Looser COVID restrictions coming for the holidays, nightclubs sue, alleging anti-LGBTQ+ bias, Kauai begins special election for prosecutor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige

Ige Says He’ll Announce Looser Covid Restrictions Before Thanksgiving. Indoor mask mandates and the Safe Travels program are expected to stay in place. Civil Beat.

As he prepares to ease restrictions, Ige pushes back against efforts to limit his emergency powers. Gov. David Ige says he will be easing restrictions this week with a new emergency proclamation, but is discouraging lawmakers from limiting his emergency powers. The latest pandemic emergency proclamation expires Nov. 30 — 20 months after the governor’s first one. Hawaii News Now.

Ige urges parents to vaccinate keiki. Gov. David Ige said Monday about 14% of children ages 5 to 11 statewide have received at least one shot of vaccine to inoculate them against the novel coronavirus. Tribune-Herald.

Rescued monk seal dies after 5-week battle with parasitic disease spread in cat feces. ‘Kolohe’ the monk seal dies after battle with a parasitic disease. Toxoplasmosis has claimed the life of another treasured Hawaiian monk seal. Toxoplasmosis is a parasite carried by cats that impacts vital organs. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. Star-Advertiser.

Period poverty in Hawaiʻi: some students use newspapers and plants in place of period products. A new report shows a high level of inequity in access to menstrual products in the state. The Hawaiʻi State Commission on the Status of Women and the nonprofit organization Maʻi Movement Hawaiʻi surveyed nearly 400 individuals. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii sees 92 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 86,939. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 48 new cases on Oahu, 19 on Maui, 13 on Hawaii Island, and 12 on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Key areas of Hawaii Kai would be drawn out of district under new election maps plan. Controversy over the state’s proposed voter redistricting plan has now moved to Hawaii Kai. Community leaders are upset the area’s only high school and more could be put in another district. Hawaii News Now.

HART Board approves $645M budget for fiscal year 2023. The budget calls for about $645 million in spending, plus a new appropriation request of nearly $1.7 billion for construction of the line through the so-called City Center from Middle Street to Ala Moana Center. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Prosecution Of Police Misconduct Cases Essentially Stopped During The Pandemic. More than 500 complaints were made against HPD employees last year, leading to recommendations for dozens of firings and suspensions. Civil Beat.

Man locked up in Hawaii State Hospital because of mistaken identity files federal lawsuit. A formerly homeless man who ended up in a mental institution for more than two years because of mistaken identity is suing the state and various Honolulu police officers, Hawaii public defenders and doctors. Associated Press. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Club owners allege anti-LGBTQ+ bias. Honolulu LGBTQ nightclub 'Scarlet' files federal discrimination suit against state, county. The owners of a nightclub and a guide to the islands catering to the LGBTQ+ community filed a federal lawsuit alleging anti-gay discrimination by investigators with the Honolulu Liquor Commission and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Regulated Industries Complaints Office. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Odor from Red Hill fuel release sparks 911 calls. The smell of fuel around the neighborhoods of Foster Village and Aliamanu on Saturday night, near the site of a fuel spill from the Navy’s Red Hill fuel facility, was strong enough that several residents called 911 and multiple units from the Honolulu Fire Department and Federal Fire Department responded. Star-Advertiser.

Fishpond restoration unearths surprising find: A child’s hidden grave from a century ago. The non-profit Hui O Ho’ohonua’s restoration of the fishponds at Honouliuli stream in Ewa Beach recently took an unexpected turn. Hawaii News Now.

Abuse reported years before Isabella Kalua’s death. Honolulu police documented allegations of abuse of Isabella “Ariel” Kalua but took no action when Child Welfare Serv­ices received a report in 2019 that the girl was being beaten and starved by her foster parents — more than two years before she is believed to have died. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Free, Reef-Friendly Sunscreen Now At Waialae Section Of Hāpuna. The first non-chemical sunscreen dispenser in a Hawai‘i State Park was unveiled this week at the Waialae section of Hāpuna State Recreation Area. Big Island Video News.

Renovated, Expanded Na´alehu Public Library Re-Opens to Public. Following a two-year construction project, the library has grown from a 775 square-foot “portable” structure to a 1,676 square-foot library to better meet the needs of the community.  Big Island Now.

Three complete hospice nurse residency. Hawaii Care Choices celebrated a milestone as they graduated three students from the state’s first hospice nurse residency program on Monday morning. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Tax relief is on the way for longtime Maui families struggling with steep hikes in property taxes. The Maui County Council unanimously approved Friday the ʻāina kupuna bill. The measure would amend the county tax code to allow Maui County families who have held onto their land for more than 80 years to dedicate that property as ʻāina kupuna, or ancestral land. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui residents getting a say in how the county reforms its police department. As Maui’s troubled police department is getting new leadership, there is also a push for permanent changes. Community members have submitted revisions to the Maui Charter Commission that could end up on next year’s ballot. Hawaii News Now.

Webinar to Address Discontinuation of Immigrant Benefit Assistance. The County of Maui Department of Housing and Human Concerns, Immigrant Services Division, will host a webinar from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, to address the division’s discontinuation of immigrant benefit services and other services that will continue. Maui Now.

Maui dermatologist pushes back against new proposed sunscreen ban. Maui Dermatologist Dr. George Martin says that the study finding marine harm used too much of the compounds in sunscreen. KHON2.

Youth club seeks to develop permanent space in Paukukalo. Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui’s proposed project open to public comment. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi County deploys ballot drop boxes for prosecuting attorney special election. Kauaʻi County started deploying ballot drop boxes Monday for its special primary election to choose the county’s next prosecuting attorney. Justin Kollar stepped down as county prosecutor earlier this year — resulting in a special election to determine his replacement. Hawaii Public Radio.

“Deep Seven” survey captains, scientists meet tonight. The fishers and scientists behind the annual Bottomfish Fishery Independent Survey (BFISH) will hold their second meeting of the autumn tonight, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Garden Island.

Governor cancels Veterans Day ceremony, Connors acting governor in Ige's, Green's absence, missing girl's adoptive parents charged with her murder, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

2017 Veterans Day parade in Hilo ©2021 All Hawaii News

Governor’s Veterans Day Ceremony has been canceled. Due to the limiting factors associated with the pandemic, the State Department of Defense in conjunction with the State Office of Veteran's Services has canceled the Governor's Veterans Day Ceremony. KITV4.

Josh Green Raises Money On Mainland For Hawaii Governor’s Race. His absence leaves Hawaii Attorney General Clare Connors to fill in as acting governor while Gov. David Ige is in Scotland. Civil Beat.

HTA October COVID-19 Visitor Satisfaction Study: 81% Rate Hawai‘i Trips as Excellent. Nearly all (94%) of the visitors who were polled in this latest study were fully vaccinated, with one in three travelers indicating they had postponed their trip to Hawaiʻi or waited to visit until the vaccination exemption was in place.  Maui Now.

Hawaii Sues State’s Largest Oil Refiner For Alleged Unpaid Taxes. The State of Hawaii has sued the state’s largest oil refiner, alleging the company relied on a flawed interpretation of state tax law to skirt paying tens of millions of dollars in taxes annually for an unknown number of years. The whistleblower suit against Par Hawaii could have repercussions for other companies operating in Hawaii’s foreign trade zones. Civil Beat.

Questionable Spending And Lax Oversight By Wespac Of Secretive Fisheries Fund. Federal investigators questioned one out of every $6 the regional fishery council spent over the past decade and documented inappropriate procurement practices. Civil Beat.

Hawaii records 6 new coronavirus-related deaths, 142 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 69 new cases on Oahu, 28 on Hawaii Island, 13 on Maui, 17 on Kauai one on Lanai, and 14 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Short-term rental bill advances despite confusion. The Honolulu City Council is considering a measure that would alter the rules for short-term rentals, notably increasing the minimum stay to six months from 30 days for short-term rentals without a special permit. Star-Advertiser.

Adoptive parents of Isabella Kalua arrested for murder in connection with her disappearance. Honolulu police say that the adoptive parents of 6-year-old Isabella Kalua, also known as Ariel Sellers, killed her sometime around mid-August and reported her missing a month later. Both parents were arrested Wednesday for suspicion of second-­degree murder and charged as part of an FBI and Honolulu police investigation into the child’s disappearance. Both are being held without bail. Authorities have not recovered her body, but continue to search the Kalua’s Waimanalo property. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.  Hawaii Public Radio.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Department of Education finds no bias in how girl’s arrest was handled. The state Department of Education has not found any evidence of bias or wrongdoing by its employees after they called police, who then arrested a 10-year-old Black girl on a campus for allegedly drawing a picture featuring a gun and death threats above the names of students. Star-Advertiser.

Stream contaminated by runoff containing high amounts of drinking alcohol. The state Health Department is now investigating the spill from a storm pipe next the the H-2 Freeway. The state Department of Transportation, which owns the pipe, told the DOH that the spill came from Paradise Beverages, which owns a warehouse across the freeway from the spill site. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

EPA fines Hawaii County for failure to complete wastewater treatment facility design by deadline. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today said it has fined the County of Hawaii $28,500 for its failure to meet a deadline to complete the design of the Pahala Wastewater Treatment Facility. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi Island Coastal Vulnerability Takes Global Stage. Hawaiʻi island was recently highlighted on the global stage at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26. Big Island Video News. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

MFD seeks new tanker to meet Upcountry demand. The Maui Fire Department is proposing a new fire tanker in Kula to assist with the growing number of calls Upcountry, help with response time and water resources and combat the increase in wildfires in the Kahikinui and Kaupo areas. Maui News.

Acting Gov. Connors Declares Disaster Emergency Relief Period for Maui Drought. Acting Gov. Clare Connors has signed a proclamation that provides relief to Maui County, which has suffered under drought conditions since March 2019. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Former Kauai Councilman Pleads Guilty To Leading Meth Ring. Former Kauai County Councilman Arthur Brun pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges that he led a methamphetamine ring supplied by the United Samoan Organization, a gang that operates in and out of the Hawaii prison system. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Kaua‘i allows bars, gyms to choose new policies. Effective Friday, high-risk businesses — including bars, restaurants and gyms — can institute their own COVID-19 vaccination or testing policy for entry to reopen to 100% indoor capacity, according to a new county policy. Garden Island.

Kauai Homeowners Worry About ‘Black Slime’ Health Risks. Residents say they feel trapped in new homes plagued by a mysterious water problem that they fear could be making them sick. Civil Beat.

Ala Wai project back on the table, legislative leaders want to curb governor's emergency powers, assaults on nurses worry union, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kayaks on the Ala Wai ©2021 All Hawaii News

Ala Wai project back on the table to develop a new flood risk management plan. A new plan for the controversial Ala Wai Flood Risk Management project won’t emerge until at least 2023. However, on Wednesday, the first of a series of virtual public meetings will restart the clock on the two-decades-old project. Star-Advertiser.

Citing COVID response, legislative leaders push to curb governor’s emergency powers. As the pandemic drags on, along with emergency rules on everything from travel to masks, there’s a renewed push to curb the governor’s powers. Legislative leaders in both parties say Hawaii’s chief executive shouldn’t have the sole discretion to declare an emergency and they’re backing plans to put new limits on that power. Hawaii News Now.

Federal Funds Will Be A ‘Shot In The Arm’ For Hawaii’s Infrastructure. Much-needed improvements to coastal highways, bridges, airports and broadband topped the list of priorities as Hawaii officials prepared to spend an anticipated $2.8 billion in federal funds after Congress passed a historic infrastructure bill. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News.

New international travel rules could bring slight bump in Japanese visitors to Hawaiʻi. New COVID-19 rules for international travel kicked in across the country on Monday, opening the borders to fully vaccinated visitors with negative tests. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii sales of high-end properties could get a boost as international travelers return. With wealthy buyers from the U.S. mainland helping Hawaii’s luxury real estate market take flight, the return of international visitors is expected to create additional runway for what is already shaping up as an unprecedented market. Star-Advertiser.

Are You a Laid-Off Hotel Worker? Hawaii’s Education Department Wants You. State education officials are partnering with Unite Here Local 5 to match unemployed hospitality workers with jobs at public schools facing labor shortages. Civil Beat.

Longtime SMS chairman retiring, selling business. Hersh Singer, 74, is preparing to hand over the reins after 35 years with the Honolulu-based research and consulting company. SMS plans to announce today that Singer is retiring Dec. 1 and has sold ownership and management of the company to former Kailua native Tim Carson. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii sees 94 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 85,139. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 39 new cases on Oahu, 33 on Kauai, 17 on Hawaii Island, and eight on Maui, but three previous cases of Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state were removed from the count. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Union: Lack of security to blame for worrisome rise in assaults on Queen’s nurses. The Hawaii Nurses Association says workers at the Queen’s Medical Center are being assaulted by patients ― and that the lack of security at the hospital is to blame. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Ward Village developer reports ‘robust’ luxe condo tower sales. The developer of the Ward Village condominium tower community in Kaka­ako has sold most of its next planned luxury tower while also seeking buyers for a moderate-priced project to be sold by lottery.  Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Police Commissioner Is Stepping Down To Allow More Diversity. Honolulu Police Commissioner Michael Broderick said he won’t seek reappointment when his term runs out in December and is urging Mayor Rick Blangiardi to use the opportunity to diversify the commission. Civil Beat.

Kalihi Uka Elementary is 1st Hawaii public school to offer COVID-19 vaccine to keiki ages 5-11. Kalihi Uka Elementary today hosted the state’s first public school-based COVID-19 vaccination clinic for 5-to-11-year-olds in partnership with Safeway Pharmacy, according to the Hawaii Department of Education. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Drive-thru keiki COVID shots offered at Aloha Stadium. Hawaii Pacific Health is offering drive-thru COVID- 19 vaccinations for kids at Aloha Stadium this weekend. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Slow progress on PONC: Committee created to expedite land stewardship grants. The commission charged with overseeing land set aside for preservation has created a subcommittee to unravel problems in contracting with nonprofits to maintain the properties. West Hawaii Today.

Green light for Waianuenue: Road restoration slated to begin in February. Hawaii County in September awarded a $10 million contract to Jas. W. Glover Ltd. for a rehabilitation project on Waianuenue Avenue that will extend from Kaiulani Street to the upper intersection of Rainbow Drive. Tribune-Herald.

Keiki vaccinations underway on Big Island. In addition, more than 130 public, private and charter schools in the state are offering vaccinations to keiki ages 5 to 11, according to Brooks Baehr, Department of Health spokesman. Schools will not be listed online, because most vaccines will be limited to students. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

South Maui District Office Opens to Public. The new Kīhei District Office gives South Maui residents a nearby place to stop in, connect to the business of the County Council, and receive essential information for being citizens engaged in the Council’s legislative process. Maui Now.

UHMC announces new office, employees. The University of Hawaii Maui College recently announced the creation of a new Enrollment Management Office and two new employees that will assist with improving student recruitment and retention. Maui News.

Kauai

County TAT payments for monthly filers due Nov. 20. The county implemented its new Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) on Oct. 1, and the first deadline for monthly payments are coming. Garden Island.

County announces Kaua‘i Made fair schedule. The Kaua‘i Made program offers a wide range of these products, including apparel and accessories, artwork, crafts, food, floral, health and beauty products, jewelry, publications and more. Garden Island.

Ige headed to Glasgow for climate change conference, Kamehameha Schools contact tracing draws Maui resistance, Honolulu lifeguard shortage closes beaches, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Gov. David Ige

Gov. David Ige among governors to join U.N. climate talks. At least a half-dozen state governors, including Hawaii Gov. David Ige, plan to attend parts of the United Nations’ climate change conference in Glasgow, known as COP26, that started Sunday and runs through Nov. 12. Ige will lead a delegation that includes Suzanne Case, director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Scott Glenn, head of the Hawaii State Energy Office. Star-Advertiser.

Senate Confirms Six Judicial Appointments. The Hawaiʻi State Senate voted to confirm the Governor’s Circuit Court appointments of Clarissa Y. Malinao, Kevin T. Morikone and Shanlyn A.S. Park to the First Circuit Court – Oʻahu; Kirstin M. Hamman to the Second Circuit Court – Maui; and Wendy M. DeWeese to the Third Circuit Court – Hawaiʻi Island. In addition, the Senate also confirmed the Chief Justice’s appointment of Kimberly B.M. Taniyama to the District Court of the Third Circuit – Hawaiʻi Island. Maui Now.

Should A Pilot Program To Expand Homeless Services In Hawaii Be Extended? Ohana Zones funding has helped transition 1,100 homeless people into permanent housing. Civil Beat.

Teacher vacancies ease in Hawaii, but substitutes are hard to find. Hawaii’s chronic classroom teacher shortage has eased this year to levels not seen in decades, tied in part to a declining student population as well as new and improved efforts to recruit teachers, according to the state Department of Education. Star-Advertiser.

Experts Say Covid-19 May Never Go Away, But It’s Becoming Manageable. Some think Hawaii is through the worst of the coronavirus pandemic but health officials urge caution as the virus becomes endemic. Civil Beat.

Hawaii records 10 new coronavirus-related deaths, 152 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 56 new cases on Oahu, 33 on Hawaii Island, 22 on Maui, 14 on Kauai and 27 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Resistance mounts to Hawaii's COVID-19 rules. Endemic or not, there are signs of growing weariness when it comes to restrictions, with even health care leaders warning earlier this month of the related social and economic toll. Star-Advertiser.

Some Oahu sports parents want COVID-19 protocols gone. As indoor and outdoor events prepare to operate at hundred percent capacity on O'ahu this week, some sports parents say more needs to be done to get back to normal. KITV4.

Following city’s green light, industry pros are already seeing big interest for large events. With live events back on across Oahu, the calendar is already filling up for industry professionals. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Ocean Safety prepping for busy winter season amid staffing issues. Honolulu Ocean Safety said they are prepping for a busy winter surf season with more visitors and more people in the water, but the season comes as the department faces staffing issues. These issues have resulted in lifeguard towers being closed at any given time across Oahu. KHON2.

Officials report 31 possible sea turtle nests near Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Scientists at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii say there’s a good chance you may see a Hawaiian green sea turtle out for a swim near the base. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

County gyms, community centers to reopen today. All Hawaii County gymnasiums and community centers reopen to the public today after being closed for more than a year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. West Hawaii Today.

Leftover money: $52.7 million fund balance carried forward to next year. The fund balance — money not spent in the previous year that’s carried over to the new budget year that began July 1 — is higher than usual because of an infusion of federal money from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and because some county obligations were suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic. West Hawaii Today.

Roth: building permit reviews to be expedited. As the county administration struggles with a backlog of more than 1,500 building permit applications stuck in its new computerized EPIC system, contractors and County Council members have more questions than answers following a statement from Mayor Mitch Roth that certain permit reviews will be “expedited.” West Hawaii Today.

Another delay for Kalanianaole: New estimated completion date for roadwork is August 2022. One lane of Kalanianaole Avenue, the primary access road to Keaukaha and King’s Landing, has been partially closed for road construction since 2018. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Contact tracing device plans at Maui school spur protests. Students will have to wear lanyards that have COVID-19 exposure alerts. Saying the move came without consent, some Maui parents are opposing a plan by Kamehameha Schools to make students wear tech devices that will alert users of possible COVID-19 exposure. Maui News.

County to add more pickleball courts amid struggle for space. Tennis and pickleball players say there’s not enough to go around. Maui News.

In Maui County, axis deer are taking feed from livestock and causing crashes. Lawmakers want Ige to act. State leaders are calling for additional action to help manage the axis deer population in Maui County. Hawaii News Now.

Local Blogger Makes Authorial Debut with “Maui 2021 and Beyond”. Liza Pierce, local blogger and creator of A Maui Blog, recently debuted her first book, “Maui 2021 and Beyond: Your Simple Guide to Enjoying Your Maui Vacation During and After COVID-19 Pandemic,” a timely and relevant guidebook for travelers who plan to visit Maui in the COVID-19 era. Maui Now.

Kauai

Beachgoer puts up fence protecting Po‘ipu honu. Tom Hennessy hopes to eventually collaborate with government officials, nearby monk-seal volunteers or community members to create a formal, more-durable barrier system. Garden Island.

New Kapa‘a fire truck quickly useful. The new brushfire truck at the Kaua‘i Fire Department Kapa‘a fire station was put into necessary service before it was even blessed last week, and proved instrumental in controlling and finally extinguishing a pesky brush fire in Anahola that started Tuesday and was not fully extinguished until Wednesday night. Garden Island.

Military beefing up Hawaii presence, closed elementary school windows leads to COVID cluster, Honolulu reopens without governor's blessing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Pohakuloa Training Area ©2021 All Hawaii News

Army Holds Large-Scale Readiness Exercise In Hawaii For The First Time. Commanders say the Joint Pacific Multinational Training Center drills are likely to continue to be held in the islands, which have more realistic terrain for war scenarios. Civil Beat.

Hawaii sees 31% drop in visitor arrivals in September. A combination of scant international travel to Hawaii, a COVID-19 surge and Gov. David Ige’s subsequent plea in August for travelers to avoid non­essential trips to the state through October contributed to a substantial drop in visitor arrivals last month compared with pre-pandemic September 2019. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

The Plan To Redraw Hawaii’s Political Lines Goes Out For Public Comment. Members of the Hawaii Reapportionment Commission on Thursday voted unanimously to put forward its redistricting plan for public comment. The commission is planning to host meetings in November and December that would give the public the opportunity to weigh in on the proposals. Civil Beat.

Former City Auditor: Les Kondo Is The ‘Poster Child For Bad Auditing.’ Edwin Young encourages the Legislature to “take action” against the state auditor or risk consequences. But the state auditor said Young is biased. Civil Beat.

U.S. Postal Service looking to fill more than 600 positions in Hawaii. The U.S. Postal Service is seeking to fill more than 600 jobs in Hawaii, over half of which are seasonal positions for the upcoming holiday season. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Hawaii Tourism Authority hires T. Ilihia Gionson for new public affairs position. The Hawaii Tourism Authority has hired T. Ilihia Gionson, a longtime public affairs and community engagement professional from Hawaii island, as public affairs officer. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 cluster report highlights Oahu elementary school, notes downward trend in cases statewide. The latest cluster report from the Hawaii Department of Health reflects a downward trend of COVID-19 cases, with only 13 clusters currently under investigation statewide. Star-Advertiser.

DOH says poor classroom ventilation likely contributed to cluster of 30 COVID cases. Officials said teachers had closed windows and doors to limit outdoor noise levels and to maintain the central air conditioning. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii records 2 new coronavirus-related deaths, 126 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 47 new cases on Oahu, 38 on Hawaii Island, 22 on Maui, nine on Kauai, one on Molokai and nine Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Governor didn’t approve city’s planned reboot of large indoor events but has no plans to stop it. Gov. David Ige says he’s not comfortable with the city’s plan to allow large indoor events on Oahu, but won’t stop Honolulu’s mayor from moving forward. Hawaii News Now.

City explains reasoning behind food and beverage restrictions at Oahu events. As Oahu prepares for the resumption of large events following Mayor Rick Blan­giardi’s loosening of COVID- 19 restrictions, food and beverages will be banned at events like football games even as movie theaters continue with soda and popcorn concessions. Star-Advertiser.

Amid calls for relocation of Red Hill, the Navy pushes a double-tank test. Amid ongoing fuel leaks between Red Hill and Pearl Harbor, the Navy said it is investing over $750 million in improvements to its aging fuel storage tanks that lie 100 feet above the Moanalua-Waimalu groundwater aquifer — while also pursuing a double-wall tank experiment. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Former judge tells lawmakers he was removed from audit after questioning rail spending. Randal Lee, a retired Circuit Court Judge and white-collar crime expert, said when he began looking into the rail authority’s books back in 2018, he quickly spotted 76 questionable change orders. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi hosts city blessing following completion of repairs at Koko Crater Stairs. The city partnered with the Kokonut Koalition, a nonprofit which coordinated thousands of hours of labor by hundreds of volunteers that manually hauled more than 600,000 pounds of materials up the incline.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

County breaks ground on new dispatch call center. A new emergency call center being built in Hilo will improve communications between the county’s police and fire departments. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Puna water projects mulled: Meeting held to discuss restoration of service to Isaac Hale Beach Park, 12 other proposals. Hawaii County will not be reinvesting in infrastructure destroyed by the 2018 Kilauea eruption, public officials said Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui mayor wants to loosen COVID restrictions on large gatherings, restaurant capacity. Maui Mayor Victorino said he asked the governor to loosen restrictions and change gathering limits and also wants restaurants to be allowed capacity anywhere from 75% to 100% — instead of the current 50%. KHON2.

Large Employers Either Silent or Taking a Wait and See Approach to Vaccine Mandates. Several large employers on Maui are either silent or taking a wait and see approach when it comes to mandating COVID-19 vaccines for their employees. Maui Now.

DOE request to open school without a crossing denied. The state Land Use Commission on Wednesday denied the state Department of Education’s request to allow it to open Kihei high school without an underpass or overpass for pedestrians. Maui News. Hawaii News Now.

Maui crews are successfully eradicating invasive little fire ants — with aerial support. The Maui Invasive Species Committee began a pilot project two years ago using helicopters to spray bait aimed at sterilizing ant queens and curbing the stinging pests. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kaua‘i vacation rentals on rebound. A new Hawai‘i Tourism Authority report shows demand, although down from a summertime high, equaled 53,346 unit nights last month. That’s up 1,424.2% from September 2020, when 3,500 unit nights were recorded, but still down 42.5% from September 2019. Garden Island.

Hawaii welcomes all vaccinated domestic travelers back to the state, Oahu tackles general plan, Hawaii council favors hotel tax hike, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige

Gov. David Ige ready to welcome fully vaccinated domestic travelers back to Hawaii Nov. 1. Ige's announcement comes nearly two months after he asked travelers to avoid Hawaiʻi because case counts were surging with the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. Civil Beat.

Hawaii sees 80 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 82,591. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 42 new cases on Oahu, 14 on Maui, six on Hawaii island, two on Kauai and 16 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Nearly 90% of Honolulu city workers are partially vaccinated. Almost 90% of city workers have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to an update on compliance with Honolulu Hale’s mandate requiring all employees to be vaccinated, unless granted a medical or religious exemption. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Honolulu City Council seeks public input for the Oʻahu General Plan. The Honolulu City Council is encouraging residents to provide input for what the city should focus on in the coming years. Resolution 21-23 outlines the Oʻahu General Plan, a document providing an updated focus on the quality of life of residents and supporting strong communities. Hawaii Public Radio.

Police commission pledges plenty of sunshine in process for picking new HPD chief. It has been six months since Susan Ballard announced that she was retiring as Honolulu’s police chief. And the Honolulu Police Commission is still struggling to name her replacement. Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers seek answers about Navy’s handling of Pearl Harbor fuel leak. A dozen state lawmakers are asking a top U.S. Navy official to support an independent investigation into whether people under his command sought to hide details about a fuel leak into the waters of Pearl Harbor from state health officials and the public out of concern it could jeopardize the Navy’s permit to continue operating its Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

TMT foes march to University of Hawaii president’s home. Dozens of opponents to the Thirty Meter Telescope project on Mauna Kea walked by the University of Hawaii president’s Palolo residence in a display against the telescope project. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu shifting to victim-focused domestic violence prosecutions. A 30-year-old policy that prevented Honolulu prosecutors from dropping domestic violence prosecutions no matter what a victim said is over, and law enforcement will partner with a local nonprofit to help ensure survivor safety. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Favorable reception for new TAT tax. Most — if not all — County Council members support tacking an extra 3% tax on hotel, timeshare and transient vacation rental charges, but a bill to do that was postponed two weeks by the Finance Committee on Tuesday to work out more of the details. West Hawaii Today.

County: ‘Love Island’ got a free pass. Doug Adams, the county’s research and development director, said the Big Island Film Office, which is managed by Research and Development, did not do proper diligence in connecting the “Love Island” production with various county agencies that would have required permits. Tribune-Herald.

Council roasts bad-faith coffee producers. A resolution presented to the County Council Committee on Governmental Operations, Relations and Economic Development on Tuesday urges the state legislature to pursue new laws that would require coffee blends to be at least 51% Hawaii-grown in order to use Hawaii geographic names on their labels. Tribune-Herald.

Council chair criticizes speakers for promoting ‘dangerous views’ about COVID. Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters blasted several speakers Tuesday for promoting what he called “dangerous views” about COVID treatments. The speakers were invited to Honolulu Hale by Councilmember Andria Tupola, who opposes the city’s vaccine mandate. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

New Rules Announced for Maui Parks Concessions. New rules for parks concessions have been finalized and certified, the Department of Parks and Recreation announced today. Maui Now.

In a first, president of Maui water company says he’s willing to work with kalo farmers. After a decades-long battle over water on Maui, the president of Wailuku Water Company says he is willing to work with kalo (taro) farmers for better solutions moving forward. Avery Chumbley admitted to avoiding collaboration in the past because he said the farmers were too confrontational. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Council to vote today on fast-track housing. Members of the Kaua‘i County Council will consider a resolution today that would implement a fast-track permitting process for workforce-housing development, a step that is hoped will help to address the housing crisis on the island. Garden Island.

Rare birds breeding in restored wetlands. Endangered waterbirds are flocking to the island’s South Shore, following ongoing wetlands-restoration efforts at Makauwahi Cave Reserve. Garden Island.

Navy kept mum about Red Hill fuel tank leaking into Pearl Harbor, illegal tour groups, boat tours fined, condos drive Maui's hot real estate market, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Healthcare leaders 'cautiously optimistic' about COVID conditions, support governor's plan to ease restrictions. Governor David Ige is expected to announce details on the adjustments by the end of this week. KITV4. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Task force studies scourge of missing and murdered Native Hawaiian women and girls. The panel, created by the state House earlier this year, aims to gather data and identify the reasons behind the problem. As of now, few figures exist, but those that do suggest Native Hawaiians are disproportionately represented among the state's sex trafficking victims. Associated Press.

Hawaii residents will need to press more buttons for local calls. Many are used to dialing seven digits to make local calls, but they will need to include the 8-0-8 area code before those seven digits when calling local numbers starting Sunday, Oct. 24. KHON2.

Hawaii Is Prone To Fire But State Money To Control The Problem Is Lacking. Some residents are taking action to protect their homes and communities from devastating wildland fires. Civil Beat.

Hawaii records 8 new coronavirus-related deaths, 304 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 166 new cases on Oahu, 30 on Maui, 54 on Hawaii Island, 28 on Kauai and 26 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Hope high for announcement on loosening Hawaii COVID-19 restrictions. Expectations are high that a change in COVID-19 restrictions will be announced today after Mayor Rick Blangiardi told a crowd of event planners at Honolulu Hale on Thursday, “I think tomorrow you’ll be pleased.” Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Family of doctor killed in Kakaako pedestrian crash is awarded $10 million. The Honolulu City Council has approved a $10 million settlement in a civil lawsuit filed by the family of William Travis Lau, one of three pedestrians killed in the January 2019 crash in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

Amid ‘Political Concerns,’ Navy Kept Quiet About Red Hill Pipeline Leaking Into Pearl Harbor. As the health department held hearings on whether the Navy could operate its Red Hill fuel facility safely, fuel from a Red Hill pipeline was leaking into Pearl Harbor. Civil Beat.

Council considers saying ‘I do’ to wedding, commercial activity ban at Waimanalo beach parks. The City Council is considering a ban on commercial activities, including weddings, along the Waimanalo shoreline. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu’s solar battery program to boost clean energy stymied by permitting system. A new program offering Hawaiian Electric customers on Oahu the opportunity to add their stored solar power to the grid and get paid for it has generated plenty of interest, according to those in the industry. Star-Advertiser.

Businessman accused of conducting illegal boat tours in Kaneohe Bay faces $180K fine. The state is proposing a $180,000 fine against a boat owner accused of conducting unpermitted tours in Kaneohe Bay, despite repeated warnings to stop. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu’s new homeless Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement program is expected to begin in 2 weeks. The city’s long-awaited Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement program, which will use a separate team of first responders to address nonviolent homeless emergency calls, is expected to start in the next two weeks. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

School’s permit request advances: Planning commission votes 4-1 to support Connections’ project. The Windward Planning Commission voted 4-1 Thursday to forward a favorable recommendation to the state Land Use Commission to grant a special permit for Connections New Century Public Charter School to build a campus on about 70 acres of agricultural-zoned state land in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Chief medical officer sues Kona Community Hospital. The chief medical officer of Kona Community Hospital is suing the hospital, Kona Ambulatory Surgery Center and three individuals in a personnel dispute. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Condo Sales Leading Hot Real Estate Market for September. The Maui real estate market remained hot for September 2021, with the median sales price for single-family homes at $996,500 (27.3% higher than a year ago) and $729,125 for condominiums (a 46.6% increase from September 2020), according to statistics from the REALTORS® Association of Maui. Maui Now.

HuiZero, Maui’s First Zero Waste To-Go Food Container Program Set to Launch. The stainless steel HuiZero containers are available at participating restaurants to get food to go, and are exchangeable at other participating restaurants. Maui Now.

Hawaii startup Parklinq expands to Maui. Parklinq, a Hawaii startup app that seeks to solve the problem many residents and tourists face when searching for parking in the Islands, is expanding its operations to Maui.  Pacific Business News.

Kauai

County asks to dissolve tier system. The County Kaua‘i moved forward this week with plans to repeal the COVID-19 tier system as local spread of the virus continued. Garden Island.

Photographers illegally capturing photos at off-limits Kauai locations receive cease and desist. The state is cracking down on professional wedding photographers who are breaking the rules to get the perfect shot on Kauai. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaiian Petrel Chick Rescued from Flooded Burrow on Kaua‘i. The rescue was carried out late last week by a monitoring team from Archipelago Research and Conservation. Maui Now.

Lanai

Raucous Roosters Are Invading Neighborhoods On Lanai. Residents say an influx of roosters is laying bare an age-old spat over two sometimes conflicting hallmarks of country life: agriculture and peace and quiet. Civil Beat.

Ige to announce relaxed restrictions this week, Las Vegas captain tapped for Maui police chief, Honolulu council to vet pick for city auditor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

USS Daniel Inouye guided missile destroyer PC: U.S. Navy

New $1.5 billion-plus Navy destroyer USS Daniel Inouye heading for Hawaii. The Navy’s new “Go for Broke” destroyer named for U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, a World War II hero and one of Hawaii’s most influential statesmen, is sailing to its new home port of Pearl Harbor and a Dec. 8 commissioning at Kilo Pier. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Combative auditor hearings cross midpoint, with weeks to go. As the hearings enter their fourth week, resuming today for sessions slated to continue for about three more weeks, there has been no clear testimony presented — in public, at least — of obvious wrongdoing by state Auditor Les Kondo or his office. Star-Advertiser.

Trailblazing CEO Connie Lau will pass the torch at Hawaiian Electric Industries. Connie Lau, the longtime president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc., highest-paid female executive in the state, and a driving force behind the company’s move toward clean energy, is retiring at the end of this year. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Sierra Club Hawaiʻi Director Marti Townsend steps down. The environmental organization’s new director is Wayne Tanaka — an attorney, engineer, and environmental advocate. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

First Hearing Held On Proposed Hawaiian Homes Bill. The federal legislation ensures long-term tenancy to beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and their successors, Kahele says, by reducing the successorship qualification of a lessee’s spouse, children, grandchildren and brothers or sisters from one quarter to one thirty-second Hawaiian. Big Island Video News.

Help wanted: Substitute teacher shortage stretches Hawaii public schools thin. The DOE said they are aware that in some rural areas, where there are general staffing shortages, it is challenging to secure substitutes. Some schools are taking it upon themselves to recruit educators. KHON2.

A+ program staffing shortage leaves hundreds of kids waiting and their parents scrambling. At least 2,600 elementary school-age children — nearly 1,600 at the A+ program held at public schools on Oahu, served by YMCA of Honolulu, and 1,000 at schools on four islands, served by Kamaaina Kids — are on the waitlist in the current school year.  Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige expected to announce relaxed restrictions this week. As Covid-19 case counts continue to drop, Gov. David Ige plans to announce relaxed restrictions later this week, a spokesperson for the governor told KITV-4 Tuesday. KITV4.

Hope for eager UH football fans: Ige says he’s looking to ease some COVID rules soon. In a one-on-one interview with Hawaii News Now on Tuesday, Gov. David Ige said he’s planning a slow return for UH spectators. He said he hopes to make an announcement with the four county mayors about easing rules by Friday. Hawaii News Now.

Pandemic Hardships Have Made Hawaii’s Nursing Shortage Even Worse. As nurses left the profession, bottlenecks in education made it hard to replace them. Civil Beat.

With enough vaccine supply, DOH offers Pfizer booster shots to any adult who is eligible. Officials said those who had their second Pfizer shot at least six months ago and who feels they are at risk because of certain health conditions or their job, are eligible for a third dose. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii sees 91 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 80,414. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 53 new cases on Oahu, 12 on Maui, 15 on Hawaii Island, seven on Kauai and four Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu may soon have a new city auditor. The Honolulu City Council is expected to take up the nomination Wednesday of Arushi Kumar to head the office that conducts financial and performance evaluations of city departments, programs, activities and services. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oʻahu home prices continue hot streak, but there are signs of stabilization. The median price for a single-family home on Oʻahu rose to $1,050,000 in September. The median price for a condominium also rose last month to $480,000. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2.

Old housing in Moiliili cleared for affordable midrise. The blessing by Kahu Kordell Kekoa was part of a ceremonial groundbreaking for a 105-unit midrise apartment building on a site previously occupied by 26 residences in several low-rise apartments and one single-family home dating as far back as 1928. Star-Advertiser.

HART Effort To Hire Welders To Fix Rail Tracks Falls Flat. A recent effort by Honolulu rail officials to hire licensed welders who might help fix one of the transit system’s most basic problems, in which the train wheels don’t align properly with the track crossings, has come up empty. Civil Beat.

New UH COVID-19 prediction models show infection rates trending down. In the latest report, scientists believe the Safe Access Oahu program that requires people to show their COVID-19 vaccination card or negative test result at most indoor spaces helped bring down case counts. KITV4.

Honolulu medical examiner's office using refrigerated containers for COVID-19 deaths. The medical examiner's office is also in the middle of a $5 million renovation to double its capacity, but construction is going to be another year and a half. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs on Friday announced the purchase of two commercial properties adjacent to its headquarters in Iwilei for $47 million. OHA intends to use the properties as a revenue generator and plans to keep Ross, Longs and PetSmart. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Ambitious audit plan set: Change orders, inventory, Fire Department, property taxes top list. An audit of contract change orders, property tax revenues, countywide inventory controls and performance of the Fire Department are among 13 projects slated this year by the county’s new auditor. West Hawaii Today.

Trailers could be allowed again at 5 transfer stations. At a Tuesday meeting of the County Council’s Regenerative Agriculture, Water, Energy and Environmental Management Committee, Ramzi Mansour, director of the Hawaii County Department of Environmental Management, said that five of the county’s 22 transfer stations could possibly be modified to once again allow people to use towable trailers to deposit waste. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Las Vegas Police Captain Selected As Final Candidate For Maui Police Chief. John Pelletier still needs to make it through pre-employment investigations before being appointed as the police chief. Civil Beat.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Charter Commission Votes for Greater Public Access and Transparency. The Maui Charter Commission last Thursday voted to advance several Charter amendment proposals that, if approved by voters in November 2022, aims to bring greater integrity and transparency to County government operations.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Council mulls using eminent domain for affordable housing. The Kaua‘i County Council will vote today on whether the county will use eminent domain to acquire a 23.5-acre parcel of land in Kilauea. Garden Island.

KFCC installs new slate of officers. Nancy Apalla of the Kaua‘i Filipino Community Council said the group that oversees the many Filipino groups on Kaua‘i cannot get stopped because of the COVID-19 virus. Garden Island.

Ige extends pandemic restrictions to Nov. 30, Maui mayor defies Ige's order and allows spectators at sporting events, Kaiser health workers to vote on strike, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki shoppers @2021 All Hawaii News all rights reserved

Hawaii’s tourism industry anticipates a gradual return of visitors from Japan. As Japan officials ease COVID restrictions across the nation, Hawaii’s tourism industry can expect a rebound. But industry leaders anticipate the return of Japanese travelers will be a gradual one, and it will be some time before Hawaii’s economy sees the positive impacts. Hawaii News Now.

Governor extends mask rules, travel regulations for another 60 days, through Nov. 30. Gov. David Ige said Friday he would extend emergency orders requiring masks and regulating travel amid ongoing concerns about high numbers of COVID-19 infections. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Full text of Gov. David Ige's latest emergency proclamation can be found here.

State health department to end daily breakdown of Hawaii’s COVID-related deaths. Sunday’s email with the breakdown of deaths was the final one from the DOH for the foreseeable future, according to DOH spokesperson Brooks Baehr. Hawaii News Now.

Kaiser health care workers to vote on strike following failed contract negotiations. After months of failed contract negotiations, nearly 2,000 health care workers at Kaiser Permanente are set to vote on whether to authorize a strike. Hawaii News Now.

Saving Hawaii’s Banana Industry ‘One Good Banana’ At A Time Gabriel Sachter-Smith is on a mission to find the perfect banana for Hawaii. He’s already got 200 varieties in the works. Civil Beat.

State bankruptcies plummet 31% to 15-year low. Around the state, bankruptcies were mixed in the four major counties last month. Honolulu County filings dropped to 65 from 91, Maui County filings declined to nine from 23, Hawaii County filings remained at seven and Kauai County filings ticked up to five from four. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii businesses concerned, affected by COVID restrictions, survey finds. An anonymous Chamber of Commerce Hawaii survey of 217 members — conducted Sept. 10 of mostly Oahu businesses before Safe Access O‘ahu rules went into affect — found that 53% of respondents were still experiencing a workforce shortage, compared with 86% from a similar survey conducted in May. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii records 7 new coronavirus-related deaths, 277 additional infections. The  new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 161 new cases on Oahu, 21 on Maui, 65 on Hawaii island, 29 on Kauai and one Hawaii resident diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

As COVID crisis eases, mayor to propose that Oahu bars be allowed to serve alcohol until midnight. Honolulu’s mayor says he soon hopes to make changes to the city’s rules for bars, allowing them to serve alcohol until midnight rather than halting service at 10 p.m. Hawaii News Now.

City says at-home rapid tests can be used for entry to restaurants, gyms. At-home rapid COVID tests ― like the ones the city is giving away ― can be used for patrons or workers at restaurants, gyms and other businesses. But they’re not allowed for other government mandates. Hawaii News Now.

Embattled HPD commander reassigned after another officer files complaint against him. HPD Major Stephen Gerona has been the subject of multiple Hawaii News Now reports after four veteran officers came forward, accusing him of bullying, retaliation, harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Hawaii News Now.

Health officials join in chorus calling for Gov. Ige to allow fans at UH football. UH remains the lone FBS college football team without in-person fans. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Convention Center rooftop terrace needs repair. The Hawaii Tourism Authority plans to ask Gov. David Ige to add $64 million to the state’s capital improvements budget so that it can finally fix a leaky rooftop deck at the Hawai’i Convention Center. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Virtual public forum on new Maunakea Master Plan set. The University of Hawaii will host a virtual forum Wednesday evening during which the public can ask questions via email about the draft of a new Maunakea Master Plan. West Hawaii Today.

Lava from Kilauea volcano remains contained. Lava continues to erupt from multiple vents along the floor and western wall of Halemaumau Crater at the summit of Kilauea Volcano within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Star-Advertiser. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News. Maui Now.

Bay Clinic, West Hawaii Community Health Center announce merger. Bay Clinic and West Hawaii Community Health Center will consolidate operations next year to form a new health care organization serving patients islandwide. Tribune-Herald.

New Deputy Director Of Department of Research and Development Named. Robert “Bob” Agres, who recently served as the Manager for Disaster Recovery Community Engagement and Collaboration under the Planning Department and was familiar to the residents of Puna who were impacted by the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea, will fill the position. Agres succeeds Sulma Gandhi. Big Island Video News.

Maui

County visitor lodging tax set to roll out next month. Maui leaders will charge full 3% in wake of state call to pull county TATs. With more time needed to prepare, especially for smaller accommodations, the Maui County Council on Friday passed a new visitor lodging tax but put off enacting it until Nov. 1. Maui News.

Fans allowed to go back to some games, Victorino says. Mayor Michael Victorino bucked the governor’s denial of his proposed rule changes, moving ahead Friday with looser restrictions that will allow spectators to attend certain youth sporting events. Maui News. Hawaii News Now.

Six aging structures along the historic Hana Highway on Maui are chosen for major improvements. Many of the one-lane bridges were built more than a century ago and are obsolete by modern traffic safety and load standards.  Star-Advertiser.

Maui officials are seeking proposals on how to manage the county's overwhelming deer population. A county survey estimated there are currently 50,000 deer on the Valley Isle, and predicts the population could reach 210,000 in the next decade. KITV4.

Kauai

Future of Eastside water system uncertain. Nearly two years after management of the East Kaua‘i Irrigation System passed to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, no solution has been successfully implemented to prevent the system’s decommissioning. Garden Island.

HTA touts plans to cultivate ‘mindful visitors’. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority is promising a transition to a new direction, one aimed toward greater environmental sustainability and appreciation of local culture. Garden Island.

Lanai

Lanai Council Considers Resident-Only Beach Park Access. Crowds at the popular beach park fronting Lanai’s crescent-shaped Hulopoe Bay have sparked tensions between local residents and tourists. Civil Beat.