Abortion travelers protected in Ige executive order, Russian hackers target Hawaii airport websites, state to add recycled plastic to asphalt, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige’s executive order adds abortion protections. Out-of-state residents who obtain abortions in Hawaii, as well as anyone who assists them, are provided with greater protections from civil and criminal penalties that their home states may try to impose under an executive order issued by Gov. David Ige on Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Associated Press. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Whoever Wins, Hawaii’s Gubernatorial Candidates Offer A New Style Of Communication. Outgoing Gov. David Ige sometimes stumbled with his messaging, leading to criticism over his handling of the pandemic and the Legislature. His reputation as a a quiet problem solver who does not crave the spotlight came to the fore amid the coronavirus pandemic, leading to complaints about conflicting messages and miscommunications as his administration struggled to control the situation. Civil Beat.

Former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard officially no longer a Democrat. Former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard — who seemingly long ago was considered a rising, progressive political star — burned her final bridge with Democrats in Hawaii and around the country by announcing she was leaving the party and asking other Democrats to join her. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News. KHON2. KITV4.

Pro-Russia hackers target Hawaii airport websites, state officials say. The Hawaii Office of Homeland Security and the Office of Enterprise Technology Services are responding to a hacking incident on the websites of Hawaii airports that is “possibly linked to similar incidents across the country” carried out by the Russia-based hacker group Killnet, officials said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Maui Now. KHON2.

State receives over $305M to improve transportation infrastructure. Officials said the money will give transportation leaders the flexibility to determine how to allocate funds to improve transportation infrastructure. The funds will go towards rebuilding roads, bridges and tunnels, tackling carbon emission reduction, as well as other safety improvements. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Department of Transportation testing asphalt mixes designed to improve pavement, environment. The Hawaii Department of Transportation began paving a road in Ewa Beach with a mix of plastic and asphalt Tuesday in a test that, if successful, could lead to more sustainable roadways and less trash in the islands. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Researchers call for deeper look into the harmful effects of sunscreen. UH Manoa researchers said coral reefs around the world are threatened by five stressors including sea surface temperature, ocean acidification, tropical storms, land use and human population. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Voting explainer: Honolulu charter amendment ballot questions. Voters on Oʻahu will consider four charter amendment proposals about how city money and revenues are spent, as well as how to position the city for better decision-making in the future. Hawaii Public Radio.

Aiona and Green differ on 2 major unfinished projects: Aloha Stadium and Honolulu rail. Gov. David Ige has thrown the stadium redevelopment a curve by turning against the idea of having a partnership with private developers of an adjoining entertainment district. But the men out to replace him have other ideas. Hawaii News Now.

Public opening nears for Ewa Beach lagoon, surfing wave pool. A 52-acre recreational lagoon and shoreside commercial development featuring a surfing wave pool and restaurants in Ewa Beach is slated to open for initial public use early next year. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

3 Hawaiian Electric workers suffer burns while working on underground power line. Three Hawaiian Electric Co. employees suffered first- and second-degree burns while working on an underground power line near Pensacola Street Tuesday morning. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

The Miske Files: Accused Murderer, Crime Boss And … Used Car Dealer? Alleged kingpin Michael Miske owned a business that bought used cars at auction, providing income, a way to launder drug money and rewards for criminal associates, prosecutors say. Civil Beat.

Honolulu to expand free COVID testing to all Hawaii residents at airport lab. Starting this Saturday, all Hawaii residents — not just Oahu residents with a valid ID — will be able to receive a free PCR or rapid antigen test at the City’s Mobile Lab. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

EIS for aquarium fish collecting approved. The agency charged with protecting the state’s natural resources has approved an environmental impact statement allowing the harvesting of tropical fish for the aquarium industry despite ongoing litigation over the issue. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News.

Beach parks to close for archeological preservation, ADA work. Laaloa Beach Park and Magic Sands Beach Park will close starting Oct. 31 for up to eight months for an array of improvements. West Hawaii Today.

Work On Waikōloa Intersection Safety Improvements Begins October 17. Motorists can expect delays, one lane traffic, and flaggers will be directing traffic, officials say. Work is set to take place from October to December 2022. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

KCCF seeks cupping competition entries. Submissions for the 2022 Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Cupping Competition Coffee are due by 4 p.m. Oct. 31. All coffee entered into the competition must be 100% Kona coffee grown in the district of Kona. West Hawaii Today.

East Hawaii lacked rain in September. The last month of the dry season was emphatically so for the windward Big Island, and the National Weather Service’s only official rain gauge to measure rainfall in double-digits in September was in Kona’s coffee belt, which experiences its rainy season in the summer. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Voters To Decide On A Measure To Boost Access To Government Records. Fees and charges have in the past priced citizens out of accessing their government’s records. One of the measures that will be on the ballot for the Nov. 8 election asks if the County Charter — the document that serves as Maui County’s constitution — should be changed to make it so county employees must try to help citizens find the best way to ask for government records and keep any fees for producing those documents as low as possible. Civil Beat.

Long-debated bill to protect birds from lighting passes. Measure restricts certain outdoor lighting to keep wildlife from getting disoriented. Surviving a late request to be sent back to a Maui County Council committee for a second time, an outdoor lighting bill that was hotly debated for months passed second and final reading on Monday. Maui News.

Input sought for management of Kamehamenui Forest Reserve on Maui. The Trust for Public Land purchased 3,433 acres of property in upland Kula from the Shizuka Asakawa Revocable Trust in July 2020 and conveyed the property to the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife in 2020. Now the department is developing a management plan and is inviting the public to attend a public scoping meeting to gather input and ideas, and address any questions or concerns. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Maui council approves resolution to acquire 45 acres of A&B lands. Mayor Michael Victorino expressed appreciation to the Maui County Council for approving resolutions accepting the dedication of 45 acres of land from A&B Properties for parks and open space.  The acquisition was finalized at the councilʻs meeting that adjourned on Monday. Maui Now.

Water system planned for future Waikapu homestead community. Pu‘unani Homestead Subdivision would eventually have 161 residential lots. Maui News.

Kauai

Coco Palms ownership open to sale. The current owners of Coco Palms said Tuesday that they are willing to entertain offers to purchase the site of the dilapidated hotel. Garden Island.

Recounts triggered in some races, GOP participation rises, DOT workers arrested at Honolulu airport, VP Kamala Harris vacations on Kauai,more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Nail-biter races in Hawaii primary election trigger recounts. Results from five contests for seats in the state Legis­lature and one for Kauai County Council qualified for the mandatory double- checking by the state Office of Elections because the difference in votes received by competing candidates was fewer than 100 or within 0.25% of votes cast. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

More than 1 in 5 voted Republican in the primary election. The Hawaiʻi Republican Party reports that GOP turnout for this primary gained traction this year. Hawaiʻi Republican Party Chair Lynn Finnegan said Republicans won over 20% of the total vote. Finnegan said this is the highest percentage of total votes since Republican candidate Linda Lingle was elected. Hawaii Public Radio.

Voter turnout in Hawaii’s primary was about 40%. Fewer than half of registered voters in Hawaii turned out to vote, whether by mail, drop box or in person, during Saturday’s primary election, according to data from the state Office of Elections. Star-Advertiser.

More election money may be driving voters away. Candidates for all state and county offices in the 2022 election cycle raised nearly $15 million by the primary, plus took loans of nearly $3.3 million — and spent almost $17 million so far, according to data tracked by the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission. KHON2.

Hawaii auto sales skidded during first half of year. Statewide registrations for cars fell 18.9% during the first six months while registrations for light trucks, which include vans, SUVs and pickups, decreased 6.4%. Star-Advertiser.

2021 edition of state data book released. The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism released the 2021 edition of the “State of Hawai‘i Data Book,” described as the single most comprehensive compilation of statistical information about Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Theft And Fraud Investigations Shake Up Honolulu Airport. Several Hawaii Department of Transportation employees have been arrested and some have left their jobs in the last 16 months as the Attorney General’s office investigates theft and procurement fraud at the Daniel K. Inouye Airport.  Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Waikiki residents urge city to fill beach pavilion to increase safety. The city said it is in talks to fill Kuhio Beach Pavilion No. 4 within the next couple of months with a goal of enlivening the space as a tool to increase safety and enjoyment in Waikiki. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu federal housing waitlist opens for low-income applicants. Beginning Monday, Aug. 22, qualified applicants can only apply through an online portal; no applications will be available at the Housing Authority office. The first 1,000 applicants will be accepted.  KITV4.

The Miske Case Has Become One Of The Most Complex Prosecutions In The Country. Defense attorneys are preparing a major attack against a prosecution case that has amassed more than 2 million documents. Civil Beat.

Free bus fare week to alleviate back-to-school jam. Starting today until Aug. 26, residents can get free HOLO cards to ride TheBus free from Monday to Aug. 26, when many universities, community colleges and private schools resume. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

In reversal, state says military training at Big Island range not compatible with conservation land. The Army wants to retain up to 23,000 acres of state land at the Pohakuloa Training Area for continued training and asked for comments on a draft environment impact statement. Hawaii News Now.

Utility seeks extension of water rights. Despite opposition from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaiian Electric has an opportunity to extend its rights to keep generating power on Wailuku River. Tribune-Herald.

Stephen Pause Named Hawaiʻi County Public Works Director. Stephen Pause has been serving as the Acting Director for DPW over the past two months, following the departure of previous director Ikaika Rodenhurst. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Trying to spark interest: Cost of Government Commission finding departmental feedback a challenge. With just three months before they’re required by the county charter to present a report to the County Council and mayor, some members of the Cost of Government Commission reported Thursday they’re having a hard time drumming up interest from some county departments and boards and commissions. West Hawaii Today.

2022: A deadly year on Big Island roads, so far. As of Monday, there were 25 official traffic fatalities for the year, one fewer than for last year’s 26. And if fatalities on the Big Island’s roads continue at their current rate, there would be 40 for the year, two more than the 38 traffic deaths recorded in 2012, the deadliest year in recent memory. Tribune-Herald.

Mysterious wildcat sighting reported in Hawaii. A report of a large wildcat has some Hawaii Island residents on edge. What appears to be something the size of a large dog was reported by a Big Island man on the rural slopes of Hualalai above Kailua-Kona. KHON2.

Maui

Officials to change protocols after long lines, headaches at Maui’s only voter service center. Voters received their ballots by mail three weeks ago — and Maui election officials admit they were not ready for the crowd. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Overnight vote counts bring surprises on day after primary election. The last batch of ballots brought in late Saturday night made a big difference in some state and county races, with candidates who appeared poised for defeat leapfrogging back into contention. Maui News.

Surfrider Foundation records high bacteria levels at Kahului, Haneoʻo, Maliko, Baby Beach. This is the second month in a row that Kahului Harbor had high levels of Enterococcus bacteria, with results showing a count of 2400 MPN/100mL. It was the third month in a row for high levels at Haneoʻo, which had 454 MPN/100mL, down from the month before when rates were 1152 MPN/100mL. Baby Beach recorded a rate of 175 MPN/100mL, marking the first time this year that the location had high bacteria levels in the monthly report. Maui Now.

Kauai

Vice President Kamala Harris vacations on Kauai in unannounced visit. Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff arrived in Lihue this afternoon for an extended vacation on Kauai. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i seeking grant proposals. The intent of the program is to support projects and activities meeting a distinctive cultural, social or economic need for which adequate federal or state funding cannot be secured. Garden Island. KHON2.

Legislature wants to shield hula from exploitation, Honolulu mulls more regulation over vacation rentals, Har cleared of misuse of office during DUI arrest, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lawmakers support resolution to protect hula amid ‘exploitation’ concerns. Many of the world’s finest hula dancers are gathered in Hilo this week for the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival. But hula also took centerstage at the state Capitol on Thursday, where lawmakers are considering a resolution to protect its integrity. Hawaii News Now.

How The Decline In Lab Testing Is Complicating Efforts To Track Covid. As the pandemic enters its third year, more people are taking at-home tests or none at all. But coronavirus cases are still rising. Civil Beat.

BOE OKs requests to reduce class time: More than 200 noninstructional days authorized statewide. The state Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to approve more than 200 requests from schools for noninstructional days, decreasing the number of hours students will spend in the classroom for the 2022-2023 school year. Tribune-Herald.

Free summer school to help students bounce back. The DOE universal screener testing revealed that in the fall and winter of the 2021-2022 school year, almost a fourth of all elementary students were failing English. Though things improved slightly in English in the second quarter, more of them failed math. KHON2.

Isabella Kalua’s Death Has Yet To Trigger A Clear Plan To Bolster Child Protection. The end of this year’s legislative session is just days away, and lawmakers say they still haven’t seen a clear plan for improving Hawaii’s child welfare system. Civil Beat.

Biden Nominates Ex-KPD Officer To Lead US Marshals Office In Hawaii. President Joe Biden announced Friday that he is nominating Michael Contrades, a former deputy police chief in Kauai, to lead the U.S. Marshals Office in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmaker will not face additional punishment following DUI acquittal. State Rep. Sharon Har will not face additional charges for her conduct during an arrest on suspicion of drunk driving. A House Special Committee said it found no evidence that the Makakilo lawmaker misused her office during her arrest. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Council Budget Committee advances new tax classification for short-term rentals. The Honolulu City Council Budget Committee has given initial approval to a measure that would adjust the property tax rate for legal short-term rentals, which in its current form could mean relief for some owners and a hike for others. Star-Advertiser.

Permitting overhaul may mean faster build times for homeowners. The city's Permitting Director - Dean Uchida - said today during a Honolulu City Council Committee Meeting that it's in the process of revamping the entire permitting system, which has been notoriously slow. KITV4.

FBI warning about threat to Honolulu’s mayor prompted additional officers at city hall. A witness against suspected crime boss Mike Miske was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday for allegedly making social media threats to a DLNR official and his family. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu ranked in top 25 cleanest cities for air pollution. Honolulu is ranked #3 in the top 25 cleanest cities in the country, and officials at the American Lung Association credit both the success to the island's trade winds and the increase of residents switching over to electric cars. KITV4.

Navy says it has cut irrigation use by 50% amid water shortage. The Navy says it is doing its part to conserve water on Oʻahu in response to a request from the Board of Water Supply. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu North Shore property owner says he will fight $92K fine. State conservation officials are seeking to impose a $92,000 fine against a North Shore property owner for violating state laws by moving large amounts of sand in front of his two beachfront homes to shield them from coastal erosion and refusing to remove broken sandbags, rocks, concrete rubble and other debris that they say he stacked along the public beach. Star-Advertiser.

As housing prices on Oahu hit record highs, families grapple with rising rents. Prices for single-family homes on Oahu hit a new record high last month and are up more than 21% from last year, according to the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu Nonprofits To Get $4.5M To Address Housing And Financial Woes. The 17 organizations will work together to help solve critical problems facing the island’s working families. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Plans for bridge work unveiled: Weight limit on Kolekole could be lifted in June. Kolekole Bridge is on track to reopen to heavy truck traffic by June, state officials said Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Planning Commission Defers Extension Request for Subdivision Proposal off Ali‘i Drive. The commission voted 6-0 on Thursday, April 21, to have Hawai‘i One first meet with the Cultural Resource Commission to ensure there aren’t any historical, burial or cultural concerns by that body or neighbors. Big Island Now.

Funds sought for demolition of Uncle Billy’s. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Land Division is seeking money from the Legislature to demolish the former Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel building. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

‘Ration Your Water’: A Plantation-Era Water System On Maui is Maxed Out. Families who rely on a Maui stream as their only source of running water found their supply suddenly dry. Civil Beat.

Water to be restored to five Molokai streams. Flow standards set for the waterways that were often dry for almost a century. Water will be restored to five streams on Molokai that for more than a century were almost fully diverted and often dry, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Maui News.

After outcry, Maui’s Baldwin High reverses ban on lei-giving at graduation. A significant reversal for graduating seniors who have endured years of pandemic restrictions, Baldwin High School recently repealed its ban on lei-giving at this year’s graduation ceremony. Maui Now.

Kauai

Weekly COVID cases rising on Kaua’i. COVID-19 cases are rising on-island, statewide and nationally, the County of Kaua‘i reported Thursday. Garden Island.

Maui enacts hotel moratorium, first cruise ship in almost 2 years docks at Honolulu Harbor, PUC chairman stepping down, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Flowers and fruit at Hawaii farmers market ©2022 All Hawaii News

A New Crop Of Farmers Is Helping Hawaii Grow More Food. It’s not easy to make a living in agriculture. But some intrepid residents are trying to answer the state’s call to wean the islands off imported food. Civil Beat.

Interest is high now that electric guns are legal to buy and carry in Hawaii. The sale and possession of electronic guns became legal in Hawaii on Jan. 1, but it will be at least several weeks before they are available to the public. Star-Advertiser.

State lawmakers want a detailed plan for transition to 100% clean energy by 2045. State lawmakers are asking for a detailed plan on how the state will transition to clean energy by 2045. Senators were briefed on a budget request by the Department of Business, Economic, Development and Tourism on Thursday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Report: Solar Panels Might Endanger Hawaii’s Birds. Reducing the attractiveness of solar panels to birds by tilting them upright overnight is among the proposed deterrents. Civil Beat.

Hawaii PUC Chairman Stepping Down In June. Public Utilities Commission chairman James (Jay) Griffin has told Gov. David Ige that he will be stepping down from the PUC at the end of his term, which expires on June 30. Civil Beat.

New East-West Center president brings Hawaiian values to complex Asia-Pacific challenges. With the start of 2022, the center welcomed Suzanne Vares-Lum as its new president. The first woman and Native Hawaiian to hold the position, she grew up in Hawaiʻi, graduating from ʻAiea High School and the University of Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Pacific University Hopes A New School Of Nursing Will Boost Recruiting Efforts. The need to attract more nurses is a longstanding problem in Hawaii, but the pandemic has intensified the problem. Civil Beat.

Miscovich: State needs more COVID testing. Hawaii is dangerously underestimating the omicron variant, a health care executive said Friday. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii records 3 new coronavirus-related deaths, 4,578 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 3,212 new cases on Oahu, 364 on Hawaii Island, 679 on Maui, 226 on Kauai, 20 on Molokai, eight on Lanai, and 69 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

First cruise ship in nearly 2 years docks in Honolulu with more than 2,000 passengers. The first cruise ship in nearly two years arrived in the Honolulu Harbor Sunday. But with the recent surge of the Omicron variant, critics say it’s too soon to reopen Hawaii’s ports to the cruise business. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

SHOPO Leader Wants Faster Progress In Finding A New Honolulu Police Chief. The union’s newly elected president, Robert Cavaco, criticized the police commission’s decision to hire a consulting firm to help with the search. Civil Beat.

Coast Guard acquiring new aircraft, $45 million hangar at Barbers Point. In late October the Honolulu-based Coast Guard cutter Kimball returned home after a 66-day patrol to the Bering Sea and Arctic during which it shadowed four Chinese navy ships — a guided missile cruiser and destroyer and intelligence and auxiliary ships — operating as close as 46 miles off the Aleutian Islands. Star-Advertiser.

Affordable rentals available in new Waikiki high-rise. The developer of the first rental apartment tower built in Waikiki in over 20 years has scheduled a lottery to pick tenants for 38 studios reserved for households with lower-moderate income. Star-Advertiser.

Miske’s Hawaii Kai Home Is For Sale, But He’s Unlikely To Get The Proceeds. The waterfront property has been encumbered by the federal government’s intent to seek its forfeiture if Miske is convicted on the charge of racketeering conspiracy. Civil Beat.

Oahu homes stay above $1 million to end 2021 as sales slip. Tight inventory in Oahu’s housing market finally pulled down single-family home sales to end 2021 but is expected to keep upward pressure on prices this year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Waikoloa bus drivers to get a break(room), Pahoa bus hub could get a public library. For years, Hele-On bus drivers taking the cross-island trek to deliver passengers to Waikoloa resorts have had to wait in their buses for up to seven hours before making the return trip. West Hawaii Today.

Hele-On riders offered free Bikeshare use. Following Hawaii County Mass Transit Agency’s recent push for a fare-free bus system, passengers can now add HIBIKE Bikeshare to their passes at no cost. Passengers who request an access code from bus drivers will receive a card with the printed code, which is valid for 30 minutes of bike use. Tribune-Herald.

Commission stymied on sewer charge: Property owner seeks reimbursement of 23 years of past bills. The question of whether a storage shed with restroom and laundry facilities should be billed for sewer service is apparently more complicated than first envisioned, at least for the Environmental Management Commission. West Hawaii Today.

Increased home sales expected to continue in 2022. After a strong year for Big Island real estate, agents expect 2022 will be almost as robust. Tribune-Herald.

Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival Canceled. The current surge in COVID-19 cases has prompted officials to rethink holding even a scaled-down version of the event next month. Big Island Video News. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Council overrides mayor’s moratorium veto. Measure puts a pause on new visitor lodgings while council seeks solutions. Maui County Council members Friday evening voted to override Mayor Michael Victorino’s veto of a bill that establishes a temporary moratorium on new transient accommodations on Maui. Maui News.

Minor shipping disruptions amid COVID-19 impacts at Young Brothers on Maui. Temporary interisland shipping disruptions are expected for small container or palletized shipping as a result of COVID-19 related worker impacts at the Young Brothers shipyard on Maui, Mayor Michael Victorino confirmed. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Governor Ige extends emergency relief period for Maui’s axis deer problem. Governor David Ige signed a supplemental proclamation that extends the emergency relief period for conditions created by the overpopulation of axis deer in Maui County. Maui Now.

Maui Turo owners pivot to keep up with growing car rental supply. Maui residents with vehicles listed under Turo are finding problems getting the same attention they had over the summer even with the largest vacation rental supply in the state. Maui Now.

Kauai

PMRF field-constructed tank on way to decommissioning. The Pacific Missle Range Facility is home to one of two field-constructed tank sites operated by the U.S. Navy in Hawai‘i. Garden Island.

Construction underway for the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge viewpoint. Visitors and residents can look forward to a new spot to enjoy the beauty of the Hanalei Valley as seen from above it. Garden Island.

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.