Kilauea erupts again, Oahu commission approves residential vacation rental restrictions, Maui mayor seeks to relax pandemic rules, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kilauea eruption USGS photo taken by M. Patrick on September 29, 2021

Lava returns to Kilauea Volcano’s Halemaumau Crater. Kilauea Volcano has started erupting again — just four months after the last eruption ended. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii public schools gear up for COVID-19 testing program. At least 165 schools across the state have registered for training to join Operation Expanded Testing, and 67 of those schools are already actively testing with more schools signing up every day, officials said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

State Spending Less On Public Infrastructure Than In Recent Years. The latest round of state spending for capital improvement projects is about half what it’s been the last few years. Civil Beat.

State auditor-House panel battle continues. Auditor Les Kondo wrote a blistering, six-page letter to the eight members of the special House Investigative Committee on Tuesday, calling its investigation of him and his office illegitimate, inappropriate, outside of the committee’s scope and a continuation of “the Speaker’s (Scott Saiki’s) attack against me and my office.” Star-Advertiser.

U.S. says 8 Hawaii birds among nearly two dozen extinct species. Death’s come knocking a last time for the Kauai ‘o‘o and 22 more birds, fish and other species: The U.S. government on Wednesday declared them extinct. Associated Press. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Coffee, Macadamia Protections Sought By Hawaii’s DC Reps. The federal legislation would enable research funding to be used to address current and emerging threats to the crops. Civil Beat.

Senators Reintroduce Bill to Adjust Medicare Payments for Hawai’i, Alaska Nursing Homes. The bipartisan Equitable Payments for Nursing Facilities Act will authorize a cost-of-living adjustment at skilled nursing facilities in those states to take into account the higher costs of delivering care. Maui Now.

In a worrisome measure of need, half of Hawaii’s keiki are now on Medicaid. Since March 2020, when the pandemic began, more than 100,000 people have signed up for coverage. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii records highest COVID death toll in September since start of pandemic. The Hawaii State Department of Health recorded 181 COVID-related deaths in September — it’s the highest death toll connected to the virus since the onset of the pandemic. KHON2.

Hawaii reports 13 new coronavirus-related deaths, 230 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 144 new cases on Oahu, 37 on Hawaii island, 18 on Maui, 13 on Kauai, two on Molokai, and 16 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Planning commission proposes new short-term rental rules for residential areas only. The Honolulu Planning Commission voted Wednesday to recommend the new short-term rental rules proposed by the city Department of Planning and Permitting to the Honolulu City Council, but only for residential areas. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Nearly 100 city bus drivers remain unvaccinated, union working on deal to grant exemptions. The union says the unvaccinated drivers are standing firm on their stance to not get vaccinated. KITV4.

West Oahu Residents Are Wary Of Possible Marine Corps Expansion. As the Marine Corps moves forward with an ambitious restructuring of its entire force and repositioning of forces around the Pacific, military leaders are scouting locations in the Ewa Plains and other areas in West Oahu for new training grounds and potential housing for troops and their families. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

New University of Hawaii Astronomy Director Seeks Balance On Mauna Kea. Doug Simons is taking over the Institute for Astronomy at a critical time for the agency and for astronomy in the state. Civil Beat.

Department mourns loss of two Big Island firefighters. The Hawaii Fire Department is mourning the loss of two firefighters who died within two months of each other. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor Proposes Changes to Relax Maui’s “Safer Outside” Rules. Maui Mayor Michael Victorino has sent a request to Governor David Ige to relax Maui’s Safer Outside Emergency Health Rules, which went into effect on Sept. 15, 2021. Maui Now.

Panel at odds over proposed visitor lodging moratorium. Members vote to recommend denial and back different version. After many hours of public testimony, panel discussion and a split vote, the Maui Planning Commission moved Tuesday on a highly debated proposal to pause new visitor transient accommodations in an effort to curb overtourism. Maui News.

Here’s How Maui Police Chief Candidates Answered Exam Questions. The Maui Police Commission is expected to select the Maui Police Department’s next police chief Tuesday. Civil Beat.

Maui police detective breaks code of silence, claiming corruption and abuses of power at MPD. A Maui police detective is breaking the code of silence to expose what he says is corruption and abuse of power in the Maui Police Department. The allegations include the kidnapping of a patrolman for interrogation by other officers. Hawaii News Now.

Managing deer, sustainable food is mission of business. Maui Nui Venison to receive funding to help move processing on-island. Maui News. Maui Now.

Kauai

Board of Water Supply appoints Tait as new chief engineer. The Kaua’i Board of Water Supply has appointed Joseph Tait to the position of Manager and Chief Engineer at the Department of Water. Garden Island.

2 Los Angeles travelers arrested on Kauai for falsified travel documents. Two travelers from Los Angeles were arrested around noon Tuesday for uploading falsified documents into the Hawaii Safe Travels portal in an attempt to avoid the state’s travel quarantine requirements. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Critically Endangered Fern Rediscovered On Kauai. Scientists had not seen the imperiled native fern in the wild for years, leading some to believe it could be extinct. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now.

Gubernatorial race heats up as early voting starts today, RIMPAC goes public with attack demo, Big Island hotels feel the hit from volcano crisis, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Voting in Hawaii ©2018 All Hawaii News

Starting July 30 through August 9, registered voters can go to any early walk in voting location within their county to cast their ballot for the August 11 primary election. KHON2.

You wouldn’t know it from the deluge of political advertising in the final weeks of the Democratic primary, but Gov. David Ige and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa have strikingly similar views on many of Hawaii’s hot-button issues. Star-Advertiser.

Money in politics: Gov. David Ige and his primary Democratic challenger, U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, are evenly dividing the state’s ZIP codes and major islands when it comes to who’s sending them checks. West Hawaii Today.

Hanabusa, Ige continue to capture support prior to primary election. Hawaii News Now.

Commentary: Did David Ige Tell Colleen Hanabusa To ‘Sit Down And Shut Up’? Hanabusa supporters are blasting the governor for challenging Hanabusa’s repeated criticism of him, saying it’s really a dis on women. Civil Beat.

Endorsement: Colleen Hanabusa is the best choice to lead Hawaii for the next four years. Star-Advertiser.

Green plays valid role in homeless center. As pressure mounts in the race to be Hawaii’s next lieutenant governor, Democratic primary contenders have set their sights on the front-runner’s claims that he started a homeless center and raised millions for a new model of health care for the homeless. Star-Advertiser.

State pilot program saves 1M sheets of paper in just 6 months. From January to June of this year, nine state departments participated in the program launched by the Office of Enterprise Technology Services and reduced 20 percent of paper usage by transitioning from printed documents to electronic reports. Hawaii News Now.

The state says a six-month paper reduction program piloted by the Office of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) has reduced paper use by 20 percent, which translates to a savings of one million sheets of printed paper. KITV.

RIMPAC 2018 features amphibious attack demonstration. So far, RIMPAC 2018 has held 25 exercises. Sunday's 26th exercise involved an amphibious assault, landing forces on a potentially hostile shore. KHON2.

RIMPAC: Sea-to-shore show of force. It was the culminating event for U.S. Marines participating in the 26th Rim of the Pacific exercise, which ends Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

After years of advocacy, some 17,500 square miles of ocean around the main Hawaiian isles will be designated as protected critical habitat for Hawaii’s endangered false killer whales. Star-Advertiser.

According to the AARP of Hawaii, Medicare contributes $2.4 billion to Hawaii’s economy, equivalent to 15% of state and local government spending in the state. Big Island Now.

A new study by AARP found that Medicare contributes $2.4 billion to Hawaii’s economy, equivalent to 15 percent of state and local government spending in the state. Pacific Business News.

If You’re Poor In Hawaii, A Visit To The Dentist Is A Luxury. With no state funding for adult dental care, thousands of people go to emergency rooms seeking relief from cavities and other problems. Civil Beat.

Hotel industry sees midyear gains. In the first half of this year, Hawaii’s hotel industry had the highest revenue per available room, or RevPAR, and highest average daily rate, or ADR, among its competitors in top U.S. markets. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

This Ewa Senate Race Between A Lobbyist And A Lawmaker Is Getting Hot. Rep. Matt LoPresti says Senate President Ron Kouchi is distorting the facts to help lobbyist Alicia Maluafiti win the election. Civil Beat.

Councilman is accused of harassing aide who helped rival. Councilman Ikaika Anderson alleged Councilman Trevor Ozawa harassed his staff aide for sign-waving in support of one of Ozawa’s opponents in the Aug. 11 primary election. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell uses public safety to justify obstruction bills. Using a row of lean-tos on River Street in Chinatown as a backdrop, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell scolded two Honolulu City Council members Saturday for shelving two bills he said would get more homeless people off city sidewalks. Star-Advertiser.

Thomas Square reopens in Honolulu with a special celebration. Hawaii News Now.

La Hoihoi Ea: The Annual Celebration of Hawaiian Restoration drew hundreds for a day of education, cultural sharing, community networking and free music. KITV.

New rules affecting ocean and surfing events on Oahu will go into effect on Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Ige’s New Campaign Ad Features Endorsement From Mayor Kim. Governor David Ige has just unveiled a campaign advertisement featuring a Hawaii Island leader whose opinion carries a lot of weight on the Big Island. Big Island Video News.

Manipol-Larson faces white nationalist in GOP primary. It might be unusual to see more than one Republican on the primary ballot for a seat like state House District 2, which sits in heavily Democratic Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island hotels see drop in RevPAR due to ongoing volcanic activity. Big Island hotels were the only ones to report a drop in RevPAR in June, falling 8.3 percent to $163.91, ADR also declined, down 0.3 percent to $239. Occupancy was down 6 percentage points to 68.6 percent. Pacific Business News.

More than 60 acres of macadamia trees in Puna have been overrun by lava or, by being in the evacuation zone, are vulnerable to theft by humans and wild pigs. Hawaii News Now.

Latest lava flow could set new record. Sunday marks 87 days since the first eruption inside Leilani Estates. KITV.

A proposal for a lava viewing area in the Noni Farms area of Puna has been shared with the County administration, but a decision has yet to be made. Big Island Video News.

Evacuees, volunteers reflect on shelter experience after nearly three months. Tribune-Herald.

Volunteers continue restoration at anchialine pools. Tribune-Herald.

Commentary: Editor responds to election section criticism. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Familiar faces to Maui politics are vying for former House Speaker Joe Souki’s House District 8 seat in a four-way, winner-take-all contest in the Aug. 11 Democratic primary. Maui News.

Early walk-in voting begins Monday at a new location on Maui — the Velma McWayne Santos Community Center in Wailuku, the Office of the County Clerk announced. Maui News.

Tour Bus Overturns on Hana Hwy, 3 Transported to Hospital. Maui Now.

West Maui Beach Access Group Sues Condo Over Shoreline Construction. Maui Now.

Program to provide free medical, dental, vision care in August. Tropic Care is a military readiness training program. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai access placards to be swapped for decals. Residents and nongovernmental agencies seeking access into the Wainiha- Haena area will be required to exchange placards previously required for entry for window decals. Star-Advertiser.

Wetlands created. More than 100 new trees and shrubs are now at home at the Makauwahi Cave Reserve on Kauai’s South Shore, many of them planted in five new wetlands that have recently been completed. Garden Island.

The first installment of real property taxes on Kauai for the 2018-2019 tax year is due Aug. 20. Garden Island.

Nemo's Hawaiian cousins get no federal protection, administrative costs gobble up highway funds, higher premiums coming to HMSA Medicare plans, UH faculty senate censors president, lava pace quickens, first humpback whale of the season spotted off Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Endemic Hawaiian dascyllus © 2014 All Hawaii News

Finding Nemo may be getting harder to do, but the same can't be said for the Hawaiian dascyllus and blue-eyed damselfish, two Hawaiian cousins of the orange clownfish, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service. Star-Advertiser.

A new study says Hawaii has the worst-performing highways in the nation. The report by the Reason Foundation, a libertarian think tank in Los Angeles, said Wednesday that Hawaii also has the least cost-effective highway system. It also ranked Hawaii among the worst for congestion, deficient bridges and pavement conditions. The group says Hawaii spent $90,000 on administrative costs for every mile of state road, expenses that could be siphoning money away from road repairs. Associated Press.

The Children Left Behind: Kindergarten Age Cutoff Has Families Scrambling. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Medical Service Association, the state's largest medical care insurer, is closing its current line of Medicare plans, called Akamai Advantage, and will restart them as new plans with higher premiums due to loss of revenue from underwriting miscalculations and smaller reimbursement rates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii's poverty rate is better than most other states in the nation, according to new Census data. But advocates for the poor say that when the state's high cost of living is considered, the picture looks a lot different. Associated Press.

A record 492 students from public schools across Hawaii have earned awards for exceptional achievement in their college-level Advanced Placement courses, according to the College Board, the company that administers the exams. Civil Beat.

Hawaii is a world-class destination with real-world obstacles when it comes to building traction in China's growing outbound tourism market. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The University of Hawaii-Manoa Faculty Senate voted 43-16 Wednesday in favor of censuring UH President David Lassner over the group's displeasure with how Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple was fired. Star-Advertiser.

Where does former House Speaker Calvin Say live? That is the central question of a lawsuit that has yet another court hearing Thursday. Civil Beat.

Construction of Honolulu’s 5.2 billion dollar Rail Transit System is moving toward the urban center at a steady pace.  The focus of the City Council’s Budget Committee yesterday was on the project’s impact on Kaka’ako businesses. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha has called off a meeting set for Thursday with several members of the Hawaii Women's Legislative Caucus and three female members of the City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Despite a notice of violation from the city, the unapologetic and unrepentant organizer of a 70-foot fence blocking access from a private road to Laniakea Beach wants to replace the wooden fence with one made out of metal or rock. Star-Advertiser.

Fabio Osorio, who has called the streets of Waikiki home for five years, says three bills, signed into law Tuesday, won't change the homeless situation in Hawaii's tourist mecca. Hawaii News Now.

Opinion: Homeless Policy: Sand Island Camp Is a Waste of Money. The plan to relocate homeless to Sand Island runs counter to the successful practices developed by the federal Housing First program. Civil Beat.

Former defense contractor sentenced for mishandling classified documents. Federal Judge Leslie Kobayashi sentenced Benjamin P. Bishop to two 87-month terms for crossing the line with classified information. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

A Civil Defense overflight Wednesday morning observed that the June 27 lava flow has picked up speed since the beginning of the week. Tribune-Herald.

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory have been monitoring every twist and turn of lava creeping unpredictably toward communities in a rural and isolated Big Island district. Their work can be dangerous and includes frequent flyovers in a helicopter, navigating precarious terrain and taking careful data measurements to give the public an accurate picture of the lava's progress. Associated Press.

More than a year after National Park Service officials filed their petition for a water management area designation for the Keauhou aquifer, they finally made their pitch directly to the state commissioners who will decide the request. West Hawaii Today.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees heard project updates, along with grievances, Wednesday evening at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The Maui County Board of Ethics said that the "facts are insufficient" to support a claim that Council Member Don Guzman violated the Maui County Code of Ethics when he allegedly notarized a former employee's political nomination papers while on council time and in his council office. Maui News.

Three Maui residents are being considered for a vacancy on the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Kauai County Council voted 5-1 Wednesday to approve funding to appeal a court ruling that County Ordinance 960 regulating pesticides and genetically modified crops on the island is pre-empted by state law, and therefore invalid. Garden Island.

Kauai's County Council took a step Wednesday toward appealing a federal judge's decision that struck down a Kauai law regulating genetically modified organisms and pesticides. In a 5-to-1 vote, the Council approved spending up to $12,750 for an appeal. Star-Advertiser.

The first of several political forums hosted by the Kauai Chamber of Commerce begins tonight. The forum will be from 6 to 9 at the Koloa Neighborhood Center, beginning with House of Representatives District 16 candidates, followed by Kauai mayoral candidates and ending with Kauai County Council candidates. Garden Island.

The first humpback whale of the Hawaii migration season has been observed in waters off Kauai. Star-Advertiser.