Showing posts with label COVID-19. Show all posts
Showing posts with label COVID-19. Show all posts

Monday, January 22, 2024

Campaign spending bills face uphill battle, OHA sues new Mauna Kea management board, 400 Kapiolani nurses go on strike, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New Campaign Spending Laws May Get Sidetracked With The Focus On Maui Fires.  Campaign Spending Commission Executive Director Kristin Izumi-Nitao wants to make sure the state can properly administer proposals designed to clean up politics and encourage newcomers to run for office. Civil Beat.

Wide range of bills aimed at issues broad, specific. New bills introduced this legislative session would allow for a nuclear power plant in Hawaii, guarantee everyone the right to a clean environment and place a cap on ticket prices sold on the open market under the “Bruno Mars Act,” named after the Hawaii-raised superstar. Star-Advertiser.

Green expected to focus on Lahaina, affordable housing in 2nd State of the State. Gov. Josh Green will deliver his second State of the State address Monday and is expected to focus the speech on his administration’s efforts to respond to the Lahaina disaster. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii DOE leaders are urged to cut funds on obsolete programs.
Hawaii public school officials are arguing for more money to restore state budget cuts, cover inflation, continue students’ academic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and insulate against coming “funding cliffs,” but some state legislators are pressing them to first trim spending on any obsolete and ineffective programs. Star-Advertiser.

Here are the key Native Hawaiian issues facing lawmakers this legislative session. When it comes to Native Hawaiian issues, much of this year’s focus will be on unfinished business. Hawaii Public Radio.

A Big Bill From The Pandemic Is Coming Due: Hazard Pay For State And County Workers. Expected settlements could put a significant dent into county budgets. The state, meanwhile, has yet to enter into negotiations with unions over the issue. Civil Beat.

Hawaii financial management system in need of upgrade after halting botched work. The state Department of Accounting and General Services is seeking more than $60 million rom the Legislature, and received heavy criticism from some lawmakers recently after it was disclosed that $8 million of prior work by a contractor was partially or perhaps largely wasted. Star-Advertiser.

Head of state’s new corrections agency looks to reinvent Hawaii’s jails and prison system. The state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) has a new name and new approach. Since the old Department of Public Safety spun off its law enforcement functions, DCR is hoping to reinvent itself, and address the bad rap often associated with managing the state’s jails and prisons. Hawaii News Now.

Push underway to make Hawaii relevant in space again.
State Sen. Glenn Wakai  introduced Senate Bill 2081 Thursday requiring a partnership with the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism to establish an Aerospace and Aeronautics Development Program. Star-Advertiser.

Public hearing on invasive species rules set. A long-awaited public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 30 on proposed amendments to state rules that would strengthen the clout of enforcement over the movement of infested nursery plants within an island.  Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Council mulls use of $39M in COVID federal funds. The City Council is considering legislation outlining use of nearly $40 million in federal funds Honolulu received during the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Medical response to improve as EMS opens fourth district. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services announced the new addition of a fourth district aimed to increase the number of operational staff to both support EMS crews and improve medical response to Oahu’s visitors and tourists.  KHON2.

Kapi‘olani using temp staff to fill in as 400 nurses strike.
  Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women &Children brought in several hundred temporary nurses Sunday to fill nursing jobs after unionized nurses walked off the job and hit the picket line to start a weeklong strike — the first Hawaii Nurses Association strike in about a half-century at the hospital. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Urgent Efforts To Keep Dillingham Airfield Open Are Ongoing. The state previously set a Dec. 31 deadline to reach a deal but it now says enough progress has been made to keep negotiations going. Civil Beat.

Miske Is Set To Stand Trial Alone When His Brother Takes A Last-Minute Deal
. Opening statements in the high-profile case are expected to begin Monday in federal court in Honolulu. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

OHA Challenges Constitutionality Of New Mauna Kea Oversight Authority. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is suing the new authority that is slated to take over management of Mauna Kea in 2028, alleging the state-mandated board is unconstitutional and some of its members have conflicts of interest. Civil Beat.

‘Enforcement action’ conducted: Camps of homeless and others cleared by county, state.
Hawaii County and the state combined forces Thursday and Friday for a sweep of a homeless encampment at Russell Carroll Mo‘oheau County Park in downtown Hilo. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Bill casts spotlight on short-term rentals. The Hawaii County Council’s Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Development on Tuesday will unveil Bill 121, a measure that will establish new regulations on transient accommodation rentals, or TARs, throughout the county. Tribune-Herald.

HOVE residents ‘very upset’ over cell tower approval. The fight over a planned cell tower in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates has ended before it ever began. Tribune-Herald.

Bill seeks to ban bike tour groups on certain roads. Bill 125 — which Kohala Councilwoman Cindy Evans will introduce Tuesday during a meeting of the council’s Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Development — would prohibit commercial bike tours on Kohala Mountain Road and the roughly eight miles of Akoni Pule Highway stretching east from Kohala Mountain Road to Pololu Valley Lookout. Tribune-Herald.

Historic Big Island Hotel Is Set To Become Workforce Housing. Mental Health Kokua will purchase the Manago Hotel, in Captain Cook south of Kona, with $5.5 million in affordable housing funds awarded by Hawaii County, according to a county news release. Civil Beat.

Maui

Unity walk draws 4,000 to support Lahaina as it steps closer to rebuilding after fire. A community that proved its mettle throughout the devastating Aug. 8 fire that wiped out historic Lahaina town and left at least 100 confirmed dead took a significant step forward together Saturday during the Ho‘ulu Lahaina Unity Gathering. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Maui Now.

Portion of Lahaina removed from unsafe water advisory. The Department of Water Supply amended the Unsafe Water Advisory for Lahaina to remove area L-4D.  Maui News.

Maui businesses impacted by wildfires urged to take online survey. The County of Maui Office of Economic Development is using the questionnaire to assess the current health of businesses. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Suspect In Threat To Kauai Councilman Arrested. The county hired private security guards this week after Billy DeCosta received a threat at his council office. Civil Beat. Garden Island.  Hawaii News Now.

KPD rolls out new online verification form for firearm instructors. 
The application was created as an interim measure to implement the recent changes in the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes regarding firearm instructor verification. Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i supports disaster-proof domes at debut public meeting; organizers want concept to go statewide and beyond. The interconnected concrete structures – dubbed the Kaua‘i Resilience Center – would be fireproof, capable of withstanding 290 mph-plus winds, and earthquake, hurricane and tsunami resistant. Kauai Now.

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Supreme Court nominees appear to be shoo-ins, COVID vaccinations low as hospitalizations spike, Navy plane slides into Kaneohe Bay, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green stands with Supreme Court nominees Lisa Ginoza and Vlad Devens before the Hawaii state seal
Hawaii Senate Panel Approves Supreme Court Nominees. Backed by overwhelming public testimony in support of their nominations, the state Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday voted unanimously to approve Lisa Ginoza and Vlad Devens to serve on the Hawaii Supreme Court. Civil Beat.

Interest in COVID vaccines subsides as holidays approach.
As of Wednesday, state Department of Health data showed only an estimated 107,720 people, or roughly 7.6% of Hawaii’s population, received the updated COVID- 19 vaccine. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii hotel bookings dip as travel demand weakens.
Total room nights on the books statewide as of Nov. 5 compared with the same time in 2022 were up 3.9% in November, down 3.3% in December, up 0.5% in January, down 5.6% in February and then flat to down all the way to October, which was off 26.8%, according to HVCB’s analysis of TravelClick Data. Star-Advertiser.

Suspect In Fatal Stabbing Of Nurse Pleads Not Guilty.
The judge ordered Tommy Carvalho to continue to be held without bail because he poses a “serious risk of danger to the community.” Civil Beat.

Panel rejects plant transportation rules. A controversial revision of state rules regarding interisland transportation of plants was rejected Friday by Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Navy plane with 9 aboard slides into Kaneohe Bay. A Navy plane overshot a runway and splashed into Kaneohe Bay on Monday, but authorities said all nine people aboard made it safely to shore with no injuries. Associated Press. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

The city adding more pedestrian safety measures. Dozens of pedestrians have died on Honolulu roadways so far this year. Officials said they are working on safety counter measures to prevent more senseless deaths. KHON2.

Kalakaua Avenue Bridge in ‘poor’ condition, city says. A nearly 100-year-old bridge built over the Ala Wai Canal will undergo significant repairs over the coming year, the city says. Star-Advertiser.

Halawa Prison Electrical Problems Leave Inmates Sitting In The Dark. Electrical problems at the state’s largest prison have caused outages throughout the facility that left about 20% of the cells without power at one point last month, and it is unclear when the outages started or when they will be fixed. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP Cancels Presentations Due To COVID Hospitalizations. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention on November 11 reported a 733.3% increase in Big Island hospital admissions of confirmed COVID-19 from the prior week, jumping from 7.5 (admissions per 100,000 population) to 37.2. Any number over 20.0 is considered “High”. Big Island Video News.

Mayor Roth signs Bill 72, establishing preference for local families.  The bill adds language defining three types of qualified applicants for affordable housing: a “qualified resident,” a “qualified returning student,” and a “qualified worker.”  Big Island Video News. Tribune-Herald.

East Hawaii Island vendors scramble over Dec. 1 enforcement blitz. Street vendors on Hawaii Island have been warned to stay off of Highways by the State Department of Transportation (HDOT). Some could face fines starting Dec. 1 for highway vending. KITV4.

Litigation rekindled over wood-burning Big Isle power plant. An on-and-off effort by the owner of an idle Hawaii island renewable energy power plant to obtain damages in federal court from Hawaiian Electric is on again and seeks over $1 billion. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

New Maui Office Begins Navigating The ‘Complex Landscape Of Recovery’. The county is seeking staff and nearly $21 million for the Office of Recovery, while getting advice from other communities that were devastated by wildfires. Civil Beat.

Rebuild or leave? Lahaina's immigrant families struggle to have hope. It's been more than three months since the fire, and many of Lahaina's immigrant communities are facing the dilemma of deciding whether to wait and rebuild or leave their homes forever. Roughly one-third of Lahaina's population is foreign-born, according to U.S. Census figures.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Disaster Area Restrictions lifted Nov. 24-25 for residents & business in Zones 5G, 7F, 7G. County of Maui Disaster Area Restrictions will be lifted for owners and residents with vehicle passes from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning Friday and Saturday, Nov. 24-25, in Zones 5G, 7F and 7G. Maui Now.

Kula Hospital named in U.S. News and World Report’s ‘Best Nursing Homes’.
Kula Hospital was among the 19 percent of skilled nursing facilities that earned a “high performing rating,” the highest possible achievement, and has an overall rating of 5 out of 5.  Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i hotel room rates climb in September. The average daily rate for a room was $398 in September, according to the Hawai‘i Hotel Performance Report published monthly by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. That was up 9.7 percent from September 2022 and a hefty 67.0 percent from pre-pandemic September 2019. Garden Island.

Brown Water Advisory issued for Wailuā Bay, Lydgate Beach Park. Heavy rain has resulted in stormwater runoff entering into coastal waters. Kauai Now.

Thursday, November 9, 2023

Green announces Maui wildfire fund modeled after 911, audit blasts Honolulu's use of Covid relief money, Skyline train stalls, blocking crossing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

$150 Million Fund Is Established For Families Of Maui Wildfire Victims. The fund is the start of what Gov. Josh Green described as a multi-part plan to compensate survivors and help them rebuild. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

Wildfire prevention prioritized in upcoming legislative session. Emergency preparedness is expected to be a major topic in next year’s legislative session, from management of the land to reduce wildfires to taking a closer look at how homes are built, the House of Representatives was tasked with taking a closer look at ways to mitigate the dangers. KHON2.

Residents urged to get updated flu, COVID shots. In Hawaii, an estimated 98,738 doses of the updated vaccine have been administered, according to DOH data from voluntary reports up to Wednesday, which is nearly 7% of the state’s population. Star-Advertiser.

State officials say the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will provide $5 million for the planting of 75,000 trees. $5 million in federal funds is headed to Hawaiʻi for forest enhancement, state officials say. The new grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, or USDA NRCS, is under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Big Island Video News.

Oahu

Audit Finds Honolulu’s Covid Relief Spending ‘Flawed And Unenforced’.
The City and County of Honolulu’s Covid-relief response included millions of dollars of questionable spending going to potentially ineligible businesses and official vehicles while struggling households were turned away, the city auditor said in a report released Wednesday. Civil Beat.

Passenger Screen Gate Alarm Triggered Skyline Train To Stall, City Says.
Because the train stopped at a track crossing, other trains weren't able to get around it. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Hearing canceled over Ala Wai harbor parking. Opponents claiming a state-level agency intends to end free recreational parking at the popular, state-controlled Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor hoped to make their voices heard at an official meeting today. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Nine Honolulu men cited for illegally fishing in marine life conservation district. Nine men were cited by DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers for illegal fishing in the Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District on Saturday. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Lawmakers tour Big Island ahead of legislative session.  Lawmakers tour Big Island ahead of legislative session. Members of the state Senate Ways and Means Committee have been holding discussions across Hawaii Island this week to help guide future decisions and budget appropriations during the upcoming legislative session. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii lawmakers working on solutions to dearth of home insurance in lava zones. There's a home insurance crisis erupting on the Big Island, and two state lawmakers from that area are working to fix it. The last private insurer for lava zones one and two is planning to leave this market next August. KITV4.

As drought conditions worsen, water restrictions loom on Hawaii Island. Intensifying drought conditions are expected to peak early next year, prompting officials in most counties to warn residents that conservation efforts are ahead. Hawaii News Now.

Affordable housing project for kupuna opens in Pahoa.  The project is described by its owners and managers, Hope Services Hawaii, as a “community of 12 prefabricated modular homes and resource center, serving as affordable housing for kupuna.” Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii lawmakers working on solutions to dearth of home insurance in lava zones. There's a home insurance crisis erupting on the Big Island, and two state lawmakers from that area are working to fix it. The last private insurer for lava zones one and two is planning to leave this market next August.  KITV4.

Parade set for Nov. 25. The Downtown Hilo Christmas Lights Parade committee is looking for morep parade participants before the annual holiday procession hits the street later this month. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Deadline Extended For Maui Fire Survivors Seeking Federal Assistance. County officials hosted the first in a series of public meetings to update residents on wildfire recovery efforts and improve communication. Civil Beat.

Maui declares Stage 2 water shortage. The Maui County Department of Water Supply declared a Stage 2 water shortage Wednesday. The shortage prohibits Upcountry residents from using water for “irrigation, watering lawns, washing vehicles or other nonessential activities,” according to a county news release. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. Maui Now.

Schatz: ‘A Lot Of People Are Going To Be Forced To Leave Maui’. Hawaii’s senior senator worries that victims of the wildfires will leave the islands. He wants the federal government to help make sure that doesn’t happen. Civil Beat.

Pink water at Keālia Pond on Maui likely due to halobacteria growth from high salinity. Preliminary analysis suggests that the color change appears to be the result of a single-celled organism called halobacteria. Officials with the US Fish and Wildlife Service say halobacteria are “salt-loving organisms” found in high salinity water bodies.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Another memorial planned for lives lost in Lahaina fire.
The passage of time was evident Wednesday at the scores of crosses that form a Lahaina memorial on the hillside above the destroyed town. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

County of Kaua‘i launches online reporting tool for road issues. As part of the County of Kaua‘i’s Land Information Management System project, the Department of Public Works and Information Technology Division created an application that provides the public with the ability to confirm the location of a reported County of Kaua‘i road issue on an interactive map. Kauai Now. KHON2.

Lihu‘e Airport traffic holds up in October. A total of 62,216 passengers deplaned domestic flights in October, compared with 72,450 in October 2022, according to data compiled by the state of Hawai‘i’s Department of Business, Economic Development &Tourism. Garden Island.

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Regulators, shareholders kick up the heat on Hawaiian Electric's role in Lahaina fire, looming government shutdown shouldn't hamper recovery efforts, Maui Invitational may move to Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Regulators Push Hawaiian Electric On Liability Insurance Coverage. Hawaiian Electric is facing numerous lawsuits over the Maui fires and questions are being asked about the companies ability to pay any successful claims. Civil Beat. KITV4.

HEI board accused of skimping on safety. A lawsuit filed Monday by a Hawaii Electric Industries shareholder accuses the board of directors of not spending enough on wildfire prevention measures on Maui in the three years before the Aug. 8 fires killed at least 115 people and leveled Lahaina. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Energy secretary talks electric grid improvements, federal fund. Jennifer Granholm visits Lahaina after destructive wildfires. The U.S. Secretary of Energy said she would like to see “undergrounding” of electric lines, weeks after Hawaiian Electric received a $95 million federal grant to improve its grid and equipment in the wake of devastating wildfires on Maui. Maui News.

Schatz: Government Shutdown Shouldn’t Stop Maui Recovery Efforts. President Biden has already approved a disaster declaration that allows Hawaii to access federal relief aid. Civil Beat.

Hawaii leaders, tech experts battle ‘war online’ of misinformation over Maui wildfires. After online rumors from the Maui wildfire linked to China and Russia spread fear and division, big tech took center stage at Capitol Hill. Hawaii News Now.

No timetable for finding cause of Lahaina fire. Evidence gathered by a team of fire investigators with the U.S. Department of Justice after the Aug. 8 Lahaina firestorm could take weeks or months to turn over to the Maui Fire Department. Star-Advertiser.

Former Maui senator who lost Lāhainā home focuses on hope for the future. An act of kindness may have saved the life of veteran Maui lawmaker Rosalyn "Roz" Baker. The former state senator offered an airport ride to a visiting couple only to later see the glow of Lāhainā town in the distance. Hawaii Public Radio.

Businesses push organizers to keep Maui Invitational on the Valley Isle. As organizers of the Maui Invitational college basketball tournament consider whether to move the tournament from Lahaina this year, Maui County businesses are pushing for the event to remain on the Valley Isle. No final decision has been made, but Gov. Josh Green said this week that this year’s invitational will likely be moved to Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

COVID cases continue to climb as new vaccine heads to pharmacies. COVID cases are still on an upward trend, including in Hawaii, where the Department of Health reported there were 1,200 new cases statewide last week. Nearly 900 of them were on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Updated COVID vaccines to be rolled out in Hawaii. The new COVID-19 vaccines targeting the latest omicron variants should be available in Hawaii by next week. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

BWS proposes rate increases starting next year. Expect to pay more in your water bill, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply is planning to increase rates beginning next year.  KHON2.

A Trailhead Shuttle May Be The Answer To Lanikai’s Parking Problems. The idea is being considered as part of efforts to better manage access for popular tourist destinations on Oahu. Civil Beat.

City to install 4G-enabled parking meters by December.
The city is nearing its goal of installing about 4,200 4G-enabled parking meters across urban Honolulu, from Chinatown to Waikiki, by the end of this year. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

HPD chief touts major drop in violent crime, but department refuses to share data on it. Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan recently announced a major drop in violent crime island wide. Hawaii News Now.

Latest Lawsuit In Makaha Police Pursuit Case Invokes Racketeering Charge. The four Honolulu police officers face felony criminal trial in December. Civil Beat.

2 Prisoners Die At Halawa Correctional Facility. One inmate died after a fight. The other had been hospitalized with a medical condition. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Kīlauea daily update: Lava fountains at heights of 32 feet. The roughly east-west trending erupting vents within the Kīlauea caldera now span approximately a half mile — down from about 1 mile — as of this morning and have lava fountain heights of up to about 32 feet. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News.

EPA grants $1.5 million to Hawaiʻi County to expand recycling in Hilo. The US Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday it has awarded $2.2 million in grants to Hawaiʻi for a recycling project in Hilo and a study of waste management across several islands. Big Island Now.

Maui

Committee to discuss comprehensive recovery and resiliency plan on Sept. 18 in Central Maui and Sept. 27 in West Maui. Council member Nohelani Uʻu-Hodgins announced today that the Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee will meet in the Council Chamber on Monday, Sept. 18 at 9 a.m. and on Sept. 27 at The Westin Maui Resort and Spa in Kāʻanapali, to discuss a resolution to develop a comprehensive recovery and resiliency plan in response to the August wildfires. Maui Now.

Two more wildfire disaster victims identified, including teen and 79-year-old Lahaina man. The Maui Police Department released the names of two more victims from the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire. Police today confirmed the identity of: Keyiro Fuentes, 14, and Maurice Buen, 79, both of Lahaina. Maui Now.

2 key Lahaina stores reopen while residents wait their turn.  Maui County on Wednesday reopened two more business zones in the Lahaina wildfire disaster area, including the parcel encompassing Lahaina Cannery Mall and its two anchor tenants, Longs Drugs and Safeway. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  KHON2.

Out of the 99 moorings at Lahaina Harbor, a row of 13 boats appears largely unscathed. After receiving permission from Maui County and the US Coast Guard, officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement escorted the owners, in two groups, to the harbor.  Maui Now.

Over a month after the Lahaina wildfire, Maui first responders face breathing issues. There are reports that first responders on Maui are now dealing with breathing issues like coughing up soot after battling the Lahaina wildfire. Hawaii News Now.

Deadlines for Maui wildfire assistance approaching. Deadlines for victims of the Maui wildfires to register for assistance are coming up fast, starting with one Friday for those still needing emergency lodging. Star-Advertiser.

New online report gives DOE updates on Lahaina schools. A new online status report on Maui public schools and students affected by the Aug. 8 wildfires — including campus safety testing of soil, water and air at three closed campuses in Lahaina, and reopening plans — was made live by the state Department of Education on Wednesday and will be kept updated, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Homes sales fall to lowest total of year on Kaua‘i. A total of 15 single-family homes were sold in July, compared with 24 in July 2022, according to monthly data pooled from multiple sources by Hawai‘i Realtors in Honolulu. That marked a decrease of 37.50 percent in the period and the lowest number of single-family residences sold in any month this year. Garden Island.

SBA Recovery Center opens in Kapa‘a. The U.S. Small Business Administration partnered with the Hawai‘i Small Business Development Center to open an SBA Disaster Assistance and Business Recovery Center on Monday in the former Otsuka’s Furniture building on Kuhio Highway in Kapa‘a. Garden Island.

Friday, September 8, 2023

Housing chief resigning, alleging personal attacks from BJ Penn and others, Honolulu council mixed on flavored tobacco, shopping cart bans, Green to update progress one month into Lahaina fire disaster, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

After housing chief’s resignation, governor calls personal attacks against her ‘despicable’. Housing chief Nani Medeiros’ resignation raises questions about future of Green’s panel. Medeiros — who has been disparaged, sued and criticized in her 10 months on the job — plans to resign, citing recent threats to her and her family. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Hurricane Jova weakens slightly as it continues tracking westward in the East Pacific. The National Hurricane Center said at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jova had maximum sustained winds of 125 miles per hour with higher gusts. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

State epidemiologist warns of high COVID-19 rates, forecasts new vaccine in coming weeks.
State epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble said the state's COVID-19 positivity ratings jumped from 8% in July to more than 15% this month. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Josh Green to update the public today about the deadly Maui fires. Today marks one month since the deadly firestorm that destroyed most of the historic Maui town of Lahaina, killing at least 115 people. Star-Advertiser.

Green says improved response in Lahaina could have saved lives as key questions remain unanswered. One month after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century, basic questions about the government’s preparation and response to the blaze that destroyed Lahaina remain unanswered — as the painstaking task of identifying remains continues. Hawaii News Now.

Hirono delivers remarks on Senate floor, marking one month since Maui wildfires.
US Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) delivered remarks on the Senate floor marking one month since wildfires tore through Lahaina and Upcountry Maui.  Maui Now.

6 House working groups to study Lahaina fire’s aftermath. House Speaker Scott Saiki has appointed six working groups to address a large range of issues relating to the Lahaina fire and wants them to come back with bills to be considered during the next legislative session. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Bill to ban selling flavored tobacco on Oʻahu sees mixed reactions from councilmembers.
While the goal of Bill 46 is to limit enticing vaping products, some are concerned the bill would additionally target sales of cigars and hookah. Hawaii Public Radio.

State gauges interest from developers on new Aloha Stadium project.
So far a total of nine teams of developers showed genuine interest in building out the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District and met with state officials to discuss the plans for the project in one-on-one meetings. KHON2.

City and County of Honolulu working toward banning shopping carts on local streets.
The City and County of Honolulu passed first reading of Bill 49 Wednesday, that would make it unlawful for any person to use, place, leave or in any other manner situate a shopping cart. Shoppers on store premises - permitted to park by owners of the lot, would be an exception. KITV4.

Officials seek input on creating Oʻahu's long-term disaster recovery plan. The recent Maui fires have increased the importance of having a plan in place on every island to guide the recovery process after a natural disaster.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Complaints about overgrown brush rise amid heightened wildfire concerns.
Like many ridgeline communities, Makakilo above Kapolei has a patchwork of land ownership that makes it hard to tell who is responsible for keeping down the wild brush to protect the homes. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiian Airlines to resume Tokyo Haneda-Kona service in October.  Hawaiian Airlines today announced it will restart service between Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, operating three flights Oct. 29. through Nov. 4 before restarting regular weekly service on Nov. 22.  Maui Now.

Maunakea telescope removal slated for next week.  The Caltech Submillimeter Observatory on Maunakea is the first of five telescopes to be decommissioned in exchange for the planned eventual construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Mayor’s Limited Response About Lahaina Fires Leaves Critical Questions Unanswered. Mayor Richard Bissen spoke to the public in a scripted video address but is not returning calls seeking details and clarification. Civil Beat.

DOE: Number Of Students Missing, Killed In Maui Fires Is ‘Too Small’ To Release. Parents demanded more transparency from education officials at a meeting Thursday. Civil Beat.

West Maui May Reopen To Tourism On Oct. 8 As Economic Slowdown Predicted. The Hawaii governor also plans to distribute $1,200 to each adult affected by the Lahaina blaze. Civil Beat.

After loss of restaurant, Mick Fleetwood uses music to benefit Maui. Mick Fleetwood was in Los Angeles visiting family when he got the news that Lahaina was burning and he was unable to get back home. Back on Maui, the legendary drummer discovered his restaurant, Fleetwood’s on Front St., was destroyed. Maui News.

Local Businesses Will Have Priority For New Wildfire Cleanup Contracts. ECC Constructors, a California company with offices in Honolulu, will be the prime contractor leading the second phase of Lahaina’s remediation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has confirmed.  Civil Beat.

Maui beckons tourists, and their dollars, to stave off economic disaster after wildfires.
State tourism officials, after initially urging travelers to stay away, are now asking them to come back, avoid the burn zone and help Maui recover by spending their money. Airlines have started offering steep discounts, while some resorts have slashed room rates by 20% or are offering a fifth night free. Associated Press.

Kaiser launches hotline to support West Maui community. Kaiser Permanente has launched a hotline to connect those in the West Maui community in need of in-person counseling, emotional support, and links to resources.  Star-Advertiser.

Kauai


Kaua‘i firefighters extinguish multiple brush fires Wednesday
.  Kaua‘i Fire Department firefighters extinguished brush fires in Anahola and Kōke‘e. Kauai Now.

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Hurricane Jova intensifies to Cat 5, Hawaii House organizes committees on Maui wildfires, Honolulu plans examiner sentenced for taking bribes, COVID death toll passes 2k mark, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Jova intensifies into category 5 hurricane in East Pacific. Jova rapidly intensified today and was a category 5 hurricane as of 5 p.m., according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. However, forecasters said its impact on land will be minor, and will likely weaken into a post-tropical remnant low well before reaching the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.  KITV4.

Hawaii judge could become only Native Hawaiian woman on federal bench. Shanlyn A.S. Park, a longtime attorney and state court judge, has been nominated to serve as a judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii. Park, a graduate of the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law, has been a state court judge on the First Circuit Court on Oahu since 2021. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s COVID-related deaths surpass 2,000.  Metrics for COVID, meanwhile, show a decline in the seven-day average of daily cases to 129, down from 170 the previous week, according to DOH. The statewide average positivity fell to 12%, down from about 15% reported the previous week. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island. KITV4.

Hawaii House To Explore Legislative Action On Wildfires. The Hawaii House of Representatives is setting up six interim working groups to make recommendations regarding the wildfires that devastated Lahaina last month. The legislative proposals will be taken up in the new session that begins in January. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Hit to Hawaii economy from Maui fire pegged at $1.9 billion through 2024.
The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism expects that Hawaii’s economy will lose about $600 million in previously expected growth this year and about twice as much next year. Star-Advertiser.

AI model finds climate change directly intensified rainfall, droughts.
An international team, including University of Hawai‘i at Manoa researchers, found that human-produced climate change has caused significant variations in day-to-day rainfall fluctuations, exacerbating heavy rainfall and drought events and increasing their severity. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Oahu

Ex-city employee gets 10 months for taking bribes. A former city building plans examiner was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison for accepting more than $28,000 in bribes to fast-track projects through the permitting process. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Council advances bill with $25K ‘monster home’ penalty.  The Honolulu City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve the first reading of Bill 52 — forwarded first by the city Department of Planning and Permitting, then formally introduced by Council Chair Tommy Waters on Aug. 31 — that is focused solely on levying higher fines. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Restricted Parking Zone Bill Hits Another Detou
r. The Honolulu City Council voted 5-4 Wednesday to defer a decision on whether to expand restricted parking zones that began as a pilot program in Kalihi to other neighborhoods on Oahu. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Kunia woman accused of stealing pandemic benefits.  A 54-year-old Kunia woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday after she was charged in a 12-count federal indictment with taking more than $50,000 from a pandemic unemployment insurance program using other people’s identities. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu home prices stay close to flat. Sales of previously owned homes on Oahu remained depressed in August while prices didn’t change much amid higher mortgage interest rates, an industry report released Wednesday shows. Star-Advertiser.

Nadine Kam, Hawaii’s preeminent food writer, dies at 63. Nadine Kam, followed by readers of both the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and Honolulu Star-Advertiser for her spirited coverage of the local restaurant industry, fashion and music, died Tuesday night in Waipahu after a battle with cancer. She was 63. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council resolution seeks to spur action on high cost of home insurance in Lava Zones 1 and 2. When Florida insurer Universal Property and Casualty Insurance Co. announced in July that it will leave the Hawaii home and condo insurance market at the end of August 2024, hundreds of the provider’s Puna customers found themselves between a rock an a hard place. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii County announces 24th annual Queen Lili‘uokalani Festival. The County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation announces the He Hali‘a Aloha No Lili‘uokalani Festival to be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9 in Hilo’s Lili‘uokalani Park and Gardens. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

In visit to Maui, HUD deputy secretary promises to make sure residents ‘hold onto their land’.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is pledging to make sure Lahaina residents are able to “hold onto their land” as they navigate losing their homes to the Aug. 8 wildfire.  HUD Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman is on the ground and plans to meet with Gov. Josh Green and wildfire victims who have lost their homes and are worried about what will happen to everything they have built and worked for.  Hawaii News Now.

Maui County launches Maui Recovers website
. Maui Emergency Management Agency’s interim administrator Darryl Oliveira announced Wednesday the county’s long-awaited Maui Recovers website, which includes updates on re-entry into Lahaina. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  KHON2.

The state is trying to contact 500 displaced Lahaina public school students. The number of displaced Lahaina public school students who still haven’t been reached by the state or enrolled in new schools is now down to slightly more than 500, and authorities will continue to work by phone and on foot until each one is contacted, a top state education official said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Free bus service to start for Lahaina students needing to get to temporary schools. The state Department of Education will start free bus services on Thursday for Lahaina students impacted by the Aug. 8 wildfire and need to get to their temporary schools in Central and South Maui. Hawaii News Now.

State’s vehicle replacement program has no details; more an effort to ensure supply. The news release announcing the program said interested individuals can contact national companies Hertz, Avis-Budget or Enterprise about rental cars for purchase — or “reach out to any local Maui automobile dealership for more details.”But those rental car companies and Maui dealerships reached on Wednesday said they did not know anything about a vehicle replacement program.  Maui Now.

Some Lahaina stores slowly reopen. As Maui County lifted restrictions on the Lahaina Gateway shopping center this week, business remained slow at Maui’s largest open-air mall as residents continue to grapple with the aftermath of the deadly fire that burned down most of the town last month. Star-Advertiser. Maui News.

Some Historic Lahaina Buildings Could Rise From The Ashes. The town's historic preservation group is considering plans to reconstruct some buildings that partially survived the Aug. 8 fire. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kōkeʻe brush fire extinguished.
The Kaua‘i Fire Department reports that the brush fire on Waimea Canyon Drive in Kōkeʻe has been extinguished and crews have cleared the scene. Waimea Canyon Drive is now open. Kauai Now.

Hanalei Beach parking lots close for temporary repairs.
County parking lots at Hanalei Bay will be temporarily closed Wednesday and Thursday for repairs. Kauai Now.

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Pukas exposed in statewide warning systems, Rep. Case misses Speaker McCarthy's Lahaina tour due to COVID, Legislature spreads more wealth off Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State Climate Commission releases reports on clean transportation choices for Hawaiʻi. In Hawai’i, 70% of personal trips are under five miles and account for 15% of vehicle miles traveled – this means that many trips are ripe for new modes if they are safe and accessible. The Hawaiʻi State Climate Commission has released three new reports detailing clean transportation investments that promote walking, biking, rolling and transit across the state as an integral component to help address climate change.  Kauai Now.

Analysis Shows Hawaii House Spread Project Money To The Neighbor Islands. Most of the state’s money for capital improvement projects for schools, airports, harbors, hospitals and more is not going to Oahu, a Civil Beat review of appropriations approved this past session shows. Civil Beat.

State unemployment modernization project lags as Maui claims mount.
Maui’s initial unemployment and disaster unemployment assistance claims have soared to more than 15,000, and the state’s multimillion-dollar project to strengthen the unemployment insurance safety net and prepare it for the next economic downturn is back at the starting block. Star-Advertiser.

Deficiencies abound with Hawaii’s disaster warning sirens
. They typically blare once a month and help ensure Hawaii’s population will be safe during life-threatening emergencies, but the state’s outdoor warning siren system has a long history of serious — and in some cases deadly — ineffectiveness. Star-Advertiser.

House Speaker McCarthy tours Lahaina with delegation.
After touring fire-ravaged Lahaina with a bipartisan congressional delegation Saturday, U.S. House Speaker Kevin Mc­Carthy pushed back on claims that climate change contributed to the Aug. 8 disaster that killed at least 115 and destroyed more than 2,200 structures, most of them homes. Star-Advertiser. Maui News.

U.S. Rep. Ed Case says he has contracted COVID-19 and did not attend Saturday's tour of Lahaina with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other Congress members. Star-Advertiser.

State’s independent investigators haven’t ruled out criminal wrongdoing in Lahaina wildfire disaster. Interviews are being conducted as part of an independent investigation into the Lahaina wildfire that will look at possible causes, government missteps and even whether there is any criminal wrongdoing that the state should pursue. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Replaces Maui And Kauai Ambulance Company With One That Has A Questionable Record. Paramedics and EMTs say the Hawaii Department of Health has lowered care standards for Maui and Kauai. Civil Beat. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

New Lawsuits Attack Hawaii Governor’s Broad Plan To Build More Housing. Critics say Hawaii's housing crisis isn't what the Legislature had in mind when it gave the governor "sole power" to decide when an emergency exists. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Orders Review Of Wildfire Risk On Oahu. Honolulu's managing director will assess existing fire studies to determine risks as well as firefighting and other emergency response capabilities. Civil Beat.

City, HPD Face Lawsuit Over 2021 Killing Of Kakaako Man. Brandon Ventura's father says his son needed a crisis negotiator not a SWAT team after he called 911 to say he was going to kill himself. Civil Beat.

Authorities confirm another brutal murder at OCCC, but won’t say if anyone was charged. Authorities are investigating another murder at OCCC, but have refused to reveal details into the brutal killing — which left a mentally ill man awaiting trial dead. Hawaii News Now.

New Kahe Point Beach Park lifeguard tower is saving lives, data shows.  The Honolulu Ocean Safety department said since the tower’s Aug. 3 installation, lifeguards have performed seven rescues. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Proposal would prohibit disposal of certain recyclables into landfill. In order to extend the usable life of the West Hawaii Sanitary Landfill, a Hawaii County commission is drafting a bill that would prohibit disposing of recyclable materials at that facility. Tribune-Herald.

Work on Hilo affordable housing project not likely to begin until 2025. Hale Ola O Mohouli is a planned housing project that would build 90 units on a state-owned 9-acre lot on Mohouli Street, adjacent to the Mohouli Heights Senior Neighborhood. Tribune-Herald.

Public input sought for Great Crack, Ala Wai‘i. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is seeking community input about the potential future use and stewardship of the remote Great Crack and Ala Wai‘i areas. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Former Maui Mayor Asked For West Maui Wildfire Money 2 Years Ago But Dropped The Request. The Maui mayor's office prepared an application for a fire mitigation grant for West Maui, but gave up on the effort last year after FEMA objected to the county proposal. Civil Beat.

Evacuation alert shows limits of cellphone warning system.  As fire was billowing through residential neighborhoods in Lahaina on Aug. 8, emergency managers for Maui County sent out an evacuation alert that would blare on the cellphones of anyone near the blaze. New York Times.

An Instagram Fundraiser Brought In $2.6 Million For Maui Fire Victims. Now It’s In This Woman’s Hands. Tiare Lawrence, a Native Hawaiian organizer and activist from Maui, will help dole out the money, some of which she says will be used to purchase land and build a memorial park. Civil Beat.

Maui police request public help to file unaccounted for missing person report. As of Monday, MPD had 110 missing person reports relating to the Lahaina wildfire, 41 of which are actively being investigated and are considered open. Maui Now.

West Maui students not enrolled or contacted reduced to 1,208. The number of displaced West Maui public school students who still have not enrolled in new schools or been contacted by state officials is 1,208, down from the 2,025 first reported late last month. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kaua‘i’s rivers, streams polluted despite dry season. Every month, Surfrider Kaua‘i’s Blue Water Task Force analyzes samples of streams, rivers and surf spots across the island to check for the enterococcus bacterium, a federally recognized indicator of fecal presence in water. Garden Island.

These Kauaʻi businesses have bounced back from their COVID-era downturns. Mark Perriello is president and CEO of the Kauaʻi Chamber of Commerce. He said membership in the chamber declined 25% through the pandemic.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Bipartisan congressional panel tours Maui, Hawaiian Electric stock rallies after lawsuit response, Friday siren test canceled statewide, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Governor Enlists Help From Federal Lawmakers Visiting Maui. A bipartisan congressional delegation met Green on a tour of communities impacted by the fires in Lahaina and Upcountry. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Inmates are being asked to participate in the massive effort to ID those killed in Lahaina. In an effort to identify more of the Lahaina wildfire victims, the state is tapping into a set of the population that may be willing to provide DNA samples. Inmates at all Hawaii jails and prisons are being asked to participate in the effort. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Electric Shares Soar After It Deflects Blame For Lahaina Fires. Shares in the utility’s parent, Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc., rallied 45% Monday to close at $13.97 after a Sunday evening announcement by the company claiming that all its electrical lines in West Maui had been powerless for more than six hours when flames reported around 3 p.m. Aug. 8 quickly spread and overwhelmed first responders to become the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

First Maui victims were loaded into ambulances at least 12 hours before state was notified of deaths. Paramedics started picking up patients in Lahaina with fire-related injuries a little after 3. p.m. on Aug. 8 — at least 12 hours before the county notified key state leaders people had died in the disaster. Hawaii News Now.

HI-EMA cancels September siren test to avoid conflict with Maui memorial. State officials are canceling the monthly all-hazard statewide outdoor warning siren system test scheduled for Friday. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KITV4.

AG will not reinstate water official anytime soon, despite calls from some in the Hawaiian community.
Several dozen prominent Native Hawaiian leaders gathered at the Capitol last week to voice their concerns about the redeployment of Water Commission Deputy Kaleo Manuel. They are calling on an apology from the Green administration and Manuel's reinstatement. Hawaii Public Radio.

California’s catastrophic Camp Fire could suggest what’s ahead for Lahaina. Officials with the town of Paradise, Calif. — which before Lahaina suffered America’s previous deadliest wildfire in more than a century — have reached out to Gov. Josh Green and Maui County officials to share their experiences as a potential road map of what could lie ahead for Lahaina. Star-Advertiser.

Ex-Maui Rep Kaniela Ing Pleads No Contest To Campaign Spending Violation. Kaniela Ing, who represented South Maui from 2012 to 2018 and also ran for Congress, was charged in February after the Campaign Spending Commission took the rare step of referring the case to prosecutors. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Covid Outbreak Prompts Restrictions At Hawaii’s Largest Prison.  Dozens of prisoners and at least one corrections officer at Halawa Correctional Facility have tested positive for Covid-19, leading to restrictions on activities at the state’s largest prison. Civil Beat.

Honolulu County to temporarily reopen Rent and Utility Relief Program for new applicants
. Oahu residents seeking rental or utility relief can apply for the Honolulu County program, which is reopening to new applicants in September. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Kīlauea volcano exhibiting signs of elevated unrest. Elevated seismic activity continues in an area south of Kīlauea’s summit caldera. Earthquakes occurred steadily through the day Sunday. Big Island Now.

Work progresses on CSO decommissioning: Telescope’s secondary mirror removed last week.
The Caltech Submillimeter Observatory is the first of five summit telescopes slated for decommissioning in exchange for the eventual planned construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Tribune-Herald.

Connections to scale back plan for new campus. Plans had been in the works since 2006 for a campus on 70-plus acres of land near the corner of Kaumana Drive and Edita Street in Hilo.  Tribune-Herald.

24 Hawaiian Homes Units Awarded In Kona.
The units are part of the Laʻi ʻŌpua Village 4 ʻĀkau development in Kealakehe, a rent-to-own Hawaiian Home Lands community. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Lahaina wildfire recovery Day 20: land search is complete, survivors are no longer expected. On day 20 since a deadly wildfire swept through Lahaina Town, Governor Josh Green said the search and rescue on land is complete, and the discovery of any survivors is no longer expected. Maui Now. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Maui fire death toll unchanged, but new names released. The confirmed death toll from the Aug. 8 wildfire remained at 115 Monday, with two more Lahaina residents joining the list of those who died in the disaster. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Maui’s Fire And Winds Also Took A Toll On Farmers And Ranchers. The state's ag industry mobilized to provide aid and the state bought feed, but ranchers need rain to grow grass soon. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Visitor mandate resolution falls apart. Kaua‘i County Council members on Wednesday proposed a resolution aiming to implement visitor requirements, including proof of a round-trip ticket or proof of employment in order for people to travel to Hawai‘i. Garden Island.

Ground broken for homes for Hawaiians in Hanapepe. Huli ka lepo (turning of dirt) by state Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands dignitaries, contractors and federal and state officials marked the start of construction on Aug. 23 of a future housing site adjacent to an existing DHHL development in Hanapepe Heights. Garden Island.

Monday, August 28, 2023

State land transfers seek to reinvigorate farming, Hawaii municipal bonds plunge following Maui fires, lawsuits fly over who's to blame, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State agencies begin transfer of Act 90 lands. After two decades of mostly inaction, the state has begun transferring thousands of acres of pasture land to its Department of Agriculture in a significant win for farming in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

A Cascade Of Breakdowns In Lahaina Fire Exposes Flaws In Emergency Management System. Emergency preparedness plans identified West Maui as high risk. Under an inexperienced emergency manager, the plans didn’t translate into action. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Power lines didn’t start deadly Lahaina inferno, Hawaiian Electric says. Hawaiian Electric acknowledged that its power lines apparently started an Aug. 8 morning fire in Lahaina but contends the town was leveled by a different fire that began in the afternoon, hours after the company’s equipment had been “de-energized.” Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Bare electrical wire, leaning poles on Maui were possible causes of deadly fires
. Videos and images analyzed by The Associated Press confirmed those wires were among miles of line that Hawaiian Electric Co. left naked to the weather and often-thick foliage, despite a recent push by utilities in other wildfire- and hurricane-prone areas to cover up their lines or bury them. Associated Press.

Lawyers Descend On Maui In Race For Clients Harmed By Wildfires. Survivors are being asked to make decisions about legal representation just weeks after a deadly blaze ripped through Lahaina. Civil Beat.

Financial impact of wildfires goes beyond numbers, says UH economist. The University of Hawaiʻi's Economic Research Organization is working on an analysis of the impact of the fires on Maui. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Green releases $30M to fund fire response. State response to the Lahaina fires is being paid for in part with $30 million from Gov. Josh Green’s discretionary fund. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii municipal bonds take a plunge. Hawaii state and local municipal bonds have surrendered all their 2023 gains in the past three weeks after the deadly Maui wildfires delivered a fresh reminder of climate risk in the $4 trillion market for state and local debt. Bloomberg.

State warns of COVID uptick on Maui, statewide. Dr. Sarah Kemble, state epidemiologist, said COVID-19 numbers have been steadily increasing over the past month in Hawaii and nationwide and that there are now concerns for Maui. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Red Hill to start ‘milestone’ in defueling. The military entity charged with removing 104 million gallons of aviation and marine fuels from the Navy’s controversial, underground Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Halawa marks a milestone Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Makakilo rock quarry expansion is sought. A rock quarry in Makakilo that has long aggravated some and appeased other residents in communities built around the 50-year-old mining enterprise is aiming to expand and extend operations. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

‘How can anyone afford that?’ Few insurance options remain for residents in lava zones 1 and 2. A contentious meeting regarding homeowners insurance for Puna residents and others was held Wednesday at the Hawaiian Shores Community Center. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County chosen for Cities Forward program.  Hawaiʻi County will be one of 12 municipalities participating Cities Forward program, a U.S. Department of State initiative “seeks to foster urban sustainability on a global scale.” Big  Island Video News. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island’s Pohoiki boat ramp — landlocked by 2018 Kīlauea eruption — could reopen by end of 2024. The long, frustrating wait to regain direct access to the ocean and lucrative fishing grounds via Puna’s Pohoiki boat ramp — which became landlocked during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption — could finally be over before the end of next year. Big Island Now.

Learn to be prepared: CERT training offered next month in Puna. The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency is inviting the public to a two-day Community Emergency Response Team training course scheduled for the end of September in Keaau. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Hosts Cantankerous Meeting In Volcano Village. Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth and his cabinet held another town hall event Thursday evening at a crowded Cooper Center in Volcano Village, where officials heard the usual questions and concerns from residents about roads, planning, and emergency preparedness. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Oliveira tapped to lead Maui Emergency Management Agency.  Maui Mayor Richard Bissen has named Big Island resident Darryl Oliveira, former head of Hawaii County Civil Defense, to be the interim administrator of the Maui Emergency Management Agency. Oliveira also formerly was chief of the Hawaii Fire Department. Tribune-Herald. Maui News.

HHS secretary visits Maui to pledge federal aid for health care.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary visited Maui on Friday. Xavier Becerra has been meeting with fire survivors and first responders. Hawaii News Now.

Interactive map shows unsafe water advisories on Maui. UH, Purdue researchers are sampling Kula system. Recent testing results released by the state Department of Health detected benzene in one Lahaina sample and the presence of toluene and xylenes in one Kula sample.  Maui News. Hawaii News Now.

Maui police confirm the identity of three more Lahaina wildfire disaster victims. Maui police have identified 43 individuals publicly following notification of next of kin, including three additional individuals on Sunday afternoon.  Maui Now. KHON2.

Kauai

Polihale Park Is Poised For A $4.3 Million Makeover. The remote park that is the site of Native Hawaiian burials and a popular camping spot has suffered years of neglect. Civil Beat.