Looming federal shutdown threatens holiday tourism season, state psychiatric patient arrested in fatal stabbing of staffer, some public schools lack fire alarms, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Potential government shutdown could hit heart of Hawaii’s economy. As Congress gets closer to their Friday deadline to pass a budget, a potential government shutdown threatens Hawaii's tourism industry. The state's top industry could be greatly impacted with the staffing of air traffic controllers.  KITV4.

Hawaii holiday travel is expected to be soft. The latest tourism data from the state  Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism for September showed that some 651,286 visitors came to the Hawaiian Islands, down 7.4% from September 2022. Arrivals to Maui plummeted 57% to 94,221 visitors in September, according to the DBEDT data. Star-Advertiser.

Not Acceptable’: Why So Many Hawaii Schools Lack Fire Alarms. A recent report from a House working group highlights the lack of working fire alarm systems and other safety precautions in some public schools. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric tallies $20.4M in early disaster costs from Maui wildfires. Hawaiian Electric has shared a glimpse of expenses from the Aug. 8 Maui wildfires while vowing to vigorously contest litigation blaming the company for the disaster. Star-Advertiser.

Firefighters battle blazes across Hawaii. Amid continuing hot weather, drought and strong tradewinds, firefighters across the islands are continuing to battle wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Josh Green and First Lady Jaime Kanani Green headed to Japan on Sunday to meet with Japanese government officials and key business stakeholders, his office announced. Green will thank Japan’s government for its $2 million contribution to Hawaii in the aftermath of the Maui wildfire disaster, promote made-in-Hawaii products, and invite the return of Japanese visitors to Hawaii’s shores. Maui News.

Hawaii Voters Could Be Asked To Amend Constitution On Marriage Equality. A section of the state's Bill of Rights still gives the Legislature the power to limit marriage to opposite-sex couples. Civil Beat.

National Climate Report Lands As Hawaii Grapples With Wildfire Threat. It features a new focus on Indigenous knowledge to combat the islands' climate challenges. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Patient at state psychiatric facility arrested in fatal attack on staff member. Man, 29, fatally stabbed at State Hospital in Kaneohe. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services officials say a 29-year-old man was fatally stabbed late Monday afternoon at the Hawaii State Hospital in Kaneohe. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Court battle underway as Red Hill families accuse Navy leaders of destroying evidence. A federal judge heard arguments Monday in Honolulu on legal claims that Navy leaders lied and destroyed cellphone evidence after the Red Hill fuel leaks. The government insists that’s not true. Hawaii News Now.

Pig farmer prevails in appeals court. A 56-year-old Waianae Coast pig farmer prevailed both in a state appeals court and district court over a landlord who took steps to evict him. The court rulings pave the way for Matthew Reyes to return to the 1.75-acre portion of the 5-acre Maili property on Paakea Road and continue to farm. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kona Vistas heads back to planning commission. A long-delayed and controversial $170 million West Hawaii housing project is returning to the Leeward Planning Commission in January after months of cultural review. Tribune-Herald.

‘Super prime’ land in Keauhou sold for just over $4M. A privately owned global real estate firm headquartered in San Diego has sold a 24.5-acre parcel of undeveloped land within the Keauhou Resort to a Los Angeles-based real estate developer and investor. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo Tsunami Museum in Danger of Closing. It's a race against time for those who want to preserve Hilo's Tsunami Museum, an educational site which raises awareness of what occurred during the Big Island's deadliest natural disaster.  KITV4.

Sixteen Live Sheep Freed From Alleged Poachers At PTA. Five cited, fined for attempting to poach sheep. Four Big Island residents and one Oahu resident were cited and fined Thursday for attempting to poach 16 sheep on Daniel K. Inouye Highway. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Texas Developer Seeks $50 Million From Maui County To Build Affordable Housing. Dallas-based real estate developer Paul Cheng has already received $18 million in county subsidies for his Pulelehua housing development. Civil Beat.

Thousands of Maui property owners haven’t yet given government permission to clear debris. About 900 Maui property owners who saw their homes destroyed in the catastrophic wildfires have given the government permission to remove debris. But thousands more have yet to sign right-of-entry forms. Hawaii News Now.

MEO handling fire grants for businesses with $300,000 revenues or less. The Maui Business Bridge Grant that provides financial support to businesses directly or indirectly impacted by the August wildfires began accepting applications today, Nov. 13, with Maui Economic Opportunity working with establishments of $300,000 in gross revenue or less. Maui Now.

Brush fire burns 35 acres, 70% contained; Maui Veterans Highway now OPEN. According to the County of Maui, multiple fire crews and Air 1 responded to the blaze, which was fed by 20-25 mph winds. Maui Now. KHON2.

Maui Wellness Group, LLC gets approval as medical cannabis retail dispensary. The Hawai‘i State Department of Health has issued a formal notice to proceed for Maui Wellness Group, LLC, dba Maui Grown Therapies after it passed its final on-site inspection for its fourth retail facility.  Maui Now.

Kauai

The Kaua‘i Marathon shares $25K with four groups. The YWCA of Kaua‘i, Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank, Kaua‘i Humane Society and the Kaua‘i Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals received awards. Garden Island.

Veterans Day honors those who serve, Green names Rep. Hashimoto for state Senate, Honolulu gay bar alleges death threat from liquor control board, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State House lawmaker transfers to Senate. Gov. Josh Green picked Rep. Troy Hashimoto (D, Wailuku- Waikapu) to fill an empty seat in the Senate following the recent resignation of Sen. Gil Keith-Agaran (D, Wailuku-Kahului-Waihee). Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Hawaiian Electric Has Ample Cash For Now But Few Answers To Key Questions. An earnings call with investors highlighted uncertainties surrounding Hawaii's electric utility and its parent following the Maui wildfires. Civil Beat.

The Power Was Out Before The Fires Started. Then Hawaiian Electric Flipped The Switch. In congressional testimony, Hawaiian Electric President and CEO Shelee Kimura confirmed what some already suspected — that the utility re-energized its lines just before an early morning fire. Civil Beat.

‘The era of complacency is over’: Wildfire planning agency swamped by requests for help. A Hawaii wildfire management nonprofit says only a few communities in the state have prepared for wildfires and now more than 100 are lining up to get protected. The small organization was practically ignored before Maui’s wildfire disaster. Hawaii News Now.

State working group calls for improvements to food reserves and disaster response. A state working group wants Hawaiʻi to improve its food reserves, support backyard farming and fill in the gaps in supply distribution to bolster its disaster response. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Military Members File Lawsuit Over Red Hill Water Contamination. Active service members are challenging a rule that insulates the government from liability for their injuries. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Gay Bar Steps Up Dispute With Liquor Commission. Scarlet Honolulu and Gay Island Guide cited an alleged death threat in requesting a temporary restraining order. The commission's counsel denied the allegation. Civil Beat.

HPD probe launched into handling of officer-involved crash that left motorcyclist injured.  Records reveal a Honolulu police officer arrested for driving under the influence and crashing into a utility pole seven years ago recently slammed his subsidized vehicle into the back of a motorcyclist, seriously injuring the rider. Hawaii News Now.

COVID relief funds mishandled, Honolulu auditor says. Honolulu exposed $387 million in federal COVID-19 relief money it received in 2020 to fraud, waste and abuse as it dispensed business and household relief funding during the pandemic, the Office of the City Auditor says. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Maunakea eyed for registers of historic places. At a Thursday meeting of the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority board, Ku‘upua Kiyuna, legal specialist for nonprofit Huliauapa‘a, told the board her organization has filed nominations for a portion of Maunakea, including the mountain’s summit, to be listed as a “traditional cultural property and district” on the National Register of Historic Places and the Hawaii Register of Historic Places. Tribune-Herald.

Bridge Stabilization Near Honoliʻi Beach Park Set To Begin. A bridge along the Honoliʻi Stream will undergo stabilization work next week, and officials warn of some changes to traffic patterns around Honoliʻi Beach Park. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Search For Lahaina’s Missing Spurs Creation Of Cold Case Unit. Two members of a task force specializing in forensic analysis will be assigned to the new detail that will reexamine dozens of unsolved cases. Civil Beat.

State to buy former Kihei hotel to house fire evacuees. A state agency received board approval Thursday to buy the former 229-room Maui Sun Hotel as part of a plan to turn the property into apartments for people who lost homes in the Aug. 8 disaster, which destroyed most of Lahaina. Star-Advertiser.

Groundbreaking, blessing held for 223-unit Hale O Piʻikea affordable housing in Kīhei. Situated in the southeast portion of the Kīhei Downtown Project, the development aims to address the pressing need for affordable housing. The project will provide 223 affordable rental housing units for individuals, kūpuna, and families whose incomes fall at or below 60% of the area median income. Maui Now.

Upcountry Maui Is Entering The Next Phase Of Fire Recovery. But Anxiety Persists. Kula residents readily acknowledge their losses are nowhere near the level experienced by Lahaina wildfire survivors but they share many of the same frustrations. Civil Beat.

Worsening water shortage in Upcountry Maui puts Kula Hospital at risk. A dire warning for Upcountry Maui residents -- cut water use by 20% or put Kula Hospital and 80 long term care patients at risk. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Nonprofit details ‘youth mental health crisis’ on Kaua‘i. The head of a community initiative for youths detailed how high schoolers and middle schoolers on the island are “really struggling” with issues, including poor mental health, substance abuse and loneliness, in a presentation to Kaua‘i County Council members this week. Garden Island.

More than 70 volunteers renovate U.S. VETS Barber’s Point. Home Depot volunteers picked up some gloves and tools at U.S. VETS Barber’s Point to renovate its facilities in honor of Veteran’s Day. KHON2.

Public Utilities Commission slow to investigate HECO role in Maui wildfires, some good news in public school test scores, Ferreira named OHA CEO, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Utility Regulators Are Still Waiting To Take A Hard Look At Hawaiian Electric. The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has been conspicuously passive since the August fires that killed at least 99 people, destroyed much of Lahaina, including its power distribution system, and spawned dozens of lawsuits blaming Hawaiian Electric Industries for starting the fires.  Civil Beat.

Draft legislative wildfire reports available for public review.  Six legislative working groups in Hawaii’s House of Representatives have filed draft reports with recommendations on issues stemming from the Aug. 8 Maui wildfire disaster. Star-Advertiser.

Why Hawaii became a hotbed of legal activism to protect the climate. A series of legal cases show how Hawaii has become uniquely fertile ground for environmental legal action, fueled by a long tradition of decolonization advocacy, specifically enshrined environmental rights and a rich Pacific Island heritage that is imminently threatened by global warming impacts — such as the devastating wildfires that ripped through Maui in August. The state’s courts have moved decisively while other US courts quibble over jurisdiction and technical legal barriers in climate lawsuits. Bloomberg.

Some Hawaii Students See Gains In Learning Since The Pandemic. Traditionally underserved students have made significant improvements in areas such as math, reading and graduation rates since the end of the pandemic, according to data released by the Hawaii Department of Education on Thursday.  Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Court ruling bans state from enforcing certain sensitive places for concealed carry.  A few months after Hawaii passed its sensitive places law for concealed carry, a court ruling is now restricting the state and city from enforcing the rules. KHON2.

Who is Stacy Ferreira? Meet the new CEO at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Trustees with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs have chosen Stacy Ann Kealohalani Ferreira, former budget chief with the Senate Ways and Means Committee, to serve as the new chief executive officer.  Hawaii Public Radio. Kauai Now.

Lawmakers, advocates call on military to do more to address violence against Native Hawaiian women. Advocates and lawmakers are calling on the military to bolster their response to a state-commissioned report on violence against Hawaii women and girls.  Hawaii News Now.

Coast Guard cutter returns to Honolulu. The Honolulu-based Coast Guard National Security Cutter CGC Kimball returned home Wednesday from an 85-day deployment that saw it assisting with Maui fire relief efforts and monitoring fisheries in the Arctic Circle. Star-Advertiser.

In wake of ‘horror stories,’ lawmakers push for rapid response to little fire ants. Lawmakers are getting fired up about the spread of little fire ants and believe industry pressure is delaying potential new rules aimed at stopping their spread. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

As Red Hill defueling progresses, military briefs Hawaii lawmakers on plans and commitments. Emptying underground Navy fuel storage tanks at Red Hill crossed a midway point Wednesday, and several state lawmakers received a briefing from military officials Thursday about the job and future cleanup work. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Officials Release A Draft Of The City’s Strategy To Adapt To Climate Change. They're seeking more input this month from communities across Oahu before they finish the plan. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Firefighting resumes as Mililani Mauka fire grows to 1,100 acres. The wildland fire in remote mountains above Mililani Mauka continues for a fourth day, and has now burned about 1,100 acres, according to the Honolulu Fire Department. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Honolulu City and County aims to make recycling easier for Oahu residents. The Honolulu City Council yesterday unanimously approved a bill which will allow residents to recycle more materials from homes like cardboard boxes, containers and food waste. KITV4.

The Hawaii Herald To Shutter Operations Dec. 1. The 43-year-old newspaper serves the local Japanese American community. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

TMT work progresses: Project awaiting ‘necessary steps’ from the feds. Work continues around the world on the Thirty Meter Telescope’s various systems despite no sign of a new construction date on Maunakea. Tribune-Herald.

Most Of Hawaiʻi Island Under Severe Drought. With just 1.36 inches of rain, Hilo Airport broke the record, set back in 1962, for the minimum total monthly rainfall for the month of October. Big Island Video News.

Local divers collect and reattach broken coral along Hawaiʻi Island coastline. A new community-led initiative is working to restore coral reefs along the Kona coast of Hawaiʻi Island. The project, called Kanu Koʻa, is supported by The Nature Conservancy and the Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Life Advisory Committee. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Lahaina Harbor cleanup estimated to finish around early December. The U.S. Coast Guard has removed 79 vessels inside and outside of Lahaina Harbor and is looking to have its cleanup of fire damage and debris done around early December, although it could take longer, an official said Wednesday. Maui News.

600 Maui businesses have closed since the wildfires, and hundreds more are on the brink. New data shows a continued drop in visitors — and revenue — on Maui as the island’s economy struggles to recover from the catastrophic wildfires. Hawaii News Now.

Foreclosure Moratorium Extended For Some Maui Homeowners. Fire survivors with FHA loans on destroyed or damaged properties can breathe a little easier for the next few months. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

ACLU wants Maui homeless sweeps to end. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii this week demanded that Maui County stop homeless sweeps that were pending at county parks near wildfire- ravaged Lahaina. Star-Advertiser.

Public comment sought at meeting about creation of Maui County wetlands map. Maui residents can provide public comment about the creation of a comprehensive Maui County wetlands map during a meeting on Nov. 8 at the Maui Ocean Center Sphere in Māʻalaea.  Maui Now. Maui News.

Kauai

Kīlauea Elementary on Kaua‘i exceeds statewide academic trends. From school year 2021-22 to 2022-23, scores for language arts increased by 14 points to 62%, math increased by 16 points to 49%, and science increased by 35 points to 67%. Kauai Now.

State budget director assembling Maui fire relief fund has conflict of interest in HECO stock, Inouye portrait unveiled at Capitol, Amazon to hire 500 in Honolulu, vacation rentals down, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Budget Director’s Conflict Of Interest: He Owns HECO Stock. Luis Salaveria is helping plan an innovative Maui fire victims fund that could also help reduce Hawaiian Electric's liability. Civil Beat.

A Message From Hawaii To DC: ‘We Don’t Have Enough Money’. Local business and civic leaders made the rounds of key federal agencies this week in an effort to get more money and better policy decisions for Maui fire relief. Civil Beat.

Inouye portrait unveiled. A portrait of the late US Senator Daniel K. Inouye was unveiled Wednesday at the US Capitol, becoming the first portrait of a person of color in the US Senate’s leadership portrait series.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Demand, supply and prices were down for vacation rentals last month. Vacation rentals were down across the state last month compared to a year ago. Demand was lower, so was supply, and so were prices. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii developers pay to settle Fair Housing Act violation claims.  Hawaii-based developers Albert C. Kobayashi, Stanford Carr Development and other defendants have agreed to pay $120,000 to settle federal claims they violated the Fair Housing Act when designing and building five Hawaii apartment complexes. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Promise of rail-fueled revitalization cold comfort to Kalihi businesses struggling to stay afloat. The Honolulu Rail Authority is responding to complaints from Kalihi business owners who’ve been putting up with a utility relocation project for nearly a year. Officials say construction won’t be completed until March of 2031. Hawaii News Now.

Amazon continues Hawaii expansion with $415M investment, 500 new jobs for residents. Amazon is revealing details of its much-anticipated expansion plans in Hawaii, saying that it plans to hire hundreds of people for a new facility in Sand Island. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Waikiki Shell slated for renovations. The iconic shell-shaped outdoor venue on the edge of Waikiki that’s played host to hula festivals, music concerts and other entertainment events for nearly 70 years is expected to undergo major improvements in the future. Star-Advertiser.

New plaque unveiled at Kapaemahu stones. The City and County of Honolulu held a blessing this week at the Healer Stones of Kapaemahu, where a new plaque was unveiled that includes a QR code to an online website with additional history and information. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Hilo wastewater plant upgrades could start next summer. The Hawaii County Council’s Finance Committee voted last week to approve a bill that would issue a general obligation bond totaling $187 million, $100 million of which would go toward the Hilo wastewater plant’s rehabilitation, although county Finance Director Deanna Sako said at the time that some of the $100 million also could be directed toward other wastewater facilities around the island. Tribune-Herald.

New $46 million housing complex helps fill ‘a tremendous and urgent need’ for Waikoloa. A new affordable rental housing complex has opened in Waikoloa Village for qualifying families and kupuna. Tribune-Herald.

Army Engineers Push Forward With WWII Bomb Survey On Big Island. The bullets and bombs were left on the range there 80 years ago, but the U.S. military is still cleaning up the mess. Civil Beat.

Leonard: KWXX Hoʻolauleʻa cancelled due to denial of road closure permits. The 28th KWXX Hoʻolauleʻa, scheduled for January in downtown Hilo, has been cancelled, according to Chris Leonard, president and general manager of New West Broadcasting Corp. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New Maui fire relief program draws high interest. A special effort to deliver more financial assistance to families with dependent children on Maui who lost property or income due to the Aug. 8 wildfires is being met with exceptional demand. Star-Advertiser.

Feds Want To Plant Invasive Grasses To Control Soil After Maui Fires. USDA officials said with no vegetation left on thousands of acres, there's a need to prevent sedimentation before the wet season arrives. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Overpass For Kulanihakoi High School Slated For December 2025. An underpass construction would provide more accessibility for students, the Kihei Community Association said. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Longest predator exclusion fence in the nation completed on Kaua‘i. The 11,200-foot-long predator exclusion fence on Kauaʻi is located along the perimeter of the Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Kauai Now.

Congressional committee grills Hawaiian Electric, utility regulators; Honolulu seeks tougher standards for emergency manager, tourism tumbles in fire aftermath, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

House panel questions actions of HECO, PUC. Testifying under oath Thursday before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Shelee Kimura, president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric,  said  the 132-year-old utility has a team investigating exactly what happened with the utility poles and power lines that went down amid high winds brought on by Hurricane Dora. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii Public Radio.  Associated Press.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Tourism tumbles for Hawaii in aftermath of Maui fires. Visitor arrivals and spending for the state fell in August as visitor arrivals to Maui plummeted nearly 58% and spending fell 49% after the devastating Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire — the worst natural disaster in state history and the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Minimum Qualifications Proposed For Honolulu Emergency Manager. A draft charter amendment would require at least five years of experience for the job. Civil Beat.

Navy censures officers for ‘leadership failings’ on Red Hill. The Navy has sent letters of censure to three retired admirals and seven Navy captains regarding “leadership failings” that it says set the stage for the 2021 Red Hill water crisis. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii Public Radio.  Hawaii News Now.

Search For Gunman Prompts Lockdown At Army’s Schofield Barracks. Authorities arrested the suspect after lifting the shelter-in-place order,. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Micronesian Tenants Fight Back Against ‘Terrible’ Apartment Conditions. Advocates call for the state's landlord-tenant code reformed to better protect tenants from "unscrupulous" landlords. Civil Beat.

Deadline for filing Oahu home exemptions looms. The deadline for qualified homeowners on Oahu to file a home exemption with Honolulu’s Real Property Assessment Division is this Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Paid parking to begin at Coconut Grove. Another lot in Kona will be charging for parking starting October 1, making free parking in Kailua Village scarce. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

More assistance with insurance for Maui fire victims needed, advocates say. Lahaina fire survivors without renter’s or property owner’s insurance — and even those with insurance — received no assurances Thursday that the state can help them recover their losses anytime soon. Star-Advertiser.

Maui’s Fire Victims Are Frustrated By Insurance Hassles, Financial Delays. Numerous people showed up at a state Senate hearing on Maui where lawmakers urged state agencies to do more to protect consumers. Civil Beat.

High Water Bills Surprise Kula Residents Who Helped Fight Wildfires. Maui's top water official said the county will be lenient on a case-by-case basis and may offer relief but can't forgive all the bills because it needs the revenue. Civil Beat.

More Lahaina fire zones to open for reentry. Three more residential zones in areas burned by the deadly Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire are being opened for reentry by property owners and residents. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina parents, teachers call for safety monitoring for students.  Many West Maui families and educators doubt that the three Lahaina public schools reopening in October are as safe as officials say, and they want to see stronger monitoring for toxic substances and emergency and evacuation plans set up well before students and employees return, according to numerous testifiers at an emotional public meeting Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Maui tomato farmer says Aug. 8 storms caused a 'complete nosedive' in production. Joel Winicki and his family live in Olinda. They own and operate Maui Grown Tomatoes, with their main farm in Haʻiku. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Council approves support staff funding. A budget allotment for the seven Kauai County Council members of $100,000 for personal support staff sparked heated debate in Wednesday’s finance committee meeting, with the majority of council members accepting the funding. Garden Island.

HECO launches electric grid plans, Oahu school may be named after Obama, ex-lawmaker seeks reduced sentence in bribery case, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian Electric seeks public comment on draft Integrated Grid Plan. The draft plan for its island grids was filed with the Public Utilities Commission, outlining steps the company will take in the coming years to ensure its system will achieve net zero carbon emissions and use 100% local, renewable resources. Maui Now.

Ex-Hawaii lawmaker in bribery case seeks 15-month sentence. Ty J.K. Cullen, the former vice chair of the state House Committee on Finance who pleaded guilty to taking bribes from a wastewater executive is asking a judge to sentence him to 15 months in federal prison, citing his yearlong “substantial assistance” with the U.S. Department of Justice’s public-corruption investigation. Star-Advertiser.

First wave of pre-K classes planned to open ahead of schedule.  Eleven free preschool classrooms for 3- and 4-year-olds are scheduled to open a year ahead of schedule in August to help low-income families across the islands, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke said Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Efforts to fund public after-school programs cut short by lawmakers. Despite overwhelming support at the Legislature this session, the Senate Ways and Means Committee deferred House Bill 69 on Thursday. It was the last surviving measure that would have provided additional funding to public after-school programs.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Sick and tired of that road racket? Bills to muffle mufflers advance at state Capitol. Lawmakers say they are getting a lot of noise about noise this year ― and are responding with new technology and police tactics. Hawaii News Now.

Spiraling housing prices spark worry about Hawaii’s future. Currently, housing construction is not keeping up with demand. Only 1,000 to 2,000 new housing units are being built in Hawaii each year. Those numbers are dwarfed by the 50,000 new units a 2019 state-commissioned study estimated would be needed by 2025. Associated Press.

Visitors to Hawaii would be charged $50 to visit state parks, other areas. Senate Bill 304 would require nonresidents aged 15 or older to obtain an environmental license to visit state parks or other “natural areas on state land.”  Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority launches new site to share Destination Management progress. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority has launched a new website, “Holomua,” an online platform for sharing collective updates and progress on each of its community-based Destination Management Action Plans. Big Island Now Big Island Video News.

Oahu

In ‘hard to compete’ labor market, city to test flexible work schedules and telework options. The city is launching a pilot program in an effort to entice more workers and fill thousands of vacancies Among the options being promoted: Telework and flexible schedules for many employees. Hawaii News Now.

Rain causes leaks, disruptions at Hawai‘i Convention Center.  Heavy rain that caused pockets of flash flooding in the southern and eastern areas of Oahu on Sunday soaked through the Hawai‘i Convention Center roof, affecting the Kawaii Kon event and removing another five meeting rooms from service. Star-Advertiser.

In heavy rains, an upstream dumping problem triggers a trashy situation on exclusive Kahala Beach. Shopping carts, clothes, and other debris littered Kahala Beach on Monday following heavy rains over the weekend. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Rail Cost On The Rise As Electric Hookups To Customers Along The Line Are Factored In. More than $700 million in contracts were awarded to relocate utilities in the urban area, but that did not include transformers or electrical lines to homes and businesses. Civil Beat.

City readies for opening of Kapolei to stadium rail segment. The Honolulu Department of Transportation Services is gearing up to take over the coming rail line this year — handling ridership, fares and bolstering the system’s security. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Senate considers name change for local elementary school. The Senate Committee on Education heard testimony from those both in support of and against the name change of Noelani Elementary School to President Barack Obama Noelani Elementary School. KITV4.

Booze Battle Heats Up As Judge Slaps Liquor Commission Critic With Court Order. Controversies surrounding the beleaguered Honolulu Liquor Commission have taken an unusual turn, with a commission investigations supervisor obtaining a temporary restraining order against a critic who the supervisor says has bombarded the agency with public records requests.  Civil Beat.

Mayor confirms Waipahu District Park pool reopening date. Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced in a town hall meeting on March 30 that the pool is scheduled to reopen to the public on Monday, May 1. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Army official addresses PTA, concerns about China in the Pacific. Maj. Gen. Joe Ryan, commanding general for the Army’s 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii, provided updates about the Pohakuloa Training Area on Monday at an event held by the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County IT Director Moves To Civil Defense Position. Information Technology Director Scott Uehara has accepted a position within the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense, where he will focus on emergency communications systems. Big Island Video News.

False active shooter call prompts lockdown of 3 Hawaii schools. Waiakea High, Waiakea Intermediate School and Waiakea Elementary School were placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure due to the seriousness of the call. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now. Kauai Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii County finalists named for UH Board of Regents seat. The finalists for the Hawaii County seat are Michael Miyahira, Kona Moran, Alapaki Nahale-a and Steven Pavao. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Bill seeks a carrying capacity study for Mākena State Park due to increased visitors. The state House Finance Committee will hear a bill this week that requests a carrying capacity study for Mākena State Park, also known as Oneloa Beach. Maui Now.

Finding of No Significant Impact for Puʻunēnē Ave. road widening and improvement project. The project aims to increase roadway safety and capacity by adding two additional vehicle lanes and shared shoulders.  Maui Now.

Protectors of ancestral remains rail against planned expansion of Maui luxury resort. The Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, has been wanting to expand for years. But protectors of ancestral bones, or iwi kupuna, say enough already. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Fire Department seeking $450k to reduce drownings. If secured, the funds would pay for an additional 12 full-time lifeguards, and would allow the department to safeguard all monitored beaches 10 hours a day, seven days a week, through a new “Dawn to Dusk” program. Garden Island.

Understanding alcohol use disorders is key to prevention. A proclamation by Mayor Derek Kawakami states the importance of learning about the behavioral and physical signs of alcohol addiction, child abuse and neglect, and sexual assault, and in working to reduce the incidence of these public health crises from taking place on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.
 

Electricity expected to jump 10-20%, state has extra $450M in taxes to spend this fiscal year, government transparency commission meets in secret, more news from all the Hawaiian islands

HECO electric plant ©2022 All Hawaii News

Council Anticipates Big Budget Boost But War In Ukraine Dampens Economic Future. The Council on Revenues raised growth of projected tax collections this year from 15% to 21%. State lawmakers could have about $450 million more to spend on the state budget for the last four months of this fiscal year, which ends June 30. Civil Beat.

Rise in electricity bills ahead, Hawaiian Electric Co. warns. Hawaiian Electric Co. warned customers Thursday that electricity bills will climb higher over the next few months due to the rising prices of petroleum driven by the U.S. sanction on Russian oil. The utility is forecasting residential bills will rise about 10% for Oahu customers, and about 20% for those in Maui County and on Hawaii island, heading into the summer. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

This New Hawaii Commission Is Aimed At Open Government. So Why Has It Been Meeting In Secret? A commission tasked with making recommendations for government transparency and accountability has so far been meeting behind closed doors but the commission’s chairman says it will open its meetings after delivering an interim report to state lawmakers later this month. Civil Beat.

Hawaii House Proposes 48 New Positions To Beef Up Child Welfare Services. A proposed $8.3 billion state budget for next year would beef up staffing and funding for the struggling state Child Welfare Services agency in the wake of an alleged murder of a 6-year-old girl on Oahu last year. Star-Advertiser.

Public workers’ union announces endorsement in race for governor. Hawaii’s largest union of public workers has announced their endorsement in the race for Hawaii’s next governor. HGEA, Hawaii’s Government Employees Association, endorsed current Lieutenant Governor Josh Green on Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Ige looks back at 2 years of COVID restrictions. The state’s mask mandate comes to an end in two weeks and Gov. Ige is reflecting on decisions made during the pandemic. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Oahu residents are asked to reduce water use. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply on Thursday called on all Oahu water users to voluntarily reduce consumption by 10% — a consequence of the loss of a key source of city water in the aftermath of Navy water contamination by fuel from its Red Hill fuel storage facility. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Kahikina Poised To Get $25K Bonus For First Year As Rail Director. HART board members contemplated what message that bonus might send to the public, however, as rail faces a severe financial crisis. Civil Beat.

Survey of Oahu’s homeless returns. After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, more than 300 volunteers dispersed across Oahu on Thursday morning to record the number of unsheltered homeless people for the annual Point-in-Time count. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH Manoa Engineering Faculty Cast Vote Of ‘No Confidence’ In College Dean. Provost Michael Bruno said he will meet with engineering faculty members in the coming weeks to continue discussing complaints about Dean Brennon Morioka’s leadership. Civil Beat.

Bad Blood Between Crime Boss And His Son’s Friend Started Over Stolen Watch, Plea Says. A year before Mike Miske blamed Jonathan Fraser for the fatal car accident that killed Miske’s son, he had Fraser beaten for stealing a gold Rolex, the agreement says. Miske is accused of later ordering Fraser’s murder. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

No consensus on Waipio closure. Nobody could agree on a middle ground during a community discussion Wednesday evening about the closure of Waipio Valley Access Road. Tribune-Herald.

Planning Committee advances Waikoloa timeshare project. An array of promised community benefits was enough Tuesday to propel a Waikoloa Beach Resort timeshare project out of a County Council committee with a positive recommendation. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mike Molina launches mayoral campaign. Maui County Councilmember Mike Molina, who currently holds the Makawao-Haʻikū-Pāʻia residency seat, submitted his nomination form to the County Clerk’s office on Wednesday, signaling the start of his Mayoral campaign.  Maui Now.

Master-planned community headed to contested case. A mediation ordered by the Maui Planning Commission last month between Honua’ula representatives and intervenors Maui Tomorrow and Ho’opo-nopono O Makena, has failed, attorneys on both sides said during a commission meeting Tuesday afternoon. Maui News.

Alaula Builders selects 40 Maui families in Kīhei workforce housing lottery. Hale Kaiola is located in North Kīhei and will consist of 40 duplex homes with a yard starting at $395,000.  Maui Now.

Management plan may result in fewer air tours above Haleakala. Federal officials are working to develop an air tour management plan for Haleakala National Park that will likely result in fewer air tours within a half-mile of the park. Maui News.

Kauai

Council unanimously approves polarizing ‘cat bill’. The Kaua‘i County Council adopted debated legislation forbidding the feeding of feral cats on county property, in a unanimous vote on Wednesday. The ban on feeding, which complies with the Kaua‘i Seabird Habitat Conservation Plan, triggered protest from individuals and “community cat” groups. Garden Island.

Key player in Kauai councilman's drug trafficking ring reaches plea agreement. Orlando Manguchei was one of the 11 suspects indicted in the incident involving former councilman Arthur Brun, who already agreed to serve a 15-year prison sentence. KITV4.

Hawaii GOP commits to Trump, Big Island ethics board to investigate Mauna Kea road blockade, Ala Moana park plan moved to Kakaako, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Elephants at Honolulu Zoo ©2019 All Hawaii News

Audit raises concerns about donation record-keeping, outdated facilities at zoo. A blistering audit of the troubled Honolulu Zoo is drawing mixed reactions from elected officials. The zoo lost its accreditation in 2016 and since then it has been an uphill battle to get it back. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii GOP commits all delegates to Trump. The Hawaii Republican Party has canceled plans for its statewide presidential preference poll and committed all 19 of its national convention delegates to back the reelection of President Donald Trump, the party announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Ige Pleased With Hawaii’s High Credit Rating. Fitch Ratings has upgraded the state’s general obligation bond rating from AA to AA+. Civil Beat.

Paid Family Leave Likely For Nearly 20,000 Federal Workers In Hawaii. The legislation is part of bipartisan defense authorization negotiations. Civil Beat.

The New NextEra? HECO Is Fighting This Mainland Firm’s Bid For Control. Hawaiian Electric Industries faces an aggressive campaign by a $15 billion hedge fund used to getting its way. Civil Beat.

Sailor’s suicide while on armed watch preceded deadly shipyard shooting.  A week after a deadly shipyard shooting in which a sailor opened fire and then killed himself, HNN is learning of another submariner’s suicide weeks earlier that also happened while the service member was on armed sentry duty. Hawaii News Now.

Divers use WWII-era gear for interment of USS Arizona crew member. Two Army divers gave a unique World War II sendoff to USS Arizona crew member Lauren Bruner when his ashes were interred on the sunken battleship Saturday, the 78th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Proposed Ala Moana playground headed to Kakaako. A group that has been planning to build an “inclusive” public playground at Ala Moana Regional Park is bowing to public pressure and agreeing to work with the community to instead place the facility on Kakaako park lands recently obtained by the city. Star-Advertiser.

Businesses, Company Reach Settlement On Kakaako Roads. The state attorney general isn’t part of the deal, so the suit continues toward its April trial date. Civil Beat.

Cyber Attack Halts Radiation Treatment By Oahu Cancer Center. Cyber attacks like those suffered by the Cancer Center of Hawaii in November have grown in frequency against medical providers in the state and nationwide. Civil Beat.

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City unveils mobile outreach center to help move homeless off the streets. The city unveiled new tents that are part of a mobile project to help homeless individuals and families transition into shelter and permanent housing. Hawaii News Now.

Inflatable structures unveiled to handle homelessness issues. Hawaii’s newest idea to reduce homelessness by quickly inflating portable structures to triage homeless people’s issues went up to applause on the lawn next to the Honolulu Police Department Wednesday before it moves to Waipahu Culture Garden Park Friday night for no longer than 90 days. Star-Advertiser.

City shows off new equipment for homeless hub. In a few days, new, inflatable tents will go up in the Waipahu Cultural Garden to help get people off the streets and into shelters or permanent housing. KITV.

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Medical waste, including used needles, causes major traffic slow-down. Drivers heading west near the Campbell Industrial Park off-ramp ran into a major slow-down during Wednesday’s pau hana commute. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Ethics Board to investigate Maunakea road blockade. Is it an ethics matter if some people break the law with apparent impunity while others get punished? West Hawaii Today.

Ethics Board: No conflict for Roth to prosecute TMT cases. Mitch Roth does not have a conflict of interest prosecuting cases from the standoff on Maunakea, but he should remove himself from any involvement in the cases to allay public concerns, the county Board of Ethics said Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

Ethics Board Says No Maunakea Conflict For Prosecutor Roth. The Hawaiʻi County Board of Ethics decided Wednesday that there is no conflict of interest for Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth when it comes to prosecuting the arrests of those opposed to the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea. Big Island Video News.

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Green discusses Hawaii health care at cancer summit. Lt. Gov. Josh Green discussed health care in Hawaii during the 2019 Hawaii Comprehensive Cancer Coalition Summit on Wednesday at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Central Maui Landfill to Accept Residential Green Waste on Sundays. Beginning Dec. 15, the Central Maui Landfill will be open on Sundays to accept residential green waste disposal only, the county announced today. Maui Now.

Trace amounts of soil fumigants found in private Haiku water system. Health Department says water from well is still ‘safe to drink’. Maui News.

Museum expansion gets its green light. ‘Feel-good request’ comes amid lean times for nonprofit. Maui News.

Kauai

Watershed Monitoring Project gives students stewardship roles. A team of students and teachers from Waimea High School convened Friday at Kiki A Ola Bridge in Waimea Valley. Garden Island.

Construction boom, workforce shrinks, student scores lag, rail costs soar, Maui to ban commercial park activity on Sundays, HECO wins $638.5M Army contract, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Construction cranes dot Kakaako skyline ©2019 All Hawaii News

Construction industry spending will continue at around $9 billion until 2021, report finds. It’s a good time to be working in Hawaii’s construction industry. It’s so good that concerns are being raised about a labor shortage being on the horizon if some exceptionally big planned projects go forward. Star-Advertiser.

What’s up with Hawaii’s incredible shrinking civilian labor force? State figures for August put the civilian labor force in Hawaii at 656,800 people. That’s down by more than 20,000 from the same month in 2018. Hawaii News Now.

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Test scores stall for Hawaii students. The academic performance of Hawaii public school students stagnated this year, with the proficiency rate in math staying flat and slight dips in language arts and science. Star-Advertiser.

How ‘Green Fees’ Might Offset The Hidden Costs Of Tourism In Hawaii. A growing number of tourism hot spots, ranging from Mallorca to Bhutan to New Zealand, are imposing new taxes and fees on visitors. Civil Beat.

Young Brothers faces customer, regulatory hurdles with 34% rate hike ask. Interisland cargo carrier Young Brothers says it needs an unprecedented 34 percent rate hike to survive. What could this mean for residents, businesses and the future of the more than century-old shipper? KHON2.

US Gives Limited Approval To Hawaiian-Japan Airlines Venture. Hawaiian officials expressed disappointment that the preliminary decision doesn’t give the two airlines with full antitrust immunity. Associated Press.

Oahu

HECO wins $638.5M Army contract. Hawaiian Electric Co. announced Thursday it has been awarded a $638.5 million contract to own, operate and maintain the electrical distribution system for the Army’s 12 installations on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

HECO Wins $639M, 50-Year Contract As Army Privatizes Its Electric System. Hawaiian Electric Co. Inc. has been awarded a contract to own and  operate the electrical system for the U.S. Army's Oahu installations, a deal valued at $638.5 million over 50 years, the company said in a release Thursday. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Honolulu Rail’s West Side Station Costs Are Soaring. The HART board is poised to approve an $18 million deal to resolve about 150 construction claims. Civil Beat.

Major rail preparation work to kick off on Dillingham Blvd. next month. Rail officials say construction on Dillingham Boulevard is about to accelerate dramatically ― with hundreds of workers on the strip up to 20 hours a day. Hawaii News Now.

People unpaid and underpaid for rail move wait for make-good; Dillingham construction starts Nov. 12. KHON2.

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Acting prosecutor’s truth questioned after defending Katherine Kealoha’s actions. Did the head of the Honolulu prosecutor’s office lie to a city council committee? Hawaii News Now.

The Sun Is Setting On One Of Hawaii’s Last Legacy Estates. The Damon Trust spans much of the island’s modern history, with roots back to the Hawaiian Kingdom. Civil Beat.

Heart Disease May Be Linked To Pesticide Exposure. A new finding has emerged from historic data from the Kuakini Medical Center Honolulu Heart Program, which began to track the health of about 8,000 Japanese American men on Oahu in the mid 1960s: pesticide exposure may increase the risk for heart disease and stroke. Civil Beat.

Invasive thrifts spread on Oahu, prompting officials to call for drastic measures. Worried that an invasive insect will ravage Oahu’s native naio population as it did on Hawaii island, state officials are now urging people to remove healthy naio trees from their gardens before they become infected. Star-Advertiser.

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A suspected brothel in St. Louis Heights is raided by authorities. Authorities zeroed in on a St. Louis Heights home suspected of operating as a brothel. Hawaii News Now.

Investigators carry out search warrant at St. Louis Heights residence suspected of operating as a brothel. Investigators with the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney carried out a search warrant Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at a residence on St. Louis Heights suspected of operating as a brothel. KITV.

St. Louis Heights residence investigated after prostitution complaints. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Despite delays caused by hot lava rock, Highway 132 could reopen next month. Paving on the reconstructed portion of Highway 132 has been completed, and the county Department of Public Works anticipates opening the road in November. Tribune-Herald.

HVO scientists explain how lava flows cool. The lava flows near Highway 132 could take decades to completely cool down, according to scientists. Tribune-Herald.

Hu Honua Bioenergy, the company that plans to burn trees to produce energy using the refurbished and refitted Pepeʻekeo power plant, is actively courting the community for support, as environmental activists continue to fight the project. As Hu Honua, aka Honua Ola Bioenergy, drills deeper injection wells, the company juggles DOH, PUC approvals and neighborhood improvement projects. Big Island Video News.

Stepped-up DKI Highway enforcement nets 591 citations, six arrests. Officers assigned to the Thirty Meter Telescope protester blockade and encampment on Maunakea Access Road issued 591 traffic citations and arrested six suspects for 10 offenses on Daniel K. Inouye Highway between Sept. 26-Oct. 2, police said Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Kona Pool Scheduled to Reopen This Month. Kona Aquatics Center is set to reopen this month after it was forced to close indefinitely for repairs in March. Big Island Now.

Maui

County to halt all commercial activity at parks Sundays, holidays. New permit restrictions to take effect in about 30 days. Maui News.

State Acquires Land Under Maui’s Front Street Apartments. The move could help preserve affordable units for about 250 tenants. Civil Beat.

State Acquires Land Under Maui’s Front Street Apartments. Gov. David Ige announced Thursday that the state has completed its transaction to acquire the land under Front Street Apartments on Maui. Maui Now.

State buys land under Maui apartment complex in bid to keep it affordable. The state purchased the land for $15 million. Hawaii News Now.

New bridge over Wailuku River mulled by County Council. Council members say new crossing needed to advance housing projects. Maui News.

Kauai

Historic County Building illuminated for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Historic County Building at night is lit with pink lights through October, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Garden Island.

Money flowing in to Kauai as Legislature, Zuckerberg, Omidyar send relief funds, 'rescuers' in boats extort evacuees, sunscreen ban advances, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

House Finance Chairwoman Sylvia Luke and Senate Ways and Means Chairman Donovan Dela Cruz announce relief funds, courtesy photo

House and Senate lawmakers on Wednesday agreed to set aside $100 million to help finance the Kauai flood recovery effort and $25 million to speed the Oahu recovery, money that can be made available quickly until federal relief funding is available. The appropriation could be signed into law by Gov. David Ige as early as this week. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii legislators are rushing to send $100 million to rain-soaked Kauai and make $25 million available statewide for damage caused by last weekend’s deluge. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers are appropriating $125 million to help with flood relief efforts on Kauai and elsewhere in the state. Associated Press.

Legislators proposing $100M aid package for storm-ravaged Kauai. Hawaii News Now.

The state Legislature Wednesday funneled $125 million for road, bridge and other infrastructure repairs for the stricken communities in the wake of devastating flooding on Kauai. Garden Island.

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House and Senate conferees began negotiations on a final version of HB1900 HD1 SD1, the state budget bill. Early agreement on a number of budget items included: $7.1 million to increase payments supporting foster children and resource caregivers; $1.7 million for services at Aging and Disability Resource Centers; $3.4 million for rescue and fire fighting staff and vehicles at Lihue Airport; and $500,000 for books and materials for public libraries statewide. Maui Now.

Hawaii Seems Poised To Ban Coral-Damaging Sunscreen. It would be the first state to prohibit the use of sunscreen containing ingredients that scientists say harm sea life. Civil Beat.

Bill seeks to ban 2 sunscreen chemicals suspected of damaging coral. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers are discussing versions of two bills that would tighten the state’s already strict gun regulations. Associated Press.

Few Hawaii Students Have Access To After-School Meals. A new report by the Food Research & Action Center shows Hawaii near the bottom in terms of serving an after-school supper to low-income students. Civil Beat.

The American Lung Association's State of the Air 2018 report shows that Hawaii continues to have some of the best air quality in the nation. KHON2.

State seeking to improve how it regulates HECO. State regulators are seeking public participation in an effort to better align the interests of Hawaii’s biggest electric utility and its customers. Star-Advertiser.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has fined Hawaiian Airlines $125,000 for violating the agency’s airline consumer protection rules. Star-Advertiser.

Home Depot is gearing up for spring season by hiring 150 associates in Hawaii, with hiring events taking place at several of its stores across the state on Wednesday. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Efforts to clean and restore damaged areas began coalescing Wednesday, with Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell issuing an emergency declaration for Oahu while Gov. David Ige announced that the island was joining Kauai on his state-of-emergency proclamation. Star-Advertiser.

East Honolulu residents still bogged down by mud ask: Where's the government? Hawaii News Now.

Red Hill Underground Storage Fuel Tank Legislation Fails. Local efforts to mandate more timely upgrades for the Navy’s Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility on O’ahu failed in the Legislature this session. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ige announces program to divert Honolulu homeless from jail. Under a new program announced Wednesday by Gov. David Ige, homeless people who commit minor crimes could receive social services instead of going to jail. Star-Advertiser.

The state Wednesday launched a collaborative pilot project called Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, or LEAD, to help Oahu's homeless and reduce criminal activity. KITV.

Waikiki lifeguards frustrated as homeless fights, obscene acts distract from job duties. Hawaii News Now.

The Board of Water Supply has completed repair of the 24” water main which ruptured Tuesday near the entrance to the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill on Farrington Hwy. above Ko Olina in Leeward Oahu. This main feeds water to the entire Waianae Coast. KHON2.

The state held a ceremony Wednesday for starting construction on a $7.3 million technology business incubator building in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

Funding for the construction of a 120-bed extended-care veterans’ facility on Oahu has been accelerated due to $685 million in increased funding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs received from Congress for the VA State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Juvenile crime is down 58.5 percent over the past five years, despite heavy caseloads and limited budgets in the Office of the County Prosecutor. Crimes in other categories have also been dropping. West Hawaii Today.

Planning director Micheal Yee gave the Hawaii County Council Finance Committee an overview of his department’s operations during a special budget review meeting in Hilo on Tuesday. Big Island Video News.

Big Island Police and the military are investigating a reported sexual assault at the Hawaii Youth Challenge Academy in Hilo. KITV.

Solar contractor sues former customer to remove blog. A Big Island solar contractor is suing a former customer, seeking a court to order the Pahoa man to remove a blog from the internet that the contractor claims was “maliciously created … with the intent to cause financial harm.” Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is reporting that the magma system beneath Kilauea’s Puu Oo cone has become increasingly pressurized, leading scientists to believe a new vent and lava flow may be imminent. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Mayor has at least $2M in land and farm holdings. Arakawa, other county officials financial reports released. Maui News.

South Maui residents object to bridge project. Residents say Kulanihakoi Bridge Replacement project won’t stop flooding, offer alternative idea. Maui News.

Repairs Continue at Site of West Maui Waterline Break. Maui Now.

Kauai

Zuckerberg, Chan pledge $1 million. In response to severe flooding on Kauai, Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg have pledged to donate $1 million to organizations working tirelessly to assist the community’s storm relief efforts as well long-term recovery. Garden Island.

Facebook founder and part-time Kauai resident Mark Zuckerberg is donating $1 million to flood relief efforts on the Garden Isle. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii Community Foundation said it is partnering with eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, his wife Pam and two anonymous donors to establish the Kauai Relief and Recovery Fund to assist with recovery efforts from the recent floodingthat has devastated the island’s North Shore. Pacific Business News.

Zuckerberg, Omidyar among donors supporting flood relief, recovery on Kauai. KHON2.

Kauai Braces For More Rain: 340 Airlifted, 12 Landslides, Thousands of Pounds of Debris. Maui Now.

Here’s Why The Weather Experts Didn’t See The Kauai Storm Coming. The rain-laden system was hard to track because it wasn’t large-scale, like a tropical storm. Civil Beat.

Survey finds flood damage in parts of Kauai worse than formerly thought. Hawaii News Now.

Relief efforts will continue for stranded residents and visitors in Haena and Wainiha on Kauai today despite a flash flood watch that is set to go into effect Thursday through Friday for the entire state. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Reps. Tulsi Gabbard and Colleen Hanabusa spoke of the destruction caused by severe flooding on Kauai and East Oahu on the House floor this morning, calling attention to victims while thanking first responders for their hard work. Star-Advertiser.

The Kauai Police Department and Kauai County prosecutors said Wednesday that they were investigating multiple extortion cases involving would-be rescuers during the island’s historic rain and flood event over the weekend. Hawaii News Now.

A female bison frightened by the on-going, helicopter storm relief efforts in Hanalei bolted into the ocean Wednesday and was roped and brought back to shore: First by boat, then with the help of personal watercraft and —finally — four paniolo from the bison’s Hanalei ranch who patiently nudged it out of the surf. Star-Advertiser.

Reality Sets In For Kauai’s Flooded-Out Residents. Civil Beat.

Hanalei Elementary School on Kauai will remain closed for all students for the rest of the week as the campus is cleaned after suffering flood damage this weekend, state Department of Education officials said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Lenny Rapozo, director of the county Department of Parks and Recreation, has officially filed his papers for the upcoming mayoral race. Garden Island.