Hawaii governor proclaims gay pride month, Kauai prepares big gay pride festival, paddle-boarders, swimmers, surfers at odds, electricity hikes could pay for biofuel plan, Big Island bag ban hearings set, monk seal protection sought, more news from the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu gay rights rally (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

Hawaii's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is applauding the governor for declaring June pride month. Associated Press.

While Kaua‘i is known for its sandy beaches, unparalleled beauty and aloha spirit, members of Parents, Families, & Friends of Lesbians and Gays and Lambda Aloha are creating another reason for people to visit Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

Hawaii business leaders received a “wake-up call” Thursday from the new director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, who told them they need to help pay for public-private projects to drive the local economy. Star-Advertiser.

Residents on the Big Island are closer to having a portion of their electricity needs supplied from locally produced biofuel now that Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed Senate Bill 1347. Pacific Business News

The explosion of standup paddling in the islands has triggered complaints, first with swimmers, now with surfers. KITV4.

Many of those who frequent the sandbar in the middle of Kaneohe Bay consider it a second home – a place to kick back and relax with family and friends. KHON2.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday proposed expanding federally protected zones — or critical habitat — for the endangered Hawaiian monk seal to include parts of the main Hawaiian Islands.Associated Press.

Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle promised to get the city's financial house in order, but the City Council is challenging him on some of his key proposals. Civil Beat.

With approval of a Hawaii County budget now in the bag, County Council members are turning their attention to banning bags. Tribune-Herald.

A new survey says Hawaii residents are adjusting their spending habits because of high gas prices. Hawaii News Now.

our school systems are leaving the boys behind … starting in the earliest grades. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waters of Life Public Charter School on Hawaii island will be released from probation June 15 after spending three years under strict monitoring by the Charter School Review Panel. Star-Advertiser.

After years of community planning and reinvestment, the first changes of many are arriving in Kakaako. Hawaii Independent.

While US real GDP bottomed out in the second quarter of 2009 and is now back at its pre-recession level, non-farm payrolls only started picking up at the beginning of 2010, and they remain far below their previous peak. Hawaii Reporter.

The Waikiki Health Center says it has acquired a clinic that provides prenatal and postpartum medical and social services to women who have or have had addiction issues. Associated Press.

The city is providing new visuals of the design of the rail cars for the mass transit project. KHON2.

Second Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza on Wednesday denied a motion by former Council Member Sol Kaho'ohalahala to dismiss a long-running lawsuit that seeks to invalidate his term in office. Maui News.

A wildlife that burned hundreds of acres of state land on the Kona side of the Big Island is fully contained. Associated Press.

A bill intended to resolve noisy-dog complaints has become Hawaii County law -- quietly. Tribune-Herald.

Not allowing DW Aina Lea to proceed with construction, despite a Land Use Commission ruling against the project, will cause the developer to break promises to the community, lose goodwill it had with its foreign investors and delay the opening of affordable town houses, attorneys argue. West Hawaii Today.