Hannemann, Gabbard fight for Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District, Family Forum, Catholic conference pay for lobbying violations, big earnings for HECO, new biofuel deal for Aina Koa Pono, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tulsi Gabbard, Mufi Hannemann (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

The Democratic race in the 2nd Congressional District is boiling down to whether neighbor island and rural Oahu voters prefer a seasoned politico in former Mayor Mufi Hannemann or the newer face of city Councilwoman and Iraq War veteran Tulsi Gabbard. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Family Forum and the Hawaii Catholic Conference have filed new and revised spending reports with the state Ethics Commission and will pay a total of $3,000 to the state general fund to resolve complaints about their lobbying activity. Star-Advertiser.

Monumental Dispute: Case, Lingle Tangle Over Papahanaumokuakea. Civil Beat.

Each legislative session, since 1986, PAYCHECKS HAWAII, the independent non-partisan, political action affiliate of Smart Business Hawaii (created in 1984), rates each of Hawaii’s 76 state legislators (51 House and 25 Senate). Hawaii Reporter.

Council on Revenues Retains 5.3% General Fund Forecast. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.'s earnings rose sharply in the second quarter, largely reflecting the timing of a rate increase at its main utility subsidiary that wasn't in effect for the comparable quarter a year earlier. Star-Advertiser.

A new report sheds some light on solar energy, one of the fastest growing industries in the state. Installed capacity in Hawaii rose from 25 megawatts in 2009 to more than 85 megawatts in 2011 and is forecast to reach nearly 150 megawatts by the end of this year, according to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, a nonprofit research and educational organization that has offices in Washington D.C. and Minnesota. Pacific Business News.

A federal district court judge ordered the state to allow two women to marry their fiancés, who are incarcerated at the Saguaro Correctional Facility in Arizona, according to the ACLU of Hawaii. KITV4.


Karen Street was getting a touch of cold feet when she was first named chairwoman of the new Hawaii Public Charter School Commission, the body standing at the helm of reforms to the state’s 32 charter schools. Star-Advertiser.


Oahu

The Transportation Security Administration is paying a financial settlement to Glen Kajiyama, the former federal security director in charge of TSA operations at Honolulu International Airport who was one of 36 TSA employees fired in a baggage screening scandal last year. Hawaii News Now.


A couple of months after closing, the Haleiwa Farmers Market is getting ready to reopen Thursday at a new location, the Pikake Pavilion and nearby lawn in Waimea Valley. Star-Advertiser.

Aina Koa Pono courtesy photo

Hawaii

Hawaiian Electric Co.'s Hawaii island subsidiary has submitted a new proposal to buy locally produced liquid biofuel for electricity generation after a previous plan was rejected by regulators as being too expensive. Star-Advertiser.

Aina Koa Pono, the renewable energy company that plans to build a plant in Ka‘u, has reached a biofuel supply agreement with Hawaii Electric Light Co. and is asking the Public Utilities Commission to approve the contract. Tribune-Herald.

State regulators rejected the first biofuel contract. But Aina Koa Pono is back with a new proposal to provide 16 million gallons of biofuel a year to Hawaii Electric Light Co. on the Big Island. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Electric Light Co. said Thursday that it has asked the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to approve a new biofuel supply contract with Aina Koa Pono LLC. Pacific Business News.

Mayor Billy Kenoi has so far spent almost half a million dollars to hold onto Hawaii County’s top office, a full $135,911 more than he spent campaigning for what was then an open seat in the 2008 primary election. West Hawaii Today.

Puna voters have a history of taking out their frustrations on their County Council representatives. Tribune-Herald.

A first-of-its-kind conference drew big names and experts Thursday to the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa, where they shared views on sustainability and the power of the local economy. Speakers also stressed the importance of humility and community matters. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The master-planned Olowalu Town project gained key support from a Maui County Council committee Thursday that will allow the 600-acre development to move forward. Maui News.

Rep. Gil Keith-Agaran, who is seeking re-election to the state House District 9 seat, has out-raised and out-spent his opponent, longtime Maui County Council Member Joe Pontanilla. Maui News.

Maui County's accounting system administrator has been named deputy director of the state Department of Accounting and General Services. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kaua‘i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney’s offender diversionary program was cleared this week of wrongdoing by special outside counsel. Garden Island.

If the Kaua‘i County Council approves a recommendation from its Public Safety Committee, it may get a bit costlier to have a home or residential alarm system, as a $150 permit and an annual renewal fee of $50 are being considered. Garden Island.

Chief Judge Randal Valenciano of the 5th Circuit Court recused himself Thursday from a condemnation case brought by the County of Kaua‘i against Hanalei boatyard owner Michael Sheehan. Garden Island.

The Kekaha lifeguard tower was moved approximately 25 feet inland Thursday morning. Garden Island.

Lanai

David Murdock has sold his Hawaiian island, but he’s keeping his seven-bedroom Lanai home, a woodworking shop containing koa furniture, two carved elephant tusks in a resort lobby, and 1,000 rare orchid plants. Associated Press.