Obama records Abercrombie radio ad, Kauai GMO lawsuit in federal court today, hundreds die awaiting Hawaiian Home Lands lawsuit settlement, Kauai property owners get steep tax hikes, restaurants adjust to new health inspections, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii hotel pool party ©2014 All Hawaii News

Stronger hotel room demand in May broke a yearlong occupancy slump, helping Hawaii's hoteliers hit three monthly performance records while achieving the nation's highest room rates. Star-Advertiser.

President Barack Obama has recorded a radio advertisement for Gov. Neil Abercrombie's re-election campaign, describing the governor as a partner who made "gutsy decisions" to tackle a state budget crisis and invest in early childhood education. Star-Advertiser.

Candidates for Hawaii Governor Jockey for Credit in Fixing State Pension System. Ige, Abercrombie, Aiona share views on plugging Hawaii's $27 billion hole in unfunded liabilities. Civil Beat.

There are less than 20 days left before the Primary Election, August 9th, and there are no polls to provide a point-in-time look at how political candidates are doing. Hawaii Public Radio.

Four years after the state was found liable for breach of trust in a class-action lawsuit, more than 2,700 Native Hawaiians or their heirs are still waiting for the state to pay damages for failing to deliver Department of Hawaiian Home Lands homestead lots on a timely basis. Star-Advertiser.

Two federal court rulings on health exchange subsidies won't affect business owners or residents in Hawaii, which has its own state-run exchange called the Hawaii Health Connector. Pacific Business News.

Hawaiian Airlines Chief Executive Officer Mark Dunkerley said the company's financial performance is on an upward trajectory and that the second half of the year should be even better. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Some 40,000 gallons of raw sewage had flowed into Palolo Stream as of Tuesday afternoon as city workers scrambled to plug an overflowing manhole that had been polluting the waterway for 14-plus hours. Civil Beat.

City to halt free trash pickups for condos, non-profits in 2015. KHON2.

Oahu restaurants are working to improve the food safety ratings they received from the state. On Monday, health inspectors visited 12 restaurants and handed out six yellow cards and six green cards. KHON2.

The state Health Department is giving Kamehameha Schools 60 days to clean up three alleged illegal dump sites on its Kapalama Heights campus. Hawaii News Now.

Construction Boom Leaves Behind Residents With Greatest Housing Need. Just 5 percent of about 4,500 new housing units in Kakaako are affordable for low-income people, according to a state agency. One 204-unit building is the exception. Civil Beat.

Opinion: Bob Benyo, owner of the company cited for towing advertising banners behind a plane over Honolulu in violation of a 36-year old city law, is no neophyte blindsided by a local ordinance. So why has he provoked a legal and political confrontation over Honolulu’s ban on aerial ads? Civil Beat.

Hawaii

It was a crowded house at Tuesday’s forum for House and Senate hopefuls at Kealakehe High School in Kailua-Kona — crowded with candidates, that is. About 80 people listened to the contenders make their cases as the electorate prepares to thin the field next month. West Hawaii Today.

Sen. Malama Solomon and former Sen. Lorraine Inouye: Two Hawaii Island career politicians. Two women in agriculture. Two very different personalities. Star-Advertiser.

The county Department of Water Supply followed its regular policies and procedures in awarding spigot permits for commercial water haulers in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, the county’s legislative auditor told the Water Board in a recent letter. West Hawaii Today.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee explains position on Thirty Meter Telescope. Hawai‘i Island Trustee Robert Lindsey tells the Independent why he pushed for OHA to withdraw from the Thirty Meter Telescope contested case. Hawaii Independent.

Heavy brush resulting from recent rains, followed by abnormal dryness, has created the ideal conditions for wildfire, and a Waimea-based nonprofit is urging residents to take precautions before the threat occurs. West Hawaii Today.

Maui
Maui County officials say they are looking for a new home for its motor vehicle division and some of its tax offices because the new owners of the Maui Mall want to rent space to commercial enterprises instead. Associated Press.

Maui County will have a little more time to find a new location for its Maui Mall service center, with mall owners agreeing to a one-year extension to 2016 with an option to extend the lease into 2017. Maui News.

The state Department of Health launched a new Food Safety Code program in Hawaiʻi that utilizes color-coded placards to indicate compliance status. Maui Now.

Kauai

The legal battle over GMOs continues. Today a U.S. district court judge will take up the case of a lawsuit filed by 4 large agribusinesses against the county of Kaua‘i. They’re suing to overturn a new law that would require them to disclose the presence and use of pesticides and genetically modified crops. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Kauai County Council’s decision to repeal the county’s annual Permanent Home Use tax credit last year, coupled with rate hikes, is bringing tax bill shock to many residents. Garden Island.

University of Hawaii president stepping down, $48.4M in welfare overpayments, Honolulu Police Department database hacked, GOP rebuffed in Legislature, state officials gain from Hawaiian Home Lands, vog lingers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

UH President MRC Greenwood at Board of Regents meeting (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

M.R.C. Greenwood, who drew high praise and strong criticism during her four years at the helm of the University of Hawaii system, has announced she will retire in September to spend more time with family and deal with her health problems. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood will retire this summer after four years as the head of the state’s university system. Pacific Business News.

After a number of high profile battles with key Hawaii lawmakers in 2012 and 2013, University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood announced Tuesday she will retire in September, before her $475,000-plus annual contract with the University expires in 2015. Hawaii Reporter.

University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood will retire in September, an announcement from the university Monday said. Maui News.

MRC Greenwood

University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood plans to retire two years before the end of her contract, a departure she claimed had nothing to do with the failed Stevie Wonder concert that brought her leadership under scrutiny.  Hawaii News Now.

University of Hawaii President MRC Greenwood is resigning her post in September, according to Gov. Neil Abercrombie. KITV4.

University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood announced on Monday — she’s retiring from the presidency in September, two years before her contract expires. KHON2.

Hawaii's historic preservation agency has missed a major deadline for making federally mandated improvements to its program, and could still lose its federal certification and funding, officials said. Civil Beat.

Unfair welfare: Investigation reveals $48.4 million in overpayments. KHON2.

The Hawaii Association of Realtors was the top donor to Hawaii lawmakers in 2011 and 2012, with the association donating $110,100 to 83 percent of the state's 76 lawmakers. Hawaii Reporter.

The new power granted Republicans in the state Legislature this year did not translate into getting caucus bills passed; many never received a hearing. Civil Beat.

State Sen. Malama Solomon, former Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Commissioner Stuart Hanchett and about 20 other Native Hawaiians are members of an exclusive group. While on DHHL waitlists for ranching or farming homestead lots, they obtained month-to-month revocable permits for pastoral or agriculture land from the agency, according to a Star-Advertiser analysis of DHHL data.

Kamehameha Schools CEO Dee Jay Mailer has announced plans to retire at the end of 2014, giving the school's board of trustees ample time to recruit a successor. Star-Advertiser.

For most people who live in Hawaii, dealing with vog is just another part of daily life. But for those with breathing difficulties, volcanic smog can complicate health issues. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

The names, email addresses, cellphone numbers and passwords for about 3,500 people who signed up for email or text message alerts from the Hono­lulu Police Department's former "HPD Alerts" system may have had their personal information compromised after the server was hacked by "an unauthorized person or persons" over the weekend. Star-Advertiser.

HPD has confirmed one of their databases containing information about the public has been hacked. Officials say anyone who has ever signed up for an "HPD alert" using their email address or phone number has been exposed. Hawaii News Now.

Angst abounds after last week’s joint announcement from Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell about demolishing the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial, highlighting deep rifts that don’t appear to be going away anytime soon. Civil Beat.

Federal budget cuts are forcing Pearl Harbor to cancel its July 4 fireworks and the Marine Corps to cancel its annual Bayfest event at Kaneohe Bay. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Dominic Yagong's and Jamae Kawauchi’s request to investigate the county’s Elections Division was part of a larger conspiracy to take over the county’s elections, an attorney argued Monday. West Hawaii Today.

Both of the state’s 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholars attend school in Waimea — Zoe Sims at Hawaii Preparatory Academy and Paul Gregg at Parker School. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

For the past 17 years, James and Jane Sakugawa have rented roughly 5,000 acres of ranch property on Maui from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. That is 80 percent of all land DHHL is leasing to tenants on that island through its revocable-permit program. Yet the Saku­ga­was are not Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. Star-Advertiser.

As part of a statewide crackdown on distracted driving, Maui police officers gave out more than 1,000 citations to drivers using cellphones last month, nearly doubling the total for the previous four months. Maui News.

Kauai

Gov. Neil Abercrombie triggered a round of joy when he signed a check Monday for the Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center. Garden Island.

The state Legislature has approved a bill authorizing the administration to issue up to $1.3 million in bonds to Sunrise Capital’s shrimp farm in Kekaha to protect its hatchery against shoreline erosion. Garden Island.

A plan to update Kauai’s single-lane Opaekaa Bridge has officials and residents discussing how much of the bridge’s history should be preserved while structural changes are made to enhance safety. Associated Press.

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative’s board of directors said Monday that it wants its 23,300 active members to offer their comments and ideas for the utility’s updated 2013-2025 strategic plan. Pacific Business News.

No 'Hawaii Aloha' in Legislature's Sine Die, panel paves way for geothermal exploration without environmental assessments, governor rebuffs teacher contract offer, voters favor assisted suicide, undersea cable to pipe electricity to Oahu headed to governor, Health Department rejects claims of pollution in Hanalei Bay, Agri-tourism advances on Big Island, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Legislature (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

The state House and Senate gave final approval Thursday to an $11.2 billion budget and a $3.2 billion outlay for capital improvement projects, taking measured steps to restore money cut from programs during the recession while investing in construction intended to prod economic recovery. Star-Advertiser.

As Hawaii lawmakers closed out the 2012 legislative session, some remarked that it was the first time in years they hadn’t had to contend with a budget deficit in excess of $1 billion. Associated Press.

State Budget Voted On Last Day of Legislative Session. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bow tie sine die in the Hawaii House, courtesy photo

It wasn't all that long ago that the state Senate would join the state House of Representatives on the floor of the House to sing "Hawaii Aloha." Civil Beat.

If last year's theme was "righting the canoe," this year's theme is all about investing in the economy and the future. With Gov. Neil Abercrombie's symbolic canoe no longer in jeopardy of capsizing, he's eased up on his mantra that we all need to paddle. Civil Beat.

A proposal to connect Oahu and the neighbor island power grids with an undersea cable has cleared a legislative hurdle. Associated Press.

A bill to create the regulatory framework for transmitting electricity between Hawaii’s islands via an undersea cable won approval from the State Legislature on Thursday and now heads to Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who is expected to sign Senate Bill 2785 into law. Pacific Business News.

Despite a torrent of complaints from neighbor island and other environmentalists, the Hawaii Senate passed the controversial undersea cable bill. Civil Beat.

Legislation Establishes Regulatory Framework for Developing, Financing, and Constructing Underwater Electric Transmission Cable. Hawaii Reporter.

Legislators have voted to make fundamental changes to the state's judicial system. They passed a law that streamlines prison and parole requirements and could ultimately help reduce the number of Hawaii inmates in mainland corrections centers. Hawaii News Now.

On Thursday, a subcommittee of the state Environmental Council heard from potential geothermal developers about why the State Land Department should be allowed to waive certain environmental regulations. If approved by the full 15-member Environmental Council May 17, the exemptions would allow the State Land Department to drop costly environmental assessments from geothermal exploration projects. KITV4.

Bills to overhaul Hawaii's early-learning system and charter school network easily gained passage at the Legislature on Thursday, with state lawmakers saying the proposed education improvements are long overdue. Star-Advertiser.

The teachers union was moving forward Thursday with plans to hold a new vote on a proposed contract that teachers soundly rejected in January, despite the governor's contention that the proposal has "no legal standing." Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association's sudden decision Wednesday to put a rejected contract up for a re-vote by its members caught many off guard. Civil Beat.

Hawaii voters support the rights of doctors to help terminally ill patients end their lives by better than a 2-to-1 margin, according to The Civil Beat Poll. Civil Beat.

Kealoha in 2007, courtesy photo

Gov. Neil Abercrombie is naming the slam poet known as Kealoha to be Hawaii's first poet laureate. Associated Press.

The Navy hospital ship Mercy, whose huge white hull is emblazoned with large red crosses, is on its way to Hawaii as it embarks on a 4 1⁄2-month humanitarian and civic assistance mission to Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Capitalizing on strong demand for service to Las Vegas, Hawaiian Airlines said it is adding two more weekly flights to its Honolulu-Las Vegas service. KITV4.

The statewide average price of gasoline dropped by about 4 cents from last week, the first significant price drop since December, according to the AAA Hawaii Weekend Gas Watch issued Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann opened his Oahu campaign headquarters Thursday night. KHON2.

Sen. Daniel Inouye (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

Oahu

The race for Honolulu mayor has drawn U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye into a verbal confrontation with former Gov. Ben Cayetano, who said the senator is "out of touch" on the issue of the city's planned $5.27 billion rail transit project. Star-Advertiser.

Hundreds of Kuhio Park Terrace and Kuhio Homes tenants will receive rent rebate checks from a class-action settlement reached with the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. Star-Advertiser.

First Wind has filed a $15 million building permit for work on part of its 70-megawatt Kawailoa Wind Farm on Oahu’s North Shore. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu's director of environmental services estimates it will take seven years and at least $110 million to develop a new landfill on Oahu. Associated Press.

Hawaii

The island’s two planning commissions are making it easier for farms to lure and accommodate tourists. West Hawaii Today.

The Windward Planning Commission is giving a community center in Kalapana Seaview Estates another chance to obey the law. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Community College at Palamanui moved a step forward with the appropriation of state general obligation bonds that will help fund not one, but two phases of the long-awaited West Hawaii educational institution. West Hawaii Today.

Doctors say they come to Hawaii Island for the quality of life, but money concerns show up in the top two tiers of priorities, according to a recently published survey of island clinicians. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Sen. Malama Solomon

Big Island state Sen. Malama Solomon will hold a series of community forums this month to talk about this year’s legislative session. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County is taking ownership of one of the last undeveloped shoreline parcels of a once famous and vast network of wetlands and fishponds between the mouths of Waiehu and Iao Streams. Associated Press.

Some popular and environmentally sensitive areas of the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve could remain closed to the public for another year while the state continues work on a draft management plan for the South Maui reserve. Maui News.

So far, 32 nene from Kauai have made their home on Maui after state workers last year started to remove at least several hundred of the geese near Kauai's Lihue Airport to ensure that the birds don't become flying hazards for aircraft. Maui News.

Kauai
After a North Shore resident disclosed earlier this week that recent test results pointed to high levels of metal pollution in Hanalei River and Hanalei Bay, state officials quickly dismissed the findings, saying they are unfounded and have created unnecessary fear and concern in the community. Garden Island.

Abercrombie battles low ratings, Perry stirs Birther issue, Solomon chided for grading historic site, Inouye victim of ID theft, Native Hawaiian recognition in appropriations bill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie in Okinawa courtesy photo

Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Monday accepted blame for his administration's missteps and said he would use his low job approval rating as a spur to regain the public's confidence. Star-Advertiser.

In a press conference Monday ostensibly about a recent trip to Asia but really about his difficult first 10 months in office, Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie acknowledged that the actions of his administration have not been wildly popular. Civil Beat.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie said Monday that he could benefit from explaining issues to the public more clearly, but he otherwise plans to keep his administration on its current track, even after several aides resigned in rapid succession and a recent public opinion poll gave him low ratings. Associated Press.

Governor Abercrombie said he will not change his administration's direction despite the results from a poll indicating that he is the most unpopular governor in America. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie said he doesn't take personally recent job approval ratings that make him the least popular governor in the nation, but he expressed regret Monday for not explaining issues to the public more clearly. KITV4

Governor Abercrombie says he will not change his direction after a recent poll suggested he was the least popular governor in the country. KHON2.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie met with reporters today to recount his success stories from his travels in Beijing, Okinawa and Tokyo over the past two weeks. Hawaii Reporter.

The Governor briefed the media today on what he called was a successful two-week trip to Asia to boost tourism and business. But as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports … the state’s chief executive also addressed his 30 percent approval rating which is the lowest in the nation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Resuscitating an issue that flared earlier this year, Texas Gov. Rick Perry said in a new interview that he isn’t sure that President Barack Obama’s birth certificate is real. Washington Post.

A new and controversial agency tasked with developing state lands through public-private partnerships will not be grinding to a halt as some state officials had cautioned. Civil Beat.

On October 14, 2011, the Senate Appropriations Committee released a proposed draft of its Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which includes legislation to recognize Native Hawaiians as a federal Indian Tribe. Hawaii Reporter.

A Georgia woman was in court Monday for allegedly stealing Senator Daniel Inouye's credit card information. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

After Monday's cleanup of a homeless encampment along Beretania Street, homeless advocates and government officials are now targeting six to 10 other encampments across Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

As the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) approaches, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii Foundation (ACLU) has announced the release of its “First Amendment Toolkit” and a “Know Your Rights” telephone line, 808-522-5906. Hawaii Independent.

A growing group of like-minded citizens called Occupy Honolulu, in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street, considers itself a leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders, and political persuasions. And they’ve got a lot on their mind. Hawaii Independent.

As many as 50 homeowners on Oahu seeking building permits have been told by the Board of Water Supply that they can't proceed until they install a fire prevention sprinkler system because their homes are too far from the nearest fire hydrant or the water flow from a hydrant is too low. Star-Advertiser.

A developer has refined plans to develop the former Kam Drive-In theater property next to Pearlridge Center in response to community feedback, though some area residents still feel the project, with three residential towers, is too much. Star-Advertiser.

Robertson Properties Group unveiled its revised plans Monday for the former Kamehameha Drive-in property in Aiea. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

A state senator goes before the Board of Land and Natural Resources Friday, following complaints that she damaged archaeological sites on her land and state property. West Hawaii Today.

Monday afternoon marked the blessing that begins the final portion of the Saddle Road realignment project. West Hawaii Today.

The state is moving ahead with plans to reopen Kulani Correctional Facility and relocate the Hawaii National Guard's program for troubled youths closer to Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

County Council Chairman Dominic Yagong wants to give local construction firms a boost while fixing dilapidated Parks and Recreation structures. West Hawaii Today.

The owners of a Big Island zipline attraction that was the scene of a fatal accident last month has suspended all future operations. KHON2.

Maui

Job creation, sustainability and the protection of social services were among the hot topic issues Maui residents brought up with U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono as the congresswoman held "coffee talk" sessions on Maui on Saturday. Maui News.

Ninety-year-old Mary Nicolas can no longer maintain her yard and clean up the rubbish that she says comes from two trees in a next-door county park in Kahului. Maui News.

Kauai

State election officials should not have allowed a Republican candidate to run in the 2010 election for a Kauai seat in the state House, the state appeals court ruled Monday. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawai‘i Intermediate Court of Appeals on Monday overturned a Fifth Circuit Court ruling last year that dismissed a complaint against a Republican Party candidate who filed at the last minute to run in the 14th District state House race against Democrat Mina Morita. Garden Island.

The county will hold six community meetings next month as part of an ongoing planning process to update its Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Garden Island.