Hawaii adds cats to invasive species list, Senate wants to double HI5 container deposit, Schatz to hold false missile hearing, bills alive and dying at legislative session midpoint, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Feral cat with endangered Hawaiian petrel in this DLNR webcam file photo

Feral cats make invasive species list. Feral cats have been added to Hawaii’s list of most impactful invasive species, and advocates of trap-neuter-release say the state should reconsider. Garden Island.

Bills sink or swim at session’s midpoint. The Hawaii State Legislature passed the midpoint of the 2018 session last week, with lawmakers considering bills that would allow physician-assisted death, would increase the 5-cent deposit for bottles and cans, and would impose a new mandate for paid family leave. Star-Advertiser.

Airlines Pushing To Take Over Honolulu Airport Operations. Supporters say improvements could happen more quickly if the state Department of Transportation was out of the way. Civil Beat.

The state Senate is proposing to double the 5-cent deposit on bottles and cans as part of an effort to increase the redemption and recycling rates for the tens of millions of containers used by Hawaii consumers each year. Star-Advertiser.

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U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), ranking member of the Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet, will convene a hearing titled “Hawaii False Missile Alert: What Happened and What Should We Do Next?” April 5 in Honolulu. Garden Island.

Hawaii Picks New Leader For Agency That Sent False Missile Alert. Thomas Travis has commanded a submarine squadron and was deputy commander of an aircraft carrier strike group. Associated Press.

Kim: Travis the right man for the job. Tribune-Herald.

Apparently taking the recommendation of Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim to heart, the State of Hawaii has appointed retired U.S. Navy Captain Thomas Travis to serve as Administrator of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Big Island Video News.

Survey shows more people in Hawaii felt relatively calm, rather than panicked during false missile alert. A team from the Department of Psychology and Communication at Hawaii Pacific University conducted the online survey, and found that a majority of the participants felt like the missile was actually inbound to Hawaii. KITV.

A new report produced by researchers at Hawaii Pacific University revealed more in-depth about how Hawaii residents reacted to January's false missile alert scare. Hawaii News Now.

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Democratic congressional candidates were given a chance to explain their evolving views on such topics as marriage equality and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights during a candidates forum Saturday in Kakaako. Dozens packed into the small office space to hear Lt. Gov. Doug Chin, state Sen. Donna Mercado Kim and state Rep. Kaniela Ing speak about their candidacy and answer questions from the three caucuses, with each allotted 40 minutes to talk. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard’s Record On Gun Control Is A Moving Target. The Hawaii congresswoman talks tough on gun control but she’s often lagging behind Democratic colleagues in pushing firearms legislation. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Charles Djou: Why I’m Leaving The GOP. The former Republican congressman from Hawaii says he can no longer remain in a party led by Donald Trump. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Medical Aid In Dying Bill Passes Key Senate Panel. Sen. Roz Baker shepherded the measure through her health committee with comparatively little fanfare. Civil Beat.

A rapidly progressing state Senate bill would mandate that sellers of properties featuring cesspools upgrade to a septic or sewer system after the purchase. Senate Bill 2567, which passed the Senate and is moving through House committees, aims to replace cesspools with more modern waste management systems so as to protect the state’s groundwater. Tribune-Herald.

Tourism remains one of Hawaii’s economic pillars. And while 2017 was another year of records, the industry faces some new challenges this year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii is scrambling to fill teacher vacancies. This analysis on salaries won't help. The average salary for Hawaii public school teachers in 2016 was $57,431. Hawaii News Now.

Crime victim restitution up 70 percent. The state over the past several years has dramatically increased its collection of funds that inmates and parolees owe to their crime victims, forging a path that national experts say is a model for other states. Star-Advertiser.

Study: Pesticides In Hawaii Waters Well Below Federal Standards. State officials call the results reassuring but some environmental experts aren’t so sure. Civil Beat.

Petition seeks protection for cauliflower coral. The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service Wednesday to afford protection to cauliflower coral under the Endangered Species Act. West Hawaii Today.

University of Hawaii astronomy professor Paul Coleman, the first Native Hawaiian to earn a doctorate in astrophysics and an outspoken supporter of the Thirty Meter Telescope, has died at the age of 62. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Ponzi schemer and professed secret agent dies at 76. Ronald Rewald, Hawaii’s most notorious branded conman, a Wisconsin native who claimed to be a CIA agent but swindled money from hundreds of island residents and served barely 10 years of an 80-year prison sentence, has died. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Chief Defends Reassignment Of Union Leaders. Union head testifies the actions caused fear among members and that he was maligned in a news interview. Associated Press.

Safety measures for fuel tanks could take billions — and decades, Navy says. The least expensive method of double-walling the Red Hill fuel tanks could cost between $500 million and $2 billion, the Navy said in a newly released estimate. Star-Advertiser.

Developing condos tricky near last station site. The city’s mass-transit line is supposed to move people and spark development of affordable housing, but these two objectives are on paths that could clash at the end of the line. Star-Advertiser.

Appeals court rejects Kawananakoa’s challenge to rail votes. The Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals this month reaffirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit that sought to invalidate votes cast by certain Honolulu City Council members in support of the city’s rail project. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu has a new sprinkler law in place - 8 months after the deadly Marco Polo fire. Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed two bills into law yesterday afternoon. They do not mandate sprinkler installation but do provide tax breaks to encourage installation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Among ongoing gun law debate, thousands attend major gun show at the Blaisdell. It was the Hawaii Historic Arms Association's 82nd semi-annual gun show. Hawaii News Now.

Southwest Airlines has been granted a revocable permit for space at Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Star-Advertiser.

Urban Honolulu water plan to be discussed. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply is holding a series of meetings starting this week to seek public input on its planned Primary Urban Center Watershed Management Plan. Star-Advertiser.

IHeartMedia Inc.’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy won’t impact the eight radio stations it operates in Honolulu. Pacific Business News.

New Gold Star monument in Kaneohe honors families of fallen Hawaii servicemen and women. It's a first of its kind in the state - a  monument that honors families that lost loved ones in the military who died while in service to our country. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

A new permanent building for pharmacy students at the University of Hawaii at Hilo hopefully will be up and running by this time next year. Tribune-Herald.

The state commission for public charter schools has yet to make a decision on allegations that a Kona charter school violated its contract by failing to maintain accurate enrollment data, reportedly netting them more than $300,000 in overpaid funding. West Hawaii Today.

A comprehensive look at the effects of short-term vacation rentals on the Big Island was shared with the Hawaii County Council on Tuesday. Big Island Video News.

Kilauea’s summit eruption will become 10 years old Monday and scientists say they don’t expect it to stop anytime soon. Tribune-Herald.

Vaping shop raises concerns, sparks debate in Waimea. West Hawaii Today.

The Village 9 Homeless and Affordable Rental project in Kealakehe will serve as the template for an island-wide approach to the helping the houseless. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Stant’s ‘side job,’ gambling match county paycheck. Good luck in Las Vegas and a Midas touch with a direct marketing “side business” combined last year for Stewart Stant to match his annual salary as Department of Environmental Management director, financial disclosure documents show. Maui News.

White reports variety of investments in his financial disclosure. Maui County Council Chairman Mike White jointly has investments in 37 different companies doing business in Hawaii, including Hawaiian Electric, Verizon Communications and Amazon. Maui News.

Panel seeks more reasonable parking and ohana rules. Flexibility sought in cases where current mandates don’t make sense. Maui News.

This year’s real property assessment notices have been mailed or emailed to property owners, the Department of Finance’s Real Property Assessment Division announced Wednesday. Maui News.

Kauai

Two candidates for mayor of Kauai recently shared their views on two key issues facing the island: homelessness and traffic. Garden Island.

The county Department of Public Works Wastewater Division concluded sewer maintenance work on Kuhio Highway Sunday evening in the vicinity of the Kapaia Bridge. A sewer spill was reported about 4:15 p.m. Saturday when a manhole cover overflowed.  Garden Island.

After completing a rigorous three-year program, Kauai Christian Academy has finally gained accreditation. Garden Island.

Diamond Head certificate seller cited, lawmakers mull emergency preparedness, pot brownies send schoolgirls to hospital, Maui plans landfill expansion, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

DLNR cites Diamond Head certificate seller, courtesy photo

State halts Diamond Head hawker’s venture. Tourists who make it to the top of Diamond Head State Monument have been buying certificates from Christopher Barclay for years. Star-Advertiser.

DLNR cited man for allegedly asking people for $5 when they reach the summit of Diamond Head. KITV.

State officers issued a cease and desist order to a man for was allegedly selling items on top of Diamond Head without a permit. Hawaii News Now.

State officials have cited a man for conducting commercial activities on top of Diamond Head without a permit. KHON2.

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Are Hawaii Industries At Risk If A Trade War Breaks Out? The islands make more from exported scrap metals than from coffee, cocoa, macadamia nuts and papaya combined. Civil Beat.

Government Transparency An Early Loser In Legislative Session. Open government bills have mostly died, and some measures restricting information are still alive. Civil Beat.

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The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency on Thursday laid out for lawmakers what could happen if a “worst-case scenario” tsunami or hurricane hit the vital port region with 3 feet of water and high winds. Star-Advertiser.

HI-EMA say the state does not have enough shelters if a category 3 or above hurricane hits the island. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency unveiled scenarios showing a direct hit could shut down Honolulu Harbor and cause food and water to reach critical levels within five days. KITV.

Lawmakers discuss Hawaii's preparedness for disaster. It's unimaginable to think about but what would happen if another disaster hit Hawaii? That's the question lawmakers focused on Thursday. KHON2.

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A bill that would shift authority over the state’s airports from the Department of Transportation to an airport corporation was successfully passed Thursday by the state Senate. Tribune-Herald.

FBI joins investigation into OHA spending, contracts. Multiple sources say the state and federal authorities have broadened their probe, requesting copies of OHA contracts, trustee emails and financial records of OHA’s nonprofit subsidiaries. Hawaii News Now.

The Federal Trade Commission has agreed to allow the parent companies of the state’s only two air ambulance providers to merge as long as one of the medevac firms is sold to prevent a monopoly in the islands. Star-Advertiser.

New Boeing aircraft opens up possibility for Hawaiian to launch nonstop Europe flights. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Rail Agency To Buy Trucks For Power Company — And Save $130M. It’s a rare financial bright spot for the massive Honolulu project, which has struggled to stay on budget. Civil Beat.

The United States Army had an awkward moment Thursday when an air-dropped package missed its mark by about five miles. Hawaii News Now.

YMCA sues developer over failed plans for Central Oahu location. The four-story, multicolored building across from the Ala Moana Hotel is also an affordable residential facility for both men and women. Hawaii News Now.

The residents of a large homeless encampment near the Waianae Small Boat Harbor say they are agitated and worried about their future after state officials publicly announced this week that they would be working to close the camp in the coming months. Star-Advertiser.

State Plans To Sweep Longtime Homeless Camp At Waianae Boat Harbor. For more than a decade, people have been living in the self-governed community, and about 200 are there now. Civil Beat.

A recent court decision is casting new light on what to do about Red Hill. It's where the military has 20 massive underground steel tanks; one, which leaked 27,000 gallons. A circuit court judge ruled that the state Department of Health improperly gave the military an exemption from underground fuel storage rules. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Army-Air Force effort to fly major equipment between islands for quick aid. From the belly of the C-17 Globemaster at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport on Thursday rolled out two Ford F-550 brush trucks ready to head to Pohakuloa Training Area. West Hawaii Today.

Mayor luncheon connects biz, county leaders; today final day for tickets. West Hawaii Today.

Reported pot brownies send 2 Kealakehe students to hospital. Hawaii Island police responded to Kealakehe High School at 12:15 p.m. Thursday to a report of a female juvenile being transported to the Kona Community Hospital by medics after ingesting a brownie, passing out and experiencing convulsions. West Hawaii Today.

Two female juveniles at Kealakehe High School were taken to Kona Community Hospital after eating brownies that are believed to have contained marijuana, police say. Big Island Video News.

Maui

The county Department of Environmental Management is proposing a 41-acre addition to the Central Maui Landfill in Puunene that would include a storage area for abandoned vehicles, a metals processing facility, a recycling area for building and demolition wastes and a facility for managing and holding of household hazardous and electronic wastes. Maui News.

Single family home sales on Maui increased 51% from this time last year and 10% from month before levels, according to new data released by the Realtors Association of Maui. Maui Now.

Kahului-headquartered Haleakala Solar has been sold to California-based PetersenDean Roofing & Solar, which has plans for significant expansion of the four-decade-old photovoltaic, battery storage and water heater installation company. Maui News.

Maui-based Fork & Salad is planning a Mainland expansion through a partnership with franchisor Fransmart, which is responsible for expanding such brands as Five Guys Burgers & Fries and Qdoba Mexican Grill. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Monk seal population is growing. Currently, an average of between three and five seals are reported daily at Poipu as compared to between one and five seals reported over the past few years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. Garden Island.

Vandals strike at Poipu Beach Park. A newly improved playground at Poipu Beach Park was discovered vandalized by members of the public on Tuesday. Garden Island.

Hawaiian monk seals rebounding, House shaves $35M off governor's budget, paid family leave bill advances, Navy wife awarded $24.7M in Tripler lawsuit, Kauai fights for beach access, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Monk seals PC:NOAA

NOAA's annual monk seal population count has a promising outlook. According to NOAA's annual monk seal population update, the seal count is on the upswing. Hawaii News Now.

A bill that would protect sharks and expand protections to all rays within state waters is cruising through the state Legislature. West Hawaii Today.

Senate Bills Address Sustainability, Climate Change. Maui Now.

House Shaves $35 Million From Governor’s Budget. The Finance Committee’s cuts create a balanced budget over six years, but the spending plans could still change. Civil Beat.

State budget draft funds foster settlement, school construction. The proposed House draft of the state budget totals $14.3 billion in state, federal and special funding for the fiscal year that begins July 1, and lawmakers also announced a proposed two-year, $4.48 billion construction budget. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers take a stand against federal Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. The Hawaii House and Senate will discuss two resolutions Thursday that take aim at a controversial gun bill moving forward at the federal level. KITV.

A bill that would establish a paid family leave program in Hawaii crossed over from the Senate to the House on Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

A bill that would fine people who fraudulently represent their pets as service dogs may finally have some bite at the Hawaii Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Curbing opioid addiction in the islands. Hydrocodone and oxycodone are two of the most commonly abused opioids in Hawaii according to emergency room doctor William Scruggs. KHON2.

State Auditor Discusses Reviews of OHA, HTA. The findings of the two agencies - the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Hawaii Tourism Authority is what Les Kondo is particularly concerned about. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Federal Judge Nomination Offers Glimpse Of Partisan Dealmaking. Prosecutor Jill Otake, who once had a shot at the job under Obama, takes her first step toward confirmation in the Trump era. Civil Beat.

HTA Spring Marketing Update: More Airline Seats! The Hawaii Tourism Authority hosted its Spring Marketing Update today. The tourism industry does not appear to be slowing down. Hawaii Public Radio.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who owns hundreds of acres of land on Kauai’s North Shore, held on to his No. 5 ranking on Forbes’ 2018 ranking of the world’s billionaires, while eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, Hawaii’s only full-time resident on the list, moved up nearly 20 slots as his fortune grew by some $2.5 billion. Pacific Business News.

Hawaiian Airlines announced today that its employees were awarded $23.8 million as part of the company’s profit sharing, its largest annual payment ever. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

A Navy wife and her family have been awarded $24.7 million for “severe and permanent” kidney damage she suffered from treatment at Tripler Army Medical Center. Star-Advertiser.

Navy Wife Who Lost Kidneys After Giving Birth Awarded $24.7M. The government acknowledged its liability for the treatment she received at Tripler Army Medical Center. Civil Beat.

Navy wife, Marites Campano, and her family were awarded $24.7 million on Wednesday, in part of malpractice suit against Tripler Army Medical Center. The Campano's attorney claims it’s the largest verdict ever against Tripler. KITV.

Tripler Army Medical Center faces $25M malpractice payout. KHON2.

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The state board regulating development in Kakaako will take another crack at amending its rules for producing affordable housing after Gov. David Ige objected to one piece of a comprehensive overall plan put forth in September. Star-Advertiser.

A second phase of rental apartments in Mililani for seniors with low incomes is now open, and work on the third of four phases has begun. Star-Advertiser.

State Plans To Sweep Longtime Homeless Camp At Waianae Boat Harbor. For more than a decade, people have been living in the self-governed community, and about 200 are there now. Civil Beat.

Waialua Landowner Proposes 30-Home ‘Affordable’ Subdivision. The 8-acre site is currently zoned for agricultural use. Its owner says some of the homes would be for his children. Civil Beat.

Study: New Federal Tax Law Will Hurt Many Honolulu Homeowners. The loss of some deductions for mortgage and state and local taxes impacts areas with the most expensive real estate. Civil Beat.

As the Honolulu Police department gets ready to graduate it’s newest recruit class Wednesday, the police chief is letting us in on one of the biggest roadblocks to hiring. She says many applicants can’t pass the background check. KHON2.

HPD graduates new recruits, but hundreds of vacancies remain. Hawaii News Now.

City offers OHA $30M for 3-acre land parcel to build sewer pump station. Hawaii News Now.

Kalihi businesses fed up with the illegal dumping of derelict cars. Hawaii News Now.

Car Share a Potential Game Changer in Urban Honolulu. Hawaii Public Radio.

After 51 years, the iconic steak house will call it a day. Chuck’s Steak House, a mainstay in the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort since 1967, is closing at the end of the month to make way for a luxury Voyager 47 Club Lounge for hotel guests. Star-Advertiser.

Tony Roma's, a culinary fixture in the Aiea community, will be closing up shop — and taking its ribs with it. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Despite the uncertain future of a bill that seeks to create a new management authority for Mauna Kea, the lawmakers behind the proposal are working overtime conducting a community campaign to whip up public support for the measure. Star-Advertiser.

Alarmed by photos on social media showing needles and other drug paraphernalia at a county soccer field, Mayor Harry Kim called emergency meetings of state and county officials, creating a task force to tackle the problem head-on. West Hawaii Today.

Former Hilo Lanes to become new Penn gym. A Hilo businesswoman said Wednesday her purchase of the long-vacant Hilo Lanes bowling alley for $2.55 million closed Monday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

E. coli found in Molokai well, but water safe. The bacteria was detected in the well shaft but not found in the water source. Maui News.

Maui Lifeguard ATV Stolen From DT Fleming Beach. Maui police are seeking the public’s help with information relating to the theft of an ATV belonging to the County of Maui Lifeguard Department. Maui Now.

Barnes & Noble will open at its new temporary store Monday at the Maui Marketplace in Kahului, in the former Petco retail space, the national bookstore chain announced. Maui News.

Home sale volume often plummets on Maui in January or February, but this year it didn’t, and the result was what looked like a spike in the number of single- family houses sold last month. Star-Advertiser.

Home sales on Maui soared last month, as prices posted slight gains of less than 2 percent for single-family homes and condominiums, according to data from the Realtors Association of Maui. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

County battling billionaire over beach access. Questions about responsible upkeep and safety were voiced at the Kilauea Neighborhood Association meeting Tuesday night, as county attorneys explained current legal action to reopen a public access to Kauapea Beach. Garden Island.

Coco Palms land dispute may continue. Defendants in the Coco Palms land dispute want to charge rent for the use of the Wailua land upon which the old hotel sits and they’ve set the price tag at $200 million. Garden Island.

Air Canada announced Wednesday it is launching a new winter service from Vancouver to Kauai in December with its new Boeing 737 Max-8 fleet. Pacific Business News.

Aid in dying, gun restrictions, false service animals, Mauna Kea management among dozens of bills advancing in Legislature on crossover deadline, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii House chambers PC: House majority

House lawmakers voted Tuesday to legalize medically assisted death in Hawaii after an emotional floor debate in which some lawmakers recalled family members who suffered terribly before they died, and another told his colleagues the bill they were considering “is against God’s law.” Star-Advertiser.

After a round of emotional floor speeches, the Hawaii House voted 39-12 Tuesday in favor of legalizing medical aid in dying for terminally ill adults. Civil Beat.

A bill that would allow terminally ill patients to obtain medical assistance with ending their lives advanced Tuesday at the state Capitol in Honolulu. Tribune-Herald.

After a robust debate Tuesday, the full House approved a controversial medical aid-in-dying measure, sending the bill to the Senate. Hawaii News Now.

Bill to allow terminally ill patients to end lives passes House, moves to Senate. KITV.

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Tighter Gun Restrictions Among Hundreds Of Bills Moving Ahead. As a deadline fast approaches, scores of measures were sent from one chamber to the other Tuesday at the Capitol. Civil Beat.

A bill that would shorten the time a disqualified gun owner can surrender weapons to police was approved by the full Senate on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

The State Legislature is nearing the halfway point when bills must clear the first hurdle in that process. Hawaii Public Radio.

A bill that would make it a civil violation to falsely present an animal as a service animal passed the state Senate on Tuesday and now moves to the House. Tribune-Herald.

Dogs in service vests are an increasingly common sight in public spaces. But it may surprise you to learn that there is little legal regulation over the training and certification of service dogs and emotional support animals. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bills providing funding to combat rat lungworm disease and little fire ants are making progress this legislative session. Tribune-Herald.

The House of Representatives passed 128 bills on third reading today, moving them to the Senate for its consideration. Press release.

Hawaii State Senators today voted to pass 371 bills on third reading. 49 bills were passed earlier on third reading for a total of 420 measures that are now transmitted to the House for consideration. Press Release.

The former executive officer at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency is is questioning the state's investigations into the Jan. 13 missile alert mistake, particularly why the state's adjutant general has escaped criticism. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Airlines announced Tuesday that it will purchase 10 Boeing Dreamliner aircraft in lieu of its original plan to purchase planes from Airbus Industries.  Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Goat Hunters Say State’s Aerial Shooting Threatens A Traditional Food Source. Concerns over damage to vegetation has the state taking flight to cull the goat population in the Waianae mountains. Civil Beat.

As housing prices continue to soar, would-be homebuyers on Oahu are turning to a more affordable alternative: Condos. Hawaii News Now.

February lived up to its tradition as a slow month for home sales on Oahu, producing a slight decrease in single-family home transactions, but other parts of Hawaii’s largest housing market achieved modest gains. Star-Advertiser.

Unusual shrimp found in mud pool near Kaena Point. KHON2.

Hawaii waterman and environmentalist George Downing, a celebrated big-wave pioneer, former Makaha champion and trusted teacher and adviser to generations of surfers, died peacefully in his sleep early Monday morning, his son Keone Downing said. He was 87 years old. Star-Advertiser.

Legendary waterman George Downing has died. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Senate Approves Putting Mauna Kea Under New Management. The bill would limit the number of telescopes on the mountaintop and authorize the new manager to renegotiate leases and permits pertaining to the mountain. Civil Beat.

Mauna Kea Management Authority Bill Passes Senate. Big Island Video News.

The Kohala Center is moving forward again with plans to limit surf school operations at Kahaluu Bay, but local business owners say they still aren’t satisfied with what the nonprofit has planned for the popular surf spot, taking issues with fundamental components of the proposed management program. West Hawaii Today.

Joshua Franklin Alameda is suing the state Department of Education, saying his kids were beaten, harassed and discriminated against by fellow students because he is gay. Hawaii News Now.

A 45-year-old Kona man admits that he recorded sexually explicit images of a 15-year-old girl and the teen’s 2-year-old daughter. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

A volunteer morning cleanup event of the Lā‛ie Wetlands in Kihei is planned from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 10. Maui Now.

Nominees for the 2018 Mayor’s Small Business Awards were announced last week with the winners to be honored Friday at an awards dinner in the Waikapu Ballroom of the King Kamehameha Golf Club. Maui News.

Barnes & Noble said Tuesday it will open a new temporary store in a former Petco space at the Maui Marketplace in Kahului on Monday, a day after it closes its longtime store on the other side of the island at Lahaina Cannery Mall. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Wailuanuiahoano resident Debra Kekaualua has announced that she’s running for mayor. Garden Island.

Waiopili Stream, which meets the ocean at Mahaulepu Beach on Kauai’s South Side, has been officially dubbed an impaired waterway by the Environmental Protection Agency. Garden Island.

Assisted suicide bill to be heard Tuesday, state tries to recoup $1.4M in salary over-payments, Hawaiian Airlines cuts two summer flights, homeless bills moving through Legislature, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii state Capitol ©2018 All Hawaii News

Proposed legislation that would allow terminally ill adults to end their lives with a lethal dose of prescription medication will get a public hearing Tuesday before the House Health and Human Services and Judiciary committees. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii House lawmakers are set to hear a medical aid in dying bill at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday in the Capitol auditorium, giving hope to advocates who have sought the law for years. Civil Beat.

A key Senate committee has approved an increase in the state conveyance tax on sales of high-end homes to raise an additional $56 million a year for development of affordable housing. Star-Advertiser.

State House rolls out bills on homeless crisis. Out of nine homeless-­related House bills introduced this session, only three remain active. Star-Advertiser.

The state as of Dec. 31 was still trying to reclaim balances on nearly $1.4 million in salary overpayments mistakenly made to public employees over the years — some stretching back as far as the 1990s. Star-Advertiser.

A bill that would require counties to get abandoned vehicles off public roads will be considered by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means this Wednesday before the proposal can go before the full state Senate for a vote. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige has appointed Ken Kitamura as deputy director of the state Department of Budget and Finance. Pacific Business News.

The Hawaii Red Cross is sending a volunteer to provide comfort to those affected by the deadly mass shooting at a school in Florida: state Rep. Ryan Yamane. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines has removed two seasonal summer flights between the Bay Area and Hawaii due to an unexpected delay in the delivery of the airline’s new Airbus A321neo fleet. Pacific Business News.

Alexander & Baldwin Acquires Three Hawaii Retail Centers. Maui Now.

Maui restaurant The Banyan Tree was added to the The American Automobile Association Four Diamond list while two Oahu restaurants once again earned the Five Diamond Award. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Conceptual plans showing how Honolulu’s rail project could extend beyond Ala Moana Center to the University of Hawaii in Manoa suggest that any future extension could tremendously alter the shopping center and other properties in the Kapiolani district. Star-Advertiser.

Businesses hurt by rail construction will be able to apply for grants or loans from the city’s transit mitigation fund if the Honolulu City Council passes a measure introduced by Councilman Joey Manahan. Civil Beat.

Amid increasing concerns from state officials, the nearly 200 residents of one of Oahu’s largest homeless encampments welcomed hundreds of curious people inside Sunday with the message that the encampment on state-owned land is a better alternative than another law enforcement sweep. Star-Advertiser.

Dodging Oncoming Cars Is A Way Of Life In Crowded Kaimuki. In many of Honolulu’s older neighborhoods, narrow two-way streets really function as one-lane roads. But there’s little impetus to fix them. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Schools Chief: Threats Against Schools ‘Aren’t Taken Lightly’. Honolulu police say there have been more than a dozen social media posts since January threatening violence at Oahu schools. Civil Beat.

The isle building boom’s downside is a trio of disputes over workmanship. Honolulu's  construction industry received three big black eyes in the last year from high-profile project defect disputes: a state airport maintenance facility, a city traffic management center and a luxury condominium tower. Star-Advertiser.

Poor aircraft maintenance, including lack of grease in a vital drive shaft, was pegged as the probable cause of a helicopter crash near the USS Arizona Memorial that killed a 16-year-old boy in 2016, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Star-Advertiser.

A wallaby that sought refuge at the Halawa Correctional Facility on Friday after it was hit by a car in the area is OK, according to city officials. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Thirty Meter Telescope manufacturing continues despite legal setbacks. The TMT International Observatory board of directors, representing the five partner countries, is expected to decide in April whether to stay in Hawaii or move to Spain’s Canary Islands. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Island Tourism Director Crunches Visitor Numbers. Big Island Video News.

Measures seek to extend ag theft and vandalism pilot program on Hawaii Island. West Hawaii Today.

Plan for Kona coffee megafarm raises concerns. Kona Hills LLC, recently sought state permission to import 1.5 million coffee seed embryos from Costa Rica as part of an effort to establish what would be the largest Kona coffee farm in history. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii County has tossed out the bids for a sewer project in Lono Kona and plans to rebid the project next week. West Hawaii Today.

A project to widen 2.8 miles of Mamalahoa Highway in Waimea is back on the road. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui County Council Member Elle Cochran made her candidacy for mayor official Friday, filing her nomination papers and becoming the third current or former council member to jump into the race to succeed Mayor Alan Arakawa, who can’t seek re-election because of term limits. Maui News.

Age discrimination complaint advances in federal court. Ex-county employee claims termination was retaliation. Maui News.

In light of constant traffic, frequent rescues and the occasional tragedy, East Maui residents have been working to increase safety and awareness along the road to Hana. Maui News.

Officials survey aftermath of Waihee River flood. Maui News.

Kauai

Improvements to a $670,000 Poipu Beach Park project are complete, according to the Department of Parks and Recreation. Garden Island.

Both lanes of Kuhio Highway in Wainiha were opened just after 3 p.m. Sunday. Landslides caused by heavy rains completely blocked the highway Friday morning. Garden Island.

The 14th Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon will be the last one for Bernard Carvalho Jr. as the mayor of Kauai. Garden Island.

Chin apologizes for old anti-gay speech, bill criminalizes bogus service animals, committee chairmen refuse to televise meetings, Honolulu Police Commission chairman up for vote, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Service dog opens door PC: Pete Markham, Creative Commons

Bill targets growing problem of bogus service animals. Senate Bill 2461, introduced Jan. 19, would make the act of falsely claiming an animal to be a service animal a misdemeanor offense, punishable by a maximum penalty of up to six months in jail or up to $1,000 for the first offense. Tribune-Herald.

Jail time and fines for owners of ‘fake’ service animals? Hawaii Island Sen. Russell Ruderman told KHON2 a gray area in the Americans with Disabilities Act has allowed people to abuse this law. KHON2.

Lt. Gov. Doug Chin is apologizing for an anti-gay speech that he made more than 20 years ago in church. The angry address, which he delivered at the Oahu Church of Christ, is now being used against him in his race for Congress. Hawaii News Now.

The Only Three Legislative Committees You’ll Almost Never See On TV. Despite the difficulties of attending legislative hearings in person in Hawaii these House committee chairs have nixed televising their hearings. Civil Beat.

The Department of Human Services Wants Multigenerational Approach to Address Poverty. The state department with the largest operating budget is asking lawmakers to help make it more efficient. Hawaii Public Radio.

A state Senate bill calling for greater transparency in video game gambling systems is the subject of a public hearing today. Tribune-Herald.

Kamehameha Schools has acknowledged that the $80 million settlement its agreed to pay to victims in a decades-old sex abuse scandal could affect future educational programs or the planned expansion of existing ones. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Commission members could decide Wednesday whether to retain embattled Chairman Max Sword as their leader or to elect a new one. Star-Advertiser.

How Honolulu’s New Police Chief Is Shaking Up A Troubled Department. In her first four months, Chief Susan Ballard is disrupting old policies and practices with a new vision. Civil Beat.

Man’s troubles with law affect sons’ Punahou School enrollment. The case of a man accused of sexually molesting a girl and showing a pornographic video to another while they were at sleepovers at his home is sparking spirited debate about just how far Hawaii’s private schools can go to penalize a child for the alleged sins of a parent. Star-Advertiser.

The mother of a Punahou School first-grader has sued the private institution over its attempt to expel her son because of the disruption stemming from his father’s troubles with the law. Star-Advertiser.

A Kids Museum Struggles Amidst Homeless Squalor. But Loretta Yajima of the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center in Kakaako will not be deterred from fulfilling its mission. Civil Beat.

Neglect for an Ewa Beach park.  Is the Mayor of Honolulu playing favorite when it comes to funding parks around Oahu? KITV.

Whole Foods Market will open its largest Hawaii store by early summer in Kakaako after a dozen years of planning and setbacks. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii prepares to send another 'Lei of Aloha' to Florida after school shooting. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

A move to take County Council budget planning behind closed doors will be heard today by the council Finance Committee. West Hawaii Today.

Mohouli Senior Residences in Hilo completed Phase 2 of construction and is fully occupied. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii County Council is donating contingency relief funds to purchase stealth cameras to monitor areas prone to criminal activity in Puna. Big Island Video News.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s months-long Mars simulation mission was suspended today — five days after it began — because of a medical incident. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Budget panel moves toward buying building. The property, once acquired, would be torn down to make way for the Wailuku civic complex development. Maui News.

An informational meeting on the permitting process and land entitlements will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the West Maui Senior Center. Maui News.

Yellow tubes aiding in ocean rescues in south Maui. The president of a group that installed rescue tube stations along south Maui beaches says while he is happy the tubes are working, he wishes they weren't necessary. Associated Press.

Kauai

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency says the total cost of a failed missile test off of Kauai was $130 million. Garden Island.

Two Kauai County officials are scheduled to give a presentation on housing at this week’s meeting of the Lihue Business Association. Garden Island.

Lei of Aloha for World Peace is activated again, this time engaging schools across the state to weave ti leaf leis to send to the families of the 17 students and teachers killed in Parkland, Fla., last week. Garden Island.

Audit finds Office of Hawaiian Affairs spent millions inappropriately, Honolulu threatens to cancel $53.6M traffic management contract, Maui won't pay mayor's legal fees, plastic straws, tiny homes, police standards mulled in Legislature, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii police officers ©2018 All Hawaii News

Bill To Regulate Police Officers Clears Another Hurdle. Hawaii is one of the few states without minimum standards for cops, but the Legislature is considering a measure to change that. Civil Beat.

The state agency responsible for improving the well-being of Native Hawaiians spent nearly double the amount on pet projects than on competitive grants, the state auditor said in a report released Tuesday. Associated Press.

Audit finds inappropriate spending of millions by OHA and trustees. During fiscal year 2015 and 2016, OHA spent nearly double as much on discretionary disbursements — $14 million — as it did on planned, budgeted and properly vetted and monitored grants — $7.7 million. Star-Advertiser.

After release of critical audit, OHA leaders admit: 'Change needs to happen'. Hawaii News Now.

State audit claims Office of Hawaiian Affairs misspent millions ‘with little restraint’. KHON2.

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Some hotels ditch plastic straws. Now, lawmakers want to ban their use. Hawaii News Now.

Bills Seek Tiny Homes on Hawaiian Home Lands. Senate Bill 2424 and House Bill 2473 seek to establish a public private partnership to leverage $5 million in state funds to create a $20 million revolving loan fund for the development of affordable tiny homes on Hawaiian Home Lands. Maui Now.

Bill Would Spare Micronesians A Yearly Trip To The DMV. The Department of Transportation opposes the measure, saying it could render all Hawaii driver’s licenses useless for flying. Civil Beat.

A Kansas father and husband who is fighting efforts to deport him to Bangladesh was taken off a plane that was flying him back to his native country and is being held at a detention center in Hawaii, his attorneys said today. Associated Press.

Congressional Budget Deal Likely Means More Federal Money For Hawaii. President Trump proposed massive cutbacks, but the opposite is likely to happen after a bipartisan deal lifted spending caps. Civil Beat.

The number of outpatient flu visits in Hawaii continues to remain higher than the national base line. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii State Board on Geographic Names Mulls Changes. Iao Stream or Wailuku River? Mauna Kea or Maunakea? These are just a couple of the challenges before the Hawaii Board of Geographic Names. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

The city has issued a notice of default to the contractor of the $53.6 million state-city Joint Traffic Management Center, citing numerous deficiencies on the part of Watts Constructors LLC that could delay the project’s completion. Star-Advertiser.

City threatens to cancel contract for multi-million dollar traffic center if problems linger. Hawaii News Now.

Rail Promised Lots Of Jobs But There’s No Sure Count Of What It’s Delivering. HART doesn’t keep track of the totals, but its point-in-time counts suggest fewer people are employed than had been projected. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Rail Project Pursuing Public-Private Partnerships for City Center Segment. The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is hosting a 2-day forum to attract private development partners. Hawaii Public Radio.

By a 5-4 vote the Honolulu City Council decided to postpone for two weeks a vote on a bill that would temporarily stop the city Department of Planning and Permitting from issuing building permits for larger-­scale houses. Star-Advertiser.

Settlement reached in alleged 2012 police brutality, cover-up case. Hawaii News Now.

The Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye Airport will get a new $1.1 billion concourse to increase the number of gates, add passenger capacity and provide a new international arrivals area, Gov. David Ige announced today. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige, alongside the Hawaii Department of Transportation and members of the Airlines Committee of Hawaii, announced plans for a new $1.1 billion Diamond Head Concourse at the Honolulu international airport that will be built out over the next 10 years. Pacific Business News.

Leadership in the state House of Representatives tabled a bill Tuesday that would have protected roughly 200 residents of a long-standing homeless encampment near the Waianae Small Boat Harbor from being swept from the state-owned property. Star-Advertiser.

New renderings revealed Tuesday show the vision for the new Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. KITV.

A former employee of Waste Management Inc., operator of the city’s Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill admits to stealing more than $800,000. Star-Advertiser.

Waialua High School’s Glenn Lee, who kicked off Hawaii’s robotics movement, is the only American to reach the top 10 as a finalist out of 30,000 entries in the $1 million Global Teacher Prize competition. Star-Advertiser.

A Waialua teacher inches closer to a global teaching award, and its $1M prize. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

With a do-or-die hearing of a bill raising the general excise tax scheduled for next week, the administration and County Council are holding a bevy of last-minute community meetings to get feedback and explain their budget straits. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim and Finance Director Deanna Sako fielded questions and heard statements Tuesday night from West Hawaii residents sharing their voices on a proposal to raise the county’s general excise tax by one-half percent. West Hawaii Today.

A bill to fund two Big Island homeless villages died in the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Tuesday after clearing its first two committees. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor’s plea for legal fees in Taylor suit shot down by panel. A Maui County Council committee on Tuesday voted against having the county foot the bill for private attorneys to defend Mayor Alan Arakawa and Maui County in a lawsuit filed by water director David Taylor, who is seeking to get back to work and off paid leave. Maui News.

The state Supreme Court has dismissed a misdemeanor charge against a weekly tabloid publisher who was detained when he used his cellphone to videotape a police traffic enforcement operation six years ago. Maui News.

The Hawaii Supreme Court has dismissed a misdemeanor charge against a weekly tabloid publisher who was detained when he used his cellphone to videotape a police traffic enforcement operation six years ago. Associated Press.

Kauai

The Federal Aviation Administration and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources have initiated an investigation into a report of a drone that struck a tour helicopter on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Realtor Neal Norman of Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers has listed a 16,000-square-foot home on 18.25 acres above Secret Beach on Kauai for $35 million. Pacific Business News.

Molokai

The majority of the county offices in the Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai will be moving to room No. 300 in the Moore Center at 2 Kamoi St. later this week due to a leaky roof. Maui News.

Slew of bills include plastic straw ban, raises for teachers, DUI jail times; Rapoza to run for Kauai mayor, GET hike mulled, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Snorkeler in Hawaii ©2018 All Hawaii News

Years of drownings highlight critical gaps in ocean safety education. Drowning — mostly while snorkeling at beaches with no lifeguards — is the biggest killer of tourists and has been for over a decade. KHON2.

Officials working to get a handle on spate of ocean-related deaths. Ocean safety urged as deaths spike: Over about 2 weeks last month, 9 men died in the waters off Maui. Maui News.

Overwhelming support at an initial hearing for a ban on plastic straws led to tentative approval last week from state lawmakers who were urged to act in a plea from 10-year-old Rylee Brooke Kamahele of Kipapa Elementary School. Star-Advertiser.

State Rep. Gene Ward wanted Gov. David Ige to release “security tapes” from the morning of Jan. 13 when the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency issued a false missile attack alert, but a spokesman for the agency says there are no such audio or video recordings. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige said Saturday he is confident last month’s false alarm about a ballistic missile heading toward Hawaii won’t happen again and he stands by his decision to begin the drills in the first place. Tribune-Herald.

State Rep. Kaniela Ing is proposing a state task force to study whether a government job can be provided for everyone who needs one. Star-Advertiser.

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would cap public school class sizes at 20 students and increase the new teacher salary to $55,000 per year. Tribune-Herald.

Private school enrollment shrinks in favor of public charter schools. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Auditor Demands Investigation Into Leak Of OHA Audit. Les Kondo says a release to the media of a draft audit into problems at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs violated state ethics law. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Is An Official Language So Why Isn’t It Used More? The dispute about whether a protester could testify in Hawaiian in court highlights the gap between the state’s two official languages. Civil Beat.

Critics race to stop bill to ban youth runners in long-distance events. Hawaii News Now.

New bill would require all boaters to purchase insurance for their vessels. KITV.

Bill aimed at extending jail time for those convicted of drunk driving. KITV.

A slew of bills focused on revising the state’s medical marijuana dispensary system have been introduced during the 2018 legislative session. Tribune-Herald.

Commentary: When Does Hawaii’s Famous ‘Aloha Kiss’ Become Sexual Harassment? In Hawaii’s hugging culture, it’s hard to tell when the traditional hug and kiss is innocent or inappropriate. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Fascinating to see who’s donated, and how much, to Ige and Hanabusa. Star-Advertiser.

The number of patients visiting the hospital for influenzalike illnesses has been on the rise, and now places Hawaii in the same category as most of the nation for flu activity, according to the state Health Department. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii bankruptcies jumped 8.3 percent in January after finishing 2017 down for the seventh year in a row. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Seniors in a Kakaako housing complex are worried they will end up on the street after receiving notices that their rent is scheduled to go up to $916 per month, a sharp increase from the current monthly rate of $675. Civil Beat.

The FBI is investigating four Honolulu police officers who are accused of forcing a man to place his mouth on a urinal inside a public restroom, according to the police department’s top official. Associated Press.

Kealohas stopping mortgage payments could threaten legal team. Hawaii News Now.

The second of three new Coast Guard cutters to be stationed in Hawaii arrived Sunday, strengthening the capabilities for search and rescue operations around Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Mighty Mo’s $3.5M upper-deck renovation done. Star-Advertiser.

Here’s A Novel Idea To Help The Homeless — Vending Machines. A British charity plans to set up vending machines where homeless people can get items they need to survive on the streets. Civil Beat.

Rents decline in Honolulu, but Zumper, Apartment List reports differ on how much. Pacific Business News.

Officials with Haseko (Hawaii) Inc. intend to appeal a Circuit Court judge’s ruling that ordered the developer of Ocean Pointe and Hoakalei to pay $20 million to homeowners because of the company’s decision to change the plan from a marina to a recreational lagoon at the resort community in Ewa Beach. Pacific Business News.

Spectrum Hawaii, formerly Oceanic Time Warner, will shuffle the channel lineup as part of its plan to switch its signal from analog to digital. It says that switch result in increased broadband speeds and more HD channels. But local station Olelo may be left out in the cold. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

GET hike coming to council. Are smoother roads and better buses worth an extra half-penny at the register? West Hawaii Today.

Challengers in two key state legislative races are literally giving incumbents a run for the money, according to reports filed with the state Campaign Spending Commission. West Hawaii Today.

A bill to fund lifeguards at a popular, yet perilous, North Kona beach passed its first reading in the state House. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Upholding a lower court decision, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that a Lahaina sewage treatment plant is violating the U.S. Clean Water Act by allowing wastewater to reach the ocean. Star-Advertiser.

Invasive species officials estimate that 2 to 3 acres in Kaeleku in East Maui are infested with little fire ants and treatments of the area will be ongoing for a little over a year. Maui News.

During the first half of fiscal year 2018, the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development issued nearly $6 million dollars in grant monies to various local organizations. Maui Now.

A proposed 67 percent fee increase from $30 to $50 for annual passes for three Hawaii national parks, including Haleakala National Park, will be reviewed during a Feb. 12 public hearing in Pukalani. Maui News.

Kauai

Mel Rapozo files for mayoral run. Garden Island.

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative announced Friday that the board has put money toward environmental studies for the Blue Hole and Waikoko diversions, which support the cooperative’s request for a long-term lease for the two diversions. Garden Island.

County officials are reminding Kauai property owners that the second installment of real property taxes for the 2017-18 tax year are due on Feb. 20. Garden Island.