Ige signs historic $600M for Hawaiian homesteads, Bishop Museum officials on leave, Hawaii County bans all but mineral sunscreens, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Historic $600 million homestead bill becomes law. Gov. David Ige signed a bill Monday that allocates $600 million to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. The funding will support Hawaiian homestead development and will assist DHHL beneficiaries’ housing finances. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News. Maui Now. KITV4.

Webb Space Telescope First Images Target UH Discovery. The very first image taken with the James Webb Space Telescope have been released by NASA and The White House, and it features an enormous cluster of galaxies originally discovered by researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy. Big Island Video News.

Ikaika Anderson receives key endorsement, Sylvia Luke has most in race for lieutenant governor. Former Honolulu Council Chair Ikaika Anderson has received a key endorsement from the powerful carpenters union in his bid to become Hawaii’s next lieutenant governor, but one of his Democratic opponents — state House Finance Chair Sylvia Luke — has endorsements and “recommendations” from 11 labor unions and other organizations with just over a month until the Aug. 13 Democratic primary election. Star-Advertiser.

RIMPAC highlights Coast Guard’s growing importance in the Pacific. As Navy ships from around the world begin sailing out of Pearl Harbor for the biennial exercise Rim of the Pacific, members of the Coast Guard’s Sector Honolulu are prepping for their own contributions to the war game exercise. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines announces suspension of its direct service to Orlando this fall. The airline also said their last departure is scheduled for September 7 with the final return flight set for September 8. Guests who have booked flights to Orlando beyond those dates will receive full refunds. Hawaii News Now.

Mokulele Airlines is expanding its service. Mokulele Airlines is making good on the promise that it made to expand interisland service to meet the community’s needs back in January 2021 when it became the only airline that flies to both Molokai and Lanai. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

One Man’s Mission To Map 35 Trails In Hawaii. The effort is part of a state initiative to provide better signage and information for hikers that improves access and public safety. Civil Beat.

Hawaii actors sought for Jason Momoa production. A casting call has been issued for actors wishing to appear in a Jason Momoa project, which is believed to be “Chief of War,” an epic saga about the unification and colonization of the Hawaiian Islands. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

3 top leaders at Bishop Museum on leave amid internal probe. Bishop Museum President and CEO Melanie Ide today said she will be resigning from her post after she and two other officials were placed on paid administrative leave and banned from the museum property over alleged workplace concerns raised by employees. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hold the plastic! City rules on single-use foodware to take effect after long delay. After a lengthy pandemic-related delay, the city’s ban on foam plate lunch containers along with disposable plastic food, drink and other serviceware is set to take effect on Sept. 6 ― and eateries are gearing up. Hawaii News Now.

Restaurants could soon start to use city sidewalks again for outdoor dining. Restaurants may soon be able to use public sidewalks for outdoor seating under a new pilot program that was approved unanimously last week by the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Overnight park closures considered to curb illegal camping. Some members of the community are asking for certain parks to close overnight or close earlier in order to curb illegal activities. The City’s Parks and Recreation Department said it is gathering input from neighbors as it considers new closing times. KHON2.

Two large-scale solar and battery storage facilities planned on Oʻahu. The technology group Wärtsilä announced today plans for two large-scale solar and battery storage facilities on Oʻahu, totaling 75 MW of solar and 300 MWh of battery storage. Maui Now.

The Fight To Save A Top Hawaii Defense Contractor As Federal Fraud Charges Swirl. Longtime Honolulu businessman Steven Loui is trying to salvage the company he founded more than 40 years ago as its recent CEO, Martin Kao, faces criminal charges over federal pandemic relief funds. Civil Beat.

Oʻahu bike-share program Biki celebrates 5th anniversary. Ridership that first year was over 350,000. Then in 2019, Biki surpassed 1 million rides — its strongest year so far. It's grown to over 1,300 bikes at more than 130 stops stretching from Dole Cannery to Kapiʻolani Community College. Hawaii Public Radio.

808 Cleanups Shares the Concept of Aloha ‘Āina. Volunteers started out cleaning graffiti. Now they restore beaches, hiking trails and other natural places from mauka to makai. Hawaii Business Magazine.

Hawaii Island

Sunscreen ban becomes law: Roth lets bill become law without his signature. Sunscreens containing any active ingredient other than titanium dioxide and zinc oxide will be banned from sale on Hawaii Island starting Dec. 1, under a bill Mayor Mitch Roth let become law Friday without his signature. West Hawaii Today.

Ex-HCCC guards convicted of beating inmate, violating his rights. Three fired corrections officers at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in Hilo have been convicted of the brutal beating of an inmate in 2015 and for violating the man’s civil rights by attempting to cover up the use of excessive force. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Public encouraged to sign Books of Condolences in remembrance of Abe. Hawaii County, in partnership with the Honorary Consul General of Japan in Hilo, Art Taniguchi, is hosting Books of Condolences in memory of fallen Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Maui

Wastewater pilot project offers promising results. Grass-based system filtering more wastewater than researchers expected. A team of specialists may have found nature-based, low-cost solutions for managing and reusing excess treated wastewater leaching into the ground and ocean from cesspools and injection wells. Maui News.

Maui sewer user fee increases go into effect. The Department of Environmental Management’s Wastewater Reclamation Division reminds customers that sewer user fees have increased by an average of 3% as part of Maui County Fiscal Year 2023 budget that went into effect July 1. Maui Now.

Come August, Iao Valley to be closed until early 2023. A popular state monument on Maui is about to undergo a months-long closure. Starting August 1, Iao Valley State Monument will be closing to allow contractors to complete slope stabilization work and parking lot improvements. Hawaii News Now.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide looking to hire 130 employees at four Maui resorts. Marriott Vacations Worldwide is hiring for up to 130 positions locally at its four Maui resorts which include: Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, The Westin Kāʻanapali Ocean Resort Villas, The Westin Kāʻanapali Ocean Resort Villas North and The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas. Maui Now.

Kauai

First-Time Kauai Mayoral Candidates Attack Kawakami’s Rigid Pandemic Response. The same public health policies that won Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami statewide praise now serve as ammunition for three new political candidates vying to oust him. Civil Beat.

Kaua‘i is electrifying its bus fleet. To meet the statewide requirement to transition light-vehicle fleets to zero-emissions by 2035, the county is moving forward on plans to purchase several electric transit buses. Garden Island.

County studying transportation needs on Kauaʻi. The Office of Economic Development has created a survey as part of the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP), through which the County of Kaua‘i is receiving technical assistance to study ways to improve the island’s transportation system through integrating emerging transportation technology. Garden Island.

Case, Tokuda far out front in congressional races, Lassner gets positive revaluation, Navy investigating leaked Red Hill footage, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Civil Beat/HNN Poll: Case, Tokuda Far Ahead In Democratic US House Races. U.S. Rep. Ed Case is on course to easily win reelection in the Democratic primary Aug. 13. He leads political newcomer Sergio Alcubilla 65% to 8%. Jill Tokuda, a former state senator, is leading first term state Rep. Patrick Branco 31% to 6% for the CD2 seat. But a huge number of those surveyed — 63% are not sure who they favor. Civil Beat.

Democratic hopefuls soften tone, praise one another in second joint appearance. The kid gloves were firmly in place and their metaphorical oratory weapons were holstered when Lt. Gov. Josh Green, U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele and business entrepreneur Vicky Cayetano on Thursday night met face to face for the first time ahead of the Aug. 13 Democratic Party primary election and repeatedly praised one another’s political stances and their philosophical positions. Star-Advertiser.

Fewer visitors intend to return to Hawaii within 5 years, survey finds. While overall satisfaction among Hawaii visitors has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels in key areas, fewer visitors from the state’s top U.S. market say they’re likely to return in the next five years, according to the results of a state- commissioned survey. Star-Advertiser.

Snorkel Safety Study Sheds Light On Unexplained Drownings In Hawaii. The three-year project finds many snorkeling-related deaths aren’t from inhaling water, and that long flights beforehand may play a role. Civil Beat.

Education-related bills signed into law by Gov. David Ige. An unprecedented appropriation of $200 million to create more public preschool facilities across Hawaii, a bill devoting $10 million to installing more air conditioning in public school classrooms, and other measures to help solve Hawaii’s doctor shortage were among a raft of education-related bills signed into law Thursday by Gov. David Ige. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Hawaii News Now.

Ige signs bills aimed at retaining more health care professionals. To combat shortages, Gov. David Ige signed two measures  into law on Thursday, appropriating a combined $6.75 million for the 2022-23 fiscal year to the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

University of Hawaii president receives positive annual evaluation. University of Hawaii President David Lassner received a mostly positive annual performance evaluation from the UH Board of Regents on Thursday, giving him the green light to continue leading the 10-campus system through challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, changes on Mauna Kea, development of a new university strategic plan and more. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii Community Schools Seek To Support And Engage With Local Families. The schools are joining a national movement to create more community partnerships to help students thrive inside and outside of the classroom. Civil Beat.

Farmers Want Action From Hawaii Governor Candidates, Not Lip Service. Farmers and ranchers feel investing in agriculture has become more of a buzzword than an actual concern for the executive branch. Civil Beat.

Omicron subvariants continue to rise in Hawaii. Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 together now make up roughly 20% of variants circulating in Hawaii, according to the state Health Department’s latest variant report. The CDC, meanwhile, on Thursday kept Honolulu, Maui and Hawaii counties classified as orange, high-level communities for COVID-19 impacts even though the state’s average case counts and positivity rates have been on a downward trend. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu airport to get $10 million for upgrades. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu will receive $10 million in federal funding for upgrades to its runways, lighting and draining. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Navy investigating leaked footage of Red Hill fuel spill. The Navy is investigating the publication of video and photos this week showing fuel gushing from a Red Hill pipe on Nov. 20, according to a Navy official who said the person who released the footage to the media could face disciplinary action. Star-Advertiser.

Higher interest rates shackling Oahu’s housing market. Higher mortgage interest rates created ripple effects across Oahu’s housing market in June as sales volume decreased, asking prices were reduced and active listings stayed on the market longer. Star-Advertiser.

Bishop Museum revisits history of gender-fluid healers. More than 500 years ago, Hawaiians placed four boulders on a Waikiki beach to honor visitors from the court of Tahiti’s king who had healed the sick. They were “mahu,” which in Hawaiian language and culture refers to someone with dual male and female spirit and a mixture of gender traits. Associated Press.

Outrage grows as basketball coach accused of sex abuse still working with minors. A coach’s history of alleged sexual misconduct prompted a warning from several schools to parents — while stirring new frustration among accusers. Hawaii News Now.

Police capture live gopher snake at Kapolei Home Depot. Honolulu police officers responding to a 911 call captured a live snake at the Kapolei Home Depot last night, according to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Council Nixes Bill That Sought to Create New Building Department. Council members on Wednesday, July 6, during their regular meeting killed Bill 174. The measure sought to amend the county charter to create a new department that would manage the duties and functions currently performed by the Building Division within the county Department of Public Works. Big Island Now.

Plans for new transit hub and bus route coming to Big Island. The state Department of Transportation and Hawaiʻi County’s bus system Hele-On have received federal funding to plan a new transit hub in downtown Pāhoa. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Judicial Selection Commission reveals nominee list for judge vacancy on Maui. The judicial office has been vacant since December 2021, when former District Judge Kirstin M. Hamman was elevated to Circuit Judge of the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit. Maui Now.

Molokai woman is tapped to be county agricultural director. Rogerene ‘Kali’ Arce still requires council confirmation; Weston Yap named deputy. Maui News.

Maui hunters protest new contraceptive meant to control feral pig populations. For the second time this week, Maui hunters are protesting a new product aimed at controlling feral pig populations. The contraceptive HogStop is now being distributed on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Joint pavement preservation pilot project begins on Kula Highway. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, in coordination with the County of Maui, will pilot the use of micro surfacing as a pavement preservation technique in the area.  Maui Now.

Maui median sales prices hit another all-time high at $1.25 million for single-family homes. Despite a slowdown in sales, Maui County median sales prices last month hit another all-time high for single-family homes at more than $1.25 million. Meanwhile, condo median sales prices in June set a new record at $832,500, according to the Realtors Association of Maui report released Wednesday afternoon. Maui Now.

Kauai

Grove Farm sues County of Kauaʻi over gifted land deeded for treatment facility. For nearly 20 years, the County of Kauaʻi has been working to open a drug treatment center for children and young adults on the island. Hawaii Public Radio. Garden Island.

Aiona, Penn, lead GOP gubernatorial race, Kahele misses public financing deadline, Ige vetoes $244M in spending, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Civil Beat/HNN Poll: Aiona, Penn Lead Field In GOP Gov Contest. Duke Aiona, a former lieutenant governor who ran twice unsuccessfully for the top job, has a slight edge on BJ Penn, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship winner, 27% to 24%. Honolulu City Councilwoman Heidi Tsuneyoshi trails the two leaders in the race at 9%, as does community activist Gary Cordery at 7%. Civil Beat.

Civil Beat/HNN Poll: Dems Unsure Of Who To Vote For In Lt. Gov. Primary. Luke polls best but Anderson is not far behind, while Amemiya and Menor-McNamara remain in the hunt. Rep. Sylvia Luke is now ahead of the pack at 20%. Former Honolulu City Council Chair Ikaika Anderson is not far behind at 14%. Keith Amemiya, a business executive, polls at 10% while Sherry Menor-McNamara, head of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, is at 7%. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Kai Kahele Won’t Be Able To Get Public Funding For Governor’s Race. After failing to submit a required document when he filed for election, Kahele will miss out on over $200,000 of public funding this primary cycle. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Gov. David Ige vetoes $244 million in state budget spending. Gov. David Ige informed the Legislature Wednesday that he has vetoed funding in the state budget for two dozen projects costing $244 million, partly because state lawmakers appropriated $100 million more federal pandemic recovery aid than the state received. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

New law raises the age for kids to use a child passenger restraint in Hawaiʻi. A new law is now effect, that raises the age through which a child must use a child passenger restraint or booster seat to 10 years old. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Navy leaders emphasize climate change at RIMPAC. As sailors from around the world train in Hawaii at the biennial Rim of the Pacific training exercise, climate change is taking center stage for several planners. Star-Advertiser.

Government Workers Wrongly Seize A Child From Parents. Should They Be Made To Pay? The principle of qualified immunity protects workers in their official actions. The most recent decision involves Hannah David, a Big Island mother who filed a lawsuit alleging that her daughter’s father teamed up with an employee of the Kauai Police Department in 2019 to get a restraining order that allowed her daughter to be seized from her school and flown back to Kauai with the father. Three weeks later, a judge ordered the girl to be returned. Civil Beat.

Hawaii research group that tracked pandemic’s valleys and peaks ceases operations. The team that has kept a close eye on COVID infection rates throughout the state is shutting down operations. The Hawaii Pandemic Applied Modeling Work Group issued its final report this week. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii COVID-19 cases continue to decline but experts say new subvariants could bring another surge. The Hawaii Department of Health on Wednesday reported the seven-day average of new cases at 651 compared with 685 reported June 29, representing a decline for the fifth week in a row. The state’s average positivity rate also dropped to 15.1% from 16.5% reported the previous week. DOH also reported 20 more coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 1,524. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

More monkeypox vaccine to be distributed in Hawaii. Dr. Nathan Tan, deputy state epidemiologist, said the first phase of the monkeypox vaccine rollout will be offered to close contacts of people known to have monkeypox and those who may have had high-risk exposures in areas where monkeypox is actively spreading. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Council Approves The Return Of Outdoor Dining In Public Spaces. The two-year pilot program could lead to city approval of permanent outdoor dining. Civil Beat.

City Council Members Question Liquor Commission On Lack Of Internal Affairs Office. The commission is under fire from bar owners and council members for inappropriate actions during the pandemic. Civil Beat.

Honolulu rail receives $70 million in federal funding from American Recovery Plan Act. Honolulu’s rail project has received $70 million in federal funding, but it’s not part of the money being withheld from the project. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu Police Department received 48 applications to carry guns in public after high court ruling. In the aftermath of a U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down a New York law requiring people to show proper cause for carrying a gun in public the Honolulu Police Department has received 48 applications as of today, Chief Arthur J. Logan told the Honolulu Police Commission this afternoon. Star-Advertiser.

Bodycam footage released by HPD captures officer’s alleged attack on suspect. The man had to go to the hospital for his injuries and the officer is now the target of an FBI criminal investigation. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Council Race: Oahu’s North Shore Is Getting New Blood. Oahu’s largest council district is up for grabs by a crop of political newcomers. Civil Beat.

Candidates, older voters talk story in Kalihi. A larger than expected crowd of more than 300 likely senior citizen voters turned out Wednesday to mingle with more than 40 political candidates running in the Aug. 13 party primary elections. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council overrides Roth veto: Affordable housing bill adds new eligible programs. A County Council majority Wednesday overturned Mayor Mitch Roth’s veto of a bill governing the allowable uses of money from the affordable housing fund, after a debate between the council and administration about whether adding more uses to the list limits or broadens the program. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Now.

HVO Helicopter Survey Of Kilauea Begins, Meeting Set. The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting a helicopter geophysical survey over unpopulated parts of Kīlauea volcano on the Island of Hawaiʻi from July 5–25, 2022. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Mayor announces Kali Arce and Weston Yap as leaders of new Maui Ag Department. Arce is a Hawaiian homesteader with more than three decades of experience in Hawaiʻi’s agriculture industry, according to the Mayor’s announcement. The Director designee must still be formally confirmed by the Maui County Council, according to county officials. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

33 acres of Hāna coastline now permanently protected at Mokae II. An additional 33 acres along the Hāna coast in East Maui is now permanently protected thanks to a multi-partner effort. Maui Now.

Molokai Community Health Center focusing on voter turnout, engagement. A Community Civic Engagement program’s Vot-ER grant is giving the center funding to provide residents with the tools to vote. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Bill hopes to ensure “fair play” from contractors on Kaua‘i. A bill presented to Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday intends to rein in unfair labor practices by requiring permit-holders to disclose information on contractors working on site. Garden Island.

Grove Farm seeks court ‘Clarification’ on drug treatment facility. The company feels the court action is necessary to prevent the improper transfer of the land to a third party that may not use the facility as intended. Garden Island.

English sentenced to 40 months in prison for accepting bribes, Green leads Democrats in gubernatorial poll, former chief justice Moon dies, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Former state senator is sentenced to 40 months in prison. The former majority leader of the state Senate expressed remorse and apologized Tuesday after he was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for taking bribes to manage legislation on behalf of a wastewater treatment and industrial machinery executive. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Maui News. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Civil Beat/HNN Poll: Green Enjoys 30 Point Lead Over Kahele, Cayetano In Gov Race. According to a new Civil Beat/Hawaii News Now poll, Green has 48% of the vote compared to U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele with 16% and businesswoman Vicky Cayetano with 15%. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s Congressional District 2 Race: Veteran Tokuda Vs. Newcomer Branco. The CD 2 seat is open with the departure of Kai Kahele but the contest drew little interest from the state’s political office-seekers. Civil Beat.

Record number of Hawaii election observers, new ballot tracking planned. A record number of volunteer election observers are planning to monitor mail-in ballots as they’re opened and processed across the state, while voters this year also have new tools to track their ballots before they arrive at counting centers and as they’re being tallied. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s ‘clean energy future’ aided by new state laws. Hawaii is on an improved path toward lower electricity use and greenhouse gas emissions under new state laws enacted Tuesday that include a subsidy to develop hydrogen vehicle fueling stations. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now.

Biden awards Medal of Honor to 2 Hawaiʻi soldiers for Vietnam War heroism. President Joe Biden awarded the Medal of Honor to four Army soldiers, including two from Hawaiʻi, for heroism during the Vietnam War — bravery that he said had not diminished even with the passage of time. Associated Press. Maui Now. KHON2.

Sailors take on cybersecurity at RIMPAC. At this year’s iteration of RIMPAC, participants are holding their first cyberwarfare symposium as part of the biennial naval war game. Star-Advertiser.

More terminally ill patients are choosing aid-in-dying, but experts say obstacles remain. Hawaii’s “Our Care, Our Choice” Act went into effect on Jan. 1, 2019, giving terminally ill patients the right to use prescribed end-of-life medications. Twenty-eight people died that year after being prescribed the medications. In 2020, the figure was 34. And in 2021, according to new state numbers, there were 49. Hawaii News Now.

Former Hawaii Chief Justice Ronald Moon Dead At 81. Moon served as chief justice for more than 17 years before retiring in 2010. He was the first Korean American to become the chief justice of a state supreme court. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Department releases footage of Rep. Matthew LoPresti’s DUI arrest. The Honolulu Police Department today provided media with body-worn camera footage of officers interacting with LoPresti, who was arrested on the evening of June 16 after officers found his vehicle stopped on the shoulder lane of Fort Weaver Road. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Honolulu Aquifer Likely Contaminated, According to the Board of Water Supply. By the Navy's report, there could be 5400 gallons of fuel unaccounted for from the Red Hill fuel spill last year. KITV4.

Navy reports no evidence of ‘chronic exposure’ from Red Hill fuel spill. The Department of Defense has set up a medical database to track the health impacts of jet fuel that leaked from Red Hill into the Navy’s water system, according to U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Capt. Michael McGinnis. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu Councilwoman Takes Up The Fight Against Tour Helicopters. Tired of the long wait for action, City Council member Esther Kiaaina takes residents’ pleas for peace and quiet direct to helicopter companies. Civil Beat.

Seagull Schools to remain on city downtown campus. The city will temporarily relocate Seagull Schools in August 2023 from above the parking garage of the Frank Fasi Civic Center grounds to the Mission Memorial Center and the resource library — a reprieve for the early-childhood education center. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Stadium plagues UH in big money musical chairs. An announcement on building the new Aloha Stadium could come next week, but time is of the essence as a shift in college football weighs on the future of the University of Hawaii’s athletics department. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Council seeks homeless plan: Housing office to detail how it will spend millions coming its way. The county housing agency is awash with money, and the County Council wants to know how it’s being spent. West Hawaii Today.

Council to Consider Overriding Roth Veto on Housing Program Revolving Fund. A measure that made the language in the county’s housing program revolving fund code more specific as to how it can be used was vetoed by Mayor Mitch Roth. The County Council on Wednesday, July 6, will revisit the issue — and could consider overriding Roth’s disapproval. Big Island Now.

Health care CEOs upbeat about merger: Bay Clinic, West Hawaii Community Health Center consolidating. The Bay Clinic and West Hawaii Community Health Center consolidated operations on July 1, forming a new health care organization for the Big Island known as Hawaii Island Community Health Center. Tribune-Herald.

Wastewater Discharged Into Hilo Bay. An obstructed sewer line on the July 4th holiday sent an estimated 3,000 gallons into a nearby storm drain, which empties into Hilo Bay. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Firefighters respond to nine fireworks related incidents over the Fourth of July holiday. The majority of these incidents involved the discarding of spent fireworks in rubbish bins. All of these fires were quickly knocked down and extinguished, according to department reports.  Maui Now.

A fitting tribute is finally on its way for the residents of Kalaupapa. Gov. David Ige recently signed off on $5 million to fund a memorial dedicated to the thousands sent to the Hansen’s Disease colony. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Sen. Hirono day trips to Kaua‘i. Tuesday, Sen.Mazie K. Hirono squeezed out a short day trip to Kaua‘i with several stops, including the Wailua River Bridge Improvement project, a stop at the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i, and the Boys &Girls Club, Lihu‘e before leaving on an afternoon flight. Garden Island.

Too hot for humpbacks? Ige signs affordable housing bills, Honolulu historic homes could lose tax break, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Humpback whales may avoid Hawaii due to climate change, study shows. The findings of a new paper by researchers at the University of Hawaii and the Pacific Whale Foundation suggest that the whales may one day avoid the relatively shallow ocean around the Hawaiian islands because the waters will be too warm. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii national park sites attracted 4 million visitors in 2021, study finds. Nearly 4 million people visited Hawaii’s eight national park units in 2021, spending an estimated $438 million in local communities across the state, according to a National Park Service report. Star-Advertiser.

Water conservation top of mind for some hotels, tourism businesses. Drought conditions in the islands are expected to worsen this summer, concerning water supply officials. Residents have been asked to conserve water. But what about visitors? Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Ige signs bills to fund affordable housing and ʻOhana Zones. Gov. David Ige signed three bills on Friday relating to affordable housing. The new measures will support the Ohana Zones and First-To-Work programs. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News.

Second all-mail election offers some changes. Elections are coming up, and ballots can be cast just weeks from now in the 2022 primary. There are lots of changes this year. KHON2.

Redrawn districts present choices for voters. Many Hawaii residents will get a new representative in the state Legislature later this year — even if their current representative is running for reelection and wins. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s GOP primary candidates test the party’s values. The overall mood of the Hawaii Republican Party in 2022 likely will be revealed through the Aug. 13 primary election when voters have a choice of a diverse slate of candidates who appeal to distinctly different tastes. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele gets key union backing, Lt. Gov. Josh Green adds to long list. U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele received a needed endorsement in his gubernatorial bid Thursday from the United Public Workers union, while opponent Lt. Gov. Josh Green simultaneously was endorsed by the AFL-CIO, adding to Green’s long list of support from Hawaii labor unions. Star-Advertiser.

Schools wrestle with effects of Supreme Court ruling on coach’s prayer. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling that a high school football coach in Washington state had a constitutional right to pray at the 50-yard line after games has provoked strong reactions and left public school officials in Hawaii and across the nation struggling to discern how it might affect policies and religious acts on campuses and at school-related activities. Star-Advertiser.

Civil Beat Law Center Goes To Court To Make Prison Covid-19 Reports Public. The state refuses to release the health care monitoring reports, saying they are confidential under the terms of a federal court settlement. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Property tax incentives for historic homes reexamined. The Honolulu City Council might take a look at modifying the historic homes property tax exemption to increase the minimum tax payment or possibly remove the exemption altogether. Star-Advertiser.

HART Mum On Where Pivotal ‘Mauka Shift’ Approvals Stand. It’s not clear why HART is moving ahead before confirming which environmental approvals are needed and how long they might take. Civil Beat.

Fuel Spewed ‘Full Blast’ Into Red Hill Tunnel In November. As fuel rained down, creating a virtual river on the concrete floor of a Red Hill facility tunnel in November, the worker who accidentally triggered the leak found himself powerless to stop it. Civil Beat.

Officer who led Army’s Red Hill response is promoted to general. Col. Phillip “Cain” Baker, the 25th Infantry Division’s deputy commander for support, was promoted to brigadier general Friday in a small ceremony at the Schofield Barracks attended by family and friends. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian ‘Occupied Forces’ Group Ousted From Kunia Property By Police. The squatters had taken over the private property nine months ago claiming they had title under laws of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Civil Beat.

Former federal ACO agrees to pay $100K to settle sex assault lawsuit. A former prison guard at the Federal Detention Center has agreed to pay $100,000 to two former female inmates who alleged he sexually assaulted them. Hawaii News Now.

Building damage estimated to be over $1.1M to historic Boyd-Irwin Estate with ties to Hawaiian royalty. The Honolulu Fire Department has determined the building fire that consumed the historic Boyd-Irwin Estate in Maunawili last month is estimated to have caused more than $1.137 million in damage. Star-Advertiser.

Makaha Valley Resort sold to South Korean company, KH Group at $20.7 million. A U.S. bankruptcy judge has approved a sale of 644 acres in Makaha Valley, positioning a South Korean company to develop the property previously slated for a resort featuring a golf course designed by Tiger Woods. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Feedback sought about EA for HVNP recovery effort. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has opened a comment period for community feedback about an environmental assessment for its proposed disaster recovery project to repair damage caused by the 2018 volcanic eruption and summit collapse on Kilauea volcano. Tribune-Herald.

Vacation rental rules remain unclear: County continues enforcement while awaiting ICA opinion. Hawaii County continues to enforce its prohibition against short-term vacation rentals in the state agricultural district despite a Kona judge’s ruling that the state doesn’t disallow that use as the county has claimed. West Hawaii Today.

County poised to award PONC grants. Improvements at Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden top the list of awards to nonprofits the administration is recommending for the use of property tax funds earmarked for the county Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Long-Awaited Maui Ag Department Set To Be Finally Up And Running This Week. The director of Maui’s newly launched county department of agriculture is expected to be announced on Wednesday following an almost two-year wait. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Maui County Council Races: ‘Crucial’ Election May Bring A Political Shake-Up. The council’s progressive majority may change in an election where cost of living and the economy top the list of concerns. Civil Beat.

MPO mulls flexing federal funds to buy new buses. Public comments on the revised Federal Fiscal Year 2022-2025 Transportation Improvement Program is now being accepted by Maui MPO — the transportation planning agency for the island of Maui — through Friday. Maui News.

Maui’s top public health official wants an apology from state lawmakers. Dr. Lorrin Pang says it time for his critics to say they are sorry. Pang faced major backlash last year when he did not condemn controversial COVID-19 treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Brun distributor gets 2 years in prison. After a 20-year prison sentence was imposed on former Kaua‘i County Councilmember turned meth dealer Arthur Brun this May, the court has begun mopping up the cases of his 11 co-conspirators. Garden Island.

Hanapepe native Fujii to get Medal of Honor Tuesday. Specialist Five Dennis M. Fujii of Hawai‘i is one of four people who will receive the Medal of Honor on July 5 from President Joseph R. Biden Jr., states a June 27 release from the White House. Garden Island. KITV4.

Gloves come off in gubernatorial debate, commission seeks to reduce money in politics, abortion part of Hawaiian culture, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s gubernatorial hopefuls exchange barbs in heated debate. The leading Democratic candidates to become Hawaii’s next governor -- Lt. Gov. Josh Green and U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele and entrepreneur Vicky Cayetano -- quickly went after one another in their first live joint appearance Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Tougher Campaign Finance Laws Top Standards Commission Agenda. A commission to enhance government transparency in Hawaii is weighing a handful of measures aimed at tightening campaign finance laws and reducing the influence of money in politics in a year where several prolific political donors made headlines for alleged bribery. Civil Beat. KITV4.

Peer-to-peer car rentals must pay Hawaiʻi general excise tax under new law. The peer-to-peer car rental company Turo is going to have to pay the state’s general excise tax under a new bill signed by Gov. David Ige. Hawaiʻi Department of Taxation Director Isaac Choy says car-sharing platforms like Turo should be held to the same standard as conventional rental car companies like Hertz or Enterprise. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi airports expect busy Fourth of July holiday weekend. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is advising anyone traveling out of Honolulu, Kahului, Līhuʻe, Kona, or Hilo to arrive early, especially if traveling between the peak hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Maui Now.

Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau receives contract extension. The Hawaii Tourism Authority is extending the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau’s U.S. tourism contract and its global support services contract for three months as a stop-gap measure to give HTA time to sort out a procurement protest. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Hypersonic missile test fails off Hawaii in fresh setback for program. A flight test of a hypersonic missile system in Hawaii ended in failure due to a problem that took place after ignition, the Department of Defense said, delivering a fresh blow to a program that has suffered stumbles. Bloomberg News.

Lack of affordable housing adds to worker shortage. Many businesses across different industries have spoken out about the need for more workers, but even when they hire the right candidate, workers said finding affordable housing is becoming nearly impossible. Some employers said it is no longer a housing issue but a housing crisis. KHON2.

Abortion care has a long history among Hawaiʻi's Indigenous people. Hawaiʻi legalized abortion in 1970 when it became the first state in the nation to allow the procedure at a woman’s request. But abortion care was a fundamental part of Native Hawaiian health care history, says Indigenous health scholar Kealoha Fox. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s COVID-19 counts on downward slope. Hawaii Health Department reports 5,362 new infections, 15 coronavirus-related deaths.  Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

The Cost Of Police Misconduct: Honolulu Spent Over $18 Million In Legal Settlements. Meanwhile, the officers involved in the cases have faced mixed consequences. Civil Beat.

Honolulu’s New Police Chief Promises ‘Enduring Change’ During Swearing-In. Joe Logan took the oath of office during a formal ceremony held about two weeks after he was privately sworn-in. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s First Large-Scale Food Waste Composter Touts A Host Of Benefits. Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii and partners launched a composting operation in Waimanalo that they hope will revolutionize the way Oahu disposes of food waste. Civil Beat.

Mapunapuna complex’s displaced tenants are forced to make way for a Home Depot. The home-improvement chain has been working for close to a year or longer on plans for a new store on 1.4 acres in Mapunapuna once anchored by Asian grocery store 99 Ranch Market, and now tenants have until July 15 to move out. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

After pandemic hiatus, July 4 back in full swing. After two years of scaled-down and canceled July 4 events because of the coronavirus pandemic, a full-scale celebration is in the works for Monday. The night sky will light up with fireworks displays at 8 p.m. in both Hilo and Kailua-Kona. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island Police Remind Residents About Fireworks Rules, Offer Safety Tips. In an effort to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July weekend, Big Island police are reminding the public about the rules governing the use of fireworks. Big Island Now.

Maui

Candidates weigh in on ag, tourism, homelessness. Candidates participating in the Maui County mayoral race — Kim Brown, Cullan Bell, Alana Kay, Jonah Lion, Council Members Mike Molina and Kelly King and retired judge Richard Bissen — shared their thoughts and solutions on the big challenges that lie ahead during an online forum hosted by native Hawaiian youth organization Ka Leo O Na ‘Opio. Incumbent Mayor Michael Victorino was the only candidate not in attendance.  Maui News.

Council offices open for live public testimony. Six Maui County Council offices are open to obtain information about pending legislation or upcoming meetings or to provide live testimony at a council or committee meeting, Council Member Kelly Takaya King announced Thursday. Maui News.

New Planning Department rates and fees take effect July 1. The new fees approach 40% cost recovery and are based on costs of staff salaries, department overhead and administrative support. Currently, the department recovers only 17% of the cost of processing permits. Maui Now.

MPD’s CSI camp gives students hands-on forensic training. When you think of summer camp, conducting autopsies and analyzing bloodstains don’t often come to mind. But that is exactly what 10 aspiring forensic specialists did last week at Maui’s Forensic Facility in Wailuku. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

KPD completes its first-ever investigation, forensics camp. The Kaua’i Police Department held its first Police Investigations and Forensic Science Camp at KPD headquarters last week, with 16 students completing the program. Garden Island.

Southwest CEO meets Kaua‘i; announced expanded services. Southwest Airlines currently offers 38 inter-island flights daily. This is expected to grow to 60 flights by the fall. Garden Island.

Ige may veto 30 bills, Honolulu permit clerk gets prison time for accepting bribes, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa meets state lawmakers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige targets 30 Hawaii legislative bills for veto. Gov. David Ige on Monday gave Hawaii’s Legislature a long list of bills he might veto, including measures dealing with bail reform, $60 million in Hawaii Tourism Authority funding and a vaping products ban. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Gov. Ige's full intent to veto list and rationale here.

Ige Approves Ban On “Forever Chemicals” In Food Containers, Firefighting Foam. The class of chemicals known as PFAS has been suspected of causing health impacts, including cancer. Civil Beat.

Local organizations launch bailout initiative as Gov. Ige decides on bail reform measure. Some pre-trial detainees are held in jail because they can’t afford bail. So Hawaiʻi bail reform advocates have launched an initiative to help secure bail and reentry services for them. Hawaii Public Radio.

Democratic hopefuls for governor to hold first joint appearance. The three leading Democratic candidates hoping to become Hawaii’s next governor are scheduled to make their first live, joint appearance in a special one-hour, digital town hall on the Honolulu Star- Advertiser’s “Spotlight Hawaii” livestream program starting at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Group issues final COVID report. The Hawaii Pandemic Applied Modeling Workgroup which has been using public data to provide COVID information, announced that it will not provide any more forecasts and updates after Monday, June 27. The last report stated that Omicron BA.2 variant cases are slowly trending down and hospitalizations are staring to slow. KHON2.

State Rules Make It Harder To Open Dialysis Centers In Hawaii. More states are lifting or reforming regulations governing the opening of new dialysis facilities. Civil Beat.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa brings her fight for truth to Hawaii. Hawaii senators and Filipino organizations honored Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Philippine journalist Maria Ressa at the State Capitol on Monday. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Permitting Worker Who Took Bribes For A Decade Gets Prison Time. The judge said he wanted to make an example of Jennie Javonillo to deter other government workers from taking bribes. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Governor plans to veto child welfare bill inspired by Isabella ‘Ariel’ Kalua case. Nearly a year after the Waimanalo girl was last seen alive, the measure intended to protect adopted children like her appears doomed. Hawaii News Now.

Japanese tech company to survey Oʻahu roads. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has partnered with the Japanese tech company i-Probe for a pilot program to monitor road conditions on Oʻahu. i-Probe uses car-mounted sensors to track road conditions like potholes and traffic. Real-time data will then be collected on a cloud-based map. Hawaii Public Radio.

No end in sight for Red Hill water pumping. The Navy continues to pump about 4.5 million gallons of water daily out of its Red Hill shaft in an effort to remediate the aquifer that was polluted with fuel from its Red Hill tanks in 2021. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hundreds of keiki under 5 vaccinated in rollout of clinics. Hawaii Pacific Health vaccinated some 585 keiki under age 5 at large-scale clinics at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children in Honolulu and Kauai Medical Clinic in Lihue on Saturday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Governor Will Not Veto Bill Creating New Mauna Kea Authority. The Governor says he looks forward to appointing a board "committed to supporting astronomy on Maunakea, and supporting moving forward in the best way to manage" the mountain. Big Island Video News.

Council kills one proposed charter amendment, moves the rest along. One proposed charter amendment was killed, a second barely squeaked through and two received unanimous endorsements recently, when the County Council took up six bills to consider putting on the Nov. 8 ballot. West Hawaii Today.

Puna Pono Alliance denied PGV appeal, PUC reconsideration. The state Intermediate Court of Appeals on June 13 denied a pair of appeals seeking an updated environmental review for Puna Geothermal Venture. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Drought conditions will limit water supplies in Upcountry and West Maui. Portions of Upcounty and West Maui will be under a Stage 1 drought declaration by Thursday. Nonessential water activities like car-washing and landscaping will be prohibited. Hawaii Public Radio.

New shelter planned for at-risk youth on Maui. Facility would offer safe space for youth while long-term solutions sought. Maui News.

Owners give Lahaina tenants more time; rally highlights Maui’s housing woes. New owners of one of the last Lahaina apartments with workforce rents reversed course Friday, announcing that no immediate evictions or rent increases will occur at Lahaina Crossroads. Maui Now.

Kula Forest Reserve remains closed with conditions still unsafe from December storm. Access roads and trails in the Kula Forest Reserve remain closed due to extensive damage and unsafe conditions caused by the December 2021 Kona storm, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources said today. Maui Now.

Kauai

9th Circuit: County, state workers may have violated constitutional rights in bitter child custody case. A federal appeals court said a Kauai police official and state Child Welfare workers may have violated the constitutional rights of a Big Island mother and her 11-year-old daughter when they removed the girl in 2019. Hawaii News Now.

DOW quality reports available. The county Department of Water 2022 Water Quality Reports, covering calendar 2021, are available on the DOW’s website, kauaiwater.org. Garden Island.

Hawaii reacts to abortion ruling, RIMPAC set to begin, Kauai police set sights on 12-year-old murder, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii still struggles with abortion access. Hawaii leaders say they are resolute in preserving women’s right to abortion, which is enshrined in state law. But abortion providers say the state’s strong legal protections belie the experience of many women in Hawaii, particularly on the neighbor islands, who have struggled to access abortions, and that Hawaii needs to pay more attention to improving access, especially in light of the Roe decision, which has pushed the issue of reproductive rights to the forefront of political discussions. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. David Ige signs flurry of bills as veto intention deadline nears. The window is closing for Gov. David Ige to indicate which bills he intends to veto this year, and as the Monday deadline nears many more bills have become law. Ige as of Friday had signed 115 bills passed by the Legislature in 2022. Star-Advertiser.

How A ‘First Step’ In Prison Reform Sparked A Public Backlash And A Likely Veto. The bail reform bill was seen as a minor adjustment — but the public outcry could make lawmakers wary of pursuing it again. Civil Beat.

Familiar faces seeking return to elected office. The Aug. 13 primary elections will see the return of familiar island politicians who have been out of office for years, nearly a decade and, in one case, a generation ago. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii GOP Candidates For Governor Want Tax Cuts. The top Republican candidates for governor have floated proposals for cutting taxes on the sale of certain goods like food or medicine and taking a broader look at Hawaii’s tax system to examine how it affects those who are poor or on fixed incomes. Civil Beat.

RIMPAC exercises set to begin in Hawaii. Warships from 26 countries are arriving in the Hawaiian Islands for the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise, the world’s largest recurring naval war game. About 25,000 military personnel will participate in RIMPAC 2022, which kicks off Wednesday and will run through Aug. 4, with 38 surface ships, four submarines and more than 170 aircraft. Star-Advertiser.

Supporters of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement back its marketing concepts for Hawaii. Speaking out this week in favor of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement are former Gov. John D. Waihe‘e III and tourism industry veterans Ann Botticelli, formerly a senior executive at Hawaiian Airlines, and Frank Haas, a tourism consultant who formerly was HTA’s vice president of marketing and helped develop HTA’s 2020 Strategic Plan. Star-Advertiser.

Covid-19 Vaccine Mistrust Is Spilling Over To Routine Childhood Shots In Hawaii. A “perfect storm” of other factors has also contributed to dismal vaccination rates in schools, with implications for children’s health. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Council Elections Are A Hot Topic For Neighborhood Board Members. With four of the nine Honolulu council seats in play, local community groups are paying attention to what a shift in power may mean in their backyards. Civil Beat.

Indicted executives are prolific Hawaii political donors. Four Mitsunaga & Associates executives indicted for allegedly conspiring with former Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro to charge a former employee with four counts of felony theft in exchange for campaign contributions donated more than $830,000 to candidates for key state and county offices over a 10-year period. Star-Advertiser.

Rock revetment planned to harden eroding shoreline. The state Department of Transportation is proposing to build a 450-foot-long rock revetment along a stretch of shoreline in Kaaawa to forestall the potential collapse of a section of Kamehameha Highway. Star-Advertiser.

7,200 lbs of rubber rubbish pulled from Kaneohe Bay. Once all the rubbish was pulled out of the ocean, it was wheeled out, put on a truck and taken to H-Power. The job may have been completed for the day, but it’s not over. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Latest Honua Ola denial likely headed to state Supreme Court. The tree-burning plant north of Hilo on the Big Island has suffered another big setback in its years-long quest to deliver electricity to customers of Hawaiian Electric. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Paramedics wanted: County seeing uptick in calls for emergency medical services. Hawaii County Fire Department is searching for paramedics to fill the spots of those who have been promoted, retired or transferred to other positions within the department. Tribune-Herald.

County partners to deliver free Wi-Fi to Panaewa Park. Hawaii County has partnered with T&T Electric and other various organizations and individuals to deliver free Wi-Fi to the Panaewa Park area as part of a scalable pilot program, according to a press release from the office of Mayor Mitch Roth. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Primary election for House District 9 is a ‘winner-take-all’ contest. Political newcomer Sam Peralta challenges incumbent Rep. Justin Woodson. After going uncontested in the August 2020 Democratic primary, incumbent state Rep. Justin Woodson now faces a challenger for his House District 9 seat that covers a well-populated portion of Central Maui. Maui News.

June 30 deadline approaching for South Maui Community Plan Advisory Committee. Nine of the CPAC’s 13 members will be appointed by the council, while four will be appointed by the mayor. Maui Now. Maui News.

Kauai

3 political candidates challenge Kauai mayor in re-election bid. Kauai County voters are preparing to elect a new mayor. Incumbent Derek Kawakami is nearing the end of his first term, and is being challenged by three political newcomers. They have a wide range of views on a number of issues, but far less experience in politics. Hawaii News Now.

Lihuʻe improvement tour, talks slated. The County of Kaua‘i and state of Hawai‘i are creating a Lihu‘e Civic Center Mobility Plan. The plan seeks to improve transportation options and accessibility around the town core. Garden Island.

Fresh KPD eyes are on Jackson murder case. A new detective has been assigned to investigate the 12-year-old, unsolved murder of Amber Jackson, a 57-year-old Kapahi woman. Garden Island.