Native Hawaiians take over tourism marketing, state's 3 polluted beaches, 800 front-line workers out amid COVID surge, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

These 3 Hawaii Beaches Have Chronic Pollution Problems. Surfrider Foundation shares its top 10 list of popular U.S. beaches that fail to meet health standards for recreational users. Of the 8,532 water test results reported in 2021, 36% of the samples collected from Maliko Bay on Maui, 95% from Chocolates Surf Break on Oahu, and 100% from Nawiliwili on Kauai, failed to meet the state health standard for recreational waters. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau loses contract to Hawaiian nonprofit. The Hawaii Tourism Authority has awarded the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement its lucrative contract to market the state to U.S. visitors — a major blow to the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, which has held the job for years and was originally chosen to retain the post in a multiyear, $100 million deal. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island. KHON2.

Native Hawaiians urge congressional committee to meet its trust obligation by opening more access to funding. Native Hawaiian leaders told U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs this week that more funding and program access is needed from Washington to better fulfill the government’s federal trust responsibility. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

State announces extension of digital currency innovation lab. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs announced a two-year extension of the Digital Currency Innovation Lab on Thursday. The pilot program is a joint effort to gauge public interest in crypto as well as ease entry into the marketplace, said the department. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

‘Big win for girls’: State to spend $60M to construct locker rooms for female athletes. In an effort to bring fairness to girls sports, the state Department of Education will receive more than $60 million over the next two years to build new locker facilities for female athletes. Hawaii News Now.

US Coast Guard ushers in ‘new era’ of operations with updated fleet of aircraft. The U.S. Coast Guard is welcoming a new fleet of aircraft to better serve Hawaii and the greater Pacific region. The military branch is recognizing the “end of an era” with an event celebrating the transition from the HC-130H aircraft to the HC-130J. Hawaii News Now.

Amid ongoing surge, more than 800 frontline caregivers in Hawaii out sick with COVID. Amid Hawaii’s ongoing COVID surge, some 800 frontline caregivers in Hawaii called out sick Thursday due to the virus, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii said. Hawaii News Now.

COVID-19 vaccines for kids under 5 nearing final OK. State Department of Health officials have said vaccines for children ages 6 months up to 4 years may be authorized soon, and they are advising parents to ask their pediatricians whether they will offer the vaccine and be ready when they are available. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

More permit delays cause frustration at city planning department. Changes to the city’s Department of Planning and Permitting were supposed to expedite the process. But applicants said it’s taking longer than ever to get a permit — and they said multiple industries are suffering because of it. KHON2.

How to stop sand erosion on Waikīkī coastline? That’s the $2 billion question. Sea level rise and coastal erosion are making beach maintenance an ever more costly challenge. Hawaii Public Radio.

OSHA: ‘Disabled’ Red Hill Firefighting System Put Employees In Danger. The Navy said it turned off the automatic deployment of firefighting foam after a leak in the system. Civil Beat.

McCully-Mōʻiliʻili Library reopens after 2-year closure for repairs. Workers replaced the roof, installed a solar panel system, and repaired water damage throughout the library. Hawaii Public Radio.

Wooden swing removed at Sacred Falls State Park to discourage trespassing. State law enforcement officers have removed a wooden swing at the foot of the falls at Sacred Falls State Park, which has been closed to the public for more than 20 years. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

No property tax relief: Council approves $785.3M spending plan. There will be no tax breaks for Hawaii County property owners this year, after the County Council on Thursday shot down attempts by three council members to divvy up for property owners a budget windfall stemming from a booming economy that sent property values skyrocketing. West Hawaii Today.

U.S. Court Rules For State In Latest Aina Leʻa Decision. The United States District Court in the District of Hawai‘i has ruled in favor of the State of Hawaiʻi in a regulatory-taking lawsuit concerning the Villages at Aina Leʻa project in Waikōloa. Big Island Video News.

Big Island energy firm seeks Public Utilities Commission review. Honua Ola Bioenergy filed a motion Thursday for reconsideration, clarification and a further hearing with the state Public Utilities Commission in an attempt to reverse the agency’s 2-1 decision May 23 that rejected the company’s renewable energy project on Hawaii island. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Ige talks return of Japanese visitors. Gov. David Ige said he’s expecting Japan Airlines to start service between Japan and Kona on Aug. 1. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Major outdoor lighting rules to protect Maui County seabirds move ahead. With widespread support from environmental groups, a Maui County measure meant to dim lights that can be lethal for Hawaiian seabirds advanced Wednesday. Maui Now.

Public scoping on proposed Kīpahulu Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area. The proposed Kīpahulu CBSFA is from Kālepa Gulch in the southwest to Pua‘alu‘u Gulch in the northeast, and covers roughly 5.7 miles of coastline. Maui Now.

Maui Solar Panel Owners Can Get Cash Incentives For Upgrading Energy Storage. Hawaiian Electric’s Battery Bonus program can provide Maui customers with a one-time cash incentive and monthly bill credits. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Council approves $260.3M budget. It was a total increase of more than $40 million over the current budget (a $243.3 million operating budget and $24.8 million CIP tab), with the majority of the additional funds going towards CIP projects. Garden Island.

Endangered Blind Spiders And Ancient Burials Spur Angst Over Luxury Condo Project. No one knows for certain what all lies underground at a vacant parcel that’s being developed on Kauai. Civil Beat.

Lobbying and ethics reform in the works, Honolulu council passes $3.2B budget, youth sue DOT for harming climate, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige signals acceptance of bill to alter emergency declaration powers. Ige indicated Wednesday that he’s probably OK with a bill the Legislature passed recently that would make several amendments to the state’s emergency declaration statute, including giving Hawaii lawmakers the ability to partly or wholly terminate such a state of emergency by a two-thirds vote. Star-Advertiser.

Lobbying And Ethics Reforms Top Agenda At New Hawaii Standards Commission Meeting. A commission tasked with beefing up government transparency in Hawaii kicked off its first regular meeting Wednesday with a two-hour long discussion on proposals to increase reporting requirements for lobbyists and address conflicts of interests with state lawmakers. Civil Beat. Associated Press.

Hawaii’s Aging Schools Need A Facelift. With about 20% Hawaii’s public schools more than 100 years old, the DOE is struggling to meet a growing backlog of repairs. Civil Beat.

Hawaii coalition urges Biden to expand remote marine national monument. A coalition of Hawaii scientists, conservationists and cultural practitioners is calling on President Joe Biden to expand the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument to create the largest highly protected marine sanctuary in the world. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Environmental advocates sue state Department of Transportation. Fourteen Hawaii youths, ages 9 to 18 from five islands, sued the state Department of Transportation in federal court Tuesday, alleging its operation of a transportation system that results in high levels of greenhouse gas emissions is harming their communities and violating their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

What's in the works to further electrify Hawaiʻi transportation? The Legislature took steps to address that in the last session by increasing the number of public charging stations. But that same measure also takes on a more ambitious goal of encouraging inter-island flights powered by electricity. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hearings on federal resources for Native Hawaiian community. During a meeting Wednesday, leaders of multiple agencies serving Native Hawaiians said they are grateful to Sen. Brian Schatz for what they believe he has done for the Hawaiian people. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii reports more than 8,000 new COVID cases, 6 additional deaths in past week. Hawaii’s average COVID-19 cases rise for 10th week in a row. The COVID-19 surge in Hawaii continues heading into summer, with the state Health Department on Wednesday reporting a seven-day average of 1,210 new coronavirus cases over the past week, representing the 10th consecutive weekly increase. The state’s average positivity rate, meanwhile, increased slightly to 18.4% from 18.3% on May 25 — representing more than two months of weekly increases. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

No New Covid Mandates Expected For Hawaii. While Gov. Ige is concerned about rising hospital cases, those numbers are still far below peaks seen last summer. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council unanimously passes $3.22 billion budget. The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday unanimously passed a $3.22 billion executive operating budget and a $1.03 billion capital improvement plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Federal money helped pay for housing initiatives, job training and the Weed and Seed program. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Passengers will soon be paying more to ride TheBus, TheHandi-Van. Ordinance 21-7, which enacts the fare price increase, was a recommendation of the Honolulu Rate Commission in 2020. This will be the first change to the fares since 2018. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

City Council approves slimmed down rail construction plan, but not everyone is on board. The Honolulu City Council approved the financially troubled rail project’s recovery plan on Wednesday. However, it was not a unanimous vote. The City Council voted 6-3 to approve the plan. Hawaii News Now.

Ousted police union official sues SHOPO, alleges blackmail and discrimination. The former vice president of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers is suing the union and its executive board, alleging they conspired to remove him by falsely accusing him of double-dipping into travel funds from the union and the Honolulu Police Department, and blackmailing him with the threat of criminal charges. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Health Department Fines Marine Corps For Fecal Bacteria Discharges In Kaneohe. In addition to the fine, the Marine Corps will have to take corrective action to upgrade its wastewater treatment system to include “disinfection of final effluent,” DOH said. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Approved City Council budget includes $1.3M to tear down Haiku Stairs. Critics say the so-called “Stairway to Heaven” is unsafe and attracts trespassers. But the group “Friends of Haiku Stairs” is fighting to keep the landmark and says the city is underestimating costs. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Pearl Harbor National Memorial to charge parking fees next year. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial will begin collecting parking fees next year. The National Park Service announced Wednesday that it would begin charging $7 a day to visitors beginning Jan. 15. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Council split 6-2 on suncreen bill. A legal advisor for the county has determined that a proposed bill to ban the sale of all but a few types of sunscreen on the Big Island does not interfere with a similar state law, but County Council members remain divided on the matter. Tribune-Herald.

$5M annually for affordable housing: Bill advances on first reading despite vague wording. A bill requiring at least $5 million be budgeted annually for affordable housing projects passed the County Council on first reading Wednesday, despite some council members’ concerns that they don’t know how the money will be spent. West Hawaii Today.

‘Optimist’ official: Kalanianaole construction on schedule. Steve Pause, Deputy Director of the Department of Public Works, told the County Council Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit on Tuesday that the current contractor on the long-delayed Kalanianaole rehabilitation project is on track to meet a scheduled completion date by the end of 2022. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Management plan, funding approved for Waikamoi. Noting the importance of protecting native wildlife, forests and watersheds within the 8,951-acre Waikamoi Preserve, a long-term management plan and funding were approved Tuesday to streamline conservation efforts to control feral ungulates and invasive plants in the area. Maui News.

Hirono visits Maui, tours site of Honoapiʻilani realignment project. A visit to Maui by US Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) highlighted federal investments in Hawaiʻi communities and efforts to support ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Maui Now.

Highway closed at Mile 39 in Kīpahulu for two months. Piʻilani/Hāna Highway is closed at Mile 39 in Kīpahulu at the Kukuiula Bridge. Repairs began at 2 p.m. today at the location, and are expected to last for two months. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Victorino to speak at Climate Mayor’s Leadership Forum. Mayor Michael Victorino will speak at the Climate Mayors Leadership Forum on Thursday, June 2, where he will present Maui County’s case study about the costly impacts of climate change, including drought, wildfire, floods, and sea level rise. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kawakami, Council proclaim June as Kaua‘i LGBTQ+ Pride Month; parade Saturday. There will be a Pride Parade, Saturday, announced a group of Kaua‘i Pride Parade Committee members, Thursday, when the group accepted proclamations from Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, and the Kaua‘i County Council as a whole announcing that June is celebrated as Kaua‘i LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Garden Island.

Lanai

Billionaire Larry Ellison's company to extend Lanai airport runway. Public documents show that the $5 million project, which is being done in partnership with the state Department of Transportation, would likely increase the number of visitors to the island by allowing more planes to fly in. KITV4.

Hawaii tax rebates could hit bank accounts this year, GOP announces candidates, Army may close road in Fort DeRussy redevelopment, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Photo by 金 运 on Unsplash

Hawaii tax rebates to be expedited if enacted July 1. State government administrators are opting to diverge from a historical practice of delivering special legislative tax rebates through a following year’s tax return, and instead are preparing to issue direct bank deposits and checks in the next few months if Senate Bill 514 clears a legal and technical review by Gov. David Ige’s administration. Star-Advertiser.

Lower Electric Bills Or More Jobs? Hawaii Grapples With A Green Economy. Lawmakers did an abrupt — and secretive — about-face as the session ended when they revamped a bill putting limits on some renewable energy sources. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers award Hawaii nonprofits nearly $50M. Hawaii’s 2022 Legislature may long be mainly remembered for appropriating hundreds of millions of dollars for high-profile needs, but many smaller worthy causes also received extraordinary funding this year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Police Standards Board Finally Gets Some Money From Lawmakers. Hawaii is the last state in the country to set up minimum qualifications for its law enforcement officers. Civil Beat.

Junked Vehicles: How One Hawaii Lawmaker Turned A Good Idea Into Reality. A freshman legislator saw four of his bills addressing abandoned vehicles pass the 2022 Hawaii Legislature. Here’s how he did it. Civil Beat.

Final pick for permanent Hawaii public schools superintendent expected Thursday. The job is huge, and there is much at stake. As the nation’s only statewide school district, Hawaii’s is widely considered the 10th largest in the nation, with 171,000 students and 42,600 employees in 257 regular public schools and 37 charter schools, and an annual operating budget of more than $2 billion. The salary is up to $250,000 per year, less than many comparable mainland positions. Star-Advertiser.

Report Cites Mistreatment Of Students At Native Hawaiian Boarding Schools. Hawaiians fared somewhat better than students at Indian boarding schools on the mainland, a new federal investigation shows. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

GOP introduces candidates for 2022 election season at state convention. Although Hawaii is a heavily democratic state, there are well-known candidates willing to take the risk of running for governor. Hawaii News Now.

A Major Solar Farm Developer Is Pulling Out Of Maui And Oahu Projects. Inflation and supply chain disruptions have made the utility-scale solar projects too costly, but the developer is hopeful it’s only a delay. Civil Beat.

DLNR to hold additional meetings on use of lay nets. The new rules proposed in December limited the use of lay nets, requiring a $25 permit for the use and possession of them, and mandated that the nets be attended at all times. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Closure of Kalia Road proposed for redevelopment of Fort DeRussy in Waikiki. The Army has proposed a long-range plan to close a broad swath of Kalia Road in Waikiki as part of the redevelopment of the Fort DeRussy Complex, igniting concerns that it will cause gridlock and significantly increase bus commute times for workers in the state’s busiest tourism district. Star-Advertiser.

Former city prosecutor’s top assistants return to testify in public corruption probe. Federal prosecutors appear to be re-focusing their efforts to charge Honolulu’s former city Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro as part of a sprawling public corruption probe. Hawaii News Now.

State shows ‘disturbing’ fuel contamination plume maps from Red Hill spills. Six months after the Navy’s tainted water crisis went public, the state has released new maps showing the underground movement of the contamination. Hawaii News Now.

Attorneys for alleged Hawaii crime boss ask judge to compel evidence disclosure. Attorneys for Michael Miske have accused federal prosecutors of ignoring the rules of discovery and not producing evidence — including text messages that show the parents of the man allegedly murdered at the order of the accused crime boss believed their son’s pregnant girlfriend and her father were responsible for his disappearance. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The public’s turn: Council seeks input on budget increase, tax rollback. Property values are up dramatically, there’s a record high $779.7 million budget in the works and the County Council, for the first time in decades, is considering lowering the tax rates. West Hawaii Today.

Palila habitat fence slated for expansion. Another five miles of fencing around a portion of Maunakea is slated for construction this year, which will almost, but not quite, enclose the upper slopes of the mountain after more than 10 years. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New property tax rates approved with cuts for some homeowners. Saddled by deadlines, the Maui County Council on Friday approved property tax rates for the next fiscal year, even as several members expressed a need for a more thorough review of property tax rates and policy. Maui News.

Panel sets higher pay for first agriculture director. After initially setting lower amounts, the Maui County Salary Commission voted Friday to increase annual salaries for the director and deputy director of the new county Department of Agriculture to $114,000 and $102,600, respectively. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i county council shuts down vacation rental tax. By a 4-3 vote, the County Council voted down a measure Friday that would have increased the tax rate on vacation rental units and used the funding for affordable housing. Garden Island.

Masks Recommended Indoors On Kauai Due To ‘High’ Covid Risk, CDC Says. Masks are recommended in indoor public spaces and on public transportation on Kauai as the number of positive Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people on the island exceeds 540 people. Civil Beat. Garden Island.

Secretary of Defense orders Red Hill fuel tank closure, Blangiardi proposes 14% budget hike, retired judge to run for Maui mayor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Fuels director, LCDR Shannon Bencs walks a portion of the 7 miles of tunnels of the Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility. PC: Daniel Mayberry, U.S. Navy

Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility’s permanent closure is ordered. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has ordered the Navy’s Red Hill fuel facility to be drained and permanently shut down, saying in a statement Monday that it’s “the right thing to do” to advance the nation’s strategic interests and ensure the military is being a good steward of the land it occupies around Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Capital Gains Tax Increase And A New Carbon Tax May Not Make The Cut. With all 76 members of the Legislature up for reelection, lawmakers are expected to shy away from those potentially controversial tax measures this year. Civil Beat.

Reapportionment Commission preps to defend against lawsuit. The state Reapportionment Commission on Monday created a special committee to help the attorney general defend it from a lawsuit filed by a citizen coalition challenging maps featuring new political boundaries for the state Legislature and U.S. House. West Hawaii Today.

Capitol reopens to the public. For the first time in a long time, people other than politicians were back at the big square building on South Beretania Street. Monday was the first day of in-person access at the state Capitol building since COVID concerns closed it to the public two years ago. Hawaii News Now.

Legislature considers measure to help landowners with aging dams. Last Thursday, a joint state Senate committee hearing discussed Senate Bill 3225. The measure proposes creating loan and grant programs for private landowners with a plantation era dam or reservoir — in order to improve structural deficiencies. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii bill would prohibit pat-downs of women by male guards. A bill to prohibit male correctional officers from conducting pat-downs of female inmates across Hawaii’s jail and prison systems passed through the Senate Judiciary Committee last week. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii bill to add LGBTQ information to sex education advances. A bill is advancing at the state Legislature to require Hawaii public schools to include “positive and accurate representations” of LGBTQ+ people, people of color and disabled people in sex education curriculum, but some people are protesting that it will legitimize explicit information they feel is inappropriate for schools. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii Already Has Problem Gamblers, But It Has Few Resources To Help Them. Fears of increased addiction and crime are frequently cited as reasons not to legalize gambling in the Aloha State. Civil Beat.

Frustration over unused $160M facility at State Hospital. The Hawaii State Hospital has a $160 million state-of-the-art facility that was completed in May. But officials say it’s still not being used due to construction defects and other issues. KHON2. KITV4.

Health officials report 92 new Covid cases statewide. Today’s reported cases include 53 on O‘ahu, 17 on Hawai‘i Island, 9 on Maui, 8 on Kaua‘i and 5 residents diagnosed outside the state. Over the last 14 days, the state reported 2,516 infections. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor’s Budget Proposal Includes No Tax Rate Or Fee Hikes. The administration proposed increasing the city’s operating budget by 14% to $3.35 billion while reducing the capital improvement budget by 43% to $801.6 million. Civil Beat. KITV4.

Assaults on police to result in swift charges. Reversing a policy in place for decades, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm is amending criteria tied to imposing charges so that anyone who allegedly assaults a law enforcement officer will be charged quickly. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

National Teacher of The Year Finalist Whitney Aragaki Shares What Recognition Has Brought. Since being named a finalist for the 2022 National Teacher of the Year Award, it’s been a whirlwind for Waiākea High School educator Whitney Aragaki. Big Island Now.

Maui

Retired Judge Richard Bissen pulls papers in bid for Maui Mayor. Former 2nd Circuit Court Judge, Richard Bissen, announced he is pulling his official candidacy papers for Maui County Mayor, following an earlier announcement in January of his intent to run.  Maui Now.

East Maui kalo farmers rejoice over Hawaii Supreme Court ruling. The court ruled the state should not have allowed the diversion of millions of gallons of water a day from East Maui streams. Hawaii News Now.

Dogs sniff out COVID in students, staff at Seabury Hall. The research team found the dogs were able to differentiate between SARS-CoV-2 and common cold or flu viruses. Hawaii Public Radio.

165-unit Kahului Lani senior living complete. Nonprofit now moves on to 178-unit affordable project proposed near Kahului Post Office. Maui News.

Kauai

Namahana School submits application to state Charter School Commission. Namahana School, planned as a free public charter middle and high school to serve North Shore students from Anahola to Ha‘ena, submitted its application in early February to the State Public Charter School Commission. Garden Island.

Ige ponders tourism balance, easing coronavirus restrictions, some ZIP codes reach herd immunity, while others have low vaccination rates, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiians kayaking on Hawaii Island ©2021 All Hawaii News

House Finance Chair: Fewer Tourists Is ‘What People Want’. But the tourism industry opposes a bill on Gov. David Ige’s desk that aims to reduce tourism through higher taxes and fees on visitors. Civil Beat.

Governor expected to loosen coronavirus restrictions as Hawaii nears 60% fully vaccinated. According to the Department of Health (DOH), 52% of Hawaii residents are fully vaccinated while 59% of residents have received at least one dose. KHON2.

Most Hawaii adults fully vaccinated, but survey finds 12% don’t plan to get COVID-19 vaccine. Although nearly 70% of Hawaii adults recently polled are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus and an additional 7% are partially vaccinated, there are still 12% who say they don’t intend to get any of the COVID-19 inoculations available to them. Star-Advertiser.

Maps Show Hawaii’s COVID-19 Vaccine Disparities By ZIP Code. Hawaii’s COVID-19 vaccine uptake varies widely depending on where people live, new maps from the Hawaii Department of Health show. New heat maps show how the state’s COVID-19 vaccine campaign is going at a granular geographic level. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii’s coronavirus vaccine incentive campaign will launch Friday.  The state is gearing up to launch a major campaign offering Hawaii residents numerous incentives for getting COVID-19 vaccinations as part of its final push toward reaching herd immunity. Star-Advertiser.

One in 10 Hawaii public school classrooms need better ventilation. Hawaii’s public schools plan to reopen fully Aug. 3 for in-person classes with 3-foot spacing among students and teachers in classrooms, although ventilation still needs to be improved in some spots. Star-Advertiser.

Growing Use Of Rapid Testing Provides A ‘Degree Of Safety’ As Hawaii Reopens. COVID-19 tests are likely to remain part of life even as the overall pandemic situation stabilizes in the island state. Civil Beat.

Hawaii records 1 new coronavirus-related death, 45 additional cases. Today’s new confirmed and probable infection count by island included 36 new cases on Oahu, one on Maui, three on Hawaii Island, one on Kauai and four Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Medical records show police shot 16-year-old Iremamber Sykap in back of the head. Eric A. Seitz, who is representing Iremamber Sykap’s grandmother Akiwine Sykap and mother, Yovita Lucio, said hospital records from The Queen’s Medical Center, where Sykap was taken after Emergency Medical Serv­ices personnel transported him from Kalakaua Avenue, show he was shot once in the back of the head, twice in the back of one shoulder and once in the back of his other shoulder. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

Rising Waikiki crime puts officials on alert. Waikiki crime dropped dramatically during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has returned as visitors and traffic have come back to the state’s top tourism district. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Police Department reviewing policies on body-worn cameras. In response to public pleas for more transparency in the investigations into two fatal police shootings, Honolulu police are reviewing their policies on body-worn cameras to develop a rule governing the release of footage from incidents involving officers, alleged suspects and victims. Star-Advertiser.

Partial rides on the rail could begin by the end of the year, but issues linger. The so-called interim opening would be from Kapolei to Aloha Stadium. Within that stretch, the guideway, tracks and stations are already complete. Hawaii News Now.

Council Passes Resolution Supporting Separate Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Department. The Honolulu City Council approved Wednesday a proposal urging Mayor Rick Blangiardi to create a separate department for the City’s Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services personnel. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kahuku gym faces eviction after being caught in legal dispute over a noise complaint. The plight of Ko‘olau Wellness Center appears to be collateral damage from the legal dispute and has divided the community with dueling online petitions to save or shut down the gym, which provides fitness classes, martial arts training, yoga and other programs. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council approves 4.1% budget increase: Parks, Fire, Police, licensing clerks among additions to Roth’s budget. Equipment for firefighters, repairs at parks, beefed up computer systems, more hours of community policing, four additional vehicle registration and licensing clerks and money for council contingency accounts added $1 million to Mayor Mitch Roth’s proposed operating budget, bringing the tally to $610.1 million after final passage Thursday by the Hawaii County Council. West Hawaii Today.

An additional 22 inmates test positive at HCCC. A total of 99 inmates and 13 staff members have now tested positive for the coronavirus since two positive cases were first reported at the Hilo jail on May 24. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Commission approves 5G cell tower off Saddle Road. The Windward Planning Commission gave the go-ahead to construct a cell tower off of Saddle Road 13 miles from Waikoloa Village. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Bill would pause development of visitor lodgings islandwide. As Maui braces for an anticipated influx of visitors next month, residents voiced their support for a newly proposed moratorium on visitor accommodations that would extend to the entire island of Maui. Maui News.

As talk of tourism heats up, some Maui residents cash in on increased spending. Nearly 7,000 visitors arrived in Maui on Wednesday. While some are complaining about the influx of tourists, others are capitalizing on it. Hawaii News Now.

$1.3 Million Hāna Boat Ramp and Wharf Improvement Project to Start in June. The boat ramp will be closed for approximately eight days starting around July 12 (date is subject to change) while new precast panels will be installed at the top of the boat ramp. Maui Now.

Online Tool Can Forecast West Maui Coastal Flooding Six Days In Advance. The Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System has created a high resolution wave runup forecast for residents, businesses and government agencies. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

New DOW deputy manager named. The county Department of Water’s interim Manager and Chief Engineer Mark R. Knoff appointed Judith A. Hayducsko as the DOW deputy manager and engineer, effective June 1. Garden Island.

Three vaccine pop-ups on Saturday.  If you are 21 and older, and get your vaccine — it’s the one-shot Johnson &Johnson or the two-dose Moderna — from Troy’s Place Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m., you will get to sing five free karaoke songs. Garden Island.

Pay to Play: Feds bust Honolulu Planning Department employees for allegedly accepting bribes, Legislature adds tax hikes, keeps budget papers secret, vaccination passport in the works, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Hale city hall ©2021 All Hawaii News

Five Honolulu Planning Department Employees Indicted For Bribery. Federal prosecutors say city workers accepted tens of thousands of dollars to fast track permits and provide other special treatment. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

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State officials won’t release unemployment office budget. As state House leaders finalized their version of the biennial budget last week, they announced they had appropriated $105 million to Hawaii’s labor department to tackle a massive problem: thousands of unpaid unemployment claims and a call center so overwhelmed that some residents have tried for months to get through to an agent without success. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Senate Committee Mulls Inheritance And Conveyance Tax Increases. Even after a $1.6 billion federal bailout, a key lawmaker says the state might need more money. Civil Beat.

A bill that would provide rent relief to businesses advances in state Legislature. As more businesses bite the dust and fall victim to the economic impact of the pandemic, the state passed a bill to help businesses recover from back rent. Hawaii News Now.

House panel suspends state Rep. Sharon Har DUI inquiry. A special committee in the House of Representatives set up to investigate state Rep. Sharon Har’s arrest on suspicion of drunken driving in February is suspending its proceedings until charges in the criminal case are resolved. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

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Ige Names 3 To UH Board Of Regents. The 11-member board is tasked with overseeing the 10-campus University of Hawaii system. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii researchers are the first to track freshwater plumes rising from the ocean floor. University of Hawaii at Manoa scientists have figured out how to detect and image underwater freshwater plumes rising from the ocean floor, a scientific first that could have wide-ranging implications for oceanography, hydrology and the study of sea life in coastal waters. Star-Advertiser.

Most visitors would recommend going to the Hawaiian islands if quarantine lifted. Hawaii has seen a travel resurgence since spring break travelers began appearing. The seven-day average of trans-Pacific travelers was 20,330 as another 19,491 travelers flew into Hawaii on Monday. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now. KITV4.

Hawaii moving forward using coronavirus vaccine passport for travel. State officials are moving toward issuing some type of vaccination passport to travel in and out of Hawaii as thousands of Hawaii residents get vaccinated against COVID-19 every day. KHON2.

For Many Hawaii Companies, The Pandemic Has Changed Work Forever. Many companies are grappling with when — and whether — to bring workers back to the office and how to do so safely. Civil Beat.

Army gets long-range missiles to guard against China. In a discussion Tuesday on the future of the Army in the Indo-Pacific, two top service leaders reiterated that the ground force isn’t stepping on the toes of the Marine Corps or Air Force budgetwise or operationally in developing long-range missiles. Star-Advertiser.

Lieutenant Governor Josh Green: Hawaii Still on Track for July Herd Immunity. He predicts that 1.7 million vaccine doses will be administered by then and roughly 80 percent of the state's population will be inoculated. KITV4.

In big milestone, 25% of eligible population in each county received at least 1 dose of vaccine. In a major milestone in Hawaii’s vaccination efforts, a quarter of the eligible population in each county has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the state Department of Health reported Monday. Hawaii News Now.

March 30, 2021 COVID-19 Update: The state Department of Health reports that there were 71 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Tuesday, including 45 on O‘ahu, 12 on Maui, six on Hawai‘i Island one on Kaua‘i, and seven in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state. Maui Now.

Oahu

Ban on disposable plastic food utensils and single-use bags starts Thursday in Honolulu. Starting Thursday, when a city ordinance aimed at reducing plastic pollution takes effect, Honolulu food vendors will be prohibited from providing or offering conventional, disposable service ware made of petroleum-derived plastic. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Violent crimes are happening around Oahu, yet HPD is failing to provide crucial info. There was another high-profile murder in Honolulu this week — and once again, there was a lack of communication from the Honolulu Police Department in sharing crucial information. Hawaii News Now.

Kaiser Permanente opens mass vaccination clinic at Kapolei movie theater. People were lining up at Kapolei’s Consolidated Theatres on Tuesday, March 30, not for movie tickets but for a COVID-19 shot. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

3 isle schools to get capital improvement funds. Gov. David Ige on Tuesday announced the release of more than $165 million in CIP money to fund critical infrastructure projects. Tribune-Herald.

Bill would partially restore lifeguard funding. State senators are set to take up Thursday the House’s proposed two-year budget bill that restores some funding for lifeguard services at five state beach parks, including two on the Big Island. West Hawaii Today.

Wayne Higaki Returns To UH Board of Regents. Governor David Ige on Tuesday announced the appointment of Higaki, who has served on the BOR representing Hawai‘i County (West) since 2015. Big Island Video News.

Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Orchards LP sues Hawaiian Host affiliate over debt. Hawaii’s largest macadamia nut farm has sued an affiliate of Hawaiian Host Group over unpaid nut deliveries two months after investors saved the local candy and snack maker from potential bankruptcy. Star-Advertiser.

New Malama Market Pahoa opens today. Malama Market’s new location will be the largest in the state. At 35,000 square feet, it is more than three times larger than its previous location down the road. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Inmate injured in 2019 riot sues state, cites overcrowding. Lawsuit alleges department failed to keep prisoners safe. Maui News.

Transport of inmates to court may resume with cluster ‘under control’. Maui Community Correctional Center and court officials are discussing resuming the transport of inmates to court “now that the virus spread has been mitigated” at the Wailuku jail, a state Department of Public Safety spokeswoman said Monday. Maui News.

Kauai

KFD and KPD take budget, positions cuts in FY 22 proposal. The county was recently tasked with balancing core services and operations with a tighter belt, and proposed a $243-million operating budget and $24.3-million capital improvement projects budget, with no position layoffs. Garden Island.

Legislature advances capital gains tax hike, cuts services and jobs in proposed budget, public TV exec implicated in CARES fraud case, rental car shortage as tourism surges, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Legislative money chairs Rep. Sylvia Luke, Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz (file)

Hawaii state agencies in an uproar as budget eliminates hundreds of positions. State agencies were in an uproar Monday as they fought to reinstate funding for hundreds of government positions and hold onto tens of millions of dollars squirreled away in special funds that normally fall outside of the legislative budget process. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Lawmakers Advance Capital Gains Tax Increase. A proposal to jack up the top rates for state capital gains taxes on businesses and wealthier individuals cleared an important hurdle Monday by winning unanimous approval in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Civil Beat.

Labor director asks lawmakers for millions to expand unemployment services. Following a COVID infection in a staffer last week, the state’s unemployment office call center at the Hawaii Convention Center reopened Monday. The reopening comes as the labor director asked the state for more than $100 million to expand call-center services. Hawaii News Now.

State bill would make sex with animals illegal. A bill that would make sexual abuse of animals a Class C or Class B felony in Hawaii is scheduled to be heard today in the state House. Star-Advertiser.

‘What About Us?’: Retailers Struggle To Find Their Way Through The Pandemic. The state had 10,000 fewer retail trade jobs at the end of 2020 than it had in 2019. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s Private Schools See Enrollment Drop More Than 20% For Preschoolers. The changes varied school to school and island to island, based on a new report by the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools. Civil Beat.

With Love’s Bakery closure a day away, its brand will live on. Portland-based Franz Family Bakery, also known as United States Bakery, announced Monday that it has acquired a license to produce the Love’s-branded items on the mainland for Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green warns of surge if people let down their guard, with majority of cases among younger set. Lt. Gov. Josh Green warned Hawaii residents that the number of corona­virus cases could continue to rise if people let their guard down and hold large gatherings. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii seniors now have lowest rate of COVID cases. A year after COVID first hit Hawaii, there has been a dramatic switch in who is getting the coronavirus. Thanks to mass vaccinations, seniors 65 and older now have the lowest rate in the state. KITV4.

March 29, 2021 COVID-19 Update: The state Department of Health reports that there were 103 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Monday, including 52 on O‘ahu, 36 on Maui, 10 on Hawai‘i Island and five Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state. Maui Now.

Oahu

City and County of Honolulu to receive half of its $365 million federal funds by early May. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz explained that the city can use the funds from the new stimulus package to make up for lost tax revenue, which last year’s CARES Act did not allow for. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers Want New Group To Determine Future Of OHA Kakaako Makai. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs says it does not plan to cooperate with the group if it two resolutions pass the Legislature. Civil Beat.

While businesses welcome a tourism boom, some worry it came too quickly. As coronavirus cases rise on Oahu, some fear it means falling back into Tier 2 restrictions. Mayor Blangiardi has said that’s not an option. Hawaii News Now.

Turtle Bay Resort to reopen July 1 as rise in visitors sparks hope for tourism industry. Turtle Bay Resort is still closed to guests, but the 450 construction workers readying the property for a summer reopening are a sign that better times are coming for Hawaii’s visitor industry — if they aren’t already here. Star-Advertiser.

$1,000 a day to rent a car? Low supply, surging demand are pushing up prices. Rental cars are a hot commodity in Honolulu. If you can reserve one ― and that’s not guaranteed ― prepare to pay top dollar. Hawaii News Now.

Waialua Beach Road bridge closed indefinitely due to structural instability. The Department of Transportation Services is keeping the Waialua Beach Road bridge closed indefinitely as repairs are ongoing following recent damages from heavy rainfall and flooding. Hawaii News Now.

University of Hawaii reopens campus next fall with more classes offered in-person. The University of Hawaii announced Monday it will be reopening its campus and amenities next fall, and it will be slowly transitioning students back to the classroom. KHON2.

University of Hawaii’s Snyder Hall to be razed as part of Mini Master Plan. Construction barriers have gone up around Snyder Hall at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in preparation for its demolition in May, marking the start of Phase 2 of the campus’ Mini Master Plan. Star-Advertiser.

Care center employees in Nuuanu ‘locked out’ amid contract talks. Dozens of workers have been locked out of the Care Center of Honolulu amid ongoing contract negotiations. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Higa implicated in fraud case: Na Leo TV president to be placed on leave following federal plea deal. The board of directors for Na Leo ‘O Hawaii TV is putting Stacy Higa, its CEO and president, on leave after a former associate alleged in federal court he and Higa were involved in a scheme to fraudulently funnel federal coronavirus relief funds to the Big Island public-access cable TV nonprofit. Tribune-Herald.

Nishimoto leaves Public Works. Just four months into his four-year term, Mayor Mitch Roth has lost his first top official, with Merrick Nishimoto leaving as deputy director of the Department of Public Works. West Hawaii Today.

Citing mounting costs, Hawaii County considers changes to post-travel testing program. A modified COVID-19 testing system for arriving passengers is in the works on the Big Island, the only county that still tests people upon arrival. Hawaii News Now.

‘Carmageddon’ Crashes Into Big Island, as Rental Industry Swallowed by Mass Demand. Anyone on the hunt for a rental car in Hawai´i is in for a disappointing month. At least. Big Island Now.

Nearly 15% of Big Islanders fully vaccinated. Nearly 15% of the more than 199,000 people on the Big Island are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, state data released Monday shows. West Hawaii Today.

East Hawaii a ‘hot spot’ for new virus cases. According to data from the state Department of Health, 41 new cases have been reported in Hilo over the past 14 days, and 25 new cases have been reported in Kailua-Kona during that same period. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Upcountry Councilmember Sugimura Hosting Public Online Meeting April 1 about FY 2022 Budget. Maui County Upcountry Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura will host an online meeting to hear input from community members about the upcoming Fiscal Year 2022 budget on April 1 at 5:30 pm. Maui Now.

$11 Million in Economic Coronavirus Relief for 5 Airports in Maui County. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Airports Division has received authorization for $11,098,912 in Coronavirus Relief and Response Supplemental Appropriations for five airports in Maui County. Maui Now.

Mokulele Airlines Completes Maui Terminal Renovation; New Kahului-Hilo 4x Daily Route. Mokulele Airlines held a blessing today, marking completion of a long-awaited facelift of its Kahului Commuter Terminal on Maui. Maui Now.

Mass vaccination draws more than 1,000. More than 1,000 people were vaccinated at a COVID-19 mass vaccination Saturday at Kaiser Permanente Hawaii’s Wailuku Medical Office. Maui News.

Visitors to Maui hit post-pandemic high in February. Maui County hotels also led state in revenue per room. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai County expands vaccine eligibility to residents 16 and up. Kauai is expanding vaccine eligibility to residents 16 and up, in a major step forward as the county prepares to rejoin the Safe Travels program for trans-Pacific visitors. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2021/03/30/kauai-county-most-residents-years-or-older-now-eligible-covid-vaccine/

County behind on landfill closing costs. The estimated closing costs are about $26.2 million, and the county has about $15.4 million saved away already, Acting Solid Waste Management Division Head Allison Fraley reported Monday to the Kaua‘i County Council. Garden Island.

Aguilar has two hearings in April. After being arrested last week on two counts of sexual exploitation of a child under the age of 18 by directing his victim into producing child pornography, Victor Aguilar, 65, a former educator and JROTC instructor at Waimea High School, made his first court appearance via phone from the Honolulu Federal Detention Center on Monday. Garden Island.

Tsunami warning system restored after almost weeklong outage, NOAA employees claim gag order, House budget relies on federal bailout, state moving to 10-digit dialing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tsunami alert buoy off the Kona coast PC:NOAA

Tsunami warning system is restored. The system of ocean buoys that helps warn Hawaii and the rest of the nation about tsunamis is back working after being knocked out of commission for nearly a week. Star-Advertiser.

Watchdog blames NOAA for lack of transparency on tsunami tracking system outage. There are new allegations that the staff at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center was told to keep quiet about an outage of a key data system that had been down for days. Hawaii News Now.

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House Spending Plan Fills State Budget Holes — And Then Some. Money from the $1.6 billion from the American Rescue Plan could be used to continue paying into state employees’ retirements fund, something the governor had suspended. Civil Beat.

Committee to investigate Rep. Sharon Har in DUI case. The state House will consider sanctions against one of its own after House Speaker Scott Saiki on Wednesday ordered the creation of a special committee to investigate state Rep. Sharon Har’s arrest on suspicion of drunken driving last month. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers consider a bill to allow any county employee to cite illegal parking. A new proposal aims to help police with parking enforcement in Hawaii.. House Bill 605 would allow any county employee to cite people for traffic violations along state highways. Hawaii News Now.

Come October, phone calls won’t work unless you dial ′808′ first. A change is coming to all local phone calls starting in October. All phone service providers will be implementing mandatory 10-digit local calling. Hawaii News Now.

Relics Of Sugar’s Past, Hawaii Dams Will Take Years To Fix Or Remove. The majority of Hawaii’s dams trace their roots back to the sugar cane plantation days, but the industry has left the state. And so has the money to maintain them. Civil Beat.

Coffee Leaf Rust ‘Emergency’ Prompts Request For New Fungicide, Threatens Organic Farming. To combat it effectively, the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture on Tuesday filed a request for a specific exemption from the US Environmental Protection Agency. The exemption would allow Hawai`i coffee growers to use a fungicide called Priaxor Xemium to help manage the ever-more prevalent infestations. Big Island Now. Maui Now.

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State vaccinations exceed 500,000. Hawaii has reached a significant milestone in the battle against COVID-19, administering more than a half-million vaccines as of Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

March 17, 2021 COVID-19 Update: The state Department of Health reports that there were 69 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Wednesday, including 38 on O‘ahu, 23 on Maui, one on Lānaʻi, four on Hawai‘i Island, and three in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed out of state. Maui Now.

Oahu

Honolulu rail project’s price tag hits $12.4B. The board that oversees the city’s troubled rail project expects to be told today that the cost has now ballooned to $12.449 billion, the projected shortfall stands at $3.577 billion and the completion date has been pushed to March 2031. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council advances measure to incentivize building affordable rental units. The Honolulu City Council advanced a measure that aims to increase affordable rental housing by offering financial grants to private developers. Star-Advertiser.

Queen’s Medical Center opening mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic at West Oahu location March 24. The hospital will immunize residents 65 and older, those with high-risk medical conditions and hotel, restaurant and bar workers in phase 1c in the Clinical Service Center Building from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, except on Mondays. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Consider Shifting Police Funds To Social Services, Police Commission Says. Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard agrees with the idea of social services workers handling calls involving homelessness and mental illness. Civil Beat.

113 Oahu homes were impacted by last week’s torrential rains, City says in initial report. The City and County of Honolulu released new numbers on Wednesday, March 17, identifying how badly the community was impacted by last week’s torrential rains. KHON2.

Online Platform Lets Low-Income Shoppers Buy Local Farm Products. Farm Link Hawaii connects food stamp beneficiaries with local farmers. The next step: taking those transactions on line. Civil Beat.

Scenic platform on Koko Crater Trail to remain in place for now. After meeting with city officials over the past week and a half, the group Kokonut Koalition reports the plan is now to rebuild it, instead of removing it. KITV4.

A dozen gambling machines seized in Wai'anae illegal game room raid. The Narcotics/Vice Division with the assistance of the District 8 Crime Reduction Unit and Specialized Services Division executed the search. KITV4. Star-Advertiser.

Hanauma Bay remains closed on Thursday as crews continue to troubleshoot sewage pipe failure. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve will remain closed on Thursday as crews continue working on a malfunctioning sewage pump, Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation announced today. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

A shot in the arm: Money, vaccines headed to Hawaii Island. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz on Wednesday described a shot in the arm for Hawaii County, both literally and figuratively. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County police make history with promotions of 2 women. Hawaii County Police Chief Paul Ferreira made two historic promotions this week, with two female captains becoming majors, the Hawaii County police department announced today. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Parks and Rec plans to reopen additional facilities. The county Department of Parks and Recreation is gradually returning to normal operations after a year of COVID-19 restrictions. Tribune-Herald.

Maunakea telescope to conduct analysis of asteroid. An asteroid wider than the Empire State Building is tall will make a “close” pass by the Earth on Sunday, when astronomers will use a Maunakea telescope to attempt to determine the object’s composition. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New S. Maui affordable apartments moving ahead. A nonprofit housing developer is proposing a new 63-unit affordable rental project in South Maui with monthly rates starting at just over $500. Maui News.

Leilani Farm Sanctuary Seeking Donations to Rebuild Fencing Destroyed by Dam Overflow. Record heavy rainfall on Maui last week caused a dam to overflow and destroy fencing for acres of habitat in the lower reaches of Leilani Farm Sanctuary, an all-volunteer, non-profit facility for rescued animals in Hāʻiku. Maui Now.

TNC Publishes Coral Reef Atlas for West Maui. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has released the Atlas of the Reefs of West Maui, a comprehensive report compiling 20 years of data detailing changes in the abundance and diversity of marine life in West Maui. Garden Island.

Kauai

Sheltered from virus, Kauai plans cautious return to tourism. As the coronavirus ravaged other parts of the U.S., residents of this rural Pacific island watched safely from afar. Associated Press.

Waimea Canyon Middle School playground dedicated. Waimea Canyon Middle School principal was glad the dedication of the school’s covered playcourt could proceed, Wednesday at the school’s far end of its parking lot. Garden Island.

State seeks to end Lawa‘i Stream diversion. After more than a century, baseflow, or fair-weather flow, of the Lawa‘i Stream will now be able to pass continuously without obstruction. Garden Island.