Showing posts with label education tax. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education tax. Show all posts

Thursday, January 30, 2020

First light: Maui Haleakala telescope captures closeup of the sun, plus Oahu voters to decide prosecutor term limits, TMT protest nonprofit must release records, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands


 The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope has produced the highest resolution observations of the Sun’s surface ever taken. In this movie, taken at a wavelength of 705nm over a period of 10 minutes, we can see features as small as 30km (18 miles) in size for the first time ever. The movie shows the turbulent, “boiling” gas that covers the entire sun. The cell-like structures – each about the size of Texas – are the signature of violent motions that transport heat from the inside of the sun to its surface. Hot solar material (plasma) rises in the bright centers of “cells,” cools off and then sinks below the surface in dark lanes in a process known as convection. In these dark lanes we can also see the tiny, bright markers of magnetic fields. Never before seen to this clarity, these bright specks are thought to channel energy up into the outer layers of the solar atmosphere called the corona. These bright spots may be at the core of why the solar corona is more than a million degrees. National Science Foundation.

Solar telescope atop Haleakala captures first detailed images of sun’s surface. The National Science Foundation has released the first, close-up images of the sun’s surface from its Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, which fittingly sits atop the summit of Haleakala – the house of the sun — on Maui. Star-Advertiser.

First-Of-Their-Kind Images of The Sun From New Haleakala Telescope. Never-before-seen images of the Sun were released today, revealing cell-like structures the size of Texas roiling on its surface. These are the very first images observed by the National Science Foundation’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) atop Haleakala on Maui. Maui Now.

UH astronomers capture stunning images of the sun’s surface. From the House of The Sun, on Maui comes the most detailed look at the sun to date. Images captured by scientists at the Daniel K. Inouye Telescope on Haleakala provided a stunning view of the sun. Hawaii News Now.

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Annual visitor arrivals to Hawaii exceed 10 million for the first time. Visitors to Hawaii went over the 10 million benchmark, but spending growth in 2019 didn’t keep up with the pace of arrivals growth, according to statistics released today by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii housing demand high, supply still low. Hawaii needs 50,156 new homes — for sale and rent — over the next five years to meet demand, but only a small fraction of that number likely will be built. Star-Advertiser.

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No sign yet of coronavirus in Hawaii but officials are on alert. Hawaii has no cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus so far and officials say the risk of infection here is very low. Star-Advertiser.

DOH: Coronavirus Risk In Hawaii Still Low. At a press conference Wednesday, state officials said no cases of the novel coronavirus have been documented in our islands. Civil Beat.

No Cases of Coronavirus Confirmed in Hawai‘i. State officials reassured the public that risk to the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is low and, no cases have been confirmed up to this point. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Officials Say Don't Travel To China, Get A Flu Shot As Coronavirus Spreads. There is still no reported case of novel coronavirus in the state and screenings of arriving visitors have begun at the Honolulu international airport, the Hawaii Department of Health confirmed at a Wednesday press conference. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i Health Department Prepares for 2019 Novel Coronavirus: Advising Against Travel to China. “Although the risk to the general public is low,” officials with the Hawai‘i Department of Health say they are working with state, county and federal partners to “actively prepare for possible cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).” Maui Now.

State Health Officials urge people not to travel to China amid growing concerns with coronavirus. There are now more than 7,000 confirmed cases worldwide but a majority of them are in China. More than 170 people have died. KITV4.

Rating Agency: Coronavirus Could Hurt Hawaii Tourism. Moody’s says impact will be limited is virus if contained within a few months. Civil Beat.

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Governor Calls For More Renewable Energy Development, Including Hydropower, Offshore Wind. Hawaii’s chief executive says, under current industry estimates, there is not enough land to cover the state’s energy needs solely using photovoltaic solar. But he sees promise in other options for the state to reach 100 percent renewable energy. Hawaii Public Radio.

New proposal to ban tour bus and tour helicopter operations on Sunday. Tourism is the biggest industry here in Hawaii. However, a new bill created by Senator Laura Thielen could put limits to it. KHON2.

Lawmakers seek to boost minimum wage. Lawmakers have once again proposed an increase to the state’s minimum wage this year, after a similar proposal died in committee last year. Tribune-Herald.
New mental illness bill aims to tackle involuntary hospitalization. A new bill hoping to tackle Hawaii’s mental health problems is scheduled to be heard next week, but enforcement and rights of citizens could pose roadblocks to change. KHON2.

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Proposal Could Hand New Property Tax Authority To School Board For Teacher Salaries. A proposed Hawaii constitutional amendment would give the state Board of Education power to impose taxes on real property to pay for teacher salaries. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposal would give BOE taxing authority. Proposed legislation introduced by state House Speaker Scott Saiki would allow residents to vote on an amendment to Hawaii’s constitution that would give the state Board of Education “concurrent real property tax authority” to help fund teacher compensation. Tribune-Herald.

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Philippines-based church with ties to Hawaii involved in immigration, fundraising fraud, FBI says. The FBI arrested three administrators of a Philippines-based church in California and Virginia today in connection with a years-long alleged fundraising scheme that stretched across the Pacific to Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

A church with offices in Hawaii is accused by the feds of running a massive immigration fraud scheme. According to officials, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the Name Above Every Name Church would bring in workers from the Philippines claiming that they’re helping with church activities. KHON2.

Federal authorities raid Filipino mega-church as part of massive investigation. Federal authorities raided several churches and homes in Hawaii and on the mainland Wednesday connected to controversial Filipino evangelist Apollo Quiboloy as part of a massive human trafficking and immigration fraud investigation. Hawaii News Now.

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Former high-ranking union leader sentenced to 30 months in prison. The former head of the powerful Longshoremen’s union was sentenced Wednesday to two and half years in prison for identity theft. Hawaii News Now.

Former union official sentenced 30 months for identity theft, failure to file tax returns. A former union official was sentenced to 30 months in prison for identity theft and failure to file tax returns. KHON2.

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Helicopter Fishing For Ghost Nets In Hawaii. Nonprofits have banded together to explore a new way of removing abandoned fishing gear before it damages reefs or ensnares whales, dolphins, seals and turtles. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Voters Will Decide On Two-Term Limit For Prosecutor. The Honolulu prosecutor currently has no term limit. Civil Beat.

Voters to decide on term limits for city prosecutor amid scandal. Keith Kaneshiro is in his fifth term as city prosecutor. The public corruption scandal surrounding his office has led to a resolution that would limit future prosecutors to two consecutive four-year terms, the same term limit as the mayor and councilmembers. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu prosecutor candidates tout need for reform. At a debate Tuesday night, five candidates for Honolulu prosecuting attorney all agreed about the need to restore trust and accountability in the prosecutor’s office after its recent troubles but also carved out their own visions for tackling the job. Star-Advertiser.

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Homeless Man Forced To Lick Urinal By Police Files Civil Lawsuit. Two officers pleaded guilty in the case last year and are now being sued. Civil Beat.

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Honolulu councilwoman urges to increase gender equality in surf contests. Resolution 2012 urges officials to adopt new rules relating to city and state permits issued to surfing contest promoters to allow the same amount of women and men to take part in surfing events held on Oahu’s North Shore. KHON2.

Honolulu City Council passes gender equity surfing Resolution 20-12. The Honolulu City council approved a resolution this afternoon designed to change the landscape of the competitive surfing industry. KITV4.

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State proposes $35M highway realignment plan to ease Laniakea gridlock. After years of gridlock, state transportation officials say they finally have the money to fix the North Shore traffic problem caused by visitors trying to catch a glimpse of turtles. Hawaii News Now.

Council OK’s shorter hold times for stray pets. A bill allowing the Hawaiian Humane Society to shorten the length of time it must keep a microchipped cat or dog to five days from nine days before deciding whether to euthanize it won final approval from the City Council Wednesday despite lingering protests from advocates of a no-kill policy. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island


Judge appears willing to allow subpoena of anti-TMT group’s financial records. A Circuit Court judge today said he was inclined to allow the state Attorney General’s office to subpoena financial records of a non-profit group devoted to Hawaiian issues, including raising funds to provide bail and other support for people opposed to the planned Thirty Meter Telescope atop Mauna Kea. Star-Advertiser.

Judge: Attorney General Can Get Bank Records Of Mauna Kea Protest Group. A state judge has said he’s inclined to limit the scope of a subpoena filed against an activist organization leading protests of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Civil Beat.

Ethics Board to take on Maunakea road block. The fences blocking Maunakea Access Road came down more than a month ago. But the debate over whether the government applied the law discriminately by not removing protesters and reopening the road is as robust as ever. West Hawaii Today.

34% hike questioned. The air was polite, but testimony before the state Public Utilities Commission Tuesday night in Hilo was overwhelmingly opposed to Young Brothers’ request to raise interisland ocean freight rates by 34%. Tribune-Herald.

24 Big Island officers either fired or suspended in 2019. There were 12 police officers fired and 12 others suspended in 2019 on Hawaii island, according to a recent report by the Hawaii Police Department. Star-Advertiser.

Charter school focuses on future after inundation, alleged embezzlement. The founder and director of Kua O Ka La Public Charter School said Wednesday the school’s administration and governing board can’t comment on a federal embezzlement complaint against the school’s former financial officer “as it is still pending court action". Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Visitor Spending, Arrivals on Maui up in 2019, Report Finds. Visitors on Maui spent a total of $5.12 billion in 2019, a 3 percent rise from the year before, the Hawai’i Tourism Authority reported today. Maui Now.

County in top 3 worldwide for revenue, rates, occupancy in 2019. Maui County hotels ranked in the top three in “sun and sea destinations” worldwide in revenue per available room, average daily room rates and occupancy in 2019, the Hawaii Tourism Authority reported Thursday. Maui News.

Groups intervene on resort expansion. Grand Wailea’s plans on pause while groups, hotel turn to mediation. Maui News.

Kauai

Pesticide-free parks may be county goal. The nonprofit organization Beyond Pesticides got the green light Wednesday from the Kauai County Council to partner with the county Department of Parks &Recreation on a project to train staff on alternative pest-management strategies. Garden Island.

County backs Hawaiian homesteaders. The County Council on Wednesday passed unanimously a resolution to urge the state Legislature to fix defects in laws that govern the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands that have led to stubbornly high mortgage delinquency and foreclosure rates among Native Hawaiians living on DHHL lands. Garden Island.

Crosswalks, no-parking updates discussed at council. Roads and recycling were up for discussion at the Wednesday Kauai County Council meeting. Garden Island.

Friday, February 15, 2019

New school tax floated, feds subpoena Honolulu rail documents, Kaneshiro impeachment postponed, Kauai seeks curbside recycling, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy Governor's Office
Gov. David Ige with schoolchildren, courtesy photo
The state Education Department and teachers are now backing another controversial idea to raise money for public schools. A new proposal being considered by lawmakers would raise the statewide general excise tax (the tax consumers pay on just about everything in the islands) half a percent — from 4 percent to 4.5 percent. Hawaii News Now.

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Federal grand jury subpoenas rail authority documents as part of criminal investigation. Hawaii News Now.

Federal subpoena could affect rail funding. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation confirmed Thursday it was served with a sweeping federal subpoena this week seeking construction documents and a variety of other records in connection with the $9.2 billion project. Star-Advertiser.

The agency overseeing Honolulu rail has been subpoenaed by federal authorities to provide documents related to the transit project’s construction. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation received a federal subpoena for project documents this week, the agency said today. Hawaii Public Radio.

Feds slap subpoena on Honolulu rail authority. KHON2.

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A bill that would have abolished aquarium fishing in Hawaii cleared its first committee Wednesday, but not before its purpose was significantly amended. West Hawaii Today.

Overdue Report Holds Up Hawaii Plan To Prevent Gender Discrimination. The Legislature approved creating a state version of the federal Title IX law, but its January 2020 implementation will be delayed. Civil Beat.

A Hawaii gun rights group is planning to file an ethics complaint after its members discovered nearly 700 pieces of testimony emailed to a Senate committee were missing from the Legislature’s records. Hawaii News Now.

Costco considers farming in Hawaii. State officials say Costco has a serious interest in growing its own products right here. KHON2.

Oahu

A decision on whether Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro should be impeached has been put off for at least one more month — and likely longer. Star-Advertiser.

A community effort to impeach Honolulu City Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro is scheduled to be heard in court next month. Hawaii Public Radio.

A Honolulu businessman is gathering signatures from voters in his quest to impeach the city’s prosecuting attorney. Associated Press.

Kaneshiro's attorney questions validity of impeachment petition. KHON2.

Kaneshiro impeachment case in Dist. Court; Yoshimura and attorney look to gather more petition signatures. KITV.

Police Commission Chair Says Kaneshiro Should Step Down. Hawaii Public Radio.

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A bill that would prohibit people with three or more Waikiki-related misdemeanors away from the area is likely dead this session. Civil Beat.

The water off Waikiki might appear red Friday, but it will be intentional. The city said it will be conducting red dye testing in the Waikiki area, specifically near the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Hawaii News Now.

A bill would allow a new stadium to be built on the lower parking lot of Aloha Stadium. KITV.

Saint Francis School in Manoa will shut down completely after graduation in May, unable to overcome its debt, nearly a century after it was founded. Star-Advertiser.

St. Francis School of Manoa will close all grade levels at the end of this school year. KHON2.

Without enough money to carry on, Saint Francis School in Manoa will soon be no more. School officials announced Thursday the entire school is closing at the end of the school year. KITV.

A 13-year-old vision to build affordable housing on public land in Chinatown took a major step forward Thursday. A state board endorsed providing Halewaiolu Senior Residences with $86 million in development financing. Star-Advertiser.

People who live and work in Chinatown are fed up and desperate to have the city take aggressive action now against dirty and unsanitary sidewalks. KITV.

Hawaii Island

Hu Honua Bioenergy will have to wait until the state Supreme Court rules on the appeal of its power purchase agreement before it can begin generating power. Tribune-Herald.

After two years of behind the scenes meetings, Mayor Harry Kim and a "core committee" have completed a vision for Maunakea, which also contains a set of recommended initiatives. Big Island Video News.

More than $66,000 is headed to the Hawaii County Housing Agency to help residents living in public housing to reach self-sufficiency. West Hawaii Today.

Pohakuloa Training Area will open for a two-day mammal hunt later this month. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The state Department of Transportation has put the Paia bypass development process on hold while working on prioritizing major road projects for the entire island and how to use limited funds available. Maui News.

Wailuku Civic Complex Presentation, Feb. 20. The discussion will be led by Erin Wade, County of Maui Planner and Project Administrator.  She will be discussing the future changes in Wailuku Town including design, parking mitigation and construction strategies. Maui Now.

Kauai

A measure circulating through the state House is aimed at setting up curbside recycling for Kauai, though originally the bill was meant to include the entire state. Garden Island.

Hawaiian monk seal pup RK58 was recently returned to the wild on Kauai after successful rehabilitation at Ke Kai Ola, The Marine Mammal Center’s hospital and visitor center in Kailua-Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Water stations for state parks, Ferris wheel for Waikiki, money for lava relief, military training planned, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2018 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Diamond Head state park ©2018 All Hawaii News
Water filling stations will be installed at 15 parks in Hawaii in an effort to reduce single-use plastic water bottles, according to state officials. Star-Advertiser.

ConAm Public Education Funding: 70% of Voters Still Said "No". The Hawai’i Supreme Court invalidated the Constitutional Amendment question for public education funding on the Nov 6th General Election ballot.  But, 85 percent of voters made choices, anyway. Hawaii Public Radio.

Protections For Transgender Kids Still Spotty Inside Schools. It’s been three years since the Hawaii Department of Education issued guidance around transgender student protections. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Putting aside election bad blood won’t be easy for Ige, legislative leaders. The Legislature and the governor may be run by Democrats, but these are Democrats who neither think alike nor support each other’s positions. And there is still no love lost between Ige and the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

City, state making adjustments to be ready for disaster recovery. It has been the year of the disaster for every county across the state, and now the hard work of picking up the pieces continues. KHON2.

Hawaiian Airlines hikes checked bag fees, matching mainland carriers. The change applies to the airline’s mainland flights. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Ferris wheel in Waikiki? Some resident say ‘it’s a totally stupid idea’. A Canadian company is floating plans to built a Ferris wheel and motion theater at the Ala Wai Harbor. Hawaii News Now.

Defeat of HART charter amendment could result in added delays and costs. The chairman of the board overseeing the city’s rail construction project said Oahu voters’ decision to reject a proposed amendment to the Honolulu City Charter might cause additional delays and costs for the $8 billion-plus project now scheduled to open in late 2025. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Tom Yamachika: Why The City Flipped On Rail Funding. Officials realized that not using city money for the project was unrealistic from the beginning. Civil Beat.

Waianae polling places ran out of same day registration forms. In past elections, Waianae has had one of the state's lowest voter turnout rates. KITV.

Thousands vie for units in new property near Ala Moana Center priced below market. About 1,000 people lined up on Monday to get a first look at developer SamKoo’s newest condominium project: The Central Ala Moana. Hawaii News Now.

Ala Moana affordable housing units up for sale. The Central Ala Moana will be 43 stories with 513 units -- about 60% of them deemed 'affordable' studio and one to three bedrooms. KITV.

Council might delay condo fire safety rules. After the July 2017 fire at the Marco Polo condominium killed four people, there was a call to have older condos retrofitted with fire sprinklers. Star-Advertiser.

U.K. man challenges Hawaii’s stun gun ban. Andrew Namiki Roberts is an Oahu photographer who wants to be able to protect himself as he carries his equipment to photo locations around the islands. His weapon of choice: a Taser stun gun. Star-Advertiser.

State senator says Aloha Stadium needs new facility. Senator Wakai tells us that Aloha Stadium in its current state is safe, but it's costing millions each year to maintain the structural integrity. Aloha Stadium officials ask for $20 million a year for the upkeep, but Senator Wakai says legislators give the bare minimum of about $7 to $8 million. KHON2.

Biki hits a milestone in one month with expansion on the horizon. A total of 100,954 Biki rides were taken last month, which shows a major increase in ridership compared to one year ago. Hawaii News Now.

As it marked a milestone in October, Honolulu’s bikeshare operator, Biki, also announced it would be expanding by about 30 more stations and 300 more bikes by the end of the year, thanks to federal funding. Star-Advertiser.

Can Setting Out Tables, Painting Street Murals Transform Honolulu’s Neighborhoods? A new Honolulu program encourages residents to create do-it-yourself “pop-up” urban design projects to make their communities safer and more walkable. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Gov. David Ige will introduce a bill next year to help kick-start the recovery effort in Lower Puna in the wake of this year’s Kilauea lava flow, but that measure will be a more modest package of assistance than Hawaii County officials have been seeking. Star-Advertiser.

There could soon be marine life of a different sort off the West Hawaii coast, as military units prepare to train by air, land and sea next year. West Hawaii Today.

Disappointing Harvest Squeezes Big Island Coffee Farmers. Coffee farmers on the Kona Coast are seeing harvests with as much as a 40% reduction in crop yields. Hawaii Public Radio.

An application for a Use Permit to allow a Kurtistown church to build a 3,040 square-foot community outreach center on land mauka of Highway 11 got the OK from the Windward Planning Commission last week in Hilo. Big Island Video News.

Hawaiian monk seal Manuiwa appears to have dislodged a hook that had been spotted in her lip last week. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

A solar farm proposed for an area between Kula and Wailea will be discussed Wednesday during a meeting of the Kula Community Association. Maui News.

The October median price of a single-family home in Maui County came within $6,000 of the $780,000 record set in May 2005 and tied in July 2006, the dizzying heights reached before the real estate bubble burst nationally in 2008. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai is flushing out more bacteria through rivers and streams than it has in the last decade, according to test results from the island’s Surfrider Blue Water Task Force. Garden Island.

The United States military is working on increasing training by air, land and sea in 2019 and Kauai is on the list for places where training would occur. On Kauai, training would occur in nearshore waters, bays and harbors, with naval forces as well as Army, Air Force, and U.S. Marine Corps special ops forces. Garden Island.

A conference to raise awareness about the vaping epidemic in Kauai sold out nearly a week before the event, which is scheduled for Thursday morning at Kauai Community College. Garden Island.

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Officials ponder next step after ConAm struck from ballot, average teacher salary $59k, Ige and Caldwell support hotel strikers, visitors return to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

photo courtesy Hawaii governor
Ige supports education funding, photo courtesy of Governor's Office
Ige, Tupola weigh in on what’s next after the constitutional amendment. Gubernatorial candidates discuss how to fund Hawaii’s public schools. Hawaii News Now.

With ConAm Invalidated, Supporters And Opponents Ponder Next Moves. If Hawaii is going to spend more on public education, it’s unclear where the money will come from. Civil Beat.

State Leaders Will Look for More Public School Funding. State leaders, educators and community supporters came out today to call for additional funding for public education. Hawaii Public Radio.

Education advocates scramble to find public school funding after constitutional amendment blocked. After the Hawaii Supreme Court blocked a controversial proposal that would’ve raised investment property taxes to help fund public schools, education advocates are now scrambling for a “Plan B.” Hawaii News Now.

It's back to the drawing board on how the state can generate more money for public school education. Now that the constitutional amendment question has been invalidated by the Supreme Court, both sides of the argument are planning for the future. KHON2.

Hawaii Teacher Salaries Not Enough to Buy a Home. Average teacher salary in Hawaii is $59,250. Maui Now.

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Gun Crimes Are Rising In Hawaii, But Still Below Historic Levels. Violent crimes involving firearms have risen 24 percent in the last four years. Many of the guns, prosecutors say, were stolen. Civil Beat.

This Remote Hawaiian Island Just Vanished. Scientists are concerned about what will happen to the hundreds of endangered species that once called East Island home. Civil Beat.

Ethics hearing underway for OHA trustee accused of misusing funds. Rowena Akana is accused of using her trustee allowance to pay personal expenses. Hawaii News Now.

Is Rowena Akana’s Political Career On The Line? The longest-serving OHA trustee is on trial for allegations of ethics violations while also waging a re-election fight. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Hawaii Gov. David Ige and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell told striking hotel workers during a meeting at the state Capitol today that they would not cross the picket line and have urged their hotel managers and owners to resume bargaining. Star-Advertiser.

'There's real damage being done,' Mayor Caldwell on strike. In a closed door meeting Monday afternoon, union workers told Governor David Ige and Mayor Kirk Caldwell their stories. KHON2.

2,700 hotel workers in Waikiki and Maui continue to picket on the 15th day of their strike for better wages and job security. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Hawaiian Electric to replace 1,200 meters after overheating reported. Hawaiian Electric is notifying commercial customers about a potential hazard that relates to a particular brand of electric meter installed at businesses on Oahu. KHON2.

University of Hawaii officials said they have been unfairly blamed as the reason for another state agency abruptly shifting plans for a veterans home to a historic site in Aiea that has rankled some community members. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply seeks bids to redevelop its downtown site. Oahu’s public water utility is making a second attempt at generating extra revenue by offering up part of its headquarters near downtown Honolulu for redevelopment, and a consultant suggests that senior housing and parking are most likely. Star-Advertiser.

Turtle Bay, which is owned by Blackstone and managed by Benchmark Resorts & Hotels, is gearing up for its plan to add about 750 units — a lengthy build-out that will cost hundreds of millions of dollars and increase the workforce to 1,100 from 650. Star-Advertiser.

2 separate wastewater spills impacts Keehi Lagoon, Ala Wai Canal. The public is urged to stay out of the water. Hawaii News Now.

Investigation continues into cause of tour helicopter crash at Kaneohe Bay sandbar. The pilot is believed to have suffered a medical emergency during flight. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

A month after reopening, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park seeing daily visitor numbers ‘on par’ with those from this time last year. Park spokeswoman Jessica Ferracane said the number of visitors to the park consistently has remained at about 2,000 visitors daily, with boosts on cruise ship days. Tribune-Herald.

A Naalehu resident has sued two county officials over plans to build sewer plants in Naalehu and Pahala. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Water Supply VS. Water Sustainability. A closer look at the proposal to dismantle the Department of Water Supply and create a Department of Water Sustainability. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Island remembers Earl Bakken as an innovator, philanthropist. As an electrical engineer who made groundbreaking technological advancements in the field of medicine, Dr. Earl Bakken saved, prolonged and changed lives. As a prolific philanthropist, particularly on Hawaii Island, he improved them. West Hawaii Today.

Earl Elmer Bakken, inventor of the first wearable, battery-powered pacemaker and co-founder of Medtronic Inc., embraced his motto of “live on, give on, dream on” when he moved to Hawaii in 1989. Star-Advertiser.

Earl Bakken, the electrical engineer, entrepreneur and philanthropist who invented the first wearable heart pacemaker, has died at his Hawaii home. He was 94. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Mayoral candidates share their life stories. Maui News.

Treasurer of Maui Youth Soccer League accused of forging $180,000 worth of checks. According to prosecutors, the 57-year-old wrote fraudulent checks payable to himself from the HYSA bank account, then deposited the money into his personal account. KITV.

The Maui County Department of Water Supply will switch the distribution system disinfectant in the Upper Kula water system from chloramines to chlorine for approximately four to eight weeks beginning on Oct. 30. Maui Now.

Kauai

County Council Candidate: Luke Evslin. Within five minutes of conversation with County Council candidate Luke Evslin, it is obvious that he is a man who understands system interconnectedness. Garden Island.

Residents in Anahola, Lihue, Kapaa and Waimea received letters over the weekend urging them to list their homes on the homestay website Vacation Rental by Owner — but operating transient vacation rentals in those areas is illegal. Garden Island.

Kauai condemns mailers that urge homeowners to get into vacation rental business. In the mass mailers, VRBO promised homeowners $1,000 in income for January. Hawaii News Now.

Monday, October 22, 2018

Voting starts Tuesday, Case and Cavasso debate, rail audit pending, Maui and Kauai mayoral candidates profiled, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

©2018 All Hawaii News www.allhawaiinews.com
Hawaii ballot testing ©2018 All Hawaii News
Walk-in absentee voting for the general election begins Tuesday and runs through Nov. 3. Registered voters are allowed to visit any early walk-in voting location in their county to cast their ballot. Star-Advertiser.

Does Hawaii Need a Constitutional Convention? Every 10 years Hawaii voters are required to decide whether or not to call for a convention to amend the state constitution. A Constitutional Convention, or ConCon, hasn’t happened in Hawaii since 1978. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Hawaii Supreme Court on Friday threw off the November ballot a proposed constitutional amendment that would have established a surcharge on investment property to help fund public education. Associated Press.

Ed Case and Cam Cavasso bring familiar names to congressional race. Star-Advertiser.

Why GOP Congressional Candidate Cam Cavasso Won’t Quit Running. The former legislator hasn’t won an election since 1988, yet he keeps taking on Hawaii’s Democrats in federal races. Civil Beat.

Democrat Ed Case and Republican Cam Cavasso squared off with the general election just around the corner. It was a lively showdown between two candidates hoping to earn a seat on Capitol Hill. Hawaii News Now.

Who’s Who On The Ballot For The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs. Up for grabs are three OHA at-large seats, as well as seats representing Maui and Oahu. Civil Beat.

The contested case hearing alleging ethics violations against Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Rowena Akana will start Monday morning despite attempts in court last week to block or delay the proceeding. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Couple Faces Deportation Of Adopted Sons With Down Syndrome. A federal agency says their parents, Ryan and Francheska Grogan, failed to prove the adoptions met legal requirements. Civil Beat.

Marriott, Kyo-ya to meet with hotel workers union over contract negotiations. About 2,700 Hawaii union hotel workers have been on strike since Oct. 8 after negotiating for higher wages, better benefits and job security. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Time is running out to resolve a series of disputes between the Hawaii State Auditor and staff at the Honolulu rail project, and that time crunch may limit how much the public will learn about what has gone wrong with rail. Star-Advertiser.

Former city Deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha is faking an illness to delay her trial next month on multiple counts of bank fraud, according to federal prosecutors. Star-Advertiser.

Community and federal government in conflict over opposing plans for Aiea site. The state is trying to fast-track plans to develop a $70 million veterans home mostly funded by the federal government, but a last-minute decision on where to build the facility has created a backlash. Star-Advertiser.

Younger patients prefer urgent care clinics, and health care providers are delivering. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Ag survey reports nearly $28M in damages caused by eruption. Fewer than 50 Big Island farmers reported nearly $28 million in total agricultural damages in a survey of farmers affected by the Kilauea eruption published last week. Tribune-Herald.

Bulldozing begins on Highway 137; temporary road over lava rock to be used by landowners, area residents first. Tribune-Herald.

Salary Commission finds setting salaries a tricky business. Among their ranks are a physician, a retired stockbroker, two engineers and a tax manager. Four of the eight are former government employees and one works for a consulting firm doing business with the county. West Hawaii Today.

Innergex Renewable Energy wins two Hawaiian Electric solar-plus-storage project bids: Public presentations set for Oct. 29 and Nov. 1 to discuss Waimea project. West Hawaii Today.

A series of free presentations planned around the Big Island intend to educate residents and health care professionals about medically assisted death in the “Our Care, Our Choice” Act, which goes into effect Jan. 1. Tribune-Herald.

Trashing tires tiresome for county. Hawaii County doesn’t consider tires rubbish, but that hasn’t stopped residents from abandoning them on roadsides or dropping them off at transfer stations in defiance of official policy. West Hawaii Today.

Small farm homesteads are planned for a former sugar plantation site. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands wants to reduce a backlog of beneficiaries waiting for homesteads by offering a new kind of land lease: small farm sites. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Mayoral candidates give preview of administrations. In the lead-up to the Nov. 6 Election Day showdown, mayoral candidates Elle Cochran and Mike Victorino have dished on issues ranging from housing to agriculture to tourism and the economy. Maui News.

Hawaii’s only farmer serving as a lawmaker at the state Capitol is questioning Gov. David Ige’s pledge to double local food production by 2020, and Rep. Lynn DeCoite believes legislators should be shifting more taxpayer dollars from tourism into agriculture, which makes up less than 1 percent of the state’s total budget. Maui News.

An activity center with ziplines, a giant swing, tightropes and other challenges is being proposed for a portion of the former Experience at Koele Golf Course on Lanai. Maui News.

Kauai

In Kauai Mayor’s Race, Rapozo Faces Uphill Battle Against Kawakami. The County Council chairman looks for a turnaround after being significantly outpolled by the former state representative in the primary. Civil Beat.

The Elections Division of the Office of the County Clerk will begin offering late voter registration and early voting services in the basement of the Historic County Annex this week. Garden Island.

An abandoned Kauai church that transformed into a gym this June helped youth stay off of drugs and out of trouble; but without the proper permits, the facility had to shut down. Hawaii News Now.

And then there were 6. It was feeding time at the predator-proof nesting area on Kauai’s North Shore, but one of the Newell’s shearwater (‘a‘o) chicks didn’t show up for breakfast. Garden Island.

Friday, October 19, 2018

Supreme Court grills advocates on education tax amendment, Hirono approval drops, Honolulu building permits lag, regents approve new Mauna Kea rules, $40k fine for killing nene, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

©2018 All Hawaii News www.allhawaiinews.com
Hawaii Supreme Court building ©2018 All Hawaii News
Hawaii Supreme Court hears arguments on proposed constitutional amendment. The Hawaii Supreme Court is expected to rule quickly after hearing oral arguments Thursday on whether a question on general election ballots asking voters if they want to give the state the power to tax investment property to support public education should be invalidated. Star-Advertiser.

Supreme Court Hears Challenge To ConAm Ballot Measure But Defers Ruling. Hawaii’s county governments hope the court will act quickly to invalidate the measure that would allow the state to tax property for education. Civil Beat.

Supreme Court hears oral arguments on controversial constitutional amendment question. State Attorney General Russell Suzuki conceded Thursday that a controversial constitutional amendment to raise investment property taxes for education could lead to higher taxes for residential homeowners in the future. Hawaii News Now.

A controversial ballot question rests in the hands of the Hawaii Supreme Court justices. They heard arguments Thursday on whether the state should be allowed to collect property taxes for education. KHON2.

Counties, state argue before Hawaii Supreme Court on constitutional amendment to tax property for schools. Pacific Business News.

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What does a blank vote mean? The yes votes have to be 50 percent or more of all ballots cast. KHON2.

The ConCon’s Real Price Tag? That’s Still A Mystery. An opposition ad puts the cost at $55 million. But that assumes unprecedented full public funding of campaigns for hundreds of delegate candidates. Civil Beat.

Civil Beat Poll: Hirono Approval Rating Still High Despite Kavanaugh Backlash. Moderates and conservatives have a dimmer view of the Hawaii senator after her pointed criticisms of the Supreme Court justice during his confirmation. Civil Beat.

Hawaii High Court Weighs Whether To Release Secret Investigation Of State Auditor. Justices appeared concerned about the state’s argument that attorney-client privilege protects the Legislature from releasing the report. Civil Beat.

Commentary: The Senate Confirms Judges, So Why Is The House Butting In? Were House leaders looking to mess with the governor when they interviewed Keith Hiraoka, his choice for the state Intermediate Court of Appeals? Civil Beat.

Five OHA seats up for grabs this election. Five open seats amid public scrutiny of how OHA trustees spend their allowances and the embarrassing leak of a scathing audit. KITV.

Hawaii’s unemployment rate ticked up in September to a one-year high of 2.2 percent amid further evidence that the state’s economic growth is slowing. Star-Advertiser.

Unite Here Local 5, the union representing 2,700 striking hotel workers on Oahu and Maui, accused Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts on Thursday of more unfair labor practices at its Marriott-managed hotels. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Council bill would address lengthy building permit times. A bill requiring the city to process less complicated building permits within 60 days won preliminary approval from a City Council committee Thursday after a parade of builders, contractors, engineers and architects aired complaints about how the delays are hurting their businesses. Star-Advertiser.

Workers, homeowners frustrated by building permit backlog push for change. KHON2.

City Pushes for Monster Home Crackdown While Streamlining Building Permits. Hawaii Public Radio.

New law cracks down on contractors violating stop-work orders. The law comes after complaints that contractors are doing work on homes without a permit and when ordered to stop, they just keep on working despite getting fined. KHON2.

Surprise Eviction Notices Have This Old Plantation Community Up In Arms. State Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz and a state agency are aggressively moving ahead with development plans for Central Oahu’s Whitmore Village. Civil Beat.

Honolulu ranks high on yet another list — this time for the worst roads. Drivers spend an average of roughly $850 a year in repairs, a new report says. Hawaii News Now.

University of Hawaii at Manoa to raise parking rates starting next year. The Board of Regents on Thursday approved new rates that will be phased in over six years starting next fall.  Star-Advertiser.

UH Students And Staff Will Pay For $35 Million In Parking Garage Repairs. Parking rate increases will be phased in over the next six years in a plan approved by the Board of Regents. Civil Beat.

Hawaii State Public Library hasn't had any major upgrades in 26 years. KHON2.

Grand jury indicts janitor accused of molesting teen student in Kaneohe. Records indicate the alleged assault happened after a ‘fun fair’ at the campus. Hawaii News Now.

Utah developer buys site for third hotel in Kapolei. Utah-based Garn Development Co. LLC has closed on the purchase of a 2.64-acre lot within the 40-acre Leihano development where it plans to build the city of Kapolei’s third limited-service hotel. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents unanimously agreed Thursday to allow the university to revise its proposed rules for Mauna Kea. Hawaii News Now.

UH taking another step toward better managing Mauna Kea. UH Board of Regents approved a request to revise to UH's proposed administrative rules. KITV.

Draft EA for proposed Honomu ag project done. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has completed a draft environmental assessment for its proposed Honomu agricultural homestead community and will host a meeting next week about the project. Tribune-Herald.

Kona Village Resort eyes 2021 reopening. The Kona Village Resort could potentially reopen in 2021, a decade after sustaining heavy damage from the 2011 tsunami. West Hawaii Today.

The County of Hawaii is in the process of revamping its website. The county seeks the public’s feedback on the site to make it useful, user-friendly and exciting. Big Island Now.

Maui

Councilors loath to swap site in Wailuku for bus hub. Some members of a Maui County Council committee expressed reluctance to part with the old Wailuku Post Office site as part of a proposed lease exchange for a new Maui Bus hub on state land in Kahului. Maui News.

Proposed changes to special management area permits and the shoreline area designation that account for rising sea levels will be presented to a County Council committee and the Maui Planning Commission. Maui News.

Maui Gas Prices Up Again. In Kahului, the average price was $4.15, which is three cents higher than last Thursday, eight cents higher than on this date last month and 63 cents higher than on this date a year ago. Maui Now.

Maui Chamber to Hold Emergency Preparedness Classes. Maui Now.

Kauai

A part-time Kauai resident must pay more than $40,000 in fines for fatally shooting four nene geese with a pellet gun near his home in Koloa last year. Star-Advertiser.

A part-time Koloa resident was ordered Tuesday to pay more than $40,000 in fines for shooting endangered nene. Garden Island.

Judge orders Kauai man to pay upwards of $40K for shooting at nene birds. The 72-year-old used a pellet gun to kill four nene birds. Hawaii News Now.

Man to pay more than $40,000 in fines for shooting at nene. KHON2.

Part-time Kauai resident fined over $40K for fatally shooting nene geese. Steven Cookson was convicted of five misdemeanor state charges. KITV.

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Kauai Bus users will see schedule changes to improve services starting Monday. Garden Island.

Appellate court nominee has Kauai ties. Garden Island.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

More than half oppose education property tax in poll, Ige and Tupola debate, ballots in the mail, hotel strikers cited for trespassing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2018 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaii 2018 general election ballot © 2018 All Hawaii News
Civil Beat Poll: Hawaii Voters Oppose ConAm On Property Taxes. While there is sentiment to help schools and teachers, voters appear worried about how the ballot question is constructed. Asked how they would vote on the so-called “ConAm” question, 53 percent said they would oppose it compared to just 35 percent who would vote in favor. Civil Beat.

Parents will join teachers at dozens of public schools across the state on Tuesday morning to rally in support of a proposed constitutional amendment regarding education. The proposed constitutional amendment, set to go before voters on Nov. 6, reads: “Shall the legislature be authorized to establish, as provided by law, a surcharge on investment real property to be used to support public education?” Hawaii News Now.

Governor David Ige and state Representative Andria Tupola square off in first televised debate. KHON2.

Ige, Tupola spar in debate that includes running mates. Andria Tupola criticized Democratic Gov. David Ige for not doing enough to increase affordable housing, cool classrooms, make the state’s roads safer, reduce the waiting list for Hawaiian homelands and reduce homelessness, during a one-hour gubernatorial debate Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's Debate: Lieutenant governor candidates closing statements. KHON2.

Voting in the 2018 general election has begun now that the county clerks on three islands sent out tens of thousands of absentee mail-in ballots during the past week. Star-Advertiser.

Hirono Rakes In The Campaign Cash Following Kavanaugh Hearing. While the Hawaii senator doesn’t face much of a challenge in November, her campaign is raising and spending money like she does. Civil Beat.

CD-1: Democrat Ed Case on the Campaign Trail. Two veteran politicians are vying for the Congressional District One seat to represent urban Honolulu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Strike leaves some guests grumbling. So far, there’s no end in sight for the strike, which began Oct. 8 when negotiations between Unite Here Local 5 and Kyo-ya Hotels &Resorts, which owns the Marriott-managed Sheraton Waikiki, The Royal Hawaiian, Westin Moana Surfrider, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and Sheraton Maui, reached an impasse. Star-Advertiser.

No Talks Scheduled Yet in Hotel Strike. Here in Hawaii, 2,700 workers are on the picket lines outside five hotels managed by Marriott and owned by Kyo-Ya. Hawaii Public Radio.

Sears has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection Monday and announced 142 stores across the country are closing, however none of the six stores in Hawaii are on that list. KITV.

While Sears’ bankruptcy filing won’t have an immediate effect on its four Hawaii stores, the potential closing of the four mall anchors would open up nearly 500,000 square feet of vacancy and have a dramatic effect on retail vacancy rates in parts of Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. Pacific Business News.

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen died Oct. 15 in Seattle from complications of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He was 65 years old. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

City Mistakenly OK’d Permit For Site With Native Hawaiian Remains. A residential development is on hold while a developer devises a plan for the iwi — 12 years after the state warned the city of their possible presence. Civil Beat.

Lawsuit accuses Head Start operator of inflating enrollment with ‘ghost children’. The whistleblower alleges Head Start pre-K program defrauded the federal government of over $100M. Hawaii News Now.

Construction is set to start on a condominium tower in Kakaako that will begin to fill in the middle of the Ward Village community planned largely on old retail and warehouse property. Star-Advertiser.

A Hawaiian blessing ceremony held today in Kakaako for the groundbreaking of Ward Village's newest high-rise tower, Aalii. KITV.

Giant pothole blamed for sidelining 9 vehicles in Zipper lane. The state Transportation Department said Freeway Service Patrol crews helped nine drivers with tire damage after running over the pothole. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Charter Commission eyes PONC fund: Committee recommends cutting back property taxes going to land preservation. West Hawaii Today.

After widespread testimony against proposed administrative rules for Mauna Kea, changes are being considered by the University of Hawaii. Big Island Video News.

After nearly a decade in the making, new adult day center in Hilo is dedicated. The long-awaited Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Adult Day Center was dedicated Monday, nearly a decade after plans for such a facility were first discussed. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Strikers at Sheraton Maui Issued Trespass Citations. The three employees were passing out leaflets to guests in the hotel’s porte corchere, informing them of the strike which impacts their hotel and four other hotels in Hawaii. Maui Now.

Hotel employee on strike detained for trespassing. Last week, three people on strike over contract negotiations wanted to hand out fliers to guests staying at the Sheraton Maui hotel in Lahaina. They were detained for trespassing. KITV.

Maalaea condo groups working on wastewater alternatives. Health Department citations issued for three condominium complexes. Maui News.

Maui Police: 5 Unclaimed Remains at Forensic Facility. Department officials said they hope to get in touch with family members of the deceased. Maui Now.

Maui woman killed while sunbathing at popular beach park. A woman was killed while sunbathing early Sunday evening at Hookipa Beach Park on Maui's north shore. KHON2.

Hookipa Sunbather Dies After Being Run Over by Truck. Maui Now.

Kauai

Gov. David Ige signed a fourth supplementary proclamation extending the emergency relief period for the Kauai floods that occurred in April 2018. Garden Island.

A Kauai hula dancer has filed a lawsuit against a restaurant and hotel, stating she was retaliated against on the basis of her sex and for reporting sexual harassment and the failure to protect her from sexual harassment. Garden Island

Monday, October 15, 2018

No special session for volcano recovery, monster houses on Oahu, vacation rentals in Hawaii County, ending term limits for Kauai, cesspools on Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kilauea Fissure 8, Sept. 6, 2018, USGS photo
House: No Special Session For Kilauea Recovery. The State Legislature will take up the issue of funding recovery efforts during the regular legislative session beginning in January 2019. Tribune-Herald.

Prospects for special legislative session for disaster recovery funds for Puna dwindling. Mayor Harry Kim continued to hold out hope Friday for a last-minute special session of the state Legislature to approve disaster recovery funding for Puna, even as lawmakers say that window has closed. Tribune-Herald.

Lawmaker: ‘A more solid plan’ needed before convening special session on disaster funding. Some were hoping a special session would be held to address immediate needs. Hawaii News Now.

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Here’s How The Top Contenders For Governor Shake Out On Key Issues. Gov. David Ige and state Rep. Andria Tupola both oppose using LNG to produce electricity. But their differences shine through on other topics. Civil Beat.

4 former governors weigh in on controversial constitutional amendment. In the commercial spot paid for by the Affordable Hawaii Coalition, former governors George Ariyoshi, John Waihe’e, Ben Cayetano and Neil Abercrombie appear in a conference call-like setting, all stating their opposition to the proposal. Hawaii News Now.

With the election less than a month away, Hawaii voters will be deciding on a constitutional amendment that would add a surcharge on investment property to help fund public education. Garden Island.

Voters to decide on Hawaii Constitutional Convention. The last ConCon was in 1978, and there wer 102 delegates. Each delegate was chosen by voters. KHON2.

Strike-related dampening of visitor numbers could cross into 2019. Some 2,700 Marriott hotel workers in Hawaii spent a sixth day on strike Saturday, seeking higher wages and better benefits while exacerbating challenges to the state’s visitor industry, which already has had to deal with floods, a volcanic eruption and hurricanes. Star-Advertiser.

Cooperation to Fight Competition in the Air. Seven months into a comprehensive partnership, Hawaiian Airlines and Japan Airlines have already deepened their connection in key ways. Hawaii Public Radio.

How technology is transforming Hawaii agriculture. Hawaii’s farmers, large and small, will have to embrace technology if they want to compete with one another, as well as the global market. That was the general consensus of a recent panel on precision agriculture, hosted by the Hawaii Business Roundtable and the University of Hawaii on Thursday. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

‘Monster houses’ bill is criticized as not addressing the cause of the problem. The draft of a bill designed to crack down on Oahu’s illegal large-scale houses, or so-called monster homes, is already drawing fire — and it hasn’t even gotten its first public hearing. Star-Advertiser.

We May Finally Get To See Honolulu Police Salary Information. A judge’s rejection of a police union challenge clears the way for the release of names and pay levels for hundreds of officers. Civil Beat.

Experts: Lack Of Mental Health Treatment Among The Culprits In Police Shootings. Six armed suspects have been shot and killed by Honolulu police in recent weeks. Four appear to have suffered from mental health problems. Civil Beat.

Rivals compete for Ewa Beach Senate seat. Matt LoPresti and Kurt Fevella are old Ewa Beach political adversaries whose rivalry is so intense that they have, at different times, called the police on one another. Star-Advertiser.

Race for Mililani House seat pits veteran against rookie. In state House District 36 that covers Mililani Mauka and part of Mililani, a Republican is squaring off against a Democrat to replace a Democrat who won the seat as a Republican. Star-Advertiser.

The commander of American Veterans Hawaii said he will somehow remove 28 enormous concrete pilings — many nearly 60 feet long — that he had trucked in without permission to the former Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, a Dec. 7, 1941, battlefield that’s on the National Register of Historic Places. Star-Advertiser.

Nonprofit aids startups finding green solutions in energy, transportation. Start-up companies offering battery-operated airplanes, a video-based monitoring system to verify how fish are caught and new ways to install, track and store solar technology are among Elemental Excelerator’s newest cohort for 2019. Star-Advertiser.

Noise from Local 5 strike impacting businesses, guests. For a week now, the peace in Waikiki has been disrupted. The chants, drums, and bells can get loud, affecting neighboring businesses. KHON2.

Second tower adds 245 units to Ritz-Carlton hotel property. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Revised vacation rental bill comes back to Council. The fifth version of a bill regulating short-term vacation rentals will be considered by the County Council Planning Committee on Tuesday, taking into account recommendations from the Leeward and Windward planning commissions and the Planning Department. West Hawaii Today.

A number of recommendations are being made to alter the charter sections dealing with Hawaii County's Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. Big Island Video News.

Water Supply Dismantling Proposal Opposed. Speakers testified during a Charter Commission meeting against creating a new Department of Water Sustainability. Big Island Video News.

Only one firm shows interest in former Uncle Billy’s site; Study needed before state can proceed with redevelopment. Tribune-Herald.

Kamehameha Schools is seeking a new operator to harvest a portion of 10,000 acres of forest on the Hamakua Coast and will issue a request for proposal today. Tribune-Herald.

Jury finds former Hawaii Island officer guilty of third-degree negligent homicide. Jody Buddemeyer was on trial accused of hitting and killing cyclist Jeffrey Surnow while driving a police car on Waikoloa Road in Kohala more than three years ago. Hawaii News Now.

HPA didn’t stop adult-student affair, report says. A female supervisor at the Hawaii Preparatory Academy boy’s dormitory on the Big Island was having sex with a male student and officials didn’t do anything to stop her even though they knew or should have known it was happening, according to an independent investigation commissioned by the school. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Maalaea condo groups working on wastewater alternatives. Health Department citations issued for three condominium complexes. Maui News.

Solar project proposed for Ulupalakua Ranch land. Innergex plans Oct. 30 meeting for public comment. Maui News.

UH study: Maui more susceptible to erosion from rising sea levels. Erosion, wave run-up models show greater risk. Maui News.

The Maui County Department of Planning will close all of its offices on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, to conduct staff training. Maui Now.

Kauai

Council Members Want To End Term Limits — On Themselves. The chief proponent of the ballot measure is Councilman Ross Kagawa. If it fails, he could be term-limited out in 2020. Civil Beat.

Two County Councilmen vying for the mayor’s seat for Kauai County are promising to tackle scarce affordable housing and traffic congestion, which are among the main concerns of isle residents. Star-Advertiser.

As communities across the mainland report disarray in recycling programs after China stopped accepting items in January, people on Kauai said they haven’t seen much of a change. Garden Island.