Hawaii Health Connector in jeopardy, Charles Djou opens campaign HQ, lots of opinions in election aftermath, Honolulu Mayor Caldwell builds war chest, Waikiki tourism vs. homeless, Desmond Tutu to speak, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Silversword

 

The number of ‘ahinahina, or silverswords, at Haleakala Crater has declined by nearly 60 percent over the last two decades, experts said, and scientists are studying the decline. Maui News.

The future of the Hawaii Health Connector is in jeopardy with the impending departure of one of its strongest supporters in Gov. Neil Abercrombie and the decision by the state's largest medical insurer to pull back from the troubled online marketplace. Star-Advertiser.

Republican Charles Djou opened his campaign headquarters on Sunday as he prepares to face Democrat Mark Takai in November. Both candidates are vying for Colleen Hanabusa's Congressional District one seat. Hawaii News Now.

After sailing through the primary election, Republican Charles Djou opened his campaign headquarters on Sunday. He faces Democrat Mark Takai in the race for Hawaii’s First Congressional District. KHON2.

Elections results were the talk of the town Sunday, but low turnout and bad timing had some officials wondering what can be done to improve the process. KITV4.

Opinion: The irony of Neil Abercrombie's blowout loss to David Ige in the Democratic primary is that he was among the few who had successfully rebranded himself throughout his political career.Star-Advertiser.

Opinion: Primary Lessons, General Expectations. Civil Beat.

Dan Inouye and Brian Schatz: A Lesson in Hawaii Politics. Hawaii's newest senator should learn a few things from its oldest. Civil Beat.

A military cargo jet will be named after the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye. Associated Press.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s first term isn’t up until 2016, but that hasn’t stopped him from padding his campaign reserves. Caldwell reported more than $1.4 million in campaign contributions during the current election cycle, which began Nov. 7, 2012, the day after he beat former Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano in the general election. Civil Beat.

Waikiki visitor industry officials say they are trying to raise $500,000 annually to work with the Institute for Human Services on alleviating the area's chronic homeless problem, but in the meantime they want the City Council to pass a pair of contentious bills aimed at cleaning up the tourism district. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Area Rapid Transit director Daniel Grabauskas pledged on his watch, the city’s $5.26 billion Honolulu rail project would come in “on time and on budget.” Hawaii Reporter.

The late Nelson Mandela formed "The Elders" in hopes that internationally respected, independent leaders could help resolve conflict in the "global village," much as wise kupuna in traditional villages did. Three of these elders — Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu and two pioneering women leaders from Pakistan and Norway — are coming to Honolulu from Aug. 29 through 31 to speak about their work and exchange thoughts with local residents. Star-Advertiser.

Marriott International remains committed to Hawaii, following the news this week, first reported by Pacific Business News, that the Maryland-based hospitality company will lose its management contract for the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina Resort in West Oahu.

Hawaii

Puna: 15 Minutes of Fame on Hawaii’s ‘Last Frontier’ A delayed end to the 2014 primary election put the colorful community in the national spotlight. Now, some people hope the district can capitalize on it. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island’s real estate market took a bit of a pause this summer, real estate agents say. But overall, the West Hawaii market continues to grow, with the median residential sale price still increasing about 1 percent a month, said Michael Griggs, who keeps detailed real estate statistics for Big Island sales. “For this phase of the cycle, which is a pretty early one, we’re right on track,” Griggs said. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Hawaii Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald is seeking a Maui County resident to be appointed to a vacancy on the Hawaii State Elections Commission. Maui News.

Kauai

It was her first visit to the Lawai International Center on Sunday. And yet, Susan Marigold said there was a sense of peace unlike anywhere else she had been. Garden Island.

Drones coming to Hawaii, Kauai postpones GMO vote, man fights to take driver's test in Hawaiian, group sues for prison program, state procurement chief says he's being forced out, 34 groups get Obamacare grants, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

RQ-7B Shadow drone, courtesy photo AAI Corp.

Surveillance drone use and development is on the rise in the military and civilian sectors, and the Marine Corps in Hawaii said it is expected to get a dozen RQ-7B Shadows followed by 45 RQ-21A Integrators with the relocation of Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 from California to Kaneohe Bay. Star-Advertiser.

The Marine Corps in Hawaii is conducting an environmental assessment in anticipation of receiving additional surveillance drones. Associated Press.

Eight months after the passing of Inouye, arguably the most important figure in Hawaii politics since statehood, Hawaii's four congressional delegates are busy carving out strong identities of their own. Civil Beat.

Michael Golojuch, Jr., the gay activist who filed complaints against 11 state House and Senate Democrats who sponsored or co-sponsored a constitutional amendment on traditional marriage, said Monday that he has dropped the complaints against all but two of the lawmakers. Star-Advertiser.

The administrator of the State Procurement Office says the policy board that oversees the office is manipulating the hiring process for a new administrator. Aaron Fujioka, who has applied for reappointment to his position, has raised questions about the board's procedures and actions and is seeking a legal opinion. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s health insurance marketplace has awarded grants to 34 community organizations to help uninsured people learn about insurance options under President Barack Obama’s signature health care law. Associated Press.

A Hawaii man has waged a court battle centered on his right to speak and write Hawaiian, saying his inability to take a driver’s license exam in the language represents discrimination that violates the state constitution. Associated Press.

The state agency responsible for ensuring that Sandwich Isles Communications used tens of millions of dollars of ratepayer money appropriately signed off year after year on its operations even though the Federal Communications Commission was picking apart the company's financial management and raising serious questions. Civil Beat.

Hawaii will be receiving a federal $1.8 million early childhood education grant. Associated Press.

Hurricane hunters are scrambling to track threats with sequestration cuts at the worst possible time, the height of hurricane season. Hawaii News Now.

On Bishop Street there's only one Robbie, and he's leaving his job as executive vice president of Hawaiian Electric Co. on Aug. 31. This is huge. Star-Advertiser.

State roundup for August 6. Associated Press.

Oahu
The Honolulu City Council would get the last word on the Honolulu Board of Water Supply's budget under a plan voters could be asked to consider in the 2014 election. The appointed, seven-member water board would be stripped of other powers as well under a charter amendment proposal, Resolution 13-177. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu attorney James H. Ashford is poised to succeed Dean Ochai to a six-year term as a district judge on Oahu, after a Senate panel recommended his nomination be approved by the full Senate. Star-Advertiser.

Farrington High School teachers and students kicked off the school year on Monday in a newly renovated wing designed by Bowers + Kubota and funded by $2.3 million from the state of Hawaii’s capital improvement fund. Pacific Business News.

Farrington high big school gets 'smaller' design. A redesigned wing reflects students' needs for more focused vocational education programs. Star-Advertiser.

As public school students headed back to classes, the state began restoring bus service for hundreds of children on Oahu. The Hawaii State Department of Education is also rolling out other changes to overhaul its troubled transportation system. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Telcom through the past year more than doubled the number of subscribers to its television service on Oahu to 13,600 households and has expanded the reach of its fiber-optic lines to about one-third of the island’s homes. Star-Advertiser.

The Royal Hawaiian Market Place, a two-story, 5,723-square-foot retail center being redeveloped in Waikiki, has been sold to City Hill Co. Hawaii Ltd., an entity with ties to Guam, for $7 million, according to records from the Hawaii Information Service. Pacific Business News.

State Department Special Agent Christopher Deedy might testify today in his trial on a charge of murdering Kollin Elderts at a McDonald's Waikiki restaurant early on Nov. 5, 2011. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii
Ohana Ho‘opakele, a group seeking to promote rehabilitation programs based on Hawaiian cultural practices, is challenging the state’s environmental assessment for the re-opening of the Kulani Correctional Facility. Tribune-Herald.

A Hawaii-based researcher with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration took an item collected by many travelers as a souvenir and turned it into a data source to provide insights on Hawaii’s fish populations. West Hawaii Today.

The majority of public school students across the Big Island hoisted their bookbags, steeled their nerves, and dove back into a new academic year on Monday morning, leaving their frazzled parents to heave sighs of relief. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Nearly $60 million for improvements at Kahului Airport, ranging from repairing the apron fronting the main terminal to replacement of aging passenger loading bridges, was released by Gov. Neil Abercrombie late last month. Maui News.

The Maui Department of Water Supply plans to convert the Wailuku Well from an exploratory well to an actual water source. Maui Now.

The 30 public schools in Maui County had their first day of school Monday. Maui News.

Kauai

After a full day of work Monday, the Kauai County Council unanimously deferred to September a controversial proposal to demand disclosure of pesticide use and genetically modified crops, and to create buffer zones for large agricultural operations. Garden Island.

United States Postal Service officials are considering several options that would restore some services to Hanamaulu residents but say it is unlikely the town’s freestanding post office destroyed in a fire last year will be rebuilt. Garden Island.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has awarded a $7,000 grant to the Breadfruit Institute of the National Tropical Botanical Garden to help support “Breadfruit Festival Takes Root.”Garden Island.

Hawaii work incentives cut, feeding the homeless, 25th Infantry coming home, Maui water woes continue, cops thwart motorcyclists' Toys for Tots program, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii holiday food line (c) All Hawaii News

Just a few blocks from where oblivious tourists step off cruise ships to pick through souvenirs, there's an entirely different world. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii ex-welfare recipient work incentives cut. Associated Press.

Democratic Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa can't remember the last time she cried. Civil Beat.

After hovering around $4 a gallon last week, the average price of regular gasoline dropped below the $4 a gallon mark in Honolulu this weekend. But the neighbor islands are not seeing the same price drop. Associated Press.

Louie: Gov. still doesn’t have to release names of judicial nominees. Pacific Business News.

After five years under federal oversight due to prisoner abuses, the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility has become a safe place with an improved corporate culture, state officials maintain. Star-Advertiser.

While the Occupy movement has been smaller and quieter in Hawaii than elsewhere, the music of one Hawaiian musician is gaining attention as a protest song for the campaign. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waikiki Torch Runner Surprised By International Attention. KITV4.

Oahu

The Army plans to welcome home the 25th Infantry Division's headquarters unit from Iraq this week. KITV4.

Higher room rates and higher occupancy led to a 30 percent increase in revenue over the six-day period in which the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering brought together 21 world leaders along with top government and business officials in Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

City Pays Landfill Operator $2.6M for Spill Cleanup. Civil Beat.

Small waves make for slow business on Oahu's North Shore. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

Motorcyclists accustomed to rumbling through Hilo before distributing Christmas presents to needy children claim police have rained on their parade. Tribune-Herald.

The troubled Hoku Ke'a telescope atop Mauna Kea could be operational by next summer, its director said. Tribune-Herald.

A group that won the right to turn Laupahoehoe School into a charter school is refusing to hold elections for a board to govern the school as promised in its application and as ordered by the Charter School Review Panel. Star-Advertiser.

Kona once again has a University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Cooperative Extension Service agent to call its own. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Council Member Mike Victorino said he believes that the time may be past for the county to tell developers, "show me the water." Maui News.

A Maui businessman said last week that he had abandoned plans to develop a bottled-water plant in Waihee, after some of his investors walked away from the project. Maui News.

Behind the scenes of Maui's agriculture inspection facility. KHON2.

Kauai

The tree trimmers working at Bank of Hawai‘i’s Kapa‘a Branch battled not only the brisk trades but the clock on Sunday. Garden Island.

The Kaua‘i Robotics Alliance is offering imu service for Thanksgiving as a fundraiser for its season which starts in January. Garden Island.

Hanabusa not seeking Senate, UH tuition could climb, newspaper sues Abercrombie over public records, special session to vet judicial pick, women's prison under investigation, broadband for Hawaii, solar panels for Maui, Lanai, more island news

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa announced late Tuesday she would skip a run for the U.S. Senate and instead seek re-election to her 1st Congressional District seat. Civil Beat.

The state Senate plans to meet in a special session Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 to consider Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s appointment of Karen Nakasone this month to a 10-year term on Oahu’s Circuit Court. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie maintained that disclosing the names of judicial candidates would hamper attracting applicants to the bench, his office said in response to a Honolulu Star-Advertiser lawsuit filed Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

The Kona Judiciary Complex's lengthy list of potential sites has been winnowed down to seven, moving the much-needed facility closer to opening in 2017. West Hawaii Today.

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents will hear details Thursday of three proposals that would raise tuition from about 16 percent to about 46 percent by 2016 for a typical undergraduate student at the Manoa campus. Star-Advertiser.

The Governor launched Hawai’I’s Broadband Initiative today. Hawaii Public Radio.

Abercrombie launches broadband initiative. Governor: Lightning fast Internet by 2018. Garden Island.

Prison Probe Under way At Women's Facility. KITV4.

Fighting farm theft and vandalism is getting a closer look by state officials in the wake of high-profile cases. KHON2.

Honolulu managed to attract three bidders for a new $300 million rapid transit consulting contract, but the winner was the same firm that has already received some $166 million in similar work. Hawaii Reporter.

Sumitomo has reason for not filing rail contract appeal. Pacific Business News.

Maui County awarded contracts this month to install at least 1,000 solar panels on the rooftops of county facilities on Maui and Lanai. Maui News.

The military command charged with finding and identifying Americans missing from past conflicts plans to build a new multimillion-dollar facility on Oahu. Associated Press.

Native Hawaiian Conference to begin Wednesday at Convention Center. Hawaii News Now.

One of five applicants vying to become Hawaii County's next fire chief has withdrawn his name, the Fire Commission announced Tuesday before privately interviewing the remaining candidates.Tribune-Herald.

Two out of the six plenary speakers for a state energy conference expected to draw leaders from more than 20 countries are high-profile board members of Kuokoa. The company was formed last December and hopes to take over Hawaiian Electric Industries. Civil Beat.

The venue for the contested case hearing for the approval of the Thirty Meter Telescope's Conservation District Use Application has been changed. Tribune-Herald.

West Hawaii's second-largest public school just got a little bigger. West Hawaii Today.

After 18 months and some $4 million in renovations — plus another $30,000 a month to lease a temporary location — the Kaua‘i County Council is almost ready to return to its regular home at the Historic County Building in Lihu‘e. Garden Island.

Researchers rescued nine Hawaiian monk seals caught in fish nets and other marine debris this summer during an annual trip to the Northwestern Islands to monitor and help protect the critically endangered species. Associated Press.

Hawaii seeks legal help in teacher dispute, residents swamp Hanabusa office over deficit crisis, tourists decline but spending up, DLNR views Army landing zones, turtle back on Maui beach, more Hawaii news

Blackhawk on Mauna Kea (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

Officials with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources boarded Black Hawk helicopters Tuesday and visited six proposed landing zones on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, but said they weren't ready to comment on the Army's application to train pilots there. West Hawaii Today.

Col. Frank Tate

The state wants $50,000 worth of private legal help in its contract dispute with the public teachers union. Hawaii Reporter.

Last week, Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed an executive order that establishes the Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness. Hawaii Independent.

The state will receive up to 13-million dollars in matching federal venture capital funding over the next two years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii residents concerned over the potential loss of Social Security, Medicare and other federal benefits if Congress is unable to reach a deal to raise the debt ceiling flooded a "telephone town hall" by U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa to seek answers on what to expect if a compromise is not struck by Tuesday.Star-Advertiser.

The number of visitors traveling to Hawaii declined in June for the first time in nearly two years amid rising airfares, but visitor spending continued to rise at a near-record pace, the Hawaii Tourism Authority reported Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's green sea turtle expert felt "great excitement" when he learned this summer that "Maui Girl" had come to nest in Lahaina again. Maui News.

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply could raise its rates soon. Even so, Oahu residents will still pay less than for their water than residents in other cities. Civil Beat.

The U.S. Postal Service has announced a list of more than 3,600 post offices across the country it may shut down, including four in Hawaii. KITV4.

One of Matson Navigation Co.’s containerships will be sailing onto U.S. Postal Service stamps starting Thursday. Pacific Business News.

Maui county officials want residents to know a phone survey regarding housing issues on the Valley Isle is not a scam. KHON2.

Darryl Oliveira is retiring as Hawaii County fire chief next Sunday, but he's not going anywhere. Tribune-Herald.

Operation Green Harvest raids this month resulted in one arrest and the removal of $1.38 million worth of marijuana plants on Kaua‘i, county officials said. Garden Island.

An overflow crowd and a panel of experts listen to opening remarks by Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. on Tuesday evening at the Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center during the third meeting in a series about the county’s proposed site for an adolescent drug treatment center on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

Faced with its first losing quarter in three years Hawaiian Airlines is raising the fee it charges for luggage on interisland flights. Hawaii News Now.

The Philippine navy's newest and biggest ship, a former U.S. Coast Guard cutter re-flagged as the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, will pull into Pearl Harbor this morning for a brief port visit before heading on to Guam and the Philippines. Star-Advertiser.

Patrick DeLeon, chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye in Washington, D.C., is retiring. Star-Advertiser.

A police narcotics dog in West Hawaii will retire Friday and live out his days in Waimea, according to the Police Department. West Hawaii Today.