Storms sandwiching Hawaiian Islands, Gabbard attacks Harris in debate, vacation rental law spurs Honolulu controversy, celebrities support Mauna Kea protest, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Erick, Tropical Storm Flossie projections NOAA storm tracker

Erick slowly weakening, but hanging on as Category 1 hurricane. Hurricane Erick continues to lose strength as it churns southeast of the Big Island, but forecasters are warning it could bring heavy rains and high surf to the islands starting Thursday. At 5 a.m. Thursday, Erick was packing winds of 85 mph, making it a Category 1 storm. It was moving west-northwest near 15 mph. Hawaii News Now.

Tropical Storm Flossie continues to charge toward the state on Thursday morning. At 5 a.m., the National Hurricane Center said Flossie was located 1,515 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California ― or 1,580 miles east of Hilo. Hawaii News Now.

UPDATE: Big surf of 15-20 ft arriving on the Big Island today as Hurricane Erick passes south. Erick continues as a hurricane but not for long. KITV.

UPDATE: Tropical Storm Flossie will slowly weaken as it approaches the islands. Flossie has winds at 65 mph. KITV.

11p Wednesday Update: Hurricane Erick continues to weaken while Tropical Storm Flossie’s track shifts slightly farther away to the north. KHON2.

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Tulsi Gabbard Attacks Kamala Harris In Presidential Debate. The Hawaii congresswoman has yet to qualify for the third round of Democratic debates, which made her performance Wednesday crucial. Civil Beat.

On debate stage, Gabbard skewers Harris over her criminal justice record. Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard engaged in a heated exchange with fellow presidential contender U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris on the debate stage Wednesday, claiming that Harris should apologize to the people she impacted with her criminal justice policies. Hawaii News Now.

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More Federal Dollars Are Flowing To Hawaii’s Rural Clinics. In just three years, nine more health clinics acquired Rural Health Clinic status from the federal government, allowing them to get higher reimbursement for Medicaid and Medicare patients. Civil Beat.

Feds: Hawaii Still Coming Up Short In Meeting Special Education Needs. Hawaii still needs assistance in implementing provisions of a federal law designed to improve services for special education students. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Crackdown on vacation rentals could hurt tourism. Oahu’s more restrictive short-term rental rules, which take affect today, have come to the attention of investors and economists who warn the county is in danger of not having enough lodging for visitor arrivals to continue to grow. Star-Advertiser.

City works to refine search for illegal vacation rentals as new regulations roll out. As Honolulu officials prepare to start “digital stings” on Aug. 1 to curb illegal short-term vacation rentals, they’re also working to improve their search for potential violators. Hawaii News Now.

Waikiki condo owners will sue to stop new law. the owners of at least one Waikiki condominium complex are preparing to ask a state judge to stop the city from enforcing the new vacation rental law against them. Star-Advertiser.




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Showdown Looms With Howard Hughes Over Parcels On Rail Route. Negotiations to compensate the Kakaako landowner for properties critical to the project have broken down, with the parties as much as $100 million apart. Civil Beat.


State to tow dozens of abandoned cars from Honolulu airport lots. The state says 60 cars that were abandoned at Honolulu's airport will be removed over the next several weeks. Hawaii News Now.

60 abandoned cars will be removed from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. KHON2.


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Rapid ohia death found on Oahu for first time. Rapid ohia death, the fungal disease that has killed millions of ohia trees across Hawaii, has been detected for the first time on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.


Devastating Rapid Ohia Death now found on Oahu. The Oahu Invasive Species Committee made the discovery in a remote area in the Koolau Mountains above Pearl City. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Actor Momoa lends star power to protests. Actor Jason Momoa added some star power to the daily noontime protocol for theThirty Meter Telescope protesters Wednesday, walking up the closed Mauna Kea Access Road to present an offering in front of a crowd of about 600. Star-Advertiser.

‘Aquaman’ star meets with TMT opponents; camp, telescopes prep for approaching storms. Tribune-Herald.

Mauna Kea Day 17 – Press Conference. On Day 17 of the scheduled start of construction on the Thirty Meter Telescope, opponents of the project – including Hollywood actor Jason Momoa – gathered to hold a press conference at the base of the Mauna Kea Access Road. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii actor Jason Momoa visited the TMT protest at the base of Mauna Kea on Wednesday, becoming the latest celebrity to do so. Hawaii News Now.

Scientists Report Missed Opportunities, Equipment Near Failure as a Result of TMT Protest. The telescopes on Mauna Kea are billion-dollar instruments that require daily maintenance to stay in good working order. As access restrictions continue for a third week, many are developing serious problems. Hawaii Public Radio.

Mauna Kea Hunting Closure Concerns Commission. The temporary closure of hunting on Mauna Kea was a topic of discussion Tuesday night at the Hawaiʻi County Game Management Advisory Commission meeting in Hilo. Big Island Video News.




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Shark finning persists off Big Island. Marine biologists say they are alarmed by recent shark finning incidents on Hawaii island, citing photographs of two oceanic whitetip sharks with their fins hacked off, and that of a dead and gutted whitetip reef shark. Star-Advertiser.


Endangered sharks with fins cut off found gutted, dead off Hawaii Island. Hawaii News Now.

Concern raised over recent shark finning incidents. KHON2.

Sharks spotted finned and gutted around West Hawaii. Dive operators spotted two oceanic white-tip sharks alive with some of their fins cut off. KITV.

Maui

Still no evidence of big leak in Waikapu system. Spike in consumption could be due to higher usage. Maui News.

F-22 Raptor Training on Maui Aug. 1-3, Exhibit Aug. 2. The Hawaiʻi Air National Guard is flying over four F-22 Raptors from Oahu to Kahului Airport on Maui between Aug. 1 and 3, 2019. Maui Now.

Maui man charged, accused of buying young Thai girl and forcing her to have sex. A 76-year-old Maui man is in federal custody after he was accused of buying a 9-year-old girl in Thailand in 2014 and trying to smuggle her to Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kauai’s Ocean Safety Bureau will extend hours for Roving Patrol Units. Starting on Thursday, August 1, Ocean Safety officials will implement extended hours for its lifeguard patrol services islandwide. KHON2.

Building for the future. There’s a new building on Kauai made out of plastic marine debris and plastic household waste. Garden Island.

Tourism numbers down. Through six months, visitor spending on Kauai was a reported $961.9 million, down 5.7% compared to the same period in 2018. Visitor arrivals through June on Kauai totaled 686,236, down 1.7% compared to the first six months of 2018. Garden Island.

Kapaa medical clinic opens. Kauai Medical Clinic opened its new location at Kauai Village shopping center on Tuesday. Garden Island.

Ige calls off Mauna Kea emergency proclamation as hurricane duo Erick and Flossie head toward Hawaii, TMT construction given extra two years, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Erick 5 a.m. Wednesday NOAA

Hurricanes Erick, Flossie weaken as islands brace for rains and rough seas. With its center located about 615 miles southeast of Hilo and 830 miles east-southeast of Honolulu at 5 a.m. today, Erick is still a powerful Category 3 hurricane packing maximum sustained winds of 120 mph and moving west at 13 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Star-Advertiser.

5am update: Hurricane Erick to impact the state as early as Thursday as it continues to weaken. KHON2.

Hurricane Flossie has weakened slightly and is forecast to become a tropical storm later Wednesday. But forecasters say it could re-strengthen later in the week. Hawaii News Now.

Three Air Force Reserve “hurricane hunter” WC-130J aircraft took off Monday from Mississippi bound for Hawaii to provide weather support for Hurricanes Erick and Flossie. Star-Advertiser.

State and counties cancel Thursday’s monthly siren testing due to severe weather. The state and counties agreed to cancel the test to avoid public confusion due to the current severe weather conditions as residents may confuse the testing for a real emergency. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s monthly siren system test for August has been canceled. KHON2.

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Ige calls off emergency order and extends construction deadline. Gov. David Ige on Tuesday rescinded the emergency proclamation for Mauna Kea, saying there are no immediate plans to move Thirty Meter Telescope construction equipment up the mountain due to approaching Hurricanes Flossie and Erick. Star-Advertiser.

The governor on Tuesday withdrew an emergency proclamation for Mauna Kea, and announced the state had given the Thirty Meter Telescope an additional two years to start construction under an existing permit. Hawaii News Now.

Ige Calls Off Mauna Kea Emergency Proclamation. The governor says a permit extension means construction does not have to begin until 2021. Civil Beat.

Governor Ige Withdraws Emergency Proclamation; TMT Construction Deadline Extended. Associated Press.

Governor Rescinds Emergency Proclamation on Mauna Kea. Big Island Now.

Governor Ige rescinds emergency proclamation for Mauna Kea. Governor David Ige held a press conference Tuesday afternoon where he said he has rescinded the emergency proclamation that he had issued on July 17 for Mauna Kea. KITV.

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Activists on Mauna Kea say they will evacuate if weather turns perilous. With two hurricanes approaching Hawaii, the activists blocking construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope say they are prepared to evacuate their blocking positions on Mauna Kea Access Road if the weather danger becomes too great. Star-Advertiser.

TMT given more time. Gov. David Ige announced Tuesday that the deadline for the Thirty Meter Telescope to begin construction has been pushed back two years and that he is rescinding the emergency proclamation he issued two weeks ago. Tribune-Herald.

TMT Granted 2-Year Time Extension, Emergency Proclamation Rescinded. Big Island Video News.

TMT given until 2021 to begin construction atop Mauna Kea. Gov. David Ige today announced that the state has granted an extension of a key permit to the Thirty Meter Telescope. KHON2.

Do Negotiations Offer A Way Forward On Mauna Kea? The TMT conflict can seem irreconcilable. Mediation experts and others weigh in on possible strategies for getting people to the table and resolving these types of disputes. Civil Beat.




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Debate performance crucial for Gabbard’s run. Tulsi Gabbard will be among 10 candidates taking the stage in Detroit, along with political heavyweights former Vice President Joe Biden and California Sen. Kamala Harris. Star-Advertiser.


Ige Appoints Clayton Hee To Parole Board. The former state senator was a longtime chairman of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor. Civil Beat.

New EIS Rules Take Effect in August. Gov. David Ige on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, signed new rules that will alter the Environmental Impact Statement process.  Big Island Now.

Tourism authority: Hawaii saw more than 5M visitors in the first half of the year. The number of tourists visiting the islands grew through the first half of the year compared to 2018, new Hawaii Tourism Authority figures show. Hawaii News Now.

Visitor Numbers To Hawaii Increase As Spending Drops. The latest figures are for the first half of 2019 and reflect recent tourism trends. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Airlines’ second quarter exceeds expectations. Hawaiian Airlines, the state’s largest carrier, lost nearly $22 million of net income in the second quarter amid increasing competition, particularly from Southwest Airlines. Star-Advertiser.

American Savings Bank’s profit takes a hit. Lower interest rates and higher costs cut into the second-quarter profit of Hawaii’s third-largest bank. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Surgeon General visits Honolulu, discusses health and homelessness with local politicians. He met with politicians and local health leaders and discussed opioids, the impact of vaping on keiki, CBD and cannabis, and homelessness. KITV.

The Honolulu Police Department Crime Reduction Officer who was hit twice by a single bullet — once in the hand and once in the upper chest — was in critical but stable condition Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Suspect in Monday’s shooting on parole for another attempted murder case. HPD says the man who shot an officer in Waianae Monday pointed his gun at a second officer, who then shot the suspect in the leg. KHON2.

Honolulu Police Chief Asking How Suspect In Officer's Shooting Got Gun. Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard raised questions on Tuesday about how a previously convicted criminal -- now the suspect in the shooting of a police officer -- got a hold of a handgun. Hawaii Public Radio.

New court-appointed attorney for Katherine Kealoha has potential conflict. The latest taxpayer-funded attorney appointed to represent Katherine Kealoha in her remaining two criminal trials has a potential conflict of interest in at least one of the cases. Hawaii News Now.

New Trial Dates Set For Kealoha Cases. The next trial is now set for January and the  KITV.
one for May, pushing back the cases by several months. Civil Beat.

A $500 Fine For HPD Officer Who Says He Was Targeted By Kealohas. Former HPD sergeant Albert Lee was fired after he was charged for driving under the influence and lying to investigators. Civil Beat.

Former HPD officer avoids jail time in DUI case. A former Honolulu police officer will get no jail time for crashing his vehicle into a HECO structure in 2016. Hawaii News Now.

No jail time sentence for former HPD officer accused of drunk driving. He was accused of driving drunk in 2016 and crashing his vehicle into a Hawaiian Electric Company structure in Hawaii Kai. KITV.

CEO of farmers market group sees a food self-sufficient future for Hawaii. The CEO of Oahu-based Farmlovers Markets is trying to change the way people purchase food in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

State agencies investigating dead fish in Kahala stream. A fishy odor wafted from the murky waters of Waialae Stream in Waialae Beach Park this morning, and no wonder: All up and down the banks, the decomposing bodies of dozens of fish floated amid leaf litter and trash. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Coffee lawsuit brewing: Chemical tests show product not Kona, farmers say. Three Kona coffee farmers have turned to science to prove their case against major retailers and producers who they say are mislabeling their products as authentic Kona coffee. West Hawaii Today.

Isle tourism on the recovery track despite decline in first half of 2019. While Big Island tourism numbers increased in June, visitor arrivals and spending in the first half of 2019 were still down compared to the same period a year ago, according to preliminary statistics released Tuesday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Tribune-Herald.

Visitor numbers recovering: June arrivals up in West Hawaii. More visitors came to Hawaii Island last month than in June 2018, although the island’s year-to-date numbers have yet to catch up. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Councilmember Michael J. Molina transmitted a proposed resolution and bill to the Maui County Council, seeking the creation of a Paia-Haiku Advisory Committee to the Planning Commission. Maui Now.

Dust fencing going up for Kihei project. The first phase of the 27-acre, 388-unit project is scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2021. Maui News.

Kauai

A potential new wastewater management system isn’t the only thing new at Aina Hookupu o Kilauea’s Community Agricultural Center. Garden Island.

Family sues after woman kills herself in KPD custody. The family of a woman who committed suicide in a jail cell by eating a metallic thermal blanket is suing the County of Kauai for negligence. Garden Island.

Erick now a Cat 3 hurricane, contradictory claims arise from Mauna Kea TMT impasse, Honolulu policeman recovering from gunshot, Ige shuffles staff, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Telescopes on Mauna Kea ©2019 All Hawaii News

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim said Monday he doesn’t want the job to mediate the standoff on Mauna Kea, but will keep working to settle the matter without using physical force. Star-Advertiser.

Kim recaps TMT meeting, reiterates opposition to use of force. A Friday meeting between leaders of the Native Hawaiian community and Mayor Harry Kim regarding the Thirty Meter Telescope project was inconclusive, Kim said at a press conference today. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiian Leaders Want To Meet Again On Telescope. Many of the leaders the Big Island mayor talked with Monday were from Oahu. Civil Beat.

Mayor Kim Trying To Find Way Out Of TMT Impasse With More Talk. The man tasked with trying to find a way out of an impasse over the construction of a giant telescope in Hawaii says he met with Native Hawaiian leaders Friday. Associated Press.

Mayor Harry Kim called a press conference on Monday to talk about recent meetings he has hosted in regards to the Thirty Meter Telescope project. Big Island Video News.

Mayor Harry Kim said Monday he’s hoping for a peaceful resolution to the TMT conflict without using violence. Hawaii News Now.

Mauna Kea Negotiations Remain at Stand-Still After Initial Talks. Big Island Now.

Project has legal right to start, TMT official says. A top official with the Thirty Meter Telescope said Monday that state officials need to find a way to allow construction of the next-generation telescope on Mauna Kea - and soon. Star-Advertiser.

Mauna Kea Protests Leave Observatory Workers Trapped In The Middle. Many telescope staffers are frustrated by not being able to work, but they understand where the protesters are coming from. Civil Beat.

Personal Opinions Crystallize as Hawaii Enters Week Three of TMT Standoff. Compromise may seem like a long shot for those on all sides of the Thirty-Meter Telescope debate. Hawaii Public Radio.

Global human rights group demands Ige put a stop TMT construction. The Hawaii chapter of Amnesty International took their stance straight to the state capitol Monday. KITV.

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Erick becomes a major hurricane in Central Pacific. Packing maximum sustained winds of 115 mph as of 5 a.m. today, the center of Erick was located 920 miles east-southeast of Hilo and 1,135 miles east-southeast of Honolulu and headed west at 17 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Star-Advertiser.

Erick intensifies into a major hurricane far east-southeast of Hawaii. The system’s maximum sustained winds increased to 115 mph, making it a powerful Category 3 hurricane. Hawaii News Now.

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Gov. David Ige has appointed Rona Suzuki as interim director of the state Department of Taxation. She replaces Linda Chu Takayama who will begin serving as the governor’s chief of staff on Aug. 1. Star-Advertiser.

Aloha Stadium Deal Panned By Watchdog Groups. HB 1586 has received the sixth annual Rusty Scalpel award from Common Cause Hawaii and the League of Women Voters of Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Federal Leaders Look To Improve Military Housing Conditions. The Department of Defense and congressional members of both parties are pushing for new regulations on the private companies that serve as landlords. Civil Beat.

FBI names new special agent in charge of Honolulu office. Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray has named Eli S. Miranda the new special agent in charge of the bureau's Honolulu Field Office. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

The Kealoha Corruption Case Cost These Two Investigators More Than Their Jobs. Former Honolulu Ethics Commission investigators Chuck Totto and Letha DeCaires speak out about the politics and questionable practices they say clouded one of the most important cases of their careers. Civil Beat.

Proposed HART Resolution Calls For Agency To Stay Alive. Rail board members are poised to approve a resolution pushing back against the proposal to dissolve HART years ahead of schedule. Civil Beat.

Caldwell: 'We Should Be Cautious Moving Forward' on HART Resolution. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell says he is willing to listen to arguments on a resolution proposing to dissolve the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Fired HPD sergeant gets fine in plea deal. A Honolulu police sergeant who was charged with driving drunk and lying about being the driver was instead fined $500 for reckless driving in a plea deal. Star-Advertiser.

Police identify man accused of shooting officer in chest near Pokai Bay. Police said 47-year-old Tony Souza opened fire after a confrontation at the intersection of Pokai Bay Street and Alta Street. Hawaii News Now.

Armed robbery investigation leaves police officer with gun shot. A Honolulu police officer was shot and transported to the hospital in critical condition Monday afternoon. KHON2.

Man who pleaded guilty for role in bribery scheme sentenced. He admitted he took bribes from Oahu engineer Jim Lyons, in exchange for a nearly $8 million government contract. Hawaii News Now.

It’s taken years and millions of dollars, but this Waikiki park is finally taking shape. A groundbreaking ceremony took place on Monday for a long-awaited park project in central Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

Request for Qualifications sought for Neal S. Blaisdell Center public-private partnership. The city is currently undertaking an estimated $772 million redevelopment of the 22-acre Blaisdell campus, which is under the control of the Department of Enterprise Services. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

DLNR officials, fisherman continue boat ramp talks. Representatives from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources met last week with Puna fishermen, lawmakers and community members to further discuss possible solutions to the landlocked Pohoiki boat ramp. Tribune-Herald.

50 units proposed for Alii Drive. The Leeward Planning Commission next month will consider two applications related to a proposed 50-unit residential community across from Pahoehoe Beach Park in Kailua-Kona with 26 of its units intended to be affordable housing. West Hawaii Today.

Critics Say County Ignores Animal Shelters’ High Kill Rates. Most of the animals brought to the Humane Society’s three facilities are euthanized. Their contract with the county doesn’t encourage saving lives. Civil Beat.

Maui

County Seeks Development of Mahinahina and Kahana Wells. The County of Maui, Department of Water Supply is proposing a West Maui Source Development Project, which involves the development of existing exploratory wells.  Maui Now.

55,000 Maui Jury Questionnaires to be Mailed. Juror questionnaires will be mailed out to 55,000 residents in Maui County starting on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. Maui Now.

Kauai

KIUC takes ‘critical step’. Kauai Island Utility Cooperative is moving toward securing a long-term lease for use of two water diversions in the Wailua watershed. Garden Island.