Legislature kills tax breaks on food and medicine, teacher and doctor retention falls, Senate to vote on bill legalizing recreational marijuana, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii lawmakers kill excise food tax exemption, but other proposed relief lives on. The proposal to end Hawaii’s 4.5% excise tax on food and medicine has died at the state Legislature, but there is still millions of dollars in income tax relief still on the table as the 2023 session nears its midpoint. Hawaii News Now.

Key state Senate vote today on measure aimed at physician retention. A bill that would exempt medical providers from the state’s general excise tax for treating Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE patients will be voted on today in the Senate. Tribune-Herald.

Report: Teacher Turnover Increases In Hawaii. Hawaii saw a 12.3% uptick in turnover of public school teachers during the 2021-2022 academic year compared with the school year that began in fall 2017, according to an employment report by the state Department of Education. Civil Beat.

Bill To Legalize Weed Set For Vote In Hawaii Senate. Senate Bill 669 would allow residents to grow, consume and sell less than 1 ounce of cannabis within the state of Hawaii. It also establishes taxes for cannabis sales.  Civil Beat.

Tax to fund affordable housing advances in state Legislature. Senate Bill 362, Draft 2, which raises the conveyance tax on property sales over $2 million, has survived committee (a feat that only one in 10 bills achieve) and is set for a final floor vote in the Senate this week. Garden Island.

A push to charge for rescues on hikers blatantly ignoring rules. Senate Bill 786 would charge an individual who ignores warning signs, leave a trail to get to a prohibited area, or go on an illegal hike. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi's economic growth could surpass the national average, DBEDT says. In their latest report, the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism predicted Hawaiʻi to have a better economic outcome than the national average. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lobbying continues for midwifery licensing bill at state Capitol. A bill to define licensure laws for traditional birth attendants died in the state House of Representatives last week, but some members of the public haven’t given up hope.  Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Budget committee chair seeks longer-term solutions within Blangiardi's $4.5B proposal. The Blangiardi administration is proposing a $3.4 billion operating budget and a $1.09 billion Capitol Improvement Plan budget. Both are roughly a 6% increase from the previous year.  Hawaii Public Radio.

HPD seeking budget increase amid recruitment efforts. The staffing woes continue at the Honolulu Police Department with 360 police officer positions remaining unfilled. KHON2.

Honolulu Emergency Services proposal for new Ocean Safety, ambulance facilities. The Honolulu Emergency Services Department is proposing a 17.6% budget increase for fiscal year 2024. KHON2.

Median sales price for Oahu single-family homes stays under $1M. The median sales price of previously owned single-family homes on Oahu stayed below the $1 million mark for the second month in a row, and days on the market nearly quadrupled — signs that the local housing market is continuing to soften amid high inflation, relatively high mortgage rates and concerns about a looming U.S. recession. Star-Advertiser.

Surviving bill would give OHA $6M for an environmental study on Kakaʻako Makai. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs said it is not receptive to reopening the 2012 ceded lands settlement with the state because it is not giving up its Kakaʻako Makai lands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Native Hawaiian protesters who are ‘tired of waiting’ stage protest to claim DHHL lands. This week, the group began placing signs on vacant Department of Hawaiian Home Land parcels in Waianae and Kalaeloa, “reclaiming” the land for beneficiaries. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Josh Green simplifying Aloha Stadium P3 plan. Gov. Josh Green has decided to pursue an alternate path for redeveloping Aloha Stadium in which a private partner would develop and operate a new stadium wholly or largely paid for by the state. Star-Advertiser.

Council chair: Law needs to be changed to fix flawed Waikiki Safe and Sound program. Critics complain there are no immediate consequences for repeat offenders caught violating Waikiki’s Safe and Sound program. Now, the district’s councilman is calling on the courts for help. Hawaii News Now.

Ex-Mililani athletic director surrenders in theft case. The former Mililani High School athletic director and baseball coach accused of stealing more than $400,000 from the school’s Athletic Booster Club Inc. surrendered to state Sheriff’s deputies this morning. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Official Reports Of Drug Use At Hawaii’s Largest Prison Are Challenged By Staff. Staff allege that the number of inmates who tested positive at the Halawa Correctional Facility is higher than official figures. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Nene’s death sparks call for action in Keaukaha. Nonprofits and native bird enthusiasts are pleading with government officials for help mitigating traffic in Keaukaha after a nene was killed by a driver last weekend. Tribune-Herald.

Maui’s ‘Dolphin Dave’ cited for harassing dolphins, humpback whale at Hawaiʻi Island state park. A 65-year-old Maui man is accused of actively pursuing an adolescent humpback whale and dolphins inside Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

800 attend Big Island cockfight; four men charged with firearms, drug offenses. Four men were arrested for firearms offenses on March 4 while at a cockfight in Kealakekua, where drugs and illegal firearms were recovered, along with U.S. currency and two vehicles for forfeiture, according to Hawaiʻi Island police. Big Island Now. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Lease dispute escalates over state land in Hilo. Legal challenges against the state by a Hilo business owner whose lease agreement is in jeopardy could heat up after a hearing Friday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Excavation starts at site of fuel spill atop Haleakalā. Excavation for cleanup of the Haleakalā fuel spill site began March 2, 2023, at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex following approval of a work plan.  Maui Now.

DLNR pursues owners for costs to remove yacht from Maui reef. The nominee to run the state Department of Land and Natural Resources plans to go after the owners of an illegally moored yacht that broke free, leaked fuel and damaged 20 species of coral near a Maui marine life conservation district. Star-Advertiser.

Contract negotiations for Maui County hospital workers continue, but talks break down. Negotiations between Kaiser’s Maui Health System and the United Public Workers union for a new contract for nearly 500 health care workers continued Monday, but talks broke down after just two hours, officials said. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Lanai Water Utility Seeks Significant Increase In Rates. The Lanai Water Co. is seeking a rate increase that would add $76.78 to the average customer’s monthly bill, which now is $18.75. Civil Beat.

350 still without power; initial outage impacted 6,900 customers from Pukalani to Hāna, Maui. Approximately 6,900 customers from the Pukalani to Hāna area experienced the outage starting around 6:40 a.m. Maui Now.

Kauai

Scrap metal not accepted at Līhuʻe refuse transfer center March 6-10.  The Līhu‘e refuse transfer station will not be accepting residential scrap metal for recycling from March 6 to 10 due to equipment issues. Kauai Now.

Legislature mulls minimum wage, clean elections, gambling junket tax, other bills; state ponders Mauna Kea chemical spill, Maui school must build pedestrian overpass, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Bill for local minimum wages introduced in state Legislature. A bill that would allow counties in Hawaiʻi to set local minimum wages by ordinance, as long as those wages are higher than the state minimum wage, has been introduced at the state Legislature. Maui Now. KITV4.

‘Clean elections’ bill gains support. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday passed unanimously a bill to establish a comprehensive public financing system for political candidates running for state and county offices who agree to abide by campaign fundraising and expenditure guidelines. Tribune-Herald.

Love to gamble? Lawmakers want to tax those junkets to the 9th Island. That quick junket to the Ninth Island — or any other gambling location — could cost you a lot more under a proposal moving in the state Legislature. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

New bill proposes an outright ban to riding in truck beds. Should the law prohibit people from riding in the back of pickup trucks? A new bill moving through the Legislature raises safety concerns around the issue, as traffic fatalities continue to rise. KHON2.

Blinding headlights to be regulated by new bill. To improve road safety, a bill to require proper headlight beam height is being proposed.  KHON2.

Hawaii Legislature Proposes More Aid For Kupuna Housing. Lawmakers want to create a new rental subsidy program targeted at those 62 years and older. Civil Beat.

Various criminal acts would be subject to fines instead of arrests. A bill aimed at curbing overcrowding in Hawaii’s jails has cleared its first legislative hurdle. Tribune-Herald.

Bill looks to install photovoltaic panels over school playgrounds. Not only would the move shield children from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, installing the solar arrays would also help offset electricity costs for the department, according to House Bill 896. West Hawaii Today.

Why Blind Students Struggle To Get Braille Textbooks On Time. Legislators are considering a bill that would force public schools to provide timely instructional material. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Is Short Medical Workers. Are Interstate Compacts The Solution?. A string of bills allowing the state to join different industry compacts will be heard in the Senate on Friday, with lawmakers hoping that their passage will expand medical access. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Council committee advances DPP director nominee. The Honolulu City Council’s Committee on Planning and the Economy voted unanimously Thursday to advance Dawn Takeuchi Apuna toward leading the city’s troubled Department of Planning and Permitting. Star-Advertiser.

Waiahole Valley residents on Oahu fear mass eviction. A rural Windward Oahu community where physical standoffs occurred five decades ago between a private landlord and tenants is once again the scene of intense discord over rent, though this time the landlord is the state. Star-Advertiser.

Application process opens for ‘affordable’ units in Kuilei Place. Situated on a 3.15-acre site currently occupied by low-rise rentals near the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and Mahiai Street, the project will receive upward of $12.3 million in exemptions and waivers for city permitting, plan reviews, fire, storm drain and public works fees. Star-Advertiser.

Legislators take another run at lifting residential ban on Kakaʻako Makai. Lawmakers are considering a bill to allow the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to build housing units in Kakaʻako, makai of Ala Moana Boulevard. However, a 17-year-old ban on residential development in the area is still in place. Hawaii Public Radio.

Autopsy: South African rugby player killed by Honolulu police had CTE. A Black former professional rugby player from South Africa shot by police months after moving to Hawaii suffered from a degenerative brain disease often found in American football players and other athletes subjected to repeated head trauma, autopsy results show. Associated Press.

Sea Life Park Facelift Moves Ahead. The Honolulu City Council is moving toward approval of a major facelift and refurbishment of a popular marine life entertainment center on a spectacular land parcel on eastern Oahu. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

State mulls next steps following incident at Maunakea telescope. The scope and impact of a chemical leak last month at a Maunakea observatory remain unclear, according to University of Hawaii officials. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii preschool at center of contentious dispute with state closes its doors. An unlicensed preschool in Hilo ordered to close last fall, partly over lead concerns, is now shut down for good. Staff at Kalamapii Playschool are moving out after the facility’s lease was terminated. Hawaii News Now.

Final EA On Miloliʻi Beach Park Project Published. The Miloliʻi Beach Park Accessibility Improvement Project will bring the pavilion and other park amenities into ADA compliance. Big Island Video News.

Two Big Island resorts among top 15 in country by U.S. News & World Report. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island was ranked No. 6 on the latest “Best Hotels in the USA” list by U.S. News & World Report.  Big Island Now.

Maui

New Maui High School: Opening Date Uncertain After DOE Agrees To Build Overpass. The construction project will likely take years to complete, further delaying the school's opening. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

‘Welcome to Paia, Do Not Feed the Hippies’ sign doesn’t reflect the town, residents say. While some got a laugh out of a new Pāʻia road sign that mocks hippies, longtime area residents said it’s derogatory and divisive during a time when the historic town needs help. Maui Now.

Kauai

Affordable housing nonprofit buys Hoku Foods building in Kapa‘a.  The affordable housing nonprofit Permanently Affordable Living has bought the Hoku Building in Kapa‘a, which features 14 apartments and Hoku Foods Natural Market. Garden Island.

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay set to open Wednesday.  After nearly three years of renovations, the former St. Regis Princeville Resort is reopening under a new luxury hotel brand focused on sustainability and local ties. Garden Island.

Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, miss out on vaccine; Kakaako Makai condos die; Honolulu trains have defective wheels, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian family man ©2021 All Hawaii News

Only 8.8% of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have received COVID vaccine, DOH says. Three months into Hawaii’s vaccination campaign, only 8.8% of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have received immunizations though they represent more than 40% of COVID-19 cases in the islands. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Bill that would bar suspension of public records requests during emergency advances. A state Senate bill that would bar the governor or county mayors from suspending requests for public records or vital statistics during a declared state of emergency passed its first committee hurdle in the House. Tribune-Herald.

Lawmakers look to claw back felons’ pensions. Former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha is set to begin a seven-year prison sentence next month for felony convictions relating to his use of police officers to help frame his wife’s uncle. But that won’t stop his $9,700 monthly pension payments that come with having served 33 years on the police force. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii police chiefs defend themselves on video, but won’t take reporters’ questions. Communicating with the public is becoming a one-sided, scripted event for three of Hawaii’s police chiefs. They’ve refused multiple media requests for interviews on the challenges facing their departments ― and criticism of them personally ― instead using department-produced video statements to make their case. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i National Guard to Deploy 80 Members to Washington D.C. The Hawaiʻi National Guard is set to deploy about 80 of its members to Washington, D.C. to support US Capitol Police until early May. Maui Now.

Hawaii’s Unemployed Must Clear Up Earlier Benefit Snafus Before Getting Federal Dollars. Minor mistakes that led to overpayments of a few hundred dollars can hold up much more substantial relief for struggling families. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Telcom Brought Fast Broadband to 10,740 Locations in 2020. Last year Hawaiian Telcom enabled broadband service with speeds up to 940 megabits per second download and 300 Mbps upload to more than 10,740 locations in Hawai‘i, according to a news release. Maui Now.

March 16, 2021 COVID-19 Update: The state Department of Health reports that there were 48 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Tuesday, including 30 on O‘ahu, seven on Maui, eight on Hawai‘i Island, one on Kaua‘i, and two in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed out of state. Maui Now.

Oahu

Proposal for condo towers in Kakaako Makai dies. Kicking off a Save Our Kakaako Coalition rally Tuesday morning on the steps of the state Capitol, state House Speaker Scott Saiki announced the death of a bill seeking to change existing law to allow the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs to build housing in Kakaako Makai. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Proposal to Rename McKinley High School Introduced at Legislature. House Resolution 148 and House Concurrent Resolution 179 seek to acknowledge President William McKinley's role in the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom by returning McKinley High School's name to Honolulu High School. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2.

HART: Defective Train Wheels Are A ‘Major’ Problem And Possible Safety Issue. The latest defect, revealed after a tense exchange at a City Council hearing, could delay the system’s interim opening another year. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

As Oahu Karaoke bars struggle during the pandemic, owners ask mayor to modify reopening order. Under Honolulu’s rules, anyone singing needs to be at least 10 feet from any other person and a physical barrier must separate the person singing from others. Hawaii News Now.

Medical teams hit the street to vaccinate Hawaii’s most vulnerable homeless people. The initiative launched a little over a week ago. Hawaii’s Department of Health says since then, more than 500 homeless people have been immunized. Hawaii News Now.

Aloha Stadium replacement plan includes maintenance risk shift. Long-term maintenance expenses for a new stadium on Oahu would be preset under the state’s plan to replace Aloha Stadium using a private partner. Star-Advertiser.

Hanauma Bay will be closed due to a sewage pump failure. The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve will be closed Wednesday after the city discovered a sewage pump failure. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Controversial statue will be moved. A statue recently erected in Lili‘uokalani Gardens in Hilo will be moved after the County Council Finance Committee on Tuesday rejected the donation of the sculpture. Tribune-Herald.

Panel votes to repeal ‘non-speculative residential use’ tax exemption program. A County Council committee voted in favor of a bill to abolish a 30-year-old property tax exemption program. Tribune-Herald.

Hundreds get Johnson & Johnson vaccine at Hilo POD. Hundreds of people were vaccinated after waiting in line at the Edith Kanakaole Multi-Purpose Stadium. Tribune-Herald.

A Hele-On hub for Kona. Eleven Kailua-Kona locations are in the running for a centralized Hele-On bus hub, and the county wants to hear which one the public likes best, or if other sites would be better. West Hawaii Today.

County’s 1st hydrogen bus should be on the island within 6 weeks. After long delays, the county’s first hydrogen bus could be driving on Kailua-Kona’s streets by May. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mobile unit brings counseling, medical care to homeless. Homeless residents will be able to seek mental health counseling, noncritical medical care and other services in one location when the Maui Police Department launches its Mobile Medical Educational Unit. Maui News.

Hawaii task force sting nets 7 men suspected of online enticement of minors. A sting operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies in Hawaii has resulted in charges against seven men who are accused of soliciting who they believed to be minors for sex and arranging to meet up with them on Maui. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.


Kauai

State commission rules to end diversion of a Kauai stream. A ruling from Commission on Water Resource Management on Tuesday means the Lawai stream can no longer be fully diverted, like it has been for nearly a century. Hawaii News Now.

Emergency lane open on highway near Hanalei. A single lane is now open on Kuhio Highway by above the Hanalei Bridge, and concrete barriers have been placed along the side of the single emergency-only lane. Garden Island.

Council talks path erosion. Coastal erosion has already gone beneath the multi-purpose Ke Ala Hele Makalae coastal path at Wailua Beach, and the county knew that might happen. Garden Island.

Sea-level rise affects everyone. University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor Charles “Chip” Fletcher of the Department of Earth Sciences in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology believes Hawai‘i and other Polynesian islands are going to be most affected by the glaciers melting and experience more sea-level rise and coastal erosion in the near future. Garden Island.

House Speaker Saiki resurrects state property tax bill, groups sue DLNR over aquarium collectors, coronavirus hits Hawaii tourism, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

School of fish in Hawaii ©2020 All Hawaii News

State agency has not protected reef fish, lawsuit says. Earthjustice filed suit Monday against a state agency it says is sidestepping the law when it comes to the regulation of tropical fish taken from Hawaii’s reefs for the commercial aquarium pet trade. Star-Advertiser.

DLNR draws lawsuit. The State’s Department of Land and Natural Resources is drawing a lawsuit from the environmental law firm Earthjustice, claiming the agency has created loopholes for the aquarium fishing industry to continue unregulated. Garden Island.

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Saiki Proposes Tax Funding Measure To Raise Teacher Pay. Under the House Speaker’s plan, voters could approve a constitutional amendment giving the Hawaii Board of Education power to increase property taxes. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers seek to add new property tax to fund teacher pay. The bill comes a little more than a year after the Hawaii Supreme Court struck down a similar ballot question less than three weeks before the 2018 general election. Pacific Business News.

Bill introduced to better pay Hawaii's teachers. Speaker of the House Scott Saiki introduced the bill that would allow the public to vote on whether or not the Board of Education should be able to raise property taxes to fund teacher salaries. KITV4.

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Bill: Don’t Let State Workers Access Online Porn. Government facilities that provide free WiFi would also require blocking filters. Civil Beat.

A bevy of marijuana bills: Full legalization, dispensary improvements among proposed measures. After 2019 brought several changes to marijuana management at both the state and county level, dozens of new marijuana-related bills have been proposed in 2020. Tribune-Herald.

OHA Submits Package of Proposed Bills. As part of its mandate to advocate for Native Hawaiians, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs submits a package of proposed bills to the Hawai`i State Legislature each year. Maui Now.

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Agencies scramble as trips to and from China are scrubbed amid the coronavirus outbreak. The outbreak of the 2019 coronavirus is hitting travelers between Hawaii and China as well as Hawaii companies that rely on their business. Star-Advertiser.

Report: Two-Thirds of Hawaii Residents Struggle Financially. Residents cope by working multiple jobs, living with relatives and tapping savings, a new study shows. Civil Beat.

Major Decrease In Hawaii’s Cost Of Living Unlikely, But A Little May Be Enough. According to Peter Fulekey, an economist with the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, the price of goods and services in Hawaii are 18.5 percent higher than the national average. Hawaii Public Radio.

Midwives prepare for licensing. Midwives in Hawaii are gearing up for new licensing requirements that will go into effect this summer. Tribune-Herald.

New suitor comes forward to buy Hawaiian Telcom’s parent company. An unsolicited potential acquirer has upped the ante for Hawaiian Telcom’s parent company, and investors are speculating that the offer may have fueled a bidding war. Star-Advertiser.

Bank of Hawaii posts 7.8% earnings increase and announces 4 new branches. Bank of Hawaii Corp. reported today that its net income rose 7.8% in the fourth quarter amid solid loan and deposit growth. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Kalama vigil tonight, Enriquez funeral Thursday. A candlelight vigil will be held tonight at Sandy Beach to honor the memory of Honolulu police officer Kaulike Kalama, whom friends and family have described as a “quiet hero,” whose calm presence made him the “rock” that others looked to as a source of strength. Star-Advertiser.

City considers creating a new utility (and fee) for tackling storm water. The city is considering a new utility ― and a fee for residents ― in order to better manage storm water runoff. Hawaii News Now.

Renewed calls for law enforcement on central O'ahu ag-land. Hawaii State Senator Donovan Dela Cruz (D) is calling for a security presence on state agricultural lands in Wahiawa. KITV4.

Kakaako tower facing extraordinary maintenance fee hike. Living in Kakaako was supposed to be pretty affordable for several hundred moderate-income Hawaii residents who bought into a condominium tower via lottery last year at Ward Village. Star-Advertiser.

Nearly one year after fatal Kakaako crash, new plans to improve safety at intersections. Tuesday, Jan. 28 will mark one year since the deadly Kakaako crash that injured six people and killed three pedestrians, local doctor, Travis Lau, Reino Ikeda from Japan and Casimir Pokorny from Pennsylvania. KHON2.

Major make-over for Ewa Beach park set to begin. Nightly closure signs have gone up at One'ula Beach Park, just the start of major multi-million dollars improvements. KITV4.

How These Makaha Neighbors Saved A County Park From Crime And Weeds. When police and social services agencies couldn’t help, this small band of neighbors took matters into their own hands. And it worked. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Construction ongoing: Kona prosecutor’s office delayed, completion now set for March. Hawaii County prosecutors will have to wait a couple more months before they can move into their new home at the West Hawaii Civic Center. West Hawaii Today.

Stinky problem points to need for sewer solution. A sewer system for Naalehu has been talked about for decades, but it can come none too soon, as a stinky problem last week demonstrated. West Hawaii Today.

County begins Alii Drive sinkhole repair work. Work is underway to repair damage to Alii Drive caused by a sinkhole that opened late last year fronting Coconut Grove Marketplace. West Hawaii Today.

Aliʻi Drive Sinkhole Repair Project Begins. The county says traffic on Ali‘i Drive fronting Coconut Grove Marketplace will be reduced to one lane during daylight hours as crews work to repair damage caused by sinkhole. Big Island Video News.

National Park Works To Reopen Popular Lava Tube. The unpaved Escape Road will close while repairs continue at Nāhuku, also known as Thurston Lava Tube, damaged during the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea. Big Island Video News.

Escape Road at HVNP to Close Temporarily. An unpaved emergency route between Highway 11 and the comfort station at Nahuku (Thurston Lava Tube) will be closed to the public starting Tuesday, Jan. 28 while repairs to a faulty electrical line are made. Big Island Now.

Maui

Kaiser Permanente No Longer Has Contract For Med-QUEST Coverage On Maui. Med-QUEST, the state’s health and medical coverage for low-income individuals, has awarded healthcare providers HMSA, United Healthcare, AlohaCare and Ohana Health Plan contracts that take effect in July. Hawaii Public Radio.

Stubbs Named Kihei Charter Head of School. Stubbs replaces former Head of School John Colson, who has been with the school for several years and will now serve as an educational consultant. Maui Now.

Fewer turtles found stranded in 2019 than in year previous. Fishing gear – mainly nets – continues to be the greatest cause of marine entanglements. Maui News.

Pro-life marchers take to the streets in Kahului. A sign-waving crowd of about 190 people makes its way along Puunene Avenue in Kahului Saturday morning while taking part in the annual Maui March for Life. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai United Way funding being considered. Nonprofit organizations that provide human services to the people of Kauai can now apply for Kauai United Way funding covering the period from July 2020 through June, 2021. Garden Island.

Small group rallies against abortion on Kauai. Garden Island.

University officials grilled over budget, Honolulu mayor signs plastics ban, Kauai woman, Mormon church, settle over child sex assault claims, Mauna Kea obstruction defense cites war crimes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

University of Hawaii - Hilo ©2019 All Hawaii News

UH Executive Salary Hikes, $2.7M Enrollment Contract Under Scrutiny. State lawmakers grilled University of Hawaii President David Lassner on Friday about the university's spending, focusing on a $2.7 million consultant contract to increase enrollment and recent salary increases for UH vice presidents. Hawaii Public Radio.

Senators question University of Hawaii officials over spending and raises. State senators grilled University of Hawaii President David Lassner on Friday for hiring an outside firm to help recruit new students and giving his vice presidents raises when student enrollment overall has dropped. Star-Advertiser.

Senators Think UH Regents Are ‘Too Cozy’ With Officials. A Senate panel will be digging into university issues in the next month. Civil Beat.

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State employees say supervisors are spying on them with taxpayer-funded cameras. Over the course of the last year, an additional set of surveillance cameras have been installed at the state parole office on Alakea Street. Hawaii News Now.

State budgets $2.5M to replace state Capitol’s carpeting. The price tag for a project to replace the carpets in offices and meeting rooms on four floors of the state Capitol is approaching $2 million, with crews working seven days a week to get the first phase of the job finished in time for the Jan. 15 opening of the state Legislature, according to state Comptroller Curt Otaguro. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Single-use plastic ban becomes law on Oahu. Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Sunday signed into law one of the nation’s strictest bans on plastics, which will prohibit all single-use plastic plates, bowls, cups and serv­ice ware on Oahu by 2022. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor signs Plastic Ban into law. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell signs one of the strictest plastics ban into law Sunday following a 7-2 vote on the City Council level earlier this month. KHON2.

Bill 40 signed into law, banning most disposable plastics on Oahu by 2022. Supporters say protests from Hawaii's food manufacturers and restaurant owners allowed them to work together to include exemptions for local businesses. KITV.

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Ala Moana park playground backers announce relocation. A nonprofit group that has been working to build an inclusive playground at Ala Moana Regional Park announced Saturday that it now will focus on building the playground at Kakaako Makai Gateway Park. Star-Advertiser.

Controversial Playground Moving To Kaka'ako From Ala Moana. An inclusive playground planned at Ala Moana Regional Park will instead be built in Kaka'ako Makai Gateway Park, the group that lobbied for the project announced Saturday. Hawaii Public Radio.

A controversial playground planned for Ala Moana is headed to Kakaako. Supporters of a controversial playground at Ala Moana Beach Park officially announced Saturday that they are moving the project to Kakaako. Hawaii News Now.

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HART Reversed Course And Fired Embattled Employee. HART’s top executive has declined to say who advised the rail agency regarding former agency information specialist, Russell Yamanoha. Civil Beat.

Aiea Board Gives Its Blessing To Preliminary Plans For A New Jail. In a surprise move, after early indications they would oppose the project, the Aiea Neighborhood Board has given its blessing to the state’s next planning steps toward building a new jail in Halawa to replace the decrepit Oahu Community Correctional Center in Kalihi. Civil Beat.

Naval Air Museum Barbers Point cleaning up after eviction. The Naval Air Museum Barbers Point is busy clearing out exhibits and displays since getting evicted by the state over five weeks ago. KITV.

Spalding House’s closure brings mixed emotions, memories to those who loved it. The parking lot at Spalding House, the museum tucked away in Makiki Heights, has been packed this month as dozens of visitors walk its grounds one last time. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County bill seeks to update energy code. Proposed amendments to the county’s conservation code intended to reduce power use and construction costs will be discussed at a county committee meeting next week. Tribune-Herald.

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Attorneys Plan To Argue State Engaging In “War Crimes”. Attorneys representing some of the kupuna arrested on the Mauna Kea Access Road in opposition to the Thirty Meter Telescope plan to fight obstruction charges on grounds that are related to the occupation of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Big Island Video News.

5-year window for state to reimburse Hawaii county for Mauna Kea law enforcement. It took the state and county to November 1 to sign their written agreement on how the state will reimburse the county for police overtime relating to the blockade. Hawaii News Now.

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With Highway 132 open, county officials focus on recovery efforts for other lava-hit areas. About 13 miles of public roads were inundated by lava during the eruption last year, including portions of Highway 132, Highway 137, Pohoiki Road, Leilani Avenue, Hinalo Street, Honuaula Street and Lighthouse Road. Tribune-Herald.

Kimball launches council campaign. Surrounded by a small but vocal crowd of supporters yelling out a paddler’s cheer, Heather Kimball on Friday launched her campaign for the open County Council District 1 seat. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Vacation Rental Fine Hikes to Take Effect. Beginning Dec. 27, illegal short-term vacation rentals will be fined $20,000, plus another $10,000 each day the operation continues. Maui Now.

Nonresidents Will Soon Have to Pay for Parking at Big Beach. Beginning the first week of January, nonresidents will have to pay $5 for parking at the Makena State Park, the Department of Land and Natural Resources announced Friday. Maui Now.

Illegal Parking, Trespassing at Jaws Challenge Sparks Community Concern. Representatives from the Hana Highway Regulation committee say they received numerous complaints from Haʻikū residents regarding illegal parking and trespassing on private property during the contest on Thursday. Maui Now.

Kauai

Settlement reached in church suit. The Mormon Church has settled a lawsuit by a Kauai woman, who accused a missionary of molesting her as a child. Garden Island.

Kuhio Highway closures begin today. The Hawaii Department of Transportation reminds the public of temporary full closures on Kuhio Highway at Mile Marker 1, the hill approaching Hanalei Bridge. Garden Island.

Hawaii GOP commits to Trump, Big Island ethics board to investigate Mauna Kea road blockade, Ala Moana park plan moved to Kakaako, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Elephants at Honolulu Zoo ©2019 All Hawaii News

Audit raises concerns about donation record-keeping, outdated facilities at zoo. A blistering audit of the troubled Honolulu Zoo is drawing mixed reactions from elected officials. The zoo lost its accreditation in 2016 and since then it has been an uphill battle to get it back. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii GOP commits all delegates to Trump. The Hawaii Republican Party has canceled plans for its statewide presidential preference poll and committed all 19 of its national convention delegates to back the reelection of President Donald Trump, the party announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Ige Pleased With Hawaii’s High Credit Rating. Fitch Ratings has upgraded the state’s general obligation bond rating from AA to AA+. Civil Beat.

Paid Family Leave Likely For Nearly 20,000 Federal Workers In Hawaii. The legislation is part of bipartisan defense authorization negotiations. Civil Beat.

The New NextEra? HECO Is Fighting This Mainland Firm’s Bid For Control. Hawaiian Electric Industries faces an aggressive campaign by a $15 billion hedge fund used to getting its way. Civil Beat.

Sailor’s suicide while on armed watch preceded deadly shipyard shooting.  A week after a deadly shipyard shooting in which a sailor opened fire and then killed himself, HNN is learning of another submariner’s suicide weeks earlier that also happened while the service member was on armed sentry duty. Hawaii News Now.

Divers use WWII-era gear for interment of USS Arizona crew member. Two Army divers gave a unique World War II sendoff to USS Arizona crew member Lauren Bruner when his ashes were interred on the sunken battleship Saturday, the 78th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Proposed Ala Moana playground headed to Kakaako. A group that has been planning to build an “inclusive” public playground at Ala Moana Regional Park is bowing to public pressure and agreeing to work with the community to instead place the facility on Kakaako park lands recently obtained by the city. Star-Advertiser.

Businesses, Company Reach Settlement On Kakaako Roads. The state attorney general isn’t part of the deal, so the suit continues toward its April trial date. Civil Beat.

Cyber Attack Halts Radiation Treatment By Oahu Cancer Center. Cyber attacks like those suffered by the Cancer Center of Hawaii in November have grown in frequency against medical providers in the state and nationwide. Civil Beat.

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City unveils mobile outreach center to help move homeless off the streets. The city unveiled new tents that are part of a mobile project to help homeless individuals and families transition into shelter and permanent housing. Hawaii News Now.

Inflatable structures unveiled to handle homelessness issues. Hawaii’s newest idea to reduce homelessness by quickly inflating portable structures to triage homeless people’s issues went up to applause on the lawn next to the Honolulu Police Department Wednesday before it moves to Waipahu Culture Garden Park Friday night for no longer than 90 days. Star-Advertiser.

City shows off new equipment for homeless hub. In a few days, new, inflatable tents will go up in the Waipahu Cultural Garden to help get people off the streets and into shelters or permanent housing. KITV.

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Medical waste, including used needles, causes major traffic slow-down. Drivers heading west near the Campbell Industrial Park off-ramp ran into a major slow-down during Wednesday’s pau hana commute. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Ethics Board to investigate Maunakea road blockade. Is it an ethics matter if some people break the law with apparent impunity while others get punished? West Hawaii Today.

Ethics Board: No conflict for Roth to prosecute TMT cases. Mitch Roth does not have a conflict of interest prosecuting cases from the standoff on Maunakea, but he should remove himself from any involvement in the cases to allay public concerns, the county Board of Ethics said Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

Ethics Board Says No Maunakea Conflict For Prosecutor Roth. The Hawaiʻi County Board of Ethics decided Wednesday that there is no conflict of interest for Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth when it comes to prosecuting the arrests of those opposed to the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea. Big Island Video News.

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Green discusses Hawaii health care at cancer summit. Lt. Gov. Josh Green discussed health care in Hawaii during the 2019 Hawaii Comprehensive Cancer Coalition Summit on Wednesday at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Central Maui Landfill to Accept Residential Green Waste on Sundays. Beginning Dec. 15, the Central Maui Landfill will be open on Sundays to accept residential green waste disposal only, the county announced today. Maui Now.

Trace amounts of soil fumigants found in private Haiku water system. Health Department says water from well is still ‘safe to drink’. Maui News.

Museum expansion gets its green light. ‘Feel-good request’ comes amid lean times for nonprofit. Maui News.

Kauai

Watershed Monitoring Project gives students stewardship roles. A team of students and teachers from Waimea High School convened Friday at Kiki A Ola Bridge in Waimea Valley. Garden Island.

Court kicks Ala Wai project back for an EIS, Kauai councilman arrested, accused of assaulting traffic cop, state pays Honolulu to take over Kakaako parks, Maui mayor to sue fossil fuel companies over climate change, more news from all the Hawaiian islands

Kayakers on the Ala Wai ©2019 All Hawaii News

Injunction stops funding for Ala Wai flood control project. A judge Tuesday issued an injunction stopping the city and state from funding a controversial flood control project that would build walls and berms around the Ala Wai Canal and put huge flood-control structures in the upper reaches of the watershed. Star-Advertiser.

Opponents of $350M Ala Wai flood control project secure a win in court. On Tuesday, state Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Crabtree ruled that no money can be committed to the project until an Environmental Impact Statement is completed, which could take quite a bit more time. Hawaii News Now.

Judge's decision puts funding for controversial Ala Wai flood control project on hold. Opponents of the project said they're not against flood mitigation of the Ala Wai Canal, but they think there are alternative ways to go about it. KITV.

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‘Nation’s Report Card’ shows improvement for Hawaii students. Fourth graders in Hawaii’s public schools have caught up to the national average in reading and math on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, but eighth graders still lag their peers nationally. Star-Advertiser.

Why Hawaii Teens Have Some Of The Highest Vaping Rates In The Nation. Researchers say it’s a mixture of marketing and economics, plus Hawaii getting a head start on a trend that started in Asia. Civil Beat.

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Gov. Ige appoints former prisons director Ted Sakai to corrections oversight commission.  Gov. David Ige appointed former prisons director Ted Sakai to the new Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission. KHON2.

Ige Makes Appointment To Prison Oversight Panel. Ted Sakai has some 30 years of experience at the Department of Public Safety. Civil Beat.

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Federal Regulators Announce Rules for Commercial Hemp. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced new rules that help clear the way for commercial cultivation of hemp in the country, Hawaii  included. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

State pays city $2.25M to take over Kakaako parks with troubled reputation. After three years of back and forth, the Hawaii Community Development Authority has agreed to pay the city $2.25 million to take ownership of three troubled parks in Kakaako. Hawaii News Now.

HCDA To Transfer Kakaako Parcels To City. The makai land includes the Gateway and Waterfront parks. Civil Beat.

City takes over Kakaako parks; mayor says big fixes and funding preclude playground. The City and County of Honolulu officially takes over Kakaako makai parks this week, in one of Hawaii’s largest such land transfers. KHON2.

Kaka‘ako land transfer to be realized November 1. The historic transfer of public lands and facilities in one of the fastest growing areas of the state will be finalized and take effect on Friday. KITV.

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Mayor says no other target or subject letters from feds; city cooperating with subpoenas and warrants. Federal investigations have intersected with Honolulu Hale quite a bit recently, from the Kealoha case to the rail project.  KHON2.

Police outnumber demonstrators at Kahuku, Kalaeloa wind-farm protest sites. Demonstrators against the planned Na Pua Makani wind farm project remain resolute as the nightly transport of turbine parts to Kahuku continue. Star-Advertiser.

‘We trusted her’: Man explains how Katherine Kealoha abused his trust. Ransen Taito was just a child when he met Katherine Kealoha, a long time family friend who promised to help him and his younger sister after their father died in 2004. Hawaii News Now.

Navy's Proposed Fuel Tank Upgrades Get Cold Reception, Health Officials Seek Tougher Standards. A public meeting is scheduled next month on the U.S. Navy's proposed upgrades to its Red Hill fuel facility while a separate gathering is planned later this year on rule changes that would toughen standards for underground storage tanks. Hawaii Public Radio.

New proposal would require microchipping pets and raise fees for a lost pet. Under a new City Council proposal, pet owners would be required to microchip their dogs and cats. KHON2.

Zippy’s says stricter ban on plastics could cause closures. A stricter plastic ban is headed to a final reading at the Honolulu City Council. KHON2.

Community divided over Kaneohe cemetery’s plan to expand by 30 acres. After selling most of its burial plots, Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery in Kaneohe wants to expand its 156-acre cemetery by about 30 acres. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Puna Senator Puts Governor On The Spot Over Geothermal Reopening. State Senator Russell Ruderman sent a letter to Governor David Ige concerning the reopening of the Puna Geothermal Venture facility in his district. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Police Department looking for 47 new police officers. Think you got what it takes to wear the badge and blue? West Hawaii Today.

Building instability and moisture are resulting in extensive fog, ice and high humidity at the summit, forecasters say. Ice and snow can already be seen on observatory webcams. Ice was starting to cover the summit of Mauna Kea on Tuesday afternoon. Big Island Video News.

TMT official says Hawaii still preferred site, despite Spanish news report. The Thirty Meter Telescope remains committed to building on Maunakea, contrary to reports published in a Canary Islands newspaper. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County announces year-round vehicle disposal assistance program. Hawaii County is resuming an amnesty program to help subsidize disposal costs for residents wanted to dispose of unwanted vehicles. West Hawaii Today.

Geologists sample growing pond in Halema‘uma‘u. U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Saturday collected samples from the growing water pond in Kilauea volcano’s Halema‘uma‘u crater. Tribune-Herald.

County Recycling Cutbacks A Sign Of Global Market Changes. When China and other Asian nations curtailed dirty recycling streams, the county’s recycling contractor saw markets dry up, forcing residents to seek alternatives. Civil Beat.

Maui

Maui Mayor Plans To Sue Fossil Fuel Companies For Climate Change Damage. Maui Mayor Michael Victorino announced plans Tuesday to sue fossil fuel companies that he says are responsible for climate change-related damage to roads and other infrastructure, but there are challenges. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui County Plans Lawsuit Against Fossil Fuel Companies. Maui Mayor Michael Victorino today announced his intent for Maui County to file a lawsuit against fossil fuel companies for what he called “mounting impacts of climate change and rising sea levels.” Maui Now.

Maui County to sue fossil fuel companies over costs of climate change. Maui County plans to sue fossil fuel companies to seek compensation for the mounting costs of climate change, which officials say are already being felt. Hawaii News Now.

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New Lawsuit Filed In Maui County’s Supreme Court Showdown. The latest legal action asks a state court judge to allow the Maui County Council to settle the case before it has the potential to carve a giant loophole into the Clean Water Act. Civil Beat.

Conservation positions open at park, sanctuary. Kupu is looking for individuals passionate about preserving the natural environment at Haleakala National Park and Kanaha Pond Wildlife Sanctuary. Maui News.


Kauai

Kauai County councilman arrested, accused of assaulting a police officer. County officials say Arthur Brun was booked Tuesday afternoon. Sources say Brun was wanted for drug-related charges. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai councilmember arrested following traffic stop. Kauai police arrested a Kauai County councilman Tuesday afternoon after he attempted to flee from police during a traffic stop. Garden Island.

Kauai County councilman allegedly hits police officer with car. Kauai police arrested Tuesday afternoon a 47-year-old Waimea man who allegedly struck a police officer with a car while trying to flee during a traffic stop. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai councilman accused of hitting officer with vehicle. Kauai police arrested a county councilman Tuesday afternoon after authorities say he attempted to flee from police during a traffic stop. KHON2.

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Spectrum says services fully restored. Kauai got its regular internet, phone and cable TV back Monday night, but exactly what went wrong with the undersea fiber optic cable connecting the island to Oahu and the rest of the world remains unclear, and there is no firm timeline for repairs. Garden Island.

Molokai

Discounted prescription drug program on Molokai in limbo. Contract ends between Molokai health center, only independent pharmacy on island, Molokai Drugs. Maui News.

Lanai

Revamped Lanai hotel ready to welcome guests — starting at $2,700 a day. Lanai is about to be an island anchored by two luxury resorts — again. Star-Advertiser.

Construction boom, workforce shrinks, student scores lag, rail costs soar, Maui to ban commercial park activity on Sundays, HECO wins $638.5M Army contract, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Construction cranes dot Kakaako skyline ©2019 All Hawaii News

Construction industry spending will continue at around $9 billion until 2021, report finds. It’s a good time to be working in Hawaii’s construction industry. It’s so good that concerns are being raised about a labor shortage being on the horizon if some exceptionally big planned projects go forward. Star-Advertiser.

What’s up with Hawaii’s incredible shrinking civilian labor force? State figures for August put the civilian labor force in Hawaii at 656,800 people. That’s down by more than 20,000 from the same month in 2018. Hawaii News Now.

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Test scores stall for Hawaii students. The academic performance of Hawaii public school students stagnated this year, with the proficiency rate in math staying flat and slight dips in language arts and science. Star-Advertiser.

How ‘Green Fees’ Might Offset The Hidden Costs Of Tourism In Hawaii. A growing number of tourism hot spots, ranging from Mallorca to Bhutan to New Zealand, are imposing new taxes and fees on visitors. Civil Beat.

Young Brothers faces customer, regulatory hurdles with 34% rate hike ask. Interisland cargo carrier Young Brothers says it needs an unprecedented 34 percent rate hike to survive. What could this mean for residents, businesses and the future of the more than century-old shipper? KHON2.

US Gives Limited Approval To Hawaiian-Japan Airlines Venture. Hawaiian officials expressed disappointment that the preliminary decision doesn’t give the two airlines with full antitrust immunity. Associated Press.

Oahu

HECO wins $638.5M Army contract. Hawaiian Electric Co. announced Thursday it has been awarded a $638.5 million contract to own, operate and maintain the electrical distribution system for the Army’s 12 installations on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

HECO Wins $639M, 50-Year Contract As Army Privatizes Its Electric System. Hawaiian Electric Co. Inc. has been awarded a contract to own and  operate the electrical system for the U.S. Army's Oahu installations, a deal valued at $638.5 million over 50 years, the company said in a release Thursday. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Honolulu Rail’s West Side Station Costs Are Soaring. The HART board is poised to approve an $18 million deal to resolve about 150 construction claims. Civil Beat.

Major rail preparation work to kick off on Dillingham Blvd. next month. Rail officials say construction on Dillingham Boulevard is about to accelerate dramatically ― with hundreds of workers on the strip up to 20 hours a day. Hawaii News Now.

People unpaid and underpaid for rail move wait for make-good; Dillingham construction starts Nov. 12. KHON2.

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Acting prosecutor’s truth questioned after defending Katherine Kealoha’s actions. Did the head of the Honolulu prosecutor’s office lie to a city council committee? Hawaii News Now.

The Sun Is Setting On One Of Hawaii’s Last Legacy Estates. The Damon Trust spans much of the island’s modern history, with roots back to the Hawaiian Kingdom. Civil Beat.

Heart Disease May Be Linked To Pesticide Exposure. A new finding has emerged from historic data from the Kuakini Medical Center Honolulu Heart Program, which began to track the health of about 8,000 Japanese American men on Oahu in the mid 1960s: pesticide exposure may increase the risk for heart disease and stroke. Civil Beat.

Invasive thrifts spread on Oahu, prompting officials to call for drastic measures. Worried that an invasive insect will ravage Oahu’s native naio population as it did on Hawaii island, state officials are now urging people to remove healthy naio trees from their gardens before they become infected. Star-Advertiser.

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A suspected brothel in St. Louis Heights is raided by authorities. Authorities zeroed in on a St. Louis Heights home suspected of operating as a brothel. Hawaii News Now.

Investigators carry out search warrant at St. Louis Heights residence suspected of operating as a brothel. Investigators with the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney carried out a search warrant Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at a residence on St. Louis Heights suspected of operating as a brothel. KITV.

St. Louis Heights residence investigated after prostitution complaints. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Despite delays caused by hot lava rock, Highway 132 could reopen next month. Paving on the reconstructed portion of Highway 132 has been completed, and the county Department of Public Works anticipates opening the road in November. Tribune-Herald.

HVO scientists explain how lava flows cool. The lava flows near Highway 132 could take decades to completely cool down, according to scientists. Tribune-Herald.

Hu Honua Bioenergy, the company that plans to burn trees to produce energy using the refurbished and refitted Pepeʻekeo power plant, is actively courting the community for support, as environmental activists continue to fight the project. As Hu Honua, aka Honua Ola Bioenergy, drills deeper injection wells, the company juggles DOH, PUC approvals and neighborhood improvement projects. Big Island Video News.

Stepped-up DKI Highway enforcement nets 591 citations, six arrests. Officers assigned to the Thirty Meter Telescope protester blockade and encampment on Maunakea Access Road issued 591 traffic citations and arrested six suspects for 10 offenses on Daniel K. Inouye Highway between Sept. 26-Oct. 2, police said Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Kona Pool Scheduled to Reopen This Month. Kona Aquatics Center is set to reopen this month after it was forced to close indefinitely for repairs in March. Big Island Now.

Maui

County to halt all commercial activity at parks Sundays, holidays. New permit restrictions to take effect in about 30 days. Maui News.

State Acquires Land Under Maui’s Front Street Apartments. The move could help preserve affordable units for about 250 tenants. Civil Beat.

State Acquires Land Under Maui’s Front Street Apartments. Gov. David Ige announced Thursday that the state has completed its transaction to acquire the land under Front Street Apartments on Maui. Maui Now.

State buys land under Maui apartment complex in bid to keep it affordable. The state purchased the land for $15 million. Hawaii News Now.

New bridge over Wailuku River mulled by County Council. Council members say new crossing needed to advance housing projects. Maui News.

Kauai

Historic County Building illuminated for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Historic County Building at night is lit with pink lights through October, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Garden Island.