F-22 fighters respond to Russian Navy activity near Hawaii, Honolulu police officers charged in killing 16-year-old, travel surges with loosened COVID requirements, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

F-22 Raptors U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt Ben Bloker

Russian Navy west of Hawaii prompted F-22 fighter launch from Hickam, report says. The Russian Navy is edging closer to Hawaii with a big exercise 300 to 500 miles west of the Aloha State — prompting the Air Force to scramble three missile-armed F-22 fighters on Sunday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.

French Warplanes To Train With US Military In Hawaii As Allies Solidify Ties. France’s new commander in the Pacific toured Hawaii last month as relations between China and Europe sour. Civil Beat.

Loosened intercounty restrictions give boost to travel. Hawaii ended restrictions on intercounty travel between the Hawaiian Islands on Tuesday and extended the quarantine exemption to domestic travelers who were fully vaccinated with at least one shot in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

First day of the coronavirus vaccine pass goes smoothly for Hawaii travelers, pre-screening saves time. Tuesday, June 15, marked the start of the vaccine exemption that allows travelers vaccinated in Hawaii to bypass quarantine after returning from the mainland. KHON2.

Do We Want More Local Food Or Cheaper Power? Two Hawaii Priorities Conflict. Renewable energy companies say Honolulu’s plan to designate 12% of Oahu as “Important Agricultural Lands” could hinder the state’s ability to meet its clean energy goals. Civil Beat. 

Health officials report 37 new COVID-19 cases statewide. Today’s reported cases include 20 on O‘ahu, 8 on Hawai‘i Island, 3 on Kaua‘i, 2 on Maui and 4 residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

3 Honolulu Police Department officers are charged in the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy. In an unprecedented and historic move for Hawaii law enforcement, Prosecuting Attorney Steven S. Alm moved past an Oahu grand jury decision and brought murder and attempted murder charges against three Honolulu police officers in connection with the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old Micronesian suspect. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Security footage shows exchange before police shoot Lindani Myeni. The video captures Lindani Sanele Myeni entering the home at 91 Coelho Way in Nuuanu and then leaving while apologizing to the couple who called police. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. Civil Beat.

City hopes to efficiently distribute federal funds for homelessness by deadline. Oahu has about $24 million in federal COVID-19 funds to spend on homelessness outreach and housing — of which $10 million is going to a new program called Oahu Housing Now. Star-Advertiser.

Kaimukī Residents Concerned 'Monster Home' Construction Taking Place; DPP Director Reviewing Plans. Honolulu's Director of Planning and Permitting is reviewing a controversial residential construction case on Oʻahu. It involves the demolition of structures on a 19,000 square foot lot, and the construction of what neighbors fear will be a monster home. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Police Release Body Cam Footage Of Hilo Shooting. Video from the Body Worn Camera of the officer that was involved in the fatal shooting of Ryan Santos on the evening of June 13 was released on Tuesday. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. Tribune-Herald.

Council panel advances new building code: Codes for new and existing residences get stamp of approval. In what appeared to be the smoothest discussion and vote on building code amendments in more than a decade, a County Council panel Tuesday unanimously advanced changes bringing the county up to the 2018 code for new and existing residential buildings. West Hawaii Today.

Borce wraps up three-year stint at PTA. After three years at the helm, Lt. Col. Loreto “JR” V. Borce Jr. on Tuesday passed the baton — or, more accurately, presented the colors — of Pohakuloa Training Area to Lt. Col. Kevin Cronin. Tribune-Herald.

A Chinese national is facing a federal charge for allegedly laundering millions of fraud proceeds used by a co-conspirator to purchase and flip real estate for profit in West Hawaii. From 2010 through October 2018, Claypool developed and then sold those properties located in Waikoloa, Puuanahulu, Kukio and Kailua-Kona, for more than $11.4 million and later transferred the proceeds to investments accounts at brokerage firm Edward Jones, authorities say. West Hawaii Today.

Halau, kumu hula prepare for Merrie Monarch Festival with modifications. The Merrie Monarch Festival is slated for June 24 – 26 after being put on pause due to the pandemic. KHON2.

Maui

Maui Film Industry Reels Up in 2021: John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Guy Fieri, HBO, Hallmark and More. Maui Film Commissioner Tracy Bennett, the State Film Commissioner and Mayor Michael Victorino worked to bring major productions back to Maui County after the lockdown over a year ago, approving filming with restrictions in August. Maui Now.

10-Year Review of Maui County Charter Underway, Public Input Sought. Once a decade the Mayor and the Council appoint a Commission of 11 citizens to conduct a year-long review of Maui County’s governing document, the Maui County Charter. Maui Now.

Public Hearing For County Facility Concessions, June 23. The public is invited to provide input on proposed rules for concession operations during an online public hearing set for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, 2021, the Department of Parks and Recreation announced. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i condo prices skyrocket over five years. Condominium sales have increased over 55% over the past five years, Kaua‘i Realtors say. Garden Island.

Hawai‘i first lady promotes literacy. Hawai‘i First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige visited Kaua‘i to promote literacy, primarily the ‘Ohana Readers Kaua‘i, and the Hawai‘i State Public Library System’s Tails and Tales Summer Reading Program. Garden Island.

Missile test postponed as Russian spy ship lingers off Hawaii coast, Maui council panel advances hotel construction moratorium, variants account for 90% of new coronavirus cases, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Russian ship Kareliya PC: U.S. Navy

Russian spy ship off Kauai results in postponed missile test. A Russian spy ship loitering in international waters off Kauai for several days has delayed a Missile Defense Agency missile test, officials said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KITV4.

Pride of America to resume isle cruises in November. Norwegian Cruise Line announced Wednesday that it plans to relaunch its seven­-day Hawaii cruises aboard the Honolulu-based Pride of America starting Nov. 6. Star-Advertiser.
 
Hawaii economic recovery seen picking up speed. Hawaii’s economy is improving at an accelerated pace and the state is now forecast to grow 3.5% this year as domestic visitor arrivals reach full recovery by the end of 2021. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Vacation rental occupancy exceeding stays in hotels. Vacation rental occupancy statewide topped Hawaii hotels again in April, continuing a seven-month trend that emerged in October after Safe Travels Hawaii allowed some visitors to bypass the state’s COVID-­19-related travel quarantine. Star-Advertiser.

Some Hawaii Farms Want To Keep Feeding Locals — Even As Tourism Returns. As the threat of COVID-19 subsides, some local food growers say they will continue to prioritize local families that kept them afloat during the pandemic over the tourism industry. Civil Beat.

Ige issues proclamation on period poverty as women, girls lack resources to sanitary products. Gov. David Ige issued a proclamation Wednesday to bring awareness to period poverty in Hawaii. The proclamation was made as women and girls face difficulty in acquiring access to sanitary products due to the financial constraints of the pandemic. Hawaii News Now.

While officials say the ‘end of the pandemic’ is near, health experts say it’s difficult to predict. Officials are beginning to say it out loud: the pandemic in Hawaii may soon be over. But, epidemiologists are keeping a close eye on variants and outbreaks in other countries. Hawaii News Now.

Most Of Hawaii’s Recent COVID-19 Cases Are From ‘Variants Of Concern’. The vaccines currently on the market are still effective in protecting against more contagious variants, officials say. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now. KHON2.

Hawaii sees 50 new coronavirus cases as the statewide tally climbs to 35,974. The state’s official coronavirus-related death toll includes 384 fatalities on Oahu, 54 on Maui, 53 on Hawaii Island, two on Kauai, and three Hawaii residents who died outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Mayor Rick Blangiardi working on modifications to Tier 4. Oahu could be moving to Tier 4 of its reopening plan in a few days, pending Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s submission of a proposal for Gov. David Ige’s approval. Star-Advertiser.

'It's Disappointing.' Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi Wants Answers from HPD. Mayor Rick Blangiardi addressed the rift between him and Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard Wednesday. KITV4.

Judge orders release of full body camera footage for Nuuanu shooting. A judge is ordering HPD to turn over unedited police body cam footage in connection with the shooting that left 29-year-old Lindani Myeni dead in Nuuanu in April. KITV4.

Honolulu police shoot felon wanted on warrants. Honolulu police shot and critically wounded on Tuesday a 27-year-old felon who pulled out a handgun and pointed it at officers who were trying to arrest him in connection with two outstanding warrants, police said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Effort to protect key Oahu farmland paused for legal review. The state Land Use Commission has paused a highly contentious effort to potentially preserve 41,407 acres of privately owned farmland on Oahu as important agricultural land. Star-Advertiser.

New $160 million state hospital facility set to accept patients in August. A long-awaited 144-bed psychiatric facility at the Hawaii State Hospital, which for decades has been plagued by overcrowding and assaults on staff by patients, is set to begin housing its first patients in August. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Kilauea Volcano Stops Erupting After Months of Lava. Kilauea, which had been erupting at its summit crater since December, has “paused” producing new lava, the USGS said. The latest eruption had produced a new lava lake at the summit. Associated Press. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Perreira appeals fire chief selection, says process wasn’t ‘fair and transparent’. The acting fire chief who was passed over for the permanent position is appealing the Fire Commission’s selection process. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island Paddlesports Association, Kona Sailing Club leases in question. On the agenda for Friday’s Board of Land and Natural Resources meeting includes a request to authorize the sale of the leases held by each organization at public auction. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Bill to pause hotel permits advances. A Maui County Council committee on Tuesday voted to recommend approval for a bill that would place a moratorium on building permits for visitor accommodations. Passed out of the Climate Action, Resilience and Environment Committee with a 4-2 vote, the measure would pause visitor accommodation development in West and in South Maui until community plans are updated or in two years, whichever is sooner. The proposal now heads to full council. Maui News.

Country Market at Waikapū to Open at Former Maui Tropical Plantation Store. The business, located at the former Maui Tropical Plantation Store, is made possible through a collaboration between Kumu Farms and Maui ʻOma Coffee Roasting Co. Maui Now.

Officials investigate suspicious death of 2 monk seals on Molokai. Both of the seals — a 4-year-old male, RJ08, and 3-year-old female, RK92 — were found dead on April 27 on the west side of Molokai, according to officials. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Council hears FY22 budget concerns. Residents, Wednesday, again expressed concerns for the county’s upcoming fiscal year 2022 Capital Improvement Projects budget lacking more avenues for waste diversion. Garden Island.

COVID-19 restrictions remain in parks. Polihale State Park remains open for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, but the state Department of Land and Natural Resources reminds locals and visitors to follow the rules in state parks over the weekend. Garden Island.