Showing posts with label electronic cigarettes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label electronic cigarettes. Show all posts

Friday, November 2, 2018

ACLU challenges retirement home's medically assisted death ban, design flaws may delay Honolulu rail, purring crickets on Molokai, Leilani residents just want to go home, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2018 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaii sunrise ©2018 All Hawaii News
The American Civil Liberties Union is accusing a Kahala retirement community of illegal religious discrimination by warning its residents that they cannot take advantage of a new “morally repugnant” law that allows the terminally ill to obtain medication to end their life. Star-Advertiser.

ACLU Challenges Retirement Home’s Ban On Medical Aid In Dying. A state law allowing certain terminally ill people to end their lives takes effect in January, but residents at Kahala Nui were told it doesn’t apply to them. Associated Press.

Senior living community faces discrimination claims involving new ‘death with dignity’ law. ACLU Hawaii is calling out one of Oahu’s biggest senior living communities for telling its residents they won’t be able to use the state’s new law allowing medically assisted suicide. Hawaii News Now.

ACLU accusing retirement home of discrimination. The local chapter of the non-profit sent a "demand letter" to Kahala Nui to stop engaging in "illegal and discriminatory housing practices". KITV.

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Data show fewer homeless vets in isles. Hawaii outperformed most West Coast states and the nation overall — percentage-wise — in getting homeless veterans off the street this year, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Star-Advertiser.

The state Health Department wants to expand its immunization program for school-age students. Currently, the Health Department requires all schoolchildren to be immunized by six types of vaccines. Under the proposed new rules, it wants to add three more types of vaccinations. Hawaii News Now.

Health officials to conduct survey to better understand foodborne illnesses. The Hawaii Department of Health is rolling out a statewide survey to learn more about food habits of Hawaii residents and visitors, and find out if there are any behaviors associated with possible risks for foodborne illnesses, including rat lungworm disease. KHON2.

Report: DOE Has Mostly Fixed Flaws In Its Bus Transportation System. A 2012 state audit had faulted the department for allowing costs to skyrocket as competitive bidding for contracts ceased. Civil Beat.

Attorney General Russell Suzuki announced today the establishment of the Electronic Smoking Device Retailer Registration Unit within the Department of the Attorney General. Maui Now.

A Unite Here Local 5 hotel workers strike marked its 25th day Thursday, making it the union’s longest-running hotel strike in nearly three decades. Star-Advertiser.

“Extra” utility poles going away under $45M Hawaiian Telcom, HECO deal. In a move that will eliminate 14,000 unsightly poles, Hawaiian Telcom agreed to let Hawaiian Electric Cos. have sole ownership of about 120,000 utility poles on Oahu, Hawaii island, Maui, Molokai and Lanai. Star-Advertiser.

Neighbor Island Elections Remain Competitive Ahead of Election Day. Both Maui and Kauai have open races for county mayor and several contested seats on the County Council. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Design Flaws May Delay Rail’s Interim Opening Set For 2020. “Major challenges” with station canopies could stall the planned December 2020 launch of interim service for Oahu’s rail line, project leaders revealed Thursday. Civil Beat.

Caldwell signs bill allowing city funds for rail construction. Mayor Kirk Caldwell broke precedent Thursday, signing a bill that will provide $44 million in city general funds to pay a share of the $8 billion-plus, East Kapolei-to-Ala Moana rail line. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Caldwell signs 'historic' bill allowing $44M in city funds to go to rail. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed Bill 42 into law on Thursday, the legislation earmarks $44 million from the city’s general fund to be used for the construction of the 20-mile rail project. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu mayor signs bill to use city money to fund rail. For the first time, city funds will be used to help pay for the rail. KHON2.

City will be using its own general fund to help pay for rail. Mayor Kirk Caldwell made it official Thursday by signing Bill 42. KITV.

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‘Bad blood’ drives City Council rematch for east Honolulu seat. The race could shift the balance of power on the council. One of the few general election races that is too close to predict is the east Honolulu rematch between incumbent City Councilman Trevor Ozawa and challenger Tommy Waters. Hawaii News Now.

Police Commission: Why Is It So Hard To Get A Permit To Carry A Gun In This City? In the wake of a federal court decision challenging Hawaii’s restrictive gun laws, the commission wants a deeper look at HPD’s process for denying gun carry applications. Civil Beat.

Short Term Rental Restrictions Approved by Planning Commission. The Honolulu Planning Commission has unanimously approved a proposal from Mayor Kirk Caldwell to regulate short term rentals on Oahu.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Navy seeks to reassure water is safe from tanks at Red Hill. Navy officials worked to reassure members of a task force and the public Thursday that they are taking every precaution to ensure that 18 massive underground fuel tanks at Red Hill near Pearl Harbor won’t contaminate Oahu’s drinking water supply. Star-Advertiser.

Navy points finger of Red Hill fuel on human error, community uneasy over future problems. A back-and-forth discussion over the Navy’s Red Hill fuel facility is approaching its 5th year. KITV.

Kaiser Permanente to develop $60 million facility in Kapolei. Kaiser Permanente is investing in expanding care options for residents of West Oahu with the development of a $60 million medical office in Kapolei. KHON2.

Kaiser to build medical office building on Kapolei land bought in 2012. Kaiser Permanente plans to build a $60 million medical office in Kapolei on a five-acre parcel the health care organization bought nearly seven years ago. Pacific Business News.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority is close to finalizing a contract with the Los Angeles Rams for a preseason game to be held on Oahu next year. The game, to take place at Aloha Stadium, would be the first NFL preseason game in Hawaii in more than 40 years. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Too busy to spend money: County crises boosted budget savings. Hawaii County departments were so busy with natural disasters this year, they didn’t get a chance to spend all their budgets. West Hawaii Today.

Council advances Puna roads resolution. A room full of people displaced by the eruption in lower Puna had one request for Hawaii County on Thursday — help them get home. Tribune-Herald.

Many in Leilani Estates hope the county will keep providing 24/7 security. What do you do when your neighborhood is on the verge of becoming a tourist attraction? KITV.

Telescope Officials Maintain Alternative Site in Spain Even As Hawaii Court Gives Go-Ahead. The Thirty Meter Telescope may have been given the go-ahead by the Hawaii Supreme Court. But there’s still a lot that needs to happen before construction can take place on Mauna Kea. Hawaii Public Radio.

Curious residents gathered Thursday at Hilo International Airport to look at four Hawaii Air National Guard fighter jets conducting training exercises on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii Air National Guard will be operating and repositioning four F-22 Raptors at the Hilo International Airport from Nov. 1 to Nov. 3. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Shoreline repair solutions sought. Residents oppose seawalls; other options considered for Lower Honoapiilani Road. Maui News.

Proposed Maui Solar-Plus-Storage Project Meeting. AES will host a community meeting on Thursday, Nov. 15, to share information and gather community feedback on a proposed solar-plus-storage project near Waikapu, Maui. Maui Now.

Maui Electric Company, in partnership with the County of Maui’s Department of Public Works, will begin installing approximately 4,800 new energy-saving fixtures for county-funded streetlights in November. Maui Now.

Kauai

County Council candidate: KipuKai Kualii. One thing is clear about KipuKai Kualii: He does not let disappointing defeats keep him from trying again. Garden Island.

Students take over county council. Kauai Council Chair Mel Rapozo said most of the students were unaware they could testify at the Council meetings Thursday when nearly two dozen students at the Kapaa High School American Problems class assumed various roles during the mock council meeting at the historic County Building. Garden Island.

Molokai
Scientists studying crickets on Molokai stumbled across a pretty incredible discovery recently, which they detailed in a new journal article. The upshot: Some crickets on the island are now purring. Hawaii News Now.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Honolulu Zoo appeals to council, legislative power brokers direct bills, Kauai biofuel plant fired up, rail costs 'alarming,' prison guard misconduct, e-cigs spark ethics complaint, more government and political news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2015 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Giraffe at Honolulu Zoo © 2015 All Hawaii News

Loss of accreditation could spell disaster for Honolulu Zoo. That’s according to zoo officials who briefed the Honolulu City Council Tuesday on the status of the zoo. KHON2.

How a Handful of Hawaii Lawmakers Quietly Shapes an Entire Session. House and Senate leaders can give bills a 'kiss of death' or fast-track them toward passage by choosing what committees should hear the legislation. Civil Beat.

An all-encompassing bill aimed at tackling the state's affordable-housing shortage has moved out of a key committee. House Bill 1354, introduced by Rep. John Mizuno (D, Kame­ha­meha Heights-Kalihi Valley) and co-authored by seven others, calls for allocating at least $225 million to various housing agencies with the goal of increasing the market's inventory of homes for low-income and homeless families. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers moved forward a bill Tuesday that would dismantle the recently established regulatory framework for building an interisland cable system to transport electricity from renewable energy projects such as wind, solar and geothermal. But a key lawmaker said the measure designed to derail such a system isn’t likely to ultimately pass the Legislature. Civil Beat.

A number of bills are advancing in the legislature that would outlaw the sale of electronic smoking devices and liquids to minors under the age of 21. Hawaii Public Radio.

Recent bad acts by Hawaii police are fueling a record number of police accountability bills at the Hawaii Legislature this year. On Tuesday, eight bills passed through Sen. Will Espero’s Public Safety Committee with little objection from him or his colleagues, some of whom have been calling for more oversight. Civil Beat.

Following a wave of alleged police corruption, criticism and missteps, a state Senate Committee on Tuesday passed an array of measures aimed at providing greater oversight of the Hono­lulu Police Department and law enforcement in general. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers are looking for ways to increase oversight of the state’s police officers after reports of domestic violence by off-duty officers led to diminished trust. Associated Press.

A former prison guard is being sentenced for taking bribes from a Hawaii gang to smuggle drugs and cigarettes to inmates. Feso Malufau is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday. Associated Press.

According to the Department of Public Safety, 18 corrections officers were disciplined last year for various cases of misconduct, including a three-day suspension for erroneously releasing an inmate, a 30-day suspension for workplace violence and one officer who was fired for bringing in contraband. Two sheriffs were disciplined last year for assault of an inmate and failing to properly manage the assault. KHON2.

Hawaii lawmakers are considering redefining what constitutes rape on University of Hawaii campuses by requiring UH to adopt a so-called affirmative consent standard for investigating sexual assault complaints. Star-Advertiser.

Three Big Island lawmakers have introduced legislation to give terminally ill patients access to drugs and medical treatment that have not received final approval by the federal Food and Drug Administration. The proposed bills — House Bill 882 and House Bill 92 and Senate Bill 585 — are part of a national movement, dubbed “Right to Try,” that has been gaining momentum. West Hawaii Today.

Opinion: If you need more evidence that our regulation of lobbyists is less than robust, consider the Hawaii State Ethics Commission’s most recent enforcement action. On Feb. 2, 2015 the commission announced it had levied fines against the Land Use Research Foundation, a prominent developer-backed advocacy group, and David Arakawa, the foundation’s executive director, for failing to comply with the state’s lobbyist law during the years from 2008 through 2014. Civil Beat.

Opinion: Which Lawmakers Are the First to Hold Fundraisers During Session? UPDATE Keeping track of of who is taking money since the Hawaii Legislature opened for business. Cha-ching!. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Despite holding monthly sessions on the best ways to keep costs from getting out of hand, the third-party contractor monitoring Hono­lulu's public rail transit project says that it's seeing "minimal" cost containment and calls the trend "alarming." Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell will sign Bill 62 into law on Wednesday, banning sitting and lying in four outdoor malls in the downtown business district, according to a press release from the mayor’s office. Civil Beat.

City officials are contacting roughly 10,000 retailers on Oahu this week to remind them about a major change that will be coming to checkout counters. Some businesses are already gearing up for the plastic bag ban that starts on July 1. Hawaii News Now.

A resolution urging Mayor Kirk Caldwell to develop a demonstration project exploring the viability of shipping containers for low-cost housing won a nod from the City Council Public Health, Safety and Welfare Committee on Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

The American Dream Is Broken for the Middle Class. The cost of living has eaten away at Honolulu residents' incomes, raising profound questions about many people's future. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

A purveyor of electronic cigarette products has filed an ethics complaint against Hawaii County Council Chairman Dru Kanuha, saying Kanuha was unduly influenced by unregistered lobbyists and didn’t listen to constituents in two recent anti-smoking bills. West Hawaii Today.

The state Department of Transportation hopes to begin work on the Queen Kaahumanu Highway widening project this summer. West Hawaii Today.

The owners of Hilo Lanes are asking $3.75 million for the shuttered bowling alley. The business at 777 Kinoole St. closed abruptly in May after operating for 54 years when its air-conditioning broke. Tribune-Herald.

Kauai

Green Energy Team LLC’s $90 million biomass-to-energy facility in Koloa is now hot. The 6.7-megawatt facility is located near Knudsen Gap and will provide about 11 percent of the island’s electricity, relying completely on wood chips. Garden Island.

Developers seeking to rebuild and reopen the historic Coco Palms Resort in Wailua have to wait at least another two more weeks before any decisions are made on their building permits. The Kauai County Planning Commission on Tuesday was unable to make a decision on the construction plans and building permits for Coco Palms Hui LLC. Garden Island.

County of Kauai officials say they will close the dirt parking lot that runs along Nawiliwili Stream and behind the Anchor Cove Shopping Center next week for a two-day pothole repair project. Garden Island.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Office of Hawaiian Affairs inducts new trustees, Kauhou aquifer plan delayed, lava turns toward shopping center, Pearl Harbor workers killed, youth e-cig use climbs, coffee beetle comes to Oahu, oceans clogged with plastic, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

image courtesy Hawaii Office of Hawaiian Affairs
Office of Hawaiian Affairs investiture, photo courtesy HA
Though Native Hawaiians have made progress in education, health, economic self-sufficiency and other areas, there remains work to be done on nation building and overall community improvement, Kama­na‘o­pono Crabbe, chief executive officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, said Wednesday in his State of OHA address. Star-Advertiser.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees will be “servant leaders at our people’s table,” said newly elected chairman Robert Lindsey at an investiture of board members Wednesday in Honolulu. West Hawaii Today.

A new study estimates about 269,000 tons of plastic — enough to fill more than 38,500 garbage trucks — is floating in the world’s oceans. Associated Press.

Allowing Aloha United Way to solicit donations from state workers gives the private charity an "unfair advantage" over other nonprofits and is inconsistent with the fair treatment provision of the state ethics code, the staff at the state Ethics Commission has concluded. Star-Advertiser.

Reform measures and high returns on investments in recent years have helped Hawaii start to crawl out of its $20 billion hole in retirement benefits promised to thousands of public workers. But the state still has a long way to go — 26 years to be exact, based on the latest actuarial report for the Hawaii Employees’ Retirement System. State senators are set to learn more about the financial status and valuation of the public pension system Thursday morning during a legislative briefing at the Capitol. Civil Beat.

State health officials and a community organization are alerting the public to what they call an alarming increase in the use of electronic cigarettes among Hawaii's youth. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii has won a $14.8 million multiyear federal grant to launch public preschool programs at charter schools statewide. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu
Two civilian contract workers were killed and two others injured Wednesday while working on a barge at Pearl Harbor's Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility off Waipio Peninsula. Star-Advertiser.

Two men were killed when a 10,000-pound buoy fell from a crane onto contractors in Pearl Harbor. Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. David Jenkins says the men were on a barge that was servicing the Navy's fleet of inactive ships at the time of Wednesday's incident. Associated Press.

The City Council postpones a vote on Bill 62, which would ban sitting and lying on sidewalks and planters in five downtown Honolulu and Chinatown malls. Civil Beat.

The Queen's Medical Center, Hawaii's largest private hospital, has signed an agreement with Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning LLC to use the long-planned $250 million project that will cool Downtown Honolulu office buildings and condominium towers with cold water from the ocean. Pacific Business News.

The invasive coffee pest with which Hawaii Island growers have struggled for the last four years now has been found elsewhere in the state. The state Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday the coffee berry borer was discovered last week on farms owned by Dole Foods in Waialua, Oahu. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Wright Homes may be the last place you'd expect to see a hotel, but developers are floating the idea to help pay for the aging housing project's redevelopment. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

Hawaii County can stay in the driver’s seat of the Keauhou aquifer — but the reprieve is only temporary and comes with conditions. After nine hours of testimony in Kailua-Kona on Wednesday, the state Commission on Water Resource Management delayed making a decision on whether to put the aquifer under its control. West Hawaii Today.

The June 27 lava flow appears to have chosen which path it will follow. And it’s not good news for Pahoa’s main shopping center. Tribune-Herald.

The Volcano transfer station will be expanded and undergo structural repairs as part of a $1.06 million project that broke ground Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Makila Land Co. is seeking to develop 11 agricultural lots on 214 acres north of 186 acres of oceanfront at Launiupoko that the landowner sold to Maui County for $13 million earlier this year. Maui News.

The Maui Planning Commission unanimously approved Tuesday a special management area permit for the Cove Beach Village project, a 32-unit apartment complex located on an acre along Kanani Road in Kihei. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kauai County Council will decide next week whether they want to override a vetoed law that would use lease rents, rather than fair market values, to calculate the real property taxes of biotech research land users. The seven-member board, by a 5-0 vote, decided to revive the killed law during their meeting Wednesday, paving the way for a final vote on it to take place during their Wednesday meeting. Garden Island.

Developers aren't saying why a planned Lihue shopping center is being delayed. Associated Press.

Investigating the death of an endangered species — in this case, a Hawaiian monk seal pup — is exactly what you might expect in any homicide investigation. Garden Island.

The Federal District Court in Hawai’i struck down Kaua’i and Hawai’i County ordinances that sought to restrict cultivation of genetically engineered crops. Both cases are being appealed. In his final report on the Maui GMO debate, Hawaii Public Radio’s Wayne Yoshioka asked residents what actions can be taken beyond the Courts.

Molokai

Four fishermen from Molokai have been indicted for allegedly boarding another fishing vessel and robbing and harassing the people on board. The four men will be arraigned in Maui Circuit Court later this month, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources said Wednesday. Associated Press.

Four MolokaŹ»i men were arrested and charged for their alleged involvement in a confrontation between two groups of fishermen in MolokaŹ»i waters earlier this year. Maui Now.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Many Hawaii homeless new arrivals, Abercrombie says same-sex marriage highlight of gubernatorial term, PAC spending case sent to prosecutor, Hawaii council advances e-cig ban, Kakaako construction gone wild, Maui could hike water rates in droughts, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2014 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Honolulu homeless © 2014 All Hawaii News
About 6 percent of Hawaii's homeless population — or about 600 people — arrived in the Aloha State in only the last 12 months, according to a new University of Hawaii report. In addition, about 16 percent of the homeless population — or about 1,600 people — told Hawaii social service workers they became new residents within the last five years. Star-Advertiser.

Opponents of a proposal to put in place the city's "sit-lie" ordinance in business districts across Oahu plan to hold rally at Hono­lulu Hale starting shortly before midday Thursday to urge Mayor Kirk Caldwell to veto the bill passed by the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

A Statewide Homeless Awareness Conference on O’ahu is scheduled for Friday. It will bring service providers and government agencies together to look for viable solutions. Hawaii Public Radio.

An immigration reform proposal expected to be unveiled by President Barack Obama today could protect hundreds of undocumented immigrants living in Hawaii from deportation. Civil Beat.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Wednesday described the legalization of same-sex marriage as his proudest accomplishment as governor and said he wished he had done more to convince the public of the need for shared sacrifice near the end of the recession. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Attorney General David Louie plans to appeal a court’s decision requiring the release of financial disclosure statements of certain state board members, which is expected to keep the records private while that lengthy process plays out. Civil Beat.

Opinion: Hawaii Needs to Spread a Little Digital Aloha. Our new governor should take steps — even if they're costly — to drag the islands’ computer systems into the modern world. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The city prosecutor's office is now tasked with deciding whether criminal charges are warranted in connection with two complaints related to the 2012 mayoral campaign activities of the Pacific Resource Partnership Political Action Committee. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu prosecutors will decide whether to file criminal charges against the Pacific Resource Partnership’s political action committee for failing to disclose hundreds of thousands of dollars spent during the 2012 mayoral campaign, among other violations. The state Campaign Spending Commission voted 3-1 Wednesday to refer two complaints against PRP to city prosecutors. Civil Beat.

A global engineering and design firm that holds three Oahu rail project contracts has purchased a rival company that holds the contract to oversee the design firm's work, forcing city officials to look at ways to resolve an apparent conflict of interest. Star-Advertiser.

The former lead prosecutor in the gambling, money laundering and racketeering case involving arcade sweepstakes machines is facing possible sanctions for failing to show up in state court Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Pearl Harbor is getting a fourth Virginia-class submarine next week, adding to the high-tech firepower the Navy has said will accompany the rebalance to the Pacific. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii developer Stanford Carr's Keauhou Lane project, which includes 388 residential units in a 400-foot high-rise tower, along with 35 townhouse units in a 42-foot mid-rise tower, is slated to start construction in late March or early April. Pacific Business News.

Better coordination between landowners, developing a business improvement district and subsidizing retailers were some of the ideas tossed around at a town hall meeting in Downtown Honolulu that focused on the pedestrian experience in the growing Honolulu neighborhood of Kakaako. Pacific Business News.

Opinion: Imagining Kakaako — How Our Hearts Lead Us Astray. The area is developing all too quickly thanks to public/private cooperation on steroids and the lack of urban vision. Civil Beat.

Reece Huculak-Kimmel has become known as the million-dollar baby. The 11-month-old Canadian girl was prematurely born at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children on Dec. 10 and her parents are now responsible for a $950,000 bill that insurance won't cover. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A bill prohibiting the use of electronic cigarettes anywhere smoking traditional cigarettes is banned moved ahead Wednesday to its final vote, after attempts to first amend, then delay, the measure were batted away by a County Council majority. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County’s Civil Defense chief said he will continue to assess whether road restrictions should be lifted as the June 27 lava flow remains calm near Pahoa. Tribune-Herald.

US House Panel Gets Volcano Hazard Update. Reps. Hanabusa and Gabbard were among those at the congressional hearing that included testimony from Hawaii officials. Civil Beat.

The June 27 lava flow took centerstage Wednesday during a Congressional subcommittee hearing on volcano monitoring in the United States. Tribune-Herald.

The comptroller for the state Department of Accounting and General Services has joined the lineup of opposition to placing the Keauhou aquifer under the control of the state’s water commission. West Hawaii Today.

Two top administrators of the state Department of Health’s Adult Mental Health Division appeared in a Hilo courtroom Tuesday to explain delays in performing a mental examination for a woman jailed several months for relatively minor offenses. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Members of the council committee on water resources today passed a bill on first reading that seeks to establish special water rate actions and conservation measures during times of water shortages and drought. Maui Now.

Lahainaluna High School staff, students, supporters and local politicians have formed a Lahainaluna Boarding Department Working Group to sustain the historic and nearly 200-year-old program that has been hit with funding problems and the phasing out of traditional and lucrative farming programs. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kauai County Council soundly defeated a proposal encouraging Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.’s administration to create a low-interest loan program that would help residents upgrade their cesspools to septic systems on the heels of imminent changes to state Department of Health rules on wastewater. Garden Island.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Fee hikes for Hawaii's national parks, $2M to shelter 115 Honolulu homeless, Hawaii council unsure on beach e-cig ban, UH study downplays jellyfish threat, state girds for Tropical Storm Ana, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2014 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Visitors at Kilauea volcano crater © 2014 All Hawaii News
The National Park Service wants to raise entrance fees for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island and Haleakala National Park on Maui. The per-person rate at both parks would increase from $5 to $8 next year, $10 the year after and $12 in 2017. Associated Press.

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is considering a plan to increase its entrance fees incrementally during the next few years. Under the proposal, an annual pass would increase from $25 to $50 in 2017 and vehicle fees would increase from $10 to $15 in 2015, to $20 in 2016 and to $25 in 2017. Tribune-Herald.

Haleakalā National Park on Maui is proposing an entrance fee hike that is scheduled to begin in 2015 and continue with incremental increases through 2017.  The increase will more than double the admission for individuals, motorcycles and vehicle passes over the next few years. Maui Now.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is seeking public feedback on possible entrance fee increases starting in 2015. Entrance fees for recreational use have not increased since 1997. KHON2.

Hawaii Governor Candidates Offer Ideas to Bring Down Energy Costs. The topics include what to do with the Public Utilities Commission and getting Hawaiian Electric to allow more solar energy onto an antiquated grid. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's gubernatorial candidates met to share their positions on Hawaii's future in clean energy Tuesday evening. KITV4.

Hawaii News Now continues its groundbreaking and innovative political coverage Wednesday evening, October 15, with the state's only "Town Hall" debate between the three leading candidates for governor, Republican Duke Aiona, Independent Mufi Hannemann and Democrat David Ige.

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie — yes, he’s still our governor, until Dec. 1 — is expected to return today from a six-day trip to Taiwan. Civil Beat.

Tropical Storm Ana was just below hurricane strength on a path toward Oahu and Kauai. The National Weather Service said hurricane watches may be issued for the Hawaiian islands sometime Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Tropical Storm Ana is moving southeast of Hawaii as it continues on a track that takes it toward the islands this weekend. At 5 a.m. Wednesday, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said the center of Ana was located 680 miles southeast of Hilo, or 890 miles east-southeast of Honolulu, with maximum sustained winds of 70 miles per hour with higher gusts. Hawaii News Now.

A strengthening Tropical Storm Ana remained on track to reach the Big Island as a Category 1 hurricane this weekend, forecasters said Tuesday evening. The storm is expected to be upgraded to a hurricane this morning and bring sustained winds of up to 75 to 80 mph Saturday as it skirts the south end of the island. Tribune-Herald.

Officials worry about storm fatigue as Tropical Storm Ana nears Hawaii. KITV4.

New evidence shows deep-sea animals enjoy dining on jellyfish more than scientists previously suspected, upending concerns that jellyfish blooms may be harmful to the ocean's ecosystem, according to a study published Wednesday by a University of Hawaii researcher. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The city hopes to offer permanent shelter to 115 people under the initial $2 million Housing First contract. Star-Advertiser.

A new tower or two, an oceanfront pool and a wedding chapel by a famed Japanese architect are among several additions in the works for the JW Marriott Ihilani hotel at Ko Olina Resort & Marina as part of a plan to re-brand the property as a Four Seasons hotel. Star-Advertiser.

The long-planned $31 million Waikiki Landing project at Hawaii's Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, which lost its funding several months ago, has received a new funding commitment from another investor, the project developer’s attorney told Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

The Hawaii County Council is ready to ban the use of electronic cigarettes inside county buildings. But a council committee, after extensive debate Tuesday, said it wasn’t ready to extend that ban to beaches and outdoor parks. West Hawaii Today.

Landlords on Hawaii Island may be ditching their regular tenants in order to make bigger profits from residents seeking safe harbor from the path of the June 27 lava flow. Tribune-Herald.

Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii, an affiliate of the global nonprofit housing organization, has abruptly backed out of a planned fundraising event after questions were raised about whether its advertising was improperly promoting the gubernatorial campaign of Republican Duke Aiona. Civil Beat.

Maui

Monday's release of 10 million gallons per day of water back into Iao Stream marked a historic occasion, but activists who've fought decades for the return of water to Na Wai Eha, the four great streams of Central Maui, said that the fight is not over yet. Maui News.

An online news and information website, mauicounty.us, has been launched to keep the public informed about news and events of the Maui County Council, Council Chairwoman Gladys Baisa announced. Maui News.

Interval Leisure Group has completed its $220 million purchase of Hyatt Residential Group from Hyatt Hotels Corp., which includes Hyatt's interest in a joint venture developing the Hyatt Ka'anapali Beach, Interval Leisure announced earlier this month. Maui News.

Kauai

Mayoral incumbent Bernard Carvalho Jr. and his challenger, Dustin Barca, remained sharply divided on the county’s law regulating pesticides and genetically modified organisms during one of their last political forums together on Tuesday. Garden Island.

Just hours before Jimmy Pflueger is sentenced on a “Reckless Endangering” felony charge brought against him by the state after his Ka Loko Dam breached on March 14, 2006, killing 7 people, Hawaii Reporter has obtained an inflammatory letter Pflueger wrote last month to one of the victims. Hawaii Reporter.

A new shuttle service on Kauai’s North Shore is expected to reduce traffic and alleviate parking congestion. Now in operation, it will move residents and visitors between North Shore resorts and popular visitor destinations in Princeville, Hanalei, Wainiha, Haena and Kee. Garden Island.

After closing up shop and referring its clients to competitors, Kauai Springs, Inc. is back in business — at least temporarily — said owner Jim Satterfield. On Sept. 30, the County of Kauai Planning Department sent a letter to the Koloa-based water bottling and distribution company ordering it to immediately cease and desist all activities Garden Island.