Advocates seek more transparency with change of House leadership, child welfare, prison system need help, snake found in Christmas tree shipment, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Advocacy groups seek to change how bills move through the House. The state House of Representatives has a new leadership team with Rep. Nadine Nakamura becoming the new speaker of the House. Because of the changes, advocacy groups are expanding efforts to change the rules in the House that they say will increase transparency. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s Child Welfare System Needs Major Reform, Report Says. A panel created to propose reforms to Hawaii’s child welfare system has described an array of troubling defects in the system, and its draft report calls for a surge in government support for disadvantaged families so fewer children will be removed from their homes. Civil Beat.

‘Inmates are running the facility’ prison sources warn public safety is at risk. The climate inside Hawaii’s correctional facilities is at a tipping point with inmates running the show and guards overworked and underpaid.  KHON2.

Top booster cuts university funding over athletics director Craig Angelos' ouster. Longtime UH supporter and businessman Mike Kawazoe founded the Rainbow Collective in April of last year as a way to raise funds for the department and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) money for student-athletes.  Hawaii News Now.

New Feral Cat Colony Map Could Save Hawaii’s Native Birds — But It’s Secret. The crowd-sourced map, which hasn't been made public yet, is bound to rankle many locals who regularly feed and care for free-roaming cats. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Appoints New Housing Director. Kevin Auger became the Honolulu Office of Housing’s executive director this week, stepping up from his prior role as deputy director to lead the city’s efforts to acquire, build and preserve more housing as many residents struggle with high prices. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Home Lands pursues Royal Kunia housing plan. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands wants to buy 211 acres approved for housing in Kunia for about $60 million from developer Haseko (Hawaii) Inc. with a preliminary development agreement to produce 1,200 residential lots for beneficiaries, including 500 lots in an initial increment where infrastructure already exists. Star-Advertiser.

City considers task force to explore merger of fire, emergency services. Staff shortages at Honolulu Emergency Medical Services are once again bringing up the idea of a merger with the Honolulu Fire Department. A resolution to study and create a plan passed the Honolulu City Council’s Public Safety Committee on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

West Side crackdown is reducing crime. Crime is down on the West Side during the three months since a spate of deadly shootings prompted county, state and federal officials to inundate the Waianae coast with law enforcement. Star-Advertiser.

911 outage caused by Hawaiian Telcom equipment issue. Hawaiian Telcom confirmed Wednesday that equipment failure caused Sunday’s 911 outage on Oahu. Most cell phones were blocked from reaching police dispatchers for about four hours. Hawaii News Now.

City plan to remove changing areas in Waimanalo Beach Park draws criticism. At Waimanalo Beach Park, the city plans to demolish two rundown comfort stations as part of a multimillion-dollar renovation project and install new prefabricated structures with individual, unisex bathroom stalls. The change would eliminate separate changing areas for men and women. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

New Mayor, Council To Be Sworn-In On December 2nd In Kona.  Mayor-elect Kimo Alameda, Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen, and the newly elected County Council will take part in the inauguration event. Big Island Video News.

Thumbs down for Kona Vistas. A 10-year extension for a controversial West Hawaii housing development to complete construction has once again been rejected, this time by the Hawaii County Council on Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

More than $1.2M in PONC funds awarded to nonprofits. The county’s Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission identifies lands around the county worthy of preservation and recommends grant funding to nonprofits to continue to steward those parcels. Tribune-Herald.

Live snake found in container of Christmas trees in Hilo.  State officials say a live snake was found in a container of Christmas trees as it was being unloaded for a store in Hilo over the weekend. HDOA has identified the 2-foot-long reptile as a non-venomous gopher snake. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Maui

Federal Officials Pressed On Maui Recovery Efforts. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz took part in the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on national disaster needs. Big Island Video News.

Lawsuit filed to change Maui’s street lighting citing its effect on endangered birds. Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Honolulu against Maui County and Hawaiian Electric to change the kind of street lighting on the Valley Isle that allegedly impairs the navigation of three bird species. Maui News. KITV4.

Survey asks children’s preference for rebuilding King Kamehameha III Elementary while focusing on 2 sites. Civic engagement in Lahaina remained strong Tuesday evening, with about 100 community members and staff gathering to discuss potential sites for King Kamehameha III Elementary School’s permanent location. Maui News. Maui Now.

Maui Invitational Returns To Lahaina As Post-Fire Emotions Are Still Raw. Many residents are excited about the economic boost the tournament will bring. But concerns also are high that visitors might show disrespect. Associated Press.

Kauai

Kapa‘a Swimming Pool to be temporarily closed in December. The Kaua‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation announced that Kapa‘a Swimming Pool will be shuttered from Dec. 1-16 so contractor Pacific Concrete, Cutting & Coring can repair the pool’s concrete deck. Kauai Now.

Green calls for changes to process of filling vacant legislative seats, more delays for Thirty Meter Telescope, Hawaiian-Alaska Airlines merger decision stalled, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s Process For Filling Vacant Legislative Seats Is Getting Closer Scrutiny. Appointing a replacement for vacant seats close to an election can have an undue influence on the outcome of an election, the governor says. Gov. Josh Green is calling for changes to the process of filling legislative vacancies after being forced to choose a new senator for Waianae just a little over a week before the primary election. Civil Beat.

Lawmaker Posts Rare Win For Injured Workers — And Pushes For More. Following a rare win for injured workers this past legislative session, a Hawaii lawmaker is pushing for more reforms to the state’s workers’ compensation system, in an effort that has support from diverse stakeholders. Civil Beat.

Ruling on Alaska-Hawaiian merger is stalled. Consumers must wait longer to learn whether federal antitrust enforcers will approve a proposed $1.9 billion merger between competitors Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines. The airlines announced in separate current-earnings releases Monday that they had agreed to a 10-day extension for the Department of Justice’s formal review period for their proposed merger, which includes $900 million in Hawaiian debt. Star-Advertiser.

State OK’s Hawaiian Telcom’s request to provide cable TV service. The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs announced Tuesday it has approved Hawaiian Telcom’s request to offer TV service in Hawaii, Kauai and Maui counties, a move the company and DCCA say will benefit thousands of consumers. Tribune-Herald. KHON2.

Maui wildfires dampen Hawaii summer tourism. The softness has been present in Hawaii’s visitor industry since the Aug. 8 Maui wildfires, and even in June, Maui’s 22% drop in visitor arrivals and 27% decrease in spending were dragging down the statewide tourism performance, according to preliminary statistics released Tuesday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Oahu

Green taps state House candidate to fill vacant W. Oahu Senate seat.  Gov. Josh Green  appointed Croccifixio “Cross” Crabbe to replace former Sen. Maile Shimabukuro, who resigned in May and was a Democrat representing the Nanakuli-Waianae-Makaha district. Star-Advertiser.

HECO: Major outage in east Honolulu not linked to power shutoff program. Hawaiian Electric crews have restored power to thousands of customers in east Honolulu following an outage on Tuesday morning. The outage impacted more than 20,000 customers from Aina Haina to Waimanalo. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

The National Science Foundation could take until the end of 2026 to complete an environmental review for a potential investment in the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope on Hawaii Island. The nation’s leading funder of science research is considering an investment of potentially $800 million or more in the planned $2.65 billion TMT project after opponents blocked construction of the telescope atop Mauna Kea in 2015 and 2019. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Sides spar in case to decide whether Schweitzers deserve compensation. A hearing Tuesday to determine if Albert “Ian” Schweitzer and his brother, Shawn Schweitzer — whose convictions for abducting, raping and killing Dana Ireland on Christmas Eve 1991 were vacated last year by a judge — are “actually innocent,” turned out to be a contentious affair. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

DNA swab in Ireland case was outside recommended procedures. Hawaii County police went beyond FBI and U.S. Department of Justice procedures when a swab was taken from Dana Ireland murder suspect Albert Lauro Jr. when they already had DNA linking him directly to the crimes, according to the former FBI attorney and federal prosecutor who first identified Lauro. Star-Advertiser.

Tents For Houseless On Ponahawai Street To Be Moved To Kuawa Street. The tents on Ponahawai Street in Downtown Hilo that are serving as a temporary “respite area” for houseless individuals are being dismantled and moved to Kuawa Street.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Big Island High School Accused Of Mishandling Sexual Assault Case. The female student had to keep attending class with her attacker, despite repeated requests from her family for assistance, the lawsuit says. Civil Beat.

Maui

Short-term rental bans proposed by Maui Mayor unpopular, according to poll. Just 10% of voters support banning existing, legal short-term rentals. Maui News.

Economists explore alternatives to banning short-term rentals on Maui. Economists have suggested that Maui County should not get rid of thousands of short-term rentals but instead place higher taxes on them. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposal to phase out short-term rentals on Maui nears final vote. A report containing those recommendations will be transmitted to the County Council within the next four months.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposed Maui housing development draws fiery opposition over affordability, impact on resources. A plan to develop 1,000 acres of land into a new residential community in South Maui received fiery opposition Tuesday night. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4

Local health care workers receive national award for service during Maui wildfires. Twenty Maui-based school nurses and health technicians received a national award for their service during the Aug. 8 wildfire. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

State continues to deny interview with man jailed for allegedly threatening councilman. The state Department of Corrections has continued to deny requests to interview Glen Gruenhagen, a local artist sentenced to a year in jail in May for an ambiguous poster aimed at Kaua’i County Councilman Billy DeCosta.  Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi neighborhood's close call with a wildfire exposes its evacuation vulnerabilities. Hanapēpē Heights is a residential area nestled in Southwest Kauaʻi with acres of agricultural land on one side, and a cliff on the other. The neighborhood has one way in and one way out on Moi Road. Hawaii Public Radio.

Visitor spending in record territory on Kaua‘i. here may have been fewer tourists on the island of Kaua‘i in the first half of the year, but the people who did visit spent a record amount of money in the period. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Student loan bailout coming to Hawaii, Maui bill lets people sleep in cars, Cayetano has stents implanted, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tens of thousands in Hawaii will benefit from federal student loan forgiveness plan. Tens of thousands in Hawaii will benefit from federal student loan forgiveness plan. President Joe Biden’s plan to cancel $10,000 in federal student loan debt for Americans earning $125,000 or less per year was welcomed by many in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Sen. Mazie Hirono and the Small Business Administration are optimistic that more small-business support is coming. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Guzman on Wednesday began visiting Hawaii organizations supporting Native Hawaiian and female-owned small businesses with the message that more federal support is on the way that will build on existing efforts to help them access federal support. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Telcom expands fiber internet access statewide. Hawaiian Telcom expanded its fiber-optic infrastructure to more than 22,000 homes and businesses during the first half of this year and said Wednesday it is on target to achieve its goal of enabling a total of 50,000 homes by year-end. Star-Advertiser.

UH Researcher Gets $2.8M To Help Prevent Vaping Among Rural Hawaiian Youth. A University of Hawaii Cancer Center researcher was awarded a $2.8 million grant to develop and test an e-cigarette prevention plan for the state’s rural youth, especially Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders who are disproportionately affected. Civil Beat.

Ben Cayetano undergoes procedure to clear arterial blockage. Former Gov. Ben Cayetano, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was scheduled to have two stents implanted to clear an arterial blockage this week — a procedure that Cayetano said he should have had done 10 years ago. Star-Advertiser.

New boosters targeting BA.5 expected as Hawaii cases trend downward. The Biden administration plans to offer the next generation of COVID-19 booster shots to Americans ages 12 and older soon after Labor Day. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

State to expand COVID wastewater surveillance program. Soon, Hawaii will no longer need to send off samples to the mainland. That could save up to a week in reporting results. KITV4.

Hawaii Department of Health reports 2,219 new COVID-19 infections, 13 coronavirus-related deaths. The state’s average positivity rate, meanwhile, continued its downward trend to 8.6% compared to 10.7% reported the previous week, representing tests performed between Aug. 16 to 22. Star-Advertiser.

4 more monkeypox cases reported, bringing state total to 22, Department of Health says. DOH said it has identified four additional cases of monkeypox in two Oahu residents and one Maui resident, all of which remain under investigation, and a Hawaii Island resident whose case is related to community exposure. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Signature issues on Hawaii primary ballots left thousands of votes uncounted. Despite lower participation in the recent election, more voters on Oahu mailed or dropped off ballots that weren’t counted because of nonmatching or missing signatures on ballot return envelopes compared with the 2020 primary election when mail-in voting became the predominant form of voting in Hawaii under a 2019 decision by state lawmakers. Star-Advertiser.

Military says barbed wire fence is for ‘anti-terrorism protection,’ but residents call it an eyesore. In Keolu Hills overlooking Marine Corps Training Area Bellows in Waimanalo, residents often hear military exercises. But now there’s construction activity. Military contractors are building a fence around the training area that’s 7 feet tall with barbed wire. Hawaii News Now.

Blueprint For Hawaii Housing? UH Project For Students And Faculty Is Going Up At Relatively Little Cost. A Hawaii lawmaker says the public private housing partnership could be a model for state-owned affordable rentals. On an island where the median price of a condominium hovers around $500,000, it may come as a surprise that a private developer is planning to build up to 400 units in verdant Manoa for as little as $212,500 each. But that’s exactly what’s happening on the University of Hawaii campus. Civil Beat.

Katherine Kealoha Accuses Feds Of Ruining Her Marriage With Cocaine Photo Allegation. The former Honolulu deputy prosecutor is trying to appeal her 2019 conviction for conspiracy and obstruction of justice. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Police Update Permitting Process For License To Carry Firearms. The revised permitting process on Hawaiʻi island follows the July 2022 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in NYSRPA v Bruen. Big Island Video News.

U.S. Coral Reef Task Force To Meet In Kona. The DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources is hosting the 45th USCRTF meeting in Kaiula-Kona from August 27 to Sept. 3. Big Island Video News.

DOE awards contract for new classroom building at Kealakehe Elementary School. Honolulu-based Nan Inc. was the apparent low bidder for the project putting in an offer of $16.125 million, more than $3 million over the project’s estimated cost of $13 million. Also submitting bids were F &H Construction at $16.34 million and Isemoto contracting at $17.93 million. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Food Distributor Settles Racism Lawsuit For $90K. A Hawaii food distribution company has agreed to pay $90,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging a Black employee was subjected to racial slurs and racist references to slavery, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said Wednesday. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Maui

Bill to let Maui residents sleep in vehicles in county lots approved, but some wary of sites. A bill to create a pilot project so houseless residents may use their vehicles as overnight habitation in county parking lots was passed Tuesday, but some are voicing concerns over which properties may become a “safe sleeping zone.” Maui Now.

Maui issues first concealed carry permit. Maui County Police Department issued its first permit to carry a concealed weapon out of 187 applicants. This after the supreme court ruling in June upholding the right to carry a gun in public. KHON2.

Land in Lahaina slated for future teacher housing. Timeline to be discussed; state says it’s the first time in a decade that DOE will put up educator housing. Maui News.

Maui’s first Raising Cane’s, Chick-fil-A restaurants set to open next week in Kahului. Starting next week, chicken fans will merely cross the road for two of the nation’s popular poultry restaurants. Maui Now. Maui News. KITV4.

Kauai

New charter school aims to meet 'multigenerational' need on Kauaʻi's North Shore. For decades, middle and high school students living in communities such as Wainiha and Hanalei have traveled to and from school in Kapaʻa. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kaneiolouma statues removed for maintenance. The 16-foot tall Ki‘i that tower over Po‘ipu were taken down for maintenance last week, but they will be back up soon. Garden Island.

Welcome Back event celebrated a return to in-person learning. Students from the college took advantage of the E Komo Mai, or Welcome Back, event presented by the Associated Students of the University of Hawai‘i-Kaua‘i Community College student government and the college’s Student Life department to re-unite with friends between classes. Garden Island.

Cruise ships not set to return to Hawaii soon, Senate bill makes it harder to scrutinize government bids, Kauai loosens gathering rules, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Cruise ship off Hawaii pre-COVID ©2021 All Hawaii News

 When will cruises return? Several cruise lines announced their intentions last week to resume vacation cruises this summer to ports in Alaska, Florida or Texas — but it doesn’t appear Hawaii will be on any port of call itineraries anytime soon. Tribune-Herald.

University of Hawaii budget cuts to reverberate throughout local economy. An economic impact study released today suggests the $90 million cut in state general funds for UH over the next two fiscal years, made by lawmakers under pressure to reduce state spending due to coronavirus impacts, could sap around $650 million from the local economy. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

No Bid, No Problem? Hawaiian Telcom Lands A $25 Million State Broadband Contract. Gov. David Ige says he wasn’t involved in the deal with a major campaign donor. But it’s raising questions about whether the contract should have been competitively bid. Civil Beat.

Senate Bill Would Make It Harder To Scrutinize Government Contract Awards, Critics Say. State officials say the measure would speed up the cumbersome procurement process, but others worry it would make legitimate bid appeals unaffordable. Civil Beat.

Foreclosure, utility moratoriums ending soon. Time is running out for those who need to pay their rent, utilities or mortgage, and the time to take action is now, according to a nonprofit advisory group. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii food prices continue to rise. The cost of food continues to soar — for some items prices increased by as a much as 50%. KITV4.

Hawaii Governor's ban on surf events holds up permits for keiki competitions. Event organizers spent weeks lobbying to reverse the restriction implemented after a COVID19 outbreak tied to a professional World Surf League event last December. KITV4.

Pentagon wants to disinter 94 ‘unknown’ remains from Punchbowl, entomb them in USS Arizona. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said it has talked with the Navy about disinterring 94 sailors from the famed battleship USS Arizona who are buried as “unknowns” at Punchbowl cemetery in Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii is the only state requiring and spending millions on COVID-19 testing. The state is spending about $38 million to fund one year of its Safe Travels airport screening program and is making plans to spend another $22 million on top of that even though most U.S. destinations have dropped nearly all of their travel restrictions. Star-Advertiser.

Lt. Gov. Green hopeful normal summer returns as coronavirus vaccinations increase. There are fewer than 1,000 active cases statewide for the first time in months, and all the neighbor islands have single-digit case numbers. KHON2.

May 23, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 48 Cases; 2 Deaths on O‘ahu. The confirmed cases included: 32 on O‘ahu; two on Maui, eight on Hawai‘i Island, and four in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state. Maui Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Don’t Always Turn On Their Body Cams. That Needs To Change, Commissioners Say. Officers in dicey situations may be incentivized to keep their cameras off. There’s growing calls for police to make sure that doesn’t happen. Civil Beat.

Family of teen fatally shot by police files wrongful death lawsuit. The family of a teen shot and killed by police last month has filed a wrongful death suit against the Honolulu Police Department and the city. Iremamber Sykap, 16, was fatally shot by officers on April 5. Hawaii News Now.

First weekend spectators allowed to watch outdoor sporting events on Oahu. Spectators, including parents, were not allowed near the court or field to watch their children play ball for more than a month. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Inaba wants to cut tourism promotion. Should the county continue pumping money into tourism promotion when tourists seem to come here anyway? That was a topic the County Council tackled Thursday as it looked for loose change in a tight $609.1 million budget. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County Likely to Increase Social Gathering Size. Currently in Hawai'i County, gatherings of up to 10 people indoors, 25 outdoors, are permitted. KITV4.

Behind schedule, over budget: Change orders irk council members. A Hilo road repaving project that’s ballooned from $7.4 million to $12 million had the County Council Finance Committee on Tuesday asking the Department of Public Works to get a better grip on estimating the cost of roadwork. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo High football has new rep: State legislator Chris Todd named Vikings head coach. Vikings athletic director Kaeo Drummondo on Sunday announced Todd’s hiring as head coach. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

$842.6M budget on verge of approval. At about $13 million more than Mayor Michael Victorino’s proposed $829 million budget, the council’s version includes an operational budget of $683.2 million and a capital improvements project budget of $159.4 million, compared to the mayor’s proposed $669.6 million for operations and $159.3 million in CIP funding. Maui Now.

Complaints spur bill for zipline permits. Hoping to increase oversight for the operations, the Maui County Council is considering a bill that would require a conditional permit for canopy tour, zipline and bungee jumping operations as well as bar waterfall rappelling in county agricultural districts. Maui News.

Maui Police Commission: Former Chief Had ‘Room For Improvement’. Former Maui Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu’s performance evaluation was the subject of an executive session. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Return to Tier 4 today. Tier 4 is the least-restrictive on Kaua‘i’s COVID-19 tier chart for Business and Recreational Guidelines. It allows gatherings of up to 25 outdoors and 10 indoors, with restrictions and safety guidelines. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Plan pleases taro farmers. Last week, the state’s Commission on Water Resource Management, part of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, approved a measurable in-stream flow standard of 4 million gallons per day. Garden Island.

Ha‘ena DLNR projects get recognition. Two programs and projects taken on by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of State Parks on Kaua‘i were recognized with Preservation Honor Awards by the Historic Hawai‘i Foundation Friday during the 47th annual Preservation Honor Awards. Garden Island.

Special legislative session mulled for volcano response, no new tax to bail out Puna, Honolulu mayor vetoes ride-share caps, Pearl Harbor survivor gets sendoff, Kauai coral recovering, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lava fountains reach 200 feet in this June 19 photo PC:USGS

The new normal: Vigorous eruptions just keep going on the Big Island. Hawaii News Now.

A special session of the state Legislature to help lava-ravaged Puna is being mulled for mid-August, as Hawaii County works with local legislators to put a plan together. West Hawaii Today.

Saving Hawaii’s GOP: A Tough Job For 3 Candidates For Governor. A west Oahu lawmaker, a perennial candidate and a former education official are vying to become just the third Republican governor since statehood. Civil Beat.

Ohio-based telecommunications company Cincinnati Bell said on Tuesday that it received the final regulatory approval for its $650 million acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom. Pacific Business News.

Hawaiian Telcom on Tuesday cleared its final regulatory approval for its pending $650 million sale to Cincinnati Bell. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Mayor Kirk Caldwell today vetoed a controversial bill that would make Honolulu the first city in the United States to cap how much Uber, Lyft and other ride-hailing drivers can charge during peak periods. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell vetoed a bill Tuesday that aims to limit how much Uber, Lyft and other ride-hailing companies can charge customers when demand surges. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has decided to veto a bill that would have limited surge pricing for ride-hailing or transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft, a move that the two companies said would have made their business models unworkable. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell vetoed Tuesday a bill to regulate private transportation companies like Uber and Lyft. KHON2.

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Military officials address residents' concerns over location of missile radar. The thought of a new military installation next to the Kaena Point Satellite Tracking Station is prompting some concerns on Oahu's North Shore. Hawaii News Now.

New Kakaako affordable-housing rules set. A state agency regulating development in Kakaako last week finished four years of work to improve the future supply of affordable housing in the area filled with luxury condominium towers. Star-Advertiser.

Mililani was especially popular for homebuyers last month, and in the past year the sales for single-family homes in the area increased by 87 percent. Hawaii News Now.

Rents for single-family homes in urban Honolulu declined in March, compared to the year before, making Hawaii’s largest city the only market among 20 metropolitan areas to see a year-over-year decline, according to a report by CoreLogic. Pacific Business News.

The Honolulu Fire Department introduced a new member of the department today — an arson dog named Kukui. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu fire investigators have a new tool at their disposal when investigating arson and other suspicious fires in the form of a highly-trained arson dog. Hawaii News Now.

Seven vandal-resistant surveillance cameras are now in service at Waialae Beach Park in Kahala in an effort to curb illegal activity. KITV.

Four cases of Legionella infection have recently been treated at Queen’s Medical Center. Star-Advertiser.

Pearl Harbor Survivor Who Worked To Identify Remains Leaves Hawaii. He was a young sailor at the time of the attack. Now 97, he’s moving from the islands to Boise, Idaho. Associated Press.

Pearl Harbor survivor Ray Emory gets special Navy sendoff. Star-Advertiser.

A Wisconsin sailor who died at Pearl Harbor will be laid to rest more than 75 years after his death. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Council kills GET: Administration looking for $5M in cuts. 4-5 vote kills plan to plug a $5 million volcano-blasted hole in the budget by instituting a temporary quarter-percent general excise tax surcharge. West Hawaii Today.

Council Rejects Tax Hike To Replace Revenue Lost To Eruption. The increase would’ve generated about $25 million a year. Instead, the 5-4 vote means service cuts are likely. Civil Beat.

A bill that would have raised the general excise tax on Hawaii island has died. KHON2.

Public lava viewing area far-off; officials still in ‘emergency mode’.A close-up view of the lower Puna eruption is currently reserved for the bold and those willing to risk a citation. Tribune-Herald.

The emergency response to the ongoing Kilauea eruption that has destroyed at least 577 homes and displaced several thousand Puna residents so far has racked up more than $5.8 million in unanticipated costs for state and county agencies. Star-Advertiser.

Volcano Watch: Colorful plumes — can we see volcanic gases? Tribune-Herald.

Lava output far outpaces previous eruptions. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory deputy scientist-in-charge Steve Brantley, speaking at a community meeting Tuesday night at the Pahoa High & Intermediate School cafeteria, said the current lower East Rift Zone eruption has put forth an estimated 145 million cubic meters of lava over 47 days. Star-Advertiser.

New Tools Benefit Geologists in Lava Flow Study. The eruption at Kilauea continues to send ash plumes into the sky and push lava into the ocean. While that has destroyed hundreds of homes and forced scores of people into shelters, it is also providing an unprecedented opportunity for scientific research. Hawaii Public Radio.

The ongoing eruption of the Kilauea volcano is not causing crystals to rain from the sky despite reports of residents finding little green gems in the area. Associated Press.

With fissures releasing sulfur dioxide, volcanoes producing vog, and ocean lava flows creating laze, adjusting to a life of toxic gases is something many Puna residents have had to do since eruptions began. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii County Civil Defense said that 817 people have so far registered for federal assistance amid the ongoing eruption of Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island. Pacific Business News.

Free medical clinic opens at Keaau High School. Over nine days the Tropic Care health clinics will be offered by the Oahu-based 1984th U.S. Army Hospital, offering medical health screening, school sports physical exams, dental services, eye exams, hearing screenings, nutritional consultation, veteran services and prescription eyeglasses. Star-Advertiser.

Tropic Care 2018 offering free health care services through the end of the month. Tribune-Herald.

Trial postponed until next year for marijuana activist. Jury selection was to begin Monday in the trial of longtime marijuana activist Mike Ruggles, accused by authorities of operating an unlicensed medical cannabis dispensary at his Fern Acres home. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Councilors seek update on two county projects with Anaergia. Concerns expressed over proposal changes, deadline extensions. Maui News.

The Lahaina Restoration Foundation is seeking the public’s help in finding information about a hit-and-run accident that resulted in damage to the exterior wall of the Old Lahaina Prison. Maui Now.

In an effort now to deepen their work, a halau is establishing a cultural center and joining in a larger effort to create a regenerative community on Maui. Hawaii Public Radio.

DLNR, residents partner to clean up large ball of fishing nets on Molokai. On Molokai, a clean up has begun of a large ball of nets in Halawa Valley. KHON2.

Kauai

The revised cost estimate for the emergency flood repairs on Kuhio Highway on the North Shore and the upgrade of three bridges is $80 million, according to a Tuesday press release. Garden Island.

Incumbent Mason Chock, 47, of Wailua, has filed for reelection to the Kauai County Council. Garden Island.

There are bright spots in the world’s coral reefs, places where corals are thriving even though scientists say we’ve lost half the world’s reefs in the last three decades. The coral in Anini Bay and at Waipa on Kauai are examples of rebounding reefs according to the scientists and underwater enthusiasts that visit the reef. Garden Island.

Legislators to vote on sunscreen ban today, airport authority bill dies, OHA trustee investigated for accepting money from royal heiress, Honolulu officials get 4% pay raise, heart attack doesn't keep 78-year-old mayor from the job, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Rinsing the beach baby in Hawaii ©2018 All Hawaii News

Hawaii is poised to become the first state in the nation to pass a law banning the sales of over-the-counter sunscreens containing chemicals believed to harm coral reefs if Hawaii legislators vote to pass it on Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Senate bill would stop sale of reef stressing sunscreens. Statewide ban would take effect in 2021. Maui News.

Legislation to regulate unlicensed care homes faces its final hurdle today as both House and Senate lawmakers vote on the controversial bill. Star-Advertiser.

A major change to a financial assistance program designed to help those caring for Hawaii's senior citizens is upsetting some caregivers. Hawaii News Now.

A bill that would have created a dedicated governing body to take control of the state’s airports was unexpectedly killed Friday despite being on the verge of passage. Tribune-Herald.

Voters will see on the November ballot a measure seeking to generate public education funding through a surcharge tax on high-value residential investment properties. Several other education-related bills are awaiting a final reading today and likely are headed to Ige’s desk. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii State Legislature passed House Bill 2342, which eliminates the fee for freezing and thawing credit reports. Maui Now.

OHA Trustee Under Investigation For Accepting $72,000 From Heiress. Rowena Akana says charges against her by the state ethics commission are inaccurate and politically motivated. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Inequality Study Overlooked Thousands of Micronesians. Service providers say more data is needed to help Hawaii’s most recent immigrants. Civil Beat.

The second of two Hawaii regulatory agencies has blessed the pending sale of local phone, TV and internet service provider Hawaiian Telcom to Ohio-based Cincinnati Bell. Members of the state Public Utilities Commission voted 3-0 Monday to approve the $650 million deal with several conditions. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection is launching an investigation into a data breach that impacted all 25 Zippy’s Restaurants in the state as well as its Napoleon’s Bakery, Kahala Sushi and Pearl City Sushi locations. Pacific Business News.

Boosted by the Trump administration's federal tax reform, Honolulu-based American Savings Bank reported first quarter earnings of $18.9 million for the year ending March 31, the highest quarterly net income in the company’s history. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

A bump in pay could be coming for city officials, but it's not the mayor who will be making the most. The four percent pay raise approved by the Salary Commission covers the mayor, Honolulu City Council, and city department heads and deputies. KHON2.

Thirty to 50 people who have been living along the streets and parks in Kakaako Makai were anticipating being rousted from their campsites by city crews late Monday night, and while they’re not happy about it, frequent parkgoers applauded the change in policy that will allow the sweep. Star-Advertiser.

The city now has enforcement jurisdiction at Kakaako Makai parks, which include Kewalo Basin Park, Kakaako Waterfront Park and Kakaako Makai and Mauka Gateway Parks. For the first time, city crews utilized its new enforcement authority Monday night. Hawaii News Now.

Council to city: Replace parking stalls lost to urban bike lanes (or else). Hawaii News Now.

Competition May Be Coming To Honolulu’s Bike-Share Market. The nonprofit Biki launched in June. Now the for-profit LimeBike is advertising to fill job openings for its dockless service. Civil Beat.

Several months after a deadly fire raged through the 35-story Marco Polo, a majority of condo owners voted in favor of retrofitting the 35-story building with automated sprinklers. Star-Advertiser.

Public hearings are set to begin June 6 on a new 570-unit Kakaako tower proposed by Ward Village developer Howard Hughes Corp. Star-Advertiser.

Sidewalk renovations will begin Tuesday along Kalakaua Avenue, which could mean more traffic headaches in Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

Gifts given by King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani are being returned to Iolani Palace. KITV.

The Honolulu home of 92-year-old Campbell Estate heiress Abigail Kawananakoa was burglarized over the weekend. Associated Press.

Hawaii Island

78-year-old mayor back at his desk days after heart attack. Mayor Harry Kim was at his desk Monday morning, looking fresh and rested, after undergoing evaluation and a heart procedure late last week. West Hawaii Today.

The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel &Bungalows will shut its doors in October, sending roughly 400 employees back out into the job market. West Hawaii Today.

Economists, farmers say overtreatment of coffee berry borer breaking banks. West Hawaii Today.

Mele, the young donkey that lived on the Kona Coffee Living History Farm, was killed Saturday afternoon after she was struck by what appears to have been a stray bullet fired from an adjacent agricultural property. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

County Council members halved money planned for the Wailuku civic complex, bringing it down from $81.2 million to $40 million, and the Maui Lani roundabout, originally cut by Budget and Finance Committee Chairman Riki Hokama, was back in the spending plan, but with conditions, including a review by a council committee. Maui News.

A one-mile portion of the Pipiwai Trail in east Maui will close for helicopter operations on Wednesday, May 2, 2018, in support of a trail boardwalk replacement project. Maui Now.

Kauai

Hawaii's U.S. senators surveyed damage on Kauai on Monday, and pledged to work quickly to ensure that aid continues to flow to the flood-ravaged island. Hawaii News Now.

Sen. Mazie K. Hirono joined Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr., soldiers from the Hawaii National Guard, and emergency management officials to assess storm damage on Kauai’s North Shore and discuss ways the federal government can assist community residents as they work to recover from the storm. Garden Island.

Rules may change for Kauai homeowners anxious to rebuild. KHON2.

Kauai to begin shuttle service for isolated residents, car registration deadline extended. Hawaii News Now.

Now that food and fuel are arriving, the emotions of the last two weeks are catching up to people in the isolated Kauai communities of Wainiha and Haena, where an unknown number of homes were destroyed in unprecedented flooding last month. Star-Advertiser.

For over 40 years, Shirley-Simbre-Medeiros has called Kekaha home, but in that time, she said she has seen little change in some of the problems on the Westside, which is why she’s running for Kauai County Council. Garden Island.

Hawaiian Airlines seeks to buy bankrupt competitor's assets, Ige asks Supreme Court to hurry up with Thirty Meter Telescope decision, cesspools threaten drinking water, Kahaluu residents fight homeless igloos, no rat poison found in beached whales, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian Airlines at Honolulu airport © 2017 All Hawaii News

Hawaiian Airlines’ parent to buy bankrupt Island Air’s assets for $750,000. In a surprise twist to the Island Air bankruptcy case, the trustee overseeing the liquidation filed a last-minute motion this morning disclosing that Hawaiian Airlines’ parent company has agreed to purchase the operating certificate and other assets of the failed company. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Holdings subsidiary offers to purchase Island Air assets. Pacific Business News.

The parent company of Hawaiian Airlines has offered to buy Island Air's assets and operating certificate. Hawaii News Now.

The owner of Hawaiian Airlines could soon also own Island Air. During a bankruptcy hearing for the now-defunct airlines Tuesday, an offer was made. KHON2.

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Cesspool upgrades critically necessary. A state Department of Health report released Tuesday identifies 14 areas where officials say interim cesspool upgrades are critically needed to protect public health and the environment. Star-Advertiser.

Cesspools could soon impact your drinking water, DOH says. Hawaii News Now.

‘Devastation’ Discovered In Deep Sea From Industrial Fishing. But without a $2 million donation, it may be the last expedition for the Hawaii-based research submarines and support vessel that conducted the study. Civil Beat.

A coalition of 17 Hawaii conservation supporters released its second annual state of the environment report Monday, urging greater support for environmental initiatives to help combat climate change already starting to emerge in the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Report: There Are Worse Places To Be Than Hawaii In A Health Emergency. The islands have room for improvement, but they fare well in a state-by-state comparison, according to a new survey. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Telcom expands broadband connection to 5,000 rural areas in Hawaii. In 2015, Hawaiian Telcom was awarded approximately $26 million in CAF Phase II support to continue expanding high-speed broadband internet service in Hawaii’s rural areas, mostly on the Neighbor Islands, through 2020. Pacific Business News.

Scoot: Inaugural Singapore through Osaka to Honolulu Flight. The first flight from Singapore through Osaka landed in Honolulu today. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Caldwell looks to rein in ‘monster houses’. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is backing a call by some City Council members for a moratorium on large-scale houses in residential zones until permanent language can be imposed putting limits on the so-called “monster houses” that have been sprouting up in older Oahu neighborhoods recently. Star-Advertiser.

Kahaluu residents voice concerns over plans for homeless 'igloo' shelters. Plans to build "Dome Homes" for homeless people in Windward O'ahu are just waiting for a building permit from the city. KITV.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell Builds A New-Look Police Commission. His nomination of Shannon Alivado, if confirmed, would mean all seven commissioners would be his appointees. Civil Beat.

‘Beagle Brigade’ sniffs out contraband at airport to prevent spread of pests. In the midst of holiday travel, the USDA is reminding the public of what can and cannot be transported to the mainland due to tropical pests in Hawaii that pose a threat to mainland agriculture. Star-Advertiser.

The former Sports Authority location in Kakaako will be transformed into an indoor marketplace next year for as many as 250 local vendors. Star-Advertiser.

Sexual predator abused children — and treated priests who did the same. Long-hidden documents show how the same man, prominent Honolulu psychiatrist Dr. Robert Browne, played a central role in two of Hawaii's biggest sex abuse scandals. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Gov. David Ige is urging the state Supreme Court to issue a quick decision on the Thirty Meter Telescope case. The governor is hoping the high court will fast track the case because the project faces a looming deadline. Hawaii News Now.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is seeking to fine a landowner nearly $65,000 for damage done to a plantation camp cemetery it alleges was caused by heavy machinery. But Ed Olson, whose trust purchased the land in 2015, says the equipment didn’t touch the headstones. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness voted Tuesday to provide $25,000 in state funds to Hawaii County to continue operating Camp Kikaha, a legal homeless encampment in Kona on Hawaii Island known as a “safe zone". Civil Beat.

Help is on the way for the troubled Hele-On bus system. The state Department of Transportation is sending another $419,817 in federal funds to the county, on top of the $700,000 already appropriated. Bill 87, set to be voted today by the County Council, will accept the money into county coffers. West Hawaii Today.

The W.M. Keck Observatory, which hosts two of the most powerful telescopes on Earth, is getting an upgrade to its adaptive optics system. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County in November issued its highest number of solar permits in 13 months as it continued to buck the downward trend on Oahu and Maui, the other two major PV markets in the state. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Upcountry Maui is one of 14 priority areas where cesspool upgrades are critically needed to protect public health and the environment, the Hawai‘i State Department of Health cited in a report filed today with the Legislature. Maui Now.

Erosion devouring mission property. Members of the 111-year-old Mantokuji Soto Zen Mission of Paia are hoping to save their temple building and cemetery from rapidly increasing erosion that has swept out into the shore break close to a hundred gravestones and claimed several acres of land over the years. Maui News.

Kauai

No rat poison found in beached pilot whales. A U.S. Department of Agriculture report released Tuesday indicates that no detectable levels of rat poison were found in the livers of five pilot whales stranded on Kauai in October. Star-Advertiser.

No detectable levels of rat poison were found in the five pilot whales that died on Kauai in October, according to a Tuesday state announcement. Garden Island.

Two months after five pilot whales died following a stranding on a Kauai shoreline, new lab results are ruling out rat poison as the cause. Hawaii News Now.

More than 6,000 cesspools should be replaced on Kauai in order to improve water quality, according to the state Department of Health. Garden Island.

Search on for unexploded bomb at Kealia Beach. An unexploded bomb is reportedly floating near Kealia Beach, and officials with the state, county and Pacific Missile Range Facility are on the hunt. Garden Island.

Ige's union support falters; lawmakers to take up payday loans, suicide prevention, self-driving cars in upcoming legislative session; Kauai post office to be moved; Big Island income lags; rail station privatization mulled, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Teachers union supported Gov. David Ige in 2014. Other unions are not so happy with him. Courtesy HSTA

Twice this fall the state’s largest union has issued dire warnings about efforts by Gov. David Ige’s administration to upgrade critically important state computer systems, and that pushback is taking on political implications as Ige prepares for a tough Democratic primary next year. Star-Advertiser.

Gov’s chief of staff shifts to deputy role. Mike McCartney, Gov. David Ige’s chief of staff, has been moved into a lower-­level position and salary — but gets to keep his old title — under what Ige describes as a reorganization of his office. Star-Advertiser.

Medical Pot: Taking Your Medicine Can Get You Fired. Cannabis advocates may try to strengthen patient protections in workplaces and public housing during the next legislative session. Civil Beat.

Civil Beat Poll: Let’s Have A Constitutional Convention. Two-thirds of Hawaii voters surveyed in our poll support the state holding a “con con,” the first in 40 years. Civil Beat.

State legislators aim to regulate high-interest payday loans. State lawmakers plan to again consider imposing stricter regulations on so-called payday lenders issuing loans that can carry interest rates as high as 459 percent in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers urge more funding, awareness to suicide prevention. Hawaii legislators are grappling with how to prevent suicides, the leading cause of fatal injuries in the state.  Associated Press.

Inouye among skeptics of testing self-driving cars. Hawaii’s drivers might soon share the road with self-driving cars, after Gov. David Ige signed an executive order last month allowing statewide testing of the autonomous vehicles. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Longliners Are Paying Big Bucks To Go Over Quota. Environmentalists worry short-term deals will result in overfishing. Meanwhile, fishermen seek more access to restricted areas. Civil Beat.

China ups recycling regulations, causes ripple effect felt in Hawaii. China wants to rehabilitate its environment, but one of the country’s primary initiatives to do so could leave pollutants piling up over much of the rest of the world, including Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

State creates Hawaii Defense Economy website to share data. Total defense spending in Hawaii averages around $7.8 billion a year, according to the website, and defense spending is 9.8 percent of the state’s gross domestic product. Garden Island.

Hawaiian Telcom took a step closer to being acquired by Ohio-based Cincinnati Bell on Friday, receiving one of two necessary Hawaii regulatory approvals. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Cable Television Division on Friday conditionally approved the merger transaction transferring control of Hawaiian Telcom’s Oahu cable franchise to Cincinnati Bell Inc. Pacific Business News.

Hawaiian Airlines Federal Credit Union merged with Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union last month after Hawaiian Airlines FCU’s board of directors and membership voted in favor of the merger on Sept. 8. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Hawaii Reserves Inc. has scrapped its contentious plan to put up houses in rural Malaekahana and is instead proposing a scaled-down project allowing for 300 additional residential units within the Laie ahupuaa. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu rail officials have brought on Ernst & Young Infrastructure Advisors LLC to study the potential use of a public-private partnership for the remainder of the 20-mile elevated rail project. Pacific Business News.

The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration will award Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children $514,532 to fund resident training. Pacific Business News.

Waianae latest stop for Hokulea in its 'mahalo sail' around the islands. The voyaging canoe Hokulea received a warm welcome when it arrived at Pokai Bay in Waianae Saturday as it continues its Mahalo Hawaii Sail around the islands. KITV.

Hokulea sails to the west side, celebrates Buffalo Keaulana. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Big Island household income falling behind. It’s long been said a rising tide lifts all boats, but census data released last week shows the Big Island remains grounded on the reef of a faltering economy. West Hawaii Today.

Council questions scrutiny of contingency funds. Hawaii County Council members often use their contingency funds as grants to nonprofits, which they say allows them to provide quick aid to their districts. Tribune-Herald.

Delay sought in TMT sublease contested case. Attorneys for the University of Hawaii and TMT International Observatory are asking that a contested case for the telescope’s sublease not proceed at this time. Tribune-Herald.

Raises for UH staffers: Many at UH-Hilo, HCC earn more than $100K per year. Nearly a dozen executive and managerial employees at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College will get merit-based raises effective Jan. 1. Tribune-Herald.

Wind farm seeks incidental take permit.  The operator of Lalamilo Wind Farm has applied for a federal permit that would allow for the incidental taking of two endangered Hawaiian species during the project’s operation. West Hawaii Today.

$30M Waikoloa resort project moving forward. Two years after the Planning Department accepted applications to rezone part of a Waikoloa parcel and grant a special management area use permit for a proposed 44-unit resort development, the Leeward Planning Commission is expected to take up the issue this week. West Hawaii Today.

Non-native birds thrive where coquis abide, study finds. The proliferation of coqui frogs in Hawaii has had a significant, and surprising, impact on non-­native birds — not that indigenous birds have bothered to notice. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Illegal fireworks are booming. Resident: ‘It cannot be a cultural thing, every single night from Halloween to the first week in February’. Maui News.

Maui residents call for end to Illegal fireworks. With New Year's around the corner, Maui residents are complaining over social media about loud booms in their neighborhoods, which are irritating residents and frightening children and pets. Associated Press.

Pilot program aims to use oysters to filter pollution from Maalaea bay water. According to UH researchers, oysters can filter 50 to 100 gallons of water a day. Maui News.

Kauai

Community blasts USPS decision to close Lihue office. The U.S. Postal Service is under criticism for giving the Kauai community “false hope” that it would prevail in its appeal to save the historic Lihue Post Office. Star-Advertiser.

Molokai

2 killed in fiery crash of small plane on Molokai. The Cessna 206 propeller plane crashed while en route to the Molokai Airport under unknown circumstances, said Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Allen Kenitzer. Star-Advertiser.