Showing posts with label forests. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forests. Show all posts

Monday, February 24, 2020

Reforesting Hawaii, Kealoha allegedly assaulted in family fight, UH medical school may expand to Maui, vacation rentals to be curbed on Lanai, more news from all the Hawaiian islands

copyright 2020 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Old growth forest on the Big Island ©2020 All Hawaii News
State reforestation effort hits milestone. A unique initiative partly fueled by charitable contributions has helped return a half-million native trees to deforested Hawaii ranch lands over the last decade. Star-Advertiser.

Legacy Reforestation Initiative Plants a Half Million Native Trees. More than 1,200 acres of former pastureland on both O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island have been reclaimed and returned to native forest. Big Island Now.

=====

Minimum Wage Bill Teed Up For House Vote. If also approved by the Senate and governor, Hawaii’s minimum wage would rise to $13 an hour by 2024. Civil Beat.

Minimum wage hike bill advances, but critics say it’s still not enough. A bill to hike Hawaii’s minimum wage is moving to the full house, but critics say it still falls short of what a person needs to live in the 50th state. Hawaii News Now.

Bill that would boost teachers’ pay moves forward. A proposal that would help improve teacher compensation has passed another hurdle in the state Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

Bill would dramatically expand preschool options in Hawaii. A bill that aims to make “early learning” programs available to all 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds by 2030 received wide support at its first hearing although issues need to be worked out, including funding and staffing given the teacher shortage. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii bill resurfaces to protect medical cannabis cardholders. Lawmakers are taking another crack at a bill to prohibit employers from discriminating against workers who test positive for marijuana if they hold a prescription for cannabis. Star-Advertiser.

Bill raising smoking age to 25 dies in House. A bill to increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco and electronic smoking devices has been snuffed out — but the proposal’s introducer remains hopeful it will move this year. West Hawaii Today.

Airport Authority bill in limbo due to procurement code worries. For the first time in five years, no new bill in the state Legislature will seek to create an independent Hawaii airports corporation. Tribune-Herald.

=====

Kim Coco Iwamoto To Take On Scott Saiki. The community activist is challenging the speaker for his House seat. Civil Beat.

Building A Hawaiian Language Curriculum Classroom By Classroom. As Hawaiian immersion programs soar in popularity, the lack of a common curriculum remains a big challenge. Civil Beat.

A Big Island educator announces his run for an Office of Hawaiian Affairs seat on Sunday afternoon. Joshua Lanakila Mangauil is running for Hawai'i Island Trustee. KITV4.

As global coronavirus outbreak spreads, hoteliers watch for effects in Hawaii. Tourism executives across Hawaii are watching for economic sniffles from the coronavirus, but so far the state is inoculated against its worst effects. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

HART Employee Reported Improper Use Of Federal Funds In 2015. Worried about financial mismanagement, a HART employee said she was asked to resign when she spoke up. Civil Beat.

=====

Louis Kealoha allegedly assaulted by half brother, an HPD lieutenant. Disgraced former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha suffered facial injuries after allegedly being assaulted by his half brother, Andre Peters, an HPD lieutenant. Hawaii News Now.

HPD officer charged in connection with assault on half brother and former police chief Louis Kealoha. A Honolulu police officer has been charged with a misdemeanor in connection with an alleged assault on his half brother, Louis Kealoha, former Honolulu police chief. Star-Advertiser.

Half-brother of former Police Chief Louis Kealoha arrested for alleged abuse. A Honolulu Police Department lieutenant and half-brother of former Police Chief Louis Kealoha has been arrested for the alleged abuse against Kealoha. KHON2.

=====

Hanabusa: I don’t need ‘training wheels’ to serve as Honolulu’s mayor. Hanabusa was elected to the state Senate in 1998 representing Waianae, and previously served as the first female Senate president. She also represented Hawaii in Congress, but lost races for U.S. Senate and governor. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Debate Erupts Anew Over Dillingham Airfield After Two Killed In Small Plane Crash. Dillingham Airfield on Oahu’s North Shore has been closed following a plane crash that killed two people Saturday morning. Hawaii Public Radio.

In light of another Dillingham Airfield tragedy, Sen. Schatz calls for its closure. Uncertainty over the future of Dillingham Airfield has increased in recent weeks. And in light of Saturday’s latest tragedy, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz is calling for it to be shut down. Hawaii News Now.

Aviation community mourns 2 longtime pilots. As federal authorities begin investigating Saturday morning’s deadly crash near Dillingham Airfield, those who knew the two men in the plane have started paying tribute to the pair, whom they call experienced pilots and important members of Hawaii’s aviation community. Star-Advertiser.

Family, former aviation colleagues remember 2 killed in Mokuleia plane crash. Hawaiian Airlines, the former company of a pilot who was killed in Saturday’s Mokuleia plane crash, is remembering one of the victim’s lives for his dedication and passion for flying. Hawaii News Now.

Political leaders react to crash and the future of Dillingham Airfield. Politicians express condolences, thanks to rescuers, and opinions on if the airfield should close. KITV4.

=====

Feds plan catastrophe response using huge Kalaeloa Airport hangar. The state is leasing a 105,000-square-foot World War II hangar at Kalaeloa Airport to the federal government for emergency response to catastrophic natural or man-made disasters in the Pacific, with a focus on serving remote locations, including Hawaii and other U.S. interests in the region. Star-Advertiser.

Last Of Japanese Billionaire Genshiro Kawamoto's Kahala Properties Sold. he name Genshiro Kawamoto has been famous in Hawaii since the late 1980s, when the Japanese billionaire was emblematic of a wave of Japanese investment in the islands. He bought 30 homes in Kahala, which then did nothing but sit unoccupied and disintegrating, except for a brief time when he offered them for rent to Native Hawaiian families before scrapping that plan. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

TMT-related bills fail to gain traction. Although the controversy surrounding the Thirty Meter Telescope still looms large over the Big Island community, it has largely left the state Legislature this year. Tribune-Herald.

DLNR: Two Men Caught Taking 550 Tropical Fish In Kawaihae. Two men aboard the vessel “Masako” were cited by DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement at Kawaihae Small Boat Harbor on Thursday, after an inspection allegedly revealed aquarium fishing gear, including a small mesh net, and 550 live tropical fish of various species in the vessel’s hold. Big Island Video News.

Streamlining sign variances: Bill reverses 2004 measure putting council in charge. The public will have less opportunity to weigh in on the size, style and location of roadside signs under a streamlining measure making its way through the County Council. West Hawaii Today.

Study examines coastal erosion, drawbacks of standard setback requirements. Research on the Big Island’s coastal erosion, led by a University of Hawaii at Hilo graduate student, is being used to shape county planning policies. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

UH Considers Expanding Medical School to Maui Amid Doctor Shortage. To combat Hawai’i’s worsening physician shortage, the University of Hawai’i is proposing to expand its John A. Burns School of Medicine to Maui. Maui Now.

Proposed satellite medical school on Maui could narrow gap between supply and demand. The gap between supply and demand for doctors in Hawaii has grown by 65% since 2010, reaching 507 full-time equivalent positions in 2019, according to the latest report from the Hawaii Physician Workforce Assessment Project, issued in December. Star-Advertiser.

UH seeks medical school expansion to Maui. Proposal to expand the University of Hawai'i John A. Burns School of Medicine to Maui to help tackle the state's worsening physician shortage. KITV4.

Hokama Introduces Moratorium for Transient Accommodation Permits on Lana‘i. Councilmember Riki Hokama introduced legislation to establish a moratorium on transient accommodation permits on the island of Lanaʻi, where no limits are currently established. Maui Now.

Tapestry to hang again on Council Chambers wall. A tapestry of the Maui County Seal, which was removed last year by former Chairwoman Kelly King over the objections of some members, will be returning to the Maui County Council Chambers following a vote by the members Friday. Maui News.

Kauai

Akana is Kaua‘i DOCARE chief. Kaua‘i-born Brad “Kipi” Akana is the new Kaua‘i branch chief of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement. Garden Island.

16-month closure planned for Princeville Resort. The Princeville Resort, expected to close for renovations on May 1, has announced it plans to reopen as 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay in November 2021. Garden Island.

Lanai

Hokama Introduces Moratorium for Transient Accommodation Permits on Lana‘i. Councilmember Riki Hokama introduced legislation to establish a moratorium on transient accommodation permits on the island of Lanaʻi, where no limits are currently established. Maui Now.

Monday, November 13, 2017

Drier climate threatens Hawaii forest birds, Honolulu police conquering rape kit backlog, Damien band director fired over girl's sex assault allegations, telescopes pro and con, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Iiwi PC:Lucas Behnke USGS
Drier climate seen as threat to isle forest birds. A new study by U.S. Forest Service researchers suggests that the impact of climate-related changes on native Hawaiian birds may be even more substantial than previously understood. Star-Advertiser.

Immigrants add billions to Hawaii’s economy, report says. As Hawaii continues to be a thorn in the side for President Donald Trump and his immigration policies, a new report underscores how much immigrants mean to the islands. Star-Advertiser.

GOP tax plan would hit isle taxpayers hard. The evolving picture of the Republicans’ proposed changes to the federal tax code does not bode well for many of Hawaii’s taxpayers, with lawmakers considering reducing or even abolishing some deductions that are particularly important to local tax filers. Star-Advertiser.

As Republicans on Capitol Hill refine their plans on tax reform, one point under consideration is eliminating a tax credit for electric vehicles. And that would be likely to have a broad impact here in Hawaii. Hawaii Public Radio.

The plaintiffs in a long-running class-action lawsuit over long waits for Department of Hawaiian Home Lands homestead lots have scored what they consider another crucial victory in court. Star-Advertiser.

Isle homeless advocates cite gains in cutting numbers needing shelter. Despite lingering encampments across the state, social workers and state and city officials insist Hawaii is making progress reducing the nation’s highest per capita rate of homelessness. Star-Advertiser.

Allegiant Air ends service to Hawaii. The discount carrier, which at one time served Hawaii on 10 routes from nine mainland cities, quietly ended its lone remaining service with a flight from Honolulu to Las Vegas on Oct. 28. Star-Advertiser.

Alexander & Baldwin Inc. has created a new image for its nickname, A&B, to go along with its new structure as a real estate investment trust. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Congressional race will reveal Democratic Party’s divide and future course. The uncertainty and disunity within the dominant Hawaii Democratic Party is showing up as the race to replace U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa in Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District begins. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Why Would Anyone Want To Run For Congress? Maybe because it pays well, there are lots of perks and it’s possible — just possible — to do some good. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The Honolulu Police Department says that by the end of November it will clear a backlog of nearly 1,400 sexual assault evidence kits, some dating back more than two decades, and will send out all of about 200 more recent kits in the department’s possession for testing by the end of the year. Star-Advertiser.

Recycle Or Incinerate? The Battle Of The Blue Bins. Burning more discards could save money as recycling gets more expensive, but environmentalists say it’s the cost of caring for the planet. Civil Beat.

"Complete Streets" solutions needed for Honolulu's urban core. Aiming to make the streets of Honolulu's urban core safer, the city is turning to the community for their input. KITV.

City invites community input on Complete Streets solutions. The city wants to hear from you on how to make streets safer. KHON2.

UH Cancer Center projects an end to budget deficit. The University of Hawaii Cancer Center is projecting a balanced budget this year for the first time since opening its $130 million Kakaako facility in 2013. Star-Advertiser.

Uber's food delivery platform UberEATS to launch in Hawaii this month. Ridesharing platform Uber confirmed to Pacific Business News that it will launch its food delivery service program, UberEATS, in Honolulu on Nov. 15. Pacific Business News.

Former Damien Memorial band director shocked by sexual assault charges. The Damien Memorial School band director who lost his job after his arrest last week for investigation of sexually assaulting a girl says he is stunned by the charges.Star-Advertiser.

Damien Memorial School band director fired after being charged with sexual assault. The president and CEO of Damien Memorial School released a statement Sunday that the band director has been fired after being arrested and charged on eight counts of sexual assault. KITV.

Tribute marks 100th anniversary of Queen Liliuokalani's death. A large crowd marked the 100th anniversary of the death of Hawaii's last reigning monarch. The tribute to Queen Liliuokalani took place in front of the statue of the beloved monarch near Iolani Palace. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

One mauna, many perspectives: Native Hawaiians discuss spiritual, cultural connections to Maunakea. Before it became known as the world’s premier place for astronomy, Maunakea had long inspired reverence. Tribune-Herald.

Special section: Celebrating 50 years of astronomy on Maunakea. Tribune-Herald.

Army seeks public comment on Pohakuloa cultural resources. The U.S. Army Garrison, Pohakuloa, is seeking public comments on its plan to manage cultural resources on its 132,000-acre training site tucked in the saddle between Maunakea and Mauna Loa. West Hawaii Today.

The East Hawaii Regional Board of Directors of Hawaii Health Systems Corp. showed Puna community members Thursday night that the district’s health care is one of its top priorities. Tribune-Herald.

The ongoing legal dispute between Big Island Dog Rescue and Hawaii Island Humane Society showed little signs of resolution last week as both parties were unwilling to compromise on any of the motions brought before a 3rd Circuit Court judge. West Hawaii Today.

Lending a hand: Nonprofit initiative offers path out of debt spiral. West Hawaii Today.

To celebrate a queen: Liliuokalani memorial service features powerful portrayal of beloved monarch. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Committee to Hear From Experts on Sunscreen and Coral Reef Damage. The Maui County Council’s Infrastructure and Environmental Management Committee will receive presentations from two toxicologists about the effects of oxybenzone and octinoxate on Maui’s coral reefs and marine life at its Nov. 13 meeting. Maui Now.

Couch considering a run for state House. Former Maui County Council Member Don Couch appears to be making a run for political office again, eyeing the South Maui state House of Representatives seat now held by Rep. Kaniela Ing, according to Couch’s campaign website and state documents. Maui News.

Community members offer ideas for state lands in W. Maui. Charging nonresidents a user fee, restoring native habitats and installing more portable toilets were some ideas floated at a community open house Wednesday night on the future of state lands in the Honolua Bay and Lipoa Point areas. Maui News.

Maui residents say A&B is wasting water its diverting from streams. Some Maui residents say a big corporation is wasting water that it's diverting from streams and that the state needs to take action. Hawaii News Now.

BLNR approves A&B’s continued E. Maui stream water diversions. Company will have access to up to 80 million gallons daily for a year. Maui News.

Maui residents can enjoy hotel amenities for a fee. Maui residents will soon have the opportunity to live like hotel guests in Wailea, the state’s top luxury market — for a price. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai


Lori Stitt joins Malama Mahaulepu. Malama Mahaulepu is welcoming a new outreach and project coordinator, and advancing a new survey — all at the same time. Garden Island.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Bag fee advancing in Hawaii Legislature, adult care industry lobbies to keep inspections secret, Hawaii court says online commenter can remain anonymous, Honolulu revisits commercial beach ban, Young Bros. seeks shipping increase, tsunami debris washing onto Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2013 All Hawaii News
Hawaii KTA grocery clerks (c) 2013 All Hawaii News
Gov. Neil Abercrombie's plan to raise money for watershed protection and invasive species control by charging consumers a 10-cent fee on disposable checkout bags or increasing taxes on multimillion-dollar real estate transactions is alive at the state Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Amid a downpour of last-minute criticism from the adult care home industry, Hawaii lawmakers further diluted a bill that would require the state to post online its inspection reports of facilities for the elderly and disabled. Civil Beat.

Representatives from three House committees are moving forward a plan to let Hawaii raise revenue by developing unused public school lands. Associated Press.

A bill that would require coverage and benefits for patients with autism spectrum disorders passed committee approval in the state House on Friday. Maui Now.

Let the solar wars begin. The Hawaii Solar Energy Association on Friday denounced the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization’s recently released report on the controversial solar photovoltaic tax credits. Pacific Business News.

A bill labelled “Draconian” by the county’s prosecuting attorney because it could result in government seizure of land for crimes such as harassment is being considered by the state Senate. Big Island Now.

Young Brothers Ltd. has filed a request with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission that would allow the interisland shipper to adjust its rates for the next three years using the cost of labor, cargo volume and inflation as the determining factors. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

In the 2012 elections, Hawaii saw one local dark money group emerge and play a major role in the Honolulu mayoral race. The Pacific Resource Partnership didn't have to disclose its donors and yet spent $3.6 million to defeat anti-rail candidate Ben Cayetano. Civil Beat.

The controversial law that banned commercial activities at city beaches and parks is being revisited. KHON2.

The city of Honolulu says a new Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division substation is needed in case the Waikiki Natatorium, which houses administrators and lifeguards covering Oahu's South Shore, is deemed unsafe. Star-Advertiser.

Since November 2011, the (de)Occupy Honolulu movement has been planted along a stretch on Beretania street. The Honolulu City Council is proposing two bills could that could pack up its tents and free pathways around Oahu for good. Hawaii News Now.

A Minnesota-based developer of housing for artists has partnered with a Hawaiian cultural group to build low-income rental apartment lofts on state land in Kakaako where artists can live and create and showcase their art. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The newspaper website commenter known only as “Taxedtodeath” won’t have to reveal his or her identity, a 3rd Circuit Court judge ruled Friday afternoon. West Hawaii Today.

The University of Hawaii is seeking ways to close an $8.8 million shortfall so it can begin construction of a long-planned community college campus in West Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

State wildlife officials say large swaths of koa forest on the Big Island are losing their leaves, and a sudden outbreak of a native moth is to blame. Big Island Now.

Police say the Waimea Foodland Super Market was evacuated for more than three hours Saturday morning after a grenade was found in the produce section of the store. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Community to initiate effort to rebuild play area in Haiku. Maui News.

A voluntary coral management plan, which was developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coral Reef Conservation Program, is the first in the state that comprehensively addresses how runoff is affecting deteriorating reef health. Maui News.

Mayor Alan Arakawa and three council members, including new Council Chairwoman Gladys Baisa, will make presentations at Tuesday's meeting of the Kula Community Association. Maui News.

Kauai

Without discussion, the Kaua‘i County Council passed in first reading a bill which corrects an oversight that has erased from the Kaua‘i County Code a late-night prohibition on alcoholic beverages at county parks. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i residents have seen a spike in the amount of debris — including pieces of refrigerators — on Kaua‘i’s beaches, and experts say it’s part of the Japanese tsunami debris making the unpleasant new waves. Garden Island.

Sen. Mazie K. Hirono kicks off a four-day Bringing Hawai‘i’s Voice To Washington listening tour Monday on the Garden Isle. Garden Island.

Molokai

This year marks 20 years of coffee production on the island of Molokai. Also in 2013, the entire coffee industry in the State of Hawaii celebrates 200 years of producing the crop. Coffees of Hawaii will host a free two-day festival March 15 and 16 at the plantation in Kualapu`u. Molokai Dispatch.

Fragile sand dunes of Moʻomomi on Molokai, once overrun with alien kiawe thickets, are blooming with new native growth. Molokai Dispatch.