Showing posts with label Kim Coco Iwamoto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kim Coco Iwamoto. Show all posts

Thursday, June 14, 2018

Hawaii on the Hill mixes promotion with politics, super PAC stirs up lt. gov. race, Ige signs pesticide bill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Sen. Brian Schatz
Hawaii on the Hill PC:U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz
UPDATE: This entry has been edited to remove references to an article about gems being produced by Kilauea Volcano after debunking Thursday by scientists.

National Politics Percolate At ‘Hawaii On The Hill’ Event In DC. It’s not all about poke bowls and Spam musubi. The annual Chamber of Commerce event gives some island leaders a firsthand look at national issues. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Congressional delegation joined local government officials, small business owners, and educators at the 5th annual Hawaii on the Hill events on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Garden Island.

Unite Here Local 5, which represents about 11,000 Hawaii hospitality, health and food service workers, endorsed Kim Coco Iwamoto for lieutenant governor on Wednesday.  Star-Advertiser.

Super PAC Dumps A Quarter-Million Dollars Into LG Race. The pro-rail carpenters union is backing state Sen. Josh Green, but one political analyst questions whether it’s payback against another candidate. Civil Beat.

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The state of Hawaii is banning a pesticide scientists have found could hinder the development of children’s brains. Associated Press.

Hawaii became the first state in the country to ban pesticides containing chlorpyrifos, a chemical that has been linked to disruptions in the brain development of babies and young children, with Gov. David Ige signing the measure into law on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige signed SB3095 Wednesday, which bans the use of pesticides containing the potentially harmful chemical chlorpyrifos starting in 2023. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii became the first state in the nation to ban chlorpyrifos with the Wednesday signing of SB3095 by Gov. David Ige. Garden Island.

Hawaii Becomes First State to Ban Neurotoxin, Chlorpyrifos. Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor David Ige signed a law Wednesday, banning the use of pesticides containing chlorpyrifos. KITV.

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Gov. Ige Asks FEMA to Reconsider Request for Kauai & Oahu. Big Island Now.

Gov. David Ige is asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reconsider its initial denial of the state’s request for individual assistance for Kauai and Oahu residents affected by April’s severe storms and flooding. Garden Island.

The Hawaiian Electric Cos. have filed their Electrification of Transportation Strategic Roadmap (“EoT Roadmap”) with the state Public Utilities Commission. Star-Advertiser.

The mayors of Hawaii’s four counties are pushing ahead in their pursuit of electrifying the state’s transportation sector by signing a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to formally join Drive Electric Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

Pasha Hawaii receives 600 new refrigerated containers as part of expanded Hawaii service. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Blood Bank Paying A High Price In Its Dispute With Honolulu Rail Officials. The nonprofit wants to abandon its headquarters long before trains start rumbling nearby. But the city is offering to buy only a strip of landscaping. Civil Beat.

More frustration for Oahu residents trying to renew their driver's licenses. KHON2.

The state is investigating a case of Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially deadly form of pneumonia caused by a bacterial infection. Star-Advertiser.

Six isolated cases of Legionnaires' disease confirmed in Hawaii this year. KHON2.

The state Department of Health announced on Wednesday that they are investigating a new case of legionellosis on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Union hopes nonprofit, trust fund will help its members buy homes. Star-Advertiser.

Longtime leader of St. Francis School ousted. Sister Joan of Arc Souza, who led St. Francis School in Manoa for 27 of its 94 years as its head of school and principal, was no longer employed at the school as of Monday. Star-Advertiser.

A Honolulu-based hotel company has sold six of its Asia-Pacific properties to a Thai-based property development and investment holding company for $310 million. Associated Press.

Solar permits issued on Oahu rose 42 percent in May to mark the fifth straight month of increases. Star-Advertiser.

‘The Last Wild Place’ Wins National Honors. Civil Beat took readers on a visual journey through one of the most remote parts of the planet. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Ige seeks assistance from federal programs. Gov. David Ige said Wednesday that Hawaii County estimates lava has destroyed approximately 455 dwellings in Leilani Estates, Lanipuna Gardens, Vacationland and Kapoho Beach Lots, of which 192 are primary residences. Many other homes throughout Puna have been cut off by lava or are uninhabitable due to poor air quality from volcanic gases. Star-Advertiser.

Federal aid for people affected by the Kilauea eruption might be approved soon after Gov. David Ige signed a request for such assistance Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii governor asks FEMA to OK individual assistance for lava claims. State agencies, the county government and nonprofit organizations have been providing assistance to individuals so far; the state has no individual assistance programs, the governor’s office said. Pacific Business News.

County hoping Disaster Assistance Center can open by weekend. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Harry Kim is hoping to have a conceptual plan for a Kaikoo-style redevelopment project to help those displaced by the Kilauea eruption drafted within a month. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii mayor wants to relocate those displaced outside zones one or two. KITV.

Website aims to provide displaced lava evacuees with housing. KITV.

The incredible scope of the Big Island eruptions, a disaster with no end in sight. Hawaii News Now.

Farmers among hardest hit by eruptions with losses of more than $14M. Hawaii News Now.

Overflight Video: Rivers of Lava. Big Island Now.

VIDEO: Drone Captures Dramatic Drop At Kilauea Summit. Big Island Video News.

The National Weather Service reported Wednesday that light winds will bring vog inland and to the south, wrapping around to the Kona area. West Hawaii Today.

Distant Eruption Has Major Impact On Kona-Kohala Coast. West side residents and businesses are dealing with vog and a downturn in business, including some people cancelling their visits. Civil Beat.

Relief greets Pride of America’s return to Hawaii Island ports. West Hawaii Today.

Hundreds of animals among lava refugees. The humanitarian crisis in its sixth week on Hawaii island, forcing more than 400 people into shelters and away from erupting lava, also has taken a toll on animals in the area. Star-Advertiser.


Maui

Maui Renters Need to Work 123 Hours a Week to Afford 2-Bedroom Apartment. Maui Now.

DLNR Seeking Comments on Draft EIS for Business Park. The 280-acre DLNR Industrial and Business Park is located along Maui Veterans Highway (formerly known as Mokulele Highway) adjacent to the Hawaii National Guard Armory and the County Raceway Park in Central Maui, in the vicinity of the former Naval Air Station Puunene and Maui Humane Society. Maui Now.

Kauai

In the wake of the Kauai floods and volcanic activity on Hawaii Island, Kahuku Medical Center has raised $15,000 for the American Red Cross of Hawaii to support disaster relief efforts and those affected by recent natural disasters. Garden Island.

The southbound lane of Kuhio Highway between Nuku Street and Kapaia Road will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. beginning Wednesday, June 20, and Thursday, June 21. The closure is necessary to allow the Wastewater Management Division to continue a sewer main repair in the area. Garden Island.

Monday, April 16, 2018

Flooding damages Kauai and Oahu, Ige says Hanabusa pressuring lawmakers for donations, three finalists named to replace Souki, public-private partnership may fix Ala Wai harbor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

House destroyed by floodwaters in Wainiha, Kauai. PC: Kresta Kay
Gov. David Ige issued an emergency proclamation Sunday for Kauai after severe rains led to flooding and landslides on the island. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige is calling out his leading political rival, U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, and top leaders in the Legislature for collaborating on a fundraiser in the final weeks of this year’s session, saying the event sends a clear message to anyone who hopes for anything from the Legislature that they must donate to Hanabusa. Star-Advertiser.

A bill that would change Hawaiian Electric Co.'s century-old business model is awaiting Hawaii Gov. David Ige's signature. Pacific Business News.

Lawmakers have performed CPR on a lifeguard liability bill that was all but sunk in the legislative session. West Hawaii Today.

Ad Watch: Who’s Kim Coco Iwamoto Again? The candidate for Hawaii lieutenant governor attempts to brand herself in her first television commercial. Civil Beat.

Republican candidates for state office stump in Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Starvation case reveals gap in safety net for abused children. By simply submitting a one-page form, the family of a 9-year-old Hilo girl who starved to death in 2016 was able to remove the child from the public school system to educate her at home despite a long and troubled history with the state’s child welfare system. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii cases of home-schooling and abuse. These four Hawaii cases are included in a national database compiled by the Coalition for Responsible Home Education that tracks severe abuse, including fatalities, of children who are home-schooled. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The state’s decision to move forward on redevelopment of the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor through a public-private partnership drew criticism Friday during a Board of Land and Natural Resources meeting. Star-Advertiser.

Erosion, eating away at the shoreline. Star-Advertiser.

In Waimanalo, flood clean-up comes with a question: Could this have been prevented? Hawaii News Now.

A 41-year-old man was shot to death today after attempting to enter a home in Ewa Beach, police said. Star-Advertiser.

Since BikeShare Hawaii’s launch in June, the program’s operator has attempted to charge 107 customers a $1,200 “lost or stolen” bike fee, despite saying that improper docking of the bike is the usual culprit. Star-Advertiser.

Zoo addresses vandalism amid push for validation. Star-Advertiser.

Dean Okimoto, owner of Nalo farms in Waimanalo, faces a financial setback after Friday night's rain washed away a dozen acres worth of his popular Nalo greens. KITV.

Hawaii Island

More marked police cars sought. About a decade ago, the Hawaii Police Department acquired its first fleet of marked police vehicles, costing around $2 million. West Hawaii Today.

Kealakekua draft environmental report raises concerns. About 60 people attended a public comment meeting for the draft environmental impact statement connected to the master plan for Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park, a South Kona site the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Division of State Parks have been trying to develop for decades. West Hawaii Today.

Residents who live in the area surrounding Kealakekua Bay had a chance to share their thoughts on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a Master Plan that will shape the future of the culturally and historically significant place, considered by many to be a wahi pana. Big Island Video News.

Uncertainty over whether the Legislature will continue to fund programs to help the homeless has caused at least one nonprofit to pull back on services, including efforts to get more chronically homeless adults and low-income families off the street on Hawaii island. Star-Advertiser.

The Public Charter School Commission has voted to put Ka'u Learning Academy on notice about possible revocation of its charter, citing a range of problems including financial irregularities, enrollment discrepancies and testing procedures. Star-Advertiser.

More than two weeks after a deadline to submit bids for a surf school pilot program at Kahaluu Bay, local surf schools said they haven’t heard anything from either the county or the nonprofit picked to manage the program. West Hawaii Today.

Accidental manure spill prompts advisory. The state Department of Health is asking residents to stay out of Alaialoa Gulch in Ookala after it was contaminated with cow manure. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island businesses experience drawbacks trying to fill staff during robust economy. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Former Maui County Democratic Party Chairman Troy Hashimoto, former Maui County Council Member Dain Kane and attorney Joe Wildman were selected Saturday as finalists to fill the state House seat of former Speaker Joe Souki. Maui News.

The list of candidates seeking to fill the remaining term for the District 8 House vacancy has been narrowed to three: Troy Hashimoto, Dain Kane and Joseph (Joe) Wildman. Maui Now.

About 35 traffic signals — some more than four decades old — will be upgraded within the next year, Maui County Traffic Engineer Nolly Yagin said Wednesday. Maui News.

While surf splashes against bulging sand mattresses just a stone’s throw away from a Kahana resort’s eight-story towers, plans to shield them from erosion with a 400-foot-long seawall have run into community opposition, a lawsuit and an uncertain future in the state Legislature. Maui News.

The southern terminus of the Lahaina bypass was blessed Sunday, and while the controversial project prompted one Maui lawmaker to skip the ceremony in protest, others expressed relief that the latest section of the bypass had finally been built. Maui News.

Haleakala’s Changes Hit Small Businesses. Park officials vastly reduced the number of tour companies allowed to operate in the park. Hawaii Public Radio.

A public informational meeting for the Paia Relief Route project, originally scheduled for Tuesday, April 17, 2018, has been postponed, according to officials with the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Maui Now.

Kauai

A lawsuit between Kauai Police Department Assistant Chief Mark Begley and the County of Kauai is garnering another $100,000 in legal fees in a battle that’s been ongoing since 2012. Garden Island.

Flooding of epic proportions: Homes destroyed, roads closed, many rescued. Garden Island.

Molokai

Commentary: The Crazy Lease Fight Over Molokai Mule Rides. The family that has operated the Kaulapapa tours for decades is fighting eviction with claims based on long-discredited conspiracy theories. Civil Beat.