Manhunt on for Hilo man who shot two cops, Obama vacation cost up $3.2M, kids grade teaachers, Hawaii congressional delegation to be sworn in today, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kilauea Volcano thermal image, courtesy USGS

The ongoing eruption of Kilauea's East Rift Zone has lasted longer — and spewed out more lava — than any other in at least the last half-century of the volcano's history. Star-Advertiser.

President Barack Obama's decision to rejoin his family on their Hawaii vacation will cost taxpayers another $3.2 million for an already pricey holiday stay. Hawaii Reporter.

President Barack Obama not only returned to Hawaii Wednesday but also was back on the golf course. Associated Press.

How President Barack Obama spent the first day of his holiday vacation in Hawaii on Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

A renewed Hawai‘i congressional delegation is hitting the ground running this week in Washington, D.C., in the aftermath of Congress’ last-minute bi-partisan compromise on New Year’s Day to avert the fiscal cliff. Garden Island.

Hawaii's first woman senator is being sworn in with the new Congress today. Associated Press.

The new session of the U. S. Congress gets underway tomorrow. Among those being sworn in is the new representative of Hawaii's second congressional district. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii's teachers are worried that kids may be allowed to say some pretty damaging things about them as part of a new evaluation process that lets students as young as kindergarten rate their teachers. Civil Beat.

Getting state ID card takes 2- to 3-hour wait. With the counties now issuing identification, driver’s licensing sites become quite crowded. Star-Advertiser.

Rep. Gil Keith-Agaran, who is in line to become the House majority leader in the next Legislature, plans to seek the state Senate seat made vacant by the promotion of former Senate President Shan Tsu­tsui to lieutenant governor. Star-Advertiser.

Nearly every employee in Hawaii will see their take-home pay take a 2 percent cut, thanks to the payroll tax reductions that expired on Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

Defense contractors in Hawaii are bracing for a one-two punch: federal budget cuts as a result of the fiscal cliff and the potential for fewer federal contracts awarded to island companies because of the death of U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii's lone commercial producer of biodiesel says it won't have to raise its prices for the alternative fuel thanks to the decision by Congress to extend a tax credit for the industry. Star-Advertiser.

Officials from the state Department of Agriculture say a live raccoon was captured aboard a Matson cargo ship after it arrived in Honolulu from Long Beach, Calif. on Monday. Hawaii News Now.

State roundup for January 3. Associated Press.

Oahu

Restoring bus routes, ensuring rail is done right, repaving and maintaining roads and improving park maintenance top the priority list for Mayor Kirk Caldwell, who was sworn in Wednesday as the 14th mayor of the City and County of Honolulu in a ceremony that also included the new members of the City Council. Star-Advertiser.

For the first time in Honolulu history, the mayor and City Council on Wednesday morning shared the stage in a joint swearing-in ceremony. Civil Beat.

Caldwell inaugurated as Honolulu mayor. KITV4.

A city pool plagued with problems has not been used for years. KHON2.

Macy’s downtown Honolulu store, long rumored to be on the chopping block, will close in early spring as part of what the company calls  “normal-course adjustments to its portfolio.” Star-Advertiser.

The new year appears likely to usher in a building boom in Honolulu as Kakaako’s two major landowners move ahead with plans to develop a forest of new high-rise condominiums in the area between Ala Moana and downtown. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

Two police officers were shot Wednesday night in Hilo near the site of the former Green Onion Restaurant along the 1200 block of Kilauea Avenue. Hawaii News Now.

Two police officers responding to a report of shots fired near the Wailoa River in Hilo were shot by a man hiding under a parked vehicle Wednesday evening. Star-Advertiser.

Two police officers shot in Hilo. Hawaii Police Department.

Kealakekua Bay closed to kayakers Wednesday morning with little fanfare. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii Police Department is adding a hostage negotiation control center to its fleet of vehicles. West Hawaii Today.

The Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant is in need of $12 million to upgrade the North Kona facility’s aeration system and remove sludge from treatment lagoons. West Hawaii Today.

No free rides home for drunks during holidays. Tribune-Herald.

Maui
Kalbert K. Young, the Director of Budget and Finance for the State of Hawai’i, and former finance director for Maui County, delivered the keynote address for the 2013 Maui Council Inauguration today. Maui Now.

More than 100 new applications for the Upcountry water meter list came through in the final days before Monday's deadline to sign up. Maui News.

Kauai

Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced Wednesday the release of more than $70.2 million for several capital improvement projects statewide. At least $2.19 million — with a hefty match from the federal government — will find its way onto Kaua‘i’s highways. Garden Island.

Visitors help Kaua‘i Habitat for holidays. Garden Island.