Friday, May 18, 2018

New fissure spews lava and gas as Kilauea activity continues, Senate bill to improve volcano monitoring, 12k ash masks issued. Plus, congressional candidate to be fined for campaign finance violations, judge rules against Waikiki beachboys, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands


New Fissure Opens In Leilani Estates, Lava Flows Generated. Big Island Video News.

A new lava fissure opened Thursday in Leilani Estates after a day of heavy air pollution in Pahoa and other parts of lower Puna that prompted closures of schools and a post office. Tribune-Herald.

Several fissures still actively spewing lava, emitting dangerous gases. Hawaii News Now.

A total of 21 fissures have appeared since May 3rd in Leilani Estates. The eruption has destroyed at least 25 homes, and lava has covered more than 115 acres of land. Hawaii Public Radio.

Here's where all of the fissures in lower Puna have opened up. Hawaii News Now.

Kilauea Eruption Prompts US Senate Action On Volcano Monitoring. The U.S. Senate passed a bill Thursday to upgrade the nation’s ability to monitor volcanoes and provide early warnings to those living in the shadows of their summits. Civil Beat.

Senate bill would unify all U.S. volcano monitoring activity. U.S. Sen. Mazie K. Hirono announced today that she and fellow U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) have secured the Senate passage of a bill that improves the nation’s volcano monitoring and early-warning capabilities. Star-Advertiser.

Senate passes bill to upgrade volcano monitoring system. Tribune-Herald.

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In the last six months, the Department of Education opened 59 investigations into worker misconduct. Right now, 55 workers have an open case that's either being investigated or in the decision making process. KHON2.

State Rep. Kaniela Ing, a Democrat running in the 1st Congressional District of Hawaii, faces new allegations of misusing funds donated to his campaigns for the state House, including using campaign money for personal expenses. Hawaii News Now.

The staff of the state Campaign Spending Commission is recommending that state Rep. Kaniela Ing be fined more than $15,000 over an extensive list of violations he is attributing to clerical or bookkeeping mistakes — including misuse of campaign funds, filing false spending reports and exceeding campaign spending limits — going back three election cycles. Star-Advertiser.

Giant mounds of plastic waste wash up on Hawaii's beaches statewide, and it's usually coming from far away. What can be done to tackle this problem? KHON2.

The biggest potential public-schools win during this year’s legislative session is a proposal asking voters whether to establish a surcharge on investment real property to serve as a funding stream for Hawaii’s statewide system. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s unemployment rate has fallen to an all-time low of 2 percent — again. Star-Advertiser.

Trinity Merger Corp., a Hono­lulu-based special-purpose acquisition firm, said it raised $345 million through an initial public offering that closed Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric Co. said on Wednesday that Square Inc. executive Kevin Burke has been appointed to its board of directors. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Judge denies TRO in Waikiki beach concession dispute. Losing bidder Star-Beachboys Inc. will have to move out to make room for the winning bidder of the Waikiki beach concession contract. Star-Advertiser.

Judge refuses to protect Waikiki beach boy concessions. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said today he may impose up to $1,000 fines or jail time for the owner or users of Lime electric scooters for illegally parking the rental vehicles on public sidewalks. Star-Advertiser.

The City and County of Honolulu is classifying Lime’s electric scooters as mopeds, and says the company is violating state and city laws by failing to register the vehicles. Pacific Business News.

These Blue Beach Chairs Are Riling The Ala Moana Regulars. When a luxury condo promises to “prepare the perfect beach day” for residents, some locals fear more commercialization of a favorite park. Civil Beat.

Toxic Lot In Maili May Finally Get Cleaned Up. PCBs have been awaiting cleanup for years at a contaminated lot near a residential neighborhood in West Oahu. Civil Beat.

State and city officials urged renters and homeowners who sustained flood damage to their homes in the mid-April deluge to report it by today to their respective county emergency management agencies. Star-Advertiser.

Farm and homeowner, Michael Tsuruda, says the April flood destroyed his irrigation system, 5,000 potted plants and caused $25,000 in damage to his farm. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Alarmingly high levels of volcanic gases early Thursday triggered closure of a half-dozen Puna schools, and authorities began distributing protective face masks in Puna and Kau in the wake of explosive Kilauea Volcano ash eruptions. Star-Advertiser.

More than 12,000 particulate-blocking masks were distributed to Puna and Kau residents in a six-hour span Thursday, thanks to a gift from Scotch Tape maker 3M, with swift help from Hawaii County Civil Defense, the American Red Cross Hawaii chapter, community volunteers and Hawaii’s famous coconut wireless network. Star-Advertiser.

Bigger belch at summit: Residents given masks to protect against ash. Tribune-Herald.

Vog symptoms showing up: Medical providers seeing more patients in recent days. West Hawaii Today.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Pacific Southwest Region has deployed emergency responders and air monitoring equipment as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s federal response to the Kilauea volcanic eruption on Hawaii Island. Big Island Now.

Progress made in securing Puna Geothermal Plant, but work is 'not done yet'. Hawaii News Now.

Scientists study lava for clues to how volcano will behave. Associated Press.

Lava leaves Leilani Estates looking like a ghost town. New York Times.

New photos show dramatic widening of cracks in lower East Rift Zone. KHON2.

Vog hung heavy in the skies over Kailua-Kona Thursday — a trend likely to continue, based on all relevant data. West Hawaii Today.

It’s Nearly Impossible To Find A Place To Rent These Days. Lava refugees, forced from their homes by the volcano, are squeezing into every available space. Civil Beat.

Maui

A Maui County Council committee recommended approval Wednesday of a bill aimed at more enforcement of bed-and-breakfast operations. Maui News.

A public hearing on the Maui County Council’s proposed fiscal 2019 budget will be held at 9 a.m. Friday in the eighth-floor Council Chambers of the Kalana O Maui Building in Wailuku. Maui News.

The Commission on Water Resource Management, in a public meeting Tuesday, fined the Olowalu Water Company, Inc. of Maui the maximum allowable fine of $1,500 for construction of a concrete dam/spillway on the Olowalu Stream without a permit.  Maui Now.

Commission fines water company for unpermitted structure. Haiku landowner found in violation of water code. Maui News.

Kauai

As of Thursday, the state needs 58 more homeowners from Oahu and Kauai to report flood damage to the Federal Emergency Management Agency in order for the state to receive any money. Garden Island.

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