Hawaii poverty rate drops, legislators probe AI impacts, first vape lung case reported, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki sidewalk scene © 2019 All Hawaii News

High Costs Make Hawaii’s Poverty Rate Higher Than U.S. Average. New census data shows that the poverty rate is down from last year but that Hawaii residents still struggle with the high costs of housing and other necessities. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers discuss how artificial intelligence could impact Hawaii's workforce. Unite Here Local 5 tell KITV, members are concerned front desk positions will be among the first positions to go. KITV.

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Teen hospitalized with Hawaii’s first suspected case of vaping-linked respiratory illness. A teenage girl on the Big Island is hospitalized with what state health officials fear is the first case of a vaping-linked severe respiratory illness in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Health officials investigating state’s first vaping-related illness in Big Island youth. The Department of Health issued a warning Tuesday after a Hawaii island youth was hospitalized for a “serious lung injury” that may be linked to the use of e-cigarettes. Star-Advertiser.

State DOH investigating lung injury; incident could be related to vaping. A Big Island youth has a serious lung injury possibly related to the use of electronic smoking devices, or vaping, said state health officials Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Possible Severe Respiratory Illness From Vaping Investigated In Hawaii. The Hawai‘i Department of Health is investigating a case of severe respiratory illness related to e-cigarette use, state officials say. Big Island Video News.

Vaping Disease, Possible First Case in Hawaii. DOH is investigating the first report of this possible case in a Hawaii Island resident under the age of 18 years. Big Island Now.

Hawaii investigates vaping illness. The Hawaii Department of Health is investigating the state’s first report of a possible case of vaping-associated severe respiratory illness in a resident under the age of 18 on Hawaii Island. Garden Island.

State investigates first possible case of vaping-associated lung illness. The serious lung injury was reported earlier this week and health officials are aggressively gathering patient information to determine the cause of the illness. KHON2.

High percentage of high school teens vaping illegally. By Hawaii state law, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to have or use vaping products. However, studies show Hawaii has some of the highest numbers when it comes to underage users. KHON2.

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Hawaii Students Feel Safer At School, But Not Everywhere. The 2018-19 School Climate Survey from the Hawaii Department of Education shows a wide discrepancy in student safety responses among public high schools. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Leaders of a wind farm project on Oahu’s North Shore seek compromise but residents say ‘no more’. Another wind farm company tried to make a good impression on Oahu's North Shore Tuesday, but the critics aren't budging. Hawaii News Now.

State leaders and developers celebrated the completion of the largest block of grid-scale solar power in the state. Clearway Energy Group turned on the power at projects in Kawailoa, Waipio and Mililani on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Developer breaks ground on Waikiki rental tower. Dene Oliver, chief vision officer of mixed-use development for Canadian-­based Brookfield Properties, said the 28-story tower with 402 mostly market-priced apartments will feature a full-service grocery store affiliated with Foodland Farms, other retail tenants and a garden around an existing banyan tree at the Kuhio Avenue site occupied by a Food Pantry store and other businesses until recently. Star-Advertiser.

State’s largest solar block goes online. The sun was shining brightly in Mili­lani on Tuesday as officials welcomed the the state’s largest collection of solar farms, a trio of sun-powered projects that will generate enough electricity to light up nearly 18,000 homes. Star-Advertiser.

New cash smuggling allegations raised against Filipino mega-church officials. Felina Salinas, a Hawaii manager for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Church, has been charged with trying to smuggle more than $300,000 in cash from Hawaii to the Philippines last year on the private jet of the church’s founder, Apollo Quiboloy. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Big Island mayor floats plan to transfer Mauna Kea governance. Hawaii county Mayor Harry Kim is proposing a long-range Mauna Kea management plan that would transfer governance of the mountain away from the University of Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Kim Proposes Giving Native Hawaiians A Say In Managing Mauna Kea. The Hawaii County mayor’s plan would make the University of Hawaii share management with other groups in an umbrella agency. Gov. David Ige says he supports the idea but many details must be worked out. Civil Beat.

Hawaii to receive $12M in federal funds for roads damaged by eruption. Hawaii will receive more than than $12 million in federal funds to repair damaged roads, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Jury selection starts in accomplice case. Jury selection began Tuesday for the trial of three accomplices accused of aiding suspected cop killer Justin Waiki. West Hawaii Today.

Some vacation rental owners bow out before Sept. 30 permit application deadline. The deadline for vacation rental owners to apply for a permit to continue to operate draws near, but some owners already threw in the towel. Tribune-Herald.

The University of Hawaii at Hilo is the most ethnically diverse college campus, according to new rankings by U.S. News & World Report. Students at UH Hilo in fall 2018 reported being 22.4 percent Asian, 36.1 percent Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 22.5 percent white and 13.9 percent of two or more races. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Schools on List of Those With Largest Enrollment. Maui High School was the fifth largest in the state with 2,082 students; Maui Waena is the fifth largest intermediate school in the state with 1,162 students; Kahului is the fourth largest elementary school with 933 students and Kīhei Charter School is the fifth largest charter school in the state with 689 students. Maui Now.

Maui sushi bar shut down by inspectors due to roaches, rats. State health officials announced Tuesday that a red placard has been issued to Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar in Kahului, Maui, closing it down for extensive rodent and pest infestations. Star-Advertiser.

Red “Closed” Placard Issued to Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar on Maui. The Hawaii Department of Health Sanitation Branch has posted a red “Closed” placard at Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar located at 65 West Kaahumanu Avenue, #23 in Kahului on Maui for an “extensive rodent and pest infestation". Maui Now.

MECO set to take over 4 EVohana fast-charging sites. Number is 4 less than utility originally planned in March. Maui News.


Kauai

Rezoning the South Shore. A bill to be discussed at today’s county council meeting is essentially restoring the zoning of specific areas on the South Shore back to what it was before. Garden Island.

Kahoolawe

Kahoolawe trolling set this weekend. Trolling in the waters of the Kahoolawe Island Reserve will be allowed Saturday and Sunday and Sept. 28-29, according to the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission. Maui News.