Lawsuits likely as Hanabusa-Schatz U.S. Senate Democratic contest to be decided Friday, officials say more polls should reopen, GMO foes flounder at polls, Maui highest, Kauai lowest, voter turnout, big profits for HECO electric company, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Island voting © 2014 All Hawaii News

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who’s trailing in the too-close-to-call Hawaii Democratic Senate primary against incumbent Brian Schatz, warned Monday of voting “irregularities” in precincts crippled by a massive tropical storm last week and said she’s speaking with campaign lawyers about a potential recourse. Politico.

Elected officials at the state and county level are crying foul over the selection of only two Puna precincts for a special election, when many voters in precincts from Pahoa to Volcano were unable to get to the polls Saturday in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Iselle. Hanging in the balance is a close contest between U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa for the Democratic nomination for Senate, as well as a state House and County Council race. West Hawaii Today.

What about those blocked from polls, but not in delayed precincts? KHON2.

The U.S. Senate Democratic primary battle between Sen. Brian Schatz and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa could be decided Friday as election officials open a polling place for voters of two storm-damaged precincts in Puna. Tribune-Herald.

Several thousand voters in Puna on Hawaii island will get the rare opportunity Friday to settle a close election, but U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who trails U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz in the Demo­cratic primary for Senate, questioned whether holding the vote so soon is realistic. Star-Advertiser.

An answer to the question “Who won Hawaii’s U.S. Senate race?” is likely to come Friday, according the State Elections Office. The plan is to run an election at Keonepoko Elementary School for the two Puna precincts on the Big Island that were closed because of Tropical Storm Iselle. Civil Beat.

Both Hanabusa and Schatz are already on the Big Island. Schatz was helping unload supplies in Nanawale and met with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Army National Guard today. Hanabusa took an aerial tour of the damage. Hawaii News Now.

Two voting precincts in the region hardest hit by Iselle were closed during Saturday's primary, affecting some 8,000 registered voters, who would be able to cast their ballots on a new voting day to be held Friday, the Office of Elections said Monday. The emotional Democratic contest between U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa is still too close to call. Associated Press.

A special walk-in election will be held Friday for Big Island residents who were unable to vote in Saturday’s primary due to damage from Tropical Storm Iselle. That decision is drawing criticism from folks in Puna, who originally thought they would have 21 days to mail in an absentee ballot. Hawaii Public Radio.

Chief Election Officer Scott Nago, in consultation with the State Attorney General, Department of Defense and the Office of the County Clerk, announced today that an election will be held on Friday, August 15th at Keonepoko Elementary School for the two polling places whose election was postponed due to Hurricane Iselle. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii’s Primary Election Turnout Likely Near All-Time Low This Year. Preliminary numbers show it to be about 41 percent of registered voters. Civil Beat.

Opinion: A Pidgin Guide to Neil Abercrombie’s Downfall. The Hawaii governor's blunt talk may have been the straight truth but his bedside manner left much to be desired. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Co. reported a profit of $34.2 million in the second quarter, a $5.5 million increase from the same time period last year, mainly due to its recovery of costs for clean energy and reliability investments, the Honolulu-based utility said Monday in its latest earnings report. Pacific Business News.

After the heavy rains and high winds of two rare, large storms, Hawaiian botanists are hoping the islands’ rarest plants have come through unscathed. Hawaii Reporter.

Oahu
State Rep. Mark Takai displayed solid support from Kapolei to Mili­lani to Hawaii Kai as he cruised to the 1st Congressional District's Democratic nomination Saturday night over six other candidates. Star-Advertiser.

Officials with the city have apparently reached an agreement with the United Public Workers union that would allow paramedics and emergency medical technicians to work longer, four-day weeks. Star-Advertiser.

The marble shrine room wall at the USS Arizona Memorial inscribed with the names of 1,177 sailors and Marines killed in the Dec. 7, 1941, attack will be undergoing replacement over two months, possibly starting in early September, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

The Matson container ship Manukai, with master John Blomindale, leading a crew of 22, docked at Sand Island Pier 22, carrying three survivors of a disabled sailboat rescued from hurricane seas.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

As clean-up and power restoration efforts continue in the wake of Tropical Storm Iselle, assessment of the cyclone’s damage, especially in Puna, has just begun, according to the county. Tribune-Herald.

Forget Tropical Storm Iselle. The people of Hawaii island's storm-ravaged Puna district have since singularly focused their anger on the forests of fast-growing and foreign albizia trees that fell like giant pick-up sticks on their homes and across power lines, keeping them in the dark and without water since Iselle blew through the Big Island five days ago. Star-Advertiser.

Puna Still Struggles as Politicians Parachute In. The rural Big Island community was hit hardest by Tropical Storm Iselle, and now it's the focal point of the race for U.S. Senate. Civil Beat.

Deep in the seaside jungle of Government Beach Road, the Leo family has been stuck behind a pile of fallen albizia trees since Tropical Storm Iselle hit Puna on Friday morning. On Monday, help arrived. Hawaii County, the Hawaii National Guard, and community volunteers helped dig a path to freedom for the family. Big Island Video News.

Stunning video was taken by drones over the Puna area that gives a closer look into the damage left behind by Iselle. KITV4.

Electricity. Water. Ice. Cellphones. These are some of the staples of modern life that residents in lower Puna say they took for granted until Tropical Storm Iselle thrashed their communities. Tribune-Herald.

Only one Hawaii Island candidate made it to the runoff in the race for an at-large seat on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees. West Hawaii Today.

Kamehameha Schools officials are proposing demolishing the Keauhou Beach Hotel from the top down. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui County had the lowest primary election voter turnout in the state Saturday, with only 32.2 percent of the county's 85,581 registered voters casting ballots in person or by absentee. Maui News.

Maui County continues to have the lowest voter turnout in the state with just 32.2% of the county’s 85,581 registered voters turning out to cast ballots. Maui Now.

Maui Electric crews restored power to all customers Sunday evening after crews worked around the clock since late Thursday to repair and replace electrical equipment damaged by Tropical Storm Iselle's heavy rain and strong winds. Star-Advertiser.

Profits nearly doubled for Alexander & Baldwin from $5 million to $9.2 million, thanks to recent acquisitions and improvements in the company's development and sales and leasing segments, according to A&B's second-quarter report, which was released last week. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai County Councilmen Mel Rapozo and Ross Kagawa, the lone members to oppose the county’s controversial GMO disclosure bill last year, are now more popular than ever among voters. Civil Beat.

Some believe the hot-button issue of genetically modified crops and pesticide use played a role in Saturday’s primary election results, while others say apparent trends in the voting have more to do with where candidates call home. Garden Island.

County of Kauai had the highest primary election turnout rates, according to preliminary state election reports. It is that fact that, some county officials and election watchers say, can be partly attributed to several important factors, including the debate on genetically modified organisms and pesticides and tax raises. Garden Island.

The Kauai County Real Property Assessment Division is offering assistance to residents who want to understand changes to their real property tax bills. Star-Advertiser.

The Kapaa Business Association wants the public to add its voice to providing a solution for traffic through the Kapaa and Wailua corridor. Garden Island.

NASA will return to Kauai next year for more tests of technology that could be used in flights to Mars. Associated Press.

Remote Puna precincts hold key to U.S. Senate, awkward Unity Breakfast brings Democratic winners and losers together, local races bring some new faces, more top election news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Big Island precincts in Hanabusa-Schatz race © 2014 All Hawaii News

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa on Sunday threaded a delicate balance between concern and campaigning as their Democratic primary for Senate came down to two storm-ravaged precincts in Puna on Hawaii island. Star-Advertiser.

Will Hanabusa’s Push in Puna Be Enough? In the Hawaii Senate race, Brian Schatz holds a narrow lead over the congresswoman, but it might be enough to keep him in office. Civil Beat.

A Hawaii News Now analysis of precinct results in the U.S. Senate race showed that U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz holds an edge over U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa in the Puna area of Hawaii island where voters in two precincts still must cast their votes to decide the razor-thin contest.

Voters from two precincts in Lower Puna now have a chance to decide a statewide race, but candidates will be walking a fine line between campaigning and storm recovery from Tropical Storm Iselle. Hawaii News Now.

The rural Puna district may have hardly been on the radar leading up to the state’s contentious U.S. Senate Democratic primary. Now, it’s all that matters. Tribune-Herald.

It will be a very delicate task: How to seek votes from voters coping with damaged homes, downed trees, power outages and water shortages. KITV4.

Hawaii's hotly contested Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate remained too close to call Sunday, with incumbent Sen. Brian Schatz clinging to a slim lead over Rep. Colleen Hanabusa in a race that could drag on for weeks. USA Today.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz held a 1,635-vote lead over U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa in the primary race for Hawaii's U.S. Senate seat, according to results released about 3:15 a.m. Sunday, in a race that's still too close to call. The tally was Schatz with 113,800 votes to Hanabusa's 112,165, in results that are still missing two Hawaii County precincts that may decide the close election. Hawaii News Now.

Cut off from the world -- with no water or power and trapped in their homes behind tons of fallen trees -- survivors of Tropical Storm Iselle in Hawaii island's vast Puna district welcomed the news that they will send Hawaii's next U.S. senator to Washington. Star-Advertiser.

Brian Schatz held a slim lead over Colleen Hanabusa early Sunday in the Democratic primary to defend the Hawaii U.S. Senate seat he's held since 2012 in the general election in November, but neither candidate was ready to concede. Pacific Business News.

There’s one race that’s still undecided, and we won’t know the winner for several weeks. That’s the race for a seat in the U.S. Senate between Democrats Brian Schatz and Colleen Hanabusa. The voting was halted because of damage from Tropical Storm Iselle. As of now, Schatz has a slim lead over Hanabusa of 1,635 votes. KHON2.

Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Ige, little known outside of the state Capitol just six months ago, captured all but three state House districts in an unprecedented and thorough defeat of Gov. Neil Abercrombie in Saturday's primary election. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie became the first incumbent Hawaii governor to lose his party's primary after a 40-year career as David Ige, a state senator from Oahu, won by more than 35 percentage points in a landslide victory. Pacific Business News.

Somehow, 40 years into a political career that was crowned by his election as Hawaii’s governor, Neil Abercrombie ignored the most basic lesson of the trade: It's a popularity contest. Los Angeles Times.

Hawaii’s Democratic Unity Breakfast the morning after the primary election is traditionally a time for candidates to set aside their differences and coalesce against the Republican candidates they will face in November. But Sunday’s festivities were awkward this year after the primary left the top-ticket U.S. Senate race undecided and the sitting governor was trounced by his Democratic opponent. Associated Press.

Democratic candidates, both victorious and vanquished after Saturday's primary election, gathered this morning for the party's traditional Unity Breakfast, led by Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who despite his lopsided loss to state Sen. David Ige, pledged to support the newly nominated gubernatorial ticket. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai’i Democrats conducted their traditional “Unity Breakfast” yesterday in Honolulu, bringing together the winners and losers from Saturday’s Primary Election. Hawaii Public Radio.

There has never been a Democratic Party of Hawaii primary like the one held Saturday night. Not only was a sitting governor overwhelmingly rejected by a quiet-speaking state senator little known out of legislative circles and his Pearl City-Aiea district. But a U.S. Senate race is too close to call, with voters in two Big Island precincts holding the fate of the eventual victor in their hands. Civil Beat.

In a historic moment in Hawaii’s political history, Senate Ways and Means Chair David Ige beat incumbent Gov. Neil Abercrombie in the Democratic Primary election, Saturday, Aug. 8, with 66 percent of the vote to Abercrombie’s 30.9 percent. In total, Ige received 143,835 votes to Abercrombie’s 67,368 votes. Hawaii Reporter.

From global issues like the U.S. international relations to local issues like development near downtown Honolulu, Hawaii voters voiced a multitude of motivations in the state’s primary election on Saturday. Associated Press.

Oahu

Voters have given state Rep. Mark Takai the nod over Senate President Donna Mercado Kim and five other candidates vying for the Democratic slot in the 1st Congressional District race. Civil Beat.

After receiving trash pickup from the city for decades, about 110 multifamily complexes and 80 schools, churches and other nonprofits on Oahu will need to start paying for their own service beginning Feb. 1. Star-Advertiser.

After years of criticism from preservation agencies, the Navy is recommending that 81 acres of the old Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, a key battle site on Dec. 7, 1941, be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Challenger Lorraine Inouye ousted incumbent Malama Solomon from the state Senate’s 4th District seat Saturday night in a Democratic primary contest that was a rematch of the 2012 primary election. West Hawaii Today.

State Senator Gil Kahele won the Democratic primary race by a wide margin, defeating challenger Wendell Kaehu’ae’a 7,558 votes to 1,647. The first district senate seat represents Hilo at the State Capitol. Big Island Video News.

Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille and her primary challenger, former Windward Planning Commission Chairman Ron Gonzales, will be carrying their bitter battle into the General Election. Wille, striving for her second term as the District 9 council member, secured 1,664 votes, or 48.3 percent, against Gonzales and another challenger, Oliver “Sonny” Shimaoka, with all precincts reporting Saturday. West Hawaii Today.

Maile Medeiros David, the deputy county clerk and a former legislative specialist, will soon find herself making the decisions, not just following them, after her easy win Saturday for the South Kona/Ka‘u District 6 seat. West Hawaii Today.

Incumbent Karen Eoff appeared to win an easy victory over Sean Hunter, a political newcomer and the sole opponent in the County Council District 8 race. West Hawaii Today.

Democratic incumbent Richard Creagan, who was appointed to the state House District 5 seat in January to replace Denny Coffman, edged out Holualoa small business owner Gene “Bucky” Leslie in the primary. West Hawaii Today.

Incumbent Democrat Nicole Lowen will face Republican Kelly Valenzuela in the state House District 6 election in November. Lowen defeated challenger Kalei Akaka for the second straight Democratic primary with 1,930 votes to 1,170 votes. Valenzuela emerged victorious over Roy Ebert with 454 votes to 263 votes. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor Alan Arakawa took his first step toward winning a third four-year term as mayor Saturday night, easily outpacing a field of five challengers in the primary election. Arakawa, 62, of Kahului garnered 17,093 votes, or 63.8 percent, with all 34 Maui County precincts reporting. Maui News.

Council Member Elle Cochran was the top vote-getter in her West Maui residency race despite challenger Ka'ala Buenconsejo having more than $100,000 in support from independent super political action committees that made him a household name in Maui County through mailers and radio and newspaper advertisements. Maui News.

House Rep. Justin Woodson may have been appointed to his 9th House seat when he first made his political debut last year, but he will stay there for the next two-year term by the will of the voters. Maui News.

Saturday’s primary election featured a crowded race of six contenders.  The field was narrowed to incumbent mayor Alan Arakawa, and challenger Tamara Paltin. Maui Now.

Saturday’s primary election featured four Maui council races, each of which were narrowed to the top two vote-getters in each district. Maui Now.

Kauai

Incumbent Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. tallied large numbers in Saturday’s primary election and will square off against Dustin Barca in November. With 15 of 16 Kauai precincts reporting by press time, Carvalho had a commanding 10,466 votes (57.3 percent) over Barca’s 5,669 votes (31 percent). Garden Island.

In all, 20 County Council candidates faced off in this year’s primary election. With 15 of 16 precincts reporting, all seven incumbents, Jay Furfaro, JoAnn Yukimura, Mason Chock Sr., Gary Hooser, Tim Bynum, Mel Rapozo and Ross Kagawa, moved on. Garden Island.

The incumbent Democrats prevailed in the three state representative races on Saturday. Garden Island.

Abercrombie out. Historic upset ousts Hawaii's governor. Seven media reports.

Sen. David Ige, left, as Gov. Neil Abercrombie concedes. Screen shot KITV4 news.

In a historic upset, state Sen. David Ige, who was unknown to many voters six months ago, ousted Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Saturday in the Democratic primary. Ige, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, drubbed Abercrombie 67 percent to 32 percent, an unprecedented repudiation of an incumbent governor in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

State Sen. David Ige has won a historic victory in the Hawaii governor’s race, knocking out Gov. Neil Abercrombie in an unprecedented defeat for an incumbent governor. Civil Beat.

David Ige, a state senator from Oahu who took on incumbent Gov. Neil Abercrombie in Hawaii's Democratic primary, grabbed a large lead over Abercrombie in the early returns Saturday to become the nominee for November's general election. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie was unseated in a stunning primary-election defeat Saturday after a fellow Democrat, state Sen. David Ige, easily coasted to victory on his promise to bring a less combative leadership style in a race that divided Democrats. Abercrombie, who has spent nearly 40 years in Hawaii politics, is the first Hawaii governor to lose to a primary challenger and only the second not to win re-election. Associated Press.

For the first time in Hawaii history, a sitting governor has lost a primary election to a challenger from within their own party. By 9:45 p.m., the Neil Abercrombie banner was coming down and the cleanup crew was hard at work packing up the campaign party at Ward Warehouse. The incumbent lost by more than 37 percent of the vote by the third printout. In his concession speech, he said despite his shortcomings, he always gave it his best. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii state Sen. David Ige has won the state's Democratic primary for governor, upsetting incumbent Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Ige has promised to bring a different leadership style to Hawaii, saying he wants the state to live within its current revenues rather than raise taxes.  The Democrat also pledged to collect $450 million in unpaid taxes. KITV4.

Dark horse candidate David Ige made a surprisingly strong showing in Saturday’s primary election by defeating incumbent Neil Abercrombie in the Democratic gubernatorial race in Hawaii’s primary election. Ige maintained a sizable lead throughout the evening’s ballot printouts. KHON2.

Now that's cold. With hurricanes looming, thief takes off with Hawaii Island's only Red Cross truck.

American Red Cross pickup truck, updated photo.

With Hurricanes Iselle and Julio looming, an American Red Cross truck was stolen Wednesday night from the relief organization’s office in Hilo, Hawaii.

“How can anyone be so callous to steal a truck in a time of a disaster?” Barney Sheffield, Red Cross disaster coordinator for the island, wondered to the Hawaii Tribune-Herald.

Volunteers discovered the vehicle was missing this morning as they arrived to prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Iselle. The truck is the Red Cross’ only vehicle on the island and used to tow its supply trailer.


Now, that's cold.

Update: The truck was recovered by police at 9 a.m. Friday, after the storm has passed. Big Island Video News.

Weakened Iselle makes landfall on Hawaii Island, price-gouging, power outages hamper primary voting, election plans, GMO money in campaign, more news

Hurricanes Iselle and Julio NOAA national Weather Service composite

Iselle has been downgraded to a tropical storm and the center of tropical storm Iselle made landfall at about 2:30 a.m. Friday along the Kau coast on the Big Island, about 5 miles east of Pahala.  Iselle is the first tropical storm to hit the state in 22 years. Meanwhile, Hurricane Julio, a Category 3 storm, is about 1,000 miles behind in the Pacific. Julio’s track and intensity remains the same, veering north of the islands. Exact impacts are unknown, but the storm is expected to reach the vicinity of the islands on Sunday and Monday. KHON2.

Iselle weakened rapidly off the Kau Coast and slowed its westward motion just before it moved over the Big Island and Maui early Friday morning, bringing strong winds and heavy rains. Star-Advertiser.

At the same time Iselle is wreaking havoc on the Hawaiian Islands, Hurricane Julio continues to churn in its wake, offering a real threat to deliver a rare double whammy of destruction on the state. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s administration is threatening to fine store owners if they price gouge people who are trying to stock up on water and other supplies in preparation for Hurricanes Iselle and Julio. Civil Beat.

The state Office of Consumer Protection has received more than 20 complaints of price gouging from consumers, most involving the sale of bottled water. Star-Advertiser.

Reports from Hawaii island and Maui as Iselle delivers heavy rains and winds. Star-Advertiser.

What Do Hawaii Lieutenant Governors Do? Not very much at all. But it pays $114,420 and nine people are running for the office in Saturday's primary. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Faceless corporations, political action committees and ordinary citizens have poured $2.77 million into the race to represent urban Oahu in Congress for the next two years. Civil Beat.

The Democratic Party of Hawaii canceled post-election unity rallies on neighbor islands, but as of Thursday still planned to hold its Oahu event as a pair of tropical storms threatened to bring heavy rain and high winds to all islands for the next few days. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii President David Lassner fielded a broad spectrum of questions at a downtown Hono­lulu forum Thursday, sharing thoughts on everything from the public perception of the institution to infrastructure improvements. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The power supply and the geothermal plant in Puna proved to be among the first casualties of Iselle as it bore down on the Big Island Thursday night. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii County Civil Defense issued an alert from an uncontrolled release of hydrogen sulfide steam at the Puna Geothermal Venture plant in Pohoiki. Star-Advertiser.

The National Weather Service says the center of the system has made landfall along the Ka'u Coast of Hawaii Island early Friday morning. Tropical storm conditions are expected to continue to spread to the islands of Maui County later this morning. The National Weather Service says that swells generated by Iselle will continue to build through Friday, possibly becoming damaging along some coastlines. Hawaii News Now.

Iselle has weakened to a tropical storm but continues churning toward the Big Island, according to the National Weather Service. In a bulletin posted around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, the NWS said tropical storm conditions, including heavy rain and high winds, are impacting East Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille, pummeled by attack ads from a Honolulu political action committee, has received a late-campaign $4,000 shot in the arm from genetically modified food opponents. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

A flood advisory has been issued for the Island of Maui until 4:30 a.m. Maui Now.

Kauai

With stormy weather bearing down, the county Elections Division urged registered voters to take advantage of a final early voting opportunity Thursday. County Elections Administrator Lyndon Yoshioka said 3,763 people walked in to vote. Another 7,111 mail-in absentee ballots were processed as of Thursday. Garden Island.

Hurricanes Iselle, Julio churn toward Hawaii, Democrats call off statewide rally, government, schools close Thursday, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Iselle track 5 a.m. August 7 Central Pacific Hurricane Center

At 5 a.m. on Thursday morning, Hurricane Iselle was located about 305 miles east-southeast of Hilo and was moving west-northwest at 15 miles per hour. It had maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour, weakened slightly from the 2 a.m. forecast, with higher gusts of up to 98 miles per hour. Iselle remains a Category 1 hurricane. Hawaii News Now.

After Hurricane Iselle surprised forecasters Wednesday by gaining strength, it may now become the first hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii since Iniki 22 years ago. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane Iselle, the first hurricane that could hit the Big island in more than 20 years, was steadily churning toward Hilo and expected to make landfall Thursday. Civil Beat.

A hurricane warning has been issued for the Big Island and surrounding waters, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.  A tropical storm warning is also in effect for Maui County and Oahu. KITV4.

Hawaii residents were furiously stocking up on essentials as two hurricanes churned toward the islands Wednesday and weather officials asked the whole state to prepare for flash flooding. Associated Press.

Democrats, concerned about the approaching storms, have called off their traditional election eve rally on Friday in Hilo. For more than a half century, Democratic candidates have gathered at the Mooheau Bandstand in Hilo for a get-out-the-vote event the night before elections. Star-Advertiser.

State officials have released a list of emergency shelters in preparation for Hurricane Iselle. Officials say the shelters are a last resort if you have absolutely no place else to go, or if your home is not in a safe place. If you need to go to a shelter- bring emergency supplies with you. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hurricane Iselle

 All of Hawaii’s major utilities are working to make sure their customers have what they need to ride out the storms. KHON2.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie today signed an emergency proclamation in anticipation of the arrival of two tropical cyclones in Hawaii. Hurricane Iselle is forecast to impact the state Thursday evening through late Friday. Hurricane Julio is a few days behind Iselle and may impact the islands as soon as Sunday. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii’s governor is an incredibly powerful office, able to appoint more than 1,000 people to important executive offices, boards, and commissions. Hawaii Independent.

The race for the Democratic nomination for Hawai’i Governor is headed to the finish line Saturday.   If the initial tally of votes are close, meaning they are split down the middle, the neighbor island electorate will likely decide who the winner will be. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

As two hurricane-strength storms approach Oahu, the city has no comprehensive emergency plan in place for the densely populated, low-lying area of Waikiki, and a "statewide" plan addresses only Oahu. Civil Beat.

Honolulu officials are collaborating with emergency service providers and others to ensure Oahu's homeless population is well-informed about hurricane shelters and shuttle service as back-to-back storms approach. Star-Advertiser.

The Department of Emergency Management advises Oahu residents that the following American Red Cross hurricane shelters will be available and open for evacuees on Thursday, August 7 at 10:00 p.m. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii retailers ready for whatever two hurricanes — Iselle and Julio — will bring. Pacific Business News.

Amid continued protests from University of Hawaii at Manoa students seeking the reinstatement of fired Chancellor Tom Apple, Board of Regents Chairman Randy Moore says he fully supports the decision made a week ago to terminate Apple two years into a five-year appointment. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The Big Island should brace for a pasting of rain and wind, and the leeward side is no exception. West Hawaii Today.

Eight people gathered Wednesday at the State Building in Hilo to announce they will request the state Attorney General’s Office investigate alleged voting and tax irregularities by Tiffany Edwards Hunt, who is running for the County Council District 5 seat. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii County Council unanimously agreed Wednesday to ask the state Board of Agriculture to deny a local dairy the ability to sell milk at a lower wholesale price. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The mayor’s office announced that it will be sending home all non-emergency county employees at noon on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, with the possible exception of county elections employees. Maui Now.

Kauai

The County of Kauai is finalizing a list of potential shelter sites for people looking to bunker down if forced from their homes by hurricanes Iselle and Julio. Garden Island.

Hawaii's early voting push intensifies with Hurricane Iselle, Tropical Storm Julio, looming, GMO labeling candidates listed, ethnicity in politics, HECO gets no-bid contracts for Oahu solar, state cracks down on ride-sharing, legislative reshuffle could help counties' TAT chances, super Pac funding on Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Iselle 5 a.m. Aug. 6 courtesy NOAA National Weather Service

Party leaders urged residents to take advantage of early voting this week as storm preparations continue for tropical weather systems headed toward the islands ahead of Saturday's primary election. Star-Advertiser.

The chairwomen of the Hawaii Republican Party and the Democratic Party of Hawaii today issued a joint call for voters to cast their ballots early to ensure their safety as Hurricane Iselle and Tropical Storm Julio bear down on the state. Iselle could threaten the eastern coast of Hawaii Island as soon as Thursday and Julio may bring dangerous conditions on Saturday. West Hawaii Today.

Abercrombie Implores Supporters to Get Out the Vote. Upbeat at his final campaign rally before Saturday's primary, Hawaii governor recalls that no one expected him to win 40 years ago, either. Civil Beat.

Hawaii candidates who support GMO labeling , pesticide disclosure and restriction. Hawaii Reporter.

Ethnicity as a common denominator in Hawai’i elections is not as pronounced as it once was in the 1950s and 60s. But as Hawaii Public Radio’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, ethnicity is still viewed as an important characteristic in local political races.

Hurricane Iselle is weakening. The eye is not as apparent and the storm is not as symmetrical as it was 24 hours ago. KHON2.

Hawaii island, Maui County and Oahu are under a tropical storm watch and the entire state is covered by a flash flood watch as two hurricanes east of Hilo Wednesday pack a potential one-two punch of heavy rain, high surf and powerful winds.Star-Advertiser.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Oahu as weakening Hurricane Iselle continues on its path towards the Hawaiian islands. Forecasters issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the Big Island of Hawaii earlier Tuesday and Maui County late Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Hurricane Iselle continues to churn menacingly from the east, weakening as it encounters Central Pacific wind shear and cooler waters but still is expected to be capable of unleashing flash flooding, tropical storm-force winds and ocean surge starting Thursday afternoon in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane Iselle continues to make its way toward the Hawaiian islands and is expected to weaken to a tropical storm by the time it hits the Big Island and Maui County on Thursday before it progresses across the archipelago Friday. Civil Beat.

State officials are closing scores of recreation areas that could be affected by rising streams, flash flooding, falling trees or high surf touched off by the arrival of tropical storm Iselle. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii is used to preparing for tropical storms — stock up on water, toilet paper and other essentials and wait. But actually getting hit with systems like the two approaching the islands? Not as much. Associated Press.

Hawaii Disaster Team Ready for Anything. With a hurricane and tropical storm approaching the islands, local emergency personnel are training for widespread casualties. Civil Beat.

Hawaii hotels are preparing for Hurricane Iselle and Tropical Storm Julio, which are expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to the Islands starting Thursday, by testing generators, stocking up on bottled water, first aid kits, flashlights and other supplies, as well as canceling reservation fees for guest and setting aside rooms for employees. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Hawaiian Electric Co. may now move ahead with contract negotiations with six solar energy developers on Oahu whose projects total 210 megawatts after state regulators approved the state’s largest electric utility’s request to forgo the competitive bidding process for the projects. Pacific Business News.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation is cracking down on two ride services that entered the Oahu market in June, ordering them to stop picking up and dropping off passengers at Honolulu International Airport. Civil Beat.

Criminal proceedings against an aerial advertising company and the pilot it hired to fly banners over Oahu will be held later this month. Star-Advertiser.

Students call for investigation into Apple’s termination. ASUH and GSO have sent a letter to Governor Abercrombie requesting a formal investigation into the firing of Tom Apple. Hawaii Independent.

Lawyers for the state and murder defendant and federal agent Christopher Deedy told the jury in closing arguments of the U.S. State Department special agent's retrial Tuesday that they do agree on several points. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Upcoming leadership changes in the state Legislature could be good news for counties seeking to increase their share of hotel taxes, the Hawaii County Council learned Tuesday at a meeting with several state legislators. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County’s battle against the little fire ant will get a little more bite with a unanimous vote Tuesday by the County Council Finance Committee to accept $375,000 from the state Department of Agriculture and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council. West Hawaii Today.

Kamehameha Schools officials have taken another step toward demolishing the shuttered Keauhou Beach Hotel. West Hawaii Today.

County emergency responders were busy preparing Tuesday as Hurricane Iselle and Tropical Storm Julio continued their march toward Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Council candidate Ka'ala Buenconsejo has the backing of two super political action committees based in Honolulu that independently have spent more than $130,000 in mailers, radio ads and media consultation for the first-time political candidate seeking to unseat Elle Cochran for the West Maui residency seat. Maui News.

Maui Continues Preparations for Iselle’s Stormy Weather. Maui Now.

Kauai

Visitor industry officials on Kauai say they are worried that recent property tax rate hikes approved by the Kauai County Council will deal a blow to one of the island’s main economic drivers: tourism. Garden Island.

Tropical storms shouldn't disrupt Hawaii elections, support wanes for state-funded preschool, lieutenant governor candidates in dead heat, GMO motivates candidates, drone regulation sought, Maui mayor's seat safe, property taxes at issue, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Iselle, Tropical Storm Julio courtesy NOAA National Weather Service

A tropical storm expected to bring heavy rain and wind to Hawaii this week shouldn't significantly affect the state's primary election based on current weather forecasts. Associated Press.

Hurricane Iselle weakened slightly and Tropical Storm Julio maintained its intensity as both storms continued on a path toward Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Government officials kicked storm planning into a higher gear Monday as Hurricane Iselle appeared to be taking aim at the Hawaiian Islands and another powerful storm was following in its tracks. Star-Advertiser.

Nineteen Hawaii super PACs have spent more than $1 million in the current election season to sway voters and influence the state’s political atmosphere, according to the most recent campaign spending commission data. Civil Beat.

A nonpartisan candidate for the U.S. Senate is suing Hawaii television stations KHNL and KGMB for not allowing her to appear in a televised debate. Joy Allison of Waikoloa filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court on Friday. Associated Press.

With 5 days to go before the primary election, our Hawaii News Now/Star Advertiser Hawaii poll shows a dead heat between Shan Tsutsui and Clayton Hee in the Lieutenant Governor's race.

The race for the Democratic Party's nomination to be the state's next lieutenant governor is in a statistical dead heat, and could come down to last-minute appeals from the campaigns to swing a large number of undecided voters, according to one analyst. Star-Advertiser.

GMO Issue Spurs Candidates to Seek Election, But It’s Ugly Out There. Hawaii political observers are watching bellwether races on Kauai, Maui and the Big Island. Sentiments run high on both sides, and sometimes the campaigns get edgy. Civil Beat.

A majority of voters favors a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would allow public money to be spent on private preschool, according to a new Hawaii Poll, but the degree of support has weakened since February. Star-Advertiser.

The Department of Veterans Affairs continues to whittle down the wait times for patients in the military medical system in Hawaii and other parts of the Pacific. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's tourism industry is in a good position to match or break visitor arrival and spending records this year after gains in June and an expectation that airline capacity serving the state from North America will expand over the remainder of the year. Star-Advertiser.

State officials announced the successful sale of nearly $164 million in Highway Revenue Bonds, with an estimated $120 million to fund various highway projects, and more than $65 million allocated to refinance existing bonds for interest savings. Maui Now.

Pesky Drones Snap Photos on Private Property. Should a small model airplane with a camera on it be allowed to fly into your space and take pictures of you? Civil Beat.

Hawaii's first plan to address Alzheimer's disease and dementia forecasts effective prevention of Alz­hei­mer's by 2025 while calling on volunteer caregivers, health care professionals and others in the near term to step up training in the complicated issues tied to both conditions. Star-Advertiser.

State roundup for August 5. Associated Press.

Oahu

A new proposal would allow residential owner-occupants on Oahu to petition the city for one-time property tax compromise bills if they got shoved into the new Residential A tax class, requiring them to pay at a much higher rate. Star-Advertiser.

A source within the State Senate has informed the Independent that State Senator Rosalyn Baker is the “chief legislative supporter of [Dr. Michele] Carbone,” the Director of the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center (UHCC) who has come under fire for his mismanagement of the center and for his unheard of amount of ethical and academic violations against his own researchers. Hawaii Independent.

The fierce elements brought on by hurricanes and tropical storms are a big threat to people who live in the elements. The efforts to warn and find homeless shelter is already underway. KITV4.

A Honolulu insurance agent has purchased nearly 30,000 square feet of vacant, foreclosed property in Kailua in Windward Oahu for about $2 million that could be redeveloped as apartments, retail, offices or assisted-living facilities. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

Incumbents are flexing their financial muscles in the Big Island state House and Senate races ahead of the primary election Saturday. With a few exceptions, those running for re-election are outspending and out-fundraising their opponents by large margins. Tribune-Herald.

Farmers taking advantage of county property tax breaks could soon be required to dedicate the land to farming for at least three years to qualify. West Hawaii Today.

The Center for Food Safety and Big Island organic farmers Rachel Laderman, Nancy Redfeather and Marilyn Howe are seeking to help Hawaii County defend its law restricting the use of genetically modified crops. Tribune-Herald.

Two Hawaii Island telescopes captured images of several eruptions that are changing scientists’ understanding of volcanic activity on Io, one of Jupiter’s moons. West Hawaii Today.

Maui
Five candidates are trying to unseat Mayor Alan Arakawa, a Hail Mary proposition that even Maui's most established politicians decided to take a pass on this year. Maui News.

Maui state Senate candidates are debating how to help local public hospitals amid news the Maui Memorial Medical Center will shut down its adolescent behavioral health unit to save money. Associated Press.

Life on Maui has changed, at least when it comes to trash collection. And you can blame it on budget cuts. Money problems are squeezing everything from trash pickups to hours of operation at county landfills. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Jay Furfaro has seen a number of issues come across his desk during the nearly 12 consecutive years that he has been on the Kauai County Council. Garden Island.

Hawaii’s tourism economy is on pace with last year’s record-breaking year in spending and arrivals, but Kauai saw fewer visitors and spending in June. Garden Island.

Schatz vs. Hanabusa -- Down to the wire

Colleen Hanabusa, Brian Schatz recent debate screen shot

Only in Hawaii would a challenger to a sitting incumbent be known as the insider, and a race between two seasoned politicians be seen as a fight between a dead senator and President Obama.

But that's apparently the case in the down-to-the-wire showdown between U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa. Schatz, formerly lieutenant governor and an appointee of longtime Obama friend and supporter Neil Abercrombie, faces challenger Hanabusa in the Democratic primary Saturday in Hawaii.

It's a grudge match for Hanabusa, who viewed as a personal affront Abercrombie's 2012 appointment of Schatz over her despite an apparent deathbed request from the powerful U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye. Inouye's widow continues to endorse her.

(Abercrombie, it should be noted, is facing his own problems in his reelection bid, posed by fellow Democrat and state Sen. David Ige.)

"On Saturday, Hawaii brings a test of Mr. Obama’s pull in contested Democratic primaries," said a Wall Street Journal political post.

Obama is backing both Schatz and Abercrombie.

There's a lot of history there. Schatz endorsed Obama in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary. Inouye and Hanabusa backed Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Dueling polls show either Schatz or Hanabusa in the lead, and many predict it's going to be a close one. It's an important contest because it's just about a given that the real election in this race is the Democratic duel in the primary.

Hanabusa leads Schatz 50 percent to 42 percent, with 8 percent undecided in a July 21-29 Honolulu Star-Advertiser poll.

A Civil Beat poll July 24-28 of likely Democratic voters shows Schatz with a 49 percent to 41 percent edge on the congresswoman.

But what about those polls?

"Polling in Hawaii— and especially primary polling— is notoriously unreliable. And we don't mean off-by-a-few points unreliable. We mean often vastly different-from-the-final-result unreliable," said a Washington Post blogger in a The Fix posting titled " Hawaii: Where good polling goes to die."

It's trite but true, and it's become a mantra for several candidates these past few days: The only poll that really matters is the one the state tallies up on Election Day.

Polls favor Hanabusa, Ige, Takai. Hurricane Iselle a category 4, Tax Department to refund bills sent in error, RIMPAC is pau, PAC money in politics, mice plague Kohala, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Brian Schatz and Colleen Hanabusa

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa holds an edge over U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz in the Democratic primary for Senate, a new Hawaii Poll shows, and voters who prefer the congresswoman cite her legislative experience as the main reason. Hanabusa leads Schatz 50 percent to 42 percent, with 8 percent undecided. Star-Advertiser.

In the Senate showdown between Democrats Brian Schatz and Colleen Hanabusa, Representative Hanabusa has a 50 to 42 percent lead over Senator Schatz in our new Hawaii News Now/Star Advertiser Hawaii poll.

State Rep. Mark Takai has pulled into a tie with state Senate President Donna Mercado Kim in the most recent Hawaii Poll, suggesting that the crowded Demo­cratic primary for the 1st Congressional District seat has become a two-person race. The poll showed Kim and Takai each receiving support from 28 percent of those polled, while Hono­lulu City Councilman Stanley Chang (East Hono­lulu) was a distant third with 12 percent. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie is in grave risk of losing to state Sen. David Ige in the Democratic primary, according to a new Hawaii Poll that shows the governor's job approval and favorability sinking among voters. Ige, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, holds a 54 percent to 36 percent lead over Abercrombie with 11 percent undecided. Star-Advertiser.

Abercrombie Camp on Latest Poll: ‘We Don’t Believe It for a Second.’ Campaign manager Bill Kaneko says the governor is tied with David Ige, urges voter turnout. Civil Beat.

David Ige’s Leadership Style: State Senator Wants To Be Honest, Open, Fair, No Ego. Fellow lawmakers applaud the Hawaii gubernatorial contender as a collaborative problem-solver who stands by decisions and can't be pushed around. Civil Beat.

Hurricane Iselle has regained intensity and is once again a major hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 miles per hour, making it a strong Category 4 hurricane. At 5 a.m. Monday, it was located about 1,257 miles east of Hilo and was moving west at 9 miles per hour. Hawaii News Now.

The state Tax Department acknowledged on its website Friday that inaccurate letters had been sent to taxpayers who had submitted payment via paper check "close to the April 20 deadline." Star-Advertiser.

The world’s largest international maritime exercise, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2014, concluded August 1 with the participation of 22 nations, 49 surface ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. Hawaii Reporter.

A Final Look at the Miltaristic RIMPAC Exercises Around Hawaii. RIMPAC is about to temporarily disappear from the public eye again, but the militaristic framework it was founded on ties Hawaii to the rest of the world. Civil Beat.

Opinion: It's one thing to lament the influence of money in politics, to bemoan the power of Super PACs that besmirch candidates first and apologize later — long after they've flooded a race with cash and the candidate they prefer has prevailed. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Scientists predicted this would be an above-average Central Pacific hurricane season, and sure enough, Hurricane Iselle, packing 115 mph winds, is swirling in from the east. Are the 30,000 or so residents of Waikiki, Hawaii's most densely packed area, ready if Iselle or another storm makes a direct hit? Star-Advertiser.

Opinion: The University System administration and President Lassner's decision to continue defending the unit director largely responsible for Chancellor Apple's removal jeopardizes both the future of the Cancer Center and the standing of the University as a whole. Hawaii Independent.

Kamehameha Schools is funding a new Kapiolani Community College program designed to encourage Native Hawaiians to become interested in fields involving science and technology. Associated Press.

Hawaii

State and county election workers, voting equipment representatives and volunteer observers put marked-up paper ballots through the mill Saturday morning as they participated in the statewide testing of ballot counting equipment. West Hawaii Today.

First-term incumbent County Councilman Greggor Ilagan, facing three challengers for Puna District 4, has raked in the most campaign contributions of any of the 27 hopefuls running for nine seats. West Hawaii Today.

Four candidates vying for the Hawaii County Council District 2 seat discussed issues facing downtown Hilo and beyond at a candidate forum Friday evening. Tribune-Herald.

There’s a plague of mice on the land. The tiny invaders are scampering into homes in North Hawaii, being trapped to the tune of 30 to 70 a day per household in some areas, and getting squished in great numbers along roadways. West Hawaii Today.

Kilauea Military Camp offers screenings of movie about Japanese American internment, tour of site. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

As Maui Memorial Medical Center has announced the shutdown of its adolescent behavioral health unit in an attempt to make a dent in a $13 million budget gap this year, the Democratic candidates seeking their party's nomination for the state 6th Senate District seat agree that a public-private partnership is needed to keep public hospitals afloat. Maui News.

Islands Hospice is slated to open Maui's first inpatient hospice home once it begins accepting patients this fall at its Kahului branch, but some neighbors are concerned that having hospice next to their homes might affect traffic and children. Maui News.

A trio of Hawaii botanists has discovered a new tree species related to the hibiscus plant in the remote Kauaula Valley on Maui. Star-Advertiser.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held today for the new Central Maui Regional Sports Complex located on 65-acres in the master-planned Waiʻale community. Maui Now.

Kauai

At least three Kauai County Councilmembers have said they are looking at ways to provide immediate relief for residents who have experienced sizable property tax increases. Garden Island.

Homeless living in cars and still camping in Anahola. Garden Island.

Lanai
Oracle Corp. CEO Larry Ellison, the billionaire who owns 98 percent of the island of Lanai, has added another hotel to his collection on the Pineapple Island with the purchase of the historic Hotel Lanai, one of the hotel's former owners told Pacific Business News.

Billionaire Larry Ellison has purchased the historic Hotel Lanai for an undisclosed price. The deal that closed July 7 now makes Ellison the owner of every hotel room on the island. Associated Press.

Could Hawaii return to a Republican governor?

There's blood in the water as Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie struggles to stay afloat despite a persistent -- and polls say successful -- attack by state Sen. David Ige, an Oahu Democrat who chaired the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Republicans on the national level are taking advantage of the intraparty blood-letting to bolster the chances of GOP candidate James "Duke" Aiona. Aiona, you'll recall, was lieutenant governor under former Gov. Linda Lingle, a Maui Republican who served two terms ending in 2010.

Abercrombie

"Thanks to a divisive Democratic gubernatorial primary in Hawaii, the party committee thinks that seat may now be in play," noted CNN pundits in a July blog post, adding that the Republican National Committee has sent additional staff to Hawaii, hoping to put this blue state into play in the midterm elections.

The RNC might not be that far off base. The latest poll, released by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser today, shows Aiona's favorability at 63 percent, the highest of any candidate tested in the poll, up from 58 percent in February. Fifty-one percent of traditional Democrats view him positively.

Ige

The poll found Ige holding a 54 percent to 36 percent lead over Abercrombie with 11 percent undecided. Independent candidate Mufi Hannemann, who lost to Abercrombie in the 2010 primary, had a 39 percent favorability rating.

"No governor has lost re-election since William Quinn, a Republican, in 1962, so Ige could be on the cusp of a historic upset on Saturday," the Star-Advertiser said.

The Hawaii Poll, conducted by Ward Research Inc., for the Star-Advertiser and Hawaii News Now, follows a Civil Beat poll last week with similar results.

Civil Beat found 51 percent of those who said they will vote in the Democratic primary said they would vote for Ige, compared with 41 percent for Abercrombie. Just 8 percent said they are undecided.

Aiona

Intraparty squabbles certainly aren't new in a state that is so overwhelmingly Democratic -- the 25-member state Senate has one Republican, and the 51-member House has seven.

Party leaders traditionally push for unity at a huge Hilo rally the night before the primary, and work toward reconciliation at a breakfast the day after.

They'll certainly have their work cut out for them this year, and it will be interesting to see -- no matter who emerges victor -- how quickly the wounds can be salved during the long swim to the Nov. 4 general election.

Poll shows Ige, Schatz, Takai in lead, super PAC money influencing local races, Honolulu council rethinks property tax hike, Apple to get high-paid teaching job, Cachola fined for campaign spending violations, 2 Hokulea crew flown for medical aid, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

David Ige, Neil Abercrombie © 2014 All Hawaii News

With barely a week to go before the primary election, state Sen. David Ige has a double-digit lead over Gov. Neil Abercrombie in the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, a new Civil Beat poll shows. A majority of Hawaii voters surveyed statewide, or 51 percent, who say they will vote in the Democratic primary said they would vote for Ige, compared with 41 percent for Abercrombie. Just 8 percent said they are undecided.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz appears to have stretched out his lead over U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, according to the latest Civil Beat Poll. The survey of likely Democratic voters shows Schatz with a 49 percent to 41 percent edge on the congresswoman. Poll results also show Hawaii Rep. Mark Takai is now the frontrunner in a seven-way free-for-all for the Democratic nomination in the state’s 1st Congressional District.

Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui raised significantly more than his top challenger, state Sen. Clayton Hee, in the last month, but Hee holds the edge in available cash for the final stretch of the campaign. Star-Advertiser.

Political upsets are rare in Hawai’i and incumbent candidates, especially at the Congressional level, don’t usually lose to lesser- known challengers. Hawaii Public Radio.

This week Hawaii is presenting its own initiative on addressing climate, sustainability, renewable energy and natural resource management at the 45th Pacific Islands Forum, an annual gathering of more than 300 delegates from 16 independent and self-governing Pacific states with the stated goal of stimulating economic growth and enhancing governance, security and cooperation in the region through policy advice. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii residents need a household income of $122,175 in order to be happy, the largest dollar amount in the nation, according to a new study by Nerdwallet.com. Star-Advertiser.

2 seek medical attention as Hokulea, Hikianalia arrive in Cook Islands. KHON2.

Oahu
Candidates in two Honolulu City Council races are complaining about large sums of money being spent to defeat them by independent expenditure committees, also known as "super PACs," that are not limited by traditional campaign laws. Star-Advertiser.

State Rep. Romy Cachola agreed to pay a $2,496 fine to the state and reimburse his campaign $32,166 to settle a complaint filed against him by the Campaign Spending Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council members are seeking to provide relief to Oahu property owners caught off-guard by a hike in property taxes this year. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii President David Lassner said former Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple's performance over the past two years raised serious red flags about his abilities to turn around a fiscal crisis, inspire his leadership team to carry out strategic goals, and champion the university's flagship campus. Star-Advertiser.

Fired University of Hawaii Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple will be reassigned to a tenured faculty post that would pay him nearly three times as much as the average professor in UH’s chemistry department, but it’s unclear whether he will stay at the university. Hawaii News Now.

Officials are urging people to stay out of windward Oahu waters because of a pair of false killer whales in appear in distress. Associated Press.

A new academic year that includes increased classroom time and assessments on a new national test aligned to more rigorous curriculum standards greets the more than 185,000 isle public school students returning to school Friday. Star-Advertiser.

The Kahala Hotel & Resort has been sold to Japanese-based Resorttrust Inc. for $300 million, which equates to $887,000 per room, the next-to-highest per-room price paid for a Hawaii hotel and the highest per-room price paid for an Oahu property. Star-Advertiser.

Castle Medical Center, Hawaii National Bank and Aerotek took top honors as Hawaii’s Healthiest Employers during a Pacific Business News event Thursday, for creating an atmosphere of health and wellness for their employees in the workplace.

Hawaii

A Honolulu political action committee has pumped tens of thousands of dollars into three Hawaii County Council campaigns, in each case eclipsing the money the candidates were able to raise on their own. West Hawaii Today.

Two of the three candidates vying for the County Council seat in District 9 expressed concerns about the likely results of a request for proposals to deal with Hawaii County’s garbage. West Hawaii Today.

A complaint alleging Hawaii County Council District 5 candidate Tiffany Edwards Hunt does not qualify to run in the Puna mauka election will not receive a formal ruling since it was filed after the June 10 deadline for candidate objections. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii Independent has sent a series of follow up questions to OHA trustee Bob Lindsey asking how the decision to back down from contesting the Thirty Meter Telescope sublease was reached.

Maui

The future of Hawaii’s young tech industry was at the heart of a tech town hall last week. Many of the 50 or so attendees were left wondering whether Mbloom, a Maui-based venture fund, would either become the poster child for Hawaii’s burgeoning success or its potential source of implosion. Civil Beat.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held today for the new Central Maui Regional Sports Complex located on 65-acres in the master-planned Waiʻale community. Maui Now.

An Idaho-based real estate and financing firm has completed a draft environmental assessment for a proposed 186-unit, affordable rental housing project in Kihei. Maui News.

The remnants of tropical system Wali battered the deteriorating 138-year-old Ka'ahumanu Church, leaving puddles and the church interior soaked before Sunday service July 20. Maui News.

Kauai

The state Department of Education says the closures of four Kauai public schools were necessary because the water system was compromised during a construction project in Hanamaulu. The Kauai Department of Water issued an advisory instructing residents to boil water. Associated Press.

The problems at Kauai Pasta started Wednesday when the restaurant closed two hours early after the water shut off in the middle of the evening rush. When the water came back on, it was murky. Garden Island.

Billy DeCosta says he is not what you may call “the typical politician.” While late Mayor Bryan Baptiste was still in office, DeCosta recalled a time when he and Waimea High School students built 12 picnic tables in three months after county officials provided the materials. Garden Island.