Hawaii tax changes stall, federal housing funds dry up, Hawaii County advances impact fees, Native Hawaiian recognition process begins, cleaning up Waikiki, Kauai to open new campground, more news from the islands

Native Hawaiian rally (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

Former Gov. Waihee will lead a new commission charged with preparing and maintaining a roll of qualified Native Hawaiians that would work toward the reorganization of a native government. Star-Advertiser.

A federal appeals court has ruled that the state Department of Education violated federal law when it denied special assistance to a dyslexic public school student. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers will have to wait an extra year to get advice on the state's tax structure. Civil Beat.

The sun apparently doesn't shine too brightly at the Department of Taxation. Civil Beat.

At the end of the year, Hawaii no longer will receive more than $6 million in federal stimulus money aimed at preventing 5,000 people from joining the circuit of homeless people who continuously migrate around the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Republican congressional candidate former Rep. Charles Djou is scheduled to leave Friday for a six-month deployment to Afghanistan. KITV4.

There is enough information on people living temporarily in Hawaii who likely vote elsewhere to exclude them when redrawing the state's election district boundaries. Star-Advertiser.

Board of Education Chairman Don Horner said in testimony Thursday he was "very surprised" when the executive board of the teachers union unanimously rejected in June a "last, best and final" offer that included wage reductions and higher medical premiums. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii residents can expect to see costs cut for home insurance next year but no one knows exactly how much premiums will drop. KITV4.

Oahu

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting on O’ahu is less than 60 days away … and the finishing touches on more than 137 million dollars of infrastructure upgrades are under way. Hawaii Public Radio.

Impressed and comforted.Those were two words that members of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation used after hearing from the company selected to build the City and County of Honolulu’s rail car system. Pacific Business News.

The developer of a regional mall in East Kapolei — similar in size to Pearlridge Center — plans to break ground in July and open the first phase in 2014. Star-Advertiser.

14 months after union hotel workers’ contract with Hyatt Hotels expired, workers have walked off the job at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. Those workers join thousands of others in Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, in a week-long strike. Hawaii Independent.

The Hawaiian Humane Society is seeking full custody of the more than 200 dogs seized from an alleged puppy farm in Waimanalo. KHON2.

As the 10th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks draws near, Hawaii News Now takes a look at the many changes that have taken place at Hawaii's airports to improve safety for travelers. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

The cost of building a new home or business would increase under an impact fee bill advanced by a County Council committee Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

The seventh time proved the charm Thursday, when the County Council Planning Committee finally advanced an impact fee bill. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Council wants the state Legislature to come up with a more practical solution to electronic waste recycling than requiring neighbor island residents to mail their old televisions and computers to Honolulu. West Hawaii Today.


An anonymous mother and child who collected a $7 million legal settlement from Kamehameha Schools in 2007 will remain unidentified even when they testify in a Hilo trial next month over the schools’ demand for return of $2 million. Hawaii Reporter.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has nominated Kailua-Kona resident Lei Kihoi, 66, to the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission. Tribune-Herald.

The hunt for unexploded military ordnance continues Friday at the Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

A private Mainland-based company is conducting the “compliance audit” of a Maui public housing project plagued by chronic vacancies and overdue repair work. Hawaii Reporter.

Because more and more of Maui's sandy shorelines are being "impaired" by development and uncontrollable environmental issues, laws and procedures to protect the environment must be followed, county and state officials said Wednesday morning. Maui News.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie joined state education and lawmakers and Maui County officials Wednesday in ceremonially turning shovels full of dirt to break ground for the $37.1 million Pu'u Kukui Elementary School. Maui News.

Kauai

In a meeting filled with strong opinions, the County Council on Wednesday approved by a 5-2 vote the opening of Lydgate Beach Park campgrounds to the public. Garden Island.

A Na Pali area camper says he witnessed an abandoned sailboat break apart on Kalalau Beach, but officials say there is no sign of the vessel. Garden Island.