Democrats flock to the polls for Sanders, Army reorganization could affect Hawaii, initial rail route cut by 10 miles, airline seats, DUIs on Legislature's agenda, Maui battles for new school, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Democrats crowd Pahoa polling place Saturday as Sanders takes Hawaii, photo by K.T. Cannon-Eger

Democratic voters who were both buoyed — and discouraged — by this year’s presidential hopefuls from both parties packed polling sites Saturday, hoping to influence the outcome of the November general elections. Star-Advertiser.

Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders scored a stunning victory over Hillary Clinton in Hawaii Democrats’ presidential preference poll Saturday, mobilizing a grass-roots campaign that signed up thousands of new Democrats and defied the wishes of almost the entire “old guard” of the party. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s Democrats have spoken, and they much, much prefer Bernie Sanders to Hillary Clinton in the presidential election. Sanders, the Vermont senator, defeated Clinton, the former secretary of state, 70 percent to 30 percent in the state’s presidential preference poll Saturday, with 100 percent of all precincts reporting. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers will return from long holiday weekend and tackle a slew of resolutions and bills in committee hearings. They'll take up a resolution about driving under the influence of marijuana. And another resolution asks the federal government to set limits on how small airline seats can get. Associated Press.

NextEra Deal: What Happens If The PUC Loses A Member? PUC commissioner Mike Champley could be off the board on June 30. That puts a new card in Gov. David Ige’s hand. Civil Beat.

As laid out by the Army, the Army Reserve’s 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, headquartered in Hawaii, could lose some autonomy — and possibly its famed liberty torch shoulder patch — in its alignment with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team at Schofield Barracks. Star-Advertiser.

Both the Hawaii House and Senate have passed their own version of bills that would ban the sale of certain wildlife parts, including elephant ivory, rhinoceros horn and shark. The bills include some exemptions, including for the age of the ivory and cultural uses. Associated Press.

A top Hawaii lawmaker is delaying a public-records request because of a dispute that could hold up similar requests for years. The outcome will likely determine whether legislators may withhold emails, calendars and other information from the public, which watchdog groups see as crucial to government accountability.  Associated Press.

Oahu

Local rail officials have decided that for the opening of the transit system, they won’t extend the route to Middle Street after all. Star-Advertiser.

City Council Chairman Ernie Martin and at least two other Council members want to mimic Seattle-style public showers and tent cities across Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Both the city administration and the nonprofit Honolulu Zoo Society need to do more to ensure the longevity of the zoo, particularly providing more stable funding, current and former elected officials insist. Star-Advertiser.

Health officials are reminding Hawaii residents to get rid of mosquito-breeding grounds as the state Department of Health investigates whether four reports of travel-related mosquito-borne illness on Oahu could be the Zika virus, dengue fever or chikungunya. Associated Press.

Hawaii

The projects are being built and soon the bill will come due. A big bond sale last month by term-limited Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi and the County Council will leave the next administration with a heck of a tab to pay. West Hawaii Today.

Three bills signed by the late state Sen. Gil Kahele hours before his death this past January, are moving full steam ahead through the House. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County is moving forward with modified plans to improve Kukuihaele Park. A final environmental assessment was released Wednesday for the North Hawaii project. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii Community College in Hilo announced its final four candidates for chancellor this week. The four candidates are Larry Buckey, Micheal Glisson, Anthony Munroe and Rachel Solemsass. Pacific Business News.

The public will get a chance next week to hear from four newly selected finalists vying to be Hawaii Community College’s next chancellor. Tribune-Herald.

About 2,412 more people resided in Hawaii County in 2015 than the year prior, newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau show. The bureau reports Hawaii Island’s population at 196,428 as of July 1, 2015, up from 194,016 the same day in 2014. That’s roughly a 1.2 percent yearly growth rate, or about a seven-person increase each day. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The County Council budget committee chairman Thursday announced a slate of countywide meetings on Mayor Alan Arakawa's proposed $711.5 million budget while expressing concerns about its 14.6 percent spending increase over the current fiscal year and the assumptions on the county's take of the hotel room tax. Maui News.

Citing a Legislative Reference Bureau report showing declining enrollment at Maui High School beginning in the 2018-19 academic year, state Rep. Bob McDermott of Oahu says a new Kihei high school is not needed and that state funding should go toward building a new high school in West Oahu, which is "exploding in growth." Maui News.

Permit application requests Baldwin estate to become grand vacation rental. The former Baldwin estate in Haiku has a long history as well as a botanical garden with a collection of rare species of tropical trees collected from around the world. Maui News.

Kauai

Mix seasonal changes with chronic erosion, dash in some global warming, coral death and rise in sea level, and top all of that with one mean El Nino year — and you’ve got a cocktail of challenges for Kauai’s coastline. Garden Island.

On Sunday, the debris clogging the Morgan’s Ponds swimming pond and adjacent keiki pond kept people on land. Garden Island.

Lanai

A roughly 20-year dispute over whether a luxury resort golf course on Lanai is improperly tapping the island’s stressed drinking water supply appears headed back to the state Land Use Commission after a court ruling last week. Star-Advertiser.

Visitor arrivals up but spending down, outsiders buy big percentage of Hawaii homes, hearings begin on NextEra sale of Hawaiian Electric, Kauai tackles B&Bs, more government and political news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kona luau at sunset © 2015 All Hawaii News

Visitor arrivals hit their eighth consecutive monthly record in October, but year-over-year spending fell because visitors generally spent less per day and on each trip. Total arrivals to the Hawaiian Islands grew 4.8 percent to 692,930 visitors in October, according to preliminary statistics released Monday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Star-Advertiser.

The number of travelers to Hawaii climbed 4.8 percent last month compared to the same month last year. The Hawaii Tourism Authority said Monday more than 690,000 visitors came to the islands in October. Associated Press.

The Public Utilities Commission and the state Consumer Advocate pressed Hawaiian Electric Co.’s chief executive Monday on the potential costs ratepayers could shoulder if Florida-based NextEra Energy Inc. buys the utility. Star-Advertiser.

A crucial stage of deliberations over the proposed $4.3 billion merger of NextEra Energy and Hawaiian Electric Industries began with a surprise announcement Monday. The U.S. Department of Defense, a huge consumer of electricity in the state, is seeking to withdraw from its intervenor status in the case, saying it is satisfied that the merger would be in the best interest of ratepayers. Civil Beat.

NextEra Energy Inc. has no plans to place Hawaiian Electric Co. executives or other Hawaii-based officials on its board of directors if its $4.3 billion acquisition of the Honolulu-based utility to the Florida energy giant goes through. Civil Beat.

The Hawai’i Public Utilities Commission started nearly two weeks of hearings today on the proposed sale of the state’s largest electricity provider. Hawaii Public Radio.

Groups in support and opposition of NextEra Energy Inc.’s proposed purchase of Hawaiian Electric Industries rallied around the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Monday morning as state regulators began the trial-like hearings to investigate whether the $4.3 billion sale is in the public interest. Star-Advertiser.

The first day of hearings in the proposed acquisition of Hawaii’s electric utilities consisted of questioning of Hawaiian Electric Co. President and CEO Alan Oshima. Tribune-Herald.

The monthlong Hawaiians-only election that was to end Monday has been extended three weeks. Nai Aupuni, the organization that is holding the election — one that could lead to a path toward Native Hawaiian self-governance — took the action three days after a court injunction halted any counting of the votes. Civil Beat.

A Supreme Court order halting the counting of ballots in an election for Native Hawaiian sovereignty has prompted an extension of the voting period by another three weeks. Garden Island.

The Board of Education is holding a “charter school listening tour” and exploring the possibility of creating additional charter school authorizers, after complaints from school leaders about a state commission created three years ago to improve charter accountability. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Health Connector will end operations on Friday instead of today as originally expected, a state official said Monday. Star-Advertiser.

State computers crashed on Cyber Monday, but apparently it wasn’t because too many workers were searching the Internet for bargains. State Chief Information Officer Todd Nacapuy said the state’s mainframe was down because of a power failure caused during routine maintenance to the system’s backup power supply. Star-Advertiser.

The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism released its first report on Hawaiʻi home buyers, saying about 47% of neighbor island homes were sold to out-of-state residents, while only 15% of Oʻahu homes were sold to out-of-state residents. Maui Now.

Oahu

City officials said Monday they are taking steps to ensure essential services to 35 residents of Mapele Road after heavy rain washed away a section of the roadway, making it impossible for refuse and fire trucks to pass. Star-Advertiser.

As the number of Dengue Fever cases rose to 112 Mayor Kirk Caldwell held a news conference this morning to discuss what the city is doing to prevent a potential  outbreak on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Even though work on the Honolulu rail will continue through the holidays, drivers will be getting some traffic relief in just a few days. Rail officials say crews will still be working on the 20-mile rail line, but there won't be any major lane closures from Dec. 11 through Jan. 3, 2016. Hawaii News Now.

Walgreens has sold its flagship Hawaii store across from Ala Moana Center in Honolulu, along with the adjacent Heald College Building on Kapiolani Boulevard, to Los Angeles-based investment bank and wealth management firm Salem Partners for a total of $73.5 million. Pacific Business News.

Hawaiian Airlines on Monday announced plans to begin daily nonstop service between Narita International Airport (NRT) and Honolulu International Airport starting July 22, 2016. Narita marks the airline’s 11th international destination and its fourth destination in Japan. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii

Hawaii County officials say they can save taxpayers $12.3 million by refinancing $270.2 million in bonds. West Hawaii Today.

Confirmed dengue fever cases continue to rise on the Big Island more than one month after state health officials first confirmed the presence of the mosquito-borne virus. West Hawaii Today.

The total number of confirmed cases of locally acquired dengue fever on Hawaii Island is now 112. The rise follows the long Thanksgiving weekend in which the reported case count held at 107. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Since 2008, more homes in Maui County were sold to people from the American mainland and foreign countries than to Hawaii residents, according to a state report. A new analysis from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism covers trends in Hawaii’s housing market from January 2008 through September 2015. Civil Beat.

The Maui County Council’s Water Resources Committee is scheduled to take up the old “Show me the water” law during their Dec. 2, 2015 meeting. According to a Nov. 27, 2015 press release from the Maui County Council’s media office, the reason is to discuss a new bill–introduced by Councilmember Mike Victorino–that would repeal the old law. MauiTime.

The public is invited to celebrate the long-awaited grand opening of the Upcountry Dog Park in Makawao on Saturday, Dec. 5, beginning at 9 a.m. Maui Now.

A demonstration on the eve of the Paris climate summit barred a group of Maui residents from delivering sections of a mile-long lei Sunday, but the group remains steadfast in its mission to spread aloha to those affected by the recent Paris terror attacks. Maui News.

Kauai
Should you be able to rent out part of your property as lodging for tourists, even if you don’t live within a designated Visitor Destination Area? That’s the question that will be discussed at the Kauai County Council meeting on Wednesday.  Garden Island.

Visitor spending on the Garden Isle is on the rise thanks to a 5 percent year-over-year growth in arrivals through October. Garden Island.

Sex education to be required in Hawaii public schools, DOE administrators get 4% raise, House speaker Souki files erroneous disclosure, three recommended for federal judge, Big Island council passes $99M bond issue, Honolulu rail station bids lower than expected, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honouliuli Internment Camp, courtesy National Park Service

Two Hawaii organizations are receiving National Park Service grants to help them share the history of sites where the federal government confined Japanese-Americans during World War II. Star-Advertiser.

Starting next year, public schools in Hawaii will be required to offer sex education to students — a big shift from the current policy that allows individual schools to decide whether to teach the subject. Civil Beat.

Sexual health education will now be mandatory for Hawaii public school students, under a revised sex education policy approved Tuesday by the Board of Education that expands a long-standing abstinence-based policy to include lessons on contraception, disease prevention and skills to help students make "healthy decisions" about sexuality and relationships. Star-Advertiser.

The state Department of Education's senior management team will receive 4 percent raises at the start of next month under a request approved Tuesday by the Board of Education. Star-Advertiser.

House Speaker Joe Souki this week denied reports that he more than doubled his investment in Hawaiian Electric Industries in late 2013, as top NextEra executives were readying their preliminary bid for the island utility. Civil Beat.

A former state attorney general, a federal prosecutor and a private attorney are being recommended for a federal judgeship in Hawaii. U.S. Sens. Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz recommended Tuesday that President Barack Obama consider former Attorney General David Louie, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Otake and private attorney Clare Connors to replace Chief Judge Susan Oki Mollway when she becomes a senior judge Nov. 6.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz have submitted to the White House the names of three nominees, including a former state attorney general, for the position of U.S. District Court judge for the District of Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

State lawmakers spent most of last session crafting rules for a medical marijuana dispensary system in Hawai‘i. And as Hawaii Public Radio's Molly Solomon reports, it has the potential to provide a growing market for entrepreneurs eager to set up shop.

Oahu

Honolulu's rail project officials saw lower-than-expected prices for the latest batch of stations to go out to bid, indicating that transit officials' attempts to curb at least some of the painful cost increases are paying off. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s $6 billion rail project received a slight dose of positive news Tuesday when officials opened bids for construction of three stations on the west side of Oahu. Civil Beat.

A measure allowing sparklers and fireworks fountains to become legal on New Year's Eve and the Fourth of July secured a vote of support from a key City Council committee Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu's fireworks ban sparked a heap of heated debate. Tuesday afternoon, the Honolulu City Council may have reignited the discussion by hearing a bill that would add more sparkle to celebrations. KITV4.

How Military Policies Drive Up Rents on Oahu. Service members who live off the base enjoy housing allowances that surpass fair market rental prices. That, real estate analysts say, helps push up rents. Civil Beat.

Hawaii News Now has uncovered troubling allegations that there's a cover-up underway by supervisors and managers at the Women's Community Correctional Center of an alleged assault by a guard on a woman prison inmate.

Hawaii

The Hawaii County Council, with very little comment, made quick work Tuesday unanimously passing a $99.75 million bond issue requested by Mayor Billy Kenoi. West Hawaii Today.

A nonbinding resolution in English and Hawaiian will soon be on its way to the Hawaii Legislature, asking the state to declare July 31 “La Hoihoi Ea,” or Restoration Day, in recognition of the day in 1843 that independence was restored to the Kingdom of Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

Peter Boylan, the high-profile spokesman of embattled Mayor Billy Kenoi, resigned after nine months on the job. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Objecting to a restriction that would limit spending in county departments to specific accounts, Mayor Alan Arakawa has issued a line-item veto of the measure in the Maui County Council's fiscal 2016 budget. Maui News.

Residents on Maui say they’re being overwhelmed by mosquitoes. KHON2.

Kauai

A University of Hawaii research organization is forecasting a slight decrease in visitor stay times and an increase in visitor arrivals for Kauai through 2017. Garden Island.

Friday is the deadline to submit a completed bed-and-breakfast (homestay) permit application if it includes a guesthouse. The Kauai County Council recently approved changes to the rules governing the B&B permit process; among the changes, permits will no longer be granted to B&B operators who use a separate guesthouse to provide accommodations. Mayor Bernhard Carvalho, Jr. has said he intends to sign the bill. Garden Island.

Audit slams Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii, Honolulu Council overrides mayor's homeless bill veto, micro units coming to Kakaako, Hawaii County advance $99.8M bond issue, Molokai to upgrade hotels, NASA launch a go, Maui police busted, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Homeless in Honolulu © 2015 All Hawaii News

The Honolulu City Council overrode Mayor Kirk Caldwell's veto of an expansion of the ban on lying and sitting on sidewalks to new areas outside of Waikiki and Chinatown Wednesday. Wednesday's 6-to-3 vote in favor of overriding the veto means homeless camps in Kalihi and near Aala Park may be torn down. But Caldwell is worried the new law is unconstitutional and could cost the city pricey legal fees. Hawaii News Now.

On Wednesday, Honolulu Council members voted 6-3 to override Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s recent veto of Bill 6. The measure expands the city’s so-called “sit-lie” ordinance,” which bans sitting and lying down on certain public sidewalks. The Council override makes the measure law. Star-Advertiser.

State auditors sharply criticized the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii for “complacency and weak planning” and failing to meet its broader mission to the state, in a report released Tuesday. RCUH, a public agency that operates independent of the university, was founded by the Legislature in the 1960s to help the university compete for research grants — in part by making the corporation exempt from a number of state procurement laws. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii National Guard is holding the largest disaster preparedness exercise in its history with more than 2,200 participants from multiple states responding to a simulated hurricane and other events across Oahu, Hawaii island, Maui and Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

How Island Appeal Adds to the Nation’s Highest Rents. When it comes to rents and real estate, the state's middle class can't compete with the endless pool of people who want to move here. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City Council members voted Wednesday to adopt a $2.3 billion operating budget that did not include funding for seven positions that Mayor Kirk Caldwell insists are crucial to providing housing for the homeless. Star-Advertiser.

The state’s first micro housing project in Kaka’ako with 300 square foot units received a green light today from the Hawai’i Community Development Authority. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Hawaii agency regulating development in the Honolulu neighborhood of Kakaako, has chosen New York’s Bronx Pro Group LLC to build a low-income rental project that will include smaller, efficient units such as micro-units. Pacific Business News.

The Hawaii Congressional delegation announced Wednesday that Honolulu International Airport will receive $16.5 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation. KHON2.

Repairs to the damaged dock of the USS Arizona Memorial have been taking longer than expected, which will delay the reopening of the Pearl Harbor landmark at least a day, the Navy and National Park Service said. Associated Press.

Navy and National Park Service officials say repairs to the damaged dock of the USS Arizona Memorial are taking longer than expected, which will delay the reopening of the Pearl Harbor landmark at least a day. Associated Press.

Just 22 percent of newly created jobs in urban Honolulu pay the local living wage of $23,480. That means we are 142nd on the list — just nine slots from the bottom. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

There’s going to be a whole lot of construction going on. The county is poised to increase its bond debt 28 percent to complete a flurry of improvements to parks, roads, sewers and garbage facilities following a unanimous vote Wednesday by the County Council. West Hawaii Today.

A mile-long, 60-acre swath of invasive albizia trees threatening power lines in Piihonua has been eradicated just in time for the start of hurricane season. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii County Fire Department this week is wrapping up a five-week training in which ocean safety officers are learning to use rescue watercraft — commonly called Jet Skis — to save lives here. Fire officials plan to have the watercraft deployed on two beaches — Hapuna and Pohoiki — in time for this summer’s hurricane season and the peak water recreation time. West Hawaii Today.

Residents of a little town 4,390 miles away have collected $17,586.55 to help the residents of lower Puna who were threatened by the recent lava flow. The Hawaii County Council on Wednesday accepted the money that was wire-transferred to county coffers by Mayor Masamichi Miyawaki of Yurihama Town, Tottori Prefecture, Japan. West Hawaii Today.

An unusually wet May helped make up for a dry start to the year on some parts of Hawaii Island. Three areas along the windward slopes of the Big Island, including Piihonua, Hakalau and Honokaa, recorded their highest May rainfall totals since 2006, according to data provided by Kevin Kodama, senior hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Honolulu. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A finding of no significant environmental impact has been issued for Lokahi Pacific's 16-unit Mokuhau affordable housing project. Maui News.

Two Maui Police personnel busted for DUI, flashing. MauiTime.

Maui police have initiated five cases connected to a Police Department employee who callers said was exposing himself in a vehicle in the Pukalani Terrace parking lot and in the Hannibal Tavares Community Center parking lot on Sunday. Star-Advertiser.

Albert Perez, one of the founders of Maui Tomorrow, has been selected as the organization's new executive director. Maui News.

The Maui Tomorrow Foundation has chosen Albert Perez to take over the environmental non-profit organization from Irene Bowie, who announced her retirement a couple months ago. MauiTime.

Kauai

Following two days of delays, NASA’s Low Density Supersonic Decelerator test flight has been cleared for launch Thursday at Kauai’s Pacific Missile Range Facility. Star-Advertiser.

The Kauai County Council finalized its $182.2 million budget on Wednesday without making any changes to the version that was previously approved in committee. The council also finished work on a controversial B&B permit bill, approved the long-debated Lihue Community Plan, and started work on a new proposal to help the county recoup some of the costs incurred from conducting search-and-rescue operations. Garden Island.

Molokai

Molokai Ranch is planning to redevelop and reopen two hotels it owns on the island, to help spur economic development on the Friendly Island, the mayor of Maui County, which includes Molokai. Pacific Business News.

Molokai’s historic Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove has stood for more than a century. However, recently residents have begun to notice the deteriorating health of the coconut trees. Scattered among the healthy palms are a number of dead trees, their tall trunks ending abruptly in leafless stubs. Not only are the lifeless trees an eyesore, but the cause of their death is an increasing concern within the community. Molokai Dispatch.
Lanai

The Maui County Council Planning Committee has made significant revisions to the Lanai Community Plan that members hope will assuage residents' concerns about development on the island owned by billionaire Larry Ellison. Maui News.

Court upholds Hawaii ban on contractors' campaign donations, Caldwell to veto Honolulu homeless bill, DuPont shutters Kauai facility, Kenoi touts $99M bond issue, Maui bus fare hikes cut, monk seal flown to Oahu to remove fish hook, rebuilding trust in police, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii police on parade © 2015 All Hawaii News

State lawmakers are hoping to rebuild public trust in the state's police departments by increasing state oversight and changing policies. But a number of bills that aimed to reform the law enforcement community died during the 2015 session. Associated Press.

A federal appeals court panel on Wednesday upheld Hawaii's ban on political donations by state and county contractors. The three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco also upheld the state's transparency laws allowing the public to "follow the money" in campaign contributions. Star-Advertiser.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Hawaii law that prohibits government contractors from giving political donations to state and county candidates, finding that the ban eliminates both actual and perceived corruption. Local electrical construction firm, A-1-A Lectrician, first challenged the law in 2010, saying the state’s campaign finance laws violated its First Amendment rights because it barred contractors from donating to candidates and lawmakers not directly overseeing contract awards and decisions. Civil Beat.

Emergency Money Made Easy, If You’re a Democratic Governor. David Ige, like Neil Abercrombie, had no problem securing funding from Hawaii lawmakers to get his new administration up and running — without providing detailed requests. That wasn't the case for Republican Linda Lingle. Civil Beat.

Leadership changes in the state senate will have a big impact on the next legislative session. The new president of the senate, Ron Kouchi, is an unusual leader in several ways, including the fact that he comes from a neighbor island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. David Ige’s public schedule is now available online, making it easier to keep tabs on where he’s going and who he’s seeing. His predecessor, former Gov. Neil Abercrombie, had provided a similar service in the form of weekly public calendars. But until now, tracking Ige’s whereabouts over the past six months since he took office had proven a bit challenging. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association says an election held last month for union leaders will not count because some teachers never got their ballots. So the state’s 13,500 public school teachers will have to vote all over again next month, and some, including the candidates, are not happy about it. KHON2.

U.S. Marines and sailors are demonstrating for military leaders from around the Pacific how to land troops on a beach. Associated Press.

The final vote to decide whether the University of Hawaii will divest from the fossil fuel industry will take place today. A “Yes” vote would make the UH System, with 53,000 total students, the largest university in the world to divest so far. Hawaii Independent.

Veterinarians with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Wednesday assessed a Hawaiian monk seal for a procedure to remove a fishhook it swallowed. Star-Advertiser.

An endangered Hawaiian monk seal was transported from Kauai to Oahu after the animal swallowed a fish hook. The Coast Guard said Wednesday crews working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration used an HC-130 Hercules airplane to move the injured seal to Oahu for medical treatment. Associated Press.

Hawaiian Airlines will end its service to Sendai, Japan, in September, citing low growth in the market. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Mayor Kirk Caldwell said he plans to veto an expansion of the sit-lie laws, which prohibit people from sitting or lying at specific times in areas of Waikiki, Chinatown and downtown that are zoned for commercial and business activities. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council members want Mayor Kirk Caldwell to consider the Hilo Hattie flagship store site in Iwilei as the location for a homeless transition shelter. Star-Advertiser.

An additional five properties along Oahu's future elevated transit line could be on track for full or partial seizures by eminent domain. The board overseeing the island's 20-mile, 21-station rail project will consider passing resolutions to start condemnation procedures for the latest properties during its regular meeting Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

A jetty off of Queen's Beach in Waikiki has become a popular spot for feeding fish. But some see a connection between the practice and recent shark sightings nearby. Hawaii News Now.

The Honolulu City Council is including funding in the City’s Budget to combat the growing populations of noisy animals in communities island-wide. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii

Mayor Billy Kenoi is proposing the county take on an additional $99 million in debt to build a host of new projects during his final 18 months in office. West Hawaii Today.

If common ground was found during a talk-story session Tuesday evening about the Thirty Meter Telescope, it’s that Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and astronomers can view Mauna Kea as a source of knowledge. But regarding how the mountain should be used, speakers at the event were light years apart. Tribune-Herald.

The controversial $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope project may be sputtering on the ground in Hawaii but elsewhere it appears to be all systems go. Star-Advertiser.

Administrators of East Hawaii’s health care system said patient care was their No. 1 concern as they weighed cutting employees and services to meet an anticipated $7 million shortfall in the coming fiscal year. Hawaii Health Systems Corp.’s East Hawaii Region announced Tuesday night it would cut multiple services and lay off 87 employees. The cuts will impact Hilo Medical Center, Ka‘u Hospital and Hale Hoola Hamakua. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County and the National Park Service appear as far apart as ever on the question of how the Keauhou aquifer should be managed. West Hawaii Today.

A Rat Lungworm Awareness Forum was held at the Pahoa Community Center this past Sunday, and the topic drew a large crowd of concerned residents. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Proposed fare hikes for the Maui Bus will be excised from the county budget, currently under consideration by the County Council, if a recommendation from the council's budget committee chairman is accepted. Maui News.

The entrance fees to Haleakalā National Park will undergo a staggered increase over the next three years to meet national standards for parks with similar visitor amenities. Maui Now.

Maui County Business Resource Center presents Starting a Business in Maui County with Karen Arakawa this Tuesday, May 26. MauiTime.

Kauai

Global seed company DuPont Pioneer has shut down its facility in Kekaha, Kauai and plans to consolidate its parent seed operations with another facility in Waialua on the North Shore of Oahu. Laurie Yoshida, spokeswoman for the company, said that DuPont Pioneer has laid off 23 employees and plans to lay off 11 more once the closure is complete. Civil Beat.

The Kauai Police Department is seeking grants for 105 Axon cameras for officers to wear. It would cost an estimated $124,000 annually to equip officers with cameras, although details on when those devices could be online on Kauai hasn’t been hashed out. Garden Island.

Molokai

Sea Link of Hawaii withdrew last week its petition to reduce its twice-daily ferry route between Molokai and Maui and intends to submit a new petition to run the ferry only on an "as-needed" basis, according to company President and Senior Capt. Dave Jung. Maui News.

Hawaii farmland growing, controversial Sen. Hee runs for lieutenant governor, Waikiki homeless roundup, brouhaha over OHA letter to John Kerry, sailing vessel Hokulea off to worldwide voyage, Kauai credit downgraded, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Island dairy farm courtesy photo

The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture farm census, published every five years, showed that Hawaii farmers put 8,000 more acres into production between 2007 and 2012, increasing total land used to grow food and other products to 1,129,000 acres from about 1,121,000 acres. Star-Advertiser.

State Sen. Clayton Hee has announced he is running as a Democrat for lieutenant governor, challenging incumbent Shan Tsutsui. Hawaii News Now.

Hee

By running against Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui in the Democratic primary this year, state Sen. Clayton Hee shakes up not only that race — Tsutsui is a former Senate president who took the LG job after Brian Schatz was appointed to the U.S. Senate in 2012 — but also the governor's race. Gov. Neil Abercrombie faces a spirited challenge by state Sen. David Ige, who is backed by former Govs. Ben Cayetano and George Ariyoshi. Civil Beat.

Former state Rep. Gil Riviere said Sunday that he will enter the Democratic primary for the state Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Clayton Hee, who is running for lieutenant governor. Star-Advertiser.

An increase in grassroots organizing this year around highly controversial issues related to same-sex marriage, development in Kakaako and genetically modified farming have spurred the Hawaii State Ethics Commission to take a closer look at several citizens groups to ensure that they’re complying with the state ethics law. Civil Beat.

A 33-year-old madam who said her elite escort business offered prostitution services to some of Hawaii’s most prominent judges, politicians and entertainers, has made stunning allegations in a civil lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court against a Special Agent with Homeland Security Investigations U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement division. Hawaii Reporter.

On May 5th, 2014, Office of Hawaiian Affairs CEO, Dr. Kamanaʻopono Crabbe, sent a letter to US Secretary of State John Kerry asking for “advice” on OHA’s possible breaches of international law given the evidence for the continued existence of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The Universe.

The Hawaiian Kingdom blog reports that Dan Ahuna, a trustee with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, has taken his name off of a recent letter addressed to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. Civil Beat.

The chief executive of Hawaii’s largest health insurance company is calling on Hawaii to shut down its beleaguered health insurance exchange, which was set up as part of President Barack Obama’s signature health care law. Associated Press.

State lawmakers expressed dismay Friday over Hawaii Medical Service Association chief Michael Gold's contention this week that Hawaii should seek an immediate exemption from the federal Affordable Care Act's requirement for the state to have an online health insurance exchange. Maui Now.

The Hawaii Legislature Can Stop Time. Civil Beat.

This Saturday, the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hokulea and its sister vessel the Hikianalia, will leave Oahu and set sail for Hilo, where they’ll continue on to Tahiti. Over the next few days, the public will get their last chance to bid the two canoes a final farewell before they embark on a worldwide voyage called Malama Honua, caring for our Island Earth. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hokule'a is still designed to sail and perform as its ancestral wa'a (canoes) did, when centuries ago they pulled much of Polynesia out of the sea. But in many ways this is Hokule'a 2.0. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha said they are pushing back to make the community safe and accessible for all. In doing so, they say, police have begun to round up hundreds of offenders, some of whom have violated court orders or are committing crimes while living in makeshift communities throughout Waikiki. Star-Advertiser.

In May the city joined with the private vendor Service Systems Associates to open an oceanside cafe in a former Kuhio Beach public pavilion that had become a haven for homeless people. Star-Advertiser.

Ticket sales were down by 20 percent for the first quarter of this year compared with last year at the Pacific Aviation Museum, one of three paid attractions at Pearl Harbor, resulting in reduced hours for workers there. Star-Advertiser.

The fate of the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill remains uncertain 15 months after the city endeavored to reach a resolution with the community group that's fought the hardest to shutter Oahu's only municipal dump. Star-Advertiser.

On a rural expanse of Oahu’s leeward coast, a line of concrete pillars snakes through fields of corn stalks and pumpkins toward downtown Honolulu where distant high rises jut into the sky through a muggy haze. Honolulu rail — now five decades in the making — is taking shape. Civil Beat.

The Howard Hughes Corp. has reached contractual agreements for about half of the 482 units in its two ultra-luxury high-rises in Kakaako — Anaha and Waiea — part of its Ward Village master-planned community, according to its first-quarter earnings report released Thursday. Pacific Business News.

A rise in recent citations for people trespassing at Sacred Falls State Park prompted the Department of Land and Natural Resources to remind the public that the park is closed due to danger from falling rocks. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is recommending approval of its first subdivision application on the Big Island since it lifted a moratorium for agriculture land last year. The ranch land, leased to Flora Solomon, the mother of state Sen. Malama Solomon, is the only subdivision application that has been submitted. Tribune-Herald.

The Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee will weigh a report recommending several dozen new emergency routes for the district’s large subdivisions at its Tuesday meeting. Tribune-Herald.

Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers have cited the owner of a 47-foot sailing vessel that caused damage to coral reef in Kailua Bay on May 2. Approximately 80 feet of chain was in the water, with about 30 to 40 feet in the coral. West Hawaii Today.

Maui
Wailuku representative and House Speaker Joe Souki has endorsed Justin Woodson for election to the Central Maui 9th House seat he was appointed to by Gov. Neil Abercrombie, according to an announcement from Woodson. Maui News.

Maui County will pay $25,000 in attorneys' fees and damages to settle a federal lawsuit brought by a part-time employee who alleged his First Amendment right to free speech was violated when county officials interfered with his work on his MAUIWatch Facebook page. Maui News.

Kauai

Fitch Ratings, a global credit rating agency, has downgraded the County of Kauai’s long-term credit grade, citing consistent rises in expenses, stagnant growths in revenues and waning balances in county reserve funds. Garden Island.

The Legislature provided $5 million in planning money for a replacement jail on Oahu, and $1.5 million to Maui — but funding for Kauai and the Big Island will have to wait another session, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Garden Island.

Hawaii economy up, 'alarming' increase in Army DUI, more on Obama family visit, Honolulu preps for marathon, Kakaako condo approved, Molokai could be 100% renewable, Hawaii County advances $61M bond, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki shoppers (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Hawaii’s state economists are forecasting a higher economic growth rate of nearly 3 percent for 2014, despite lowering the 2013 growth rate in a quarterly economic report released on Wednesday. Pacific Business News.

The White House hasn't officially announced its plans yet, but Hawaii News Now has learned the Obamas will vacation here over the holidays.  This will be the First Family's sixth Christmas in Hawaii since he was elected president, and keeping with tradition they are expected to spend it in Kailua.

The Army is reporting an "alarming increase" in drunken driving by soldiers in Hawaii as the military continues to struggle with the consequences of war and a return to "garrison" life. Star-Advertiser.

Dozens of upset individuals have taken to social media to express anger over a major airline's alleged treatment of a World War II veteran believed to have been on his way to Hawaii for a remembrance ceremony at Pearl Harbor. We have received unconfirmed reports that despite telling employees that he was a veteran on his way to Hawaii for a memorial at the Arizona Memorial on December 7, a war veteran named Ewalt Shatz was bumped off of United Airlines flight 1226 from Los Angeles International Airport to Honolulu on Wednesday because the plane was overweight. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling on Wednesday that said the state violated its own rules in allowing construction of a $17 million activity center at Kawaiahao Church to proceed without requiring the church to do an archaeological inventory survey first.  Some 660 dug-up human remans have languished in the church’s basement while the project has remained stalled for months amid court proceedings. The burials were expected to be reinterred in another part of the church property, but last year’s ruling by the Intermediate Court of Appeals on the AIS halted the project and left the fate of the remains in limbo. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The Honolulu Marathon, which will be run for the 41st year on Sunday, is on pace to bolster the state's $15 billion visitor industry during the seasonal lull right before the winter holidays. While entries for this year's race were flat going into the Honolulu Marathon Expo, organizers say that this year could still pull ahead of 2012. Before the opening of late registration on Wednesday, 29,575 runners had entered the race compared with 29,937 at the same point last year. Another 2,000 to 4,000 runners are expected to enter before Saturday's 5 p.m. cutoff, topping last year's total of 31,083 racers.Star-Advertiser.

Due in part to what happened at the Boston Marathon, there will be added security at the beginning, end, and on the route of the Honolulu Marathon on Sunday. There will be more uniformed and plain clothes police officers on the scene. KHON2.

Donors to Mayor Kirk Caldwell's transition committee which raised $400,000 for an inauguration party and to help install him in office had significant business interests with the city, according to a list of the donors released Wednesday by the Honolulu Ethics Commission. Some donors, who were implicated in an ethics investigation of the committee, also included registered lobbyists and cabinet members Carolee Kubo and Chris Takashige. Civil Beat.

A memorandum this week from city Corporation Counsel Donna Leong telling department heads that her office will advise city employees about ethical issues has drawn the ire of Ethics Commission Executive Director Chuck Totto. Totto told members of the seven-member commission on Wednesday that Leong's position could confuse employees and the public about where they should turn for advice on ethical issues, noting that he has already received calls from perplexed workers about the Dec. 2 memo. Star-Advertiser.

Subpoenas could be on the way for Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s top executives if the administration continues to stonewall the Ethics Commission and its investigations into possible corruption at city hall. On Wednesday, at the third meeting on what's become a fast-disintegrating relationship between the commission and the administration, commissioners made it clear that they could soon take legal action to pry information loose in ethics investigations, including cases involving nepotism and political favoritism. Civil Beat.

Sales are expected to begin early next year for a second "workforce housing"condominium tower in Kakaako aimed at moderate-income residents after a state agency approved the project at the mauka end of South Street on Wednesday. The 410-unit tower representing a second phase of a project called 801 South St. won unanimous approval from the nine-member Hawaii Community Development Authority, the agency regulating development in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Community Development Authority has given Downtown Capital LLC permission to develop a second residential tower in Kakaako at 801 South St. despite the vocal opposition of hundreds of local residents. Civil Beat.

A largely empty, five-story parking structure on South King Street just makai of the Alapai Street police station should soon be filling up and earning some cash for the city. The city reached an agreement with the Federal Transit Administration in September to allow city employees who don't have transit-related jobs to park at the location at least until the entire $100 million Joint Traffic Management Center is completed in late summer or early fall of 2016. Star-Advertiser.

California developer Champlin Windpower is proposing to add a second wind farm here next to the current Kahuku wind farm, called Na Pua Makani. KHON2.

A Mainland biomass company with ties to Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen could shake up the energy scene in Hawaii by providing a quick, environmentally-friendly, lower-cost solution to fossil fuels such as fuel oil and liquefied natural gas to power up Hawaiian Electric Co.’s power stations. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

Kailua-Kona is the top U.S. Destination on the Rise for 2013, the world’s largest travel website, TripAdvisor.com, announced this week. The West Hawaii town earned the title based on the reviews and opinions of millions of TripAdvisor travelers. Anchorage, Alaska, took second and Destin, Fla., placed third on the 2013 Travelers’ Choice Top 10 Destinations on the Rise in the U.S. list. West Hawaii Today.

Unlike his last omnibus bond authorization request before a prior County Council, it was full steam ahead Tuesday for Mayor Billy Kenoi’s request to borrow $61 million for 23 projects countywide. The council Finance Committee, meeting into the evening, unanimously agreed to forward Kenoi’s bond package to the County Council with a positive recommendation. West Hawaii Today.

A software vendor is scrambling to get Hawaii County’s online building permit system back online, three weeks after the county took down the public portal because it wasn’t working right. West Hawaii Today.

A former case manager at CARE Hawaii filed suit against the mental health care provider, claiming she was wrongfully terminated after reporting other case managers illegally billed the state and private health insurance companies for work they didn’t do. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii County Council has cleared the way for the completion of the Mamalahoa Highway bypass in South Kona. The council approved a resolution Wednesday allowing for the county to acquire portions of nine parcels through eminent domain. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A two-mile stretch of coastal waters off South Maui was closed Wednesday after two divers reported aggressive behavior by a shark that followed them to shore near Little Beach -- just two days after a fatal attack on a kayak fisherman nearby. State officials said the divers told lifeguards that an 8- to 10-foot Galapagos shark made several passes at them while they were spearfishing close to shore off Black Sand Beach at Makena about 11:20 a.m. Star-Advertiser.

Residents who qualified for the circuit breaker tax credit last year but would not qualify under the stricter criteria passed by the Maui County Council earlier this year are encouraged to still submit their applications as the council continues to deliberate on which criteria to make, county officials said Tuesday. Maui News.

Two appraisals ordered by the Maui County Council last month for 186 acres in Launiupoko came back with "significantly different" values, further convoluting a yearlong effort to sign a deal that would preserve open space along the West Maui coastline. Maui News.

A grand opening celebration will be held this Friday night, Dec. 6, at the new The Outlets of Maui shopping center in Lahaina. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Garden Isle recently earned a No. 2 ranking on TripAdvisor’s list of the 10 best islands in the United States, according to the website’s 2013 Travelers’ Choice awards. Kauai was bested only by San Juan Island, Wash., but placed ahead of Maui, 5, and Hawaii Island, 8, as the top Hawaiian island to crack the list. Garden Island.

Kauai County is moving forward on a $9.2 million project aimed at improving Hardy Street to meet the county’s newly-implemented Complete Streets policy. That policy seeks to create walkable, commuter-friendly communities. According to proposed Department of Public Works plans, two travel lanes with a landscaped median, turn lanes, bike lanes on both sides of the street, on-street parking, planter strips and continuous sidewalks will run the length of Hardy Street. Garden Island.

Molokai

A proposed renewable energy project for Molokai combines solar and stored hydroelectric power with the goal of 100 percent renewable energy for the island and lowered electric rates for local customers. The project, called Ikehu Molokai, is still in the early stages of discussion. It would be a joint endeavor between California-based Princeton Energy Group and landowner Molokai Ranch. If completed, Molokai would become the first grid in the world to be converted completely to renewable energy, said Princeton CEO Steve Tabor. Molokai Dispatch.

Native Hawaiian evicted from Hawaii County land, state tops in multigenerational households, TV news lacks government info, illegal ballots don't matter, UH selling land to pay bills, Maui approves growth plans, gas average $4.41/gal, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kawa Bay activist Abel Simeone Lui (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

Hawaii County officials on Thursday evicted Native Hawaiian activist Abel Simeone Lui, whom state courts ruled — after years of challenges — was illegally occupying the land at Kawa Bay. West Hawaii Today

U.S. Census Bureau figures released Thursday show multigenerational families make up 11.1 percent of all households in Hawaii. That's by far the highest rate in the nation, and well above the national average of 5.6 percent. Star-Advertiser.

A new study by local citizens groups shows that Hawaii residents see more ads than information when watching local TV news programs, raising questions about whether local news stations are doing enough to educate voters before they head to the polls. Civil Beat.

More than one-half million Hawaii ballots were printed with the presidential candidates in no particular order, despite a state law that says all candidates must be in alphabetical order within their respective races. West Hawaii Today.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa said Thursday that success in Congress depends on how well you get along with your colleagues, but reflecting your political party's values is also important. Former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou said he would work closer to the political center than the extremes. Star-Advertiser.

The Tax Review Commission met Thursday at the No. 1 Capitol District Building to hammer out a draft of revenue evaluation and policy recommendations to make to the Hawaii Legislature in December. The report is expected to be finalized when the commission meets again in late November. Civil Beat.

Ray L'Heureux, assistant superintendent for the Office of Facilities and Support Services, told the Board of Education last week that the district could spend its entire annual capital improvement projects budget on just one of the state's 15 complex areas and still fall far short. Civil Beat.

Gas prices drop in Hawaii for first time in 11 weeks. Star-Advertiser.

The Queen's Medical Center is suing Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc. for more than $4 million, saying Kaiser underpaid Queen's for care given to Kaiser members. Star-Advertiser.

State roundup for October 26. Associated Press.

Oahu

The city of Honolulu sold $913 million of bonds this week at historic low interest rates and refinanced older bonds to save taxpayers more than $75 million, officials said Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

House Finance committee Chairman Marcus Oshiro says the state won't easily give up the general excise tax surcharge that’s currently being collected for the city’s $5.26 billion rail project, he has another think coming. Civil Beat.

In an exclusive interview on Hawaii Reporter Television today, former Governor Ben Cayetano blasts Pacific Resource Partnership for its latest attack ad targeting his record as governor. Hawaii Reporter.

Transportation alternatives … rail or buses … are at the epicenter in the race for Honolulu Mayor. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tom Berg's strident political persona and some well-publicized controversies have made Berg a well-known political figure on Oahu, but that fame may also make him vulnerable to a challenge by four-term state Rep. Kymberly Marcos Pine. Star-Advertiser.

The newly opened UH West Oahu campus is facing future financial shortfalls, and Hawaii News Now has learned that university officials are selling a large portion of land at the campus to the Catholic Church to help make ends meet. Hawaii News Now.

Japanese-based Seibu Group intends to keep its three Hawaii hotels after an unsuccessful effort earlier this year to sell the Hawaii Prince Hotel, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. Star-Advertiser.

Repairs to pedestrian bridge over Moanalua Freeway to begin Nov. 1 State will shut down exits from freeway to Moanalua Road overnight. KITV4.

East Oahu residents complain about it and the City is aware of it. So what's being done to stop an over-population of feral cats in the heart of Hawaii Kai? KHON2.

Hawaii

Negative campaigning seems to be commonplace in the 2012 elections, however, mudslinging should have no place in Hawaii politics, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Mazie Hirono said Thursday during a party rally in South Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Pohakuloa Training Area will open several areas to bow hunting on Saturday, Oct. 27, and Sunday, Oct. 28. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The Maui County Council is getting closer to approving boundaries for future growth after a committee OK'd maps this week that will guide development for the next 20 years. Pacific Business News.

A decadelong process neared an end Wednesday afternoon as a Maui County Council committee recommended approval of maps that will guide future growth and development on the island over the next two decades. Maui News.

Waihee School Principal Leila Hayashida has been tapped as acting complex area superintendent for the Central Maui complex, according to Sandy Goya, spokeswoman for the state Department of Education. Maui News.

An appeal has been filed with the Intermediate Court of Appeals seeking a stay on the County sponsored Halloween event in Lahaina Town. Maui Now.

Kauai

There are three simple ways to improve electric sustainability, according to County Energy Coordinator Ben Sullivan. Garden Island.

After learning last week that the contract between the county and Hale ‘Opio’s Teen Court had expired, Kaua‘i County Council Chair Jay Furfaro introduced Wednesday a bill to appropriate $31,000 to fund the long-standing youth diversionary program. Garden Island.

The Koloa Post Office closed briefly on Thursday after an elderly man crashed his car through the front of the building. Garden Island.

Lanai

The grass may soon be greener on the island of Lanai. New owner Larry Ellison has already set into motion changes around town but there are even bigger plans in store for the future. KHON2.

Molokai

A new county Department of Public Works baseyard will bring upgrades for both the department and Molokai’s emergency response capabilities. Molokai Dispatch.

Honolulu poised to sell $300M bonds to fix sewers, Hawaii County Ethics Board probes union politicking, state lawmaker fined for campaign reports, Chinese golfers new tourism target, Oahu farmworkers to get container homes, good year for mac nuts, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ala Wai canal (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

The City and County of Honolulu is preparing to sell up to $300 million in Wastewater System Revenue Bonds to help pay for a variety of important repairs and upgrades. KITV4.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie says the state has allotted $147 million in capital improvement spending for various state projects, including $75 million to fix roofs, plumbing and electrical systems in Hawaii schools. Associated Press.

The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission slapped state Rep. Karen Awana with a $6,800 fine Wednesday after she failed to report contributions and expenditures or respond to the office's requests for more information. Civil Beat.

What Does Tulsi Gabbard's Rising Star Do For Hawaii? Civil Beat.

Chinese visitors, long seen as the next growth market for Hawaii tourism, soon may be hitting the islands' links in growing numbers with the help of a Chinese entrepreneur and one of the most recognizable golfers in the world. Star-Advertiser.

Production of macadamia nuts in Hawaii rebounded last season after a two-year decline, with a 23 percent gain over the previous season, according to a federal report. Stephens Media.

Oahu

An owner and a manager of two small businesses in Aiea that are being displaced by the Honolulu rail project say the city is pushing them out without paying them fair compensation, and both businesses are expected to close. Star-Advertiser.

It could soon be easier for West Oahu farmers to use retrofitted shipping containers or trailers to house their agricultural workers on their property under legislation passed unanimously by the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council wants to kill a controversial recycling subsidy that has saved a single scrap yard millions of dollars. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu City Council is attempting to restore bus service on O’ahu … in light of many routes being cut to save 6-7 million dollars in overhead. Hawaii Public Radio.

The city of Honolulu said cuts to bus service needed to be made to save money. Now the City Council is talking about giving away bus rides to senior citizens and the disabled. Hawaii News Now.

The playgrounds, located at a public housing complex, were demolished with large equipment pieces left behind. KHON2.

University of Hawaii Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple has only been on the job two months, but he's already apologizing to the faculty and staff for his lack of communication. Hawaii Reporter.

A state circuit judge has rejected the third request by the former manager of a Waimanalo puppy mill to reduce his bail of $200,000 on 153 counts of animal cruelty. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Over the objections of one member who said the county Board of Ethics has no jurisdiction over union activity, the board voted 3-1 Wednesday to look into a complaint about union-endorsed politicking on county time at county facilities. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County Council candidates are spending their publicly funded campaign contributions in some interesting ways this election. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii County Board of Ethics meeting erupted into a flurry of gavel-pounding and raised voices Wednesday when Hawaii County Council Chairman Dominic Yagong defended himself against an anonymous complaint that he’s inappropriately involved in the operations of the county Elections Division. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island residents will get a chance to shape Hawaii’s future energy policies this week. Tribune-Herald.

Work on the deteriorating 101-year-old Umauma Bridge along Highway 19 will get under way in a matter of months, following an announcement Wednesday by Gov. Neil Abercrombie that funds have been released for the $37.2 million project. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii County Board of Ethics on Wednesday cleared Windward Planning Commission Chairman Zendo Kern, who won the Puna District 5 County Council seat in the Aug. 11 primary, of any wrongdoing when he voted to allow the Hawaii Volcano Circus to continue operations after it violated its special use permit. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaiian Homes Commission will hold its annual Big Island meeting Monday in Hilo and Tuesday in Naalehu. Big Island Now.

Maui

Dozens of high-paying science and research jobs as well as the construction jobs needed to build a massive $300 million solar telescope on Haleakala could hinge on the outcome of a Friday hearing with the Department of Land and Natural Resources Board. Pacific Business News.

A combined $13 million was released today for Capital Improvement Projects at Maui’s Kahului Airport and the Maui Memorial Medical Center. Maui Now.

A Maui helicopter pilot faces sentencing for illegally flying deer to the Big Island. Hawaii News Now.

The median price of a single-family home jumped 26.8 percent in Maui County in August compared to the same month last year, while sales volume dipped 7.4 percent, according to the Realtors Association of Maui. Pacific Business News.

Journalist Edwin Tanji, who covered the protests and eventual return of the military target island of Kahoolawe and other historic events on Maui, Molokai and Lanai for decades, died Wednesday after a battle with cancer. He was 65. Star-Advertiser.

Edwin Tanji, the former city editor for The Maui News and longtime Honolulu Advertiser Maui bureau chief, has died. He was 65. Maui News.

Kauai

The county of Kauai announced Wednesday it has secured the boundaries of all three Hanalei River lots previously owned by Mike Sheehan and Hanalei River Holdings LLC. The administration’s action was the culmination of an 18-month condemnation process, according to county officials. Garden Island.

Carolyn Larson, the librarian at the Lihu‘e Public Library, is concerned about the public, especially the students, who visit the library for study or to “hang out” after school. Garden Island.