Luke corruption trial delayed, another disputed legislative tiebreaker before the state Supreme Court, tourists asked to avoid Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Luke corruption trial pushed to 2027. In July, the corruption trial of Luke and four others — lobbyist Tobi Solidum, former state Rep. Ryan Yamane, state Airports Administrator Ford Fuchigami and former Public Utilities Commission chair Leodoloff Asuncion Jr. — was scheduled to begin on Sept. 28, after four of the five defendants, excluding Solidum, pleaded not guilty. But on Friday, that trial was pushed back a year, after attorneys for multiple defendants requested additional time to prepare. Aloha State Daily.

Disputed Tiebreaker Spurs New Rematch Request Of Supreme Court. The election do-over bid comes after incumbent Kurt Fevella lost a tiebreaker to Bob McDermott in the Republican primary. Less than a week after ordering the state Office of Elections to redo a state House race that was settled in a controversial tiebreaker, the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court is being asked to order a redo of another contest decided by a tiebreaker last month. Civil Beat. KHON2. 

Gov. Josh Green requests expedited Major Disaster Declaration following Hurricane Lowell. After signing the document on Kauaʻi, Green submitted an expedited request to President Donald J. Trump for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration following Hurricane Lowell, seeking immediate federal assistance for Kauaʻi and Maui counties. Maui Now. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawai‘i joins lawsuits over endangered species protections. Federal agencies rescission of endangered species protections led 21 states to sue the federal government Wednesday. Aloha State Daily.

Oahu

More Housing Without Kicking Anyone Out? It’s Possible, Apparently. New owner of Honolulu building is making unusual plan to upgrade building but stabilize rents for occupied units. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric restores a majority of Oahu outages after Hurricane Lowell affects thousands. Hawaiian Electric restored power to a majority of those on Oahu after severe conditions from Hurricane Lowell left thousands without power. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Garbage Fee Increases Proposed, Public Hearings Set. The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Environmental Management will host public hearings on the fee increases in Hilo on September 16th, and in Kona on September 18th. Big Island Video News.

Hawaiʻi County planning director initiates interim General Plan 2045 amendments. Hawaiʻi County Council and members of the public can comment on the proposed amendments during a 45-day comment period ending Oct. 19.  Big Island Now.

Lifeguard towers going unstaffed as county finds filling positions difficult. The  county has 72 water safety officers to cover 17 lifeguard towers at 13 beach parks and there are currently nine vacant positions. The beach parks with towers are: Onekahakaha, Carlsmith, Leleiwi, Richardson and Honolii in Hilo; Isaac Hale at Pohoiki in Puna; Punaluu Black Sand in Ka‘u; Kua Bay, Laaloa and Kahaluu in Kailua-Kona; and Hapuna and Spencer in South Kohala. Tribune-Herald.

Parker Ranch begins deliveries of locally raised beef to isle schools. Parker Ranch — in partnership with Hamakua Meat Processors and the state Department of Education — will deliver approximately 4,000 pounds of locally raised ground beef each month, helping provide students with food produced here at home while supporting the broader effort to strengthen local agriculture and Hawaii’s food system. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

License plate-reading cameras used on Maui — but not for surveillance, police say. The Maui Police Department said it uses about three dozen controversial automatic license plate reading cameras to help with law enforcement, but doesn't use them for surveillance purposes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lahaina residents, elected officials press USPS to rebuild post office, restore home delivery. The Postal Service said it has not made permanent decisions about delivery to rebuilt properties or the future of the downtown post office. Maui News.

Ranching improves with fewer axis deer. Culling appears to be working, but struggles persist for some farms. Haleakala Ranch president Scott Meidell has noticed that new fencing and the culling of wild axis deer have contributed to a steady gain in the ranch's breeding herds the last two years. Maui News.

Kauai

Visitors asked to stay away from Kauai during Hurricane Lowell recovery. Kauai, like the rest of the state, usually welcomes visitors. But in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Lowell, the message to tourists is clear: now is not the time to visit. Hawaii News Now.

Most of Kauai still without power; officials say storm surge likely killed man. About 75% of Kauai electricity customers had no power Wednesday as residents continued to confront Hurricane Lowell’s widespread devastation, which now includes what county officials believe is the island’s first fatality from the storm. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Grocery store serves as vital link with power out. Safeway was one of the only grocery stores open following the storm. It was running on a large backup generator, an employee said, which had been on 10% since Tuesday night. Star-Advertiser.

Lānaʻi harbor is closed with hurricane damage, barge delivery canceled. Lānaʻi's Kaumālapaʻu Harbor is closed due to significant damage from Hurricane Lowell. The port is where the island is served by a single, once-a-week barge.  Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. 

Making New Kaua‘i Homes Wildfire Resistant May Cost Much More Than Expected. A Kaua‘i County Council committee wants more time to discuss how proposed new building standards could increase construction costs and whether the county should subsidize them. Civil Beat.