Senate trims Ige budget, police ticket cellphone users in traffic jam, clean energy initiative ends, teachers allowed to campaign at school, Mauna Kea telescope protests continue, Kenoi releases credit card records, Maui council to cut budget, treasures return to Kauai museum, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii state Capitol © 2015 All Hawaii News

A Hawaii Senate panel has passed a version of the state budget that restored some funding that the House had stripped out, but the panel left several departments wanting more money. Associated Press.

The state Senate unveiled a new two-year budget Wednesday that would slightly cut back on Gov. David Ige's proposals, but would still increase state spending to record levels next year. The Senate budget draft would shave about half of 1 percent from the $13 billion budget proposed by Ige for the year that begins July 1, and would trim a bit more than half of 1 percent from Ige's proposal for the following year. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Senate Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday restored $212 million in general funds that the House had cut last month from Gov. David Ige’s proposed $13.28 billion state spending plan for the next two years. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige has made six appointments to the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, including a former community college provost, accountant and attorney, and hospital executive. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Senate to Post Résumés of Nominees on Website. President Kim decides it's important to provide "important information to the public" about gubernatorial appointments to boards and commissions. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii state Senate has formed a special committee after questions were raised about whether Sen. Brickwood Galuteria lives in his district. Hawaii News Now.

Teachers running for union offices in an internal election now underway will be allowed to distribute their campaign materials in school mailboxes, according to the terms of a temporary restraining order issued last week by the Hawaii Labor Relations Board. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture said Wednesday that it has posted on its website some data showing what restricted-use pesticides were sold in the state last year. The data only specifies what kinds of pesticides were purchased and in what amounts, and doesn’t state who bought them. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative — a series of agreements created in 2008 under the leadership of then-Gov. Linda Lingle that are critical to shaping the state’s energy future, including achieving 70 percent renewable energy by 2030 — has officially ended, according to public documents. Pacific Business News.

One of the top clean-energy nonprofits in Hawaii sharply criticized the state Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday over its much anticipated order on decoupling, which separates Hawaiian Electric’s revenues from its sales. Blue Planet Foundation, headed by Jeff Mikulina, said the commission failed to adopt proposals to tie the utility’s revenues to clean energy performance. Civil Beat.

A federal judge ruled on March 31 that the National Marine Fisheries Service acted illegally in approving testing and training activities by the US Navy in the Pacific Ocean that threatens widespread harm to whales, dolphins, sea turtles and other marine mammals. Maui Now.

Oahu

Members of the Honolulu City Council had more harsh words Wednesday about the direction of the island's rail project — but then the group signaled its support of a rail tax extension with key votes. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council members voted yes on two rail-related measures during a special meeting Wednesday, indicating their support for extending an island-wide tax hike to pay for estimated cost overruns on the $6 billion project. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers on both sides of Punchbowl Street are weighing a handful of nonbinding resolutions that would call for piecemeal reforms to the Honolulu rail project. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu police issued 65 tickets to motorists for illegally using cellphones and other electronic devices Tuesday during the height of the traffic standstill touched off by ZipMobile troubles. Star-Advertiser.

Officials from the Honolulu Police Department explained in a press conference on Wednesday that there was a preplanned electronic device enforcement event in Pearl City on Waimano Home Road on the same day that a broken ZipMobile caused traffic gridlock on the H-1 Freeway. KITV4.

At least one state lawmaker has written a letter to Honolulu City Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro, asking him to dismiss any traffic citations that were issued for cell phone or shoulder lane use during Tuesday's traffic nightmare. Hawaii News Now.

Tuesday's carmageddon cost residents an estimated $1 million in lost time and gas, rendered cabdrivers and delivery trucks motionless, caused travelers to miss flights, and had caregivers working overtime when family members couldn't arrive to take their keiki or kupuna home. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A $1,219.69 surfboard at a Honolulu store, $1,909.47 worth of equipment at a Kailua-Kona bike shop and $78.27 in sportswear from a Honolulu Quiksilver shop were among personal purchases Mayor Billy Kenoi made on his county charge card since being elected in 2008. Kenoi also paid a $700 tab at a karaoke bar across the street from his Hilo office, and his $566 state bar association dues, and he bought an $89.86 garment bag at a Kailua-Kona big box store, among many other personal purchases. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi revealed Wednesday he has reimbursed the county for a total of $26,000 in charges and interest on a county credit card — roughly half of which went for personal purchases. Star-Advertiser.

What was supposed to be a night out with friends at a local hostess bar has turned into a political crisis for one of the Democratic Party's rising stars. Hawaii News Now.

Big Island Mayor, Billy Kenoi spent nearly 900 dollars at Club Evergreen, a hostess bar in Honolulu. Kenoi says he paid the money back,but those weren’t the only unauthorized purchases on what is called his county pCard. KHON2.

With the exception of two members, the Hawaii County Council is choosing to remain tight-lipped concerning Mayor Billy Kenoi’s personal use of a county-issued credit card. Tribune-Herald.

Protesters of the Thirty Meter Telescope, who call themselves protectors of Mauna Kea, say they will continue to take a stand against the $1.4 billion project even if it means facing arrest. Tribune-Herald.

Protesters continued their vigil against the planned $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope without incident Wednesday as no work crews attempted to travel up to the construction site at the summit of Mauna Kea for the second day in a row. Star-Advertiser.

Opinion: The long-standing overtly contentious face off between Native Hawaiians and the University of Hawaii’s aggressive advocacy of maximizing Mauna Kea as a premier site for astronomical observatories is heading into its most serious period of conflict. Civil Beat.

Funding for the Kona Judiciary Complex passed intact through key Senate committees on Wednesday. The $55 million needed to round out the $90 million price tag for the complex was approved by the Ways and Means and Judiciary committees. West Hawaii Today.

Two critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals were recently returned to Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument after being rehabilitated at The Marine Mammal Center’s Ke Kai Ola Hawaiian Monk Seal Hospital in Kailua-Kona.West Hawaii Today.

Maui

"We are in cutting mode," said Maui County Council Budget and Finance Committee Chairman Riki Hokama on Tuesday as council members began their review of Mayor Alan Arakawa's proposed nearly $700 million budget for fiscal 2016. Maui News.

More than 100 supporters of the Sustainable Hawaiian Agriculture for the Keiki and the Aina Movement or SHAKA join hands in front of the Kalana O Maui Building on Tuesday morning at the close of a rally demanding implementation of last year's voter-approved moratorium on genetically modified organisms. Maui News.

The Maui Police Department will soon equip at least some of its officers with body cameras, the department announced on Mar. 20. MauiTime.

With former mayoral candidate Nelson Waikiki Jr. saying Wednesday that he wants to represent himself in his criminal case, his sentencing was delayed until May 1 on securities fraud charges. Maui News.

Kauai
The Kauai Museum on Wednesday opened two of four large crates of artifacts received from the Smithsonian Institution of National Museum of American History.  The antiquities, which went down with a ship almost 190 years ago, have a storied history. Garden Island.

The public is invited to attend a meeting on the role that electric vehicles play in Kauai’s clean energy future. Among the topics that will be covered are the benefits of EV usage; access to charging stations; and EV trends in Hawaii and beyond. Garden Island.

Molokai

A resolution urging the mayor to seek a half-million-dollar appropriation for the Molokaʻi Ferry is scheduled to surface on the council agenda next Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Maui Now.

Calls renewed for Election Chief Nago's ouster, University of Hawaii seeks money for sports, huge Hoopili project advances on Oahu, Kauai mulls separate ag research land tax, Puna Iselle recovery slow, 20 want to be Maui's top cop, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago © 2014 All Hawaii News

At least two state senators are calling for the dismissal of the chief elections officer over his handling of the postponed election in the storm-ravaged Puna District and the mishandling of a memory card that led to the late discovery of about 800 absentee ballots on Maui. Elections chief Scott Nago will get a chance to discuss both issues, as well as his office's overall performance in the 2014 primary, at a meeting of the state Elections Commission on Friday. Star-Advertiser.

State Office of Elections officials said Monday that a post-election audit showed that a memory card containing the results of 800 mail-in ballots on Maui was inadvertently not fed into the state Office of Elections system. Maui News.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz says he directly thanked President Barack Obama in a phone call for his support during the Democratic primary. Associated Press.

Athletic director Ben Jay is still seeking $3 million in state aid for the University of Hawaii’s cash-strapped sports program, but on Monday evening he backed away from threats of cutting football or other sports if the money isn’t forthcoming. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii at Manoa Athletics Director Ben Jay said Monday that UH athletics programs — including the men's football team — are in jeopardy because of a $1.5 million to $3 million shortfall, and the state Legislature maybe the only remedy, a member of the university's Board of Regents told Pacific Business News.

University of Hawaii athletics director Ben Jay says he needs another $3 million to keep the sports programs going and without a better financial plan the school may have to resort to cutting programs, including the Rainbow Warrior football team. Hawaii News Now.

Just seven years after earning a spot in the storied Sugar Bowl, could the University of Hawaii football team be in danger of elimination? On Monday, UH athletics director Ben Jay revealed to university president David Lassner and the Board of Regents that it could be a possibility if the athletics department does not get help. KHON2.

The Hawaii Department of Education has spent $26 million since 2013 on new Common Core materials that have some teachers worried about instructional flexibility and others nervous about the hasty implementation of a new learning model. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The long-anticipated rezoning request for the huge Hoopili project in West Oahu was submitted to the city Department of Planning and Permitting this month. Project plans call for up to 11,750 homes on 1,289 acres of agricultural land surrounded by Kapolei, Ewa, Waipahu and Kunia. The Hoopili master plan also proposes 3 million square feet of commercial space, five schools and 159 acres of commercial farms. Star-Advertiser.

For Kihei de Silva, the Kawainui-Hamakua Complex Master Plan is a chance to reclaim part of Kailua. The state plan to build pathways and facilities around the marsh in windward Oahu has attracted fierce resistance from many Kailua residents who fear it would open the door to commercializing Hawaii’s largest wetland. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard says federal officials have wrapped up their assessment of damage on the Big Island from Tropical Storm Iselle and are close to submitting their report to Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Associated Press.

Hawaii County Civil Defense reports Monday evening that Puna Geothermal Venture’s Pohoiki plant in Puna is in the process of returning to operation after shutting down Aug. 7 as Tropical Storm Iselle approached the Big Island. West Hawaii Today.

A total of 1,419 Hawaii County residents visited the Disaster Assistance and Recovery Centers (DARCs) organized, set up and ran by the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency from Aug. 14 to 15 at the Pahoa Community Center and from Aug. 16 to 17 at the Mountain View Gym. Hawaii News Now.

It’s been 11 days since Kapoho’s Vacationland Hawaii subdivision was devastated by Tropical Storm Iselle, and neighbors there say they need more guidance and help as they continue to clean up their homes and the popular tide pools around them. At a special meeting of the neighborhood association, residents discussed Monday their concerns with government agency representatives from Civil Defense, the state Department of Health, the University of Hawaii at Hilo and others. Tribune-Herald.

A West Hawaii County Council member says council meetings have lost transparency to the public because some council members have been using a parliamentary maneuver to stifle debate. West Hawaii Today.

Kona Pacific is the first public school in Hawaii to offer breakfast in the classroom to all of its students, regardless of their ability to pay. West Hawaii Today.

While this month’s primary election saw three council incumbents sail smoothly into another two-year term, and another two go unchallenged, the political winds were not as favorable for two lawmakers — state Sen. Malama Solomon and state Rep. Faye Hanohano — who both fell to challengers. Tribune-Herald.

A former employee of the county Department of Finance Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division has pleaded not guilty to embezzling from the county. Tribune-Herald.

Maui
Project coordinators say a plan to revitalize Lahaina's harbor area would make it safer and cater to "pedestrians first." Maui News.

The Maui Police Commission received nearly 20 applications from those seeking to become the county’s next police chief. Associated Press.

The Maui Police Commission continues work to narrow the field of applicants, following an Aug. 12 application deadline for the department’s top job. Maui Now.

The Maui Police Department has received its accreditation renewal for another three years from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Maui News.

Maui County continues to assess damages sustained in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Iselle, as the state works toward compiling a final estimate to be used in determining qualification for federal funding assistance. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Kauai County Council will revisit a bill on Wednesday aimed at taxing the island’s crop research land separate from other agricultural land. Introduced by Councilman Tim Bynum, Bill 2456 would establish “agronomics” as a new and separate real property tax class and exclude lands used primarily for crop research or parent seed production from the county’s definition of “agricultural use.” Garden Island.

More changes could be on the tax horizon. And visitor industry officials and some Kauai residents say that a proposed Kauai County Council bill to establish a new tax class for timeshare properties could have negative consequences on the island’s economy. Garden Island.

Schatz attacks Hanabusa attack ad, Honolulu homeless may get one-way ticket to mainland, fight for breastfeeding rights, Maui mayor stifles staff, nursing homes not inspected, groups fear disclosure veto, turtle selfies banned, NASA test flight, brown water on Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Brian Schatz, Colleen Hanabusa

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz on Saturday knocked U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa for what he called the first negative advertisement in their Democratic primary, a postcard that reminds voters of Schatz's support for the Bipartisan Budget Act, which extended cuts in Medicare. Star-Advertiser.

A Disregarded Request From a Beloved Senator Shakes Up Hawaii’s Primary. New York Times.

The state has failed to inspect more than a third of Hawaii's 45 nursing homes within the time frame required by federal law, reflecting an oversight gap that some experts say could come at the expense of the facilities' vulnerable residents. Concerned about the problem, the federal government is threatening to fine the state as much as $121,000 if the timeliness requirements are not met by the end of September. Star-Advertiser.

Many Candidates Vie for Three At-Large Seats on OHA Board. In all, five posts are up for election this year for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees, which is increasingly under the spotlight. Civil Beat.

How much federal money goes toward Native Hawaiian programs? About $34.9 million per year, according to our preliminary analysis. Hawaii Independent.

Hawaii's health insurance exchange is making a final push to capture a share of the small-business market as the bulk of groups renew policies in July. Despite significant computer glitches that initially stunted its growth, the Hawaii Health Connector is aggressively marketing the Small Business Health Options Program, known as SHOP, the piece of the Affordable Care Act intended to increase insurance options for workers. Star-Advertiser.

Just when they’re needed to help students master newly required skills, librarians seem to have become a low priority at many schools, particularly at the elementary level. Civil Beat.

Two members of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents have resigned after state lawmakers unanimously passed a bill requiring public financial disclosures from people serving on more than a dozen state boards and commissions. Associated Press.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate State Senator David Ige is criticizing  the governor’s notice of intent to veto SB2682, which would require the disclosure of financial statements by members of 15 state boards and commissions,  including the Public Utilities Commission, University of Hawaii Board of Regents, Board of Education, Hawaii Community Development Authority, Board of Land and Natural Resources and others. Hawaii Reporter.

Commentary: League of Women Voters Debunks Governor’s Take on Disclosure Bill. The organization doesn't accept the idea that women would be harmed by the law, and hopes it would help the governor vet nominees. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Governor’s Veto Threat on Bill Shows This Is Not a ‘New Day’ Neil Abercrombie's argument that a transparency bill will harm women is sexist. Civil Beat.

Respect the Locals: Sea Turtle Selfies Are Uncool — and Illegal State, federal officials remind public that harassing honu is against the law and can result in a fine. Civil Beat.

Oahu

A year after the state declined to start up a pilot program to send the homeless back to the mainland, the business community in Waikiki might step up and fill the void. Rick Egged, president of the Wai­kiki Improvement Association, said his organization will be looking to establish some sort of airfare fund in response to a plea from providers of homeless services. Star-Advertiser.

A homeless mother is fighting for her right to breastfeed in public. The woman says the Oahu shelter she is staying at told her to cover up or get out. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu’s homeless are most visible in Kakaako, Waikiki, and Chinatown but they are everywhere throughout the state, in the parks and bushes and at the beach. Several of Hawaii’s political candidates have made addressing Hawaii’s homelessness and lack of housing a top issue this election. Hawaii Reporter.

The deadline for comments on the Kawainui-Hamakua master plan is Monday, and environmental and neighborhood groups are joining forces over concern that the proposed development will damage the natural resources and character of Kailua. Star-Advertiser.

The concrete barriers at popular Laniakea Beach were supposed to be a temporary fix to help keep the traffic flowing along Oahu's famed North Shore, but six months after workers installed them, it's unclear how long "temporary" will be. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The state Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday approved granting the $1.3 billion Thirty Meter Telescope project a sublease for land on Mauna Kea. In concept anyway. While the board voted in favor of the agreement, it won’t go into effect until several contested case hearing requests are resolved. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources voted to approve The University of Hawaii at Hilo's sublease of land on the summit of Mauna Kea for the $1.3 billion Thirty Meter Telescope, but the approval is on hold until the board hears several contested case requests are resolved. Pacific Business News.

The first group of 60 minimum-security inmates are expected to arrive at Hawaii island's Kulani Correctional Facility after it reopens this week, easing some of the crowding in the state's prison system. Star-Advertiser.

The dean of the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy said Friday that he will be stepping down at the end of the year. John Pezzuto, who helped launch the college at the University of Hawaii at Hilo in 2006, is moving on to the Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York, where he will serve as professor and dean. Tribune-Herald.

Some day, tanks at aquaculture farms around the state and nation could be teeming with millions of colorful fish to help stock the nation’s aquariums. At least that’s the dream for Syd Kraul and others who have attempted to strike the fine balance needed to rear species such as angelfish and yellow tang in captivity. But that day isn’t today. West Hawaii Today.

Women of the Womb do a chant to open communication during the launch of the Hawaii Star Visitor Sanctuary and UFO landing pad Friday afternoon in Kalapana near Unle Robert's Awa Club. The event was part of the weekend long Ho'ohana "A Sustainability Talk Story." Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The mayor of Maui ordered an end to direct communication between his staff and members of the Maui County Council. Mayor Alan Arakawa last week directed all county civil service employees, administration directors and staff to stop communicating verbally or in writing with council members or staff. The employees were instead directed to send communications through the office of the mayor and the managing director’s office. Associated Press.

For nearly two decades, Hana residents have known exactly where to go when they have had an after-hours medical emergency - the Hana Health hale where American Medical Response paramedics live. Maui News.

The state’s first flashing yellow arrow traffic signal has been installed on Maui and will be activated at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, June 30, 2014, county officials announced. Maui Now.

Kauai

NASA officials are calling Saturday’s experimental test flight off the coast of Kauai a success, despite a malfunction of the saucer-shaped vehicle’s gigantic parachute. Garden Island.

A mysterious brownish-green plume off Kauai has prompted the state Clean Water Branch to issue a brown-water advisory for the coastal waters between Moloaa and Anahola bays. Star-Advertiser.

The federal government is considering whether the Native Hawaiian community should be treated as its own government and is seeking input from the Kauai community. Public meetings on Kauai are from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Waimea Neighborhood Center and from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Kapaa Elementary School. Garden Island.

Molokai

The Native Hawaiian community on Molokai added its voice to the growing chorus of those who are rejecting a federal proposal that could lead to a formal U.S. relationship with a potential Native Hawaiian government. Star-Advertiser.

Lassner picked as UH president, electric bills rise statewide, Maui injection wells violate Clean Water Act, court clears way for Waimanalo landfill expansion, Hawaii County Council passes $416.9M budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Board of Regents courtesy Hawaii Public Radio, Molly Solomon

The University of Hawaii’s regents selected David Lassner as the institution’s next president Monday after lengthy debate about whether the board should delay selecting a candidate. Associated Press.

After a nearly year-long search, David Lassner was chosen as the new president of the University of Hawaii by the school’s Board of Regents on Monday. Lassner, UH’s longtime information technology executive, has been serving as the university’s interim president since September 2013. Civil Beat.

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents voted Monday to hire its longtime information technology chief to lead the university as its 15th president, saying David Lassner will be able to hit the ground running and help mend the university's bruised reputation while working toward strategic goals to improve UH's delivery of higher education. Star-Advertiser.

In a split vote, the University of Hawaii Board of Regents selected Interim UH President David Lassner as the permanent UH president Monday, while two regents abstained from the vote saying they wanted the university to re-open the presidential search. Hawaii News Now.

David Lassner, courtesy UH

Dr. David Lassner will be the next University of Hawai'i president.  The UH Board of Regents selected interim president Lassner over retired Army Lt. General Frank Wiercinski in a 11 - 2 decision, with two other abstaining from the vote -- insisting instead that UH should start over and re-open the search. Hawaii News Now.

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents voted Monday to choose David Lassner as the next president of the state's 10-campus university system. Pacific Business News.

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents by a vote of 11 to 2 with 2 abstentions appointed David Lassner as the next President of the University of Hawaii System at a special board meeting today.  The board discussed extensively its thoughts on the 11-month search process for the next president, which involved extensive community outreach and feedback from the public on what it wants to see in the next university leader. Hawaii Reporter.

The University of Hawaii has a new president. David Lassner was selected by the Board of Regents on Monday, winning by a vote of 11 to 2 with two abstentions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Electricity bills for most Hawaii residential customers will increase by nearly $5 a month, starting immediately. On Friday the state Public Utilities Commission approved the increase requested by Hawaiian Electric Co., the Hawaii Electric Light Co. on Hawaii island, and Maui Electric Co. as part of an annual adjustment designed to compensate the utility for increased capital expenditures and declines in sales over the past year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii officials will have millions of dollars less than expected to run state government services over the next several years if the Council on Revenues’ latest fiscal forecast holds true. Civil Beat.

Hawaii is ahead most other states in accomplishing President Barack Obama's goals to cut carbon levels. Associated Press.

As Hawaii's humpback whale and green sea turtle populations have bounced back, a Big Island lawmaker has called on the federal government to take them off of the endangered species list. Hawaii News Now.

Chronic overcrowding and an inappropriate infrastructure have put a strain on the staff at the Hawaii State Hospital and added to the risks of working there, hospital officials say. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa sticks up for her stance on Social Security and Medicare, resurrecting an issue she previously downplayed. Civil Beat.

Commentary: OHA’s controversial and heavily contested strategy to “facilitate [Kānaka Maoli] self-governance” has manifested itself in a number of questionable endeavors; most recently, Kana‘iolowalu (the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission established through Act 195 of the ‘State of Hawai‘i’) and a “re-establishment of a government-to-government relationship” under the Obama administration and without congressional approval. Civil Beat.

Houston-based Par Petroleum, which acquired Tesoro Corp. Hawaii last year, is buying the parent company of Mid-Pac Petroleum, the exclusive licensee of the “76” brand in the state and owner of more than 80 retail sites and four terminals across Hawaii, for $107 million, the companies said Monday. Pacific Business News.


Oahu

The state Intermediate Court of Appeals has determined that the final environmental impact statement the city filed for expansion of the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill is valid, clearing one of the legal issues clouding continued operations at Oahu's only municipal and solid-waste dump. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa has lost another battle in her decade-long fight to shut down the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill on Oahu’s Leeward coast, where the city dumps the bulk of its garbage. Civil Beat.

West Oahu-bound drivers will get a reprieve this week from the latest round of nightly roadwork shutting down Ewa-bound lanes on the H-1 freeway. Star-Advertiser.

Many neighborhoods across Oahu deal with the same problem — piles of junk sitting on the curb, sometimes for weeks. Honolulu City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi has introduced Bill 41, which is aimed at solving the bulky item problem. KHON2.

Private equity giant Blackstone and a team of undisclosed financiers plan to invest $415 million to add a 350-foot time-share tower to the Hilton Hawaiian Village, which is the state's largest single resort property. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell says a new law would help get homeless off the streets in Waikiki. Civil Beat.

Hawaii
Facing very little testimony from an apparently apathetic public, the Hawaii County Council made quick work Monday of an operating budget for the new fiscal year, unanimously passing the $416.9 million spending plan Mayor Billy Kenoi proposed to them. West Hawaii Today.

A Native Hawaiian group suing two state agencies over plans to reopen Kulani Correctional Facility has filed a motion in an attempt to prevent the state from enacting its plans to reopen the prison. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A federal judge in Honolulu has ruled that Maui County's use of injection wells at its Lahaina sewage treatment plant violates the federal Clean Water Act, setting up the county for potential fines reaching into the millions of dollars. Associated Press.

The county’s use of injection wells at the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility in West Maui violates the federal Clean Water Act according to a federal district court ruling on Friday, the environmental law firm Earthjustice announced. Maui Now.

Hana Water Co. and Hana Water Resources have submitted their application to Hawaii regulators regarding the transfer of ownership of the two utilities as part of the thousands of acres bought by a subsidiary of Colorado-based Bio-Logical Capital earlier this year. Pacific Business News.

The final environmental assessment for a project to construct a replacement seawall, drainage improvements and a beach access path at Kahana Sunset has been accepted and published by the state. Maui News.

Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration have released an audio recording that features a Hawaiian Airlines pilot talking to air traffic controllers after realizing a teen had stowed away on a flight from San Jose to Maui. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard met with about 40 veterans at the Kauai Veterans Center Monday to discuss what she described as “deep and systematic issues” affecting the Department of Veterans Affairs. Garden Island.

There will be no launch Tuesday of a saucer-shaped test vehicle from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, NASA announced. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Senate to hear GMO bill, agencies decry personnel cuts, judge rules online travel sites owe state $70M, Honolulu mayor to tackle ethics, Volcano House opens, editor named to Kaui newspaper, alleged spy caught in honeytrap, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

GMO protestors, courtesy GMO Justice Coalition

State senators, buckling to public pressure, agreed Tuesday to hold a hearing on a bill that would require the labeling of genetically modified produce imported to Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Heads of Hawaii state departments urged senators to reverse the state House’s decision to cut more than 900 vacant positions from department budgets. Associated Press.

Hawaii Board of Education members at a budget hearing Tuesday urged officials to get a better handle on the millions of dollars that could be chopped from the state’s education budget in July should predicted sequestration cutbacks and preliminary state funding proposals take effect. Civil Beat.

The Department of Education says it has serious concerns over its ability to meet student achievement goals and special-education needs under the reduced state budget moving through the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

State librarian Richard Burns says the house draft would cut $2 million from his budget and eliminate 47 positions. KITV4.

The Hawaii State Board of Education and state Department of Education are launching a new initiative to focus on developing effective school leadership in the nation’s only statewide school system. Pacific Business News.

Thousands of kids are arrested each year in Hawaii for cutting class, only to be thrown through the revolving doors of the juvenile justice system, officials say. Civil Beat.

A Hawaii judge has ruled that online travel companies such as Expedia, Hotels.com, Hotwire, Orbitz, Travelocity and Priceline owe the state of Hawaii $70 million in penalties and interest for failing to file Hawaii general excise tax returns or paying the taxes over a 10-year period. Pacific Business News.

The University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine has been addressing the state’s doctor shortage and need for primary care physicians, and efforts seem to be paying off. Pacific Business News.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has nominated the former head of Kaneohe Ranch, a retired Hawaii Island businessman and the executive director of the Maui High Performance Computing Center to the University of Hawaii Board of Regents. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents has a proposal for helping retire the athletic department's $11.3 million deficit. Hawaii News Now.

State briefs 3/20. Associated Press.

Oahu

The deep spending cuts coming out of Washington, D.C., known as sequestration could mean a reduction in federal dollars spent this year on Hono­lulu's elevated rail project, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

A spike in ethics complaints spurred an ambitious funding request to Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, and it appears he might deliver. Civil Beat.

The city Department of Planning and Permitting on Tuesday gave conditional approval to a controversial condominium-hotel project in Waikiki, ordering its developers to make significant design changes to "soften the appearance of the tower and reduce its apparent mass" before they can proceed. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council is expected to make a historic decision tomorrow … by confirming the appointment of a person who is considered the 4th most powerful government official in the state … behind the governor, lieutenant governor and the Mayor of Honolulu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Members of (de)Occupy Honolulu are holding a 24-hour slumber party protest at City Hall. They've set up tents on the front lawn to protest new sidewalk bills they call unconstitutional. Hawaii News Now.

Benjamin Pierce Bishop's arrest for allegedly passing classified information has left neighbors stunned at the accusations leveled at the "nice guy" they knew, and wondering about a possible other side of Bishop that they never saw. Star-Advertiser.

What happened to turn Benjamin Pierce Bishop -- an Army Reserves lieutenant colonel and defense contractor -- into an alleged conduit of secret information for China? KHON2.

University of Hawaii at Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple is defending the decision to set the proposed salary for Manoa's incoming head librarian at $195,000, saying the candidate was being pursued by other institutions and the salary is commensurate with peer universities. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Almost 10 years after it was constructed, a $1.9 million water tank still sits unused at the corner of Komohana and Kawailani streets in Hilo, as contractors try to repair yet another problem with the ill-fated project. West Hawaii Today.

Legislation seeking to change regulations regarding geothermal development remains alive though it’s not quite the same bill with which lawmakers started. Tribune-Herald.

Federal officials say a DNA-based water quality test, recently approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, could save health departments and other governmental agencies time, allowing government officials to close beaches more quickly in the event of a bacterial outbreak. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island residents and visitors will once again have the opportunity to test their mettle, when Volcano House opens its guest rooms this month to the public as it completes renovations that began last year after a near three-year search for a concessioner that left the historic facility closed since Jan. 1, 2010. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A draft environmental assessment has been filed for the planned Consolidated Rental Car Facility proposed by the state Department of Transportation for the Kahului Airport. Maui Now.

The descendants of a family with ties to the gunner for King Kamehameha I at the battle of Kepaniwai and Kihapi'ilani, one-time king of Maui, will be caring for a family grave site March 30 in West Maui as part of the 21st annual Celebration of the Arts cultural festival at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. Maui News.

Kauai

The Garden Island has hired Bill Buley as its editor-in-chief. He will assume the new post April 15. Garden Island.

A new view for Wailua Beach is under way, and should be ready sometime in April. Much of the view of the beach from the highway will be obstructed by a three-foot, six-inch-tall cement wall extending almost the entire length of the beach. Garden Island.

County Department of Water officials announced Monday the completion of a large scale capital replacement project for the Lihu‘e water system. Garden Island.