Citations climb in Mauna Kea crackdown, Honolulu council advances plastics ban, Maui mayor seeks stiff vacation rental fines, 11-14 years in prison recommended for Kealoha, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

TMT opponents gather at Hilo courthouse Aug. 23, 2019 ©2019 All Hawaii News

Governor Sees Progress In Mauna Kea Talks, But Protest Nears 7th Week. Gov. David Ige says he’s pleased with progress made so far by Big Island Mayor Harry Kim in engaging the native Hawaiian community in efforts to resolve the conflict on Mauna Kea. Hawaii Public Radio.

Traffic citations, criminal charges increase in second week of Maunakea enforcement. Police say 630 citations were issued in the weeklong period starting Aug, 22, compared to 610 the week starting Aug. 15. In addition, nine individuals were arrested with 16 charges filed among them. That compares to seven individuals arrested for a total of 13 charges the previous week. Tribune-Herald.

Traffic enforcement efforts on Daniel K. Inouye Highway results in 1240 issued citations, 16 arrested. KHON2.

Concerns arise over Big Isle prosecutor’s son’s job. The man responsible for prosecuting the mostly Native Hawaiian elders arrested for protesting construction of a giant telescope said there is no conflict of interest, even though his son works for one of the embattled project’s partners. Associated Press.

Governor Denied Mayor’s TMT Delay Request In July 15 Letter. The letter dated July 15, obtained by Big Island Video News after we first reported on Mayor Kim’s July 12th letter, offers further insight into the decision-making process of state and county leaders during the pivotal, early days of the construction start, and the opposition movement that organized to stop TMT on Mauna Kea. Big Island Video News.

Mauna Kea Is The Latest In Long History Of Native Hawaiian Protests. Civil disobedience and arrests have been a key part of Native Hawaiian activism since the 1970s. Civil Beat.

Three Young Protesters, Three Different Paths To Mauna Kea. They all felt stirrings of Hawaiian identity as youngsters, but these three protesters were shaped by pivotal experiences as young adults. Civil Beat.

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Management of tourism key as visitors keep climbing. Visitor arrivals and spending rose in July to mark the second month both categories have been up since November. Star-Advertiser.

Health care shortage leaves Hawaii hurting. The state is facing shortages in 76 medical professions, with nearly half — 44% — of the unfilled positions in hospitals, according to the Healthcare Association of Hawaii’s first jobs report measuring vacant nonphysician positions between the last quarter of 2018 and this year’s first quarter. Star-Advertiser.

10% of Hawaii healthcare jobs go unfilled due to lack of in-state training. There are over 2,200 open healthcare positions in Hawaii. KITV.

Doctors Are Still The Top-Paid Public Employees In Hawaii. The Hawaii Health Services Corp. and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs have big changes atop their pay scales, but the highest-salaried physician hasn’t changed. Civil Beat.

National nonprofit raises alarms about dearth of drug treatment in islands. The national leader of a nonprofit that specializes in treating drug addiction says to get a handle on the state’s homeless crisis, more drug treatment is needed. Hawaii News Now.

Gabbard, off National Guard duty, rules out running as independent. U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, back on the campaign trail after 15 days of duty with the Hawaii National Guard, said Thursday she won’t run as an independent if she doesn’t win the Democratic presidential nomination. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City ban on single-use plastics moves forward. A bill that would ban foam containers and plastics used for serving food on Oahu passed out of the Honolulu City Council’s Public Safety and Welfare Committee on Thursday, buoying the hopes of the environmentally conscious who worry plastics are polluting beaches, breaking down into microplastics that are ingested by sea life and contributing to climate change. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu Ban on Plastics Takes Next Step At City Council. The ongoing effort to ban use of plastic bags, utensils and styrofoam containers moved forward at the Honolulu City Council Thursday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Styrofoam, plastic straws and utensils may be banned on Oahu. If Bill 40 is passes, it would prohibit restaurants from using everything from Styrofoam containers, plastic utensils and even plastic straws. KITV.

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Court report recommends Katherine Kealoha spend 11-14 years in prison. A pre-sentence report from a federal probation officer recommends that former deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha be locked up for more than a decade. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Fighting Disclosure of Records, Emails Seized by Feds, Councilman Says. The city is seeking authorization to spend $225,000 to make sure privileged information is not released. Civil Beat.

More weight on climate change, managed retreat in Honolulu pre-disaster mitigation plan. The City and County of Honolulu updated a federally required disaster plan, and this time around it focuses more on climate change and moving away from the shoreline. KHON2.

Pali to open both directions for most of day. Windward residents are looking forward to accessing Pali Highway in both directions to ease the stress of putting in extra miles to get to town and back on alternative routes. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

New Keahuolu Courthouse opens Tuesday. The gavel is set to strike the block next week at the new Keahuolu Courthouse as court operations scattered across several sites in North Kona and South Kona finally converge under one roof. West Hawaii Today.

Kona Courthouse Opens Doors in September. The Hawaii State Judiciary will open its new West Hawaii courthouse early next week. Big Island Now.

The Panaewa Equestrian Center Rodeo Arena will be closed from September 2 to approximately December 9, 2019, for restoration work, officials say. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Draft Ordinance Proposed Seeking New Fines for Illegal Vacation Rentals. The administration of Maui Mayor Michael Victorino submitted a proposed ordinance to the Maui County Council seeking to implement new fines in an effort to strengthen enforcement against illegal vacation rentals. Maui Now.

Initial fines for illegal vacation rentals on Maui could jump from $1K to $20K. The measure was referred to the Planning & Sustainable Land Use Committee. KITV.

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Feds are taking over prosecution of police officer. Brandon Saffeels had been disciplined in previous case. Maui News.

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Small whales euthanized after 10 stranded alive on Kihei’s Sugar Beach. Authorities on Thursday sedated and euthanized four small whales after 10 of the animals were stranded alive on a beach on Maui’s south shore. Maui News.

4 Stranded Whales Euthanized On Maui Beach. The remaining six stranded melon-headed whales were floated back to sea, though authorities said two of those were likely to be euthanized. Associated Press.

4 whales die in mass stranding on Maui beach. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it is investigating why at least 10 small whales stranded themselves on a Maui beach Thursday morning. Star-Advertiser.

Ten Whales Beached at Sugar Beach in North Kihei. Maui Now.

4 of 11 whales beached on Sugar Beach in Kihei dead. KHON2.

Four of ten whales stranded in Sugar Beach area on Maui have died. NOAA Fisheries is responding to 10 melon-headed whales that have stranded along the coast in the Sugar Beach area of Maui. KITV.

Scientists scramble to find cause of stranding that left 4 whales dead on Maui. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Open houses set on West Kauai plan. The County of Kauai Planning Department has released a “Discussion Draft” of the West Kauai Community Plan for public review and comment. Garden Island.

U.S. Sen Mazie Hirono drops by Kauai High pantry. She was on-island to visit the North Shore and see the rehabilitation progress after the 2018 floods, and also made a stop by the school to check out their new food pantry program. Garden Island.

USS Arizona Memorial to reopen Sunday, Gabbard misses presidential debate cut, ex-IBEW boss pleads not guilty, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

USS Arizona Memorial PC:National Park Service

USS Arizona Memorial To Reopen Sunday After Lengthy Repairs. The National Park Service, which oversees the site, announced Wednesday that contractors completed the final phase of construction this week. Hawaii Public Radio.

Reopening of USS Arizona Memorial to walk-on access scheduled for Sunday. The National Park Service said today that the much-awaited reopening of the USS Arizona Memorial to walk-on access will take place this Labor Day weekend on Sunday after a 15-month closure. Star-Advertiser.

USS Arizona Memorial set to reopen after being closed for more than a year. Hawaii News Now.

After more than 1 year, the USS Arizona set to reopen to the public. Since May 2018, the National Park Service has been restoring the dock's anchoring system after it cracked. KITV.

USS Arizona Memorial reopens Sunday. West Hawaii Today.

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Gabbard forges ahead despite not qualifying for debate. Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is forging ahead with her campaign for president despite missing the cut for the third Democratic primary debate. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard Misses 2020 Presidential Debate Threshold. The Hawaii congresswoman didn’t qualify for the September debates due to her low poll numbers, but she hopes to be back on stage in October. Civil Beat.

Gabbard falls short in qualifying for third Democratic presidential debate. U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard will not be in the next Democratic presidential debate, a campaign spokesperson said. Hawaii News Now.

10 Democrats Set For Next Debate As Gabbard, Others Miss Cut. Struggling Democratic presidential candidates, including Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, are facing the bad news that they are not among the 10 who have qualified for the next debate, a predicament that is likely to spell doom for their campaigns. Associated Press.

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Lawsuit Planned Over Backroom Deal to Downsize University Board of Regents. A former University of Hawaii regent plans to sue over what he calls an unconstitutional reduction of the university’s governing board. Hawaii Public Radio.

Monsanto Could Soon Be Facing Dozens Of Lawsuits in Hawaii Over Pesticide. Massive damage awards in previous cases are triggering a new onslaught against the chemical company. Civil Beat.

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Ex-IBEW union boss and family plead not guilty. Ex-union boss Brian Ahakuelo, and his wife and sister-in-law — also union employees — pleaded not guilty in federal court to a 70-count indictment of criminal conspiracy and wire fraud for using union money for personal expenses, rigging a vote to increase union dues, embezzlement and money laundering. Star-Advertiser.

All three indicted in IBEW case plead not guilty. It’s a case nearly five years in the making. KHON2.

Former union leader accused of misusing funds pleads not guilty. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260′s past business manager was released on a $50,000 bond. Hawaii News Now.

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TMT Protest Movement Spurs Enrollment In Immersion Schools. Several Hawaiian immersion schools are seeing a spike in interest this year from parents energized by opposition to construction of a telescope on Mauna Kea. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Air flight attendants picket over contract negotiations. Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants took to the picket lines at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport Wednesday to protest extended contract negotiations. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian flight attendants hold third airport protest. Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants held a major labor demonstration on Wednesday at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport over protracted negotiations for a new contract. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants hold 'informational picket' over pay & benefits. Nearly a hundred flight attendants and supporters marched outside the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport echoing that message. KITV.

Oahu

Dozens of firefighters battled a blaze early Thursday at the H-Power plant in Kapolei that officials say was sparked by welding work. The Honolulu Fire Department said it took crews four hours to extinguish because it was difficult to reach all the hot spots in the pile of rubbish. Hawaii News Now.

Kapolei’s second affordable housing tower to rise. It’s not done yet, but the tallest building in Kapolei is slated to soon connect with a sister tower providing homes for Hawaii residents with low incomes. Star-Advertiser.

Dignitaries broke ground Wednesday on the second phase of an upcoming senior housing complex in Kapolei. Hawaii News Now.

‘Sentry Aloha’ training has skies buzzing. The Hawaii Air National Guard is once again conducting its large-scale Sentry Aloha fighter exercise, with this iteration running from Aug. 21 through Sept. 4. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s system for listing people on a registry of child abusers “makes no sense” and may have resulted in a “great injustice,” according to an opinion by a U.S. appellate court judge. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

TMT vice president says project partners concerned over inaction. Although the deadline to begin construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope was pushed back until 2021, project authorities believe a decision about the project’s future will have to be made soon. Tribune-Herald.

Gov. Ige explains why he couldn’t grant Mayor Kim’s wish of delaying TMT construction. After receiving the letter, Ige said he told Kim that it was too late for a timeout. Hawaii News Now.

Important Lava Recovery Measures Go Before Council Next Week. The Hawaii County Council will consider a grant to establish another temporary road and a resolution to adopt an Interim Recovery Strategy. Big Island Video News.

Kohanaiki Shores wins tax appeal: Kona resort one of hundreds lobbying to get amounts reduced. West Hawaii Today.

Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades delayed. Completion of upgrades to the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant to produce R1 recycled water and the ability to move that water to customers has been pushed back “significantly.” West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mahi Pono Needs Water, But Isnʻt Sure of How Much. During a contested case hearing that drew a decent audience at the UH Maui College earlier this evening, Mahi Pono representatives said they are unsure of how many gallons of water they will need to divert for their crops. Maui Now.

Mahi Pono Wants to Divert Water from Wailuku Streams. Mahi Pono, the Maui agricultural venture, is asking to divert stream water originally sought by the old Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company that it never got. Hawaii Public Radio.

Petitions Delivered Urging County to Settle Lahaina Injection Well Case. A petition signed by over 15,000 members of the Sierra Club and Surfrider Foundation was delivered to Maui County Council Chairwoman Kelly King today. Maui Now.

In a stunning turnabout, the Economic Development and Budget Committee of the Maui County Council voted 6-3 to cut already allocated bond funds for the Wailuku Parking Garage from $42 million to $27.7 million. Maui Watch.

Calls for police reform strengthened in light of misconduct allegations in MPD. Maui Police Officer Brandon Saffeels was suspended last year after a woman complained to Internal Affairs that he was trying to exchange information for sexual favors. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Organizations Make Effort to Curb Overtourism. From leading the state in hotel performance, to experiencing growth in visitor arrivals, Mauiʻs tourism industry has been making noticeable strides. Maui Now.

Chairwoman’s decision to remove tapestry criticized. Issues of cleanliness of the 45-year-old art piece led to its removal, says King. Maui County Council Member Riki Hokama is taking issue with council Chairwoman Kelly King’s decision to remove a more than 45-year-old tapestry that has hung in Council Chambers since 1972 and replace it with the county seal. Maui News.

A third Maui establishment has been hit with a red placard in the span of a week due to an apparent rodent infestation. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Property tax bill goes to mayor. Families that have lived on their properties for generations but whose names are not on title are one step closer to applying for the same tax exemptions other owner-occupants enjoy. Garden Island.

Waimea Huakai Housing Development will feature 67 units. The project, the Waimea Huakai Housing Development, is a partnership with Kauai Habitat for Humanity, the Ahe Group and the County of Kauai. Garden Island.

Hawaii requires HPV and other new vaccines, Amemiya announces Honolulu mayoral bid, names narrowed for Fissure 8, dead horse removed from Kauai beach, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ala Moana Beach Park ©2019 All Hawaii News

Ala Moana Sand Replenishment Will Kill Sand-Dwelling Creatures, Researchers Say. The only question is how fast populations will recover, one researcher said. Civil Beat.

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Students will have to meet new vaccine requirements next school year. Hawaii students will have to meet new immunization requirements in the upcoming school year, including showing evidence of having received the HPV vaccine by the time they enter seventh grade, the state Health Department announced. Hawaii News Now.

Department of Health updates school vaccine requirements. For the first time in nearly two decades, the state Department of Health has updated its vaccine requirements for students. Tribune-Herald.

New shots required for new school year – from preschool through college. Starting next school year, kids will need additional immunizations. KHON2.

DOH to require Hawaii students obtain additional vaccinations. Starting July 2020, the State Department of Health is requiring all students undergo additional immunization requirements which includes all vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. KITV.

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Gabbard falling short in polls for third round of debates. Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is on the verge of not qualifying for the third Democratic primary debate next month, putting at risk her campaign for the presidency. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard to return to campaign trail after National Guard training. After a two-week break from the presidential campaign trail, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is expected to return on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Congressman Ed Case to hold press conference on tour helicopter legislation. Congressman Ed Case will hold a press conference on Wednesday, August 28th, to discuss details of his proposed federal legislation to regulate commercial tour aircraft. KHON2.

Southwest’s interisland expansion is pau for now. Southwest Airlines will have completed its anticipated build-out of neighbor island flights come January with the carrier’s next big Hawaii growth spurt expected to focus on new trans-Pacific service. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Amemiya announces run for Honolulu mayor. Former Hawaii High School Athletic Association Executive Director Keith Amemiya announced his run for the Honolulu 2020 mayor’s race, emphasizing the need to restore trust in government and improve conditions for the public. Star-Advertiser.

‘Stop The Scandals’: Businessman Keith Amemiya Says He’s Running For Mayor. Amemiya is getting out ahead of what could be a crowded field for Honolulu’s top job. Civil Beat.

Business executive throws his name in the race for Honolulu mayor. Surrounded by supporters Wednesday, Keith Amemiya announced his bid for Honolulu Mayor. Hawaii News Now.

Keith Amemiya to run for mayor. From high school sports to city hall Honolulu businessman Keith Amemiya announced Tuesday, he’s running for mayor. KHON2.

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USS Arizona Memorial repairs near completion. The long wait for the USS Arizona Memorial to reopen to walk-on visits is ending soon, with a new anchoring system drilled firmly into the seafloor to keep a formerly wayward floating access dock in place, officials say. Star-Advertiser.

City Leaders: Plans For Rail Work Along Dillingham ‘Not Acceptable’. Impacts to businesses and homes near the narrow, busy street could be severe. City leaders say HART still hasn’t sufficiently prepared for that. Civil Beat.

Could changing lifeguard schedules save more lives? Honolulu Councilmember says yes. New bill would establish a program to provide extended lifeguard services at all city beach parks and state parks that are currently monitored by lifeguards. KITV.

YMCA investing $1.5M to give new life to a Honolulu park once a source of concern. For years, downtown residents have complained that Kamamalu Park was a magnet for the homeless and drug use in a neighborhood surrounded by schools and businesses. Hawaii News Now.

UH students protest TMT in campus sit-in. University of Hawaii-­Manoa students opposed to the Thirty Meter Telescope have launched a sit-in at the Bachman Hall administration building, demanding that the university drop its support for the controversial $1.4 billion astronomy project. Star-Advertiser.

Former Honolulu police officer gets probation in sex assault of 5-year-old girl. Deputy Prosecutor Loren Haugen said in state court today that he offered fired Honolulu police officer Teddy Van Lerberghe a plea deal in the sexual assault case against him involving a victim who was 5-year-old when the sexual assaults started because that’s what the victim wanted. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mayor Kim Asked For One Month Delay Just Before TMT Construction Start. Mayor Harry Kim wrote to Governor David Ige, asking him to delay the July 15th start date, three days before, a document shows. Big Island Video News.

Narrowing down names for fissure 8. The question of what to name fissure 8 will move closer to an answer next month at a public meeting where community members can discuss 21 proposed names for the landmark. Tribune-Herald.

State releases updated list of potential names — and meanings — for Fissure 8. State officials are hoping to narrow down the choices for a new name for the mountainous remains of the volcanic Fissure 8. Hawaii News Now.

Puakea Guest Ranch Publishes Draft EA For Special Permit. Owners of Puakea Ranch are planning to increase vacation rental occupancy on the site, which is listed on the State Register of Historic Places. Big Island Video News.

Maui

County looks to cut permitted business at Kamehameha Iki Park. With eight operators, beach park already over two-permit limit. Maui News.

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Maui Officer Placed on Leave Without Pay, Released on Bail. Maui Police Officer Brandon Saffeels has been placed on leave without pay and his police authority has been restricted. Maui Now.

Maui police seek to restore trust after officer accused of ‘repulsive acts’ is charged. Officer Brandon Saffeels, 34, was released on $50,000 bail Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Maui police release officer accused of inappropriate conduct, abuse of authority. Maui police released this afternoon a police officer, who was arrested Monday night at Kahului Airport, after posting $50,000 bail. Star-Advertiser.

Maui police officer released after posting bail. Last week the department was made aware of the allegations and said it obtained text messages and voice recordings supporting them. KITV.

At least three women accuse Maui police officer of abusing his power. KHON2.

Maui Mayor Condemns Police Misconduct After Charges Filed in Officer's Attempted Perjury Case. Maui Mayor Michael Victorino on Tuesday condemned police misconduct after an officer was arrested on charges stemming from a woman's complaint that he contacted her after arresting her in a DUI case and suggested he could help her out. Hawaii Public Radio.

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2 different pest infestations found at retail center on Maui. Another food establishment on Maui has closed down because of a roach infestation. KHON2.

Kauai

Horse removed from beach. A horse carcass has been removed from the shoreline at Aliomanu, thanks to a little lime from County of Kauai and workers hired by locals. Garden Island.

Hawaii roads among the worst, Honolulu homeless face court-ordered treatment, Maui police officer arrested, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Saddle Road on Hawaii Island ©2019 All Hawaii News

Hawaii remains 47th worst in assessment of state highways. The worst urban interstate pavement conditions in the country and a low mark for spending per mile left Hawaii ranked 47th among states in a recent survey of highway performance. Star-Advertiser.

Expert: Trade war could impact Hawaii construction projects. The escalating trade war between the U.S. and China could lead to a shakeout in Hawaii construction industry, a real estate expert predicts. Hawaii News Now.

Air Travel’s Carbon Footprint Takes A Big Environmental Toll In Hawaii. Carbon emissions from planes are only now starting to get some of the attention as other troubling side effects caused by soaring numbers of tourists. Civil Beat.

Fewer Students in UH Classrooms Than a Decade Ago. It was back to school Monday for nearly 50,000 University of Hawaii students across the state. Total enrollment has been declining over the last decade, and officials have been trying to reverse the trend. Hawaii Public Radio.

Fixed Broadband Speeds Up in 2019. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Cable Television Division has issued its 2019 Report on Fixed Wireline Broadband Speeds, which builds upon data included in the 2018 Report on Fixed Wireline Broadband Speeds released in June of 2018. Big Island Now.

Hawaiian-Emperor Seamounts ecosystems recovering after trawling, report finds. For decades the sunken islands northwest of Hawaii proved a popular draw for fishing and trawling, with crews dragging heavy nets across the fertile peaks. In the process, the nets scraped the real estate to devastating effect. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Homeless people with mental illness to get court-ordered help. Officials with the city, state and the Institute for Human Services are teaming up on a new approach to deal with homeless people with mental health issues by trying to get court-ordered help for the first of potentially hundreds of homeless people on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Invests $500,000 To Reach Hardest-To-Serve Homeless People. The mayor is hoping state and federal agencies will help fund the effort to help homeless people, whether they want it or not. Civil Beat.

State’s only psychiatric street medicine team gets $500,000 from city. The city has awarded the state’s only psychiatric street medicine team $500,000 to help get more homeless people with mental illness off the streets and into treatment. Hawaii News Now.

City aims to help mentally ill, addicted homeless. KHON2.

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Katherine Kealoha’s Relatives Demand New Civil Trial Because Of Her Alleged Fraud. A motion seeks to overturn a $658,000 judgment in favor of the former city prosecutor, who was recently convicted of trying to frame her uncle. Civil Beat.

Katherine Kealoha’s relatives point to her conviction in bid for new civil trial. Hawaii News Now.

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State agency approves 80-acre solar project near UH West Oahu. The state Public Utilities Commission has approved a 12.5-megawatt solar project with a 50-megawatt-hour energy storage system in West Oahu, according to the Hawaiian Electric Co. Star-Advertiser.

City and County to hold workshops on sea level rise and climate change. The Department of Planning and Permitting is holding a series of pop-up workshops to gather input on how climate change and sea level rise will affect the area between Kahala and Pearl City, also known as the Primary Urban Center. KHON2.

Kailua Town Farmers’ Market finds temporary home. The popular Kailua Town Farmers’ Market is moving to the Pali Lanes parking lot, starting this Sunday, after getting booted from the elementary school parking lot it had been using for years. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s first bikeshare is raising its fares. After more than two years in operation, Bikeshare Hawaii, the nonprofit that manages Biki, has raised some of its fares while extending a new discount to low-income residents. Star-Advertiser.

One neighborhood’s loss is another’s gain as HPU moves its Downtown campus. Hawaii Pacific University students headed back to school Monday to a very different downtown campus. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

First accomplice sentenced in fatal shooting of police officer. The man who tipped off police to Justin Waiki’s whereabouts, witnessed the fatal shooting of Hawaii Police Department Officer Bronson Kaliloa and then gave the suspected shooter a ride from the scene last summer was sentenced to prison. West Hawaii Today.

Naalehu sewer bill scofflaws reap fines, warrants. Some Naalehu residents who haven’t been paying their sewer bills have found themselves slapped with fines and penalties, and even warrants taken out against them. West Hawaii Today.

First day of contraflow ‘very smooth’. A new traffic pattern on Highway 130 did not cause significant delays Monday morning despite previous complaints about the project. Tribune-Herald.

Mauna Kea Access Attempt Denied. A handful of Hawaiian beneficiaries in vehicles, and some on foot, were blocked from traversing the Mauna Kea Access Road on Monday morning. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui police officer arrested following reports of inappropriate conduct, abuse of authority. Maui police arrested one of their own tonight at the Kahului Airport on the strength of an arrest warrant based on information gathered in an ongoing criminal investigation. Star-Advertiser.

Maui Police Arrest Officer Brandon Saffeels, Victims’ Attorney Says Women Need to Step Forward. Maui Now.

Maui officer accused of misconduct arrested after stepping off flight. A Maui police officer accused of attempted perjury among other charges has been arrested amid an ongoing criminal investigation, Maui police confirmed Monday evening. Hawaii News Now.

Maui police officer arrested for perjury and witness tampering. KITV.

Maui Police Chief releases statement on the arrest of Maui PD officer. KHON2.

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Repairs for beach groins grow closer. Final assessment released for project, repairs expected in fall. Maui News.

Hawaii Group Seeks Block Of Federal Policy On Immigrants. A Hawaii community action agency has requested governmental help in blocking a new national policy that would affect immigrants across the islands, officials said. Associated Press.

Kauai

County buys 417 acres on the Westside. County buys 417 acres on the Westside. Garden Island.

County of Kauai acquires over 400 acres in Waimea from Kikiaola Land Company. The County of Kauai is announcing the purchase of 417 acres of agriculture land from the Kikiaola Land Company Ltd. on Monday. KHON2.

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Mayor signs 10th emergency proclamation. Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami has signed a 10th supplementary emergency proclamation on Monday for the County of Kauai, extending the emergency relief period for damages sustained during the April 2018 flood. Garden Island.

Council to consider ‘highway safety’ bills. Two bills pertaining to “highway safety” will be presented for potential inclusion in the 2020 Hawaii State Association of Counties Legislative Package and the 2020 County of Kauai Legislative Package. Garden Island.

Hawaii Supreme Court rules state breached trust at Pohakuloa Training Area, hemp has too much THC, overtourism on Maui, more than 3k commute by plane, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Live fire training at Pohakuloa ©2019 All Hawaii News

Supreme Court: State Failed Trust Duties In Pohakuloa. The Hawaii Supreme Court ordered the state to come up with a plan to better manage the land. Civil Beat.

High court rules state breached trust duties at Pohakuloa Training Area. In a 5-0 vote, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled Friday the state hasn’t properly managed ceded lands at Pohakuloa leased to the Army for military training. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Supreme Court Rules State Breached Trust On Pohakuloa Lease. The court affirmed that the State "breached its constitutional trust duties by failing to reasonably monitor or inspect" the lands leased to the U.S. military. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Supreme Court modifies requirements for Pohakuloa land. A state Circuit Court judge correctly ruled that the Department of Land and Natural Resources breached its trust duties to care for ceded lands at Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii island used by the military, the Hawaii Supreme Court determined Friday. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii hemp growers are having to destroy their plants because of high THC levels. More than half of the hemp crops cultivated in Hawaii over the past year as part of the state’s industrial hemp pilot program have tested hot, meaning their levels of THC, the chemical that makes people high, were above the federal limit for hemp. Star-Advertiser.

Report: Nearly 3,000 Hawaii Residents Fly To Work. Hawaiian Airlines outlines its economic impact across the state in its 90th annual report. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Airlines Generated $9.3B in Economic Benefits. Hawaiian Airlines generated the equivalent of $9.3 billion in economic benefit for the state of Hawaii and supported more than 60,000 jobs in 2018, according to an independent report conducted in recognition of the airline’s 90th year of service to the state and its people. Big Island Now.

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Judge tosses TMT lawsuit. A Hilo judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit against the Thirty Meter Telescope that sought an injunction to block its construction because the project did not post a security bond. Tribune-Herald.

Kupuna protesters plead not guilty. About 200 people showed up Friday in Hilo to support nine people facing their initial court date for charges of obstructing Maunakea Access Road on July 17 to prevent construction vehicles and workers from scaling Maunakea to build the Thirty Meter Telescope. Tribune-Herald.

TMT, Opposition React To Mayor Kim’s Mauna Kea Meetings. Neither Thirty Meter Telescope representatives, or leadership in the TMT opposition movement, were invited to the mayor's second meeting, they say. Big Island Video News.

Despite years of legal battles and months of protests by Native Hawaiian opponents, the international coalition that wants to build the world’s largest telescope in Hawaii insists that the islands’ highest peak — Mauna Kea — is the best place for their $1.4 billion instrument. But just barely. Associated Press.

Anti-TMT protests affecting Big Island tourism industry. A convention of bird- watchers has canceled a planned meeting on Hawaii island because of uncertainty surrounding protests over building the $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Short-term vacation rental rift creates a house divided. A fierce battle is brewing at Waikiki Lanais, where the Association of Apartment Owners just voted to add a hotel front desk to the property and spend at least $40,000 to hire an attorney to defend the right of some owners to continue renting their units short-term. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Officials Say Ala Wai Project Money In Jeopardy. While the City Council was warned the nearly $200 million could be lost to flood-control efforts elsewhere, there is actually a surplus of federal money for such projects. Civil Beat.

Councilwoman Tsuneyoshi To Biki: Pay Up For Public Space. The nonprofit Bikeshare Hawaii has gotten no-cost access to city parking spots and sidewalk space since 2017 to rent out 1,300 Biki bikes in downtown Honolulu, but their free ride could end soon. Civil Beat.

Work on Honolulu’s $3.2B airport modernization project hits the halfway mark. Spending on the $3.2 billion modernization effort underway across Hawaii’s airport system is at the halfway point, and most of the big-ticket capital improvement projects are slated to wrap up by December 2021. Star-Advertiser.

Kailua farmers market forced to relocate after DOE complaints. After more than six years, the Kailua Town Farmers Market has to find a new home. Hawaii News Now.

Waikiki Medical Marijuana Dispensary To Cater To Tourists. The latest medical cannabis retail facility is located in Waikiki and passed its final onsite inspection this month. Civil Beat.

EPA to remove extremely high levels of lead buried under deteriorating Kalihi road. The asphalt on Factory Street covers up extremely high levels of lead — buried by the government decades ago. Health officials rediscovered the forgotten site in 2017, warning inaction would put families in danger. Hawaii News Now.

Tens of thousands of university students heading back to classes -- and the roadways. An estimated 20,000 students will converge on U.H.-Manoa. Some of them started moving into dormitories over the past few days, but many more will be commuting from around the island. Hawaii News Now.

Florence Puana, Katherine Kealoha’s grandmother, turns 100. Puana, who turned 100 on Saturday, is the grandmother of former Deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha. She provided key testimony in Kealoha’s federal conspiracy and obstruction trial. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

HVO settles in: Site selection, facility design could take years. The signing by President Donald Trump in June of a long-delayed disaster relief bill means Hawaiian Volcano Observatory can go about the business of finding a new site. Tribune-Herald.

New Kona prosecutor’s office delayed. The new Office of the Prosecuting Attorney at the West Hawaii Civic Center is months behind schedule. When work got underway on the $14 million project in May 2018, officials anticipated Isemoto Contracting Co. Ltd. would have the project completed April 8, 2019. West Hawaii Today.

Coastal management meetings planned. Big Island residents will have the chance this week to weigh in on an ocean resources management plan, as statewide “sharing sessions” wrap up with meetings in Kona and Hilo. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo bike-share program gets rolling. Three years after Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii, or PATH, launched a bike-share program in Kona, the program expanded to Hilo earlier this month. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

As impacts mount, some wonder whether ‘managed tourism’ is possible on Maui. The rise of social media, travel apps and vacation rental hosting sites has made it more difficult for tourists and residents to find secluded experiences on any island, especially Maui, where tourism arrivals rose from 1.8 million in 2009 to 2.9 million in 2018, a 54% gain that was the largest increase on any island. Star-Advertiser.

Maui County urged to settle closely-watched environmental case. In one of the most closely-watched environmental cases in the country, Maui County is preparing to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court this November that its wastewater wells in Lahaina are not harming the coastline. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Home Lands Proposes Housing Project In Central Maui. An area near Waikapu, which has been eyed for housing for more than a decade, is poised to be developed as a Hawaiian homestead project. Maui News.

MCCC Struggles Over ʻExtreme’ Staff Shortage. Over the past two weeks, staffing shortages at the Maui Community Correctional Center prompted cancellations of weekend visits for inmates. Maui Now.

Maui County hotels top state’s counties in July. Maui County hotels in July led the state’s three other counties in revenue per available room, average daily rate and occupancy, according to a recent hotel report. Maui News.

Kauai

Kamalani Playground closing for upgrades. The county Department of Parks and Recreation announced that Kamalani Playground at Lydgate Park will be closed starting Monday for the installation of safety upgrades. Garden Island.

Almost half of schools have no AC, Kaiser files TRO against Queens, union boss indicted, 7 sent to hospital after smoke fills Hawaiian Airlines cabin, nude sculptures irk Lanai neighbors, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige visits school PC:Governors Office

Gov. David Ige’s campaign to cool 1,000 classrooms exceeded its goal in September 2017, but some of those systems, powered by electricity from the sun, are already on the fritz. Just over half, or 6,200, of the 11,000 classrooms statewide have air conditioning. Star-Advertiser.

DOE Leans On Schools To Cool Their Own Classrooms. Schools with the infrastructure to support new air conditioning units will be tasked with paying for and installing units on their own, instead of relying on the DOE. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s public schools now have faster way of getting AC into classrooms. The state Department of Education is employing a new streamlined process for schools to get air conditioning units into their classrooms faster. Hawaii News Now.

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Kaiser Permanente filed a temporary restraining order Thursday to block the Queen’s Health Systems from directly billing its members while a federal court determines whether or not the hospital is unfairly charging patients. Star-Advertiser.

Kaiser Permanente files federal TRO against Queen's Medical Center's health system. Kaiser claims it is to protect patients from being over charged for medical services. KITV.

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Clinics Worry New Immigration Rules Are Pushing Patients To Avoid The Doctor. An upcoming Trump administration policy would deny green cards to people who use public benefits like Medicaid. Local health care clinics are feeling the ripple effect. Civil Beat.

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Former union boss charged in massive fraud, embezzlement indictment. Brian Ahakuelo lead the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260 until he was ousted three years ago after the union was placed under trusteeship. Hawaii News Now.

Fed indictment: 70 counts against former IBEW Local 1260 union boss and family. A federal indictment has been filed after a three-year investigation of a former electrical union boss and two family members who worked under him. KHON2.

Former head of local union IBEW charged with 70 counts of fraud. Court records show they allegedly spent over $3 million on personal trips, vehicles, restaurant bills, and to pay family members for work they did not do. KITV.

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Police Shootings Board Still Unsure On Public Disclosure. The board went into a closed-door session to talk about how open to be with its reports. Civil Beat.

NOAA Says Intense Coral Bleaching Event Likely. NOAA and the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources are asking for everyone’s help in trying to be proactive and to minimize any additional stress put on corals. Big Island Now.

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Police at Mauna Kea give out 610 tickets. Hawaii County police assigned to the areas around the protests against the Thirty Meter Telescope have issued 610 citations in their weeklong stepped-up traffic enforcement effort, and also arrested seven people for offenses such as drunken driving, driving without a license and contempt of court, police announced Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Increased law enforcement activity on Maunakea nets more than 600 violations. Tribune-Herald.

610 Citations, 7 Arrested In One Week On Saddle Road.  Police assigned to the Thirty Meter Telescope opposition encampment have stepped up traffic enforcement efforts on Daniel K. Inouye Highway. Big Island Video News.

Frustration mounts as police hand out hundreds of traffic tickets at Mauna Kea. Since August 15, Hawaii County police have issued 610 citations to drivers near the intersection of Saddle Road and Mauna Kea Access Road, where hundreds of TMT protesters are still camped out. Hawaii News Now.

Down for the count: Maunakea study counts visitors, impacts. A study of public and commercial tour capacity on Maunakea is proceeding, even though tourism on the mountain has been at a standstill for more than a month. West Hawaii Today.

Fourth annual Hawaii Island Festival of Birds canceled. The organizers of the annual Hawaii Island Festival of Birds have announced the cancellation of this year’s event, citing difficulty accessing forest reserves around Maunakea. West Hawaii Today.

UH Regents Delay Vote On Mauna Kea Rules To November. The administrative rules would govern activities on Mauna Kea. Civil Beat.

UH Regents Again Delay Mauna Kea Rules Decision, Now Set For November. This is the third time the Regents’ consideration of the proposed rules has been rescheduled.  Big Island Video News.

Oahu

7 taken to hospital after Hawaiian Air plane fills with smoke before making emergency landing. Seven passengers were taken to hospitals Thursday after smoke filled the cabin and cargo hold of a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Oakland about 20 minutes before the aircraft made a dramatic emergency landing and evacuation at Honolulu’s airport. Hawaii News Now.

HECO seeks 4.1% rate increase to help pay for Oahu customers. HECO says the average customer using 500 kilowatt hours a month would pay about $9 more a month. Hawaii News Now.

Final work being done to reopen Arizona Memorial, raising visitors’ hopes. The National Park Service, which oversees the memorial, said it plans to issue a statement next week with a specific date. Star-Advertiser.

State inspectors find 3-foot-long iguana in Waipio Gentry. State Department of Agriculture inspectors found the lizard on Board of Water Supply property in a tree near Kanoelani Elementary School.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Settlement reached in cyclist death. A settlement appears to have been reached in a wrongful death case filed by the family of a cyclist fatally struck by an on-duty Hawaii Police Department officer in 2015. West Hawaii Today.

County requests more time to complete Hwy 132 work. The county Department of Public Works has requested a three-month extension to complete the reconstruction of Highway 132 in lower Puna. Tribune-Herald.

Sorely Needed Public Housing Set To Open After Toxic Soil Cleanup. Low-income housing is in great demand on Hawaii island, where more than 360 families are reportedly on a county waitlist for housing help. Civil Beat.

Uncle Robert’s Night Market shuts down. Uncle Robert’s Awa Bar and Farmers Market held its last Night Market for the foreseeable future on Wednesday as the popular event has been shut down indefinitely. Tribune-Herald.

Uncle Robert’s Night Market Closes Indefinitely. The popular Kalapana Night Market at Uncles Awa Club in Pāhoa is closed for business until further notice. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui police seek other possible victims of officer accused of abusing power. The Maui Police Department is trying to find out if there are more victims of Officer Brandon Safeels. The four-year veteran of the department is accused of abusing his power to hit on women. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Community Correctional Center riot report release date uncertain. Department: But it will be made public. Maui News.

Cancellation of more weekend visits at Maui Community Correctional Center possible. No other state facility has this problem. Maui News.

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Maui Public Works Deputy Director Resigns. Stephen Welling will be leaving Maui to return to the Mainland. Maui Now.

‘This is history in the making’ as Mahi Pono set to begin first plantings. Company narrows list of crops to grow on old HC&S sugar fields. Maui News.


Kauai

‘Refocusing Tourism’. Visitors average about 28,000 a day on Kauai. That’s one of the factors that the Kauai Tourism Strategic Plan 2019-2021 is taking into account as voluntary members of the community work together in an attempt to mitigate “overtourism.” Garden Island.

Lanai

‘Horrendous’ Nude Sculptures On Lanai Taken Down After Public Outcry. Residents were appalled that the small island’s management company had put them so close to a church. Civil Beat.

Big changes coming to the Ala Wai, Supreme Court mulls Native Hawaiian homesteads backlog, Honolulu rail could sap electricity as it passes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kayaker on the Ala Wai ©2019 All Hawaii News

The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday voted by a narrow 5-3 margin to approve a measure allowing Mayor Kirk Caldwell to move forward with the contentious $345 million Ala Wai flood mitigation project. The project being spearheaded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is supposed to protect the areas around the Ala Wai Canal - and Waikiki specifically - from heavy flooding during a large-scale storm by building a series of detention basins along the Ala Wai watershed including Manoa, Palolo and Makiki, as well as walls on the sides of the canal. Star-Advertiser.

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Court hears arguments in DHHL trust case. The Hawaii Supreme Court on Wednesday heard oral arguments in a breach-of-trust lawsuit against the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands that has dragged on for 20 years. Star-Advertiser.

2,000+ native Hawaiians say state failed to award homesteads in timely manner. The Supreme Court still needs to make a ruling on how damages would be awarded. KITV.

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Awareness of State Sunscreen Ban Is High, But Work Still Needs To Be Done. That’s according to a new survey from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Hawaii Public Radio.

Researchers Analyzing eDNA In Water Samples Brought Back From Papahanaumokuakea. Scientists are using an established DNA technique to discover just what lives in the deep coral reefs of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

16 states are hosting tax-free shopping on school supplies. Should Hawaii be next? Last legislative session, state lawmakers considered proposals to create a general excise tax holiday for retailers who sell school supplies, only if they passed on that discount to shoppers. Hawaii News Now.

The Fattest Paychecks In Hawaii Government Don’t Always Go To The Top Bosses. More than 14,000 employees have been added to Civil Beat’s salary database, including many who earn more than the governor. Civil Beat.

Champion Of Legal Aid To Hawaii’s Poor Announces Retirement. After a 50-year career in public interest law and advocacy, Hawaii Appleseed Center co-founder Victor Geminiani announced on Wednesday that he will step down as the agency’s longtime executive director. Civil Beat.

Can This New Hawaii Venture Become The Stock Fund For Millennials? A Colorado portfolio manager has big plans for a $44 million S&P 500 index fund that he has brought to Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Panel rejects outside lawyers for HART workers. A Honolulu City Council committee on Wednesday rejected a request for $300,000 in taxpayer money to be spent for private attorneys to represent employees of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, or HART. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s New Trains Could Sap Power From Nearby Buildings And Homes. If the trains draw too much power as they speed up to leave stations, it could affect the use of household appliances and other electrical-powered equipment. Civil Beat.

Toxic Runoff At Issue As State Considers New Permit For Kaneohe Boat Facility. Some residents worry contaminated dust will continue to be a problem if maintenance operations start again. Civil Beat.

Long-time tenants of new condo-hotel project site say goodbye. A portion of Kapiolani Boulevard near Ala Moana Center has changed dramatically. And more high rises are on the way. KHON2.

Navy commemorates the 100th anniversary of Dry Dock 1 located at Pearl Harbor shipyard. Navy and local officials commemorated 100 years of history at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard’s Dry Dock 1 Wednesday, noting the incredible World War II accomplishments of civilians working alongside military counterparts, the shipyard’s current necessity, and the continuum of responsibility for an important cultural place. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kim to hold second meeting with Hawaiian leaders. Mayor Harry Kim will hold a second meeting with leaders of the Native Hawaiian community Friday regarding the Thirty Meter Telescope. Tribune-Herald.

‘Our tax dollars’: Soaring costs to state for TMT protest draw concern. Lawmakers are raising major concerns about the rising costs for law enforcement and first responders at the site of the Thirty Meter Telescope protest on Mauna Kea. Hawaii News Now.

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PGV gets OK for new wells. Applications from Puna Geothermal Venture for two new geothermal wells have been approved, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources confirmed Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

Council parses Kona CDP changes. What’s in a word? Plenty, it seems, when it comes to the difference between “shall” and “should.” West Hawaii Today.

Fines pile up for owners of downtown Hilo property. The owners of a downtown Hilo property that has become a homeless encampment have accrued nearly $200,000 in fines after failing to remove illegal structures for the better part of a year. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Testifiers: Action needed now to curb overtourism. Visitor population is nearly 10 percent over island plan’s policy. Maui News.

How to Reduce the Negative Impacts of Tourism. Limiting the number of rental cars on county roads, placing a moratorium on new hotel construction and instilling a “code of conduct” for incoming tourists. Maui Now.

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Work on Wailuku Civic Complex to begin in September. Surrounding road, infrastructure and parking work to begin. Maui News.

Zoning is topic of workshops. Proposed zoning updates for Wailuku town will be the subject of Maui Redevelopment Agency workshops this and next week in town. Maui News.

Woman says she complained to Maui police a year ago about officer accused of inappropriate conduct. The Maui officer who is under criminal investigation for allegedly trying to throw a criminal trial for a woman he arrested for DUI is now facing new allegations — this time from a woman who claims he tried to coerce her after he responded to her 911 call for an assault last year. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Herbicide ban at schools. Kauai schools are working to end herbicide use on campuses after the state Department of Education announced a ban of herbicides at public schools. Garden Island.

Residents may qualify for property tax exemptions. Families that have lived on their land for generations and have no intention to sell, but can’t keep up with taxes based upon soaring property values, would be granted the opportunity to move from their current “residential” or “residential investor” classifications to various others, including homestead. Garden Island.

Resident: Horse carcass needs to go. Kauai County is considering what to do with a horse carcass reported lodged in the rocks at Aliomanu Beach on Monday. Garden Island.