Hawaii 2nd Congressional seat wide open as Gabbard announces she won't seek reelection, Maui families sue Monsanto, Honolulu advances plastic ban, LUC hears TMT case, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and early challenger state Sen. Kai Kahele ©2019 All Hawaii News

Gabbard won’t seek re-election to Congress so she can focus on White House run. The news opens the door to a highly competitive race for her seat representing Hawaii’s Congressional District, and likely has repercussions for other local races. Hawaii News Now.

Tulsi Gabbard Won’t Run For Re-Election To US House. The Hawaii Democrat will focus instead on her presidential campaign. Civil Beat.

She's all in: Tulsi Gabbard gives up congressional seat. In a six minute video posted to her campaign page, Tulsi Gabbard announced that she will not seek re-election for her congressional seat to focus on her 2020 presidential campaign. KITV.

Tulsi Gabbard says she will not seek reelection to Congress. Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard announced on her presidential campaign website today that she will not seek reelection to Congress in 2020. Star-Advertiser.

Gabbard drops congressional race to focus on presidential. Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard says she will focus on her White House bid and not run for reelection to her congressional seat. The congresswoman from Hawaii made the announcement early Friday. Associated Press.

Representative Tulsi Gabbard is going all in on her bid to be the next president, and she says she will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Tulsi Gabbard is saying mahalo to Hawaiʻi in a new video, and has announced that she will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Big Island Video News.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard will not seek re-election to the US House of Representatives, the Democratic candidate for President announced on Thursday evening. Big Island Now.

Tulsi Gabbard announces she will not run for re-election in Congress, will focus on the presidency. KHON2.

UH Political Analyst on Gabbard’s Decision, Kahele’s Position. Big Island Now.

Gabbard's full press release and video. Gabbard campaign.

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Survey: Ige Among Most Unpopular Governors. Hawaii’s chief executive has a mere 36% approval rating. Civil Beat.

Corals Are Adapting to Higher Temperatures, But Likely Not Fast Enough. Evidence from the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology shows that corals are already naturally adapting to higher temperatures. But the rate of increase may be too rapid for them to keep up. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Despite concerns, proposed ban on single-use plastics advances to full council. A wide-ranging ban on single-use plastic food containers and utensils has advanced in the Honolulu City Council, despite concerns from the restaurant and food industry over alternative materials and their cost. Hawaii News Now.

More plastic, more problems? Bill 40 was introduced with intent to remove single-use plastic, such as bags and utensils, from takeout food orders. Its language is sparking fear in some local business owners. KITV.

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Rail Contractor’s Former Lawyer Alleges ‘Illegal’ And ‘Dishonest’ Activity. A whistleblower lawsuit says Nan Inc. tried to drive up rail construction claims at taxpayers’ expense. Civil Beat.

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Police deny teen’s claim of officer mistreatment at wind farm protest. Honolulu police are vehemently denying a teen’s claims that an officer punched and tased him before his arrest Sunday at a protest of a planned Kahuku wind farm. Hawaii News Now.

Police deny Kahuku wind farm protesters were mistreated. Several people who have been arrested in Kahuku for obstructing the delivery of wind turbine parts this week have said that they were treated with the utmost care and respect by arresting officers. But not everyone. Star-Advertiser.

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Princess Kaiulani tower project moving forward, contingent on several public benefits. Kyo-ya’s plan to raze the existing Princess Kaiulani Hotel to make way for Waikiki’s first all-hotel tower in 40 years took a critical step forward Thursday in obtaining city approval to build. Star-Advertiser.

Kailua residents say city to blame for growing sinkhole that’s threatening homes. A sinkhole in a Kailua’s Keolu Hills neighborhood looked pretty routine at first. But nearly a year later, one former Kailua Neighborhood Board member says homes are being threatened by a growing underground reservoir. Hawaii News Now.

6 tons of ‘ghost nets’ removed from Kaneohe Bay. A nonprofit group and researchers from Hawaii Pacific University have teamed up recently to remove 12,000 pounds of discarded “ghost nets” from Kaneohe Bay. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mauna Kea telescopes amount to urban development, land commission is told. The state Land Use Commission heard arguments Thursday that the 13 existing Mauna Kea observatories along with their related offices, parking lots and utilities amount to an inappropriate urban development on state conservation lands and that the area must be reclassified as urban before any further development takes place. Star-Advertiser.

Testimony continues for Maunakea land rezoning petition. A meeting of the state Land Use Commission will continue through today as petitioners argue to reclassify land at the summit of Maunakea. Tribune-Herald.

Why Mauna Kea’s Conservation Land Classification Is Under Scrutiny. Opposition to the Thirty Meter Telescope may be at the forefront of Mauna Kea protests, but some native Hawaiian practitioners are questioning the cumulative effects of development on the mountain. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant cost increases. Delays and scope expansions have increased the cost by millions to upgrade the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant to produce R1 recycled water. West Hawaii Today.

Legislators hear from Big Island disability community at annual forum. In the mostly rural communities of the Big Island, it’s important for those with disabilities to make sure their voices are heard by the people in power. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Suit blames birth defects in Maui community on Monsanto chemicals. A lawsuit filed on Maui blames birth defects on chemicals from Monsanto corn fields. Hawaii News Now.

Maui mother who’s filed lawsuit against Monsanto: ‘It’s just not right’. Two Maui families with children born with rare illnesses are suing Monsanto and its parent company Bayer.  KHON2.

Lawsuit claims Monsanto caused birth defects in Maui neighborhood. A new lawsuit claims that Monsanto caused birth defects over the course of decades in a Maui neighborhood. KITV.

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Hearing on Rules Relating to Fines for Unpermitted Transient Vacation Rentals. The Planning Department has scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019 at 5 p.m. at the Kalana Pakui conference room in Wailuku regarding amending the Department’s rules relating to fines for unpermitted transient vacation rental operations. Maui Now.

Kama Holds Meeting to Discuss Unsheltered Homeless Impacts and Solutions. Concerns surrounding the homeless presence off of East Kamehameha Avenue and Hoʻohana Street in Kahului were heightened following a fatal traffic accident on Sept. 11 and a shooting the following morning involving a homeless altercation at the site. Maui Now.

Officials hope endangered Maui birds find romance. Wild, captive-bred kiwikiu moved, slated for release. Maui News.

Kauai

Rice Street vision quest. Jim Guerber opened Thursday’s Lihue Business Association meeting asking people to share their perspectives on Rice Street. Garden Island.

Kauai Students’ Teacher Housing Proposal Recognized. The Kauai Community College students earned second-place at a national entrepreneurship challenge. Civil Beat.