Homeless spike averted during pandemic, former Honolulu building official pleads guilty to taking bribes, Navy tackles 4th water main break, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Homeless in Honolulu ©2022 All Hawaii News

Planning averts spike in COVID-era homelessness in Hawaii. Fears of a large-scale surge in homelessness in Hawaii triggered by COVID-19 job losses failed to materialize thanks to state funding and the work of service providers, the state homeless coordinator said Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s high court is asked to strike down 90-day hold rule. The Public Defender’s Office filed a petition Sunday with the Hawaii Supreme Court questioning the power of state court judges to keep defendants jailed for up to 90 days without bail after charges against them have been dismissed in the wake of the court’s ruling that a grand jury indictment is necessary to bring charges in serious felony crimes. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Democrats Face Little GOP Opposition. But They’re Still Raising Money. Jill Tokuda, the frontrunner for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District, raised another $331,000 for her campaign in the last quarter, more than any other federal candidate from the state. Civil Beat.

Kahele faces House ethics probe over bills he co-sponsored that benefited airlines. The inquiry comes after a nonprofit political watchdog group — the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust — filed a complaint against Kahele in April, alleging that he co-sponsored four bills that benefited the airline industry and his employer Hawaiian Airlines. Hawaii News Now.

Matson Inc. income drops on trans-Pacific slowdown. Matson Inc. said a 15.1% drop in demand from its China service and easing port congestion in Southern California led to an expected decline in net income in the third quarter, according to preliminary results that the company issued Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Former top city building plans examiner admits to taking bribes to expedite permits. A former building plans examiner at the city Department of Planning and Permitting entered a plea of guilty Monday to accepting nearly $100,000 in bribes to pre-screen plans and expedite approval of permits for contractors and an architect. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Fourth rupture in Navy’s water system means more delays for 93,000 users. The Navy announced it would further delay removing fuel from its three pipelines at Red Hill after a fourth main in its water system was reported to have broken Monday morning, reducing water access for some 93,000 people connected to the system. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

What Happens Now That A Judge Has Blocked Honolulu’s New Short-Term Rental Law? City officials could appeal to a higher court or find some way to compromise with property owners who rent their places for fewer than 90 days. Civil Beat.

Two off-leash dog parks in the works on Oahu. Kolowalu Park in Kakaako and an 8-acre parcel along Hamakua Drive in Kailua will be upgraded for dog parks. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Changes loom for zoning and development laws. Hawaii County this week is kicking off a 19-month process to update zoning and subdivision codes with community engagement sessions in Kona and Hilo. West Hawaii Today.

Parking Fee For Kahaluʻu Beach Visitors Starts In December. Income from the pilot project will be used to support ongoing protection, stewardship, and restoration of the natural and cultural resources held at Kahaluʻu Beach Park. Big Island Video News.

FEMA to reimburse county $886K for Mana Road fire. Federal funding is headed to Hawaii County to help offset expenses incurred last summer battling the Big Island’s largest wildfire in history. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Now.

Maui

Next community budget meeting for FY 2024 scheduled for Oct. 18 in Pukalani. The next community budget meeting for Fiscal Year 2024, hosted by Mayor Michael Victorino and his administration, will be held Upcountry at the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, starting at 5:30 p.m. Maui Now.

Mayoral candidates clash on housing, water, budget. Incumbent Mayor Michael Victorino and opponent Richard “Rick” Bissen went head-to-head during a mayoral debate on Saturday night at Seabury Hall, responding to hot topic questions on proposed water authorities, axis deer as an industry, affordable housing, managed retreat and the budget. Maui News.

How to solve the axis deer problem? Maui mayoral candidates take starkly different stances. Axis deer continue to have devastating impacts to Maui County farmers and ranchers — and the two candidates for mayor have differing views on how to solve the problem. Hawaii News Now.

Maui hospital coming as Hawaii battles nursing shortage. A hospital in West Maui has been in the works for years, but we’re three years past its targeted opening date, and construction of the facility has yet to begin. KHON2.

Real Estate Report: Third quarter Maui home median sales price jumps, number of sales drop. The median sales price for residential homes on Maui increased 15% to $1,150,000 in the third quarter compared to $998,500 in 2021. However, the number of sales declined from 1,042 to 813 sales this year – a 22% decrease compared to the same timeframe last year. Maui Now.

Kauai

Free COVID-19 tests available at Kauaʻi County neighborhood centers Oct. 19-21. Approximately 6,000 COVID-19 home test kits will be given out, with a limit of five tests per individual or household, on a first-come, first-served basis, until supplies run out. Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank holiday food drive kicks off in November. The food bank hopes to raise $50,000 and 50,000 pounds of food to help those who struggle to make ends meet, wondering from where their next meal will come. Kauai Now.