Hawaii seeks to limit barriers for Japanese tourists, new Supreme Court justice helped put Green in office, huge surf could peak at 50 feet, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green wants to make it easier for travelers to visit from Japan. State leaders want to make it easier for tourists from Japan to visit Hawaii by creating a pre-­clearance program allowing travelers from the country to save time at the Honolulu airport by completing immigration, customs and agricultural inspections before departure. Associated Press.

Special fares and chartered flights aim to reignite Japanese tourism to Hawaii. As the state’s visitor arrival numbers recover post-COVID, the Japanese market is a critical piece that’s still missing. Hawaii News Now.

New Hawaii Justice Recently Held A Top Position In The Super PAC That Helped Put Gov. Green In Office. Vladimir Devens, who on Tuesday was unanimously confirmed by the Hawaii State Senate to fill one of two vacancies on the Hawaii Supreme Court, was a director of Be Change Now from April 2019 until April 2023, according to business registration filings with the state. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Will Be Stuck With Its Outdated Unemployment System At Least 3 More Years. The antiquated computer mainframe that caused so many problems with unemployment insurance claims during the Covid-19 pandemic will need to stay in use several more years, even though the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations hoped to be finally rid of it last year. Civil Beat.

Huge warning-level surf for most north and west shores. A large northwest swell will bring huge and dangerous waves that could peak at 40 to 50 feet for most north and west facing shores into Friday. A high surf warning has been issued until 6 a.m. Saturday for the north and west-facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu and Molokai, and the north shores of Maui. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii law enforcement community opposes state’s plan to legalize recreational marijuana. Hawaii’s Law enforcement community, led by Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm, is lining up against the attorney general’s plan to legalize recreational marijuana. Hawaii News Now.

‘Bad actor’ nurseries targeted by officials over little fire ant infestations. Sharon Hurd, state Board of Agriculture chair, told a state Senate informational briefing Wednesday that the department is seeking court orders to enter the properties of the offending nurseries and will seek to quarantine any infested plants. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

How Hong Kong and Singapore could inspire Hawaii’s transit-oriented development plans. Experts say Hawaii’s housing crisis isn’t just about construction. Public services, schools, commutes — they all play a role. That’s why a Hawaii housing delegation made certain to ride the rail on their recent trip to Asia. Hawaii News Now.

Alleged Waianae gang leader remains detained. A 46-year-old Waianae man accused of coordinating chicken fights, running illegal game rooms and selling methamphetamine will be detained before trial, a U.S. magistrate judge ruled Wednesday as prosecutors continue to argue that he presents a danger to the community. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Waianae Cockfighting ‘Pavilion’ Once Hosted Hundreds. Now It’s Quiet. Six Waianae residents are facing gambling charges in a federal case some community members say shows the extreme side of cockfighting. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Parks Seek Mobile Vending Stand Operators. The Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation is inviting operators to submit bids for lease concessions to operate at five County parks. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Chain Of Craters Road Reopens After “Brief Seismic Crisis”.  The National Park Service announced the reopenings as unrest and seismicity return to normal levels in Kīlauea volcano’s upper East Rift Zone. Big Island Video News.

Neighborhood Place of Puna awarded $2.5 million to help East Hawai‘i families. Neighborhood Place of Puna, a family-focused nonprofit, has received a $2.5 million grant from Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos’ Day 1 Families Fund — the largest private gift in the organization’s history. Big Island Now.

Maui

Wailuku rental housing project nears completion. Demand far outstripped supply for nearly 200 affordable rental apartments under construction on Maui that were offered to lucky applicants this week via lottery. Star-Advertiser.

Maui fire relief housing program calls for help. Gov. Josh Green and the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. are renewing their call for homeowners to offer their unoccupied rooms, units or houses to help Maui wildfire survivors. Star-Advertiser.

Housing Shortage for Maui Fire Survivors Puts Focus On Short-Term Rentals. Mayor Richard Bissen called for "shared sacrifice" but said a moratorium on vacation rentals would likely bring costly legal challenges and unintended consequences. As the search for housing for thousands of people displaced by the Maui wildfires becomes more desperate, officials are mulling proposals to incentivize long-term rentals and enable counties to convert more short-term rentals into units for locals, even though past efforts to do so have had limited success. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

West Maui vacation rentals plunged in October. The availability of short-term vacation rentals in West Maui was 49.1% lower in October compared with the year before, with Maui struggling to find long-term housing for survivors of the Aug. 8 wildfires. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Kauai

High surf warning extended for north- and west-facing shorelines of Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau. According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, surf of 25 to 35 feet is forecast in the warning areas. Surf will likely reach warning levels and hold through the day Friday. Kauai Now.

Minimum wage hike put into place, tourists spend more but visit less, gun laws take shape, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Pay Raise Activated for Minimum Wage Workers in Hawaii. Starting Saturday, Hawaii's minimum wage will increase from 10 dollars and 10 cents, to 12 dollars an hour. That will amount to a near 300 dollar monthly increase for minimum wage workers. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

Local tourism businesses reliant on Japanese market continue to tread water. Japan is set to relax more restrictions for inbound and outbound travelers on Oct. 11, but some businesses aren’t banking on an influx of visitors just yet. Industry watchers say Japan’s yen has dropped to its lowest in nearly three decades and that's a problem. Hawaii Public Radio.

Spending soars, but arrivals lag behind 2019 level. Visitor spending in Hawaii is soaring, though arrivals have continued to lag behind pre-pandemic counts and could see further slowdowns given the possibility of a U.S. recession and ongoing global economic challenges. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s attorney general declines to prosecute SHOPO leadership. The state Department of the Attorney General has declined to charge two leaders of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers with misdemeanor extortion in connection with allegations contained in a civil suit filed by an ousted board member. Star-Advertiser.

In a dangerous trend, aircraft in Hawaii are increasingly being targeted with laser lights. Aviation officials confirm there are more laser strikes happening in Hawaii per capita than anywhere else in the country. Hawaii News Now.

Kaiser Mental Health Workers Not Backing Down From Demands For Better Patient Care. The union and health care provider will try to meet again next week to negotiate an agreement. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Mayor Rick Blangiardi proposes banning guns in schools, parks and other locations. In preparation for the issuance of permits for Honolulu citizens to carry guns in public, Mayor Rick Blangiardi said today he is proposing prohibiting firearms in schools, government buildings, parks, voting locations, and public transportation. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Navy Releases Another 1,000 Gallons Of Raw Sewage Into Pearl Harbor. The leak comes as community members are increasingly critical of the military’s treatment of Hawaii’s environment. More than 1,000 gallons of wastewater spilled into Pearl Harbor on Thursday from a 12-inch wastewater line that broke, the Navy announced Thursday afternoon. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

More than 100 repairs to pipelines at Red Hill fuel facility are needed. A new military assessment has identified 153 repairs that need to be made to the pipelines at the Navy’s Red Hill fuel facility in order to safely defuel it. That’s on top of 43 critical repairs identified five months ago by Simpson, Gumpertz &Heger, a third-party contractor, only five of which have since been completed. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Recently completed UH-Hilo College of Pharmacy building finally in full use. Shortly after the award-winning Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy building at the University of Hawaii at Hilo was honored with a blessing ceremony in December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, forcing many students to miss out on the innovative new structure. Tribune-Herald.

Tensions remain high over ocean access at Waipio Valley. 10 days after the mayor reopened Waipio Valley Road on a limited basis, no one seems to be happy about how it’s working. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Hotly debated Maui County affordable housing sales price guidelines approved. Despite objections from local for-sale affordable housing developers and Maui County’s administration, rules that establish new affordable housing sales price guidelines narrowly passed second and final reading Tuesday at Maui County Council. Maui Now.

Maui County public schools get more than $5.8M to support low-income communities. Hawai‘i K-12 schools will receive $58,193,270 in new federal funding for the 2022-2023 school year to support programs aimed at helping educate students in low-income communities. Maui Now.

Mexican consulate to visit MEO to process passports, documents. The Mexican Consulate returns to Maui Economic Opportunity for the second time this year from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1 and 2, to process passports, voter credentials, and other documents by appointment. Maui Now. Maui News.

Labor Dispute Spurs Media Union To File Complaint Against The Maui News. The unfair labor practices claim alleges that union members were not allowed to observe contract talks. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Mayor Signs Bill To Increase Benefits to Farmers. Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami signed a bill on Monday that updates the county’s Agricultural Dedication program to provide increased benefits to farmers and lessen the burdensome red tape. Kauai Now.

Gas passes $5 a gallon, UH to keep classroom mask mandate, PETA seeks criminal charges against Kauai slaughterhouse, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

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Hawaii Tourism Authority awaits procurement for contract to promote Hawaii. The Hawaii Tourism Authority contract to supply destination management services and promote Hawaii to the U.S. market, the islands’ largest visitor source, is still up in the air at a time when travel spots across the world are competing to tap into rebounding travel demand. Star-Advertiser.

Japanese are eager to visit Hawaii: Lifting of restrictions there removes major barrier to travel. With Japan dropping its emergency COVID-19 restrictions next week, visitors from the country could start to return to Hawaii en masse as soon as next month. Tribune-Herald.

Across Hawaii, gas is over $5 a gallon, enticing some to electric vehicles. Soaring gas prices are leading some motorists to rethink how they get around. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

House sends budget proposal to Senate for further consideration. A state budget proposal is crossing over from the House to the Senate for further consideration. The measure will distribute more than $25 billion. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill to support public high school surf teams advances. A measure to provide funding to support surfing as an interscholastic sport in Hawaii remains alive this legislative session. West Hawaii Today.

Committee passes bill aimed at reducing Hawaii's female prison population. House Bill 2312 proposes to establish the women's corrections implementation commission in the judiciary. The commission would develop a plan so that women who commit non-violent crimes, especially women with underage children, could participate in a rehab program instead of going to jail. KITV4.

University of Hawaiʻi Updates COVID-19 Guidelines, Face Mask Rules. Face mask requirements will be relaxed but will still be mandated for certain indoor activities on campus. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Popular Deaf School Principal Gets His Job Back. The Hawaii Department of Education acted in an “arbitrary and capricious” manner when it demoted and reassigned the principal of the Hawaii School for the Deaf and the Blind to a lower-level position at a different school three years ago, an arbitrator hearing a grievance in the case concluded late last month. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Bill to extend time for condominium owners to comply with fire safety codes passes. The Honolulu City Council voted to pass a measure that gives condominium owners more time to comply with a law that requires them to install fire sprinklers or pass a safety evaluation. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu City Council eyes HART budget amid proposal to stop short of Ala Moana. The Honolulu City Council gave initial approval Wednesday for next year’s budget for the agency overseeing the rail transit project. Hawaii Public Radio.

Federal attorneys file additional counts against former corporation counsel Donna Leong. The first superseding indictment was filed in U.S. District Court on Thursday afternoon, in the case against Leong, former city managing director Roy Amemiya, and former Honolulu Police Commission chair Max Sword. In the documents filed, five counts were added on, specifically against Leong, accusing her of making false statements to the FBI. KITV4.

U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele calls for return of Makua Valley land. U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele has introduced legislation requiring the cleanup, restoration and return of 782 leased acres of Oahu’s Makua Military Reservation used for live-fire training from 1942 to 2004 to the state of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

U.S. House approves heritage designation for Kaena Point. Kaena Point, the remote westernmost tip of Oahu, could become Hawaii’s first National Heritage Area under a bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Hawaii Island

Closures Planned for Helicopter Operations at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park. The reason for the closures is to provide public safety during the removal of invasive, non-native vegetation using a helicopter. Big Island Now.

Underground cable work on Kalanianaole Avenue. The Hawaii Department of Transportation said Thursday there will be work install underground cable between Monday and April 22 on Kalanianaole Avenue in Keaukaha. Tribune-Herald.

Kona restaurant issued yellow placard. Kai Eats and Drinks was inspected after a complaint was made to the Food Safety Branch by a customer who became ill after consuming a salad. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Condo Owners Want To Tax Themselves To Save Their Homes From Rising Seas. Are Community Facilities Districts a win-win? Property owners pay to protect their condos, and the public gets to enjoy improved beaches and infrastructure. Civil Beat.

Councilmember King to host community town hall on affordable housing, March 22. Councilmember Kelly Takaya King hosts an in-person town hall on March 22 at 6 p.m. at the Malcolm Center, 1305 N. Holopono St., to discuss affordable housing and address residents’ questions on affordable housing. Maui Now.

Kauai

Native Hawaiian homestead nonprofit buys Kauai affordable rental property. A Native Hawaiian homestead nonprofit recently purchased an affordable rental property on Kauai, advancing a first-of-its-kind project. The nonprofit’s leaders say the initiative is an effort to keep more rentals at affordable rates, particularly during the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

PETA seeks criminal charges against Wailua slaughterhouse. International animal-welfare organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wants the Kaua‘i county prosecutor to investigate a local slaughterhouse. Garden Island.

Feds: Paco’s Tacos withheld over $62K in overtime, tips. Federal investigators have recovered nearly $63,000 in back wages and liquidated damages for 42 employees of Paco’s Tacos Cantina, a restaurant with four locations on Kaua‘i and one on O‘ahu. Garden Island.

Ige extends pandemic restrictions to Nov. 30, Maui mayor defies Ige's order and allows spectators at sporting events, Kaiser health workers to vote on strike, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

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Hawaii’s tourism industry anticipates a gradual return of visitors from Japan. As Japan officials ease COVID restrictions across the nation, Hawaii’s tourism industry can expect a rebound. But industry leaders anticipate the return of Japanese travelers will be a gradual one, and it will be some time before Hawaii’s economy sees the positive impacts. Hawaii News Now.

Governor extends mask rules, travel regulations for another 60 days, through Nov. 30. Gov. David Ige said Friday he would extend emergency orders requiring masks and regulating travel amid ongoing concerns about high numbers of COVID-19 infections. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Full text of Gov. David Ige's latest emergency proclamation can be found here.

State health department to end daily breakdown of Hawaii’s COVID-related deaths. Sunday’s email with the breakdown of deaths was the final one from the DOH for the foreseeable future, according to DOH spokesperson Brooks Baehr. Hawaii News Now.

Kaiser health care workers to vote on strike following failed contract negotiations. After months of failed contract negotiations, nearly 2,000 health care workers at Kaiser Permanente are set to vote on whether to authorize a strike. Hawaii News Now.

Saving Hawaii’s Banana Industry ‘One Good Banana’ At A Time Gabriel Sachter-Smith is on a mission to find the perfect banana for Hawaii. He’s already got 200 varieties in the works. Civil Beat.

State bankruptcies plummet 31% to 15-year low. Around the state, bankruptcies were mixed in the four major counties last month. Honolulu County filings dropped to 65 from 91, Maui County filings declined to nine from 23, Hawaii County filings remained at seven and Kauai County filings ticked up to five from four. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii businesses concerned, affected by COVID restrictions, survey finds. An anonymous Chamber of Commerce Hawaii survey of 217 members — conducted Sept. 10 of mostly Oahu businesses before Safe Access O‘ahu rules went into affect — found that 53% of respondents were still experiencing a workforce shortage, compared with 86% from a similar survey conducted in May. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii records 7 new coronavirus-related deaths, 277 additional infections. The  new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 161 new cases on Oahu, 21 on Maui, 65 on Hawaii island, 29 on Kauai and one Hawaii resident diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

As COVID crisis eases, mayor to propose that Oahu bars be allowed to serve alcohol until midnight. Honolulu’s mayor says he soon hopes to make changes to the city’s rules for bars, allowing them to serve alcohol until midnight rather than halting service at 10 p.m. Hawaii News Now.

City says at-home rapid tests can be used for entry to restaurants, gyms. At-home rapid COVID tests ― like the ones the city is giving away ― can be used for patrons or workers at restaurants, gyms and other businesses. But they’re not allowed for other government mandates. Hawaii News Now.

Embattled HPD commander reassigned after another officer files complaint against him. HPD Major Stephen Gerona has been the subject of multiple Hawaii News Now reports after four veteran officers came forward, accusing him of bullying, retaliation, harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Hawaii News Now.

Health officials join in chorus calling for Gov. Ige to allow fans at UH football. UH remains the lone FBS college football team without in-person fans. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Convention Center rooftop terrace needs repair. The Hawaii Tourism Authority plans to ask Gov. David Ige to add $64 million to the state’s capital improvements budget so that it can finally fix a leaky rooftop deck at the Hawai’i Convention Center. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Virtual public forum on new Maunakea Master Plan set. The University of Hawaii will host a virtual forum Wednesday evening during which the public can ask questions via email about the draft of a new Maunakea Master Plan. West Hawaii Today.

Lava from Kilauea volcano remains contained. Lava continues to erupt from multiple vents along the floor and western wall of Halemaumau Crater at the summit of Kilauea Volcano within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Star-Advertiser. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News. Maui Now.

Bay Clinic, West Hawaii Community Health Center announce merger. Bay Clinic and West Hawaii Community Health Center will consolidate operations next year to form a new health care organization serving patients islandwide. Tribune-Herald.

New Deputy Director Of Department of Research and Development Named. Robert “Bob” Agres, who recently served as the Manager for Disaster Recovery Community Engagement and Collaboration under the Planning Department and was familiar to the residents of Puna who were impacted by the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea, will fill the position. Agres succeeds Sulma Gandhi. Big Island Video News.

Maui

County visitor lodging tax set to roll out next month. Maui leaders will charge full 3% in wake of state call to pull county TATs. With more time needed to prepare, especially for smaller accommodations, the Maui County Council on Friday passed a new visitor lodging tax but put off enacting it until Nov. 1. Maui News.

Fans allowed to go back to some games, Victorino says. Mayor Michael Victorino bucked the governor’s denial of his proposed rule changes, moving ahead Friday with looser restrictions that will allow spectators to attend certain youth sporting events. Maui News. Hawaii News Now.

Six aging structures along the historic Hana Highway on Maui are chosen for major improvements. Many of the one-lane bridges were built more than a century ago and are obsolete by modern traffic safety and load standards.  Star-Advertiser.

Maui officials are seeking proposals on how to manage the county's overwhelming deer population. A county survey estimated there are currently 50,000 deer on the Valley Isle, and predicts the population could reach 210,000 in the next decade. KITV4.

Kauai

Future of Eastside water system uncertain. Nearly two years after management of the East Kaua‘i Irrigation System passed to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, no solution has been successfully implemented to prevent the system’s decommissioning. Garden Island.

HTA touts plans to cultivate ‘mindful visitors’. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority is promising a transition to a new direction, one aimed toward greater environmental sustainability and appreciation of local culture. Garden Island.

Lanai

Lanai Council Considers Resident-Only Beach Park Access. Crowds at the popular beach park fronting Lanai’s crescent-shaped Hulopoe Bay have sparked tensions between local residents and tourists. Civil Beat.

Foreign investment soars, owners to face fines for fake service animals, homeless qualify for Medicaid housing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu ©2018 All Hawaii News

Amid already hot housing market, foreign investment in Hawaii properties soars. Decades after the collapse of the Japanese investment bubble, foreign investment in Hawaii is making a big comeback. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii to roll out database to track school repair backlog. The Hawaii Department of Education is rolling out an online database to track the estimated $868 million backlog of repair and maintenance projects in the public school system. Associated Press.

Homeless people in Hawaii who are enrolled in Med-QUEST, the state’s Medicaid program, will have access to housing support services starting Jan. 1 that were previously offered to only a handful. Civil Beat.

As Ed Case prepares to be sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives in January, he’s been hiring key staff and gearing up for what he hopes will be major reforms in Congress. Star-Advertiser.

Claiming an ordinary dog to be a service animal will soon be illegal in Hawaii. Thanks to a law passed in July, the new year will add “misrepresentation of a service animal” to the state’s list of offenses punishable by a civil penalty. Tribune-Herald.

Circus and carnivals in Hawaii can’t bring lions, tigers or bears in for the show thanks to updated state rules signed by Gov. David Ige, and the head of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture says it’s been a long time coming. Garden Island.

Hawaii’s economy remained relatively strong through the year, with continued job growth, increasing wages and tax revenues that exceeded government projections in 2018, according to an annual financial report released last week by the Department of Accounting and General Services. Garden Island.

IMAGES OF 2018: A Year Of Alarms, Elections, Lava And A Notable Passing. The mother of all false alerts preceded very real disasters that flooded Kauai with rainwater and the Big Island with lava. Then came the threat of Hurricane Lane. Civil Beat.

Oahu

State Hospital overtime raises safety concerns. Big paychecks for overtime, also leads to big concerns about safety at the Hawaii State Hospital. KITV.

State and county officials, social service agencies and law enforcement are working together to address the highest per capita rate of homelessness in the country, but more needs to be done, according to the regional coordinator for the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. Star-Advertiser.

'It’s paradise’: Crowds head to the beach, trails for a sunny Christmas Day in Hawaii. A sunny Christmas Day sent throngs of merry-makers to Oahu beaches and parks Tuesday, where first responders were out in full force, too. Hawaii News Now.

Nearly 5 years after a huge fuel leak at the Red Hill Bulk Storage Facility, a forum will be held so people can get answers about preventing future leaks while protecting our water supply. KITV.

No flood, tsunami, earthquake or hurricane — not even retirement or a near-fatal heart attack — can keep Danny Tengan from readying East Honolulu residents for disaster. Star-Advertiser.

Water service will be temporarily suspended for four hours this morning at Magic Island, also known as Aina Moana, for a shower improvement project. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii officially down to one refinery. In line with the findings of the Hawaii Refinery Task Force's interim report from November 2013, one of the state's two refineries has, as predicted, officially ceased its refining operations before the year 2020. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Embattled dairy intentionally discharges 800,000 gallons of sewage into Big Island waters. Hawaii News Now.

Big Island Dairy Discharges More Wastewater Amid Heavy Rains. Hawaii health officials say the diary, which was fined for spilling nearly 8 million gallons of wastewater this summer, is pumping out nearly 800,000 gallons in the latest incident. Civil Beat.

The owners of Big Island Dairy illegally discharged Monday roughly 600,000 gallons of sewage that contaminated coastal waters through Kaohaoha Gulch. Star-Advertiser.

Water within Kaohaoha Gulch was contaminated with animal waste due to an overflowing retention pond at the dairy facility caused by heavy rainfall, health officials say. Big Island Video News.

Waimea residents and others will get a chance next month to weigh in on which of two air service providers they’d rather see offer subsidized flights out of the Waimea-Kohala Airport. West Hawaii Today.

The reins of the Big Island’s fourth-largest private landowner quietly changed hands last week. The new president of W.H. Shipman Ltd. is Margaret “Peggy” Farias, previously the chief financial officer and treasurer of the Keaau-based company. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Timeshare resorts report occupancy rate of 91.8% in Q3. Maui News.

Chief: Officers’ actions ‘justified’ in shooting. Suspect, who was shot to death, drew a handgun, he said. Maui News.

New video of Sunday’s deadly officer-involved shooting in Wailuku was released at a press conference today at the Wailuku Police Station. The 23 second encounter at the Kaohu Street, South Market Street intersection, came following a chase that ensued for approximately 12 minutes. Maui Now.

Maui Electric is proposing to assume ownership and operation of the existing electric vehicle fast-charging network established on Maui through the JUMPSmartMaui demonstration project. Maui Now.

Maui Electric Co. on Friday proposed to assume ownership and operation of the JUMPSmartMaui electric vehicle fast-charging network on the Valley Isle. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

The last several miles of road along Kauai’s North Shore remain closed to the public since the April flood. Local residents are limited to commute along one lane of the highway and only during scheduled convoy times. Hawaii Public Radio.

More than 100 threatened and endangered seabirds have fledged from the Nihoku restoration site within the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge in the past four years. Garden Island.

Gov. Ige heads to Japan, Honolulu homeless measures don't work -- bills to be heard today, Hawaii Island mulls electricity options, Kauai wants disobedient hikers to pay for own rescue, Maui plans land purchase, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Jibanyan, official Kids Spokesperson of Hawaiʻi Tourism Japan, visits Gov. Ige in March, courtesy Governor's Office

Gov. David Ige will travel to Japan this week to promote Hawaii tourism. He will meet with Japa­nese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Cabinet ministers to discuss the possible pre-clearance of flights from Japan to Hawaii, according to a release issued Saturday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige is scheduled to travel to Japan this month to meet with government officials and members of the travel industry. The goal, says his office, is “to promote and expand travel from Japan to the Hawaiian Islands.” Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige is spending the next week in Japan discussing Hawaii as a tourism destination with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other government officials and members of the travel industry, the governor’s office said Saturday. Pacific Business News.

Medical marijuana promoters say dispensaries in Hawaii could create a lucrative new market with up to 800 jobs and $65 million a year in sales. House Bill 321 — which allows for 16 dispensaries to open in Hawaii on July 15, 2016, and potentially many more the following year — is now in Gov. David Ige's hands. Star-Advertiser.

A measure that will provide a temporary state income tax credit for the cost of upgrading or converting a cesspool to a septic or aerobic treatment system or of connecting to a sewer system was signed into law by Gov. David Ige on Friday. Maui News.

Oahu

A new wave of sit-lie bills and other homeless-related measures will get their first airing before the City Council's Zoning and Planning Committee at a special meeting at 9 a.m. Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s “sit-lie” ban and other ordinances underpinning Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s “compassionate disruption” program are doing little to curb homelessness in the city, according to a University of Hawaii study being released Monday. Civil Beat.

Earlier this month, when Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell unveiled his long-anticipated plan to use a plot of vacant land on Sand Island to house the homeless, he did it with a little twist. Instead of opening a tent-based homeless encampment, as he originally envisioned, Caldwell announced that the city would build a “modular” facility using up to 25 “modified shipping containers” to temporarily house 75 to 100 people. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu City Council Zoning and Planning Committee has scheduled a special meeting today at 9 a.m. at Honolulu Hale to hear public testimony on five proposed bills that seek to expand or amend the language of the City's sit-lie law that impacts Oahu's homeless populations on public sidewalks. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell and the Honolulu City Council should consider providing "shallow subsidies" to homeless families and individuals who simply need a few hundred dollars more a month to be able to put a roof over their heads, the leaders of two advocacy groups say. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The pending $4.3 billion sale of Hawaiian Electric Industries to Florida-based NextEra Energy has put Hawaii Island’s energy future at a crossroads. The two paths being discussed: Takeover by a mainland-based, investor-owned corporation, or public, local ownership in the form of a cooperative. Tribune-Herald.

Following a four-month reprieve, Hawaii County has set July 1 as the date commercial haulers must register and pay tipping fees to dump green waste at the Puuanahulu and Hilo landfills rather than dumping it for free at transfer stations. West Hawaii Today.

In anticipation of future growth in Keaau, Hawaii County planners are proposing to change land use designations for much of the town. The amendment would apply to 587 acres makai of Highway 11 and designate most of Keaau as medium density urban, a classification currently limited to 52 acres of land in the commercial area. Tribune-Herald.

Veteran Dale Medcalf said he was amazed recently when he found himself being evicted from Reed’s Bay hotel because of his service dog, 3-year-old Milan. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Council Vice Chairman Don Guzman is urging Mayor Alan Arakawa to quickly consider the council's $3 million appropriation to purchase 267 acres near the "Jaws" surf spot on Maui's north shore. Maui News.

Judge’s decision favors Honua Kai developers. No fraud, unfair and deceptive practices, yet both sides seek changes to judge’s ruling. Maui News.

Governor David Ige was on Maui last week to sign a historic bill about local health care. The measure will allow Maui's three public hospitals to partner with a private healthcare provider. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

A Kauai County councilmember is proposing a measure that would require hikers in need of rescue — who disregard warnings — to pay the county for recovery missions. Garden Island.

A proposed measure in Kauai County would require rescued hikers who disregarded warning signs to repay the government for recovery missions. Associated Press.

The Kauai County Council has voted to narrow the definition of a bed-and-breakfast operation to require that the owner live in the same dwelling. Otherwise it's a transient vacation rental, subject to a different set of rules, permits and fees. Star-Advertiser.

Molokai

Molokai’s future is being weighed as a local committee reviews the island’s Community Plan update, a blueprint for the next 20 years. Molokai Dispatch.

Hawaii internment camp to be national park, shorter men live longer, charter schools struggle for approval, Health Department cites Big Island landfills, Honolulu cracks down on ag houses, UH presidential hopefills visit Maui and Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honouliuli Internment Camp, courtesy National Park Service

The National Park Service said Thursday it wants to make the former Honouliuli Internment Camp, now weedy and overgrown, a historic site as a new unit of the national park system, or a national monument. Star-Advertiser.

The National Park Service on Thursday proposed making the former Honouliuli Internment Camp on Oahu either a monument or a historic site. The park service plans to hold meetings this month and next to get the public's feedback. Associated Press.

In a report released Thursday, the National Park Service found that the former Honouliuli Internment Camp in Waipahu is a nationally significant historic site, a big step toward designating the area as a national monument.  The draft study evaluated 17 sites in Hawaii to determine what should be included in the national park system, and concluded that both the Honouliuli Internment Camp and the U.S. Immigration Station qualified as nationally significant. Civil Beat.

Honouliuli Internment Camp

A former internment camp where Japanese and European Americans were incarcerated during World War II could soon become a National Monument or Historic Site, the first ever in Hawai'i. Hawaii News Now.

Read the report here.

Size really does matter when it comes to living longer. In the largest, most detailed and longest study on aging, a team of Hawaii researchers discovered shorter men live longer. Hawaii News Now.

You're a Japanese male and you have some crazy notion about wanting to be taller. Better think again. A Honolulu-based research study published this week found a connection between short height and longer life in men of Japanese ancestry. Star-Advertiser.

Over the past few months, six prospective Hawaii public charter schools sought approval from state commissioners to move forward with their plans to develop alternative, publicly funded places of learning. But the state’s eight-member Charter School Commission denied four of the applications on Thursday for reasons ranging from insufficient planning to failure to integrate Hawaii’s culture into the learning model. Civil Beat.

A group of concerned state lawmakers has called together advocates for people with disabilities to increase public awareness of the services health care providers are obligated to provide patients who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf and blind. Star-Advertiser.

A massive molasses spill in Honolulu Harbor last fall led Hawaii lawmakers to introduce legislation designed to prevent a repeat disaster. But the proposals they crafted failed to survive the 2014 legislative session. Star-Advertiser.

A massive molasses spill in Honolulu Harbor last fall led Hawaii lawmakers to introduce legislation designed to prevent a repeat performance. But the proposals they crafted failed to survive the 2014 legislative session. Associated Press.

For her very first congressional campaign commercial, Hawaii Senate President Donna Mercado Kim takes a novel approach. Civil Beat.

A national organization promoting the labeling of genetically modified foods has opened an office in Honolulu. The Center for Food Safety has also established a local political action committee and will get involved in state elections this summer. Associated Press.

The State’s 4 County Mayors addressed members of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai’i today during a luncheon in Honolulu.   It was the first event of its kind hosted by the Chamber and some members said it provided a fresh perspective.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Profile: Scott Enright earned his bachelor's degree in psychology and philosophy from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, but somehow ended up having a long career in agriculture. "You know, it certainly wasn't planned," said Enright, who is chairman of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture and thus de facto director of the state Department of Agriculture. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The city is cracking down on what it says are illegal houselike buildings in a remote agricultural subdivision in the foothills of Kunia where residences are prohibited. Star-Advertiser.

Bus riders tired of homeless sleeping on benches. Hawaii News Now.

An infestation of bedbugs has become so rampant at the Oahu Community Correctional Center that officials announced a plan Thursday to shut down a housing module for fumigation and temporarily relocate more than 100 inmates. Star-Advertiser.

An arraignment of individuals charged with various crimes in connection with sweepstakes machines was held Thursday in Circuit Court. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Hawaii County has been fined more than $350,000 by the state Department of Health for alleged solid waste permit violations at the Hilo and West Hawaii landfills. Tribune-Herald.

The April 30 indictment of Waste Management of Hawaii Inc. and two of its officials shouldn’t have an impact on its lifetime contract to run the West Hawaii landfill or the current selection process for a waste-reduction facility to replace the Hilo landfill. West Hawaii Today.

An associate degree in marine science is one of the programs that could be offered when Hawaii Community College — Palamanui is up and running next year. Kenneth Fletcher, University of Hawaii Center at West Hawaii director, told residents in Waikoloa Wednesday night that many opportunities exist to link higher education with businesses. West Hawaii Today.

State officials say it will take about $2.1 million in capital improvements to help transition Kiholo State Park Reserve to a wilderness park, and estimate annual operating, maintenance costs at about $555,000. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

David Lassner and retired Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski, both seeking to become president of the University of Hawaii system, offered slightly different visions for the future of the University of Hawaii Maui College in separate public appearances at the college Thursday. Maui News.

The Hawai'i Health Connector has been a costly mistake, and the state government should immediately seek a waiver from the federal Affordable Care Act's requirement for the state to have an online insurance exchange, said Michael Gold, president and chief executive officer of the Hawaii Medical Service Association. Maui News.

Sugar production at Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. on Maui, the state's last sugar plantation, plummeted 83 percent in the first quarter of the year compared to last year due to "extremely wet conditions," Alexander & Baldwin reported in its first quarter report Thursday. Maui News.

Kauai

By their own accounts, Francis “Frank” Wiercinski and David Lassner were on different paths in life. Garden Island.