Hawaii on list of possible G7 summit sites, Ige attending Naruhito’s enthronement, Kealohas to enter guilty pleas, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Convention Center ©2019 All Hawaii News

Next year's G7 summit could be coming to the islands. White House officials confirmed Hawaii was on the short list of locations being considered, prior to the President dropping plans to hold the international conference at his Miami resort. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Gov. David Ige to attend Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement ceremony in Japan. Hawaii Gov. David Ige is one of the honored guests attending Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement ceremony, heralding his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, on Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Ige Heads To Japan For Enthronement Ceremony. Lt. Gov. Josh Green is Hawaii’s acting governor until Friday. Civil Beat.

Ige travels to Japan for ceremony. The governor is one of seven Japanese-Americans who have been invited to the enthronement ceremony at the Imperial Palace today. Garden Island.

Governor Ige Travels to Japan for Enthronement Ceremony. Maui Now.

=====

Emergency Relief Period Extended For Homelessness. In his capacity as acting governor, Lt. Gov. Joshua Green issued a sixth supplementary proclamation that extends the disaster emergency relief period for homelessness across the state. Big Island Now.

Hotel performance tops nation but occupancy remains flat. Healthy September hotel performance helped push Hawaii’s hotel industry to the top of the nation for the first nine months of the year. Star-Advertiser.

=====

Marine Sanctuary Seeks Advisory Council Candidates. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is seeking to fill ten primary and 9 alternate seats on its advisory council. Maui Now.

New Council Members Appointed for Humpback Whale Sanctuary. The NOAA Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary has appointed four new primary members and one alternate member to serve on its advisory council. Big Island Now.

Oahu

More Candidates Enter Race For Honolulu Prosecutor. Deputy public defender Jacquelyn Esser makes it official while attorney Tae Kim files campaign paperwork. Civil Beat.

=====

Kealohas are expected to plead guilty as part of plea deals. Louis and Katherine Kealoha are scheduled to appear in court today to plead guilty to federal felony charges as part of separate plea agreements, ending a years-long prosecution that toppled one of Oahu’s most prominent power couples. Star-Advertiser.

Former Honolulu Police Chief Agrees To Plead Guilty To Bank Fraud. Louis Kealoha’s plea deal will keep him from a trial that had been set for January. It comes a day after his wife, Katherine, signed her own agreement. Civil Beat.

Kealohas each sign separate plea deals. First, it was Katherine Kealoha agreeing to a plea deal, now her former police chief husband Louis, who has filed for divorce, finalized his own plea deal Monday afternoon. KHON2.

Attorney with ties to Kealoha scandal suspended indefinitely. The court says attorney Christopher Woo failed to respond to four unrelated complaints for abandoning clients and financial irregularities. Woo previously represented Big Island firefighter Jesse Ebersole, who admitted to having an affair with Katherine Kealoha after lying about it to a grand jury. Hawaii News Now.

=====

3 wind farm protesters arrested in Kalaeloa as turbine parts leave for Kahuku. Wind turbine parts loaded onto four semi trucks began leaving the AES Corp.’s Kalaeloa yard at 11:17 p.m. Monday and were out in less than 15 minutes. Star-Advertiser.

Handful of arrests made as crews move swiftly to transport wind farm equipment to Kahuku. Crews moved swiftly once again early Tuesday to transport heavy equipment into a construction site for a wind farm project in Kahuku after more arrests were made. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Arguments continue in Ala Wai project lawsuit. The nonprofit Protect Our Ala Wai Watersheds went to court Monday to stop the city and and state from “prematurely obligating public funds” for 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.

Community group heads to court to fight Ala Wai flood project. A judge on Monday listened to opening statements and witness testimony for a motion seeking a preliminary injunction to stop the Ala Wai flood project. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Plan To Award Rail’s Final Contract Reaches Point Of No Return. HART is no longer considering a Plan B in case its pursuit of a public private partnership fails to get rail done. Civil Beat.

Rail project discussed at City Council Tuesday. Two rail-related measures seeking more accountability in the multibillion-dollar project will be up for discussion at a Honolulu City Council committee meeting Tuesday. KHON2.

Councilwoman wants more transparency in 2 Honolulu rail programs. Councilwoman Heidi Tsuneyoshi on Monday linked concerns over the city’s rail project to frustrations that have led to mass arrests at Mauna Kea, Waimanalo’s Sherwood Forest and the Kahuku wind farm. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Councilmember Calls For More Transparency From Rail Project. Honolulu Councilmember Heidi Tsuneyoshi has submitted two resolutions to urge the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, and the administration, to be more open with the Council and the public. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

DHHL committee to consider hiring private attorney. The Hawaiian Homes Commission took the first step Monday to hire an outside attorney to put a dollar figure on what the state owes Native Hawaiian beneficiaries for land, including the Maunakea Access Road, that was the subject of a 1995 state law. West Hawaii Today.

Halealoha Ayau Testifies, Resigns DHHL Position. Outspoken on the issue of the Mauna Kea Access Road jurisdiction, Ayau said he is resigning from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands due to "shame" over the department's actions. Big Island Video News.

=====

Changes to county hiring code eyed. The county Human Resources Department scheduled a public hearing for 1 p.m. Friday on changes to its hiring code giving the HR Department more centralized control over creating ranked lists of eligible candidates to be referred to the hiring departments. West Hawaii Today.

Public positive about solar project proposed for Keaau. A lot between Keaau High School and Hawaiian Paradise Park could become the home of a 350-acre solar array by 2022. Tribune-Herald.

Mokulele to provide Waimea Essential Air Service through June 2021. The U.S. Department of Transportation re-selected the air carrier earlier this summer to provide essential air service for two years between Waimea-Kohala Airport and Kahului Airport. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

High temperature sets record in Kahului. Central Maui experienced another hot weekend as temperatures in Kahului reached 95 degrees Sunday, breaking the old record of 93 set on the same date in 1996, according to the National Weather Service. Maui News.

Fates of freshwater, saltwater intertwined. Wai.Kai Week targets relationship between streams and the ocean. Maui News.

Kauai

Council to consider money requests. Items on the agenda include a bill for an amendment for funding, $625,000, for emergency work in opening the river mouth in Waimea and to establish funding for such work through the end of the fiscal year, including design and maintenance of levy gates to relieve and avoid flooding. Garden Island.

Kapaa traffic solutions update. Larry Dill, Kauai District engineer, Hawaii Department of Transportation, will be the featured speaker at the Wailua-Kapaa Neighborhood Association’s meeting 2 p.m. Saturday at the Kapaa Public Library. Garden Island.

Electric vehicles near 10K mark, Capitol threat resolved, feds offer Kealohas plea deals, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Electric vehicle powered by solar on Henk Rogers' Hawaii energy farm ©2019 All Hawaii News

Passenger electric vehicle registrations nearing 10,000 milestone in Hawaii. Hawaii is inching closer to reaching a milestone with 10,000 passenger electric vehicles registered in the state. To be precise, the state is just short of the milestone by 95, according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism’s monthly energy trends report. Star-Advertiser.

Will Hawaii Lead The Renewables Revolution? Hawaii has positioned itself as a pioneer in the quest to move toward a fossil-free future. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Health Department gets additional $4M to combat opioid crisis. The state Health Department announced Monday that it has received an additional $4 million in federal grant funds to address and prevent the opioid crisis in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Sheriff’s Office: No Threat To Hawaii State Capitol. The Honolulu Police Department located an Arizona man who apparently encouraged a mass shooting in a social media post. Civil Beat.

Hawaii State Hospital now under new leadership. There’s a new head of the Hawaii state hospital. Doctor Run Heidelberg took over for William May as the facility’s administrator on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Cost for monthly housing in Honolulu not hurt by illegal vacation rentals, study finds. Illegal vacation rentals may have marred the fabric of residential neighborhoods around Oahu, but a new study concludes that they haven’t inflated primary rental housing rates. Star-Advertiser.

Louis and Katherine Kealoha offered plea deals from federal prosecutors. Federal prosecutors have made offers to Louis and Katherine Kealoha to avoid their upcoming trials. Hawaii News Now.

Whistleblower suspects Kealoha’s investigation into Board of Water Supply was a sham. New questions are being raised about an apparent investigation headed up by disgraced ex-deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha into the Board of Water Supply, and a whistleblower involved in the probe now believes it was all a sham. Hawaii News Now.

Neighborhood board sends letter to FAA, requesting tour helicopter ban over Kailua. The Kailua Neighborhood Board has passed a resolution asking for a federal ban of all tour helicopters over the beach community, and has sent a formal letter to the Federal Aviation Administration outlining details of that request. Star-Advertiser.

 =====

New Bags Required Of Chinatown Merchants To Combat Trash. Chinatown merchants are now required to use city-mandated yellow bags to dispose of their curbside trash, otherwise it won't be picked up by city trash collectors. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bright yellow garbage bags are the city’s solution to Chinatown’s trash problem. The city has started handing out big, bright yellow garbage bags to businesses in Chinatown to try and tackle the community's chronic trash problem. Hawaii News Now.

Chinatown businesses urged to use city-issued yellow trash bags. In an effort to keep trash off the streets of Chinatown, the city is re-emphasizing its new policy. KHON2.

New trash bag aimed at reducing illegal dumping, rummaging in Chinatown. A revised ordinance also makes it illegal to open garbage bags that have been put out for collection -- a tool for environmental inspectors to fine violators up to $2,500. KITV.

=====

Where A Developer Sees Houses, Enchanted Lake Residents See A Wetland To Protect. Residents adamantly oppose a housing development in Kaelepulu, an area that was once a fishery. Civil Beat.

It’ll take a bit longer to remove toxic soil buried beneath Kalihi street. Work to remove toxic soil buried beneath Factory Street in Kalihi is being pushed back a few weeks -- just as alarming new details are coming out about the lead contamination under the asphalt. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Investigation into claims of retaliation in DLNR’s boating division comes up empty. Department of Land and Natural Resources chair, Suzanne Case, told Hawaii News Now she asked investigators from the attorney general's office to help her agency look into corruption and retaliation complaints. Hawaii News Now.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustees To Visit Mauna Kea, Ka'u and Hilo. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will hold a community meeting in Pahala on Wednesday evening. The next day they will meet in Hilo and visit Pu'uhuluhulu. Big Island Video News.

Second accomplice sentenced in fatal officer shooting. A second accomplice was sentenced Monday in Circuit Court for her role in aiding and abetting cop killer Justin Waiki. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island program gives hope to dwindling Hawaii fish populations. Generations of community leaders and Kupuna of Kaupulehu on the west side of Hawaii Island converged to devise a plan to replenish their coral reef fish, creating the Kaupulehu Marine Reserve. KHON2.

Maui

Maui County Hosting Community Meetings To Help Craft Next Budget. Community meetings throughout Maui County are being held to help Mayor Michael Victorino and his administration craft its first budget that will cover fiscal year 2020-2021. Hawaii Public Radio.

“What’s up in Ha‘iku?” Subject of Ha’iku Community Association Meeting. The meeting will feature updates on local infrastructure and community projects from county officials and local community members. Maui Now.

Kauai

Tensions rise over parking at Hanalei Bay Resort. When Ian Jung, the lawyer representing the Association of Apartment Owners of Hanalei Bay Resort pulled the microphone away from Jimit Mehta mid-sentence, it became clear that what they were discussing — the number of parking spaces at HBR — was a heated issue. Garden Island.

Fire chief search continues. Nearly a year and a half into the search for a new fire chief, the Kauai County Fire Commission is essentially starting again from scratch. Garden Island.

FBI investigating mass shooting threat at state Capitol as TMT battle intensifies, 6-year property record backlog, Kauai company to increase beef production, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii state Capitol ©2019 All Hawaii News

FBI investigating online threat of a mass shooting at State Capitol. The FBI is investigating a threat that was made in a Facebook comment which appears to be a threat for a mass shooting at the Hawaii State Capitol. Hawaii News Now.

FBI responds to shooting threat at Capitol. Facebook comment threatening a shooting at the Capitol sends FBI and HPD on alert. KITV.

Hawaii Resident Threatens ‘Mass Shooting’. The rhetoric surrounding the Thirty Meter Telescope dispute atop Mauna Kea continues to ratchet up, as one Hawaii resident took the conversation to the topic of mass shootings. Big Island Now.

Some experts believe online death threats on the rise due to increased social media usage. Some tech experts aren't shocked at Saturday's FBI alert on the online threat of a possible shooting.  KITV.

State Puts Pressure On TMT Protesters Over Environment, Threats To Officials. The protesters say they are being vilified in an attempt to discredit the Mauna Kea movement. Civil Beat.

State, Anti-TMT Leaders Condemn Social Media Threats. Top state leaders are denouncing threatening social media posts directed at Hawaii law enforcement officers involved in the standoff over the Thirty Meter Telescope. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Homes Chair Seeks Private Counsel Amid Mauna Kea Access Road Dispute. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is requesting to "hire private counsel to advise the Commission on the valuation of compensation through funds and land owed to DHHL, pursuant to Act 14." Big Island Video News.

Hawaiian Homes Commission Seeks Thousand Acre Transfer. Maui Now.

Twitter Troll Impersonates TMT Account. An unverified Twitter account has closely copied the appearance of the official Thirty Meter Telescope account and is sending out derogatory and culturally insensitive posts. Hawaii Public Radio.

Mayor Served “Judicial Summons” By Group, “Arrest Warrants” Threatened. A group claiming to represent the Hawaiian Kingdom went to the County building on Tuesday, some wearing tactical vests, to serve the mayor their written demand. Big Island Video News.

=====


Scientists hope to see trend of increased sightings of humpback whales. The Central North Pacific stock of humpback whales that migrates from Alaska to Hawaii’s warmer waters to mate, calve and nurse their young has been estimated at roughly 10,000 individuals. Star-Advertiser.

How Climate Change Will Affect Hawaii’s Favorite Fish. Hawaii’s beloved bigeye tuna will be smaller, less abundant and farther away for local fishermen to catch as the Pacific heats up with global warming, scientists project. Civil Beat.

Backlog for Hawaii property title certificates now 6 years. Somewhere in the bowels of the Kalanimoku Building behind Hono­lulu Hale is a massive state government paperwork jam for certifying ownership of real estate in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Charter schools show growth in number of students. The number of students in Hawaii’s charter schools rose again this year while overall public school enrollment dipped slightly. Star-Advertiser.

Vanilla, Chocolate Sweeten Hawaii Agritourism. Farmers’ focus on new crops helps mesh two distinct industries in the Aloha State: tourism and agriculture. U.S. News & World Report.

Oahu

Katherine Kealoha led criminal case into Board of Water Supply’s billing practices, but was it real? Like so many Hawaii residents, Katherine Kealoha was fed up with her utility bills, especially her bills from the Board of Water Supply. Hawaii News Now.

New Trial For Grandma Who Sued Katherine Kealoha And Lost. A 100-year-old woman who sued her prosecutor granddaughter in a financial dispute and lost is getting a new trial. Associated Press.

Honolulu ranked ninth in a recent ranking of 20 cities with the worst traffic by Insurify, a website that compares auto insurance rates. With a congestion level of 28% and average commute time of 29.1 minutes, Honolulu was not as bad as San Francisco (No. 3), but worse than other cities, including Boston (No. 13) and Portland, Ore. (No. 15). Star-Advertiser.

City tells DOT it has no plans for Laniakea park, urges barriers be put back. Traffic and safety at Laniakea on Oahu’s North Shore is being revisited yet again. KHON2.

UH Receives $5.3M for ‘World-Famous’ Reproductive Lab. The Institute of Biogenesis Research gained its popularity after producing mice that glow a greenish color when placed under ultraviolet light. Maui Now.

Abandoned vessel sinks off Ala Wai Harbor. The U.S. Coast Guard said an abandoned vessel that was being towed by the state sank off Ala Wai Harbor Saturday afternoon. Hawaii News Now.

Bird invasion threatens Waikele community. The community has spent over $140,000 fixing damage caused by these birds. KITV.

Civil Beat Wins National Award For General Excellence. The Online News Association is the world’s largest organization for digital journalism. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Council asking county leaders to brainstorm new waste, energy ideas. With Hawaii Island’s zero waste and renewable energy programs only trudging along, it’s time for a major paradigm shift, county officials say. West Hawaii Today.

Funding recovery: County has so far spent nearly $10M in response to 2018 Kilauea eruption. Hawaii County could receive more than $300 million in state and federal funding to support recovery and response efforts stemming from the 2018 eruption of Kilauea volcano, but only a portion of funding has so far been obtained and even less has been spent as the county works to cement long-term recovery plans. Tribune-Herald.

Disaster losses - including those from lava and VOG from the the Kīlauea eruption, as well as Hurricane Lane - will be eligible for assistance. USDA Offers Disaster Assistance For Hawaii Farmers, Meetings Set. Big Island Video News.

County asks court to order property owners to clear homeless camp. After the owners of a property that has become a homeless encampment in downtown Hilo failed to appear at a court hearing Friday, a judge granted a motion to compel them to clear the property. Tribune-Herald.

Kona Brewing chugs along on construction of new facility. Construction is moving along at Kona Brewing Co.’s new brewery, with the first kegs and cans of beer targeted to roll off the line next spring. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

More testimony expected on Maui appeal to Supreme Court. The Maui County Council is set to receive public testimony Friday about a resolution to drop the county’s appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court regarding its discharge of treated wastewater from its Lahaina plant. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kauai rancher hopes to expand local beef production through his new company. A major Kauai rancher has new plans to expand the statewide supply of locally raised beef after taking control of Oahu’s only slaughterhouse as part of a business separation. Star-Advertiser.

A farm for everyone. The 11-acre farm at Timbers Kauai at Hokuala isn’t just for luxury owners and vacationers. It’s an amenity for island residents, too. Garden Island.

Island’s hemp industry focus of business group’s meeting. The Lihue Business Association will be focusing on industrial hemp farming and the progress of the pilot programs on Kauai, during its monthly meeting at Duke’s Canoe Club from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26. Garden Island.

Molokai

$8.5 million bridge in works for Molokai’s south side. Replacement proposed for Makakupaia Bridge built in 1940. Maui News.

Hawaii roads among the worst, Honolulu homeless face court-ordered treatment, Maui police officer arrested, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Saddle Road on Hawaii Island ©2019 All Hawaii News

Hawaii remains 47th worst in assessment of state highways. The worst urban interstate pavement conditions in the country and a low mark for spending per mile left Hawaii ranked 47th among states in a recent survey of highway performance. Star-Advertiser.

Expert: Trade war could impact Hawaii construction projects. The escalating trade war between the U.S. and China could lead to a shakeout in Hawaii construction industry, a real estate expert predicts. Hawaii News Now.

Air Travel’s Carbon Footprint Takes A Big Environmental Toll In Hawaii. Carbon emissions from planes are only now starting to get some of the attention as other troubling side effects caused by soaring numbers of tourists. Civil Beat.

Fewer Students in UH Classrooms Than a Decade Ago. It was back to school Monday for nearly 50,000 University of Hawaii students across the state. Total enrollment has been declining over the last decade, and officials have been trying to reverse the trend. Hawaii Public Radio.

Fixed Broadband Speeds Up in 2019. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Cable Television Division has issued its 2019 Report on Fixed Wireline Broadband Speeds, which builds upon data included in the 2018 Report on Fixed Wireline Broadband Speeds released in June of 2018. Big Island Now.

Hawaiian-Emperor Seamounts ecosystems recovering after trawling, report finds. For decades the sunken islands northwest of Hawaii proved a popular draw for fishing and trawling, with crews dragging heavy nets across the fertile peaks. In the process, the nets scraped the real estate to devastating effect. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Homeless people with mental illness to get court-ordered help. Officials with the city, state and the Institute for Human Services are teaming up on a new approach to deal with homeless people with mental health issues by trying to get court-ordered help for the first of potentially hundreds of homeless people on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Invests $500,000 To Reach Hardest-To-Serve Homeless People. The mayor is hoping state and federal agencies will help fund the effort to help homeless people, whether they want it or not. Civil Beat.

State’s only psychiatric street medicine team gets $500,000 from city. The city has awarded the state’s only psychiatric street medicine team $500,000 to help get more homeless people with mental illness off the streets and into treatment. Hawaii News Now.

City aims to help mentally ill, addicted homeless. KHON2.

=====

Katherine Kealoha’s Relatives Demand New Civil Trial Because Of Her Alleged Fraud. A motion seeks to overturn a $658,000 judgment in favor of the former city prosecutor, who was recently convicted of trying to frame her uncle. Civil Beat.

Katherine Kealoha’s relatives point to her conviction in bid for new civil trial. Hawaii News Now.

=====

State agency approves 80-acre solar project near UH West Oahu. The state Public Utilities Commission has approved a 12.5-megawatt solar project with a 50-megawatt-hour energy storage system in West Oahu, according to the Hawaiian Electric Co. Star-Advertiser.

City and County to hold workshops on sea level rise and climate change. The Department of Planning and Permitting is holding a series of pop-up workshops to gather input on how climate change and sea level rise will affect the area between Kahala and Pearl City, also known as the Primary Urban Center. KHON2.

Kailua Town Farmers’ Market finds temporary home. The popular Kailua Town Farmers’ Market is moving to the Pali Lanes parking lot, starting this Sunday, after getting booted from the elementary school parking lot it had been using for years. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s first bikeshare is raising its fares. After more than two years in operation, Bikeshare Hawaii, the nonprofit that manages Biki, has raised some of its fares while extending a new discount to low-income residents. Star-Advertiser.

One neighborhood’s loss is another’s gain as HPU moves its Downtown campus. Hawaii Pacific University students headed back to school Monday to a very different downtown campus. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

First accomplice sentenced in fatal shooting of police officer. The man who tipped off police to Justin Waiki’s whereabouts, witnessed the fatal shooting of Hawaii Police Department Officer Bronson Kaliloa and then gave the suspected shooter a ride from the scene last summer was sentenced to prison. West Hawaii Today.

Naalehu sewer bill scofflaws reap fines, warrants. Some Naalehu residents who haven’t been paying their sewer bills have found themselves slapped with fines and penalties, and even warrants taken out against them. West Hawaii Today.

First day of contraflow ‘very smooth’. A new traffic pattern on Highway 130 did not cause significant delays Monday morning despite previous complaints about the project. Tribune-Herald.

Mauna Kea Access Attempt Denied. A handful of Hawaiian beneficiaries in vehicles, and some on foot, were blocked from traversing the Mauna Kea Access Road on Monday morning. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui police officer arrested following reports of inappropriate conduct, abuse of authority. Maui police arrested one of their own tonight at the Kahului Airport on the strength of an arrest warrant based on information gathered in an ongoing criminal investigation. Star-Advertiser.

Maui Police Arrest Officer Brandon Saffeels, Victims’ Attorney Says Women Need to Step Forward. Maui Now.

Maui officer accused of misconduct arrested after stepping off flight. A Maui police officer accused of attempted perjury among other charges has been arrested amid an ongoing criminal investigation, Maui police confirmed Monday evening. Hawaii News Now.

Maui police officer arrested for perjury and witness tampering. KITV.

Maui Police Chief releases statement on the arrest of Maui PD officer. KHON2.

=====

Repairs for beach groins grow closer. Final assessment released for project, repairs expected in fall. Maui News.

Hawaii Group Seeks Block Of Federal Policy On Immigrants. A Hawaii community action agency has requested governmental help in blocking a new national policy that would affect immigrants across the islands, officials said. Associated Press.

Kauai

County buys 417 acres on the Westside. County buys 417 acres on the Westside. Garden Island.

County of Kauai acquires over 400 acres in Waimea from Kikiaola Land Company. The County of Kauai is announcing the purchase of 417 acres of agriculture land from the Kikiaola Land Company Ltd. on Monday. KHON2.

=====

Mayor signs 10th emergency proclamation. Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami has signed a 10th supplementary emergency proclamation on Monday for the County of Kauai, extending the emergency relief period for damages sustained during the April 2018 flood. Garden Island.

Council to consider ‘highway safety’ bills. Two bills pertaining to “highway safety” will be presented for potential inclusion in the 2020 Hawaii State Association of Counties Legislative Package and the 2020 County of Kauai Legislative Package. Garden Island.

Ige declares state of emergency amid Hawaiian protests, 33 arrested, Kealoha civil suits could cost Honolulu $40M, Maui wildlife arson suspect arrested, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mauna Kea Thirty Meter Telescope protest camp during quieter times ©2019 All Hawaii News

Ige issues emergency edict as number of TMT protesters balloons. Gov. David Ige issued an emergency proclamation on Wednesday afternoon as the number of people gathered at the base of Mauna Kea to protest the Thirty Meter Telescope swelled to roughly 1,000 and crews were blocked for the third day in a row from accessing the telescope construction site. Star-Advertiser.

Ige Issues Emergency Proclamation For Situation On Mauna Kea. Governor David Ige signed an emergency proclamation, saying it will give law enforcement the additional tools that they need on the mountain. Big Island Video News.

Mauna Kea under state of emergency as TMT protest stretches into 4th day. Thirty-three people were arrested on day three of the TMT protest. Hawaii News Now.

Governor Ige issues emergency proclamation in response to Mauna Kea events. Hundreds gathered Wednesday morning as it was anticipated that there would be movement on the third day of the standoff between state officials and kanaka maoli. KHON2.

Dozens of kupuna arrested on third consecutive day of TMT protest. Thirty-three opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope were arrested Wednesday on the Maunakea Access Road during an ongoing protest that prompted Gov. David Ige to sign an emergency proclamation. Tribune-Herald.

Gov. Ige signs emergency proclamation amid protests, arrests near TMT site. Despite the large presence in opposition to TMT construction, officials continued operations, with about a dozen large trucks toting construction equipment heading to Mauna Kea from a staging area in Waikoloa. Pacific Business News.

Full text of Gov. David Ige's emergency proclamation. Governor's Office.

=====

Highway closed, 33 arrested as TMT protests ratchet up. Protesters forced the closure of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway on Hawaii island for more than three hours Wednesday and 33 kupuna, or Hawaiian elders, were arrested in a sit-in intended to block construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Star-Advertiser.

Another ‘Truce’ After A Day Of Arrests On Mauna Kea. After 33 kupuna were removed and cited, police in riot gear descended on the scene of the TMT protest. But they later backed off. Civil Beat.

Latest Developments On TMT Protests At Mauna Kea. State officials estimated 1,000 people gathered near the intersection of Daniel K. Inouye Highway and Mauna Kea Access Road Wednesday as the protests against the Thirty Meter Telescope ramped up following the arrests of over 30 native Hawaiian elders and others opposed to the observatory project. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kupuna Arrested, Saddle Road Closed – Mauna Kea Update. Big Island Video News.

Astronomers: ‘We’re sort of dead in the water’. The protests surrounding the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea and the closure of the Maunakea Access Road affects not only the future of astronomy, but its present, as well, according to astronomers who use the telescopes already in place on the mountain. Tribune-Herald.

OHA trustee arrested at TMT protest on Mauna Kea. Among those arrested was Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Carmen Hulu Lindsey, who has represented Maui since January of 2012. KITV.

In wake of TMT arrests, scores gather to call for UH president’s resignation. Students, faculty, and staff at UH-Manoa who oppose the Thirty Meter Telescope held a rally Wednesday to call for President David Lassner’s resignation. Hawaii News Now.

UH faculty demand Lassner resign after 33 kupuna arrested on Mauna Kea. Tensions ran high after the state reported at least 33 kupuna were arrested by police on Mauna Kea early Wednesday morning. Emotions exploded on Oahu and triggered cultural practitioners to organize a rally at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. KITV.

=====

Hawaii Governor Keeps His Official Visitor List Under Wraps. David Ige’s office says he does not keep track of his visitors, raising transparency concerns. Civil Beat.

Climate Change Proposals Headed For Second Round In Hawaii Legislature. State officials are fine-tuning proposals that aim to mitigate the effects of climate change in the state. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric makes push toward renewable energy. The Hawaiian Electric Companies announced Wednesday its plans to put out requests for proposals for its largest and most ambitious push for renewable energy ever. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric Company said they’re preparing to kickstart the largest-ever renewable energy push in the state as they close down coal and oil-fired power plants. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Oahu activists demonstrate after TMT arrests. Oahu experienced a taste of Hawaii island’s Thirty Meter Telescope protest Wednesday as Native Hawaiian sympathizers demonstrated at the state Capitol courtyard, held a sit-in at Gov. David Ige’s office and slowed traffic on the H-1 Freeway and at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, among other actions. Star-Advertiser.

Ethics Commission, former director spar over handling of Kealoha probes. The Honolulu Ethics Commission met Wednesday to “set the record straight” about how it handled the Kealoha investigation. Hawaii News Now.

Former Ethics Commission leader rips members for lack of support. The former director of the Honolulu Ethics Commission told the panel’s members Wednesday that they violated the public’s trust by pulling him and his staff off from their investigations of ex-Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his wife, then-Deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha. Star-Advertiser.

Defiant Ethics Commission Defends Decisions On Kealohas. The chair of the Honolulu Ethics Commission pushes back on criticism that the commission short-circuited a probe of the former police chief, his wife and other cops. Civil Beat.

Attorney: 4 Kealoha era lawsuits could cost city up to $40 million. The attorney for the man framed by the Kealohas in the so-called mailbox theft case said four civil rights violation lawsuits against the couple and HPD could cost the city up to $40 million. Hawaii News Now.

Canoe club: Homeless camp is putting young paddlers’ safety in jeopardy. Canoe clubs at Keehi Lagoon are growing more frustrated with a relatively small group of squatters they say are a danger to families who use the park. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Council members report gifts, trips. County Council members reported gifts ranging from a $100 Southwest Airlines card to a trip to Portugal in their most recent gift disclosures. West Hawaii Today.

Rat Lungworm Disease’s Silent Victims: Cats, Dogs, Centipedes, Toads, Coqui Frogs and Horses. So far this year six people have contracted rat lungworm disease. But researchers on the Big Island have also begun to study the presence of the infection in animals. Civil Beat.

Maui

Maui police arrest arson suspect in massive wildfire. Maui police on Monday arrested a 28-year-old man suspected of setting the 9,000-acre wildfire in South Maui, resulting in the evacuation of thousands of residents. Star-Advertiser.

Man arrested in connection with 9,000-acre wildfire. Holden Bingham was arrested Monday night in connection with a wildfire that burned 9,000 acres in Central Maui and north Kihei. Maui News.

Maui police arrested 28-year-old Holden Bingham on Monday on suspicion of arson in connection with a fire that sparked 9,000 acres on Maui last week. Maui Now.

Battling 9,000-acre blaze cost $400K. Mahi Pono lands suffer the bulk of damage with about 5,000 acres burned. Maui News.

Kauai

In an emotional meeting Wednesday, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami and new police chief Todd Raybuck called an impromptu “listening meeting” at the County Civic Center Rotunda, after recent protests over the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea. Garden Island.

Crosswalks to be added near Kekaha School. The council went over several agenda items including a resolution that would establish two crosswalks on Kekaha Road and repeal an existing crosswalk near Kekaha School. Garden Island.

Drama but no arrests on Mauna Kea as protesters chain themselves to access road, Gabbard misses Congressional votes as she campaigns for president, Honolulu Council chairman endorses Kahele, ethics board studies mistakes in Kealoha oversight, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mauna Kea Thirty Meter Telescope press conference PC: Big Island Video News

Opponents remain at base of Mauna Kea, ready for day 2 of TMT protests. This comes after a day of hours-long standoffs and negotiations between authorities and Native Hawaiians and other activists who oppose the construction of the giant telescope. Hawaii News Now.

Activists stop construction on first day of Thirty Meter Telescope work. The opposition to the Thirty Meter Telescope declared victory Monday on what was to have been Day 1 for construction of the landmark $1.4 billion project near the summit of Hawaii’s tallest mountain. Star-Advertiser.

Late Standoff Shows How Tenuous A 1st-Day ‘Truce’ Was On Mauna Kea. No one was arrested Monday as hundreds of people protested construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Civil Beat.

There was a break in the action on the Mauna Kea Access Road in the early afternoon today, after Thirty Meter Telescope opponents who were chained to the cattle guard relinquished their position and were not arrested. Big Island Video News.

Protests continue as officials build gate to close off Mauna Kea Access Road. KHON2.

TMT Day 1: Protests end peacefully, no arrests made. Safety was the reason behind not arresting demonstrators, including kupuna and a handful who tied themselves to a cattle gate, blocking vehicle access to the mountain. KITV.

Latest Developments As TMT Construction Preparations Begin on Mauna Kea. Protesters and law enforcement expect to be back at Mauna Kea tomorrow after the anticipated arrests of protesters aiming to stop construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope did not materialize. Hawaii Public Radio.

Following a daylong standoff between police and Thirty Meter Telescope protesters, both sides appeared to agree late Monday to a truce until daybreak today. Tribune-Herald.

Inside the 'protectors' camp: Night spent with protesters shows community-run effort. West Hawaii Today.

Both sides of the TMT debate make their point known with rallies across the state. Mauna Kea isn’t the only place where members of the community voiced their opinion on what was set to be day one of TMT construction. Hawaii News Now.

Sign wavers and halau hula gathered at State Capitol to protest start of TMT construction. On Oahu, hundreds of people gathered at the State Capitol to voice their concerns over the start of construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope. KHON2.

100+ gathered at State Capitol to voice concerns against TMT. Some feel it's their duty to protect the mountain. KITV.

Local support for TMT has been strong for years. About three-fourths of local residents have said they support the telescope in Honolulu Star- Advertiser polls conducted in 2016 and 2018. The polling also suggested growing support among Native Hawaiians, with 72% of those polled saying they supported the project in 2018. Star-Advertiser.

TMT Equipment Going Up “Later This Week”, Supporters Rally. Early Monday evening, Thirty Meter Telescope supporters waved signs along the highway in Hilo, marking the observatory’s first scheduled day of construction on Mauna Kea. Big Island Video News.

=====

Tulsi Gabbard Has Missed Nearly A Quarter Of House Votes This Year. Those include votes on Friday to fund national defense, curb Trump on Iran and compensate 9/11 victims. Civil Beat.

Kai Kahele Gets Anderson’s Backing In Congressional Bid. The Honolulu City Council chairman has endorsed the state senator challenging Tulsi Gabbard. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Medical Cannabis Patients Can Get Card Extensions. Eligible patients will soon be able to renew their cards for up to two years, according to the Department of Health. Civil Beat.

Dramatic drop hits Hawaii macadamia nut crop. Production of mac nuts statewide fell to a dramatic 37-year low this past season, according to a federal report released last week. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Ethics Commission Set To Examine Its Role In Kealoha Corruption Case. The oversight board stopped its former executive director and investigator from pursuing ethics investigations into the city police chief and his prosecutor wife. Civil Beat.

Behind The Verdict In The Kealoha Trial: An Interview With The Jury Foreman. There was no smoking gun just a “mountain of evidence” that led to the conspiracy conviction of the former Honolulu police chief, his prosecutor wife and two police officers. Civil Beat.

Katherine Kealoha gets new taxpayer-funded attorney. A federal judge has appointed attorney Gary Singh to represent the former deputy prosecutor after her previous defense attorney, Cynthia Kagiwada, asked to be taken off the case, citing an “irretrievable breakdown” in their relationship. Hawaii News Now.

Katherine Kealoha has a new attorney. Attorney Earle Partington, who also represented Kealoha during the so called mailbox trial, says a judge has appointed Gary Singh to represent Kealoha in her next two trials. KHON2.

=====

About as quickly as they were knocked over, most of the 27 vandalized gravestones at Kawaiahao Church cemetery have been restored, in large part because of the goodwill of the community. Star-Advertiser.

Volunteers To Fix Vandalized Gravestones at Honolulu Church. Hawaii Public Radio.

Upcoming residential development in Mililani faces hefty fines over erosion concerns. The state Health Department is seeking to fine a Mililani developer $2,000, alleging they’re not taking appropriate erosion control precautions. Hawaii News Now.

Ala Moana Park improvements start next month. The city will begin repaving, reconstructing and re-striping the full, 1-mile stretch of Ala Moana Park Drive starting next month. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu man nabbed in child enticement sting used cameras hidden in toy cars. An Oahu man was being held without bail on Monday after investigators conducting a child enticement sting apparently discovered a number of cameras in his home that were hidden inside of toy cars.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Public recommends additional sites as potential locations for new boat ramp. Sacred Heart Church in Pahoa was packed Saturday for a discussion about a small boat ramp in lower Puna. Tribune-Herald.

Puna Fishermen Pack Pohoiki Boat Ramp Meeting. Puna families and fisherman filled the Sacred Hearts Church building in Pahoa on Saturday, to speak in favor of reestablishing a boat ramp in the area of Pohoiki, and against any consideration of developing a new boat ramp at Kaakepa to the south. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Input Sought on Options for 50 Lots at Maui Lani. Public input will be sought on various options for 50 Maui Lani lots acquired by the County of Maui through a settlement with a developer in 2011. Maui Now.

Fire crews patrol perimeters, douse flare-ups. Embers could smolder a week, officials say. Maui News.

Kauai

New Study Shows The Big Kauai Flood Took A Toll On Fish And Coral After All. Fisherman celebrated the abundance of fish flocking near the shore after the flood, but scientists say the damage left some species unhealthier. Civil Beat.

County’s opioid lawsuit in federal court. Kauai County may soon join a federal class action lawsuit seeking tens of billions of dollars on behalf of millions of people affected by the national opioid crisis. Garden Island.

Council meeting Wednesday. The Kauai County Council is scheduled to meet 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Historic County Building. Garden Island.

Wai Koa Plantation for sale. Joan Porter is selling Wai Koa Plantation, the legacy property that’s home to Stone Dam and the Wai Koa Loop Trail. Garden Island.

Hundreds attend vigil as Thirty Meter Telescope construction to commence today, arson investigation in Maui wildfires, security cameras going up in Oahu parks, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiians chant, prepare on Mauna Kea ©2019 All Hawaii News

With TMT construction set to begin, protesters lie on ground to block potential vehicles. At least seven protesters were lying on the ground, chained to a cattle guard on Mauna Kea Access Road early Monday, just hours before construction was set to start on the controversial project. Hawaii News Now.

Hundreds of Thirty Meter Telescope opponents on Mauna Kea in attempt to block construction. State and local officials will try to close a road to the summit of Mauna Kea Monday morning to allow trucks carrying construction equipment to make their way to the top to begin construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on land that some Native Hawaiians consider sacred. Associated Press.

Hundreds of Native Hawaiian activists encamped Sunday at the bottom of Mauna Kea were determined to stand their ground against the launching of construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope — unsure of how law enforcement would intervene or what the morning would bring. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Kim Makes Surprise Visit To Puuhonua At Base Of Mauna Kea. Mayor Harry Kim made a surprise visit to Puu Huluhulu on Sunday, where he told the Thirty Meter Telescope opponents who have established a puuhonua at the location that he supports what they have done. Big Island Video News.

Hundreds gather for prayer vigil. A 12-hour prayer vigil Sunday drew hundreds opposed to the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea to Pu‘u Huluhulu, across from the intersection of Saddle Road. Tribune-Herald.

Crowds gather on Maunakea prior to TMT project start. With less than 24 hours before the Maunakea summit access road was expected to close in anticipation of the start of construction on the Thirty Meter Telescope, hundreds gathered here over the weekend offering oli, mele and prayers as part of a peaceful yet determined demonstration at the base of Maunakea. West Hawaii Today.

Hundreds gather to protest TMT, construction begins Monday. Hundreds gathered at the base of Maunakea to peacefully protest the Thirty Meter Telescope, which is scheduled to begin construction Monday morning, July 15. KHON2.

Hundreds of TMT protestors gather at Maunakea. Hundreds of protestors are already gathered at the base of Maunakea on the eve of the start of telescope construction. KITV.

Anxiety, Rumors And Prayers Before TMT Construction Begins On Mauna Kea. Officials are committed to escorting construction vehicles for the Thirty Meter Telescope up the mountain Monday. Civil Beat.

Gov. Ige addresses concerns ahead of the start of TMT construction. Gov. David Ige held a news conference Sunday to address the mounting tensions over the start of construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Hawaii News Now.

Governor Attempts to Tamp Down Tensions As TMT Opponents Gather At Mauna Kea. Hawaii Gov. David Ige sought to quell rumors of a planned sweep to clear out protesters gathering at Mauna Kea as construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on the mountain begins this week. Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor Ige Says No Sweeps Planned. “There is no sweep planned for 8 p.m. this evening,” Governor David Ige told media during a Sunday news conference on Oahu. “There’s no sweeps planned at this point.” Big Island Video News.

Full Video: Gov. Ige holds press conference day before TMT ground break. Hawaii Gov. David Ige held a press conference the day before the ground break of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea on Sunday. KHON2.

OHA demands TMT halt until Native Hawaiian concerns, safety issues resolved. Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chairwoman Colette Machado and OHA Trustee Dan Ahuna are demanding a halt to construction of the long-stalled Thirty Meter Telescope near the summit of Mauna Kea “to avoid harm to Native Hawaiians” and ensure public safety. Star-Advertiser.

OHA Chair Demands Governor Halt TMT Construction. The chairperson of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs has demanded a halt to construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope that is scheduled to start next week. Hawaii Public Radio.

The DOE’s Chief Financial Officer Is Leaving For UH. Amy Kunz’s appointment to the University of Hawaii system was tucked in a recent meeting agenda item from the UH Board of Regents. Civil Beat.

Court Rejects Feds’ Withholding Of Info In UH Biolab Inspection Report. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention heavily redacted a report that found safety infractions at the facility. Civil Beat.

Shawzy Cann is one of the 82 people with confirmed cases of rat lungworm disease from 2007 to 2017. A review of the cases was published last week in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

State agency to study transferring control of Kakaako to city. One day after Ige issued his veto Tuesday, board members of the Hawaii Community Development Authority overseeing Kakaako voted to spend up to $100,000 for a private consultant to produce a study on transferring the agency’s Kakaako responsibilities to another entity or entities, despite concerns that such a transfer would be premature and unwise. Star-Advertiser.

Council’s office move to Alii Place hits a snag. The Honolulu City Council’s plan to temporarily move into offices at the downtown Alii Place tower has hit a snag that likely will push the renovation of Council offices at Honolulu Hale into 2021. Star-Advertiser.

More improvements are coming to Ala Moana Beach Park. Up next: Repaving. Work to resurface the main road in Ala Moana Regional Park is scheduled to begin next month. Hawaii News Now.

To curb vandalism, nearly 200 security cameras will be installed in Oahu parks. The City and County of Honolulu plans to install nearly 200 more security cameras at its busiest parks under a partnership with the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Hawaii News Now.

Katherine Kealoha diagnosis raises questions about her city job. After a jury convicted former Deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha of multiple felony counts, the lead federal prosecutor described her as a chronic malingerer, someone who feigned medical ailments to avoid accountability for her actions. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii Officials 'Not Pleased' With West Oahu Land Transfer Mandate. A dispute is brewing over a parcel of land in West Oahu designated as the site of a new state film studio. Hawaii Public Radio.

Changing Habits Yields Health Benefits At MA’O Farms In Waianae. Early data from a UH study shows interns at the farm lowered their diabetes risk by altering eating habits and lifestyles —  with a ripple effect of health benefits for friends and families. Civil Beat.

Turtle Bay Resort offers community garden plots. The resort owner is offering 500-square-foot plots adjacent to its resort property as a community garden for employees, North Shore residents and neighborhood organizations including nonprofits and schools. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Zoning change would allow cinder quarry to expand. A cinder quarry south of Leilani Estates may be expanded in the next few years after a petition was filed by Kamehameha Schools last month. Tribune-Herald.

County plans project to install better performing streetlights around the island.  Tribune-Herald.

Waiaka Stream Bridge project gains traction. Sen. Lorraine Inouye said the state’s effort to replace the 87-year-old bridge, located near the intersection of Kohala Mountain and Kawaihae roads in Waimea, “is moving along except for … the stall of needing additional property.” Tribune-Herald.

Dairy wastewater lagoons in process of being removed. The removal of wastewater lagoons at Big Island Dairy is currently underway, the state Department of Health said Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor Victorino Urges Vigilance: Wildfires Burn 9,200 Acres. Mayor Michael Victorino asked residents and visitors to exercise caution Sunday in the wake of wildfires that have kicked up clouds of dirt and ash from Upcountry Maui to Kaupo and South Maui. Maui Now.

Attention shifts to arson investigation as crews gain upper hand in Maui wildfires. Officials on Maui remained on high alert as a raging wildfire --believed to be the largest in the county’s history -- continued to burn out of control in Central Maui. Hawaii News Now.

Firefighting focus turns toward hot spots, flare-ups. Both blazes nearing containment, county says. Maui News.

Maui Fires Kick Up Dust, Ash As Mop-Up Continues. Maui residents and visitors were advised to drive carefully and stay indoors, if needed, as dust and ash from two brush fires lowered road visibility as well as air quality in parts of the island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

New police chief visits North Shore. Several North Shore residents were invited to meet and greet new Kauai Police Department Chief Todd Raybuck, as well as Lt. Todd Tanaka, acting North Shore captain, and Capt. Mark Begley, patrol captain for the entire island. Garden Island.

Housing market holding strong. The real estate market on Kauai remained relatively strong through the first half of 2019, but overall sales figures across the island are down from this time last year, and the market could be in for a substantial downturn, Realtors said. Garden Island.

Kahoolawe

Kahoolawe watershed rehabilitation project is bearing fruit. The formerly bare, red-dirt slopes of Hakioawa watershed on the northern slopes of Kahoolawe island are now festooned with green through the labors of the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission and 199 volunteers from around the state. Star-Advertiser.

USS Arizona Memorial repairs continue, Kealoha lawyer quits, 2020 census to be online, Maui residents return after wildfire, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

USS Arizona Memorial PC:NPS

Key progress made in Arizona Memorial access. A more than $2.1 million project to restore walk-on access to the USS Arizona Memorial is getting closer to completion, with a 105-foot floating concrete dock repositioned next to the memorial and a new anchoring system in place beneath it. Star-Advertiser.

New Pre-K Locations Announced After Expansion Bill Becomes Law. The 10 classrooms will be at the following schools: on Oahu, Aiea Elementary, Haleiwa Elementary, Nanaikapono Elementary, Waianae Elementary, Palolo Elementary and Waimanolo Elementary & Intermediate; on Big Island, Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary, Hilo Union Elementary and Honaunau Elementary; and on Maui, Pukalani Elementary. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Katherine Kealoha Loses One Attorney While A Second Seeks A Retrial. The former city prosecutor’s publicly funded defense lawyer was allowed to withdraw from the case on the same day her privately paid attorney made new claims. Civil Beat.

Kealoha attorneys seek new trial — and claim they’ve found Alison Lee Wong. Katherine Kealoha says her court-appointed attorney was ineffective, inexperienced and uncooperative during the trial. Hawaii News Now.

Katherine Kealoha appears in shackles. Deputy prosecutor- turned-felon Katherine Kea­loha shuffled into federal court Thursday wearing an off-white, short-sleeve prison jumpsuit, navy blue boat shoes and shackles around her ankles. Star-Advertiser.

Katherine Kealoha will get a new lawyer. Cynthia Kagiwada filed a motion to withdraw and the judge approved it Thursday. KHON2.

State backs affordable-housing towers. A state agency is inclined to provide $130 million for a developer to build two apartment towers near Aloha Stadium for low-income households despite contentious community meetings over much of the project earlier this year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Astronomers express anxiety, excitement at TMT construction site atop Mauna Kea. The construction site for the Thirty Meter Telescope is on the mountain’s northern plateau, about 400 feet below the summit. Hawaii News Now.

Institute for Astronomy to continue managing telescope. The University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy was awarded a contract by NASA to continue to manage its telescope on Maunakea. Tribune-Herald.

Cracking down on ag theft: New law provides counties with an enforcement officer. Legislation recently signed by Gov. David Ige aims to address agricultural theft and vandalism on Hawaii Island and Maui. Tribune-Herald.

Preparing for the 2020 census: People will be able to fill out their forms online for the first time. But challenges remain in making sure every person in every community, in every state, is counted accurately, Census Bureau representatives told the County Council earlier this week. West Hawaii Today.

Supreme Court to weigh in on police shooting accomplice case. Prosecutors are seeking relief from the Hawaii Supreme Court in the case of four of the seven defendants accused of aiding accused cop killer Justin Waiki. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Liquor panel finally approves rules changes. Maui County brewpubs will be able to serve their industry standard 16-ounce beers and provide multiple sample-size beers to customers, according to rule amendments approved Wednesday morning by the Maui County Liquor Commission. Maui News.

=====

Officials lift evacuation order but warn that fire is still ‘an active threat’. All evacuation orders triggered by a massive wildfire in Central Maui were lifted Thursday night, but the mayor of Maui County warned residents to remain on alert because the fire is still posing a threat. Hawaii News Now.

Evacuees allowed to return home after brush fire scorches 3,000 acres. KHON2.

All evacuees may return home, Maui County says. KITV.

UPDATE 10:20 P.M.: Motorists allowed back into Kihei amid fire; airport, Kuihelani Highway open. Shelter, road updates. Maui News.

Maui Brush Fire Forces Evacuations. The blaze was still uncontained Thursday evening, and two shelters had been opened. Civil Beat.

An enormous wildfire swept across 3,000 acres of mostly fallow former sugar cane fields Thursday, forcing thousands to evacuate, closing down highways, trapping some residents for hours and diverting flights from Kahului Airport to Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

A brush fire that prompted evacuations and diverted some flights on the Hawaii island of Maui remained uncontained, officials said Thursday night. An evacuation notice was sent to the cellphones of residents in the town of Maalaea and in parts of Kihei, a Maui County official said. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Illegal Parking Fees Rise From $35 To $235 On Kauai’s North Shore. The steepened penalty is expected to deter problematic illegal parking near popular beaches, trailheads and attractions on Kauai’s secluded North Shore. Civil Beat.

State to raise fines for illegally-parked cars along parts of Kauai’s North Shore. Hawaii News Now.

The North Shore community showed up in force at the Waipa Foundation Center Wednesday evening to take part in an Office of Hawaiian Affairs public meeting. Garden Island.

The salt beds are flooded on Kauai’s Westside, thanks to a combination of king tides, high surf and blocked drainage. Garden Island.