Thursday, November 30, 2017

Ala Wai dredging slated, Condo tower wants 'poor door' for lower-income residents, sexual harassment claims drop, Honolulu homeless sweeps continue, Arakawa took taxpayer-funded European trip, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2017 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Ala Wai kayaker © 2017 All Hawaii News
A plan to clean the Ala Wai Canal worries local paddling teams. A major project to clear out the Ala Wai Canal is starting to take shape. The final Environmental Impact Statement for the dredging and repair work was just released, but the work is expected to sideline some paddling teams. Hawaii News Now.

Starting this Friday, Hawaii will introduce a one-minute attack warning signal test in response to threats by North Korea, though this should not deter tourists from coming to the Islands, says George Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

The national number of high profile people caught up in sexual harassment scandals keeps rising, but in Hawaii, there has actually been a dramatic drop in the number of complaints filed with the state agency that looks into them. KITV.

How ‘Zombie Maze’ Is Teaching Hawaii Kids Computer Science. Some schools are making headway in the subject, but huge challenges remain. Better-paying jobs are at stake. Civil Beat.

The extent of the Kamehameha Schools sex abuse scandal could have remained hidden from the public forever if it weren’t for a 2012 law, which allowed victims to file lawsuits over child sex assaults – even if they happened decades earlier. Hawaii News Now.

Commentary: Inner-Party Squabbles Could Shake Up Governor’s Race. If power struggles within the Democratic and Republican parties nationally are transplanted to the islands, all bets are off. Civil Beat.

Oahu

‘Poor Door’: Separate Tower Entrance Planned For Lower-Income Residents. The developer of a proposed mixed-income high rise calls it practical, but a critic says it “segregates people in a very clear way.” Civil Beat.

Oahu needs 2,600 housing units built each year to keep up with population growth. But, building housing that’s affordable is not that easy. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu’s TheBus Route 2 connecting Kalihi to Waikiki will offer service 24 hours a day, seven days a week starting early Sunday morning. Star-Advertiser.

Kalihi-Waikiki bus route to operate 24/7 starting this weekend KHON2.

Could Self-Driving Cars And Buses Replace The Last Leg Of Rail? Longtime critics want to stop the elevated train at Middle Street, then embrace new transportation technologies for the rest of the route. Civil Beat.

Public sounds off on new site for OCCC. The state's preferred plan to build a replacement for Oahu Community Correctional Center is facing opposition from the public -- or at least those who showed up at a town hall meeting to discuss the draft environmental impact statement for the project. Hawaii News Now.

State to sweep encampment that's cropped up just outside a homeless shelter. Another homeless sweep is set for Friday in Kakaako. This time, it's targeting people displaced by a prior sweep — and they're camping just outside the Next Step shelter. Hawaii News Now.

A 49-year-old woman is suing the state Department of Public Safety, claiming a state sheriff’s deputy sexually assaulted her when she was in custody in the courthouse on Punchbowl Street. Star-Advertiser.

Park closure limits access to Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center. “I want people to know we are open,” said the center’s board chairwoman Loretta Yajima. Star-Advertiser.

Many trees in Oahu neighborhoods get decorated with lights for the holiday season, but one in a city park adorned by a resident in honor of his deceased son is creating community discord. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The state Public Charter School Commission on Tuesday voted to issue to Ka’u Learning Academy a “notice of prospect of revocation” — the first step in the process of revoking its charter — alleging issues found in the school’s fiscal year 2017 audit potentially violate provisions of its charter contract. Tribune-Herald.

A case of mumps was confirmed earlier this month at Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School. Tribune-Herald.

Mauna Kea Report Entails Litany Of Legal Conflicts. The director of the Office of Mauna Kea Management provided the board with a rundown of all the lawsuits, projects and outreach efforts involving the university's oversight of the mountain. Big Island Video News.

Some of the people who could be affected by a potential move of the Hawaii County Office of Aging are raising concerns about whether the idea is in the best interest of the county and the people the office serves. Tribune-Herald.

The owners of Windermere C &H Properties have purchased Century 21 All Islands. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island cattle ranchers say over the past few years there has been a troubling and significant increase in the number of cows being killed. Associated Press.

Maui

Mayor Alan Arakawa took a taxpayer-paid trip to Europe in October that included stops in the Czech Republic, Austria, Spain and the Netherlands and cost nearly $5,000. Maui News.

Emergency Proclamation: 400 Dead Trees Along Piiholo Rd to be Removed. Acting Mayor Keith Regan issued an emergency proclamation today, declaring that the county needed to remove more than 400 dead eucalyptus trees in the county owned rights of way along Piʻiholo Road before any more falling trees cause property damage, injury or death this winter. Maui Now.

Emergency proclamation signed to remove hundreds of dead trees on Maui. Safety concerns prompted acting Maui Mayor Keith Regan to sign an emergency proclamation Wednesday that would remove hundreds of dead trees in Makawao. Hawaii News Now.

Kahului Elementary School, which was supposed to reopen today following a fire that damaged classrooms Friday, will remain closed until Monday, the state Department of Education said Wednesday. Maui News.

Kahului Elementary School Remains Closed to Students Until Monday, Dec. 4. Maui Now.

The closure of Kahului Elementary School has been extended to Monday due to damage from a suspicious fire last week, the state Department of Education said. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai


Cannabiz conference coming to town. Hemp could be Kauai’s economic booster and Kauai’s Dustin Barca will be part of a panel discussion on the topic at the Grand Hyatt Friday to Sunday at the island’s first International Cannabis Business Conference. Garden Island.

Preliminary results of samples taken from dozens of dead fish found on Lehua Island during the state’s rodent eradication project are “inconclusive” as to whether rodenticide killed the fish, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said this week. Star-Advertiser.

Severe weather on Kauai prompts school, road closures. Hawaii News Now.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Honolulu medical marijuana users told to surrender guns, nuclear attack warning sirens to be tested Friday, Russian billionaire yacht turned back from Molokai harbor, public forum set for new Oahu jail, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

FACEBOOK photo of letter
HPD medical marijuana gun letter circulating on Facebook
HPD tells medical marijuana patients to turn in their guns. The Honolulu Police Department is ordering legal cannabis patients to “voluntarily surrender” any guns they own because pot is still considered an illegal drug under federal law. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Police Tell Medical Marijuana Patients To Give Up Their Guns. Some say the department’s policy of sending letters to patients is an escalation of efforts to deny gun permits. Civil  Beat.

North Korea’s test launch Tuesday of what could be its longest-range intercontinental ballistic missile yet seems to add further justification to the state planning for what officials are still calling the “extremely unlikely” possibility of a strike on Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Announcement of Attack Warning Siren. Gov. David Ige, Director of Emergency Management Major General Arthur J. Logan and Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Administrator Vern Miyagi presented the tone and discussed the need for the Attack Warning Signal, how it will be used and what their agencies are doing to prepare our state for a nuclear threat. Big Island Now.

Get ready, Hawaii. For the first time since the Cold War, an "attack warning" siren with a wavering tone will sound Friday across the state. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii readies ‘attack warning’ siren tone in event of unlikely nuclear attack. KHON2.

A new website can now show you the economic impact the U.S. military has in the islands. The U.S. military is the second biggest driver to Hawaii’s economy…with approximately 2 billion dollars being spent annually in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hotel rate increases drive October performance. A higher average hotel rate drove up hotel performance in October, offsetting flat statewide occupancy, according to a Hawaii hotel performance report distributed Tuesday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Star-Advertiser.

RevPAR, or revenue per available room, for Hawaii hotels increased 3.8 percent in October to $189 compared to last year, with Hawaii Island reporting the largest gain, according to the Hawaii Hotel Performance Report released Tuesday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

Hotels across Hawaii earned more revenue per available room in October at $189 (+3.8%) compared to a year ago, according to the Hawaii Hotel Performance Report released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Maui Now.

Pledge to investigate Kamehameha Schools sex abuse went unfulfilled. Hawaii News Now.

Former trustees: 'Wall of secrecy' at Kamehameha Schools helped sex abuse stay hidden. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Public forum tonight on plan for new jail. The public will have an opportunity to comment on state plans for a proposed new jail on what is now the site of the Animal Quarantine Station in Halawa Valley at a public meeting tonight. Star-Advertiser.

20 companies to vie for former Island Air employees at job fair. Star-Advertiser.

Homeless move into cemetery, frustrating efforts to clean it up. Hawaii News Now.

Mormon Church North Shore Housing Plans Hit Roadblock. A City Council bill to preserve ag land in Koolauloa could restrict a proposed 550-unit housing and commercial development. Civil Beat.

Malaekahana development to be discussed in meeting. Hawaii Reserves Inc. is expected to present publicly for the first time an alternative to its contentious Envision Laie plan at a meeting of the Honolulu City Council’s Planning Committee at 6:30 p.m. today at Hauula Elementary School. Star-Advertiser.

Did Honolulu Police Go Too Far In The Case Of This Man’s Death? Sheldon Haleck died after a struggle with police in 2015. He was on meth. He refused to get out of the road. Police say they took appropriate actions. Civil Beat.

A first look of Kapiolani Medical Center's new ER space: Slideshow. The Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children will open a new emergency room next month. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Commercial haulers and others taking garbage to the landfill will be paying more to toss their trash, if the County Council agrees with a Department of Environmental Management request to raise tipping fees 33 percent over five years. West Hawaii Today.

County seeks members for boards, commissions. A number of boards and commissions, made up of private citizens, have had trouble getting quorum at meetings. Some have difficulty even getting enough members to make a quorum. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii County Salary Commission on Monday approved double-digit raises for some of the county's top officials. Pacific Business News.

The Hawaii Police Department and its Neighborhood Watch division will be sharing public information on emergency guidelines for a possible nuclear event, as recommended by Hawaii County. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo Hospital Goes It Alone With Rat Lungworm Treatment. Many of the disease’s more severe cases are popping up on the Big Island, where the resident expert prefers an aggressive approach. Civil Beat.

Maui

New Law Would Ban Smoking in Cars with Minors. A bill that would make it illegal to smoke in a vehicle with a minor present will be reintroduced in a special Maui County Council committee meeting on Jan. 5. Maui Now.


West Maui condo fined $100,000 for unpermitted structures. Unpermitted items include barbecue grills, a stairway, an eating area and a seawall. Maui News.

A woman who survived a crash near Hana that killed her twin sister waived her right to a jury trial on a murder charge and will be tried by 2nd Circuit Judge Peter Cahill beginning Jan. 29. Maui News.

Maui ranch pegged for housing back in bankruptcy. Star-Advertiser.

Maui Metro Area Named “Drunkest City” in Hawaii. A new report lists the Maui County metro areas of Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina as the “Drunkest City” in Hawaii. Maui Now.

Kauai

Lawmakers suspicious on whale beachings. The five pilot whales that died on Kalapaki Beach after the Oct. 13 stranding weren’t diseased and some are questioning whether there’s a connection with the state’s Lehua Island rat poisoning project or military sonar. Garden Island.

Marine scientists investigating the mass stranding of five pilot whales on Kauai’s Kalapaki Beach last month have ruled out disease as causing the event, and say something sudden must have triggered the stranding. Garden Island.

Mainland real estate investment firm Holliday Fenoglio Fowler LP said Tuesday that it placed acquisition financing of $32.3 million with a Mainland investor for Epic Real Estate Partners’ $43.55 million purchase of the Safeway-anchored Kauai Village Shopping Center. Pacific Business News.

The new owner of the Safeway-anchored Kauai Village Shopping Center has hired Honolulu-based Commercial Consultants Inc. to handle leasing at the center and has plans to remodel the buildings’ exteriors. Pacific Business News.

Fugitive captured on Kauai. William Lawrence, 41, had been on the run since 2006, when he was convicted of forcible sexual abuse and forcible sodomy, a third-degree felony, according to a press release. At the time of the alleged abuse, Lawrence worked as a correctional officer for the Utah Department of Corrections. Garden Island.

Molokai

Billionaire’s massive yacht turned away at Molokai harbor. A billionaire was blocked from docking at a Molokai harbor after he tried to visit the island with his massive yacht. Garden Island.

Molokai residents send message to billionaire Russian boater: Go away. After protesters blocked a cruise ship from docking at Kaunakakai Harbor several years ago, residents set a protocol for luxury ships and large groups of visitors wanting to come to Molokai. Maui News.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Inouye, Kamehameha Schools sex scandals revisited, huge raises for Hawaii County officials, no new landfill for Oahu, Maui group sues DLNR over boat traffic, mental hospital escapee fights extradition, Kauai whale beaching hearing held, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2017 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
File photo: late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye © 2017 All Hawaii News
Would Dan Inouye Have Survived 1992 Sex Allegations Today? Accusations against the revered Hawaii senator didn’t generate much of a public outcry 25 years ago. Civil Beat.

The Kamehameha Schools administration in the 1990s dropped the ball by not investigating allegations of sexual abuse against a psychiatrist who had treated hundreds of students from the late 1950s to the early 1980s, a board member from that period told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Kamehameha Schools sex abuse victims: 'Monster' stole our childhoods. Hawaii News Now.

Kamehameha Schools responds to sex abuse scandal. Hawaii News Now.

PHOTOS: Hidden Betrayal: Kamehameha Schools Scandal. Hawaii News Now.

‘Attack’ siren to sound Friday. Schoolchildren statewide won’t be scurrying for shelter Friday when officials sound an “attack warning” siren in the first test of its kind in decades. Star-Advertiser.

State Hospital escapee fights extradition to Hawaii. Hawaii State Hospital escapee Randall Saito today contested extradition to Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Island Air just one of several airport tenants that owe the state rent money. KHON2.

Craigslist: Where Desperate Hawaii Renters Plead For Help. Online postings show the dire straits would-be renters face in one of the nation’s most expensive housing markets. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Project to provide 160 homes for Native Hawaiians. More than 100 Native Hawaiians are inching closer to homeownership as the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands works to complete a long-planned subdivision in Kapolei. Star-Advertiser.

The judge in the federal criminal case against former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha, his prosecutor wife, Katherine Kealoha, and four former members of the Honolulu Police Department’s Criminal Intelligence Unit has pushed back the trial by six months. Star-Advertiser.

New Kealoha Defense Tactic: Going After ‘Mainland Prosecutors’ A federal judge pushed back the trial date until June due to the complexity of the case and sheer volume of the evidence. Civil Beat.

City wants to extend landfill’s life. The city will move forward with its plan to continue using the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill into the near future with the hope that it won’t need a new location down the line, Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Despite new rankings for alternate landfills, mayor opposes opening new site. The city released a consultant's report on Monday that includes new rankings for the 11 sites identified as possible alternatives to the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill. Hawaii News Now.

A new report shows the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill may only have 20-years left, but Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Monday afternoon, he does not want another landfill on Oahu. KITV.

Accessory dwellings touted as alternative to ‘monster’ homes. The leader of the Honolulu Board of Realtors said Oahu homeowners looking to help family, friends or even strangers with housing should look into the idea of creating an accessory dwelling unit on their properties. Star-Advertiser.

Many huge homes not illegal under current city laws. While they’re getting a ramped-up number of complaints from Oahu residents about the large-scale houses that are creeping into their neighborhoods, Honolulu City Council members are learning that existing zoning and building laws allow for much more than people think. Star-Advertiser.

A public hearing will be held Tuesday in the hearing room of the Mission Memorial Building on the Honolulu Hale municipal ground to discuss quiet times at the 17 campsites the city maintains across Oahu. KHON2.

Tempers fray over parking fees, maintenance on private Kakaako roads. Hawaii News Now.

Retail plan near Sharks Cove advances. The public has another opportunity to comment on a developer’s plan to build a “rural” retail complex on Oahu’s North Shore as part of a state environmental review. Star-Advertiser.

Two More Condo And Hotel Towers Proposed For Ala Moana. The city planning department has given the green light to the builders as long as they add more community benefits. Civil Beat.

Ex-officer gets 6-month sentence for seeking sex to fix case. Former University of Hawaii volleyball player and fired Honolulu police officer Maulia LaBarre is going to jail for six months for offering to help a woman get her prostitution case dismissed in exchange for sex. Star-Advertiser.

Ex-Cop Sentenced For Helping Prostitute In Exchange For Sex. Judge cites “abuse of your position of power” in sentencing Maulia LaBarre to six months behind bars. Associated Press.

A former University of Hawaii volleyball player and former Honolulu Police Department officer was sentenced Monday to 6 months in prison for federal wire fraud. KITV.

OCCC clearing out contraband. KITV.

Sleep Number to open first Hawaii store in December. U.S. mattress and bedding brand Sleep Number will open its first Hawaii store on West Oahu. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas for some top county officials who will see double-digit raises as high as 39.7 percent. West Hawaii Today.

An underground leak slowed motorists Monday but didn’t create a significant impact on the water-sensitive region. West Hawaii Today.

Six Rescued From Sinking Vessel Off Hawaii Island. The Coast Guard, and good Samaritans rescued six fishermen from the 57-foot fishing vessel, Jane, reportedly taking on water 110 miles southeast of the Big Island of Hawaii on Monday. Big Island Now.

Prominent San Diego couple, George and Gladys Novinger, swept away in Wailuku River. The couple owns Vineyard Hacienda, a Spanish hacienda-style inn on a 9-acre property with a Bordeaux wine grape vineyard in Rancho San Diego. Tribune-Herald.

Winter arrives on Big Island summits. Snow fell Monday on the summits of Mauna Loa and Maunakea after the National Weather Service declared a winter storm warning. Tribune-Herald.

A winter wonderland! Mauna Kea sees heavy snow (and more is on the way). Hawaii News Now.

Coffee Theft on Hawaii Island. Agriculture theft has been a problem on Hawaii Island for decades. Hawaii Public Radio.

Most Hilo locations already sold out of cut Christmas trees. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A lawsuit has been filed against the state Department of Land and Natural Resources over the current permitting system for tour boat operators off of Kaanapali Beach. Maui Now.

Fire-damaged Kahului school to reopen Thursday. Kahului Elementary School will remain closed to students until Thursday as staff work to cope with the aftermath of a suspected arson fire. Star-Advertiser.

Kahului Elementary Remains Closed Until Thursday, Nov. 30. Maui Now.

Kahului Elementary School remains closed today after a suspicious fire Friday night burned six classrooms, damaged the school’s waterlines and left parents and students frustrated and saddened. Maui News.

Kauai

A briefing to discuss findings regarding the October beaching of pilot whales on Kauai is scheduled at 10 a.m. today at the State Capitol building. Garden Island.

Samples taken from 45 mullet-like fish found in Lehua tide pools during the summer 2017 rat-eradication project are too degraded to point to what killed the animals. Garden Island.

Loop Road in Wailua has been closed past the point known as “Jurassic Gate” temporarily, after recent rains created muddy conditions and caused trees to fall over the dirt road. Garden Island.

More abandoned dogs being found at Kokee kennels. Garden Island.

Monday, November 27, 2017

Obama on Hawaii holiday, arson suspected in Maui school fire, monster homes under microscope, state unsure why fish died after Lehua Island poison drop, Kamehameha Schools sex abuse allegations unveiled, three vie for Kauai mayor, $12M for Big Island prosecutor building, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy Mitch's Sushi Bar
Obama at Oahu restaurant courtesy Mitch's Sushi Bar
Obama returns to islands for sushi, golf. Former President Barack Obama was on Oahu this weekend. Star-Advertiser.

Former President Obama is back in the islands. The 44th president was spotted Sunday at Mitch's Sushi Bar in Honolulu. Hawaii News Now.

Brian Schatz Is In The Hot Seat Now. Hawaii’s senior senator is a member of the Senate Ethics Committee, which is tasked with investigating his own colleagues. Civil Beat.

Push For Airport Authority Divides State Legislature. Big Island Video News.

New state program tracks military spending in isles. Defense contracts have been running at about $2.1 billion a year in Hawaii as part of an estimated $7.8 billion in direct military spending supporting more than 64,000 jobs. Star-Advertiser.

New teachers need 22 years to amass home down payment. The estimates were based on beginning Hawaii teachers with a bachelor’s degree earning an average of $45,963, slightly higher than the national average of $43,806. Associated Press.

Isle substance abuse fatalities on rapid rise. Hawaii’s drug, alcohol and suicide death rate is projected to increase by 39 percent over the next decade, a new report shows. Star-Advertiser.

Mauna Kea telescope details rare supernova. Star-Advertiser.

A critically endangered Hawaiian plant that can safely exist only within a heavily managed greenhouse environment has new hope for long-term survival thanks to a novel experiment conducted by botanists from the University of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

The first sitting of the International Commission of Inquiry, initially scheduled for January 16 and 17, 2018 on the grounds of Iolani Palace at the Kanaina Building, has been delayed. Big Island Video News.

Oahu

Massive dwellings prove difficult beasts for city to tame. As complaints start to pour in over monster houses springing up in older communities from Pearl City to Hawaii Kai, the city’s Department of Planning and Permitting is coming under scrutiny. Star-Advertiser.

City inspectors cite some for ‘monster’ houses but not others. Star-Advertiser.

The Star-Advertiser looked into eight addresses that neighbors complained about. Star-Advertiser.

Why A Tree In Hawaii Kai Is Raising Questions Of Favoritism. A father’s gift to remember his dead son has become a story of special treatment by the Honolulu City Council. Civil Beat.

More than 7,000 sailors spent their Thanksgiving weekend on Oahu. On Saturday the USS Coronado and the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group docked at Pearl Harbor. Hawaii News Now.

The University of Hawaii at West Oahu has received a $2.7 million grant to help more than 500 students in the Waianae Coast area prepare for and succeed in postsecondary education. Star-Advertiser.

A salvage company continued working Sunday to prepare to remove a grounded fishing vessel off Waikiki as early as this week, a Coast Guard spokeswoman said. Star-Advertiser.

This Waikiki Shipwreck Is Proving Tough To Get Rid Of. Salvage crews are readying for another attempt to get the grounded Pacific Paradise off the reef near Kaimana Beach. Civil Beat.

Volunteers sort through waves of marine debris collected from Hawaii's shores. Plastic pollution in the ocean continues to be a big problem washing up on Hawaii's shores. In an attempt to protect the 'big blue,' Sustainable Coastlines, along with several other non-profit organizations and volunteers, took advantage of the long holiday weekend to tackle the growing problem. KITV.

Kamehameha officials failed to report or investigate sex abuse allegations. Star-Advertiser.

These transcript passages are taken from sworn testimony that former Kamehameha Schools officials gave during depositions for a pending lawsuit alleging that a psychiatrist, Dr. Robert Browne, sexually abused students. Star-Advertiser.

How Can We Improve Democracy In Hawaii? This conference focuses on getting more people involved in the public process — and making the conversation more civil. Civil Beat.

Honolulu police have opened an attempted murder investigation after they say a man tried to run down an officer. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Dirt could start flying early next year for a new Kona building for the county prosecutor, three years after the County Council approved the project. West Hawaii Today.

Slightly fewer teaching positions were vacant in Hawaii Island public schools at the start of the current school year, according to data the state Department of Education provided to the Tribune-Herald last week. Tribune-Herald.

University of Hawaii researchers have bred cattle that produce meat rated as high as the top 1 percent in quality in the nation. Tribune-Herald.

Naalehu farmers report upped livestock killings. West Hawaii Today.

After the federal government announced plans to end a subsidy for air service at the Waimea-Kohala Airport, the president of Mokulele Airlines said Wednesday he wants the airline to continue to be able to fly in and out of North Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

Mauna Kea Resort plans to carve out a small portion of its acreage for a new housing development. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Bill would allow people without homes to sleep in their parked cars. County attorneys say they have concerns about the proposal. Maui News.

West Maui hospital construction stalled by tax reform bills. Maui News.

Report: County metro area is state's ‘drunkest city’. But state Health Department said it found the counties not statistically different. Maui News.

Kahului Elementary to close Monday to assess fire damages. Maui Police believe arson was the cause of the fire at Kahului Elementary School that resulted more than $1.2 million in damages.  KITV.
  
Arson Suspected in Kahului School Fire. Kahului Elementary School will be closed on Monday, Nov. 27, to assess the damage from Friday night’s fire. Maui Now.

Maui police suspect arson as the cause of a fire that resulted in $1.2 million in damage to Kahului Elementary School. Star-Advertiser.

Fire blackens Kahului School. Maui News.

An arson investigation has been opened after suspicious fires destroyed classrooms at a Maui school Friday night, causing $1.2 million in damages. Hawaii News Now.

The suspicious building fire at Kahului Elementary School has forced educators to close the school on Monday. KHON2.

Sammy Hagar’s quiet philanthropy will be missed. Maui’s nonprofit community benefited for years from the rocker’s generosity, according to Darby Gill. Maui News.

The Maui Police Department is conducting a citizens survey as a way to improve community services. Maui News.

A Maui resident has filed a class-action lawsuit against a Hawaii Subaru distributor, claiming soy-based insulation in wiring and fuel hoses attracted rats that damaged her car. Maui News.

It’s been more than 15 years since the idea first took root, but Hospice Maui’s dream to add a garden area to its Wailuku site has begun to blossom with the help of a land donation from Maui Lani. Maui Now.

Kauai

Three qualified candidates have announced they will be running for the office of Kauai mayor. Garden Island.

After dozens of dead fish were discovered on Lehua Island after controversial rat poison drops, the state said Monday they there not able to determine what caused the fish to die. Hawaii News Now.

Leaders eye price island pays for robust tourism. Garden Island.

Tourism patterns have changed, but island infrastructure has not. Garden Island.

Friday, November 24, 2017

Stable economy predicted, twin who drove off Maui cliff wants murder charge dismissed, free school bus rides for military kids, rail stations get Hawaiian names, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki shoppers copyright 2017 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Waikiki shoppers © 2017 All Hawaii News
The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is predicting stable economic growth for the next few years, after releasing its fourth quarter 2017 Statistical and Economic Report. Pacific Business News.

DBEDT predicts stable economic growth. The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism released its fourth quarter 2017 Statistical and Economic Report Wednesday, which indicated Hawaii’s overall economic condition should remain stable into the next few years and predicted steady economic growth at around 1.5 percent. West Hawaii Today.

E-commerce has been good to Hawaii’s air cargo industry over the last 15 years, but inbound and outbound air freight volumes are still lagging decade-old peaks, a new state report shows. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority will begin publishing monthly Hawaii hotel data starting next week after securing the rights from STR, the analytics firm that gathers the data. Pacific Business News.

Free bus rides considered for military kids. The idea is among possible changes to administrative rules that the Board of Education on Tuesday agreed to offer for consideration by the governor and the public. Star-Advertiser.

Scientific evidence on the pros and cons of medical cannabis is limited, but interest is strong, judging by the sold-out turnout at the first symposium on the subject at the University of Hawaii Medical School. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The nine rail stations at the Ewa end of the city’s mass-transit line have been given Hawaiian names that experts say are reflective of ancient place names and legendary sites along the rail route. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation announced on Wednesday the Hawaiian names for nine rail stations on the Ewa end of the rail system, as recommended by the Hawaiian Station Naming Working Group. KITV.

Park users are complaining that the Sand Island State Recreation Area has become a haven for illegal dumping. Hawaii News Now.

A state judge has put a freeze on two Oahu properties on which an accountant is accused of paying for mortgages and improvements using money she stole from a nonprofit organization that serves adults and children with physical and developmental disabilities. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The Sierra Club of Hawaii is asking the County of Hawaii to withdraw and amend the Draft​ ​Environmental​ ​Assessment​ ​​for​ ​the​ ​South​ ​Hilo​ ​Sanitary​ ​Landfill​. The environmental organization wants the draft document ​amended​ ​to​ ​include​ ​the​ ​option​ ​to​ ​capture​ ​and​ ​reuse​ ​methane​ ​gas. Big Island Video News.

Initiative expands scope in hopes of establishing Christmas tree industry on the Big Island. Christmas trees remain scarce and expensive on Hawaii Island, but a stand of fir trees on a remote Maunakea hillside might be the beginning of an island Christmas tree industry. Tribune-Herald.

Community members form new group to care for, improve skate park in Pahoa. Tribune-Herald.

Major commercial center pitched in Kailua-Kona. The Kailua Village Design Commission Tuesday night deferred taking action on a new 14-building commercial center proposed for Kailua-Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Company to expand amphibious tours. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A murder charge against a woman accused of deliberately driving off a cliff in Hawaii and killing her identical twin sister should be dismissed because prosecutors misled the grand jury that indicted her, a defense attorney said. Associated Press.

Maui police officer busted for stealing on the job. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Managing Director Earns Credentialed Designation. The International Local Government Management Organization recently awarded Maui County Managing Director Keith Regan with the Credentialed Manager designation. MD Regan is now one of 1,400 local government management professionals currently credentialed through the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program. Maui News.

Kauai

A former Kauai police detective who relocated to Oahu was issued a temporary restraining order against his neighbors after increasing conflicts. Garden Island.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Northwestern Hawaii Islands eyed for commerce, net neutrality at issue, governor praises Nimitz homeless cleanup, attorney general probes state mental hospital, Kauai’s Na Pali Coast cleared of squatters, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Papahanaumokuakea Northwest Hawaii Islands
Should Papahanaumokuakea Be Open For Business? GOP lawmakers want restrictions lifted on fishing, mining and energy exploration — even though experts say there is no oil and gas there. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Lawmakers Call on FCC to Protect Net Neutrality. Hawaii lawmakers are among those voicing concerns with the Federal Communications Commission’s plan to dismantle landmark net neutrality rules. Maui Now.

Six investigators from the state Attorney General’s Office are looking into how killer Randall Saito escaped from the Hawaii State Hospital in Kaneohe on Nov. 12 and made his way to Maui and then California while officials at the psychiatric hospital waited 10 hours to notify authorities, Gov. David Ige said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

They're dirty and they know it': Hawaii State Hospital worker speaks out about killer's escape. A Hawaii State Hospital employee is speaking out about the escape of a psychopathic killer from the facility, saying it underscores the need to "clean house."  Hawaii News Now.

One Senator’s Prescription For Making The State Hospital Safer. Officials say they’re already taking steps to make the facility more escape-proof by adding fences and suspending patient privileges. Star-Advertiser.

Another mental patient is on the run from state custody. Prior to the highly publicized Nov. 12 escape of Hawaii State Hospital patient Randall Saito, acquitted of murder by reason of insanity, another patient under Department of Health custody disappeared, and he remains on the run. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Has Fewer Certified Teachers This Year. Board of Education members want state officials to rethink how they plan to recruit and retain new teachers in the long run. Civil Beat.

HECO, University of Hawaii partner to develop new renewable energy tariff. Hawaiian Electric Cos. and the University of Hawaii have joined forces to create a renewable energy initiative that could help the university achieve its net-zero energy goal and bring more renewable energy resources online. Pacific Business News.

Oahu


Massive viaduct cleanup complete. It cost the state $516,000 to remove 180 homeless people, their belongings and trash from below the H-1 freeway viaduct last month in what Gov. David Ige described Tuesday as a “new approach” to addressing homeless encampments on state land. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii DOT
Crews wrap up Nimitz Viaduct clean-up, hauling out 4M pounds of trash. After nearly a month, the state says it's wrapped up a massive clean-up of entrenched homeless encampments under the Nimitz Viaduct. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Ige: Clean-up of homeless camp on Nimitz Hwy. complete. Gov. David Ige announced Tuesday that a clean-up of a massive homeless encampment under the Airport Viaduct on Nimitz Highway is complete. KITV.

State promises regular enforcement to keep homeless out of restricted areas. The state is touting significant progress in keeping the homeless out of public areas, saying the pieces are in place to enforce the law. KHON2.

Kahauiki Plantation-Style Village: Jobs First. Hawai’i’s first public-private rental housing project for homeless families should be completed in 2 months. Hawaii Public Radio.

Advocates in 'race' to keep pimps from preying on homeless teens. Youth outreach experts in Waikiki are battling the clock to reach homeless teenage girls before they fall into prostitution as a way to survive. Hawaii News Now.

20 arrested as police raid suspected game rooms in Punchbowl area. Honolulu police conducted a crack-down on illegal gambling operations in a Punchbowl neighborhood on Saturday, arresting at least 20 people for various warrants and gambling-related offenses. Hawaii News Now.

Former city worker gets jail and probation in sex assault. Fired city parks groundskeeper Harold Villanueva Jr. insisted at his sentencing in state court for misdemeanor sexual assault Tuesday that he did not grab the victim’s buttock. Star-Advertiser.

City asks governor to hold off on Airbnb tax deal. Mayor Kirk Caldwell said the city reached out to the governor, to ask that he not rush into any deal with Airbnb, to collect taxes until the city can come up with a possible enforcement fix. KITV.

Hughes Corp. sues over alleged deficiencies in Waiea tower. As the first residential tower in a proclaimed model 21st-century urban Honolulu community, the ultraluxury Waiea high-rise was supposed to be a showcase for Ward Village. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu solar permits declined 16% in October. In October, the city Department of Planning and Permitting issued 307 permits for solar electric systems, down from 367 in the same month last year, a drop of 16 percent. Star-Advertiser.

Three-bedroom homes on Oahu accounted for nearly half of all single-family home sales so far this year, and more than a third of those three-bedroom homes sold in 2017 were bid up over asking price, an increase of 8 percent from last year, according to a mid-month report by Locations. Pacific Business News.

Demand high for three-bedroom homes on Oahu. Hawaii's housing market remains hot especially for three-bedroom homes. KITV.

Ward Warehouse’s demolition yields a trove of materials for reuse. Storefront doors, restaurant kitchen sinks, light fixtures, railings and maybe even a worn trolley car from inside the former Old Spaghetti Factory are among items being salvaged by Re-Use Hawaii, a nonprofit that recycles construction materials. Star-Advertiser.

Shuttered Snappers seeks protection from creditors. A more than 25-year-old Waikiki sports bar that had been trying to deal with disruptive sewer and storm drain flooding along with a federal sexual harassment lawsuit has filed for bankruptcy after closing two weeks ago. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

New 3rd Circuit Court Judge Robert Kim sworn in; heavy caseload ahead. New 3rd Circuit Court Judge Robert D.S. Kim won’t spend his first day meeting co-workers, mingling and filling out HR paperwork — quite the opposite. West Hawaii Today.

Company to expand amphibious tours. Big Island Duck Adventures, a Kailua-Kona company, considers adding more tours on the windward side. Tribune-Herald.

Reporter to be honored for breaking story about former Mayor Billy Kenoi.  West Hawaii Today government reporter Nancy Cook Lauer is being honored for her work in breaking the story of former Mayor Billy Kenoi’s misuse of a county-issued credit card, known as a pCard. Associated Press.

Maui

The Maui Police Department is conducting a citizen survey to evaluate the public’s attitudes and opinions pertaining to the level of law enforcement services currently provided. Maui Now.

Flood-ravaged Iao Valley to finally reopen Wednesday. Just more than a year after major flooding wreaked havoc on parts of the Iao Valley State Monument on Maui, state officials say the park is set to reopen on Wednesday – nearly a month ahead of schedule. Hawaii News Now.

Man accused of harassing interracial teen couple. Two teenagers testified they were “shaken” and “scared” when a stranger used a racial slur and yelled at them while they were waiting for food at a Pukalani restaurant earlier this year. Maui News.

Kauai

Sweeps show improvement in Kauai’s Kalalau Valley. During their latest sweep of Kauai’s Kalalau Valley, state conservation officers cited three campers without permits, dismantled a squatter camp and spotted a handful of illegal camps hidden in the forest. Star-Advertiser.

State’s consistent enforcement cleans up Kalalau. Fewer people are squatting in Kauai’s Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park than there were a few months ago. Garden Island.

Beach, trail cleanups set Saturday. Surfrider Foundation Kauai Chapter and B*RAD Foundation are hosting a cleanup at Donkey Beach, north of Kapaa. Garden Island.

Molokai

Over the next week the voyaging canoe Hokulea is in Molokai as part of its "Mahalo Hawaii" sail. KITV.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Hawaii tops in extended families, Hawaiian Airlines collects climate data, HART delays $18M rail contractor increase, new bus boss for Hawaii Island, big jump in air cargo, eco-friendly caskets, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2017 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Izu Oshima Island  dancers span generations © 2017 All Hawaii News
Why Hawaii Trends Toward Large And Extended Families. At 11 percent of households, the Aloha State has the highest proportion of multigenerational homes in the country, with Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (18 percent), and Asians (13 percent) being the two ethnic groups with the largest proportions of multigenerational households. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian first U.S. airline on board for daily air quality monitoring. Hawaiian Airlines has become the first U.S. airline to begin daily air quality monitoring of one of the biggest and cleanest regions of the planet: an area from China to New Zealand to Seattle. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines taking part in climate change research. As of last month, a specially equipped plane has been collecting air samples using a climate monitoring device that's attached to the exterior of the aircraft. KITV.

The air cargo industry in Hawaii had 852 employees in 2016, experiencing 978.5% growth in employment over 15 years, between 2001 and 2016. Maui Now.

Disruptive Hawaii flight passenger sentenced to time served. A Turkish man who said a hallucination about a butterfly caused him to disrupt a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu won’t receive additional jail time under terms of his sentence handed down Monday. Associated Press.

Unruly airline passenger sentenced to 6 months in prison, $8,525 in restitution. Pacific Business News.

Delta's Atlanta to Honolulu flight gets upgrade starting next April. Delta's domestic upgrades to Delta One are coming next April, but only one roundtrip will impact the airline's hub in Atlanta. Pacific Business News.

Get Island Air refunds quickly, state warns. The executive director of the state Office of Consumer Protection urges Hawaii consumers who purchased Island Air tickets to seek refunds from their credit or debit card providers. Star-Advertiser.

First observed interstellar object to pass by Earth is given Hawaiian name. After consulting with UH-Hilo Hawaiian language experts Ka‘iu Kimura and Larry Kimura, the UH team named the interstellar visitor Oumuamua, which means leader or scout. Star-Advertiser.

State urges extra mumps vaccine dose as cases rise. As of Friday the Health Department said the number has spiked to 575 confirmed cases so far this year. Star-Advertiser.

Alexander &Baldwin Inc. will pay its shareholders $783 million mostly in the form of new stock as part of converting to a real estate investment trust, or REIT. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

HART board delays $18M increase for rail contractor. The board overseeing Honolulu’s rail project rejected a request by rail staff to increase a key engineering contract by nearly $18 million, with several board members saying they didn’t have enough information to approve the sizable request. Star-Advertiser.

Waipahu sees single-family homes sales jump; condo prices rise across Oahu. Sales of single-family homes in Waipahu more than doubled in October, as the median price in the Central Oahu neighborhood rose 11 percent, while the five areas with the highest number of condominium sales all saw median prices rise last month, according to statistics from the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Oahu solar permits declined 16% in October. In October, the city Department of Planning and Permitting issued 307 permits for solar electric systems, down from 367 in the same month last year, a drop of 16 percent. Star-Advertiser.

UH Manoa’s College of Education Names New Dean. Nathan Murata beat out two other finalists for the job of leading the College of Education. Civil Beat.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa on Monday named Nathan Murata its new dean of the College of Education, effective Jan. 1. Pacific Business News.

Amid an escalating dispute with some neighbors in Manoa, a former Kauai police detective gets a temporary restraining order filed against him and his rifle taken away. Hawaii News Now.

Family of Marine fatally stabbed in Waikiki wants suspect charged as adult. The teen accused of killing a Marine in Waikiki in October is set to appear in court Tuesday — the day his victim would've celebrated his 24th birthday.  Hawaii News Now.

Can These Eco-Friendly Caskets Find A Niche In $20 Billion Industry? A Waimanalo company is trying to serve the growing market for people wanting greener burial options. Civil Beat.

The fishing vessel that ran aground just off pristine Waikiki beaches more than a month ago is being prepared for removal, possibly by the end of the week. Associated Press.

Hawaii Island

Caltrans planner to take over Hele-On system. Maria Aranguiz, chief of systems planning and forecasting for the California Department of Transportation, will begin as the county Mass Transit Agency administrator on Feb. 16, county Managing Director Wil Okabe said Monday. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island’s mass transit system is carrying a fraction of the passengers compared to a few years ago with a fleet in disrepair, auto and money theft incidents, costly contractors filling gaps, and a past-due multimillion-dollar baseyard project. KHON2.

Charter school using $1 million grant to expand hours, reach academic goals. Ka Umeke Kaeo was the only Hawaii school to receive the School Improvement Grant this year, a federal grant designed to support Title 1 schools that “demonstrate the greatest need for the funds and the strongest commitment to use them to substantially raise the achievement of students,” according to a state Department of Education news release. Tribune-Herald.

Univ. of Nations CFO could face another offense. Pablo Rivera pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on May 15. West Hawaii Today.

WHT reporter to be celebrated Dec. 9 for work cracking pCard case. The Big Island Press Club will celebrate Nancy Cook Lauer as the club’s 2017 Torch of Light winner during its annual Christmas Luncheon from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Hilo Bay Café. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Hale Makua Health Services Hires New Kahului Administrator. Teana Kahoʻohanohano has been hired as Administrator of Hale Makua Kahului, Maui’s largest skilled and intermediate nursing home, rehab center and adult day health center. Kahoʻohanohano has over 10 years of experience as a licensed Administrator in California and Hawaii. Maui Now.

Kihei Community Association to meet. Council Planning Committee Chairwoman Kelly King and Maui Tomorrow Foundation President Lucienne de Naie will speak Tuesday night at the Kihei Community Association general membership meeting at Kihei Charter Middle School. Maui News.

Costco’s solar project, like most of its products, is big. Costco Wholesale has begun construction of carport-style support structures for the eventual installation of solar panels in the store’s Kahului parking lot off of Haleakala Highway. Maui News.

Hokulea Stops in Hana for 9th Annual Limu Festival. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaui Police Department Assistant Chief Roy Asher placed on unpaid leave until an internal investigation is complete. Garden Island.

Test of new signal scheduled Dec. 1. A wailing tone that advises everyone to take immediate shelter, the “attack warning” tone will be added to the monthly test. Garden Island.

Monday, November 20, 2017

New $60M tax system has problems, Kauai assistant police chief put on leave, Maui mayor seeks to fire water chief, money for Hawaii in defense bill, more news from all the Hawaiian islands

copyright 2017 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Medical marijuana sign © 2017 All Hawaii News
Hawaii’s Marijuana Business: Room for Growth. It’s been two and a half years since Hawaii’s legislature approved a dispensary program for medical marijuana, and about four months since the first dispensary opened its doors. Hawaii Public Radio.

Employees warn of problems with new tax system. The state’s largest union and workers in the state Department of Taxation are warning that the $60 million project to modernize the tax department’s computer systems has gotten seriously off track, and have written to Gov. David Ige to warn that the project could be “severely compromised” unless changes are made. Star-Advertiser.

The $700 billion defense policy bill just passed by Congress states that North Korea nuclear and missile tests “constitute a grave and imminent threat” to Asia-Pacific security and calls for expansion of radar systems and a “sequenced approach” to the defense of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Russian surveillance plane flies unchallenged over isles. The Russian overflight conducted Oct. 4-6 was sanctioned by the United States as part of the Treaty on Open Skies, which has been in effect since 2002 to verify arms control agreements and promote stability through transparency of military forces and activities. Star-Advertiser.

Disabled Job Seekers Left In Limbo By Agency’s Cash Crunch. Hawaii’s vocational rehabilitation program insists the problem is temporary, but some clients fear they’ll lose their support. Civil Beat.

Study on state ferry awaited. A study looking at the viability of a state-owned ferry system will be presented to the state Legislature next month, according to the state Department of Transportation. Tribune-Herald.

Analysts, competitors cast doubt on prospects for third shipper to isles. Star-Advertiser.

Some State Hospital staffers regularly break rules, worker alleges. A social worker on disciplinary leave from the Hawaii State Hospital since October said employees regularly help patients leave the hospital out of sympathy, pick on patients they don’t like — and even turn on one another while security guards look the other way. Star-Advertiser.

Little Fire Ants Are On The March In Hawaii. They’re already established on every island except Molokai, and experts say a concerted effort is required to stop their spread. Civil Beat.

Oahu residents will see their electrical bills dip slightly this month while customers in Maui County and on Hawaii island are facing continued sharp increases due to higher fuel costs. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Former rail CEO gets $32,000 bonus pay. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board voted Friday to reward its former interim executive director and CEO, Krishniah Murthy, with a $32,000 bonus. Star-Advertiser.

Paying The Rent Just Keeps Getting Tougher In Honolulu. Nearly 60 percent of Honolulu renters spend at least 30 percent of their incomes on housing, a study shows. Civil Beat.

New proposal to alleviate DMV lines with weekend hours pilot already on chopping block. KHON2.

Community group wants rescue tubes across Oahu. The tube, a flotation device, can and has been used to help save lives when people get in trouble in the ocean. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu solar permits declined 16 percent in October. Star-Advertiser.

Don’t be alarmed if you hear loud noises, such as gunfire, in Central Oahu this week. The U.S. Marines will conduct demolition training at Schofield Barracks on Monday and Tuesday. KHON2.

Commentary: State’s new role over city’s bloated rail project amounts to huge hill of bean(counter)s. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Feds to end subsidy for service to Waimea airport. The U.S. Department of Transportation in January will end a subsidy for air service at the Waimea-Kohala Airport following unsuccessful efforts to negotiate sharing the subsidy’s cost. West Hawaii Today.

Retiring local police leave vacancies tough to fill. Upcoming retirements add to the increasing number of vacancies impacting the Hawaii Police Department, officials reported to the Hawaii County Police Commission Friday morning. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Police Department prepares for 20-plus retirements. Associated Press.

A mainland applicant has accepted an offer to become the county’s mass transit administrator. West Hawaii Today.

Final Waiaha Transmission Waterline EA Published. The 16-inch transmission water line will provide "critical redundancy in case there are problems with another part of the system", water officials say. Big Island Video News.

Big Island resort to include crossfit studio following $46M renovation. he Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel will convert to the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort following a $46 million renovation in March. Pacific Business News.

Maui


Mayor Seeks Removal of Water Director, Dave Taylor. Maui Director of Water Supply Dave Taylor has been placed on paid administrative leave while Mayor Alan Arakawa seeks his removal as head of the department. Maui Now.

Iao Valley State Monument to Re-Open Nov. 22, Ahead of Schedule. Maui Now.

Threat assessment of eruption at Haleakala crater is moderate. The 10,000-foot East Maui mountain erupts every 200 to 500 years. Maui News.

Hokulea says a hui hou to Hana as they head to next neighbor island stop. Hawaii News Now.

Indoor trampoline park to open on Maui after leasing space. Ultimate Air LLC, an Arkansas-based company that operates indoor trampoline parks, recently signed a lease for a 25,000-square-foot space on Maui for its first Hawaii trampoline park. Pacific Business News.

Food preservatives might throw off the balance of “good” bacteria in the human gut, which could have implications for health, according to a new study by faculty and students at University of Hawaii Maui College. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

KPD's assistant chief placed on leave after complaint. An internal investigation has led to Kauai's Assistant Police Chief being placed on leave. Hawaii News Now.

Report cites ‘loss of control’ in fatal Kauai plane crash. The National Transportation Safety Board says the defining event in a crash that killed five people aboard a skydiving flight on Kauai was “loss of control in flight.”  Garden Island.

NTSB releases cause of 2016 plane crash on Kauai that killed 5. Dramatic video recently released by the National Transportation Safety Board shows the skydiving plane crash on Kauai that killed all five people on board last May. Hawaii News Now.

New video released by the National Transportation Safety Board gives a better view of what happened when a Skydive Kauai plane crashed while leaving Port Allen Airport in Hanapepe. KITV.

NTSB investigators use GoPro videos to assist in investigation of deadly plane crash on Kauai. KHON2.

Real estate prices continue climbing. The median sales price of a home on Kauai was $713,000, up nearly 9 percent from last month and more than 14 percent since October 2016. Garden Island.