Future of Maunakea telescopes mulled, more shenanigans in Takai campaign account, Ige touts accomplishments, Maui mayor running for council, not lieutenant governor, Honolulu homeless woes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Telescopes atop Maunakea ©2018 All Hawaii News

Kim finalizing Maunakea committee: Mission statement emphasizes Native Hawaiians’ connection to the mountain, exploration. Tribune-Herald.

The University of Hawaii is restarting its effort to gain a new master lease for Maunakea that would allow observatories to continue beyond 2033. Tribune-Herald.

Senate Bill 3090, establishing the Mauna Kea Management Authority, will be heard on February 12. Big Island Video News.

Greg Chun has been appointed as senior advisor to University of Hawaii President David Lassner and UH Hilo Chancellor Marcia Sakai in overseeing the fulfillment of the responsibilities of the entire UH System on Maunakea. Hawaii 24/7.

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The presumably dormant re-election campaign for the late U.S. Rep. Mark Takai has paid out close to $5,000 over the past year to purchase data from a Washington, D.C.-based campaign software vendor that tracks voter information. Star-Advertiser.

Five candidates for lieutenant governor who took part in an early forum at Democratic Party of Hawaii headquarters Saturday vowed to make the job more meaningful for the people of the state. Star-Advertiser.

Candidates for Lieutenant Governor face off in public forum. KITV.

Ige opens campaign offices. Supporters often praise Gov. David Ige, 60, for his soft-spoken, humble leadership style. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Ige uses launch of campaign headquarters to highlight success of term. Hawaii News Now.

Political candidates react to #MeToo sexual harassment issues in Hawaii. KITV.

Another Delay Sought For Surprise Care Home Inspections. Advocates for the elderly say unannounced inspections are long overdue but state officials foresee problems. Civil Beat.

Proposal to reduce frequency of safety checks works its way through Legislature. KHON2.

It might be game over for certain video games in Hawaii after state lawmakers introduced legislation to limit the implementation of electronic gambling systems within the popular pastime. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii’s Resistance To Trump Enters Cyberspace. A bill to encourage net neutrality envisions the possibility of a taxpayer-owned internet service provider. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii’s visitor industry, caught flat-footed in the aftermath of the false missile alert on Jan. 13, is partnering with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to prepare for future situations that could impact visitors. Star-Advertiser.

Nearly a month after a Hawaii Emergency Management Agency employee sent out an alert that a ballistic missile was headed to Hawaii, the agency is still trying to correct the record about what really plunged the isles into 38 minutes of needless panic and fear. Star-Advertiser.

One thing that was clear following the Jan. 13 missile scare in Hawaii is that the state does not have enough hospital capacity to handle a nuclear attack, which could involve mass casualties. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaiian Electric Cos. are asking the state Public Utilities Commission for approval to seek new renewable projects for Oahu, Maui and Hawaii island. Star-Advertiser.

Modernizing Hawaii’s Electric Grid For Less Than $1 A Month. Hawaiian Electric Co. needs to upgrade its distribution system to accommodate mushrooming rooftop solar. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Growing Waianae homeless camp at center of dispute at harbor. State and city lawmakers once looked at one of Oahu’s biggest homeless encampments — Puuhonua O Waianae next door to the Waianae Small Boat Harbor — as a potential model for what government-sanctioned homeless “safe zones” could look like across the islands. Star-Advertiser.

State Department of Land and Natural Resources officials believe the state-owned land beneath the Puuhonua O Waianae homeless encampment contains ancient burial sites, pre- and post-contact rock walls that have been destroyed, and a rare “Waianae lineage” of half-inch-long shrimp living in an underground cave system. Star-Advertiser.

City officials have received complaints that homeless people from a large encampment are dumping human waste into Pokai Bay, among other issues. Associated Press.

There are strict rules regulating daily life inside Puuhonua O Waianae — and those who repeatedly violate them are kicked out. Star-Advertiser.

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Cries over ‘poor door’ ignore worse segregation in affordable housing. Star-Advertiser.

Affordable housing: Like all Hawaii real estate, it’s gotten more expensive. It’s also getting incredibly smaller. Star-Advertiser.

Woman receives $72 ticket after honking her horn at a police vehicle. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

North Kona Councilwoman Karen Eoff, the primary sponsor of a bill limiting vacation rentals on the island, has come under fire for her ownership of a vacation rental condo in Kailua-Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Picking fruit on some West Hawaii farms is more than just precarious. As soon as the trees start shaking, farmers and field workers are as likely to get an armful of little fire ants as a handful of coffee berries. West Hawaii Today.

Kona coffee farmers want label law expanded. Star-Advertiser.

Funding for Big Island Veterans Treatment Court is making headway in the state Legislature. West Hawaii Today.

The opening of the Big Island’s first medical marijuana dispensary has been delayed. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa has submitted a candidate organizational report to the state Campaign Spending Commission showing his intention to run for the County Council’s Kahului residency seat. Maui News.

Maui County mayoral candidates file campaign spending reports. Guzman has the most cash on hand, with Victorino and Cochran next in line. Maui News.

Essential air service contract to expire. Anxiety in Kalaupapa rises as feds take new round of bids, including one with no subsidy. Maui News.

Haleakala National Park will hold a public meeting on Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, to outline a proposed fee increase for the tri-park annual pass. Maui Now.

Maui’s only neurosurgeon, Dr. Thomas Rogers, has been unavailable for the past few months because of a health-related issue, forcing all patients needing examination or surgery to fly to Oahu for treatment, Maui Memorial Medical Center officials said. Maui News.

Kauai

Kani Wildlife Control offers solutions for eradicating unwanted wildlife. Garden Island.

Bikes on Rice begins monthly rides Tuesday around Lihue. Garden Island.

Molokai

A tangle of fishing nets the size of a large SUV washed ashore on the Northeast side of Molokai in Halawa Valley. KHON2.

Tourism outlook sunny, legislative committees advance pesticide bills, emergency shelters, vacation rentals, monster homes, 'survival sex' for young Honolulu homeless, plus Maui politics, Coco Palms lawsuit, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki beach ©2018 All Hawaii News

Hawaii visitor arrivals and spending are expected to grow over the next four years. Speakers at the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s annual outlook and economic forecast forum tried to evaluate how much of a boon for Hawaii the latest forecast from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism would be. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism said in a new report Hawaii’s overall economic condition in 2018 will be better than previously projected, as a result of the new tax reform bill. Pacific Business News.

Visitor accommodation units statewide increased to 80,336 units (+1.6%) year-over-year, the largest total ever recorded for the State of Hawaii, according to the 2017 Visitor Plant Inventory released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Maui Now.

Bills Introduced to Crack Down on Vacation Rentals, Monster Homes. Maui Now.

All new state buildings would have to be designed and built with shelter space capable of withstanding catastrophic disasters under a proposal making its way through the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

House Emergency Preparedness Task Force Bill Advances. Hawaii Public Radio.

In the hours before the state's infamous missile alert mistake, a documentary crew from NBC News was getting an exclusive tour of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, gathering material for a future story that was meant to focus on communications in the aftermath of an actual attack. Hawaii News Now.

Four bills are moving ahead in the state legislature, and lawmakers believe that a lack of action on the federal level will increase the likelihood that the bills will pass. The bills would regulate the use of some heavily used pesticides, including a popular herbicide called Roundup.  Hawaii News Now.

House Committee Advances Ban On Chlorpyrifos. Big Island Video News.

The House committees on Agriculture and Energy & Environmental Protection passed a complete ban on the pesticide chlorpyrifos during a hearing at the State Capitol on Thursday. Big Island Now.

A statewide ban on chlorpyrifos passed through two Hawaii House committees Thursday, along with measures for stricter restrictions on glyphosate herbicides and public notification requirements for pesticide application. Garden Island.

Modernizing Hawaii’s Electric Grid For Less Than $1 A Month. Hawaiian Electric Co. needs to upgrade its distribution system to accommodate mushrooming rooftop solar. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric reports 1 percentage point increase in renewable energy in 2017. Hawaiian Electric Cos., the state's largest utility company, said on Thursday it was able to increase its renewable portfolio standard to 27 percent during the past year. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Schools Can’t Seem To Give Breakfast Away. Nearly all of Hawaii’s public schools participate in the federal School Breakfast Program, but only 43 percent of low-income students who qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches also take advantage of subsidized school breakfast. Civil Beat.

Another government shutdown — even a short one — has particularly bad timing for the Hawaii National Guard, which has its once-a-month drills this weekend. More than 4,500 Hawaii Army and Air Guard soldiers were expected to train Saturday and Sunday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Young homeless on Oahu are forced into “survival sex”. Homeless youth on Oahu tend to have been abused by their parents, became homeless at the age of 14, on average, and generally live a dangerous and disturbing existence where most tried to kill themselves while others were forced to perform “survival sex,” according to the first study of its kind in four decades. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has a lucrative second job at Territorial Savings Bank, and that's raised concerns with members of the state Legislature. Now, legislators are considering a proposal that would prevent acting governors and mayors from having second jobs. Hawaii News Now.

Spill sends 10,000 gallons of sewage into Waianae drainage ditch. The Hawaii Department of Health is urging the public to stay away from a sewage-contaminated drainage ditch in a residential area near Waianae Mall. Hawaii News Now.

City reverses decision to reject gift aimed at supporting young athletes. KHON2.

A woman who stole more than $3.8 million from the company that publishes Honolulu Magazine through a scheme the judge called “intricate” and that the prosecutor said was “exquisitely executed” was sentenced in federal court Thursday to four years in prison. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The Nature Conservancy has transferred ownership of 222 acres of land to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Tribune-Herald.

Lifeguard liability bills treading water. West Hawaii Today.

A state House committee voted Thursday to advance a bill to establish lifeguards at Kua Bay. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island Rep. Richard Creagan and the Hawaii County Council don’t think the Hawaii Department of Health is as serious as it should be about rat lungworm disease. West Hawaii Today.

After two meetings left local business owners with more questions than answers about the proposed surf school regulations, the county has postponed a looming deadline to bid on doing business at Kahaluu Bay. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii Army National Guard is replacing its decades-old vehicle and equipment maintenance shop in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Was Maui Official Ousted For Skipping Mayor’s Campaign Event? The director of Maui’s Department of Water Supply is suing his boss after being placed on leave. Civil Beat.

New rental car tax proposed to help fund Lahaina, Paia bypasses. $4.50 per car, per day fee would help build state projects stalled in county. Maui News.

Ongoing discord among Maui County Council members has inspired the launching of campaigns for two candidates: former mayoral candidate and Council Member Alice Lee and Claire Kamalu Carroll, the 48-year-old daughter of Council Member Bob Carroll, who’ll retire this year. Maui News.

Maui resident and community organizer Tiare Lawrence is running for the State House representing Maui. KITV.

Two men who were arrested for allegedly harassing a monk seal in Lahaina could have felony charges dismissed if they make donations to a federal agency responsible for managing ocean resources. Maui News.

Businesses who use the EKO Compost facility that do not have a commercial account are being reminded by Department of Environmental Management officials that they are now required to set up an account and pay green waste tipping fees at $46 per/ton. Maui Now.

Kauai

Coco Palms Developer Fights Back With Its Own Native Hawaiian Research. A Hawaiian consultant disputes the claims of the occupiers of a planned resort site on Kauai. Civil Beat.

Milo Spindt, born in Lawai and now a Kalaheo resident, has pulled papers and is running for the Kauai County Council. Garden Island.

Kapaa grocery store Cost-U-Less is closing after a quarter-century of doing business.  Garden Island.

Phyllis Ann De Graff Kunimura died Dec. 7. She was known as the “First Lady of Kauai” during her husband Tony Kunimura’s tenure as mayor. Star-Advertiser.

Sanctuary bill advances in Hawaii Legislature, medical marijuana for tourists, $15 minimum wage mulled, Chinatown cancels Chinese New Year fest, corrections officers call in sick to watch Super Bowl, police union strikes back at new Honolulu chief, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii road ©2018 All Hawaii News

Hawaii still ranks at the bottom when it comes to road conditions given the amount of money the state pours into them. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers advance ‘sanctuary’ bill akin to California. A bill to prohibit Hawaii law enforcement agencies from honoring most federal immigration holds or sharing certain types of information with immigration authorities has won preliminary approval from state Senate and House committees. Star-Advertiser.

A number of bills addressing homelessness are being considered by the Hawaii Legislature. A bill to establish safe zones for homeless campers, complete with hygiene facilities and social services, does not have the support of the administration. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii May Allow Tourists To Buy Medical Marijuana. Lawmakers also may add vaporizers, more potent products and edibles to dispensaries’ product repertoire. Civil Beat.

Should "Home Inspectors" in Hawaii be licensed or regulated by the state? The idea is being talked about in the inspection industry and at the State Capital. KITV.

A Hawaii state representative has proposed a law that he says would help reduce the islands’ overwhelming number of discarded vehicles. Associated Press.

Measures intended to boost the state’s economy by increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour over the next two years and to create a family leave plan to help family caregivers were advanced on Tuesday by the Senate Committee on Labor. Maui Now.

Ige taps former union executive to head Hawaii's labor department. Hawaii Gov. David Ige on Wednesday appointed Leonard Hoshijo to head the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Pacific Business News.

The state is seeking to hire out-of-state contractors to help clear a backlog of health inspections of dialysis centers and other medical facilities. Star-Advertiser.

Nearly 30 percent of Hawaii’s prison guards called in sick on Super Bowl Sunday, state officials said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

One third of corrections officers assigned to work on Super Bowl Sunday called in sick. Hawaii News Now.

OHA Demands Financial Details From Its Own Companies. Organizations created by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs will have to provide documents for an internal audit. Civil Beat.

Legislature Keeps Written Testimony Under Wraps Til The Last Minute. The common practice of not releasing testimony to the public until an hour before a hearing has one Republican lawmaker pushing for change. Civil Beat.

Hundreds send in ideas to improve missile alert system. Star-Advertiser.

Why We Didn’t Name Hawaii’s ‘Button Pusher’. Numerous media outlets agreed to publish interviews with the man who sent out the false alert without saying who he was. Civil Beat.

PUC approves HECO demand response programs, allowing the utility to control customers' equipment. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Ranks No.4 for Highest Density of Millionaires. Hawaii  previously held the number one ranking in 2010.  In 2017, Hawaiʻi ranked #4 behind #3 Connecticut, #2 New Jersey and #1 Maryland. Maui Now.

Oahu

Hawaii Police Union Strikes Back At Chief Ballard Over Reassignments. SHOPO files a complaint alleging the Honolulu police chief made “false and disparaging remarks” about union leaders. Civil Beat.

SHOPO president Tenari Maafala has filed a complaint against Chief Susan Ballard with the Hawaii Labor Relations Board. KHON2.

The state Department of Health issued a high level of bacteria advisory this afternoon for Hanauma Bay, resulting in the closure of the popular snorkeling spot. Star-Advertiser.

The city has closed Hanauma Bay after high bacteria levels were detected Wednesday, and the popular preserve won't reopen until Friday at the earliest. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has rejected a World Surf League request to swap permits for two contests on the North Shore — a decision the organization says could force it to pull its championship tour competitions from Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Permit issues could jeopardize high-profile North Shore surf contest. KHON2.

State lawmakers are taking another crack at resolving a flap over two brothers charging for parking along Kakaako streets to which they claim ownership despite decades of public use. Star-Advertiser.

The Chinatown Merchants Association has abruptly canceled Saturday’s “Night in Chinatown Festival and Parade” to celebrate the Year of the Dog due to lack of funding. Associated Press.

Community members and event organizers are shocked and disappointed that a popular event that attracts thousands to Chinatown to celebrate Chinese New Year was canceled at the last minute due to a lack of vendors. Star-Advertiser.

How a vending machine packed with food and toiletries could help the homeless. Hawaii News Now.

After months-long repair project, new security Kakaako Waterfront is a new park. Hawaii News Now.

The newly minted Honolulu Climate Change Commission met for the first time Wednesday, electing a chairman and vowing to make addressing the impact of sea level rise on Oahu its first order of business. Star-Advertiser.

Kupuna in an affordable housing complex in Kakaako were given quite the scare last week. They received notices that their rent would soon increase – some would even double. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Shack Hawaii Kai announced it will be closing its doors after 26 years in business. KITV.

Hawaii Island

An attempt by the County Council to regulate vacation rentals is drawing a lot of interest — and concern — from part-time residents who rent out their homes and condos to help pay the bills. West Hawaii Today.

A bill that would establish a one-half percent general excise and use tax surcharge on the Big Island was heard by the Hawaii County Council Finance Committee on Feb. 6. Big Island Video News.


The county planning director has recommended that a proposal to build a roughly 5,800-square-foot 18-hole golf putting course next to Kings’ Shops in Waikoloa be approved. West Hawaii Today.

Emotions ran high at a recent meeting about the possible closure of a Big Island charter school. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Ten drownings in three weeks on Maui have grabbed the attention of Hawaii lawmakers who want the state to step up ocean safety efforts in the isles. Civil Beat.


Anaergia Services plans to meet with Maui EKO Systems once a month about possibly continuing to process the county’s green waste at the Central Maui Landfill, while the energy company moves forward with its proposed renewable energy project at the Wailuku-Kahului Wastewater Reclamation Facility, officials from both companies said. Maui News.

Commercial waste haulers need to pay fees. Maui News.

The County Department of Environmental Management announced that as of Tuesday Feb. 20, 2018, microwave ovens cannot be accepted for recycling at E-Cycling, Maui County’s Electronic Recycling Program. Maui Now.

Home sales on Maui rose in January, led by a 25 percent increase in condominium sales, while prices were mixed, compared to the same month a year ago, according to statistics from the Realtors Association of Maui. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

The public had a lot to say at Wednesday’s Kauai County Council meeting, after a resolution was introduced urging the United States to conduct diplomatic talks with North Korea with the goal of signing a peace treaty. Garden Island.

Kauai Humane Society hasn’t found a permanent leader for the facility, three months after the former executive director handed in his resignation. Garden Island.

Lanai

A community meeting to hear public comments on the proposed design guidelines and standards for the Lanai City Country Town Business District will be held Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, at the Lanai Senior Center at 5 p.m. Maui Now.

Molokai

Maui Electric Co. has inked an agreement to purchase power from Maui County’s first grid-scale solar and battery energy storage system on Molokai that could lower electric bills, the utility announced Tuesday. Maui News.

Schatz, Congressional reps push for federal responsibility for missile alerts; police have job protections, Ige appoints new budget chief, Big Island council pans GET hike, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park 2018 All Hawaii News

The National Park Service is proposing a Tri-Park Pass fee increase from $30 to $50 for Hawaii parks, starting May 1. Star-Advertiser.

The new interim head of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency has taken over, but Brig. Gen. Moses Kaoiwi said ballistic missile alert drills will stay on hiatus until he is assured that the department has a new action plan and the proper resources to move forward. Star-Advertiser.

There have been no new death threats this week against the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and its employees over the Jan. 13 bogus missile alert, but state officials want police to track down people who may have crossed the line in venting their frustrations in the aftermath. Star-Advertiser.

In response to Hawaii’s false missile alert in January, Hawaii’s congressional leaders are pushing for legislation that would call for major changes in alerting the public should a missile attack actually happen. Hawaii News Now.

Schatz introduces legislation requiring federal government responsibility over missile alerts. KITV.

Schatz pushes for federal control of missile threat alert systems. West Hawaii Today.

Calling the Jan. 13 false missile alert an unfortunate event, Gov. David Ige says the state has been busy building a better emergency warning system. Garden Island.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige on Tuesday appointed Laurel Johnston to serve as the director of the state Department of Budget and Finance. Pacific Business News.

The Army has a navy in Hawaii, and on Tuesday it formally welcomed its third 273-foot logistics support vessel, a flat-bottom cargo transport ideal for the islands and shallow-water littorals and ports of the Pacific. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

New HPD Report Shows Just How Hard It Is To Fire A Bad Cop. Dozens of Honolulu Police Department officers are disciplined each year but a lengthy appeal process often delays final decisions. Civil Beat.

The police union has filed a legal complaint with the state labor board claiming its leaders are being mistreated by HPD's new chief. Hawaii News Now.

House Committee Advances Red Hill Fuel Tank Regulations. The Board of Water Supply is continuing its push for legislation to upgrade the Navy’s Red Hill Fuel Storage tanks. Hawaii Public Radio.

Multiple state and county agencies are now investigating after three children whose fathers work at the same Waipahu fire house fell ill with bone cancer. Hawaii News Now.

Female Athletes Get The Short End Of The Stick At Some Hawaii High Schools. Federal law requires gender equity, but that’s not happening in places like Campbell High School. Civil Beat.

Mother: School discriminated against disabled son by not allowing him on a field trip. Hawaii News Now.

Boy denied social security card due to complications with long Hawaiian name. KHON2.

Residents frustrated with abandoned car ‘graveyards’ across Oahu. KHON2.

Oahu condo prices set record in January. The median price for condominiums sold in January reached a new high of $430,000 off a 13.2 percent gain over the $380,000 median price in the same month last year, according to a Honolulu Board of Realtors report released Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Jeff Perkins has been named general manager of Honolulu's Queen Kapiolani Hotel, which recently began a $35 million renovation that was first announced in July. Pacific Business News.

New owners put sidelined food trucks back in service. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council advances tax increase, but with negative recommendation. West Hawaii Today.

A discussion on a proposed, county-level general excise tax became heated on Tuesday, as the Hawaii County Council Finance Committee met in Hilo. Big Island Video News.

A Hawaii County Council committee advanced bills Tuesday allowing the Pahoa District Park to host a farmers market and renaming two park facilities, including one in honor of the late Dorothy Thompson. Tribune-Herald.

In June, Puna Kai shopping center will hand over store pad sites to Malama Market and Aloha Petroleum for their own construction, the developer told the Tribune-Herald on Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

The mother of Peter Kema Jr., aka “Peter Boy,” has been ordered to report to Hawaii Community Correctional Center Wednesday morning for violating conditions of her HOPE probation. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Bill 6, which will make it illegal for adults to smoke in a vehicle when a minor is present, has passed Maui County Council. Maui Now.

Anaergia, Maui EKO open green waste dialogue. Meetings aimed at continuing green waste processing at landfill. Maui News.

Commercial waste haulers need to pay fees. Maui News.

An estimated 75 applicants and families attended a lottery event for the Kahoma Village development held on Jan. 26, in West Maui. Maui Now.

Maui Electric Co. said Tuesday it has agreed to buy electricity from a grid-scale solar and battery energy storage facility to be built by Molokai New Energy Partners. Star-Advertiser.

Maui Electric Company has agreed to buy electricity from a grid-scale solar and battery energy storage facility to be built by Molokai New Energy Partners, a project company representatives say could lower the island’s electric bills. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Imperiled Legacy Of The Hanapepe Salt Flats. The last frontier of a centuries-old Hawaiian tradition is threatened from the air, from the sea, and from broken beer bottles. Civil Beat.

A bill proposed by the County of Kauai Parks and Recreation Department could end peddling at county parks, playgrounds, other facilities and beaches, including the concessions sold at Spouting Horn Park. Garden Island.

Gov. David Ige stopped by the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital to visit the resident population of about 50, the hospital’s staff, and view work being done with the $6.6 million Capital Improvement Project appropriation by the Legislature. Garden Island.

Ige, teachers on same page. Garden Island.

The median price of a single-family home on Kauai jumped by 22 percent last month to $770,000, compared to January of last year, while sales of both single-family homes and condominiums declined, according to statistics provided by Hawaii Information Service on behalf of the Kauai Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Ige's executive order bars non-net neutrality contracts, lifeguard survey pinpoints needs, Honolulu releases police discipline report, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii lifeguards ©2018 All Hawaii News

From staffing to storage, lifeguards outline needs in light of ocean safety shortfalls. We surveyed lifeguard units statewide to find out what all the county crews need, and it boils down to hiring more of them, assigned to more places, and for more hours. KHON2.

Gov. David Ige signed an executive order Monday directing state agencies to do business only with internet providers willing to contractually “abide by net neutrality principles.” Tribune-Herald.

Gov. David Ige signed an executive order that directs all state government agencies to contract for internet-related services only with providers who contractually agree to abide by net neutrality principals. Maui Now.

Ige signs executive order on net neutrality. Hawaii Gov. David Ige Monday signed an executive order, directing all state government agencies to contract for internet-related services only with providers who contractually agree to abide by net neutrality principals. Pacific Business News.

What A Constitutional Convention Might Mean For Hawaiians. The 1978 rewriting of the state constitution improved the lives of kanaka maoli. Could that happen again? Civil Beat.

New Solar Panel Tariff Won’t Hurt Hawaii. The Trump administration recently decided to impose a 30 percent duty on imported solar panels to help U.S. panel makers. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency is disputing the account of the warning officer who mistook a drill for the real thing and sent an erroneous Jan. 13 missile alert to cellphones, causing 38 minutes of needless fear and panic. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii emergency worker gets threats after misleading photo. When an erroneous alert was sent out last month telling people in Hawaii that there was an incoming ballistic missile, Jeffrey Wong was an island away from the state's emergency management agency office where he works as an operations officer. Associated Press.

In wake of high-profile child deaths, lawmakers eye greater home schooling oversight. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

The Honolulu Police Department last year fired or recommended for firing police officers in 22 cases ranging from sex assault to kidnapping and malicious use of physical force to use of illicit drugs, according to an annual report the agency submitted last week to the state Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Man who was allegedly forced to lick public urinal afraid of police retaliation The man at the center of an investigation involving four Honolulu police officers is afraid to speak to investigators, sources say. KHON2.

Handi-Van Riders Are Fuming Over Proposed Fare Increases. Honolulu’s paratransit service has the nation’s highest demand, but that makes it more expensive to run. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers propose to remove bicycle stations and bulbouts from Chinatown. City Council member Carol Fukunaga introduced a bill seeking to ban all bike-stations and curb extension bulbouts in the Chinatown district. KITV.

The Honolulu City Council is expected to fast-track a temporary ban on so-called “Monster Houses.” Hawaii Public Radio.

FilCom Center files for bankruptcy in clash with caterer. The biggest Filipino community center outside the Philippines — a stately facility in Waipahu — is in financial straits after clashing with a local catering and events management company that was supposed to benefit the center. Star-Advertiser.

A federal judge has ruled against the family of one of two California-based Marines killed in an Osprey crash in Waimanalo who sued the manufacturers of the tilt-rotor aircraft. Star-Advertiser.

A dispute over permitting may jeopardize whether the World Surf League continues to hold championship tour competitions in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is preparing an environmental assessment for developing a vacant 12.7-acre parcel near Prince Kuhio Plaza to support its beneficiaries in Panaewa. Tribune-Herald.

Lawmakers will hear a bill today that would provide funding to the University of Hawaii at Hilo to conduct rat lungworm research. Tribune-Herald.

Fee increase proposed for park. More than 420,000 people visited Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park in 2016, according to the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. West Hawaii Today.

Single-family home sales on Hawaii’s Big Island jumped 12 percent in January, compared to a year ago, as condominium sales dipped, as prices for both categories were mixed, according to statistics released by Hawaii Information Service on behalf of Hawaii Island Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Restoration Manager for the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission Restoration Program, Paul Higashino, will lead a discussion about watershed restoration on Kahoolawe. Maui Now.

A public lottery for workforce housing units at the Kahoma Village late last month drew about 75 people to the developer’s sales office on the west side. Maui News.

Kauai

Native tenants remain on Coco Palms property over a week after their court-ordered ejectment date. Garden Island.

Gov. David Ige will be holding a talk story session with Kauai teachers today from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Kauai High School library. Garden Island.

Slew of bills include plastic straw ban, raises for teachers, DUI jail times; Rapoza to run for Kauai mayor, GET hike mulled, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Snorkeler in Hawaii ©2018 All Hawaii News

Years of drownings highlight critical gaps in ocean safety education. Drowning — mostly while snorkeling at beaches with no lifeguards — is the biggest killer of tourists and has been for over a decade. KHON2.

Officials working to get a handle on spate of ocean-related deaths. Ocean safety urged as deaths spike: Over about 2 weeks last month, 9 men died in the waters off Maui. Maui News.

Overwhelming support at an initial hearing for a ban on plastic straws led to tentative approval last week from state lawmakers who were urged to act in a plea from 10-year-old Rylee Brooke Kamahele of Kipapa Elementary School. Star-Advertiser.

State Rep. Gene Ward wanted Gov. David Ige to release “security tapes” from the morning of Jan. 13 when the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency issued a false missile attack alert, but a spokesman for the agency says there are no such audio or video recordings. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige said Saturday he is confident last month’s false alarm about a ballistic missile heading toward Hawaii won’t happen again and he stands by his decision to begin the drills in the first place. Tribune-Herald.

State Rep. Kaniela Ing is proposing a state task force to study whether a government job can be provided for everyone who needs one. Star-Advertiser.

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would cap public school class sizes at 20 students and increase the new teacher salary to $55,000 per year. Tribune-Herald.

Private school enrollment shrinks in favor of public charter schools. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Auditor Demands Investigation Into Leak Of OHA Audit. Les Kondo says a release to the media of a draft audit into problems at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs violated state ethics law. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Is An Official Language So Why Isn’t It Used More? The dispute about whether a protester could testify in Hawaiian in court highlights the gap between the state’s two official languages. Civil Beat.

Critics race to stop bill to ban youth runners in long-distance events. Hawaii News Now.

New bill would require all boaters to purchase insurance for their vessels. KITV.

Bill aimed at extending jail time for those convicted of drunk driving. KITV.

A slew of bills focused on revising the state’s medical marijuana dispensary system have been introduced during the 2018 legislative session. Tribune-Herald.

Commentary: When Does Hawaii’s Famous ‘Aloha Kiss’ Become Sexual Harassment? In Hawaii’s hugging culture, it’s hard to tell when the traditional hug and kiss is innocent or inappropriate. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Fascinating to see who’s donated, and how much, to Ige and Hanabusa. Star-Advertiser.

The number of patients visiting the hospital for influenzalike illnesses has been on the rise, and now places Hawaii in the same category as most of the nation for flu activity, according to the state Health Department. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii bankruptcies jumped 8.3 percent in January after finishing 2017 down for the seventh year in a row. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Seniors in a Kakaako housing complex are worried they will end up on the street after receiving notices that their rent is scheduled to go up to $916 per month, a sharp increase from the current monthly rate of $675. Civil Beat.

The FBI is investigating four Honolulu police officers who are accused of forcing a man to place his mouth on a urinal inside a public restroom, according to the police department’s top official. Associated Press.

Kealohas stopping mortgage payments could threaten legal team. Hawaii News Now.

The second of three new Coast Guard cutters to be stationed in Hawaii arrived Sunday, strengthening the capabilities for search and rescue operations around Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Mighty Mo’s $3.5M upper-deck renovation done. Star-Advertiser.

Here’s A Novel Idea To Help The Homeless — Vending Machines. A British charity plans to set up vending machines where homeless people can get items they need to survive on the streets. Civil Beat.

Rents decline in Honolulu, but Zumper, Apartment List reports differ on how much. Pacific Business News.

Officials with Haseko (Hawaii) Inc. intend to appeal a Circuit Court judge’s ruling that ordered the developer of Ocean Pointe and Hoakalei to pay $20 million to homeowners because of the company’s decision to change the plan from a marina to a recreational lagoon at the resort community in Ewa Beach. Pacific Business News.

Spectrum Hawaii, formerly Oceanic Time Warner, will shuffle the channel lineup as part of its plan to switch its signal from analog to digital. It says that switch result in increased broadband speeds and more HD channels. But local station Olelo may be left out in the cold. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

GET hike coming to council. Are smoother roads and better buses worth an extra half-penny at the register? West Hawaii Today.

Challengers in two key state legislative races are literally giving incumbents a run for the money, according to reports filed with the state Campaign Spending Commission. West Hawaii Today.

A bill to fund lifeguards at a popular, yet perilous, North Kona beach passed its first reading in the state House. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Upholding a lower court decision, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that a Lahaina sewage treatment plant is violating the U.S. Clean Water Act by allowing wastewater to reach the ocean. Star-Advertiser.

Invasive species officials estimate that 2 to 3 acres in Kaeleku in East Maui are infested with little fire ants and treatments of the area will be ongoing for a little over a year. Maui News.

During the first half of fiscal year 2018, the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development issued nearly $6 million dollars in grant monies to various local organizations. Maui Now.

A proposed 67 percent fee increase from $30 to $50 for annual passes for three Hawaii national parks, including Haleakala National Park, will be reviewed during a Feb. 12 public hearing in Pukalani. Maui News.

Kauai

Mel Rapozo files for mayoral run. Garden Island.

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative announced Friday that the board has put money toward environmental studies for the Blue Hole and Waikoko diversions, which support the cooperative’s request for a long-term lease for the two diversions. Garden Island.

County officials are reminding Kauai property owners that the second installment of real property taxes for the 2017-18 tax year are due on Feb. 20. Garden Island.

AG Chin accepts lieutenant governor post while campaigning for Congress, House to wait on sexual harassment probe of former speaker, fired 'button pusher' to sue state, Maui loses injection well case, Ige pans Kakaako affordable housing plan, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Attorney General Doug Chin, courtesy photo

State Attorney General Doug Chin announced today that he will continue to campaign for Congress while agreeing to fill out the remaining term of Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui, who resigned effective Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Democrat Doug Chin to succeed Shan Tsutsui as Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii. Chin will continue his campaign to serve Hawaii’s First district in the U.S. House of Representatives. KHON2.

Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin will take over as lieutenant governor after Shan Tsutsui abruptly resigned from the post on Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Commentary: Shan Tsutsui didn’t just step down as lieutenant governor. He bolted. Star-Advertiser.

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The leadership of the state House of Representatives will await the outcome of an investigation into a sexual harassment complaint against state Rep. Joseph Souki before deciding whether to take any action against the 84-year-old lawmaker, according to House Speaker Scott Saiki. Star-Advertiser.

The former head of Hawaii’s Department of Human Services confirmed Thursday that she filed a sexual harassment complaint against former House Speaker Joe Souki. Associated Press.

The former director of Hawaii's Department of Human Services has filed a formal complaint with the State Ethics Commission that accuses state Rep. Joe Souki of sexual harassment. Hawaii News Now.

Longtime Wailuku state representative and two-time House Speaker Joe Souki is facing a sexual harassment complaint from the former head of Hawaii’s Department of Human Services. Maui News.

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Emergency worker behind false missile alert to file lawsuit against the state. The emergency worker fired by the state for sending a false missile alert has hired an attorney, and plans to sue the state for defamation. KHON2.

Missile Attack: House Proposes Laws for Businesses. State lawmakers are considering legislation to protect businesses and homeowners in the event of a missile alert. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers want to prohibit businesses from turning people away if missile threat is real. Hawaii News Now.

This Nuke Plan Would Have Turned Hawaii Upside Down. During the Cold War, attack preparations were proposed that called for interisland evacuations and commandeering of property. Civil Beat.

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A new bill aims to better protect domestic violence victims by adding a petty misdemeanor offense option for perpetrators and making it easier for the victims to obtain protective orders. Civil Beat.

Bills could make failure to report child abuse a felony. Tribune-Herald.

Audit blasts OHA for lavish spending, awarding grants to those who know 'who to ask'. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Language Thrives While the Law Strives to Catch Up. Nearly 40 years ago, the Hawaiian language was recognized as one of two official languages in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Ige balks at Kakaako affordable-housing rule amendment. The governor said one of the provisions in revised rules crafted by the Hawaii Community Development Authority intended to preserve inventory of affordable homes built by developers is too extreme and might actually reduce production of such homes. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige on Thursday said he won't sign the 2017 proposed amendments to the Hawaii Community Development Authority rules regarding reserved and workforce, housing in Kakaako, saying he didn't believe the proposed 30-year restriction would result in more homes for first-time buyers. Pacific Business News.

Areas Around Schools And Libraries May Be Next For Sit-Lie Ban. The Honolulu City Council approved a bill to prohibit lying down at bus stops, but postponed action on schools and libraries. Civil Beat.

HPD investigating officer-involved shooting in Waipahu. Hawaii News Now.

State regulators Thursday ordered Spectrum Cable to delay rolling out its all-­digital cable system on Oahu because of inaccurate information on its notice to subscribers. Star-Advertiser.

Miles-long debris field spotted off Oahu just a 'small piece' of the problem. Some 4,000 pounds of tangled fishing nets were removed from the ocean off Waikiki on Thursday morning, and state Department of Land and Natural Resources officers say there's a chance it may have come from a two-mile long debris field first spotted on Saturday in the Kaiwi Channel. Hawaii News Now.

An extremely heavy ball of derelict fishing nets reported near a popular surf break known as “Pops” in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki was removed this afternoon. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The 2018 election season kicked off in earnest Thursday morning with the beginning of candidate filing. West Hawaii Today.

Lava tour turns deadly: Guide leading hike in Kalapana area dies after noxious steam engulfs group. Rain falling on a lava flow in the Kalapana lava viewing area Thursday morning caused a noxious steam cloud that overcame four people hiking on a guided tour, according to the Hawaii Fire Department. Tribune-Herald.

Four persons were trapped in a noxious steam cloud on the lava field during a guided hiking tour, and one person died. Big Island Video News.

Two tour operators are being fined $2,500 each for providing illegal tours on Maunakea. Tribune-Herald.

Wave of questions: County, nonprofit field concerns to surf school proposal. West Hawaii Today.

An application for a Use Permit to allow the construction of a new, non-manned telecommunication facility in Hawaiian Paradise Park was delayed at a Windward Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, although a Hawaii County Councilmember representing Puna was still able to testify. Big Island Video News.

The public is invited to comment on a proposed fee increase from $30 to $50 for the Tri-Park Pass, an annual pass that allows visitors unlimited entry to the three fee-charging national parks in Hawaii: Hawaii Volcanoes and Haleakala National parks and Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. Tribune-Herald.

T.J. Maxx to open in March. T.J. Maxx representatives handed out applications Thursday at the store’s future location at Prince Kuhio Plaza as contractors prepared for a grand opening next month. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that the County of Maui’s Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility has been violating the US Clean Water Act since the facility was first put into operation in the early 1980s. Maui Now.

Maui County is reviewing its legal options after losing its appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals of a ruling that the county’s use of injection wells at the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility since the early 1980s violates the federal Clean Water Act. Maui News.

The woman accused of murdering her identical twin sister by deliberately driving off a cliff on Maui was acquitted today. Star-Advertiser.

Saying evidence showed a driver’s hair was being pulled by her passenger to cause her to lose control of a vehicle that went over a cliff near Hana, a judge Thursday found the woman not guilty of second-degree murder in the crash that killed her twin sister. Maui News.

A woman accused of 2nd degree murder in the May 29, 2016 death of her twin sister has been acquitted of the charge.  Judge Peter Cahill handed down the ruling on Thursday in Maui District Court following closing arguments which were held earlier in the afternoon. Maui Now.

Kauai

Tax cuts stall in committee. Two bills aimed at reducing the county fuel and vehicle weight taxes were killed at the county committee this week. Garden Island.

No Sign Of Authorities Yet As Occupation Of Kauai Resort Continues. The landowners request state assistance as Native Hawaiian protesters remain at the Coco Palms resort site. Civil Beat.

The Pentagon confirmed today that a key missile defense test off Kauai failed early Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Rare plants on Kauai will get a boost from the expansion of the Lyon Arboretum’s Micropropagation Laboratory on Oahu, which was completed at the end of January. Garden Island.

Souki accused of sexual harassment; Ige edges Hanabusa in campaign contributions, Chin trailing Kim, Tokuda pulls ahead; audit blasts OHA for misspent millions, recreational fishing license, plastic straw ban posed in Legislature, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Former Speaker Joe Souki, courtesy photo

Former state Department of Human Services Director Rachael Wong has filed a sexual harassment complaint against former House Speaker Joe Souki — a political icon from Maui who for decades has been one of the most powerful lawmakers in the state. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige raked in more than $800,000 in campaign donations for his re-election bid in the last half of 2017 — short of the $1 million he set out to raise in that time frame, but slightly more than his Democratic opponent U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa. Star-Advertiser.

Ige Leads Hanabusa In Campaign Fundraising For Governor’s Race. State Sen. Jill Tokuda tops lieutenant governor candidates, bringing in more donations than her four rivals. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige raised close to $811,000 in the second half of 2017 for his re-election campaign, while U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who will challenge Ige in the Democratic primary, reported donations of almost $732,000. Pacific Business News.

Gov. David Ige raised $810,000 for his re-election campaign during the six months through December, while his primary election opponent U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa raised $731,000. Associated Press.

Ige, Hanabusa neck and neck when it comes to campaign fundraising. Hawaii News Now.

Kim Leads Pack In Congressional Campaign Cash. Attorney General Doug Chin raised less than a fifth as much as Sen. Donna Kim in the race to replace Colleen Hanabusa. Civil Beat.

AG Chin to Announce Decision on LG Vacancy by Weeks’ End. Maui Now.

The first Hawaii lieutenant governor from Maui, Shan Tsutsui, left the office Wednesday while his replacement remains up in the air. Maui News.

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Searing Audit Says OHA Misspent Millions Of Dollars. A harshly critical draft audit found the Office of Hawaiian Affairs spent millions of dollars loosely and without proper oversight. Civil Beat.

State to conduct first siren test since false missile alert. Hawaii News Now.

State to conduct monthly warning siren test; internal drill on hold indefinitely. KHON2.

A Hawaii emergency management official who said last week that his retirement had nothing to do with a mistaken missile alert that stirred panic statewide now says it was because of the fallout from the warning. Associated Press.

Worries mount over HI-EMA leadership after resignations announced. Hawaii News Now.

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How many more tourists can the state’s environment and infrastructure support? That’s the question being asked by some residents and lawmakers after a report Wednesday said Hawaii’s visitor industry set five records in 2017, the sixth record-setting year in a row. Star-Advertiser.

New bill aims to allocate some HTA funding to conserve natural resources. Pacific Business News.

A proposal making its way through the state Legislature would require a yearly permit for recreational fishing. KHON2.

Senate bill to ban plastic straws in Hawaii passes committee. KITV.

Hawaii Bail Study Finds Justice Is What You Can Afford. Statewide, almost half of the detainees in our jails are accused but not convicted, many because they cannot afford bail. Hawaii Public Radio.

A former Idaho airport director recently accepted a leadership position with the Hawaii Department of Transportation Airports Division, according to the Idaho Falls ABC affiliate. Pacific Business News.

Large Marine Debris Field or Net Mass Between Molokai and Oahu. Maui Now.

The Coast Guard is advising all mariners to exercise caution after a large marine debris field was last observed in the Ka Iwi Channel between Molokai and Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Bill to limit ‘monster’ houses advances. Honolulu City Council members say they will take another look at what types of houses would be rejected under a bill imposing a moratorium on large-scale houses after being warned about unintended consequences. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council Advances "Monster Homes" Bill: Special Meeting Monday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu’s Ala Wai is ranked as one of the most polluted waterways in the country. The State of Hawaii has a plan to clean it up that just received a green light. Hawaii Public Radio.

How A Big Mainland Developer Learned To Thrive In Hawaii. Howard Hughes Corp. seems to stay on course as it navigates burial grounds and being in the path of rail. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's 'last princess' fights for control of her fortune. Multimillionaire heiress Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoa, considered by many to be Hawaii's last princess, is no longer in a position to fund her pet charities, including Iolani Palace and various Native Hawaiian causes. Associated Press.

A new security fence at the Hawaii State Hospital could cost taxpayers millions. Hawaii News Now.

Kamehameha Schools is making another run at redeveloping 6.5 acres in Moiliili near the University of Hawaii, six years after an unsuccessful effort to create a largely retail and residential “town center” on the site. Star-Advertiser.

Ala Moana Center is valued at $5.74 billion, making it the most valuable real estate investment trust-owned mall in the United States, according to a new study by boutique research firm Boenning & Scattergood. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Long-awaited shooting ranges for the Big Island could take some incremental steps forward, the county Game Management Advisory Commission learned Monday evening. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo Medical Center undergoing $28 million in renovations. Tribune-Herald.

2017 was a strong year for tourism on the Big Island. According to data from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, arrivals to the Big Island increased by 13.7 percent from 2016, from 1.5 million to 1.7 million. These arrivals spent more than $2 billion on the island last year, about 14 percent more than in 2016. Tribune-Herald.

Another eight classrooms are coming to Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School with the release of more than $12.4 million in funding for a new classroom building at the campus. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui County Director of Water Supply David Taylor, who has been on administrative leave for three months, has filed a lawsuit against Mayor Alan Arakawa and the county over Arakawa’s attempts to remove him from his position. Maui News.

The Hawaii National Guard’s 93rd Civil Support Team along with the United States Coast Guard, paramedics, airport security, Maui police, and firefighters will participate in a large-scale emergency operations exercise beginning Monday, Feb. 5. Maui Now.

Kauai

A $30 million missile touted as a possible second layer of defense for Hawaii from North Korean threats reportedly failed in its first-ever flight from Kauai’s Aegis Ashore facility today when it did not intercept a target representing an intermediate-range ballistic missile. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Missile Defense Test Failed To Intercept Target. The interceptor was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai. Associated Press.

Department of Public Safety: Sheriffs will now get involved in Coco Palms occupation. Hawaii News Now.

A Kauai hui involved in a lawsuit against the Hawaii Department of Natural Resources and the agroscience company Syngenta is continuing efforts to require the seed company to conduct an environmental review of their ongoing operations on the island’s Westside.  Garden Island.

Kauai-based KonaRed is partnering with beverage incubator L.A. Libations, an innovation partner of The Coca-Cola Company. Pacific Business News.

Total visitor numbers via air travel for Kauai saw a 7.5 percent increase to 1.3 million in 2017 from 1.2 million in 2016, according to HTA ,and that’s not the only growth the island saw. Garden Island.

Artists spent three days creating a 40-foot-long mural depicting the island’s character on a wall fronting the oceanfront bike path in Kapaa Town — only to paint over it a week later. Garden Island.

The Kauai Lifeguard Association board members recently handed over the keys for a 2018 4 x 4 fully-outfitted Kuhio Auto Ford truck to the County of Kauai’s Ocean Safety Bureau. Garden Island.