Hawaii tourism blitz targets snowy Mainland markets, Kauai police face wrongful death lawsuit, geothermal, GMO, government contractors mulled by Legislature, UH regents study spending, police misconduct scrutinized, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki beach scene (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Hawaii tourism blitz aims to hit winter-weary New York and Chicago markets. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii public schools won't immediately feel the effects of across-the-board federal budget cuts set to begin Friday, school officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Education leaders are trying to close the gap in student learning time between Hawaii's public school campuses. Hawaii News Now.

As across-the-board federal budget cuts loom, nonprofits are bracing for decreased funding for safety-net programs as they also predict increases in need. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of $113 million for various capital improvement projects at airports and harbors throughout the State of Hawaii. Hawaii Reporter.

A University of Hawaii Board of Regents task group will spend up to $260,000 to conduct a study of accountability in the UH system and lines of responsibility on financial transactions. Star-Advertiser.

A bill before state legislators would allow state and county officials to consider a contractor’s past performance when a new project is up for bid. West Hawaii Today.

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii said it is forging ahead with a plan to eliminate 46 registered nurse positions at some primary care clinics over the next few months. Star-Advertiser.

On Thursday at 3pm, organizers will deliver a petition asking Hawaii Senate President Donna Mercado Kim to rescind her appointment of Monsanto Lobbyist, Alan Takemoto, to the Water Commission nominating committee. Hawaii Reporter.

The state Department of Public Safety has established a Nixle account that will allow information about prison escapes and other events to be distributed to Hawaii residents in a timely fashion. Star-Advertiser.

The Verdict: Judge Rules In Favor Of Public Disclosure Of Misconduct. Civil Beat.

Those who take care and board Hawai’i’s foster children have not been given a single raise in more than 22 years.   As HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports … state lawmakers are considering a state-wide increase this session. Hawaii Public Radio.

State roundup for February 26. Associated Press.

Oahu

The city of Honolulu's former corporation counsel won't be returning to his old office. David Arakawa withdrew himself from consideration to become corporation counsel for personal reasons, Arakawa and Mayor Kirk Caldwell confirmed Monday in a joint statement to the Star-Advertiser.

After years of neglecting road repairs across Oahu, Mayor Kirk Caldwell and other city leaders Monday urged unprecedented spending to repave the city's most damaged and degraded streets through the next five years. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has announced an aggressive plan to repave almost half of the city's roads in the next five years. Hawaii News Now.

Taxpayers are on the hook to settle a lawsuit over allegations of sex assault at the Hawaii Center for the Deaf and Blind. But the nearly $6 million settlement isn't the only thing that will cost the state money. KHON2.

On March 29, 1994, nearly 500 police officers staged a show of force at the state courthouse in downtown Honolulu the likes of which hadn’t been seen in the islands before or since. Civil Beat.

Chevron Corp.’s Hawaii operation is planning to develop a solar thermal demonstration project at its Kapolei refinery, which will be used to offset burning fossil fuels utilized to generate heat and steam for internal use. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

Hawaii lawmakers are debating a bill to give the counties more control over the development of geothermal energy resources. Associated Press.

Jim Albertini will be able to speak at Hilo High School after all. The anti-war activist said that Principal Bob Dircks notified his attorney on Friday that he will be allowed to speak to students, reversing a decision made two days prior to cancel the event due to a backlash over his outspoken views of the military. Tribune-Herald.

A North Kona man says he heard hunters firing at animals on Hualalai’s upper slopes last week, but a Kamehameha Schools spokesman says the organization wasn’t doing any aerial hunting. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The governor today announced the release of $50 million for a portion of the Kahului Airport Access Road on Maui, and $600,000 for the demolition and relocation of the Kahului Harbor District Office. Maui Now.

Whale count suggests that peak season still to come. Maui News.

With the 428-foot-tall wind turbines in the Auwahi Wind energy project completed, state and community officials viewed the towers dotting the southern slope of Haleakala as a symbol of renewable energy. Maui News.

Kauai

The Charter Review Commission — in a 5-2 vote — decided Monday to keep working on a proposal to slice the island into different districts when electing Kaua‘i County Council members. Garden Island.

After a short discussion, the Kaua‘i County Council’s Parks and Recreation Committee last week voted to approve a bill that would bring back a late-night alcohol prohibition to parks and facilities. Garden Island.

The family of a man shot to death by Kauai police a year ago has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the department, Kauai County and the officer involved in the shooting. Associated Press.

Work to repair the bridge located on Waha Road started Monday in Lawa‘i. Garden Island.