Teachers and aides sought as school coronavirus cases drop, Pentagon to appeal Red Hill tank closure, Obama spotted in Waikiki, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii teacher and student PC: Governor's Office

Public school COVID-19 cases drop, but teacher absences high. Coronavirus cases among students and teachers in Hawaii public schools appeared to trend downward significantly last week, according to state Department of Education data.  Star-Advertiser.

Josh Green Has An Early Money Lead In 2022 Hawaii Governor’s Race. House Finance Chair Sylvia Luke leads the lieutenant governor’s race when it comes to campaign cash raised so far. Civil Beat.

Hawaii veteran joins governor’s race on Republican ticket. A Hawaii veteran and US Indo-Pacific Command program manager has announced his run for governor on the Republican ticket. Lynn Mariano is pledging to tackle “bipartisan issues in a bipartisan way.” Hawaii News Now.

Obamas dine at Waikiki restaurant during Hawaii visit. Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama are in Hawaii and enjoying some local eats. Hawaii News Now.

State Says It Shouldn’t Be Held Liable For Pandemic Harm Including Inmate Deaths. The state Attorney General’s Office wants to block pandemic lawsuits, including claims filed in cases where prisoners died from Covid-19. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers introduce bills to make state more cryptocurrency friendly. Sen. Bennette Misalucha, Sen. Glenn Wakai, and Rep. Patrick Pihana Branco are leading the efforts to get Hawaii state lawmakers to consider the cryptocurrency-related legislation. KITV4.

OHA Trustee For Hawaiʻi Island Stepping Down. OHA Trustee Keola Lindsey has announced that he is vacating his position effective Tuesday, February 1. The OHA Board of Trustees received a letter of resignation from Lindsey which stated that “he is leaving his position to focus on the well-being of his ʻohana.” Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Hopes rise as omicron trends down. Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth expressed optimism Monday about the current downward trend in daily coronavirus case counts and the anticipated return of larger events. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii records 1 new coronavirus-related death, 1,513 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count includes 956 new cases on Oahu, 159 on Hawaii Island, 193 on Maui, 161 on Kauai, five on Molokai, seven on Lanai and 32 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Military to fight state’s order on Red Hill fuel tanks, official says. The U.S. military plans to appeal the state’s emergency order requiring it to drain its Red Hill fuel tanks, a decision that was met Monday with swift rebuke by members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation, the state Department of Health and groups that have long fought for the tanks’ removal, including the Hawaii Sierra Club. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

BWS: Water conservation measures could slow completion of new housing. Water restrictions for Oahu this summer brought on by the ongoing fuel contamination crisis are still possible, and the measures could even impact new housing projects. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

New Police Misconduct Report Shows Record Number Of Officers Disciplined. The Honolulu Police Department suspended or fired 59 officers in 61 different cases last year. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Prosecutor: Police Were Justified In Shooting Man Near Ala Moana. Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm commended the officers who shot 48-year-old Ricky Kaleopaa for their “textbook” response. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Attorneys seek dismissal of charges against former managing director. Attorneys representing former city managing director Roy Amemiya filed a motion Monday to dismiss federal charges that he conspired with two others to defraud the county and federal government in 2017 by arranging a $250,000 retirement settlement for former Honolulu police Chief Louis Kealoha. Star-Advertiser.

City opens new isolation and quarantine facility in Ewa Beach. The City and County of Honolulu opened a second isolation and quarantine facility in Ewa Beach on Monday to accommodate those who have been infected by COVID-19 and need a space to distance themselves from others. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

2 groups will compete to redevelop land around Aloha Stadium. It will be a head-to-head contest between a pair of development partnerships seeking to turn 73 acres of state land around Aloha Stadium into a community with homes and businesses. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

40k open building permits set to expire as county streamlines permit process. More than 40,000 open building permits, some dating back 40 years, will be declared null and void if permit holders don’t act soon, as the county continues its transition to an online permit system. West Hawaii Today.

Finding an alternative road to Puna: Measure would fund surveys for possible routes. State Rep. Greggor Ilagan has introduced a bill that, if passed, would order and fund site surveys to identify the most suitable location for an alternate road to lower Puna makai of Highway 130. Tribune-Herald.

DOFAW Seeks Input on Restoration of Honuaʻula State Forest Reserve. The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife is seeking input on a draft management plan for the Honuaʻula Forest Reserve that will guide management priorities for this area over the next 10 years. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian monk seal transported from Oahu to Kona for care. A new patient is receiving care at the world’s largest marine mammal hospital in Kailua-Kona. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Now.

Maui

Mayor allows West Maui Community Plan ordinance to become law without signature. The mayor has asked the Planning Director to draft proposed amendments to rectify the plan’s current “legal ambiguity” and to allow for additional public input on Kahoma Village as well as revamped plans for Lahaina Town South. Maui Now.

Maui group aims to expand coqui frog eradication efforts. A group fighting invasive species on Maui wants to expand efforts to eradicate coqui frogs near a popular surfing spot before the animals spread. Associated Press. Maui News.

Kauai

NOAA frees whale once entangled in 2,500 feet of marine debris. A humpback whale that was recently seen tangled in 2,500 feet of cord is now swimming freely off Kauai. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Good Fix to spay and neuter cats in Kaumakani and Anahola. Greater Good Charities’ Good Fix Program is back on Kaua‘i providing spay and neuter cat clinics islandwide. Garden Island.

Hawaii residents leaving state, Carnival cancels Hawaii cruises for the rest of 2020, BLM infiltrates Kauai Trump rally, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii farmers market, with flowers ©2020 All Hawaii News

 Economists anticipate Hawaii’s shrinking population will decline further due to coronavirus. UH economists recently projected in a report that the state will see a net population loss of 19,000 over the next two years, which means an even bigger number of resident departures since that figure also takes into account the many people expected to move to Hawaii from other states and countries. Star-Advertiser.

With no job prospects on the horizon, some are moving to the mainland. A lack of job opportunities and no communication from the state’s unemployment office is driving some Hawaii residents to pack up their bags and move to the mainland. Hawaii News Now.

Is Hawaii Learning To Live With The Coronavirus? Message fatigue has become a real concern as Hawaii officials gear up public service announcements reminding people they need to wear masks, wash their hands and stay away from each other. Civil Beat.

Carnival cancels most 2020 US cruises, including those to Hawaii. Carnival’s rival Norwegian Cruise Line said it’s holding out hope it’ll be able to restart operations in November — and isn’t shutting down all operations just yet. Hawaii News Now.

Public service campaign inspires the catchy ‘Our Kuleana’. The Our Kuleana campaign — which features well-known island figures donning face masks to help stop the spread of COVID-19 on TV and in print ads, as well as everyday folks taking up the challenge and posting photos of themselves masked up with the hashtag #ourkuleana — inspired Hilo musician Brandon Nakano. Tribune-Herald.

After Hawaii tourism reopens, will there be a flood or trickle of visitors? After seven months of tourism lockdowns, the state is finally ready to reopen the gates. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s arrival testing debate continues, decision expected this week. Several leaders and health officials are now sounding the alarm. They’re saying that more needs to be done or the state will see a surge in cases, and possibly another shut down by the end of the year. KHON2.

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Monday's The Deadline To Register Online To Vote And What Else To Know. There's a lot about 2020 that makes it a year to leave behind. But at least one important task remains: choosing the next president and filling a host of local offices, all with the power to impact our lives. Hawaii Public Radio.

Concerns remain about new Hawaii hemp law. Hawaii will adopt a federal industrial hemp production program at the end of this month, signalling the end of the state’s two-year-long Industrial Hemp Pilot Program. Tribune-Herald.

Navatek CEO Warned Workers Of ‘Draconian Consequences’ If They Slacked Off During Pandemic. Now, Martin Kao faces federal charges of bank fraud and money laundering for allegedly bilking the coronavirus relief program of $12.8 million. Civil Beat.

VIRUS TRACKER — Oct. 4: 70 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. Of the cases diagnosed on Sunday, two were in Maui County, 15 were on Hawaii island and 53 were on Oahu. Civil Beat.

State reports 3 additional COVID-19 fatalities, 70 new cases. The state is reporting three additional COVID-19 fatalities on Sunday, pushing the death toll from the virus in the islands to 156. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

2 candidates for Honolulu mayor have spent more than $3M on race so far. Despite the pandemic-depressed economy, the Honolulu mayor’s race is turning out to be a big spending contest. Combined, the two remaining candidates have spent more than $3 million through Sept. 30. Hawaii News Now.

Here’s How Honolulu’s Mayoral Candidates Differ — Or Not — On Police Reform. Both candidates are largely content with the department and the practices that are already in place. Neither would cut police funding. Civil Beat.

Tourism restart may delay Tier 2. Oahu’s reopening metrics are so restrictive that even the return of only a few thousand tourists, might be enough to upset the fragile balance and keep the county from further economic reopening. Star-Advertiser.

The beaches at Ko Olina are opened again. Why aren’t the public parking lots? Public access advocates say the Ko Olina Resort is using the pandemic as an excuse to restrict beach access. Hawaii News Now.

Affordable rentals for Hawaiians to rise in Moiliili. A 23-story apartment tower is slated to rise on the former Stadium Bowl-O-Drome site in Moiliili, providing affordable rentals for 277 Native Hawaiian households. Star-Advertiser.

UH-Manoa plans apartment towers with below-market rents. A few years from now, University of Hawaii students and faculty should have a very different option for living on the school’s flagship Manoa campus. Star-Advertiser.

State nears ownership of Doris Duke’s former boat basin. The state has tentatively agreed to accept the Doris Duke Foundation of Islamic Art’s offer of up to $1 million to underwrite the cost of dismantling a breakwater that protects a popular swimming cove at the late heiress’ former Black Point estate, but it’s unclear whether the controversial project will happen. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Finalists for mayor head down the home stretch. There’s a lot of agreement, but also major differences, between the two candidates running for Hawaii County’s top office. West Hawaii Today.

Fiber optic ring will improve internet speed, stability. Just when COVID-19 has turned many meetings virtual and a faster, more stable communications network is needed most, a project a decade in the making is about to reach completion. West Hawaii Today.

Papaikou Mill Beach Eminent Domain Back On Council Agenda. On Tuesday, a Hawaiʻi County Council committee will discuss a new resolution to authorize proceedings in eminent domain to provide public access to the beach at Pāpaʻikou. Big Island Video News.

‘Very concerning for everybody’: Hawaii Island posts largest single-day jump in new COVID-19 cases. The state Department of Health reported 43 of the new 133 statewide positive cases were on the Big Island in its Saturday noon report. West Hawaii Today.

26 infected in emerging COVID-19 outbreak at the University of the Nations Kona. The University of the Nations in Kailua-Kona is now up to 26 cases of COVID-19 after 16 cases were reported by the Department of Health on Oct. 3. KHON2.

Singing the blues: Musical gigs almost nonexistent for island musicians. Since COVID-19 changed life as we know it in March, entertainment has generally meant sitting in front of the TV at home or watching videos on a computer or mobile device. Tribune-Herald.

Parker Ranch Plans To Build “Cowboy Housing”. Parker Ranch decided to construct 10 to 12 new homes "based on compelling results generated by ranching operations over the last several years." Big Island Video News.

Parker Ranch to build new homes for working cowboys in 2021-22. Parker Ranch will build new housing for working cowboys in its Livestock Division over the next two years. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Community Budget Meetings for Fiscal Year 2022 Begin This Week. The first in a series of six community budget meetings for Fiscal Year 2022, hosted by Mayor Michael Victorino and his administration, will be held Tuesday, Oct. 6. Maui Now.

Hotels see slight uptick in demand. Government and industry leaders are seeing a slight uptick in hotel demand for Maui ahead of the state’s pre-travel testing program, an effort to revive the state’s visitor-reliant economy. Maui News.

Most schools still distance learning. When public school resumes after fall break, only three Maui County campuses are planning to immediately make changes to involve more face-to-face learning. Maui News.

Kauai

Mason Chock. While serving in the Kaua‘i Fire Department for 12 years as a firefighter, incumbent Kaua‘i County Councilmember Mason Chock, 49, was tested by a pivotal moment. Garden Island.

Pro-Trump rally infiltrated. Black Lives Matter counter-protesters — one dressed in Ku Klux Klan garb and another as a Boogaloo Boi wearing an aloha shirt and mask of President Donald Trump — infiltrated a pro-Trump rally in Kapa‘a Friday afternoon and briefly baffled several hundred people who drove by on Kuhio Highway. Garden Island.

More trees on Kauai afflicted with rapid ohia death disease. State officials have found nine more trees on Kauai afflicted with rapid ohia death, the fungal blight that has decimated hundreds of thousands of native ohia trees in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Molokai

Molokai council candidates back for a Round 3. Stacy Crivello challenges Keani Rawlins-Fernandez for her old seat. Maui News.

Schools release pandemic reopening plans, candidates report campaign war chests, churches get millions in federal PPP grants, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Social distancing at a Hawaii school PC:Wheeler Elementary School

Most Hawaii public schools will blend in-person and distance learning when classes resume. Principals selected different learning models in consultation with their staff and communities, campus by campus, for the new academic year. Star-Advertiser.

‘Learning models’ selected: Big Island schools choose plans for handling instruction when classes resume. With less than a month before students return to class, Hawaii’s public schools have made decisions about how to deliver instruction amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii COVID-19 Forecast Tool Launched. A new online tool gives a 14-day prediction about how many cases, hospitalizations and fatalities Hawaii is facing. A new forecasting tool estimates Hawaii could see between 248 and 285 new COVID-19 cases confirmed within the next two weeks. Civil Beat.

Shuttered Churches, Temples Got Millions From Feds. A federal program designed to help small businesses also helped bail out hundreds of churches and other religious organizations that were largely shut down amidst stay-at-home orders. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii Lawmakers Close Legislative Session Upended By Virus. Hawaii lawmakers on Friday wrapped up a legislative session upended by the coronavirus pandemic that forced weekslong breaks in proceedings, the state Capitol building to close and some meetings to be held via teleconference. Associated Press.

Hawaii Lawmakers Salvage Bills Despite Pandemic. Some priority measures to protect the environment and expand access to preschool advanced but others to regulate Uber and Lyft and reform gun laws died at the last minute. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers Pass Bill That Phases Out Coal-Powered Energy in State. Lawmakers passed a bill that will phase out the use of coal in Hawai‘i by the end of 2022. Big Island Now.

Bill that would’ve expanded evidence against alleged domestic abusers is deferred. A measure aimed at protecting survivors of Domestic Violence was deferred at the Capitol Friday. House Bill 2610 would have allowed prosecutors to use some of the victim’s statements to first responders against alleged abusers. Hawaii News Now.

Incumbents Maintain Money Advantage In Hawaii Legislative Races. Several seats have opened up though as some lawmakers decide to seek other elected posts or leave public office. Civil Beat.

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There’s good news for besieged ohia trees. Researchers for the first time have shown that ohia seedlings can survive for at least a year in forests afflicted by rapid ohia death — a glimmer of hope for a beleaguered species that has lost more than a million individuals since the disease was discovered in Hawaii a decade ago. Star-Advertiser.

Forest Restoration After Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death May Be Possible, Study Shows. Scientists have found that native ʻōhiʻa seedlings can survive for at least a year in areas that have active mortality from Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. Big Island Video News.

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Hawaii Updates: 21 New Cases After Record-Setting Day. Hawaii saw 21 new reported COVID-19 cases today after yesterday's record-setting 42 infections. Hawaii Public Radio.

VIRUS TRACKER — JULY 12: 21 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. Once again, most of the new cases were on Oahu. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Amemiya, Alm Lead Campaign Money Races For Mayor, Prosecutor. Primary election voting by mail starts in just over a week. Civil Beat.

Colleen Hanabusa: ‘You Don’t Need Someone Who Needs Training Wheels’. The former congresswoman has two decades of political experience and government service behind her. Now she wants to be Honolulu’s mayor. Civil Beat.

Voting machines tested for accuracy ahead of this year’s primary election.  In just over a week, the state will begin mailing out the ballots for this year’s primary election. Ahead of that, state election officials on Saturday tested the voting machines for accuracy. Hawaii News Now.

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Many maskless people enjoy ‘Open Street Kalakaua’ in Waikiki while COVID-19 continues to spread. Hundreds of people — many without masks — flooded onto Waikiki’s shuttered Kalakaua Avenue on foot, bicycles, skateboards and roller skates to enjoy a traffic-free Sunday while worries of contracting COVID-19 lingered in the backdrop. Star-Advertiser.

Despite hesitance from some, city holds a ‘Dine in Chinatown’ event. An effort to boost business in Chinatown went took place this past weekend, despite criticism from some. Hawaii News Now.

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6 COVID-19 cases tied to a cluster at the Pearl City Nursing Home. A total of six cases have now been reported at the Pearl City Nursing Home. Officials say the cluster began when a staff member found out they tested positive on Thursday and immediately notified the facility. Hawaii News Now.

Four residents, two workers test positive for COVID-19 at Pearl City Nursing Home. Dr. Scott Miscovich of Premier Medical Group Hawaii said his team was brought in to Pearl City Nursing Home to test about 100 residents and 200 workers on Friday and Saturday. Four residents and two staff members tested positive for COVID-19. KITV4.

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Proposed Ewa Beach sea wall raises concerns. An August 2019 environmental assessment by MCBH said the proposed 10-foot-high, 1,500-foot-wide steel wall would have no significant impact on the human or natural environment. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Roth leads the pack: Mayoral candidates report campaign contributions. Mayoral candidate Mitch Roth charged ahead of the pack raising money in the race for the county’s top spot, collecting more than $148,000, primarily from big-money donors. West Hawaii Today.

Pro-business donors step up for County Council challengers: Incumbents Villegas and Kanealii-Kleinfelder outspent. Two freshman County Council members face formidable opposition in the campaign fundraising department, with pro-business challengers to both Kona Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas and Puna Councilman Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder raising twice as much as the incumbents. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island Mayor’s Race Could Hinge On Winning The Leeward Vote. More than a dozen candidates are vying to unseat Mayor Harry Kim and lead the county through the economic crisis. Civil Beat.

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Sewage Discharge Enters Kailua Bay, Closes Aliʻi Drive. 20,000 gallons of sewage entered Kailua Bay due to a broken sewer line, health officials reported on Saturday. Big Island Video News.

Sewage spill closes Kailua Bay. It was unknown how much sewage entered Kailua Bay, but swimmers were told to get out of the water and signs were immediately posted warning of contaminated water. West Hawaii Today.

County Pools Reopen Monday, With New Rules. The County of Hawaiʻi will be posting COVID-19 Modified Pool Rules at each facility, which will operate on modified schedules with interim rules in place. Big Island Video News.

Maui
Mayor: ‘We are looking at a later date’. Victorino addresses Aug. 1 easing of travel rulesDespite the state’s recent announcement that it will relax requirements to enter Hawaii come Aug. 1, Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino said Friday that the reopening may be delayed due to rising COVID-19 cases on Oahu and the U.S. Mainland. Maui News.

Maui Trans-Pacific Flights Increase to Four on Saturday. On Saturday, 2,296 people arrived in Hawaiʻi, including 600 visitors and 635 returning residents, according to new data compiled by the state Department of Transportation and released by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Maui Now.

Stricter term limits, Agriculture Department pass its first test. Dividing up Department of Housing and Human Concerns fails. Maui News.

Maui County starts economic recovery task force. The Mayor's Economic Resiliency Task Force aims to provide help and hope to struggling County merchants. KITV4.

Wildberger, Couch in rematch for South Maui district seat. Incumbent state lawmaker defends seat against former council member. Maui News.

Kauai

2020 Primary Election ballots to go out to Kauai voters on July 14. Ballots for the 2020 Primary Election will be mailed out on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, to Kauai voters. KHON2.

Path easement moving forward. For a portion of the Ke Ala Hele Makalae coastal pedestrian and bicycle path, the county is seeking to use eminent domain on a piece of property an owner wants to sell for over 10 times the appraised value. Garden Island.

‘Innovative’ dusk. The drive-in format marked the reopening of the Coconut Marketplace’s free family movie night program following a period of closure due to COVID-19 guidelines and rules. Garden Island.

Volunteers net tons of nets. With a depleted group of volunteers because of COVID-19, the Surfrider Foundation continues to conduct giant Net Patrols every Wednesday. Garden Island.

Unemployment chief goes on leave amid system meltdown that leaves thousands unpaid, Black Lives Matter demonstrations draw peaceful crowds, campaign donor gets big COVID contract, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Scott Murakami (l) with Gov. David Ige in April 22 Facebook live session

The Head Of Hawaii’s Unemployment Office Is On Leave. It’s not clear whether the leave is voluntary, but agency officials say the labor director had been receiving death threats. Civil Beat.

Hawaii unemployment office director on leave, governor’s office confirms. Scott Murakami, the director of the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, is currently on leave, putting his deputy in charge, a spokeswoman for Gov. David Ige’s office confirmed Saturday. Murakami told a state House committee last month that his employees were receiving death threats because of the issues filing claims. Star-Advertiser.

Senate COVID-19 committee will not be "investigative". The resolution to make the Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 "investigative," giving it the power to subpoena, has been rescinded. KITV4.

How A Major Campaign Donor Got A Million-Dollar Cleaning Contract In Honolulu. The contract, as well as a job on Maui, was approved after Gov. David Ige suspended procurement rules. Civil Beat.

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Thousands of Hawaii protesters rally for Black Lives Matter on Oahu, Hawaii Island, Maui and Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Thousands Show Up Across Hawaii To Protest Racial Injustice. The peaceful march Saturday in Honolulu, organized by a youth-led group called Hawaii for Black Lives, drew a crowd estimated at nearly 10,000 protesters. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s weekend Black Lives Matter protests drew thousands statewide. Standing in solidarity with the national Black Lives Matter movement, thousands of Hawaii residents joined in protests across the islands this weekend. Hawaii News Now.


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UH to Begin Training COVID-19 Contact Tracers. The University of Hawaiʻi System-Hawaiʻi State Department of Health kicks off its Contact Tracing Training Program on Monday. Big Island Now.

State’s contact tracing training program kicks off Monday, expects to train hundreds by July. A state training program to trace the contacts of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 starts Monday, June 8. KHON2.

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Germ-fighting ‘dry fog’ system used in prisons could also be used in schools and airports. A new disinfecting system that promises to kill everything from mold to the new coronavirus for at least 90 days is being applied in state prisons and has the potential for use in schools, airports and other buildings to help open Hawaii’s economy, state prison officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Pacific Islanders, Filipinos Have Highest COVID-19 Rates In Hawaii. New data on race shows that Native Hawaiians — previously lumped in with other Pacific Islanders — aren’t currently experiencing higher rates of COVID-19. Civil Beat.

Guidelines create incomplete Hawaii virus data, critics say. Coronavirus information from Hawaii health officials presents an incomplete story of the pandemic’s impact on racial and ethnic communities in the state, some critics said. KITV4.


Hawaii is likely to see more COVID-19 infections as reopening continues, health director says. The number of new coronavirus cases in Hawaii has increased slightly, nearly reaching half of all of May’s cases in the first week of this month. Star-Advertiser.

Weekend COVID cases rise as state figures out a plan to welcome visitors back. Lieutenant Governor Josh Green said we’ll find out soon whether or not the two-week quarantine or travelers into the state will be lifted. KHON2.

2 new COVID-19 cases, 1 new hospitalization reported Sunday. On Sunday, just two new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Hawaii. The two new cases came after both Friday and Saturday consecutively revealed nine new cases on each day. Hawaii News Now.

2 new Oahu coronavirus cases, 509 out-of-state new visitor arrivals to Hawaii. Out-of-state visitor arrivals to Hawaii rose to 509 Saturday, the sixth day in a row that incoming arrivals topped 400. Star-Advertiser.

VIRUS TRACKER — JUNE 7: 2 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. Both new cases were reported on Oahu. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Another audit reveals problems, this time with city parks. The city auditor Friday blasted inadequate maintenance of Honolulu parks, blaming the lack of management and resources. Hawaii News Now.

The new normal for offices will include staggered shifts, limits, more remote working. Many companies with offices downtown are in no hurry to reopen, with some waiting until the end of the month, others until July and even others, beyond that. Star-Advertiser.

Dentist’s offices are reopening for routine care, with fewer patients at a time. Slowly, but surely, dentist’s offices are reopening for routine cleanings and nonemergency procedures. Star-Advertiser.

Single-family homes and condo sales dropped 51% in May. Sales of single-family homes and condominiums on Oahu tanked in May as owners and buyers elected to practice social distancing. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Young Brothers making changes, barge arrival returning to Mondays. Young Brothers will continue operations under a reduced sailing schedule for the next month, but Monday barge service in Hilo is set to resume soon. West Hawaii Today.

Creagan withdraws candidacy: Bondera selected as heir apparent in Democratic contest for House District 5. State Rep. Richard Creagan dropped out of the House District 5 race after hiring a handpicked, last-minute candidate to manage his legislative office in Honolulu. West Hawaii Today.

HECO selects 3 Big Island projects in quest for renewable energy, energy storage. A pair of solar-plus-storage projects that will generate 120 megawatts of solar power with 480 megawatt-hour storage capacity in South Kohala are moving forward. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo DMV: Make an appointment. While the county’s Department of Motor Vehicles is open again for in-person services, residents are advised to make an appointment or be prepared to wait. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

County Council passes austere $823M budget. The Maui County Council on Friday approved on second and final reading an $822.6 million county budget for fiscal 2020-21, which reflects the “new normal” as the county deals with coronavirus impacts. Maui News.

MRA seeks more information from hotel developers. Meeting on review of environmental report stretches over 2 days. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai Has A New Plan For Its Vacant Residential Drug Treatment Facility. The director of Hope Treatment Services said the county broke his contract to provide inpatient drug treatment to youth because it couldn’t obtain a license to operate fast enough. Civil Beat.

These Kauai Cops Are Tired Of Racist Police Killings, Too. Kauai’s police chief is encouraging officers to attend protests and have candid conversations with citizens — and each other. Civil Beat.

Restarting Kaua‘i. Broadband infrastructure, cleaning up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and implementing a new model for visitor travel are among the ideas that can leverage Kaua‘i’s future post-coronavirus. Garden Island.

Malama Pono Health Services gets grant, launches mobile-health van. Malama Pono Health Services received $200,000 in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus funds for COVID-19 emergency housing and utilities assistance through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Garden Island.

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.