Board of Regents defends Hensel hire despite discrimination complaints, Maui Council candidate asks Supreme Court to void election, nursing home deficiencies among highest in the nation, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New UH President Was Accused Of Discrimination At Two Posts Before Hiring. At the time of the Gaza protests on New York City campuses earlier this year, the incoming president of the University of Hawaii was facing accusations of discrimination by a Jewish faculty member — concerns that followed similar allegations by a Black law professor in Georgia. The chair of the University of Hawaii's Board of Regents is staunchly defending the vetting of incoming president Wendy Hensel, saying it aligned with national best practices. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Nursing Home Deficiencies Among Highest In The Nation. The number of average deficiencies in Hawaii nursing homes almost doubled between 2015 and 2023.  Civil Beat.

Other than Hone and Gilma, 2024 hurricane season blows through with little more than stiff breeze. Hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30 each year, featured just two tropical cyclones — Hurricanes Hone and Gilma. Big Island Now.

Oahu

UHERO offers ‘uncertainties’ over Council’s proposed empty-homes tax. An empty-homes tax meant to penalize real-­property owners who leave their Oahu residences vacant for extended periods of time continues to receive wider public scrutiny. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Unnamed Dead Of Honolulu May Be Revealed Through DNA Testing. DNA from five unidentified sets of juvenile remains have been sent for testing thanks to a $50,000 grant from a Texas-based lab. Civil Beat.

Dole’s Wahiawa Dam Is A Hazard. Now The State Is A Step Closer To Buying It. Upgrading aging infrastructure is key to agriculture's future in Hawaii, but there are also safety concerns. Civil Beat.

State confirms avian flu in wild duck on Oahu’s North Shore. The National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed Monday highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a wild duck on Oahu’s North  KHON2. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Affordable housing project in Waimea gains support. A 43-lot affordable housing subdivision in Waimea got a thumbs-up from the Leeward Planning Commission last week. Tribune-Herald.

Visiting Hawaiian Monk Seal Prompts Warning To Kona Harbor Users. Boaters and fishermen are being asked to be careful not to hook the female seal, who likes to feed on the fish at Honokōhau Harbor. Big Island Video News. KHON2.

Maui

Maui Council Candidate Wants State Supreme Court To Void Election. Kelly King, who lost to Tom Cook by 97 votes, seeks a new election, arguing that not every vote was counted in the Nov. 5 contest. Civil Beat.

Community outraged over changes to long-awaited South Maui development. A long-planned housing project in South Maui is facing opposition from people who say the developer owes the community hundreds of affordable homes. Critics say the developer is breaking a promise and the council is rushing toward approval. Hawaii News Now.
 
First FEMA modular homes ready for Maui fire survivors. An initial increment of new rent-free temporary homes developed in Lahaina by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for survivors of the 2023 Maui wildfires has opened for use. Star-Advertiser.

Legislation to study designating Lahaina as National Heritage Area passes out of Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted to advance the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act, legislation jointly introduced by US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and US Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-HI02).  Maui Now.

Kauai

Zuckerberg, Chan donate to affordable housing program. Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have gifted Permanently Affordable Living Hawaii (PAL) $626,000 to support Kauhale O Kilauea’s project to further maintain affordable housing on Kauai. Garden Island. Kauai Now.