Hawaii mulls water-powered jetpack rules, audit finds schools overcounting students, Dems bicker over marriage amendment, Ed Case leaves politics, Lanai likes Ellison, Ala Wai sewer pipe coming out, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

water-powered jetpack, photo courtesy boatbloggings

The Department of Land and Natural Resources is holding a public meeting this week to discuss possible state rules for water-powered jet packs. The department says it called the meeting in response to public concerns about the jet packs, which can appear to make people fly over water. Associated Press.

A recent internal audit by the Hawaii Department of Education finds that schools are exaggerating their enrollment counts. That's a serious issue because it skews how the state distributes the funding among the schools and ultimately reduces how much money schools receive for staffing and equipment. Civil Beat.

Some state House and Senate Democrats have asserted legislative immunity against accusations they violated the Demo­cratic Party of Hawaii's platform on equal rights by proposing a constitutional amendment on traditional marriage. The lawmakers say they were acting within their official legislative duties when they introduced or co-sponsored bills last session that would let voters decide whether marriage should be reserved for heterosexual couples. Star-Advertiser.

More than 13,000 Hawaii property owners — including businesses, owners of vacation homes, and those whose properties have had major problems with flooding could see their annual federal flood insurance premiums climb by 25 percent before the end of the year.  Civil Beat.

Former U.S. Rep. Ed Case is joining Outrigger Enterprises Group as senior vice president and chief legal officer later this month, and said Friday that he will no longer seek political office as long as he is with the Hawaii-based hotel chain. Pacific Business News.

POW/MIA recovery unit defended in wake of critical internal report. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines said Friday that its flight from Taipei to Honolulu this weekend has been delayed once more because of Typhoon Soulik, which made landfall in Taiwan before turning toward China. Pacific Business News.

State Sen. Glenn Wakai is serving as the Republic of Palau's honorary consul to Hawaii. Associated Press.

A Kaneohe Bay boating enthusiast is floating a proposal to have Hawaii's harbor masters and agents on duty when he says they're most needed: on the weekends. Star-Advertiser.

A new mobile application helps the public locate electric vehicle charging stations in Hawaii. Associated Press.

State roundup for July 15. Associated Press.

Oahu

Crews are scheduled to begin work to remove a 5,000 foot long pipe from the Ala Wai Canal on Monday. Hawaii News Now.

The ‘Ewa Development Plan is based on a more-than-thirty-year-old vision of a “second-city;” a new urban center in Kapolei and the ‘Ewa plains – long before “sustainability,” “urban sprawl” and “food security” were terms on people’s lips. Hawaii Independent.

Jeffrey Mahon, who has worked as a curator at underwater facilities and aquariums in Asia and the Mainland, has been named director of the Honolulu Zoo, Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced Friday. Pacific Business News.

Looking to get space for those with green thumbs in Honolulu. A dig for more community gardens is underway KITV4.

Hundreds of families came out to Kualoa Ranch this weekend to enjoy the Hawaii State Farm Fair. KHON2.

Hawaii

Construction is booming at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County Council Chairman J Yoshimoto has given the Food Basket Inc. a deadline to account for how it spent almost $200,000 in county disaster funds. West Hawaii Today.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has not forgotten about a game management plan drafted for Hawaii County three years ago but never enacted, says the agency’s Forestry and Wildlife chief. Tribune-Herald.

Three years after a Mountain View hunter was critically injured in an accidental shooting on private property in Keaau, illegal hunting remains a big problem according to landowners and law enforcement authorities. Tribune-Herald.

Maui
The Public Utilities Commission is taking a close look at tying together the power grids of Maui and Oahu with a two-way flow of energy. The commission's decision to open "an investigation to determine whether an Oahu-Maui Interisland Transmission System is in the public interest" was one of several key rulings made Thursday that could affect power acquisition and transmission in Maui County and Oahu. Maui News.

First Wind, the renewable energy company that operates the Kaheawa Wind farms above Māʻalaea on Maui, unveiled a newly constructed bird enclosure on Thursday. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Kauai Police Department is near full-strength with the graduation of its 83rd Police Recruit Class on Friday. Garden Island.

Tuesday will offer an opportunity for local residents to view new footage of Hawaiian monk seals in their natural habitat. Garden Island.

Charles Roessler still remembers purchasing his 3-acre piece of agriculture land on Kuawa Road in 1977 shortly after Big Five sugar cane giant C. Brewer sold off much of their land in Kilauea. Garden Island.

Lanai

So far, Lanai residents give billionaire Larry Ellison a thumbs up for the improvements and changes he has brought to the island since buying the vast majority of it a year ago. Maui News.

Although most of Larry Ellison's plans will probably take years to reach fruition, the man who owns the vast majority of Lanai has already taken some concrete steps by beginning work on a desalination plant on the island's dry southern end. Maui News.

Neighbor Island newspapers endorse Case for U.S. Senate, Honolulu voters oppose rail, Big Island elections office in cross-hairs, Marines won't up training on Molokai, teachers squabble over contract, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ed Case, Audrey Case (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

West Hawaii Today endorses Ed Case for U.S. Senate. West Hawaii Today.

Maui News endorses Ed Case for U.S. Senate. Maui News.

Mazie Hirono

Voters on five islands will be able to cast ballots before the Aug. 11 primary election at walk-in voting sites that open today. Star-Advertiser.

Former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann holds a 43 percent-to-33 percent lead over City Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard in the Demo­cratic primary for the U.S. House 2nd District seat, the latest Hawaii Poll shows. Star-Advertiser.

With less than two weeks before the primary election, the poll results are in for both congressional districts of the U.S. House. Hawaii News Now.

Call them Generation Dan — a crop of leaders that have been waiting in the wings until either Daniel K. Inouye or Daniel Akaka leave office. Civil Beat.

Wednesday is the last day for noncandidate committees and corporations to file their fundraising and expenditure reports covering the first seven months of 2012. Civil Beat.

The chairman of Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s political campaign is running a “public-private partnership” with Abercrombie’s office that is soliciting $1.3 million from health care companies for what the governor calls the “Hawaii Healthcare Transformation Initiative.” Hawaii Reporter.

A Hawaii island kiawe forest, a Wai­ma­nalo golf course and farmland on the Ewa Plain are the first pursuits of a quasi-public state agency created last year to optimize the use of state lands and revenue from them. Star-Advertiser.

The new school year starts on Monday and teachers will be heading back to their classrooms without a new contract. Hawaii News Now.

Chief negotiator Neil Dietz delivered another rejection to Hawaii State Teachers Association President Wil Okabe in a letter Wednesday. Civil Beat.

The state is proposing to overhaul its accountability system for schools, putting less weight on the results of a single annual test and instead using multiple measures — from the year-to-year academic growth of students to graduation rates — to determine how schools are progressing. Star-Advertiser.

State lawmakers gave the Board of Education a direct order last year: Monitor the Hawaii Department of Education for compliance with rules governing bullying and establish reporting requirements. Civil Beat.

A controversial new rule that requires boat operators to complete a safety course to operate power-driven vessels in state waters was approved Friday by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Maui News.

Groups focused on climate change say the knowledge of ancient cultures and indigenous people needs to be included, to provide the greatest opportunities for adaptation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu
Despite extensive election-year advertising and campaigning to convince the public of the benefits of the $5.26 billion Hono­lulu rail project, only 44 percent of Oahu residents believe work on it should continue, according to a new Hawaii Poll. Star-Advertiser.

The campaign for Honolulu mayor appears to be a race for second place, with former Gov. Ben Cayetano a clear favorite heading into the Aug. 11 primary, according to a new Hawaii Poll. Star-Advertiser.

A Windward Oahu primary election race could turn out to be a referendum on the Demo­cratic leadership of the state House. Star-Advertiser.

Huge cranes dominate the skyline of the University of Hawaii at Manoa this summer as the campus undergoes $137.5 million worth of construction and renovation. Star-Advertiser.

Nevada-based Blue Earth Inc. has acquired the rights to a 497-kilowatt solar farm in West Oahu. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu says contractors will perform archaeological studies this week near Pearl Harbor, the airport, and Kakaako.Associated Press.

State and federal officials plan to meet residents to discuss upcoming plans to clean up former sugar plantation soil in what is now a Kauai residential neighborhood. Associated Press.

An underground sewer tunnel the city is proposing to build in Windward Oahu is facing some stiff opposition. KHON2.

Hawaii

Hawaii County Clerk Jamae Kawauchi has asked the state Attorney General’s Office to help sort out apparent discrepancies in the county voter registration database. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County Council Chair Dominic Yagong defended the County Clerk's actions following concerns about apparent discrepancies in voter registration rolls. KITV4.

In this election, Big Island voters will decide which direction the Hawaii County mayor will take over the next four years. Tribune-Herald.

Of the three lawyers running to be county prosecutor, one describes himself as “the law-and-order candidate,” another as “a community-oriented prosecutor,” while the third said he was blessed with “the spiritual gift of discernment.” Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The county Board of Variances & Appeals on Friday dismissed an appeal of Maui County's issuance of grading permits for the planned Maui Outlets and Piilani Promenade shopping complexes in Kihei. Maui News.

Kauai

There were significantly more Japan and Canada visitor arrivals to Kaua‘i this June than last June and they, along with all other visitors, spent considerably more on the island than last June. Garden Island.

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation has budgeted more than $136 million for Kaua‘i roads. Garden Island.

Molokai

After receiving opposition from residents as well as state and federal agencies, the U.S. Marine Corps says it won’t increase training activity in the Kalaupapa settlement. Molokai Dispatch.

Hawaii could ban Kona spearfishing, boaters fight licenses, Democrats sue to keep Thielen off the ballot, Pro Bowl returns, Honolulu firefighters fight over mayoral endorsement, bed and breakfasts to be limited on Molokai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ornate butterflyfish (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

West Hawaii’s shores could soon be the first in the state to become off limits to scuba spearfishing. Tribune-Herald.

50 Oahu boaters gathered in Aiea for the first of five public hearings on whether boaters should have a safety certificate or license. But the idea didn't go over well. KHON2.

A proposed rule requiring power boat operators to complete a boating safety course faced fierce opposition Wednesday at a packed meeting at the Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club at Honokohau Harbor. West Hawaii Today.

Laura Thielen

State Democrats have authorized the party to file a legal challenge to prevent Laura Thielen, a director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources under former Gov. Linda Lingle, from running for the state Senate as a Democrat. Star-Advertiser.

Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, filed her nomination papers today for the U.S. Senate race. She's taking on former Congressman Ed Case in the primary, and if successful, will be pitted against former Gov. Linda Lingle or former State Senator John Carroll. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii needs to move away from identity politics, says a former Congressman now vying for the Democratic Party’s U.S. Senate nomination. West Hawaii Today.

The National Football League has given its embattled Pro Bowl a one-year reprieve for 2013, challenging its players and Hawaii to demonstrate how the 73-year-old all-star game can be made viable for the future. Star-Advertiser.

The National Football League said Wednesday that the 2013 Pro Bowl will be played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, and league officials said they were working with the players to make the game more competitive. Pacific Business News.

Nearly a year after Gov. Neil Abercrombie equated a $4 million fee to keep the NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii to a "bribe," the governor has changed his tune. KITV4.

In 2011, 26 Hawaii non-profits received needed dollars and cents from the NFL Charities Pro Bowl Grant Program. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu officials abandoned a bus rapid transit system nearly a decade ago after public support waned and a new mayor took office. Civil Beat.

Honolulu's job market is improving, but at a slower pace than in the best-performing mainland cities, according to a report released Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

A rift between organizations representing firefighters and former firefighters widened Wednesday with Honolulu Fire Chief Kenneth Silva joining the finger-pointing. Star-Advertiser.

Firefighter retirees and union membership are at odds over endorsement of Ben Cayetano in Honolulu mayoral race. Civil Beat.

Retired Fire Chief Says Since Political Endorsement of Cayetano for Mayor, He's Received Threats, Retaliation; Current Chief Denies Tie. Hawaii Reporter.

Former teamsters leader Mel Kahele filed papers to run for the Honolulu City Council spot currently held by Tom Berg. KHON2.

The Honolulu Museum of Art received a 346-thousand dollar check from the State today for investing in an energy efficient cooling and ventilation system. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii

The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii is under fire from the state auditor's office for poor management and lack of transparency. Civil Beat.

Administrators restricted access to Kona Community Hospital Wednesday morning after receiving a threat. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

A Regional Haze Implementation plan for Hawaii will be the focus of discussion during a public hearing on Maui tomorrow (Thursday, May 31, 2012) hosted by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Maui Now.

South Maui residents worried about extra traffic and potential development blurring the boundary between Kihei and Kahului urged Maui County Council members Monday to resist the inclusion of several hundred acres of land in Puunene in the urban growth boundaries of the draft Maui Island Plan. Maui News.

A meeting tonight in Lahaina called by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will help shape the restoration of Moku'ula, a political and spiritual center of Hawaii and home of ancient chiefs. Maui News.

Governor Neil Abercrombie announced the release of $250,000 for the planning and design of a community center on two acres of land in Nahiku on Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Hanalei Watershed Hui is inviting the public to a  June 6 meeting to address what is going on with Hanalei Bay Watershed. In addition, the hui is reminding the public the Hanalei Watershed Management Plan is ready for review and comment. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i beekeepers could sleep in peace, knowing the Garden Isle is the only major Hawaiian island free of the small hive beetle, a serious pest to honeybees. Until last week. Garden Island.

Molokai

A bill was signed into law last week that establishes new regulations for short-term rentals, also known as transient vacation rentals, in Maui County. Molokai Dispatch.

Hawaii governor, teachers closer to deal, OHA wants secrecy, boat rules, building codes disputed, Maui public housing pricy, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy photo

Hawaii is receiving $1.5 million in federal grants to support the protection of threatened and endangered species. Associated Press.

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono and former congressman Ed Case are familiar figures in Hawaii politics, but in their Democratic primary for U.S. Senate they will ask voters to judge them not only by their pasts, but by their potential to lead Hawaii's congressional delegation for the next few decades. Star-Advertiser.

It's hardly viral — just a scant 47 views to its name as of early Sunday evening — but a YouTube video of Gov. Neil Abercrombie speaking with a small group of Kauai teachers on Saturday may offer a bit of hope that the governor and the Hawaii State Teachers Association could return to the negotiation table sometime soon. Star-Advertiser.

Who was in charge when collective bargaining for Hawaii teachers' contract fell apart this summer?  Civil Beat.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Takes Second Shot at Claiming Its Employees Aren't Public Civil Beat.

Fee increases and new safety requirements for state small boat harbors users are back on the table. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii commercial fishermen forced to abide by a government catch quota say they face another potential threat to their livelihood — the relocation of monk seals from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to the main Hawaiian Islands. Star-Advertiser.

As children settle into their classrooms to learn fractions, decimals and long division, public school administrators also will be doing some number crunching. Maui News.

Taking tests does not have to be the bane of students’ lives – in fact, a new program on Molokai may show that regular assessment tests can help students learn more efficiently. Molokai Dispatch.

Oahu

Disney's Aulani Resort grand opening on Monday. Hawaii News Now.

New name and new management for Waikiki hotel. KHON2.

Researchers at the University of Hawaii are celebrating a breakthrough discovery that could lead to the prevention of at least two types of cancer in certain people. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Council to meet Wednesday to discuss fuel tax, electrical and gas projects. Hawaii Independent.

We hear a lot about the homeless and prostitutes on the streets in Waikiki, but strolling down Kalakaua any given evening, those folk are outnumbered by artists and musicians.Hawaii Public Radio.

Hundreds came out to the Hawaii Convention Center to get an education on energy saving, sustainable living or just to see the latest trends in home remodeling. KITV4.

The Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific has been selected as one of 10 rehabilitation hospitals to partner with Berkeley Bionics to conduct trials on eLEGS Pro, a wearable, battery-powered exoskeleton that enables wheelchair users to stand and walk. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

A sobering new study of America's national parks rates Hawaii Volcanoes National Park "poor" in natural resources and only "fair" in cultural resources. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island presents fairly extensive challenges to a high-speed Internet infrastructure improvement initiative launched by the governor last week. Tribune-Herald.

Convincing the County Council to rethink its approval of new building standards has given bill opponents hope that hurricane-resistant designs and other costly requirements won't be made mandatory. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

After months of testimony and written arguments on the proposed Kula Ridge development, state Land Use Commissioners said Friday they expect to be ready to make a decision on the project by November. Maui News.

With rents at the state’s Honokowai Kauhale affordable housing project on Maui starting at $1,000 per month, 49 apartments that have been vacant for at least the past 12 months cost the state a minimum of $588,000 in annual gross income. Hawaii Reporter.

Kauai

Kapaia bridge towers to be stabilized. Garden Island.

The Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday extended a hand to Japan’s Iwaki City, honoring a request from Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. to make the city ravaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami the Garden Island’s 15th sister city. Garden Island.

Live-aboards hit with stiff rent increase, surfboard chomped by shark, coral regrowing in harbor, U.S. Justice looking at Star-Bulletin bids, more news

Boaters living on their vessels at Ala Wai and Ke'ehi small boat harbors are facing a more than 330 percent increase in rent, forcing many of them to rethink their living options.

An estimated 14-foot-long tiger shark chomped the tail end off a local surfer's board yesterday afternoon in Hanalei Bay, witnesses said.

Bids to buy the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, including several that involve assets not for sale, are being reviewed by the U.S. Justice Department, according to sources familiar with the deal.

Voters will decide this fall whether to give the state Legislature the power to divert money intended for tax rebates to help finance a "rainy day fund" for economic emergencies.

The world’s largest real estate services firm says retail vacancies in Hawaii are at a four year high. CB Richard Ellis said vacancies rose 1.1 percent in the past year.

No shopping carts, and no tents without a permit - that's the ban Honolulu police started enforcing on Monday at Oahu city parks.

Officials at Waters of Life Public Charter School hope summer classes will help bring to a close a difficult chapter for the school.

Fire gutted three classrooms in "G" Building at Kahului Elementary School early Sunday, forcing officials to scramble for space and supplies to allow displaced teachers and students to hold classes today.

Where once coral was destroyed to build a harbor, it has regrown, presenting a new environmental obstacle to its expansion.

Hawaii County administration argued against yet another County Council attempt to address infrastructure inadequacies, claiming a policy is in place to deal with those problems.