Federal recognition for Native Hawaiians advances, Senate panel quizzes University of Hawaii, Oahu hotel occupancy falls following strike, bioenergy plant fined for discharge, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Native Hawaiians guarding the Hokulea ©2018 All Hawaii News

Civil Rights Panel Backs Federal Recognition For Native Hawaiians. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights reversed its 12-year-old opposition, and now supports providing Native Hawaiians similar status to Native American tribes. Civil Beat.

Senators Put UH Finances Under A Microscope. A proposal backed by Gov. David Ige to expand a community college scholarship program to four-year schools is met with skepticism. Civil Beat.

An internal audit has given the University of Hawaii a clean bill of health when it comes to its financial management of the Mauna Kea Science Reserve. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness Legislative Priorities: $218M. The Homelessness Coalition of state, county, faith-based and social services organizations is setting its priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Hawaii Public Radio.

Green: Reclassifying drug treatment as ‘primary care’ could help more addicts into recovery. Hawaii News Now.

Delays, Denials, Wasted Tax Dollars: DOE’s Troubled Treatment Of Injured Workers. A Civil Beat investigation found frequent shortcomings with how Hawaii’s education department handles workers’ comp claims. Civil Beat.

The Hidden Cost of Shipping Your Holiday Package. The Jones Act governs maritime shipping within the domestic United States. In essence, it says that any shipment from one U.S. port to another, it is required to come on a ship built in the United States, owned and operated by an American company, and crewed by American citizens or residents. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii received a C-plus in the Surfrider Foundation’s annual State of the Beach Report Card, which grades 30 U.S. states and the territory of Puerto Rico on policies that address climate change, shoreline erosion and extreme weather. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources has joined forces with various marine and animal protection organizations to make it easier for people to report illegal aquarium collecting activity across the state. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii-based marine and animal protection organizations have joined forces with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources to make it easier for people to report illegal aquarium collecting activity across the state. Garden Island.

NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary reminds the public that humpback whale season in Hawaii is underway. Maui Now.

Oahu

In surprising candor, Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard is expressing concern about the city prosecutor’s potential impact on criminal cases and his attendance at public safety meetings while he faces a federal investigation. Hawaii News Now.

November was not kind to Oahu hotels, with occupancy falling below 80 percent for the first time since March 2017. It didn’t help that workers at four of Waikiki’s major beachfront hotels owned by Kyo-ya Hotels &Resorts and operated by Marriott were involved in a 51-day strike. Star-Advertiser.

A single street in Kalihi has become a dumping ground for abandoned vehicles. Hawaii News Now.

Yoga Gains A Place Behind Bars In Hawaii. Louisa DiGrazia won a $35,000 grant from the Legislature to expand yoga classes throughout Oahu’s correctional facilities. Civil Beat.

HPD wants to issue smartphones to all officers. The smartphone could become an official crime fighting tool for HPD. Police Chief Susan Ballard is pushing the idea to help officers do their jobs more efficiently and safely. KHON2.

HPD officer hit with more domestic abuse charges while out on bail. A Honolulu police officer awaiting trial on multiple counts of domestic abuse was back in state court Monday on more charges. Star-Advertiser.

The Missile Defense Agency has awarded a $585 million contract to Lockheed Martin to design, develop and deliver its Homeland Defense Radar-Hawaii. Maui Now.

Hawaii Island

Relief for Puna, cesspool conversion and more neighbor island participation in state government are among an inventory of priorities for five Hawaii Island legislators who briefed the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce at a breakfast meeting Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

The state Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch is fining Hu Honua Bioenergy $25,000 for discharging industrial wastewater into the ocean Nov. 9 at the biomass power plant under construction in Pepeekeo. According to the DOH, the discharge was intentional and violates state law. Tribune-Herald.

The state Department of Health fined Hu Honua Bioenergy, a renewable energy firm, $25,000 for illegally discharging wastewater last month at its Pepeekeo facility. Star-Advertiser.

Health Officials Cite Hu Honua For Illegal Wastewater Discharge. Big Island Video News.

The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply is proposing to roll back its power cost charge come the beginning of February. West Hawaii Today.

Luquin ‘very close’ to opening new Pahoa restaurant. After a year of delays, a popular Pahoa restaurant will finally open its new location in 2019 after being destroyed last year. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Progress has reportedly been made in Alexander & Baldwin’s attempt to find farming use for the company’s thousands of acres on Maui that were formerly planted in sugarcane. Maui Now.

With some residents noticing an increase in illegal fireworks being set off earlier this year, a community event will be held Saturday to collect donations to help animals distressed by fireworks. Maui News.

Molokai plan wins council approval. Isle residents concerned with zoning guidelines. Molokai residents are “generally very happy” to finally have an updated community plan after 17 years, but they’re concerned about new zoning guidelines that leave “the door wide open” to development that could be opposed by the community. Maui News.

Kauai

Three Department of Land and Natural Resources employees on Kauai have been disciplined for ethics violations. Joseph Borden, the district manager for the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation was forced to resign last week due to falsifying government documents to favor a private contractor, forcing employees to lie on equipment disposal records, and  improperly accepting gifts from contractors. Two other employees, harbor agents Manuel Andrade and Kathy Rosare were fined $2,000 and $1,200 for using State resources for personal business. KITV.

The Kauai district manager for the Department of Natural Resources’ boating division resigned last week after an investigation revealed he falsified documents in order to award dozens of government contracts to businesses run by his friend, according to documents released Tuesday by the Hawaii State Ethics Commission. Garden Island.

Molokai

Molokai plan wins council approval. Isle residents concerned with zoning guidelines. Molokai residents are “generally very happy” to finally have an updated community plan after 17 years, but they’re concerned about new zoning guidelines that leave “the door wide open” to development that could be opposed by the community. Maui News.

Harbor fees to rise, Oahu beach erosion uncovered, vets lose free access to Kilauea Military Camp, Land Board denies contested case for Maui water access, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Ala Wai boat harbor ©2018 All Hawaii News

The state Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation got the green light Friday to move forward with public hearings on proposed fee hikes at small boat harbors that, if approved, will affect more than 10,000 boaters. Star-Advertiser.

Hearings on New Fees Proposed at Small Boat Harbors. The Board of Land & Natural Resources voted on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, to approve a proposal by the DLNR Division of Boating & Ocean Recreation to move forward with public hearings on new proposed fees at small boat harbors. Big island Now.

Census: The Gap Between Rich And Poor In Hawaii Is Growing. Home values and household income in Hawaii vary widely depending on where you live. Civil Beat.

Identities of Over 400 Pearl Harbor Dead Still Unknown. Technological advancements are allowing forensic scientists at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency to determine the identities of hundreds of Americans who were buried as unknowns. Hawaii Public Radio.

About nine of every 10 eviction lawsuits in the state result in tenants losing their homes, an outcome that partly reflects a huge disparity in who gets help from attorneys, according to a landmark study that analyzed a decade of Hawaii court data. Star-Advertiser.

Providing legal help to tenants shows promising results. Star-Advertiser.

In an effort to ensure brown tree snakes never establish themselves in Hawaii, the state Department of Agriculture is taking what appears an ironic step. It’s bringing four of them in. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii had fewer confirmed large whale entanglements than much of the rest of United States waters, according to the recently released National Report on Large Whale Entanglements in 2017. Garden Island.

The Hawaiian-language version of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana” will be distributed in DVD format for free to accredited schools across the state following a yearlong production. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Political leaders and land managers are failing to protect Hawaii’s beaches despite policies that call for them to safeguard the natural shoreline. That’s the conclusion of a new study by University of Hawaii-Manoa researchers who documented the disappearance and narrowing of beaches on a section of Oahu’s windward coast over the last century. Star-Advertiser.

Can placing park security at select Honolulu locations be the solution to keep out the homeless and end vandalism? The Mayor says yes through a pilot program that began last month, and  nearby residents agree. KITV.

Reforming DPP: Planning, Permitting and Delays. These are busy days for Oahu’s Department of Planning and Permitting. There are issues with so-called monster homes and the housing shortage. And there’s new attention on the slow turn-around on building permits. Hawaii Public Radio.

45-story condominium in Honolulu’s urban core to welcome new homeowners. The price for the affordable units starts at $272K.  Hawaii News Now.

Dead Bats Are Changing People’s Minds About This Energy Project. North Shore residents used to be mostly OK with the Waimea Bay wind farm. Now they’re not so sure. Civil Beat.

An illegal dump site the length of 13 football fields is ticking off Waianae residents. Waianae residents are complaining about a major illegal dump site. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu home prices rise 3% but sales drop by double digits. Home prices on Oahu rose by about 3 percent last month, compared to November of last year, but the number of single-family homes and condominiums sold fell by more than 10 percent, according to statistics from the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Veterans headed to Kilauea Military Camp inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park may be surprised to find they have to pay a park entrance fee. In the past, veterans who didn’t have a park pass would be allowed to enter for free if they were going to KMC, a military recreation facility on the rim of the Kilauea caldera, and showed a retired military identification card. Tribune-Herald.

Ready for takeoff: UH-Hilo prepares aeronautical science program. After years of effort, a four-year aeronautical science program will finally take flight at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

2 carriers seek Waimea-Kohala Airport contract. In response to a federal request for proposals from the U.S. Department of Transportation, two air carriers are vying to offer federally subsidized flights out of the Waimea-Kohala Airport. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

BLNR denies contested case for A&B water leases. East Maui Irrigation Co. may continue to divert stream water. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources unanimously rejected Friday a request from the Sierra Club for a contested case hearing on Alexander & Baldwin’s request for time extensions for water-use permits from streams on state lands in East Maui. Maui News.

County seeks seniors, caregivers for survey. A survey of older adults and their caregivers is being conducted by the Maui County Office on Aging through Feb. 1. Maui News.


Maui condo prices jump 32% in November. Home process on Maui rose last month, compered to November 2017, with the median price of a single-family home rising nearly 8 percent and the median price of a condominium jumping 32 percent, according to statistics from the Realtors Association of Maui. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

New things perking at Kauai Coffee. Darla Domingo and Fred Cowell of Kauai Coffee announced the opening of a new Kauai Coffee shop that will be opening in a matter of days at the Coconut Marketplace in Waipouli. Garden Island.

Molokai

Final approval of Molokai Island Community Plan on Dec. 11 agenda. On Nov. 16, a public hearing, in conjunction with a full County Council meeting, was held at the Kaunakakai Elementary School, where the revisions to the Molokai Island Community Plan were approved. Maui News.

Pearl Harbor anniversary commemorated, Hawaii Department of Education sued over Title IX female access to sports, Big Island beach reopens after lava flow, Patsy Mink statue unveiled, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

The USS Arizona burning after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, public domain photo

Hundreds to gather for 77th anniversary of attack on Pearl Harbor. As they do every year, hundreds of veterans, service members and dignitaries will solemnly gather Friday to mark the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Hawaii News Now.

Ceremonies mark 77th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack. There will be a number of public events commemorating the date, including a ceremony at Barbers Point, which was also hit that day, and a parade through Waikiki. KHON2.

Pearl Harbor attack survivor remembers the day from afar. Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Don Long was alone on an anchored military seaplane in the middle of a bay across the island from Pearl Harbor when Japanese warplanes started striking Hawaii on December 7, 1941, watching from afar as the bombs and bullets killed and wounded thousands. Associated Press.

Pearl Harbor re-burials across the US give families closure. Some who died on Dec. 7, 1941, are finally being laid to rest in cemeteries across the United States. KITV.

Pouring of Blackened Canteen WWII relic helps heal U.S.-Japanese rifts. For 26 years a U.S canteen blackened and battered in the midair collision of two B-29 bombers in Japan during World War II — a symbol of the horror of war — has been an instrument of peace and reconciliation at Pearl Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

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ACLU files class action lawsuit against DOE, OIA for Title IX non-compliance. Campbell High is at the center of this lawsuit, but the accusations extend to public schools across the state, and go back decades. KITV.

'Unequal treatment’: Athletes file class action over lack of girls’ facilities, opportunities at Hawaii schools. Athletes at Campbell High have filed a federal class action lawsuit over a lack of girls' sports facilities and opportunities at Hawaii high schools. Hawaii News Now.

A federal class action lawsuit against the Hawaii Department of Education was filed Thursday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii over gender inequities for female athletes at the state’s most populous high school. Civil Beat.

Class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of Campbell High's female student-athletes. On Thursday, the ACLU of Hawaii filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court on behalf of two female student-athletes attending James Campbell High School. KHON2.

With a lei-bedecked statue of Congresswoman Patsy Mink as a backdrop, civil rights attorneys announced Thursday they had filed a lawsuit seeking to end discrimination against female athletes in Hawaii’s public schools. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmaker says Legislature to blame for Title IX lawsuit. Changing in teachers closets, in plain view on the practice field, even at a nearby Burger King bathroom -  the ACLU of Hawaii says that's what female athletes at Campbell High School deal with daily. KHON2.

A major opportunity has opened in Hawaii for those hoping to work in the airline industry. The University of Hawaii is partnering with an aviation academy to create courses which will foster pilots, mechanics, flight attendants, and aeronautical engineers. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Things Are Actually Looking Up At Honolulu Airport. Modernization of Daniel K. Inouye International has been years in coming. But real change is in the air. Civil Beat.

Patsy T. Mink Monument Dedicated On Her Birthday. A statue of Hawaii’s former Congresswoman Patsy Mink was dedicated today. Hawaii Public Radio.

Statue honors legacy of former Congresswoman in place close to her heart. The legacy of former U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink was honored Thursday at the Hawaii State Library, where a life-size bronze sculpture was dedicated. KHON2.

Kakaako condo Aeo ready for owners. By late January all 466 owners in the sold-out building are scheduled to take possession of their new homes, which cost $1 million on average. Star-Advertiser.

State removes eyesore from Maunalua Bay shoreline. Contractors moved concrete one shovel at a time Thursday in order to successfully remove a large eyesore that’s been parked on the Maunalua Bay shoreline. Hawaii News Now.

Kamehameha Schools and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands have executed the ground lease on three acres of land for the trust’s $10.9 million learning center on the Waianae Coast. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu home prices rise 3% but sales drop by double digits. Home prices on Oahu rose by about 3 percent last month, compared to November of last year, but the number of single-family homes and condominiums sold fell by more than 10 percent, according to statistics from the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Hundreds turn out for reopening of Isaac Hale Beach Park at Pohoiki. The reopening of Isaac Hale Beach Park attracted hundreds of Puna residents eager to witness the creative side of the recent Kilauea eruption and return to a refuge many thought would be consumed by lava. Tribune-Herald.

Today, the gate at Isaac Hale Beach Park opened to the public for the first time since the eruption of Kilauea Volcano forced its closure. Big Island Video News.

Puna Park Cut Off By Lava Reopens, Attracting Hundreds. “They needed something to feel good about,” said Mayor Harry Kim of the locals who showed up in Pohoiki on Thursday. Civil Beat.

Months after lava swallowed Pohoiki, hundreds flock to reopening of Isaac Hale Beach Park. ‘It’s still beautiful... but it’s changed. It will be forever changed.’ Hawaii News Now.

Hundreds celebrate reopening of Hawaii island beach nearly lost to lava. KHON2.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim today signed a Sixth Supplementary Emergency Proclamation, lifting a set of lava-related prohibitions but keeping others in place for the time being. Big Island Video News.

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Proposed water bottling plant raises concerns. The Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission delayed the approval of a permit for a water bottling facility near Wailoa River State Recreation Area after a contentious meeting Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

The Department of Environmental Management has announced a public meeting to discuss the Lono Kona sewer project, which will connect 145 assessment units on 110 lots, the equivalent of 268 single-family homes, to sewer lines mauka of the Kuakini Highway McDonald’s in an area more popularly known as Hamburger Hill. West Hawaii Today.

Kona Community Hospital shuts down due to scabies outbreak. Hospital leadership made the decision to “temporarily close all patient units” as an “aggressive preventive measure to protect patients and staff from potential exposure to infection.” Star-Advertiser.

Maui

End of sugar farming may impact aquifer water yields. As planners chart out Maui island’s water use over the next 20 years, uncertainty hovers over the region with the largest population but the least groundwater resources. Maui News.

Two-story clubhouse plan for Waiehu to be unveiled. Public can see conceptual vision for municipal course at two events. Maui News.

Kauai

Gary Hooser an ‘Unsung Hero’. From grassroots organizing to state senator and majority leader, Gary Hooser has been advocating for Hawaii’s environment and people for years. Garden Island.

Portions of Waha Road in Kalaheo will be closed for reconstruction work, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., from today to Dec. 10 or 11, weather pending. Garden Island.

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

Fissure 22 lava cone Nov. 6 PC:USGS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

Kauai

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

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

Feds probe rail, Ige-Green inauguration today, Gabbard stumps in New Hampshire, but coy on presidential plans, preschool kids served Pine-Sol, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu rail guide-way detail PC:HART

Federal inquiry linked to rail. Federal investigators are taking an interest in Hono­lulu’s $9 billion rail project, but it is unclear what has attracted their attention. Star-Advertiser.

After winning his re-election bid earlier this month, Gov. David Ige is set to be sworn in for his second term Monday at the rotunda in the state Capitol. Hawaii News Now.

Governor David Ige, Lt. Governor-elect Josh Green to be sworn-in Monday. KHON2.

Ige will start his last four years as governor with a new partner. This year, the governor chose to have his inauguration at the Rotunda at the State Capitol. KITV.

Testing the waters in New Hampshire, Tulsi Gabbard ‘seriously thinking’ about presidential bid. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard made multiple stops this weekend in the state that holds the first primary in the race for the White House — sparking further speculation that she’s considering a run for the Democratic presidential nomination. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard For President? ‘I Am Seriously Considering It’. Speculation has been mounting, but at an appearance in New Hampshire she said she’s thinking of how she can “best be of service to the people of this country.” Civil Beat.

Case wraps up orientation, eyes campaign finance reform. Congressman-Elect Ed Case is a freshman by title. But after serving in more than two terms in the mid-2000s, he’s familiar with the way Washington works, and his fellow freshman members know it. KITV.

Oysters Could Help Clean Hawaii's Polluted Waterways. Some of Hawaii's most polluted waterways may soon get help from an unlikely source: oysters. After a successful test project in Pearl Harbor, the Hawaiian Islands branch of the Waterkeeper Alliance is seeking to expand the use of oyster colonies to clean polluted waters. Hawaii Public Radio.

State Claims ‘Dramatic’ Improvement In Adult Home Care Oversight. But in the face of a harsh audit of the program last week, some lawmakers were skeptical that there has been such a swift turnaround. Civil Beat.

Want To Teach In Hawaii? The Job Often Comes With A Big Pay Cut. Teachers from the mainland get credit for only a few years of seniority, creating another challenge in efforts to address Hawaii’s teacher shortage. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City rolls out new transit card pilot program. The first passengers on Honolulu’s new rail system won’t take that inaugural ride for another two years, but the initial elements of the system like the new HOLO card are coming to life. Hawaii News Now.

East Oahu preschool students mistakenly served Pine-Sol. Students were mistakenly served Pine-Sol instead of apple juice, according to a report released by the state Department of Health. It happened Tuesday at Kilohana United Methodist Church Preschool. KHON2.

$800,000 Honolulu home median considered modest. When Honolulu’s median sale price for single-family homes punched through the $800,000 ceiling in August, the big round number stunned many prospective homebuyers. Star-Advertiser.

Native Hawaiian graduation rate triples at University of Hawaii at Manoa. Native Hawaiian and Filipino students are graduating on time at record rates from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, with Hawaiians tripling their level since 2010, according to the latest data. Star-Advertiser.

A volunteer group has obtained city approval to build a 1-acre public playground at Ala Moana Regional Park that includes miniature zip lines, slides, swings and a splash pad. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi wants the city to look into placing a motor sports racetrack on a portion of a historic field that the Navy is planning to transfer to the city. Star-Advertiser.

Don’t Expect To See Those Green E-Scooters Again Anytime Soon. Lime’s electric scooter fleet was pulled from Honolulu streets earlier this year. Hawaii’s vehicle code needs changes for them to return. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Island is gaining people, but they’re not coming from the rest of the state. In fact, between 2012 and 2016, the Big Island lost an estimated 2,362 people annually to the other three counties in Hawaii, while adding just 1,654, according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau. West Hawaii Today.

UH-Hilo to offer career path for airline pilots and drone operators. A new bachelor’s degree in aeronautical sciences at the University of Hawaii at Hilo could start training students to become commercial pilots or operators of unmanned aircraft as soon as next year. Star-Advertiser.

About a dozen Puna residents offered their suggestions, as well as complaints, to Hawaii County representatives Thursday evening during the first of what is expected to be several talk-story sessions regarding recovery from the Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Parade, lava museum revive hopes for Pahoa’s future. Saturday’s eclectic Pahoa Holiday Parade — the 25th to run down Pahoa Village Road through the heart of the small rural town — carried the hopes of a community still struggling in the aftermath of Kilauea Volcano’s destructive eruption this year. Star-Advertiser.

Big Island: Back in Business. Vivid images of volcanic eruptions captured the world’s attention this year, but frightened off visitors. Hawaii Public Radio.

Aggressive pigs becoming a nuisance at some state parks. A visit to Hawaii Island’s state parks provides a close encounter with nature — sometimes, a bit too close for comfort. Tribune-Herald.

Funds frozen as groups grapple for control of Hawaiian Ranchos Road Maintenance Corporation. West Hawaii Today.

State Investigates Big Island Biofuel Plant For Discharging Wastewater. There is no public health threat from the discharge at the facility, which expects to start generating power by burning wood sometime in December. Civil Beat.

Hu Honua takes exception to Hawaii DOH comments in violation notice. The Hu Honua biomass power plant on Hawaii's Big Island, which is currently under construction, is taking exception to comments made by state Department of Health Director Bruce Anderson in a press release Friday that alleged Hu Honua Bioenergy LLC personnel caused an unauthorized discharge of industrial wastewater on Nov. 9. Pacific Business News.

Maui

New Trial Ordered for Maui Man Arrested During Telescope Protest. The Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals on Thursday vacated an obstruction conviction by a Maui jury of a native Hawaiian who was protesting the construction of the Daniel K Inouye Solar Telescope atop Haleakala in August 2015. Maui Now.

Water ruling shouldn’t affect W. Maui supply. Department says flow is sufficient, working on new supply sources. The county water department said Friday that there should be sufficient flow in the Kanaha Stream — 90 percent of the time — to meet needs of Lahaina customers and to comply with the state water commission’s order last week to restore 550,000 gallons of water per day to the stream. Maui News.

‘We have no choice’. Climate expert: State has to reach for renewable energy goals. Maui News.

Maui scores high marks in visitor satisfaction from nearly all regions. Japanese tourists, though, seem a bit harder to please. Maui News.

Meeting will explore using oysters to improve water quality in harbor. Maui News.

Kauai

The public is invited to attend the inauguration of Mayor-elect Derek Kawakami and the Kauai County Councilmembers-elect, scheduled for today. Garden Island.

In one of the last remaining duties of being the mayor, Bernard Carvalho Jr. presented $500,000 of state grants Friday to six nonprofits for work they are doing for flood recovery on the North Shore. Garden Island.

KEMA unveils new 18-screen video wall in Emergency Operations Center. Garden Island.

The Kauai County Housing Agency held a blessing for the Lima Ola affordable housing project in Eleele last Monday. The county has also secured a total of $19 million of funding for the project. Garden Island.

Feds consider delisting Io Hawaiian hawk as endangered species, Honolulu rail contractor seeks $200M for delays, filmmaker sues state over Christian chiefess, Maui wind turbines test property tax law, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Io, a Hawaiian hawk, at Panaewa zoo ©2018 All Hawaii News

US Fish and Wildlife Service Seeking Public Comments on Proposal to Remove Io From Endangered Species List. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening the public comment period on the Aug. 6, 2008, proposed rule to remove the Hawaiian hawk, or Io (Buteo solitarius), from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the Endangered Species Act. Maui Now.

With just days left, election officials are ready to go ... but are voters? On Saturday, officials tested ballot counting systems on the Senate floor of the State Capitol. The system will be used at counting centers in all 4 counties. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s Big Donors Pump Millions Into Mainland Political Campaigns. Most of that cash — about $7 million for the midterm elections — went to Democrats, according to federal records. Civil Beat.

Backlogged rape test kits yield scores of possible leads. A major effort by law enforcement to test more than 1,500 rape kits that for years sat unprocessed in storage facilities statewide has resulted in DNA matches with more than 120 potential suspects in a national offender database. Star-Advertiser.

Filmmaker Sues Hawaii: My Film Is ‘Not The History They Want Told’. Tim Chey alleges the state film office withheld tax grants for his movie “Islands” because it’s about the Christian conversion of a Hawaiian chiefess. Civil Beat.

Hawaii bankruptcy filings were unchanged in October from the year-earlier period following an upward trend that had seen the number of cases rise in seven of the previous nine months. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Ansaldo seeking $200M over rail delays. The contractor tasked with building the rail cars and installing the driverless operating system for the Honolulu rail line is seeking about $200 million in damages from the city for costs associated with delays in development of the project. Star-Advertiser.

City council delays start date for laws targeting homeless. On Monday, Honolulu City Council members will debate delaying the enforcement of new city laws because they say they want more information about the services and solutions available for people. KITV.

The dangers pedestrians and drivers pose when they meet on the roadways. If the alarming number of pedestrian deaths on Oahu this year has made people more wary when crossing the street, you wouldn’t know it by observing busy traffic spots in Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Roads Ranked 5th Worst in Nation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu selected as winning city in the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge. Honolulu is one of 20 cities total to be awarded resources and technical support to help achieve their ambitious climate goals under Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge. KITV.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell joins picket as hotel strike persists. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell joined Unite Here Local 5 hotel workers on the picket lines in Waikiki Saturday, the 27th day of what has become the union’s longest-running hotel strike in nearly three decades. Star-Advertiser.

The company that built nearly an entire two-story, two-family house in Kapahulu without a valid building permit — and then later while under a stop-work order — finally got its permit from the city last month and is now undergoing inspections by the city’s Department of Planning and Permitting. Star-Advertiser.

The Marine Mammal Research Program at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology is shifting its research focus under new director Lars Bejder to include the impacts of climate change, human activities and prey availability on whales and dolphins. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu’s only flour mill fading away. Hawaiian Flour Mills, a landmark of multihued 160-foot grain silos and corrugated steel buildings off Nimitz Highway for more than half a century, is slowly being dismantled to make way for a new era of commerce on Honolulu’s waterfront. Star-Advertiser.

Centuries old fishpond in Haleiwa could provide fish for community soon. Behind the busy streets of Haleiwa town, sits a 12 acre fishpond that provides a small glimpse of old Hawaii. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Another step forward for vacation rental bill. Vacation rental operators will have a few extra months to get their paperwork together, now that the County Council moved the effective date for a bill regulating their use to April 1. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Council on Friday voted to advance Bill 108 to second reading, after another long day of testimony and discussion. Big Island Video News.

Program to curb homeless trespassing. A new initiative by the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association hopes to alleviate downtown businesses’ homeless burden and make them safer for shoppers and workers alike. Tribune-Herald.

A Hilo judge will decide whether certain defendants will be dismissed from a lawsuit filed by an elderly Leilani Estates couple who allege their insurer is acting in bad faith by not approving the claim they made after losing their home during the eruption of Kilauea volcano earlier this year. Tribune-Herald.

Estimate for wastewater treatment plant doubles. The price tag of a wastewater treatment plant proposed for Naalehu has increased to $40.5 million. Tribune-Herald.

County Council District 7: Drysdale vs. Villegas. There’s just one County Council seat remaining to be filled, and with Election Day less than a week away, two political neophytes are battling to the end to fill it. West Hawaii Today.

State initiates aquaculture accelerator program, investment fund at NELHA. The state announced Thursday a concrete plan to import big ideas, and potentially big dollars, to West Hawaii through the vehicle of the global aquaculture industry. West Hawaii Today.

‘Growing food and growing farmers’. This year marked the ninth annual Aina Fest, which supports HIP Agriculture, an organization focused on the education and practice of conscious agriculture. West Hawaii Today.

Solar project slated for Waikoloa Village, contractor announces community meeting. AES Distributed Energy won the bid for the project and will convene a community meeting from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Nov. 13. West Hawaii Today.

Chancellor candidate forums kick off. Kristin Croyle, the first of four recently announced finalists for chancellor to visit the University of Hawaii at Hilo, met with faculty, staff and community members during a public forum Friday morning. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

County awaits appeal of timeshare tax ruling. Losing lawsuit could mean paying $34 million in tax refunds, hurt bond and credit ratings. Maui News.

Maui Affordable Housing, Transportation Legislation Passes Out of Committee. The bill proposes an expedited review process for county permits for qualifying 100% residential workforce housing projects. Maui Now.

It’s Real Property Because We Said So! A case of wind turbines on Maui, taxes, the courts and the county. Civil Beat.

The status of Maui’s streams, estuaries and native freshwater species will be the subject of a free, public presentation by State of Hawaii Department Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources Aquatic Biologist Skippy Hau at the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 7. Maui Now.

This past September, 5.9 percent more visitors came to Maui compared to September of last year, according to preliminary statistics that the Hawaii Tourism Authority released on Tuesday. Visitor spending on Maui remained the same to a year ago at $334.4 million. Maui Now.

A “perfect storm of erosion” has swallowed up much of West Maui’s beaches over the past three years due to El Nino conditions, record-high sea levels and sustained waves from the north, according to one coastal engineer working on projects along the shoreline. Maui News.

Kauai

Election-day voter registration available. Tuesday is Election Day, and not only will voters elect a new mayor of Kauai, they’ll also decide who of the 14 County Council candidates have earned a seat at the table. Garden Island.

Honeycreepers’ numbers dwindling, and so are their songs. A scientific study that examined the historical recordings of three native honeycreeper species in the forests of Kauai over the past 40 years found a dip in the complexity and variety of songs by two of the species. Star-Advertiser.

Lihue company cited by state Department of Health, fined $6K. Esaki Surveying and Mapping Inc. in Lihue was cited for not submitting their annual fee and semi-annual monitoring reports. Garden Island.

Trump does Tupola no favors, Hawaii GOP struggles to regain power, Leilani lawyers up for lava access, hotel strike simmers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Andria Tupola preps for debate with Sherry Bracken  ©2018 All Hawaii News

Trump has Tupola walking a fine line. While Trump is seen as an asset to some mainland campaigns — he has been stumping for his fellow Republicans in places such as Houston and Mesa, Ariz. — political observers say it is a different story in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii GOP’s Best Shot At Winning Something Is A Mililani House Seat. GOP officials desperately want to stop losing seats. They’re already down to five in the 76-member Legislature. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Odd couples sit atop governor, lieutenant governor tickets. Star-Advertiser.

Air bag requirement removed from safety check inspection. A change in your cars safety check requirement has many people happy and others confused, airbags are no longer needed to pass. KHON2.

One state senator wants to get rid of vehicle safety checks. State Senator Maile Shimabukuro started a petition on moveon.org with a question: "Eliminate or modify state vehicle inspections?" KITV.

Bitcoin could worsen global warming, UH study finds. According to a new study by researchers from University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Geography Department, not only could controversial cryptocurrency bitcoin make a noticeable impact; if adopted on a wide scale, its effects on global climate could be catastrophic. Star-Advertiser.

Why The Effort To Curb School Bullying In Hawaii Isn’t Working. The Department of Education has historically opposed legislation, saying its own policies will be sufficient. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Strike may impact dentists’ return for isle convention. With 16,500 registered attendees and guests wrapping up the state’s largest convention of the year in the middle of a hotel workers strike, the American Dental Association left town without committing to another visit — a booking the Hawaii Convention Center typically counts on for Waikiki. Star-Advertiser.

Hotel strike day 21: Noise still ticking off visitors, though some understand. The ruckus is ruining the vacation for some, but not all. Hawaii News Now.

For the first time since the hotel workers went on strike nearly three weeks ago, both sides are talking. Local business owners say they hope the negotiations end with a resolution. KHON2.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority voted this week to give $500,000 to support next year’s U.S. Conference of Mayors, which will take place in Hawaii for the first time in more than 50 years. Pacific Business News.

Condo tower plans boom around Ala Moana rail site. Around 4,000 or more households could be moving into an already dense but mostly commercial area near Ala Moana Center over the next several years as part of a swelling pipeline of high-rise plans by developers. Star-Advertiser.

New Ewa Beach charter school needs to find a home soon. DreamHouse Ewa Beach just earned a major vote of confidence from the federal government in the form of a $567,804 startup grant, but the new charter school still needs to find a home. Star-Advertiser.

Sea Life Park is embarking on a five- to six-year master plan that involves an estimated $30-million redevelopment — the circa-1964 facility’s most ambitious ever. Star-Advertiser.

A major mess on the side of a Kalihi street finally cleared. Illegal dump site on Halona Street sat in plain view for months. Next to the Halona Street onramp to the H-1 Freeway in Kalihi, an illegal dump site has astounded thousands of drivers daily and outraged neighbors. For months, an abandoned flat bed truck, tree trimmings, broken cement blocks, mounds of waste and even a toilet have been left all out in the open. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Every year, representatives of the state’s four county councils get together to draft a wish list of priorities for the upcoming session of the state Legislature. This year, Honolulu has two proposals, Kauai has five, but Hawaii County has just one request — lifeguards for Kua Bay. West Hawaii Today.

Leilani Estates lawyers up: Association to sue county over access issues. An attorney for the Leilani Estates Community Association says the lava-ravaged subdivision will take Hawaii County to federal court over its response to the Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Lava Recovery Update, Residents Eye New Access Roads. The Puna community is trying to salvage what it can following the destructive eruption of Kilauea, while the volcano remains relatively quiet. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Island’s Agriculture Recovery Challenge. The eruption of Kilauea earlier this year destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes. Lava also swept through more than a thousand acres of farmland. Hawaii Public Radio.

Pepeekeo-based medical cannabis provider Lau Ola, LLC has received a Notice to Proceed from the Hawaii Department of Health, paving the way for the company to provide cannabis medicine to patients on the Big Island. Big Island Video News.

Maui

A presidential-style debate between Maui County mayoral candidates Elle Cochran and Mike Victorino, sponsored by The Maui News and the King Kekaulike National Honor Society, will be held Tuesday at the new King Kekaulike High School Performing Arts Center. Maui News.

Arakawa seeks old council seat. Challenger Kama questions his ability to work with council he calls ‘dysfunctional’. Maui News.

NPS offers plan for Kipahulu overcrowding. The cascading Pools of Oheo and 400-foot Waimoku Falls are among the natural wonders awaiting those willing to brave winding Hana Highway to reach the remote Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park. Star-Advertiser.

New Backcountry Wood Lockers Reduce Need for Helicopters at Haleakala. Maui Now.

Kauai

County Council candidate: Adam Roversi. County Council candidate Adam Roversi is a man of the law. Garden Island.

County Council candidate: Billy De Costa. “State environmental educator” is the most recent chapter in the Pakala-raised teacher’s career. Garden Island.

The Kauai Humane Society’s new executive director doesn’t live on the island full-time, but she does have a strong connection to Kauai. Garden Island.

Sea level rise worse than expected, education tax fight garners big bucks, Arizona Memorial closed this week, councilwoman refuses to legislate, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Paddle boarder at Hilo beach park ©2018 All Hawaii News

New study doubles estimates of land vulnerable to sea level rise. A team of researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources found that island land affected by sea level rise may be double previous projections. Star-Advertiser.

Sunscreen May Be Killing Hawaii’s Ecosystems. Chemicals in sunscreen put the Aloha State’s popular yet fragile coral reefs at risk, so the state passed a ban on the toxins, effective in 2021. U.S. News.

Chamber Of Commerce Pours $600K Into Fighting School-Funding Measure. Teachers have a half-million dollars of their own to support the proposal, while unions organize opposition to a constitutional convention. Civil Beat.

Educators around the state say they will organize a walk-in protest from 7 to 8 a.m. today because they are “frustrated by the lack of funding in Hawaii’s schools and by the state’s being ranked worst in the country for teachers just last week by a national survey,” according to a press release. Garden Island.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alert on Wednesday. Garden Island.

Oahu

Arizona Memorial to remain closed through Saturday. The USS Arizona Memorial is closed for the rest of the week due to the submersion of the shoreside floating dock where visitors board vessels for harbor tours, according to the National Park Service. Star-Advertiser.

Structure struggles at Pearl Harbor. Not only is the boat-ramp at the USS Arizona Memorial still damaged, the shore side dock is now underwater. KITV.

Caldwell opposed to altering sidewalk bills. Mayor Kirk Caldwell wants Honolulu City Council members to pass his bills banning “obstructing” and “lodging” on Oahu sidewalks without language they’ve added that would delay their implementation. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor claims City Council is trying to stall efforts to move homeless from parks, sidewalks. At Aala Park on Monday, pedestrians zig-zagged down sidewalks cramped with tents. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor urges City Council to streamline bills to keep sidewalks clear. KITV.

Oahu voters asked to solve HART board members quorum issue. A proposed amendment to the Honolulu City Charter that’s before voters on the General Election ballot would state clearly that six members are needed to hold a vote and that six members are needed to constitute a quorum. Star-Advertiser.

Gambling, game rooms still have strong hold in Honolulu. Gambling has long been outlawed in the islands, but that hasn't stopped people from getting their fix. KHON2.

A new charter school in Wahiawa is facing mounting complaints as parents raise concerns about staffing, communication, even safety. Some parents say at least 10 teachers and staff resigned from the Kamalani Academy since school started in August, and they believe that's one of several red flags. Hawaii News Now.

From Capri Suns To Resumes: Meeting The Needs Of Homeless Young People. A first-of-its-kind program specializes in helping those 18-24 move from the street to independent living. Civil Beat.

Cardax Inc. has launched a clinical trial to evaluate the effect on cardiovascular health for low and high doses of its new anti-inflammatory product ZanthoSyn. Star-Advertiser.

Heads up, drivers: That pedestrian might be a plainclothes officer. Hawaii News Now.

HPD cracking down after 2 more pedestrian fatalities. Three weekend crashes, which left two dead and one seriously injured, have prompted the Honolulu Police Department this month to step up enforcement, including the use of plainclothes officers in crosswalks. Star-Advertiser.

Kailua residents weigh in on new public park coming to Kailua. It will come with the first public outdoor climbing facilities at a state park, and it will be the first dog park in Windward Oahu. KHON2.

Sophia the Robot Takes Center Stage at 2018 Global Tourism Summit. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waikiki Parc Hotel closed Monday and will reopen next fall following a multi-million-dollar renovation as Halepuna Waikiki, “a new upscale boutique hotel,” according to Halekulani Corporation and Japan-based Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Council plays waiting game as Ruggles won’t return. Faced with the curious case of a County Council member who refuses to vote or sponsor bills, county legislative leaders want more teeth added to local laws to require elected officials perform to stricter standards. West Hawaii Today.

Hirono: $483k In Fed Funds For Puna Farmers Impacted By Eruption. Puna farmers impacted by the eruption of Kilauea Volcano will soon be getting federal assistance, according to U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). Big Island Video News.

September comes to a close with record-high temps. Record-high temperatures in Hilo were recorded on three days during the past week, and hot, muggy conditions prevailed regardless of records. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

National Park Releases Kipahulu EA for Public Review. The purpose of the KCP is to improve visitor access to and enjoyment of the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park while reducing visitor-caused impacts to the park’s resources; to improve safety; and to ensure adequate operational capacity and facilities given the area’s remote location. Maui Now.

Commentary: 3 charter amendment proposals to be on general election ballot. Maui News.

Electric vehicle drivers can top off at MECO office. A new fast-charging station is available 24 hours daily at Maui Electric Co.’s Kahului office for owners of electric vehicles. Maui News.

Joshua Bradbury sacrificed his life saving a dog from a swollen Kauai stream during Hurricane Lane, and a puppy who survived the storm on Maui now sports his name. Garden Island.

Kauai

Some Hawaii candidates were taken by surprise recently when they received fines for not reporting the cost of advertisements to the Campaign Spending Commission within 24 hours of the contracted purchase. Garden Island.

How This Popular DJ Became ‘Part of the Family’ On The Garden Isle. Ron Wiley, a fixture at KONG radio for more than three decades, spent months talking locals through Hurricane Iniki and its aftermath. Civil Beat.