National Science Foundation defunds Thirty Meter Telescope, Hawaii congressional delegation pushes for details on bombing island, Kaiser Permanente buys Maui News site, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

National Science Foundation defunds long-stalled Thirty Meter Telescope. The National Science Foundation will no longer fund the Thirty Meter Telescope planned for construction atop Mauna Kea, instead choosing to back its international competitor, the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile. The decision, revealed Friday in the NSF’s fiscal year 2026 budget request under the Trump administration, could be the death knell for the controversial $3 billion TMT project and its future viability. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

Visitor deportations from Hawaii spark concerns about entry rules. Ever-tightening U.S. entry policies and accounts from international visitors who are denied entry could weaken international arrivals, which are an important base of business for Hawaii’s visitor industry. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii delegation pushes Navy for information on Kaula training plan. Hawaii’s congressional delegation is pushing the Navy to provide more information on its plan to more than double bombardment training on a small Hawaiian Island that the state and conservation groups consider a critical bird sanctuary. Star-Advertiser.

Military sued over details of proposed rocket testing site on Johnston Atoll. The Center for Biological Diversity is suing the military for details on a proposal to build a rocket test site in a remote wildlife refuge less than 900 miles from Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Green signs bills to bolster schoolchildren. Gov. Josh Green signed three bills Friday afternoon to support healthier keiki through better access to food, transportation and surfing programs in schools. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s rural nonprofits stay afloat amid federal funding insecurity. A Kauai and a Hana-based nonprofit are using grants from Newman’s Own Foundation to promote indigenous food justice by keeping Hawaiian youth connected to the traditions, regenerative farming techniques and culture of their communities. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Can’t Spend Entire Budget Because It Can’t Fill Positions. The City Council will consider a resolution aimed at reducing vacancies and encouraging more hires and fewer retirements. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. 

Affordable housing project breaks ground in Ala Moana. An affordable housing project that will bring 64 new rental units to the heart of Honolulu broke ground Friday. Hawaii News Now.

New changes coming to UH Mānoa campus roads.  Roadwork near the University of Hawaii at Mānoa campus begins on June 2, and people heading to campus in the fall will see quite a few changes including a driving lane reduction, new bike lanes and more crosswalks. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Punalu‘u Village developers avoid foreclosure. A foreclosure lawsuit against developers of a controversial proposed commercial development near a popular black sand beach in Ka‘u has been withdrawn by the mortgage lender. Tribune-Herald. Civil Beat.

Keaau health center funded. The state has allocated $25 million for construction of the Keaau Benioff Medical Center in Puna. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Fully funded Olowalu fire station on hold over ‘iwi kupuna discovered 2 years ago in subdivision. A planned new fire station in West Maui was going nowhere for years until the deadly and destructive August 2023 wildfire highlighted the need for the facility just south of Lahaina. Maui Now.

Kaiser Permanente purchases Maui News site. The purchase agreement allows The Maui News to continue operating at the site for up to a year. General Manager Jenni DeFouw said the newspaper is working to identify new office space and move quickly.  Maui News.

Kula has been hit hard by summer wildfires, so residents are getting better prepared. Summer wildfires have hit the Upcountry Maui community of Kula the past two years, fueling community efforts to ensure area residents are better equipped for the worst-case scenarios. Hawaii Public Radio.

MPD officer arrested for sex assault allegations identified as Devin Schoeppner. The Maui Police Department confirmed the name of the 11-year veteran officer who was arrested on Thursday over sexual assault accusations. KITV4.

Kauai

HDOT declares traffic emergency zone. The Wailua Bridge is scheduled to undergo emergency repairs and will be closed overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday. Garden Island. Kauai Now.  KHON2. 

Hawaii trails up for review, Army proposes downsizing Oahu training grounds, Trump cuts threaten broadband access, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State seeks public input on Nā Ala Hele Trail program. The program, part of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, manages hundreds of miles of trails and access roads across the state. Nā Ala Hele is updating its program plan, originally created in 1991, and seeks community input. Big Island Now.

Hawaii hopes to restore ‘racist’ broadband access grant canceled by president. Hawaii’s lieutenant governor is scrambling to find money to replace a broadband access grant that President Donald Trump terminated — a grant he called “racist” and a “woke giveaway.” Hawaii News Now.

In Hawaiʻi, Drowning Leading Cause Of Death For Tourists, Children Under 15. The Department of Health says data shows Hawaiʻi’s resident drowning rate is the second highest in the nation, and most drowned in swimming pools. Big Island Video News.

Bill To Guard Against Imitation Hawaiian Tea Could End Up Hurting Industry. Māmaki producers say they support efforts to protect Hawaiʻi-grown products but fear this bill could put companies out of business. Civil Beat.

Movies And TV Shows Left Hawaiʻi. The Workers Followed. With the loss of productions came a decline in film jobs and spending in the state. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Loyal travelers with Hawaiian Airlines are being told not to worry as their HawaiianMiles are safe. The program will eventually be phased out because of the merger with Alaska Airlines.  KHON2.

Oahu

Army Proposes Downsizing Its Training Grounds On Oʻahu. Those include parts of the Kahuku Training Area that aren’t used for ground maneuvers as well as all 4,390 acres in the Kawailoa-Poamoho Training Area that for the last decade have almost exclusively been used for aviation training, according to the Army’s final environmental impact statement posted online Thursday night. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

City Council approves $40K Liquor Commission settlement. Litigation involving the Honolulu Liquor Commission and one of its former investigators who claimed discrimination, harassment and a hostile work environment based on his sexual orientation while working for the agency has advanced toward a settlement. Star-Advertiser.

EMS director says ‘ambulances are safe’ after recent fire sparks concerns.  Investigators with the Honolulu Fire Department are looking into what sparked an ambulance fire over the weekend. Hawaii News Now.

Gondola development project proposed for North Shore. Mt. Kaala is the tallest peak on Oahu, and the owner of Adventure Group in Canada owns 2,300 acres in Waialua and plans to develop it. KHON2.

West Loch Disaster remembrance planned. The Obama Hawaiian Africana Museum and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency will host a remembrance ceremony Wednesday at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl honoring the anniversary of the deadly 1944 West Loch Disaster. Star-Advertiser.

Waikīkī restaurant worries tariff on Japan will affect Wagyu beef prices. Jack Sinanaj, the owner of Empire Steak House Hawaii in Waikīkī, is concerned about a 24% tariff on A-5 Wagyu beef from Japan — a small but real way the Trump administration's tariffs could impact local businesses. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Punaluu Village project thwarted. Black Sand Beach LLC had plans to develop Punalu‘u Village on 147 acres inland of Punaluu Bay in Kaʻu, where endangered hawksbill and green sea turtles nest. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County not accepting permit applications May 23-25 due to system update. The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Public Works will update its Electronic Process Information System for permit applications on May 23 to improve the site’s performance and change the service fees. Big Island Now.

Maui

Reef-Friendly Landscaping Summit launches to protect Kāʻanapali’s shoreline. The Pilikahakai Foundation, a nonprofit rooted in Native Hawaiian values and dedicated to preserving Kāʻanapali Beach, hosted its inaugural Reef-Friendly Landscaping Summit over the weekend, aimed at advancing sustainable land care practices that protect West Maui’s coastline.  Maui Now.

Planned Parenthood to offer vasectomy services on Maui. Planned Parenthood expects to start offering vasectomy services at its Honolulu and Kahului Health Centers with procedures beginning June 12 and 13. Maui News.

National award recognizes Molokaʻi's efforts to improve the health of its land and people. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Culture of Health Prize celebrates communities across the U.S. that highlight locally-led solutions to healthier futures. Molokaʻi was one of nine communities awarded this year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Petroleum company on Kaua‘i cited for hazardous waste violations. The Hawai‘i Department of Health issued a Notice of Violation and Order against IES Downstream, a limited liability company, for violating the state’s hazardous waste management laws at its ‘Ele‘ele storage terminal on Kaua‘i. Kauai Now.

SurfRider Foundation Kaua‘i releases monthly water quality tests for beaches, streams. Water quality in several Kaua‘i streams had overwhelming levels of bacteria recorded during the SurfRider Foundation’s monthly testing in May. Kauai Now.

Hawaii Tourism Authority sued over snorkeling dangers after long flights, temporary restraining order halts destruction of Haiku stairs, contested case hearing slows Punaluu black sand beach development, Civil Beat a Pulitzer finalist for Maui fire coverage, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Michigan family files lawsuit against Hawaii tourism authority over snorkeling dangers after long flights. A Michigan family filed a lawsuit against the Hawaii's Tourism Authority, and other visitor groups, because they don't warn tourists about potential dangers of snorkeling soon after flying. KITV4.

Hawaii Pushes To Ensure High Schoolers Learn About Money Management. The Department of Education wants to include financial literacy in students' individual transition plans for career planning. Civil Beat.

Hawaii county mayors crack down on short-term rentals, pledging neighborhood restoration. Now with the power to revoke permits, county mayors are moving aggressively to shut many of them down. KITV4.

Woman charged for alleged theft of more than $44,000 in IBEW union members’ dues. Attorney General Anne Lopez announced criminal charges against a woman for the alleged embezzlement of approximately $44,367 in union dues from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 1186. Maui Now. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Corruption Defendant Dennis Mitsunaga Injured In Jailhouse Fall, Delaying Trial. A high-profile bribery trial involving businessman Dennis Mitsunaga and former Honolulu prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro was delayed on Monday after Mitsunaga sustained an injury in custody, his attorney said.  Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Settlement over Liquor Commission lawsuit is rejected. An offer by the city to settle a 2021 federal lawsuit alleging anti-gay discrimination by investigators working for the Honolulu Liquor Commission has been rejected. Star-Advertiser.

Friends of Haiku Stairs halt removal of popular, but prohibited, hiking trail. A temporary restraining order has been filed by the Friends of Haiku Stairs in an attempt to keep the city from their removal. KHON2.

Oahu housing market improves with year-over-year gains. The single-family home market had bigger gains, with a 26% jump in sales to 262 in April from 208 a year earlier, and a 10% rise in the median sale price to $1,100,000 from $999,995. Star-Advertiser.

Man who received $12.5M settlement from HPD arrested for gun crimes. Officers booked Jonaven Perkins-Sinapati Saturday afternoon for allegedly firing a gun out of a moving vehicle in Kaneohe. Hawaii News Now.

Biki’s Balancing Act: The Bike Share Company Is Raising Rates While Trying To Attract More Riders. Biki's Honolulu ridership has been steadily declining over the past few years, and its leadership wants to reinvest in the system to draw in more riders and start adding e-bikes. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Punalu‘u project stalled: Proposed Black Sand Beach Development On Big Island Hits Rocky Shores. The Windward Planning Commission granted petitions for a contested case hearing over a developer's plans to build 225 units along a remote strip of coastline. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Star Alameda, wife of mayoral candidate dies. Star Alameda, wife of Hawaii County mayoral candidate Kimo Alameda and a career educator, died Friday. She was 54. Tribune-Herald.

National Science Foundation to decide on billions in funding for Thirty Meter Telescope. The National Science Foundation has until September to decide on advancing the Thirty Meter Telescope to the final design stage. The TMT is competing against a telescope project in Chile for limited NSF funding.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Name Given To New Astronomy Instrument On Maunakea.  ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi students at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo have named a new instrument that will be used at the Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope on Maunakea. Wenaokeao, meaning “earliest glow of light,” was given after extensive research by high school students. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Notices of Maui homeless sweep lacking information cited by state Supreme Court. Notices of an ongoing homeless sweep at Maui’s Kahului Boat Harbor by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources lack the same information that was cited by the Hawaii Supreme Court in a challenge to Maui County’s homeless sweeps. Star-Advertiser.

A judge is forcing Hawaiʻi to give wildfire investigation documents to lawyers handling lawsuits. A judge on Friday forced the Hawaiʻi attorney general's office to turn over to lawyers involved in the hundreds of lawsuits over last summer's Maui wildfires all documents, interviews and data collected by the outside team hired to investigate the disaster. Associated Press.

Candidates file nomination papers, aim to help with Maui’s housing crisis. Two candidates for public office are testing political waters and saying they aim to help address Maui’s housing crisis, especially in the wake of the August wildfires. Maui Now.

Expeditions Maui-Lānaʻi Ferry expands to three round trips per day; continues to adjust following wildfires. The Expeditions Maui-Lānaʻi Ferry is expanding service with three round trips per day, seven days a week, starting the week of June 3, 2024. Maui Now.

Civil Beat Named Pulitzer Finalist For Maui Fire Coverage. Civil Beat’s reporting exposed critical flaws in the state and county’s emergency preparedness and response, including the absence of Maui’s top emergency management official, the county’s lack of transparency overall and the history of failures in ecological management that laid the foundation for the disaster.  Civil Beat.

Kauai

County and hotel developer respond to recent wastewater spills at Coco Palms. Two recent wastewater spills at the Wailua Coco Palms sewer pump station, expected to accommodate a 350-room hotel currently under construction, have added to public opposition to the development. However, county officials and the hotel developer assert that the sewer issues are not linked to the hotelʻs construction.  Kauai Now.

Niumalu Bridge on Kaua‘i closed till further notice. Following the flooding event in April, Kaua‘i County consultants inspected county bridges across the island and determined that the Niumalu Bridge was unsafe for motorists, prompting an immediate shutdown. Kauai Now.

Byzantine government regulations endanger the already endangered sea turtles -- commentary

Visitors pose with sea turtles at Punaluu Black Sand Beach (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

Sea turtles -- by land or by sea?

You would think it's a distinction without a difference. Not so in the byzantine world that is our federal government.

In fact, oversight of protection of these endangered creatures is split between two federal agencies -- the National Marine Fisheries Service when the turtles are in the water, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service when they're on land.

Visitor photos honu (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

In theory, the two agencies coordinate protection of six species of sea turtles found in U.S. waters and nesting on U.S. shores -- all of which are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The species, the green, hawksbill, Kemp's ridley, leatherback, loggerhead and olive ridley, have been protected under the Endangered Species Act since the 1970s.

The agencies are charged with creating recovery plans for each species, setting goals and recovery strategies. They're also charged with enforcing laws against harassing or killing these endangered animals.

Snoozing honu (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

That coordination could be improved, according to Jan. 31 study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

Or, in government-speak, "To improve the effectiveness of the services’ sea turtle protection and recovery efforts, that the Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, and that the Secretary of the Interior should direct the Director of FWS, to revise the existing memorandum of understanding to clarify what specific steps the services will take to coordinate ..."

Hawksbill heads to sea, courtesy National Parks Service

Our precious turtles, known as "honu" in Hawaii, freely make use of both environments, of course. Swimmers and snorkelers easily spot green sea turtles in the ocean, and the curious creatures frequently will swim up to check out the people swimming nearby.

The Big Island's Punaluu Black Sand Beach is a favorite stop on the tour bus circuit, where hordes of tourists come to pose for photos with the massive honu sunning on the warm black sand. Some of the sightseers get too close, and arguments ensue, sometimes culminating in pushing and shoving matches.

We on Hawaii Island value our endangered species and aren't shy about making the scofflaws toe the line. In Hawaiian mythology, the green sea turtle, Kauila, could change herself into a girl who watched over the children playing at Punaluu Beach. Sea turtles also were thought to help guide early voyagers to Hawaii's shores and were an important food source in the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Honu grazing (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

The folks at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park also help coordinate protection efforts, especially of the hawksbill turtle that frequent their shores.

The National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should also, according to the GAO -- get this -- share their data. The very idea!

And who's in charge when that bugger is half in, half out of the water?

Perhaps, and you may call me a heretic, there is an easier solution. Why not simply pick one agency to oversee the turtles? Simple solution, cutting unnecessary duplication in government agencies and allowing one agency take full responsibility, thus creating more accountability. Too simple, perhaps?