Hawaii lawmakers gamble on revenue generators, Abercrombie names homeless czar, Senate suspends prayer, car sales up, more news

Photo courtesy DLNR

Wildlife biologists and volunteers surveyed Hawaii's native and migratory waterbirds this week. Associated Press.

Legalized gambling is back on the legislature's agenda as one way to attack the state budget deficit. KITV4.

A state lawmaker has unveiled legislation to study the pros and cons of Hawaii joining a multistate lottery. Associated Press.

The Hawaii State Senate is ending the practice of opening each day’s floor session with an invocation, defusing a possible lawsuit regarding the separation of church and state. Hawaii Reporter.

Charges were dismissed in Wahiawa district court Thursday against four men involved in controversial north shore shark tours.KITV4.


Stressing his commitment to end homelessness in Hawaii, Governor Neil Abercrombie today announced the appointment of Marc Alexander as the Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness. KHON2.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie yesterday appointed Marc Alexander, the former vicar general of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu, as his homeless coordinator, a sign the governor will reach out to the faith-based community as partners. Star-Advertiser.

The Rev. Marc Alexander has resigned his priestly ministry and has accepted a new job, according to Honolulu Bishop Larry Silva. Hawaii News Now.

The reports cards are in...and Hawaii's earning mixed grades for tobacco control policies. KHON2.

Hawaii's ethics code is too loose, some lawmakers say. So loose, that a politician can receive income from a firm or lobbyist doing business before the Legislature without disclosing the financial relationship. Civil Beat.

Members of the Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery (PASS) attended the opening of the 2011 Hawaii Legislature, keen to support anti-human trafficking bills that are part of legislation to be debated this session. Hawaii Independent.

With more whales expected to migrate to Hawaii this season, experts anticipate more entanglements. Hawaii Public Radio.

The process of finding a new landfill on Oahu officially began today. KHON2.

A new online offering of campus crime reports aims to keep students at the University of Hawaii at Hilo informed and out of danger. Tribune-Herald.

The University of Hawaii's Board of Regents have extended President M.R.C. Greenwood's contract. Associated Press.

Pahala resident Gwen Sorensen wants police to ensure their dispatchers are properly trained to handle every type of emergency situation the island could possibly throw at them. West Hawaii Today.

Their airplanes aren't the only things with wings. Some say the pilots who fly them have wings as well. West Hawaii Today.

Seven families on Molokai are about to own their own houses for the first time. Molokai Dispatch.

Television reporter-turned state Department of Transportation spokeswoman Tammy Mori will return to the airwaves, rejoining KHON-TV Monday, Jan. 31. Star-Advertiser.

New vehicle registrations in Hawaii rose 3.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010 over the fourth quarter of 2009, according to the Hawaii Auto Outlook report released this morning. Star-Advertiser.

After the storms that passed through the Hawaiian Islands in the weeks before Christmas, most people have now heard of the "Pineapple Express" and the heavy rain and snowfall it caused in California. Star-Advertiser.