Friday, May 11, 2012

Native Hawaiian groups want to eat protected sea turtles, Honolulu mayor signs plastic bag ban, Hawaii economy up 7.3%, Hawaii 8th graders lag nation in science, Kauai council kills lawyer office, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

(c) 2012 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaii green sea turtle (c) 2012 All Hawaii News
A petition by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs to remove federal protections from the threatened green sea turtle is getting fresh attention by at least one environmental group. Tribune-Herald.

The architect of Hawaii civil unions says the political landscape in Legislature may not change much. Civil Beat.

A so-called “fix-it” bill aimed at clarifying Hawaii’s civil unions law was approved by the Legislature last week and is anticipated to be signed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie after being sent to his office on Monday. Tribune-Herald.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s deputy chief of staff says 57 percent Of the 195 bills that came from the administration passed this session, almost double the number that survived the 2011 session. Civil Beat.


The drag on Hawaii's economy from an extended slump in the construction and government sectors will end this year, setting the stage for broader economic growth, according to a forecast released today by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Star-Advertiser.

Ten months into the state government's budget year, Hawaii general fund revenues are over $4 billion, up 7.3 percent from the same point a year ago. Hawaii News Now.


Mufi Hannemann
Hannemann campaign co-chairs represent all isle counties. Star-Advertiser.

If you'd like to know how campaigns and outside groups are using TV ads to influence Hawaii elections, look no further than our version "The Public File."  Civil Beat.

The U.S. Navy is considering expanding its training and testing activities in Hawaiian waters, involving the use of sonar and explosives. KHON2.

Hawaii was one of 16 states to improve its science score for public school students in the National Assessment of Educational Progress at Grade 8, according to a report released Thursday. KITV4.

Hawaii eighth graders scored higher in national science tests last year, but the state is still lagging behind the rest of the nation. Associated Press.

An increase in sales of business data services helped Hawaiian Telcom's revenue hold steady in the first quarter, but charges related to debt restructuring cut into its earnings, the state's largest phone company reported Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Mayor Peter Carlisle signed into law Thursday a bill that will bar merchants from distributing nonbiodegradable plastic checkout bags beginning in mid-2015. Star-Advertiser.


Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle has been noticeably absent from city council hearings. Hawaii Reporter.

Two Oahu companies will continue to provide community recycling services to 50 schools when the City and County of Honolulu’s contract ends in June. Pacific Business News.

After 20 years of building up recycling drop off centers around O’ahu, the “Busy Isle” is losing more than half of its school based drop off locations. Hawaii Public Radio.

The annual construction and operating budgets for the $5.27 billion Honolulu rail proj­ect advanced Thursday at the City Council, with Council members agreeing to restore $291 million that previously had been trimmed from next year's rail construction budget. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has been a staunch supporter of rail for four decades and fought for Congressional funding for years, but in an interview on Hawaii News Now Sunrise, he raised questions about the project's current form. Hawaii News Now.

Miffed City Council members chastised Mayor Peter Carlisle on Thursday for what they saw as an inappropriate letter threatening to either veto or sue over the budget. Star-Advertiser.


The city of Honolulu is paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to settle a retaliation lawsuit by a former investigator at the prosecutor's office, bringing to a close the only high-visibility scandal during Mayor Peter Carlisle's 14-year career as city prosecutor. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Humane Society's 2013 Petwalk May Be Canceled After City Refuses to Grant a Permit, Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii

How Hawaii County spends its geothermal royalties could soon change. Tribune-Herald.


Maui

Eighty-five percent of sandy beachfront has eroded and 4.2 miles has been lost on Maui in the past century, according to a U.S. Geological Survey and University of Hawaii report released this week. Maui News.

The Maui Planning Commission approved this week a county special accessory use permit for a veterinary clinic to operate at the site of the former Community Clinic of Maui in Kahului. Maui News.

On Saturday, May 19, 32 craft breweries from Hawai’i and beyond sample their best lager, port, and stout beer from 3 to 7 p.m. at the MACC for Maui Brewers Festival 2012. Maui Now.


Kauai

A divided Kaua‘i County Council decided not to pursue having an exclusive attorney, after shelving a resolution Wednesday to include in this year’s election a question if the county should establish an Office of the Council Attorney. Garden Island.

When the next fiscal year rolls out June 1, the County of Kaua‘i will have a brand new department. The Kaua‘i County Council on Thursday approved the reorganization of the Personnel Department into a Human Resources Department. Garden Island.

Molokai

Four post offices on Molokai may be open for fewer hours under a proposal to help the U.S. Postal Service save money. Associated Press.

Newly installed wooden rails at Papohaku Beach Park were vandalized last Saturday, according to the Molokai Police Department (MPD). Four wooden rails that section off the parking lot from the park were severed by what officials suspect was a chainsaw. Molokai Dispatch.



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