Hawaii's coral reefs in fair condition, time capsule found at state Capitol, Honolulu chief deputy prosecutor takes leave in federal probe, Southwest Airlines coming to Hawaii, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Cauliflower coral ©2018 All Hawaii News

Report: Hawaii’s coral reefs in ‘fair’ condition, face serious threats. Looking at coral reefs near the Main Hawaiian Islands as well as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, the report found that climate conditions — temperature stress and ocean acidification — are some of the biggest factors contributing to the health of the coral reef. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s commercial fishing industry is fetching high values for its catches even though the overall volume is relatively low compared with other states. The industry in Hawaii generated $867 million in sales in 2016 and added nearly 10,000 jobs. Star-Advertiser.

2018 Tax Return Preparation Will Be Complicated and Might Cost More. The Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will go into effect for the 2018 tax year.  It includes some of the most sweeping changes in 30 years.  But, Certified Public Accountant Reg Baker, says the Hawaii Legislature did not adopt the Federal tax code. Hawaii Public Radio.

New VA Secretary: We will do more to help Hawaii’s military veterans. New U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie met with Hawaii’s VA leaders Thursday, passing along assurances that he believes he can revamp the department that cares for America’s military veterans. Hawaii News Now.

Lawyer: State Hospital escapee may have gotten fake IDs, cash during off-campus trips. Randall Saito may have gotten the fake IDs and thousands in cash he used to escape the State Hospital last year and flee to California from a nearby rehabilitation facility. Hawaii News Now.

Dam evacuation zone information and maps now available online. After a scare earlier this year, the state has unveiled a new website that allows you to easily find out whether your home is in a dam evacuation zone. KHON2.

Time capsule recovered from State Capitol building. To prepare for the 50th anniversary of the Hawaii State Capitol in March 2019, a task force and state archivist dug up a piece of history on Wednesday, Dec. 12. KHON2.

Flight attendants picket at Honolulu airport amid United Airlines staffing cuts. Flight attendants worldwide are standing together in solidarity to protest the decision by United Airlines management to initiate staffing cuts. Hawaii News Now.

United Airlines flight attendants protest staff and service cuts at Honolulu airport. The flight attendants are asking management to increase staffing and stop planned staffing and service cuts. Star-Advertiser.

United Airlines flight attendants take a stand against job and service cuts. Nation-wide protest for United Airlines flight attendants. KITV.

Fighter jet that crashed offshore to be salvaged as investigation continues. A 47-year-old civilian pilot who sustained serious injuries after his fighter jet crashed into waters off Honolulu underwent surgery Thursday, but remains in good spirits. Hawaii News Now.

Despite recent crash, military says air combat training exercises are crucial. A Hawaii lawmaker stressed the importance of military training exercises. KITV.

Southwest Airlines Co. is confident about prospects for its coming service to Hawaii, despite declining fares to the islands and a rival’s report of weak demand. Bloomberg News.

Oahu

Second-in-command at city Prosecutor’s Office steps aside amid widening federal probe. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro’s deputy takes leave. One of Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro’s top deputies who has been linked to a federal investigation of government corruption is taking a leave of absence effective immediately, according to a statement sent by his attorney today. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s Chief Deputy Prosecutor Taking Leave Amid Federal Corruption Probe. Chasid Sapolu was identified as a “subject” last week in the widening investigation into local law enforcement. Civil Beat.

High-ranking prosecutor takes leave of absence amid federal investigation. KHON2.

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The Cost Of Honolulu Rail’s Westside Stations Keeps Going Up. HART had boasted of savings from its decision to build the nine stations three at a time. But those savings have disappeared. Civil Beat.

City introduces new proposal for separated walkway near a Kalihi elementary school. An effort is in the works to make the trip to school safer for kids going to Fern Elementary in Kalihi, by making a new separated walkway. KHON2.

Deadline Looms for Waikiki Natatorium Draft EIS. The deadline for the long awaited Draft Environmental Impact Statement is December 24th, Christmas Eve. Hawaii Public Radio.

High levels of bacteria found at Hanauma Bay. The state Department of Health has issued a high bacteria advisory today for Hanauma Bay. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island dairy that spilled millions of gallons of raw sewage faces big fines. The state is seeking $91,000 in fines against embattled Big Island Dairy for massive wastewater spills this spring. Hawaii News Now.

Linda McMahon, the head of the United States Small Business Administration, talked about the eruption of Kilauea Volcano during her keynote address at the 2018 Winter Meeting of the Western Governors’ Association on Thursday. Big Island Video News.

What’s next for Kilauea? Volcano might enter into lull, research article says. Tribune-Herald.

Henk Rogers, the Dutch-born entrepreneur who founded the Blue Planet Foundation (and who brought the Tetris video game to the U.S. in the '80s) pressed governors from around the western United States to adopt aggressive renewable energy mandates in their states. Big Island Video News.

Retired Washington judge pushes controversial theory on who killed Dana Ireland. A retired judge with a controversial theory about one of Hawaii’s most notorious murders is still pressing forward, despite rejection by prosecutors and defense attorneys. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

26 pages of liquor rule changes OK’d. The Maui County Liquor Control Commission approved another round of rule changes Wednesday — this time received favorably — that assist nonprofits holding special events and restaurant owners with liquor licenses. Maui News.

Extension OK’d for old Maui Lu project. Developer given to 2027 for timeshare development. Maui News.

Construction of Wailea hotel to start in February. Construction of a new 110-room boutique hotel on Maui is scheduled to begin in February, completing the full build-out of hotels in the Wailea Resort master plan, which dates back to 1987. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative is closing out the year with nearly 45 percent of its fuel needs being met from renewable sources following 12 months of productivity from a Tesla solar- plus-storage facility. Star-Advertiser.

Clean your boots. Rapid Ohia Death was on the table at the Kauai County Council committee meetings on Wednesday as part of ongoing outreach to educate people in Hawaii about the fungus targeting the native trees. Garden Island.

Wash Off Those Invasive Species After A Hike Or Backcountry Drive. A few precautions can prevent the spread of undesirable plants and critters, ecotourism operators are told. But the advice applies to everyone. Civil Beat.

80k cast early votes, Maui mayor files ethics complaint against councilman, 2,900 acres preserved on Oahu, Kilauea remains #1 active U.S. volcano, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Voting in Hawaii ©2018 All Hawaii News

Election Day Is Already Over For Almost 80,000 Hawaii Voters. Of the 254,880 mail ballots sent out so far, about 75,000 have been returned. Another 5,000 voters already went to early walk-in polling places. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Named 2nd Least Politically Engaged State. In order to determine which states are most involved in politics, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across ten key indicators of political engagement. Maui Now.

What's in a Name? A lot for OHA Candidates. Name recognition is a factor in any election, but here in Hawaii it is a dominant factor in Office of Hawaiian Affairs races. Hawaii Public Radio.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Rowena Akana testified before the state Ethics Commission on Thursday, saying she was being unfairly singled out as part of an election-year campaign by her rivals to remove her from office. Star-Advertiser.

The Department of Education has begun catching up on payments to vendors after partly restoring a computer system that crashed Oct. 6, officials announced. Star-Advertiser.

DOE pushes through delayed payments to vendors after financial system crash. KHON2.

Preparing Healthcare Providers for Medical Aid in Dying. On January 1st, Hawaii’s Death with Dignity law will go into effect. The law allows terminally ill patients to request a lethal prescription to voluntarily end their lives. Hawaii Public Radio.

It’s nearly November, but Southwest Airlines is still vowing to begin selling tickets between the mainland and Hawaii later this year. Star-Advertiser.

Southwest Airlines’ highly anticipated flights to and between the Hawaiian Islands likely will not begin until the start of 2019 and possibly considerably later. Tribune-Herald.

George Szigeti leaves HTA, replacement still unknown. The Hawaii Tourism Authority has not yet announced its replacement for George Szigeti, who held his last board meeting as CEO on Thursday. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Will Voters Make It Easier For Honolulu Rail Board To Make Decisions? Legislators added nonvoting members for more project scrutiny, but the move made it harder for the board to reach a quorum. Civil Beat.

Honolulu ballots will ask voters 5-part question relating to rail. New Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board members were recently added by the Legislature, but that changed the number of members who have to be there for votes to pass. KHON2.

2,900 acres of Central Oahu will be preserved by the state. The state has acquired nearly 2,900 acres of land in Central Oahu from Dole Food Co., closing on a $15.2 million deal that conservation officials say will help protect a critical watershed, open up the area to recreation and stave off potential development. Star-Advertiser.

State acquires thousands of acres in Central Oahu for wildlife, recreation. The state is now the new owner of nearly 2,900 acres of land in Central Oahu. KHON2.

Hawaii, Trust for Public Land acquire former Dole land for $15M. The state of Hawaii and the Trust for Public Land have closed on the acquisition of 2,882 acres of forest and fallow lands near the Helemano Military Reservation in Central Oahu from the Dole Food Co. Pacific Business News.

After years of complaints and $1M in fines, homeowner just keeps operating illegal vacation rental. A six-bedroom house near Kailua Beach that’s illegally operating as a vacation rental has accrued more than $1 million in unpaid city fines. Hawaii News Now.

Appraisals for Kealohas' seized Hawaii Kai home come in under what they paid for it. The home is in the foreclosure process as the couple battle legal trouble. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Kilauea remains No. 1 on a list of volcanoes in the U.S. categorized as a very high threat for 2018, according to a report released this week by the U.S. Geological Survey. Associated Press.

Kilauea may be quiet, but it’s anything but dormant. In fact, a new USGS report gives Kilauea the highest threat assessment among volcanoes in the United States. Hawaii News Now.

Kilauea ranked #1 on USGS's list of "very high threat" volcanoes. Erupting continuously since 1983, Kilauea ravaged communities and homes Lower Puna - most recently in May.  KITV.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Reopens More Lodging, Dining, Camping. Big Island Video News.

Volcano House back in operation following Kilauea eruption. Volcano House Hotel resumes its restaurant service tonight after months of closure following the Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

County to extend comment period for Pahala sewer plant. Hawaii County plans to resubmit its draft environmental assessment for a Pahala wastewater treatment plant to allow for more public comments. Tribune-Herald.

Nearly $280,000 in rent owed to the state by Cellana Inc. will be repaid as part of the sale of the company’s assets to microalgae producer Cyanotech Corp. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor files ethics complaint against Council Member Atay. Complaint alleges improper use of county email in a ‘political attack’. Maui News.

Early walk-in voting began Tuesday at the Velma McWayne Santos Community Center in Wailuku. County Clerk Danny Mateo said about 400 people came through to cast ballots Tuesday. Maui News.

The Hawaii Farmers Union United will host their eighth annual HFUU Conference from Oct. 26 to Oct. 28 at Okoa Farms in Kula. Maui Now.

Maui gas prices have risen once again this week by a margin of one cent; however, prices are up from last month by eight cents, and up from last year by 66 cents. In Kahului, the average price is $4.16. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai Community College students met mayoral candidates Derek Kawakami and Mel Rapozo Monday at a candidate forum hosted by student government and the History Club. Garden Island.

Rebalancing Kauai. With nature and infrastructure overwhelmed and record-breaking visitor numbers, state and county officials are looking for balance on Kauai. Garden Island.

County Council candidate: Felicia Cowden. Cowden ran for council in 2014 and has been going to the weekly meetings for well over four years. Garden Island.

Lanai

Council veteran Hokama faces coalition-backed opponent. Maui Pono Network support for challenger figures in Lanai council race. As he seeks re-election to his fifth consecutive term on the Maui County Council, Riki Hokama said he hopes to spend the next two years working on some priority projects for his home island of Lanai. Maui News.

Hot, hot, hot! Hawaii tourism breaking records, lawmakers fail to reach Airbnb tax deal, state could be the last one to set police standards, Big Island mayor hospitalized, Honolulu homeless sweeps fail, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kilauea lava hits ocean PC: NPS J Wei

The more than 2 million visitors that visited the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in 2017 spent $166 million in communities near the park, according to a new National Park Service report. Pacific Business News.

More than 2 million visitors entered Hawaii Volcanoes National Park last year and collectively spent nearly $170 million in communities around Hawaii Island. Tribune-Herald.

Get ready for 10 million tourists. The state’s rampaging visitor industry could top that benchmark this year. Star-Advertiser.

Visitors to the Hawaiian Islands spent a total of $4.8 billion in the first quarter, an increase of 10.1 percent compared to the first quarter of 2017, according to preliminary statistics released Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Garden Island.

Lawmakers appear to have failed for a third straight year to resolve the conundrum over how best to tap into millions of dollars in uncollected state taxes from short-term vacation rentals without encouraging or endorsing illegal operators. Star-Advertiser.

What bills passed as the legislative session is near the end. KITV.

Hawaii May Soon Join The Other 49 States In Setting Police Standards. A conference committee of legislators agrees to a bill that establishes a standards board instead of just studying the idea. Civil Beat.

Passage of Restrictive Pesticide Use Reporting Bill Delayed. The state legislature has only one day left to settle House and Senate differences on all money-related bills for final passage next week. Hawaii Public Radio.

A measure that would require the counties to remove abandoned vehicles from public roadways in ten business days is going to a vote before the full house and senate. Hawaii News Now.

Two former Hawaii prison inmates are urging lawmakers to audit the state prison system and to focus the inquiry on the use of long-term lockdowns and chemical irritants such as pepper spray on Hawaii inmates housed in a privately run prison on the mainland. Star-Advertiser.

House Halts Bill To Water Down Financial Disclosures Of Key State Leaders. Supporters wanted volunteers on state boards to be more comfortable; critics wanted to preserve transparency. Civil Beat.

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students are far more likely to be suspended and expelled in Hawaii than students of other ethnicities, causing them to miss more school days overall, according to newly released federal data. Civil Beat.

Hawaii State Hospital escapee Randall Saito deemed fit to stand trial. Associated Press.

The lawyer for Randall Saito says if the state wants to find out how the acquitted killer escaped from the Hawaii State Hospital, state lawyers should offer Saito a deal. Star-Advertiser.

Southwest Airlines plans to start service to Hawaii from one mainland city, then ramp up “very, very quickly” based on having the lowest fares to the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Southwest Airlines is coming to Hawaii, but there are still a few layovers before the airline officially touches down. West Hawaii Today.

Oahu

State conducts homeless sweep in Diamond Head. State enforcement officers cleared the slopes of Diamond Head Thursday, which have become a hideaway for the island's homeless. KHON2.

Crews cleared 26 homeless camps along Diamond Head Road early Thursday morning. KITV.

Homeless return to Kakaako park, dodging enforcement through a jurisdiction loophole. Hawaii News Now.

A controversial plan to partially destroy a popular man-made swimming cove at Black Point near Diamond Head has won the support of a state coastal lands office. Star-Advertiser.

Community clean up planned for a mass of nets at a Diamond Head beach. Hawaii News Now.

Cleanup efforts underway at Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation says the debris comes from upstream in the Ala Wai Canal. KITV.

Will The Kealoha Case Be One Big Show Or Separate Trials? A judge will soon decide whether to grant defendants’ wishes to split up the case or fulfill prosecutors’ desire to keep it intact. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige has directed the state Department of Agriculture to assist farmers whose operations were heavily damaged by the severe flooding on Kauai and Oahu earlier this month. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu medical examiner forced to store human remains off site. Hawaii News Now.

As drivers endure weekend freeway closures, DOT adjusts work schedule (again). Hawaii News Now.

A transformer fire at the University of Hawaii at Manoa that sent thick, black smoke into the air over Honolulu last week has been ruled accidental, according to the Honolulu Fire Department. Hawaii News Now.

Sinkhole forces closure of block of Ward Avenue. Star-Advertiser.

Veteran newsman Ron Mizutani is leaving television station KHON to become president and CEO of the Hawaii Food Bank. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser and its parent company, Oahu Publications Inc., are attracting international media industry interest and accolades after the newspaper’s successful launch of its Digital Billboard Network. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Well-wishers flooded Mayor Harry Kim’s office Thursday with phone calls, emails and get-well cards and were turned away from his Honolulu hospital room after the mayor, who previously suffered three heart attacks, checked himself in for evaluation after experiencing chest pains. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim is in stable condition at The Queens Medical Center in Honolulu, officials say, after being medevaced early Thursday as a precaution due to chest pains. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii County mayor Harry Kim is in stable condition at the Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu after experiencing chest pains Thursday morning. KHON2.

Overflows largest since Kilauea summit eruption began. Tribune-Herald.

Kalapana residents to county: Don’t move lava viewing area parking. Tribune-Herald.

County officials met with a crowd of Kalapana area residents and entrepreneurs in Pahoa Wednesday night concerning a July 1 prohibition on commercial activity within any County right-of-way at the lava viewing area. Big Island Video News.

Committee Passes Hilo Economic Revitalization Bill. Big Island Now.

The college enrollment rate among East Hawaii high school students increased last year, albeit still shy of the statewide average. Tribune-Herald.

Students witness high court in action. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui visitor spending increased +12.7% to $1.46 billion in the first quarter of 2018, according to new information compiled by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Maui Now.

Economics professor Carl Bonham asked, rhetorically, Thursday whether Maui has reached its capacity to accommodate growing numbers of tourists. Maui News.

Southwest Airlines’ chairman announced Thursday that the airline intends to service four Hawaii airports, including Kahului Airport, with Maui officials saying they have been in discussions with the airline about the “pockets” of open slots at the crowded terminal. Maui News.

The Hawaii Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Kirstin Hamman to the District Court of the Second Circuit on Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Concerned citizens gathered Thursday to better understand the present flow of Kauai’s inland waters. Garden Island.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation is on track to open an emergency access route to Wainiha and Haena on Saturday. Garden Island.

The only highway into and out of the flood-devastated communities of Wainiha and Haena isn't expected to partially reopen for residents for at least two more weeks, but emergency vehicle access to those areas may happen sooner than expected. Hawaii News Now.

Federal funds still in question after Kauai disaster. KHON2.

Hawaii climate change report discussed, more than 3k students homeless, pidgin in schools, Campaign Spending Commission investigates Maui mayor, Honolulu council passes smoking ban, Ironman clogs Kona roads, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Queen Liliuokalani Gardens flooding PC: K.T. Cannon-Eger

Draft Hawaii Sea Level Rise Report Briefed. The State’s Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission conducted its first meeting today and received a briefing on a draft sea level rise report. Hawaii Public Radio.

More than 3,000 public school students in Hawaii reported that they were homeless at the start of the 2017 school year, new state figures show. Hawaii News Now.

Pidgin Belongs In Hawaii Schools, Educators Say. The language that emerged from Hawaii’s blending of cultures “is something we have to embrace,” says a high school principal. Civil Beat.

Pidgin English could be used someday in the classroom. KITV.

OHA trustees eliminate 'middle man' charged with managing school funds. The Council for Native Advancement would have received $136,000 per year for the two-year contract to manage the school grants. Hawaii News Now.

How Hawaii Fits Into The Changing World Of Seed Corn Production. A UH researcher lays out the history of the seed corn industry in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

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Southwest confirms it plans flights to Hawaii — and maybe interisland. Southwest President Tom Nealon and Gov. David Ige made the joint announcement late Wednesday afternoon via satellite from Waikiki Beach behind the Royal Hawaiian Resort to an estimated 10,000 Southwest employees at a company party at Universal Studios in Los Angeles. Star-Advertiser.

Southwest Airlines announced Wednesday that it will enter the Hawaii market with ticket sales beginning in 2018. Pacific Business News.

Southwest Airlines finally ended years of speculation, promising low fares for its new service to Hawaii. The company made the official announcement to thousands of employees first during a gathering in Los Angeles. Hawaii News Now.

Southwest Airlines announced Wednesday it will begin service in Hawaii. KITV.

Southwest Airlines announced Wednesday it plans to begin selling tickets in 2018 for service to Hawaii. KHON2.

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August broke a string of big reductions in new foreclosure lawsuits filed in Hawaii during the first seven months of this year. Statistics from the state Judiciary show that lenders and other creditors initiated 111 foreclosure cases in August, or 3 percent more than the 108 cases filed in the same month last year. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Three bills that would dramatically expand Honolulu’s ban on sitting or lying down on public sidewalks passed their first hurdle at a City Council meeting Wednesday, but not without criticism from testifiers who argued the measures criminalize people without homes. Civil Beat.

A city crew from the Department of Facility Maintenance accompanied by police arrived Wednesday morning in Kakaako, where for a second day they cleared tents and tarps on the Ewa end of Ilalo Street near the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell is expected to sign a bill approved by the Honolulu City Council making it illegal on Oahu to smoke in automobiles when children are present. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council passed Bill 70 in a unanimous vote Wednesday, which would make it illegal to smoke in a vehicle with someone under 18 inside. KHON2.

Bills that would allow a nonprofit to set up parking fees, oversee freight and passenger deliveries, and make other traffic rules in Waikiki won final passage from the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council is looking at ways to pay back organic farmers and eco-friendly eateries through two bills that would provide tax incentives to certified businesses. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Clerk Wants Big Increase In The Price Of Voter Data. A new measure would also dramatically raise the price for certifying documents and providing proof of voter registration. Civil Beat.

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 19 foreign fishermen and their American captain from a 79-foot U.S.-flagged commercial fishing vessel that ran aground off Waikiki on Tuesday night. Associated Press.

No lights means no pool for Waialua High swim team. Hawaii News Now.

The head of Hawaii Pacific University maintains the school is in solid financial shape despite concerns raised about the tens of millions of dollars the private college borrowed to redevelop Aloha Tower Marketplace amid declining student enrollment. Star-Advertiser.

Jack in the Box has purchased the land beneath one of its leasehold stores in Honolulu from an entity owned by the daughter of the late Hawaii U.S. Sen. Hiram Fong. Pacific Business News.

Sanjiv Hulugalle is leaving his position as general manager of the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina to take on a leadership role with The Resort Group, master developer of Ko Olina Resort. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County Civil Defense is working on emergency response protocols in the unlikely event of a nuclear attack, although details are scarce at the moment. Big Island Video News.

Repair work underway at Akaka Falls State Park, which will be closed Oct. 16-20. Tribune-Herald.

Akaka Falls trail to close for repairs totaling almost $300K. Hawaii News Now.

The Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday will consider a request to set aside more than 35 acres of state land in Kealakehe for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. for the purpose of “affordable housing and related purposes.” West Hawaii Today.

Papaikou Democrat Heather Kimball plans to challenge state Sen. Lorraine Inouye for the District 4 seat representing Waikoloa, Waimea, Kohala, Hamakua and parts of Hilo and Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Flags were flying high on Alii Drive Tuesday afternoon as athletes from around the globe came out for the Ironman Parade of Nations in some wet weather. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

A two-year Campaign Spending Commission investigation of post-election expenditures reported by Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa’s campaign from Nov. 5, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2016, found 59 “advertising” expenditures to 41 nonprofit and community organizations amounting to more than $47,000. Maui News.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa went before the state Campaign Spending Commission Wednesday to vigorously defend himself against allegations he broke campaign spending laws. Hawaii News Now.

The first annual review of the performance of county Liquor Control Director Glenn Mukai — who has drawn heavy criticism from residents and community groups for actions by his department — is set for the Liquor Control Commission’s next meeting on Nov. 8, commissioners said. Maui News.

A new grocery delivery service will launch for Central and South Maui residents on Thursday, Oct. 12, that will provide everyday essentials and groceries right to their door in as little as one hour. Maui Now.

Three Maui restaurants were among the top 25 restaurants in the nation honored with TripAdvisor's 2017 Traveler’s Choice awards for the best fine dining in the United States. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

County seeks homeless solutions. The County Housing Agency reported there are a minimum of 412 homeless individuals living on the island, with 115 of them sheltered. Garden Island.

The potential relocation of the Rice Street post office to the carrier annex by the airport is still up in the air. Garden Island.