Lawmakers push for special session on contractor campaign donations, federal Covid spending review likely, Kapaa Quarry mulled for Oahu landfill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Indictment sparks calls for special session on contractor donation ban. Indictments against Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, current and former state employees, and a contractor in an alleged bribery conspiracy are prompting calls for a special legislative session focused on campaign finance reform. Some lawmakers are pushing for a return to the Capitol to take up Senate Bill 2530, a measure that would ban government contractors and their immediate family members from donating to political candidates. Hawaii News Now.

Federal review of COVID-19 spending likely in wake of alleged corruption, Case says. U.S. Rep. Ed Case, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, said he expects federal scrutiny of Hawaii’s COVID-19 contracts following a public corruption indictment involving Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and four others. Star-Advertiser.

Betting On Hawaiʻi Politics Is Legal Despite State’s Gambling Ban. Users can now wager on when indicted Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke may resign on the prediction market app Kalshi, which is not covered by Hawaiʻi’s gambling law. Civil Beat.

State airports administrator on paid leave after indictment. State Airports Administrator Ford Fuchigami was placed on paid leave for 30 days, effective Monday, after he and four others were indicted Friday in an alleged criminal conspiracy to bribe state officials to secure money for COVID-19 testing during the pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Rules to limit CRB spread passed on Big Island and Maui. The coconut rhinoceros beetle’s hold across the Hawaiian Islands has grown in recent months, prompting the state Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity to expand restrictions on transporting potential host material between infested islands and areas. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. 

Gen Z’s new travel habits to Hawaiʻi . Hawaiʻi's hospitality industry is seeing a new kind of visitor in Generation Z. How they travel could bring changes to the state's largest private industry. Hawaii Public Radio.

Alan B. Carpenter chosen to lead DLNR Division of State Parks. Alan B. Carpenter assumes responsibility for the care and management of 55 state parks and 14 other places of interest, which encompass 34,000 acres of coastal and wildland recreational areas, scenic waysides and cherished places spanning from Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park on Kauaʻi to ʻAkaka Falls State Park on Hawaiʻi Island. Maui Now.

This Hawaiian Waterbird Is Making A Comeback. Should It Still Be Endangered? Most agree efforts to save the aeʻo, the native stilt, have succeeded so far, but some worry about lifting its ‘endangered’ status in a Trump era with looser conservation rules. Civil Beat.

Fausto now a remnant low as it passes north of Hawaiian Islands. Fausto is no longer a tropical cyclone and is now a remnant low passing north of the islands. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center said in data valid at 5 a.m. Wednesday, post-tropical cyclone Fausto was 285 miles north of Hilo, or 225 miles northeast of Honolulu. It was moving west-northwest at 13 miles per hour. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Voters in Waters’ district confused as name remains on ballot after being ruled ineligible to run. While Honolulu election officials try to figure out what to do for Tommy Waters’ council seat, the district’s voters are left confused with his name still on the ballot. As of Tuesday morning, thousands have already cast their votes. KHON2.

City eyes Kapaa Quarry for Oahu’s next landfill. The City is eying Kapaa Quarry as a potential site for Oahu’s next landfill, and Windward lawmakers are pushing back. KHON2.

These Historic Oʻahu Homes Pay Practically No Property Tax. Honolulu homes valued in the millions are getting a major tax break. One City Council member says the program is being abused. Civil Beat.

State-subsidized rental housing for middle-income households blessed in Waipio. Scott Glenn, a housing adviser to Gov. Josh Green, said the new homes — one-bedroom apartments renting for $1,800 to $2,280 a month depending on household size — allow Koa Ridge to include residents who might not be able to afford new market-priced housing being built in the 3,500-home community master-planned by Castle &Cooke Hawaii in Waipio. Star-Advertiser.

Beach Cleanup Activist Challenges Longtime Incumbent In East Oʻahu. Kahi Pacarro has mounted an aggressive campaign against the low key Rep. Mark Hashem in the District 19 Democratic primary. Civil Beat.

Fresh lei, hot pizza? Oahu’s one-of-a-kind vending machines turn heads. Need a fresh flower lei for a graduation, special event or last-minute celebration? There is now a vending machine for that. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

A reprieve for 5 early childhood education sites on isle. Several months after nonprofit Partners in Development Foundation prepared to close five early childhood education sites on Hawaii Island — and 16 on other islands — due to federal funding cuts, the organization recently announced the sites will now be staying open. Tribune-Herald.

New reports document energy priorities, concerns of Puna, Kaʻū residents. The reports reflect responses from a total of 481 community members — 340 in Puna and 141 in Kaʻū — and examine energy affordability, power outages, household preparedness, renewable energy development, community participation, protection of ʻāina and cultural resources as well as benefits residents expect from future energy investments. Big Island Now.

Speed limit to be reduced on part of Puainako Street Extension. The speed limit on a portion of the Puainako Street Extension — also known as Hawaii Route 2000 — will be lowered from 55 mph to 45 mph as part of an effort to improve roadway safety. Tribune-Herald.

Episode 52 fountaining ends at Kilauea summit. Episode 52 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption ended at 2:36 a.m. on Wednesday. High lava fountaining from the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu began at 7:10 p.m. HST on Tuesday evening. Big Island Now. KITV4. Hawaii News Now. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

Maui Council advances new hotel zoning for over 2,000 apartment-district vacation rentals. Maui County Council members voted Friday to send two bills to the Maui Planning Commission that would move vacation rental units, currently operating in A-1 and A-2 apartment districts, into new hotel zoning classifications. Maui Now.

County to pull four speed tables in Haiku, hold community meeting. Responding to residents' concerns, Maui County officials plan to remove four speed tables on West Kuiaha Road as part of an ongoing review of traffic-calming devices in Haiku. Maui News.

Plan to rebuild popular Kaanapali Beach with offshore sand faces scrutiny. Plan would move 75,000 cubic yards of sand to restore beach to 1980s condition. Kaanapali Beach on Maui’s west side has been eroding for four decades, and a plan is now moving forward to restore it to how it was in the 1980s — but the proposal is facing some community opposition. Hawaii News Now.

Audubon Society asks for pueo study with Lahaina Bypass project. The National Audubon Society has asked state transportation officials to include a biological review of the Hawaiian short-eared owl in the study of Lahaina Bypass connector alternatives near Wahikuli Gulch in West Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi police join countywide emergency alert system to expand public safety notifications. The partnership, announced by the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency, expands use of the Everbridge Emergency Mass Notification System, which is already used by the emergency management agency, the Kauaʻi Fire Department and the county Department of Water. Kauai Now.

Kauai Habitat starts 5 homes in Waimea. Volunteer opportunities are available at the Kauai Habitat build sites, such as the current one in Waimea, the Kauai Habitat office in Hanapepe, or the ReStore at Hanapepe. Garden Island.