Mainland tourists returning to Hawaii, reapportionment lawsuit headed to court, spike in shark attacks, Oahu beach smoking ban advances, new AD to be named at UH, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii tourists returning (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

Despite economic uncertainty and lagging consumer confidence, North American leisure and business travelers are expected to make more trips to Hawaii next year. Star-Advertiser.

A lawsuit over the 2011 drawing of political boundaries that resulted in Hawaii Island getting a fourth state senator will be heard next month in U.S. District Court. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii-born President Barack Obama recognized retiring U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka today during the president's remarks at the Tribal Nations Conference in Washington D.C. Star-Advertiser.

After reviewing a consultant's study that some hoped would be the silver bullet to bring down soaring student transportation costs, state lawmakers left a legislative briefing Wednesday still wondering how much money the Department of Education will be able to save through the recommended policy changes. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's elderly may be victims of the upcoming congressional budget deal, according to an analysis done by the American Association of Retired People. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii officials say they expect to announce the name of a new athletics director either late Thursday or Friday. Pacific Business News.

Wil Okabe, president of the 13,500-member Hawai‘i State Teachers Association, issued a statement Wednesday in response to the state’s definition of “work to rule.” Garden Island.

For the past two years and four months, a detachment of the Montana Air National Guard has been watching over Hawaii’s skies as part of an air defense “alert” mission, with two pilots ready to fly 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the event of an emergency. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Prohibitions on smoking are becoming more commonplace around the world and a ban on lighting up at popular Honolulu beach parks would have little impact on tourism, supporters of such a measure told the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Newly re-elected Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro says he's beefing up his staff dedicated to fighting elderly abuse in Hawaii and laying the groundwork to put pimps behind bars. Civil Beat.

Within days of his election in 2010, Mayor Peter Carlisle traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Federal Transit Administration officials to pledge support for the previous administration's rail transit project. Star-Advertiser.

A $200 million high-rise condominium project that would create 635 affordable homes at the former Hono­lulu Advertiser property in Kakaako was unanimously approved Wednesday by the Hawaii Community Development Authority. Star-Advertiser.

A $50,000 donation to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center from UH President M.R.C.Greenwood and her longtime partner, Patricia Johnson, has earned the couple prominent recognition at the front entrance of the new center. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii

The Big Island is continuing to have problems activating all of its 71 Civil Defense sirens following the Oct. 27 tsunami warning. Tribune-Herald.

A proposal to make West Hawaii the lone area in the state to ban scuba spearfishing sparked contentious debate at a public hearing in Kona that was still going at press time Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

Biomass fuel could eventually replace oil at one of Hawaii Electric Light Co.’s power plants, HELCO President Jay Ignacio said Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

A handful of Hawaii Island residents brought suggestions for Hawaii Electric Light Co. to consider as the company pursues a state-mandated Integrated Resource Plan. West Hawaii Today.

The Windward Planning Commission today will reconsider the fate of a popular performing arts center in Kalapana Seaview Estates. Tribune-Herald.

The Hoppa-on, Hoppa-off bus was hoppin’ along for a few days last week until the lack of a pesky permit put the brakes on the operation. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A 2nd Circuit judge on Wednesday granted a request by the state Attorney General's Office to have Wailuku Main Street Association and its board chairman, Thomas Cannon, to comply with a subpoena to turn over various association documents as well as for Cannon to appear for sworn testimony. Maui News.

The Wailuku Main Street Association is refusing to comply with an additional subpoena, calling it "unreasonable and oppressive" and adding that a state attorney is just "fishing" for information to "harm us." Maui News.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa will be among the dignitaries present during the Hawaii Presidential Center Inaugural Gala on Jan. 19 in Washington, D.C., according to an announcement. Maui News.

Kauai

A shark bit a 60-year-old surfer off Kauai’s west shore Wednesday, raising the attack total for Hawaii to 11 this year, an exceptionally active period for the ocean predators. Star-Advertiser.

Many award recipients honored Tuesday during a Transportation Security Administration ceremony were with the organization when it rolled out at the Lihu‘e Airport, said Monika Mali of the TSA. Garden Island.