Tulsi for president? Plus, Hawaii braces for Hurricane Lane, elections lawsuit filed, community colleges get good grade, Fissure 8 shows new lava life, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard campaigning in Hilo ©2018 All Hawaii News

Gabbard’s Climate Stance Gets Her Listed As A Presidential Contender. An environmental publication lumped the Hawaii congresswoman into a field of possible Democratic challengers to President Donald Trump. Civil Beat.

A hurricane watch has been issued for Hawaii and Maui counties as Hurricane Lane continues barreling toward the state as a powerful Category 4 storm. Hawaii News Now.

Hurricane watch issued for Maui, Big Isle; Lane remains a Category 4 storm. Star-Advertiser.

Cat 4 Lane expected to make turn toward Hawaii, hurricane watch issued for Hawaii, Maui Counties. KHON2.

The time to prepare for Hurricane Lane is now. Hawaii News Now.

Hurricane Preparedness Tips and Checklists. Maui Now.

Luke P. Meyers, a Certified Emergency Manager who most recently served in a variety of posts in the Pacific Northwest, has joined the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency as Executive Officer, announced HI-EMA Administrator Tom Travis. Garden Island.

Elections Suit Accuses State Lawmaker Of Voter Fraud And Intimidation. The complaint is premised, in part, on a surge of last-minute absentee ballots that pushed Rep. Romy Cachola of Kalihi to a 51-vote primary victory. Civil Beat.

How This Political Rookie, 72, Pulled Off A Big Senate Upset. Sharon Moriwaki beat state Sen. Brickwood Galuteria by 20 percentage points in a district full of high-rise condos. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s community college system was ranked in the top 20 of WalletHub’s 2018 list, placing 15th. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

With Hurricane Lane forecast this week to follow a Hurricane Iniki-like path toward the Hawaiian islands, Mayor Kirk Caldwell wants residents and visitors to keep track of Lane’s progress. Star-Advertiser.

The costs to ride TheBus and TheHandi-Van would go up in most categories under a proposal now before the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

The city’s “Complete Streets” program is hosting a public meeting on Aug. 29 on three, new bikeways proposed for portions of S. King, Punchbowl, and Bishop streets in downtown Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Heat causes thousands of fish to suffocate in golf course ponds. KHON2.

Construction of the Ke Kilohana condominium tower in Kakaako has reached its high point, 43 stories, or roughly 400 feet above ground. Star-Advertiser.

The Howard Hughes Corp. has topped off the 43-story Ke Kilohana mixed-use tower, the developer’s mostly workforce condominium project at Ward Village. Pacific Business News.

Condominium resales in the Ala Moana-Kakaako area, where new buildings have added hundreds of new units over the past couple of years, rose by 34 percent last month as the median price declined by 12 percent, according to statistics from the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory noticed something at the Fissure 8 vent on Monday that may be a sign the eruption of Kilauea is not completely finished. Big Island Video News.

Even with a $4 million hit from Puna property tax revenues swallowed by the lava flow, the County Council is about to approve a bill effectively setting the annual budget at a historic high, thanks to a general excise tax surcharge. West Hawaii Today.

The warden and supervisor at Kulani Correctional Facility on the Big Island are being charged with theft by the state attorney general’s office. Tribune-Herald.

State transportation officials are assessing safety concerns at a popular West Hawaii lava tube — Huehue — that sits just off Queen Kaahumanu Highway in North Kona. West Hawaii Today.

A gate to limit vehicular access and restrictions on snow play are among the proposals found in a set of rules being offered up for the summit of Mauna Kea. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Residents, County Council members and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs on Monday criticized a project in Honuaula that residents say did not undergo proper archaeological review and only came to light when the process of grading and grubbing began. Maui News.

A total of 27,749 procedures worth $1.6 million took place during the Tropic Care clinics, according to Washington Air National Guard Capt. Hans Zeiger, public affairs officer for Tropic Care Maui County, who called it a “tremendous success.” Maui News.

The Royal Canadian Navy crew members could have spent their day off at the beach — instead, they chose to come to Hospice Maui to help clear the property and deliver a $10,000 check to the Wailuku nonprofit. Maui News.

Kauai

People were scrambling in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Lane Monday afternoon. Garden Island.

The Department of Public Works is announcing that fencing will be installed in the vicinity of Black Pot Beach Park in Hanalei this week to secure the construction site, as crews begin repairs of the area damaged by the April flood. Garden Island.

The National Wildlife Research Center of the US Department of Agriculture has provided the Department of Land and Natural Resources with a final report of its monitoring efforts relating to the presence of diphacinone, an anticoagulant rodenticide, used as part of an effort to restore native species habitat on Lehua Island. Garden Island.

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources has received a final report from The National Wildlife Research Center of the US Department of Agriculture of the ecological effects of diphacinone, an anticoagulant rodenticide, used as part of an effort to restore native species on Lehua Island. Maui Now.

Pono Home, with funding and support from Kauai Island Utility Cooperative and the County of Kauai, will be offering free home efficiency services for qualified residents on Kauai this fall. Garden Island.

Hawaii-based energy consulting firm Pono Home will be offering free home efficiency services for qualified residents on Kauai this fall. Pacific Business News.

Kahoolawe

After 32 years, remains of a juvenile humpback whale have been returned to the island of Kahoolawe. Maui Now.

Legislature wants wider airline seats, homeless measures advance, ivory sale ban clears hurdle, missile range fior Kauai, cleanup for Kahoolawe, Kenoi faces arraignment today, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Airline seats © 2016 All Hawaii News

A group of Hawaii lawmakers says the growing size of Americans and obesity issues should be taken into account when airlines determine the size of their seats. Many travelers are getting fed up with the tight spaces they're allowed on airplanes, so a group of state senators introduced a resolution urging the federal Secretary of Transportation to set minimum sizes for airplane seats. Associated Press.

Legislation backed by groups who want to reduce homelessness and create more affordable housing cleared the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday.The four bills — plus a fifth that was absorbed into one of the other measures — now head to the Senate floor for a full vote. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives want to study whether it would be feasible or wise to decriminalize possession of small quantities of illicit drugs for personal use in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii is another step closer to banning ivory sales after Senate Bill 2647 cleared the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday in a 10-0 vote. Civil Beat.

AARP ‘Airs’ Caregiver Bills At Capitol. The kupuna advocacy group held live radio interviews with legislators in the Rotunda to raise support for care legislation. Civil Beat.

Hawaii ranks 37th among the states in terms of dependency on the federal government — if military spending isn't included, according to a report by WalletHub released Tuesday. Pacific Business News.


The starting salary for educational assistants is less than that of cafeteria helpers or low-level school custodians. Depending on how they are hired, EAs may not always qualify for union representation, and they have limited professional development opportunities. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The Right To Take Pics In Public. ACLU Hawaii and the state settle a First Amendment dispute over snapping photos of airplanes near Honolulu International. Civil Beat.

A Hawaii Community Development Authority board member wants to temporarily shut down Kakaako Makai Gateway Park to “break the cycle” of constant sweeps to clear out the homeless only to see the camps return the next day. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Mayor Billy Kenoi turned himself in to police for booking on theft charges late this morning. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi is expected to make his first appearance in Circuit Court in Hilo today to answer to criminal theft charges over misuse of his county purchasing card. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii County police arrested a 30-year-old Kailua-Kona man on suspicion of criminal property damage at one of the telescope facilities on Mauna Kea. Star-Advertiser.

Kailua-Kona man allegedly breaks into telescope after ramming truck into building. Tribune-Herald.

The public on Tuesday got its first look at four newly selected hopefuls vying to be Hawaii Community College’s next chancellor. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Owners of Makena Beach and Golf Resort, formerly known as Maui Prince Hotel, announced the property is shutting down, effective July 1. The hotel will be converted into privately owned units, meaning about 350 workers will lose their jobs. KHON2.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued its final rule Tuesday designating critical habitat for 125 federally protected species found in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Authorities have opened a criminal property damage investigation after a statue of Father William Chaminade outside a Maui school was found beheaded after Easter. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

In the face of increasing North Korean ballistic missile threats, the Pentagon is studying beefing up Hawaii’s defenses by switching an “Aegis Ashore” missile system and launcher on Kauai from testing to operational mode and adding radars to track incoming missiles, a missile defense expert said. Star-Advertiser.

Downtown Lihue businesses and associations on Tuesday urged Kauai County’s Budget and Finance Committee to move forward with plans to use $2 million in local matching funds to support $13 million in federal transportation grants to revitalize the city’s core. Garden Island.

The Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park are coordinating a major beach cleanup starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Garden Island.

Kahoolawe

A key public decision-making hearing by the Hawaii State Senate concerning funding for the restoration of Kahoolawe is scheduled for Wednesday. Pacific Business News.

Don't touch the turtles, VA clinic, state mental hospital in disarray, Kauai anti-GMO pesticide charter petition rejected, pay hikes for mayor, council, Maui mayoral candidates opposed, high defaults at community colleges, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii green sea turtle © 2014 All Hawaii News

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is reminding the public to respect Hawaii’s sea turtles by viewing these protected animals responsibly. Associated Press.

Chinese ships steamed Tuesday toward waters near Hawaii to participate for the first time in the world’s largest naval exercises hosted by Washington — a rare opportunity to build trust with the U.S. and regional rivals, including the Philippines and Japan. Associated Press.

With most eyes on the Democratic race for lieutenant governor, the two Republican candidates vying for their party's nomination have much work ahead of them as they try to gain name recognition and get their messages out to voters in a historically blue state. The contest pits Warner "Kimo" Sutton, a Honolulu renewable energy entrepreneur, against Elwin Ahu, a former Honolulu District Court judge and senior pastor with New Hope Metro. Star-Advertiser.

The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, which has endorsed U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz over U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, has sent a mailer to Hawaii residents that implies Hana­busa might privatize the entitlement programs. Star-Advertiser.

Former University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood will not be returning this fall as a tenured professor with a six-figure salary, and instead says she will retire at the end of the month, marking the end of a five-year career at the university. Star-Advertiser.

In a state that’s less prone than most to student loan payback problems, some of Hawaii’s two-year colleges are showing alarmingly high rates of default. Civil Beat.

The U.S. Department of Energy is spending $500,000 on a project to boost electric grid reliability in Hawaii. Associated Press.

State administration officials are planning to develop strategies to cope with the impact of climate change and rising sea levels in the Hawaiian Islands. Star-Advertiser.

If coming up with the money to pay public employee pensions gives Hawaii state and local governments fiscal indigestion, providing additional benefits such as health, life, dental and even chiropractic care to retirees is causing a multi-billion-dollar budgetary migraine. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Veterans Affairs officials told representatives of Hawaii's congressional delegation that military veterans only had to wait 30 days to see a primary care physician for the first time — just before a scathing audit revealed that new patients in Honolulu actually had the worst wait times in the entire system, 145 days. Star-Advertiser.

Veterans seeking care at the VA Medical Center here in Hawaii wait an average of 145 days. Maybe more striking, some 64,000 veterans enrolled in the system for at least 10 years have yet to see a doctor, says a Department of Veterans Affairs audit released Monday. Hawaii Reporter.

The Honolulu City Council is committing $32 million in bond money to house the homeless — on top of the nearly $24 million that Mayor Kirk Caldwell had earlier proposed for his Housing First initiative. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor and Council Chair disagree on grant money. Hawaii News Now.

A class-action lawsuit is being drawn up on behalf of injured psychiatric workers at the State Hospital in Kane­ohe amid allegations of nepotism and numerous assaults against employees, state Sen. Clayton Hee said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

A class-action lawsuit representing hundreds of State Hospital employees will be filed in the next several weeks, as the acting head of the troubled hospital announced he plans to retire after two decades there. Hawaii News Now.

State Sen. Clayton Hee’s inquiry into conditions at the Hawaii State Hospital took him to Kaneohe on Wednesday where he toured the mental health facility with top administrators, including Department of Health Director Linda Rosen. Civil Beat.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined Hawai‘i Gas $155,000 for violations of risk management plan regulations and chemical release reporting involving its Kapolei facility. The fine represents a settlement between the EPA and the company. Star-Advertiser.

The Oahu Burial Council is calling for closer scrutiny of the controversial redevelopment of the old Honolulu Advertiser building in Kakaako.Hawaii News Now.

Dole Plantation, one of Hawaii’s most-visited attractions with more than 1 million visitors each year, has gone solar to help it reduce its energy costs by 30 percent, a spokeswoman for the Oahu pineapple plantation told Pacific Business News.

Kelli Keawe, an office assistant with the Dept. of Public Safety, said for 10 years she was banned from all but one restroom in the building, because she is physically a man but identifies as a woman. The state now lets her in the women’s room and a federal anti-discrimination agency is also stepping in. KHON2.

Hawaii

Mayor Billy Kenoi will get a $22,848 raise next month, and top county managers and County Council members will also see pay hikes, under a plan advanced Tuesday by the county Salary Commission. West Hawaii Today.

On Friday the Board of Land and Natural Resources will address the proposed Mauna Kea sublease between the University of Hawaii and the Thirty Meter Telescope  LLC. Of particular importance is the sublease rent amounts UH is proposing to collect from the TMT LLC. Hawaii Independent.

Kona airport fire station dedicated. West Hawaii Today.

Honomu residents were given an early morning wake up call Wednesday when a tsunami warning siren activated on its own. Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira said the siren began malfunctioning at or shortly after 1:30 a.m. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Developers of the long-awaited West Maui Hospital and Medical Center expect to begin construction in the next 13 to 14 months, but residents and local medical officials wonder where the new hospital will find the physicians and the money to pay them. Maui News.

The developer of the planned Maui Medical Plaza next to the Kanaha Pond Wildlife Sanctuary has avoided Maui County's threat of foreclosure on the project's 2.5 acres adjacent to Hana Highway. Maui News.

The Maui County Clerk's Office received letters Tuesday objecting to two mayoral candidates - Neldon Mamuad and Nelson Waikiki Jr. Maui News.

The Maui County Council's Budget and Finance Committee is making changes to the circuit breaker tax credit program and may extend the credit application deadline to Sept. 15 for this upcoming tax year to allow for more to qualify under the committee's proposed changes. Maui News.

Kauai

If those behind a charter amendment aimed at regulating the island’s agrochemical industry want it to appear on the ballot in November, they will have to start over. That means recollecting 2,037 voter signatures, this time by July 2. Kauai County Clerk Ricky Watanabe rejected Kauai Rising’s petition, citing technical errors because the group failed to follow the proper format. Garden Island.

Large agriculture companies and landowners are opposing a bill that would establish “agronomics” as a new and separate real property tax class and exclude lands used primarily for crop research or parent seed production from the county’s definition of “agricultural use.” Garden Island.

There may be a new selection process for an outgoing County Council member the next time around. The Kauai County Council approved a resolution on Tuesday that would let county voters decide whether the process to fill a vacancy on the seven-member board should be changed. Garden Island.

The Kauai County Council struck down a pair of charter amendment proposals on Tuesday that would have let county voters weigh in on the seven-member board’s fee-setting authority at the Wailua Golf Course and eligibility requirements for county Cost Control Commission members. Garden Island.