Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Navy tells Pearl Harbor area residents not to drink the water, Omicron not yet detected in state, Kauai loosens gathering rules, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

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Waimea Valley on Kauai ©2021 All Hawaii News

October visitor arrivals to Hawaii down nearly 31% from pre-pandemic times, spending down 15%. October visitor arrivals to Hawaii fell 30.8% compared with the same month in pre-pandemic times, according to preliminary statistics released today by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

New COVID-19 Emergency Proclamation Signed, Omicron Not Yet Detected in Hawai‘i. Gov. David Ige has signed the latest COVID-19 emergency proclamation, setting the stage for the next phase of state and county measures. The latest proclamation gives the counties the ability to issue emergency orders without seeking approval of the state. Maui Now.

Omicron variant not yet detected in Hawaiʻi.
The Omicron variant was identified in southern Africa and has been detected in several European countries and Canada. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii State Department of Health Hawaii reported $4.7M in federal funds going to stave off pandemic-related evictions in Hawaii.  The Hawaii Public Housing Authority received $4.7 million to help families who are at risk of eviction due to financial hardship brought on by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. KITV4.

Kamehameha Schools Creates $10 Million Fund For Hawaii Food Producers. The first $300,000 is going to a local cooperative specializing in ulu and the 105 member farmers that it serves. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Vaccination Rate Falls As State Corrects Data. Hawaii corrected its Covid-19 vaccination figures on Monday after completing a long-awaited update to its immunization registry that lowered the percentage of the population that has received at least one dose to 77%. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now. Maui Now.

Green hopeful that ‘what we’ve done so far is enough’ to guard against omicron variant. Gov. Josh Green said he’s “honestly concerned” about the newly discovered omicron variant of the novel coronavirus, but added that panic — especially in Hawaii — is premature. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii sees 71 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 87,585. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 30 new cases on Oahu, three on Hawaii Island, 21 on Maui, 16 on Kauai and one Hawaii resident diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Hawaii officials advise all users of Navy’s water system to avoid using water for drinking, cooking, or oral hygiene.
Navy officials say that they are working on providing sources of drinking water for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam area residents who are affected by today’s state Health Department advisory to not use water that comes from the Navy’s water system. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Military families living near Red Hill blame sickness on tainted water. Area residents say they are concerned that a fuel leak at the Navy’s Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility about a week ago may have contaminated the water system in the Pearl Harbor area. Star-Advertiser.

Convicted Cop In Kealoha Case Gets His Job Back In Arbitration.
Daniel Sellers was indicted along with the former HPD police chief and his prosecutor wife in 2017. After taking a plea deal, he was fired by the department. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Prompted by reports of unsafe conditions, senator makes surprise prison inspection. A state senator conducted a surprise inspection of the Halawa Correctional Facility on Monday after hearing guards’ reports of unsafe conditions. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Isabella Kalua Tragedy Turns A Spotlight On The Licensing Of Foster Families
. Some convictions automatically disqualify families taking in foster children, but in many cases the state has discretion. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Cost of Government Commission to convene. Mayor Mitch Roth has tapped residents with backgrounds in the island Fire Department, U.S. Marines and Army, as well as a forensic engineer, software engineer and meteorologist to serve on the Cost of Government Commission, and he’s looking for three more candidates. West Hawaii Today.

4-Mile Creek Bridge Reconstruction Moving Forward. The one-lane bridge on Kilauea Avenue will be improved with an $18-million project, part of a state and county partnership. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Meeting to focus on plan for West Maui land. An informational meeting on management plans for state lands between Honolua Bay and Honokohau Bay in West Maui will be held Tuesday, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources announced. Maui News.

Maui To Stop Processing Immigration Applications.
The county said it will no longer prepare and review immigration applications and other documents for Maui residents following the retirements of federally accredited staff. Civil Beat.

Maui Tourist Arrivals Down 31% for October Versus Pre-Pandemic 2019. In October 2021, there were 189,950 visitors to Maui, a 31% decrease from pre-pandemic October 2019, and they spent 9.4% less, according to preliminary visitor statistics released by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Maui Now

Shared Solar Project Proposals Sought for Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i. Hawaiian Electric is beginning the procurement for projects to provide customers on Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i the opportunity to participate in a shared solar program, also known as community-based renewable energy. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County to increase gathering sizes, rules.
Effective Wednesday, social gatherings and events on Kaua‘i will be limited to 40 indoors and 100 outdoors.  Garden Island.


Monday, November 29, 2021

Hawaii officials evaluate Omicron risk, Meadow Gold sued over marketing, Maui firm's no-locals hiring policy draws outcry, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2021 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hanauma Bay ©2021 All Hawaii News

Hanauma Bay to require online payments for nonresidents
. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve on Wednesday will begin requiring non-Hawaii residents, ages 13 and up, to confirm their reservations with an online fee. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Private Schools May Miss Out On Federal Covid Relief Funds. Gov. David Ige’s office increased the percentage of low-income students private schools must serve before they can participate in the program. Civil Beat.

Suit claims Meadow Gold is falsely marketing its mainland milk as a local product. A Hawaii food supplier has filed a federal lawsuit against Meadow Gold and its partner dairies, saying they are falsely marketing their mainland milk as a local product. Chad Buck, the head of the Hawaii Foodservice Alliance, says Meadow Gold’s milk is imported to Hawaii from California. Hawaii News Now.

Omicron variant a concern but no reason to ‘overreact’. Officials in Hawaii said there are no plans to tighten restrictions. They stress the Omicron variant hasn’t been detected in the islands. They also say while the mutation is a concern, Hawaii has a vaccination rate and low infection and hospitalization rates. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii records 3 new coronavirus-related deaths, 169 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 107 new cases on Oahu, 22 on Hawaii island, 10 on Maui, 10 on Kauai and 20 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Oahu

Can The Hawaii Reapportionment Commission Solve This Political ‘Jigsaw Puzzle’? Residents have drafted proposed reapportionment plans ahead of a public comment period set to start Tuesday. Civil Beat.

Ambulance charges may increase on Oahu as city seeks to close budget gap. Top officials with the Honolulu Emergency Services Department say they are looking at more aggressive debt collection, charging for more services, such as treating people at the scene even if they aren’t transported in an ambulance, and potentially raising fees. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s Vacation Rental Crackdown May Hurt The North Shore Surfing Scene.
Critics say the Blangiardi administration’s effort to control illegal rentals could cost legal short-term operators a bundle in higher taxes and fees. Civil Beat.

New $377 million car rental facility at Honolulu airport opens Wednesday.
A $377 million Honolulu Consolidated Rental Car Facility officially opens for business Wednesday to mark the completion of all major Honolulu projects in a $2.6 billion statewide airport modern­ization plan. Star-Advertiser.

New HART Report Floats Some Cheerier Budget Possibilities. Report by a committee of HART board members claims there may be hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue or cost savings to be had. Civil Beat.

Major Stephen Gerona denies violating Honolulu Police Department policies. An HPD major accused of intimidating and harassing subordinates says his accusers have weaponized HPD’s internal complaint process to avoid taking responsibility for casework because he flagged overtime abuse and standard of conduct violations. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s first tiny home project for the homeless ready for residents.
The final touches are being applied to Hawaii’s first “kauhale” of 100-square-foot homes in Kalaeloa, providing permanent housing for some of Hawaii’s chronically homeless and most-troubled people living on the street and in shelters. Star-Advertiser.

Veteran Hawaii Journalist Bob Jones Dead At 85. His extensive career included work as a print reporter, foreign correspondent, TV anchor and columnist. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Roth: New rules to take ‘a measured approach’.
As Mayor Mitch Roth prepares to take over as primary emergency rule maker for Hawaii County from Gov. David Ige, he and his rules committee are “trying to take a measured approach.” Tribune-Herald.

Monday meetings to showcase political maps
. New political boundaries for federal, state and county elective offices are almost complete, and today, Hawaii County residents have an opportunity to weigh in on all of them. West Hawaii Today.

New EA planned for sewer project
. The county is set to prepare another environmental assessment and work closely with the community before constructing a wastewater system to replace gang cesspools in Naalehu and Pahala, Environmental Management Director Ramzi Mansour said Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

Recent studies show heavy vog can affect levels of rainfall. A study this year compared rainfall and sulfur dioxide emissions from Kīlauea from 1979 to 2017. This research shows what has been observed anecdotally for years is true — days with heavy vog have less rainfall around Kīlauea. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui Job Posting Seeking Mainlanders Over Locals Prompts Twitter Outcry. Where you’re born and raised isn’t a protected class in Hawaii’s fair employment law, but some say it’s unfair for employers to prefer mainland applicants. Civil Beat.

Senator DeCoite Releases Resources for Maui Residents Dealing with Deer Impacts. In collaboration with State and County agencies, Senator Lynn DeCoite (District 7 – Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe) is working to provide the public with information and resources on who to contact regarding axis deer issues. Maui Now. KITV4.

Kauai

County’s insurance premiums rising
. There are only three insurance carriers willing to underwrite the county, and costs are rising. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i County ePlan down from Dec. 8 to Dec. 12. From midnight Dec. 8 until midnight Dec. 12, the county’s Building Permit Electronic Plan Review System (ePlan) will be down for maintenance, according to the county Department of Public Works Building Division. Garden Island.

Friday, November 26, 2021

All Hawaii News is now a registered nonprofit with big plans ahead

Lauer
 Good news for readers, researchers and donors! 

All Hawaii News is now a certified 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization registered with the IRS, the state Department of the Attorney General and the Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs. That means your donation is likely tax-deductable.

The IRS has listed All Hawaii News as a library. And that's great. Because that's the intent of forming the nonprofit -- to create a new, in-depth website to archive recaps and links to state news in an easy-to-search format. News is too often lost in the ever-changing media landscape, and this is one way to save history.


But creating and maintaining a website that's robust enough to handle all the demands of an online library will not be easy. Or cheap.

As a journalist, I've taken on powerful politicians and big-bucks corporations. I've weighed in on weighty issues and haven't hesitated to call it as I've seen it.

Government officials have gone to federal prison under my watch; government contractors have lost multi-million-dollar jobs.

But there's one thing that absolutely terrifies me: Asking for money to support my work.

Journalists were always taught not to ask. That was a job for the Sales Office, the Advertising Department. We were taught to be scrupulous about avoiding possible conflicts of interest.

Some journalists won't even take a cup of coffee from a source. That's starting to change, as bloggers join the news field and create one-person operations. But there's a fine line and journalists are well-advised not to cross it.

Asking for money just isn't easy. But every once in a while, I have to grit my teeth and ask.

Putting All Hawaii News together each day takes about two hours of reading, culling and aggregating from almost 20 different media sources, so as to provide the top political and government news from all the Hawaiian Islands.

This is a one-woman show. I usually start at 4 a.m. so folks can read the news highlights with their morning coffee or on their smartphones during their daily commute. (Not while they're driving, of course.)

I've been doing this for more than 10 years. Even on vacation.

It would be very meaningful to me if those who find All Hawaii News a helpful news blog to keep you in touch in a hurry, or that @allhawaiinews is often first with political and government news updates, to help put a little jingle in our holiday.

I really hope to get the new website in gear in 2023.

All Hawaii News' "keep the news coming" donate button is on the top right of the homepage. Just click and donate using PayPal or a major credit card. You can even click a button to send an automatic monthly payment.

If you prefer snail-mail, there's a mailbox icon and address on the right side of this page.

How to donate:

    Click the donate button at the top right of the page.
    Donate using a major credit card or PayPal account.
    Send an email to nclauer@gmail.com to get your name and/or link on the sponsor list. (otherwise, your gift will remain anonymous)

A donation no matter how modest would be a vote of confidence in my efforts.

Mahalo, Mele Kalikimaka and Hau'oli Makahiki Hou from All Hawaii News!

Signed,


Publisher, aggregator, columnist, editor and chief bottle-washer Nancy Cook Lauer


Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Hawaii drops crowd-size mandate, allows counties to set their own rules, GOP names Finnegan 3rd state chair this year, occupational license system to get overhaul, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2021 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Waikiki shoppers ©2021 All Hawaii News

State to drop social gathering and restaurant spacing limits, leaving rules up to counties. Gov. Ige lifts some rules, gives emergency powers to counties. Gov. David Ige on Tuesday announced he intends to keep certain restrictions related to COVID-19 in place while giving counties the authority to make their own pandemic emergency orders and rules.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

On Saturday the Hawaii Republican Party elected a new state chair, Lynn Finnegan. The former state House representative and Lt. Gov. candidate is the third party chair this year, following a short stint by Signe Godfrey, who replaced Shirlene Ostrov, who quit in January following a period of party turmoil. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s Food Hubs Get $1 Million For Statewide Expansion. A collective of statewide food hubs has a plan to get more crops from small farmers to businesses, institutions and families that want locally grown food. Civil Beat.

The land department offers online tours of Hawaii’s nature preserves in exchange for donations. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources announced Tuesday a new program ahead of Giving Tuesday next week offering nature lovers a “new donation opportunity to give back to the land.” Star-Advertiser.

50 Years Later, Hawaii’s Law Requiring Professional Licenses Could Be In For An Overhaul. The occupational licensing requirements for many professions may be hindering qualified professionals from moving to Hawaii and getting work. Civil Beat.

Hawaii sees 52 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 86,991. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 23 new cases on Oahu, 14 on Hawaii island, nine on Kauai, five on Maui, and one Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu


Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi loosens capacity restrictions and social distancing. Effective Dec. 1, there will be no capacity limits for restaurants, bars and social establishments on Oahu. And indoor or outdoor events on Oahu will also be unlimited although attendees will have the option of being tested in lieu of being vaccinated, and establishments will no longer have to collect contact tracing information, Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

UH sports to allow food and beverages as long rebound from pandemic begins. New changes to the City and County of Honolulu’s reopening strategy Tuesday mean that University of Hawaii athletics fans can go back to eating and enjoying a beverage at sporting events starting in December. KHON2.

Honolulu Rail Holds Onto Federal Funds And Buys Time To Craft Recovery Plan. The FTA has been withholding the local transit project’s federal dollars for the past seven years as its struggles have mounted. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Water Board mulls rate hikes.
Members of the island Water Board favored a 9.5% annual rate increase over options of 12% and 8% after a presentation Tuesday from consultants anticipating revenues and expenses over the next five years. West Hawaii Today.

Coast Guard Patrols off Big Island 19 Days in November.
Potential federal law violations by recreational and commercial fleets were observed by the U.S. Coast Guard during a patrol operation conducted in Big Island waters this year, officials reported Tuesday, Nov. 23. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County Mulls An Agreement Between Police And US Immigration Agency. The proposal would authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with the homeland security division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, allowing federal officials to designate Maui police officers as customs officers and train them in the use of body cameras. Civil Beat.

Proposed cancer center raises questions over staffing, need. Questioning the need for additional services, costs and staff availability, a proposal for a cancer center in West Maui was denied by a Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency advisory committee last week. The agency’s Certificate of Need Review Panel recommended that the administration not approve Maui Medical Building LLC’s certificate of need application to establish radiation therapy services at 214 Kupuohi St. in Lahaina because the proposal was “not concrete enough.” Maui News.

Maui County Hotel Occupancy at 60% for October 2021, Lower than October 2019. Maui County hotels occupancy for October 2021 was 60.3%, which is 16.1 percentage points lower than pre-pandemic October 2019, according to the latest Hawaiʻi Hotel Performance Report published by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Maui Now.

Kauai

Island health-care providers to receive $3.6 million in federal aid. Eighteen Kaua‘i health-care providers will receive more than $3.6 million in federal funding under the American Rescue Plan. Garden Island.

State to hire slew of new DOCARE officers. State DLNR DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla said successful applicants assigned to Kaua‘i can expect to police locations throughout the island and its surrounding waters. Garden Island.

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Looser COVID restrictions coming for the holidays, nightclubs sue, alleging anti-LGBTQ+ bias, Kauai begins special election for prosecutor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige

Ige Says He’ll Announce Looser Covid Restrictions Before Thanksgiving. Indoor mask mandates and the Safe Travels program are expected to stay in place. Civil Beat.

As he prepares to ease restrictions, Ige pushes back against efforts to limit his emergency powers. Gov. David Ige says he will be easing restrictions this week with a new emergency proclamation, but is discouraging lawmakers from limiting his emergency powers. The latest pandemic emergency proclamation expires Nov. 30 — 20 months after the governor’s first one. Hawaii News Now.

Ige urges parents to vaccinate keiki. Gov. David Ige said Monday about 14% of children ages 5 to 11 statewide have received at least one shot of vaccine to inoculate them against the novel coronavirus. Tribune-Herald.

Rescued monk seal dies after 5-week battle with parasitic disease spread in cat feces. ‘Kolohe’ the monk seal dies after battle with a parasitic disease. Toxoplasmosis has claimed the life of another treasured Hawaiian monk seal. Toxoplasmosis is a parasite carried by cats that impacts vital organs. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. Star-Advertiser.

Period poverty in Hawaiʻi: some students use newspapers and plants in place of period products. A new report shows a high level of inequity in access to menstrual products in the state. The Hawaiʻi State Commission on the Status of Women and the nonprofit organization Maʻi Movement Hawaiʻi surveyed nearly 400 individuals. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii sees 92 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 86,939. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 48 new cases on Oahu, 19 on Maui, 13 on Hawaii Island, and 12 on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Key areas of Hawaii Kai would be drawn out of district under new election maps plan.
Controversy over the state’s proposed voter redistricting plan has now moved to Hawaii Kai. Community leaders are upset the area’s only high school and more could be put in another district. Hawaii News Now.

HART Board approves $645M budget for fiscal year 2023. The budget calls for about $645 million in spending, plus a new appropriation request of nearly $1.7 billion for construction of the line through the so-called City Center from Middle Street to Ala Moana Center. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Prosecution Of Police Misconduct Cases Essentially Stopped During The Pandemic. More than 500 complaints were made against HPD employees last year, leading to recommendations for dozens of firings and suspensions. Civil Beat.

Man locked up in Hawaii State Hospital because of mistaken identity files federal lawsuit. A formerly homeless man who ended up in a mental institution for more than two years because of mistaken identity is suing the state and various Honolulu police officers, Hawaii public defenders and doctors. Associated Press. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Club owners allege anti-LGBTQ+ bias. Honolulu LGBTQ nightclub 'Scarlet' files federal discrimination suit against state, county. The owners of a nightclub and a guide to the islands catering to the LGBTQ+ community filed a federal lawsuit alleging anti-gay discrimination by investigators with the Honolulu Liquor Commission and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Regulated Industries Complaints Office. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Odor from Red Hill fuel release sparks 911 calls. The smell of fuel around the neighborhoods of Foster Village and Aliamanu on Saturday night, near the site of a fuel spill from the Navy’s Red Hill fuel facility, was strong enough that several residents called 911 and multiple units from the Honolulu Fire Department and Federal Fire Department responded. Star-Advertiser.

Fishpond restoration unearths surprising find: A child’s hidden grave from a century ago. The non-profit Hui O Ho’ohonua’s restoration of the fishponds at Honouliuli stream in Ewa Beach recently took an unexpected turn. Hawaii News Now.

Abuse reported years before Isabella Kalua’s death. Honolulu police documented allegations of abuse of Isabella “Ariel” Kalua but took no action when Child Welfare Serv­ices received a report in 2019 that the girl was being beaten and starved by her foster parents — more than two years before she is believed to have died. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Free, Reef-Friendly Sunscreen Now At Waialae Section Of Hāpuna. The first non-chemical sunscreen dispenser in a Hawai‘i State Park was unveiled this week at the Waialae section of Hāpuna State Recreation Area. Big Island Video News.

Renovated, Expanded Na´alehu Public Library Re-Opens to Public
. Following a two-year construction project, the library has grown from a 775 square-foot “portable” structure to a 1,676 square-foot library to better meet the needs of the community.  Big Island Now.

Three complete hospice nurse residency. Hawaii Care Choices celebrated a milestone as they graduated three students from the state’s first hospice nurse residency program on Monday morning. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Tax relief is on the way for longtime Maui families struggling with steep hikes in property taxes. The Maui County Council unanimously approved Friday the ʻāina kupuna bill. The measure would amend the county tax code to allow Maui County families who have held onto their land for more than 80 years to dedicate that property as ʻāina kupuna, or ancestral land. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui residents getting a say in how the county reforms its police department. As Maui’s troubled police department is getting new leadership, there is also a push for permanent changes. Community members have submitted revisions to the Maui Charter Commission that could end up on next year’s ballot. Hawaii News Now.

Webinar to Address Discontinuation of Immigrant Benefit Assistance. The County of Maui Department of Housing and Human Concerns, Immigrant Services Division, will host a webinar from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, to address the division’s discontinuation of immigrant benefit services and other services that will continue. Maui Now.

Maui dermatologist pushes back against new proposed sunscreen ban.
Maui Dermatologist Dr. George Martin says that the study finding marine harm used too much of the compounds in sunscreen. KHON2.

Youth club seeks to develop permanent space in Paukukalo. Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui’s proposed project open to public comment. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi County deploys ballot drop boxes for prosecuting attorney special election. Kauaʻi County started deploying ballot drop boxes Monday for its special primary election to choose the county’s next prosecuting attorney. Justin Kollar stepped down as county prosecutor earlier this year — resulting in a special election to determine his replacement. Hawaii Public Radio.

“Deep Seven” survey captains, scientists meet tonight.
The fishers and scientists behind the annual Bottomfish Fishery Independent Survey (BFISH) will hold their second meeting of the autumn tonight, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Garden Island.

Monday, November 22, 2021

Cruise ships still barred as air passengers increase, poll shows most support COVID protocols, Maui council bans non-mineral sunscreens, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2021 AAll Hawaii News all rights reserved
Cruise ship off Hawaii ©2021 All Hawaii News

No cruise ships until 2022. Anyone hoping to travel on a cruise ship to Hawaii this year can forget about it. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s conditional sail order, which requires an executed agreement with any cruise line prior to resumption of cruise operations to any U.S. port, is set to expire on Jan. 15, but the CDC has extended that order before. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii residents still back pandemic rules, poll finds.
In a statewide poll conducted by SMS Research and Marketing Services Inc. in early November, the majority of 408 respondents thought the situation in Hawaii was improving, more than those polled the same time last year. They also expressed overall approval of how the government has handled the pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

36,000 travelers flew to Hawaii on Nov. 20; highest number since July.
Thanksgiving week for 2021 has arrived, and visitors have started their holiday early. KHON2.

Proposal to extend the Safe Travels program would damage Hawaii’s image, some in the visitor industry say. Gov. David Ige’s emergency proclamation extending Safe Travels expires Nov. 30. Lt. Gov. Josh Green has suggested Safe Travels should continue until Dec. 31, then sunset if the state is functionally fully immune. Star-Advertiser.

Preparations underway to designate parts of Papahānaumokuākea as a national marine sanctuary. NOAA has opened up the public comment period on the proposal to add a marine sanctuary designation to the monument area around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii marks grim milestone in pandemic as COVID death toll tops 1,000. The pandemic in Hawaii hit a grim milestone Saturday as the statewide death toll topped 1,000. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii sees 107 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 86,847
. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 49 new cases on Oahu, 12 on Hawaii Island, 23 on Maui, 11 on Kauai, one on Molokai and 11 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The Oʻahu General Plan, a land use and development guide, could be updated for the first time since 2002. A Honolulu City Council committee Thursday approved an update to Oʻahu’s General Plan. The Zoning and Planning Committee gave its final approval to the document, which is a long-range guide for policy decisions on land use and development on the island. Hawaii Public Radio.

How A Decades-Old Zoning Change Opened Makaha To Short-Term Rentals
. A Honolulu City Council decision in 1989 paved the way for vacation rentals in Makaha decades later.  Civil Beat.

A new city proposal would mute Waikiki street performers. Waikiki street performers have come back in higher numbers, and so has the noise. A bill now before the Honolulu City Council would make noise amplification illegal. Star-Advertiser.

14,000 gallons of fuel, water spill at Red Hill, Navy says. Approximately 14,000 gallons of fuel and water spilled from a drain line at the Navy’s Red Hill Underground Fuel Facility over the weekend, according to the Navy. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

A New Chicken Farm Wants To Reduce Hawaii’s Dependence On Imported Eggs. Waialua Egg Farm is owned by Villa Rose, a partnership between Hidden Villa Ranch and Rose Acre Farms, two major mainland agricultural businesses. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Has health care access on Hawaiʻi Island improved or worsened with the pandemic?
A survey seeks answers. The coronavirus pandemic shed significant light on some of the gaps in health care access across the state. Efforts are underway on Hawaiʻi island to map out exactly what those gaps are and where they can be found. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘We are not happy to see it go’: The impending Papa‘aloa Gym demolition draws ire. The county intended to renovate the gym while other improvements were being made, but it was deemed unsalvageable after extensive termite damage was found throughout the building. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Council Passes Historic Bill Prohibiting Non-Mineral Sunscreens. The Maui County Council unanimously passed Bill 135 to prohibit the sale, distribution, or use of non-mineral sunscreens. Bill 135 recognizes that a number of non-mineral sunscreens have recently been demonstrated to pose a threat to the health of coastal waters, coral reefs, and other marine species. Maui Now. KITV4.

County will not appeal injection wells ruling.
Maui County will not appeal a U.S. District Court’s ruling in favor of environmental advocacy groups who sued the county nearly a decade ago, bringing an end to a long legal battle over the county’s practice of injecting treated wastewater into the ground. Maui News.

Mayor recall organizers face deadline.
Organizers of the effort to recall Mayor Michael Victorino were scheduled Saturday to turn in what they hope to be nearly 22,000 signatures needed to initiate the recall process.  Maui News.

Salvaged Acacia Koa Available at Auction. The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife will be conducting a forest products auction for Acacia koa wood. All wood pieces are from the West Maui State Forest Reserve on the island of Maui. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Priorities of the county’s forthcoming cesspool replacement programing. The state Department of Health Clean Water State Revolving Fund has $1.2 million to give to counties for cesspool conversion. Kaua‘i County is the only island currently setting up a program for the 2023 fiscal year, meaning it could get the full amount. Garden Island.

‘Sweet’ (potato) science.
A handful of experts are growing sweet potatoes on the Eastside to identify pest-resistant varietals that could improve production of the classic Hawaiian crop. Garden Island.



Friday, November 19, 2021

Most Hawaii lower-grade students a year behind, woman indicted in church sex trafficking ring, USS Daniel Inouye reaches Pearl Harbor home port, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2021 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaii schoolchildren pre-COVID ©2021 All Hawaii News

Most Hawaii elementary and middle schoolers are at least one grade level behind, testing shows. An analysis of fall testing data indicates that three-quarters of Hawaii’s public school students in first through eighth grades were at least one or two grade levels behind in math after the first quarter of the 2021-22 school year while two-thirds were also behind in English language arts. Star-Advertiser.

Slight increase in Japanese visitors after eased restrictions, but obstacles remain. According to daily visitor counts from the state, 720 Japanese visitors traveled to the state in the week after restrictions were lifted — fewer visitors than the previous seven days. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s unemployment rate drops to 6.3% in October. Hawaii’s unemployment rate fell to a seasonally adjusted 6.3% last month compared to 6.6% in September, the state said Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Native Hawaiian trailblazer Suzanne Vares-Lum named East-West Center president. The East-West Center Board of Governors announced today that it has selected Suzanne Vares-Lum to serve as the institution’s next president. Vares-Lum will be both the first Native Hawaiian and the first woman to hold the position. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii records 7 new coronavirus-related deaths, 226 additional infections.
The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 116 new cases on Oahu, 57 on Hawaii Island, 22 on Maui, 21 on Kauai, and 10 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

USS Daniel Inouye reaches home port at Pearl Harbor.
The U.S. Navy’s newest warship, the USS Daniel Inouye, arrived Thursday at its home port at Pearl Harbor. The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer is named for the late Hawaii senator and war hero. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Oahu’s short-term rental rule decision likely to extend an additional 4 months.
Holiday scheduling delays at the Honolulu City Council mean owners of short-term rental properties will likely have to wait longer for a decision on new rules that would extend the minimum stay for guests from 30 days to 180 days. Star-Advertiser.

Up to 50% of a new hotel tax fund could go to the Honolulu rail — which has an estimated cost of $11.4B. A Honolulu City Council committee Wednesday agreed to allocate between one-third to one-half of revenues from a proposed visitor bed tax to the city’s rail transit project. Hawaii Public Radio.

Army Corps of Engineers, city try again on Ala Wai flood control — this time with more modest goals. Officials are now looking to protect the area from more frequent storms, not just a once in a century flood. Hawaii News Now.

State seeking to sell Waianae rental complex. Board members of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. unanimously approved a plan Thursday to sell the 72-unit project called Kulia I Ka Nuu with a land lease. Star-Advertiser.

Why It’s So Hard For Homeless People To Collect Seized Belongings On Oahu. Civil rights advocates say the storage warehouse is too hard to reach and homeless people should be allowed to keep possessions needed to survive. Civil Beat.

Man, 27, arrested for allegedly punching security guard, 71, over mask dispute. Honolulu police arrested a 27-year-old man after he allegedly punched a 71-year-old security guard who attempted to escort him out of a COVID-19 testing site area in Waikiki following a mask dispute. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Kapolei woman, 50, indicted in connection with alleged church sex trafficking operation. A superseding indictment unsealed in California today charged the founder and administrators of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name (KOJC) with running a sex trafficking operation that threatened girls and women with “eternal damnation” if they did not have sex with the church’s leader, Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, who was referred to as “The Appointed Son of God,” according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

No Big Island hotel tax exemption. Big Island residents will not be exempt from a proposed extra 3% tax on hotel, timeshare and transient vacation rental charges, despite efforts from County Council members. Tribune-Herald.

Tour van burns on Mauna Kea; 9 escape after smelling smoke while driving. The driver and eight passengers of a tour van heading to the summit of Mauna Kea on Nov. 9 had to evacuate the vehicle after it caught fire and was eventually engulfed in flames. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Maui

New chief picks deputy from Las Vegas. Residency requirements to be waived; county to cover moving expenses for incoming chief. Incoming Maui Police Chief John Pelletier has chosen a fellow colleague of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to be his second in command. Maui News.

$3 million federal grant to help replace Kaupakalua Bridge. Structure was washed out in March, forcing residents to drive farther for services. Maui News.

2 nene geese on Maui killed by cars near Kahului Airport. State wildlife officials are urging motorists to slow down and drive with aloha after a bonded nene pair — a male and female — were struck and killed Tuesday near Kahului Airport on Maui. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KHON2.

Partial Humpback Whale Birth Off Maui, Detailed in Scientific Publication. Underwater footage captured by author Deborah Patton’s GoPro on Feb. 3, 2020 reveal an in-process birth with two male escorts surrounding the mother in labor after approaching a whale watching boat operated by Captain Steve’s Rafting Adventures in Lahaina. Maui Now.

Kauai

Solid Waste Management Plan adoption delayed. The Kaua‘i County Council deferred the adoption of the 2021 Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan on Wednesday, citing the need for further discussion. Garden Island.

Kamalani Inclusive Playground construction begins. Construction on the county’s new Kamalani Inclusive Playground began this week, according to the county Department of Parks and Recreation. The playground is designed for keiki with developmental disabilities. Garden Island.

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Honolulu rail deficit less than feared, Honolulu advances hotel tax, Hawaii County advances pesticide ban, Bezos gives $2.5M for Maui homeless project, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

PC:HART
Honolulu rail construction PC:HART

Honolulu rail deficit estimate cut to $1.97B. The projected $3.5 billion deficit for the city’s troubled rail project is far less than feared — $1.97 billion, rail officials said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Electric vehicles are all over Hawaii roads. So why aren’t there more charging stations? In the past year, there was a nearly 32% increase in the number of passenger electric vehicles in Hawaii, according to the state. But there’s a big disconnect when it comes to charging those vehicles up. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Pacific Health ranks second in nation for cost-efficiency. Hawaii Pacific Health ranks second in the country for cost-efficiency among health care systems, according to Lown Institute, a nonpartisan think tank that advocates for making health care more effective and affordable. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii records 8 new coronavirus-related deaths, 142 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 94 new cases on Oahu, 15 on Hawaii Island, 11 on Maui, 13 on Kauai and nine Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City Council committee OK’s Oahu hotel tax proposal. A measure that would establish a 3% city hotel tax advanced to final reading during a Honolulu City Council Budget Committee meeting Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Vacation Rental Bill Could Starve Windward Businesses That Cater To Tourists. Already suffering from Covid-19’s blow to tourism and the continuing shut-down of travel from Japan, small businesses in Kailua are bracing for the impact of a bill to crack down on illegal short-term rentals. Civil Beat.

Reasons behind Honolulu's building permit backlog. Building permit applications have been piling up on Oahu, adding to project wait time for thousands of residents. The Department of Planning and Permitting has been hit with high turnover and has an overall vacancy rate of 25%. KITV4.

Honolulu Fire Commission Restarts Search For Department Chief.
A new commissioner could deliver a tie-breaking vote sometime in 2022. Civil Beat.

HPD Says It Will Take A Fresh Look At Its Vehicle Pursuit Policy. Interim Chief Rade Vanic told the Honolulu Police Commission that the department will gather data on vehicle pursuits before deciding on any changes. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

State: Aloha Stadium redevelopment will provide nearly $1.5B economic boost. Construction to build a new Aloha Stadium ― which will begin in early 2023 ― is expected to add 12,660 construction jobs and more than $595 million in construction wages alone. Hawaii News Now.

No opioid epidemic talk at Honolulu ex-prosecutor’s brother’s trial. There will be no mention of the “opioid epidemic” at a trial against the pain physician brother of a former Hawaii prosecutor imprisoned in a corruption case that also took down her former police chief husband. Associated Press.

Oahu grand jury indicts adoptive parents in Isabella Kalua murder case. An Oahu grand jury on Wednesday indicted Lehua Kalua, 44, and Isaac “Sonny” Kalua III, 52, on charges of second-­degree murder, abuse and related charges in the death of their adopted daughter, Isabella “Ariel” Kalua. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Herbicide ban advances.
A County Council panel on Wednesday advanced a measure to ban the use of glyphosate-based herbicides at county Parks and Recreation facilities. West Hawaii Today.

Nearly 100 apply for Phase 2 of buyout program for lava-inundated properties. As of the end of last week, 90 people had applied for the second phase of the county’s Voluntary Housing Buyout Program, said Disaster Recovery Officer Douglas Le at a Wednesday meeting of the County Council’s Government Operations, Relations and Economic Development Committee. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Bezos Day One Fund Gifts $2.5 Million to Family Life Center in Kahului
, Maui. Family Life Center, Inc., a nonprofit organization serving the homeless population on the islands of Maui, Molokaʻi and on Kauaʻi, has been selected to receive a $2.5 million grant from the Bezos Day One Families Fund—the largest grant in Family Life Center’s history. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Alakoko “Menehune” Fishpond saved
; Chan, Zuckerberg make $4 million donation. The 102-acre Alakoko “Menehune” Fishpond has successfully been purchased by nonprofits The Trust for Public Land and Malama Hule‘ia for cultural and environmental stewardship in perpetuity. Garden Island.

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

USS Daniel Inouye tours Hawaiian Islands, civil rights complaints prompt changes to unemployment application, Aloha Stadium demolition planned for 2023, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2021 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
USS Daniel Inouye tours Hawaii ©2021 All Hawaii News

USS Daniel Inouye passes by East Hawaii. The future USS Daniel Inouye, or DDG 118, cruised off the coast of East Hawaii on Tuesday morning as it headed toward Oahu. The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer — named in honor of the late U.S. senator from Hawaii and World War II Medal of Honor recipient — left General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, on Oct. 4. en route to its home port, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Oahu. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

How Police Overtime Leaves Taxpayers On The Hook For Jacked Up Pensions. State lawmakers cracked down on pension spiking in 2012 – but only for new employees. The old-timers continue to stick taxpayers with ever-growing bills from the state pension system. Civil Beat.

Come January, Hawaii residents will be allowed to carry Tasers in public. With Hawaii residents soon allowed to carry Tasers in public, some say it’s a good tool for self-defense but others worry they could fall into the wrong hands. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii To Update Unemployment Application After Federal Investigation. The state agreed to provide better access to limited English speakers and non-citizens after five filed civil rights complaints. Civil Beat.

Scientists partnered with local fishermen find Hawaiʻi's bottomfish are not being overfished. Every year for the last decade, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration join Hawaiʻi fishermen like Clay Tam to measure the abundance of bottomfish like the ʻopakapaka, hāpuʻupuʻu, and five other species known as the “Deep 7.” Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii recruiting conservation and resources enforcement officers statewide.
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources announced Monday it is looking for new recruits for its Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement to expand its force statewide. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

$365M Released For School, Airport, Hospital Infrastructure. The capital improvement projects were approved and appropriated by the Hawaii Legislature. Civil Beat.

Agency charged with protecting at-risk keiki grappling with funding issues, staff shortages. State Rep. Ryan Yamane, chair of the Health, Human Services and Homelessness Committee, said he already has met with leadership from Child Welfare Services and the Hawaii Department of Human Services. Hawaii News Now.

Kupuna advocates overjoyed after federal guidelines OK nursing home visits. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency which oversees Hawaii’s nearly 50 nursing homes, said “visitation is now allowed for all residents at all times.” Hawaii News Now.
 
Hawaii sees 63 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 85,948. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 33 new cases on Oahu,14 on Hawaii Island, seven on Maui, four on Kauai and five Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Demolition of Aloha Stadium possible in early 2023. Aloha Stadium could come down in early 2023, based on a new state expectation for having a private developer replace the largely condemned facility in Halawa with a smaller arena. Star-Advertiser.

How Honolulu’s Rail Compares to Other Federally Funded Projects. It’s common for rail projects to have cost overruns, but few are as large as Honolulu's. Hawaii Business magazine.

The project to replace the rail line’s wheels will take a year. Price tag? Unknown. In an ongoing setback for the embattled Honolulu rail project, there are lingering issues with the wheels, which are too small for the width of the track. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Amendment would add to Honolulu affordable-housing fund. The Honolulu City Council is considering a charter amendment that would increase the share of property tax revenue allocated to the city’s affordable-housing fund. Star-Advertiser.

Are Tiny Homes The Answer To Homelessness? Hawaii Is Giving Them A Try. Located on Yorktown Street, a strip with other transitional housing facilities and shelters, the homes will be rented for at least $500 per month, including utilities. However, residents must share restroom, laundry and shower facilities as well as a kitchen, which are located in a 2,800-square-feet community center that also includes a medical clinic, a community lounge and storage. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Wahiawa charter school vows to fight commission’s enrollment ruling.
Officials at a Wahiawa public charter school said they plan to fight back against a decision by the Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission that would result in the loss of more than $1 million in state funding. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council gets EPIC update; permits backlog could be cleared by February, Rodenhurst says. Hawaii County should be able to work through a massive backlog of building permit applications by the second quarter of next year, county officials said Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Herbicide ban 2.0: Bill looks to end use of glyphosate-based pesticides at parks and rec facilities.
Bill 91, introduced by Kona Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas, is intended to reduce the use of the broad-spectrum systemic herbicide by county workers at Hawaii County Parks and Recreation facilities across the Big Island. West Hawaii Today.

County hopes to allow trailers at certain transfer stations by March. Since the Hawaii County Department of Environmental Management announced in April that all trailers and dump beds would be prohibited at all Big Island transfer stations, residents and County Council members have urged the department to reconsider. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Some say certificate of need stands in way of local hospitals. For years, lack of funding has held back a hospital that would bring the West Maui community better access to health care and has been talked about and pursued for over two decades. But there’s another barrier the project faced early on, and that other health care facilities have struggled to overcome — Hawaii’s “certificate-of-need” laws. Maui News.

Hawaii Department of Transportation receives federal grant for Honoapiilani Highway work on Maui. Hawaii will receive $22 million in new federal funding to help offset the estimated $90 million in design and construction costs to realign 4.5 miles of Honoa­piilani Highway vulnerable to sea-level rise and coastal erosion. Star-Advertiser.

Lifeguard Services Restored at Oneloa “Big Beach” in Mākena. Lifeguard towers at Oneloa “Big Beach” in Mākena have resumed operations as of this morning. Maui Now.

Kauai


Future USS Daniel Inouye passing Kaua‘i today. The new Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is scheduled to pass Nawiliwili Harbor at 8 a.m. today, before being commissioned on Dec. 8, one day after the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Commemoration. Garden Island.

KIFB gets holiday push
. The KIFB also launched its holiday food drive to help with the community demand that sees more than 150 food packages for families go out on its weekly emergency food distributions. Garden Island.

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Hawaii awaits $2.8B for infrastructure, Bezos, Oprah buy land on Maui, no third trial for Deedy, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2021 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Roadwork in Hawaii ©2021 All Hawaii News

Hawaii construction industry to see most of $2.8 billion federal infrastructure funds.  At least $2.8 billion in federal money is now available to improve Hawaii roads, bridges, airports, water systems, broadband internet and more under a congressional bill signed into law Monday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Despite strong vaccination rates, Hawaii’s Safe Travels program likely isn’t ending anytime soon
. The policy has been in place a little more than a year. It requires anyone entering the state to either be vaccinated or have gotten a negative coronavirus test within 72 hours of arrival in order to bypass a 10-day quarantine. Hawaii News Now.

What Salary Records Tell Us About Who Earns The Big Bucks In The Department of Education. Some newer administrative roles in the DOE’s salary records in recent years fetch high salaries. Civil Beat.

Congressmen Seek Reforms After ‘Damning’ Audit Of Pacific Fisheries Fund. The long-awaited federal audit of a secretive fund managed by the Western Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Council is “just the beginning” of a congressional inquiry, Hawaii U.S. Rep. Ed Case said in a joint news release Monday. Civil Beat.

Hawaii ranks last for finding lung cancer early. While Hawaii has fared better than most states when it comes to its overall rate of lung cancer, it’s still the most deadly form of cancer in the state, killing on average of more than 500 residents annually. Star-Advertiser.

Push for expanded COVID booster eligibility in Hawaii comes after NYC ruling. So far, 133,557 people have had their boosters in Hawaii. That is just 24% of who would be eligible if the state followed in New York City’s footsteps. KHON2.

Hawaii sees 95 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 85,885. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 33 new cases on Oahu, 25 on Hawaii Island, 16 on Maui, 19 on Kauai and two Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Property tax assessments jeopardize Oahu’s clean energy projects. The Honolulu City Council is weighing a bill that would provide renewable energy projects with substantial relief from an unexpected and steep increase in property taxes. Star-Advertiser.

No third trial for federal agent Christopher Deedy in 2011 fatal shooting of Kollin Elderts. Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm on Monday announced he will not proceed with further prosecution of Christopher Deedy, the federal agent who fatally shot a man at a Waikiki fast-food restaurant 10 years ago. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Gas Co. to pay $230K for Clean Air violations. The Gas Co. LLC has agreed to pay a $230,000 fine for Clean Air Act violations at its synthetic natural gas facility in Kapolei, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

New council districts slowly taking shape.
Ever try to share a too-small blanket on a chilly night? Yanking on one side to cover one person leaves the other cold. Trying to drag nine County Council districts over the breadth and width of Hawaii Island is like that. West Hawaii Today.

Report: Expect vehicle shortages to linger. The third quarter report sponsored by the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association predicts that limited availability of new personal vehicles due to microchip shortages and other supply-chain issues related to the novel coronavirus pandemic likely will last ”well into 2022.” Tribune-Herald.

Hilton Waikoloa Village offers cash incentive to attract new employees. Hawaii Island’s largest resort is offering a $1,000 sign-on bonus for new employees. The hotel is hoping to fill nearly a hundred positions, including housekeepers, chefs, restaurant servers and massage therapists. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Maui County Council to discuss regulating bike tours today. Bicycle tours operating in the Pāʻia-Haʻikū and Makawao-Pukalani-Kula community plan areas will be reviewed. Residents in the area have expressed concerns about bicycle tours crowding the roads. Hawaii Public Radio.

Adding emergency runway lights at Kapalua Airport could benefit west Maui community. The Kapalua Airport was built in the 1980s with a promise to only operate during daylight hours, at the request of nearby residents. Hawaii Public Radio.

Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos Reportedly Shells Out $78 Million on Remote Beachfront Property Off La Perouse. Amazon founder and executive chairman, Jeff Bezos reportedly purchased a remote 14-acre oceanfront estate, 12 miles south of Kīhei. The property is reportedly surrounded by rocky lava fields and state parkland. Maui Now.

Oprah Buys More Property on Maui
. Oprah Winfrey is back again at shopping for Maui real estate, as the billionaire media mogul has recently purchased a three-acre property in Kula on Maui that’s adjacent to the other properties she owns on the Valley Isle, according to public records. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i has highest COVID rate per capita in state. As of Monday, the county has 129 active COVID-19 cases, with 11 hospitalized. Garden Island.

East Side bike path regulars restore damaged signs. A frequent visitor to Ke Ala Hele Makalae, the multi-use path from Lydgate Beach Park to Ahihi Point, has fulfilled a longtime wish to restore its defaced signage. Garden Island.