Hawaii veterans honored, F-22 Raptors powering up, state DLNR breaks law by promoting ballot measure, Maui council selects chairman, public funding a win for Hawaii County Council candidates, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl

Veterans Day is a federal, state, city and county holiday.  Government offices on each level will be closed.  Post offices, most banks and state libraries will be closed.  There will also be no mail delivery. KITV4.

Hawaii Air National Guard officials say the Hawaii squadrons that fly F-22 fighter jets have achieved a status that will allow them deploy. Associated Press.

Veterans Day ceremony at Punchbowl honors service members who fought for our freedom. KHON2.

Sunday, after months of construction and years of preparation, Vietnam battle maps were unveiled during the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl's annual Veterans Day ceremony — 50 years after what the U.S. government considers the official start of the war. Star-Advertiser.

The cemetery and memorial at Punchbowl cover a little more than 100 acres and is the final resting place for somewhere around 40,000 veterans. Arlington, by comparison, is more than 600 acres of winding roads and footpaths with some 300,000 burial plots. Civil Beat.

The mission to Afghanistan for Hawaii infantry Marines is gone, and so are the 50 to 85 Afghan role players who once populated a $42 million "infantry immersion trainer," a military version of a Hollywood set with fake buildings, markets, red poppies, barking dogs, "avatar" people projected on walls and 20 smell generators pumping out the aroma of everything from fresh-baked bread to decomposing bodies. Star-Advertiser.

A Schofield Barracks soldier died in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on Friday, the Department of Defense said. Star-Advertiser.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources violated state law by advocating passage of a constitutional amendment on Tuesday’s general election ballot, Acting Attorney General Russell Suzuki said. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii’s fast-growing solar photovoltaic industry may be slowing down just a bit, thanks to changes to the state’s solar energy tax credit. Pacific Business News.

Statewide hotel occupancy fell slightly in September, but the industry is still seeing gains over recent years, with revenue per available room up for the 31st consecutive month. Star-Advertiser.

State roundup for November 12. Associated Press.

Oahu

Election officials have confirmed 24 out of 140 polling places on the island of Oahu ran out of paper ballots during the General Election on Tuesday, November 6. (See the list here - BALLOT INVENTORY ISSUES BY POLLING PLACE). Hawaii Reporter.

Scott Nago, Chief Election Officer, has released a public statement on Tuesday’s ballot shortages. Hawaii Independent.

Local radio personality and concert promoter Tom Moffatt has announced he’ll screen Elvis Presley’s Aloha from Hawai`i at the Blaisdell Arena on its 40th anniversary. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Hawaii State Department of Health has fined Globeteck Group Inc. $10,000 for asbestos regulation violations, officials said Friday. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

When the new Hawaii County Council is sworn in at noon Dec. 3, it will mark a milestone for the comprehensive public funding campaign pilot program. A majority of the incoming council members have benefited from public campaign financing. Tribune-Herald.

Planning is under way for the long-sought Kealakehe Regional Park, and Hawaii County and project consultant Kimura International are going to the community to develop a final plan for the area. West Hawaii Today.

The number of tropical fish taken from West Hawaii’s waters in 2011 was as much as double the amount of fish taken from the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest reef, according to a recent study. West Hawaii Today.

Two recently launched websites are promising to provide visitors unprecedented perspectives on the health of coral reefs around Hawaii Island. Associated Press.

Maui

Less than a week after the general election, Maui County Council members have organized their leadership for the 2013-14 term, choosing Gladys Coelho Baisa as chairwoman and Bob Carroll as vice chairman. Maui News.

The Maui Council will operate under new leadership when the new council terms take effect on January 2, 2013. Maui Now.

Maui County is on the cusp of modernizing windward Haleakala's mile-long, 1930s-era, sievelike Waikamoi flume. Maui News.

Dry weather has left Upcountry reservoirs nearly dry, forcing the county Department of Water Supply to drastically reduce production at the Olinda Water Treatment Facility this week, according to an announcement. Maui News.

Kauai
As the Kaua‘i County Council gears up for the upcoming state Legislature, issues such a prescription drugs, labeling of genetically modified foods, Transient Accommodation Tax and a few more resurface. Garden Island.

One of the greatest challenges facing the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Kalaheo is the need for increased social capital. Garden Island.