Showing posts with label Jan Yamane. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jan Yamane. Show all posts

Friday, August 26, 2022

Locals blame tourists as Hawaii prices rise, Honolulu affordable housing put on hold, Waikiki promenade remains closed, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Costs, Prices, Customers: Everything’s Up at Hawai‘i’s Restaurants. The Food Gurus Hawaii Restaurant Index provides insights into a volatile year so far for local eateries. Hawaii Business Magazine.

Hawaii Tourism Authority and DBEDT release results of resident sentiment survey. Overcrowding, damage to the environment, high prices/higher cost of living, and traffic problems continue to be the most concerning issues when it comes to tourism in Hawaii. KITV4.

Governor Ige Travels To Japan On Sister-State Mission. Governor Ige will meet with Gov. Hidehiko Yuzaki in Hiroshima, and Gov. Tsugumasa Muraoka in Yamaguchi. Lt. Governor Josh Green is serving as acting governor until Gov. Ige returns to Hawaiʻi on September 3rd. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii, Maui counties revise permit process for license to carry firearms. Hawaii and Maui counties are the first two municipalities in the state to put in place revisions to their permit process for a license to carry firearms in the wake of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling that toppled a New York state law limiting who can have a permit to carry a pistol outside their home. Star-Advertiser.

Republican PAC mocks GOP lieutenant governor candidate.
A Hawaii Republican political action committee that regularly attacks the Republican Party of Hawaii, its leaders and some of its candidates is now mocking GOP lieutenant governor candidate Seaula “Junior” Tupai Jr. Star-Advertiser.

Containership powered by natural gas now in Hawaii. Pasha Hawaii’s new 774-foot MV George III docked in Honolulu Harbor at Pier 51, where more than 200 company employees gathered after a blessing ceremony to celebrate what represented the beginning of regular serv­ice between California and Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Damning Report Unlikely To Affect Honolulu Ethics Director’s Job. Jan Yamane was deeply unpopular as the acting state auditor, according to a state investigative report, but she’s a hit with the Honolulu Ethics Commission. Civil Beat.

Financial snags delay construction of large affordable rental project on Oahu. The Parkway Villages project, planned as one of Oahu’s largest affordable apartment projects with over 400 units, was supposed to start construction by November. But developer Kobayashi Group is asking the City Council for a two-year extension. Hawaii News Now.

City resolution calls on liquor commission. The Honolulu Liquor Commission is being asked by two Honolulu City Councilmembers to make internal changes in order to restore public trust, the calls coming as the commission faced lawsuits and complaints from businesses alleging violations. KHON2.

Aiona And McDermott Want Water Treatment System To Combat Red Hill Fuel Leakages. Former Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona and Rep. Bob McDermott are calling for a water treatment system on Oahu to shield the public water supply from fuel leakages related to the Navy’s fuel storage facility at Red Hill. Civil Beat.

Popular Waikiki promenade remains closed amid structural concerns. Officials say a popular promenade that borders the ocean behind the Waikiki Aquarium may be in danger of collapsing. Hawaii News Now.
 
Honolulu showing the world what the Aloha Spirit is all about at Little League World Series. Moments after Honolulu Little League defeated Kawaihau to claim the Hawaii state championship, the players were invited to enjoy a big dinner with their opponents. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Foodbank to hold annual Food Drive Day on Oahu
. The food bank is encouraging the public to collect food and monetary donations up until Saturday, and will be accepting donations at drop-off sites in Kakaako, Kahala, Mililani and Kaneohe from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Cell tower eyed for Hilo.
Developers hope to build a 180-foot cellular tower at the top end of Kaumana Drive in Hilo, according to filings with the Windward Planning Commission. Tribune-Herald.
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2022/08/26/hawaii-news/cell-tower-eyed-for-hilo/

New Permitting System Causing EPIC Headaches for Some Users. The change has been difficult to navigate, for the county Department of Public Works and the public. Big Island Now.

Liliʻuokalani Trust plans to sell 100 acres of legacy lands in Kona to expand youth services. The Liliʻuokalani Trust is considering selling more than 100 acres of legacy lands in Kona on Hawaiʻi Island with the proceeds from the sale going to fund an expansion of youth services on the island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Ultra-fast fiber internet service available to some homes and businesses on Maui. Residents and businesses can visit hawaiiantel.com/fioptics to check if Fioptics is available for their homes or businesses. Maui Now.

DMVL to offer services Saturday. The Maui County Division of Motor Vehicles and Licensing will offer driver’s licensing and other services from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday by appointment only at the Maui County Service Center in Kahului. Maui News. Maui Now.

Kauai

Planning Department’s front counter now open. The Planning Department’s front counter at the Kapule Building in the Lihu‘e Civic Center will reopen today, as repairs were completed ahead of schedule. Garden Island.

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Hawaiian homestead litigation settled, Honolulu mayor signs bill curbing short-term rentals, Maui mulls property tax cuts for homeowners, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2022 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
State settling 23-year litigation over Hawaiian homesteads for $328 million. Leona Kalima and two other named plaintiffs filed the lawsuit in state court alleging that the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, overseer of a 203,000-acre federally created land trust, had breached its fiduciary duty by not awarding homestead lots on a timely basis to qualified applicants, who must be at least half Hawaiian and can receive house, farm or pastoral lots under 99-year leases that cost $1 a year. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Associated Press. Big Island Now.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Supreme Court: State Must Release ‘Explosive’ 2016 Report On State Auditor. The Attorney General’s investigative report details wrongdoing by then-State Auditor Jan Yamane and her top assistants. Civil Beat.

Search for Hawaii public schools superintendent is down to 7 candidates. The search for the next new permanent superintendent of Hawaii’s massive public school system is down to seven candidates, and the state Board of Education has released a revised timeline, plus a proposed selection process meant to increase transparency and shed light on how the finalists would solve problems and lead. Star-Advertiser.

Raking It In: Hawaii’s Federal Delegation Brought More Than $265 Million To The State. Fiscal year 2022 was the first budget cycle in more than a decade in which lawmakers were able to secure funding for pet projects in their states and districts. Civil Beat.

Ex-Sen. Jill Tokuda to challenge U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele for Congress. Former state Sen. Jill Tokuda — who had been running for lieutenant governor in the upcoming Aug. 13 Democratic primary — disrupted state and federal races Tuesday by filing federal election papers to run for the congressional seat held by U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  

Pandemic modeling group: Daily COVID case count in Hawaii likely 7 times official figure. COVID infections are on the rise in Hawaii, but home testing means it’s hard to get a true picture of the daily case count. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Mayor Rick Blangiardi signs short-term rental bill. A new short-term rental proposal became law Tuesday after Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed a measure that would notably lengthen the minimum stay in most cases to three months from 30 days — making Honolulu among the toughest cities in the country for vacation rentals. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

City to offer interest-free loans to help residents cover home down payments. Those eligible must be earning 80% or below of the area median income, which is just over $77,000 for a couple and roughly $96,600 for a family of four. Hawaii News Now.

Several Oʻahu private schools report receiving bomb threats via email. The emails were identical and appeared to be sent from the same address. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Mauna Kea proposal now pushes University of Hawaii away from oversight. A proposed draft compromise creates an 11-member Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority with responsibility over the entire mountain, including the astronomy precinct. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Water bills to increase. Water rate increases are on tap for Big Island customers, with consecutive 9.5% increases in standby and usage charges this year and next. West Hawaii Today.

New barracks unveiled at PTA: Project is part of a $210 million effort to improve the Army facility. The result of a $17 million contract, the 10 new barracks replaced the Quonset huts originally constructed as easy-to-assemble, temporary buildings during the early 1950s. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Proposals call for tax cuts for some homeowners. Council budget committee to hold public hearing this week as it mulls ratesMaui County families who reside in their own home could potentially see property tax cuts under proposals being hammered out in the budget in the coming weeks. Maui News.

The Maui County Council will hold a public hearing on property tax rates at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Here are the current property tax rates compared with Mayor Michael Victorino’s proposals for fiscal year 2023 and the council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee draft proposed rates. Maui News.

50,000 more Hawaiʻi locations getting ultra fast internet, including on Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i. Fioptics is delivered on Hawaiian Telcom’s fiber network that goes all the way to a home or business. A fiber-optic cable is made of thin strands of flexible glass fibers, each smaller than the width of a human hair.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Increased KPD budget proposed. Kaua‘i Police Department Chief Todd Raybuck presented the proposed KPD budget before the Police Commission Friday, requesting an increase of more than $1.4 million over last year. Garden Island.

University of Hawaii releases study on devastating Kauai rainfall in 2018. The storm came with no warning at all and destroyed or damaged more than 500 homes. It also caused about $180 million worth of damage. KHON2.

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Coral damage minimal, Uber and Lyft to be regulated on Oahu, rail favored in poll, Maui's $600k garbage shortfall, alcohol coming to Wailua Golf Course, Yamane named Honolulu ethics director, polystyrene task force mulled, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2016 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Coral with tropical fish © 2016 All Hawaii News
Most of the coral around Hawaii hasn’t changed dramatically, according to initial reports from researchers aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s ship, Hi’ialakai. Garden Island.

The tally of cases in the largest hepatitis A outbreak in Hawaii in decades jumped by more than 45 percent in a week, according to the state Department of Health. Star-Advertiser.

The outbreak of Hepatitis A in the islands has now sickened 135 people, the state Health Department said Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has given Hawaii’s Department of Health $3.7 million to fight infectious diseases. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The Honolulu City Council voted 8-1 Wednesday to approve a bill that imposes new regulations on operators of Uber, Lyft and other ride-hailing vehicles and, to a lesser extent, traditional taxicab drivers. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council approved a bill to regulate ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft on an 8-1 vote Wednesday in a victory for taxi companies that ended months of discussion. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu City Council passed a bill to regulate taxicab and internet-based companies today following a year of discussion and debate. Hawaii Public Radio.

Voters Aren’t Happy About Rail, But Still Want It Fully Built. A majority of those surveyed say they want the route to go all the way to Ala Moana Center as originally planned. Civil Beat.

The wide range of prices for the contract to build the latest major stretch of rail has the Honolulu City Council chairman worried that costs could rise — and he wants to know what project officials plan to do to keep costs in check. Star-Advertiser.
Yamane

Onetime acting state auditor Jan Yamane this week was appointed executive director and legal counsel for the Honolulu Ethics Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Jan Yamane is the new executive director and legal counsel of the Honolulu Ethics Commission. Civil Beat.

New Honolulu Police Commission member Loretta Sheehan said Wednesday the panel should exert more effort in investigating controversies involving police officers as well as Police Chief Louis Kealoha, who is the subject of a federal investigation. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s nominee for a fresh face on the Honolulu Police Commission, former prosecutor Loretta Sheehan, was confirmed by the City Council on Wednesday morning — but not unanimously. Civil Beat.

Newly confirmed Honolulu police commissioner Loretta Sheehan says she wants the body to investigate mounting allegations against embattled Police Chief Louis Kealoha immediately. Hawaii News Now.

There’s a new member of the Honolulu Police Commission, and in the midst of a lot of questions about Chief Louis Kealoha’s leadership, Loretta Sheehan is not holding back her opinion. KHON2.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell is taking heat from his political opponents who say he hasn’t done enough to lessen homelessness and increase affordable housing in Honolulu. Civil Beat.

Oahu’s newest homeless shelter, scheduled to open in Kakaako in late September, uses a new approach designed to quickly get homeless families off the streets and into long-term housing. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii regulators have approved The Howard Hughes Corp.’s (NYSE: HHC) $20 million plan to upgrade Kewalo Basin Harbor in the Honolulu neighborhood of Kakaako, an official with the state confirmed to Pacific Business News.

Oahu Publications, the publisher of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and a number of other Hawaii publications, trimmed its staff this week, eliminating eight nonunion employees who worked for several of the company’s titles, including MidWeek. Civil Beat.

A University of Hawaii engineering professor was arrested this afternoon for possession and distribution of child pornography. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Sixty percent of Hawaii Island residents support building the Thirty Meter Telescope atop Mauna Kea, according to a new poll. That’s almost identical to a poll conducted last October that found 59 percent of Hawaii Island residents and 62 percent of residents statewide in favor of the $1.4 billion project. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii island residents continue to show strong support for the Thirty Meter Telescope, according to a public opinion poll commissioned by the nonprofit that aims to build and run the $1.4 billion project atop Mauna Kea. Star-Advertiser.

A resolution to create a packaging waste task force received mixed reviews Wednesday at a Hawaii County Council meeting two months after a proposed ban on polystyrene food containers was tossed in the trash. Tribune-Herald.

The winning bid for the single most expensive part of the ongoing $170 million Kona International Airport upgrade is now under protest. West Hawaii Today.

The public will be afforded opportunity to speak on behalf of several types of endangered species, which may be harmed due to operations at two wind turbine facilities on Hawaii Island. West Hawaii Today.

A new crosswalk and flashing lights will soon crop up on Manawalea Street near the Montessori school in Kailua-Kona, with an assist from county property taxpayers. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

To assist with a $600,000 budget shortfall, county fees may change in October for commercial businesses bringing uncontaminated greenwaste along with grease trap and contaminated cooking oil to the landfill. Maui News.

When Maui County voters head to the primary polls to cast their ballots for the South Maui residency seat on the Maui County Council, they'll have four candidates to choose from. Maui News.

The Commission on Water Resource Management will be performing work on the waterfall at the Waihe‘e Ditch siphon where it crosses Wailuku River*.  The Commission has asked Wailuku Water Company, LLC (WWC) to reduce the amount of water to Wailuku River, in order to perform the work and provide a safe work environment. Maui Watch.

Kauai

After a lengthy debate about depoliticizing the police department and policy making, the Kauai County Council Wednesday decided to expend up to $15,000 for special counsel to represent the police commission. Garden Island.

The Kauai County Council referred a bill to committee Wednesday that would allow additional rental units in the Lihue Planning District, citing a need for fairness for other parts of the island. Garden Island.

A measure that would allow the sale of alcohol on Wailua Golf Course was passed on first reading by the Kauai County Council Wednesday, but some members of the public expressed concerns about promoting the intoxicant at a public facility. Garden Island.

Bob Bartolo was frustrated with traffic and finding labor for his business as he met with Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard during “Tulsi in Your Town”at Ha Coffee Bar. Garden Island.