Legislature passes anti-nepotism bill but exempts itself, Honolulu police use of force rises, mystery balloon not from China, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State lawmakers pass anti-nepotism bill — but it doesn’t apply to them. The law would bar any state employee from making employment decisions about a family or household member or contracting decisions involving a company owned or controlled by family. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii could become first state to offer debt repayment to all medical professionals. Hawaii may be the first state in the country to offer to pay student debt for every eligible health professional in the state. Over the last 10 years, the Hawaii State Loan Repayment Program has helped about 90 people working in nonprofit, government and rural health care with their student loans. Hawaii News Now.

Green’s First Veto Override: A Condo Bill That Could Increase The Cost Of Housing. Besides the Senate override, lawmakers in both chambers worked through numerous bills Tuesday, including some dealing with taxes and guns. Civil Beat.

Governor Green In Los Angeles For Global Conference. Governor Josh Green, M.D. travelled to Los Angeles, California, to attend the 26th Annual Milken Institute Global Conference, an event that brings together leaders from around the globe to tackle critical issues facing society. Big Island Video News.

Your Hawaii Home Insurance Rates Have Probably Gone Up. Here’s Why. The reasons are numerous, including rising construction costs, leaking pipes and Florida’s Hurricane Ian. But there are ways to reduce your premiums. Hawaii Business magazine.

Balloon recently spotted off Hawaii not a threat, military says.  The Air Force sent fighter jets Friday to respond to a mysterious balloon that flew through Hawaii’s airspace, but officials say they don’t think the object poses a threat either to civilian aircraft or national security. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Garden Island.

Humpback Whales Are ‘Remarkably Resilient’ Even Amid Climate Crisis, New Study Shows. When a researcher first went to study whales from the air, he worried for their future. His recent findings make him hopeful. Civil Beat.

Oahu

HPD’s use of force is rare, but increasing, UH study finds. The police officers union panned a University of Hawaii study that showed use-of-force incidents involving Honolulu Police Department officers increased from 706 in 2010 to 2,646 in 2021 while police leadership and commissioners continued to review the findings. Star-Advertiser.

Transit ordinance to also include rules for rail riders. After years of construction delays, the Honolulu Rail is expected to welcome passengers starting in July, the Honolulu City Council is working on passing new public transit rules to also include the rail. KHON2.

Community, lawmakers and Marines clash on use of Puʻuloa Range Training Facility. Long before houses and schools popped up in the area, the U.S. Marine Corps has utilized the Puʻuloa Range Training Facility in Leeward Oʻahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tests reveal wetlands at Bellows littered with toxic waste, triggering environmental concerns. An investigation is underway at Bellows Air Force Base after tests revealed a wetlands area that was once a shooting range is now littered with lead and other contaminates. Hawaii News Now.

Labor department charges Honolulu sushi restaurant $102K for overtime violations. Imanas Tei, located near the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, failed to pay 10 chefs who worked over 40 hours in a workweek, according to the department's Wage and Hour Division. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Integrated Climate Action Plan Released. The plan outlines the County's strategy to combat global climate change and bolster the resiliency on the Big Island. Big Island Video News.

$30 million set aside for Highway 130. Puna’s primary traffic corridor will be widened thanks to a $30 million allocation in the state budget. Tribune-Herald.

Planned $15 million Kohala health clinic gets architect. WhiteSpace Architects is planning to break ground on the 24,000-square-foot Hāmākua-Kohala Health Rural Health, Wellness and Teaching Center in mid-2024. Big Island Now.

Big Isle marks 5 years after Kilauea eruption. Leilani Estates, ground zero for the 2018 eruption, continues to attract buyers despite its recent history. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Maui

Arrivals to Maui in March topped pre-pandemic levels. A rising influx of tourism dollars and the return of international travel strengthened Hawaii’s economy in March, with Maui seeing more visitors than it did prior to the pandemic, according to preliminary visitor statistics released by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Maui News.

Salvage begins of grounded vessel near culturally significant birthing stone in Lahiana. Salvage of the grounded vessel, Kuuipo, began today with the placement of large sandbags between the boat and the Hauola stone (birthing stone), located less than eight-feet away. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Molokai family urges MPD to release body camera footage following officer involved shooting. The family of a Molokai man shot and killed by police on Sunday demands answers from the Maui Police Department. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i visitor spending surged in March. The state Department of Business, Economic Development &Tourism continued to see high increases in visitor spending on Kaua‘i — and throughout the state — according to its most recent monthly report. Garden Island.

Hawaii gets $115.5M to expand internet access, state website exposes Green's personal data, clean elections bill gutted, 2 Honolulu councilmen seek rejection of big raises, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii to expand internet access. The islands will embark on a furious new era of high-speed internet connectivity — free to low-income customers — over the next two years after receiving $115.5 million in federal funds Thursday. The majority of the funds, about $101 million, will be used to improve the underwater cable infrastructure linking each of the islands. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Are Hawaii Child Labor Laws Hampering Work-Based Learning Opportunities? House Concurrent Resolution 58 asks the state to review the current youth work permit system. Child labor laws in the state are being reviewed by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations this legislative session in an effort to determine if Hawaii has the right mix of opportunities for kids as well as sufficient legal protections for them.  Civil Beat.

Access to Hawaii governor’s personal records spurs investigation. The state Judiciary is investigating how many people gained access to a system used by about 1,500 criminal justice partners after a Maui defense attorney was able to pull the personal information of Gov. Josh Green from records of four parking tickets he paid. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i ‘clean elections bill’ gutted at last moment. State legislators made significant last-minute revisions this week to a bill aimed at publicly financing elections, transforming what would have been a radical shift in Hawai‘i’s politics into a one-year pilot program missing half of its funds. Garden Island.

Affordable housing for teachers poised to get big infusion of cash. Lawmakers have agreed on a huge infusion of money for teacher housing as they approach the final big deadline of their session. Hawaii News Now.

Child care subsidy expansion bill moves to final floor vote. Measures to usher in universal preschool access have passed through conference committee at the state Legislature. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Tourism Authority’s future in limbo. Lawmakers head to conference today on two bills that provide a last chance for the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Hawai‘i Convention Center to get funded this session after their operational budgets were left out of the final version of a state budget bill earlier this week. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island.

Young climate plaintiffs fight trial delay. Attorneys representing the Hawaii youth plaintiffs suing the Department of Transportation for not doing enough to combat climate change have filed a motion to prevent the trial from being delayed by at least eight months. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Two Honolulu City Council members introduce bill to reject pay increase. Council members Augie Tulba and Andria Tupola have announced that they have introduced two resolutions that will reject the pay raises adopted by the Salary Commission. KHON2.

As House Prices Fall, Condo Prices Are Up in Seven Regions of O‘ahu. But just about everywhere on the island, fewer condos were sold in the first quarter of this year compared to last year – much fewer. Hawaii Business magazine.

Kamalani Academy wins appeal over closure of school. In an unprecedented court-style hearing Thursday, the state Board of Education reversed a decision by the state Public Charter School Commission to close the Wahiawa charter school Kamalani Academy.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

DOH: Discovery of WWII-era munitions along popular shoreline highlights alarming safety threat. The military says it recently unearthed six WWII-era mortars and grenades in Waimanalo, scattered throughout an area some residents use as a beach access. Hawaii News Now.

‘Forever chemicals’ detected in second Kunia Village well. A second well in Kunia Village, a small agricultural community in central Oahu, has tested positive for chemicals known as PFAS.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Acting chair is named head of Aloha Stadium Authority board. Brennon Morioka has been the board’s leader since last summer, when former Chair Ross Yamasaki’s term on the Stadium Authority ended. Star-Advertiser.

President of Nauru visits Honolulu. A Wednesday news release from U.S. Coast Guard District 14 said President Russ Joseph Kun and his delegation visited U.S. Indo- Pacific Command, met with Coast Guard officials and met with members of the East-West Center at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Waikiki. Star-Advertiser.

Knives, collapsible baton confiscated from Hilo-bound traveler at Honolulu airport. A Hilo-bound traveler was cited after two knives and a baton were confiscated from him while going through a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport earlier this month. Big Island Now. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Goes Cashless On May 26. Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, the park will no longer accept cash for entrance fees or passes; only credit / debit cards and digital site passes. Big Island Video News.

$18M secured to prevent closure of Kona Community Hospital.  From that amount, $16.2 million will go toward upgrades to infrastructure to mitigate the risk of the hospital’s closure, and $2.3 million is designated for expansion of the pharmacy. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Hilo Company May Get $20 Million To Rehab Banyan Drive Condo Complex. A dilapidated condominium complex on state land along Hilo’s Banyan Drive may be in line for a $20 million makeover. The Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources is expected to decide on Friday whether to award a contract to Hilo-based Banyan Drive Management to renovate the Country Club Condominium complex, a 152-unit property. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Big Island Police Tackle Cockfights But The Real Catch Is On The Sidelines. Hawaii County Police Chief Ben Moszkowicz says officers target cockfights where the stakes are highest. Civil Beat.

Maui

Retired Maui Wastewater Employee Gets 16 Months In Prison For Taking Bribes. Wilfredo Savella, 71, a  retired Maui County wastewater maintenance mechanic was sentenced Thursday to 16 months in federal prison and two months of house arrest for his role in a corruption scandal that also put away former state lawmakers Ty Cullen and Kalani English. Civil Beat.

The State Is Putting $100M Toward Major Maui Projects And Groups. Hawaii lawmakers allocated funding for axis deer mitigation, agriculture, school upgrades and more. Civil Beat.

Following upgrades, popular Maui destination will reopen — with a reservation system. After a months-long closure, a popular attraction on the Valley Isle will finally reopen next week. And when it does, tourists will have to plan ahead if they want to visit. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kauai Wants To House The Homeless — Just Not In Their Backyard. The county is trying to address an increase in homelessness despite persistent NIMBYism. Civil Beat.

Health department retesting Waioli Beach Park water. Levels of 137 per 100 milliliters were detected during routine beach monitoring, but the Department of Health is uncertain about the representativeness of the first sample. Kauai Now.

Army seeks to renew military land leases, legislators reach tentative tax break deal, governor proposes expansion of homeless villages, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Military training areas in Hawaii under scrutiny. Several state lawmakers and mayors toured Army facilities Monday and witnessed training on Oahu and Hawaii Island with Gen. Charles Flynn, the service’s top commander in the Pacific. The Army has been proactively preparing for what could be a fight to renew leases on state land that the military trains on, which are set to expire in 2029.  Star-Advertiser.

Tentative deal reached on tax breaks as legislative session enters home stretch.  Key lawmakers say they have reached a tentative agreement on tax breaks for Hawaii residents. The news comes as the legislative session enters the home stretch Monday, with the first formal negotiation session over the $20 billion state budget. Hawaii News Now.

Green’s First Veto: A Condo Bill That Could Have Increased The Cost Of Housing. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green issued the first veto of his administration on Friday, rejecting a bill that was supposed to clarify an unusual scenario in which condominium owners sued the developer of their project for construction flaws more than a decade after construction was finished. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Governor Plans To Develop More Tiny Home Villages Statewide. Gov. Josh Green promised more tiny home villages will be built around the state, regardless of opposition from local communities, as his administration tackles homelessness.  Civil Beat.

DOH urges vigilance following second case of measles on Oahu. The state Department of Health on Monday confirmed a second case of measles on Oahu. The resident was exposed to the previously confirmed case in an international traveler. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Oahu

Homeless ‘medical respite’ kauhale planned on Oahu.  Gov. Josh Green plans to expand his homeless kauhale village concept within a month to erect the state’s first “medical respite” kauhale for homeless people across from The Queen’s Medical Center “in my backyard” for eight to 10 homeless people at a time who disproportionately use emergency rooms only to end up back on the street, Green said. Star-Advertiser.

Controversial 6-foot-tall walls remain in latest Ala Wai flood mitigation proposal. The latest flood mitigation plan for the Ala Wai Canal is starting to take shape, and it still includes large walls that have been unpopular with the public. Hawaii Public Radio.

Conflict Of Interest? Neighborhood Board Employees Are Running For Seats On The Boards. Questions are being raised about whether as elected board members the employees can effectively question their bosses. Nine employees of the Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office, the city agency that oversees Oahu’s 33 neighborhood boards, have signed up to run for elected seats on the boards themselves. Civil Beat.

Prominent Honolulu Condo Board Members Are On Trial For Alleged Retaliation. The lawsuits claims the Hokua board members used their positions to help themselves and each other without disclosing conflicts of interest. Testing a Hawaii law prohibiting retaliation by condominium boards, a trial began on Monday pitting a retired Army officer against several prominent members of Hawaii’s real estate and development community who served alongside the retired officer as directors of one of Honolulu’s landmark luxury condominiums. Civil Beat.

Bishop Museum probe ends with no findings. An investigation of the board of directors of Bishop Museum prompted by a formal complaint from loyalists of the ousted president and CEO has found no financial mismanagement or wrongdoing. Star-Advertiser.

Slew of rescues highlight hiker safety. After a series of hike rescues over the weekend, state officials are reminding people to take precautions, know their limits and be aware how hot it can get on exposed trails. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Green weighs in on feral cats: Governor sending DLNR chief to the Big Island following protest in Waikoloa. Gov. Josh Green said Monday he’s dispatching Department of Land and Natural Resources Director Dawn Chang to the Big Island today “to work out a peaceful solution” between DLNR, owners and mangers of the Queen’s Marketplace, and feral cat advocates who feed the felines behind the Waikoloa Beach shopping center. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i County seeking proposals for affordable housing funding. Up to $18 million will soon be available to qualified applicants working to increase, support, or sustain the availability of affordable housing in Hawaiʻi County. Big Island Now.

Draft EA offers more details about Pohoiki ramp dredging. The reopening of the Pohoiki Boat Ramp is one step closer after a draft environmental assessment for the dredging project was published Sunday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New Rules That Seek To Better Protect Maui’s Coastlines Will Take Effect Soon. Planning officials are paving the way for some big changes with how the local government controls development and construction projects close to and along Maui’s coastlines. Civil Beat.

Maui median home price is $1.2M, up 1.9% in March 2023. The last time Maui’s median was above $1.2 million was in June of 2022 when the median was $1.242M. Maui Now. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i police warn of ongoing thefts targeting residents and visitors. According to officials, a recent rash of car break-ins and thefts have occurred in residential neighborhoods islandwide. Kauai Now.

Schatz nation's most popular senator, union wants pay equity with teachers, two cited for feeding feral cats, cease and desist order issued to Coco Palms developer, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Survey: Hawaii’s Brian Schatz Is ‘Most Popular’ Senator. And Josh Green ranks sixth most popular among U.S. governors, according to a national marketing research firm. Morning Consult reported Wednesday that Democrat Brian Schatz has the highest approval rating of all U.S. senators — 65%. Just 24% disapprove. Civil Beat.

Union for nonteacher public workers seeks pay equity. A union representing nearly 7,000 Hawaii public school employees other than teachers is claiming that pay equity for many of its members has been thrown out of whack by recent gains for teachers. Star-Advertiser.

HTA cuts would cost Hawaii millions, agency says. The embattled Hawai‘i Tourism Authority said state lawmakers could cost the state millions of dollars in federal funding, halt destination management efforts and put community programs at risk if they continue down a path of repealing the agency or funding it through a budget bill that cuts the agency’s funding request by more than half. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Bill ‘fundamental to the future of Hawaii’ looks to stop corruption. Hawaii’s political system could undergo significant reform as a bill providing public money to finance election campaigns for political candidates has successfully passed both the State House and Senate. KHON2.

Sports Doctors From Other States May Get A License Exemption In Hawaii. A bill that would clarify the status of doctors traveling with sports teams to the islands is in the final stages at the Legislature. Civil Beat.

Schools getting new preschool classrooms. Although some Hawaii lawmakers have grumbled that a new agency in charge of public school construction is moving too slowly, its leader says the first 11 classrooms in the state’s Ready Keiki preschool initiative are on track to welcome students this fall — below budget and a year ahead of schedule — while three Oahu high schools are in advanced discussions to become Hawaii’s first major teacher housing projects. Star-Advertiser.

Survey finds increased homelessness on neighbor islands. The annual survey, done by Ka Mana O Na Helu and Bridging the Gap Continuum of Care with partners on Maui, Kaua’i and Hawai’i Island, found an overall 9% increase in homelessness, up from 2,022 in 2022 to 2,195 this year. Hawaii Public Radio.

University of Hawaii ROTC cadets train amid growing tensions in Pacific. After a long day of training at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, a platoon of cadets from the University of Hawaii’s Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program began to prepare a patrol base for the night, when they would trade off sleeping or keeping watch for an enemy attack. Star-Advertiser.

Air quality on 3 Hawaiian islands among best in the US, report says. The American Lung Association released its annual State of the Air report Tuesday, giving a yearly snapshot of air pollution throughout the U.S.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Dept. of the AG prevails in federal challenge to COVID-19 emergency proclamations. The US District Court for the District of Hawaiʻi dismissed a federal constitutional challenge to COVID-19 emergency proclamations issued by former Governor David Ige. Maui Now.

Hawaii reports 935 new COVID-19 cases, 10 more deaths. The state’s seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases was at 133 a day, about the same as 138 a day reported on April 12. The state’s average positivity rate was at 7.9%, down from 9.2% reported on April 12. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Leaky Roofs Are Causing Costly Problems For 2 Historic State Buildings. Water damage from rain that leaked into two historic state buildings downtown has caused interior damage to both, and fixing the roofing and other problems will cost tens of millions of dollars, according to state officials. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Officials Move To Dismiss Charges Against Them In Police Chief Retirement Payout. The case centers on a $250,000 retirement deal for former police chief Louis Kealoha allegedly orchestrated in 2016 by officials at the time — corporation counsel Donna Leong, managing director Roy Amemiya and police commission chair Max Sword.  Civil Beat.

In bid to make Hawaii roadways safer, incoming DOT chief pushes speed enforcement cameras. Honolulu police in 2022 issued about 28,000 basic speeding citations and about 20,000 were issued on freeways. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Finishing touches near complete for Hawaiian heiress Abigail Kawananakoa’s royal tomb. Hawaiian heiress Abigail Kawananakoa is in her final resting place at Mauna Ala, the Royal Mausoleum in Nuuanu. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Council overrides Roth veto; bill regarding extensions of zoning change applications becomes law. Hawaii County Council on Wednesday overruled Mayor Mitch Roth’s veto of a bill that would allow the council to confirm whether developers can get extensions on their rezoning applications. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Weight, speed limits reduced on Hilo’s ‘Singing Bridge’.  The state Department of Transportation said Wednesday the weight limit and speed limit are being reduced on Wailuku Bridge in Hilo as emergency repairs are being made. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

DLNR issues 2 citations at cat feeding protest in Waikoloa. State conservation officers issued two citations and one warning during a protest by cat activists Tuesday night over the removal of cat-feeding stations at Queens’ Marketplace in Waikoloa. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Businessman pitches lofty plan to expand farming in East Hawaii. Ken Fujiyama, former owner of the then-Naniloa Volcanoes Resort in Hilo and various other businesses, has a plan to convert a vast amount of state land in East Hawaii into parcels for commercial farming. Tribune-Herald.

Removal of Caltech observatory mirror from Maunakea marks first decommissioning. Two observatories atop Maunakea on Hawaiʻi Island are scheduled for decommissioning this year: the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory and the University of Hawaiʻi's Hōkū Ke‘a Observatory. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Can Maui’s New Mayor Finally Make A Dent In The Housing Crisis? The challenge now rests with Mayor Richard Bissen, who is hashing out his government’s first annual budget, a $1 billion spending plan that would lay the foundation for tackling the housing shortage during his four-year term and beyond.  Civil Beat.

Maui Council’s Budget Committee completes deliberations with departments. The Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee completed deliberations on the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget with Maui County’s departments and will begin the decision-making process on Friday, according to Committee Chair Yuki Lei K. Sugimura. Maui Now.

Maui homeless numbers continue to decline. The number of homeless people in Maui County continues on a downward trend, with overall homelessness numbers down by 5 percent according to results of this year’s Homeless Point In Time Count which was released on Tuesday.  Maui News.

Virtual public meeting for Puʻunēnē Ave. improvements set for May 2. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation will hold a virtual public meeting on proposed improvements to Puʻunēnē Avenue between Wākea Avenue and Kūihelani Highway. Maui Now.

Kauai

State land board issues “Cease and Desist” order to Coco Palms developers. The state has issued a cease-and-desist order to a Utah company trying to build a new 350 room hotel on Kauai’s old Coco Palms property. Hawaii News Now.

Kaua‘i County Council shifts tax break plan. After a Wednesday, April 19 county council committee meeting, a plan for broad Kaua‘i property tax breaks appears to have been shelved in favor of a more targeted proposal. Garden Island.

Deadline to apply for Residential Investor tax credit is Friday. The County of Kaua‘i Department of Finance reminds taxpayers whose properties may have been misclassified as Residential Investor that the deadline to apply for tax credit differentials for the 2022 and/or 2023 tax years is on Friday, April 21. Kauai Now.

Green and HSTA plan big teacher raises, Hawaii Island seeks to double shoreline setback, Kauai prosecutes illegal vacation rentals, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii teachers union, Gov. Green tout ‘strongest’ contract ever. The $577 million deal includes annual pay increases between 3% and 5% for a total of 14.5% over four years, but some extraordinary terms are also part of the contract agreement, including at least a 32% increase for new entry-level hires, higher pay for nontraditional teachers and a new top pay class for veteran educators. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News. Kauai Now. KHON2.  KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

State Legislature begins conference committee process to address differing viewpoints. Lawmakers will take up measures on gun laws, tourism management and government transparency in conference committees this week and next. Hawaii Public Radio.

49 endangered Hawaiian species to gain habitat protections. The US Fish and Wildlife Service agreed today to designate protected critical habitat for 39 endangered plants and 10 endangered animals. The determination comes amid a legal victory stemming from a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity. Maui Now.

Oahu

Council member hopes to cut Sand Island Treatment Center’s costs. Council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam did not know that the city had forced the Sand Island Treatment Center into his district in Iwilei, but toured it on Monday to try to figure out how to ease its $36,000 in new monthly costs. Star-Advertiser.

After sitting empty over a year, portion of city’s Homeless Resource Center set to open. Major developments are underway in regards to the future of a mismanaged homeless housing project that’s been sitting empty in Iwilei more than a year. Hawaii News Now.

River of Life helps homeless with 40 sites across Oahu. River of Life Mission, once the center of blame for homelessness in Chinatown, has reinvented its model to aid the needy by shutting down its Chinatown feeding program and instead helping the homeless at 40 different sites across Oahu, with plans to expand to the neighbor islands and even to foreign countries. Star-Advertiser.

Construction begins on $4.4M project to upgrade busy part of Chinatown. Construction began Monday at Kekaulike Mall where a $4.4 million project will upgrade the busy market space between King Street and Hotel Street. Hawaii News Now.

Why Some Stores In Chinatown Keep Doors Locked During Business Hours. Boutiques and other stores installed buzz-in systems with the onset of the pandemic and decided to keep them as traffic returned to the area. Civil Beat.

Rail will open in July, HART CEO confirms. Lori Kahikina, executive director and CEO of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, confirmed that the city’s nearly $10 billion rail line will open for public ridership in July. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

HPD vows to step up gambling enforcement in wake of shooting. The search for an armed man responsible for a mass shooting at a Maili cockfight around midnight Friday that killed two people continued Monday as police promised to step up gambling enforcement in the area. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Proposed rules would double shoreline setback.  Pending revisions to the Hawaii County planning rules could result in developments being pushed farther away from the coast in an effort to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Tribune-Herald.

Document details plan for bottling plant in Hilo. One less hurdle stands in the way of a new proposal to build a water-bottling plant next to the Wailoa River State Recreation Area. Tribune-Herald.

Another chemical leak found at a Maunakea telescope. The University of Hawaii’s 88-inch telescope, also called UH88, was discovered in January to have sprung a leak in its coolant system some time between mid-December and Jan. 10, spilling an unknown amount of anti-freezing agent ethylene glycol. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Traci Fujita named the Council’s representative on MEO Board. Traci Fujita, who currently serves as the director of the Office of Council Services, has joined the Maui Economic Opportunity Board of Directors, filling the Council representative spot. Maui Now.

Surfrider’s water quality monitoring expands; reports ongoing pollution in Wailuku River. Surfrider Foundation’s Blue Water Task Force program released its annual Maui water quality report for 2022.  Maui Now.

Molokai mobile clinic expands services. The Molokai Community Health Center’s Mana Mobile Medical Clinic is expanding its services to better serve residents on the island’s East Side. Maui News.

Kauai

‘Undercover sting operations’ mop up illegal vacation rentals on Kaua‘i. Data-sharing agreements with tech companies and undercover “sting operations” have cut the number of illegal vacation rentals operating on Kaua‘i to the lowest rate in a decade, officials report. Garden Island.

Coco Palms Resort to be demolished for a new 350-room hotel. Demolition will soon begin on a Kauaʻi resort once favored by Elvis Presley and other Hollywood royalty before it was heavily damaged by a hurricane three decades ago. Associated Press.

DLNR proposes to drain Wailua Reservoir. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is proposing to drain the Wailua Reservoir and breach the dam after finding that neglected maintenance could threaten the lives of nearby residents if no action is taken. Garden Island.

An Innovative Kauai Farm Project May Depend On Saving A 100-Year-Old Reservoir. Plans to create a community agriculture park in the heart of Kauai’s north shore town of Kilauea stalled for decades until the ratty mattresses, washing machines and wrecked cars were finally hauled off a 75-acre county plot in 2015, transforming an illegal dumping ground into an organic meat and vegetable farm.  Civil Beat.

Giant condo management company lacks state license, newspaper clarifies Green nominee story, Supreme Court sides with OHA in dispute with auditor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Property Management Giant Under Scrutiny. State officials have begun an investigation of one of Hawaii’s major condominium management firms, Associa Hawaii, which state records indicate has been operating without an active broker’s license required by law. Civil Beat.

Correction: Green plans different nominees to lead DBEDT, Office of Planning. Gov. Josh Green.  is prohibited by Senate rules to name replacements for Chris Sadayasu and Scott Glenn this session after they failed to win Senate confirmation. But he plans to replace them sometime in May once the legislative session adjourns on May 5. An earlier article indicated otherwise. Star-Advertiser.

Bill seeking to double the earned income tax credit in the state advances. The Senate’s Ways and Means committee approved a new version of House Bill 1049 Tuesday. The version increases the food excise tax credit, doubling it from its current rate. It also increases the earned income tax credit from 20% to 40% of the federal rate.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor’s plan to address homeless crisis includes construction of more than a dozen tiny home villages. A total of 24 sites are currently under consideration. A list of those sites is expected to be released in about a month. Hawaii News Now.

Corrections Nominee Tommy Johnson Clears Committee Vote, Advances To The Full Senate. A Senate committee voted 4-0 on Wednesday in favor of Gov. Josh Green’s appointment of Tommy Johnson to run the state’s prisons and jails despite bitter resistance from the union that represents Hawaii correctional officers. Civil Beat.

State Supreme Court rules with OHA in dispute. A legal dispute between two Hawaii state agencies came to an end Wednesday with a state Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs over the Office of the Auditor. Star-Advertiser.

Ruling opens path for UH grad students to unionize.  A Hawaii Supreme Court ruling issued Wednesday has opened the way for a group of University of Hawaii graduate assistants to petition to be classified as public employees with collective bargaining rights. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii COVID hospitalizations, cases on the rise again.  The Health Department today warned the rate of COVID hospitalizations is on the rise, with an 89.7% jump in the number of patients over the past week to 75 today.  DOH reported 1,047 new COVID-19 infections over the past week, bringing the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 383,880. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.  Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Kūpuna could receive a large property tax break under proposed Honolulu bill. The Honolulu City Council’s budget committee met Tuesday to discuss four bills, including one that would raise the tax exemption for older homeowners still living in their primary residence. Hawaii Public Radio.

IRS grants tax relief to families affected by Red Hill water crisis. Civilians whose drinking water was contaminated by jet fuel from the Navy’s Red Hill storage facility in November 2021 will not have to pay federal or state income taxes on reimbursements they received from the military to cover expenses such as temporary lodging, meals and personal property damage, following guidance released Wednesday by the Internal Revenue Service. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Alleged Miske co-conspirator jailed for witness tampering. An alleged co-conspirator of reputed Hawaii crime boss Michael Miske was charged with witness tampering Monday after he allegedly threatened a woman not to cooperate with the U.S. Department of Justice’s ongoing investigation. Star-Advertiser.
 

Thief swaps out QR code for one of their own. The Honolulu Department of Transportation Services said  in a news release today that some of the 1,700 city parking meters configured to accept payments via the Park Smarter phone app reportedly have fraudulent stickers on them. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

$26M for 2019 Likelike Hwy. tow truck crash victim. State taxpayers are on the hook to pay $26 million to a man critically injured by a runaway tow truck on the Likelike Highway. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Downtown Hilo plan rejected: A majority of business owners not on board with revitalization plan. The Downtown Hilo Business Improvement District — which was officially proposed by a Hawaii County Council bill in late 2022, but has been a topic of discussion for years — would allow property owners to fund infrastructure maintenance and other upgrades between Ponahawai Street, Wailuku Drive, Kapiolani Street and the Hilo Bayfront using assessments levied against member businesses. Tribune-Herald.

How A Reverse Mortgage Lender Took A Hawaii Man’s Home Over A $500 Repair. The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled last week that Joseph B. Nutter & Co. and its lawyer committed fraud on the court by failing to give a full picture of their foreclosure on Elton Namahoe's Big Island house. Civil Beat.

Sweep at once iconic Uncle Billy’s resort in Hilo: 2 arrested, 10 cited for trespassing. More than three dozens officers from three law enforcement agencies conducted a dawn sweep of the condemned and dilapidated former Uncle Billy’s Hotel and Resort on Banyan Drive in Hilo. The result: two people arrested on outstanding warrants and 10 citations issued for simple trespass. Big Island Now. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Hawaiian men imprisoned for hate crime agree to pay $25,000. Two Native Hawaiian men sentenced to prison for a hate crime in the brutal beating of a white man have agreed to pay more than $25,000 in restitution, according to court documents.  Associated Press.

How Much Is Too Much? Lawmakers Move Forward With Plan To Study Capacity Of Popular Maui Beach. State officials says they already have a plan to tackle parking woes at Makena State Park, but many on Maui are calling for more action. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric to give update on renewable energy on Maui. Hawaiian Electric will hold a community meeting April 13 on Maui to provide an update on the renewable energy transition and recent developments on the status of the island’s existing power generation resources. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Police Department budget hearing highlights vacancy problem. Amid national trends and a series of retirements, the Kaua‘i Police Department has struggled recently to fill a number of vacant positions. Garden Island.

Gun bill seeks limits in ‘sensitive’ areas. A Kaua‘i gun control advocate and a gun store manager are speaking out with contrasting opinions on recent gun control legislation, as a bill aimed at restricting who can carry firearms, and where, continues to make its way through state Senate chambers. Garden Island.

Rejected nominees continue to head departments, Green proposes tiny homes at state Capitol for homeless, Obama school renaming deferred, $165M Kakaako deal offered, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Chris Sadayasu, left, nominated to lead the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Scott Glenn, right, nominated to lead the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development.

Gov. Green’s failed nominees could stay in place. Two of Gov. Josh Green’s Cabinet nominees who failed to win Senate confirmation — and any others who also might lack Senate support — will remain in place until the May 5 end of the legislative session and possibly for the rest of 2023 and even longer. On March 24, Green’s nominees to lead the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism — Chris Sadayasu — and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development — Scott Glenn — failed to win Senate confirmation. Star-Advertiser. (Publisher's note: This story has since been corrected here)

Two more of Gov. Green's cabinet picks move forward after unanimous committee support. Both DOTAX director Gary Suganuma and Budget and Finance director Luis Salaveria received unanimous support Monday. Hawaii Public Radio.

DOH nominee Kenneth Fink gets initial committee approval on road to becoming director. Dr. Kenneth Fink, nominated to serve as the director of the state's Department of Health, received a positive advise and consent recommendation from the Senate’s Health and Human Services committee on Monday. Hawaii Public Radio.

To address homelessness in his backyard, Green proposes pop-up homeless village near state Capitol. Tiny homes for the homeless could start going up near the Capitol as early as this summer as part of a Green Administration plan. Gov. Josh Green says the so-called pop-up “kauhale village” will temporarily house some of the people currently camping in front of the state Library and Iolani Palace. Hawaii News Now.

A bill to raise taxes on luxury housing investments had plenty of support. Until it didn’t. A proposal to double taxes on high-end real estate investments is in trouble at the state Legislature, and now housing and homeless advocates are scrambling to get it a hearing. Hawaii News Now.

Changes could be coming to Hawaii Tourism Authority. The Hawaii Tourism Authority could be forced to make a major change, because of bills advancing this legislative session. KITV4.

Final hearing set for ‘clean elections’ measure. A state Senate bill that would establish a program for publicly funded elections, also known as “clean elections,” will face its final hearing at 2 p.m. today by the House Committee on Finance. Tribune-Herald.

Lawmakers Are Keeping Pressure On DOE For School Meal Plans. Farmers and ranchers see an opportunity for ongoing collaboration. Civil Beat.

As Mental Health Crisis Worsens In Hawaii, Psychiatrist Shortage Takes Heavy Toll On Kids. State leaders are working to bring some relief to exhausted parents, especially on the neighbor islands. Civil Beat.

Bill aims to attract UFC to Hawaii. A bill state lawmakers hope will attract the Ultimate Fighting Championship to Hawaii by creating a Combat Sports Commission has passed its final committee hurdle. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Kakaako Makai deal proposed. The leader of the state House of Representatives wants to make a deal with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to keep housing from ever being developed on land the agency owns in Kakaako mainly in exchange for $165 million. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Council panel approves Honolulu’s rail safety plan. The City Council’s Committee on Transportation voted unanimously Tuesday to report for adoption a federally mandated rail safety plan that identifies the city’s transit agency as the final responsible party of the rail system, which is still under construction by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation. Star-Advertiser.

Rail is full steam ahead for its summer opening. That’s according to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit and the Department of Transportation Services who updated the Honolulu City Council on Tuesday afternoon. KHON2.

Effort to rename elementary school after Barack Obama put on hold. A push to rename a Manoa elementary school after former President Barack Obama has been put on hold. Noelani Elementary School will keep its name for now. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu traffic-related fatalities remain high. Traffic-related fatalities in Hawaii in roughly the first three months of this year were fewer than at the same time last year.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawai‘i County seeking board, commission applicants to fill vacancies. The County of Hawaiʻi is inviting applications from eligible individuals to fill vacancies in several boards and commissions, including Fire Board of Appeals, Youth Commission, Board of Appeals, Committee on People with Disabilities, County Voters with Special Needs Advisory Committee, Kailua Village Design Commission, Transportation Commission, Pension Board, Tax Board of Review, Leeward Planning Commission and Veterans Advisory Committee. Big Island Now.

Kahalu‘u Beach To Close For Coral Spawning In May. The closure, from May 5 to May 12, aims to "enhance the spawning of cauliflower coral, a vital process for rejuvenating the coral reef ecosystem." Big Island Video News.

Maui

Teacher housing proposal on Maui closer to becoming a reality. Senate Bill 1596 allocates $15 million to the School Facilities Authority to create on-campus or nearby housing for teachers. The program would build units in either the Lahainaluna or Kūlanihākoʻi complex areas on Maui. Hawaii Public Radio.

Grand Wailea’s plans not yet up to legal standards, report says. Resort’s 137-room proposal still in limbo as groups push for more details on impacts. Maui News.

Molokaʻi Real Property Assessment office closing temporarily due to staff shortage. The County of Mauiʻs Molokaʻi Real Property Assessment office located at Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai will close temporarily from Tuesday, April 4 to Friday, April 14 due to a staffing shortage. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i man sentenced to probation for government theft.  Scott Poland, who illegally spent $35,000 in public money,  pleaded guilty in November 2022 to two counts of government theft for making dozens of unauthorized purchases while working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

U.S. senator meeting Kaua‘i veterans and business owners Wednesday. Democratic U.S. Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, will be on Kaua‘i on Wednesday, April 5, to meet with veterans and visit local businesses that have received federal assistance. Kauai Now.
 

Hawaii leads nation in preventing COVID deaths, Green signs transparency bills, committee approves Chang to lead DLNR, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Open government laws aim to restore public trust. Seven bills requiring greater transparency from lawmakers and state boards were signed into law Friday by Gov. Josh Green. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. Big Island Video News. Kauai Now.

Hawaii ranks first in preventing COVID deaths. Hawaii had the lowest death rate in the nation, at 147 per 100,000, when age and underlying illnesses were taken into account, four times less than states such as Arizona, which had the highest, at 581 per 100,000, according to a study recently published in The Lancet. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's Longest-Serving State Lawmaker Talks About The True Power Of Legislators. Sen. Les Ihara believes rank-and-file lawmakers could be asserting themselves in committees and on the floor. Civil Beat.

Here's What Hawaii Can Learn From Other States On Publicly Funded Elections. The system needs to be legally sound, properly regulated and substantially funded so candidates can compete with private money. Civil Beat.

Dawn Chang endorsed to head Department of Land and Natural Resources.  The Committee on Water and Land voted 5-0 to recommend that the 25-member Senate confirm Dawn Chang as DLNR’s director and chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now

Senate earmarks housing projects and tax relief in two-year $38B budget. The state Senate Ways and Means Committee has built out portions of the state’s biennium budget for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Hawaii Public Radio.

Subsidy program would help mid-income Hawaii residents buy homes. Households earning 80% to 120% of a county’s median income could qualify for subsidies of about $100,000 toward the purchase of a new home, under a pilot program that would be established by a bill advancing at the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

GET bill: One last hurdle. The House Committee on Finance is the last hurdle for two key bills that could determine the future of health care in Hawaii. Senate Bill 1035 would exempt medical providers from the state’s general excise tax, or GET, for treating patients with Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE. Senate Bill 397, would increase Medicaid reimbursement rates and match them to Medicare rates. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii may soon ban thousands of everyday items containing toxic chemicals. State lawmakers are considering a ban on intentionally added polyfluoroalkyl or “forever chemicals,” that make up an array of items from certain cosmetics to water-resistant clothing, food packaging and more. KHON2.

Hawaii’s fireworks measures fizzle out. Bills increasing fines, limiting consumer fireworks, providing technology to search shipping containers and allowing county police departments to track explosions all failed to cross over to their opposite chambers for further consideration. Star-Advertiser.

 ‘Nobody Gets To Run A State For 50 Years Anymore’: Hawaii Political Life After Dan Inouye. Ten years after the political giant's death, power is more fragmented — but politics has become more inclusive. Civil Beat.

Outlook for Hawaii tourism from Japan not so ‘golden’. This year’s Golden Week, which runs April 29-May 5, is expected to be the best one since the pandemic started in 2020. However, it isn’t shaping up to be that “golden,” and a more significant pickup of Japanese arrivals to Hawaii is not forecast to occur until summer or beyond. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii working on Regenerative Tourism. The Local2030 Islands Network kicked off its inaugural conference on Sunday at the Hawaii Convention Center. KITV4.

President Lassner fighting for $24M for University of Hawaii budget. University of Hawaii President David Lassner is fighting to maintain $24 million in state funding for UH that disappears July 1, while facing “antipathy” from three state senators, including the chairs of the Senate’s finance and higher education committees. The money, part of a restoration of cuts made during the COVID-19 years, will disappear unless it’s specifically added to the next fiscal year budget. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii Board of Regents candidates announced. The Candidate Advisory Council has presented the list of candidates to Gov. Josh Green to fill one Honolulu County seat, one Maui County seat and one Hawaii County seat for five-year appointments.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Hospitals Are Struggling To Meet The Needs Of The Chronically Homeless. Emergency rooms are on the front line of caring for Hawaii's most medically vulnerable homeless people, yet they lack many of the resources needed to have a lasting impact. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council questions Blangiardi's budget and tax credit proposal. The Honolulu City Council is plunging into what looks like a turbulent budget season amid a potentially acrimonious debate over sky-high assessments for property taxes. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Mayor Signs Bill That Bans Guns In ‘Sensitive Places,’ Including Schools And Hospitals. Under the new law, concealed-carry weapons won’t be allowed at a hefty list of “sensitive places.” Civil Beat.

$100M for first responder campus project flatlining. A controversial and costly state plan to build a vast campus for state, county and federal first responders in Mililani may have hit a funding snag for a second straight year. Star-Advertiser.

Shidler donates $5M more to University of Hawaii business school. Jay H. Shidler, the Honolulu businessman who has donated more than $230 million in cash, land leases and in-kind donations to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, has given an additional $5 million to the business school. Star-Advertiser.

Ex-state official joins Honolulu housing, homeless office. Denise Iseri-Matsubara, a former state housing official, has been hired to lead the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Homelessness as its executive director. Star-Advertiser.

Navy seeks public ideas about repurposing Red Hill. The Navy has launched an online survey Opens in a new tab to solicit public ideas about repurposing the Red Hill underground fuel facility once its tanks are drained and it’s closed for fueling operations. Star-Advertiser.

Aloha Stadium plan shift may extend timeline for completion. State planners, under the new administration of Gov. Josh Green, had hoped to send out requests for proposals by the end of January for the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District. Star-Advertiser.

Waimanalo Health Center using grant to expand services. The Hawaii Dental Service Foundation has given the Waimanalo Health Center a $500,000 grant to expand its services with a new clinic in Kaneohe and to renovate its existing offices in Waimanalo. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Roth vetoes Planning Commision zoning bill. Bill 194, introduced last summer by North Kona Councilman Holeka Inaba, would replace the current practice of administrative time extensions approved by the Planning Department, and require the council in a public forum to make that decision. West Hawaii Today.

Kona Community Hospital at risk of closure due to outdated utilities. Hospital leaders have been attending 2023 State Legislature sessions to bring attention to their urgent needs and advocate for approximately $17 million over the next two years to address the cooling and ventilating system problems as well as install campus-wide lighting and security cameras. Big Island Now.

Puna roads restoration project delayed; EA assessment still not complete. Hawaii County is urging patience as a long-awaited eruption recovery project in lower Puna is delayed yet again. Tribune-Herald. KITV4.

Swath of Hawaii Island rife with old munitions prompts push for special construction protocols. Eight decades after the military battered parts of Hawaii Island with grenades, mortars, and bombs, lost munitions remain scattered across several communities ― all with the potential to explode. Hawaii News Now.

Spinner dolphin harassment investigated using recent rule.  In October 2021, a new federal regulation went into effect requiring people to keep 50 yards from Hawaiian spinner dolphins in an effort to better protect them from human disturbance. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Departments scheduled to discuss budget plans throughout April. Decision-making meetings on the county budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2023 are planned for later in the month. Maui Now. Maui News.

Clinic to end OB care, shrinking Maui options. Saying that continuing obstetric care would be unsustainable moving forward, Maui Lani Physicians and Surgeons will no longer be taking any new pregnancy cases.  Maui News.

On Lanai, impacts of strike spill over to other services. Situation highlights struggle that comes with island’s limited health worker pool. Maui News.

Gas leak at Maui Prep prompts concerns from parents. The state Department of Health has launched an investigation after being notified by “multiple sources” of the situation, according to Maui District Health officer Dr. Lorrin Pang. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

New Kaua‘i Representative Luke Evslin adapts to state politics. It’s been a whirlwind month for the newest member of the state House of Representatives, Luke Evslin, who has been learning the ropes of state politics since his mid-session appointment to the Legislature. Garden Island.

Visitor spending soars on Kaua‘i in February. Tourists proved willing to dig deep into their bank accounts while visiting Kaua‘i in February, as spending surged more than $50 million over the same period last year. Garden Island.