Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Green and Aiona sharpen differences in gubernatorial race, House has consensus for special session, SecDef to visit Red Hill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

As general election nears, Aiona and Green point out differences on hot-button issues. Lt. Gov. Josh Green and former Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona are dialing up efforts to point out their differences as Hawaii voters prepare to select their next governor in November. Hawaii News Now.

Green calls out Aiona to give clear stance on abortion. On Monday, the Democratic candidate running for governor, Lt. Gov. Josh Green, called out his opposing ticket to release details on how its party intends to protect the reproductive rights of Hawaii women. KHON2.

State House has consensus for special legislative session on Hawaii Supreme Court ruling. The state House of Representatives has the consensus necessary to move forward with a special session of the Legislature to address the Hawaii Supreme Court ruling that preliminary hearings are not a lawful method for charging major felonies including murder. In a letter to Senate President Ron Kouchi and all House members obtained by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, House Speaker Scott Saiki informed senators that over two-thirds of House members agree to convene a special session to address the State v. Obrero decision handed down by the Hawaii Supreme Court Sept. 8. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii lawmakers are drafting bill to create more ways to charge serious felonies. State lawmakers are working on a bill that would give prosecutors more than one way to charge serious felonies after a Sept. 8 Hawaii Supreme Court ruling that preli­minary hearings are not a lawful method for charging major crimes, including murder, robbery and sex assault. Star-Advertiser.

Nonprofit raising awareness about diaper insecurity in the islands. Governor David Ige and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi both signed proclamations recognizing this week as "National Diaper Need Awareness Week". KITV4.

Hawaii public libraries to reopen Tuesday after closing due to ‘unspecified threat’. Hawaii public libraries are expected to reopen Tuesday after an “unspecified threat” closed all locations today, a spokesperson for the Office of the State Librarian said this afternoon. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Has A Shortage Of School Psychologists. National Research Says That’s A Problem. Students in Hawaii were struggling with mental health challenges long before the pandemic, but the state has few school psychologists to help address their needs. Civil Beat.

Russia Gives Citizenship To Ex-Hawaii NSA Contractor Edward Snowden. U.S. intelligence officials have accused him of putting U.S. personnel at risk and damaging national security. He currently faces charges in the United States that could result in decades in prison. Civil Beat.

A ‘very impressive’ feat: Hawaii astronomers laud success of NASA’s asteroid-redirection mission. University of Hawaii astronomers observed with keen interest as a small, unmanned NASA spacecraft purposely crashed into an asteroid in an unprecedented dress rehearsal for the day a killer space rock menaces Earth. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiian language speakers are raising the visibility of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi through social media. The growing number of Hawaiian language accounts on social media is sparking discussions on how ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi can take advantage of platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Hawaii Public Radio.

New methods of control: State’s proposals to introduce insects to combat invasive weeds clear environmental hurdle. The state departments of Agriculture and Land and Natural Resources are planning to release on state lands a butterfly with gregarious larvae, Euselasia chrysippe, for biological control of miconia, and a beetle (Syphraea uberabensis) for control of cane tibouchina. Miconia and cane tibouchina are noxious weeds threatening Hawaii’s forests and watersheds. West Hawaii Today.

Seabird fallout season has begun in Hawaii. Seabird fallout season is officially underway, and the Hawaii Wildlife Center is once again asking for the public’s help getting grounded fledglings in flight again. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council Puts Controversial Land-Use Bill On Hold Amid Criticism.
The city’s Department of Planning and Permitting says it needs to review the measure after complaints from property owners about potentially disastrous effects on businesses. Civil Beat.

Defense secretary to visit Red Hill this week.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin this week will visit the Navy’s underground Red Hill fuel facility as the military prepares to defuel and shut down the World War II-era fuel farm, the Pentagon announced Monday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Drills will test first responders with Oahu rail emergency scenarios
. First responders will be tested today and Thursday in how they respond to a potential emergency on the city’s rail line in a run-up to even bigger hypothetical scenarios as the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation conducts drills ahead of paid ridership tentatively planned for early next year. Star-Advertiser.

New Army unit at Fort Shafter will focus on Pacific theater. A new unit focused on the Pacific theater will support the U.S. Army’s operations. The Army’s 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force was activated at Fort Shafter on Oʻahu on Friday. Hawaii Public Radio.

With upgrades at Sand Island wastewater facility, city keeps rising seas in mind. Construction is currently underway on a new warehouse at the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment plant. Hawaii News Now.

Newly Unsealed Documents In Miske Case Tell A Grisly Tale Of Kidnap, Torture And Murder. A federal judge recently ordered prosecutors to make public dozens of search warrants and other documents in the conspiracy and murder trial of alleged crime boss Mike Miske. Civil Beat.

Former TV Anchor And Longtime Activist Face Off In Rural Oahu Senate Race. Gil Riviere and Brenton Awa live about as far apart as political opponents can get on Oahu. Riviere, an incumbent Democrat, has a home in Waialua, about 40 miles away from where Awa, a Republican, lives in Kaneohe. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Council Race: Candidates Vie To Represent Pearl City After Close Primary. Voters will choose between a veteran of Democratic politics in Hawaii and a newer Republican state lawmaker. In the Honolulu City Council election for the area surrounding Pearl City, Republican state Rep. Val Aquino Okimoto is pitching herself as the fresh face voters want while longtime Democratic politician Ron Menor says his decades as a city and state lawmaker will allow him to be effective. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island


Shifting state lease terms frustrates Hilo business owner. A Hilo business owner is pursuing legal action against the state after the Board of Land and Natural Resources voted to change the terms of his lease agreement. Tribune-Herald.

‘Quite a Jewel:ʻ County Offered Chance to Buy Keauhou Bay Property in Kona. Fifteen years ago, Ed and Rhonnie Rapoza could have built two beach homes on waterfront property they owned off Ali‘i Drive in downtown Kailua-Kona. But the owners of Island Land Co. thought the prime real estate should be sold to a particular buyer: the County of Hawaiʻi Big Island Now.

Ironman donates $240K to county for police OT during 2-day race. Ironman is donating almost a quarter-million dollars to the Hawaii Police Department to cover the cost of officer services during the 2022 Ironman World Championship next month. West Hawaii Today.

Waiakea Uka Park draft EA released.
The public has until Oct. 24 to submit comments about proposed improvements to Waiakea Uka Park. Tribune-Herald.

Crisis at Hilo Medical Center puts new spotlight on staffing, bed shortages at Hawaii hospitals.
The patient care crisis at Hilo Medical Center is drawing the attention of lawmakers and helping spur a broader conversation about staffing and bed shortages at hospitals statewide. On Tuesday, state Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chair Jarrett Keohokalole. will tour the Hawaii Island facility to get a first hand look at the overcrowding and staffing shortages. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

New sunscreen ban to take effect Saturday. Maui mineral sunscreen companies are seeing boost in business. Mineral suncare business owners with a passion for the environment are getting excited for when Maui County’s sunscreen ordinance takes effect this week, another push toward protecting the offshore marine habitats. Maui News.

Council appoints new Hawaiian language communications specialist. Following the spring’s annual budget session, the Maui County Council approved the appointment of a Hawaiian Language Communications Specialist on Aug. 5, providing ‘olelo Hawaii as a medium in the council’s public-information efforts. Maui News.

Kauai

Supreme Court: DOW study Flawed. The state Supreme Court turned the tables in the case between the Kaua‘i Department of Water and Kia‘i Wai O Wai‘ale‘ale last week, issuing a ruling in favor of the community group. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi Humane Society: We Need Help. Enter the no-kill Kaua’i Humane Society and you are met with a cacophony of howls and anxious meows from about 200 animals that are crammed inside the 70-year-old facility that is now understaffed and overcapacity. Kauai Now.

Completely senseless’: Kauai crash that killed woman in marked crosswalk spurs state action. A Kauai family plans to take legal action following a crash that killed a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk. Hawaii News Now.

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