Bill would allow exemptions from child vaccinations, Airbnb sends campaign cash, Honolulu prosecutor could be term-limited, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii corrections officer ©2020 All Hawaii News

Hawaii Prison Reformers Call For New Approach To Guard Training. An overhaul of the training program is competing with many other priorities. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers consider bill that would allow for ‘conscientious’ exemption for child vaccines. New state child vaccinations requirements are about to kick in. But some parents are calling on lawmakers to delay the new rules — or make it easier to exempt children. Hawaii News Now.

State Health Laboratory to begin testing for novel coronavirus. The State Department of Health said beginning next week Hawaii should be able to test for coronavirus at the State Laboratory in Pearl City. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii lawmakers explore controversial ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws. State Representative Sean Quinlan's proposal would allow people to defend themselves on their own property or at their business, without fear of criminal prosecution. Hawaii News Now.

Environmental groups contend in lawsuit that the EPA has not protected Hawaii’s shorelines. Environmental groups last week filed suit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, saying plastic is undoubtedly a criterion and that the EPA has failed to protect 17 coastal water bodies around Hawaii from wide-scale plastic pollution under the federal Clean Water Act. Star-Advertiser.

Inouye pushes for stricter DUI law. A bill that would lower the blood-alcohol content for drivers to be considered legally intoxicated was passed unanimously Wednesday by the state Senate Transportation Committee. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii legislators advance bill to create LGBTQ commission. Hawaii state legislators have preliminarily approved a bill that would create a commission to address issues concerning the LGBTQ community. Associated Press.

Bills target dog-tethering. Improperly chaining dogs could become illegal later this year if a pair of animal cruelty bills passes the state Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

Bills would toughen penalties for assaulting, threatening sports officials. A pair of bills introduced this legislative session by state senators from Oahu seeks harsher penalties for parents, spectators and athletes who assault or terrorize sports officials such as referees, umpires and coaches. Tribune-Herald.

Survey Shows Extent of Sexual Harassment Among UH Students. The University of Hawaiʻi officially released its latest biennial student survey on sexual harassment and gender-based violence, issues that are prevalent among college students nationwide. Maui Now.

State could pay $1 million to settle lawsuits. Measures before the Legislature would appropriate more than $1 million to settle claims against the state — $650,000 of which would go toward a lawsuit over the 2014 death of a teenager who was riding a scooter on a Likelike Highway onramp. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard Bets Her Presidential Campaign On New Hampshire. The Hawaii congresswoman, who performed dismally in Iowa, has pretty much lived in the Granite State since December and hosted more than 100 events. Civil Beat.

Oahu

All prosecutor candidates but 1 agree with 2-term limit. Oahu voters will be asked in November whether they want to stop future Honolulu city prosecutors from serving more than two consecutive terms. Star-Advertiser.

Thousands turn out to tour the nearly complete Halaulani city rail station. The general public got its first chance to visit a city rail station Saturday ahead of initial limited service projected to start 10 months from now. Star-Advertiser.

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HART opens the doors to rail cars and platform for a community preview. Days after the mayor scrapped plans to renovate the Blaisdell Center over concerns of rail costs, the public had a chance to check out the already-completed rail facilities that have been years, and billions of dollars, in the making. Hawaii News Now.

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Controversial Kahuku wind farm is built, what's next? All eight turbines in Na Pua Makani wind farm in Kahuku are built as construction and commissioning activities march forward. KITV4.

Emergency repairs begin on crumbling highway near Crouching Lion, snarling traffic. With high surf pounding shores across the state, erosion is continuing to cause problem for some, including an already troubled portion of highway on Oahu’s windward side. Hawaii News Now.

Owners at affordable condo to appeal after seeing their property taxes skyrocket. Nearly 50 owners of affordable condos at an Ala Moana area highrise are appealing their city property tax assessments. Hawaii News Now.

Aloha Tower restaurant Gordon Biersch closes after 26 years. After 26 years of business, Gordon Biersch at Aloha Tower has been closed for good. KHON2.

Oahu condo sales rise 16%, median price up by 7.5%. Condominium sales on Oahu increased by 16% in January as the median price rose 7.5%, compared to a year ago, while single-family home sales increased 8% as the median price remained flat, according to statistics from the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Airbnb fattens four council campaign war chests. Four Hawaii County Council members each received a $500 contribution from Airbnb last year, although the source of their money wasn’t obvious. West Hawaii Today.

Puna Kai work continues. Despite the developer’s assurance last fall that many retailers in the Puna Kai shopping center would be open by Thanksgiving, work is still underway on the Pahoa project. Tribune-Herald.

Time is ticking for a bill to secure funding for an ambulance to be stationed at Makalei Fire Station, and it doesn’t look like it has a promising future. The closest ambulance-equipped fire station is 8 miles away in Kailua-Kona. West Hawaii Today.

DHHL Takes On Abandoned Vehicles in Makuʻu. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands says it is working to address abandoned vehicles, trespassing and unpermitted structures in the Makuʻu homestead area. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Island home sales get off to roaring start in 2020. Single-family home sales on Hawaii Island got off to a roaring start in January, with a 44% increase in sales and a 25% increase in the median price, compared to a year ago, while the median price of a condominium jumped 32%, according to statistics provided by Hawaii Information Service on behalf of Hawaii Island Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Top elections officials approved. County Council OKs Kaohu, Krueger for Clerk’s Office. Maui News.

Lab: Mahi Pono’s potato crop is free from chemical residuals. Amid questions over farming practices and the quality of its produce, third-party testing of Mahi Pono potatoes for 400 chemicals shows that they are free from pesticide residuals and safe for eating, the company said. Maui News.

ML&P sells 46 acres of Kapalua Resort for nearly $44M. Maui Land & Pineapple Co. reached an agreement to sell 46 acres at the center of its Kapalua Resort for nearly $44 million to Delaware limited-liability company KCRMD LLC, according to financial filings. Maui News.

Grand Wailea delay proves barriers to enter Maui’s hotel market. Expansion plans for the Grand Wailea Maui, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, recently hit another snag when the Maui Planning Commission granted a petition to intervene in the wake of community pushback against the $150 million project. Star-Advertiser.

Costs for Maui County seniors high. Maui County’s kupuna face some of the highest cost of living challenges in the nation, with some shelling out more than $5,000 annually for necessities compared to their Mainland counterparts, a recent study shows. Maui News.

Kauai

Hanapepe bridges, other topics part of mayor’s talk story. The Hanapepe Economic Alliance is hosting a talk story session Wednesday, Feb. 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m., for Hanapepe and ‘Ele‘ele communities, to discuss the status of the four bridges in the Hanapepe area, led by Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i is good place to start a small business. A recent study from SmartAsset, a New York Financial company discovered that Kaua’i is one of the top islands in the state to start a small business. Maui comes in at first, with Kaua’i at second, Hawai‘i Island at third and Oahu in last. Garden Island.

Eradication unlikely. An invasive weed community members have been battling for years along the Kilauea River is creeping back along the banks, growing rapidly in a thick blanket of green that is known to take over the surface of lakes and slow-moving water. Garden Island.

Kauai single-family home prices jump 16%. The median price of a single-family home on Kauai rose 16% in January, compared to a year ago, and the median price of a condominium declined by 18% while sales of both categories dropped, according to statistics provided by Hawaii Information Service on behalf of the Kauai Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Protests drag on at Mauna Kea, Kahuku; Hirono's cancer diagnosis fuels health care crusade, building heights big issue on Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono ©2019 All Hawaii News

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono’s cancer diagnosis has fueled her crusade for health care reform. It’s been two and a half years since U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced she was fighting advanced kidney cancer. Star-Advertiser.

Money flows to federal campaigns. Money continues flowing into campaign coffers for Hawaii’s congressional delegation, even for Senate candidates who have several years before their next election. West Hawaii Today.

Homeless family sent from NYC had jobs, housing.  New York City program sent a homeless family to Hawaii that had one-year’s worth of prepaid rent, prearranged housing and prearranged employment, and Lt. Gov. Josh Green is “satisfied” with the arrangements following an hourlong telephone conversation Friday with three New York City officials. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii ‘OK’ in beach report. A new report from the nonprofit Surfrider Foundation gives Hawaii a “C” in coastal management as it relates to climate change. Garden Island.

Bilingual students outpace native speakers in graduation rates in Hawaii. Students in Hawaii’s public schools who study English as a second language and master it before high school are more likely to graduate on time than kids who are native speakers. Star-Advertiser.

Studies: Pigs good, bad for environment. New research out of the University of Hawaii supports the state’s work to eradicate invasive and prevalent feral pigs, but also shows ways in which watersheds can benefit from the animals. Garden Island.

Oahu

Kahuku Wind Farm Opponents Declare Intent to Sue Developer. A North Shore citizens group led by Hawaii Sen. Gil Riviere said on Friday that it plans to sue the developers of a major wind farm project being built in Kahuku. Civil Beat.


 More arrests made after another large crowd of wind farm protesters turns out at Kalaeloa. Several people were arrested late Sunday into early Monday after another large crowd turned out in Kalaeloa over a wind farm project on Oahu’s North Shore. Hawaii News Now.


Wind farm protesters gather in Kalaeloa. Exactly one month after the first arrests linked to the Na Pua Makani wind farm project were made, opponents of the project gathered in Kalaeloa Sunday night to once more attempt to stop the transport of wind turbines. Star-Advertiser.


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Despite Changes, Some Food Vendors Still Oppose Proposed City Plastics Ban. A measure banning single-use plastic and polystyrene products from Oahu restaurants is moving to the full City Council for a final vote after amendments, although some businesses remain opposed to it. Hawaii Public Radio.

Anxious Palolo residents worry about home stability as erosion worsens. Anxious residents say the hillside erosion in Palolo is expanding. They say the collapse along Kuahea Street has moved to other streets in the neighborhood. Hawaii News Now.

Ewa Beach Residents Want Marines To Take Another Look At Retaining Wall. Military says it’s fine but Hawaii’s top coastal management official calls the project part of a “death knell” for the islands’ beaches. Civil Beat.

‘Kauhale’ homeless concept generating offers of donations. More construction- related companies, architects and two private landowners have stepped forward to help create a new, communal “kauhale” concept to build permanent, tiny homes for Oahu’s chronically homeless adults. Star-Advertiser.

Kaneohe condo complex defies city ordinance and cuts down protected trees to enhance views. On the slopes of a Kaneohe promontory prized for its ocean views, more than 1,000 trees including milo, mango, kukui, weeping banyan and silver trumpet have stood for decades as part of a lush hillside — and a knotty problem. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Honolulu Traffic Is Terrible. So Why Aren’t More People Riding TheBus? With ridership sliding, city officials are trying to get more butts in transit seats. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

HUD Won’t Fund Housing In Lava Zones 1 & 2. Housing projects will not get funded by HUD CDBG-DR money, but public infrastructre projects will. Big Island Video News.

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Four months later, Maunakea camp is a ‘well-oiled machine’. After the four-month anniversary of the creation of the camp at Maunakea Access Road, some things have changed but more have stayed the same. Tribune-Herald.

Retired Lt. Files Complaint Over HPD Mauna Kea Operation. A recently retired lieutenant from the Hawaiʻi County Police Department is taking action, and has filed a complaint in regards to the ongoing police activity around Mauna Kea. Big Island Video News.

Police: Flags on cars not a problem. The Hawaii Police Department has been upfront about its law enforcement efforts around the Maunakea protests since the demonstration began in July. West Hawaii Today.

TMT supporters question sacredness of Mauna Kea, opponents disagree. This disagreement -- even among Hawaiians on what’s sacred -- indicates that a resolution or a compromise to the 126-day-old stalemate is far off. Hawaii News Now.

Visitors have turned to the Mauna Loa summit for their sightseeing needs. The 17-mile roadway, owned and managed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, is near the Mauna Kea Access Road on the opposite side of the highway. Star-Advertiser.

Man makes home out of cave near protesters’ camp. While the borders of the Pu‘uhonua o Pu‘uhuluhulu are ever-changing, they do not extend to one of the more curious developments near the Maunakea Access Road: a partially-collapsed lava tube where one man has made a home. Tribune-Herald.

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Army plans Big Isle drill with Chinese soldiers. An opening ceremony will be held Monday on Hawaii island for a military exercise with China that will involve about 100 People’s Liberation Army soldiers training alongside U.S. Army counterparts. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Residents oppose Wailuku building height increase. Proposals shelved; agency is planning public workshops. Maui News.

Kamaole dunes are up for restoration. Sand dunes play key role in slowing erosion. Maui News.

Kauai

‘Ohana Zone coming soon. Kauai County officials are finishing up plans for a facility to provide homeless residents with affordable housing and social services, and hope to break ground on the project next month. Garden Island.

New fare Kauai Bus structure to go into effect on Jan 1, 2020. As part of the recommendations provided by Kauai’s recently completed Short Range Transit Plan, The Kauai Bus is announcing that a new fare structure will be going into effect Jan. 1, 2020. KHON2.

Oceans of discovery. The new Kauai ocean discovery facility is finally coming, said Jean Souza, the program specialist with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and the Pacific Islands Region. Garden Island.

Hawaii donors ante up in 2020 presidential race, state accidentally kills fish it meant to protect, proposed Mauna Kea rules released, shearwaters killed on Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

While Hawaii is infamously known for having the lowest voter turnouts of any state, recent elections have spurred a more active voting culture across the country, with people who previously sat on the sidelines now heading to the ballot box — and the bank — to support their candidate. Using Federal Election Commission campaign donation data from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2019, Pacific Business News gathered information on Hawaii communities that donated to the campaigns of Democratic presidential candidates to see which presidential hopefuls have the most support in the Islands. Pacific Business News.

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Ocean Plastic Pollution Prompts Lawsuit. A nonprofit announced its intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for failing to protect Hawaiian waters. Civil Beat.

Lawsuit Launched Over “Failure to Recognize Plastic Pollution” in Hawaiian Waters. The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for allegedly “failing to protect Hawaiian waters contaminated by plastic pollution.” Maui Now.

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Fifteen Unaccompanied Migrant Children Came To Hawaii In The Past Year. The children often crossed the U.S.-Mexico border after traveling from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. Civil Beat.

Remains of Coast Guardsman, a WWII prisoner, are flown home. On Thursday the remains of Lt. Thomas “Jimmy” Crotty, identified by a Hawaii lab in September, were carefully carried in an flag-draped casket to a C-130J Super Hercules at Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point for the long-overdue journey home and a hero’s burial Saturday in Buffalo, N.Y. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Handicapping Hawaii’s CD2 Election. Possible candidates include many of the usual suspects, but these are highly unusual times. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Airbnb Crackdown Does Not Deter Oahu Visitors. Visitors to Oahu continued to increase in September despite a crackdown on illegal vacation rentals that some economists predict will seriously hurt the island’s economy. Civil Beat.

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Retired Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his former deputy prosecutor wife, Katherine Kealoha, will have to wait 5-1/2 more months to learn their fates. Star-Advertiser.

March Sentencing Set For Kealohas And Their Co-Conspirators. In December, a federal judge is expected to decide whether Katherine Kealoha’s sentencing should be based on sentencing guidelines for deprivation of civil rights or obstruction of justice. Civil Beat.

New sentencing dates set for Kealohas and co-conspirators. Katherine Kealoha is behind bars at the Federal Detention Center, where, according to her attorney, she was recently placed in solitary confinement. KITV.

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Controversial developer of an Ala Moana project faces new legal problems. 17 investors from China have filed suit against the developer of a pair of controversial Honolulu construction projects, saying he defrauded them out of their funds. Hawaii News Now.

City opens more appointments for driver license and state ID renewals. An additional 100 slots per day have been opened for residents to book appointments to renew a driver's license or state identification card. KITV.

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Honolulu Zoo welcomes 3 cheetah sisters from Smithsonian. The Honolulu Zoo Thursday morning celebrated the arrival of three new South African cheetahs from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, where they were born. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Zoo Welcomes South African Cheetahs. With a nod to Harry Potter, say hello to Fawkes, Nagini and Pickett. Civil Beat.

3 new cheetahs arrive at the Honolulu Zoo. The zoo unveiled its three new South African cheetahs Thursday ― Fawkes, Nagini and Pickett. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

UH Board of Regents is set to consider controversial Mauna Kea rules. Following months of public hearings and revision, the latest version of the controversial Mauna Kea administrative rules will be considered for adoption Wednesday by the University of Hawaii Board of Regents. Star-Advertiser.

Maunakea rules unveiled. The final version of proposed administrative rules for Maunakea lands managed by the University of Hawaii was unveiled Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Regents to Consider Maunakea Management Rules Draft. The proposed draft of the administrative rules for University of Hawaiʻi managed lands on Maunakea is now available for public review along with related supporting materials. Big Island Now.

Mauna Kea kia’i have concerns over the proposed rules released by the UH Board of Regents Thursday. The latest draft of the rules comes after years of hearings, testimony and research by UH. KHON2.

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Recycling groups, projects, cropping up as county reduces recycling. Learning that the county on Oct. 16 stopped collecting recyclable non-HI5 plastics, a bunch of people got together to do it themselves. West Hawaii Today.

Native Hawaiian Chamber Of Commerce Starts On Big Island. The island with the largest population of Native Hawaiians — the Big Island — is now joining by forming its own Native Hawaiian Chamber.  Hawaii Public Radio.

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Foster mother is charged with murder of boy, 3. A Hawaii island grand jury has indicted a Waimea woman on a charge of second-degree murder in the 2017 death of a 3-year-old boy while under the temporary foster care of the woman and her husband. Star-Advertiser.

Big Island woman indicted for murder in connection with foster child’s death. A Big Island woman has been indicted for second-degree murder in connection with the death of one of her foster children. Hawaii News Now.

A Big Island woman has been indicted for the death of a three-year-old boy. Fabian Garrett-Garcia died while under the care of his foster mother Chastity Alco-Siba-McKenzie. KHON2.

Maui

State issues apology after thousands of native fish in Wailuku killed. A state project earlier this week meant to boost survival for native fish and shrimp resulted in killing possibly thousands of them days later. Maui News.

Hundreds of Dead ‘O‘opu During Fish Ladder Construction at Wailuku River. A video documenting a substantial fish kill of native ‘o‘opu (gobies) at the mouth of the Wailuku River was brought to the attention of the Commission on Water Resource Management on Wednesday during the installation of a fish ladder that is meant to help such species survive by ensuring mauka to makai water flow. Maui Now.

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Owners of Rodeo General Store looking to sell. They are hoping to hand off the torch to a new owner/operator. Maui News.

Kauai

Nearly 150 wedge-tailed shearwaters killed by cats and dogs on Kauai. State wildlife officials said that nearly 150 wedge-tailed shearwaters on Kauai have been killed by off-leash dogs and feral cats during this year’s nesting season, so far. Star-Advertiser.

Wedge-tail massacre. Wedge-tailed shearwaters are common in Hawaii, but are vulnerable to predation by cats, dogs, rats and other predators. Garden Island.

Almost 150 birds dead on Kauai from off-leash dogs and feral cats this year. Off-leash dogs and feral cats are responsible for the killings of between 140 and 150 Wedge-tailed Shearwaters on Kauai during 2019’s nesting season.  KHON2.

Sanders out-raising Gabbard in her home state, HART employees questioned in federal probe, Mauna Kea roadblock protest costs taxpayers, Kauai advances guest house bill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Bernie Sanders, Tulsi Gabbard campaign photos

It’s Gabbard’s Home Turf, But Sanders Is Raising More Money From Hawaii Donors. The Hawaii congresswoman is second and President Donald Trump comes in third, but many of his contributions are too small to be tallied. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers’ Financial Disclosures Don’t Always Paint A Complete Picture. Sen. Russell Ruderman, who owns health foods stores, was the only lawmaker to report more than $1 million in outside income last year. Several of his colleagues reported no income beyond their legislative salaries. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's CBD Industry Grows As State Opts To Educate Before It Imposes Fines. It's illegal in Hawaii to manufacture, distribute or sell products containing cannibidiol or CBD but that hasn't stopped businesses from setting up shop in the islands. Civil Beat.

Want To Serve On Hawaii’s Land Board? The governor is recruiting for the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. Civil Beat.

Oahu

HART employees to be questioned in federal probe. The agency overseeing construction of the city’s $9.2 billion rail system already was slammed with three federal subpoenas for records, and now several employees have been served subpoenas and asked to meet with federal investigators about possible wrongdoing and irregularities. Star-Advertiser.

Council Chair’s Proposal To Kill HART Dies Its Own Early Death. The proposed resolution would have allowed voters to decide whether to end HART, but it didn’t clear its first reading. Civil Beat.

HART budgeting to fix cracks found in West Oahu rail stations. Honolulu’s embattled rail project is already in need of repairs, and it isn’t even fully operable yet. The rail authority says it’s setting aside $10 million to fix cracks discovered at canopy arms at its West Oahu rail stations. Hawaii News Now.

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City Council once again looking at banning styrofoam containers and plastic utensils. The City Council is looking at banning single-use plastic utensils and bags. The bill passed its first reading Wednesday. If adopted, the ban could take affect as early as January. KHON2.

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Efforts re-launched to impeach Kaneshiro after e-signatures denied. If the impeachment is accomplished by December 31, the vacancy is filled by special election. KITV.

Katherine Kealoha will not get a new trial for now. U.S. District Chief Judge J. Michael Seabright on Wednesday decided not to hear a motion for a new trial before Kealoha is sentenced in October for conspiracy and obstruction of justice. Star-Advertiser.

Kealoha Suit Against City, Ethics Commission Cost Over $355K. The invoice represents only some of the city’s Kealoha-related legal costs. Civil Beat.

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Financial impacts of short term rental law. While inventory goes up, prices could be going down. KITV.

Kailua woman on a fixed income fears new vacation rental rules will have a domino effect. For the past several years, Fabienne Melchior has rented the top floor of her Kailua home to tourists, charging $160 a day. Hawaii News Now.

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Police hunting for arsonist. An arsonist, who is believed to have set three Waikiki hotel fires in three days, is still on the loose and police are asking the public’s assistance to help find a “person of interest,” whose image was captured on surveillance video taken at the scene of the crimes. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Authorities Seek 'Person of Interest' In Arsons At 3 Waikiki Hotels. Associated Press.

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Another Hawaiian monk seal accidentally hooked by a fisherman has been rescued, treated and released, according to federal wildlife officials. Star-Advertiser.

Local fisherman reports accidental monk seal hooking, saves the endangered animal. Once he cut the line, he called the Hawaiian monk seal response team. KITV.

Hawaii Island

More complete numbers coming for TMT-related costs. The Hawaii County Council Finance Committee on Tuesday discussed a possible financial report of the county’s expenses relating to the ongoing standoff on Maunakea, but meaningful numbers will not be available until later this month. Tribune-Herald.

Law enforcement costs associated with TMT conflict are mounting. The costs of assigning law enforcement to a protest at the base of Mauna Kea are mounting, leaving some concerned about how taxpayers will cover the tab. Hawaii News Now.

Mauna Kea Observatory’s New Instrument Stuck In Hilo. The East Asian Observatory had hoped to install its new Namakanui instrument on Mauna Kea by now, but the conflict over the Thirty Meter Telescope has altered that plan. Big Island Video News.

Frustration mounts for Mauna Kea telescopes. The existing 13 telescopes atop Mauna Kea remain shuttered and unable to function as the Thirty Meter Telescope protest continues into its fourth week at the base of the mountain. Star-Advertiser.

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Eruption recovery manager faces questions and criticism from council members. An interim strategy to help the county recover after the 2018 Kilauea volcano eruption is still being developed, but the recovery process has frustrated and concerned some county leaders and community members. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Council Losing Patience With Lava Recovery Process. Puna councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz said she is tired of the process, tired of the system, and tired of the apologies. Big Island Video News.

Council advances changes to Kona CDP. The County Council on Wednesday tightened government oversight before unanimously moving to a final reading a package of changes that some community members say will weaken the Kona Community Development Plan. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

All proceeds from former sugar land sale invested. Alexander & Baldwin’s second quarter report last week contained information on a couple of Maui projects, including the sale of the final 22 units in the 170-unit Kamalani workforce development in Kihei and the near completion of the first phase of the Hookele Shopping Center in the Maui Business Park. Maui News.

Panel: More money, more problems with wage hikes. Economic experts discuss living wage at chamber installation. Maui News.

Arson Investigation Launched, $20K Damage at Wailuku Parole Facility. Maui Now.

Kauai

Bill revising ‘guest house’ definition advances. Homeowners and landlords are one step closer to being allowed to contain kitchens in their guest houses. Garden Island.

PMRF Change of Command set for Friday. Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, will hold a change-of-command ceremony Friday at the hangar bay on base. Garden Island.

Capt. Vincent Johnson leaves as commander of PMRF. Sitting on the shady Shenanigan’s patio days before the change of command at Pacific Missile Range Facility, Capt. Vincent Johnson said he’s not ready to say goodbye to the island he’s grown to love. Garden Island.

Thirty Meter Telescope almost 20% done, UH Board of Regents approves group to study Mauna Kea management, money in politics, police salaries, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tropical Depression Flossie at 5 a.m. Aug. 5 NOAA

Tropical Depression Flossie Continues to Weaken. At 5 a.m., Tropical Depression Flossie was located about 155 miles E of Hilo and 225 mile ESE of Hana, Maui (near latitude 19.7 North, longitude 152.7 West). Maui Now.

Tropical Depression Flossie expected to bring high surf, heavy rain and thunderstorms. KHON2.

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TMT almost 20% done: Despite ongoing protest on Maunakea, work continues around the world. Although no construction equipment has been able to ascend Maunakea for three weeks due to the ongoing protest by some Native Hawaiians, the Thirty Meter Telescope is nearly 20% complete. Tribune-Herald.

UH Board of Regents Approve Forming Investigative Group For Mauna Kea. A new University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents group will be investigating the school's role in managing Mauna Kea. Hawaii Public Radio.

Fact-Checking Environmental Concerns About The Thirty Meter Telescope. TMT officials say the world’s largest telescope will be a zero-waste facility, while the state has determined  it doesn’t pose a risk to the Big Island’s water supply. Civil Beat.

Claims about TMT’s impact on watershed are just plain false, according to expert, EIS. The most vocal opposition to the Thirty Meter Telescope project has come from the perspective of the rights of indigenous people and the cultural significance of the site. Tribune-Herald.

Mauna Kea protests seen as generational shift, pivot point. As they enter their fourth week, the protests against the Thirty Meter Telescope are beginning to look like something new and powerful in Hawaii politics, a magnetic and growing movement that has captivated thousands, including even some committed Hawaiian supporters of the TMT. Star-Advertiser.

Mauna Kea Radio Broadcasts Defy FCC. A low power radio station broadcasting from the base of Mauna Kea is just one of the many media efforts supporting the opposition to the Thirty Meter Telescope. Big Island Video News.

Conflict on Mauna Kea 'Where it Stands’ mini-documentary. The conflict on Mauna Kea is about to enter its fourth week with no end in sight. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii’s homegrown teachers step up to the plate as efforts target teacher shortage. As students head back to public schools across Hawaii today, the first cadre of newly licensed teachers in the “Grow Our Own” initiative are stepping to the front of their classrooms. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Efforts To Stop Youth Vaping Stalls As Use Increases. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks Hawaii number two among states for children grades 6 to 12 who are vaping. Hawaii Public Radio.

$2.7B Weinberg Foundation re-balancing Hawaii real estate empire. Recently, leaders of the Baltimore-based Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation have made major changes to the organization’s Hawaii operations, leading some local business leaders to worry whether the foundation’s historic role in the state would be diminished. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Councilwoman’s use of city funds to pay PR firm is scrutinized. Honolulu City Councilwoman Heidi Tsuneyoshi is using her taxpayer-funded Council contingency account to pay a Honolulu public relations and advertising firm for community and media outreach and marketing. Star-Advertiser.

Rail Faces More Uncertainty As Council Leader Tries To Abolish HART. After years of missteps it’s time for the rail agency to be replaced by city control, Honolulu’s City Council chairman argues. HART says that’ll only make things worse. Civil Beat.

DHHL land deal under fire. Two parties are raising questions about the commission practice of turning over land from the department’s 203,000-acre land trust to nonbeneficiaries, typically through long-term leases or short-term rights of entry. Star-Advertiser.

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In wake of pedestrian crash, state to look at building parking for Laniakea Beach Park. Under pressure from the North Shore community, the state Department of Transportation said it will now look at moving parts of Kamehameha Highway near Laniakea Beach inland to provide limited parking on the makai side of the highway. Hawaii News Now.

Laniakea task force urges state to improve pedestrian safety. Members of the Laniakea Task Force are urging the state to prioritize adjustments to Kamehameha Highway to help avoid future accidents like the one involving a 10-year-old boy just days ago. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii Salary Database 2020: We’re Kicking Off This Year’s Report With HPD. A legal challenge by the police union held up release of officers’ names for years but a recent court ruling found disclosure is required under public records law. Civil Beat.

Fort Street Mall satellite city hall relocating to bigger location. The city says the location will close this coming Friday and will reopen Monday around the corner at the Chinatown Gateway Plaza. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Money in politics: Lawmakers fundraise during legislative session. Elections are more than a year away — and for some senators three years away — but that hasn’t kept state lawmakers from holding fundraisers during the legislative session and collecting money from the very people who are trying to influence their votes. West Hawaii Today.

DLNR declines settlement offer for grave damage. More than a year after the state Department of Land and Natural Resources sought to fine the Edwin C. Olson Trust No. 2 for damage allegedly done to a plantation camp cemetery by heavy machinery, a settlement still has not been reached. Tribune-Herald.

New marketplace to open next year. A larger Safeway being built as part of the Niumalu Marketplace is on track to open up in summer 2020, the project’s developers said Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

More than the mountain: New tours offered to fill stargazing gaps. Big Island tour companies are increasingly learning not to put all their eggs in one basket, as even temporary closures of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Maunakea summit play havoc with tour groups’ plans. West Hawaii Today.

University of Washington starting physician assistant program in Hawaii. The UW School of Medicine’s MEDEX physician assistant program is investing up to $1 million to open a training center at the former Kaiser Permanente Clinic in Kailua-Kona. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

HIOSH ordered Maui Police Department to conduct internal investigation. The letter states that MPD had until July 30th to conduct an internal investigation. KITV.

New Partner Joins Maui-Based Consulting Firm. Skog Rasmussen LLC, a Maui-based consulting firm, announced that Melissa Unemori Hampe has joined the firm as a partner. Maui Now.

Fire fully contained; work to quell hot spots in 5,300-acre Pukalani blaze will continue. Maui News.

Kauai

An infrastructure project to replace the Hanapepe River Bridge is well behind schedule, and construction has been at a virtual standstill for months. Garden island. Construction on a replacement for the 80-year-old bridge began earlier this year, and already the project has been delayed five or six months, said Larry Dill, district engineer with the state Department of Transportation. Garden Island.

Bridge meeting set. The state Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration and WW Clyde and Co., has scheduled a public meeting to provide an update on the construction of the Hanapepe River Bridge replacement. Garden Island.

Governor, Honolulu mayor attend climate conference, National park expands by almost 2k acres, Nuuanu reservoir drained to prevent overflow, Maui mops up following Olivia, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige at climate conference, courtesy photo

Gov. David Ige and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell are attending the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco this week. Star-Advertiser.

What New Census Data Says — And Doesn’t Say — About Hawaii. Incomes are slightly higher but housing costs are still among the worst in the nation. Civil Beat.

A contested case hearing over alleged ethics violations has been scheduled next month for Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Rowena Akana, who is accused of breaking the state’s gifts law, gifts reporting law and fair-treatment law. Star-Advertiser.

Following Campaign Cash In Hawaii Just Got Easier. A new digital tool lets users see a massive amount of data with just a few mouse clicks — no Excel experience necessary. Civil Beat.

When voters cast their ballots in November, one of the issues they’ll be deciding on is a Constitutional Amendment that would establish a surcharge on investment real property. Garden Island.

Hawaiian Airlines’ Boeing 767 fleet will retire by the beginning of next year, about a quarter earlier than originally expected. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Honolulu Board of Water Supply officials said Thursday afternoon that there was no danger of Nuuanu Reservoir No. 1 failing and said they notified the public about the possibility of evacuations downstream that morning in an abundance of caution to keep the community informed. Star-Advertiser.

Board of Water drains Nuuanu Reservoir after storm raises water levels. Hawaii News Now.

Heavy rain from Tropical Storm Olivia filled Nuuanu Reservoir #1 to dangerous levels Thursday. KHON2.

Many Nuuanu residents were in a state of panic Thursday morning after being alerted a dam was approaching dangerous levels that could trigger evacuations. KITV.

Crews from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply and the Honolulu Fire Department on Thursday managed to lower the water levels at the Nuuanu reservoir No. 1 after they had come within a foot and a half of the dam's spillway. Pacific Business News.

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The state Health Department may have issued an islandwide brown-water advisory due to Tropical Storm Olivia, but plenty of tourists were still splashing in the waters fronting major hotels in Waikiki on Thursday afternoon. Star-Advertiser.

Idaho Court Ruling May Impact Honolulu Homeless Bill. On Wednesday the Honolulu City Council voted unanimously to advance two bills that could have a major impact on the city’s homelessness policy. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council Rejects Big Bus Fare Hikes For Seniors And The Disabled. Taxpayers will continue to subsidize public transportation at a higher level than called for in city guidelines. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

The National Park Service has acquired a 1,952-acre oceanfront property in Ka'u from a Florida real estate developer. The $1.95 million purchase by the park service of the “Great Crack Property” from Joseph Gillespie III is the last piece of a settlement between First Citizens Bank of Raleigh, N.C., and Hilo businessman Ken Fujiyama and his Ken Direction Corp. to settle the bank’s foreclosure claim concerning a defaulted mortgage on the then-Naniloa Volcanoes Resort. Tribune-Herald.

A pay-as-you-throw bag-tag rubbish program could be revisited after it was rejected first in 2009 and again in 2015. West Hawaii Today.

Damage to county facilities from the flooding late last month caused by torrential downpours from Hurricane Lane totaled about $20 million, said Managing Director Wil Okabe on Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

State and county officials Thursday got a bird’s-eye view of the parts of Maui County hardest-hit by Tropical Storm Olivia. Star-Advertiser.

West Maui takes stock a day after homes, cars washed away. A day after Tropical Storm Olivia pummeled Maui with torrential rains and strong winds, residents are still trying to assess all the damage. Hawaii News Now.

VIDEO: Homes, cars swept away in Honokohau Valley flood. Maui News.

‘The water just started washing things away,’ resident says. Maui News.

Post Storm Recap: Maui County Resumes Services. Maui Now.

A road in Haiku collapsed when rain from the outer bands of Hurricane Lane hit the Valley Isle weeks ago. Rain from Tropical Storm Olivia hasn't helped the situation. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

A Koloa business owner is concerned that clogged culverts near Weliweli Road caused some of the flooding in the area, and has been trying to get the County of Kauai to remedy the problem. Garden Island.

The 22nd annual Coconut Festival has been canceled due to lack of funds. Instead, the Kapaa Business Association, which regularly hosts the event, is partnering with the Kauai Veterans Council to bring the Nov. 3 Veterans Day Parade back to Kapaa. Garden Island.

Hurricane Olivia approaches, education tax question to stay on ballot, first ID of Korean war remains anticipated, Navy scales down Red Hill fuel tank plans, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Olivia 4:30 a.m. Monday  NOAA

Tropical storm warning issued as Olivia nears islands. Hurricane Olivia continues on a path toward the Hawaiian Islands and has prompted a tropical storm warning for Hawaii and Maui counties. Star-Advertiser.

At 5 a.m. Monday, forecasters said Olivia remained a Category 1 hurricane, with sustained winds of 85 miles per hour. Hawaii News Now.

Maximum sustained winds are near 85 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast today, with slight weakening starting tonight and continuing through Tuesday. However, Olivia is forecast to be a strong tropical storm when it reaches the Hawaiian Islands. KHON2.

On the forecast track, Olivia will be approaching the main Hawaiian islands later Tuesday or Tuesday night. KITV.

Governor signs emergency proclamation as Olivia heads toward Hawaii. KHON2.

An emergency proclamation was signed by Gov. David Ige Sunday in preparation of potential impacts from Hurricane Olivia, which is expected to approach the state as a tropical storm this week. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Ige signed an emergency proclamation that will provide relief for disaster damages, losses and suffering caused by Hurricane Olivia. KITV.

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A judge has ruled against a motion by Hawaii’s four counties to block November ballots from asking voters if they want to amend the Hawaii Constitution to allow the state to tax investment property. Associated Press.

Hawaii judge allows property tax con amendment to stay on ballot. A proposed amendment to the Hawaii Constitution that would permit the Legislature to place a “surcharge” on investment properties will be allowed on the November ballot following a judge’s ruling on a motion filed by the counties seeking to block the question. Pacific Business News.

The state Department of Taxation wants to subpoena Airbnb Inc. records for the past 10 years to determine whether transient vacation rental operators in Hawaii have been paying their state taxes. Star-Advertiser.

First identifications of remains turned over by North Korea to be announced. In coming weeks, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency is expected to announce the first two identifications from 55 sets of remains turned over by North Korea following a historic June summit between Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump. Star-Advertiser.

We Don’t Give Up’: Identifying America’s Long-Lost Soldiers. The POW/MIA forensic lab in Hawaii has more than 1,400 service members who have been missing in action, some for decades. Civil Beat.

This Massive Boom Aims To Snag Pacific Ocean’s Plastic Trash. The collection system created by a Dutch innovator is headed to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Associated Press.

Oahu

Mayor to residents: Prepare for Olivia, but avoid overbuying supplies. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu mayor urges residents to stay vigilant despite potential hurricane fatigue. KHON2.

Navy plan for Red Hill tanks in question. After more than four years of discussion about upgrading 20 massive, aging underground fuel tanks that could pose a threat to a major source of Oahu’s drinking water, the Navy is saying, in part, that it isn’t sure of its future fuel needs in the Indo-Pacific region — pushing for the cheapest and least protective option to satisfy federal and state regulators. Star-Advertiser.

Invasive, reef-smothering algae are being kept in check at Kaneohe Bay thanks to tiny, native sea urchins that graze on them the same way goats feed on grass. Star-Advertiser.

A police motorcade led the fanfare for Saturday’s parade for the Honolulu Little League All Stars, who made Hawaii proud last month by beating South Korea to become the 2018 Little League World Series Champions. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on 4 new homes in Waimanalo. Hawaii News Now.

Commentary: Alleged mail-in voting abuse demands deeper investigation. Twice in six years, state Rep. Romy Cachola has been accused of effectively stealing elections by intimidating elderly immigrants in his Kalihi district to vote for him via mail-in ballots. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Before Hawaii County creates a redevelopment agency to guide eruption recovery in Puna, it may need some help from the state Legislature. Roy Takemoto, executive assistant to Mayor Harry Kim, said state law may only allow counties to have one such agency at a time. Star-Advertiser.

Residents flock to MacKenzie to relax, see new beach. MacKenzie State Recreation Area is located at the end of the road, where Highway 137 meets a barricade and not far from where lava from the lower Puna eruption first entered the ocean. Tribune-Herald.

Mandatory evacuation pau: Leilani Estates residents being allowed to return starting today. Tribune-Herald.

The Lessons Learned In Puna As Lava Shelters Shut Down. Public agencies and private organizations devised massive relief efforts, but “they knew a lot less about living rough than we did,” said one evacuee. Civil Beat.

Federal Support Critical to Kilauea Recovery Effort. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposed compost site draws questions. Administrators with Hawaii County’s Department of Environmental Management say a new proposed site for a island-wide composting facility will have fewer impacts on the community and won’t be near any residences. Tribune-Herald.

New life for Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden. With the announcement of a $550,000 grant through a federal community forest program, the nonprofit Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden have collected $1.3 million in raised funds that can go toward purchasing the garden from the Bishop Museum. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui County prepares for Olivia with key port ready to close.  As Olivia approaches, Maui is still reeling from Hurricane Lane. KHON2.

Former Maui County Council Member Mike Victorino reported having a campaign war chest surplus of $33,280.40 as of last month’s primary election while Council Member Elle Cochran, his rival for the Mayor’s Office, disclosed having a deficit of $1,283.47, reports to the state Campaign Spending Commission show. Maui News.

The county Urban Design Review Board has recommended approval of plans for a Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission education and operations center on 8.26 acres next to the Kihei Boat Ramp. Maui News.

Visitors are overwhelming Maui’s Hana Highway and the residents who live along the remote route. Even as Hurricane Lane loomed over the Hawaiian islands last month, dumping 24 inches of rain on East Maui and triggering landslides, flash flooding, downed trees and other perils, tourists were hitting the famed “Road to Hana.” Star-Advertiser.

Roadwork in Haiku that was delayed due to weather will resume Monday, Sept. 10 along Awalau Road from the half mile mark to Kaupakalua Road. Maui Now.

Opposing candidate signs face off: Political signs a given for homeowners with prime visible locations. Maui News.

New guestrooms, restaurant at Sheraton Maui following $26.5 million renovation. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

The County of Kauai will hold an open house and presentation on Wednesday to provide an update on the Lihue Town Core Mobility and Revitalization project. Garden Island.

Time Is Literally Running Out For This Historic Kauai Radio Station. President Donald Trump’s proposed 2019 budget would wipe out an annual $6.3 million appropriation that supports the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s 70-year-old broadcast at the Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kekaha, as well as its two sister stations in Fort Collins, Colorado. Civil Beat.

It took the Ewings only two days to get the water out of their yard after the August storm. That’s an improvement, since it took two weeks to get rid of the water after the April floods. Garden Island.

New jail slated for Oahu, top lawmakers buy loyalty among peers, tropical storms approach as cleanup continues, council member refuses to vote, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Razor wire at jail ©2018 All Hawaii News

Gov. David Ige accepts environmental impact statement for relocating Oahu’s overcrowded jail. However, the $525 million project to rebuild the Oahu Community Correctional Center at the state Department of Agriculture’s animal quarantine station could face challenges. Star-Advertiser.

Governor Selects Halawa Animal Quarantine Site for OCCC Replacement Facility. The state is moving ahead with its plan to replace Oahu’s aging jail for pre-trial detainees and those will less than a year sentence. Hawaii Public Radio.

The severely overcrowded Oahu Community Correctional  Center will be relocated to the Animal Quarantine Station site in Halawa. Hawaii News Now.

Larger jail planned for Oahu with Halawa chosen as new site. KHON2.

Hawaii could partner with private developer to build Honolulu jail. Pacific Business News.

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A Hawaii-based soldier plans to plead guilty to charges of attempting to support the Islamic State group. Sgt. 1st Class Ikaika Kang is scheduled to change his plea Wednesday. Associated Press.

Capitol Finance: How Top Lawmakers Build Their Power With Campaign Cash. Top Hawaii House and Senate leaders have given out nearly $200,000 to other candidates since 2006. Civil Beat.

There are now 2 tropical storms churning in the East Pacific. Tropical Storm Miriam is about 1,230 miles east of Hilo, moving west near 13 mph. Tropical Storm Norman was 455 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico on Tuesday evening, or about 2,699 miles from Hilo. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation is actively monitoring hazardous road conditions across the state in light of heavy rain and severe flooding from Tropical Storm Lane. Hawaii News Now.

Lessons Learned From The Hurricane That Just Missed Hawaii. Lane didn’t leave the devastation that many feared it would. It did leave Hawaii with a new standard for storm preparation. Civil Beat.

The state has revised its requirements for the rabies quarantine program to cut down on wait times while still preventing the virus from being introduced. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Elections Chief: No Proof Of Vote Tampering In Primary. Dozens of Kalihi residents who filed a lawsuit over the narrow victory of Rep. Romy Cachola haven’t shown any wrongdoing by the state, Scott Nago argues. Civil Beat.

Drivers beware: Issuing traffic tickets just got easier for HPD. Three nighttime Honolulu police officers, three solo bike officers and three parking enforcement officers racked up 80 traffic and parking tickets by midmorning Tuesday under a new mobile automated citation program designed to be more accurate and less time consuming. Star-Advertiser.

Rain increases Ala Wai Canal pollution, causes beach warning. The Ala Wai Canal was a chocolate brown mess Tuesday complete with floating trees, natural debris and trash. Star-Advertiser.

City hosts community meetings on Ala Wai Bridge alternatives analysis. The Department of Transportation Services Complete Streets Program has announced an alternative analysis study titled "Ala Pono: An Ala Wai Crossing," which evaluates alternatives for additional community access including a new bridge between the neighborhoods of Waikiki, Ala Moana, and McCully/ Moiliili. KHON2.

FBI conducts an island-wide drug bust Tuesday. KITV.

The owners of Wailana Coffee House plan to find a new tenant for the restaurant after it closes on Sept. 30. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

County officials were still at a stalemate Tuesday, one week after Puna Councilwoman Jen Ruggles shocked fellow council members by announcing she will refrain from voting or sponsoring legislation because she feared she would be violating international law and committing war crimes against the Hawaiian Kingdom. West Hawaii Today.

Council member Jen Ruggles released a letter on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018, in response to Corporation Counsel Joe Kamelamela’s opinion regarding possible criminal liability for war crimes. Big Island Now.

Water Board finding puts future of wind farm in question. A decision by the Hawaii County Water Board at its monthly meeting Tuesday may signal the end of an award-winning renewable energy project and prove the impetus for a legal battle with implications amounting to tens of millions of dollars. West Hawaii Today.

East Hawaii Business owners, residents continue cleanup as county tabulates damage done by Hurricane Lane. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo Resident's Book and Music Store Destroyed by Lane. Hawaii Public Radio.

Health officials warn that going into a building that has been flooded, even after the water is gone, can present a wide variety of hazards. Big Island Video News.

Sgt. 1st Class Reymund Rarogal Transfiguracion, a highly decorated special operations soldier who gave his life for his country, has returned home. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has given 46 people citations since May. KITV.

Recently released into the wild, 11 endangered Hawaiian crows survived recent severe weather brought on by Tropical Storm Lane. Hawaii News Now.

‘These Little Buggers’ Are Taking A Big Bite Out Of Hawaii’s Macadamia Crop. Hawaii is considering introducing a newly discovered wasp to prey on the invasive pest. Civil Beat.

Maui

Former Maui officer sentenced for theft and bribing motorist. Former Maui police officer Anthony Maldonado stole $1,800 from a motorist because he thought the motorist was a drug dealer, had stolen drugs and money from drug dealers before, gave some of the drugs to his mistress and sold steroids to at least one other officer, a federal prosecutor said Tuesday at Maldonado’s sentencing. Star-Advertiser.

Community members are invited to a meeting Wednesday night to discuss the impacts of Lane and a recent string of brush fires over the weekend. KHON2.

Investigation: So far, 'No criminal intent' found in Maui wildfires. Hawaii News Now.

‘The pride runs deep’. First responders rally to save historic Lahainaluna campus. Maui News.

Support in aftermath of fire pours in as Native Hawaiian families on kuleana lands vow to rebuild. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Rains pound Kauai; bridge, schools, parks closed. Garden Island.

Deluge swamps North Shore. Garden Island.

Lane Resoaks Areas That Were Deluged In April Storm. The Kuhio Highway is closed near Hanalei, where business activity has come to a standstill. Civil Beat.

Michael Bukoski had just moved back into his house on Wailaau Road in Koloa when the notice for voluntary evacuations came across Tuesday morning. Garden Island.