Gay military color guard to lead Honolulu Pride Parade, April sets tourism record, state reverses Medicaid cuts, Lingle's record on Hawaiian home lots scrutinized, Hawaii council passes $365.1M budget, Maui tutu blames state for child's death, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Pride Parade, courtesy photo

For the first time in the history of the Honolulu Pride Parade, a gay military color guard will lead the procession through the streets of Waikiki now that the "don't ask, don't tell" policy has been repealed. Star-Advertiser.

Skygazers who want the full transit of Venus experience are flocking to Hawaii, considered one of the prime viewing spots since the whole transit will be visible. Associated Press.

Hawaii set an April record for visitor arrivals and spending, pumping $1.17 billion into the state's economy last month, according to statistics released Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Star-Advertiser.

Visitor spending is on the rise, according to Hawaii Tourism Authority, and reaching record levels. Pacific Business News.

The months of April and May are typically slower periods for tourism in the islands.  Not this year.  According to the Hawai’i Tourism Authority … the industry is experiencing phenomenal growth. Hawaii Public Radio.

The U.S. unemployment rate rose one tenth in May to 8.2 percent, but the newest Hawaii weekly jobless claims report shows a decline in total filings to the lowest level in years. Hawaii News Now.

Nearly half of Native Hawaiians awarded homestead lots under former Gov. Linda Lingle still haven't gotten their homes. Civil Beat.

The Abercrombie administration announced Thursday that the state will not go through with benefit reductions for adults in QUEST, the state's health plan for the poor, choosing to preserve patient access to a full range of medical services, including unlimited hospital stays. Star-Advertiser.

Military operations in Hawaii will play a critical role in developing new technologies, more agile forces and partnerships throughout the Asia-Pacific region for a downsizing U.S. military, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Thursday at U.S. Pacific Command at Camp H.M. Smith in Halawa Heights. Star-Advertiser.

The Gas Co. is moving ahead with plans to bring U.S.-produced natural gas to Hawaii, announcing Thursday it has chosen an engineering firm to help with the proj­ect, which would give local residents and businesses access to a new and potentially cheaper energy alternative. Star-Advertiser.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed a Regional Haze Federal Implementation Plan for Hawaii that could force certain oil refineries to burn cleaner fuel with the aim of improving visibility at nearby national parks. Civil Beat.

State roundup for June 1. Associated Press.

Oahu

A project to widen an eroding section of world-famous Waikiki beach has been completed. Associated Press.

It's a Hawaii icon the state describes as a $200 million-a-year asset. KHON2.

Honolulu city officials are looking at making some safety improvements at the Koko Head rifle range after claims that bullets have been found in neighborhoods in the area. Hawaii News Now.

Currently, the Honolulu City Council's operating budget calls for $1.96 billion in new spending. That's only $5 million more than what the mayor had hoped for. KITV4.

On Thursday, Circuit Court Judge Karen Ahn sealed court records that were submitted by the attorney for a federal agent who shot and killed 23-year-old Kailua resident Kollin Elderts at a McDonald’s in Waikiki last November that included a surveillance video from the restaurant and cell phone video captured by a bystander after the shooting. Civil Beat.

Honolulu mayoral candidate Kirk Caldwell made it official this afternoon, filing his campaign paperwork with the City Clerk's office. Hawaii Reporter.

A pro-rail union group has stepped up its attack against mayoral candidate Ben Cayetano, buying thousands of dollars worth of ads on local stations this week. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

The Hawaii County Council approved Mayor Billy Kenoi’s’s $365.1 million operating budget for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, making minimal changes and no cuts. Tribune-Herald.

Anticipating a veto from Mayor Billy Kenoi and not enough votes to override it, Council Chairman Dominic Yagong on Thursday backed off his plan to amend the annual budget to put payments into the county’s retiree benefits account. West Hawaii Today.

Chelsea Yagong, who turns 26 on Saturday, has filed for the Hawaii County Council seat being vacated by her father, who is running for mayor. Tribune-Herald.

The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority is on the hot seat following an auditor’s report released Wednesday that outlined years of poor management and lack of transparency. West Hawaii Today.

Waiakea Village, the struggling commercial property fronting Waiakea Pond in Hilo that once was a Sheraton resort, will return to the ownership of the bank following a foreclosure auction that was held Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The grandmother of a 4-year-old Maui boy who died Wednesday of apparent abuse injuries said the state failed to protect her grandson by giving him back to an allegedly abusive parent after it had taken custody of the boy when he was severely injured at 6 months old. Star-Advertiser.

A Wailuku man and his live-in girlfriend were charged Thursday with second-degree murder for the death of the man's 4-year-old son, who was taken to the hospital emergency room Tuesday night, police said. Maui News.

Concerns about possible development being too close to Mokulele Highway and a lack of information regarding two state agencies' plans for its land in the Puunene area led a Maui County Council committee on Wednesday to deny their requests for new urban growth boundary areas for several hundred acres of land. Maui News.

Maui County Council Member Mike Victorino and state Sen. Roz Baker filed nomination papers Wednesday for re-election to their seats. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday sent its official message for the Fiscal Year 2013 budget, highlighting the process to reach an operational budget of $166 million and $64 million in capital improvement projects. Garden Island.

A blessing was held last week to mark the start of the Koke‘e Road enhancement project. Garden Island.

More Hawaii kids live in poverty, Honolulu sewer, water, refinery failing as APEC nears, Disney halts unprofitable Aulani time-shares, feds can't find rogue monk seal, mahi-mahi in short supply, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii children (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

Fourteen percent of Hawaii children in 2009 were living in families that earned less than the $21,756 federal poverty level for a four-person household — up from 13 percent in 2000 — according to a report from the University of Hawaii Center on the Family released Tuesday evening. Star-Advertiser.

The percentage of Hawaii's children who live in poverty and in single-parent homes have increased in the last decade, according to newly released data that focuses on the recession's impact on youth. Associated Press.

Former Honolulu city councilman and Hawaii congressman Charles Djou is expected to announce today that he will enter the race to unseat U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa in a potential rematch of their 2010 race. Star-Advertiser.

Djou's 2012 Congressional Campaign to Focus on Job Creation. Hawaii Reporter.

In his first public response to an escalating labor dispute with the teachers union, Board of Education Chairman Don Horner said Tuesday the board is "fully committed" to supporting teachers and is grateful for the sacrifices they're making during a time of significant budget cuts. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii State Board of Education on Tuesday postponed its final vote on whether to reduce the number of social studies requirements for high school graduates. Civil Beat.

The State Board of Education began to tackle the big job of transforming Hawai’i’s teacher evaluation system today.Hawaii Public Radio.

The state expects to have an online system ready by Nov. 30 to process applications for civil unions, and to have documents available to couples planning solemnization ceremonies when the civil unions law takes effect Jan. 1. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's public-employee pension fund performed well for the year ended June 30 — more than doubling its actuarial investment yield. Civil Beat.

Walt Disney Company has temporarily stopped sales of time-share units at its new Aulani Resort on Oahu and fired some top mainland executives after discovering it was charging time-share dues here that were not high enough to be profitable. KITV4.

South Kona and Ocean View would no longer be in Rep. Bob Herkes' district, and North Kona's District 6 House seat would be open, under maps being considered by the state Reapportionment Commission. West Hawaii Today.

Local fishermen voiced angry opposition to a proposed expansion of a critical habitat zone to include waters and shoreline around the main Hawaiian islands last week to protect the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Civil Beat.

The Hawaiian monk seal population is about 1,100, of which 200 are living in waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands. West Hawaii Today.

A controversial decision by federal officials to “lethally remove” an adult Hawaiian monk seal that was attacking — and apparently killing — pups at Kure Atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands had to be put on hold: The seal was nowhere to be found. Garden Island.

Hawaii is to receive a $2.5-million federal grant to repair and reopen an emergency evacuation route for Oahu's Leeward Coast. Associated Press.

The author of the Thirty Meter Telescope's environmental impact statement was grilled for more than three hours Tuesday about the telescope's visual impact during the second day of a contested case hearing in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

The Tesoro Corp.’s refinery in Kapolei has stopped production following a piping component failure Monday. Pacific Business News.

Aging Water System A Concern During APEC Meeting. KITV4.

With sewage levels beyond capacity at the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant the city began the process of hauling raw sewage out on surface streets to Waipahu. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Council members will discuss whether to give final approval to start building the hotel in Laie during a public hearing on Wednesday at 10 a.m. KHON2.

The Maui County Council Planning Committee is looking favorably at tweaking the agricultural zoning law to adjust the law on walls in the setback area. Maui News.

A Hawaiiana-inspired community mural project and engagement program has been funded by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Hawaii Independent.

Kauai County will begin the process of relocating the Kekaha lifeguard tower this week. Garden Island.

The East-West Center in Honolulu has received a grant worth more than $1 million to run a training and exchange program for U.S. and Pakistani journalists. Associated Press.

Maui County officials announced this week that it is ready to install the largest solar panel project in the county’s history. Hawaii Independent.

Mahi-mahi imports have dried up, forcing local restaurateurs to substitute other fishes and leaving food distributors wondering when they can meet customer demand. Tribune-Herald.

A developer seeking classification and zoning changes to allow a new subdivision north of Pualani Estates withdrew that request Tuesday following an outpouring of public opposition before a Hawaii County Council committee in Kailua-Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Children's deaths lower Hawaii Kids Count status

The well-being of Hawaii's children declined in 2006 and 2007 due to a big jump in child and teen death rates, according to the new Kids Count study.

Hawai'i slipped five spots from last year — to 18th in the nation — in a state-by-state ranking based on key child well-being indicators, according to the annual Kids Count Data Book released yesterday

Hawaii children rank in the top 10 in the U.S. in some key indicators of health and well being, according to the latest "Kids Count" survey by The Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Hawaii's child and teen death rate continues to worsen, even as national rates in those areas improve, according to a national survey released this week.

A new bill signed into law this month by Gov. Linda Lingle has some frequent Las Vegas visitors and local CPAs scratching their heads.

Japan arrivals plummet. Visitors in June from the state's core foreign market were at their lowest since May 2003

UH officials take pay cuts

The San Francisco-based developers of Maui's Downtown Kihei, a 320,000-square-foot, mixed-use project, want to build a new town center for South Maui, with wide, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, an open area for community events and outdoor seating for restaurants.

Exactly two years after declaring the Big Island macadamia nut industry faced "desperate times," one large grower is making a six-figure investment to aid farmers and create jobs.

For the second time in two meetings, the Kauai County Planning Commission consented to the issuance of non-conforming use certificates to previously denied transient vacation rental applications, giving what critics called a “blanket approval” to 17 properties without reviewing each individual appeal