Assisted dying law kicks in Jan. 1, Honolulu rail costs climb, legislators pan Ige homeless plan, audit clears Mauna Kea management, Hanabusa, Gabbard look to future, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii dawn ©2018 All Hawaii News

Preparing For Hawaii’s New Medical Aid In Dying Law. The state estimates around 40 people will use the new law to seek medical assistance to end their lives next year. Civil Beat.

Health care industry prepares for ‘Our Care, Our Choice Act’ New law that takes effect Jan. 1 will allow terminal patients to end their lives. Maui News.

University of Hawaii economists are forecasting that the state’s expansion has more room to run, but their outlook for the Asia-Pacific region is less rosy in the wake of the U.S.-Chinese trade war and a weakening global environment. Star-Advertiser.

Ige Releases $17.3 Million For ‘Ohana Zones’ On Oahu And Big Island. Counties and nonprofits will use the money to build permanent housing for the homeless and create more shelter space. Civil Beat.

Legislators pan governor’s $17M plan for homeless ‘ohana zones’. Just ahead of a deadline, the governor on Friday announced plans to spend millions of dollars on so-called “ohana zones” for Oahu and Big Island homeless residents. But legislators who set aside $30 million for the special zones say the governor isn’t doing enough. Hawaii News Now.

Timeshare visitors to Hawaii decreased in the third quarter, and occupancy was flat, according to the Hawaii Timeshare Quarterly Report released Friday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard’s birthplace could create political fodder in national campaign. Gabbard needed only one of her parents to be a U.S. citizen to gain automatic citizenship. But the question, if she’s to run for president, is not whether she is a citizen, but whether she’s a “natural-­born citizen,” the definition of which is a matter of legal debate. Star-Advertiser.

Hanabusa reflects on time in Congress, talks future in politics. During both of Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa’s stints in the U.S. House of Representatives, Democrats have been the minority party. As she wraps up her time in Washington, there’s one key lesson learned: relationships matter. KITV.

Seven of the 76 confirmed cases of large whale entanglements documented along U.S. coasts in 2017 were in Hawaii waters, and all seven involved humpback whales, according to a recent report released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as whale season in the state gets underway. Star-Advertiser.

Study: Chuukese Patients In Hawaii Often Face Discrimination. Micronesian patients face language and cultural barriers when seeking medical care, and are far less likely to have insurance coverage. Civil Beat.

Hawaii cuts price for state's affordable housing portfolio by $40M. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Oahu voters resoundingly rejected a proposed charter amendment that would have made it easier for the Honolulu rail authority to conduct its business, and one member of the rail board says the election loss was a sign that there is “no public trust in our organization.” Star-Advertiser.

The Cost Of Honolulu Rail’s Westside Stations Keeps Going Up. HART had boasted of savings from its decision to build the nine stations three at a time. But those savings have disappeared. Civil Beat.

Civil Beat Law Center Files To Unseal Secret Kealoha Court Documents. Even if the documents refer to Katherine Kealoha’s medical condition, other information should be made public, the center says. Civil Beat.

Defense attorneys question cases prosecuted by deputies facing federal corruption probe. The attorney for convicted murderer Dae Han Moon sent a letter to the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office on Friday, requesting information about the federal public corruption investigation that has widened to include the prosecutor’s office. Hawaii News Now.

HECO customers see big spike on their bills. Some residential electric customers on Oahu got sticker shock when they opened their power bills over the last few months. A few even claim their bills doubled or tripled between October and December. Hawaii News Now.

An owner of a Canadian thrill-ride company wants to build an aerial tramway and a zip line in the hills above Waialua as part of an “agribusiness” on land zoned for agriculture. Star-Advertiser.

Affordable Home/Studio Rentals. For Artists. In Kaka'ako. Wha?! Hawaii Public Radio.

Hanauma Bay reopens after bacteria levels in the water return to normal levels. KHON2.

Kamehameha Schools plans to build a community learning center in Nanakuli next year, with educational programs focused on teens and young adults. Star-Advertiser.

Two Windward churches that began hosting monthly fairs this year to attract homeless people in their communities have seen dramatically different results, underscoring the complexities of addressing island homelessness. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

A financial audit to be presented to the University of Hawaii Board of Regents found no irregularities in how the various entities involved in use and management of Maunakea lands account for their revenue and expenses. Tribune-Herald.

A proposed ballot measure reducing the county land fund from a minimum of 2 percent of property tax revenues to a minimum of 1 percent was advanced Friday by the Charter Commission, over objections from fund supporters. West Hawaii Today.

HELCO Proposes Rate Increase Of 3.4%. The power utility says grid modernization, storm resilience, and renewable energy work are driving costs up. Big Island Video News.

HPM could be first to take advantage of redevelopment bill. Tribune-Herald.

HI-SEAS 2.0: Mauna Loa dome to get re-purposed for moon simulations. A small dome on the slopes of Mauna Loa used for the past five years as a NASA-funded Mars simulation is being given a new mission. Tribune-Herald.

Group offers $10,000 for Ireland case DNA testing. A retired judge and his group has offered $10,000 to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney to have genetic genealogical research performed on DNA left on a key piece of evidence in the Dana Ireland murder case. Tribune-Herald.

Round the clock security ends at HOPE Services campus in Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Two hotly debated bills for a community plan amendment and parking lot project at the north end of Keawakapu Beach have passed the first of two readings, and now the measures are en route to a public hearing before final action by the Maui County Council. Maui News.

A county-state land exchange paving the way for Maui County to build a new bus hub near Sears in Kahului passed on first reading Thursday. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami reflects on first two weeks in office. It's been 2 weeks since Derek Kawakami took on the role of Mayor of Kauai. Kawakami succeed Mayor Bernard Carvalho, who reached his term limit. KHON2.

The county is seeking volunteers to assist with an annual count of the area’s homeless population in January. Garden Island.

Mauna Kea Trask, who served as county attorney from December 2014 to November 2018, has joined a new firm on Kauai. Garden Island.

Hawaii's coral reefs in fair condition, time capsule found at state Capitol, Honolulu chief deputy prosecutor takes leave in federal probe, Southwest Airlines coming to Hawaii, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Cauliflower coral ©2018 All Hawaii News

Report: Hawaii’s coral reefs in ‘fair’ condition, face serious threats. Looking at coral reefs near the Main Hawaiian Islands as well as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, the report found that climate conditions — temperature stress and ocean acidification — are some of the biggest factors contributing to the health of the coral reef. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s commercial fishing industry is fetching high values for its catches even though the overall volume is relatively low compared with other states. The industry in Hawaii generated $867 million in sales in 2016 and added nearly 10,000 jobs. Star-Advertiser.

2018 Tax Return Preparation Will Be Complicated and Might Cost More. The Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will go into effect for the 2018 tax year.  It includes some of the most sweeping changes in 30 years.  But, Certified Public Accountant Reg Baker, says the Hawaii Legislature did not adopt the Federal tax code. Hawaii Public Radio.

New VA Secretary: We will do more to help Hawaii’s military veterans. New U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie met with Hawaii’s VA leaders Thursday, passing along assurances that he believes he can revamp the department that cares for America’s military veterans. Hawaii News Now.

Lawyer: State Hospital escapee may have gotten fake IDs, cash during off-campus trips. Randall Saito may have gotten the fake IDs and thousands in cash he used to escape the State Hospital last year and flee to California from a nearby rehabilitation facility. Hawaii News Now.

Dam evacuation zone information and maps now available online. After a scare earlier this year, the state has unveiled a new website that allows you to easily find out whether your home is in a dam evacuation zone. KHON2.

Time capsule recovered from State Capitol building. To prepare for the 50th anniversary of the Hawaii State Capitol in March 2019, a task force and state archivist dug up a piece of history on Wednesday, Dec. 12. KHON2.

Flight attendants picket at Honolulu airport amid United Airlines staffing cuts. Flight attendants worldwide are standing together in solidarity to protest the decision by United Airlines management to initiate staffing cuts. Hawaii News Now.

United Airlines flight attendants protest staff and service cuts at Honolulu airport. The flight attendants are asking management to increase staffing and stop planned staffing and service cuts. Star-Advertiser.

United Airlines flight attendants take a stand against job and service cuts. Nation-wide protest for United Airlines flight attendants. KITV.

Fighter jet that crashed offshore to be salvaged as investigation continues. A 47-year-old civilian pilot who sustained serious injuries after his fighter jet crashed into waters off Honolulu underwent surgery Thursday, but remains in good spirits. Hawaii News Now.

Despite recent crash, military says air combat training exercises are crucial. A Hawaii lawmaker stressed the importance of military training exercises. KITV.

Southwest Airlines Co. is confident about prospects for its coming service to Hawaii, despite declining fares to the islands and a rival’s report of weak demand. Bloomberg News.

Oahu

Second-in-command at city Prosecutor’s Office steps aside amid widening federal probe. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro’s deputy takes leave. One of Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro’s top deputies who has been linked to a federal investigation of government corruption is taking a leave of absence effective immediately, according to a statement sent by his attorney today. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s Chief Deputy Prosecutor Taking Leave Amid Federal Corruption Probe. Chasid Sapolu was identified as a “subject” last week in the widening investigation into local law enforcement. Civil Beat.

High-ranking prosecutor takes leave of absence amid federal investigation. KHON2.

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The Cost Of Honolulu Rail’s Westside Stations Keeps Going Up. HART had boasted of savings from its decision to build the nine stations three at a time. But those savings have disappeared. Civil Beat.

City introduces new proposal for separated walkway near a Kalihi elementary school. An effort is in the works to make the trip to school safer for kids going to Fern Elementary in Kalihi, by making a new separated walkway. KHON2.

Deadline Looms for Waikiki Natatorium Draft EIS. The deadline for the long awaited Draft Environmental Impact Statement is December 24th, Christmas Eve. Hawaii Public Radio.

High levels of bacteria found at Hanauma Bay. The state Department of Health has issued a high bacteria advisory today for Hanauma Bay. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island dairy that spilled millions of gallons of raw sewage faces big fines. The state is seeking $91,000 in fines against embattled Big Island Dairy for massive wastewater spills this spring. Hawaii News Now.

Linda McMahon, the head of the United States Small Business Administration, talked about the eruption of Kilauea Volcano during her keynote address at the 2018 Winter Meeting of the Western Governors’ Association on Thursday. Big Island Video News.

What’s next for Kilauea? Volcano might enter into lull, research article says. Tribune-Herald.

Henk Rogers, the Dutch-born entrepreneur who founded the Blue Planet Foundation (and who brought the Tetris video game to the U.S. in the '80s) pressed governors from around the western United States to adopt aggressive renewable energy mandates in their states. Big Island Video News.

Retired Washington judge pushes controversial theory on who killed Dana Ireland. A retired judge with a controversial theory about one of Hawaii’s most notorious murders is still pressing forward, despite rejection by prosecutors and defense attorneys. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

26 pages of liquor rule changes OK’d. The Maui County Liquor Control Commission approved another round of rule changes Wednesday — this time received favorably — that assist nonprofits holding special events and restaurant owners with liquor licenses. Maui News.

Extension OK’d for old Maui Lu project. Developer given to 2027 for timeshare development. Maui News.

Construction of Wailea hotel to start in February. Construction of a new 110-room boutique hotel on Maui is scheduled to begin in February, completing the full build-out of hotels in the Wailea Resort master plan, which dates back to 1987. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative is closing out the year with nearly 45 percent of its fuel needs being met from renewable sources following 12 months of productivity from a Tesla solar- plus-storage facility. Star-Advertiser.

Clean your boots. Rapid Ohia Death was on the table at the Kauai County Council committee meetings on Wednesday as part of ongoing outreach to educate people in Hawaii about the fungus targeting the native trees. Garden Island.

Wash Off Those Invasive Species After A Hike Or Backcountry Drive. A few precautions can prevent the spread of undesirable plants and critters, ecotourism operators are told. But the advice applies to everyone. Civil Beat.

Psychiatric hospital employees cleared in killer's escape, state shorted in federal funds, CIO stepping down, pilot rescued in military 'Sentry Aloha' crash, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii road construction ©2018 All Hawaii News

Hawaii only state shut out of federal DOT grants. The federal Department of Transportation will disburse some $1.5 billion to fund 91 infrastructure projects around the country — none in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

State information chief Todd Nacapuy resigning at year’s end.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s Chief Information Officer Is Stepping Down. The state’s top technology official, Todd Nacapuy, was appointed by Gov. David Ige in 2014. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii State Hospital workers cleared in killer’s escape. The Hawaii State Hospital employees who were put on paid leave and suspected of possibly helping dangerous psychiatric patient Randall Saito make an infamous escape to Maui and California using cash and fake identifi­cation have been cleared and face no discipline, state officials announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

State Hospital Employees Won’t Be Disciplined For Patient’s Escape. Attorney General Russell Suzuki said no employee aided Randall Saito in the killer’s 2017 escape, but that hospital security was lax. Civil Beat.

State Hospital Staff Cleared of Wrongdoing in Randall Saito 2017 Escape. Hawaii Public Radio.

No state employees disciplined after investigation into admitted killer’s escape. Hawaii News Now.

State concludes no Hawaii State Hospital employee responsible for Randall Saito's escape. KHON2.

AG investigation concludes Hawaii State Hospital staff did not assist escapee Randall Saito. The AG and the Hawaii Department of Health held a press conference Wednesday to discuss the closure of investigation of Randall Saito’s escape from Hawaii State Hospital. KITV.

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Pilot rescued after small military training plane crashes off Oahu. Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam officials said in a statement that the jet was being operated by a civilian contractor flying in conjunction with the Hawaii Air National Guard’s “Sentry Aloha” exercises, which are scheduled through Dec. 19. Star-Advertiser.

Military exercises to resume as officials investigate cause of offshore fighter jet crash. Multiple agencies will meet Thursday morning to determine who will handle the investigation and salvage efforts following a fighter jet crash off Honolulu that seriously injured a pilot. Hawaii News Now.

Pilot Survives After Plane Crashes Into Ocean Near Honolulu Airport. The pilot was a civilian contractor for the Hawaii Air National Guard taking part in an exercise called Sentry Aloha. Associated Press.

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Hawaiian Airlines to offer cheaper seat option starting in 2019. Starting 2019, a fourth tier will be added: the addition of Main Cabin Basic. It's a bare-bones version: no ticket changes or standby; seats are assigned after check-in, and though you can earn HawaiianMiles, travelers who choose this option will not be eligible for bonus miles. KHON2.

The owners and officers of a Japanese-flagged fishing vessel were charged Tuesday with smuggling and trafficking 962 shark fins into and out of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Ag tech and resource management offer opportunities for Hawaii-Israel collaboration. When it comes to agricultural technology and resource management, Hawaii is finding a partner in collaboration nearly halfway around the world. West Hawaii Today.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Corruption Probe Now Includes Katherine Kealoha’s Brother. A federal grand jury continues to expand its investigation, now delving into prescription pain medications that were seized during a 2015 drug raid. Civil Beat.

Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro is free to disclose that he is a target of a federal investigation into government corruption and owes it to the people who elected him to do so, several criminal defense attorneys told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Experts: Kaneshiro Can Talk About Federal Investigation If He Wants To. There’s no rule that prohibits Honolulu’s elected prosecutor from telling the public whether he is the target of a Justice Department probe. Star-Advertiser.

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Private Guards Help Keep The Homeless From Camping In Parks. Calling it a success, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is extending a program in which the guards shuttle between nine parks. Civil Beat.

First of its kind renewable gas facility opens on Oahu. The purpose is to turn sewage into energy and hopefully eliminate the need for nearly 15,000 barrels of oil per year. KITV.

Opening of Hawaii’s first Daiso in Pearl City draws hundreds. The 5,000-square-foot Japanese discount store at the Pearl City Shopping Center is the first of three or four planned on Oahu by HouseMart, the parent company of Ben Franklin Crafts and Ace Hardware, which has an exclusive licensing agreement to open Daiso stores in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The county Board of Ethics is trying to add teeth to what has historically been a paper tiger, more than a decade after the County Council gave it authority to fine public officials who violate the ethics code. West Hawaii Today.

A Kalapana woman is headed to jail for failing to complete court-ordered community service stemming from a 2017 case of vandalism atop Maunakea. West Hawaii Today.

It’s not often that Hawaii Island gets to hear directly from top United States Cabinet officials when major legislation gets a vote in Washington D.C., but that’s what happened on Wednesday as Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue took questions on the passage of the 2019 Farm Bill. Big Island Video News.

Progress continues on the new Puna Kai shopping center in Pahoa, which is set to open next fall, months after original plans intended. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Central Maui’s inland sand in decline. Off-island exports have fallen since 2006, report says. Nearly 2 million tons of sand have been removed from Central Maui since 2006, leaving it either depleted or very soon to be depleted and unable to replenish the island’s beaches that need some 158,000 tons of sand, according to a new study released Tuesday on sand availability in the county. Maui News.

Council takes no action after day of public testimony.  Nearly 50 people testified before the Maui County Council on Tuesday during a meeting that featured a packed agenda, including more funding for the Wailuku civic complex and bills to construct a parking lot in Kihei and relating to sand mining. Maui News.

Planning panel rejects Paia Inn permit, again. The Maui Planning Commission voted once more to deny a hearing officer’s report and special use permit for the Paia Inn, a decision that Paia Inn attorney Terry Revere said was expected to be appealed in circuit court. Maui News.

A Zipline company in Haiku and the County of Maui have reached an agreement to end a dispute over permits and subsequent notices of violation. Maui Now.

County agrees to allow zipline to continue. Haiku neighbors plan to file suit to block operation. Maui News.

Kauai

Erosion sets back beach, road work. An ongoing million-dollar project to fix Weke Road and the surrounding Black Pot Beach Park area is already starting to erode now that the winter’s big swells have arrived. Garden Island.

County officials are reminding the public that the solid waste staging area located at Kepuhi Point is open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Garden Island.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Perdue tours Kilauea lava flow, campaign started to impeach Honolulu prosecutor, dairy industry suffering, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, Twitter

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue was in Puna Tuesday, where he toured the damage from Kilauea Volcano alongside Hawaii Department of Agriculture Chairman Scott Enright and several local ag producers. Big Island Video News.

Once-Thriving Hawaii Dairy Industry Is On The ‘Brink Of Extinction’. There used to be 160 dairies in Hawaii. Only two remain, and one plans to close, meaning Hawaii could end up importing all of its milk. Civil Beat.

Ed Case backs Nancy Pelosi for House speaker. Ed Case, who is set to be sworn into Congress on Jan. 3, is supporting U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s bid to be speaker of the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. Star-Advertiser.

Governors from throughout the nation’s west on Tuesday came together for a talk on biosecurity as well as the potential for interstate collaboration on preventing and combating invasive species. West Hawaii Today.

Will increasing the fine for drivers who don't stop for pedestrians save lives? Council Member Ron Menor wants the State to double fines for drivers who don't stop for pedestrians. KHON2.

Investigators to release long-awaited probe into admitted killer’s State Hospital escape. More than a year after an admitted killer escaped from Hawaii State Hospital and jumped on a plane for California, the state has completed an investigation into the incident. Hawaii News Now.

No One Is Speaking Up For Hawaii’s Renters. There is no organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of tenants, and a new study finds they lose nearly every eviction case. Civil Beat.

Why Has Wall Street Punished Hawaiian Airlines? The high-flying growth of Hawaii’s largest private employer has slowed recently thanks to storms, volcanos, increased competition and lower fares. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Campaign to impeach city prosecutor launched as he shows no signs of stepping aside amid federal probe. Kaneshiro has made no moves to step aside, prompting some to look into the impeachment process. Hawaii News Now.

Former Honolulu city prosecutor calls for Keith Kaneshiro to quit or be impeached. KITV.

The City Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday declined to say whether three top prosecutors who reportedly have been linked to an ongoing federal investigation of government corruption have taken leave or are still on the job. Star-Advertiser.

Neighborhood Opposes Cemetery Expansion. Longtime Kaneohe resident Rich McCreedy has opposed the expansion plan of Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery. Hawaii Public Radio.

City to close parts of a Chinatown park that’s become a haven for the homeless. The city is shutting down parts of Aala Park for maintenance from Wednesday through mid-January. Hawaii News Now.

A new, privately owned public park in the urban core of Honolulu is set to open Friday ahead of a state-mandated deadline, and it will debut in the holiday spirit with a high-tech display of lights. Star-Advertiser.

Niu Valley Middle School teacher Zachary Morita hopes to inspire students statewide by creating a musical Olympics with the $100,000 grant he won through the Dream Big Teacher Challenge. Star-Advertiser.

Lambchop, a Hawaiian monk seal who was a more than 30-year resident of Sea Life Park, died Tuesday from a sudden decline in health from age-related kidney disease, according to a statement released by the park. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu condo sells for record $23.5 million. Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties announced Tuesday that it represented a buyer who paid $23.5 million for one of three “grand penthouse” units at the Park Lane Ala Moana condo. Star-Advertiser.

Park Lane Ala Moana grand penthouse sells for $23.5M (Slideshow). Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Puna Geothermal Venture was given the go-ahead to restore road access to its lava-locked property. Tribune-Herald.

Police say a woman shot by officers Tuesday morning on Kahakai Boulevard in Hawaiian Beaches subdivision brandished a rifle despite being ordered by police to drop the weapon and was wanted an arrest warrant. Tribune-Herald.

Woman fatally shot by Big Island police after pointing rifle at officers. Hawaii News Now.

A District Court judge Tuesday doled out a plethora of community service hours to a group of hikers cited for trespassing after they were swept away amid flash flooding, prompting a daring, hours-long rescue last month at Anna’s Pond. West Hawaii Today.

Future patients and the public on Tuesday evening got a chance to glance inside Kona’s first ever medical marijuana dispensary, owned and operated by Hawaiian Ethos. West Hawaii Today.

Mortgage delinquencies on Hawaii's Big Island grow after Kilauea eruption. The number of mortgages in some stage of foreclosure in Hawaii declined slightly in September, as the number mortgages facing some form of foreclosure on the Big Island grew following the eruption of Kilauea volcano, according to a new report by CoreLogic. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Maui County Managing Director Keith Regan has been appointed chief administrative officer for the Hawai’i Tourism Authority. The announcement from the authority says that Regan will begin work Monday. Maui News.

Mayor-elect Mike Victorino announced his appointees for chief of staff, managing director and 11 department directors on Monday afternoon — a slate which included five current directors and the deputy director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Maui News.

Workers from Ono Construction LLC install sections of roofing on the South Maui Community Park Recreation Center late last month. Construction of the long-awaited gymnasium is on target to be finished next spring. Maui News.

Kauai

The public is advised that a portion of Puolo Road in Hanapepe will be closed for reconstruction work, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Dec. 13, weather pending. Garden Island.

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency successfully intercepted an intermediate-range ballistic missile in a live-fire test Monday night from the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. Garden Island.

FBI closing in on Honolulu prosecutors, Ige outlines biosecurity plans, man swims from Japan to Hawaii, Maui mayor-elect names top staff, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kaneshiro Honolulu prosecutor meeting, from city website

Honolulu City prosecutor shows no signs of stepping aside after getting formal notice that he’s a target of federal probe.  City Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro has received a Justice Department target letter informing him that he’s under investigation in the federal public corruption probe that has already led to two indictments against his former top deputy, Katherine Kealoha. Hawaii News Now.

Kaneshiro

Federal Investigators Are Digging Deeper Into Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office. The Justice Department inquiry into Honolulu police corruption has lasted four years and resulted in numerous indictments. But Keith Kaneshiro isn’t talking. Civil Beat.

Keith Kaneshiro is serving his fourth term in the elected position of Honolulu’s prosecuting attorney. And according to the city charter, it doesn’t take much to start the process of impeachment. Hawaii News Now.

Three top city prosecutors, including Keith Kaneshiro, should go on leave because of a taint created after the three reportedly received letters from the federal government linking them to a wide-ranging public corruption probe, according to criminal defense attorneys, a City Council member and a California law professor. Star-Advertiser.

City Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro is reportedly under federal investigation. He could be the next high-profile target in the corruption case involving former Chief of Police Louis Kealoha and his wife former deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha. KITV.

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Gov. David Ige wants biocontrol center to tackle invasive species. Gov. David Ige wants biocontrol center to tackle invasive species. Star-Advertiser.

Governor Ige outlined approach to combating invasive species. At the center of his philosophy, strength in numbers. KITV.

Ige talks biosecurity at Western Governors Association Winter Meeting. A contingent of governors from 19 states and three U.S. territories convened at the Fairmont Orchid Monday on the first day of the Western Governors Association Winter Meeting. The topic of note was biosecurity, an initiative for which Hawaii has considerable ambitions. West Hawaii Today.

Invasive Species Talks Held Before Western Governors’ Meeting. The day before the Western Governors’ Association 2018 Winter Meeting, a workshop is held, focused on the impacts of invasive species, pests and pathogens. Big Island Video News.

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Hawaii Tourism Authority fills 2 more top leadership positions. The Hawaii Tourism Authority today named two more hires marking the first time since March that the state agency has had all three of its top positions filled. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority has filled two vacant leadership positions about two weeks after appointing Chris Tatum as its new CEO. Pacific Business News.

OHA Elects Officers and Look to the Future. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs conducted its first meeting following the November 6th election of new members. Hawaii Public Radio.

Colette Machado of Molokai has been unanimously re-elected to lead the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees. Star-Advertiser.

Man swims from Japan to Hawaii to raise awareness on ocean pollution. Ben Lecomte was originally supposed to swim from Japan to San Francisco, but bad weather forced him to make a quick stop in our islands. KHON2.

The Fight Against Flight At Hawaii’s Public Middle Schools. Educators know they have to persuade parents that this isn’t the time to send their kids to private school — or a different public school. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Department of Education is looking for a vendor to provide beef to schools as it continues efforts to locally source food for student lunches. Associated Press.

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture reports the selection of Kevin Michael Hoffman, Ph.D. as the administrator for the Plant Industry Division and as the State Plant Regulatory Official effective Wednesday, Jan. 16. Big Island Now.

Oahu

After years of planning and prep, church opens igloos-shaped shelters to the homeless. More than two and a half years after an Oahu church made international headlines for its plan to build igloo-shaped shelters for the homeless, families are finally moving in. Hawaii News Now.

New tower brings more affordable units to urban core. A predominantly affordable-housing condominium tower in urban Honolulu began filling up Monday with an initial group of new homeowners moving in. Star-Advertiser.

SamKoo's mostly affordable Kapiolani Residence condo tower opens to residents. Kapiolani Residence, SamKoo Pacific’s mostly affordable 484-unit condominium tower near Ala Moana Center in Honolulu, opened to residents on Monday, nearly two years after the project sold out. Pacific Business News.

More Burglaries, Fewer Rapes Reported At UH Manoa. Newly released statistics show the number of reported rapes dropped from 13 in 2016 to seven in 2017. Civil Beat.

City announces weeks-long, partial closure of another urban park. The city is shutting down parts of Aala Park for maintenance from Wednesday through mid-January. Hawaii News Now.

Work for Honolulu's rail project will require lane and sidewalk closures around the intersection of Queen and Waimanu streets. KHON2.

Oahu solar PV permits down 16% in November. Hawaii's largest solar market experienced a double-digit decrease in the number of solar photovoltaic permits last month, compared to November 2017, bringing the total number of PV permit issued on Oahu below last year's record low, new county data shows. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Navy seeks additional comment on planned special ops exercises. Residents can still comment on the U.S. Navy’s plans for joint special operations training off the West Hawaii coast and elsewhere in the state. West Hawaii Today.

Local boat captains are keeping a weather eye on new rules that increase fees at the state’s small boat harbors. The rules, proposed by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, raise mooring, utility, facility, storage, ramp and commercial permit fees. West Hawaii Today.

Maunakea Observatories on Monday launched a new website: www.maunakeaobservatories.org. The image-rich site is designed to enhance the community’s connection to the collaboration of observatories atop Maunakea, offering visitors insights into the observatories’ mission, community impact, environmental stewardship, cultural heritage and valuable contributions to science, as well as up-to-date access to news and career opportunities. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor-Elect Michael Victorino announced 12 intended appointments to his incoming administration during a press conference this afternoon at his Wailuku headquarters. Maui Now.

From a desk job to fire captain. A trailblazing woman takes charge among a band of firefighting brothers. Garden Island.


Median prices of condos rocket up in Nov. Supply issues a factor in increase in values. Maui News.

Sale volume and prices for homes sold on Maui last month were mostly higher, according to the Realtors Association of Maui. The trade association recently reported that the biggest change was a 32 percent jump in the median sale price for condominiums, to $528,650 in November from $399,500 a year earlier. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

US successfully shoots down intermediate-range ballistic missile in test off Kauai. The U.S. Navy and Missile Defense Agency successfully shot down an intermediate-range ballistic missile Tuesday during a test off Hawaii. The MDA said the Navy launched the interceptor from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai using the Aegis Ashore system. Hawaii News Now.

The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife is inviting Kauai residents to submit applications for positions on a community council to advise the Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Program. Garden Island.

Coworking space launched at HA Coffee. HA Coffee just celebrated its five-year anniversary, and instead of hosting a party, they’re taking on a new coworking space venture — Kuleana.work. Garden Island.

Molokai

Molokai activists warn they’ll protest if Navy goes through with military exercises offshore. The Naval Special Operations Training is proposed for next year at sites statewide and the Navy wants public feedback on the plan. Hawaii News Now.

Harbor fees to rise, Oahu beach erosion uncovered, vets lose free access to Kilauea Military Camp, Land Board denies contested case for Maui water access, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Ala Wai boat harbor ©2018 All Hawaii News

The state Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation got the green light Friday to move forward with public hearings on proposed fee hikes at small boat harbors that, if approved, will affect more than 10,000 boaters. Star-Advertiser.

Hearings on New Fees Proposed at Small Boat Harbors. The Board of Land & Natural Resources voted on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, to approve a proposal by the DLNR Division of Boating & Ocean Recreation to move forward with public hearings on new proposed fees at small boat harbors. Big island Now.

Census: The Gap Between Rich And Poor In Hawaii Is Growing. Home values and household income in Hawaii vary widely depending on where you live. Civil Beat.

Identities of Over 400 Pearl Harbor Dead Still Unknown. Technological advancements are allowing forensic scientists at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency to determine the identities of hundreds of Americans who were buried as unknowns. Hawaii Public Radio.

About nine of every 10 eviction lawsuits in the state result in tenants losing their homes, an outcome that partly reflects a huge disparity in who gets help from attorneys, according to a landmark study that analyzed a decade of Hawaii court data. Star-Advertiser.

Providing legal help to tenants shows promising results. Star-Advertiser.

In an effort to ensure brown tree snakes never establish themselves in Hawaii, the state Department of Agriculture is taking what appears an ironic step. It’s bringing four of them in. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii had fewer confirmed large whale entanglements than much of the rest of United States waters, according to the recently released National Report on Large Whale Entanglements in 2017. Garden Island.

The Hawaiian-language version of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana” will be distributed in DVD format for free to accredited schools across the state following a yearlong production. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Political leaders and land managers are failing to protect Hawaii’s beaches despite policies that call for them to safeguard the natural shoreline. That’s the conclusion of a new study by University of Hawaii-Manoa researchers who documented the disappearance and narrowing of beaches on a section of Oahu’s windward coast over the last century. Star-Advertiser.

Can placing park security at select Honolulu locations be the solution to keep out the homeless and end vandalism? The Mayor says yes through a pilot program that began last month, and  nearby residents agree. KITV.

Reforming DPP: Planning, Permitting and Delays. These are busy days for Oahu’s Department of Planning and Permitting. There are issues with so-called monster homes and the housing shortage. And there’s new attention on the slow turn-around on building permits. Hawaii Public Radio.

45-story condominium in Honolulu’s urban core to welcome new homeowners. The price for the affordable units starts at $272K.  Hawaii News Now.

Dead Bats Are Changing People’s Minds About This Energy Project. North Shore residents used to be mostly OK with the Waimea Bay wind farm. Now they’re not so sure. Civil Beat.

An illegal dump site the length of 13 football fields is ticking off Waianae residents. Waianae residents are complaining about a major illegal dump site. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu home prices rise 3% but sales drop by double digits. Home prices on Oahu rose by about 3 percent last month, compared to November of last year, but the number of single-family homes and condominiums sold fell by more than 10 percent, according to statistics from the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Veterans headed to Kilauea Military Camp inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park may be surprised to find they have to pay a park entrance fee. In the past, veterans who didn’t have a park pass would be allowed to enter for free if they were going to KMC, a military recreation facility on the rim of the Kilauea caldera, and showed a retired military identification card. Tribune-Herald.

Ready for takeoff: UH-Hilo prepares aeronautical science program. After years of effort, a four-year aeronautical science program will finally take flight at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

2 carriers seek Waimea-Kohala Airport contract. In response to a federal request for proposals from the U.S. Department of Transportation, two air carriers are vying to offer federally subsidized flights out of the Waimea-Kohala Airport. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

BLNR denies contested case for A&B water leases. East Maui Irrigation Co. may continue to divert stream water. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources unanimously rejected Friday a request from the Sierra Club for a contested case hearing on Alexander & Baldwin’s request for time extensions for water-use permits from streams on state lands in East Maui. Maui News.

County seeks seniors, caregivers for survey. A survey of older adults and their caregivers is being conducted by the Maui County Office on Aging through Feb. 1. Maui News.


Maui condo prices jump 32% in November. Home process on Maui rose last month, compered to November 2017, with the median price of a single-family home rising nearly 8 percent and the median price of a condominium jumping 32 percent, according to statistics from the Realtors Association of Maui. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

New things perking at Kauai Coffee. Darla Domingo and Fred Cowell of Kauai Coffee announced the opening of a new Kauai Coffee shop that will be opening in a matter of days at the Coconut Marketplace in Waipouli. Garden Island.

Molokai

Final approval of Molokai Island Community Plan on Dec. 11 agenda. On Nov. 16, a public hearing, in conjunction with a full County Council meeting, was held at the Kaunakakai Elementary School, where the revisions to the Molokai Island Community Plan were approved. Maui News.

Pearl Harbor anniversary commemorated, Hawaii Department of Education sued over Title IX female access to sports, Big Island beach reopens after lava flow, Patsy Mink statue unveiled, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

The USS Arizona burning after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, public domain photo

Hundreds to gather for 77th anniversary of attack on Pearl Harbor. As they do every year, hundreds of veterans, service members and dignitaries will solemnly gather Friday to mark the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Hawaii News Now.

Ceremonies mark 77th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack. There will be a number of public events commemorating the date, including a ceremony at Barbers Point, which was also hit that day, and a parade through Waikiki. KHON2.

Pearl Harbor attack survivor remembers the day from afar. Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Don Long was alone on an anchored military seaplane in the middle of a bay across the island from Pearl Harbor when Japanese warplanes started striking Hawaii on December 7, 1941, watching from afar as the bombs and bullets killed and wounded thousands. Associated Press.

Pearl Harbor re-burials across the US give families closure. Some who died on Dec. 7, 1941, are finally being laid to rest in cemeteries across the United States. KITV.

Pouring of Blackened Canteen WWII relic helps heal U.S.-Japanese rifts. For 26 years a U.S canteen blackened and battered in the midair collision of two B-29 bombers in Japan during World War II — a symbol of the horror of war — has been an instrument of peace and reconciliation at Pearl Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

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ACLU files class action lawsuit against DOE, OIA for Title IX non-compliance. Campbell High is at the center of this lawsuit, but the accusations extend to public schools across the state, and go back decades. KITV.

'Unequal treatment’: Athletes file class action over lack of girls’ facilities, opportunities at Hawaii schools. Athletes at Campbell High have filed a federal class action lawsuit over a lack of girls' sports facilities and opportunities at Hawaii high schools. Hawaii News Now.

A federal class action lawsuit against the Hawaii Department of Education was filed Thursday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii over gender inequities for female athletes at the state’s most populous high school. Civil Beat.

Class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of Campbell High's female student-athletes. On Thursday, the ACLU of Hawaii filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court on behalf of two female student-athletes attending James Campbell High School. KHON2.

With a lei-bedecked statue of Congresswoman Patsy Mink as a backdrop, civil rights attorneys announced Thursday they had filed a lawsuit seeking to end discrimination against female athletes in Hawaii’s public schools. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmaker says Legislature to blame for Title IX lawsuit. Changing in teachers closets, in plain view on the practice field, even at a nearby Burger King bathroom -  the ACLU of Hawaii says that's what female athletes at Campbell High School deal with daily. KHON2.

A major opportunity has opened in Hawaii for those hoping to work in the airline industry. The University of Hawaii is partnering with an aviation academy to create courses which will foster pilots, mechanics, flight attendants, and aeronautical engineers. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Things Are Actually Looking Up At Honolulu Airport. Modernization of Daniel K. Inouye International has been years in coming. But real change is in the air. Civil Beat.

Patsy T. Mink Monument Dedicated On Her Birthday. A statue of Hawaii’s former Congresswoman Patsy Mink was dedicated today. Hawaii Public Radio.

Statue honors legacy of former Congresswoman in place close to her heart. The legacy of former U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink was honored Thursday at the Hawaii State Library, where a life-size bronze sculpture was dedicated. KHON2.

Kakaako condo Aeo ready for owners. By late January all 466 owners in the sold-out building are scheduled to take possession of their new homes, which cost $1 million on average. Star-Advertiser.

State removes eyesore from Maunalua Bay shoreline. Contractors moved concrete one shovel at a time Thursday in order to successfully remove a large eyesore that’s been parked on the Maunalua Bay shoreline. Hawaii News Now.

Kamehameha Schools and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands have executed the ground lease on three acres of land for the trust’s $10.9 million learning center on the Waianae Coast. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu home prices rise 3% but sales drop by double digits. Home prices on Oahu rose by about 3 percent last month, compared to November of last year, but the number of single-family homes and condominiums sold fell by more than 10 percent, according to statistics from the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Hundreds turn out for reopening of Isaac Hale Beach Park at Pohoiki. The reopening of Isaac Hale Beach Park attracted hundreds of Puna residents eager to witness the creative side of the recent Kilauea eruption and return to a refuge many thought would be consumed by lava. Tribune-Herald.

Today, the gate at Isaac Hale Beach Park opened to the public for the first time since the eruption of Kilauea Volcano forced its closure. Big Island Video News.

Puna Park Cut Off By Lava Reopens, Attracting Hundreds. “They needed something to feel good about,” said Mayor Harry Kim of the locals who showed up in Pohoiki on Thursday. Civil Beat.

Months after lava swallowed Pohoiki, hundreds flock to reopening of Isaac Hale Beach Park. ‘It’s still beautiful... but it’s changed. It will be forever changed.’ Hawaii News Now.

Hundreds celebrate reopening of Hawaii island beach nearly lost to lava. KHON2.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim today signed a Sixth Supplementary Emergency Proclamation, lifting a set of lava-related prohibitions but keeping others in place for the time being. Big Island Video News.

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Proposed water bottling plant raises concerns. The Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission delayed the approval of a permit for a water bottling facility near Wailoa River State Recreation Area after a contentious meeting Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

The Department of Environmental Management has announced a public meeting to discuss the Lono Kona sewer project, which will connect 145 assessment units on 110 lots, the equivalent of 268 single-family homes, to sewer lines mauka of the Kuakini Highway McDonald’s in an area more popularly known as Hamburger Hill. West Hawaii Today.

Kona Community Hospital shuts down due to scabies outbreak. Hospital leadership made the decision to “temporarily close all patient units” as an “aggressive preventive measure to protect patients and staff from potential exposure to infection.” Star-Advertiser.

Maui

End of sugar farming may impact aquifer water yields. As planners chart out Maui island’s water use over the next 20 years, uncertainty hovers over the region with the largest population but the least groundwater resources. Maui News.

Two-story clubhouse plan for Waiehu to be unveiled. Public can see conceptual vision for municipal course at two events. Maui News.

Kauai

Gary Hooser an ‘Unsung Hero’. From grassroots organizing to state senator and majority leader, Gary Hooser has been advocating for Hawaii’s environment and people for years. Garden Island.

Portions of Waha Road in Kalaheo will be closed for reconstruction work, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., from today to Dec. 10 or 11, weather pending. Garden Island.

Hawaii second-worst for driving, sprinklers for Honolulu high-rises, University of Hawaii faculty holds anti-Thirty Meter Telescope press conference, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu traffic file photo

No surprises here: In a new study, Hawaii is ranked the second-worst state for drivers. The study, conducted by Bankrate, gave Hawaii some of the worst numbers in several areas related to safety, cost and driving quality. It analyzed commute time information, traffic fatality data, road condition reports and gas prices — all of which Hawaii drivers deal with on a daily basis. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii placed 2nd for worst drivers across the nation, according to study. Personal finance site Bankrate.com has ranked the best and worst states for drivers related to cost, safety, and driving quality. KITV.

Commuting Oahu: ‘It Takes Your Time And It Gives You Back Stress’ Some of us live closer to our jobs than ever. But it’s taking longer to get there. And the cost in lost time, dollars and home life is heavy. Civil Beat.

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 Former carpenters’ union official is Green’s chief of staff. Lt. Gov. Josh Green appointed a former carpenters’ union official to be his chief of staff months after a super PAC funded by the union spent more than $1 million supporting his candidacy in the Democratic Party primary. Associated Press.

Bravery of USS Vestal crew saved many lives. History focuses most on the cataclysmic explosion on the USS Arizona and sunken battleship memorial — still a tomb for over 900 crew — in remembering the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian monk seal has eel removed from its nose. On Monday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program posted to its Facebook page a photo of a juvenile monk seal with what appears to be a spotted eel in its nose. Star-Advertiser.

Wisdom, a Laysan albatross reputed to be the world’s oldest known bird in the wild, has returned to Midway Atoll and laid another egg, federal wildlife officials confirmed earlier this week. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Sprinkler extension denied. At its last meeting of 2018, the Honolulu City Council failed to override Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s veto of a bill easing condo fire safety rules, but gave the final green light for Waikiki’s first, large-scale rental complex in decades and moved forward with proposals regulating vacation rentals and “monster” houses. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council failed to override the Mayor’s Veto of an important fire sprinkler bill. Bill 72, allows high-rise condominiums without fire sprinkler systems an additional 2 years to complete a life system evaluation and retrofit. Hawaii Public Radio.

High rise fire inspections to remain at three years vs. five, post-Marco Polo fire. The Honolulu City Council voted five-to-three on Bill 72. This keeps high rise building fire inspections to three years instead of five. KITV.

City Ethics Commission Is Investigating Far Fewer Cases Than 2 Years Ago. Director Jan Yamane, who took over from Chuck Totto, is emphasizing training over investigation in an effort to change the culture. Civil Beat.

Legal community urges action against Honolulu prosecutors mixed up in federal criminal probe. There is growing pressure on the city Prosecutor’s Office after a Hawaii News Now investigation revealed First Deputy Chasid Sapolu was sent a subject letter from the Department of Justice. Hawaii News Now.

Islandwide Homeless Restrictions Approved — But Are They Legal? A recent federal court ruling has some cities pulling back their bans on homeless people camping in public places. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

With the legal fight against the Thirty Meter Telescope appeared to be over, University of Hawaii faculty, staff and students took their case to the public Wednesday in a press conference on the UH Manoa campus. Star-Advertiser.

Energy experts discuss grid resiliency, redesign against external threats. The components of the concept were part of a panel discussion Wednesday at a conference on energy storage trends and opportunities convened by the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority and held at the Sheraton Kona at Keauhou Bay. West Hawaii Today.

As checkpoints come down inside Leilani Estates, Hawaii Island residents face uncertainty for future. KHON2.

Puna’s New Councilmember Ashley Kierkiewicz Looks Ahead. Big Island Video News.

Paradise Helicopters expands Big Island service. Kona-based Paradise Helicopters is expanding its service to the Waimea-Kohala Airport on the Big Island with the launch of a new tour. Pacific Business News.

Home sales drop on Hawaii's Big Island, prices flat. The median price of a single-family home on the Big Island in November was $358,000, which was a decline of 3.57 percent from $371,250 during the same month last year. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Upcountry skate park just needs a fence. While not popular, county says it’s needed for safety. The Pukalani community will get its gift of a skate park probably early next year, and it will come with what some may call extra wrapping — a fence. Maui News.

Tourism on Maui appears to have weathered storms. October visitor arrivals, spending up, HTA data show. Tourism officials appeared to downplay the impacts of storms Lane and Olivia that arrived weeks apart in August and September following the release of October tourism data last week. Maui News.

Kauai

A bill that proposed to reform the county’s affordable housing policy did not pass a second hearing at the Kauai County Council meeting last week, losing in a 6-1 vote. Garden Island.

Former PMRF worker accused of wire fraud. The U.S. Pacific Fleet on Oahu is still putting together the pieces of how a woman allegedly stole nearly $356,000 from the Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility. Garden Island.

Kauai condo prices jump 35% in November. The median price of a condo on Kauai last month was $550,000, an increase of 35.47 percent from $406,000 in November 2017. Pacific Business News.