Showing posts with label Hurricane Hone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hurricane Hone. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Green names new water resources chief, two more cyclones heading toward the state, more than 5k hotel workers vote to strike, Lahaina property prices spike, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green Taps New Hawaii Water Resources Board Head After Kaleo Manuel’s Departure. Ciara Kahahane is poised to leave the state Attorney General's office to serve as the board's new first deputy. Civil Beat.

Tropical cyclones coming to Hawaii at peak of season. As Tropical Storm Hone moves away from the Hawaiian Islands, two more tropical cyclones — Hurricane Gilma and Tropical Storm Hector — are approaching, though their impacts might not be as severe. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.

Hawaii’s visitor industry faces threat of hotel, airline strikes. More than 5,000 workers have authorized a strike at the Sheraton Kauai Resort and seven Waikiki hotels: the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort; Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort &Spa; Moana Surfrider — a Westin Resort Spa; The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort; Sheraton Princess Kaiulani; Sheraton Waikiki; and the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort &Spa. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Tulsi Gabbard, who ran for 2020 Democratic nomination, endorses Trump against former foe Harris. Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has endorsed Donald Trump’s presidential bid, furthering her shift away from the party she sought to represent four years ago and linking herself to the GOP nominee’s critiques of Vice President Kamala Harris and the chaotic Afghanistan War withdrawal. Associated Press.

From surfing buddies to eco innovators: how expired life vests became ‘The Surf Bag’. What began as a quest to enjoy longer surf sessions has evolved into a groundbreaking product: The Surf Bag, crafted from expired Hawaiian Airlines life vests. KHON2.

Oahu

Low morale, poor communication among complaints by HPD officers in internal survey. HPD survey praises leadership, questions communication. The Honolulu Police Department posted 111-page-long “2024 Commander Performance Survey Results” that detail optimism and frustration about morale, equipment and operations under the leadership of Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu EMS Sued For Wrongful Death Over Kailua Ambulance Fire. Family of the 91-year-old patient who died in 2022 after the ambulance in which he was riding burst into flames accused Honolulu EMS of wrongful death and negligence. Civil Beat.

$2.5 million electric vehicle charging station breaks ground at Aloha Tower. On Monday, the Hawaii Department of Transportation announced the construction of the second electric vehicle charging station under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. KHON2.

'A mechanism for moving forward': Neglected Pearl City cemetery sees glimmer of hope. Sinking graves. Crumbling crypts. Stolen urns. These are a short list of ongoing problems facing Sunset Memorial Park in Pearl City. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

$10.5 million available for homeless programs. Since 2022, Hawaii County has set aside 75% of certain residential property tax revenues to fund programs addressing homelessness on the Big Island through the Office of Housing and Community Development’s Homelessness and Housing Fund. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i County still dealing with aftermath of Hone with prolonged power outages. With approximately 1,900 Hawaiian Electric customers experiencing prolonged power outages following Hurricane Hone, Hawai‘i County has opened two shelters. Big Island Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hone: Heavy rains, strong winds, but more hassle than harm.
Tropical Storm Hone didn’t hit Hawaii Island directly, but did leave its calling card over the weekend in the form of heavy rainfall and gusty winds. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Contested case delays long-awaited vote on Hawaiʻi Island aquarium fishing permits. On Friday, the Board of Land and Natural Resources was scheduled to vote on the proposed structure for a controversial West Hawai‘i Regional Fishery Management Area permit, which covers the entire western coast of the island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui’s New Coastal Rules Are Full Of Loopholes, Environmental Group Says. In a lawsuit, Maui Tomorrow rejects the regulations as essentially toothless, but the county says they will expedite permitting and avoid unnecessary hurdles. Civil Beat.

'Problematic': Lahaina lots listed for thousands more than pre-fire value. Members of the Lahaina Community Land Trust worry the much-resisted concern could soon become a reality as several leveled lots were recently listed for thousands of dollars higher than what they were appraised for before the tragedy. KITV4.

Milestone reached with debris removal underway on last single- and multi-unit residential properties in Lahaina. The US Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with federal, state, and local partners, announced that debris removal on the last single- and multi-unit residential properties in Lahaina is underway. This milestone marks a significant achievement in the Personal Property Debris Removal Program, as all residential properties will be cleared months ahead of the original January 2025 deadline. Maui Now.

Public invited to comment on cleanup of 700-gallon fuel spill at Haleakalā. The public can now weigh in on cleanup of a fuel spill atop Haleakalā. The 2023 fuel spill was caused by a lightning strike to an emergency generator.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kauai Community College enrollment up 11.9 percent for fall semester. Kauai Community College opened its doors to the fall semester on Monday with an opening day census of 1,277 students. Garden Island.


Monday, August 26, 2024

Maui hotel booking decline could cost state $40M in taxes, insurance industry wants Hawaii Supreme Court to step in over wildfire payment dispute, Hone sweeps past state after dumping needed rain, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Decline in Maui room bookings could cost the state more than $40 million in taxes. The dampening in travel sentiment for Maui is bringing down tourism statewide and is a key reason Hawaii visitor industry executives appealed to the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board to add $1.6 million to the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau marketing budget to conduct a marketing saturation campaign Sept. 15-22 in Los Angeles, Hawaii’s top source market for visitors. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Insurance Industry Insists It Has Right To Recoup Billions In Paid Wildfire Claims. Victims’ lawyers want the Hawaii Supreme Court to step in. They have asked Maui Judge Peter Cahill to let the high court determine the question central to his ruling, and want the insurance industry to join in on their request as a way to resolve the issue. Civil Beat.

Hawaii automobile sales plunge as owners hang on to vehicles. The dismal outlook comes after new-vehicle registrations plunged 11.8% in the second quarter to bring the midyear decline to 7%. By contrast, national auto sales were up 3.4% through the first six months. Star-Advertiser.

UHERO report spotlights rural health care needs. Rural area residents reported having more health challenges and limitations than their urban counterparts, according to the study produced by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Overall, they rated their health as poorer. Star-Advertiser.

Hone weakens to tropical storm and sweeps past Hawaii, dumping enough rain to ease wildfire fears.
Hone passed south of Hawaii and weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm on Sunday, dumping so much rain that the National Weather Service called off its red flag warnings that strong winds could lead to wildfires on the drier sides of the islands. Associated Press. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines adding Hilo flights Monday after cancellations due to Hone. Hawaiian Airlines has announced it will resume flights to and from Hilo and operate two additional flights between Honolulu and Hilo after several flights were canceled due to Hone. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Impending Legislature leadership change could do same for Kakaako landscape. Kakaako will have a new state House representative in January and new potential for residential high-rise development on poorly utilized land makai of Ala Moana Boulevard owned by the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Star-Advertiser.

New Year’s Day shooting drives rise in attempts to harm police. There have been 21 cases of first-degree attempted murder of a law enforcement officer on Oahu so far this year compared to only three last year, according to the Honolulu Police Department’s data dashboard. Star-Advertiser.

Over 500 firearms collected at Oahu gun buyback event. Officials say they collected more than 500 firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition at the buyback at Aloha Stadium’s lower parking lot on Saturday. The guns and ammo were swapped for $100 and $200 dollar gift cards to Foodland. Hawaii News Now.

Many East Honolulu communities are at high fire risk. Due to its high density, topography and frequent human-­caused ignitions, East Honolulu is considered at moderate to high risk of wildfire, according to the recently published East Honolulu Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hurricane Hone brings heavy rain but no major damage. Hurricane Hone passed within 60 miles of Hawaii Island early Sunday, bringing heavy rain, knocking out power to thousands of customers and snapping native ohia trees like twigs. New York Times.

2 Big Island schools closed Monday due to hazardous road conditions.
Ka‘u High & Paaala Elementary School and Na‘alehu Elementary School will be closed to students and staff Monday due to hazardous road conditions. Highway 11 has been shut down by emergency crews, making both campuses inaccessible to families and staff. Star-Advertiser.

Aquarium fishing proposal stalls: DAR seeks to start permit process for commercial fishers
. At Friday’s meeting of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the state Division of Aquatic Resources submitted a request to establish a process to grant permits to commercial aquarium fishers to operate in West Hawaii, something that hasn’t been allowed since 2017. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Faces $1.2 Billion In Unmet Needs For Wildfire Recovery Efforts
. No specifics have been released, but the amount would help pay for costs that FEMA isn't authorized to cover. Civil Beat.

This Buddhist Temple Is Collapsing Into The Sea Off Maui. With nearby graves already swallowed by the ocean, sea level rise and coastal erosion are now threatening to destroy an iconic Zen mission and cemetery. Civil Beat.

Hotels on Maui woo back leisure travelers. While many Maui hotels, especially in West Maui, are transitioning back to a leisure travel and group business focus, the transition is more involved for the Royal Lahaina resort, which was all in until its contractual obligations ended at the end of June. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Lane closure scheduled on Kaua‘i highway to replace 3 culverts. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation will be closing a single lane on Kaumualiʻi Highway (Route 50) in the vicinity of Kīkīaola Boat Harbor next week to allow crews to permanently replace three 54-inch culverts. Kauai Now.

The Kaua‘i County Housing Agency’s Section 8 office will be closed from 7:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Sept. 4, to accommodate a staff training. Normal operation and hours will resume from 12:45 p.m. to 4 p.m., that day. Kauai Now.