Legislators mull money for seniors, Ige pledges support for Kakaako elder housing, Arakawa fined for campaign spending violations, Waianae homeless rally at Capitol, vacation rental bill pulled pending ethics ruling, no background checks for home-school parents, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kupuna hula ©2018 All Hawaii News

Lawmakers are considering $2 million to $4 million in legislative funding for the Kupuna Caregivers program to provide up to $70 a day in services for seniors in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii bumped to third in annual State of Well-Being Rankings report. Hawaii is no longer the state with the healthiest residents, in terms of mind and body, according to the most recent State of Well-Being Rankings report released by Gallup and health and wellness engagement platform Sharecare on Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

The trustees of the $16.9 billion public workers pension fund have fired their chief investment officer, instructing him on Monday to leave the offices of the Employees’ Retirement System and not return, according to sources familiar with the action. Star-Advertiser.

Tougher penalties sought for patients who assault health care workers. Tribune-Herald.

A bill that would have “established procedures for a parent or legal guardian to obtain authorization to home school a child” in Hawaii was withdrawn today after a massive outpouring in opposition. Big Island Video News.

Senator yanks bill requiring background checks for parents who home-school their children. Hawaii News Now.

Dozens of hospital patients acquitted of violent crimes with no way to track them. KHON2.

A woman carrying $335,000 cash aboard a private jet from Honolulu headed for the Philippines tried to leave the country Tuesday without listing all of the money on her customs declaration, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court. Star-Advertiser.

HEI earnings down in fourth quarter. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. topped analysts’ estimates in the fourth quarter despite lower net income and said a record 27 percent of electricity on its utility’s grid was from renewable sources last year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. reported net income of $32.4 million, or 30 cents per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to net income of $44.6 million, or 42 cents per diluted share, for the same quarter last year, a decrease of 27.3 percent. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Waianae homeless camp seeks help from state. Residents of a large homeless encampment near the Waianae Small Boat Harbor say they are not to blame for many of the concerns being cited as reasons to explore shutting down the village on state-owned property. Star-Advertiser.

Waianae Boat Harbor Residents Try To Stave Off A Homeless Sweep. Some of them gathered at the Capitol on Wednesday to respond to growing criticism of the encampment. Civil Beat.

Leaders of a longstanding homeless encampment near the Waianae Boat Harbor used the State Capitol as a backdrop to deliver a message to lawmakers. Hawaii News Now.

Waianae homeless village fights for safe haven at state capitol. KITV.

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Ige Promises To Help Anxious Kakaako Seniors Facing Rent Hikes. The governor says the state will provide monthly subsidies of up to $250, and indicates a willingness to help residents elsewhere. Civil Beat.

Developer to break ground on long-delayed affordable rentals in Honolulu. The developer of Hale Kewalo plans to break ground on the project on Thursday, more than three years after receiving approval from the Hawaii Community Development Authority for the 128-unit affordable rental project near Ala Moana Center in Honolulu. Pacific Business News.

Experts say expect more water quality alerts. KITV.

A bill allowing the city medical examiner to start charging mortuaries daily fees for the storage of bodies won preliminary approval from the City Council Budget Committee on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

A battle is brewing over a plan to split up an historic Oahu ranch and sell dozens of parcels to new owners who could build homes on land zoned for agriculture. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Council Explores Monster Home Regulation. Critics say extra-large structures known as “Monster Homes” are apartment buildings masquerading as single or two family dwellings in residential neighborhoods. Hawaii Public Radio.

A Bill calling for more immediate steps to prevent fuel spills at the Navy’s Red Hill Storage Facility stalled in the House today. Hawaii Public Radio.

A public neighborhood board meeting is scheduled to be held in Makiki tonight where members will address the drift racing problem on Tantalus Drive in the aftermath of the January crash that left a triathlete with multiple fractures after a racing car plowed into her. Star-Advertiser.

Following a recent dust-up with the World Surf League over tournament dates on the North Shore, Mayor Kirk Caldwell wants to create an advisory committee to rewrite Parks and Recreation Department surf tournament rules all across Oahu by August and in time for the 2019-2020 season. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has called on the World Surf League to reconsider its threat of removing its events from Hawaii after the city denied its permit request. Pacific Business News.

Wallaby makes a visit to the Halawa Correctional Facility. Wallabies are native to Australia, but have been been spotted in the islands. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

A bill regulating vacation rentals has been pulled from consideration until the Board of Ethics can determine whether North Kona Councilwoman Karen Eoff has a conflict of interest in co-sponsoring it. West Hawaii Today.

Gov. David Ige announced that he has appointed Dennis “Fresh” Onishi to serve as the governor’s representative for East Hawaii. Big Island Now.

The remote and rugged terrain of Hawaii island will once again take up its starring role as the surface of Mars today in an ongoing, NASA-funded study of the human factors that contribute to long-duration space exploration. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii’s sixth Mars mission simulation will begin today as another crew starts eight months of isolation inside a dome on Mauna Loa. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The Campaign Spending Commission on Wednesday voted to fine Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa $1,000 for exceeding donation limits to multiple charities. Hawaii News Now.

The Liquor Control Department has a new deputy director and a new application checklist that reduces the burden on nonprofit organizations seeking special licenses for fundraising events. Maui News.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation is implementing new weight limit restrictions on five Maui bridges. Maui Now.

Maui Water Quality Program Expands to Include 48 Test Sites. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai police and the Department of Parks and Recreation are asking for help in finding the individuals who vandalized a public restroom in Kealia. Star-Advertiser.

Vandals deface restrooms on Kauai's east side; Tips on suspects wanted. Hawaii News Now.

Molokai
The Maui County Department of Water Supply reported a water quality violation at the Ualapue Shaft in East Molokai. Maui Now.

Audit finds Office of Hawaiian Affairs spent millions inappropriately, Honolulu threatens to cancel $53.6M traffic management contract, Maui won't pay mayor's legal fees, plastic straws, tiny homes, police standards mulled in Legislature, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii police officers ©2018 All Hawaii News

Bill To Regulate Police Officers Clears Another Hurdle. Hawaii is one of the few states without minimum standards for cops, but the Legislature is considering a measure to change that. Civil Beat.

The state agency responsible for improving the well-being of Native Hawaiians spent nearly double the amount on pet projects than on competitive grants, the state auditor said in a report released Tuesday. Associated Press.

Audit finds inappropriate spending of millions by OHA and trustees. During fiscal year 2015 and 2016, OHA spent nearly double as much on discretionary disbursements — $14 million — as it did on planned, budgeted and properly vetted and monitored grants — $7.7 million. Star-Advertiser.

After release of critical audit, OHA leaders admit: 'Change needs to happen'. Hawaii News Now.

State audit claims Office of Hawaiian Affairs misspent millions ‘with little restraint’. KHON2.

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Some hotels ditch plastic straws. Now, lawmakers want to ban their use. Hawaii News Now.

Bills Seek Tiny Homes on Hawaiian Home Lands. Senate Bill 2424 and House Bill 2473 seek to establish a public private partnership to leverage $5 million in state funds to create a $20 million revolving loan fund for the development of affordable tiny homes on Hawaiian Home Lands. Maui Now.

Bill Would Spare Micronesians A Yearly Trip To The DMV. The Department of Transportation opposes the measure, saying it could render all Hawaii driver’s licenses useless for flying. Civil Beat.

A Kansas father and husband who is fighting efforts to deport him to Bangladesh was taken off a plane that was flying him back to his native country and is being held at a detention center in Hawaii, his attorneys said today. Associated Press.

Congressional Budget Deal Likely Means More Federal Money For Hawaii. President Trump proposed massive cutbacks, but the opposite is likely to happen after a bipartisan deal lifted spending caps. Civil Beat.

The number of outpatient flu visits in Hawaii continues to remain higher than the national base line. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii State Board on Geographic Names Mulls Changes. Iao Stream or Wailuku River? Mauna Kea or Maunakea? These are just a couple of the challenges before the Hawaii Board of Geographic Names. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

The city has issued a notice of default to the contractor of the $53.6 million state-city Joint Traffic Management Center, citing numerous deficiencies on the part of Watts Constructors LLC that could delay the project’s completion. Star-Advertiser.

City threatens to cancel contract for multi-million dollar traffic center if problems linger. Hawaii News Now.

Rail Promised Lots Of Jobs But There’s No Sure Count Of What It’s Delivering. HART doesn’t keep track of the totals, but its point-in-time counts suggest fewer people are employed than had been projected. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Rail Project Pursuing Public-Private Partnerships for City Center Segment. The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is hosting a 2-day forum to attract private development partners. Hawaii Public Radio.

By a 5-4 vote the Honolulu City Council decided to postpone for two weeks a vote on a bill that would temporarily stop the city Department of Planning and Permitting from issuing building permits for larger-­scale houses. Star-Advertiser.

Settlement reached in alleged 2012 police brutality, cover-up case. Hawaii News Now.

The Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye Airport will get a new $1.1 billion concourse to increase the number of gates, add passenger capacity and provide a new international arrivals area, Gov. David Ige announced today. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige, alongside the Hawaii Department of Transportation and members of the Airlines Committee of Hawaii, announced plans for a new $1.1 billion Diamond Head Concourse at the Honolulu international airport that will be built out over the next 10 years. Pacific Business News.

Leadership in the state House of Representatives tabled a bill Tuesday that would have protected roughly 200 residents of a long-standing homeless encampment near the Waianae Small Boat Harbor from being swept from the state-owned property. Star-Advertiser.

New renderings revealed Tuesday show the vision for the new Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. KITV.

A former employee of Waste Management Inc., operator of the city’s Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill admits to stealing more than $800,000. Star-Advertiser.

Waialua High School’s Glenn Lee, who kicked off Hawaii’s robotics movement, is the only American to reach the top 10 as a finalist out of 30,000 entries in the $1 million Global Teacher Prize competition. Star-Advertiser.

A Waialua teacher inches closer to a global teaching award, and its $1M prize. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

With a do-or-die hearing of a bill raising the general excise tax scheduled for next week, the administration and County Council are holding a bevy of last-minute community meetings to get feedback and explain their budget straits. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim and Finance Director Deanna Sako fielded questions and heard statements Tuesday night from West Hawaii residents sharing their voices on a proposal to raise the county’s general excise tax by one-half percent. West Hawaii Today.

A bill to fund two Big Island homeless villages died in the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Tuesday after clearing its first two committees. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor’s plea for legal fees in Taylor suit shot down by panel. A Maui County Council committee on Tuesday voted against having the county foot the bill for private attorneys to defend Mayor Alan Arakawa and Maui County in a lawsuit filed by water director David Taylor, who is seeking to get back to work and off paid leave. Maui News.

The state Supreme Court has dismissed a misdemeanor charge against a weekly tabloid publisher who was detained when he used his cellphone to videotape a police traffic enforcement operation six years ago. Maui News.

The Hawaii Supreme Court has dismissed a misdemeanor charge against a weekly tabloid publisher who was detained when he used his cellphone to videotape a police traffic enforcement operation six years ago. Associated Press.

Kauai

The Federal Aviation Administration and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources have initiated an investigation into a report of a drone that struck a tour helicopter on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Realtor Neal Norman of Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers has listed a 16,000-square-foot home on 18.25 acres above Secret Beach on Kauai for $35 million. Pacific Business News.

Molokai

The majority of the county offices in the Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai will be moving to room No. 300 in the Moore Center at 2 Kamoi St. later this week due to a leaky roof. Maui News.

Future of Maunakea telescopes mulled, more shenanigans in Takai campaign account, Ige touts accomplishments, Maui mayor running for council, not lieutenant governor, Honolulu homeless woes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Telescopes atop Maunakea ©2018 All Hawaii News

Kim finalizing Maunakea committee: Mission statement emphasizes Native Hawaiians’ connection to the mountain, exploration. Tribune-Herald.

The University of Hawaii is restarting its effort to gain a new master lease for Maunakea that would allow observatories to continue beyond 2033. Tribune-Herald.

Senate Bill 3090, establishing the Mauna Kea Management Authority, will be heard on February 12. Big Island Video News.

Greg Chun has been appointed as senior advisor to University of Hawaii President David Lassner and UH Hilo Chancellor Marcia Sakai in overseeing the fulfillment of the responsibilities of the entire UH System on Maunakea. Hawaii 24/7.

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The presumably dormant re-election campaign for the late U.S. Rep. Mark Takai has paid out close to $5,000 over the past year to purchase data from a Washington, D.C.-based campaign software vendor that tracks voter information. Star-Advertiser.

Five candidates for lieutenant governor who took part in an early forum at Democratic Party of Hawaii headquarters Saturday vowed to make the job more meaningful for the people of the state. Star-Advertiser.

Candidates for Lieutenant Governor face off in public forum. KITV.

Ige opens campaign offices. Supporters often praise Gov. David Ige, 60, for his soft-spoken, humble leadership style. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Ige uses launch of campaign headquarters to highlight success of term. Hawaii News Now.

Political candidates react to #MeToo sexual harassment issues in Hawaii. KITV.

Another Delay Sought For Surprise Care Home Inspections. Advocates for the elderly say unannounced inspections are long overdue but state officials foresee problems. Civil Beat.

Proposal to reduce frequency of safety checks works its way through Legislature. KHON2.

It might be game over for certain video games in Hawaii after state lawmakers introduced legislation to limit the implementation of electronic gambling systems within the popular pastime. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii’s Resistance To Trump Enters Cyberspace. A bill to encourage net neutrality envisions the possibility of a taxpayer-owned internet service provider. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii’s visitor industry, caught flat-footed in the aftermath of the false missile alert on Jan. 13, is partnering with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to prepare for future situations that could impact visitors. Star-Advertiser.

Nearly a month after a Hawaii Emergency Management Agency employee sent out an alert that a ballistic missile was headed to Hawaii, the agency is still trying to correct the record about what really plunged the isles into 38 minutes of needless panic and fear. Star-Advertiser.

One thing that was clear following the Jan. 13 missile scare in Hawaii is that the state does not have enough hospital capacity to handle a nuclear attack, which could involve mass casualties. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaiian Electric Cos. are asking the state Public Utilities Commission for approval to seek new renewable projects for Oahu, Maui and Hawaii island. Star-Advertiser.

Modernizing Hawaii’s Electric Grid For Less Than $1 A Month. Hawaiian Electric Co. needs to upgrade its distribution system to accommodate mushrooming rooftop solar. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Growing Waianae homeless camp at center of dispute at harbor. State and city lawmakers once looked at one of Oahu’s biggest homeless encampments — Puuhonua O Waianae next door to the Waianae Small Boat Harbor — as a potential model for what government-sanctioned homeless “safe zones” could look like across the islands. Star-Advertiser.

State Department of Land and Natural Resources officials believe the state-owned land beneath the Puuhonua O Waianae homeless encampment contains ancient burial sites, pre- and post-contact rock walls that have been destroyed, and a rare “Waianae lineage” of half-inch-long shrimp living in an underground cave system. Star-Advertiser.

City officials have received complaints that homeless people from a large encampment are dumping human waste into Pokai Bay, among other issues. Associated Press.

There are strict rules regulating daily life inside Puuhonua O Waianae — and those who repeatedly violate them are kicked out. Star-Advertiser.

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Cries over ‘poor door’ ignore worse segregation in affordable housing. Star-Advertiser.

Affordable housing: Like all Hawaii real estate, it’s gotten more expensive. It’s also getting incredibly smaller. Star-Advertiser.

Woman receives $72 ticket after honking her horn at a police vehicle. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

North Kona Councilwoman Karen Eoff, the primary sponsor of a bill limiting vacation rentals on the island, has come under fire for her ownership of a vacation rental condo in Kailua-Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Picking fruit on some West Hawaii farms is more than just precarious. As soon as the trees start shaking, farmers and field workers are as likely to get an armful of little fire ants as a handful of coffee berries. West Hawaii Today.

Kona coffee farmers want label law expanded. Star-Advertiser.

Funding for Big Island Veterans Treatment Court is making headway in the state Legislature. West Hawaii Today.

The opening of the Big Island’s first medical marijuana dispensary has been delayed. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa has submitted a candidate organizational report to the state Campaign Spending Commission showing his intention to run for the County Council’s Kahului residency seat. Maui News.

Maui County mayoral candidates file campaign spending reports. Guzman has the most cash on hand, with Victorino and Cochran next in line. Maui News.

Essential air service contract to expire. Anxiety in Kalaupapa rises as feds take new round of bids, including one with no subsidy. Maui News.

Haleakala National Park will hold a public meeting on Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, to outline a proposed fee increase for the tri-park annual pass. Maui Now.

Maui’s only neurosurgeon, Dr. Thomas Rogers, has been unavailable for the past few months because of a health-related issue, forcing all patients needing examination or surgery to fly to Oahu for treatment, Maui Memorial Medical Center officials said. Maui News.

Kauai

Kani Wildlife Control offers solutions for eradicating unwanted wildlife. Garden Island.

Bikes on Rice begins monthly rides Tuesday around Lihue. Garden Island.

Molokai

A tangle of fishing nets the size of a large SUV washed ashore on the Northeast side of Molokai in Halawa Valley. KHON2.

Tourism outlook sunny, legislative committees advance pesticide bills, emergency shelters, vacation rentals, monster homes, 'survival sex' for young Honolulu homeless, plus Maui politics, Coco Palms lawsuit, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki beach ©2018 All Hawaii News

Hawaii visitor arrivals and spending are expected to grow over the next four years. Speakers at the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s annual outlook and economic forecast forum tried to evaluate how much of a boon for Hawaii the latest forecast from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism would be. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism said in a new report Hawaii’s overall economic condition in 2018 will be better than previously projected, as a result of the new tax reform bill. Pacific Business News.

Visitor accommodation units statewide increased to 80,336 units (+1.6%) year-over-year, the largest total ever recorded for the State of Hawaii, according to the 2017 Visitor Plant Inventory released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Maui Now.

Bills Introduced to Crack Down on Vacation Rentals, Monster Homes. Maui Now.

All new state buildings would have to be designed and built with shelter space capable of withstanding catastrophic disasters under a proposal making its way through the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

House Emergency Preparedness Task Force Bill Advances. Hawaii Public Radio.

In the hours before the state's infamous missile alert mistake, a documentary crew from NBC News was getting an exclusive tour of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, gathering material for a future story that was meant to focus on communications in the aftermath of an actual attack. Hawaii News Now.

Four bills are moving ahead in the state legislature, and lawmakers believe that a lack of action on the federal level will increase the likelihood that the bills will pass. The bills would regulate the use of some heavily used pesticides, including a popular herbicide called Roundup.  Hawaii News Now.

House Committee Advances Ban On Chlorpyrifos. Big Island Video News.

The House committees on Agriculture and Energy & Environmental Protection passed a complete ban on the pesticide chlorpyrifos during a hearing at the State Capitol on Thursday. Big Island Now.

A statewide ban on chlorpyrifos passed through two Hawaii House committees Thursday, along with measures for stricter restrictions on glyphosate herbicides and public notification requirements for pesticide application. Garden Island.

Modernizing Hawaii’s Electric Grid For Less Than $1 A Month. Hawaiian Electric Co. needs to upgrade its distribution system to accommodate mushrooming rooftop solar. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric reports 1 percentage point increase in renewable energy in 2017. Hawaiian Electric Cos., the state's largest utility company, said on Thursday it was able to increase its renewable portfolio standard to 27 percent during the past year. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Schools Can’t Seem To Give Breakfast Away. Nearly all of Hawaii’s public schools participate in the federal School Breakfast Program, but only 43 percent of low-income students who qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches also take advantage of subsidized school breakfast. Civil Beat.

Another government shutdown — even a short one — has particularly bad timing for the Hawaii National Guard, which has its once-a-month drills this weekend. More than 4,500 Hawaii Army and Air Guard soldiers were expected to train Saturday and Sunday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Young homeless on Oahu are forced into “survival sex”. Homeless youth on Oahu tend to have been abused by their parents, became homeless at the age of 14, on average, and generally live a dangerous and disturbing existence where most tried to kill themselves while others were forced to perform “survival sex,” according to the first study of its kind in four decades. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has a lucrative second job at Territorial Savings Bank, and that's raised concerns with members of the state Legislature. Now, legislators are considering a proposal that would prevent acting governors and mayors from having second jobs. Hawaii News Now.

Spill sends 10,000 gallons of sewage into Waianae drainage ditch. The Hawaii Department of Health is urging the public to stay away from a sewage-contaminated drainage ditch in a residential area near Waianae Mall. Hawaii News Now.

City reverses decision to reject gift aimed at supporting young athletes. KHON2.

A woman who stole more than $3.8 million from the company that publishes Honolulu Magazine through a scheme the judge called “intricate” and that the prosecutor said was “exquisitely executed” was sentenced in federal court Thursday to four years in prison. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The Nature Conservancy has transferred ownership of 222 acres of land to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Tribune-Herald.

Lifeguard liability bills treading water. West Hawaii Today.

A state House committee voted Thursday to advance a bill to establish lifeguards at Kua Bay. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island Rep. Richard Creagan and the Hawaii County Council don’t think the Hawaii Department of Health is as serious as it should be about rat lungworm disease. West Hawaii Today.

After two meetings left local business owners with more questions than answers about the proposed surf school regulations, the county has postponed a looming deadline to bid on doing business at Kahaluu Bay. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii Army National Guard is replacing its decades-old vehicle and equipment maintenance shop in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Was Maui Official Ousted For Skipping Mayor’s Campaign Event? The director of Maui’s Department of Water Supply is suing his boss after being placed on leave. Civil Beat.

New rental car tax proposed to help fund Lahaina, Paia bypasses. $4.50 per car, per day fee would help build state projects stalled in county. Maui News.

Ongoing discord among Maui County Council members has inspired the launching of campaigns for two candidates: former mayoral candidate and Council Member Alice Lee and Claire Kamalu Carroll, the 48-year-old daughter of Council Member Bob Carroll, who’ll retire this year. Maui News.

Maui resident and community organizer Tiare Lawrence is running for the State House representing Maui. KITV.

Two men who were arrested for allegedly harassing a monk seal in Lahaina could have felony charges dismissed if they make donations to a federal agency responsible for managing ocean resources. Maui News.

Businesses who use the EKO Compost facility that do not have a commercial account are being reminded by Department of Environmental Management officials that they are now required to set up an account and pay green waste tipping fees at $46 per/ton. Maui Now.

Kauai

Coco Palms Developer Fights Back With Its Own Native Hawaiian Research. A Hawaiian consultant disputes the claims of the occupiers of a planned resort site on Kauai. Civil Beat.

Milo Spindt, born in Lawai and now a Kalaheo resident, has pulled papers and is running for the Kauai County Council. Garden Island.

Kapaa grocery store Cost-U-Less is closing after a quarter-century of doing business.  Garden Island.

Phyllis Ann De Graff Kunimura died Dec. 7. She was known as the “First Lady of Kauai” during her husband Tony Kunimura’s tenure as mayor. Star-Advertiser.

Legislative panel grills economists as state surplus grows, Ige hedges re-election bet, Honolulu homeless park-hop, rental prices drop, few appeal property assessments, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Senate and House money committee hearings kickoff Tuesday, courtesy House Democrats

Economists: Financial Challenges Are Looming For Hawaii. Economists caution legislators about the housing shortage, the possibility of lower tax revenue and reduced tourist spending. Civil Beat.

Housing push would boost state’s economy, expert says. If Hawaii were to spur the development of 33,000 additional new homes between now and 2025 to address the state’s housing shortage, that extra economic activity would increase the number of construction jobs by 13 percent and boost the gross state product by more than 0.5 percent, according to a University of Hawaii economist. Star-Advertiser.

The state's surplus has grown to $893M. Here's what lawmakers plan to do with it. Hawaii News Now.

Governor asks Legislature to cover possible transition, vacation payouts. The governor’s office is asking the state legislature for $742,285 in case Gov. David Ige is not re-elected later this year. KHON2.

Department of Health Audited Over Disease Response. Hawaii wrestled with three big public health scares linked to mosquitos, bad scallops, and bad seaweed. A legislative audit uncovered weaknesses in record keeping and the state’s response to the outbreaks. Hawaii Public Radio.

Local Stocks Had a Mixed 2017. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kaiser, HMSA hike insurance premiums. Most health insurance policyholders began paying higher premiums this week. The increases range from 5.9 percent to nearly 25 percent. Tribune-Herald.

Matson increases Neighbor Island barge capacity. Matson Inc. Tuesday said it replaced one of its three barges dedicated to serving Hawaii's Neighbor Island ports with a newer, larger barge in order to improve service levels. Pacific Business News.

Kamehameha Schools releases video apology to sex abuse victims, outlines plans to make school safer. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Mother Waldron Park closure prompts homeless to return to Kakaako waterfront. The city planned to shut down Mother Waldron Neighborhood Park in Kakaako for a month beginning late Tuesday night, prompting some homeless people like Al Saenz to try to sneak back into the shuttered Kakaako Waterfront Park where he started from. Star-Advertiser.

Authorities are closing another Kakaako park amid complaints about homeless encampments. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu city officials are asking residents to give panhandlers a special business card instead of cash. Associated Press.

Honolulu falls out of the top 10 cities with highest apartment rents. The median asking rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Honolulu has fallen by 7.1 percent since January of last year, knocking Hawaii’s largest city out of the top 10 for cities with the highest rents, according to a new report by the online real estate site Zumper. Pacific Business News.

Analysis suggests Honolulu rents could be cooling off. Hawaii News Now.

Hunt, Hawaii public housing officials ink master development agreement for Mayor Wright project. Hunt Cos. and the Hawaii Public Housing Authority have signed a master development agreement for the $1.3 billion redevelopment of the Mayor Wright Homes in Honolulu, putting the 2,500-unit project on a path to a groundbreaking by the end of 2019. Pacific Business News.

Beachgoers encountered vast heaps of marine debris at Kailua Beach early Tuesday, and volunteers jumped into action to clean it up while the state and city pondered jurisdictional questions. Star-Advertiser.

Kualoa Ranch wants to expand visitor activities. After 32 years of tours and activities, Kualoa Ranch wants to make major changes to its special use permit under proposed expansion plans. KITV.

What’s Up With All The Fake Brides On Hawaii Beaches? Honolulu is full of Japanese tourists in wedding attire, but many are there just for the photos. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Appeals of property values at all-time low. The Real Property Tax Review Board heard just 195 appeals last year, compared to 399 in 2016. The count hovered at about a thousand before that, with an all-time high of 1,516 cases in 2008. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaiian Springs LLC, which distributes natural artesian water from the Big Island, filed for Chapter 11 reorganization Friday as the state was wrapping up a seventh straight year of declining bankruptcy cases. Star-Advertiser.

Sex assault victim sues DLNR, fired state cop. A woman who was a minor when she was sexually assaulted by an on-duty state Department of Land and Natural Resources enforcement officer two years ago on a Hilo beach is suing the officer, since fired, and the state agency. Tribune-Herald.

The Hazards Of Swimming Near A Sewage Plant. A Big Island group documented at least 10 cases of infections contracted by people swimming near industrial sites. Civil Beat.

Tenants move into Kamakana Villages as master developer moves on. West Hawaii Today.

Leading IT professionals to descend on Big Island for HICSS conference. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Maui beachgoers say they're being pushed out — by beach chairs and cabanas. Now the state Land Department is investigating after multiple complaints. Hawaii News Now.

Popular Junk Vehicles Program On-Hold, More Funds Needed. County officials say that due to the popularity of the program, budgeted funding has been expended. Maui Now.

Commentary: The best thing you could say about Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa in 2017 was that he clearly loved his job and was willing to give it his undivided attention 24/7. MauiWatch.

Kauai

County reconsiders rental housing bill. A committee will consider adding a new article to the Lihue planning code that will encourage and accommodate the construction of additional rental units in the Lihue Planning District. Garden Island.

Making Desolate Downtown Lihue Cool Again. A $13.8 million makeover is planned for Kauai’s center of industry and government, and at least one private investor is on board in a big way. Civil Beat.

Prosecutors investigate claims Kauai homeowner killed 4 nene with BB gun. The nene are federally protected and are native to Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Supreme Court rules clean environment is a property right in Maui case, Deedy heading back to trial, state sells $170M affordable rental portfolio, insurance snag could ground canoe clubs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hilo canoe race © 2017 All Hawaii News

Insurance snag could keep canoe clubs statewide on land. Next year's regatta season for local canoe clubs may be in jeopardy because the parent association is having trouble finding an insurance company to cover them. Hawaii News Now.

Civil Beat Poll: Lottery Has Big Support In Hawaii. Most survey respondents say a lottery can bring much-needed cash to state government, but critics warn they mostly tax the poor. Civil Beat.

UH economists pump up projections for isle growth. With global conditions improving and the tourism industry continuing to set records, the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization said in its latest forecast due out today that the state’s economy will continue to grow even as the upward trajectory slows going out to 2020. Star-Advertiser.

State selling affordable rental portfolio for $170 million. The state today agreed to sell 1,221 affordable rental apartments at six properties mainly serving low-income residents to a Hawaii and California real estate development partnership for $170 million. Star-Advertiser.

State sells affordable rental portfolio for $170M to California-Hawaii joint venture. The Hawaii Housing and Finance Development Corp. board voted unanimously Thursday to sell 1,221 state-owned low-income rental housing units for $170 million in cash to a joint venture of Los Angeles-based Standard Communities and Honolulu-based Stanford Carr Development. Pacific Business News.

Dept. of Human Services Prepares for End of CHIP Funding. Congress has yet to renew funding for the popular Children’s Health Insurance Program, which provides healthcare to kids in low-income families. Hawaii Public Radio.

How Will Hawaii Fare Under Federal Tax Changes? Limits on deductions for mortgage interest and state and local tax payments could offset the benefits of temporary tax cuts for island residents. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers voice opposition to net neutrality repeal. Star-Advertiser.

The state Attorney General’s Office says it is “reviewing its options” following the Federal Communications Commission’s vote Thursday to repeal ‘net neutrality’ rules. Tribune-Herald.

Lesbian child support fight goes to state Supreme Court.The Hawaii Supreme Court is considering whether a woman who divorced her spouse in a same-sex marriage is the legal parent of the child her former spouse gave birth to during the marriage and is therefore obligated to pay child support. Star-Advertiser.

Senator Chang: Need a Youth Commission. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

State Department employee Christopher Deedy on Thursday appeared headed for a third trial in the shooting death of Kollin Elderts six years ago at a Waikiki McDonald’s, but it could take years of appeals before Deedy ends up in an Oahu courtroom facing manslaughter charges. Star-Advertiser.

The city prosecutor’s office plans to try State Department federal agent Christopher Deedy a third time in the shooting death of Kollin Elderts at a Waikiki McDonald’s following a Hawaii Supreme Court decision today that denied an appeal by Deedy. Star-Advertiser.

The city prosecutor says he'll seek a third trial against the State Department special agent who fatally shot a man inside a Waikiki McDonald's in 2011. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii State Supreme Court rules third Deedy trial can move forward. KHON2.

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As rail heads downtown, land deals get tougher. With construction of the city’s rail project working its way from West Oahu into urban Honolulu, rail officials say they may need to condemn portions of more than two dozen private properties from Iwilei through Kakaako to make way for the elevated transit system. Star-Advertiser.

The two Kakaako Gateway Parks, which have seen a resurgence in daytime homeless activity, will close from Sunday until Jan. 8 for maintenance, the Hawaii Community Development Authority announced Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Rising tides are eating away at private property along North Shore.  Hawaii News Now.

Department of Transportation reports high impact traffic projects island-wide are nearly finished. Department of Transportation reports a number of traffic projects that could have a significant impact on drive-times on O'ahu are nearly finished. KITV.

Developer buys Kalaeloa water, wastewater systems. A private developer that acquired 540 acres of former military base land in Kalaeloa from the Navy in 2009 now owns the water and wastewater systems for the area. Star-Advertiser.

Shannon Alivado, director of government relations for the General Contractors Association of Hawaii, has been nominated to the Honolulu Police Commission by Mayor Kirk Caldwell. Star-Advertiser.

Lost WWII sub discovered off Oahu. A wreck-hunting organization announced that its search team has located the sunken World War II submarine USS S-28 in 8,700 feet of water off Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Federal agents raid home of death row exoneree on Schofield Barracks. A Schofield Barracks soldier and her husband, a death row exoneree, say they are being unfairly targeted because of his past. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Ready to respond: Haihai Fire Station completed, dedicated. After four years of preparation, the Haihai Fire Station construction project in Hilo concluded Thursday with a blessing ceremony as the building opened for business. Tribune-Herald.

The Hilo community joined Hawaii County officials and fire fighters for the official blessing of the new Haihai Fire Station. Big Island Video News.

Mayor Harry Kim is once again bringing his former executive director back into the fold to present county priorities before the state Legislature. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Department of Transportation Deputy Director for Highways Ed Sniffen provided an update on Dec. 14, on high-visibility, current and upcoming highways projects. Big Island Now.

Maui

Court: Hawaii residents can sue to defend their right to 'clean, healthful' environment. By a 3-to-2 vote, the court found that the Sierra Club should have been allowed a contested case hearing when the Public Utilities Commission reauthorized use of the Puunene sugar mills power plant. Hawaii News Now.

Arakawa hit with amended campaign spending complaint. Commission alleges mayor spent too much of campaign funds on charitable donations. Maui News.

The Maui Ocean Center hopes to have 20 percent of all its marine life on display acquired from aquaculture facilities — rather than the wild — by 2020, the center’s curator said last week. Maui News.

Lahaina Bypass From Olowalu to Keawe St Slated for March Completion. The project was highlighted during an update of DOT projects currently underway and on tap across the state. Maui Now.

Kauai

DowDuPont to expand research activities, increase staffing. The agriculture division of DowDuPont has announced major changes in its Kauai operations under which it will expand its Hawaii research activities here, increasing staffing on island by as much as 50 percent. Garden Island.

KIUC election has five candidates. The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative Nominating Committee has selected five candidates for its Board of Directors election on March 10. Three of the nine director positions are up for election annually. Garden Island.

Akaka hospitalized, lesbian child support case draws national spotlight, Arakawa fights ethics fine, kupuna caregiver plan announced, state shoreline creeps mauka, Oahu property values climb, Hawaii County OT pared, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Former Sen. Daniel Akaka, right, with the late Sen. Daniel Inouye, 2012 file photo © 2017 All Hawaii News

Former U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka is fighting a leg infection at Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Akaka, 93, was admitted to the hospital a couple of weeks ago after a small infection on his leg worsened. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin issued a formal advisory opinion today stating that when the shoreline migrates landward (or mauka) due to erosion or sea level rise, the dividing line between public and private ownership also migrates mauka. Big Island Now.

Hawaii case draws attention to same-sex child support issues. National gay rights advocates are watching a child support fight between a divorced lesbian couple in Hawaii. Associated Press.

Civil Beat Poll: Voters Just Say No To Legalizing Recreational Marijuana. Survey respondents 50 and older aren’t ready to take the step, and in Hawaii, older voters still call the shots. Civil Beat.

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New state program offers aid for caregivers. The state is hoping its new program to provide up to $70 a day in services to those caring for seniors will help keep caregivers in the workforce longer. Star-Advertiser.

Caregivers to get much-needed financial help under new state program. Hawaii News Now.

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New state initiative offers support for those working and taking care of kupuna. The Kupuna Caregivers Program will provide financial help of up to $70 per day for services such as home-delivered meals, personal care, respite, adult day care, transportation or homemaker assistance. Tribune-Herald.

DowDuPont to cut jobs in Hawaii. Two global companies doing seed crop research in Hawaii became one in August, and now the company plans to consolidate local operations from six sites to three while also investing in two facilities. Star-Advertiser.

State traffic fatalities down so far this year. As of Monday, the state had 101 traffic fatalities, compared to 112 last year at the same point. Star-Advertiser.

How Will Hawaiian Airlines Weather Its Big Transition In 2018? With a new chief executive and the bulk of a new fleet set to arrive, Hawaii’s dominant airline will face a major competitor — Southwest Airlines. Civil Beat.

Republican leaders reach an agreement over tax reform. The call for sweeping changes could impact how much you pay at tax time, along with how much money is available for affordable housing in Hawaii. KITV.

Oahu

Oahu property values rise and taxes may, too. Across Oahu, the valuations for residential properties are going up 6.1 percent for the 2018-2019 tax year. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Police Department reviews body camera pilot program. Now that the pilot program is done — will it be rolled out permanently? KHON2.

Red Hill study details 6 options for fuel tanks. The Navy has submitted a tank upgrade study for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility that examines six options ranging from enhancing current maintenance and inspection to creating a carbon steel tank within a tank. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu North Shore: Short Term Vacation Rentals. The state and counties are trying to resolve illegal vacation rentals in residential areas but it’s a complicated issue throughout the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

City sued over falling, 'twisting' hillside in Palolo. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii business could lose everything over Amazon taxes dispute. Ren Wu, the founder of the Remi Collection in Kalihi, says he has been a third-party seller for Amazon since 2009. Hawaii News Now.

Some of Hawaii's kumu hula considering trademark on halau name. A number of kumu hula are in the process of trademarking their halau after a Kaneohe hula school announced it may be forced to change its name. KITV.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County is on track to pare almost half a million dollars off overtime expenses this year compared to last year. But overtime for county employees, most notably in the police and fire departments, still accounts for millions of dollars, according to an analysis of data provided by the county Finance Department. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo parcel could be developed after arsenic removal. A proposed commercial development in Hilo will move forward only if a plan to clean up and contain arsenic gets approval from the state. Tribune-Herald.

VIDEO: More Rule Changes Target Kealoha Beach Park. The Hawaii County Council continues to visit laws that could curb problems at 4-mile in Keaukaha. Big Island Video News.

A year after Hawaii County celebrated a $10.3 million renovation to the renamed Mauna Kea Recreation Area, Big Island residents and visitors are still waiting to use the park’s refurbished cabins, bunkhouses, dining hall and concessionaire. Civil Beat.

Aerospace agency promotes basalt as base for new industry in Hawaii. Could basalt — the volcanic rock that makes up the ground beneath our feet — become the building blocks for a new industry in the state? Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The state's Campaign Spending Commission wants to fine Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa $1,000 and wants him to pay back $8,000 to his campaign for excess donations to multiple charitable organizations. Hawaii News Now.

The chairman of the Maui County Liquor Control Commission promised a simpler application process for nonprofits seeking single-event liquor licenses after a handful of groups complained of more issues during Wednesday’s meeting in Wailuku. Maui News.

Lawsuit filed over Maui cancer institute's land leases. The Hawaii Health Systems Corp. has filed a lawsuit claiming land leases it entered into with the Pacific Cancer Institute are illegal and should be voided. Associated Press.

Maui hospital, cancer center lease dispute heads to court. A dispute between the Hawaii Health Systems Corp. and the Pacific Cancer Institute over the cancer center’s ground lease at the Maui Memorial Medical Center campus has reached an impasse and is headed to state court ahead of a deadline for resolution next month. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Kauai Independent Food Bank had a busy weekend. Garden Island.

Caldwell mulls future of Waikiki Natatorium, tourism officials fined for ethics violations, state pension shortfall increases, voters want more say in government, UH athletics a tax drain, Kauai pesticides studied, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki Natatorium © 2017 All Hawaii News

Mayor Kirk Caldwell says he’s willing to consider the idea of making improvements at the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium that would allow the public to swim in it again, but only if a new proposal being offered pencils out financially and makes sense. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell outlines four alternatives for future of historic Waikiki Natatorium. The City and County of Honolulu is considering four options for the reconstruction of the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial, with an environmental impact study expected to be released in spring 2019. Pacific Business News.

City outlines potential options for future of Waikiki Natatorium. KHON2.

All the plans for Waikiki Natatorium share one thing: They're costly. Hawaii News Now.

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Honolulu mayor backs governor for re-election. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is throwing his support behind Gov. David Ige. KHON2.

Civil Beat Poll: Power To The People — Voters Want More Control. Respondents support term limits for legislators, all-mail balloting and establishment of a statewide system for initiatives, referendums and recalls. Civil Beat.

State pension fund shortfall rises to $12.95 billion. A preliminary report presented Monday by an independent actuary to ERS trustees showed the deficit in the fund widened from last year’s $12.44 billion, but the funded ratio — what is needed to meet future obligations — improved to 54.8 percent from 54.7 percent. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii State Ethics Commission has fined Hawaii Tourism Authority CEO George Szigeti and three other tourism officials more than $12,000 for allegedly violating the state’s Ethics Code when accepting and soliciting travel upgrades for business trips. Star-Advertiser.

Tourism authority execs fined for failing to report travel upgrades. The Hawaii Ethics Commission has fined four top current and former Hawaii Tourism Authority executives more than $12,000 for failing to report that they received free travel upgrades from international airlines. Hawaii News Now.

Insurance ‘Hell’ Leaves Many Injured Workers Broken. In Hawaii’s workers’ comp system, people with long-lasting injuries are often forced to battle doctors hand-picked by insurance companies to get treatment. Civil Beat.

The University of Hawaii won a $23 million federal grant to help improve the well-being of residents at risk due to serious health disparities. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Public Health Institute: Farm to School and Obesity Prevention. The Hawaii Public Health Institute is focusing on childhood obesity prevention in the upcoming legislative session. Hawaii Public Radio.

Charter School Debuts An Online Hawaiian-English Dictionary. Students at the immersion school say the product could prepare them for a vocabulary test. But it’s also designed for the wider community. Civil Beat.

Former Island Air employees will get about $35,000 of their misdirected 401(k) contributions restored to their accounts. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Even with a combined $3.4 million infusion from the Legislature and the Manoa campus, University of Hawaii athletics ran at a $1.7 million deficit for the 2017 fiscal year, according to an independent auditor’s report. Star-Advertiser.

Sweeping The Boat People Of Ala Wai Harbor. Plenty of them are illegally sleeping aboard vessels — only 129 “live-aboard” permits are allowed out of the 747 slips. Civil Beat.

Howard Hughes gearing up to launch public sales efforts at next Honolulu tower. The Howard Hughes Corp. is getting ready to launch public sales efforts next month for its next Ward Village mixed-use tower, the 42-story Aalii, which is being marketed as a building for “smarter living” with units ranging from less than 300 square feet for a studio to nearly 850 square feet for a two-bedroom unit. Pacific Business News.

Aging fuel storage tanks at Red Hill could soon get an upgrade. A newly released study could get the ball rolling on upgrades to the aging fuel storage tanks at Red Hill. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Meeting On The Future Of Mauna Kea. An aha has been convened, bringing together Hawaii Island residents who sometimes find themselves on opposite sides of tough issues facing the mountain. Big Island Video News.

Two new meatpacking facilities might open on the Big Island next year following the success of the Hawaii Island Meat Cooperative’s mobile slaughterhouse. Tribune-Herald.

Arsenic-Contaminated Soil Removal Considered For Hilo Land. There is a potential buyer for the 6.2-acre portion of the former cane plant site near Waiakea Pond, and a Removal Action Report has been drafted. Big Island Video News.

As North Kona approaches the one-year anniversary of its first mandatory water usage restriction, questions about how and why deep well equipment prematurely failed at several sites across the region remain unanswered. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island’s nonnative birds might have found a friend in the coqui frog. A new study on coquis, an invasive species known for its piercing two-tone chirp, noted a connection between the abundance of the small frogs and higher populations of introduced birds in a forest. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor says water chief lacks management abilities. Arakawa cites low morale in his request to terminate Taylor. Maui News.

$14K in Back Wages, Penalties Recovered for Maui Surf Instructors. The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations recovered $14,360.12 in back wages and penalties on a wage complaint made by two surf instructors hired by a Maui business that offers a variety of ocean-related recreational activities. Maui Now.

State puts up delineators to deter illegal parking on Hana Highway. East Maui residents who were frustrated by traffic backups from cars illegally parking on narrow portions of Hana Highway near scenic areas got some relief last week when the state Department of Transportation installed delineators to deter motorists from parking at one popular spot. Maui News.


Kauai

Pesticides remain key concern. The purpose of the briefing to the House Committee on Health and Human Services and the House Committee on Agriculture was for legislators to find out how to help move forward the fulfillment of the 2016 Kauai Pesticide Joint Fact Finding Study Group’s recommendations. Garden Island.

KIUC receives approval for holdover of hydro permit. The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative will be able to operate two hydroelectric facilities after the state Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday approved the holdover of a revocable permit for water use at the Blue Hole Diversion.  Pacific Business News.

Dawn of digital dollars. One Kauai property is opening up its sale to digital currencies in the midst of a rapidly changing cryptoasset market that many are still trying to understand. Garden Island.

Molokai

Latest crash underscores risks of airspace around Molokai. National Transportation Safety Board records show that six of the state’s 12 fatal air crashes occurred in and around Molokai, with four of them happening in just the last 14 months. Star-Advertiser.

Plane crash kills former Kahala dentist and his wife. The family of William F. Vogt, 78, and Lynn Vogt, 74, notified the office of his former dental partner, Dr. Derek Takai, that the two were killed in the crash. Star-Advertiser.