Land Board to decide Thirty Meter Telescope permit, Big Island to ban foam food containers, firefighters' union blasts Honolulu chief for actions in deadly high-rise blaze, low-income seniors get $800 rent hike, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Telescopes on Mauna Kea © 2017 All Hawaii News

The fate of the Thirty Meter Telescope is in the hands of the state Board of Land and Natural Resources following a lengthy and sometimes emotional final hearing Wednesday to conclude the project’s contested case proceeding. Star-Advertiser.

The Thirty Meter Telescope is again in the hands of the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. After a full day of testimony, and time to ask its own questions of supporters and opponents, the seven-member panel ended a hearing Wednesday in Hilo without making a decision regarding whether the next-generation telescope should be built on Mauna Kea, leaving that for an undetermined date. Tribune-Herald.

The final public hearing over the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope kicked off Wednesday in Hilo. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s land board is hearing arguments for and against building a giant telescope on a mountain some consider sacred. Associated Press.

The Hawaii State Board of Land and Natural Resources began hearing oral arguments in the Contested Case Hearing for the Conservation District Use Application for the Thirty Meter Telescope at the Mauna Kea Science Reserve on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Crown Room of the Grand Naniloa Hotel in Hilo. Big Island Now.

VIDEO: University of Hawaii Final Argument In TMT Case. Big Island Video News.

VIDEO: Kahookahi Kanuha Final Argument In TMT Case. Big Island Video News.

=====

Hawaii stands to lose $5 billion in federal funding for health insurance within a decade if the latest Senate GOP health care bill becomes law. Hawaii News Now.

State to brief people on what to do if NKorea launches attack. Hawaii News Now.

How Some Hawaii Officials’ Paychecks Compare To The Mainland. Some of the islands’ top public employees stack up well, even with our high cost of living. Others, not so much. Civil Beat.

Report: Hawaii among 14 states making strides to combat climate change. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s first two medical marijuana dispensaries sold a combined 57 pounds of buds totaling more than $426,000 in sales since opening in early August. Star-Advertiser.

For the first time in a decade, there’s new management on the way for a $1.5 million annual grant provided by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to Hawaiian-focused public charter schools, and not everyone is happy about that. Civil Beat.

Global Tourism Summit: Japan #1 for Hawaii. One-point-five million Japanese Tourists visit Hawaii and spend more than 2 billion dollars. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Airlines has no plans to drop its money-making fees for checked baggage and reservation changes when Southwest Airlines enters the Hawaii market. Star-Advertiser.

Island Air hopes for profit next year after costly upgrades. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Make It Easier, Not Harder, To Access Hawaii’s Public Records. Gov. David Ige and his Office of Information Practices are sending very different messages about openness and accountability in state government. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The head of the firefighters’ union took his complaints against Honolulu Fire Chief Manuel Neves and his top lieutenants over their handling of the July 14 Marco Polo condominium fire to the city Fire Commission on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

The president of Hawaii Firefighters Association criticized Honolulu Fire Department's response to the deadly Marco Polo high rise fire that killed three people on July 14. KITV.

Firefighters Union Protests Lack Of Information On Marco Polo Investigation. The Honolulu Fire Department knows the cause of the fire, but is refusing to reveal it — even to their own firefighters — until reports are finalized. Civil Beat.

A complaint from a decorated police officer who is urging the Honolulu Police Commission to scrutinize police chief applicants who might be involved in the corruption case against former Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his wife was taken up behind closed doors Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Tensions flared at Wednesday’s Honolulu Police Commission meeting as former Police Chief Louis Kealoha continued his quest to have taxpayers foot his legal bills. Civil Beat.

Monthly rent for several kupuna at a low income senior apartment complex in Honolulu is expected to shoot up by about $800. KITV.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is investing in a new agricultural produce processing and farmer training facility on Oahu through a $1.6 million grant to the Waianae Community Redevelopment Corp. Pacific Business News.

Community concerns prompt landowner to scale back North Shore food truck hub. Hawaii News Now.

Kahuku Medical Center is searching for a new chief executive officer to replace Stephany Nihipali Vaioleti, who is leaving the North Shore hospital in October to join Hawaii Medical Service Association. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu-based Coast Guard cutter Sherman returned Wednesday after a 94-day, 16,000 mile patrol in the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea in a region where melting sea ice is causing commercial and military activity to heat up as well. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii County

Mayor Harry Kim said Wednesday he plans to sign a foam food container ban that passed the County Council by a 7-2 vote earlier in the day. West Hawaii Today.

Rep. Richard Creagan, who has represented South Kona and Ka‘u for the past four years, announced Wednesday his candidacy for the state Senate, recommitting in his announcement to an earlier goal of getting a new hospital and teaching institution for West Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

=====

Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. announced Wednesday that the owner of an oil-fired power plant on Hawaii Island has agreed to sell the facility to a private subsidiary of HEI. The purchase comes after the state Public Utilities Commission stopped Hawaii Electric Light Co., an HEI subsidiary, from purchasing the power plant. Star-Advertiser.

Pacific Current, a newly created subsidiary of Hawaiian Electric Industries, has reached an agreement with ArcLight Capital Partners to buy Hamakua Energy Partners' 60-megawatt power plant on the Big Island for an undisclosed price. Pacific Business News.

One of the “highest efficiency, lowest emission power plants in the state” is being sold to a new subsidiary of Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. Tribune-Herald.

=====

Big Island Tourism: Fastest Growing in the Islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Food Basket Inc., Hawaii Island’s food bank, is teaming up with KTA Super Stores and farmers markets to help SNAP-EBT cardholders purchase more island-grown produce. Tribune-Herald.

Child porn, trafficking suspect sues his home surveillance company. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

A nearly 29 percent property tax hike could be in store for Maui homeowners who rent out their non-primary residences as transient vacation rentals. Associated Press.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold a public meeting Monday to discuss maintenance dredging scheduled for October at the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor and Mala Boat Ramp. Maui News.

The newly renovated and rebranded Goodwill Store and Donation Center in Kahului will celebrate its grand reopening Saturday, Sept. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 1. Maui Now.

Kauai

Maui Kupono Builders will be conducting roadwork repairs on Maluhia Road, from Kaumualii Highway to Ala Kinoiki, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Garden Island.

Three citizens are being acknowledged for making a difference with aloha in their actions. The Kauai Chamber of Commerce will be presenting the 2017 Mea Ho‘omana‘o Awards to recognize and honor those who demonstrate the importance of aloha with respect and civility in their interactions. Garden Island.

Firefighters get 2 percent raise, Cayetano urges Trump to cut rail funds, new rules for Aloha Stadium, lava boat tours face fines, another 30 days for Thirty Meter Telescope case, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii County firetruck © 2017 All Hawaii News

An arbitrator has awarded raises of more than 2 percent for each of the next two years to Hawaii firefighters in a binding decision that may be the bellwether of ongoing contract negotiations with all of the state and county public worker unions this year. Star-Advertiser.

Health care lobbyists in Hawaii are pushing lawmakers to kill part of a bill that would expand access to fertility treatments to same-sex couples who want to have a child. Associated Press.

A bill to generate school funding through a surcharge on investment properties and visitor accommodations has died. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii’s unemployment rate resumed its descent in March, falling to 2.7 percent, its lowest level in nearly 10 years. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s unemployment rate has continued its downward trend and dropped to its lowest figure in 10 years last month. Pacific Business News.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions drew fire Thursday for comments about the federal judge from Hawaii who halted President Donald Trump’s travel ban. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s Democratic lawmakers on Thursday criticized Attorney General Jeff Sessions after he expressed amazement on a radio show that a “judge sitting on an island in the Pacific” could stop the president’s travel ban. Associated Press.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono raised nearly $300,000 in the first three months of the year, bringing her cash-on-hand total to more than $1 million. Civil Beat.

A state Circuit Court judge ruled Wednesday that the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General can keep secret its year-long investigation of the state auditor’s office. Civil Beat.

The future of cannabis in Hawaii -- that was the controversial topic of a forum held Thursday night at the Hawaii Democratic Party headquarters. Hawaii News Now.

One of Hawaii’s newest agricultural initiatives, industrial hemp, slowly is gaining its footing as state agencies lay groundwork for a long-term commitment to the crop. Tribune-Herald.

Professor says state’s coral reefs have chance to bounce back from bleaching. West Hawaii Today.

Oahu

Hawaii Senate To Propose 10-Year Extension On Rail Tax. But Honolulu would receive a smaller share of the surcharge while some money goes to the state highway fund. Civil Beat.

Former Gov. Ben Cayetano is urging President Donald Trump to cut funding for Honolulu’s beleaguered rail project, arguing that cost estimates are the some of the highest in the world. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu’s rail agency has started the process to acquire a First Hawaiian Bank-owned facility next to Kalihi Stream via eminent domain. Star-Advertiser.

The deed restrictions on the 100 acres of land under Aloha Stadium in Honolulu has officially been lifted, paving the way for a planned major redevelopment project that includes building a mixed-use community using a rail transit station, as well as a brand new, smaller stadium that could accommodate more events. Pacific Business News.

It took city, state and federal government officials assisted by attorneys and others, but the paperwork to lift restrictions against using the 98-acre Aloha Stadium property for anything other than recreation is officially done. Star-Advertiser.

City Council considers rules that would add accessibility to new homes. KHON2.

More than 1000 people are expected to March for Science in Honolulu Saturday. KITV.

New signs promoting environmental and cultural care are being installed around Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Participants in the Thirty Meter Telescope contested case will have another month to submit their final arguments. Tribune-Herald.

Two men could face substantial fines for allegedly operating illegal lava boat tours. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is recommending fines of $60,000 against Henry Pomroy, $20,000 against William Fujimoto and $60,000 against Ho‘okupu Fish Company LLC, which they co-own. Tribune-Herald.

Miss Aloha Hula 2017 is hula sister of last year’s winner. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

More than 1,000 Maui residents attended a Town Hall meeting hosted by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard on Thursday night at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Maui Now.

HC&S shutdown adds urgency to wildfire training. Firefighters prepare for their busy season, the first without the help of sugar plantation crews. Maui News.

Flurry of Activity at Flower Farm Followed by Private Property Reminder. Maui Now.

Pono Life Sciences Maui, LLC is opening up an office in Downtown Honolulu to help further the company’s education mission. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Some locals say marijuana should be legalized, regulated. Garden Island.

The Department of Public Works will hold a meeting Tuesday on the proposed alternatives for the repair work planned for ‘Aliomanu Road in Anahola. Garden Island.

Marine Corps plans Osprey training on Kauai, state Supreme Court approves Maui telescope, Red Hill fuel spill meeting draws concerned crowd, union calls for ouster of Honolulu fire chief, huge jury pool summoned for Kenoi trial, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

A U.S. Marine MV-22 landing on flight deck of aircraft carrier Nimitz, public domain photo

So quietly it almost went unnoticed, the Marine Corps has floated a plan to conduct training with three types of aircraft, including one critics say is prone to crashes, on Kauai and The Forbidden Island. Civil Beat.

An estimated 41,000 Hawaii residents will see a substantial jump in their Obamacare health insurance premiums in 2017. Star-Advertiser.

This Group Is Looking For Better Ways Hawaii Can Limit Painkillers. Once a leader, Hawaii has fallen behind on ways to identify doctors who overprescribe as well as patients who shop around for opioid pain pills. Civil Beat.

The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 8 general election is Oct. 10 — that’s Monday by 4:30 p.m. (Note: Effective this year, qualified Hawaii residents who are not registered may go in-person to any early walk in voting location within their county to register and vote. That’s Oct. 25 through Nov. 5.) Civil Beat.

Securing a future for Hawai’i’s keiki. That was the focus of a conference on emerging technologies today. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu
Nearly three years after one of the Navy’s massive underground fuel tanks at Red Hill leaked 27,000 gallons of fuel, the military has yet to clean up the spill or commit to long-term remedies for improving the 18 active World War II-era tanks that sit just 100 feet above a critical aquifer that supplies Oahu drinking water. Star-Advertiser.

The Environmental Protection Agency says millions of gallons of fuel stored in a military facility under Red Hill is unlikely to reach the water supply. Hawaii News Now.

Dozens filled the Moanalua Middle School cafeteria Thursday evening for a public meeting on the US Navy's fuel tank facility at Red Hill. KITV.

The union for Honolulu firefighters is calling for Fire Chief Manuel Neves to step down following recent safety concerns. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu’s mayor is calling on the Honolulu Fire Commission to ask for a review of the fire department’s training and safety procedures in the wake of two accidents in the past few months. KHON2.

The state Agribusiness Development Corp. has received $31.5 million to buy nearly 900 acres of agricultural land in Central Oahu to be used as part of the Whitmore farming project in the area, Pacific Business News has learned.

Kakaako Waterfront Park's temporary shorter hours took effect Thursday night. But dozens of park users were unaware of the early closure because of the short notice, and officials took it easy on enforcement as a result. Hawaii News Now.

Incumbent state Rep. Bob McDermott and the Democratic challenger Rose Martinez share the same desire to ease traffic gridlock, relieve overcrowding at Campbell High School and find upgrades to all of the schools in Ewa Beach. Star-Advertiser.

Former Hawaii first lady Vicky Cayetano’s United Laundry Services, which a few months ago joined Las Vegas’ PureStar Linen Group, has sold its properties for a total of $44.5 million, Pacific Business News has learned.

Hawaii

Summons have been sent to 1,600 potential jurors for Mayor Billy Kenoi’s theft trial, which is scheduled to start Monday in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Over the objections of some local businesses, the County Council on Wednesday advanced a bill closing the parking lot between Kuakini Highway and Likana Lane from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. West Hawaii Today.

Now in its second year, Ka‘u Learning Academy is readying for a growth spurt. West Hawaii Today.

Cory Harden called the Puna geothermal power plant a "dragon in the backyard that can wake up at any time," following recent steam releases at the Pohoiki facility. Big Island Video News.

Maui

The Hawaii Supreme Court handed down two opinions Thursday that upheld government approvals for the advanced-technology solar telescope under construction at the summit of Haleakala. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed a permit to build a solar telescope on a Maui mountain. The ruling denies a challenge by a group seeking to protect the sacredness of the summit of Haleakala. The University of Hawaii followed proper procedure for an environmental assessment, the Supreme Court also ruled in a separate ruling. Associated Press.

President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for Hawaiʻi on Thursday, which triggers the release of federal funds to help communities recover from the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that occurred Sept. 11-14, 2016. Maui Now.

Heavy rains and flooding in September caused no more than an estimated $1 million in damage to  Maui County’s water system, and about 3 million gallons of water per day continues to be lost as crews continue repairs. Maui News.

Proceedings before the state water commission involving stream flow standards and diversions in East Maui and Central Maui, which will be impacted by the closure of Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co., are expected to commence at the end of this year and into early 2017. Maui News.

Kauai

Hawaii has been dubbed the endangered species capital of the world, and the state’s Department of Agriculture is partnering with other agencies to create a plan to protect the biodiversity of the archipelago. Garden Island.

Obama's Christmas vacation, Hanabusa gears up Senate campaign, Mufi's misdeeds, Fuddy memorial service, firefighter raises, and more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Obama and Frostpaw the Polar Bear at the Oregon St/Akron basketball game, Not the White House courtesy photo

President Barack Obama and the first family eased into their annual island Christmas vacation Sunday by taking in a basketball game, the sport Obama often turns to to briefly escape the demands of politics and the White House. Star-Advertiser.

How President Barack Obama spent the second day of his holiday vacation in Hawaii on Sunday. Associated Press.

How President Barack Obama spent the first day of his holiday vacation in Hawaii on Saturday. Associated Press.

The 113th Congress is on track to be one of the least productive and most partisan in U.S. history, but Colleen Hanabusa is looking ahead — to August 2014, actually. That's when she hopes to win Hawaii's Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate. Civil Beat.

The state Supreme Court has handed former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann the last thing he needs as he plots a political resurrection — a stinging reminder to voters of what they don't like about him. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii counties must again prepare to dish out raises to employees, this time to local fire fighters. After binding arbitration, the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association was awarded a series of salary bumps over the next several years that will cost the counties millions of dollars. Civil Beat.

Amid skepticism, lawmakers at a briefing Friday appeared to cautiously welcome an unconventional University of Hawaii plan to begin to deal with a nearly half-billion dollar backlog in repairs and maintenance at its campuses. Civil Beat.

The voices of the choir rose inside the cavernous Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa Saturday for the one voice that was missing: that of state Health Director Loretta Fuddy, who lent her soprano to the choir every Sunday. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Health Connector said it is working closely with the state Insurance Division to see how the federal government’s recent modification to the exemption policy affects Affordable Care Act Implementation. Pacific Business News

Oahu

Unite Here Local 5 said in a statement issued Friday afternoon that it has filed a lawsuit against the owner and developer of Turtle Bay Resort over the company’s planned expansion of the North Shore property. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

There were six cases of officer misconduct serious enough for termination this year, a big jump over last year, when there was only one such incident, according to an annual report submitted Friday to the Hawaii County Police Commission. West Hawaii Today

Next month, students, faculty and administrators of the University of Hawaii at Hilo Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikolani College of Hawaiian Language will celebrate a new chapter in the school’s evolution as they bless their newly completed Hale ‘Olelo building. Tribune-Herald.

The Food Basket’s move to a warehouse on Holomua Street just more than two years ago might have a short shelf life. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A Paia businessman with a history of run-ins with neighbors and Maui County building and zoning inspectors has run afoul of them again. Maui News.

Kauai

Hawaii’s Department of Agriculture says it will cost $1,800 to review public records related to its investigation into whether Syngenta's pesticide spraying on Kauai sickened students and faculty at Waimea Canyon Middle School several times between 2006 and 2008. Civil Beat requested the case files in October to get more details about the four-year investigation.

The Kauai Department of Water will hold a community outreach meeting next month to discuss its newly-named “Water Plan 2020 Kahili Horizontal Directional Drilled Well” project. The meeting is from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 27 in the Kapaa Middle School dining room. Garden Island.

Sledgehammer lawmaker defends homeless hunt, Ag Chief Kokubun stepping down to join Hanabusa campaign, Hawaii mulls new prisons, Del Monte settlement first in human trafficking case, alleged embezzlement at Big Island Pop Warner league, Honolulu mayor ethics case heats up, deal reached with firefighter union, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Homeless along the Ala Wai  (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Despite a firestorm of controversy on Monday, state Rep. Tom Brower once again picked up his sledgehammer and went out to rid his Waikiki-Ala Moana district of shopping carts that homeless people use. He said people have told him that they appreciate the work he has done in the past several weeks to clear the district of stolen and abandoned carts. Institute for Human Services Director Connie Mitchell said Brower's actions could traumatize homeless people and incite street violence. Star-Advertiser.

Tom Brower has found a unique solution to houselessness: he destroys shopping carts with a sledgehammer (and awakens people sleeping at bus stops). Hawaii Independent.

State Rep. Tom Brower has taken a sledgehammer and a novel approach to Hawaii's homeless problem. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii is considering building a new prison on Oahu and new jails statewide to alleviate the state’s overcrowding crisis, including replacing the state’s largest jail, the Oahu Community Correctional Center, with a new facility. Pacific Business News.

A larger replacement for the Oahu Community Correctional Center at a new location is one piece of a possible major overhaul of Hawaii's crowded and old prisons and jails, state officials say. The overhaul could include new or expanded correctional facilities at its seven institutions and adding an eighth facility for a total prison bed space for up to 4,425 inmates. Star-Advertiser.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reached a $1.2 million settlement with a former Kunia farm in a human trafficking lawsuit involving more than 150 Thai farmworkers. Associated Press.

Kokubon

Russell Kokubun is stepping down as director of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, in part to help Colleen Hanabusa with her U.S. Senate campaign, according to sources close to the campaign. Civil Beat.

State Rep. Rida Cabanilla has been fined $500 by the state Campaign Spending Commission for filing an inaccurate or false campaign-finance report.Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Fire Fighters Association union has received a tentative deal on a new collective bargaining agreement. According to HFFA President Bobby Lee, a draft arbitration award is now making the rounds throughout the islands. Civil Beat.

Taxpayers have spent $200 million to establish the network for the Affordable Care Act in Hawaii - $53 million on just the Hawaii Health Connector web site development and management alone. However, so far, just 257 individuals have secured healthcare through the exchange. Hawaii Reporter.

The numbers are in and they are low -- just a couple hundred people in Hawaii have signed up for insurance on the new Health Connector website. But it's not for a lack of trying. KHON2 found out the problems people are still having, and how they can be fixed.

The state Department of Health today is dropping off $250,000 worth of voluntarily forfeited OxyELITE Pro products at the HPOWER waste-to-energy plant in Campbell Industrial Park to be destroyed amid an investigation that has linked the dietary supplement to multiple cases of liver damage and acute hepatitis in the isles and around the country. Star-Advertiser.

Tiny Tern Island, a 25-acre strip of land in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that has been inundated with marine debris, could become a Superfund cleanup site if the Center for Biological Diversity gets its way. Civil Beat.

State roundup for November 19. Associated Press.

Oahu
The seven-member Honolulu Ethics Commission voted unanimously Monday to back a request by Executive Director Chuck Totto to fire off a letter to Mayor Kirk Caldwell's administration, essentially urging city officials to retain the agency's budget request despite the objections of the Department of Corporation Counsel. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s top lieutenant reiterated the administration’s commitment to transparency Monday, despite lingering questions about its interference in ongoing ethics investigations. Civil Beat.

Kakaako’s designated central park is Kakaako Waterfront Park and Kakaako Makai and Mauka Gateway parks. But the state agency in charge of Kakaako development is moving full speed ahead with ridiculous proposals to remove large sections of valuable parkland from general public. Civil Beat.

The federal government has agreed to pay $67,500 to settle a lawsuit filed by a woman who says she was raped by a prison employee at the federal detention center. Government lawyer Edric Ming-Kai Ching announced the settlement Monday in U.S. District Court. Star-Advertiser.

The first commercial airline service out of Kalaeloa Airport could become a reality early next year. Mokulele Airlines is seeking state and community support to operate daily service to Lanai, Molokai and Maui, as well as possibly Kona, from the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Following an announcement Monday that Del Monte Fresh Produce Inc. will pay $1.2 million and change its migrant worker policies to settle a discrimination lawsuit, two Big Island farms have less than a month to file their consent decrees in federal court detailing their own settlement agreements. West Hawaii Today.

An alleged embezzlement of possibly more than $100,000 in league funds may prevent a Hilo midget football team from traveling to Florida next month to play in the Pop Warner Super Bowl. Tribune-Herald.

A Big Island football team's trip to the national tournament is in jeopardy because of missing travel funds. As authorities investigate, the players' families are scrambling to come up with about $100,000 to get to Florida in less than three weeks. Hawaii News Now.

The Kona Judiciary Complex has had its proposed home approved, in concept anyway. On Nov. 8, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources granted preliminary approval for building the $90 million facility near the Makalapua Center, mauka of Queen Kaahumanu Highway. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

While Del Monte Fresh Produce has agreed to pay $1.2 million to settle claims in a discrimination lawsuit involving Thai farmworkers, a trial is set for February on the claims against California-based labor contractor Global Horizons and Maui Pineapple Co. Maui News.

Maui Electric Company has formed a partnership with a mainland firm to manage new electric vehicle charging stations on Maui. Maui Now.

Scientists are posting on the Internet the movements of several tiger sharks that have been tagged with satellite and acoustical tracking devices in the ocean near Maui. The tagging is part of a two-year project to study the movement of the sharks and their behavior, including an attempt to determine their mating and pupping areas. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

It has been nearly 18 years since a 400-square-foot Hurricane Iniki shelter next to Kapaa Beach Park was converted into a Kauai Police Department substation. Garden Island.


Molokai

Molokai residents have noticed a lot of temporary electricity outages lately… and energy researchers have proposed a multi-million dollar project they hope will solve the problem. Hawaii Public Radio.