Friday, February 11, 2011

Honolulu rail transit groundbreaking set, Maui flood maps cause concern, whaling wreck found, lawmakers to raid special funds, media targeted in tourist trespassing, more news from the Hawaiian Islands

Waipio Valley (c) 2011 All Hawaii News
There are several beautiful sites around the state that are on private property. And state lawmakers want to crack down on guidebooks and online sites that they claim are encouraging visitors to trespass to get there, and get hurt or killed in the process. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii House is moving forward a bill that would punish websites, social media wireless communication, forums, twitter accounts or blogs for certain types of communication. Civil Beat.

Gambling would be allowed on large ships traveling between Hawaii's islands under a measure approved by its first committee Associated Press.

Money set aside for programs including wireless enhanced 911, state libraries, child abuse prevention and the University of Hawaii could be seized for the state's general fund under a proposal being considered by a key Senate panel. Star Advertiser.

A Senate bill that would allow bar owners to obtain a permit to allow smoking in their establishments was effectively, and predictably, killed in committee on Tuesday, February 8. The Senate Committees on Health and Public Safety and Government Operations and Military Affairs deferred the matter, leaving little hope for a vote to advance Senate Bill 708. Hawaii Independent.

When testimony on the letterhead of William Jefferson Clinton topped the stack for a measure to expand film production incentives, the coconut wireless went into high frequency at the capitol. KHON2.

The Hawaii House of Representative has passed a measure that would prohibit non-judicial home foreclosures for five months. Associated Press.

A proposed law that would to fines of dog owners who tie their dogs with excessively short or heavy ropes or chains prompted debate Thursday before the Senate Judiciary Committee. KITV4.

The Hawaii Senate has unanimously confirmed Dwight Takamine as director for the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. KHON2.

City Schedules Feb. 22 Groundbreaking for Rail Transit Project. Hawaii Reporter.

The state Department of Agriculture has issued a license for a product beekeepers may use to battle the varroa mite hounding Hawaii's honeybees. Associated Press.

Thursday was Colt Brennan's first trip back to the islands since being discharged from Queens Medical Center in late November. KHON2.

A proposed ban on plastic shopping bags is generating mixed reactions from Hilo merchants and may be changed to address enforcement concerns. Tribune-Herald.

From the side of Kuhio Highway in Lihu‘e on Wednesday, it appeared that a number of passing motorists still haven’t heard the news about the island’s cell phone ban. Garden Island.

An impact fee is the most practical, flexible tool Hawaii County could have in raising money to address the island's future infrastructure needs, Kohala Councilman Pete Hoffmann said. West Hawaii Today.

Pick any night in Waikiki and you'll see prostitutes plying their trade, pimps protecting their property, and the darker side of night life screaming "Sex for Sale." Hawaii News Now.

The operator of Puna's geothermal plant has agreed to supply Hawaii Electric Light Co. with an additional eight megawatts of power. Associated Press.

The new commandant of the Marine Corps revealed during a visit to Marine Corps Base Hawaii yesterday that the size of the Corps would drop to 186,800 from 202,000 after the U.S. pulls out of Afghanistan. Star-Advertiser.

Surfers and paddleboarders hashed out their differences at a public meeting Wednesday night in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Some people went home concerned and even a little frustrated Tuesday evening after finding that their properties would be placed in a high-risk flood zone under a proposed flood map revision. Maui News.

Researchers find whaling ship from 1823 wreck. Associated Press.

1800s whaling ship found in isle waters. Star-Advertiser.

Experts believe a badly deformed humpback whale recently spotted off Kauai has scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii hotel rooms were about three-fourths full during the week ending Feb. 5, and average room rates across the state were strikingly higher than during the same week in 2010, according to Smith Travel Research and Hospitality Advisors. Pacific Business News

Unionized employees at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki - who've been working without a contract since July - held a rally outside the hotel Thursday night. KITV4.

The County Council on Wednesday unanimously passed on first reading a bill which would allow value-added products to be sold at Sunshine Markets across the island. Garden Island.

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