Attacking, defending new legislative maps, unemployment rates to rise, UH best paid, land agency director named, Hawaiian Telcom imposes contract, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

The Hawaii Reapportionment Commission, in a three-page brief filed Friday with the state Supreme Court, defended its method of dividing the state into House and Senate districts. But Gov. Neil Abercrombie, also a defendant in the lawsuit, said in his reply brief Monday that the process was flawed and should be redone. West Hawaii Today.

Legislators and state officials may increase unemployment taxes next year to the highest levels allowed under state law. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii State Salaries 2012: Highest Paid at University of Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Former Campbell Estate land manager Lloyd Haraguchi has been named executive director to head a new state agency with broad powers to develop state land. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Telcom said Monday it will impose on union members a contract the workers rejected last month. Star-Advertiser.

At least 14 states have revamped their pension systems in the past five years to prevent employees from "spiking" their pay to pad retirement benefits. Civil Beat.

A federal agent charged with murder in the shooting death of a man in a Hawaii McDonald's restaurant pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Monday. Associated Press.

There’s an old saying, “It’s better to use a carrot than a stick” to persuade people to do things.  That idea is being used to encourage businesses in Hawai`i to step up their level of sustainability. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

The 1-megawatt photovoltaic system that will supply power to the Kapolei Sustainable Energy Park has won final approval. Pacific Business News.

City Councilman Tom Berg has apologized for his argumentative actions at a Waipahu Neighborhood Board meeting last week that escalated to the point where police were called to maintain order. Star-Advertiser.

City Council To Review Neighborhood Board Video. KITV4.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) wants to inform drivers that archaeological survey work continues in the urban Honolulu area for the rail transit project. Hawaii Independent.

Board of Water Supply crews are working to repair three separate water main breaks on Oahu Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Officials at PBS Hawaii say the damaged caused by Friday's fire is much more severe than previously thought. KHON2.

Hawaii

Testifiers Monday evening were full of praise for the Hawaii County Redistricting Commission. West Hawaii Today.

The annual Toys for Tots Motorcade that attracts hundreds of motorcyclists anxious to donate Christmas presents to needy keiki will be held after all, the event's main organizer said Monday. Tribune-Herald.

A Wyoming-based company has purchased three Big Island radio stations, a court broker said Monday. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

After years of uncertainty for kuleana users about their rights to Na Wai Eha's water, the state Water Resource Management Commission has started the distribution process. Maui News.

A Facebook friend sent Shawn Michael a sarcastic map of places tourists should visit in Australia - sample gag: in the middle, in big letters: NOTHING - and Michael thought he could do the same for Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

On one side of the table sit consumers and the right to know what they are about to eat. On the other side sits an increasingly dominant section of the food industry reluctant to spend money on labeling its products with three letters: GMO, the abbreviation for genetically modified organisms. Garden Island.

The tree trimmers working at Bank of Hawai‘i’s Kapa‘a Branch battled not only the brisk trades but the clock on Sunday. Garden Island.