Thirty Meter Telescope could influence governor's race, Trump travel ban hurts convention business, GET surcharge one hot potato, Arakawa seeks to fire water director, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Crowds at Daniel K. Inouye Honolulu International Airport © 2017 All Hawaii News

State economists have ratcheted up their expectations for Hawaii’s economy on the heels of a stronger-than-expected tourism market, increased air seats and a record-low unemployment rate. Star-Advertiser.

TMT controversy likely to figure in race for governor. Just months after taking office, Gov. David Ige found himself caught in the undertow of the fierce dispute over the Thirty Meter Telescope, a $1.4 billion project with determined supporters and fervent opponents.Star-Advertiser.

Hanabusa says UH had deal to clear way for telescope. U.S. Rep. Colleen Hana­busa said state lawmakers believed they had a “deal” with unnamed community members in 2010 that would clear the way for the Thirty Meter Telescope if the Legislature agreed to fund construction of the College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Councilman Ernie Martin is joining the growing field of local political figures who plan to run in the Democratic primary next year for the congressional seat representing urban Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Councilman Ernie Martin plans to run in the Democratic primary next year for the congressional seat representing urban Honolulu. Associated Press.

Trump travel ban, N. Korean threat erode convention center earnings. Travel ban woes lost the center its bid for the 2025 International Union for Nutritional Science, which went to Paris, and for Women Deliver 2018, which went to Canada, along with an electrical engineering conference slated for 2018 and an international medical association conference that would have come to Hawaii in 2022. Star-Advertiser.

Fight Over Trump Travel Restrictions Back To Appeals Courts. Hawaii’s challenge goes before a three-judge panel in Seattle on Wednesday. Civil Beat.

Democracy In Hawaii Needs A Tuneup — Here Are Some Tools To Do It. Government officials can do more to encourage public participation — and citizens need to stay engaged, conference participants say. Civil Beat.

HSTA Responds to Criticism of Public Unions. The President of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, Corey Rosenlee, responds to a recent interview on The Conversation that made the case for weakening public sector unions. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Last Wild Place. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands is one of the most remote places on Earth. Now it’s threatened by climate change, pollution and politics. Civil Beat.

Navy, coral, whales topics of Wednesday Oahu meeting. Two councils will be jointly meeting to discuss coral, whales and their ecosystems in Honolulu on Wednesday. Garden Island.

Kamehameha therapist accused of abuse was respected member of society. Star-Advertiser.

UH Graduate Students Say GOP Tax Plan Could Derail Their Education. Many are already financially strapped, and one Republican proposal would increase their tax liability by thousands of dollars. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Public forum to address future of Waikiki beaches. The erosion at Kuhio Beach, made worse by summer’s king tides and elevated sea levels, is the worst it’s been in a decade, said Dolan Eversole, a scientist for the University of Hawaii Sea Grant Program, who coordinates the Waikiki Beach Special District Improvement Association. Star-Advertiser.

Release of 70 rescued shearwaters launches Oahu Seabird Aid Program. The Hawaii Wildlife Center, based in Kapaau on Hawaii island, brought its rescue van to Oahu as part of the pilot, three-week Oahu Seabird Aid Program, which is here until Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Complications halt attempt to remove grounded boat. The Pacific Paradise is a-bobbing but still not a-budging from the Waikiki reef on which it has been stranded for more than seven weeks. Star-Advertiser.

'Pacific Paradise' isn't moving anytime soon. Coast Guard officials called off removal operations for the grounded fishing boat near Waikiki — yet again — on Sunday. Hawaii News Now.

Grounded fishing boat still stuck off Waikiki beach. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Time is running out for the County Council to consider a general excise tax surcharge granted by the state Legislature during its special session earlier this year. West Hawaii Today.

Federal regulators will give parts of Pohakuloa Training Area’s radiation monitoring plan another look in response to a petition from a Hawaii Island resident. Tribune-Herald.

With no public hearing scheduled for the U.S. Army Garrison Pohakuloa's draft Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan, the people decided to hold their own. Big Island Video News.

Big Island Dairy to process its own milk, bypassing Meadow Gold. Hawaii consumers can soon expect to see a new brand of local milk, and for the first time in a long time it will be direct from a major dairy. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii County is looking to acquire land for a wastewater treatment plant in Pahala through eminent domain. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Island has a greater shortage of infant and toddler care options than anywhere else in the state, according to a report by the University of Hawaii Center on the Family. Tribune-Herald.

The Department of Health confirmed six more cases of mumps in Hawaii County in the past week as the outbreak of the virus continues across the state. West Hawaii Today.

NOAA symposium in West Hawaii creates space where marine science, management converge. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

County Department of Water Supply workers and members of the community urged Maui County Council members to retain Water Director Dave Taylor, despite Mayor Alan Arakawa calling for his ouster. Maui News.

Tour of East Maui Irrigation ditch system draws just 1 commissioner. Seven-member state panel will decide how much water to restore to taro farmers, residents after the closing of Maui’s sugar plantation. Maui News.

Na Wai Eha stream flow standards proposed. Exceptions to hearings officer’s report for Maui rivers due Jan. 5 to the state water commission. Maui News.

Kahului Elementary School students will be returning to school Monday with needed repairs completed and temporary arrangements made to accommodate the 137 students displaced by a suspicious fire that damaged six classrooms Nov. 24. Maui News.

Kahului Elementary School students to return Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Hawaii’s Marijuana Scene Takes Center Stage At Kauai Conference. Politicians and industry reps attend the event in Poipu, where visitors wonder why the islands haven’t legalized recreational use. Civil Beat.

Mayoral candidates attend trade expo. The three current candidates for Kauai mayor — Derek Kawakami, Lenny Rapozo and Mel Rapozo — will be guest speakers at the Kauai Board of Realtor’s annual Christmas meeting on Thursday at the Kauai Marriott Beach and Resort Club. Garden Island.

Ala Wai dredging slated, Condo tower wants 'poor door' for lower-income residents, sexual harassment claims drop, Honolulu homeless sweeps continue, Arakawa took taxpayer-funded European trip, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ala Wai kayaker © 2017 All Hawaii News

A plan to clean the Ala Wai Canal worries local paddling teams. A major project to clear out the Ala Wai Canal is starting to take shape. The final Environmental Impact Statement for the dredging and repair work was just released, but the work is expected to sideline some paddling teams. Hawaii News Now.

Starting this Friday, Hawaii will introduce a one-minute attack warning signal test in response to threats by North Korea, though this should not deter tourists from coming to the Islands, says George Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

The national number of high profile people caught up in sexual harassment scandals keeps rising, but in Hawaii, there has actually been a dramatic drop in the number of complaints filed with the state agency that looks into them. KITV.

How ‘Zombie Maze’ Is Teaching Hawaii Kids Computer Science. Some schools are making headway in the subject, but huge challenges remain. Better-paying jobs are at stake. Civil Beat.

The extent of the Kamehameha Schools sex abuse scandal could have remained hidden from the public forever if it weren’t for a 2012 law, which allowed victims to file lawsuits over child sex assaults – even if they happened decades earlier. Hawaii News Now.

Commentary: Inner-Party Squabbles Could Shake Up Governor’s Race. If power struggles within the Democratic and Republican parties nationally are transplanted to the islands, all bets are off. Civil Beat.

Oahu

‘Poor Door’: Separate Tower Entrance Planned For Lower-Income Residents. The developer of a proposed mixed-income high rise calls it practical, but a critic says it “segregates people in a very clear way.” Civil Beat.

Oahu needs 2,600 housing units built each year to keep up with population growth. But, building housing that’s affordable is not that easy. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu’s TheBus Route 2 connecting Kalihi to Waikiki will offer service 24 hours a day, seven days a week starting early Sunday morning. Star-Advertiser.

Kalihi-Waikiki bus route to operate 24/7 starting this weekend KHON2.

Could Self-Driving Cars And Buses Replace The Last Leg Of Rail? Longtime critics want to stop the elevated train at Middle Street, then embrace new transportation technologies for the rest of the route. Civil Beat.

Public sounds off on new site for OCCC. The state's preferred plan to build a replacement for Oahu Community Correctional Center is facing opposition from the public -- or at least those who showed up at a town hall meeting to discuss the draft environmental impact statement for the project. Hawaii News Now.

State to sweep encampment that's cropped up just outside a homeless shelter. Another homeless sweep is set for Friday in Kakaako. This time, it's targeting people displaced by a prior sweep — and they're camping just outside the Next Step shelter. Hawaii News Now.

A 49-year-old woman is suing the state Department of Public Safety, claiming a state sheriff’s deputy sexually assaulted her when she was in custody in the courthouse on Punchbowl Street. Star-Advertiser.

Park closure limits access to Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center. “I want people to know we are open,” said the center’s board chairwoman Loretta Yajima. Star-Advertiser.

Many trees in Oahu neighborhoods get decorated with lights for the holiday season, but one in a city park adorned by a resident in honor of his deceased son is creating community discord. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The state Public Charter School Commission on Tuesday voted to issue to Ka’u Learning Academy a “notice of prospect of revocation” — the first step in the process of revoking its charter — alleging issues found in the school’s fiscal year 2017 audit potentially violate provisions of its charter contract. Tribune-Herald.

A case of mumps was confirmed earlier this month at Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School. Tribune-Herald.

Mauna Kea Report Entails Litany Of Legal Conflicts. The director of the Office of Mauna Kea Management provided the board with a rundown of all the lawsuits, projects and outreach efforts involving the university's oversight of the mountain. Big Island Video News.

Some of the people who could be affected by a potential move of the Hawaii County Office of Aging are raising concerns about whether the idea is in the best interest of the county and the people the office serves. Tribune-Herald.

The owners of Windermere C &H Properties have purchased Century 21 All Islands. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island cattle ranchers say over the past few years there has been a troubling and significant increase in the number of cows being killed. Associated Press.

Maui

Mayor Alan Arakawa took a taxpayer-paid trip to Europe in October that included stops in the Czech Republic, Austria, Spain and the Netherlands and cost nearly $5,000. Maui News.

Emergency Proclamation: 400 Dead Trees Along Piiholo Rd to be Removed. Acting Mayor Keith Regan issued an emergency proclamation today, declaring that the county needed to remove more than 400 dead eucalyptus trees in the county owned rights of way along Piʻiholo Road before any more falling trees cause property damage, injury or death this winter. Maui Now.

Emergency proclamation signed to remove hundreds of dead trees on Maui. Safety concerns prompted acting Maui Mayor Keith Regan to sign an emergency proclamation Wednesday that would remove hundreds of dead trees in Makawao. Hawaii News Now.

Kahului Elementary School, which was supposed to reopen today following a fire that damaged classrooms Friday, will remain closed until Monday, the state Department of Education said Wednesday. Maui News.

Kahului Elementary School Remains Closed to Students Until Monday, Dec. 4. Maui Now.

The closure of Kahului Elementary School has been extended to Monday due to damage from a suspicious fire last week, the state Department of Education said. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Cannabiz conference coming to town. Hemp could be Kauai’s economic booster and Kauai’s Dustin Barca will be part of a panel discussion on the topic at the Grand Hyatt Friday to Sunday at the island’s first International Cannabis Business Conference. Garden Island.

Preliminary results of samples taken from dozens of dead fish found on Lehua Island during the state’s rodent eradication project are “inconclusive” as to whether rodenticide killed the fish, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said this week. Star-Advertiser.

Severe weather on Kauai prompts school, road closures. Hawaii News Now.

Bankrupt Island Air grounded, taxpayers to fund Kealoha defense, Land Board allows Alexander & Baldwin to continue diverting streams, court rules in favor of Syngenta, Navy wraps up bombing meetings, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hilo Veterans Day parade © 2017 All Hawaii News

Complicated U.S. Relations Leave Veterans Without Full Health Benefits. This coming Veterans’ Day, we will likely hear stories of service from those who have been to the frontlines of war. As America honors those who served in the U.S. military, the conversation also centers on how the U.S. can serve its veterans.  HPR Reporter Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi shares the story of an often overlooked group of veterans who are hoping the country they served will return that obligation. Hawaii Public Radio.

100-year-old WWII veteran sparks bill for Pacific War memorial. A 100-year-old Oahu veteran has inspired a bipartisan bill to add a commemorative display honoring U.S. service members who fought in the Pacific theater to the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, which is home to the USS Arizona Memorial.. Star-Advertiser.

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Island Air, the state’s second-largest airline, said today its last day of service will be Friday after having exhausted all options to remain flying. Star-Advertiser.

Bankrupt Hawaii interisland carrier Island Air will cease all operations as of midnight Friday after having exhausted all its legal options to stay in business. Pacific Business News.

Island Air announces abrupt shutdown; 100s to lose their jobs. Cash-strapped Island Air, Hawaii's second-largest inter-island carrier, has announced it will halt all service Friday. Hawaii News Now.

Island Air to shut down after 37 years. KHON2.

Island Air to cease operations after Friday. Island Air says it will close operations as of 12:01 a.m. Saturday due to legal pressures imposed by its aircraft lessors. KITV.

Interisland air carrier Island Air announced it will shut down operations as of Saturday, significantly diminishing the number of interisland flights available. In a Thursday afternoon statement, the carrier said “all Island Air passengers must make alternative arrangements for interisland transportation, effective this Saturday, November 11, 2017.” Tribune-Herald.

Island Air said Thursday it will cease interisland service Saturday, having exhausted all options to remain flying. West Hawaii Today.

On Saturday at midnight, Island Air will end 37 years of service to Hawaii "due to legal pressures imposed by aircraft lessors." Big Island Video News.

Island Air announced Thursday it will close operations at midnight tonight. The move ends 37 years of service in Hawaii, leaves passengers scrambling to find flights for interisland transportation and puts 400 employees out of work. Garden Island.

Island Air to Shut Down After 37 Years. Maui Now.

Island Air ends 37 years of flying today. Airline to file for Chapter 7 Monday, Hawaiian offers help. Maui News.

Looking beyond Island Air’s last day: what happens next? Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii Regulates Manicurists And Bartenders — Why Not Midwives? Several legislative proposals to license people who assist with births, often at home, have failed. Another may be coming next session. Civil Beat.

There have now been 557 cases of mumps in Hawaii this year. Hawaii has seen 557 cases of mumps in 2017, and 16 people have suffered from complications. Hawaii News Now.

Commentary: Don’t Ban Campaign Fundraising During Legislative Sessions. Some people seem to equate holding fundraisers during sessions to accepting bribes, but there’s a free speech issue here. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Taxpayers to fund defense team for ex-police chief, wife. Taxpayers will be funding attorneys to defend a former Honolulu police chief and his wife in a corruption case, a judge ruled Thursday. Associated Press.

Former Honolulu police chief Louis Kealoha and his city deputy prosecutor wife Katherine Kealoha will receive court-appointed attorneys in their public corruption case as early as next week, a federal judge ruled today after discussing the couple’s financial situation with them in private. Star-Advertiser.

Judge: Kealohas Are Too Broke To Pay For Their Own Defense. A federal judge will assign new, publicly funded counsel to represent the former Honolulu police chief and his prosecutor wife. Civil Beat.

Former Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his deputy prosecutor wife will get taxpayer-funded attorneys to battle charges in a public corruption case. Hawaii News Now.

Judge approves court-appointed attorneys, taxpayers to fund Kealohas’ costly defense. KHON2.

Federal judge approves court-appointed counsel for Kealohas. A high profile public corruption case will soon be costing taxpayers. KITV.

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Is a ‘big house’ coming to your neighborhood? Plans in the works as officials weigh fixes. Honolulu’s mayor is asking his administration to take action as the “big house” trend continues to spread on Oahu. KHON2.

Honolulu moving ahead with Blaisdell redevelopment, but questions linger for business. The City and County of Honolulu is moving forward with its plan to redevelop the 50-year-old Neal S. Blaisdell Center and plans to submit a draft environmental assessment in the first quarter of next year, but residents and business owners are concerned the plan won’t provide enough parking. Pacific Business News.

Despite high-profile sweep, parts of Nimitz Viaduct still overrun with squatters. As crews hired by the state work to clear massive piles of garbage from one side of the Nimitz viaduct, many of the squatters who created that mess are making themselves at home on the opposite side. Hawaii News Now.

Boat’s grounding points up risks of fishing fleet’s labor practices. Associated Press.

Hawaii Island

Despite Navy assurances that the military is using the latest science to protect marine mammals during bombing and sonar training exercises, most of the approximately 75 people attending a public meeting Thursday evening remained skeptical. West Hawaii Today.

On Thursday, the owners of a lot in a Pepeekeo shoreline subdivision took their objection over a recently issued violation to the Board of Appeals. Big Island Video News.

University of Hawaii researchers need the help of Big Island residents to gather information about the natural cycles of breadfruit trees. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Arakawa ‘leaning very strongly’ at run at council seat. Mayor hasn’t ruled out bid for governor, lieutenant governor. Maui News.

Land Board: Alexander & Baldwin Can Keep Diverting Maui Water. Opponents say water drawn from streams by the Hawaii land company harm the environment. Civil Beat.

First Amendment right to record video of police officers at work at the center of a court case. Thomas Russo of media outlet Maui Time, shot the video back in 2012 and got arrested for it. KITV.

Kauai

Court rules in favor of state, Syngenta. A lawsuit calling for environmental review of Syngenta seed company operations was dismissed by Judge Randal Valenciano on Thursday. Garden Island.

State mulls homeless problem, Kakaako park suffers $500K damage, Maui mayor's wife drawn into campaign spending investigation, DOT Director Director Fuchigami moved to Governor's Office, raises coming to Hawaii County officials, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Homeless igloo demonstration in Hilo ©2017 All Hawaii News

A legislative working group tasked with recommending possible sites for “safe zones” for homeless encampments on state land in Honolulu will expand its search islandwide — and potentially statewide — after ruling out a few vacant parcels in the city’s urban core. Star-Advertiser.

A growing number of state and county officials are talking about safe zones, designated areas where homeless people could camp legally. Civil Beat.

Just days after closing Kakaako Waterfront Park indefinitely, state crews are assessing the damage left by homeless campers. And they say it's worse than they expected. Hawaii News Now.

Officials show off park damage blamed on homeless campers. Repairs to dozens of broken fixtures and other vandalism throughout Kakaako Waterfront, Gateway and Kewalo Basin parks will total an estimated $500,000. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Community Development Authority's decision to close Kakaako Waterfront Park to the public has frustrated park users. On Thursday, HCDA took local media on a tour of the state park to point out why the closure was necessary. The state agency manages the park and said illegal campers racked up at least $500K in hazardous damage. KITV.

Prescribing Hope: A small Hawaii team is helping the hardest to house. There are more than 200 homeless people who suffer from severe mental illness on Oahu. They are among the hardest to help off the streets. But the state’s only psychiatric street medicine team, launched in January, is seeing successes with these seemingly impossible cases. Hawaii News Now.

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State Transportation Director Ford Fuchigami will leave his job for the new post of administrative director for Gov. David Ige beginning Nov. 1, the governor’s office announced Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige has hired Department of Transportation Director Ford Fuchigami as his administrative director. Civil Beat.

The state is hosting a Telehealth Summit this week with the goal of developing statewide coverage. Telehealth connects a patient and a doctor using computer technology through the internet. Hawaii Public Radio.

The U.S. military’s love-hate relationship with China was recently on display with the Pearl Harbor destroyer USS Chafee at the center of it all. Star-Advertiser.

There’s space for Southwest at isle airports, state says. A state Department of Transportation official said Thursday the previous day’s announcement that Southwest would begin selling tickets to Hawaii next year “is already generating tremendous excitement." Star-Advertiser.

Glenn Hong, head of Young Brothers Ltd., the state’s largest interisland cargo carrier, is leaving the position to join parent company Saltchuk on Jan. 1. Star-Advertiser.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has established a hotline accessible from any island to take reports of Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles, dolphins and whales in need of emergency assistance. The 24-hour number is (888) 256-9840. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Contractors continued work Thursday to safely remove fuel and other pollutants from a grounded 79-foot fishing vessel off Kaimana Beach in Waikiki — and the Coast Guard aims to have the entire craft removed from the area today. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu police teamed with Hawaii Pacific University Thursday night to spread the message of safety. KHON2.

A popular new Waikiki restaurant in the International Market Place voluntarily closed today due to suspected norovirus, Department of Health spokeswoman Janice Okubo said. Star-Advertiser.

The popular Waikiki eatery Herringbone shuttered its doors on Thursday after several diners reported falling ill after having patronized the restaurant. Hawaii News Now.

The second Hawaii Embassy Suites by Hilton, hotel which opened three weeks ago, aims to accommodate business travelers and individuals looking for another lodging option in Kapolei. Pacific Business News.

Commentary: Why Is It So Hard To Find Police Commissioners? The Caldwell administration says people are turning down the offer but some commissioners say the mayor isn’t willing to fully open the selection process. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Raises are coming to top county officials, but exactly how much was a topic of some debate at a Salary Commission meeting Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

Students and faculty are protesting the prospect of cuts to the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s performing arts and humanities programs, which they say includes a proposal to eliminate the campus’ popular jazz orchestra. Tribune-Herald.

Despite a heavy downpour, more than 300 people came out Thursday for the Puna Kai shopping center groundbreaking in Pahoa. Tribune-Herald.

Bongs And Bare Breasts Outnumber Cellphones At This Beach. A drum circle is only one of the Sunday attractions at a Big Island beach where millennials and ageless hippies mingle. Civil Beat.

Maui

A Campaign Spending Commission complaint against Mayor Alan Arakawa alleges that his wife, Ann Arakawa, contacted nonprofit and community groups to get them not to cooperate with the commission’s two-year investigation into the mayor’s campaign expenditures from Nov. 5, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2016. Maui News.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa is accused of breaking campaign spending laws by misrepresenting more than $6,000 in advertisements that his campaign bought. Associated Press.

Maui Electric proposed a 9.3% increase in base rates, or $30 million, to help pay for operating costs, including system upgrades to increase reliability, integrate more renewable energy, and improve customer service. Maui Now.

Maui Electric Co. is proposing a 9.3 percent increase to its base power rates — its first such increase in nearly six years — to help pay for operating costs, including system upgrades to increase reliability, integrate more renewable energy and improve customer service, the utility announced. Maui News.

The State Commission on Water Resource Management heard final arguments on a petition to establish minimum flow standards for more than 20 streams diverted by Alexander & Baldwin subsidiary East Maui Irrigation. Maui Now.

Kauai

A sewage spill released about 50,000 gallons of wastewater in an unoccupied area off Keoniana Road on Wednesday, and some could have gotten to the shoreline. Garden Island.

DMK & Associates LLC will resume roadwork in the Ulu Mahi Subdivision from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, from Oct. 16 through Nov. 17. Garden Island.

Back to nature. Huleia refuge tour one of many events during National Wildlife Refuge Week. Garden Island.

Lanai

The Lanai Landfill will be closed at 1 p.m. today and Saturday because of insufficient staffing, the Department of Environmental Management’s Solid Waste Division said. Maui News.

Hawaii climate change report discussed, more than 3k students homeless, pidgin in schools, Campaign Spending Commission investigates Maui mayor, Honolulu council passes smoking ban, Ironman clogs Kona roads, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Queen Liliuokalani Gardens flooding PC: K.T. Cannon-Eger

Draft Hawaii Sea Level Rise Report Briefed. The State’s Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission conducted its first meeting today and received a briefing on a draft sea level rise report. Hawaii Public Radio.

More than 3,000 public school students in Hawaii reported that they were homeless at the start of the 2017 school year, new state figures show. Hawaii News Now.

Pidgin Belongs In Hawaii Schools, Educators Say. The language that emerged from Hawaii’s blending of cultures “is something we have to embrace,” says a high school principal. Civil Beat.

Pidgin English could be used someday in the classroom. KITV.

OHA trustees eliminate 'middle man' charged with managing school funds. The Council for Native Advancement would have received $136,000 per year for the two-year contract to manage the school grants. Hawaii News Now.

How Hawaii Fits Into The Changing World Of Seed Corn Production. A UH researcher lays out the history of the seed corn industry in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

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Southwest confirms it plans flights to Hawaii — and maybe interisland. Southwest President Tom Nealon and Gov. David Ige made the joint announcement late Wednesday afternoon via satellite from Waikiki Beach behind the Royal Hawaiian Resort to an estimated 10,000 Southwest employees at a company party at Universal Studios in Los Angeles. Star-Advertiser.

Southwest Airlines announced Wednesday that it will enter the Hawaii market with ticket sales beginning in 2018. Pacific Business News.

Southwest Airlines finally ended years of speculation, promising low fares for its new service to Hawaii. The company made the official announcement to thousands of employees first during a gathering in Los Angeles. Hawaii News Now.

Southwest Airlines announced Wednesday it will begin service in Hawaii. KITV.

Southwest Airlines announced Wednesday it plans to begin selling tickets in 2018 for service to Hawaii. KHON2.

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August broke a string of big reductions in new foreclosure lawsuits filed in Hawaii during the first seven months of this year. Statistics from the state Judiciary show that lenders and other creditors initiated 111 foreclosure cases in August, or 3 percent more than the 108 cases filed in the same month last year. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Three bills that would dramatically expand Honolulu’s ban on sitting or lying down on public sidewalks passed their first hurdle at a City Council meeting Wednesday, but not without criticism from testifiers who argued the measures criminalize people without homes. Civil Beat.

A city crew from the Department of Facility Maintenance accompanied by police arrived Wednesday morning in Kakaako, where for a second day they cleared tents and tarps on the Ewa end of Ilalo Street near the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell is expected to sign a bill approved by the Honolulu City Council making it illegal on Oahu to smoke in automobiles when children are present. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council passed Bill 70 in a unanimous vote Wednesday, which would make it illegal to smoke in a vehicle with someone under 18 inside. KHON2.

Bills that would allow a nonprofit to set up parking fees, oversee freight and passenger deliveries, and make other traffic rules in Waikiki won final passage from the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council is looking at ways to pay back organic farmers and eco-friendly eateries through two bills that would provide tax incentives to certified businesses. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Clerk Wants Big Increase In The Price Of Voter Data. A new measure would also dramatically raise the price for certifying documents and providing proof of voter registration. Civil Beat.

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 19 foreign fishermen and their American captain from a 79-foot U.S.-flagged commercial fishing vessel that ran aground off Waikiki on Tuesday night. Associated Press.

No lights means no pool for Waialua High swim team. Hawaii News Now.

The head of Hawaii Pacific University maintains the school is in solid financial shape despite concerns raised about the tens of millions of dollars the private college borrowed to redevelop Aloha Tower Marketplace amid declining student enrollment. Star-Advertiser.

Jack in the Box has purchased the land beneath one of its leasehold stores in Honolulu from an entity owned by the daughter of the late Hawaii U.S. Sen. Hiram Fong. Pacific Business News.

Sanjiv Hulugalle is leaving his position as general manager of the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina to take on a leadership role with The Resort Group, master developer of Ko Olina Resort. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County Civil Defense is working on emergency response protocols in the unlikely event of a nuclear attack, although details are scarce at the moment. Big Island Video News.

Repair work underway at Akaka Falls State Park, which will be closed Oct. 16-20. Tribune-Herald.

Akaka Falls trail to close for repairs totaling almost $300K. Hawaii News Now.

The Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday will consider a request to set aside more than 35 acres of state land in Kealakehe for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. for the purpose of “affordable housing and related purposes.” West Hawaii Today.

Papaikou Democrat Heather Kimball plans to challenge state Sen. Lorraine Inouye for the District 4 seat representing Waikoloa, Waimea, Kohala, Hamakua and parts of Hilo and Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Flags were flying high on Alii Drive Tuesday afternoon as athletes from around the globe came out for the Ironman Parade of Nations in some wet weather. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

A two-year Campaign Spending Commission investigation of post-election expenditures reported by Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa’s campaign from Nov. 5, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2016, found 59 “advertising” expenditures to 41 nonprofit and community organizations amounting to more than $47,000. Maui News.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa went before the state Campaign Spending Commission Wednesday to vigorously defend himself against allegations he broke campaign spending laws. Hawaii News Now.

The first annual review of the performance of county Liquor Control Director Glenn Mukai — who has drawn heavy criticism from residents and community groups for actions by his department — is set for the Liquor Control Commission’s next meeting on Nov. 8, commissioners said. Maui News.

A new grocery delivery service will launch for Central and South Maui residents on Thursday, Oct. 12, that will provide everyday essentials and groceries right to their door in as little as one hour. Maui Now.

Three Maui restaurants were among the top 25 restaurants in the nation honored with TripAdvisor's 2017 Traveler’s Choice awards for the best fine dining in the United States. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

County seeks homeless solutions. The County Housing Agency reported there are a minimum of 412 homeless individuals living on the island, with 115 of them sheltered. Garden Island.

The potential relocation of the Rice Street post office to the carrier annex by the airport is still up in the air. Garden Island.

Hawaii jobless rate hits 10-year low, legislation sought for pension spiking, Honolulu rail board accepts oversight, changes coming to public records and Sunshine Law, Coast Guard cutter leaving Hawaii Island, campaign on for Maui mayor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ige visits Women’s Community Correctional Center hydroponics project, courtesy photo

Hawaii’s jobless rate fell to a 10-year low of 2.6 percent last month.The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said Thursday the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell 0.1 percentage point from July.The rate was last this low in April 2007. Associated Press.

Jobless rate at its lowest in 10 years. Star-Advertiser.

Pension Spiking Costs Taxpayers Millions — Now The Push Is On To Stop It. Honolulu City Councilman Joey Manahan urges state to change how it sets retirement payouts to prevent overtime abuse. Civil Beat.

Changes are coming to Hawaii’s records and open meeting laws, affecting how people can find out about public meetings as well as how much they’ll pay for public records. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaiian Airlines’ parent company Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: HA) has appointed Abhi Dhar, the previous chief information officer of Walgreens, to its board of directors. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Honolulu Rail Board: What Do You Do With A $2.4 Billion Bailout? A board member expressed concern about new oversight rules, but rail managers say those are “not much of an issue.” Civil Beat.

An environmental consulting firm has found soot and dust containing potentially hazardous byproducts of the deadly and destructive Marco Polo high-rise fire in condo units and common areas, the homeowners association told owners this week in a memo. Star-Advertiser.

Residents of the Marco Polo condominium on Kapi’olani Boulevard are now eligible for low-interest loans following a devastating fire two months ago. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser is starting on Monday a daily digital news program, anchored by veteran journalists Yunji de Nies and Ryan Kalei Tsuji. The one-minute newscast will feature headlines from the Star-Advertiser and run on the Digital Billboard Network, a network of screens in more than 70 stores across Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Constant Flooding in Mapunapuna Prompts State To Cut Lease Payments. Businesses that rent from DLNR in Mapunapuna can ask for rent reductions when their leases come up for renewal. Civil Beat.

For years, residents have wanted safety improvements for years on this stretch of Leahi Avenue between Monsarrat Avenue and Noela Street, just mauka of Kapiolani Park. But there's one major problem. No one knows who actually owns this stretch of roadway. Hawaii News Now.

The debate over what to do about a fallen seawall on Oahu's North Shore is causing tension in a Sunset Beach neighborhood. Hawaii News Now.

Construction of a four-story student apartment complex being built on the corner of South King and University Avenue is raising safety concerns for some neighbors of the project. Hawaii News Now.

The future of 133 Kaiulani, the 32-story high-rise condominium hotel that was planned to replace the aging King’s Village Shopping Center in Waikiki, is less certain following the filing of a lawsuit in Honolulu 1st Circuit Court on Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The Coast Guard cutter Kiska is scheduled to pull out of Hilo Harbor for good Saturday en route to its new home in Guam, leaving Hawaii island with only two Coast Guard personnel and prompting concern over how open-water searches and rescues there will be conducted. Star-Advertiser.

A federal after-school program that has been on the chopping block is now almost certain to stay in the 2018-19 school year. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program has been in limbo since March when President Donald Trump proposed to cut it in his 2018 fiscal budget. Tribune-Herald.

A website is about to go live for bird lovers seeking the best spots from Hilo to Kona to see the diversity of the Big Island’s feathered friends. Tribune-Herald.

Six NASA-backed space psychology research subjects are set to emerge Sunday after eight months of isolation together in a Mars-like habitat on a remote Hawaii Volcano. Associated Press.

Maui

Mayor Alan Arakawa suggested the Maui County Department of Liquor Control return to “common-sense rules” Wednesday after his office was inundated by complaints from the community over the past year. Maui News.

Maui County Council Member Don Guzman announced his candidacy for mayor Thursday evening, packing in an enthusiastic crowd of more than 700 supporters at the Velma McWayne Santos Community Center in Wailuku. Maui News.

Some West Maui residents believe they have a solution to the nagging issue of traffic jams on Honoapiilani Highway, and it doesn’t have to do with the Lahaina bypass. Maui News.

Kauai

The county is shutting down parking on Black Pot Beach until further notice because of sand erosion, starting today. Garden Island.

Severe erosion issues have forced Kauai County officials to close off a portion of a popular Hanalei beach park to any vehicular traffic, a county spokesperson says. Hawaii News Now.

Students at Kauai Community College can count on new support for academic issues. The University of Hawaii Board of Regents elected Norma Doctor Sparks of Kauai to replace outgoing regent David Iha. Garden Island.

International Coastal Cleanup Day is Saturday. It’s the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup Day, and worldwide people will be joining together to pull trash from beaches and catalogue it into a database. Garden Island.

Meet the monk seals. Scientist outlines misconceptions about endangered species. Garden Island.

Hawaii Gov. Ige unpopular in poll, state tries to grow teachers, Hurricane Fernanda weakening, Honolulu condo fire investigation continues, Hawaii County cracking down on alcohol at beaches, Police Commission secrecy, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Gov. David Ige © 2017 All Hawaii News

A new state-by-state poll ranks Hawaii’s governor among the least popular chief executives in the country. Gov. David Ige, according to a Morning Consult poll, has an approval rating of just 48 percent in the islands. Civil Beat.

To help address the state’s perennial shortage of qualified public school teachers, the Department of Education is launching a pilot program aimed at encouraging educators already in classrooms, such as educational assistants, to become licensed teachers with a stipend incentive. Star-Advertiser.

The state Department of Education closed out 11 employee misconduct investigations during the past three months, resulting in five terminations and one resignation in lieu of termination, according to data shared Tuesday with the state school board. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane Fernanda continues to weaken as the forecast brings it close to the Hawaiian islands. At 5 a.m. Wednesday, the storm was still a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph. Hawaii News Now.

Last week, Gov. David Ige officially vetoed 13 bills that were passed during the 2017 legislative session, including one that takes away lifeguards’ protection against lawsuits. Garden Island.

Cameron Nekota, a Hawaii real estate veteran who helped to spearhead D.R. Horton-Schuler Homes’ 11,750-home Hoopili project, has joined First Hawaiian Bank, overseeing the bank’s real estate and government affairs. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Fire Sprinkler Retrofit Mandate Will Hit Affordable Housing. City Lawmakers will be considering a bill next month that could require the installation of fire sprinkler systems in older residential condominiums. Hawaii Public Radio.

The high-rise fire that killed three residents and seriously injured five others damaged more than a third of the apartments in the 36-story Marco Polo, the Honolulu Fire Department said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Investigation into fatal Marco Polo fire expands to include other agencies. Hawaii News Now.

Fire investigators from Hawaii island arrived in Honolulu today with an arson dog to search for ignitable liquids in the apartment where a deadly high-rise blaze broke out last week. Star-Advertiser.

Fire investigators from the Big Island have arrived in Honolulu with an arson dog to search for ignitable liquids in the apartment where a deadly high-rise blaze broke out last week. Associated Press.

New details from fire officials paint the dangerous, and ultimately deadly, scenario at Marco Polo as changes are considered that could prevent a future disaster. KHON2.

Local musicians to host benefit concert for displaced Maro Polo residents. Hawaii News Now.

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The Honolulu Police Commission is scheduled to hold closed-door hearings Wednesday to decide whether taxpayers should pay the legal fees of two officers who were sued in relation to an ongoing U.S. Justice Department corruption investigation tied to former Chief Louis Kealoha. But legal experts, including the only two lawyers who sit on the commission, say the public and the media should not be barred from the proceedings. Civil Beat.

Several petitions are circulating urging the Caldwell administration to remove 11 traffic bulb-outs or curb extensions that were installed along key intersections of Chinatown several weeks ago. Designed as a traffic-calming measure, a bulb-out extends the sidewalk at an intersection, thus shortening the distance a pedestrian needs to cross. Star-Advertiser.

State enforcement officers say Hawaii's booming tourism industry is encouraging more and more illegal commercial activity in state ocean waters. Hawaii News Now.

In June, sales of single-family homes in the Windward Oahu neighborhoods of Kaneohe and Kailua increased by 60 percent and 23 percent, respectively, while the median price decreased, according to a local market update by the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

The Hawaii County Council advanced a bill Tuesday banning alcohol at James Kealoha Beach Park in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

As the county considers a crackdown on drinking at a popular Hilo park, some West Hawaii residents say they don’t think the issue’s out of control at parks and beaches on their side. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island drivers are guaranteed to see a boost in gas prices Aug. 1 as higher fuel taxes take effect. Tribune-Herald.

A 9-year-old Hilo girl whose parents and grandmother are alleged to have starved her to death last year was on the radar of Child Welfare Services since at least 2007, according to court documents. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii’s state-funded aerospace center will share a $118,690 NASA Small Business Technology Transfer grant with New York-based Honeybee Robotics Ltd. to develop an in-situ resource utilization technology to convert natively sourced materials into usable resources, according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Pacific Business News.

The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy will start the new school year for the first time with a full eight-year accreditation under its belt, though completion of its new building could be pushed back further into 2018. Tribune-Herald.

The developer of a more than $1 billion planned residential community on Hawaii Island filed for bankruptcy last month in the face of two foreclosure actions that threaten to repossess land slated for the 2,300-home project called Villages of Aina Lea. Star-Advertiser.

A Big Island resort hotel has been named "Best Hotel in Hawaii" by price comparison platform HotelsCombined. Kolea at Waikoloa Beach Resort beat out four other Hawaii finalists to win the top honor. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa, who has been playing softball since the 4th grade, recently came under fire from the state Campaign Spending Commission for using campaign funds to support senior softball teams he played on, managed and sponsored. Maui News.

Critics of a controversial development proposed in South Maui plan to voice their concerns when the state Land Use Commission meets on Wednesday and Thursday to review the Final Environmental Impact Statement. Hawaii News Now.

A Stage 1 water shortage declaration for Upcountry, which calls for voluntary cutbacks by consumers, goes into effect today due to drier-than-normal trade wind flows so far this summer. Maui News.

A man broke into a Makawao store early Monday morning, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of shell lei, handmade by Niihau residents, the store owner said Tuesday. Maui News.

Kauai

Pilot stops on Kauai while retracing Earhart’s final voyage. Garden Island.

The West Kauai Business Association will host a community meeting Monday at the Waimea Historic Theatre. Justin Kollar, prosecuting attorney, and representatives from the YWCA will be on hand to talk about domestic violence. Garden Island.

The Kauai-based owners of Brick Oven Pizza are selling their four Oahu restaurants — including one opening next month at The Howard Hughes Corp.’s Ward Village in Honolulu — in order to focus on their Garden Isle business. Pacific Business News.

State and county high-rise laws face changes in wake of fatal condo fire, Hurricane Fernanda threat lessens, Maui mayor cleared, Kauai salt makers react to climate change, Big Island couple pleads not guilty to starving 9-year-old, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Fernanda track NOAA

Fernanda continued to weaken overnight but remained a Category 2 hurricane. Hurricane Fernanda is packing maximum sustained winds near 100 mph while moving northwest at 9 mph. It’s located about 1,460 miles east of Hilo. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane Fernanda continues to weaken as it churns toward the Central Pacific. Hawaii News Now.

The fire at the Marco Polo has put the spotlight on Act 53, formerly known as Senate Bill 611, which makes it illegal for any county to require single-family homes or duplexes to have sprinklers for the next 10 years. It’s a question of whether homeowners should be required to spend thousands of dollars to prevent potential tragedies, and whether raising the already-high price of housing in Hawaii is worth preventing loss of life. Civil Beat.

The Building Industry Association of Hawaii planned, then canceled, a celebration of a bill that prevents counties from mandating single-family homes have sprinklers. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers on the state and county level, as well as Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, want to make sure a deadly high-rise fire, like the one that broke out Friday in the Marco Polo building, doesn’t happen again. KHON2.

Hundreds of older high-rise apartment buildings in Honolulu aren’t required to have sprinkler systems, but city officials are pushing for change in the wake of Friday’s deadly 26th-floor blaze. Associated Press.

Three days after a major fire killed three people at the Marco Polo condominium complex, Mayor Kirk Caldwell has sent the City Council a proposal to require high-rise residential buildings without automatic fire sprinklers to install them. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell today introduced a bill that would require all residential buildings over 75 feet high to install sprinkler systems. The Honolulu Fire Department estimated there are about 300 highrise apartment buildings on Oahu that don't have sprinkler systems. Hawaii News Now.

Fire investigators said Monday the apartment where a deadly fire began in a Honolulu high-rise was near the two units on the 26th floor where the bodies of three victims were found, but they’re still working to determine the cause. Associated Press.

The Marco Polo fatal high-rise fire did not begin in the condominium units of the three people who died in the Friday five-alarm blaze, Honolulu fire investigators have determined. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Does The Risk Justify The Cost Of Sprinklers In Older High-Rises? Until now, the answer has been “no.” But the tragic fire in the Marco Polo condominiums could change the equation. Civil Beat.

Commentary: There are no easy answers to draw from Friday’s tragic fire that killed three people at the Marco Polo condominium tower. There is, however, one necessary answer: Heed the calls to retrofit older buildings with fire sprinkler systems. Star-Advertiser.

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The State Department Monday expanded its definition of “close family” to include grandparents and other relatives that constitute a bona fide U.S. relationship for visa applicants and refugees from six mainly Muslim nations, in response to a Hawaii federal judge’s order last week. Associated Press.

Medical Aid In Dying Dealt Another Blow In Hawaii. An Oahu circuit judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit asking the court to prevent existing Hawaii criminal laws from being applied to medical aid in dying practices. Big Island Video News.

The state Public Utilities Commission has accepted an updated plan submitted by Hawaiian Electric Cos. detailing how it will reach the state’s goal of 100 percent renewable energy five years ahead of schedule. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric rates could rise 44% under plan OKed by state regulators. Pacific Business News.

Costco Wholesale Corp. paid a fine last week of nearly $5,000 for violating Hawaii's beverage container deposit requirements, the Hawaii State Department of Health said Monday. Pacific Business News.

They can’t quite top Bernie Sanders, but Hawaii U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono both rank among the three most popular senators in the nation, according to a recent poll by survey research company Morning Consult. Star-Advertiser.

Food safety inspectors will begin stepping up enforcement of a new law that bans the use of latex gloves in restaurants. KHON2.

Oahu

Kaimuki charter school finds site to share. SEEQS — the School for Examining Essential Questions of Sustainability — will be sharing a campus with Kaimuki High School, 2 miles away. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County is taking another crack at property tax reform. Fresh from raising taxes on most property types, county officials say they are convening an internal working group to recommend changes to the tax code. Tribune-Herald.

Public Works Director Frank DeMarco has decided to retire. West Hawaii Today.

Keith Okamoto, Hawaii County Department of Water Supply manager and chief engineer, came to Kona on Monday to offer a presentation on the area’s water emergency to the Hawaii County Council’s Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability Committee. West Hawaii Today.

Both parents accused of starving a 9-year-old Hilo girl to death last year pleaded not guilty Monday to second-degree murder. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

State officials are dropping a complaint against Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa that accused him of using campaign funds for personal purposes by sponsoring a softball team. Star-Advertiser.

A bill aiming to regulate and look into sand extraction in Maui County is undergoing changes, as a Maui County Council committee continues to mull the measure that arose from an uproar over a recent sand excavation and export case in Maui Lani. Maui News.

A new system will help forecast the effects of sea level rise and waves in West Maui. The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System has received a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to develop the model. Hawaii Public Radio.

A Stage 1 water shortage declaration for Upcountry, which calls for voluntary cutbacks by consumers, goes into effect today due to drier-than-normal trade wind flows so far this summer. Maui News.

Trilogy Excursions announced it has outfitted all six of its sailing catamarans with sunscreen that is free of reef damaging chemicals. Maui Now.

Kauai

A community of traditional salt makers on Kauai is navigating the impacts of climate change on the generations-old practice. Hawaii Public Radio.

Swells could reach 8 feet on the Eastside today as the initial impacts of Hurricane Fernanda begin to reach Kauai. Garden Island.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources is seeking new projects for its Hawaii Forest Legacy Program that will protect important working forest lands from the threat of conversion to non-forest uses. Garden Island.