Showing posts with label Island Air. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Island Air. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Lt. Gov. Tsutsui quits, false missile alarm investigation to be unveiled today, Ala Moana park plans unpopular, FBI probes Maui liquor commission, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

photo courtesy Lt. Gov. office
Lt. Gov. Tsutsui at Maui Economic Development Board function, Sept. 26, 2017, courtesy photo
Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui said Monday he would resign this week to join a lobbying and public affairs firm. The move comes several years after Tsutsui publicly complained the governor hadn’t given him enough responsibility, but he said his decision had nothing to do with that. Associated Press.

Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui will resign on Wednesday, setting off a possible shuffle to take his place in one of the top political jobs in the state. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s lieutenant governor, Shan Tsutsui, is leaving office effective Wednesday. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui Monday said he will resign from his position on Wednesday to return to a private-sector job on Maui. Pacific Business News.

Shan Tsutsui To Resign As Lieutenant Governor. Big Island Video News.

Tsutsui to resign as Lt. Gov. KITV.

Shan Tsutsui to Resign as Lieutenant Governor. Maui Now.

Tsutsui announces resignation. With resignation, Tsutsui is headed home to Maui. Maui News.

The job of second in command of the state government had no immediate takers Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi today said he has mixed emotions about the departure of Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui from office and says he is not interested in becoming the next LG for Hawaii. Maui Now.

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The results of the state’s internal investigation of the Jan. 13 false report of an imminent missile attack are scheduled to be released Tuesday morning by Gov. David Ige, state Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Joe Logan and retired Brig. Gen. Bruce Oliveira. Star-Advertiser.

The state says it will release the results Tuesday of a internal investigation into this month's false ballistic missile alarm. Hawaii News Now.

State emergency officials have completed an internal investigation after a false missile alert was sent to cell phones across the state. KHON2.

Senators To Stores: Don’t Kick People Out In Emergencies. Sen. Michelle Kidani’s measure comes two weeks after the false missile alert, when some people reported being told to leave businesses. Civil Beat.

How To Survive A Nuclear Attack On Hawaii. When the state accidentally sent out a false alarm, many people didn’t know how to respond. Civil Beat.

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U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa has attracted more than $700,000 in campaign donations so far in her bid to become Hawaii’s next governor. Star-Advertiser.

Can Anyone Resuscitate The Hawaii GOP? State Chairwoman Shirlene Ostrov says Republicans have the tools and money to start winning elections in the islands. Civil Beat.

As many as 80 permanent homeless "villages" would be sprinkled across the state under a proposal getting support at the state Legislature. Hawaii News Now.

A bill to integrate the Hawaiian language into fundamental functions of the state is scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Committees on Hawaiian Affairs, Higher Education and Judiciary on Tuesday. Maui Now.

Here’s How The State Could End Up Owning Your Oceanfront Property. When sea level rises, a new legal opinion says, public land follows the shoreline and the state can charge property owners to access their own places. Civil Beat.

Pesticides’ potential impacts on human health require further study, and those furthering that goal are still promoting bills — this time through the 2018 legislative session. Garden Island.

New technology for detecting invasive species on cargo shipments and detector dog teams for agricultural inspections are just two steps out of dozens the state is making toward reinforcing biosecurity in Hawaii. Garden Island.

Responsible use of Hawaii’s marine life and responsible pet trade nationwide were both promoted last week as the Hawaii Senate Water and Land Committee heard a bill outlining tougher restrictions on aquarium fishing in the state. Garden Island.

After several years of planning, the state has awarded a $140 million building contract for a new 144-bed psychiatric facility at the troubled Hawaii State Hospital in Kaneohe. Star-Advertiser.

Hensel Phelps wins $140M contract to build Hawaii state psychiatric hospital. Pacific Business News.

Hawaiian Airlines’ profit reaches new height. The parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiian Holdings Inc., reported Monday earning $364 million, or $6.82 a share, in 2017. Star-Advertiser.

The 401(k) accounts that former Island Air employees have been unable to access contain more than $8 million, according to a person close to the situation who requested his name not be used. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

A proposal to eliminate parking on the makai side of the road through Ala Moana Regional Park and create a wide beachside “promenade” ran into plenty of opposition at a city meeting Monday night. Star-Advertiser.

Things quickly got heated inside the McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Beach Park Monday night as the city held its final public meeting on the park's future. Hawaii News Now.

The crowd booed inside McCoy Pavilion Auditorium Monday night as the city presented its vision for the beach promenade at Ala Moana Regional Park. KITV.

Meeting to discuss future of Ala Moana beach park turns into shouting match. KHON2.

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People who live on Tantalus Drive are demanding change. KITV.

Work is underway to improve Pali Highway, resulting in barriers, lane closures and, by the middle of next month, complete overnight closures for three long-anticipated projects that are expected to last two years. Star-Advertiser.

Concerns raised after three firefighters’ children diagnosed with cancer. KHON2.

Hawaii Island


Governor pushes ahead on re-election bid. West Hawaii Today.

Volunteers scour East Hawaii before dawn to help with Homeless Point in Time Count. Tribune-Herald.

A new county Human Resources Department director could be selected by Feb. 21, almost five months after the sudden resignation of former HR Director Sharon Toriano in the wake of a critical audit. West Hawaii Today.

Interview with Man Who Faces 77 Years in Prison for Medical Marijuana Collective. Big Island Now.

Hawaii microalgae producer Cyanotech Corp. has its third CEO in three years. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

FBI agent seen examining liquor control documents. Spokesman for the bureau would not confirm or deny any federal investigation. Maui News.

Another bond issue planned to help finance West Maui hospital construction. Maui News.

Murder Trial Begins for Woman Accused of Driving Twin Off East Maui Cliff. Maui Now.

Murder trial begins for twin in cliff crash. Witness testifies he saw ‘hair-pulling and punching’ before SUV took fatal jerk to left. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kauai Board of Water Supply announces the appointment of Steven Kyono to the position of acting manager and chief engineer for the Department of Water, effective Feb. 12. Garden Island.

Life’s Choices Kauai is seeking people to join a substance abuse prevention coalition aimed at reducing and preventing youth substance abuse. Garden Island.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Officials mull private prison partnerships, Finance Director Machida to retire, local banks share tax savings with employees, entangled humpback freed off Maui, homeless problems persist, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2017 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaii Community Correctional Center ©2017 All Hawaii News
State prison officials consider private partnerships. State prison officials are asking lawmakers for $1 million to study the potential for forming “public-private partnerships” that could be used to help expand and modernize the crowded state correctional system. Star-Advertiser.

State Finance Director Machida to retire, following 2 surgeries. State Director of Finance Wesley Machida, who has served as the state’s budget director since 2014 and previously led the state’s $16 billion public employees pension fund, will retire effective New Year’s Eve. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Ige Makes Two Cabinet Appointments. The governor named a temporary replacement for the outgoing State Budget Director, and a new head for the Human Resources Development Department. Civil Beat.

‘From Bad To Worse:’ Hawaii’s $1.75 Billion Cesspool Problem. The risks posed by the state’s 88,000 remaining cesspools will likely be amplified by climate change. Civil Beat.

Reducing liability for rescue tube landowners. The threat of being sued may be stopping lifesaving equipment from getting to the waters edge, where it is needed the most. KITV.

Local banks to save millions from corporate tax cut. Hawaii’s four largest banks gave unexpected stocking stuffers to employees over the long holiday weekend in the form of bonuses and minimum wage increases. Star-Advertiser.

Four Hawaii banks raise minimum wage, award cash bonuses. Pacific Business News.

Price for Island Air’s assets to be reduced by $125,000. The sale of Island Air’s operating certificate and other assets is not going to generate as much money from Hawaiian Airlines’ parent company as initially expected. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Obama a sight on Oahu this holiday season. Unlike the eight years Obama spent in the Oval Office, there are no machine gun-mounted boats patrolling the waters off of Kailua this year. And there have been no presidential motorcades to snarl Oahu traffic. Star-Advertiser.

HECO asks for $6 million more from the state PUC. Hawaiian Electric Co. is asking the state Public Utilities Commission for slightly more than the 2.5 percent base-rate increase that was approved Dec. 15. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric files motion with state regulators to recover pension contributions. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu Police Try Building More Trust With The Homeless. In a new program, officers work with outreach workers to help steer the homeless to services rather than just write tickets. Civil Beat.

In just two years Christina Bush has solicited donations through Facebook and Instagram that have generated thousands of dollars’ worth of new and used donations for hundreds of homeless and low-income children and families across Oahu while building a small but loyal group of volunteers. Star-Advertiser.

Can Hawaii end homeless crisis for good? There's a new push to make affordable housing a reality. It's called the Puuhonua Villages Bill -- and the idea would tackle the homeless crisis head-on. KITV.

Councilwoman: Giant treehouse in Manoa is site of illegal 'retreat'. A Christmas Day accident at a Manoa treehouse is renewing calls by neighbors to investigate the landowner. Hawaii News Now.

Wastewater discharges prompt advisories for Pauoa, Kailua. The state health department advises the public to stay out of the waters of Pauoa Stream from Olomana Lane to Hialoa Street bridge due to wastewater discharge. Star-Advertiser.

The badly decomposed carcass of a humpback whale that nearly washed ashore at Haleiwa on Christmas Day, is in the process of being towed out to deep ocean waters this afternoon, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County negotiates state approval to move forward with permanent homeless development. Hawaii County continues to move forward with plans to relocate Camp Kikaha out of the Old Kona Industrial Area and expand it to accommodate several hundred homeless on a permanent basis — but both the process and pace of that change have been altered in recent weeks. West Hawaii Today.

Rarest of the rare: Colony of endangered seabirds discovered at PTA. In a discovery that surprised researchers, a nest of the endangered band-rumped storm-petrel has been found at nearly 7,000 feet above sea level on Mauna Loa, making it the seabird’s only confirmed colony in the state. Tribune-Herald.

Rat lungworm disease can be devastating. The overwhelming majority of cases have been on Hawai'i Island. State legislators on that island have made several requests to fund ongoing research and outreach efforts at the UH Hilo College of Pharmacy and Hilo Medical Center. In the last legislative session, funds WERE allocated—but not to institutions on the Big Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH-Hilo pharmacy study could have nationwide impact. A University of Hawaii at Hilo study designed to decrease medicine-related re-hospitalizations of older adults is garnering national attention. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Ag Shipments Down 65% in Third Quarter. Young Brothers, Limited announced that intrastate cargo volumes between Honolulu and six neighbor island ports increased 0.3% in the third quarter of 2017, compared to the same time last year. Maui Now.

Meeting to discuss administrative rules for harbors planned. Maui News.

Unemployment rates in county at historic lows. Maui News.

Whale freed off Lahaina. Adult humpback had been entangled in 340 feet of heavy line. Maui News.

Entangled Humpback Whale Freed Off Maui. An entangled adult humpback whale was freed by a team of trained responders off Lahaina, Maui on Christmas Day. Maui Now.

Kauai


Debris threatens whales. A buoy is floating about 200 yards offshore at Ahukini Landing, seemingly snagged on something in the water below. Garden Island.

Friday, December 22, 2017

Sexual misconduct in Hawaii Legislature, SHOPO president busted down to midnight patrol, more people leaving than moving to Hawaii, free Wi-Fi at Honolulu airport, Salary Commission slows raise-making, Sunset Beach succumbing to the sea, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy photo by Harry Durgin
Snow-topped Mauna Kea, photo by Harry Durgin
Sexual misconduct complaints have hit 4 state lawmakers. Four Hawaii lawmakers have been the subject of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct complaints since 2008, an Associated Press investigation has found. Associated Press.

People keep leaving Hawaii in droves and this year was no exception. Some 13,537 more people left Hawaii for the mainland than moved in from another state from July 2016 to July 2017, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s strong tourism industry boosted the performance of hotels statewide in November with the neighbor islands in particular seeing a significant bump. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii hotels experienced a 5.5 percent increase in revenue per available room in November compared to a year ago, while average daily rates and occupancy also grew, according to the Hawaii Hotel Performance Report released Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii unemployment rate drops to record 2%. Hawaii’s unemployment rate is at a record low, dropping 0.2 percentage points from 2.2 percent in October, to 2 percent in November, according to figures released on Thursday by the state Department of Labor & Industrial Relations. Pacific Business News.

Former deputy sheriff sues state, claiming discrimination because he's gay. Hawaii News Now.

OHA Trustees’ Settlement Cost $879,000 In Legal Fees. The state agency paid $614,000 to litigate Akana vs. Machado, while insurer AIG paid for $265,000. Civil Beat.

Plans to add planes sent Island Air into nosedive. David Uchiyama, president and CEO of what had been Hawaii’s second-largest interisland airline, described the company’s downfall under questioning Thursday by an attorney and court-appointed trustee working to liquidate Island Air assets for the benefit of creditors. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

New Police Chief Reassigns Union President To Patrol Shift. Susan Ballard says she had concerns with how the department’s Peer Support Unit was led by SHOPO chief Tenari Maafala. Civil Beat.

Amid debate about homeless safe zones, 9 possible sites identified. As the state, city and police struggle to keep homeless campers off public property, some are now looking at whether Hawaii should offer homeless people a legal place to camp. Hawaii News Now.

Erosion at Sunset Beach could cause a “catastrophic” collapse, the state says. The severely eroding cliff and shoreline at Sunset Beach Park on Oahu’s North Shore have reached inland at an unprecedented level, forcing city officials to implement immediate safety measures and consider long-term solutions. Star-Advertiser.

Experts say the severe erosion taking place at Sunset Beach is reaching unprecedented levels, leaving city and state officials hustling to find both short- and long-term solutions to address the rising sea levels. Hawaii News Now.

Public urged to stay away with Sunset Beach erosion expected to get even worse. KHON2.

Free Wi-Fi debuts at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Coverage at the Honolulu airport includes the Overseas Terminal and Central Concourse on the first and second levels between ticket lobbies 4 to 8, gates 12 to 25 and baggage claims E to H. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airline's outgoing CEO says the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport isn't  "adequate to fit the community" and needs to be modernized. KITV.

$20 Million Facelift For Popular UH Library Is Among Ige’s Requests. The governor’s supplemental budget proposal is one small step toward addressing the university system’s maintenance backlog. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Salary Commission slows the raise train. Faced with the mayor and two County Council members urging caution, the Salary Commission on Thursday hiked salaries a little further in two departments, but postponed action on a dozen other positions — including the mayor and County Council members themselves — until its next meeting in January. West Hawaii Today.

Repair of Keopu Deep Well poised to rollback months-long North Kona water restriction. West Hawaii Today.

Wi-Fi planned for Hilo airport. The state Department of Transportation launched free Wi-Fi coverage Dec. 14 at several terminals in Honolulu’s airport and expects to extend that service to airports throughout the state, including Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, in 2018. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Rapidly increasing erosion on the Maui shoreline has threatened a cemetery temple building and swept away close to 100 gravestones. Associated Press.

Kauai

Navy and KIUC sign lease to develop solar farm. The Navy and the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative have signed a lease to develop a 19.3-megawatt direct-current solar facility in conjunction with a 70 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system at the Pacific Missile Range Facility that will benefit the community and missile testing. Star-Advertiser.

Pacific Missile Range Facility will be housing a new 19.3-megawatt solar facility in conjunction with a 70-megawatt hours battery energy storage system, thanks to an agreement between the U.S. Navy and Kauai Island Utility Cooperative. Garden Island.

KIUC teams up with U.S. Navy to develop new solar-plus-storage facility on Hawaii's Garden Isle. The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative Thursday said it signed a lease with the U.S. Department of the Navy, Command Navy Installations Command and Naval Facilities Engineering Command for the development of a 19.3-megawatt solar facility along with a 70 megawatt-hours battery storage component. Pacific Business News.

Health department ends Hanalei cesspool upgrade program. The Hawaii Department of Health has withdrawn a program aimed at helping Hanalei residents upgrade their sanitation systems. Associated Press.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Hawaiian Airlines seeks to buy bankrupt competitor's assets, Ige asks Supreme Court to hurry up with Thirty Meter Telescope decision, cesspools threaten drinking water, Kahaluu residents fight homeless igloos, no rat poison found in beached whales, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2017 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaiian Airlines at Honolulu airport © 2017 All Hawaii News
Hawaiian Airlines’ parent to buy bankrupt Island Air’s assets for $750,000. In a surprise twist to the Island Air bankruptcy case, the trustee overseeing the liquidation filed a last-minute motion this morning disclosing that Hawaiian Airlines’ parent company has agreed to purchase the operating certificate and other assets of the failed company. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Holdings subsidiary offers to purchase Island Air assets. Pacific Business News.

The parent company of Hawaiian Airlines has offered to buy Island Air's assets and operating certificate. Hawaii News Now.

The owner of Hawaiian Airlines could soon also own Island Air. During a bankruptcy hearing for the now-defunct airlines Tuesday, an offer was made. KHON2.

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Cesspool upgrades critically necessary. A state Department of Health report released Tuesday identifies 14 areas where officials say interim cesspool upgrades are critically needed to protect public health and the environment. Star-Advertiser.

Cesspools could soon impact your drinking water, DOH says. Hawaii News Now.

‘Devastation’ Discovered In Deep Sea From Industrial Fishing. But without a $2 million donation, it may be the last expedition for the Hawaii-based research submarines and support vessel that conducted the study. Civil Beat.

A coalition of 17 Hawaii conservation supporters released its second annual state of the environment report Monday, urging greater support for environmental initiatives to help combat climate change already starting to emerge in the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Report: There Are Worse Places To Be Than Hawaii In A Health Emergency. The islands have room for improvement, but they fare well in a state-by-state comparison, according to a new survey. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Telcom expands broadband connection to 5,000 rural areas in Hawaii. In 2015, Hawaiian Telcom was awarded approximately $26 million in CAF Phase II support to continue expanding high-speed broadband internet service in Hawaii’s rural areas, mostly on the Neighbor Islands, through 2020. Pacific Business News.

Scoot: Inaugural Singapore through Osaka to Honolulu Flight. The first flight from Singapore through Osaka landed in Honolulu today. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Caldwell looks to rein in ‘monster houses’. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is backing a call by some City Council members for a moratorium on large-scale houses in residential zones until permanent language can be imposed putting limits on the so-called “monster houses” that have been sprouting up in older Oahu neighborhoods recently. Star-Advertiser.

Kahaluu residents voice concerns over plans for homeless 'igloo' shelters. Plans to build "Dome Homes" for homeless people in Windward O'ahu are just waiting for a building permit from the city. KITV.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell Builds A New-Look Police Commission. His nomination of Shannon Alivado, if confirmed, would mean all seven commissioners would be his appointees. Civil Beat.

‘Beagle Brigade’ sniffs out contraband at airport to prevent spread of pests. In the midst of holiday travel, the USDA is reminding the public of what can and cannot be transported to the mainland due to tropical pests in Hawaii that pose a threat to mainland agriculture. Star-Advertiser.

The former Sports Authority location in Kakaako will be transformed into an indoor marketplace next year for as many as 250 local vendors. Star-Advertiser.

Sexual predator abused children — and treated priests who did the same. Long-hidden documents show how the same man, prominent Honolulu psychiatrist Dr. Robert Browne, played a central role in two of Hawaii's biggest sex abuse scandals. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Gov. David Ige is urging the state Supreme Court to issue a quick decision on the Thirty Meter Telescope case. The governor is hoping the high court will fast track the case because the project faces a looming deadline. Hawaii News Now.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is seeking to fine a landowner nearly $65,000 for damage done to a plantation camp cemetery it alleges was caused by heavy machinery. But Ed Olson, whose trust purchased the land in 2015, says the equipment didn’t touch the headstones. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness voted Tuesday to provide $25,000 in state funds to Hawaii County to continue operating Camp Kikaha, a legal homeless encampment in Kona on Hawaii Island known as a “safe zone". Civil Beat.

Help is on the way for the troubled Hele-On bus system. The state Department of Transportation is sending another $419,817 in federal funds to the county, on top of the $700,000 already appropriated. Bill 87, set to be voted today by the County Council, will accept the money into county coffers. West Hawaii Today.

The W.M. Keck Observatory, which hosts two of the most powerful telescopes on Earth, is getting an upgrade to its adaptive optics system. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County in November issued its highest number of solar permits in 13 months as it continued to buck the downward trend on Oahu and Maui, the other two major PV markets in the state. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Upcountry Maui is one of 14 priority areas where cesspool upgrades are critically needed to protect public health and the environment, the Hawai‘i State Department of Health cited in a report filed today with the Legislature. Maui Now.

Erosion devouring mission property. Members of the 111-year-old Mantokuji Soto Zen Mission of Paia are hoping to save their temple building and cemetery from rapidly increasing erosion that has swept out into the shore break close to a hundred gravestones and claimed several acres of land over the years. Maui News.

Kauai

No rat poison found in beached pilot whales. A U.S. Department of Agriculture report released Tuesday indicates that no detectable levels of rat poison were found in the livers of five pilot whales stranded on Kauai in October. Star-Advertiser.

No detectable levels of rat poison were found in the five pilot whales that died on Kauai in October, according to a Tuesday state announcement. Garden Island.

Two months after five pilot whales died following a stranding on a Kauai shoreline, new lab results are ruling out rat poison as the cause. Hawaii News Now.

More than 6,000 cesspools should be replaced on Kauai in order to improve water quality, according to the state Department of Health. Garden Island.

Search on for unexploded bomb at Kealia Beach. An unexploded bomb is reportedly floating near Kealia Beach, and officials with the state, county and Pacific Missile Range Facility are on the hunt. Garden Island.

Friday, December 8, 2017

Grounded fishing boat finally moved off Waikiki, Honolulu council approve state hospital expansion, Pearl Harbor survivors commemorate anniversary, Miss Hawaii wants to be state rep., Kauai mayoral candidates meet, Queen Kaahumanu Highway costs escalate, LUC mulls Maui development, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Petty Officer 3rd Class Amanda Levasseur / U.S. Coast Guard
Pacific Paradise PC: Petty Officer 3rd Class Amanda Levasseur / U.S. Coast Guard
Pacific Paradise finally towed away, sunk at sea. The Pacific Paradise sank to its watery grave Thursday afternoon, ending a nearly two-month saga to get the grounded fishing vessel off the reef at Kaimana Beach. Star-Advertiser.

Salvage Team Tows Wrecked Fishing Boat Off Waikiki Reef. Aided by a high tide, a tugboat pulls the Pacific Paradise out to sea where it will be sunk two months after it ran aground. Associated Press.

2 months after it grounded off Waikiki, big fishing boat finally removed. Hawaii News Now.

Remaining survivors determined that Pearl Harbor not be forgotten. The dwindling sentinels of Pearl Harbor faithfully returned on the 76th anniversary of the surprise Japanese attack Thursday to reminisce and honor fellow warriors from the greatest generation still living and gone. Star-Advertiser.

100-year-old veteran inspires bill for Pacific war memorial. A bipartisan bill called the “Admiral Lloyd R. ‘Joe’ Vasey Pacific War Commemorative Display Establishment Act” unanimously passed the U.S. House on the 76th anniversary of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

Trump travel ban to be heard by federal appeals court. President Donald Trump’s updated travel ban is headed back to a federal appeals court in Virginia. Associated Press.

VIDEO: Hawaii vs. Donald Trump At Appeals Court. A three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Wednesday on the merits of the third version of the President’s ban on travel from several Muslim-majority nations. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Urges DHHS Not to Roll Back Contraception Coverage Mandate. Attorney General Doug Chin announced that Hawaii has joined a letter authored by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman pressing Eric Hargan, Acting Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, not to roll back the contraception coverage mandate that is part of the Affordable Care Act. Maui Now.

Feds: Many Public Housing Units For The Disabled Aren’t Really Accessible. The Hawaii Public Housing Authority is appealing the preliminary findings of a federal investigation. Civil Beat.

Island Air bankruptcy is 'a catastrophe,' judge says. A federal bankruptcy judge lashed out at Island Air in court Thursday for the treatment of its employees as the liquidation of the state’s second-largest airline appeared to be headed for an early termination due to lack of funds to administer the case. Star-Advertiser.


Trade "Clusters" and Hawaii's Economy. U-H Economic Professor, Carl Bonham, says the Hospitality and Tourism cluster in Hawaii is five times more concentrated based on employment than in other states. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii employees of GE's power division not affected by layoffs, source says. Hawaii employees of General Electric Co.'s power division are currently not affected by the company's decision to cut its global workforce by 12,000 positions. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii mumps cases reach 685; health officials broaden recommendation. The Hawaii Department of Health is asking all residents to get an “outbreak vaccination” against the ongoing flareup of mumps cases statewide. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

City Council approves expansion of State Hospital. Long-range expansion plans for the Hawaii State Hospital have been approved by the Honolulu City Council after the facility’s staff gave assurances that improvements would include a perimeter fence and other public safety measures prompted by the recent escape of a patient deemed to be dangerous. Star-Advertiser.

City to convert empty building into 30 affordable apartments. The city has purchased another three-story building in town — on Young Street, Ewa of McCully Street — which will add another 30 studio apartments for people who earn just over $36,000 per year. Star-Advertiser.

One Ala Moana Condo Development Approved And Another In The Pipeline. Developer Jay Fang wins approval for his 26-story tower despite some rocky moments at Wednesday’s City Council meeting. Civil Beat.

Former Kawamoto lot on Kahala Avenue sells for $13M. A 1-acre beachfront lot on Kahala Avenue that once belonged to Japanese billionaire Genshiro Kawamoto was sold this week for $13 million to a Chinese multinational company that is planning to build a new house on the site. Pacific Business News.

Fire department releases 911 calls made during deadly Marco Polo building fire. KHON2.

No threats against Honolulu Marathon, but authorities aren't taking any chances. On Sunday, 28,000 runners from all over the world will participate in the 45th annual Honolulu Marathon. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Queen Kaahumanu Highway project costs rise again. It’s going to cost another $16.3 million to widen Queen Kaahumanu Highway from Kealakehe Parkway to Keahole Airport Road, compared to numbers released earlier this year, putting the project more than $30 million over initial estimates from its groundbreaking two years ago. West Hawaii Today.

Miss Hawaii 2015 to run for state House. Former Miss Hawaii Jeanne Kapela announced Thursday she’s throwing her crown in the ring for what’s shaping up as a competitive race for the open District 5 House seat. West Hawaii Today.

Paradise Helicopters expands fleet with first twin-engine helicopter. Paradise Helicopters has added a twin-engine Bell 430, becoming the first Hawaii tour company to operate a twin-engine helicopter. Pacific Business News.

Ohio investor to buy state’s second-largest dairy. An Ohio entrepreneur and financial planning company executive is advancing an initiative to acquire Hawaii’s second-largest dairy as part of a plan to more than double the production of local milk in the state. Star-Advertiser.

Three injured after state vehicle strikes school bus. Two children and a state employee were injured Wednesday morning after a state pickup truck struck a school bus in Mountain View. Tribune-Herald.

Keauhou Beach Hotel demolition progresses.  The Keauhou Beach Hotel is literally a shell of its former self — the soft demolition completed and the inside of the structure gutted. West Hawaii Today.

Firefighter disciplined after reportedly ‘reeking of alcohol’ while on duty. A Hawaii island firefighter is being disciplined for having alcohol in his system while on duty. KHON2.

Thieves target Big Island humane society — twice. The Hawaii Island Humane Society is looking for crooks who stole animals at a shelter. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Atherton’s Waikapu project finishes evidentiary phase. LUC chairman orders drafting of panel’s proposed final action. Maui News.

LUC members hear testimony backing ‘agrihood’ project. Land Use Commission members heard several hours of testimony Wednesday as part of hearings on proposed state district boundary amendments for the nearly 500-acre Waikapu Country Town project. Maui News.

Maui Cannabis Conference hosts its inaugural Maui Cannabis Conference on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 6-7, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa in Kaanapali. Maui Now.

Kauai

Mayor candidates state cases. Derek Kawakami, Lenny Rapozo and Mel Rapozo mingled with attendees at the Christmas party setting before taking the stage Thursday at in the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club. Garden Island.

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Mauna Kea telescope removal sought; 75th anniversary of USS Bowfin; new tax rate for Maui short-term rentals; another Honolulu homeless sweep; Kauai mulls hikes in salaries, taxes; more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2017 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Caltech Submillimeter Observatory telescope Mauna Kea © 2017 All Hawaii News
Caltech seeks feedback on removal of observatory atop Maunakea, site restoration. The California Institute of Technology is preparing to take removal of its submillimeter telescope atop Maunakea through the regulatory process. Tribune-Herald.

VIDEO: Process Starts To Decommission CSO From Mauna Kea.  Last week, Mauna Kea Management Board members heard from consultants retained to begin the decommissioning process for the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory. Big Island Video News.

USS Bowfin celebrates 75th anniversary of its launch. Star-Advertiser.

4 of last 5 USS Arizona crew members to attend ceremonies. Four of the last five crew members of the USS Arizona will be at Pearl Harbor on Thursday to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the “Day of Infamy” on Dec. 7, 1941. Star-Advertiser.

US Supreme Court Allows Enforcement Of Trump Travel Ban. The court ruled the ban on travel from six Muslim countries can be enforced while legal challenges from Hawaii and other states make their way through the lower courts. Associated Press.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday allowed the Trump administration to fully enforce a ban on travel to the United States by residents of six mostly Muslim countries. Star-Advertiser.

Where Protected Lands Stand After National Monument Review. Trump downsizes two Utah monuments, and rule changes are still under consideration for two preserves in the Pacific. Civil Beat.

Why The Number of Criminal Defendants Sent To The State Hospital Is Soaring. Experts cite Hawaii’s large number of homeless mentally ill, who are often charged with minor crimes, and the lack of preventive services. Civil Beat.

Health and Human Services Providers Gearing Up for Legislative Session. Hawaii Public Radio.

OHA Settles Lawsuit That Pitted Trustee Against Her Colleagues. Former Board Chair Rowena Akana has penned an apology to other trustees, but her legal fees will be covered by the state agency. Civil Beat.

Island Air didn’t fund health plans, may have thwarted COBRA coverage. On Nov. 10, the day Island Air ceased operations, it promised employees it would continue to pay for their health insurance until the end of November. The airline broke that promise. Star-Advertiser.

Judge in Kamehameha Schools case didn't disclose apparent conflict. For more than three years, Circuit Judge Virginia Crandall has presided over the lawsuits against Kamehameha Schools and St. Francis Hospital by former students who accuse a psychiatrist of sexual abuse decades ago. Hawaii News Now.

Western Union to pay restitution to scam victims. Hawaii residents scammed out of money they transferred via Western Union have an opportunity to be paid back. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu


Whether you drive a car or catch the bus, prepare to pay more for your ride. There have been numerous proposals to increase fees and taxes in Honolulu. KHON2.

The state’s last large homeless sweep of 2017 saw 70 people, 20 dogs and 22 guinea pigs cleared from a public bike path near the H-1 freeway airport viaduct on Monday. Star-Advertiser.

State expands massive homeless sweep to troubled Nimitz bike path. Hawaii News Now.

Councilman Wants A Piece Of The Action In Picking Police Commissioners. Ikaika Anderson seeks to change the selection process for the Honolulu police and fire commissions, whose members are now mayoral appointees. Civil Beat.

Honolulu police inadvertently free suspect wanted in felony case. When Honolulu police arrested a 36-year-old suspected felon on Nov. 1, he had been on the run for more than a month after escaping from court-ordered custody at Kahi Mohala. Star-Advertiser.

UH Manoa’s Sinclair Library to resume 24-hour operation. KHON2.

Hawaii Mexican food chain Maui Tacos has opened its third Oahu location in the Waipahu Town Center. Pacific Business News.

Rumours Night Club, the site of thousands of parties, pau hana gatherings and more than few high school dances, will close in January after 34 years. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

The county is raising tipping fees at its landfills even more than previously considered. The County Council Finance Committee on Monday advanced Bill 82, increasing the price haulers pay at the county’s Hilo and West Hawaii landfills by 36.4 percent over the next five years. Tipping fees were last raised in 2007. West Hawaii Today.

VIDEO: Eminent Domain For Pahala Wastewater Plant Deferred. The parties involved in the taking of lands from Kamehameha Schools in Pahala for a future wastewater treatment plant were not exactly on the same page. Big Island Video News.

The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply has detected trace amounts of dalapon — a commonly used herbicide — in two South Kona water sources, the department announced in a press release Monday. West Hawaii Today.

Buying Local Beyond the Holidays. For one of Hawaii's few remaining locally-owned grocery chains “buy local” is a year-round effort, and has been for nearly three decades. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Tax rate for short-term rentals created. Permitted operators are worried the higher rates will penalize law-abiding owners. Maui News.

Testimony Supports Keeping Water Director. Council members agreed to refer the item to committee for discussion so that they can hear from both Director Taylor and Mayor Alan Arakawa.  The item is expected to be discharged back to the council for a full vote on Dec. 15. Maui Now.

Sunscreen ban is postponed. Council wants attorneys to sign off on measure first. Maui News.

Rehabilitation of Kalahaku Overlook Focus of Dec. 7 Meeting. The National Park Service will host a public meeting about proposed plans to rehabilitate the Kalahaku Overlook at an upcoming meeting slated for 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, the Pukalani Community Center pool meeting room. Maui Now.

Students at Kahului Elementary go back to class. A Nov. 24 fire over the Thanksgiving break charred classrooms, damaged waterlines. Maui News.

Hawaiian Airlines is beginning nonstop daily service between Kahului and San Diego and expanding seasonal summer service, including its first to an international location. Star-Advertiser.

U-Haul International Inc. is converting a former Kmart store in Kahului to the company’s first self-storage facility on Maui. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Commentary: Proposed increases in salaries, taxes a quandary. Two items on Wednesday’s Kauai County Council meeting deserve the public’s attention. Garden Island.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will loan the Makana North Shore Urgent Care $1.1 million to complete construction and help with operating costs of a new urgent care clinic to serve Kauai’s North Shore community. Pacific Business News.

North Shore clinic receives USDA loan; scheduled to open Spring 2018. The Makana North Shore Urgent Care clinic in Princeville will receive a loan of about $1.1 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to complete construction and help with operating costs. Garden Island.

New system for county finance. Customers may experience some slight delays with services, as county cashiers are becoming familiar with the new system. Garden Island.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Hawaii tops in extended families, Hawaiian Airlines collects climate data, HART delays $18M rail contractor increase, new bus boss for Hawaii Island, big jump in air cargo, eco-friendly caskets, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2017 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Izu Oshima Island  dancers span generations © 2017 All Hawaii News
Why Hawaii Trends Toward Large And Extended Families. At 11 percent of households, the Aloha State has the highest proportion of multigenerational homes in the country, with Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (18 percent), and Asians (13 percent) being the two ethnic groups with the largest proportions of multigenerational households. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian first U.S. airline on board for daily air quality monitoring. Hawaiian Airlines has become the first U.S. airline to begin daily air quality monitoring of one of the biggest and cleanest regions of the planet: an area from China to New Zealand to Seattle. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines taking part in climate change research. As of last month, a specially equipped plane has been collecting air samples using a climate monitoring device that's attached to the exterior of the aircraft. KITV.

The air cargo industry in Hawaii had 852 employees in 2016, experiencing 978.5% growth in employment over 15 years, between 2001 and 2016. Maui Now.

Disruptive Hawaii flight passenger sentenced to time served. A Turkish man who said a hallucination about a butterfly caused him to disrupt a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu won’t receive additional jail time under terms of his sentence handed down Monday. Associated Press.

Unruly airline passenger sentenced to 6 months in prison, $8,525 in restitution. Pacific Business News.

Delta's Atlanta to Honolulu flight gets upgrade starting next April. Delta's domestic upgrades to Delta One are coming next April, but only one roundtrip will impact the airline's hub in Atlanta. Pacific Business News.

Get Island Air refunds quickly, state warns. The executive director of the state Office of Consumer Protection urges Hawaii consumers who purchased Island Air tickets to seek refunds from their credit or debit card providers. Star-Advertiser.

First observed interstellar object to pass by Earth is given Hawaiian name. After consulting with UH-Hilo Hawaiian language experts Ka‘iu Kimura and Larry Kimura, the UH team named the interstellar visitor Oumuamua, which means leader or scout. Star-Advertiser.

State urges extra mumps vaccine dose as cases rise. As of Friday the Health Department said the number has spiked to 575 confirmed cases so far this year. Star-Advertiser.

Alexander &Baldwin Inc. will pay its shareholders $783 million mostly in the form of new stock as part of converting to a real estate investment trust, or REIT. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

HART board delays $18M increase for rail contractor. The board overseeing Honolulu’s rail project rejected a request by rail staff to increase a key engineering contract by nearly $18 million, with several board members saying they didn’t have enough information to approve the sizable request. Star-Advertiser.

Waipahu sees single-family homes sales jump; condo prices rise across Oahu. Sales of single-family homes in Waipahu more than doubled in October, as the median price in the Central Oahu neighborhood rose 11 percent, while the five areas with the highest number of condominium sales all saw median prices rise last month, according to statistics from the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Oahu solar permits declined 16% in October. In October, the city Department of Planning and Permitting issued 307 permits for solar electric systems, down from 367 in the same month last year, a drop of 16 percent. Star-Advertiser.

UH Manoa’s College of Education Names New Dean. Nathan Murata beat out two other finalists for the job of leading the College of Education. Civil Beat.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa on Monday named Nathan Murata its new dean of the College of Education, effective Jan. 1. Pacific Business News.

Amid an escalating dispute with some neighbors in Manoa, a former Kauai police detective gets a temporary restraining order filed against him and his rifle taken away. Hawaii News Now.

Family of Marine fatally stabbed in Waikiki wants suspect charged as adult. The teen accused of killing a Marine in Waikiki in October is set to appear in court Tuesday — the day his victim would've celebrated his 24th birthday.  Hawaii News Now.

Can These Eco-Friendly Caskets Find A Niche In $20 Billion Industry? A Waimanalo company is trying to serve the growing market for people wanting greener burial options. Civil Beat.

The fishing vessel that ran aground just off pristine Waikiki beaches more than a month ago is being prepared for removal, possibly by the end of the week. Associated Press.

Hawaii Island

Caltrans planner to take over Hele-On system. Maria Aranguiz, chief of systems planning and forecasting for the California Department of Transportation, will begin as the county Mass Transit Agency administrator on Feb. 16, county Managing Director Wil Okabe said Monday. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island’s mass transit system is carrying a fraction of the passengers compared to a few years ago with a fleet in disrepair, auto and money theft incidents, costly contractors filling gaps, and a past-due multimillion-dollar baseyard project. KHON2.

Charter school using $1 million grant to expand hours, reach academic goals. Ka Umeke Kaeo was the only Hawaii school to receive the School Improvement Grant this year, a federal grant designed to support Title 1 schools that “demonstrate the greatest need for the funds and the strongest commitment to use them to substantially raise the achievement of students,” according to a state Department of Education news release. Tribune-Herald.

Univ. of Nations CFO could face another offense. Pablo Rivera pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on May 15. West Hawaii Today.

WHT reporter to be celebrated Dec. 9 for work cracking pCard case. The Big Island Press Club will celebrate Nancy Cook Lauer as the club’s 2017 Torch of Light winner during its annual Christmas Luncheon from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Hilo Bay Café. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Hale Makua Health Services Hires New Kahului Administrator. Teana KahoÊ»ohanohano has been hired as Administrator of Hale Makua Kahului, Maui’s largest skilled and intermediate nursing home, rehab center and adult day health center. KahoÊ»ohanohano has over 10 years of experience as a licensed Administrator in California and Hawaii. Maui Now.

Kihei Community Association to meet. Council Planning Committee Chairwoman Kelly King and Maui Tomorrow Foundation President Lucienne de Naie will speak Tuesday night at the Kihei Community Association general membership meeting at Kihei Charter Middle School. Maui News.

Costco’s solar project, like most of its products, is big. Costco Wholesale has begun construction of carport-style support structures for the eventual installation of solar panels in the store’s Kahului parking lot off of Haleakala Highway. Maui News.

Hokulea Stops in Hana for 9th Annual Limu Festival. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaui Police Department Assistant Chief Roy Asher placed on unpaid leave until an internal investigation is complete. Garden Island.

Test of new signal scheduled Dec. 1. A wailing tone that advises everyone to take immediate shelter, the “attack warning” tone will be added to the monthly test. Garden Island.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

President Trump makes Hawaii fuel stop today, Airbnb hosts could remain secret, state pension fund makes gains, hunt for dangerous escaped mental patient moves to Maui, leaky boat off Waikiki slow to be salvaged, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania at USS Arizona Memorial, Nov. 3 pool photo, Associated Press.
President Donald Trump is expected to stop over at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for an Air Force One refueling stop Tuesday morning en route to Washington D.C. following a 12-day trip to Asia. Star-Advertiser.

President Donald Trump will be in Hawaii again Tuesday. Trump is scheduled to leave the Philippines Monday night and arrive at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Tuesday morning. KHON2.

President Donald Trump headed for home today following an extensive tour of Asia that he said had been “tremendously successful” and had put the world on notice that the “rules have changed” for countries that want to trade with the U.S. Associated Press.

State need not identify Airbnb hosts. The proposed agreement that Gov. David Ige’s administration has been negotiating with Airbnb to collect taxes on vacation rentals would not allow the state to disclose rental property owners’ names or rental locations to the city for enforcement purposes, according to an Airbnb representative. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s largest public pension fund, playing catch-up on its $12.44 billion shortfall, started the new fiscal year on a strong note as its investments rose 3.3 percent in the July-September quarter. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Employee Retirement System Up $3B. The ERS serves 135-thousand members in the state and county, which represents nearly 10 percent of the population. Hawaii Public Radio.

Appeals Court Allows Partial Enforcement Of Trump Travel Ban. But it cannot be enforced against people with “bona fide” relationships with individuals or groups in the U.S. Associated Press.

Man With Hawaii Roots On Verge Of Top Border Enforcement Post. Kevin Kealoha McAleenan is already acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and enjoys bipartisan support. Civil Beat.

Measures in place to keep guns out of the wrong hands, but do they work? Last year alone, more than 21,000 people applied for gun permits statewide, and the crosscheck thwarted more than 300 attempts to get gun permits by applicants who were denied for a broad range of disqualifying offenses. KHON2.

Experts discuss ways to increase Hawaii's EV adoption rate, see growth opportunity among heavy-duty vehicles. Pacific Business News.

Nevada’s ‘Most Dangerous’ Inmates Move In With Hawaii Prisoners. The private Saguaro Correctional Center in Arizona says the new prisoners will be fenced off and separated from the 1,400 Hawaii inmates. Civil Beat.

Island Air files for Chapter 7 liquidation. Island Air has filed a motion to convert from Chapter 11 bankruptcy to Chapter 7. KITV.

Whether Island Air’s 423 employees get paid for their last 10 days of work will be up to a Bankruptcy Court trustee. Star-Advertiser.

Scoot, the low-cost, long-haul subsidiary of the Singapore Airlines Group, is launching Hawaii service next month with a promotional one-way fare of $80 from Honolulu to Osaka, Japan, and a $200 one-way fare from Honolulu to Singapore. Star-Advertiser.

Study of data from 1970s, ’80s reveals climate changes affecting native birds. Tribune-Herald.

Climate change is affecting the food supply of Hawaii's native and non-native bird species. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hokulea continues its mahalo tour with more stops across the state. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Hawaii's head marshal forced to retire amid special treatment allegations. Sources say the Department of Justice launched an investigation in 2016 after Miyamoto drove the city prosecutor and a deputy police chief into the basement of the federal building to avoid the media. Hawaii News Now.

Taxpayer-funded lawyer assigned to Katherine Kealoha in corruption trial. Hawaii News Now.

The Coast Guard announced a new plan Monday that aims to remove the 79-foot fishing boat stranded off Waikiki within 2-1/2 weeks, weather permitting. Star-Advertiser.

Spilled fuel, hundreds of hooks in Waikiki waters as boat remains stuck. Hawaii News Now.

Coast Guard: Could be 2.5 weeks before Kaimana vessel is removed. KITV.

State seeks developer for Pawaa project. A state agency hopes to attract competitive bids from developers interested in building a low-income rental apartment tower along with a juvenile shelter and service center on state land in Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa has been singled out for a national award for its success in raising its four-year graduation rate. Star-Advertiser.

UH Manoa recognized for increase in four-year graduation rate. KHON2.

Concerns are growing over limited street parking in Waikiki. Some residents say the City is continuing to let businesses buy up parking spots, leaving them with fewer options. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii entrepreneur and venture capitalist William K. “Bill" Richardson died on Friday. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island


This is probably news to most Big Island tenants, but, according to the federal government, rental costs here have dropped. West Hawaii Today.

A Hawaii Island commission has officially named its “top ten”; an annual priority list of potential land-acquisitions using a fund derived from two percent of the county’s real property taxes. Big Island Video News.

A project to widen 2.8 miles of Mamalahoa Highway in Waimea hit a roadblock Thursday when Hawaii County canceled the bid solicitation after one of the bidders protested the procurement process, claiming it was unfair. West Hawaii Today.

The Thirty Meter Telescope has entered into a contract with Coherent Inc., a provider of lasers and laser-based technology, to polish its U.S. manufactured primary mirrors, marking a major production milestone. Big Island Now.

The Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo could get boost from federal legislation being championed in Washington by Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono. Big Island Video News.

A major retailer has clarified how much Kona coffee is in a line of California-made, cold-brew coffee beverages that drew a complaint from a Kona coffee farmer association last month. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Sunscreen containing certain chemicals could be banned in Maui County after a bill to eliminate the potentially harmful products was recommended for approval by a Maui County Council committee Monday. Maui News.

Levee repairs underway. Heavy equipment operators work Thursday afternoon on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project to repair 4,000 linear feet of Wailuku levees damaged by flooding of Wailuku River in September 2016. Maui News.

Maui Police Department has confirmed a Hawaii State Hospital patient who escaped from the facility has boarded a plane and flew to Maui. Hawaii News Now.

Manhunt Expands to Maui for Dangerous Escapee. The manhunt has spread to Maui for a man who has spent decades in the Hawaii State Hospital. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai’s first voluntary marine protected area is now at Koloa Landing, meaning that divers and fishermen have agreed not to remove aquarium fish and eels from the reef. Garden Island.

Hotel working with county. In August, the county Planning Department issued violations to Hanalei Bay Resort for illegal dwellings and insufficient parking. Garden Island.