Veterans Day honors those who serve, Green names Rep. Hashimoto for state Senate, Honolulu gay bar alleges death threat from liquor control board, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State House lawmaker transfers to Senate. Gov. Josh Green picked Rep. Troy Hashimoto (D, Wailuku- Waikapu) to fill an empty seat in the Senate following the recent resignation of Sen. Gil Keith-Agaran (D, Wailuku-Kahului-Waihee). Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Hawaiian Electric Has Ample Cash For Now But Few Answers To Key Questions. An earnings call with investors highlighted uncertainties surrounding Hawaii's electric utility and its parent following the Maui wildfires. Civil Beat.

The Power Was Out Before The Fires Started. Then Hawaiian Electric Flipped The Switch. In congressional testimony, Hawaiian Electric President and CEO Shelee Kimura confirmed what some already suspected — that the utility re-energized its lines just before an early morning fire. Civil Beat.

‘The era of complacency is over’: Wildfire planning agency swamped by requests for help. A Hawaii wildfire management nonprofit says only a few communities in the state have prepared for wildfires and now more than 100 are lining up to get protected. The small organization was practically ignored before Maui’s wildfire disaster. Hawaii News Now.

State working group calls for improvements to food reserves and disaster response. A state working group wants Hawaiʻi to improve its food reserves, support backyard farming and fill in the gaps in supply distribution to bolster its disaster response. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Military Members File Lawsuit Over Red Hill Water Contamination. Active service members are challenging a rule that insulates the government from liability for their injuries. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Gay Bar Steps Up Dispute With Liquor Commission. Scarlet Honolulu and Gay Island Guide cited an alleged death threat in requesting a temporary restraining order. The commission's counsel denied the allegation. Civil Beat.

HPD probe launched into handling of officer-involved crash that left motorcyclist injured.  Records reveal a Honolulu police officer arrested for driving under the influence and crashing into a utility pole seven years ago recently slammed his subsidized vehicle into the back of a motorcyclist, seriously injuring the rider. Hawaii News Now.

COVID relief funds mishandled, Honolulu auditor says. Honolulu exposed $387 million in federal COVID-19 relief money it received in 2020 to fraud, waste and abuse as it dispensed business and household relief funding during the pandemic, the Office of the City Auditor says. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Maunakea eyed for registers of historic places. At a Thursday meeting of the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority board, Ku‘upua Kiyuna, legal specialist for nonprofit Huliauapa‘a, told the board her organization has filed nominations for a portion of Maunakea, including the mountain’s summit, to be listed as a “traditional cultural property and district” on the National Register of Historic Places and the Hawaii Register of Historic Places. Tribune-Herald.

Bridge Stabilization Near Honoliʻi Beach Park Set To Begin. A bridge along the Honoliʻi Stream will undergo stabilization work next week, and officials warn of some changes to traffic patterns around Honoliʻi Beach Park. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Search For Lahaina’s Missing Spurs Creation Of Cold Case Unit. Two members of a task force specializing in forensic analysis will be assigned to the new detail that will reexamine dozens of unsolved cases. Civil Beat.

State to buy former Kihei hotel to house fire evacuees. A state agency received board approval Thursday to buy the former 229-room Maui Sun Hotel as part of a plan to turn the property into apartments for people who lost homes in the Aug. 8 disaster, which destroyed most of Lahaina. Star-Advertiser.

Groundbreaking, blessing held for 223-unit Hale O Piʻikea affordable housing in Kīhei. Situated in the southeast portion of the Kīhei Downtown Project, the development aims to address the pressing need for affordable housing. The project will provide 223 affordable rental housing units for individuals, kūpuna, and families whose incomes fall at or below 60% of the area median income. Maui Now.

Upcountry Maui Is Entering The Next Phase Of Fire Recovery. But Anxiety Persists. Kula residents readily acknowledge their losses are nowhere near the level experienced by Lahaina wildfire survivors but they share many of the same frustrations. Civil Beat.

Worsening water shortage in Upcountry Maui puts Kula Hospital at risk. A dire warning for Upcountry Maui residents -- cut water use by 20% or put Kula Hospital and 80 long term care patients at risk. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Nonprofit details ‘youth mental health crisis’ on Kaua‘i. The head of a community initiative for youths detailed how high schoolers and middle schoolers on the island are “really struggling” with issues, including poor mental health, substance abuse and loneliness, in a presentation to Kaua‘i County Council members this week. Garden Island.

More than 70 volunteers renovate U.S. VETS Barber’s Point. Home Depot volunteers picked up some gloves and tools at U.S. VETS Barber’s Point to renovate its facilities in honor of Veteran’s Day. KHON2.

Legislative committees begin budget negotiations, Ige picks Hashimoto to fill Souki's House seat, Molokai leprosy memorial project approved, Kauai taxpayers get tax filing relief as they dig out from floods, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Monk seal pup with knife PC: Hawaii DLNR

Endangered monk seal pup spotted with knife; but all is OK. West Hawaii Today.

The state House and Senate on Tuesday began public discussions on next year’s budget, which is expected to total more than $14 billion. Star-Advertiser.

State Office of Information Practices: Funding Denied, Again. The State Budget is in a joint conference committee this week to work out Senate and House differences. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers May Expand Definition Of Drugged Driving. A measure to ensure that driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal also addresses other substances. Civil Beat.

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Gov. David Ige has appointed Troy Hashimoto, former chairman of the Maui Democratic Party, to the Maui House seat vacated by Joseph Souki, who resigned last month to resolve sexual harassment allegations. Star-Advertiser.

Governor Selects Replacement For Vacant Hawaii House Spot. Troy Hashimoto will take former speaker Joe Souki’s Maui post. Associated Press.

Governor David Ige picked Troy Hashimoto to replace Joe Souki in the State House of Representatives Tuesday. KITV.

Ige appoints Hashimoto to serve remainder of Souki’s House term. Appointment follows Souki’s resignation in late March over sexual harassment charges. Maui News.

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With less than four months until the primary election, three candidates vying for the U.S. House seat representing urban Honolulu raised more than $200,000 each in the first three months of the year. Star-Advertiser.

The late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka will lie in state at Hawaii’s Capitol rotunda prior to his memorial services next month. Star-Advertiser.

Late U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka to lie in state before private burial. KHON2.

Whose Side Is This Workers’ Comp Doctor On? Chris Brigham has exerted major influence on how Hawaii’s insurers treat injured workers claims. Critics say he has mostly made it easier to slash benefits. Civil Beat.

Oahu

State lawmakers passed a bill Tuesday aimed at remedying a sore spot among drivers and businesses in Kakaako. The measure, House Bill 2275, would require that owners of private roads in the area pay to conform with city standards if they charge for parking on those streets. Star-Advertiser.

City Council Planning Chairman Ikaika Anderson said Tuesday he is looking at introducing legislation giving city officials clear authority to tear down structures that are built while under a stop-work order for constructing without a building permit. Star-Advertiser.

New Waikiki senior apartments blessed. A nonprofit developer with heavy government financing held a blessing Tuesday for a new affordable rental apartment building expected to welcome its first residents early next month. Star-Advertiser.

Man released after deadly shooting in Ewa Beach, but will self-defense claim hold?  KHON2.

Olomana Golf Links owed the state of Hawaii more than $110,000 when the operator of the 18-hole Windward Oahu golf course closed last week without notice. Pacific Business News.

Dennis “Bumpy” Kanahele, head of the sovereign Nation of Hawaii, envisions Olomana golf course as site for homeless. Star-Advertiser.

3 Oahu homes destroyed, dozens more damaged in Oahu flooding. At least 67 Oahu homes were seriously impacted by the weekend's heavy rains that caused flooding in several areas on the east side of the island. Hawaii News Now.

The Board of Water Supply crews are working tonight to repair a 24-inch water main break near the entrance to Waimanalo Gulch Landfill in the westbound shoulder of Farrington Highway. Star-Advertiser.

Whole Foods sets opening date for new Kakaako location. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

If each man, woman and child living on the Big Island dug into a pocket and handed over his or her share of the cost of operating county government, that amount would be $2,449. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Council Committee on Finance began its week of department budget and program reviews on Tuesday in Hilo, starting with the traditional opening presentation from the mayor. Big Island Video News.

The state attorney general’s office executed a search warrant at Ka'u Learning Academy on Tuesday morning, school leaders confirmed Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Residents packed a public meeting on Saturday to sound off on satellite launch project representatives who were eyeing Ka'u as a potential location. Big Island Video News.

Police officers and staff at the Kealakehe police station have been working on a plan to remove feral chickens as their presence has become annoying. West Hawaii Today.

The restroom facilities at Glenwood Park on the Big Island have been temporarily closed after thieves stole utility equipment from the park site. Hawaii News Now.

Kilauea Volcano Showing Signs of Increased Activity. Big Island Now.

Maui

The southern terminus of the Lahaina bypass will open about 6 a.m. Monday, the state Department of Transportation announced. All northbound traffic will be routed to the bypass at the southern terminus, which starts at “cut mountain” near Olowalu. Maui News.

High Enterococci Bacteria Count at Hanakaoo. Maui Now.

Environmental assessment is approved for memorial project honoring the 8,000 people sent to Kalaupapa. Completion and opening targeted for October 2020. Maui News.

Kauai

Gov. David Ige has directed the state Department of Taxation to provide relief for Kauai residents affected by the devastating floods and landslides. Garden Island.

Kauai residents get extension to file state tax returns. Hawaii News Now.

It could be weeks before roads on Kauai's north shore reopen. Hawaii News Now.

State explains what needs to happen before Kuhio Hwy. can reopen on Kauai. KHON2.

The devastation is all around in hard-hit Wainiha, but so is hope. Garden Island.

Hanalei residents cleaning up, assessing damage. Garden Island.

Westside ohana boats in supplies to flood victims. Garden Island.

Molokai

Environmental assessment is approved for memorial project honoring the 8,000 people sent to Kalaupapa. Completion and opening targeted for October 2020. Maui News.