Most incumbents keep seats, state Senate loses sole Republican, Hawaii holds for Hillary, Caldwell re-elected Honolulu mayor, new face on OHA board, more election news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Voting in general election © 2016 All Hawaii News

Statewide election summary here.

Without a native son on the ballot for president, Hawaii’s voter turnout dropped below the last presidential election year in 2012. With all but a handful of votes counted, 412,282 ballots were cast statewide, about 55 percent of Hawaii’s 749,917 registered voters. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii voters grappled with long lines and frustrating equipment malfunctions statewide Tuesday, as a larger-than-expected turnout appeared to overwhelm a number of polling places. Hawaii News Now.

Schatz, Gabbard, Hanabusa Win Big In Congressional Races. Colleen Hanabusa will rejoin the congressional delegation after winning two races on the general election ballot. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Democrats in the congressional races made election wins look easy Tuesday night, with U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and former U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa all seizing and holding commanding leads from the first election returns. Star-Advertiser.

Former Honolulu City Councilman Stanley Chang ousted the Senate’s lone Republican Sam Slom on Tuesday night, making Hawaii the only state in the nation with an entirely Democratic state Senate. Star-Advertiser.

Chang Tops Slom In Race To Unseat Hawaii’s Only GOP Senator. Other than Slom and Pouha, incumbents fared well in legislative races. Rhoads, Gates, Holt and Nakamura won open seats. Civil Beat.

Hawaii has become the only state in the nation to have an all-Democrat legislative body. Hawaii News Now.

Keli‘i Akina, president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, seemed headed for a surprising victory over Office of Hawaiian Affairs veteran Haunani Apoliona, after trailing narrowly in early returns. OHA Chairman Robert Lindsey defeated challenger Mililani Trask, 44.6 percent to 32.5 percent, with almost all votes counted. Associated Press.

Voters Split On Making Changes To State Constitution. Voters narrowly agreed to a measure involving excess state funds but turned down an increase in the financial threshold for jury trials. Civil Beat.

Incumbents cruised to victory in the neighbor island County Council races Tuesday night, although a few lost their seats, including veteran Kauai County Councilman Gary Hooser and Maui County Councilman Don Couch. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Incumbent Kirk Caldwell defeated former U.S. Rep. and City Councilman Charles Djou in the battle for Honolulu mayor Tuesday night. With nearly all the ballots counted before midnight, Caldwell had 138,142 votes, or 52.3 percent, to Djou’s 125,945, or 47.7 percent. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell defeated challenger Charles Djou 51 percent to 46.5 percent Tuesday evening. Civil Beat.

Kirk Caldwell won his re-election bid Tuesday night, prevailing in a hard-fought battle against challenger Charles Djou to serve a second term as Honolulu's mayor. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Council members and city prosecutor were cruising comfortably to re-election Tuesday night. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Voters Say No To Longer Terms For Mayor, Council. But most of the other charter amendments were passing handily, including more police oversight and money for the Honolulu Zoo. Civil Beat.

A Honolulu City Charter amendment to give the Police Commission greater authority soared to approval with most of the vote counted Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Sue Lee Loy and Eileen Ohara cruised to victory in races for two open Hawaii County Council seats Tuesday evening. Tribune-Herald.

Two seats on the nine-member Hawaii County Council were decided in run-off elections Tuesday night. Big Island Video News.

Incumbents carried the day Tuesday in Hawaii Island’s state House races. Tribune-Herald.

State Sen. Kai Kahele will finish the remaining two years of his late father’s term in the Senate, Hilo voters decided on Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

They’re tucked at the bottom and probably the least understood of everything on the ballot, but one change to the county charter passed, one change to the state constitution failed and another passed Tuesday night. West Hawaii Today.

A would-be voter in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates said she and four others were denied ballots because they weren’t listed in the system. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

In a come-from-behind victory, Aloha ʻāina candidate Alika Atay won the race for the Wailuku Council seat after trailing the entire night by a slim margin. Maui Now.

With a number of tight races getting down to the wire, there remained nearly 3,000 votes to count in Maui County, as of shortly before 11 p.m., according to Deputy County Clerk Josiah Nishita. Maui News.

Maui’s voter turnout improved from 52.7% in 2014 to 56.4% this year.  Of the 93,912 registered voters in Maui County, 52,969 cast ballots in the General Election.  This included a precinct turnout of 26,493 and an absentee turnout of 26,476, representing 28.2% of the vote each. Maui Now.

Maui voters turned out in greater numbers Tuesday, at least compared with anemic results during the Aug. 13 primary election, according to reports from polls at the Haiku Community Center, Maui High School, Kihei Community Center and Kihei Elementary School. Maui News.

Kauai

With all 16 precincts reporting, Derek Kawakami and Arthur Brun are the new faces of the Kauai County Council. Garden Island.

District 16 Incumbent Daynette “Dee” Morikawa will return to the state House after defeating Republican candidate Victoria Franks Tuesday. Garden Island.

It was a night of smiles and celebration for Nadine Nakamura even before the first printout was released on Tuesday night, and the celebrations continued once it was announced later that she was leading by a significant amount for the District 14 seat in the House of Representatives. Garden Island.

Ige touts ocean energy conversion, inspections lag for medical providers, voter registration hits record as election nears, Bureau of Conveyances digitizing records, Kenoi-Kim transition hits bump, Maui financial data goes online, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige throws shaka Saturday at Hilo Veterans Day parade © 2016 All Hawaii News

Gov. David Ige said he is interested in the commercial use of ocean thermal energy conversion to help achieve the state’s 100 percent renewable-energy goal. Star-Advertiser.

A key division within the state Department of Land and Natural Resources that handles real estate transactions is halfway through a project to convert more than 170 years of vital state records into a permanent digital format. Pacific Business News.

Some of Hawaii’s medical providers haven’t had safety inspections for as long as four years as the state struggles to keep up with oversight responsibilities with a shortage of health inspectors. Star-Advertiser.

More Hawaii residents have registered to vote this year than ever before. The ease of online registration, offered for the first time in Hawaii this election cycle, might explain the increase in the total electorate  to 749,917. Civil Beat.

A look at early voter numbers in Hawaii indicates this may be a good year for voter turnout. KHON2.

Clinton, Trump Donors Include Some Familiar Hawaii Names. Individual gifts from the islands totaled $2.2 million to the 2016 presidential candidates. Civil Beat.

The death of one of Hawaii’s congressmen has led to an unusual ballot and voter confusion in urban Honolulu. The rare double election means residents in the 1st Congressional District are selecting someone to fill the late U.S. Rep. Mark Takai’s seat for the two-month unfinished term and someone to represent the district for the next two years. Associated Press.

Over the years, solar energy has become part of the landscape of Hawai‘i. But contraction in the industry has left some customers in the lurch. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

A lawsuit alleging that military families were not informed of high levels of ground contamination before they moved into their Kaneohe Marine Corps Base housing has been settled. Star-Advertiser.

A number of congressional, legislative and City Council races are on the ballot, but if a spot check on early voting at Honolulu Hale is any indication, it’s the presidential race first and foremost on the minds of many Hawaii voters. Star-Advertiser.

Mayoral Campaign Weekend Update. Caldwell identifies seven “whoppers” from Djou while the challenger unveils plans for parks and housing. Civil Beat.

The University of Hawaii’s flagship campus has narrowed down its finalists for chancellor. The Chancellor Search Advisory Committee identified two finalists, John V. White and Sonny Ramaswamy for the open chancellor position at UH Manoa. White and Ramaswamy will participate in a final round of interviews this month. Garden Island.

Car dealership sues Honolulu firm renting parking spaces. Star-Advertiser.

Fall victim’s family prepares to sue Ala Moana Shopping Center. KITV.

A frustrated Manoa homeowner says the land surrounding is home is sinking and causing structural damage. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

Mayor-elect Harry Kim’s administration hasn’t even taken over yet, but the County Council is already trying to stave off a possible purge in the Office of Corporation Counsel. West Hawaii Today.

Mayor-Elect Harry Kim Talks Transition With Council. Big Island Video News.

As Mayor Billy Kenoi pushes to see other projects finished before his term is up, county-paid overtime has become an issue for some elected officials. Hawaii County Councilman Aaron Chung has been trying to organize a briefing on the subject for a few weeks. Big Island Video News.

Big Island restaurants yet to fail Health Department inspections. Tribune-Herald.

TMT wants to resume construction in 2018: Pace of contested case could impact deadline. Tribune-Herald.

A Japanese government delegation spent Saturday touring Hilo and discussing emergency response practices with Hawaii island officials as part of the first-ever international World Tsunami Awareness Day. Star-Advertiser.

A Hawaii developer plans to begin construction on a Malama Market-anchored shopping center on the Big Island in Feburary, the developer confirmed to Pacific Business News.

Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden nonprofit formed to save sacred space. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Members of the public will now be able to more easily access Maui County financial performance data, thanks to new open data software, county officials announced today. Maui Now.

“Keep Upcountry Upcountry” has been a rallying cry against creeping urbanization in Maui’s paniolo country, and that call resonates with Maui County Council candidates Napua Greig-Nakasone and Yuki Lei Kashiwa Sugimura. Maui News.

Both candidates for the Maui County Council’s Kahului residency seat emphasized balance in decision-making across the issues, with the incumbent touting his support by both the old political guard and the new progressive groups while his opponent talked about speaking for the old-timer “local people.” Maui News.

Ernest Balinbin touts his hard work and community involvement through his catering business as some of the reasons he should be elected to the West Maui residency seat on the Maui County Council. Maui News.

Kauai

Criminal liability may not be the first thing on the mind of a farmer designing his irrigation system, but for those in food production, it’s a real business risk that must be assessed. Garden Island.

Dennis Esaki, director of Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, resigned from the KIUC board of directors, effective Oct. 31, due to personal and professional reasons. Garden Island.

Debra Wennett says she’s all for safer walkways and bikeways in Hanapepe Town, but she hopes county alterations won’t change the town’s rural identity. Garden Island.

Construction will begin today on the $2.4 million replacement of three bridges along the Mohihi-Camp 10 Road in the Na Pali-Kona state forest reserve. Garden Island.

Safe voting in Hawaii, Kenoi case goes to jury, Caldwell and Djou bicker over debate, alternate site selected for Thirty Meter Telescope, Kauai ex-police officer to serve weekends in jail, geothermal company fined $5.5M, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Diebold tech tests ballot-counting system © 2016 All Hawaii News

With Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump complaining about a rigged election and online hackers reportedly attacking at least 20 state voter registration rolls, Hawaii election officials are stepping up their vigilance against possible voter shenanigans. Star-Advertiser.

One week from Tuesday is the general election, and time is quickly running out to register and to vote. Civil Beat.

Voting by mail is now the way most people cast their ballots in Hawaii elections. With election security in the national spotlight, we wanted to know what’s in place to ensure Hawaii’s election runs smooth. KHON2.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono plans to introduce a bill in Congress to protect foreign fishermen from exploitation. The bill would give fishermen temporary work visas to ensure wage protections and safe working conditions. Associated Press.

Hawaii Department of Education will receive $1.5 million in School Improvement Grants (SIG) to improve facilities, classrooms and the overall student experience. The SIG program invests in schools that are among the lowest-performing schools in the nation. Garden Island.

Oahu

Former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou criticized Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell Monday for refusing to chip in $5,000 so the two of them can hold a televised debate Saturday night, three days before the Nov. 8 general election. Star-Advertiser.

The campaign of Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Monday quickly squashed a last-minute debate proposal from opponent Charles Djou. Civil Beat.

More than $1 million has been spent on ads for the Honolulu mayor's race during the past six weeks. And most of that money is going to support one candidate. Hawaii News Now.

3 Civil Questions For Kirk Caldwell And Charles Djou. Civil Beat.

Keith Kaneshiro has spent decades taking on some of Hawaii’s toughest criminals while working as a city prosecutor. Civil Beat.

Beyond Candidates: Amendments Cram Oahu’s Ballot. Civil Beat.

Does Party Preference Matter On Council’s Reapportionment Panel? A charter amendment would lift a cap on how many people from one party can help redraw Honolulu City Council district boundaries. Civil Beat.

Measure Asks: Are All Those Boards and Commissions Needed? Charter Amendment 12 calls for a system to periodically review many of Honolulu’s boards and commissions. Civil Beat.

More than 500 people have signed up for Hawaiian Electric Co.’s new time-of-use program. Star-Advertiser.

Wahiawa General Hospital’s chief executive will retire by year’s end as a new management firm has assumed control of the struggling rural hospital. Star-Advertiser.

The state of Hawaii is not moving ahead with its proposed purchase of the 316,000-square-foot Downtown Honolulu office building Alii Place, a spokeswoman from Gov. David Ige’s office confirmed to Pacific Business News on Monday.

Hawaii

Mayor Billy Kenoi’s fate was placed in the hands of a dozen of his own constituents Monday following closing arguments during his criminal trial in Hilo Circuit Court. Tribune-Herald.

The closing arguments in the trial of Mayor Billy Kenoi were delivered to the jury on Monday. Big Island Video News.

It's now up to jurors to decide whether Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi is guilty of felony theft over his alleged abuse of a county-issued credit card. Hawaii News Now.

It’s now up to a Hilo jury to decide whether Mayor Billy Kenoi should be punished on any of five criminal counts against Kenoi for the use of his county issued purchasing card, or pCard. Star-Advertiser.

A deputy state attorney general Monday told jurors deciding Mayor Billy Kenoi’s future that Kenoi “lived above the law” when he charged personal and alcohol purchases to his county-issued purchasing card. Star-Advertiser.

The fate of Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi now lies in jurors' hands.  Deliberations kicked off in the mayor's theft trial on Monday. KITV.

Jury deliberations are underway in the theft trial of Hawaii Island Mayor Billy Kenoi. KHON2.

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The Thirty Meter Telescope has officially selected the Canary Islands as its alternative project site, should efforts to build the observatory in Hawaii fail. Big Island Video News.

The nonprofit organization that wants to build a giant telescope atop Mauna Kea has selected another site in case it can’t be built on land many Native Hawaiians consider sacred. Star-Advertiser.

Thirty Meter Telescope officials have chosen the Canary Islands off the coast of Spain as an alternative site for a giant, $1.4 billion observatory in case their efforts to build it in Hawaii fail. Pacific Business News.

A $1.4 billion telescope planned for construction on Mauna Kea could move to another site. Officials from the Thirty Meter Telescope have selected the Canary Islands in Spain as the TMT’s alternate location if a permit for Hawai‘i is not granted by early next year. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Votes are trickling in to Hawaii County elections headquarters, but just a small percentage of the 113,355 registered voters have voted so far. West Hawaii Today.

Puna Geothermal Venture’s parent company agreed last week to pay the U.S. government $5.5 million to resolve a civil lawsuit alleging it fraudulently applied for and received millions in federal clean energy grants, according to the federal district attorney for Nevada. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii State Department of Labor & Industrial Relations announced Monday that it assessed Tradewind Plastering and Drywall Inc. $130,367 for wages owed to construction workers and $13,037 in penalties for a total of $143,000. Pacific Business News.

The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said Monday it has assessed Tradewind Plastering and Drywall Inc. a total of $143,000 for violating wage laws on the University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Hawaiian Language Building construction project. Tribune-Herald.

Josephine Regala DeLuz, who served on the Hawaii County Council for a decade, died Oct. 19 in Waimea on Hawaii island. She was 87. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

The Maui District Health Office and the County of Maui today announced it has jointly launched a video and mapping initiative to disseminate information about the general locations, virus type and lab status of mosquito-borne cases. MauiWatch.

Maui Memorial Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente announced the appointment of orthopedic surgeon Warren “Vic” Ayers, MD, to Maui Memorial Medical Center. Maui Now.

Commentary: Are the Honua`ula and Pulelehua development projects rising from the grave? MauiTime.

Kauai

A former Kauai police lieutenant who said she stole money from the department because her family was in debt was sentenced Monday to 60 weekend days in jail. Associated Press.

A former police lieutenant who admitted stealing $75,000 from the Kauai Police Department is going to jail for 60 days. Star-Advertiser.

Changing the way county meetings are run will be discussed when the Kauai County Council meets Wednesday. Garden Island.

Residents on Kauai’s North Shore want better access to the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Garden Island.

Nihoku’s predator-proof fence within the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge isn’t the only enclosure in the state dedicated to conserving Hawaii’s endangered seabirds. Garden Island.

Hawaii may raise cargo fees 50%, state agency wants $23k for public records, fish sourcing at issue, volcano camping fee instituted, Honolulu mulls parking alternatives, Roundup ban proposed, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Crater at Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park © 2016 All Hawaii News

Beginning in November, overnight camping at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will come with a price. It was previously free. West Hawaii Today.

The state Department of Transportation wants to hike fees for unloading cargo at Hawaii ports by about 50 percent over two years in a move that would pay for harbor improvements and likely make most things local consumers buy more expensive. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Prison Officials Say It Will Cost $23,000 For Public Records. Eight months after we asked, the state wants big bucks for records pertaining to violence at an Arizona prison. Civil Beat.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono plans to introduce legislation in January that will give foreign fishermen who work aboard Hawaii-based longline fishing vessels greater labor protections, including visas that will allow them to legally work in the country. Star-Advertiser.

Markets examine how fish are sourced in wake of report. Tribune-Herald.

Seven years after a favorable court ruling, the plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit against the state and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands are still waiting for state documents they consider essential for calculating damages related to long waits for homesteads. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Why Teachers Won’t Miss Kathryn Matayoshi. A new superintendent needs to be much more proactive and transparent in supporting teachers. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Charles Djou faced off for the final time before the Nov. 8 general election. The two spoke at a candidate forum sponsored by the Chinese Community Action Coalition in Chinatown on Sunday. Hawaii News Now.

With Election Day less than two weeks away, the candidates for Honolulu Mayor addressed the Chinese-American community at a forum held in Chinatown. KITV.

Former Democratic state Rep. Marilyn Lee is attempting for a third time to win back the Mililani state House seat she once held from House Minority Leader Beth Fukumoto Chang, a moderate Republican who clashed repeatedly this year with activists in her own party. Star-Advertiser.

Once The ‘Wild West’ Of The City, Kakaako Is Trying To Settle Down. Popular with young professionals who see it as hip and up-and-coming, the neighborhood’s transition has come with growing pains. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Convention Center turns first-ever profit. Pacific Business News.

Waikiki parking is so tight that Cherise Musselman has spent two hours idling in her car before finding street parking. Star-Advertiser.

A new proposal before the Honolulu City Council aims to encourage people to leave their cars at home and bike to work instead. KHON2.

American Savings Bank has received approval from the Oahu Island Burial Council to resume construction of its new headquarters after work was halted eight months ago with the discovery of iwi kupuna, or ancient human remains, at the site near Downtown Honolulu. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced Friday his appointment of professional engineer and licensed general contractor Glenn M. Nohara to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) Board of Directors effective Oct. 28, 2016 through June 30, 2021. KITV.

Young Laysan albatrosses born on Oahu return to the island fairly often as youngsters, new research shows. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A sweeping health care change is coming to Hawaii County from the largest health insurance provider in the state. Tribune-Herald.

A bill to ban the county’s use of toxic herbicides will be considered again Tuesday after bogging down last week amid questions about suitable alternatives. West Hawaii Today.

A plan to conduct a field evaluation of rodenticide to control mice at Pohakuloa Training Area was presented to the Hawaii County’s Game Management Advisory Commission recently. Big Island Video News.

After the maile lei was untied and the hundreds of people had trickled into the new covered play courts at Pahoa District Park during its grand opening ceremony, one parent looked around at the three scoreboards, six basketball nets, one volleyball net, two sets of bleachers, and summed it up: “This is radical.” Tribune-Herald

Parks and Recreation Director Clayton Honma addressed the crowd at the grand opening celebration of the new Pahoa District Park on Saturday. Big Island Video News.

The mayor’s race is already over but Waiakea-area residents can still decide who represents them on the County Council. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Sunset condominium residents expressed concern after learning about the possibility of the county taking over maintenance of the entire adjacent Waipuilani Park, a portion of which has been maintained by the condo owners without charge to the county for decades. Maui News.

Wesley Lo ends 13 years at Maui Memorial Medical Center on Monday — 12 as chief executive officer. Maui News.

Maui health officials are driving along a scenic coastal highway with a giant water-gun spraying trees and brush with diluted detergent to kill mosquito larvae. They’re stepping up the fight against mosquito-borne diseases like the Zika virus, dengue fever and chikungunya. Associated Press.

Less than 10 days before the Nov. 8 general election, the candidates for Maui County Council’s South Maui residency seat — Don Couch and Kelly Takaya King — are making their closing arguments. Maui News.

Four community meetings have been set for next month on the Maui Island Water Use and Development Plan. Maui News.

Kauai

Enrollment in the A+ after-school program has decreased on Kauai since the state raised the monthly fee from $85 to $100, in the first of three price hikes. Garden Island.

The Board of Directors of the Kauai Humane Society has selected a new leader for the shelter following the retirement of Penny Cistaro. Scott Pisani will take the helm in early November. Garden Island.

Records tampering charges tossed in Kenoi trial, jurors see video, Hawaii may lose its lone GOP state senator, Honolulu accessory dwelling unit permits up, Thirty Meter Telescope hearing all about religion, petrel chicks planted on Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kenoi's attorney, Todd Eddins, cross examines forensic accountant James Cigan during Kenoi's trial Monday in Hilo Circuit Court. Pool photo HOLLYN JOHNSON/Tribune-Herald

Embattled Hawaii island Mayor Billy Kenoi won a partial — but still stunning — victory Monday when three misdemeanor charges related to tampering with government records were dismissed, leaving Kenoi to face five remaining criminal charges over misuse of his government purchasing card. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Billy Kenoi’s three records tampering charges were dismissed Monday in his criminal trial for alleged misuse of a Hawaii County purchasing card. Kenoi still faces two counts of second-degree theft, two counts of third-degree theft and one count of false swearing. Tribune-Herald.

State Circuit Court Judge Dexter D. Del Rosario dismissed three of eight counts against Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi based upon insufficient evidence after the state rested its case. KITV.

A small victory for Hawaii Island Mayor Billy Kenoi after a judge tossed out several charges against him. KHON2.

Watch the full Billy Kenoi video shown to the jury here

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The self-described “Lone Ranger,” state Sen. Sam Slom, may be making his last ride. He is the only Republican in Hawaii’s 25 member state Senate. Civil Beat.

Bonterra Solar, which at one time was one of the largest and fastest-growing solar energy companies in Hawaii, has shut down, Pacific Business News has learned.

State to use Volkswagen settlement funds for energy projects. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Many of your neighbors want more useful information about crimes happening in their communities. Some have asked the city for the information multiple times since 2014. But the Honolulu Police Department largely has ignored the requests. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu police are adding a new way to communicate with communities. The Honolulu Police Department on Monday announced a partnership with Nextdoor, a private online social network designed to connect neighbors. Star-Advertiser.

TV Spots — And One Big Print Ad — Spice Up Mayor’s Race. Incumbent Kirk Caldwell lets others do the talking, while challenger Charles Djou appears with his wife — and in uniform. Civil Beat.

Early walk-in voting opens at 2 Oahu sites. Star-Advertiser.

An Oahu farmers cooperative has received a $249,000 federal grant to help other local small farmers sell what they grow. Star-Advertiser.

Defining Downtown Honolulu Isn’t As Easy As You’d Think. Historic charm, urban bustle, convenience and homelessness in a place of uncertain borders. Civil Beat.

The city is working to speed up the approval process for Oahu homeowners who want to add an accessory dwelling unit on their properties. Hawaii News Now.

A new education center features artifacts from Japanese Americans who were confined at the Honouliuli Internment Camp in the ’40s. Associated Press.

Hawaii

Opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope proposed for Mauna Kea spent much of Monday quizzing a planner on the project about his understanding of Native Hawaiian religion and the nature of “sacred lands” during the second day of a contested case hearing for the telescope. Star-Advertiser.

Day two of the Thirty Meter telescope contested case hearing began in Hilo on Monday. Big Island Video News.

Judges, attorneys and community leaders gathered to formally break ground for the Kona Judiciary Complex on a scraped-down section of lava near the Makalapua Shopping Center on Monday. West Hawaii Today.

The Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau is closing its Hilo office next month. Tribune-Herald.

Incumbent Democrat Nicole Lowen, who represents Kona’s 6th District in the state House of Representatives is asking voters to elect her to a third consecutive term. Republican challenger Bruce Pratt will ask them to reconsider. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

McKelvey defends House seat against GOP challenger. Maui News.

Several Iao Valley residents living along the Wailuku River, who describe themselves as “the lost seven,” fear their properties and road may erode away if emergency repairs do not begin soon, but it is unclear who  ultimately will pay for the work. Maui News.

Pavement striping will prompt alternating lane closures on Mokulele Highway between North Kihei and Kamaaina roads this week, according to the state Department of Transportation. Maui News.

Kauai

The last chance to register for voting in the general election opens today with early voting at the Lihue Neighborhood Center, and in this election there’s a twist: ballot selfies. Garden Island.

The 20 Hawaiian Petrel chicks that were transferred to their new home at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge Monday were tucked, fluffy and healthy in the their new manmade burrows in an effort that was documented for the first time using social media. Garden Island.

Hawaii County Mayor Kenoi's trial begins, poll shows Caldwell leading for Honolulu mayor, legislative panels tackle fishing employees' rights, Maui hospital wants $5.6M, snow dusts Mauna Kea, court allows candidate on two ballots, state goes online to seek workers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mayor Billy Kenoi stands with his attorneys, Richard Sing, left, and Todd Eddins, during his trial Tuesday in Hilo Circuit Court. Pool photo HOLLYN JOHNSON/Tribune-Herald

Mayor Billy Kenoi, on trial for allegedly stealing public funds, waited as long as two years to reimburse Hawaii County for expenses that included large amounts of alcohol and a hotel stay for a nephew, prosecutors said Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi’s attorney portrayed him as a 24/7 workhorse for the county on the opening day of testimony at Kenoi’s trial on theft and records tampering charges Tuesday, but prosecutors said he crossed the line by using his government-issued purchasing card for lavish personal spending, including large amounts of alcohol. Star-Advertiser.

VIDEO: Trial Of Mayor Billy Kenoi Begins. Big Island Video News.

One of the biggest trials in Big Island history kicked off Tuesday, as Mayor Billy Kenoi sought to fight off charges of theft over his misuse of a government credit card. Hawaii News Now.

Day one of Hawai'i County Mayor Billy Kenoi's felony theft trial began with opening statements Tuesday in Hilo. KITV.

Opening arguments and witness testimony began Tuesday for the criminal trial of Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi in Hilo for his alleged misuse of his county issued credit card, also known as a pCard. KHON2.

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi is on trial for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars in county funds to pay for alcohol and other personal expenses. Civil Beat.

The mayor of Hawaii County charged Heineken beer and Crown Royal whiskey to his government credit card at a drug store and passed off the purchases as official business, a state prosecutor said Tuesday. Associated Press.

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Concerned about ongoing threats to Hawaii’s freshwater resources, U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono held a hearing at the state Capitol on Tuesday about efforts to maintain the health of the state’s watersheds and opportunities for further collaboration. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers are set to hear from state officials, fishing industry leaders and others about the allegations of human trafficking and poor working conditions aboard U.S. longline vessels, according to a House news release. Three legislative committees are facilitating a public informational briefing that’s slated for 11 a.m., Wednesday, in Room 309 at the Capitol in Honolulu. Civil Beat.

A group of Hawaii lawmakers is holding a public meeting to discuss conditions among the Hawaii longline fleet. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s commercial fishing industry leaders are not finished fighting the fourfold expansion of a U.S. marine monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Civil Beat.

Angela Kaaihue’s name will remain on the special-election ballot as a Democratic candidate for the 1st Congressional District to complete the term of the late Rep. Mark Takai. Star-Advertiser.

Circuit Court Judge Karl Sakamoto on Tuesday rejected a lawsuit seeking to remove Angela Aulani Kaaihue’s name from the special election ballot for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District. Civil Beat.

The state is turning to the Internet in hopes of landing qualified workers for highly skilled, high-paying jobs. KHON2.

Gov. David Ige has appointed retired public school principal Darrel Galera to the state Board of Education. Star-Advertiser.

Six companies have been issued violations by the state Department of Health for not submitting payments and reports under Hawaii’s Deposit Beverage Container law. Star-Advertiser.

A diverse group of nonprofits including the Sierra Club of Hawaii, Unite Here! Local 5, Hawaii Appleseed Center and the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation has organized a series of community meetings this month focused on environmental, economic and social justice. Civil Beat.

A state biosecurity plan says the brown tree snake could cause as much as $2 billion each year in damages if introduced to Hawaii. Associated Press.

Oahu

Less than three weeks from Election Day, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell leads challenger Charles Djou 48 percent to 41 percent, according to The Civil Beat Poll.

A state judge has ruled that the city’s Residential A tax classification is unconstitutional, a decision that possibly could leave the city scrambling to make up lost money this year and needing to find millions in revenues in subsequent years. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu voters will be asked in November to decide whether to change the rules governing the city’s Affordable Housing Fund. Proposed Charter Amendment No. 5 would loosen restrictions on the fund to make it easier for developers to build low-income rental housing. Civil Beat.

A Honolulu City Council committee has given its preliminary endorsement to forcibly acquire eight Kakaako streets claimed as private property by two local brothers who charge the public to park on the shoulders of the otherwise public roadways. Star-Advertiser.

Cars and wooden spools fill the paintball field between the Keehi Lagoon and Nimitz Highway. But by next summer, it will be home to homeless families living on Oahu. KITV.

Median sales prices for Oahu homes surged last month when compared with September 2015, according to a report released Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

For Sen. Sanji Abe’s grandson, the presence of his grandfather’s Japanese go game set among the Honouliuli internment camp artifacts serves as an indication that Abe had expected a long confinement. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Wet weather over the Big Island overnight reached the summit of Mauna Kea and left a dusting of snow this morning. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Maui hospital executives requested up to $5.65 million as they deal with a one year transition delay of Hawaiʻi Health Systems Maui Region hospitals to Maui Health System, LLC, a Kaiser Permanente affiliated hospital system. Maui Now.

Officials with Maui County’s three public hospitals asked state legislators Monday for $5.65 million to hire additional nurses and doctors as part of a new plan that they hope will improve gaps in staffing and services through July 1, 2017, when operational control of the hospitals will be transferred to health care provider Kaiser Permanente. Maui News.

An update on proposed Lahaina Small Boat Harbor ferry pier improvements will be hosted by state Rep. Angus McKelvey and state Sen. Roz Baker, who represent West Maui, and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources on Thursday. Maui News.

Kauai

The Elections Division of the Office of the County Clerk is informing the public that early voting services will be temporarily relocated to the Lihue Neighborhood Center for the 2016 General Elections. Garden Island.

Chick No. 8 was a surprise addition to the ‘A’o (Newell’s shearwater) colony at Nihoku predator-proof enclosure, but it wasn’t a shock when the baby seabird fledged on Sunday. Garden Island.

Feral cats plague Hawaii, clean energy rut, Maui mayor stops community projects, state Ethics Commission seeks public input, Kenoi trial starts this week, charter amendments on county ballots, rail a factor in Honolulu mayoral race, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Feral cat with petrel on Kauai, courtesy Hawaii DLNR

Two wildlife issues have collided in Hawaii, pitting one group of animal defenders against another in an impassioned debate. The point of contention? Deadly cat poop and the feral felines that produce it. Associated Press.

It’s no secret that invasive species have stuck Hawaii with a series of ever-mounting bills. Battling fruit flies alone costs about $300 million a year. Estimates for future costs of little fire ants push past $200 million. Tribune-Herald.

When it comes to clean energy use, Hawai‘i is in a bit of a rut. That’s according to the Blue Planet Foundation, who released their 4th annual energy report card. Hawaii Public Radio.

While Maui Electric Co. is re-examining the idea of an undersea cable between Maui and Oahu, the utility understands that it’s a “very culturally sensitive issue,” a MECO official said Thursday night during a community energy forum in Spreckelsville. Maui News.

The State Ethics Commission is asking the public to share ideas on how it can best promote integrity in government, inviting written comments and active participation at its meeting Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

There are 42 real estate investment trusts (REITs) doing business in Hawaii with an estimated net income of $720.6 million, according to a new report. Pacific Business News.

Nearly 500 people linked to more than 50 companies competed for licenses to operate Hawaii’s first medical marijuana dispensaries. Civil Beat.

Isles fare well in new shooting study. Associated Press.

The state agency in charge of commercial fishing licenses has rejected a petition to change its rules, a request that sought to ensure foreign fishermen understand what they’re signing. KHON2.

Hawaii’s longline fishermen will be able to go after similar amounts of bigeye tuna next year under a policy passed last week by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. Civil Beat.

It took a few small conversations to kickstart the statewide talk about concussions in high school athletes. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Mayor Kirk Caldwell and his mayoral challenger, Charles Djou, have traveled very different paths since 2005 to get to the same conclusion: Honolulu’s elevated rail line, both of them now say, must be built to Ala Moana Center. But the candidates still disagree sharply over how to pay for the severely cash-strapped project. Star-Advertiser.

Both Mayoral Candidates Ask: Better Off Than 4 Years Ago? Mayor Kirk Caldwell steals challenger Charles Djou’s frequently asked question, but supplies very different answers. Civil Beat.

There are no less than 20 charter amendment questions on the ballot for voters living on Oahu, and it may prove challenging to determine what to do with all of them. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Oahu voters next month may be deciding not only who will lead the city for the next four years, but also for the following four years through 2024. That’s because of controversial proposed City Charter amendment No. 15, which would perpetuate our political elite by extending term limits for City Council members and mayor from two consecutive four-year terms to three. Star-Advertiser.

Here’s a little-known fact: Honolulu’s charter currently says that the city police chief and prosecuting attorney have discretion over what records from their departments get released to the public, with the exception of traffic accident information. Civil Beat.

Unlike many police agencies across the country, the Honolulu Police Department excludes violent crimes from the public mapping service it provides online, giving residents only a partial picture of the types of offenses happening in their neighborhoods. Star-Advertiser.

A Honolulu rail contractor is getting paid $1 million to come up with a plan for an electric bus system that would connect Waikiki to a rail station that may never see the light of day. Civil Beat.

The once rat- and crime-infested Mayor Wright Homes in the heart of Kalihi could be torn down and reborn as a series of high-rise towers designed to shed the stigma of low-income housing beginning with groundbreaking in early 2018. Star-Advertiser.

Decades of waiting end for 44 families awarded Hawaiian homestead lots. Star-Advertiser.

Folks in Leeward Oahu say erosion is creating a safety concern for visitors at a local beach. KHON2.

Hawaii

For the Big Island, it's one of the biggest trials in decades. A crowded courtroom is expected in Hilo Tuesday as Mayor Bill Kenoi becomes the first mayor in Hawaii since Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi to defend himself against criminal charges while still in office. Hawaii News Now.

Don’t let the lack of registration and regulation fool you. The Big Island has a thriving agricultural tourism industry, where visitors tour workplaces, sample everything from vanilla to chocolate to coffee to honey to mushrooms and visit the gift shop to buy value-added farm products. West Hawaii Today.

In June, the County Council defeated a bill that would have heavily restricted the use of expanded polystyrene products, more commonly known as Styrofoam, across Hawaii Island’s food industry. But proponents of the legislation aren’t ready to put the issue to bed. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Department of Public Work’s Building Division went before the county Board of Ethics on Tuesday to answer accusations of unfair treatment. Big Island Video News.

The Thirty Meter Telescope debate placed Native Hawaiian activist Kealoha Pisciotta in the spotlight, making her name and face recognizable across Hawaii island. Pisciotta, considered a long shot against incumbent Rep. Richard Onishi, said the Democratic nominee garnered just 3,346 votes in the primary out of more than 14,600 registered voters in sprawling District 3, which extends from Hilo to Kau. Star-Advertiser.

Dentist, homeless advocate, community supporter dies suddenly at 60. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor Alan Arakawa has directed the Department of Planning to suspend work on upcoming Maui island community plans and focus instead on revamping the county’s long-range planning process. Maui News.

Kihei association to host candidate forum Candidates for three competitive Maui County Council races will be appearing at a Kihei Community Association forum Tuesday at Kihei Charter Middle School. Maui News.

Bail was maintained Friday at $650,000 for West Maui-north Kihei Republican state House candidate Chayne Marten, who allegedly sexually assaulted a preteen female family member over the course of three years. Maui News.

The end of incentive programs doesn’t mean the door has closed on rooftop solar, but customers and businesses will have to start relying more on the still-growing technology of energy storage, industry experts explained at a community forum Thursday night. Maui News.

Forest City Hawaii plans to develop an affordable rental project on Maui, Pacific Business News has learned.

Using newly declassified documents, we examine the legacy of Elmer Cravalho, Maui County’s most important political leader. MauiTime.

Kauai

Proposed modifications to the TIGER Grant projects and measures amending the county’s operating budget will be discussed Wednesday during the Kauai County Council meeting. Garden Island.

The state proposes to install an aluminum bridge over a stream at Hanakapiai Valley on Kauai’s North Shore to keep hikers from trying to ford the stream during flash floods. Star-Advertiser.

When Kauai residents take to the polls on Nov. 8, they will have more to vote for than just state and county officials. Seven amendments to Kauai’s Charter, which was adopted in 1968, will appear on the ballot. Garden Island.

Ross Kagawa, incumbent, is seeking re-election. He is running on a platform that includes cutting government spending and trimming the county budget. Garden Island.

Two years ago, Kauai was the lowest in the state for incidents of property crime, according to a Crime in Hawaii Report. Garden Island.

Two more Newell’s shearwater chicks fledged from Crater Hill last week, bringing the number of babies under the care of the Pacific Rim Conservancy team to five. Garden Island.

Jobs increase, Obama endorses Caldwell, Japanese flag donated to Pearl Harbor, text-to-911 announced, Maui to meet on hospital woes, Hilo Bayfront trails advance, money for Kauai homeless, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki street ©2016 All Hawaii News

The total number of jobs in Hawaii is forecast to increase 5.6 percent from 696,390 to 735,180 from 2014 to 2024, according to a report released Thursday by the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Star-Advertiser.

State officials forecast Hawaii's job force will increase by more than 5 percent between 2014 and 2024. KITV.

Fishery Council Downplays Worker Abuses On Hawaii Ships. Council members say there are no serious issues in Hawaii’s longline tuna fleet, but the industry is taking action to make sure. Civil Beat.

A Japanese navy flag that flew on the battleship of the man who planned the attack on Pearl Harbor was donated Thursday to the National Park Service. Associated Press.

Folks in Hawaii can now text emergency requests to 911. The service was announced at a press conference with Gov. David Ige and state and other officials Thursday. Civil Beat.

Getting help during an emergency is now coming into the 21st century. You can now text 911 thanks to a new service launched Thursday. KHON2.

U.S. Rep Tulsi Gabbard received a scathing email from longtime Hillary Clinton supporters, including a former director of the Clinton Foundation, the day after she announced her resignation as a vice chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee in February to endorse Bernie Sanders’ bid for the presidency. Star-Advertiser.

Sales increase for homes and condominiums statewide. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell scored two key endorsements in his re-election bid this week, including a nod from the commander in chief. Star-Advertiser.

A big score for Kirk Caldwell came Thursday: The president of the United States endorsed the mayor’s re-election. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, the city agency overseeing the more than $8 billion rail transit project, will foot the $4.7 million bill for relocating underground utilities that are in the path of the project, Pacific Business News has learned.

A former University of Hawaii student and Air Force veteran is suing the university and one of his professors — the chairwoman of the Manoa Faculty Senate — for allegedly attacking him with “violent outbursts and irrational verbal and physical abuse.” Star-Advertiser.

A foundering affordable rental high-rise project slated for state land in Kakaako is on a new path for development with two state agencies swapping control of the roughly $300 million plan known as 690 Pohukaina. Star-Advertiser.

For the past week outreach workers have gone tent to tent at Kakaako Waterfront Park alerting homeless campers of a coming sweep.  Despite being urged to go into shelter the majority of people haven't budged. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s Stanford Carr Development LLC has recently purchased 26 acres in Makaha in Leeward Oahu from a Japanese company with the intent of building a project featuring 120 single-family homes, a recreation center and other amenities, the developer’s top executive confirmed to Pacific Business News this week.

Hawaii

Mayor-elect Harry Kim has tapped another old hand for his Cabinet. Kim said this week that he’s chosen Frank DeMarco to head the Department of Public Works. West Hawaii Today.

The contested case hearing over the Thirty Meter Telescope is gearing up. It is set to begin in Hilo on Tuesday. Civil Beat.

After years on the drawing board and in the planning room, the Hilo Bayfront Trails project has made the leap to reality. Tribune-Herald.

Two developments intended to provide 170 affordable housing rental units for Kona families and seniors are expected to finish construction and start moving in new residents at the end of next year. West Hawaii Today.

A former police officer who allegedly struck and killed a bicyclist in what the Hawaii Fire Department called a hit-and-run collision last year in South Kohala has been indicted by a Kona grand jury. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

State lawmakers will get an informational briefing Monday on the fallout of the one-year delay in transferring Maui public hospitals to Maui Health System, a Kaiser Permanente-affiliated hospital system. Maui News.

The state Department of Transportation is moving forward with plans to tear down the 95-year-old condemned pier in Hana that residents say is a recreational hot spot, but that the department views as a safety hazard. Maui News.

Maui County Council Member Don Couch will need to wait a few days to learn the outcome of a Board of Ethics complaint against him. Maui News.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold a public hearing next month in Kihei on proposed natural area reserve rule amendments, including parking fees for visitors and lot hours at ‘Ahihi-Kina’u. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai Economic Opportunity gets $25,000 for homeless. Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association opens 189th General Membership Meeting in Poipu. Garden Island.

Commentary: Planning Conference Wasn’t About Freebies And Booze. The media didn’t actually cover the Hawaii Congress of Planning Officials. Too bad, because important work was done. Civil Beat.

Medical marijuana farmers await state OK, Honolulu mayoral candidates woo Native Hawaiians, DLNR rejects foreign fisher proposal, feds to make rules for fish farms, Marine Corps re-establishing landing zones on Kauai, Maui approves $5M OT for disaster, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Medical marijuana dispensary

The groups that plan to open medical marijuana dispensaries in Hawaii have all identified sites to grow their products, but none of the eight licensees has begun cultivating the plants because they haven’t been given a green light from the state Department of Health. Associated Press.

Hawaii’s eight medical marijuana dispensary licensees have been hustling to get operations up and running, but the state has yet to finalize a contract for a tracking system required to monitor production and sales. Star-Advertiser.

The state agency that oversees aquatic resources has recommended denying a petition submitted by five Hawaii residents to amend rules for obtaining a state longline fishing license — a petition aimed at cracking down on reported labor abuses aboard Hawaii- based fishing vessels. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii officials are recommending rejection of a petition to require additional information of applicants for commercial marine licenses. Civil Beat.

In a posting dealing with undocumented foreign fishermen in Hawaii, the state Department of Aquatic Resources is recommending that a board deciding on rule changes for commercial fishing licenses deny the petition. Associated Press.

Federal officials plan to develop rules for the operation of fish farms in 2.2 million miles of U.S. waters in the Pacific — a move that many hope will help stem the nation’s annual $11 billion seafood trade deficit. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s tourism industry and construction sector continue to keep the economy humming, but there are signs on the horizon that the state’s growth may be downshifting. Star-Advertiser.

The largest Hawaii outbreak of hepatitis A in at least 25 years is largely over despite the report of another case on Wednesday, which raised the number of those afflicted by the food-borne illness to 289. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Finds Itself Stuck As Others Abandon For-Profit Prisons. Even as the ground shifts nationally away from private prisons, Hawaii Gov. David Ige said he sees no way it will change here anytime soon. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The two candidates for mayor of Honolulu made their appeals Wednesday to an influential organization representing the state’s indigenous people. The Council on Native Hawaiian Advancement welcomed incumbent Kirk Caldwell and challenger Charles Djou to the Sheraton Waikiki. Civil Beat.

With less than a month to go until the General Election, Honolulu mayoral candidates  seized the opportunity to lay out their plans for serving Native Hawaiians at the 15th annual Native Hawaiian Convention in Waikiki. KITV.

The Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association isn't endorsing either of Honolulu's mayoral candidates deeming them “equally deserving of an endorsement.” Pacific Business News.

One man was arrested and more than 250 dogs were seized Wednesday from an animal shelter in Makaha. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaiian Humane Society rescued hundreds of dogs from a Leeward Oahu property on Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

A state lawmaker is suing the governor and the Department of Education. Rep. Bob McDermott, R, Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point, says it’s what he had to do to fix what he calls “emergencies” at an Ewa school. KHON2.

More safety concerns are being raised at Ala Moana Center. Experts tell us that other railings in the mall need immediate attention. KHON2.

Honolulu 2nd ‘Greenest’ City. The latest from the data crunchers at WalletHub. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

Walk in their shoes; Mayor-elect Kim says Thirty Meter Telescope proponents need to better understand those opposing project. West Hawaii Today.

Gov. David Ige visited the micro-housing project in the Kona Old Industrial Area on Wednesday, nearly one year after he issued an emergency proclamation for Hawaii’s homelessness crisis. West Hawaii Today.

A blessing was held Wednesday for the Kamakana Villagaes at Keahuolu on the Big Island that will provide 170 homes for families and seniors in Kailua-Kona. Hawaii News Now.

Workers with the county Department of Public Works Traffic Division are continuing to convert existing streetlights to LED lights as part of an ongoing statewide replacement effort. According to the county, 90 percent of the streetlights on the Big Island already have been converted. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

After two hours of emotional testimony focused on spending transparency and government response to last month’s severe flooding event at ʻĪao and Kahoma Valleys, the Maui County Council voted 7-2 on Tuesday to approve $5 million in reimbursement funds, to pay for emergency work conducted so far. Maui Now.

The Maui County Council approved $5 million — already doled out by the county for overtime payment and disaster costs related to last months’ flooding of Wailuku River in Iao Valley — during an emergency meeting Tuesday in Council Chambers. Maui News.

What was billed as a special emergency meeting of the Maui County Council to authorize $5 million in reimbursements for expenses the county incurred during flooding of the Wailuku River during the severe storm of Sept. 13th turned into a marathon session that took public testimony from 32 speakers. MauiWatch.

The state is proposing the establishment of parking fees for the ‘Āhihi-Kina‘u Natural Area Reserve on Maui in an effort to provide a self-sustaining funding source for the facility. Maui Now.

More than 200 Native Hawaiian and part-Hawaiian families will receive more child care services through Maui Family Support Services after the agency receives a $1 million federal grant, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard announced. Maui News.

People will have a chance to provide their thoughts and opinions on proposed rule changes for Hawai‘i Natural Area Reserves (NARs). Testimony can be given at a hearing on Maui on Thursday, November 10, 2016 starting at 6 p.m. It will be at the Kihei Community Center, 303 E. Lipoa Street. MauiWatch.

Kauai

The U.S. Marine Corps is considering a re-establishment of two landing zones on Kauai for aircraft training, and residents on the island are demanding more information. Garden Island.

As much as some Kauai County Council members wish the efforts going into securing a grant would have gone elsewhere, they agree it will benefit the community. Garden Island.

A bill aimed at allowing the sale of alcohol on the Wailua Golf Course was deferred Wednesday, giving officials time to answer insurance questions. Garden Island.

The first live mongoose in four years was captured on Kauai Tuesday morning when the unwelcome stowaway was seen in a bread shipment from Oahu at the Lihue Airport. Garden Island.