Hawaii again ranked worst state for drivers, ambitious preschool plan to be unveiled today, Green backs off from using rainy day fund for climate change initiative, back pay for vaccine-refusers? More news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Once again, Hawaii has been ranked the worst state to drive in.  Researchers compared all 50 states across 31 key metrics, including average gas prices to rush-hour traffic congestion to road quality. Hawaii News Now.

State to unveil ambitious preschool plan for Hawaii. After decades of urgent calls for a statewide preschool system, a public- private plan finally is being launched to create 465 classrooms so that all Hawaii 3- and 4-year-olds can get access to preschool by 2032, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and community leaders are set to announce today. Star-Advertiser.

Green tweaks climate plan, still plans $100M. The money will come from state general funds, which will have to be approved by the Legislature, modifying Green’s previous plan to use $100 million from the state’s rainy day fund to help mitigate climate change. Star-Advertiser.

Renewable Energy Projects Are Back On Track After Pandemic Lull. Supply chain challenges are easing, allowing Hawaii utilities to step up efforts to go green by 2045. Civil Beat.

Hawaii bill proposed to offer backpay to those terminated over vaccine mandates. If passed, Bill 52 would require state agencies to offer those employees full back pay and/or the options to be put back in their original position. KITV4.

Congressman Worries Wespac Proposal Is A Gateway To Commercial Fishing In Monument. Prominent Native Hawaiian practitioners and U.S. Rep. Ed Case are pushing back against new proposals from the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, saying such rules could open the waters protected in Pahahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument to commercial fishing. Civil Beat.

California’s extreme weather impacts Hawaii’s imports. The rain has been non-stop for the Golden State; and even from thousands of miles away, Hawaii vendors are concerned as some fresh produce become harder to find, coupled with shipment delays.  KHON2.

Oahu

Environmental activists speak out on EPA’s proposed Red Hill consent order. On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public meeting on its proposed consent order which would require the Navy to safely defuel and close the Red Hill facility and properly operate and maintain its Pearl Harbor drinking water system.  Hawaii News Now.

Eternal Flame for Hawaii’s veterans burns again. The state’s Eternal Flame War Memorial, which was erected to honor Hawaii residents who have served in the armed forces, is burning once again after being snuffed out for weeks. Star-Advertiser.

Straub Medical Center nurses ratify new 3-year contract. The nurses at Straub Medical Center have voted to accept a new three-year contract after working without one since November. Star-Advertiser.

Culture and conservation at forefront of Turtle Bay Resort’s renovation. Much has changed as the resort — now owned by BRE Hotels &Resorts and managed by Benchmark Resorts &Hotels — moves past its first 50 years. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii needle exchanges at record high. The nonprofit Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center reported a record number of needle syringe exchanges in Hawaii County and the state in 2021. Tribune-Herald.

Renovation planned for Kona hotel. Just over a year after purchasing the 123-room Kona Bay Hotel  for $21 million, owner 12th and “A” Hotel Partners LP is seeking a design review for plans to jazz up the 60-year-old site in Kailua Village and to rebrand it as a Hampton Inn by Hilton. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

State Reps from Maui County hold key positions in 2023 legislative session. All six of Maui County’s State Representatives hold leadership roles in six different House Committees for the 2023 legislative session. Maui Now.

McCall, Dudoit appointed to head Parks and Recreation Department. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen has appointed Patrick McCall and Shane Dudoit to serve as director and deputy director, respectively, of the Department of Parks and Recreation.  Maui News.

On approach to Molokaʻi Airport, small plane crashes with two aboard. A single-engine Cessna 208 crashed while on approach to Molokaʻi Airport in Hoʻolehua at around 5 a.m. on Jan. 16. Big Island Now. Maui Now.  Kauai Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Kauai

Kaua‘i legislators will lead at the statehouse this year.  For a small island, Kaua‘i will hold a large degree of influence over the state Legislature this session. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Green pledges $100M to fight climate change, 'monster' surf expected tonight, Ellison traffic ticket shows lack of preferential treatment, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Wolf moon ©2023 All Hawaii News

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green pledges $100M to fight climate change. Gov. Josh Green kicked off Hawaii’s Climate Action Week on Monday pledging to dedicate $100 million of the state’s $1.9 billion budget surplus to address climate change. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Pair of Hawaii lawmakers push for poker and sports betting. Reps. John Mizuno and Daniel Holt on Monday touted a plan to introduce a bill that would permit only two types of gambling, poker and sports betting, at one establishment on Oahu not at a hotel, under a state license regulated by a commission. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KITV4.

Proposal would increase public funding for Hawaii campaigns. State Sen. Karl Rhoads plans to introduce legislation this year to help county, state and Office of Hawaiian Affairs candidates raise more campaign money through public funds to ease their reliance on lobbyists and private donors with the goal of promoting “clean elections.” Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

1st Native Hawaiian woman nominated to lead DLNR facing opposition. A petition has been started to oppose Gov. Josh Green's nominee, Dawn Chang, to head the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Chang is a former deputy attorney general for the department, and previously served on the state Land Use Commission. She also started a company called Ku’iwalu Consulting.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Agency Is Racing ‘Against The Clock’ To Build New Preschools. The School Facilities Authority says it needs help to meet a June 2024 deadline to build and renovate up to 200 preschool classrooms. Civil Beat.

‘Firework zones’ eyed following noisy, dangerous start to 2023. The state wants to work with the counties and first responders to establish “fireworks zones” in the wake of this year’s New Year’s celebrations, which resulted in a long list of injuries and one death. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Eddie Aikau surf contest set to begin Wednesday on Oahu. More than 20,000 people are likely to descend upon Waimea Bay on Wednesday as a giant North Shore swell is expected to allow “The Eddie” big-wave surf contest to run for only the 10th time in some 40 years. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Real property tax assessment appeals deadline draws near. The deadline to dispute your real property tax assessment is this Sunday, Jan. 15, but some said they have had issues getting assistance from the city. KHON2.

Hawaii Kids ‘Connect These Dots’ To Understand Climate Change. From public schools on the Westside to private schools in Honolulu, teachers are finding creative ways to educate — and empower — students facing the effects of a warming planet. Civil Beat.

Iolani Palace Is Preparing For Hawaiian Royal Heiress Kawananakoa To Lie In State. The public memorial event is expected to be held later this month. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

$50K grant allows for upgrades to a tiny home community in Kapolei. Nareit Hawaii awarded a $50,000 grant to U.S. Vets to pay for a new kitchen, secure storage spaces, private mailboxes and air conditioners in the shared facilities. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

COVID hospitalizations rise: HMC sees ‘typical bump’ in infections after holiday season. Over the holidays, Hilo Medical Center saw a bump in COVID-19 hospitalizations, increasing from a daily average of between five and seven patients to 18 patients on Monday. Tribune-Herald.

BLNR to consider bag limit increases for feral pigs. New hunting regulations that would double the amount of feral pigs a hunter could take each day in certain Puna forest reserves will once again be considered by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources Friday. Tribune-Herald.

Annual Point-In-Time Count slated Jan. 23 to 27.  The annual Point-In-Time Count will take place later this month on the Big Island with volunteers and advocates working to provide a snapshot of all those experiencing homelessness in the community. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Council member: Body cam video of Larry Ellison traffic stop shows no one ‘above the law’. Billionaire Larry Ellison was pulled over last year for a variety of traffic violations on Lanai, the island he owns. Hawaii News Now.

Pending lawsuit over vote counting protocols keeps major Maui County Council seat vacant. It has been one week since Maui County Council members took the oath of office. However, one seat remains vacant because of a pending lawsuit. Hawaii News Now.

The Doobie Brothers’ 50th Anniversary Tour makes Maui stop, May 2. The Maui Arts & Cultural Center presents The Doobie Brothers in concert Tuesday, May 2 in the A&B Amphitheater & Yokouchi Pavilion. Maui Now. Maui News.

MEO Head Start application period for 2023-24 opens Feb. 1.  Maui Economic Opportunity’s Head Start, a 100% subsidized preschool program for low income families, will begin accepting applications for the 2023-24 school year beginning Feb. 1. Maui Now.

Kauai

Hawai‘i State Senator Mike Gabbard (D-20) will join the Kaua‘i Climate Action Form for its latest virtual monthly meeting, scheduled for this week. Gabbard, who is chairman of the Hawai‘i Senate Agriculture & Environmental Committee, will be joined by activist Maya van Rossum. Kauai Now.

Head of Ho‘ike Kaua‘i Community Television steps down after 22 years. After 22 years at the helm of Kaua‘i’s sole community TV station, J Robertson is stepping down as managing director of Ho‘ike Kaua‘i Community Television. Garden Island.

Federal funds to Hawaii more than double, Kahele bill would lower blood quantum for home lands, COVID cases, deaths remain steady, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Surf ©2022 All Hawaii News

Health Experts: Flooding, Sea Level Rise Could Release Chemicals At Hundreds Of Hawaii Sites. Rising seas and increased flooding could eventually release, spread and mix together a host of chemicals contaminating more than 800 sites across Hawaii, exposing the public to more potential health risks linked to climate change, local health experts warned lawmakers on Wednesday. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi projected to receive over $500M in federal funds for military, housing and more. Sen. Brian Schatz announced Wednesday that he has secured more than $530 million for Hawaiʻi in congressionally directed spending — an increase of more than double than last fiscal year's amount. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Kahele Introduces Bill Lowering Blood Quantum For Home Lands. In the waning days of the current lame-duck congressional session, U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele introduced a bill to lower the blood quantum for successors of Hawaiian Home Lands lessees, making it easier for those on homesteads to pass their land leases and homes on to their children or spouses. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Maui Now. KITV4.

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke sees both sides of how to build the state budget. Before she was lieutenant governor, Sylvia Luke served as the state House of Representatives Finance Committee chair, dealing intimately with the state’s budget. Hawaii Public Radio.

Could bolstering public preschool create more affordable housing? That’s the hope Hawaii’s education system is moving on two major goals: Finding classrooms for thousands of new preschool children and building more housing to attract and keep teachers. Now, there’s an effort to fulfill both challenges ― in the same buildings. Hawaii News Now.

What to know about the upcoming 32nd Hawaiʻi State Legislature session. The deadlines for the 2023 Regular Session have been established and the legislative calendar has been published.  Big Island Now.

Hawaii hotel occupancy decline signals continued slowdown. About 30% of Hawaii’s hotel rooms were unoccupied in November — giving credence to the slowdown Hawaii’s hoteliers begin anticipating from late summer.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Air CEO apologizes to frustrated passengers as strong winter storm threatens more delays. Travelers in Hawaii and nationally are encountering mounting delays and cancelations in the wake of a winter storm that impacted the state and as a “bomb cyclone” threatens extreme cold across much of the mainland. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawai‘i reports 1,189 Covid cases, 10 deaths. The new cases bring the state's total to 371,103. The statewide test positivity rate is 5.9% The state death toll rose to 1,758. KHON2. KITV4. Star-Advertiser.

Shelter dog finds a home after Gov. Josh Green’s news conference.  In less than 72 hours, Sweetie the poi dog went from a kennel at the Hawaiian Humane Society to putting her paws on the desk of Gov. Josh Green to finding her forever home after she was adopted Wednesday by a family with two excited children. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Department looks to expand 3-day workweek. The three days a week, 12 hours a day work schedule is returning to the Hono­lulu Police Department in the summer following a nine-month pilot project that showed increased patrol staffing and improved morale, Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan told police commissioners Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

EPA Proposes New Red Hill Settlement With Navy To Protect Drinking Water. The Navy already had a regulatory agreement with the EPA when it contaminated the water last year, but little progress had been made.  Civil Beat. KITV4.

Waikiki fisheries area will be closed in 2023. The management area encompasses the nearshore waters between the Ewa wall of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium and the Diamond Head Lighthouse, from the high-water mark on shore to a minimum seaward distance of 500 yards, or to the edge of the fringing reef if it’s beyond 500 yards. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Massive Kalihi home under construction draws flurry of complaints ― and new city scrutiny. The city says it plans to issue notices of violations to the owners of a massive home in Kalihi that includes eight bedrooms, four kitchens and two wet bars. Hawaii News Now.

Houseless camps on Oahu endure winter storms, as advocates try to help. Large rocks and whatever items are available, that's what those living off of Farrington Highway have been using to try to secure tents and belongings from the heavy winds. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Council delays forming Hilo business group. A proposed Business Improvement District for Hilo was kicked down the road Wednesday after the Hawaii County Council voted to postpone the matter until March. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Investigation Into Maui Monster House Dies In Committee. A Maui County Council committee investigating why a developer was allowed to illegally build a monster house in Napili has effectively ended the probe, saying the lone bid to handle the matter was too expensive. Civil Beat.

Visitor arrivals still hovered below pre-pandemic levels in October. Visitor arrivals to Maui in October still did not reach pre-pandemic levels, but spending did increase nearly 14 percent from October 2019. Maui News.

Kauai

Millions in federal dollars coming. A federal spending bill will channel more than $500 million to the state of Hawai‘i, with millions of dollars designated for programs and projects on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i activists talk trash, recyclables, as island’s only landfill maxes out. At current rates, the landfill, located in Kekaha on Kaua‘i’s West Side, will reach maximum capacity by January 2027 – just five years from now. Kauai Now.

Steep drop in coffee yields, 50-year-old Waikiki murder solved, food banks struggling, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Coffee beans on drying floor ©2022 All Hawaii News

Local coffee farmers brace for yields up to 40% lower than usual. The Kona Coffee Farmers Association says farmers are bracing for what could be one of their worst years for production. The drought conditions and challenges with coffee leaf rust and the coffee borer have made for a tough 2022. Yields are coming in at 30% to 40% less. Hawaii Public Radio.

Pacific Islands Call For More Climate Financing At Hawaii Conference. Representatives from 15 countries and territories convened in Honolulu for the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders. Increasing financing for climate change mitigation and adaptation is a critical goal for Pacific island countries and territories, according to panelists who presented Tuesday at a conference featuring leaders and others from the region. Civil Beat.

Rules and requirements file in for Hawaiʻi concealed firearms licenses. After a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June, all four of Hawaiʻi’s police departments have released new rules on how to obtain concealed firearms, or are in the process of proposing new requirements. Civil Beat.

Preliminary $600 million plan framed for Hawaiian homesteads. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has refined its plan to spend a historic $600 million mostly to produce homesteads for beneficiaries, and may be acquiring land and helping private developers finance housing projects as part of the effort. Star-Advertiser.

‘People Are Really Struggling’: Hawaii Food Banks Scramble To Meet Increased Demand. Rising food costs and the end of pandemic-era assistance programs are driving a spike in demand for food assistance. Civil Beat.

Hawaii housing experts worry inflation will throttle back development, buying power. As the stock market fell Tuesday due to inflation fears, local housing experts are watching another troubling financial development — rising interest rates. The jump in interest rates is cutting into developers profits, forcing some to rethink their plans. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Health Department reports 2 more monkeypox cases for total of 30. The number of monkeypox cases in Hawaii has grown to 30, two more than reported last Thursday, according to the state Department of Health. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

2 nonprofits will continue managing affordable city housing. Two nonprofits will continue to manage five affordable housing properties for kupuna and at-risk youth. The Honolulu City Council last week approved a measure granting Catholic Charities Hawaii and Hale Kipa Inc. to manage city properties designed to help those in need. Hawaii Public Radio.

City clears out litter, squatters from undeveloped Hawaii Kai property, but some want more action. Vandalism and trespassing have become an ongoing nuisance to nearby residents of an undeveloped, 17-acre city property in Hawaii Kai on the mauka side of Kalanianaole Highway, across of Wawamalu Beach. KITV4.

‘Big Oil’ pushes back in Honolulu suit over climate change. About 20 oil companies sued by the city two years ago in an effort to have them pay for climate change impacts on Oahu are advancing their defense in the already drawn-out litigation. Star-Advertiser.

Attorney For Mitsunaga’s Engineering Firm Has Been Arrested In Bribery Case. Sheri Jean Tanaka, who was arrested in California, is the sixth defendant indicted in the case centered on former Honolulu prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro.  Federal prosecutors say Mitsunaga and his accomplices directed over $45,000 to the prosecutor so that he would pursue a bogus prosecution of a former employee of the firm, Laurel Mau. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Oahu firefighters join police for key training on active school shooter situations. First responders are training together for an active shooter on campus. Their focus is saving lives ― faster. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu police crack 50-year-old cold-case killing. A former Nevada deputy attorney general was arrested Tuesday, five decades after police allege he stabbed a young woman more than 60 times and left her body in a pool of blood in her Waikiki apartment. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Food bank supply at ‘historic low’. Food Basket Hawaii is urgently requesting donations after a “perfect storm” of circumstances has left the food bank with an unprecedented shortage of food supplies. Tribune-Herald.

Can’t Drive 55: Residents react to lowered speed limit on Queen Kaahumanu Highway. Rocker Sammy Hagar couldn’t drive 55 and now you can’t either. At least not on Queen Kaahumanu Highway from mile marker 67 and 75.4, between the vicinity of Kawaihae Road and vicinity of Waikoloa Beach Drive. West Hawaii Today.

Leningrad Elarionoff, cop, councilman and community leader, dies at 83. Leningrad Elarionoff, a former county councilman, retired police captain and longtime community leader and volunteer in Waimea died Sunday at North Hawaii Community Hospital. He was 83. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Council looks to accept land, parks donated by A&B. Despite possible much-needed infrastructure improvements that could cost up to $3 million, a Maui County council committee recommended accepting eight donated roadway lots in Kahului from property owner Alexander & Baldwin Hawaii LLC. Maui News.

Lahaina teacher housing and Puʻu Kukui Elementary land acquisition included in CIPs. More than $87.7 million was released in July and August for Capital Improvement Projects across the state, including more than $16 million for projects in Maui County. Maui Now.

Maui median home prices drop under $1 million for first time this year. The median sales price for single-family homes dropped below $1 million — to $983,575 — for the first time this year. Maui Now.

Kauai

Council Supports ‘Mosquito Birth Control’ To Save Kauaiʻi’s Endangered Birds. To try to help the native forest birds escape extinction, the Kauaʻi County Council passed a resolution on Sept. 7 urging elected officials throughout the state to fund and implement mosquito birth control. Kauai Now.

Candidates come out for Lihu‘e coffee hour. There were more candidates in the general election than kupuna who showed up for the Tuesday coffee hour coordinated by Pam Jardin of the Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center seniors. Garden Island.

Too hot for humpbacks? Ige signs affordable housing bills, Honolulu historic homes could lose tax break, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Humpback whales may avoid Hawaii due to climate change, study shows. The findings of a new paper by researchers at the University of Hawaii and the Pacific Whale Foundation suggest that the whales may one day avoid the relatively shallow ocean around the Hawaiian islands because the waters will be too warm. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii national park sites attracted 4 million visitors in 2021, study finds. Nearly 4 million people visited Hawaii’s eight national park units in 2021, spending an estimated $438 million in local communities across the state, according to a National Park Service report. Star-Advertiser.

Water conservation top of mind for some hotels, tourism businesses. Drought conditions in the islands are expected to worsen this summer, concerning water supply officials. Residents have been asked to conserve water. But what about visitors? Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Ige signs bills to fund affordable housing and ʻOhana Zones. Gov. David Ige signed three bills on Friday relating to affordable housing. The new measures will support the Ohana Zones and First-To-Work programs. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News.

Second all-mail election offers some changes. Elections are coming up, and ballots can be cast just weeks from now in the 2022 primary. There are lots of changes this year. KHON2.

Redrawn districts present choices for voters. Many Hawaii residents will get a new representative in the state Legislature later this year — even if their current representative is running for reelection and wins. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s GOP primary candidates test the party’s values. The overall mood of the Hawaii Republican Party in 2022 likely will be revealed through the Aug. 13 primary election when voters have a choice of a diverse slate of candidates who appeal to distinctly different tastes. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele gets key union backing, Lt. Gov. Josh Green adds to long list. U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele received a needed endorsement in his gubernatorial bid Thursday from the United Public Workers union, while opponent Lt. Gov. Josh Green simultaneously was endorsed by the AFL-CIO, adding to Green’s long list of support from Hawaii labor unions. Star-Advertiser.

Schools wrestle with effects of Supreme Court ruling on coach’s prayer. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling that a high school football coach in Washington state had a constitutional right to pray at the 50-yard line after games has provoked strong reactions and left public school officials in Hawaii and across the nation struggling to discern how it might affect policies and religious acts on campuses and at school-related activities. Star-Advertiser.

Civil Beat Law Center Goes To Court To Make Prison Covid-19 Reports Public. The state refuses to release the health care monitoring reports, saying they are confidential under the terms of a federal court settlement. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Property tax incentives for historic homes reexamined. The Honolulu City Council might take a look at modifying the historic homes property tax exemption to increase the minimum tax payment or possibly remove the exemption altogether. Star-Advertiser.

HART Mum On Where Pivotal ‘Mauka Shift’ Approvals Stand. It’s not clear why HART is moving ahead before confirming which environmental approvals are needed and how long they might take. Civil Beat.

Fuel Spewed ‘Full Blast’ Into Red Hill Tunnel In November. As fuel rained down, creating a virtual river on the concrete floor of a Red Hill facility tunnel in November, the worker who accidentally triggered the leak found himself powerless to stop it. Civil Beat.

Officer who led Army’s Red Hill response is promoted to general. Col. Phillip “Cain” Baker, the 25th Infantry Division’s deputy commander for support, was promoted to brigadier general Friday in a small ceremony at the Schofield Barracks attended by family and friends. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian ‘Occupied Forces’ Group Ousted From Kunia Property By Police. The squatters had taken over the private property nine months ago claiming they had title under laws of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Civil Beat.

Former federal ACO agrees to pay $100K to settle sex assault lawsuit. A former prison guard at the Federal Detention Center has agreed to pay $100,000 to two former female inmates who alleged he sexually assaulted them. Hawaii News Now.

Building damage estimated to be over $1.1M to historic Boyd-Irwin Estate with ties to Hawaiian royalty. The Honolulu Fire Department has determined the building fire that consumed the historic Boyd-Irwin Estate in Maunawili last month is estimated to have caused more than $1.137 million in damage. Star-Advertiser.

Makaha Valley Resort sold to South Korean company, KH Group at $20.7 million. A U.S. bankruptcy judge has approved a sale of 644 acres in Makaha Valley, positioning a South Korean company to develop the property previously slated for a resort featuring a golf course designed by Tiger Woods. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Feedback sought about EA for HVNP recovery effort. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has opened a comment period for community feedback about an environmental assessment for its proposed disaster recovery project to repair damage caused by the 2018 volcanic eruption and summit collapse on Kilauea volcano. Tribune-Herald.

Vacation rental rules remain unclear: County continues enforcement while awaiting ICA opinion. Hawaii County continues to enforce its prohibition against short-term vacation rentals in the state agricultural district despite a Kona judge’s ruling that the state doesn’t disallow that use as the county has claimed. West Hawaii Today.

County poised to award PONC grants. Improvements at Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden top the list of awards to nonprofits the administration is recommending for the use of property tax funds earmarked for the county Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Long-Awaited Maui Ag Department Set To Be Finally Up And Running This Week. The director of Maui’s newly launched county department of agriculture is expected to be announced on Wednesday following an almost two-year wait. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Maui County Council Races: ‘Crucial’ Election May Bring A Political Shake-Up. The council’s progressive majority may change in an election where cost of living and the economy top the list of concerns. Civil Beat.

MPO mulls flexing federal funds to buy new buses. Public comments on the revised Federal Fiscal Year 2022-2025 Transportation Improvement Program is now being accepted by Maui MPO — the transportation planning agency for the island of Maui — through Friday. Maui News.

Maui’s top public health official wants an apology from state lawmakers. Dr. Lorrin Pang says it time for his critics to say they are sorry. Pang faced major backlash last year when he did not condemn controversial COVID-19 treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Brun distributor gets 2 years in prison. After a 20-year prison sentence was imposed on former Kaua‘i County Councilmember turned meth dealer Arthur Brun this May, the court has begun mopping up the cases of his 11 co-conspirators. Garden Island.

Hanapepe native Fujii to get Medal of Honor Tuesday. Specialist Five Dennis M. Fujii of Hawai‘i is one of four people who will receive the Medal of Honor on July 5 from President Joseph R. Biden Jr., states a June 27 release from the White House. Garden Island. KITV4.

Federal grants drive honeycreeper protection, mosquito control, climate study; hemp farmers fight red tape, Maui jail riot study still not released, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Apapane honeycreeper PC:Janice Wei National Park Service

Campaign to save Hawaiian honeycreepers gets funding boost. A multiagency campaign to save Hawaii’s imperiled honeycreepers got a significant shot in the arm Monday with the announcement of a $14 million influx of federal funds. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Garden Island. KITV4.

$20M Federal Grant Supports State-wide Climate Resilience. The National Science Foundation has awarded the University of Hawaiʻi’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research a five-year $20-million grant. Big Island Video News. Maui Now. Garden Island.

Hawaiʻi receiving $14 million in federal funding to combat invasive mosquitoes. More than $14 million in federal funding from the US Department of the Interior will go to conservation programs to tackle invasive mosquitoes in the State of Hawaiʻi as a priority distribution from the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Package enacted last year. Maui Now.

Hemp Farmers Are Fed Up With Government Regulations Hampering The Industry’s Potential. After exhausting their savings and losing hope for more meaningful legislative relief, some hemp producers in Hawaii may ditch the crop altogether. Civil Beat.

Harsher penalties urged for car thieves. A bill that would double the maximum possible sentence for stealing a vehicle is only one of several crime bills currently under consideration by Gov. David Ige. Tribune-Herald.

Local government complaints office is dealt more work abuse amid pandemic. The state Office of the Ombudsman has welcomed complaints about state and county administrative agencies in Hawaii for over 50 years, but the past two have been extraordinary. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii has lowest monthly starting salaries: Study. WalletHub, a free credit score website, ranked cities based on different metrics like availability on entry level jobs, monthly average salary, annual job growth, workforce diversity, share of workers in poverty and more. KHON2.

Oahu

‘Water waste’ complaints quadruple as calls for conservation continue. Since the initial call went out March 9, after three well were shut down amid the Navy’s water contamination crisis, BWS officials say their phones have been ringing off the hook with residents reporting so-called water wasters. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu violent crime at 3-year high, Honolulu Police Department report finds. Homicides, robberies, assaults and rape cases on Oahu are at three-year highs, according to 2022 Honolulu Police Department counts through April, elevating concern among police and federal law enforcement officials using data and crime prevention tactics to contend with threats to public safety. Star-Advertiser.

Recipients reaching limits on assistance from Honolulu rent and utility program. Honolulu Hale’s efforts to distribute upward of $225 million in pandemic- related federal funding through its Rental and Utility Relief Program have been underway for over a year — and recipients are now beginning to hit set limits for financial assistance. Star-Advertiser.

City and County of Honolulu expands COVID-19 testing as demand increases. The City and County of Honolulu will once again offer free COVID-19 testing for Oahu residents at its Mobile Lab at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport seven days a week, as demand for increases during the current rise in coronavirus cases. Star-Advertiser.

HART to receive $500,000 for environmental assessments along rail line. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will pay half a million dollars for Honolulu’s rail authority to conduct environmental assessments along the rail line. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii officials resume postponed aerial drop to eradicate coqui frogs in Waimanalo. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture Monday resumed plans to drop a citric acid solution over a remote mountain area of Waimanalo as part of efforts to eradicate invasive coqui frogs. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Supreme Court Orders Judge To Revist Sealed Case Dispute. The Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest has asked Circuit Court Judge Gary Chang to unseal names of defendants in a case, restore a complaint the judge removed and lift a gag order imposed on the center. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Report: Hawaii County tops in construction hurdles. It’s more difficult to get a construction project rolling in Hawaii County than anywhere else in the nation, according to a report released last month. West Hawaii Today.

County Council eyes tougher sunscreen law. A state law took effect last year that banned the sale of sunscreens that contain two specific chemicals, but a proposed Hawaii County law would go further and ban selling all sunscreens except those containing two different substances. Tribune-Herald.

This Stunning Big Island Valley Is Drawing Bigger Crowds — And Controversy. Pololu Valley, located along the North Kohala coast, is defined by forested cliffs that descend dramatically to a legendary black sand beach. Civil Beat.

Maui

Three years later, report on Maui jail riot still not released. More than three years after a riot that caused millions of dollars in damage, the Maui Community Correctional Center is set to undergo major repairs. But a final report on the incident has yet to be released to the public. KHON2.

Comments now accepted on latest listing of federal transportation projects for Maui. The Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization is now accepting public comments on its Federal Fiscal Year 2022-2025 Transportation Improvement Program Revision #5. Maui Now.

Maui Fair is canceled for a third year in a row. That hasn’t happened since WWII. The fair won’t be coming to Maui this year — and that’s leaving many residents and vendors disappointed. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Community College celebrates in-person graduation. About 120 students elected to take the walk to receive their appropriate degrees or certificates from a specially created stage before an audience of several hundred people spread out over the area behind the Performing Arts Center. Garden Island.

Coral more resilient than thought to climate change, federal plan to protect 50 Hawaii species, state to receive federal funds for online education, Hawaiian homelands, homelessness, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Researchers study Hawaii coral ©2022 All Hawaii News

Hawaiian Corals Show Surprising Resilience to Warming Oceans. A new study that included researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi is painting a more optimistic picture of how Hawaiian corals are faring in warmer, more acidic oceans. Big Island Now.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife drafts plan to protect 50 Hawaii endangered and threatened species. The Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office has published a draft recovery plan for 50 endangered species within the Hawaiian archipelago which covers 35 plants, 13 invertebrates and two birds. KITV4.

Hawaii schools to receive $72 million in federal funds for online learning. More than $72 million in federal COVID-19 assistance funds has been awarded to Hawaii public schools, and a handful of charter and private schools, to help close the “digital equity” gap suffered by students who don’t have a way to connect to the internet at home. Star-Advertiser.

Congress OKs record $22 million for Hawaiian Home Lands. Federal lawmakers have committed to a record funding appropriation for the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Wide range of bills advance, stall at mid-point of Hawaii legislative session. State lawmakers halfway through the 60-day legislative session are poised to grant raises to public worker union members and infuse millions of dollars to help Native Hawaiians afford homes on their ancestral lands. Star-Advertiser.

These 5 Bills Could Be Game Changers For Hawaii Residents Struggling To Afford A Place To Live. Hawaii lawmakers have proposed bills steering hundreds of millions of state and federal dollars toward a range of housing solutions. Civil Beat.

Onishi pushes back on retirement fund bill. A bill that would establish a state-managed retirement fund program for employees might be dead on arrival unless proponents make fundamental changes to how it operates. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Seemed Poised To Adopt A Vape Flavor Ban. Then Came The Amendments. The amendments were necessary, Rep. Ryan Yamane said, and were in no way influenced by thousands in donations from tobacco companies and lobbyists. Civil Beat.

Ige Appoints Utilities Lawyer To Public Utilities Commission. Naomi Kuwaye’s experience includes representing a $16 billion energy company in a major case before the commission she will oversee if confirmed. Civil Beat.

Delay expected for national park air tour plans in Hawaii. Proposals to cap tour flights over Hawai‘i Volcanoes and Haleakala national parks — or ban them altogether — are among the options being considered as two federal agencies work to draft mandated air tour management plans that are more than 20 years overdue. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Public workshops scheduled for Ala Wai flood risk abatement. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City and County of Honolulu are inviting the public to participate in the Ala Wai Canal Flood Risk Management General Reevaluation Study in a series of virtual “miniworkshops” next month. Star-Advertiser.

After a community uproar, a crosswalk that was removed in Kakaako will be restored. On Saturday, House Speaker Scott Saiki was joined by other lawmakers, the Hawaii Community Development Authority and Department of Transportation Services at Kolowalu Park to announce that the crosswalk between Queen and Waimanu will be repainted, and a pedestrian refuge center will be installed. Hawaii News Now.

Upgrades, limits planned for popular Lanikai Pillbox Trail. A newly released 987-page draft environmental assessment describes proposed trail improvements and a management plan that includes capping the number of hikers through a permit or reservation system. Star-Advertiser.

Some Manoa residents raise concern over construction of kupuna housing project. The Lin Yee Chung Association wants to build 288 affordable rentals on preservation land to pay for much-needed maintenance at the Manoa Chinese Cemetery, which is more than 170 years old. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

‘What you know, not who you know’ County auditor says new controls should curb favoritism in county hiring. It took more than four years, but the county has finally implemented a whistleblower hotline, one of the recommendations of a scathing 2017 audit that found questionable hiring practices in county government. West Hawaii Today.

Kūkuiola and Village 9 Affordable Rental Community will benefit from the federal appropriation, officials say. $10 million in federal funding earmarked for Hawai‘i County will be used to build affordable housing and emergency shelter units for people experiencing homelessness in West Hawaiʻi. Big Island Video News.

Next Bayfront Trails phase slated to be finished this year. The trails project is a decade-long plan to build nearly six miles of public pedestrian trails connecting the Hilo Bayfront to Hilo Harbor, but after the first phase was completed in 2016, the second has yet to begin construction. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Five percent pay raises granted for county directors and deputies. The Maui County Salary Commission voted Friday to give county directors and deputy directors 5 percent raises, starting in the fiscal year that begins July 1. Maui News.

Maui helicopter, air operations tied to noise, livestock issues in draft resolutions. Citing noise complaints and livestock disruptions, two Maui County Council draft resolutions are asking the federal government to better manage aircraft operations in Maui County. Maui Now.

Retiring officers fear changes are lowering MPD standards. Now-retired Assistant Chief Clyde Holokai, Capt. Ricky Uedoi and Lt. William Hankins said changes, including shortening the police recruit academy to five and a half months, are lowering standards and jeopardizing the safety of officers and the public. Maui News.

Community input sought to identify parcels for designation as Important Agricultural Lands. The Department of Planning seeks community review and comment on the initial steps to identify and map parcels that may be eligible for designation as Important Agricultural Lands under state law. Maui Now.

Kauai

Alleged Russian operative tried to lure elected Hawaii officials to Russia. A woman accused of working as a foreign operative in America used a Kauai County Council member and a nonprofit organization to try to lure government and military officials to meetings with high-ranking members of the Russian Federation. Star-Advertiser.

Schatz: $8.5M for Westside affordable senior housing. Money has been secured for a new community center and affordable senior housing at the Lima Ola Community, an affordable-housing development in ‘Ele‘ele that will house more than 500 families. Garden Island.

Erosion-mitigation project for Wailua Beach gets CIP funding. The state Department of Transportation plan to rebuild the Wailua Beach shoreline using patented technology have gotten a shot in the arm. Garden Island.

Ige headed to Glasgow for climate change conference, Kamehameha Schools contact tracing draws Maui resistance, Honolulu lifeguard shortage closes beaches, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Gov. David Ige

Gov. David Ige among governors to join U.N. climate talks. At least a half-dozen state governors, including Hawaii Gov. David Ige, plan to attend parts of the United Nations’ climate change conference in Glasgow, known as COP26, that started Sunday and runs through Nov. 12. Ige will lead a delegation that includes Suzanne Case, director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Scott Glenn, head of the Hawaii State Energy Office. Star-Advertiser.

Senate Confirms Six Judicial Appointments. The Hawaiʻi State Senate voted to confirm the Governor’s Circuit Court appointments of Clarissa Y. Malinao, Kevin T. Morikone and Shanlyn A.S. Park to the First Circuit Court – Oʻahu; Kirstin M. Hamman to the Second Circuit Court – Maui; and Wendy M. DeWeese to the Third Circuit Court – Hawaiʻi Island. In addition, the Senate also confirmed the Chief Justice’s appointment of Kimberly B.M. Taniyama to the District Court of the Third Circuit – Hawaiʻi Island. Maui Now.

Should A Pilot Program To Expand Homeless Services In Hawaii Be Extended? Ohana Zones funding has helped transition 1,100 homeless people into permanent housing. Civil Beat.

Teacher vacancies ease in Hawaii, but substitutes are hard to find. Hawaii’s chronic classroom teacher shortage has eased this year to levels not seen in decades, tied in part to a declining student population as well as new and improved efforts to recruit teachers, according to the state Department of Education. Star-Advertiser.

Experts Say Covid-19 May Never Go Away, But It’s Becoming Manageable. Some think Hawaii is through the worst of the coronavirus pandemic but health officials urge caution as the virus becomes endemic. Civil Beat.

Hawaii records 10 new coronavirus-related deaths, 152 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 56 new cases on Oahu, 33 on Hawaii Island, 22 on Maui, 14 on Kauai and 27 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Resistance mounts to Hawaii's COVID-19 rules. Endemic or not, there are signs of growing weariness when it comes to restrictions, with even health care leaders warning earlier this month of the related social and economic toll. Star-Advertiser.

Some Oahu sports parents want COVID-19 protocols gone. As indoor and outdoor events prepare to operate at hundred percent capacity on O'ahu this week, some sports parents say more needs to be done to get back to normal. KITV4.

Following city’s green light, industry pros are already seeing big interest for large events. With live events back on across Oahu, the calendar is already filling up for industry professionals. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Ocean Safety prepping for busy winter season amid staffing issues. Honolulu Ocean Safety said they are prepping for a busy winter surf season with more visitors and more people in the water, but the season comes as the department faces staffing issues. These issues have resulted in lifeguard towers being closed at any given time across Oahu. KHON2.

Officials report 31 possible sea turtle nests near Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Scientists at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii say there’s a good chance you may see a Hawaiian green sea turtle out for a swim near the base. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

County gyms, community centers to reopen today. All Hawaii County gymnasiums and community centers reopen to the public today after being closed for more than a year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. West Hawaii Today.

Leftover money: $52.7 million fund balance carried forward to next year. The fund balance — money not spent in the previous year that’s carried over to the new budget year that began July 1 — is higher than usual because of an infusion of federal money from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and because some county obligations were suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic. West Hawaii Today.

Roth: building permit reviews to be expedited. As the county administration struggles with a backlog of more than 1,500 building permit applications stuck in its new computerized EPIC system, contractors and County Council members have more questions than answers following a statement from Mayor Mitch Roth that certain permit reviews will be “expedited.” West Hawaii Today.

Another delay for Kalanianaole: New estimated completion date for roadwork is August 2022. One lane of Kalanianaole Avenue, the primary access road to Keaukaha and King’s Landing, has been partially closed for road construction since 2018. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Contact tracing device plans at Maui school spur protests. Students will have to wear lanyards that have COVID-19 exposure alerts. Saying the move came without consent, some Maui parents are opposing a plan by Kamehameha Schools to make students wear tech devices that will alert users of possible COVID-19 exposure. Maui News.

County to add more pickleball courts amid struggle for space. Tennis and pickleball players say there’s not enough to go around. Maui News.

In Maui County, axis deer are taking feed from livestock and causing crashes. Lawmakers want Ige to act. State leaders are calling for additional action to help manage the axis deer population in Maui County. Hawaii News Now.

Local Blogger Makes Authorial Debut with “Maui 2021 and Beyond”. Liza Pierce, local blogger and creator of A Maui Blog, recently debuted her first book, “Maui 2021 and Beyond: Your Simple Guide to Enjoying Your Maui Vacation During and After COVID-19 Pandemic,” a timely and relevant guidebook for travelers who plan to visit Maui in the COVID-19 era. Maui Now.

Kauai

Beachgoer puts up fence protecting Po‘ipu honu. Tom Hennessy hopes to eventually collaborate with government officials, nearby monk-seal volunteers or community members to create a formal, more-durable barrier system. Garden Island.

New Kapa‘a fire truck quickly useful. The new brushfire truck at the Kaua‘i Fire Department Kapa‘a fire station was put into necessary service before it was even blessed last week, and proved instrumental in controlling and finally extinguishing a pesky brush fire in Anahola that started Tuesday and was not fully extinguished until Wednesday night. Garden Island.

Tax revenue forecast brightens, teachers union files grievances over COVID protocols, Oahu median home price tops $1M, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii dawn ©2021 All Hawaii News

New Hawaii climate technology fund to be unveiled. Hawaii-founded Elemental Excelerator plans to unveil a $60 million early-stage venture capital fund today called Earthshot Ventures that will be the first climate technology fund with roots in the state. The fund, which will invest in both hardware and software companies, is being launched to support entrepreneurs tackling climate change. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii panel boosts general fund tax revenue forecast. The Council on Revenues on Tuesday raised its forecast for Hawaii’s general fund tax revenues, saying it now expects revenues to increase by 6.3% during the current fiscal year instead of 3%. Associated Press.

Here’s How Native Hawaiian Groups Are Using $38 Million In Federal Funds. Native Hawaiians have been hit hard by the latest surge in the coronavirus and still have among the lowest vaccination rates. Civil Beat.

State Teachers Union Files Actions Over Covid Test Mandate, Safety Protocols. The union representing Hawaii’s 13,500 public school teachers has filed a pair of grievances against the Department of Education over the implementation of the state’s Covid-19 testing mandate and “unsafe and changing working conditions” in classrooms, according to a release issued on Tuesday. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

New vaccine-or-test rules at Hawaii workplaces, including state and county offices, are making it harder for people to get tested if they actually feel sick. But they also seem to be increasing the state’s vaccination rate. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii health official warns of more COVID-19 deaths in coming weeks. Acting state epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble says there is a lag between identifying cases and seeing hospitalizations and deaths. KITV4.

Mu variant detected in Hawaii, but threat is low now. The mu variant of the coronavirus, which may be better at evading protections offered by the available vaccines, has been found in nearly every state, including Hawaii, where its prevalence is second only to Alaska, according to data from Scripps Research. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KHON2.

New COVID case averages dropping. The state’s average daily number of new COVID-19 cases has dropped to 706 over the past seven days, according to the state Department of Health. Garden Island.

Hawaii sees 499 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 68,764. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 364 new cases on Oahu, 38 on Maui, 50 on Hawaii island, 45 on Kauai and two Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Oahu’s median home sale price tops $1 million for the first time. For the first time ever, a monthly median sale price for single-family homes on the island breached the million-dollar mark — hitting $1,050,000 in August, according to Honolulu Board of Realtors data released Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu prepares for ‘Safe Access Oahu’ rollout. Starting on Monday, Sept. 13, workers and customers at gyms, restaurants and movie theaters will be required to show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID test. KHON2.

COVID surge strains Oahu’s EMS service, forcing some patients to wait for an ambulance. Prior to the pandemic, Honolulu EMS would respond to an average of 250 calls a day. Over the past month, call volume has jumped 32%. That means EMS crews are being dispatched to an additional 80 calls every day. Hawaii News Now.

Months After Delivery, Portable Cells Sit Unused At Oahu Correctional Center. Two containers that are supposed to be used as medical isolation cells at the state’s largest jail are sitting unused more than eight months after they were delivered because prison officials discovered the jail’s aging electrical system cannot accommodate the extra load of the new cells. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Prosecutor Argues Against Further Inmate Releases. The prosecutor and corrections officials say the releases aren’t needed to reduce the spread of Covid-19 because inmates now have access to vaccines. Civil Beat.

Increased police enforcement leads to calmer Labor Day weekend. For the first time in five years no one died or was critically injured on Oahu in a Labor Day weekend car crash following islandwide efforts by Honolulu police to curtail impaired driving and encourage compliance with COVID-19 gathering restrictions. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Warns Of Service Delays Due To COVID Surge. Officials say affected divisions include Building, Solid Waste, Vehicle Registration and Licensing, Traffic, and Parks Maintenance. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Saddle Road extension shelved. Construction of the road was put “on hold” in fall 2020 after state funding sources dried up and the extension effort was not awarded a federal grant. The state had hoped to draw money from the rental car surcharge fund for the project, but without tourism, the account has seen little revenue. West Hawaii Today.

County Council targets financial literacy. Council members voted Tuesday during a meeting of the Government Operations, Relations, and Economic Development Committee in favor of a nonbinding resolution urging the state Legislature to encourage the state Department of Education to develop a public school curriculum focused on better preparing keiki for the financial realities of adult life. Tribune-Herald.

HPD to retain authority over animal control. The Hawaii Police Department likely will retain responsibility for animal control throughout the county for at least the next year, Police Chief Paul Ferreira said. Tribune-Herald.

Police: Victim of dog attack in HPP dies. Police say the 85-year-old woman bitten by multiple dogs on Aug. 14 in Hawaiian Paradise Park died Sunday at Hilo Medical Care Intensive Care Unit, where she had been since the dog attack. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui “Safer Outside” Rules Includes Vaccine Guidelines at Eateries. County officials are calling Maui’s new set of rules “Safer Outside.” It includes the previously announced vaccine guidelines for eateries, and newly announced reduction in capacity for commercial recreational boating, ground transportation, and commercial tour operators. There will also be no spectators at indoor or outdoor sporting events. Maui Now. KHON2. KITV4.

While some residents support Maui County’s vaccine order for businesses, some say it’s unfair. With Maui County to require vaccine cards to be inside of certain establishments, some businesses find the mandate unfair while some residents said it makes them feel safer. Hawaii News Now.

Online platform to help farmers sell locally. Maui homesteader tapped to operate ‘Amazon-style’ distribution system. Maui News.

Health Department issues red placard to Maui pizza restaurant. Officials said the restaurant would have to remain closed until it complies with requirements, including more frequent professional pest control treatments, along with a monitoring and treatment plan for both cockroaches and rodents, and thorough cleaning of all areas underneath and on top of kitchen equipment. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Kauai

Special December Election Set To Replace Kauai’s Prosecutor. Kauai Prosecutor Justin Kollar, who steered the county’s criminal legal system away from mass incarceration, is retiring later this month. Civil Beat.

County’s homebuyer program list expands with Kapa‘a property. The county’s Homebuyer Program is looking to add more inventory with a purchase of property in Kapa‘a. With the Molo Street buy, the county will effectively be adding to the dwindling affordable housing market. Garden Island.

Only one COVID citation issued during Labor Day weekend. Department of Parks &Recreation officials responded to gatherings at beach parks, where they issued warnings, county officials said. Garden Island.