Showing posts with label North Korea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label North Korea. Show all posts

Monday, December 4, 2023

Hawaiian Airlines sale to Alaska Airlines will impact Hawaii travelers, state Democratic Party names interim chairman, Japanese tourists staying away, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian and Alaska airlines to merge. Hawaiian Airlines, a kamaaina company that has served the islands for 94 years, has agreed to be bought by Alaska Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal that has raised questions and concerns for customers, workers and local leaders. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Airline analysts, experts tout deal between Alaska, Hawaiian. Hawaiian Airlines’ pending $1.9 billion sale to Alaska Airlines was praised by industry analysts and experts as a positive development that is expected to receive clearance by the U.S. Department of Justice and benefit the flying public. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii governor’s emergency housing panel resumes work. An emergency working group established in July by Gov. Josh Green to speed delivery of affordable housing in Hawaii has gotten back to work after initial setbacks that included legal challenges and the resignation of its leader. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii conference tackles North Korean human rights situation, amid Kim Jong Un’s ongoing threats. On Monday, Dec. 4, the diplomatic community is hosting a North Korean Human Rights Hawaii Conference at the Hawaii Convention Center focused on the situation in North Korea, which human rights advocates say is dire and often ignored in global conversations. Hawaii News Now.

Democratic Party of Hawai‘i Elects Interim Party Chair. The State Central Committee, the governing body for the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, voted in Adrian Tam as their new interim Party Chair at a special meeting that was held on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Maui Now.

Japanese Travelers Are Steering Clear Of Hawaii. Once Hawaii's top international tourist market, Japanese visitors are staying away from the islands amid inflated prices and a weak yen. Civil Beat.

Condo Task Force Facing Deadline May Punt To State Auditor Instead. A condominium task force established to identify issues related to condo associations and the systems in place to resolve disputes with unit owners is supposed to submit an interim report of its findings and recommendations by the end of this month.  Civil Beat.

New Lawsuit Against Former Hawaii Defense Contractor Alleges Charity Fraud. Martin Kao, who's pleaded guilty to numerous criminal charges already, faces a barrage of lawsuits seeking to recoup money he's alleged to have stolen or misspent. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Charter Schools Say Test Scores Don’t Tell The Whole Story. While charter schools fall below the state average in reading and math proficiency, leaders and advocates look to alternate ways of measuring success. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council anti-bribery bill fades in committee. Bill 36, in its original form, had one purpose: to end corruption within the troubled city Department of Planning and Permitting. Star-Advertiser.

Navy ‘safely’ recovers military spy plane stuck in Kaneohe Bay for almost 2 weeks. Navy confirms P-8A plane successfully removed from Kaneohe Bay. U.S. Navy officials confirmed Sunday that a team of military and civilian experts has successfully raised the P-8A Poseidon airplane from Kaneohe Bay and back onto the Marine Corps Base Hawaii runway. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Waipahu High School Opens New Academy Learning Center. The $29 million center aims to promote collaboration among students on different career pathways. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Bill targets flavored vapes: Measure aims to reduce use among teens. A bill to be discussed at this week’s County Council Policy Committee on Health, Safety and Well-Being would prohibit retailers from selling, marketing or advertising any tobacco or nicotine product that tastes or smells like anything other than tobacco. Tribune-Herald.

Contractor breaks ground on Hilo High’s new football field, track. Construction work on a new football field and track at Hilo High School — a project that has long languished on the drawing board — is underway. Tribune-Herald.

Funds allocated for ‘overall replacement’ of Laupahoehoe ramp. The deteriorating boat ramp has been sorely in need of restoration for years, because the pounding surf has worn away much of its concrete and exposed rebar, which could damage any boat launching from the site. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Is Still Searching For Someone To Lead Its Emergency Management Agency. With the expiration of interim administrator Darryl Oliveira's three-month contract, a selection committee is considering 15 candidates. Civil Beat.

Maui councilmembers float idea of forming a commission for tourism management. The Maui County Council is moving Bill 138 to create the commission, focusing on reducing the negative impacts of tourism while maximizing its benefits. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui Relief TANF Program outreach for noncitizens to be held Dec. 10. An outreach event to reach noncitizen families with dependent children, who could be eligible for Maui Relief TANF Program benefits, will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 10, in Lahaina. Maui Now.

DHHL awards 25 pastoral lots in Kahikinui, Maui. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands awarded 25 pastoral lots Saturday as part of the department’s Kuleana Program.  Maui Now.

Unexploded ordnance forces road closures, evacuations. Some classes were relocated to another portion of the Lihikai School campus and lunch and recess were held indoors at the school as police handled a report of an old unexploded ordnance at a nearby residence in Kahului, school and police officials said Friday afternoon. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i DMV announces new requirement to schedule Type 3 Road Tests. Customers under age 18 must now complete their required driver’s education courses prior to scheduling a road test. Kauai Now.

Monday, November 27, 2023

Raises, positions added at top of school bureaucracy, North Korea satellite reported spying on Hawaii, Ala Wai flood plan hits $1B, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Top Leadership Of Hawaii School System Continues To Grow — And So Does Their Pay. Student enrollment numbers continue to fall even as the number of superintendents gets larger. Civil Beat.

North Korea has a satellite spying on Hawaii and Guam.
A security expert explains why we should care. Last week, North Korea released photos of leader Kim Jung Un looking at photos of Pearl Harbor, Hickam Air Force Base and military bases on Guam it claims were taken by the satellite. Hawaii News Now.

New CEO at OHA Explains Why She Took the Job and Her Goals for Serving the Native Hawaiian Lāhui. Stacy Kealohalani Ferreira joined the Office of Hawaiian Affairs on Nov. 1 after serving as budget chief for the state Senate and in several roles at Kamehameha Schools. Hawaii Business Magazine.

State Legislature working group tackles wildfire prevention in Hawaiʻi. The working group will digest all the testimony and issue a final report on Dec. 15, in time to draft legislation for the upcoming 2024 legislative session that starts Jan. 17.  Big Island Now.

Former State Sen. Whitney Anderson Dead At 91.
He served in the Hawaii Legislature for 20 years. Whitney Anderson, who was the Hawaii Senate Minority Leader from 1997 until 2000, died Saturday in Waimanalo. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Training And Staffing Issues Surround Death Of A Nurse At Hawaii State Hospital. The killing of Justin Bautista, a licensed practical nurse at the Hawaii State Hospital, has raised questions as to what exactly was expected of him in a typically lower-skilled role he had held for four years. Civil Beat.

Commentary: A Baby's 'Bizarre' Death Exposes Hawaii’s Penchant For Secrecy In Child Welfare Cases. It took extensive digging and luck to find the kind of information about the unpublicized case that's readily available on other states' websites and is crucial to improving the child welfare system. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Water Board to vote on rate hike of over 50%. If adopted by the agency’s board of directors, a new 5-1/2-year water rate schedule will see higher rates phased in, with the first 10% increase kicking in Feb. 1 and the next 10% hike to occur July 1. Star-Advertiser.

Latest plan for Ala Wai flood control reaches $1B.  The Army Corps of Engineers and the city have unveiled the latest proposal to protect Waikiki and neighboring communities against a potential flooding disaster. Star-Advertiser.

Navy working to speed up upgrades at Pearl Harbor sewage plant. The Navy is ramping up efforts to complete upgrades to its troubled wastewater plant at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-­Hickam as the facility ages. Star-Advertiser.

Flight data recorder recovered from Navy plane in Kaneohe Bay. The flight data recorder of a large U.S. Navy plane that overshot a runway and ended up in the water near Honolulu this week has been recovered as the military continues to plan for the aircraft’s removal. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Navy plane still resting in shoal of Kaneohe Bay.  The Navy war plane that slid off a runway at Marine Corps Base Hawaii a week ago while trying to land in rainy weather continues to rest in shallow water about 100 feet off the runway, with at least two points of the 42-foot-high P-8A sitting on coral reef. Star-Advertiser.

The Miske Files: When Two Cops Refused To Let A Blown-Off Traffic Stop Slide. Documents in the federal case against Mike Miske alleging murder and organized crime activities tell the story of how two Honolulu police officers got caught up in what would turn out to be a much bigger case. Civil Beat.

HPD looks to recruit more women to bolster staffing. There are 240 women serving the city as police officers, about 13% of the department’s more than 1,800 officers, up from 212, or about 12%, in 2015.  Star-Advertiser.

Close encounter between police ATV and kids on beach raises questions about training, resources. There are growing concerns about training for HPD officers after a close encounter on a North Shore beach involving children and officers patrolling on ATVs. Amid a shortage of officers, the recent incident on Oahu’s North Shore is also prompting questions about how resources are being used. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

County measure would allocate $17M to affordable housing projects. Under a bill currently pending discussion by the County Council, $17.3 million will be distributed via the county’s newly formed Affordable Housing Production Program between a series of projects in East and West Hawaii to create 1,176 new affordable housing units. Tribune-Herald. KITV4.

Aquarium fishing ban sought: Groups urge DLNR to draft new rules.  Big Island environmental groups hope to end the commercial aquarium fishing industry in Hawaii once and for all next month. Tribune-Herald.

National Park Units Seek Public Input On Draft Accessibility Plans. Draft Accessibility Plans are in the works for Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, and Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historical Site. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Council committee to discuss new procurement process for emergency-medical services
. Council member Shane M. Sinenci announced that the Water Authority, Social Services and Parks Committee will receive a presentation from the state Department of Health Monday at 9 a.m. on the new procurement process for emergency-medical services in Maui County. Maui Now.

Deadline approaching for Maui wildfire victims. The deadline for people and businesses affected by the deadly Aug. 8 Maui wildfires to apply for federal assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration is Dec. 11. Star-Advertiser.

Deadline for Maui County Agriculture Micro Grant nears, Nov. 30.
Maui Economic Opportunity reminds small farmers and ranchers that the application deadline for the Maui County Agricultural Micro Grant Program 4.0, which offers up to $25,000 in grants, is about a week away.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i-born Hawaiian monk seal returned to Garden Isle waters after 5 months in Kona mammal hospital. A 7-year-old female Hawaiian monk seal was returned to its home in Kaua‘i waters after five months of treatment at the Kona mammal hospital for kidney stones, possible pneumonia and a fractured canine tooth that had become infected. Kauai Now.

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Interior Department creates Hawaiian consultation process, keeping an eye on North Korea, Hilo loses only direct mainland flight, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

cpyright 2022 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Albert Kahiwahiwaokalani Haa Jr. speaks at 2014 Department of the Interior listening session  ©2022 All Hawaii News
Feds’ consultation process will put Native Hawaiians on par with Indian tribes. The Department of the Interior announced Tuesday it will require a process of formal consultation with the Native Hawaiian community on any actions it proposes that have a substantial direct effect on the community. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News Maui Now.  Civil Beat.

$1M in federal funding secured for cultural education for visitors. Seven local organizations will split $1 million in federal funding to continue cultural education programs for tourists. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ige ‘racing to the finish’ with to-do list for final weeks in office. Gov. David Ige says he’s got a sense of urgency as he’s trying to finish last-minute business in his final 48 days in office. Hawaii News Now.

Historic year of North Korean missile tests raises Pacific tensions. In just the past two months, North Korea has fired more than a dozen missiles. The most recent flurry of missile tests coincides with fears of further escalation in the war in Ukraine and increased tension between China and Taiwan.  Star-Advertiser.

Report: Hawaiʻi has highest hotel revenue per business in the US. According to the data, Hawaiʻi hotel businesses make up .55% of the total businesses in the state. Hawaiʻi hotel businesses also employ 40,067 people, an average of 4,067 per company. Maui Now.

Supporters of breadfruit want more government help to cultivate agriculture industry. Farmers, educators, researchers, and entrepreneurs from across the Pacific gathered to discuss the benefits of crops like bread fruit that could help address food security and sustainability concerns. The National Tropic Breadfruit Institute co-hosted the 2022 Global Breadfruit Summit at the Hawaii Convention Center on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council committee postpones audit of planning department. The Honolulu City Council postponed considering initiating a comprehensive city audit on the Department of Planning and Permitting to give the agency two months to solve some of its issues, such as delayed permits. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Navy says it’s legally barred from paying state’s $8.7M fine for wastewater violations. The Navy is contesting an $8.7 million fine for Clean Water Act violations and alleged deficiencies at its Pearl Harbor-­Hickam wastewater treatment system, arguing that the penalty levied by the state Department of Health is legally prohibited because the state is barred from seeking punitive fines. Star-Advertiser.

2 water mains repaired, more work underway, Navy says. The Navy has repaired two of four water mains that broke since Friday, though the first and largest one to crack remains unfixed. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Panel Report: Start Over On Plan For A New Oahu Jail. A newly formed panel of prison and jail reformers that includes state Supreme Court Associate Justice Michael Wilson is wading into the controversy over plans for an expensive new jail at Halawa, and is urging corrections officials to start the entire planning process over. Civil Beat.

Former University of Hawaii employee charged after alleged death threats.
Claire R. Chun worked at the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Information Technology Services Department since 2011 and resigned Sept. 19, according to the university. Star-Advertiser.

Haiku Stairs hikers require rescues
. The Honolulu Fire Department has rescued 118 people on Haiku Stairs in the last 12 years. The popular trail, also known as Stairway to Heaven, has been a point of contention in the windward community for years. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hilo is about to lose its last direct flight to the mainland. United Airlines to end direct flights from Hilo to L.A. United Airlines is set to end Hilo International Airport’s only direct route to the mainland. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Panel pans tax cap for nonresidential properties. Bill 156, introduced by Hilo Councilwoman Sue Lee Loy proposed the cap for apartment, hotel and resort, commercial, industrial, agricultural or native forests and conservation assessments. West Hawaii Today.

Meeting finds no quick fix for animal control concerns. No immediate solutions were forthcoming after a Tuesday discussion about the woes facing Hawaii County’s animal control operations. Tribune-Herald.

Few residents turn out for Puna wastewater meeting. A scoping meeting last week at Keaau High School about the future of wastewater treatment services for Puna residents drew fewer audience members than government officials and consultants. Tribune-Herald.

Volcano Golf Course clubhouse to be razed. The fire-gutted Volcano Golf Course clubhouse is being demolished after three years of disuse. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor Victorino signs Bill 107 to change the formula used to price affordable homes. Councilmember Gabe Johnson introduced the bill after years of hearing community concerns that even “affordable homes” were too expensive for Maui County’s working families to become homeowners. Maui Now.

Should Cost Of Maui Charter Amendments Be Made Public Before Election Day? Voters will decide on a proposal that would require the county auditor to calculate cost estimates of proposed charter amendments before they go on the ballot. Civil Beat.

Delay in Maui County program that allows homeless to sleep in cars overnight stirs concern. It’s been more than a month since Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino eagerly announced that homeless individuals would be allowed to sleep in their cars and vans in the parking lot of the Cameron Center in Wailuku. Hawaii News Now.

Airline agreement to streamline flight purchases for passengers. A new agreement between Hawaiian Airlines and Southern Airways, which owns Mokulele Airlines, will help streamline bookings and connections for passengers who often have to make multiple purchases when flying out of state from airports like Molokai and Lanai. Maui News

West Maui Hospital developer seeks $7M to help cover costs. Years in the making, hospital has support but has run into financing problems. Maui News.

Why This Hawaiian Island Has To Outsource Psychiatric Care. For the first time since 1990, the state agency that provides care to adults diagnosed with a serious mental illness has no staff on Lanai. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauai Plans For Sea Level Rise With New Building Standards. The county became the state’s first municipality to regulate construction based on flood projections spurred by sea level rise. Civil Beat. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Recovered shearwaters released back into the wild. A pair of fledgling ‘a‘o, or Newell’s shearwaters, were honored guests poised to leave the annual Ho‘opomaika‘i ‘ia na Manu ‘A‘o Tuesday with students from Island School participating with Kumu Sabra Kauka, and invited guests including Capt. Brett Stevenson of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands and other selected individuals from PMRF, members of the Kaua‘i County Council and the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation. Garden Island.

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Hawaii experts not worried about North Korea missiles, Ellison subsidizes Lanai gas, Gabbard leaving Democratic Party, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2022 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Experts say they're not worried about Nuclear Attack coming from North Korea right now. With five missile tests in 10 days, North Korea's actions have people concerned and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency keeping an eye on that part of the world. Two experts tell KITV4 they're not worried about a nuclear hit on Hawaii, because they don't believe North Korea has the technology to make an accurate hit on the island.  KITV4.

Hawaii’s hot tourism summer gives way to cooler fall. End-of-summer vacationers, mostly from the U.S., nearly filled Hawaii hotel rooms to pre-pandemic levels in August and drove the average daily room rate to almost $383 per night. Star-Advertiser.

Pace of traffic deaths eclipsing 2021. There were 90 traffic fatalities reported statewide in roughly the first nine months of this year, surpassing 66 from the same time frame in 2021, according to the state Department of Transportation’s preliminary statistics. Star-Advertiser.

Fighting For Workers Or Fleecing Them? An Ousted Honolulu Union Boss Faces His Reckoning. The trial of Brian Ahakuelo, accused of leading a conspiracy to line his pockets while head of IBEW Local 1260, begins Thursday. Civil Beat.

In race for governor, candidates play up differences on climate change, housing plans. In the race for governor, Josh Green is criticizing Duke Aiona for lacking substantial policies on climate change, but Aiona says Green’s clean energy plans sound just like the Lingle-Aiona administration. Hawaii News Now.

Former presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard says she’s leaving Democratic Party. Tulsi Gabbard, a former Hawaii U.S. representative and one-time presidential candidate, announced that she’s no longer a Democrat on social media on Monday. In her video statement, she called the leaders of the party an “elitist cabal of warmongers driven by cowardly wokeness.” Hawaii News Now.

Ballot tracking service available for Hawaiʻi voters. As the 2022 General Election ballots are prepared for mailing, election officials want to remind voters that they can sign up to receive ballot tracking alerts at elections.hawaii.gov. Voters can sign up to receive text, email, or voice alerts letting them know where their ballot is in the voting process. Maui Now. Garden Island.

Hawaii sees dramatic increase in fentanyl-related overdoses reported in September. Department of Health data shows fentanyl-related overdoses are happening on every major island in the state. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Kalihi rail construction to start ahead of schedule. The relocation of utilities along Dillingham Boulevard for the rail project should be underway ahead of schedule at the end of this year, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation announced Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige meets with Stadium Authority ahead of announcing his new direction for project
. Gov. David Ige has yet to reveal his “different direction” to rebuild Aloha Stadium more than three weeks after scrapping the previous plan, but his point person on the project says “it’s a stretch” to expect that private development will help defray maintenance costs of a new facility. Star-Advertiser.

Lack Of Shelter Space Poses A Challenge For Oahu’s Newest Homeless Program. As a city program that helps homeless people approaches its one-year mark, it has faced obstacles including a lack of shelter space and psychiatrists. But the Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement program has taken 30 people off the streets and that’s a successful start, its director says. Civil Beat.

Kuilei Place high-rise in Moiliili would rival Oahu’s tallest buildings. A local developer is seeking to build a $619 million residential tower complex in Moiliili where major exemptions to building height and density limits will be needed to deliver the project with 1,005 predominantly moderate-price condominiums. Star-Advertiser.

City joins state in enforcement of illegal concrete pour at North Shore beachfront property. On a coastline already marred by illegal erosion barriers — the concrete and rebar reinforcement of this house owned by Josh Van Emmerik created a new level of outrage for Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. Hawaii News Now.

Erosion at popular east Oahu beach marks emotional turning point for some residents. After decades of erosion, the city is trimming and removing trees at one of the nation’s top ranked beaches. Last week, two trees fell into the waters of Kailua Beach. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Kimball named chairwoman, Inaba vice chairman of incoming County Council. Hamakua Councilwoman Heather Kimball has been selected chairwoman and North Kona Councilman Holeka Inaba vice chairman of the new County Council that will take office in December. West Hawaii Today.

Saddle Road EIS terminated. The long-sought Daniel K. Inouye Highway extension in West Hawaii has hit another roadblock. Environmental studies, which are required for the project that would bring the cross-island route to Queen Kaahumanu Highway, have officially been terminated — the latest blow to the project in the works since 1999. West Hawaii Today.

State seeks to improve access to Hilo Harbor. The state Department of Transportation Harbors Division is seeking to acquire almost 10 acres of privately owned land on Kalanianaole Street near the entrance to the Port of Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Former resident physician accuses Hilo Medical Center of breastfeeding discrimination. A former resident physician at a Hawaiʻi Island hospital is suing the institution for pregnancy-related workplace discrimination. Hawaii Public Radio.

Wanted: Ant samples from residents’ yards. Residents are urged to be on the lookout for little fire ants during what the state Department of Land and Natural Resources has called “Stop the Ant Month.” Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Contentious bill to limit outdoor lighting on Maui clears final council reading. The ordinance was passed due to concerns that bright, onshore lighting confuses seabirds and endangered sea turtles. Civil Beat. KITV4.

Land Use Commission approves public-private partnership in Waikapū, Maui. The approval allows Maui County to assume the developer’s required contribution toward a new Central Maui wastewater treatment plant, Waiʻale Road extension and improvements in exchange for 213 additional workforce units in the planned Waikapū Country Town community. Maui Now.

Maui food voucher program extended through December. The food vouchers from Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) were supposed to end in September. But the program will continue while funds remain. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News.

Why Lanai Gas Prices Plunged Overnight From Hawaii’s Most Expensive To The Cheapest. Tech magnate Larry Ellison, who owns 98% of the island, bought Lanai’s only gas station and started subsidizing fuel prices on April 1. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Mayor Signs Bill To Increase Benefits to Farmers. Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami signed a bill last month that updates the county’s Agricultural Dedication program to provide increased benefits to farmers and lessen the burdensome red tape.  Kauai Now.

Celebrating Kaua‘i National Wildlife Refuges. Friends of Kaua‘i Wildlife Refuges Executive Director Thomas Daubert announced Saturday that National Wildlife Refuge Week starts Tuesday and continues through Sunday at various North Shore locations. Garden Island.

Monday, February 14, 2022

Blinken outlines Hawaii's strategic importance, corruption a big issue in state Legislature, affordable housing plan not so affordable, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a joint press availability with South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi following their meeting in Honolulu, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. PC:Kevin Lamarque/Pool Reuters

Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Japanese and South Korean counterparts in Hawaii. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met his Japanese and South Korean counterparts Saturday in Hawaii to discuss the threat posed by nuclear-armed North Korea after Pyongyang began the year with a series of missile tests. Associated Press. Civil Beat.

Why Russia has its eye on Hawaii. While American policymakers have been vocal about wanting to keep an eye on China’s growing presence in the Pacific, over the last year it’s been Russia’s military operating most overtly near Hawaii — the nerve center for American military operations in the region. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Senate Wants To Beef Up Corruption Fighting Unit. Lawmakers are also considering reopening the State Capitol. Hawaii lawmakers want to create two new divisions in the state Attorney General’s Office that would be responsible for investigating fraud and political corruption as well as sex trafficking. Civil Beat.

Legislation would help victims exit sex trade with $2,000 per month. Victims of sex trafficking in Hawaii would receive $2,000 a month to leave the life in what proponents call the first pilot project of its kind through a bill in the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Gambling measure moves forward: HB 1962 would fund revenue, health study on possible DHHL casino. A bill that would require the Department of Hawaiian Homelands to study potential revenue generation as well as public health and safety concerns arising from “limited casino gaming” on DHHL lands is moving through the state Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

Lawmaker introduces bill to legalize online sports gambling in Hawaii.
Sports gambling is sweeping the nation. It’s now legal in some form in 31 states and the District of Columbia after becoming federally legal in 2018. Hawaii and Utah now remain the only two states that outlaw all gambling. KHON2.

‘The fireworks problem is a multifaceted problem’: State measures include increased fines, permit costs. Five of seven fireworks bills introduced by the state House of Representatives this session cleared their initial committee hurdle, with amendments, while two were shelved. Tribune-Herald.

Should Hawaii Counties Be Allowed To Require Fire Sprinklers In New Homes? It’s illegal for counties to require fire sprinklers in single-family homes and duplexes in Hawaii. A new draft law would change that. Civil Beat.

Electric, zero-emission vehicle bills in Legislature. Several bills have been introduced in the state Legislature this year to stimulate the adoption of electric and zero-emission vehicles and the development of electric and zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. Tribune-Herald.

Widespread corruption begins with small, illegal behavior.
Unethical and criminal behavior from people in positions of trust in most cases begins simply enough. Star-Advertiser.

New stain at Hawaii Legislature could be its worst.
If Hawaii’s state Capitol had a hall of shame for legislators, J. Kalani English and Ty J.K. Cullen could be its headliners with the biggest fallen stars. Star-Advertiser.

Legislative committee pursuing investigation against state Rep. Sharon Har. A special House committee has decided to continue investigating whether state representative Sharon Har should face legislative sanctions for her drunken driving arrest nearly a year ago. KITV4.

Hawaii residents share their struggles with long COVID-19. The Queen’s Medical Center and the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine are collaborating on a study to determine why some people in Hawaii develop chronic symptoms, part of a national initiative funded by Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery, or RECOVER. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii records 4 new coronavirus-related deaths, 532 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count includes 287 new cases on Oahu, 64 on Hawaii Island, 82 on Maui, 62 on Kauai, three on Molokai, six on Lanai and 28 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Proposal for Hawaii to build and sell leasehold condos judged unfeasible.
A big, unconventional idea to end Oahu’s affordable-housing shortage at no long-term public expense has been diminished at the Legislature after three years of effort. Star-Advertiser.

Red Hill’s Firefighting System Was Damaged Long Before Contamination Crisis. The system would deploy water automatically in case of a fire at the Navy’s fuel facility, but firefighting foam would have to be turned on manually, a spokeswoman said. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Roth considering charging tourists to visit beach parks, zoo. Charging tourists to visit county beach parks and the zoo is being considered as a potential way to help pay for facilities, Mayor Mitch Roth said. West Hawaii Today.

Isle transition to electric vehicles slow. The Big Island has a long way to go before all its vehicles are fully electric. Tribune-Herald.

Acting HR Director Leopoldino named to permanent post
. Acting Human Resources Director Waylen Leopoldino was awarded the permanent position on Friday, eight months after he assumed the acting role when the former director retired. West Hawaii Today.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park plans restoration of summit facilities. Nearly four years after earthquakes from the 2018 Kilauea eruption crippled buildings and roads at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the National Park Serv­ice is proposing a multimillion-dollar plan to rebuild the park’s summit region. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Commission mulls pay hike for police chief.
Maui County Salary Commission members questioned whether any salary increases for county department heads, including the police chief, would take away money from other programs, as the commission continues reviewing salaries for county directors and deputies. Maui News.

MEO to start drug, suicide, bullying prevention with youth on Molokaʻi
. Kāohi mirrors MEO Youth Services’ evidence-based prevention curriculum on Maui, and is expected to get underway soon when a program coordinator is on board. Maui Now.

Kauai

CC&R bill continues through Kaua‘i County Council. County lawmakers are pushing legislation that would prevent new housing developments from locking out lower-income families through strict covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs), which often exceed the county’s own zoning ordinances. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi taro farmers spearhead a measure to streamline the water lease process for loʻi kalo. Hawaiʻi lawmakers are considering streamlining the process for taro farmers looking to secure freshwater for their crops — a complex and time-consuming task that often requires a lawyer. Hawaii Public Radio.



Thursday, August 2, 2018

Pence joins Korean war remains transfer ceremony, Hurricane Hector 2,000 miles out, noncitizen is on Oahu ballot, campaign spending reported, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

55 caskets of believed-to-be Americans missing from the Korean War are brought to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, during an Honorable Carry Ceremony, Aug. 1. The remains will be sent to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency laboratory for identification. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Apryl Hall)
In an emotional and solemn ceremony, the remains of dozens of presumed casualties from the Korean War were escorted by military honor guards onto U.S. soil on Wednesday, 65 years after an armistice ended the conflict and weeks after President Donald Trump received a commitment from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for their return. Associated Press.

The remains of 55 presumed Americans turned over by North Korea were welcomed back to American soil Wednesday in a solemn ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor- Hickam. Star-Advertiser.

Vice President Mike Pence, other dignitaries and dozens of veterans gathered at Pearl Harbor on Wednesday for a somber repatriation ceremony to receive the possible remains of 55 American soldiers killed in the Korean War. Hawaii News Now.

Vice President Pence: 'Today our boys are coming home'. KHON2.

"These heroes were never forgotten": Pence comes to Hawaii to formally receive war remains. KITV.

Slideshow: The Long Road Home. The presumed remains of 55 casualties from the Korean War arrive in Honolulu as Vice President Mike Pence leads a repatriation ceremony. Civil Beat.

How the U.S. military will identify the remains. Associated Press.

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Having formed as a tropical storm Wednesday, Hector reached hurricane status this morning and is continuing its march toward the Central Pacific. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane Hector in East Pacific forecast to strengthen into Category 3 storm. Hawaii News Now.

Candidates, PACs report primary election spending. Gov. David Ige has spent $2.33 million so far on his re-election effort, which is somewhat more than U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa spent on the race, but that tells only part of the money story. Star-Advertiser.

Super PACs spending to influence the vote. Star-Advertiser.

Carpenters Union Pumps $3 Million Into Hawaii’s Primary Race. The union’s super PAC is flexing its political muscle in support of Colleen Hanabusa for governor and Josh Green for lieutenant governor. Civil Beat.

Will The Next Governor Support Safe Zones For the Homeless? Gov. David Ige has taken a strong stand against tent cities, while Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa supports the concept of “ohana zones.” Civil Beat.

A Livelier Ige Comes Out Swinging In One-On-One Interview. The governor was feisty and playful in responding to criticism from Congresswoman Hanabusa and her supporters. Civil Beat.

The U.S. Senate has unanimously confirmed prosecutor Jill Otake to be a federal judge in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

It may be years before Hawaii sees changes to its firearms law following the July 24 ruling by a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that the state’s requirement for a license to openly carry a firearm in public violates the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii cannabis leaders explore new edibles regulations and employment issues. Hawaii News Now.

Study: Plastic degrading in the oceans could be contributing to global warming. Hawaii News Now.

Transfer of Hawaii inmates to Arizona comes amid growing scrutiny of practice. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii state pension fund names new chief investment officer. The Employees’ Retirement System of the State of Hawaii named Elizabeth Burton its new chief investment officer, replacing Vijoy Chattergy, who left the $16.5 billion public workers pension in February. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Lack Of US Citizenship Trips Up GOP State House Candidate. Sailau Timoteo is a citizen of American Samoa, which apparently makes her ineligible to even vote, much less run. Civil Beat.

State House contender born in American Samoa told she's ineligible to run. Hawaii News Now.

Department of Land and Natural Resources personnel removed four vessels Tuesday that were illegally stored along Lanikai Beach. Star-Advertiser.

Work continues to reduce Waianae's soaring homeless pet population. Hawaii News Now.

Improvement projects at two Leeward Coast parks have been completed, and the impacted facilities are now open to the public. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

The state and county are looking at the possibility of building a bypass route or routes as the condition of Highway 11 near Volcano Village and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park deteriorates because of near-constant seismic activity at the summit of Kilauea volcano. Tribune-Herald.

The Volcano Fire Station which was located within the National Park at the former Kilauea Military Camp (Station 19) has been temporarily relocated to a safer location, officials say. Big Island Video News.

The county has instituted an amnesty program for owners seeking to get rid of their unwanted vehicle. West Hawaii Today.

The state Department of Transportation’s Airports Division later this month will host a public information meeting regarding commercial helicopter flights over residential areas, the DOT announced Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

A fairly new pest is making its presence known on Hawaii Island's east side. Cacao Farmers of Hawaii and the Big Island Invasive Species Committee is warning farmers of the Longhorn Beetle, which poses a major threat to tree-related agriculture businesses. Hawaii News Now.

'Hilo Massacre' commemorated. Eighty years ago, a peaceful protest took a tragic turn as police opened fire on an unarmed crowd of union workers and their supporters at the docks of Hilo Bay in 1938. Tribune-Herald.

Scientists have started analyzing live data collected by two ocean robots on the impacts of lava flowing into the water off lower Puna. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

For candidates, similar issues, different takes. State Rep. Justin Woodson says he’s seeking re-election to the House District 9 seat to continue work on issues including affordable housing, homelessness, public school funding and kupuna care. Maui News.

Questions raised about the post office site lease. Councilors concerned about funds already used to plan new building. Maui News.

The entangled whale shark seen off the coast of Maui in early July was cut free from about 150 pounds of line on Sunday off the coast of Lanai. Garden Island.

A juvenile whale shark that was entangled with heavy rope in recent weeks has been freed. Maui Now.

Judge’s ruling allows shoreline project to go on. Opponents of Hololani project sought to stop steel piles. Maui News.


Kauai

A Tiny Company’s Big Battle Over Water Rights. The bottlers have long sought a permit to validate the taking of a small amount of spring water that some customers say has healing qualities. Garden Island.

KPD Chief Darryl Perry retires, search underway for replacement. KHON2.

Cesspools are front and center at two meetings scheduled for Kauai at the beginning of August and the public still has the chance to get in on one of them. Garden Island.

Molokai

The Public Utilities Commission has approved the first grid-scale solar and battery energy storage project to be built on Molokai. KHON2.

The first grid-scale solar and battery energy storage project to be built on Molokai has gained approval from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Maui Now.

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Pence arrives in Hawaii for Korean war remains transfer, Ige and Hanabusa both support lifting county cap on TAT, Case has big lead in congressional poll, big profits for Matson, lava-struck college student recovering in Honolulu hospital, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2018 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaii hotel pool party ©2018 All Hawaii News
Vice President Mike Pence touched down on Oahu late Tuesday night ahead of a ceremony to receive the possible remains of over 50 American soldiers killed in the Korean War. Hawaii News Now.

NKorea provided just 1 dog tag with 55 sets of war remains. When North Korea handed over 55 boxes of bones that it said are remains of American war dead, it provided a single military dog tag but no other information that could help U.S. forensics experts determine their individual identities, a U.S. defense official said Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Ige, Hanabusa Want Cap Lifted On Counties’ Share Of Hotel Tax Revenue. The Democratic candidates for governor faced off Tuesday night for perhaps the final time before the Aug. 11 primary. Civil Beat.

Gubernatorial Campaign Stop: Obon Festivals. The two Democratic candidates for Hawaii Governor are working hard to secure their base – Americans of Japanese Ancestry or AJAs.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Civil Beat Poll: Case Has Big Lead In 6-Way Race For Congress. And U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is poised to win re-election by a landslide — again. Civil Beat.

Sherry Campagna’s Quest To Unseat Hawaii’s Most Popular Politician. The challenger must overcome U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s high poll numbers, fundraising prowess and national profile. Civil Beat.

The state says Hawaii's election system is secure. The Office of Elections says they're ready for the voting to begin. They've set up tests for the ballot systems and are working with the office of enterprise services to make sure the ballot process goes smoothly. KHON2.

Multinational Beach Assault Marks Completion of RIMPAC. Hawaii Public Radio.

Chicago poke company stands by divisive 'removal of aloha' trademark policy. Hawaii News Now.

Matson profit soars due to tax break. A big income tax cut helped Hawaii’s largest ocean cargo transportation firm, Matson Inc., produce 36 percent more profit in the second quarter. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu-based shipping giant Matson Inc. on Tuesday reported net income of $32.6 million, or 76 cents per diluted share, for the quarter ending June 30, an increase of 35 percent compared with $24 million, or 55 cents per diluted share, during the same period in 2017. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Source of attack ads is a mystery. A series of mailers attacking Honolulu City Council candidate Robert “Bobby” Bunda calls for constituents of Council District 2 (Mililani Mauka to Kahaluu) to instead vote for Dave Burlew, one of the other three candidates in the race. Star-Advertiser.

Louis Kealoha's attorney requests separate trials for charges. A new motion filed in court Tuesday by the attorney for former Honolulu police chief Louis Kealoha is asking that several counts against him be tried separate from his wife. KHON2.

Gov. David Ige has appointed former Honolulu City Council member Jon Yoshimura to fill the state Senate seat vacated by Will Espero, who stepped down this year to run for lieutenant governor. Star-Advertiser.

Kailua Community Responds to Vacation Rental Bill. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell last week announced his plan to tackle the problem which has been festering for close to 30 years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Statue of Kamehameha III marks restoration of Thomas Square. Tuesday’s dedication of a 12-foot-tall statue of King Kamehameha III in the middle of Thomas Square celebrated Hawaiian pride, provided a lesson in island history and honored a king who gave up his monarchy in the belief that justice would prevail. Star-Advertiser.

$250K Statue of King Kamehameha III unveiled at Thomas Square. Hawaii News Now.

Cadets lost in Wahiawa forest ate ants to fight off hunger. Strawberry guava and ants was what two Army ROTC cadets subsisted on while lost overnight in a jungle warfare course in Wahiawa, said a Mililani man who helped the men find their way back to civilization. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu's not the best place to flip houses, but it's not the worst. Urban Honolulu was ranked 155th out of 172 cities for a WalletHub analysis of the best places to flip houses in 2018, places where a buyer can make a profit from buying and selling a fixer-upper. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

HTA pumps $1.2M into marketing Big Island. After a 5 percent drop in visitor arrivals to the Big Island in June, Hawaii’s tourism marketing officials want to change the existing consumer perception from “It’s not the right time to visit” to “Now just may be the best time ever to visit.” Star-Advertiser.

Although total visitor spending to date this year on the Big Island remains higher than 2017, spending and visitors to the island declined in June. Tribune-Herald.

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‘I Thought I Was Dying’: Injured Tourist Recalls Hawaii Lava Blast. The 20-year-old woman from Illinois suffered a broken thigh bone and pelvis, as well as several other injuries. Associated Press.

From a hospital bed, woman hit by lava describes horrifying experience. Hawaii News Now.

Illinois student describes being struck by lava bomb. Moments before 20-year-old Jessica Tilton was struck July 16 by a lava bomb that broke multiple bones in her body, she heard an explosion and saw a big cloud that kept coming toward the tour boat she was on. Star-Advertiser.

Woman badly injured in lava tour boat thought she was going to die. KHON2.

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Boat ramp remains despite ocean entry, delta at Pohoiki. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Kim undergoes procedure to install heart defibrillator. Tribune-Herald.

The highest ranking state sheriff on the Big Island has agreed to pay a $6,000 fine for two alleged ethics violations. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii State Ethics Commission says a deputy sheriff has agreed to pay $6,000 after he was accused of receiving overtime pay for hours he didn't work. KHON2.

Police announced scheduling changes for Saturday’s services for fallen Officer Bronson Kaimana Kaliloa, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on July 17. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Controversial Maui seawall project gets green light in court. The Kahana seawall project in West Maui will start this week as planned. Hawaii News Now.

Visible work on Kihei High set to begin. Roads, plumbing and grading kick off phase one of construction. Maui News.

Maui Police to Enforce Traffic Violations in School Zones. Maui Now.


Kauai

Food distribution at Kapaa beach draws crowds. The line of people next to the Toyota pickup stretches 15 deep on a Wednesday morning at the parking lot fronting Kapaa Beach Park. Garden Island.

Laysan albatross chicks still fledging. There are still a few awkward young Laysan albatross wandering around Kauai with their wild feathers and wide wingspans, but Oahu’s albatross have all fledged and set record numbers while doing it. Garden Island.

Molokai

State believes recent Hawaiian monk seal deaths on Molokai caused by humans. The investigation continues into the recent deaths of three Hawaiian monk seals on Molokai, and officials believe their deaths were caused by human-inflicted trauma. KHON2.

Friday, July 27, 2018

Pence coming to Hawaii to receive Korean war remains, locals dread tourism rise, Ige and Hanabusa spar over environment, Caldwell touts regulation of vacation rentals, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2018 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaii beach scene ©2018 All Hawaii News
Vice President Pence coming to Hawaii to receive possible remains of U.S. service members from North Korea. Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Hawaii next week when the remains of possible U.S. service members who died in the Korean war arrive at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to be identified. Star-Advertiser.

The remains of over 50 American soldiers killed in the Korean War will soon be headed to Hawaii after a United States military plane successfully retrieved the remains on Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Korean War remains make way to Oahu. Fifty-five cases of possible American remains were flown out of North Korea by a U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo aircraft today, setting up their arrival next week at Joint Base Pearl Harbor- Hickam for identification as part of a historic turnover brokered between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Star-Advertiser.

As tourism rises, residents less positive. Some 61 percent of the 1,600 or so Hawaii residents who participated in the Hawaii Tourism Authority Resident Sentiment Survey, which was conducted by Omnitrak from Oct. 13 to Jan. 16, said they strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement, “Tourism has brought more benefits than problems.” Star-Advertiser.

Four Takeaways From Hawaii’s Pre-Primary Election Spending. Gubernatorial candidate Colleen Hanabusa is the big winner in labor unions’ super PAC sweepstakes, election reports show. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Conservation Alliance hosted a Gubernatorial Candidate Forum on the Environment today. The Democratic and Republican candidates for governor were asked four questions, provided beforehand, on what they’d do if elected as the state’s chief executive. Hawaii Public Radio.

Candidates for governor tout their green credentials at forum. Hawaii News Now.

Hanabusa Attacks Ige’s 2005 Vote Against Environmental Fund. Ige says he doesn’t remember why he voted against creation of the Legacy Land Conservation Program, but that he supports it now. Civil Beat.

Former fighter pilot declared Pacific Air Forces commander. A former F-16 fighter pilot who later had key roles in Libya operations and the air war against the Islamic State took command of Pacific Air Forces on Thursday at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Star-Advertiser.

Stock sale ups First Hawaiian Bank’s net in quarter. First Hawaiian Bank’s net income in the second quarter grew 21.4 percent over the previous year to $69.1 million, or 50 cents per share, following a large stock sale by its former majority shareholder. Star-Advertiser.

First Hawaiian reports 21 percent increase in net income for Q2 2018. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

The mayor Thursday unveiled a bill that allow homeowners to set up bed-and-breakfast establishments where they live but bans nonowner transient vacation units in residential zones. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Proposes Sweeping Changes In Vacation Rental Rules. The bill would make it easier for residents to rent out part of their homes but limit the number of properties listed by absentee owners. Civil Beat.

Mayor's new bill proposes more vacation rentals, stiffer fines. Hawaii News Now.

Proposed bill could push vacation rentals out of residential neighborhoods. KHON2.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is going to introduce three new bills to city council dealing with short term rentals. They call for harsh penalties for violators. KITV.

Caldwell vetoes military tax exemption measure. A bill giving military service members living in homes they purchased on Oahu an additional break on property taxes was vetoed by Mayor Kirk Caldwell this week. Star-Advertiser.

Dozens of sex predators are registered as living in Oahu parks, review shows. A Hawaii News Now investigation has revealed some alarming gaps in the system, including vague addresses and dozens of convicted sex predators living places where you hope children can be safest. Hawaii News Now.

Blessing held for ‘micro-housing’ tower in Kakaako. The project, Nohona Hale, is unique because it’s the first tower of purely “micro- unit” rental apartments to be built in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

State officials made the first step toward the completion of Hawaii's first affordable micro-housing complex with a ground breaking ceremony in Kakaako on Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

The first ever micro-unit project is set to be built on Oahu. Nohona Hale is being constructed on Cooke Street. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hanabusa Attacks Ige On Mistaken Release Of Murder Suspect. The hunt for the murder suspect mistakenly released from a Hilo correctional facility has taken a political turn. Big Island Video News.

Gov. David Ige said Thursday evening he’s “deeply concerned” about what the Department of Public safety admitted was the “erroneous release” of murder suspect Brian Lee Smith Tuesday at Hawaii Community Correctional Center. Tribune-Herald.

State lawmaker demands accountability following mistaken release of Big Island suspected murderer. KHON2.

Law enforcement is looking for the suspect in last month’s fatal shooting on Painted Church Road after he was “erroneously released” from Hawaii Community Correctional Center on Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Murder Defendant Mistakenly Released From Jail. Brian Lee Smith was being held on $1.5 million bail in connection with a June shooting death in South Kona. Associated Press.

A manhunt is underway for a 49-year-old man awaiting trial for murder who was mistakenly released from a Big Island jail Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

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Jack’s Tours comes to an end. The decline in tourism on the Big Island following the Kilauea eruption claimed another business Wednesday when Hilo-based tour company Jack’s Tours announced its intention to close at the end of the month. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island Charter School Buried in Lava Finds New Home. Hawaii Public Radio.

Experts Talk About Effect of Kilauea’s Current Eruption on Marine Life. Big Island Now.

The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply on Wednesday challenged assertions that it’s obligated to buy a specified amount of wind power to run eight deep wells in South Kohala. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Candidates for the open West Maui County Council residency seat said they wanted to see a better public transportation system for West Maui, more efforts on the part of hotels to provide housing and transportation for workers and solutions to coastal erosion that didn’t involve seawalls. Maui News.

No-Cost Maui County Tropic Care Clinic, Aug. 11-19 in Lahaina. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Hanalei post office is set to reopen Monday, more than three months after the building was damaged in Kauai’s April flooding. Garden Island.

Kauai waters are now critical habitat for false killer whales, thanks to a National Marine Fisheries Service designation published Tuesday in the Federal Register. Garden Island.

Kauai hotels do well in 1st first half of 2018. Kauai’s hotels led the state in growth of revenue per available room (RevPAR) for the first six months of 2018 ($233, plus 15.2 percent), boosted by increases in average daily room rate (ADR) to $295 (plus 12 percent) and occupancy of 79.2 percent (plus 2.2 percentage points). Garden Island.

The stock on the shelves was dwindling at Ishihara Market Thursday afternoon as loyal customers dropped by to say mahalo to the Ishihara family for more than 80 years of business in Waimea. Garden Island.