Showing posts with label Styrofoam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Styrofoam. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Honolulu delays plastic, polystyrene ban, Maui hospital seeks more state aid, 'The Flash' actor Ezra Miller arrested in Hilo bar, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

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Man checks out Hawaii lunch plate ©2022 All Hawaii News

Honolulu’s Ban On Plastic And Polystyrene Containers Is On Hold For 6 Months. Implementation of Honolulu’s ban on plastic and polystyrene containers is being further delayed after businesses said supply chain challenges are preventing them from complying. Civil Beat.

Bill To Ban Male Jail Guards From Strip Searching Female Inmates Advances. Senate Bill 2777 faces another hearing in the House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee on Wednesday. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers call on exploring a four-day work week
. Some lawmakers said a four-day work week may not be such a bad idea, and now there is a proposal to create a task force to explore this possibility. KHON2.

Citizen whale counts wrap up for 2022 season. This season’s totals for the three days were higher than last year’s and almost equivalent to 2019. The one-day volunteer counts provide a snapshot of humpback whale sightings and activity from the shoreline across multiple sites, as distinguished from deeper research into population trends. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Water use on Oahu continues rising.
Water use on Oahu has continued to increase since November, despite the Honolulu Board of Water Supply urging residents to implement conservation measures after a fuel leak at the Navy’s Red Hill fuel facility resulted in the closing of three municipal wells. Star-Advertiser.

$1B to defuel Red Hill in budget proposal. President Joe Biden included $1 billion to defuel the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in his annual budget proposal. This is on top of the hundreds of millions already directed toward dealing with the water contamination crisis. KHON2.

Punawai Hale hoping for full occupancy. Punawai Hale studio apartments hopes to finally fill its 20 units with once-homeless residents by the end of the month after opening in November 2020. Star-Advertiser.

Planning for new Oahu jail hits snag over state funding. Hawaii’s 50-member House of Representatives recently passed a state budget draft that rejects a request from Gov. David Ige to allocate $15 million for continued planning and procurement work to build a new Oahu Community Correctional Center in Halawa. Star-Advertiser.

City expands homeless outreach response team to Kailua. The city’s Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement units, or CORE, made contact with 10 unsheltered individuals living across Kailua last week. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

$600 million DHHL bill advances. A bill that would allocate $112 million to Big Island housing projects on Hawaiian Home Lands is still alive and moving through the Senate. Tribune-Herald.

‘The Flash’ actor Ezra Miller arrested at Hawaii Island bar. Actor Ezra Miller, who has prominent roles in the Justice League and Harry Potter “Fantastic Beasts” film franchises, was arrested for suspicion of disorderly conduct and harassment early Monday after allegedly becoming belligerent at Margarita Village on Silva Street. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Maui

Maui’s Private Hospital System Is In Need Of More State Aid.
The hospital group is expected to request a state subsidy increase for the first time since Kaiser took over five years ago. Civil Beat.

Kaiser Permanente’s clinic in Kīhei reopens April 4. After being closed for more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi’s clinic in Kīhei will reopen April 4. Maui Now.

College enrollment still trails pre-pandemic levels. There was a slight recovery in college-bound enrollment by Maui County’s 2021 graduating high school seniors compared to the previous graduating class, but efforts to continue higher education are still being hampered by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on education. Maui News.

Online public meeting to discuss South Maui budget priorities Wednesday. Hosted by Maui County Council Member Kelly Takaya King, a virtual town hall at 6 p.m. Wednesday will discuss South Maui budget priorities for fiscal year 2023. Maui Now.

Former Maui DWS employee says he was fired for pointing out contamination concerns. One year after filing a whistleblower lawsuit against Maui County, a former Department of Water Supply employee is still fighting for his job back. Ashley Hooks’ lawsuit claims he was retaliated against and unlawfully fired in 2020 after he alerted the state that Maui’s largest surface water treatment facility had been contaminated. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

DeCosta’s agriculture bills get pushback from local lawyer.
A trio of proposed bills that would eliminate tax exemptions for large-scale tree farms, orchards and wasteland was met with some resistance at a public hearing last week. Garden Island.

How cuts in state mental health care affect Kaua‘i. On Kaua‘i, one clinical psychologist, one social-service assistant and six human-service professionals were laid off as part of the 2020 cuts. Now, despite a state budget surplus, whether or not these positions will be restored remains an open question. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi County to temporarily suspend rental relief program during April. Kauaʻi County will temporarily suspend its rental relief program next month. But government officials will still be accepting new applications for assistance. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers want Kauai’s Russian Fort Elizabeth to have a new name. Resolutions moving through the state Legislature urge the Board of Land and Natural Resources to restore the eastern shoreline of Kauai’s Waimea Valley, currently called Russian Fort Elizabeth Park, to its former Hawaiian name, Paulaula. Star-Advertiser.

 

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Hawaii contact tracing in the spotlight, state employees' teleworking plan questioned, Maui 'Temptation Island' filming controversial, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Facebook Live
Dr. Emily Roberson shows off new contact tracing center Aug. 19, Facebook Live
Gov. David Ige defends Hawaii’s contact tracing. Hawaii’s COVID-19 case count rose by triple digits again Wednesday amid mounting concerns over whether the state’s contact tracing and testing program is robust enough to halt a surge in community-spread infections. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Is Ramping Up Its Virus Tracing Program. The Health Director Says It’s Too Late. Official says COVID-19 is now so out of control that contact tracing will no longer do much good to contain the current spike. Civil Beat.

Governor outlines efforts to bolster contact tracing, defends state’s response to surge. In response to a surge in coronavirus cases, as well as cramped conditions at the Department of Health, the state is working to expand its contact tracing efforts. Hawaii News Now.

U.S. House Subcommittee Chair Questions Governor Ige On Contact Tracing. The chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health sent governor Ige a letter seeking answers on or before August 28, 2020. Big Island Video News.

California Congresswoman Wants Answers On Hawaii’s Virus Response Effort. The chairwoman of a congressional subcommittee on health wants to know details about how the state spent $50 million in CARES Act money aimed at testing and tracing. Civil Beat.

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Senate COVID-19 members irritated by lack of oversight. Members of the Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 got into testy exchanges with state officials on Wednesday over a wide range of issues, including who’s responsible for monitoring safe hygiene practices in state workplaces, confusion over the state’s color-coded COVID-19 threat levels and a perceived disconnect that stockpiles of personal protective equipment are not getting into the hands of teachers. Star-Advertiser.

Senators: Some state workers aren’t following COVID guidelines. The state senate’s COVID-19 committee says the state government isn’t doing enough to make sure that its workers are following mask and social distancing guidelines while on the job. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii state workers running into issues with teleworking. Hawaii state workers are being told to work from home if they can, but they are running into issues. KHON2.

Lawmakers seek uniformity in telework policy. State Senators alleged Wednesday receiving calls from disgruntled state employees who reported not being allowed to work remotely. KITV4.

National Guard preparing to assist Hawaii hospitals, testing, potential vaccine distribution. In the short-term, there are just 144 intensive care unit beds available, but the state has reserves ready. In the long-term, there are plans to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine should one be approved. KHON2.

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Hawaii Principals Are Left To Trust Their ‘Gut’ On How To Reopen Schools. The responsibility has fallen to local administrators as the Department of Education continues to wait on COVID-19 guidance from the Department of Health. Civil Beat.

Unemployment phone bank dismantled, giving those seeking help with claims few options. The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is hiring. About 80 people are needed to help with unemployment claims. Hawaii News Now.

Corrections oversight panel struggling without staffing. The Hawaii Supreme Court in June tasked the Hawaii Correctional Systems Oversight Commission with helping state officials deal with overcrowding and other issues that plague the Oahu Community Correctional Center and the state’s other jails and prisons. Star-Advertiser.

US defense chief Esper to visit Palau, Guam and Hawaii. It will be only Esper’s second international trip since the coronavirus pandemic hit early this year, forcing him to scale back his 2020 travel plans. KITV4.

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2 people with coronavirus on Oahu die as Hawaii reports 261 new cases. Hawaii health officials reported two additional coronavirus-related fatalities on Oahu and 261 new cases in the islands today, raising the statewide total since the start of the pandemic to 5,609 infection. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Updates For August 19th: 261 New Cases, 2 New Deaths. The number of new cases went up today, compared to the 134 reported the day before. The death count has also increased. Big Island Video News.

VIRUS TRACKER — Aug. 19: 261 New COVID-19 Cases And 2 Deaths. The latest deaths were a man and woman in Honolulu, both who were older than 60, Department of Health Director Bruce Anderson confirmed Wednesday at a press conference. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Lt. Gov. Green, others say new rules for Oahu gatherings aren’t enough to rein in COVID-19 surge. With a COVID-19 outbreak raging at Hawaii’s largest jail and several of Oahu’s intensive care units nearing capacity, experts are expressing doubt that new restrictions on gatherings that go into effect at midnight will be enough to knock down coronavirus. Hawaii News Now.

Written order for Honolulu doesn’t exactly match rules outlined by Mayor Caldwell. There are some new discrepancies coming to light in the latest order from the Mayor’s office. Hawaii News Now.

Almost all social gatherings now banned on Oahu. New restrictions will go into effect on Oahu at midnight and there are some significant differences to the rules from what the Mayor laid out on Tuesday, Aug. 18. KHON2.

City says controversial beach picture is legal. A photo of the Hawaii Democratic Party's set-up for the video roll call in Waikiki is the cause of controversy online. It appears it was shot on a beach and Oahu beaches are currently closed because of Mayor Caldwell's COVID-19 emergency orders. KITV4.

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Lawyers agree on sentencing date in corruption case for Katherine and Louis Kealoha. Sentencing in the state’s biggest corruption investigation could now happen in November after it was postponed by the coronavirus pandemic. Associated Press.

Kealoha Sentencing Could Be Nov. 3. Attorneys have agreed to sentencing dates for the former police chief and others in the corruption case. Civil Beat.

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Electric bills on Oahu set to go up $4.52 a month in October. Hawaiian Electric residential customers on Oahu will pay an extra $4.52 a month on a typical bill starting as early as October after the state Public Utilities Commission’s recent interim order approving an amended fuel supply contract the utility negotiated with Par Hawaii Refining. Star-Advertiser.

Multiple Target store employees on Oahu tested positive for COVID-19. Target officials confirmed two affected locations: Kapolei and Ala Moana. KHON2.

An agribusiness venture on Oahu’s North Shore falls through. The Kalona Brand Company says it’s shutting down operations on Oahu’s North Shore because of a lack of investors. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Denies Threatening Candidate With Quarantine Arrest. The Hawaii attorney general's office denies threatening a Republican state House of Representatives candidate with arrest for violating a traveler quarantine mandated to protect the islands from the spread of the coronavirus. Associated Press.

Honolulu Prosecutor Candidate Has Been On Both Sides Of Alleged Crime Boss. Megan Kau worked to help recover Michael Miske’s boat, the Painkiller, that federal authorities said was used to dispose of the body of Jonathan Fraser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Council urges hiring freeze: Resolution asks Kim to give next administration a chance to evaluate new hires. With the current mayor and a former mayor providing different perspectives, the County Council on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution urging Mayor Harry Kim’s administration to immediately institute a hiring freeze for the remainder of his term. West Hawaii Today.

Five new Hilo cases attributed to community spread. The majority of the seven new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday on Hawaii Island are in Hilo, according to state Health Director Bruce Anderson. Tribune-Herald.

Prosecutors, OPD Review List of HCCC Inmates Eligible for Release. The Hawai‘i Supreme Court has granted the expedited release of certain inmates due to a COVID-19 outbreak at O‘ahu Community Correctional Center. Big Island Now.

Blanket screening: Thermal temperature screening expands to all arrival gates statewide. Work to install thermal temperature screening equipment at all arrival gates at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole is expected to wrap up today. West Hawaii Today.

Maui


Mayor Confirms Temptation Island Filming on Maui During Pandemic. Maui Mayor Michael Victorino confirmed the planned arrival of cast and crew this weekend for the filming of Temptation Island over the next two months at the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. Maui Now.

A major television production is slated for Maui, raising concerns. A reality television show is slated to start filming on Maui soon. It will be the first major film production in Hawaii since the pandemic started — and it’s already causing concerns in the community. Hawaii News Now.

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14 Arrested for Quarantine Violations on Maui Between June 20 and Aug. 19. Six of the individuals were residents of Maui and the rest were from various states across the mainland including California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, Georgia and Illinois. Maui Now.

Maui Memorial now dealing with 45 total COVID cases between patients, staff. As of noon Wednesday, hospital officials said there was a cumulative total of 24 positive patient cases and 21 positive health care workers. Hawaii News Now.

Prosecutors await ruling on inmates and virus. The Maui County Prosecuting Attorney’s office opposes a mass release of inmates from Maui Community Correctional Center, saying issues related to a recent outbreak of COVID-19 at state jails and prisons are centered at Oahu facilities, not Maui. Maui News.

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Two WWII Era Munitions Off Molokini to Remain in Place, No Detonation Planned. There are no plans to ‘detonate-in-place,” two WWII era munitions in waters off Molokini Crater in Maui County. The decision, announced today, is based on an assessment from the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board conducted at the State’s request. Maui Now.

State Will Not Detonate UXO Off Molokini Crater. The state of Hawai‘i will maintain a hands-off approach when it comes to unexploded ordnance off the Molokini Crater in Maui County. Big Island Now.

Kauai

Last-minute amendment to anti-styrofoam bill. A bill that would effectively ban the use and sale of polystyrene foam food service containers faced another amendment yesterday, making the proposed law less strict, and bringing some of the language back to what was initially introduced. Garden Island.

Businesses opt for compostable alternatives. From Hanalei to Lihu‘e, restaurant owners are making the switch from styrofoam to paper carryout containers before it becomes law. Garden Island.

County offers small business a boost. The County of Kaua‘i has announced that its Small Business Boost Grant Program will be open for applications starting on Monday, Aug. 24, at 9 a.m. The program is funded by the county’s share of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Garden Island.

Monday, February 17, 2020

Hawaii visitors spending less, lawmakers consider taxing REITs, Pearl Harbor survivor Stratton dies, coronavirus worries intensify, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2020 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Waikiki shoppers ©2020 All Hawaii News
Visitors to Hawaii are spending less. Adventuresome tourists, especially those who are booking accommodations outside the main tourist centers, are contributing to tourism growth, which saw arrivals top 10.4 million in 2019. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii pension fund surpasses gains benchmarks. Hawaii’s largest public pension fund rode the U.S. bull market to a strong finish during the final three months of 2019. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Lawmakers Again Considering Taxing Income On REITs. Similar legislation was vetoed by Gov. David Ige in 2019, who warned that it would hurt investment in the islands. Civil Beat.

OHA’s argument to withhold documents from state auditor goes to court. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is taking its fight over internal memos to court. At stake is $3 million that are being withheld until an audit is complete. Hawaii News Now.

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Delta warns those who flew with pair infected with new coronavirus. Delta Airlines is contacting passengers who were aboard a flight from Honolulu to Nagoya, Japan, that was carrying a Japanese man and his wife who were later diagnosed with the new coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

Delta contacting outbound HNL passengers on same flight as couple later diagnosed with coronavirus. Delta Airlines says they’re reaching out to other passengers who may have been on the same flight out of Honolulu as a couple who was later diagnosed with coronavirus. Hawaii News Now.

DOH: Wife Of Japanese Tourist With Coronavirus Falls Ill. The wife of a Japanese tourist who came down with coronavirus symptoms while on a Hawaii vacation has also fallen sick with the illness, the Hawaii health department confirmed Saturday. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Don Stratton, 1 of 3 remaining crew from USS Arizona, dies at 97. Don Stratton, who escaped a burning USS Arizona by making a harrowing hand-over-hand climb across a rope to an adjacent ship on Dec. 7, 1941, died Saturday, leaving just two living survivors of the famed battleship. Star-Advertiser.

One of the last few Pearl Harbor survivors dies at 97. KITV4.

USS Arizona Survivor Donald Stratton dies at age 97. KHON2.

Oahu

Merchants say it’s safe to shop, eat in Chinatown. Merchants say it’s safe to shop, eat in Chinatown. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor and Chinatown community address Coronavirus concerns. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell along with several city agencies as well as leaders from the Chinese business community addressed concerns about the impact of the Coronavirus in Chinatown. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Police Shootings Review Board Finally Releases Its First Decision. The case involved the shooting death of Justin Waiki, who was being pursued in connection with the murder of a Big Island police officer. Civil Beat.

Implementation of Maunakea rules could take 6-12 months. Although Gov. David Ige approved the University of Hawaii’s new administrative rules governing Maunakea in January, it could still take a year before all of those rules can be implemented. Tribune-Herald.

Police actions to potholes: County pays claims. From potholes to police actions, Hawaii County paid out more than $104,000 last year in small claims to people saying they suffered damage from something the county did. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Japanese visitor with coronavirus visited Maui. Health officials: Risk low because he was asymptomatic here. Maui News.

Farmers look to grow community, culture in Waikapu. Early talks plan hale ku'i for poi pounding, relationship building. Maui News.

Kauai

Gearing up to ban plastic. The County Council and the administration of Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami will move this week to ban sale and use of polystyrene foam food containers — often known informally as Styrofoam — making Kaua‘i the last county in the Hawai‘i to do so. Garden Island.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Hawaii trying to reduce food packaging, small public schools could close under DOE plan, Oahu gambling crackdown, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2019 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Polystyrene take-out in Hawaii ©2019 All Hawaii News
Bans, Trade-Ins and Take-Homes: Ideas For Reducing Food Packaging in Hawaii. The movement to reduce single-use plastics in Hawaii is moving beyond straws, but current health codes restrict personal containers from being used at take-out restaurants. Civil Beat.

Trump policy could have far-reaching effects on Hawaii’s immigrant population. Immigrants living in Hawaii legally could be denied future visas and permanent residency if they rely on government assistance such as food stamps and Medicaid under a Trump administration rule that is set to take effect Oct. 15. Star-Advertiser.

Small public schools risk closure if minimum headcount is adopted. Drawing a line at a headcount that schools must stay above to stay open is a concept that’s been developing all this year within a D.O.E. committee. KHON2.

Are wind farms in Hawaii hurting or helping the native BAT population? The state and federal government recently approved a request from a wind farm on Maui to increase the number of endangered Hawaiian Hoary Bats its allowed to accidentally kill. KITV.

Oahu

Feds, Honolulu police announce major crackdown on illegal gambling on Oahu. U.S. Attorney Kenji Price announced this morning the filing of criminal charges against 15 people, the seizures of 60 illegal gambling machines, homes in Waipahu and Pearl City and cash from bank accounts he said are connected to illegal gambling. Star-Advertiser.

Federal And Local Law Enforcement Crack Down On Suspected Oahu Gambling Homes. Federal officials announced charges against 15 defendants who authorities say were involved in illegal gambling operations on the island, some run in residential homes on Oahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Law enforcement has a message for game room operators: ‘We’re coming for you’. Multiple law enforcement agencies announced a statewide crackdown on illegal game rooms Tuesday, and said at least 15 people have already been charged. Hawaii News Now.

Feds Step Up Enforcement Of Illegal Gambling In Hawaii. Officials say asset forfeiture will be a key strategy in stopping and deterring the spread of illicit gambling houses. Civil Beat.

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Honolulu Will Pay For ‘Confidential’ Criminal Defense Work For Years. Taxpayers are on the hook for as much as $700 an hour to block some records from being seen by federal investigators. Civil Beat.

Moiliili resident threatens to sue city over sidewalks blocked by homeless camps. Along Isenberg Street, walkways often resemble an obstacle course. Hawaii News Now.

Impact of Oahu’s Vacation Rental Crackdown. The law permits only 1,715 new bed-and-breakfasts — where the owner-occupant is present — and prohibits whole-home rentals. Hawaii Business.

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Volunteers map out hottest Oahu neighborhoods for NOAA campaign. With the help of volunteers, Honolulu’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency said it has successfully completed Oahu’s first Community Heat Mapping Campaign. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Completes Heat Mapping Campaign. Volunteers mapped Oahu “hot spots” as climate change heats up. Civil Beat.

These strange tools will help shape cooling initiatives on Oahu. On Aug. 31, some 28 volunteers drove specific routes throughout Oahu three times that day — the same day Honolulu hit 95 degrees. Hawaii News Now.

Volunteers map ‘hot spots’ around Oahu. The Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency (Resilience Office) has completed Oahu’s first Community Heat Mapping Campaign. KHON2.

Honolulu’s Poorly Timed Traffic Signals Aren’t Very Smart. The city aims to start installing technology that can detect traffic congestion on some of Oahu’s more than 820 lights next year. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Committee hears ideas for the future of county waste management programs. Methane-powered buses were among several ideas bandied about Tuesday during a County Council committee meeting to discuss the county’s waste management programs. Tribune-Herald.

Harry Kim Now The Highest-Paid Neighbor Island Mayor. Maui County has the most employees, but Hawaii County has generally caught up in the salaries paid to top executives. Civil Beat.

United Nations Indigenous Issues Expert Pens Letter To Governor About Mauna Kea. The letter by Tarcila Rivera Zea calls for "a participative dialogue between the State of Hawaii and Kanaka Maoli Protectors to seek a peaceful resolution to the tension on Mauna Kea." Big Island Video News.

TMT Opponents Allege Police Misconduct, Harassment. The kiaʻi claim the police are conducting public and covert harassment at the base of Mauna Kea as the Thirty Meter Telescope standoff continues. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Mahi Pono plants citrus trees. The company that purchased more than 40,000 acres of old sugar fields from Alexander & Baldwin in December began planting potatoes last month. Maui News.

Multiple efforts are scheduled for ‘International Coastal Cleanup Day’. Maui organizations are holding cleanups around the island as part of “International Coastal Cleanup Day” on Sept. 21. Maui News.

Kauai


Realtors focus on housing ‘crisis’. Traffic has nothing to do with housing, said Paul Brewbaker, principal economist of TZ Economics. Garden Island.

Meeting targets natural resources. The East and West Kauai Soil and Water Conservation Districts are holding an important Local Work Group meeting for Kauai agricultural producers representing crops and livestock, private forest land owners, and other professionals representing agricultural and conservation interests. Garden Island.

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Warship named for Inouye, TSA defends airport response, Kealoha defense rests, Maui council overrides mayor's vetoes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

PC: US Navy
USS Daniel Inouye PC:U.S. Navy
Navy To Name New Destroyer After Daniel Inouye. The late U.S. senator from Hawaii received the Medal of Honor for bravery fighting in World War II. Associated Press.

Navy to christen guided missile destroyer USS Daniel Inouye. The U.S. Navy will christen a new guided missile destroyer the USS Daniel Inouye this weekend during a ceremony in Maine. Star-Advertiser.

USS Daniel Inouye Guided Missile Destroyer To Be Christened. The late U.S. Senator from Hawaii will have his name on the 68th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, which is one of 21 ships currently under contract for the DDG 51 program. Big Island Video News.

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TSA Honolulu Airport Review Underway: 40 Flights Delayed, Thousands Inconvenienced. Maui Now.

TSA: Everyone did ‘what they were supposed to do’ during chaotic airport security scare. Officials are defending their actions during Tuesday’s airport security scare, in which a stampede left several people with minor injuries. Hawaii News Now.

Burning battery charger led to chaos at airport. The “pop, pop, pop” that some people mistook for gunfire at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport Tuesday was Plexiglas barriers and plastic posts being knocked to the floor by panicked passengers after a smoking carry-on bag was found at a security checkpoint, a Transportation Security Administration official said at a news conference Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

New footage released of what caused airport security scare. New video released by the Dept. Of Transportation shows the smoking baggage from Tuesday's security scare at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. KHON2.

Hawaii State Hospital to go digital. The Hawaii State Hospital is replacing 25-year-old surveillance systems, some of which aren’t operational, with new digital equipment to bring the facility up to date and improve safety for patients and staff. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Kealoha Trial: Closing Arguments Could Come As Soon As Tuesday. The defense rests after three days of testimony, and prosecutors plan to call a few more rebuttal witnesses. Civil Beat.

All defendants decline to testify as Kealoha mailbox trial nears end. The final three defendants in the public corruption and conspiracy trial rested their cases Wednesday, with none of them, including former Honolulu deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha, taking the stand in their defense. Star-Advertiser.

Ex-Prosecutor Rests Corruption Case Without Testifying. An ex-Honolulu deputy prosecutor on trial for corruption-related charges has rested her case without testifying in her defense. Associated Press.

Defense team rests in Kealoha trial; closing arguments set for next week. Hawaii News Now.

KEALOHA TRIAL: Defense rests its case, Prosecutors present rebuttal Thursday. KHON2.

Defense rests without Katherine Kealoha, other defendants taking the stand. KITV.

Former police chief received discounted solar deal. Louis Kealoha was given a $20,000 discount for the installation of 26 solar panels at his Kahala home in 2013 as a favor to a police officer who worked part time for the solar contractor and because Kealoha was the police chief, according to the contractor. Star-Advertiser.

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Could Waimanalo to Kualoa become its own county? That’s what some are hoping for. There’s talk of of secession in Windward Oahu and community leaders sketched out what it would take to form their own county. Hawaii News Now.

State orders developer to stop excavation work on an Ewa Beach coastline. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has ordered a Chinese developer to stop excavation work on an Ewa Beach oceanfront. Hawaii News Now.

Street Parking Stalls for Car-Sharing Services Backed by Committee. People who use shared cars could see them parked in on-street stalls under a measure bound for the full Honolulu City Council. Hawaii Public Radio.

Liquor store to get license despite protest. The Honolulu Liquor Commission plans to renew the license of a Chinatown liquor store in the face of significant opposition from community members and government officials. Star-Advertiser.

School gets appliances to launder uniforms for students who need clean clothes. Central Middle School celebrated a donation of new washers, dryers, and other appliances to help students whose families don’t have access to laundry facilities. Hawaii News Now.

Trackers haul in 40 tons of marine debris at Kewalo Basin. The Ocean Voyages Institute, a nonprofit based in Sausalito, Calif., chartered the Kwai for the first expedition of its kind from Honolulu to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to retrieve the tons of derelict fishing nets, ropes, plastic floats, bottles and other items after deploying satellite trackers a year in advance to locate them. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council allows non-recyclable plastics as polystyrene alternative. Amid promises to create future laws curbing the growing waste stream heading to the county’s soon-to-be sole landfill, the County Council on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill loosening restrictions on the allowable plastic alternatives to polystyrene. West Hawaii Today.

Council briefed on administration’s eruption recovery efforts. The county’s Kilauea recovery team has spent approximately $45 million on various projects to restore parts of the island affected by last year’s eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Dozens told to return FEMA funds. Nearly 80 Kilauea eruption victims have been told to return federal disaster relief payments after a federal agency determined they might not have been eligible for the funds. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The Maui County Council overrode all but three of Mayor Michael Victorino’s 12 vetoes during a special meeting on Tuesday, putting the near-final touches on an $823.5 million budget that is set to go into effect on July 1. Members restore funding for sewer projects, shoreline plan. Maui News.

Council Overrides Majority of Mayor’s Line-Item Vetoes. Maui Now.

Major hurdle cleared for 250 Lahaina tenants. Their affordable rentals secured with new state law. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai’s tourism concerns are being addressed. The anger that resulted in Kauai protesters temporarily turning back tourists entering the stretch of Kuhio Highway that leads into Haena was tempered Wednesday after state and county officials promised more collaboration in managing tourism on the Garden Isle. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai’s Newly Reopened Park Is A Case Study In Controlling Tourism. Crowd control measures at the renovated Haena State Park will help state parks officials respond to staggering tourism growth. Civil Beat.

The message along Kuhio Highway was to slow down on Wednesday, as North Shore residents gathered with signs at the old road-closure booth in Waipa. Garden Island.

Haena fishery receives Equator Prize. Fish are on the rise in the Haena Community Based Subsistence Fishing Area, and a newly bestowed international award now props up a project that’s already being hailed a success. Garden Island.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

U.S. Supreme Court to hear Hawaii Clean Water Act cesspool case, Trump seeks to pull California rail funding over wall lawsuit -- could that happen to Honolulu? Plus, legislators want more Capitol security, county preps for foam food container ban, more top news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2019 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaii's green Big Island ©2019 All Hawaii News
The U.S. Supreme Court will consider limiting the reach of the Clean Water Act, agreeing to hear a case from Hawaii centering on treated wastewater that ends up in the Pacific Ocean. Bloomberg.

Supreme Court to decide if Clean Water Act limits Hawaii’s underground waste water dumping. The Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to hear an important case on the Clean Water Act and decide whether environmentalists can sue to block Hawaii’s disposal of waste water that flows underground into the Pacific Ocean. Los Angeles Times.

The Supreme Court is set to take up a critical debate over the scope of federal water protections. The justices today agreed to hear what amounts to the biggest environmental case of this year: a dispute over which types of pollution discharges trigger the Clean Water Act. E&E News.

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case centered on how Maui County treats its wastewater. KHON2.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to consider limiting the scope of a landmark law aimed at curbing water pollution in a dispute pitting an environmental group against local authorities in Hawaii over a wastewater treatment plant. CNBC.

U.S. Supreme Court County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund docket.

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Could this happen to Hawaii? Trump wants California to pay back billions for bullet train. The Trump administration said Tuesday that it plans to cancel $929 million awarded to California’s high-speed rail project and wants the state to return an additional $2.5 billion that it has already spent. Associated Press.

Border wall declaration could divert $300M appropriated for Hawaii programs. State Attorney General Clare Connors says Hawaii “has a lot to lose” if the president diverts federal funding for his border wall as part of a national emergency declaration. Hawaii News Now.

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Lawmakers want State Capitol to be safer after deadly shooting. Lawmakers are in shock that a shooting involving a Sheriff's deputy took place at the state capitol. KHON2.

The fatal shooting by a sheriff’s deputy Monday night of a 28-year-old man at the state Capitol was the second in the area in the last four months. Star-Advertiser.

Man Dies After 'Extreme Struggle' With Deputy Sheriff Outside Hawaii Capitol. The man was shot in the torso after he attacked the officer, said state Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda. Civil Beat.

A man who was killed in an officer-involved shooting at the state Capitol on Monday night was “physically combative" with a sheriff’s deputy despite numerous warnings, state Public Safety officials said. Hawaii News Now.

The state Department of Public Safety says the deputy sheriff was conducting routine patrols at the Capitol in downtown Honolulu Monday night when he encountered a man with a bottle of alcohol. Hawaii Public Radio.

Public Safety Director addresses shooting at State Capitol. The director of the Department of Public Safety, Nolan Espinda, held a news conference to address the shooting at the State Capitol. KHON2.

Public Safety Department seeking body cams and tasers for sheriffs after a deadly shooting at the State Capitol. KITV.

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The state agency that oversees Hawaii’s jails and prisons would be required to submit a report to the governor within 48 hours of the death of an inmate or employee of a correctional facility under bills being considered by the Legislature this year. Star-Advertiser.

Sex-trafficking bills opposed by new prostitution lobby. A newly formed prostitution lobby in Hawaii is pushing back against bills in the Legislature that seek to combat sex trafficking in Hawaii, arguing that the executive director of the state agency that is seeking the measures wields a “radical feminist agenda” that doesn’t take into account the views of local sex workers. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii aquaculture industry struggles to compete with foreign fish imports. Hawaii shrimp and fish farmers said the most significant barrier to new enterprises are choking state and federal regulations--a bureaucratic structure that largely doesn’t apply to foreign imports. Hawaii News Now.

Alala poised to breed this year in the wild. Since late 2017, 21 alala, or Hawaiian crows, have been released into the wild under monitoring by the Alala Project, a joint effort between the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and San Diego Zoo Global to revitalize the critically endangered species. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Police Union Goes To Court To Overturn Labor Board Ruling On Officer Transfers. The State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers challenged the right of Police Chief Susan Ballard to reassign officers. Civil Beat.

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Traffic nightmare on Pali Highway could last the rest of the week. Traffic was snarled Tuesday on Oahu’s Windward side in the wake of Monday’s multiple landslides that closed Pali Highway in both directions. Star-Advertiser.

Old Pali Road remains unstable, shifted 18-inches since landslide. Hawaii News Now.

Landslide Closes Pali Highway And Seriously Injures Woman. The road was completely closed Tuesday and portions will remain shut down all week while the area is surveyed. Associated Press.

The Honolulu-bound lanes of the Pali Highway are expected to remain closed through next Monday following landslides yesterday that shut down the road. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Judge turns down request to disqualify prosecutors. A state judge refused Tuesday to disqualify the Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney from presenting a criminal case due to a pending petition to suspend prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s cost of living is challenging for a lot of residents, but it’s especially tough for young adults who are just getting started and trying to build careers. Adults aged 25 to 34 are facing higher college tuition, higher rents and bigger housing prices than previous generations. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Island’s ban on polystyrene — also known as Styrofoam — food containers goes into effect in less than five months, and an educational program for businesses and the public is about to begin. West Hawaii Today.

Council Advances Hilo Water Bottling Zoning Request. A controversial proposal to draw water from an artesian water source within the Mauna Kea aquifer sector and sell it as bottled water went before a Hawaii County Council committee on Tuesday. Big Island Video News.

Bank of Hawaii plans to build a new branch in Hilo. The proposed location is at 1339 Kinoole St., at the northeast corner of the intersection with Lanikaula Street. Tribune-Herald.

A bill funding a study for a new boat ramp in Puna cleared the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Crews Respond to Entangled Humpback off Maui. A team of trained responders is attempting to locate and assist a humpback whale that was first reported entangled off the coast of Maui over the weekend. Maui Now.

Plans move ahead for new hotel on old Maui Palms site. Construction could start by the end of the year if permits granted. Maui News.

The public is invited to offer ideas and comments for the Baldwin Beach Park Master Plan during an open house held by the Department of Parks and Recreation on Wednesday, March 6, at the Kaunoa Senior Center. KHON2.

Scent of Extinct Maui Mountain Hibiscus Revived by Science. The Hau Kuahiwi was found in the ancient lava fields of Auwahi in Kahikinui on the southern slopes of Haleakala in 1910 by horticulturist Gerrit Wilder. Maui Now.

Kauai

Pacific Seabird Group to host annual meeting on Kauai. Kauai is hosting a meeting of the minds this month, a gathering of researchers and experts who will be swapping stories, discussing discoveries and talking technique at the 46th annual meeting of the Pacific Seabird Group. Garden Island.

Thursday, February 7, 2019

Styrofoam ban advances, sports gambling considered, judge rules against non-solar water heaters, shipping costs rise, Mauna Kea ski video rankles, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2019 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Polystyrene 'styrofoam' takeout ©2019 All Hawaii News
Statewide styrofoam ban advances. A bill to ban styrofoam containers for take-out food -- statewide. KHON2.

The House Judiciary Committee today will consider a bill to legalize and regulate sports betting in Hawaii, which is now one of only two states in the nation that has no form of legalized gambling. Star-Advertiser.

Bail-reform legislation, seven years in the making, is moving rapidly through the Legislature. The bills would require public safety officials to make it easier for people to gain release if they are arrested for nonviolent crimes and are not a flight risk, requires consideration of a defendant’s financial situation before setting bail, and eliminates money bail for low-risk offenses. Civil Beat.

Judge: DBEDT must adhere to solar water heater mandate. Environmentalist and renewable energy advocates are hailing a court decision Tuesday ordering the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism to follow state law mandating all new single-family homes include solar water heaters and to consider variances for gas water heaters only on a case-by-case basis. Tribune-Herald.

Court Ruling On Water Heaters Will Help ‘Protect The Climate’. The state has been wrongly approving too many gas hot water heaters in new homes, a judge says. Civil Beat.

Effort To Pump Up Voter Interest In Elections Goes Nowhere In Legislature. It looks like there will be no hearings for bills that would have advanced the top two primary vote-getters to the general election regardless of political party. Civil Beat.

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Legislature Seeks to Reform OHA Elections. State legislators have taken the first step toward overhauling the elections process for Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees. The Senate Hawaiian Affairs Committee started with campaign funding and the way candidates' names are listed on the ballots. Hawaii Public Radio.

The attorney for former Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Rowena Akana said Wednesday his client will appeal a state Ethics Commission complaint that imposes a fine of more than $23,000 for 47 ethics violations. Star-Advertiser.

Former OHA Trustee Rowena Akana Hit With $23K Ethics Fine. Akana, who served on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees for nearly 30 years, may also have to pay back more than $21,500 in gifts. Civil Beat.

Ex-OHA trustee who used office allowance for cable bills slapped with hefty fine. Former OHA trustee Rowena Akana must pay more than $23,000 in fines for accepting legal fees from Hawaiian heiress Abigail Kawananakoa and misusing her annual office allowance. Hawaii News Now.

Former Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Rowena Akana must pay more $23,000 in fines. The State's ethics commission found that she committed 47 ethics violations. KITV.

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It was Agriculture Day at the State Capitol today inside committee rooms and outside on display tables. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii lawmakers want to fight mosquitoes ... with more mosquitoes. But introducing new insects could have adverse affects. Hawaii News Now.

Young Brothers LLC announced Wednesday it has received approval from the state Public Utilities Commission for its first significant rate increase in six years. Garden Island.

Rate increase for interisland service. The 4.3% rate increase is critical to allow Young Brothers to reinvest in its business and upgrade equipment to continue providing essential interisland cargo transport services. KHON2.

Gabbard Takes Heat On MSNBC Over Russia, Assad. As the Hawaii congresswoman escalates her bid for president, she’s already facing stiff questions from journalists on a number of issues. Civil Beat.

Gabbard on defense after more bad publicity. On national television on Wednesday, she was questioned about her positions on Syria and Russia and even the Ku Klux Klan. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Manoa board calls for pause in Ala Wai Flood Control Project. The Manoa Neighborhood Board unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday calling for a halt on an Ala Wai Canal flood control project to give stakeholders an opportunity to give feedback on a plan to add detention and catchment basins to the upper reaches of Manoa, Palolo and Makiki. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu home, condo prices, sales all declined in January for first time since 2010. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu housing inventory up, prices down. KHON2.

Developers to receive incentives. The Honolulu City Council is proposing a new bill that would ease building requirements for developers in an effort to increase affordable housing options. KHON2.

City seeks landowner incentives to build hundreds of affordable rentals. As skyscrapers were added to Honolulu’s skyline and “monster homes” sprouted up in residential neighborhoods, low rises in Makiki and Moiliili have decayed. Hawaii News Now.

City begins to condemn Palolo properties damaged by severe erosion. Hawaii News Now.

Mysterious Manoa Tree Hackers May Be Peddling Hallucinogenic Bark. Large gashes in acacia trees, whose bark is reportedly hallucinogenic, were first noticed in December by Manoa residents. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu Police Department met for its monthly Commission meeting and one of the topics that came up was recreational marijuana. KITV.

Sewer spills were at a historic low last year amid ongoing monitoring and proactive measures taken by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

A bill to provide state funding for restoring lava-covered portions of Highway 132 cleared its first committee Wednesday at the state Capitol. The Senate Committee on Transportation voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 1298, which provides $15 million for restoration. Tribune-Herald.

At the request of the state Department of Health, legislators have shelved a bill that would have funded two ambulances for Hawaii Island, including one at the Makalei Fire Station. West Hawaii Today.

Pahoa pool reopens to the delight of area residents. For the first time in months, swimmers glided through the water at the Pahoa Community Aquatic Center on Wednesday morning. Tribune-Herald.

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Lawmakers and The Office of Maunakea Management said they were disturbed by a recent social media video that shows three individuals skiing and snowboarding on Puu Poliahu on Maunakea on University of Hawaii managed lands. West Hawaii Today.

Snowless Skiing On Mauna Kea Denounced. Big Island Video News.

The Office of Maunakea Management condemned a video posted to social media showing three individuals skiing and snowboarding down a revered volcanic cone on Mauna Kea that is managed by the University of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Video of skiers, snowboarders on Mauna Kea sparks outrage. KITV.

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People packed the room at the Grand Naniloa Resort to hear about the proposed Pacific Spaceport Complex-Hawaii and the environmental assessment process. Big Island Video News.

Dozens of residents crowded into a public meeting on Wednesday to learn about a proposal to build a satellite launch facility on the east side of the Big Island. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

A council committee on Tuesday advanced a recommendation of Michele McLean as director of the Department of Planning, but voted down the mayor’s appointment of Pat Wong as Corporation Counsel. Maui Now.

Planning’s McLean gets preliminary OK. Committee 5-4 vote comes amid claims of ‘prescripted’ process. Maui News.

Panel votes against Wong confirmation. Corporation Counsel choice second to go down in panel. Maui News.

A House committee holds a hearing on Friday to consider the holdover of revocable water permits, allowing for the continuation of water leases authorized in previous legislation. Maui Now.

VA one-stop facility is ‘progressing’. Still, local veterans have waited for more than a decade. Maui News.

Kauai

Bolstering the bridge. For weeks, Hawaii Department of Transportation workers in their yellow coats have been floating their barge through yellow barriers around the base of the bridge over Wailua River. Garden Island.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Kilauea marks 3-month inactivity milestone, Green adds campaign supporters to staff, UH develops Zika vaccine, 25 years for Schofield Barracks soldier who tried to abet IS, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy USGS
Fissure 22 lava cone Nov. 6 PC:USGS
As Of Today, Kilauea Eruption Could Be Considered Over. Kilauea Volcano is still not erupting. Wednesday, December 5, marks three months with no eruptive activity at the surface; September 4 was the last time active lava was observed along the lower East Rift Zone. Big Island Video News.

Three months have passed since lava was seen inside fissure 8 in Leilani Estates. By one standard, that could mean the eruption on Kilauea’s lower East Rift Zone is pau. Tribune-Herald.

George H.W. Bush National Day of Mourning: What's open and closed. KHON2.

No USS Arizona survivors to attend this year's Pearl Harbor commemoration. For the first time this Friday, Hawaii marks the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor without any survivors from the USS Arizona. KITV.

A federal judge sentenced Schofield Barracks soldier Ikaika Erik Kang to 25 years in prison Tuesday for trying to help the Islamic State group, or IS. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Soldier Who Tried To Help Terrorists Gets 25-Year Sentence. Ikaika Kang provided classified military documents and a drone to undercover agents posing as members of Islamic State. Associated Press.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green has hired Brooke Wilson, who served as political and education director for the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, as his chief of staff, as well as experts from the health care industry to staff his office on the fifth floor of the state Capitol. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard’s Race To The Top. The congresswoman got a taste of what life might be like on the campaign trail in 2020 with visits to New Hampshire and Vermont. But can she win? Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii medical school researchers have developed a potential vaccine for the Zika virus two years after the infection linked to birth defects caused a global public health emergency. Star-Advertiser.

Researchers at the University of Hawaii medical school have successfully developed a vaccine candidate for the Zika virus, showing that it is effective in protecting both mice and monkeys from the infection. Maui Now.

Researchers at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine said they successfully developed a vaccine candidate for the Zika virus. Pacific Business News.

Scientists Seek Public Assistance To Track Invasive Mudweed. Turns out this new invasive species may be difficult to remove from our reefs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

A key Honolulu City Council committee Tuesday gave Mayor Kirk Caldwell a preliminary green light to enforce the Sidewalk Obstruction and No Lodging ordinances that were signed into law nearly two months ago. Star-Advertiser.

Enforcing sidewalk bans could happen soon, but worry over lack of community services still exist. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell sees potential problems with a measure that would move the homeless. KITV.

Six-Figure Deal To Cover UH Rail Costs ‘Slipped Through The Cracks’. HART says it fixed its process so the glitch won’t reoccur, but it’s unclear if the agency missed other contracts. Civil Beat.

HPD overstating success in rape cases, report claims. An investigation by national news outlets has raised concerns about whether the Honolulu Police Department is massaging its rape statistics to make it look like it’s solving more crimes than it actually is. Star-Advertiser.

As part of widening corruption probe, DOJ sends subject letter to second-in-command at prosecutor’s office. The city prosecutor’s first deputy has received a subject letter from the U.S. Department of Justice, in a sign that a federal investigation into Honolulu’s ex-police chief is now zeroing in on players at the city Prosecutor’s Office. Hawaii News Now.

Military training will lead to an uptick in noisy skies. Starting Wednesday, the Hawaii Air National Guard will be hosting another Sentry Aloha Exercise. It will involve more than 800 military personnel and 30 aircraft from nine states. Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers weigh in on Oahu's fireworks ban. We talked to two city council members about revisiting Oahu's fireworks ban. KHON2.

Hale Kipa Breaks Ground for $11M Ewa Headquarters and Campus. Hale Kipa, a state-wide nonprofit youth services organization, achieved a decade-long goal today. Hawaii Public Radio.

Goodwill to expand size and services in Makiki. For 18 years Goodwill Hawaii has made makeshift use of a former automobile sales and service center in Makiki. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Process underway to find a new moniker for fissure 8. The ongoing question of what to call fissure 8 could be resolved next year as the Hawaii Board of Geographic Names determines its naming process. Tribune-Herald.

This Showcase Rec Center Was Another Victim Of Eruptions. Park facilities require longterm repairs after they housed Kilauea lava evacuees for more than four months. Civil Beat.

UH researchers confirm beetle’s role in spread of rapid ohia death. Scientists suspected that its spread has been aided by beetles burrowing into infected trees, and a new paper from the University of Hawaii’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources confirms that to be the case. Tribune-Herald.

The search is on for a new executive director for the Hawaii Island Humane Society following Donna Whitaker’s departure from the position last month. West Hawaii Today.

Big Isle solar permits issued fell 45% in November. The number of photovoltaic permits issued in Hawaii County plunged 45 percent in November but is still up for the year. Star-Advertiser.

Solar PV permits down 45% on Hawaii's Big Island in November. Hawaii's Big Island has suffered its third consecutive month with a year-over-year decline in the number of solar photovoltaic permits. Pacific Business News.

Maui

No more Styrofoam: Maui County’s ban leaves restaurants searching for alternatives. Restaurants are gearing up for Maui County’s ban on polystyrene food and beverage containers that starts on December 31. Hawaii News Now.

Meetings to discuss noncommercial marine fishing registry, permit or licensing systems for Hawaii will be held in the county beginning today on Maui. The Non-Commercial Marine Fishing Registry, Permit, and License Study Group has been meeting for the last two years to look into the feasibility of creating a registry, permit or license system for noncommercial marine fishing in Hawaii. Maui News.

The Pools of Oheo in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park will reopen on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018 following a nearly two year closure. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kuhio Highway to close at bridge. The Hawaii Department of Transportation plans to close Kuhio Highway at the Waioli Stream Bridge between Anae Road and Kumu Road in Hanalei from 11 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, to 5:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 12. Garden Island.

Sunday marked the first night of Hanukkah, and Kauai’s Jewish community celebrated by lighting a tiki torch menorah on the lawn of the Historic County Building. Garden Island.