400 U.S. POW remains disinterred in ID project, Memorial Day commemorated with floating lanterns, Councilwoman Kierkiewicz to head Big Island public TV station, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

After 80 years, project underway to identify POWs killed in ‘hellship’ attack. At the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, the Defense Department is disinterring more than 400 sets of remains of American service members who died during WWII.  Hawaii News Now.

Officials and veterans gather at Punchbowl. City and military officials gathered with local veterans and their families for a Monday morning ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Punchbowl Crater. The Memorial Day service took place amid a tide of simmering geopolitical tensions around the world, something speakers at the ceremony weren’t shy to acknowledge. Star-Advertiser.

Governor aids woman with seizure during Memorial Day ceremony. Just as the 111th Army Band of the Hawaii Army National Guard began a musical interlude Monday during the Governor’s Memorial Day Ceremony, Gov. Josh Green jumped off the stage to assist a woman who suffered a seizure. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Floating lantern ceremony draws 45,000. After three years off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Shinnyo floating lantern ceremony came back strong Monday, setting the waters off Ala Moana Regional Park alight with thousands of flickering memorials. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Residents ask congressional delegation to ‘step up’ amid shooting range dispute.  A vocal group of Ewa Beach residents is vowing to take their fight to relocate a military shooting range to federal lawmakers. Hawaii News Now.

Makaha crash trial for HPD officers is delayed.  Four HPD officers charged in connection with an alleged September 2021 car chase, crash and cover-up had their trial put off against the objection of city prosecutors until Aug. 21, according to state court records. Star-Advertiser.

The North Shore Hasn’t Had A Public Pool For Decades. It May Finally Be Getting One. Half of Hawaii's kids can't swim, and pools are less likely to be located near lower income communities. Civil Beat.

Ban on outside work for City Council proposed. Two Honolulu City Council leaders have put forward two pieces of legislation that, if approved, would both strictly prohibit any outside employment or financial gain beyond an elective Council seat. Star-Advertiser.

Public comment sought on surfboard storage for Kuhio Beach Park. The city is seeking public input to determine the next location for a Waikiki public surfboard storage site, which has been closed since the fall of 2021 when a two-alarm fire wiped out a Kuhio Beach Park location for the second time in less than two years. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kierkiewicz Named President, CEO of Nā Leo ‘O Hawai‘i.  Ashley Kierkiewicz, a Hawaiʻi County Councilmember, will start effective June 19,  while continuing to serve on the County Council, where she represents the Puna district. Big Island Video News.

 Puna Is The Fastest Growing Place In Hawaii. But It Comes With A Catch. Plagued by poverty, poor infrastructure, volcanic eruptions and crime, the windward region still attracts a broad spectrum of people looking for their own slice of paradise. Civil Beat.

Man charged after dog attack on Big Isle injures 2.  A 32-year-old woman suffered fractures and multiple puncture wounds to both arms Saturday when a dog attacked her in Pahoa, the Hawaii Police Department said. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Maui

On Maui, a pledge never to forget those lost in the ‘Forgotten War’ .  Keynote speaker Brigadier General Walter R. Ross Jr. and Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen reiterated that Memorial Day is far more than just a holiday.  Hawaii News Now.

3 East Maui meetings to discuss Alelele Point road closure; slope stabilization to start soon. The County of Maui will hold three community meetings for residents and businesses impacted by the emergency road closure at the Alelele Point area in East Maui.  Maui Now. KHON2.

Kauai

This Kauai Neighborhood Is A Celebrated Cell Phone Dead Zone. AT&T Wants To Change That. Residents of Kauai's north shore are overwhelmingly opposed to a plan to build a cell tower on a residential lot in Haena. Civil Beat.

Kaua‘i jobless rate drops to 2.6 percent in April. The unemployment rate in the County of Kaua‘i dropped to its lowest level since the pre-pandemic era, as multiple sectors of the economy added jobs last month ahead of the summer season. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi health office conducting survey about emergency preparedness, pandemic impacts.  The Kaua‘i District Health Office will conduct a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response survey known as CASPER to assess the emergency preparedness level and current wellbeing of Kauaʻi households. Kauai Now.



 

Dispute over Mauna Kea road ownership, Honolulu ramps up vacation rental inspectors, ethics board dings Puna councilwoman, Coco Palms still a go, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mauna Kea access road checkpoint ©2019 All Hawaii News all rights reserved

Who Owns Mauna Kea Access Road? During an informational briefing held Wednesday on Oahu, the state senate questioned Hawaiian Home Lands officials about the ownership of the mountain road. Big Island Video News.

Questions arise over Mauna Kea road. Hawaii Sen. Kai Kahele (D, Hilo) questioned whether the state Department of Transportation has legal jurisdiction over Mauna Kea Access Road during a legislative briefing at the state Capitol on Wednesday, setting up what could potentially develop into a larger legal issue for the Thirty Meter Telescope and other telescope sites atop Mauna Kea. Star-Advertiser.

State's control over Mauna Kea Access Road could be in jeopardy. Lawmakers grilled the Department of Hawaiian Homelands stating, documents that shows the road is within DHHL's jurisdiction. KITV.

‘Why Do Stars Explode?’ And Other Questions Scientists Hope To Explore With The TMT. Scientists are already jockeying for time slots for ambitious research projects on the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope and another giant telescope being constructed in Chile. Civil Beat.

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New immigration policies expected to hurt Hawaii families and economy. Some believe a new federal crackdown on immigration could hurt Hawaii’s economy. Hawaii News Now.

Queen’s Health Systems has asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit from the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan. Kaiser says Queens has been charging its patients excessive and unreasonable rates ever since their contract ended in May. Hawaii News Now.

Some ‘Reef-Safe’ Sunscreens May Not Be Safe After All. Mineral-based sunscreens are viewed as an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical sunscreens, but could still be harmful in large concentrations. Civil Beat.

BOE expected to adopt changes to student misconduct rules. The action comes nearly a year after amendments were first considered by the board. Tribune-Herald.

Southwest Airlines is aggressively expanding service to the Hawaiian islands in January, more than doubling the number of its interisland seats and increasing its trans-Pacific seat capacity by 50%. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

More inspectors hired to tackle problem of illegal rentals. The city Department of Planning and Permitting is beefing up staffing, hiring up to six new temporary inspectors to help enforce a new and tougher vacation rental ordinance. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Adds Inspectors To Enforce Short-Term Rental Law. The city says the workers are temporary. Civil Beat.

As vacation rental cancellations mount, some say they’re not getting refunds. As the city’s new vacation rental law causes more cancellations, some visitors say they’re not getting their money back. Hawaii News Now.

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City wants funds to hire law firm for subpoenaed rail workers. Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration is seeking $300,000 to hire lawyers to represent the Honolulu rail authority and its current and former employees in connection with the federal investigation of the city’s $9.2 billion rail project. Star-Advertiser.

A retired district court judge was called before a federal grand jury last week to testify in an ongoing probe into the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office. Retired District Court Judge David Lo spent more than two hours inside the grand jury room before being wheeled out by an FBI agent. Hawaii News Now.

Katherine Kealoha Still Stands To Collect $680K From Grandmother, Uncle. Gerard and Florence Puana are still on the hook for the verdict in a civil case that happened before the Kealohas were convicted on criminal charges stemming from the same situation. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Ethics Board issues reminder to council in Kierkiewicz case. The county Board of Ethics on Wednesday finalized an order requiring Puna Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz to file an after-the-fact written disclosure of a possible conflict of interest stemming from a vote she took earlier this year. West Hawaii Today.

DPS promotes Hilo sergeant to fill new West Hawaii position overseeing Kona, Kohala courts. Deputy sheriffs assigned to West Hawaii’s courts now have a lieutenant based in Kona, although the legislator who helped create the position isn’t happy the post had to be filled by someone from Hilo. West Hawaii Today.

New webcam monitors pool in Halemaumau. The U.S. Geological Survey set up a webcam to continuously track the development of a pool of water within Halemaumau Crater on Kilauea. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Senate Committees to Hold Maui Briefing on Maui Correctional Center. The Hawaiʻi Senate Ways & Means Committee and Public Safety Committee will conduct an informational briefing to hear from the Department of Public Safety and receive an update on the emergency appropriation for Maui Community Correctional Center and the current state of the facility. Maui Now.

Final EIS for Hana pier dismantling is accepted. Gov. David Ige has accepted final environmental impact statements for the Hana pier deck removal and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ industrial and business park in Pulehunui, according to the latest edition of “The Environmental Notice” published by the Office of Environmental Quality Control earlier this month. Maui News.

150 room expansion for Kihei hotel planned. Maui Coast Hotel to use adjacent vacant lot. Maui News.

Kauai

Council, mayor honor government watchdog Glenn Mickens. For decades, and without fail, one of the island’s most prominent government watchdogs, Glenn Mickens, showed up at County Council meetings on Wednesdays. Garden Island.

Coco Palms rebirth still alive. The Utah private-equity company that has taken over the ruins of the former Coco Palms Resort in Wailua says it is moving ahead with plans to rebuild the property as a hotel and can meet an Aug. 31 county deadline to submit 26 different building permit applications. Garden Island.

Lobbyist spending #fail at Legislature, Slom to seek old Senate seat, Kaneshiro loses bid to drop impeachment case, Big Island councilwoman violated ethics code, Maui mayor vetoes parts of budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Today is King Kamehameha Day, a state holiday. King Kamehameha statue lei draping, file photo ©2019 All Hawaii News

Spending Big On Lobbying Didn’t Guarantee Success At Legislature. Opponents of taxes on real estate trusts and vacation rentals couldn’t kill the bills last session, while a retirement savings program was rejected despite AARP support. Civil Beat.

Ige Extends Emergency Declaration on Homelessness. Governor David Ige issued a third supplementary emergency proclamation that extends the disaster emergency relief period for homelessness across the state. Maui Now.

Sam Slom Wants To Be A State Senator Again. He is challenging incumbent Stanley Chang in 2020 for the Hawaii Legislature seat. Civil Beat.

A controversial Hawaiian scholar comes under fire amid calls for an investigation. The state Office of Consumer Protection has made a criminal referral for controversial Hawaiian scholar David Keanu Sai, saying he has committed a felony. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Judge denies request to drop petition to impeach Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro. Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro’s request to have an impeachment petition against him thrown out on procedural grounds was denied Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Judge Refuses To Dismiss Kaneshiro Impeachment Case. The Honolulu prosecutor, who is on paid leave after receiving a target letter in a federal criminal investigation, tried to get the case thrown out on procedural grounds. Civil Beat.

Judge Declines To Throw Out City Prosecutor Impeachment Petition. A state judge on Monday dismissed a motion that aimed to toss out an impeachment petition against Honolulu City Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro. Hawaii Public Radio.

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City Council Considers Measure To Make Honolulu A ‘Sanctuary City’. A proposal would prevent police from honoring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainment and information requests in many cases. Civil Beat.

Tensions run high as Waimanalo residents spar over Sherwoods development. At a community meeting Monday night, there were tears, flaring tempers and police as the community argued over the development. The Waimanalo neighborhood board passed a resolution Monday night urging the city to stop the construction of a new athletic field immediately. Hawaii News Now.

Nanakuli residents at wits’ end over volatile homeless camp on federal property. Illegal campers in Nanakuli have once again taken over a piece of land owned by the federal government. Hawaii News Now.

Court for homeless defendants moves to Kaneohe. The idea is to help clear minor offenses from an overbooked court calendar and, perhaps more important, connect the “participants” to social service agencies that staff each court session helping the participants find jobs, get back their IDs and a whole array of services including housing. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Puna Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz violated the county ethics code when she didn’t disclose a potential conflict of interest in a bill being considered by the County Council, the Board of Ethics ruled unanimously Monday. West Hawaii Today.

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Relocating Hawaii Island’s Pohoiki Boat Ramp cheaper than rebuilding, state says. Engineers have recommended that building a new boat ramp, rather than excavating a new channel through the black-sand beach, is a less costly alternative for Pohoiki Bay in Lower Puna, state officials said today. Star-Advertiser.

DLNR: New Boat Ramp For Puna Costly, ‘Challenging’. The Pohoiki Small Boat Ramp was closed after the 2018 Kilauea eruption. Civil Beat.

Engineers recommend new boat ramp for lower Puna. More than a year after Pohoiki boat ramp closed because of the Kilauea eruption in lower Puna, engineers have recommended that rather than reopen the existing ramp, a new boat ramp be built. Tribune-Herald.

New Boat Ramp For Puna Recommended At Malama Flats, Not Pohoiki. The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources says engineers have identified an alternative location for a boat ramp in Puna, following the 2018 eruption of Kilauea that blocked the Pohoiki boat ramp with a new black sand beach. Big Island Video News.

Engineers recommend new boat ramp vs. re-opening Pohoiki. Representatives from Sea Engineering Inc. are saying that installing a new boat ramp is a better option. KITV.

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Queen’s Health Systems, Kaiser agreement expires. The Queen’s Health Systems hospitals are no longer considered participating providers within Kaiser Permanente’s network after an agreement between Kaiser and The Queen’s Medical Center expired toward the end of last month. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor Victorino Uses Line-item Veto to Strike a Dozen Provisions. Mayor Michael Victorino line-item vetoed the Maui County Council’s fiscal 2020 budget on Monday, providing a measured reduction of what he called the “council’s record-high $823.47 million spending proposal.” Maui Now.

State recruiting guards from other islands to help Maui jail. Staffing levels at the Maui Community Correctional Center have grown so bad that the state is trying to fly in guards from other islands to help out with shifts, according to a June 4 internal memo from Nolan Espinda, director of the state Department of Public Safety. Star-Advertiser.

Bottle by bottle, an upcycled zero-waste facility takes shape. Research station aims to help farmers move toward regenerative practices. Maui News.

Spitting Caterpillars From Asia Are The Latest Threat To Native Insects On Maui. People are urged to be on the lookout for the newcomer to Hawaii, which adds to the problems already hindering the rarely seen Kamehameha butterfly and host plants. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauai heads for the ‘Hill’. The vibes are great for the sixth annual Hawaii on the Hill. Garden Island.

Connors confirmed as attorney general, raises for firefighters in new contract, Maui's first industrial hemp farm, Raybuck new Kauai police chief, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Attorney General Clare Connors, courtesy photo

Clare Connors confirmed as Hawaii's 16th Attorney General. Clare Connors was confirmed as Hawaii's 16th attorney general by the state senate Monday. KITV.

Hawaii hotels report lackluster first quarter. State occupancy in March fell nearly 3 percentage points to 79.6%, while the average daily room rate fell 1.1% to $285, according to a report released by hotel analytic company STR. Star-Advertiser.

Firefighters’ pay to increase with new contract. Hawaii firefighters have a new two-year contract giving them 2% pay increases in each of the next two years, one-time bonuses in each of those years and an increase in their regular raises based on years of service. Star-Advertiser.

Bill would ID police fired or suspended for misconduct. Lawmakers are again considering a bill to require that police departments disclose the names of officers suspended or fired for misconduct, a controversial subject that has prompted years of debate and litigation in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

The embattled head of Hawaii’s Public Safety Department on Monday promised his employees he won’t retaliate against them for criticizing him. Nolan Espinda is struggling to win Senate confirmation for a second term. Hawaii News Now.

Lavish salaries, perks focus of federal theft investigation into union boss. Federal prosecutors are wrapping up a three-year investigation into IBEW Local 1260′s former business manager Brian Ahakuelo. Hawaii News Now.

Legislature passes suicide prevention bills. Two measures aimed at suicide prevention and raising suicide awareness passed the Legislature on Monday. Garden Island.

Law meant to help those with severe mental illness is trapping them on the streets. It’s estimated there are up to 600 homeless people who suffer from severe mental illness statewide. Hawaii News Now.

’Kal’s Law’ would help disabled people with jobs to keep key health benefits. People with disabilities who want to have jobs are often faced with an unfortunate decision: If they make too much money, they risk losing their Medicaid benefits. Hawaii News Now.

Climate Activists: Hawaii Legislature ‘Wasted An Entire Year’. Measures big and small died this session with little fanfare as time runs out to combat the disastrous effects of a warming planet. Civil Beat.

About 20 representatives from about a dozen organizations gathered at the state Capitol on Monday to commemorate Earth Day and mourn the death of bills they said would have helped Hawaii tackle climate change. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's Small Independent Doctors May Be Struggling Under New Payment System. Some doctors are struggling with the latest changes in the way they are paid by the Hawaii Medical Service Association, the state’s largest health care insurer. Hawaii Public Radio.

Charter Schools Have By Far The Highest Rates Of Unvaccinated Kids. The statewide percentage of students exempted by their parents from being immunized is 8.1% at charter schools, 2.7% at private schools and 1.4% at traditional public schools. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Kamehameha Schools land being readied for housing. The $12 billion charitable trust has plans to produce 8,000 to 10,000 new homes in Honolulu’s urban core over the coming years. Star-Advertiser.

Neighborhood Board Elections Begin Friday. Oahu residents will choose among more than 500 candidates to sit on 36 boards representing the island’s neighborhoods. Civil Beat.

Public meeting coming up on Oahu's First Pedestrian Plan. The City is looking for public input on areas throughout Oahu that may need to be focused on for changes to pedestrian areas like sidewalks and crosswalks. KHON2.

Petition to impeach city prosecutor prompts legal debate: Are e-signatures legal? Those pushing to impeach embattled city Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro have hit another roadblock. Hawaii News Now.

Councilwoman calls for ‘fair’ treatment of Leeward Oahu parks. Now, she wants an audit of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation. Hawaii News Now.

‘End Is Near’ For Company’s Hold On Kakaako Streets After $250K Fine. A business that has long profited from parking fees it charges on roads that it doesn’t maintain faces several legal challenges. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Councilwoman’s former side job raises questions. Community members who filed an ethics complaint against Puna Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz told the Board of Ethics on Monday they want to pursue the complaint against her, even though she has since publicly disclosed a possible conflict of interest and resigned her position at a public relations company that represents officers of the landowner in a zoning application before the County Council. West Hawaii Today.

Kona Micro-Distillery Gets Planning Commission Approval. On April 18, the Kona Distilling Company went before the commission, seeking a Special Permit to allow the establishment of the micro-distillery, visitor’s center (including a tasting component) and related facilities on an approximately 7.5-acre portion of 70-acres of land in the State Land Use Agricultural District. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii County’s unemployment rate edged up slightly in March, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations reports. Some 3.7% of the island’s 87,850 person workforce was without work during March, up slightly from February when the rate was 3.6%. In March 2018, the rate was 2.6%. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui’s first industrial hemp farm set to begin production. The commercial farming operation will initially produce full-spectrum industrial hemp extract. Maui News.

Maui’s First State-Licensed Industrial Hemp Farm Blessed on Earth Day. Maui Now.

Kauai

Todd Raybuck has officially taken over as chief of the Kauai Police Department. Garden Island.

Police seek to spend $500K for guns, truck. The Kauai Police Department is looking to buy new trucks and guns and get federal funding to crack down on illegal drugs. Garden Island.

Thirty parking spots will be dedicated daily to Hawaii residents at Haena State Park and according to officials, reservations for Aloha State residents won’t be required. Garden Island.