Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Economy expected to dip, federal judge says Kaneshiro corruption case to proceed, swastikas painted along H-1 as synagogue threats investigated, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaii Education Department Takes ‘Big First Step’ To Increase Local Food In Schools. Advocates are cautiously optimistic the DOE's recent request for information will result in more local ingredients included in school lunches. Civil Beat.
Hawaii corrections oversight commissioner steps down. Ted Sakai, a Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission stepped down on Dec. 4 to tend to his health. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.
Authorities probe threat to bomb Hawaii synagogues. Police and federal agents are asking the public to remain vigilant while they investigate antisemitic graffiti and a threat made on the third day of Hanukkah to detonate hidden explosives “inside of every Hawaii synagogue.” Star-Advertiser. KITV4.
Search for a new University of Hawaiʻi president set to begin soon. The Board of Regents has approved the search for a new leader of the University of Hawaiʻi as outgoing President David Lassner prepares to retire at the end of 2024. Hawaii Public Radio.
Hawaiian Electric begins contract negotiations on 15 renewable energy projects. Hawaiian Electric is looking at 15 new renewable energy projects on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island and Maui as the company retires older fossil-fueled plants. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.
Hawaiʻiʻs Millerbird no longer listed as critically endangered after successful relocation. With decades of conservation work paying off, Hawai‘i’s Millerbird that is also known as Ulūlu has been downlisted to Endangered status after being listed as Critically Endangered since 2000. Maui Now.
Oahu
Prosecutors In Keith Kaneshiro Case Did Not Step Over The Line, Judge Rules. A federal judge said that the case can proceed, rejecting accusations of prosecutorial misconduct against Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Wheat and his team. Civil Beat.
Law enforcement: Illegal fireworks sales are fueling organized crime. In hopes of making a safer New Year’s on Oahu, the state is launching an amnesty program for unwanted illegal fireworks. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.
Honolulu Homeowners: Property Assessments Are Coming Soon. Values increased 0.3% on average across Oahu, far less than the 13.3% average increase last year. Civil Beat.
Swastikas spray-painted along the H-1 spark outrage and conversation to address hate speech. Along the H-1 highway by the Barber’s Point exit, one of the many places that have a swastika along with the star of David graffitied onto signs. Those symbols can be seen for about 10 miles along the H-1 heading into town. Hawaii News Now.
West Oahu health center boosts security with artificial intelligence amid rising crime. Amid the increase in violent crimes in Leeward Oahu, the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center has installed a weapons detection system in its Emergency Department. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii Island
Mayor Signs Bill 66 To Expedite Residential Solar Permits. Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth has signed Bill 66, a measure that will “expedite the process of permitting solar electric systems, bringing about cost reductions for homeowners and bolstering the clean, green energy transition” on Hawaiʻi Island, officials say. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.
Maui
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court oral argument scheduled for lawsuit challenging Maui houseless sweeps. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court has scheduled an oral argument on Dec. 14, 2023, for the lawsuit against Maui County challenging a September 2021 houseless sweep at Amala Place near Kanahā Beach Park. Maui Now.
Maui Mayor’s Enhanced Security Detail Could Be Funded By Federal, Wildfire Funds. The estimated cost for overtime and travel expenses for the detail was $110,000, though the Public Safety Department said it was still tallying the bill. Civil Beat.
FEMA closing Kahului Disaster Recovery Center this Friday. The Kahului Disaster Recovery Center on Maui is closing at 6 p.m. this Friday, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Star-Advertiser.
Elevated levels of toxins found in Lahaina ash, test results show. The state Department of Health on Sunday released laboratory results showing ash from homes in Lahaina contain elevated levels of toxics including arsenic, lead, antimony, cobalt and copper. Star-Advertiser.
Kauai
Student changes on agenda for community council meeting. Lori Ann Cabebe, the Kaua‘i High School PCNC Coordinator, announced a school community council meeting on Dec. 14 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Kaua‘i High School cafeteria. Garden Island.
Kaua‘i fishpond access preserved for community. Trust for Public Land, Waipā Foundation, the County of Kaua‘i and the State of Hawai‘i have announced the purchase and transfer of ownership and stewardship of a quarter-acre of land in the Waipā ahupua‘a along Kauaʻi’s north shore. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.
Thursday, April 6, 2023
Giant condo management company lacks state license, newspaper clarifies Green nominee story, Supreme Court sides with OHA in dispute with auditor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Correction: Green plans different nominees to lead DBEDT, Office of Planning. Gov. Josh Green. is prohibited by Senate rules to name replacements for Chris Sadayasu and Scott Glenn this session after they failed to win Senate confirmation. But he plans to replace them sometime in May once the legislative session adjourns on May 5. An earlier article indicated otherwise. Star-Advertiser.
Bill seeking to double the earned income tax credit in the state advances. The Senate’s Ways and Means committee approved a new version of House Bill 1049 Tuesday. The version increases the food excise tax credit, doubling it from its current rate. It also increases the earned income tax credit from 20% to 40% of the federal rate. Hawaii Public Radio.
Governor’s plan to address homeless crisis includes construction of more than a dozen tiny home villages. A total of 24 sites are currently under consideration. A list of those sites is expected to be released in about a month. Hawaii News Now.
Corrections Nominee Tommy Johnson Clears Committee Vote, Advances To The Full Senate. A Senate committee voted 4-0 on Wednesday in favor of Gov. Josh Green’s appointment of Tommy Johnson to run the state’s prisons and jails despite bitter resistance from the union that represents Hawaii correctional officers. Civil Beat.
State Supreme Court rules with OHA in dispute. A legal dispute between two Hawaii state agencies came to an end Wednesday with a state Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs over the Office of the Auditor. Star-Advertiser.
Ruling opens path for UH grad students to unionize. A Hawaii Supreme Court ruling issued Wednesday has opened the way for a group of University of Hawaii graduate assistants to petition to be classified as public employees with collective bargaining rights. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii COVID hospitalizations, cases on the rise again. The Health Department today warned the rate of COVID hospitalizations is on the rise, with an 89.7% jump in the number of patients over the past week to 75 today. DOH reported 1,047 new COVID-19 infections over the past week, bringing the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 383,880. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.
Oahu
Kūpuna could receive a large property tax break under proposed Honolulu bill. The Honolulu City Council’s budget committee met Tuesday to discuss four bills, including one that would raise the tax exemption for older homeowners still living in their primary residence. Hawaii Public Radio.
IRS grants tax relief to families affected by Red Hill water crisis. Civilians whose drinking water was contaminated by jet fuel from the Navy’s Red Hill storage facility in November 2021 will not have to pay federal or state income taxes on reimbursements they received from the military to cover expenses such as temporary lodging, meals and personal property damage, following guidance released Wednesday by the Internal Revenue Service. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.
Alleged Miske co-conspirator jailed for witness tampering. An alleged co-conspirator of reputed Hawaii crime boss Michael Miske was charged with witness tampering Monday after he allegedly threatened a woman not to cooperate with the U.S. Department of Justice’s ongoing investigation. Star-Advertiser.
Thief swaps out QR code for one of their own. The Honolulu Department of Transportation Services said in a news release today that some of the 1,700 city parking meters configured to accept payments via the Park Smarter phone app reportedly have fraudulent stickers on them. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.
$26M for 2019 Likelike Hwy. tow truck crash victim. State taxpayers are on the hook to pay $26 million to a man critically injured by a runaway tow truck on the Likelike Highway. KHON2.
Hawaii Island
Downtown Hilo plan rejected: A majority of business owners not on board with revitalization plan. The Downtown Hilo Business Improvement District — which was officially proposed by a Hawaii County Council bill in late 2022, but has been a topic of discussion for years — would allow property owners to fund infrastructure maintenance and other upgrades between Ponahawai Street, Wailuku Drive, Kapiolani Street and the Hilo Bayfront using assessments levied against member businesses. Tribune-Herald.
How A Reverse Mortgage Lender Took A Hawaii Man’s Home Over A $500 Repair. The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled last week that Joseph B. Nutter & Co. and its lawyer committed fraud on the court by failing to give a full picture of their foreclosure on Elton Namahoe's Big Island house. Civil Beat.
Sweep at once iconic Uncle Billy’s resort in Hilo: 2 arrested, 10 cited for trespassing. More than three dozens officers from three law enforcement agencies conducted a dawn sweep of the condemned and dilapidated former Uncle Billy’s Hotel and Resort on Banyan Drive in Hilo. The result: two people arrested on outstanding warrants and 10 citations issued for simple trespass. Big Island Now. Star-Advertiser.
Maui
Hawaiian men imprisoned for hate crime agree to pay $25,000. Two Native Hawaiian men sentenced to prison for a hate crime in the brutal beating of a white man have agreed to pay more than $25,000 in restitution, according to court documents. Associated Press.
How Much Is Too Much? Lawmakers Move Forward With Plan To Study Capacity Of Popular Maui Beach. State officials says they already have a plan to tackle parking woes at Makena State Park, but many on Maui are calling for more action. Civil Beat.
Hawaiian Electric to give update on renewable energy on Maui. Hawaiian Electric will hold a community meeting April 13 on Maui to provide an update on the renewable energy transition and recent developments on the status of the island’s existing power generation resources. Maui News.
Kauai
Kaua‘i Police Department budget hearing highlights vacancy problem. Amid national trends and a series of retirements, the Kaua‘i Police Department has struggled recently to fill a number of vacant positions. Garden Island.
Gun bill seeks limits in ‘sensitive’ areas. A Kaua‘i gun control advocate and a gun store manager are speaking out with contrasting opinions on recent gun control legislation, as a bill aimed at restricting who can carry firearms, and where, continues to make its way through state Senate chambers. Garden Island.
Friday, March 3, 2023
Rail drags Honolulu bond rating down, Native Hawaiians sentenced to prison in hate crime against white man, Mauna Kea Authority and DLNR spar over mountain management, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Public housing agency struggling with $800 million repair backlog as hundreds of units remain vacant. The Hawaii Public Housing Authority is trying to make a dent in a more than $800 million capital improvement backlog. And it's asking lawmakers for money this year to fix hundreds of vacant units and get more people off the streets. KITV4.
Cathy Betts to continue as director of the state's Department of Human Services. Cathy Betts was confirmed by the state Senate Wednesday to continue her role as director of the Department of Human Services. Betts was asked to continue her DHS leadership after Gov. Josh Green appointed her, as well as several other familiar government faces, in December. Hawaii Public Radio.
New Hawaiʻi State Office of Wellness and Resilience outlines its mission. The newly created Office of Wellness and Resilience and its first director, Tia Hartsock, are now in place to tackle the “unprecedented public health crisis” in Hawaiʻi. Big Island Now. Kauai Now.
Adult recreational cannabis bill to receive final Senate vote. A bill that would legalize adult recreational use of cannabis in Hawaii cleared its final committee hurdle Thursday. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.
In effort to crackdown on illegal mufflers, lawmakers considering noise detectors. There are already laws on the books saying driving with modified mufflers that cause loud noise illegal, but advocates of this bill say those laws are not being followed and the device would crackdown on rule breakers. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii Legislators Propose $1 Million Boost For Performing Arts. After rebuffing two simultaneous threats to public-art funding, local artists and art supporters now have flipped the legislative momentum. Instead of potentially suffering major cuts this session, they have become positioned to receive a financial boost. Civil Beat.
Oahu
Firm downgrades city’s bonds for first time since 1999, citing growing rail debt. Moody’s Investor Service lowered the rating of Honolulu general obligation bonds from a level known as Aa1 to Aa2. While the rating agency says the city continues to enjoy a “strong financial position,” it also express concern by the increase in city debt due to the financially troubled rail project. Hawaii News Now.
Honolulu Mayor Proposes Cautious $3.4 Billion Budget. With island residents still reeling from double-digit real estate assessments fueled by pandemic-related price hikes, Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced Thursday that he is proposing a $3.4 billion operating budget for the City and County of Honolulu for fiscal year 2024, which is essentially flat, adjusted for inflation. Civil Beat.
OHA's Plan To Build High-Rises At Kakaako Makai Stalls In The Senate. The Senate Ways and Means Committee has shelved the Office of Hawaiian Affairsʻ proposal to build three residential towers up to 400 feet tall on oceanside land OHA owns at Kakaako makai. Civil Beat.
New Aloha Stadium May Be Smaller As Green Rejects Original Development Plan. The Hawaii governor says the estimated $400 million cost of a public-private partnership is too high. Civil Beat.
Hawaii delegation asks IRS to exempt Red Hill families. Hawaii’s congressional delegation is asking the IRS to back off of families that were affected by the Red Hill water crisis — many of them outraged that under current regulations the money they received from the military for temporary housing is considered income and that they are being slapped by the IRS with steep taxes. Star-Advertiser.
Why is $16M Waianae police station partially empty? In 2016, the City spent $16 million to build the Waianae Police Station. A blessing was held, but the doors never fully opened. West Oahu residents are concerned that the building continues to sit partially empty seven years later. KHON2.
Kamalani supporters protest school’s closure. Scores of Kamalani Academy students, teachers, parents and supporters demonstrated Thursday outside the state Department of Education, chanting, “Save our school!” to protest a decision by the state Public Charter School Commission that the Wahiawa school must close after its contract expires June 30. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.
Hawaii Island
Pahoa soft OKs site for library, transit hub. Pahoa residents came to an informal consensus Wednesday regarding their preferred location for a planned new library and transit hub. Both a new public library and a bus hub have been planned for Pahoa for years, with both projects eventually consolidated into a single site last year. Tribune-Herald.
Hōlualoa School Community Rallies In Kona. Parents and teachers say they are still waiting to hear specifics from the Hawaiʻi DOE on how and when it will address numerous health and safety issues at the school. Big Island Video News.
These patients could have few alternatives for life-saving care if key pharmacy closes. Kona Community Hospital’s pharmacy could be forced to close if it doesn’t meet new regulations set to go in effect later this year. Hawaii News Now.
Maui
2 Native Hawaiian Men Sentenced In Hate Crime Against White Neighbor. A Native Hawaiian man was sentenced to more than six years in prison Thursday for the hate crime beating of a white man who tried to move into his remote, traditional fishing village. Local lawyers believe this is the first time the U.S. has prosecuted Native Hawaiians for hate crimes. Associated Press. KHON2. KITV4.
Oprah buys 870 acres of land in Kula for nearly $6.6 million over recent months. Media mogul and billionaire Oprah Winfrey recently purchased about 870 acres of Kula agricultural land for nearly $6.6 million in recent months, adding to hundreds of acres of real estate she already owns in Kula and in Hāna. Maui Now.
Former Maui state lawmaker charged for failing to file spending report. Former Maui state lawmaker Kaniela Ing, who has run into trouble with the state Campaign Spending Commission in the past, is now facing prosecution for having “intentionally, knowingly or recklessly failed” to timely file a supplemental report with the commission last year. Maui News.
Maui Yacht Owner: ‘I Didn’t Know What I Was Getting Into’. Jim Jones says he wants to make things right, but former employees and county officials say he shouldn’t have a boat. Civil Beat.
Mortar found at Kīhei recycling business, recovered by Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team. An unexploded ordnance, which appeared to be a mortar, was discovered by employees at a Kīhei recycling company within their metals collection area Tuesday. Maui Now. Maui News.
Kauai
State seeks fines on Koloa dam owners. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is seeking a $5,000 fine from the owners of a faulty dam, which could endanger more than 600 people if it failed. Garden Island.
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Legislative leaders talk priorities at session midpoint, DHHL director sued by surfer after canoe crash, Native Hawaiians scheduled for sentencing in Maui hate crime, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
New DHHL Director Aims To Speed Up The Development Of Homestead Lots. But first Kali Watson, an affordable housing developer who is the governor’s second pick for the job, must be confirmed by the Senate. Civil Beat.
Surfer files lawsuit against DHHL director nominee Kali Watson. A surfer who said he almost died after being hit by a canoe has filed a civil lawsuit against the paddlers. One of them is Kali Watson, who was recently nominated to lead the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.
Sen. Rhoads ‘guardedly optimistic’ about Hawai‘i clean elections bill. If passed, Senate Bill 1543 would allocate $30 million to a newly-formed public campaign financing fund, allowing candidates to avoid private funds entirely. Garden Island.
Fight to lower legal limit for drunk driving in Hawaii receives opposition. A push to lower Hawaii’s blood alcohol content limit is moving forward at the legislature. Hawaii News Now.
Body and Digital Cameras Could Be Required at State Correctional Facilities. A bill moving through the State Legislature would authorize funding for body and digital cameras in all correctional facilities. KITV4.
Hawaii midwives stage sit-in, saying their services could be banned without legislative action. In order to remain alive, bills must pass out of final committees this week to the full House or Senate and then cross over to the other side. If not, they die ― and that could happen to a bill meant to allow midwives to continue providing birth support services. Hawaii News Now.
Matson warns first quarter will be weakest of the year. Matson Inc.’s chief executive officer is warning that the current quarter will be the weakest of the year as the company deals with reduced shipping demand. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii hospitals, clinics continue to embrace masks. Although Hawaii has no statewide mandate or federal rules that require masks, most hospitals and health clinics are independently requiring them for their clinical settings where patients are seen. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii COVID-19 positivity rate at 4.4%; 12 more deaths. The Hawaii Department of Health today reported the state’s seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases fell to 70 compared with 89 on Feb. 15. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.
Oahu
New center will address ‘gap’ in homeless treatment. The Institute for Human Services on Wednesday unveiled a facility for a new approach to treating Oahu’s most troubled homeless people — a 24-hour triage center. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.
Oʻahu prison struggles to find staff for nonessential programs, chapel services. Staffing shortages over the years have presented the need to prioritize security over some other nonessential services, including chapel. Hawaii Public Radio.
Civilian Red Hill families plead for relief after being hit with huge tax bills for reimbursements. Civilian Red Hill families are furious about getting huge tax bills after getting reimbursed by the Navy for staying in hotels for months. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii Island
HECO announces four ‘shared solar’ projects for Big Island. Hawaiian Electric Co. on Tuesday announced the selection of four new Hawaii Island solar farm projects. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.
Kona coffee farmers cash in on labeling claims. Hawaiian coffee farmers will get an additional $6.15 million to settle their class action accusing a coffee roasting and wholesale company of selling ordinary coffee under the name “Kona,” as part of an agreement approved Feb.21 by a Washington federal judge, Law360 reported Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.
Volcano observatory eyes new Hilo headquarters. A $60 million-plus, three-story Hawaiian Volcano Observatory headquarters and research building is being proposed in Hilo to replace its Hawaii Volcanoes National Park facility, which was damaged by the 2018 Kilauea eruption. Star-Advertiser.
Maui
Maui hate crime case spotlights Hawaii’s racial complexity. In a case that reflects Hawaii’s nuanced and complicated relationship with race, two Native Hawaiian men are scheduled to be sentenced Thursday for a federal hate crime in the brutal beating of a white man who tried to move into their remote, traditional fishing village. Associated Press.
Maui County’s 5,000-home goal could take much longer. Maui County’s goal of building 5,000 affordable homes in five years could end up taking 15 years if more is not done to help move forward affordable housing, the organization behind the county’s Comprehensive Affordable Housing Plan said Tuesday. Maui News.
Maui County Sat On $8 Million That Could Have Helped Struggling Homeowners. Housing advocates worry about the bandwidth of local government to get the program going before it’s too late. Civil Beat.
Maui County Council to decide on contested Waiehu affordable housing development. The Maui County Council's Housing and Land Use committee discussed a resolution on Tuesday that would advance the proposed Hale Mahaolu Ke Kahua project in Waiehu. Hawaii Public Radio.
Pesticide band detection study on leeward Maui. A study is now underway using absorbent bands to detect organic pollutants at 18 sites around West and South Maui. Maui Now.
Kauai
Kaua‘i police retrieve homicide suspect’s body from canyon. County of Kaua‘i agencies and volunteers recovered what they believe to be the body of Kody Gardner from a steep cliffside in Koke‘e on Tuesday afternoon. Garden Island. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.
Camouflaged Humvee stolen from Maui’s National Guard Armory. The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle was stolen between 6 p.m. on Feb. 27 and 5:30 a.m. on Feb. 28, according to the Maui Police Department. Kauai Now.
Friday, November 18, 2022
Native Hawaiian men guilty of hate crime in attack on white Maui man, Supreme Court allows violent offenders jailed before indictment, disease spread by cats endangers spinner dolphins, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaii spinner dolphins at risk of disease, study finds. Toxoplasmosis, the disease that originates from the feces of cats, has been known in recent years to have killed at least 15 Hawaiian monk seals, as well as endangered birds and other wildlife in the islands. Now new research has discovered the deadly disease in two spinner dolphins. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii’s high court OKs 60-day hold on those uncharged. The Hawaii Supreme Court issued an opinion Thursday in Deangelo v. Souza, which allows courts to continue to order the jailing of people without charges in what are loosely known as “Obrero” cases, but appears to discourage the 90-day maximum hold in favor of 60 days. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.
1,300 ballots arrived too late to count, so far. More than 1,300 ballots have come in too late to be counted in the general election. So far the Honolulu County clerk’s office has received 716 mailed ballots after the election-day cutoff, 400 in Maui County and Hawaii County got 213 late so far. KHON2.
Help Wanted: Retailers Redouble Calls For Holiday Workers. As Hawaii’s economy recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, there’s an abundance of job openings for seasonal employees. Civil Beat.
Gov. Ige extends SNAP emergency benefits through the holidays until Jan. 16. Hawaiʻi Gov. David Ige signed a fifth emergency proclamation today that extends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotment benefits. Big Island Now.
Local branding firm receives renewal to lead HTA's Japan market. The Hawaii Tourism Authority renewed its contract with a local firm to handle its branding and marketing for Japan. The integrative consulting firm a.link LLC will once again lead HTA’s Visitor Education and Destination Brand Marketing and Management Services for the Japan market. Hawaii Public Radio.
Hawaii BOE Seeks More Community Input For Its Strategic Plan. The Board of Education will allow stakeholders to have another say on a new plan that will direct public education in Hawaii for the next several years. Civil Beat.
'It's cartoon pornography'. Some demand teen novel be pulled from Hawaii library. Controversy is brewing over a teen cartoon novel found in a state library that some criticize for displaying graphic and inappropriate images. KITV4.
Oahu
City issues dozens of violation notices amid crackdown on illegal vacation rentals. Since the ordinance went into effect Oct. 23, the city has issued 63 notices of violation. Hawaii News Now.
Parking at Honolulu airport to tighten, cost more. The state Department of Transportation announced Thursday that it plans to raise the daily parking rate at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu and also charge more to park for over six hours but under eight hours, effective Jan. 1. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.
Crime down in Waikiki, police tell safety summit. Crime in Waikiki is down in every category but theft so far this year as hotels, businesses, police, social service providers and government partner to ensure a mix of enforcement and programs help to ensure public safety. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.
Honolulu Police Chief Tries To Rebuild Community Trust One Group At A Time. Business professionals question the chief on homelessness, police staffing and how they can support the department. Civil Beat.
In suit, family of 9th grader raped at gunpoint on campus says attack could have been prevented. The state Department of Education is being sued over the violent rape of a ninth grade girl at McKinley High School last year. Hawaii News Now.
City knew for years about lead concerns at shooting range, but did little to warn workers of danger. Gun owners on Oahu are still without a public range as a probe into possible lead contamination at Koko Head Shooting Complex continues ― and new details emerge about what the city knew. Hawaii News Now.
Kalihi nature preserve heals thousands of people, earns national award. The nature preserve is part of the nonprofit Kōkua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services. In 2005, the nonprofit was granted a lease from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to care for the land. Hawaii Public Radio.
Hawaii Island
Kona hospital’s cancer clinics resume accepting new patients. Kona Community Hospital announced Thursday that its Medical Oncology and Infusion Clinics will soon begin accepting new patients again. Both clinics had temporarily paused accepting new patient referrals in early October due to staffing shortages. West Hawaii Today.
Hawaiʻi Radiologic Associates reopens after apparent cyber attack. Hawaiʻi Radiologic Associates reopened this week after a reported cyber attack took their system offline last month, leading to canceled appointments and delays in patients getting test results. Big Island Now.
Hilo MEGA Lab Helps Surfing Scientists Research Reefs. The Hilo-based consortium of scientists, athletes, and artists is making headlines for an effort to create a 3D map of Earth's "premier surf breaks to help better protect reefs around the world." Big Island Video News.
Maui
2 Native Hawaiian men found guilty of hate crime. A jury Thursday found two Native Hawaiian men guilty of a federal hate crime, eight years after they beat up a white man who bought a house in their remote village on Maui. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Maui Now.
12 more east Maui streams gain instream flow standards. A dozen additional east Maui streams and tributaries are the beneficiaries of amended interim instream flow standards, or IIFS, which are meant keep water in the streams and enhance the downstream habitat and upstream connectivity for native stream biota. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.
Agricultural park expansion could put emphasis on organic crops. Bill under consideration to limit pesticides and prioritize local food in Kula park. Maui News.
Fire chief given highest marks in evaluation. First-year Maui County Fire Chief Bradford Ventura excelled in his evaluation by the Fire and Public Safety Commission on Thursday, with the panel giving him the highest marks in each of six performance categories. Maui News.
Kauai
Brun associates Kai and Huihui sentenced for roles in drug trafficking conspiracy. With the recent sentencing of two players in former County Council Member Arthur Brun’s illegal drug trafficking operation, the case against the Kaua‘i drug ring is nearly closed. Garden Island.
Kauaʻi short 43 full-time doctors; new UH medical school program will help. There is no endocrinologist on the Garden Isle. No out-patient neurologist. No oncologist. No psychologist or ophthalmologist that is accepting new patients. Specialists in rheumatology and gerontology also are nonexistent. Kauai Now.
Land Donor Takes Back Kauai’s Unopened Youth Drug Treatment Center. New private ownership could prove more nimble than government. But old business model troubles persist. Kauai’s $7 million adolescent treatment facility, never opened to help the drug-dependent youth it was built to serve. But it has a new name, a new owner and a new goal to open by next August. Civil Beat.
Housing bill on Kauaʻi aims to provide a 'regular flow' of revenue for infrastructure improvements. The Council passed the measure at its meeting Wednesday. It would require at least 2% of real property tax revenues to go into the Housing Development Fund annually. Hawaii Public Radio. Garden Island.
Monday, August 29, 2022
Hawaii celebrates Little League world championship, Honolulu mulls shoreline setbacks, Hawaiian Princess Kawananakoa near death, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Survey finds strong support for visitor education efforts, access fees to parks. Visitor access fees to state parks and trails are just one of the many tourism management efforts supported by Hawaii residents. That’s according to a recent Resident Sentiment Survey by the State of Hawai’i Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism for Spring 2022. Hawaii News Now. Hawaii Public Radio.
Changes in affirmative action may have little impact on Hawaii schools. University officials say the impact in Hawaii would be minimal should the U.S. Supreme Court strike down racial affirmative action in school admissions. Star-Advertiser.
Fewer Native Hawaiian Men Are Going To College. The Repercussions May Last Generations. Overall college enrollment in the state shrank 20% over the last decade, but the drop was steeper for Native Hawaiian men, with 30% fewer male students enrolled last spring than there were a decade ago. Civil Beat.
Hawaii’s Top Campaign Contributor Is Backing Republicans This Election Cycle. The GOP saw an uptick in donations as well as stronger voter turnout in the Aug. 13 primary election. Civil Beat.
‘An Epic Fail:’ Hawaii Inmate Medical Records System Hasn’t Worked Right For Months. A top prison official said computer updates weren’t done for the system, and health workers at Hawaii’s jails and prisons lost access to thousands of records. Civil Beat.
Commentary: Hospitalized And Gravely Ill, This Hawaiian Princess Is Intent On Sharing Her Wealth. Abigail Kawananakoa has made clear in the past that she wants her fortune to be used to benefit Native Hawaiians. Civil Beat.
Oahu
Council considering increasing shoreline setbacks. The Honolulu City Council is considering increasing the general shoreline setback distance for structures and development from 40 feet to between 60 and 130 feet, depending on the location and size of the property. Star-Advertiser.
Honolulu Liquor Commission May Be Headed For An Overhaul. In justifying the need for change, a City Council resolution outlines a decades-long pattern of malfeasance. Civil Beat.
End in sight for foam and plastic take-out containers. Starting on September 6, single-use plastic and foam take-out containers can no longer be used. KHON2.
Ambulance safety questioned on Oahu following deadly explosion in Kailua. The Honolulu City Council is planning a special hearing with the head of Honolulu Emergency Services Department to figure out what changes may need to be made to ensure public safety. KITV4.
University of Hawaii reorganization merges 5 academic units into 1. Five academic units from three different colleges — each with related yet distinct approaches to communication and information — have been combined to establish the School of Communication and Information in one of the largest reorganizations in the university’s history. Star-Advertiser.
University of Hawaii study focuses on detecting mutations as a predictor of future COVID-19 variants. UH researchers led by Tao Yan, a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, are analyzing wastewater collected from Oahu during the pandemic to determine if the presence of a mutation could be an indicator of virus evolution. Star-Advertiser.
Homeless encampments along Nimitz Highway reduced for now. As Oahu’s summer tourism season comes to its traditional Labor Day end, the main Nimitz Highway corridor that visitors use to get from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport into Waikiki last week was unusually clear of homeless encampments. Star-Advertiser.
Volunteers remove trash and paint over graffiti in Chinatown. The improved look is thanks to the more than 300 volunteers who picked up trash and added fresh layers of paint to the exteriors of businesses, traffic control boxes and nearby bridges Saturday during the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii’s second annual “Chinatown Cleanup.” Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii Island
Survey: Locals feeling a little friendlier toward tourists. Big Island residents are reporting an increasingly favorable view of the visitor industry, with East Hawaii residents expressing a more positive opinion than their West Hawaii counterparts. West Hawaii Today.
Commissioners mull cesspool alternatives: Waste management master plans in the works. Tax incentives and low-interest loans as well as the creation of an enterprise fund through a utility surcharge are three options being bandied about to help the state convert its 88,000 cesspools into something less harmful to the environment by 2050. West Hawaii Today.
How to catch up? Pandemic’s impact has stunted development for many young keiki. Preschool and elementary teachers on the Big Island have reported alarming behavioral changes in young keiki following the pandemic. Tribune-Herald.
Proposed bottling plant hopes to give back to community. Hawaiian Kingdom Brands plans to build a 30,000-square-foot water bottling and coffee roasting facility on a lot at the intersection of Mililani and Piilani streets. Tribune-Herald.
Another boat ramp option floated for Pohoiki. State engineers are investigating whether to remove most of a beach in order to reopen the Pohoiki Boat Ramp. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
Mayor transmits two resolutions to council in an effort to finalize A&B land acquisition. Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino transmitted two resolutions to the Maui County Council on Friday to accept the dedication of 45 acres of land from A&B Properties for parks and open space. Maui Now.
Maui hate crime case hinges on use of term ‘haole’. The central question that jurors will be asked to decide is whether the men attacked the victim because he was white or because he was a newcomer who disrespected their community, court documents show. Star-Advertiser.
Maui hospital receives zero “Condition Level Findings” from accrediting body. Maui Memorial Medical Center received zero “Condition Level Findings” during an unannounced visit by surveyors with The Joint Commission in July. This marked the hospital’s highest scores to date, according to a Maui Health press release. Maui Now.
Maui hotels were tops in revenue, last in occupancy in July. Report shows less of a summer travel surge than last year. Maui News.
Could The End Be Near For Hawaii’s Resort Penguins? For nearly 40 years, guests arriving at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa have been greeted by a group of penguins that, while perhaps charming in their feathery faux tuxedos, aren’t exactly associated with Hawaii. Civil Beat.
Kauai
Kaua‘i Police Department backed up Vice President Kamala Harris on vacation. KPD provided services both for the Vice President’s Aug. 15 arrival and the Aug. 25 departure, along with backing up her movements when necessary. Garden Island.
Bird Rescuers ‘Desperately’ Seek Kauai Honeycreepers As The Species Faces Extinction. Crews are in the remote forest seeking three ‘akikiki birds, part of a last-ditch attempt to protect them from the mosquito-borne illness that’s devastated their numbers. Civil Beat. Garden Island.