Monsanto pleads guilty to environmental crimes, Oahu House seat to move to Big Island, officials grapple with record high COVID cases, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Monsanto seed planting in Hawaii PC:Monsanto Facebook page

Monsanto enters plea agreement, accepts $12M fine in Hawaii pesticide case. The Monsanto Company pleaded guilty in federal court this morning to two felonies, 30 misdemeanors and agreed to pay a $12 million fine for environmental crimes related to the use of a pesticide on corn fields in Hawaii and illegal storage of a banned pesticide. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.

Reapportionment Commission approves House seat move from Oahu to Hawaii Island. The Big Island will gain an eighth seat this year in the state House of Representatives at the expense of Oahu, following an 8-0 vote Thursday by the state Reapportionment Commission. West Hawaii Today. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

General fund forecast to grow 15% this fiscal year. Another sign of Hawaii’s economic recovery came Thursday when the state Council on Revenues forecast a 15% increase in the state’s general fund for the fiscal year that’s already underway as visitor arrivals in the past six months already have surpassed the 3.3 million tourists who came to the islands in fiscal year 2021.  Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Well-known Hawaii businessman considers run for governor on Republican ticket. Successful developer 75-year-old Peter Savio says Hawaii has been saddled with the same problems for years and believes he’s got out of the box solutions. Hawaii News Now.

About 100 Hawaii National Guard soldiers to be deployed to the Middle East. The Department of Defense has notified about 100 Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers that they will be deployed to the Middle East in 2023. Officials said it will be a year-long deployment in which soldiers will be supporting the US Central Command efforts in the region. Hawaii News Now.

At least 8 Hawaii charter schools go virtual or extend break due to COVID-19. Kamaile Academy Public Charter School in Waianae has sent 100 middle school students home to quarantine, while DreamHouse ‘Ewa Beach has shifted to full virtual learning for at least two weeks. Star-Advertiser.

7 Hawaiian Air employees file class-action lawsuit to block vaccine mandate. The suit claims Hawaiian Air is violating their religious rights and disability protections by denying all requests for medical or religious exemptions. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Faces A Shortage In Covid Treatments As Cases Reach New Highs. The Health Department reported a record 4,789 cases on Thursday, saying the high number was in part the result of New Year’s celebrations. Civil Beat.

20% of those in Hawaii hospitals with COVID were actually admitted for other reasons, experts say. Hawaii officials are considering changing the way COVID hospitalizations are tallied because a growing number of those in Hawaii hospitals with the virus are actually getting care for other reasons. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii reports 4 new coronavirus-related deaths, sets new record with 4,789 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 3,245 new cases on Oahu, 508 on Hawaii Island, 676 on Maui, 213 on Kauai, 41 on Molokai, 17 on Lanai and 89 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu’s Republican Party Told To Move Fundraiser Off Army Base. The event at Schofield Barracks was to feature mainland party activist Scott Presler, described in reports as anti-Muslim. Civil Beat.

Miske associate ‘Harry Boy’ Kauhi details Hawaii murder-for-hire in plea deal. A member of an alleged Hawaii crime lord’s organization entered into a plea agreement with the federal government today, acknowledging a role in murder for hire schemes, racketeering, and robbery. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Grand Princess passenger cruise set to dock in Honolulu on Jan. 9. The Grand Princess, which will be sailing from California, will be docking on Sunday, Jan. 9, in Honolulu. It is the first cruise ship with passengers welcomed since the start of the coronavirus pandemic after the state reached an agreement with Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Lines. KHON2.

Key congressional panel poised to press Navy on whether they’ll de-fuel Red Hill tanks. The House Armed Services’ Subcommittee on Readiness will call some of the Navy’s top officials in Hawaii and on the mainland to testify about the fuel spill. They will also question them about whether the Navy plans to comply with the state’s order to shut down the fuel tanks. Hawaii News Now.

December caps record year for Oʻahu real estate. Home prices expected to rise in 2022. For a sixth consecutive month, the median price for a single-family home on Oʻahu was more than a million dollars, according to a new report from local real estate firm Locations Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

Several well-known radio personalities laid off. Danielle Tucker, Billy V, Wayne Maria, and Gregg and Shawnee Hammer were among 20 people at four Honolulu stations who lost their jobs. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

First cruise ship in nearly two years slated to arrive in Hawaii next week. Carnival Corp.’s Grand Princess is scheduled to be the first passenger cruise ship to arrive in Hawaii since March 2020. Tribune-Herald.

HPD Investigates Anonymous Threatening Calls to Waiākea High. Hawai‘i police have initiated terroristic threatening cases in connection to threats received by personnel at Waiākea High School two days in a row. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Maui

Maui County delays update of ‘fully vaccinated’ status that adds COVID-19 booster. Maui Mayor Michael Victorino has announced the postponement until Jan. 24 of implementation of new public health rules that, in part, revises the definition of “fully vaccinated” to include those who have received a COVID-19 booster shot. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

‘Priority projects’ aim to reach 5,000-unit goal. The Maui County Council is hoping a series of housing projects in the works will help the county reach its goal of building 5,000 affordable for-rent and for-sale units over the next five years. Maui News.

Maui COVID-19 hospitalizations rise to 20, up 67% in first week of the new year. Of the 20 patients hospitalized today, there is just one COVID-19 patient in the ICU, and none on ventilators. Maui Now.

Kalaupapa has thousands of unmarked graves. A proposed memorial would honor all who lived there. Exactly 156 years ago on Thursday, the first dozen people diagnosed with leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, landed at Kalaupapa on Molokaʻi. Hawaii Public Radio. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kawakami: no new restrictions; 240 new cases. Kaua‘i’s surge in COVID-19 cases attributed to the omicron variant and holiday events isn’t over, Mayor Derek Kawakami said Thursday, but that does not mean there will be new restrictions to the county. Garden Island.

State, feds announce cash flows to Lihu‘e Airport. Ongoing projects at Lihu‘e Airport have gotten funding boosts in recent weeks, following announcements of state and federal disbursements. Garden Island.

Hawaii House leadership faces upheaval with Luke's LG candidacy, recall petition filed against Maui mayor Victorino, floating wind turbines mulled off Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Sylvia Luke

Sylvia Luke’s Bid For LG Will ‘Shake Things Up’ At The Legislature. As Finance Committee chairwoman, Luke controls the money, has command of the details and has made a lot of friends. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

COVID-19 vaccinations for younger children in Hawaii could begin Nov. 8, Ige says. David Ige expects the first round of COVID-19 vaccines for Hawaii children ages 5 to 11 to begin around Nov. 8, following expected federal approval. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Once vaccine for younger kids gets OK, more than 100 schools to host vaccination sites. State Department of Health spokesperson Brooks Baehr said 113 schools have already agreed to become vaccination sites. Hawaii News Now.

Senator Kurt Fevella seeks halt to vaccine incentive payments to prisoners. The state Senate minority leader is seeking an immediate stop to an incentive program that offers $50 pay­ments to inmates in Hawaii’s prisons and jails if they accept a COVID-19 vaccine. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KITV4.

Bank of Hawaii earnings jump 64% amid improving economy. Bank of Hawaii Corp.’s earnings surged 64% in the third quarter as the company hit a record $23 billion in total assets and released $10.4 million from its loan-loss reserve amid an improving economy. Star-Advertiser.

Ige eyeing tweaks to Safe Travels program. Gov. David Ige has no plans to end the Safe Travels program, but is considering adding more options for users. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News  Now.

Hawaii sees 97 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 83,448. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 42 new cases on Oahu, 28 on Hawaii Island, eight on Maui, seven on Kauai, and 12 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Electricity generated by proposed floating wind turbines off Oahu is feasible, new study finds. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently completed a cost and feasibility analysis for floating wind farm power in federal waters at least 3 nautical miles from the shoreline of Hawaii’s most populous island. Star-Advertiser.

Alleged Hawaii crime boss seeks September trial date. Michael Miske, the alleged leader of a Honolulu crime syndicate that used legitimate businesses to conceal drug dealing, murder, arson, fraud and other offenses is seeking a later start to his trial to allow his attorneys more time to review evidence and prepare a defense. Star-Advertiser.

Retired public defender in Kealoha mailbox trial details drama, interagency tensions in new book. Federal public defender Alexander Silvert, now retired, represented that innocent man — Gerard Puana, who wept after his name had been cleared. But it would take seven years and several trials to finally get the convictions of the former chief and his wife Katherine Kealoha, a former high-ranking Honolulu prosecutor. Hawaii Public Radio.

New Video Allegedly Shows Honolulu Police Leaving Scene Of Makaha Crash. The attorney who provided the video says it shows three police vehicles pursuing a Honda at a high rate of speed on the Farrington Highway. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Kaneohe Marines say wastewater released into ocean exceeds acceptable bacteria levels. Effluent water from Marine Corps Base Hawaii is combined with treated water from the city’s Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is then discharged some two miles off-shore of MCBH at 110 feet below the surface of the ocean into a mixing zone, where direct risk of exposure is low. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Residents protest failed injunction against COVID restrictions. Native Hawaiian activist Gene Tamashiro filed a petition in August in Third Circuit Court calling for an end to all vaccination and mask mandates in the state. On Monday, Judge Henry Nakamoto dismissed the petition with prejudice, arguing that the petition had no merit. Tribune-Herald.

$300,000 coming to coffee farmers to battle leaf rust. The  is coming from the state Department of Agriculture, thanks to a bill passed by the state Legislature extending and enhancing the state’s Coffee Berry Borer Pesticide Subsidy program. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

“Recall Mayor Victorino” Initiative Aims to Obtain 21,586 Signatures in 30 Days. Group leaders say they are seeking Mayor Victorino’s removal as they stand in opposition to ongoing emergency health mandates, calling the county government practices an “overreach” of powers. The group submitted an affidavit with the County Clerk’s office on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 to begin the legal process of seeking a recall. Maui Now. Maui News. KITV4.

ʻĀina kupuna bill aims to help long-time Maui families keep ancestral lands amid rising property taxes. Maui County Council members are considering a measure to help long-time families keep their ancestral lands — properties that have been passed down for at least three generations. Hawaii Public Radio.

For some on Maui, bike tours are a ‘nuisance on the roads.’ They want new regulations. The Kula Community Association wants more regulations on the bike tour companies. They want to regulate the hours of the tours, size of the groups, even set an age requirement. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Surfrider seeks hearing on shrimp farm permit. Kaua‘i Shrimp, the island’s only shrimp farm, is seeking a new pollutant permit, which is raising concern from some environmentalists. Garden Island.

Namolokama Canoe Club hale’s future still to be determined. County officials and residents have been assured the Black Pot Beach Park Master Plan is not set in stone, after the Namolokama Canoe Club raised objection to the potential demolition of the old Hanalei Canoe Club buildings near the park. Garden Island.

 

Native Hawaiians wary of pandemic surge, feds OK CARES money for Honolulu robotic dogs, shift of legislative seats unlikely as Reapportionment Commission beings work, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiians kayaking ©2021 All Hawaii News

Native Hawaiian leaders urge the lahui to help stop COVID-19 surge. Dr. Gerard Akaka joined more than 20 Native Hawaiian leaders — kumu hula, educators, health care professionals, public officials and politicians — at a news conference Thursday at the state Capitol to urge their lahui (nation) to help stop the surge of COVID-19 cases by wearing masks, maintaining physical distancing and getting vaccinated. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Afghanistan bombings weigh on Vice President Kamala Harris’ stop in Hawaii. Air Force Two touched down at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport at 2:40 p.m. Thursday and taxied up to the historic operations building at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam just before 3 p.m. after Harris visited Singapore and Vietnam. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

More Hawaii residents are leaving the islands for the mainland, and experts predict the situation will only worsen as a result of COVID-19′s economic fallout. The U.S. Census Bureau says more than 8,600 people left the islands last year alone. Hawaii News Now.

State set to roll out vaccine passport for gyms, bars, and other businesses. The state is poised to roll out a COVID vaccine passport to get into gyms, bars, and restaurants. The governor says he hopes to have it up and running by Labor Day. KHON2.

Governor says ‘extreme measures’ possible if COVID surge worsens. As hospitalizations mount, mayors and the governor are eyeing the possibility of more restrictions. Hawaii News Now.

Green warns ‘life-preserving restrictions’ looming. With no signs of Hawaii’s COVID surge slowing, Lt. Gov. Josh Green said Thursday he plans to call for “life-preserving restrictions” if the number of people hospitalized with COVID reaches 500. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii sees spike in pediatric COVID cases, increase in infant hospitalizations. Doctors said they are seeing an increase of young children testing positive for COVID and some of those cases are ending up in the hospital. KHON2.

Hawaii sees 831 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 58,578. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 511 new cases on Oahu, 102 on Maui, 176 on Hawaii Island, 32 on Kauai, two on Molokai, one on Lanai and seven Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City narrows down new landfill sites to 4 locations. The city has narrowed down the list to four locations from 12. Two of the remaining sites are near the North Shore, one is between Makakilo and Waipahu and one is near Wheeler Army Airfield. Star-Advertiser.

HPD’s Use Of CARES Act Money On Robot Dog, ATVs And Overtime Was Legit, Feds Say. The city submitted documentation stating every purchase was necessary because of the coronavirus pandemic. Civil Beat.

Empty-home tax gains momentum on Oahu amid affordable housing shortage. Empty homes and condos blanket the island while locals struggle to keep up with Honolulu’s cost of living; nearly 40,000 units are vacant at any given time, according to a UCLA study the City commissioned in 2020. KHON2.

Honolulu City Council Nixes Plan To Build Affordable Housing On Kahuku Farmland. The unanimous decision came after the Department of Planning and Permitting recommended against the project amid community opposition. Civil Beat.

Waianae Coast public schools get state office support. With the Waianae Coast surging with COVID-19 infections, some of its public schools are experiencing staff shortages so great that Department of Education staffers from state offices were brought in to help. Star-Advertiser.

Navy detonates unexploded ordnance at Kaneohe Bay. U.S. Navy experts detonated one unexploded ordnance underwater at Kaneohe Bay this morning, and disposed of the other one, which is unarmed, at another site. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

The Miske Case: Death Penalty Is Off The Table. Mike Miske, the former Honolulu business owner who is awaiting trial on federal charges stemming from his alleged control of a violent racketeering organization in Honolulu over two decades, will not face a possible death sentence if convicted. Civil Beat.

Mayor offers condolences to family of city employee who died of COVID. The city has confirmed one of its employees has died of COVID-19. Information on the person’s age, gender and job title was not released. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

8th House seat unlikely. Recently released census data does not support an eighth seat in the state House for Hawaii Island, the state Reapportionment Commission was told Thursday. West Hawaii Today.

Supreme Court to decide whether police chiefs broke law during TMT protests. The ability of county police departments to rapidly deploy resources to other counties in the state is in the hands of the Hawaii Supreme Court, which on Thursday heard oral arguments in a case challenging the presence of Honolulu and Maui police officers on Mauna Kea during telescope protests in 2019. Tribune-Herald. Civil Beat.

Eruption watch canceled for Kilauea Volcano. The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory announced Thursday morning that earthquake activity and ground deformation beneath the southern part of Kilauea’s summit have subsided over 24 hours, which led HVO to lower an alert level that it raised Tuesday following a swarm of earthquakes. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now.

Keauhou Resort Now Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa. The Outrigger Hospitality Group takes over the former Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Sen. Roz Baker calls on state to fire Maui district health officer for promoting dangerous COVID-19 treatments. A growing number of leaders in the Legislature are calling on the state to fire Dr. Lorrin Pang, the Maui district health officer for the state Department of Health. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now. KITV4.

New police chief expected to be picked in October. The Maui Police Commission expects to deliberate on and select a new police chief in October, following a written examination and interviews of five finalists for the job. Maui News.

EPA Appoints Maui County Councilmember King to Local Government Advisory Committee. US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan has appointed Councilmember Kelly Takaya King to the EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee. She is the only person chosen from Hawaiʻi for the 39-member committee. Maui Now.

Think Tank Report: Kahului Airport Could Generate $935 Million with Private Lease. A new report by Reason Foundation, a nonprofit think tank dedicated to free markets, found Hawaiʻi’s two largest airports could be worth up to $3.6 billion combined via a long-term lease to private airport companies and investors. Maui Now.

Kauai

No new COVID rules yet. In a public-service announcement Thursday, Mayor Derek Kawakami, alongside health-care providers and community leaders, called on residents to reduce travel and gatherings in the face of the most-recent spike in COVID cases, to avoid a more-severe shutdown. Garden Island.

Proposed KPD facility draws mixed response. A handful of residents voiced opposition to the Kaua‘i Police Department’s proposed Kawaihau substation during an informational meeting held online Wednesday. Garden Island.

Ige issues vaccination mandate for state and county workers, mulls lifting vaccine passports for trans-Pacific travel, tightening gathering restrictions, as COVID hits record, clusters linked to church outings, volleyball tournaments, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige announces vaccination mandate

Hawaii state and county workers not vaccinated against COVID-19 must undergo weekly testing. State and county employees will be required to show proof that they are vaccinated against COVID-19 by Aug. 16 or undergo weekly testing under new emergency rules announced Thursday by Gov. David Ige in response to a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Garden Island. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.  

Limits on social gatherings, the lifting of a vaccination exemption for trans-Pacific travelers, and even distance learning for public school students. Those are among the measures that are back on the table as officials battle a resurgence of COVID cases and the delta variant. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

All state House members, staff must be fully vaccinated starting Sept. 30. All state House members and their staffs must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Sept. 30 or provide weekly proof of negative test results. Star-Advertiser.

Union Leaders Speak Out Against Ige’s Vaccine Mandate. Union leaders expressed frustration with Gov. David Ige’s recent use of emergency powers to mandate state and county employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Hawaii extends renewal date for expired driver’s licenses, IDs to October. The State has extended the COVID-19 emergency limit on renewing state IDs and driver’s licenses. Hawaii residents now have until Monday, Oct. 4, to update their documents if they have expired. KHON2.

Cabinet Kala: Who Gets Campaign Cash From Top State Officials. Gov. David Ige has received $103,000 from his current and former cabinet members, who have also donated more than $86,000 to state and county lawmakers. Civil Beat.

Summer volleyball tournaments lead to COVID clusters, including several breakthrough cases. The Hawaii Department of Health’s cluster report today focuses on the spread of the coronavirus among Hawaii residents participating in summer volleyball tournaments on the U.S. mainland. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Maui Jail, Oahu's Halawa Prison Report New COVID-19 Outbreaks. Inmates at Maui Community Correctional Center and Halawa Correctional Facility test positive this week. Civil Beat.

Hospitals starting to be stretched thin. Hilton Raethel, CEO of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, addressed the state Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 on Thursday, saying that the number of coronavirus patients in hospitals is still not as high as earlier in the pandemic, but added that he believes the worst is yet to come. Tribune-Herald. KHON2.

Hawaii hits record 655 new COVID-19 infections as cases skyrocket. Hawaii’s number of daily new coronavirus cases spiked to a record high of 655 Thursday, this time with no lag time from lab glitches to blame for the surge. Thursday’s daily case count included 428 cases on Oahu, 131 in Hawaii County, 69 cases in Maui County and seven in Kauai County. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Oahu Hasn’t Spent Tens Of Millions In Rent Aid As State Eviction Ban Expires. Starting Friday, Hawaii landlords may start serving eviction notices to tenants at least four months behind on rent. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Fire Commission Stalemates On Hiring New Chief. The mayor’s nominee of a seventh fire commissioner also is on hold at the City Council. Civil Beat.

Accused Honolulu crime boss Mike Miske pleads not guilty. Miske is charged with 17 offenses that include drug trafficking and weapons offenses, armed robbery, kidnapping, and murder for hire. His federal jury trial is set for March 21, 2022. KITV4.

Petition underway against Hawaii public school sports delay. The postponement of fall sports by the public-school Oahu Interscholastic Association on Wednesday due to the surge in COVID-19 cases has student-athletes’ families taking action. Star-Advertiser.

Homeless Frontlines: Getting Off the Street on Oʻahu. HPD opened a second Provisional Outdoor Screening and Triage (POST) facility in Whitmore this past summer in response to requests from the community and area elected officials. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hearing date set for Hilo charter school’s permit request. It will be at least two months until the Windward Planning Commission decides whether to grant Connections New Century Public Charter School a special permit to build a campus on about 70 acres of state-owned agricultural-zoned land in Kaumana. Tribune-Herald.

58 Junk Vehicles Removed From Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. The County of Hawai‘i’s Derelict and Abandoned Vehicle Section held its first Rural Area Junk Vehicle Collection last month in Kaʻū. Big Island Video News.

Parker Ranch works to restore forests following devastating Big Island wildfire. Following the devastating wildfire on Hawaii Island, Parker Ranch in Waimea said they will explore resiliency and sustainability opportunities to protect its pasture lands. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Local leaders aim to move quickly on new county transient accommodations tax. Mayor backs max amount; committee to hear proposal for max surcharge. Maui News.

Final EIS for Proposed A&B Water Lease Withdrawn Citing “Typographical Errors”. Alexander & Baldwin and East Maui Irrigation Company, Limited, withdrew its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed water lease for the Nāhiku, Keʻanae, Honomanū, and Huelo License Areas previously filed with both the DLNR Land Division and the State of Hawai‘i Environmental Review Program.  Maui Now.

County of Maui Successfully prices $84.74 Million in GO Bonds at 1.747% Rate. This is the County’s lowest rate confirmed back to 2005, based on available data.  Maui Now.

Maui Rally Seeks Medical Freedom for Keiki Athletes Amid New Vaccine Requirement. The rally drew more than 100 participants and was staged at the location which houses the district offices for the Department of Education, Maui Complex Areas. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

DOH: Lihu‘e Missionary Church COVID-19 exposure warning. The state’s Department of Health has issued an exposure notice to those who participated in the Lihu‘e Missionary Church youth excursions on July 25 and 31. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Community, law enforcement protect the turtles of Laniakea. After several recent reports of visitors slapping a seal or people touching or harassing turtles, Gov. David Ige declared violators will be fully prosecuted of the law. Garden Island.

Mayors mull vaccination mandates for county employees, schools open to in-person learning, local celeb chef dies of COVID, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

COVID vaccination PC:Steven Cornfield via Unsplash

All 4 Hawaii mayors are considering vaccine mandates for county workers. Potential policy changes would apply to nearly 13,000 workers statewide. Hawaii News Now.

Health officials look to add contact tracers. After scaling back its contact tracing program at the start of the year, state health officials are increasing the number of staff used to track COVID-19 cases as the highly ­contagious delta variant causes cases to spike to the highest levels seen since the start of the pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s public schools open new academic year amid virus concerns. Osa Tui Jr., president of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, said members reported that some schools opted to cancel large assemblies in their gymnasiums, but others did not, meaning hundreds of students sat shoulder-to-shoulder in events on different islands. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Rejection Of Ige’s Judicial Nominee Raises Questions Of Diversity In Hawaii Courts. Far fewer than half of the state’s judges are women, and men still far outnumber women in the legal field and in applications for vacancies. Civil Beat.

Beloved local chef, TV star Kawasaki dies while ill with COVID-19. A local family is mourning the loss of 45-year-old local star chef Grant Kawasaki. KHON2.

With COVID already canceling games, sports officials consider testing, mandating vaccines. With three non-leagues games cancelled this weekend, some feel there are better solutions to allowing athletes to suit up. Hawaii News Now.

Aug. 3, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 389 Cases, 1 death. The confirmed cases included: 266 on O‘ahu (+2 probable); 65 on Hawai‘i Island (-1 probable); 34 on Maui (-3 probable); six on Kaua‘i; and 18 in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state (+2 probable). KITV4.

Oahu

In First Six Months In Office, Honolulu Mayor’s Campaign Collected Over $600,000. Of the total donations, $450,000 went to repay Blangiardi for money he loaned his campaign. Civil Beat.

Honolulu rail costs ‘unimaginable,’ retired transit official says. A retired Federal Transit Administration official who had evaluation responsibility for America’s rail projects — including the city’s troubled system — called Honolulu’s spiraling costs and $3 billion deficit “unimaginable” and “far beyond” anything he has seen across the country in 30 years with the FTA. Star-Advertiser.

Mistaken identity lands man in Hawaii mental hospital for over 2 years. Hawaii officials wrongly arrested a homeless man for a crime committed by someone else, locked him up in a state hospital for more than two years, forced him to take psychiatric drugs and then tried to cover up the mistake by quietly setting him free with just 50 cents to his name, the Hawaii Innocence Project said in a court document asking a judge to set the record straight. Associated Press.

Updated Indictment In Miske Case Includes New Defendants And Details Of Alleged Murder. The kingpin’s daughter-in-law was named as a defendant, along with a business associate alleged to have bought a large fish bag to dispose of a body at sea. Civil Beat.

Reusable take-out container pilot project launches on Oahu's North Shore. A new pilot project, known as Full Cycle Takeout, hopes to reduce trash. KITV4.

Amazon has big plans for Kalihi Kai site. Amazon is preparing to change the way it fulfills customer orders in Honolulu with a new facility that could involve company-branded vans and personal vehicles delivering packages. Star-Advertiser.

State received 2 proposals in bid for removal of the Falls of Clyde from Honolulu Harbor. The Hawaii Department of Transportation said it has received two proposals in response to its solicitation for the removal of the historic Falls of Clyde ship from Honolulu Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council members vote to oust Van Pernis. County Council members on Tuesday voted narrowly in favor of removing a commissioner from the Leeward Planning Commission. Tribune-Herald.

Puna land purchase advances. Hawaii County will consider purchasing 165 acres of Puna land under its open space land-buying program. Tribune-Herald.

COVID cases reported at Life Care Center of Hilo. Nearly a dozen COVID-19 cases have been reported at Life Care Center of Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Community Input Sought at Maui Charter Commission Meeting. This is the latest in a series of meetings scheduled over the next several months by the Commission to obtain input and insights from the community related to proposed Charter amendments that will be considered for placement on the ballot in November 2022.  Maui Now.

Keawakapu Home Listed at $38M as Neighboring Property Sells for $45M, Highest on Record. A Balinese and Hawaiʻi-inspired beachfront home in Keawakapu, Maui is on the market, listed at $38 million. It comes up for sale as a separate property down the road, also in Keawakapu sold for a record $45 million. Maui Now.

Kauai

County has enough cash to ‘cure’ rent delinquency. Local nonprofit Kaua‘i Economic Opportunity, Inc. handles all landlord-tenant mediation cases in Kaua‘i County. Garden Island.

West Kaua‘i Energy Project discussion is Aug. 10. Keeping members informed and soliciting community feedback on the West Kaua‘i Energy Project is the intent of a series of monthly community meetings starting Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 4:30 p.m., at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center. Garden Island.

Ige to extend COVID precautions through summer, real estate booms, tax collections soar, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige

Gov. David Ige to maintain COVID guidelines as isle businesses grow frustrated. Gov. David Ige is holding strong to his target of fully vaccinating 70% of Hawaii residents before dropping the majority of the state’s COVID-related safety restrictions, including indoor mask mandates. Ige plans to extend his emergency proclamation suspending various laws and mandating safety protocols, which is set to expire Aug. 6. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

State Tax Collections Soared Back To Pre-Pandemic Levels In The Past Year. The stunning rebound in general treasury tax revenue was driven by increased state income tax collections. The unexpected bump in tax collections last year means the Ige administration is suddenly holding about $740 million in un-budgeted cash, and lawmakers said Monday they will be watching closely to see what the administration has in mind for that money. Civil Beat.

DOE to identify schools with COVID-19 cases, but lack of testing could skew data. A new law requires the DOE release details of COVID-19 cases reported on its campuses, including the name of the school, the date the positive test result was reported, and the date the COVID-positive individual was last on campus. KITV4.

TSA prepares for unruly travelers as complaints of disruptive passengers increase. As rising COVID-19 vaccinations bring more visitors to Hawaii, the Transportation Security Administration restarted flight crew self-defense training this month after a 62% increase in unruly and aggressive passenger complaints during the first six months of 2021, including physical attacks and verbal confrontations over enhanced safety measures brought on by the pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Hospitalizations, ICU beds, case numbers, and positivity rate increase statewide as Delta variant spreads. The state health department has detected 53 new Delta cases statewide in two weeks. KHON2.

Hawaii reports 63 new COVID cases; no additional fatalities. Of the new infections, 28 were on Oahu, 15 on Hawaii Island, seven on Kauai, and six on Maui. There were also seven residents diagnosed out-of-state. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Real estate bidding wars driving up home prices. The median price of a single family home on Oahu is just shy of a $1 million, but realtors said the bidding war is going strong. It is not expected to ease any time soon. KHON2.

Miske Case Rocks Stagehand Union After Executive Board Member’s Guilty Plea. The ripple effects from the federal criminal prosecution of former Honolulu business owner Michael Miske Jr. are now rocking Local 665 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees after a member of its executive board admitted he took part in drug trafficking, armed robberies and at least one murder-for-hire scheme as a member of a racketeering organization that Miske controlled and directed. Civil Beat.

Honolulu police chief candidates’ names not released. The names of the 24 individuals who applied to serve as Honolulu’s 12th police chief will remain confidential after the Honolulu Police Commission denied a Honolulu Star-Advertiser public-records request for the applicants’ names, calling the disclosure a violation of privacy that would prejudice the selection process. Star-Advertiser.

Slowing pace of vaccinations prompts state, UH to consider capacity limits for UH football games. While the University of Hawaii is planning for a packed house in the stands for its first football game at the newly renovated Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex, a slowing pace of vaccinations and a rise in Delta variant cases could mean the season opens to a smaller group. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Home sales soar on isle. Big Island homes are selling almost as soon as they hit the market as the real estate industry rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic. Tribune-Herald.

Mahukona preservation advances. A plan to preserve 644 acres of Mahukona land of historical and cultural significance has taken a big step forward with the County Council’s unanimous approval of a resolution authorizing sale negotiations. West Hawaii Today.

ʻAlalā Exhibit In Hilo Is Only One In The World. The endangered Hawaiian crow now has a home at the Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo. The exhibit opens to the public next week. Big Island Video News. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Median Home Price in June Was More Than $1.1M. The highest median price for a single-family home in Hawai‘i last month was in Maui County at more than $1.1 million. Kaua‘i's median was $1.1 million, O‘ahu's was $978,000 and the Big Island's was $465,000, according to data from Hawai‘i Information Service and Honolulu Board of Realtors. Associated Press. Maui News.

Maui High Performance Computing Center Names New Executive Director. The center is part of the Applied Research Laboratory at UH and supports the US Air Force’s Maui High Performance Computing Center, one of five Department of Defense Supercomputing Resource Centers nationwide. Maui Now.

Kauai

Protesters call for reopening of county offices, meetings. Around 11 a.m. Monday, about three dozen people arrived just outside the Lihu‘e Civic Center Mo‘ikeha Building rotunda, unable to get in due to a closed gate. Garden Island.

North Shore shuttle service seeks to curb congestion, crowding. The end of the road is just the beginning for nonprofit organizations Hui Maka‘ainana o Makana and The Hanalei Initiative, which took over management and operation of the North Shore Shuttle from Waipa to Ha‘ena State Park last Sunday. Garden Island.

Visiting couple regret touching monk seal after video goes viral on social media. A Louisiana couple has apologized and will pay a fine after a TikTok video shows a woman touching an endangered Hawaiian monk seal at a Kauai beach. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii loses convention business, man dies in Big Island police shooting, bankruptcies drop, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Convention Center ©2021 All Hawaii News

Conventions pull out of Hawaii due to COVID restrictions. The Hawai‘i Convention Center had been on track to have its best year ever in 2020, and then COVID hit, instantly decimating the market. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Museums Struggle With Low Ticket Sales, Social Distancing Requirements. According to Lisa Solomine, president of the Hawaii Museums Association, the museums doing best right now are those that have concentrated on grants, activated their boards, and mastered technology to facilitate both internal communication and virtual offerings. Hawaii Public Radio.

It’s ‘action!’ for Hawaii’s film industry. While tourism and other sectors in Hawaii are just now beginning to gain momentum, the film industry has been thriving over the last nine months, pouring millions of dollars into the state’s economy and creating thousands of jobs despite the virus. Star-Advertiser.

Monthly Index Tracks Robust Rebound in Sales at Hawai‘i Restaurants. Food Gurus Hawaii Restaurant Index is based on over 125,000 daily transactions at more than 130 restaurant units statewide. Sales in April increased a robust 9% over March, which itself had been stronger than previous months. Hawaii Business magazine.

Lack of workers, influx of tourists to state puts strain on businesses. Hawaii’s high unemployment rate may have left it unprepared for the coming flood of tourists as the pandemic lessens, tourism industry representatives said Friday. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii doctor shortage worsens during pandemic. The medical school and other groups are now scrambling to bring more recruits to the islands. KITV4.

Job search requirement starts for PUA claimants. Self-employed and independent contractors will now need to prove they’re searching for work in order to collect unemployment. The state is now requiring Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claimants to show they are making at least three job contacts every week. KHON2.

Hawaii bankruptcies maintain downward trend. Statewide bankruptcies fell for the fourth time in five months and sank to the lowest total for any May in 15 years thanks to an improving economy that saw more people return to work. Star-Advertiser.

‘Perfect storm’ that led to extreme shortage of rental cars in Hawaii shows no signs of clearing. A jumble of interrelated issues has hobbled the rental car industry from rebounding in Hawaii and other large leisure travel destinations, and there appears to be no meaningful recovery on the horizon. Star-Advertiser.

Why The Pandemic Made It Harder To Protect Birds From Hawaii’s Feral Cats. Pauses in cat sterilization efforts during the pandemic haven’t seemed to significantly affect populations, but it will be a while before the full impacts of 2020 are clear. Civil Beat.

Hawaii residents disappointed over decision to drop KIKU-TV’s popular Japanese and Filipino shows. Hawaii residents felt sad and disappointed when KIKU’s parent company, RNN Media Group, headquartered in New York, made the decision to replace its Japanese and Filipino shows with ShopHQ beginning June 28. Star-Advertiser.

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii Center for Health Research seeks participants for gestational diabetes study. The Kaiser Permanente Hawaii Center for Health Research is recruiting participants for a new study to improve screening for gestational diabetes through a better understanding of blood glucose levels throughout pregnancy. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii sees 36 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 37,011. Sunday's new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 16 new cases on Oahu, 12 on Maui, two on Hawaii Island and six Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

June 12, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 104 Cases (102 Confirmed, 2 Probable). The confirmed cases included: 46 on Hawai‘i Island; 33 on O‘ahu; 15 on Maui (+3 probable); one on Kaua‘i; and seven in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state (-1 probable). Maui Now.

Oahu

Oahu Moves To Tier 4, Allowing Larger Gatherings Indoors And Outside. Honolulu will stop all pandemic restrictions when the vaccination rate hits 70%, the city said. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Federal Investigation Into Keith Kaneshiro Picks Up As Pandemic Winds Down. Donors to the former elected Honolulu prosecutor have come under increased scrutiny as the U.S. Justice Department tries to build its case. Civil Beat.

Blangiardi Nominates Ann Botticelli To Honolulu Police Commission. The mayor tapped a well-known former journalist and corporate communications professional. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

A Surprise Revelation In The Miske Case: A Plot To Kill A Union Official. A co-defendant described a new twist in the prosecution of the Honolulu businessman — an alleged murder attempt on a local union leader. Civil Beat.

Search is on for landlords to house homeless on Oahu. Millions of dollars’ worth of new housing vouchers are becoming available on Oahu just as a statewide ban on COVID-19- related evictions is scheduled to end in August, leading to fears that a new generation of families is about to become homeless. Star-Advertiser.

Residents say ‘improvements’ made to a Diamond Head road are hazardous. Changes made to a heavily used road in the Diamond Head area are upsetting drivers and residents — many say the improvements are actually hazards. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Island police: Man fatally shot after firing on responding officers. The incident happened about 7 p.m., after police responded to a home following reports of a domestic abuse case. Hawaii County police said the man was fatally shot after firing on officers. Hawaii News Now. Big Island Now.

Building code revisions ahead: County Council to take up last 2 pieces of construction requirements. After a year’s delay and consultation with contractors, business groups and members of the architectural, engineering and real estate sectors, the county administration has proposed adoption of two chapters of the code with county-specific amendments. West Hawaii Today.

Resolution would ask county to conform to Basel Convention regarding waste. The Hawaii County Council will discuss how to better handle the county’s plastic waste, although it is unclear what effect it can actually have. Tribune-Herald.

Construction on Kipuka Keaau Community Center pushed back. The Lili‘uokalani Trust was issued county permits to construct the Kipuka Keaau Community Center — a facility in Keaau for Hawaiian children and families to participate in after-school programs — in 2018. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui draws 8 film and TV productions worth $40M amid COVID-19 pandemic. Maui County during the pandemic was the stage for eight film and TV productions, which brought millions in revenue and created hundreds of jobs, and the local industry is showing no sign of slowing any time soon, officials said this week. Maui News.

East Maui feels the pressure as tourism returns. Hana Highway clogged, spots like Twin Falls are overwhelmed. Local residents and businesses are seeking help with crowd and traffic control in East Maui as tourism ramps back up again after more than a year of quiet beaches and light traffic on Hana Highway amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Maui News. KHON2.

Maui Police Department looking for new chief after Chief Tivoli S. Faaumu steps down. Police departments in Hawaii and throughout the country are at the center of a community reckoning on the future of policing, the use of force and the transparency of law enforcement agencies funded by the tax-paying public. Star-Advertiser.

Cockfighting Investigation on Moloka‘i Nets Two Arrests. Maui police say an investigation into an illegal cockfighting operation on Molokaʻi last month netted two arrests. Maui Now.

Kauai

Residents protest glamping idea at public meeting. Thursday, developer investment firm Starwood Capital Group, the Princeville at Hanalei Community Association and East West Partners hosted a two-hour meeting to discuss updates to the proposed project and answer resident questions on the 50 luxury glamping tents, arrival pavilion, cafe and fitness-center expansion. Garden Island.

Wailua Golf Course named one of nation’s best municipal layouts. The county Wailua Golf Course ranked No. 26 in Golf magazine’s list of 30 best municipal courses in America, announced last week. Garden Island.

Hawaii worries, but gets a grip on coronavirus, Honolulu can't find workers, Maui loosens COVID-19 rules, Big Island construction through the roof, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Tourists view Diamond Head from Waikiki ©2021 All Hawaii News

Hawaii tops nation in worrying about COVID-19. Roughly 80% of Hawaii residents worry about COVID-19 daily, giving the state the No. 1 worry rank in a new nationwide report from SafeWise. The survey showed that on average only 62% of Americans worried about the pandemic each day, said Andrea Harvey, SafeWise’s outreach director. Star-Advertiser.

Daily case counts remain steady as Hawaii leads way for adult vaccinations. Although Hawaii is leading the way in vaccinations for adults, daily case counts continue to hover in the high double digits. Lt. Gov. Josh Green said the truth is there are still hundreds of thousands of people who have no immunity and can still catch the virus, but he does foresee cases dropping by the end of the month as more people get vaccinated. Hawaii News Now.

Tourists Are Returning To Hawaii, So Why Aren’t Tourism Jobs? Hawaii hosted 8% more tourists in March 2021 than in March 2020 but 35% fewer hotel and restaurant jobs. Civil Beat.

Signs of economic relief abound as vaccination rates, visitor counts steadily rise. With mass vaccinations and a rebounding tourism market, some feel Hawaii’s economy is finally turning the corner. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Teacher bonuses, classroom ACs may not be best use of federal coronavirus relief funds for Hawaii, officials say. Hawaii’s Department of Education has reached out to the U.S. Department of Education for feedback on the many spending provisos in HB 613, as it faces a June 7 deadline for submitting its own plan to the federal government that incorporates feedback from more than 20 stakeholders groups and the public. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii landlords bear the brunt of housing crisis. Hawaii landlords say a proposal by lawmakers to essentially create a payment plan for past-due renters shifts the burden onto private owners who are also suffering financially. KITV4.

China’s ‘game plan’ has Pacific islands in its sights, U.S. Rep. Ed Case says. For evidence of China’s game plan for influencing the Pacific islands, look to the South China Sea and what the rising Asian power has been doing in spades, said Congressman Ed Case. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Police Shootings Review Board Has At Least A Dozen Cases. But that’s fewer than half the number of police killings or in-custody deaths in the state since the board was created in 2017. Civil Beat.

Light vehicles in state’s fleet to transition to electric by 2035. All state-owned light vehicles must be fully electric by 2035 under a bill that successfully passed through the state Legislature this year. Tribune-Herald.

Despite dangers of COVID-19 in jails and prisons, many Hawaii inmates not getting vaccine. Jails and prisons have been among the most dangerous places to be during the coronavirus pandemic, with the virus sweeping through overcrowded and poorly ventilated facilities, and in Hawaii infecting hundreds of prisoners and killing at least nine. Star-Advertiser.

Study by Hawaii researchers suggests expansion of taro farming could help save endangered Hawaiian stilts. A  new study by a team of Hawaii researchers offers hope for the future of the long-legged, black-and-white waterbirds while suggesting greater food security in the islands with the expansion of traditional taro farming. Star-Advertiser.

May 9, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 84 Cases (52 O‘ahu, 16 Maui, 8 Hawai‘i Island, 0 Kaua‘i, 8 Out-of-State); One Death on Maui. Maui Now.

Oahu

City & County of Honolulu facing potential job losses across departments. The city could be looking at a 24% loss in its current workforce by mid-2022 as more and more employees become eligible for retirement and vacancies go unfilled. Star-Advertiser.

Search for new HPD chief will be expanded to more states than in previous years. Commissioners said they wanted the job posting to appear on more social media sites and in more advertisements nationwide than in 2017 when Susan Ballard was chosen as HPD chief. Hawaii News Now.

The Miske Case: Another Co-Defendant Turns Against Alleged Honolulu Crime Boss. The building blocks of the government’s criminal case against Honolulu businessman Michael J. Miske Jr. continued to emerge into public view last week when a co-defendant appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Derrick Watson by video link and admitted to being part of the racketeering enterprise Miske is alleged to have controlled and directed. Civil Beat.

700 Gallons Of Fuel Recovered After Leak At Navy's Red Hill Storage Facility. About 700 gallons of fuel were recovered Friday after 1,000 gallons leaked from a fuel line at the Navy’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, according to the Hawaii Department of Health and the Navy Region Hawaii. Hawaii Public Radio. Civil Beat.

Homeowners want protection from flooding. Flood victims in Haleiwa say dredging at Paukauila and Kiikii streams is necessary to remove sediment buildup and improve water flow, but their pleas to government for assistance have gone unheard for some 25 years. Star-Advertiser.

City to close deteriorating pathway near Honolulu Zoo for construction. The city will be closing the pathway along the mauka side of the Honolulu Zoo beginning next week as crews work to replace a deteriorating asphalt sidewalk. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Construction through the roof: Hawaii Island leading the state in new homes. The Big Island is booming and home builders throughout the island are struggling to keep up with the demand. West Hawaii Today.

Low-income housing voucher program closes. After closing in 2019, the program reopened for Hawaii County applicants on March 15, and closed again as scheduled on April 30, having received 2,587 pre-applications. Of those applications, 647 were randomly selected by electronic lottery to be placed on the program’s new waitlist. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island On Pace To Meet Renewable Energy Goals In 2 Years. Hawaii island could be the first area in the state to exceed goals set by the Legislature and regulators for renewable energy. Civil Beat.

Maui

Less Restrictive COVID-19 Rules Take Effect for Maui. Maui County Deputy Managing Director Josiah Nishita said Gov. David Ige approved the request by Mayor Michael Victorinio’s to revise the county’s emergency rules. These new rules went into effect 12:01 am on Sunday, May 9. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Bill to raise affordable housing requirements dies. A much-debated bill to require fast-track housing projects to offer more affordable housing died on Friday as the Maui County Council failed to garner enough votes to override Mayor Michael Victorino’s veto. Maui News.

Kauai

Sweetener found in streams linked to leaking cesspools. Traces of the artificial sweetener sucralose have been found in 20 streams and four rivers on Kaua‘i, and some scientists say it could mean cesspools and septic systems on the island are leaking into those streams and rivers. Garden Island.

OHA trustees hear concerns. Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees toured Kaua‘i last week for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Garden Island.

‘Aliomanu Road erosion continues. Erosion along ‘Aliomanu Road has been a longstanding issue as the street that runs along the bay loses more and more of its beach. Garden Island.