State land transfers seek to reinvigorate farming, Hawaii municipal bonds plunge following Maui fires, lawsuits fly over who's to blame, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State agencies begin transfer of Act 90 lands. After two decades of mostly inaction, the state has begun transferring thousands of acres of pasture land to its Department of Agriculture in a significant win for farming in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

A Cascade Of Breakdowns In Lahaina Fire Exposes Flaws In Emergency Management System. Emergency preparedness plans identified West Maui as high risk. Under an inexperienced emergency manager, the plans didn’t translate into action. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Power lines didn’t start deadly Lahaina inferno, Hawaiian Electric says. Hawaiian Electric acknowledged that its power lines apparently started an Aug. 8 morning fire in Lahaina but contends the town was leveled by a different fire that began in the afternoon, hours after the company’s equipment had been “de-energized.” Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Bare electrical wire, leaning poles on Maui were possible causes of deadly fires. Videos and images analyzed by The Associated Press confirmed those wires were among miles of line that Hawaiian Electric Co. left naked to the weather and often-thick foliage, despite a recent push by utilities in other wildfire- and hurricane-prone areas to cover up their lines or bury them. Associated Press.

Lawyers Descend On Maui In Race For Clients Harmed By Wildfires. Survivors are being asked to make decisions about legal representation just weeks after a deadly blaze ripped through Lahaina. Civil Beat.

Financial impact of wildfires goes beyond numbers, says UH economist. The University of Hawaiʻi's Economic Research Organization is working on an analysis of the impact of the fires on Maui. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Green releases $30M to fund fire response. State response to the Lahaina fires is being paid for in part with $30 million from Gov. Josh Green’s discretionary fund. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii municipal bonds take a plunge. Hawaii state and local municipal bonds have surrendered all their 2023 gains in the past three weeks after the deadly Maui wildfires delivered a fresh reminder of climate risk in the $4 trillion market for state and local debt. Bloomberg.

State warns of COVID uptick on Maui, statewide. Dr. Sarah Kemble, state epidemiologist, said COVID-19 numbers have been steadily increasing over the past month in Hawaii and nationwide and that there are now concerns for Maui. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Red Hill to start ‘milestone’ in defueling. The military entity charged with removing 104 million gallons of aviation and marine fuels from the Navy’s controversial, underground Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Halawa marks a milestone Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Makakilo rock quarry expansion is sought. A rock quarry in Makakilo that has long aggravated some and appeased other residents in communities built around the 50-year-old mining enterprise is aiming to expand and extend operations. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

‘How can anyone afford that?’ Few insurance options remain for residents in lava zones 1 and 2. A contentious meeting regarding homeowners insurance for Puna residents and others was held Wednesday at the Hawaiian Shores Community Center. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County chosen for Cities Forward program.  Hawaiʻi County will be one of 12 municipalities participating Cities Forward program, a U.S. Department of State initiative “seeks to foster urban sustainability on a global scale.” Big  Island Video News. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island’s Pohoiki boat ramp — landlocked by 2018 Kīlauea eruption — could reopen by end of 2024. The long, frustrating wait to regain direct access to the ocean and lucrative fishing grounds via Puna’s Pohoiki boat ramp — which became landlocked during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption — could finally be over before the end of next year. Big Island Now.

Learn to be prepared: CERT training offered next month in Puna. The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency is inviting the public to a two-day Community Emergency Response Team training course scheduled for the end of September in Keaau. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Hosts Cantankerous Meeting In Volcano Village. Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth and his cabinet held another town hall event Thursday evening at a crowded Cooper Center in Volcano Village, where officials heard the usual questions and concerns from residents about roads, planning, and emergency preparedness. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Oliveira tapped to lead Maui Emergency Management Agency.  Maui Mayor Richard Bissen has named Big Island resident Darryl Oliveira, former head of Hawaii County Civil Defense, to be the interim administrator of the Maui Emergency Management Agency. Oliveira also formerly was chief of the Hawaii Fire Department. Tribune-Herald. Maui News.

HHS secretary visits Maui to pledge federal aid for health care.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary visited Maui on Friday. Xavier Becerra has been meeting with fire survivors and first responders. Hawaii News Now.

Interactive map shows unsafe water advisories on Maui. UH, Purdue researchers are sampling Kula system. Recent testing results released by the state Department of Health detected benzene in one Lahaina sample and the presence of toluene and xylenes in one Kula sample.  Maui News. Hawaii News Now.

Maui police confirm the identity of three more Lahaina wildfire disaster victims. Maui police have identified 43 individuals publicly following notification of next of kin, including three additional individuals on Sunday afternoon.  Maui Now. KHON2.

Kauai

Polihale Park Is Poised For A $4.3 Million Makeover. The remote park that is the site of Native Hawaiian burials and a popular camping spot has suffered years of neglect. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric suspends dividends, draws down $370M credit lines amid flurry of lawsuits, Maui releases names of 388 still missing, Supreme Court denies DLNR petition claiming fire-fighting water denied, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Maui County sues Hawaiian Electric. The county claims that negligent Hawaiian Electric operations caused the Aug. 8 fires in Lahaina, Kula and Olinda and that the power company should pay for damage to public property, lost revenue and expenses for emergency response and recovery. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii Public Radio.  Associated Press. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

Investors Sue Hawaiian Electric For ‘Misleading’ Them About Potential Liability For Wildfire. The latest suit targets top HEI leaders who said they believed the company had addressed environmental conditions in the field. Civil Beat.

Family files first wrongful death lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric. The first wrongful death lawsuit was filed on Thursday in connection with the Maui wildfires. The family of 79-year-old Lawrenzo "Buddy" Mornaon Jantoc II is suing Hawaiian Electric (HECO), claiming the utility is responsible for his death. KITV4.

Hawaiian Electric suspends dividend, draws down credit lines. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. drew down on revolving credit lines and said it would suspend its quarterly dividend as it seeks to shore up cash following the deadly wildfires on Maui. Bloomberg.

High Court rejects petition claiming insufficient water. The state Supreme Court on Thursday quickly denied a Board of Land and Natural Resources petition that claimed a judge’s ruling prevented enough water from being available to fight the Upcountry wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

HIEMA head: It took hours for state to understand full scope of Lahaina disaster. The scope and severity of what was happening in West Maui on the evening of Aug. 8 wasn’t communicated to key leaders at the state level during the first 12 to 15 hours of the wildfire disaster, according to the head of the state’s Emergency Management Agency. Hawaii News Now.

AG to ‘go where the facts lead’ in Lahaina fire probe. The state Department of the Attorney General clarified that a comprehensive review of the Lahaina fires that killed at least 115 and caused about $5.5 billion in damage will not be limited “in scope or subject matter.” Star-Advertiser.

Frustrated parents and teachers confront Board of Education. Dozens of public school educators and parents from Maui poured out their anguish, anger and frustration Thursday over what they feel have been slow and confusing actions by state education officials in the wake of the wildfire disaster. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Why Many Patients Are Stuck In Hospitals Waiting For Long-Term Care Beds. The average wait was 123 days in May, up from 78 in November, according to the Healthcare Association of Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Oahu

 Access Is Major Issue When Fighting Oahu’s Wildfires, City Council Told. Honolulu’s emergency managers will be learning from the response to the Maui fires and make adjustments in coming months, its Director of Emergency Management Hiro Toiya said Thursday. Civil Beat. KHON2.  Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Island

 Kona post office to change location. Postal customers in Kona received notice of the proposed change in the mail over the past week which indicated the new retail space would be “within two miles of the current location”. West Hawaii Today.

27 UH-Hilo students impacted by Maui wildfires.  Additional support is being offered by UH-Hilo, which includes the division of student affairs working with counterparts across the UH system to help support students. Tribune-Herald.

Update: Retest shows bacteria levels at Kailua Pier do not exceed threshold level. High levels of bacteria were found at the Kailua Pier, with levels of 591 per 100 mL detected. Big Island Now.

Maui

 MPD releases identities of 8 more victims; death toll remains 115. Of the 115 confirmed fatalities, 35 have been identified and their families notified, while 11 have been identified but their families have not been located or notified, MPD said Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Gov. Josh Green hopes Lahaina fire fatalities have peaked. Green said the number of unaccounted for people will drop “very significantly” today as the FBI continues to work with Maui police and other agencies to go through the list of people reported missing.  Star-Advertiser.

Maui Releases List Of 388 People Unaccounted For After Lahaina Fire. Police ask for anyone who recognizes a name on the list to contact the FBI. Civil Beat. Maui Now. KHON2.  KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

Initial water tests for Lahaina, Kula show trace amounts of chemicals. The initial water samples tested at Lahaina and Kula following the Maui fires earlier this month have shown just trace amounts of contaminants, although Maui County said an ongoing unsafe water advisory for the areas will stay in place. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Upcountry Maui Disaster Recovery Center opens Aug. 25. Specialists from the US Small Business Administration, which provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes, will also be at the Disaster Recovery Center. Maui Now.

At least 49 sunken vessels counted in Lahaina harbor. The U.S. Coast Guard’s Pacific Strike Team said they have counted about 49 sunken vessels in the Lahaina Harbor as they work to mitigate maritime environmental impacts from the burn zone.  KHON2. 

Kauai

DHHL breaks ground on Hanapēpē Phase II; 82 new homes to be created by 2024. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands broke ground Wednesday to mark the beginning of the Hanapēpē Phase II housing project on Kauaʻi’s west side, where 82 single-family residential lots will be developed on a location of more than 28 acres. Kauai Now.

Public meeting planned to discuss Kekaha Landfill vertical expansion project. The meeting will be an open-house format and include stations providing information about the vertical expansion, Kaua‘i’s landfill history, current landfill operations and community benefits and waste diversion. Kauai Now.

Frustrations, lawsuits mount in Lahaina fire aftermath, state senator's personal litigation role questioned, FBI seeks familial DNA samples to ID remains, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Dozens of Maui residents express their frustration. The County Council heard sometimes conflicting recommendations about how quickly to move to rebuild Lahaina and what issues should be prioritized. The consensus was that community members should be consulted, but how soon remained unclear because many remain traumatized. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

A Key Maui Lawmaker’s Likely Role In Wildfire Litigation Raises Questions. State Sen. Gil Keith-Agaran said he sees no conflict between his role as a lawyer and his role as a lawmaker. Keith-Agaran, who represents Wailuku, Kalului and Waihee, appeared Friday in an online “Maui Wildfire Impact Community Discussion,” an event hosted by his law firm and a major mainland firm, Morgan & Morgan. Civil Beat.

Maui fire victims pursue tactic that led to $13.5B California settlement. Hawaii property owners are seizing on a legal shortcut used by fire victims in California to secure compensation from Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. for damages following the fires that ravaged Maui. Bloomberg.

Moody’s estimates Hawaiian wildfires caused up to $6 billion in economic losses. The losses could range from $4 billion to $6 billion, Moody’s said Tuesday. About 75% of the losses will be covered by insurance because of the island’s high insurance penetration rates, according to the risk modeling agency. CNN.

Hawaiian Electric engages Guggenheim amid Maui fire suits. Numerous lawsuits have been filed alleging that the utility’s power lines ignited the fires which destroyed much of Lahaina, Hawaii earlier this month. The potential liabilities could reach almost $4 billion if the utility is deemed negligent, according to investment research firm Capstone LLC. Bloomberg.

Lahaina Was A Wakeup Call, But Forecasters Say Above Normal Fire Risk Remains. Self-preservation backed up by stringent building codes can significantly limit the potential for fire damage. Civil Beat.

As Maui burned, Hawaii’s top emergency management officials were at a Waikiki conference. As the wildfire in Lahaina spread, the Pacific’s top disaster management leaders were together with many of Hawaii’s emergency officials at a meeting on Oahu educating them about how to respond in crisis situations. Hawaii News Now.

Cancellations outpace bookings for Maui hotels. Gov. Josh Green used the opportunity of President Joe Biden’s visit Monday to strongly encourage visitors to travel to the unaffected parts of Maui and the rest of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Oahu

UH Law School Instructor Says He Was Banned For Criticizing ‘Nice Racism’. A prominent instructor at the University of Hawaii’s law school has sued the school, alleging the dean, unnamed faculty and a university provost retaliated against him by banning him from the law school campus after he criticized and organized a boycott against a Black History Month event that did not include any Black person as a panelist, facilitator or organizer. Civil Beat.

Redevelopment to begin on Varona Village. The Ewa plain community — once filled with 93 homes rented by employees of the long-defunct Oahu Sugar’s Ewa Plantation — is being redeveloped by the city in partnership with the Savio Group of Companies and Hawaii  Habitat for Humanity Association. Star-Advertiser.

TheHandi-Van use recovers from COVID with less reliable service. Ridership on TheHandi-­Van has nearly recovered from a drop that began with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are concerns about the government’s ability to keep up with the growing demand for its services. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hilo jail expansion should be complete in December.  The $20.7 million project will add 48 new beds to the jail and will increase its total operational capacity from 226 inmates to 274. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island Farmers Held Back A Fire Until Help Arrived: ‘It Could Have Been Another Lahaina’. That same fateful day, a couple of farmers, a troop of cowboys and fire crews were all that stood between a Waimea wildfire and potential catastrophe. Civil Beat.

Staffing, maintenance woes continue to limit use of county pools. Frequent and random closures at Hawaii County pools are causing frustration for swimmers across the island. Tribune-Herald.

Once home to Keauhou Beach Hotel and Kona Lagoon, Kamehameha Schools continues work to rehabilitate historic land. At the southern end of Ali’i Drive on the way to Keauhou Bay is a grassy 22 acres that may look like a park, but holds generations of history of the Hawaiian culture including some of the 53 heiau (temples) along its Kona coastline. Big Island Now.

Maui

FBI says over 1,000 unaccounted for in Lahaina. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Maui police have made a public plea for DNA samples and specific identifying information as they work through a list of 1,000 to 1,100 people who are unaccounted for after the wildfires that leveled Lahaina and killed at least 115. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Associated Press.  Maui Now.  KITV4.

8 added to list of wildfire victims. The official death toll from the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire remained at 115 Tuesday, but the Maui Police Department released the names of eight more victims who died. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Maui fire relief housing program showing results. Nearly 80 households displaced by the fire that destroyed nearly all of Lahaina have found single-family homes, condominiums and other more residential temporary accommodations rented from owners under the Hawaii Fire Relief Housing program. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Kauai

Water service shutdown on Lauoho Road and Kaumuali’i Highway scheduled Aug. 24. A water service shutdown has been scheduled on a portion of Lauoho Road and a portion of Kaumuali’i Highway on Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting to allow contractor, Earthworks Pacific, Inc. to tie-in new service laterals to the existing waterline. Kauai Now.

Biden to tour Lahaina today, 114 confirmed dead, 850 missing, Maui County Council to begin rebuilding plan Tuesday, Legislature may hold special session on fires, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

President Biden and first lady to tour Lahaina disaster zone.  President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive today on a grief-stricken Maui, where the number of wildfire deaths is expected to rise considerably above the 114 being reported and loved ones need answers about the fate of an estimated 1,000 still missing. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  Spectrum News.

Schatz: Biden Visit To Lahaina ‘Forces Action’. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said the priority ahead will be making sure that Lahaina and Hawaii are not forgotten when the world's attention moves on. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

In online address, Hawaiʻi governor vows ‘Lāhainā will rise again’. Hawaiʻi Governor, First Lady Address Maui Wildfire Response. Governor Josh Green, M.D., and First Lady Jaime Kanani Green gave an update on the coordinated response to the Maui wildfires during a live broadcast on Friday. Big Island Video News. Kauai Now.  KITV4.

Hawaii Legislature May Hold Special Session On Maui Fires. For now, House and Senate leaders say it's premature to schedule one. But the disaster may well warrant convening to pass spending and statutory measures. Civil Beat.

Maui mayor: New FBI-vetted list puts number of missing in Lahaina at 850. Teams armed with cadaver dogs have searched about 85% of the town. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources names interim water deputy. Dean Uyeno, a 25-year-long staffer with the Commission on Water Resource Management, has been assigned on a temporary basis as the interim Water Deputy with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources. Maui Now.

Maui Mayor: Replacing Emergency Management Chief Will Take Time. Pending a search for a permanent replacement, the No. 2 official at the agency is in charge. Civil Beat.

State Told Maui Emergency Office It Should Consider Sounding Sirens Before Fire Spread. Before a fire swept through Lahaina, killing at least 114 people, Hawaii state emergency management personnel sent a “reminder” to their counterparts at the Maui Emergency Management Agency that the island’s all-hazard siren system “could be used” if needed. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Maui fire will reshape Hawaiian Electric. Hawaiian Electric — and the state’s power utility sector in general — may be in store for reconstruction in the aftermath of the massive disaster as state leaders, regulators and litigators push for change and accountability. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric ends week at 58% plummet. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. shares notch the worst weekly drop in at least four decades on concern it may be responsible for the fires that ravaged the island of Maui, with Wells Fargo’s analyst warning the possible liabilities could be large enough to wipe out the value of its utility arm. Star-Advertiser.

Job losses mount in Maui, but anti-tourism could block recovery. Since the wildfires, Maui is experiencing a sharp rise in initial unemployment claims, which hit 6,663 from Aug. 9-17, according to state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations spokesperson William Kunstman. Star-Advertiser.

Senior Managers At Hawaii State Hospital Fired In Major Shake-Up. Three top managers at the Hawaii State Hospital are being terminated from their jobs and were abruptly escorted off the hospital campus Thursday morning in a move to “restructure” the facility’s management team. Dr. Bimmie Strausser, HSH associate administrator, was escorted off the property by staff from the state Attorney General’s office along with Director of Nursing Lani Tsuneishi and HSH Operations Administrator Anthony Fraiola, according to staff at the facility. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Charter amendments would address raises for elected officials. A Honolulu City Council member who recently received a 64% pay raise says key amendments need to be made to the city’s constitution to ensure future pay hikes for top elected and appointed officials cannot be rejected by an overwhelming vote of the Council or the mayor. Star-Advertiser.

Bill to ban flavored tobacco products advances.  The Honolulu City Council voted unanimously Aug. 9 to advance Bill 46 that intends to ban flavored tobacco products — including electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices — which contain “a characterizing flavor or that imparts a cooling or numbing sensation during consumption of a tobacco product,” the bill reads. Star-Advertiser.

HART still waiting for $125 million. After more than a decade, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation waits for the final portion of a $1.55-billion funding agreement that since 2014 has been held up at the federal level due to years of cost overruns and delays to the build out of the city’s rail line. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hirono, Tokuda visit Food Basket ag campus, stress need for sustainable food. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda visited Hilo for a ceremony celebrating the Hawaii Island Food Basket’s new agricultural campus. Tribune-Herald.

Puna police officer arrested on suspicion of burglary, assault. A 31-year-old Puna patrol officer suspected of illegally entering a Ka‘u home early Tuesday morning and assaulting a 20-year-old man remained in custody late Friday afternoon as police detectives investigated the case. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Uncle Billy’s demolition slated for early next year; officials unsure about future of property. The 148-room hotel closed in 2017 and has been a blight on the Waiakea Peninsula ever since, becoming the site of squatters, drug use, vandalism, fires and other crimes. Tribune-Herald.

‘Bruddah Waltah’ Aipolani dies at 68; ‘Father of Hawaiian Reggae’ suffered from liver cancer. Singer-guitarist Walter Aipolani, better known as Bruddah Waltah, died Thursday after a long battle with liver cancer. He was 68. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Make Your Voice Heard At This Week's Maui County Council Session. The council has scheduled a meeting Tuesday that offers the public a chance to get involved in the daunting task of planning for the future. Civil Beat. Maui News.

Lahaina’s Large Immigrant Community Is Facing A Unique Struggle In The Fire’s Aftermath. Losing important documents is a real problem while fear and mistrust of government agencies has inhibited some from seeking aid, experts say. Civil Beat.

What Saved The ‘Miracle House’ In Lahaina? The historic structure on Front Street is the last house standing in a neighborhood reduced to rubble. Michael Wara, the director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at the Stanford Wood Institute for the Environment, said it was likely the Millikins’ decision to dig out the existing landscaping directly surrounding the house and replace it with river stones that made the biggest difference.  Civil Beat.

Kauai

Outrigger Resorts & Hotels to acquire Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa. The transaction to purchase the 25-acre beachfront property with 350 guest rooms is expected to close on Aug. 22, 2023.  Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi vacation rental occupancy for May down 14% from a year ago. The occupancy for Kauaʻi vacation rentals in May was 51.7%, which is down 1.1% from a year ago and 28.2% lower than May 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Kauai Now.

Maui defends decision not to sound sirens during wildfires, DLNR official who held back water reassigned, COVID deaths highest since January, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Maui emergency chief defends not sounding sirens in Lahaina.  Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator Herman Andaya on Wednesday defended the decision not to activate sirens to warn residents about the rapidly moving inferno that overwhelmed Lahaina town. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

State Water Official Who Delayed Water Release Has Been Reassigned. Kaleo Manuel was given another job in DLNR while officials investigate what happened. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it “is re-deploying” the state water resource administrator who was at the center of a delayed decision to divert water from Upcountry Maui land to help firefighters as the Aug. 8 wildfires began to take hold around Lahaina. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

State not pursuing criminal probe of Maui fire. The comprehensive review by the state attorney general of the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century is not a formal criminal or civil investigation into the cause and response to the deadly blaze, Gov. Josh Green said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Maui fire timeline and warnings: Forecast through engulfment. A timeline of eyewitness accounts and official alerts show just how chaotic things got on Maui, on what was predicted to be a red flag fire-risk day Tuesday, Aug. 8. KHON2.

Hawaiian Electric Faces Heavy Legal, Financial Pressure After Lahaina Fire. The company faces scrutiny for not shutting down the power prior to the fire. Lawyers have wasted no time filing lawsuits. Civil Beat.

Analysis shows fires, other disasters increasing in Hawaii. Hawaii is increasingly under siege from disasters, and what is escalating most is wildfire, according to an Associated Press analysis of Federal Emergency Management Agency records. That reality can clash with the vision of Hawaii as paradise. It is, in fact, one of the riskiest states in the country. Associated Press.

COVID deaths climb. The statewide death toll has climbed to 1,931 people since the start of the pandemic, with the DOH reporting 11 deaths over the last week, the most since January.  Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Honolulu District Courthouse to be closed due to structural damage.  The Honolulu District Courthouse will be closed Thursday following “inadvertent structural damage caused by a contractor working in the building,” the state Judiciary said in a news release Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Earthquake Swarm Detected At Kīlauea Summit, Elevated Unrest Continues. Kīlauea volcano is not erupting, but scientists say recent earthquakes indicate movement of magma in the south caldera region. Big Island Video News.

Commission to consider Miloli‘i park improvements. More than $1.7 million in improvements are coming to Miloli‘i Beach Park in Captain Cook. Tribune-Herald.

Free eye clinic in Kona a success. Hundreds of Hawaii Island residents, some traveling from as far away as Hilo and Puna, took advantage of a free eye exam and glasses at the Hawaii Island Community Health Center in Kealakehe thanks to a program within the Department of Defense. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

More Maui fire victims named, officially and by family.  Maui County so far has released the names of five of the 111 officially acknowledged fatalities from last week’s wildfire that laid waste to Lahaina — all of them over the age of 70. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Maui Residents Finally Have Local Access To Federal Relief Programs. SBA loan limits were substantially hiked only a week before the destructive fires. Civil Beat.

Water Contamination Concerns Loom Over Lahaina And Upper Kula. As they await test results, Maui residents in affected areas are told not to drink tap water and to wash their clothes in cold water. Civil Beat.

FEMA official addresses business leaders in Hawaiʻi, urges disaster survivors on Maui to register for federal assistance. To date, FEMA has provided more than $2.3 million in assistance to more than 1,330 households, including more than $800,000 in initial rental assistance. Maui Now.

Installation of dust screens begins around Lahaina Town. Following the opening of the Lahaina Bypass on Aug. 15, 2023, the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation began installing dust screens around Lahaina Town.  Maui Now.

‘There’s still life’: Nationwide effort underway to save Maui’s historic banyan tree.  Arborists from around the country are lending a hand in West Maui to save the historic banyan tree that sits in the heart of Lahaina. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Road closure planned Wednesday on Peleke Street in Līhuʻe for waterline repair. Kauaʻi County Department of Water crews are conducting emergency waterline repairs on Peleke Street in Līhuʻe, which required the roadway to be closed about 4 to 5 hours from Milikeleka Place to Aukele Street. Kauai Now.

Biden to tour Lahaina devastation next week, federal team deployed in recovery efforts, tropical storm threat diminishes, Hawaiian Electric stock takes another hit, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

President Biden, First Lady coming to Maui on Aug. 21 to meet survivors, first responders, officials of deadly wildfires.  On Maui, the Bidens will be welcomed by state and local leaders to see firsthand the impacts of the wildfires and the devastating loss of life and land that has occurred on the island, as well as discuss the next steps in the recovery effort.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Federal team deployed to Maui to assist with mortuary operations, victim identification. One week after a wall of flames turned Lahaina town to ash, Maui County is faced with a daunting task: Finding and identifying every person who died. Hawaii News Now.

Maui County releases identities of 2 victims; raises death toll to 106. The Lahaina fire initially reported on Aug. 8 is now 85% contained and burned 2,170 acres. Multiple fire crews are assigned to monitor and address any flare ups. There are no active threats at this time. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

No danger anticipated from approaching tropical storms. Just a week after Hurricane Dora contributed to the wildfires that caused death and destruction in West Maui and some property damage in West Hawaii, there are two more tropical cyclones lurking in the Pacific. Tribune-Herald.

HTA to seek tourism emergency declaration. The Hawaii Tourism Authority is requesting that the governor declare a tourism emergency in the wake of devastating wildfires in Maui and Hawaii counties, and if approved it would be the first such declaration and allow the agency to tap into a $5 million special fund. Star-Advertiser.

The Lahaina Fire Could Prompt The State To Change How It Manages Water On Maui. A dispute over whether DLNR balked at releasing water to land owners played out in an exchange of angry letters in the days after the fire. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

FBI warns about recovery, charity wildfire scams in Lahaina. A proliferation of bad actors attempting to take advantage of Maui wildfire victims prompted federal authorities to warn of a surge in fraudulent activities on the island. Garden Island.

Videos call out downed power lines as possible cause of Maui wildfires.  Footage has emerged as key evidence pointing to fallen utility lines as the possible cause. Hawaiian Electric Co. faces criticism for not shutting off the power amid high wind warnings and keeping it on even as dozens of poles began to topple. Associated Press

Hawaiian Electric shares drop another 31% as liability concerns mount. Hawaiian Electric Industries, which supplies roughly 95% of the state’s residents with power, traces its roots back to 1891, just a decade after King Kalakaua met Thomas Edison to see the incandescent light bulb. Now, the utility is facing what’s shaping up to be the biggest-ever test over its future. Bloomberg.

Was Maui’s Emergency Operations Chief In Over His Head? Herman Andaya lacked formal experience in emergency response but beat out 40 other applicants for the job and says he was prepared. Civil Beat.

Health care workers, hospitals mobilize on Maui to help. It’s all hands on deck for Hawaii’s health care workers, who have mobilized in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

Mobile morgue arrives on Maui to assist in identifying victims. As teams of cadaver dogs continue their painstaking search for human remains among the ashes and debris from last week’s Lahaina wildlife, a contingent of federal mortuary experts has been deployed to Maui along with a mobile morgue that arrived Tuesday to assist in the equally meticulous task of processing the dead to identify those who perished. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. launches housing program for wildfire-displaced Maui residents. Thus far, the state has placed 220 families in temporary long-term housing. KHON2.

How to assist victims of Maui’s deadly wildfires. The outpouring of support in the wake of deadly wildfires on Maui has been nearly universal, with many people seeking opportunities to either make donations or volunteer. State and local officials are recommending cash donations to reputable nonprofit organizations active in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

UH’s innovative new dorm nurtures fledgling entrepreneurs.  As the Honolulu Star-­Advertiser on Tuesday was the first news outlet to view the interior and operations of the six-story, $100 million complex at University Avenue and Metcalf Street, RISE was vibrating with activity.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council asks state to intervene in insurance crisis. County Council members and Puna residents alike are urging action by the state to stave off a burgeoning insurance crisis that threatens to drastically increase policyholders’ premiums. Tribune-Herald.

Councilman postpones measure allowing county to maintain eligible private roads. At a Tuesday meeting of the council’s Policy Committee on Health, Safety and Well-being, Puna Councilman Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder proposed a measure that would allow the county to perform maintenance on certain qualifying “private, nondedicated and nonsurrendered roads” in order to ensure continued access to parts of the island in the event of an emergency. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Gov. Green signs order providing access to Lahaina via Māʻalaea during specific hours. On Wednesday, the road will open to all motorists daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Access from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. will be limited once again to residents, first responders, and employees of West Maui. Maui Now.

UH Maui College to delay fall term due to wildfire disaster. The start of the fall semester at University of Hawaii Maui College will be pushed back a week because of the devastating effects of the West Maui wildfires, officials announced Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

3 closed Maui schools deemed in ‘good condition,’ await safety testing. Structures at three closed Lahaina-area schools visited today by state officials were found to be in “good condition,” and safety testing of air and water will help determine reopening dates, the state Department of Education has announced. Star-Advertiser.

Search for Lahaina victims ‘a race against time,’ governor says. Seven more victims were discovered a week after wind-whipped, chaotic wildfires wiped out the town of Lahaina — raising the death toll to 106 on Tuesday.  Star-Advertiser.

As Maui rescue continues, families and faith leaders cling to hope but tackle reality of loss.  For scores of families in Hawaii still hoping to reunite with loved ones, it was not yet time to give up — even as the staggering death toll continued to grow, and even as authorities predicted that more remains would be found within the ashes left behind by a wildfire that gutted the once-bustling town of Lahaina. Associated Press.

Families Of Missing Lahaina Senior Home Residents Face Agonizing Search. Loved ones are frantically looking for residents of Hale Mahaolu Eono who remain unaccounted for. Civil Beat.

Kauai

State levies penalty against ShredCo of Kaua‘i for alleged air permit violations. The violations, which are related to a failure to submit several reports in 2021 and 2022 and pay an annual permit fee of $500 in 2022, were documented and confirmed as a result of record reviews conducted by the Clean Air Branch. Garden Island.

Maui water wars exacerbated Lahaina wildfire disaster, state begins notifying families of lost loved ones, Hawaiian Electric stock plunges 34% on lawsuit fears, Hurricane Fernanda, Tropical Storm Greg advance, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

A State Official Refused To Release Water For West Maui Fires Until It Was Too Late.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources delayed releasing water requested by West Maui Land Co. to help prevent the spread of fire, sources familiar with the situation said. Civil Beat.

The Maui Agency That Could Answer Pressing Wildfire Evacuation Questions Has Been MIA.  The Maui Emergency Management Agency hasn't participated in media updates, and officials haven't offered specifics on what happened leading up to the deadly blaze. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric’s stock plunges 34% on fears of wildfire liability. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.’s stock plunged by a record on concern that its power lines may be linked to the deadly Maui wildfires. Shares fell $10.94, or 34%, to close at $21.46 today on Wall Street, after earlier tumbling as much as 42%. Bloomberg.

Residents had moments to make life-or-death choices.  There were no sirens, no one with bullhorns, no one to tell anyone what to do: They were on their own, with their families and neighbors, to choose whether to stay or to run, and where to run to — through smoke so thick it blinded them, flames closing in from every direction, cars exploding, toppled power lines and uprooted trees, fire whipping through the wind and raining down. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Families of first 3 victims identified in Maui fire to be notified today.  Three victims of the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire have been identified, and their families will get the grim news today that their loved ones are official casualties as the death toll grew to 99 on Monday, and will likely continue to rise. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Governor Seeks Moratorium On Property Sales In Lahaina. The search through the rubble continued as the death toll from the wildfires rose to 99. Civil Beat. Maui Now.  KITV4.

Focus moving to pollution, water hazards on Maui, Coast Guard says. The U.S. Coast Guard announced Monday that it’s shifting its focus from combing the waters around Lahaina for bodies to cleaning up debris and pollution in the sea after a deadly wildfire destroyed much of the historic town. Star-Advertiser.

Obama posts video urging support for Lahaina. Former President Barack Obama took to social media Monday to urge his followers to help rebuild Lahaina. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Major Hurricane Fernanda, Tropical Storm Greg Churning In Pacific. Tropical Storm Greg has formed in the Central Pacific and is about 1,050 miles east-southeast of Hilo, while Hurricane Fernanda maintains its category 4 strength in the Eastern Pacific, about 2,380 miles east-southeast of Hilo. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Oahu

State Failed To Heed Warnings Of Waimanalo Girl’s Abuse, Lawsuit Alleges. The lawsuit by the estate of Isabella Kalua says the state advocated her adoption by her foster parents despite multiple reports of suspicious injuries by doctors and others. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Ocean View students stranded after being denied bus service. An incident last Friday involved more than two dozen students from the Ocean View area who attempted to take a Hele-On bus to Ka‘u High and Pahala Elementary.  The students were stranded when a Hele-On bus driver told them seats were being reserved for other commuters at upcoming stops and they were not able to board. Tribune-Herald.

Nonprofit offers wildfire risk assessments in Hawaii County.  In the wake of the deadly Maui wildfires and the blazes that damaged properties in West Hawaii, a Waimea-based nonprofit organization is conducting community wildfire risk assessments using home assessors-in-training. Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea Volcano Again Showing Signs Of Elevated Unrest.  Earthquakes peaked at 100 on Sunday, August 13, including a magnitude-4.3 event that was felt across Hawaiʻi Island.   Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

FEMA Money For Maui Disaster Relief May Get Caught Up In A Partisan Fight Over Ukraine. Federal funding is kicking in on Maui but a budget shortfall looms in Washington. Civil Beat.

Federal help ramped up for Maui fire relief. New levels of federal assistance for Maui fire survivors who suffered losses rolled out Monday, including free hotel lodging and one-time $700 payments per household for any critical needs. Star-Advertiser.

For some Maui teachers, fires took 2 places they called home.  At least six of the teachers with lost or greatly damaged homes worked at King Kamehameha III Elementary, the one public school that officials have deemed a loss in the West Maui fires. Star-Advertiser.

On the ground in Lahaina town: Sadness, searching, signs of hope. In the smoldering ruins of Lahaina town, a stream of water casts through the air onto the blackened branches of the 150-year-old banyan tree.  Maui News. KITV4.

Maui police suspend placard program after ‘non-essential’ people flood distribution sites. Just hours after launching it, Maui police have suspended a placard program designed to speed up access into West Maui after distribution areas were flooded with people. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Senator Hirono gets a taste of agriculture in Wailua. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono was pleasantly surprised on Monday when she was presented with a 4-H certificate during her stop at the University of Hawai‘i Kaua‘i Agricultural Research Center during a day trip to the Garden Island. Garden Island.

Invasive coconut rhinoceros beetles spread to Wailuā, Kīlauea – but experts are optimistic. Three months after invasive coconut rhinoceros beetles were first reported on Kauaʻi near the Līhu‘e Airport, more of the species have been found in Kīlauea and Wailuā.  Kauai Now.

Cadaver dogs, DNA matches used to ID Lahaina victims as confirmed dead nears 100, lawsuits begin as Gov. Greenʻs 5th emergency proclamation limits liability, tourists asked to stay away, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Maui families provide DNA to help ID remains of fire victims. The death toll from the Lahaina fire — America’s deadliest in a century — was at 96 on Sunday while families visited a newly created Maui County Family Assistance Center to help document the missing and provide DNA mouth swabs to identify the dead. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Associated Press.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Attorneys aim to make Hawaiian Electric pay for Maui disaster. Several law firms have begun suing Hawaiian Electric, alleging that the utility company is negligently responsible for the incredibly deadly and destructive Lahaina fire. Star-Advertiser.

State confirms sirens were not activated as ferocious wildfire ripped through Lahaina. Wildfire Decision-Making To Be Reviewed By Hawaiʻi Attorney General. Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez announced on Friday that the Department of the Attorney General will be conducting “a comprehensive review of critical decision-making and standing policies leading up to, during, and after the wildfires on Maui and Hawaiʻi islands this week.” Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Green issues 5th Emergency Proclamation relating to wildfires. The fifth proclamation suspends additional laws to facilitate emergency response, recovery, and rebuilding. It confirms that health care facilities and professionals engaging in emergency response are immune from civil liability during the proclamation period, except for willful misconduct, gross negligence, or recklessness. Maui Now.

Hawaii Tourism Authority: Visitors have ‘largely heeded call’ to leave Maui. Since Wednesday, more than 46,000 people have flown out of Kahului Airport. The Hawaii Tourism Authority says visitors who are planning travel to West Maui within the next several months should reschedule their travel plans or consider a different destination. Hawaii News Now.

Billions in losses projected to hit Hawaii’s economy hard.  The statewide economic impact of wildfires on Hawaii island and Maui — where the destruction in Lahaina has become the nation’s deadliest single wildfire in recent history — is likely to hit at least $8 billion to $10 billion in the Hawaiian Islands. Star-Advertiser.

‘Tapped Out’ Maui Firefighters Were Trying To Cover A Lot Of Ground The Day Lahaina Burned. Officials have not publicly commented on the response time to the Lahaina fire, but residents are starting to demand answers. Civil Beat.

As inferno grew, Lahaina’s water system collapsed. During the frantic moments Tuesday after a wildfire jumped containment near a residential neighborhood in Lahaina, firefighters rushing to slow the spread were distressed to find that their hydrants were starting to run dry.  New York Times.

‘We need some help here’: West Maui residents say government aid is scant. Days after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century ignited in West Maui, killing dozens and leveling more than 2,200 buildings, increasingly frustrated residents said that they were receiving far more help from an ad hoc network of volunteers than they were from the government. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Governor’s housing working group meets for first time.  At Friday’s inaugural meeting of the Build Beyond Barriers Working Group,  most of the 23 members met via videoconference, but largely limited their activity to introducing themselves and commiserating about the housing problem. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Honolulu Suspends Short-Term Rental Law To Aid Wildfire Survivors. The city on Friday suspended a controversial law that mandates a 30–day minimum rental period on vacation rentals to accommodate Maui wildfire survivors in need of emergency housing. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

TRO against release of mosquitoes has yet to impact plans for Big Isle. An ongoing legal battle over a plan to import mosquitoes to Maui to protect endangered birds has not immediately affected a similar plan for the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

Waimea man challenges county’s liability waiver in firearm-carry application. A Waimea man is suing Hawaii County in federal court, saying its requirement he sign a waiver of liability for a background check as part of the concealed-carry firearms permit application violates his constitutional right to privacy. Tribune-Herald.

North Kohala community pool now open. On Saturday, a blessing took place at Kohala Pool at Kamehameha Park in Kapaau after volunteers spent the past 21 months repairing the aging county aquatic center. West Hawaii Today.

Contract for Hapuna Beach waterline being finalized.  A temporary solution finally is in the works to restore water service to the Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area. Fresh water has not flowed to the popular beach park since October 2022. Tribune-Herald.

Funds for Laupahoehoe Boat Ramp repairs approved, pool reopening also announced. The Laupahoehoe Boat Ramp will receive its long-awaited funding for repairs, according to Hawaii County Parks and Recreation Director Maurice Messina. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui wildfire updates for Aug. 14: West Maui Placard system announced; Unsafe water maps released. Maui Now. KITV4.

Most Maui public schools to re-open; DOE offers options for displaced students. Most Hawaii public schools on Maui will begin phased re-openings this week, state Department of Education officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Maui-Lanai passenger ferry resumes service. The Maui-Lanai Passenger Ferry, operated by Expeditions, resumed interisland service Saturday. Star-Advertiser.

Brief reopening of Lahaina spurs scramble for access. The reopening of the road to Lahaina for West Maui residents to gather supplies such as medicine and food was short lived Friday after a brief opening was stalled by a car accident and people entering active police scenes, according to authorities.  Maui News.

Scientists, Maui officials warn of toxic hazards from fire. Residents are being warned that it remains too dangerous to return and Federal Emergency Management Agency officials are surveying the area for additional hazards.  Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui Faces Millions In Lost Revenue From Property That May No Longer Exist. Property tax payments are due on Aug. 21 but county officials haven't said what their plan is for residents and businesses  whose property is gone. Civil Beat.

Lahaina residents worry outsiders may overtake rebuilt Maui town. In deadly Maui wildfires, communication failed. Chaos overtook Lahaina along with the flames.  In the hours before a wildfire engulfed the town of Lahaina, Maui County officials failed to activate sirens that would have warned the entire population of the approaching flames and instead relied on a series of sometimes confusing social media posts that reached a much smaller audience. Associated Press.

Kauai

Short-staffed The Kaua‘i Bus to halt Sunday service. The wheels on the bus are taking a day off. The Kaua‘i Bus officials announced last week that all Sunday bus services, including paratransit, will be suspended indefinitely due to an ongoing staffing shortage beginning Aug. 27. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i County announces closures for Statehood Day.  In observance of Statehood Day, Friday, Aug. 18, Kaua‘i County offices will be closed. Kauai Now.

Hawaii kids rank low in survey, Maui advances bill to let people sleep in their cars, Oahu power bills rise as HEI earnings up, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii children at play ©2022 All Hawaii News

Hawaii ranks low in Kids Count national report. With school back in session and primary elections around the corner, advocates hope to see more investment in Hawaii’s children who, according to the 2022 Kids Count Data Book released today, rank in the lowest third of states when it comes to education and economic well-being. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s readiness for possible school shooting might be lagging. Many Hawaii schools and colleges have launched unprecedented efforts to prevent and prepare for an active shooter on campus as mass shootings and targeted school violence have risen to historic high levels in the United States. Star-Advertiser.

900 Hawaii school employees get violence-prevention training. With school shootings rising across the nation, the chief of the U.S. Secret Service center that is trying to stop targeted attacks on schools has a message for Hawaii: The Aloha State is not immune. Such violence can happen here. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Department of Education considering requiring ‘run, hide, fight’ training. While a few dozen Hawaii public schools so far have received “run, hide, fight” training for responding to an active shooter on campus, demand is rising, and the state Department of Education is considering changing from providing it to schools on request to making it required. Star-Advertiser.

Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement wants to bring change to the visitor industry. Why is the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement fighting to keep a tourism award that would allow it to manage Hawaii tourism, while shaping how United States travelers view the state? Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii GOP Candidates Say They Just Want To Give Voters A Choice. Of the 10 Republican candidates on the ballot for a federal race, only state Rep. Bob McDermott has any meaningful political experience. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Industries reported second-quarter earnings of $53 million. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. (HE) on Monday reported second-quarter earnings of $53 million. The Honolulu-based company said it had profit of 48 cents per share. Associated Press.

Here’s What Climate Advocates Hope To See In Hawaii’s Next Governor. The state needs to dramatically cut its carbon emissions in the next eight years to hit its climate goals. That will require bold leadership, advocates say. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Oahu, Your Electric Bill Is About To Go Up. Oahu households can expect to see their monthly electricity bills increase by about 7% when Hawaiian Electric Co. shuts down the state’s last remaining coal-fired power plant on Sept. 1 and replaces it with another fossil fuel source: oil. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Navy divers describe conditions within the contaminated Red Hill well and how the mission affected them. For three months members of the Pearl Harbor-based Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit One worked inside the Navy’s contaminated Red Hill water well, becoming unlikely front-line responders to the crisis. Star-Advertiser.

After worrisome findings, UH task force calls for more testing of Navy tap water. University of Hawaii scientists are finally talking about their data ― showing what appears to be jet fuel still in the Navy’s tap water ― and are calling for more tests. Hawaii News Now.

2 well-known politicians face off in Democratic race for seat representing Aiea, Pearl City. Senate District 16 stretches from Halawa to Aiea and all the way down to Pearl City. And now the incumbent senator for the area is facing off against a longtime City Council member. Hawaii News Now.

‘It’s A Nightmare’: Feral Pig Population Explosion Rattles East Honolulu Neighborhood. Aina Haina, an affluent residential neighborhood on Oahu’s southeastern shore, wedged between Waialae/Kahala and Hawaii Kai, is trying to fend off an invasion of pigs. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Public meetings for TMT environmental review to begin. The National Science Foundation will hold four meetings on consecutive nights Tuesday through Friday to hear the public’s views on what alternatives and environmental impacts should be studied when it conducts its proposed environmental impact statement. Star-Advertiser.

Big Island Deputy Prosecutor Ordered To Stop Alleged Harassment. A judge has summoned Randall Winston “Bew” Albright to appear in court and answer complaints that he’s been allegedly intimidating his neighbor. Civil Beat.

 Consultant hired to help fix EPIC. Hawaii County has hired a consultant to troubleshoot its building permit process in hopes of streamlining a critical government function analysts have called the most cumbersome in the nation. West Hawaii Today.

Affordable housing eyed for Waimea. Parker Ranch is exploring developing more affordable housing on the 175-year-old ranch’s lands in the coming years. West Hawaii Today.

Votes trickling in with one week left: Here’s what you need to know. With about a week left to vote on national, state and local races, a little more than 11% of the 112,630 Hawaii Island ballots mailed out have already been returned, and 19% of the 739,000 mailed ballots statewide, according to election officials. West Hawaii Today.

Three vie for House District 3 seat. Three candidates are vying for control of a newly formed House district that includes part of Hilo, Waiakea, Keaukaha and Keaau. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Bill to allow people to sleep in their vehicles in Maui County parking lots advances. Maui County Council on Friday voted unanimously to approve the bill on first reading. Bill 108 now advances to the second and final reading at full council. Maui Now.

Mayor proposes to buy former ʻIao Valley Lodge from Hawaiʻi Nature Center for $1.5M. Mayor Michael Victorino transmitted a proposal to the Maui County Council to purchase the acreage and the structure that was the former ʻĪao Valley Lodge in ʻĪao Valley for $1.5 million from the Hawaiʻi Nature Center. Maui Now.

Bilingual government issue on Maui ballot. A Maui County Charter amendment proposal slated to go before voters on the Nov. 8 general election ballot asks whether the county should establish a “Department of Oiwi Resources” as well as initiate bilingual government operations. Star-Advertiser.

Maui managed retreat fund would come to rescue when infrastructure falls into ocean. West Maui has nine condo complexes at risk of falling into the ocean. Maui Now.

Maui County Council Advances Investigation Into Developer’s Monster House. The Maui County Council voted on Friday to authorize the Planning and Sustainable Land Use Committe to investigate how and why the Victorino administration allowed a controversial monster house to be built in Napili. Civil Beat.

Three compete in closely watched Democratic primary for Senate District 7. Senate District 7. In what is arguably one of the most closely watched races this election cycle, incumbent Sen. Lynn DeCoite will defend her seat against two Democratic primary challengers, Walter Ritte and Leo Caires. All three candidates hope to represent Senate District 7, which covers East Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe. Maui News.

Kauai

Kawakami outspends competition in mayor’s race. Mayor Derek Kawakami has spent more than 10 times the funds on his re-election campaign than all three of his opponents combined, financial disclosures show. Garden Island.

Third-party audit critical of county’s Roads Division. An audit conducted by Spire Hawai‘i LLP reported that the county Department of Public Works Roads Division did not have “the necessary and qualified staff” to perform maintenance projects it is responsible for. Garden Island.