Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Federal judge lets Hawaii Family Forum intervene in gay marriage case, Legislature focuses on spending bills, near-miss over Oahu investigated, hostess bars limited on Maui, Hawaii County pay held stable, push polls concern Honolulu candidates, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands for smartphone and web

Honolulu gay rights rally (c) 2012 All Hawaii News
A federal judge ruled Monday that the Hawaii Family Forum can intervene against a legal attack on Hawaii's marriage laws. KITV4.

With Gov. Neil Abercrombie opposing the request and his state Health Director Loretta Fuddy supporting it, a federal judge granted a motion Monday by the Hawaii Family Forum to intervene in a court case and defend Hawaii laws banning same-sex marriages. Star-Advertiser.

A federal judge says the Christian organization Hawaii Family Forum may participate in a legal case addressing the issue of gay marriage. Associated Press.

After a weekend of budget negotiations, House and Senate committee members agreed on Monday to focus spending on public health and safety, social services and education. Associated Press.

In their last act under an extended deadline, state lawmakers agreed Monday to provide $11.6 million for social service programs, restoring some of the money that had been cut during the recession. Star-Advertiser.

With the wrangling over the state budget complete, Hawaii is poised to infuse more than $3 billion worth of construction projects into the economy over the next year. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers want to expand early learning opportunities statewide. KHON2.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa

Civil rights activist Mitchell Kahle and his friend Kevin Hughes filed a Circuit Court lawsuit Friday against former Senate President Colleen Hanabusa over Kahle's ouster from the State Capitol after he objected to opening the Senate session with a prayer. Star-Advertiser.

An overhaul of the state’s 1-year-old foreclosure law is expected to pass the Legislature today. Star-Advertiser.

Senate lawmakers have shelved a controversial bill that would have banned health insurers from serving on the board of the state's new health insurance exchange. Star-Advertiser.

Seventeen million dollars. That's the hole the Hawaii Department of Education has to fill in its school bus budget. On Tuesday the Board of Education is expected to hear an official recommendation from the department on how to cover the shortfall. Civil Beat.

State roundup for May 1. Associated Press.

Oahu
A mistake by an air-traffic controller resulted in two jets being put on a collision course as they approached Honolulu International Airport in January. A Hawaii News Now investigation revealed the incident was never reported to higher ups at the Federal Aviation Administration, resulting in an FAA probe and the retirement of the longtime head of air traffic control in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Architecture and engineering students at the University of Hawaii at Manoa will have the chance to design and engineer homes at a state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands subdivision in Kapolei, under agreements signed Monday by UH President M.R.C. Greenwood and Hawaiian Homes Commission Chairman Alapaki Nahale-a. Star-Advertiser.

Former Gov. Ben Cayetano

Both former Gov. Benjamin Cayetano, a candidate for Honolulu mayor, and Honolulu City Council Member Tom Berg who is up for re-election, are reporting push polls are targeting their campaigns. Hawaii Reporter.

A Honolulu City Council committee gave preliminary approval Monday to a bill that would make it easier for transit officials to tap up to $450 million via low-interest city loans, but not before several Council members demanded more details. Star-Advertiser.

It's actually more expensive to grow food locally than to import it from California, according to Honolulu mayoral candidate Kirk Caldwell. Civil Beat.

TJ Maxx is getting an early start for the opening of its new Hawaii store on Thursday. Pacific Business News.

A series of community meetings is scheduled for this week to discuss the rail project proposed for Honolulu. The meetings will be held in communities along the proposed route from Kapolei to Ala Moana Center. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tucked away in a secure location in Pearl City, microbiologists at the Department of Health's State Laboratory Facility monitor a wide variety of public health risks. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii


There will be no raises, but no pay cuts, either, for top Hawaii County executives this year, following a unanimous vote Monday by the county Salary Commission. Salaries for County Council members will be dropping a little in December, however, under the plan. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo International Airport should be slightly less noisy in 2015, according to a state Department of Transportation report. The agency’s draft Noise Exposure Map is projecting a small drop drop in air carrier and general aviation flights that year, when compared to 2010. Tribune-Herald.

The anticipated opening date for the Ane Keohokalole Highway has been pushed back another month, from some time this month to mid-June. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa doesn't want his county to have more than a dozen hostess bars. Associated Press.
Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa

No additional hostess bars will be allowed in Maui County, as Mayor Alan Arakawa recently signed off on administrative rules to leave a hostess bar cap in place at 12 establishments. Maui News.

Retailers located near the intersection of Lahaina's Front and Prison streets are bracing for temporary road closures next month when Maui County begins work on sewage lines. Maui News.

The combination of smart people and serious money made the day-long conference focused on the future of plug-in electric vehicles a memorable event. Maui News.

Kauai
Federal Emergency Management Agency officials arrived on Kaua‘i Monday to help island agencies apply for as much as $1.65 million in federal aid available in the wake of the violent storms in March. Garden Island.

Justin Kollar
After running unopposed in her first election in 2008, Kaua‘i County Prosecuting Attorney Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho will have at least one opponent in the 2012 race. Carvalho will face Deputy County Attorney Justin Kollar. Garden Island.

A long awaited Hawaii Supreme Court ruling has affirmed Kuleana Rights, a Hawaiian law established 160 years ago that assures property owners with land located within a larger private property owned by someone else have the right to access their property. Hawaii Reporter.




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