Showing posts with label U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono. Show all posts

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Honolulu rail to run over burials, Tulsi Gabbard to wed on Oahu, beaches eroding, Kauai pesticide dispute in court, VA delays longest on neighbor islands, Ige, Hirono address Big Island concerns, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation
Honolulu rail transit map, courtesy HART
Rail workers have reportedly uncovered 14 distinct sets of iwi kupuna, or ancestral human remains, in the path of Oahu's future rail transit line so far. This week island burial leaders endorsed a plan for most of those remains to stay protected where they lie. Star-Advertiser.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is inviting the public to comment on a draft of its updated recreation plan. The department reviews the plan every five years to assess Hawaii's outdoor recreation needs and priorities. The review helps ensure Hawaii is eligible to receive federal grants. Associated Press.

Delays for medical appointments at Veterans Affairs facilities are shorter than the national average across much of Hawaii, but that's not true of the neighbor islands. Associated Press.

The Senate Water and Land Committee, chaired by Sen. Laura Thielen, has set a hearing for 2:45 p.m., April 17, to consider the appointment of Suzanne Case to lead the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Unlike Gov. David Ige’s last nomination for that job, Carleton Ching, this one is expected to clear the committee with ease and go on to pass the full Senate. Civil Beat.

A state House bill that aims to create a regulated medical marijuana dispensary system throughout Hawaii made progress Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

If your state tax refund is taking longer this year, you have plenty of company. The state says processing those refunds is taking longer this year because there are new procedures to prevent tax fraud. KHON2.

Liquefied natural gas, which is scheduled to be shipped into Hawaii in bulk amounts for power generation purposes as a replacement to oil, is not economical for the state, the head of Par Petroleum, which owns Hawaii’s largest oil refinery, told Pacific Business News on Wednesday.

Oahu

Oahu has lost one-fourth of its beaches and of those remaining, about 70 percent are eroding. If state and county officials don’t start working to conserve what’s left of the sandy shoreline, most of the island’s beaches could disappear by the end of the century, say scientists. Civil Beat.

Wedding bells will ring as U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and fiance Abraham Williams tie the knot Thursday at a historic site in Kahaluu. Hawaii News Now.

Relocating Hawai’i’s largest prison is gaining support at the State Capitol.   Lawmakers are proposing land swaps and partnerships to minimize the use of taxpayer money. Hawaii Public Radio.

On Tuesday, the Senate Ways and Means Committee voted 8-2 to advance House Bill 134, which would extend the rail tax by five years, through 2027. It would also limit those tax dollars to building the project; the money wouldn't be used for operations. Star-Advertiser.

Humanity amid the savagery of war demonstrated 70 years ago in the Battle of Okinawa is being re-emphasized by the Battleship Missouri Memorial with a new exhibit on the kamikaze pilots whose suicide runs wreaked havoc on Allied ships late in World War II. Star-Advertiser.
 
Hawaii

The Honolulu-based Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii was cleared of wrongdoing by the Hawaii County Board of Ethics on Wednesday after the executive director apologized for what she called an oversight when she and two other employees failed to register as lobbyists. West Hawaii Today.

A Hawaii County ethics complaint filed against Mayor Billy Kenoi and Finance Director Deanna Sako over Kenoi's use of his county-issued purchasing card will be handled by the Maui County Corporation Counsel's Office "to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest," Hawaii County Corporation Counsel Molly A. Stebbins said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

“I want to take full responsibility of the issues of the government pCard,” Kenoi started off during this 16 and a half minute press conference, shared with us courtesy Hawaii News Now. The press conference was held on April 1, 2015 on Oahu. Big Island Video News.

Gov. David Ige panned state management of the Keauhou aquifer, called for quicker action on federally funded highway projects and praised his most recent pick to head the department that oversees state lands on Wednesday. Speaking at a Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Ige also explained that he’ll use a weeklong “time-out” on the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope to carefully listen to all sides. West Hawaii Today.

U.S. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden and U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono got a firsthand look Wednesday at two major problems facing Hawaii Island’s forests as they stood on a dirt road near Pu‘u Kali‘u in Puna. Tribune-Herald.

The principal of Honokaa High and Intermediate School is under fire from some teachers and parents and is the target of a rare-but-significant class-action grievance filed by the public school teachers' union. Hawaii News Now.

The first phase of construction for 118 Department of Hawaiian Homelands’ units in Kona will take a few months longer to finish than originally expected. The Lai Opua Village 4 Akau Subdivision project in Kealakehe should be complete by September as opposed to this summer, DHHL project manager Jeff Fujimoto said. Fujimoto said the delay is due to the discovery of lava tubes in the area. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

A Hawaii Senate joint committee on Wednesday approved an amended House bill that would allow Maui state hospitals to enter a business partnership with a private entity. Pacific Business News.

The Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce hosts Maui Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu this Tuesday at the Maui Tropical Plantation. MauiTime.

Kauai

A trial is underway in a lawsuit by a group of Kauai residents who are suing a major seed company over genetically modified crop fields they say blow pesticide-laden dust onto their homes. KITV4.

It's all about dust — red dust. That's the focus of a dispute between some Waimea, Kauai, residents and GMO seed producer DuPont Pioneer, the residents' lawyer said Wednesday in opening statements of a civil trial. Star-Advertiser.

Libraries are never out of date, said Lani Kawahara, branch manager at the Kapaa Public Library. Garden Island.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Hawaii homeless count to begin, Maui mayor signs waste-to-energy contract, seed companies sue over GMO, pesticide law, congressional delegation's wealth, votes tallied, Honolulu food truck law mulled, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2014 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaii homeless (c) 2014 All Hawaii News
An annual count of the homeless in Hawaii, which will get underway next week, is part of a national snapshot taken on a single night to track the problem and target where resources are needed. Similar "Point-in-Time" homeless counts are conducted across the country under guidelines developed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Star-Advertiser.

How Rich Are Hawaii’s Congressional Representatives? Compared to the rest of Congress, Hawaii's reps are middling, at best, in their personal wealth. Hawaii Independent.

Mazie Hirono missed only one vote in 2013, Colleen Hanabusa reached across the aisle a lot to co-sponsor legislation and Tulsi Gabbard and Brian Schatz each had a bill enacted. All four also worked with each other to push legislation jointly. Those are some of the highlights from the 2013 Report Cards for All Members of Congress, released last week by GovTrack.us, a government transparency website. Civil Beat.

Kingdom still in place, courts told. Some homeowners fight foreclosure by claiming that the United States is illegally occupying Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii this week is hosting a series of events as part of its first "Chamber Week," coinciding with the start of the state legislative session, in which the group plans to aggressively promote a pro-business package of bills. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Rep. Bob McDermott has at least one good point. State education officials should have turned over a copy of Hawaii's controversial sex education program as soon as he asked for it. Civil Beat.

State roundup for January 13. Associated Press.

Oahu

Oahu's food trucks and lunch wagons could bid for exclusive rights to park in stalls designated for them under a bill proposed recently before the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

35 Honolulu Police Department officers were suspended or discharged for misconduct in 2013, according to the department's latest annual report that county police agencies are required to file with the Legislature. That’s more than in 2012, when 30 officers were punished for 35 incidents of misconduct. Civil Beat.

Honolulu's Chinatown is an eclectic mix of restaurants, shops and markets. But, when nature calls, you may be on your own.... there are no public restrooms. KITV4.

Hawaii

From living off the land to exploring space, from shielding constituents from eyes in the sky to legalizing Granny’s banana bread, Hawaii Island’s delegation of state representatives and senators is gearing up to present a host of new ideas — as well as time-worn ones that have yet to be fulfilled — to their legislative colleagues starting next week. West Hawaii Today.

There will once again be a doctor in the House. Just days before the regular legislative session is set to begin, Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Friday appointed Richard Creagan, 68, a Naalehu physician, to fill the District 5 post vacated by former state Rep. Denny Coffman. West Hawaii Today.

A man soliciting people at Kealakekua Bay to rent kayaks will pay more than $3,000 following an undercover operation conducted by the state. The Board of Land and Natural Resources authorized Friday a civil penalty fine of $2,500 and associated administrative costs of $750 against Captain Cook resident Alexander Aquino, 39, for violating Hawaii Administrative Rules prohibiting commercial activities without a written permit from the board of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks, according to a prepared statement from the DLNR. West Hawaii Today.

The Kailua Village Business Improvement District — tasked with making historic Kailua Village a better place to live, work, play and invest — is rolling out a new series of events and activities, in addition to its mainstays, that it hopes will promote the downtown area to residents and visitors alike. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa announced the signing of an agreement this week to finance and build an Integrated Waste Conversion and Energy Project on Maui. Maui Now.

The controversial demolition of the Old Wailuku Post Office is on a list of proposed audits that Maui County Auditor Lance Taguchi plans to conduct by the end of the fiscal year in June. Maui News.

The Maui County Council gave its final approval Friday for the $13 million purchase of 186 acres at Launiupoko. Maui News.

Single-family home prices in Maui County rose 13 percent last year, while the median price of a condo in 2013 rose 5 percent, compared to 2012, according to statistics from the Realtors Association of Maui. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Three seed companies have sued Kauai County in an attempt to block the implementation of a new law that would regulate their use of pesticides and the growth of genetically modified crops on Kauai. Syngenta, DuPont Pioneer and Agrigenetics Inc., doing business as Dow AgroSciences, filed a joint complaint at the U.S. District Court Friday against the county, requesting a permanent injunction on Ordinance 960 (formerly Bill 2491), claiming the new law is flawed and invalid. Star-Advertiser.

It was a move many expected and one the industry itself had promised. On Friday, three of Kauai’s biotech seed companies filed a federal lawsuit aimed at blocking implementation of County Ordinance 960 (formerly Bill 2491) related to pesticides and genetically modified crops. Garden Island.

The battle over genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, on Kauai continues as three companies sue the County of Kauai, hoping to stop the county from implementing a new law. The three companies are Syngenta, Agrigenetics and DuPont Pioneer. They claim that the new law is invalid. KHON2.

It’s clear that gambling is illegal in Hawaii, but that doesn’t stop advocates from pushing for legislation to allow casinos, lotteries and even church bingo each year. Many hotels, stores and organizations on Kauai aren’t publicly supporting a pro-gambling idea. And there isn’t a legislator on island who has signed on to any pro-gambling bill. Garden Island.

Billionaire Brad Kelley, one of the largest private landowners in the United States with more than 1.5 million acres of ranch lands in Kentucky, Tennessee, New Mexico, Florida and Texas, has recently purchased “thousands of acres” of agricultural land in Hawaii on the island of Kauai from landowner Grove Farm, according to sources close to the situation. Pacific Business News.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Watch out for whales, more golf for Obama, bill to regulate midwives, Oahu homeowners fear erosion from ocean, Big Island bag ban nears, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii whale watch
Humpback whale, NOAA courtesy photo
The U.S. Coast Guard is reminding the public to maintain a safe distance from humpback whales that are migrating to the Hawaiian islands. Humpback whale season is generally from November to May, with the peak of the season occurring during January and March. Associated Press.

Federal officials warn to exercise caution when driving vessels during humpback whale season, which lasts until May, as collisions have been increasing in the past several years. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's Congressional Delegation: Letdowns and New Year's Resolutions. For Hawaii's representatives in Congress, there were some big 2013 disappointments. Civil Beat.

How President Barack Obama spent day nine of his holiday vacation in Hawaii on Sunday. Associated Press.

President Barack Obama played nearly five hours of golf Sunday at Marine Corps Base Hawaii as he continued his annual Christmas vacation. Star-Advertiser.

How President Barack Obama spent day eight of his holiday vacation in Hawaii on Saturday. Associated Press.

President Barack Obama and his family spent Saturday afternoon on the North Shore at childhood friend Bobby Titcomb's annual holiday barbecue. The Obamas regularly visit Titcomb's beachside house near Waialua for a barbecue during their Hawaii vacations. Star-Advertiser.

Not far from these wind-swept shores, Barack Obama was born and raised, soaking in an island sensibility his family said he’s carried with him throughout his journey as president. Yet, in the search for a home for his future presidential library, Hawaii is playing the underdog, overshadowed by Chicago and the commanding role it plays in Obama’s story. Associated Press

Governor Taps More Funds for Hawaii's Mentally Ill Prisoners. Earlier this year, Hawaii Department of Public Safety Director Ted Sakai declared that his agency had a crisis on its hands. Civil Beat.

Decrease – not expand – state prisons.The Hawaii Department of Public Safety is seeking proposals for the expansion or redevelopment of its seven prisons statewide. The Community Alliance on Prisons responds. Hawaii Independent.

Planned bill would regulate midwives in isles. The state requires barbers, plumbers, massage therapists, electricians, auto mechanics, pest control operators, dental hygienists, physicians, and a host of other professional and vocational job holders to meet minimum standards before they can get licenses to serve customers. But Hawaii has no such requirements for those who help women give birth at home. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The administration of Mayor Kirk Caldwell reached out last week to top potential buyers of 12 public housing projects should a pending $142 million deal fall through, heightening the anxiety at Honolulu Hale about a tenuous situation that could have serious financial and legal ramifications for the city. The Honolulu Affordable Housing Preservation Initiative is the city's plan to get the city out of the affordable rental management business by offering 12 city housing projects under a 65-year lease. Star-Advertiser.

Landscaping contractor Greg Culver was one of scores of people who came to the aid of friends, family members and neighbors whose beachside properties along Ke Nui Road near Rocky Point were devastated by rapid erosion caused by a powerful westerly swell that arrived on Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii
Still trying to keep a 2008 campaign promise, Mayor Billy Kenoi has reintroduced his ethics bill to the Hawaii County Council. The changes, aimed at stopping the most blatant appearances of conflicts of interest, forbid employees from contracting with county government or lobbying boards and commissions on behalf of private businesses. West Hawaii Today.

The days of collecting plastic grocery bags are coming to an end. On Jan. 17, all Big Island businesses, including groceries, restaurants and other retailers, will be prohibited from distributing any single-use plastic bag. Tribune-Herald.

Several neighbors of Puna Geothermal Venture might not have to wait much longer to get money for their homes and then some as Hawaii County catches up on the flurry of relocation requests it received during the last two years. The county has 27 pending requests with the geothermal relocation fund, established in 1996 with geothermal royalties to purchase homes of people adversely affected by the power plant. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

During a recent campaign stop on Maui, Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa acknowledged that she's the underdog in her bid to succeed her political mentor, the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye. Maui News.


A marine spill expert says Alexander & Baldwin's new response plan to keep molasses from its Maui sugar operations out of Hawaii’s waters fails to adequately address issues related to pipeline inspections and doesn’t fully consider the environmental consequences of a large-scale discharge. Civil Beat.

Nearly $5.5 million to renovate and repair decades-old hospital facilities at Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital and Lanai Community Hospital was released by Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Thursday. Maui News.

Kauai

A trio of annual, independent audit reports released last week found that Kauai County officials should do more to address several recurring financial and record keeping deficiencies. Garden Island.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Hawaii feels shutdown sting, 3 of 4 congressional delegates refuse paychecks, Halawa prison guard admits to taking bribes, Hawaii Health Connector limps to life, Hawaii council advances anti-GMO bill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2013 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Pohakuloa Training Area (c) 2013 All Hawaii News
The partial shutdown of the federal government rippled across Hawaii on Tuesday, from isolated atolls in the far northwest where the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument is closed to the southeast where Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is turning away tourists eager to see the glow of Kilauea volcano's lava. Associated Press.

Federal employees in Hawaii slated for furlough closed out their work Tuesday and were sent home on Day 1 of the 2013 government shutdown. According to state figures, that group included 15,000 defense civilian workers alone. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz estimated that 25,000 federal employees in Hawaii could be laid off. Star-Advertiser.

If they are panicking over the federal government's shutdown, Hawaii's leaders here at home aren't showing it. While the state's congressional delegation is decrying the inability of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to agree on a budget deal, Gov. Neil Abercrombie is expressing confidence that Hawaii will weather any looming fiscal storms. Civil Beat.

Three of the four members of Hawaii's congressional delegation are now working for free under a U.S. government that has been shut down. Effective Tuesday, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is returning her salary to the U.S. Treasury. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz are donating theirs to a Hawaii charity. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's congressional delegation has weighed in on the recent government shutdown, and how talks in Congress will go forward. KITV.

Thousands of visitors in Hawaii are facing closed doors and locked gates at some of the state’s most popular visitor attractions at Pearl Harbor and other sites as a result of the federal government shutdown that began Tuesday. The shutdown has closed all national parks, as well as any hotels and attractions located within the national park properties. Pacific Business News.

Government shutdown: What's still running, what's not. Hawaii News Now.

What the government shutdown means for Hawaii. Hawaii Independent.

Tourism officials in Hawaiʻi are making assurances to visitors that many facilities in the state remain open, despite a federal government shutdown that went into effect at midnight on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Maui Now.

Hawaii is starting open enrollment under President Barack Obama’s federal health care overhaul without consumers being able to compare actual plans and prices. Chief Marketing Officer Rick Budar of the Hawaii Health Connector told The Associated Press on Tuesday that consumers will be able to apply for coverage, but insurers are still testing and reviewing rates in part to make sure they’re shown correctly within the system. Budar says he expects actual plans and prices to be up within the month, once they’re approved by insurers. Associated Press.

The Hawaii Health Connector — Hawaii’s tool to comply with the federal Affordable Care Act — is up and running as of Tuesday. That is, depending on who says so. Garden Island.

The state launched a $95 million electronic overhaul of the Medicaid eligibility system Tuesday in anticipation of thousands of new enrollees joining under the federal health insurance law, known as Obama­care. For the first time, residents are able to apply online for Medicaid, the government health insurance program for the poor. Applying online for other public assistance programs, such as welfare and food stamps, eventually will also be available as the electronic system is fully implemented. Star-Advertiser.

State education officials have consistently failed to comply with a scathing 2008 audit that called for them to improve and clarify the Hawaii Department of Education Hawaiian studies program, several teachers in the program told school board members Tuesday. Civil Beat.

State lawmakers aren't returning to work until Oct. 28 for a special session, but residents aren't waiting for answers. More than 2,000 Hawaii residents have contacted their legislators about two key issues — gay marriage and a molasses spill Sept. 9 in Honolulu Harbor, deemed by the Sierra Club as “one of the worst environmental disasters in Hawaii’s history.” Hawaii Reporter.

Oahu

Honolulu ranks second nationwide in the percent of workers dependent on a federal paycheck, according to data complied by The Washington Post.  Honolulu ties with Virginia Beach with 17.2 percent of the workforce employed by the federal government, including the military. Colorado Springs ranks first, with 18.8 percent of the workforce comprised of federal employees. Washington D.C. ranked fourth. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Metal Trades Council says more than three-thousand workers at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard received their furlough notices Tuesday. They were then sent home, not knowing when they can come back to work. KHON2.

Three weeks after a quarter million gallons of molasses spilled into Honolulu Harbor in what is likely the state's worst-ever marine environmental disaster, federal agencies involved in investigating the spill have essentially closed up shop. State officials who are leading investigations and studies into the spill say that the federal shutdown will not derail the multiple inquiries into the spill, but it could prolong them. Civil Beat.

Local tour company losing $50K a day from government shutdown. Hawaii News Now.

Shutdown causes confusion for some USS Arizona visitors. USS Oklahoma, USS Missouri, USS Bowfin and Pacific Aviation Museum still open. KITV.

One former Halawa Prison corrections officer has admitted to profiting from thousands of dollars of bribes by members of the state's largest and most powerful prison gang, while another former is accused of receiving thousands more in bribes from the group. Hawaii News Now.

The state Civil Defense said it received nine reports of sirens malfunctioning on Oahu during the regular monthly test Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

There is a battle brewing between cab drivers and hotels as the Honolulu City Council wants to mandate a flat fee for trips from the airport to Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

Plans for a five-tower residential and commercial complex on the site of the former Kam Drive-In Theater, across from Pearlridge Center, will get a first airing before the city Planning Commission today. Destined by its sheer size to place a major footprint on the surrounding Aiea-Pearl City community, the project is being met with resistance from area residents worried about traffic, view planes and property values. Supporters, however, say it will bring badly needed housing and construction jobs to Oahu's urban core. Star-Advertiser.

With house break-ins and auto thefts seemingly on the rise in Kailua, residents are searching for answers to the problem and hoping City Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro can offer some help. Kaneshiro will appear at a Kailua Neighborhood Board meeting set for 7 p.m Thursday at Kailua District Park's recreation center. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A bill that would ban biotech companies and the expansion of GMO crops on the Big Island has passed the Hawaii County Council’s Public Safety and Mass Transit committee.  Bill 113, introduced by Councilwoman Margaret Wille, passed with a vote of 6 to 2 on Tuesday and will now go to the full county council for review.  Hawaii County Council members Greggor Ilagan and J Yoshimoto opposed the bill. Civil Beat.

The Planning Department is calling the owners of an Ocean View swap meet back to the Windward Planning Commission to discuss allegations of a permit violation. West Hawaii Today.

Washington, D.C.’s political discord hit Hawaii Island right in the pocketbook Tuesday, with some of the island’s biggest tourist attractions shutting down after Congress failed on Monday to reach an agreement on federal funding. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A Maui County Council committee Monday decided to wait and see if the county auditor, who is still assembling his new office, will take up the Old Wailuku Post Office demolition controversy in a move that could put the investigation on hold until the new year. Maui News.

Haleakalā National Park is projecting monetary losses of $6,800 per day in entrance fees for each day that the federal government shutdown continues, officials said. The park hosts an average of 2,000 to 3,000 visitors each day according to information released by the National Park Service and the US Department of the Interior. Maui Now.

While usually open 24 hours per day, 365 days a year, Haleakala National Park at the summit closed its gates Monday after Congress failed to meet an agreement over the government spending bill by its midnight deadline. Maui News.

The first regularly scheduled service of an Airbus aircraft into and out of Kahului Airport will be occurring on Hawaiian Airlines flights servicing Seattle beginning Dec. 8. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kauai County Council will tackle a number of proposals tonight as state counties decide what issues they want to send to the Legislature for lawmakers to consider in January. In all, Kauai council members will weigh in on 16 proposals that could head the state’s way. Councilman Mel Rapozo, who is also the president of the Hawaii State Association of Counties, will be present a set of 14 proposals, mostly coming from other counties. Garden Island.

The federal government shutdown would affect Kauai in many ways although the primary federal agencies here, Civil Defense and the airport would continue operating. Garden Island.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Super Senator(?) Schatz, OSHA turns inspections back to Hawaii, builder tapped for Coco Palms, former state senator dies, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii senators
U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono file photo
Brian Schatz, Hawaii's Super Senator? The Hawaii politician has a slick PR machine. But can he lead? Civil Beat.

A new Nissan Pathfinder, two power saws, tickets to a trendy nightclub and a full sized male mannequin. Those were some of the pricier – or more unusual items – found in the campaign expenditure reports of Hawaii lawmakers. Hawaii Reporter.

OSHA turns manufacturing back over to the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division just as Federal funding is again in jeopardy. Hawaii Independent.

Cal Kawamoto, who served in the state Senate for a decade and was a tireless advocate for Waipahu, died on Sunday after suffering a heart attack earlier this month. He was 73. Star-Advertiser.

Kona Brewing Co.’s Longboard Island Lager bottle was recently honored by the Glass Packaging Institute for its “innovation, package design and consumer appeal” during the group’s annual Clear Choice Awards at Pack Expo. Pacific Business News

Oahu

An Oahu grand jury returned an indictment Wednesday charging a former teacher's aide at the Hawaii School for the Deaf and the Blind with sexually assaulting a student at the school. Star-Advertiser.

Homeless advocates have filed the first legal challenge to the city's sidewalk nuisance law which went into effect in July. Brian Brazier, an attorney for De Occupy Honolulu which has set up camp at Thomas Square, said the confiscation of personal belongings constitutes an unreasonable seizure. Hawaii News Now.

It is no surprise that Lex Smith, a well-connected attorney, has been a key player in the contentious efforts to develop the rustic Kahuku Village on the North Shore into a multi-million dollar real estate development. Civil Beat.

The new owners of Tesoro Corp.'s Kapolei oil refinery say they are poised to take advantage of a boom in North American crude supplies that could allow the facility to ramp up its production of gasoline, jet fuel and other products. Star-Advertiser.

North Shore residents told state transportation officials that barricading the parking lot at Laniakea Beach is not the solution for traffic problems in the area. More than a hundred area residents attended a meeting Wednesday night at Haleiwa Elementary School of the Department of Transportation's Task Force on re-aligning Kamehameha Highway at Laniakea, with about two dozen airing their concerns. Hawaii News Now.

Homeless leave Pawaa as city closes down park. Officials say the area needs cleaning for visits by South Korean groups. Star-Advertiser.

A Hawaii Kai man is getting ready for a battle with the city in court over a pothole. Donald Fehlmann is suing the city because he says it’s refusing to pay for damage to his car. KHON2.

Kaiser High School Principal John Sosa has been placed on paid leave as the Department of Education conducts an investigation. It's unclear what the investigation entails. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Funding for the second phase of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway widening project isn’t in any danger of lapsing, at least not on the federal end, officials assured the Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

“Get a grip; we are zero ‘frightened,’” wrote jailed cannabis minister Roger Christie in an email sent to the Tribune-Herald on Wednesday in the wake of news that he and his wife, Share Christie, had accepted a plea deal with prosecutors in their federal marijuana distribution case. Tribune-Herald.

A Keaukaha man says he plans to continue to protest Hawaii Electric Light Co. online and on the street after chaining himself to the utility’s Hilo office door earlier this month. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A finding of no significant environmental impact has been issued on the proposed consolidated car rental facility for Kahului Airport, and officials hope construction can begin in March. Maui News.

Famed rocker Gene Simmons from KISS and his wife Shannon Tweed were in Hawaii in January 2008 to film two episodes of their television reality show, Family Jewels. While they were in town, Simmons was the keynote speaker at the Smart Business Hawaii Annual Business and Investment Conference. Hawaii Reporter.

An activities booking business, The Maui Fun Co., has closed, leaving behind possibly more than $100,000 in debts to activity providers, from downhill bike operations to luaus. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai-based Unlimited Construction Services has been chosen as the design-build contractor for the redevelopment of the iconic Coco Palms Resort on Kauai’s Eastside, the developers said Wednesday. Pacific Business News.

The owners of Coco Palms Resort in Wailua announced Wednesday they have sent most of the reconstruction permits to the county and have picked their team to rebuild the hotel. Garden Island.

In an effort to take the guesswork out of what container a recyclable should be placed in, the county’s Recycling Office has developed image-based signage with a local flair for the public’s use. Garden Island.

The revised master plan for Kokee and Waimea Canyon state parks is back with the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Garden Island.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Congressional delegation split on domestic spying, shark victim dies, Hawaii lags in college readiness, gay marriage bill in the works, Honolulu struggles to pay union wages, another Sunshine Law lawsuit on Maui, no bingo for Hawaii County, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands


Obama inauguration
Hawaii's U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono at Obama inauguration
As more revelations come out about the NSA’s controversial domestic surveillance program, Hawaii’s congressional delegation is taking an array of different stands on the issue. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted to just kill it. Other members want to reform it. But to varying degrees, they differ in where they think the balance between privacy and national security should be. Civil Beat.

State House Speaker Joseph Souki said Wednesday that a majority of House lawmakers supports gay marriage, but he wants to make certain the vote count is firm before informing Gov. Neil Abercrombie. The governor is waiting for word from the House before deciding whether to call a special session on gay marriage. The state Senate has the votes to pass a gay marriage bill. Star-Advertiser.

The ACT Wednesday released the results of the graduating Class of 2013’s performance on its college-readiness standardized exam, which is administered across the United States. A  majority of Hawaii’s Class of 2013, similar to the rest of the nation, did not meet the test’s college-readiness benchmarks. Hawaii graduates who tested as juniors in the spring of 2012 posted a statewide average composite mark of 20.1. The national average composite score was 20.9.  Star-Advertiser.

In Hawaii, it pays not to work. A new report by Cato Institute, which examines the state-by-state value of welfare for a mother of two, said benefits in Hawaii average $49,175 — tops in the nation. Michael Tanner, co-author of the Cato study, said that since welfare isn’t taxed, a person would have to earn $60,590 in Hawaii to take home the same $49,175 a person on welfare would. Hawaii Reporter.

As Hawaii’s debate about GMOs rages, the editorial board of Scientific American has come down strongly against a policy requiring labeling of genetically modified ingredients in foods.  (A statewide policy requiring GMO labeling failed to pass the Hawaii legislature this past session.) Civil Beat.

Starting this fall, Hawaii drivers will likely have to pay a few dollars more to get their vehicles inspected for registration. But with a new electronic filing system, they won't have to worry about those inspection records getting to the Department of Motor Vehicles weeks after the fact, state officials and local inspectors say. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii Board of Regents member Eric Martinson has resigned, a year before his term was set to expire. Martinson was appointed to the board in 2009, and was elected chairman in 2011 and again in 2012. John Holzman was named chairman in July. Star-Advertiser.

New group pushes for open records enforcement. Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest to ensure law-mandated transparency. KITV.

Scientists have developed a more accurate way of measuring populations of opihi, a Hawaii delicacy and fixture of first birthday baby luau and graduation parties in the islands. Associated Press.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council members questioned the wisdom of plans by the administration to curtail some city services to make up for a projected $26 million shortfall in the recently adopted $1.8 billion operating budget. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu needs to cut $20 million from its operating budget even though the city isn't even two months into the current fiscal year. A satellite city hall in Kailua will close, the size of new recruit classes for police and firefighters will shrink, the ocean safety lifeguard program and tree trimming services will face reductions. Civil Beat.

Leaky pipes at city pools pouring money down the drain. KHON2.

Pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers would need to file standardized electronic transaction reports into an online data system and meet other stricter regulations under two bills now going through the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

The Native Hawaiian Legal Corp., on behalf of Paulette Kaleikini, is in settlement negotiations with the state after filing a lawsuit last week alleging a breach of its settlement agreement from a lawsuit involving the development of the Walmart and Sam’s Club stores on Keeaumoku Street in Honolulu, an attorney involved in the matter told PBN. Pacific Business News.

There were concerns almost as high as the condos themselves. Kapolei residents voiced fears with a proposed plan that would build the tallest buildings in Leeward Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

The owner of Ward Centers now has approval to begin developing three condominium towers at its 60-acre property in Kakaako, after a state agency authorized high-rises Nos. 2 and 3 on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Hawaii County Council members have a lot of suggestions for the state Legislature to consider when it meets in January, but allowing the counties to opt into high-stakes bingo won’t be one of them. The council, meeting in Kailua-Kona, voted 7-2 Wednesday to strike that resolution from a list approved to submit to the Hawaii State Association of Counties for presentation to the Legislature. West Hawaii Today.

The drive from Kona to Hilo will get 18 minutes shorter Sept. 7. That’s when the new Saddle Road alignment, bringing the intersection with Mamalahoa Highway seven miles closer to Kailua-Kona, opens. That day, officials will dedicate the road in the morning, opening it at 3 p.m. to traffic under its new moniker, the Daniel K. Inouye Highway, federal transportation officials said. West Hawaii Today.

A federal task force agent was hurt Wednesday when he stepped on a booby trap while chasing a suspect through a Puna marijuana patch. Star-Advertiser.

South Kohala residents have had five years to attend meetings about the proposed Waimea District Park. For the next 30 days, they get another chance to offer their input on the long-awaited recreational area, through the comment period for the project’s draft environmental assessment. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island Candies celebrated the opening of its new 17,000-square-foot warehouse on Wednesday with a special lunch catered by Hilo-born chef Sheldon Simeon, a finalist last season on Bravo TV’s “Top Chef.” Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Weeks after a Hawaii Supreme Court ruling that Maui County Council members violated the state's "Sunshine Law" by circulating written memoranda among themselves in 2008, Kaanapali time-share owners are making a similar claim in a legal challenge of their property tax rates. Maui News.

A German woman who lost her arm in a shark attack died Wednesday, one week after she was bitten while snorkeling off Maui. Jana Lutteropp, 20, who had been on life support, died at Maui Memorial Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Carol Clark said. Associated Press.

A 20-year-old German visitor died Wednesday at Maui Memorial Medical Center a week after a shark bit off her right arm while she was snorkeling at Palauea Beach Park. Maui News.

US Senator Mazie Hirono is on Maui today, where she plans to attend a function tonight honoring the late US Senator Daniel Inouye. Maui Now.

Kauai

Recently KHON2 uncovered an extreme backlog at the Department of Education when dealing with complaints that rise to the level of investigations, with just one permanent position in the administration-level unit dedicated to the task. It’s part of a deep divide centered at one Kauai school.

If people start with a genuine and deep respect for one another, unbelievable things can be accomplished, according to Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. That is something Hale Opio Kauai has been doing for nearly four decades. Garden Island.

The Kauai County Council’s Finance Committee by a 3-2 vote approved Wednesday a bill that raises dog license fees, but included an amendment to soften the blow on hunters. Garden Island.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Hawaii political landscape shaping up early; more school buses for Oahu; Deedy made death threats, jury learns; lava photo catches fire; more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2013 All Hawaii News all riights reserved
Hawaii state public library
The state Legislature has appropriated $700,000 for the Hawaii State Public Library System to enhance its collections of e-books and other library materials. West Hawaii Today.

The agency that represents poor defendants in federal cases faces such severe budget cuts that Hawaii's chief federal judge worries she may have to dismiss some cases if no one is available to represent the defendants. Civil Beat.

With her frequent appearances on national political talk shows and a splashy feature in Vogue magazine, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has had the look of someone gunning for higher office. But a leap into the U.S. Senate race against Sen. Brian Schatz and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa seems unlikely based on her latest campaign contribution report, national analysts say. Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Councilman Ikaika Anderson has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to explore a run for the 1st Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Colleen Hana­busa, but stopped short of declaring his candidacy. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Sen. Mazie K. Hirono has unveiled a new virtual office with the aim of improving service to constituents. Maui News.

Kamuela community activist Karen Cobeen is "totally frustrated" with her elected officials. She is coordinating an online petition that seeks to amend the constitution to create a legal framework to recall Hawaii elected officials. Civil Beat.

Time to Question Inouye's 'Last Wish' Civil Beat.

William Nhieu has been appointed the Deputy Director of Communications for the Hawaii State House of Representatives. Hawaii Reporter.

State roundup for July 17. Associated Press.

Oahu
It’s never too soon to start thinking about the future. And when it comes to raising campaign cash Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell seems to be a strong believer in that mantra. Civil Beat.

The Department of Education will reinstate bus service next month for about 1,000 Oahu students whose routes were slashed last school year as the department faced a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall. Star-Advertiser.

The new school bus transportation system that’s being tested at 30 schools in the Pearl City, Aiea and surrounding areas will restore rides for about half of the 2,000 students whose routes were cut last school year. Civil Beat.

A former Kaneohe Marine testified Tuesday that he did not hear or see U.S. State Department special agent Christoper Deedy identify himself as a law enforcement officer, but heard him repeatedly threaten to shoot a 23-year-old Kailua man who moments later was fatally shot in the chest. Star-Advertiser.

Day 6: Eyewitness says Deedy threatened to shoot Elderts in the face. Hawaii News Now.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will conduct a public meeting Thursday to discuss problems and concerns brought on by unregulated use of water-propelled jet packs around Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Every time Oahu residents get their water-sewer bill, you have to pay a billing charge of $7.70.  It used to be about every 60 days, now it’s every month. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply says that helps to cover current and future costs of its new customer care and billing system, meter maintenance, and staffing. KHON2.

Last week's fatal stabbing at Kailua District Park has fueled an already hot topic that one legislator calls the "Kailua Crime Wave," including a range of property crimes. Star-Advertiser.

The new recreation center being built at the University of Hawaii's Campus Center on its flagship Manoa campus is about ten months behind schedule. Instead of opening last December during the school year, it is not projected to open until October. Hawaii News Now.

Unite Here Local 5 workers and community members from the AiKea Movement will hold a rally in front of the Ilikai Hotel today to protest the trend of widespread condominium conversions, which they say is damaging Hawaii's economy. Star-Advertiser.

An upstart local company co-founded by big-wave surfer Brian Keaulana hopes to bring to Hawaii what a Spanish company claims is the world's longest artificial surfing wave. Star-Advertiser.

Kaneohe Ranch Co. LLC and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation are expected to make a decision in the next three months on the potential sale of the Kaneohe Ranch commercial real estate portfolio, according to Mitch D’Olier. He is president and CEO of the two entities that own the properties in question, including the highly coveted Kailua town center in Windward Oahu. Pacific Business News.

Apartment-dwellers David and Melissa Falgout spent 17 months on a waiting list for the chance to rent a precious plot of dirt at Makiki District Park community garden next to the H-1 freeway. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

While almost the entire county government, from Mayor Billy Kenoi to legislative clerical staff, took furloughs or pay cuts last fiscal year to help balance a tight county budget, six incoming County Council members opted out. West Hawaii Today.

It was simply meant to be a risky yet artsy photo shared among friends — a way to get a few extra "likes" on his Facebook page. But after Kailua-Kona resident Kawika Singson posted a photo of himself atop a Puu Oo lava flow while peering through a camera lens — flames leaping from the camera tripod and the soles of his shoes — the July 4 image swiftly went viral on the Internet. Star-Advertiser.

A Big Island-based teacher preparation program that focuses on developing educators to work with Native Hawaiian students in charter schools recently earned national accreditation, allowing it to soon begin recruiting students. Associated Press.

For decades, West Hawaii community members have complained there is not enough road connectivity. There's also been concern about the lack of evacuation routes in case of a tsunami. Starting this week, work is underway to add one new option. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tsunami sirens tested. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The West Maui Mountains between Kahakuloa and Makamakaole may be quiet now, but habitat conservationists working on the Makamaka'ole seabird mitigation project are hoping that by this time next year they will be filled with the song of native Hawaiian seabirds. Maui News.

Maui Economic Opportunity is seeking to hire qualified para-transit drivers for its senior and limited-mobility transportation programs, officials announced today. Maui Now.

Some Kihei residents are without water Tuesday morning and a portion of South Kihei Road is open to one-lane traffic only as the County Department of Water Supply repairs a leaking 12-inch main line along South Kihei Road, a county release said Tuesday morning. Maui News.

Molokai

The "largest humanitarian effort" ever to come to Molokai is already arriving in large shipping containers at Kaunakakai Wharf in preparation for Convoy of Hope Hawaii's Day of Compassion on Saturday, organizers of the event said. Maui News.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Hawaii deep-sea reefs explored, Mazie finding her mojo, Ellison buys another airline, ACLU sues Maui for sign ordinance, Kauai joins GMO battle, park fees increase, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

NOAA courtesy photo
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands coral reef NOAA photo
Exploration of deep-sea coral reefs in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands is just beginning but already has revealed a slew of species previously not known to inhabit the island chain. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration researchers returned last week from a 26-day trip to four of the northwestern islands and the Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge with specimens of new species of deep-water algae and the first recorded specimens of black coral from Johnston Atoll. Star-Advertiser.

Shark tours are more valuable than shark soup, study finds. Hawaii News Now.

Deep-sea adventure captures humpback whales’ song off Kona. KHON2.

A bureaucratic scuffle between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the state Department of Health is leaving veterans unable to qualify for VA loans or refinance existing VA loans at lower interest rates. The VA has declined to approve home loans on properties with rainwater catchment systems in Hawaii because the state does not recognize the water as safe for drinking or food preparation. Star-Advertiser.

As Congress works to frame a sweeping immigration reform deal, U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and 12 other female senators Thursday introduced an amendment they say would treat women more fairly as they seek to come to the U.S. Star-Advertiser.

In a church auditorium here this week, Senator Mazie Hirono enjoyed something of a rock-star welcome. At a female-rich rally on immigration, Hirono was introduced to more than a hundred women from across the country, including the president of the National Organization for Women, as a “champion” of women’s issues. The crowd cheered wildly and began chanting: “Ma-zie! Ma-zie!” Civil Beat.

Local Enough To Be UH Prez? Take Our Quiz! Civil Beat.

The executive director of a Kauai foundation trying to prevent drownings says rescue tube kiosks that have worked on the island are coming to other parts of Hawaii. Associated Press.

Friday Factoid: How Many Pesticides Are Licensed for Sale in Hawaii? Civil Beat.

State 6/21. Associated Press.

State roundup for June 21. Associated Press.

Oahu

A former Honolulu police officer faces possible state and federal drug charges after police and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted separate raids at his Pearl City house through the past two months. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii News Now has learned that the FBI is looking into the case of a 35-year-old Kaneohe man who died after he was arrested by police.

What’s the cost of restarting an oil refinery just two months after it was shut down? About $27 million, according to the new owner of Tesoro Corp.’s Kapolei oil refinery. Star-Advertiser.

Honey Bee USA Inc. has revealed more of its $20 million plan to redevelop a part of the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor called Waikiki Landing with wedding chapels, restaurants, retail and office space, as well as a boat repair facility and fuel dock. Pacific Business News.

Repairs are under way for a historic downtown Honolulu building that houses the Hawaii Supreme Court. Associated Press.

HI Spy: Out of the Honolulu Weekly’s Ashes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Picking up art is not foremost in most customers’ minds as they rummage through the boxes and stacks of literary and musical goodies at the annual Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i Book Sale. But this year’s sale, which begins Saturday, will include catalogs of paintings, prints and art books, according to Friends Executive Director Byrde Cestare. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Those graduation and birthday picnics at a park pavilion will soon cost you more — more than twice as much, in fact. The increases, along with hikes in property taxes, vehicle registration and weight fees and bus fares, all go toward balancing the county’s $394.3 million 2013-14 budget. West Hawaii Today.

The federal Department of Transportation is considering making a new agreement for regular scheduled service to the Waimea airport. Flights are guaranteed to the North Hawaii community through the federal Essential Air Service program, which subsidizes service to rural areas. Tribune-Herald.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District, in coordination with the Hawaii Department of Health and various Hawaii County safety and law enforcement agencies, on Wednesday successfully completed investigations for ordnance at the Sandalwood subdivision area and along Kawaihae Road in South Kohala. West Hawaii Today.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s office announced Thursday afternoon releasing more than $134.7 million for capital improvement projects at Hawaii public schools, including $850,000 for work at two Big Island schools. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi has filed a lawsuit against the County of Maui seeking changes to laws relating to the display of signs on sidewalks and along roadways. Maui Now.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii filed a federal lawsuit against Maui County on Thursday, saying an ordinance placing restrictions on roadway sign-waving is unconstitutional. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Maui residents Chuck Carletta and Mele Stokesberry, who said police threatened to fine them for carrying signs in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in Wai­luku in January. Star-Advertiser.

Two Maui residents are suing to change a county law prohibiting sign waving on sidewalks and roadways. The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit Thursday in federal court in Honolulu on behalf of Chuck Carletta and Mele Stokesberry. Associated Press.

A divided Maui County Council voted down a request by Mayor Alan Arakawa's administration Wednesday to expedite a bill that would amend the current county budget to explicitly call for the demolition of the Old Wailuku Post Office after the fact in an attempt to resolve a simmering dispute between the mayor and the council. Maui News.

The Maui County Council accepted a donation Wednesday of a personal watercraft and sled and approved some funding for the Department of Fire and Public Safety's budget shortfall this year. Maui News.

Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. has begun construction on its new transportation facility located on 10 acres of former sugar cane land in Puunene, according to an announcement Wednesday. Maui News.

Kauai
Kauai County Councilman Gary Hooser introduced an ordinance Thursday that would give authority to the county to govern the commercial use of pesticides and genetically modified organisms. Garden Island.

The latest buzz from the Kauai Beekeepers Association is a plea to local government for more transparency and regulations on pesticide use. Garden Island.

State regulators have cleared the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative to build a $42.2 million solar energy facility that would be the state’s largest. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai residents will experience an 11.2 percent water rate increase July 1. It's the third of four increases to pay for upgrades to the island's aging water system. Hawaii News Now.

Officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday at Kauai Raceway Park, also known as Mana Drag Strip, to mark the start of construction of a $1 million project to repair the facilities and resurface the pavement, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources said. Star-Advertiser.

The deadline to provide input on phase two of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance update is June 28, according to county officials. The CZO, which regulates land use and development on Kauai, is being updated in two phases by the Planning Department with assistance from the consulting firm Helber, Hastert and Fee. Garden Island.

Lanai

Oracle Corp. CEO Larry Ellison, who bought the island of Lanai a year ago and recently purchased Island Air, is now buying the Hawaii interisland airline go!, Pacific Business News has learned.




Thursday, June 13, 2013

Hawaii to announce $300M energy plan, Navy stops Ford Island solar plan, syphilis outbreak in Kona, Microsoft opens Honolulu store, Maui gets auditor, police officers sued, coral reefs, tropical fish in jeopardy, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

city lights of Honolulu
Honolulu night skyline (c) 2013 All Hawaii News
A $300 million plan to be unveiled today to more than double the energy efficiency in state and Honolulu County buildings could add 5,000 new jobs to Hawaii's economy by 2015 and bolster efforts to meet aggressive clean-energy goals. The state planned to make a commitment to more energy efficiency at the Clinton Global Initiative America meeting in Chicago hosted by former President Bill Clinton. Star-Advertiser.

Over the last couple of months, Neil Abercrombie has played Santa Claus, sans the red hat and coat. The Hawaii governor has been releasing tens of millions of dollars for capitol improvement projects across the state. Civil Beat.

U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono are among 13 senators calling for an investigation into the legality of recently uncovered National Security Agency surveillance programs that collect data on millions of Americans. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu
A new five-year Oahu energy plan released by Hawaiian Electric Co. on Wednesday calls for reducing costs to consumers and increasing the utility's use of renewable energy. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a proposed condominium tower at the site of the YMCA of Honolulu on Atkinson Drive that would rise 350 feet, or more than double the current height limit. Star-Advertiser.

The Navy has stepped away from a controversial plan — at least for now — to blanket the historic Ford Island runway in photovoltaic panels, a new environmental assessment reveals. Star-Advertiser.

A lawsuit has stopped the city and county of Honolulu from auctioning off a piece of public parkland on the North Shore. Last year, a group of North Shore citizens formed the Save Hale’iwa Beach Park Coalition to fight a city plan to sell 3.5 acres of city-owned land near Haleiwa Beach Park. Civil Beat.

Kamehameha Schools has shelved its plan to develop a shopping center anchored by a Foodland supermarket on preservation-zoned land in Hawaii Kai, City Councilman Stanley Chang said. Star-Advertiser.

A private association of National Guard members plans to hold its annual conference in Honolulu this year even though some at the Pentagon have questioned the wisdom of meeting in a vacation destination. Associated Press.

Microsoft will open its first store in Hawaii today at 11 a.m. at Ala Moana Center. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers have been raising red flags over a proposed high-rise housing project on Waimanu Street in Kakaako. Civil Beat.

Hawaii
The Hawaii County Council last week authorized Corporation Counsel to represent five police officers facing a federal lawsuit on claims of excessive force during a 2010 arrest. West Hawaii Today.

The discovery of five syphilis cases in the past five months in West Hawaii — more than the past five years on Hawaii Island combined — has the state Department of Health warning the public to take precautions in their sexual activities. West Hawaii Today.

An East Hawaii resident is suing Hawaii County over a shoreline setback for homes at Pepeekeo Point. Tribune-Herald.

A recent Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources study of reef fish at Puako and Pauoa shows a “drastic decline” in the populations of both bays, a marine biologist says. West Hawaii Today.

Following the removal of Dennis Simonis as president, CEO and director of Royal Hawaiian Orchards LP, Hawaii’s largest macadamia nut producer is focusing on working closely with other growers and farmers in the state and reviving the Hawaii Macadamia Nut Association to ensure the industry has a strong future in Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

Tropic Care 2013 was a massive, joint military training exercise that brought free health, vision and dental care to Big Island, Lanai, Molokai and Maui residents. On Hawaii Island, this Innovative Readiness Training Program targeted those living in Ka‘u and Ocean View — rural, largely underserved and geographically isolated communities. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The Maui Council’s Budget and Finance Committee unanimously recommended Lance Taguchi as its selection to the newly created county auditor position. Maui Now.

A Maui organization is getting more than $300,000 in federal money to help migrant and seasonal farmworkers. The U.S. Department of Labor on Wednesday announced $9 million in grants to seven organizations through the National Farmworkers Jobs Program. Associated Press.

More than 65 years after the end of World War II, Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed a bill last week that will establish a "Civil Liberties and the Constitution Day" to recognize more than 110,000 Japanese-Americans who were put in internment camps during the war. Among those interned was the late Rev. Masao Arine of Maui, who was a detainee at the Haiku Detention Center. Maui News.

Three varieties of tree snails and 37 species of herbs, shrubs, trees and ferns in Maui County have been added to the Endangered Species list. Maui News.
 
Kauai

Two studies intended to promote production and consumption of local foods and products were updated for the Kauai County Council on Wednesday. The message was that locally produced and processed foods feed more than just people; they also feed the economy. Backing this up, local cattle ranchers and producers of value-added products came to the council chambers in support of a meat processing facility and a commercial kitchen and agri-business incubator. Garden Island.

Red rice coral hit by blue-green algae off Kauai’s North Shore has responded well to a treatment involving marine epoxy, according to state and federal scientists, but they’re still trying to find out what is causing skin problems in nearby Hawaiian puffer fish. Associated Press.

The Hoouluwehi Sustainable Living Institute was at the heart of the 2013 Second Nature Prestigious Climate Leadership Award presented to Kauai Community College. Garden Island.