Friday, February 25, 2011

Hawaii population shifts to Neighbor Islands, Honolulu mayor gives dire forecast, state seeks to borrow rail funds, medical marijuana dispensaries advance, more Hawaii news

Waikiki street shows diverse population (c) 2011 All Hawaii News
Hawaii's population grew by about 8.8 percent to 1,360,301 people, with Hawaii and Maui counties seeing the largest jumps over the past decade, according to 2010 census data released this week. Star-Advertiser.

Census numbers released Thursday could literally reshape political and education district boundaries around the state. KITV4.

On Oahu, residents are headed west, out of downtown Honolulu and toward the long-discussed "second city," the 2010 U.S. Census shows. Civil Beat.

Population on the Neighbor Islands grew faster than on Oahu during the course of the past decade, according to recently released U.S. Census data. Pacific Business News

Two of the three fastest-growing regions on the fastest-growing island of the state are in West Hawaii. It's a development that doesn't surprise many but underscores the need for a close look at population trends when new county council district lines are drawn this year. West Hawaii Today.

Puna recorded tremendous growth in the last decade, according to Census figures released Thursday, becoming one of the fastest-growing districts in Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

The state Senate Ways and Means Committee approved and sent to the full Senate a plan to "borrow" city rail transit money, with the promise to pay back far more by selling state bonds. KITV4.

Oahu would have 10 medical marijuana "compassion centers" under a bill expected to pass the state Senate next week. Another 11 dispensaries would be distributed among the neighbor islands. KITV4.

The Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission would get a dedicated source of state funding under a proposal moving forward in this year's Legislature. Maui News.

While lawmakers debate a permanent source of funding for Kahoolawe, other bills moving forward in the Legislature also would affect the former "Target Island." Maui News.

The Hawaii Legislature is taking a scheduled break from floor sessions as lawmakers work on the state's finances and visit with their constituents. Associated Press.

Now that the civil unions bill has been signed into law, what preparations are taking place before the law takes effect January 1, 2012? KHON2.

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie canceled his trip to Washington because he is being treated for ear inflammation, his spokeswoman said. KITV4.

The National Park Service is holding public meetings over the next month to get input on internment camps in Hawaii during World War II to help it determine the best way to preserve these sites and share their history. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii has 15,722 applications for unemployment compensation of which 2,139 are first-time claims in the newest weekly report from the state Department of Labor & Industrial Relations. Hawaii News Now.

Shedding a number of "nonproductive" pieces of real estate and getting the city out of the business of managing affordable-housing properties would free up money and resources that could be put toward more important services, Mayor Peter Carlisle said. Star-Advertiser.

Two months ago Peter Carlisle became the 13th mayor of Honolulu. Today he delivered his first state of the city speech. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle opened his first State of the City address by practicing what he preached: After pledging to run an open and honest administration, the city’s 13th mayor launched into a sober assessment of the financial problems it is facing. Hawaii Reporter.

The Honolulu City Council moved yesterday in favor of the appointment of several City cabinet members. Hawaii Independent.

Hawaii County's civil suit against Hokulia's developer to complete the long-stymied Mamalahoa Bypass was ordered into mediation Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

Proposed changes to Hawaii's hunting rules are being opposed by hunters, some of whom expressed their concerns during an informal meeting Wednesday evening in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

The state Health Department has lowered sulfur dioxide exposure thresholds on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

The cause of a small earthquake off East Oahu yesterday was not immediately known, but scientists suspect it might have been caused by fault lines or the weight of the islands on the earth's crust. Star-Advertiser.

BOE committee recommends Kaimuki school be closed. KHON2.

The Kaua‘i Planning Commission on Tuesday, following a recommendation from the Planning Department, denied cell phone carrier Spring/Nextel to install a 150-foot monopole resembling a pine tree next to Kaumuali‘i Highway, by Halfway Bridge. Garden Island.

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