Mauna Kea management advances, surf's coming up, interim schools chief could be first from business community, special congressional election sought

The National Weather Service has issued a high-surf warning for north- and west-facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai and Maui and west-facing shores of the Big Island.

Although businesses had no specific numbers to back their claims, merchants along Maui's north shore say customer traffic and sales go up and even double when the surf rises.

A 3rd Circuit judge has ruled in favor of the University of Hawaii in dismissing a challenge to the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan.

A special election to fill the remainder of U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie's term in Congress could be held in May, provided that funding becomes available and the state obtains new voting machines.

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie announced he will resign his office effective Feb. 28 to run for Hawaii governor, leaving the 1st Congressional District without representation for at least a couple of months.

The State Office of Elections says it intends to hold a special election to fill the seat of outgoing Congressman Neil Abercrombie. But how, when, and where the funding comes from is all up the air.

Gov. Linda Lingle has nominated former U.S. Attorney Edward Kubo Jr. as an Oahu circuit judge, a seat left vacant by the retirement of Frances Wong.

Acting Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi, an attorney and former executive director of the Hawaii Business Roundtable, said yesterday she hopes to become the permanent chief of Hawai'i's public school system.

The acting superintendent of Hawaii's public schools will step into the Furlough Fridays fray tomorrow in her first appearance with the Board of Education team trying to nudge Gov. Linda Lingle's administration to restore classroom days to the school calendar.

While his heart, soul, family, friends and work are here on the Garden Isle, Kaua‘i Complex Area Superintendent Bill Arakaki said Monday that he would consider moving up the state Department of Education ladder if asked.

Police issued 93 citations and made one arrest for fireworks violations over the News Year's holiday this year, a 600% increase from the 14 issued during New Year's 2009.

Starting Tuesday hundreds of public school children will head back to the classroom after the holiday break to face changes to the school bus service.