Aila confirmed to head DHHL, first person in Hawaii is quarantined in coronavirus prevention, bill would prohibit Red Hill fuel tanks, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Coffee beans on drying floor in Ka'u ©2020 All Hawaii News all rights reserved

Hawaii Lawmakers Are Showing A Little Love For Kona Coffee. A bill that would require coffee labeled with a Hawaiian name contain at least 50% Hawaii-grown beans has so far faced no opposition. Civil Beat.

Aila confirmed as head of DHHL. William Aila won confirmation as chairman of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on Monday by a 21-3 vote of the state Senate. He will serve through Dec. 21, 2022. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii panel backs Native Hawaiian reconciliation commission. A panel of Hawaii lawmakers Monday passed a resolution calling for the governor to convene a Native Hawaiian reconciliation commission, a step that comes after protests blocking the construction of one of the world’s largest telescopes. Associated Press.

A Proposed Native Hawaiian Commission Is Already Getting Pushback. Critics say Native Hawaiians, not the governor, should pick the members and the issues it considers. Civil Beat.

Mauna Kea Spurs Hawaiian Reconciliation Commission Proposal. A State House committee held a hearing Monday on resolution requesting the convening of a blue ribbon commission to examine and formulate a reconciliation with Native Hawaiians. Big Island Video News.

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Why Hawaii Isn’t Competitive In Recruiting Teachers. A recent study found Hawaii teacher salaries don’t go as far when compared to other school districts in high-price areas. Civil Beat.

Early Education To Expand But Lawmakers Grapple With What That Means. State lawmakers have recognized the need for affordable child care in the state, so much so that they’ve made it a part of a joint-legislative package negotiated by the governor and House and Senate leaders. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill would require public high schools to start no earlier than 8:30. A bill making its way through the state legislature is one that would push back the morning school bell at Hawaii's public high schools. KITV4.

Hawaii House Defers Bill Expanding Police Firearms Searches. The Hawaii House of Representatives has deferred action on a bill that would have expanded police powers to search for firearms without obtaining a warrant. Associated Press.

Decision-Making Hearing Scheduled For Housing Bill. Senate Bill 3104 relates to land development. It authorizes the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) to lease real property for a period not to exceed 99 years for the development of certain projects that include affordable housing. Maui Now.

Keiki screen time targeted: Legislation aims to encourage parents to set limits. In order to increase awareness of the problem, a bill currently in the state Legislature calls for public education to encourage parents to set limits on how much screen time to allow their children. Tribune-Herald.

State Senator proposes new vehicle tax to fund car recycling program and curb abandoned vehicles. Kurt Fevella wants an audit on the current highway beautification fee in registration, but a stopgap solution is needed now to help communities. KITV4.

Hawaii attorney general’s office hires nationally-known ethics expert. Hui Chen, an anti-fraud expert who made national news when she resigned from her U.S. Department of Justice job in the wake of the firing of FBI Director James Comey, has been hired by the Hawaii attorney general’s office. Star-Advertiser.

State labor supervisor investigated for other allegations. A supervisor with the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations who was recently fined $1,000 by the Hawaii State Ethics Commission also was investigated for accusations that he repeatedly touched a female business owner who was fined $9,400 in 2016 and said he could “fix” the fine if the woman went to dinner with him. Star-Advertiser.

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One Hawaii Resident In Mandatory Coronavirus Quarantine. The man who traveled to Hubei Province in China has not shown any symptoms, but his health will be monitored in quarantine. Civil Beat.

First Person Sent to Coronavirus Quarantine in Hawai‘i. Health officials on Monday ushered the first person into Hawai‘i’s Coronavirus quarantine system at Pearl Harbor. Big Island Now.

Hawaii resident who was in Hubei province is quarantined. The Centers for Disease Control has notified state health officials that a Hawaii resident who visited Hubei Province in China has returned home, and will be quarantined for 14 days at Pearl Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii resident placed in mandatory quarantine after returning from epicenter of outbreak. A Hawaii resident who recently returned from the Chinese province that’s been identified as the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak has been placed in a mandatory 14-day quarantine at Pearl Harbor after returning to the islands, officials said. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii resident who recently traveled to Hubei province quarantined at facility at Pearl Harbor. Hawaii has its first mandatory quarantine case tied to the Coronavirus. KHON2.

Officials are monitoring 27 people for coronavirus. State health officials are monitoring 27 individuals for the deadly new coronavirus, including a Hawaii resident who returned to the islands Monday after a recent trip to China’s Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii couple among thousands quarantined after Coronavirus outbreak on cruise ship. "We work it out together and continue to uplift each other. KITV4.

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Company fined for ocean pollution. A federal judge in Hawaii has ordered a Singapore-based shipping company to pay $1.75 million in fines for allegedly dumping bilge waste directly into the ocean. Garden Island.

Oahu

HART Board Member Most Critical Of Rail’s Handling Resigns. John Henry Felix has repeatedly called to pause rail construction at Middle Street. Civil Beat.

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Bill would prohibit Red Hill fuel tanks in 2028. The Navy would no longer be able to operate its massive underground fuel tanks at Red Hill after January 2028 under a bill that moved out of a Senate committee Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Senate bill looks to protect Honolulu’s primary aquifer from Navy fuel spills. Senate Bill 2774 would relocate the Red Hill Underground Storage Facility away from the Moanalua-Waimalu aquifer, which sits just 100 feet below. KHON2.

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Businesses at Dillingham Airfield hold out hope for a flying future. Dillingham Airfield tenants — including skydiving, glider and ultralight operators — are hoping a white knight will step forward to prevent the North Shore airport from shutting down civilian operations June 30. Star-Advertiser.

Walkway access to beach parks restored. The Leahi fence and a matching barrier put up at the makai boundary of Makalei Beach Park were erected by the city Department of Parks and Recreation due to public safety concerns, and after settlement of a lawsuit by a Honolulu resident who claimed she was injured while stepping between Leahi Beach Park and the walkway. Star-Advertiser.

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City opens affordable rental complex in McCully. The city Monday held a blessing for a 30-unit affordable rental project at what had been a dormitory in McCully for international students. Star-Advertiser.

City converts McCully building to affordable rentals for single-parent families. The city held a blessing Monday for a new affordable housing complex for single-parent families in McCully. Hawaii News Now.

Affordable housing for single parents opens on Oahu. A blessing ceremony was held Monday to celebrate the completion of a new affordable housing project. KHON2.

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Some in Waikiki are relieved a key source of parking won’t be restricted overnight. The proposed overnight closure of a valuable Waikiki parking lot won’t be happening anytime soon, leaving some relieved — but the city is still exploring their options. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

High court vacates conviction in Kamehameha statue vandalism. The Hawaii Supreme Court has vacated the conviction of a man accused of vandalizing the statue of King Kamehameha the Great on the Hilo Bayfront during the Labor Day 2015 weekend. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Work to begin on dune restoration at Kamaole I.  Vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be temporarily impacted this week as work begins on sand dune restoration at the southern end of Kamaole Beach Park I in Kihei. Maui News.

Crews to Remove Hazardous Trees in Makawao, Waihou. About a dozen pine and eucalyptus trees as tall as 70 feet in the Makawao State Forest Reserve will be assessed and flagged for removal from Feb. 16 to Feb. 29. Maui Now.

Kauai

Hanapepe: ‘This Is The Town That Keeps Refusing To Die’. The Kauai town has its flash points, but a shared sense of pride continues to hold this community together. Civil Beat.

Kaua‘i’s gas prices stable, high. While the average price of regular grade gasoline dropped 7 cents nationwide per gallon, Kaua’i is still 0.28 cents more than the average price in Hawaii and cost $1.46 more than the national average gasoline price. Garden Island.

Hawaii economy sours, TMT reaches Canary Island land agreement, Honolulu may lift rent caps, millions pledged for Maui jail, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Endangered Koloa Maoli duck in Hawaii ©2019 All Hawaii News

New study bolsters efforts to save endangered Hawaiian duck. New findings suggest conservation efforts aimed at protecting an endangered Hawaiian duck are working. Hawaii News Now.

State Economist: Challenges Ahead As Visitor, Construction Sectors Soften. Total visitor spending declined and the value of private building permits decreased this year through September, signs that the Hawaii economy is ratcheting back. Hawaii Public Radio.

Chinese Visitors Numbers Continue To Decline. Why Geopolitics, Free Market May Be To Blame. Chinese visitors to Hawaii are down 26 percent through the third quarter of 2019. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Tourism Authority marketing now includes teaching tourists to be responsible. The Hawaii Tourism Authority is adding “responsible tourism” to its traditional marketing, a departure from its past focus on promoting Hawaii’s beaches, weather, natural beauty and unique Hawaiian culture. Star-Advertiser.

Gen. LaCamera assumes role in change of command ceremony. There’s a new man in charge of the more than 85,000 soldiers of U.S. Army Pacific. Hawaii News Now.

What’s Behind Hawaii’s Rising Test Scores For English Learners. A policy shift several years ago that makes “exiting” out of an English language program more rigorous could hold some clues. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City affordable housing rent caps might be lifted. In an effort to ease Oahu’s housing crunch, the city in May passed the Affordable Rental Housing Bill, which provides tax waivers and other incentives to property owners who agree to rent most of their units to median- and lower-income families at federally established guideline rates of no more than about $1,500-$2,000 a month for one- or two-bedroom units. Star-Advertiser.

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Navy says their plan to reduce risk from Red Hill fuel tanks will take some time. People crowded into a public meeting on Tuesday to weigh in on the U.S. Navy and Defense Logistics Agency's proposal to upgrade the underground storage tanks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Hawaii News Now.

Public comments taken at community meeting about Red Hill fuel storage tanks. People came to a public meeting Tuesday, Nov. 19 to let the federal Environmental Protection Agency know what they think about military fuel storage at Red Hill, and the risks it poses to Oahu’s water supply. KHON2.

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Honolulu officer expected to plead guilty in urinal case. A Honolulu police officer is expected to plead guilty to depriving a homeless man of his civil rights by forcing him to lick a public urinal. Associated Press.

Officer accused of forcing man to lick urinal set to change his plea. Another Honolulu Police Officer accused of forcing a homeless man to lick a public urinal is expected to confess to the civil rights violation. Hawaii News Now.

HPD officer accused of forcing homeless man to lick urinal expected to plead guilty. A Honolulu police officer is expected to plead guilty to depriving a homeless man of his civil rights by forcing him to lick a public urinal. KITV.

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More arrests made as hundreds of wind farm protesters turn out to Kalaeloa again. Several wind farm opponents were arrested late Wednesday after hundreds showed up in Kalaeloa for another night of protests. Hawaii News Now.

This Honolulu Lawyer Has Run A Marshallese Baby Business With Impunity. Laurie Loomis’ operation, including flying women from the Marshall Islands for adoptions, resembles that of a recently indicted Arizona lawyer, but thus far she has faced no consequences. Civil Beat.

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Marine Corps’ plans for 1,500-foot sea wall raises concern in Ewa Beach. Some Ewa Beach residents are concerned that a Marine Corps plan to install 1,500 feet of steel barrier to protect part of the oceanfront Puuloa Range Training Facility from beach erosion could create new problems for residents on either end. Star-Advertiser.

Schatz To Marines: Rethink Project That Threatens Ewa Beach. Neighbors and government officials say an environmental study is needed, but the Marine Corps has said it isn’t legally required to do one. Civil Beat.

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Prisons Chief: A New Halfway House On The Way For Hawaii. The state’s only re-entry facility for federal inmates closed after the city of Honolulu purchased the building and destined it for drug treatment. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Land agreement reached between TMT, Canary Islands. A governmental body in the Canary Islands approved a land concession deal with the Thirty Meter Telescope partners, although Maunakea remains the project’s preferred location. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County spends $5 million on TMT protests, mostly on police. The protests against the Thirty Meter Telescope have so far cost Hawaii County more than $5 million, according to the latest cost update provided to members of the Hawaii County Council today. Star-Advertiser.

Dozens Say Vote by Mail Cards Never Came. Concerns of disenfranchisement have cropped up recently on the Big Island, as residents and state officials alike have pointed to a potential flaw in Hawai‘i’s new vote by mail system that could leave some voters without a ballot come election day. Big Island Now.

Council panel hears task force recommendations for changes to property tax structure. County Council members on Tuesday heard a host of recommendations from a task force charged with making the property tax code more equitable, but they stressed there’s a long way to go before any recommendation becomes law. West Hawaii Today.

Council members hear bleak presentation about greenhouse gases. America and other developed nations have 10 years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero to prevent a runaway climate catastrophe, a University of Hawaii professor told a Hawaii County Council committee on Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A ʻPromising Path Forwardʻ: Mahi Pono Strikes Deal in Water Use Application. A hearing for closing arguments in the nearly two decades-long Hui o Na Wai ʻEha contested case took place Tuesday before the State Water Commission. Maui Now.

Maui water rights deal praised as step toward resolving years-long dispute. After a decades-long battle over public water rights in Central Maui, there’s finally an agreement over stream flows. Hawaii News Now.

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Lawmakers set aside millions for overcrowding at Maui jail to prevent further riots. It’s been eight months since destructive riots broke out at the Maui Community Correctional Center ― and damage inside the modules is still visible. Hawaii News Now.

Eight Months After Riot, Maui Jail is Still 40% Overcapacity. Eight months after a riot that caused an estimated $5.3 million in damage, overcrowding remains an issue at the Maui Community Correctional Center. Maui Now.

First look inside Maui Community Correctional Center following riot in March 2019. It has been eight months since the riot at Maui Community Correctional Center that caused nearly $5 million in damages. KITV.

Kauai

County Council meets today. Waste Management Hawaii is withdrawing from its agreement with the county to operate the Kekaha Landfill, effective Dec. 1, and Managing Director Michael Dahilig will brief the council on the Department of Public Works’ plans to ensure uninterrupted service and get input concerning long-term landfill operations. Garden Island.

Better than before. Haena State Park played host to the Hawaii House of Representatives finance committee Tuesday morning, the first time members have returned since 2017. Garden Island.

Water used to run through it. Hike at least three hours upstream and into the interior of Kauai’s east side, and you’ll find yourself at the base of the two-tiered Makaleha Falls. Garden Island.

Navy headed to court on Red Hill fuel tanks, Deedy to be retried for assault, cop killer accomplices sentenced, dog rescued from lava tube, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

In this August 2007 photo, then Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter tours the Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility.
PC: Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shawn P. Eklund / U.S. Navy

Sierra Club Sues To Stop Automatic Approval Of Red Hill Fuel Tanks. Department of Health permits are automatically approved if officials don’t take action on them within 180 days. Civil Beat.

In Shift, Navy Says It's Weighing Double-Walled Red Hill Fuel Tanks.  The U.S. Navy is now considering double-wall tanks for its fuel storage in Red Hill and says it will relocate the facility if that upgrade can't be done. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Naval Air Museum intends to fight ‘wrongful eviction’ from Kalaeloa Aiport. At the Naval Air Museum Barbers Point, old military vehicles and aircraft stand at attention waiting on visitors and tour groups that visit the Kalaeloa Airport. Hawaii News Now.

Air museum is being evicted over contract issues. A nonprofit air museum that opened 20 years ago and was built on Naval Air Station Barbers Point’s 57-year history is being evicted from state airport land over long-standing contract issues that led to a running dispute with the state Department of Transportation Airports Division. Star-Advertiser.

Naval Air Museum Barbers Point believes it's wrongfully evicted by the state. The non-profit’s administrators also pushing for discussions with the state towards a solution. KITV.

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A top CEO’s prescription for Hawaii’s tourism-driven economy: It’s time to diversify. Ajay Banga believes investments in Hawaii’s technology sector is important and logical because it does not need geographic proximity to enable success. Hawaii News Now.

Searching For New Ways To Keep Hawaii’s Mentally Ill Out Of Jails And ERs. At a mental health summit Wednesday, the judiciary and state agencies explored options for pre-trial diversions. Civil Beat.

Hawaii School System Convenes First-Ever Data Retreat. School officials and state board members got a deep look at statewide student performance, but some left wanting more. Civil Beat.

Sen. Laura Thielen Won’t Seek Re-Election To Hawaii Senate. Thielen said, “I’m going to end my time as a legislator, and get back to the doing.” Civil Beat.

Oahu

Caldwell reaffirms support for Ala Moana playground. Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Thursday doubled down on his support for a playground at Ala Moana Regional Park, issuing a statement defending the plan and the nonprofit created to find funding for the project. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Backers Of $3M Ala Moana Playground Carry Lots Of Clout. Donors linked to the non-profit group promoting the project have been large campaign contributors to the mayor and many council members. Civil Beat.

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Christopher Deedy can be re-tried but only for assault. Federal agent Christopher Deedy can be tried a third time in connection with a fight that led to the fatal shooting of a local man in Waikiki 8 years ago. KHON2.

State can retry Deedy for assault, court rules. A federal appeals court says the state can take U.S. State Department Special Agent Christopher Deedy to trial a third time for the November 2011 shooting death of Kollin Elderts in a Waikiki McDonald’s restaurant, but not for manslaughter. Star-Advertiser.

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Coast Guard Responding To Cargo Ship Oil Spill In Honolulu Harbor. Officials said about 120 gallons of oil have been recovered so far. Civil Beat.

Officials Responding To Oil Spill From Cargo Ship In Hawaii. The U.S. Coast Guard says a cargo ship has spilled oil into Honolulu Harbor. Associated Press.

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Marine Corps wants to put up a retaining wall in Ewa Beach. The Marine Corps shooting range in Ewa Beach is eroding and in order to stop the damage caused by the ocean, it wants to build a retaining wall. KITV.

Sex assault conviction of wrestling coach thrown out by Hawaii Supreme Court in a case that sheds light on polygraph testing. The Hawaii Supreme Court has thrown out the sexual assault conviction of a wrestling coach accused of inappropriately touching the buttocks of a 14-year-old female wrestler at a tournament in 2012 in a case that could have lasting effects. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Guilty verdict reached on 4 counts in Waiki accomplice trial. Guilty verdicts were handed down Thursday for three defendants accused of aiding cop killer Justin Waiki following a six-week trial. West Hawaii Today.

Dirty recycling dooms program. Garbage in, garbage out. Hawaii County’s recycling program fell apart not because of a lack of markets, but because of dirty garbage dumped into the two-bin system, the Hawaii County Council learned Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

Koa forest project proposed for ranch land. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources is considering approval of a project that would convert pasture land in Waimea into a koa forest over a span of 50 years. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Island businesses ‘somber’ over TMT stalemate at Mauna Kea. Hawaii island’s business community says they’re spooked by what could be an economic warning sign. Hawaii News Now.

Ambient Air Quality Data Website Updated. Kilauea is not erupting and monitoring data have shown no significant changes over the past week, the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui police increasing hiring efforts as more vacancies open up. The Maui Police Department is upping their recruitment efforts because their number of vacancies keeps growing each year due to retirements and officers moving. KHON2.

Maui case gets day in high court. U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in Lahaina injection wells caseLawyers on both sides of the longstanding Lahaina injection wells case delivered their oral arguments Wednesday before the U.S. Supreme Court, whose ultimate ruling could determine how the federal Clean Water Act is used to regulate pollution to protected waters. Maui News.

Water Conservation Urged in West Maui Amid Ongoing Dry Conditions. West Maui residents and businesses are being urged to conserve water amid ongoing dry, hot conditions and low surface water flows at treatment facilities in Lahaina and Mahinahina. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai police officer accused of domestic abuse. A Kauai police officer is on paid administrative leave following his arrest on suspicion of abuse of a family or household member. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor, others promote walking to school for improved health, learning. About a dozen Kilauea School students, parents, school and public-safety officials joined Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami Thursday along a new route recently created to better guarantee the safety of students walking to school. Garden Island.

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Hawaii botanist rescues pup trapped for six days in 81-foot pit in Kauai forest. When a one-year-old hunting dog named Orange fell 81 feet into a shaft in the Lihue-Koloa Forest Reserve on Kauai, it was a state botanist who came to his rescue. Star-Advertiser.

A dog named Orange beat the odds thanks to a rescuer in orange. A 1-year-old hunting dog named “Orange” fell into 81-foot deep hole in the Koloa section of the Lihue-Koloa Forest Reserve last Saturday. Hawaii News Now.

Botanist Rescues Dog Trapped in 81-Foot Hole on Kaua‘i. A one-year-old Catahoula hunting dog, Orange, fell into the pit last Saturday, Nov. 2. Big Island Now.
Botanist descends 81 feet to rescue dog. The one-year-old Catahoula fell into the pit Saturday. Garden Island.

Kahuku wind farm protesters arrested as equipment moves to site, wetter than average winter, lawmakers debate flavored e-cigs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Double rainbow in Hilo ©2019 All Hawaii News

Above-average rainfall and temperatures coming this winter. The National Weather Service announced Thursday that the islands likely will experience above-average rainfall this winter along with warmer-than-normal temperatures. Star-Advertiser.

NOAA Forecast: ‘Above Average’ Rainfall For Hawaii Through April. As such, existing drought is expected to be eliminated by the end of the rainy season. Civil Beat.

National Weather Service: Expect 'Wetter Than Average' Winter. According to the National Weather Service's outlook on the state's wet season, you can expect a "wetter than normal" winter this year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Warmer temps, above average rainfall predicted for upcoming wet season. Weather models predict Hawaii will see a wetter ― and warmer ― wet season, which extends from October through April. Hawaii News Now.

Upcoming Wet Season to Eliminate Current Drought in Hawai‘i. Maui Now.

Forecasters predict wetter-than-average rainy season. Hilo International Airport averages 80.63 inches during the rainy season, October through April. Tribune-Herald.

Ready for rain. It’s going to be a rainy wet season across Hawaii, and Hanalei could be looking at potential flooding throughout the season. Garden Island.

Marine heat waves, like the one behind Hawaii’s sweltering summer, poised to be ‘new normal’. Five years ago, a vast stretch of warm water emerged across the North Pacific Ocean, extending from Alaska to California to Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s surf might disappear completely if climate change worsens, experts say. Hawaii News Now.

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Lawmakers to revisit statewide ban of flavored e-cigarettes. State lawmakers, grappling with how to stop an unprecedented rise in vaping among Hawaii youth, will consider a statewide ban of flavored electronic cigarettes again next legislative session amid a growing outbreak of lung illnesses nationwide. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers discuss options after second case of vaping-related lung illness. After a second vaping-related lung illness was confirmed, lawmakers met today to discuss options for what to do to address the vaping epidemic in Hawaii. KHON2.

Hawaii High Schooler To Legislators: Ban Flavored E-Cigs. Meanwhile, a major Hawaii e-cigarette retailer said a flavor ban wouldn’t do any good. Civil Beat.

State confirms 2nd case of lung illness associated with vaping. State health officials confirmed Thursday that there is now a second severe lung illness case associated with vaping. It involves a young adult from Kauai.  KHON2.

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Shortage of Hawaii Pro Bono Attorneys Hobbles Legal Aid To Asylum-Seekers. As many as 150 Central American migrants seeking asylum have found their way to Hawaii from the U.S. Mexico border. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii to receive $1.5 million from Johnson & Johnson for not properly disclosing side effects of device. Hawaii will receive about $1.5 million from pharmaceutical company Johnson and Johnson for deceiving customers on one of its medical devices. KITV.

Johnson & Johnson, Ethicon Inc. reach $116.9M settlement over medical device: Here's how much Hawaii gets. Hawaii will be receiving $1.5 million from the settlement. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Wind Farm Protesters Arrested As They Blockade Road For Construction Vehicles. After the arrests, four construction trucks carrying sections of turbines left for the wind farm site in Kahuku. Civil Beat.

Kahuku wind farm convoy blocked by felled electric pole after protesters arrested. Equipment for Kahuku wind farm project leaves Kapolei after police arrest protesters. Police are turning around vehicles on Kamehameha Highway near Sunset Beach because a Hawaiian Electric Co. electric pole was cut down, officers confirmed, presumably to stop the wind turbine convoy from reaching Kahuku. Star-Advertiser.

Police arrest 22 Kahuku wind farm opponents staging late-night blockade in Kalaeloa. Honolulu police arrested 22 opponents of a planned wind energy farm in Kahuku after they tried to block large turbines and other pieces of construction equipment from getting to the North Shore late Thursday into early Friday. Hawaii News Now.

Demonstrators opposed to the new wind turbines on the North Shore are arrested overnight. Police have arrested 22 people in Kalaeloa where demonstrators have been blocking the large wind turbine equipment from leaving the AES Baseyard. KHON2.

Kahuku wind farm opponents arrested during blockade in Kalaeloa. Those opposed to the project are concerned about the environmental and health impacts to the small north shore community. KITV.

Kahuku Wind Farm Protesters Want A Solar Farm Instead. Protesters in Kahuku who have been blocking the movement of equipment for a wind farm said they would support a solar farm in its place. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Navy eyes new 2045 deadline for Red Hill tank improvements. Navy officials said Thursday that they’re committed to finding a way to install a secondary containment system around their massive, underground fuel tanks at Red Hill where 27,000 gallons of fuel leaked in 2014 — and if they can’t, they will remove the fuel around the year 2045. Star-Advertiser.

Navy Resists Calls To Relocate Or Strengthen Red Hill Fuel Tanks. Critics worried about leaks into Honolulu’s drinking water are calling for the Navy to relocate the tanks as fast as possible. Civil Beat.

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Staffer Convicted In Union Vote Rigging No Longer At HART. Yamanoha’s continued employment at HART drew criticism, but rail agency officials won’t say whether he was fired or left voluntarily. Civil Beat.

Once-Defeated Kaneohe Cemetery Expansion Plan Is Back. While many neighbors are mounting opposition to the new proposal, the expansion has the vocal support from several Native Hawaiian organizations. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s Green Energy Projects Search For Ways To Navigate Community Opposition. A number of new solar and wind projects are needed in Oahu to replace the last coal-fired plant, which is scheduled to close in 2022. Civil Beat.

Uncertain future for The Arts at Marks Garage. The Arts at Marks Garage has been a gathering place for local artists for nearly 20 years. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Altitude sickness challenges state officers and TMT protesters. Union filed grievance over evacuations from Mauna Kea. Hawaii News Now obtained a HGEA grievance and letter sent in September to the Department of Public Safety. Hawaii News Now.

UH On Mauna Kea, “Why Are We Stuck?” Greg Chun, the executive director of Maunakea stewardship at the University of Hawaiʻi, gave a talk at UH-Hilo on Thursday about the ongoing conflict on the mountain. Big Island Video News.

University of Hawaii regents call for civility and nonviolence in TMT debate. The University of Hawaii Board of Regents is calling for nonviolence and de- escalation of tension in the university community in connection with the conflict over Mauna Kea. Star-Advertiser.

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NOAA Ship Surveys New Lava Deltas Off Puna. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Ship "Rainier" was off the Puna coast in September, measuring the bathymetry following last summer's lower East Rift Zone lava flows. Big Island Video News.

Kona Community Aquatic Center to reopen Tuesday. The Kona Community Aquatic Center reopens to the public on Tuesday following a lengthy over-the-summer closure. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Council to consider hiring special counsel over charter debate. Attorneys dispute who has authority to withdraw county from injection wells case. Maui News.

Judge Kelsey Kawano Appointed to Maui’s Circuit Court. Maui Judge Kelsey Kawano has been appointed to fill the vacancy on the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit. Maui Now.

Expert: Hawaii could lose ‘localness’ if housing not fixed. 2-day forum on attainable homes held at MACC. Maui News.

Mahi Pono Potatoes to Debut at Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival on Maui. Maui Now.

Ross Opens Third Maui Store, New Anchor Tenant at Lahaina Gateway. Maui Now.

Tori Richard signs lease as part of Westin Maui's $100M upgrade. Tori Richard Ltd. has signed a lease for a 1,100-square-foot lobby retail space at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali, which has been undergoing a $100 million repositioning. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Three Kauai schools on lockdown. Police detained one person and are looking into “persons of interest” in connection to threats that forced lockdowns of school campuses in Lihue and Kapaa for over an hour Thursday. Garden Island.

Harbor fees going up, Kahuku wind farm protested, Land Use Commission to consider Thirty Meter Telescope, water increase for Mahi Pono, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ala Wai boat harbor ©2019 All Hawaii News

Hawaii Boaters Upset About Steep Fee Increase At State-Run Harbors. It’s unknown whether the increase will cover a backlog of maintenance and improvements at the 16 small boat harbors. Civil Beat.

Foreign students add $446M to state’s economy. International students had a total economic impact in Hawaii of $446 million last year, according to a new report by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Plastic marine debris on Hawaii’s windward coasts comes mostly from abroad, study finds. A study conducted at Hawaii Pacific University has found that the majority of marine debris washing up on Hawaii’s shores is not from the isles, but from abroad. Star-Advertiser.

Making strides in renewable energy. Hawaii has landed on a new list of states making big strides in renewable energy, tying with Vermont at number 14 on the list that looks at state policies and incentives as well as carbon emissions and renewable energy production. Garden Island.

12% of Hawaii children are obese, study finds. An estimated 13,800 Hawaii children ages 10 to 17 are obese, according to a new study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Star-Advertiser.

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Running For President, Gabbard Faces Challenge In Hawaii. The campaign Kai Kahele is building for Congress is putting Gabbard's day job in jeopardy as she fights to break through a crowded Democratic presidential primary field. Associated Press.

Gabbard Backs Off Boycott, Will Debate After All. The Hawaii congresswoman, who is struggling to breakthrough on the national stage, said she was considering skipping Tuesday’s presidential debate. Civil Beat.

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Investigators set their sights on owners of Hawaii’s illicit massage parlors. Hawaii law enforcement agencies, unable to curtail the proliferation of such businesses over the years, are readjusting their approach, delving into ownership ties and looking for ways to disrupt the financial infrastructure that supports the industry. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Protesters gather in attempt to block Kahuku wind farm construction. Opponents of the AES Na Pua Makani wind farm began gathering Sunday evening in an attempt to block construction of the project on Oahu’s North Shore. Hawaii News Now.

Kia’i say that they don’t plan to move, construction for North Shore wind project begins Monday. Those opposed to the Na Pua Makani wind project have formed a line to block the construction of wind turbines in Kahuku Sunday night, October 13. KHON2.

Oahu residents hold peaceful protest against wind turbine project. Many O'ahu residents participated in a peaceful protest on Sunday night against plans to build eight 568-foot wind turbines. KITV.

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New B&B property tax category proposed. A bill moving through the Honolulu City Council would carve out a new property tax category for homeowners who operate bed-and-breakfast establishments. Star-Advertiser.

Navy officials to brief public on Red Hill plans. Navy officials will brief lawmakers and the public about their proposed plans for improving tank safety at the Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility during meetings on Tuesday and Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Developer, city fail to keep timely promises on Waikiki parking lot. A 50-stall metered parking lot still hasn’t been returned to the city a year after the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, opened its second tower. Star-Advertiser.

Waikiki eyesore set for long overdue makeover. Construction is expected to begin in December to transform a nearly one-acre gravel lot on Aloha Drive in central Waikiki into a community park. KITV.

HART’s Shoddy Relocation Program Took A Toll On Those Displaced By Rail. For years, the agency didn’t follow the proper federal rules moving businesses on the path of the rail line. Civil Beat.

Councilwoman wants tourists to sign pledge to protect the environment. City Councilwoman Kymberly Pine wants visitors to Oahu to pledge to be “environmentally responsible and culturally sensitive” during their stay here. Star-Advertiser.

Redevelopment of Aloha Stadium to take next step. The process of selecting a developer for the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District will take a major step in coming months as the state prepares to send out requests for qualifications from prospective partners before the end of the year. Star-Advertiser.

Kawaiahao iwi still stored in church basement as years-long controversy drags on. The families of more than 600 burials — unearthed during a construction project at Kawaiahao Church — are nearly finished with a burial treatment plan. Hawaii News Now.

Army zeroes in on rapid artillery raids in new era of ‘great power’ competition. For the first time, the 25th Infantry Division last week practiced moving two M777 howitzers — which each weigh nearly 10,000 pounds — by air using a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, setting up the big guns as fast as possible and firing at a target during the rapid artillery raid. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mauna Kea “industrial uses” challenged by protestors. A hearing has been scheduled before the state Land Use Commission later this month to consider a petition that challenges the legality of “the industrial uses” atop Mauna Kea, including the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope. Star-Advertiser.

Maunakea VIS face-lift complete. A million-dollar renovation at the Maunakea Visitor Information Station has been completed for months, but nobody has been able to experience it yet. Tribune-Herald.

With summer ended, weather could affect the TMT protests. Summer is over, and colder weather could soon have an impact on the months-long blockade of Mauna Kea Access Road. Star-Advertiser.

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‘This is totally unacceptable’: Mayor Kim riled by siren inaction. Mayor Harry Kim vowed Friday to get to the bottom of why 10% of Hawaii Island’s emergency warning sirens are inoperable. West Hawaii Today.

PGV drilling new well this week. Puna Geothermal Venture will begin drilling a new production well this week, according to a letter sent out earlier this month to neighbors and community members. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

State board OKs more water for Mahi Pono. A&B revocable permits subject of controversy for many years. Maui News.

Recent violence belies Maui’s progress in getting the homeless into more stable situations. Maui continues to see progress in reducing its homeless population — now down to 862 individuals, according to the latest count — but back-to-back violence at a new homeless encampment underscores lingering problems. Star-Advertiser.

Organizers Are Trying to Inform Tourists About Maui's Fragile Reefs. In an effort to educate the nearly 3 million tourists that visit Maui each year, a Lahaina-based environmental group is raising awareness on protecting the islandʻs marine life. Maui Now.

UH Student Enrollment Down on Maui College Campus and Across the State. Enrollment at the University of Hawaii Maui College campus is down to 2,992 students, a 3.2 percent drop this fall semester when compared to fall 2018. Maui Now.

2 county sites could receive $2.7 million for land purchases. Panel favors grants for Mapulehu and Makaalae lands. Maui News.


Kauai

Bill proposes bus fee changes. The Kauai County Council is considering legislation that would change bus fares and establish a passenger code of conduct. Garden Island.

Kilauea ag park becoming something bigger. When the Kilauea Community Agricultural Center (now also known as Aina Ho‘okupu O Kilauea) was first incorporated as a nonprofit in 2015, it was probably true that most people on Kauai — if they’d heard about it at all — thought of it as small plots that community gardeners would tend. Garden Island.

Rice Street work is meeting topic. The Rice Street revitalization project is the topic of the Lihue Business Association meeting Thursday, Oct. 24, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Duke’s Canoe Club on Kalapaki Beach. Garden Island.

Molokai

Molokai residents outraged over conditions at island’s only health center. Some Molokai residents are calling for the head of the island’s only community health center to resign after the facility was forced to close for four days in August because of staff shortages. Hawaii News Now.

Senate panel votes against Public Safety director's confirmation, more details emerge on federal rail fund withholding, AC Hotel Wailea by Marriott breaks ground on Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Senate panel votes against reappointing public safety director. A state Senate committee voted Thursday against reappointing Nolan Espinda director of the Department of Public Safety, citing last month’s riot at the Maui jail, recent shootings of an Oahu jail inmate and a homeless man, detention of prisoners beyond their release dates and an alleged culture of retaliation and intimidation within the department. Star-Advertiser.

Ige Stands By His Public Safety Chief After Senate Panel Calls For Espinda’s Ouster. A Senate committee harshly criticized Nolan Espinda’s leadership of Hawaii’s prisons and the Sheriff Division. Civil Beat.

Senate Committee Votes Against Confirming Public Safety Director. Nolan Espinda, Gov. David Ige’s nominee to head the state Department of Public Safety, won’t get the backing of a key legislative committee. Hawaii Public Radio.

Senate committee won’t recommend Espinda’s return as public safety director. Hawaii News Now.

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Administrator in charge of DPS training programs accused of lying on her resume. The woman in charge of training more than 1,500 of Hawaii’s deputy sheriffs and adult corrections officers is facing public scrutiny for allegedly being dishonest about her job qualifications. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Rifle Association, NRA Seek Injunction To Suspend Gun Carry Requirements. Gun advocates filed a motion Thursday in U.S. District Court asking for an immediate injunction stopping enforcement of permit requirements that they say amount to a de facto ban on carrying guns. Hawaii Public Radio.

Urgency claimed in isle lawsuit over public carry of guns. The Hawaii Rifle Association is attempting to obtain quick action in a 2-week-old federal lawsuit aimed at allowing many residents statewide to carry loaded handguns in public. Star-Advertiser.

The number of farms in Hawaii grew substantially from 2012 to 2017, though the market value of the industry dropped nearly $100 million over the same period. That’s according to numbers released Thursday morning by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in its 2017 Census of Agriculture. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii School Chief Asks DeVos About Teacher Shortage. Christina Kishimoto mentioned the challenge of teacher retention in remote areas. Civil Beat.

Oahu

With still two days left, record number of ballots cast in City Council special election. Ahead of Saturday’s deadline, more than 31,000 votes have already been cast in the City Council District IV special election. Hawaii News Now.

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Honolulu Rail’s Final Federal Money Not Expected Until Next Year. The Federal Transit Administration has withheld $744 million from the project since 2015. Civil Beat.

Federal agency demands faster city contributions for rail. The Federal Transit Administration wants to see the city accelerate the pace of its contributions to help fund the Honolulu rail project before the FTA releases $744 million in federal funding it has withheld from the project. Star-Advertiser.

Feds Delaying Rail Funding, Citing Concerns About The Project. The Federal Transit Administration is withholding payments for Honolulu's rail system until officials make changes to its plan to get the $9 billion project back on track. Hawaii Public Radio.

Feds to delay release of millions in rail funding over construction concerns. Citing concerns about two impending construction contracts, the FTA has decided to delay the release of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding intended to help propel Honolulu’s rail line toward completion. Hawaii News Now.

Federal Transit Administration withholding rail transit funding until February 2020. KHON2.

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Health director wants Navy to move Red Hill fuel tanks. State Department of Health Director Bruce Anderson is urging the Navy to relocate its underground fuel storage facility at Red Hill away from a major source of Oahu’s drinking water.  Star-Advertiser.

Worried about 'catastrophic’ spill, state wants U.S. Navy to move its Red Hill fuel tanks. Hawaii News Now.

Turtle Bay to start $70M renovation. Turtle Bay, which is owned by Blackstone and managed by Benchmark Resorts &Hotels, plans to start a $70 million renovation by the fourth quarter of this year that will be the precursor for its plan to add about 725 more units during a lengthy build-out that could start two or three years from now. Star-Advertiser.

An Ewa Elementary School A-plus teacher is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old former student. An Oahu grand jury returned an indictment today charging Jordan Cortez with eight counts of sexual assault. Star-Advertiser.

Thousands of items from the Honolulu Police Department’s evidence room are up for auction. HPD amassed the items from various criminal cases over the years as well as from personal property turned in by the public that was never claimed by their owners. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Lawmakers talk successes, failures at legislative forum. A handful of lawmakers took some time Wednesday to return to Hawaii Island for a Community Forums event and talk story on a few measures of note in the 2019 legislative session, both those that look promising and those that have fallen short. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County Council approves two of three lava disaster aid bills. Bills passed on final reading clear the way to accept $40 million in loans from the state and adds restoration of Highway 132 to the capital budget. Tribune-Herald.

An old hospital in Hilo is being transformed into a haven for the homeless. In Hilo, an old hospital is being transformed into one of the state's first homeless Ohana Zones. It's one of two Ohana Zone projects in the works for Hawaii Island. Hawaii News Now.

Wally Lau, Kimo Lee Named To Kahu Ku Mauna. The Maunakea Management Board voted to approve the two selections to the volunteer advisory board during its April 2 meeting. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Hale Mahaolu Lahaina Surf will not raise rents on tenants. Housing complex only looking to raise subsidy that HUD pays  Maui News.

Lahaina Cannery Mall eyes expansion with gas station. Plans call for 8-pump gas station and convenience store. Maui News.

New AC Hotel Wailea Breaks Ground. The 110-room AC Hotel Wailea by Marriott is being built on a three acre-lot situated at the corner of Wailea Ike Place and Wailea Ike Drive, adjacent to the Wailea Tennis Club. Maui Now.

Ex-Maui inmate gets $10K in sex assault lawsuit settlement. A former inmate who says Hawaii officials didn’t protect her against a guard convicted of sexually assaulting her is settling a lawsuit for $10,000. Associated Press.

Ex-Maui inmate gets $10K in sex assault lawsuit settlement. A former inmate who alleges Hawaii officials didn't protect her against a guard convicted of sexual assault is settling a lawsuit for $10,000. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Former lifeguard’s lawsuit dismissed. A Fifth Circuit Court judge on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit brought by a former firefighter, alleging his supervisors in the Kauai Fire Department threatened and retaliated against him for testifying about their alleged misconduct. Garden Island.

Coral may be adapting to warmer seas, 3rd federal subpoena for Honolulu rail, milk production may be doomed, voting behind bars, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Divers study coral damage in Hawaii ©2019 All Hawaii News

A team of researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology and the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum conducted a study of coral resiliency that showed some corals are better able to tolerate heat than similar corals tested in the 1970s. But scientists say it will not be fast enough to fight off rising sea temperatures. University of Hawaii.

Fresh Hawaii milk production may be doomed after dairy industry missteps. The state Department of Agriculture and University of Hawaii have supported efforts to help reverse the decline. But the recent developments aren’t encouraging. Star-Advertiser.

Rural Schools Take A Big Hit In Hawaii’s Funding Formula. Hawaii’s system was meant to make school funding more equitable. But in places like Hana and Molokai, it’s meant cutting teachers and class offerings. Civil Beat.

‘Hawaii Saves’ retirement fund moves forward with opposition from insurers. A proposal to create a Hawaii retirement savings program for local businesses is moving forward in the state Senate. Hawaii News Now.

Bringing The Right To Vote Behind Bars. Supporters, including the Department of Public Safety, are backing legislation that would make Hawaii one of a handful of states that allow inmates to cast a ballot. Civil Beat.

Bills would establish statewide regulations for ‘transportation network companies’ — including Uber and Lyft. Tribune-Herald.

Bills To Help Sexual Misconduct Victims Speak Out Also Could Keep Them Silent. Lawmakers are considering measures to block non-disclosure agreements related to sexual misconduct. Civil Beat.

1 in 15 Hawaii high schools students have attempted suicide according to the Hawaii State Teachers Association, which is supporting a bill to prevent suicide. The bill would have public school employees trained on what to look out for and how to help kids contemplating killing themselves. KITV.

Hawaii Gas files motion for solar water heater ruling. Hawaii Gas has filed a motion to intervene in a suit against a state agency alleging that it was wrongfully allowing “wholesale exemptions” from a solar water heater mandate for tens of thousands of gas water heaters. Star-Advertiser.

Hotel Occupancy Dips in January, But Vacation Rentals May Not Be To Blame. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Third HART subpoena seeks minutes of closed meetings. Federal investigators want the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation to turn over minutes for its board’s meetings as part of its criminal investigation into the $9.2 billion project. Star-Advertiser.

Feds Demand Records Of HART Board’s Closed-Door Meetings. The latest subpoena requires HART to provide unredacted minutes of its board’s executive sessions, but HART questions whether it can fully comply. Civil Beat.

HART Receives Third Federal Supoena Seeking Board Minutes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu rail authorities confirmed Monday that they had received a third subpoena in connection with a federal criminal investigation into the state’s largest public works project. Hawaii News Now.

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The Honolulu Prosecutor’s office has now kicked two high profile cases to another agency -- because of potential conflicts due to the federal investigation. Both cases were handled by former deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha, the one time head of the career criminal unit -- who is now facing dozens of federal charges. Hawaii News Now.

The Navy has provided federal and state regulators with the results of testing at its Red Hill fuel facility near Pearl Harbor that was conducted to assess corrosion at 18 underground fuel tanks that sit just 100 feet above a major aquifer that supplies drinking water to urban Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Replacement to crumbling dock in East Honolulu deemed unsafe, too. Nearly two months after officials with the Department of Land and Natural Resources condemned a popular loading dock in East Oahu because it was unsafe, the structure collapsed into the ocean. Hawaii News Now.

The proposed expansion of Adventist Health Castle, formerly Castle Medical Center, at Hawaii Pacific University’s Hawaii Loa campus is projected to cost $438 million, according to a draft environmental impact statement. Star-Advertiser.

New hair salon seeks liquor license. Full-service hair salon Style Loft Hair Studio hopes to add alcohol to its offerings, according to public documents. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

A draft environmental assessment and anticipated finding of no significant impact has been published for a family agricultural community proposed in Waikoloa. Nakahili is an agricultural community planned for land mauka of Waikoloa Village, and will have affordable apartments and farm dwellings. Big Island Video News.

Lava tour operator hit with another lawsuit. A second group of mainland residents who were aboard a lava tour boat last July when a “lava bomb” tore through the boat’s roof is suing the tour company and the boat’s captain. Tribune-Herald.

DOH issues water contamination advisory after overflow at dairy. The state Department of Health on Sunday issued a water contamination advisory, warning the public to stay out of the waters in Kaohaoha Gulch and the coastal waters fronting it near Ookala because of animal waste contamination. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Hawaii Medical Service Association held a grand opening of its 4,200-square-foot “one-stop shop” center in the Puunene Shopping Center. Maui News.

The state Department of Transportation lifted its access restriction for travel on the main road through rugged northwest Maui on Sunday near noon but will reinstate the access limitations beginning Tuesday. Maui News.

Sierra Club honorees saved land and water. Lifetime achievement awards handed out to four Mauians. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kauai Police Department is short staffed. Patrol officers frequently work 17-hour shifts and fill in on their days off, only to staff a marginally adequate number of positions. Garden Island.

About 200 volunteers removed more than 4,000 pounds of plastics, nets and other marine debris from Kauai’s East Side shores on Saturday through a cleanup hosted by B-RAD Foundation and Surfrider Kauai Chapter. Garden Island.