Obama's boring vacation, new landing zones for Mauna Kea, Enright named ag chief, PUC rejects Ka'u biofuel plant, Kauai wants to license cats, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Black Hawk helicopter over Mauna Kea (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

The 25th Army Combat Aviation Brigade and Hawaii Army National Guard want to construct four aviation landing zones on Mauna Loa’s northern slope, a location deemed ideal for military helicopter pilots to train on varied terrain, under diverse conditions and at multiple altitudes. West Hawaii Today.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is starting to register volunteers on Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island for an annual humpback whale count. Associated Press.

How President Barack Obama spent the sixth day of his holiday vacation in Hawaii on Thursday. Associated Press.

Dear Barry, There's no two ways about it — you give boring vacation. Your sixth presidential Christmas vacation in Hawaii has so far been as routine as the previous five. Civil Beat.

When it comes to Hawaii politics, here are some of the most distinctive and effective politicians on social media today. Civil Beat.

POLITICO says the Hawaii U.S. Senate primary is one of the ones to watch next year, along with races in Kentucky, Wyoming and other states. Civil Beat.

Enright

The governor is appointing a new chairman of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture. Scott Edward Enright has been named to replace Russell Kokubun, who is retiring at the end of the year. Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced Enright's appointment Thursday. The appointment is subject to state Senate confirmation. Associated Press.

The governor appointed a new chairman of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture. Scott Edward Enright has been named to replace Russell Kokubun, who is retiring at the end of the year. Associated Press.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has appointed Scott Enright as the new chair of the Board of Agriculture, effective Jan. 1. Civil Beat.

Criminal cases against several charter school leaders prompted oversight improvements for Hawaii's 33 charter schools, the executive director of the state's charter school commission said. Hawaii News Now.

Larry Ellison, who purchased the majority of Hawaii’s island of Lanai in 2012, dominated PBN’s top 10 online stories, ranked by page views, but a $1.3 billion telescope planned for the top of a Big Island volcano beat the Oracle Corp. CEO for the top spot on the list. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Taller buildings aren’t just coming to Kakaako, and that's mostly thanks to rail. New city plans call for increasing building height limits around future rail stations as a means to spur development. It’s part of Honolulu’s push for transit-oriented development, a planning principle that seeks to gentrify neighborhoods, increase density and make communities more pedestrian-friendly. Civil Beat.

For the second time in two months, vandals have knocked out dozens of traffic cameras across Oahu by ripping out the fiber-optic cables that support them under the H-1 freeway. Star-Advertiser.

Hikers and New Year's revelers will greet 2014 along the scenic Maka­puu lighthouse trail edging Oahu's easternmost tip. The state is inviting the public to participate in a "First Day" sunrise hike at Maka­puu for the third year. Star-Advertiser.

More than 1,000 box jellyfish wash ashore. KHON2.

Hawaii

The Public Utilities Commission has again rejected a contract between Hawaii Electric Light Co. and Aina Koa Pono for a biodiesel refinery outside Pahala, saying it’s too expensive for ratepayers and there’s no proof it won’t harm the environment. West Hawaii Today.

The developer of a proposed biofuel production facility on Hawaii island said Thursday the company will proceed with its plans despite being told by regulators that Hawaii Electric Light Co. will not be allowed to buy its fuel for power generation. Star-Advertiser.

For the second time, a contract for Aina Koa Pono LLC to supply Hawaii Electric Light Co. with 16 million gallons of biofuel at the Keahole Power Plant on the Big Island has been denied by Hawaii regulators, according to public documents. Pacific Business News.

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has once again denied a proposed Aina Koa Pono biodiesel supply contract with the Hawaii Electric Light Company. A proposed surcharge to cover the additional costs to produce the biodiesel was also denied. Big Island Video News.

Hilo Medical Center will receive more than $1.7 million to upgrade dietary equipment that is more than 25 years old after Gov. Neil Abercrombie released funds Thursday for public hospital capital improvement projects. Tribune-Herald.

The Target data breach has reached West Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The Portuguese Association of Maui is the recipient of an estimated $3,000 grant from the Hawaiʻi Foundation on Culture and the Arts. The non-profit group plans to use the funds to produce a 26-segment radio series titled, “Stories of Our People,” scheduled to air on Sundays at 8:30 p.m. on KNUI AM 550. Maui Now.

Kauai

State officials say they've seen an increase in illegal vendors hawking crafts and other merchandise on Kauai. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources said Thursday that citations have been given at Opaekaa Falls and Wailua Falls. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai County considers feline fees. The county is considering treating cat owners just like dog owners by requiring them to license their animals every year. Garden Island.

Search for UH president begins, Feds reveal Honolulu kickback scheme, Oahu ratepayers to shoulder all of Big Island electricity project, Maui passes $559M budget, former supermodel Kathy Ireland owes Honolulu thousands in fines, two development giants merge, officials seek comment on $2.6B rail project, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

UH President MRC Greenwood (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents could name an interim president for the 10-campus system as early as next month as the board begins searching for a permanent replacement for President M.R.C. Greenwood — a process that could take months. Star-Advertiser.

Several business leaders, including a former governor and a former University of Hawaii regent, are urging the UH Board of Regents to hire an interim UH president from outside the university system who can make changes before a permanent president is hired. Hawaii News Now.

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents Thursday voted unanimously to appoint a presidential selection committee to begin looking for a replacement for UH President MRC Greenwood, who plans to step down on Aug. 31. Hawaii News Now.

Public discussions among University of Hawaii regents about the future of the university's presidency Thursday turned into deep deliberations about the UH's mission and whether its priorities and values are in need of some fine-tuning. Civil Beat.

On Thursday, the university’s Board of Regents named two committees to begin the search for an interim and permanent president of the university system. KHON2.

Each year since 1986, PAYCHECKS HAWAII, the private, independent, non-partisan political action affiliate of SmartBusiness Hawaii, rates each of the 76 state legislators on support for small business in collaboration with other small business associations, individuals, and those actively participating at the Capitol during the legislative session. Hawaii Reporter.

Alexander & Baldwin Inc. said Thursday it will buy Grace Pacific Corp. for $277 million, putting together two kamaaina powerhouses in the real estate and construction fields. Star-Advertiser.

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. and Grace Pacific Corp. jointly announced Thursday that they have entered into an agreement for A&B to acquire the privately held general contractor for $235 million. Pacific Business News.

State roundup for June 7. Associated Press.

State 6/7. Associated Press.

Oahu

Honolulu transit officials are working to finish additional court-ordered studies for the city's planned elevated rail project, even as they prepare to defend the $5.26 billion effort later this summer in federal court against opponents looking to stop the project. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation and the U.S. Federal Transit Administration are taking public comments on a draft supplemental environmental impact statement for the city’s $5.16 billion elevated-rail project that concludes a tunnel beneath Beretania Street would be feasible, but not “prudent.” Pacific Business News.

The president of a group that helps the elderly and disabled asked a Pearl City contractor for a $90,000 donation as she was giving the company a job worth millions of dollars, a request that appears to violate anti-kickback laws. Civil Beat.

The city of Honolulu's failure to properly enforce compliance with requirements of an $8 million federal grant issued to a controversial nonprofit group could affect what it receives in Community Development Block Grant dollars in the future. Star-Advertiser.

Former super model Kathy Ireland's Oahu business is under scrutiny and it owes the city hundreds of thousands of dollars. KITV4.

The notorious Mayor Wright public housing facility isn't nearly as bad as it used to be, but it is still far from perfect. Civil Beat.

YouTube on Thursday removed a video posted by Kalihi Shinto shrine officials of four Japanese nationals allegedly taking $1,000 worth of amulets, claiming the content violated the website's privacy guideline. Star-Advertiser.

A surfer in his 50s died Thursday after an accident at Ala Moana Bowls as a south swell battered Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Hawaii Island electricity customers may not have to pay a surcharge on their bills for the proposed $450 million Aina Koa Pono biodiesel refinery outside Pahala, but the county will continue to oppose the plant on other grounds, Energy Coordinator Will Rolston said Thursday. West Hawaii Today.

Kailua-Kona resident Ulrich Bonne noticed something missing from Hawaii Electric Light Co.’s draft integrated resources plan. West Hawaii Today.

Proposed spearfishing ban dropped. West Hawaii Today.

Opponents of a plan to build the world's largest optical telescope at the summit of Hawaii's Mauna Kea volcano are appealing their case in the state courts. Associated Press.

NASA is giving more money to a Hawaii project studying what foods astronauts might eat during a manned mission to Mars. Associated Press.

Maui

The Maui County Council unanimously passed its $559 million budget on second and final reading today. Maui Now.

The Mala ramp, West Maui's only boat launch ramp facility, has become so degraded that the concrete ramp and two loading docks need to be replaced, an $892,000 project that will require a 60-day closure. Maui News.

Kauai

Some affordable housing advocates say a proposed Department of Water fee increase could add hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional costs to proposed low-income developments or altogether halt some planned projects. Garden Island.

A year after the last Koloa Camp residents were evicted, a mess remains. Garden Island.