Kamala Harris, husband vacationing on Big Island, UH-Manoa athletic director ousted, Common Cause seeks federal probe into handling of Maui wildfire remains, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kamala Harris, husband to vacation on Big Island for a week. Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost her bid for president, was expected to arrive in Hawaii late Tuesday for a nearly weeklong stay, along with second gentleman Doug Emhoff. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. Washington Examiner.

Safer Buildings Vs More Housing: How New Building Codes May Impact Hawaii. The governor’s office is now moving to fast-track adoption of new codes and bring Hawaii into compliance with the latest national building standards as the state and counties have struggled to keep up with the pace of change. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s Love Affair With Cesspools Is Ruining Its Reefs. Reefs are paying the price for new housing developments — and state marine protection alone can’t stop human waste from speeding up their demise. Civil Beat.

Meadow Gold announces layoffs due to closure of warehouses, distribution. In a statement, the company said it will partner with Hawaii Foodservice Alliance to manage warehousing and distribution for retail, schools and frozen products, and with Pacific Provisions Hawaii to manage distribution for food service accounts. Star-Advertiser.

DA BUX gets big bucks from USDA. Hawai‘i’s DA BUX Double Up Food Bucks, a statewide program operated by The Food Basket, Hawaiʻi Island’s Food Bank, is getting big bucks from the federal government to continue helping low-income households throughout the islands eat healthier and local farmers grow the produce to put on their tables. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Rail Supporters Worry About Funding Under Trump Administration. The city is counting on another $600 million from the Federal Transit Administration to help pay for rail construction to Kakaako. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Council urges state to stem street gang violence. Resolution 275 is meant to push lawmakers to address street gangs and potentially establish sentencing enhancements for people convicted of criminal acts related to organized gangs. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Teacher housing project in limbo after proposed site stirs community concerns. An idea to entice and retain teachers to work in Hawaii is stirring some hesitation from a Central Oahu community. While many support the idea, they’re calling on developers to rethink its location. Hawaii News Now.

UH-Manoa athletic director Angelos is ‘blindsided’ by his ouster.  University of Hawaii athletic director Craig Angelos will receive three months of salary as part of the severance package. That amounts to $87,000 based on his annual salary of $348,000. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Police Department has new home on the internet. The department launched a redesigned website Nov. 12 after a year in the making. It’s the first time since 2011 that the site has been updated. Big Island Now.

Maui

Wahikuli sewer system update to be provided at Wednesday Disaster Recovery Community Meeting. Residents are encouraged to attend the County of Maui’s Disaster Recovery Community Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, in the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria. Maui Now.

Maui Bus operations at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center ends; New Kahului Transit Hub on Vevau Street blessed. The Maui Bus schedule that takes effect Nov. 20 is available on the County of Maui website at www.mauicounty.gov/bus under “Bus Route Updates.” Maui Now.

Maui Landfill: $4M Deal Is A Step Toward A Permanent Home For Fire Debris. Maui County has agreed to pay $4 million for roughly 79 acres in central Maui to be used as a permanent disposal site for the debris from last year’s deadly wildfires plus provide for a future landfill expansion. Civil Beat. Maui News.  Maui Now.

Why It’s Hard For Disaster Survivors To Rebuild Safer, Sustainable Homes. Misperceptions about up-front costs have played a big role in how Maui and other communities recover after major disasters. Civil Beat.

National watchdog calls for federal probe into Maui police’s handling of remains following Lahaina fire. Common Cause, a national watchdog for government transparency is expressing deep concern over revelations about the Maui Police Department’s handling of human remains following the Lahaina disaster. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Holland, Kaneshiro join Kauai County Council. A tight battle for the final seat on the Kauai County Council ended with a newcomer knocking off an incumbent to join the seven-member governing body on Wednesday. Garden Island.

County anticipates rubbish collection delays through early next year. Longer haul times for residential rubbish to the Kekaha Landfill will likely cause delays with home collections through early next year. Kauai Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Dems hope Harris ties benefit the state, storms intensify as they near Hawaii, Maui economic development director on leave pending investigation into government grants to family members, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Here’s What Hawaii Democrats Say A Harris Presidency Would Mean For The Aloha State. There are expectations that personal relationships and shared concerns will translate into continued federal support for the islands. Call it Biden-Harris 2.0. Civil Beat.

Tropical trouble near Hawaii, including Category 3 Hurricane Gilma. A flair of tropical activity over the eastern Pacific Ocean has Hawaii on alert with at least two systems heading in the direction of the islands. The depression was located about 1,000 miles to the southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Accuweather.

Gilma now a major hurricane, while a new tropical cyclone still expected Thursday. As of the 11 p.m. report, the National Hurricane Center said Gilma is a major Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour. It was 2,060 miles east-southeast of Hilo and was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 miles per hour. Hawaii News Now.

Tropical rainstorm approaches Hawaii as wildfire risk looms. Hawaii residents are urged to prepare for gusty wind that potentially could spark wildfires as a tropical rainstorm is expected to approach the islands this weekend. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Has Done Little To Shore Up Neighborhoods Against Fire. Some Are Doing It Themselves. Residents aware of the dangers can take some steps to protect their communities, but they’re still looking to government to enforce stricter codes for all.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu police chief scores high in evaluation. Two years into his tenure as Honolulu’s 12th police chief, Arthur “Joe” Logan is exceeding expectations as a leader, innovator and a cost saver while needing to improve internal and external communications, according to his second annual review by the Honolulu Police Commission. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  KHON2.

Honolulu City Council considers additional property tax exemptions for homeowners. The Honolulu City Council is considering a measure that would increase the property tax exemptions for those who own and live in their home. Hawaii Public Radio.

Why Do Efforts To Impose Higher Taxes On Empty Homes In Honolulu Keep Stalling? Supporters say the measure would help combat the affordable housing crisis. But questions remain about who should be exempt and how it would be implemented. Civil Beat.

Makakilo rock quarry gets 15-year extension. The state Land Use Commission voted unanimously to extend a special operating permit by 15 years, to 2047 from 2032, for the roughly 200-acre hillside quarry in Makakilo owned by Grace Pacific LLC. Star-Advertiser.

Skyline sees low rail ridership, high monthly costs during first year. It's been just over a year since Honolulu Skyline started up, and it has been slow going for rail when it comes to ridership. KITV4.

Trash truck shortage causes collection delay on Oʻahu. An ongoing shortage of available refuse collection trucks resulted in several routes on Oʻahu being missed this week. Hawaii Public Radio.

20 additional school bus routes restored on O‘ahu, starting Monday, Aug. 26. Service is being restored for approximately 604 student riders enrolled at seven schools. Maui Now.

HPD looks to build citizen ‘army’ to help reduce crime in Waikiki. The Honolulu Police Department  is relaunching its Waikiki Citizen Patrols this Saturday in hopes of getting more residents and businesses engaged in public safety. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Island lawmakers aim to simplify new short-term rental laws. As the council overhauls Hawaiʻi Island's STR regulations through Bill 121, it has made a series of amendments in response to concerns from homeowners, local officials, and other stakeholders. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill permitting street vendors debated, but unresolved. A Hawaii County Council proposal to issue permits to vendors allowing them to sell on county roads generated debate, but wasn’t resolved on Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

4.7-magnitude earthquake rattles Hawaii Island amid busy week of seismic activity. A 4.7-magnitude earthquake struck Hawaii Island early Thursday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Authorities confirmed there was no tsunami threat. Hawaii News Now.

Kilauea Visitor Center to close for next 2 years. The expansion of the visitor center is considered phase two of the greater park improvement project, with phase one of the already underway.  Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Economic Development Director Placed On Paid Leave Pending Ethics Investigation. There's an ongoing review of grants administered by the Office of Economic Development under director Luana Mahi. Civil Beat.

Maui officials move forward with securing night chopper for first responders. This week, the county closed off the bidding process for offers from firms to provide the helicopter, and now must decide who will be awarded the contract.  KITV4.

Blessing commemorates acquisition of Pōhākea Watershed in Māʻalaea for conservation. A blessing held Wednesday morning commemorated the acquisition of the 257-acre Pōhākea Watershed parcel that was recently purchased for conservation and preservation in Māʻalaea. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative activates emergency preparedness plan due to Hurricane Gilma.  The Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative is monitoring the progress of Hurricane Gilma along with other storm activity in the Pacific and has activated its emergency preparedness plan. Kauai Now.

Hotel performance report: In July, Kaua‘i led counties in revenue per available room. Kaua‘i hotels led the counties in July 2024 revenue per available room at $358 (+7.4% vs. 2023, +55.0% vs. 2019), with average daily rate at $453 (-0.1% vs. 2023, +50.5% vs. 2019) and occupancy of 79.0% (+5.5 percentage points vs. 2023, +2.3 percentage points vs. 2019). Kauai Now.

Hawaii Dems pivot support to Harris, Maui Planning Commission continues vacation rental ban hearing today, Hawaii joins high risk COVID states, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

With some unease, Hawaii Democrats pivot support to Vice President Kamala Harris. Party leaders say there is new enthusiasm and consensus growing for Harris even though some delegates who weren’t committed to President Biden were hoping that there would be some kind of process in the party to test Harris against other potential candidates. “The DNC appears determined to go ahead with the early virtual roll call vote, which prevents any real deliberation and discussion,” National Committeeman Bart Dame said. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Electrification of Transportation “Roadmap” Updated. The Hawaiian Electric company says significant community and industry input went into developing the plan aimed at growing the local EV market. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii joins 20 other states with ‘very high’ COVID levels in sewage. Nationally, overall viral levels in wastewater are considered “high” for the second straight week, the CDC said. Los Angeles Times.

Hawaii Looks To Improve Mosquito Testing As Dengue Cases Rise Globally. The Department of Health says it has enough staff to handle the growing threat of mosquito-borne diseases, but it is struggling to fill numerous vacancies. Civil Beat.

RIMPAC exercises continue on USS Carl Vinson. As the biennial exercise Rim of the Pacific continues off the coast of Hawaii, the U.S. Navy’s Carrier Strike Group 1 has been practicing flight operations from its flagship the USS Carl Vinson. Star-Advertiser.

State delays rollout of sound detector program aimed at reducing loud noises on the road. The state is delaying the rollout of a controversial sound detector program aimed at reducing excessive noise on the roads. Hawaii News Now.

UH gets $6.5M grant for cyberinfrastructure project. The U.S. National Science Foundation awarded a $6.5 million grant to the University of Hawaii for a project that will enhance its cyberinfrastructure — the hardware, software, networks and data, along with the people operating and managing the advanced computing technology. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Blangiardi raises over $2M for mayoral reelection. In the Aug. 10 primary election, Blangiardi, a former media executive elected in 2020 to lead the city, will run against David L. Duke Bourgoin, a business owner and consultant; Karl O. Dicks, who’s variously worked as a farmer, journeyman carpenter and heavy equipment operator; and Choon James, a residential real estate broker. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Prosecutor’s Tenacious Push For A Different Kind Of Probation Has Failed To Win Over Critics — So Far. Steve Alm, running uncontested for reelection, swears by the HOPE probation model, which ensures predictable and immediate sanctions for violators, but studies have produced varying results. Civil Beat.

Country Living: Senate Candidates Offer Different Visions For Rural Oahu. Newcomer Ben Shafer is focused on the cost of living while former Sen. Clayton Hee wants to promote agriculture and tackle cesspools. Civil Beat.

In wake of violent arrest, HPD’s Crime Reduction Units sidelined as agency reviews operations. Days after a social media post showed a violent arrest of a car theft suspect, the Honolulu Police Department has paused Crime Reduction Units islandwide. Hawaii News Now.

DOT: Arrive earlier due to screening delays at Honolulu airport. The Hawaii Department of Transportation is advising travelers with flights departing from Terminal 1 at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to arrive earlier to allow for more time to get through security. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.

Haiku Stairs: City urges public restraint, portions set for removal despite injunction. Portions of iconic Stairway to Heaven will soon be removed despite the court’s temporary injunction. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Announces Closures Due To Kīlauea Unrest. Due to a sudden increase in activity, the National Park Service has had to close areas that could put visitors and staff at risk if Kīlauea erupts. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Environmental attorney shares concerns about Keauhou Bay development plan. Kamehameha Schools' proposed Keauhou Bay Management Plan includes many upgrades and aims to reorganize some of the area's activities. But as with any proposed development or change in our islands, some disagree with the proposal. Hawaii Public Radio.

East Hawaii home sales remain flat. According to multiple listing service data, the total number of house sales this year to date is higher than last year to date — 1,003 homes were sold by the end of June, a little over 1% higher than June 2023 — while the median sales price also rose 7% to $535,000. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Planning Commission to hold continuation of June meeting today. The Maui Planning Commission will hold a meeting in Wailuku on July 23 at 9 a.m. as a continuation of their June 25 meeting. The commission listened to over seven hours of public testimony at the June 25 meeting in regards to a bill that would amend the Maui County Code, removing transient vacation rentals (TVR’s) as a permitted use within the A-1 and A-2 apartment zoning districts.  Maui News.

County Council approves resolution of ‘a global settlement’ for fire litigation against county. The resolution states approximately 451 wildfire lawsuits involving a variety of claims resulting from the Lahaina and Upcountry fires have been filed in the United States District Court and the Hawai’i State Circuit courts as of July 8, 2024 (“Wildfire Litigation”) by affected parties. Maui News.

Mandatory evacuations lifted in Wailuku after brush fire. One firefighter was treated for heat distress at the scene of the brush fire Monday in Wailuku, where approximately 45 homes along Piihana Road were evacuated. The cause of the fire, which is under control, remains under investigation. Star-Advertiser.

Condition of Pioneer Mill smokestack causes concern. Maui officials have closed part of Lahainaluna Road over concerns about the structural integrity of the Pioneer Mill smokestack. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Kauai

Brush fire burned about 1,600 acres in Koke‘e. A mop-up was underway on Monday at the site of a brush fire, which scorched approximately 1,600 acres before it was extinguished by air and ground attacks from personnel with local, state and federal agencies. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Ballot drop boxes ready to accept ballots. Ballot packets for the 2024 Primary Election were mailed on Wednesday, July 17, and the county’s Office of the County Clerk said voters should have either gotten their packets, or should be getting them, shortly. Garden Island.