Coronavirus infections trending downward in Hawaii, Oahu opens hotels to COVID-19 quarantiners, Health Department whistleblower speaks out, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Coronavirus epi curve as of Sept 10, 2020 Hawaii Department of Health

DOH Reports Overall Decline in COVID-19 Cases Statewide. Hawai‘i is beginning to regain control of the spread of COVID-19 after nearly six weeks of elevated case numbers throughout the state. Big Island Now.

DOH: COVID-19 case numbers appear to be declining. After weeks of increased COVID-19 cases, the state Department of Health said Thursday that Hawaii is beginning to turn the corner and regain control of the spread of the disease on all islands. Tribune-Herald.


Relief for nurses through federal support and lower COVID-19 cases. The Hawaii State Department of Health said COVID-19 cases are beginning to decline after a six-week surge in new cases, and 169 new cases were reported on Thursday and the decline in numbers is also being reflected at hospitals. KHON2.

Hawaii’s Health Department Received Millions In COVID-19 Grants. Where Is It Going? Competition for equipment and bureaucratic hurdles have slowed down spending meant to boost the state’s pandemic response. Civil Beat.

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Whistleblower says Hawaii Department of Health’s ‘toxic’ culture of fear impeded investigators’ work. State Department of Health whistleblower Jennifer Smith, the epidemiologist who was suspended with pay Friday after speaking out about the understaffing of COVID-19 contact tracers, says the DOH fostered a “toxic” culture of fear that impeded the work of investigators trying to stop the spread of disease. Star-Advertiser.

Health Dept Whistleblower Speaks Out About ‘Toxic Management Culture’. Jennifer Smith was placed on paid leave weeks after her revelations about the Department of Health led to the director and the state epidemiologist being replaced. Civil Beat.

'I’m not a threat’: DOH whistleblower responds to alleged smear campaign against her. The Health Department whistleblower who exposed the state’s woefully inadequate COVID-19 contact tracing efforts vigorously denied allegations she made violent threats against her colleagues and says she has endured “character attacks” after speaking out. Hawaii News Now.

State Health Department whistleblower speaks out. In her first on-camera interview since being suspended with pay Health Department whistleblower Dr. Jennifer Smith claims management facilitated a culture of bullying, shame, and blame within the department. KITV4.

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Money for $300 unemployment boost to run out after 6 weeks. The temporary $300-a-week unemployment insurance boost implemented by President Donald Trump is about to end, with no extension in sight. Associated Press.

Thousands of Local Jobs Available, Chamber Says. The overall Hawai‘i economy may be stalled, but some organizations are hiring – and not just in health care and home deliveries. Hawaii Business magazine.

$3 Billion in Unemployment Benefits Issued Since March 1. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations today announced updated unemployment insurance claims information, including paying $3,081,193,375 and 3,155,245 weeks claimed since the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic on March 1. Big Island Now.

Hawaii has nation’s highest ‘insured unemployment rate’. Unlike the more frequently reported seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, the insured unemployment rate represents the number of people receiving unemployment insurance as a percentage of the labor force. Star-Advertiser.

47 Hawaii restaurants have permanently closed since pandemic began. The effect of the coronavirus pandemic on Hawaii’s restaurant industry hits home most strongly when reading through the names of establishments that have closed. Star-Advertiser.


Those eligible for additional jobless benefits will be allowed to enroll starting Saturday. The state will launch a new online feature Saturday to allow those eligible for $300 in additional weekly jobless benefits to enroll. Hawaii News Now.

$10M Federal COVID-19 Grant Focuses On Teacher Training. An initial report lays out how Hawaii education leaders plan to use the CARES Act money. Civil Beat.

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Gov. David Ige signs bill to protect Hawaii musicians. With live musical performances effectively silenced by the pandemic, the state of Hawaii gave a boost to local musicians Thursday with the signing of a bill designed to protect them from having someone else fraudulently use their identity to promote a performance. Star-Advertiser.

Governor signs measure aimed at preserving ‘integrity’ of musicians' original works. The governor signed a measure into law Thursday that protects musicians against cover bands and imposters making money off their name. Hawaii News Now.

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VIRUS TRACKER — Sept. 10: 169 New Cases And 3 Deaths In Hawaii. The average number of daily cases has dropped from a peak of 250 in August to 156 last week. Civil Beat.

Hawaii sees 3 coronavirus-related deaths on Oahu and 169 new cases statewide. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health reported 169 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday, along with three COVID-related deaths. The statewide total of cases is now 10,292. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Federal Medical Team Deployed to Honolulu to Help with COVID-19 Surge Support. A federal medical team from the US Department of Health and Human Services began providing temporary medical surge support Thursday at the Queen’s Medical Center at Hale Pulama Mau and the Kuakini Medical Center in Honolulu. Maui Now.

HPD Is Getting Millions To Enforce The Shutdown While Aid For Struggling Residents Lags. Honolulu City Councilman Tommy Waters says the city’s priorities are backwards, pointing to money for police overtime and training, new ATVs and “paddy wagons,” among other items. Civil Beat.

Frustration builds for businesses that complied with CDC guidelines but still forced to close . Calls to reopen more businesses on Oahu continue. Business owners said they are frustrated because they have done everything required by the CDC but are forced to remain closed. KHON2.

City Council adopts resolution offering grants to commercial property owners. Honolulu City Council members have approved a resolution aiming to provide rent relief to businesses through a grant program for landlords. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green asks for loosening of latest Oahu stay-at-home order. Lt. Gov. Josh Green is asking city and state officials to change Oahu’s latest stay-at-home order to allow residents living in the same household to engage in outdoor activities together. Star-Advertiser.

How Oahu’s COVID-19 Park And Beach Restrictions Are Hurting Families. Parents say they are struggling to keep their children — and themselves — sane and healthy without regular access to outdoor spaces. Civil Beat.

Local COVID-19 survivor says she didn't take restrictions seriously. Sarah Bolles says she was going to social gatherings, putting herself at risk, and eventually ended up with a fever of over 104 degrees in the hospital. KITV4.

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Nearly 300 hotel rooms islandwide available for those who can’t quarantine at home. The Hawaii Department of Health is working with the city to isolate COVID-19 patients at a number of hotels. Hawaii News Now.

These Hotels Are Stepping Up To Help Hawaii’s Virus Control Effort. Some Hawaii hotels have repurposed rooms for people who need to be isolated or quarantined while they recover from COVID-19 or wait for a test result. Civil Beat.

Pearl Hotel Waikiki among four lodges assisting those in need of COVID-19 isolation. The Department of Health says it now has the capacity to offer enough bed space on Oahu to accommodate anyone who has nowhere else to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19. Star-Advertiser.

Four hotels on Oahu are stepping up to help people with COVID-19. If you tested positive for COVID-19 or are waiting for test results but can't safely quarantine at home, you may qualify to stay at an isolation location. KITV4.

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Dole School in Kalihi mourns death of staff member in home quarantine. A Dole Middle School employee who worked in the school’s office died Wednesday after being quarantined at home because of COVID-19 cases among staff members. Star-Advertiser.

A staff member at Dole Middle School has died after quarantining at home for COVID-19 following an outbreak at the school, according to the Hawaii State Teachers Association. KITV4.

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Rail Board Confronts Project’s Deepening Financial, Contract Concerns. HART members raised more questions about whether a public-private partnership is still in play and what a “plan B” might look like. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Nearly All Residents at Hilo Veterans Home Test Positive for COVID-19. Nearly all the residents at the veterans home in Hilo have tested positive for COVID-19.  Additionally, no deaths were reported on the Big Island Thursday. Big Island Now.

Review of veterans home COVID outbreak underway. A review is still underway into the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home COVID-19 outbreak response. Tribune-Herald.

A representative from the Department of Veterans Affairs is expected on site at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. According to the Department of Health it's a two-day unannounced review that started on Friday on whether the facility is following state regulations. KITV4.

Hawai‘i Health Department Addresses Discrepancy in Hilo COVID-19 Deaths. The state Department of Health reports that it is aware of six additional deaths associated with COVID-19 at the Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home in Hilo; however, it is awaiting medical records from the facility as part of its official confirmation and documentation process. Maui Now.

Puna Geothermal Officials Take Questions Online. During a virtual community meeting on Wednesday, Sierra Club member Cory Harden had a lot of questions for PGV reps Mike Kaleikini and plant manager Jordan Hara. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Budget committee seeks public input. The Maui County Council’s Economic Development and Budget Committee will be discussing the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, rules, the CARES Act and other related issues. Maui News.

Kula land to become recreation site. Public hiking trails, picnic spots and forest excursions are in the works for more than 3,000 acres of Upcountry forestland recently acquired by the state. Maui News.

Kauai

First coffee berry borer beetle detected on Kauai. The first coffee berry borer, a beetle that feeds on coffee berries and reduces both the yield of quality of coffee, has been found on Kauai, the state Department of Agriculture reported today. Star-Advertiser.

HDOA: Coffee berry borer confirmed on Kaua‘i. Yesterday, the state’s Department of Agriculture confirmed coffee berry borer, a devastating pest of coffee plants, has been detected on Kaua‘i, the first detection on the island. Garden Island.

Keahua bridge repairs with temporary blocked access. Heavy rains in March caused severe damage to Keahua Bridge at the entrance of the Lihu‘e-Koloa Forest Reserve. Due to structural damage, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) blocked vehicular traffic until repairs are completed. Garden Island.

Hawaii population decline spells trouble, Tiger Woods golf course planned, confirmation hearings draw controversy, electric rate hikes looming, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Eating at the food court Ala Moana Center ©2019 All Hawaii News

Hawaii’s Population Decline Signals Future Economic Challenges. Hawaii is one of just nine states that lost population in 2018, reflecting a level of out-migration far deeper than the brain drain of past years. Civil Beat.

Senate Committee Confirms DHHL Deputy William Aila. Hawaii Public Radio.

Supporters of Public Safety director engage in questionable tactics ahead of confirmation hearing. As embattled Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda prepares for tough questions from lawmakers Thursday at his long-awaited confirmation hearing, his strongest supporters are engaging in last-minute — and questionable — tactics in a bid to save his job. Hawaii News Now.

Despite mounting criticism, governor stands by reappointment of Public Safety head. The governor is standing by embattled Public Safety director Nolan Espinda ahead of what’s certain to be a tough confirmation hearing Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Coffee labeling measure deferred. A measure originally intended to change labeling requirements for coffee blends died quietly with a few passing words Tuesday morning in the state Legislature. West Hawaii Today.

Plan to allow solar farms on top-rated agricultural lands dealt setback. State lawmakers on Wednesday halted a proposal that would allow large solar projects on the state’s most valuable agricultural lands. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii considers reforming bail system called unfair to poor. Lawmakers are considering allowing defendants accused of non-violent offenses to be released on bail without paying cash up front. Associated Press.

State Criticized For Cutting Services For The Developmentally Disabled. Agency representatives say they’ve gotten more efficient with the help of a new budgeting tool, but advocates for patients are filing more complaints. Civil Beat.

Amid push to unionize, UH grad students say their voices aren’t being heard. Hawaii News Now.

Micronesia Official Pleads Guilty To Bribery In Hawaii. Authorities said he accepted a bribe from a Honolulu company in exchange for $7.8 million in government contracts. Associated Press.

HEI seeks renewable options as end nears for 2 plants. In an effort to prepare for the closure of two fossil-fuel plants in the state — the coal-fired AES Hawaii plant on Oahu and the oil-fired Kahului Power Plant on Maui — Hawaiian Electric Companies is seeking more renewable energy projects. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

More than one-third of registered voters in Honolulu City Council District 4 have already cast votes in the special election between Trevor Ozawa and Tommy Waters. The official election day is April 13. Star-Advertiser.

Council members oppose Kealoha fees. Key Honolulu City Council members want the city Police Commission to reverse its approval of the use of taxpayer money to pay for former Police Chief Louis Kealoha’s legal expenses. Star-Advertiser.

Council leadership: Taxpayers shouldn’t pay for ex-police chief’s legal defense. In a strongly-worded letter to the Honolulu Police Commission, Councilman Ron Menor is expressing his concerns over the body’s decision to have taxpayers foot the bill for ex-Police Chief Louis Kealoha’s legal defense. Hawaii News Now.

Defendant Wants To Stop Early Testimony Of Katherine Kealoha’s 99-Year-Old Grandmother. Federal prosecutors want to get the testimony of Florence Puana in a videotaped deposition before the Kealohas’ trial starts because she’s fallen ill. Civil Beat.

Whistleblower tells police commission concerns about upcoming promotions. The retired Honolulu Police Department lieutenant who recently received a $550,000 payout from the city spoke on Wednesday before the Honolulu Police Commission. KHON2.

Critics Renew Calls To Stop Honolulu Rail At Middle Street. While shortening the line could save hundreds of millions of dollars, rail leaders argue the system would lose nearly half its projected ridership. Civil Beat.

UH Researcher Skeptical of Housing Proposal To Build $300,000 Units. A proposal at the state capitol to address the lack of affordable housing in Hawaii's largest population center has garnered significant community attention in recent weeks. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tiger Woods is designing the newest luxury golf course on Oahu. Oahu’s Leeward Coast will soon boast a golf course that’s been re-shaped by one of the game’s greatest players. Hawaii News Now.

Tiger Woods to design golf course in Makaha. Golf superstar Tiger Woods will design his first golf course in Hawaii as part of a $300 million master-planned development that aims to establish a new resort in Makaha Valley. Star-Advertiser.

New solar PV panels expected to reduce Honolulu airport’s electric bill by nearly half, state says. Hawaii Department of Transportation officials said an additional 2,980 solar photovoltaic panels have been installed on the 5th floor of the Terminal 2 parking garage at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The state Public Utilities Commission has scheduled public hearings next week to determine whether a 3.4 percent rate increase for Hawaii Electric Light Co. is “fair and reasonable.” West Hawaii Today.

Plan To Drive Tourism To Hawaii Island Announced. State officials held a press conference on Oahu today to announce $2.5 million has been allocated to bolster marketing efforts in the U.S. mainland and Japan. Big Island Video News.

Tourism authority to launch major ad campaign to woo visitors to Big Island. Hawaii News Now.

Albizia abatement measure heads to governor’s desk. A bill that would allow property owners to enter neighboring properties to remove dangerous albizia trees needs only the governor’s signature to become law. Tribune-Herald.

15 possible names for fissure 8 already submitted; nominations still being accepted. The state Board of Geographic Names formalized a committee for naming one of the most prominent features from last year’s Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Report: Maui County comes in second in Hawaii health rankings. Higher numbers for alcohol abuse and housing shortage are among state’s worst. Maui News.

New medevac chopper blessed. Crew responds to incident in Hana at end of ceremony. Maui News.

Kauai

Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami met with the residents of the Courtyards at Waipouli Apartments on March 28, along with Managing Director Mike Dahilig, Housing Director Kanani Fu and Councilman Mason Chock. Garden Island.

Education tax hike rejected by House, California Roundup cancer lawsuit could affect Hawaii, Kauai tops state for unvaccinated schoolchildren, Ozawa-Waters campaign heating up, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii grocery clerks ©2019 All Hawaii News

A proposal to increase the state excise tax to boost funding for Hawaii public schools and the University of Hawaii will not get a hearing in the state House and appears to be dead for this year. Senate Bill 1474 would have increased the state excise tax to 4.5 percent from 4 percent to provide hundreds of millions of dollars in extra funding each year for higher and lower education, but House Finance Chairwoman Sylvia Luke said Thursday she will not consider the measure. Star-Advertiser.

A jury verdict linking Roundup to a California man’s cancer could help bring large payoffs to Hawaii residents. Five former and current Hawaii residents have sued agribusiness giant Monsanto, saying repeated exposure to the weedkiller caused their cancer. Hawaii News Now.

State Historic Preservation Division to Implement “I Mua Mondays”. On all Mondays, SHPD offices statewide will be closed to the public and SHPD will not accept meetings, phone calls, emails or “walk-ins”. SHPD’s Library will also be closed on “I Mua Mondays.” Maui Now.

State jobless rate remained at 2.7% in February. Hawaii’s gradually rising unemployment rate paused in February amid a slowing growth trend that local economists have been forecasting for the state. Star-Advertiser.

Local coffee: Boosting blends to 51 percent? Under the coffee labeling bill moving through the legislature, there could be a dramatic increase in the amount of local coffee in the blends you drink at restaurants and buy at the store. KHON2.

Prison reform frustrations: Bills to address overcrowding stalls in Senate. Overcrowded jails in Hawaii is a problem that has at least one State lawmaker claims the legislature this session is doing nothing about. KITV.

Micronesian official to plead guilty in bribery scandal. A government official from the Federated States of Micronesia is scheduled to plead guilty in U.S. District Court next month to conspiring to launder bribe money he solicited from a Honolulu engineering contractor. Star-Advertiser.

Turtle conservation rules cut Hawaii’s swordfish season short for 2nd year in a row. Swordfish season typically run through the month of June. But the 15 boats that make up Hawaii’s shallow-set longline fleet are sidelined for now. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii's rent supplement initiative funds expected to run out later this year. KITV.

Oahu

Ozawa-Waters battle heating up. With the special election for City Council District 4 fast approaching, Trevor Ozawa and Tommy Waters are seeking to draw voters’ attention to each other’s perceived weaknesses. Star-Advertiser.

Car racing fans push for a track at Barbers Point. A state Senate committee will hold a hearing today on a resolution “expressing support” for a racetrack on 220 acres at the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station that backers want initially for coned-course driving but could expand to quarter- mile, oval and dirt bike racing. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu police officers Thursday morning rolled into the Walgreens parking lot on Young Street and ordered three homeless people to leave the private property — part of an ongoing effort to remove a particularly stubborn group of five to 10 chronically homeless people from the area. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine and University of Hawaii Cancer Center is hosting a panel on medical cannabis for cancer from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at 651 Ilalo St. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Highway 132 Restoration Funding Bill To Go Before Council. The Highway 132 recovery project that lava-locked residents of Puna have been clamoring for will be added to the Hawaii County Capital Budget, if the Hawaii County Council approves Bill 46 during its meeting in Kona on March 28. Big Island Video News.

Proposed UH-Hilo cuts called ‘devastating’. While proposed budget cuts throughout the University of Hawaii system, recently recommended by the state Senate, would largely reduce unfilled positions at UH-Hilo if approved, a proposal to trim $300,000 from the school’s athletics budget would devastate the program, university officials say. Tribune-Herald.

Spring has sprung: Hawaiian monk seal welcomes pup at North Kona beach. It’s said spring breathes new life into the world around us — and that was certainly true this year when Hawaiian monk seal RA20 welcomed her second pup Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui is one of the fastest growing communities in Hawaii, but it faces numerous challenges including water rights, high cost of living, and a high rate of homes being used as short term rentals. Tackling those challenges will be the job of newly elected county mayor Mike Victorino. Hawaii Public Radio.

Snorkeling at Molokini Crater is one of the most popular things to do while visiting Maui—but is it becoming too overcrowded? The Department of Land and Natural Resources aquatic division has been studying impacts at Molokini for a decade. KHON2.

Kahoma Stream is blocked by debris, dries up. Community members worried about efforts to restore marine life. Maui News.

The Hawaii Commission on Water Resource Management issued a response today concerning low stream flow reported in Kahoma Stream on Maui this week. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai Tops State For Percentage Of Unvaccinated School Kids. For the first time, the state Department of Health has released statistics on vaccination rates for individual public and private schools. Civil Beat.

Lawsuit: Zuckerberg backed Andrade. The dispute over kuleana lots on Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s estate in Kilauea has spawned another lawsuit. Garden Island.

The Chan Zuckerberg family is building on their support of Kauai Community College students with a new donation to support the Waialeale Project and Early College Program. Garden Island.

Convention contention. The Kauai Republican Party is gathering Saturday for the county convention and recent infighting between a district chairman and the chairman points to a controversial convention. Garden Island.

Tulsi Gabbard jumps into crowded pack of presidential contenders, public hearing today on temporary Honolulu City Council member, Maui council confirms Victorino administrators, $5k rebates for EV charging stations, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tulsi Gabbard campaign photo

Tulsi Gabbard offers progressive platform at campaign kickoff. Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard officially kicked off her presidential campaign Saturday with an ominous message about an increasingly dangerous world in which the United States sits on the “precipice of nuclear war” amid worsening international tensions. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard On Running For President: ‘We Must Fight For The Soul Of Our Country’. The U.S. representative from Hawaii held her first public rally on Saturday in her quest to win the White House in 2020. Civil Beat.

In front of scores of supporters in Waikiki on Saturday and with hundreds more watching online, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard officially kicked off her 2020 presidential campaign, saying that she wants to “build a movement of peace at home and abroad that will fulfill the promise of America." Hawaii News Now.

Congresswoman Gabbard calls on supporters to join her in her bid for the presidency. KHON2.

Tulsi Gabbard officially announces 2020 presidential run. She is entering a crowded race for the presidency. KITV.

VIDEO: Tulsi Gabbard Kicks Off 2020 Presidential Campaign. Big Island Video News.

Tulsi Gabbard’s foreign policy stance sets her apart in crowded field. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard Kicks Off 2020 Campaign With $2 Million In The Bank. The Hawaii congresswoman will need to raise a lot more if she expects to compete with Democrat heavyweights such as Elizabeth Warren, who reported having $11 million in cash on hand. Civil Beat.

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The push to legalize pakalolo is building strong momentum this year, with more than two dozen state lawmakers introducing legislation to allow its recreational use by Hawaii adults. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers kill plan to lower voting age. A key Senate committee scuttled a plan to allow Hawaii residents to begin voting in state and local elections when they reach the age of 16 but is moving forward with proposals for automatic recounts in close races along with another plan for statewide voting by mail. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii businesses looking to go green could get some help installing electric vehicle charging stations. Hawaii Energy and Ulupono Initiative are offering a limited-time rebate for installing or upgrading to EV charging station at workplaces and multi-unit dwellings. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai, Big Island Mayors Dubious About Raising Minimum Wage. Honolulu’s mayor supports the pay increase, but leaders of islands hit hard by disasters last year say now is not the time. Civil Beat.

Looks Like We’ll Still Be Using Private Prisons On The Mainland For A While. Legislative leaders who are trying to solve Hawaii’s prison crisis say it’s unrealistic to think we can move hundreds of inmates back here anytime soon. Civil Beat.

A bill wants to ban plastic rings that connect multiple cans of beverages. The legislation also intends to fine companies that make the rings. KITV.

Lawmakers introduce new bills to combat ticket scalpers and bots. KHON2.

Counterfeit coffee: Senate bill to re-introduce mandatory certification for green advances. Clearing the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment, Senate Bill 869 came one step closer Friday to reinstating a mandatory certification process for green coffee coming out of the state. West Hawaii Today.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council members have submitted their list of candidates to temporarily fill the District IV seat currently left vacant while a special election is pending. The council will be holding a public hearing on Monday, February 4, to consider names that have been submitted by the council members. KHON2.

Homeless flock to rest stop but few use social services. The number of homeless adults, children and pets using the city’s Punawai Rest Stop, a “hygiene center” in Iwilei, has steadily grown in less than a month of operation — from eight people on the first day to 174 on Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

A largely deserted piece of the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station in Kalaeloa is being prepared for re-population as part of a plan to build the first new homes in the area since the military base closed in 1999. Star-Advertiser.

A $2.08 million project to address cliff erosion and rock slides along two makai portions of Diamond Head is set to begin Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Many chafe at tourism growth. Once a secret spot for locals, Laie Point isn’t the most welcoming place for tourists. Star-Advertiser.

Higher-than-expected levels of the chemical chlordane in the soil beneath the former Henke Hall have delayed construction of the new Life Sciences building at the University of Hawaii at Manoa by nearly a year, and raised the cost of construction by nearly $4 million. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Wild attacks on high court could backfire on Trevor Ozawa. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mayor Harry Kim signed a proclamation Friday announcing the county’s commitment to eliminating all traffic deaths and serious injuries on island roads. Tribune-Herald.

Property tax changes coming. Eliminating the solar water tax credit, reclassifying small agriculture lots to residential and repealing an obsolete program are three ways the county could generate revenue and make its property tax code more equitable, according to a report to be considered next week by the County Council. West Hawaii Today.

A public meeting will be held Wednesday in Hilo on a proposed spaceport. The informational open-house is part of the environmental assessment process for the small satellite launch facility the Alaska Aerospace Corp. is seeking to build on W.H. Shipman land. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island lawmakers have renewed their efforts to secure lifeguards for Kua Bay in North Kona. Two bills have been introduced in the Senate and another bill in the House to fund lifeguards at the popular beach site. West Hawaii Today.

A state Senate committee advanced bills Friday in support of a new boat ramp for Puna and demolition of the former Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel. Tribune-Herald.

Hu Honua Bioenergy faces more litigation, while construction of its biomass power plant near Pepeekeo falls further behind schedule. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Hart to divest stake in company before joining mayor’s staff. Deputy planning director hopes to take up his new post mid-February. Incoming Deputy Planning Director Jordan Hart has not yet taken his position in the Michael Victorino mayoral administration as he works to divest himself of the company his father founded, which is involved in land-use planning and landscape architecture. Maui News.

Two more directors pass muster in council panel. Pearson for water, Teruya for finance are recommended. Maui News.

A council committee on Friday advanced recommendations in support of Jeffrey Pearson as director of the Department of Water Supply, and Scott Teruya as director of the Department of Finance. Maui Now.

Maui’s Mahi Pono to offer lots to local farmers. The company that bought a vast expanse of land in Central Maui from Hawaii’s last sugar cane plantation plans to kick off its new operations by offering lots to local farmers to grow their crops. Associated Press.

‘Hope and skepticism’: Mahi Pono reaches out to community. Mahi Pono officials making rounds; details about who they are beginning to emerge. Maui News.

Tearing up over famous onion’s end. Maui Pickled Products has sent its last shipment . Maui News.

Kauai

Hawaii may become the first state in the nation to get a new type of ground-based missile interceptor — in addition to the powerful $1 billion radar that’s already in the works — to better protect against North Korean missile attack.  A long-awaited Missile Defense Review recently released by the Pentagon calls for the Missile Defense Agency and the Navy to study the viability of “operationalizing” the Aegis Ashore missile defense test site on Kauai, either temporarily or permanently, with interceptor missiles. Star-Advertiser.

Home sales up, Realtors cautious. The total number of properties sold last month on Kauai is slightly higher than a year before, but some Realtors are saying those numbers are not necessarily a positive sign. Garden Island.

Hurricane Lane assessment, schools, shipping, postal service resume; impact fees for Honolulu schools, constitutional amendment would change taxation process, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Flooding in Hilo town. PC: Tracey Niimii www.tnphotographyhawaii.com

Lane poured record rainfall on East Hawaii. The preliminary total for Mountain View, subject to final quality control, is 51.53 inches of rain between noon Wednesday and 4 a.m. Sunday. Star-Advertiser.

Government officials on Sunday began their assessments of the damage inflicted upon Hawaii Island from Hurricane Lane. Tribune-Herald.

Southern end of the state mopping up 'devastation' left by Lane. Hawaii News Now.

Ports reopen, cargo operations resume statewide as Lane leaves. Matson Navigation Company has resumed full cargo operations to all of its Hawaii terminals following the Hawaii State Department of Transportation's reopening of Big Island ports to commercial operations Friday and Oahu, Maui and Kauai ports Saturday morning. KHON2.

USPS delivers mail Sunday after Tropical Storm Lane. KHON2.

What Killed Hurricane Lane? Scientists agree high southwest winds helped save Hawaii. “They took its head off,” one says. Civil Beat.

Public schools statewide to open today. All public schools statewide will open today with the exception of four in Lahaina. Star-Advertiser.

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In addition to deciding whether the state should hold a constitutional convention, Hawaii voters on the Nov. 6 general election ballot will be asked to consider a precedent-setting change that would move some of the county’s exclusive power to charge real property taxes to the state’s domain. West Hawaii Today.

Commentary: Hirono acquires fire, while Schatz, as Hawaii’s senior senator, develops diplomacy. Star-Advertiser.

Isle coffee production plunges, report says. One of Hawaii’s premiere crops, coffee, had a disappointing last season with a drop in sales as reduced production overshadowed higher prices, according to a recent federal report. Star-Advertiser.

Saving Hawaii’s Pig Farms. This once-fading island industry is coming to life again thanks to local tastes and strong cultural demand. Civil Beat.

A network of Hawaiian-focused schools is hoping to significantly expand the number of Hawaiian speakers in the state by making language lessons available on Duolingo, a popular free education app. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Developers to pay school impact fees for new homes built in urban Honolulu. Those looking to build a home in the areas between Kalihi and Ala Moana should know that starting Oct. 1 — construction is going to come with an added cost. Hawaii News Now.

Residential builders will have to pay $3,864 as a school impact fee for each new housing unit constructed along the Kalihi to Ala Moana urban corridor starting Oct. 1, a big discount from the $9,374 estimate two years ago. Star-Advertiser.

Board of Water Supply crews are responding to a water main break in Ewa Beach on Monday morning. Honolulu police said one southbound lane of Fort Weaver Road is closed near Keoneula Boulevard. Hawaii News Now.

Wailana Coffee House, the iconic 24-hour family diner in Waikiki, will close at the end of next month. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Making county spending more transparent is the aim of two charter amendments scheduled for the Nov. 6 general election ballot. One measure requires public notice and a chance for public input before raises are granted top county officials, while a second requires a financial impact statement be available to the public for any future charter amendment on the ballot. West Hawaii Today.

For at least five years, the Hawaii Police Department has been looking at ways to fund a body-worn camera program for its officers. However, with a “status-quo” budget, the department keeps coming up short. West Hawaii Today.

Kailua-Kona sees new businesses, developments coming up. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Four Lahaina Schools on Maui Closed on Monday, Aug. 27. Four public schools in Lahaina in West Maui will be closed to students on Monday, Aug. 27, 2018 as the community deals with the aftermath of large brush fires that burned thousands of acres of land and destroyed at least 21 structures. Maui Now.

Lane aftermath. Storm dumps heavy rain, leaves power outages, damaged roads. Maui News.

West Maui residents focus on rebuilding after firefighters contain 2K acre blaze. The destructive fire that broke out in Lahaina early Friday morning is finally 100 percent contained, Maui county officials said on Sunday afternoon. Hawaii News Now.

Brush fire leaves homes in ashes, lives shattered. At least 21 structures damaged or destroyed. Maui News.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa talks about the brush fires. KHON2.

Haiku residents describe moments massive crack in road opened. With the bulk of the concentration focusing on West Maui fires, residents in Upcountry Maui are still dealing with the flooding damage brought by Lane. KHON2.

Kauai

On Kauai, it’s back to normal. With the downgrading of Tropical Storm Lane, Young Brothers anticipates resumption of its 12 regularly scheduled weekly sailings starting today. Garden Island.

Builders return to Anaina Hou Playground in Kilauea. Not all the workers were present Sunday when work resumed on the developing Anaina Hou Playground in Kilauea. Garden Island.

Officials say an Alabama man was fined $1,500 for touching a Hawaiian monk seal as well as harassing a sea turtle on Kauai, and then posting the videos on social media. Garden Island.

Former Sen. Daniel Akaka dies, governor signs medical aid in dying legislation, congressional delegation wants military control over emergency warning system, Caldwell mulls islandwide sit-lie ban, coffee production drops 15%, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Late U.S. Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka, 2012 file photo ©2018 All Hawaii News file photo

Daniel Kahikina Akaka, the first Native Hawaiian to serve in the U.S. Senate and a fixture for decades on Capitol Hill, where he became known as the “ambassador of aloha,” has died Friday, his family said. Hawaii News Now.

Former U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, the humble and gracious statesman who served in Washington with aloha for more than three and a half decades, died Thursday night at the age of 93, sources tell the Star-Advertiser. He had been hospitalized with an illness. Star-Advertiser.

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Beginning Jan. 1, terminally ill residents will be eligible to begin requesting prescriptions for life-ending medication, following Gov. David Ige’s signing today of the “Our Care, Our Choice” Act into law. Star-Advertiser.

After 2 decades of debate, medical 'aid in dying' bill signed into law. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii became the latest liberal-leaning state to legalize medically assisted suicide Thursday as the governor signed a measure into law allowing doctors to fulfill requests from terminally ill patients to prescribe life-ending medication. Associated Press.

The “Death with Dignity” legislation was signed into law in Hawaii today. Hawaii Public Radio.

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All four members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation urged the U.S. military Thursday to take responsibility for alerting the public about any future ballistic missile attacks, taking that role away from the state, which botched the job in January. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Congressional Delegation Wants Feds To Take Over Missile Alerts. State emergency officials were grilled at a U.S. Senate committee hearing as lawmakers try to rebuild public trust in the warning system. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency began implementing its plan for responding to a ballistic missile attack before it was entirely drafted, a senior state official said Thursday at a hearing on why the agency mistakenly sent cellphone and broadcast alerts across the islands in January. Associated Press.

U.S. Pacific Command acknowledged it, too, made mistakes on the day of the false missile alert. Hawaii News Now.

At a Senate Committee hearing at the East-West Center on Thursday, all members of Hawaii's congressional delegation questioned why it's not the military taking the lead in issuing missile alerts. KITV.

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Hawaii Supreme Court Rules Some Extra-Long Sentences Unconstitutional. Several offenders who were given extended sentences for their crimes by a judge, rather than a jury, may have to be resentenced. Civil Beat.

Bid for back taxes on car rentals goes before Hawaii Supreme Court. Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers are taking up two bills today, one making the University of Hawaii a tobacco-free zone and another to restrict access to e-cigs to those under 21. Hawaii Public Radio.

Several bills that would improve working conditions or wages across the state are on the home stretch to being passed into law. Tribune-Herald.

Former principal appointed to serve as chair of Board of Education. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii is facing a critical shortage of doctors, and it's expected to get worse. KHON2.

The state’s coffee production dipped 15 percent to 24.3 million pounds of cherry in the 2017-2018 season despite an increase in bearing acreage from 7,000 to 7,300 acres, according to estimates compiled in January by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. West Hawaii Today.

All the major parts of two neighbor island housing markets moved in unison last month with sale volumes and prices rising on Hawaii island and Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Vietnamese worker saved lives as Hawaii fishing boat sank. Associated Press.

Oahu

Caldwell Wants A Sidewalk Sit-Lie Ban Everywhere On Oahu. If it’s approved, the proposal to move more homeless people out of public spaces could face a legal challenge. Civil Beat.

By the end of this year or so, a pavilion built to dry commercial fishing boat nets in Honolulu should be transformed into a job training and community center by a nonprofit helping at-risk teens and young adults. Star-Advertiser.

Beginning next week, unexploded ordnance experts will use underwater metal detectors to search for military munitions off Makua Beach, focusing on a 22-acre area. Hawaii News Now.

Developer Exploring Giant Wind Farm in West Oahu. The plan includes building up to 16 turbines in the Waianae mountains to pay for a massive land restoration project. Civil Beat.

Grubhub is the newest addition to Honolulu’s food delivery scene, joining other Mainland-based competitors Postmates, Uber Eats and Bite Squad. Pacific Business News.

Tax preparer Guillermo Dahilig of Waialua pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of false tax returns. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

A mural on the wall of a Hilo business has drawn controversy for its depiction — and subsequent redaction — of a firearm in the midst of a tableau celebrating the Merrie Monarch Festival. Tribune-Herald.

Hu Honua Bioenergy won’t need to conduct an environmental review for a damaged storm water outfall along the coast near Pepeekeo since it no longer plans to use it for its biomass power plant. Tribune-Herald.

Neighbors praise new South Kona KTA on store’s first day. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

An application deadline has been set for Wednesday, April 11 at 3:30 p.m. for individuals seeking consideration to fill the remaining term for the District 8 State House seat left vacant by Representative Joseph Souki. Maui Now.

Gov. David Ige said Thursday that he’s asked Maui County Democratic Party officials to move as quickly as possible to provide him with three names from which to appoint a new representative for the 8th District House seat. Maui News.

Former Maui County Council Member Don Couch is seeking the Democratic nomination for the South Maui state House seat held by Rep. Kaniela Ing, who has announced he’s a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives. Maui News.

Maui County lifeguard and former mayoral candidate Tamara Paltin has filed nomination papers to seek the West Maui residency seat on the County Council, she said in an announcement. Maui News.

A blessing for the embattled southern phase of the Lahaina bypass will be held at 2 p.m. April 15, Gov. David Ige’s office said Thursday. Maui News.

Garrett Marrero, the owner of Maui Brewing Co., is up for another national award. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Raising awareness of different types of homes available for purchase is why the Kauai Board of Realtors is hosting its third annual Islandwide Open House on Saturday. Garden Island.

Home sales on Kauai rose by more than 25 percent last month, compared to March of last year, and the median price of a single-family home rose 13 percent, according to statistics from Hawaii Information Service on behalf of the Kauai Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii's worker shortage, state at odds over voter info, Schofield soldier in court, 'Peter Boy' father gets 20 years, Kauai seeks to save native birds, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki restaurant worker © 2017 All Hawaii News

There Just Aren’t Enough Workers To Go Around In Hawaii. The state labor director calls it a “perfect storm” as restaurateurs and retailers struggle to recruit — and keep — employees. Civil Beat.

A federal judge has cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s commission on election fraud to resume collecting detailed voter roll information from the states, but at least one election official in Hawaii says he won’t comply with the federal request. Star-Advertiser.

A U.S. Army soldier based in Hawaii pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of attempting to support the Islamic State group. Associated Press.

A Schofield soldier accused of trying to provide support for ISIS has pleaded not guilty. KHON2.

A federal judge Monday scheduled a trial date in September for Wheeler Army Airfield soldier Ikaika Erik Kang on four counts of trying to provide support to the Islamic State, also known as ISIS. Star-Advertiser.

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A trustee with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs has accepted nearly $16,000 from a Native Hawaiian heiress to pay for legal fees in her battle against fellow trustees. Civil Beat.

Native Hawaiian waterman Malama Chun of Maui filed a petition with the state Board of Land and Natural Resources on April 12, 2017, challenging the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources’ practice of issuing licenses to foreign fisherman who have been refused permission to land in Hawai’i by US authorities and have been ordered deported. Maui Now.

Royal Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Inc. said Monday that the company’s petition to claim that consuming macadamia nuts can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease under certain circumstances has officially been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Pacific Business News.

Two of the three storms in the Eastern Pacific strengthened overnight. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines said Monday it will add three new daily routes between the neighbor islands and the U.S. West Coast in early 2018. Star-Advertiser.

A robust economy continued to boost Bank of Hawaii’s double-digit loan growth in the second quarter, with earnings per share exceeding analysts’ expectations. Star-Advertiser.

Wailuku artist Kirk Kurokawa’s “most significant” project in his artistic collection — the official painting of former Gov. Neil Abercrombie — was unveiled last week on Oahu. Maui News.

Oahu

Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Monday signed into law a bill that bans nearly all plastic bags distributed at Oahu retail checkout counters starting Jan. 1, 2020. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council is considering a bill that would expand the city’s sit-lie ban another few blocks in the Ala Moana-Sheridan area. Civil Beat.

Honolulu’s Potholes Cost Drivers — And Taxpayers — Millions. A 2016 study found the city had the 11th-worst roads among large urban areas, and residents pay more than the national average for related car repairs. Civil Beat.

The police presence in Oahu’s main tourist hub could be getting a boost thanks to a gift that puts more boots on the ground. A Waikiki business group wants to give $85,000 to the city. KHON2.

The July Fourth Waikiki “floatilla” attracted a crowd of about 9,000 partyers, led to at least 30 alcohol-related injuries and cost the city and state more than $12,000 to police, so it’s little wonder officials want to halt alcohol use at future floatillas. Star-Advertiser.

The executive director of the Hawaii Community Development Authority said since April the number of illegal campers in Kakaako parks under HCDA supervision has nearly doubled. Hawaii News Now.

Bill to ban electronic devices for crossing pedestrians represents latest push to make roads safer. Bill 6, which is awaiting the mayor’s approval, would make it illegal to look at a phone, tablet, gaming device, or anything electronic while crossing the street. KHON2.

The Queen Kapiolani Hotel, a 312-room property across the street from Kapiolani Park, is starting a $30 million makeover. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Peter Kema Sr. was sentenced Monday in Hilo Circuit Court to 20 years in prison for the 1997 death of his 6-year-old son, Peter Kema Jr. Tribune-Herald.

Peter Kema Sr. was sentenced to 20 years in prison this morning for the manslaughter of his 6-year-old son, Peter Boy, whose fate remained a mystery for two decades until his parents recently acknowledge their roles in his death. Star-Advertiser.

20 years. That is how long it's been since Peter Boy Kema's death. It's also the sentence handed down to his father on Monday, for killing the Big Island boy. KITV.

Hawaii County Prosecutor Mitch Roth said he’s using lessons learned from the Peter Kema Jr. case to propose changes in the laws governing child abuse and home schooling and to advocate for a longer statute of limitations period for manslaughter. Tribune-Herald.

A lawyer for the estate of the late Peter Kema Jr. and the siblings of “Peter Boy” sent a cease-and-desist letter to a senior vice president of Amazon.com, attempting to persuade the online merchandising giant to pull the Kindle book series “Peter Boy: Hawaii’s Most Notorious Case of Child Abuse and Murder” from its website. Tribune-Herald.

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Major changes are coming to boating and harbor rules, but those most affected say the state hasn’t consulted with them, or even made the rules readily available prior to public hearings scheduled for Thursday and Friday. West Hawaii Today.

PA system installed at popular Kailua-Kona beach park. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaiian Airlines will add a new year-round flight from Los Angeles to Kona starting early next year. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Ulupalakua Ranch on Maui is best known for its winery and cowboy culture, but not its Hawaiian dry forest. A 20-year forest restoration project on Ranch lands is changing that. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui Electric Co. is seeking approval by the state Public Utilities Commission to refurbish one of its 21-megawatt petroleum-fired turbines at the Maalaea Power Plant, which will cost an estimated $2.6 million. Maui News.

Three months after being forced to vacate its longtime dance studio in the Old Kula Community Center, the Alexander Academy of Performing Arts has found a new home in Haliimaile that will allow it to add classes, teachers and more studio space in the coming months. Maui News.

Maui’s electronic recycling program should reopen August 5th after being closed for several weeks. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Airlines will add a new non-stop daily route between Portland and Maui, starting Jan. 18. Maui Now.

Move over, Kona. Maui coffee is getting much stronger. Maui News.

Kauai

Noisemakers and motion sensors are just a few of the new tools scientists and conservationists are combining with traps to reduce predators in remote endangered seabird nesting areas. Garden Island.

There are nearly 400 predator traps scattered throughout Kauai's Hono O Na Pali Natural Area Reserve. Hawaii News Now.

The county Housing Agency will be hosting a community meeting Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Koloa Neighborhood Center to discuss plans for a new workforce housing development. Garden Island.

Boardwalk from Kawaihau Road to highway is open. Garden Island.

Niihau

State officials say they're moving ahead with a second attempt at eradicating rats from a tiny island near Niihau, but critics of the plan say they're worried about the potential risks to the marine environment. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii residents healthy, fewer airline seats but more tourists, OHA board ousts chairwoman, Health Department violated records act in redactions, Oahu jail costly, lava shelf collapses, turning Maui sugarcane fields to coffee, Waikoloa garbage gasification advances, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii hikers © 2017 All Hawaii News

For the second year in a row, Hawaii has been named the state with the healthiest residents, in terms of mind and body, according to the 2016 State of Well-Being Rankings report released by Gallup and wellness provider Healthways Inc. Pacific Business News.

The state's economist says a slight decline in the number of seats on flights to Hawaii will likely slow tourism industry growth. Associated Press.

Airfares are expected to increase in 2017 as a result of decreased air capacity, according to travel experts that spoke at a conference Thursday of the Pacific Asia Travel Association and the Travel and Tourism Research Association. Pacific Business News.

Key Hawaii lawmakers are hoping to secure $3.5 million annually over the next two years to continue a program that has been credited with helping hundreds of families in the past year escape or avoid homelessness. Star-Advertiser.

Circuit Court Judge Karen Nakasone ruled Thursday the state Health Department violated the state open records law by blacking out large portions of inspection reports for a Honolulu nursing home before it made the documents public. Civil Beat.

A state Senate committee on Thursday gave police more power to seize guns from potentially dangerous people. But lawmakers also softened the consequences for people who fail to register their guns as required by law. Civil Beat.

Senator: Police Union Wrong On Domestic Violence Bill. Sen. Laura Thielen took issue with a SHOPO attorney who testified the union contract takes precedence over state law. Civil Beat.

Marijuana use has risen slightly among Hawaii workers, a quarterly report shows. Star-Advertiser.

After two months of drama and infighting, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees on Thursday ousted Rowena Akana as chairwoman and elevated Vice Chairwoman Lei Ahu Isa to the top spot on an interim basis. Star-Advertiser.

OHA Infighting Continues As Chairwoman Rowena Akana Is Ousted. Lei Ahu Isa takes over as the acting chair. She is the third trustee to lead the troubled board in three months. Civil Beat.

The state’s Department of Education Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi has a new replacement. Keith Hayashi has accepted the offer to serve as deputy superintendent through the remainder of Matayoshi’s term. Garden Island.

The Hawai’i Public Utilities Commission today issued a reminder to the public that its enforcement officers continue to be on the road at unannounced times statewide to ensure that motor carriers are in compliance with state laws and rules. Maui Now.

Commentary: Everybody is wondering about Tulsi Gabbard. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Replacing Hawaii’s largest jail might cost $673 million, although that price tag could be reduced by hundreds of millions of dollars if lawmakers and prison officials choose a less expensive, low-rise design, according to preliminary estimates in a report from consultants hired to plan and design the proposed facility. Star-Advertiser.

The price tag for building a new jail to replace the crumbling Oahu Community Correctional Center could reach anywhere from $433 million to $673 million, according to a team of consultants hired by the Hawaii Department of Public Safety. Civil Beat.

The state of Hawaii is taking more money than justified out of a general excise tax surcharge for Honolulu’s troubled rail project, according to a University of Hawaii report released Thursday. Civil Beat.

A $250,000 severance check was delivered to Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his attorneys sometime in the last week, as stipulated in Kealoha’s retirement agreement with the Police Commission, Commission Chairman Max Sword told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Thursday.

About a dozen Honolulu police officers were disciplined last year — including two who were discharged — for their handling of an investigation into a fellow officer who accidentally shot a woman in the stomach while he was at a bar. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz and Washington Rep. Derek Kilmer have introduced legislation that would exempt employees of Navy public shipyards from President Donald Trump’s federal hiring freeze. Pacific Business News.

Public Navy shipyards, including the Pearl Harbor Navy Shipyard, will be exempt from President Donald Trump’s federal hiring freeze. Star-Advertiser.

The question of whether Honolulu can pursue a third trial against Christopher Deedy, a federal agent from the mainland who fatally shot local resident Kollin Elderts in 2011, is now in the hands of the Hawaii Supreme Court. Civil Beat.

Five state Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments Thursday on whether to allow a third trial of Christopher Deedy, who as an off-duty federal agent shot and killed Kollin Elderts, a 23-year-old Kailua man, at a McDonald’s in Waikiki on Nov. 5, 2011. Star-Advertiser.

It’s illegal to sit or lie on sidewalks in a number of areas across Oahu. Honolulu’s mayor is looking to expand the ban to more areas on the island. KHON2.

The state Department of Health has cited Island Recycling Inc. for failing to comply with its permit to prevent polluted stormwater discharges at two of the company’s facilities. Star-Advertiser.

The push to change Dole Street’s name back to its original Hawaiian name has ended, at least for now. Hawaii News Now.

Robert Kekaula and Paula Akana have been named weeknight 6 and 10 p.m. news anchors at KITV effective Feb. 13, the station announced Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The entire section of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park sea cliff that was seaward of the hot crack collapsed, scientists say. The moment was partially caught on video. Big Island Video News.

A dramatic “fire hose” of lava entering the ocean from Hawaii island has ended, for now at least, with the collapse of a nearby sea cliff, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii County Planning Department has given its stamp of approval on a waste-to-energy plant in Waikoloa that could reduce the garbage headed to the landfills while providing natural gas for Kohala coastal resorts. West Hawaii Today.

TMT International Observatory’s sublease payments are on hold following a court order requiring a contested case for the agreement with the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo Medical Center will soon solve two key medical-specialist shortages in East Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

The Big Island Abalone Corporation announced Thursday it is seeking a new investor for its farm at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority. West Hawaii Today.

Prominent Hilo-born business and community leader Fred J. Koehnen died at home Wednesday following an illness. He was 92. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The state House Committee on Agriculture will hear a bill this morning to help MauiGrown Coffee expand its West Maui plantation to fallow sugar cane lands and to create jobs for displaced Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. workers. Maui News.

The way vehicles access Iao Valley State Monument “could be substantially different” once the park reopens in the summer, state Department of Land and Natural Resources officials said Wednesday evening. Maui News.

A close call at Maui's Kahului Airport. Federal Aviation Administration officials say a small plane took off without clearance from Runway 5 as a Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 717 took off from Runway 2. KITV.

A pilot turned a Hawaiian Airlines interisland jet to avoid a smaller plane that took off without clearance Wednesday morning at Kahului Airport, according to a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman. Maui News.

Kauai

Denver oil and gas executive Gary Stewart, who owns about 80 acres of land next door to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's 700-acre oceanfront estate on Kauai’s North Shore, bought out one of the small landowners within his larger parcel but has no plans to buy out the other one, he confirmed to Pacific Business News Thursday.

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture is investigating the source of coffee plants found at a Home Depot on Kauai earlier this week. Garden Island.