Veto brewing for coffee certification bill, Ellison's Lanai purchase to close today, broadband coming to Molokai settlement, adult education downsized, Honolulu councilman scolded for abuse of power, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kona coffee cherries

Hawaii coffee growers remain divided over legislation that would do away with the state’s mandatory certifications of their coffee. Tribune-Herald.

The future of the state will depend much on the Big Island, particularly with its development of energy and agriculture, Gov. Neil Abercrombie told business leaders in Hilo on Monday. Tribune-Herald.

After reviewing more than 340 measures, Governor Neil Abercrombie today notified the State Legislature of his intent to veto 19 of those bills. Hawaii Reporter.

90 Percent of Hawaii's Incumbents are Running For Reelection. Hawaii Reporter.

Under a restructuring program, the 11 adult education schools across the state will be folded into two. KITV4.

State roundup for June 27. Associated Press.

Oahu

The Honolulu City Council plans no further disciplinary action against Councilman Ikaika Anderson, Chairman Ernie Martin said, after the Ethics Commission publicly scolded Anderson for misusing his office in trying to obtain special parking privileges and threatening retaliation against parking office employees. Star-Advertiser.

Federal special agent Christopher Deedy shot and killed Kollin Elderts at a McDonald's restaurant last year, but only after the Kailua man harassed a customer with racial slurs, assaulted Deedy and tried to grab the agent's gun, Deedy's defense attorney said in papers filed in federal court Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Hopefuls Differ on Big Issues. Civil Beat.

Reapportionment – the redrawing of election boundaries every ten years – almost always results in two incumbent office holders running against each other for the same district seat.   That’s what happened in House District 33 … consisting of the Newtown, Ai’ea and Halawa neighborhoods on O’ahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

The hotly contested primary race between state Sen. Pohai Ryan and challenger Laura Thielen spilled over into a Kailua Neighborhood Board meeting earlier this month. Civil Beat.

More help is on the way for Oahu drivers who are frustrated with the traffic nightmare on the H-1 Freeway. KHON2.

Hawaiian Electric Co. said Tuesday that it has reached an agreement with the City and County of Honolulu on a revised and expanded power-purchase agreement for the utility to buy electricity generated by the H-Power plant in the Campbell Industrial Park in West Oahu. Pacific Business News.

The new expansion at the H-POWER plant will help turn even more smelly trash into cash for the city. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

Gov. Neil Abercrombie will sign a bill today intended to make the Big Island a center for companies and space agencies working to make the moon habitable, a feat long left to the realm of science fiction but coming closer to reality. Tribune-Herald.

If Tuesday’s League of Women Voters of Hawaii County candidates’ forum featuring state Senate District 3 and 4 candidates is any indication, education is emerging as one of the issues that will shape the election season. West Hawaii Today.

Despite recent court orders establishing the county’s ownership of the property and denying Lui’s appeals of those orders, Mayor Billy Kenoi hasn’t ordered Hawaiian activist Abel Simeone Lui evicted, nor has the Hawaii County Police Department or the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office enforced the court’s wishes. The lack of action has some Ka‘u residents wondering whether the inaction is political, particularly as the mayoral primary approaches. West Hawaii Today.

A cattle ranch is teaming up with an investment organization funded by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar to research large-scale grass-fed beef production on the Big Island. Associated Press.

Maui

Maui Court Nominee Grilled By Senator. Hawaii Reporter.

At least 40 people gathered for an overnight vigil Sunday through Monday to honor the kupuna whose skeletal remains have been discovered and/or removed from the construction site of the Maui Lani Center across from Baldwin High School along Kaahumanu Avenue. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative Board of Directors on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution clarifying the process by which the co-op allows members to not have a smart meter installed. Garden Island.

The Kaua‘i Planning Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved the Kilauea Lighthouse Village, an ambitious and controversial 46,800-square-foot mall in the heart of Kilauea Town. Garden Island.

Work on the decommissioning of the Lihu‘e Sugar Mill is on schedule and should be completed by the end of September, said Keith Roylance, the operations manager of NCM Contracting Group, during a monthly meeting providing updates on the decommissioning project. Garden Island.

Lanai

Once Oracle Corp. CEO Larry Ellison owns the island of Lanai, seen here in this 2007 file photo, he would have to ask the Hawaii Land Use Commission for zoning changes for any development that's not already allowed on land zoned for agriculture. Pacific Business News.

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has given interim approval to allowing Larry Ellison, the anticipated soon-to-be-owner of most of Lanai, to take over ownership of the island's three regulated utilities. Maui News.

The Public Utilities Commission has given interim approval for the transfer of three Lana’i utilities (electricity, water, and transportation) from Castle and Cooke to Larry Ellisons’ Oracle Corporation.  This clears the way for the sale of the island to close as scheduled June 27. Hawaii Public Radio.

Molokai

Next month, Kalaupapa residents can expect to receive broadband Internet service for the first time in the settlement’s history. Molokai Dispatch.