Showing posts with label Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Show all posts

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Paying for housing remains a struggle, Honolulu rail CEO gets C-minus evaluation, Schatz, Haaland attend ceremony for new volcano observatory, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

It’s Actually More Expensive To Buy A Home In Hawaii These Days Than You Thought. Fewer than a third of households can afford to buy a single-family home and less than half can afford to buy a condo. The median rental price is unaffordable to a third of households. Civil Beat.

At a glance: Major takeaways from each county's budget. Affordable housing and sustainability were budgeted as top priorities for each county, however, tax relief measures and capital improvement projects were among the other expenditures mayors signed off on. Hawaii Public Radio.

A Struggle For Control Of Hawaii’s Beef Industry Is Playing Out On Safeway Shelves. Demand for beef is exceeding supply, but local producers are not seeing the returns. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii Medical School Suspends Body Donation Program. The program director cited a shortage in international doctors flying in for surgical training, a decline that began during the coronavirus pandemic. Beginning July 11, the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine is temporarily halting a program that allows people to donate their bodies after death for anatomical studies. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Oahu

Rail CEO receives ‘C-minus’ evaluation ahead of the project’s biggest milestone.  On the eve of the biggest milestone in the often-troubled history of Honolulu’s $9.8 billion rail project, Lori Kahikina,  the executive director and CEO of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation received a performance evaluation that she described as an overall “C-minus.” Star-Advertiser.

Red Hill repairs complete, task force says.  The military joint task force charged with defueling the massive underground fuel tanks at the Navy’s Red Hill facility announced Wednesday that it had successfully completed all repairs and modifications to the aging World War II-era facility the state Department of Health said the military must perform to safely begin draining the tanks. Star-Advertiser.

City fined $434K for bacteria exceedances at Kailua Bay. The state Health Department has fined the City and County of Honolulu $434,350 for discharging effluent exceeding permit limits for enterococci from its wastewater treatment plant into Kailua Bay. Star-Advertiser.

Evictions Creep Up On Oahu As Renters Face Waning Pandemic-Era Aid. High rents and overall inflation have contributed to an increase in evictions on Oahu after a lull amid a pandemic moratorium, with 703 evictions last year compared to 333 in 2020, according to the most recent data from the state Judiciary.  Civil Beat.

Green urged to intervene in Waiahole Valley leases. Waiahole Valley residents held a roadside demonstration Wednesday calling on Gov. Josh Green to intervene in a state agency’s effort to dramatically raise tenant land lease rents after 25 years of little or no increases. Star-Advertiser.

Plan B: State Turns To Pigs To Devour Oahu’s Invasive Beetle Problem. DOA Director Sharon Hurd has dubbed the scheme as “Plan B” for the almost decade-long fight to control the coconut rhinoceros beetle, which has the ability to decimate coconut palm populations.  Civil Beat.

Lawmakers, bars call for shake-up of liquor panel. A report criticizing the Honolulu Liquor Commission as understaffed — with workers struggling with low morale and doing inconsistent and ineffective enforcement of Oahu liquor laws — was met with calls for immediate change Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Board extends time for public input on landfill.  The Honolulu Planning Commission took public testimony Wednesday on the city’s request for a two-year extension to find a replacement site for the nearly 40-year-old Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Kapolei, which is slated to close by 2028. Star-Advertiser.

State seeks to delist Falls of Clyde from Hawaii’s historic register.  The Hawaii Department of Transportation announced today it would seek to delist the Falls of Clyde from the Hawaii Register of Historic Places. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

US Geological Survey To Get New Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. The site at University of Hawaii-Hilo Research Park will also be home to the USGS Pacific Islands Ecosystems Research Center. The grounds of a new Hilo facility to replace the severely damaged old Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory on the rim of the Kilauea Volcano caldera were blessed Wednesday in a ceremony attended by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Civil Beat.  Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  KHON2.

‘We are stewards of the land’: Alvarado assumes command at PTA. Community and stewardship of the land were as much topics of discussion as the training of soldiers Wednesday at the change of command ceremony at Pohakuloa Training Center.  Tribune-Herald.

Mayor’s Town Hall Draws A Crowd In Waikōloa. Public questions focused on evacuation routes for Kawaihae, brush fire safety, the delayed start date for Waikoloa Road improvements, short term vacation rentals, area parks, and other topics of local interest. Big Island Video News.

Maui

County tax surcharge moves closer to reality.  The council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend approval of the measure, which would add a 0.5 percent surcharge to the state’s 4 percent GET, which is like a sales tax that is charged when residents buy products ranging from groceries to even a haircut. Maui News.

Līloa Dr. extension in Kīhei, Maui gets $25M in federal funds, two more roundabouts planned.
A federal grant of $25,000,000 has been secured for the Līloa Drive Phase I extension in Kīhei on Maui as part of Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda.  Maui Now.

Permanent speed limit reduction announced for part of Haleakalā Highway.  Speed is being reduced from 55 mph to 45 mph in the northbound direction in the vicinity of the North Firebreak Road Intersection near the Hāna Highway, between mile 0.20 and 0.70.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai’s electric utility gets its first shipment of locally-produced biodiesel.  The delivery of the local and affordable biodiesel is being hailed as a big step toward meeting the goal of 100% renewable energy statewide by 2045.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Kauaʻi vacation rental occupancy for May down 14% from a year ago.  The occupancy for Kauaʻi vacation rentals in May was 51.7%, which is down 1.1% from a year ago and 28.2% lower than May 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Kauai Now.

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Honolulu seeks to borrow another $210.5M for rail construction, Interior Secretary Haaland to visit Hawaii, court cuts water diversion from Maui streams, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

City seeks $210.5M in bonds to fund rail construction. During a Honolulu City Council Committee on Budget meeting Tuesday, the city advanced three related resolutions — 122, 124 and 125 — requesting the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services to issue and sell a series of general obligation bonds toward finishing the nearly $10 billion, 18.9-mile rail line, which runs from East Kapolei to the Kakaako area, where HART says the last of 19 stations is planned to be completed by 2031. Star-Advertiser.

Secretary of the Interior to visit Hawaii as part of Biden’s ‘Investing in America’ tour.  Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland will visit Hawaii as part of the Biden administration’s “Investing in America” tour. The tour is part of a larger agenda to generate $470 billion in clean energy and private sector manufacturing investments. Hawaii News Now.

Rigging The System: The Martin Kao Case Offers An Inside View Of Pay-To-Play Politics. The former Hawaii defense contractor has pleaded guilty to a series of federal crimes related to PPP fraud and illegal campaign donations. Court records detail how he tried to get away with it. Civil Beat.

Final Budget Leaves UH Treading Water On Key Programs And Improvements. The final legislative budget will likely leave the University of Hawaii several hundred million dollars short of its request for fiscal years 2024-2025. The end result will have very clear consequences for the UH community.  Civil Beat.

Visitors paid more, stayed less at Hawaii hotels in May.  Hawaii’s hotel industry had pretty stable business in May compared with a year earlier, according to a survey report released Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Fecal bacteria found at a number of Hawaii beaches. Hawaii's beaches not only have hazards like rough surf conditions or aggressive water life, some may have a hidden danger: fecal bacteria. KITV4.

Firearm Permit Applications Down For 2nd Straight Year In Hawaii. The most common permit denial reason listed was due to being a current or former medical marijuana patient. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Inflation adds $16M and a year to UH student center development.  A new student center at the University of Hawaii at Manoa will cost $16 million more than expected and open about a year later than first scheduled, and officials say inflation and pandemic-related delays are to blame.  Star-Advertiser.

Ex-Mililani athletic director pleads no contest to theft charges. The trial for the former athletic director accused of stealing more than $360,000 from the Mili­lani High School athletic booster club that he and his immediately family managed pleaded no contest to all charges Tuesday morning. Star-Advertiser.

City and state to pay $130K to settle gun owner’s lawsuit. The lawsuit by Michael Santucci alleged that the HPD seized his guns and that it held up his permit application in 2021 because he wrote down on his firearms questionnaire that he had recently received mental health counseling. Hawaii News Now.

Riding Skyline may be a 'learning curve' for some. Here's what officials want you to know. The public opening of the Honolulu rail, Skyline, is just 10 days away and according to those who've spent years on the project, it's one of a kind. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Ransomware attack strikes Hawaii Community College. Hawaii Community College has been struck with a ransomware attack, and security measures are being increased to protect digital assets, University of Hawaii officials said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Bill regarding Kalanianaole Street pushed to future council meeting.  A proposed speed limit reduction along Kalanianaole Street is on hold as Hawaii County officials determine how best to protect nene in the area. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui's $1.07B budget invests in affordable housing for residents.  The budget invests 8% of real property tax revenues to the county's Affordable Housing Fund, up from 3% in years prior.   The budget features a decrease in tax rates for resident-occupied homes assessed at $3 million or less. Hawaii Public Radio.

Court cuts East Maui water diversions again. The state’s Environmental Court has lowered the amount of water that Alexander & Baldwin and East Maui Irrigation can take from East Maui streams by about 9 million gallons per day, the latest decision in a longstanding battle over diverted water for farming and other uses. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Council to appoint East Maui Regional Community Board members Friday. The Water Authority, Social Services and Parks Committee, chaired by Sinenci, recruited and vetted East Maui Regional Community Board applicants following approval of a charter amendment by 64% of the voters at the Nov. 8 election.  Maui Now.

It’s Still Unclear Who Will Fill The DHHL Seat On The New East Maui Water Board. As the council moves to vote later this week, the member recommended by DHHL may have to wait for Hawaiian Homes Commission approval. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauai Mayor highlights budget for fiscal year. Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami  has done a bit of traveling recently – to the Philippines, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and Hawai‘i on Hill.  KHON2.

Kaua‘i: last week to apply for Kupu ‘Āina Corps. Kupu is actively seeking host sites and participants to work in sustainability-focused sectors like renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation on Kaua‘i. Kauai Now.

 

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Land transferred to Native Hawaiians, Delta coronavirus variant detected, Hanabusa rail contract may be illegal, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland

Interior secretary lauds land transfer to Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. The federal government is transferring 80 acres on Oahu, with the potential to provide homesteads for 200 to 400 Native Hawaiian families, to the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Biden administration executives announced Monday. Star-Advertiser. West Hawaii Today. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Panel To Examine Audit Of Agribusiness Development Corp.
The appointed House committee members will also investigate the audit of the DLNR’s Special Land Development Fund. Civil Beat.

Gov. Ige faces growing calls to veto bill eliminating an anti-tobacco trust fund. The fund has $43 million which goes toward smoking cessation programs and community interventions. Hawaii News Now.

Three armed F-22 fighters launched Sunday from Honolulu at request of FAA. Officials today would not disclose why three missile-armed Hawaii Air National Guard F-22 fighters were scrambled Sunday afternoon for an “irregular air patrol” requested by the Federal Aviation Administration. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Gas utility to be sold for $514 million. The owner of Hawaii Gas announced Monday that it intends to sell the business to a private equity firm, giving the utility established in 1904 its fourth owner over the past two decades. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Interisland Travel Restrictions Ended in Hawai´i
. All restrictions on interisland travel throughout Hawai´i are set be lifted on Tuesday, June 15, marking the first time state residents and qualified visitors will be able to move between islands entirely unencumbered in more than a year. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Federal and state numbers on Hawaii vaccination rates have differed for months.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts Hawaii on the verge of freedom from the complicated county tier systems that govern activities, with 68.4% of the state population, or 968,008 people, receiving at least one dose of a vaccine.  State Department of Health data says that just 61% of the population, or 860,369 people, has received at least one shot. Star-Advertiser.

Delta coronavirus variant, which can cause more severe illness, detected in Hawaii. The Delta variant of the coronavirus, which can spread more easily and cause more severe illness, has been detected in Hawaii in a person who was fully vaccinated, according to the state Department of Health. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Big Island Now. Garden Island. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

DOH Launches Healthy Hawaiʻi Strategic Plan and Unveils Vision for 2030. More than 200 stakeholders, advocates and visionaries across the state gathered virtually today to launch the Healthy Hawai‘i Strategic Plan 2030, a roadmap for improving the health of Hawai‘i residents by preventing and reducing chronic disease. Maui Now.

June 14, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 56 Cases. The confirmed cases included: 22 on O‘ahu (-1 probable); 13 on Maui (+1 probable); seven on Kaua‘i; four on Hawai‘i Island; and 10 in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state. Maui Now.

Oahu

Emails Show HART Leaders Always Wanted To Hire Hanabusa As Consultant. Newly released documents confirm what many suspected: that the contract and its restrictive qualifications were written with the former congresswoman in mind. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Security camera footage shows exchange before Honolulu police shooting of Lindani Myeni. Video footage from a surveillance camera at the home where a 29-year-old South African man was shot and killed by police following a fight with officers captures him entering the home and then quickly leaving while apologizing to the couple who called police. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.

Honolulu Rent and Utility Relief Program expands eligibility to 80% of median income. A household of four at 80% of the area median income earns about $100,700 a year. In comparison, a household of four at 50% of the area median income makes $62,950 a year. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Owner of Pearlridge Center files for bankruptcy, faces $3.5B debt. The owner of the popular Oahu mall said that the closure of retail stores and restaurants along with stay-at-home orders during the pandemic significantly impacted business. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

Leeward Community College’s teacher education program gets national recognition. Leeward Community College is trying to tackle the teacher shortage by offering flexible, affordable paths into the profession that are designed for Hawaii’s working people. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Domestic violence claims 2 lives in Hilo police shootout. A Hilo family lost a grand­father and a son to a deadly cycle of domestic violence Sunday night when a 91-year-old man suffered an apparent heart attack while a 34-year-old felon with multiple convictions for household abuse died in a shootout with police officers responding to a call that he was assaulting his mother. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

50-year-old Chinese national indicted for conspiracy. A 50-year-old Chinese national was indicted Thursday on a single count of conspiracy to commit money laundering for allegedly stealing millions from the grass and seed company he worked for and hiding the money by investing in six Hawaii Island real estate projects. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Five HCCC inmates granted early release following outbreak. Nearly a dozen inmates at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center have filed motions for early release amid an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak at the Hilo jail. Tribune-Herald.

County moving forward with ADA compliance project at Laaloa Bay Beach Park. The Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking a special management area use permit to allow for some $930,000 in improvements at the 0.43-acre site located off Alii Drive that’s also known as Magic Sands Beach Park. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui’s Got A Brand New Ag Department. Now What? Voters in Maui County approved a charter amendment to create Hawaii’s first county-level agriculture department. Now organizers need to determine exactly what the agency will work on. Civil Beat.

Public Feedback Sought on Broadband Connectivity Issues in Maui County. Council Chair Alice L. Lee today announced a new survey to gather feedback from residents and businesses on broadband connectivity issues. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Deciding What to Do With 417 Acres of Land Near Waimea. West Kauaʻi residents are envisioning a long-term plan for a 417-acre land parcel purchased by the county back in 2019. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hanalei access hours changed. The state Department of Transportation has modified the schedule for the single-lane public access to Kuhio Highway on either side of the Hanalei Bridge, effective last week. Garden Island.

Children among outbreak of new COVID-19 cases on Kauai. “Many of the new cases are children younger than 12-too young to be vaccinated,” Kauai District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman said. “They became ill because of an unvaccinated, infected adult in their home. Being vaccinated protects you, and those in your home.” KHON2.