Showing posts with label East-West Center. Show all posts
Showing posts with label East-West Center. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Kim releases Mauna Kea plan, more housing options on Hawaiian Home Lands, Oahu jail project stalls, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2019 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Telescopes on Mauna Kea ©2019 All Hawaii News
Kim reveals Mauna Kea plan, which includes TMT. Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim officially released his long-awaited plan for resolving the controversy surrounding Mauna Kea on Monday, distributing a pamphlet that asserts that the site designated for the Thirty Meter Telescope will become the last area of the mountain that is ever developed for a telescope. Star-Advertiser.

Big Island Mayor Calls For Restructuring Management On Mauna Kea. Harry Kim’s plan for resolving the TMT standoff makes few new promises, but offers Native Hawaiians a larger voice in determining the future of the mountain. Civil Beat.

Kim Releases 'Maunakea Booklet' Calling For Core Group To Move Forward. Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim issued his long-awaited proposal Monday to resolve the protest against the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea, calling for a "core group" as a next step to provide future direction. Hawaii Public Radio.

Mayor unveils Maunakea document that includes policy ‘pledges’ from state officials. Mayor Harry Kim released a proposal Monday for Maunakea that includes pledges from Gov. David Ige and other officials promising to improve Native Hawaiian relations. Tribune-Herald.

Kim Offers ‘Way Forward’ in Maunakea Booklet. On Monday, Mayor Harry Kim released a nine-page PDF that he’s calling his Maunakea Booklet. Big Island Now.

Hawaii County Mayor releases vision for Mauna Kea moving forward. After months of zero construction activity on Mauna Kea, because protestors continue to illegally block access, Mayor Harry Kim has released a booklet on the government’s next move. KHON2.

'The Heart of Aloha': Mayor Kim releases booklet in hopes of moving forward on Mauna Kea. The hope was to bring together the people of Hawaii to find and create a way to move forward 'in a good way.' KITV.

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New DHHL rules allow more housing options. Gov. David Ige on Monday signed new administrative rules that allow the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to develop multifamily, rental and kupuna housing on trust property, providing a new tool that Ige and the state agency say eventually will help address a huge backlog of Native Hawaiians waiting for homestead leases. Star-Advertiser.

Ige OKs Rentals, Multi-Family Units On DHHL Land. The governor says the rules will help ease Hawaii’s affordable housing crisis. Civil Beat.

New DHHL Rules Allow Rentals, More Options. Gov. David Ige today signed new administrative rules for planned communities, multi-family complexes and rental housing within the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Big Island Now.

Hawaiian Homes is Expanding its Housing Options. A new set of rules will allow the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to offer multi-family units, kūpuna homes, and rental housing options. Maui Now.

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Clare Connors: Hawaii’s Attorney General Is ‘Answering The Call’. She was on the verge of being a federal judge, but stalled in the Senate. Now she’s Hawaii’s top law enforcement officer.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Is Already Seeing the Consequences of Falling Birthrates. The latest data show that number of babies are being born in Hawaii has been declining for a decade. That follows a national trend of falling birthrates. Hawaii Public Radio.

Teachers Weary Of Pay That Makes It Tough To Stay In The Classroom — Or Hawaii. During a series of DOE “listening sessions,” many teachers drew a connection between salaries and classroom conditions and Hawaii’s teacher shortage. Civil Beat.

Even Free Tuition Isn’t Enough To Attract People To This Hawaii Teacher Program. A three-year-old initiative to train highly qualified teachers in Hawaii isn’t seeing a high number of applications, despite a push to recruit new candidates. Civil Beat.

Controversial Aloha Poke plans on mainland expansion. he Chicago-based Aloha Poke restaurant chain — which infuriated Hawaiians and Hawaii residents last year by trademarking the terms “Aloha” and “Poke” and threatening other businesses also using those terms in their names — plans to expand to 100 restaurants across the mainland within three years. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Ala Wai Project Undergoes Changes, State Reiterates Funding Support. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it will modify designs for a controversial flood control project on Oahu. The public will have a chance to further hear about the Ala Wai Flood Control Project on Tuesday. Hawaii Public Radio.

New Oahu Jail Project Is Stalling Out Over Lack Of Cash, Community Support. OCCC has a five-year master plan, but it’s unclear when the five-year period starts or ends, and nobody wants to pay for it. Civil Beat.

Newly Released Minutes Reveal How Louis Kealoha Got His $250K Buyout. The Honolulu Police Commission recently released minutes from secret meetings where commissioners and city attorneys hashed out a lucrative retirement deal for the former police chief. Civil Beat.

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‘Artifact’ discovered at Sherwood Forest construction site. An investigation by State Historic Preservation Division employees at Sherwood Forest began Monday as arguments continued over the validity of a construction project and its worth to the community. Star-Advertiser.

Historic artifact discovered at Sherwood Forest park project. A find of a historic artifact was reportedly discovered at a city park project in Waimanalo. KITV.

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Senate Panel Approves $16.7M For East-West Center. Sen. Brian Schatz says the institution continues to play “an increasingly important role” in national security and regional cooperation. Civil Beat.

Lt. Gov. rejects sweeps, pitches idea for master-planned communities for homeless. The Lt. Governor says possible locations are being looked at in Waianae, Waimanalo (across from the beach park) and in the urban core (off Middle Street). Hawaii News Now.

Discrimination lawsuit over dorm-style housing for families filed. The U.S. Justice Department Monday sued a student housing company for discrimination against children and families. Hawaii Student Suites Inc. offers dorm-style housing in several buildings in Honolulu. Hawaii News Now.

Neighborhood Commission chief resigns. The head of the agency that oversees Oahu’s neighborhood board system is stepping down to take a job with the city rail authority. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Farmers Still Need Unique Assistance After Kilauea Eruption, USDA Urged. The Hawaii Congressional Delegation again write to Secretary Of Agriculture Perdue asking for needed relief for Puna farmers. Big Island Video News.

Following more dump closures, officials looking for new ways to bring on staff. Staff shortages continue in the county Department of Environmental Management, this time prompting the closure Monday of two transfer stations and a green waste site in West Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Sees Rise in Visitor Spending and Arrivals. Tourists on Maui spent a total of $404.8 million last month, a 14 percent increase from the same time last year. Maui Now.

Tourism spending, arrivals spike on Lanai. Maui County leads hotel performance. Maui News.

Rare birds on Maui to be relocated in hopes of saving the species. There’s an ambitious plan to save one of Hawaii’s most endangered birds. Conservation groups will trans-locate the Kiwikiu, or Maui Parrotbill, to a restored forest in October. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

State approves Ho‘opi‘i permit. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources voted Friday to continue a permit that allows public access to Kauai’s Ho‘opi‘i Falls. Garden Island.

Threats close 2 schools. Threats of violence forced two schools on the island to close early on Monday, as law enforcement officials investigated reports of text messages about plans to “bomb every single building” on the Waimea High School Campus and “shoot every student and teacher” at Kauai High School. Garden Island.

When the U.S. Department of Agriculture comes out with administrative rules governing the cultivation of hemp, expect Hawaii to submit a state plan, said Micah Munekata, legislative coordinator, state Department of Agriculture. “We’re trying our best to move as fast as we can at the state level,” Munekata said to about 40 people at the Lihue Business Association meeting Thursday at Duke’s Canoe Club at the Kauai Marriott Resort &Beach Club. Garden Island.

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Trump to stay in Waikiki, doubts raised about sailors adrift, Ige pledges oversight of Kakaako parks, coastal zone regulations eased, Maui News kills postal delivery, more news from all the Hawaiian islands

copyright 2017 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Children with paddleboard in Keaukaha © 2017 All Hawaii News
Hawaii's Sustainable Tourism Stamp is Changing Industry Culture. 2017 is being dubbed the Year of Sustainable Travel by the World Tourism Organization. Hawaii Public Radio.

White House releases details of Trump's 12-day trip to Asia. Trump will start the Nov. 3-14 travel with a briefing from the U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii. He will also visit Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial during his first trip as president to the Pacific island. Washington Examiner.

President Trump is expected to arrive in Hawaii on Nov. 3, and the White House has started telling local officials that he's planning to stay in Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

Six U.S. states want to intervene in Hawaii’s lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s travel ban. Associated Press.

Experts raise doubts about Hawaii sailors' harrowing survival tale. The U.S. Coast Guard said today that the two Hawaii women who were lost at sea for five months had an emergency beacon aboard their sailboat that was never activated. Associated Press.

Two high-profile challengers will spice up the races for the embattled Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees. William Aila Jr. and Esther Kiaaina are well-known Native Hawaiians who have spent years working for the state and federal governments, each with an emphasis on conservation and cultural rights. Civil Beat.

Treat PTSD With Medical Cannabis. Combat vets have options for treatment – including medical cannabis -- that could ease their PTSD symptoms. Hawaii Public Radio.

Dialysis clinics stalled waiting on certification. A surge of 700 new Hawaii kidney dialysis patients a year is driving an increase in treatment facilities statewide. Star-Advertiser.

HMSA CEO Michael Gold to retire after 43 years. Michael Gold, the CEO of the Hawaii Medical Service Association, will retire at the end of the year, the board of directors of the state’s largest healthcare provider announced on Monday. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu-based American Savings Bank reported net income of $17.6 million for the quarter ending Sept. 30, an increase of 16.5 percent compared to net income of $15.1 million in the third quarter of 2016. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

As Kakaako parks re-open, governor pledges tougher enforcement efforts. Weeks after they were closed for homeless sweeps, Kewalo Basin and Kakaako Gateway parks and Point Panic reopened Monday. Hawaii News Now.

State to hire private security to enforce Kakaako park hours, Ige says. The state will begin regularly enforcing park closures in Kakaako Makai “regardless of housing status,” Gov. David Ige said today, as some of the area’s parks reopened to the public three weeks after sprawling homeless encampments were cleared. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Ige announces commitment to keep Kakaako Makai safe. KITV.

Kakaako parks reopen with new security measures, but more work needed at Waterfront. KHON2.

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Honolulu police Maj. Susan Ballard will be sworn in as the Honolulu Police Department’s 11th chief at HPD’s South Beretania Street headquarters Wednesday morning. Star-Advertiser.

Susan Ballard To Be Sworn In Wednesday As Honolulu Police Chief. The 32-year veteran will be first woman to lead the police department in its 85-year history. Civil Beat.

A Look At The Business Execs Up For Seats On Honolulu Police Commission. The City Council is set to vote Wednesday on Mayor Caldwell’s nominees, who would join the oversight panel amid a corruption scandal at HPD. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Pacific Rim Society has donated $2.3 million to the East-West Center, one of the largest single donations in its history. Pacific Business News.

Senate Transportation Chairwoman Lorraine Inouye wants lawmakers to order an audit of the over- budget, long-delayed construction of a new maintenance and cargo hangar for Hawaiian Airlines at Daniel K. Ino­uye International Airport. Star-Advertiser.

What lies beneath? As Kakaako develops up, questions raised about infrastructure below. KHON2.

Army to install hundreds of rat traps in Waianae, Koolau mountains. Over the next few months workers from Schofield Barracks will place about 1,000 rat traps in the Waianae and Koolau mountains. Hawaii News Now.

Several cases of scabies have been reported at Makalapa Elementary School, and the principal has alerted parents and staff to keep an eye out for the skin infection, which is caused by a parasitic mite. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Streamlining development permits in coastal zones without limiting public input was a balancing act confronting the Leeward and Windward planning commissions Monday. West Hawaii Today.

The Windward and Leeward Planning Commission met on Monday to consider amendments to rules regarding Special Management Areas. Big Island Video News.

As TMT opponents disrupt a BLNR meeting, the governor and Mayor Kim move forward with a plan for a Living Monument for World Peace on Mauna Kea. Big Island Video News.

Big Island Mayor Harry Kim is leading a group to establish a living monument on Mauna Kea. Governor Ige tapped on Kim to come up with ideas to create a symbol of peace on the mountain. KITV.

County cracks down on crop theft. Ken Love, executive director of Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers, convened a meeting Friday afternoon at the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Kona Cooperative Extension Service in Kainaliu, which a couple dozen frustrated farmers attended. West Hawaii Today.

Removal of banyan trees at Honomu Park to begin. A contractor says his crew will arrive at Honomu Park today to begin clearing a large banyan tree that fell next to the gym earlier this month. Tribune-Herald.

The National Park Service is investigating the case of a Keaau woman who fell to her death at the Kilauea Crater during the weekend. Tribune-Herald.

Trucking Trash All The Way Across The Big Island. The Hilo landfill is filling up, and plans call for most East Hawaii garbage to be hauled west starting in a year. Civil Beat.

Arthur “Art” Taniguchi, senior vice president and Hawaii Island regional manager, announced that he will retire from Bank of Hawaii in January, after 27 years of service. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The Maui News will rescind its recently announced decision to switch home delivery of the newspaper from carriers to the United States Postal Service. Maui News.

Feral pigs made themselves noticed in Maui’s central plain this summer as motorists dodged them on major roadways and state crews have had to pick up the not-so-fortunate ones as roadkill. Maui News.

Hawaiian Airlines is looking to hire 70 people for customer and ramp service contract position at Kahului Airport. Hawaii News Now.


The Hyatt Regency Maui welcomes Klara Crocco as its Director of Marketing and Communications. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai’s popular Eastside path is set to complete its span from Lydgate Beach Park to Ahihi Point. And the county is getting a good deal on it. Garden Island.

Kahoolawe

Long-term results in watershed restoration to be studied. Grant funds to benefit efforts on Kahoolawe. Maui News.

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Hawaii projects spared in federal budget, Chipotle finally coming to state, Honolulu seeks homeless sanitary stations, local outcry against raising transient accommodations tax for Honolulu rail, Maui Brewing company named top small business in nation, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2017 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
East-West Center © 2017 All Hawaii News
‘Hawaii Got Almost Everything We Sought’ In Federal Budget. Despite dismal expectations, the plan preserves spending levels for the Coast Guard, East-West Center and Native Hawaiian services while boosting defense spending. Civil Beat.

The East-West Center — its federal funding on the chopping block — was spared over the weekend in a bipartisan spending deal that also included additional funding for Native Hawaiian health and housing programs. Star-Advertiser.

Life And Death Drama— For Bills — At The Hawaii Legislature. A look at some of the survivors and casualties in the unpredictable waning days of the session. Civil Beat.

State health officials have begun investigating an "increasing number" of mumps infections across the state, and have confirmed two new cases on Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii bankruptcy filings plunged to their lowest monthly total of the year as the state’s low unemployment rate appeared to be keeping consumers out of financial distress. Star-Advertiser.

Chipotle Mexican Grill could finally be coming to Hawaii, following the restaurant chain's registration of two business entities with the state Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs last month. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

The city has imported an idea from San Francisco to convert two obsolete Honolulu city buses into Hawaii’s first “mobile hygiene centers” to give Oahu’s homeless a place to use the bathroom and clean themselves. Star-Advertiser.

Local rail officials released today their highly anticipated “recovery plan.” The 249-page report, which was due Sunday, leaves the main question of how to pay for the island’s cash-strapped transit project unresolved, but it looks to assure federal officials that the latest cost estimates and management are sound. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation on Monday released its new plan, submitted to the Federal Transit Administration late last week, for completing the 20-mile, 21-station rail line, which has been plagued by cost overruns and delays. Civil Beat.

In a recovery plan submitted to the Federal Transit Administration last week, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation said it is committed to the project’s original route. Pacific Business News.

What’s happening to dozens of vacated properties purchased for rail? KHON2.

Honolulu city officials and business leaders Monday asked lawmakers to reject last-minute proposed legislation to increase Hawaii’s hotel room tax by 30 percent to fund the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s 20-mile long, 21-station rail line, which has been plagued by cost overruns and delays. Civil Beat.

The mayor has withdrawn his support for a deal that would increase hotel room taxes to help pay for rail. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Council members have unanimously passed a resolution calling on Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration and the Honolulu Police Department to not spend city money assisting federal agencies tasked with enforcing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu Museum of Art is increasing its admission price for the first time in 10 years — but only for visitors. Pacific Business News.

The University of Hawaii Foundation has closed on its purchase of the YMCA of Honolulu Atherton property for $8 million and plans to spend another $5 million upgrading the property. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu ranks in bottom half among best U.S. cities to start a business. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Federal officials plan to apply two rodenticides at Pohakuloa Training Area as part of a study, prompting concerns from hunting groups. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii County Council is poised to authorize up to $50,000 plus expenses to defend former police officer Jody Buddemeyer, accused of fatally striking a bicyclist with his patrol car while on duty. West Hawaii Today.

Public comments on Alii Drive culvert project. West Hawaii Today.

A Hilo lawmaker wants the University of Hawaii at Hilo to beef up its new enrollment growth plan by adding more specifics and raising the targeted student goal. Tribune-Herald.

UH 2.2-meter Telescope Repairs Set To Begin. Big Island Video News.

Commentary: A House bill has morphed into a sweetheart deal to create perpetual leases for tenants on state land,  possibly including the Thirty Meter Telescope. Civil Beat.

Maui

On Monday morning, demonstrators rallied in front of Kahului Harbor, calling for an immediate halt to sand excavations and barge shipments. KHON2.

The owners of Maui Brewing Co. have been named the 2017 National Small Business Persons of the Year for transforming their small brewpub into the largest craft beer producer in Hawaii. Maui News.

The husband-and-wife team who started Maui Brewing Co. were recognized today as the most outstanding small business operators in the nation, and were congratulated in Washington, D.C., by Vice President Mike Pence. Star-Advertiser.

Maui Brewing Co.'s husband-and-wife duo Garrett and Melanie Marrero on Monday were named the 2017 National Small Business Person(s) of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Local officials react: Hawaii lawmakers are expected to make a decision today on a bill that seeks to reduce the counties’ cut of the Transient Accommodations Tax. Garden Island.

Gov. David Ige will be here for the Kauai Chamber of Commerce’s 19th annual Governor’s Luncheon on June 1. Garden Island.

Friday, July 10, 2015

Elections chief gets big raise, Stryker to leave islands, Kauai mulls ending term limits, emergency Mauna Kea rules to be decided today, $16.7M for East-West Center, Maui windpower unused, Ige signs domestic violence bills, scientists seek sea mining balance, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2015 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaii Elections Chief Scott Nago © 2015 All Hawaii News
The state Elections Commission voted Thursday to give a $10,000 pay raise to Chief Election Officer Scott Nago, who has come under fire from the public following the last two elections. Nago will now be paid $90,000 annually, up from $80,000. Star-Advertiser.

The $1.5 billion 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, one of the biggest Army projects in Hawaii since World War II and one that required land purchases and roads and new ranges to be built, is now going away. Star-Advertiser.

The Army plans to pull Stryker combat vehicles out of Hawaii and convert the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Schofield into an infantry brigade combat team, U.S. Army Pacific said in a statement. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige has given final approval to a package of bills designed to help victims and the authorities cope with problems related to domestic abuse and sexual assault. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii oceanography professor Craig Smith and a team of scientists from around the world have proposed a strategy to balance the battle between deep-sea mining interests and ecosystem sustainability. Civil Beat.

A stretch of sea floor beginning 500 miles southeast of Hawaii is ground zero for an emerging deep sea mining industry — and the debate over how such extractions should be managed. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority’s board of directors on Thursday elected L. Richard Fried, a founding member of the Honolulu law firm Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks, to serve the state tourism agency's new chairman. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

A U.S. Senate committee has approved a $16.7 million appropriation for the East-West Center in Hawaii, which would continue the Honolulu-based center's level of support for the third year in a row. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii still has a long way to go in curbing homelessness among veterans. While places like New Orleans have practically eliminated veteran homelessness as part of a five-year national goal set by President Barack Obama in 2010, Hawaii has yet to gain a firm foothold in finding homes for hundreds of veterans. Civil Beat.

The city Emergency Services Department credits a switch to 12-hour shifts for its paramedics and emergency service technicians for a $700,000 drop in overtime costs last fiscal year, Emergency Services Director Mark Rigg said. But staff shortages continue to be a problem. Star-Advertiser.

The rail project is getting into more congested residential and business areas, but to get the train going, some property owners will have to sell. That’s getting more and more expensive and complicated. KHON2.

The Hawaii agency charged with overseeing the redevelopment of the Honolulu neighborhood of Kakaako has shelved a proposal that would have created an economic accelerator in the former World Gym building on Queen Street. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

Emails obtained by the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reveal details about the state’s strategy — and its struggles — to deal with months-long protest atop Mauna Kea by those opposed to construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope.

Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin plans to hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Friday to provide more information about the need for the administration’s proposed emergency rule for Mauna Kea. The Board of Land and Natural Resources is set to consider the rule, drafted by DLNR Chair Suzanne Case and Chin, sometime after 1 p.m. Friday. Civil Beat.

A Federal District Court judge declined to issue a Temporary Restraining Order against the State of Hawai’i Thursday after holding a hearing on a suit alleging that cultural and religious access to Mauna Kea was being restricted through rules enforced by the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Office of Mauna Kea Management. Big Island Now.

State officials released Thursday a long list of issues and problems linked to Thirty Meter Telescope protesters ahead of Friday’s state Board of Land and Natural Resources meeting to consider restricting nonvehicular nighttime access to the Mauna Kea summit region. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii has released logs kept by Mauna Kea rangers and employees at the visitors center. The documents come ahead of today's Board of Land and Natural Resources meeting. On the agenda is an emergency rule that would prohibit camping and restrict nighttime access on the mountain. Hawaii Public Radio.

Both the rangers from the office of Mauna Kea Management and the visitor information station staff have been documenting their daily activities on the mountain. Many of those describe what's been called a "hostile" environment. KITV4.

Big Island hunters are bristling at a proposed rule being considered by the state land board Friday that they say needlessly restricts their own activities while mixing Mauna Kea protests with unrelated hunting activity. West Hawaii Today.

Another chapter closed this week on former South Kona/Ka‘u Councilwoman Brenda Ford’s challenge of Environmental Management Director Bobby Jean Leithead Todd’s qualifications to hold that office. West Hawaii Today.

A pristine stretch of the North Kona coast has become home to what is likely the largest residential micro-grid project of its kind in the world. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Electric Co. dumped 7 percent of wind power produced in 2014, a significant improvement from 2013 when 17 percent of electricity generated from the three Maui wind farms went unused. Maui News.

Maui Electric Co. is working to reduce the amount of wind power that goes unused each year. Associated Press.

The county Department of Water Supply's capital improvement projects manager has been nominated to become the chief executive officer of the state Commission on Water Resource Management and deputy director to the chairwoman of the panel. Maui News.

Little fire ants are living up to their reputation as a tough-to-beat invasive species, but those working to eradicate them haven't given up hope, even as crews hack their way into Nahiku's dense rain forest to cut paths to get to infested areas. Maui News.

Kauai

Voters could soon be asked to decide whether to keep or eliminate term limits for County Council members. On Wednesday, Kauai County Council Vice-Chair Ross Kagawa will introduce a resolution that, if approved, would put the option to repeal term limits on the 2016 ballot. Garden Island.

The military’s plan to shrink the size of the Army — which will reduce spending by several billion dollars — will not affect the island of Kauai, Army officials said Thursday. Garden Island.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority is trying to bring the PGA Grand Slam of Golf back to the Islands after the PGA announced it would not hold the October event at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles following owner Donald Trump’s controversial comments on immigration and the subsequent business fallout. Pacific Business News.

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz spoke to The Garden Island Thursday on a number of Hawaii topics around Washington, D.C. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Schatz is heavily involved in spending decisions, and he is in position to help steer some of those funds back to the state and to the island of Kauai. Garden Island.