Showing posts with label flavored tobacco. Show all posts
Showing posts with label flavored tobacco. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

State seeks food security, Oahu landfill site selected near water supply, avian flu found in Hilo wastewater, Alaska Air stock takes off after Hawaiian purchase, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

How To Keep Hawaiʻi Better-Fed, According To Food-Security Advocates. Even in the best of times, Hawaiʻi isnʻt doing a good enough job of feeding itself, with 30% of households statewide experiencing food insecurity.  Addressing the underlying issues will require a lot of work, state food system planner Amanda Shaw told attendees at the Hawaiʻi Food Systems Summit on Tuesday during a three-day event at the University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu. Civil Beat.

UH study on quality of life cites housing, health care as stressors. A new dashboard launched by the University of Hawaii at Manoa offers data from a survey of more than 8,000 adult residents conducted earlier this year. It offers snapshots of how residents from a broad range of demographics felt about their neighborhood, workplace, housing, mental and physical health and other factors affecting quality of life. Star-Advertiser.

Alaska sees $1B jump in profit after Hawaiian Airlines merger. Alaska Air on Tuesday unveiled a plan to generate $1 billion in additional profits by 2027 by leveraging its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines and booming demand for premium travel, sparking a rally in its shares. Reuters.

Experiences in Hawaii may hold clues to suspected CEO killer’s anger. Luigi Mangione, who lived in Hawaii for about two years, is accused of shooting to death UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last Wednesday. Police say Mangione left three pages of notes, calling the company’s leaders “parasites.” Hawaii News Now.

A ‘Devil’ Seaweed Is Spreading Inside Hawaiʻi’s Most Protected Place. An invasive algae has wrecked huge sections of reef in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Scientists are racing to find out what it is, where it came from and whether anything can stop it.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

New Oʻahu Landfill Site Is Above Island’s Water Supply. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply opposes the decision, but the mayor and the director of the Department of Environmental Services think they can prevent leaks. After a yearslong search filled with pivots and delays, Honolulu city leaders announced on Tuesday plans to place Oʻahu’s new municipal landfill on land belonging to Dole Food Co. outside of Wahiawā. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Price increase expected for Oahu Transit Services. The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) is trying to generate more money to run Oahu Transit Services, TheBus and Skyline, by increasing costs in the next few years. KITV4.

Popping a wheelie on a public street may soon be illegal. The popularity of e-bikes continues to grow along with the number injuries relating to them. So lawmakers are pushing for stricter safety guidelines by banning wheelies on e-bikes and mopeds. KHON2.

Police subsidized vehicle reportedly involved in Aiea hit-and-run. Law enforcement sources say an HPD sergeant, who claimed to be a passenger in that police vehicle, told responding officers the man in the driver’s seat took off. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

State reports H5 avian flu detected in Hilo wastewater. The Hawaii Department of Health today said the H5 avian influenza virus has been detected in a wastewater sample collected from the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant on Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Cell tower bills head to council. A duel between two proposed regulations on Big Island cell towers ended with both bills victorious, after the Windward Planning Commission punted them both to the County Council on Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Artificial intelligence being used as tool to protect Hawai‘i’s native birds.
UH Hilo biology professor Patrick Hart’s research, funded by the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center, uses artificial intelligence to monitor bird populations in remote forests on Hawaiʻi Island. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County files for dismissal of election suit.
A motion filed by the Maui County Clerk seeks to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the results of the Nov. 5 general election, arguing that former Maui County Council member Kelly King, who lost to incumbent Tom Cook, failed to provide evidence of any errors or wrongdoing. Star-Advertiser.

Tobacco bill moves forward through Maui County Council.
Multiple individuals testified Friday during a Maui County Council meeting in support of a bill that hopes to ban e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco products on the island some day.  Maui News.

Residents fear cutbacks in Akaku Maui Community Media budget. With a song and a Hawaiian chant, supporters of nonprofit Akaku Maui Community Media testified for more than four hours in favor of preserving the budget for its access channels and production. Maui News.

Maui police seek help contacting families of 11 unclaimed bodies. The Maui Police Department is seeking the public’s help in contacting the family members of 11 unclaimed bodies at its forensic facility. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. Maui Now.

November single-family home prices shy of all-time record, but not by much. The median price of a single-family home on Maui was $1.3 million in November, according to a monthly statistical report by the Realtors Association of Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai Economic Opportunity to mark 60 years.
Kauai’s Economic Opportunity Inc. will mark an impressive milestone in 2025, celebrating 60 years of helping Kauai residents resolve disputes through effective mediation. Garden Island.

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Big changes coming to state tax code, U.S. Supreme Court won't take up gun rights case, UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect recently lived in Honolulu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawai‘i House Finance Chair Has Plans For Big Changes In The Tax Code. Rep. Kyle Yamashita has been talking about shifting millions of dollars in tax surcharge revenue from the counties back to the state. Civil Beat.

U.S. Supreme Court avoids Hawaii legal fight over gun rights. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a Hawaii man’s bid to throw out criminal charges for carrying a pistol while hiking, as the justices declined to review a ruling by the liberal-leaning state’s top court that denounced an expansion of gun rights by the nation’s highest judicial body. Reuters. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Luigi Mangione’s Hawaiʻi Friends Shocked By Arrest In UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting.
Luigi Mangione lived at the Surfbreak co-living community near Ala Moana Park on Oʻahu and later at 801 South St. Friends recall him as a natural leader who led a book club where members would share ideas while watching sunsets from a place called Magic Island. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Senators Urged To Examine Gabbard’s ‘Deep and Intense’ Ties To Hawaiʻi Sect. A former member of the scretive Science of Identity Foundation is warning members of Congress about the potential dangers of confirming Tulsi Gabbard as President-elect Donald Trump’s next director of national intelligence. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers again introduce measures to boost civic education and media literacy. Hawai‘i lawmakers are renewing efforts to help students identify disinformation and improve their understanding of how the government works. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH, Navy, Marines team up on resource management. The University of Hawaii and the Department of the Navy signed Monday an unprecedented 10-year agreement aimed at safeguarding natural and cultural resources on Navy and Marine Corps installations in the state. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian to take over Seattle-based routes, add airplanes and crews. Alaska Air Group today plans to tell investors in New York that Hawaiian Airlines will take over West Coast routes from Alaska Airlines to Hawaii and fly new nonstop routes from Seattle to Japan and South Korea, and announce more Hawaiian Air planes, and flight and ground crews. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council to vote on standards for office-to-residence conversions. The Honolulu City Council will have its final vote Wednesday on a bill that would lay out the standards to convert commercial buildings to residential. Hawaii Public Radio.

City Council to vote Wednesday on empty homes tax bill. More than 9% of Oahu homes are vacant. That’s 34,000 unoccupied units based on 2020 U.S. Census data. Hawaii News Now.

Property values are going up again, here’s why
. Heads up to homeowners, real property assessments will be mailed out soon and valuations are up again. That means many will be paying higher property taxes. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Has Money To Police Agriculture Crime, But No Timeline To Start. Despite the high-profile killing of an Oʻahu rancher, local law enforcement don’t receive any specialized training in agricultural crime. Civil Beat.

City and state collaborate to improve Kailua Beach Park. The city Department of Parks and Recreation, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands and the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program say they plan to work with community groups to smooth and flatten the dunes toward the makai side of the park. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

The Case Against Mike Miske Could Be About To Disappear As If It Never Happened. A federal legal doctrine requires all actions be vacated if a defendant dies before being sentenced or if any appeals remain. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Military Exemption To Hawaiʻi Nuclear-Free Law Repealed. The military is no longer exempt from Hawaiʻi County’s Nuclear-Free Law, according to Big Island lawmakers.  Big Island Video News.

Agency sees uptick in marine debris. The Hawaii Wildlife Fund has removed about 350 tons of marine debris from Big Island shores between 2003 and 2023, the majority of which came in the form of net bundles, masses of tangled rope and nets that can weigh hundreds of pounds. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Council considers ban on flavored tobacco sales. The council passed the measure through its first reading on Friday after a series of mostly supportive testimony. If passed, retailers would not be allowed to sell or market flavored tobacco, including menthol products. Hawaii Public Radio.

This unsheltered Maui community is stepping up to improve the road they call home. It’s shower and laundry day at Holomua Road in Pāʻia, where nearly 30 Maui residents live unsheltered. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui coalition of the Hawaiʻi Workers Center departs to Washington D.C. to demand Congress release disaster recovery funds for Lahaina.
A Maui coalition of the Hawaiʻi Workers Center has departed to Washington D.C. where they will demand that Congress release disaster recovery funds for Lahaina.  Maui Now.

Private Maui school’s proposed anti-trans policy stirs controversy. A West Maui school is considering controversial new guidelines that would essentially ban transgender students. The proposed changes would come to Maui Preparatory Academy in 2025. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

University of Hawai‘i and the US Navy partner to support Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands. The University of Hawaiʻi and the Department of the Navy signed a historic 10-year agreement to support the protection and management of natural and cultural resources on Navy and Marine Corps installations in Hawaiʻi. Kauai Now.

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Taiwan president to visit Hawaii, Meadow Gold to lay off almost 200 workers, Maui sets disposal site for wildfire waste, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Taiwan president plans Hawaii visit on sensitive trip to Pacific. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te is planning to stop in Hawaii and maybe Guam on a visit to Taipei’s diplomatic allies in the Pacific in the coming weeks, sources told Reuters, a sensitive trip coming shortly after the U.S. election. Reuters.

Meadow Gold to lay off nearly 200 people. According to the filing, 49 people on Oahu, 24 in Hilo, 19 in Kahului and seven on Kauai are losing their jobs. KHON2.

Hawaiian Electric removes ‘going concern’ warning in latest earnings report. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. on Friday removed a warning about its ability to remain in business, saying that a recent capital raise helped mitigate the concerns and that it’s reviewing strategic options for its clean energy subsidiary. Star-Advertiser.

Artist brings community into large ocean-inspired glass mural to surround the Capitol. The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts contracted Solomon Enos to design a mural that represents the ocean around the Capitol building. The $11 million large-scale art project involves fabricated glass that will cover more than 54,000 square feet of the pools. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu


Honolulu Condos: City Might Water Down Fire Safety Law Again. Seven years after the fatal Marco Polo fire, Honolulu might extend a key deadline for condo associations after failing to pass a sprinkler law. Civil Beat.

911 Outage Complicated By Failure Of Backup System, Honolulu Police Say. Police described a cascade of problems that led to a delay in informing the public about the outage. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Avian flu outbreak occurs at Wahiawa sanctuary. The outbreak occurred at Susie’s Duck Sanctuary, a nonprofit started two years ago by Susan Wilkinson to rescue abandoned ducks and geese in the state. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island


Inaba, Onishi tapped to lead council. Kona-Kohala Councilman Holeka Goro Inaba (District 8) will serve as chairman, and incoming Hilo Councilman Dennis “Fresh” Onishi (District 3) will serve as vice chairman. Tribune-Herald.

Community expresses ideas about fixing Kona’s downtown parking problems. About 250 people gave up their Friday night to attend a public meeting at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center to discuss the high cost of parking and batter around a bunch of ideas, included providing a shuttle parking service for employees in the village and creating an annual parking pass. Big Island Now.

Large West Hawaii  coral recovery project complete. A team of divers from several agencies — including the DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources, The Nature Conservancy and Arizona State University — worked for three days to remove hundreds of coral heads from a decommissioned offshore fish farm pipe ring. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Council committee looks at tobacco bill.
A new bill going through the Maui County Council may one day prohibit the sale, distribution and marketing of flavored cigarettes.  Maui News.

Maui County could ask Legislature to allow all birthing practices. The county resolution follows a 2019 state law that established a licensing structure for midwives. But it’s been controversial because it limits traditional birthing methods. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui County finds long-term disposal site for wildfire debris. An agreement with construction company Nan, Inc. was reached to purchase 49 acres of previously quarried land, plus 30 acres of land currently being used as a quarry. This is located near the Central Maui Landfill. KITV4.

Community input sought on proposed County acquisition of Von Tempsky property.
Residents are invited to provide feedback on the County of Maui’s proposed acquisition of the approximately 273-acre Von Tempsky property, formerly known as Kula Ridge Mauka in Kula. Maui Now.

Hawaii’s ‘Rosie the Riveter’ dies on Maui at age 98. Lucille “Cille” MacDonald, a Maui resident who was recognized by Congress for her work building ships during World War II and escaped the 2023 Lahaina fire, died Friday just weeks short of what would have been her 99th birthday. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kauai Police Chief’s Retirement Plans Won’t End Disciplinary Proceedings. Todd Raybuck has had a troubled tenure, including allegations of discrimination and leaving his loaded gun in a bathroom at the police station. Civil Beat.

Meeting about Wailua Bay shoreline mitigation set for Thursday. For the past four months the Surfrider Foundation Kauaʻi Chapter has been opposing the implementation of “sand savers,” the last of three parts of the Kūhiō Highway Emergency Shoreline Mitigation Project for Wailua Bay. Kauai Now.

State investigation continues into uncovered human burials at Wainiha property.
The order to stop all work followed the arrest of three people that were part of a group that had occupied the property for days in protest. At least eight burials have been found at the property between June and September, according to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Kauai Now.

Monday, October 23, 2023

Green to announce 2 new state Supreme Court justices today, Blangiardi signs flavored tobacco ban, search on for 2018 Maui wildfire after-action report, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Governor Green to name two Supreme Court Justices. The Hawaii Supreme Court is about to get two new justices who will be announced Monday, Oct. 23. They will replace retired justices Michael Wilson and Paula Nakayama.The judicial selection commission chose six finalists to submit to the governor. KHON2.

Hawaii Officials Learned Little From A 2018 Fire That Foreshadowed Lahaina. The state says it has no "after action review" of the earlier blaze and if Maui County ever completed its version, it was never widely disseminated. Civil Beat.

Taking fuel away from fire on Hawaii landscape is a tall challenge. According to a 2018-19 assessment by the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization, about 350 miles of landscape alteration statewide was needed to reduce high wildfire risk.  Star-Advertiser.

Toxic runoff could threaten reefs off Lahaina. Bolstered by a $200,000 National Science Foundation rapid-response grant, Andrea Kealoha, a faculty member with the University of Hawaii at Manoa Department of Oceanography, and a team of UH researchers are gearing up to sample the coral reefs near Lahaina to assess the impact of the toxic ash from the fire. Star-Advertiser.

Homestead Leases For Native Hawaiians Held Up Pending Ruling On Potential Plaintiff. A historic $328 million class action settlement for thousands of Native Hawaiians who waited decades for homestead leases on ancestral lands has been held up indefinitely as the Hawaii Supreme Court sorts out an appeal by a beneficiary who has been left out of the settlement. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Developers Settle Lawsuit Over Lack Of Accessibility Features. Five housing developments on Maui and Oahu were found to be in violation of the Fair Housing Act. Fifteen Hawaii developers have agreed to settle a lawsuit for $120,000 after the Justice Department accused them of failing to build multiple housing complexes with required accessibility features for people with disabilities. Civil Beat.

Survey finds decline in driver courtesy on Hawaii roadways. More than two-thirds of 435 island drivers surveyed by First Insurance Co. of Hawaii over the summer said their fellow drivers are less courteous today than five years ago. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Signs Bill To Ban Flavored Tobacco. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed the so-called trigger law on Friday, but the ban won’t take effect unless state lawmakers agree to give counties the authority to regulate such products. Civil Beat.

Film studio measure gets city, state support. A Honolulu City Council measure to boost Oahu’s economy by attracting eligible film studios through real property tax incentives is receiving a boost from city and state officials. Star-Advertiser.

Successful turnout for Oahu gun buyback program.
  State officials partnered with Honolulu police Saturday to create two safe spaces on Oahu that accepted 494 unwanted firearms in exchange for Foodland gift cards, no questions asked. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Two More Miske Defendants Plead But Without Agreement To Cooperate. The pleas leave only accused racketeering boss Mike Miske and three other defendants as part of the case. Civil Beat.

Hawaii civil rights pioneer Amy Agbayani honored with Women of Impact Award. Originally from the Philippines, the 80-year-old activist and lobbyist is a familiar face at the state Capitol and out in the community. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Big Isle home sales decline. Soaring interest rates have cooled the Big Island real estate market, with sellers and buyers alike reconsidering transactions. Tribune-Herald.

Public asked to be on the lookout for invasive beetles. Coconut rhinoceros beetle grubs have been found at a home in Waikoloa Village, state Department of Agriculture officials said Friday. It’s the first discovery of the invasive beetle on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Retired Police Commander Arrested In Kona. Former Hawai‘i Police Department Assistant Chief, Mitchell Kanehailua Jr., was arrested Sunday for violating a restraining order. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Army Corps of Engineers hosting public meetings for WMA Program munition response sites. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for managing restoration efforts at the Former Waikoloa Maneuver Area in South Kohala on the Island of Hawai‘i, is holding two public meetings Oct. 25 to present the remedial investigation plans for Munitions Response Sites Sector 16 and Sector 17. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Democrats seek to fill state Senate seat.  The Maui County Democratic Party will begin accepting applications on Monday for nominees to fill the seat of outgoing state Sen. Gilbert Keith-Agaran. Maui News.

Evacuees live nomadic life after Maui wildfire as housing shortage intensifies and tourists return
. Some are bouncing from hotel room to hotel room, in some cases to make way for the return of tourists who are crucial to the local economy. Many are struggling to find places to rent amid a housing shortage — and steep prices — that plagued the island even before the fire wiped out an estimated 3,000 homes and apartments in Lahaina. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina Was Grappling With Rising Inequality Before The Fires. People in Lahaina were more likely to live in overcrowded homes and struggle with issues like language access. Lahaina on the eve of the Aug. 8 fires was a community of extremes. A place where business was booming and people were struggling to survive. Civil Beat.

Maui Strong Fund Gets $4 million Boost. The Oak Foundation's donation increased the fund's value to $146.6 million. Civil Beat.

Cultural Monitors Help Assure Lahaina Fire Cleanup Is Done With Respect. Federal agencies are relying on West Maui locals to identify cultural and archeological artifacts in the ruins of August's deadly wildlife. Civil Beat.

Maui teachers focus on students’ ‘fire feelings’ as well as academics. In a packed Maui Preparatory Academy classroom, teacher Sarah Risser is reading aloud to her first graders when she notices one tiny girl winding a strand of hair tightly around her finger. Risser asks her to stop, saying it makes her nervous that pulling the hair might stop blood flow to that body part. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Residents clash with Coco Palms developer at community meeting in Wailua. The developers aiming to restore the once-renowned Coco Palms Resort held a community meeting on Wednesday night that quickly collapsed, as Kaua‘i residents effectively shut down the presentation from the project’s ownership team within minutes.  Garden Island.

Legendary Alakoko fishpond wall undergoes restoration effort. The waters of Hule‘ia River were muddied on Saturday, as more than a thousand people toiled to place rock after rock along the 600-year-old Alakoko fishpond wall. Garden Island. Kauai Now.


Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Hawaii buffeted by winds as Hurricane Dora stays to the south, federal court overturns 30-year old ban on butterfly knives, Honolulu mulls flavored tobacco ban, rats run amok in Safeway donut case, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Strong winds buffet the state, toppling trees and knocking out power to hundreds. Blustery conditions are being reported across state Monday as Hurricane Dora passes south of the island chain, and forecasters say the strongest winds could be yet to come. Hawaii News Now. KHON2Star-Advertiser.

Court rules butterfly knives, or balisongs, protected by Constitution.  Hawaii’s 30-year ban on butterfly knives was overturned Monday by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals when the three-judge panel ruled that the right to carry the blade was protected by the Second Amendment. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Despite rising prices, Hawaii residents poised to see cut in food stamp benefits this fall. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is adjusting Hawaii’s Thrifty Food Plan funding, which means a cut in the Hawaii’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps. Starting Oct. 1, the cut for a household of one is going to $11 a month, while a family of four will see a monthly decrease of $35. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Medicaid recipients hit roadblocks amid renewal push. Tens of thousands of Hawaii residents on Medicaid must re-enroll for the health care program for the first time since emergency rules put in place during the pandemic prevented people from losing their coverage. (video). Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Inmates Are Kept Behind Bars To Complete Programs They Can’t Get Into. Prisoners often face an uphill battle to complete drug and behavioral programs required by the parole board. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Council floats ‘trigger ban’ on flavored tobacco. But their draft measure will only take effect if a 5-year-old state law that stripped authority from Hawaii’s four counties to regulate or restrict the sales and use of tobacco and nicotine products is overturned or suspended. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Liquor Commission lawsuit going to trial. The owners of a Chinatown nightclub and an LGBTQ+ guide to the islands who accused the Honolulu Liquor Commission and its investigators of anti-gay discrimination are seeking at least $5 million in damages when the case goes to trial after a judge denied parts of the city’s motion to dismiss the case. Star-Advertiser.

Lawsuit expected over dismantling of Haiku Stairs. The Friends of Haiku Stairs, a 36-year-old nonprofit dedicated to preserving the once-legally accessible steel steps built along a sheer ridgeline above Kaneohe, is suing the city to prevent removal of the stairs via helicopters by a newly contracted demolition company. Star-Advertiser.

Viral video of rats in grocery store’s pastry case underscores need for vigilance, pest experts say. The state Department of Health is investigating after a viral video posted online appeared to show rodents scurrying inside a Safeway store’s doughnut case. The incident happened at the upscale Safeway store on Beretania Street. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Oahu’s Main Meals-On-Wheels Program Gets A Boost From FEMA Against Climate Change. Emergency officials prioritize community groups that serve vulnerable communities as they weigh which buildings to retrofit with limited dollars. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

A Big Island Man Sues Over Gun Permit Privacy Protection. Hawaii County is facing a lawsuit over background checks required for people applying for a concealed carry firearm permit.  Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i County issues mandatory 25% water restriction for North Kona. A mandatory 25% water restriction has been issued for various communities in North Kona due to the failure of the Honokōhau Deepwell over the weekend. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Speed limit reduced on Kalaniana‘ole Street in Hilo to protect nēnē — and pedestrians.  The Hawai‘i County Council last week adopted a bill to lower the speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph on the stretch that runs from the entrance of James Kealoha Beach Park to Kings Landing.  Big Island Now.

Momentum wanes in albizia fight: Biggest concern is threat to infrastructure on private property. The invasive trees are resented across the island for their rapid growth and brittle branches, which break easily in windy weather and caused an estimated $20 million in infrastructure damage during Tropical Storm Iselle in 2014. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

State senators visit Maui, Molokai to discuss projects, local issues. From Upcountry Maui to Kalaupapa on Molokai, members of the state Senate Committee on Ways and Means visited multiple venues on the two islands from July 26 to 28 to learn about future projects in the area and discuss local issues.  Maui News.

Kauai

Yearslong Waipa restoration project reaches end. After nearly a decade of work, environmental nonprofit Waipa Foundation is wrapping up its Waipa Stream Restoration Project, a multifaceted effort to restore its namesake ahapua‘a’s natural resources and promote agricultural land use.  Garden Island.

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Green signs abortion protection bill, parental rights, flavored tobacco bills die in Legislature, gubernatorial appointees having a tough time getting Senate confirmation, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New Hawaii laws protect abortion providers, restore ways of charging defendants. Abortions are protected across the islands and so are the health care workers who perform them — even on women from states that ban the procedure, under a new law signed by Gov. Josh Green on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Big Island Video News.  KHON2.

Lawmakers Agree On The Need To Address Hawaii’s Housing Crisis — But Not On How. The Legislature is considering a rash of vastly different strategies, while Gov. Josh Green's bills are struggling for traction. As the Legislature approaches a key deadline on Friday during a session that promised to address Hawaii’s critical housing shortage, one thing has become clear: there is no miracle cure. Civil Beat.

Legislature Kills Measures To Protect Parental Rights In Child Welfare Cases. The bills would have required authorities to get orders from judges in most cases before taking children from a parent suspected of abuse or neglect, in contrast to the current practice in Hawaii of almost never seeking court orders. Civil Beat.

Hawaii bill to ban flavored tobacco products goes up in smoke. A legislative fight against flavored tobacco products has likely gone up in smoke, as Hawaii lawmakers have not scheduled a hearing for a bill proposing to ban the devices ahead of Thursday's deadline.  Tribune-Herald. KITV4.

Hawaii Senate Delays Vote On Planning Director Nominee. Senate President Ron Kouchi said no members came forward to say they were coerced to vote against Scott Glenn's nomination. The Senate delayed until Friday a vote on Scott Glenn’s nomination to lead the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development in part due to accusations that senators have been pressuring colleagues to vote one way or another. Civil Beat.

Governor’s Embattled DBEDT Nominee Opts To Face A Full Senate Vote. Green expects Sadayasu to get an up-or-down decision within days as he urges lawmakers to let him form his team. Chris Sadayasu received a 4-1 vote in the Senate Energy, Economic Development and Tourism Committee against his appointment. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s pandemic learning loss recovery could take years.  A new independent analysis has found that learning loss among Hawaii’s public school students during the COVID-19 pandemic has ranged from moderate to severe, and the state will need a “multiyear effort” to catch them up to where they should be, a consultant told state Department of Education officials on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii gets $14.2M grant for public health response.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has awarded the state $14.2 million as part of its Public Health Infrastructure Grant Opens in a new tab, which is supported in part by the American Rescue Plan. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii reports 513 new COVID-19 cases, 5 more deaths. The state’s average positivity rate was at 5.2% compared with 4.2% the previous week. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Oahu

Board overseeing Aloha Stadium briefed on new redevelopment plan. Board members of the state agency long driving Aloha Stadium redevelopment plans were briefed Wednesday on a new plan from Gov. Josh Green, and could take action on it next week. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s proposed land use ordinance raising concerns. Owners of horses, cattle and other farm animals are questioning a small section about raising livestock in the more than 230-page document. KHON2.

Neighborhood board’s attempt to force power lines underground is short circuited — for now. An attempt by a neighborhood board to force a developer to put 46kV power lines underground in a Kapolei development has been put on hold. Hawaii News Now.

Oxygen tank found to be origin of Kailua ambulance fire. The source of a fatal ambulance fire in Kailua last year was an oxygen tank, an investigation found, but its cause remains unclear. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Health officials warn of high bacteria levels at popular beach on Oahu’s North Shore. During a routine beach monitoring on Tuesday, health officials detected fecal contamination at Sunset Beach. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s first deep-water standing wave to debut at West Oahu. A 52-acre recreational lagoon and shoreside commercial development called Wai Kai featuring a surfing wave pool with the world’s largest standing wave opens Saturday in Ewa Beach. Star-Advertiser.

Nurses point to systemic problems in case of sick homeless man who spent days on hospital sidewalk. Medical professionals and community health providers are evaluating the plight of a homeless man who says he was disregarded by Hawaii’s largest hospital. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

County awards grants to address homelessness. Hawaii County announced 16 grants totaling $7.5 million will be awarded to organizations around the island to address homelessness. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

This former ‘Hilo boy’ has big renovation plans for Hawaii Island hotel owned by state. A developer who was born in Hilo plans to invest up to $30 million to restore a 152-room Country Club Condominium Hotel on Banyan Drive. The proposal with developer Peter Savio goes to a vote Friday before the state Land Board, which owns the hotel. Hawaii News Now.

County to dedicate new ambulances. Seven new ambulances are joining Hawaii County’s emergency vehicle fleet after years of COVID-19-related delays. Tribune-Herald.

New Vietnam War Memorial To Be Dedicated In West Hawaiʻi. A new Vietnam War Memorial will be unveiled at the West Hawaiʻi Veteran Cemetery next week, as America recognizes the 50th anniversary of the war closure marked as Vietnam Veterans Day. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Gov. Green announces Kūlanihāko‘i High opening agreement. New South Maui High School Likely To Welcome Students In August, Governor Says. Buses will transport students on an interim basis as the state builds a $25 million pedestrian bridge. over the next three years. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Maui News

Applications open for East Maui water board. A Maui County Council committee is now taking applications for an 11-member board that will oversee water operations in East Maui.  Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i seeks funding for pre-planning of new road and trail. The Kaua‘i County Council approved a move to apply for $800,000 in funding for the initial planning of two infrastructure projects aimed at constructing a major road and trail system on Kaua‘i.  Garden Island.

Wai’ale’ale Project provides chance for Kaua’i, Ni’ihau youth to attend college for free. The Waiʻaleʻale Project has helped nearly 1,000 students from Kaua’i and Ni’ihau — who otherwise would not have gone to college — to successfully navigate the college system with financial assistance, counseling and mentorship. Kauai Now.