Electricity market may open to competition, Maui mulls phasing out 7k vacation rentals, sheriff's deputies arrested in racial harassment probe, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Electricity market may open to competition in upcoming PUC docket. More options for consumers to choose whom to buy power from might be coming to Hawaii, in what would be a sea-change from the monopoly HECO has held for decades. KHON2.

Certification launched for visitor industry businesses. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority today is launching a visitor industry certification program, called Qurator, that offers Hawaii businesses a chance to earn an official mark of excellence, which fits into HTA’s push toward a more regenerative tourism model. Star-Advertiser.

California, Hawaii among 15 states with elevated coronavirus levels in sewage. The new COVID-19 subvariants collectively nicknamed FLiRT are continuing to increase their dominance nationwide, fueling a rise in cases in Los Angeles County and growth in the coronavirus levels seen in California wastewater. Los Angeles Times.

2 sheriff’s deputies arrested, 8 on leave amid racial harassment inquiry. Two state sheriff’s deputies have been arrested in the past week as part of an ongoing investigation into incidents of harassment and inappropriate conduct involving a Black trainee. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

News media urge Green not to veto House bill. Journalists and news media groups are speaking out against Gov. Josh Green’s apparent decision to preserve a Hawaii statute that grants his office the authority to shut down electronic communications during a state of emergency. Tribune-Herald. KHON2.

Oahu

Judge finds former OCCC officer guilty of murdering his mother. An Oahu Circuit Court judge found Anthony F. Pereira II guilty as charged Tuesday of second-degree murder in the June 10, 2016, shooting death of his 66-year-old mother, Barbara Pereira, at his home in Maili. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Honolulu Poised To Pay Former HPD Officer Who Faced Retaliation For Affairs With 2 Female Cops. Justin Castro said he was discriminated against because of his gender. The amount of the settlement, which is pending approval by the City Council, has not been disclosed. Civil Beat.

New homeless mental health facility gearing up for opening in Honolulu. The city hopes to open a brand new facility next week dedicated to addressing mental health issues, according to Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board aims to prevent potential turbines off their shores. Many have come to love the world famous views from the shores of East Oahu, but those sightlines could change if rumors of turbines come to fruition.   KITV4.

Community urges takeover of privately owned Ewa road. During the City Council’s Committee on Executive Matters and Legal Affairs afternoon meeting, some Ewa Beach residents and a state lawmaker backed Council member Augie Tulba’s Resolution 107, which urges the city administration to take steps toward the eminent domain of the noncity, nonfederal portions of North Road due to health and public safety hazards. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Construction company that erroneously built HPP home must pay to remove it, judge says. A construction company that mistakenly built a house on a Hawaiian Paradise Park lot owned by a California woman has been ordered to pay for the demolition of the structure and removal of debris. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Feds Award $17.5 Million For Hilo Roundabout. The funding will be used to construct a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of Bayfront Highway and Waiānuenue Avenue in Downtown Hilo.  Big Island Video News.

Keauhou Bay Plan Detailed In Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Commercial, cultural and educational activities will be reconfigured on 29 acres at Keauhou Bay in North Kona under the Kamehameha Schools plan. Big Island Video News.

Public optimistic but express concerns regarding funding and location of proposed new Kona hospital. About 70 people attended a public informational meeting in the Hawai‘i County Council Chambers at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center, held by Kona Community Hospital leadership to discuss a recent report that assessed the current and future healthcare needs of West Hawai‘i.  Big Island Now.

Expansion project could close Kilauea Visitor Center for 2 years. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has been expanding its facilities to accommodate more visitors since the 2018 Summit collapse, which closed the Jaggar Museum. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Maui County weighs phasing out thousands of vacation rentals. A Maui fire marshal ordered officials to thin the crowds inside a Maui County Planning Commission hearing Tuesday to review a proposal from Maui Mayor Richard Bissen to phase out thousands of vacation rentals. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Survey: Visitors’ experience on Maui has improved since Aug. 8 wildfires. The percentage of visitors to Maui that rated their trip “excellent” was 89.8% from the US East, 86.3% from Europe, 86.2% from the US West, and 85.9% from Canada.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Shores Hotel renovations pau. Kaua‘i Shores, a 200-room boutique hotel located in Waipouli, started renovating its four main buildings in June 2023 with Shioi Construction as the general contractor for the project. Garden Island.

Staff shortage jeopardizes new coffee labeling law, Honolulu prepares to create greater housing density, test shortage as COVID-19 infection rate reaches 20%, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Inspector shortage could make new coffee labeling laws a challenge to enforce. A new coffee labeling law is set to become effective next month, but a shortage of state Department of Agriculture inspectors could make that a difficult task. Hawaii Public Radio.

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in Hawaii. The Department of Health reported an average positivity rate — or percentage of all tests positive — of 16.7%, up from 15.9% the previous week. This is a steep rise from the average positivity of just 4.3% on May 1. In Honolulu, the average positivity was even higher than the statewide average, at 20.1%. Star-Advertiser.

Think you have COVID? Good luck finding a test kit. Some people said finding a COVID test isn’t as easy as it used to be and neither is getting vaccinated. KHON2.

Some local hospitals mask up as COVID-19 cases climb again. Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi is encouraging the use of masks for its patients, members and visitors, starting Monday. Healthcare workers are also required to wear masks in some areas. Hawaii Public Radio.

Over $40M to fund substance abuse treatment, recovery in Hawaii. Tens of millions of dollars for substance abuse treatment in the Islands is what dozens of recently-awarded State contracts call for across Hawaii. KHON2.

Oahu

The Honolulu City Council Fought A Bill Requiring Greater Neighborhood Density. Now It Must Carry It Out. Council members say that their housing efforts already address the state's desire to create greater density and do more to encourage locals to stay in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Honolulu ethics panel lauds bill clarifying gift-giving rules. Crafted with the panel’s assistance, Bill 23 is supposed to tighten existing rules that bar city workers from accepting gifts valued in excess of $50, also clarifying which gifts may be solicited or accepted. Star-Advertiser.

City releases plan to eliminate traffic fatalities, injuries by 2040. The O‘ahu Vision Zero Action Plan includes various steps to get the city to reach its goal. Hawaii Public Radio.

Extended power outage costly for many Chinatown businesses. For businesses across Chinatown, the latest Hawaiian Electric Co. outage has meant thousands upon thousands of dollars in lost revenue, with many restaurants and other food establishments being forced to throw away spoiled products. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Construction starts on Blaisdell Center parking garage solar project. The City and County of Honolulu broke ground on the $11 million project that will see the installation of 4,500 photovoltaic panels on the entire upper deck of the parking structure. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

There will be more recyclable items to add to your green cart in Honolulu. More than just plant cuttings, grass clippings and green waste will go into green bins when the city expands its recycling effort, so will leftover food. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Council OKs new regulations for bike tours. Bill 125 began life in January as a specific restriction upon bicycle tour operators from using Kohala Mountain Road and a roughly eight-mile stretch of Akoni Pule Highway for their businesses, but evolved over several meetings into a more comprehensive set of islandwide regulations on the whole bike tour industry. Tribune-Herald.

HPD’s DUI arrests questioned; county auditor forwards complaint to Police Commission. When the Hawaii County Police Commission meets Friday, the agenda includes an unofficial complaint alleging the department’s officers automatically arrest and charge motorists with driving under the influence of intoxicants when drug paraphernalia is found. Tribune-Herald.

Council approves the use of eminent domain to get land for Pohoiki Road. A land dispute regarding a pair of Puna land parcels Hawaii County needs access to in order to reopen Pohoiki Road seems unlikely to be resolved cordially. Tribune-Herald.

Benioffs Donate Additional 158 Acres In Waimea. The donation brings the total amount of Waimea land donated by Marc and Lynne Benioff for affordable housing to 440 acres. Big Island Video News.

Maunakea considered for the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park Service is seeking public input about the potential inclusion of Maunakea on the National Register of Historic Places. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Community Foundation Takes Stock With Millions In Maui Strong Funds Still To Spend. The Hawaii Community Foundation said it was preparing to release a report on the impact of the funds. Its findings might determine where future dollars go. Civil Beat.

Maui Will Likely Need To Keep Lahaina Fire Debris In Temporary Landfill Much Longer Than Expected. The county is battling a private landowner in an eminent domain case to use the Central Maui property as the permanent site. Civil Beat.

Report: Community ownership offers solution to land retention following Maui wildfires. The expansion of community ownership of real estate in West Maui is one of the few solutions that promises to make homeownership more accessible and build local families’ wealth following the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires in Lahaina. Maui Now.

Mixed blessings reported at temporary shelter for post-wildfire homeless people. It’s been a rocky road for Puʻuhonua o Nēnē, a temporary homeless shelter near Kahului Airport that has provided emergency tented shelter for 120 to 130 people nightly since opening last fall within weeks of the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire disaster. Maui Now.

Maui health center allegedly attacked by Russian hackers. Last month, the center was shut down for more than two weeks but now says its systems are “fully operational.” Hawaii News Now.

Kupu announces 40 youth focused paid opportunities for relief efforts. Kupu, Hawai’i’s largest youth-focused conservation and sustainability nonprofit, announced on Wednesday its Maui relief efforts, EO Maui (Emergency Outreach), has nearly 40 paid opportunities available through partnerships with Maui-based organizations. Maui News. Maui Now.

Kauai

Closed through end of year: Loop Road in Wailuā on East Side of Kaua‘i. The Wailuā Forest Management Road, commonly known as “Loop Road” in the Līhuʻe-Kōloa Forest Reserve on the East Side of Kaua‘i, will remain closed through the end of the year. Kauai Now.

Disaster declaration for Kaua‘i approved by Biden. A federal disaster declaration from President Joe Biden was hailed by local and federal lawmakers, who said the decision would bring much needed relief to communities on Kaua‘i impacted by severe weather and flooding in April. Garden Island.

Too late for TMT? Plus, campaign shenanigans in state House races, high COVID warning and more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New TMT team changes approach to get community support, but is it too late for the telescope? It’s been five years since thousands of protesters blocked the start of construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope planned near the summit of Mauna Kea. Now, a different management team is trying a different approach to try to move the telescope forward. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Health Department warns of high COVID activity. The Hawaii Department of Health said its Respiratory Disease Dashboard shows COVID activity level is red, or at a high activity level, indicating the virus is circulating at high levels compared with historic trends. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Many Hawaii High School Counselors Are Taking The Summer Off As School Budgets Run Short. Not all campuses have the budget to offer year-round counseling services, and roughly half of high schools in the Hawaii Department of Education offer summer college and career counseling. Civil Beat.

Republican primary producing complaints to HPD. State Rep. Kanani Souza, an attorney representing Kapolei and Makakilo, in complaints filed with the Hono­lulu Police Department on April 28, May 16, and June 9, is accusing challenger Sheila Medeiros, a 55- year-old retired U.S. Army veteran, of harassing her. Star-Advertiser.

Lee Loy candidacy challenged: Petitioners claim her main residence is in a different district. An objection has been filed over Hawaii County Council member Sue Lee Loy’s candidacy for the state House District 2 seat and her registration to vote in the district. Tribune-Herald.

Suit: State failed to conduct proper screening before placing child in same home where girl starved to death. The boy lived for five years in the Wahiawa home of Thomas and Brandy Blas and like Geanna suffered severe abuse and neglect, the complaint says. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

EPA To Disband Red Hill Oversight Group Amid Navy Complaints. The Navy wanted to control the agenda. Community members said no. Now the group is being cancelled. Civil Beat.

City gains 400 acres of former Navy-owned land for public recreation. The City and County of Honolulu took ownership of approximately 400 acres of former Navy-­owned land at Kalaeloa that will go toward public recreation use, Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced at a ceremony outside Honolulu Hale on Wednesday afternoon. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

City expands homeless services at new facility. With an aim to get Oahu’s chronically homeless off the streets and into permanent housing, the city’s new Leahi Behavioral and Medical Respite facility has officially opened near the slopes of Diamond Head. Star-Advertiser.

Home-Buying Subsidy At New Kapiolani High Rise Targets Doctors, Teachers And Police Officers. The program is aimed at middle-income buyers often overlooked by affordable housing policies. Civil Beat.

Miske Defense Hints At Alternate Theories For Alleged Murder Victim’s Disappearance. Defense attorneys called on multiple experts to highlight the lack of forensic evidence directly tying Michael Miske to the 2016 killing of Johnathan Fraser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

All access to Haiku Stairs region closed for removal. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources and the City and County of Honolulu announced Wednesday the closure of the entire Moanalua Section of the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve — also known as Middle Ridge — and the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park for the removal of the Haiku Stairs. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Work on Nanue project could begin early next year. The Nanue Stream Bridge, located at about the 15 mile marker on Highway 19 — just south of Ninole — is slated for a three-year repair project that will replace large sections of infrastructure that have become dangerously degraded. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Army Corps’ latest mission will provide 169 temporary homes for Maui fire survivors. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) newest mission is the Kilohana Temporary Housing Project – a 34-acre site located off a cane haul road near Wahikuli Road in Lahaina. Hawaii News Now.

Pōhākea public land purchase: 250 acres protected in perpetuity at Māʻalaea Mauka. A 257-acre parcel at Pōhākea (also known as Māʻalaea Mauka) is now protected in perpetuity with the State Legacy Land Conservation Program and the County of Maui Open Space contributing $1M and $6.2M to fund the conservation purchase, respectively.  Maui Now.

Pride flag raised last week in celebration of Pride Month was removed twice; police report filed. The Pride Flag hung by the County of Maui as a celebration of national June Pride Month was illegally removed twice after it was raised during a Proclamation and flag ceremony last week outside the County building, organization leaders with Aloha Maui Pride said. Maui Now.

Waikapū Development Venture project completion deadline extended to 2029. The Maui County Council has approved extending the construction completion date to September 2029 for Waikapū Development Venture’s 80-unit affordable workforce housing project south of Wailuku town. Maui Now.

Kauai

Colleague alleges jailed artist’s letter for Kauaʻi councilman was a complaint, not a threat. Over a month after local artist Glen Gruenhagen was handed a year-long jail sentence for allegedly threatening Councilman Billy DeCosta through a handmade poster in January, a recently obtained record of a heated private meeting among county staff reveals the man had come to the Historic County Building in Lihuʻe begging for help, claiming DeCosta had been harassing him in Kōkeʻe for years. Kauai Now.

Coco Palms bringing Kimpton to Hawai‘i. Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants announced Wednesday that it is partnering with the Coco Palms Resort following a historically sensitive restoration of the iconic property in Wailua. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Runway project underway at Lihu‘e Airport. The work is expected to run through Thursday, July 18, and requires the installation of new lighting or Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights to runways and taxiway edges, including LED lighting to airfield signage and conduits along with cabling. Garden Island.

COVID rising quickly, Honolulu salaries amendment set for ballot, government rests case in Miske trial, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hospitalizations, ER visits quickly rising in Hawaii due to COVID. On Wednesday the state Department of Health reported that a weekly average of 96 patients Opens in a new tab with COVID-19 were in hospitals per day compared with 55 reported the previous week. It is the highest number of hospitalizations the state has reported so far this year. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.  Hawaii News Now.

Why Aren’t More People Running For Office In Hawaii? Political polarization, the cost of running a successful race and hard-to-beat incumbents may all be discouraging candidates. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s economic growth slows in 2024. Projections indicate that Hawaii’s economic growth will persist at a sluggish pace throughout 2024. KHON2.

Kamaka Air Cargo abruptly shuts down as it seeks essential managers. The voluntary shut-down of Kamaka Air Cargo continued Thursday, causing growing concern for neighbor island businesses and residents. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu salaries amendment set for 2024 ballot. A resolution calling for a voter-approved charter amendment to cap the annual pay of the Honolulu City Council has advanced. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant to get $174M in upgrades. The City and County of Honolulu said it will begin upgrading the In-Vessel Bioconversion facilities at the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant. Hawaii Public Radio.

100s of witnesses and 5 months later, government rests its case in Miske trial. Prosecutors say Miske committed a series of organized crimes — from wire and bank fraud — and also allegedly ordered the murder of 21-year-old Jonathan Fraser in 2016. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu home sales and prices mostly cooled in May. The 2.2% slip in the median sale price for single-­family homes, to $1,085,000 in May from $1,109,000 in the same month in 2023, was the first year-over-year decrease in the single-family home median sale price for any month this year reported by the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric disables some safety features to prevent outages. Preventing power outages by turning off enhanced safety features is what Hawaiian Electric is doing in several neighborhoods on Oahu to stop underground power lines from faulting and shutting off electricity. KHON2.

Destroyed appliances, frequent headaches, no answers: Homeowner grapples with ‘dirty power’ nightmare. In a situation that could be happening to others, a Mililani Mauka woman is grappling with “dirty power” at her home — and after a year and a half of extensive troubleshooting, it’s still unclear what’s causing the surges and sags in electrical energy. Hawaii News Now.

50 years of Pacific cultural exchange on display at FestPAC waʻa ceremony. Dozens of canoes arrived on Kualoa Beach from Mōkapu, carrying delegates from more than 20 Pacific Island nations to kick off the Festival of the Pacific Arts and Culture. The festival aims to promote cultural exchange and highlight the importance of preserving and celebrating heritage. Hawaii Public Radio. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Ex-Hawai‘i Island police officer pleads no contest to burglary, assault charges. A former Hawai‘i Island police officer pleaded no contest to assault and burglary charges in connection to an incident that occurred in Ocean View in August 2023. Big Island Now.

County DWS Says Laupāhoehoe Tap Water Safe To Drink. The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply is reassuring the public that "no health risks are associated with the recent discovery of chromium in recent water samples from Laupāhoehoe Well P-2." Big Island Video News.

Maui-based company announces first Duke’s restaurant on Big Island. A new restaurant – Duke’s Kona – will debut at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa on the Big Island in late 2025. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Ethics Board Could Get Overdue Boost Through 2 Reforms Under Review. Voters could decide this November if the Maui Board of Ethics should be able to hire its own full-time staff and whether appointed members should be able to serve two consecutive terms. Civil Beat.

FEMA Wants Maui Homeowner To Repay $58,000 After Booting Her From Lease Program For Fire Survivors. Bettina Robinson's 900-square-foot home has been sitting empty since she joined the federal program in January. Civil Beat.

Council hears opposition to bill to restrict access to Holomua Road. After voting unanimously last month to restrict public access to Holomua Road because of concerns about the threat of brush fires and public safety in Pāʻia, Maui County Council members heard opposition earlier this week from homeless advocates arguing that closing the road would displace people who have nowhere else to live. Maui Now.

'Inexcusable': Maui lawmakers call for transparency over $29M contract they didn't know about. A $29 million investment to roll out conservation initiatives across Maui County properties that was initiated during the Victorino administration promised to save the county $73 million in utility and operational costs over the next 20 years.  KITV4.

Transair fills void for Lanai, Molokai cargo amid transition. A main cargo company for Molokai and Lanai has contracted another provider to temporarily continue services as it addresses management problems. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Hanalei slope stabilization project expected to be completed in 2025. An ongoing slope stabilization project along Kuhio Highway between Hanalei Plantation Road and ‘Ohiki Road has made it tough for motorists to navigate the area. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

National guard, partners: Weapons of mass destruction exercise on Kaua‘i this Friday. On June 7, a full-scale weapons of mass destruction exercise will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Port Allen Small Boat Harbor on the southern coast of the Garden Isle. Kauai Now.

Hawaii governor signs bill allowing greater density on residential lots, Covid-19 increasing in the islands, Honolulu mulls video surveillance at popular tourist spots, insurance premiums shoot up after disasters, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii governor signs housing legislation aimed at helping local residents stay in islands. Solving Hawaii’s housing crisis by building more units. Keeping local families in Hawaii is what Governor Josh Green hopes will happen after he signed new affordable housing legislation into law on Tuesday. Senate Bill 3202: Requires counties to adopt or amend ordinances by December 31, 2026, to allow for at least two accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on all residentially zoned lots. KHON2. KITV4. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Health Department’s new Respiratory Disease Dashboard shows increasing COVID-19 activity. COVID-19 activity is on the rise, according to a new Respiratory Disease Activity dashboard released by the Hawai‘i State Department of Health. Maui Now.

Bill to create 'harm to students registry' for local schools awaits governor's signature. The registry could contain information on school employees, contractors or volunteers who were found to have inflicted harm on a student. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i gender pay gap largely driven by motherhood, according to latest report. Full-time working women in Hawaiʻi made 86 cents for every dollar earned by a man, while the national average was 84 cents for every dollar, according to data between 2015 to 2022 from the American Community Survey (ACS). Big Island Now.

In wake of disasters, homeowners report soaring rates for property insurance. Homeowners and agents tell HNN insurance premiums have shot up by as much as tens of thousands of dollars each year for everything from single-family homes to condos. Hawaii News Now.

Military labs in Hawaiʻi and Nebraska identify World War II soldiers decades after they died. A federal lab tucked away above the bowling alley at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha and a sister lab in Hawaiʻi are steadily answering those lingering questions, aiming to offer 200 families per year the chance to honor their relatives with a proper burial. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council considers video surveillance at East Oʻahu scenic areas. To help deter thieves from breaking into cars at East Oʻahu scenic spots, the Honolulu City Council is considering a resolution to allow surveillance cameras. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘It doesn’t cut it’: Low-flow beach showers prompt complaints as city tries to save water. It all started as an effort to save water at beaches across Oahu, but pushback is increasing to the showers that are designed to use about one-tenth of the water as the current showers. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii to host 27 Pacific nations for first FestPAC celebration. The 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture, the world’s largest celebration of Pacific Islanders will be hosted on Oahu for the first time in its 52-year history. Officials are calling it a once-in-a-lifetime event. KHON2.

An Affordable Complex to Open in Wahiawā, with Eight More Projects Underway. After a slow start, Honolulu’s Bill 7 – designed to get more low-rise rental units built on unused land – is seeing results. Hawaii Business magazine.

Hawaii Island

EPA talks dismal state of the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently reached a consent decree with Hawai’i County on its aging sewage system, including the Hilo treatment plant. EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman was in the islands last week. Hawaii Public Radio.

No signs of imminent eruption at Kīlauea despite continued unrest, experts say. Heightened seismic unrest beneath the Kīlauea summit continued over the past day. According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, it is impossible to say whether this increase in activity will lead to an intrusion or an eruption, or simply continue as seismic unrest at depth. Big Island Now.

Maunakea Park Playground To Close For Repairs. The County of Hawai‘i Department of Parks & Recreation says the closure is needed to allow for the installation of a new safety surfacing system. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Land Board rejects plea for contested case hearing from Nakoa luxury yacht owners. The Board of Land and Natural Resources has rejected a request from the owners of the luxury yacht Nakoa for a formal contested case hearing to fight a $1.8 million fine assessed last month. Maui Now.

Maui County to purchase Kula parcel that encompasses community center. Maui County will be purchasing land in Kula that currently houses the community center and other public use facilities.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Washington visitor dies in waters off beach park in Kauai. A Washington visitor died after being pulled from waters off ‘Anini Beach Park in Kauai on Friday afternoon. Kauai police officials say the victim has been identified as 70-year-old David Kositsky. Hawaii News Now.

At 92, Kauai veteran receives high school diploma years after making a difficult decision. There was a special guest of honor at Kauai High School’s graduation ceremony on May 24. Sitting quietly on stage among school administrators and dignitaries in a red cap and gown was 92-year-old Stanley Oshima. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Senators target Hawaii energy office for defunding, state mulls catastrophic insurance, litigation, investigations ramp up in Maui wildfire aftermath, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State senators target Hawaii State Energy Office. A state agency directing Hawaii energy policy in areas including security, resiliency and environmental health is at risk of losing its independence. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Clock Is Ticking For Hawaii To Commit Its Remaining Federal Coronavirus Funds. The state of Hawaii and the counties have until the end of the year to obligate up to $400 million in federal funds meant to alleviate the impacts of Covid-19 and support economic recovery, or face returning it.  Civil Beat.

Free Summer School Programs In Hawaii Face Uncertain Future. As federal coronavirus funding expires, the Hawaii Department of Education must make the case for continued investments in summer learning. Civil Beat.

State-run Reinsurance To Cover Catastrophic Events In Hawaiʻi. House Bill 2056 would create State Reinsurance Exploratory Working Group to gather information and find solutions. Big Island Video News.

Macadamia Nut Country of Origin Labeling Bill Advances In Hawaiʻi Legislature. The proposed bill moving through the Hawaiʻi State House requires the country of origin to be included on the principal display panel on a package of processed macadamia nuts. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Prison Officials Hope A New Women’s Wellness Center Will Reduce Recidivism. The Women's Prison Project is raising $85,000 for a wellness center at the prison that is expected to improve quality of life for incarcerated women. Civil Beat.

UH moves toward an ‘indigenous-serving’ institution model. A year and four months after the University of Hawaii Board of Regents approved a strategic plan that in part calls for UH to “fulfill kuleana to Native Hawaiians and Hawaii,” officials are preparing to select an administrator to implement that “imperative” across the 10-campus system, and meanwhile launching a two-year cultural initiative on the flagship Manoa campus. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Illegal ‘Straw’ Donations Spotlighted By Mitsunaga Case Are Rarely Prosecuted. Lurking in the background of an alleged conspiracy to bribe Honolulu’s prosecutor is a separate but related issue: donations made under a false name to circumvent campaign limits. Civil Beat.

Office space conversions fuel $1B downtown Honolulu investment cycle. The lights are brighter in downtown Honolulu where post-­pandemic changes to work and lifestyle patterns are fueling an investment cycle that is expected to deliver at least 15 new projects valued at about $1 billion over the next five to seven years. Star-Advertiser.

New pedestrian walkway in Ala Moana connected after 2 years of construction. After nearly two years of construction, both sides of Hawaii’s newest elevated pedestrian walkway are finally connected over Ala Moana Boulevard. Hawaii News Now.

Land Board votes unanimously to protect crumbling Windward coastal highway. The state transportation department will build a 400-foot-long rock revetment along Kamehameha Highway between Ka’a’awa Beach Park and the elementary school. Hawaii News Now.

Emergency Room Closure In Wahiawa Magnifies A Capacity Crunch. As emergency rooms filled with patients, Honolulu's head of emergency services was tasked with coordinating ambulance arrivals. Civil Beat.

Oʻahu residents living in flood zones are asked to participate in survey. About 25,000 households on Oʻahu are in flood-risk areas, and the City and County of Honolulu wants to see how prepared residents are for possible floods. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Roth offers State of the County. To combat the rising costs of housing, healthcare, and daily essentials Mayor Mitch Roth announced during the State of the County address his plan to ask the Hawai‘i County Council to decrease property taxes based on a close examination of the county budget. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

‘Safe Space’ draws concerns: Residents, lawmaker worried about impact of homeless camp on area. A state lawmaker has joined some Hilo residents in their concerns about a planned government-sanctioned homeless encampment near the Hilo Lagoon Center. Tribune-Herald.

Alternative Chosen For Pāhoa Library, Mass Transit Hub. The Preferred Alternative is the lot that is located at the northwest corner of Pāhoa Village Road and Kahakai Boulevard. Big Island Video News.

Work on Lanikaula Street to begin in May. Hawaii County Department of Public Works spokeswoman Sherise Kanae-Kane said a $5 million project to improve about 1,800 feet of Lanikaula Street between Kilauea Avenue and Manono Street will begin in May and continue through February 2025, weather permitting. Tribune-Herald.

Glenwood Transfer Station to close March 25 through May 15. The Glenwood Transfer Station will close on March 25 for construction activities, according to the County of Hawai‘i Department of Environmental Management’s Solid Waste Division. Big Island Now.

Maui

Lawmakers Want Utility Regulators To Conduct Their Own Fire Probe. Some legislators want an independent investigation because the state and Maui County are both involved in litigation over the August fires. Civil Beat.

Maui County attorneys request state subpoenas to manage fire response probe. Maui County attorneys say they have requested subpoenas to work with investigators hired by the state to assess governments’ response to the Aug. 8 wildfires, which killed 101 people, because the investigators have failed to follow realistic and respectful practices for gathering information.  Star-Advertiser.

Council advances eminent domain land condemnation for Central Maui Landfill expansion. Maui County Council members moved quickly Friday morning to give the first of two approvals for the county to launch eminent domain condemnation proceedings in 2nd Circuit Court.  Maui Now.

County Council Vice-Chair to host Meeting on Wednesday. Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura will host a community meeting on March 27th at the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center in Pukalani from 6 to 8 p.m. The focus of the meeting will be on a potential water source development agreement between the County of Maui and Free Market Ventures, LLC.  Maui News.

Kauai

Someone planted non-native coral at ‘Anini Beach; DAR relies on community to report fishy goings-on. All is not well in the waters off ‘Anini Beach on the North Shore of Kaua‘i, where a three-year-old mystery with calamitous potential continues to baffle those tasked with conserving the area ecosystem. Kauai Now.

‘Bathrooms’ restoration springs up in Hanalei. Spring cleaning kicked off early for one Kaua‘i resident whose “labor of love” can be seen in Hanalei. Garden Island.

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.

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

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.

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.