Construction bolsters Hawaii GDP, deaf Japanese tourist sues Honolulu airport, Caldwell expands sit-lie ban, King Kamehameha III statue planned, OHA talks native rights on Kauai, 100th Molokai monk seal born, mumps, rat lungworm diseases increase, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu construction cranes © 2017 All Hawaii News

Hawaii’s construction industry contributed to strong growth in the state’s real gross domestic product for 2016, despite pulling it down in the fourth quarter. Star-Advertiser.

As the Board of Education prepared to privately interview its two selected finalists for schools superintendent Thursday, community members and education groups complained to board members that the selection process was not transparent and lacked public input. Star-Advertiser.

Medical marijuana dispensaries have been allowed to grow plants in Hawaii since January, but until the state certifies labs that will be charged with testing it, patients remain clueless as to when they'll actually be able to obtain the drug. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin has joined the attorneys general of 37 states and the District of Columbia to widen their authority in the investigation of Medicaid fraud. Pacific Business News.

Four new mumps infections and another case of rat lungworm were confirmed in Hawaii on Thursday, bringing the totals of those disease outbreaks to new annual highs in the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

A deaf Japanese tourist was illegally denied a sign-language interpreter while she was detained and interrogated after landing at the Honolulu International Airport, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii said in a discrimination complaint. Associated Press.

A deaf tourist from Japan was illegally denied access to a sign language interpreter during hours of interrogation and detention at Daniel K. Inoyue International Airport, and was subsequently handcuffed, an ACLU discrimination complaint alleges. Hawaii News Now.

A developer whose permit has stalled in Honolulu City Council called a councilman's comments racist against Chinese-Americans and threatened to organize a boycott of Hawaii if he doesn't get his way. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed a bill into law Thursday that expands the city’s controversial sit-lie enforcement zones into Iwilei and additional parts of Kapalama. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed into law Thursday a bill that expands the controversial sit-law ban to certain sidewalks near businesses in Iwilei and Kalihi. Hawaii News Now.

Living on the street is now illegal in another part of Oahu. KITV.

Backup power is latest project plagued by costly delays at Honolulu airport. KHON2.

The name “Daniel K. Inouye International Airport” greets drivers heading into the airport, so what other changes can we expect? KHON2.

The distinctive missile telemetry ship MV Pacific Collector is in port at Aloha Tower, possibly for a key upcoming ballistic missile defense test. Star-Advertiser.

On Saturday, about 2,000 students are expected to attend graduation at UH Manoa — and most will likely stay in Hawaii after getting their diploma. Civil Beat.

Honoring the longest reigning monarch in Hawaii's history, the legacy of King Kamehameha III will live on with a permanent statue. KITV.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii, Japan talk tourism at summit. West Hawaii Today.

The University of Hawaii’s medical school for the first time is placing a paid faculty member on Hawaii island to address its chronic shortage of doctors. Star-Advertiser.

A Hilo obstetrician/gynecologist has lost a court battle over the state’s demand that he repay more than $200,000 in reimbursements for services to Medicaid patients. Tribune-Herald.

The parking lot at Laaloa Beach Park, also known as Magic Sands, will be closed indefinitely starting Wednesday, according to the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation. West Hawaii Today.

A Kalapana woman says she takes “full responsibility” for graffiti on Mauna Kea but denied defacing rocks. Tribune-Herald.

Commentary: The Hawaii Supreme Court has administered a mild but still meaningful rebuke to a prominent proponent of the thesis, now in vogue among certain parts of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement, that the Hawaiian Kingdom was never legally made part of the United State and therefore continues to exist as an independent nation. Civil Beat.

Maui

A day after hearing emotional testimony from about 50 people affected by drunken driving and alcohol abuse, the Maui County Liquor Control Commission unanimously voted Wednesday to reconsider its decision to allow 24-hour retail sales of alcohol and removing the cap on hostess bars in the county. Maui News.

Maui single-family home and condominium sales prices remained high in April, but not the lofty heights seen earlier this year, according to a Realtors Association of Maui report this week. Maui News.

Kauai

Native Hawaiian lands and rights were a big part of the talks at an Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees meeting Thursday at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center. Garden Island.

State epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park told Kauai council members Wednesday the rat lungworm disease may be under-recognized on some Hawaiian islands. Garden Island.

Molokai
Kalaupapa National Historic Park welcomes 100th baby monk seal. Hawaii News Now.

Pesticides play politics in state House, advocates want Hawaii to be sanctuary state, DLNR seeks criminal probe at Kona boat harbors, bill could require Honolulu building inspections, Maui mayor's plan to sell golf course irks golfers, Kauai monk seal killing reward upped to $50k, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Pesticide spray in Hilo, special to All Hawaii News

Lawmaker May Lose Committee Chair Over Pesticide Bill. Hawaii Rep. Angus McKelvey’s effort to push through a contentious pesticide disclosure bill could lead to his ouster as head of Consumer Protection and Commerce. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture has started posting data on what kinds of restricted-use pesticides large agricultural companies apply each month and in what amounts. Civil Beat.

A proposed bill to increase the counties’ allocation of money generated from the transient accommodations tax passed in the Hawaii Senate. Garden Island.

A bill to replace the term “medical marijuana” with “medical cannabis” in state law is moving through the Legislature, though most other marijuana-related measures have died. Tribune-Herald.

Senate Bill 518 and companion House Bill 680 would mandate all those with barber, beauty operator and instructor licenses under the state Board of Barbering and Cosmetology complete a one-time, three-hour training program on domestic violence awareness and education. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii Board of Education has suspended its search for the next state schools superintendent after a foundation pulled back from a large donation to support the effort. Civil Beat.

The search for the next schools superintendent is delayed over concerns about fairness. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest level in nearly 10 years. Star-Advertiser.

While hotel occupancy rose only slightly in January, the industry saw record revenue of $561 million. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii tourism had another record year of arrivals in 2016, but statewide sales of homes typically bought by visitors barely budged, a new report shows. Star-Advertiser.

Advocates for immigrants are ramping up efforts to make Hawaii a sanctuary state. Hawaii News Now.

State Attorney General Doug Chin, who filed the nation’s first state lawsuit Wednesday to block President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban, said the executive order still discriminates against residents of Muslim-majority countries in spite of the watered-down language. Star-Advertiser.

A new technical report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration suggests that climate change-induced sea level rise over the course of this century, especially in Hawaii, may be far worse than predicted in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scenario that has been serving as a guide for a number of local efforts to address climate change impacts. Civil Beat.

Growth in out-of-state investment in Hawaii real estate is prompting the state to take a closer look at property tax rates. Tribune-Herald.

A bill seeking to ban foam containers was shelved this session, despite sizable public support. Star-Advertiser.

Catherine Ngo, president and chief executive officer of Central Pacific Bank, earned $1,051,039 last year, $45,071 less than she did in 2015, despite an increase in salary, according to the bank’s annual proxy statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday. Pacific Business News.

Hawaiian Airlines unveiled an Airbus A321neo full-flight simulator to train pilots ahead of the airline’s full incorporation of the fleet starting next year. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Two bills that would require most Oahu commercial buildings, condominiums and apartments to be inspected every five years moved out of a City Council committee Thursday, despite concerns raised by both a condo association group and the Department of Planning and Permitting. Star-Advertiser.

Building 800 affordable homes annually on Oahu is a goal Mayor Kirk Caldwell laid down last month. It is ambitious. And he said he has an aggressive strategy to get it done. But a close look at his plan suggests it will be tough to realize. Star-Advertiser.

The first phase of a 320-unit affordable rental apartment complex in east Kapolei could break ground at the end of this year or early next year, Michaels Development Co. officials say. Star-Advertiser.

As the University of Hawaii works to modernize buildings on the aging Manoa campus, officials want to move away from static learning and research spaces toward facilities that foster collaboration across fields. Star-Advertiser.

When Salem Partners first inquired about building a condominium-hotel tower across from the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu, little did the Los Angeles-based investment bank and wealth management firm know that several other towers would be joining its project along Kapiolani Boulevard. Pacific Business News.

The Hawaiian Humane Society this spring plans to start building Hawaii’s first high-volume spay-and-neuter clinic focused on “free-roaming” cats to reduce their numbers on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The Department of Land and Natural Resources has joined Hawaii County Prosecutor Mitch Roth in asking the state attorney general to investigate the ethics issues and allegations that continue to roil the waters at West Hawaii small boat harbors. West Hawaii Today.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has taken the first step toward starting a contested case hearing for the Thirty Meter Telescope’s sublease on Mauna Kea by seeking applicants for a hearing officer. But it remains unclear when or if the quasi-judicial hearing — the third so far — will be held. Tribune-Herald.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will soon begin work to determine the extent of munitions and explosives of concern remaining from military training and on more than 1,900 acres on Kohala Mountain’s flanks. West Hawaii Today.

Council Chairwoman Valerie Poindexter has called a meeting over runoff dispute between dairy, neighbors. West Hawaii Today.

Demolition by neglect: Fate of Naalehu Theater remains in limbo, even as it deteriorates. Tribune-Herald.

Work on the Hilo Bayfront Trails continues despite an unexpected setback in the grant cycle that caused organizers to shift priorities. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor Alan Arakawa’s proposed shutdown of the 87-year-old Waiehu Municipal Golf Course drew the ire of Maui golfers, who praised the course for its beauty and affordability. Maui News.

Golfers are criticizing a plan by Maui County’s mayor to shut down an 87-year-old municipal golf course. Associated Press.

A 285-acre business park is being proposed by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources on former sugar lands in Pulehunui. Maui News.

Maui County could see a small increase in its share of the hotel room tax and money for an agricultural park in South Maui, and there may be hope for 250 low-income residents who are looking at being priced out of their Lahaina apartments as the Legislature cleared a key deadline Thursday. Maui News.

Maui hotel room rates jumped 10 percent last week with other Islands experiencing similar gains compared to last year, according to the Hospitality Advisors LLC and STR weekly hotel report. Pacific Business News.

Undocumented immigrants on Maui are unsure of future. Given the changing policies, some worry they’ll get caught up in deportation fervor. Maui News.

Hawaii Gas is planning to build a new storage facility for propane tanks near Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary in Kahului, company officials said Tuesday. Maui News.

Kauai

Planning Commission to discuss General Plan Update. General Plan Update goes to Planning Commission Tuesday. Garden Island.

The state plans to once again take on the rats that have colonized Lehua Island. Details will be presented Tuesday at the Waimea Neighborhood Center. Garden Island.

The state wants to eradicate rats on a small island off Niihau to create a refuge for threatened and endangered seabirds as rising sea levels threaten low-lying atolls. Star-Advertiser.

A total of $50,000 is being offered for information about the killings of five Hawaiian monk seals, including the February death of a 15-year old female known as R4DP on Kauai. Garden Island.

The Hawaii Department of Health will reconvene public hearings statewide to introduce amendments to Chapter 50 of the state’s Food Safety Code. Garden Island.

Hawaiian Airlines starts direct service from Lihue to Kona. Garden Island.

Confidential patient records in Health Exchange limbo, construction booming, crystal meth still plagues state, three counties pass budgets, Oahu windmills killing endangered bats, Duke Aiona mulls 3 races, coral graveyard found in Pacific, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Construction crane looms over Honolulu © 2016 All Hawaii News

Honolulu was the nation’s third-fastest-growing construction job market during the past 12 months as employment in the local industry hit an April high, according to new analysis from the Associated General Contractors of America. Star-Advertiser.

A former Hawaii Health Connector contractor claims to be holding on to Hawaii state residents' personal health information in what appears to be a favor to the state government, which has failed for months to give the company direction on what to do with the sensitive data. Pacific Business News.

When it comes to financial health, Hawaii ranks 45th. Civil Beat.

Crystal Meth in Hawaii: Demand, Supply and Local Culture. Hawaii Public Radio.

On July 9, the Hawaii Education Summit will be held to discuss the benefits of the new Every Student Succeeds Act, according to a statement released by Gov. David Ige’s office. Civil Beat.

More than 300 people who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, primarily on Oahu, received assistance from a portion of the $900,000 in state funds that Aloha United Way distributed to 18 social service agencies in April in an effort to reduce the highest per capita homeless rate in the nation. Star-Advertiser.

Under the state’s policy, the Hawaii Department of Public Safety cannot decide where to place transgender inmates based only on their anatomy; it must make an individualized assessment that takes into account each inmate’s gender identity and personal concerns about safety. Civil Beat.

Former Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona Jr. pulled papers Wednesday for three different seats. KHON2.

Lei Ahu Isa is running to represent Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District. A former state legislator and current trustee with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Isa said she filed her papers Wednesday. Civil Beat.

The NFL said Wednesday its decision to move the Pro Bowl to Orlando, Florida, for the next three seasons is unrelated to funding, Aloha Stadium or Hawaii's ability to host the game. Associated Press.

Federal scientists reported what they’ve dubbed a “coral graveyard” off the coast of Jarvis Island in the Pacific Remote Island Marine National Monument on Wednesday, saying an emergency undersea expedition found 95 percent of the coral dead. Garden Island.

Oahu

The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday passed a $2.33 billion operating budget and $940 million capital improvements package for the fiscal year that starts July 1. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council approved a $2.3 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2017 Wednesday that includes millions of dollars for nonprofits and homelessness initiatives, and a separate rail budget that caps spending at a figure $1.3 billion short of what the federal government estimates the project may cost. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday approved operating and capital improvements budgets for the city’s troubled rail project, but in doing so slashed funding for the project’s staff and office space, and tightened the screws on construction money. Star-Advertiser.

Rail and disputed Kakaako roads on collision course. KITV4.

The number of endangered Hawaiian hoary bats killed by spinning wind turbines on an Oahu wind farm is on pace to far exceed U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service projections. Star-Advertiser.

A group of Kailua neighbors is up in arms after volunteers from two canoe clubs hacked away vegetation from a vacant lot on state land Monday, clearing the way for a canoe launch site along the Kawainui Canal, or Oneawa Channel. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. Inc. paid about $2.3 million for the historic Honolulu Advertiser building on Kapiolani Boulevard, which it plans to renovate and use as its headquarters. Pacific Business News.

Water problems at Lahainaluna High School have not been ignored. The Department of Education told KHON2 Wednesday that it wasn’t aware of them.

Hawaii

Mayor Billy Kenoi is adding 14 new positions to the county's $462.9 budget. But even that wasn’t enough for most County Council members, who on Wednesday added one more. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Council voted on Wednesday to approve a new budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Big Island Video News.

Lt. Col. Jacob Peterson relinquished command of Pohakuloa Training Area to Lt. Col. Christopher Marquez in a ceremony Wednesday morning at the Army installation’s theater. Tribune-Herald.

Contaminated soil has halted redevelopment of a Hilo public housing complex. The housing site has been empty for over 10 years. Associated Press.

The County Council’s Finance Committee will get a chance to weigh in on the future of Hakalau Point today as it considers a resolution authorizing the purchase of the nearly 9-acre property, a former home to the Hakalau Plantation Co. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County could soon have its first tenant at the Kapulena Agricultural Park since seeking farming leases in 2012. Tribune-Herald.

Eighteen months later, there is still no answer from the state Office of Information Practices on whether the Commission on Water Resource Management violated the Sunshine Law during Kona site visits in 2014. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

A Maui County Council committee deferred action Wednesday on a proposal that would restrict certain county employees' participation in political campaigns. Maui News.

The Hawaiʻi Ecotourism Association today announced the receipt of a $50,000 contract from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority to expand their Sustainable Tour Certification Program. Maui Now.

A coalition of social service agencies, Maui County, the Governor's Office and the Realtors Association of Maui is launching a program to encourage property owners and managers to make more housing available to those most in need of shelter. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kauai County Council unanimously finalized the $189 million fiscal year 2016-2017 operating budget Wednesday. Garden Island.

A 20-year-old boardwalk at Kauai’s Kokee State Park is getting replaced with recycled plastic as state officials aim to protect the area’s rare species and improve safety for the thousands of people who visit each year. Associated Press.

A flight plan for a Cessna 182H that crashed and burned last week, killing five people, was never filed, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board. Garden Island.

Leona Perez, Kauai Independent Food Bank’s programs manager, said school hasn’t been out for a week and they’ve already seen an increase in the number of families coming in for emergency food. Garden Island.

$11M preparing for tech bids lost, state seeks broadband help, construction to grow 9.4%, Hawaiian Electric catching up on PV applications, Kauai space launch delayed, Chinese tourists drive visitor stats, more government and politics news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Computer e-waste recycling, courtesy Damon Tucker

After the state spent more than $11 million developing a request for proposals for new computer technology to make government more efficient, the Ige administration is now scrapping the solicitation but promises the money has not been wasted. Star-Advertiser.

A panel of experts at the Hawaii Venture Capital Association luncheon on Thursday discussed the state’s need for broadband, which actions are needed to make it a reality and ways that higher bandwidth can be used. Pacific Business News.

Construction spending is forecast to rise 9.4 percent this year to $7.6 billion, the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization said. Star-Advertiser.

The construction industry isn’t growing as quickly as economists had expected. That’s according to a new report by the University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization. Despite a surge of activity on Oahu, the annual forecast says residential building permits actually fell last year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Visitor arrivals to Hawai‘i rose slightly last month, up a little more than 2% compared to a year earlier. Visitor spending fell by a little more than 4%. One group with higher numbers: the Chinese. Hawaii Public Radio.

A plan to allow tourists who are ripped off during their Hawaii vacations to testify against the suspects by way of videoconferencing was rejected by state lawmakers this week, and it appears the idea is dead for the year. Star-Advertiser.

The push to allow for medical marijuana dispensaries in Hawaii — some 15 years after state leaders permitted medical use of the drug — continues to advance through the Legislature, with key lawmakers in support saying they hope to give the state's nearly 13,000 medical pot patients access to such outlets by early 2016. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric Industries CEO Connie Lau made it clear during her closing speech Thursday at the Maui Energy Conference that the company will continue to pursue liquefied natural gas as a “bridge fuel.” Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Co. said Thursday it has approved all rooftop solar applications on Maui and Hawaii island waiting since at least October for the go-ahead. Star-Advertiser.

The Nominating Committee to the State Commission on Water Resource Management will meet Tuesday to review personnel applications and select nominees to fill one position on the State Commission on Water Resource Management. Hawaii Independent.

State taxpayers will pay $418,500 to settle three cases of wrongful terminations of public school employees. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Seeking public input, city aims to lock away prime Oahu farmland. More than 56,000 acres is eyed for inclusion on a map that puts limits on urban development. Star-Advertiser.

The state fears the little fire ant infestation in Waimanalo could get worse. That’s because a group of people have been going in and out of the area that’s infested with the ants. On Friday, the state attorney general’s office will file a temporary restraining order against the group, hoping a judge orders them off the property. KHON2.

City considers fencing Kapalama Canal to move out homeless. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

While the June 27 lava flow is not dead, the downgrading of the threat from Kilauea volcano Wednesday could provide the Federal Emergency Management Agency with a closing date for the disaster. If that occurs, FEMA spokeswoman Kelly Hudson said the agency would continue to process requests for disaster relief funds but could limit reimbursement to expenses that occurred before March 25. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Fire Department operations in West Hawaii are not being jeopardized by recent turmoil in the office that resulted in two battalion chiefs being put on paid leave, a top-ranking Fire Department official said this week. West Hawaii Today.

As the site preparation for the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope gets underway, the opposition to the $1.3 billion observatory has taken to Mauna Kea. Big Island Video News.

Several dozen demonstrators assembled Thursday along Mauna Kea Access Road, where organizers say protesters plan to camp out indefinitely in hopes of halting work atop Mauna Kea on what is expected to be the world's largest telescope. Star-Advertiser.

As cars tear up and down residential streets and along roadways in Kona, those who live closest to the lead-footed driving are increasingly calling on the county to erect speed humps to rein drivers in. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The state is threatening to seize several private boats in Lahaina over a lease dispute. Hawaii News Now.

Having Maui County glean 100 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy sources has long been a vision for Mayor Alan Arakawa, but achieving that goal will take time and technological advances, utility officials said Wednesday. Maui News.

Maui County plans to replace its streetlights with more efficient LED lighting, following other counties in Hawaii, including Honolulu and Kauai. Pacific Business News.

Maui County is Hawaii's healthiest county with its active residents and many opportunities for exercise, according to a study released Wednesday by a national health foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. Maui News.

Kauai

The University of Hawaii's first space launch has been delayed three times since 2013, with liftoff of the low-cost, small-satellite delivery system pushed back from January to the fall due to technology and timing issues, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Traffic congestion. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz wants to hit it head on, not only for Hawaii’s sake, but all other states that are faced with similar challenges. Garden Island.

Kauai District Engineer Ray McCormick of the Hawaii Department of Transportation will be the featured speaker at the Wailua-Kapaa Neighborhood Association’s meeting at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Kapaa Library. The talk is free and open to the public. Garden Island.

National parks visitors bring in bucks, marijuana decriminalization bill dies, building boom causes construction crane shortage, Kaui council passes dog barking bill, workaround averts silent tsunami sirens, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (c) 2014 All Hawaii News

More than 5 million visitors to national parks in Hawaii spent more than $314 million and supported 3,723 jobs in the state in 2012, the National Park Service said in a new report. Released Monday, the report showed that national park tourism returned $10 for every $1 invested in the park service. Star-Advertiser.

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 5.1 million visitors to national parks in Hawai`i spent more than $314 million and supported 3,723 jobs in the state in 2012. Hawaii Reporter.

Last October was a tough time for visitors and locals who enjoy Hawaii’s national parks. They were closed during the 16-day government shutdown. A new report by the National Park Service estimates a nationwide loss of $414 million and 8 million fewer visitors. Hawaii Public Radio.

Find the full Hawaii National Parks report here.

What Bills Are Still Alive at the Halfway Point of Hawaii's Legislature? Hawaii lawmakers are expected to approve hundreds of bills this week ahead of Thursday's "crossover" deadline when House and Senate bills receive a final vote on whether they should pass from one chamber to the other for consideration. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers plan a fast-paced session of final votes as a major legislative deadline approaches. The House and Senate must pass most bills by the end of Tuesday to send them to the other chamber. Those that miss the crossover deadline can't become laws. Associated Press.

Juvenile offenders in Hawaii could no longer be sentenced to life without parole under a bill scheduled for a vote by state lawmakers. The bill up for a vote in the House on Tuesday would guarantee the possibility of parole to prisoners who commit first degree murder or first degree attempted murder before they turned 18. Associated Press.

A bill that would have made possession of an ounce of marijuana or less a civil rather than criminal offense is dead for the session. Big Island Now.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Monday released $96.6 million that will go toward improving Hawaii’s airports, including $50 million for the reconstruction of a taxiway and $35.7 million for a new commuter terminal east of the Diamond Head concourse at Honolulu International Airport. Pacific Business News.

Patent reform legislation that is backed by the Obama Administration and a coalition of Hawaii hotels and restaurants could hurt individual inventors and stymie innovation at the University of Hawaii, local patent lawyers say. The Innovation Act, which is up for consideration in the U.S. Senate just two years after the last major patent reform passed in Congress, is aimed at eradicating so-called patent trolls. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Co. has recently sent out new rules to solar photovoltaic contractors to address safety and reliability concerns on circuits with high amounts of PV, including increasing circuit penetration levels, which could speed up the slowing industry. Pacific Business News.

About one out of every four households in Hawaii don’t speak English at home, according to statistics from Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Civil Beat.

State roundup for March 4. Associated Press.

Oahu

International Market Place has stood in the heart of Waikiki for 57 years, but Tuesday it will start to disappear as demolition work begins to clear the way for a new $350 million open-air shopping mall. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell summed up what the International Marketplace means to the community as "there's no more critical place for our visitors, and when it is redone, it's going to revitalize the heart of Waikiki". Governor Neil Abercrombie, also in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony, pointed to the economic impact. Hawaii News Now.

The USS Arizona Memorial has been selected as a design on a new Priority Mail Express stamp to be issued March 13, the U.S. Postal Service announced Monday. Star-Advertiser.

The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command plans to move into a new $82 million headquarters and lab being built at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam — as the Pentagon and Congress look at restructuring the command and the possibility of moving it to the mainland. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii News Now has learned that the University of Hawaii Medical School disposes of hundreds of pounds of dead research mice each year into the city's sewers -- after cooking them and breaking them down into a soupy liquid.

Construction crews are getting ready to build one of the most challenging parts of Honolulu’s rail project over the H-1 Freeway near the Waipahu exit. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation released a rendering of the area with pillars as high as 35 feet on the freeway, taller than the ones being built in Kapolei. KHON2.

Stakeholders, supporters and opponents of a second 350-foot condominium-hotel tower on Kuhio Avenue are being asked to attend an open, informal meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday hosted by City Council Zoning Chairman Ikaika Anderson in the City Council's second-floor committee room at Honolulu Hale. Star-Advertiser.

So far this year, at least 10 of the mostly yellow tower construction cranes are busy building everything from a Walgreens store to high-rise condominiums in Honolulu. And at least eight more are expected to rise by the end of the year as part of a condo development boom in Kaka­ako. The demand is using up the local supply of 18 cranes and forcing the state's largest crane supplier, Morrow Equipment Co., to ship in more from the mainland. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A new report from the National Parks Service estimates its four parks here generated about $153 million in visitor spending in 2012. The parks — Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Puuhonoua O Honaunau National Historical Park and Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site — also recorded about 2.2 million visits annually. West Hawaii Today.

Using a little ingenuity, workers with Hawaii County Civil Defense and Hawaii Police Department managed to avoid a technical problem that might have resulted in the failure of multiple tsunami sirens during Monday’s monthly test. Tribune-Herald.

The historic Koehnen Building in downtown Hilo will soon open its doors for the grand reopening of the Mokupapapa Discovery Center. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Haleakalā National Park on Maui attracted 1,094,668 visitors in 2012, generating $64.4 million in spending, and supporting 736 jobs, according to information compiled in a new economic report released by the National Park Service. Maui Now.

Almost 1.1 million people visited Haleakala National Park in 2012, 14.3 percent more people than the previous year, according to a National Park Service report. Maui News.

Maui County is proposing to drill an exploratory groundwater well in West Maui that officials hope will provide a potential new water source to meet future demand. Maui News.

The Maui County Department of Housing and Human Concerns submitted a draft environmental assessment last month for a 64-unit, multifamily affordable housing project next to the Kulamalu Shopping Center in Pukalani. Maui News.

Kauai
The Kauai County Council passed a bill to assist pet owners whose dogs bark excessively, but also penalize those whose dogs become a continual nuisance. The council passed the bill 5-1 last week after it took up the topic in December saying something needed to be done on the noisy issue. Garden Island.

Waimea resident Arthur Brun has filed to run for a County Council seat in this year’s election. He becomes the third person to declare a candidacy for the seven-member governing body. Garden Island.

Abercrombie pushes pre-K plan, state seeks taxes on online travel companies, Kauai beach among nation's most secret nude beaches, Honolulu school accused of breaking into Department of Education computers, Michelle Obama's visit disrupts Maui neighbors, county tax assessors evaluating own properties, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii preschoolers (c) 2014 All Hawaii News

Gov. Neil Abercrombie says he's confident lawmakers will back his administration's plan to fund public pre-kindergarten classes in the coming school year -- an important first step toward launching a comprehensive early childhood learning system that could eventually include partnering with private preschool providers to serve all of the state's 4-year-olds. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie says revised projections showing slower tax growth than originally anticipated are OK for his budget plans for the next fiscal year. Abercrombie said Wednesday that a supplemental budget submitted to the Legislature can accommodate revenue fluctuations and even slight declines. Associated Press.

Hawaii is facing serious threats from new alien species, state Health Department officials warned lawmakers Wednesday, saying more financial support and coordinated focus is necessary to stem an invasion of harmful insects capable of causing billions in economic losses. Star-Advertiser.

More than half of Hawaii’s uninsured are eligible for Medicaid, thanks to the state’s decision to expand the program under the Affordable Care Act. That’s according to a new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Hawaii Public Radio.

After slapping the nation's largest online tour companies with a $750 million bill for back taxes, the state says the companies owe another $40 million. State Tax Court filings indicate that Priceline.com, Expedia and eight other Internet travel providers booked tens of millions of dollars in rental car business but paid no taxes on them. Hawaii News Now.

The US Navy has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment seeking approval to relocate a drone squadron from California to Hawaiʻi. The Marine Unmanned Aerial Squadron Three is currently stationed at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, California. Maui Now.

Oahu

Gov. Neil Abercrombie said Wednesday that his administration is committed to reaching a land preservation agreement with Turtle Bay Resort this year. The governor has asked state lawmakers for $40 million in general obligation bond money for a conservation easement that would be used to protect 610 acres near Kawela Bay and Kahuku Point from development. Star-Advertiser.

As the University of Hawaii begins tackling its $487 million repair and maintenance backlog, officials are bracing themselves for the surge in construction work at UH Manoa and what that means for students and faculty who will have to contend with significantly less classroom and office space on a campus that’s already bursting at the seams. Civil Beat.

The state attorney general said in court documents that the principal, elementary school vice principal and school secretary at Myron B. Thompson Academy likely accessed the state Department of Education's computer system to change employee attendance records to match false changes they made to the school's paper records. Star-Advertiser.

Attorneys for the city will continue to offer advice on ethics policies to city officials and employees despite concerns that doing so encroaches on the role of the Ethics Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Finding the City's Flow: Why Honolulu's Traffic Goes Against the Grain. Civil Beat.

2 tenants fret 2 different outcomes of potential sale of city rental units. One resident might have to move if the deal is completed, and the other fears her unit will not be improved if the deal collapses. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii agency in charge of overseeing the redevelopment of Kakaako on Wednesday approved another condominium project — 803 Waimanu St. — for Oahu’s so called Third City. Pacific Business News.

It took two redesigns and reducing the building's height by 20 stories, but developer Franco Mola finally got the OK from a state agency to put up a condominium at 803 Waimanu St. in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

Monday’s agreement by city officials and representatives of Honolulu Affordable Housing Partners LLC to continue negotiations on a $142 million sale of the lease interest in 12 city affordable complexes was contingent on the city’s willingness to discuss the possibility of “seller financing” to help the buyers. City officials on Wednesday said they are considering the possibility of allowing the group to hold off paying on a portion of the sale price to the city, and emphasized they are not looking at lending the buyer any money, or allowing the partners to leverage the city’s credit to gain financing. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The county Finance Department violated the ethics code when it allowed staff appraisers to set the tax value of their own property, the Board of Ethics said Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

The Big Isle’s construction industry is back in business. “Things are picking up for sure,” Brian Ninomoto, president of the Hawaii Island Contractors Association, said. Tribune-Herald.

(c) 2014 All Hawaii News

East Hawaii’s tourism industry could feel a slight pinch with the Port of Hilo reporting a decrease in the number of visits scheduled by passenger cruise ships in the coming year. Tribune-Herald.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is looking to impose the maximum civil fine of $2,500 against a Captain Cook man for allegedly conducting illegal commercial activity at Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park. Officers with the DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement went undercover in November to investigate unpermitted rentals of kayaks and other equipment at the popular bay known for its calm waters and teeming marine life. Big Island Now.

A Kona Bay Estates resident is looking to construct a new swimming pool on his property, just makai of a wall determined to be the shoreline. West Hawaii Today.

Maui
Much like President Barack Obama's annual two-week stay on the shores of Kailua Bay, first lady Michelle Obama's detour to Maui is causing disruption and a bit of annoyance in the neighborhood surrounding pal Oprah Winfrey's Kula estate. Star-Advertiser.

If rumors are true that the first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, is on Maui, the security around Oprah Winfrey’s Upcountry Maui estate is compelling evidence, as is the national attention via various media outlets. Maui Now.

With ownership of Haleakala Trail still disputed, the state and Haleakala Ranch are hoping to resolve the matter with an out-of-court settlement that would allow the ranch to keep the trail private in exchange for open public access to the Na Kula area on the south slope of the dormant volcano, which for years has been accessible only by helicopter. Maui News.

Department of Land and Natural Resources officers said 43-year old Matt Kinoshita, of Haiku, owner of Kazuma Surfboards, was paddle surfing about 75 yards off Ukumehame in 5 feet of water about 2 p.m. "when he saw the shark approaching him from the side with its mouth open." Star-Advertiser.

Matt Kinoshita, a surfer and firefighter on the Valley Isle, says he faced an eight-foot tiger shark at about 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon while standup paddling off Ukumehame in West Maui. Hawaii News Now.

A Maui playwright and author says he has found 116 instances of "striking similarity" between a screenplay he created more than two decades ago and the "Matrix" science fiction action films, as his $300 million federal copyright infringement lawsuit continues against Warner Bros. film studio and the team that produced the films. Maui News.

Kauai

A Kauai County Council committee approved a bill Wednesday designed to bolster transparency by requiring lobbyists to register with the county and disclose financial and employment information publicly. The unanimous vote by all seven council members, who make up the Committee of the Whole, sends the bill to the County Council Jan. 16, as a procedural measure, for final consideration and public input. Garden Island.

Drone testing at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai is not a certainty even though the base is exploring the possibility with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, U.S. Navy officials in Hawaii said. Associated Press.

The public is invited to attend a meeting and provide input on a feasibility study regarding the potential access routes to the proposed landfill and resource recovery park on Maalo Road. Garden Island.

Kauapea Beach in Kilauea, Kauai, has made the list of The 5 Most Secret Nude Beaches In America. Excerpt: When else are you going to swim naked in a lava pool? “Secret Beach,” as the locals call it, is a long, golden strip of sand with views of both Kilauea Lighthouse and many a nude Hawaiian. There’s even a waterfall near the end if you’re feeling especially unclothed and adventurous. Civil Beat.

The CEO and president of Hawaiian Holdings, the parent of Hawaiian Airlines, says it operates on a thin profit margin — try a single family of four on a trans-Pacific flight. “Our margins are very, very tight,” he said Wednesday before about 100 people at the Kauai Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Courtyard Marriott Kauai. Garden Island.

HuffPost coming to Hawaii, Construction to drive economy, Maui council advances $559M budget, Kauai council passes $209M budget, Native Hawaiians fight easing of development laws, Honolulu police short of ammunition, more news from all the Hawaian Islands

 The Huffington Post and Honolulu Civil Beat today announced a partnership to create HuffPost Hawaii, a site that will bring together the resources of The Huffington Post and CivilBeat.com.

The state Council on Revenues on Tuesday left the growth forecast for this fiscal year unchanged but increased the projection for next fiscal year because of an expected improvement in the construction industry. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Council on Revenues on Tuesday left the forecast for the state’s economic growth unchanged at 6.7 percent for the fiscal year that ends June 30, but raised the forecasts for the next two years. Pacific Business News.

Big construction projects in Hawaii like the Honolulu rail project could have an easier time moving forward under a new law signed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Abercrombie signed a bill last week to allow the State Historic Preservation Division to approve state projects in phases rather than all at once, depending on circumstances. Associated Press.

Lawmakers say a new Hawaii law could help the state develop commercial harbors faster and more efficiently. Associated Press.

After racking up a $16 billion tab and alarming creditors, Hawaii is finally getting serious about fundamentally transforming the way it finances the post-employment benefits of thousands of public workers. But county leaders argue that the new legislation will tie their hands in budget decisions and will likely lead to higher property taxes. Civil Beat.

Native Hawaiian activists said Tuesday they will ask the state Legislature next year to repeal a new law that allows for the phased review of the impact of development projects on historic preservation. Star-Advertiser.

Led by Walter Ritte, a group of Native Hawaiian activists are demanding the repeal of a new law they claim weakens Hawaii’s legal apparatus to protect historic properties, which includes native Hawaiian burials. KITV4.

A Honolulu telecom company that has enjoyed exclusive rights to provide phone and Internet services to residents on Hawaiian Home Lands is under fire by the Federal Communications Commission for questionable business practices. Civil Beat.

President Barack Obama dug deep into his Hawaii roots and invoked the memory of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye as he pushed his immigration reform proposal Tuesday evening at a White House event marking Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Star-Advertiser.

UH president sheds light on governor's interference. Star-Advertiser.

Senate President Donna Mercado Kim has been under fire in recent weeks after University of Hawaii President MRC Greenwood acknowledged during an exclusive May 20, 2013, television interview on Hawaii News Now that Kim called her last spring to check on the status of her son’s application to the University of Hawaii law school. Hawaii Reporter.

Oahu
A nationwide ammunition shortage is having an impact on the training of Honolulu Police officers. Some firearm training is being scaled back at HPD and the department is having to plan ahead so they don’t run out of bullets. KHON2.

Online petitions are seeking to remove or retain Kapaa Middle School Principal Nathan Aiwohi, who was placed on paid leave last month while the Department of Education investigates complaints against him. Star-Advertiser.

An open-air lounge and tapas bar featuring unobstructed views of Diamond Head Crater and Waikiki Beach will debut next spring on the 19th floor of the Waikiki Business Plaza. Star-Advertiser.

The owner of the former Gold Bond Building in Kakaako said Tuesday the company will spend $14 million to renovate the 12-story building on Ala Moana Boulevard, including adding a new facade. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii is continuing to pay $1 million a year in rent for office space that's nearly one third empty just two blocks away from its new Cancer Center, which is about 25 percent unfilled. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

A proposal to raise parks fees — in some cases doubling the rates — drew a tepid community response in hearings on both sides of the island Tuesday evening. West Hawaii Today.

A hurdle to residential development in downtown Hilo would be removed under a proposal before the Windward Planning Commission next week.Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Community College at Palamanui reached another long-awaited milestone Tuesday as officials broke ground for the long-promised institution of higher education in North Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie praised former County Council Chairman Pete Hoffmann Tuesday for the Waikoloa resident’s dedication to the island and to community service. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The Maui County Council unanimously passed the $559 million fiscal year 2014 budget on first reading today. Maui Now.

Parking at the Haleakala Visitor Center will be drastically reduced through June 6 as construction to improve park accessibility continues, according to a National Park Service announcement. Maui News.

In the ongoing battle against thousands of acres infested with Madagascan fireweed, Maui ranchers will be able to pick up buckets of moth larvae to feast on the problem this summer, said officials from University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Maui News.

Kauai
The Kauai County Council on Wednesday approved Kauai’s $209 million budget for fiscal year 2014. Garden Island.

The leader of the Atooi nation resolved two cases involving rocks from Hawaiian Homeland and obstruction during Hawaii Superferry protests in 2007. Garden Island.

According to the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, visitor arrivals in 2013 will see the largest gains on the neighbor islands as Oahu fills up and international arrivals continue to grow. Garden Island.

Schatz-Hanabusa contest tight, smokers to be ejected from public housing, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands scrutinized, state to keep chunk of transit tax, Inouye's legacy continues, Abercrombie stumps on islands, preschool plan falters, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Brian Schatz, Colleen Hanabusa vie for U.S. Senate seat

Though myriad factors will come into play in Hawaii Rep. Colleen Hanabusa’s campaign against Sen. Brian Schatz, from Hawaii’s demographics to fundraising, much of the campaign will hinge on what happens in the halls of Congress over the next several months. Civil Beat.

Governor's legislative defeat puts tots in educational bind. The state's intent was to phase out junior kindergarten — launched in 2006 for late-born 4-year-olds — while rolling out a plan for publicly funded universal preschool. Hawaii is one of 11 states without state-funded preschool. Star-Advertiser.

Dozens of tenants are leasing more than 38,000 acres of mostly undeveloped land from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for as little as pennies per acre monthly, with the deals administered through a revocable-permit program plagued by lax oversight and selective enforcement, a Star-Advertiser investigation has found.

For several years, Robin Danner has been a persistent critic of top administrators at the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Star-Advertiser.

Although the state Legislature is a part-time institution, most lawmakers will say their work does not end when the gavel comes down on closing day. Star-Advertiser.

The Legislature this week approved a record-setting $24 billion biennium budget that includes funding for operations and capital improvement projects for fiscal years 2014 and 2015. Hawaii Reporter.

Tenants caught smoking three times or more in apartments or common areas at any of the state's 85 public housing properties could be evicted under a tough new smoking ban effective this month. Star-Advertiser.

Reason TV sat down with Ken Schoolland, professor of economics at Hawaii Pacific University  to talk about the Jones Act, federal legislation that restricts foreign-flagged ships from engaging in commerce in domestic shipping lanes. Hawaii Reporter.
 
Oahu

A measure that would have reduced how much money the state pockets in exchange for collecting the tax used to fund Hono­lulu's rail project died in this year's legislative session. Star-Advertiser.

According to the disclosure forms filed with Congress, in 2010 lobbyists — many of them defense firms seeking defense contracts — reported making $449,000 "honoree donations" to the Pacific Aviation Museum, all in honor of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii. Civil Beat.

There are mystery men — or women — inside Honolulu Hale. And by not telling us who they are Mayor Kirk Caldwell is violating a state law that requires disclosure of the names of government employees.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii can expect to see its very first Olive Garden restaurant on Oahu at the 1.4-million square-foot, $500 million Ka Makana Alii mixed-use regional shopping center in Kapolei, according to the head of DeBartolo Development. Pacific Business News.

It's the final chapter for east O'ahu's biggest bookstore -- the Barnes & Noble Booksellers at Kahala Mall will soon be closing. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

Hawaii County is emerging from five years of economic doldrums that saw construction projects plummet, with contractors, consultants and labor unions now looking forward to a slower, more sustainable rise in development. West Hawaii Today.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie was in Hilo Sunday on part of a three-day Neighbor Island tour to announce he’s running for reelection in 2014. Tribune-Herald.

Funding for the Kona Judiciary Complex and the Hawaii Community College at Palamanui top two West Hawaii legislators’ lists of capital improvement project successes this session. West Hawaii Today.

Festival celebrates Ka'u coffee's growing stature. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa said Friday that the difference between his $574 million budget proposal and County Council Budget Committee Chairman Mike White's $551 million basically status-quo plan is a long-term versus a short-term view of the needs of Maui County. Maui News.

The Legislature passed a bill directing state officials to pursue buying a scenic stretch of coastal land from Maui Land & Pineapple Co. to protect the area from possible development and shore up company pension obligations. But the bill was passed without a budget appropriation, making acquisition questionable. Star-Advertiser.

Eddie Would Go documentary set to open Maui’s film festival. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kauai Visitors Bureau is presenting an event at a San Diego mall next weekend to promote tourism to the Garden Island just a few weeks ahead of Alaska Airlines’ launch of its nonstop service between San Diego and Lihue. Pacific Business News.

Reports that airlines are scaling back flights to Hawai‘i this summer have alarmed some who fear it will hurt tourism, but others say it’s cyclical and does not present a serious concern. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i Therapy & Wellness and In Home Services opened a new site Wednesday during a Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting ceremony. Garden Island.

Molokai

Stacy Helm Crivello joined Maui County Council as the Molokai representative in January. A few months into her new role, Crivello answered questions from the Dispatch about serving as a county councilmember. Molokai Dispatch.