Farmers and ranchers optimistic about newly elected lawmakers, suspect killed by police after 10-hour standoff at Waikiki hotel, lava flow no immediate threat to Big Island highway, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Cattle in Hawaii ©2022 All Hawaii News

Farmers And Ranchers Buoyed By New Contingent Of Food-Focused Politicians. A cohort of farming legislators looks to bolster Hawaii’s food systems and build on momentum from 2022. Civil Beat.

Report highlights domino effect of low wages, high costs of living in Hawaiʻi .  The number of working households that are unable to meet their needs despite employment has grown by more than 66% since 2018, according to a new report from the Aloha United Way and Bank of Hawaiʻi Foundation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Office Of Hawaiian Affairs Trustees Take Office.  Nine Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ trustees were inducted at an investiture ceremony held Thursday morning at Kawaiahaʻo Church in Honolulu.  Big Island Video News.

$600M spending plan finalized for Hawaiian Home Lands. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has sent the Legislature a finalized plan to spend $600 million that lawmakers appropriated earlier this year largely to facilitate DHHL beneficiary homeownership. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Japanese, U.S. officials urge peace at memorial event. Japanese and American officials gathered Thursday on Ford Island for the annual Japan-U.S. Joint Memorial Ceremony where they reflected on the devastation of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the fighting that followed and how to prevent it from ever happening again.  Star-Advertiser.

 ‘Ticking Ecological Time Bombs’: Thousands Of Sunken Ships From WWII Are Rusting At The Bottom Of The Pacific. Earthquakes, storm surges and other natural disasters could mean environmental catastrophe if oil and other hazardous material spill out. Civil Beat.

US House passes ocean bills to protect reefs, marine animals and ecosystems. The US House passed a package of oceans bills included in the annual National Defense Authorization Act that would help conserve coral reefs, protect marine mammals and enable better understanding of marine ecosystems.  Maui Now.

Oahu

Suspect Shot & Killed by HPD Following Barricade at Waikiki Hotel. Honolulu Police confirmed the suspect was shot multiple times and rushed to the hospital in critical condition. He died later from the gunshot wounds.  The 10 hour stand off ended after midnight early Friday morning. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

Shooting range closure prevents dozens of DPS officers from renewing gun certifications. The sudden closure of Oahu’s only public shooting range is preventing dozens of state Department of Public Safety personnel from being able to renew their firearms certifications. Hawaii News Now.

Report: ‘Forever chemicals’ spilled at Red Hill were also released at Kalaeloa Airport. Activists say they’re worried about state firefighters, construction workers and others who may have been exposed to the toxic chemicals that have now been linked to increased risk of cancer. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Lava slows its roll on Mauna Loa. Developments in the Mauna Loa lava flow have given Daniel K. Inouye Highway a temporary reprieve, at a minimum, and might even signal the beginning of the end to an eruption entering its 10th day. Or maybe not. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Hawaii News Now.

Three men from Kazakhstan cited for entering closed area on Mauna Loa. Three Kazakhstani visitors were cited Wednesday after being observed by three different law enforcement agencies trespassing within the closed area of the Mauna Loa Forest Reserve. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now.  KHON2.

BLNR looks to protect paku‘iku‘i in W. Hawaii waters.  The Board of Land and Natural Resources is mulling a rule that would prohibit the taking of Paku‘iku‘i, also called the Achilles tang, anywhere in West Hawaii waters for at least two years. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Big Spending By Carpenters Super PAC Could Shift The Balance Of Maui’s Council. The super PAC Be Change Now saw six of its seven county candidates win office in November. Almost all county council candidates supported by super PAC Be Change Now were successful in the general election, changing the makeup of the councils in every county and setting up a potential leadership shakeup on Maui. Civil Beat.

Maui Mayor-elect Richard Bissen seeks resumes statewide to serve administration.  Maui County Mayor-elect, Richard Bissen is seeking individuals who wish to serve their community in the position of County Department Directors and Deputy Directors.  Maui Now.

52% of Maui County homes live below ALICE threshold. Maui County has seen the largest increase in poverty in the state since 2018, according to a recent report that noted a growing trend in Hawaii families slipping below both the basic cost of living and federal poverty lines. Maui News.

Kauai

New officers highlight KPD’s week.  The graduation of the 97th Police Recruit Class on Wednesday at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center capped a week of events at the Kaua‘i Police Department. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Hawaii Democrats pick new leader, $38M spent on Honolulu police overtime, Ige mulls bill curbing governor's emergency powers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Democratic summit ends with new leader. Delegates representing the Democratic Party of Hawaii elected Honolulu attorney Dennis Jung to be the political organization’s new leader. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Gov. Ige faces decision on bill to limit emergency authority of future governors. Lawmakers this session approved a bill that would allow them to end his and future governor’s emergency powers after 60 days. Termination will require a two-thirds vote of the Legislature. Hawaii News Now.

Transportation Department: Budget Cuts Could ‘Cripple’ State Airports. But the state senator in charge of budgeting said positions that were eliminated have been vacant for years. Hawaii lawmakers have proposed cutting three high-ranking airport employees in a move that transportation officials have said could “cripple and obstruct” state-run airports. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers Spent Big This Year To Help Hawaii Families ‘Pushed Over The Edge’. A historic budget surplus, strong coordination by advocacy groups and the undeniable fact that many of Hawaii’s families are struggling — both financially and mentally — helped drive big investments in early childhood initiatives this year. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Audit of Honolulu Police Department reveals $38 million in overtime. The audit, released Friday, found that the department uses handwritten time cards to track overtime hours, resulting in nearly $30,000 in unsubstantiated payments and up to $6 million in increased city pension costs over the past five years. The top 10 unnamed earners scooped more than $4 million for 76,726 hours of overtime pay over five years, city Auditor Arushi Kumar found. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Police Patrol: Riding With HPD In Downtown Honolulu Underscores Staffing Needs. The Honolulu Police Department has about 350 officer vacancies as the department prepares to onboard a new chief. Civil Beat.

Report: Navy’s Oahu fuel tanks need repair before draining. A contractor hired by the Navy is recommending a series of structural repairs to a massive fuel tank farm in Hawaii to make sure the facility doesn’t leak petroleum when its tanks are drained, a report released Friday said. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ford Island Control Tower opens. The Ford Island Control Tower is open to the public at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. The Top of the Tower tour offers a look at the Operations Building, the Firehouse Exhibit, and it includes an elevator ride to the control tower. KHON2.

Nonprofit releases survey in last-ditch effort to save Haiku Stairs on Oahu. Ahead of a Honolulu City Council vote Wednesday allocating $1.3 million to dismantle the hotly debated Haiku Stairs, a nonprofit organization pushing to preserve them has released a survey in a last-ditch effort to save the illegal Windward Oahu hiking trail. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Inaba seeks to shift tax breaks to homeowners, affordable rentals. North Kona Councilman Holeka Inaba wants the little guy to get more of a break on property taxes than proposed by Mayor Mitch Roth, and he’s brought forward a resolution to get the conversation started. West Hawaii Today.

A voice for Native Hawaiians: Charter amendment would offer a seat at the table on water policy. Bill 180, to be discussed by a County Council committee today, would require the addition of a Department of Hawaiian Home Lands representative to the county Water Board, training in Native Hawaiian law for board members and administrative staff and annual reports from the Department of Water Supply to the council. West Hawaii Today.

Judge will consider whether to unseal DNA evidence in Dana Ireland murder. A group seeking to overturn convictions in the Dana Ireland murder trial filed a motion Thursday seeking to unseal post-conviction DNA testing conducted on a piece of key evidence in that case. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Community Needs Survey launched to better understand causes of poverty in Maui County. Maui Economic Opportunity has begun circulating a survey on the causes of poverty in Maui County to be used in the development of a Community Needs Assessment and Action Plan that the nonprofit generates every three years. Maui Now.

Online marketplace adds more farms, ranches. Project Mahi‘ai, which launched last year, wins grants to offer goods, produce boxes. With an initial enrollment of eight farmers and ranchers last year, the Amazon-style distribution system was created to connect mostly Native Hawaiian cultivators who want to provide fresh produce, meats, eggs and dairy products to the community. Maui News.

Kauai

Interests clash over proposed HPM manufacturing facility in Koloa. A proposed South Shore manufacturing facility has emerged as the latest battleground in the ongoing debate over the island’s approach to development. Garden Island.

Ha‘ena, Black Pot still closed to camping. Kaua‘i County officials have suspended permitted camping at Ha‘ena Beach Park and Black Pot Beach Park indefinitely. Garden Island.

Below average hurricane season predicted, masks urged as COVID soars, Korean firm bids on Makaha Valley, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Below-average hurricane season predicted for Central Pacific region. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center on Wednesday predicted that the region will see two to four tropical cyclones during the hurricane season that starts June 1. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Health officials urge masking, boosters as COVID-19 cases surge in Hawaii. On Wednesday the DOH reported the state’s seven-day average for new cases had climbed to 925 — up from 722 on May 11, and marking the eighth consecutive weekly increase. The state’s average positivity rate, meanwhile, jumped to 16.9%, up from 14.3% last week. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. Maui Now.

Kaiser Permanente’s Hawaii mental health clinicians strike. Kaiser Permanente’s Hawaii mental health clinicians launched a three-day strike Wednesday amid stalled contract negotiations. Star-Advertiser. West Hawaii Today.

Governor: Japan’s tough COVID restrictions hindering Hawaii tourism rebound. Gov. David Ige recently traveled to Japan and he says many Japanese want to come to Hawaii, but returning to Japan is a huge hassle due to COVID. Hawaii News Now.

New partnership uses technology to prove origins of Hawaiʻi coffee — and stop counterfeits. The Hawaiʻi Coffee Association has signed an agreement with product traceability company Oritain to build a statewide coffee origin database. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

A Look At The 4 Finalists For Honolulu’s Police Chief. The four finalists — Scott Ebner, Mike Lambert, Joe Logan and Ben Moszkowicz — are set to answer questions from the public during a televised forum Thursday on PBS Hawaii, marking the first time the community will hear from the men still in the running to lead the city’s police force of nearly 2,000 officers. Civil Beat. KITV4. Star-Advertiser.

Korean firm bids to buy Makaha Valley resort site. A South Korean conglomerate branching into the resort business has made a bid to buy much of Makaha Valley where development plans linked with golf superstar Tiger Woods fizzled in recent years. Star-Advertiser.

This Honolulu Architect Admitted To Bribery. But He Still Has His License. Despite pleading guilty to a job-related felony, William Wong was able to renew his license for another two years. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Mayor Says A New Mask Mandate Is A ‘Possibility’. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blackgirdi said Wednesday that he might consider implementing a mask mandate after the Covid-19 case count rose for the eighth week in a row. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Man, 28, who refused to wear mask, convicted of felony for punching Waikiki security guard, 71. An Oahu Circuit Court jury on Tuesday found a 28-year-old man, who refused to wear a mask at a COVID-19 testing site, guilty of second-degree assault in the beating of a 71-year-old security guard. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Investigation Shows Hawaii Prison Officials Tried To Cover Up Errors Leading Up To An Inmate’s Death. The internal affairs report claimed staff had been trained in suicide prevention policies, and a guard made the required cell checks. Neither was true, and an inmate died. Civil Beat.

City worker who may have been exposed to radiation hired attorney days before his death. A city maintenance worker who may have been exposed to radiation while fixing a tire on a garbage truck hired a high-profile attorney just 10 days before his death. The development comes as investigations into Charles Kuailani’s cause of death continue. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Affordable housing measures pass, fail: Council approves new programs, but not charter amendment to pay for them. A bill adding eligible programs for county housing funds was passed on final reading Wednesday by the County Council, but a companion measure proposing a charter amendment to lock in funding was shot down by a council majority. West Hawaii Today.

DHHL breaks ground on Kaʻu water system improvements. Improvements by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to an existing Hawaii County Department of Water Supply system in Kaʻu will soon connect pastoral homestead lessees in the Kamaʻoa Homestead to water service. Tribune-Herald.

Sniffing out COVID: Schools take part in pilot program starring Cobra the canine. Three Hawaii Island public charter schools have a new tool for detecting COVID-19 on campus — an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois named Cobra. Tribune-Herald.

As COVID cases climb, HMC sees increase in keiki infections. As COVID-19 cases rise throughout Hawaii for the eighth consecutive week, Hilo Medical Center reported a significant increase in pediatric cases. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Charter Commission to review final report and voter guide. The Maui Charter Commission will meet this Thursday,  May 19, to review and approve its Draft Final Report detailing eleven proposed amendments to the County Charter.  Maui Now.

With funds running dry, temporary Maui homeless shelter to shut down. A temporary homeless shelter on Maui is out of money and may soon be out of time as it prepares close down its services. Wahi Hoomalu O Wailuku off Waiale Road is Maui’s temporary homeless shelter. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

‘Save Koloa’ sues county, condo developer. Local nonprofits are suing Kaua‘i County and a mainland property developer, escalating controversy surrounding a planned condominium complex on the island’s South Shore. Garden Island.

Honolulu police reforms proposed, Kealoha doctor brother convicted on 38 counts of opioid distribution, school reverses lei ban, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Ballot Proposals Would Reshape Police Oversight. The charter amendments need support from six of nine City Council members to be added to the November ballot. Civil Beat.

State Rep. Sharon Har skirts question about why she went out during COVID-19. State Rep. Sharon Har has yet to explain to a special House committee why she was out at night during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 while taking prescription medication for a respiratory ailment, drank alcohol and was subsequently arrested — and later acquitted — of drunken driving. Star-Advertiser.

Positive COVID-19 tests on the rise as Hawaii’s free testing program comes to an end. On Wednesday, the state’s weekly average positivity rate rose to 7.1% — up from 4.9% the previous week and 4.0% the week prior to that, according to the state Department of Health.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i reports 17 new deaths, 1,736 Covid-19 infections in past week. There are 1,212 coronavirus cases on O‘ahu, 150 on the Big Island, 88 on Kaua‘i, three on Lana‘i, 206 on Maui, seven on Moloka‘i, and 70 diagnosed out of state. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Commission Recommends Prosecution In Falsified Campaign Donations Case. Developer Timothy Lee allegedly reimbursed his employees for thousands of dollars they gave to candidates in 2020. The executive of a company leading development in the Ala Moana area could be facing criminal penalties over allegations that he made illegal donations to Honolulu mayoral candidates in 2020. Civil Beat.

World champ big wave surfer Makua Rothman files papers to run for City Council. Rothman is making a bid for the seat held by Heidi Tsuneyoshi, who is now running for governor as a Republican. Hawaii News Now.

HFD says new $12M helicopter will make rescues safer. The Honolulu Fire Department is asking the City Council for funds to purchase a new helicopter. KHON2.

Wahiawa Nursing Home Will Close Its Doors In July. The staff of the Wahiawa Nursing and Rehabilitation Center will help about 60 residents find new homes, officials said. Civil Beat.

Leilehua High School reverses ban on lei giving at graduation ceremony. The school was under fire for banning lei, saying the decision was based on COVID restrictions. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Despite uptick in COVID cases, some parents say it’s time to move beyond masks in classrooms. Dozens of parents and children signs in front of the state office building in Wailuku on Wednesday morning. They want the state Department of Education to remove its mask mandate for public school classrooms. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Gas tax cut stalls at council. The final measure of a tax-trimming trifecta — a move to cut the gas tax by 10 cents a gallon — stalled Wednesday in the County Council. West Hawaii Today.

Army study won’t recommend altering Hilo breakwater. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers initiated a second study in 2021 to determine whether opening a breach in the breakwater would demonstrably improve the bay’s water quality. That study, however, determined that it would not. Tribune-Herald.

Katherine Kealoha’s Brother Convicted Of Running Prescription Drug Ring. Dr. Rudolph B. Puana, 50, of Waimea was found guilty in federal court Wednesday of 38 counts of distributing and dispensing oxycodone, one count of distributing or dispensing fentanyl “outside the course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose,” and conspiracy to distribute or dispense the drugs. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

As wastewater soils ocean, Māʻalaea injection wells fuel debate over who’s liable. Wastewater is leaking from archaic Māʻalaea condominiums injection wells, damaging ocean reef and other natural habitats.  Maui Now.

Maui Judge Tells Irrigation Company To Temporarily Restore Water. A Maui County judge on Tuesday told Launiupoko Irrigation Co. that it needs to restore running water to families in Kauaula Valley after the private water company cut it off before the Easter weekend without notice. Civil Beat.

Cleanup underway to remove 175 abandoned vehicles from remote Kanaio area of Maui. Approximately 175 abandoned derelict cars and trucks are being removed from a remote area of Kanaio on Maui over the next three weeks, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Maui Now. KITV4.

Maui parents, students rally against DOE mask rules. Saying that masks should be a choice, about 50 to 75 people rallied in Wailuku this morning against the state Department of Education’s indoor mask mandate. Maui Now.

Kauai

Most-polluted test site in April is Moloa‘a Stream. The Blue Water Task Force has released its April test results. Garden Island.

Protesters want to ‘let children breathe’. An anticipated group of more than three dozen people was expected at a sign-waving rally decrying the required wearing of face masks by school students in an indoor setting Wednesday. Garden Island.

Native Hawaiians hard hit by COVID, Health Department denies researchers data, local hotel tax advances on Oahu and Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian ohana ©2021 All Hawaii News

Surge in COVID deaths took heavy toll on Native Hawaiian community. Experts say in the past two weeks, Native Hawaiians have accounted for up to 40% of the state’s COVID deaths. Hawaii News Now.

Local researchers say Department of Health officials have refused to collaborate and share COVID-19 data. Local epidemiologists and researchers say the Hawaii Department of Health has continually rebuffed their requests for data throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and that the department’s latest decision to scale back the information it has been releasing to the public daily on COVID-19 deaths is just the latest example of the department’s lack of openness. Star-Advertiser.
 
State Auditor Les Kondo faces ‘illegal’ act or prosecution. State Auditor Les Kondo told a House committee investigating his handling of two critical audits that a subpoena forces him to commit an illegal act or face a possible criminal contempt charge. Star-Advertiser.

Jill Tokuda Makes Official Her Bid To Be Hawaii Lt. Governor. The former state senator will be part of what is expected to be a large Democratic Primary field. Civil Beat.

Tourism leaders urge Ige to declare it’s OK to visit Hawaii. The president and CEO of the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association said Hawaii’s visitor industry is “in jeopardy if we don’t get a positive statement soon from the governor that we’re ready to open up again.” Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii records 7 new coronavirus-related deaths, 168 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 100 new cases on Oahu, 18 on Maui, 34 on Hawaii Island, 11 on Kauai, one on Molokai and four Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City Council advances proposal for Oahu visitor tax. Bill 40 would levy a 3% city transient accommodations tax on visitor accommodations. It would be imposed in addition to the state’s current 10.25% visitor tax. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said Oahu’s ban on large gatherings will likely be allowed to expire Oct. 19, as long as COVID cases don’t surge again. The policy prohibits any gatherings larger than 25 people outdoors or 10 indoors. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Salary Data Show Hundreds Of Honolulu City Employees Earn Well Over The State Average. The medical examiner and the top executives at HART are making the biggest salaries. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Police Commission Hears From HPD Whistleblower. A Honolulu Police Department whistleblower who accused her superiors of retaliation and discrimination told the Honolulu Police Commission Wednesday that the department is “broken” and said her complaints have been “completely ignored” in the past. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Honolulu Police Department seeks city help with inquiry on Major Stephen Gerona. The Honolulu Police Department asked the city administration for help with an internal investigation into allegations that a major harassed and bullied subordinates who did not agree with his management style and decision-making. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

City Council Approves Dave Matlin To Honolulu Fire Commission. But the new commissioner says he will abstain from the current deadlock over hiring a new fire chief. Civil Beat.

Firm to pay delinquent Kakaako housing fees. Affordable rental apartments in Kakaako serving low-income seniors could shift from state to private ownership as part of an effort to address financial challenges with the property. Star-Advertiser.

Council unanimously votes to take over ownership of embattled Diamond Head road. The Honolulu City Council unanimously voted on Wednesday to have the city take over ownership of Leahi Avenue near Diamond Head. Hawaii News Now. 

Lawmakers, stakeholders weigh in on future of AES coal plant. There are different opinions on whether the Barbers Point facility and its 180 megawatts of generating capacity should be allowed to retire, or be converted into biomass power — a firm renewable form of energy from burning wood, but one that has generated controversy, in part because it still involves releasing carbon emissions.  Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Maunakea forum measured: Moderated update on master plan features more information than interaction. A tightly moderated forum about the University of Hawaii’s updated Maunakea Master Plan was informative Wednesday, but left participants little opportunity to interact. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor signs tax bill. Mayor Michael Victorino signed Bill 101 on Tuesday establishing a 3 percent transient accommodations tax. Maui News.

Proposal before Maui council would phase out thousands of short-term rentals. The Maui County Council is considering phasing out all short-term rentals in apartment districts on the island. Hawaii News Now.

Charter Commission Discussion Continues on Proposed Charter Amendments. The Maui Charter Commission will meet again on Thursday at 9 a.m. to receive testimony and discuss additional proposed revisions to the Maui County Charter. Maui Now.

Father and son on Maui charged after officer finds dead turtle in fishing net. Randall Del Castillo Sr., 57, and Randall Del Castillo Jr., 33, were cited for taking and possessing a green sea turtle, which is a protected species. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Maui Now. KITV4.

Kauai

County to use eminent domain for affordable housing in Kilauea. The Kaua‘i County Council voted unanimously Wednesday to proceed with the acquisition of 23.5 acres of property in Kilauea using the process of eminent domain. Garden Island.

South Korea president to attend Hawaii repatriation ceremony today, hospitals resume elective surgeries, Iolani Palace getting roof repairs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Iolani Palace ©2021 All Hawaii News

South Korea president to visit Hawaii to honor service members in repatriation ceremony. South Korean President Moon Jae-In will be visiting the islands on Wednesday to honor America’s military. He will be part of a repatriation ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam as the United States accepts remains of service members killed during the Korean War. Hawaii News Now.

Patriot missiles fired from Hawaii for first time. With little fanfare, the U.S. Army earlier this month fired from Hawaii for the first time two Patriot missiles — the kind used by 15 nations for defense — knocking out two simulated cruise missile threats at a range of about 20 miles. Star-Advertiser.

Major Hawaii hospitals resume elective surgeries. Major Hawaii hospitals have begun resuming elective surgeries and procedures amid a decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations and a stabilization of the state’s oxygen supply, a sign that the state has avoided some of the worst-case health care scenarios that were feared as coronavirus cases began to soar in early July. Star-Advertiser.

Two powerful senior advocacy groups want age deleted from state’s triage plan. Two powerful senior advocacy groups are seeking to remedy the state’s health care rationing plan, which uses age as a tiebreaker to deny care under certain conditions. Star-Advertiser.

Experts eye more Hawaii travel testing to contain COVID. Hawaii officials are facing pressure to increase COVID-19 testing for travelers as the islands deal with a record surge of new infections, hospitalization and deaths. The calls come as federal guidelines change to require negative virus tests from both vaccinated and unvaccinated people coming to the U.S. Associated Press.

Hawaii government workers, contractors rushed to get vaccinated as mandates went into effect. The number of state and county employees who got the COVID-19 vaccine jumped in recent weeks after mandates were announced and went into effect. Hawaii News Now.

Tensions continue during investigation of state auditor. There were more tense moments during Tuesday’s House committee investigation of the state auditor and his office over unspecified concerns regarding audits of two agencies that oversee Hawaii land. Star-Advertiser.

Menor-McNamara May Run For Hawaii Lieutenant Governor. The president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii has filed organizational paperwork. Civil Beat.

Hawaii sees 280 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 76,191. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 197 new cases on Oahu, 21 on Maui, 39 on Hawaii Island, 16 on Kauai, one on Molokai and six Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu police officer suspended for declining COVID-19 vaccine back on duty and inoculated. HPD Cpl. Mark Kutsy, who came to Honolulu as a United States Marine and joined HPD two weeks after finishing his USMC commitment, evaluated the risks of serious illness or death resulting from the vaccine, which were low, versus ending his HPD career a year or so shy of when he planned to retire. Star-Advertiser.

Family Of Paralyzed Teen Sues Police, Alleging Injuries Resulted From High-Speed Chase. Dayten Gouveia was left paralyzed after police allegedly ran a car he was in off the road, causing a severe crash. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii DOT restores Dillingham Airfield term end date to 2024. Tenants at Dillingham Airfield can stay for a few more years — the State Department of Transportation restored its term end date with the U.S. Army to July 5, 2024. KHON2.

Two Louisiana men serving jail terms at OCCC after violating emergency orders. Two visitors have been charged for allegedly violating Hawaii’s travel rules after they failed to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result and a location to quarantine upon their arrival in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Leilehua High School to implement ‘zero-tolerance’ mask rule on campus. Principal Jason Nakamoto said in a letter to parents and guardians on Tuesday, Sept. 21, “This is now the eighth week of school and we continue to have students that do not understand the importance of proper mask wearing on campus.” KHON2.

City Council recommends purchase of Waikiki road amid safety hazards. The Honolulu City Council voted Tuesday to recommend the city buy a street in Waikiki where residents say the private owner is putting drivers and children in danger. Hawaii News Now.

ʻIolani Palace Will Receive Nearly $500K to Repair the Roof. The palace’s roof will replace approximately 9,000 square feet of slate roofing and remove rust damage. Roof accessories and skylights also will be repaired. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Lots of money, lots of need: Council gets an update on federal rescue funds. Hawaii County’s $39 million federal American Rescue stimulus package has increased to almost $60 million, all of which must be spent by the end of 2024, members of the County Council Finance Committee learned Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

Official: ‘Political will’ needed to fix solid waste problems. Hawaii County should impose new fees for Big island residents to dispose of waste in the future, suggested a county official Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

New Hotels Proposed To Replace Uncle Billy’s, Country Club Apartments. Big changes could be coming to the Banyan Drive area of Hilo, where the Country Club Apartments and the former Uncle Billy’s will be replaced by new hotel accommodations, if the Hawaiʻi land board approves two proposals at a Friday meeting. Big Island Video News.

Deadline nears for HVNP’s air tours plan. That’s 21 years after the Air Tour Management Act of 2000 went into effect and a year after a federal judge ruled in favor of a suit by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and Hawaii Island Coalition Malama Pono, or HICoP, which petitioned the court to compel the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Park Service to enforce the law. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Day 2 of Major Clean-Up Underway at Kanahā Wildlife Sanctuary and Amala Place. Supported by a large team from contractor HTM, clean-up crews moved from the road into the Kanahā Pond State Wildlife Refuge, which state officials say “has been severely impacted by the large presence of people living on Amala Place.” Maui Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Maui Educators Picket for Improved Safety and Well-Being Amid Ongoing Pandemic. Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association members who work on the island of Maui were joined by State Representative Troy Hashimoto for informational picketing at Maui Waena Intermediate School and Maui High School on Tuesday morning. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Molokai Has An Electricity Problem. This Co-Op Wants To Change That. A new co-op plans to reclaim some of its electricity ownership by bidding on a community-based renewable energy project. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i 8.9% jobless rate tops state. According to the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, the jobless rate for the state was 6.6% in August. On Kaua‘i, it was 8.9%. Garden Island.

World Peace Kannon decorated until Sunday in Hanapepe. As the morning swallowed up the remaining notes of the Kaua‘i Soto Zen Temple Zenshuji gongs on Peace Day, Mark Jeffers of The Storybook Theatre of Hawai‘i approached the World Peace Kannon statue Tuesday. Garden Island.

Hawaii to get fleet of MQ-9 Reaper drones, Honolulu Police officers investigated in hit-and-run, lifeguard shortage could close towers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

MQ-9 Reaper drone (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Dennis J. Henry Jr.)

 In a first, Air Force flies 2 big MQ-9 Reaper drones from mainland to Hawaii as part of new maritime emphasis. The Air Force flew two big MQ-9 Reaper drones for the first time from the continental United States to Hawaii to demonstrate the unmanned aircraft’s “untapped potential in a maritime environment” and to participate in Exercise ACE Reaper at Marine Corps Base Hawaii — which will eventually have six of the aircraft based there. Star-Advertiser.

Vaccination mandate for Hawaii public school students not planned, officials say. The head of the Hawaii Department of Education said Thursday there have been no discussions yet with state health officials about a possible vaccination mandate for public school students age 12 and up. Star-Advertiser.

Despite some kinks in the system, state’s SMART Health Card reaches over 100K uploads. The state Office of Enterprise Technology Services said while a majority were able to successfully upload their information, 25% of people were not able to. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii jobless rate sinks to 17-month low of 7%. Hawaii’s unemployment rate dropped in August to a 17-month low of 7% — its seventh consecutive monthly decline — while job growth stalled due to a larger-than-typical summertime release of workers in the Department of Education. Star-Advertiser.

Workers In Hawaii Face New Job Losses — This Time Without A Safety Net. Hawaii still lags behind other states in how quickly the state processes initial unemployment payments. Civil Beat.

Report: Combining outbreak racial data could obscure disparities. Breaking down the data showed that Pacific Islanders, who account for 5% of Hawaii’s population, represented 22% of COVID-19 cases and deaths, and had the highest incidence rate of 7,070 cases per 100,000, according to the report. Tribune-Herald.

2 COVID clusters at schools on Kauai, Maui led to roughly 70 infections. Hawaii State Health Department report highlights COVID clusters at 2 neighbor island schools. The report focuses on two clusters that took place at schools last month —one at an independent school on Kauai and the other at a public elementary school on Maui. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii COVID-19 hospitalization rates drops 25% since surge early September. The numbers are trending down but people in the healthcare industry say it's not time to relax. KITV4.

Hawaii records 8 new coronavirus-related deaths, 588 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 388 new cases on Oahu, 53 on Maui, 96 on Hawaii island, 38 on Kauai, four on Molokai and nine Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Criminal probe launched into 3 HPD officers suspected of causing, fleeing scene of near-fatal crash. Three Honolulu police officers are under criminal investigation ― suspected of causing and then fleeing the scene of a near-fatal crash early Sunday in West Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Staffing shortage could force temporary closure of lifeguard towers on Oahu. Honolulu Ocean Safety said it may have to temporarily shut down lifeguard towers due to a current staffing shortage. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Cruise ship to arrive at Honolulu Harbor on Sept. 18 to refuel. The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) announced the Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship will arrive at Honolulu Harbor to refuel and get provisions on Saturday, Sept. 18. According to officials, the cruise ship will depart on Monday, Sept. 20. KHON2.

Honolulu Rental and Utility Relief Program reopens for new applications. The city program, which helps households struggling to pay their rent, utility, or both due to COVID-19, was put on a temporary pause Aug. 24 to process thousands of applications. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Micro-housing for kupuna ready to rise. A new high-rise in Downtown Honolulu is set for construction that turns a small parking lot into a tower filled with micro- sized rental apartments for seniors with low incomes. Star-Advertiser.

One Miske Defendant Gets Out On Bail, Another Ordered To Remain Behind Bars. New developments this week in the complex criminal case against what’s alleged to be a large criminal enterprise operating in Honolulu. Civil Beat.

7 Halawa inmates transported to ER due to illness; COVID-19 not suspected. The Department of Public Safety said seven Halawa Correctional Facility inmates were hospitalized this morning because they appeared to be suffering from an unknown medical condition. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Board of Education approves renaming Central Middle School in honor of Hawaiian princess. The Central Middle School community is celebrating the state Board of Education’s approval today of a request to rename the historic downtown campus after Princess Ruth Ke‘elikolani,  the Hawaiian alii who once owned the property. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Trial set for ex-cop accused of stealing cocaine from evidence locker. Brian Miller, a retired Hilo vice detective,  is scheduled to face trial for allegedly stealing cocaine from an evidence locker in the Hilo Police Station and intimidating a witness. Tribune-Herald.

Unpermitted gym gets more time to prove it's safe. A gym that’s been operating without permits in an agricultural shed for almost two years got a reprieve Thursday on an after-the-fact permit after the Leeward Planning Commission asked for inspections. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Public Encouraged to Participate in South Maui Virtual Community Design Workshop. The Maui County Planning Department will be gathering input virtually on areas that the community thinks should change and those that should stay the same in South Maui. The community input will guide the land use plan, policies and actions in the draft South Maui Community Plan update. Maui Now.

Applicants sought for Maui County Boards and Commissions. The County of Maui is seeking applicants to fill multiple vacancies on county boards, commissions, councils and committees. Maui Now.

Kauai

KIUC fields questions on Westside project. The Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative and AES Corp., the entities behind the project, are encouraging questions regarding the renewable-energy and irrigation system slated for the Mana Plain. Garden Island.

Humane society at capacity again, hosting free adoptions. Less than three weeks after evacuating nearly 200 animals to Seattle, the Kaua‘i Humane Society is at capacity again. Garden Island.

Those over 65 could get less health care in COVID triage plans, Kauai council passes 3% local hotel tax, Ventura tapped as Maui fire chief, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Elders stay active in Hawaii ©2021 All Hawaii News

Hawaii’s Pandemic Crisis Care Plan Raises Legal And Ethical Concerns. Hawaii stood by its decision to use age as a tiebreaker if needed in treatment decisions, according to the latest version of its plan for allocating resources if the pandemic overwhelms the state’s health care system, despite criticism that the plan may discriminate against older patients. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Audit Finds That Young Brothers Failed To Offset Rising Labor Costs. The report calls for no more shipping rate increases until at least 2023 and for a third party observer to help oversee one of Hawaii’s oldest companies. Civil Beat.

Gov. Ige’s request to halt nonessential travel impacts Hawaii hotel bookings, prices. The rebound of tourism over the summer months came to a screeching halt. People in the hotel industry said travel typically slows down during the fall, but rising COVID cases and the governor’s message to tourists to not come magnified the slow season. KHON2.

COVID-19 screening ramps up in Hawaii’s public schools. After a slow start, state officials are ramping up COVID-19 testing throughout Hawaii’s public schools, part of an overall strategy to help contain the spread of the coronavirus at school facilities where close to 3,000 cases have been reported since the start of the school year. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii records 11 new coronavirus-related deaths, 493 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 314 new cases on Oahu, 62 on Maui, 89 on Hawaii island, 19 on Kauai, three on Molokai and six Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Despite complaints and lawsuits, high-ranking ‘bully’ commander at HPD keeps getting promoted. A battle is brewing within the Honolulu Police Department as members of the rank-and-file push back against one of their leaders, Assistant Chief Stephen Gerona, accusing him of retaliation, sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Hawaii News Now.

COVID-19 sidelines 22 Honolulu Police Department officers. Twenty-two Honolulu police officers were isolated or quarantined Wednesday after testing positive or being exposed to the COVID-19 virus, but the absences are not hindering department operations, interim Chief Rade K. Vanic told Honolulu police commissioners. Star-Advertiser.

No violations found of Honolulu’s new vaccination, COVID-19 testing rules. Honolulu police have found no violations while spot checking Oahu restaurants — particularly in Chinatown and Kakaako — for compliance with new COVID-19 vaccination and testing rules for employees and customers that went into effect on Monday. Star-Advertiser.

DOH issues Honolulu restaurant second red ‘closed’ placard; Failed to pay $3k fine. Doner Shack, a local restaurant in Honolulu, received its second red “closed ” placard and a cease-and-desist order from the Hawaii Department of Health Food Safety Branch. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Still no whistle-blower hot-line: Four years later, audit recommendation yet to be implemented. The Human Resources Department has been scrutinizing interview packets before county departments vet candidates for employment, one of several practices instituted after a scathing 2017 audit found favoritism in county hiring. West Hawaii Today.

Decisions Made On Puna Roads, Water Service Following 2018 Kīlauea Eruption. The County of Hawai‘i provided an update on Wednesday regarding restoration of infrastructure in Puna following the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. Big Island Video News.

Hele-On Announces More Routes, Later Service For Hawaiʻi Island. The Hele-On bus is adding more routes on Hawaiʻi island, and offering later service, according to officials. Big Island Video News.

COVID cases trend downward, but HMC still over capacity. Altogether, there are 49 patients, or 35% of the hospital’s total patient count, affected by the virus, 11 of whom are on ventilators, the hospital said. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Brad Ventura chosen as Maui Fire Department’s new chief. Brad Ventura, 19-year veteran of the Maui Fire Department, will become the department’s new chief starting Oct. 1.  Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Maui Commission Debates Whether To Hire Next Police Chief In Private. The commission’s attorney argued Wednesday that discussions should take place in public. Civil Beat.

Conservation groups notify Maui resort of intent to sue for lights that harm endangered seabirds. Conservation groups today filed a notice of intent to sue the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui for violations of the Endangered Species Act if it does not fix lights that it says are harming and killing endangered seabirds. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required to enter Maui County restaurants, bars, gyms under new rules. Maui County’s new set of Safer Outside emergency rules in response to the COVID-19 surge went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Kauai

Council passes county’s own 3% TAT. A 3% transient accommodation tax levied by the county will soon be applied throughout the tourism industry. Garden Island.

Island enters shearwater fallout season. Seabird fallout season, when fledglings risk potentially-fatal disorientation caused by artificial lights, began Sept. 15, and will run through Dec. 15. Garden Island.

Honolulu police officers cleared in shooting of 16-year-old, 500 health-care workers deployed to Hawaii, teachers union seeks safer classrooms, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu police officers in court Civil Beat pool photo

3 Honolulu Police officers cleared in fatal shooting of 16-year-old Iremamber Sykap. Three Honolulu police officers who opened fire on a 16-year-old crime spree suspect and his crew after he ignored their orders to surrender and led them on a daredevil chase at rush hour are free of criminal charges after an Oahu District Court judge dismissed the argument that the trio committed murder and attempted murder. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Labor Department scraps plan to reopen state unemployment offices, citing COVID-19 spread. Hawaii labor officials on Wednesday canceled a planned Sept. 7 reopening of unemployment offices statewide for in-person service, citing drastically elevated COVID-19 infection risks. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. West Hawaii Today. Maui Now.

Hawaii teachers’ union formally demands to enter into negotiations with DOE over working conditions. The union representing more than 13,000 teachers across Hawaii today formally demanded to enter into negotiations with the state Department of Education in regard to working conditions and the safety of employees and students amid the coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Garden Island. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

State mulls changes to Safe Travels program to keep out breakthrough COVID cases. State leaders are discussing the possibility of bringing back the pretravel COVID testing requirement for trans-Pacific passengers as a way to help keep out positive cases, which can be asymptomatic. KITV4.

State explores health pass to verify vaccination. As some lawmakers discuss the possibility of vaccine mandates to enter certain businesses the state is working on a way to verify people are vaccinated. KITV4.

More than 500 mainland staff will be deployed to Hawaii hospitals to help COVID-19 patients. The Hawaii Department of Health today announced that more than 500 experienced health care professionals from out of state will be deployed to 19 hospitals statewide in coming weeks to help with the ongoing coronavirus surge. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Most Hawaii Hospitals Delay Non-Emergency Procedures As Pandemic Worsens. Non-Covid patients are casualties of swelling coronavirus hospitalizations. Civil Beat.

Straub intensive care facilities full; child hospitalizations increasing in Hawaii. The intensive care facilities at Straub Hospital in downtown Honolulu are operating beyond their capacity as COVID-19 cases surge, requiring staff for the first time to execute disaster plans put in place early in the pandemic in order to handle all of the patients. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii records 2 new coronavirus-related deaths, 647 additional infections. Today’s new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 431 new cases on Oahu, 96 on Maui, 87 on Hawaii island, 26 on Kauai, one on Molokai, and six Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

COMMENTARY: Here's How Hawaii's Top 2022 Political Races Are Shaking Out. The Democratic field for governor appears to be settling while the race for lieutenant governor remains wide open. And who knows what's up with the Republicans. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Former Honolulu City Councilwoman Kym Pine is target of ethics complaint. An ethics investigation, a charge of discrimination from the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and a financial dispute all center around former Honolulu City Councilwoman Kym Pine, alleging that she used city resources for her 2018 unsuccessful bid for mayor, disclosed personal medical history of a former employee and did not properly pay that same staffer. Star-Advertiser.

4 charged with using fake vaccination cards. State prosecutors recently charged two visiting families, one from California and the other from Florida, for allegedly using falsified COVID-19 vaccination cards to travel to Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Settlement reached over a Kapolei company’s alleged hazardous waste violations. Under the settlement, IES Downstream, LLC agreed to pay over $708,000 in civil fines. They are also obligated to send some 289,000 pounds of hazardous waste to a permitted waste treatment, storage and disposal facility on the mainland. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Roth asks Ige to reinstate trans-Pacific pretravel testing, even for those who are vaccinated. Mayor Mitch Roth has urged Gov. David Ige to immediately reinstate pretravel testing requirements for all trans-Pacific passengers, regardless of residency or vaccination status, as the county struggles amid an ongoing surge of COVID-19. Tribune-Herald. KHON2.

Fire chief appeal sent to state Labor Relations Board. The county Merit Appeals Board voted Monday to send a complaint over the selection of the fire chief to the state Labor Relations Board to determine if the county board has jurisdiction. West Hawaii Today.

Big changes for Hele-on: Bus routes will be added, altered under ‘hub-and-spoke model’. Early next month, the county will begin a broad restructuring of the island’s bus system in an effort to make mass transit easier to use. Tribune-Herald.

Settlement in ‘lava bomb’ lawsuit. A settlement has been reached in a federal lawsuit regarding a “lava bomb” that tore through the roof of a lava tour boat and injured numerous passengers near Kapoho on July 16, 2018. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Larger homes would be net-zero energy under new bill. Knowing that housing development and construction operations are among the biggest contributors to climate change, Maui County officials are proposing to require that new one- or two-family residential buildings over 5,000 square feet be zero net energy homes. Maui News.

Maui Charter Commission Seeks Community Input at Aug. 19 Meeting. At its Aug. 19 meeting, the Maui Charter Commission is seeking community input and insights regarding proposed Charter amendments that will be considered for placement on the ballot in November 2022.  Maui Now.

Maui hospital feels weight of record COVID-19 cases. Maui Memorial Medical Center, the island’s only acute-care facility, was treating 40 COVID-19 patients on Sunday, 39 COVID-19 patients on Monday and 31 COVID-19 patients on Tuesday, according to a hospital spokeswoman. Maui News.

Kauai

Council authorizes steps to take over Kilauea property for affordable housing. The Kaua‘i County Council has authorized the first steps in condemnation by eminent domain of a 23.5-acre lot in Kilauea for an affordable housing project. Garden Island.

State has funds for Ke‘e Beach lifeguards. The County Council will discuss renewed state funding of the Ke‘e Beach lifeguard tower at today’s meeting. Garden Island.

Fast-moving Hawaii Marines coordinate strikes on target ship off Kauai. A group of Hawaii-based artillery Marines working under camouflage netting at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai as part of an “expeditionary advanced base” exercise sensed, located, identified and struck a target ship 60 nautical miles off the coast Sunday using two Naval Strike Missiles. Star-Advertiser.