Endangered palila could become extinct, last gubernatorial debate shows no clear winner, Lingle wants GOP to vote GOP, teachers file lawsuit for health care, more state news

The endangered palila songbird — a species found only on the slopes of Mauna Kea volcano — is facing possible extinction as its population declines dramatically, officials said Tuesday. Associated Press.

State, federal and private organizations said an endangered Hawaiian songbird's population has fallen drastically in recent years. KITV.

After months of talking about each other's lack of experience and misguided intentions, the two men who would be Hawaii's Democratic candidate for governor faced off one last time in old Wailuku town. Star-Advertiser.

Despite the bad blood between them, their final joint appearance before Saturday's primary election was a civil exchange — and maybe moot, given that many people have already voted absentee. Civil Beat.

 Gov. Linda Lingle is calling on fellow Republican voters to cast GOP ballots and not to stray into the Democratic primary. Associated Press.

Governor Linda Lingle cast her ballot Tuesday at Honolulu Hale. Hawaii News Now.

Eleven candidates want to be Hawaii's lieutenant governor, a post that most political observers agree has few responsibilities and almost no power. Associated Press.

Hawaii has a new Supreme Court chief justice. KITV.

Hawaii public school teachers filed suit yesterday in Circuit Court to block changes in their health coverage, saying that the state's plan to do away with their health benefit trust fund is unconstitutional. Star-Advertiser.

A public school teacher files a class-action lawsuit against Governor Linda Lingle. Hawaii News Now.

Requests for mail-in absentee ballots have skyrocketed for this primary election. KITV.

If state and federal officials can't find coffee berry borer on other islands, Big Island farmers are facing some kind of quarantine, even temporarily, state Department of Agriculture officials said Monday morning. West Hawaii Today.

The debate over the proposed Honolulu rail project is intensified on Tuesday as a group of supporters urged Gov. Linda Lingle to approve the $5.5 billion project. KITV.

This Saturday's election is winner take all for the Honolulu mayor's race and the candidates didn't hold anything back in the live 90 minute debate at the Blaisdell Center. Hawaii News Now.

The four major candidates for Honolulu mayor exchanged barbs and tried to distinguish themselves from the pack at a final debate before Saturday's special election. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu mayor's race: candidate profiles Hawaii News Now.

Traveling through Honolulu International Airport just got a bit more comfortable and whole lot tastier. KHON2.

A high-ranking Hawai‘i lawmaker remains concerned about the price the state recently agreed to pay for two industrial lots to expand Lihu‘e Airport. Garden Island.

Following the controversial issues that have surfaced in the last few weeks regarding Lihu‘e Airport administration, state Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Donna Mercado Kim took a quick trip Tuesday to the Garden Island. Garden Island.

Gov. Linda Lingle has nominated a new deputy director of water resources within the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Associated Press.

Hawaii had the third most expensive hotel rates in the nation after New York and Massachusetts during the first half of the year. Associated Press.

The city requires low-income homeowners applying for a break on property taxes to submit a slew of documentation to verify eligibility. StarAdvertiser.

In the heat of the campaign season, election-related e-mail is making its way into county-owned computers, even though there are prohibitions against it. West Hawaii Today.

Hoping to score a knockout in the first round, candidates for the Hawaii County Council are digging deep into their war chests. Tribune-Herald.

Four candidates - each offering a distinct point of view - will give voters a clear choice in the race for the Maui County Council's Makawao-Haiku-Paia residency district. Maui News.