Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Legislature's 'gut-and-replace' puts Thirty Meter Telescope at risk, DLNR seeks comment on aquarium trade, 100 rally at Capitol for pesticide ban, teachers want to limit tests, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2018 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Mauna Kea telescopes ©2018 All Hawaii News
‘This is not democracy’: Lawmakers slammed for skirting public input with telescope moratorium. As Hawaii waits to see if the Thirty Meter Telescope has a future here, a last-minute bill crafted in the state Legislature has many worried that lawmakers could end up forcing the next-generation observatory out of the state. Tribune-Herald.

Bill up for vote could 'spell the end' of Thirty-Meter Telescope. Supporters — and opponents — of the Thirty-Meter Telescope were surprised to learn about last-minute legislation that would stop all construction at Mauna Kea if the University of Hawaii doesn't meet certain requirements. Hawaii News Now.

Commercial aquarium fish collecting could be returning to Hawaii shores, following a five-month pause. A draft environmental assessment released Sunday by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources anticipates no significant environmental impact from the resumption of the practice around Oahu and Hawaii Island. West Hawaii Today.

About 125 activists rallied Monday at the state Capitol in support of a bill to make Hawaii the first state in the nation to ban the insecticide chlorpyrifos, a chemical that has been linked to learning disabilities and developmental delays in children. Star-Advertiser.

Rally held to protect students from pesticides. Hawaii News Now.

In support of Hawaii’s potential ban on chlorpyrifos and of stricter pesticide rules, several Kauai people added their voices to dozens who gathered at the capitol for Monday’s Keiki First Rally. Garden Island.

Bills that would have limited the cooperation between Hawaii police departments and federal immigration authorities appear to be dead for the this legislative session. The measures would have generally prohibited local police from stopping, questioning or arresting anyone based solely on an immigration hold, or detainer, or an immigration warrant. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Teachers Think Your Kids Are Taking Way Too Many Tests. The state Senate is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a teachers’ union-backed bill that would cap mandatory tests for students at four per year. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s public school students boosted their reading scores substantially, but math performance slipped for eighth-graders in the 2017 National Assessment of Educational Progress, according to results released late today in Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz paid tribute to former Sen. Daniel Akaka in Washington, D.C. Monday. KHON2.

The personal-finance website's "2018’s Tax Burden by State" analysis shows that taxpayers on the Islands have a total tax burden of 11.57 percent. Trailing only New York residents, whose total tax burden is 13.04 percent. Pacific Business News.

Military Spending: Feds shell out, Isles cash in. A new report on per-capita defense spending is another indication of Hawaii’s strategic position and hot economy at a time of ongoing financial expansion for the state and nation. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii technology and manufacturing businesses contributed more than $1 billion to the state’s economy, according to a study by the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Pacific Business News.

Was The ‘Button Pusher’ A Problem Employee? State Won’t Release Details. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said the worker who sent out a false missile alert had a record of incompetency, but he disputes that. Civil Beat.

The Navy's longest-serving sub is about to retire. The USS Bremerton is getting a well-deserved retirement. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

A proposal to provide around 100 new or renovated affordable rental apartments in Waikiki as part of a planned tower on Kuhio Avenue is up for revision after the city adopted new affordable-housing requirements last week. Star-Advertiser.

Federal agent Christopher Deedy appeals to halt third trial in Waikiki fatal shooting. Deedy is asking the federal court to prevent the state from taking him to trial a third time for fatally shooting Kollin Elderts in a Waikiki McDonald’s restaurant. Star-Advertiser.

Christopher Deedy appeals third trial. KHON2.

Filthy Bathrooms At This Popular Beach Park Are Creating A Stir. Pokai Bay Beach Park has other health and environmental hazards, too. Civil Beat.

Oahu Publications Inc. has put up for sale its 147,000-square-foot print production facility in Kapolei and the 11.61 acres of land beneath it in a lease/buyback transaction to take advantage of increasing prices in the area. Star-Advertiser.

The median price of a condominium reached a new high in March, compared to last year, driven by the sales of nearly two dozen multimillion-dollar units, while sales declined slightly, according to statistics released by the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of State Parks and planner Belt Collins Hawaii will hold a community meeting on the recently released draft environmental impact statement for the Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park Master PlanWest Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation announces that plans are being developed to run a trial AM northbound contraflow lane on Keaau-Pahoa Road (Highway 130) from Kaloli Drive to Shower Drive. Big Island Now.

The daughter of Jolene Kapua-Allison, a 54-year-old Mountain View woman killed in an apparent murder-­suicide on Hawaii island, said her mother feared leaving her abusive husband, a police officer. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

The developers of the $100 million, 324-unit mostly affordable Wailuku rental project on Maui have resubmitted a draft environmental assessment to the state, two months after withdrawing the initial document that had been submitted last fall. Pacific Business News.

Maui Population Continues to Increase as Honolulu’s Declines. Maui Now.

The median price of a single-family home on Maui fell by 10 percent last month, while the median price of a condominium jumped 15 percent, according to the Realtors Association of Maui. Pacific Business News.

The Pacific Whale Foundation held a traditional blessing ceremony last month for its newest vessel, Ocean Guardian, at Maalaea Harbor. Maui News.

Kauai

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Has Few Friends On This Hawaiian Island. The social media mogul’s neighbors aren’t happy with his new island estate or, for that matter, Facebook in general. Civil Beat.

Aloha Angels sponsors 51 clubs, adopts 192 teachers.  Kauai has 12 public or charter elementary schools. However, school ends in the early afternoon and for many children there’s not much to do. Garden Island.

Monday, April 9, 2018

Lawmakers tackle homelessness, Mauna Kea management, average Oahu home price breaks $1M mark, Stevie Wonder UH concert scammer gets 5 years in prison, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2018 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Unukupukupu performs during Merrie Monarch week in Hilo ©2018 All Hawaii News
When the Merrie Monarch Festival comes to Hilo, the normally sleepy town awakens with the hustle and bustle of adoring hula fans from around the world. Hawaii News Now.

State lawmakers push for ohana zones to aid the homeless. The push for ohana zones comes as the House and Senate are taking vastly different approaches toward homelessness. Star-Advertiser.

Elaborate homeless camps continue to pop up, but homeless numbers are going down. KHON2.

Candidates For Governor Focus On Native Hawaiian Issues At Forum. All seven candidates appear — separately — before the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. Civil Beat.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has joined the many friends and colleagues of the late U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka, who have sent condolences and fond remembrances. Star-Advertiser.

Akaka family says mahalo to the community for their support. KITV.

Ige’s Pick To Lead School Board Has An Unusual Background: Education. Catherine Payne wants the Hawaii Board of Education more involved in setting policy and more visible to the public. Civil Beat.

Blue Planet: From ‘Harry Potter’ To Formidable Political Force. The foundation’s vision of moving Hawaii to 100 percent renewable energy is now central to the state’s energy plan — and has some traction on the mainland. Civil Beat.

Girl Scouts planted more than 1,000 pinwheels in the lawn of the state Capitol this afternoon to bring attention to child abuse and neglect prevention. KHON2.

Longliners codify ethics in push-back against human rights allegations. Stung by lingering allegations of human trafficking and forced labor, the Hawaii fishing industry has developed a formal code of conduct, crew handbook and model employee contract aimed at protecting the workers aboard its fleet of more than 140 vessels. Star-Advertiser.

Isle hotels sell for nation’s top per-room price. Hawaii was such a hot hotel investor market in 2017 that four out of the 10 most expensive hotel transactions, based on total price, were in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Judge Gives Stevie Wonder Concert Scammer 5 Years In Prison. The University of Hawaii paid out $200,000 in what became known as the “Wonder Blunder.” Associated Press.

Island Energy Services to cut 10% of its workforce at Hawaii refinery. IES, which owns and operates the the state's second largest refinery in Kapolei, said on Friday that the affected employees will be offered a severance package based upon their total years of service. Pacific Business News.

Electric cars overtake gas cars in isle road map. Hawaiian Electric Co. filed a report it calls a “road map” with the state Public Utilities Commission last week to reach that 2045 goal. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu home sales break million-dollar mark for average price. Star-Advertiser.

Demolition awaits TV home of ‘Magnum, P.I.’ detective. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mauna Kea, TMT need closer monitoring, report finds. Star-Advertiser.

Second Gut-And-Replace Bill Concerning Mauna Kea Emerges. Once again, a House Bill making its way through the Senate has been completely altered to take aim at Mauna Kea management practices. Big Island Video News.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is proposing changes to rules regulating activity in the state’s forest reserves. Tribune-Herald.

Creagan to stick with House seat; Ford to run for Senate. With four months until the Aug. 11 primary, Brenda Ford and Richard Creagan are changing their plans. West Hawaii Today.

Hundreds of Big Island property owners are on the verge of losing their land because of unpaid property taxes, most of them in two communities — Nanawale in Puna and Ocean View in Kau. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island Police Officer Dead In Apparent Murder-Suicide. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Island police are investigating an officer involved murder-suicide. KHON2.

Friction between county officials and West Hawaii septage haulers has been mounting for months as pumpers contend policies at the Kealakehe Waste Water Treatment Facility are onerous and costing them money. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Ige expresses confidence in re-election, despite setbacks. ‘We have a good plan in place and are executing it,’ governor says. Maui News.

With the latest phase of the contentious Lahaina bypass to be blessed in a week, Gov. David Ige defended the Department of Transportation’s plans for the highway and its interaction with the Lahaina community. Maui News.

The County of Maui is proposing a roundabout at the intersection of Maui Lani Parkway and Kamehameha Avenue in Kahului. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Kalaheo Neighborhood Center gym could become Kauai’s newest emergency shelter. That’s if the County Council approves a $650,000 project Wednesday to update the building. Garden Island.

Council members will be asking for a tax exemption to be considered for residential homeowners who install an automatic fire suppression system, which meets minimum design specifications. Garden Island.

What Southwest Airlines' application to rent space at Lihue Airport could mean for travelers. KHON2.

Friday, April 6, 2018

Former Sen. Daniel Akaka dies, governor signs medical aid in dying legislation, congressional delegation wants military control over emergency warning system, Caldwell mulls islandwide sit-lie ban, coffee production drops 15%, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2018 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Late U.S. Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka, 2012 file photo ©2018 All Hawaii News file photo
Daniel Kahikina Akaka, the first Native Hawaiian to serve in the U.S. Senate and a fixture for decades on Capitol Hill, where he became known as the “ambassador of aloha,” has died Friday, his family said. Hawaii News Now.

Former U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, the humble and gracious statesman who served in Washington with aloha for more than three and a half decades, died Thursday night at the age of 93, sources tell the Star-Advertiser. He had been hospitalized with an illness. Star-Advertiser.

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Beginning Jan. 1, terminally ill residents will be eligible to begin requesting prescriptions for life-ending medication, following Gov. David Ige’s signing today of the “Our Care, Our Choice” Act into law. Star-Advertiser.

After 2 decades of debate, medical 'aid in dying' bill signed into law. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii became the latest liberal-leaning state to legalize medically assisted suicide Thursday as the governor signed a measure into law allowing doctors to fulfill requests from terminally ill patients to prescribe life-ending medication. Associated Press.

The “Death with Dignity” legislation was signed into law in Hawaii today. Hawaii Public Radio.

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All four members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation urged the U.S. military Thursday to take responsibility for alerting the public about any future ballistic missile attacks, taking that role away from the state, which botched the job in January. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Congressional Delegation Wants Feds To Take Over Missile Alerts. State emergency officials were grilled at a U.S. Senate committee hearing as lawmakers try to rebuild public trust in the warning system. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency began implementing its plan for responding to a ballistic missile attack before it was entirely drafted, a senior state official said Thursday at a hearing on why the agency mistakenly sent cellphone and broadcast alerts across the islands in January. Associated Press.

U.S. Pacific Command acknowledged it, too, made mistakes on the day of the false missile alert. Hawaii News Now.

At a Senate Committee hearing at the East-West Center on Thursday, all members of Hawaii's congressional delegation questioned why it's not the military taking the lead in issuing missile alerts. KITV.

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Hawaii Supreme Court Rules Some Extra-Long Sentences Unconstitutional. Several offenders who were given extended sentences for their crimes by a judge, rather than a jury, may have to be resentenced. Civil Beat.

Bid for back taxes on car rentals goes before Hawaii Supreme Court. Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers are taking up two bills today, one making the University of Hawaii a tobacco-free zone and another to restrict access to e-cigs to those under 21. Hawaii Public Radio.

Several bills that would improve working conditions or wages across the state are on the home stretch to being passed into law. Tribune-Herald.

Former principal appointed to serve as chair of Board of Education. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii is facing a critical shortage of doctors, and it's expected to get worse. KHON2.

The state’s coffee production dipped 15 percent to 24.3 million pounds of cherry in the 2017-2018 season despite an increase in bearing acreage from 7,000 to 7,300 acres, according to estimates compiled in January by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. West Hawaii Today.

All the major parts of two neighbor island housing markets moved in unison last month with sale volumes and prices rising on Hawaii island and Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Vietnamese worker saved lives as Hawaii fishing boat sank. Associated Press.

Oahu

Caldwell Wants A Sidewalk Sit-Lie Ban Everywhere On Oahu. If it’s approved, the proposal to move more homeless people out of public spaces could face a legal challenge. Civil Beat.

By the end of this year or so, a pavilion built to dry commercial fishing boat nets in Honolulu should be transformed into a job training and community center by a nonprofit helping at-risk teens and young adults. Star-Advertiser.

Beginning next week, unexploded ordnance experts will use underwater metal detectors to search for military munitions off Makua Beach, focusing on a 22-acre area. Hawaii News Now.

Developer Exploring Giant Wind Farm in West Oahu. The plan includes building up to 16 turbines in the Waianae mountains to pay for a massive land restoration project. Civil Beat.

Grubhub is the newest addition to Honolulu’s food delivery scene, joining other Mainland-based competitors Postmates, Uber Eats and Bite Squad. Pacific Business News.

Tax preparer Guillermo Dahilig of Waialua pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of false tax returns. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

A mural on the wall of a Hilo business has drawn controversy for its depiction — and subsequent redaction — of a firearm in the midst of a tableau celebrating the Merrie Monarch Festival. Tribune-Herald.

Hu Honua Bioenergy won’t need to conduct an environmental review for a damaged storm water outfall along the coast near Pepeekeo since it no longer plans to use it for its biomass power plant. Tribune-Herald.

Neighbors praise new South Kona KTA on store’s first day. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

An application deadline has been set for Wednesday, April 11 at 3:30 p.m. for individuals seeking consideration to fill the remaining term for the District 8 State House seat left vacant by Representative Joseph Souki. Maui Now.

Gov. David Ige said Thursday that he’s asked Maui County Democratic Party officials to move as quickly as possible to provide him with three names from which to appoint a new representative for the 8th District House seat. Maui News.

Former Maui County Council Member Don Couch is seeking the Democratic nomination for the South Maui state House seat held by Rep. Kaniela Ing, who has announced he’s a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives. Maui News.

Maui County lifeguard and former mayoral candidate Tamara Paltin has filed nomination papers to seek the West Maui residency seat on the County Council, she said in an announcement. Maui News.

A blessing for the embattled southern phase of the Lahaina bypass will be held at 2 p.m. April 15, Gov. David Ige’s office said Thursday. Maui News.

Garrett Marrero, the owner of Maui Brewing Co., is up for another national award. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Raising awareness of different types of homes available for purchase is why the Kauai Board of Realtors is hosting its third annual Islandwide Open House on Saturday. Garden Island.

Home sales on Kauai rose by more than 25 percent last month, compared to March of last year, and the median price of a single-family home rose 13 percent, according to statistics from Hawaii Information Service on behalf of the Kauai Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Hirono says cancer battle won't keep her from Senate duties, state ballot order set, Souki apologizes for sexual harassment, gut-and-replace proliferates in Legislature, thieving employees sink Molokai credit union, Maui police chief gets high marks, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

photo by Nanea Kalani
Hirono announces re-election bid, courtesy photo
U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono says her ongoing cancer treatment has not affected her Congressional duties, and that she’s running for re-election to continue fighting for Hawaii’s families and kupuna. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Hirono Fired Up To Take On Cancer And Trump In Campaign. As her re-election bid begins, the Hawaii senator says immunotherapy will not prevent her “from doing my job” and speaking out against the president. Civil Beat.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono officially launched her re-election campaign on Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) made it official on Wednesday morning, with her husband and supporters at her side, she filed the paperwork for re-election. KITV.

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Luck puts Constitution Party at top of Hawaii's primary election ballot. On Wednesday, the state Elections Office held a random drawing (think plucking names from a lauhala basket) to decide the order of political preferences on the ballot. Hawaii News Now.

Former House Speaker Joe Souki has paid a fine and submitted a letter apologizing for his behavior after several women including former state Director of Human Services Rachael Wong accused him of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct. Star-Advertiser.

Full text of Souki's short apology letter to the speaker can be found here.

What’s Up With All The Gut-And-Replace Trickery At The Legislature This Year? More and more dramatic last-minute changes in bills are being made with a minimum of public notice this legislative session. Civil Beat.

The governor is set to sign a bill legalizing medical aid in dying. Not everyone is happy about it. Over 18,000 people signed a petition to try to deter him from signing the bill, which he said he would do Thursday. KHON2.

A group of church and community leaders hand delivered a petition opposing physician-assisted suicide to Governor David Ige on Wednesday. More than 18,000 people across Hawaii signed the petition. KITV.

Ige bypasses lawmakers to pay for HI-EMA plans. More than a month after Gov. David Ige announced he would ask lawmakers for millions of dollars to upgrade the state’s emergency preparedness systems in the wake of the statewide false missile alert, the administration has decided it does not need that extra money after all. Star-Advertiser.

New chorus of voices questions plan to block sale of some sunscreens. A bill that would ban the sale — but not the use — of sunscreen with chemicals believed to kill coral reefs is advancing at the state Legislature. Hawaii News Now.

Feral Cat-Friendly Measure Dies In The Senate. The Humane Society supported the bill to maintain cat colonies, but opponents pointed to the damage they do to other species. Civil Beat.

Bill Calls For Hawaii To Protect Students Who Allege Harassment. The measure would establish a state corollary to the federal Title IX law prohibiting gender discrimination. Civil Beat.

Ige appoints three members to Hawaii State Board of Education. Pacific Business News.

Solar permits up on Big Isle, down in Maui County. The number of solar permits issued in Hawaii and Maui counties moved in opposite directions during the first quarter. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Critics warn plan to turn over Kakaako parks to city opens door to commercialization. A state plan to transfer Kakaako’s parks to the city ran into resistance at a Hawaii Community Development Authority board meeting Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Neighbors concerned by development carving into Waialae Iki hillside. At the base of Waialae Iki in East Honolulu, a hillside has been undergoing a dramatic re-contouring with excavators cutting deep benches and leaving scarred rock faces visible from Kalanianaole Highway. Star-Advertiser.

Caldwell Calls for Legalization and Regulation of Transient Accommodations. Hawaii Public Radio.

Mixed reactions Wednesday after Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell proposed a plan that could turn virtually any home on Oahu into a bed and breakfast. KITV.

Owner of alleged 'monster house' in Manoa fires back at neighbors. Tensions have been escalating over the home built in 1919 for the founder of Straub Clinic since Grant Shen purchased it in 2016. Neighbors say he has illegally converted the single-family residence into an apartment building with as many as 15 to 20 people living there. Hawaii News Now.

A Kailua home is turning a lot of heads lately. A shipping container has been installed above it. KHON2.

Workers at the Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach Hotel cast their votes Tuesday to make the property the first Hawaii hotel to join the Unite Here Local 5 union through a National Labor Relations Board election in two decades. Star-Advertiser.

HTA balks at UFC’s $6M price for isle title card. The Ultimate Fighting Championship made the Hawaii Tourism Authority an offer it could refuse, leading to the collapse of talks that had been aimed at bringing a UFC card starring Max Holloway to Aloha Stadium this summer. Star-Advertiser.

Tourism officials in Hawaii say that the UFC demanded a $6 million sponsorship fee in order to host a pay-per-view fight card at Aloha Stadium this summer – an amount even higher than what the agency once paid the NFL in order to host the Pro Bowl. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu tops the nation for solar capacity per capita. The new report released by Environment America found Honolulu also ranks third in the nation for total solar installed in a city. KITV.

No other city in the United States has more installed solar photovoltaic capacity per capita than Honolulu, according to a new report from Environment America. Pacific Business News.

Oahu condo prices jump 10% in March to new record. The median price of a condominium on Oahu rose 10 percent in March, compared to last year, to reach a record $440,000, while the median price of a single-family home nudged up by 1 percent. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Lance Niimi, executive assistant to Mayor Harry Kim and Hawaii County’s homeless coordinator, has resigned his post. West Hawaii Today.

Homeless housing fast tracked. Roy Takemoto, executive assistant to Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim, was in Honolulu Wednesday meeting with Ford Fuchigami, Ige’s administrative director, and others to discuss an emergency proclamation Kim requested from the governor in March. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County’s beleaguered bus system is getting a little boost from the federal government, thanks to a $576,000 grant announced Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

Kohala Hospital will receive much-needed renovations following the release of capital improvement project funds that were recently released by Gov. David Ige, an April 4, 2018, press release announced. Big Island Now.

Hilo mural with armed hula dancer painted over amid complaints. Hawaii News Now.

Dispute leaves DirecTV customers without hula coverage. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui police chief receives high marks in annual evaluation. KHON2.

Kaiser expands footprint on Maui. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has acquired 6.2 acres under its Wailuku Medical Office for $22 million. Star-Advertiser.

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii paid $22 million to buy the 6.2 acres of land beneath its Wailuku Medical Office on Maui from Alexander & Baldwin. Pacific Business News.

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has purchased 6.2 acres of land under its Wailuku Medical Office on Maui. Maui Now.

Two “Meet and Greet” events will be held to discuss the Waiehu Clubhouse Master Plan & Feasibility Study. Maui Now.

It’s the end of the road for Maui Downhill. Pioneer of mountain downhill bike tours calls it quits. Maui News.


Kauai

The state’s spotlight has swung toward Hanalei because of recent landslides, but locals say it’s the streets, not the slopes, with the major problem. Garden Island.

The question of what makes a community was the center of a heated discussion about the West Kauai Community Plan during the County Council’s Planning Committee meeting Wednesday. Garden Island.

Dogs have joined the fight against invasive rats on Lehua Island. The Department of Land and Natural resources started a project in 2017 to get rid of the rats by dropping rat poison in phases. KHON2.

Monitoring teams are observing more albatross on Lehua Island than they have in a long time, according to a Wednesday press release from the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Garden Island.

Molokai

Workers’ thefts sank Molokai credit union. The government says over at least nine years, two employees stole more than $1 million from the credit union, leading to First Hawaiian Homes Credit Union’s insolvency, closing and liquidation. Star-Advertiser.

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Tax hikes for schools, audit sought in $60M state contract failure, Caldwell's State of the City address, Pohakuloa Training Area under fire for pollution, former Kauai mayor running again, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy Hawaii Department of Education
Public school, courtesy Hawaii Department of Education
Constitutional amendment seeks increased taxes for public schools. A plan to ask voters whether the state should create a dedicated funding stream for public schools by taxing investment homes and visitor accommodations is back in play after nearly a month of inaction in the House. Star-Advertiser.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee advanced a measure Tuesday to dramatically cut funding to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the state agency responsible for marketing Hawaii to the world. Star-Advertiser.

State senators are demanding an audit of the state Tax Department's $60 million computer modernization project. Hawaii News Now.

A project manager who oversaw the $60 million Tax System Modernization project for the state was identified Tuesday as the person who coached an outside consultant on what issues to address and what to say in public reports on the progress of the project. Star-Advertiser.

Mandatory or unconstitutional?: House debates bill that would tax online sales. The House amended a bill Tuesday whose topic of taxing online sales continues to be a big issue at the Capitol — and may even lead to lawsuits from internet companies. Hawaii News Now.

Senate Waters Down Bill To Set Minimum Police Officer Standards. Every state except Hawaii already does so, but a measure that passed the House has been gutted in the Senate. Civil Beat.

Panel supports bill to help Hawaiians keep ancestral land. The bill was introduced after Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg in late 2016 filed lawsuits to identify owners of 14 parcels interspersed within a 700-acre oceanfront estate he owns on Kauai Island. Associated Press.

New push underway to test all students for mental health disorders. Mental health advocates are pushing schools to screen every student for mental health issues. Hawaii News Now.

A bill that would prohibit certain types of restraints and tethers used on animals is moving forward. HB2072 HD2 SD1 just passed the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and will now head to conference committee. KHON2.

Schatz For President In 2020? Don’t Count On It, He Says. Told his name is being “bandied about” as a possible candidate, the Hawaii senator dismissed any notion that he might run. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Reps. Tulsi Gabbard and Colleen Hanabusa introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen civil defense preparedness in Hawaii and across the country. Garden Island.

Little Agreement Over Toxoplasmosis Solution. The debate largely boils down to one question: should feral cats be eradicated? Hawaii Public Radio.

A $15 Billion Price Tag To Protect Hawaii Highways from Climate Change. As the state braces for sea level rise, vulnerable roads could be moved inland — and tunneled through mountains. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is sponsoring a peace rally today on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Star-Advertiser.

Home prices in Hawaii rose by a smaller percentage than the national average over the past year and Oahu and Maui are among the markets that are considered overvalued, according to the monthly CoreLogic Home Price Index for February. Pacific Business News.

Are there downsides to a low unemployment rate? In Hawaii, which has the United States' lowest jobless rate at a minuscule 2.1 percent, the answer is yes. Associated Press.

Hawaii bankruptcies up 10.5 percent in March. Statewide bankruptcies rose for the second time in three months in March despite continuing signs that the economy remains on strong footing. Star-Advertiser.

A&B finishes mainland real estate sell-off. Alexander & Baldwin Inc. announced Tuesday that it sold its last commercial property on the mainland. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s plan to legalize more vacation rentals but under stricter regulations got mostly lukewarm feedback from a housing advocate and key City Council member, as well as both a supporter and opponent of short-term rentals. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu mayor discusses affordable housing, rail budget in sixth State of the City address. Hawaii News Now.

State of the City: Mayor talks affordable housing, rail funding and short-term vacation rentals. KITV.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell gave his State of the City address on Tuesday night on the grounds of the Neal Blaisdell Center. KHON2.

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Settlement reached after city worker is accused of misusing resources. According to the city's Ethics Commission, the employee did not take appropriate vacation leave when working at a non-city job. KHON2.

Rents in Honolulu steady, or down, two reports say. Renters are paying the same or less for one- and two-bedroom apartments in Honolulu, compared to a year ago, according to reports from Apartment List and Zumper that agree on one thing — rents are not rising in Hawaii’s largest city. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu is looking for a better way to deal with feral chickens after its first attempt at getting a handle on the birds resulted in a cost of $108 per chicken caught and killed. Associated Press.

Iconic Magnum PI house to be demolished. The owner of the 8,900 square-foot Waimanalo mansion, Marty Nesbitt, was purchased for $8.7 million in 2015, but is said to be in disrepair. Hawaii News Now.

Demolition begins for Magnum P.I. home in Waimanalo. KITV.

Hawaii Island

A Circuit Court judge ruled Tuesday that the state Department of Land and Natural Resources failed to “malama aina,” or care for the land, under a lease it has with the U.S. Army at the Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser.

A Hawaii judge ruled Tuesday that the state has failed to enforce a lease requiring the U.S. military to clean up debris on the Army’s Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii Island. Civil Beat.

A Honolulu Circuit Court judge has ruled the state breached its duties to “malama aina” with respect to lands it is leasing to the U.S. Army as part of the Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii Island. Tribune-Herald.

Four years after two Hawaiians filed suit against the state for its alleged breach of trust regarding its lease of Pohakuloa lands to the U.S. Army, a circuit court judge has ruled in their favor. Big Island Video News.

Judge orders more oversight at Pohakuloa Training Area. KHON2.

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EnVision Maunakea, a community-based initiative designed to gather a wide range of Hawaii Island perspectives about Maunakea’s future, has released its long-awaited report. Big Island Now.

Senate bill calling for new Mauna Kea management stalls in the House. KITV.

County watching Maui wastewater discharge case. The Hawaii County Environmental Management Commission last week resolved that the county should exceed goals and policies of the federal Clean Water Act regarding wastewater discharge rather than merely comply with the letter of the law. West Hawaii Today.

Kim names Simeon DPW director. Mayor Harry Kim has completed his Cabinet rebuild, following a spate of resignations last fall. West Hawaii Today.

A measure to fund full-time lifeguards at Kua Bay needs to pass its final Senate committee by the end of this week to stay afloat. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The State Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration will hold a public informational meeting for the proposed Paia Relief Route project to address existing traffic congestion along Hana Highway in Paia. Maui Now.

Utility-scale solar projects near the ‘finish line’ but need more time. Lahaina, Kihei projects focused on connection with MECO, Maui grid. Maui News.

Maui Tacos announced plans to expand nationwide, with six new store openings scheduled for 2018 and 12 new stores slated for 2019. Maui Now.

Kauai

Yukimura announces mayoral bid. Councilwoman and former mayor JoAnn Yukimura announced Tuesday she is seeking Kauai’s top elected post. Garden Island.

Former mayor and city council member JoAnn Yukimura has joined the race to become Kauai's next mayor. Hawaii News Now.

Project expected to help meet housing need. The 235 lots planned for Kealia Mauka Homesites are aimed at local families, according to project representatives working on a draft environmental impact statement. Garden Island.

Gov. David Ige issued today an emergency proclamation for Kauai after heavy rains caused a series of landslides onto Kuhio Highway, isolating the communities of Haena and Wainiha near Hanalei. Star-Advertiser.

The governor on Tuesday declared the District of Hanalei a disaster area. Garden Island.

Kauai's Russian Fort Might Be Less Russian Than Believed. Paulaula o Hipo, the site of Fort Elizabeth, the fort built by Russian trading interests in the early 19th century, is best remembered as the setting for the brief alliance between the Russian-American Company and Kauai's High Chief Kaumualii. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Woman claims late Sen. Inouye sexually harassed her, leasing library land, Legislature's lax ethics, Hawaii last in return on taxpayer investment, polystyrene ban advances, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

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A bill that would rent out library land and facilities as a way to generate revenue is proceeding through the state Legislature as quietly as libraries themselves. West Hawaii Today.

Paid Family Leave Legislation Advances in House and Senate. State lawmakers are on the verge of passing legislation for paid family leave in Hawaii. Hawaii Public Radio.

Could Hawaii Be the First State to Ban Polystyrene Food Containers? First it was Maui County then Hawaii County, and now the State is considering a ban on polystyrene food containers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii ranked last in the nation for taxpayer return on investment in 2018, according to a WalletHub study released today. Star-Advertiser.

#MeToo: One Woman’s Story Of Sexual Harassment By Hawaii Sen. Dan Inouye. Megan Bailiff says her treatment by the late U.S. senator — and the staffers who protected him — changed her life. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Ethics too lax at Legislature. “Following the rules” ordinarily equates to ethical behavior, except where the rules themselves set a ridiculously low standard. Star-Advertiser.

Super PAC’s Attack Reveals Gaps In Hawaii Campaign Finance Law. Voters can’t find out who’s funding a new website with claims of domestic violence against a candidate for governor until after the primary election. Civil Beat.

State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers endorses Hanabusa for governor. Hawaii News Now.

Visitor industry looks to attract high schoolers. A visitor industry-supported workforce development program kicks off this week to encourage young people to pursue tourism careers, an important recruitment step at a time when the state’s visitor industry is vying to attract candidates amid record unemployment lows. Star-Advertiser.

Humpbacks are seen in smaller numbers. The number of humpback whales seen in coastal waters fell once again during this weekend’s Sanctuary Ocean Count, continuing a trend this season and beyond. Star-Advertiser.

Nene population nears 3,000 statewide. Conservationists say a new proposal to reclassify the nene from endangered to threatened shows that “great strides” have been made in recovering the species, whose population dropped to 30 animals in 1960. Tribune-Herald.

Environmental group is turning Hawaii's ocean waste into energy. Since 2002, about 800 tons of abandoned ocean gear has been burned and turned it into electricity — enough to power 350 homes in Hawaii for a year. Hawaii News Now.

Kaiser Permanente has hired a new president for the Hawaii region. Dave Underriner will begin as head of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals of Hawaii in mid-May, the company said Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's flagship carrier Hawaiian Airlines on Monday said it signed a new partnership with natural, organic sun care company Raw Elements USA. Pacific Business News.

Hotel gives out environmental friendly sunscreen to protect Hawaii's coral reefs. Aqua-Aston Hospitality's statewide initiative steers tourists away from Oxybenzone, and does so in the most effective way possible: Giving away reef-safe sunscreen for free. KITV.

Oahu

Caldwell to announce plan for more B&Bs, longer-term vacation rentals. In his sixth State of the City speech today, Mayor Kirk Caldwell will unveil his plan to allow for more legal bed-and-breakfast establishments and transient vacation units across Oahu, but only if the operators are also the owners of those homes, abide by stricter guidelines, pay higher property taxes and pay stricter penalties when they run afoul of the law. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell will be delivering his sixth State of the City address on Tuesday at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center. Hawaii News Now.

Could giving pedestrians a head start make crosswalks safer? The technical term is "leading pedestrian intervals." Hawaii News Now.

Biki to add more stops as bike share program expands on Oahu. KHON2.

Feral chickens flummox city officials. The city is looking for a better way to deal with chickens after its first attempts resulted in a cost of $108 per chicken caught and killed. Star-Advertiser.

The Army is spending about $3.5 million over nearly two months to search for unexploded ordnance off Makua Beach after a 5-inch projectile was found offshore in 2016, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii home made famous by 'Magnum P.I." slated to come down. CBS is wrapping up filming its pilot of the reboot of “Magnum, P.I.” in Hawaii, but the house made famous by the 1980s television series of the same name and purchased by a friend of President Barack Obama three years ago, likely won’t be featured in the new series. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Mauna Kea governance bill appears dead. A bill to revamp the governance of public lands on Mauna Kea appears to be dead in the state House after Finance Committee Chairwoman Sylvia Luke said she will not consider the measure. Star-Advertiser.

Maunakea management bill to be debated Thursday; Senate rewrites House measure to keep issue alive. Legislation to create a new management authority for Maunakea is getting another chance after apparently stalling in the House. Tribune-Herald.

A House Bill requiring land board reporting on public lands has been dramatically altered, bringing new life to a stalled legislative effort to create a Mauna Kea Management Authority. Big Island Video News.

A beloved symbol of Hawaii returned to Hilo on Monday when the voyaging canoe Hokulea arrived at Kahele Point at the Grand Naniloa Hotel for the first time since 2014. Hokulea departed from Hilo in May 2014 on the three-year-long Malama Honua voyage, where it circumnavigated the globe using only traditional Polynesian wayfaring techniques. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Another moving day for homeless people on Maui. Notice to vacate is enforced near Shiraishi Pool in Central Maui. Maui News.

Will Lawmakers Help These Low-Income Tenants Stay In Their Lahaina Homes? More than 250 tenants of a subsidized Maui apartment complex fear eviction amid the owner’s plans to raise rents to market rates. Civil Beat.

Lahaina ferry pier improvements are ready to proceed. Maui News.

Maui's transportation department will be testing an all-electric bus along different routes this week. The vehicle is on loan from Proterra Inc. KHON2.

Kauai

The Death Spiral Of A Local Shopping Mall. Kukui Grove Shopping Center on Kauai is not alone in its demise, but its fadeout is still a community loss. Civil Beat.

Lanai

The Lanai Planning Commission made history by changing the boundary for the entire island. The commission worked with the planning department to revise the island's special management area boundary. KHON2.

Monday, April 2, 2018

Powerful senator's private business tied to legislative actions, Ige blasts 'backroom deals,' Kenoi discloses cancer battle, famed Molokai mule trail in legal dispute, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

humpback whale breach Kohala Sail & Sea Michael Faughn
Whale count: Nearly 3 dozen spotted in just 15 minute time frame. Hawaii News Now.

State senator’s actions highlight gaps in ethics laws. Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz recently supported a bill to take more than $40 million away from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, a state agency that had denied the private company where he works an estimated $3.5 million worth of contracts over the last year or so. Star-Advertiser.

Ige Fires Back: Hawaii Doesn’t Need ‘Backroom Deals’. The governor says legislative leaders who now support Colleen Hanabusa are using their political power to manipulate the voters. Civil Beat.

House Finance Chairwoman Sylvia Luke berated Gov. David Ige and some of his department heads over conflicting testimony and tepid support for a proposal to set up a state-managed paid family leave program for Hawaii workers. Star-Advertiser.

A Senate bill making its way through the state Legislature would boost funding to improve state-owned trails across Hawaii and promote hiking safety and etiquette. Star-Advertiser.

‘Kaulana’s Law’ for fatal hit-and-run cases awaits floor vote. Star-Advertiser.

Early college program expands dramatically. Encouraging Hawaii’s public school students to chart their career and college paths as early as freshman year appears to be bearing fruit, according to a report released today. Star-Advertiser.

State studies ways to help ex-inmates find jobs. In 2016 Hawaii had a recidivism rate of about 63 percent, according to a study by the Attorney General’s Office. Star-Advertiser.

Requiring athletic trainers at every school makes Hawaii a national model. A state law enacted 25 years ago has helped make countless Hawaii student athletes healthier — and is also paying dividends that could someday be felt nationally or even worldwide. Star-Advertiser.

Marshallese in Hawaii struggling with poverty, according to new report. Extreme racial disparities exist among Hawaii’s population, with a growing number of immigrants from the Pacific islands living in poverty. Star-Advertiser.

A Hawaii-based nonprofit is disputing a report by the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, which analyzed the impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, saying the state agency left out “crucial details of federal tax law.” Pacific Business News.

Hurricanes and tsunamis get a lot more attention, but wildfires are one of the state's most common threats. Hawaii Public Radio.

Nene could be off the endangered species list in a year. KITV.

Oahu

Expect the Honolulu Police Department to gradually begin rolling out body cameras for officers by the end of the summer, Chief Susan Ballard said this week. Star-Advertiser.

How ‘Blind Faith’ Led To Hawaii’s Biggest Police Corruption Scandal. Federal public defenders quickly unraveled a case about the alleged theft of a mailbox. How did  U.S. attorneys miss the clues? Civil Beat.

A ceremony is scheduled for the $1.5B USS Daniel Inouye. Irene Hirano Inouye, the widow of U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye, will participate in a keel-joining ceremony — a major milestone in the life of a Navy ship — in May in Bath, Maine, as work progresses on the $1.5 billion destroyer named for the Medal of Honor recipient and legendary Hawaii lawmaker. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige on Friday had his second sit-down this month with the leader of one of Oahu’s largest homeless encampments following the governor’s March 13 pledge not to sweep Pu‘uhonua o Waianae, located next to the Waianae Small Boat Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

City Has No Aloha For A Waianae School Crosswalk. The Waianae parents and community leaders are flabbergasted that the city painted over their crosswalks. Civil Beat.

Nalo Farms to restructure for survival. Dean Okimoto of Nalo Farms in Waimanalo has made a difficult decision to sell his prime farm site, 2.5 acres passed to him by his parents, and transfer a lease on 14 acres of nearby state land to his leading farmworkers to keep Nalo Farms operating with him as a minority partner. Star-Advertiser.

Goat cheese and former Navy housing mix on a North Shore farm. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Former Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi announced in a Facebook post Thursday that he is battling a rare, aggressive cancer. Tribune-Herald.

Former Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi wrote a lengthy Facebook message to friends, family, clients and students that a rare form of bone cancer he was diagnosed with three years ago has recently returned with a vengeance. Star-Advertiser.

Aina Lea developer prevails in federal taking case. A federal jury sided with a South Kohala developer, agreeing that a state Land Use Commission’s decision to reclassify more than 1,000 acres at Aina Lea was a constitutional taking of the property without just compensation. West Hawaii Today.

Police chief says proposed budget lacks funding to reinforce Puna, Ka'u districts. Tribune-Herald.

Council throws another $4M into Lono Kona. When bids for the Lono Kona sewer project came in earlier this year, the county tossed them out, hoping for a better deal. West Hawaii Today.

A Senate committee amended a bill authorizing a $25 million special purpose revenue bond for a small electrical satellite launch facility in response to strong opposition from Ka'u residents. Tribune-Herald.

Kanaka Rangers: It’s Time To Move Forward With Hawaiian Homesteads. The state is decades behind in awarding land to Native Hawaiians on Mauna Kea and elsewhere under the state homestead act. Civil Beat.

As funding cuts loom, GVS Accelerator hopes first major release inspires continued support. West Hawaii Today.

Vendors Are Dripping In Hilo As Farmers’ Market Weathers Political Storm. Tarps and tents that keep products and sellers dry have been ordered removed by county officials. Civil Beat.

Paddle boarder was alongside his dad when shark bit him. A stand-up paddle boarder is still fighting for his life after a shark attack in Kona waters Saturday morning. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday, for the second month in a row, dealt Maui County a setback in the legal defense of its Lahaina sewage treatment plant injection wells. Star-Advertiser.

While Maui County is pursuing projects to reuse its wastewater, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has denied the county’s request for a full-panel review of its Feb. 1 decision that the county violated the Clean Water Act by pumping treated wastewater into injection wells at its Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility since the early 1980s. Maui News.

Search for Souki’s successor begins. The resignation of two-time speaker of the House and longtime Wailuku Rep. Joe Souki has kicked off the official search for his successor, at least for the rest of his term this year. Maui News.


A grand deal: Grand Wailea to be sold April 17. The amount of the sale is reportedly the second highest paid for a hotel in the U.S. Maui News.


Kauai

A roundabout is being proposed for the Kuhio Highway and Mailihuna Road intersection in Kapaa. Garden Island.

Feds: Removing shipwrecks good for reefs. The remnants of the 1800s freighter Pele lie off the coast of Kauai’s South Shore, and though there’s not much of her left, shipwrecks like Pele could offer answers to coral research. Garden Island.

Lanai

Larry Ellison’s high-tech indoor hydroponic agricultural partnership, which is projected to grow vegetables for sale cheaper than imported produce, will open late this year, according to a filing with the state Public Utilities Commission by the Oracle Corp. founder’s Lanai utility companies. Maui News.
Molokai

Molokai mule ride company evicted from trail land. Landowner says that tour operators continued to refuse to negotiate a lease. Maui News.

Lease dispute aims to put a stop to famed Molokai mule rides. The family business that provides mules rides and escorted hikes on the cliffside Kalaupapa Trail has been evicted following a lease dispute with the owner of the land it must access to provide the popular activities. Star-Advertiser.

Arguably one of the most unique things to do in Hawaii, the Molokai mule ride down to Kalaupapa could soon be a thing of the past if the two-year long legal dispute between R.W. Meyer and Kalaupapa Rare Adventures isn't resolved. KHON2.