Marine issues surface this week, gu bernatorial candidates address early childhood issues, Hyatt lays off 70, more Hawaii news

An international effort to create a Census of Marine Life was completed Monday with maps and three books, increasing the number of counted and validated species to 201,206. Associated Press.

Oil spill prevention and response officials in the Pacific are due to discuss lessons learned from this summer's oil spill off the Gulf Coast at meeting in Waikiki this week. Associated Press.

A Humane Society official said Friday that federal wildlife officials botched an operation intended to keep birds from endangering planes at Hilo International Airport. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii will be part of an unprecedented long-term study of children's health in the United States. Hawaii News Now.

An Olowalu Mauka resident is suing Maui County, claiming the developers of his subdivision violated numerous permit requirements, and county officials did nothing to enforce the law. Maui News.

Thousands of visitors stop at Sunset Beach every year to take in one of the best surf breaks in the world. KHON2.

The Kokua Kailua Village Stroll brings hundreds, if not thousands, of people into the downtown Kailua-Kona area, however, some business owners say the street fair has grown so large it's competing with the very people the event set out to help. West Hawaii Today.

The Kaua‘i Planning Commission approved Tuesday a bill that would ultimately give the county Planning Department the power to impose civil fines on zoning-ordinance violators, plus allow revenues to go to the county general fund. Garden Island.

Both Charles Djou and Colleen Hanabusa say one way to spur the economy is to avoid raising personal income taxes. Star-Advertiser.

Former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie said yesterday that if elected governor he would create a state Department of Early Childhood and restore funding for Healthy Start, a child-abuse prevention program, while Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona said he would propose a tax credit to help middle-class families afford preschool for their children. Star-Advertiser.

Early childhood education was the main issue addressed by the Democrat, Republican and Independent candidates. KHON2.

Allies of Republican gubernatorial candidate James ''Duke'' Aiona are employing a phrase in television ads and brochures that has been used innocuously in different contexts over the years. Associated Press.

Owners of historic homes on Oahu are getting substantial tax breaks to help offset the cost of preserving their properties, yet they are not required to reinvest the savings into the dwellings. Star-Advertiser.

Residents on the Big Island of Hawaii were shaken by a magnitude 3.9 earthquake Sunday morning. Hawaii News Now.

There will soon be more new The Kaua‘i Bus vehicles on the road, as U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawai‘i, said the county will receive $925,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation for new vehicles. Garden Island.

70 Hyatt employees laid off. Garden Island.

Hawaii transportation officials are seeking to buy a section of land that is now used to store sand and other materials as part of a move to expand facilities at Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor. Associated Press.

The state has launched an automated telephone directory that will ease the way for callers to reach executive and legislative branch offices. Associated Press.

A rather large object is attracting quite a bit of attention just offshore Kalama Beach Park in Kailua. KITV.