Senate passes same-sex marriage protections, Green seeks $362M emergency Maui funding, bills advance loosening building codes to spur development, federal judge to decide venue for Maui fire lawsuits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Repeal of Legislature’s authority over same-sex marriages considered. The state Senate will now consider a House bill calling for a constitutional amendment to repeal the Legislature’s authority to limit marriage to opposite-sex couples. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Legalized gambling likely dead, recreational marijuana still alive. State House and Senate bills to allow a lottery, casino, online gambling and bets on fantasy sports never gained traction to make it to this week’s midpoint of the legislative session, while the effort to legalize adult recreational marijuana use survived in the Senate but, once again, faces an uncertain fate in the House. Star-Advertiser.

Key deadline at the state Legislature determines which measures move forward. Thursday is a major crossover deadline at the state Legislature to clarify which measures are moving ahead with a chance at becoming law. Hawaii Public Radio.

Green quantifies emergency funding request related to Maui fire disaster. Gov. Josh Green has told the Legislature he needs a $362 million emergency funding appropriation he believes is needed to pay Maui wildfire recovery costs through June 30. Star-Advertiser.

Building Code Groups Caution Hawaii Lawmakers Against ‘Deeply Abnormal Response To A Disaster’.  Developers are urging the Legislature to pass a bill this session that would slow down the pace of updating building codes in Hawaii to reduce costs and increase the number of homes that can be built. Civil Beat.

State Senate passes bill to decriminalize jaywalking. SB2630 allows pedestrians to cross streets if there’s no immediate danger of causing a crash.The bill also mandates fines of at least $100 for any driver caught speeding. Hawaii News Now.

Joe Biden easily wins Hawaii Democratic presidential caucuses. President Joe Biden handily won the Demo cratic Party of Hawaii’s caucus Wednesday night, but “uncommitted” equaled nearly 30% of the votes tallied. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Tourism holding back state’s growth. Visitor arrivals to Hawaii are not expected to fully recover until 2027, according to the latest economic forecast from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Ex-Public Safety training officer J. Marte Martinez gets probation for false transcripts. A Circuit Court judge Wednesday sentenced the former Department of Public Safety’s once top-ranking training officer to a year of probation and a suspended 30-day jail sentence to run concurrently for falsifying her academic transcripts. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

Oahu

Red Hill task force removes last ‘residual fuel’.  After months of work, on Wednesday the military task force charged with removing the fuel from the Navy’s underground Red Hill storage facility announced it had extracted the last of the “accessible residual fuel” from the facility. Star-Advertiser.

‘Forever Chemicals’ In Red Hill Groundwater Warrant More Investigation, Regulators Say. The problem goes beyond a high-profile spill of firefighting chemicals in 2022, officials said. Civil Beat.

City Council agrees to settlement for family of man fatally shot by police. The city council has approved a $525,000 settlement for the family of a 26-year-old man shot to death by police in Mililani in 2019. Hawaii News Now.

5 men sentenced for illegal fishing in protected area off Oahu's North Shore. On Wednesday, a judge sentenced five of nine men cited for illegal fishing in the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District last November. The DLNR says DJ Derno, Jason Sewell, Kerman Kaman, Anson Giden, and Jackson Nithan must complete 50 hours of community service and pay fines of up to $1,000 each. Hawaii News Now.

All Staff Attorneys At One Of Hawaii’s Largest Domestic Violence Organizations Have Quit. With no attorneys on staff, former employees say millions of dollars in grant funding awarded to the Domestic Violence Action Center for legal services could be at risk. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

‘It’s been like a shell game’: Ka‘u residents offer strong opposition to Punalu‘u Village project. The Windward Planning Commission today will discuss an application by developer Black Sand Beach LLC for a special management area permit that would allow it to build a roughly 225-unit “residential and commercial community” on a 147-acre parcel in Punalu‘u. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Hawai‘i County Council adopts funding measure for Puna Alternate Routes Study. The Hawai‘i County Council on Wednesday voted 8-0, with Kaʻū Councilwoman Michelle Galimba absent, to adopt Bill 131 by approving its second and final reading. The measure provides $2 million for the Hawai‘i County Department of Public Works to complete a Puna Alternate Routes Study. Big Island Now.

Changes In Store For Hawaiian Beaches Park. The Hawaiʻi County Council advanced a measure on Wednesday that will change the name of Kahakai Park in the Hawaiian Beaches subdivision to Waiakahiʻula, and some archaeological features found in the park will be preserved. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Federal Judge Hears Arguments Over Whether Lahaina Fire Cases Should Stay With Maui Courts. An army of lawyers converged on Honolulu’s federal court Wednesday to argue over a question that will have a major impact on lawsuits related to the Maui wildfires that destroyed much of Lahaina in August. Civil Beat. KHON2.  KITV4.

Maui County seeks to expedite permits for private developers. Maui County’s interim housing plan, which includes developments funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the state and the county, was announced Wednesday evening at the county’s weekly disaster recovery community update meeting at the Lahaina Civic Center. Star-Advertiser.

2 Temporary Group Housing Sites To Be Built In Lahaina For Maui Fire Survivors. The separate FEMA and state projects will be built on one undeveloped property that had been slated for decades as a residential development. Civil Beat.

Maui TANF fire relief expanded to individuals, households without children. Individuals and households impacted by the Maui wildfires—including those without dependent children—may be eligible for Maui Relief TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Program assistance with housing, car, utility, clothing and school supply payments in a major expansion of the program. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative to receive federal funding to expand solar energy production. Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative is among the first five cooperative utilities in the nation selected to move forward in the U.S. Department of Agriculture awards process for the Powering Affordable Clean Energy program. Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i to get millions in federal funding. Sen. Brian Schatz announced on Tuesday that he secured $394 million in new congressional directed spending, known commonly as earmarks, in the first half of this year’s government funding bill. Garden Island.

Green to meet with Biden next week on Maui recovery fund, El Nino drought to continue well into 2024, new landfills eyed for Oahu and Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

‘Recovery and humanitarian’ fund for Maui fire victims’ families planned.  Gov. Josh Green plans to announce details of a new “recovery and humanitarian fund” for families that lost loved ones or were injured in the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire.  Green plans to meet with President Joe Biden at the White House next week, along with meetings with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and HaCivil Beat.waii’s congressional delegation. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Biden: $3.5B to strengthen nation’s electric grid after Maui fires. The Biden administration on Wednesday announced $3.5 billion for 58 projects across the country to strengthen electric grid resilience as extreme weather events such as the deadly Maui and California wildfires continue to strain the nation’s aging transmission systems. Associated Press. Maui Now.

Hawaii drought to continue into 2024, NOAA says. Due to El Nino conditions, Hawaii’s current drought is expected to continue well into next year, and possibly even into the 2024 dry season, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Navy hospital ship stops on Oahu ahead of Pacific mission.  The U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy is in Hawaii this week as it prepares for a deployment to several Oceania islands as part of the Navy’s Pacific Partnership program. Star-Advertiser.

2 Different Nonprofits Are Paying This CEO Hefty Salaries. She Says She Works Full Time For Each One. Denise Yamaguchi's two nonprofits have also gotten more than $1 million in grants from the Legislature in recent years. Civil Beat.

Oahu

4 possible Oahu landfill sites under scrutiny, city official says.  Four alternate sites to replace the 34-year-old Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Kapolei could include federally owned properties in West Oahu and on the Windward side, a top city official says. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Arrests Of 4 Police Officers On Domestic Violence Charges Raise Concern. Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan called it an "anomaly" that four officers were arrested in a two-week period. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Honolulu bill offering tax incentives to build film studios is postponed. The Honolulu City Council on Tuesday put the brakes on a bill that would provide tax incentives for property owners who want to build film studio facilities on O'ahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Army combat exercise to temporary close Dillingham Airfield. Tropic Lightning Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division will participate in the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center drill, which includes blank ammunition and simulated explosions. Hawaii News Now.

Waikīkī Aquarium releases 150 tagged pāpio into the wild. The Waikīkī Aquarium is partnering with the Oceanic Institute of Hawai‘i Pacific University to release some fish. KHON2.

Health Department shuts down Meatheads food truck in Kakaako. The state Health Department today issued a red placard to the Meatheads food truck in Kakaako, shutting it down until water is available for employees to wash their hands. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Seismic activity increases at Kilauea; HVNP closes two trails. Continued unrest at Kilauea volcano has led Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to close more trails to the public. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.

UH Hilo set to lead $6.6 million National Native Language Resource Center. The U.S. Department of Education has granted $6.6 million to launch the National Native American Language Resource Center (N-NALRC), a consortium led by the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. KITV4.

Endless problem: Houseless evicted on private property on Ali‘i Drive donʻt move far. In late September, about 30 people at a houseless camp – some of whom have lived there for at least a year – were asked to vacate private land next to Coconut Grove Marketplace along Ali‘i Drive in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. Big Island Now.

Bill Prohibits Parking On Aliʻi Drive At Kahaluʻu Beach Park. A Hawaiʻi County Council committee on Tuesday advanced a bill dealing with parking issues along certain portions of Aliʻi Drive that front Kahaluʻu Beach Park.  Big Island Video News.

Maui

Nonprofit head: Maui trying to bury 2018 wildfire report that offers insight into government inaction. The head of the West Maui Improvement Foundation says Maui officials are trying to bury an after-action report that documents the county’s emergency response to another disastrous wildfire that swept through part of Lahaina back in 2018. Hawaii News Now.

New landfill to be built on Maui for debris from Lahaina’s burn zone. Federal and county officials have confirmed that a new landfill will be built on Maui, exclusively for debris from Lahaina’s burn zone. Hawaii News Now.

Council to consider real property tax exemption for Maui wildfire victims. Survivors who lost their homes in the fires won’t have to pay property taxes under a new bill before the Maui County Council. Bill 95 announced Wednesday that it provides exemptions for homeowners, short-term rental owners, and hotels that house people displaced by the disaster. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Bissen to host community budget meetings for Fiscal Year 2025. Mayor Richard Bissen and his administration will host community budget meetings throughout Maui County starting next week for residents to share their priorities and provide input on the budget for Fiscal Year 2025, which begins July 1, 2024. Maui Now.

Site aims to match residents with housing they can afford. Median market rents advertised for homes on Maui are around $700 to $1,500 higher per month than what families say they can actually afford. According to Maui Hale Match, the median market rent for a two-bedroom home is $3,495. Families looking to rent a place of this size say they can afford $2,400, which is a difference of $1,095. Maui News. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui United Way distributes $7M in $1,000 payments to 7,000+ fire survivors.  Maui United Way forged a rapid partnership with Honolulu-based Aloha United Way to construct a comprehensive process for reviewing intake forms for the program.  Maui Now.

King Kamehameha III and Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary reopen on shared campus. Lahaina’s two elementary schools reopened to hundreds of students today on a shared campus that faculty and staff from both schools have worked hard to make as inviting and familiar as possible for their communities impacted by the August wildfires. Maui Now. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

State energy office, KIUC receive federal support for innovative technology development projects. Two technology demonstration projects proposed by the Hawai‘i State Energy Office in partnership with Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative will receive more than $17.9 million in funding through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Program. Kauai Now.

Princeville library to receive a $7 million makeover. A yearlong renovation project at the Princeville Public Library will shutter the facility beginning Monday, Oct. 30. Garden Island.

Free, collapsible water jugs to be distributed. The County of Kaua‘i Department of Water will be distributing free collapsible water jugs along with other water conservation tools and prizes on Saturday during the weekly Grove Farm Market that starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Puhi open field. Garden Island.

Biden visits, offers support in wake of Lahaina fire, ACLU challenges Honolulu homeless sweeps, Hawaiian Homes report eyes geothermal on Mauna Kea, Kohala, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

President Biden offers message of support, hope after touring Lahaina. President Joe Biden described the devastation in Lahaina as “overwhelming” on Monday as he and First Lady Jill Biden toured the charred remains of the historic, seaside town, leveled in the worst U.S. wildfire in more than a century. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii Public Radio.  Associated Press.  Big Island Video News.  Maui News.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Video of Biden visit whitehouse.gov

For Gov. Green, a balancing act with no margin for error.  The  53-year-old governor, a Democrat less than a year into his first term, is confronting the horrific wildfires on Maui that have killed at least 114 people and perhaps many more. In a state where political decisions are often a balancing act among factions — from progressives to pro-development Democrats to powerful labor unions — some worry that the rush to rebuild will shred hard-won environmental and cultural protections. New York Times.

Lawsuit seeks to upend reassignment of water deputy.  A lawsuit filed Monday seeks to overturn the reassignment of state Water Commission Deputy Director M. Kaleo Manuel, who was given a new job after he apparently delayed permission to allow stream water to be made available for water control during the Lahaina wildfire. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Gov. Green encourage travel to parts of Maui not impacted by wildfires. While travel to West Maui continues to be discouraged following a deadly wildfire that decimated Lahaina’s historic Front Street, government officials emphasized the importance to visit other parts of Maui and neighboring Hawaiian Islands. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Legal experts refute rumors about FEMA aid and eminent domain.  Posts and comments circulating on social media claim that signing up for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency can give the government control of your land through eminent domain. FEMA’s powers are laid out in the Stafford Act — and eminent domain is not among them. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Hawaii ACLU files motion to stop Honolulu homeless sweeps. Honolulu’s use of homeless sweeps constitutes cruel or unusual punishment under Hawaii’s constitution and should therefore cease immediately via a court order, according to an ACLU legal motion filed Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu District Court reopens after construction mishap. Honolulu District Courthouse will reopen today after a structural assessment found its parking garage, damaged the night of Aug. 15 by a contractor, and the courthouse are safe for occupancy. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiian Homes Report Eyes Geothermal On Maunakea, Kohala. Potential geothermal resources near Maunakea and Kohala mountains on Hawaiʻi island have the “highest probability of viable electricity generation” according to a new report provided to the Hawaiian Homes Commission. Big Island Video News.

‘Third try’ at starting master plan for Pahoa.  A survey has been sent in the mail and online to Pahoa property owners to help determine the future of the historic village. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor to host seventh town hall on Thursday. The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 pm. Thursday at the Cooper Center in Volcano Village. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui death toll at 115; search moves to multi-story structures. Maui County officials said that 100% of burned single-story residences have been searched for Lahaina wildfire victims, and now search crews and their cadaver-detecting dogs will concentrate on multi-story properties. Star-Advertiser.

Toxic Debris From The Lahaina Fire Will Be Shipped To The Mainland. The contaminated waste includes a unique Hawaii building material made of sugarcane fiber and termite poison. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii News Now.

Details are still not available on people missing in Lahaina. Two weeks after a wildfire killed at least 115 people and destroyed Lahaina, no official list of the names and number of people missing is publicly available. Star-Advertiser.

New Prefab Homes Are Arriving On Maui. A local group has transported 60 fold-up structures to use as temporary homes. Civil Beat.

Your 2023 Maui County Council Guide: Everything You Need To Know. Here's how you can make your voice heard in local government by attending a council meeting or submitting testimony. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Community Health Alliance closing clinic. The head of the Kaua‘i Community Health Alliance (KCHA) has announced the North Shore medical provider will permanently close its doors in the coming weeks due to circumstances, including low insurance reimbursement rates and labor shortages. Garden Island.

County and federal agencies partner for Kekaha Road Brownfields Study. County and federal agencies are partnering to revitalize brownfields along the Kekaha Road corridor, between Amakihi Road and Pueo Road, as a means to improve the quality of life for Kekaha residents. Kauai Now.

Water use plan update meetings set. The public is invited to attend the county Department of Water’s (DOW) second round of meetings for the Kaua‘i Water Use and Development Plan (KWUDP) update being held at various locations island wide, now through Aug. 31. Garden Island.

Biden to tour Lahaina today, 114 confirmed dead, 850 missing, Maui County Council to begin rebuilding plan Tuesday, Legislature may hold special session on fires, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

President Biden and first lady to tour Lahaina disaster zone.  President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive today on a grief-stricken Maui, where the number of wildfire deaths is expected to rise considerably above the 114 being reported and loved ones need answers about the fate of an estimated 1,000 still missing. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  Spectrum News.

Schatz: Biden Visit To Lahaina ‘Forces Action’. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said the priority ahead will be making sure that Lahaina and Hawaii are not forgotten when the world's attention moves on. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

In online address, Hawaiʻi governor vows ‘Lāhainā will rise again’. Hawaiʻi Governor, First Lady Address Maui Wildfire Response. Governor Josh Green, M.D., and First Lady Jaime Kanani Green gave an update on the coordinated response to the Maui wildfires during a live broadcast on Friday. Big Island Video News. Kauai Now.  KITV4.

Hawaii Legislature May Hold Special Session On Maui Fires. For now, House and Senate leaders say it's premature to schedule one. But the disaster may well warrant convening to pass spending and statutory measures. Civil Beat.

Maui mayor: New FBI-vetted list puts number of missing in Lahaina at 850. Teams armed with cadaver dogs have searched about 85% of the town. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources names interim water deputy. Dean Uyeno, a 25-year-long staffer with the Commission on Water Resource Management, has been assigned on a temporary basis as the interim Water Deputy with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources. Maui Now.

Maui Mayor: Replacing Emergency Management Chief Will Take Time. Pending a search for a permanent replacement, the No. 2 official at the agency is in charge. Civil Beat.

State Told Maui Emergency Office It Should Consider Sounding Sirens Before Fire Spread. Before a fire swept through Lahaina, killing at least 114 people, Hawaii state emergency management personnel sent a “reminder” to their counterparts at the Maui Emergency Management Agency that the island’s all-hazard siren system “could be used” if needed. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Maui fire will reshape Hawaiian Electric. Hawaiian Electric — and the state’s power utility sector in general — may be in store for reconstruction in the aftermath of the massive disaster as state leaders, regulators and litigators push for change and accountability. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric ends week at 58% plummet. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. shares notch the worst weekly drop in at least four decades on concern it may be responsible for the fires that ravaged the island of Maui, with Wells Fargo’s analyst warning the possible liabilities could be large enough to wipe out the value of its utility arm. Star-Advertiser.

Job losses mount in Maui, but anti-tourism could block recovery. Since the wildfires, Maui is experiencing a sharp rise in initial unemployment claims, which hit 6,663 from Aug. 9-17, according to state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations spokesperson William Kunstman. Star-Advertiser.

Senior Managers At Hawaii State Hospital Fired In Major Shake-Up. Three top managers at the Hawaii State Hospital are being terminated from their jobs and were abruptly escorted off the hospital campus Thursday morning in a move to “restructure” the facility’s management team. Dr. Bimmie Strausser, HSH associate administrator, was escorted off the property by staff from the state Attorney General’s office along with Director of Nursing Lani Tsuneishi and HSH Operations Administrator Anthony Fraiola, according to staff at the facility. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Charter amendments would address raises for elected officials. A Honolulu City Council member who recently received a 64% pay raise says key amendments need to be made to the city’s constitution to ensure future pay hikes for top elected and appointed officials cannot be rejected by an overwhelming vote of the Council or the mayor. Star-Advertiser.

Bill to ban flavored tobacco products advances.  The Honolulu City Council voted unanimously Aug. 9 to advance Bill 46 that intends to ban flavored tobacco products — including electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices — which contain “a characterizing flavor or that imparts a cooling or numbing sensation during consumption of a tobacco product,” the bill reads. Star-Advertiser.

HART still waiting for $125 million. After more than a decade, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation waits for the final portion of a $1.55-billion funding agreement that since 2014 has been held up at the federal level due to years of cost overruns and delays to the build out of the city’s rail line. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hirono, Tokuda visit Food Basket ag campus, stress need for sustainable food. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda visited Hilo for a ceremony celebrating the Hawaii Island Food Basket’s new agricultural campus. Tribune-Herald.

Puna police officer arrested on suspicion of burglary, assault. A 31-year-old Puna patrol officer suspected of illegally entering a Ka‘u home early Tuesday morning and assaulting a 20-year-old man remained in custody late Friday afternoon as police detectives investigated the case. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Uncle Billy’s demolition slated for early next year; officials unsure about future of property. The 148-room hotel closed in 2017 and has been a blight on the Waiakea Peninsula ever since, becoming the site of squatters, drug use, vandalism, fires and other crimes. Tribune-Herald.

‘Bruddah Waltah’ Aipolani dies at 68; ‘Father of Hawaiian Reggae’ suffered from liver cancer. Singer-guitarist Walter Aipolani, better known as Bruddah Waltah, died Thursday after a long battle with liver cancer. He was 68. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Make Your Voice Heard At This Week's Maui County Council Session. The council has scheduled a meeting Tuesday that offers the public a chance to get involved in the daunting task of planning for the future. Civil Beat. Maui News.

Lahaina’s Large Immigrant Community Is Facing A Unique Struggle In The Fire’s Aftermath. Losing important documents is a real problem while fear and mistrust of government agencies has inhibited some from seeking aid, experts say. Civil Beat.

What Saved The ‘Miracle House’ In Lahaina? The historic structure on Front Street is the last house standing in a neighborhood reduced to rubble. Michael Wara, the director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at the Stanford Wood Institute for the Environment, said it was likely the Millikins’ decision to dig out the existing landscaping directly surrounding the house and replace it with river stones that made the biggest difference.  Civil Beat.

Kauai

Outrigger Resorts & Hotels to acquire Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa. The transaction to purchase the 25-acre beachfront property with 350 guest rooms is expected to close on Aug. 22, 2023.  Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi vacation rental occupancy for May down 14% from a year ago. The occupancy for Kauaʻi vacation rentals in May was 51.7%, which is down 1.1% from a year ago and 28.2% lower than May 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Kauai Now.

Biden to tour Lahaina devastation next week, federal team deployed in recovery efforts, tropical storm threat diminishes, Hawaiian Electric stock takes another hit, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

President Biden, First Lady coming to Maui on Aug. 21 to meet survivors, first responders, officials of deadly wildfires.  On Maui, the Bidens will be welcomed by state and local leaders to see firsthand the impacts of the wildfires and the devastating loss of life and land that has occurred on the island, as well as discuss the next steps in the recovery effort.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Federal team deployed to Maui to assist with mortuary operations, victim identification. One week after a wall of flames turned Lahaina town to ash, Maui County is faced with a daunting task: Finding and identifying every person who died. Hawaii News Now.

Maui County releases identities of 2 victims; raises death toll to 106. The Lahaina fire initially reported on Aug. 8 is now 85% contained and burned 2,170 acres. Multiple fire crews are assigned to monitor and address any flare ups. There are no active threats at this time. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

No danger anticipated from approaching tropical storms. Just a week after Hurricane Dora contributed to the wildfires that caused death and destruction in West Maui and some property damage in West Hawaii, there are two more tropical cyclones lurking in the Pacific. Tribune-Herald.

HTA to seek tourism emergency declaration. The Hawaii Tourism Authority is requesting that the governor declare a tourism emergency in the wake of devastating wildfires in Maui and Hawaii counties, and if approved it would be the first such declaration and allow the agency to tap into a $5 million special fund. Star-Advertiser.

The Lahaina Fire Could Prompt The State To Change How It Manages Water On Maui. A dispute over whether DLNR balked at releasing water to land owners played out in an exchange of angry letters in the days after the fire. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

FBI warns about recovery, charity wildfire scams in Lahaina. A proliferation of bad actors attempting to take advantage of Maui wildfire victims prompted federal authorities to warn of a surge in fraudulent activities on the island. Garden Island.

Videos call out downed power lines as possible cause of Maui wildfires.  Footage has emerged as key evidence pointing to fallen utility lines as the possible cause. Hawaiian Electric Co. faces criticism for not shutting off the power amid high wind warnings and keeping it on even as dozens of poles began to topple. Associated Press

Hawaiian Electric shares drop another 31% as liability concerns mount. Hawaiian Electric Industries, which supplies roughly 95% of the state’s residents with power, traces its roots back to 1891, just a decade after King Kalakaua met Thomas Edison to see the incandescent light bulb. Now, the utility is facing what’s shaping up to be the biggest-ever test over its future. Bloomberg.

Was Maui’s Emergency Operations Chief In Over His Head? Herman Andaya lacked formal experience in emergency response but beat out 40 other applicants for the job and says he was prepared. Civil Beat.

Health care workers, hospitals mobilize on Maui to help. It’s all hands on deck for Hawaii’s health care workers, who have mobilized in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

Mobile morgue arrives on Maui to assist in identifying victims. As teams of cadaver dogs continue their painstaking search for human remains among the ashes and debris from last week’s Lahaina wildlife, a contingent of federal mortuary experts has been deployed to Maui along with a mobile morgue that arrived Tuesday to assist in the equally meticulous task of processing the dead to identify those who perished. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. launches housing program for wildfire-displaced Maui residents. Thus far, the state has placed 220 families in temporary long-term housing. KHON2.

How to assist victims of Maui’s deadly wildfires. The outpouring of support in the wake of deadly wildfires on Maui has been nearly universal, with many people seeking opportunities to either make donations or volunteer. State and local officials are recommending cash donations to reputable nonprofit organizations active in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

UH’s innovative new dorm nurtures fledgling entrepreneurs.  As the Honolulu Star-­Advertiser on Tuesday was the first news outlet to view the interior and operations of the six-story, $100 million complex at University Avenue and Metcalf Street, RISE was vibrating with activity.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council asks state to intervene in insurance crisis. County Council members and Puna residents alike are urging action by the state to stave off a burgeoning insurance crisis that threatens to drastically increase policyholders’ premiums. Tribune-Herald.

Councilman postpones measure allowing county to maintain eligible private roads. At a Tuesday meeting of the council’s Policy Committee on Health, Safety and Well-being, Puna Councilman Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder proposed a measure that would allow the county to perform maintenance on certain qualifying “private, nondedicated and nonsurrendered roads” in order to ensure continued access to parts of the island in the event of an emergency. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Gov. Green signs order providing access to Lahaina via Māʻalaea during specific hours. On Wednesday, the road will open to all motorists daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Access from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. will be limited once again to residents, first responders, and employees of West Maui. Maui Now.

UH Maui College to delay fall term due to wildfire disaster. The start of the fall semester at University of Hawaii Maui College will be pushed back a week because of the devastating effects of the West Maui wildfires, officials announced Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

3 closed Maui schools deemed in ‘good condition,’ await safety testing. Structures at three closed Lahaina-area schools visited today by state officials were found to be in “good condition,” and safety testing of air and water will help determine reopening dates, the state Department of Education has announced. Star-Advertiser.

Search for Lahaina victims ‘a race against time,’ governor says. Seven more victims were discovered a week after wind-whipped, chaotic wildfires wiped out the town of Lahaina — raising the death toll to 106 on Tuesday.  Star-Advertiser.

As Maui rescue continues, families and faith leaders cling to hope but tackle reality of loss.  For scores of families in Hawaii still hoping to reunite with loved ones, it was not yet time to give up — even as the staggering death toll continued to grow, and even as authorities predicted that more remains would be found within the ashes left behind by a wildfire that gutted the once-bustling town of Lahaina. Associated Press.

Families Of Missing Lahaina Senior Home Residents Face Agonizing Search. Loved ones are frantically looking for residents of Hale Mahaolu Eono who remain unaccounted for. Civil Beat.

Kauai

State levies penalty against ShredCo of Kaua‘i for alleged air permit violations. The violations, which are related to a failure to submit several reports in 2021 and 2022 and pay an annual permit fee of $500 in 2022, were documented and confirmed as a result of record reviews conducted by the Clean Air Branch. Garden Island.

State and federal officials tour Lahaina as death toll rises to 55, more than 1,000 unaccounted for, wildfire took local emergency leaders by surprise, emergency proclamation bans price gouging, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Death toll from Lahaina wildfire rises to 55; governor says town is ‘gone’.  Maui County confirmed two additional fatalities from the catastrophic Lahaina wildfire on Thursday night, bringing the death toll to 55. Also on Thursday, Gov. Josh Green toured the devastation in the historic town. Speaking to reporters, he said Lahaina was “gone” and estimated over 1,000 buildings had been destroyed. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Maui’s Top Emergency Officials Were Off Island As Wildfires Hit Lahaina. Local leaders say they were caught by surprise because the scale of Tuesday's fire was unprecedented. But the warning has been sounded for years. Civil Beat. Associated Press.

Maui Crews Search For Survivors Of ‘Likely The Largest Natural Disaster’ In Hawaii. Officials estimated that some 1,000 were unaccounted for, 1,700 buildings burned and 2,000 people were in shelters as the Lahaina wildfire continued to burn. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii Public Radio.  Associated Press.  Maui Now.

Biden declares federal disaster on Maui, Hawai‘i Island. President Joe Biden approved on Thursday morning Governor Josh Green’s request for a federal disaster declaration in Hawai‘i, ordering federal aid to assist recovery efforts on Maui and opening funds to individuals affected by the recent wildfires that have killed at least 53 people. Garden Island.

Gov. Josh Green issues fourth Emergency Proclamation relating to wildfires. Shortly after arriving back in the state, Governor Josh Green issued a fourth emergency proclamation relating to the ongoing emergency due to the wildfire disasters in Maui and Hawaiʻi counties. Big Island Now.

As scope of Maui disaster widens, state puts new rules in place to prevent price gouging. A price freeze has been enacted by Hawaii’s Office of Consumer Protection to prevent prices of necessities from skyrocketing as a result of the deadly wildfires. The state said merchants must sell items at “pre-emergency prices” through Aug. 31. Hawaii News Now.

Flash drought, invasive grasses, winds, hurricane and climate change fuel Maui’s devastating fires. Hawaii went from lush to bone dry and thus more fire-prone in a matter of just a few weeks — a key factor in a dangerous mix of conditions appear to have combined to make the wildfires blazing a path of destruction in Hawaii particularly damaging. Associated Press.

Why Hawai‘i’s Wildfires Are Growing Bigger and More Intense. The unfolding disaster on Maui is a sign of things to come as invasive grasses spread across the landscape and extreme rain-drought cycles intensify their fuel loads. Here's the science behind Hawai‘i’s wildfires, and the experts who are fighting to stop them. Hawaii Business magazine.

Help Maui Fire Victims: Here’s How You Can Donate. Thousands sought shelter in evacuation centers after at least 271 buildings burned, leveling much of Lahaina town. Here's how you can help. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.  West Hawaii Today.  Hawaii News Now.

DOH says Hawaii has experienced steady uptick in COVID-19 cases. The health department in a news release Thursday said COVID-19 cases have grown since June of this year, and on Oahu and on Maui County hospital admission levels increased from the “low” to “medium” level. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Oahu

City’s Bonds Sale To Fund Rail, City Improvements. The City and County of Honolulu has sold $271 million worth of general obligation bonds to help fund the rail project and other city improvements.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Maunakea observatories’ decommissioning is imminent.  During a Thursday meeting of the Board of the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, Greg Chun, director of the University of Hawaii’s Center for Maunakea Stewardship, said work to remove the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory will begin within a few weeks, and the dismantling of the University of Hawaii’s teaching observatory Hoku Kea will begin in a few months. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Rebuilding Lahaina Will Be A Huge And Costly Undertaking. Gov. Josh Green says he is considering calling a special legislative session to help get money out to the Maui community. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Loss of cultural landmarks in Lahaina deeply affects community, Hawaiʻi historians. Lahaina became the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom in the early 1800s. Hawaii Public Radio.

DOE: 4 West Maui public schools to remain closed for at least another week. The state Education Department announced that four West Maui public schools will remain closed for at least another week. Hawaii News Now.

Power outage shutters hotels outside Lahaina. Almost half the hotel rooms on Maui are shut down for at least two weeks because of power outages related to wildfires that destroyed two Lahaina hotels, razed a historic commercial power center and continue to take a staggering human toll. Star-Advertiser.

County of Maui to air daily public updates on Maui radio stations.  Starting Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, radio stations on Maui will air County of Maui updates on the Lahaina wildfire incident at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. Maui Now.

Miscommunication led to nosedive on Maui flight.  The National Transportation Safety Board found that miscommunication between United Airlines Flight 1722’s captain and copilot precipitated the aircraft’s plunge of 1,352 feet just one minute after departure from Kahului Airport on its way to San Francisco in 2022. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kaua‘i officials react to Hawai‘i wildfires. County of Kaua‘i officials reacted to the large wildfires that tore through Maui and Hawaii Island on Wednesday, with the chief of the Kaua‘i Fire Department asking the public to remain vigilant to help avoid a similar situation on the island. Garden Island.

36 confirmed dead, hundreds of buildings destroyed as wildfire levels historic Lahaina, Maui; tourists and residents evacuated, Red Cross seeks volunteers, Biden, Green begin recovery plans, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Fast-moving blaze in Lahaina kills 36 and leaves devastation in its wake.  Officials fear the death toll and casualties will rise, but preliminary reports were that the fire that tore through Maui claimed at least 36 lives, wounded nearly 30, forced some at Lahaina Harbor into the ocean to escape flames, and destroyed or damaged at least 271 structures on the Valley Isle. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Maui News.  Maui Now.  Associated Press.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Deadly Wildfires Caught Hawaii By Surprise. Hawaii was unprepared for the wildfires that devastated Lahaina on Maui and other parts of that island and the Big Island, fires that appear to have been caused in part by a high winds from a passing hurricane. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Biden pledges ‘all available federal assets’ for response to wildfires.  President Joe Biden said Wednesday he has ordered “all available federal assets on the islands to help with response” to the devastating wildfires on Maui and the Big Island. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Josh Green cuts travel short to return to Hawaii.  Green is responding to the wildfire emergency affecting the people of Maui and Hawai‘i Counties by returning home to the islands immediately. Press Release.

Hawaiian Air adds flights, offers $19 fares as visitor evacuations from Maui continue. Officials are scrambling to evacuate thousands of visitors from Maui as crews continue to battle devastating wildfires burning across the island. Hawaii News Now.

Disaster could be lasting setback for economy.  The wildfires on Maui are likely to have a major impact on the tourism industry — the state’s primary economic engine — with the Valley Isle as a huge draw for Hawaii’s core U.S. visitor market. Star-Advertiser.

Lahaina’s historic and cultural treasures go up in smoke.  The area in and around Front Street — designated a National Historic Landmark since 1962 — was leveled by the massive overnight blaze, and so were its historic buildings, landmarks and sites. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Red Cross seeks hundreds of volunteers to assist with Maui disaster response.  The American Red Cross of Hawaii is calling on hundreds of volunteers to help staff its shelters and assist with response efforts to the wildfire disaster on Maui. Hawaii News Now.

People quickly, generously share the aloha spirit. In a span of just four hours Wednesday, the Maui Strong Fund at the Hawai‘i Community Foundation swelled to $1 million, buoyed by people and organizations rushing to help residents affected by the Maui wildfires. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Proposed Ala Moana luxury condo approved. The Honolulu City Council gave final approval Wednesday to a planned condominium tower near Ala Moana Center with a condition that new affordable rental apartments be provided nearby for twice as long as typically required. Star-Advertiser.

Testimony heard for extension to find new site for Kapolei Landfill. The city’s request for a two-year extension to locate a replacement site for the 34-year-old Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Kapolei drew opponents as well as supporters to a hearing over those future plans. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Payment to HCC hackers was first for state.  The decision by the University of Hawaii to pay the hackers responsible for a ransomware attack on Hawaii Community College was the first such payment in state history, according to the governor’s office. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island firefighters get upper hand on West Hawaii blazes. As of press time Wednesday, the fire that caused evacuations from Kohala Ranch, Kohala by the Sea, Kohala Estates, Kohala Waterfront and the North and South Fairways at Mauna Kea Beach Resort were still being quenched by fire personnel. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaiʻi Fire Update: Evacuation Orders Lifted, Roads Open. Akoni Pule Highway, Highway 270 in Kohala, and Mauna Kea Beach Drive are now open, officials reported early Wednesday evening. Big Island Video News.

Attorney De Lima’s estate sued by former client accused of murder. A murder defendant is suing the estate of Brian De Lima, claiming the late Hilo attorney used his position to steal money from the defendant’s bank account and from a trust set up for him. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Tokuda to hold town hall on Maui. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda will hold her second Maui community town hall at 3 p.m. Aug. 19 in Kihei.  Maui News

Housing working group to meet. Chief Housing Officer Nani Medeiros and members of the Build Beyond Barriers Working Group will hold a kick-off meeting from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday.  Maui News.

Kauai

Keeping Kaua‘i fire-free — wildfire expert urges residents take fire precautions. As the deadliest wildfires in Hawai‘i’s recorded history ravage Maui and Hawai‘i Island, the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO) is urging Kaua‘i residents to prepare now to protect the Garden Island from the threat of inferno. Garden Island.

Department of Health cancels Po‘ipū bacteria count warning. The Hawai‘i State Department of Health has canceled the notification for Poipu Beach Pavilion on Kaua‘i. Water sample retesting results show that enterococci levels no longer exceed the threshold level. Kauai Now.

Federal money flows to Hawaii, lawsuit filed against state gun law, Honolulu seeks extra time to find new landfill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Feds Inject Another $50 Million Into Hawaii For Infrastructure Improvements. The new grant money will help build a pedestrian bridge over the Ala Wai Canal and make road improvements on Maui. Civil Beat.

Biden administration commits $16M to Hawaiian bird conservation efforts. The Biden-Harris Administration will dedicate $16 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act as part of an initiative to save Native Hawaiian birds from extinction, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.  Civil Beat.  Big Island Now.

Lawsuit filed against against Hawaii’s “sensitive places” gun law. The first legal challenge to Hawaii’s new concealed carry gun ban is set to be heard Wednesday in federal court. Hawaii News Now.

Groups demand government travel ban to nearly half of country over healthcare access.  At the close of Pride Month, eleven organizations are taking a stand. They have co-signed a letter asking the Governor, four county mayors, the University of Hawaii’s president, and the Department of Education superintendent for government travel bans to 20 states they say have blocked access to health care including abortion and gender-affirming care. Hawaii News Now. Big Island Now.

Hawaii’s Population Is Aging Fast. The Impacts Will Be Significant. Hawaii is in the midst of a major demographic shift that will transform island society in the coming decades, as the rest of the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

City braces for complaints over lack of key amenities, like bathrooms, at Honolulu rail stations.  While excitement seems to be growing for the official opening of the first half of the Honolulu rail system, the city is preparing for complaints that rail stations are lacking key amenities. Hawaii News Now.

Planning panel to consider 2-year Waimanalo landfill extension. The Honolulu Planning Commission today is expected to review the city’s request for a two-year extension to find a replacement site for the controversial, decades-old Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Kapolei. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu liquor enforcement a mess, report finds. Low morale and a reportedly understaffed enforcement arm of the Honolulu Liquor Commission has led to “inconsistent and inefficient enforcement patterns” on Oahu, according to an internal review released Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

City to receive $20M to buy new all-electric buses, expand charging capacity. Currently, the city has 17 all-electric buses, and with the grant, they are hoping to acquire an additional seven. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Major upgrades coming to 'Iolani Palace part of Biden's 'Investing In America' plan. Renovations to 'Iolani Palace's roof will receive upgrades all while maintaining its historical appearance.  This is made possible through a nearly $500,000 Save America's Treasures Grant. KITV4.

HPD investigates circumstances of officer-involved shooting in Pearl City.  The Honolulu Police Department said the incident started off as a burglary call with a woman saying her ex-boyfriend was in her home armed with knives.  KHON2. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mokulele Airlines suspending daily flights between Hilo and Kahului. Mokulele Airlines suspending daily flights between Hilo and Kahului.  Beginning in August, Mokulele Airlines will suspend its daily flights between Hilo and Kahului in order to provide additional flights to other Neighbor Islands. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.  West Hawaii Today.

Big Island vacation rental occupancy for May down 14% from a year ago. The occupancy for Big Island vacation rentals in May was 43.5%, which is down 14.2% from a year ago and 27.8% lower than May 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Big Island Now.

‘Nuclear option’ eyed for Uncle Billy’s hotel.  East Hawaii lawmakers favor the use of an emergency proclamation to expedite demolition of the former Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Proposal for Maui's first protected fishing area advances with BLNR approval. The Board of Land and Natural Resources unanimously voted to advance plans for such an area in Kīpahulu. It would give the remote community a greater say in the management of their fisheries. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Homes Commission Chooses Water Policy Expert As First Rep On East Maui Water Board. Monday's vote marks one of the last steps in setting up the 11-member board that will help shape East Maui's water future. Civil Beat.

Hale Pono Youth Shelter set to open in July. The two-story, 7,100-square-foot Hale Pono Youth Shelter is nearly complete and almost ready to offer Maui teens much-needed tools and resources to cope with emotional or behavioral problems, truancy, domestic violence, trauma or other challenges. Maui News.

Dredging at Kaunakakai Harbor anticipated to clean up 50 years worth of mud. The island of Molokai depends on twice-weekly barge deliveries for food, gas and other essentials, which would not be able to dock if dredging is not done.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Lānaʻi becomes the first island to be fully fiber-enabled by Hawaiian Telcom. Hawaiian Telcom has completed its fiber expansion throughout the island of Lāna‘i, marking another step towards closing the state’s digital divide. Lāna‘i residents and businesses island-wide now have access to Hawaiian Telcom’s high-speed internet Fioptics. Maui Now.

Kauai

Temporary locations for Building and Engineering divisions, Parks Permitting Office open to the public. County officials announce that temporary locations for the Department of Public Works Building and Engineering Divisions and the Department of Parks and Recreation Permitting Office are now available to the public at the Līhu‘e Civic Center. Kauai Now.

Green plans to veto commerical use boating permits bill.  Gov. Josh Green announced he plans on vetoing a bill aimed at reducing the number of commercial use boating permits, something several Kaua‘i tour operators said would shut down their businesses if signed into law. Garden Island.