Wetter than normal rainy season predicted, Hawaii signs agreement to share tech with Israel, commission favors ban on campaign contributions during legislative sessions, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Forecasters predict above-average rain for Hawaii this winter. Above-average rainfall is being predicted for Hawaii’s wet season — good news for a state locked in a prolonged drought. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii, Israel to share technology on range of shared issues. Hawaii and Israel on Wednesday forged a “historic” agreement to share technology that could help Hawaii with desalinization, creating water out of “thin air,” cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Star-Advertiser.

Ban On In-Session Campaign Donations Gets Thumbs Up From Hawaii Standards Commission. Currently, state lawmakers are banned from holding fundraising events while the Legislature is in session but can still accept donations to their campaigns. Civil Beat.

Gov. Ige appoints new leaders at DAGS, announces resignation of PUC commissioner. Gov. David Ige today announced the appointment of Audrey Hidano as the state’s new comptroller, and the departure of Jennifer “Jennie” Potter from the Public Utilities Commission. Maui Now.

Here's what your 2022 county ballot amendment questions mean. Every county does it a little differently, but for the most part, charter amendments can be proposed through a combination of council members, the mayor’s office, or other boards and commissions. Hawaii Public Radio.

University of Hawaii enrollment dips as graduation rates rise. Student enrollment across the University of Hawaii’s 10-campus system continues to fall, though not as dramatically as at colleges nationwide, while “on time” graduation rates for seven UH campuses have swelled to record highs — trends caused in part by the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

New Research Shows Tuna Stocks Benefit From Expansion Of Papahanaumokuakea Monument. The spillover effect created outside the marine protected area seems to have benefited Hawaii’s commercial fishermen as well. Civil Beat.

Booster options grow as subvariants keep evolving. As winter approaches, health officials are watching troublesome new subvariants — all of them evolving simultaneously from omicron. Among them are BQ.1 and its descendant, BQ.1.1, which are both offshoots of BA.5 and rising quickly in the United States and Europe. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s COVID-19 death toll surpasses 1,700 with 3 new deaths; 2,211 infections reported for week. The state’s average positivity rate remained about the same, at 5.8% compared with 5.6% reported the previous week. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Oahu

Navy wraps up main break repairs; boil-water advisory still in place. The Navy has finished repairing the first water main that broke Friday, Capt. Mark Sohaney, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam commander, said Wednesday at a news conference on the base. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Board of Water Supply supplies emergency connection to Navy water system. On Tuesday, the Navy established an emergency connection to bring 1 million gallons of water a day from the Board of Water Supply to the Radford Terrace neighborhood, where pressure had been low for residents. Hawaii News Now.

Pu‘uhonua O Waianae Houseless community receives $250K donation. The First Hawaiian Bank Foundation said it will donate $250,000 to Pu‘uhonua O Waianae, an organized houseless community near the Waianae Small Boat Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

New fire code on hold. A bill updating the county fire code was temporarily set aside Wednesday to allow officials time to figure out a way to make an important component of the code compatible with the county’s online EPIC building permit system. West Hawaii Today.

Mauna Loa Meeting Set For Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. On Saturday, officials will provide an update and background information on Mauna Loa to the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates community. Big Island Video News.

Hilo mall at heart of Department of Hawaiian Home Lands dispute. The federal government is clashing with the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands over a move by DHHL to use a controversial year-old Hawaii law enabling long extensions of state commercial land leases. Star-Advertiser.

Police ordered to turn over records to slain Boy Scout’s family. The Hawaii Police Department has been ordered to turn over records of its investigation into the accidental fatal shooting of an 11-year-old Boy Scout on Aug. 28 to the parents of the slain boy. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Maui

King endorses Bissen in the mayor’s race; Victorino is ‘not surprised’. Maui County mayoral candidate Richard Bissen. Jr. was endorsed Tuesday by his former opponent and current Maui County Council Member Kelly King. Maui News.

Maui Charter Proposal Would Let Some County Employees Work From Home. The measure is geared toward helping the environment, but studies have questioned how much teleworking actually helps. Civil Beat.

FEMA approves $1.5M for COVID-19 protection measures by Maui Emergency Management Agency. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized the release of more than $1.5 million to the County of Maui to reimburse the public funds it spent to test people for COVID-19 from October 2020 through September 2021. Maui Now.

Kauai

Over opposition, Kaua‘i County Council approves American Rescue Plan Act funding. After debate on Wednesday, the Kaua‘i County Council approved a plan which would spend the bulk of the latest round of American Rescue Plan Act funding on the renovation of the former Big Save space at the Lihu‘e Civic Center Pi‘ikoi Building in Lihu‘e into a child care and youth center. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i restaurant Tahiti Nui fined for labor violations. North Shore restaurant Tahiti Nui was ordered to pay more than $37,000 in back wages, damages and penalties after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation found they failed to pay overtime wages and violated youth labor laws. Garden Island.

Counties grapple with gun laws, former Honolulu chief plans examiner to plead guilty to accepting bribes, Aiona lags in campaign funds, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

PC: Andrey Zvyagintsev via Unsplash

Honolulu police receive feedback on gun-carrying rules. More than 50 testifiers showed up at the first-floor conference room of the Honolulu Police Department’s Alapai headquarters at 10 a.m. Tuesday to weigh in on proposed rules that would govern the issuance of licenses allowing people to carry guns in public. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Council panel sees firearm bill as too restrictive: Committee seeks to whittle down list of prohibited places. Hawaii County’s first shot at drafting an open or concealed carry gun law was deemed too restrictive Tuesday by a majority of County Council members after dozens of testifiers weighed in, the vast majority opposing the measure on constitutional grounds. West Hawaii Today.

Latest Campaign Finance Report Shows Duke Aiona Is Struggling To Raise Cash. Democrat Lt. Gov. Josh Green raised more money since mid-August for his campaign for governor than the Republican nominee has raised all year. Civil Beat.

OHA report casts critical eye on Hawaiian nonprofit’s management of public funds. The OHA report found that 37 out of 50 grants its auditors randomly selected didn’t fully comply with OHA’s documentation requirements. One former Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee said the report raises questions about favoritism. Hawaii News Now.

COVID-19 wastewater report shows drop in cases. The Hawaii Department of Health’ s inaugural wastewater surveillance report for COVID-19 compares the concentration levels of coronavirus in wastewater with clinical COVID cases, using data provided by Biobot Analytics of Cambridge, Mass., as part of a national wastewater surveillance program. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. KHON2. KITV4.

With fentanyl overdoses on the rise, head of drug task force pushes for Narcan in all Hawaii classrooms. Hawaii Keiki Nurses ― the only ones who carry it ― mostly work at campuses on Oahu. There are 54 of the professionals statewide; meanwhile, Hawaii has 295 public schools. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Former Honolulu Chief Building Examiner Will Plead Guilty To Bribery. Former chief building examiner Wayne Inouye previously pleaded not guilty to charges of accepting bribes while working in the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting. Between 2012 and 2017, federal prosecutors say Inouye accepted over $100,000 from customers in exchange for expediting permits through the city’s notoriously slow bureaucracy. Civil Beat.

Intrusive drones posing a threat, Honolulu Fire Department says. Lately when the Honolulu Fire Department has responded to rescues and fires, it has encountered an increase in unwelcome flying objects: “rogue drones.” Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Why Tour Groups Are Barred From Stopping At Some Honolulu Beaches But Not Others. The City Council is considering halting commercial activity at Kokololio Beach. Residents and tour companies say beach-by-beach bans push the problem down the road and don’t solve the overall problem. Civil Beat.

A Sunset Beach property owner is cited for dumping concrete on the public beach. A Sunset Beach homeowner appears to have dropped large amounts of concrete onto the world-famous beach fronting his property, sparking outrage on social media and eliciting calls for better enforcement of Hawaii’s coastal protection laws. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Internal Memo Reveals List Of Experts Concerned About Honolulu Rail Track Layout. Multiple experts across the different groups responsible for Honolulu’s transit tracks have strong misgivings about their unusual crossing design, echoing the concerns that a former project consultant raised this summer, according to a newly released internal city memo. Civil Beat.

City leaders introduce ‘anti-bullying bill’ to create safe spaces for Oahu youth. Council member Augie Tulba first introduced “Bill 52″ Tuesday to prohibit bullying on city property and in city programs, such as Summer Fun. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

City takes ownership of Leahi Avenue after community urging. The city has officially taken ownership of Leahi Avenue from a private owner after there was community pushback due to parking fees and food truck activity. Star-Advertiser.

Candidates Face Big Funding Disparities In Some Honolulu Council Races. Campaign finance reports reveal which donors are fueling campaigns and where candidates are focusing their efforts before voting begins later this month.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Sees Increase In Hele-On Passenger Trips. The increase in ridership is a result of free fares and the implementation of the 2018 Transit and Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan, officials say. Big Island Video News.

Solid waste facilities to be closed during Ironman. The return of the Ironman World Championship to the Big Island this week is necessitating the closure of the county’s solid waste facilities because of road closures associated with the triathlon. Big Island Now.

Animal Control Services criticized. Dozens of people turned out Tuesday to voice their frustrations with Hawaii County’s Animal Control Services, only for a planned discussion about those operations to be postponed. Tribune-Herald.

On the wish list: $2M sought for Waikoloa park expansion. Bill 219, introduced by Kohala Councilman Tim Richards, would allocate $2 million for the project that includes improvements to existing infrastructure as well as adding pickleball and tennis courts to the capital budget. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

New analysis: What’s the real cost of Maui’s proposed Charter amendments? A newly released financial impact analysis of proposed Maui Charter amendments shows the county would face $2 million in additional annual financial impacts for an amendment proposal related to the creation of a separate Housing Department dedicated to affordable housing. Maui Now.

Maui Voters To Decide If Planning Commission Should Be More Representative. If approved, the amendment to the County Charter would require the commission to have one member from each residency area on the island as represented on the County Council. Currently the charter does not require regional representation on the commission. Civil Beat.

Charging stations planned for county amid EV push. Maui County is set to receive four electric vehicle charging stations in the next five years as the state pushes to meet a zero emissions clean energy economy by 2045. Maui News.

Final EA published for water tank in Waikapū to serve DHHL Puʻunani Homestead. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has published a final Environmental Assessment with a Finding of No Significant Impact for a 500,000-gallon concrete water storage tank and related improvements in Waikapū, Maui. Maui Now.

Director of Maui County’s new Department of Agriculture sworn in. Rogerene “Kali” Arce was sworn in today as the director of Maui County’s newly established Department of Agriculture. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Kauai

Voting explainer: Kauaʻi County charter amendment ballot questions. Kauaʻi County residents will face four ballot amendment questions on this year's general election ballot. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative commits to 100 percent renewable energy by 2033. This is 12 years ahead of the state mandate requiring utilities shift to 100 percent renewable power by 2045. Garden Island.

COVID testing company gives big to Hawaii Democrats, Honolulu permitting chief resigns, Maui police chief cleared, Kauai council gives itself 15% raise, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Why Is Nomi Health Donating To Key Democrats In Blue State Hawaii After Giving Big To GOP? The Utah-based company contributed to the campaigns of six Democrats in Hawaii, including Josh Green and Sylvia Luke, the Democratic nominees for governor and lieutenant governor. USA Today.

Former defense contractor pleads guilty to PPP fraud. A former Hawaii defense contractor changed his plea to guilty in federal court Wednesday, admitting he defrauded banks of more than $22.8 million intended to help businesses struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic. Martin Kao, 49, the former head of Martin Defense Group LLC, formerly known as Navatek LLC, is charged with bank fraud and money laundering. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Marines welcome new commander of Pacific forces. Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder handed the reins of Marine Corps Forces, Pacific to Lt. Gen. William Jurney in a Wednesday morning ceremony at Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay. Star-Advertiser.

Abrupt closure of air ambulance company leaves many in shock. The parent company of LifeSave KuPono shut down the air ambulance service Wednesday, leaving just one air ambulance company serving the islands. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Airlines dropping employee vaccination mandate. Hawaiian Airlines is removing COVID-19 vaccinations as a requirement for employment effective Oct. 1 and dispensing with other elements of its COVID-19 safety policy. Star-Advertiser.

Researchers emphasize importance of wastewater surveillance to monitor COVID. After delays in Hawaii’s wastewater monitoring program, DOH officials said they have started processing some wastewater samples to monitor COVID. Hawaii News Now.

New COVID booster shots available as Hawaii case counts decline. Several pharmacies have already started taking appointments for the boosters, while some community health centers are preparing to do so in the coming days. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii will begin offering the bivalent COVID-19 boosters at its facilities Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Health Department reports 1,215 new COVID-19 infections, 11 coronavirus-related deaths this past week. The state’s average positivity rate, meanwhile, continued dropping to 6.4% compared to 7.3% reported the previous week. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Director Of Honolulu’s Troubled Permitting Office Resigns. Mayor Rick Blangiardi appointed Dean Uchida with hopes of streamlining permitting, but delays have gotten significantly worse. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Pentagon speeds up timeline for defueling Red Hill by several months. The U.S. Department of Defense has sped up its timeline for draining the Navy’s underground Red Hill fuel tanks by about five months and now expects that the work can be completed by July 2024. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Honolulu taxi industry wants more control over meter rates. Dale Evans, CEO of Charley's Taxi, has asked the City and County of Honolulu to repeal the ordinance that controls taxi fares — which she says is threatening her business. Hawaii Public Radio.

Another Key Player In The Miske Conspiracy Case Has Made A Deal With Prosecutors. Lance Lee Bermudez is the sixth of the original 10 co-defendants to flip by agreeing to testify against the accused crime boss. Civil Beat.

Thursday parade and festivities to honor Honolulu Little League World Series champions. The city of Honolulu will come together Thursday to honor the Little League World Series Champions -- with a midday parade and festivities on beginning at noon. KITV4. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Affordable housing scandal: Council seeks accounting; defendants fire their lawyers. Hilo attorneys Paul Joseph Sulla Jr. and Gary Charles Zamber, in a Sept. 1 status conference with federal Magistrate Judge Kenneth J. Mansfield, asked that their attorneys be terminated so they can represent themselves. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo Bayfront Trails project gets next installment. While the first phase of the project — which connected Mooheau Park, Pauahi Street, the Bayfront canoe hale, and the Bayfront soccer fields — was completed in 2016, work on a second phase to connect Kilauea Avenue to the soccer fields trail built in Phase 1 didn’t begin until earlier this year. Tribune-Herald.

County Works to Set Replacement Schedule for e-Waste Collection Events. While the county’s e-Waste Collection Program remains suspended, county officials say they are working to set a replacement schedule of electronics recycling collection events for the remainder of the calendar year with the reduced state funding available. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Police Commission Finds Complaints Against New Chief ‘Not Substantiated’. Outside investigators were hired to look into several complaints made against John Pelletier, who has hired a coach to address his management style. Civil Beat.

Maui Council committee to consider Energy Conservation Code amendments. Councilmember Kelly Takaya King announced that the Climate, Action, Resilience and Environment Committee, which she chairs, will consider a county-specific version of Hawaiʻi State Energy Conservation Code. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i county council approves 15% raises for mayor, department heads, council members. In a procedure unique among Hawai‘i counties, Kaua‘i County council members unanimously voted Wednesday to approve raises that will likely affect some of their own salaries. Garden Island.

Laukona Park improvements pau. The county’s Department of Parks &Recreation and Cushnie Construction hosted a small group of dignitaries, community supporters and friends to the new pavilion Wednesday, after Sean Chung officiated at the blessing of the Laukona Park Improvements Project in Hanama‘ulu. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Tourism spending up, Katherine Kealoha wants out, gas prices drop, school starts Monday, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

On a black sand beach in Hawaii ©2022 All Hawaii News

 Hawaii visitor count drops but spending exceeds pre-pandemic levels U.S. arrivals to Hawaii softened in June. Arrivals from Hawaii’s top market for visitors — the U.S. West — were up 10% compared with June 2019, but they were down 4.5% from June 2021, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reported Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii hotels finish fiscal year strong, lead nation in key revenue measures. Hotels in the islands ended the 2021-2022 fiscal year with another strong month in June. Hotel revenues aren't only surpassing 2019 numbers — they're leading the nation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii drivers start to see some relief at the pump. The average price for a gallon of unleaded gas in Hawaii is now $5.48, down about 11 cents from last week, AAA Hawaii reports. Hawaii News Now.

Conservationists see gains, but still struggle to find long-term funding  Hawaiʻi has made great strides in protecting its natural resources. For instance, 10 watershed partnership organizations now work to maintain over 2 million acres — nearly half of the state's total land area — across five islands.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Campaign finance deadline missed by 30 Hawaii candidates, incumbents. Some 30 political candidates — including incumbents — failed to file mandatory financial disclosure statements by Monday’s deadline and will be fined $50 ahead of the Aug. 13 party primary elections, according to the state Ethics Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Suspected Russian spy from Kapolei held without bail; investigators find coded messages, invisible ink kit. A U.S. defense contractor and his wife charged with fraudulently living for decades under the stolen identities of two dead infants told family they were going into the witness protection program before abruptly abandoning their house and leaving Texas about 40 years ago, a federal prosecutor said today. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Ahead of new school year, educators are hopeful, anxious ― and ready to make up for lost time. Teachers hope that more than ever, this school year will focus on learning. Educators and staff members are back on campus prepping for the new school year, which starts Monday. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Monkeypox Misconceptions: The virus isn’t only an LGBTQ+ concern, officials say. Gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals have been labeled “high risk” when it comes to catching monkeypox because a number of cases have been linked back to those social circles. However ,the DOH says the virus is not solely a sexually transmitted disease and can infect anyone. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Target date for new Aloha Stadium is now 2026. The money is now available, but construction of the new Aloha Stadium in Halawa won’t start until at least a year from now. Star-Advertiser.

Public weighs in on new plan to control flooding in the Ala Wai watershed. The City and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is trying again on plans to prevent major storm flooding from the Ala Wai watershed into Waikiki. The Corps presented seven preliminary plans, which included 51 different flood management measures, at a meeting Thursday night at the Ala Wai Golf Course Club. Hawaii News Now.

Katherine Kealoha requests release from custody. In a letter to District Court, Katherine Kealoha requested that she be released from custody for ineffective counsel. KHON2.

Despite worsening drought, water use decreasing on Oahu. The good news is that water consumption is down 5% on Oahu, according to the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, and it appears likely that mandatory water restrictions will not be necessary this summer. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announces restart of city’s outdoor dining program. Bill 27 which was unanimously approved by the Honolulu City Council earlier this month, allows restaurants to apply for a one-year permit to operate dining service on the sidewalk directly outside of its storefront. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

TheBus Is Trying To Recover Riders Lost During The Pandemic. Why Not Cut Fares? A sustained fare cut isn’t part of a campaign next month to boost ridership. City transportation leaders say the move could hurt Oahu’s existing bus service. Civil Beat.

Former Makiki Community Library to be revamped as a community center. The former library building at Makiki District Park will be renovated to be a community center. The Makiki Community Library has been closed since 2018. Hawaii Public Radio.

Nonprofit purchase deal protects Paiko Ridge in perpetuity. A large swath of Paiko Ridge in East Honolulu will now be protected from development, thanks to a deal brokered by Livable Hawaii Kai Hui to purchase the land from its owner. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Strong June for tourism: 157,443 visited Big Island last month, despite surging prices. After years of COVID-induced stagnation, Hawaii visitor rates have all but recovered, with June arrivals nearly matching prepandemic numbers. Tribune-Herald.

State extends deadline for Mauna Kea panel. Gov. David Ige and leadership from the state Senate and House of Representatives have extended the application deadline for seats on the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority to Aug. 8. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Board to discuss UH teaching telescope planned for Halepohaku. A planned installation for an educational telescope at Halepohaku on Maunakea is on schedule to be completed some time in 2024. Tribune-Herald.

Police, fire unaware of any emergencies missed due to telecommunications outage. While data is still being collected on any 911 calls that were missed— and how many individuals may have been affected — police said that they were unaware of any emergency situations that were missed due to fiber optic issues. West Hawaii Today.

Pilot Whistleblower Hotlines up and Running to Report Suspected Fraud. Keeping government accountable includes having policies and procedures in place to allow tips and complaints to be made and follow-up investigations and audits to happen, when warranted, as quickly and efficiently as possible. Big Island Now.

Candidates Seeking Big Island House Seat Differ On Style, Campaign Fundraising. Incumbent Chris Todd and his opponent, Shannon Matson, have a lot in common but there are some things that set them apart. Civil Beat.

IRONMAN To Return To Kona in 2023 With Two-Day Format. Race organizers today announced that the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN® World Championship triathlon will continue with a two-day format in Kailua-Kona, on October 12 & 14. This year, for the first time in the 40-plus year history of the event, and a pandemic-related hiatus from Kona, the 2022 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship will take place over two days in Kona on October 6 & 8. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Journal article documents sunscreen runoff from beach showers in Hawaiʻi as an environmental threat. In advance of Maui County’s ban on reef-damaging chemical sunscreens taking effect on Oct. 1 of this year, Councilmember Kelly Takaya King announced she and Councilmember Tamara Paltin have co-authored a scientific journal article documenting that sunscreen washed off at beach showers in Hawai‘i pollutes the environment at levels that pose a threat to shore and marine ecosystems. Maui Now.

County-state agreement opens door for more public parking at popular Keawakapu Beach. Beach flare-ups over parking may cool off with a new plan to put in more public stalls at popular Keawakapu in South Maui. Maui Now.

Three federal earmarks for Maui County advance out of US Senate Appropriations Committee. Proposed federal earmarks for three Maui County projects, including $11 million for the Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art planned for Wailuku town, have successfully moved out of the US Senate Appropriations Committee. Other earmarks include $1.4 million to help Maui County renovate the former GTE Hawaiian Tel Building for the County’s Emergency Operations Center and $180,000 for Maui Police Department’s project to expand radio communications in West Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Two Brun associates sentenced. As former county council member turned drug kingpin Arthur Brun awaits transfer to a mainland prison, associates Steven Keli‘ikuli and Orlando Manguchei were sentenced to prison terms this week. Garden Island.

A host of candidates at Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce mayor’s lunch. This is an election year, and the audience boasted a host of candidates for various offices. Garden Island.

Green leads campaign money race, Honolulu extends rent relief, former Hawaii County employee heads to court in affordable housing scam, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Vicky Cayetano Turns To Self-Funding For Her Gubernatorial Campaign. Lt. Gov. Josh Green raised $1.47 million in the first six months of this year, vastly outpacing his opponents including U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele. Civil Beat.

House Speaker Scott Saiki Rakes In Money From Well-Known Donors In House District 25 Race. In the most recent reporting period, which covers campaign activity from Jan. 1 through June 30, Saiki raised $118,126, bringing his total raised for this election cycle to $255,718. Iwamoto’s  fundraising fell far short of her opponent’s, bringing in about $36,000 this reporting period. Civil Beat.

Medical aid in dying gaining more acceptance in Hawaii, report finds. A growing number of patients and physicians are participating in Hawaii’s medical-aid-in-dying program, but delays in the eligibility process continue to present challenges for terminally ill patients in their final days, according to the state Department of Health. Star-Advertiser.

Board of Education approves superintendent’s $240,000 annual contract. The formal contract officially making Keith Hayashi the next state superintendent of Hawaii’s massive public school system was approved Thursday by the state Board of Education. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Has $200 Million To Spend on Pre-K. Who Gets The Money? Final language in the new law leaves an open question about whether private as well as public facilities are eligible for the funding. Civil Beat.

Hawaii hospitals participate in RIMPAC disaster drills. As part of this year’s iteration of the biennial Exercise Rim of the Pacific, local hospitals are teaming up with the military to practice responding to a large-scale humanitarian disaster. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane Darby weakens, expected to pass south of islands. As of 5 a.m. Friday, Darby was located about 610 miles east-southeast of Hilo or 810 miles east-southeast of Honolulu. It was moving west near 16 mph. As Hurricane Darby continues to be monitored, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency is taking precautions to provide support for counties. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

City Rental and Utility Relief to be extended by $31 million. The city is extending the Rental and Utility Relief Program by using $31 million of federal COVID-19 relief funds in hopes of providing more assistance to Oahu renters. Star-Advertiser.

Cracks In Concrete Columns Could Be Honolulu Rail’s Next Big Problem, HART Says. City contractors have advised that no passengers be allowed on seven station platforms until they have a better grasp of the issue, rail officials said. Civil Beat.

Live-work-shop? The city wants to make it easier to build condos at shopping malls. The city’s Department of Planning and Permitting wants to make it easier for malls to do that and is proposing a change to the city’s Land Use Ordinance. Hawaii News Now.

HOLO card registration urged after defective cards issued, Honolulu DTS says. Honolulu transportation officials are asking HOLO card users to register their cards online in order to suss out less than 100 defective cards that were recently issued. KITV4.

City looks to replace vendor for Waikiki pavilion plagued by homelessness. In December, city crews cleared the pavilions along the shoreline to lease them out to vendors. However, all but one are up and running today. KITV4.

Heads up, gamers! Your library card will soon get you into the state’s first public esports hub. Your library card will soon get you access to the state’s first public esports hub. The lab was unveiled at the Waipahu Public Library on Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Former county employee charged in affordable housing credit scheme. A former employee of the county Office of Housing and Community Development is set to enter a plea Monday in federal court on charges he took almost $2 million in bribes and kickbacks to influence affordable housing projects in West Hawaii. West Hawaii Today. Hawaii News Now.

Police jurisdiction challenge rejected again. A lawsuit claiming that the chiefs of police for the Big Island, Maui and Honolulu violated the law during the 2019 Thirty Meter Telescope protests has been dismissed once again, this time by the Hawaii Supreme Court. Tribune-Herald.

Survey IDs deficiencies in Big Isle health care. Psychiatry and mental health counseling are the Big Island’s two most needed types of health care, according to an islandwide survey completed in March by Community First Hawaii, a nonprofit with a goal of improving access to health care throughout the state. Tribune-Herald.

900 acres of ʻōhiʻa were cut down in 1985. Here's how the trees are making a comeback in Kalapana. Nearly 40 years ago, a tract of pristine ʻōhiʻa forest in Kalapana on Hawaiʻi Island was cut down. The trees were reduced to wood chips for a proposed biomass energy project. Now the trees are making a comeback — and battling it out for dominance. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kona-grown seaweed helping reduce cattle methane emissions. An agricultural technology company located at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority is growing seaweed in an effort to reduce cattle methane emissions around the world. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Here’s Who’s Pulling In The Most Cash In The Maui Mayor’s Race. So far, most of that money is still pouring into the campaign of former Judge Richard Bissen, who is among six others trying to oust Mayor Michael Victorino, according to the latest campaign spending reports filed Thursday. Bissen raised almost $272,000 in the period spanning from April 26 to June 30, topping the other contenders by tens of thousands of dollars. Victorino raised $91,000 in his bid to serve a second four-year term. Civil Beat.

Council to consider homeowner exemption bills for principal home, long-term rental. Bills proposing homeowner exemptions from real property tax are up for first reading at the Maui County Council’s meeting at 9 a.m. Friday, Council Vice Chairwoman Keani Rawlins-Fernandez announced. Maui News.

Committee backs probe of two county departments. Maui County Council members moved one step further on Wednesday in greenlighting a formal investigation into two county departments over approvals for a large controversial home in Napili that has angered community members and spurred calls for an investigation. Maui News.

AEI Housing Center: “Maui’s sky-high home prices are a self-inflicted wound”. Maui’s record home prices and the impacts that have resulted in displaced residents, are not unique, but there are potential solutions, according to a researcher from a public policy think tank on the mainland. Maui Now.

New shuttle takes Maui residents to Wailuku performance venues. Maui residents can catch a free ride to performance art Wailuku venues starting Thursday, July 14. Da Artsy Bee shuttle service begins in the Maui Lani Safeway parking lot and drops off guests in front of the theater. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Kauai

DOT Backpedals On Kauai Airport Expansion Following Public Outrage. State transportation officials have decided to abandon a proposal to add three new gates at Lihue Airport after considering community pushback and the ongoing effort by other government agencies to rein in Kauai’s staggering tourism growth. Civil Beat.

Environmentalists file suit over pollution concerns at busy Kauai harbor. Earthjustice, a non-profit environmental law organization, filed the federal Clean Water Act lawsuit on behalf of the Surfrider Foundation and Na Kiai Kai. Hawaii News Now.

Civil Support Team exercise at Kaua‘i Community College. Reports of gunshots broke a quiet Thursday morning at the Kaua‘i Community College. That was the scenario of the full-scale weapons of mass destruction exercise that pretty much shut down the Puhi campus as county, state agencies, and other emergency response partners took over the situation with the Hawai‘i National Guard 93rd Civil Support Team. Garden Island.

Child abuse increases, Legislature won't curtail session fundraising, group seeks apology for Hawaiian language ban, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Keiki paddleboarding in Hawaii ©2022 All Hawaii News

State finds increase in sexual, physical abuse of children. A state program has found there were more child abuse cases in Hawaii in 2021 than in 2020, attributed in part to COVID-19 but also to increased awareness and reporting. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaii lawmakers pan suggested ban on campaign contributions during legislative sessions. Hawaii lawmakers don’t seem inclined to pass legislation this year that would fulfill a special commission’s recommendation to outlaw campaign fundraising during the legislative session. Star-Advertiser.

Some approved Hawaii legislative bills have already become law. As Hawaii’s 2022 legislative session approaches its scheduled end on May 5, the number of approved bills sent to Gov. David Ige for action is building. Star-Advertiser.

Apology sought for 90-year ban on speaking Hawaiian in schools. House Concurrent Resolution 130, which is written in both Hawaiian and English, also acknowledges the consequences of the law that made English the only language allowed in schools. Star-Advertiser.

Mauna Kea debate continues as lawmakers discuss related bills. Up for discussion are joint committee bills to establish an oversite committee over the mountain. Meanwhile a report on how much money astronomy generates for the Big Island, came out Sunday. KITV4.

The Aha Moku Advisory Committee given new life. A state advisory committee tasked with giving Native Hawaiians a voice in the management of environmental, fisheries and cultural resources is poised to get back to business after being stalled for years due to political infighting and lack of funding. Civil Beat.

Resolution seeks to make Filipino course mandatory for high school students. A required course in Filipino history, culture and identity could be coming to all Hawaii public high schools, according to a resolution passed earlier this month by the state Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii ranked most expensive state to live in. A new study by World Population Review ranked the states with the highest and lowest cost of living. KHON2.

Hawaii doctors prescribing antiviral pills for COVID. Doctors in Hawaii are now prescribing antiviral pills for the treatment of sympto­matic patients with mild to moderate COVID-19, but they must be considered at high risk and meet other criteria. Star-Advertiser.

Package tour travelers return for Golden Week, marking Japan tourism recovery for Hawaii. Package tours from Japan, which have been absent in Hawaii for the past two years of the pandemic, are returning in time for the start of Golden Week on Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Feds Agree To Stop Fighting Order To Drain Red Hill. The federal government is submitting to the state’s environmental oversight authority, an Earthjustice attorney said. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu rail board still hung up on confidentiality agreement. Six of the 12 board members who oversee the city’s rail project have not signed mandated confidentiality agreements but only one has been excluded from private board discussions, including again on Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Making progress to reach goal, city completes a third of conservation actions. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi released the city’s annual sustainability report on Friday in recognition of Earth Day. The city’s goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% in the next three years. And so far, more than a third of conservation actions have been completed. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Homelessness up on Hawaii Island; 1 in 3 unsheltered individuals considered ‘chronically homeless’. A total of 837 homeless people were counted during this year’s count, with 300 identifying as “chronically homeless,” which mean having been continuously homeless for at least one year, according to the report released last week by Bridging the Gap Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

Satellite-dish array proposed for Ka‘u: Project would be used to search for fast radio bursts from space. The Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics will request a special permit to operate an array of 10 satellite dishes on a one-half acre rural lot in Wood Valley. Tribune-Herald.

‘Great big party house’ irks neighbors: Illegal short-term vacation rentals pop up in residential neighborhoods. A group of Kailua-Kona homeowners says a loophole in the county vacation rental law is allowing illegal short-term rentals to flourish in what once were quiet neighborhoods. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo housing facility looks to break ground by September. Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial Inc. will break ground on a 92-unit housing facility on Kawili Street across from the University of Hawaii at Hilo for seniors, veterans and veterans’ spouses “between June and September,” said project chairman Bob Williams. Tribune-Herald.

Captain Cook Name Change Resolution Stalls In Senate. Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs deferred a measure to re-designate the census-designated place as Ka‘awaloa. Big Island Video News.

Maui

To tackle overtourism, Maui considers cap on visitor accommodations. The Maui County Council is looking at ways to crack down on overtourism in response to the visitor boom it experienced last year. Council members say they want to better regulate the industry this year, so it doesn’t happen again. Hawaii News Now.

Bill on licensing requirements for electric gun sellers mulled. The Maui County Council is considering a bill to establish licensing requirements for sellers of electric guns, while a federal lawsuit challenges the delay in licensing and additional requirements proposed for sellers. Maui News.

Unexploded ordnance washes ashore on Lānaʻi, Army contacted for response. Personnel from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources contacted police after locating a piece of unexploded ordnance, which they said washed onshore at Hulopoʻe Beach Park on Lānaʻi.  Maui Now.

11 unclaimed remains at Maui forensic facility. The Maui Police Department currently has 11 unclaimed bodies at its forensic facility in Wailuku, according to police. Officials are requesting assistance in contacting family members of the deceased. Maui Now.

Kauai

This West Kauai Beach Is Growing So Why Move Inland? Kauai County is testing the idea of property swaps to get residents to move away from the coastline but on this coastal stretch the issue isn’t so clear. Civil Beat.

Army to honor educators on Teacher Appreciation Day. In the weeks leading up to Teacher Appreciation Day, Tuesday, May 3, the U.S. Army Recruiting Station Kaua‘i is partnering with several local organizations to honor and celebrate teachers. Garden Island.

Minimum wage battle continues in Legislature, illegal campaign contributions investigated in Honolulu mayoral race, Maui loses a round in homeless sweeps court case, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Pool workers at Hilton Waikoloa Resort ©2022 All Hawaii News

Hawaii lawmakers tussle over 1 minimum wage bill. A clash of wills and philosophies among state lawmakers over how to raise Hawaii’s minimum wage now appears centered on one bill at the Legislature instead of two. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island.

State funding for Hawaii Tourism Authority up for debate. The state House of Representatives is allotting the Hawaii Tourism Authority a dollar to pay for its operations, and has eliminated all money for staffing in the version of the state budget that it transmitted to the Senate. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Kids Could Lose Access To Free Meals At School With End Of Federal Funding. Public school students have been eligible for free breakfast and lunch during the pandemic through a program that is set to expire in June. Civil Beat.

Red Hill crisis could be a pivotal moment for discussions on the U.S. military's future in Hawaiʻi. Native Hawaiians have long had a contentious relationship with the federal government — and the military in particular — over its land use, from the bombing of Kahoʻolawe to water contamination at Red Hill. Hawaii Public Radio.

Burning Wood For Power? It’s A Question Utilities Commission Nominee Will Face. A key state senator is pushing for adding “firm renewables” to Hawaii’s mix of electricity sources, including two controversial projects. Civil Beat.

Careless Mistakes’ And Other Problems Are Keeping The Hawaii State Hospital Closed. The $160 million new hospital building has remained empty for more than a year as the state resolves personnel issues, construction problems and design flaws. Civil Beat.

State Wants $1 Million To Accredit Conservation Officers. A joint panel of House lawmakers Tuesday morning voted unanimously to advance Senate Bill 3019, which would require the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to get accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Civil Beat.

Longtime BOE member Herb Watanabe dies at 93. Herbert S. Watanabe, former elected member and chairman of the state Board of Education, died Feb. 21 in Honolulu. He was 93. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Billionaire-backed developer under investigation for illegal political donations. The state Campaign Spending Commission is investigating a local developer for alleged campaign finance abuses. In a complaint made public Tuesday, the commission alleges that Timothy Lee, CEO of JL Capital, improperly reimbursed three employees and a former worker after they gave $12,000 to the political campaigns of former Honolulu mayoral candidates Kym Pine and Keith Amemiya in 2020. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Health Department says Red Hill response has cost it $1.5 million. The state Department of Health is seeking $1.5 million in emergency funds to cover its ongoing costs from responding to the Navy’s Red Hill water crisis. Star-Advertiser.

City extends downtown preschool lease for six months. Plans for a major overhaul to the city’s Civic Center underground parking structure are forcing a large preschool sitting atop it to vacate the premises, but Mayor Rick Blangiardi on Tuesday announced a six-month lease extension and admitted to miscommunication with school officials. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Board of Water Supply says restrictions may be necessary amid dry weather and fuel contamination. Board of Water Supply Manager and Chief Engineer Ernie Lau told state lawmakers that rising salt levels have been detected in its Beretania Well in Honolulu. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Mauna Kea stewardship bill runs into opposition at Senate hearing. A bill that would establish a new authority to oversee the stewardship of Mauna Kea’s summit ran into a volley of opposition Tuesday in a hearing before a state Senate committee. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Bill to select site for new Kona hospital awaits final committee hearing. House Bill 1638 was passed 4-0 by the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services and Homelessness following a hearing Friday afternoon. West Hawaii Today.

Ige: No to Roth’s Energy Emergency Request. Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth is so concerned about how much higher energy costs could increase, he asked Gov. David Ige last week to declare an energy emergency, which could expedite decisions by the state Public Utilities Commission on renewable energy projects. Big Island Now.


Maui

Lawsuit over “houseless sweeps” at Kanahā advances, County of Maui plans to appeal. A Maui judge rejected the County of Maui’s request to dismiss a lawsuit filed against it by residents of a “houseless encampment” at Kanahā during “sweeps” conducted late last year. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

King steps down from council, leaves door open for state run. She endorses Robin Knox, who’s set to face King’s 2020 challenger Tom Cook. Three-term Maui County Council Member Kelly Takaya King is stepping down from her South Maui seat, though she left the door open for a possible run at state office. Maui News. Maui Now.

Mayor Victorino to present FY 2023 proposed budget. Mayor Michael Victorino will present his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2023 at 1 p.m., Thursday, March 24, in the Council Chamber on the 8th floor of the Kalana O Maui Building, 200 S. High Street in Wailuku. Maui Now.

Kauai

State House resolution urging Waimea park renaming. A state House committee moved forward a resolution to formally rename Waimea’s Russian Fort Elisabeth State Historical Park to Pa‘ula‘ula. Garden Island.

State, county celebrate completion of Lihu‘e Airport Ticket Lobby Improvements. The state Department of Transportation hosted the blessing for the recent improvements to the ticket lobby. Useable area was increased by relocating the the U.S. Department of Agriculture baggage-screening equipment and filling in four garden areas. Garden Island. KHON2.

Checks arrive for Kona coffee farmers in lawsuit settlement, Legislature mulls banning campaign contributions during session, state seeks to centralize law enforcement, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Coffee beans on drying floor in Hawaii ©2022 All Hawaii News

Kona coffee labeling settlements top $15.25M. Kona coffee farmers have each begun receiving their share of a $13.1 million settlement reached in a 2019 class action lawsuit against retailers that falsely labeled commodity coffee beans as premium “Kona” coffee. West Hawaii Today.

‘Shock And Anger’ Over Legislative Bribery Cases Could Lead To Limits On Campaign Fundraising. The Legislature is considering a bill to ban legislators from holding fundraisers during session. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Some Hawaii Agencies Are Pushing A Bill That Would Limit Public Access To Government Records. House Bill 2303 would roll back a Hawaii Supreme Court ruling that opened up many records to the public, including draft documents and records that show how an agency came to a decision. Civil Beat.

3 nominees on short list to fill OHA Board of Trustees vacancy. The list includes Maunakea educator and activist Lanakila Mangauil, county housing specialist Kaloa Robinson, and Native Hawaiian attorney and former OHA trustee Mililani Trask. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers seek land transfer to help move Hawaiian Homelands beneficiaries off waitlist. A bill that would transfer land owned by the University of Hawaii to the state Department of Hawaiian Homelands is moving forward in the state Legislature. Hawaii News Now.

Pre-Fab Construction Could Be One Solution To Hawaii’s High Cost Of Housing. The entire structure of a home can go up in days using structural insulated panels, so why are we hardly using it? Civil Beat.

University of Hawaiʻi Reports Record Graduation Rates. UH campuses across the state "achieved record highs in important graduation and retention metrics for the academic year 2020–21", officials say. Big Island Video News.

Feb. 21, 2022 COVID-19 update: 206 new infections in Hawaiʻi. The count includes 26 cases on Maui, 47 on Hawaiʻi Island, 18 on Kauaʻi, one on Molokaʻi, one on Lānaʻi, and seven out of state.  There are 106 new COVID-19 cases on Oʻahu. Maui Now.

Oahu

State envisions 240-acre parcel as future home of emergency response hub. The state is pushing for a new facility that would bring emergency agencies together to one location in central Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Push to drain Red Hill fuel tanks touches off relocation questions. As the Navy faces increasing pressure to drain the tanks at its Red Hill fuel storage facility, the question of where the fuel could be relocated is moving to the forefront. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu To Pay Millions More In Case Of Police Chase Gone Wrong. The fatal crash caused the deaths of three people and injured others. Civil Beat.

Community leaders seek to ban chronic criminals from returning to Waikiki, other resort areas. Community leaders are backing a proposal that would ban chronic criminals who break the law in Waikiki from returning to the tourism district. If the bill is passed, the same rules would apply to other business and resort districts. Hawaii News Now.

Paradise Beverages fined $75K for polluting Waiawa Stream. One the state’s largest distributors of alcoholic beverages was fined $75,000 for polluting Waiawa Stream with expired alcohol, carbonated beverages and vehicle maintenance pollutants, according to the state Department of Health. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

On-time graduation rates at UH Manoa at record high. The “on time” graduation rate at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2021 reached its highest level in history, with 39.7% of first-time, full-time freshmen earning their degrees in four years, according to data released by the university.  Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu preschool closure will worsen early education shortage, advocates say. For nearly four decades, Seagull Schools' Early Education Center has sat on the corner of Beretania and Alapai Streets in downtown Honolulu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Parents fear temporary closure of Lahainaluna boys’ dorm could become permanent. Lahainaluna High School’s boys’ dormitory is temporarily shutting down because of staff shortages. But families, who worry this may become permanent, are pushing to keep the dorms open. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Council members attend NACo conference. Four Hawaii County Council members returned from last week’s National Association of Counties conference brimming with ideas for new county initiatives and optimism for another infusion of federal money. West Hawaii Today.

Officials: New gym for Papaaloa a top priority. State Rep. Mark Nakashima said Monday a new county gymnasium in Papaaloa is the top capital-improvement priority in his district. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Web page established for new Maui County Department of Agriculture. Maui County has set up a new web page as part of the formation of the new County Department of Agriculture. Voters approved a Maui County Charter amendment in November 2020 for establishment of the department, which will officially launch in July 2022. Maui Now.

Updated West Maui Community Plan and map now available to view on County website. The plan is designed to be user-friendly with graphics and pictures. A web-based map with zooming and clickable features is included to enable users to more easily view the adopted community plan map. Maui Now.

Maui Seaside Hotel in Kahului to be converted to ‘upscale’ Hilton. Located at 100 W. Kaahumanu Ave. next to Maui Beach Hotel, Maui Seaside is a 181-room limited-service hotel with a restaurant and swimming pool. It was founded in 1956. Maui Now.

Nisei veterans center opens new resource pavilion. Standing in front of the completed Stanley Izumigawa Resource Center Pavilion at the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center, board Chairperson Kyoko Kimura said she was “overwhelmed” by the moment. Maui News. Maui Now.

Kauai

Hawaiian homestead nonprofit purchases rental property. The Homestead Community Development Corporation announced Sunday its purchase of a six-unit apartment building on Halenani Street in Lihu‘e, with the goal of keeping the housing affordable. Garden Island.

Fishers get new FADs along island’s windward side. Six fish-aggregation devices (FADs) were installed off Kaua‘i last week, restoring the local portion of a statewide buoy array to nearly full strength. Garden Island.

Seminar addresses commercial activities on state, county lands. The Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources sought to clarify rules and regulations associated with work on public lands during a virtual seminar. Garden Island.