Hawaii trailing in quest for Obama library, new VP, regent for University of Hawaii, Honolulu transit dinged for not accounting for $83.8M in federal funds, coqui frogs winning Big Island battle, TV stations slammed for political coverage, ocean debris spotted off Na Pali coast, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Baby Obama in Waikiki

The competition to host President Barack Obama's presidential library intensified Sunday as the University of Illinois at Chicago announced its official bid and revealed a team of specialists to boost the school's campaign. Obama's birthplace of Hawaii has also expressed interest, but the speculation in Chicago has sparked debates about how to best preserve the 44th president's legacy and his place in the city's history. Associated Press.

Can Politics and Journalism Mix? An odd little detail of state Rep. Bob McDermott's failed lawsuit challenging same-sex marriage in Hawaii is that it involved Joe Moore and Michael W. Perry. Civil Beat.

Joanne Itano has been named the University of Hawaii's interim executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, the second-highest post under the president, at an annual salary of $225,000. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has appointed Honolulu attorney Jeffrey Portnoy to the University of Hawaii Board of Regents. Associated Press.

A new study of Honolulu television news coverage of the 2012 general election finds that local TV stations didn't do a very good job of covering last year's most important political campaigns. In fact, the University of Delaware study concludes, TV news stations let the candidates and campaigns set the agenda for political coverage, failing to explore even the most basic campaign issues unless they were raised at a debate or in a press release first. And then the coverage was only about what the candidates said. Civil Beat.

Coral Andrews, the head of the non-profit quasi-governmental agency in charge of implementing the Affordable Care Act in Hawaii, announced Friday that she will be resigning Dec. 6. Civil Beat.

State roundup for November 25. Associated Press.

Oahu

A recent independent audit done for Honolulu's rail transit project found its finances to be in order with one exception: Rail finance officials failed to properly record $83.8 million in federal funds received for the project. Star-Advertiser.

Manoa Falls, Kawela Bay and other scenic points on Oahu will be starring on big screens around the nation Friday when “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is released in movie theaters. “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” the sequel to “The Hunger Games,” filmed for several weeks on Oahu between Thanksgiving and Christmas last year. Pacific Business News.

Hundreds of people came to a Kahala Avenue mansion to bid on items that once belonged to Genshiro Kawamoto. But many others came Saturday just for a look. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

Has the state given up trying to battle the issue of coqui frogs on the Big Island? Depends on whom you ask. Tribune-Herald.

Researchers from the University of Hawaii at Hilo are taking an innovative approach to forestry in an urgent attempt to save low-elevation forests in Hawaii threatened by human activity and invasive non-native flora. Star-Advertiser.

A Hawaiian sovereignty advocate who has questioned the legitimacy of land titles in the state was removed from his home last week after ignoring an eviction notice. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii County Council approved zoning changes to accommodate a new shopping center in Pahoa, assuming that it does not open before road improvements are completed. In two 9-0 votes Wednesday, the council approved changing zoning for the 9.93-acre property at 15-2714 Pahoa Village Road from agriculture to village commercial and urban. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

An agreement to sell Maui Mall has been made, according to a news release from A&B Properties Inc. on Friday. Maui News.

The Honolulu-based Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation donated $50,000 to Hospice Maui on Thursday in a ceremony adjacent to the site of a planned residential five-bedroom hospice hale. Maui News.

Kauai

Will Kauai's Mayor Face Fallout After GMO, Pesticide Battles? Civil Beat.

The state's largest private landowner is dipping its toes into a state program that provides incentives for protecting productive farmland for perpetual agricultural use. Kamehameha Schools filed a petition with the state Land Use Commission earlier this month to designate 190 acres on Kauai as "important agricultural land" under laws created by the Legislature in 2005 and 2008 to preserve farmland. Star-Advertiser.

One of the biggest and most important county agencies on Kauai is making it harder for the public to access government records — all in the name of accountability. Civil Beat.

Swath of debris spotted off Na Pali Coast. Garden Island.

Hawaii economy down, but not out; Army gets permission for depleted uranium; Maui movie to employ hundreds; students favor gay marriage rights; Abercrombie opens immigration center, new species found in Kilauea Caldera; more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki shoppers (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Tighter federal spending, a weaker yen and higher hotel room rates are combining to take a bite out of Hawaii's economic recovery this year, says a team of University of Hawaii economists. In a report released today, the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization cut its forecasts for growth in both 2013 visitor arrivals and gross domestic product, the broadest measure of the state's economic activity. Star-Advertiser.

The recent federal government shutdown didn’t shut down Hawaii’s economy, and the future looks particularly bright for the neighbor islands, where job growth is expected to outpace that of Oahu over the rest of the decade. That’s according to reports released this week by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization and the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. West Hawaii Today.

With the launch of the Obamacare health care exchange Hawaii Health Connector, expect to see more state and  federal dollars flowing to Hawaii’s needy. Hawaii’s Legislature appropriated $2.75 billion for fiscal year 2013 and $2.83 billion for FY 2014 — or about 20 percent of the state general fund budget — for “social services” operating expenses. Hawaii Reporter.

Students aligned with Hawaii United for Marriage have collected more than 400 signatures on a petition favoring marriage equality as the state Legislature convenes in special session next week to consider a gay marriage bill. Jeremy Divinagracia, a UH sophomore, said at a news conference Thursday at the UH Campus Center that a vote against equality would be "a terrible message" for a state that prides itself on diversity and the aloha spirit. Star-Advertiser.

A growing number of University of Hawaii at Manoa students are signing a petition urging lawmakers to pass a same-sex marriage bill that’s up for debate in next week’s special session. As of of Thursday afternoon, more than 400 students have signed on. The petition drive, students said, was inspired by recent student government debates on campus about the pros and cons of same-sex marriage. Civil Beat.

Two local advocacy groups are sponsoring Hawaii legislation next session that would ban a type of mental-health counseling that aims to change the sexuality of children who identify as gay, bisexual or transgender. "Conversion therapy," as it’s known, is typically nonconsensual counseling imposed on children by parents or other adult figures and is widely seen as ineffective and intolerant. It’s already banned in California and New Jersey. Civil Beat.

With four legislators on hand to field questions at the Lihue Business Association, it took just a few minutes for the conversation to get to what was on many minds: the upcoming special session on the marriage equality bill. Garden Island.

In an increasingly crowded special session, Abercrombie's nomination for Director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control may be cause for concern. The agenda for next week’s special session is becoming increasingly crowded. On Tuesday the governor asked legislators to add three additional measures to the session agenda. Along with these measures, 31 additional gubernatorial nominations will be heard in the senate on Tuesday, October 29th beginning at 10am. Hawaii Independent.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a license for the possession of depleted uranium at the Army’s Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island and Schofield Barracks on Oahu. The license, granted Wednesday, is in response to the revelation about six years ago that spotting rounds used as part of the Davy Crockett program were fired at both locations in the 1960s. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Ripple effects from rule changes that Hawaiian Electric Co. abruptly implemented last month are leaving solar customers especially vulnerable to unscrupulous salespeople who are desperate to close deals amid a tightening market. HECO put new controls on customers who want to hook up solar systems to protect the reliability of the utility's electric grid. The new policies have confused solar companies, left hundreds of customers who were in the middle of the installation process in limbo and cut deeply into solar sales at what is normally the busiest time of year. Civil Beat.

One of the companies responsible for disposing of sludge dredged from the Hawaii Kai Marina is apparently again looking at dumping the material on the site of a controversial and long-stalled cemetery in the back of nearby Kamilo Nui Valley. The marina's dredging project angered the public when sludge from there was spilled on the H-1 freeway Aug. 31 and was found on a private lot in Waianae in violation of city and possibly state and federal permits or regulations. Star-Advertiser.

Major decisions about new skyrises in Honolulu loom, but Hawaii’s state development agency may have to make them at a time when it is understaffed in a way that critics say favors developers. The Hawaii Community Development Authority has been missing two members of its Kakaako board since May, prompting lawmakers to urge Gov. Neil Abercrombie to fill the seats in time for the Legislature’s special session next week. Civil Beat.

It isn't exactly the majestic image often thought of with whales. There is believed to be a 30 to 40 foot dead sperm whale floating off the coast of Windward Oahu. It appears to have been dead for a while. Hawaii News Now.

The Marine Corps is warning windward Oahu residents to expect more aircraft noise for a short period. The Marines say people can expect to see multiple helicopters conducting maintenance and readiness flights from 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday. Residents may also hear more noise. Associated Press.

Six years ago, the city removed the playground equipment at Waimanalo Beach Park because of safety concerns. But the new equipment that's there is raising those same concerns. KHON2.

Hawaii

Governor on hand as state’s first immigration resource center opens. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii Judiciary said Thursday that it has selected a 10-acre parcel of land in North Kona owned by the Queen Liliuokalani Trust for the site of the new $9 million Kona Judiciary Complex. Pacific Business News.

Puna Community Medical Center is moving forward with plans to construct a comprehensive medical center to help meet the needs of the increasing population in the Puna District, according to a draft Environmental Assessment released Wednesday by the state Office of Environmental Quality Control. West Hawaii Today.

Kona home, condo and land sales will top last year’s numbers easily, even as sales slowed in September, a West Hawaii real estate agent says. West Hawaii Today.

A new species has been found – so far in only one cave in Kilauea Caldera on Hawaii Island – and scientists at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa say it has not been found anywhere else in the world. “We cultivated a new cyanobacterium from an almost 100-year-old lava cave in volcanically active Kilauea Caldera,” said Associate Professor Stuart Donachie in the Department of Microbiology at the College of Natural Sciences. Big Island Video News.

Maui

By early next year, Maui Film Studios will be home to the next "Lord of the Rings"-style movie, with hundreds of positions from extras to makeup artists open to Maui County residents, studio officials said. Maui News.

Maui County will enjoy a 15.1 percent growth in jobs during the current decade, with annual openings of more than 3,000 jobs during the period, according to projections in a state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations report released Wednesday. Maui News.

The neighbor islands are forecast to lead job growth in the state through 2020, according to new data released by the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Maui County is forecast to have the second fastest growth in the state, with a projected 15.1% increase in industry growth over the 10 year period from 2010-2020. Maui Now.

Plans for resurfacing Kahului Airport's main runway would lead to late-night jet takeoffs from the airport's secondary runway and cause "serious and substantial" noise impacts on Spreckelsville residents, according to their attorney. Maui News.

A team from the University of Hawaii just launched a new study to track the movement of tiger sharks in Maui waters. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

The state is projecting big things for the County of Kauai. Specifically, it thinks The Garden Isle will outpace neighboring islands when it comes to industry and occupational growth by 2020. The Hawaii State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said in a report Wednesday that Kauai’s forecasted expansion rate of 15.4 percent in both sectors will be tops in the state. Garden Island.

Repealing an ordinance that expedites the permit process to rebuild structures destroyed by Hurricane Iniki will put an end to restoration plans for the Coco Palms Resort, the iconic Kauai hotel where Elvis Presley filmed "Blue Hawaii," argues Bob Jasper, who holds guided tours at the property. The Kauai County Council held a public hearing Wednesday on Bill 2502, which would repeal the so-called "Iniki Ordinance," which offers an expedited permit process to rebuild structures and buildings destroyed by the Category 4 storm that devastated the Garden Isle on Sept. 11, 1992. Star-Advertiser.

Library opens new chapter. $1.9M renovation unveiled. Garden Island.

Hawaii's ocean: Officials tackle coral health, beach erosion, mooring and paddling rules. Plus poll shows split on gay marriage, University of Hawaii president search and more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii coral reef (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

A University of Hawaii researcher's idea to breed "super corals" that can endure warmer and more acidic ocean waters has won a new global competition that seeks novel ways to deal with climate change. Ruth Gates, a researcher at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, submitted the $10,000 winning concept. Star-Advertiser.

State proposes to change rules for commercial use of oceans. The number of businesses is growing, and licensing instructors and operators overwhelms officials. Star-Advertiser.

UH Luukai

Scientists from the University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology welcomed a new remotely operated vehicle to its fleet last week. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii expects to hire an executive search firm by the end of the month to help recruit and vet candidates for its top job. The Board of Regents last week approved allowing a presidential selection committee to directly contract a search firm to save time. Otherwise, a hiring decision wouldn't be made until the regents' next full meeting in late November. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii voters are split over making same-sex marriage legal in the islands, with 44 percent in support and 44 percent opposed. Only a handful of residents surveyed by Civil Beat earlier this month said they hadn't made up their mind on the controversial issue. The trend in Hawaii is similar to national polls showing growing support for gay marriage, also known as marriage equality. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Health Connector site is finally fully operational, but operators don't know how many people are actually using it to purchase insurance. At the regular board meeting Friday, Executive Director Coral Andrews reported to members that hundreds of people have completed applications online, but admitted, she didn't know how many people actually purchased a plan. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie is standing as firm in his position on travel records as the Queen Liliuokalani statue outside the Capitol. His office just isn’t going to give up the records for little or no cost, and refuses to consider other ways to accommodate a public records request, according to Amy Luke, executive assistant to Abercrombie's chief of staff, Bruce Coppa. Civil Beat.

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs recently kicked off a new Hawaii Broadband Map speed test campaign to measure the spread of new technology and high-speed broadband availability across the state. Hawaii Reporter.

Many Children Face Exclusion from Hawaii Kindergarten in 2014. Civil Beat.

First Hawaiian Bank reached record levels for assets, deposits and loans during the third quarter even as low interest rates ate into profits. The state's largest bank reported $50.9 million in net income that exceeded by just 0.6 percent the $50.6 million achieved in the year-earlier period. Star-Advertiser.

The state of Hawaii will continue to see an increase in disability claims, class-action lawsuits related to labor law and more legal conflicts between companies who try to parse terms of various noncompete contracts so they can secure the best and brightest talent. Pacific Business News.

The state wants to give customers more confidence they won't get sick when they eat out. Inspectors will look at things like employee hygiene, food and cooking temperatures and equipment contamination. The rules are similar to what is in place right now however one of the main differences is all of you will know how a restaurant scored. Hawaii News Now.

With the end of hurricane season slightly more than a month away, it's clear that the Central Pacific Region so far has had an unexpected slightly above-average season. The tropical cyclone count in the Central Pacific was six as of Sunday, which surpasses the average of about four to five cyclones. Star-Advertiser.

Civil Beat journalists took home two prestigious national awards Saturday at the annual Online News Association gathering in Atlanta. "In the Name of the Law," our investigative series on police misconduct records and why they are not available for the public to review, won the top honor in the Gannett Foundation Award for Innovative Investigative Journalism. That series was reported and written by Nick Grube and Patti Epler. Sophie Cocke's series on the Ala Wai Canal — "Hawaii's Biggest Mistake?" — won the Explanatory Reporting category.

State roundup for October 21. Associated Press.

Oahu

Erosion troubles at Sunset and Kuhio beaches have rekindled fears about a chronic problem that isn't going away. Experts say too much development is nudged up against the beach in Hawaii at a time when sea level is on the rise, a predicament that will inevitably lead to a growing number of coastal erosion emergencies. Star-Advertiser.

The high surf is a sight to see, but it's been a source of problems for homeowners near Sunset Beach. KHON2.

Honolulu Ethics Commission Finds No Gift Law Violation by Mayor Kirk Caldwell for Luau But Restricts Future Donations. Hawaii Reporter.

The Board of Water Supply confirmed the presence of the E. coli bacteria in water samples from the Aina Koa Neighborhood Park. The equipment that adds chlorine to disinfect the water is to blame. Crews fixed the equipment and restored chlorine levels Friday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

Department of Land and Natural Resources officials are awaiting federal approval before moving ahead with plans to double the number of moorings at Keauhou Bay. West Hawaii Today.

Student enrollment at the University of Hawaii at Hilo dipped by 3 percent this year, bringing to an end at least a decade of regular, record-breaking population increases. Tribune-Herald.

The state is proposing to prohibit the use of stand-up paddleboards in Hilo’s Waiakea Pond. That is one of several proposed changes to rules for fishing and other activities at the Waiakea Public Fishing Area at Wailoa River State Park. Big Island Now.

Hawaii County now knows how big of a check it may have to write for placing the Papaikou Mill Beach trail into the public’s hands. An appraisal finished last week pegs the private path at a value of $28,500. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Global Positioning System devices have been installed on 199 Maui County vehicles, giving managers an eye-in-the-sky view of vehicle use and wear and tear. Maui News.

The message that standardized testing is "an abusive and inaccurate assessment" of both students and teachers was shared with more than 1,000 Maui teachers who attended Teacher Institute Day on Maui, hosted Thursday by the Hawaii State Teachers Association. Maui News.

Kauai

A pair of attorneys are calling for Kauai’s mayor to sign Bill 2491, regulating GMO and pesticides, into law. In a letter Friday to Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr., attorneys Paul Achitoff, of Earthjustice, and George Kimbrell said they would be willing to defend the bill in court should it come to that and urged the mayor to sign it. Garden Island.

Hawaii restaurant inspections changing, race rises as campaign issue in Schatz-Hanabusa campaign, UH mulls building slowdown, Honolulu rail budget approved, Waikiki sand replaced, sharks' value touted, fishing rules protested, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ala Moana food court (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Green, yellow and red may soon apply to more than traffic lights. Those colors would telegraph how a restaurant or other food establishment fared in its most recent safety inspection, according to changes being proposed by the state Department of Health. West Hawaii Today.


The state is piloting a free laptop rental program that’s already available at 36 public libraries across Hawaii.  The netbooks, which can be rented out by any library cardholder for three weeks at a time, are equipped with broadband capacities and don’t need to have access to WiFi to connect to the internet. Civil Beat.

Brian Schatz: Ideology, Not Ethnicity, Will Win Hawaii Senate Race. Civil Beat.

A memo from U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz’s campaign is touting him as a progressive candidate who can win the Democratic primary for Hawaii’s senate race “regardless of ethnicity.” Associated Press.

The University of Hawaii is considering halting new construction projects across the university system until it can rein in a repair and maintenance backlog that has ballooned to nearly a half-billion dollars. The idea was presented at Thursday's Board of Regents meeting by Regent Benjamin Kudo, who said an "interim self-imposed moratorium" on new construction would give the board breathing room to address the needed repairs. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii’s controversial plans to develop a $27.5 million center dedicated to the late Sen. Daniel Inouye are being stalled because the UH administration now wants to ask the Legislature for just $5 million for the project — not $15 million as originally pencilled out in the university’s supplemental budget proposal. Civil Beat.

Deferring to the wishes of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye's family and addressing transparency concerns, the University of Hawaii is slowing the process for pursuing a planned center to house his congressional papers and has dramatically cut the state funding it is initially requesting for the project. The university's Board of Regents on Thursday approved seeking $5 million in state bond financing as a way to demonstrate UH's commitment to the project — a commitment that proponents said was needed to help in efforts to raise more private funds. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's Public Records: Can We Talk About This? Civil Beat.

State Department of Health officials in the past week have identified five more cases of liver damage that could have been caused by consuming a dietary supplement — bringing the current total to 34. Star-Advertiser.


Oahu

Board members overseeing the city's rail project Thursday approved its largest capital budget yet, clearing rail officials to sign $1.56 billion in contracts in the coming fiscal year to build the project. The move comes after construction resumed in September on the 20-mile elevated rail system — the largest public works project in Hono­lulu's history. Star-Advertiser.

Companies that use pipelines in Hawaii’s harbors will face intensified scrutiny after a massive molasses spill killed tens of thousands of fish and other marine life. Civil Beat.

Crews have replaced sand that eroded away from a spot at Waikiki Beach. Bulldozers and other equipment were brought in for the Thursday night project, timed to coincide with a very low tide. Hawaii News Now.

Major repair work is just about to begin on one of the most popular beaches in the world. Crews are about to fix the erosion at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki. But it's just one of many beaches across the state facing this problem. KHON2.

A federal judge sentenced retired Honolulu police Maj. Carlton Nishimura to eight months in jail Thursday for lying to the FBI and filing a false 2005 income tax return. Nishimura had also been charged with extortion conspiracy and drug promotion. Nishimura was indicted in February 2011 by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiring to accept bribes from illegal gambling operators in exchange for steering officers away from the gaming rooms. Star-Advertiser.

Residential electric rates rose on Oahu in October from September, tracking an increase in the cost of fuel and power bought from independent producers, Hawaiian Electric Co. reported Thursday. Rates also increased in October on all other islands. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A recently published study by University of Toronto researchers links the number of sharks on a reef to the reef’s health, with more sharks indicating a healthier reef. The proposed West Hawaii fisheries rules package, still awaiting Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s signature, included provisions to protect nine species of inshore sharks and rays, as well as two invertebrate crown-of-thorns predators. West Hawaii Today.

Administrators are hoping that by scaling back plans for the proposed Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy building, they may render the project more palatable to state legislators. Tribune-Herald.

West Hawaii travelers will have another flying option come next summer. Hawaiian Airlines announced Thursday that it will begin its first-ever nonstop service between Kona International Airport and Los Angeles in response to growing demand during summer’s peak travel time. West Hawaii Today.

The former owners of Nihon Restaurant have filed suit against the owner of Hilo Bay Café, who plans to reopen her popular restaurant soon at the Lihiwai Street location overlooking Hilo Bay once occupied by Nihon. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Proposed limits for Maui and Lanai fisheries on popular near-shore fish are drawing criticism from those who argue that the rules would disrupt Native Hawaiian cultural traditions. A community meeting organized by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to explain the proposals drew about 100 people to Maui Waena Intermediate School on Wednesday. The changes would involve bag and size limits for fish including goatfish, parrotfish and jacks. Associated Press.

The state is proposing rule changes for Maui and Lanai fisheries that involve new bag and size limits that had members of the local fishing community concerned about what they say is an infringement upon their Native Hawaiian "cultural rights." Maui News.

The Cost of Government Commission is advising the county auditor not to take on the Old Wailuku Post Office demolition controversy, noting that "the public interest" will not be served by a prolonged investigation. Maui News.


Hospice Maui is asking a 2nd Circuit Court judge to throw out a state permit for Islands Hospice to establish a seven-bed, inpatient hospice facility in a Kahului home. Maui News.

Haleakalā National Park on Maui reopened today after being closed for more than two weeks due to the federal lapse in appropriations. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Kauai County Council sent Bill 2491 to the mayor's office for approval.  Under the measure, large agribusinesses would be required to disclose restricted-used pesticides applied in fields and implement buffer zones near schools, homes, medical facilities, public roadways and waterways. Star-Advertiser.

Bill 2491 has made its way to Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.’s desk. Bill 2491, which affects Kauai’s five heaviest users of restricted use pesticides, will go into effect nine months after it becomes law. Garden Island.

Hawaiian Airlines will offer its first non-stop service between Los Angeles and the islands of Kauai and Hawaii during next summer’s peak travel period. Garden Island.

Kauai’s federal wildlife refuge will open today with the temporary agreement to end the government shutdown in effect since Tuesday. Garden Island.

Molokai

A new documentary produced by Kauai attorney Teresa Tico, FISHING PONO: LIVING IN HARMONY WITH THE SEA tells the story of Native Hawaiians on the island of Molokai who are using traditional conservation methods to restore fisheries in the waters of their island. Hawaii Reporter.

Community members had the chance to tell county officials and representatives Thursday that although Molokai is distinct from other islands in the county, they deserve the equal support in the next Fiscal Year 2015 Maui County budget. Molokai Dispatch.

Volunteers sought for space-travel isolation study, Golden Week for Chinese tourists, first whale sighting of the season off Maui, anti-gay marriage rally draws 500, Kauai Mayor Carvalho to seek re-election, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

University of Hawaii isolation dome on Mauna Loa (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

University of Hawaii researchers are looking for volunteers to act as crew members for a new series of space exploration studies scheduled to take place in an isolated research dome on Mauna Loa. Star-Advertiser.

The special session on same-sex marriages is a little more than three week away but the lobbying efforts are already in high gear. More than 500 people attended a rally the state Capitol today to oppose the legalization of same sex marriages. The rally was organized by the United Fellowship of Churches, which wants the issue decided at the ballot box and not by the state Legislature. Hawaii News Now.

News organizations throughout the state are asking the Hawaii Supreme Court to make it clear that a judge can't close a criminal trial or hear arguments in secret unless the press and public are first given a chance to object. Hawaii is the only state that has not expressly asserted the First Amendment right to attend criminal judicial proceedings, according to a "friend of the court" brief expected to be filed Monday in a case that seeks the release of transcripts from closed sessions of the recent murder trial of U.S. State Department special agent Christopher Deedy. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Telcom officials told the Federal Communications Commission last month that the company needs a larger subsidy than what the agency is proposing to underwrite the cost of providing broadband service to rural areas in Hawaii. The FCC is providing ratepayer funds to Hawaiian Telcom and other telecommunications companies as part of its new "Connect America" program designed to extend the reach of high-speed Internet into underserved areas of the country. Star-Advertiser.

No need to cry over spilled milk. In Hawaii, just pouring the stuff can make us wince. Milk is expensive here. Civil Beat.

If you see more Chinese tourists than usual in the islands this week, it might be because this is China’s “Golden Week.” It’s one of the country’s semi-annual set of holidays—the other one comes in the spring. Hawaii Public Radio.

Facing thousands of dollars in additional penalties for breaking state campaign finance laws, Hawaii Rep. Karen Awana stepped down from her House leadership position Friday. House Speaker Joe Souki accepted her resignation as majority floor leader, effective immediately. But he also assured her that he would give her a new leadership position if she took care of her fines. Civil Beat.

The University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine has been awarded $18.4 million over five years to foster biomedical careers among students at the UH-Hilo College of Pharmacy, Chaminade University, Hawaii Pacific University and UH community colleges. Star-Advertiser.

A high-level University of Hawaii executive remains in her job — at the same pay — following the conclusion of a university investigation into whether she misrepresented herself as a certified public accountant. University officials refuse to say why she’s still on the job or whether or not they concluded that she illegally misrepresented herself on her resume. Civil Beat.

The Hawaiian Electric Cos. unveiled a new logo Friday, developed by noted Hilo designer Sig Zane, that aims to represent the state’s largest public company’s roots in the Islands as well as its role in helping Hawaii reach its renewable energy goal. Pacific Business News.

Do you feel rich? The Wall Street Journal claims you are, as a fiscal watchdog group says the opposite, citing crushing amounts of government debt. Hawaii’s median household income is $66,000 a year, up $3,000 over last year. The state has a relatively low unemployment rate of 5.8 percent, and the percentage of population below the poverty line is 11.6 percent, the eighth lowest in the country. Hawaii Reporter.

Nearly 1,000 federal technicians around Hawaii have been recalled after being furloughed due to the government shutdown. A spokesperson for the Hawaii National Guard says the technicians, who are based at various military installations throughout Hawaii, will start reporting to work on Monday and Tuesday. KHON2.

State roundup for October 7. Associated Press.

Oahu

The University of Hawaii was scammed out of $200,000 for a Stevie Wonder concert last year, but Oracle Corp. CEO Larry Ellison pulled the right strings for the artist to perform in a private concert for his company employees that will take place in Waikiki on Saturday night. The outdoor concert will only be open to Oracle Club Excellence 2013 members, but anyone in the area should be able to enjoy the sounds of Stevie Wonder, although they might not be able to catch a glimpse of him on stage. Pacific Business News.

BOUNCE houses dotted the state Capitol lawn, dancers gyrated in the Capitol courtyard and makeshift tennis courts occupied Punchbowl Street. Since 1993 families have flocked to the Capitol and environs on the first Sunday of October to celebrate Children and Youth Day, and Sunday's festivities were no different. Star-Advertiser.

A site where heroes are laid to rest in Hawaii is running out of space. The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is moving ahead with expansion plans while trying to balance the concerns of Native Hawaiians. The cemetery opened to the public in 1949, but it's expected to run out of room in three years. Hawaii News Now.

The state is releasing $3.85 million to build a long-awaited ambulance facility in Waipio and more than $4.2 million for other priority projects at hospitals around the state, acting Gov. Shan Tsu­tsui's office announced today. The funds will cover planning, design, construction and equipment costs for the Central Oahu facility, which will also be the emergency operations center for Oahu's Emergency Medical Services. Star-Advertiser.

It's back to work Monday for nearly 3,000 of Hawaii's federal workers, despite the government shutdown. KITV.

At least four warships in the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility at Pearl Harbor — a sort of mothball fleet — are taking on some patchy sandy-pink hues. The culprit is "low solar absorbance" paint developed in the mid-1990s — and tested in Hawaii — to reflect the hot Middle Eastern sun, according to Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C. Star-Advertiser.

Today is Hina‘i Eugenio’s birthday. And while he’s celebrating his 11th year with his friends at Kahuku elementary, his family is waiting for state sheriffs to evict them from their home in Kahuku. Hawaii Independent.

The year isn't over yet, but an annual record for the median price of previously owned homes sold on Oahu is more poised to fall following strong results in September for the local residential real estate market. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Hawaii County is considering legal action against the Naniloa Volcanoes Resort, including closure of the troubled Banyan Drive hotel, after it failed a series of building inspections, Mayor Billy Kenoi said. Tribune-Herald.

Oral arguments are scheduled to begin Dec. 13 for a legal case challenging Hawaii's decision to grant a permit for the construction of the world's largest optical telescope at the summit of Mauna Kea. Associated Press.

More than 2,000 triathletes from around the world will embark on the grueling 140.6-mile Ironman World Championship Saturday, when they’ll be presented the ultimate test of body, mind and spirit.  West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The first whale sighting off Maui for the 2013 season was reported on Saturday morning, about two miles from Molokini, officials said. Maui Now.

Kauai

Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr. said he will seek re-election in 2014. The incumbent announced his decision Saturday evening during a fundraiser at Kilohana. It would be Carvalho’s second full term to the four-year seat. Garden Island.

Kauai officials are set to consider a proposal to regulate pesticide use and farming of genetically modified crops. The Garden Isle's county council is slated to vote Tuesday on a bill that has provoked emotionally charged public hearings and a march against GMO's that attracted large crowds. Associated Press.

In three months, state legislators will return to the state Capitol to mow through thousands of proposed bills in a four-month period. Many of those bills are introduced by request of the Hawaii State Association of Counties, which sends a package approved by all four county councils. The Kauai County Council’s Intergovernmental Relations Committee reviewed Wednesday 14 proposals to be included in the 2014 HSAC Legislative Package, approving support for 11 bills — two were voted down and one got stuck on a tie. Garden Island.

UH Manoa aims to be first smoke-free campus, Hawaii council advances anti-fracking bill, Chinese have insatiable appetite for Hawaii property, Kauai electric customers may be fined for old meters, public school enrollment up, big build boom scares Honolulu residents, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

University of Hawaii at Manoa

The University of Hawaii's Manoa campus plans to toughen its anti-smoking policy starting Jan. 1 with a total ban on tobacco products and electronic cigarettes — a move that would make it the first tobacco-free college campus in the state. Star-Advertiser.

Concerns are mounting that Hawaii’s economy — so dependent of tourism and the military — could suffer setbacks if the standoff between President Barack Obama and House Republican leaders is not resolved promptly so that federal employees can get back to work, attractions can reopen and services return to the status quo. Star-Advertiser.

While Sen. Hirono Shuts Down Offices Completely, Rep. Gabbard Keeps Hawaii, DC Offices Open to Help Constituents. Hawaii’s elected Congressional officials are taking different approaches to managing their offices in Washington DC and Hawaii during the government shut down. Hawaii Reporter.

Enrollment at Hawaii’s public schools is up by 1.1 percent over last school year, an increase of about 2,000 students, according to figures released Tuesday by the Department of Education. A total of 185,273 students are enrolled in public schools for the 2013-14 year. That includes 9,797 students in 33 public charter schools — a 2.1 percent increase — and 173,658 students in 255 DOE schools, a 1 percent increase over last year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s historically underpaid judges are receiving huge raises this year to bring their standard of living up to par with their mainland counterparts. Their relatively low pay has made it hard for the state to attract and retain talented attorneys to serve in the Judiciary, particularly at the general-jurisdiction level. Until the raises went into effect July 1, Hawaii trial judges ranked last in the nation in terms of salary when the cost of living was factored in, according to a comparison by the National Center for State Courts. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association could soon join the ranks of the AFL-CIO, a powerful political labor federation that local union leaders say would strengthen the HSTA’s voice and help it to forge partnerships with other unions. This, they say, would ultimately improve Hawaii education. Civil Beat.

Professional and scientific government workers have reached a tentative agreement with the state on a new four-year contract that includes roughly 11 percent pay raises and step adjustments. The Hawaii Government Employees Association unit, which represents about 8,100 workers, would receive 4 percent pay raises retroactive to the start of the fiscal year in July, step adjustments starting next July, and 3.5 percent raises in January 2016 and January 2017, sources familiar with the agreement say. Star-Advertiser.

Wealthy Chinese buyers have an “insatiable appetite” for Hawaii real estate, and there is a group that is looking to purchase larger projects and is even in discussions with local developers, a Canadian entrepreneur and co-founder of a New York and Shanghai-based company that offers lifestyle and travel opportunities to its private network of high net worth and emerging wealth Chinese members said Wednesday. Pacific Business News.

The number of Hawaii residents and businesses filing for bankruptcy fell in September to the lowest level in more than five years. Associated Press.

Oahu

Honolulu ranks 13th in nation for poor roads. Honolulu's pothole-plagued roads have improved in recent years but local drivers still pay a heavy toll in car-repair costs to use them, a D.C.-based transportation research group found. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's burgeoning economic expansion bodes well for the long-term success of efforts to redevelop Kakaako, a top official from developer Howard Hughes Corp. said Wednesday. The Dallas-based developer is gearing up to begin sales in December for three condominium towers planned for the first phase of its Ward Village project, a master-planned community that Howard Hughes envisions will ultimately include more than 4,000 residential units and more than 1 million square feet of new retail and commercial space in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

It was a sweltering, standing-room only affair when a proposed 46-story condominium and its accompanying 107-foot-tall parking garage brought nearly 200 people to the Hawaii Community Development Authority’s offices in Kakaako on Wednesday. The skyscraper and parking facility are part of a contentious mixed-use housing project at the site of the old Honolulu Advertiser building on the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and South Street, and the HCDA was holding a public hearing to let citizens voice their concerns. Civil Beat.

There's mounting opposition to plans to redevelop the iconic Honolulu Advertiser building. Dozens testified against the plan to demolish the back half of the 84-year-old building during a meeting of the Hawaii Community Development Authority. And hundreds more have signed petitions opposing the project. Hawaii News Now.

Plans for a five-tower condominium complex at the former site of the Kam Drive-In Theater in Aiea won a favorable recommendation by a 7-0 vote of the Honolulu Planning Commission on Wednesday, The rezoning request for the 1,500-unit project, which will also include commercial space and possibly a small hotel, will now go before the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A bill to ban hydraulic fracturing — or fracking — received the support of the Hawaii County Council during its first reading Wednesday. The council, which must vote on the bill one more time, voted 7-0 in support after amending the legislation to increase penalties. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Island residents continued Wednesday to wrestle with the impacts of the far-flung budget acrimony in Washington, D.C., that has shuttered federally-funded sites and services across the nation. Tribune-Herald.

Amid concerns that clearing unsafe trees on private property could eat into the county’s road maintenance budget, the Hawaii County Council on Wednesday amended Bill 64, then scheduled a final vote for Oct. 16. Bill 64, aimed primarily at the invasive, fast-growing and brittle albizia tree, allows the county to clear occupied or unoccupied lots and recoup the costs from the landowner, if the landowner doesn’t clear the land within 30 days of a notice from the county. The county can take this action to clear “refuse, uncultivated undergrowth or unsafe flora,” according to the bill. West Hawaii Today.

Maui
Maui County is on its way to finally leveling the infamous Montana Beach house in Paia with a council committee Tuesday recommending approval of $50,000 for demolition work scheduled to begin early next year. Maui News.

Maui County said Wednesday that it intends to select Lahaina-based Hawaii Pacific Solar LLC to install, operate, maintain and own solar photovoltaic systems, and then sell the energy generated to the county under a power purchase agreement for 18 sites on Molokai and Maui that total about 1 megawatt of power. Pacific Business News.

Maui County announced it will award a “Multi-Facility Solar Rooftop Project” to Hawaiʻi Pacific Solar of Lahaina. The contract is for the installation of more photovoltaic panels at 18 community facilities on Maui and Molokaʻi. Maui Now.

After the government shutdown went into effect Tuesday, the closures of Haleakala National Park, Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge and other federally funded entities have already had "very disappointing" effects for local businesses on Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative said Wednesday it plans to ask the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to approve a $10.27 monthly charge for customers who don’t use the wireless “smart meters” that are now standard for the utility. Pacific Business News.

Think keeping that old electric meter was a smart decision? Well, peace of mind could come with an additional monthly fee. About 10 dollars a month, or $120 annually. Garden Island.

The Kauai County Council’s Planning Committee unanimously approved Wednesday sending a proposal to the Legislature to fund three pesticide inspectors at the state Department of Agriculture. Garden Island.

Hawaii government officials make big salaries, Honolulu mothers hold nurse-in, Obamacare to raise some insurance premiums and lower others, papaya vandalism won't stop GMO vote, Kauai Head Start loses slots, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii state Capitol (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Hawaii State Salaries 2013: More Employees Making More Money. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's booming economy could face setbacks under a prolonged federal government shutdown, economists and lawmakers said. With Tuesday's looming deadline, Hawaii's 23,000 civilian federal workers are bracing themselves for furloughs and wage cutbacks. Hawaii News Now.

Obamacare will mean higher premiums for thousands of Hawaii individuals and small businesses and lower premiums for thousands of others when major provisions of the federal health reform law begin Jan. 1. The state's dominant health insurer, Hawaii Medical Service Association, notified individuals and small groups in recent weeks of the changes they will see in premiums under the new federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Star-Advertiser.

State roundup for September 30. Associated Press.

Oahu

A four-year degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa is likely to yield a starting salary almost three times the state's minimum wage, new figures in a national salaries report show. Manoa graduates entering the workforce with a bachelor's degree typically earn $41,000 a year within five years, according to a report by Seattle-based PayScale, an online salary and compensation information service. After 10 years in their field, Manoa graduates generally make $73,000 a year. Star-Advertiser.

On Friday, close to 30 moms gathered at Target to hold a nurse-in protest. All moms breastfed their babies in the Target store. The store’s manger spoke to the mothers and said she was going to have a staff meeting to address the issue. KHON2.

Hawaiian Telcom says it's bought a Honolulu data center services company for $16 million in cash. SystemMetrics Corp. provides cloud computing and highly secure data center services to small and medium-sized businesses. Hawaii News Now.

Dawson Technical LLC of Honolulu has been awarded a $10.2 million contract, with options for the renovation of the Aloha Center, Building 690 at Schofield Barracks in Central Oahu. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

Calling the incident “very unfortunate,” Hawaii County Councilwoman Margaret Wille said Saturday the debate over genetically modified organisms should not be sidetracked after a farmer had about 100 papaya trees slashed, possibly by anti-GMO activists. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

As the years go by and the number of World War II Japanese-American veterans dwindles, remembering their life stories and their tales of valor have become all the more important to the members of Maui's Sons and Daughters of the Nisei Veterans. Maui News.

Kauai

Child and Family Service officials say they lost six slots in Head Start classrooms on Kauai after the Oahu-based nonprofit was forced to trim tens of thousands of dollars from its budget. The nonprofit, which solely administers Head Start programs on Kauai, cut $58,923 from its Head Start programs on the island for this fall school year after a total of $85.4 billion in federal budget cuts — known as sequestration — took effect March 1. Garden Island.

Abercrombie jumps into GMO debate as Hawaii County Council mulls bills, goat-rustler hits Oahu, Mexican immigrants need Hawaii consulate, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kauai GMO protest filephoto

The state will create standards and guidelines for seed companies to voluntarily disclose the types of restricted pesticides they use and will set up buffer zones near schools and hospitals, Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced Monday. But backers of a bill on Kauai to regulate pesticide use and genetically modified crops say the governor's initiative doesn't fully deal with their health and environmental concerns. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced Monday that the state will put forth standards and guidelines for seed and diversified agricultural companies to voluntarily comply with certain health and safety requests of the Kauai community. Garden Island.

The state is setting guidelines for farmers on Kauai after community concerns over pesticides. Agriculture companies are being asked to disclose the types of pesticides they are using and create a buffer zone around schools and hospitals. KHON2.

People of Mexican descent are unfairly targeted by local police and federal agents in Hawaii, according to the authors of a new study that was unveiled Monday. Although most unauthorized immigrants in the Aloha State are Asian, half of all those detained in and deported from Honolulu immigration facilities are Mexican, the study found. Civil Beat.

As more people of Mexican heritage settle in Hawaii, many feel targeted by immigration enforcement even though nearly 9 out of 10 are here legally, according to a new report by the Migration Policy Institute. The study made public Monday calls for establishing a Mexican consulate here to better serve the needs of the growing population, and for the local government to add Spanish to the languages in which documents are translated. Star-Advertiser.

Researchers from a Washington think tank and the University of Hawaii at Manoa are recommending that Mexico’s government open a permanent consulate in Hawaii to serve a small but growing population. The Migration Policy Institute and the university included the recommendation in a study presented Monday that said people of Mexican origins in Hawaii have different experiences on the islands than in other U.S. states. Associated Press.

The number of food stamp recipients here has nearly doubled over the last six years. Civil Beat.

Kathryn Xian, an activist who has pushed the state to address human trafficking and has sought to empower women through Girl Fest, said Monday that she will run for Congress. Xian will seek the Democratic nomination in urban Honolulu's 1st Congressional District, which is being vacated by U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who is challenging U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz in the Democratic primary. Honolulu City Councilman Stanley Chang, Honolulu City Councilman Ikaika Anderson, state Sen. Will Espero and state Rep. K. Mark Takai are the other declared candidates for Congress. Star-Advertiser.

As Congress scrambles to come up with an emergency funding plan and avoid a government shutdown before Oct. 1, coordinators of federal programs with big chunks of money on the line are crossing their fingers that the congressional gridlock doesn’t lead to another round of cutbacks on top of already devastating sequestration. Civil Beat.

For the first time, the Hawaii Department of Education is looking into the numbers of chronically absent students. Chronic absenteeism is defined as a student that misses 15 or more school days in a in a school year. It's the only way elementary schools performance is judged in the new Strive HI “Readiness” category. KITV.

Words Before Dying — a Micronesian Oral History, from Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Oahu

More than 20 purebred Boer goats— most of them pregnant — were stolen from a Hawaii farm on the night of a full moon, with duct tape used to keep the animals from making noise, their owner said. Star-Advertiser.

Matson Navigation Co. is picking up the cost of more than 10 days of cleanup and containment efforts following the 233,000-gallon molasses spill off Sand Island earlier this month, but the shipping company isn't committing to covering any of the tab on the long road to restoration and revival of Hono­lulu Harbor's underwater ecosystem. Star-Advertiser.

The Environmental Protection Agency will conduct its own investigation into the Matson molasses spill, Hawaii News Now has learned. Sources say that EPA's investigation will be conducted separately from the state Health Department's investigation, which has been the lead investigative agency since the spill was discovered.

Honolulu Community College has been placed on warning accreditation status by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, the only of the University of Hawaii's ten campuses to get such a warning. The accrediting panel gave the 4,400-student campus the warning after an evaluation visit to the Kalihi school last fall. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

A day of fact-finding by the Hawaii County Council on genetically altered crops ended without a resolution Monday, ensuring that the marathon debate would continue at least another week. The council adjourned until Oct. 1, following nearly eight hours of discussion regarding Bill 113, during which council members pored over questions while addressing experts on topics ranging from the plight of bees to the use of pesticides and herbicides. Tribune-Herald.

The new self help desk in the Keakealani Courthouse in Kealakekua isn’t a full center like some courthouses have, but it will give West Hawaii residents access to assistance when serving as their own attorney in some Family and District Court cases, Judiciary officials said Monday. West Hawaii Today.

West Hawaii residents from Pahala to Waikoloa spent nearly 20 hours without phone and Internet service, after a tree damaged a Hawaiian Telcom fiber optic cable near Waikoloa. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Those planning Hawaii's future power system believe Oahu might have something to offer Mauians other than business, shopping and a big city getaway - cheaper power and a more stable power grid. The Public Utilities Commission has launched a study of the feasibility of a Maui-to-Oahu power interconnection. Maui News.

Texas-based Sarofim Realty Advisors has submitted an environmental impact statement preparation notice to the state outlining plans for its Piilani Promenade mixed-use project on Maui that would include about 200 apartment units along with light industrial and business and commercial uses on around 75 acres in Kihei. Pacific Business News.

A planned photovoltaic facility that would provide enough renewable energy to power up the Maui High Performance Computing Center in Kihei would be able to move ahead, according to a a draft environmental assessment that said the project wouldn’t have a significant impact on the environment. Pacific Business News.

A portion of Wakea Avenue in Kahului is closed as construction crews continue work on an asphalt rehabilitation project. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kauai Charter Review Commission on Monday amended a proposal to divide elections for Kauai County Council members into seven districts, which could mean less votes but potentially more power to constituents. Final decision on the proposed Charter Amendment, however, was deferred to October. Garden Island.

The Kokee State Park Advisory Council will meet tonight to continue talks on the revised master plan — including the controversial entry station — for Kokee and Waimea Canyon state parks. The discussion begins at 5 p.m. at NTBG headquarters in Kalaheo. Garden Island.

Honolulu's Occupy movement still going strong, Superfund to aid in molasses spill cleanup, Kaui shearwaters face pet threat, another name too long for bureaucracy, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Iolani Palace (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

‘Iolani Palace will be the recipient of a $65,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to plan new exhibits for its basement galleries.  IMLS recently announced nearly $30,000,000 in grants to museums across the nation. Hawaii Reporter.

Will the Mormon Church Sit Out Hawaii’s Gay Marriage Vote? Civil Beat.

Does U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard represent the future? That remains to be seen, but there are signs that the fast-rising attention-grabbing young congresswoman is positioning herself to do so. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Companies has again increased the amount of home photovoltaic systems that can be used by its net-metering customers before triggering interconnection studies. Maui Now.

The U.S. House of Representatives recognized all living Medal of Honor recipients Wednesday, reciting the acts of bravery that went far above and beyond the call of duty. Hawaii is down to just one still living here: retired Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Allan Kellogg Jr. of Kailua. Star-Advertiser.

One of the highest-paid administrators at the University of Hawaii is being investigated for lying on her resume, UH officials confirmed Wednesday. If true, such a deception would be illegal. Civil Beat.

Oahu
On the second anniversary of the original Occupy protests in New York City’s Zucotti Park Sept. 17, Honolulu protesters marked their 682nd continuous day of 24-hour vigil at the corner of Ward and Beretania avenues, making it the longest-running Occupy encampment in the U.S. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii-Manoa students would see a bigger chunk of their tuition dollars go toward repairs on the 107-year-old flagship campus under a plan to eliminate two decades' worth of backlogged repairs. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz says federal Superfund dollars can help with the response to the massive molasses spill in the Honolulu Harbor that has killed thousands of fish and put Hawaii in the national spotlight for the past week. Civil Beat.

A Hawaii state official in charge of cleaning up the spill of 1,400 tons of molasses in Honolulu Harbor says no endangered species have been hurt in the accident. Associated Press.

One of the state's worst environmental disasters was plugged up with wood and cloth.  Matson Inc. said today that it installed the temporary fix last Tuesday after it discovered the fist-sized hole in its pipeline that leaked 233,000 gallons of molasses into Honolulu Harbor. Hawaii News Now.

Kamehameha Schools said Wednesday it is selling two Kakaako blocks fronting Ala Moana Boulevard to MK Development, a joint venture of Koba­ya­shi Group and The MacNaughton Group, to develop two luxury condominium towers with a combined 500 units. Star-Advertiser.

MK Development — a joint venture of well-known Hawaii developers the Kobayashi Group and The MacNaughton Group — is purchasing six acres in Kakaako from Kamehameha Schools for an undisclosed price with plans to develop two luxury mixed-use residential projects totaling about 500 units along the mauka side of Ala Moana Boulevard, a source close to the situation tells Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

Calling geothermal a taonga — or treasure — a representative of a Maori trust in New Zealand promoted the use of the earth’s heat to produce electricity Tuesday evening while highlighting ways it can help indigenous people. Tribune-Herald.

KHON2′s report about a Big Island woman whose name would not fit on her driver’s license gained international attention. It also got the attention of another Big Island woman who is at her wit’s end because of a similar problem.

Maui

Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar produces so much molasses that the veteran Maui company says it likely would find another way to export the thick liquid off-island if Matson ceases to ship it. Star-Advertiser.

 South Maui's "inadequate infrastructure" may not be able to shoulder the effects of large-scale future development projects like the expansion of the Makena Resort, the Honua'ula project in Wailea and the Kihei high school, especially if the community does not have a voice in the planning process, retired college professor Dick Mayer said Tuesday. Maui News.

Although a drought watch has been declared for Upcountry, the current conditions would not trigger a water shortage declaration and higher rates under a bill pending before the Maui County Council's Water Resources Committee.  Maui News.

Kauai

State wildlife officials are appealing to dog and cat owners to keep their animals away from coastal paths on Kauai's south shore after a large colony of native wedge-tailed shearwaters was decimated in two attacks this summer. More than 80 uaua kani were killed by dogs and cats in their nesting areas in July and August, state officials said Wednesday. Their burrow was abandoned. Star-Advertiser.

 A large colony of Hawaiian uau kani, or wedge-tailed shearwaters, along Kauai’s South Shore has been decimated in a pair of attacks this summer by dogs and feral cats. Garden Island.

The recent anti-GMO march did cost Kauai’s taxpayers. While the county has not yet tallied all of the costs related to the event, Tokioka said overtime pay to manage the two-hour road closure on Sept. 8 cost $5,627 — $4,602.26 for KPD officers and another $1,024.95 for Public Works Department personnel. Garden Island.