Tax cuts still alive in Legislature, condemnation sought for Honolulu rail, second Mauna Kea telescope to be dismantled, FEMA extends Maui housing program, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

The Last Major Tax Bills Still Alive This Session Would Cut Income And Estate Taxes. The House and Senate are seriously considering a sizable state income tax cut to benefit working families, and also a separate measure to exempt more people from the state inheritance tax. Civil Beat.

Retired State Ag Official’s Return To The Agency Has Critics Concerned Over Conflicts Of Interest. Carol Okada had been sidelined at the Department of Agriculture because of personality clashes and her relationship with nurseries. Civil Beat.

Bill calls for increase in autism services reimbursement. A House bill to increase funding for autism services by requiring the state Department of Human Services to seek additional funding sources and maximize federal matching funds continues to move through the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Hospitality purchases lead Hawaii commercial real estate investments. Hospitality purchases at more than 23% were the largest share of Hawaii’s $1.93 billion commercial real estate investment in 2023, with Outrigger Hotels and Resorts’ $325 million acquisition of the Outrigger Beach Ka’anapali Hotel topping the list. Star-Advertiser.

Valerie Kato confirmed as deputy director of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health. The Hawaiʻi State Senate voted Monday to confirm Valerie Kato as deputy director of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health. She joins Director Kenneth Fink. Maui Now.

Cattle import restrictions due to avian influenza cases on the mainland. Due to the recent highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) detections in livestock on the mainland, the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture has placed a restriction on the transport of cattle from premises where HPAI has infected cattle. Maui Now. Garden Island.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council requested to condemn properties for rail. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation would like to acquire by eminent domain five private properties along the rail corridor as construction of the nearly $10-billion Skyline proceeds toward Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

City Council resumes discussion on adding more incentives for affordable rental developers. Bill 3 would amend a $10 million city program by offering grants to developers before the construction of rental units, instead of just after construction. It would also allow developers to receive up to $35,000 per eligible unit — up from a maximum of $15,000. Hawaii Public Radio.

Former HPD Officer Pleads Guilty To Child Sex Charges. Prosecutors say Mason Jordan, while serving as a Honolulu police officer, impersonated young people on social media to lure children to work as prostitutes. Civil Beat.

Key figure in Kaneshiro, Mitsunaga bribery and corruption case testifies. A central figure in the corruption and bribery case involving former Honolulu prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro and former businessman Dennis Mitsunaga took the stand as the government’s key witness. KHON2.

Group appeals court decision to stop Haiku Stairs removal. The City and County of Honolulu are moving ahead with removing the Haiku Stairs with a blessing scheduled this week to mark the beginning of the removal project, although the lead attorney working to keep the stairs said he will continue to make his case in court.  KHON2.

Homeless camps inside Moiliili drainage canals raise health and safety concerns. There are growing concerns about the health and safety risks of homeless encampments inside and along drainage canals across Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Kawananakoa Middle School teacher receives $25,000 Milken Educator Award. Jade Pham, a 27-year-old teacher at Prince David Kawananakoa Middle School, was surprised with a $25,000 Milken Educator Award at a schoolwide assembly on Monday. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Health department reports travel-related dengue case on Oahu. A third confirmed case of travel-related dengue has been reported in Hawaii this year, according to the state Health Department. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Tuesday Meeting Set On Kauhale For Hilo Houseless.  An informational briefing will be held on Tuesday evening, April 9, to discuss potential kauhale locations in Hilo. Big Island Video News.

Removal of second Mauna Kea telescope to begin this month. The University of Hawaii Hilo will remove the Hoku Kea Observatory and generator buildings, telecommunications and electrical infrastructure beginning on Monday, a process that should be done by August, according to a university press release. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Public comment sought on proposed transit hub and library in Puna. Hawai‘i County and state officials are holding a public meeting to discuss the findings reported in the Draft Environmental Assessment and offer an opportunity for the public to provide feedback on a proposed new transit hub and co-located library in Pāhoa Town. Big Island Now.

HMC begins preparing for new modern administrative services building. A new facility to house additional office space and a planned medical simulation lab at Hilo Medical Center took a step forward Monday, but is still years away from reality. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Monthly parking at Kona airport no longer offered starting this summer. Monthly parking passes for the general public will no longer be offered at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole, effective June 1, 2024. Big Island Now.

Hū Honua renews calls for PUC to bring its biomass plant onto the grid. Hū Honua President Warren Lee sent a letter asking the PUC to direct HECO to restart contract negotiations. In the letter, Lee called Hū Honua the "solution" to Big Island's energy woes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

FEMA Extends Deadline To Reimburse State For Maui Fire Survivors Housed In Pricey Hotels. The state would have been on the hook starting Thursday for paying the costs of all fire survivors still living in the hotels. But FEMA will continue to pay until May 10, officials announced Monday. Civil Beat.

Half of rental units reserved for Maui fire victims (and paid by taxpayers) are sitting vacant. About half of the rental units being reserved for Maui fire victims — more than 600 mostly former vacation rentals — are still vacant even as taxpayers fork over above-market rent for them. Hawaii News Now.

Landowner Offers To Donate 5 Acres For Lahaina Fire Debris Dump Site To Avoid Eminent Domain. Komar Maui Properties says it will give the county enough land to handle all 400,000 cubic yards of fire ash and debris, but the county said it needs it all. Civil Beat. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Judge Blocks New Appointee From Joining Maui Planning Commission. The matter stems from a dispute between Mayor Richard Bissen and the County Council over his nominations to the volunteer boards. Second Circuit Judge Kelsey Kawano on Monday issued a temporary restraining order and a so-called writ of quo warranto against Danny Ray Blackburn, a construction executive with F&H Construction, which has offices in California and Maui.  Civil Beat.

Maui County Council passes bill for Kulanihako‘i Gulch sediment removal. Councilmember Tom Cook applauded the Maui County Council’s passage of a bill to authorize the county to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the federal government to support a sediment-removal project for Kūlanihākoʻi Gulch in North Kīhei. Maui News.

Kauai

KPD chief addresses firearm issue. Kaua‘i Police Department Chief Todd Raybuck could be in some hot water after he left his “department-issued firearm” in an employee restroom last month. Garden Island.

Hale Puna restoring oldest house on Kaua‘i as prior success Kōke‘e Lodge ramps up events. A westside nonprofit is making headway in restoring the oldest building on Kaua‘i – while its business counterpart expands its community programming in Kōkeʻe State Park. Kauai Now.

Green links Lahaina fires to climate change at UN summit, super PAC uses Maui fires as fundraising tool, HART claims $580M surplus at rail's end, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green links Lāhainā fires to climate change during UN Sustainable Development Goals Summit. Hawai’i Gov. Josh Green spoke Sunday at the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals Summit in New York, delivering a message about the destructive impact that climate change is having in the state.  Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

This Hawaii Super PAC Says It’s Raising Money For Wildfire Victims — And Political Candidates Too. A progressive political organization is taking advantage of the Maui wildfires to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars that may go to support political candidates instead of direct help for victims of the Aug. 8 fires. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Has Been Facing A Housing Crisis For Generations. Politicians have been pledging to address a shortage of housing in the islands for decades, but the root causes of the crisis run deep. Civil Beat.

Hispanics Are The Fastest Growing Demographic In Hawaii. They Need More Services To Keep Pace. More translators, interpreters and other services are critical for residents and visitors who have been moving here in increasing numbers. Civil Beat.

Electric Seagliders Could Come To Hawaii As Soon As 2026. But Mokulele Airlines' new parent company says interisland travelers will start to see improvements in service much sooner than that. Civil Beat.

Health officials tout new COVID shot. The new COVID-19 vaccines being rolled out are a move away from the booster-shot models in use up to this point. Tribune-Herald. KITV4.

Oahu

HART says $580M surplus awaits at rail’s end. A cash surplus of over a half-billion dollars will likely be available once the city’s Skyline rail system ends at the Civic Center in Kakaako early next dec­ade, according to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation. Star-Advertiser.

HART Board Defers Proposed New Rules. AG Anne Lopez warned the new rules as written would impose 'impermissible' restrictions on the free speech rights of some board members. Civil Beat.

Public votes on Red Hill oversight committee, includes two well-known Native Hawaiian activists. 10 people were selected on Saturday to be part of an oversight group for the de-fueling of the Navy’s Red Hill Facility scheduled for mid-October.  Hawaii News Now.

Payment for parking resumes after city installs new smart parking meters. All 2,200 of the city’s new smart parking meters are now in place, and Honolulu Police Department plans to start enforcement Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu sugar mill housing camp slated for redevelopment. The remnants of a worker housing camp for the last sugar plantation to close on Oahu could become a new subdivision for primarily low-income households reflecting the character of the rural community in Waialua where some century-old homes still stand. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

USGS: Kilauea eruption ends as volcano alert lowered to advisory.  After a week of spewing lava, the eruption at the Kilauea summit within the Halemaumau crater has ended, according to the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

County creates new wildfire working group. Hawaii County has established a multiagency working group to develop strategies and responses to wildfires and other threats around the island. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

EPA grant to fund program to reduce disposable foodware. Hawaii County will receive $1.5 million in a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a reusable foodware and refillable water bottle system in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

New Kona affordable housing to be discussed. The public is invited to an informational meeting Monday where the proposed Kuakini Heights Affordable Housing Project details will be presented. West Hawaii Today.

County pool woes continue: Lack of lifeguards leads to unpredictable hours at many of the facilities. Residents continue to raise concerns about the lack of transparency pertaining to Hawaii County’s swimming pools. Tribune-Herald.

Old Hilo hospital renovations slated for next year. The old hospital building, currently leased to HOPE Services Hawaii and the Big Island Substance Abuse Council, is in need of substantial restoration work after decades of degradation. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Council considers bill on post-fire cleanup options. The Maui County Council is considering a bill that would give residents and businesses the option to have the government remove fire debris from their properties for free.  Maui News.

Maui police identify two more victims of Lahaina fire; bringing total to 69. The Maui Police Department released the names of two more victims from the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire on Sunday: Janet St. Clair, 75, and Douglas Matsuda-Boucher, 65, both of Lahaina. Maui Now. KHON2.

Scientists scramble to better understand scope of toxic sludge in Lahaina Harbor. Experts are worried about a slew of contaminants in the water, including fuel, dioxins, PCBs and forever chemicals — and all that sludge will eventually need to be dredged out. Hawaii News Now.

After Lahaina fire, seniors behind in receiving tech updates, study finds. Most of the victims of the Lahaina wildfire were ages 65 and older — a demographic that struggles with technology — while Maui County sent cellphone text alerts as the fire all but obliterated Lahaina, killing at least 97 people. Star-Advertiser.

Maui nonprofit expected to meet $6.5M goal in 2 weeks. The funds will go toward the first phase of a two-part campaign to help residents of Hawaiian ancestry impacted by the wildfires.  Star-Advertiser.

Hundreds of millions in private funding headed to Maui fire survivors. Upward of $200 million has been raised by five of the top sources of private donations and their affiliates for Maui wildfire victims, with charitable funds coming from hundreds of thousands of donors in Hawaii and across the globe. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kaua‘i’s streams, rivers remain polluted despite drought conditions. Not even low rainfall can stop Kaua‘i’s rivers and streams from contamination. But Kaua‘i’s continued drought conditions have kept surf sites incredibly clean, limiting the potential for pollutants to creep into the offshore waters. Garden Island.

First Honolulu rail segment opens, HUD Secretary visits Hawaii, Kona child psychologist charged with sexually assaulting minor, Kauai ex-councilman drug ring supplier sentenced, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Governor Signs Tax Relief And Budget Bills. Not everything he originally proposed made it into the tax relief bill. He said those omissions will be revisited in the future. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.  Kauai Now.  KITV4.

HUD Secretary in Hawaii July 2-3 to discuss affordable housing.  The head of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will visit Oahu to meet with local officials and residents who use its Housing Choice voucher program known as Section 8. Hawaii News Now.

How a lapsing birth attendant exemption affects access to care in Hawaiʻi. When the state Legislature failed to pass a bill to extend birth attendant exemptions under the state midwifery laws and add additional licensing pathways this session, it affirmed the end of a three-year exemption period. Hawaii Public Radio.

Affirmative action ruling could test admission policies at Hawaii schools.  The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last week striking down affirmative action in college admissions and favoring a “colorblind Constitution” has some educators and legal experts debating whether there may be ripple effects for Kamehameha Schools, the University of Hawaii and other entities and programs that are focused on Hawaiian people and culture. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ed Case Honored For Work On World’s Oceans. The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation lauds the Hawaii congressman's stewardship. Civil Beat.

Hawaii faces higher temperatures, drought as El Nino takes hold.  The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting higher-­than-average temperatures and below-average rainfall for the rest of the calendar year and into January.  Star-Advertiser.

Defense contractor Hawaiian Native Corp. is under investigation. The federal Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the Internal Revenue Service are investigating potential financial and tax crimes by defense contractor Hawaiian Native Corp. and its 11 Dawson subsidiaries. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Rail ridership projections, revenue uncertain after Skyline opens.  Even with the first phase of the $9.8 billion rail line officially open, it’s still unclear how many passengers are needed to ride the system, how much revenue they would generate and what the real costs of maintenance will be.  Star-Advertiser. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now

Tommy Aiu Is Out As Honolulu Rail’s Private Security Chief.  As the first 10 miles of Honolulu’s rail transit line open for service, the city job to oversee private security along the system’s stations, platforms and driverless trains remains vacant. Civil Beat.

City compliance expert calls for urgent changes to embattled liquor commission. On Thursday, the city’s compliance expert Hui Chen shared her report to Honolulu Liquor Commission’s board members and gave suggestions on how they can improve the organization. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

New animal control agency takes helm.  The Hawaii Police Department on Saturday relinquished responsibility over animal control services to the newly formed Animal Control and Protection Agency under the Office of the Mayor. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Expanded West Hawaiʻi Golf Subsidy Begins.  This year’s program - subsidizing golf opportunities at The Village Course at Waikoloa and Makalei Golf Club - will run from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. Big Island Video News.

Kona psychologist who treats children accused of sexually assaulting minor. A 71-year-old clinical psychologist who specializes in treating children and teens who are dying or are chronically ill pleaded not guilty today in Kona Circuit Court to charges he sexually assaulted a minor. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Emails Reveal A Maui Developer’s Influence Over New Water Board Member.  While the Maui County Council was publicly vetting applicants to steer the new East Maui Community Water Authority, a local developer was working behind the scenes to convince the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to change its nominee.  Civil Beat.

Lawsuit challenges a new gun ban on Hawaii beaches.  Three Maui residents are suing to block the measure, arguing that Hawaii — which has long had some of the strictest gun laws in the nation and some of the lowest rates of gun violence — is going too far with its wide-ranging ban.  Associated Press.

Maui County has highest share of ‘severely rent burdened’ households. Maui County leads the state with the highest median asking rent, the highest median condominium price and is the most “severely rent burdened” in the state with renters paying more than 50 percent of their income toward rent, according to a recent report.  Maui News.

Kauai

Supplier in ex-Kauai council member’s drug ring is sentenced. A 41-year-old Kauai woman who was a backup supplier of methamphetamine to former Kauai County Council member Arthur Brun’s drug-trafficking organization was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Kaua‘i refuse stations’ chronic closures due to “antiquated” equipment; upgrades coming. The construction projects for these upgrades are scheduled to go out to bid this summer. Actual construction of the refuse transfer station improvements will take place in a phased rollout.  Kauai Now.

Low rainfall keeps Kaua‘i surf spots clean despite chronically polluted streams. The dry season has been kind to Kaua‘i’s waters, as low rainfall protected much of the island’s surf spots from runoff pollution this month, according to Surfrider Kaua‘i’s Blue Water Task Force. Garden Island.

Honolulu seeks to borrow another $210.5M for rail construction, Interior Secretary Haaland to visit Hawaii, court cuts water diversion from Maui streams, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

City seeks $210.5M in bonds to fund rail construction. During a Honolulu City Council Committee on Budget meeting Tuesday, the city advanced three related resolutions — 122, 124 and 125 — requesting the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services to issue and sell a series of general obligation bonds toward finishing the nearly $10 billion, 18.9-mile rail line, which runs from East Kapolei to the Kakaako area, where HART says the last of 19 stations is planned to be completed by 2031. Star-Advertiser.

Secretary of the Interior to visit Hawaii as part of Biden’s ‘Investing in America’ tour.  Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland will visit Hawaii as part of the Biden administration’s “Investing in America” tour. The tour is part of a larger agenda to generate $470 billion in clean energy and private sector manufacturing investments. Hawaii News Now.

Rigging The System: The Martin Kao Case Offers An Inside View Of Pay-To-Play Politics. The former Hawaii defense contractor has pleaded guilty to a series of federal crimes related to PPP fraud and illegal campaign donations. Court records detail how he tried to get away with it. Civil Beat.

Final Budget Leaves UH Treading Water On Key Programs And Improvements. The final legislative budget will likely leave the University of Hawaii several hundred million dollars short of its request for fiscal years 2024-2025. The end result will have very clear consequences for the UH community.  Civil Beat.

Visitors paid more, stayed less at Hawaii hotels in May.  Hawaii’s hotel industry had pretty stable business in May compared with a year earlier, according to a survey report released Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Fecal bacteria found at a number of Hawaii beaches. Hawaii's beaches not only have hazards like rough surf conditions or aggressive water life, some may have a hidden danger: fecal bacteria. KITV4.

Firearm Permit Applications Down For 2nd Straight Year In Hawaii. The most common permit denial reason listed was due to being a current or former medical marijuana patient. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Inflation adds $16M and a year to UH student center development.  A new student center at the University of Hawaii at Manoa will cost $16 million more than expected and open about a year later than first scheduled, and officials say inflation and pandemic-related delays are to blame.  Star-Advertiser.

Ex-Mililani athletic director pleads no contest to theft charges. The trial for the former athletic director accused of stealing more than $360,000 from the Mili­lani High School athletic booster club that he and his immediately family managed pleaded no contest to all charges Tuesday morning. Star-Advertiser.

City and state to pay $130K to settle gun owner’s lawsuit. The lawsuit by Michael Santucci alleged that the HPD seized his guns and that it held up his permit application in 2021 because he wrote down on his firearms questionnaire that he had recently received mental health counseling. Hawaii News Now.

Riding Skyline may be a 'learning curve' for some. Here's what officials want you to know. The public opening of the Honolulu rail, Skyline, is just 10 days away and according to those who've spent years on the project, it's one of a kind. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Ransomware attack strikes Hawaii Community College. Hawaii Community College has been struck with a ransomware attack, and security measures are being increased to protect digital assets, University of Hawaii officials said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Bill regarding Kalanianaole Street pushed to future council meeting.  A proposed speed limit reduction along Kalanianaole Street is on hold as Hawaii County officials determine how best to protect nene in the area. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui's $1.07B budget invests in affordable housing for residents.  The budget invests 8% of real property tax revenues to the county's Affordable Housing Fund, up from 3% in years prior.   The budget features a decrease in tax rates for resident-occupied homes assessed at $3 million or less. Hawaii Public Radio.

Court cuts East Maui water diversions again. The state’s Environmental Court has lowered the amount of water that Alexander & Baldwin and East Maui Irrigation can take from East Maui streams by about 9 million gallons per day, the latest decision in a longstanding battle over diverted water for farming and other uses. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Council to appoint East Maui Regional Community Board members Friday. The Water Authority, Social Services and Parks Committee, chaired by Sinenci, recruited and vetted East Maui Regional Community Board applicants following approval of a charter amendment by 64% of the voters at the Nov. 8 election.  Maui Now.

It’s Still Unclear Who Will Fill The DHHL Seat On The New East Maui Water Board. As the council moves to vote later this week, the member recommended by DHHL may have to wait for Hawaiian Homes Commission approval. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauai Mayor highlights budget for fiscal year. Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami  has done a bit of traveling recently – to the Philippines, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and Hawai‘i on Hill.  KHON2.

Kaua‘i: last week to apply for Kupu ‘Āina Corps. Kupu is actively seeking host sites and participants to work in sustainability-focused sectors like renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation on Kaua‘i. Kauai Now.

 

First Honolulu rail segment slated to open in July, mayors on Oahu, Big Island and Kauai mayors hold state of the county addresses, EPA proposes water standards for PFAS, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Residents will soon have the chance to ride the rail this year, according to Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. The  rail project is on track for an interim opening this July. The opening will allow service from East Kapolei to the Aloha Stadium. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.

Tourism industry hopes to cash in this spring break, but visitor forecast remains unclear.  The Hawaii Tourism Authority said visitor numbers for March are trending back to normal. Last year, the islands saw nearly 800,000 visitors during spring break. That was up 40% from 2021. Before the pandemic, Hawaii saw nearly 1 million visitors in the same month. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s New Deputy Economy Chief Has A Powerful Business Partner In The Senate. The business partner of a powerful senator is on his way to being confirmed as deputy director for Hawaii’s economic development agency. Dane Wicker, a former chief of staff to Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz and co-owner of Kilani Brew with the senator, cruised through a Senate committee hearing on his nomination Tuesday.  Civil Beat.

‘Forever Chemicals’ Have Been Found In Hawaii’s Environment.  In move that could have a big impact in Hawaii, EPA proposes water standards for PFAS.  Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Auditor calls out OHA for lax and risky real-estate planning.  The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has been building its real estate portfolio over the past couple of decades to the point where it is now the 13th-largest landowner in Hawaii with holdings valued at more than $421 million.  Star-Advertiser.

UH sex misconduct bill tackles growing problem. A proposal to require the University of Hawaii to ramp up prevention of sexual violence, and support for survivors, is moving through the state Legislature as incidents on college campuses in Hawaii persist at a level the measure calls “pervasive.” Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii bill would name limu kala as state seaweed. Limu kala, a type of seaweed that is endemic to Hawaii, would become the state limu if House Bill 819 is passed. Star-Advertiser.

Bill aims to underscore threat of coffee leaf rust. Hawaii farmers battling a devastating parasite might not get much relief from proposed legislation that would formally declare coffee leaf rust an invasive fungal disease. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Mayor Blangiardi vows to address city’s ‘wicked problems’.  During his third State of the City address, Mayor Rick Blangiardi vowed Tuesday to address some of Oahu’s most intractable “wicked problems” by easing homelessness, reducing traffic through better-coordinated signal lights, and overhauling the city’s troubled Department of Planning and Permitting. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Massive first responder campus could include hotel, helipad and much more. The plan to consolidate state, federal and county first responders is already underway. The land is located in Central Oahu, Mililani, and is currently an Albezia forest with two plots one 150 acres and the other 93 acres respectively — not far from Wheeler Army Airfield.  KHON2.

New warning sirens will be tested across Oahu. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency will test new or upgraded warning sirens this week at six locations on Oahu. The tests will sound various alert tones which will be audible in the surrounding area, but there is no hazard, and members of the public need not take any action. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Mayor Mitch Roth stresses clean energy and housing in State of the County address.  Aging infrastructure, affordable housing and clean energy are just some of the top priorities this year for Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now.

Heavy snow won’t delay removal of observatories. Two Maunakea observatories are still scheduled to be removed within a year, despite snowier-than-normal conditions. Tribune-Herald.

Holualoa reacts to initial cleanup of mold-infested school. Cleaning has begun at Holualoa Elementary following several press conferences related to problems with molds, rats and other unsanitary conditions on campus. Tribune-Herald.

Record rainfall swamps spots on Big Island in February, including 56 inches at one site.  Just three Big Island rain gauges measured less than 100% of their average rainfall for February, with several spots in Kaʻū and on the windward side of the island recording rain totals up to nearly six times greater than average.  Big Island Now.

Maui

Investors Sue Maui Yacht Owner For More Than $2M After Honolua Bay Grounding. In a lawsuit filed Monday, attorneys for Kevin and Kimberly Albert of New Mexico, who provided the financing for the Nakoa, accused Jim Jones and his wife of taking the yacht on a personal trip to Honolua Bay without permission, which they said violated their sales agreement.  Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Nonprofits working to find medical respite for homeless cancer patients on Maui. One of the challenges is at the intersection of cancer and homelessness: finding a safe environment for patients to undergo treatment. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kawakami proposes budget to address Kauaʻi infrastructure, development. With soaring revenues,  Mayor Derek Kawakami continues his promise to invest in infrastructure and development, while opting to pay off debts and decrease some residential taxes in the upcoming fiscal year budget. Hawaii Public Radio. Garden Island.  Kauai Now.  KITV4.

Probation sought for ex-U.S. worker in $35,000 theft case. Probation should be the sentence for a former U.S. Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife employee who pleaded guilty to theft of government money and property in connection with $35,000 in personal purchases charged to a government credit card over a four-year period, his attorney argued. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii experts not worried about North Korea missiles, Ellison subsidizes Lanai gas, Gabbard leaving Democratic Party, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Experts say they're not worried about Nuclear Attack coming from North Korea right now. With five missile tests in 10 days, North Korea's actions have people concerned and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency keeping an eye on that part of the world. Two experts tell KITV4 they're not worried about a nuclear hit on Hawaii, because they don't believe North Korea has the technology to make an accurate hit on the island.  KITV4.

Hawaii’s hot tourism summer gives way to cooler fall. End-of-summer vacationers, mostly from the U.S., nearly filled Hawaii hotel rooms to pre-pandemic levels in August and drove the average daily room rate to almost $383 per night. Star-Advertiser.

Pace of traffic deaths eclipsing 2021. There were 90 traffic fatalities reported statewide in roughly the first nine months of this year, surpassing 66 from the same time frame in 2021, according to the state Department of Transportation’s preliminary statistics. Star-Advertiser.

Fighting For Workers Or Fleecing Them? An Ousted Honolulu Union Boss Faces His Reckoning. The trial of Brian Ahakuelo, accused of leading a conspiracy to line his pockets while head of IBEW Local 1260, begins Thursday. Civil Beat.

In race for governor, candidates play up differences on climate change, housing plans. In the race for governor, Josh Green is criticizing Duke Aiona for lacking substantial policies on climate change, but Aiona says Green’s clean energy plans sound just like the Lingle-Aiona administration. Hawaii News Now.

Former presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard says she’s leaving Democratic Party. Tulsi Gabbard, a former Hawaii U.S. representative and one-time presidential candidate, announced that she’s no longer a Democrat on social media on Monday. In her video statement, she called the leaders of the party an “elitist cabal of warmongers driven by cowardly wokeness.” Hawaii News Now.

Ballot tracking service available for Hawaiʻi voters. As the 2022 General Election ballots are prepared for mailing, election officials want to remind voters that they can sign up to receive ballot tracking alerts at elections.hawaii.gov. Voters can sign up to receive text, email, or voice alerts letting them know where their ballot is in the voting process. Maui Now. Garden Island.

Hawaii sees dramatic increase in fentanyl-related overdoses reported in September. Department of Health data shows fentanyl-related overdoses are happening on every major island in the state. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Kalihi rail construction to start ahead of schedule. The relocation of utilities along Dillingham Boulevard for the rail project should be underway ahead of schedule at the end of this year, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation announced Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige meets with Stadium Authority ahead of announcing his new direction for project. Gov. David Ige has yet to reveal his “different direction” to rebuild Aloha Stadium more than three weeks after scrapping the previous plan, but his point person on the project says “it’s a stretch” to expect that private development will help defray maintenance costs of a new facility. Star-Advertiser.

Lack Of Shelter Space Poses A Challenge For Oahu’s Newest Homeless Program. As a city program that helps homeless people approaches its one-year mark, it has faced obstacles including a lack of shelter space and psychiatrists. But the Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement program has taken 30 people off the streets and that’s a successful start, its director says. Civil Beat.

Kuilei Place high-rise in Moiliili would rival Oahu’s tallest buildings. A local developer is seeking to build a $619 million residential tower complex in Moiliili where major exemptions to building height and density limits will be needed to deliver the project with 1,005 predominantly moderate-price condominiums. Star-Advertiser.

City joins state in enforcement of illegal concrete pour at North Shore beachfront property. On a coastline already marred by illegal erosion barriers — the concrete and rebar reinforcement of this house owned by Josh Van Emmerik created a new level of outrage for Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. Hawaii News Now.

Erosion at popular east Oahu beach marks emotional turning point for some residents. After decades of erosion, the city is trimming and removing trees at one of the nation’s top ranked beaches. Last week, two trees fell into the waters of Kailua Beach. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Kimball named chairwoman, Inaba vice chairman of incoming County Council. Hamakua Councilwoman Heather Kimball has been selected chairwoman and North Kona Councilman Holeka Inaba vice chairman of the new County Council that will take office in December. West Hawaii Today.

Saddle Road EIS terminated. The long-sought Daniel K. Inouye Highway extension in West Hawaii has hit another roadblock. Environmental studies, which are required for the project that would bring the cross-island route to Queen Kaahumanu Highway, have officially been terminated — the latest blow to the project in the works since 1999. West Hawaii Today.

State seeks to improve access to Hilo Harbor. The state Department of Transportation Harbors Division is seeking to acquire almost 10 acres of privately owned land on Kalanianaole Street near the entrance to the Port of Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Former resident physician accuses Hilo Medical Center of breastfeeding discrimination. A former resident physician at a Hawaiʻi Island hospital is suing the institution for pregnancy-related workplace discrimination. Hawaii Public Radio.

Wanted: Ant samples from residents’ yards. Residents are urged to be on the lookout for little fire ants during what the state Department of Land and Natural Resources has called “Stop the Ant Month.” Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Contentious bill to limit outdoor lighting on Maui clears final council reading. The ordinance was passed due to concerns that bright, onshore lighting confuses seabirds and endangered sea turtles. Civil Beat. KITV4.

Land Use Commission approves public-private partnership in Waikapū, Maui. The approval allows Maui County to assume the developer’s required contribution toward a new Central Maui wastewater treatment plant, Waiʻale Road extension and improvements in exchange for 213 additional workforce units in the planned Waikapū Country Town community. Maui Now.

Maui food voucher program extended through December. The food vouchers from Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) were supposed to end in September. But the program will continue while funds remain. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News.

Why Lanai Gas Prices Plunged Overnight From Hawaii’s Most Expensive To The Cheapest. Tech magnate Larry Ellison, who owns 98% of the island, bought Lanai’s only gas station and started subsidizing fuel prices on April 1. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Mayor Signs Bill To Increase Benefits to Farmers. Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami signed a bill last month that updates the county’s Agricultural Dedication program to provide increased benefits to farmers and lessen the burdensome red tape.  Kauai Now.

Celebrating Kaua‘i National Wildlife Refuges. Friends of Kaua‘i Wildlife Refuges Executive Director Thomas Daubert announced Saturday that National Wildlife Refuge Week starts Tuesday and continues through Sunday at various North Shore locations. Garden Island.

Honolulu rail begins trial run, seaglider design certified, police union hikes dues, raises pay, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HART launches rigorous rail system trial-run phase. The first day of trial runs for the city’s rail project saw the first train leave 10 minutes late on Monday. The next day, another left five minutes late — but neither delay gave rise to critical safety issues, rail officials said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Federal agents in Hawaii see rise in device that turns pistols into mini machine guns. The Hawaii office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives say they are increasingly recovering devices known as Glock switches. The size of a quarter, it is illegal to possess — whether or not it is attached to a gun. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii police union board hikes pay, raises dues. The top officers of the board of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers voted to increase their monthly stipends by more than four times the current pay effective Thursday, when a $20 hike in union dues for members simultaneously kicks in. Star-Advertiser.

REGENT seaglider hits first maritime benchmark. REGENT, the Boston-based manufacturer of seagliders, which announced plans earlier this summer to develop a seaglider transportation network in Hawaii, has received design certification for its 12-passenger, fully electric seaglider, the Viceroy, which is intended for use in interisland and intraisland passenger and cargo transportation. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

We Made It Through The Primary. Now It’s On To The November General Election. More than 200 candidates are still in the running for federal, state and local offices and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as Hawaii moves toward Election Day on Nov. 8. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Health Department reports one additional monkeypox case, bringing state total to 23. The newest case is an Oahu resident whose case is related to a previously reported case, according to DOH. The tally now includes 17 cases on Oahu, including one nonresident; two on Maui; two on Hawaii island; and two nonresidents on Kauai. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Oahu

Candidates for Hawaii governor stake out different visions for Red Hill. Gubernatorial hopefuls Josh Green and James “Duke” Aiona both say that if elected in November, Red Hill will be a top priority and they will push the Navy to move faster to permanently shut it down. Star-Advertiser.

‘People are acting a little nuts’: New data shows an increase in violent crime on Oahu. It’s not your imagination: Violent crime is on the rise on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Police post applications, supporting documents for concealed carry gun permits online. Following a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, permit applications to carry carry concealed or unconcealed handguns publicly can now be downloaded online from the Hawaii Police Department, as can the supporting documentation applicants must submit. Tribune-Herald.

3rd Circuit Court Launches Small Claims Online Dispute Resolution Pilot. People on the Big Island filing certain small claims cases will soon have the convenience of doing so online. Big Island Now.

Big Island Deputy Prosecutor Granted Court Protection From Neighbors. Deputy prosecutor Randall Winston “Bew” Albright has secured a temporary restraining order against his neighbors, who earlier got a TRO against him and his wife. Civil Beat.

Maui

22 arrested for 70 outstanding warrants during US Marshals’ Sweep on Maui. The sweep was conducted between Aug. 22-26, 2022, in conjunction with the Maui Police Department’s Crime Reduction Unit and Special Response Team, the FBI, and Honolulu Police Department’s Crime Reduction Unit. Maui Now.

Emergency loans available to assist with axis deer impacts in Maui County. The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture will open an emergency loan program to help farmers with the costs associated with the overpopulation of axis deer in the County of Maui. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kauai Ballot Proposals Target Election Costs And Salary Caps. Voters in November will decide whether to adopt four proposals to change laws that govern daily life on the Garden Island. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Telcom Continues Expansion of Fiber Internet on Garden Isle. During the first half of the year, the company expanded its service in parts of Anahola, Kapa‘a, Kawaihau, Kōloa, Moloa’a, and Wailua, enabling more homes and businesses with fiber internet. Kauai Now.

Natatorium renovation mulled, wrongful death lawsuit filed by Zuckerberg employee's family, $500M contract for Honolulu rail utility work, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

City preparing design documents to renovate storied Waikiki Natatorium. Will the iconic Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium ever reopen to the public? After closing down due to water quality and safety issues 43 years ago, the storied landmark now sits dilapidated with crumbling concrete and chipped paint. KITV4.

Two deputy superintendents added to lead Hawaii public school strategy and operations. The state Board of Education today approved the creation and appointments for two new deputy superintendent positions, despite concerns raised by Hawaii’s teachers union and others about worsening bureaucracy at the top of the state’s public school system. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii board receives first draft of strategic plan for 2023-2029. A first-draft outline of a new strategic plan for the University of Hawaii system calls for providing education to a bigger chunk of the islands’ population, eliminating the state’s shortages of teachers and other high- demand workers, and improving equity for Native Hawaiian students and employees among its numerous goals. Star-Advertiser.

Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct discusses legislative term limits. At a Wednesday meeting, the Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct heard from several state lawmakers and the public on the legislative process in its mission to make recommendations on topics from lobbying to campaign finance laws. Hawaii Public Radio.

State water commission considers ability to act during emergency situations. Hawaiʻi has faced drought conditions and potential water shortages this summer. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Commission on Water Resource Management has been monitoring rainfall across the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Condo Fees Are Among Nation’s Highest. And They’re Squeezing The Middle Class. For many middle class home owners, maintenance fees can be almost as high as a mortgage. Civil Beat.

Oahu

New $500 Million Contract May Finally Solve Honolulu Rail’s Utility Woes. Rail officials tried to get this work done under a prior contract. They say this new deal will finally solve one of the project’s biggest obstacles. Honolulu rail officials this week awarded a nearly half-billion dollar contract that they hope will finally overcome one of the project’s biggest hurdles: relocating the maze of utility lines that run above and below Dillingham Boulevard. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Retirement ceremony foreshadows end of coal power era on Oahu. Gov. David Ige, several state lawmakers and city representatives participated in a retirement ceremony outside the AES Corp. coal-fired plant, which has been Oahu’s largest single generator of electricity for 30 years. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

More seats approved for University of Hawaii field. The University of Hawaii Board of Regents approved a $30 million plan that includes expanding the seating capacity of the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex to nearly 17,000 in time for the start of the 2023 football season. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

NOAA plans to relocate monk seal pup Koalani after weaning. Federal wildlife officials this afternoon announced a decision to relocate Hawaiian monk seal pup Koalani from Kaimana Beach in Waikiki to a more remote Oahu shoreline after he has weaned. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

A little tax relief for kupuna. Property taxes should take a slightly smaller bite from older property owners and those with lower-valued homes starting this time next year, thanks to a bill unanimously passed Wednesday by the County Council. West Hawaii Today.

Foes blast PGV plan. A public meeting about a plan to increase power production at Puna Geothermal Venture attracted nearly universal criticism from attendees Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

Hele-On awarded funds for zero-emissions fleet, capital improvements. The county will procure six fuel cell electric buses and support hydrogen charging infrastructure through the Low or No Emissions grant program. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Seabirds Still Face Danger From Bright Lights. The case against the Grand Wailea resort is headed for trial in April unless a settlement emerges. Civil Beat.

Crucial tasks ahead for new Department of Agriculture. County hammers out duties that include promoting local food, curbing theft, developing workforce. Maui News.

Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization taking applications for executive director. The Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization is now accepting applications to fill the role of executive director as Lauren Armstrong, who’s headed the organization since 2016, moves on to another job. Maui News.

Kūlanihākoʻi High School is approved as new Kīhei campus name. Kūlanihākoʻi High School is now the official name of the campus currently under construction in Kīhei, Maui, following today’s approval by the Hawaiʻi State Board of Education. Maui Now.

Maui to procure 11 new buses thanks to competitive federal grant. The County of Maui will procure four battery electric buses, as well as three commuter and four microtransit-type buses, and prepare the infrastructure needed to transition its fleet to electric buses by the year 2035. Maui Now.

Kauai

Councilors hope bill incentivizes mainland investors to rent long-term. The Kaua‘i County Council passed a bill Wednesday that introducers view as a step toward equity and balance within the Kaua‘i property tax system. Garden Island.

Zuckerberg company implicated in wrongful death lawsuit. Rodney Medeiros was working a 12-hour shift as a security guard at the Kaua‘i ranch owned by Mark Zuckerberg and Dr. Priscilla Chan when he died of a heart attack three years ago. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

State Tourism Officials Visit Kauai To Pitch Progress: ‘We’re Not Your Grandfather’s HTA’. Tourism, historically subject to little restraint, faces growing controls. But stressed-out residents say it’s not enough. Civil Beat.

Hawaii names ohia lehua official endemic tree, UH reinstates indoor masking, state misses out on $200M to feed children, more news from all the Hawaiian islands

Ohia lehua designated official Hawaii State Endemic Tree. State lawmakers passed Senate Bill 2059 during this year’s Legislative session to designate the tree, and Gov. David Ige Tuesday signed the bill into law at a ceremony at Washington Place. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island. KHON2.

Ige Extends Emergency SNAP Benefits Through July. The governor has signed a second emergency proclamation, extending the provision of federally increased allowances under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Civil Beat.

Health officials say lifted restrictions are not only driving up COVID cases, but also the flu. Health officials said flu cases are higher than it has been compared to the last couple of years when strict public health measures were in place. Hawaii News Now.

University of Hawaii reinstates indoor masking. Amid the statewide COVID-19 surge, Hawaii’s public schools have reported a ninth straight week of increases in campus cases, and the University of Hawaii, starting today, is reinstating an indoor mask requirement across its 10- campus system. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii public schools may need to prepare for shootings, says head of state board. Hawaii’s public school system has no specific policy requiring schools to prepare teachers or students for an active-shooter scenario. However, the head of the state Board of Education said Tuesday that the time has come to consider one. Star-Advertiser.

Report: Hawaiʻi missed out on $200 million in federal funding to feed children since 2000. Since 2000, Hawaiʻi has missed out on more than $200 million in federal funding for the state’s school meal programs, according to a new joint report released Tuesday. Maui Now. KITV4.

State sees banner year for tax revenues, but faces highly uncertain future. The state Council on Revenues expects a strong end to this fiscal year. But there are concerns for fiscal year 2023, which starts in July. The council projects Hawaiʻi will end the current fiscal year with a 28% growth in tax revenues over FY 2021.  Hawaii Public Radio.

New Hawaii State Hospital faces more delays. State health officials say they face additional delays in moving patients into the Hawaii State Hospital’s new, 144-bed psychiatric facility, after assuring state lawmakers in early April that all the patients would be moved in by this month. The state Department of Health now says the target date is the end of June. Star-Advertiser.

Native Hawaiians Face High Rates Of Diabetes. That Means More Need For Dialysis. The number of dialysis centers in the islands is increasing to meet the need as more patients suffer from kidney failure. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Oahu rail recovery plan advances at City Council. The new rail recovery plan that would notably shorten the route and delay the construction of the Pearl Highlands parking garage advanced out of the Honolulu City Council Transportation, Sustainability and Health Committee on Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Creation of Honolulu urban trail part of $14 million tourism recovery plan. The Hawaii Tourism Authority is working on a plan to spend $14 million in COVID-19-era federal funding from the Economic Development Administration that includes development of a Honolulu urban trail that would use virtual reality and other smart features to connect people to points of interest and businesses along the path. Star-Advertiser.

Mandatory water restrictions this summer now appear avoidable. The Board of Water Supply thinks mandatory water restrictions might be avoidable this summer. It’s a promising development for residents who were bracing for forced restrictions and developers who were warned their projects could have been delayed by the Navy’s tainted water crisis. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Federal Aviation Administration moves to strip local freight carrier’s certification. The Federal Aviation Administration announced Tuesday that it has proposed to revoke the air carrier certificate of Honolulu- based cargo airline Rhoades Aviation Inc. for what the agency called “numerous alleged safety violations.” Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council matchups shaping up: 2 weeks before filing deadline, two incumbents have no challengers. Of the nine County Council seats up for election this year, all but two incumbents have drawn challengers, with just two weeks remaining before the June 7 filing deadline. West Hawaii Today.

County seeks info about four torched Elderly Activities Division vehicles. Mayor Mitch Roth issued a statement Tuesday condemning the actions an arsonist or arsonists who on Sunday torched four Department of Parks and Recreation vehicles. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now

Drought unlikely to stop little fire ants. Pest species like little fire ants will likely not be deterred by the drought conditions expected for much of the island this summer. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Kuʻikahi Village’s plans for 202 workforce homes in Wailuku moves ahead. Kuʻikahi Village Project, which aims to build 202 workforce housing units on about 15 acres in Wailuku, cleared a significant hurdle recently.  Maui Now.

Maui Is Reconsidering What Constitutes ‘Affordable’ When It Comes To Housing. Even if families qualify for loans, monthly costs can be so high that they struggle to hold on to their homes in the long term. Civil Beat. Maui News.

Conservation-minded steward sought as future buyer for Maui’s Hāna Ranch. Bio-Logical Capital today announced it is seeking a new conservation-minded buyer to steward Hāna Ranch, a 3,600-acre working cattle ranch in east Maui. Maui Now.

Longtime Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Colette Machado dies at 71. Former Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chair Colette Ma­chado of Molokai was remembered Tuesday as a passionate warrior driven to public service and dedicated to the betterment of the Native Hawaiian community. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Kauai

Boulders block beach-goers near Burns Field. State Department of Transportation personnel have blocked vehicle access to the perimeter road at Port Allen Airport (also known as Burns Field), upsetting residents who recreate on the facility’s makai side. Garden Island.

Wilcox Emergency Department updates completed. Dr. Monty Downs, retired following 50 years of service to Wilcox Health and the first emergency room doctor at Wilcox Medical Center, said the first emergency room was just an 18-foot-by-18-foot room with a stretcher, not a gurney, in the middle. Garden Island.

Officials hold blessing for new emergency department at Wilcox Medical Center. The $5.1 million renovation project includes two trauma resuscitation suites and several specialized care rooms, along with a dedicated behavioral health room equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Star-Advertiser.