Retired state Supreme Court chief justice predicts more court involvement in election disputes, Section 8 housing vouchers costing more and helping less, Fevella loses election dispute, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Retired chief justice says election disputes will matter for Hawaiʻi. Courts will likely be called on to resolve disputes over the November general election, retired Hawaiʻi Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald told lawmakers on Monday while adding the judicial system is fair and impartial and will do everything in its power to get things right. Hawaii Public Radio.

Flood Watch posted statewide, heavy rain possible through tonight. The remnants of Norbert will fill in across the state from east to west Thursday into Friday, increasing the chances of heavy rain, isolated thunderstorms, and flash flooding, especially for the windward and mauka areas.Drier air will move back in this weekend. Moisture from the remnants of Tropical Depression 15-E may bring another round of enhanced trade showers around next Tuesday and Wednesday. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

More Money For Section 8 Housing Vouchers Has Not Helped Enough Renters, Study Says. Economist says Hawaiʻi needs to build more housing and help people earn enough to leave the program and free up vouchers for others. Civil Beat. Aloha State Daily.

Could Kamehameha Schools lose its tax-exempt status?  Every September marks the start of Hawaiian History Month, and this year’s begins with news of the Trump administration potentially seeking to strip Kamehameha Schools of its tax-exempt status. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘We Were The Guinea Pigs’: How Smokable Meth Made Its U.S. Landfall In Hawaiʻi. Methamphetamine was largely unknown in Hawaiʻi in the mid-1980s, when “ice” took the islands by storm, setting off a national panic. Four decades later, the state is dealing with the lethal consequences. Civil Beat.

Mike Lambert, who was a finalist for the Honolulu police chief position, is still at the Department of Law Enforcement — but in a new position. As of September, Lambert is now the department’s Chief Special Investigator. KHON2.

 Oahu

State Sen. Kurt Fevella loses appeal of court’s ruling in election tie. Fevella lost a random draw to break a 1,212-to-1,212-vote tie following his Aug. 8 Republican Party primary race against former state Rep. Bob McDermott to run in the Nov. 3 general election to represent the West Oahu Senate District 20 seat. The Supreme Court on Sept. 4 did order the state to hold a new election for the Republican House primary race to represent Kapolei and Makakilo after Rep. Kanani Souza (R, Kapolei-Makakilo) and Sheila Medeiros each received 842 votes.Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii launches first permanent drone docking system for law enforcement. The Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) unveiled the state’s first permanent drone “hive” Wednesday at the Kekuanaoa Building on Punchbowl Street. KITV4.

Palolo Valley residents push back against invasive coqui frog. During a community meeting Wednesday, residents teamed up with state invasive species crews to coordinate response efforts. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

A month after Hurricane Lala’s outerbands struck the Big Island, recovery is slow but sure in hard hit Ka’ū. Lala destroyed 27 homes and did much damage to many other homes, with Hawaiʻi County estimating $53 million to its facilities and infrastructure.  Big Island Now.

Kona Community Hospital nationally recognized for providing life-saving care for stroke patients. Consistently following national stroke guidelines has helped the hospital to reduce deaths and disability.  Big Island Now.

Maui

In council rematches, candidates dive into development, tourism, homelessness, water. With the balance of the Maui County Council on the line, 12 of the 14 candidates in the seven contested races answered questions ranging from water Upcountry to homelessness in Kahului to tourism in East Maui during a political forum last week at the Kula Community Center.  Maui Now.

West Maui community conversation highlights nearly $600 Million transportation opportunity. The Maui Bicycling League is calling on state and county officials to coordinate nearly $600 million in planned and potential West Maui transportation investments to create a connected network for motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians and public transit users. Maui Bicycling League members and supporters gathered in Lahaina on Saturday, Sept. 12, for a well-attended bicycle ride, brunch and nonpartisan conversation about West Maui’s transportation future. Maui Now. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Vacation Rental Owners Urged To Take In Displaced Families. Hurricane Lowell has left dozens in need of temporary housing on the North Shore, where at least 1 of every 5 homes is a vacation rental. Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi businesses rebuild from Hurricane Lowell while weighing when — and how — tourism should return. In the wake of Hurricane Lowell's devastation in Kauaʻi, local businesses like North Shore Bike Doktor and Pineapple Kayaks Kauaʻi face a difficult crossroads as they navigate recovery efforts amid uncertainty in the tourism-dependent economy.  Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai mayor says he would mandate evacuations during future storms. County updates Hurricane Lowell recovery efforts. Recovery efforts continued across Kaua‘i Wednesday as crews prepared for increased rain from the remnants of Norbert and work to restore communities hit by Hurricane Lowell. Garden Island. KHON2. 

Senate President Kouchi shares stories of Kauaʻi's recovery after Lowell. As Kauaʻi continues to rebuild after Hurricane Lowell, HPR spoke with Senate President Ron Kouchi to hear an update on where things stand with recovery on his home island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Isolated Kauai residents remain resilient despite hazards left by Lowell. As many Kauai residents begin to return to a sense of normalcy following Hurricane Lowell, those who live in one of the island’s most isolated communities continue to drive underneath trees suspended from power lines. Star-Advertiser.