Pay to Play: Feds bust Honolulu Planning Department employees for allegedly accepting bribes, Legislature adds tax hikes, keeps budget papers secret, vaccination passport in the works, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Hale city hall ©2021 All Hawaii News

Five Honolulu Planning Department Employees Indicted For Bribery. Federal prosecutors say city workers accepted tens of thousands of dollars to fast track permits and provide other special treatment. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

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State officials won’t release unemployment office budget. As state House leaders finalized their version of the biennial budget last week, they announced they had appropriated $105 million to Hawaii’s labor department to tackle a massive problem: thousands of unpaid unemployment claims and a call center so overwhelmed that some residents have tried for months to get through to an agent without success. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Senate Committee Mulls Inheritance And Conveyance Tax Increases. Even after a $1.6 billion federal bailout, a key lawmaker says the state might need more money. Civil Beat.

A bill that would provide rent relief to businesses advances in state Legislature. As more businesses bite the dust and fall victim to the economic impact of the pandemic, the state passed a bill to help businesses recover from back rent. Hawaii News Now.

House panel suspends state Rep. Sharon Har DUI inquiry. A special committee in the House of Representatives set up to investigate state Rep. Sharon Har’s arrest on suspicion of drunken driving in February is suspending its proceedings until charges in the criminal case are resolved. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

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Ige Names 3 To UH Board Of Regents. The 11-member board is tasked with overseeing the 10-campus University of Hawaii system. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii researchers are the first to track freshwater plumes rising from the ocean floor. University of Hawaii at Manoa scientists have figured out how to detect and image underwater freshwater plumes rising from the ocean floor, a scientific first that could have wide-ranging implications for oceanography, hydrology and the study of sea life in coastal waters. Star-Advertiser.

Most visitors would recommend going to the Hawaiian islands if quarantine lifted. Hawaii has seen a travel resurgence since spring break travelers began appearing. The seven-day average of trans-Pacific travelers was 20,330 as another 19,491 travelers flew into Hawaii on Monday. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now. KITV4.

Hawaii moving forward using coronavirus vaccine passport for travel. State officials are moving toward issuing some type of vaccination passport to travel in and out of Hawaii as thousands of Hawaii residents get vaccinated against COVID-19 every day. KHON2.

For Many Hawaii Companies, The Pandemic Has Changed Work Forever. Many companies are grappling with when — and whether — to bring workers back to the office and how to do so safely. Civil Beat.

Army gets long-range missiles to guard against China. In a discussion Tuesday on the future of the Army in the Indo-Pacific, two top service leaders reiterated that the ground force isn’t stepping on the toes of the Marine Corps or Air Force budgetwise or operationally in developing long-range missiles. Star-Advertiser.

Lieutenant Governor Josh Green: Hawaii Still on Track for July Herd Immunity. He predicts that 1.7 million vaccine doses will be administered by then and roughly 80 percent of the state's population will be inoculated. KITV4.

In big milestone, 25% of eligible population in each county received at least 1 dose of vaccine. In a major milestone in Hawaii’s vaccination efforts, a quarter of the eligible population in each county has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the state Department of Health reported Monday. Hawaii News Now.

March 30, 2021 COVID-19 Update: The state Department of Health reports that there were 71 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Tuesday, including 45 on O‘ahu, 12 on Maui, six on Hawai‘i Island one on Kaua‘i, and seven in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state. Maui Now.

Oahu

Ban on disposable plastic food utensils and single-use bags starts Thursday in Honolulu. Starting Thursday, when a city ordinance aimed at reducing plastic pollution takes effect, Honolulu food vendors will be prohibited from providing or offering conventional, disposable service ware made of petroleum-derived plastic. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Violent crimes are happening around Oahu, yet HPD is failing to provide crucial info. There was another high-profile murder in Honolulu this week — and once again, there was a lack of communication from the Honolulu Police Department in sharing crucial information. Hawaii News Now.

Kaiser Permanente opens mass vaccination clinic at Kapolei movie theater. People were lining up at Kapolei’s Consolidated Theatres on Tuesday, March 30, not for movie tickets but for a COVID-19 shot. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

3 isle schools to get capital improvement funds. Gov. David Ige on Tuesday announced the release of more than $165 million in CIP money to fund critical infrastructure projects. Tribune-Herald.

Bill would partially restore lifeguard funding. State senators are set to take up Thursday the House’s proposed two-year budget bill that restores some funding for lifeguard services at five state beach parks, including two on the Big Island. West Hawaii Today.

Wayne Higaki Returns To UH Board of Regents. Governor David Ige on Tuesday announced the appointment of Higaki, who has served on the BOR representing Hawai‘i County (West) since 2015. Big Island Video News.

Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Orchards LP sues Hawaiian Host affiliate over debt. Hawaii’s largest macadamia nut farm has sued an affiliate of Hawaiian Host Group over unpaid nut deliveries two months after investors saved the local candy and snack maker from potential bankruptcy. Star-Advertiser.

New Malama Market Pahoa opens today. Malama Market’s new location will be the largest in the state. At 35,000 square feet, it is more than three times larger than its previous location down the road. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Inmate injured in 2019 riot sues state, cites overcrowding. Lawsuit alleges department failed to keep prisoners safe. Maui News.

Transport of inmates to court may resume with cluster ‘under control’. Maui Community Correctional Center and court officials are discussing resuming the transport of inmates to court “now that the virus spread has been mitigated” at the Wailuku jail, a state Department of Public Safety spokeswoman said Monday. Maui News.

Kauai

KFD and KPD take budget, positions cuts in FY 22 proposal. The county was recently tasked with balancing core services and operations with a tighter belt, and proposed a $243-million operating budget and $24.3-million capital improvement projects budget, with no position layoffs. Garden Island.

Honolulu city hall shuts down amid COVID-19 outbreak, Caldwell tests negative, HGEA files grievance against Health Department over contact tracers, labor director resigns, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Hale city hall ©2020 All Hawaii News

Honolulu Hale Shuts Down Amid COVID-19 Outbreak. Mayor Kirk Caldwell is among more than 1,000 city employees being tested for the disease after a cluster surfaced. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Hale closed, satellite city halls on limited service. Honolulu Hale is shutting down to the public due to an outbreak of COVID-19 cases there, Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Caldwell tests negative for COVID-19 after cases spread at Honolulu Hale. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell was tested for COVID-19 on Monday after a positive case in his office, and many more at Honolulu Hale. By Monday night, his result came back negative. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s COVID-19 test result is negative. There was mass testing at Honolulu Hale after 10 employees had positive COVID-19 test results. KHON2.

Mayor Caldwell tests negative for COVID-19. Mayor Kirk Caldwell received a negative test result for COVID-19 on Monday night. KITV4.

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Experts: COVID-19 is spreading in Hawaii at a faster rate than anywhere else in the nation. Hawaii is regularly seeing triple-digit increases in COVID-19 infections, a situation that underscores just how fast the virus is spreading in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s coronavirus crisis worsens with 140 cases, 3 deaths and more closures. Hawaii’s coronavirus crisis continued to mount Monday as Honolulu’s City Hall was shut down, the University of Hawaii football season was postponed at least for the fall and three more people died from COVID-19. Star-Advertiser.

The Latest: 140 Cases; Mayor Isolates, Honolulu Hale To Close; 6 OCCC Inmates, 3 ACOs Positive. Hawaii Public Radio.

VIRUS TRACKER — Aug. 10: 3 Deaths And 140 Cases; Clusters At Honolulu Hale And Oahu Jail. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is being tested for the coronavirus after a staffer in his office tested positive. Civil Beat.

DOH Reports 140 New COVID-19 Cases Statewide. The Hawai‘i Department of Health on Monday reported 140 news cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 3,638 cases since testing began in late February. Big Island Now.

Military and their family account for 7% of Hawaii’s COVID-19 cases. In the first acknowledgement of its kind, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said military members and their families in Hawaii represent approximately 7% of the total COVID-19 cases for the state — meaning about 204 as of Thursday’s statewide count of 2,914 since the start of the outbreak. Star-Advertiser.

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‘Out of control': Union grievance filed against DOH as criticism of pandemic response builds. The union that represents state contact tracers has filed an official grievance against Health Department management, saying top government health officials have lied to the public how many tracers are actually on the job. Hawaii News Now.

HGEA grievance cites just 15 contact tracers on Oahu, where COVID-19 cases are surging. The Hawaii Government Employees Association has filed a grievance against the state Department of Health alleging that there are only 15 epidemiological specialists on Oahu and three on the neighbor islands to perform contact tracing for thousands of potential COVID-19 cases. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii governor appoints new directors as labor head resigns. Democratic Gov. David Ige said Monday he appointed a new interim director of the state Department of Taxation and an acting director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Associated Press.

Labor Director Resigns, Former Lawmaker To Head Tax Department. Gov. David Ige announced new cabinet members Monday. Civil Beat.

Head of State Labor Department Resigns After Two Months on Leave. The state director charged with overseeing jobless benefits for Hawai‘i residents has resigned after months of being on leave amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Now.

Scott Murakami resigns as head of Hawaii Labor Department after 2 months on leave. Scott Murakami, the director of the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, resigned his post on Wednesday, Gov. David Ige said today. Star-Advertiser.

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University of Hawaii community asked to shift coursework online as much as possible. The University of Hawaii, which already planned for mostly online instruction this fall, asked faculty and students today to reduce in-person coursework as much as possible given the rise in COVID-19 cases. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Corrections Workers Fear Infection As COVID-19 Outbreak Grows. With six inmates and three staff already testing positive, OCCC staff worry the prison system is unprepared to control the virus. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii’s inter-island travel quarantine will be reinstated on Tuesday amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. But the rules are a little different this time. For one, travel to Oahu is not restricted. But if you’re flying to any other island, you’ll need to quarantine for 14 days after arrival. Hawaii News Now.

Reminder: partial interisland travel quarantine goes into effect Aug 11. Due to rising COVID-19 cases in the state, Governor David Ige has instituted a partial interisland quarantine which goes into effect Tuesday, Aug 11. KHON2.

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State launches Buy Hawaii website to promote local products. The state has launched Buy Hawaii, Give Aloha. KHON2.

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Record primary election sees 99% of votes cast by mail-in ballots. In Hawaii’s largest effort at mail-in ballots, island voters overwhelmingly made their preference known last week, while potentially delivering a death sentence for the time-honored tradition of in-person voting. Star-Advertiser.

Outsider Candidates Win Big In Mayoral Primaries In Two Counties. On both Oahu and Hawaii Island, voters opted for outsiders of experience in contests to narrow down the field of candidates for county mayor. Hawaii Public Radio.

Post Primary Election Talk With Kai Kahele. Kahele made his remarks following the Hawaiʻi County Democratic Party Unity Breakfast, held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Video News.

Oahu

Honolulu police issue about 1,350 citations for COVID-19 violations on Oahu. Honolulu police issued about 1,350 citations over the weekend to alleged violators of the newly instituted COVID-19 emergency orders. Star-Advertiser.

A Heart Of Gold’: The Other Side Of Accused Crime Boss Michael Miske. The Hawaii businessman charged with racketeering and murder convinced several people to write letters on his behalf so that he can get out on bail while awaiting trial. Star-Advertiser.

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2 Princeton graduates are trying to turn a Waikiki hotel into a college dorm. It's called "The U Experience," and according to the program's website, it's supposed to help the mental health of students by getting them out of their homes and house them in resorts as they complete their coursework online. KITV4.

Study in paradise? Mainland students are being recruited for a ‘college bubble’ in Waikiki. Community concern is quickly spreading over proposed plans for a so-called “college bubble” at a Waikiki hotel. Hawaii News Now.

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State sweeps Iwilei homeless encampment near Nimitz Highway. A private contractor for the state removed on Monday appliances and other items from the sidewalk along North Nimitz Highway where a homeless encampment has grown to about a dozen tents. Star-Advertiser.

DLNR closes Oahu state hiking trails due to COVID surge. All trails in state forest lands on Oahu are now closed, effective immediately, in response to “12 straight days of triple-digit new positive COVID-19 cases in Hawaii, most of them on Oahu,” the state DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) announced today in a press release. Star-Advertiser.

The city advances an $80 million plan to turn Kapalama Canal into a recreation area. The city is advancing plans to turn an old utilitarian flood-control canal in Kapalama into an inviting mile-long public recreation destination. Star-Advertiser.

HTA funding will help restore a palace feature tied to Kalakaua’s 1883 coronation. Some overdue maintenance at Iolani Palace is finally underway thanks to a grant from the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Among the projects at the palace: A restoration of the landmark pavilion on the palace grounds. Hawaii News Now.

How Is Oahu’s Trash Impacting the Waianae Coast? Debates within the Nanukuli and Maili community about a possible landfill expansion are heating up. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Roth sweeps most Big Island precincts: Kim doesn’t win a single precinct, analysis shows. Mayor Harry Kim didn’t prevail in a single one of the Big Island’s 43 voting precincts while coming in third behind two of the 14 challengers for the county’s top elected post. West Hawaii Today.

Interactive precinct web map can be found here.

Kim reflects on his time in office, offers advice to next mayor. When the clock strikes noon on Dec. 7, Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim will leave the job he’s done for a dozen years in two stretches. Tribune-Herald.

Partial Inter-island Quarantine Begins Today On Hawaiʻi Island. As of Tuesday, all travelers arriving in the County of Hawai‘i must follow a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine, as the State of Hawaiʻi tries to limit the spread of COVID-19. Big Island Video News.

Miloliʻi Beach Park Improvements Planned, Draft EA Posted. The County wants to bring the South Kona shoreline park into compliance with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Lynn DeCoite and Walter Ritte wait out recount in state House race. The state Office of Elections was holding a mandatory vote recount Monday in a too-close-to-call Democratic primary race between incumbent Rep. Lynn De­Coite and challenger Walter Ritte for the state House District 13 representing Lanai, Molokai, and Paia and Hana, Maui. Star-Advertiser.

DeCoite leads Ritte by 91 votes as recount is planned. Incumbent winning on Molokai and Lanai, Ritte takes East Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

West Kaua‘i Community Plan comes with code amendments. Last week, Planning Director Ka‘aina Hull introduced six bills to complement the newly proposed West Kaua‘i Community Plan by amending the Kaua‘i County Code’s comprehensive zoning ordinances. Garden Island.

Public input sought for Kapa‘a skate park.  A new design for the Kapa‘a skate park is on the horizon, and public input is being collected to figure out what exactly the community would like to shred their wheels on next. Garden Island.

Kapa‘a food pantry reopens. The Kaua‘i Community Pantry is now open Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. for customers who must register and then get help with the no-touch shopping that includes pointing out desired items for the pantry volunteer to package. Garden Island.

Supreme Court won't hear B&B appeal denying gay couple, city council wants to evacuate Honolulu Hale, Southwest Airlines lands inaugural flight, taxpayers lose in failed Kauai dairy farm, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Hale ©2019 All Hawaii News

Supreme Court rejects Hawaii B&B owner who denied room to gay couple. The justices on Monday are leaving in place Hawaiian state court rulings that found the Aloha Bed & Breakfast in Honolulu violated Hawaii’s anti-discrimination law by turning the couple away. Associated Press.

Buyer Beware: Oceanfront Homes Keep Going Up Despite Rising Seas. Now, Hawaii lawmakers are considering bills that force sellers to tell prospective owners about vulnerable coastal properties. Civil Beat.

Swell pushes up surf to monster levels, keeping coastal homeowners on edge. Surf on the North Shore could get as high as 40 feet on Monday, and meteorologists say coastal flooding remains a threat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii film tax credit cap under fire at Capitol. Estimated claims for these state rebates last year jumped to $90 million from $55 million the year before. Now, a restraint on the subsidy is facing heavy pushback at the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Creating A Better Life For Hawaii’s Developmentally Disabled. Gov. Ige has proposed spending $7.7 million to overhaul the state DD program, which includes offering clients more opportunities for jobs and setting goals for themselves. Civil Beat.

Excessive prison time still a mess for inmates. Officials with the state Department of Public Safety concede that in 2018 they released nine inmates after realizing they had been incarcerated beyond their scheduled release dates. Star-Advertiser.

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Southwest makes its inaugural flight to the islands. The discount carrier’s inaugural flight, appropriately numbered 6808, came from Oakland International Airport to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Sunday. Star-Advertiser.

Southwest begins much-anticipated service to Hawaii. The plane landed at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport at 3:09 p.m., and passengers received lei and were greeted by Hawaiian music and hula. Hawaii News Now.

Southwest Airlines inaugural flight touches down to big Aloha welcome. KHON2.

A historic moment for Southwest Airlines as its first passenger flight touched down at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport Sunday afternoon. KITV.

Hawaiian Airlines plans to add an additional daily flight to San Francisco in the fall. Associated Press.

Oahu

Honolulu Council likely relocating offices to Alii Place. With or without Mayor Kirk Caldwell and his administration, Honolulu City Council members want to relocate themselves and the rest of the legislative branch to the Alii Place tower downtown from Honolulu Hale by the end of the year. Star-Advertiser.

Federal investigation, funding issues increase risk for rail bidders. The federal investigation that has cast a new cloud over the city’s rail project may also complicate efforts by the Honolulu rail authority to solicit companies for a public-private partnership to finish the 20-mile rail line, observers say. Star-Advertiser.

Investigators from the city Department of the Prosecuting Attorney raided three businesses and arrested two people Friday as part of a crackdown on Honolulu brothels operating as massage parlors and relaxation spas. Star-Advertiser.

Judge Orders Release Of More Records In Case Of HPD Officer Who Beat Girlfriend. But it’s unclear when the public will actually get to see the files. The police union has promised to appeal. Civil Beat.

Long time local newspaper reporter Burl Burlingame has died. He'd been a newspaper writer for more than 35 years. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

A bill that would allow only four wheel drive vehicles into Waipio Valley is advancing through the state Legislature. The trip down the Waipio Valley Access Road – a dangerous drive for unfamiliar visitors – could soon be more tightly regulated under a proposed bill moving through the Hawaii State Legislature. Big Island Video News.

More police officers for Kona: Chief talks new hires at chamber Focus Luncheon. Police Chief Paul Ferreira told a crowd Friday at the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Focus Luncheon that his office has requested two crime scene evidence technicians for Kona’s detective division, which is currently bereft of any such positions. Police have also requested in the upcoming budget an extra sergeant for Kona, as well as two sergeants each for the North Kohala and South Kohala districts. West Hawaii Today.

Group eyes $12M West Hawaii veterans center. With an estimated 16,000-17,000 veterans on the Big Island, half of whom reside in West Hawaii, the West Hawaii Veterans Council Inc. hopes to get underway in 2021 the first phase of construction of the facility that would provide veterans, veterans groups and the community alike with much-needed gathering space. West Hawaii Today.

Puna distance learning center bill clears committee. Senate Bill 457, introduced by Sen. Russell Ruderman, would provide funding for four full-time positions, as well as studies, plans and construction, for a distance learning center tied to the University of Hawaii and Hawaii Community College. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A California startup plans to begin test flights of a hybrid electric aircraft between Kahului and Hana later this year, technology that could eventually prove a “game changer” for interisland carriers like Mokulele Airlines. Maui News.

360,000 Visitors to Molokini is Concerning. New evidence suggests that some marine predators are being displaced by high human use at the Molokini Marine Life Conservation District, which in 2018 attracted more than 360,000 snorkelers and divers. Maui Now.

Growing taro in hard places is just the challenge for farmers like Bobby Pahia. Wide variety of crops being produced on 310 acres in Waikapu. Maui News.

W.S. Merwin, a prolific and versatile poetry master who evolved through a wide range of styles as he celebrated nature, condemned war and industrialism and reached for the elusive past, died March 15, 2019, in Haiku, Maui. He was 91. Associated Press.

Kauai

Ballots have been mailed out for Kauai Island Utility Cooperative’s Board of Directors Election. Three seats are up for election in March with the deadline to vote being March 23 at noon, and the three candidates are all incumbents — Calvin Murashige, Peter Yukimura and Jan TenBruggencate. Garden Island.

Private investment firm Ulupono Initiative lost a lot of money on its recently aborted plan to establish a dairy on Kauai, but so did local taxpayers thanks to a tax credit crafted by state lawmakers. Honolulu-based Ulupono received $875,000 in state tax credits under a 2008 law that created incentives for landowners to preserve prime farmland for agricultural use in perpetuity. Star-Advertiser.

Baby bison from South Dakota helping replenish Kauai herd devastated by flooding. Hawaii News Now.

Kealoha trial delayed, City Council to move out of Honolulu Hale, Kamehameha Schools pays $65M to settle sex abuse lawsuit, Maui ballot initiative to raise unlicensed vacation rental fine to $20k, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Hale ©2018 All Hawaii News

Mayor Caldwell questions city council’s decision to relocate from Honolulu Hale to new million-dollar digs. The city council approved funding for one year’s rent at Alii Tower in downtown. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is trying to stop city council members from spending more than a million dollars to move from Honolulu Hale to a high-end downtown office building. Hawaii News Now.

Health concerns prompt city council's proposal to move out of Honolulu Hale. Council members tell us their portion of the building has been making employees sick. KHON2.

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Kealoha trial delayed after review of Katherine’s medical records. A federal judge Tuesday afternoon delayed the start of next month’s bank fraud trial of retired Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his wife, former deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha. Star-Advertiser.

Kealohas’ Bank Fraud Trial Delayed Until 2019. The federal magistrate scolded the prosecutor for claiming Katherine Kealoha had a history of “feigning serious illness.” Civil Beat.

Katherine Kealoha’s trial delayed due to undisclosed medical condition. It’s the latest in a long list of medical claims Kealoha has used over the years. Hawaii News Now.

Judge grants Katherine Kealoha's request to delay trial over medical condition. KHON2.

A federal judge moved the start date of the bank fraud trial against former Honolulu Deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha, and her husband, former Chief of Police in Honolulu Louis Kealoha to 2019 because of an undisclosed medical condition. KITV.

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Elected officials from Hawaii, California, and Alaska gathered at the White House for a 'State Leadership Day' event. KITV.

Kamehameha pays $65 million as part of settlement of sex abuse lawsuit. Kamehameha Schools has taken a major step to close one of the most tumultuous chapters in its long and storied history, paying $65 million to 32 plaintiffs who sued the institution for the sexual abuse they suffered decades ago at the hands of a psychiatric consultant. Star-Advertiser.

As early voting begins, Tupola, Ige point out distinct differences in opinions. The two are preparing for the General Election on Nov. 6. Hawaii News Now.

Gabbard Spending A Lot Of Campaign Cash, But Not All Of It In Hawaii. The congresswoman is hiring well-known national consultants despite having an easy path to re-election. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Airlines' net up 31% after 'eventful' quarter. Two hurricanes in Hawaii, a typhoon in Japan, lingering impacts from the Kilauea eruption and rising fuel costs didn’t prevent Hawaiian Holdings Inc. from carrying the most passengers of any third quarter ever or achieving a solid financial performance. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Holdings Inc., the parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, reported a 30.6 percent increase in earnings to $93.5 million in the third quarter of 2018, bolstered by a 6 percent increase in revenue to $759 million. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

City is on track repaving roads islandwide, Caldwell says. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Tuesday announced that more than 2,000 lane miles of roads in Honolulu have been repaved over the last five years and that fixing the city’s roads and potholes remains a high priority. Star-Advertiser.

Caldwell: City is exceeding road repaving goals, despite recent ranking. About 2,000 lane miles have been repaved at lower costs, the mayor says. Hawaii News Now.

The city says it's ahead of schedule when it comes to fixing the island's roads. So far, the city has repaved 2,000 lane miles and filled over 16,000 potholes. KHON2.

Mayor Caldwell claims the City has repaved more than 2,000 lane miles on Oahu. KITV.

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Honolulu Councilman blames mayor for stalling beach access plan. Efforts to secure a small lane for public access to a beach off Portlock Road have been stalled by Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration, and City Councilman Trevor Ozawa, who represents the area, is questioning whether election-year politics is to blame. Star-Advertiser.

Early Walk-In Voting started today across the state. Twenty people were waiting in line at Honolulu Hale when the polling station opened at 8am. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kapolei Public Library closed until further notice after pipe bursts, floods first floor. Officials say an air conditioning cooling pipe burst, causing water to spill from the ceiling onto the building's first floor. KHON2.

Queen’s to expand services in West Oahu. The Queen’s Health Systems is planning an expansion that will double the amount of facilities at its West Oahu campus. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s largest wind farm has come up with a new proposal to offset, and hopefully reduce, killings of endangered Hawaiian hoary bats. Star-Advertiser.

Helicopter removed from Kaneohe Bay, NTSB investigating crash. The tour helicopter that went down in Kaneohe Bay Monday afternoon has been pulled from the water, though what exactly happened remains under investigation. KHON2.

The FAA and NTSB are continuing an investigation into what caused a tour helicopter to crash near the Kaneohe Bay sandbar on Monday afternoon, seriously injuring three people on board. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Visitor numbers down for the fourth month in a row. The impact of the Kilauea eruption on the Big Island’s tourism industry continues to be felt as official tourism data from September indicates a fourth consecutive month of declining hotel visits. Tribune-Herald.

East, West Hawaii Come Together On Water Quality. Big Island Video News.

Residents invited to get to know Innergex. A Canadian-based renewable energy company will host a community meeting next week in Waimea about its proposed solar project on Parker Ranch land. Tribune-Herald.

David De Luz Sr. remembered by friends, family. Prominent Big Island businessman David De Luz Sr. is being remembered by those who knew him as a role model and self-made entrepreneur who worked hard to achieve success. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Should Unlicensed Airbnbs On Maui Face A $20,000 Fine? Voters will decide whether to amend the county charter to crack down on the proliferation of vacation rentals. Civil Beat.

West Maui Taxpayers Association to Host 2018 Candidates Night. The WMTA Candidates Night, the only forum of its kind in West Maui, and will feature the candidates for State Senator District 06, State Representative District 10, Maui mayor and Maui County Councilmembers—all districts. Maui Now.

Paltin, Nava face off in general election. In what is arguably one of the most closely watched County Council races this election cycle, Tamara Paltin and Rick Nava hope to fill the West Maui residency seat soon to be vacated by Elle Cochran, who is running for mayor. Maui News.

Kihei Charter School Opens in Permanent Location. After 18-years, Kihei Charter School has finally found a permanent home at the top of Līpoa Parkway in Kihei within the Maui Research and Technology Park. Maui Now.

Kauai

County Council Candidate: Juno Apalla. When it comes to vision, Juno Apalla strives for efficiency. Garden Island.

DHHL boots CrossFit from building. Organizers of the free community gym in Anahola are getting their ducks in a row after being kicked out of their space in an old church because they didn’t have proper permits. Garden Island.