Special session may be in the works to save school days, rail funds fall short, other state news

The state House and Senate may have to amend the law to use the "rainy day" fund to reduce teacher furloughs because money from the fund cannot cover wages for state workers.

Political leaders are supporting Gov. Linda Lingle's proposal to end Furlough Fridays next year by changing the public school teachers' labor contract and raiding the state rainy day fund.

The 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders meeting in Honolulu will be the largest intergovernmental meeting of world leaders in the state's history, according to the president of the East-West Center, who played a key role in coordinating the bid.

Tax collections needed to build Honolulu's planned $5.5 billion elevated rail transit line fell 30 percent in October from a year earlier. The total collected — $8.9 million — was the lowest amount since February 2007, when just $2.2 million was collected during the second month after the excise tax surcharge was enacted.

There are 7,000 tons of garbage waiting for a ride to Washington State.

Members of the Honolulu City Council are calling on the Honolulu Police Commission to delay choosing the next police chief until its chairwoman answers council members' questions about the controversial selection process.

The 72-foot sailing vessel Momentum remains stranded offshore of the Sheraton Waikiki after running aground about 2:15 AM Monday.

Kona coffee has finally made its mark as ichi ban, or number one. According to some top coffee marketers, Kona coffee is now considered to be the world's most sought after gourmet coffee

Kauai's North Shore residents and business owners were working hard Monday to clean up after what they said was the worst rainstorm and flooding in recent memory.