Undersea cable could send Neighbor Island electricity to Oahu, legislators rake in cash during session, Maui clears hundreds of homeless from camps, no doc taxes for state from Lanai sale, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

undersea cable

Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed a bill into law Wednesday that lays the foundation for a proposed undersea cable that could transmit to Oahu renewable energy generated on Neighbor Islands. Star-Advertiser.

The ceremony surrounding the controversial undersea cable bill was eclipsed by questions about the sale of Lanai to billionaire Oracle CEO Larry Ellison and what that means for a large-scale wind farm proposed for that island. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers raised nearly a half million for their reelection campaign treasuries in 2011, often by holding fundraisers while the Legislature was in session. And judging by the number of candidates who held fundraisers during this year's session, it looks like it'll be even more this year. Civil Beat.

Former U. S. Congressman Ed Case and former Governor Linda Lingle have already set their first debate after the August 11 primary, even though both have to win their Primary election in the upcoming U.S. Senate race. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii ranked seventh best out of 30 coastal states for beach water quality last year, but failed to have any of the cleanest beaches in America, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council's 22nd annual beach water quality report. Star-Advertiser.

Manny Duenas, outgoing chairman of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, repeatedly challenged federal scientists as they testified during Wespac meetings this week at the YWCA in Honolulu, accusing them of undermining indigenous rights. Civil Beat.

Protection of sea turtles under the Endangered Species Act is helping their populations rebound and some groups say it's gone too far. Hawaii Public Radio.

With the Supreme Court upholding today by a vote of 5-4 the key mandate in the Affordable Healthcare Act forcing Americans to buy healthcare coverage, there will be a variety of statements and editorial opinions issued over the next several days. Hawaii Reporter.

Oahu

A nearly three-decade quarrel over New Zealand's anti-nuclear posture still prevents the Kiwi frigate Te Kaha and tanker Endeavour from stopping in Pearl Harbor, just as U.S. Navy ships are not allowed to make port calls in New Zealand. Star-Advertiser.

Circuit Judge Karen Ahn will not unseal McDonald's surveillance videos of the Nov. 5 shooting of Kollin Elderts by a U.S. State Department special agent in town for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Star-Advertiser.

Racial slurs preceded a deadly encounter at a Waikiki McDonald’s, leaving a U.S. Department of State agent charged with murdering a Hawaii man, the agent’s attorney claims in a request to move the case to federal court. Associated Press.

Occupy Honolulu fights corporate greed, while working for corporate giant. Hawaii News Now.

Wednesday the City's Planning Commission held a public hearing asking residents what they think and the majority of people who testified believe the city needs to slow down on Ewa development. KHON2.

Nearly 80 people affiliated with the University of Hawaii are in Washington D.C this week for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. UH says the trips costs about $230,000. KITV4.

Hawaii

All 20 West Hawaii public schools will likely benefit from the more than $45 million the state is receiving next school year to provide extra support and resources for the neediest of students, said West Hawaii Complex Area Superintendent Art Souza. West Hawaii Today.

More than $500,000 has been targeted for efforts to fight the coffee berry borer on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

A new self-help center for those who represent themselves in court will start operating Monday on the first floor of the state courthouse in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

The North Kohala community is celebrating the acquisition of 27 acres of undeveloped coastal land in Halaula by the community non-profit Maika`i Kamakani `O Kohala. KPUA.

Maui

Bulldozers and other heavy equipment cleared 40 acres mauka of Honoapiilani Highway, from Dickenson Street to Kauaula Stream, of "little tent cities" that had housed hundreds of homeless people. Maui News.

Eleven sets of iwi kupuna discovered in the "footprint" of the planned Safeway store at the future Maui Lani Center could be relocated to a large on-site burial preserve. Maui News.

Kauai

Asbestos abatement and disassembly of the former Kekaha Sugar Mill is scheduled to start in July with work expected to take about six months, states a release from Kekaha MS, the property owner. Garden Island.

The Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy sailors aboard the USS Lake Erie successfully completed a flight test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system early Wednesday morning in the mid-Pacific Ocean. Garden Island.

Lanai

When the sale of some 88,000 acres of property on Lanai to Oracle Corp. founder and CEO Larry Ellison closes, it likely won’t include the conveyance tax that is paid on nearly every other real estate transaction in Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

On the day Lanai was set to be sold, residents were left wondering whether the sale really took place and how it would alter the future of Hawaii's sixth-largest island. Star-Advertiser.