Interior Department issues new Hawaiian language guidance, Green pushes climate fee, Saiki, Roth out-raising challengers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Department of the Interior releases new guidance to honor, elevate Hawaiian language. A comprehensive new Departmental Manual chapter underscores the Department’s commitment to further integrating Indigenous Knowledge and cultural practices into conservation stewardship. Kauai Now.

Full text of new Department of the Interior chapter can be found here.

Bill to raise Hawaii DOE superintendent pay cap sparks controversy. Hawaii DOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi currently makes $240,000 a year. A bill would raise that cap to $350,000, but there’s no shortage of frustration when talking about pay increases for government officials. Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers consider bills to address childcare staffing shortages. SB 2603 and its companion bill, HB1964, would require the Department of Human Services to establish a childcare subsidy and bonus program for workers caring for children six weeks to 3 years old. KITV4.

Hawaii’s Governor Wants To Finally Get A Climate Fee Passed, But Will It Be Enough? The state is falling short by hundreds of millions of dollars each year to protect its environment, conservationists say. The new proposal would raise about $70 million annually. Civil Beat.

Bills would regulate short-term rentals. A bill that seeks to give the counties the power to control short-term rentals — even phase them out— is moving in the state Legislature. Other bills under consideration are geared to encouraging better regulation of short-term rentals, or providing incentives to convert them into longer-term housing. Star-Advertiser.

House Speaker Well Funded In Rematch With Persistent Opponent. Scott Saiki has 10 times the amount of cash in his campaign war chest compared with Kim Coco Iwamoto. Civil Beat.

Wildfire issues take center stage among Hawaii lawmakers. Predicting wildfires using artificial intelligence, banning new overhead high-voltage power lines and paying for catastrophic fire property losses could be in Hawaii’s future depending on state lawmaker decisions this year. Star-Advertiser.

HECO-Backed Bill Would Help Protect Utilities From Litigation Over Wildfire Damage. Utilities, insurers, large landowners and the state would pay into a "wildfire relief fund" to help pay for property damage claims. Civil Beat.

HECO’s Board Chair Is Suing His Own Utility Over The Maui Fires. Timothy Johns has recused himself from some HECO decisions, as an activist shareholder calls for overhauling HECO's board. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s New $120M Undersea Cable Project Is A ‘Serious Poke’ To Shake Up The Market. The state will retain a 20% ownership interest in the interisland network, which will compete with Hawaiian Telcom. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Lawmakers Consider Banning Excessive Delirium As A Cause Of Death. The term already isn't being used by the Medical Examiner's Office and most doctors, officials said. But advocates want to ban it officially. Civil Beat.

Hawaii retail market faced exodus, but some are optimistic. Times are tough for those in retail, but some retailers are still forging ahead with the opening of new stores, with hopes of betters times to come. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

HART mulls scrapping internal audit. A plan to scrap a previously sought top-down internal review of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation is underway. Star-Advertiser.

29 Honolulu police officers disciplined in 2023. Twenty-nine Honolulu police officers were disciplined in 2023 in connection with 28 incidents, including covering up police pursuits that ended in crashes and acquiring parts to build a ghost gun. Star-Advertiser.

Navy water system sees increase in tap water, air quality complaints. The Navy is responsible for maintaining water quality, as the water purveyor for the water system, and is therefore primarily responsible for water testing, under regulatory oversight by the state Department of Health and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Star-Advertiser.

Backlog of repairs plagues UH Manoa student housing as officials try for revitalization. Serious plumbing problems are a major reason the 656-bed Hale Wainani apartments are considered by UH officials to be at risk of becoming the next aging UH student housing complex to be closed, following the neighboring 530-bed Hale Noelani apartment complex, which has been shuttered and silent for nearly seven years. Star-Advertiser.

New housing development planned at former Saint Francis School campus. Saint Francis School closed its doors in 2019, and developer Avalon Group has bought the property for $23.35 million, according to brokerage firm CBRE. Star-Advertiser.

Concerns rising for Oahu's homeless kupuna. The city and state are working together to find more health care and social service workers to help homeless people on the streets and develop the most appropriate course of treatment. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Mayor Outpaces Lone Challenger In Election Fundraising. Mitch Roth's war chest is tens of thousands of dollars larger than that of rival candidate Kimo Alameda with nine months to go before the election. Civil Beat.

‘Safe Spaces’ plan underway: County officials eyeing possible sites for homeless camps. Homeless individuals could begin congregating in Hawaii County-authorized “Safe Spaces” in Hilo and Kailua-Kona under a new housing initiative. Tribune-Herald.

National park launches volcano summit makeover. Nearly six years after the 2018 Kilauea eruption landed crippling blows to the buildings and roads of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the National Park Serv­ice has launched a $28 million project to rehabilitate the summit area of Kilauea Volcano. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Bill seeks to expedite rebuilding of homes and businesses in Lahaina and Upcountry Maui. Bill 21 (2024), submitted by the county’s Department of Public Works, would amend the Maui County Code in an effort to broaden the applicability of emergency-repair provisions and clarify the review and approval procedures for emergency-repair permits.  Maui Now.

Developer selected for proposed ʻUkiu Energy biofuel-powered generator project on Maui. The ʻUkiu Energy 40-megawatt (MW) biofuel-powered generator proposed by Ameresco Inc. is aimed at helping to move Hawai‘i closer to its clean energy goals, while adding critical grid reliability with firm renewable energy.  Maui Now.

Kaiser to open temporary West Maui Clinic in Kaanapali. Kaiser Permanente recently announced plans to open a temporary West Maui Clinic on the grounds of the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort in Kaanapali.  Star-Advertiser.

HECO, Maui County may be sued for harm to seabirds from streetlights and power lines. The Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi and the American Bird Conservancy, represented by Earthjustice, submitted notice this week that they may file a lawsuit seeking to "put an end to HECO's and the County's illegal conduct," according to a statement.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Vidinha Stadium to temporarily close for repairs. Director of Parks and Recreation Pat Porter said the repairs are needed to extend the life of track. Track users, including the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation, may continue to use it until the main track and field replacement projects get underway. Kauai Now.

Connecting to Kaua‘i’s endangered forest birds. Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami issued a Makahiki o na manu proclamation dedicating the year to raising awareness about native forest birds. Garden Island.

Hefty subsidies for public hospitals, man urinating at Kilauea eruption draws Native Hawaiian ire, affordable housing battles continue, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hefty subsidies continue for Hawaii’s state-run hospitals. Top officials with the state agency that oversees many of Hawaii’s neighbor island hospitals and long-term care facilities say there’s no current push to privatize more of its facilities even though the private sector could operate them more cheaply and efficiently, easing the hefty subsidies provided by state taxpayers. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Is Struggling To Meet A Deadline To Reduce Leased Office Space. Despite a new law mandating a 10% reduction by 2026, the amount of office space leased by the state has increased. Civil Beat.

Friends remember Danny Kaleikini, 85. Danny Kaleikini, the legendary entertainer who embodied the best of Hawaii, was being remembered throughout the islands for his immense talent as a singer, musician, actor and recording artist, and for his boundless devotion to spreading aloha worldwide. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu’s affordable housing disappearing prematurely. A state agency is looking to plug a leak in part of Honolulu’s affordable- housing market where subsidized condominiums have been converted to market-price sales or rentals despite a regulatory tool designed to defer such conversions. Star-Advertiser.

Manoa community split over plan for senior affordable rentals. Vocal opponents of a proposed 288-unit affordable rental project for seniors to be built on the edge of the nearly 190-year-old Manoa Chinese Cemetery in upper Manoa Valley have surfaced at recent community meetings and even launched an online petition that has collected more than 4,200 signatures to thwart the development within the affluent neighborhood in urban Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Health Department: ‘Forever chemicals’ detected in Leeward Oahu water system. Low levels of PFAS “forever chemicals” have been detected in a Leeward Oahu water system that serves about 217,000 individuals, the state Department of Health announced. Hawaii News Now.

City: Oahu’s digital parking meters will be free for at least 6 months. About 2,200 digital parking meters on Oahu will be free of charge for at least the next six months. The city says that’s how long it’ll take to replace its wireless credit card readers to match a technology upgrade by Verizon. Hawaii News Now.

Fugitive owner of embattled semi-sub company arrested after attempting to flee by boat.  Federal authorities on Friday arrested the fugitive owner of an embattled Hawaii shipbuilding company who tried to flee Hawaii on his boat ahead of his hearing. Curtiss E. Jackson, 71, was wanted by U.S. Marshals on a federal arrest warrant for violating his terms of pretrial release. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Why Community Efforts Aren’t Enough To Save Oahu’s Aging Cemeteries. Only a fraction of cemeteries on the island are licensed by the state and not all have a perpetual care fund to cover maintenance costs after the cemetery fills up. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Social media post of man urinating at Kilauea eruption viewing site stirs harsh backlash. A photo of a man urinating at a Kilauea eruption viewing site that was posted on social media is igniting anger — with some saying it underscores the need for cultural education.  Hawaii News Now.

TMT environmental review delayed by voluminous comments. The National Science Foundation is already behind in its effort to evaluate whether the stalled Thirty Meter Telescope project should be reinvigorated with $850,000 or more in public funds. Star-Advertiser.

Hilo Medical Center awaits $50M expansion OK.  Gov. Josh Green in December announced Opens in a new tab an allocation of $50 million in the executive budget for the expansion of Hilo Medical Center. Now it’s up to the state Legislature to approve that allocation. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Man who leapt to death off bridge political candidate, co-writer of famous song.  David "Kawika" Crowley, the 71-year-old Hilo man who jumped to his death Wednesday from the Puueo Bridge in downtown Hilo was a colorful character who pulled off an upset win in the GOP primary election for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District in 2012 — while homeless — and co-wrote one of Hawaii’s most beloved songs. Tribune-Herald.

Institute seeks to erect satellite array in Ka‘u.  The Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics will present at next month’s Windward Planning Commission meeting a request for a special permit to install 10 satellite dishes 20 feet in diameter, as well as additional infrastructure including a catchment tank, portable toilet and 10-kilowatt solar array across about two acres near Wood Valley. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Developer to present update on Pulelehua housing project. A special presentation updating the progress of the 310-acre Pulelehua housing development is among the topics being presented at the annual West Maui Taxpayers Association members meeting. Maui Now.

DOE eyes tentative mid-January opening for Kulanihako‘i High. State still has not fulfilled permit, plans to meet with Mayor’s Office next week. Maui News.

A Dwindling Kalaupapa Population Honors 1st Exiles With Tributes And Tears. Despite the painful history, many former Hansen’s disease patients have chosen to remain even after the government freed them from quarantine. Civil Beat.

Kauai

New Year, new laws: How ranked-choice voting could be used on Kaua‘i. Last week, state Rep. Jimmy Tokioka (a Democrat who represents portions of the Eastside) resigned his state house position to join Gov. Josh Green’s administration. Garden Island.

Mahelona master plan meeting is Wednesday. State Rep. Nadine K. Nakamura invites the community to attend a talk-story session regarding Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, where officials will deliver an update on the hospital’s draft conceptual master plan. Garden Island.

Child abuse increases, Legislature won't curtail session fundraising, group seeks apology for Hawaiian language ban, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Keiki paddleboarding in Hawaii ©2022 All Hawaii News

State finds increase in sexual, physical abuse of children. A state program has found there were more child abuse cases in Hawaii in 2021 than in 2020, attributed in part to COVID-19 but also to increased awareness and reporting. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaii lawmakers pan suggested ban on campaign contributions during legislative sessions. Hawaii lawmakers don’t seem inclined to pass legislation this year that would fulfill a special commission’s recommendation to outlaw campaign fundraising during the legislative session. Star-Advertiser.

Some approved Hawaii legislative bills have already become law. As Hawaii’s 2022 legislative session approaches its scheduled end on May 5, the number of approved bills sent to Gov. David Ige for action is building. Star-Advertiser.

Apology sought for 90-year ban on speaking Hawaiian in schools. House Concurrent Resolution 130, which is written in both Hawaiian and English, also acknowledges the consequences of the law that made English the only language allowed in schools. Star-Advertiser.

Mauna Kea debate continues as lawmakers discuss related bills. Up for discussion are joint committee bills to establish an oversite committee over the mountain. Meanwhile a report on how much money astronomy generates for the Big Island, came out Sunday. KITV4.

The Aha Moku Advisory Committee given new life. A state advisory committee tasked with giving Native Hawaiians a voice in the management of environmental, fisheries and cultural resources is poised to get back to business after being stalled for years due to political infighting and lack of funding. Civil Beat.

Resolution seeks to make Filipino course mandatory for high school students. A required course in Filipino history, culture and identity could be coming to all Hawaii public high schools, according to a resolution passed earlier this month by the state Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii ranked most expensive state to live in. A new study by World Population Review ranked the states with the highest and lowest cost of living. KHON2.

Hawaii doctors prescribing antiviral pills for COVID. Doctors in Hawaii are now prescribing antiviral pills for the treatment of sympto­matic patients with mild to moderate COVID-19, but they must be considered at high risk and meet other criteria. Star-Advertiser.

Package tour travelers return for Golden Week, marking Japan tourism recovery for Hawaii. Package tours from Japan, which have been absent in Hawaii for the past two years of the pandemic, are returning in time for the start of Golden Week on Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Feds Agree To Stop Fighting Order To Drain Red Hill. The federal government is submitting to the state’s environmental oversight authority, an Earthjustice attorney said. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu rail board still hung up on confidentiality agreement. Six of the 12 board members who oversee the city’s rail project have not signed mandated confidentiality agreements but only one has been excluded from private board discussions, including again on Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Making progress to reach goal, city completes a third of conservation actions. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi released the city’s annual sustainability report on Friday in recognition of Earth Day. The city’s goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% in the next three years. And so far, more than a third of conservation actions have been completed. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Homelessness up on Hawaii Island; 1 in 3 unsheltered individuals considered ‘chronically homeless’. A total of 837 homeless people were counted during this year’s count, with 300 identifying as “chronically homeless,” which mean having been continuously homeless for at least one year, according to the report released last week by Bridging the Gap Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

Satellite-dish array proposed for Ka‘u: Project would be used to search for fast radio bursts from space. The Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics will request a special permit to operate an array of 10 satellite dishes on a one-half acre rural lot in Wood Valley. Tribune-Herald.

‘Great big party house’ irks neighbors: Illegal short-term vacation rentals pop up in residential neighborhoods. A group of Kailua-Kona homeowners says a loophole in the county vacation rental law is allowing illegal short-term rentals to flourish in what once were quiet neighborhoods. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo housing facility looks to break ground by September. Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial Inc. will break ground on a 92-unit housing facility on Kawili Street across from the University of Hawaii at Hilo for seniors, veterans and veterans’ spouses “between June and September,” said project chairman Bob Williams. Tribune-Herald.

Captain Cook Name Change Resolution Stalls In Senate. Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs deferred a measure to re-designate the census-designated place as Ka‘awaloa. Big Island Video News.

Maui

To tackle overtourism, Maui considers cap on visitor accommodations. The Maui County Council is looking at ways to crack down on overtourism in response to the visitor boom it experienced last year. Council members say they want to better regulate the industry this year, so it doesn’t happen again. Hawaii News Now.

Bill on licensing requirements for electric gun sellers mulled. The Maui County Council is considering a bill to establish licensing requirements for sellers of electric guns, while a federal lawsuit challenges the delay in licensing and additional requirements proposed for sellers. Maui News.

Unexploded ordnance washes ashore on Lānaʻi, Army contacted for response. Personnel from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources contacted police after locating a piece of unexploded ordnance, which they said washed onshore at Hulopoʻe Beach Park on Lānaʻi.  Maui Now.

11 unclaimed remains at Maui forensic facility. The Maui Police Department currently has 11 unclaimed bodies at its forensic facility in Wailuku, according to police. Officials are requesting assistance in contacting family members of the deceased. Maui Now.

Kauai

This West Kauai Beach Is Growing So Why Move Inland? Kauai County is testing the idea of property swaps to get residents to move away from the coastline but on this coastal stretch the issue isn’t so clear. Civil Beat.

Army to honor educators on Teacher Appreciation Day. In the weeks leading up to Teacher Appreciation Day, Tuesday, May 3, the U.S. Army Recruiting Station Kaua‘i is partnering with several local organizations to honor and celebrate teachers. Garden Island.

Mauna Kea access fight moves to the courts, Honolulu police sent home, Lt. Gov. visits camp, Thirty Meter Telescope backers speak out, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mauna Kea roadblock/checkpoint ©2019 All Hawaii News

Judges challenge both sides in dispute over Mauna Kea emergency declaration. The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and state attorney general faced off Monday over whether the governor’s emergency declaration for Mauna Kea was an overreaction that is illegally blocking those who want to practice traditional worship on the mountain. Hawaii News Now.

Judges Ponder Whether To Halt Ige’s Mauna Kea Emergency Proclamation. A ruling is expected Tuesday after a hearing into whether the order violates the rights of a Native Hawaiian cultural practitione. Civil Beat.

Court hears challenge to emergency proclamation. A state judge says he hopes to have, by the end of today, a decision on a Big Island kumu hula’s challenge to Gov. David Ige’s emergency proclamation restricting public access to Mauna Kea. Star-Advertiser.

Court weighs suspending Mauna Kea emergency proclamation; Honolulu police recalled to Oahu. Dozens of Honolulu police officers are heading back to Oahu after a week among the law enforcement ranks keeping an eye on demonstrators at Mauna Kea. The department faces questions about how they got deployed and who is paying the bills. KHON2.

Judges hear arguments on lawsuit against Ige's emergency proclamation. The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation is suing Governor David Ige. KITV.

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Lt. Gov. Josh Green Visits Mauna Kea Kupuna. Three days after Governor David Ige was on Hawaii Island but opted not to visit the Mauna Kea encampment, Lt. Gov. Green makes the trip. Big Island Video News.

Lieutenant Governor Visits Mauna Kea Protesters. State officials estimated the crowd on Monday stood at 1,500 people at the site of the protest against the planned Thirty Meter Telescope. There were no arrests. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green visited Mauna Kea Monday morning. He explains, that he is not on Hawaii Island to make a political stance but to make sure the health and safety of the kiai are okay. KHON2.

Green says issue has become more than just TMT, will speak with Ige to de-escalate confrontation. After meeting with protesters Monday at the Maunakea Access Road, Lt. Gov. Josh Green said he would advise Gov. David Ige to de-escalate the confrontation on the mountain. Tribune-Herald.

After visiting protest at Mauna Kea, LG says TMT should ‘move on’ if brokered deal can’t be found. After a lengthy visit Monday with TMT protesters blocking access to Mauna Kea’s summit, Lt. Gov. Josh Green said the controversial telescope project might have to “move on” if an agreement with its opponents can’t be reached. Hawaii News Now.

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Can The Thirty Meter Telescope Survive Growing Opposition? Gov. David Ige’s cabinet members spent most of Monday in meetings to discuss the future of the project planned for Mauna Kea. Civil Beat.

Day 8: State Stands By Assertions of Drug, Alcohol Use on Mauna Kea. Big Island Now.

Support for protesters stretches across the islands. Protesters who want to halt construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope continue to gain momentum for their cause, with statements Monday from public officials, shows of support from around the country and a nod from Hawaii businesses shutting their doors in solidarity. Star-Advertiser.

Pressure grows on backers of TMT. As the protest over the Thirty Meter Telescope rages on, an increasing number of activists are targeting the largest funder of the next- generation telescope, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation of Palo Alto, California. Star-Advertiser.

TMT says telescope will not be built near historical burial on Mauna Kea. As tensions continue over the construction of TMT, the International Observatory affirms it will not be on or near historical features. KITV.

TMT spokesperson says Mauna Kea remains as 'preferred site' for telescope. A TMT spokesperson says they remain hopeful both sides can move forward 'with mutual respect.' KITV.

Native Hawaiian TMT supporter feels the time is now to speak up. As protests statewide continue, supporters of TMT are speaking up for the project, while officials say they’re trying to get a handle on misinformation. Those who favor the project have long said they are in the “silent majority”. Hawaii News Now.

Amid mass protests, TMT supporter says telescope is being done ‘the right way’. As hundreds of opponents gather at Mauna Kea, supporters of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) are waiting for it to be built. Hawaii News Now.

DHHL not receiving compensation for housing TMT equipment. Bulldozers were loaded on lowboy trailers in order for TMT construction to continue. KITV.

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Hawaii students’ data may have been exposed through college planning website. Data on Hawaii public school students, including names, birth dates and addresses, that was maintained by a private vendor on a career planning portal may have been exposed to unauthorized users, officials announced Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Personal information for 70,000 Hawaii students potentially compromised. Personal information for as many as 70,000 public school students may have been compromised after a University of Hawaii vendor charged with overseeing a college and career planning website detected “suspicious” unauthorized access to one of its servers. Hawaii News Now.

Up to 70,000 student records potentially exposed. Graduation Alliance, a vendor contracted by the University of Hawaii for Hawaii P-20 Partnerships of Education, reported the potential exposure, UH announced Monday. Tribune-Herald.

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Unsafe water was found last year at 41% of Hawaii beaches. A new water pollution report, “Safe for Swimming? Water Quality at Our Beaches,” scheduled for release today by the national nonprofit Environment America Research & Policy Center, says an estimated 57 million people get sick from recreational waterborne illnesses each year. According to the Environment America report, 90 of 218 beach sites sampled in Hawaii, or 41%, were potentially unsafe for swimming for at least one day in 2018. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection announces settlement with Equifax regarding 2017 data breach. KHON2.

Hawaii to receive $1 million from Equifax over massive data breach. The state of Hawaii will receive one million dollars as the result of a large, multi-state settlement with Equifax Inc., one of the largest consumer reporting agencies in the world, regarding a major data breach in 2017. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Gets $1 Million In Equifax Data Breach Settlement. The credit reporting agency will also pay other states as it pledges to strengthen its security program. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Caldwell signs a bill to lease dedicated city parking spaces to car-share firms. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Monday signed a bill dedicating up to 80 on-street and 80 off-street parking stalls for lease to car-share companies. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor signs bill reserving public parking stalls for car-sharing vehicles. Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed a bill that would reserve some public parking stalls for car-sharing vehicles only. KHON2.

Honolulu Officials Are Trying to Fix Problems With Bulky Item Pickup Program. The city Department of Environmental Services is fine-tuning its bulky item pickup pilot program following complaints islandwide that mounds of trash have been collecting on the streets. Hawaii Public Radio.

City To Spend $1 Million On Koko Crater Stairs. The money will be used mostly for planning long-term repairs, but at least $100,000 will pay for immediate work. Civil Beat.

HART Has A New Board Member: Ford Fuchigami. Fuchigami previously served on the local board overseeing rail when he was the state’s DOT director. Civil Beat.

Community meeting seeks public input on Lake Wilson. The public is invited to a community meeting to discuss future plans for the Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area, including Lake Wilson. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

TMT construction moratorium on Wednesday council agenda. The County Council on Wednesday is scheduled to decide whether to hear a last-minute resolution supporting a 60-day moratorium on Thirty Meter Telescope construction on Maunakea. West Hawaii Today.

Tourism businesses take stand. A West Hawaii business canceled its luau show Monday after organizers of the demonstration on Maunakea called on the visitor industry to suspend operations to show support for the protectors. West Hawaii Today.

Land Board To Vote On Puueo Cemetery Damage Fine. The BLNR will consider a settlement of enforcement action against the Edwin C. Olson Trust No.2 for damage that occurred during land altering activities without a permit in 2016. Big Island Video News.

Councilwoman to introduce resolution urging cooperation on Puna boat ramp. Puna Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz said Monday she plans to introduce this week a resolution urging the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation to form a working group with the county, community members and fishing community to plan and develop a boat ramp for Puna. Tribune-Herald.

County Council To Weigh In On New Puna Boat Ramp. The County Council will consider Resolution 218-19 during its full meeting at the West Hawaii Civic Center on Wednesday, July 24. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Standing for Mauna Kea on Maui. Maui residents line Hana Highway in protest of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Sunday morning. The demonstration stretched for about a mile from the intersection of Haleakala and Hana highways to just before Hookele Street. Maui News.

Tourism Related Businesses Taking “Peaceful Stand” for Maunakea. The Old Lahaina Luaau in West Maui will suspend its luaau experience today as a “peaceful stand” in support of employees who support the protection of Maunakea. Maui Now.

Early designs unveiled for Kahului transit hub. Project in process of getting its permit. Maui News.

Lawsuit Challenges Hawaii’s Termination Of Youth Mental Health Services At 18. The suit filed in federal court alleges a young woman received minimal care when her case was turned over to Hawaii’s adult mental health division, leading to the deterioration of her condition. Civil Beat.

Parents of a Maui woman with a mental illness file suit against the state. A lawsuit by the parents of a severely mentally ill Maui girl alleges that the state improperly terminated her mental health services two years ago. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Councilmembers call for Ige to reverse Mauna Kea proclamation. Two members of the Kauai County Council have joined a growing list of elected officials from across the state, urging Gov. David Ige to rescind an emergency declaration he issued last week giving law enforcement more power to remove Native Hawaiian rights activists protesting the construction of a giant telescope on Mauna Kea. Garden Island.

Cable blamed for outage. Islandwide power outages that started Sunday afternoon were caused by a frayed cable in the main generator at a Kauai Island Utility Cooperative facility. Garden Island.

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative said a cable failure at the largest unit in KIUC’s generation fleet caused Sunday’s islandwide power outage. Hawaii News Now.

Lights out? No big deal. Sunday’s islandwide power outage had little impact on most businesses. Garden Island.

Legislature mulls response to possible North Korea attack, $163M upgrade for Honolulu Harbor, lawsuit over water use in Kauai general plan, swimming warning after Maui sewage spill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Native dancers at Kona luau © 2017 All Hawaii News

Culture and commerce are often seen as forces in conflict. But here in Hawaii, the culture is one of the driving forces of the state’s largest commercial sector – tourism. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii has ratcheted up its planning for a possible — but still very unlikely — North Korean nuclear attack on the isles to 100 kiloton yield from 15 kiloton as the threat from the rogue nation seems to escalate by the week. Star-Advertiser.

The State Emergency Management Agency provided a briefing on what residents and visitors should do in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack targeting Honolulu and Pearl Harbor. Hawaii Public Radio.

An informational meeting was held Thursday to brief the public on preparations and instructions in the event of a foreign attack. KITV.

Here's what the state wants you to do if North Korea attacks Hawaii. Get inside, stay inside and stay tuned. Hawaii News Now.

Attack siren tests on hold: More specific sound considered as part of state’s nuclear threat response. Tribune-Herald.

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The latest Republican move to repeal the Affordable Care Act and instead pay states to shape their own systems would hit Hawaii particularly hard, according to health care analysts. Civil Beat.

One big driver of Hawaii’s economy — construction — has been on a fairly consistent seven-year growth run. But that run is likely done this year, and some coasting near the current high level is expected for the next three years. Star-Advertiser.

Controversial Pesticide Remains Unregulated In Hawaii. The chemical dicamba appears to have caused widespread crop damage on the mainland but in Hawaii you can’t even find out whether it’s being used or where. Civil Beat.

OHA considers changing contract to award charter school funds, unsettling many. Hawaii News Now.

The man behind an in-flight scare in May has been deemed mentally fit for trial, the Associated Press reports. Hawaii News Now.

Airline capacity to Hawaii is projected to keep growing, but the number of seats being added is expected to slow and fares are projected to come down as carriers strain the limits of what the airport and hotels can handle. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Oahu’s second medical marijuana dispensary will open in early October, one block away from the island’s first cannabis retailer. Star-Advertiser.

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State invests millions for Honolulu Harbor upgrade. State officials said Thursday they plan to spend $163 million on phase one of the Kapalama Container Terminal Project. Hawaii News Now.

Space in congested Honolulu Harbor will be cleared to allow a prospective third major ocean cargo carrier to launch a new service from the mainland in 2020. Star-Advertiser.

Pasha Hawaii will be the exclusive operator of Honolulu Harbor's yet to be constructed Kapalama Container Terminal and TOTE Maritime will move in to Piers 1 and 2, currently operated by Pasha’s Hawaii Stevedores, which handles APL and NYK, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Pacific Business News.

Harbor upgrades on track with new shipper. KITV.

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An Oahu grand jury today indicted a 69-year-old woman for stealing more than $5.7 million from the nonprofit Arc of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

A grand jury Thursday indicted a 69-year-old woman for allegedly stealing more than $5.7 million from Honolulu-based nonprofit Arc of Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

A farm on Oahu's west side is getting a major financial boost from the Economic Development Administration that is expected to bring hundreds of jobs to Waianae. Hawaii News Now.

Dozens of descendants of Japanese soldiers killed in World War II visited Pearl Harbor on Thursday to pay respects to fallen American soldiers. Civil Beat.

MyGoCenter, a co-working space in Kapolei, is opening an expanded suite at the Kapolei Marketplace on Sept. 28. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Former County Councilwoman Brenda Ford announced her candidacy Thursday for the state House District 5 seat being vacated by Rep. Richard Creagan. West Hawaii Today.

The Kohala Ranch Water Company was hoping by Wednesday to have water running to the several developments it supplies exclusively. After suffering equipment issues, the new target date is sometime Saturday night. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

State Department of Health officials are advising people to stay out of the ocean north of Kahului Harbor because of a Wednesday morning sewage spill. Maui News.

About 62,500 gallons of wastewater overflowed Wednesday morning off of Kahului Beach Road in Wailuku, the county Department of Environmental Management reported. Maui News.

Ninety-one percent of students at Kamalii Elementary School in Kihei are meeting or exceeding science standards, one of the highest percentages of student subject-area proficiency in the state, according to a performance report released Tuesday by the state Department of Education. Maui News.

Commentary: The announcement Thursday by County Council member Don Guzman that he will seek the office of mayor in 2018 adds yet another dynamic to that race. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai County is creating a roadmap for the next decade of growth on the garden island, and it’s drawn a lawsuit claiming the plan doesn’t protect public trust resources. Garden Island.

The Hanapepe Stadium will be fully lit for Friday night football tonight, and the County of Kauai could be taking a legal risk doing it. Garden Island.

Happy Thanksgiving! Mahalo to our sponsors. ... You can be one too!

Pig taken from an imu for a feast © 2016 All Hawaii News

Mahalo.

That's the Hawaiian word for "thank you," and it means more now than ever, as we celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends.

"Ohana" is the Hawaiian word for family, and "hoaloha" means friend.

But generally, in Hawaii, friends are considered family, so "hoaloha" isn't all that commonplace. Instead, an older man is called "Uncle," an older woman, "Auntie," even if the speaker doesn't know you. It's a term of respect, even if you might be a "haole," (white person), "Kepani," (Japanese) or otherwise non-Hawaiian.

"Thank you," "family "and "respect" are terms to remember this holiday season and today more than ever. We need to pull together, to emphasize our similarities, not our differences.

Hawaii has been called a melting pot, but even better than that, it's a mixed salad, all the various components contributing their own unique flavor while not losing their identity, so that the whole is even greater than its parts. That's what makes Hawaii special, and helps it serve as a model for our troubled nation.

It's a good time for All Hawaii News to say mahalo nui for your support over the years (More than eight years!) by reading, subscribing and contributing to this blog.

No fake news here! Instead, your All Hawaii News curator is up before the sun every weekday, compiling and curating the top news from dozens of vetted sources -- real news by real journalists -- and providing it in one aggregated site by 7:30 a.m. every weekday. (Usually earlier!)

All Hawaii News is a labor of love. I've been doing this day in and day out for eight years now. Advertising is kept to a minimum.

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Nancy Cook Lauer