A good year for flowers, Honolulu police sport body cams, Big Island lava recovery now has $670M price tag, politics continue after primary election, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Orchids on display at Hilo show ©2018 All Hawaii News

Last year was the best year in a decade for Hawaii flower and landscape plant farmers, according to a recent report. The industry generated $77.6 million in sales, which was up 4 percent from $74.5 million in 2016 and was the highest take since $94.7 million in 2008. Star-Advertiser.

Early-voting trends weigh on future of all-mail ballots. KHON2.

Has Carpenters Union Lost Some Of Its Political Muscle? Its super PACs have spent big money in recent elections, but its anointed candidates often lose. The latest example: Colleen Hanabusa. Civil Beat.

Republican candidate for lieutenant governor says her running mate should apologize. The winner of the primary to run as her lieutenant governor —Marissa Kerns — is urging Tupola to say she's sorry about voting with the Democratic majority on some issues. Hawaii News Now.

Name Recognition, Blank Votes Dominate OHA Races. Ten candidates are still in the running for five seats on the OHA Board of Trustees. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii officially drops case against President Trump's travel ban. Attorneys representing Hawaii had been fighting the president's travel bans in court since early 2017, and in June, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the president. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii protesters return to Chicago streets in ongoing 'aloha poke' saga. Protests continue against Chicago-based Aloha Poke Company, with the latest happening Monday in the Windy City. Hawaii News Now.

Crossing America In The Hunt For New Teachers. Hawaii school officials have a new strategy for filling teacher vacancies: Bring principals along on mainland recruitment trips. Civil Beat.

HDOT Saves Millions Refinancing Revenue Bonds. In a move that will generate $27 million of savings for the Airports Division over the next 16 years, the Hawaii Department of Transportation has successfully refinanced $245 million of outstanding revenue bonds. Maui Now.

Hawaiian Airlines has launched an all-cargo neighbor island service that will bring it closer to its roots while expanding its shipping operations throughout the state and beyond. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

HPD begins using body cameras on officers. Body cameras became part of the uniform for about 30 downtown Honolulu and Chinatown patrol officers Monday as the Honolulu Police Department officially joined the ranks of other large American cities where cameras are used in an effort to be more transparent in interactions with the public. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu police issued the first set of body cameras to 35 officers Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Police Department starts roll out of body cameras. KHON2.

The trial is set for a Honolulu police officer who has been charged with multiple counts of abuse involving a family member. Star-Advertiser.

A Honolulu City Council committee Monday advanced a plan for a 400-foot tower fronting Ala Moana Center despite an in-person plea by Mayor Kirk Caldwell to hold off to allow city officials to keep open the option of using the location for a transit hub and possible path for rail to UH Manoa. Star-Advertiser.

Can The World’s Largest Law Firm Practice In Hawaii? A Honolulu lawyer wants to block the merger of one of the state’s most prominent law firms with a giant multinational. Civil Beat.

UH Manoa students start moving into dorms this week. Expect traffic delays around the UH Manoa campus this week, as nearly 3,500 students move into campus residence halls from August 14-17. KHON2.

State officials assured the public that the slope between the two Pali tunnels is now stable after a rockfall during the peak, morning commute hours Monday damaged several vehicles in the highway’s Honolulu­-bound lanes. Star-Advertiser.

Chick-fil-A registers to do business in Hawaii. The company said it plans to open the Aloha State’s first Chick-fil-A on Oahu and, like all Chick-fil-A restaurants, it will be owned and operated by a local resident. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County request for $670 million detailed. Hawaii County’s draft recovery plan to cope with the May 3 lava flow includes a lump sum of $196 million to buy property or compensate landowners in the most risky areas in what is known as Lava Zone 1, according to a document detailing the plan. Star-Advertiser.

The Big Island, especially West Hawaii and some areas in Puna, preferred U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa over incumbent Gov. David Ige in Saturday’s Democratic primary election. A precinct-by-precinct analysis of Big Island votes showed, at least this election, the votes pretty much followed the money. West Hawaii Today.

Newly Elected Council Members Face A County In Turmoil. Most of the leadership lineup is set after the primary, and big challenges lie ahead in dealing with the volcanic eruption. Civil Beat.

Pohoiki boat ramp ‘totally blocked by sandbar’. Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea sulfur dioxide emissions hit lowest levels since 2008. Hawaii News Now.

It’s been a year since Hawaii’s first legal sale of marijuana and nearly two decades since the state approved the drug for medical use, and still, no retail dispensaries have started selling on the Big Island. Associated Press.

Medical Marijuana Dispensary to Open Soon. Big Island Now.

Waikoloa Special Forces soldier killed in Afghanistan. One of Hawaii Island’s own, Sgt. 1st Class Reymund R. Transfiguracion, died Sunday from wounds he suffered five days before while serving his country in Helmand province, Afghanistan. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Finalists for Maui Fire Chief Narrowed to Four. Fire finalists under consideration by the commission include Chief David Thyne, Capt. Kaulana Kino, Chief Lionel Montalvo and Capt. Guy Danley. Maui Now.

West Maui Hospital group seeks partner. Some local officials are wondering if the focus of the whole project should change. Maui News.

Tropic Care no-cost health services reporting for duty. This military training exercise is providing medical, dental, vision care across the county — but it ends Sunday. Maui News.

A Hawaiian Airlines flight to San Francisco from Kahului turned back to Honolulu on Saturday because of a passenger. Star-Advertiser.


Kauai

Kauai County unveils plans to repair flood-ravaged areas near iconic Hanalei pier. On Kauai, its been almost four months since historic flooding devastated parts of the island. Hawaii News Now.

The state Commission on Water Resource Management is going to visit a few different streams and hydropower plants on Kauai Aug. 20. Garden Island.

Deadline nears to seek disaster help. Kauai County and the City and County of Honolulu residents with losses as a result of April’s storms have through Aug. 27 to register for disaster assistance with FEMA. Garden Island.

The U.S. Postal Service will commemorate Thursday its latest ‘Forever stamp’ depicting Kauai’s picturesque Na Pali coast. Star-Advertiser.