Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Federal aid iffy in Kilauea volcano response, alternate road planned as cracks emerge in main thoroughfare, cancellations concern tourism officials -- lots more volcano news. Plus, homelessness drops, rail costs rise, more top news from all the Hawaiian Islands

A local pokes fun at federal volcano responders in this Facebook photo illustration PC: Gayln Williams
Federal disaster declaration iffy, governor says. The ongoing volcanic eruption does not yet appear to reach the financial threshold for a federal disaster declaration, but Gov. David Ige is exploring whether a disaster can be declared for presenting “an imminent danger to the community.” Star-Advertiser.

'Open for business': Tourism leaders say misinformation is driving spike in cancellations. Hawaii News Now.


Volcanic activity has paused at all 12 fissures although they continue to emit hazardous fumes, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Star-Advertiser.

As eruptions subside on Big Island, residents warned: 'This is not over'. Hawaii News Now.

Volcanic activity calms for now, but officials 'don't believe this is the end of it'. KHON2.

Hawaii County Civil Defense officials said Monday that a total of 35 structures, most of those homes, have been destroyed by lava flowing from the eruptions from 10 fissures on Kilauea’s east rift zone, while officials with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the dropoff in activity from the eruption is “likely only a pause in activity.” Pacific Business News.

Hawaii County's Department of Public Works reports steam and lava emissions from a crack in Leilani Subdivision in the area of Mohala Street late Thursday afternoon. Since then, earthquakes have shook the island, and more fissures have appeared. Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor David Ige visited community members and volunteers in Pahoa Monday at Puuhonua O Puna, an information center established by Big Island Civil Defense at Sacred Hearts Church. KITV.

Hawaii Island leaders addressed the crowd Monday night at the public meeting on the ongoing Puna eruption, held at the Pahoa cafeteria. Big Island Video News.

The state and Hawaii County are preparing an alternate route to Puna in case Kilauea eruptions cut off Highway 130. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation is working with the County of Hawaii to prepare an alternative route in Puna should Highway 130 be cut off by the Kilauea Volcano East Rift Zone Eruption. Big Island Now.

Officials work on contingency plan should current eruption cut off highway. KHON2.

Science explains Kilauea, a volcano oozing hot lava for decades. Kilauea is not your typical blow-the-top-off kind of volcano. Associated Press.

Despite Risks, Volcano Offers Affordable Piece Of Paradise. The people here are largely self-sufficient and understand the hazards of their location. Associated Press.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports volcanic activity has subsided at all 12 fissures, but hazardous fumes remain. Star-Advertiser.

Some Leilani Estates residents stay put despite evacuation order. Star-Advertiser.

Volcanic activity in Leilani impacts water supply of surrounding neighborhoods. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii island residents whose homes were destroyed by lava should be able to recover money for fire damage from their homeowners insurance policies. Star-Advertiser.

‘Business as usual’ in Lanipuna. With daily updates of more volcanic fissures opening and lava destroying homes in Leilani Estates, it’s easy to forget that Lanipuna Gardens, a smaller neighboring subdivision, also remains under evacuation order by Hawaii County Civil Defense. Tribune-Herald.

Two lava-related arrests made in Leilani Estates. Tribune-Herald.

In just the past week, people on the Big Island have felt over 1,200 earthquakes. Hawaii News Now.

The Latest: Lava update from Hawaii Island. KITV.

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Count shows big decline in homelessness, but some doubt its accuracy. Hawaii News Now.

The statewide Point-in-Time Count, a census of Hawaii’s homeless population, decreased across all islands, indicating that the state is making progress in reducing the country’s highest per capita rate of homelessness. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii saw a 9.6 percent decrease in its homeless population as compared to a year ago, according to a survey released Monday. Civil Beat.

Homelessness in Hawaii has taken a nosedive for the second consecutive year, according to the 2018 statewide Point In Time Count Report conducted in January and released Monday morning. West Hawaii Today.

Homeless Point-In-Time Count Down For 2nd Consecutive Year. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Neighbor island housing markets were mainly positive last month with mostly higher sale volume and prices on Hawaii island, Maui County and Kauai, according to data from local real estate agent trade associations. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines tops $100M in baggage, change fees. Hawaiian Airlines has given no indication of changing its baggage and change-fee policies even with Southwest Airlines lurking in the distance. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

A one-day census of Oahu’s homeless population decreased for the first time in nine years and resulted in the statewide Point in Time Count decreasing for the second year in a row. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s rail agency has awarded the project’s next major contract: a work package valued at as much as $400 million to relocate utilities along the route’s last four miles into town. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has awarded Nan Inc. a contract worth a maximum $400 million to relocate utilities along the proposed rail transit route through Honolulu’s city center. Pacific Business News.

Councilmember Kobayashi plans to prevent another Manoa stream flood. KITV.

Trump signs bill to add Pacific War memorial to Honolulu WWII sites. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The county Board of Ethics made quick work Monday agreeing that Kohala Councilman Tim Richards doesn’t have a conflict of interest voting on a vacation rental bill, even though he and his wife operate a vacation rental themselves. West Hawaii Today.

Mayor Harry Kim inched his annual spending plan up another $2.3 million in his proposed budget delivered Monday to the County Council. West Hawaii Today.

Naalehu residents raise concern after wastewater treatment facility preliminary design puts it next to school. West Hawaii Today.

Heavy vog expected in West Hawaii through this week. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Statewide survey finds a slight decrease in Maui homeless people. Valley Isle’s decline lowest in state, which had overall 9.6% drop in homeless population. Maui News.

With the median sales price hitting $725,000 for a single-family home and $508,513 for a condominium, the Realtors Association of Maui statistics for April provide the latest evidence of how tough it is for working-class residents to buy homes here. Maui News.

Maui Community Correctional Center Gets 3 New Adult Correctional Officers. Maui Now.

An 11.3-acre photovoltaic solar project located in Haleakala Ranch pastures came online over the weekend. Maui Now.

Maui's first large-scale solar project goes online. On Saturday, Kenyon Energy, in partnership with Maui Electric Co., flipped the switch on its new 2.87-megawatt solar farm on the Valley Isle south side. Pacific Business News.

With help from the Small Business Development Center, Maui resident Jenna Davis created Raw Love Sunscreen, an FDA approved, water proof and coral-safe sunscreen with no harmful chemicals, preservatives or fillers. Maui Now.

Kauai

Flood relief efforts ongoing. It’s been nearly a month since historic rainfall caused catastrophic flooding on Kauai, destroying homes and cars, killing livestock and initially leaving three North Shore communities isolated. Garden Island.

Felicia Cowden has filed to run for the Kauai County Council. Garden Island.

The Department of Public Works is announcing that one lane of alternating traffic will be open for portions of Koloa Road to allow for the performance of pavement survey work today. Garden Island.

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