Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Logan named new Honolulu Police chief, Ige signs bill giving high school journalists press freedoms, PUC rejects biomass power plant, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Special Interest Money Fuels Hawaii Delegation’s Leadership PACs. Hawaii Congressman Kai Kahele continues to raise money from corporate donors, lobbyists and political action committees for his federal campaign committee despite a gubernatorial campaign promise not to do so for his state campaign, federal campaign finance reports filed last week show. Civil Beat.
Hawaii student journalists now protected from unlawful censorship. Hawaii public school and college students now have the same freedom of press protections as working journalists after Gov. David Ige signed a new law into effect Monday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.
Ige Appoints Appoints 2 State Ethics Commissioners. Wesley Fong was reappointed while Robert Hong fills a vacancy. Civil Beat.
Richard ‘Dickie’ Wong, a ‘street kid’ who became Hawaii’s Senate president, dies at 88. Richard “Dickie” Wong, who rose from humble roots to become president of the state Senate and chairman of the powerful Bishop Estate’s board of trustees, has died. Hawaii News Now.
Oahu
COVID surge to culminate in June, University of Hawaii researchers forecast. The Hawaii Pandemic Applied Modeling Work Group, a voluntary partnership of epidemiologists and data scientists, on Monday said it expected daily, new reported cases in Honolulu to peak at 3,500 to 4,000 sometime in the first three weeks of June. Star-Advertiser.
Public advised to avoid Kewalo Basin Harbor after wastewater discharge. State officials are warning the public to stay out of the waters of Kewalo Basin Harbor due to a wastewater discharge caused by a clogged sewage line. Star-Advertiser.
City prepares for return of in-person Memorial Day ceremony at Punchbowl. As Memorial Day approaches, the city and officials at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl are making preparations to once again honor veterans in person. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii Island
Public Utilities Commission rejects Big Isle biomass plant again. The state Public Utilities Commission on Monday placed another roadblock in front of a $520 million biomass plant that would burn trees to generate electricity on Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. KITV4.
Mayor Mitch Roth calls for ‘mindful masking’ as COVID-19 case counts rise. By “mindful masking,” Roth said in a news release that masking is strongly encouraged when in large gatherings, grocery stores, indoor gathering places, aboard public transportation, and in bars and restaurants when not actively eating and drinking. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.
Naniloa hotel dispute still not resolved. The Edward C. Olson Trust has until November to serve legal documents to a pair of business partners the trust is suing over two Banyan Drive development projects. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
Discussion begins on South Maui CPAC selection and application process. Discussion will begin on the selection and application process for the South Maui Community Plan Advisory Committee or “CPAC” on Wednesday at the Planning and Land Use Committee meeting. Maui Now.
Ige Proclaims Second Axis Deer Emergency Period For Maui. Gov. David Ige’s second emergency proclamation empowers the county and state to better address the problems facing the drought-stricken county. Civil Beat.
Hawaii officials mourn ‘sudden passing’ of former OHA Trustee Colette Machado. Molokai’s Colette Machado, a former Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee for 24 years, has died, local officials said Monday. Maui News. KHON2.
Kauai
Opposition to airport master plan takes off. The new Lihu‘e Airport Master Plan appears set for a rocky landing, as public opposition mounts against the long-term development strategy. Garden Island.
Friday, May 20, 2022
Hayashi tapped for schools superintendent, Espinda found dead from self-inflicted gunshot, Honolulu police chief candidates vie for top spot, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Interim Keith Hayashi chosen as Hawaii public schools superintendent. After an extraordinarily long and sometimes contentious state Board of Education meeting Thursday, former Waipahu High School Principal Keith Hayashi, who has been serving as state interim superintendent of Hawaii public schools since August, was selected from among three finalists to continue as the permanent state superintendent. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.
Nolan Espinda, former head of Hawaii’s Department of Public Safety, dies. Nolan Espinda, who retired as DPS director in 2020 amid criticism over the department’s handling of COVID-19 outbreaks in Hawaii prisons, was found dead at Kailua Beach of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.
Hawaii commits to clean transportation future. With the passing of Senate Bill 3311, the state would give itself a goal to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions across all modes of transportation. It also would establish working groups consisting of both public and private stakeholders that would promote clean interisland transportation and electric vehicle adoption. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii electric-vehicle sales charged ahead in first quarter. Hawaii made significant progress in the first quarter to distance itself from fossil fuels as the state reached double digits in electric vehicle registrations. Star-Advertiser.
$80 Million For Hawaiʻi Water Issues Passed By House Committee. The State of Hawaiʻi is “positioned to receive” $80 million for water and wastewater issues through federal legislation moving through the U.S. House. Big Island Video News.
Honolulu and Maui counties’ COVID-19 risk rank rises. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday bumped Honolulu and Maui counties from the yellow, medium-risk community level to the red, high-risk community level for COVID-19. Honolulu and Maui counties join Kauai County, which last week was classified as a high-risk community due to high case rates and limited hospital capacity. Hawaii County remains yellow. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.
Hawaii Health Department says keiki ages 5-11 now eligible for COVID-19 boosters. The Hawaii Department of Health today said it is adopting guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in recommending boosters for keiki ages 5 through 11. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.
Oahu
Candidates for Honolulu Police chief participate in public forum. Repairing the Honolulu Police Department’s reputation, providing more information to the media, increasing patrol staffing, addressing officer wellness and stopping the surge of violent crime were among the issues addressed by the candidates during the 90-minute live forum televised Thursday night on PBS Hawaii’s “Insight” program. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.
HPD statistics reveal low closure rates especially for property crimes. A vast majority of criminal cases investigated by the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) do not result in an arrest. KITV4.
Number Of Homeless People Counted In Oahu Survey Drops 11%. Oahu saw a decrease overall in this year’s Point-in-Time Count of homeless people, with the number of people in shelters dropping 24% and the number of those unsheltered increasing by 0.4% compared with the count in 2020. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2.
HART Pays Nearly $1 Million To Compensate 24 Parties Short-Changed By Rail Relocation. The Honolulu agency overseeing rail construction has determined that its prior history of shoddy relocation payments ultimately short-changed 24 businesses and tenants displaced by the future rail line to the tune of $883,000. Civil Beat.
Waikiki Aquarium to require face masks in alignment with University of Hawaii policy. The Waikiki Aquarium said wearing face masks is once again required at its facility, effective immediately, in alignment with University of Hawaii policy. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii Island
Council takes first stab at budget. Hawaii County Council members seem to prefer a cautious approach to county spending, despite a budget windfall that has Mayor Mitch Roth proposing a $779.7 million spending plan, a 27.8% increase over the current year. West Hawaii Today.
UH regents OK amendments to Maunakea plan. The University of Hawaii’s Board of Regents on Thursday approved a supplement to UH’s management plan for Maunakea, despite potentially losing jurisdiction over the mountain before the end of the decade. Tribune-Herald.
Solutions sought to help protect Pololu Valley. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is working with Hawi community members to protect Pololu Valley from overuse. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
County mayoral candidates tackle South Maui issues. Five candidates have filed to run so far in crowded mayor’s race Climate change, cesspools and ocean pollution, and homelessness in South Maui are among the issues that Maui County mayoral candidates plan to tackle if elected. Maui News.
Kaiser mental health clinicians during Maui strike: ‘They pushed us to this’. Organized by the National Union of Healthcare Workers that represents Hawai’i Kaiser’s 58 mental health providers, the demonstration is being called the Aloha State’s largest mental health strike. Maui Now.
Red placard issued to restaurant in Lahaina, Maui. The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Food Safety Branch issued a red placard and shut down China Bowl Asian Cuisine Restaurant, located at 2580 Kekaa Dr, #116, Lahaina on Maui. Maui Now.
Kauai
Council introduces bill expanding size of guest houses on Kaua‘i. A bill introduced at County Council on Wednesday would increase the maximum size of guest houses, a move intended to make a dent in the ongoing housing crisis on island. Garden Island.
No-cost health services return to Kauaʻi in June. The “Tropic Care” program is run by the state Department of Health’s Kauaʻi District Health Office, the County of Kauaʻi and the U.S. military. Hawaii Public Radio. Garden Island.
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Florida school shooting brings 'social media hysteria,' new legislation, to Hawaii; registration fees may be hiked for electric vehicles, Honolulu Police Commission picks new chairwoman, Big Island council puts GET on life support, seawall irks Maui residents, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Honolulu city bus ©2018 All Hawaii News |
Honolulu among U.S. cities with best public transportation. Hawaii News Now.
A bill to boost the state registration fees for electric and hybrid vehicles was tentatively approved by the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday. Owners of electric vehicles currently pay weight taxes and a registration fee of $45 per vehicle per year, but do not pay the gasoline tax. Star-Advertiser.
The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is seeking public input as it develops a non-binding plan to spend up to $8.1 million from a settlement with German automaker Volkswagen to promote the reduction of vehicle emissions in Hawaii. Garden Island.
Ige leads effort urging Congress to protect funding for clean energy programs. The bipartisan U.S. Climate Alliance, under the leadership of Hawaii Gov. David Ige, has urged the U.S. Congress to protect the U.S. Department of Energy from funding cuts proposed by the Trump administration. Pacific Business News.
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‘We Are So Far Behind’: Hawaii Legislators Look To Make Schools Safer. After another gun-related massacre on an American campus, lawmakers consider requiring interior door locks and intercom systems. Civil Beat.
Police and schools are cracking down on students who make threats after concerns were raised following the mass shooting at a Florida high school last week. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii lawmakers hope to prevent a mass shooting in the islands, by banning bump stocks. One of several measures this legislative session aiming to tighten gun regulations. KITV.
Following the deadly mass shooting at a Florida high school, there is a lot of attention on school safety. The number of gun incidents in Hawaii schools has actually dropped. Last year there were 21 incidents all involving air guns. Hawaii Public Radio.
Police: Social media caused hysteria. Hawaii Island’s police chief said the decision to post extra officers on public school campuses Wednesday in Puna and Kona was made because social media “fed into the anxiety” of the community in the wake of perceived threats of possible gun violence made on the internet. Tribune-Herald.
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Bill looks to ban plastic straws; some already making shift. West Hawaii Today.
Why Opening A Dialysis Center Takes Years Longer In Hawaii. A shortage of outpatient centers forces some chronic kidney disease patients into long hospital stays and late-night treatments. Civil Beat.
Hawaii has joined a coalition of states in opposing an application by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to regain its status as a nationally-recognized accreditor after failing to fulfill its oversight responsibilities. Pacific Business News.
Should state hospital patients with violent pasts be tracked post-release? KHON2.
Oahu
Honolulu Police Commission Gets New Leadership. Loretta Sheehan was a sharp critic of former chief Louis Kealoha and how the commission handled problems during his tenure. Civil Beat.
Attorney Loretta Sheehan was elected chairwoman of the Honolulu Police Commission 6-0 today. She replaces retired hotel executive Max Sword. Star-Advertiser.
Susan Ballard, Honolulu’s first female police chief, has a strong ally in the new chairwoman of the Honolulu Police Commission, Loretta Sheehan. Star-Advertiser.
Honolulu Police Commission has a new leader and she's already promising change. KITV.
The former police officer who was fired after video of him in a violent fight with his ex-girlfriend surfaced will be reinstated and get years of back pay. Hawaii News Now.
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State rules for Sierra Club in lawsuit over aging military fuel tanks. Hawaii News Now.
Kahauiki Village: A Model to Ease Homelessness. There are more than 550 bills relating to affordable housing this legislative session. But, there’s one community model that could be duplicated statewide. Hawaii Public Radio.
Community voices concerns about Old Stadium Park homeless. Dozens of people gathered at the McCully Moiliili library Wednesday night. KHON2.
Bill would move oversight of Kakaako from the Hawaii Community Development Authority to city. KITV.
Storm forced millions of gallons of sewer water to spill in Windward Oahu. KHON2.
Punahou settles suit with family of child kicked out after father's alleged misconduct. The boy was kicked out after a 5-year-old classmate alleged that the boy’s father showed her pornography during a sleepover. Hawaii News Now.
Health Department fines Hawaiian Isles Water Co. $14K for violations. Hawaiian Isles Water Co. had to pay a $14,400 fine after being cited by the Hawaii Department of Health for delinquent reports and payments to the state-administrated Deposit Beverage Container program between August and November 2017. Pacific Business News.
Hawaii Island
Foreseeing the almost certain death of a bill raising the general excise tax, the County Council voted unanimously Wednesday to put it on life support, at least temporarily. West Hawaii Today.
UH regents to ask for Mauna Kea audit. Responding to accusations of financial mismanagement, the University of Hawaii Board of Regents on Friday will be asking its internal auditor to look at the university’s Mauna Kea books with fresh eyes. Star-Advertiser.
A tense hearing on the future management of Mauna Kea steered into the issue of the Thirty Meter Telescope sublease. Big Island Video News.
A bill that would bring lifeguards to Kua Bay remains alive in the state House after securing a key hearing before the Committee on Finance. West Hawaii Today.
Officer-involved shooting prompts heavy police presence in Puna. An investigation is underway after a Big Island police officer was shot late Wednesday in Hawaiian Beaches. Hawaii News Now.
Maui
A plan to construct a seawall to save a West Maui condominium from erosion is dividing the community. Hawaii News Now.
A Sea Talk focusing on Maalaea Harbor Water Quality and the use of effluent in Eco-Restoration will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday. Maui Now.
3 Maui Beaches Named to TripAdvisor’s 2018 Best in US Awards. Maui Now.
Work to replace an old culvert bridge that has shut down South Kihei Road near the old Suda Store since August will be completed “by the end of next week at the latest . . . maybe earlier,” said county Department of Public Works Director David Goode on Wednesday. Maui News.
HGEA nurses disgruntled over Kaiser management. The head of about 800 union workers at Maui Memorial Medical Center said Maui Health System officials need “to step up their game” and start fulfilling “the bill of goods” touted by the private entity to improve former public hospitals on Maui. Maui News.
Kauai
A resolution that would let citizens vote on ending term limits for the County Council drew ire from some community members on Wednesday. Garden Island.
Kualii announces council candidacy. An Anahola man who has previously served on Kauai’s County Council has announced his candidacy for the upcoming race. Garden Island.
Friday, December 22, 2017
Sexual misconduct in Hawaii Legislature, SHOPO president busted down to midnight patrol, more people leaving than moving to Hawaii, free Wi-Fi at Honolulu airport, Salary Commission slows raise-making, Sunset Beach succumbing to the sea, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Snow-topped Mauna Kea, photo by Harry Durgin |
People keep leaving Hawaii in droves and this year was no exception. Some 13,537 more people left Hawaii for the mainland than moved in from another state from July 2016 to July 2017, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii’s strong tourism industry boosted the performance of hotels statewide in November with the neighbor islands in particular seeing a significant bump. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii hotels experienced a 5.5 percent increase in revenue per available room in November compared to a year ago, while average daily rates and occupancy also grew, according to the Hawaii Hotel Performance Report released Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.
Hawaii unemployment rate drops to record 2%. Hawaii’s unemployment rate is at a record low, dropping 0.2 percentage points from 2.2 percent in October, to 2 percent in November, according to figures released on Thursday by the state Department of Labor & Industrial Relations. Pacific Business News.
Former deputy sheriff sues state, claiming discrimination because he's gay. Hawaii News Now.
OHA Trustees’ Settlement Cost $879,000 In Legal Fees. The state agency paid $614,000 to litigate Akana vs. Machado, while insurer AIG paid for $265,000. Civil Beat.
Plans to add planes sent Island Air into nosedive. David Uchiyama, president and CEO of what had been Hawaii’s second-largest interisland airline, described the company’s downfall under questioning Thursday by an attorney and court-appointed trustee working to liquidate Island Air assets for the benefit of creditors. Star-Advertiser.
Oahu
New Police Chief Reassigns Union President To Patrol Shift. Susan Ballard says she had concerns with how the department’s Peer Support Unit was led by SHOPO chief Tenari Maafala. Civil Beat.
Amid debate about homeless safe zones, 9 possible sites identified. As the state, city and police struggle to keep homeless campers off public property, some are now looking at whether Hawaii should offer homeless people a legal place to camp. Hawaii News Now.
Erosion at Sunset Beach could cause a “catastrophic” collapse, the state says. The severely eroding cliff and shoreline at Sunset Beach Park on Oahu’s North Shore have reached inland at an unprecedented level, forcing city officials to implement immediate safety measures and consider long-term solutions. Star-Advertiser.
Experts say the severe erosion taking place at Sunset Beach is reaching unprecedented levels, leaving city and state officials hustling to find both short- and long-term solutions to address the rising sea levels. Hawaii News Now.
Public urged to stay away with Sunset Beach erosion expected to get even worse. KHON2.
Free Wi-Fi debuts at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Coverage at the Honolulu airport includes the Overseas Terminal and Central Concourse on the first and second levels between ticket lobbies 4 to 8, gates 12 to 25 and baggage claims E to H. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaiian Airline's outgoing CEO says the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport isn't "adequate to fit the community" and needs to be modernized. KITV.
$20 Million Facelift For Popular UH Library Is Among Ige’s Requests. The governor’s supplemental budget proposal is one small step toward addressing the university system’s maintenance backlog. Civil Beat.
Hawaii Island
Salary Commission slows the raise train. Faced with the mayor and two County Council members urging caution, the Salary Commission on Thursday hiked salaries a little further in two departments, but postponed action on a dozen other positions — including the mayor and County Council members themselves — until its next meeting in January. West Hawaii Today.
Repair of Keopu Deep Well poised to rollback months-long North Kona water restriction. West Hawaii Today.
Wi-Fi planned for Hilo airport. The state Department of Transportation launched free Wi-Fi coverage Dec. 14 at several terminals in Honolulu’s airport and expects to extend that service to airports throughout the state, including Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, in 2018. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
Rapidly increasing erosion on the Maui shoreline has threatened a cemetery temple building and swept away close to 100 gravestones. Associated Press.
Kauai
Navy and KIUC sign lease to develop solar farm. The Navy and the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative have signed a lease to develop a 19.3-megawatt direct-current solar facility in conjunction with a 70 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system at the Pacific Missile Range Facility that will benefit the community and missile testing. Star-Advertiser.
Pacific Missile Range Facility will be housing a new 19.3-megawatt solar facility in conjunction with a 70-megawatt hours battery energy storage system, thanks to an agreement between the U.S. Navy and Kauai Island Utility Cooperative. Garden Island.
KIUC teams up with U.S. Navy to develop new solar-plus-storage facility on Hawaii's Garden Isle. The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative Thursday said it signed a lease with the U.S. Department of the Navy, Command Navy Installations Command and Naval Facilities Engineering Command for the development of a 19.3-megawatt solar facility along with a 70 megawatt-hours battery storage component. Pacific Business News.
Health department ends Hanalei cesspool upgrade program. The Hawaii Department of Health has withdrawn a program aimed at helping Hanalei residents upgrade their sanitation systems. Associated Press.
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Hawaii reacts to Trump tax package, Otake nominated federal district judge for Hawaii, medical marijuana approved for ALS, Marines honored for combat drones, Kauai council seeks GET change for housing, social media vigilantism in Honolulu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Trump receives lei at Joint Base Hickam AFB, Nov. 3, 2017, (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead) |
Hawaii Delegates Speak Out Against GOP Tax Bill ‘Scam’. But President Trump calls passage of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act “a big, beautiful tax cut for Christmas.” Civil Beat.
Congressional representatives for Hawaii reacted with dismay to the $1.5 trillion tax package that the Senate and House passed Wednesday morning that is being billed as the first major overhaul of the nation’s tax laws since 1986. Tribune News Service.
Experts differ on new federal tax law’s impact in Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.
Hawaii affordable housing developers dodge tax bullet, sort of. The final tax bill headed for President Donald Trump’s signature preserves the private activity bonds and low-income housing tax credits used by affordable housing developers in Hawaii and across the U.S. to build affordable rentals, but the slashing of the corporate tax rate could mean $1.7 billion in lost equity each year, according to a new estimate. Pacific Business News.
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The Trump administration has nominated Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Otake as the new federal district judge for Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.
Trump Nominates Honolulu Attorney Jill Otake For Federal Judgeship. The announcement was praised by by Hawaii’s two Democratic senators, Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono. Civil Beat.
Hawaii study: Impacts of sea level rise already being felt — and it will only get worse. A new report is providing the first statewide assessment of the potential hazards and costly impacts to Hawaii's economy and shorelines with rising sea levels. Hawaii News Now.
2 Marines honored for use of drones in combat. Two Marines with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 at Kaneohe Bay received a first-of-its-kind recognition for the use of drones in a combat zone. Star-Advertiser.
DOH Approves Medical Cannabis Use for ALS Patients. The Hawai‘i Department of Health announced it has added Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly referred to as ALS, to the list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis use. Maui Now.
Hawaiian Airlines announced today that it will no longer accept “smart” bags containing non-removable lithium-ion batteries as either checked or carry-on luggage, starting Jan. 15. Star-Advertiser.
Sun Country Airlines is planning to offer seasonal service from its home base in Minneapolis to Honolulu next year with a brief stopover in Los Angeles. Star-Advertiser.
United Airlines this week is expanding its portfolio of nonstop flights from Denver to Hawaii and to Mexico. Pacific Business News.
Oahu
The Honolulu Police Department, under its first female police chief, has named Lisa Mann to head its Investigative Bureau, becoming one of three women among HPD’s top brass. Star-Advertiser.
An estimated 50 chronically homeless people who were swept out of Kakaako Waterfront Park and its sister parks have erected dozens of tents and shelters in nearby Mother Waldron Park and along Pohukaina Street this week as city officials figure out what to do next with a homeless population they inherited from state officials. Star-Advertiser.
Honolulu City Council: Rail Beyond Ala Moana? The 9.5 billion dollar Honolulu Rail Transit Project is awaiting award of a contract to complete the line to Ala Moana Center. Hawaii Public Radio.
Councilman wants 19 more affordable units in Keeaumoku tower. Honolulu City Councilman Ikaika Anderson is endorsing a city administration suggestion that the developer of a planned residential tower on Keeaumoku Street make more homes in the building affordable to moderate- income residents. Star-Advertiser.
City Repaves Aggressively But Falls Behind On Other Roadwork. None of the nearly 1,800 lane-miles repaved in the last five years has been treated with materials routinely used to extend street life. Civil Beat.
Oceanic Institute makes major breakthroughs in raising Yellow Tangs. KITV.
Crime and Social Media Vigilantism. An emotional appeal to find suspects in the recent murder case of a North Shore woman led to two arrests thanks to social media posts. But can online calls to action go too far? Hawaii Public Radio.
A mumps outbreak has forced a Waianae charter school to schedule a longer winter break than originally planned. In a letter to parents, Kamaile Academy says five people are confirmed to have mumps with two more possible cases. KHON2.
Chef Mavro Restaurant is once again the only restaurant in Hawaii to be recognized in the Gayot 2017 Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S. Pacific Business News.
Hawaii Island
Hawaii Health Officials ID Priorities For Cesspool Upgrades. In a report to the legiuslature, 14 priority areas of the state where cesspool upgrades are critically needed are identified, with many on Hawaii Island. Big Island Video News.
The Hawaii County Council will chip in $16,500 from members’ contingency funds to support rat lungworm disease research. Tribune-Herald.
Hawaii County officials say the long-awaited Mauna Kea Recreation Area’s Bunkhouses will be available for public use starting on January 3. Big Island Video News.
Members of East Hawaii’s Jewish community have launched an effort to build Hawaii Island’s first synagogue. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
A Maui Publisher Notches A First Amendment Win. The Hawaii Supreme Court tosses out a case against MauiTime’s Tommy Russo, who filmed cops on the job. Civil Beat.
Mokuhinia Draft Archaeological Survey Completed. The public is invited to review the Draft Archaeological Inventory Survey for the Mokuhinia Ecosystem Restoration Project, which was recently completed by Cultural Surveys Hawaii. Maui Now.
UH Board of Regents Announces Finalists to Fill Maui County Seat. Maui Now.
Erosion on Maui threatens temple, washes away gravestones. Associated Press.
Erosion devouring mission property. Members of the 111-year-old Mantokuji Soto Zen Mission of Paia are hoping to save their temple building and cemetery from rapidly increasing erosion that has swept out into the shore break close to a hundred gravestones and claimed several acres of land over the years. Maui News.
Kauai
State ends cesspool program. One day after the state identified Hanalei as one of 14 priority areas where cesspool upgrades are critically needed to protect public health, the Department of Health has withdrawn a program to help residents in the area. Garden Island.
Councilmembers debate use of surplus GET funds for housing. A bill proposed by Councilman Derek Kawakami to use some of the projected surplus from the recently passed General Excise Tax increase towards affordable housing was withdrawn following a heated, 20-minute argument during the county council meeting Wednesday. Garden Island.
Unidentified Kealia object not bomb. It was a metal buoy, not an unexploded bomb, that has been rolling around at Kealia Beach over the last three days. Garden Island
Friday, November 3, 2017
Trump to touch down this afternoon, scientists alarmed by coral loss, Portlock beach access condemnation begins, Kauai Humane Society in turmoil, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Coral bleaching with yellow tang, file photo, © 2017 All Hawaii News |
A group of Hawaii scientists say nearly half of the state's coral reefs were bleached during heat waves in 2014 and 2015 and nearshore fisheries are declining. Associated Press.
New data released by local scientists show Hawaii's coral and reef fish are in serious decline. The Nature Conservancy presented a briefing at the State Capitol for lawmakers Thursday on how to better protect ocean resources. KITV.
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Trump packs a heavy schedule during short trip to isles. President Donald Trump’s overnight stay in Honolulu today is brief, but his planned meeting with the governors of Hawaii, Alaska and Pacific U.S. territories fits into the theme of his first official visit to Asia — bolstering U.S. defenses and prosperity — which takes place amid ongoing tensions with North Korea. Star-Advertiser.
They track air threats to Hawaii 24/7 and they're on high alert for Trump's arrival. At a secure, classified location on Oahu, 230 Hawaii Air National Guard member keep a constant watch over the state. Hawaii News Now.
Road closures begin as Waikiki prepares for president's visit. President Donald Trump and the first lady are scheduled to land Friday afternoon, staying the night before embarking on a 12-day tour of Asia on Saturday. Hawaii News Now.
Some flights canceled ahead of Pres. Trump's arrival. Federal Aviation Administration flight restrictions due to Pres. Donald Trump's stopover in Hawaii on Friday has forced some companies to cancel flights. KITV.
‘Wish you weren’t here’: Hawaii prepares to welcome Trump. Associated Press.
Messages for the president. President Donald Trump will be arriving on Oahu on his way to meet with military authorities in Hawaii, as well as government officials across Asia. Garden Island.
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Bill Introduced Allowing Hawaii’s Foreign Fishermen Onshore. The crew members are currently confined to their vessels even when they are in port. Associated Press.
Will Inconsistencies in Survivors' Story Lead to a Criminal Investigation? What was first seen as a harrowing tale of survival for two Hawaii women is now coming into question. Hawaii Public Radio.
Shelter shortage, supply-stocking outlook among Hawaii’s hurricane concerns. New guidelines may already be too short for how long you should be prepared to be self-sufficient after an emergency like a hurricane. KHON2.
Hawaii has 132 dams. The vast majority are 'high hazard'. More than 90 percent of Hawaii's dams are considered "high hazard" dams, which means if they fail it could result in the loss of life. Hawaii News Now.
Highway statistics available at DOT website. Highway data — including pavement conditions, average annual daily traffic volume for state roads and locations of fatal traffic crashes for the years 2012 to 2016 — are now available on the state Department of Transportation website. Star-Advertiser.
Accountant is now accused of stealing $7M from Hawaii nonprofit. The new charges bring the total that Lola Jean Amorin is alleged to have stolen from the Arc in Hawaii to nearly $7 million. Hawaii News Now.
HEI’s earnings fall 52.8% due to 2016 merger breakup fee. A $90 million merger break-up fee swelled Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.’s third-quarter earnings a year ago. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaiian Electric Industries reports Q3 profit of $60M. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. reported net income of $60.1 million, or 55 cents per diluted share, for the third quarter, compared to net income of $127.1 million, or $1.17 per diluted share, for the same quarter last year, which included a termination fee related to NextEra Energy’s failed bid to buy Hawaii’s largest utility. Pacific Business News.
Casting underway for 'Moana' release dubbed in Hawaiian. Disney hit "Moana" is going to be dubbed in Hawaiian, and star Aulii Cravalho has announced she'll be reprising her role in the special release. Hawaii News Now.
Casting Call for Hawaiian Language Version of Moana. Maui Now.
Oahu
Lane to Portlock beach to be opened. The Honolulu City Council gave the OK for the city to initiate condemnation proceedings for an easement over a small lane off Portlock Road allowing surfers, fishers, beachgoers and other ocean enthusiasts public access to a section of beach at Maunalua Bay known as “Seconds.” Star-Advertiser.
Koa Ridge finally reaches building stage. Perseverance. That word was used several times during a ceremony Thursday in Central Oahu where it has taken developer Castle &Cooke Hawaii nearly 20 years to move from planning to building a residential community called Koa Ridge. Star-Advertiser.
Castle & Cooke broke ground Thursday on its 3,500-home Koa Ridge master-planned community in Central Oahu nearly 20 years after it was first proposed, with billionaire Chairman David Murdock vowing to use his own funds to finance the $2 billion mixed-use development on 576 acres between Mililani and Waipio. Pacific Business News.
David Murdock made a rare public appearance in Hawaii Thursday to kick off construction of the $2 billion Koa Ridge master-planned community that is being developed by a company he owns, Castle & Cooke, and financed by himself. Pacific Business News.
What’s At The Center Of The Case Against The Kealohas? Bank Fraud. The former HPD chief and his prosecutor wife are accused of using various methods, from forged documents to bogus rental leases, to defraud banks. Civil Beat.
Judge Dismisses Suit Challenging Secret Meetings About Police Chief. A lawsuit that could have nullified a $250,000 cash payout to former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha was dismissed Wednesday by Hawaii Circuit Court Judge Virginia Crandall. Civil Beat.
The 19-year-old accused of spray painting the Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole statue in Waikiki on Halloween pleaded no contest and was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for time served and four hours of community service. Associated Press.
Bishop Museum hires new leader from New York. The museum is expected to announce today that Melanie Y. Ide, a principal at Ralph Appelbaum Associates, the world’s largest museum exhibition design firm, will take the leadership role following a unanimous vote of the board of directors. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii Island
Mayor’s vision for peace monument on Mauna Kea includes end to division over TMT. Mayor Harry Kim made a plea for reconciliation Wednesday during his first public remarks about Mauna Kea since Gov. David Ige gave him the green light to pursue his vision for the mountain as a monument to peace. Tribune-Herald.
Lab’s Rat Lungworm Research Finally Gave This Man A Diagnosis. Promising work at the University of Hawaii Hilo is drastically underfunded while $1 million is spent on public education about the disease. Civil Beat.
A central sewer system for the Lono Kona neighborhood took a big step forward Thursday when the County Council agreed on maps and a funding plan. West Hawaii Today.
Hula Hulas, a new restaurant concept recently launched on the Big Island by San Diego-based Grand Restaurant Group, is the first location of five planned for Hawaii. Pacific Business News.
Uber and Lyft have seemingly taken off since launching on Hawaii Island earlier this year, though some taxi drivers say the ride-hailing companies have hampered local cab business. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
Navy schedules hearing to cover training impact. The U.S. Navy has scheduled a public hearing from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Maui High School for its draft environmental impact statements for personnel and weapons systems training between Hawaii and Southern California. Maui News.
Kauai
More options in animal control. Kauai Humane Society’s animal services contract with County of Kauai could be on the chopping block if the council’s 2018 legislative proposal package is accepted. Garden Island.
Humane society director resigns. A year after taking the helm as head of Kauai Humane Society, Executive Director Scott Pisani has handed in his resignation, and he’s keeping the reason under wraps. Garden Island.
Lanai
Lanai readies the welcome mat for cruise ship guests. With 458 passengers, the Seabourn Sojourn is the largest cruise liner to call on island. Maui News.
Thursday, November 2, 2017
Officials expect traffic nightmare for Trump visit, first female police chief sworn in, Thirty Meter Telescope appealed to state Supreme Court, legislative panel holds ocean health meeting today, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Trump hotel in Waikiki © 2017 All Hawaii News |
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is warning that President Donald Trump’s stopover in Hawaii on Friday will cause “major traffic delays” along the motorcade route and in the state’s largest tourism district — Waikiki. Pacific Business News.
The president's visit Friday is expected to cause significant traffic delays thanks to road closures along his motorcade route and in Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Honolulu Police Department warn the public to expect traffic delays as President Donald Trump makes his first visit to Hawaii as President of the United States. KITV.
City officials discuss potential traffic issues ahead of President Trump’s visit to Honolulu. KHON2.
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Some of the Hawaii State Legislature is talking about ocean health today in an informational briefing for the House of Representatives Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources and Hawaiian Affairs. Garden Island.
Hawaii bankruptcy filings are beginning to reflect slowing growth in the state economy and are now on pace to exceed last year’s total. Star-Advertiser.
Taiwan on Wednesday was added to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Global Entry program, which will allow Taiwanese visitors to apply for expedited customs clearance at Honolulu International Airport and 53 other airports in the United States. Pacific Business News.
Maui Land & Pineapple Co. Inc. reported a net loss of $500.000, or 3 cents per share, for the third quarter, compared to net income of $2.5 million, or 13 cents per share, for the same quarter in 2016. Pacific Business News.
Oahu
A new era for the Honolulu Police Department began Wednesday with the swearing in ceremony for its 11th chief, Susan Ballard, who replaced recently indicted former Chief Louis Kealoha. Star-Advertiser.
Officers Hope New Chief Will Clear Away ‘Dark Cloud Over HPD’. Susan Ballard is sworn in as Honolulu’s police chief to a chorus of praise as the department looks to move beyond the Louis Kealoha years. Civil Beat.
Honolulu’s first female Police Chief was sworn into office today at HPD Headquarters. Hawaii Public Radio.
Hawaii's first female police chief was sworn in to the Honolulu Police Department Wednesday. Chief of Police Susan Ballard was officially named HPD's 11th chief. KITV.
Honolulu’s new top cop took the oath Wednesday morning to protect the City and County. KHON2.
Three former members of the Honolulu Police Department’s elite Criminal Intelligence Unit were back in U.S. District Court on Wednesday to answer to charges filed against them in last month’s indictment of former Honolulu police Chief Louis Kealoha and his prosecutor wife, Katherine Kealoha. Star-Advertiser.
Three Officers Plead Not Guilty In Honolulu Police Corruption Case. The charges relate to the alleged framing of a man at the behest of the former police chief and his prosecutor wife. Civil Beat.
A Honolulu police lieutenant, an officer and a retired major pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges alleging they helped former Chief Louis Kealoha and his deputy prosecutor wife frame a man. Associated Press.
Three men arrested in the conspiracy case against the former Honolulu police chief pleaded not guilty in federal court Wednesday. KITV.
Two new members to the Honolulu Police Commission were approved unanimously by city council Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.
The Honolulu City Council approved Wednesday two new members to the Honolulu Police Commission. KHON2.
Commentary: It Turns Out We Owe Chuck Totto A Big Thank-You. Federal indictments in the Honolulu police corruption case vindicate the former ethics director but raise questions about the Caldwell administration. Civil Beat.
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Vacation rental issue moves to planning department. After hearing more than an hour of testimony, City Council members voted to approve four resolutions directing Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration to come up with bills for them to consider. Star-Advertiser.
Pineapple has been gone for over a decade, and vegetable crops disappeared this year. Now, fallow fields between Mililani and Waipio are about to produce homes in a $2 billion project called Koa Ridge in Central Oahu. Star-Advertiser.
Castle & Cooke Hawaii plans to break ground Thursday on Koa Ridge, its long-delayed $2 billion master-planned community that will add 3,500 homes along with commercial space, an elementary school and a new hospital in Central Oahu. Pacific Business News.
A preliminary search for state-controlled land parcels on Oahu where possible “safe zones” could be established for homeless encampments turned up no vacant sites. Star-Advertiser.
DLNR to hire salvage company to remove vessel near Kahala Resort. The DLNR says they plan to hire a salvage company to remove a 25-foot sailboat that ran aground Tuesday on the reef at Maunalua Bay. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii Island
Opponents of a giant telescope planned to be built on Mauna Kea are appealing the state Land Board’s approval of the project’s construction permit to the Hawaii Supreme Court. Associated Press.
Kona Councilman Dru Kanuha wants to save Kahaluu Beach Park from the sea. Almost 10 years after a conceptual master plan was created for one of the island’s most popular beach parks, Kanuha was successful Wednesday getting fellow members of the County Council to agree to put $600,000 into the budget to plan and design park improvements. West Hawaii Today.
The county is rethinking plans for a popular Kona beach park. During the Finance Committee meeting, Kona councilmember Dru Kanuha introduced a bill to fund the planning and design of future improvements to the park. Big Island Video News.
Mayor Harry Kim did not agree with the Hawaii County Department of Water Supply’s decision to keep quiet on the failure of two North Kona deep wells in the first half of October, but he did accept it. West Hawaii Today.
A bill to amend the county water plan for the Keauhou Aquifer in Kona has been withdrawn, after the community voiced concerns. Big Island Video News.
Hawaii County won’t be getting a time extension yet for completing its master plan for a park in Hawaiian Paradise Park. Tribune-Herald.
A plan for a county park in Puna’s Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision is moving forward. Big Island Video News.
Aquaculture in Hawaii just got a $149,972 infusion for research and industry support, and it’s being used to develop a way for small businesses and individuals to get a piece of the shellfish industry. Garden Island.
Maui
Land use change for Makila Kai project in trouble. A 49-unit housing project in Launiupoko, containing a mix of residential workforce housing and market-rate agricultural lots, was essentially halted Wednesday. Maui News.
Navy schedules hearing to cover training impact. The U.S. Navy has scheduled a public hearing from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Maui High School for its draft environmental impact statements for personnel and weapons systems training between Hawaii and Southern California. Maui News.
Longline fishing industry scrutinized for hiring of foreign fishermen. The Hawaii Longline Association has jumped into a legal fight they say threatens their livelihood. Longliners oppose a Maui fisherman's complaint against the state. Hawaii News Now.
Island visitor counts continue on record-breaking pace. A total of 2.1M visitors arrived by air on Maui in the first nine months. Maui News.
Maui Health System, the new operator of three isle hospitals, is reversing its controversial policy to charge as much as $672 for a private postpartum room for new parents at Maui Memorial Medical Center. Star-Advertiser.
District 12 of the Democratic Party of Maui will host a presentation to discuss Medicare on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Pukalani Pool Multipurpose Room. Maui Now.
Kauai
There were eight fatal vehicle crashes on Kauai’s state roads in 2016, more than double the number in 2015, according to new data from the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Garden Island.
Power was still out in some of Kauai’s North Shore Wednesday evening as a swollen Hanalei River caused the closure of Kuhio Highway and blocked access for repairs. Garden Island.
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Honolulu picks first female police chief, prosecutors prepare to seize former chief's house, legislative leaders pick rail board members, lieutenant governor race gets crowded, Monsanto drops Molokai land plan, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard |
Susan Ballard, a major with three decades of policing experience, will be the new chief of the Honolulu Police Department, the first woman to hold the top job in its 85-year history. Civil Beat.
'A new day': HPD major selected to lead department in crisis. Hawaii News Now.
Police Major Susan Ballard has been chosen to become the next Honolulu Police chief. KITV.
Four Honolulu police commissioners have selected the City and County’s next chief of police: Maj. Susan Ballard. KHON2.
Video: Honolulu Police Chief Selection Press Conference. Civil Beat.
In picking Maj. Susan Ballard as the island’s new police chief, the Honolulu Police Commission chose someone who’s been a commander within the Honolulu Police Department but — by several accounts including her own — was outside of the inner circle that flanked now-indicted and retired Chief Louis Kealoha. Star-Advertiser.
Maj. Susan Ballard: A closer look at Honolulu's next police chief. Of the seven finalists chosen for the Honolulu police chief position, current Maj. Susan Ballard was the only applicant currently still employed with HPD. Hawaii News Now.
Excitement surrounds pick for Honolulu’s next chief of police. KHON2.
Federal prosecutors are moving forward to have the Hawaii Kai home of former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his city prosecutor wife Katherine Kealoha forfeited to the government. Star-Advertiser.
Covert Honolulu Police Unit Has Long History Of Troubles. The CIU is again under scrutiny, with five officers recently arrested as part of a federal investigation into police corruption. Civil Beat.
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Race for lieutenant governor gets more crowded, while congressional race remains quiet. Hawaii News Now.
Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. announced today he will run in what is shaping up to be a crowded race for lieutenant governor next year. Star-Advertiser.
Kauai Mayor Wants To Be Hawaii’s Lieutenant Governor. Stressing education and family issues, Bernard Carvalho Jr. joins a crowded field of candidates for the state’s No. 2 job. Civil Beat.
Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho announced his candidacy for 2018 lieutenant governor of Hawaii in front of the State Capitol on Wednesday. Garden Island.
Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. has his eye on a new job. He announced Wednesday that he’s planning to run as a Democrat for lieutenant governor in 2018. KHON2.
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Legislative picks to sit on HART board announced. State Legislative leaders have announced their four picks to serve as nonvoting members on the volunteer Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board, a provision of the $2.4 billion rail-bailout package they approved in September. Star-Advertiser.
Legislative Leaders Appoint Four People To Honolulu Rail Board. The state budget director and others are tasked with bringing more accountability to the project, even though they’re nonvoting members. Civil Beat.
State makes its 4 picks for HART board appointees. Under the rail funding bill that passed in the state legislature earlier this year, state leaders were tasked with appointing a total of four non-voting members to the HART board. Hawaii News Now.
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Southwest could face legal hiccup in Hawaii expansion. A union on the mainland is threatening to block the airline's expansion to the islands citing ongoing disputes. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii astronomer discovers ‘odd’ space object. A University of Hawaii astronomer discovered what appears to be the first near-Earth space object to have arrived here from beyond our solar system, the university announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii’s Filipino veterans and delegates finally get recognized. Star-Advertiser.
Filipino Veterans Presented Congressional Gold Medals. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and Senator Mazie K. Hirono joined other US Congressional leaders to present the Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino World War II veterans today at the US Capitol. Maui Now.
Hawaii Nonprofit Seeks A Statewide Effort To Fight Hunger. One in five children in the islands deals with hunger, according to a recent report. Civil Beat.
What if the Great Mahele Wasn't a Foreign Imposition? The concept of private property was introduced to Hawaii with the Great Mahele of 1848. That action is often blamed for a lack of land ownership among native Hawaiians…a situation that lasts to this day. Hawaii Public Radio.
Oahu
City projects mark 1 year of housing homeless families. While state sheriff’s deputies swept more than 300 chronically homeless people from state land in Kakaako and below the H-1 freeway viaduct this month, the city quietly marked the first anniversary of two housing projects — one in Waianae and one in town — that provide permanent housing for homeless families. Star-Advertiser.
These Kalihi Streets Are A Big Hazard For Bike Riders. Honolulu DOT has plans for improving safety in the area, including repaving North King Street and adding shared-use lanes. Civil Beat.
'Good law' or 'dumb law'? Opinions on new distracted walking measure vary. Hawaii News Now.
A 55-year-old, male teacher who was fired from all-girls Sacred Hearts Academy in Kaimuki has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of fourth-degree sex assault and three counts of third-degree sex assault, police said. Star-Advertiser.
A former Honolulu private school teacher who was fired after allegations of "inappropriate conduct" with students has been charged with two counts of sexual assault, police say. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii Island
Trash talking: Panel to decide solid waste direction for the decade. It’s time for the county to update its integrated solid waste management plan, a document required by state law every 10 years to ensure local governments keep on top of their trash, green waste, compost and recycling issues. West Hawaii Today.
Moon base prototype may be built on Big Island. The United States and other countries are planning to return to the moon. And the road back to the lunar surface may go through Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.
Kamehameha Schools deliberate in removal of old Keahou Beach Hotel. West Hawaii Today.
North Hawaii Community Hospital is moving forward with a $25 million emergency room expansion. West Hawaii Today.
Maui
Tuesday morning’s severe thunderstorm and floods continued to erode Wailuku River and nearly destroyed a maintenance bridge regularly used by the Hawai’i Nature Center for educational programs in Iao Valley. Maui News.
Lights are back on after largest outage in a decade. More than 160 Maui Electric Co. workers and two contracted crews responded to the county’s biggest power outage in more than a decade early Tuesday morning in the wake of a thunderstorm that rolled through Maui County. Maui News.
The Department of Water Supply announced it has ended its declaration of a Stage 1 water shortage in the Upcountry district as the forecast indicates that probabilities favor above average rainfall for the upcoming wet season. Maui Now.
Kauai
School boundary changes draw fire. Many have questions about how it could affect students, families. Garden Island.
AES Distributed Energy Inc. and SunPower Corp. are developing a new solar-plus-storage facility on the Garden Isle, set to be the largest in the state. Pacific Business News.
Plastic storage pau. Surfrider Kauai looking for place to store marine debris. Garden Island.
The State Commission on Water Resource Management will be holding a public hearing at the Lihue Civic Center on Nov. 17 on proposed amendments to its administrative rules pertaining to water use, wells and stream diversion works. Garden Island.
Molokai
Monsanto withdraws request to preserve Molokai farmland. The corn seed producer notified the state Land Use Commission on Wednesday that it has withdrawn a petition to designate 1,084 acres for protection under a state law intended to preserve prime farmland. Star-Advertiser.