Prices rise, workers quit, food stamps increase in Hawaii economy, COVID-19 wastewater monitoring to start this summer, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Shoppers and strollers in Waikiki ©2022 All Hawaii News

Why Businesses Are Passing Their Rising Costs On To Consumers. The price of groceries rose almost 12% in March compared with the same month a year ago, while gasoline prices increased almost 40%. Civil Beat.

A Record Number of Hawai‘i Workers Quit Their Jobs in 2021. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest data shows that 222,000 local employees had voluntarily resigned. In September alone, about 38,000 people quit – 6.6% of the local workforce and the highest rate for that month in the nation. Hawaii Business Magazine.

Amid growing need, extra food stamp benefits extended to end of May. According to the Department of Human Services, nearly 200,000 people in Hawaii rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. State officials say it is a 36% increase from prior to the pandemic. Hawaii News Now.

Bill would expedite farmland transfers. While two state agencies continue to vie over management of about 100,000 acres of state land set aside for agriculture, lawmakers are pushing a bill to expedite the transfer of those lands to support local farming and ranching. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers still practicing gut-and-replace surgery on bills. The Hawaii Supreme Court laid down a precedent-setting November ruling that invalidated a 2018 law stemming from a gut-and-replace maneuver, designating certain aspects of the practice as unconstitutional. Yet at least two examples of bills that could easily be considered an affront to the court’s decision popped up recently at the Legislature. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Tourism Authority is operating on an extremely tight deadline to award its largest contract to supply destination management services and promote Hawaii to the U.S. market, the state’s most important visitor source market. Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau has always had HTA’s top contract and is expected to bid for the next one. Star-Advertiser.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs might get more of what it’s owed from the state of Hawaii. A bill that the House of Representatives approved unanimously Tuesday would raise an annual sum the state pays OHA to $21.5 million, up from $15.1 million, as another interim effort to satisfy a state obligation rooted in Hawaii’s Constitution. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii public schools could soon offer free menstrual products. State legislators are close to passing Senate Bill 2821, which would appropriate about $1 million to the Department of Education to provide menstrual pads and tampons because many students can’t afford them. Hawaii News Now.

Bills target abandoned cars: ‘Big penalty’ sought for those who leave the vehicles. House Bills 1411 through 1414 propose harsher penalties for owners of derelict vehicles that could generate millions of dollars for the state per year. Tribune-Herald.

Monitoring for COVID-19 in Hawaii wastewater expected to start this summer. A growing number of studies show the value of wastewater monitoring not only as an early detection system for trends in coronavirus cases in a community, but for the presence of variants such as BA.2. and other potential mutations on the horizon. Star-Advertiser.

COVID cases likely three times more than reported. During a livestream on Friday, infectious disease expert and Senior Fellow in the Research Program at East-West Center on Oahu Dr. Tim Brown speculated cases could be underreported “by about a factor of three.” Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Ikaika Anderson’s Honolulu City Council resignation raises questions in lieutenant governor race. Ikaika Anderson is prepared to explain to voters why he resigned his Windward City Council seat in 2020 saying he wanted to focus on caring for his Waimanalo grandparents who raised him, but ended up working for a mason’s union job that he left after nine months. Star-Advertiser.

Public weighs in on Ala Wai flood-control proposals. Under consideration is dredging the canal, adding raised walls along its banks and adding earthen/silt berms to divert floodwaters into Ala Wai Park, the golf course and neighboring school grounds, partially restoring the area’s former wetlands and kalo paddies. Star-Advertiser.

Coming back from a crime at nonprofit ʻŌlelo Community Media. Roger McKeaugue joined ʻŌlelo Community Media in April 2021 as head of the nonprofit at a delicate time. In the previous month, a former vice president had pleaded guilty to federal charges of embezzling money from the organization, including CARES Act funding. Hanalei Apioalani was sentenced to 46 months in prison. Hawaii Public Radio.

Developer of Hawaii Ocean Plaza gives update on project. The city of Honolulu has cited a development project for not taking care of its build site along Kapiolani Boulevard. The complaint involves the homeless visiting a two story building on the property, overgrown weeds and a broken fence. This comes as the developer missed key deadlines for permits. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Bugs still being worked out of EPIC: Some building permits still stuck in the system. Hawaii County continues to work the bugs out of its online building permit system, but some testifiers to the county Cost of Government Commission aren’t convinced it’s happening fast enough. West Hawaii Today.

Council to view presentation on ‘dark sky’ initiatives. Hawaii County could save money and attract tourists by reducing light pollution, according to a presentation by a Big Island activist to be heard this week by the County Council. Tribune-Herald.

Ige releases $1.5M for Puako sewer plans. A long-anticipated project to improve water quality and protect the coral reef by replacing cesspools at Puako with a sewer system is finally moving forward with the announcement Friday that Gov. David Ige has released $1.5 million to get the design work started. West Hawaii Today.

Honokaa cockfight draws hundreds: Alleged organizer arrested; 21 chickens killed. According to a Tribune-Herald search of previous stories and media releases by the Hawaii Police Department, the last time a cockfighting arrest ended up with criminal charges on the Big Island was on March 30, 2019, also in Honokaa. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Months after social host law took effect, no citations issued. Questions surround enforcement of law, which police chief calls ‘unconstitutional’. No citations have been issued under a county law holding adult hosts accountable for underage drinking at house parties on Maui, more than six months since the measure was implemented. Maui News.

Kama plans two changes to county’s Taser rules, slated to be heard Friday. Council Member Tasha Kama in a news release said that the planned changes include consolidating the county’s administrative responsibilities for electric gun dealer licensing and clarifying the business insurance requirements for electric gun sellers. Maui Now.

Cleaning This Polluted Maui Harbor Requires Money, Land And Oysters. The County Council will vote on whether to approve $9.5 million for a state-of-the art wastewater treatment plant in Maalaea. Civil Beat. Maui News.

Maui airport sees faster processing, fewer disorderlies in wake of Safe Travels. The leader of Maui district airports said Kahului Airport processing times and disorderly traveler incidents have subsided since Hawaiʻi’s Safe Travels program was lifted three weeks ago.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i legislators return donations tied to bribery figure. Following a February bribery scandal, some Kaua‘i lawmakers have made moves to distance themselves from money tied to the central figure in the case. Garden Island.

Owner reunited with stolen canoe on Kauai after weeks-long search. A canoe stolen on Kauai in early April has been found and returned to its rightful owner. Hawaii News Now.

Lt. Gov. Green describes how he and his security detail contracted coronavirus, new contact tracing head moves fast to quell virus, flaws in response cause COVID-19 to spread, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

An apparently exhausted Lt. Gov. Green in July from Facebook Live

Lt. Gov. Josh Green: "I guess I had to get COVID to make my point". Lt. Gov. Green explains how one doctor's call not to test a person for COVID-19 potentially exposed dozens of people, and underscores need for more testing and contact tracing. KITV4.

Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green says he’s asymptomatic during home quarantine despite testing positive for coronavirus. Green, head of Hawaii’s COVID-19 efforts, announced Friday that he had tested positive and was quarantining at his Honolulu condominium. Star-Advertiser.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green: ‘I Don’t Feel Differently At All’. The state’s vocal COVID-19 medical liaison was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Friday. Civil Beat.

Lt. gov. provides update on his condition, another member of his security detail tests COVID-positive. The lieutenant governor is working from home and says that Sunday’s numbers show that Hawaii is at a turning point. KHON2.

Second member of Lt. Gov. Green’s security detail tests positive for COVID. According to the Department of Public Safety, a second deputy sheriff assigned to Lt. Gov. Josh Green’s security detail has tested positive for COVID-19. Hawaii News Now.

2nd Deputy Sheriff Assigned To Hawaii Lt. Gov. Has COVID-19. Lt. Gov. Josh Green has been in isolation since Friday. Civil Beat.

Second Member of Lt. Gov. Josh Green’s Security Detail Tests Positive for COVID-19. A second deputy sheriff assigned to Lieutenant Governor Josh Green’s security detail has tested positive for COVID-19. The deputy last worked on Sept. 10, 2020. As of Sunday, Sept. 13, the two deputy sheriffs and Lt. Gov. Green are the only confirmed positive cases in the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. Maui Now.

Third Member of Lt. Gov. Green’s Office Positive For Coronavirus. A second deputy sheriff assigned to Lt. Gov. Josh Green’s office has tested positive for COVID-19. Big Island Now.

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Emily Roberson, Hawaii’s new head of contact tracing, moves quickly to revamp the program. Hawaii is at a critical crossroads in reining in the coronavirus that has killed nearly 100 and sickened more than 10,500 statewide, wreaking havoc on the economy and leaving thousands of residents jobless. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard’s New Leadership PAC. Political experts say the Hawaii congresswoman’s new PAC signals she’s not done with politics even after she leaves office at the end of her term. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Public School Enrollment Down 2.6% This Year. The total student count across public schools is now 174,704. Civil Beat.

Thousands inquire about state’s rental relief program, some have been helped. It’s been less than a week since the state launched a program that will help residents with rent. KHON2.

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Hawaii Demand Slumps For Energy Providers. Utilities and alternative energy providers have felt the economic effects of the COVID-19 shutdowns. Hawaii Public Radio.

Pandemic Changes Hawai‘i’s Energy Consumption: Who, When and How Much. The pandemic and resulting recession has transformed the way Hawai‘i uses energy: who consumes it, when and how much, says Scott Glenn, the state’s chief energy officer. Hawaii Business magazine.

Sustainability bill to become law Sept. 15. A state House bill to strengthen statewide sustainability coordination and update the roles and responsibilities of the state Office of Planning will become law Tuesday, Sept. 15, after the measure was not included on Gov. David Ige’s intent-to-veto list. Garden Island.

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Oahu-based contact tracing phone app waiting to launch. Nonprofit develops voluntary self-reporting software that keeps location data secure. An Oahu-based nonprofit with the help of a Maui surgeon has been developing an app to be used as an anonymous, voluntary self-reporting tool for residents and visitors during the pandemic. Maui News.

Hawaii officials report 2 coronavirus-related deaths on Oahu and 114 new infections statewide. Hawaii Department of Health officials today reported two more coronavirus-related deaths on Oahu and 114 new infections statewide, bringing the state’s totals since the beginning of the pandemic to 99 fatalities and 10,700 COVID-19 cases. Star-Advertiser.

114 New COVID-19 Cases (96 O‘ahu, 2 Maui, 16 Hawai‘i Island), 2 Deaths. Maui Now.

The Latest: 2 Deaths, 114 New Cases; One Death At Hilo Medical; Green In Quarantine Says He's Fine. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Honolulu has allocated about 60% of CARES Act funds, but December deadline looms. It’s use it or lose it when it comes to federal CARES Act funds, but so far Honolulu has only spent about $72 million of its $387 million distribution. Star-Advertiser.

This Is How Honolulu Is Spending $387 Million In CARES Act Money. The clock is ticking. The federal money has a “use it or lose it” provision. Civil Beat.

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Honolulu Council Chair Ikaika Anderson Already On Payroll Of Local Union. Anderson said Wednesday he would resign from the council before his term ends to care for his grandparents. He started work for Local 630 Sept. 1. Civil Beat.

UH Manoa May Cut Theater, Journalism, Social Welfare Programs. Degrees in languages, dance and other subjects are also among those on a preliminary chopping block to balance the budget. Civil Beat.

The struggle of North Shore’s largest employers reaches deep into the tourism-dependent community. Oahu’s North Shore, where most residents and businesses rely on tourism for economic survival, has been among the communities hardest-hit by the tourism collapse. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

COVID-19 survivors see flaws in system: Mayor thinks central command post will improve response. It started with a little tickle at the back of her throat. When she lost her sense of smell, this Hawaii Island woman had no doubt. She had COVID-19. West Hawaii Today.

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Hilo veterans home outbreak prompts more scrutiny. Two more coronavirus deaths related to an outbreak at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home were reported Sunday by Avalon Healthcare, whose infection control practices are under federal review. Star-Advertiser.

2 more deaths reported at a Hilo veterans home as Mayor Kim calls for changes. On Saturday, Mayor Kim held a rare news conference to call for the the suspension and replacement of administrative staff at the home, saying their failed response has led to the worsening outbreak and alarming number of deaths. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Kim Holds Press Conference On Veterans Home Outbreak. Mayor Harry Kim called a news conference in Hilo on Saturday, speaking out on the worsening situation at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home, where an outbreak of COVID-19 has contributed to the deaths of ten veterans. Big Island Video News.

2 more have died of COVID-19 at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home on Sept. 13. The COVID-related death toll rose by two at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home, Avalon Healthcare officials reported on Sunday, Sept. 13. KHON2.

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Charter amendment price tags: Most of the 16 proposed amendments will have minimal financial impact, county says. West Hawaii Today.

Site blessed for homeless village; Kukiola construction to take about eight months. In a very small and low-key ceremony Thursday, Hawaii County blessed the site of the future KukuiOla, a homeless village to be located at the corner of Kealakehe Parkway and Ane Keohokalole Highway in Kailua-Kona. West Hawaii Today

Maui

County of Maui Successfully Prices $74.42 Million in General Obligation Bonds. The proceeds of the General Obligation Bonds will be used for capital improvement projects in the County of Maui and to refinance outstanding bonds issued by the County of Maui at lower interest rates. Maui Now.

South Maui housing projects get green light. Liloa Hale would offer 117 units for seniors, Hale Kaiola 40 units. Maui News.


Kauai

Hearing-impaired students to get special masks. The East Kaua‘i Lions Club Foundation awarded Paleka Zirzow an award of $1,440 Saturday to purchase special face masks for students and those who work with students on Kaua‘i who are deaf or hard of hearing. Garden Island.

A place to bring the fish to. Located at 3083 Peleke Street, Lawai‘a offers not only a variety of fresh catch, but a lot of other things fish, including lures, line, gift items, and stuff growing in the backyard like pumpkins, avocado and more. Garden Island.

Molokai
 
Molokai leaders anticipate an increase in COVID cases this week. Molokai has reported 11 cases of COVID-19 in the last two weeks. KHON2.

Four new virus cases reported on Molokai. Island’s COVID-19 count now up to 13. Health officials are investigating four new cases of COVID-19 on Molokai, with two possibly related to a recent string of travel- and family-related reports earlier this week. Maui News.

Moloka‘i Grab-And-Go Meal Service Modified After COVID-19 Case Involving High School Employee. Grab-and-go Meal Service on Molokaʻi is being modified as a precaution after confirmation of a positive COVID-19 case involving a Molokaʻi High School employee. Maui Now.

State pushes for Oct. 1 trans-Pacific travel amid gloomy economic forecast, Honolulu City Council chairman resigns, Kauai bans polystyrene, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii airport screening from Department of Transportation video

State's pre-travel testing program for transpacific travel scheduled to start October 1. Governor David Ige spoke to the four county mayors on Wednesday about using interisland travel as a pilot for the state's pre-travel testing program. KITV4.

Green says state should be ready to reopen to travelers on Oct. 1. Lt. Gov. Josh Green said Wednesday that he does not see any reason the state could not reopen to trans-Pacific travelers on Oct. 1. Tribune-Herald.

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State Tax Collections Forecast To Drop $200 Million Next Year. The Council on Revenues predicts Hawaii tourism will be doing a very modest business by November, but will recover slowly. Civil Beat.

Forecast calls for Hawaii tax revenue to drop 11%. Hawaii tax revenue — severely depleted because of the coronavirus pandemic — will likely decline 11% this fiscal year if tourists begin to return to the islands by mid-November, an advisory panel for the governor and lawmakers said Wednesday. Associated Press.

With latest gloomy economic outlook, lawmakers prepare for a long road to recovery. The Hawaii Council on Revenues said tax revenues for the 2021 fiscal year will be down 11% — or about $770 million. The board also revised its outlook for the 2022 fiscal year, saying the economy will grow by 8%. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii’s Health Department Has Gotten Millions In COVID-19 Grants. Where Is It Going?. Competition for equipment and bureaucratic hurdles have slowed down spending meant to boost the state’s pandemic response. Civil Beat.

New COVID-19 cases are declining, but hospitals continue to grapple with nursing shortage. Despite a recent decline in the number of new coronavirus cases, hospitals continue to struggle to meet current needs because of a shortage of local nurses. Healthcare experts say Hawaii’s hospitals remain at 100% staffed bed capacity. Hawaii News Now.

Why Hawaiʻi's Marshallese Are Taking COVID-19 Matters Into Their Own Hands. Pacific Islanders in Hawaii are being disproportionately hit by the pandemic. The state has struggled to bring that number down, prompting at least one Pacific Islander community to take matters into their own hands. Hawaii Public Radio.

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COVID Pau project launches with goal of ‘fulfilling unmet need for public health data’. A group of local businesses and nonprofit organizations are providing Hawaii residents with real-time data to stop the spread of COVID-19 so that the economy reopens sooner and if it must close that only parts of it must shut down. Star-Advertiser.

Initiative aimed at providing tools to stop spread of coronavirus. COVID Pau is an effort of the Hawaii COVID Collaborative — itself a hui of private health care systems, businesses and nonprofit organizations organized by a subcommittee of the House Select Committee on COVID-19. Tribune-Herald.

‘COVID Pau’ initiative aims to improve access to information to stop spread of virus. A new initiative has been launched Wednesday, aiming to increase transparency and improve access to information to ultimately stop the spread of COVID-19 in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

State posts antigen data showing dozens of probable COVID cases. Recently the state has made strides to make more of the data on COVID-19 in the islands more accessible. KHON2.

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Union shares hotel safety inspection results. Unite Here Local 5, which started conducting hotel inspections in June, had sought state legislation to require hotels to publish and enforce their health and safety procedures prior to reopening to outside tourism. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii Tourism Authority hires leader John De Fries amid budget cuts, tourism collapse. Tourism industry veteran John De Fries is slated to start Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

John De Fries Is New Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority President, CEO. The former head of the Hawaiʻi County Department of Research and Development, and president and CEO of Hokulia, now leads the HTA. Big Island Video News.

VIRUS TRACKER — Sept. 9: 100 New Cases And 3 Deaths In Hawaii. Three fatalities took the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 91. Civil Beat.

Hawaii reports 3 coronavirus-related deaths on Oahu and 100 new cases statewide. State Department of Health officials said the latest three coronavirus-related deaths on Oahu were all men with underlying medical conditions. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Ikaika Anderson resigning from Honolulu City Council. Council Chairman Ikaika Anderson, who has represented the windward side of Oahu since 2009, unexpectedly announced his resignation Wednesday, effective following the Sept. 23 council meeting. Star-Advertiser.

Ikaika Anderson Resigns From Honolulu City Council. The council chair cited family reasons for his decision to step down, effective Sept. 23, just a few months before his final term ends. Civil Beat.

City Council Chair Ikaika Anderson resigns, citing family reasons. City Council Chairman Ikaika Anderson surprised observers Wednesday by announcing he will resign from the council effective Sept. 23. Hawaii News Now.

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Two dozen mainland nurses to assist front-line workers at Queen’s Medical Center.  The federal government is deploying about two dozen mainland nurses to Oahu this week to help front-line workers with the surge of COVID-19 patients at the Queen’s Medical Center. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green asks for loosening of latest Oahu stay-at-home order. Lt. Gov. Josh Green is asking city and state officials to change Oahu’s latest stay-at-home order to allow residents living in the same household to engage in outdoor activities together. Star-Advertiser.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green To Caldwell: Let Families Go To The Beach. The lieutenant governor is voicing the same concerns many families on Oahu have expressed. Civil Beat.

With beaches, parks open for solo activity, some say that could mean more problems. Oahu parks, beaches and hiking trails reopen Thursday, but for individual activities only. Many who are eager to do outdoor activities again say the new rules don’t make sense. Hawaii News Now.

Public safety concerns over Honolulu’s one-person emergency order. Lieutenant Governor Josh Green said members from one household should be able to go to the beach, trails and parks, and that the latest Honolulu emergency order should be amended to allow two people to go to outdoor public spaces. KHON2.

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City Council passes a resolution that would give businesses rent relief. The Honolulu City Council is urging the Mayor to set aside $100 million in federal funding to help cover the rents for local businesses. Hawaii News Now.

Resolution that could provide rental assistance for businesses passes Honolulu City Council. Businesses are one step closer to getting aid with rental payments. KHON2.

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Kokua Council to host online debate between Honolulu mayoral candidates Keith Amemiya, Rick Blangiardi. The Kokua Council will livestream a debate on Monday between Honolulu mayoral candidates Keith Amemiya and Rick Blangiardi. Star-Advertiser.

Commission: Amemiya’s Midweek Ad Didn’t Break The Law. The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission also levied over $4,400 worth of fines against other candidates. Civil Beat.

Keith Amemiya seeks action on alleged ‘felonies’ by super PAC. Mayoral candidate Keith Amemiya hopes the state Campaign Spending Commission resolves a complaint his campaign filed about a political action committee before ballots go out next month and another round of anti-Amemiya allegations can be made. Star-Advertiser.

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Honolulu City Council approves resolution to name Manana park after late Sen. Breene Harimoto. onolulu City Council today approved a resolution that would rename Manana Community Park the Breene Harimoto Manana Community Park. Star-Advertiser.


Manana Park to be renamed in honor of a beloved state senator. Honolulu’s City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to rename the Manana Community Park in Aiea. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Shakedown search for contraband led to riot at Hawaii Community Correctional Center. The riot at Hawaii Community Correctional Center on Tuesday afternoon occurred after a shakedown search for contraband was conducted in a housing unit, the Department of Public Safety announced today. Star-Advertiser.

Jail Disturbance Was Triggered By Search For Contraband. Inmates at Hawaii Community Correctional Center set fire to mattresses, plastic chairs and books. Civil Beat.

DPS: HCCC inmate disturbance in response to contraband sweep. The Department of Public Safety said Wednesday that the preliminary results of its investigation into a Tuesday disturbance in a housing unit at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in Hilo indicate inmates were rebelling against a shakedown search for contraband. Tribune-Herald.

HCCC Riot Was Triggered By Shakedown For Contraband, State Says. There is no indication that overcrowding contributed to the cause, the Hawaiʻi Department of Public Safety claims. Big Island Video News.

PSD reveals more details about fire that broke out at HCCC. The State Public Safety Department said on Wednesday that the riot and fire that broke out at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center on the Big Island on Tuesday happened during a shakedown search for contraband. KITV4.

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PUC won’t exempt Honua Ola from competitive bidding. The president of Honua Ola Bioenergy said Wednesday that he was “not feeling so good” after the state Public Utilities Commission denied his company’s motion to reconsider a waiver of the competitive bidding process for the company’s nearly completed 21.5-megawatt biomass power plant. Tribune-Herald.

State inspection taking place at Hilo veterans home with COVID cluster. On the Big Island, a 10th death has been reported at a Veterans Home in Hilo. While federal aid has not come, we learned the State is stepping in. KHON2.

Whose jurisdiction? County Ethics Board continues Maunakea debate. Who should enforce the law when protesters block the access road to Maunakea and continue to have unpermitted structures there remained in question Wednesday as the county Board of Ethics struggled with a board resolution and a citizen petition that’s been pending since January. West Hawaii Today.

County Seeks Partner To Develop Multi-Family Rentals In Waikoloa. The County is seeking a partner to develop an independent workforce housing rental project on County-owned land in the Kamakoa Nui Workforce Housing subdivision in Waikoloa. Big Island Video News.

County Seeks Partner to Build Multi-Family Increment at Kamakoa Nui. The County of Hawai‘i is seeking proposals from qualified firms or partnerships to enter into a real estate development agreement for the design, financing, construction, and management of an independent workforce housing rental project on county-owned land in the Kamakoa Nui Workforce Housing subdivision in Waikoloa. Big Island Now.

Maui

Vacation rental bills up for first reading Friday. Measures would place hold on new permits on Lanai and prevent vacation rentals in some districts. Maui News.

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3,433 Acres at Kamehamenui on Maui Acquired for Conservation. A recent land acquisition protects the Kula water aquifer, habitat for endangered species, and community-based forest restoration opportunities. Maui Now.

More than 3,400 acres of a Maui forest to be preserved. Through federal and state funding, the Trust for Public Land purchased the forest for $9.8 million to protect the land and convey it to the community. Hawaii News Now.

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Non-Resident User Fees at ‘Āhihi-Kīna‘u Natural Area Reserve Start Oct. 1. Starting Oct. 1, 2020, ‘Āhihi-Kīna‘u Natural Area Reserve will charge non-Hawai‘i residents a user-fee of $5 per vehicle. Maui Now.

Baldwin Beach Park Pavillion is slip sliding away. The annual loss of sand at the beach has been gradually eating away at the amenities year after year, with each year seeming to claw farther inland. Maui News.

Kauai

Styrofoam food container ban effective January 2022. Kaua‘i County, the last county in the state to pass a bill that would prohibit the sale and use of styrofoam foodservice containers, will join the others with it’s own ban in 2022. Garden Island.

Kauai is last Hawaii county to pass ban on foam containers. The Kauai County Council today passed a bill banning the use and sale of polystyrene food and drink containers starting in January 2022. Star-Advertiser.

Kaua'i County Council passes ban on styrofoam food containers. The Kaua'i County Council on Wednesday passed a ban on styrofoam food containers. KITV4.

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Kawakami’s Rule 17 clarifies quarantine locations. Yesterday, Mayor Derek Kawakami announced a new Emergency Rule 17 that clarifies quarantine periods for those traveling under critical infrastructure allowances. Garden Island.

Mayor Kawakami announces Emergency Rule 17 confirming critical infrastructure workers must quarantine in hotel or motel. The County of Kaua‘i announced on Wednesday Mayor’s Emergency Rule 17 which clarifies that all persons performing critical infrastructure functions must designate a hotel or motel as a quarantine location. KITV4.

County opens Rise to Work program for residents. Workers displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic can look for opportunities through the Rise to Work program that was established by the County of Kaua‘i’s Kupa‘a Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

Exploring Hawaii's coral reefs, slowing economy is new normal, raises for lawmakers but not minimum wage, Anderson to chair Honolulu council, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii coral reef ©2019 All Hawaii News

Hawaii’s reefs provide more than $835M in flood protection, study shows. A new study places a dollar value on Hawaii’s reefs — not for their natural beauty or as a tourist attraction, but for their function in providing flood protection. Star-Advertiser.

Researchers put a dollar value on the protection coral reefs provide Hawaii shorelines ... and it’s big. Hawaii News Now.

Upcoming summit on climate change addresses more than just environment. Experts say the problem reaches into social, humanitarian, and even architectural matters. KITV.

Hawaii scientists develop technique using DNA to study coral reefs. With coral reefs coming under increasing threat from climate change, University of Hawaii at Manoa scientists have developed a technique that could help the biologists working to save them. Star-Advertiser.

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Economists say slower growth is ‘new normal’. University of Hawaii economists say the state’s slowing growth is becoming more entrenched and people had better get used to it. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers didn’t pass a minimum wage hike, but are getting raises of their own. State lawmakers who couldn’t reach a deal to increase Hawaii’s minimum wage of $10.10 an hour are being criticized for accepting pay raises for themselves. Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers achieve mixed results on ethics and election reform. Hawaii’s 2019 legislative session was set to be a banner year when it came to ushering in campaign finance and election reforms and limiting the influence of money in politics — at least to hear leaders of the House tell it. Star-Advertiser.

State lawmakers wrapped up the 2019 session of the Legislature last week, adjourning after approving bills to decriminalize marijuana, launch new state-funded preschools and switch to mail-in voting for all elections beginning in 2020. Star-Advertiser.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees on Thursday cut the $22,200 annual allowance for each trustee by two-thirds and placed other limitations on the funds. Star-Advertiser.

New Federal Rules Block Driver’s Licenses For Micronesians In Hawaii. State officials say new federal guidelines prohibit many Pacific Islanders from getting licenses and state IDs that comply with the REAL ID Act. Civil Beat.

Andy Winer, Longtime Schatz Chief Of Staff, Is Leaving. He plans to work as a consultant in the private sector. Civil Beat.

Commentary: The Legislature Really Blew It This Year. The people of Hawaii got lip service this session when it came to helping them in their time of need. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Mazie Hirono’s rancorous attacks play into Trump game plan. There’s a wise adage warning against wrestling with pigs: You just both end up covered in mud, and he loves it. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Council Set To Elect Ikaika Anderson Chair. Ann Kobayashi will be vice chair and Carol Fukunaga floor leader. Civil Beat.

Ozawa Won't Challenge City Council Special Election Results. Hawaii Public Radio.

Final State Audit On Rail Finds Overpayments To Contractors, Billing Issues. The audit relied on a small sample of invoices so it’s not clear whether those billing problems within HART extend to other rail contracts, the state auditor said. Civil Beat.

'Mighty Mo's' repairs continue as the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII nears. A chunk of the battleship USS Missouri’s superstructure is under wraps again as part of a $3 million restoration — the latest as the famous memorial continues its never-ending battle against rust, but more particularly, as the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II looms next year. Star-Advertiser.

Caldwell Refuses To Halt Construction At Waimanalo Beach. Hundreds of local residents are opposing the city’s plan to build a ball field complex at well-loved Sherwood Forest beach park. Civil Beat.

After layoffs, hotel workers wonder what's next for hospitality industry. The Modern Honolulu laid off about 30% of its workers last week after a timeshare company bought the hotel in April 2018. Now, tourism figures show timeshares and vacation rentals are on the rise statewide. KHON2.

Waianae farm steps up growth of produce and college grads. MA'O Organic Farms, which started in 2001 with 5 acres and today covers 45 acres, recently bought 236 acres in the valley that could make the unique enterprise Hawaii’s largest organic farm. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kim budget expands to 93 new employees. Proposed $583.9M budget is 12.7% higher than this year. West Hawaii Today.

As officials work on a recovery plan, residents lament lack of access to homes, property. Hawaii County officials are targeting the end of the year for developing a proposed recovery plan for lower Puna. Tribune-Herald.

County wants critical look at 1992 landfill contract. In 1992, the county inked a generous, endless contract with Waste Management Inc. to create and operate a landfill at Puuanahulu. Then the courts gave the private garbage giant a little more. West Hawaii Today.

Coast Guard proposal would prohibit persons, vessels from Ironman swim course. A proposal to prohibit vessels and persons from encroaching on participants taking part in Ironman World Championship-related swim events within Kailua Bay is being floated by the U.S. Coast Guard. West Hawaii Today.

The Windward Planning Commission voted on Thursday to give a positive recommendation to an application for a development between Clem Akina Park and Dodo Mortuary in the Puueo section of Hilo. Big Island Video News.

Residents propose county buy Kona Vistas subdivision parcel. A group of residents opposing plans for a 450-unit development next to their neighborhoods is asking a county commission to propose the county buy the property to stop the development and instead preserve the area for the public. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Committee Approves Emergency Housing at Old UH Maui College Dorm. The measure recommended for passage on first reading by the County Council would authorize the mayor to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. for the construction of emergency housing at the former dormitory site. Maui Now.

25 years hence, recovery work continues on the island of Kahoolawe. In ancient times, the 45-square-mile island was a place where navigators learned to find their way across the Pacific. Anniversary of sign-over ceremony is a time for reflection and vision. Maui News.

Kauai

County nearing contract to track illegal vacation rentals. Even with the announcement Wednesday the county of Kauai will allow legal transient vacation rentals in the Lumahai, Wainiha and Haena area, the county has yet to implement new software that will be used to track illegal TVRs, something Planning Director Kaaina Hull has been tasked with spearheading. Garden Island.

Statues of Hawaii king and queen to reign in front of museum. Statues of past island royalty will soon begin their reign in front of a Hawaii museum. Associated Press.

Preserving plants and animals. Plants and forest birds aren’t the only endangered animals on Kauai — Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles, Newell’s shearwaters, and the nene goose are all on the list as well. Garden Island.

Kahoolawe

25 years hence, recovery work continues on the island of Kahoolawe. In ancient times, the 45-square-mile island was a place where navigators learned to find their way across the Pacific. Anniversary of sign-over ceremony is a time for reflection and vision. Maui News.

Hawaii losing one of its two dairy farms, Caldwell vetoes condo bill, hotel occupancy down, Big Island vacation rental bill passes, Maui affordable housing breaks ground, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Big Island Dairy, Facebook page photo

Big Island Dairy owners confirmed Tuesday that they will discontinue dairy and milk processing operations at the Ookala facility for financial reasons. Tribune-Herald.

One of two of the state's only dairies is closing. Big Island Dairy has announced it's ending operations in February next year. KHON2.

Embattled Big Island Dairy Farm Plans To Shut Down. A lawsuit filed last year alleged repeated spills and runoff of cattle manure, cattle urine and other waste from Big Island Dairy violated federal laws. Civil Beat.

Big Island Dairy will discontinue its operation of raw milk production and milk processing operations at its farm on the Hamakua Coast. Big Island Video News.

Embattled Big Island dairy farm plans to cease operations, lay off employees. An embattled Big Island dairy farm plans to cease operations in the new year and lay off its 24 employees. Hawaii News Now.

Those concerned about opening a dairy in the Mahaulepu valley started celebrating Tuesday after Big Island Dairy owners announced they’ll be shutting down operations on Hawaii Island. Garden Island.

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Occupancy rates at Hawaii hotels decline. According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority on average hotels statewide reported decreased occupancy in October compared to the year before. KHON2.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority said Tuesday that hotels statewide had a drop in occupancy last month, the fifth month in a row of declines. Occupancy fell to 76.4 percent, a drop of 2.4 percentage points from October 2017. Star-Advertiser.

Sex-Sting Vigilantes Are Trying to Bust ‘Predators’ In Hawaii. But concerns are being raised by police and others about the type of tactics used by groups like Hawaii Predator Hunters Facebook Group. Civil Beat.

Despite reports of a Christmas tree shortage on the mainland, it appears Hawaii will see plenty of trees this year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii will receive more than $400,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to curb harmful pollution from diesel vehicles in the state. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Mayor cites safety in condo bill veto. Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Tuesday vetoed a bill that would have provided condo owners an extra two years to comply with requirements of a fire safety law enacted in the wake of the fatal Marco Polo fire in 2017. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor vetoes fire sprinkler bill 'for the safety of our citizens'. The new bill requires high-rises to do a sprinkler system evaluation within five years instead of three, and then be fitted with sprinklers within eight years instead of six. KHON2.

Honolulu Mayor vetoes bill offering fire safety evaluation extension. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell vetoed a bill that would have extended the deadline for high rises to get a fire safety inspection. KITV.

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Native Hawaiians claim voter suppression at Leeward Oahu polling sites during general election. After a massive effort by several Native Hawaiian organizations to get out the vote for the general election, advocates are accusing state elections officials of stymieing their efforts. Hawaii News Now.

Councilman Ikaika Anderson raised eyebrows — but received no official admonishment — for using lewd descriptions at a recent council meeting to criticize a lack of action on homelessness. Hawaii News Now.

The driver of the trolley that struck and killed an elderly pedestrian in Kakaako on Thursday had a blood alcohol concentration of more than twice the legal threshold for drunken driving, according to Honolulu police reports. Star-Advertiser.

Local Christmas Tree Farm Prepares For The Season. If it’s anything the Christmas holiday season teaches us, its patience! Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

After two years, seven bill drafts and a lot of community input, Hawaii County will soon join the other three counties regulating short-term vacation rentals. The County Council on Tuesday passed Bill 108 on a 6-1 vote, setting in motion the next step in the process: formulation of rules by the county Planning Department. West Hawaii Today.

Mayor Kim to undergo surgery Friday. Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim will undergo surgery on Friday at Straub Medical Center in Honolulu to clear a blockage in an artery in his lower extremities, his office said today in a written statement. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim will undergo surgery on Friday, but that didn’t stop him from testifying in Hilo today. Big Island Video News.

Mayor Harry Kim to undergo surgery to clear blockage in artery. KHON2.

County to get $10 million for lava recovery. Hawaii County will receive a $10 million grant from the state to help it kick-start recovery efforts in Puna following the Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Telescope Foes Ask Hawaii High Court To Reconsider Ruling. Opponents want the Hawaii Supreme Court to reverse an earlier 4-1 vote clearing the way for the $1.4 billion Mauna Kea project. Associated Press.

Big Island bees stung by natural disasters. Natural disasters stung Big Island bee colonies and harmed honey production and hives. KITV.

Maui

Maui’s Newest Affordable Housing Complex Breaks Ground. Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation broke ground this morning on the first phase of Kahului Lani, a senior affordable rental housing development bordered by Kane, Vevau and School streets in Kahului. Maui Now.

Maui County Prosecutor John D. Kim announced the death of deputy prosecuting attorney Richard Minatoya on Sunday. Maui News.

Kahului 2070: Maui's Metropolitan/TOD Plan. Kahului 2070 is Maui County’s long-range concept plan for transit oriented development. Hawaii Public Radio.

School has been in session here for months at the Hanalei Colony Resort, where hotel rooms serve as classrooms for about two dozen students. But the satellite campus could close down come next month. KITV.

The second Maui Cannabis Conference will be held Jan. 5 and 6 at the Royal Lahaina Resort. Maui News.

Kauai

On A Now Empty Beach, Signs Of Nature’s Comeback. Kee Beach, once nearly loved to death by tourists, is now a place of solitude after last spring’s punishing storms cut it off from the rest of the island. Civil Beat.

Contrary to the recommendations by health officials, Earl Kashiwagi of Esaki’s Produce said the romaine lettuce being brought in by the biggest produce wholesaler on the island is pretty safe to eat. Garden Island.

Kauai a leader in hotel report. Hawaii hotels statewide reported no growth in revenue per available room (RevPAR), modest growth in average daily rate (ADR) and decreased occupancy in October. Garden Island.

Hawaii vets denied VA loans, Inouye awarded Medal of Freedom, UH makes glow-in-the-dark rabbits, Honolulu Humane Society stops animal pickups, crowded congressional race, Kauai's Coco Palms sold, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii vets denied VA loans (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

For Caleb Churchill, and many vets like him, the American Dream of home ownership almost washed down the drain, when he learned he couldn’t qualify for the Veterans Affairs loan he had counted on. A rule change in late 2011 prohibited VA loans for properties relying on rainwater catchment systems. West Hawaii Today.

Former U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, who overcame racism, earned a Medal of Honor for his bravery in World War II and became a legend in Congress, will posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom later this year, President Barack Obama announced Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

The late Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii is one of 16 people President Barack Obama will honor later this year with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Associated Press.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced Thursday the introduction of major legislation that seeks to expand Social Security benefits while extending the life of the program to 2049. Star-Advertiser.

With Social Security benefits often the primary source of income for the elderly, thousands of state residents have supported protection and expansion of the program. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii and State Rep. Chris Lee held a press conference Thursday in Honolulu as part of a rally with activists to urge other state and federal leaders to support seniors and promise not to cut benefits. Garden Island.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, D-Hi, a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2014, is the target of a Federal Elections Commission complaint filed by attorney Daniel Hempey on Tuesday. Hawaii Reporter.

Doing the Math on Hawaii's 1st District Race. Civil Beat.

Calling himself someone who will fight for the middle class, City Councilman Ikaika Anderson joined the race for Congress in the Democratic primary. Anderson, 35, joins a field of three other declared Demo­crats in the race to represent urban Oahu in the U.S. House. Star-Advertiser.

A Hawaii Reporter inquiry has led  to the resignation of Hawaiian Homelands Commissioner Perry Artates. In June, Artates and his wife, Ronnette, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud and false loan application charges, court records show.

Hawaii is well on its way down a strong expansion path, a new report says. While federal tax increases and sequestration-driven budget cuts have curtailed growth in the first half of the year, progress in construction and the service sector will maintain forward momentum, according to the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Pacific Business News.

Last year, Hawaii spent more than $175 per person — $244 million in all — just to fund its interest payments, the third highest rate per person in the country. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. said its utility is ahead of schedule to generate 15 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2015. The holding company for the state's largest utility and American Savings Bank gave a progress report on its clean-energy target Thursday while announcing that second-quarter earnings rose 4.6 percent from the year-earlier quarter. Star-Advertiser.

When it comes to environmental issues addressed by the 2013 Legislature, repeal of the Public Land Development Corporation grabbed headlines. But aside from the PLDC’s repeal, the environmental measures passed by the 2013 Legislature, for better or worse, generally flew under the radar. Civil Beat.

It's something that must be seen to believe. UH research doctors, in conjunction with staff at a university in Turkey, have found a way to make rabbits glow in the dark. Hawaii News Now.

Thrill-seekers eager to try the next new watersport are rushing to strap on jetpacks that propel people into the air with the help of pumped water. But the devices are meeting calls for regulation in Hawaii, where fishermen, scientists and state officials are questioning their safety and how they may affect fish and coral in the state’s heavily trafficked tropical waters. Associated Press.

In Brief | State 8-9-13. Associated Press.

State roundup for August 9. Associated Press.

Oahu

The Hawaiian Humane Society will no longer pick up stray animals or respond to complaints of barking dogs under a new city contract that went into effect Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii unveiled its revamped Edmondson Hall on Thursday. The 42,000 square-foot, four-story building underwent a $15 million renovation and now features state-of-the-art teaching laboratories, lab storage, offices and meeting rooms. KHON2.

New Year's Day. Superbowl Sunday. Manti Te'o day. Those were the three days from January to June when the largest number of guards at Oahu Community Correctional Center called in sick. Star-Advertiser.

A look at the current state of Kaka‘ako development in the context of HCDA's past, present and future plans for the area. Hawaii Independent.

The Hawai’i Housing Finance and Development Corporation estimates the state needs more than 30,000 affordable “for-sale units” or rentals to meet current demand. One state-backed venture in Kaka’ako, in the heart of O’ahu’s construction boom, is nearly half way to being completed. Hawaii Public Radio.

Closing arguments were scheduled for next week in the murder trial of State Department special agent Christopher Deedy after the defense rested its case, with Deedy's lawyer asking him only one final question Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

West Hawaii residents will have two opportunities a month to meet with a Social Security representative without driving to Hilo. West Hawaii Today.

The Puainako Street widening project is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2016, a consultant announced at a community meeting Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

The principal of a Big Island public charter school says he’s been left scrambling after receiving last-minute notice from the Hawaii Department of Education that his school would no longer be eligible for basic student bus services. Civil Beat.

Maui

The Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority was awarded more than $9 million in federal grant funds for large-scale improvements to public housing units. Maui Now.

Kauai

The iconic Coco Palms Resort in Wailua received a new breath of life. An Oahu-based group of investors announced Thursday the property is in escrow, and they have already secured demolition permits. Garden Island.

The vast majority of Kauai’s transient vacation rentals operating outside visitor destination areas — in residential neighborhoods and ag lands — have incomplete application files, and about a quarter of them have none of the required documents, according to county Planning Director Michael Dahilig. Garden Island.

Kauai police arrested a 74-year-old Kapaa man Thursday morning for Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant (OVUII) after he crashed a school bus into a boat. Hawaii News Now.

Rare table coral sighting in Hawaii, employment to grow 4%, Hanabusa aide quits after FEC complaint, Takai, Anderson run for Congress, state hospitals seek millions, Kona courthouse site rejected, Maui tourism wants gay marriage, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Table coral in Hawaii NOAA photo

A coral species that all but disappeared from waters off the main Hawaiian islands thousands of years ago could be making a comeback to the area, a recent surprise discovery off the southern shore of Oahu indicates. A group of coral ecology scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stumbled upon what one of them called a "sizable" table coral colony during a routine training dive last November, roughly a mile from the Ewa Plain. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s employment rolls will grow by more than 26,000 between the third quarter of last year and the third quarter of next year, the state predicted on Wednesday. The construction industry, which suffered the most during the Great Recession, is driving the approximately 4 percent total growth, according to the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Pacific Business News.

Jobs in construction, retail sales and tourism will be among the fastest growing areas of employment through next year as Hawaii's economy hits its stride, according to a forecast released Wednesday by the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. The overall labor market is expected to add 26,690 jobs between the third quarter of 2012 and the third quarter of 2014, a gain of 4 percent, the DLIR reported. Star-Advertiser.

Sen. Brian Schatz is expected to announce at a press conference Thursday that he’s backing a bill that would strengthen Social Security by boosting taxes on rich people. The legislation faces an uphill battle and seems like a long shot to pass in the Republican House. Civil Beat.

Christopher Raymond, the deputy chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa who sparked an FEC complaint by offering to act as a go-between between Hanabusa's U.S. Senate campaign and the drug industry, has resigned. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii state Rep. Mark Takai says he plans to join a growing field of Democrats hoping to replace Colleen Hanabusa in the U.S. House. Star-Advertiser.

After almost two decades in the state House of Representatives, Rep. Mark Takai on Wednesday announced he would forgo re-election to his seat in the Legislature for a chance to represent Hawaii in Congress. Star-Advertiser.

Takai Bid Puts Hawaii's Military Role at Campaign Center. Civil Beat.

Two more Democrats are joining the race for Congress. State Rep. Mark Takai and Honolulu City Councilman Ikaika Anderson said Wednesday they are running for the seat in the First Congressional District representing urban Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Squeezed by rising labor costs and declining reimbursements for patient services, Hawaii's public hospital system is seeking a $14 million emergency appropriation from the state. Maui News.

While Gov. Neil Abercrombie backs a proposed $14 million emergency appropriation to cover a projected shortfall for Hawaii Health Systems Corp., the governor maintains that such a cash infusion is a "Band-Aid approach" and wants a long-term strategy for the fiscal health of Hawaii's public hospital system, the governor's press secretary, Louise Kim McCoy, said Wednesday. Maui News.

Public school is back in session this week, with more than 13,000 teachers trusted to do their best with our kids. But what happens when they don’t, and find themselves accused of misconduct? A KHON2 investigation found out just how long these cases can drag on.

State prisons officials said they tried to crack down on sick leave abuse by corrections officers but were thwarted by a federal medical leave law for which 40 percent of guards statewide qualify. Hawaii News Now.

The most recent commander of U.S. submarines in Asia and the Middle East took command on Wednesday of the entire Pacific Fleet submarine force. Rear Adm. Phillip Sawyer succeeded Rear Adm. James Frank Caldwell Jr. during a ceremony on a platform atop the hull of the USS Jacksonville submarine. Associated Press.

Oahu

The nine members of the Honolulu City Council criticized Mayor Kirk Caldwell and his administration on Wednesday for asking the Council to approve two last-minute measures that would spend $48.1 million on housing projects. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Community Development Authority approved another permit application today, marking the 8th high-rise in Kaka’ako to be granted a green light by the state agency in less than one year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Two pieces of a master plan for redeveloping nine blocks in Kakaako owned by Kamehameha Schools got the go-ahead Wednesday, including a high-rise condominium that has upset residents of two neighboring towers. Star-Advertiser.

There's more fallout from the sex assault scandal at the Hawaii School for the Deaf and Blind. A lawsuit filed by a Honolulu woman says that students were allowed to sexually abuse her daughter repeatedly not just at the Kapahulu school, but also at McKinley High School. Hawaii News Now.

Deedy Trial — Should A Federal Agent Have Left Before Violence Erupted? Civil Beat.

A state judge ruled late Wednesday that Kollin Elderts' 2008 disorderly conduct conviction can be introduced in the murder trial of Christopher Deedy, the State Department special agent who shot him. Star-Advertiser.

Get ready to say goodbye to the Ala Wai pipe. The temporary sewer pipe has been raised and cut, to prepare for its removal. KITV4.

Hawaii

The Judiciary’s preferred site for the new Kona Judiciary complex is off the table, an administrator told House Finance Committee members Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

As the beginning to a new academic year approaches, administrators at the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy are once again ramping up efforts to garner legislative support for a permanent building to house the program. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County on Wednesday moved one lot closer to completing the long-sought Mamalahoa bypass, but the administration won’t make its mid-2013 target date to begin construction of this phase of the highway. West Hawaii Today.

A proposal to list nearly 19,000 acres between Palani Road and Waikoloa as critical habitat for three plant species could hardly have come at a worse time, said some residents who attended a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service meeting Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

KTA is giving Puna another shot. Jon McElvaney, a consultant working on a proposed commercial development for Pahoa, confirmed that he has been in talks with the Big Isle supermarket chain, which he referred to as being “first in line” to fill the 40,000-square-foot area reserved for a large grocery. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

In light of a recently updated University of Hawaii report that suggests legalizing same-sex marriages may boost Hawaii's tourism industry by an estimated $217 million over a three-year period, Maui tourism officials and industry professionals say that legalizing same-sex marriages would bring benefits to more than 150 businesses on the Valley Isle as well. Maui News.

Kayak and snorkeling company Maui Ocean Activities has been ordered to cease unauthorized beach activities by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Maui Now.

Kauai

The state Intermediate Court of Appeals on Wednesday vacated a judgment that let 17 insurance companies out of a Ka Loko Dam disaster civil suit and remanded the case to the 5th Circuit. Garden Island.

You know those rescue tube stations, more than 200 of them, you see around the beaches of Kauai? The ones credited with saving more than 50 lives in the last five years? They were illegal. Not anymore. Garden Island.

Molokai
When today’s kupuna were growing up, they remember being told that the Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove was a sacred place. It was kapu, or forbidden, and their kupuna told them not to play in the grove or freshwater springs that open up in the ground beneath the towering trees. But today, those kupuna are concerned because they often see trucks driven into the grove, children swimming in the pools, tourists oblivious to the dangers of falling coconuts and rubbish littering the springs and grove. Molokai Dispatch.