Homelessness the focus as Hawaii legislative session begins today, search suspended for 12 Marines lost in crash, 26 sue Kamehameha Schools over sex abuse by psychiatrist, Supreme Court allows Native Hawaiian convention, court axes Maui water permits, Kona group seeks fishing ban, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu homeless © 2016 All Hawaii News

Gov. David Ige is asking the Legislature for nearly $11 million this session to finance an array of homeless programs. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers are gearing up to tackle homelessness and affordable housing in the upcoming legislative session. Garden Island.

State lawmakers gather today for the 2016 legislative session, with the House and Senate convening at 10 a.m. at the state Capitol for what lawmakers say will be subdued opening-day proceedings. Star-Advertiser.

As in recent sessions, opening day of the 2016 Hawaii Legislature will be a “scaled back” occasion. It reflects the legislative branch’s focus on keeping spending and celebration under control in favor of attending to the business of the people. Civil Beat.

With the end-of-session Senate shakeup last May, power was consolidated among the members of the factions that supported Ron Kouchi to be the new president. Now, as attention turns to the start of the 2016 session Wednesday, there are concerns that too few have too much control over what legislation might advance in the 25-member chamber. Civil Beat.

The Grassroot Institute of Hawai’i hosted a panel discussion on the State Budget Tuesday, one day before the Legislature convenes for its 2016 session. Hawaii Public Radio.

The chairs of three committees in the Hawaii House of Representatives were accepting campaign contributions at MW Restaurant Tuesday night. Civil Beat.

The Native Hawaiian self-governance convention planned for next month cleared a legal hurdle Tuesday when the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an attempt to hold convention organizers in contempt of court. Star-Advertiser.

Vinegar and hot water really do work on jellyfish stings, according to University of Hawaii-Manoa researchers, while a popular home remedy — urinating on them — is no better than splashing on seawater.Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The Coast Guard suspended its search Tuesday evening for 12 missing Marines off Oahu after no survivors were found during five days of continuous searching in the aftermath of a two-helicopter crash. Star-Advertiser.

Officials Tuesday suspended the massive search for 12 Marines who were aboard two helicopters that crashed off Hawaii last week. Associated Press.

The massive, multi-agency search for 12 Marines missing after two choppers collided off Oahu’s North Shore late Thursday has been suspended, with no survivors found. Hawaii News Now.

The U.S. Coast Guard announced Tuesday that at sunset, crews suspended the active search for 12 Marines missing after Thursday night’s double helicopter crash off the North Shore. KHON2.

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Twenty-six men — 24 former Kamehameha Schools students and two from other schools — alleged in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that as children they were systematically sexually abused and prescribed inappropriate prescription drugs by Kamehameha’s psychiatrist, who shot himself to death in 1991 when confronted by the allegations. Star-Advertiser.

Twenty-six former students alleged in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that they were repeatedly sexually abused by a now-deceased psychiatrist at a private school for Native Hawaiians. Associated Press.

Former Kamehameha Schools students filed a molestation lawsuit Tuesday morning against the school. KITV4.

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The Roman Catholic Church in Hawaii is suing a local insurance company, alleging that the insurer won’t cover settlements arising from scores of past sexual abuses cases in the islands. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige recently said the crumbling sewage system is the main contributor to Hawaii’s housing development problem, but the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Environmental Services thinks this claim is unfair. However, while the city is spending $5.2 billion on upgrading the Oahu's sewage system, the money is not going toward expanding capacity. Pacific Business News.

What led a former Honolulu mayor and city prosecuting attorney to enter Hawaii’s burgeoning medical marijuana industry? Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Co. and the U.S. Department of Energy said Tuesday they will invest a combined $4.8 million in a research project to look into how to increase rooftop solar and energy storage on Hawaii’s grid. Star-Advertiser.

The use of liquefied natural gas as a replacement for oil would have saved Oahu electric utility customers $132 million in fuel costs, according to an 18-month study commissioned by Hawaii Gas that was released on Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Gas Promises To Save Us $1.3 Billion — If Only We Let Them As the gas company prepares to announce a possible liquid natural gas partner, it touts an analysis claiming big savings if Hawaii switches from oil to LNG to fuel power plants. Civil Beat.

Hawaii
If a local marine stewardship group prevails, a stretch of North Kona shoreline will be put off limits to most fishing for the next decade under a plan to create a new marine reserve at Kaupulehu. West Hawaii Today.

Keauhou aquifer resolution could be a long time coming. West Hawaii Today.

A Hawaii County Councilman tried reaching deeper into social media to find support for his state Senate run. Greggor Ilagan was asking people on Tinder, the mobile dating app, to help him win a seat this fall to represent Puna. Civil Beat.

Researchers at the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources are working with local growers to combat an introduced insect that damages macadamia trees. Tribune-Herald.

After a four-minute public hearing Tuesday attended by no one from the public, Hawaii County adopted new rules governing drug testing of successful job applicants. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

An Oahu judge has invalidated state water diversion permits to Alexander & Baldwin for its waning Maui sugar operations in a ruling that a member of the plaintiff's group called "a historic victory." The permits have been extended annually for 13 years without an official environmental review. Maui News.

An Oahu judge has invalidated a state practice of issuing permits to Alexander & Baldwin to divert millions of gallons of irrigation water daily from streams for its Maui sugar operations. Hawaii News Now.

"Challenging Global Impacts of the Agrochemical Industry: 2016 Food Justice Summit" and its international group of speakers addressed a packed house at McCoy Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Saturday night. Maui News.

Kauai

With today’s opening of the Hawaii State 2016 legislative session, county officials are setting their sights on reclaiming what they say is their fair share of the transient accommodations tax. Mike White, chairman of the Maui County Council, recently presented his research on the recent developments on the TAT to the Kauai County Council. Garden Island.

While Kauai’s legislators have been solidifying goals and gearing up for the session, community leaders and residents have been formulating their own ideas on what should be paramount on the list of issues to tackle. Garden Island.

Ground is being broken for the Timbers Kauai Ocean Club and residences, a $140 million project which will cover nearly 20 acres overlooking Nawiliwili Bay. Garden Island.

Hawaii to make crop pesticide information public, Honolulu council tackles ethical legal cloud over rail project, Kakaako homeless sweep, police chief sues Ethics Commission, Stryker Brigade on its last legs, Kaʻu coffee land being sold, Kauai historic one-lane bridges to get upgrades, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hilo Farmer's Market produce © 2015 All Hawaii News

Hawaii residents can expect to have more information soon about what pesticides large agricultural companies are applying to crops statewide. The state Department of Agriculture is planning to expand the Good Neighbor Program, a voluntary effort on Kauai in which large agricultural companies — Dow AgroSciences, Pioneer, Syngenta, BASF and Kauai Coffee Company — voluntarily report the types and amounts of restricted-use pesticides that are sprayed each month. Civil Beat.

The state Health Department last month halted the delivery of Thai basil from a farm in Waianae and ordered crops destroyed after finding unacceptable levels of pesticide residue. The health department said 5,000 pounds of Thai basil grown at Wong Hon Hin, Inc.’s farm was destroyed on Sept. 30. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Department of Health ordered approximately 5,000 pounds of Thai basil grown at an Oahu farm to be destroyed after inspectors found dangerous insecticide levels on the crops during routine testing last month. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Chair Suzanne Case has chosen Curt Cottrell to serve as the next administrator of the State Parks Division. Civil Beat.

Kamehameha Schools trustee Janeen-Ann Olds has stepped down from the board, just hours after a state judge rejected her bid for a second term. Hawaii News Now.

NextEra Energy and Hawaiian Electric Industries still support their proposed $4.3 billion merger agreement despite continued opposition from Gov. David Ige’s administration. Civil Beat.

Oahu

A legal cloud hanging over a vote taken by the Honolulu City Council in 2012 is pushing current Council members to rush through a new measure to ensure the rail project doesn’t incur millions of dollars in late payments and debt. City officials say Bill 73, essentially a revote of a bond OK given in 2012, needs to be given final approval by January to avoid late payment or interest that could cost taxpayers about $3 million a month. Star-Advertiser.

It was the end of an era Thursday for the sometimes contentious Stryker Brigade in Hawaii, with the speedy eight-wheeled vehicles blasting away, likely for the last time, at targets at a big Schofield Barracks range ahead of an Army plan to move the vehicles out of the state to cut costs, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

After spending the day picking up tons of discarded debris, a cleanup crew will return today for what the city hopes will be the last of the Kakaako homeless encampment. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu city crews on Thursday began clearing the final section of one of the nation’s largest homeless encampments, once home to hundreds of people. Associated Press.

Many of Kakaako’s Homeless Are Not Shelter-Bound. The city says there’s sufficient space in shelters for everyone, but critics point out a lot of people don’t qualify for admission, and others just don’t want to go. Civil Beat.

Stanford Carr Development’s planned Keauhou Lane Kakaako mixed-use residential project held a blessing on Thursday, with plans to break ground soon. Pacific Business News.

In an unusual if not unprecedented move, Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha has sued the city Ethics Commission, trying to get a court to stop an ethics probe targeting him and his wife. Hawaii News Now.

When people talk about political campaigns, the focus these days is usually on the presidential primary elections.  But locally, among the races coming up is the one for Honolulu Mayor.  There are less than four months remaining until candidates can file to run - and there’s already a bit of tension between two potential rivals. Hawaii Public Radio.

More taxicab drivers are headed to court to face substantial fines and/or jail time for violations since the city Customer Services Department resumed group field inspections of taxicabs — a practice that had ceased in 2013 due to staff constraints. Star-Advertiser.

A plan to build a luxury condominium-hotel tower on the site of King’s Village in Waikiki received a largely favorable response at a city public hearing Thursday, though some objections were raised over the tower exceeding standard height, density and setback rules. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii News Now's Investigation into deplorable conditions at one of the University of Hawaii's College of Education buildings has uncovered another example of neglect -- millions in insurance money that was left unspent for years. Hawaii News Now.

People whose homes are near the trailhead to Maunawili Falls are asking a state judge to order the state, city and the private landowner of the popular hiking trail into mediation with them to address their complaints over how hikers are negatively affecting their neighborhood. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A 6,000-acre swath of Ka‘u land has a likely buyer, but the farmers who have coaxed world-class coffee from the soil are still haggling for licenses to continue their work. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The Maui County Liquor Control Commission defined dancing Wednesday after years of pressure from Maui dance advocates, who now hope the ruling will allow customers to bob their heads or tap their toes outside a designated dance floor. Maui News.

Kauai

Federal highway officials and the state Department of Transportation are in the process of designing a permanent replacement for Wainiha’s trio of historic one-lane bridges. Garden Island.

The Kauai County Council approved a resolution Wednesday night supporting raising the minimum wage in Hawaii. The resolution says the council encourages the Legislature to consider increasing the minimum wage in 2020 following the increases that are already currently scheduled through 2018. Garden Island.

Hawaii bands entertain at Obama inauguration, Abercrombie's State of the State address at 10 a.m. today, Hawaii Island newspapers subpoenaed in political lawsuit, Honolulu newspaper owner buys Kauai daily, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Sens. Schatz, Hirono at Obama inauguration, courtesy photo

Two Hawaii school bands — from Kamehameha and Punahou — marched in the presidential inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue on Monday in a historic display that gave hundreds of thousands of attendees from around the world a little taste of the sights and sounds of President Barack Obama's birthplace. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie will deliver his State of the State address at the Capitol building at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

HPR-1 will carry Governor Abercrombie's  complete State of the State address on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Hawaii Public Radio.

Keeping tabs on who is trying to influence public policy in Hawaii and how they are going about it is difficult in Hawaii. Unlike many other states, Hawaii requires very little information from those who lobby as well as those who get lobbied. Civil Beat.

State lawmakers have begun this year’s Legislature with a pile of bills targeting biotech industries that produce genetically modified organisms, with measures ranging from mandatory labeling to a total ban of such products in Hawai‘i. Garden Island.

Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutusi will head a delegation of more than 40 business executives to the Philippines. Maui Now.

Rep. Karen Awana

Outstanding fines didn’t prevent state Rep. Karen Awana from scoring a top leadership position in the House this session. The four-term lawmaker owes the Campaign Spending Commission $6,800 for failing to keep records and filing false reports dating back to 2008. Civil Beat.

Marijuana use on company time fell in Hawaii last year, but it is still the drug that turns up most often in workplace drug testing. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell says after meeting with the governor twice, he intends to resume work on the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial's environmental impact statement. KITV4.

State wildlife officials are trying to preserve an area on Oahu critical to groundwater protection where four native plant species are making their last stand. Star-Advertiser.

It's taken five years to get to the point of breaking ground on what will be known as Halekauwila Place. It needed state land, a private developer and the Hawaii Housing Finance Corporation to finally launch an affordable housing project in Kakaako for singles and families. KITV4.

GUIDED by a long piece of string on the ground and a man with a bullhorn, hundreds of people — residents and visitors, young and old — stood shoulder to shoulder in Kapiolani Park on Monday in an attempt to form the world's largest human peace sign. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The lawyer for a county elections official who was fired and later reinstated has subpoenaed the Tribune-Herald, seeking the identities of six individuals who posted online comments regarding stories about the turmoil surrounding the 2012 elections. Tribune-Herald.

The cost of not paying property taxes on time could be getting lower. The Hawaii County Council’s Finance Committee will discuss a bill today that would cut the penalty for late payment in half, from 10 percent to 5 percent. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County is still mulling whether to expand its hybrid vehicle fleet after putting five new cars on the road last year. Tribune-Herald.

Kaiser Permanente employees and their families pitched in at three sites around Hawaii Island as part of the national day of volunteering Monday. West Hawaii Today.

Maui
Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa spent the weekend in Washington DC, as a participant in the US Conference of Mayors. Maui Now.

After the graduation Friday of 20 members of the Maui Police Department's first Crisis Intervention Team, officers said they're more equipped to respond to emergencies. Maui News.

Organizers of the inaugural Aloha Writers Conference - which is set to wrap up today in Kapalua - say they're cautious of the pitfalls suffered by the event's predecessor, and instead want to maintain a grass-roots conference that can help position Maui as "a literary jewel of the Pacific." Maui News.

Kauai

Oahu Publications Inc., publisher of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, has acquired The Garden Island newspaper from Lee Enterprises, the companies announced Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu Publications, Inc. and Kauai Publishing Co. announced today that OPI has purchased The Garden Island newspaper from Lee Enterprises, of Davenport, Iowa. The expected closing date is February 11, 2013. Garden Island.

Federal prosecutors have leveled more accusations against retired car dealer James Pflue­ger, who faces trial next month on conspiracy and tax evasion charges. Star-Advertiser.

A large crowd circulated through the Kukui Grove Center Monday during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration of Peace, sponsored by the Interfaith Roundtable of Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

Obama prepares for Hawaii vacation, inauguration, Inouye to lie in state in U.S. and state Capitol, state Democrats to meet on successor, transportation secretary signs off on $1.55B rail funding, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kamehameha Schools band (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

Two Hawaii school bands will participate in President Barack Obama's second inauguration Jan. 21 in Washington, D.C. Star-Advertiser.

Law enforcement and security agencies on Oahu are planning for the arrival of President Barack Obama and his family in Kailua this weekend, although federal fiscal negotiations may delay the start of his annual vacation in his birth state. Star-Advertiser.

The White House has not said whether President Barack Obama, who has delayed a planned vacation on Oahu to continue negotiations on the fiscal cliff, will attend a Hawaii memorial service for U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye this weekend, but several federal agencies have issued warnings about security zones being set up in the air and in the ocean near Kailua. Pacific Business News.

Memorial services will be held in Washington D.C. and Hawaii for the late Senator Daniel Inouye. Hawaii News Now.

The body of U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol, an honor requiring approval from both chambers of Congress and bestowed previously to only 31 Americans. Star-Advertiser.

Filling in for U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye won’t be easy, but depending on when a replacement is named that person could have an inside track on garnering national influence for Hawaii. Civil Beat.

The death of U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii leaves open a seat in the Senate to be filled by a Democrat, with U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa the immediate front-runner thanks to Inouye’s wishes. Associated Press.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye's heartfelt request on who should succeed him will hang over Hawaii Democrats as they meet next week to choose three nominees for his replacement.Star-Advertiser.

Governor Neil Abercerombie has requested the Democratic Party of Hawai’i provide him with a list of 3 nominees to pick from to fill the vacant seat left by Senator Daniel Inouye who passed away Monday. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Democratic Party State Central Committee has notified members it will meet Friday December 28 and by the end of that day they will have narrowed the list of Senate candidates to three names. Hawaii News Now.

The process of picking a successor to fill the remainder of Senator Dan Inouye's term has begun and political analysts have a good idea of whose in the running. KHON2.

Isles face own fiscal cliff as many expect sizable drop-off in federal funds. Star-Advertiser.

Lesson From Alaska: Loss of Inouye Won't Be as Bad as We Thought. Civil Beat.

The state Elections Commission knows it needs to take action after dozens of polling places ran short on ballots during the Nov. 6 general election. But the commission isn't sure yet who to hold accountable or for what exactly. Civil Beat.

"We are trying our very best to get this thing under control and get a grasp on it," said Commissioner Danny Young, who is part of a subcommittee investigating what led to a massive ballot shortage during November's general election. KITV4.

State roundup for December 19. Associated Press.

Oahu

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today participated in a ceremony to sign an agreement to provide $1.55 billion to the City and County of Honolulu on the island of Oahu to build Hawaii's first-ever rail transit system. KHON2.

Hawaii

The Hawaii County Council’s finance committee postponed a resolution to create a task force to consider possible changes to the county’s property tax code. West Hawaii Today.

A report by the International Association of Assessing Officers takes Hawaii County to task for insufficient internal controls, oversight and cross-checking of property assessments, issues that could lead to inequities in how much taxes property owners are paying. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Capitalizing on some of Maui's busiest months for tourism, Hawaiian Airlines will offer for the first time twice-daily nonstop service between Los Angeles International and Kahului airports during the summer. Maui News.

A new security screening checkpoint was dedicated today at Kahului Airport. Maui Now.

Thanks to several years of advocating by community groups, Maui County is moving ahead with $2.5 million worth of improvements for a Maalaea road that has suffered extensive flood damage from heavy rain events in recent years. Maui News.

Kauai

Year after year, the county gives a new timeline to fix the eroding Pono Kai seawall in Kapa‘a, but the project never takes off. The Moanakai Road seawall, just south of Pono Kai, has a similar history. Garden Island.

Hawaii lawmakers, officials not disclosing gifts, Gov. Abercrombie wants subpoena quashed in teacher union case, Big Island seeks 2% land fund, homeless Oahu family gets one-way trip, Waikiki Hyatt workers on strike, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Parker Ranch statue (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

Parker Ranch has joined several other large Hawaii landowners applying to preserve agricultural land in perpetuity under a 3-year-old law that qualifies them for state benefits including tax credits. Star-Advertiser.

Two dozen pricey DVD sets given to Hawaii lawmakers this year are unaccounted for. Civil Beat.

A deputy attorney general asked the Hawaii Labor Relations Board on Wednesday to quash subpoenas issued to Gov. Neil Abercrombie and six prominent state lawmakers in the teachers union's challenge against the state over a new contract. Star-Advertiser.

The atmosphere in recent negotiations between the state and teachers union was largely businesslike and friendly, and union negotiators never said they felt "intimidated" about making a deal, Board of Education member Jim Williams said in testimony Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Governor Neil Abercrombie will announce his appointments to the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission on September 8 at 12:15 p.m. Hawaii Reporter.

Fall enrollment in the University of Hawaii System has increased slightly to a record 60,519 students. KITV4.

A new federal program aims to reduce harassment of wild dolphins by Hawaii tour boats while promoting responsible viewing. KHON2.

Oahu

When the City Council holds a public meeting on Friday, September 16, one of the items on the agenda is Resolution 11-229, which authorizes the use of “overt video monitoring” at and around the events of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Honolulu. Hawaii Independent

The Honolulu Planning Commission was split Wednesday over a bill that the city administration had hoped would help it crack down on illegal vacation rentals. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation will hear directly from executives of Ansaldo Honolulu Joint Venture regarding the company’s financial situation and other issues at a meeting set for Thursday morning. Pacific Business News.

An event was conducted today on O’ahu to help homeless veterans for the first time in more than a decade. Hawaii Public Radio.


A homeless family of three is getting a fresh start thanks to some anonymous donors and the efforts of a state lawmaker and a homeless advocacy group. Hawaii News Now.

The median sales prices for Oahu homes and condos decreased last month, while the number of sales were up. Associated Press.

Unionized Hyatt Regency Waikiki workers went on a week-long strike this morning. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The Hawaii County Council Finance Committee on Wednesday supported giving voters one more chance to put a 2 percent land fund in the county charter. West Hawaii Today.

Kamehameha Schools' civil trial against a Big Island family that received a $7 million out-of-court settlement from the educational trust has been put on hold. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Community College continues to experience growing pains as increased demand meets facility limitations. Tribune-Herald.

The fair's back in town, but this time, it's in a slightly different location. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would take over management of Molokini under a proposal included in a draft 15-year conservation plan that also covers Kealia Pond and the Kakahai'a national wildlife refuges in South Maui and on Molokai. Maui News.

Rents at a Maui affordable housing project must be lowered and dozens of units that have been vacant for months and years must be occupied within 30 days, according to state Rep. Angus McKelvey. Hawaii Reporter.

The Maui County Urban Design Review Board recommended approval of plans for a new Iglesia Ni Cristo, or Church of Christ, on Tuesday and decided the changes made after an earlier meeting were mostly acceptable. Maui News.

Kauai

Representatives of several organizations, some already working as community service sites with the judicial system, attended a Monday meeting to consider partnering with a new comprehensive diversion program. Garden Island.

Kamehameha Schools opponents must be public, Hawaii 2012 politics show Hirono, Case, Lingle leaders, Abercrombie popularity 50%, rail transit pricey, state to buy more land for preservation, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Neil Abercrombie (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

A new Hawaii Poll shows 50 percent of registered voters approve of the job that Neil Abercrombie is doing as governor, much lower than his predecessor at the same point in office, and a reflection of the difficulty Abercrombie has had in pushing his agenda forward. Hawaii News Now.

Former congressman Ed Case and U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono are tied in a hypothetical matchup in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, a new Hawaii Poll shows. Star-Advertiser.

Out of nine public figures and possible political candidates, Congresswoman Mazie Hirono garnered the highest favorable ratings in the Hawaii News Now/Honolulu Star-Advertiser Hawaii Poll. Hawaii News Now.

Former Gov. Linda Lingle told fellow Hawaii Republicans at the party's convention in Kauai over the weekend that she would decide by the end of August whether to run for the U.S. Senate next year. Civil Beat.

The Supreme Court has declined to hear a dispute over whether students challenging a private Hawaiian school system's admissions policy must be identified. Associated Press.

The first female soldier enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard 38 years ago … but it was only this year that a woman was promoted to General. Hawaii Public Radio.

Recently proposed Medicaid qualification standards would leave around 4,500 without health insurance around Hawaii. Molokai Dispatch.

Homeowners have a fighting chance with foreclosure law. Maui News.

Act 48 suspends nonjudicial foreclosures in Hawaii and creates a mortgage foreclosure dispute resolution program administered by the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Office of Administrative Hearings. Associated Press.

After concluding a grueling legislative session of tax raising and budget cutting, Hawaii lawmakers may find that their work is not yet done. Associated Press.

The state's Legacy Lands Conservation program is providing $4.5 million in grants for the purchase and protection of culturally and agriculturally important lands on the Big Island and Oahu. Associated Press.

The state plans to open a new H-1 freeway on-ramp and an off-ramp this week that are expected to remove traffic bottlenecks around some large shopping centers in Kapolei. KITV4.

The state Department of Transportation will not reopen the temporary Kapa‘a bypass road for another week as recent rainstorms have delayed resurfacing work. Garden Island.

While about half of Honolulu residents remain in favor of completing the rail transit system, nearly 9 in 10 agree the project is likely to cost more than the $5.3 billion estimated price tag. Star-Advertiser.

The price tag for preparation of the Honolulu rapid transit project’s environmental impact statement was originally $86 million but has since bulged to $156 million, a City spokesman confirmed today. Hawaii Reporter.

A bike rental program to promote an active lifestyle and reduce traffic will officially launch on Friday in Kailua. Star-Advertiser.

It would be a stretch to say that Hawaii’s renewable energy companies, the utilities and the public are moving together in harmony toward a clean energy future. Pacific Business News

A milestone in Manoa -- a special graduation ceremony. Thousands turned their tassels at the University of Hawaii's 100th commencement ceremonies. KITV4.

Mostly dry trade wind weather will prevail for the next several days, with brief showers favoring windward areas during nights and mornings. KHON2.

If you received your motor vehicle registration reminder notice in the mail this month, you might have noticed that the form looks different. Tribune-Herald.

Ka'u is well on the way of making a name for itself in the coffee industry on an island for many decades known primarily for its Kona-grown coffee. West Hawaii Today.