Showing posts with label census. Show all posts
Showing posts with label census. Show all posts

Friday, September 14, 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kauai

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

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

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Economic disparities in Pacific Islander races, Obama statue posed, Hee's messy divorce fodder in gubernatorial race, Tsutsui endorses Hanabusa, affordable housing in Honolulu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2018 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Kayaking in Hawaii ©2018 All Hawaii News
Although Hawaii has a reputation as a “racial paradise” and Asian-Pacific Islanders are often considered a single racial category, there are huge differences in socioeconomic well-being among Hawaii’s various Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Civil Beat.

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism released a report on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, which shows the different lifestyles among the 14 top race groups in Hawaii. Big Island Now.

Report: Hawaii has ‘diversified culture’. Garden Island.

State on high alert after hackers target 2 agencies in 'phishing' attack. So-called "phishing attacks" targeted state computers over the holiday weekend, officials confirm. Hawaii News Now.

A state Senate committee in Hawaii is calling for a statue of former President Barack Obama to be erected in the state where he was born. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously Tuesday for a resolution requesting that the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts commission the statue. Associated Press.

Super PAC attacks Hee using divorce filings. Former state Sen. Clayton Hee, who recently announced he is running for governor, was accused of verbal and physical abuse by his former wife Lyla Berg in 1989 divorce filings, according to state court records.  Star-Advertiser.

Former Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui announced Tuesday that he will be endorsing U.S. Rep Colleen Hanabusa for governor in the upcoming election. Hawaii News Now.

Ige's former lieutenant governor backs Hanabusa. KHON2.

Former Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui raised the arm of U.S. Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa and declared her the next governor of Hawaii to resounding cheers Tuesday evening outside her new campaign headquarters at the Old Kahului Shopping Center. Maui News.

A bill that allocates transient accommodations tax revenues to Kauai, Hawaii and Maui counties from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2030 passed through the House of Representatives Tuesday with 44 out of 51 votes in favor of the bill. Garden Island.

The state House passed a bill Tuesday increasing the counties’ share of transient accommodations tax revenue. Tribune-Herald.

While a bill that would restructure the management of the state’s airports is nearing passage, supporters of the bill fear it is missing terms that would allow it to better serve its purpose. Tribune-Herald.

Parasite spread by feral cats threatens native wildlife, strengthening calls for action. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply is proposing to raise the price of municipal water over the next four years and have larger users in single-family homes shoulder more of the increase that’s being sought to keep up with expenses. Star-Advertiser.

Developers and homebuilders would no longer be able to pay cash “in-lieu” fees under a new affordable-housing policy that’s scheduled for a final vote of the Honolulu City Council today. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Affordable Housing Bill Advances Without "In Lieu of Construction Fee". Hawaii Public Radio.

Updated Honolulu Housing Bill Seeks The Middle Ground. Councilwoman Kymberly Pine made concessions to housing advocates and developers alike in hopes that the measure will pass the full council Wednesday. Civil Beat.

HART: "We don't need $44M from Mayor Caldwell". The Honolulu City Council Budget Committee reviewed the Mayor’s nearly 3.5 billion dollar operating and construction budget for 2019 today. Hawaii Public Radio.

Holo card will be used to pay fares for TheBus, TheHandi-Van and, eventually, rail. The city Tuesday unveiled Oahu’s first Holo transit smart card, lauding it as a significant technological upgrade and step closer to Honolulu’s goal of multimodal transportation. Star-Advertiser.

Goodbye, bus passes. New 'HOLO' cards to be used for buses, rail. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu officials debuted “Holo,” the city’s new smart-card pass Tuesday, a program that should eventually give public transit users another option besides cash or passes to ride TheBus, the Handi-Van and, years from now, the rail system. Civil Beat.

Say goodbye to the old bus passes. The city and county of Honolulu unveils how people will pay for transit, and more, in the future. KITV.

Police raid building in Liliha, gaming machines removed. KHON2.

A two-month project to rehabilitate the Lanikai pillboxes will begin Wednesday, barring access to hikers for at least 60 days. Hawaii News Now.

Tripler nurse accused of stealing 8,500 pills from hospital. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

The county’s biggest budget to date drew little public interest Tuesday evening, with no people coming out to talk about the $515.7 million spending plan at an evening public hearing. West Hawaii Today.

Futuristic Spaceport Gets Chilly Big Island Reception. Some lawmakers have proposed issuing special revenue bonds to help SpinLaunch build a facility on Hawaii Island for catapulting satellites into space. Civil Beat.

The water woes in North Kona have subsided, to a degree, but members of the Hawaii County Water Board explained it may be a while before they’re alleviated in full. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Five individuals have pulled papers for the 8th District House seat (representing Kahakuloa, Waihee, Waiehu, Puuohala, Wailuku, Waikapu), to fill the post being vacated by longtime Representative Joe Souki of Maui. Maui Now.

West and South Maui Sen. Roz Baker has taken out nomination papers for re-election to the 6th Senatorial District seat she has held since 2002. Maui News.

By scheduling five firefighters per work crew, instead of a minimum of four, Maui County’s Department of Fire and Public Safety is saving approximately $4.5 million annually in overtime pay, according to a recent external audit reviewed Tuesday by council members. Maui News.

The Neighbor Islands’ resident population percentages have grown incrementally since 2000 while Oahu’s share, while still dominant, has shrunk by 3 percentage points, U.S. Census Bureau data released last week show. Maui News.

The Maui District Health Office of the Department of Health, located at the Wailuku State Office Building, will undergo renovations beginning Monday, April 2. Maui Now.

Kauai

Cab fare hikes proposed. The Kauai County Council is scheduled to meet today. Garden Island.

A bellstone believed by some to be missing from a sacred site on Kauai apparently isn’t missing at all, according to the state. It’s at the Kauai Museum. Garden Island.

Friday, March 23, 2018

Federal budget one of the best for Hawaii, unemployment hits 28-year low, driver's license document loss no privacy threat, Honolulu prosecutor takes over Big Island cop case, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2018 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
WWII vet with Pohakuloa Marines. Military spending is big part of new budget. ©2018 All Hawaii News
Federal budget bill is ‘best by far for Hawaii’ in years. A $1.3 trillion government spending bill will add millions in funding for Hawaii in an appropriations package approved by Congress that is a rebuke to spending cuts sought by President Donald Trump. Star-Advertiser.

New Federal Budget Deal Has Lots Of Goodies For Hawaii. While President Trump’s proposed cuts would have hurt the Aloha State, a new budget deal increased funding for many programs. Civil Beat.

Hawaii stands to benefit from the $1.3 trillion bipartisan spending bill that was reached by congressional members on Wednesday night, according to U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz. Pacific Business News.

Congress has approved a $1.3 trillion dollar omnibus spending bill that boosts funding for several programs in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Press release: Sen. Schatz: Federal Funding for Hawaii to Increase. Big Island Now.

Hawaii’s number of unemployed fell to its lowest level in more than 28 years as the jobless rate in February held at 2.1 percent for the fifth month in a row. Star-Advertiser.

Ige Administration: House Budget Cuts Go Too Far. Several department heads and the University of Hawaii urged the Senate to restore Gov. David Ige’s proposed spending increases. Civil Beat.

Report: Out-of-State Buyers, Vacation Rentals Squeeze Local Housing Market. A new report estimates that a quarter of homes sold in Hawaii during recent years were bought by non-residents. Civil Beat.

With today the deadline for bills to move to their final committees, only one of the dozens of marijuana bills introduced this year in the state Legislature remains in discussion. Tribune-Herald.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees Thursday held off any disciplinary action against CEO Kamanaopono Crabbe and instead decided to delve further into claims of financial improprieties that may be linked to the agency’s director. Star-Advertiser.

OHA: No Decision on CEO Contract. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustees met today in closed session to deliberate about the future of their only employee. Hawaii Public Radio.

Growing corruption probe leads OHA board to debate ousting CEO. Hawaii News Now.

Former Hawaii Governor Defends OHA. A critical management audit of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is continuing to ripple. Hawaii Public Radio.

Computer crash destroys documents of 66,500 Hawaii driver’s license holders. A city contractor disclosed Thursday that it can’t retrieve scanned images of documents with personal information — including Social Security cards and birth certificates — for 66,500 people statewide who were issued licenses or state ID cards last year between Feb. 25 and Sept. 15. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Can’t Access 66,000 Personal Documents After System Crashed. Some birth certificates, passports, and other documents can’t be retrieved because of a vendor’s computer malfunction. Civil Beat.

66,500 people affected by driver's licensing vendor hard disk crash. KHON2.

Oahu

New Charges Issued In Kealohas’ Corruption Case. The updated indictment adds a former Honolulu police captain to the alleged general criminal conspiracy. Civil Beat.

Kealohas’ mailbox was altered, according to a new indictment. A federal grand jury returned the new indictment Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

A new indictment filed in federal court Thursday adds three new criminal charges to the case against retired Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his deputy prosecutor wife, Katherine. KHON2.

Will Creating More Jobs In Kapolei Ease Traffic Congestion? A bill in the Legislature would offer tax incentives to businesses that open in Oahu’s “second city.” Civil Beat.

Mobile Showers Just the Beginning. For more than 7,000 Hawaii residents experiencing homelessness, that hot shower has been a luxury...until now. Hawaii Public Radio.

North Shore community members want a new police station in the area. KITV.

No plan to replace lost parking stalls if new bike lanes go up in Kakaako. Concern from some residents in Kakaako after the City revealed Thursday night that it will not replace the parking stalls that would be lost by adding new protected bike lanes to the area. KHON2.

The U.S. Coast Guard plans to step up patrols off Waikiki this weekend as it and other state and federal agencies try to discourage large flotillas of partying college students on spring break. Star-Advertiser.

With spring break coinciding with Prince Kuhio day this year, public safety officials are preparing for large crowds at beaches across the state. Ocean safety crews are stepping up patrols at Waikiki Beach to accommodate an anticipated large number of beach goers. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Students Organize Four ‘March For Our Lives’ Rallies. A series of events around Oahu on Saturday will showcase youth-led organizing for anti-gun violence. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County reached a new milestone last year when its population broke 200,000, according to U.S. Census estimates. Tribune-Herald.

The state Department of the Attorney General has recommended the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office review a case naming a former Hawaii County police officer as a person of interest in the theft of drug evidence. West Hawaii Today.

The Keaukaha Elementary School Cafeteria was packed on Wednesday night as Hilo residents had their chance to hear about a controversial bill that would dramatically alter the way Mauna Kea is managed. Big Island Video News.

Maui

A historic decision made by the Hawaii Commission on Water Resource Management protects instream flows at four West Maui streams–Ukumehame, Olowalu, Launiupoko and KauaŹ»ula. The decision was made at the conclusion of a half-day-long hearing in which more than three dozen people testified. Maui Now.

While students across Hawaii protested against gun violence last Wednesday, two teens at Hana High School kick started a protest of their own: switching out positions of the school's flags, so the state flag flew above the American one. KITV.

Businesses brace for three-month Waiehu golf course partial closure. The back nine holes of the Waiehu Municipal Golf Course are scheduled to close April 16 for three months to allow its greens to be dug up and be replanted with saltwater-tolerant grass. Maui News.

Kauai

Many of the 150 people left Wednesday’s meeting on a possible “second city” on the Westside with more questions than answers. Garden Island.

Megahouse project draws ire. North Shore residents voiced their opposition to a construction project during a hearing at the Kapaa Public Library Wednesday night. Garden Island.

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Senator profits in state contract, Hawaii population declines, Learmont replaces Oshiro in state House, new pier at Hilo harbor, candidates already lining up for 2020 Honolulu mayoral race, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2017 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Honolulu Ala Wai boat harbor © 2017 All Hawaii News
Conflicts arise over harbor contract. A legislator as well as a member of the Board of Land and Natural Resources have ties to the public relations firm hired by the state to help determine redevelopment of the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Lawmakers Are Used To Hearing About Potential Conflicts Of Interest. Legislators argue there are good reasons to vote even on issues where they may have potential conflicts. Associated Press.

State DOE on track with plan to meet new federal benchmarks. The Hawaii Department of Education says it’s working with federal education officials to finalize the state’s plan for complying with new requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act. Star-Advertiser.

Appeals court: Trump exceeded authority with travel ban. A federal appeals court panel has ruled that President Donald Trump once again exceeded the scope of his authority with his latest travel ban, but the judges on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put their decision on hold pending review by the U.S. Supreme Court, meaning the ban involving six majority Muslim countries will remain in effect. Associated Press.

Hawaii’s Population Declines For The First Time In Several Years. Hawaii was one of eight states, plus Puerto Rico, that saw a net decline. Civil Beat.

Health insurance premiums on the rise. More than 320,000 Hawaii workers and individuals will pay higher health insurance premiums starting Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Learmont
Learmont To Replace Oshiro In Hawaii State House. She is a former legislative aide to the former longtime lawmaker, who resigned to join the labor board. Civil Beat.

Iwamoto seeks lieutenant governor post. Kim Coco Iwamoto says corporations spend millions of dollars to get their voices heard at the Hawaii Capitol. Garden Island.

More Tuna For Hawaii Fishing Boats In 2018. An international commission slightly expanded catch limits for U.S. longliners based in Honolulu but the industry is still hoping for more. Civil Beat.

Attorney General: Landowners must pay for use of their own land once sea rises.  Oceanfront property owners who once were well shy of the protected state shoreline could find themselves having to purchase easements for their existing homes and structures such as seawalls as the sea creeps inland. West Hawaii Today.

California Approves Saito Extradition To Hawaii. The Hawaii State Hospital patient escaped in November and flew to the mainland. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's economy to benefit from preclearance agreement with Canada. Pacific Business News.

Young Brothers’ cargo volume edges up. The state’s largest interisland cargo carrier said in a report due out today that volume edged up 0.3 percent from the year-earlier period and is up just 0.7 percent for the first nine months of 2017. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Anderson, Pine eye 2020 mayor’s race to replace Caldwell. The jockeying has begun at Honolulu Hale over who will take over the third-floor corner office at City Hall after incumbent Mayor Kirk Caldwell leaves when his term runs out in 2020 — if not sooner. Star-Advertiser.

Privately owned memorial tour website under investigation. The state Office of Consumer Protection said it is investigating representations made by a website that touts itself as the “Pearl Harbor Visitors Bureau,” offers tours and says more than 750,000 visitors have been served. Star-Advertiser.

State scales back work on airport space. The state Department of Transportation is building a $40 million to $45 million structure under Gate 6 at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport that was meant to provide operating space for Island Air, but that space will now be left vacant in the wake of the airline’s bankruptcy. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority has fallen short of making its full state reimbursement for the Hawaii Convention Center for the past two years and may extend the facility’s debt repayment schedule again — even though the agency still owes 79 percent of the center’s original $350 million balance. Star-Advertiser.

City sweetens tow deal. Starting New Year’s Day, the city will have a new contract in place to cover the dozens of police-initiated vehicle tows that occur across the island daily. Star-Advertiser.

Volunteers Keep One of Makiki’s Best-Kept Secrets Afloat. The state wants to convert Hawaii’s only volunteer-run public library into a state-run facility, but it’s waiting on a lease agreement from the city. Civil Beat.

A woman's struggles after a crash with an HPD officer renew questions over discipline. The renewed attention is coming at a time when a new chief, Susan Ballard, has taken the reins at the department and, according to one of her deputies, has ordered a review of HPD’s entire discipline system to bring more consistency to the process. Star-Advertiser.

Filipino WWII vets help select artist for monument on Oahu. After decades of injustice and neglect, Filipino WWII veterans are finally winning recognition for their dedication to Allied forces during the war. Star-Advertiser.

Preserving Hawaii's Railway History. The Hawaiian Railway Society in Ewa runs the only continuously operating historical railroad in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

State officials and other dignitaries marked the opening of a new pier Friday at Hilo Harbor. The 602-foot-long reinforced concrete pier, built parallel to the shoreline, will allow workers to load and unload barges more safely and efficiently, and separates cargo from the docks used by cruise ships, officials said. Tribune-Herald.

Preserving historic Honokaa. The Historic Honokaa Town Project, which aims to preserve and commemorate the unique plantation buildings of Honokaa, is expected to place a total of 14 Honokaa entries on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places by early 2018, with seven of those properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well, said project coordinator Gerald De Mello. Tribune-Herald.

A draft burial treatment plan for iwi found on lands of the former Moaula Plantation were debated on Thursday. Big Island Video News.

The problem of feral pigs. Although feral pig populations on the Big Island appear to remain steady, for some residents, swine incursions will make the holiday a brown Christmas. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Wind farm seeks OK to ‘take’ more endangered bats. Auwahi Wind wants to increase permitted bat fatalities from 21 to 197 over 25 years. Maui News.

Maui home sales fall amid lower inventory. Sales of single-family homes in Maui County plunged last month amid dwindling inventory while the median price increased. Star-Advertiser.

Life after sugar – a year later. It has been 12 months of transition for former plantation workers. Maui News.

Kauai


Rats are nowhere to be found on tiny Lehua Island four months after the conclusion of an eradication project. Star-Advertiser.

People monitoring the ecosystem recovery on Lehua Island report that four months after the conclusion of a rat eradication project there are still no signs of the invasive Pacific Rats. Garden Island.

Canines used to find human waste in Kauai streams. Three samples were collected at Waiopili stream mouth in October and all samples tested positive for human sewage by both dogs. Garden Island.

Friday, December 22, 2017

Sexual misconduct in Hawaii Legislature, SHOPO president busted down to midnight patrol, more people leaving than moving to Hawaii, free Wi-Fi at Honolulu airport, Salary Commission slows raise-making, Sunset Beach succumbing to the sea, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy photo by Harry Durgin
Snow-topped Mauna Kea, photo by Harry Durgin
Sexual misconduct complaints have hit 4 state lawmakers. Four Hawaii lawmakers have been the subject of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct complaints since 2008, an Associated Press investigation has found. Associated Press.

People keep leaving Hawaii in droves and this year was no exception. Some 13,537 more people left Hawaii for the mainland than moved in from another state from July 2016 to July 2017, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s strong tourism industry boosted the performance of hotels statewide in November with the neighbor islands in particular seeing a significant bump. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii hotels experienced a 5.5 percent increase in revenue per available room in November compared to a year ago, while average daily rates and occupancy also grew, according to the Hawaii Hotel Performance Report released Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii unemployment rate drops to record 2%. Hawaii’s unemployment rate is at a record low, dropping 0.2 percentage points from 2.2 percent in October, to 2 percent in November, according to figures released on Thursday by the state Department of Labor & Industrial Relations. Pacific Business News.

Former deputy sheriff sues state, claiming discrimination because he's gay. Hawaii News Now.

OHA Trustees’ Settlement Cost $879,000 In Legal Fees. The state agency paid $614,000 to litigate Akana vs. Machado, while insurer AIG paid for $265,000. Civil Beat.

Plans to add planes sent Island Air into nosedive. David Uchiyama, president and CEO of what had been Hawaii’s second-largest interisland airline, described the company’s downfall under questioning Thursday by an attorney and court-appointed trustee working to liquidate Island Air assets for the benefit of creditors. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

New Police Chief Reassigns Union President To Patrol Shift. Susan Ballard says she had concerns with how the department’s Peer Support Unit was led by SHOPO chief Tenari Maafala. Civil Beat.

Amid debate about homeless safe zones, 9 possible sites identified. As the state, city and police struggle to keep homeless campers off public property, some are now looking at whether Hawaii should offer homeless people a legal place to camp. Hawaii News Now.

Erosion at Sunset Beach could cause a “catastrophic” collapse, the state says. The severely eroding cliff and shoreline at Sunset Beach Park on Oahu’s North Shore have reached inland at an unprecedented level, forcing city officials to implement immediate safety measures and consider long-term solutions. Star-Advertiser.

Experts say the severe erosion taking place at Sunset Beach is reaching unprecedented levels, leaving city and state officials hustling to find both short- and long-term solutions to address the rising sea levels. Hawaii News Now.

Public urged to stay away with Sunset Beach erosion expected to get even worse. KHON2.

Free Wi-Fi debuts at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Coverage at the Honolulu airport includes the Overseas Terminal and Central Concourse on the first and second levels between ticket lobbies 4 to 8, gates 12 to 25 and baggage claims E to H. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airline's outgoing CEO says the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport isn't  "adequate to fit the community" and needs to be modernized. KITV.

$20 Million Facelift For Popular UH Library Is Among Ige’s Requests. The governor’s supplemental budget proposal is one small step toward addressing the university system’s maintenance backlog. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Salary Commission slows the raise train. Faced with the mayor and two County Council members urging caution, the Salary Commission on Thursday hiked salaries a little further in two departments, but postponed action on a dozen other positions — including the mayor and County Council members themselves — until its next meeting in January. West Hawaii Today.

Repair of Keopu Deep Well poised to rollback months-long North Kona water restriction. West Hawaii Today.

Wi-Fi planned for Hilo airport. The state Department of Transportation launched free Wi-Fi coverage Dec. 14 at several terminals in Honolulu’s airport and expects to extend that service to airports throughout the state, including Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, in 2018. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Rapidly increasing erosion on the Maui shoreline has threatened a cemetery temple building and swept away close to 100 gravestones. Associated Press.

Kauai

Navy and KIUC sign lease to develop solar farm. The Navy and the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative have signed a lease to develop a 19.3-megawatt direct-current solar facility in conjunction with a 70 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system at the Pacific Missile Range Facility that will benefit the community and missile testing. Star-Advertiser.

Pacific Missile Range Facility will be housing a new 19.3-megawatt solar facility in conjunction with a 70-megawatt hours battery energy storage system, thanks to an agreement between the U.S. Navy and Kauai Island Utility Cooperative. Garden Island.

KIUC teams up with U.S. Navy to develop new solar-plus-storage facility on Hawaii's Garden Isle. The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative Thursday said it signed a lease with the U.S. Department of the Navy, Command Navy Installations Command and Naval Facilities Engineering Command for the development of a 19.3-megawatt solar facility along with a 70 megawatt-hours battery storage component. Pacific Business News.

Health department ends Hanalei cesspool upgrade program. The Hawaii Department of Health has withdrawn a program aimed at helping Hanalei residents upgrade their sanitation systems. Associated Press.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Hawaii tops in extended families, Hawaiian Airlines collects climate data, HART delays $18M rail contractor increase, new bus boss for Hawaii Island, big jump in air cargo, eco-friendly caskets, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2017 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Izu Oshima Island  dancers span generations © 2017 All Hawaii News
Why Hawaii Trends Toward Large And Extended Families. At 11 percent of households, the Aloha State has the highest proportion of multigenerational homes in the country, with Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (18 percent), and Asians (13 percent) being the two ethnic groups with the largest proportions of multigenerational households. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian first U.S. airline on board for daily air quality monitoring. Hawaiian Airlines has become the first U.S. airline to begin daily air quality monitoring of one of the biggest and cleanest regions of the planet: an area from China to New Zealand to Seattle. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines taking part in climate change research. As of last month, a specially equipped plane has been collecting air samples using a climate monitoring device that's attached to the exterior of the aircraft. KITV.

The air cargo industry in Hawaii had 852 employees in 2016, experiencing 978.5% growth in employment over 15 years, between 2001 and 2016. Maui Now.

Disruptive Hawaii flight passenger sentenced to time served. A Turkish man who said a hallucination about a butterfly caused him to disrupt a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu won’t receive additional jail time under terms of his sentence handed down Monday. Associated Press.

Unruly airline passenger sentenced to 6 months in prison, $8,525 in restitution. Pacific Business News.

Delta's Atlanta to Honolulu flight gets upgrade starting next April. Delta's domestic upgrades to Delta One are coming next April, but only one roundtrip will impact the airline's hub in Atlanta. Pacific Business News.

Get Island Air refunds quickly, state warns. The executive director of the state Office of Consumer Protection urges Hawaii consumers who purchased Island Air tickets to seek refunds from their credit or debit card providers. Star-Advertiser.

First observed interstellar object to pass by Earth is given Hawaiian name. After consulting with UH-Hilo Hawaiian language experts Ka‘iu Kimura and Larry Kimura, the UH team named the interstellar visitor Oumuamua, which means leader or scout. Star-Advertiser.

State urges extra mumps vaccine dose as cases rise. As of Friday the Health Department said the number has spiked to 575 confirmed cases so far this year. Star-Advertiser.

Alexander &Baldwin Inc. will pay its shareholders $783 million mostly in the form of new stock as part of converting to a real estate investment trust, or REIT. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

HART board delays $18M increase for rail contractor. The board overseeing Honolulu’s rail project rejected a request by rail staff to increase a key engineering contract by nearly $18 million, with several board members saying they didn’t have enough information to approve the sizable request. Star-Advertiser.

Waipahu sees single-family homes sales jump; condo prices rise across Oahu. Sales of single-family homes in Waipahu more than doubled in October, as the median price in the Central Oahu neighborhood rose 11 percent, while the five areas with the highest number of condominium sales all saw median prices rise last month, according to statistics from the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Oahu solar permits declined 16% in October. In October, the city Department of Planning and Permitting issued 307 permits for solar electric systems, down from 367 in the same month last year, a drop of 16 percent. Star-Advertiser.

UH Manoa’s College of Education Names New Dean. Nathan Murata beat out two other finalists for the job of leading the College of Education. Civil Beat.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa on Monday named Nathan Murata its new dean of the College of Education, effective Jan. 1. Pacific Business News.

Amid an escalating dispute with some neighbors in Manoa, a former Kauai police detective gets a temporary restraining order filed against him and his rifle taken away. Hawaii News Now.

Family of Marine fatally stabbed in Waikiki wants suspect charged as adult. The teen accused of killing a Marine in Waikiki in October is set to appear in court Tuesday — the day his victim would've celebrated his 24th birthday.  Hawaii News Now.

Can These Eco-Friendly Caskets Find A Niche In $20 Billion Industry? A Waimanalo company is trying to serve the growing market for people wanting greener burial options. Civil Beat.

The fishing vessel that ran aground just off pristine Waikiki beaches more than a month ago is being prepared for removal, possibly by the end of the week. Associated Press.

Hawaii Island

Caltrans planner to take over Hele-On system. Maria Aranguiz, chief of systems planning and forecasting for the California Department of Transportation, will begin as the county Mass Transit Agency administrator on Feb. 16, county Managing Director Wil Okabe said Monday. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island’s mass transit system is carrying a fraction of the passengers compared to a few years ago with a fleet in disrepair, auto and money theft incidents, costly contractors filling gaps, and a past-due multimillion-dollar baseyard project. KHON2.

Charter school using $1 million grant to expand hours, reach academic goals. Ka Umeke Kaeo was the only Hawaii school to receive the School Improvement Grant this year, a federal grant designed to support Title 1 schools that “demonstrate the greatest need for the funds and the strongest commitment to use them to substantially raise the achievement of students,” according to a state Department of Education news release. Tribune-Herald.

Univ. of Nations CFO could face another offense. Pablo Rivera pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on May 15. West Hawaii Today.

WHT reporter to be celebrated Dec. 9 for work cracking pCard case. The Big Island Press Club will celebrate Nancy Cook Lauer as the club’s 2017 Torch of Light winner during its annual Christmas Luncheon from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Hilo Bay CafĆ©. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Hale Makua Health Services Hires New Kahului Administrator. Teana KahoŹ»ohanohano has been hired as Administrator of Hale Makua Kahului, Maui’s largest skilled and intermediate nursing home, rehab center and adult day health center. KahoŹ»ohanohano has over 10 years of experience as a licensed Administrator in California and Hawaii. Maui Now.

Kihei Community Association to meet. Council Planning Committee Chairwoman Kelly King and Maui Tomorrow Foundation President Lucienne de Naie will speak Tuesday night at the Kihei Community Association general membership meeting at Kihei Charter Middle School. Maui News.

Costco’s solar project, like most of its products, is big. Costco Wholesale has begun construction of carport-style support structures for the eventual installation of solar panels in the store’s Kahului parking lot off of Haleakala Highway. Maui News.

Hokulea Stops in Hana for 9th Annual Limu Festival. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaui Police Department Assistant Chief Roy Asher placed on unpaid leave until an internal investigation is complete. Garden Island.

Test of new signal scheduled Dec. 1. A wailing tone that advises everyone to take immediate shelter, the “attack warning” tone will be added to the monthly test. Garden Island.

Monday, November 6, 2017

Recap of Trump's Hawaii visit, Navy to hold sonar scoping meetings this week, lieutenant governor race gets more crowded, Honolulu police to test body cams, sewage causing Maui reef ills, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy photo Anthony Quintano of Civil Beat
Trump wears lei in Hawaii PC: Anthony Quintano/Civil Beat
Trump’s Hawaii Visit Inspires Supporters, But More Opponents. A lonely contingent of Honolulu Tea Party members were in a welcoming mood that wasn’t shared by people at a Capitol rally. Civil Beat.

Trump departs Hawaii for Japan after a short but busy visit. While in Hawaii, Trump did spend time talking to Hawaii’s government leaders and top military brass. On Friday, he met with the governors of Hawaii, Alaska and the Pacific U.S. territories. Trump and his advisers also attended a Friday briefing at Camp Smith with the commanders of Pacific Air Forces, U.S. Army Pacific, Marine Forces Pacific and other brass. He also got a private briefing later in the day. Star-Advertiser.


President Donald Trump visited one of his Trump-branded properties in Hawaii on Saturday shortly before he was scheduled to depart for Japan amid his 13-day trip to Asia. Politico.

President Donald Trump paid a solemn visit Friday to Pearl Harbor and its memorial to the USS Arizona, a hallowed place he said he had read about, discussed and studied but had never visited until just before opening his first official visit to Asia. Associated Press.

President Donald Trump is naming two of his local campaign supporters, Allen Frenzel and Gigi N. Jones, to oversee much of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s operations in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

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Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is quietly putting his political weight behind the re-election campaign of Gov. David Ige in an alliance that appears to have already shifted some key Caldwell campaign staffers into the Ige camp. Star-Advertiser.

Former BOE member running for lieutenant governor. Former Board of Education member Kim Coco Iwamoto announced Sunday she is running for lieutenant governor to bring “courageous, compassionate leadership” to the office and “to set a tone of accountability that we are listening to the people.” Star-Advertiser.

Kim Coco Iwamoto announces bid for Lieutenant Governor. KITV.

The federal government wants to designate critical habitat for the endangered main Hawaiian Islands population of false killer whales. Garden Island.

U.S. Navy Holding Statewide Meetings. Navy officials will be presenting a draft environmental impact statement reevaluating potential impacts associated with ongoing military activities. Including: active sonar use and explosives while employing mitigation measures to protect marine life. Hawaii Public Radio.

The state’s largest health insurer says it has an estimated $20 million a year in “excessive and unnecessary” costs due to nonprofits paying health insurance premiums for patients, some of whom are on dialysis and could be covered by government health plans. Star-Advertiser.

Congressional Crackdown On The Shark Fin Trade. Harvesting shark fins has long been prohibited but loopholes in their sale has allowed an underground trade to continue. Civil Beat.

Upgraded Website Provides Updates on Beach Water Quality. Big Island Now.

New advocacy group aims to put kids first in educational policy. Star-Advertiser.

Quarrel at PUC meeting sparks discussion on conduct. An an unusual use of taxpayer money, the state Public Utilities Commission met Thursday to discuss an argument that broke out between a state worker and an attorney at an informal industry meeting Oct. 11. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Ruth’s Chris restaurants changing ownership. Ruth’s Hospitality Group Inc. said Friday it is acquiring the six Hawaii Ruth’s Chris Steak House locations from franchise partner Desert Island Restaurants for about $35 million. Star-Advertiser.

Ruth’s Hospitality Group Inc. said Friday that it is acquiring six Hawaii Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants from franchisee Desert Island Restaurants for approximately $35 million in cash. Pacific Business News.

Real estate firm Coldwell Pacific buys rival. The firm announced Friday that it acquired the Oahu operations of Century 21 All Islands Fine Homes & Estates, which includes four offices and about 150 agents. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The Navy is holding a public meeting today as it re-evaluates the environmental impacts of training, research and testing — particularly from sonar and explosive sound effects on marine animals — over a wide swath of ocean between Southern California and the Hawaiian Islands. Star-Advertiser.

HPD to start bodycam pilot program. Honolulu Police Department's body camera pilot program is set to begin Monday following an initial delay. Hawaii News Now.

Explosive Motion Calls For Ouster Of Kealoha Attorneys. The Justice Department claims conflicts of interest should disqualify defense attorneys Myles Breiner and Kevin Sumida. Civil Beat.

Officer Charged In Corruption Case Challenges Police Commission. Minh-Hung “Bobby” Nguyen says the city should be paying for his legal defense against a related lawsuit. Civil Beat.

Missing School Has Become A Huge Problem in Hawaii. A Waianae school, where 40 percent of students are chronically absent, is trying home visits and a partnership with family court to keep kids in class. Civil Beat.

Public comments sought for Blaisdell Center face-lift. City officials are inviting the public to a third and final workshop next week for commenting on a plan to improve Blaisdell Center by renovating some parts and redeveloping other parts of the 53-year-old complex. Star-Advertiser.

Flashing lights, raised curbs among added pedestrian safety improvements in Waimanalo. Hawaii News Now.

'Dear Mayor': Students write letters asking for new lights at North Shore park. KITV.

A large fishing boat that ran aground off Waikiki three weeks ago is again raising concerns about safety. KHON2.

No Water For The Homeless At The Waianae Boat Harbor Camp. A repaving project at the boat harbor has been long planned but no one told homeless campers next door their water was being shut off. Civil Beat.


Home sales on Oahu saw a “healthy uptick” in the number of sales in October, compared to the same month last year, as the median price of a single-family home and condominium nudged up slightly, according to a report by Honolulu-based real estate firm Locations LLC. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Vacation house rules in works: Regulating ‘unhosted’ rentals seen as way to preserve housing for residents. Tribune-Herald.

Kawa revisited: Community groups, county grants in play five years after Lui eviction. West Hawaii Today.

Online auction and sales giant eBay has removed numerous listings advertising the sale of sand purported to be from Hawaii beaches, including iconic Papakolea Beach — also known as Green Sands Beach — after the Tribune-Herald inquired about the sand sales. Tribune-Herald.

State evaluates West Hawaii roads, says 4 miles classify as ‘poor’. On a given day, more than 16,000 cars come along this road, bringing travelers along the Mamalahoa Kona Heritage Corridor as it winds its way along the slopes of Hualalai through towns like Kainaliu, passing by historic buildings through Kona’s coffeelands. West Hawaii Today.

Nonemergencies put strain on hospital ER. Nearly one of every three Hilo emergency room patients isn’t actually experiencing a medical emergency. Tribune-Herald.

A Kona coffee farmer organization is complaining to state regulators that a California company is misleading consumers over the quantity of premium-priced Kona beans in a line of cold-brew coffee drinks. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s only exotic animal sanctuary receives full re-accreditation. Hawaii News Now.

A year-long, $4.2 million, capital improvement construction project is underway at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Study links treated sewage to reef degradation. A new study by federal scientists has found that discharge from a sewage treatment facility in West Maui for years has been drastically undermining the coral reefs off Kahekili Beach Park. Star-Advertiser.

Affordable Housing Bill Introduced on Maui. A new bill has been introduced to the Maui County Council, proposing that housing be kept affordable for an extended period through deed restrictions. Maui Now.

Property tax bills move forward. The Maui County Council gave first reading approval Friday to two bills that would affect property tax classifications for short-term rentals, which some fear could lead to higher taxes. Maui News.

Rep. Kaniela Ing to Announce Run for Higher Office. State Representative Kaniela Saito Ing of Maui will hold a press conference on Monday to officially announce his 2018 candidacy for higher office. Maui Now.

Census says: Maui population growing, aging, working longer. Maui County’s population increased 17 percent from 2006 to 2016 with Hispanic and Latino people representing the fastest growing race, according to 2016 U.S. Census Bureau surveys released recently. Maui News.

Kauai

Navy meeting is on environmental impacts of testing, training. The Navy is taking another look at how training exercises are affecting the Pacific environment, and a meeting is set for Wednesday in Lihue to talk about it. Garden Island.

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative’s renewable energy project is taking another step forward, as KIUC has issued a request for qualifications for services and equipment supplies for the Pu‘u Opae Energy Project. Garden Island.

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative has issued a request for qualifications — called an RFQ — from companies that can provide services and equipment for the Pu‘u ‘Opae Energy Project. The RFQ is intended to draw responses from as many interested parties as possible for engineering, equipment supply and construction services. Star-Advertiser.

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative will receive a loan of more than $60 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to build and upgrade more than 70 miles of powerlines and support smart grid and other projects. Garden Island.

The sterilization clinic at Kauai Humane Society is opening its doors back up to the public on Tuesday. Garden Island.

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Older population increases, Hawaii in range of North Korea missiles, Honolulu Police Commission founders in chief search, Kauai continues homeless sweep, Hawaii Five-0 network defends less pay for Asian actors, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

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Kupuna hula © 2017 All Hawaii News

U.S. Census: Those Over 65 Are Hawaii’s Fastest Growing Group. Other data findings show the state is growing more diverse and in 2015-16, the growth in housing exceeded population growth. Civil Beat.

Website ranks Hawaii fifth worst among states for starting a business Star-Advertiser.

The defense minister of South Korea and a missile expert have said that North Korea’s first flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile potentially places Hawaii within range of an attack. Star-Advertiser.

A federal judge in Honolulu is expected to rule soon whether the Trump administration is unlawfully implementing the scaled-back version of the travel ban. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin rebutted the Trump administration’s argument that it was using U.S. immigration law standards when it defined what constitutes close family relations in its partially reinstated travel ban for people from six mostly Muslim nations. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii and Undocumented Immigrants: Part 4. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige named state Chief Information Officer Todd Nacapuy executive sponsor of the ongoing tax system modernization project. Pacific Business News.

Homebuyers on Kauai and Hawaii Island snapped up condominiums in June as prices and sales surged on both islands. Star-Advertiser.

CBS Defends Paying Hawaii Five-0’s Asian Cast Members Less Than White Co-Stars. The network emphasized that Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park played supporting roles, which it cites as a reason for the pay discrepancy. Vanity Fair.

Oahu

The search for a Honolulu police chief will stretch into at least mid-September as the Hono­lulu Police Commission struggles to retain a consulting firm to help with the selection process. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu police commissioners appear to be losing patience in their search for a new police chief to replace Louis Kealoha, who retired in January amid corruption allegations. Civil Beat.

Commission to negotiate with second pick for police chief search consultant. KHON2.

Two Honolulu police officers on July 19 will try to convince the Police Commission that city taxpayers should pay their legal fees in a high-profile civil case against them. Star-Advertiser.

A law passed nearly two decades before Hawaii became a state is at the center of an increasingly bitter fight between the Honolulu Police Commission and former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha over who should foot his upcoming legal bills — the taxpayers or Kealoha himself. Civil Beat.

A bed bug infestation at the Honolulu Police Department headquarters is prompting a temporary relocation for some of the operations. Hawaii News Now.

The chairman of the state House committee that oversees ocean resources said he will explore possible legislation to control the kind of unsafe activities that sent people to hospitals with alcohol intoxication during a Fourth of July “floatilla” off Waikiki. Star-Advertiser.

Waipahu Businesses Have Hopes For Rail — If They Can Survive Construction. With some owners reporting a sharp decline in customers, the Honolulu City Council has set aside $2 million for property tax relief for struggling businesses. Civil Beat.

Interagency Transit Oriented Development Council: Mayor Wright Housing is the Top Priority. Hawaii Public Radio.

The state Department of Education said it expects to spend nearly $30,000 to remove decaying banyan trees from the McKinley High School campus and replace them with a new species. Star-Advertiser.

A college student who graduated from one of the most prestigious high schools in Hawaii - former President Barack Obama's alma mater - is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday for slaughtering vulnerable seabirds at a nature reserve. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu's home prices hit an all-time high. Hawaii real-estate firm, Locations reports the median price for single-family homes on Oahu is now $795,000, according to June's Residential Real Estate Report. KITV.

Bibas Courtyard Grill was once on the Hale Koa Hotel’s potential closure list due to a steady stream of losses, but a committee of managers and union workers averted the crisis and realized the restaurant’s first profit. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County Department of Water Supply finished repairs on the recently downed Keahuolo Deepwell ahead of schedule and it is up and running as of Wednesday afternoon, according to an update issued by Hawaii County Civil Defense. West Hawaii Today.

The Keahuolu Deepwell is now repaired and operational, county officials report. Big Island Video News.

Christmas came in July for the county Mass Transit Agency, when seven buses from Honolulu arrived Wednesday at Hilo Harbor. West Hawaii Today.

The University of Hawaii’s 2.2-meter telescope isn’t the biggest observatory on Mauna Kea. But with the help of a nearly $1 million National Science Foundation grant, it could in a few years give the Hubble Space Telescope a run for its money. Tribune-Herald.

The proposed Hu Honua Bioenergy facility on the Big Island is projected to generate more than $2 billion in economic activity across Hawaii over its 30-year lifespan, according to an economic analysis of the project. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Department of Water Supply Director Dave Taylor wants to shorten — from 90 to 30 days — the amount of time farmers would need to comply with water restrictions during droughts. Maui News.

Alexander & Baldwin Inc. has begun growing sorghum and corn on Maui as part of a test project to develop biofuel to feed a planned anaerobic digester that would produce methane gas to power the Kahului wastewater treatment facility. Maui News.

One of Maui's most popular and majestic sites has been closed for 10 months. KITV.

Restroom facilities and the parking lot at Waipuilani Park in KÄ«hei will be closed from today, Wednesday, July 5th to the end of August so that contractors can install a new irrigation system. Maui Now.

Kauai

Six more people were arrested for camping without permits in the Napali Coast’s Kalalau Valley during a three-day Department of Land and Natural Resources operation last week. Garden Island.

The Resort Group has hired Colorado-based East West Partners to develop some 700 acres of the Princeville at Hanalei resort on Kauai’s North Shore with ranch homesites and reopen the shuttered Prince Golf Course. Pacific Business News.

In order to map out Kauai’s agriculture atmosphere, Malama Kauai has put out a survey to island ranchers and farmers, one that can provide data to inform everyone of Kauai’s agriculture needs. Garden Island.