USS Arizona Memorial repairs continue, Kealoha lawyer quits, 2020 census to be online, Maui residents return after wildfire, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

USS Arizona Memorial PC:NPS

Key progress made in Arizona Memorial access. A more than $2.1 million project to restore walk-on access to the USS Arizona Memorial is getting closer to completion, with a 105-foot floating concrete dock repositioned next to the memorial and a new anchoring system in place beneath it. Star-Advertiser.

New Pre-K Locations Announced After Expansion Bill Becomes Law. The 10 classrooms will be at the following schools: on Oahu, Aiea Elementary, Haleiwa Elementary, Nanaikapono Elementary, Waianae Elementary, Palolo Elementary and Waimanolo Elementary & Intermediate; on Big Island, Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary, Hilo Union Elementary and Honaunau Elementary; and on Maui, Pukalani Elementary. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Katherine Kealoha Loses One Attorney While A Second Seeks A Retrial. The former city prosecutor’s publicly funded defense lawyer was allowed to withdraw from the case on the same day her privately paid attorney made new claims. Civil Beat.

Kealoha attorneys seek new trial — and claim they’ve found Alison Lee Wong. Katherine Kealoha says her court-appointed attorney was ineffective, inexperienced and uncooperative during the trial. Hawaii News Now.

Katherine Kealoha appears in shackles. Deputy prosecutor- turned-felon Katherine Kea­loha shuffled into federal court Thursday wearing an off-white, short-sleeve prison jumpsuit, navy blue boat shoes and shackles around her ankles. Star-Advertiser.

Katherine Kealoha will get a new lawyer. Cynthia Kagiwada filed a motion to withdraw and the judge approved it Thursday. KHON2.

State backs affordable-housing towers. A state agency is inclined to provide $130 million for a developer to build two apartment towers near Aloha Stadium for low-income households despite contentious community meetings over much of the project earlier this year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Astronomers express anxiety, excitement at TMT construction site atop Mauna Kea. The construction site for the Thirty Meter Telescope is on the mountain’s northern plateau, about 400 feet below the summit. Hawaii News Now.

Institute for Astronomy to continue managing telescope. The University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy was awarded a contract by NASA to continue to manage its telescope on Maunakea. Tribune-Herald.

Cracking down on ag theft: New law provides counties with an enforcement officer. Legislation recently signed by Gov. David Ige aims to address agricultural theft and vandalism on Hawaii Island and Maui. Tribune-Herald.

Preparing for the 2020 census: People will be able to fill out their forms online for the first time. But challenges remain in making sure every person in every community, in every state, is counted accurately, Census Bureau representatives told the County Council earlier this week. West Hawaii Today.

Supreme Court to weigh in on police shooting accomplice case. Prosecutors are seeking relief from the Hawaii Supreme Court in the case of four of the seven defendants accused of aiding accused cop killer Justin Waiki. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Liquor panel finally approves rules changes. Maui County brewpubs will be able to serve their industry standard 16-ounce beers and provide multiple sample-size beers to customers, according to rule amendments approved Wednesday morning by the Maui County Liquor Commission. Maui News.

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Officials lift evacuation order but warn that fire is still ‘an active threat’. All evacuation orders triggered by a massive wildfire in Central Maui were lifted Thursday night, but the mayor of Maui County warned residents to remain on alert because the fire is still posing a threat. Hawaii News Now.

Evacuees allowed to return home after brush fire scorches 3,000 acres. KHON2.

All evacuees may return home, Maui County says. KITV.

UPDATE 10:20 P.M.: Motorists allowed back into Kihei amid fire; airport, Kuihelani Highway open. Shelter, road updates. Maui News.

Maui Brush Fire Forces Evacuations. The blaze was still uncontained Thursday evening, and two shelters had been opened. Civil Beat.

An enormous wildfire swept across 3,000 acres of mostly fallow former sugar cane fields Thursday, forcing thousands to evacuate, closing down highways, trapping some residents for hours and diverting flights from Kahului Airport to Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

A brush fire that prompted evacuations and diverted some flights on the Hawaii island of Maui remained uncontained, officials said Thursday night. An evacuation notice was sent to the cellphones of residents in the town of Maalaea and in parts of Kihei, a Maui County official said. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Illegal Parking Fees Rise From $35 To $235 On Kauai’s North Shore. The steepened penalty is expected to deter problematic illegal parking near popular beaches, trailheads and attractions on Kauai’s secluded North Shore. Civil Beat.

State to raise fines for illegally-parked cars along parts of Kauai’s North Shore. Hawaii News Now.

The North Shore community showed up in force at the Waipa Foundation Center Wednesday evening to take part in an Office of Hawaiian Affairs public meeting. Garden Island.

The salt beds are flooded on Kauai’s Westside, thanks to a combination of king tides, high surf and blocked drainage. Garden Island.

Construction to start Monday on Thirty Meter Telescope, ACLU warns of 'sound cannon' use, Agribusiness Development Corp. charged with polluting Kauai waters, Hilton workers ratify contract, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Site of Thirty Meter Telescope ©2019 All Hawaii News

Construction of the long-stalled Thirty Meter Telescope will start near the summit of Mauna Kea Monday, Gov. David Ige announced Wednesday. At a news conference at the state Capitol, Ige and state officials announced that the road to the top of Hawaii’s tallest mountain will be closed starting Monday morning for a period of days as grading and other heavy equipment heads up to the construction site. Star-Advertiser.

Thirty Meter Telescope Construction Will Start Next Week. Opponents are still trying to stop the observatory from being built on Mauna Kea and the state is bracing for protests. Civil Beat.

TMT Construction Scheduled To Start Up Next Week. Hawaii Gov. David Ige and the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory announced Wednesday that construction of the telescope on Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island will begin next week. Hawaii Public Radio.

Work on Thirty Meter Telescope starts next week. Gov. David Ige announced Wednesday that construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope atop Maunakea will begin next week after nearly five years of delays. Tribune-Herald.

Thirty Meter Telescope Begins Construction On Mauna Kea, Week Of July 15. Big Island Video News.

Governor announces start date for Thirty Meter Telescope construction. With a years-long legal battle in the rear view mirror, construction of the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope atop Mauna Kea will begin Monday, authorities announced in a press conference Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Construction for the Thirty Meter Telescope to begin on July 15. KHON2.

TMT construction to begin next week, Gov. Ige says. Just last month, Governor Ige announced that a notice to proceed was issued to the University of Hawaii at Hilo for the TMT on Mauna Kea. KITV.

TMT Construction to Begin July 15; Expect Road Closures. Big Island Now.

Governor’s Office – Joint News Release – Thirty Meter Telescope set to start construction. Governor's Office.

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ACLU Threatens Lawsuit Over Possible LRAD Use On Mauna Kea. The non-profit American Civil Liberties Union sent a demand letter to state officials, expressing concerns over a recently acquired Long Range Acoustic Device. Big Island Video News.

BLNR chair: LRAD is not a weapon. Gov. David Ige said Wednesday concerns expressed in a Tuesday letter by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii that a long-range acoustic device will be used as a “sound cannon” against Thirty Meter Telescope protesters on Maunakea is based on “a lot of misinformation on that equipment.” Tribune-Herald.

State says Weapons won’t be used against protesters on Mauna Kea, but agencies still preparing. The first effort to build the Thirty Meter Telescope in 2015 was met with mass protests that helped stall construction. This time the state plans to be much better prepared. Hawaii News Now.

Hunting to be halted at three Maunakea sites. Hunting in certain areas on Maunakea will be prohibited until mid-August in order to ensure security during the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

City Prosecutor Job May Draw Crowded Field Of Candidates. In the wake of the Kealoha corruption imbroglio, the issue of integrity will dominate the 2020 campaign. Civil Beat.

As Bike, Car-Sharing Take Hold, Issues Arise About City Space Reserved For Them. The Honolulu City Council recently approved 160 designated parking stalls for car-sharing services, but some council members have raised questions about whether the city's policies on the reserved spots for ride-sharing operations are fair to companies and taxpayers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Company in fatal Mokuleia plane crash didn’t have permit for skydiving. The company whose skydiving plane crashed June 21 at Dillingham Airfield killing all 11 aboard, had a permit to conduct parachute rigging at the state airport, not skydiving operations. Star-Advertiser.

Army Shadow drone crashes in Waianae Range. In one of the first large military drone crashes in Hawaii, an Army RQ-7B Shadow aircraft out of Wheeler Army Airfield went down in the mountains behind the base Wednesday afternoon, causing a brush fire, the 25th Infantry Division said. Star-Advertiser.

Downed Army drone sparks a brush fire in mountains above Schofield Barracks. Hawaii News Now.

How Kailua Became A Tourist Town. Stunning beaches, Airbnbs and new developments transformed the town into a tourist hot spot — leaving some locals bemoaning a lost sense of community. Civil Beat.

Councilwoman presses for more lifeguard hours. Honolulu City Councilwoman Kymberly Pine wants Oahu lifeguards to stay on the beach longer — from dawn to dusk. Star-Advertiser.

Newly ratified union contracts now provide nearly 2,000 employees at Hilton Hawaiian Village with better wages and other benefits. Star-Advertiser.

Hotel workers ratify new contract for better wages, working conditions. Hawaii News Now.

Hotel workers at Hilton Hawaiian Village ratify new contract. KITV.

Hawaii Island

Council mulls zero-emission bus choices. There’s a lot of enthusiasm for zero-emission hydrogen-powered buses, but it’s a long road ahead before they become a staple of Hawaii County’s Hele-On fleet. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo landfill to stop accepting construction waste. Effective Aug. 1, the county will no longer accept construction and demolition debris or grading and grubbing materials at the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill, the Department of Environmental Management announced Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Molokini tour boat limits, Manele harbor privatization vetoed. Maui News.

Mahi Pono kicks up some dirt. Mahi Pono purchased 41,000 acres of former sugar cane lands from Alexander & Baldwin in December. In May, the company announced the first crops to be planted include avocados, bell peppers, potatoes, papaya, guava, lilikoi, white pineapple, oranges, mandarin oranges, lemons, limes, coffee and macadamia nuts, as well as cover crops such as alfalfa. Maui News.

Water tank empty in Honokohau Valley. Customers in Honokohau Valley, West Maui are without water service while Department of Water Supply crews respond to a probable break in a 4-inch waterline that fills a water tank that serves the area. KHON2.

Kauai

Judge: Ocean illegally polluted. The state Agribusiness Development Corporation has been illegally polluting Kauai’s ocean waters since 2015, according to a Tuesday ruling by U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson. Garden Island.

Federal Judge Rules Toxic Water Discharged Off Kauai Is Illegal. A federal judge ruled Tuesday that the Hawaii Agribusiness Development Corp. violated the federal Clean Water Act and beached public trust by discharging millions of gallons of polluted water containing pesticides, heavy metals and other toxins into the ocean off of Kauai’s west side. Civil Beat.

Ige vetoes vacation rental and REIT taxes, asset forfeiture bill, 15 others. Foes file lawsuit against Thirty Meter Telescope bonds, NTSB releases skydiving crash report, plus more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ige veto press conference screenshot

Ige vetoes REIT and vacation rental tax bills. Gov. David Ige on Tuesday vetoed bills that would have imposed the state’s corporate income tax on real estate investment trusts and required vacation rental platforms such as Airbnb and Expedia to collect taxes from operators of vacation rentals. Star-Advertiser.

Ige Vetoes Property Forfeiture Reform Bill, 17 Others. Big Island Video News.

Ige Vetoes Reform Of Hawaii’s Civil Asset Forfeiture Program. The governor also killed tax proposals approved by the Legislature for vacation rentals and real estate investment trusts. Civil Beat.

On deadline day, Gov. Ige announces list of vetoed bills from 2019 session. In a press conference at the State Capitol on Tuesday, Gov. David Ige revealed the list of 18 bills he has decided to veto this legislative session ― along with two he is allowing to become law without his signature. Hawaii News Now.

Governor Ige vetoes number of bills, including controversial vacation rental bill. KITV.

Ige vetoes asset forfeiture reform. State Rep. Joy San Buenaventura said Tuesday she’s “very disappointed” that Gov. David Ige vetoed a bill aimed at reforming the statute governing the seizure of an individual’s property by civil asset forfeiture. Tribune-Herald.

Governor Vetoes Reform Of Controversial Police Funding Program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor vetoes 18 bills. Gov. David Ige on Tuesday decided not to kill two bills on his veto list. Garden Island.

Marijuana To Be Decriminalized In Hawaii Come Jan. 1. The new law will make possession of 3 grams or less of pot punishable by a $130 fine. Civil Beat.

Marijuana decriminalized. Walking around with a small amount of weed won’t land you in jail anymore, as the state has decriminalized marijuana. KHON2.

Annual cap on tax credits for film, digital media industry to increase after Gov. Ige backs off on veto. Gov. David Ige allowed two bills that he initially intended to veto to become law today without his signature. Star-Advertiser.

Full list and rationale of bills vetoed by Gov. David Ige is found here.

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10 Million Visitors: Can Hawaii Survive Its Own Popularity? The impact of a growing army of tourists has government leaders and residents questioning how to better manage Hawaii’s largest industry. Civil Beat.

9 Charts That Show How Hawaii Tourism Is Changing. From soaring numbers of visitors to declining rounds of golf, a by-the-numbers look at how at the industry’s impacts have grown in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

‘We’re Not Scared’: Hawaii Confronts Next Wave Of Climate Change. Local emerging leaders and experts in their fields expound on the importance of bringing diverse minds to the table to develop solutions. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Push to impeach Kaneshiro remains strong despite judge’s petition dismissal. A Honolulu judge has dismissed a petition to impeach prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Councilwoman Wants Increased Lifeguard Coverage. Kymberly Pine criticizes Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration for what she considers a lack of action to decrease drownings. Civil Beat.

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Preliminary Report: Skydiving Plane Twisted In The Air Before Crash. An NTSB report offers some early details about last month’s crash. Investigators could spend the next two years trying to determine what happened. Civil Beat.

Skydiving plane was upside down when it hit the ground, report finds. The skydiving plane that crashed June 21 at Dillingham Airfield, killing all 11 aboard, seemed to be fine as it taxied down the runway to take off, but at about 150 to 200 feet in the air, it began turning, then hit the ground nose first and burst into flames. Star-Advertiser.

In NTSB preliminary report, witness describes seeing a fireball after skydiving plane crash. Hawaii News Now.

Witness describes final moments of skydive plane in NTSB preliminary report. KHON2.

Feds: 2 Skydivers Joined Doomed Hawaii Flight At Last Minute. The National Transportation Safety Board says two skydivers made a last-minute decision to board the Hawaii plane that crashed and killed 11 people last month. Hawaii Public Radio.

Former pilot of Oahu Parachute Center believes mechanical issues and inadequate training are likely reasons for skydiving tragedy. Hawaii News Now.

Federal authorizations, legal challenges may have complicated state’s enforcement of cease-and-desist against skydive company. KHON2.

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Lawsuit cites police in deadly pedestrian crash. Two survivors of a deadly Kakaako crash that killed three say the police officer who was pursuing the driver of a speeding pickup truck that plowed into a group of pedestrians contributed to the tragedy by not using his flashing lights or siren. Star-Advertiser.

City Sued In Crash That Killed Three Pedestrians After Police Pursuit. Two people who were among the injured say an officer violated HPD policy. They are also suing the alleged drunken driver. Civil Beat.

Hawaii County

TMT foes go to court again over bond issue. In the latest legal maneuver aimed at subverting the Thirty Meter Telescope, foes of the $1.4 billion project are accusing the state of failing to require a construction security bond. Star-Advertiser.

Thirty Meter Telescope Opponents File New Lawsuit To Stop Project. This is the latest complaint against the planned observatory, which is on the cusp of breaking ground atop Mauna Kea. Civil Beat.

New lawsuit against TMT. Opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope filed a lawsuit Monday seeking to halt the project on the grounds that the developers failed to post a security bond in accordance with the state’s 1977 Maunakea Plan. Tribune-Herald.

New Legal Challenge To TMT Takes Aim At Security Bond. Big Island Video News.

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Landowner agrees to cancel plans for condominium near Banyans surf spot. The developer behind a proposal for a five-story condominium near the Banyans surf spot has agreed to take that plan off the table. West Hawaii Today.

Bank of America, state in dispute over $150M loan. The Hawaii County Council on Tuesday joined Maui and Kauai in backing Gov. David Ige’s request that Bank of America return to the table to discuss a decades-old dispute over $150 million in home loans for Native Hawaiians. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

MPO pushes back Puunene Avenue expansion in draft. Maui News.

Working families land brand new ocean-view condominiums. 40-unit Kalama Kai project blessed in Kihei. Maui News.

Makani Kai Air Announces Maui to Kona Flights. Makani Kai Air announced it will launch service between Kailua-Kona and Maui starting on Aug. 1, 2019. Maui Now.


Kauai

Sludge spill. County officials on Tuesday morning discovered partially-treated sewage sludge that overflowed overnight from the Lihue Wastewater Treatment Plant to the drainage channel next to the facility. Garden Island.

Arborist reports finding strange insects on Kauai. An arborist has discovered some strange-looking ants on Kauai and though there’s some question about exactly what species they are, they’re most likely invasive. Garden Island.

Lanai

Test of stratospheric flying wing planned for Lanai. A joint venture between Japan’s SoftBank and unmanned aircraft systems developer AeroVironment plans to test-fly a 260-foot-long solar-powered flying wing on Lanai that one day could be part of a network of drones loitering in the stratosphere providing 5G cellphone coverage. Star-Advertiser.

Councilwoman balks at paying HART legal fees, skydiving company had been ordered grounded before fatal crash, county police to enforce state action on Maunakea, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honouliuli station construction PC:HART

HART should pay its own legal fees, councilwoman says. Honolulu Councilwoman Heidi Tsuneyoshi says the agency tasked with building the $9.2 billion East Kapolei-to- Ala Moana Center rail line shouldn’t use additional city taxpayer money to hire a lawyer to deal with three federal subpoenas that are looking into wrongdoing at the agency. Star-Advertiser.

A Honolulu councilmember wants answers from rail officials about what she says is the use of $50,000 in taxpayer money for an outside attorney. Hawaii Public Radio.

Resolution introduced urging HART to pay its own outside legal counsel. A move by the Honolulu rail authority to have city tax payers pay for its legal fees isn’t sitting well with one council member. KHON2.

Resolution introduced ensuring HART pays for its own outside legal council. Council Member Heidi Tsuneyoshi introduced a resolution Friday urging HART to use the $3.7 million it has allocated for legal expenses to pay for counsel related to three federal grand jury subpoenas. KITV.

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State Sends Residents New Survey As It Assesses Foodborne Illnesses. People chosen randomly are being asked about their diets and where they purchase or grow their food. Civil Beat.

Abandoned tax licenses set to be purged. The state Department of Taxation announced July 1 that it has published a notice to revoke tax licenses due to abandonment. Maui News.

Oahu

Company was told to stop skydiving before fatal crash; now ordered to vacate.The company in charge of the airplane that crashed in Mokuleia last month, killing 11 people, had been ordered to stop its skydiving operation well before the fatal crash. KHON2.

Hawaii Governor Approves Funding For New Aloha Stadium. The new law allocates $20 million in general funds to improve the dstrict for public use. It also approves issuance of up to $180 million in revenue bonds and $150 million in general obligation bonds to build a new stadium. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ige signs into law bill that kicks off the redevelopment of Aloha Stadium. Governor David Ige signed into law Monday a bill that kicks off the process of redeveloping the 44-year-old Aloha Stadium into a mixed-use sports and entertainment district. Hawaii News Now.

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Petition for Kaneshiro’s impeachment dismissed. A setback Monday in state Circuit Court won’t discourage Oahu businessman Tracy Yoshimura from going back to the starting line in his quest to have Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro impeached, his attorney said Monday night. Star-Advertiser.

Judge dismisses petition to impeach City Prosecutor Kaneshiro. Oahu Businessman Tracy Yoshimura collected more than 500 signatures through his online petition, but a judge ruled the online signatures could not be verified. KITV.

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Council resolution demands agencies say how they’ll prevent more Kealoha-esque incidents. In the wake of the Kealoha corruption verdicts, one leading Honolulu councilman says he has grave concerns about the ability of city agencies to police their own employees ― and he’s demanding they prove they are capable of preventing corruption in their departments. Hawaii News Now.

'The world knows the truth;' Man framed by Kealohas speaks out for first time since historic verdict. Gerard Puana was set up in the famous 'mailbox' incident by Louis and Katherine Kealoha. Hawaii News Now.

A proposal to raise money for Hawaiian Home Lands turns ugly in Kapole. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands wants to develop about 100 acres in Kalaeloa for a solar energy project. Hawaii News Now.

City’s bulky item pickup system has led to mounds of rubbish. As part of the pilot, which is slated to run through the end of January, the city has shifted single-family and multifamily residents from Foster Village to Hawaii Kai, including Waikiki, from monthly scheduled bulky item collection to an appointment-based program. Star-Advertiser.

Never-Ending Waikiki Sidewalk Project Hurts Businesses, Obstructs Tourists. Work that began a year ago is still disrupting the south end of the bustling district. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Council committee hears concerns about police protecting TMT. Prayers, chants and tears — and an outburst or two — marked an afternoon of testimony Monday as more than 50 people shared their mana‘o about Maunakea and the impending construction of a massive telescope there. West Hawaii Today.

Council Questions County Involvement On Mauna Kea. Big Island Video News.

Residents push to preserve 70-acre parcel but landowner still plans to develop off Lako Street. West Hawaii Today.

Desk Duty For National Park Ranger After Hawaii Shooting. The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park law enforcement officer who shot the driver of stolen vehicle is on desk duty while local and federal agencies investigate. Associated Press.

Maui

Koieie Fishpond holds community workday. Efforts follow calls to restore historic pond. Maui News.

Ban on Commercial Permit Operators at Hanakaoo Becomes Law. Maui Now.

Kauai

State to explain water study results.The Department of Health is making a trip to Kauai to explain their recent findings regarding the water quality in the Maha‘ulepu and Waikomo watersheds. Garden Island.

Highway to close at Waipa Bridge. The Hawaii Department of Transportation issued a reminder Monday that the upcoming full weekend closure of Kuhio Highway at Waipa Bridge is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Friday and continue through 5 a.m. Monday. Garden Island.

Hawaii to ban 'gay panic' defense, allow 'Gender X,' herbicides banned at schools, Honolulu hires criminal defense in rail probe, Karen Pence to visit military families, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii gay pride parade ©2019 All Hawaii News

Hawaii to Become 6th State to Ban “Gay Panic” as Affirmative Defense for Murder. Hawaii's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual community is awaiting the governor’s signature on bills, that when signed into law today, will advance rights and protections of those who identify as such. Maui Now.

Gov. Ige to sign bill allowing ‘Gender X’ on Hawaii driver licenses. In an effort to reduce discrimination against transgender and gender fluid individuals, Hawaii driver licenses will soon sport ‘Gender X’ as an option. Hawaii News Now.

Bill to add more gender categories on Hawaii driver’s licenses to be signed into law. A bill to expand gender categories on Hawaii driver’s licenses will be signed into law today. KHON2.

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Herbicides banned on Hawaii public school campuses, superintendent says. Superintendent Christina Kishimoto, after hearing that Roundup was being used on some campuses, sent a memo Tuesday to all principals stressing that herbicides are banned at Hawaii public schools. Star-Advertiser.

Vague guidelines on pesticide use at schools has community calling for change. Parents alongside concerned members of the the community are challenging school officials over the chemicals being used to kill weeds on campus. Hawaii News Now.

Two mothers are suing the Hawaii Department of Public Safety on behalf of their children, over what their lawsuit describes as “repeated and deliberate indifference towards the safety and well-being of inmates with serious mental health issues.” Garden Island.

More than 1,000 pieces of stolen mail found in late postal worker’s storage unit. In an email confirming the discovery, the USPS said there were about 1,000 pieces of stolen mail from about 13 to 15 years ago, along with roughly 11,000 USPS Return Receipt post cards. Hawaii News Now.

Karen Pence visits Hawaii. The Second Lady will speak to military families to highlight the Blue Star Museum program, which she serves as honorary co-chair. KHON2.

Oahu

Mayor Caldwell signs vacation rental policy bill. It took roughly three decades, but the city now has a broad-ranging policy regulating vacation rentals. Star-Advertiser.

City Will Use ‘Digital Stings’ To Nab Illegal Vacation Rentals Starting Aug. 1. But the full effect of Oahu’s new law severely limiting Airbnb-type rentals and imposing stiff fines on violators won’t start until late 2020. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Mayor Signs Measure To Regulate Short-Term Rentals. Mayor Kirk Caldwell vetoed one short-term rental measure and signed another that will restrict the operation of the rentals on Oahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Caldwell signs ‘historic’ bill regulating vacation rental industry on Oahu. Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed a bill into law on Tuesday that will enact some of the toughest new regulations for Oahu’s vacation rental industry in nearly 40 years. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Caldwell signs vacation rentals bill 89, vetoes bill 85. The mayor signed the bill at a press conference at Honolulu Hale on Tuesday. KITV.

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City hiring lawyer to address rail subpoenas. The city is hiring an outside attorney to help handle issues related to a federal criminal investigation of the Honolulu rail project, and has budgeted up to $50,000 to cover the cost of that legal work. Star-Advertiser.

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Closing arguments in Kealoha corruption trial begin. Prosecutors have said Katherine Kealoha wanted to frame Gerard Puana to keep him from revealing fraud that financed the couple's lavish lifestyle. KITV.

The Kealoha conspiracy case is a story of “greed and manipulation,” a federal prosecutor says. Lawyers for the two remaining defendants, Nguyen and Shiraishi, are scheduled to give their closings this morning; then the government gets the last word with rebuttal remarks. Star-Advertiser.

Kealoha Conspiracy Trial: ‘Power, Greed And Manipulation’. Closing arguments began Tuesday in the trial of Louis and Katherine Kealoha and three Honolulu police officers. Civil Beat.

Defense calls government’s allegations in Kealoha mailbox trial ‘imagination’. In fiery closing arguments Tuesday, a federal prosecutor in the closely-watched public corruption case against the Kealohas told jurors that the case isn’t about a mailbox but about why the defendants would try to frame a Kealoha relative with its theft. Hawaii News Now.

30 HPD Officers Assigned to Watch Kealohas' Relative, Prosecutor Says In Closing Arguments. A U.S. prosecutor says 30 Honolulu police officers conducted 24-hour surveillance on the uncle of former deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha the week she claimed he stole her mailbox in 2013. Associated Press.

Hawaii Island

E. Kalani Flores testified in opposition to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit renewal for the Thirty Meter Telescope construction on Mauna Kea, one of many to speak out at a public hearing held Tuesday night in Kona. Big Island Video News.

Kailua-Kona’s first medical marijuana dispensary opens Sunday. Hawaiian Ethos, one of only two businesses licensed to sell medical marijuana products on the Big Island, plans a grand opening celebration Sunday at its Olowalu Street dispensary in the Kaloko Light Industrial Area. West Hawaii Today.

Island’s two major well-diggers have work galore. The Big Island’s two major well-drillers continue to ask for more time to complete their projects, even as new contracts are awarded to them. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Final EIS released for Pulehunui master plan. Plan outlines water, wastewater, roads for major state projects. Maui News.

Maui Bus to Reduce Fares for Seniors, Disabled and Others, July 1. The County of Maui Department of Transportation announced that beginning Monday, July 1, 2019, the Maui Bus is implementing reduced single boarding fares of $1.00 for fixed route service. Maui Now.

Kauai

Hundreds rally for salt ponds. A Kauai County Planning Commission meeting drew a crowd of well over a hundred local residents, who showed up at the county government building in Lihue on Tuesday morning to speak on behalf of their culture, their heritage, their land and their salt. Garden Island.

NTSB investigates deadly plane crash, Honolulu preps for vacation rental fines, police shortage hits home, TMT protesters fear sound cannon, pesticide foe tours state, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

NTSB investigator Eliott Simpson briefs NTSB Board Member Jennifer Homendy Sunday at the scene of the Hawaii skydiving crash. PC:NTSB

Federal investigators will review repair and inspection records on the skydiving plane that became inverted before crashing shortly after takeoff on Oahu’s North Shore, killing all 11 people on board in the deadliest civil aviation accident since 2011. Associated Press.

NTSB opens probe into Dillingham Airfield plane crash. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board have arrived on Oahu to start their investigation into a plane crash that killed 11 people at Dillingham Airfield on Friday. Star-Advertiser.

NTSB: 'This is the deadliest accident involving a civil airplane in U.S. since 2011'. The NTSB has a team of 11 here on Oahu that are investigating the crash. KHON2.

Medical Examiner: 10 men, 1 woman died in Dillingham Airfield crash. Official identities of the victims may be released starting Monday, the medical examiner said through a city spokeman Sunday afternoon. Associated Press.

Families, friends mourn 11 victims killed in North Shore skydiving plane crash. The Medical Examiner’s Office may release the identities of some of the 11 victims killed in a skydiving plane crash at Dillingham Airfield as soon as Monday. But some families and friends of the victims are coming forward to talk about their loved ones. Hawaii News Now.

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Ige To Sign A Host Of Traffic Safety Bills Into Law. The signings on Tuesday come as Hawaii is ranked the third most dangerous state for pedestrians over 50. Civil Beat.

Gabbard will speak out on war during televised debate. If U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s somewhat obscure presidential campaign is ever going to catch fire, this week may be the time. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Fines for illegal vacation rentals may begin in August. Advertising of an illegal vacation rental on Oahu would become unlawful starting Aug. 1 under a bill that Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is expected to sign into law Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Legal expert: One witness stands out of the 70 in the Kealoha mailbox trial. In all, 70 people took the stand in the 16-day Kealoha corruption trial. Hawaii News Now.

How To Attract Good Police Officers In The Face Of A Nationwide Shortage. The Honolulu Police Department is trying some innovative ideas to fill hundreds of vacancies. Civil Beat.

Stairway to Heaven Could Be Removed By 2022. The Haiku Stairs have been closed to the public for years, but that hasn’t stopped hikers from trespassing and Instagramming the views. Civil Beat.

Developer wants to build homes on Enchanted Lake acres some call a wetland. Residential development around what was once a more than 200-acre fishpond in Kailua has been controversial since the first homes were built more than 50 years ago in what became Enchanted Lake.  Star-Advertiser.

Neighborhood board disputes Diamond Head homeowner’s plan to install a private beach-access tram. One homeowner on the craggy cliff between Diamond Head Road and the uncrowded beach below is causing a community stir with a plan to install a private passenger lift for easier access. Star-Advertiser.

The Only Way To Save This Popular Oahu Park May Be To Close It At Night. Oneula Beach Park in Ewa Beach, a popular spot for local fishermen, is the last park on the island that is still open all night. Civil Beat.

State re-files theft charge against former charter school director. The ousted director of the now-defunct Halau Lokahi Public Charter School has again been charged with one of four felony theft counts that had been dismissed because the state Attorney General took too long to take the case to trial. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Group fears state’s new ‘sound cannon’ could be used against TMT protesters. A Hawaiian and environmental group is asking the head of the state Land Department not to use a sound device that was developed by the military as the state and activists prepare for the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Hawaii News Now.

Food safety inspections find fewer violations thanks to ‘social pressure’. Tribune-Herald.

Charter proposals head to County Council. Land preservation advocate Debbie Hecht left the county Charter Commission meeting Friday vowing to launch a “just say no” campaign to a 2020 ballot amendment that would allow open space preservation money to be used to pay county staff. West Hawaii Today.

US Senate committee hears from official from PGV parent company. Ormat Technologies committed Thursday to continue its engagement with the Puna community and other Big Island stakeholders as the company proceeds to reopen Puna Geothermal Venture. Tribune-Herald.

The Leeward Planning Commission on Thursday voted to give its OK to proposed amendments to the Kona Community Development Plan, or CDP, sending the amendments on for consideration and approval by the Hawaii County Council. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Officials Meet Man Who Sued Round Up Manufacturer And Won. Claiming the herbicide Round Up caused his cancer, the man who took the manufacturer to court and won, Dewayne “Lee” Johnson, was in Hilo on Friday to talk to Hawaii County officials about the dangers of glyphosate. Big Island Video News.

Two Acres Provided For Kona Scenic Park. A County Council committee voted last week to advance a resolution accepting the dedication from the Hokulia developers. Big Island Video News.

Korean War Memorial dedicated at Wailoa State Recretion Area. A memorial was dedicated Saturday to 52 Hawaii Island military members killed in action in the Korean War and five others who died of non-combat causes during the bloody conflict. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County works to cut its pesticide use. Departments reduce use in public spaces; councilor plans to propose a wider ban. Maui News.

County Re-Evaluating Original Wailuku Civic Concept. The County of Maui, Department of Management presented the construction schedule for Wailuku Town improvement projects and detailed its efforts to minimize impacts on the surrounding neighborhood during a community meeting held Thursday night at the Iao Theater. Maui Now.

MECO increases renewable power, storage amounts sought in next procurement. RFP targets are 295 GWh of energy, 58 GWh of storage. Maui News.

Wailuku parking structure construction set to begin in August with roads, infrastructure. First phase moving forward; second phase civic center is being re-evaluated. Maui News.

Kauai

The county Planning Commission will hold a hearing June 25 that will begin the process of whether or not to grant Smoky Mountain Helicopters Inc. a class IV zoning permit, which would allow them the ability to make modifications to an existing helicopter tour facility at Port Allen Airport. Garden Island.

Thirty Meter Telescope approved for Mauna Kea, Honolulu, Hawaii County mayors allow budgets to pass without signatures, appeals court overturns Maui water restrictions, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Thirty Meter Telescope conceptual, Courtesy TMT International Observatory

Thirty Meter Telescope’s construction is approved. After more than a decade of planning, delays and controversy, the cutting-edge Thirty Meter Telescope has been issued a “notice to proceed” with construction, state officials said Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Ige: Construction Of TMT On Mauna Kea Can Begin. The Hawaii governor issued a “notice to proceed” on the giant telescope even as one protester is arrested. Civil Beat.

Hawaii gives notice to proceed for $1.4B Thirty Meter Telescope. The state of Hawaii on Thursday issued a notice to proceed for construction to start on the $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope project on the Big Island after four “unauthorized structures” were removed from the areas near the telescope’s site on the summit of Mauna Kea. Pacific Business News.

After years of protests and legal battles, officials have announced that a massive telescope which will allow scientists to peer into the most distant reaches of our early universe will be built on a Hawaiian volcano that some consider sacred. Associated Press.

Construction of Thirty Meter Telescope expected to take 10 years to complete. Construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope could start at any time, but TMT officials aren’t yet saying when that will happen. Hawaii News Now.

Government officials find controversial telescope project atop Mauna Kea 'lawful to proceed'. The State Attorney General, Governor Ige and other state officials made the announcement Thursday saying the Department of Land and Natural Resources issued the University of Hawaii a permit to allow the project to proceed. KITV.

TMT Gets Notice To Proceed, DLNR Takes Action On Mauna Kea. The state took action on Mauna Kea Thursday, and later held a press conference, after granting the Thirty Meter Telescope project a notice to proceed with the building of the observatory. Big Island Video News.

According to Governor Ige, the Department of Land and Natural Resources issued a notice to the University of Hawaii at Hilo to proceed, begin construction on the Thirty-Meter Telescope. Ige said that construction is expected to begin this summer. KHON2.

©2019 All Hawaii News

State Takes Down TMT Protest Structures As Mauna Kea Telescope Construction Gets Green Light. In preparation for construction to resume on the Thirty Meter Telescope, state officials Thursday dismantled four structures erected by project opponents and restricted access to the Mauna Kea summit. Hawaii Public Radio.

Construction of TMT authorized; opponents vow to ‘fight for our rights’. Public officials and opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope are bracing for a potential showdown after construction of the project was authorized by the state. Tribune-Herald.

Activists pledge more protests as Thirty Meter Telescope construction given green light to proceed. Activists say hundreds are planning to protest Mauna Kea construction when it begins, and they say they’re ready to be arrested if that’s what it takes. Hawaii News Now.

For Those Working On Mauna Kea, Safety Concerns Rise With Tensions. For the men and women who work in support of astronomy on Mauna Kea, the appearance of another confrontation on the mountain is an added worry. Big Island Video News.

Kaho'ohaki Kanuha Arrested On Mauna Kea As Police Dismantle Ahu. Kanuha was arrested for trying to record police in the area where, four years ago, two ahu were constructed on the site of the planned-Thirty Meter Telescope. Big Island Video News.

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Paying taxes doesn’t make vacation rentals legal, state attorneys say. The state’s top attorneys say a contentious bill approved by this year’s Legislature and sitting on Gov. David Ige’s desk does not legalize thousands of vacation rentals in noncompliance with county laws or bar the counties from enforcing its laws against the owners of such units. Star-Advertiser.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs appoints interim CEO. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees appointed today OHA Chief Operating Officer Sylvia Hussey as the agency’s interim chief executive officer until a new CEO is hired. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Has The Lowest Health Care Costs, Thanks To Strong State Laws. Costs of employee contributions to health plans are among the nation’s lowest, according to a new report. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Police Shooting Board Won’t Release Its Findings — At Least For Now. The new board wants advice from the state AG’s office before deciding whether to reveal what its concluded about officer-involved deaths and injuries. Civil Beat.

Fewer Bus Rides for Low-Income Kids? DOE officials said the departments needs to cut eligibility because the expansion of a federal free meal service to low-income students “inadvertently” made made free bus rides more widely available. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Mayor lets budget go without signing. Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Wednesday allowed the city’s $2.83 billion operating budget and other parts of the fiscal 2020 budget package to become law without his signature, the seventh consecutive year he’s taken such action. Star-Advertiser.

City budget for nearly $3 billion approved without mayor’s signature. Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced Thursday he’s allowing a nearly $3 billion city budget to go into law without his signature. Hawaii News Now.

Caldwell: Tax Hikes On Hotels, Investment Homes Can Cover Rail Operations. Those increases, coupled with appreciating property values on Oahu, should be enough to make it work, the mayor asserted Thursday. But the proposal is light on specifics. Civil Beat.

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KEALOHA TRIAL: Prosecutors presenting rebuttal case this morning. KHON2.

Final witnesses testify in Kealoha conspiracy trial. The final three witnesses testified today in the conspiracy trial of Louis and Katherine Kealoha and three co-defendants, ending 16 days of testimony from nearly 80 people. Star-Advertiser.

Prosecutors Say Katherine Kealoha’s Civil Attorney Lied On The Witness Stand. Kevin Sumida represented Kealoha in a series of lawsuits, including one in which she was accused by her uncle and grandmother of financial fraud and elder abuse. Civil Beat.

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Second urgent care clinic that caters to homeless set to open in Kaneohe. An urgent care clinic that caters to the homeless is in the works for Kaneohe. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Workers Need $39.75 Per Hour To Rent A 2-BR. That’s according to a new study by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Civil Beat.

Here’s Why Student Absenteeism Is Plummeting At Waipahu Elementary. The school pursues some simple strategies for getting kids to school: home visits, phones calls to parents, emergency supplies of clean clothes and rewards like extra recess. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Budget becomes law without Mayor Harry Kim’s signature. Saying the County Council’s $585.5 million budget isn’t conservative enough, Mayor Harry Kim is letting it become law without his signature. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

A&B may get water permit in the end. Appeals court overturns ruling at heart of E. Maui diversion controversy in Legislature. Maui News.

Iwi Protection Hui Gets Contested Case Hearing. a hui dedicated to protecting Hawaiian iwi (remains) – will be able to make their case in a contested court hearing before the State Historic Preservation Division according to the group’s attorney. Maui Now.

Fast-track housing projects come under fire. Residents say Launiupoko is not a good location for projects. Maui News.

No hotel, water company in Waikapu town project. Developers dispel rumors as project is deferred. Maui News.

Environmental Court celebrates four years. Celebration was held for anniversary and retirement of its judge. Maui News.

Kauai

First annual Pride Parade and Festival set for June 22. There will be pride displayed in Lihue from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday as Kauai will host its first Kauai Pride Parade and Festival. Garden Island.

Kauai PRIDE Parade information and road closures. The Kaua‘i PRIDE Parade is scheduled for Saturday, June 22, at 9 a.m. KITV.

More Native Hawaiians becoming doctors, TSA allows cannabis product on flights, Honolulu police $10M over OT budget, Kauai tackles vacation rentals, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Man sets flags at Punchbowl cemetery PC: Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam

Remembrance at Punchbowl on Memorial Day. Punchbowl cemetery was awash in more than 35,000 small and large American flags Monday as Memorial Day and the sacrifices made by American service members across the decades were observed amid a series of auspicious anniversaries coming closely together. Star-Advertiser.Star-Advertiser.

Where Hawaii’s Chronic Teacher Shortage Hits Hardest. Students at rural or lower-income schools are less likely to be taught by experienced, fully qualified teachers than elsewhere, DOE data shows. Civil Beat.

Number of UH minority medical school graduates reaches record. The University of Hawaii has seen a record number of minority medical student graduates despite low numbers of Native Hawaiians and Filipinos in college. Star-Advertiser.

More terminally ill are requesting lethal drugs under the new law. Since Jan. 1, when medically assisted death became legal in Hawaii, at least 17 patients have requested lethal drugs to end their lives and at least three of them went on to use the medication to “have a peaceful death.” Star-Advertiser.

TSA now allowing a cannabis product on flights. TSA updated passenger guidelines after the Food and Drug Administration approved a drug containing cannabidiol or CBD used by children with epilepsy. KITV.

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Hawaii’s slow-growth economy is expected to continue. In what is becoming a recurring theme in local economists’ quarterly reports, the state’s economy is projected to keep inching forward with its gross domestic product — the total value of the state’s goods and services — growing from 1.2% to 1.4% annually over the next four years, according to a new economic forecast by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Economist: Overtourism And Crowding Is A Pricing Problem. The number of tourists coming to Hawai'i has grown in the past three decades, but their spending in real dollars has remained the same. Hawaii Public Radio.

Good and bad signs for Hawaii's economy. Home sales are down. New vehicle sales are down. And bankruptcies are up. The state's chief economist says there is no recession just around the corner -- but not all economists agree. KHON2.

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NTSB calls for safety improvements to rules following Kailua helicopter crash. Following three fatal crashes in the past month, including a helicopter crash in Kailua, the National Transportation Safety Board is calling for greater safety measures to the federal regulations covering them. Star-Advertiser.

Pet dogs trained to detect invasive species in Hawaii's forests. The fight to save endangered species in Hawaii is gaining more ammunition. KITV.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Department seeks $10M transfer to fund overtime. The City Council Budget Committee last week gave tentative approval to a Honolulu Police Department request to transfer $10.25 million to cover salaries and wages during the last six weeks of the fiscal year due to unanticipated expenses. Star-Advertiser.

Hotel workers union reaches tentative deal with Hilton Hawaiian Village. The tentative deal is for a four-year union contract that reportedly covers some 1,800 workers. Hawaii News Now.

Completed questionnaires offer insight into prospective jurors for Kealoha trial. Many of the 413 prospective jurors for the Kealoha mailbox trial didn’t hold back when filling out questionnaires aimed at determining whether they could serve. Hawaii News Now.

Arbitrator asked to rule on private Kakaako road fines. Two brothers who created a public uproar over control of several streets they own in Kakaako are not bowing to the state’s attempt to impose a $250,000 fine over the issue. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu woman's campaign to clear-out Honolulu homeless comes with bus ticket to Waianae encampment and criticism. She posted her plan on Facebook. KITV.

Former BWS employee says automated meter reading system is bogus. Back in 2000, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply paid $30 million for an automated meter reading system to help it measure the monthly water use of its 170,000 residential and business customers. Hawaii News Now.

Nearly 1,000 beachgoers stung as jellyfish invasion keeps Oahu lifeguards busyNearly 1,000 people were stung today by box jellyfish at five beaches on Oahu’s south, west and north shores, city Department of Emergency Services officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Thirty Meter Telescope Hearing Set For Storm Water Discharge Permit. The hearing on the NPDES application and draft permit to discharge storm water associated with construction activities from the TMT will be heard in Kona on Tuesday, June 25. Big Island Video News.

Video shows PTA public meeting. Protecting Native Hawaiian archaeology from Pohakuloa Training Area bombing exercises was top of mind for those attending a May 16 annual meeting with PTA officials, according to video footage provided by a participant. West Hawaii Today.

500 Kamehameha parcels to be checked for cesspools. Kamehameha Schools has conducted an assessment of its properties statewide in efforts to identify, and subsequently close, any large-capacity cesspools. Tribune-Herald.

Beach Created By Volcanic Eruption Was Born Polluted. You might think a brand new black sand beach would be pristine. But microplastics have already been detected at Pohoiki in Lower Puna. Civil Beat.

Kahaluu Ma Kai slated for completion in 2020. Every day, a historic plot of oceanfront aina is regaining more of its natural ambiance. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Kanaha Beach Park Closure for Cleanup, May 29-31. Kanaha Beach Park in Kahului will be closed from 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, to 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 31, for park maintenance, repairs and cleanup. Maui Now.

Maui Liquor License Renewals Due June 15. The Department of Liquor Control is reminding liquor license holders that license renewal applications for the 2019-2020 fiscal year are due by 4:30 p.m. on June 15, 2019. Maui Now.

Homegrown Teachers Are The Norm At Molokai High. The school defies Hawaii’s revolving door of teachers at many isolated schools, with the vast majority staying more than five years. Civil Beat.

Kauai

County cracks down on illegal TVRs. The Kauai County Council on Wednesday will hear public testimony on a bill aimed at helping the county shut down illegal vacation rental homes. Garden Island.

Kauai beach reopens after whale carcass, 30K pound head removed. The sperm whale carcass that washed ashore in Kealia over the weekend is now gone. Hawaii News Now.

Saving Kauai’s rare birds. Hiking through the sheer ridges and native forests of the world’s highest wetland, Justin Hite spends his time looking and listening for Kauai’s endangered forest birds. Garden Island.

Molokai

Homegrown Teachers Are The Norm At Molokai High. The school defies Hawaii’s revolving door of teachers at many isolated schools, with the vast majority staying more than five years. Civil Beat.