Medical marijuana dispensaries to be cashless, lawsuit over state law requiring abortion counseling, DLNR drops final poison pellets on Lehua, hundreds of new species discovered off Kaneohe Bay, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Discount medical marijuana, courtesy photo

State officials announced Tuesday that Hawaii will be the first state to require marijuana sales to be handled without cash, saying they want to avoid robberies and other crimes targeting dispensaries. Associated Press.

State officials are urging Hawaii dispensaries to use a cashless system for medical marijuana sales to prevent crimes targeting cannabis retailers and their customers. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii is the first state in the nation that plans to implement a cashless payment system for medical cannabis or marijuana. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii will be the first state in the nation to have a cashless medical marijuana dispensary system. Big Island Video News.

The two operating medical marijuana dispensaries in Hawaii — including one on Maui — and their patients have been operating on a cash-only basis, but a “banking solution” has been forged with a Colorado-based credit union, Gov. David Ige announced Tuesday. Maui News.

Governor David Ige held a press conference today during which he announced a banking breakthrough for Hawaii’s medical cannabis dispensaries.  Gov. Ige announced the nation’s first and only cash-free payment system for medical cannabis. Maui Now.

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The Fight Over Abortion In Hawaii. State attorneys are headed to court to defend a new state law that requires pregnancy clinics to tell women about abortion services. Civil Beat.

Affordable-housing advocates are decrying a state agency’s move to lease its portfolio of six low-cost rental projects, including three high-rises in Kakaako, to a private investor at a time when housing is in extremely short supply for low-income families. Star-Advertiser.

Preschool In Hawaii: Expensive And ‘Ridiculously Hard to Find’. Hawaii lags much of the nation in spending on state-funded preschool. But it is taking new steps to expand access, including opening five new classrooms next year. Civil Beat.

How much does Hawaii’s con air cost? The price of shuttling inmates to and from the mainland. As the debate continues here in Hawaii in regards to if and where to build a new prison, hundreds of Hawaii inmates remain at a facility in Arizona. KHON2.

Longtime Paroles and Pardons Administrator Tommy Johnson has returned to his old job after being temporarily reassigned for nearly six months during an internal investigation by the state Department of Public Safety. Star-Advertiser.

Nearly half of Hawaii could be affected by data breach. The state is currently investigating the massive Equifax data breach that could impact many island residents for months, or even years to come. KITV.

Oahu

More than 100 scientists joined a two-week marine life survey of Kaneohe Bay and discovered hundreds of new species and what appears to be the beginnings of an aggressive algae invasion. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Department of Education did not discriminate against an autistic preschool student who was placed in a specialized chair and fastened with a seat belt during school hours, a federal jury decided Monday. Civil Beat.

This Saturday members of the Honolulu City Council are holding a meeting to hear from you and what you think of a proposal requiring older high-rises to install fire sprinkler systems. KHON2.

Kamaile Academy, a public charter school located on Oahu's Waianae Coast, is expected to save an estimated $1.2 million over the next 20 years after installing a rooftop solar photovoltaic system. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu is using heavy equipment to remove the sand plug at the mouth of Kaelepulu Stream at Kailua Beach Park from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. this week. Star-Advertiser.

A proposed 41-story mixed-use residential building at Makaloa and Keeaumoku streets is the latest Ala Moana-area project to seek approval from the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

DOT says contractor will fix problems after reports of steel plates damaging cars. KHON2.

Lawyers representing Gary Galiher’s estate and former employees and associates of Galiher DeRobertis Waxman have reached a settlement in their dispute over the Galiher law corporation’s client files, trade secrets and intellectual property. Star-Advertiser.

What started two years ago as an offshoot at the Cheeseburger Waikiki restaurant to brew and serve beer is about to become a major producer and distributor of local canned craft brews. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island DACA recipients worry about future after Trump ends program. Tribune-Herald.

Homeless land deal nearly secure. Hawaii County is closing in on a deal with the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation that would secure 15-20 acres of state-owned land to serve as a permanent relocation site for Kona’s homeless overflow, which worsened after nearly 70 individuals were told to vacate Old Airport Park early last month. West Hawaii Today.

The Food Basket, Hawaii Island’s food bank, announced the appointment of Kristin Frost Albrecht as interim executive director, succeeding Executive Director En Young, who recently resigned. Tribune-Herald.

The latest participants in a Mars simulation study on Mauna Loa will end eight months of isolation Sunday as they venture out of their small dome for the first time without donning spacesuits. Tribune-Herald.

Maui


The Maui County Liquor Control Commission is poised to address several hot-button issues today, including streamlining single-event liquor license applications for nonprofits and conducting its first review and evaluation of Liquor Director Glenn Mukai. Maui News.

Today marks the one year anniversary of the historic flood at Iao Valley.  Officials say it cost Maui County $2 million to clean out the debris basin and to make repairs to the flood control area last year. Maui Now.

It’s been exactly one year since major flooding ravaged Iao Valley State Monument on Maui, and crews are still working on completing repairs. Hawaii News Now.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources hopes to restore restrooms — which have been closed for nearly a decade — at Iao Valley State Monument, officials said Tuesday at the Velma McWayne Santos Community Center in Wailuku. Maui News.

Kauai

The state has completed its final round of rat-killing pellet bombing at Lehua Island as it awaits test results on what caused the recent deaths of dozens of fish and two birds. Star-Advertiser.

The last aerial drop of rodenticide-laced bait pellets onto Lehua Island was completed Tuesday, and with it the state is hailing a successfully completed operation. Garden Island.

The state is planning upgrades to the drainage system and roadways at Nawiliwili Harbor, and the draft plan is available for public comment. Garden Island.

Molokai

Beginning Sept. 15th, Hawaiian Airlines will temporarily suspend its direct flight from Molokai to Maui while its aircraft undergoes maintenance. The news is leaving some residents on the Friendly Isle on edge. Hawaii News Now.

Jobs, not multimillion-dollar homes — that’s what state Rep. Lynn DeCoite of Molokai wants to see from whomever plans to buy the 55,575 acres up for sale on her home island. Maui News.

Gay marriage, abortion top Hawaii's 2nd Congressional debate; Honolulu requires protest permits; embattled Hawaii County Elections Office ready for the primary; geothermal, GASB bills nixed; Kauai smoking ban smolders, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

2nd Congressional debate, courtesy Hawaii News Now

Social issues like abortion and gay marriage came up early and often during the first widely televised debate in the 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary Thursday night. Civil Beat.

The four major candidates in the Democratic primary for Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District exchanged barbs during a feisty 90-minute debate Thursday night that touched on issues from their views on same-sex marriage to their ranges of political experience. Star-Advertiser.

Four of the candidates in the Democratic party primary for Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District squared off in a 90-minute debate on Hawaii News Now. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard, former Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann, legislative aide Esther Kia'aina  and Big Island lawyer Bob Marx say they have what it takes to represent rural Oahu and the neighboring islands. KITV4.

Lingle Tops Hirono in Fundraising; Poll Wars; TV: Dems Debate, Republicans Left Out. Hawaii Reporter.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has instituted a new policy for his appointees this election year: they have to take vacation or unpaid leave if they're running for office. Hawaii News Now.

The reform of Hawaii's charter school system got underway Thursday as Karen Street, a human resources executive, was chosen as chairwoman of the commission that will oversee the schools, and plans were announced to hire a national organization to help implement the new law. Star-Advertiser.

Experiences on the mainland, along with evaluations of Hawaii election procedures, suggest several types of legal and procedural changes that would be likely to bolster voter registration and election turnout, although studies suggest the overall impact may be modest at best. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority will focus on building momentum in the recovery of the local tourism industry during its annual Hawaii Tourism Conference, which will be Aug. 23-24 at the Hawaii Convention Center. Pacific Business News.

Computer generated data is expected to grow by 50 times by 2020.   Storing and managing this information was covered during this year’s Asia-Pacific International Management Conference in Honolulu. Hawaii Public Radio.

State roundup for July 12. Associated Press.

Oahu

Honolulu mayoral candidate Kirk Caldwell received $511,404 in campaign donations from January through June, nearly $400,000 less than fellow challenger Ben Cayetano, according to campaign figures released today. Hawaii Reporter.

As many as six more University of Hawaii officials in different departments could find their roles in the botched Stevie Wonder fundraising concert under review following the suspensions of UH's athletic director and Stan Sheriff arena manager this week. Star-Advertiser.

People holding a protest or other "expressive activity" in a city park would be required to obtain a permit, under a bill approved Wednesday by the Honolulu City Council. The bill, supported by the American Civil Liberties Union Hawaii chapter, was prompted by a court order. Star-Advertiser.

Two Honolulu City Councilmen are calling on the Mayor to make sure money is found to restore bus service after recent cutbacks. KHON2.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Mayor Peter Carlisle are working together to decide on the future of the historic Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial. KITV4.

Hawaii

More Hawaii County voters are expected to vote by mail this election, but early walk-in voting will be limited to three locations, and three small precincts won’t have a polling place at all, under changes instituted this year by the county Elections Office. West Hawaii Today.

The person in charge of elections on the Big Island said today that the voting process is on track. Big Island Now.

A pair of bills relating to geothermal energy have died on Mayor Billy Kenoi’s desk, unless the County Council can engineer an override of the veto. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Billy Kenoi vetoed a bill that would have required the county to make payments into a county retiree benefits account and denounced it as being “fiscally irresponsible.” Tribune-Herald.

The three candidates for County Prosecuting Attorney faced off last night at a political forum in Hilo. KPUA.

Maui

Several hundred Maui residents have signed a petition asking the county's liquor commission to again prohibit patrons from bringing their own wine into restaurants. Maui News.

Three months after Maui's liquor commissioners tossed a plan to shut down late-night entertainment in the Kihei Kalama Village, the department says it's seeing positive changes. Maui News.

Costco Wholesale on Maui opened a gas station this morning, selling regular unleaded gas at $3.99 and premium for $4.19 for a gallon. Maui Now.

Kauai

A bill that would allow outlaw tobacco products at county parks and designate the parks’ parking lots as smoking areas seemed poised to fly through second and final reading Wednesday at the Kaua‘i County Council meeting. Instead, the council decided to put more work into the bill. Garden Island.

After much controversy earlier this year, when Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. put Kaua‘i Police Department Chief Darryl Perry on leave, voters will not decide whether the mayor or the Police Commission has such powers over the police chief. Garden Island.

Lihu‘e Public Library will be closing for extensive renovation starting this fall. Garden Island.