Hurricane Hector weakens but remains a threat, congressional candidates promise to oppose single-payer health care despite public positions, Aloha trademark dispute readies for court, lots of candidate info, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Hector Friday morning, NOAA graphic

Although Hurricane Hector weakened slightly overnight, weather officials still expect the storm to strengthen into a major hurricane this weekend. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane Hector is weakening as it churns in the Eastern Pacific but it could still become a major storm over the weekend, forecasters say. Hawaii News Now.

Hurricane Hector weakened overnight, but is still forecast to become a major hurricane. Maui Now.

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3 candidates dispute site’s take on their health care opinions. Three Democratic candidates running for the congressional seat being vacated by Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa indicated to a national health care lobbyist in private meetings and other surveys that they oppose a single-payer health care system, despite campaigning in favor of it. Star-Advertiser.

Health Care Lobbyists Secretly Secure Democrats’ Opposition To ‘Medicare For All’. A lobbyist group approached a raft of candidates for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District seat — then prepared internal dossiers on their positions. Civil Beat.

Super PAC Spending Revealed. More than 8.5 million dollars has been spent so far in primary election races for the top two state executive offices. Hawaii Public Radio.

Carpenters Union Makes Josh Green A Million-Dollar Candidate For LG. A legislative leader says the union is retaliating against Green’s closest rival, state Sen. Jill Tokuda, for her criticism of the rail project. Civil Beat.

The remains handed over by North Korea last week in 55 boxes are “consistent with being Americans,” based on an initial examination, although none has been positively identified, a U.S. scientist who has seen the remains said Thursday. Associated Press.

The lone Republican candidate who campaigned for the state House seat being vacated by Rep. Andria Tupola is ineligible to run, which could torpedo the party’s effort to retain one of the last five seats it holds in the state Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. judge dismisses lawsuits against former Hawaii journalist. Malia Zimmerman was accused of making up quotes in a story that ran on Fox News suggesting that Democratic National Committee staffer Seth Rich murdered for leaking political emails. Hawaii News Now.

Several Native Hawaiian advocacy groups announced on Thursday that they are building a legal case against a Chicago eatery that trademarked the words "Aloha Poke." Hawaii News Now.

Aloha Poke Case Raises Issue for All Hawaii Businesses: Protecting Your Brand Name. Hawaii Business magazine.

The world’s largest international maritime exercise concluded Thursday following more than a month of training events conducted in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. Garden Island.

Federal funding to fight infectious diseases in Hawaii. The U.S. Department of Health awarded nearly $2.5 million to Hawaii's infectious disease control program. KHON2.

Hawaii pays the most for electricity by far, according to a report revealing Hawaii's prices are more than twice the national average. But those high prices seem to be pushing residents toward a sustainable future with rooftop solar, or photovoltaic, systems. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

A developer and a road’s owner feud over access to new student housing. A new apartment tower in Moiliili for university students is slated to open Aug. 16 with chic furnishings, a fitness center and a rooftop terrace lounge. Star-Advertiser.

A Tough First Year Comes To An End For This Innovative Oahu Charter School Despite efforts to build a culture of collaboration, Kamalani Academy faced a multitude of challenges with staff turnover and figuring out exactly how the school should be run. Civil Beat.

Brookfield buying developer of Hawaii military housing for $11B. Brookfield Asset Management, which won shareholder approval this week to buy GGP, the owner Hawaii’s Ala Moana Center, for $15 billion, is adding another company with Hawaii ties to its portfolio with an $11 billion deal to acquire Forest City Realty Trust. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu's rail authority received the third train for its 20-mile elevated rail project on Wednesday. Pacific Business News.

Alexander & Baldwin posts lower profit. The owner of Aikahi Park Shopping Center disclosed Thursday that it is preparing plans to renovate and reposition the Kailua retail complex. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County officials have begun drafting a resolution that would create a redevelopment agency to oversee Puna’s recovery. Tribune-Herald.

Volcano Alternate Routes Planned In Case Highway 11 Fails. The Volcano Village community got a glimpse of their possible future ingress and egress to their Kilauea summit town, during a public meeting Thursday night at the Cooper Center. Big Island Video News.

Road Damage From Earthquakes Is Latest Volcano Peril. Officials worry that future quakes could shut down Highway 11, a vital link between Hilo and a rural district. Associated Press.

Lava a hot topic for Puna council candidates. With two candidates running for each seat, both races will be decided in the Aug. 11 primary. Tribune-Herald.

The University of Hawaii at Hilo was awarded nearly $200,000 by the National Science Foundation to study the wider effects of rapid ohia death on animal communities. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Democratic incumbent Kyle Yamashita and challenger Tiare Lawrence are gearing up for round two of their winner-take-all primary election contest for the Upcountry 12th House seat that was decided by just a few hundred votes two years ago. Maui News.

When South Maui voters head to the primary polls to cast their ballots for the 11th District state House of Representatives, they’ll have three Democratic candidates to choose from. Maui News.

Charges have been dismissed without prejudice against a Haleakala telescope protester, who could be charged again in the case. Maui News.

Kauai

Despite major flooding damage to the North Shore following mid-April’s epic rainfall, visitors continue flocking to Kauai. Garden Island.

Na Pali Coast stamp to be dedicated at Hanalei Post Office.  The U.S. Postal Service will commemorate the issuance of a Forever stamp depicting Kauai's iconic Na Pali coast at a special event at 10:45 a.m. on August 16 at the Hanalei Post Office, located at 5-5226 Kuhio Highway. KHON2.