Rep. Tulsi Gabbard tests presidential waters, state sued over autistic student services, Honolulu Styrofoam food container ban proposed, Lingle to address Maui crowd, coquis come to Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard ©2018 All Hawaii News

Is This The Beginning Of Tulsi Gabbard’s Bid For President? The congresswoman will travel from a high-profile event for Bernie Sanders progressives in Vermont to New Hampshire, where she’ll participate in a pre-presidential meet and greet. Civil Beat.

Colleen Hanabusa Is Now The Legislature’s Attorney In Case Against The State. Two nonprofits filed a lawsuit in September to improve government transparency in the lawmaking process. Civil Beat.

State sued over services for autistic students. Lawyers for the Hawaii Disability Rights Center filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court Wednesday against the state Department of Education and Department of Human Services. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Climate Commission Pushes For State Carbon Tax. The group of state and county officials said it’s the most effective method to reduce emissions from cars, trucks and buses. Civil Beat.

Is Ocean Warming Causing A Decline In Hawaii Whale Sightings? Researchers and wildlife officials meet in Honolulu to discuss the “unprecedented” decrease in sightings throughout the islands. Associated Press.

The 2018 Central Pacific hurricane season will end Friday much like it started — with a couple of months of smooth sailing and no tropical cyclones on the horizon. It was the middle part that got rather dicey. Star-Advertiser.

Strike-ending deal means 5 hotels down, about 15 more to go. As striking hotel employees begin returning to work today at five Marriott-managed hotels, the focus shifts to about 15 other major Hawaii hotels where union members soon will be pushing for better wages and benefits. Star-Advertiser.

The largest container ship ever built in the U.S. sailed into Honolulu Harbor on Wednesday. Matson says the “Daniel K. Inouye,” named for the late U.S. senator, is the most efficient and fastest ship in its fleet. Hawaii News Now.

Largest container ship built in US arrives in Hawaii. Named in honor of Hawaii's late senior U.S. senator, the Daniel K. Inouye is the first of four new ships being built for Matson that will be introduced in Hawaii over the next two years. KHON2.

‘Inouye’ arrives in Honolulu as newest, biggest, fastest Matson ship. The largest containership ever built in the United States cruised into Honolulu Harbor Wednesday after three years of construction and an initial voyage from Philadelphia to California via the Panama Canal earlier this month. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

New proposal introduced to ban styrofoam containers. The proposed bill would ban restaurants from using polystyrene foam or styrofoam containers. KHON2.

Measure to speed building permit approval becomes law. A bill aimed at speeding up the processing of building permits will become law despite Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s lingering concerns about it. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Caldwell Unveils Plan to Issue Residential Permits in 60 Days. The Honolulu City Council passed Bill 64 two weeks ago to speed up the permitting process for residential homes. Today, the Mayor announced his own plan. Hawaii Public Radio.

Caldwell allows Honolulu building permit bill to become law, unveils new plans to speed permit process. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Wednesday said he will allow a bill requiring building permits for one- and two-family homes to be issued within 60 days to become law without his signature, and announced seven initiatives to speed the building permit process, including one requiring all third-party-reviewed permits to be issued without re-checking and another that will close one-stop building permit centers to new applications one day a week. Pacific Business News.

City rolls out new initiatives aimed at speeding up permitting process. After a flurry of complaints, the city has kicked off some new initiatives to speed up the permitting process. Hawaii News Now.

New law reduces wait time for certain building permits. But there are specific requirements when it comes down to fast-tracking the application process. KITV.

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Abigail Kawananakoa asks court to amend trust, give $40M to wife. Court records show Abigail Kawananakoa has changed her trust to ensure that her wife receives $40 million and all her personal property, including her Chihuahua “Girlie Girl.” Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Princess Amends Trust To Ensure Wife Gets $40 Million. The action by Abigail Kawananakoa’s legal team comes during a court battle over her capacity to make decisions about her fortune. Associated Press.

Amid questions about her health, Heiress Kawananakoa seeks to amend trust to give wife $40M. The battle over Heiress Abigail Kawananakoa’s $215 million fortune is intensifying. Hawaii News Now.

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Privately Funded, ‘Destination’ Playground Proposed For Ala Moana Park. A nonprofit would oversee building the free, fenced-in site featuring zip lines, fountains, a snack concession and a police office. Civil Beat.

Ride Sharee works with City Council to draft rules for dockless bike parking. When you rent a bicycle from Ride Sharee, there isn't a bike rack to return it to. That's because the bikeshare is dockless. KITV.

HFD responding to possible chemical leak at Island Energy Service. Honolulu firefighters are responding to reports of a fire and chemical leak at a refinery on Oahu’s Leeward side. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Commission gives positive recommendation to sewer fee hike bill. The Environmental Management Commission on Wednesday sent the Hawaii County Council a positive recommendation on a measure that would nearly double sewer fees over the next three years. West Hawaii Today.

Commission rules against Waikoloa Highlands developer. The state Land Use Commission Wednesday voted to revert more than 700 acres in South Kohala from rural district to an agricultural land classification after determining that the developer of a planned 398-lot residential subdivision did not substantially get the project off the ground. West Hawaii Today.

SBA Disaster Recovery Center Opens In Hilo. Assistance for Hawaii businesses and residents affected by Hurricane Lane is now available, U.S. Small Business Administration officials say. Big Island Video News.

Waipio Valley residents concerned for safety after permits revoked. Morgan Toledo's family has lived in the heart of Waipio for generations. KITV.

Maui

Former Governor Linda Lingle to Speak at Nisei Veterans Memorial Center. Former Governor Linda Lingle will speak at the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center’s Leadership Series Luncheon on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. at the Kahili Golf Course Nahele Ballroom. Maui Now.

Planning commission defers action on Paia Inn. Panel reviews permit denial for 9-bedroom vacation rental. Maui News.

A proposed education and outreach center dedicated to Kahoolawe’s history got approval from the Maui Planning Commission on Tuesday. Maui News.

The Maui Energy Conference returns to the Maui Arts Cultural Center March 27-28, 2019 with a new name. Maui Economic Development Board announced today that the conference would be renamed the Hawaii Energy Conference. Maui Now.

Kauai

Coqui have arrived. Since September, six coqui frogs have been captured in Kapahi, rousing the attention of invasive species groups dedicated to keeping them off of Kauai. Garden Island.

Lunch is served, finally. Malama Kauai’s Farm-to-School program just opened its commercial kitchen trailer at the school and Chef Barbara Kaauwai is serving lunch for the school every day. Garden Island.

Supreme Court grills advocates on education tax amendment, Hirono approval drops, Honolulu building permits lag, regents approve new Mauna Kea rules, $40k fine for killing nene, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Supreme Court building ©2018 All Hawaii News

Hawaii Supreme Court hears arguments on proposed constitutional amendment. The Hawaii Supreme Court is expected to rule quickly after hearing oral arguments Thursday on whether a question on general election ballots asking voters if they want to give the state the power to tax investment property to support public education should be invalidated. Star-Advertiser.

Supreme Court Hears Challenge To ConAm Ballot Measure But Defers Ruling. Hawaii’s county governments hope the court will act quickly to invalidate the measure that would allow the state to tax property for education. Civil Beat.

Supreme Court hears oral arguments on controversial constitutional amendment question. State Attorney General Russell Suzuki conceded Thursday that a controversial constitutional amendment to raise investment property taxes for education could lead to higher taxes for residential homeowners in the future. Hawaii News Now.

A controversial ballot question rests in the hands of the Hawaii Supreme Court justices. They heard arguments Thursday on whether the state should be allowed to collect property taxes for education. KHON2.

Counties, state argue before Hawaii Supreme Court on constitutional amendment to tax property for schools. Pacific Business News.

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What does a blank vote mean? The yes votes have to be 50 percent or more of all ballots cast. KHON2.

The ConCon’s Real Price Tag? That’s Still A Mystery. An opposition ad puts the cost at $55 million. But that assumes unprecedented full public funding of campaigns for hundreds of delegate candidates. Civil Beat.

Civil Beat Poll: Hirono Approval Rating Still High Despite Kavanaugh Backlash. Moderates and conservatives have a dimmer view of the Hawaii senator after her pointed criticisms of the Supreme Court justice during his confirmation. Civil Beat.

Hawaii High Court Weighs Whether To Release Secret Investigation Of State Auditor. Justices appeared concerned about the state’s argument that attorney-client privilege protects the Legislature from releasing the report. Civil Beat.

Commentary: The Senate Confirms Judges, So Why Is The House Butting In? Were House leaders looking to mess with the governor when they interviewed Keith Hiraoka, his choice for the state Intermediate Court of Appeals? Civil Beat.

Five OHA seats up for grabs this election. Five open seats amid public scrutiny of how OHA trustees spend their allowances and the embarrassing leak of a scathing audit. KITV.

Hawaii’s unemployment rate ticked up in September to a one-year high of 2.2 percent amid further evidence that the state’s economic growth is slowing. Star-Advertiser.

Unite Here Local 5, the union representing 2,700 striking hotel workers on Oahu and Maui, accused Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts on Thursday of more unfair labor practices at its Marriott-managed hotels. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Council bill would address lengthy building permit times. A bill requiring the city to process less complicated building permits within 60 days won preliminary approval from a City Council committee Thursday after a parade of builders, contractors, engineers and architects aired complaints about how the delays are hurting their businesses. Star-Advertiser.

Workers, homeowners frustrated by building permit backlog push for change. KHON2.

City Pushes for Monster Home Crackdown While Streamlining Building Permits. Hawaii Public Radio.

New law cracks down on contractors violating stop-work orders. The law comes after complaints that contractors are doing work on homes without a permit and when ordered to stop, they just keep on working despite getting fined. KHON2.

Surprise Eviction Notices Have This Old Plantation Community Up In Arms. State Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz and a state agency are aggressively moving ahead with development plans for Central Oahu’s Whitmore Village. Civil Beat.

Honolulu ranks high on yet another list — this time for the worst roads. Drivers spend an average of roughly $850 a year in repairs, a new report says. Hawaii News Now.

University of Hawaii at Manoa to raise parking rates starting next year. The Board of Regents on Thursday approved new rates that will be phased in over six years starting next fall.  Star-Advertiser.

UH Students And Staff Will Pay For $35 Million In Parking Garage Repairs. Parking rate increases will be phased in over the next six years in a plan approved by the Board of Regents. Civil Beat.

Hawaii State Public Library hasn't had any major upgrades in 26 years. KHON2.

Grand jury indicts janitor accused of molesting teen student in Kaneohe. Records indicate the alleged assault happened after a ‘fun fair’ at the campus. Hawaii News Now.

Utah developer buys site for third hotel in Kapolei. Utah-based Garn Development Co. LLC has closed on the purchase of a 2.64-acre lot within the 40-acre Leihano development where it plans to build the city of Kapolei’s third limited-service hotel. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents unanimously agreed Thursday to allow the university to revise its proposed rules for Mauna Kea. Hawaii News Now.

UH taking another step toward better managing Mauna Kea. UH Board of Regents approved a request to revise to UH's proposed administrative rules. KITV.

Draft EA for proposed Honomu ag project done. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has completed a draft environmental assessment for its proposed Honomu agricultural homestead community and will host a meeting next week about the project. Tribune-Herald.

Kona Village Resort eyes 2021 reopening. The Kona Village Resort could potentially reopen in 2021, a decade after sustaining heavy damage from the 2011 tsunami. West Hawaii Today.

The County of Hawaii is in the process of revamping its website. The county seeks the public’s feedback on the site to make it useful, user-friendly and exciting. Big Island Now.

Maui

Councilors loath to swap site in Wailuku for bus hub. Some members of a Maui County Council committee expressed reluctance to part with the old Wailuku Post Office site as part of a proposed lease exchange for a new Maui Bus hub on state land in Kahului. Maui News.

Proposed changes to special management area permits and the shoreline area designation that account for rising sea levels will be presented to a County Council committee and the Maui Planning Commission. Maui News.

Maui Gas Prices Up Again. In Kahului, the average price was $4.15, which is three cents higher than last Thursday, eight cents higher than on this date last month and 63 cents higher than on this date a year ago. Maui Now.

Maui Chamber to Hold Emergency Preparedness Classes. Maui Now.

Kauai

A part-time Kauai resident must pay more than $40,000 in fines for fatally shooting four nene geese with a pellet gun near his home in Koloa last year. Star-Advertiser.

A part-time Koloa resident was ordered Tuesday to pay more than $40,000 in fines for shooting endangered nene. Garden Island.

Judge orders Kauai man to pay upwards of $40K for shooting at nene birds. The 72-year-old used a pellet gun to kill four nene birds. Hawaii News Now.

Man to pay more than $40,000 in fines for shooting at nene. KHON2.

Part-time Kauai resident fined over $40K for fatally shooting nene geese. Steven Cookson was convicted of five misdemeanor state charges. KITV.

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Kauai Bus users will see schedule changes to improve services starting Monday. Garden Island.

Appellate court nominee has Kauai ties. Garden Island.

Kenoi found not guilty in theft trial, HART executive director to be Hanabusa's chief of staff, PACs fuel fight in Honolulu mayoral race, Maui council defers polystyrene bill, building permit gripes in Hilo, Kauai fishnets feed H-Power, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kenoi hugs supporters after acquittal, pool photo by Hollyn Johnson/Tribune-Herald

In a stunning and unanimous verdict Tuesday, a Hawaii island jury took 24 hours to find Mayor Billy Kenoi not guilty of all charges related to personal and alcohol purchases that Kenoi billed to the county — and later repaid — from 2011 to 2015. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Billy Kenoi was acquitted of all remaining charges Tuesday in his criminal trial in Hilo Circuit Court. Tribune-Herald.

Jurors have found Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi not guilty of all theft charges against him. Civil Beat.

A Big Island jury found Mayor Billy Kenoi not guilty on all counts today on his alleged misuse of his county issued purchasing card. Hawaii Public Radio.

The decision, read in a Hilo courtroom at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, declared Kenoi not guilty on all counts. The mayor mouthed the words “thank you” to the jury. KHON2.

Not guilty. That's the verdict a jury handed down in Mayor Billy Kenoi's theft trial. KITV.

Mayor Billy Kenoi is not guilty. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Island Mayor Billy Kenoi has been found not guilty on all counts for his alleged misuse of his county-issued purchasing card in a trial that questioned whether spending hundreds of dollars on whiskey and pineapple juice is a legitimate government expense. Associated Press.

The most sensational example of how Mayor Billy Kenoi used his county purchasing card never made it into the courtroom. Star-Advertiser.

Billy Kenoi’s future in politics is a hot topic again after the Big Island mayor was acquitted on all counts in his felony theft trial. Hawaii News Now.

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Mike Formby, acting executive director of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, will become Colleen Hanabusa’s chief of staff if she wins the general election Tuesday to fill the seat left vacant by U.S. Rep. Mark Takai, who died from cancer in July. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Board of Education voted Tuesday afternoon to begin the search for a new schools superintendent to replace Kathryn Matayoshi. KHON2.

Hawaii voters have an opportunity to change the state’s constitution in ways that would affect how surplus tax revenues are used and the threshold for jury trials in civil cases. Civil Beat.

More than 100 foreign fishermen who work on Hawaii longline vessels that bring in tuna and swordfish to Honolulu piers have been sent back to their countries by U.S. Customs and Border Protection over the past decade for offenses such as drinking alcohol, performing work that they are not authorized to do, or straying too far from the piers. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

More than $2.5 million has been spent in the Honolulu mayoral campaign since the Aug. 13 primary election, about half of it from independent political action committees seeking to sway voters both for and against incumbent Mayor Kirk Caldwell. Star-Advertiser.

Super PACs Raise Over $1 Million In Honolulu Mayor’s Race. Two political action committees favor Kirk Caldwell while a third, funded by engineer Dennis Mitsunaga, is backing challenger Charles Djou. Civil Beat.

Until now, the money and the people behind an anti-Kirk Caldwell political action committee has been kept secret. Hawaii News Now.

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A new Hawaii Army National Guard unit took delivery of three Black Hawk medevac helicopters Friday at Kalaeloa Airfield, paving the way for a new capability within the islands’ reserve force. Star-Advertiser.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources says it expects to hire two more employees at Kaena Point State Park Reserve to better protect nesting albatrosses that were attacked last year and help curtail other violations. Civil Beat.

As the supply of housing continues to diminish on Oahu, the cost of renting continues to climb, according to a report released Tuesday by real estate consultant Ricky Cassiday. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

It’s been a little more than a year since the county beefed up its staff and overhauled its building permit review process in an effort to speed up permits. But about a dozen people — primarily design professionals and construction contractors — on Tuesday laughed off a Public Works official’s contention that things are much better now. West Hawaii Today.

After being approved by Hawaii County Council late last month, a plan to improve connectivity in Upper Puna is now in the hands of the Mayor’s Office and the Department of Public Works. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Two proposals that would extend the ban on plastic bags to reusable ones and polystyrene food container products in Maui County were deferred Monday afternoon by a County Council committee. Maui News.

Most of the content in Mayor Alan Arakawa’s five bills aimed at curbing behavior by homeless people, such as going the bathroom in public or drinking in parks, is already enforceable by other county or state laws, said Maui County Prosecuting Attorney John D. Kim on Monday. Maui News.

An investigation of Hawaiian Airlines baggage handlers accused of stealing items from checked luggage in Maui has widened. Hawaii News Now.

Major Maui solar farms starting construction within weeks. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

A former psychiatric social worker at Kauai Community Correctional Center was forced out of her job for trying to protect female inmates from a warden who allegedly subjected them to sexual humiliation and discrimination, her attorney told jurors at the start of trial in her lawsuit Tuesday. Associated Press.

Protecting Earth’s oceans is paramount to survival on Kauai and two local organizations are providing an opportunity for residents to have a say in preserving their place. Garden Island.

It took just seven months to fill up another 20-foot Matson container with nets scavenged from Kauai’s beaches, and Saturday the debris will be shipped to Oahu. Garden Island.

Lanai

 Hokama faces political rookie for Lanai seat on the council. Maui News.