Elections 2012 Special Report: Hawaii's 1st Congressional District 'safe Democrat'

It's deja vu all over again in the race for Hawaii's 1st Congressional District, which was vacated in 2010 when 20-year Congressman Neil Abercrombie resigned in a successful run for the state governorship. Both of the major contenders for the district representing Honolulu and urban Oahu have held that office before.

Fundraising and campaigning have gotten off to a slow start in the race, as both the Democrat, current U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, and the Republican, former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou, are expected to easily win their respective Aug. 11 primaries before the pair face off in the Nov. 6 general election.

Incumbent Hanabusa reported individual contributions of $500,096 in the first quarter of 2012, and another $284,561 from PACs. GOP challenger former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou reported $231,446 in individual contributions and $19,300 from PACs, according to the Federal Election Commission.

The race is expected to be a rematch of 2010, when Djou was the incumbent after winning a special election in May of that year to fill the vacancy. The Republican candidate won in a three-way winner-take-all election featuring one Republican and two Democrats.

Both of Hawaii's 2012 House seats are considered "safe Democrat" by political prognosticator Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball.

The other Democrat  from the 2010 special election, former U.S. Rep. from Hawaii's 2nd District, Ed Case, is now running for U.S. Senate. About that race.

Charles Djou
Party: Republican
Island: Oahu
Campaign phone: 808. 224.5627
Website: http://www.djou.com/
Political Experience: U.S. Rep. Hawaii's 1st District, 2010-2011; Honolulu City Council, 2002-2010; state House, 2000-2002, Vice Chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party 1998-1999
Other experience: U.S. Army Reserve, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Infantry Division at Forward Operating Base Pasab in Kandahar Province
Education: University of Southern California Law School, law degree, 1996. University of Pennsylvania, B.A. in political science, B.S. in economics, magna cum laude, from the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, 1992
Personal: Born Aug. 9, 1970, Married to Stacey Kawasaki, three children.

Colleen Hanabusa
Party: Democrat
Island: Oahu
Campaign phone: 808. 430.1981
Website: http://www.hanabusaforhawaii.com/
Political Experience: U.S. Rep. Hawaii's 1st District, 2010-2012; state Senate, 1998-2010, Senate president 2006-2010, first woman to lead either house of the Hawaii Legislature
Other experience: Labor law attorney, 1978-2012
Education: University of Hawaii at Manoa, law degree 1977, M.A. sociology 1975, B.A. economics and sociology, 1973
Personal: Married to Honolulu businessman John Souza

Other candidates:
Charles Amsterdam, Republican, Oahu, 808. 550-4994
John "Raghu" Giuffre, Republican, Oahu, https://www.facebook.com/RaghuForCongress
Roy Wyttenbach II, Democrat, Oahu, https://www.fa cebook.com/roy.wyttenbach

Hawaii Supreme Court affirms native rights stop at state parks, governor's mansion upgrades include $12k dog run, GOP continues push for relevance, UH chancellor wins $300k sabbatical, Maui debates bus fares, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands for smartphone and web

Keaukaha (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

The Hawaii Supreme Court has affirmed that a Native Hawaiian practitioner violated state park rules by setting up residence in a closed area of Kalalau Valley, despite his defense that he had a constitutional right to live there as a caretaker. Civil Beat.

Bank of Hawaii announced on Monday it is working with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Office of Hawaiian Affairs    to be the first bank to offer Hawaiian language prompting in its ATMs. Pacific Business News.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie and First Lady Nancie Caraway have spent more than $41,000 in taxpayer money on improvements to the governor's residence since moving in about a year ago. KITV4.

Hawaii's 20 Republican delegates in the presidential primary are breaking down as expected following the state's caucus in March. Associated Press.

Two years ago … 46-thousand registered Republicans voted in Hawai’i … a little more than 6 percent of all voters in the state.    Hawai’i Republican Party delegates gathered for their 2012 State Convention this weekend … and the goal of GOP leaders is to rebuild the party from the ground up. Hawaii Public Radio.

Charles Djou

FACT CHECK — Charles Djou: I Accepted No PAC Money Last Quarter. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers this year pushed hard and passed a bill that enables Department of Land and Natural Resources officers to carry the electric weapons. Civil Beat.

Hawaii will get more than $128,000 to help protect and preserve Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles. Associated Press.

The state Judicial Selection Commission has forwarded to Gov. Neil Abercrombie the lists of nominees to fill an impending vacancy on the Hawaii Supreme Court and a vacancy on the Circuit Court bench on Maui. Star-Advertiser.

PBN has received more than a dozen new entries for the Social Madness social media challenge over the past week and a half, which means we’re nearing the four-dozen mark for the challenge. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

University of Hawaii at Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw will be paid nearly $300,000 for a ten- month sabbatical after she steps down from her position this summer and she will land another high paying UH job next year. Hawaii News Now.

A change in the electric rate system implemented last year means a slightly larger bill for Oahu residents. KHON2.

With bagpipers and motorcycle officers leading the way, more than 200 police officers, their supporters and dignitaries marched down Beretania Street from the main police station to the state Capitol on Monday to observe the start of Police Week 2012 and pay homage to those who died in the line of duty. Star-Advertiser.

As Hawaii honors its fallen police officers this week, the push continues to build a permanent memorial. Hawaii News Now.

An attorney for three Honolulu Police Department officers who filed a federal lawsuit charging HPD with race and gender discrimination alleges that top-ranking HPD officers, city attorneys and the city Equal Opportunity Office conspired to cover up wrongdoing by officers. Star-Advertiser.

A Teamsters Union supervisor on the “Hawaii Five-0” television production was asphyxiated by police at his Nanakuli home in February and was in a “cocaine-induced excited delirium” when he died, according to the City Medical Examiner’s office. Hawaii Reporter.

The book shelves in Washington Middle School's library are overflowing, not so much with books, but termite droppings. KHON2.

The USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier is visiting Pearl Harbor on the way home to San Diego after a six-month deployment to Asia and the Middle East. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

Koyo USA Corp. will pay $2 million in two installments to settle an alleged violation involving use of an unapproved manufacturing process for its bottled water, known as Mahalo Hawaii Deep Sea. West Hawaii Today.

Mayor Billy Kenoi’s $365.1 million budget moved forward with few changes Monday, but it’s likely to face many more amendments when it comes up for a final vote May 31. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County Council members debated the merits of a community relief shelter in the middle of Puna’s Leilani Estates subdivision before sending it back for further refinement. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A $1-per-ride fee and a $2 daily pass would be eliminated for riders of the Maui Bus public transit service under a proposal that has advanced in the Maui County Council. Maui News.

Maui County Council members paid nearly $77,000 in bonuses to office staff members over two fiscal years, but they maintain that the compensation is justified because their employees work long hours, get no overtime pay and can't count on long-term job security. Maui News.

Kauai

A “change of operations” is the term used to describe what will happen at the Makaweli Poi Mill next week, said Bryna Storch, operations manager at the mill. Garden Island.

Operations at Makaweli Poi Mill will be suspended soon, according to a statement from Hi‘ipoi LLC, the mill’s operating company. Hawaii Independent.

Federal officials are asking the public to keep their distance from two newborn Hawaiian monk seals on Kauai for the safety of the pups — and onlookers. Star-Advertiser.

Molokai

An informational meeting will be held on Molokai to discuss the planned construction activities and improvements for the Molokai to Maui commuter ferry. Maui Now.

Hawaii Board Of Education adopts teacher evaluations, state sees record gun registrations, judge strikes rail procurement rule, Thielen defies Dems, runs for state Senate, Hawaii mayor meets with Hawaiian dissident, Maui council considers ag land exemptions, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Neil Abercrombie at BOE, courtesy photo

Gov. Neil Abercrombie made a rare appearance by a governor before the Board of Education on Tuesday to support the transition to a performance evaluation system for teachers and principals, saying such education reforms can wait no longer. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Board of Education on Tuesday unanimously voted in favor of a plan that would tie teachers’ and principals’ pay to their performance, as well as develop evaluation criteria at Hawaii’s roughly 250 public schools. Associated Press.

A week after the Legislature abandoned its effort, the Hawaii Board of Education unanimously approved three policies regarding performance evaluations for teachers and principals. Civil Beat.

The Board of Education voted in favor of creating new educator evaluations at a meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii State Board of Education unanimously approved a plan today that would base teacher and principal salaries on their performance, but it's not a done deal yet. KHON2.

The Hawaii State Department of Education has expanded its teacher evaluation pilot program for the 2012-13 school year. KHON2.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa reported raised $224,000 in the first quarter of 2012, compared to GOP challenger former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou's $84,000. Star-Advertiser.

Former U.S. Rep. Ed Case said Tuesday that he raised $138,000 in the past three months for his Demo­cratic primary campaign for U.S. Senate, trailing U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, his primary opponent, who raised more than $1 million in that period, and Former Gov. Linda Lingle, the leading Republican candidate, who raised $1.3 million in the past quarter. Star-Advertiser.

Defying the guidance of state Democrats, Laura H. Thielen, a director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources under Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, said Tuesday that she will run as a Demo­crat for state Senate. Star-Advertiser.

The state Senate confirmed two of Gov. Neil Abercrombie's appointees to the state Commission on Water Resources Management despite some senators' concerns about their qualifications and the nomination process. Star-Advertiser.

The Senate confirmed Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s nominees to the water commission on Tuesday amid rising opposition toward the candidates and concerns about irregularities in the nominating process. Civil Beat.

A concerted effort by environmental groups and dozens of individuals to block the appointment of Maui businessman Ted Yamamura to the state Commission on Water Resource Management fell fall short of the mark today in the state Senate. Hawaii Reporter.

The state Department of the Attorney General reported Tuesday record levels of firearm registrations and permit applications in 2011. A record 36,804 guns were registered in Hawaii in 2011 — a 17.2 percent increase from the previous high, set the year before. Star-Advertiser.

A Circuit Court Judge has approved a settlement for victims of five data breaches that occurred at the University of Hawaii and its campuses over the past two years. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Electric Co. and Hawaiian Electric Co. ranked among the top 10 utilities nationwide in the amount of photovoltaic generating capacity installed by their customers, an industry trade group said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii did nothing wrong in GSA scandal. Pacific Business News.

State roundup for April 18. Associated Press.

Oahu

Circuit Court Judge Karl Sakamoto on Tuesday struck down a procurement rule that the city used to award more than $144 million in rail-related contracts, declaring the 1995 rule invalid because it conflicts with state procurement law. It was not immediately clear what effect, if any, the ruling might have on the city's contracts with rail consultants PB Americas Inc. and InfraConsult LLC. Star-Advertiser.

The City Council Transportation Committee chair, Mayor Peter Carlisle, along with other city officials and community members, are planning to walk the streets of Moiliili this afternoon. The city is looking for ways to improve the sidewalks for pedestrians and bicyclists. KITV4.

Hawaii Research Services Group LLC has been awarded a $7 million indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity contract by the Army for the procurement of information management and software engineering support services. Pacific Business News.

Teen runs for Honolulu City Council. Hawaii News Now.

Kea‘au update: “The Governor will not be intervening”  on homeless evictions. Hawaii Independent.

The homeless are on the move in Leeward Oahu.  About 200 people have been moved out of Keaau Beach Park. Now the massive cleanup effort begins. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

Mayor Billy Kenoi and staff on Tuesday visited Abel Simeona Lui at Kawa Bay, but left without rendering a decision on Lui’s future at the Ka’u site. West Hawaii Today.

After spending its second two-hour closed-door session in as many weeks, the Hawaii County Council on Tuesday apparently rejected a settlement offer from three fired election workers who have threatened a lawsuit. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County is looking to spread its nonprofit funding to a few more programs in its next budget. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County had 6,603 gun registrations last year. Based on the population, that was “a 36 percent greater-than-expected share of processed applications,” an Attorney General report said. The county also had the highest rate of rejected applications — 3.8 percent. Tribune-Herald.

Coffee farmers and processors remain at odds over proposed legislation that would get rid of mandatory coffee inspections and grading. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo Among Junket Destinations for GSA Official. Big Island Now.

Maui

After a contentious debate about a proposal to tax homes on ag land the same as residential properties, Maui County councilors could push back that plan in favor of first creating a system for farmers to receive tax benefits by dedicating their land to agriculture. Maui News.

Maui Electric Company is ranked seventh in the nation in a list of top utilities for solar power. Maui Now.

Four community groups are suing Maui County in federal court over alleged environmental violations at a Lahaina treatment plant. Associated Press.

Kauai

The Kaua‘i County Housing Agency wants to help more low-income residents with rental assistance this year, Housing Director Eugene Jimenez told the County Council at a budget meeting Tuesday. Garden Island.

Contractors Association of Kaua‘i celebrates 20 years. Garden Island.

Molokai

Maui County Council candidate for Kahului, Don Guzman will be hosting a “Talk Story” meeting on the island of Molokai this Thursday, April 19 at 5:30 p.m. Molokai Dispatch.

Honolulu No. 2 vacation destination, lawsuit challenges election maps, zip lines not regulated, Lanai hunters miffed at film crews, Maui council ponders $626.8M budget, Merrie Monarch spotlights hula, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

Honolulu was second on a list of the top five summer land vacation destinations led by the home of Disney World, Orlando, Fla., and that included Rome, London, and Anaheim, Calif., home to Disneyland. Pacific Business News.

A state legislator and five registered voters filed a federal lawsuit Friday charging that the state Reapportionment Plan violates the U.S. Constitution by excluding some 108,000 temporary residents who are military members, military dependents or university students from out of state. Star-Advertiser.

Six Oahu residents filed a lawsuit Friday in U.S. District Court in Honolulu, challenging the constitutionality of the new state House and Senate maps. West Hawaii Today.

A lawsuit filed Friday asks a three-judge federal court to enforce the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution and require the State to count all residents of Hawaii. (commentary) Hawaii Reporter.

Building on the marquee value of movies such as "The Descendants" and television shows like "Hawaii Five-0," state lawmakers are discussing whether to enhance tax credits for film and digital media production and offer new incentives to hire local workers. Star-Advertiser.

A Senate bill to regulate the zip line industry died last week, about six months after a worker plunged 100 feet to his death in Paukaa near Hilo and another was critically injured when a tower toppled and the 2,300-foot zip line went slack. Star-Advertiser.

An eye-catching display at the State Capitol aimed to draw attention to the problem of child abuse in Hawaii. KITV4.

Charles Djou

Former Congressman Charles Djou is back from the war zone in Afghanistan and is focused on his race for Congress. Hawaii Reporter.

For Tulsi Gabbard, reward found in ‘serving others.' Maui News.

Wil Okabe and Paul Daughtery want to be president of the Hawaii State Teachers Association for different reasons. The former wants to continue the work he started three years ago when first elected to the position. The latter would like to see a profound shift in the union's direction. Civil Beat.

Employer-picked doctors not independent, critics claim. Injured employees receive evaluations from doctors hired by employers or insurers. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

In the weeks since two Hawaii polls showed the public opinion has turned against the controversial Honolulu rail project, council members — particularly those on the ballot this year — have asked sharper questions and expressed doubts about the future for rail transit. Civil Beat.

Starting Monday, HART CEO Dan Grabauskas, the highest paid city employee officially begins his new gig with a salary, plus bonuses, totaling $322,000. Hawaii News Now.

Some roads around downtown Honolulu will have lane closures as archeological survey work continues on the city’s rail transit project.  Associated Press.

Runner for political seat would be youngest ever to hold office in state, at 18. KHON2.

Those living near Bellows say this past week they heard marine training exercises taking place as early as four in the morning and lasting late into the night. KHON2.

Navy conducting training exercise on Oahu, Kauai. Hawaii News Now.

One-hundred and forty-seven soldiers were greeted on Easter Sunday by an overwhelming crowd of support from friends and family at the Wheeler Army Airfield. KITV4.

Hawaii

The hula arrived like the tide. Surging and retreating, ever changing, but never stopping, it heralded the return of spring and of the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

The list of unwelcome plants in Hawaii County sprouted recently after a four-year-long roadside survey found several more invasive species previously not known to inhabit Big Island soil. Tribune-Herald.

Gil Kahele and Donald Ikeda state House seat. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Lanai residents were miffed recently when a helicopter carrying a film crew "buzzed" a game management area on the opening weekend of the island's hunting season. Maui News.

The Maui County Budget for upcoming fiscal year 2013 is available online. The document depicts a local government with revenues and expenditures projected at over $626.8 million. Maui Now.

The Maui County Council will discuss proposals made by the Charter Commission, as well as council members' own proposals for charter amendments, at a meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday. Maui News.

Kauai

Members of the Kaua‘i delegation to the state Legislature will host a “Lawmakers Listen” meeting at 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Wilcox Elementary School cafeteria in Lihu‘e. Garden Island.

Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho said the changing dynamics of crime and threat to the island way of life has motivated her to run for a second term as Kaua‘i County prosecuting attorney. Garden Island.

Molokai
With projected Maui County funds even lower than last year, Molokai residents, from middle schoolers to kupuna, made their voices heard in asking for their share. Molokai Dispatch.

Eating your dog or cat could become a crime. Counties want reprieve from Sunshine Law, defense cuts will spare Hawaii, pro-rail Inouye won't back Cayetano, fired charter school head spent state money, homeless shelter, public housing scrutinized, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mauna Kea mountain view (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

Storms this weekend blanketed Mauna Kea summit with 3 to 4 inches of new snow, and more winter weather is expected. West Hawaii Today.

As military communities around the nation fret about defense cuts, U.S. Sen. Daniel Ino­uye said Hawaii expects to receive about 1,000 more Marines from Oki­nawa, have the same number or more ships based at Pearl Harbor and see a slight increase in shipyard work here. Star-Advertiser.

A third Marine accused of hazing a lance corporal who committed suicide in Afghanistan goes to trial this week. Associated Press.

A bill to give counties a break from the Sunshine Law, HB 2742, up for a hearing Tuesday afternoon, has already caught the attention of good-government watchdogs. Civil Beat.

Hawaii legislators will again take up the question of whether the state's four county councils should be exempt from the Sunshine Law. West Hawaii Today.

Legislators are considering two bills that would give the Hawaii Department of Education the authority to develop and implement a performance management system for teachers and principals. Civil Beat.

Legislators are supporting bills that would broaden the definition of school instruction beyond "seat time" but would also standardize bell schedules to ensure that the length of the school day is about the same for students statewide. Star-Advertiser.

State officials are trying to figure out how to best teach Hawaii's preschool aged residents.KHON2.

The state representative who made the motion to kill a bill that would make shoppers pay for single-use bags said it was a mistake. Civil Beat.

In the Judiciary Committee, members will hear HB 1170 seeking to criminalize the consumption of or trafficking in dog, cat or equine animal meat for the purpose of human consumption. Maui Now.

State lawmakers are  working on two bills that would open the doors for counties to legalize transient vacation rentals on agricultural land. Garden Island.

Hawaii will be getting a new U.S. district judge as a result of David Ezra's move to senior judge status in late June. Star-Advertiser.

In light of the continued strain on the state's budget, just one top executive at Hawaii Health Systems Corp. got a raise this year, according to a Civil Beat review. Civil Beat.

Former U.S. Red Charles Djou

Army reservist and congressional candidate Charles Djou is heading back from Afghanistan. KHON2.

State roundup for Feb. 21. Associated Press.

Honolulu

U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye said he will support either Mayor Peter Carlisle or former city Managing Director Kirk Caldwell in the race for Hono­lulu mayor, based on their support for the city's $5.27 billion rail transit project. Star-Advertiser.

The state spends about $1 million a year to operate a Kakaako homeless shelter plagued with a leaky roof, bedbugs, rats, roaches and intermittent hot water. Civil Beat.

Two fatal stabbings in four months have happened at one of Hawai`i’s public housing complexes. Each incident involved non-residents. Residents say the current security system is severely lacking and more needs to be done to protect them from violent visitors and brawls that end in death. Hawaii Public Radio.

The fired former head of Hawaii Technology Academy and his vice principal spent about $100,000 in state school funds on travel in one year, and an auditor found that "abuse, waste or fraud" likely occurred at the state's largest charter school. Hawaii News Now.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association will be opening a new Marine Science & Storage Facility Tuesday, along with announcing a new partnership to open their Pacific Regional Center for tourism. KITV4.

Hawaii

Developers' fair share contributions will account for only $3 million of a county capital improvement budget likely to be more than $125 million in the fiscal year that starts July 1. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Representatives of a Kaanapali oceanside restaurant said that their establishment continues to address a bedbug problem that first surfaced last summer. Maui News.

Federal, state and county governments are teaming up to host Medicare fraud prevention town hall meetings this month and next on Lanai and Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

Free bus rides begin on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

Three prominent peace activists will be featured at a free public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Kapa‘a Library to discuss the global effects of U.S. missile defense technologies on an island home to the world’s largest missile range. Garden Island.

Ceded lands deal coming before Legislature, Hawaii schools get a 'D' in science, Marine hazing trial starts today, Hilo resort hotels need work, Maui plan faces redo, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Rep. Mele Carroll at 2008 Capitol rally (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

 

 

 

Two Legislative committees will begin looking into a proposed $200 million real estate deal that will settle the Office of Hawaiian Affairs ceded lands claims with the state. Associated Press.

FACT CHECK False — Hirono: I'm Only Candidate Who Opposed Bush Tax Cuts. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and her political rival, former Congressman Charles Djou, are heading into the 2012 election with about the same amount of money in the bank to spend on what promises to be a spirited general election campaign. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Co. customers installed a record amount of solar power generating capacity on their rooftops last year, causing a reduction in utility revenue that HECO says it will have to make up with an increase in rates. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Friday signed a letter of intent with officials from South Korea to develop a smart grid demonstration project in Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

Bills pending before the state Legislature could make it easier to get fresh, local produce into public school cafeterias - both from school gardens and from island farms. Maui News.

As a cost-saving move, a planned $200 million destroyer modernization program might sail away from Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, and some union officials fear that could be repeated with other cruisers and destroyers based in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

A Marine sergeant accused of hazing another Marine who later committed suicide in Af­ghani­stan will go on trial today. Associated Press.

A new report says Hawai`i’s standards for science education are too far below what students need to compete. In a national K-12 ranking, Hawai`i received a “D”. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii's science standards for public school students are inadequate, inconsistent and include errors, according to a report that rated most states' learning benchmarks for science as "mediocre to awful." Star-Advertiser.

Advocates for public access television networks – such as ‘Olelo Community Media on O‘ahu, or Akaku for Maui Nui – are calling attention to a bill which would force a major reorganization of the networks. According to an Akaku blog post, the bill would lead to a 2/3 reduction in funding for public access television broadcasting. The bill, HB 2652, is scheduled for a hearing on Monday at 2:15 pm in State Capitol room 325. Hawaii Independent.

Weather researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are here in Hawaii this winter to check out storms developing across the Pacific. KITV4.

State roundup for Feb. 6. Associated Press.

Oahu

With the site of next year's Pro Bowl still up in the air, lawmakers are tackling future plans for Aloha Stadium again. Hawaii News Now.

The state spends almost $1 million annually to publish legal notices in Honolulu’s only newspaper and lawmakers are looking for ways to trim that bill. Hawaii Reporter.

A bill that would exempt residential and commercial developments along the 20-mile Honolulu rail transit corridor from state and county planning, zoning and permitting requirements is opposed by both rail supporters and rail opponents. Star-Advertiser.

Protestors were out in Waikiki Saturday night trying to stop a war on Iran. KHON2.

Hawaii

For years, Hawaii County government has been spending far more than it's taken in. The number of employees has increased dramatically, and payments on debt now consume the biggest chunk of operating expenses in at least a decade. West Hawaii Today.

State legislators are dissatisfied with the condition of the Naniloa Volcanoes Resort, the Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and other properties in Hilo's resort district, and they want to do something about it. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Planning Director Will Spence said Thursday that the changes he's proposing to the Maui Island Plan would simplify a document that's "morphed" into something complicated and unwieldy after six years of tinkering. Maui News.

Two Maui schools received awards last month for beautifying their campuses with school gardens. Maui News.

An increase in illegal dumping, brush fires and criminal activity will result in the permanent closure of a portion of Kala Road near the Kahului Airport on Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is seeking up to 30 native Hawaiian families to participate in  Homestead Self Help Projects in Kapolei and Anahola on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

With the U.S. Department of Education placing Hawai‘i’s four-year, $75 million Race to the Top grant on “high-risk status,” Kaua‘i’s public schools could miss out on much of the ambitious, four-year reform plan. Garden Island.

Molokai

The Molokai Irrigation System, which serves the bulk of the island’s agricultural and homestead users, has received $1.25 million for system improvements, Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced last week. Molokai Dispatch.