Showing posts with label Kahuku. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kahuku. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Wind farm protesters in court, Supreme Court sides with Ige in nomination dispute, Honolulu auditor slams monster houses, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kahuku wind farm protests PC: Choon James
Arrested wind farm protesters appear in court as more are detained. More than 30 people accused of disobeying a police officer in the Na Pua Makani wind farm protest made their initial appearance in court Monday on the same day 18 additional people were arrested for attempting to block yet another convoy of turbine parts. Star-Advertiser.

Energy Giant AES Has A Big — And Growing — Footprint In Hawaii. The Kahuku wind farm developer opposed a proposed ban on coal in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Why Hawaiian Flags, Parking Tickets, Arrests Are Raising Free Speech Questions. There’s been a noticeable spike in Hawaiian flags seen on roads and highways. Hawaii Public Radio.

Supreme Court rules in favor of Ige in dispute over PUC appointment.  The 4-1 decision clarifies confusion over the governor’s authority to make appointments when the Legislature is not in session and brings some closure to a legal dispute that arose when the PUC rejected Florida- based NextEra Energy’s proposed $4.3 billion purchase of Hawaiian Electric Industries. Star-Advertiser.

=====

Stings net more than 2 dozen suspected child sex predators in Hawaii. Law enforcement officers pose as children online, using chat rooms and common social media apps. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Attorney General announces results of Operation Keiki Shield. The name of the operations are "Keiki Shield" and so far have involved 95 law enforcement officers and professional staff from over a dozen county, state, federal and military law enforcement agencies. KITV.

=====

Kauai’s Carvalho Backs Kahele For Congress. The Democratic state senator continues to rack up the endorsements. Civil Beat.

Former Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho endorses Kai Kahele for Congress. Former Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho has endorsed Kai Kahele in his campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives, adding to the list of well-known political figures who have thrown their support behind the state senator for Hilo. Star-Advertiser.

=====

Hawaii unemployment rate remains steady at 2.7%. The seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 2.7% in October for the third straight month while nonfarm payrolls were virtually flat in falling by just 100 jobs, according to data released Monday by the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Star-Advertiser.

Jobless rate holds steady. The Hawaii State Department of Labor & Industrial Relations on Monday announced that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October was 2.7 percent, for the third consecutive month. Garden Island.

Oahu

Auditor’s report slams city agency on ‘monster houses’. A just-completed audit of the city Department of Planning and Permitting’s handling of the explosion in the number of large, detached dwellings in recent years concluded the agency has been lax, inconsistent and ineffective in dealing with the “monster house” issue. Star-Advertiser.

Audit: Monster Houses Still Running Amok Despite City Law. The city blamed turnover, reduced time for training and other factors for its failure to enforce the 2019 law. Civil Beat.

Audit: City failed to control ‘monster homes’ or take residents’ complaints seriously. Critic says city “took their eye off the ball”. Hawaii News Now.

New city audit finds DPP mismanaging monster home permits. Recommendations include better coordination and increasing fines for not having permits. KITV.




=====

Top Honolulu Rail Official Leaves HART As Project Reaching Critical Stage. Paula Youngling is the second high-level procurement officer to leave HART in recent months. Civil Beat.


Ridership on The Bus continues to decline. Since 2015 the City is seeing fewer people riding the bus. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell calls it a product of competition. KITV.

Public input sought on fix for Red Hill fuel tanks above aquifer. A letter mailed recently with every water bill was the Board of Water Supply’s way of drawing attention islandwide before a public meeting Tuesday. KHON2.

Million-Dollar Oahu Homes Shrink In Size. The square footage is smaller than it was just five years ago. Civil Beat.

Restoring Kaiwainui Marsh After Years Of Neglect Is Not As Easy As It Could Be. Lots of different groups want to restore and protect the iconic Oahu wetland. Civil Beat.

=====

A community park on the outskirts of Downtown is getting new life. The city, the YMCA and a local school celebrated are celebrating a deal that will revitalize a troubled downtown park. Hawaii News Now.

YMCA partners with city for Kamamalu park makeover. The Young Men’s Christian Association of Honolulu has agreed to pay $1.7 million for improvements at Kamamalu Neighborhood Park, the city facility next to the YMCA’s busy Nuuanu branch. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Managing Director Okabe resigns. Wil Okabe, Mayor Harry Kim’s managing director and right-hand man, is resigning effective Nov. 30. West Hawaii Today.

Climate crisis to be topic of presentation during council committee meeting. A Hawaii County Council committee will discuss strategies today for protecting the Big Island from rising sea levels brought about by climate change. Tribune-Herald.

In search of a solid waste solution. A resolution urging the departments of Environmental Management and Research and Development put their heads together to come up with a way to reduce waste and generate clean energy received unanimous backing at a committee hearing and is scheduled Wednesday for its final County Council vote. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County Getting $10 Million From State For Mauna Kea Costs. The Hawaiʻi County Council Finance Committee will make a recommendation on accepting the funds during its meeting Tuesday in Kona. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Governor accepts final EIS for Pulehunui master plan. Water, wastewater, roads mapped out for state projects. Maui News.

Wailuku Community Divided Over Proposed Hotel. Landowners Jonathan Starr and Helen Nielsen are hoping a new hotel will revitalize the streets of Wailuku. Others, however, fear it could gentrify one the islandʻs last untouched towns. Maui Now.

Hawaii Among Recipients Of $29M In Fed Coastal Protection Grants. The University of Hawaii Office of Research Services is receiving $399,506 -- $199,506 in grants and $200,000 in matching funds -- to restore and enhance the Maui coastal dunes. Associated Press.

Home prices cool after record-breaking August. Median prices in September, October lower than houses selling at same time last year. Maui News.

Kauai

Finance Committee members tour affordable housing site, hemp farm. Members of the House Finance Committee toured two project sites on Monday that they hope will benefit from bills they intend to pass during next year’s legislative session. Garden Island.

Kauai’s jail is getting upgrades, but it won’t solve the overcrowding. The Kauai Community Correctional Center (KCCC) is different from the other Hawaii jails: It doesn’t have a guard tower, and it sits alongside a busy road, Kuhio Highway, with no fence separating it from the Highway, just a ditch. Hawaii News Now.

Helping Small Food Companies Cope With High Costs. A new business development program on Kauai aims to provide small operators with tools and resources to grow. Civil Beat.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Hawaii's newest import - homeless? Plus, more wind farm arrests, Louis Kealoha supporters say it's his wife's fault, Kauai cable outage, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2019 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Homeless in Honolulu ©2019 All Hawaii News
Is New York really ‘exporting its homeless to Hawaii,' as a recent article claimed? An article published in the New York Post over the weekend has become quite a talker in the islands. Hawaii News Now.

Report: New York City exporting homeless to 32 other states, including Hawaii. Since the program launched in 2017 New York has sent over 12,000 homeless, but according to a City of Honolulu official, only one has landed in Honolulu as a part of the Special One Time Assistance Program. KHON2.

NY Post article making waves in Hawaii. A recent article claiming that New York is 'secretly exports homeless to Hawaii' is creating some waves in the islands. KITV.

=====

FBI approached rail contractor workers, lawsuit says. The FBI has approached employees of a major rail contractor, and federal investigators also served a search warrant on the city to gather data such as emails in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation into rail, according to court records and city officials. Star-Advertiser.

Drone delivers parts, medicine to underway Navy submarine. In a first for the Navy, a quadcopter drone was flown more than a mile from shore on Oahu to deliver a 5-pound payload of circuit cards, medical supplies and food items to the submarine USS Hawaii in a potentially radical new way to provide logistics resupply of small items to subs at sea, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Lactation Room Opened At Hawaii State Capitol. It’s intended to provide “a comfortable, private space for mothers to nurse their babies and express milk.” Civil Beat.

Oahu

Councilwoman Kymberly Pine enters fight in upcoming mayoral race. Councilwoman Kymberly Pine said Monday she will be a candidate for Honolulu mayor in 2020, a race that is likely to become crowded in a hurry. Star-Advertiser.

Pine Announces Candidacy For Honolulu Mayor. She currently is in her second and final four-year term as a member of the Honolulu City Council. Civil Beat.

Council Member Announces Run For Honolulu Mayor Seat. City Council Member Kymberly Pine announced Monday she will run for Honolulu mayor. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kym Pine and other lesser-known candidates for Honolulu mayor need to build name recognition, analyst says. The Honolulu City Council member, who represents Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Wai'anae, and other areas of District One, formally announced her candidacy, joining business executive Keith Ame­miya and former state senator John Caroll. KITV.

=====

Letters in support of Louis Kealoha puts blame on wife Katherine. Letters in support of Louis Kealoha were released Monday, asking a judge to give the former police chief a lighter sentence. KHON2.

Friends Tell Court Former Honolulu Police Chief Kealoha Was A Model And Deserves Leniency. Several wrote that Louis Kealoha, convicted of conspiracy in federal court, did not know the extent of crimes committed by his wife, former deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha, but her lawyer said it’s unfair for her to take all the blame. Civil Beat.

Letters showing support for Louis Kealoha unsealed. "What Louie has done for the community in over 30 plus years of service by far exceeds any wrong doings that may have come about." KITV.

=====

Lawsuit: Last-Minute Honolulu Talk on Mauna Kea Violated Meeting Law. The Honolulu City Council violated the Hawaii Sunshine Law when members discussed policing on Mauna Kea at a meeting without providing six days of public notice, according to a lawsuit filed on Friday. Civil Beat.

=====

Honolulu police arrest 16 more wind farm protesters overnight in Kalaeloa. Honolulu police made another 16 arrests at Kalaeloa overnight during protests against the Na Pua Makani wind farm, bringing the total number of arrests to 127 since the protests began on Oct. 17. Star-Advertiser.

Police arrest 16 for trying to block convoy of equipment for wind farm project. Sixteen people were arrested in late Sunday into early Monday in an attempt to block a convoy of heavy equipment for a wind farm project on Oahu’s North Shore, according to Honolulu police records. Hawaii News Now.

DOH: More studies needed on infrasound. The Department of Health has a branch that deals with noise complaints and regulation and infrasound is new to them. KITV.

=====

Private developer makes state’s Kewalo Basin harbor shipshape. A more than decade-old effort to improve substandard conditions at a state-owned harbor in Kakaako popular with tour boat operators is just about complete. Star-Advertiser.

Work to widen the H-1 freeway shoulder in Aiea completed ahead of schedule. The untying of maile lei marked the early completion of a paving and shoulder widening project on the H-1. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

TMT denies report that telescope site decision is imminent. Officials with the Thirty Meter Telescope on Monday denied a report in the Canary Islands that a decision on where to construct the $1.4 billion project will happen within the next few weeks. Star-Advertiser.

‘Clearly it’s possible’: TMT supporters say if Kahuku wind farm protesters can be moved, why can’t the same be done on Mauna Kea? Hawaii News Now.

=====

Builders question whether to delay projects until new county energy code is in place. Balancing energy conservation with building costs was top of mind Monday, as about 50 designers, builders and homeowners quizzed county Building Division staff about proposed changes to the county energy code. West Hawaii Today.

=====

Flow of tourists in Leilani Estates diminishes. More than a year after lava stopped flowing aboveground on the Big Island, lava tourism in Leilani Estates might be slowing down. Tribune-Herald.

Keaau facility to provide biodiesel for Hamakua Energy. The Pacific Biodiesel refinery in Keaau will begin providing fuel for the Hamakua Energy plant next week. Tribune-Herald.

Lawsuit filed to protect habitat for 14 Hawaii Island species. The Center for Biological Diversity Monday sued the Trump administration’s Secretary of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to protect and designate critical habitat for 14 endangered species found on Hawaii Island. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Hotels Record Highest Revenue Statewide in September. On average, Maui County hotels grossed $232 in revenue per available room, about an 8 percent increase from the same time last year. Maui Now.

Maui Police and Air Force Plan Emergency Preparedness Exercise in Kihei. Members of the Maui Police Department and personnel of the United States Air Force will be participating in a one day, coordinated agency Emergency Preparedness Exercise. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai back online. An undersea fiber optic cable between Kauai and Oahu malfunctioned Sunday evening and left most of the island’s residents without internet, cable TV or phone service, a spokesperson for Hawaii Telcom said Monday. Garden Island.

Spectrum service slowly returns to Kauai after island-wide outage. Spectrum internet, TV and phone service is slowly coming back for some Kauai residents, but it may not be fully restored until some time Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Spectrum outage islandwide on Kauai. KHON2.

Pau with the parakeets. The bright green rose-ringed parakeets stir thoughts of jungle adventures and tropical getaways, but the exotic-looking birds are taking a bite out of Kauai. Garden Island.

Monday, October 28, 2019

Kahuku wind farm project lacks environmental review, Land Use Commission rejects Mauna Kea petition, drug companies paid Hawaii doctors $4.3M, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

PC: Choon James
Kahuku wind farm arrests PC:Choon James
PUC’s Former Lawyer Says Approval Of Kahuku Wind Farm Violated Law. A former Public Utilities Commission counsel said regulators needed to complete an environmental review before approving the controversial project. Civil Beat.

Kahuku wind farm ‘arrestables’ say breaking the law is their last option. Over the last two weeks, 111 people volunteered to be arrested for protesting a controversial wind energy farm in Kahuku. Star-Advertiser.

Wind farm demonstrators out in Kalaeloa again Sunday night. Wind turbine construction materials are scheduled to move again on Sunday night, leaving from Kalaeloa for the Na Pua Makani wind farm site in Kahuku. KITV.

=====

Drug companies paid Hawaii doctors $4.3M last year. Hawaii doctors received $4.29 million in total payments from drug companies for promotional talks or consulting work in 2018. Star-Advertiser.

Dispensaries stop selling vapes with outside ingredients. Five out of eight Hawaii medical marijuana dispensaries that had been warned by health officials to stop selling vaping products made with outside ingredients say they are now in compliance with state law. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants prepare to vote on a possible strike. Starting Monday, more than 2,100 Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants will begin voting on whether they should authorize a strike. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii kids hit median on Smarter Balanced Assessment. A new analysis shows that Hawaii’s public school students rank in the middle of the pack in both English and math proficiency among the states that use the Smarter Balanced Assessment. Star-Advertiser.

Want a selfie with a Hawaiian monk seal? Don’t get too close. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration researchers recently conducted a study of how social media can play a role not only in monitoring the public’s interaction with endangered monks seals in Hawaii, but in research, education and conservation. Star-Advertiser.

Feds To Audit Wespac’s Handling Of Pacific Tuna Fund. The move by the inspector general comes after a Civil Beat investigation and request from four congressmen. Civil Beat.

=====

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s announcement late Thursday that she won’t seek reelection to Congress so she can focus on her presidential bid turns what early challenger Kai Kahele saw as a likely mano-a-mano contest into a political free-for-all. But it’s up for debate whether this makes it more or less difficult for the relatively new state senator from Hilo to win the congressional seat. West Hawaii Today.

Tulsi Gabbard’s decision not to seek reelection to Congress and instead focus on her presidential campaign opens an opportunity for familiar and lesser-known potential candidates who might want to run in 2020 to represent rural Oahu and the neighbor islands. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Why Tulsi Gabbard Should Quit Congress Right Now. The presidential wannabe can show true aloha for the people of the 2nd District by letting them have proper representation. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Feds Demanded Rail Information From Honolulu City Hall. Officials investigating the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation have either seized or requested information from the city, the mayor’s communications director Andrew Pereira confirmed. Civil Beat.

Acting city prosecutor faces heat over failure to act in wake of scandals. Acting city Prosecutor Dwight Nadamoto continues to dodge questions about the suspected cover-up of crimes by ex-deputy Katherine Kealoha. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Pro-Labor Bill Becomes Law Without Mayor’s Signature. Caldwell informed the council he wants to work on “legal concerns.” Civil Beat.

Labor bill favoring unions becomes law without the mayor’s signature. Union workers will essentially get priority for all city projects over $2 million thanks to a bill that is now law. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Ala Wai harbor redevelopment effort falls short — again. The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation has come up empty-handed after a committee reviewed proposals for redevelopment of the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor — rankling some Waikiki residents and boaters who fear the state will never get it right. Star-Advertiser.

State goes ‘back to the drawing board’ for Ala Wai harbor development. Many people consider the area near the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor to be the gateway to Waikiki. But for years, that area has included a fenced-off vacant lot. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Kirk Caldwell, developer of Ala Moana playground reject idea of different site. Moving the site of a proposed inclusive children’s playground from Ala Moana Regional Park to Kakaako Waterfront Park will cause suffering to children with special needs by making them wait longer to enjoy the first such playground in Hawaii, said Tiffany Vara, executive director of Pa‘ani Kakou, a nonprofit that has pledged to build the playground with private money and give it to the city. Star-Advertiser.

Support for an inclusive playground is there. But where should it be built? Dozens on both sides of the controversy over a proposed, privately funded playground at Ala Moana Park attended a rally at the park today. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Bill 25 standoff reveals difficulty in requiring greener energy as part of Oahu’s building code. Improving energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings is a key element to reducing global climate heating. And on Oahu, there’s plenty of room for improvement, as our built environment is responsible for some 35% of the island’s carbon pollution, according to the city’s recently established greenhouse gas inventory. Star-Advertiser.

=====

Financial affairs of Abigail Kawananakoa may be overseen by conservator. A hearing will be held to determine whether a conservator will be appointed to oversee the financial affairs of Abigail Kawananakoa outside of her $215 million trust, a judge ruled Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian royalty descendant rejects calls for appointment of a conservator. Hawaiian royalty descendant Abigail Kawananakoa was back in court Friday, rejecting claims she can’t handle her own financial affairs and medical needs. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Waikiki residents concerned by bikers on sidewalks. Riding a bike on the sidewalk is illegal. KITV.

This Run Down Shopping Center In Hawaii Kai Has Neighbors Begging For Repairs. It’s not the only shopping center in Hawaii that is showing signs of decay. But this community, fueled by a neighborhood social media discussion, is fighting back. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Land Use Commission rejects Mauna Kea petition. A petition that challenged the density of development of astronomy observatories on Mauna Kea was denied Friday by the state Land Use Commission, with a majority of the commissioners declaring they have no jurisdiction over the issue. Star-Advertiser.

Land commission votes 5-2 to deny request by two Hilo residents. The state Land Use Commission voted Friday to deny a petition that requested a declaration that the use of land at Maunakea summit is improper for its current zoning. Tribune-Herald.

=====

Sirens in tsunami-prone areas now ‘highest priority'. Prioritization of emergency warning siren maintenance, repair and installation across the state has changed. West Hawaii Today.

Final review of proposed dolphin swimming ban continues. Federal officials are still working to finalize a rule three years in the making that’ll render it illegal to approach or swim with Hawaiian spinner dolphins in Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui continues to discuss how to meet Hawaii’s renewable-energy goals. The months-long, record-breaking heat wave that has caused spikes in Maui’s electricity use underscores why the island — and the state as a whole — has such ambitious renewable-energy goals. Star-Advertiser.

Column: Tax reform legislation moves to the full council on Nov. 8. Five months ago, the Maui County Council’s Economic Development and Budget Committee decided to study options for more equitable taxation by creating a temporary investigative group, or TIG, on real property tax reform. Maui News.

Local Businesses Open Up Shop at Wailea Village. Wailea Village, a new shopping center in South Maui that promises a “different” and “outdoor-focused” retail experience, is now the home of several locally owned stores. Maui Now.

Kauai

Police Chief Calls For New Procedures In Wake Of School Threats. Responding to recent threats against island schools, Kaua'i Police Chief Todd Raybuck described school lockdowns and evacuations as appropriate when the threats are active and imminent, but said they may not be when unconfirmed. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai’s police chief urges parents to remind kids about seriousness of making threats. In light of recent threats against DOE schools, Kauai’s Police Chief Todd Raybuck is strengthening the call for the community to work together to prevent future incidents. Hawaii News Now.

Eyes on the reefs. The sediment in Anini’s shallow lagoon could be saturated with heavy metals, according to results from a study conducted through volunteers with the nonprofit Reef Guardians Hawaii. Garden Island.

Monday, October 21, 2019

More Kahuku wind farm protesters arrested, Honolulu medical examiner ousted, Katherine Kealoha signs plea deal with feds, Maui mayor rejects injection well settlement, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Facebook photo by Choon James
Kahuku wind farm blockade PC: Choon James via Facebook
Honolulu police arrest more opponents blocking convoy to Kahuku wind farm. At least two dozen opponents of the Na Pua Makani project have joined themselves together with zip ties and duct tape in Kalaeloa in West Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Arrests made in Wind Farm Protest in Kalaeloa. Demonstrators have gathered in Kalaeloa in an effort to stop wind farm construction equipment from being moved to Kahuku. KITV.

Police arrest wind farm protesters at Kalaeloa as turbine blades depart for Kahuku. About 70 Honolulu Police personnel and over 70 protesters against the Na Pua Makani wind farm project have gathered in Kalaeloa Sunday night for the first time after 55 protesters were arrested Thursday and Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Kahuku wind farm protesters prepare for long fight. Kahuku resident Kananiloaanuenue Ponciano settled in for a 12-hour shift yesterday at the Ku Kia‘i Kahuku campsite along Kamehameha Highway on the North Shore, the hub for protesters of a planned wind farm. Star-Advertiser.

With Eye On Mauna Kea, Oahu Isn’t Letting Protesters Stop Unpopular Projects. But the price for pushing through unpopular projects such as the Na Pua Makani wind farm is an enormous logistical effort to keep the kia’i at bay. Civil Beat.

=====

Where Do All Of Hawaii’s Recyclables Go? No One Knows For Sure. Hawaii is unlikely to get a recycling facility anytime soon, so your soda cans and water bottles must travel thousands of miles to be recycled. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Schools Are Making Progress In Career And Technical Education. Completion of a vocational education program was the only area where DOE students showed improvement in the 2018-19 school year. Civil Beat.

Researchers find second warship from WWII Battle of Midway. A group of deep-sea researchers looking for sunken World War II ships have found a second Japanese aircraft carrier that went down in the Pacific during the historic Battle of Midway. Associated Press.

Oahu

HART takes gamble on partnership plan for rail. The decision to use a public-private partnership to complete the Honolulu rail project has always been a bit of a gamble, but now the stakes are getting higher, and the city is all in. Star-Advertiser.

Katherine Kealoha Signs Plea Deal With Prosecutors. Her attorney said she signed a deal at the Federal Detention Center Sunday morning. Civil Beat.

Honolulu’s Chief Medical Examiner may be out of job. Dr. Christopher Happy has been the city’s Chief Medical Examiner since 2013. But according to City Council Chair Ikaika Anderson, the Mayor’s office is moving to terminate him. KHON2.

=====

Pilot project aimed at reducing Oahu’s homeless will start in Waipahu. A hub for homeless services will go up in the middle of Waipahu Cultural Garden Park — home to Hawaii’s Plantation Village. Star-Advertiser.

Roving homeless service center with inflatable tents to debut in Waipahu. In an effort to get more homeless people off the streets and into shelters, the state and city are teaming up to launch a mobile hub for temporary housing and services that will be open around the clock. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Once-Defeated Kaneohe Cemetery Expansion Plan Is Back. While many neighbors are mounting opposition to the new proposal, the expansion has vocal support from several Native Hawaiian organizations. Civil Beat.

City to consider limits for South Shore surfing contests. The city is considering setting limits for surfing contests at Oahu’s South Shore, where Olympian Duke Kahanamoku and his fellow Waikiki beachboys put the sport on the map. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The debate over the Mauna Kea Access Road is likely to be brought up at this week’s Hawaiian Homes meetings in Hilo. A discussion on Act 14, which directly relates to the Mauna Kea Access Road disagreement, is on the agenda when the commission meets Monday. Big Island Video News.

Plea deal is offered to arrested TMT protesters. The state Attorney General’s Office has offered a plea deal to protesters who were arrested in July for blocking Maunakea Access Road that would dispose of their cases if each pays a $100 fine. Star-Advertiser.

=====

Input sought on proposed solar project in Waikoloa. Developers of a 400- to 600-acre solar array proposed for Waikoloa are seeking input on the project they say will generate enough energy to power over 14,200 average households. West Hawaii Today.

South Point Wind Farm Requests License For Potential Bat, Petrel, Nene Deaths. Tawhiri Power LLC is requesting a 20-year Incidental Take License for the Pakini Nui Wind Farm on the island of Hawai‘i to permit incidental take of the Hawaiian Hoary Bat, the Hawaiian Petrel, and the Nene. Big Island Video News.

Kampachi Farms moving forward with macroalgae project in waters off Kona Coast. Kampachi Farms plans to begin testing next summer an underwater farm the mariculture company hopes will produce large quantities of limu — edible seaweed — off the Kona Coast. West Hawaii Today.

Home sales are down but prices are up. Home sales and home prices on the Big Island in the third quarter were neck and neck with those in the second. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino will defy a County Council resolution and continue to pursue the county’s case before the U.S. Supreme Court over Lahaina injection wells. The mayor posted a letter on the county website Friday afternoon. Maui News.

House finance chair: New Maui jail a priority. Top House Finance Committee members visit island. Maui News.

Protest Signs Condemn Residential Construction for ‘Desecration’ of Iwi. The symbols express opposition to the construction of 60 new single-family homes for the last phase of The Parkways at Maui Lani due to the presence of iwi kūpuna, or human remains.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Agencies seek businesses’ help. The Federal Emergency Management Agency in partnership with the County of Kauai will be hosting Industry Day at the Kauai Emergency Management Agency on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Garden Island.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Kahuku wind farm protesters arrested as equipment moves to site, wetter than average winter, lawmakers debate flavored e-cigs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2019 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Double rainbow in Hilo ©2019 All Hawaii News
Above-average rainfall and temperatures coming this winter. The National Weather Service announced Thursday that the islands likely will experience above-average rainfall this winter along with warmer-than-normal temperatures. Star-Advertiser.

NOAA Forecast: ‘Above Average’ Rainfall For Hawaii Through April. As such, existing drought is expected to be eliminated by the end of the rainy season. Civil Beat.

National Weather Service: Expect 'Wetter Than Average' Winter. According to the National Weather Service's outlook on the state's wet season, you can expect a "wetter than normal" winter this year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Warmer temps, above average rainfall predicted for upcoming wet season. Weather models predict Hawaii will see a wetter ― and warmer ― wet season, which extends from October through April. Hawaii News Now.

Upcoming Wet Season to Eliminate Current Drought in Hawai‘i. Maui Now.

Forecasters predict wetter-than-average rainy season. Hilo International Airport averages 80.63 inches during the rainy season, October through April. Tribune-Herald.

Ready for rain. It’s going to be a rainy wet season across Hawaii, and Hanalei could be looking at potential flooding throughout the season. Garden Island.

Marine heat waves, like the one behind Hawaii’s sweltering summer, poised to be ‘new normal’. Five years ago, a vast stretch of warm water emerged across the North Pacific Ocean, extending from Alaska to California to Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s surf might disappear completely if climate change worsens, experts say. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Lawmakers to revisit statewide ban of flavored e-cigarettes. State lawmakers, grappling with how to stop an unprecedented rise in vaping among Hawaii youth, will consider a statewide ban of flavored electronic cigarettes again next legislative session amid a growing outbreak of lung illnesses nationwide. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers discuss options after second case of vaping-related lung illness. After a second vaping-related lung illness was confirmed, lawmakers met today to discuss options for what to do to address the vaping epidemic in Hawaii. KHON2.

Hawaii High Schooler To Legislators: Ban Flavored E-Cigs. Meanwhile, a major Hawaii e-cigarette retailer said a flavor ban wouldn’t do any good. Civil Beat.

State confirms 2nd case of lung illness associated with vaping. State health officials confirmed Thursday that there is now a second severe lung illness case associated with vaping. It involves a young adult from Kauai.  KHON2.

=====

Shortage of Hawaii Pro Bono Attorneys Hobbles Legal Aid To Asylum-Seekers. As many as 150 Central American migrants seeking asylum have found their way to Hawaii from the U.S. Mexico border. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii to receive $1.5 million from Johnson & Johnson for not properly disclosing side effects of device. Hawaii will receive about $1.5 million from pharmaceutical company Johnson and Johnson for deceiving customers on one of its medical devices. KITV.

Johnson & Johnson, Ethicon Inc. reach $116.9M settlement over medical device: Here's how much Hawaii gets. Hawaii will be receiving $1.5 million from the settlement. Pacific Business News.

Oahu


Wind Farm Protesters Arrested As They Blockade Road For Construction Vehicles. After the arrests, four construction trucks carrying sections of turbines left for the wind farm site in Kahuku. Civil Beat.

Kahuku wind farm convoy blocked by felled electric pole after protesters arrested. Equipment for Kahuku wind farm project leaves Kapolei after police arrest protesters. Police are turning around vehicles on Kamehameha Highway near Sunset Beach because a Hawaiian Electric Co. electric pole was cut down, officers confirmed, presumably to stop the wind turbine convoy from reaching Kahuku. Star-Advertiser.

Police arrest 22 Kahuku wind farm opponents staging late-night blockade in Kalaeloa. Honolulu police arrested 22 opponents of a planned wind energy farm in Kahuku after they tried to block large turbines and other pieces of construction equipment from getting to the North Shore late Thursday into early Friday. Hawaii News Now.

Demonstrators opposed to the new wind turbines on the North Shore are arrested overnight. Police have arrested 22 people in Kalaeloa where demonstrators have been blocking the large wind turbine equipment from leaving the AES Baseyard. KHON2.

Kahuku wind farm opponents arrested during blockade in Kalaeloa. Those opposed to the project are concerned about the environmental and health impacts to the small north shore community. KITV.

Kahuku Wind Farm Protesters Want A Solar Farm Instead. Protesters in Kahuku who have been blocking the movement of equipment for a wind farm said they would support a solar farm in its place. Hawaii Public Radio.

=====

Navy eyes new 2045 deadline for Red Hill tank improvements. Navy officials said Thursday that they’re committed to finding a way to install a secondary containment system around their massive, underground fuel tanks at Red Hill where 27,000 gallons of fuel leaked in 2014 — and if they can’t, they will remove the fuel around the year 2045. Star-Advertiser.

Navy Resists Calls To Relocate Or Strengthen Red Hill Fuel Tanks. Critics worried about leaks into Honolulu’s drinking water are calling for the Navy to relocate the tanks as fast as possible. Civil Beat.

=====

Staffer Convicted In Union Vote Rigging No Longer At HART. Yamanoha’s continued employment at HART drew criticism, but rail agency officials won’t say whether he was fired or left voluntarily. Civil Beat.

Once-Defeated Kaneohe Cemetery Expansion Plan Is Back. While many neighbors are mounting opposition to the new proposal, the expansion has the vocal support from several Native Hawaiian organizations. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s Green Energy Projects Search For Ways To Navigate Community Opposition. A number of new solar and wind projects are needed in Oahu to replace the last coal-fired plant, which is scheduled to close in 2022. Civil Beat.

Uncertain future for The Arts at Marks Garage. The Arts at Marks Garage has been a gathering place for local artists for nearly 20 years. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Altitude sickness challenges state officers and TMT protesters. Union filed grievance over evacuations from Mauna Kea. Hawaii News Now obtained a HGEA grievance and letter sent in September to the Department of Public Safety. Hawaii News Now.

UH On Mauna Kea, “Why Are We Stuck?” Greg Chun, the executive director of Maunakea stewardship at the University of Hawaiʻi, gave a talk at UH-Hilo on Thursday about the ongoing conflict on the mountain. Big Island Video News.

University of Hawaii regents call for civility and nonviolence in TMT debate. The University of Hawaii Board of Regents is calling for nonviolence and de- escalation of tension in the university community in connection with the conflict over Mauna Kea. Star-Advertiser.

=====

NOAA Ship Surveys New Lava Deltas Off Puna. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Ship "Rainier" was off the Puna coast in September, measuring the bathymetry following last summer's lower East Rift Zone lava flows. Big Island Video News.

Kona Community Aquatic Center to reopen Tuesday. The Kona Community Aquatic Center reopens to the public on Tuesday following a lengthy over-the-summer closure. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Council to consider hiring special counsel over charter debate. Attorneys dispute who has authority to withdraw county from injection wells case. Maui News.

Judge Kelsey Kawano Appointed to Maui’s Circuit Court. Maui Judge Kelsey Kawano has been appointed to fill the vacancy on the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit. Maui Now.

Expert: Hawaii could lose ‘localness’ if housing not fixed. 2-day forum on attainable homes held at MACC. Maui News.

Mahi Pono Potatoes to Debut at Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival on Maui. Maui Now.

Ross Opens Third Maui Store, New Anchor Tenant at Lahaina Gateway. Maui Now.

Tori Richard signs lease as part of Westin Maui's $100M upgrade. Tori Richard Ltd. has signed a lease for a 1,100-square-foot lobby retail space at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali, which has been undergoing a $100 million repositioning. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Three Kauai schools on lockdown. Police detained one person and are looking into “persons of interest” in connection to threats that forced lockdowns of school campuses in Lihue and Kapaa for over an hour Thursday. Garden Island.