. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii condominium owners got some help from the Legislature this year in monitoring how condo association boards manage their property and finances -- a sometimes delicate issue that can divide neighbors. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has appointed three members to the seven-member Board of Land and Natural Resources. The governor said Friday the appointments will fill seats vacated by two members who resigned and another whose term expired. Associated Press.

Rise in human trafficking impacts Hawaii. Hawaii Reporter.

State roundup for July 14. Associated Press.

Oahu

If city Neighborhood Commission Executive Secretary Nicole Velasco had her way, all 437 seats on Oahu's 33 neighborhood boards would be filled. Star-Advertiser.

A staffing shortage forced the city's Emergency Management Services division to close ambulance units Saturday night and Sunday. The shutdowns occurred after two paramedics were injured in an accident at Ala Moana Center Saturday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

Hawaii Island could do more to improve mass transit and bolster rideshare programs. That’s according to a new study prepared for the Kohala Center by the Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment, which called for increased carpooling and clearer county bus schedules. West Hawaii Today.

A new study released this week points to something Hawaii County drivers know already: the roads are in bad need of repair. But there is an additional threat to the state’s transportation system on the horizon — the possibility of a 28 percent cut in federal reimbursements for road projects. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Is There a Conflict of Interest in Hawaii’s Startup World? A venture capital firm's first two investments, supported with public funds, are in companies owned by the firm's founders. Civil Beat.

The veracity of the data used by the Hawaii Tourism Authority to compile reports about Maui’s tourism industry has been the subject of a complaint, delaying reporting for several months. Maui Now.

A county Board of Ethics complaint has been filed against Maui County Council Member Don Guzman for allegedly conducting private business on county time by assisting former mayoral candidate Neldon Mamuad in his last-minute bid to file his papers to run for office last month. Maui News.

Mayor Alan Arakawa issued a gag order to all county employees, including civil service and appointed staff, barring them from communicating directly with members of the County Council and their staff. Maui Weekly.

Lahaina Harbor on Maui is going to be getting a new ferry pier. It’s designed to ease congestion, but the state Department of Land and Natural Resources revised its plans after hearing from the community. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Several County of Kauai department heads say they will seek pay raises for themselves and other higher-ranking employees. They say the raises will bring the county’s salary scale up to par with other counties and match the worth of their growing responsibilities. Garden Island.

A lot has changed, Daynette “Dee” Morikawa said, since she was elected to her first term in the state House of Representatives. Garden Island.

The new slate of Kauai Farm Bureau officers and board of directors represents more than 200 years of combined farming experience, said Jerry Ornellas, outgoing president. Garden Island.

Molokai
Molokai Has the Most to Lose, But Least Say in GMO Debate. A November ballot initiative could shut down its biggest employers, but the island's population is dwarfed by voters elsewhere in Maui County. Civil Beat.

Abercrombie-Ige debate heats up, gay marriage, Obamacare top topics in congressional forum, Deedy trial redux, raises for Hawaii County officials, Kauai GMO pesticide initiative faces almost certain death, Thirty Meter Telescope groundbreaking set, Maui pays fines for landfills, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

David Ige, Neil Abercrombie debate, Hawaii News Now screen shot

Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Sen. David Ige sparred over several issues, with both men trying to take credit for the state's successes and blaming the other for failures, in a debate between the two Democratic gubernatorial candidates on Hawaii News Now.

Watch video here.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie offered a strenuous defense of his first term in a debate Thursday night while state Sen. David Ige insisted there has been a lack of leadership from Washington Place. Star-Advertiser.

In the third debate between Gov. Neil Abercrombie and state Sen. David Ige, the Democrats again disagreed about who deserves the most credit for the state’s fiscal health and who is to blame for botching the Hawaii Health Connector. But the debate’s format, which featured the candidates sitting casually in chairs with Hawaii News Now’s Tannya Joaquin, gave the encounter the look of a talk show. The loose format also allowed the candidates to engage each other more directly. Civil Beat.

The Democratic gubernatorial candidates faced off in a televised debate Thursday night. KITV4.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie holds a massive fundraising edge over state Sen. David Ige, his challenger in the Democratic primary. Abercrombie raised $885,600 during the past six months for his re-election campaign, according to a campaign finance report filed Thursday, and about $4.7 million overall. The governor has spent $3.9 million. Ige raised about $242,700 during the past six months. He has brought in about $389,600 in total. The state senator's campaign also received a $10,000 loan from Keith Hiraoka, his campaign manager, for campaign expenses. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has $1 million in cash on hand as he heads into the final month of campaigning ahead of the Aug. 9 primary. Abercrombie, a Democrat, raised $885,000 between Jan. 1 and June 30 this year. Civil Beat.

For U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, the Democratic primary against U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz drills down to experience. The two Democrats both entered state politics in 1998, but Hanabusa rose through the leadership ranks to become state Senate president and, while in Congress, earned the respect of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye and the retired U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka as their choice for the Senate. Star-Advertiser.

Frontrunners Differ on Gay Marriage, Obamacare in Congressional Debate In the first televised CD1 encounter, seven candidates offered their views on GMOs, Native Hawaiian sovereignty and Obamacare. Civil Beat.

There are seven Democrats vying for the first congressional district seat and each is trying to distinguish themselves from the pack. KITV4.

Public File: As Election Nears, Ad Buys Increase. The Aug. 9 primary is less than a month away and Hawaii candidates are purchasing ads during a greater variety of shows. Civil Beat.

The Abercrombie administration has rejected a controversial $100,000 grant by the Legislature to state Rep. Rida Cabanilla's nonprofit organization. The Attorney General's office says the Ewa Historical Society isn't eligible for the grant because the IRS yanked its tax-exempt status last year. Hawaii News Now.

Senator Will Espero, chair of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, said he was disappointed about Governor Neil Abercrombie’s veto of SB2589, relating to the transfer of harbor police from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Public Safety- a bill he introduced. Hawaii Reporter.

Amelia Rose Earhart, a former Denver television news reporter who was named for the famous aviator, brought her single-engine Pilatus PC-12 NG aircraft into Honolulu Airport a few minutes after noon following a four-hour, 50-minute flight from Christmas Island. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Measures designed to prohibit lying and sitting on city sidewalks as well as urinating and defecating in public continue to move through the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

A day after Honolulu city council members approved a bill that would make it illegal for people to sit or lie on public sidewalks, opponents are raising concerns the 24-hour-a-day, island-wide ban will simply move a growing homelessness problem from one area to another. Hawaii News Now.

The Honolulu developers of the $300 million Park Lane Ala Moana project, a row of seven ultra-luxury, condominium towers planned for what is now a parking area at Ala Moana Center held a ground blessing on Wednesday morning and plan to start construction within a couple of months, an executive from the development team told Pacific Business News.

The state should not limit itself to a smaller seating capacity when replacing 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium, several speakers told the Aloha Stadium Authority during a public meeting at the facility Thursday night. Star-Advertiser.

The cast of characters and arguments are largely the same, but a pair of recent state Supreme Court decisions could color the retrial of State Department special agent Christopher Deedy. Star-Advertiser.

Explaining the Deedy retrial. Recapping the murder case and explaining what will be different in this retrial versus last year's mistrial. Hawaii Independent.

As a destructive pest that targets palm trees spreads farther west on Oahu, close to 170 trees at a military base on the island will have to be destroyed. The destruction left by the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle can be plainly seen at Mamala Bay Golf Course on Hickam Air Force Base. KHON2.

The City and County of Honolulu says it’ll be smooth sailing from here on out for commuters who traverse the formerly pothole-riddled Waialae Avenue in Kaimuki. Civil Beat.

For at least a year and a half, Waialae Avenue has more resembled an obstacle course -- with barriers and torn-up surfaces -- than an actual public street for commuters in Kaimuki. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A groundbreaking and blessing ceremony for the Thirty Meter Telescope could be a few months away, a project spokeswoman told education and business representatives Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

J Yoshimoto, as council chairman, is getting an 11.5 percent raise, bringing his annual salary to $58,008. Other council members will get 8.3 percent raises, bringing their salaries to $52,008. The raises were finalized Thursday by the county Salary Commission, which unanimously voted to increase top officials salaries retroactive to July 1. In addition to council raises, the commission also approved a $22,848 raise for Mayor Billy Kenoi, a 20.9 percent raise that brings his salary to $132,000. West Hawaii Today.

The purpose of the meeting was not to discuss whether the state should make users pay to park at small boat harbors. But that contentious issue was on the minds of people attending a Thursday evening hearing by the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation. West Hawaii Today.

The CEO for the East Hawaii region of the state’s public hospital system has announced his resignation, effective Aug. 9.. Howard N. Ainsley will take on the role of CEO at Morehead Memorial Hospital in Eden, North Carolina. Tribune-Herald.

More than 60 jobs with United Airlines will stay in Kona, under an agreement reached between the carrier and an employees union. West Hawaii Today.

Next week, area residents will have a chance to weigh in on plans to re-power a wind farm in South Kohala. The estimated $13 million project at the Lalamilo Wind Farm would generate renewable energy to power the County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply’s (DWS) operation of eight existing water wells. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) and the County of Maui Department of Environmental Management have reached a settlement on two enforcement cases concerning solid waste violations at the Central Maui Municipal Solid Waste Landfill and the Molokai Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility. Hawaii Reporter.

The state Department of Health and Maui’s Department of Environmental Management have reached a settlement on two enforcement cases concerning solid waste violations. Maui Now.

As Malama Maui Nui prepare for another mass clean-up campaign on July 19, the community group said that the main source of litter by Maui roadways — unsecured vehicle loads — was thanks to drivers breaking the “uncovered truck law.” Maui Now.

Compared to the six shark bite incidents confirmed on Maui during the last six months of 2013, the first six months of this year have been relatively quiet with no bites so far, though experts aren't sure why. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai County Councilman Mel Rapozo says it is unlikely that he will support receiving Kauai Rising’s proposed charter amendment regulating GMOs and pesticides, meaning the measure may be headed for defeat and would not appear on the November ballot. Garden Island.

Native Hawaiians on Kauai will have an opportunity to give feedback to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs at a community forum next week. The annual forum is intended for OHA officials to listen to community concerns and highlight efforts to improve conditions within Hawaiian communities. Garden Island.

Ever since she was in high school, Tiana Laranio believed the best way to serve her community would be to run for political office. Garden Island.

Honolulu affordable housing plans mulled, Schatz rakes in campaign funds, Ellison plans Lanai wine and food fest, no tuition hike for University of Hawaii, dead fish litter Oahu beach, starving monk seals hospitalized in Kona, gubernatorial candidates to debate tonight, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Hale © 2014 All Hawaii News

Honolulu City Council leaders say they now want to seriously consider scrapping plans to sell off the city's rental housing stock and instead resurrecting a full-fledged housing department that would oversee buildings and programs that assist the homeless and others who need affordable housing. Star-Advertiser.

When Gov. Neil Abercrombie appointed Brian Schatz in December 2012 to replace the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, the rationale was that Schatz was the best choice for Hawaii's political future. Star-Advertiser.

As the race for Hawaii's U.S. Senate seat heats up, the big money is beginning to pour in. Preliminary figures show that Sen. Brian Schatz has raised more than $820,000 during the second quarter 2014, it's best quarter in a year. Hawaii News Now.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz raised about $822,000 during the past quarter in the Democratic primary for Senate, sending his fundraising total over $4.8 million for the campaign. Star-Advertiser.

Several U.S. Senate Democrats are fast-tracking a bill,  the Protect Women’s Health from Corporate Interference Act, they say will counter the U.S. Supreme Court's  Hobby Lobby decision. Those senators include Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Mark Udall, D-Colo. Hawaii Reporter.

This may be the last chance for Hawaii television viewers to see the two major Democratic candidates for Governor face-off in an hour-long, live prime-time debate. It's at 7 pm Thursday on all three Hawaii News Now stations -- KGMB, KHNL and KFVE.

University of Hawaii campuses will need to assume flat tuition rates — not the previously approved annual 7 percent hikes — when planning their operating budgets for the next two fiscal years. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii State Ethics Commission will be without its longest-serving member and chair for the last two years when it meets July 23 to tackle the implementation of a public financial disclosure law that has so far prompted the resignations of 18 board members. Leolani Abdul was denied her request to serve another four-year term on the commission. Civil Beat.

Resignations over a new law requiring public disclosure of financial interests for members of various state boards and commission have forced the cancellation of at least three board meetings this week. The number of resignations is now up to a total of 18. Star-Advertiser.

Sheila Weinberg, founder and CEO of the Chicago-based fiscal watchdog Truth in Accounting, said Hawaii can’t claim it's being fiscally prudent because the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund is “drowning in debt.” Hawaii Reporter.

Living Hawaii: The Surprising Price Tag for New Car Buyers in the Islands. Long-distance shipping affects the cost of many goods in Hawaii, but that's not the case for our vehicles. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The $54.6 million the University of Hawaii at Manoa is slated to spend on basic repair and maintenance work this year will hardly make a dent in the school’s notorious backlog, officials say. Civil Beat.

It’s a sight not often seen on the shores of Oahu — dead fish, by the thousands, washing up on the south and west shores. KHON2.

Thousands of people jammed the new Downtown Honolulu Walmart on Wednesday, the first day of business for Hawaii's 10th Walmart store, to buy everything from art supplies, to slippers to DVDs. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

Four malnourished Hawaiian monk seals from remote atolls northwest of Hawaii's main islands arrived Wednesday for emergency care at a new seal hospital in Kailua-Kona. Associated Press.

For the last 50 years, the Big Island Substance Abuse Council has served Hawaii residents by treating individuals who abuse alcohol and drugs. Tribune-Herald.

North Hawaii Community Hospital will participate in the Rim of the Pacific maritime drills on Friday. West Hawaii Today.

Commentary: Six Myths About County’s Waste Incineration Plan. Big Island Now.

Maui

AARP Hawaii will sponsor a gubernatorial debate between Governor Neil Abercrombie and state Senator David Ige at the Maui Beach Hotel in Kahului on Friday, July 18. Maui Now.

On Maui, activists are trying to create a temporary moratorium on GMOS. An organization called The Shaka Movement has put together a ballot initiative for a temporary moratorium on growing genetically modified crops. Hawaii Pubic Radio.

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa plans to triple the size of its ballroom, enlarge its spa and build a three- to four-story parking garage. The Kaanapali resort is seeking permits for the $55 million project. Associated Press.

The Maui County Council has rejected a resolution for a charter amendment proposal limiting the powers of a public commission that reviews county operations. The measure would have placed the commission under the control of the county auditor. Associated Press.

Maui County received an average 2.6 percent interest rate on 20-year bond sales that netted a total of $75.4 million, county Finance Director Danny Agsalog has announced. Maui News.

Maui’s own voyaging canoe, the Moʻokiha o Piʻilani, is scheduled to launch on Friday, July 11, from Māla Wharf in Lahaina. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai Rising’s proposed charter amendment aimed at regulating the island’s genetically modified crop industry may not be a charter amendment after all. And whether it will end up on the November ballot is questionable. Garden Island.

Three of the four candidates vying to be the next mayor of Kauai kept things civil during this election season’s first forum on Wednesday. Garden Island.

The "littoral combat ship" that was to make up one-sixth of the U.S. Navy fleet continues to be a work in progress as one of the vessels heads out from Pearl Harbor to take part in a "sink exercise" off Kauai during Rim of the Pacific war games. Star-Advertiser.

Lanai

Another wine and food festival is being planned for Hawaii, this time on the island of Lanai, which will be spearheaded by Oracle Corp. CEO Larry Ellison, the tech billionaire who owns 98 percent of the island. Pacific Business News.

Kauai coral disease spotlighted, Abercrombie vetoes bills, IDs of jailed homeless destroyed, Hilo judge deals blow to GMO disclosure bill, developers flee boards, feds wrap up Native Hawaiian recognition hearings, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Coral researchers, file photo

The story of Kauai’s diseased and dying coral reefs may soon be brought to life via a major 3-D IMAX documentary film. Dean Lyon, best known for his work as visual effects supervisor of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, announced plans to assist several Kauai groups in producing a film about the pandemic facing coral reefs both on Kauai and around the world. Garden Island.

Scientists are using drones to survey endangered Hawaiian monk seals and other wildlife in Hawaii, officials said Tuesday. Associated Press.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has vetoed seven bills from the Legislature, disagreeing with lawmakers on issues of tourism, funds and crime victims. Associated Press.

State agency board members resign en mass. After Governor Abercrombie let the new financial disclosure law pass without his signature, the tally of state officials that have resigned has risen to 16 members of five separate agency boards. Hawaii Independent.

The clock is ticking for Hawaii residents who have one more day to register to vote in the August primary elections. Hawaii Public Radio.

Government contractors provided thousands of dollars in free golf outings for more than a dozen state workers who deal with their projects. Hawaii News Now has learned that the state Ethics Commission is winding down its year-old investigation into golf perks, which targets a number of employees at the University of Hawaii and the Department of Transportation.

Attorneys and service providers say the identification documents of homeless people, including state ID and social security cards, are being routinely thrown out after they’ve been in jail for 30 days, making it harder for them to gain access to health care, jobs and housing once they are released. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Did Native Hawaiian Hearings Set Up a Political Train Wreck? Civil Beat.

Oahu

On the heels of an Aloha Stadium Authority consultant's recommendation for a stadium with 30,000 to 35,000 seats, the University of Hawaii athletic department has unveiled its own concept of a 30,585-seat multipurpose facility. Star-Advertiser.

The founder of Hawaii's first commercial open-ocean fish farm plans to get back into the business after the initial venture went belly-up. Randy Cates is proposing to lease 75 acres of state marine waters adjacent to Honolulu Airport's reef runway to raise moi in submerged cages. Star-Advertiser.

More senior citizens have been killed in pedestrian crashes on Oahu so far this year than all of 2013, prompting officials to urge senior citizens to change their pedestrian behavior. Star-Advertiser.

Kona Brewing Co., one of Hawaii’s largest craft breweries with locations in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island and in Hawaii Kai on Oahu, is looking to expand to Honolulu's growing Kakaako neighborhood, a spokeswoman for the Kailua-Kona-based company told Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

Judge Greg Nakamura granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday preventing Hawaii County from disclosing the identity and specific location of farms growing genetically engineered papaya. The order in Hilo Circuit Court allows the county to maintain a registry of genetically modified organisms, but prevents information that could identify papaya growers from being released publicly. Tribune-Herald.

A company growing food fish in giant pens off the North Kona coast proposes to more than double its operation by increasing both the number and size of its pens. West Hawaii Today.

This afternoon, some East Hawaii oncology patients will begin being treated by the state’s newest, high-tech weapon in the fight against cancer. The new Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator, which began being installed at Hilo Medical Center’s Hawaii Pacific Oncology Center in March, replaces a previous model that was about 13 years old, according to radiation oncologist Dr. Kevin Wilcox. Tribune-Herald.

The board of apartment owners of a Banyan Drive condominium has gone on the offensive against an apartment owner who tried to assume control of the building by ballot and in court. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The last of 15 public meetings hosted statewide by the U.S. Department of the Interior ended on Maui on Tuesday with a resounding message from the Native Hawaiian community: a'ole, or no. Maui News.

Dozens of Maui residents Tuesday night echoed the staunch opposition heard around the islands against possible federal recognition as U.S. interior officials held their 15th and final meeting exploring the possibility of re-establishing a government-to-government relationship with Native Hawaiians. Star-Advertiser.

Since the early 1990s, Maui County has been aware of a probable connection between the wastewater it injects into the ground below the Lahaina sewage treatment plant and the nearby coastal waters. And for almost as long, it has clung to the position that despite growing evidence of the connection, it did not need to obtain the permit under the Clean Water Act that would allow it to legally discharge pollutants. Civil Beat.

A resolution proposing an amendment to the Maui County Charter that would greatly limit the powers of the Cost of Government Commission and place the panel under the control of the county auditor was voted down by the Maui County Council on Tuesday. Maui News.

Recognizing that their first attempt to modify the circuit breaker property tax credit had deficiencies, Maui County Council members Tuesday approved on first reading a new bill that modifies the eligibility criteria for the tax credit and establishes an appeals process for those who do not qualify. Maui News.

During election years, the Kihei Community Association serves as a forum where voters have the opportunity to meet candidates up close. At the Tuesday, June 17, meeting, state Sen. Roz Baker, state Rep. Kaniela Ing and Maui County Councilmember Don Couch spoke about their track records. Maui Weekly.

A third case of the feline panleukopenia virus has been confirmed, this time in Kahului, according to the Maui Humane Society. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Kauai County Council will consider a trio of bills on Wednesday that finance officials say will help clean up current real property tax policies and narrow inequalities in assessing property values. Garden Island.

The capture of a single coqui frog on Kauai will result in months of routine monitoring for more of the loud, invasive pests. Garden Island.

Molokai

In a world full of fast-food, imported groceries and processed snacks, a Molokai organization is combating the food norm to promote eating local. Molokai Dispatch.

Hanabusa fires up debate, board members quit over disclosure law, Hawaii sustainability advances, Hilo to get fireworks redo, Diamond Head souvenir kiosk opens, Coco Palms developers vow to rebuild, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Abercrombie, county mayors, OHA CEO, courtesy photo

Gov. Neil Abercrombie, joined by the four county mayors and Office of Hawaiian Affairs CEO Kamana‘opono Crabbe, on Monday launched the Aloha+ Challenge, a series of targets for the state to reach in various sectors of sustainability, renewable energy and natural resource management. Star-Advertiser.

Top Hawaii state and county leaders, with the support of leading businesses and nonprofit groups, launched what’s called the Aloha+ Challenge: A Culture of Sustainability – He Nohona ‘Ae‘oia. Civil Beat.

The State and Counties’ Chief Executives and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs signed a joint declaration today to launch a sustainability effort that will take place over the next 16 years. Hawaii Public Radio.

A new state law that makes public the financial interests of members serving on more than a dozen state boards and commissions has prompted the resignations of at least 14 volunteer members, including four regents from the University of Hawaii's governing board. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers gave the resource-strapped Ethics Commission what it wanted last legislative session — the public’s help in sifting through hundreds of records to weed out financial conflicts of interest among dozens of powerful state board members. But with all that promise has come controversy — and a growing number of resignations. Civil Beat.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa may be changing gears in her Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate against incumbent Brian Schatz, shifting to a more aggressive approach as the final month of the campaign approaches. Hanabusa repeatedly confronted Schatz on several issues during a televised debate on Monday night, slamming her rival on his experience, appointment and ability to read bills. Associated Press.

In a taut and punchy performance, U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa on Monday night sought to depict U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz as unprepared for the legislative rigor of the Senate. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa still doesn’t have anything nice to say about U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz. Hanabusa, who’s trailing in the polls and in fundraising, took several swipes at the sitting senator during their first televised debate Monday on KITV. Civil Beat.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa may be changing gears in her Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate against incumbent Brian Schatz, shifting to a more aggressive approach. Hawaii News Now.

In the first ever televised debate between Sen. Brian Schatz and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, the candidates had plenty of chances to show the public who would be the better candidate in 2014. KITV4.

CD1 Speed Date. Progressive Democrats of Hawaii and Americans for Democratic Action, Hawaii will hold a speed dating forum with democratic candidates running in the first congressional district primary election. Hawaii Independent.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Saturday enacted into law a bill that opens farm dwellings to child care programs. West Hawaii Today.

The U.S. Department of Education has listed three University of Hawaii community colleges in its index of the 95 public two-year institutions with the lowest net prices in the country. The net price factors in the average cost of attending college — including tuition, fees and other expenses — as well as the average amount of institutional and federal financial aid provided by the campus. Civil Beat.

Oahu
Officially licensed T-shirts, souvenirs and other items went on sale to hikers coming from the Diamond Head crater trail Monday following the opening of a new kiosk at the Diamond Head State Monument in Honolulu. Pacific Business News.

Aerial Banners North insists a federal waiver allows it to fly commercial banners over Hawaii, but a new statement by the Federal Aviation Administration suggests otherwise. Star-Advertiser.

The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is trying to give the public a better statistical understanding of Kaka­ako as the area undergoes accelerated residential development. The agency released a report Monday filled with characteristics of Kakaako's population largely drawn from U.S. Census data. Star-Advertiser.

It's a hazardous stretch of Honolulu road where many kupuna often cross the street or look to catch buses in the early morning hours. Now, with the recent deaths of three older pedestrians hit by vehicles along North King Street in Kalihi, city leaders say they'll install some brighter streetlights there in the coming days to help better illuminate that area. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Hawaii County property owners who want to claim the homeowner’s exemption to reduce their property taxes may soon be required to file a Hawaii state income tax return annually in order to qualify. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo will get another fireworks show to make up for the mishap on Independence Day, Hawaii County confirmed Monday. Tribune-Herald.

Fears that the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy’s accreditation might be lost, jeopardizing the future of the school, as well as its graduates’ ability to find work, were largely laid to rest this week. Tribune-Herald.

The state Department of Agriculture is providing $200,000 and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council has awarded a grant of $175,000 that will allow the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation to establish a little fire ant control program at county parks and facilities. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

All but one of the more than 100 people who spoke before a federal panel Monday night rejected the idea of possible federal recognition of a future Native Hawaiian government, arguing the U.S. has no jurisdiction over Hawaii. U.S. Department of the Interior officials held the 14th of 15 public meetings statewide at Kame­ha­meha III Elementary on Maui. Star-Advertiser.

Department of Water Supply customers on Maui and Molokai soon will receive the 16th annual Water Quality Report in the mail. Maui News.

Kauai

Come learn about your candidates. All 27 of them. The Kauai Filipino Chamber of Commerce is hosting a political forum at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall to give voters an opportunity to understand more about those seeking office. Garden Island.

The signature drive to increase thresholds has come up short. The Kauai Chamber of Commerce’s petition, aimed at quadrupling the number of signatures required to put a proposed amendment to the Kauai County Charter to a public vote, died when it failed to earn enough signatures before the July 2 deadline. Garden Island.

By year’s end, the county is slated to begin work on approximately $22 million worth of capital improvement projects around the island. Garden Island.

Numerous projects - ranging from bridge repairs to park improvements to road reconstruction - will be put out to bid during the first quarter of the new fiscal year, according to Keith Suga, the county’s CIP program manager. Hawaii Reporter.

As fire investigators continue to sift through what remains of the Coco Palms Resort in Wailua, the Honolulu-based developers who are seeking to reopen the shuttered hotel say they intend pick up the pieces and move forward with their vision for the iconic Kauai landmark. Garden Island.