Thursday, August 30, 2018

Hawaii soldier sentenced for planning ISIS mass shooting in Waikiki, counties join education tax lawsuit, Kauai man dies trying to save dog, Maui fire victims say county failed them, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

In this July 8, 2017 file image taken from FBI video and provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Hawaii on July 13, 2017, Army Sgt. 1st Class Ikaika Kang holds an Islamic State group flag after allegedly pledging allegiance to the terror group at a house in Honolulu. (FBI/U.S Attorney's Office, District of Hawaii via AP, File)
Army Sgt. 1st Class Ikaika Erik Kang, who faces 25 years in prison for attempting to aid the Islamic State group and its campaign of terror, had planned a mass shooting in downtown Honolulu and in Waikiki just after last year’s Fourth of July, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii said Wednesday following Kang’s guilty plea in federal court. Star-Advertiser.

A soldier based in Hawaii pleaded guilty Wednesday to trying to help the Islamic State group, telling a judge he provided secret military information, a drone meant to track U.S. troops and other support to undercover agents he believed were members of the terrorist organization. Associated Press.

35-year-old Hawaii-based soldier, Sergeant 1st Class Ikaika Kang pleaded guilty in Federal court Wednesday of trying to help ISIS. KITV.

A Hawaii-based solider pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges of attempting to support ISIS. KHON2.

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Hawaii, Kauai and Maui counties have joined the City and County of Honolulu in a lawsuit that seeks to strike from the November ballot a proposed amendment to the state Constitution that would allow the Legislature to create a “surcharge” on investment properties. Pacific Business News.

Counties sue state to block property tax ballot question. All four counties are suing the state to block a ballot question that would allow a property tax surcharge for schools. KHON2.

The City of Honolulu is seeking to have a question stricken from ballots in the November general election that would give voters the power to amend the Hawaii Constitution to allow the Legislature to tax investment real estate to support public education. Star-Advertiser.

The city wants to strike down a constitutional amendment proposal that would raise taxes on investment properties to help pay for Hawaii's under-funded schools. Hawaii News Now.

Full text of ballot question complaint can be found here.

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Hawaii Supreme Court To Fine-Tune Open Meetings Law. A court opinion in the Honolulu Police Commission’s Kealoha case would also affect the way public boards handle other high-profile staff departures. Civil Beat.

Restocking continues after storm port-closure delays.  Stores across Hawaii are catching up on restocking shelves, following cargo delays from port closures during the storm. KHON2.

Oahu

Prosecutor Appeals Ruling That Barred A Third Trial For Deedy. After two hung juries in earlier trials, a third trial is sought against the federal agent who shot a local man. Associated Press.

Caldwell’s Push To Clear Sidewalks Runs Into Opposition. Honolulu’s mayor wants to ban camping on sidewalks islandwide, but critics insist more housing and services for the homeless are needed first. Civil Beat.

City outlines plans for more bike lanes in downtown Honolulu. The city held a public meeting Wednesday night. KHON2.

The Department of Health is alerting the public of elevated bacteria levels at two Oahu shorelines. The first alert is for those heading to Pokai Bay. The second alert came a day earlier for beachgoers in Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

University of Hawaii at Manoa proposes higher parking fees. The University of Hawaii at Manoa is proposing to raise parking fees for the first time in eight years and use the money to repair its aging parking facilities. Star-Advertiser.

For years, the trail accessible at Koko Head Regional Park has been deteriorating, according to the group, with many of the cross-ties of the former tramway missing or in disrepair due to wood rot and erosion. At the same time, the trail’s popularity has only grown, spurred by social media posts of the grueling climb and views from the top, at an elevation of 1,200 feet, with panoramic vistas. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Keaau could see its population more than double under a master plan W.H. Shipman released for public comment. The EA describes the project as a “walkable, transit-friendly regional town center concept.” Tribune-Herald.

A bill zeroing out property taxes for totally disabled veterans appeared to be cruising toward easy passage until it got stopped in its tracks last week, leading to likely changes when it comes back before the County Council on Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

Councilwoman Ruggles Unassured By County Regarding War Crimes. Big Island Video News.

Am I A Criminal? Puna Councilwoman Questions Her Legitimacy. Pointing to the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Jen Ruggles says functioning as a County Council member may violate U.S. and international laws. Civil Beat.

Federal Emergency Management Director Brock Long is on the Big Island in the wake of Hurricane Lane. Meanwhile, Hawaii Emergency Management Director Tom Travis said he hopes preliminary figures from the ongoing damage assessment statewide can be tabulated by Monday. Tribune-Herald.

Hurricane Lane Cleanup, Damage Assessment Continues. Big Island Video News.

On the heels of the apparent halt of Kilauea’s eruption earlier this month comes more good news for the Big Island: Its emergency shelter population has dwindled. Star-Advertiser.

The emergency evacuation shelter in Pahoa, which opened May 3 as eruption activity started in lower Puna, will close next month. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island hotel performance continues to suffer from Kilauea volcano. Big Island properties reported a 6 percent drop in RevPAR to $183 last month, while ADR remained flat at $247, and occupancy decreased 4.7 percentage points to 74.2 percent. Pacific Business News.

Four deep wells remain offline in North Kona, but repairs are likely to commence on at least one of them in the next two months. West Hawaii Today.

Two rescued Hawaiian monk seal pups weathered Tropical Storm Lane on the Big Island together and are now like siblings, marine experts said. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

'You failed us': West Maui residents feel abandoned by county during fires. Complaints turned into cursing at a community meeting in Lahaina on Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Residents pack public meeting on Maui: 'Everyone who lost a house, stand up'. On Maui, firefighters say strong winds from Lane fueled two massive brush fires: one in Lahaina and another in Kaanapali. KHON2.

Planning panel gives blessing to Waikapu Country Town project. Atherton’s 500-acre development calls for 1,500 housing units. Maui News.

County mulls challenge to replace road, culvert. Rain from Lane washes out access to Haiku cul-de-sac. Maui News.

The Maui County Council passed a bill Tuesday that extended a moratorium on sand mining in Central Maui, allowing the county time to complete a study on sand availability and to possibly pass new laws. Maui News.

Hawaii Wing Civil Air Patrol cadets formed the bulk of a Ground Photography Team working on Maui on Tuesday to gather photographic evidence of the flash-flood impact resulting from Hurricane Lane. Maui Now.

The state will close the Kula Forest Reserve, Waipoli Access Road, Kahikinui Forest Reserve–Papaanui Tract, and Polipoli Springs State Recreation Area for two months beginning on Sept. 4, 2018.  The areas will remain closed through Nov. 2. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai Stream Restoration Complicated by Diversion Dependent End Users. For nearly 150 years, fresh water on Kauai has been diverted from streams—first to cultivate sugar cane---and more recently to power hydroelectric plants. Now the state Water Commission is considering reducing the amount of water diverted from two streams flowing from Waialeale. Hawaii Public Radio.

Residents on Kauai's north shore assess damage from Lane's heavy rains. KHON2.

Floodwaters wash away foundations in Hanalei again. Garden Island.

A 30-year-old Koloa man died after he jumped into a stream to save a dog during a storm Tuesday, Kauai police said today. Star-Advertiser.

Firefighters recovered the body of a 30-year-old Koloa man from Waikomo Stream in Koloa Tuesday afternoon. Police have identified him as Joshua Bradbury. Garden Island.

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