Tropical disturbance threatens Hawaii, state Supreme Court overturns Waikiki hotel variance, Kaiser Permanente picked for Maui hospitals, Kakaako tech park advances, Sandwich Isles ousts Hee, Kauai to learn about coral bleaching, Kona timeshare project cleared, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

2:02 a.m. Thursday Hawaii storm track, courtesy Central Pacific Hurricane Center

A developing weather system about 800 miles southeast of Hilo has a high chance of forming into a tropical cyclone in the next few days, according to forecasters. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s long-term care ombudsman is lobbying the federal government to take action that better protects the elderly from inadvertently signing away their right to sue a nursing home should a dispute arise during their stay there. Civil Beat.

President Obama’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders arrived in Hawaii on Tuesday for the first time on a mission to better understand issues facing the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. Star-Advertiser.

Sandwich Isles Communications Inc. is planning a corporate restructuring that will remove owner Al Hee from “any management responsibilities or involvement” with the company in the wake of Hee’s convictions this summer on federal tax charges, the Hawaiian Homes Commission was told Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The Hawaii Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned a city variance that was necessary for Kyo-ya to replace the existing eight-story Moana Surfrider Diamond Head Tower with a 26-story hotel and residential tower. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Supreme Court has ruled that the city shouldn’t have granted a variance to allow a 26-story hotel and residential tower to encroach on a Waikiki shoreline. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s highest court has overturned a city variance granted to Kyo-ya Hotels that would have allowed them to construct a new building along Waikiki Beach outside the developmental restrictions enacted for the Waikiki Special District. Hawaii Independent.

State officials heading a technology park in Kakaako published a draft environmental assessment Wednesday that estimates an initial $39 million phase of what is being called the “Innovation Block” could be completed by 2018, followed by two more perhaps equally costly phases in 2020. Star-Advertiser.

A technology park meant to boost tech industry jobs in the state could be coming to Honolulu as soon as 2020 under a plan being pushed by a state development agency. Hawaii News Now.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources  and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District are holding a public meeting on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 to present the Draft Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Ala Wai Canal Project. KHON2.

Honolulu paid $167,500 to two hikers who said they were brutalized by officers, but its Police Department overruled a finding that excessive force was used. Civil Beat.

The University of Hawaii is moving ahead with plans to lease more than 150 acres of vacant land next to the UH-West Oahu campus for mixed-use development to help support the growing Kapolei university. Star-Advertiser.

Transit-oriented developments key in addressing Honolulu's housing crunch, state official says. Pacific Business News.

The City continues its sidewalk enforcement in Kaka’ako and has placed nearly one-third of the homeless individuals and families into emergency shelters. Hawaii Public Radio.

The 77-foot sunken fishing vessel Judy K — covered in mud, algae and barnacles — was floated Tuesday for the first time in eight months at Pier 16 thanks to the Army’s 7th Engineer Dive Detachment taking on the recovery as training. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The alala hasn’t been seen in the wild for about 13 years, but an effort to prevent Hawaii Island’s native crow from going the way of the dodo could soon begin to pay off. According to a draft of the state’s revised Wildlife Action Plan, there are now 114 alala being raised in captivity — enough to begin reintroducing the birds to the island’s forests as early as next year. Tribune-Herald.

A planned condominium timeshare development mauka of Alii Drive has been downsized slightly to accommodate neighbors’ concerns about a family graveyard. West Hawaii Today.

The $60,000 that the IRONMAN World Championships pay to use the Kailua Pier for four days would be cut in half, under a request that the state Board of Land and Natural Resources will consider on Friday. West Hawaii Today.

County workers are piecing together a flood-damaged road shoulder on Kuakini Highway in Kailua-Kona — again. West Hawaii Today.

A Kailua-Kona man who punched a shark and saved a surfer friend has been awarded a Carnegie Medal for heroism. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The Maui Region board of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation has selected Kaiser Permanente as a potential partner for Maui's three public hospitals. Maui News.

The state’s public hospital system has selected Kaiser Permanente to operate and manage three Maui county hospitals. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Health Systems Corp.’s Maui Regional System Board announced Wednesday that it has selected Kaiser Permanente to enter negotiations with the state and the Maui board to manage the three state-owned hospitals in Maui County. Pacific Business News.

Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui today raised concerns over the selection of Kaiser Permanente by the Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation’s Maui Regional System Board as its choice to operate its facilities under a planned partnership. Maui Now.

Maui resident Christopher Profio is asking the Maui Planning Commission to include sugar cane smoke as a factor when granting special management area use permits. Maui Now.

The Water Resources Committee on Wednesday recommended adoption of a resolution approving land purchase agreements for the expansion of the ʻĪao Water Treatment Facility and development of Wailuku Well 1, Committee Chair Gladys Baisa announced. Maui Now.

Short-term rental approved for Helen Hunt, denied for Fleetwood. Planning commission hears requests. Maui News.

Kauai

Researchers reported a successful result from this week’s bait experiment to eliminate the rat population on Lehua Rock. Garden Island.

Bleachapalooza, a statewide effort to train Hawaii residents how to identify and report sightings of coral bleaching, is coming to Kauai. Garden Island.

Honolulu rail plan redo; lights, wind turbines killing island birds, state Health Department defies law, stops posting care home data; Navy vet can't raise flag; man arrested for marijuana dispensary; county drops drug-test requirements, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

EJScreen lets you zoom in on environment

A new online mapping tool has been developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to promote environmental justice. The tool, called EJScreen, provides detailed information about pollution, traffic congestion, toxic spills, air quality, sources of water pollution and other environmental hazards, and combines this with census data to identify areas where there are high levels of poverty or where certain ethnic groups are concentrated. Star-Advertiser.

Despite a state mandate, the Hawaii Department of Health has stopped posting online the inspection reports for nearly 1,700 adult care homes and several other types of long-term care facilities that it oversees. Civil Beat.

A state license awarded to businessman Albert Hee to provide telecommunications services on Hawaiian homelands requires that Hee apply some of his profits to job training and education programs for Native Hawaiians, but Hee now says his company has never actually paid out any benefits under that provision. Star-Advertiser.

American Airlines said over the weekend that an Airbus A321 aircraft that flew from Los Angeles to Honolulu on Aug. 31 had not been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration to make extended flights over the ocean to Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

We hear a lot about how much it costs to live in Hawaii.  But how much do people in the Islands make? Pacific Business News has a paycheck report. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lower gas prices mean big sales for big cars and one expert said these lower prices may stick around for a while. KHON2.

Oahu

Honolulu rail officials have spent just over $100 million in final design plans to build the second half of the island’s 20-mile transit project, but they’re not certain how much of that work they’ll ultimately use. So it’s unclear for now how much of that money will be wasted. Star-Advertiser.

Wednesday marks one year since Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed Honolulu’s first sit-lie bill into law, banning people from sitting and lying on Waikiki sidewalks 24 hours a day. The new law quickly shifted the landscape in the government’s handling of homelessness. Star-Advertiser.

On Oahu, many families are homeless because they couldn’t pay the rent. Experts say rent subsidies are a cost-effective way to keep families off the streets. Civil Beat.

A lawsuit over tainted rail votes and a new ethics complaint against the Ho‘opili development point up how deeply the Honolulu City Council resides in the pocket of Hawaii’s building industry. Star-Advertiser.

Going green is costing Honolulu millions of dollars. Some say the city would save more money if residents tossed recyclables in the rubbish. KITV4.

A strict homeowner's association policy in Kapolei has one Navy couple crying foul. They've been cited and could be fined $100 if they don't take the flag pole they installed on their front porch. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

Hawaii County will  no longer require a urinalysis or medical examination from people who get conditional job offers for positions that are not considered safety sensitive and do not fall under federal transportation safety regulations. Star-Advertiser.

A 58-year-old Mountain View man is facing 31 charges for allegedly operating an unlicensed medical marijuana dispensary out of his Fern Acres subdivision home. Tribune-Herald.

A community hall full of Ocean View residents were left without answers Friday evening as the developers of a massive commercial solar project failed to show for the meeting. West Hawaii Today.

Maui
SunEdison, owner of the Kaheawa Wind Projects I and II above Maalaea, is asking the state for permission to increase the number of Hawaiian hoary bats and nene that may be accidentally killed by its wind turbines. Maui News.

A failed merger between two Hawaii solar energy firms has led to the filing of dueling lawsuits, including the latest one that has Honolulu’s Solar Wave suing Maui’s Haleakala Solar for at least $500,000 for work done in a joint venture, according to the lawsuit filed in First Circuit Court in Honolulu. Pacific Business News.

The state is seeking reimbursement from the federal government for most of the $14.5 million it paid for 78.1 acres for a runway protection zone for Kahului Airport and has prepared a draft environmental assessment as part of that process. Maui News.

Hawaii regulators have ruled in favor of Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. Inc., giving the Honolulu-based firm a $327 million contract for work at Kahului Airport on Maui after the contract award had been protested by Honolulu’s Nan Inc. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

More than 100 endangered seabirds recently required care after falling from the sky due to lighting issues at Kokee State Park. Garden Island.

The Department of Parks and Recreation plans to dig up and open an out-of-service cesspool that may be leaking bacteria into the water at Kapaa Beach Park. Garden Island.

About a dozen chickens turned up dead on the Hawaiian island of Kauai earlier this week, and the Aloha State is determined to figure out why. Civil Beat.

Protesters were back outside of Hanalei Elementary School Friday and the number of students present in the combined kindergarten and first grade class has dwindled, according to parents. Garden Island.

Abercrombie prison plan failing, more teachers staying, Maui to put lobbyist list online, Big Island flood zone maps changing, homelessness isn't child neglect, liquor in Chinatown, Coco Palms gets extension, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Oahu Community Correctional, courtesy Hawaii Department of Public Safety

Measures aimed at overhauling Hawaii’s troubled criminal justice system by making it more efficient and shifting resources to efforts that promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism — under a program called the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, was projected to help reduce the state’s inmate population by more than 900 by the end of fiscal year 2015 — and eventually lead to a reduction of 1,010 inmates by fiscal year 2018. But, as of May 31, Hawaii’s inmate population stood at 5,998 — merely 62 fewer inmates than in June 2012. Civil Beat.

A growing number of beginning teachers in Hawaii public schools are staying on the job longer, past the critical five-year mark experts say most likely determines whether a teacher will stick with or part with the profession. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Board of Education will be broadcasting live audio of its Tuesday meeting, a new initiative aimed at increasing the accessibility and transparency of meetings. Civil Beat.

The Federal Communications Commission has interrupted the monthly subsidy payments it has provided to Hawaii telecommunications company Sandwich Isles Communications Inc. for more than a decade in the wake of federal criminal convictions of company founder Albert Hee, according to federal records. Star-Advertiser.

Tom Yamachika Commentary: A Classic Example of Procurement Run Amok. The Hawaii Department of Health doesn’t seem too worked up over a finding that it allowed an original bid of $76,400 to balloon into a $525,000 final bill. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Those overseeing Honolulu’s rail project worked on multiple occasions — and with various advocates — to sharpen their message for an eventual rail-tax extension well before it was publicly announced that the transit project faced a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall, documents show. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) trumpets a reduction in traffic congestion on Honolulu’s crowded streets and clogged freeways as the primary benefit to the multi-billion dollar rail project. But, while the project is still years away from completion, statistics on the contributing factors show that congestion will only get worse in the mean time. Hawaii Independent.

Noise levels would determine whether a bird owner in a residential zone should be penalized for creating a public nuisance under a new proposal being offered by City Councilwoman Carol Fukunaga. Star-Advertiser.

Some merchants in Chinatown want to increase business by serving alcohol in public places.   But a number of residents strongly opposed the measure and it appears the Honolulu City Council is on their side. Hawaii Public Radio.

Children growing up on the street is unfortunately becoming a common sight across our island.  An issue that has many wondering why these kids are allowed to live this way. Hawaii News Now.

While the homeless situation in Kakaako is getting much attention, there is a business off Nimitz Highway that’s faced the problem for years. KHON2.

The Honolulu City Council is urging the Hawaii Community Development Authority to uphold its "glass rule" for projects in Kakaako with regard to San Diego-based developer OliverMcMillan's Symphony Honolulu mixed-use condominium tower, according to public documents. Pacific Business News.

A ban on smoking at the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus is in effect starting Monday, according to school officials. Hawaii News Now.

Movie Theaters Inspecting Bags, Packages. The policy appears to have been prompted by recent attacks on the mainland over a two-week period in July and August. Civil Beat.

A Hawaii agency is moving ahead with its plan to go entirely off the electrical grid by developing its own microgrid system, according to public documents. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

Big changes are coming to Hawaii County’s flood zone maps following a multi-year effort by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency to update the maps to better reflect flood risk. West Hawaii Today.

In an unusual confrontation between established island Democrats, two-term County Councilman Greggor Ilagan from Puna is running for the state Senate seat now held by Russell Ruderman, setting up a potentially fierce primary contest that would be a study in political contrasts. Star-Advertiser.

Demand for dental services at the new West Hawaii Community Health Center in Kealakehe has been so brisk in a single month that Kevin Nietzer, the facility’s dental director, said it’s time to look into hiring more staff. West Hawaii Today.

When it reopens sometime this fall as the “Market at Kalani,” customers will be able to find everything from locally grown produce to home and health products, with the retreat leveraging its buying power with vendors to make it an affordable and abundant shopping center. Tribune-Herald.

Maui
The public can soon expect to have a much easier time finding out who is a registered lobbyist in Maui County. The Board of Ethics voted unanimously last week to post the list on its website. It’s unclear when that will start. Civil Beat.

Another wide-load convoy carrying telescope equipment is expected to head to Haleakala next week, with protesters apparently planning some kind of "action" again after 20 people were arrested two weeks ago during another wide-load transport. Maui News.

The Maui County Liquor Control Commission has until Oct. 1 to define dancing at establishments that serve alcohol, providing hope for dance enthusiasts who have been fighting restrictions for nearly a decade. Maui News.

Maui County is seeking $160,000 from condo, vacation rental and timeshare owners to help fund a study into ways to keep their beachfront property from washing away. Star-Advertiser.

The leaky Old Wailuku Pool is showing its age and may require an expensive repair job, the county Department of Parks and Recreation director said Friday. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kauai Planning Commission has voted unanimously to approve a request from an investment group for a time extension to submit demolition permits to rebuild the shuttered Coco Palms Hotel on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Environmental regulators will solicit public input in Hanalei this week about a new management plan for Haena State Park that calls for controlled entry, a 900-person daily visitor cap and beach access by way of an elevated boardwalk. Garden Island.

Kauai Community College’s newest satellite location stands among the taro fields below the green, waterfall-covered mountains of Hanalei. Garden Island.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is the featured speaker at the next Kauai Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Garden Island.