$1.5B slated for Hawaii military construction, 17 bills on Green's potential veto list, Honolulu lifeguard killed in shark attack, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Massive military construction dollars may flow into Hawaii. Hawaii may be in line to see more spending on military construction in the next fiscal year than any other state after the U.S. House Appropriations committee recently passed its version of a military construction spending bill with $1.55 billion slated for Hawaii projects. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green lines up 17 bills passed by Hawaii Legislature to veto. Gov. Josh Green may veto 17 bills the Legislature passed this year, including one that would deposit $300 million into the state’s “rainy day” budget reserve fund. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.  Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Read the full list of potential vetoes here.

Hawaii’s vacation rentals total nearly 6% of housing supply. Despite vacation rental crackdowns and looming legislative reforms, vacation rental supply statewide still accounts for a significant portion of Hawaii’s housing stock. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Public Utilities Commission may release decision Monday about HECO. The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission may be issuing a decision on Monday, affecting Hawaiian Electric and its financial stability. HECO asked for regulatory approval to sell utility assets. KITV4.

Personal fortunes of HECO board members at risk in wildfire lawsuits. The personal fortunes of some of Hawaii’s most prominent community leaders are in jeopardy because of the Maui wildfire disaster. Hawaii News Now.

Governor reignites debate over liquefied natural gas power. Gov. Josh Green has reversed a major state energy policy position of his predecessor in a move that many environmentalists don’t consider to be very “green.” Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii firm aims to cut cost of laying power lines underground. Putting more power lines underground is an expensive part of a plan by the state’s largest electrical utility to reduce wildfire risk, and that price could come down under an ongoing national effort with a Hawaii connection. Star-Advertiser.

Green Party of Hawai’i State Convention set for June 29 on Maui. The Green Party of Hawai’i first successfully obtained a ballot line in Hawai’i for state and national partisan races in 1992 and has secured a place on the ballot for more than thirty years. Maui Now.

Oahu

City lifeguard confirmed dead from shark attack on the North Shore.  The victim has been identified as pro surfer and Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguard Tamayo Perry, 49, who was pronounced dead at the scene and suffered injuries from more than one shark bite. He was surfing during a break from lifeguard duties in the waters off Goat Island, also known as Mokuauia, near Laie. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Honolulu mayor signs $4.7B budget package for fiscal 2025. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi on Friday signed a $4.7 billion package of budget bills meant to bolster public safety, create affordable housing and improve city parks on Oahu through fiscal year 2025, which starts July 1. Star-Advertiser.

1 contender remains to develop new stadium. The loss of one of the two master-developer candidates is not expected to further delay construction of the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, state and University of Hawaii officials insisted. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County auditor addresses unfair hiring claims. A Hawaii County audit has concluded the county does not have enough rules in place to prevent nepotism and unfairness in the hiring process for government positions. Tribune-Herald.

Police Commission discusses DUI complaint. The Hawaii County Police Commission on Friday discussed correspondence from county Auditor Tyler Benner, then filed it into the record without a vote or any other action taken on allegations contained in the document. Tribune-Herald.

2024 Primary Elections: Several state, federal races already decided. County races aren’t the only games in town when it comes to the 2024 election cycle on the Big Island. Also on this year’s ballot are several state and federal challenges. Big Island Now.

Big Island health care providers urge public to mask up, get vaccinated as COVID cases continue to climb. Because of the continued increase in cases, the Big Island’s healthcare facilities are again turning to one of the tried and true ways of protecting patients and the public from the spread of COVID and its variants — masking up. Big Island Now.

Wastewater discharge into Hilo Bay prompts water advisory. Hawaii Department of Environmental Management reports an estimated 607,000 gallons of non-chlorinated secondary treated effluent discharged from the plant between 8:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Friday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Big Island Now.

Maui

Plan to ban 7,000 Maui short-term rentals targets resort condos.  A luxury apartment-hotel, a $4 million beach house and condominiums at a resort golf course don’t typically constitute workforce housing in Hawaii, but they are targets of a plan on Maui aimed at converting short-term vacation rental properties to long-term housing for residents. Star-Advertiser.

County Council gives final approval to larger farm dwellings, expanded circuit breaker program. Maui County Council members approved on second-and-final reading Friday a bill to permit a 500-square-foot increase in the size of secondary farm dwellings in agricultural districts on Maui and Lānaʻi. Maui Now.

‘It’s Worse Than You Think’: Maui’s Mental Health System Still Falls Short But More Doors Are Opening To Care. A forthcoming study shows that demand for psychological care on Maui is greater today than it was coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Civil Beat.

Roadwork in coming weeks will prepare Lahainaluna Road for August reopening. Repairs and installations on County of Maui’s Lahainaluna Road between Honoapi’ilani Highway and Lahaina Bypass will begin in the next several weeks to prepare for the reopening of Lahainaluna Road in August, the County’s Office of Recovery announced Saturday. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi business leaders try a new approach to worker shortages. In the past, the Kauaʻi Chamber of Commerce emphasized job fairs to help members find employees. Now, it focuses on helping members succeed despite being shorthanded. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii may have to return $412M in COVID funding, political parties get notice of disqualification, humpback whale count concludes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Humpback Whale Counts For 2023 Season Completed. A total of 997 humpback whales were spotted from the Big Island, Kaua’i, Maui and O’ahu during specific time periods. 345 volunteers gathered data from the shores of Kaua‘i, O‘ahu and Hawai‘i islands during the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count and from Maui during the Great Whale Count by Pacific Whale Foundation, the second of three coordinated whale counts between the two organizations in 2023.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  Maui Now.  Kauai Now.

Hawaii government spending could trigger COVID aid payback. The state Department of Budget and Finance is advising the Legislature that $675 million in spending appropriations last year should be delayed in order to avoid triggering a requirement to return $412 million in coronavirus pandemic aid to the federal government. Star-Advertiser.

Over 20 bills to improve government transparency take shape in state House. The bills were part of a package to improve transparency and accountability in state and county government in the wake of unveiled corruption throughout state and county government. Hawaii Public Radio.

Three political ‘third parties’ get notice of disqualification. The States’ Office of Elections released a notice with the intention to disqualify the Aloha Aina Party, Green Party of Hawaii and Constitution Party of Hawaii for falling short in the percentage of votes required by the state to remain active. KHON2.

Studied To Death? Some Say Hawaii Doesn’t Need More Data Before Acting On Overtourism. As Hawaii tourism rebounds three years after being effectively shut down during the pandemic, political, community and business leaders are reprising a question central to policy discussions about the state’s most prominent industry: How many tourists is too many?  Civil Beat.

Bills aim to add ‘tiny home’ sites for homeless.  Bills are moving through the House and Senate that would expand Gov. Josh Green’s vision of creating more communities of tiny homes across the state to house the homeless and provide them with social services to reduce the islands’ homeless population. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Mayor Rick Blangiardi offers 5-point homeless plan for Oahu. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration has offered its plan to deal with the needs of the nearly 4,000 homeless people living on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Contract for Red Hill facility alternatives is an enigma. The company awarded a half-million-dollar, no-bid “public outreach” contract to solicit ideas from the community about possible alternative uses of the Navy’s Red Hill facility once it’s closed for fueling operations is being tight-lipped about how it plans to conduct community outreach. Star-Advertiser.

Waimanalo Road Safety Upgrades Raise Local Concerns About A Community’s Identity. The DOT is installing medians and widening sections of Kalanianaole Highway amid safety concerns, with six pedestrians killed in 10 years. As Oahu’s population balloons and the number of tourists grows, the island’s low-capacity coastal roads that are often the only thoroughfares for rural communities have become increasingly crowded, prompting calls for the state to better manage traffic.  Civil Beat.

Oʻahu's junk vehicle program sees 65% decrease in roadside refuse. According to the city's Department of Customer Services, the program handled roughly 1,600 cars a year prior to 2020. But over the last three years, there has been a steady decline — resulting in the program handling 567 vehicles in 2022, which is a 65% decline. Hawaii Public Radio.

At a cost of $40M, large new wave pool on Oahu nearing completion. A standing wave pool being built in Ewa Beach is set to open next month, but not everyone is giving it a warm welcome. Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers unreceptive to moratorium on Waiahole Valley rent increases. A legislative committee has declined to support a five-year block on the state raising ground-lease rents for about 100 residential and farm tenants in Waiahole Valley, where tension exists over potential evictions. Star-Advertiser.

Waiawa residents advised of possible contamination from training site. Residents of Pearl City’s Waiawa Road area are demanding answers — and assistance — after learning that the National Guard and the state Department of Health are investigating the possibility that toxic chemicals from fire suppressant used years ago by firefighters at the Hawaii National Guard’s Waiawa Unit Training and Equipment Site may have seeped into their groundwater. Star-Advertiser.

Thousands gather to bid a fond farewell to Aloha Stadium. A new Aloha Stadium is scheduled to replace the old one at the same site in Halawa in 2027, according to the most recent estimate by state planners. The stands have been closed to the public since December 2020 due to high maintenance costs and lack of revenue amid COVID-19 restrictions. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News News. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

County outlines plan of action: Steps being taken in response to housing credits audit.  A spokesman for Mayor Mitch Roth said the mayor and the county’s Office of Housing and Community Development are working to correct deficiencies pointed out in an audit of its affordable housing credits program. Tribune-Herald.

Business owners voice concerns over proposed district. While testifiers acknowledged that downtown Hilo is in sore need of improvement, many were critical that the bill would put the onus of solving the town’s problems onto business and property owners instead of county administration. Tribune-Herald.

Public Invited To Give Input On New Library, Transit Hub In Pāhoa. There will be a number of opportunities for the public to give input on the future location of a new library and transit hub planned for Pāhoa. Big Island Video News.

‘We are running out of time’. Thousands of grams of pure fentanyl and over 15,000 pills containing the illicit drug have been recovered in West Hawaii over the past 15 months, police officers told County Council members this week. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Work in watershed aims to curb ocean pollution downstream. Final Pohakea Watershed Plan gets green light. A watershed management plan that addresses the land, gulches and gullies that run from the West Maui Mountains to Maalaea Bay received final approval this week to support the next steps in protecting and restoring water quality in the area. Maui News.

State will bill owner $460K for cost of salvaging yacht from Honolua Bay.  The state has selected a contractor to remove the 94-foot-long yacht that remains grounded at Honolua Bay and will bill the owner for the $460,000 salvage cost. Maui News.

Defueling of luxury yacht on Maui complete, salvage work to begin.  The defueling of the grounded yacht on Maui was completed today, and the task of salvaging the vessel will begin Sunday. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Can hydropower leave its plantation legacy behind on Kauaʻi?  The Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative is pursuing a multi-year lease for a new hydropower plant on the Waimea River, called the West Kauaʻi Energy Project. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kaua‘i home sales tumble in January.  A confluence of reluctant homebuyers and soft inventory levels led to a rough start to the new year for the County of Kaua‘i housing market. Garden Island.

Hundreds of parking tickets issued in Ha‘ena amid increased enforcement efforts. Last year, the Kaua‘i Police Department handed out more parking tickets on the North Shore alone than they issued on the entire island the year prior. Garden Island.

Economists upbeat about Hawaii, judge allows Native Hawaiians to occupy Coco Palms site, Honolulu kills property tax hike for resorts and hotels, police chief citizen panel axed, Maui among least affordable, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki street © 2017 All Hawaii News

State economists revised Hawaii's economic outlook upward Wednesday, saying the economy is expected to grow by 1.9 percent this year, while the state's unemployment rate is set to remain at less than 3 percent. Pacific Business News.

The state’s top economists nudged up expectations for Hawaii’s growth for the year because of improved performance in the tourism industry. Star-Advertiser.

The Education Commission of the States said on Tuesday that the Hawaii State Department of Education is the 2017 recipient of the Frank Newman Award for State Innovation. Pacific Business News.

Out of surgery after having her right kidney removed, U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono was already weighing in on the latest political developments, according to a Twitter message from her staff Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono is recovering after having surgery to remove a kidney. Associated Press.

Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is one of several co-sponsors for a bipartisan bill aimed at decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level. Tribune-Herald.

Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaiʻi joined Rep. Tom Garrett (VA-05) in hosting a press conference today, urging Congress to pass H.R.1227, the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act. Maui Now.

Navy Adm. Harry Harris Jr., the commander of the Hawaii-based U.S. Pacific Command, said Wednesday that North Korea's recent military tests could lead to a disaster and called on the international community not be complacent as tensions on the Korean Peninsula rise. Pacific Business News.

The top American military officer in the Pacific said Wednesday that North Korea's recent military actions are "a recipe for a disaster" and warned against a sense of complacency in the face of increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Associated Press.

The Green Party of Hawaii will hold its annual party convention at the Kailua-Kona Elks Club on Maui on June 10. Garden Island.

Southwest Airlines has officially confirmed its intention to offer flights to Hawaii, with service launching as early as 2018. Pacific Business News.

Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said Wednesday that Hawaii is a priority destination for the carrier, according to a report from the The Arizona Republic. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Riders of TheHandi-Van are being spared a fare hike and owners of hotel and resort properties won’t get hit with a tax increase as a result of decisions made by the Honolulu City Council’s Budget Committee on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council Budget Committee rejected a proposed property tax increase for hotels and resorts Wednesday. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu Police Commission on Wednesday scrapped the idea of forming a citizens selection panel to help evaluate candidates seeking to become the city’s next police chief. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu Police Commission on Wednesday ditched its plan to use a citizen advisory panel to help pick a new police chief after receiving flak for its initial list of volunteers. Star-Advertiser.

Commission scraps citizens panel that would have aided search for next police chief. KHON2.

Plans by the city to acquire more land along Dillingham Boulevard is getting backlash from the Blood Bank of Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

The Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. is suing to temporarily halt a $115 million renovation of the Pacific Beach Hotel in Waikiki after two human burials were unearthed below an elevator shaft. Star-Advertiser.

The discovery of human remains at a construction site of a Waikiki hotel is prompting some Native Hawaiian activists to call for a halt to the development. Hawaii News Now.

A Native Hawaiian plaintiff known for high-profile litigation protecting Native Hawaiian burial sites has filed a lawsuit asking a state court to stop construction at a Waikiki hotel where bones have been discovered. Civil Beat.

Honolulu welcomes new citizens, but holds off on becoming a sanctuary city. Hawaii News Now.

The state and the city, for the first time, will jointly hold a May 29 Memorial Day ceremony at the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl to honor Vietnam veterans for their service 50 years ago. Star-Advertiser.

Bikeshare Hawaii will launch the state's first bikeshare program, called Biki, this summer in Honolulu. Pacific Business News.

The developer of a residential and resort community in Ewa Beach has decided what it wants to anchor much of its 52-acre man-made lagoon, and it is a retail village that looks as if it was built over a century stretching from Hawaii’s plantation era to today. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County administration has a bit more explaining to do before the County Council is ready to approve a $20 million bond issue creating a closure plan for the Hilo landfill. West Hawaii Today.

The process to finally close the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill has begun. Big Island Video News.


Puna Councilwoman Jen Ruggles was unable to find support from a single councilmember for her resolution asking the county and the state to acknowledge they have “historically discriminated against low income and native Hawaiian communities of the Puna and Ka`u districts, as established by the Office of Civil Rights’ September 28, 2000, ruling.” Big Island Video News.

There’s a suspected case of mumps in Puna. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Testifiers expressed mixed views of the proposed 49-unit Makila Kai project in Launiupoko on Wednesday, with supporters saying the project’s workforce housing is needed while critics worried about more traffic on busy West Maui roads, among other concerns. Maui News.

Maui has joined the ranks of Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, cities famous for their movie star residents, company tycoons and the wealthy. The Valley Isle is one of the least affordable places to live in the United States. Maui News.

New emergency siren testing began on Wednesday in Maui. Department of Defense officials say residents may hear the sound of the siren for about thirty seconds to one minute on Thursday and Friday. KITV.

Alexander &Baldwin has entered the ranching business on Maui, forming Kulolio Ranch in Hamakuapoko in a diversified agriculture venture on 4,000 acres of old Hawaiian Commercial &Sugar lands. Maui News.

Kauai

A motion that would have ordered two Hawaiians — who claim 17 acres of Wailua land as theirs via royal patent — to stay away from property was denied by a Fifth Circuit judge Wednesday. Garden Island.

The Kauai County Council is considering acquiring two plots of land on opposite sides of the island. On Wednesday, the council discussed a .27-acre property in Wainiha and a 2.1-acre piece of land in Kekaha, both of which the Open Space Commission is proposing the county take charge of before they are sold. Garden Island.

The Kauai County Council unanimously approved Wednesday establishing no parking zones along a stretch of Ho’onani Road in Koloa. Garden Island.

Dr. Gerald McKenna says the policies regarding medical marijuana in Hawaii are getting ahead of themselves. McKenna was a guest speaker at the Kauai Rural Health Association’s “Medical Marijuana Law and Impact on Businesses” conference Wednesday at Kauai Community College. Garden Island.

'Exceptional' trees get tax breaks, Honolulu seeks $450M line of credit for rail, Green Party certified for state ballot, Kauai daily newspaper goes to 6-day schedule, Hilo newspaper hit with labor ruling, electric company makes big profits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mynah bird on African tulip tree (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

The focus of some ridicule is a state law that allows Hawaii residents to claim up to $3,000 in personal income tax deductions for qualified expenses related to maintaining "exceptional" trees on their private property. Star-Advertiser.

A proposal headed to the state Senate could help Hawaii double its locally grown food supply by 2020. Associated Press.

By weight, Hawaii’s honeybees may be the state’s most valuable export as farmers struggle to replenish bee populations suffering from colony collapse. Associated Press.

The Green Party of Hawaii announced that it has been certified to be included on Hawaii partisan election ballots. Tribune-Herald.

The Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter on Sunday endorsed U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono for U.S. Senate, giving the congresswoman an edge in the environmental community to go with her support from labor unions and traditional Democrats. Star-Advertiser.

Consumer advocates are pushing Hawaii senators to pass a bill that excludes health insurer representatives from holding voting positions on a state board. Associated Press.


Cuts in the number of inspectors who check cargo and passengers entering Hawaii have some worried that more pests will get established in a state that is especially vulnerable because of its subtropical weather and few natural predators. Associated Press.

State roundup for April 23. Associated Press.


Oahu

The Navy wants to cover Ford Island's historic runway with photovoltaic panels — an addition the service said would "define and interpret" the original runway while providing environment-friendly power. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Peter Carlisle's administration has formally asked the City Council to approve a $450 million city-backed line of credit that could be used to complete the rail line in the event of a "catastrophic, unforeseen event" that causes the project to run out of money. Star-Advertiser.

Construction of the elevated portion of Oahu's rail project starts Monday, as more groups step forward to support the City's transit plan in court. Hawaii News Now.

The city's $5.7 million, 500-day Waikiki sewer project has been backed up for a couple of months but is expected to get moving in May. Star-Advertiser.

Keeping Kakaako-makai free from residential development was the motivation behind a loud rally held earlier today in an effort to stop a bill that would allow high rises on one of Honolulu's last public oceanfront land. KITV4.

Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle’s landfill advisory committee has named a site in the Windward Oahu town of Kailua as the top choice for the location of a landfill to replace the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu’s monopoly newspaper has again slashed advertising rates in the face of new government objections to the charges as well as competition from a newcomer to the market. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii

An average Hawaii Electric Light Co. customer doles out around $225 every month for 500 to 600 kilowatt hours of electricity, a far cry from the nation’s average of $63 for the same usage. West Hawaii Today.

While the electric grid itself may not be operating at peak efficiency, shareholders in the investor-owned corporation aren’t feeling the pinch. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii isn’t well-known for consumer advocacy, said Jack Gillis, public affairs director for the Consumer Federation of America. West Hawaii Today.

A federal appeals court on Friday upheld a National Labor Relations Board's decision that two reporters fired from a Hilo newspaper should be reinstated with back pay. Associated Press.

Maui

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the Maui Economic Development Board. Maui News.


Kauai

The Garden Island newspaper on Kauai will be combining its Friday and Saturday publications into a weekend edition starting May 4. Pacific Business News.

Construction is expected to begin during the second half of this year on a second Kaua‘i Safeway supermarket and retail center. Garden Island.

Meeting the demand of an increase in felony cases was among concerns expressed by Office of the Prosecuting Attorney staff members during a Kaua‘i County Council fiscal year 2013 budget hearing Friday. Garden Island.

Molokai

The Friendly Island will be well represented at the 35th annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. The Awards Show, hosted by the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts (HARA), is an annual event held to celebrate “the connections between music, our culture, and the spirit of aloha,” according to their website. Molokai Dispatch.