Hawaii students lag behind nation in SAT scores, beach-widening during APEC, gubernatorial candidates still going at it, UH gets $9M biomed grant, more news from around the isles

Hawaii hoteliers will be among the first to net returns from the 2011 Asia-Pacifc Economic Cooperation when its 21 member economies begin next month booking rooms from a short list of hotels that have been cleared to handle the high-level international event. Star-Advertiser.

Widening of Waikiki Beach scheduled to start in 2011. Star-Advertiser.

The public got a chance to comment on the proposed widening of Waikiki Beach. Hawaii News Now.

Hundreds of workers at the Hilton Hawaiian Village voted Wednesday to authorize a strike. Hawaii News Now.

Scenes are being shot for the movie, Battleship, at Magic Island Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

The average SAT scores of college-bound Hawaii students nudged up this year, but still lag behind the national average, according to results released this week. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa said today that it was awarded a $9.2 million federal grant to help build a biomedical research base and to support early career researchers trying to become independent scientists. Associated Press.

After successful appeals, four more Hawaii public schools have met “adequate yearly progress” goals under the No Child Left Behind Act. Associated Press.

The state’s only organic-certifying body, the Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA), will suspend its program this month, forcing organic farmers in Hawaii to look to the mainland for certification. Molokai Dispatch.

Hawaii's Aloha spirit is being tested in Democratic primary for governor. Washington Post.

If one looked at the 2010 Democratic primary race for governor simply from the viewpoint of who’s funding the candidates, it might go down as a battle between engineers and educators. Honolulu Weekly.

Intense competition between two prominent gubernatorial candidates has split the allegiances of Democratic leaders, who expect to soon bury the ill will and unite behind the party's nominee. Tribune-Herald.

Former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and former U.S. Congressman Neil Abercrombie - both Democrats - made what's likely to be their last efforts to differentiate themselves to Maui voters before Saturday's primary election on issues such as taxes, civil unions, a lottery, government spending and the return of Hawaii Superferry. Maui News.

Five times as many candidates in Hawaii's 2002 primary election tapped into public matching funds for their campaigns than this year. Civil Beat.

With three days until the election candidates are trying to set themselves apart from opponents but it's sometimes easier said than done. Hawaii News Now.

State legislators are sitting on and spending piles of cash as they wait for the Nov. 2 general election. Tribune-Herald.

Some critics said Wednesday Honolulu prosecutor candidate Darwin Ching's TV ad goes too far in portraying Honolulu as crime-ridden. KITV.

The Hawaiian Humane Society for the first time in its history has completed a survey of how candidates for governor and Honolulu mayor feel about animal welfare issues. KITV.

A formal complaint has been filed with the state's Democratic Party over outgoing Honolulu City Councilman Gary Okino's endorsement of Republican candidates.  Associated Press.

The departure of Council Member Jo Anne Johnson from the West Maui residency seat has drawn seven candidates, all eager to step into her shoes. Maui News.

Retired car dealer James Pflueger and son Alan Pflueger, who took over the dealership, were indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday on conspiracy tax fraud charges of claiming personal expenses as deductible business expenses. Star-Advertiser.

A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted retired car dealer James Pflueger and others on charges related to tax fraud, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release. Garden Island.

The outrage over a sudden spike in property taxes for 247 Oahu residents was tackled head-on Wednesday by the Honolulu City's Council's Budget Committee. KHON2.

Genshiro Kawamoto owns an 87 acre parcel in Kahaluu that neighbors say is overgrown with trees that threaten public safety. KITV.

Police Bust Illegal Gambling Operation in Chinatown KHON2.

The scientists and backers of the Thirty Meter Telescope want the Big Island community working at, and benefiting from, the planned astronomy study site, a representative said Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County police officials are asking the County Council to move ahead with the lease of 100 more patrol car computers. West Hawaii Today.

Developers will face new requirements to provide recreation and firefighting facilities as a condition of rezoning under a bill the County Council Planning Committee is scheduled to consider Monday. West Hawaii Today.

The core of Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s strategic plan calls for reducing the Garden Isle’s dependence on imported fossil fuels while reliably delivering power to a growing customer base. Garden Island.