Hotel occupancy grows, vacation rentals drop in November, Maui man admits buying 9-year-old girl, Mauna Kea summit road opens, Christmas Day storms wreak havoc on Oahu, Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Condos along the Ala Wai ©2019 All Hawaii News

Vacation rentals throughout the state see a dip in occupancy. Supply and demand for vacation rental units throughout the state were up year-over-year in November, but occupancy was down, according to the latest data from Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

Hawai‘i hotels statewide reported growth last month compared to November 2018. According to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Hawai‘i hotel room revenues statewide grew by 7.6% to $330.3 million, which is $23.2 million higher than last year. Big Island Now.

Recent deaths spur review of military base security. The Navy and Marine Corps are conducting a broad review of security measures in the face of insider threats, following three violent incidents at Navy bases since Thanksgiving, including the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard fatal shootings on Dec. 4. Star-Advertiser.

How A Nuclear Waste Site 2,800 Miles Away Became A Hawaii Priority. The Runit Dome in the Marshall Islands is cracked and in danger of spilling its radioactive contents into the Pacific Ocean. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City report claims housing shortage will end in 2028, but experts are skeptical. The report by the Department of Planning and Permitting said that population growth over the next several years will slow down while the inventory of known housing projects will grow significantly. Hawaii News Now.

Restored Wo Fat Building expected to breathe new life into Chinatown. Owners of the iconic Wo Fat Building are hoping that restoration of the 86-year-old landmark will serve as a catalyst for a badly needed makeover for the rest of Chinatown. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Prosecutors Keep Up Quest For Third Trial Against Christopher Deedy. The federal agent’s attorneys have argued another trial for manslaughter would violate the double jeopardy clause of the U.S. Constitution. Associated Press.

Rain and wind wreak havoc across Oahu, knocking out power to thousands and causing a mudslide. Oahu received slate-gray skies, steady rain and wind gusts for Christmas that knocked out power to more than 18,000 people, downed trees, power lines and closed the Pali Highway — again — as the result of a mudslide. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu’s NYE fireworks displays, rules and safety tips from HFD. The Honolulu Fire Department is reminding the public that the City and County of Honolulu’s fireworks ordinance allows the public to purchase and use firecrackers only. All other fireworks are illegal for consumer use on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Increased police presence on Daniel K. Inouye Highway put department $3M over budget. The county is a little less than halfway through fiscal year 2019-2020, but five months of increased police presence on Daniel K. Inouye Highway near Maunakea Access Road has put the Hawaii Police Department over budget, a high-ranking police official told the Hawaii County Police Commission on Friday during the panel’s monthly meeting in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Both sides downplay likelihood of confrontation on Maunakea Access Road. County officials and protesters alike seem skeptical that a confrontation will occur at Maunakea Access Road on Thursday, but both sides remain cautious. Tribune-Herald.

Mauna Kea Summit Road Open Ahead Of Potential Sweep. The Mauna Kea Access Road on Hawaii Island is once again open to the public, but the situation on the mountain remains uncertain. Hawaii Public Radio.

PGV reconstruction efforts on schedule to be finished by end of 2019. Puna Geothermal Venture is expecting to return to operation by the end of this year and hopes to sell electricity in early 2020. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A Maui man accused of “buying” a 9-year-old Thai girl and then sexually assaulting her when she was 14 will likely serve five years behind bars under a plea deal. In court papers, 76-year-old George Theros admitted that he had sex with the girl earlier this year while he was trying to smuggle her on a boat from Panama to Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Storm rattles island. The storm that hit Kauai the night before Christmas knocked out power, closed bridges and roads, led to requests for water conservation and a brown water advisory, and people were urged to stay out of the ocean. Garden Island.

Historic theater and bridge damaged by flooding on Kauai. A flash flood warning for Kauai has expired following a morning of extremely heavy rain. Hawaii News Now.

Big boost for Hawaii cattle industry, Honolulu council mandates union labor, Hawaiian Airlines employees mull strike, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Cattle in Hawaii ©2019 All Hawaii News

Idaho CEO gives ranchers $1.5 million in “game-changing” move for Hawaii’s cattle industry. An Idaho CEO not only bought the entire O'ahu operation, but paid $1.5 million to the ranchers and several others who were owed money. KITV.

IRS Extends Relief for HI Farmers, Ranchers. The Internal Revenue Service has extended tax relief for Hawai‘i farmers and ranchers who were forced to sell livestock due to drought, flooding or other severe weather in recent years. Big Island Now.

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Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants picket in advance of a strike vote. Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants held a major labor demonstration Wednesday at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in advance of the first strike vote that the company’s flight attendants have taken in the carrier’s 90-year history. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants picket ahead of strike vote. Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants picketed at Honolulu’s airport Wednesday as they prepare for a strike vote next month. Hawaii News Now.

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Number of electric vehicles in state tops 10,000. The latest energy trend report shows Hawaii surpassed a milestone by logging its 10,000th registered electric vehicle some time last month — bringing the state a step closer to its goal of 100% renewables by 2045. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii now has over 10K electric vehicles on the road. According to a new report released by the State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Hawai'i now has more than 10,000 electric vehicles on the road. KITV.

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Safety is top goal of makeover at state hospital. Nurse manager Robert Burns navigates his way through the pale hallways of the Hawaii State Hospital in Kaneohe with a partially blinded left eye from being injured twice in the same area during assaults while working with psychiatric patients. Star-Advertiser.

Rep. Gabbard Plays Up Military Service But Says Little About It. The Hawaii congresswoman says her experience helps qualifies her for the White House, but she has dodged repeated requests for details. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Council Approves Labor-Related Agreement Measure. Honolulu councilmembers passed a measure Wednesday that opponents say favors labor unions and that supporters argue will guarantee jobs for local workers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council OKs bill mandating union labor for city projects valued at least $2M. A bill requiring the city to hire unionized workers for major construction jobs valued at least $2 million won a 7-2 approval from the Honolulu City Council Wednesday despite lingering concerns from contractor groups. Star-Advertiser.

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Bus ridership plummets, putting rail forecast in limbo. Honolulu’s rail system begins partial operation next year, with most of its riders expected to get to stations by bus. But a longtime decline in bus ridership had its worst drop ever this year. KHON2.

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Kealohas waive right to jury trial and continue negotiations. A federal judge on Wednesday granted Louis and Katherine Kea­loha’s request to waive their right to a jury trial on bank fraud charges as settlement negotiations continue in the corruption case. Star-Advertiser.

Judge Will Decide Kealohas’ Fate In Bank Fraud Trial. A federal judge approved the law enforcement couple’s waiver of a jury trial. Civil Beat.

Judge agrees to waive jury for the Kealohas’ bank fraud trial. A judge agreed to hold the bank fraud trial for the Kealohas without a jury. KHON2.

Federal judge, not a jury will decide whether or not Kealohas are guilty of financial crimes. Louis and Katherine Kealoha are accused of stealing from the trust funds of children Katherine had guardianship over. Katherine also faces identity theft and obstruction charges. KITV.

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Burial council finds ‘no cause for alarm’ on controversial Sherwoods project.  After a presentation by city project managers and contracted archaeologists on the controversial Sherwoods park development, the Oahu Island Burial Council advocated for updated testing and study of the area, but took no formal position on the project despite public pressure to take a stand against it. Hawaii News Now.

Burial Council accepts finding of no ancestral remains at Sherwood. The Oahu Island Burial Council said Wednesday it has found no reason to suspect any human burials exist at the site of a controversial construction project in Waimanalo. Star-Advertiser.

Crews repair 2 vandalized gravestones at Hawaiian Mission Houses’ cemetery. Two headstones that were damaged at Hawaiian Mission Houses’ cemetery in June were re-installed Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

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How The Ala Wai Flood Project Illustrates The Challenge Of Adapting To Climate Change. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants to protect the lower Ala Wai Watershed, which includes Waikiki, McCully-Mo’ili’ili and parts of Ala Moana, by constructing a series of basins to catch rainwater during a storm event and release it slowly over time. Hawaii Public Radio.

With calls for mental health emergencies on the rise, HPD launches intervention team. It’s made up of 58 officers ― all with specific training on how to defuse volatile situations that can turn deadly. Hawaii News Now.

Turtle species rarely seen in Hawaii makes an appearance on Kailua beach. A NOAA scientist recognized them as olive ridley turtles, typically found in Central America. Hawaii News Now.

Who Climbs Koko Crater? An Avid Hiker Wants To Find Out. A University of Hawaii public policy professor conducted a private study that he hopes will help city officials better manage one of Oahu’s most popular — and overrun — hiking trails. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Ethics Board quizzes Roth. Armed with a letter from county Corporation Counsel Joe Kamelamela, an oral assurance from the state attorney general and his own understanding of the law based on readings provided by the state Office of Disciplinary Counsel, county Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth told the Board of Ethics on Wednesday he’s confident there would be no conflict of interest if he prosecuted protesters arrested on Maunakea. West Hawaii Today.

Prosecutor Goes Before Ethics Board On Alleged Mauna Kea Conflict. Mitch Roth is asking if his family being employed by institutions connected to the Thirty Meter Telescope project is a conflict of interest, as TMT opponents face prosecution. Big Island Video News.

Thirty Meter Telescope law enforcement costs top $9 million. The state and counties have spent at least $9 million on law enforcement costs related to the Thirty Meter Telescope standoff on Mauna Kea, according to numbers released by the Hawaii Attorney General’s office today. Star-Advertiser.

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Puna Geothermal Venture to drill new well as it prepares to resume operations. Eighteen months after lava flows sidelined Puna Geothermal’s power plant, the company is taking steps to restart operations. Hawaii News Now.


Ironman World Championship prompts West Hawaii road closures. Road closures for the 41st installment of the triathlon will start going into effect Thursday morning in the Kailua Village area. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

New Kahului, Wailuku hotels in the works. Two separate, midpriced hotels may be coming to Central Maui in the near future, according to a recent Hawaii real estate agency study. Maui News.

Windward Hotel Near Kahului Airport Proposed for Completion in 2023. A Draft Environmental Impact Statement has been filed for the proposed 200-room Windward Hotel in Central Maui. Maui Now.

200-room Kahului hotel could open in about 3 years. Draft EIS responds to public concerns. Maui News.

BLNR to look into restricting access to West Maui reserve. State says rock climbers are impacting native plants. Maui News.

Kauai

Change in Black Pot traffic flow. The Department of Parks and Recreation said Wednesday that the traffic pattern for the Black Pot Beach Park parking lot will be modified starting Oct. 15. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi Utility Seeking Comment on Draft Environmental Assessment Covering Stream Diversion. Kauaʻi's power utility is seeking public comment on its draft environmental assessment covering diverting stream water to run the Waiahi hydropower plants. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawsuit aims to stop Ala Wai project, emergency sirens accidentally activated, lava-damaged geothermal plant to reopen this year, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Canoeing on the Ala Wai ©2019 All Hawaii News

Group sues to halt Ala Wai project. The city and state have signed an agreement outlining a funding plan and path forward for working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to establish flood control measures along the Ala Wai Watershed, but the $345 million project now faces a new challenge from a lawsuit filed Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

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Honolulu police training exercise led to false emergency warning sirens on Oahu, Maui. A Honolulu police training exercise “mistakenly activated” emergency warning sirens at 5:05 p.m. Wednesday on Oahu and Maui. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Authorities Say Emergency Sirens On Oahu, Maui Were A False Alarm. Hawaii officials say the blaring of emergency sirens in parts of Oahu and Maui Wednesday afternoon was caused by an accidental activation during a Honolulu police training exercise. Hawaii Public Radio.

Emergency sirens islandwide accidentally set off during police training exercise. Emergency sirens were accidentally set off islandwide on Wednesday, sending residents from Waikiki to Waianae scrambling to figure out what was happening. Hawaii News Now.

Emergency warning sirens accidentally activated.  Another false alarm sounded Wednesday, Sept. 18, as emergency warning sirens were mistakenly set off, this time by the Honolulu Police Department. KHON2.

Emergency Sirens Mistakenly Activated on Oahu and in Kahului. Due to an error during a Honolulu Police Department training exercise, emergency sirens were mistakenly activated on Oahu. Maui Now.

'I apologize' HPD Chief Ballard says after emergency sirens mistakenly sounded. As soon as the mistake was identified, HPD says they notified the media and the state. KITV.

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Neighbor Island Schools Could Get More Money Next Year. The funds would help offset the added costs of operating a school outside the urban hub of Oahu, such as gas and mileage to cover travel for athletic events and field trips. Civil Beat.

DOE Shuts Down Its Long-Running Alternative Diploma Program. The”C-Base program,” which was a pathway to a community school diploma for non-traditional students, is being replaced by a program that focuses on work readiness. Civil Beat.

Hawaii hotels see healthy gains in August. Hawaii’s hotel industry posted healthy year-over-year gains in August, but that was due in part to weaker hotel performance in August 2018 because of Hurricane Lane. Star-Advertiser.

With Sea Level Rise, The Fate of Hawaii’s Most Vulnerable Roads Is Uncertain. Climate change is already taking a toll on coastal highways. Some of those roads may eventually be abandoned to the rising seas, a top official warns. Civil Beat.

Bottomfish Survey Underway Across Hawaii. Researchers from the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center and local cooperative research fisheries have conducted the bottomfish survey in Hawaii every year since 2016. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Anti-Caldwell PAC’s Inaccurate Reporting Leads To $15,000 Fine. The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission investigated the PAC for vast discrepancies between its campaign reports and bank records.Civil Beat.

New questions raised over dozens of costly change orders for the rail project. An audiotaped interview of a top city purchasing official is raising new questions about more than $100 million in change orders paid for by the rail project and city taxpayers. Hawaii News Now.

New ‘courtesy’ building inspections could speed up commercial projects. Frustrated building industry officials are hopeful a bill signed into law by Mayor Kirk Caldwell Wednesday will speed up home construction on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

New law is aimed at streamlining building permit process. A measure signed into law Wednesday is aimed at streamlining permitting for commercial construction projects. Hawaii News Now.

City Slaps UH With $35 Million Sewer Bill After Failing To Charge Them For 7 Years. The Department of Environmental Services never got the word UH West Oahu should be billed, and now is working with the university to come up with an accurate estimate for the retroactive sewer charges. Civil Beat.

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Katherine Kealoha gets first jail visit from husband Louis. Katherine Kealoha got a visit at the Federal Detention Center Wednesday from her husband Louis Kealoha. KHON2.

Kealohas granted face-to-face meeting at federal detention center. Katherine and Louis Kealoha ― and their lawyers ― will meet at the Honolulu federal detention center for the first time since she was locked up. Hawaii News Now.

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Honolulu Zoo applies for accreditation approval. Honolulu Zoo officials this month submitted an application for accreditation to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and hope to win approval by April, some four years after the facility was stripped of its association status. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Zoo reopens Malay sun bear exhibit. In a press conference this morning, Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Honolulu Zoo director Linda Santos announced the reopening of the Malay sun bear exhibit. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Prosecutor Won’t Handle TMT Arrests Because Of Son’s Job. Mitch Roth, whose son works at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has sent the cases to the Hawaii attorney general’s office to avoid a conflict of interest. Associated Press.

Prosecutor son's job prompts turning over telescope arrests. Roth says he doesn't believe it's a conflict, but he asked for opinions from the state Office of Disciplinary Counsel and the county's ethics board. KITV.

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Puna Geothermal On Track To Reopen In 2019. Hawaii’s only geothermal power plant is still on track to resume operations before the end of the year. Puna Geothermal Venture has been shuttered since the 2018 Kilauea volcanic eruption. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council OKs interim lava recovery plan. An interim strategy to guide the county’s recovery from the 2018 Kilauea eruption was formally adopted during Wednesday’s meeting of the Hawaii County Council. Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea Risk Assessment Published, As Council Adopts Recovery Strategy. The long awaited risk assessment was published on the same day the Hawaii County Council adopted the Kilauea Interim Recovery Strategy. Big Island Video News.

Broader abandoned vehicle rule drives forward. A bill that would fix county law to permit the Department of Environmental Management to remove abandoned vehicles from state and federal property is moving forward. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Kahele: Long-term water permits on the horizon. Senator’s letter on county water agenda. For months, county water users Upcountry have been caught up in the shifting tides of the state Legislature, a lawsuit, a longtime contested case and the decision-making of private companies. Maui News.

Kauai

Climate rally on Friday at KCC. A “Global Climate Strike” is set for 1 p.m. Friday at Kauai Community College.  Garden Island.

Robert Weist is one of the original investors in the Koloa Rum Company. Wednesday morning, he smiled with pride as he took part in a groundbreaking and blessing ceremony at its new site in Koloa. Garden Island.

Big changes coming to the Ala Wai, Supreme Court mulls Native Hawaiian homesteads backlog, Honolulu rail could sap electricity as it passes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kayaker on the Ala Wai ©2019 All Hawaii News

The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday voted by a narrow 5-3 margin to approve a measure allowing Mayor Kirk Caldwell to move forward with the contentious $345 million Ala Wai flood mitigation project. The project being spearheaded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is supposed to protect the areas around the Ala Wai Canal - and Waikiki specifically - from heavy flooding during a large-scale storm by building a series of detention basins along the Ala Wai watershed including Manoa, Palolo and Makiki, as well as walls on the sides of the canal. Star-Advertiser.

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Court hears arguments in DHHL trust case. The Hawaii Supreme Court on Wednesday heard oral arguments in a breach-of-trust lawsuit against the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands that has dragged on for 20 years. Star-Advertiser.

2,000+ native Hawaiians say state failed to award homesteads in timely manner. The Supreme Court still needs to make a ruling on how damages would be awarded. KITV.

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Awareness of State Sunscreen Ban Is High, But Work Still Needs To Be Done. That’s according to a new survey from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Hawaii Public Radio.

Researchers Analyzing eDNA In Water Samples Brought Back From Papahanaumokuakea. Scientists are using an established DNA technique to discover just what lives in the deep coral reefs of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

16 states are hosting tax-free shopping on school supplies. Should Hawaii be next? Last legislative session, state lawmakers considered proposals to create a general excise tax holiday for retailers who sell school supplies, only if they passed on that discount to shoppers. Hawaii News Now.

The Fattest Paychecks In Hawaii Government Don’t Always Go To The Top Bosses. More than 14,000 employees have been added to Civil Beat’s salary database, including many who earn more than the governor. Civil Beat.

Champion Of Legal Aid To Hawaii’s Poor Announces Retirement. After a 50-year career in public interest law and advocacy, Hawaii Appleseed Center co-founder Victor Geminiani announced on Wednesday that he will step down as the agency’s longtime executive director. Civil Beat.

Can This New Hawaii Venture Become The Stock Fund For Millennials? A Colorado portfolio manager has big plans for a $44 million S&P 500 index fund that he has brought to Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Panel rejects outside lawyers for HART workers. A Honolulu City Council committee on Wednesday rejected a request for $300,000 in taxpayer money to be spent for private attorneys to represent employees of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, or HART. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s New Trains Could Sap Power From Nearby Buildings And Homes. If the trains draw too much power as they speed up to leave stations, it could affect the use of household appliances and other electrical-powered equipment. Civil Beat.

Toxic Runoff At Issue As State Considers New Permit For Kaneohe Boat Facility. Some residents worry contaminated dust will continue to be a problem if maintenance operations start again. Civil Beat.

Long-time tenants of new condo-hotel project site say goodbye. A portion of Kapiolani Boulevard near Ala Moana Center has changed dramatically. And more high rises are on the way. KHON2.

Navy commemorates the 100th anniversary of Dry Dock 1 located at Pearl Harbor shipyard. Navy and local officials commemorated 100 years of history at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard’s Dry Dock 1 Wednesday, noting the incredible World War II accomplishments of civilians working alongside military counterparts, the shipyard’s current necessity, and the continuum of responsibility for an important cultural place. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kim to hold second meeting with Hawaiian leaders. Mayor Harry Kim will hold a second meeting with leaders of the Native Hawaiian community Friday regarding the Thirty Meter Telescope. Tribune-Herald.

‘Our tax dollars’: Soaring costs to state for TMT protest draw concern. Lawmakers are raising major concerns about the rising costs for law enforcement and first responders at the site of the Thirty Meter Telescope protest on Mauna Kea. Hawaii News Now.

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PGV gets OK for new wells. Applications from Puna Geothermal Venture for two new geothermal wells have been approved, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources confirmed Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

Council parses Kona CDP changes. What’s in a word? Plenty, it seems, when it comes to the difference between “shall” and “should.” West Hawaii Today.

Fines pile up for owners of downtown Hilo property. The owners of a downtown Hilo property that has become a homeless encampment have accrued nearly $200,000 in fines after failing to remove illegal structures for the better part of a year. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Testifiers: Action needed now to curb overtourism. Visitor population is nearly 10 percent over island plan’s policy. Maui News.

How to Reduce the Negative Impacts of Tourism. Limiting the number of rental cars on county roads, placing a moratorium on new hotel construction and instilling a “code of conduct” for incoming tourists. Maui Now.

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Work on Wailuku Civic Complex to begin in September. Surrounding road, infrastructure and parking work to begin. Maui News.

Zoning is topic of workshops. Proposed zoning updates for Wailuku town will be the subject of Maui Redevelopment Agency workshops this and next week in town. Maui News.

Woman says she complained to Maui police a year ago about officer accused of inappropriate conduct. The Maui officer who is under criminal investigation for allegedly trying to throw a criminal trial for a woman he arrested for DUI is now facing new allegations — this time from a woman who claims he tried to coerce her after he responded to her 911 call for an assault last year. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Herbicide ban at schools. Kauai schools are working to end herbicide use on campuses after the state Department of Education announced a ban of herbicides at public schools. Garden Island.

Residents may qualify for property tax exemptions. Families that have lived on their land for generations and have no intention to sell, but can’t keep up with taxes based upon soaring property values, would be granted the opportunity to move from their current “residential” or “residential investor” classifications to various others, including homestead. Garden Island.

Resident: Horse carcass needs to go. Kauai County is considering what to do with a horse carcass reported lodged in the rocks at Aliomanu Beach on Monday. Garden Island.

Vacation rentals changing Hawaii economy, empty Kakaako condos, fighting beach erosion, Molokai policeman arrested on drug charges, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki beach ©2019 All Hawaii News

Hawaii allocates $13M to keep Waikiki Beach from disappearing. The economic impact to Hawaii of Waikiki Beach was recently estimated at $2.2 billion a year, but the crumbling Royal Hawaiian groin and other man-made structures are all that is keeping the state’s most visited beach from being swept away. Star-Advertiser.

HTA: Visitors In Vacation Homes Spend Less. Hawaii Tourism Authority data might seem merely to quantify the obvious, but the data could explain a trend that concerns local economists. Civil Beat.

Vacation rental guests contributing less to tourism economy. Guests staying at vacation rentals in Hawaii aren’t exactly big spenders. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Air fixes tech glitch that grounded some flights on Saturday. The airlines says it's a software problem that interrupted reception of the Global Positioning Satellite system. KITV.

Oahu

Vacation rental giants look to temper Council bills. Representatives for two of the world’s largest operators of web platforms that broker vacation rentals voiced disappointment at a Honolulu City Council committee’s decision Friday to advance two bills they said will cause thousands of job cuts in Hawaii and severely hurt the visitor industry. Star-Advertiser.

Kakaako’s Empty Condos: ‘At Night, It’s A Ghost Town Down Here'. Merchants say they leased new space in Ward Village expecting to benefit from the proximity of hordes of condo-dwellers. Now they wonder where they are. Civil Beat.

Kakaako homeless group wants state to provide land for a 'safe place'. A group of homeless residents in Kakaako are working towards finding state land to live on permanently.  KITV.

Honolulu Rail Officials Hand-Deliver Recovery Plan To Feds. The trip to San Francisco was made in hopes that the Federal Transit Administration will start releasing more money for the project. Civil Beat.

Scientists hopeful for endangered orangeblack Hawaiian damselfly. Today only one population of the colorful native aquatic insect remains on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

21 charter amendments heading to 2020 ballot. West Hawaii Today.

DLNR bounces wells application back to PGV. Applications for two new geothermal wells have been reviewed and returned to Puna Geothermal Venture with comments, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources confirmed this week. Tribune-Herald.

Hu Honua Delays Compound While Waiting For Court Judgement. The bioenergy company says the continued employment of its workers are placed at risk as it awaits the Hawaii Supreme Court Judgement that will reopen the PUC docket. Big Island Video News.

New possibilities for Alii corridor. More than a decade after an effort to develop Alii Parkway stalled, a subcommittee under the Kona Community Development Plan action committee is taking a new look at a possible future for the project. West Hawaii Today.

Legacy still on watch list. Legacy Hilo Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has shown improvement since being named a special focus facility nearly two years ago, according to a list of such facilities provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that was updated in May. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Problems at Baby Beach. Effort to halt erosion, block access to some wrongdoers backfires. Maui News.

Celebrity couple’s request highlights Maui’s housing woes. A celebrity couple’s request to convert their Hawaii home into a short-term rental is landing them in the middle of a housing debate on the island of Maui. Star-Advertiser.

Maui police are reporting that they have arrested one of their long-time police officers on suspicion of multiple drug-related offenses. Star-Advertiser.

MPD officer on Molokai arrested on drug-related charges. Daniel Imakyure is a 10-year veteran of the department. Maui News.

Kauai

Haena, Wainiha communities prepare to welcome visitors after a year of seclusion. Kuhio Highway on Kauai's North Shore has been closed since April 2018 after devastating flooding caused millions of dollars in damage to the Wainiha and Haena area. KHON2.

A Kapaa man is questioning the county’s actions in the delayed reopening of Black Pot Beach Park in Hanalei. Garden Island.

Trespassing bride and groom. Just as the sun was rising on the first day in June, a wedding planner allegedly held a private and pretty ceremony at Hanalei’s Black Pot Beach Park. Garden Island.

Molokai

Maui police are reporting that they have arrested one of their long-time police officers on suspicion of multiple drug-related offenses. Star-Advertiser.

MPD officer on Molokai arrested on drug-related charges. Daniel Imakyure is a 10-year veteran of the department. Maui News.

Sunscreen's link to coral decline, money a factor in vacation rental bill, homeless problems in Hilo, Kahului and Waikiki, vehicle dumping on Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Cauliflower coral in Hawaii ©2019 All Hawaii News

How Scientists Discovered the Link Between Sunscreen and Coral Reef Death. It’s now commonly known that many chemicals commonly found in sunscreen are harmful to coral reefs. But that link wasn’t established until 2015 and many challenges to mitigating the negative effects remain. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii climate modeling company expects less risk this hurricane season. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center predicted an above-normal tropical cyclone activity this hurricane season; however, a Hawaii- based climate forecasting and risk management company anticipates a below- normal season. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric’s Ambitious Plan To Quit Using Coal Is A ‘Moon Mission’. To replace a coal plant set to close in 2022, HECO is seeking private developers to build  new wave of renewable energy generation and storage facilities around the islands. Civil Beat.

Money may determine fate of vacation rental measure. The measure, Senate Bill 1292, would generate an estimated $46 million in extra tax collections next year, and key lawmakers said they need that cash to pay the bills. Star-Advertiser.

Conflicts, Lax Oversight Shroud This Secretive Fisheries Fund. A federal fisheries oversight council has stymied inquiries by congressmen, journalists and others over the past few years. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Council panel discusses sliding fee scale for vacation rentals. Vacation rentals in areas that command the most bookings would be hit with higher permit fees under a proposal being considered by one City Council member as a way to address the proliferation of illegal units on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

City, state moves ahead with seawater air-conditioning project. A really, really big plastic straw for sucking up sea water several miles off Kakaako might be ready for deployment next year as part of a system to air-condition 40 or so buildings mostly downtown. Star-Advertiser.

City begins bulky trash collection through appointment-based pilot program. In a bid to rein in ballooning costs for handling trash, the city is moving Urban Honolulu’s bulky item pickup to an appointment-based system starting Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Developer helping produce accessory dwelling units. When the city allowed construction of small rental units on single-family house lots in 2015 to help ease Oahu’s housing crunch, homeowners were expected to build these accessory dwelling units. Star-Advertiser.

Waikiki pavilions might be converted to deter homeless. The city pavilions in Kuhio Beach park on Kalakaua Avenue were built so local residents and tourists could pause awhile to bask in the beauty of Waikiki’s sandy shores and aquamarine waters. Star-Advertiser.

Business owners say months-long Pali Highway closure is seriously hurting sales. The thoroughfare has been shut down since the rockfalls in February and its packing a major punch to local businesses. Hawaii News Now.

Veterans meet with congressman to discuss issues facing their community. Congressman Ed Case sat down with local military veterans this weekend to learn more about the issues they experienced after their service. Hawaii News Now.

Marine biologist worried about coral health on Oahu's North Shore. Marine biologist Terry Lilley claims bad coral health correlates with erosion. Millions of people visit Hanauma Bay in East Honolulu every year but one marine biologist says those outer reefs are healthier than the ones on Oahu's North Shore where fewer people swim. KITV.

Hawaii Island

Growing the budget: Final council reading Wednesday. The County Council has already added $1.1 million to Mayor Harry Kim’s record-setting $573.5 million operating budget. On Wednesday, council members are poised to add even more. West Hawaii Today.

Firefighter raises, bonuses questioned. A pay plan for firefighters that includes raises as well as bonuses and other perks could be on shaky ground, with Mayor Harry Kim opposed and the County Council offering only tepid support. West Hawaii Today.

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Homeless get the boot from Mooheau; guards stationed at two locations. The deep cleaning was a reaction to the steadily worsening conditions at the park. Homeless communities lingering at the park led to increasingly unsanitary conditions, with trash and human waste accumulating throughout the park. Tribune-Herald.

Homeless Cleared As Mooheau Park Gets A Cleaning. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii County closes Hilo park favored by homeless, citing cleaning and safety. Associated Press.

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Proponents of new gun law say it will help police, protect owners; others say it’s obtrusive. Hawaii County’s police chief said a recently enacted law — requiring gun owners to report a lost, stolen or destroyed firearm to county police within 24 hours of discovery of the loss — shouldn’t have been necessary. Tribune-Herald.

PGV eyes new wells. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is reviewing applications for two new geothermal wells at Puna Geothermal Venture. Tribune-Herald.

Proposed rules to manage Mauna Kea stir worry in the Native Hawaiian community. The University of Hawaii is asking for public feedback on its latest draft rules to improve management of Mauna Kea. Hawaii News Now.

Council seeks to tweak polystyrene law. Bill 74 removes the requirement that alternative containers to polystyrene must be recyclable under the county’s recycling program. Instead, the new law will simply require them to be recyclable. West Hawaii Today.

Interior Secretary: Firm Decision On Volcano Observatory Location Months Away. A final decision on where the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will be located remains months away, U.S. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said last week during a visit to the Big Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kona Village Rezone Gets PONC Site Visit. Neighbors opposed to a planned 450 unit development in Kailua-Kona are reaching out to a Hawaii County commission in the hopes of keeping it in open space. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui police plan for isle homeless aims to divert instead of arrest. Pilot is modeled after successful Seattle program. Maui News.

Kahului’s homeless crisis gets an unflattering comparison: It’s starting to look like Honolulu’s. It’s a scene that’s relatively new for Maui: Homeless campsites popping up along the roadside in Kahului. Hawaii News Now.

Dumping of cars on Maui on rise; illegal sites cropping up. County trying to deal with issue of disposal cost. The illegal dumping of cars along Maui’s highways has grown by at least three times in six years, and the county official who handles their removal attributes some of the increase to the cost of disposal. Maui News.

Vehicle disposal program aims to reduce car dumping on Maui. A county in Hawaii has established a free vehicle disposal program in response to car dumping. Associated Press.

Kauai

Next stop — growing ridership. The Kauai Bus ridership for fiscal year 2019 has nearly eclipsed 2018’s total of 760,415 total passengers. Garden Island.

County conducting fair market rent survey. Residents recently received a letter from the Kauai County Housing Agency, requesting them to fill out a 20-question survey in order for the agency to obtain data on what Kauai families are actually paying for rent. Garden Island.

Hawaii growth slows, criminal convictions don't stop pensions, Caldwell to sign affordable rentals bill, Army boots journalist, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki crowds ©2019 All Hawaii News

Slower Growth Across the Islands. Economists at the University of Hawaii have done statewide economic forecasts for years. But now they’re extending that research to the county level. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill to cut pensions for convicted government employees stalled for years. Lawmakers failed this session to pass legislation that would strip state or county employees of retirement benefits if convicted of a felony. West Hawaii Today.

Last-Minute Opposition Almost Derailed Smartphone Privacy Bill In House. Late lobbying from the wireless industry led to an 11th-hour attempt to defeat House Bill 702. Now it awaits a decision by the governor. Civil Beat.

Hawaii hospitals are increasingly moving medical services to less expensive outpatient facilities to reduce health care costs. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Caldwell likely to sign Affordable Rentals Bill. A bill offering significant building bonuses and breaks from taxes and fees to entice owners of smaller Oahu apartment- zoned properties to develop affordable rentals is expected to be signed by Mayor Kirk Caldwell this week. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor focuses on Chinatown cleanup. The city and county says it's doing what it can to clean up Honolulu's Chinatown. Now, the mayor is calling out the state to do more. KITV.

A major redevelopment of Waimanalo Bay Beach Park has caught residents by surprise, even though it has been talked about for years. Community outrage has been simmering over the city’s ongoing removal of trees and other foliage from the area better known as Sherwood Forest to build the first phase of a regional ball field complex and parking lot. Civil Beat.

City looks to revise bulky item pilot project. Condominium and apartment owner associations critical of the city’s new appointment-only pilot program for bulky item pickups have convinced officials to review the program. Star-Advertiser.

In Waikiki, you can’t park there... Or can you? When you see a no parking sign attached to a parking meter, what do you do? It’s a tough question in a place where parking is challenging, like Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

Florence Puana discusses hardship and heartbreak in Kealoha trial. One way or another, the jury in the federal conspiracy trial of retired Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his wife, former deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha, will hear from the latter’s 99-year-old grandmother. Star-Advertiser.

Emergency repairs to Pali Highway on track to finish in August. Emergency repairs to Pali Highway following February’s landslide and rockfall are on track, and the limited hours of access to the tunnel by motorists remain the same, according to state transportation officials. Star-Advertiser.

Box Jelly, a pioneering co-work space on Kamani Street in Kakaako near Ward, is helping manage a new, strikingly modern building developed by the Hawaii Technology Development Corp., the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s entity in charge of growing the technology sector. HTDC has set out to create 80,000 new technology and innovation jobs earning more than $80,000 annually by 2030. Such jobs are essential in a state where nearly half of the households earn less than the $72,000 a family of four needs to eke out a decent life. Civil Beat.

New lawsuit provides window into alleged defects at ultraluxury Kakaako tower. The association of condo owners at Waiea, a high-rise within Ward Village, filed a lawsuit in state court last week alleging their building is unsafe, uninhabitable and devalued due to more than 100 construction defects. Star-Advertiser.

Central YMCA On Atkinson Drive To Be Sold For Development. In a media release, Board Chair Wayne Hamano said the decision to sell the property was based on the high costs associated with operations and maintenance. Hawaii Public Radio.

New city survey asks Honolulu residents which views they cherish most from Aloha Tower, Keehi Lagoon to Pearl Harbor. The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting is conducting an online survey, asking residents which views of the city they want to be protected as urban Honolulu develops. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

PGV talks with HELCO are ongoing. As Puna Geothermal Venture moves toward restarting following last year’s Kilauea eruption, a new power purchase agreement with Hawaii Electric Light Co. might be on the table. Tribune-Herald.

Laaloa Beach Park revamp remains stalled after two years. An iconic Alii Drive park area continues to wait for a facelift that’s now two years in the making. West Hawaii Today.

County Game Management Advisory Commission wants a game management plan for Hawaii Island, but they don't want the state to write the plan by themselves. Big Island Video News.

Businessman plans market, cultural demonstration site to help Pahoa. One of the proponents of a new farmers market and cultural demonstration site in Pahoa says it’s all about helping the town survive. Tribune-Herald.

More security sought for Kamakana Villages. When Kamakana Villages welcomed its residents at the start of last year, the new development was roundly regarded as a critical piece to the puzzle of providing more affordable housing to the region’s residents. West Hawaii Today.

Army boots WHT from public meeting. West Hawaii Today was banned from a meeting Thursday outlining Army plans to manage historic resources at Pohakuloa Training Area and Kawaihae Military Reservation. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui County budget passes on first reading, with amendments. Council’s version contains $40 million more than mayor seeks. Maui News.

Hawaii leaders have done little to fix overcrowding issues at jails. For inmates at the Maui Community Correctional Center, it’s not unusual to be crammed four to a cell, leaving two to sleep on the floor while trying to keep their head away from the toilet.  Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Proposing a secondary school. More than one proposal is in the works for a middle and high school on Kauai’s North Shore. Garden Island.

Cocaine missing from evidence prompts indictment of two veteran police officers, 4 others; rural broadband coming to Hawaii; Honolulu council overrides property tax veto; bird poop threatens rail workers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii police on parade ©2019 All Hawaii News

Two retired police officers charged with drugs, conspiracy offenses. Two separate indictments were filed Monday against two retired police officers, each with more than 20 years of service. West Hawaii Today.

A grand jury has indicted two retired Hawaii Police Department officers in a case involving stolen drug evidence, according to court records. Associated Press.

Two retired Big Island police officers indicted for gambling, drug-related crimes. KITV.

Two retired police officers have been indicted. KHON2.

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FCC grants Hawaii counties $18.1M to expand rural broadband services. The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday authorized more than $18.1 million in funding to expand broadband services to over 3,900 unserved rural homes and businesses in Hawaii’s four counties over the next decade. Star-Advertiser.

High speed internet coming to rural Hawaii. The Federal Communications Commission wants to expand services to areas like Hawaiian Acres on the Big Island, Hana, Maui, Hanapepe, Kauai, and Kahuku on Oahu. KITV.

The Navy has awarded the University of Hawaii a contract worth up to $77 million over five years for its defense-related Applied Research Laboratory. The Hawaii lab’s focus includes ocean environmental effects of natural and man-made underwater noise sources on littoral, or nearshore, anti-submarine warfare, as well as marine life. Star-Advertiser.

UH Wants To Cut Tuition For Some Grad Students — Especially Out-Of-Staters. Proposed new tuition rates being considered by the Board of Regents seek to reverse declines in graduate student enrollment. Civil Beat.

Bank of Hawaii is finally exiting American Samoa — 6-1/2 years after putting its plans on hold following a plea by the U.S. territory’s governor. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City Council overrides mayor’s veto of a bill that will lower property taxes. Hawaii News Now.

How Honolulu Property Tax Decisions Could Affect Owners. The Honolulu City Council on Tuesday overrode Mayor Kirk Caldwell's veto of a bill that increases the standard home exemption on property taxes while advancing his proposal to hike the tax rate on hotels and resorts. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council committee again tosses out trash pickup fee. The Honolulu City Council Budget Committee on Tuesday again rejected Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s plan for a trash pickup fee, but approved proposals to raise rates in the hotel-resort and nonowner occupant property tax categories. Star-Advertiser.

City Council Overrides Caldwell Veto On Tax Break. The Honolulu mayor prefers a bill providing targeted property tax exemptions. Civil Beat.

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HART Poised To Approve $1.4 Million To Combat Bird Droppings. Rail officials say so many pigeons and other birds are nesting inside the transit line’s cavernous concrete guideway that it’s become a health hazard to workers. Civil Beat.

Turf war brewing in Waikiki as beachboys spar over contract obligations. A year after it awarded lucrative Waikiki beachboy concessions to Dive Oahu, the city said its revenues have nearly doubled. Hawaii News Now.

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With jury selection for Kealoha trial underway, attorneys now look to get an advantage. KHON2.

Hawaii News Now: Kealohas Are Retaliating Against Our Reporter. Lynn Kawano of Hawaii News Now says in court records that the Kealohas are trying to stop her from covering the trial because of her investigative reports. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Stories of misdeeds and corruption have helped shape Hawaii’s history, going back to a royal opium scandal that contributed to efforts to overthrow the monarchy. Civil Beat.

Commentary: How I Became A Witness In The Kealoha Corruption Trial. Civil Beat.

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First-time homeowners handed the keys to new affordable housing towers in Kakaako. A two-bedroom affordable unit in Ke Kilohana measures about 750 square feet and prices start at around $473,000. Hawaii News Now.

Howard Hughes opens Ke Kilohana workforce tower: Slideshow. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Electric Light Co.’s agreement with Puna Geothermal Venture to rebuild power transmission lines and related infrastructure will require state Public Utilities Commission approval and a public hearing. Hawaii Electric Light Co.’s agreement with Puna Geothermal Venture to rebuild power transmission lines and related infrastructure will require state Public Utilities Commission approval and a public hearing. Tribune-Herald.

The controversial geothermal power plant in Pohoiki must hold a public hearing and win the approval of the state Public Utilities Commission before it can rebuild transmission lines that were wiped out by last year’s Kilauea eruption. Star-Advertiser.

Puna Geothermal, HELCO Agreement Pushes Rebuild Forward. Big Island Video News.

Polystyrene ban coming. The convergence of two unrelated events has food vendors crying foul and may lead to changes in the county’s polystyrene ban. West Hawaii Today.

County steps up action against Hilo encampment’s landowner. The owners of a downtown Hilo property on which a homeless commune has been established owe the county nearly $6,000 in fines. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Residents Push Back On Loosening Liquor Laws. Allowing restaurants to sell take-out booze is the latest in a series of controversial proposals. “We don’t want Maui to turn into Las Vegas,” says one critic. Civil Beat.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino toured the old University of Hawaii Maui College dormitory site on Tuesday afternoon with Lt. Gov. Josh Green and Maui County Council Member Tasha Kama, chairwoman of the council’s Affordable Housing Committee. Maui Now.

Kauai

Waiting is the hardest part. According to the Hawaii Department of Transportation, the Lihue-bound lane of Kuhio Highway will remain closed for the duration of the slope stabilization, which is expected to take between four to five months to complete. Garden Island.

Hawaii airports authority advances, PUC approves solar farms, paramedics administer expired medications, rental car companies can't charge tourists extra, residents take Puna Geothermal Venture to court, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu airport  ©2019 All Hawaii News

A Hawaii airports corporation might finally be approaching takeoff as a bill that aims to improve the efficiency of the state’s airports passes through the Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

Lawmakers Approve $16B Budget For Fiscal 2020, 2021. State House and Senate legislators approved a two-year operating budget today calling for hundreds of millions of dollars for state employee retirement and health benefits and other monies to address major disasters, fight invasive species and maintain highways. Hawaii Public Radio.

Push To Increase Spending On Schools Loses Momentum. Policymakers say more transparency about current spending is needed before more public money is earmarked for schools. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s film industry wants to eliminate tax credit cap to keep productions flourishing. Some say the state's newly imposed $35 million per year cap on the tax credits is causing producers to go elsewhere and is putting Hawaii's film industry in jeopardy. Hawaii News Now.

PUC approves 6 additional solar-plus-storage systems in Hawaii. Three projects on Oahu, including one that has generated controversy because part of it is planned on prime agricultural land, one on Maui, and two on Hawaii island, are expected to add 247 megawatts of solar energy with almost 1 gigawatt-hour of storage to the grid. Star-Advertiser.

State regulators approved the first phase of Hawaiian Electric Companies’ plan to manage its grids with the latest technology at a cost of $86.3 million, the utility announced Wednesday. For a typical residential customer, the estimated cost for the first phase would be an extra 24 cents a month on Oahu; 34 cents on Maui; 27 cents on Molokai and Lanai; and 55 cents a month on Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser.

State Reversing Rental Car Fee After Legal Snafu. The State Tax Office has notified 300 rental car companies that a law implemented at the beginning of the year is flawed and that a $2 fee must apply to tourists and residents alike. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Ozawa, Waters dispute campaign mailer. The rematch in the race for Honolulu’s City Council District 4 seat has become even more contentious as the two candidates trade accusations and make counterclaims. Star-Advertiser.

Election officials ask the public to update voter registration. Honolulu's Election Administrator is responding to concerns by voters about ballots being sent to people who no longer live in the area or who've died. KHON2.

Feds Want Testimony From Katherine Kealoha’s Aging Grandmother Before It’s Too Late. Florence Puana, a key witness in both the mail box and financial fraud trials, is 99 years old and now seriously ill and hospitalized. Civil Beat.

State Ohana Zone Money Is Beginning To Produce Housing, Services. Catholic Charities is getting $7.5 million to develop a 78-unit facility to serve the homeless on the Leeward Coast. Civil Beat.

EMS paramedics allowed to use medications that have expired up to a year. EMS paramedics have expressed their frustration with staffing shortages and old ambulances breaking down. KHON2.

Homeless man who assaulted Hawaii sportscaster John Noland is sentenced to 5 years in prison. The homeless man who was found guilty of assault in connection with the death last June of Hawaii sports broadcaster John Noland apologized to Noland’s daughter in state court today. Star-Advertiser.

A man convicted of assault in the beating that led to former sportscaster John Noland’s death was sentenced to five years in prison Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Senate Committees move forward with plan to audit Hawaiian Humane Society. Resolution calls for audit of Hawaiian Humane Society's management and finances. KITV.

Hawaii Island

Kim seeks 72 new employees. Despite concerns about the growing cost of county employees, Mayor Harry Kim’s proposed preliminary budget adds 72 new positions. West Hawaii Today.

Denied A Hearing, Residents Take Puna Geothermal, State To Court. A group of Puna residents and one environmental group are appealing the denial of their request for a contested case hearing over a Puna Geothermal Venture permit renewal. Big Island Video News.


Maui

Maui schools, roads, airport on track for state funds. Busy hammering out the final details of a two-year, $16 billion state general budget that is expected to be sent to Gov. David Ige this week, Maui County’s state lawmakers highlighted money set to be funneled Maui County’s way for schools, highways, the airport and environmental projects. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai mayor bemoans collapse of Coco Palms effort. Like many Kauai residents, Mayor Derek Kawakami is not surprised that the latest plan to rebuild the long-shuttered Coco Palms Resort fell through. Star-Advertiser.

Lanai

The original Longhi’s Italian and seafood restaurant with its open doors and signature black and white tiles along Lahaina’s Front Street closed Tuesday after 43 years. Maui News.

Longhi’s Lahaina closes its doors after more than 4 decades in business. After 43 years in business, a Lahaina restaurant has decided to close its doors. Hawaii News Now.