$100M in federal disaster relief passes U.S. Senate, high marks for state school superintendent, urban Honolulu population drops, Hawaiian Airlines error nets $12 Mainland fares, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (center right) perches on the edge of expanded caldera ©2019 All Hawaii News

 Senate approves disaster funding bill with more than $100M for Big Island, Kauai. A measure that provides nearly $100 million to relocate the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory was approved by the U.S. Senate on Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii School Superintendent Gets High Marks In Year 2. Christina Kishimoto received a positive evaluation from the state Board of Education. Civil Beat.

The Public Utilities Commission issued a decision and order Thursday to prioritize new regulations designed to lower electricity costs, improve customer service, expand customer choices and cost-effectively meet the state’s clean- energy goals. Star-Advertiser.

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Honolulu’s Population Fell In 2018. Oahu is getting less crowded while more people are living on the neighbor islands according to 2018 census data. Civil Beat.

Honolulu’s population declined for a 4th consecutive year in 2018. At a time when people are moving to cities in droves, Urban Honolulu appears to be an exception. Hawaii News Now.

Zero-miles flights really were too good to be true. A computer coding error at Hawaiian Airlines led to an online flood of ticket sales Monday. It looked like flights could be purchased for zero HawaiianMiles, with customers paying only the taxes on the fares. KHON2.

Oahu

Kealoha trial jurors are shown a mailbox and more surveillance video. Prosecutors in the federal conspiracy trial of retired Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his former deputy prosecutor wife, Katherine Kealoha, showed the jury Thursday an actual mailbox and more surveillance video of a person taking the Kealohas’ mailbox. Star-Advertiser.

‘Why Us?’ Homicide Detective Wondered As He Was Assigned To Mailbox Case. Testifying during Day 2 of the Kealoha trial, Dru Akagi said he thought it was a “conflict” to take on a theft case in which his boss the police chief was an alleged victim. Civil Beat.

Homicide detective who helped investigate Kealoha mailbox theft asked ‘Why us?’ A homicide detective who investigated the theft of the Kealohas’ mailbox was among six witnesses who took the stand Thursday in the second day of a public corruption trial against Honolulu’s ex-police chief, his wife and three officers. Hawaii News Now.

KEALOHA TRIAL: "Why us?" Homicide detective takes the stand. KHON2.

Testimony continues as the Kealoha Trial enters Day Two. After her attorney labeled this trial simply a misunderstanding from a fighting family, prosecutors presented evidence they feel showed Katherine Kealoha was the mastermind behind this conspiracy. KITV.

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Equipment torched amid conflict over Waimanalo park. An excavator and a bulldozer were set on fire near the entrance of Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, also known as Sherwoods and Sherwood Forest, where preliminary work for a much- protested city project is underway. Star-Advertiser.

Police suspect heavy equipment blaze at controversial development was intentionally set. Honolulu police officials believe heavy-duty machinery that was being used to clear ironwood trees at Sherwood Forest were intentionally set ablaze late Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Kailua Beach Park again picked as best in the U.S. Hawaii's Kailua Beach Park has been selected as the best stretch of sand for an annual list of top U.S. public beaches compiled by Florida International University Prof. Stephen Leatherman, also known as "Dr. Beach." Associated Press.

Hawaii Island

Senate Disaster Relief Includes Nearly $70 M For Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Big Island Video News.

Breaking down the budget. Community Forums on Thursday evening hosted a panel of county officials, headed by Mayor Harry Kim, to explain and justify their asks in the wake of a financial calendar year marred by volcanic tragedy, mass transit turmoil and homeless disruption across the island. West Hawaii Today.

Overcrowded Hawaii Community Correctional Center is moving closer to expansion, with the publication Thursday of an anticipated finding of no significant environmental impact for a new building. West Hawaii Today.

The state Department of Public Safety has issued a draft environmental assessment for a new medium-security unit at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center. Tribune-Herald.

3 Hawaii island visitors confirmed to have contracted rat lungworm disease. The state Health Department has received confirmation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of three unrelated cases of rat lungworm disease diagnosed in visitors to Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Maui Water Quality Group Settles Injection Well Litigation with County. Attorney for the group, Lance D. Collins says that after over a decade of litigation, the Pukoa o Kama Alliance has agreed to settle its case in exchange for the County’s commitment to continue reducing its reliance on injection wells in South Maui. Maui Now.

An update on the Wailuku Civic Complex will be given by the Maui Redevelopment Agency on Friday, May 24, 2019, in the Planning Department Conference Room at 1 p.m. Maui Now.

Kahului Temperature Hits Record for Fourth Time in Five Days. The National Weather Service reports that the temperature at Kahului Airport on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, reached 96 degrees, breaking the old record of 92 degrees set for that day in 2014. Maui Now.

Kauai

$11M for wildlife refuge. The Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge is getting federal money for repairs and is one step closer to establishing a new lookout so people can see the restored refuge. Garden Island.

Legislature kills water permit plan, flavored vape bill dies, Public Safety director confirmation delayed, Maui jail riot evidence missing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Flume brings water from the mountain to valley farmland ©2019 All Hawaii News

Senate panel shelves bill on access to public water. A Senate committee Thursday killed a bill that would have allowed an assortment of utilities, landowners, ranchers and farmers to continue accessing public water under revocable permits while they worked to satisfy stringent state requirements for obtaining long-term leases. Star-Advertiser.

Water Rights Bill Goes Down The Drain In ‘Historic Vote’. The land company Alexander & Baldwin is among the big losers after senators can’t agree on a proposal to allow stream diversion to continue. Civil Beat.

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Decision on reappointment of public safety director is delayed. The Senate Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs Committee on Thursday delayed making a decision on whether to advise the full Senate to reconfirm Nolan Espinda as Gov. David Ige’s pick to lead the department after hearing two hours of testimony from both supporters and opponents. Star-Advertiser.

Senators’ Scrutiny Of Public Safety Chief Will Stretch Into Next Week. Nolan Espinda faces two more days of committee hearings before his reconfirmation will be considered by the full Senate. Civil Beat.

Senate Committee Defers Decision On Public Safety Chief’s Confirmation. A state Senate committee deferred a decision Thursday on Governor David Ige’s nominee to head the Department of Public Safety. Hawaii Public Radio.

Public Safety Director fights to keep his job, faces opposition. Senate committee to decide if they'll recommend Espinda for the director position to the full Senate next week. KITV.

Embattled Public Safety director testifies at confirmation hearing. Embattled Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda addressed senators at his confirmation hearing Thursday, saying he’s proud of the progress he’s made at the head of a department that oversees the state’s correctional facilities and sheriff’s division. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii legislative committee kills ban on flavored e-cigarettes. Hawaii lawmakers today killed a proposal that would have banned flavored electronic smoking devices and e-liquids, saying they suspected teenagers would continue to get the products online even if sales were prohibited. Star-Advertiser.

Surprising Support For New Tax On Hawaii’s Powerful Real Estate Interests. Past efforts to tax REITs, which own $18 billion of property locally, have gone nowhere. This session, the proposal has already passed the full Senate and House committees. Civil Beat.

In wake of critical audit, OHA board approves internal reboot. Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees unanimously approved a new governance framework for the agency Thursday in a push to address the results of a critical audit. Hawaii News Now.

Micronesians In Hawaii Still Struggle To Get Health Care. Low-income patients are afraid of going to the doctor and being saddled with co-payments. Unlike U.S. citizens or many green card holders, they aren’t eligible for Medicaid. Civil Beat.

Legislators Seek Ways To Improve Healthcare for Micronesians. Hawaii Public Radio.

Meth, weed use up, cocaine down. Marijuana and amphetamine use is on the rise in Hawaii, according to an analysis of drug test results. Garden Island.

Hawaiian Airlines begins service to Boston. Hawaiian Airlines on Thursday celebrated a milestone in its 90-year history by becoming the only carrier to offer nonstop flights between Honolulu and Boston. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Waters Leads Ozawa In Money Raised And Spent In City Council Race. The service workers union AiKea Unite Here raised $170,000 in three months to support Waters. Civil Beat.

Waters out-raising and out-spending Ozawa. Tommy Waters raised more and spent more than Trevor Ozawa through March 29 in their winner-take-all, third-round election duel for the Honolulu City Council District 4 seat. Star-Advertiser.

The Special Election for the District 4 seat in the Honolulu City Council is eight days away. Tommy Waters has raised about $97,000 more in campaign contributions than Trevor Ozawa. KITV.

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Unsealed court documents released Thursday show Katherine Kealoha is mentally fit to stand trial. A forensic psychiatrist evaluated Kealoha last November for about two and a half hours. KITV.

Caldwell plan for garbage fee could be trashed. Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s plan to impose a $5 monthly curbside trash pickup fee on Oahu households may be tossed into the rubbish heap, Honolulu City Council Budget Chairman Joey Manahan said. Star-Advertiser.

Solvent contamination delays rail work. The discovery of contamination from an industrial solvent in a monitoring well near the Honolulu airport halted drilling for columns on a segment of the Honolulu rail project for more than three months, according to the rail authority. Star-Advertiser.

One year after major flood, repairs to Aina Haina Library finally complete. A year after floodwaters rushed through Aina Haina Library, leaving behind a big mess, the popular community gathering place is set to reopen. Hawaii News Now.

Hippo Louise moves into her newly renovated home at Honolulu Zoo. After the completion of a $3.5 million capital improvement project, the hippo habitat now features an upgraded barn and a filtration system that cycles the 40,000-gallon hippo pond every 20 minutes. KHON2.

Oahu home prices continue to rise despite lower sales. Single-family home prices on Oahu rose over the past 12 months even as overall sales dropped and condominium prices remained flat. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Fish in marine reserve off North Kona coast are recovering, surveys find. Signs that fish populations are beginning to recover at the Ka‘upulehu Marine Reserve off the North Kona coast are giving scientists and community members hope after two years of restrictions on fishing. Star-Advertiser.

Fish Recovering At Kaupulehu Two Years Into Moratorium. Based on surveys conducted in 2018, the Nature Conservancy reported an increase in fish populations at the Kaupulehu Marine Reserve. Big Island Video News.

Open space fund draws most opinion at charter meeting. The Charter Commission afforded West Hawaii residents a platform Wednesday to make their voices heard on potential amendments to the county’s foundational document. West Hawaii Today.

Possible relocation of HVO to Oahu raises concerns. Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno is among those concerned about a potential move of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to Oahu. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo Farmers Market Permit Revoked, New Permits Sought. A plan to construct a 3-story commercial building at the current Hilo Farmers Market site has been abandoned in favor of a “scaled-down, open-air building concept” that requires different permits. Big Island Video News.

Farmers market’s SMA permit revoked. Long-abandoned plans to build a three-story building at the Hilo Farmers Market have been formally scrapped. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

DOE will build underpass or overpass to Kihei high school. This follows LUC vote reaffirming project condition. The state Department of Education said Wednesday that it will comply with the requirement to build an overpass or underpass across Piilani Highway to Kihei high school — but not until after the school opens. Maui News.

Infrastructure Exploratory Work Begins in Wailuku. The first phase of the Wailuku Civic Complex project includes the full upgrade of roads and utilities on the block of Church Street between Main and Vineyard streets as well as the two blocks of Vineyard between High and Market streets. Maui Now.

Video Evidence from Maui Jail Riot is Missing. The incident remains under investigation but, department officials have pointed toward “extreme overcrowded conditions” as the motivation behind the riot. Maui Now.

Vital piece of evidence in investigation into Maui jail riot is missing. Hawaii News Now.

Phone threat prompts lockdown at Maui hospital. A spokesman from the Maui Police Department says Maui Memorial Medical Center was placed on lockdown Thursday night. KHON2.

Kauai

Recycling facility moves to Ahukini. The certified redemption center accepts all Hi5 products and also will have a buy-back program for aluminum, copper, brass and stainless steel scrap metals. Garden Island.

State abuse notifications violate federal law, Kenoi trial starts today, $8.3M in rail change orders, more on feral cat poop problem, REITs cost millions in tax losses, Thirty Meter Telescope hearing Thursday, Maui wastewater overflow, Kauai water project, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kilauea crater overflow, courtesy Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Kilauea Volcano’s summit lava lake has deposited fresh lava onto the floor of Halema‘uma‘u Crater for the first time since spring 2015. Tribune-Herald.

The procedures the state has used for years to notify thousands of Hawaii families suspected of child abuse or neglect in less serious cases do not meet U.S. regulations and must be changed, according to the preliminary findings of a federal investigation. Star-Advertiser.

Two years ago the state Legislature wanted to know the value of a Hawaii tax deduction that benefits real estate investment trusts, or REITs. Now they know, and it’s way higher than they previously estimated. Star-Advertiser.

Feces from Hawaii's stray cats threatens seals: Video. Pacific Business News.

A replacement has been found for Jim Williams, who resigned from the Hawaii state Board of Education last month. Gov. David Ige on Monday appointed former public school teacher and principal Darrel Galera. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu rail leaders approved $8.3 million in leftover change orders Thursday — cost increases related to delays and premature starts that hit the project’s first 10 miles. Star-Advertiser.

Following Monday’s meeting with the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s board of directors, chairwoman Colleen Hanabusa told KHON2 she wants a complete overhaul to fix a crumbling critical component to the rail.

Honolulu voters will be asked in November to decide whether to change the rules governing the city’s Affordable Housing Fund. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is expected to nominate former Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Steven Levinson to the Honolulu Police Commission. Civil Beat.

HPD: Officers' actions before Kunia shooting were appropriate. Hawaii News Now.

An elementary school serving mostly military families on Schofield Barracks now bears the name of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, who was remembered Monday during a ceremony at the campus as a staunch supporter of education and the military. Star-Advertiser.

Teachers and administrators met at Radford High School for their first ever technology summit, Monday. Hawaii News Now.

School just got cooler for students at Jefferson Elementary in Waikiki. The Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association donated 32 air conditioners and fans that'll help fend off the campus's blistering heat. KITV.

Almost a century ago, Kakaako, with its dusty streets and dilapidated houses, seemed to be asleep, just awakening to the fact that business was encroaching on its boundaries. Civil Beat.

Jon McKenna, who abruptly departed from his position as the top executive of Associa Hawaii just a few weeks ago, is now with his former property management company’s chief competitor, Hawaiiana Management Co., his new company confirmed to Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

A jury was seated Monday in the trial of Mayor Billy Kenoi, clearing the way for opening statements that will start today in Hilo Circuit Court. Honolulu Circuit Court Judge Dexter Del Rosario, who is hearing the high-profile case, said he expects closing arguments to be held Oct. 31. Tribune-Herald.

On Hawaii Island, jury selection has wrapped and opening statements for the trial of Mayor Billy Kenoi will take place Tuesday. KHON2.

We will live stream court proceedings, however the signal may be cut off when the court goes into recess or has private bench conferences with the attorneys. When the trial resumes, our coverage will continue. KHON2.

Attorneys with the University of Hawaii at Hilo have accused Thirty Meter Telescope foes of waging a campaign to disrupt and delay the contested case hearing with the aim of having the case overturned on appeal. Star-Advertiser.

The start of witness testimony in the Thirty Meter Telescope contested case was delayed until Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

VIDEO: TMT Opponents Asked About Attorney Withdrawal. Big Island Video News.

Kim wants say in nominations: Flurry of last-minute Kenoi posts to county boards raises concerns. West Hawaii Today.

A former police officer was found dead on Sunday, two days before he was scheduled to change his plea in an assault case. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

A new classroom building at a crowded Maui campus is still empty, nearly three weeks after a blessing ceremony. Hawaii News Now.

A wastewater overflow of approximately 4,600 gallons occurred on Friday, Oct. 14, at 3 p.m. along South Kīhei Road. Maui Now.

Pavement striping will prompt alternating lane closures on Mokulele Highway between North Kihei and Kamaaina roads this week, according to the state Department of Transportation. Maui News.

Kauai

The water department is planning a $3.5 million project to make the dispersal of water from the Kapaia Reservoir more efficient. Garden Island.

U.S. Rep. Takai to lie in state today, Kilauea volcano adds 8 acres to Big Island, hepatitis lawsuit filed, university project lost in space, Maui senator's house burned twice, Honolulu ride-hailing bill becomes law, little medical care on Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kilauea Volcano flows to sea, courtesy USGS

Geologists and national park officials are warning people not to get too close to the lava entering the ocean. Star-Advertiser.

The journey starts deep within Earth and ends in one spectacular collision. On the southeast coast of Hawaii Island, molten rock continues to spill into the Pacific Ocean, creating billowing clouds of steam and adding new land to the rugged coastline. Tribune-Herald.

USGS

A field excursion provided Hawaii news media an opportunity to meet and interact with staff from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense, and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the three agencies that monitor the active flow and help manage public safety on Kīlauea. Big Island Video News.

The late U.S. Rep. Mark Takai will lie in state today at the state Capitol courtyard, where visitors can pay respects from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Public viewing will begin following a short program, and a book of condolence will be available for the public to sign. Star-Advertiser.

The public is invited to pay their final respects to late Hawaii Congressman and longtime state legislator Mark Takai. KHON2.

The Hawaii State Ethics Commission has advised state employees and lawmakers that they can accept free passes to a major environmental conference Sept. 1-10 in Honolulu. The International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress is set to hold its quadrennial meeting for the first time ever in the United States. Civil Beat.

Hawaii regulators have set a schedule for Hawaiian Electric Co.’s major energy plans, which will set the agenda for the state’s energy industry. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii’s State Of The Environment: Good, Bad And Ugly. A new report highlights challenges and opportunities. Civil Beat.

NASA today said it lost the payload of a suborbital rocket carrying student experiments — including one designed by University of Hawaii students — as it returned to Earth, a rare occurrence that’s being investigated. Star-Advertiser.

A former assistant attorney general of Missouri is now the chief counsel for the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, replacing Thomas Gorak, who moved into the position of commissioner on the PUC. Commission Chairman Randy Iwase appointed Caroline Ishida as chief counsel effective July 26. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Department of Health officials said Wednesday that they have identified 38 new cases of hepatitis A, bringing the total of this summer’s outbreak to 206 statewide. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii authorities are urging diners to be aware of the risks of eating raw and undercooked food after they traced a hepatitis A outbreak to frozen scallops served raw at a sushi restaurant chain. Associated Press.

It took only a day for the first lawsuit to be filed. Oahu resident Brant Mauk filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Genki Sushi and Koha Foods alleging negligence for serving him the likely source of Hawaii’s ongoing hepatitis A outbreak. Civil Beat.

Those seeking Hep A vaccine encounter long lines, waits. Hawaii News Now.

Local travel industry leaders are gathering in Honolulu to discuss industry trends. The Hawaii chapter of the Pacific Asia Travel Association plans to meet at a Waikiki hotel on Thursday. Associated Press.

Oahu

Embattled executive Dan Grabauskas’ fate with the largest public works project in Hawaii history could be disclosed today as the board overseeing rail resumes its closed-door discussions on his job performance. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell allowed a bill placing regulations on Uber, Lyft and other ride-hailing companies to become law without his signature Wednesday, citing logistical problems that he maintains could put the public’s safety in jeopardy. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has decided to allow a bill to regulate ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft to go into law without his signature, and said in a press release that he hopes the City Council will work with his administration to amend it this fall. Civil Beat.

The state Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation temporarily will issue revocable permits for two sites in the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, which were intended to be developed by Honey Bee USA as part of a public-private partnership. Star-Advertiser.

Once city and state officials signed a right-of-entry agreement early Friday, it wasn’t long before Honolulu police and state Department of Transportation workers descended on a busy traffic triangle on Atkinson Drive near Ala Moana Center to evict the homeless couple who had occupied the state-owned property for the better part of a year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille appears set to get a seat at the table if the Hawaii County Council forms a panel tasked with reducing waste from food packaging and other consumer products. Tribune-Herald.

More than 40 teachers, administrators and others came out Wednesday evening for a town hall meeting about the Every Student Succeeds Act and the future of public education in Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

The Board of Land and Natural Resources earlier this year approved a marine reserve at Kaupulehu, enacting a 10-year rest period and creating a no-take area spanning a 3.6-mile stretch of West Hawaii coastline. The decision produced a divergence of opinion within the Native Hawaiian community as it was met with substantial resistance, particularly from Palikapu Dedman of the Pele Defense Fund, who asserted the ban was a violation of his religion and Hawaiian gathering rights. West Hawaii Today.

The Kapiolani Street extension is set to open this afternoon. A blessing of the completed work, which closes a 0.5-mile gap between Lanikaula Street and Mohouli Street, is planned for 11 a.m. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

State Sen. J. Kalani English says he is installing a security video system at his home in Hana after someone set fire to his house for the second time in four months. Star-Advertiser.

Maui County is a step closer to acquiring more than 250 acres near the world-famous "Jaws" surf break in East Maui after a Maui County Council committee recommended approval Tuesday of a resolution to acquire the lands owned by Alexander & Baldwin. Maui News.

Kauai

About one third of Kauai’s population has to leave the island for hospital procedures, according to Barbara Kim Stanton, AARP Hawaii State director. Garden Island.

The Kauai County Council unanimously voted Wednesday to approve exemptions for the Lima Ola Workforce Housing project to help ease an affordable housing crisis. Garden Island.

Kilauea volcano hurls rocks, restraining order issued in House race, state retirement plan sues over Maui hospital deal, dairy farm selling to rival, Hanabusa congressional coronation, state recommends hepatitis vaccine, residents sue over geothermal gas leak, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

People view lava flow, courtesy Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park reported Tuesday that an explosion at Kilauea Volcano’s summit Saturday night hurled molten and solid rock onto the rim of Halemaumau Crater and destroyed the power system for a scientific instrument used in volcano research. Star-Advertiser.

An explosive event occurred at the summit of Kilauea volcano at 10:02 p.m., HST, on Saturday night. Big Island Video News.

USGS

The area around the former Halema‘uma‘u overlook has been closed -- due to an explosion at the crater Saturday night. KITV.

Tour operators say they're seeing a spike in customers ever since lava from Kilauea started to drip into the ocean at Kamokuna. Hawaii News Now.

The state repeated its recommendation Tuesday that all Hawaii residents get vaccinated against hepatitis A as the food industry took steps to prevent more outbreaks among workers. Star-Advertiser.

Democracy is far from free, and so is the cost of the election. “We estimate that it comes to a little bit more than $1.5 million per election,” said chief election officer Scott Nago. KHON2.

Tulsi Gabbard was a virtual unknown four years ago when she ran for the U.S. House of Representatives. Political analysts say they doubt that as a political newcomer Shay Chan Hodges poses a serious threat to Gabbard’s re-election bid. Star-Advertiser.

Congressional Candidates Try To Stave Off A Hanabusa ‘Coronation’. The Democratic race to represent urban Oahu looks like a shoo-in for Colleen Hanabusa, but the list of candidates is long. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s largest public pension fund suffered the brunt of three global shocks during the last 12 months to once again fall far short of the returns it needs to meet its financial obligations. Star-Advertiser.

A Hawaii agency is concerned with the way a $150 million state clean-energy loan program may be doling out funding for projects, Pacific Business News has learned.

Some taxpayer services will be limited Thursday and Friday while the state Department of Taxation transfers data to a new computer system as part of its Tax System Modernization program. Services that require access to the current computer system will be affected. Star-Advertiser.

An effort to protect Hawaii’s native plants is proving effective, as about 35 percent more state species have been placed on a global list of threatened species since last year. Associated Press.

Oahu

A state judge has issued a temporary restraining order against a Republican House candidate, requiring him to stay away from state Rep. Della Au Belatti. Hawaii News Now.

Just days before Saturday’s primary election, both Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and his challenger former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou are turning up the heat in television and radio commercials and other campaign material — attacking each other rather than touting their own attributes. Star-Advertiser.

When it comes to the unfinished rail line, Kirk Caldwell and Peter Carlisle agree on many things, including how much it will cost to complete the route to Ala Moana Center: $1.5 billion. Civil Beat.

More than half of O’ahu voters are expected to mail in their absentee ballots or do early walk-in voting before this Saturday’s primary election.   That means the stakes are still high in the race for Honolulu Mayor. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu’s mayor and City Council members currently are allowed to serve two consecutive four-year terms, while the city prosecutor has no term limits. That could change come November should voters elect to give mayors and Council members an additional term and limit the prosecutor to just three terms. Civil Beat.

For nearly a year now, classrooms used by the College of Education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa have been shut down. KHON2.

Councilman says longtime contraflow lane draws concerns, prompts need for change. KHON2.

A state judge Tuesday dismissed the gambling promotion and racketeering case against three men who distributed or owned 77 arcade machines that Honolulu police seized in 2012 and that a federal judge had deemed as gambling devices. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Richard Ha, one of the first people selected to open medical marijuana dispensaries on Hawaii Island, gave the community on Tuesday a glimpse into his company’s budding plans. Tribune-Herald.

A class action lawsuit was filed last week against Puna Geothermal Venture over its gas release two years ago during Tropical Storm Iselle. Tribune-Herald.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday that it had awarded a $750,000 grant to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to develop a network of low-cost air pollution sensors for detecting volcanic smog on the Big Island of Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

For at least a decade, Hawi dairy farmer Ed Boteilho has pushed the state for incentives to help keep local dairies alive. This time, he’s really leaving. West Hawaii Today.

Community, legislators respond to Donald Trump labeling Philippines ‘terrorist nation’ West Hawaii Today.

Maui

A super PAC of Maui time-share owners has spent more than $43,000 to support Keith Regan, who is running for one of the two open Maui County Council seats, according to campaign spending reports filed last week. Maui News.

When East Maui, Lanai and Molokai voters head to the primary polls to cast their ballots for the 13th District representative in the state House of Representatives, they'll have two Democratic candidates to choose from. Maui News.

The Hawaii Employees’ Retirement System filed a lawsuit in Oahu Circuit Court on Tuesday to block a law providing severance benefits to roughly 1,500 Maui County hospital workers from taking effect. Star-Advertiser.

The state Employees’ Retirement System filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the state of Hawaii and the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation to stop the implementation of a law that offers special retirement benefits to certain state employees. Civil Beat.

Maui Land & Pineapple Co. secured a $27 million revolving credit line with First Hawaiian Bank on Thursday to be used to refinance a loan with Wells Fargo Bank that was to come due Aug. 1, state Public Utilities Commission documents show. Maui News.

Kauai

Dozens of Lihue residents have signed a petition against a proposed project aimed at adding a bicycle boulevard on roadways near their residence. Garden Island.

The Kokee Air Force Base is operating in blackout conditions to avoid grounding anymore endangered seabirds after receiving a June 28 letter threatening a lawsuit. Garden Island.

A change in Hawaii’s care delivery system is in the works and it’s a fundamental departure from the current fee-for-service model, which reimburses doctors based on visit numbers and service types. Garden Island.

Japan's Abe nixes Pearl Harbor trip, NextEra reconsidering $4.3B Hawaii electric purchase, crash that killed health director was preventable, revenues council tweaks projection downward, Honolulu rail board reconsidering route, $135M Coco Palms reno slows, ohia wilt a concern, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kilauea lava flow a Puu Oo, courtesy Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Scientists have posted the first images of the new lava breakouts that began erupting this morning from the flanks of Puʻu ʻŌʻō. Big Island Video News.

Lava began flowing in two directions from Kilauea’s Pu‘u ‘O‘o cone Tuesday morning. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Civil Defense and geologists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are watching two new lava flows from the Puu Oo vent that began Tuesday morning. Star-Advertiser.

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President Barack Obama said Wednesday he plans to use his historic visit to Hiroshima with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to reflect on the suffering of war and the need to take steps to prevent it. Abe said he had no plans to reciprocate Obama's gesture by paying his own visit to Pearl Harbor. Associated Press.

NextEra Energy Inc.’s proposed $4.3 billion takeover of Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. is looking less and less likely as the company gets a new chance to buy the largest power distributor in Texas, analysts said. Bloomberg News.

The $4.3 billion merger deal between Florida-based NextEra Energy and Hawaiian Electric Industries is looking less likely to go through, analysts said in a Bloomberg story Tuesday. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Co.’s announcement last week that it has reached an agreement with a subsidiary of Fortis Inc. for the Canadian electric and gas utility giant to supply the state’s largest utility with liquefied natural gas as a replacement for oil has surprised the other Hawaii utility looking to ship in LNG. Pacific Business News.

A panel of experts charged with predicting how much the state will collect in taxes revised its estimate downward Tuesday by about $34 million for this year, but that isn’t expected to cause any great hardship in state government. Star-Advertiser.

The Council on Revenues tweaked its state revenue forecast downward today despite numerous economic indicators pointing to an upward trend. Hawaii Public Radio.

For the first time, former Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa admits she's thinking about running for U.S. Rep. Mark Takai's seat. Hawaii News Now.

State lawmakers passed two bills in an attempt to monitor and reduce the number of opioid-related overdoses in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

To hear the state’s prison officials tell it, Hawaii is saving millions of dollars by sending hundreds of its excess prison inmates to the mainland. But a closer inspection shows that the deal isn’t as much of a bargain as it seems. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Rail board members are now openly questioning whether narrow Dillingham Boulevard would be the best path on which to build the island’s transit system heading into town, as the project faces huge costs and the community braces for the impacts of building through that crowded corridor. Star-Advertiser.

One of the biggest uncertainties for Honolulu’s commuter rail project — aside from concerns that there’s not enough money to build it — is how much it will cost to relocate utilities along the proposed route. Civil Beat.

Opponents of a planned tourist attraction with commercial hula shows and luau buffets amid gardens deep in Manoa Valley have a new opportunity to contest the project following a lapsed permit for the work. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: There’s no dispute that the 2012 general election was marred by widespread ballot shortages that caused confusion and delays at many polling places. Now the Hawaii Supreme Court will have to decide what, if anything, needs to be done about it. The court heard oral arguments last week in the appeal of a lawsuit brought by the Green Party of Hawaii and seven individual voters stemming from the 2012 ballot fiasco. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

Rocks placed on the Mauna Kea Access Road on May 16 have rekindled tensions on the mountain, as state conservation officers seek a person of interest spotted on a Visitor Information Center camera. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii state conservation officers are seeking a suspect who placed rocks on the access road to the Big Island's Mauna Kea. Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement officers said in a statement Tuesday that a shirtless man wearing board shorts and slippers was captured on surveillance cameras just before the rocks appeared. Associated Press.

Government officials at levels from Hilo to Washington, D.C., are calling for increased resources and collaboration to fight rapid ohia death. Tribune-Herald.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz is pressing federal and state authorities to bolster efforts to eradicate the fungus killing tens of thousands of acres of native ohia trees on the Big Island, comparing the spread of the disease known as rapid ohia death to a large forest fire in scope and degree of devastation. Star-Advertiser.

State land chairwoman Suzanne Case has approved an environmental review for a logging operation of non-native trees in the Waiakea Timber Management Area on Hawaii island. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii State Ethics Commission announced Tuesday that it has resolved a complaint over Big Island Sen. Josh Green’s failure to disclose property he owns on Oahu. The commission decided to agree to a settlement in which the senator must pay a $300 administrative penalty, giving him a lighter penalty in large part because of his cooperation in the investigation. Civil Beat.

Defamation, malice, and cunning. That’s how a Hawaii Island Humane Society response is characterizing a lawsuit filed in mid-April by Big Island Dog Rescue. West Hawaii Today.

Maui
The Makani Kai Air Cessna crash that led to the death of state Department of Health Director Loretta Fuddy three years ago off Molokai's Kalaupapa peninsula could have been prevented, according to a report by the National Transportation Safety Board. Maui News.

Despite concerns about traffic, the 1,600-acre Waikapu Country Town project advanced Tuesday as the Maui Planning Commission formalized its comments on the development's draft environmental impact statement. Maui News.

A Maui County Council committee recommended two proposed charter amendments and deferred three others Monday, as members began the task of whittling down nearly 20 proposals for November's general election ballot. Maui News.

The Historic Hawai'i Foundation is recognizing four Maui County projects for historic preservation honors during its 42nd annual Preservation Honor Awards ceremony Friday in Honolulu. Maui News.

Kauai

A $135-million project to bring Coco Palms back to life is still moving ahead. After being told that funding for the project is in the bank, the Planning Commission unanimously voted Tuesday to defer its decision on demolition of the resort until June 28. Garden Island.

An “SOS” drawn in the sand led to the rescue today of two hikers stranded overnight on the Na Pali Coast Trail on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

A couple was rescued on Kalalau beach Tuesday morning after writing a signal for help in the sand. Garden Island.

Four victims of Monday’s plane crash at the Port Allen Airport have been identified by friends and family. Enzo Amitrano, Wayne Rose, and brothers Marshall and Phillip Cabe died in the accident. The pilot has not been identified. Garden Island.

The Sunday discovery of 34 dead wedge-tailed shearwater birds near Kauai’s Spouting Horn remains under investigation, but officers with Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources still believe dogs are behind the killings. Garden Island.