Hawaii Supreme Court weighs in on Honolulu council race, complaint filed over GOP campaign finance, media weigh in on top 2018 stories, new laws for 2019, more top state and local government news from all the Hawaiian islands

Diamond Head aerial view ©2018 All Hawaii News

No fishing at Waikiki to Diamond Head shoreline in 2019. Environmental advocates like the idea of a closure, but think the time frame needs to be longer for it to be effective. KITV.

More than two years after Gov. David Ige’s administration unveiled a 10-year, $378 million plan to escalate the state’s fight against invasive species, much of it remains unfunded and the governor plans to ask the Legislature to provide only a fraction of what was envisioned for the next two fiscal years. Star-Advertiser.

A longtime critic of the Hawaii Republican Party is alleging top state GOP leaders violated federal campaign spending laws by illegally funneling excess contributions to Cam Cavasso during his campaign for the U.S. House this year, but Republican Party Chairwoman Shirlene Ostrov says the party assistance to the Cavasso campaign was legal. Star-Advertiser.

A new law that goes into effect Tuesday aims to put a tighter leash on dog owners who fraudulently try to pass their pets off as service animals. Star-Advertiser.

With the 2018 hurricane season now behind us, the state has mailed out surveys to some Hawaii residents asking how prepared they are to face a major hurricane. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Ceded Lands Revenue Debate Simmers At Capitol. Big Island Video News.

Ahi prices are up as tradition is coming at a higher cost. KHON2.

The year that was 2018 might best be known in Hawaii for its explosions — the ones that did happen and the big one that didn’t. Star-Advertiser.

As the year comes to an end, Hawaii News Now takes a look back at the impressive and unforgettable stories of 2018 in this digital documentary. Hawaii News Now.

Star-Advertiser photographers pick their photos of the year. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

State Supreme Court to decide fate of City Council race with razor-thin win. Nearly eight weeks after the general election, one of the closest races still hasn’t officially been decided. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Supreme Court says elections of Ozawa, Fevella uncertified. On Friday, the five Justices ordered state and city election officials to provide the following to Waters and LoPresti: information setting forth the margin of error for the electronic vote counting machines when applying the tabulation procedures, and -information setting forth how the intent of the voter is ensured in a close election without a hand count. KHON2.

Impeachment Waits While City Considers Paying Kaneshiro’s Legal Fees. A judge puts the case on hold to give the City Council time to decide if taxpayers must provide the prosecuting attorney with a lawyer. Civil Beat.

The petition to oust Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro is being described as uncharted waters. KHON2.

A new report by Honolulu Auditor Edwin Young concludes that a ban on foam or polystyrene food containers on Oahu would not reduce litter on the island, but would negatively affect some smaller businesses. Star-Advertiser.

More than 100,000 residents and visitors are expected to view the annual Fireworks by Grucci display that will begin at 11:55 p.m. tonight from a barge in waters off Waikiki Beach. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Leilani Estates residents are giving up on a lawsuit they filed against Hawaii County that would have returned a security checkpoint to the neighborhood devastated by lava. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii County Council is being asked to add projects related to damage caused by recent disasters to the capital budget and accept funds for a recovery plan for Puna. Tribune-Herald.

The partial closure of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park does not appear to be keeping tourists away from Volcano, to the relief of businesses that depend on them. Tribune-Herald.

With a new year just around the corner, improvements at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole continue. West Hawaii Today.

Aloha, 2018! The Tribune-Herald’s top stories of the year. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Fate of Fong land in Keokea now up in the air. Dispute over water meters, subdivision puts Grandma’s site in question. Maui News.

Applications and proposals for a recycling grant program through the county Department of Environmental Management are being accepted for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. Maui News.

A project to honor Maui County’s Mayors and Managing Directors was unveiled Thursday afternoon featuring a Wall of Mayors and a Wall of Managing Directors on the 9th Floor of the County Building in Wailuku. Maui Now.

Kauai

Peter Ingram, Hawaiian Airlines president and CEO, will be the keynote speaker at the Jan. 15 meeting of the Kauai Chamber of Commerce at the Aqua Kauai Beach Resort. Garden Island.

Top 10 stories: A look back at 2018. Garden Island.

Diamond Head certificate seller cited, lawmakers mull emergency preparedness, pot brownies send schoolgirls to hospital, Maui plans landfill expansion, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

DLNR cites Diamond Head certificate seller, courtesy photo

State halts Diamond Head hawker’s venture. Tourists who make it to the top of Diamond Head State Monument have been buying certificates from Christopher Barclay for years. Star-Advertiser.

DLNR cited man for allegedly asking people for $5 when they reach the summit of Diamond Head. KITV.

State officers issued a cease and desist order to a man for was allegedly selling items on top of Diamond Head without a permit. Hawaii News Now.

State officials have cited a man for conducting commercial activities on top of Diamond Head without a permit. KHON2.

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Are Hawaii Industries At Risk If A Trade War Breaks Out? The islands make more from exported scrap metals than from coffee, cocoa, macadamia nuts and papaya combined. Civil Beat.

Government Transparency An Early Loser In Legislative Session. Open government bills have mostly died, and some measures restricting information are still alive. Civil Beat.

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The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency on Thursday laid out for lawmakers what could happen if a “worst-case scenario” tsunami or hurricane hit the vital port region with 3 feet of water and high winds. Star-Advertiser.

HI-EMA say the state does not have enough shelters if a category 3 or above hurricane hits the island. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency unveiled scenarios showing a direct hit could shut down Honolulu Harbor and cause food and water to reach critical levels within five days. KITV.

Lawmakers discuss Hawaii's preparedness for disaster. It's unimaginable to think about but what would happen if another disaster hit Hawaii? That's the question lawmakers focused on Thursday. KHON2.

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A bill that would shift authority over the state’s airports from the Department of Transportation to an airport corporation was successfully passed Thursday by the state Senate. Tribune-Herald.

FBI joins investigation into OHA spending, contracts. Multiple sources say the state and federal authorities have broadened their probe, requesting copies of OHA contracts, trustee emails and financial records of OHA’s nonprofit subsidiaries. Hawaii News Now.

The Federal Trade Commission has agreed to allow the parent companies of the state’s only two air ambulance providers to merge as long as one of the medevac firms is sold to prevent a monopoly in the islands. Star-Advertiser.

New Boeing aircraft opens up possibility for Hawaiian to launch nonstop Europe flights. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Rail Agency To Buy Trucks For Power Company — And Save $130M. It’s a rare financial bright spot for the massive Honolulu project, which has struggled to stay on budget. Civil Beat.

The United States Army had an awkward moment Thursday when an air-dropped package missed its mark by about five miles. Hawaii News Now.

YMCA sues developer over failed plans for Central Oahu location. The four-story, multicolored building across from the Ala Moana Hotel is also an affordable residential facility for both men and women. Hawaii News Now.

The residents of a large homeless encampment near the Waianae Small Boat Harbor say they are agitated and worried about their future after state officials publicly announced this week that they would be working to close the camp in the coming months. Star-Advertiser.

State Plans To Sweep Longtime Homeless Camp At Waianae Boat Harbor. For more than a decade, people have been living in the self-governed community, and about 200 are there now. Civil Beat.

A recent court decision is casting new light on what to do about Red Hill. It's where the military has 20 massive underground steel tanks; one, which leaked 27,000 gallons. A circuit court judge ruled that the state Department of Health improperly gave the military an exemption from underground fuel storage rules. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Army-Air Force effort to fly major equipment between islands for quick aid. From the belly of the C-17 Globemaster at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport on Thursday rolled out two Ford F-550 brush trucks ready to head to Pohakuloa Training Area. West Hawaii Today.

Mayor luncheon connects biz, county leaders; today final day for tickets. West Hawaii Today.

Reported pot brownies send 2 Kealakehe students to hospital. Hawaii Island police responded to Kealakehe High School at 12:15 p.m. Thursday to a report of a female juvenile being transported to the Kona Community Hospital by medics after ingesting a brownie, passing out and experiencing convulsions. West Hawaii Today.

Two female juveniles at Kealakehe High School were taken to Kona Community Hospital after eating brownies that are believed to have contained marijuana, police say. Big Island Video News.

Maui

The county Department of Environmental Management is proposing a 41-acre addition to the Central Maui Landfill in Puunene that would include a storage area for abandoned vehicles, a metals processing facility, a recycling area for building and demolition wastes and a facility for managing and holding of household hazardous and electronic wastes. Maui News.

Single family home sales on Maui increased 51% from this time last year and 10% from month before levels, according to new data released by the Realtors Association of Maui. Maui Now.

Kahului-headquartered Haleakala Solar has been sold to California-based PetersenDean Roofing & Solar, which has plans for significant expansion of the four-decade-old photovoltaic, battery storage and water heater installation company. Maui News.

Maui-based Fork & Salad is planning a Mainland expansion through a partnership with franchisor Fransmart, which is responsible for expanding such brands as Five Guys Burgers & Fries and Qdoba Mexican Grill. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Monk seal population is growing. Currently, an average of between three and five seals are reported daily at Poipu as compared to between one and five seals reported over the past few years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. Garden Island.

Vandals strike at Poipu Beach Park. A newly improved playground at Poipu Beach Park was discovered vandalized by members of the public on Tuesday. Garden Island.

Bloggers could lose shield law protection, feds mull defense, energy programs, lawmakers warned about gifts again, Tesoro sale could rattle state gas supply, cleaning up Oahu, Kauai has new clerk, Maui mulls property taxes, more top Hawaii news for smartphone and web

Hawaii state Capitol (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

A U-S House Armed Services panel was at the state capitol today to hear from defense-related businesses. Hawaii Public Radio.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack toured Pearl Harbor on a visit Tuesday meant to highlight the Obama administration's commitment to renewable energy. Associated Press.

A Hawaii state judiciary committee is recommending that the Hawaii Legislature make permanent the state's shield law that protects journalists from forced disclosure of sources and notes. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Legislature convenes next week and the state Ethics Commission is already warning legislators about ethical restrictions on gifts from lobbyists. Hawaii Reporter.

The executive director of the State Ethics Commission issued two memos Monday to state legislators informing them that he was advising against accepting invitations to events hosted by lobbyists. Civil Beat.

The pending sale of Tesoro Corp.'s Hawaii operations adds uncertainty to the island's energy market and raises the possibility of increased prices for gasoline, electricity and jet fuel. Star-Advertiser.

Renewable Energy Push Could Hurt Refineries. Civil Beat.

Chevron Corp. wouldn’t say if it plans to put in a bid to buy Tesoro Corp., after the Texas-based refiner announced on Tuesday that it plans to sell its Hawaii operations. Pacific Business News.

Joe Nathan, who helped write the nation's first charter school law, urged Hawaii educators Tuesday to celebrate the expansion and successes of the charter movement even as they grapple with growing pains. Star-Advertiser.

To address a “crisis” in backlogged elevator safety inspections, the state plans to increase inspection fees to hire new, better-paid inspectors from the private sector, state Labor and Industrial Relations Department Director Dwight Takamine said today. Hawaii Reporter.

The owner of a South Korean oil tanker was sentenced in federal court in Honolulu Tuesday to pay more than $1 million for knowingly dumping oily waste in U.S. waters off Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

This year, lawmakers want to strengthen these provisions to help the victims of labor and sex trafficking. Hawaii Public Radio.

State roundup for January 11. Associated Press.

Oahu

City officials said they will monitor the situation today on South King Street in the McCully-Moiliili area, following Tuesday's daylong effort to clear sidewalks of homeless encampments. Star-Advertiser.

Every day after work, Ernest Basamonte tries to walk fast past the homeless encampment on his way to catch the bus. KITV4.

Trash Cans Overflowing at Diamond Head Lookout. Hawaii News Now.

West Oahu City Councilman Tom Berg believes the island’s nightmarish traffic congestion could be drastically improved if a computer system allowed police to more easily identify drivers who actually belong on the road. KHON2.

Hawaii

Three West Hawaii legislators on Tuesday spelled out their priorities for the upcoming session -- ranging from geothermal energy to school improvements. West Hawaii Today.
A former Leeward Planning commissioner announced his candidacy for state House Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

West Hawaii's four County Council districts are shaping up to have competitive races, with candidates beginning to come forward weeks before the Feb. 1 start of pulling papers for nominations. West Hawaii Today.

Astronomers announced a small discovery that may have big implications for the number of planets orbiting other stars. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Council members continued wrestling Monday with illegal vacation rentals, a problem made more difficult by limited county resources available for enforcement. Maui News.

Public testimony will be taken on a bill that would change the way homes are taxed on agricultural property during meetings throughout Maui County this month. Maui News.

Residents and visitors will have an opportunity to visit Haleakala National Park for free. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Kaua‘i County Council announced Tuesday that Interim County Clerk and former council services administrator Ricky Watanabe was selected for the position of county clerk. Garden Island.

The Kauai County Council selected Rick Watanabe as the new county clerk, the county announced today. Star-Advertiser.

The Kaua‘i Planning Commission Tuesday unanimously confirmed Jan Kimura, one of the commission’s more vocal members, as the commission’s chair for 2012. Garden Island.

Kaua'i RSVP, an organization that's part of the Agency on Elderly Affairs, announced today the kick-off of its cell phone and eyewear recycling campaign. Hawaii News Now.

Molokai

Maui County officials said Cooke Memorial Pool on Molokai be closed on Friday, January 13 and Saturday, January 14 for black algae maintenance. KITV4.

Diamond Head to get makeover, other top news

Planning and design work for a long-awaited, multimillion dollar improvement project for Diamond Head State Monument is finally expected to wrap up this fall, and work could start early next year.

The number of people who have flu-like symptoms is so great, the Hawaii Department of Health has stopped testing for the H1N1 virus.

Education officials have few explanations for what they consider to be a disturbing trend — year after year Hawai'i's high schools struggle to make "adequate yearly progress" under the federal No Child Left Behind law.

The days of discount movie theaters on Oahu are gone, for now.

Proposals for the county's general plan would add thousands of new housing units to West Maui, making it one of the top areas for growth on the island over the next 20 years.

Retrofitting county facilities with photovoltaic systems and composing a monthly “green column” for The Garden Island are just two of the many projects the county is working on to “move forward” with sustainability, Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. said at the most recent Apollo Kaua‘i meeting.

On June 26, 2000, state officials awarded a $1.5 million contract for a system to monitor taxi traffic at Honolulu International Airport. Nine years later, the state has spent $1.3 million and the system is still not finished.

A memo dated July 8 from Police Chief Harry Kubojiri to County Council Chairman J Yoshimoto said that "Counter Cannabis" field operations were flown June 29 in East Hawaii and June 30 in West Hawaii. Voters in November passed a law making adult personal use of marijuana the lowest law enforcement priority, which said the council "shall not support the acceptance of any funds for the marijuana eradication program."

Remote, unimproved and isolated O'ahu beaches have become the newest homeless refuge for some of those forced to vacate Wai'anae Coast park encampments in recent months.

Former Bishop Museum director Don Duckworth was fond of calling Hawaiian Hall a "museum of a museum." When it was constructed during the closing years of the 19th century, it was a grand example of Victorian design, a lofty poem in crafted basalt and carved koa, an intricate jewel case created solely to show off what still could be collected of Hawaiian prehistoric culture.