Inspector General report urges changes to Hawaii's missile alert system, high surf, high seas spur Honolulu action, two election lawsuits filed over close votes, humpback whale no-shows cause concern, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii missile alert info session ©2018 All Hawaii News

Missile alert report urges FEMA to make vendors change software. The report by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Inspector General urges FEMA to require that software used by local authorities to access and operate the emergency alert system include features such as the ability to preview or cancel alerts. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii False Missile Alert: New Problems Found In Federal Warning System. A recent inspector general report highlights shortcomings in FEMA’s oversight of the emergency warning system. Civil Beat.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general has recommended changes to the nation’s emergency alert system after Hawaii officials in January mistakenly warned the public about an incoming ballistic missile. Associated Press.

Read full inspector general emergency alert system report here.

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New Tax System Targets Cash Economy. The state’s Tax System Modernization or TSM will cost $60 million when completed. Rollout 4 was launched earlier this month to enable electronic filing for individual income tax returns. Hawaii Public Radio.

From school custodian to the sole Republican in the state Senate. For Kurt Fevella, the results of the general election are still sinking in. The former school janitor is now hiring staff for his office, as the newly elected lone Republican in the Hawaii state Senate. Hawaii News Now.

Every vote counts, but not all get counted. Thousands of votes statewide were invalidated, mostly on Oahu, and most affected voters won't necessarily know if theirs was counted. KHON2.

Black Market Babies. The Republic of the Marshall Islands, a string of low-lying coral atolls halfway between Hawaii and Papua New Guinea, had no law governing international adoptions in the 1990s. Hawaii quickly turned into a hub for what American judges and newspapers widely described as “black market adoptions.” The flow of babies soon spread to other states. Civil Beat.

Hawaii AG Demands Civil Rights Protections for Transgender People. Attorney General Russell A. Suzuki joined a coalition of 20 state attorneys general urging the Trump Administration to abandon efforts to adopt a definition of “sex” that would exclude transgender and gender nonconforming individuals from the protections of federal civil rights laws. Maui Now.

Clues sought for decline in Hawaii humpback whale sightings. Researchers are gathering to compare clues on the reasons behind a significant decline in the number of sightings of North Pacific humpback whales in their traditional breeding grounds in waters around Hawaii. Associated Press.

Auction brings more broadband funds to Hawaii’s rural areas. Hawaiian Telcom will receive more than $18 million to deploy broadband in approximately 4,000 new areas across our state over the next six years. These areas include parts of Hawaiian Acres, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, Kohala, Laupahoehoe, Orchidland and Pepeekeo on Hawaii island; parts of Haiku, Hana and Olowalu on Maui; parts of Kaunakakai and Ualapue on Molokai; part of Lanai City; parts of Hanapepe, Kekaha, Kilauea, Kokee and Waimea on Kauai; and parts of Kahuku and Malaekahana on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Sears to sell off most of its Hawaii stores. Sears Holdings Corp. listed four Hawaii outlets — at Pearlridge Center, Windward Mall, Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo and an appliance store at Ala Moana Center — among 505 of the company’s most profitable locations to be sold or auctioned off as part of its bankruptcy, according to court documents. Star-Advertiser.

Retail giant Sears announced Monday that its putting four of its Hawaii stores on the auction block. Hawaii News Now.

SBA opening disaster loan centers this week on Maui, Hawaii's Big Island. The U.S. Small Business Administration will open disaster loan outreach centers on the Big Island and Maui on Tuesday to help Hawaii businesses apply for low-interest loans to recover from damage caused by the floods and wildfires that occurred during Hurricane Lane in August. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

The city is taking steps to prepare for the significant impacts of global climate change, but moving the route of Honolulu’s rail line more inland is not one of them, Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Monday. Star-Advertiser.

‘Perhaps we retreat:’ City predicts major changes as Hawaii faces coastal erosion. Following the release of a new national climate assessment, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell predicted Friday that Hawaii will see major changes in infrastructure as ocean levels rise in the decades ahead. Hawaii News Now.

City and County of Honolulu to take action on climate change. KHON2.

North Shore Beach Erosion 45-foot waves pound island. A powerful northwest swell pounded the islands Monday, bringing to some northwest-facing locations towering waves between 35 and 45 feet. Star-Advertiser.

'Nuts’: Monster waves pummel Oahu’s North Shore, trigger safety warnings. Monster surf topping out at 45 feet rolled into Oahu’s North Shore on Monday, triggering safety warnings and keeping lifeguards busy. Hawaii News Now.

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Two Losing Candidates Ask For Election Recounts. City Council candidate Tommy Waters and state Sen. Matt LoPresti both lost their races by razor-thin margins. Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Council candidate Tommy Waters, who lost to incumbent Councilman Trevor Ozawa by 22 votes in the general election, wants the Hawaii Supreme Court to either declare him the winner, order a recount of the votes or to demand that the results be invalidated and a new election be held. Star-Advertiser.

Police Security Cameras May Soon Blanket Waikiki. Tourism officials believe heightened surveillance will make visitors feel safer, but the Hawaii ACLU says it poses “grave concerns” for privacy. Civil Beat.

HPD Wants Inflatable Tents In City Parks For Temporary Use By The Homeless. Police have a $3 million plan to create “lift zones” in Honolulu parks, where the homeless can sleep in inflatable tents and receive services when shelters fill up. Civil Beat.

City launches unclutter street gutters initiative. The city is trying to get residents to take responsibility for their neighborhood's storm drains. KHON2.

The Board of Water Supply is taking a second shot at generating additional revenue by pursuing the redevelopment of part of its Beretania Street site. Hawaii News Now.

Nan Inc. wins $267M contract to expand Oahu sewage plant. The City and County of Honolulu has awarded Nan Inc. a $267 million contract to expand the secondary treatment system at the Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant in in Ewa. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

County Council names Chung chairman. Aaron Chung, a longtime councilman from Hilo, will be the new County Council chairman under an organization plan filed Monday. West Hawaii Today.

A new Hawaii County Council Chair, County Clerk, and Council Committee leadership has been nominated as the next council prepares to take office. Big Island Video News.

Hurricane Lane Disaster Recovery Center Opens Tuesday In Hilo. The U.S. Small Business Administration will open a temporary Disaster Recovery Center in Hilo at the Hawaii County Building, from November 27 to December 6. Big Island Video News.

What to name fissure no. 8? A state board is taking up the issue. The Hawaii Board of Geographic Names meets Wednesday to discuss a plan to review potential new name proposals for Kilauea volcano’s features, including fissure no. 8 in Leilani Estates. Hawaii News Now.

After gathering more than a third of a million pounds of oceanborne waste from Hawaii shores, one marine waste cleanup program will continue its work for a third year. Tribune-Herald.

Over the last week, a scabies outbreak has run rampant through the ranks of Kona Community Hospital, sidelining several employees. And hospital officials say more cases are likely to appear. West Hawaii Today.

County seeks bids for Alii Drive culvert replacement project. A contractor is being sought to replace a rapidly deteriorating culvert on Alii Drive. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Hearings begin to update Maui island water plan. Twenty-year blueprint helps guide the management of water resources. Maui is working to update its 20-year plan for islandwide water uses at a time when major decisions by the state’s water panel are slowly restoring streams in the wake of big sugar. Maui News.

County of Maui DPR announces closure of Baldwin Beach Park all day Tuesday. Major flooding has resulted from high surf and has caused safety concerns to the County facility. KITV.

The Lanai Community Health Center has launched a more user-friendly website. Maui News.

Kauai

Meeting set today on council chair selection. A meeting is set for 3:30 p.m. today at the Historic County Building for the members elected to the Kauai County Council for the term commencing Dec. 3 to discuss their organizational structure for the 2018-2020 council term. Garden Island.

Settlement likely in civil suit. A tentative settlement has been reached in a civil lawsuit filed against the Kauai County Police Department by the family of a 19-year-old Hanapepe man killed by a speeding police cruiser, according to court documents and a county spokesperson. Garden Island.

Hawaii Health Department says local romaine lettuce OK, recreational fishing fee mulled, filmmaker sues state claiming religious bias, Maui Sugar Cane Train returns, Lloyd's to pay lava victims, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian fisherman ©2018 All Hawaii News

Fee to fish?: Group sets public meetings to break down report on recreational fishing regulation. Almost two years after Conservation International Hawaii and the Western Pacific Fishery Council released a feasibility study on a regulatory system for noncommercial fishing in Hawaii, contributors are touring the state to discuss it with the public. West Hawaii Today.

State lawmakers noncommittal on raising minimum wage. Nate Hix, who founded an advocacy group Living Wage Hawaii, is hoping that a significant hike in the minimum wage during the upcoming legislative session, which begins in January, will help alleviate the struggles of many Hawaii residents, and he believes the political momentum is there. Star-Advertiser.

Racing To Save Hawaii’s Songbirds From Extinction. Scientists are urgently searching for backup homes to protect the three remaining species in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Civil Beat.

New climate change report not good for Hawaii. A new U.S. Climate Assessment report is out and it highlights many factors that could change the landscape of the islands. KHON2.

US Climate Report Warns Of Worsening Weather Disasters. In Hawaii and the Pacific, surface temperatures and sea level continue rising, while extremes such as drought and flooding continue affecting the islands. Associated Press.

State says locally grown romaine lettuce OK. Farmers tell us the state Department of Health put out a notice that local lettuce from Hawaii is not linked to the E. Coli outbreak. KHON2.

Filmmaker sues state, claims religious bias. A veteran producer of faith-based films is accusing officials in the Hawaii Film Office of discriminating against his Christian-themed historical movie and conspiring to deny a substantial tax credit due his production. Star-Advertiser.

Appleseed Center urges tough vacation rental rules. A local nonprofit focused on poverty issues is urging that Hawaii follow several cities around the world in getting tough on regulating the use of homes as short-term vacation rentals.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s disability benefit denials reversed at highest rate in nation. he judges in 64 percent of cases ruled in favor of Hawaii applicants who appealed their benefit denials — by far the highest rate among the 50 states and substantially above the national average of 43 percent. Star-Advertiser.

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Hawaii businesses and residents impacted by Tropical Storm Lane, the U.S. Small Business Administration has announced. Maui News.

Marketing Hawaii as a Sports Center. Between the Vans Triple Crown of surfing, the Maui Invitational college basketball tournament and the Los Angeles Rams lined up to play a pre-season game at the Aloha Stadium next year, there are a lot of reasons why sports fans are paying attention to Hawaii. Hawaii Public Radio.

Strike negotiations between workers, hotel management to resume Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Local 5 strikers hold candlelight vigil before Monday's negotiations. The local union represents more than 2,000 employees in Hawaii currently on strike. KITV.

Oahu

Program prevents former inmates from becoming homeless. Waikiki Health continues to exceed expectations in helping prisoners who would otherwise end up homeless once they’re out. Star-Advertiser.

Free Ala Moana Clinic Opens For Young People With Psychosis. OnTrack focuses on getting those with a severe mental disorder back to school or work, and helping them restore their relationships. Civil Beat.

Couple launches new mobile shower service as community service. How many of us take for granted a hot shower? For so many homeless folks, it's a luxury.  KITV.

A UH program is getting federal money to help free innocent inmates. The program analyzes DNA and new evidence to seek justice. Hawaii News Now.

Surf competitions work to protect Hawaii’s shorelines, address coastal erosion. 'We want to see this place preserved for future generations of surfers.' Hawaii News Now.

Three of the four museums and memorials in Pearl Harbor — including the USS Arizona Memorial, one of the most visited attractions in the state — are headed toward name changes to better define their mission and to improve fundraising. Star-Advertiser.

UH Cancer Center Awarded $1.4M for E-Cigarette Research. The effects of e-cigarette marketing on young adults' knowledge, attitudes and behavior is the focus of a University of Hawaii Cancer Center researcher. Maui Now.

New deal to transport Falls of Clyde to motherland. As the holiday season commences, the four-masted, iron-hulled ship originally built in Port Glasgow, Scotland, continues to sit in limbo at Pier 7 near the Aloha Tower Marketplace as a Scottish-­based group works determinedly to secure funds for its return. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County seeks flexibility in using GET funds. Hawaii County officials plan to ask lawmakers for more flexibility in how it can use its general excise tax surcharge. Tribune-Herald.

Lloyd’s of London agrees to pay lava victims, attorney says. Lloyd’s of London has agreed to pay policyholders whose claims were denied following the Kilauea eruption, according to an attorney suing the company. Tribune-Herald.

Councilmembers got an update on a years-long legal fight involving election division employees and former legislative officials. Big Island Video News.

Mass Transit recovery ongoing. Brenda Carreira, the third Mass Transit administrator this year, assured a County Council panel earlier this week she’s taken the first steps to pull the beleaguered agency back together. West Hawaii Today.

Ota Well Project a go: EA clears path for site development in Holualoa. An environmental assessment related to the construction of two wells off a stretch of Mamalahoa Highway in Holualoa has received a finding of no significant impact. West Hawaii Today.

Proposed Biofuel Plant Faces $100M Deadline. Some residents and environmental groups continue fighting the conversion of an old coal-powered plant into a wood-burning facility. Civil Beat.

Consensus reached: Community members agree to potential Pololu Valley Lookout land donation. Nearly two dozen residents found common ground Wednesday night, reaching a consensus that may lead to a five-acre land donation at Pololu Valley Lookout from Surety Kohala Corporation sometime in the next year or so. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Nearly 3 Million Visitors Came to Maui in 2017, New Report Finds. The number of visitors staying on Maui in 2017 rose 4% from 2016 to 2,744,994 visitors, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority's 2017 Annual Visitor Research Report. Maui Now.

Hotel revenue per room drops, first time since January ’16. Official says it is too early to tell if drop the result of stormy weather. Maui News.

Maui Sugar Cane Train’s Holiday Express returned Friday; full schedule of runs expected to depart in May. The iconic Maui Sugar Cane Train may return permanently with regular runs starting in May, a co-owner said Friday. Maui News.

A gauge of new-vehicle sales showed Maui totals down 8.4 percent for the first nine months, compared to last year, the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association reported Wednesday. Maui News.

Kauai

A meeting is set for 3:30 p.m. today at the Historic County Building for the members elected to the Kauai County Council for the term commencing Dec. 3 to discuss their organizational structure for the 2018-2020 council term. Garden Island.

December BLNR meeting key to Kauai’s water. The December BLNR meeting will focus on how much water, if any, should be diverted out of the streams at the Blue Hole. Garden Island.

A tentative settlement has been reached in a civil lawsuit filed against the Kauai County Police Department by the family of a 19-year-old Hanapepe man killed by a speeding police cruiser. Garden Island.

Ige, lawmakers face awkward reunion, Honolulu unveils homeless hygiene center, illegal Maui vacation rentals face $20k fine, Bill Gates' toilet could eliminate cesspool problems, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige with Sen. Mazie Hirono, Mayor Harry Kim ©2018 All Hawaii News

Did Hawaii Lawmakers Poison Their Relationship With Gov. Ige? Top legislative leaders, in a rare move, opposed fellow Democrat David Ige and raised money for his opponent in the primary. Civil Beat.

Leaders dismiss warnings. Staff at the Department of Land and Natural Resources in 2012 and 2013 warned top managers within the Land Division that its month-to-month property rental program needed major fixes. Star-Advertiser.

Hirono Files Suit Against Trump Over Appointment of Acting AG. The Hawaii senator joined two Senate Democrats in the action, which argues Matthew Whitaker’s appointment is unconstitutional. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Leaders Push to Double Food Production by 2020. Leaders hope big agriculture investment from Costco and tech moguls will boost the islands’ food self-sufficiency, but farmers are wary. U.S. News.

Bill Gates wants to bring a new kind of technology to Hawaii: The reinvented toilet. Hawaii environmental leaders say billionaire Bill Gates wants to help Hawaii in its quest to eliminate cesspools. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii hotel workers slated to remain on strike through Thanksgiving. Some 2,700 Hawaii hotel workers are expected to remain on strike through the Thanksgiving holiday. Hawaii News Now.

Kyo-ya says Local 5 workers union rejects highest wage offer nationwide. Kyo-ya Hotels and Resorts said Monday that the Unite Here Local 5 Union has rejected its latest offer, “which would have been the largest increase in compensation for any of the striking markets nationwide.” Pacific Business News.

Oahu

The city Monday announced it will open a shower and toilet hygiene center on the ground floor of its latest facility to address homelessness — a building in Iwilei that will offer more services than anywhere else in the country, according to Councilman Joey Manahan. Star-Advertiser.

Construction underway in Iwilei for largest hygiene center in the nation. The center, which will serve Honolulu’s homeless population, will be on the first floor of a four-story building in Kuwili Street and will have showers, laundry services, kennels, a mail service and even a bed bug-zapping machine. Hawaii News Now.

The City and County of Honolulu unveiled what it calls the biggest homeless hygiene center in the nation today. Hawaii Public Radio.

City unveils rest stop center for homeless. KHON2.

City shows off Iwilei hygiene center. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell showcased a city facility aimed at getting homeless residents off the streets. KITV.

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The Liliha Public Library will be closed for major renovations starting Saturday, November 24, 2018. KITV

Kakaako Roads Worsen As Ownership Battle Continues. There are roads across the state that are in limbo because no one can agree who owns them. A  drawn-out legal battle over disputed roads in Kakaako has taken a turn and has some questioning why it's taken so long to resolve. Hawaii Public Radio.

New $20.4M visitor center to be built at Punchbowl. A multi-million dollar visitor center is in the works at the Punchbowl National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Hawaii News Now.

New $20M visitor center planned for Punchbowl Memorial. The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl will receive $20.4 million for the construction of a visitor center, according to U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, the lead Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Sewer fee hikes advanced. Should the burden of keeping the oceans clean fall primarily on those connected to a sewer system? That was the question Monday, before a County Council panel unanimously advanced a bill almost doubling sewer fees over the next three years. West Hawaii Today.

A resolution to temporarily close one of only two roads into Leilani Estates failed to pass a County Council committee Monday after dozens of Leilani residents voiced support for and opposition to the bill. Tribune-Herald.

A judge denied a motion to dismiss a claim brought against Lloyd’s of London by an elderly Puna couple who allege their insurer acted in bad faith by not approving the claim they made after losing their home during the eruption of Kilauea volcano earlier this year. Tribune-Herald.

‘Punatics’ Look To Start Rebuilding After The Lava Damage. Hawaii County officials are fast-tracking the permitting of new package homes or repairs of ones damaged during Kilauea eruption. Civil Beat.

Mobile hygiene unit arrives on Big Island. Project Vision Hawaii unveiled its Hawaii Island-dedicated mobile shower unit, HiEhiE, purchased with donations raised during the Puna lava eruption. The event took place at Mooheau Bandstand in Downtown Hilo. KHON2.

Civil Beat Law Center to be Honored at luncheon. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Draft form of bill to penalize illegal short-term rentals under discussion. Operators want to make sure measure is not going to unfairly penalize permit holders. On Nov. 6, voters approved a County Charter amendment that would increase the fine for illegal operators from $1,000 to $20,000 initially and $10,000 every day of violation after that. Maui News.

The End Of An Era For Elle Cochran. Longtime Maui councilwoman plans to stay involved in local issues — and do a lot surfing. Civil Beat.

Input Sought on Maui Long Range Transportation Plan. Maui Now.

Forum to focus on climate change, energy resilience. Maui Electric Co. will host a free community forum titled “Energy Resilience on Maui” Nov. 29 at the Cameron Center Auditorium in Wailuku. Maui News.

Kauai

Detour taking toll. For seven months, residents on Kauai’s North Shore have been using a one-mile-long, pitted detour from Kuhio Highway to Kahiliholo Road to get in and out of their homes. Garden Island.

State auditor slams Health Department's oversight of care homes, security guards to patrol Honolulu parks, state tells Hawaiians to take down Mauna Kea access structure, Maui panel recommends $40M bond, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

The Hawaiian Islands, seen from GOES-17 at 6:30 a.m. EST, on Nov. 13, 2018. PC:NOAA/CIRA

The GOES-17 Advanced Baseline Imager has sent its first images from the satellite's new vantage point over the Pacific Ocean. NOAA.

State auditor finds licensing of care homes problematic. An inordinate number of Hawaii’s nearly 500 adult residential care homes were operating in 2017 either with no license or with “hastily issued” permits — and sometimes without even being inspected, according to a scathing audit of the agency charged with ensuring health and safety standards. Star-Advertiser.

Audit: Licensing Process For Adult Care Homes Is Seriously Flawed. The state agency overseeing adult care homes says it is improving its practices and there is no risk to the health or safety of the patients. Civil Beat.

A new audit has found major problems within the agency that licenses Hawaii's care homes. It says the office of health care assurance was renewing licenses for care homes even though there were deficiencies found. KHON2.

The Office of the State Auditor released an audit of the Hawaii Department of Health’s Office of Health Care Assurance today, identifying areas for improvement to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of residents in adult residential care homes. Maui Now.

Scathing audit says office charged with licensing care homes failing to ensure health, safety of patients. The state Office of Health Care Assurance is required by law to oversee the health, safety and welfare of care home residents by licensing and inspecting care homes and holding them to standards. Hawaii News Now.

Read full audit on adult care homes here.

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Harm Reduction Hawaii: Change State Laws for Sex Workers. Community advocates and sex workers in Hawai’i are mobilizing to be heard at the State Legislature next session. Hawaii Public Radio.

Back In Washington Ed Case Gets Ready For ‘A Wild Ride’. The congressman will join one of the most diverse freshman classes in U.S. House history, one that must decide if Nancy Pelosi will still lead them. Civil Beat.

UH Regents Approve New Leadership Organization. The recombining of the University of Hawaii system president with the Manoa chancellor is among other bureaucratic shifts coming to UH. Civil Beat.

A ‘time bomb’ waiting to happen: New figures highlight critical shortage of special ed teachers. Teachers sound alarms over worsening shortage. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s teacher shortage has reached “crisis proportions,” according to Hawaii State Teachers Association President Corey Rosenlee, who appeared before the Board of Education Thursday to address the state’s ongoing struggles to retain qualified educators. Garden Island.

Isle jobless rate edges up to 2.3%. Hawaii’s unemployment rate rose in October for the second straight month to a 16-month high of 2.3 percent as the labor force slightly contracted. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

HART to pay $13 million for rail claims. In what is being praised as a significant milestone for the troubled Honolulu rail project, the rail authority has reached an agreement that will finally allow it to close out major contracts with the company that built the first half of the elevated rail guideway. Star-Advertiser.

HART Approves Rail’s Recovery Plan – Again. The move is intended to free up more than $700 million withheld by the project’s federal partners. Civil Beat.

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City hires 24/7 security guards to curtail homeless in 9 Honolulu parks. Pairs of unarmed, private security guards Thursday began rotating among nine city parks around the clock to clamp down on illegal homeless activity. Star-Advertiser.

City to implement new security program to patrol Honolulu parks 24/7. The one-month pilot project will cost the city $44K. Hawaii News Now.

Security guards coming to nine Honolulu parks. KHON2.

Honolulu Rolls Out Ankle Bracelet To Monitor Drunken Drivers. Repeat drunken drivers in Honolulu can soon be made to wear a SCRAM CAM anklet that detects alcohol consumption through a wearer’s sweat and notifies the courts. Civil Beat.

The Prosecutors Office unveiled a new tool aimed at cracking down on habitual drunk drivers. These alcohol monitors can detect alcohol through sweat. KHON2.

Honblue hopes to fill void after Hagadone Hawaii closes. Printing company Honblue hopes to take over as many clients and employees as it can from Hagadone Hawaii, which announced last week it will stop commercial printing operations. KITV.

Exotic bengal cats confiscated in Honolulu. A pair of exotic animals got confiscated at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu in September. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

State tells group to take down structure at Mauna Kea access road. They say they are Native Hawaiian beneficiaries looking after the aina. But the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands says they are trespassing and that their unauthorized structure next to the Maunakea Access Road has to go. Tribune-Herald.

A Hawaii Island peace activist is raising concerns about an apparent U.S. Navy plan to expand non-invasive, or no live fire, training activities into the Mauna Kea Recreation Area along Saddle Road. Big Island Video News.

Ha steps down as cannabis dispensary CEO. The CEO of Lau Ola LLC, one of only two Big Island medical cannabis dispensaries, announced his retirement Wednesday, before the dispensary has brought any product to market. Tribune-Herald.

Former Big Island farmer and medical marijuana advocate Richard Ha, CEO of Lau Ola, is resigning today, two weeks after the state gave the startup the green light to begin growing pakalolo. Star-Advertiser.

Effective Monday, Richard Ha, the head of Big Island medical cannabis company Lau Ola is retiring. KITV.

Little Fire Ants Discovered in Hawaii Volanoes National Park. Park officials announced today they have discovered the presence of the invasive ants in the popular Steam Vents area and Mauna Ulu parking lot. Hawaii Public Radio.

Little fire ants invade Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Tribune-Herald.

Unwanted visitors: Little fire ants discovered at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The invasive species is hazardous to the health of humans, native ecosystems. Hawaii News Now.

The Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee met in Pahoa on Wednesday evening, and eruption recovery was on the agenda. Big Island Video News.

Weather, water hit Cyanotech hard. Limited access to fresh water, inclement weather and a volcanic eruption has resulted in growing pains for Cyanotech Corp., forcing the company to post a loss for a third consecutive quarter. West Hawaii Today.

Estate in Hawaii's Kukio to be auctioned as part of China portfolio by Concierge Auctions. An estate in the Kukio Golf and Beach Club on Hawaii’s Big Island will be sold at auction online and in a live auction in Hong Kong next month as part of a portfolio of 18 luxury homes around the world marketed by Concierge Auctions to buyers in China and across the globe. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Panel recommends approval of $40M bond for project. Some council members say additional funding for Wailuku Civic Center plan is ‘premature’. Maui News.

Seabury Hall trims new headmaster list down to three. Maui News.

Updated Molokai Island plan to get public hearing Friday. Maui News.

Kauai

County officials with the Mayor’s Office, Office of Economic Development, as well as representatives from Kauai Community College and Hawaiian cultural practitioners are visiting Kauai’s sister city in Portugal for the first time. Garden Island.

Nearly 100 people gathered Thursday to learn about the rapid rise in popularity of e-cigarettes among Kauai teenagers, a trend affecting communities nationwide, recently described by the Food and Drug Administration as having reached “epidemic proportions.” Garden Island.

Feds consider delisting Io Hawaiian hawk as endangered species, Honolulu rail contractor seeks $200M for delays, filmmaker sues state over Christian chiefess, Maui wind turbines test property tax law, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Io, a Hawaiian hawk, at Panaewa zoo ©2018 All Hawaii News

US Fish and Wildlife Service Seeking Public Comments on Proposal to Remove Io From Endangered Species List. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening the public comment period on the Aug. 6, 2008, proposed rule to remove the Hawaiian hawk, or Io (Buteo solitarius), from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the Endangered Species Act. Maui Now.

With just days left, election officials are ready to go ... but are voters? On Saturday, officials tested ballot counting systems on the Senate floor of the State Capitol. The system will be used at counting centers in all 4 counties. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s Big Donors Pump Millions Into Mainland Political Campaigns. Most of that cash — about $7 million for the midterm elections — went to Democrats, according to federal records. Civil Beat.

Backlogged rape test kits yield scores of possible leads. A major effort by law enforcement to test more than 1,500 rape kits that for years sat unprocessed in storage facilities statewide has resulted in DNA matches with more than 120 potential suspects in a national offender database. Star-Advertiser.

Filmmaker Sues Hawaii: My Film Is ‘Not The History They Want Told’. Tim Chey alleges the state film office withheld tax grants for his movie “Islands” because it’s about the Christian conversion of a Hawaiian chiefess. Civil Beat.

Hawaii bankruptcy filings were unchanged in October from the year-earlier period following an upward trend that had seen the number of cases rise in seven of the previous nine months. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Ansaldo seeking $200M over rail delays. The contractor tasked with building the rail cars and installing the driverless operating system for the Honolulu rail line is seeking about $200 million in damages from the city for costs associated with delays in development of the project. Star-Advertiser.

City council delays start date for laws targeting homeless. On Monday, Honolulu City Council members will debate delaying the enforcement of new city laws because they say they want more information about the services and solutions available for people. KITV.

The dangers pedestrians and drivers pose when they meet on the roadways. If the alarming number of pedestrian deaths on Oahu this year has made people more wary when crossing the street, you wouldn’t know it by observing busy traffic spots in Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Roads Ranked 5th Worst in Nation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu selected as winning city in the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge. Honolulu is one of 20 cities total to be awarded resources and technical support to help achieve their ambitious climate goals under Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge. KITV.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell joins picket as hotel strike persists. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell joined Unite Here Local 5 hotel workers on the picket lines in Waikiki Saturday, the 27th day of what has become the union’s longest-running hotel strike in nearly three decades. Star-Advertiser.

The company that built nearly an entire two-story, two-family house in Kapahulu without a valid building permit — and then later while under a stop-work order — finally got its permit from the city last month and is now undergoing inspections by the city’s Department of Planning and Permitting. Star-Advertiser.

The Marine Mammal Research Program at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology is shifting its research focus under new director Lars Bejder to include the impacts of climate change, human activities and prey availability on whales and dolphins. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu’s only flour mill fading away. Hawaiian Flour Mills, a landmark of multihued 160-foot grain silos and corrugated steel buildings off Nimitz Highway for more than half a century, is slowly being dismantled to make way for a new era of commerce on Honolulu’s waterfront. Star-Advertiser.

Centuries old fishpond in Haleiwa could provide fish for community soon. Behind the busy streets of Haleiwa town, sits a 12 acre fishpond that provides a small glimpse of old Hawaii. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Another step forward for vacation rental bill. Vacation rental operators will have a few extra months to get their paperwork together, now that the County Council moved the effective date for a bill regulating their use to April 1. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Council on Friday voted to advance Bill 108 to second reading, after another long day of testimony and discussion. Big Island Video News.

Program to curb homeless trespassing. A new initiative by the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association hopes to alleviate downtown businesses’ homeless burden and make them safer for shoppers and workers alike. Tribune-Herald.

A Hilo judge will decide whether certain defendants will be dismissed from a lawsuit filed by an elderly Leilani Estates couple who allege their insurer is acting in bad faith by not approving the claim they made after losing their home during the eruption of Kilauea volcano earlier this year. Tribune-Herald.

Estimate for wastewater treatment plant doubles. The price tag of a wastewater treatment plant proposed for Naalehu has increased to $40.5 million. Tribune-Herald.

County Council District 7: Drysdale vs. Villegas. There’s just one County Council seat remaining to be filled, and with Election Day less than a week away, two political neophytes are battling to the end to fill it. West Hawaii Today.

State initiates aquaculture accelerator program, investment fund at NELHA. The state announced Thursday a concrete plan to import big ideas, and potentially big dollars, to West Hawaii through the vehicle of the global aquaculture industry. West Hawaii Today.

‘Growing food and growing farmers’. This year marked the ninth annual Aina Fest, which supports HIP Agriculture, an organization focused on the education and practice of conscious agriculture. West Hawaii Today.

Solar project slated for Waikoloa Village, contractor announces community meeting. AES Distributed Energy won the bid for the project and will convene a community meeting from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Nov. 13. West Hawaii Today.

Chancellor candidate forums kick off. Kristin Croyle, the first of four recently announced finalists for chancellor to visit the University of Hawaii at Hilo, met with faculty, staff and community members during a public forum Friday morning. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

County awaits appeal of timeshare tax ruling. Losing lawsuit could mean paying $34 million in tax refunds, hurt bond and credit ratings. Maui News.

Maui Affordable Housing, Transportation Legislation Passes Out of Committee. The bill proposes an expedited review process for county permits for qualifying 100% residential workforce housing projects. Maui Now.

It’s Real Property Because We Said So! A case of wind turbines on Maui, taxes, the courts and the county. Civil Beat.

The status of Maui’s streams, estuaries and native freshwater species will be the subject of a free, public presentation by State of Hawaii Department Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources Aquatic Biologist Skippy Hau at the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 7. Maui Now.

This past September, 5.9 percent more visitors came to Maui compared to September of last year, according to preliminary statistics that the Hawaii Tourism Authority released on Tuesday. Visitor spending on Maui remained the same to a year ago at $334.4 million. Maui Now.

A “perfect storm of erosion” has swallowed up much of West Maui’s beaches over the past three years due to El Nino conditions, record-high sea levels and sustained waves from the north, according to one coastal engineer working on projects along the shoreline. Maui News.

Kauai

Election-day voter registration available. Tuesday is Election Day, and not only will voters elect a new mayor of Kauai, they’ll also decide who of the 14 County Council candidates have earned a seat at the table. Garden Island.

Honeycreepers’ numbers dwindling, and so are their songs. A scientific study that examined the historical recordings of three native honeycreeper species in the forests of Kauai over the past 40 years found a dip in the complexity and variety of songs by two of the species. Star-Advertiser.

Lihue company cited by state Department of Health, fined $6K. Esaki Surveying and Mapping Inc. in Lihue was cited for not submitting their annual fee and semi-annual monitoring reports. Garden Island.

Hawaii Supreme Court allows prostitutes' johns to wipe record, Maui spent taxpayer money opposing ConAm, Kona coffee yield down, electric rates to go up, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Matson ship off Honolulu © 2018 All Hawaii News

Ships vying for fuel oil expected to boost Hawaii electric bills. Hawaii, which already struggles with the nation’s highest electric bills, could see them jump by as much as 20 percent in just two years thanks to new regulations on fuel use in oceangoing ships. Bloomberg News Service.

State Supreme Court rules those who solicit prostitutes can wipe record. Under current state law, prostitutes and those who solicit prostitutes are punished differently. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Ballot Issues Draw $2.7 Million In Campaign Spending. Most of that money won’t end up influencing voters since the measure to raise taxes to fund public schools was thrown out by the state Supreme Court. Civil Beat.

Hawaii high school students reported fewer physical fights but more suicide attempts than their U.S. peers, while bullying rates approached the national average, according to data to be presented to the school board today. Star-Advertiser.

UH Wants $40 Million To Help Students Lower Their Tuition Costs. The university is asking legislators for money to expand the Hawaii Promise program to the Manoa, Hilo and West Oahu four-year campuses. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Medical Service Association is notifying some members currently enrolled in older health plans that they will be moved to coverage compliant with the federal Affordable Care Act as of Jan. 1. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Planning panel endorses Caldwell’s new plan on vacation rentals. The Honolulu Planning Commission on Wednesday gave its thumbs-up to the latest version of Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s omnibus short-term vacation rental bill, adding its own suggestions for the City Council, which will make a final decision on the proposal. Star-Advertiser.

BWS balks at study that says sizable leak of Red Hill fuel tank wouldn’t harm water supply. The Navy says critics are misreading the research. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply and environmentalists are protesting a study that suggests a fuel leak in a huge Navy tank farm buried in Red Hill might not harm the island water supply. Hawaii News Now.

Why The State Wants To Build This Ala Moana High-Rise Above A Shelter. Unlike the luxury condo towers rising nearby, all 200 units in the complex would be affordable housing. It’s considered a model for future use of state-owned land. Civil Beat.

State considers Leeward Oahu property as site for homeless ‘ohana zone,' but not everyone is on board. After a decade of helping hundreds of families, a Leeward Oahu homeless shelter closed its doors permanently Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Houseless Encampment Leaders Want Seat at the Decision-Making Table. Leaders from 3 homeless encampments came together at the Honolulu Museum of Art to discuss their futures. Hawaii Public Radio.

New bikeshare program in Honolulu looks like competition for Biki. Riders can rent a bike for $3.50 for 30 minutes. Hawaii News Now.

In response to community outrage, Kamehameha Schools has suspended plans to remove geese and ducks from a property it owns in Enchanted Lake. Hawaii News Now.

Sewage spills into Manoa Stream from overflow on St. Louis Heights Dr. More than 12,500 gallons of raw sewage spilled into Manoa Stream from a overflow on St. Louis Heights Drive. KHON2.

Kailua sinkhole may take months to repair. A portion of Kanapuu Drive near the Kahako Street intersection remained closed, as well as adjacent sidewalks, as crews Wednesday inspected the sinkhole on the shoulder of the road. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope say they plan to meet Monday to discuss their legal options in the wake of Tuesday’s Hawaii Supreme Court ruling that gives the green light for construction of the $1.4 billion project. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Supreme Court decision to allow the controversial TMT project is still reverberating across the community. We hear reactions from the University of Hawaii President David Lassner, Big Island businessman and supporter Richard Ha, and Thirty Meter Telescope opponent Kealoha Pisciotta. Hawaii Public Radio.

Expectations delivered Wednesday by both Hawaii County and the "Thirty Meter Telescope" project. KITV.

The geologists who monitor Hawaii’s volcanoes can still count themselves among those displaced by the recent Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

The issue of what comes next for the beleaguered residents of Leilani Estates continues to divide a community worried about the possibility of busloads of tourists pouring in to gawk at Kilauea volcano’s most productive and famous outlet — fissure 8. Star-Advertiser.

Kulani Correctional Facility superintendent pleads not guilty to theft. A state prison superintendent charged with theft pled not guilty to third degree theft on Wednesday. Jerry Crivello is accused of stealing gates. KHON2.

Yield and profits down, prices up after coffee season cut short. Coffee season ended abruptly, some two months earlier than usual, for West Hawaii farmers. West Hawaii Today.

Lau Ola cleared to grow marijuana. A second marijuana dispensary on the Big Island was authorized by the state Department of Health to grow and sell cannabis products. Tribune-Herald.

Project explores viability of using canines to hunt for harmful tree fungus. Cobra was trained to detect a fungus that causes rapid ohia death. Tribune-Herald.

Bubba Gump to close. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. on Alii Drive will cease operations in December “due to lease expiration,” company senior vice president and chief operating officer Jim Dufault said Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Panel: Council’s ConAm flyer is campaign spending. County funds used to send what some see as an ad opposing a ‘vague’ ballot measure. The Campaign Spending Commission is asking the Maui County Council to register as a ballot issue committee for allocating $50,000 on a “public education” flyer addressing a state constitutional amendment. Maui News.

Looking to students as the future, mayoral candidates Elle Cochran and Mike Victorino offered their thoughts on increasing job, housing and recreational opportunities for Maui’s youth during a debate held at King Kekaulike High School on Tuesday night. Maui News.

Molokai candidates for council offer contrast. Maui County Council Member Stacy Helm Crivello faces a familiar opponent, Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, in the general election race for the council’s Molokai residency seat. Maui News.

Kauai

Armed with sample ballots, notebooks and questions, about 60 people crowded into Ha Coffee Tuesday night to learn more about what they’ll be voting on Nov. 6. Garden Island.

County Council candidate: Arryl Kaneshiro. Growing up on Kauai with strong family support and the support of teachers and coaches has given County Councilman Arryl Kaneshiro, 37, the ability to make tough decisions. Garden Island.

A blessing was held on Tuesday at the Kapaa bus stop near the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex to mark construction of the fourth phase of the islandwide bus stop passenger shelter project. Garden Island.

The blue color surrounding the construction at Hanalei Pier and Black Pot Beach Park area is hydro-mulch, put on the ground to grow grass, according to county officials. Garden Island.

Honolulu short $44M as rail deadline nears, Senate committee approves Ige pal for judgeship, feral cats overrun transfer stations, Zuckerberg buys Kauai land, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Giraffe at Honolulu Zoo ©2018 All Hawaii News

The Honolulu Zoo announced that Nairobi, a 21-year-old male giraffe, died this morning from complications due to old age. Star-Advertiser.

Senate Judiciary Committee: Friendship Is Not Disqualification. Keith Hiraoka, Governor David Ige’s nominee for the Intermediate Court of Appeals faced members of the Senate Wednesday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawyer tells commission about many complaints over trustee. A former Office of Hawaiian Affairs attorney testified Wednesday that at one time there were so many employee harassment and abuse complaints against Trustee Rowena Akana, officials were worried about a cascade of lawsuits. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Tax System Places Larger Burden on Low Income Residents. Low-income residents in Hawaii are paying a higher share of their income in taxes than higher level earners. That is the conclusion of a recent report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy titled Who Pays?  Hawaii Public Radio.

Emergency Help For Hawaii’s Mentally Ill Is Often A Revolving Door. Hundreds of people taken by police to the hospital for psychiatric care go on to repeated hospitalizations or brushes with the law. Civil Beat.

Kahoolawe’s shorelines aren’t as pristine as you might think. The Greenpeace crew discovered just how polluted it really is. Greenpeace staff and volunteers are back in Honolulu with two and a half tons of plastic pollution collected from the shorelines around Kahoolawe. Hawaii News Now.

State’s 4 Native Hawaiian Chambers of Commerce Form New Alliance. Maui Now.

Super Typhoon Yutu Hits Northern Marianas With 180-mph Winds. Associated Press.

United Airlines kitchen employees vote to join Unite Here. Kitchen employees in five United Airlines cities, including Honolulu, have voted to unionize with Unite Here, adding 2,700 workers to the union. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

City scrambles to find $44M for rail as feds hold firm on deadline. Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration and the Honolulu City Council are scrambling to find ways to provide $44 million in city funds by next month to help finance the Honolulu rail project. Star-Advertiser.

Feds To City: Show Us The Rail Money Now. Honolulu will need to come up with $44 million by Nov. 20 — and a good-faith effort to eventually issue bonds for those dollars next year won’t cut it. Civil Beat.

In less than a month, the city needs to find $44M for rail. A deadline has been set by the federal government. Hawaii News Now.

The Federal Transit Administration is not budging on its deadline for the City and County of Honolulu to fund the rail project. The FTA declared Wednesday that the City must come up with 44 million dollars by November 20th or risk losing some or all of its federal funding. KITV.

Mayor urges passage of bill to fund rail through property tax. Mayor Kirk Caldwell is pushing the city council to act quickly to fund Honolulu's rail project. KHON2.

Rail draft plan reveals potential cost-cutting measures. The rail authority expects to collect $188 million more in taxes than previously projected to help finance the Honolulu rail project, but the city is still making plans to cut costs if necessary, including possibly deferring construction of the $315 million Pearl Highlands Parking Structure and Transit Center. Star-Advertiser.

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Two More Condo Towers Proposed Near Ala Moana Center. Developers continue to seek special permits for building near rail stations that allow taller, denser structures. Civil Beat.

A landowner plans to develop nearly 1,000 moderately priced condo units on Keeaumoku Street and is offering public benefits including a bigger park in return for letting two towers rise 50 feet beyond the current limit. Star-Advertiser.

A company that developed the pair of oval Moana Pacific condominium towers on Kapiolani Boulevard has bought more land on the same street for redevelopment. Star-Advertiser.

Applications now accepted for McCully affordable housing condo. KHON2.

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Church debuts domes to shelter homeless women and children. A grand opening ceremony was held Wednesday morning for a handful domes built to shelter the homeless in Kaneohe. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's first dome homeless shelters open at First Assembly of God. Pacific Business News.

Kaneohe church’s igloo-like dome shelters to house homeless families. Hawaii News Now.

What Caused This North Shore Cliff To Collapse? Since boulders fell into the sea at Laie Point, the city has issued a notice of violation for installation of a hot tub, fish pond and stone fire pit at the site. Civil Beat.

Chevron to settlement will fund $300K in gear for Honolulu emergency responders. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday a national settlement with Chevron U.S.A. Inc. for violations of the Clean Air Act that will fund about $300,000 in equipment for the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Representative behind Waikola development commits to following through with project. A representative for the developer behind a planned 398-lot residential subdivision in South Kohala repeatedly committed on Wednesday to completing the project that has gone undeveloped for the past decade. West Hawaii Today.

Feral cats, other animals, a problem at transfer stations. Hawaii County garbage transfer stations are going to the dogs. But especially the cats. Not to mention the pigs, the goats and the chickens. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Game Management Advisory Commission provided an update on the effort to locate and develop a shooting range on the Big Island. Big Island Video News.

State Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers are asking for the public’s help identifying two men wanted for questioning in connection with the recent poisoning of several East Hawaii streams on the Big Island. West Hawaii Today.

When 2019 begins, so too will a new law authorizing health care providers to supply terminally ill patients with life-ending medication. To prepare residents and health care providers for the new law, Compassion and Choices Hawaii — a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about end-of-life options — hosted a series of presentations around the Big Island this week. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Candidates have history with seat they are seeking. The two candidates vying for the Makawao, Haiku, Paia residency seat on the Maui County Council are no strangers to the office being vacated by council Chairman Mike White, who is retiring. Maui News.

Permit hearing for Haiku zipline to resume Dec. 11. The Maui Planning Commission recessed a hearing for a Haiku zipline company on Tuesday, to the audible groans of neighbors seeking an end to the zipline’s operations. Maui News.

Kauai

Affordable housing targeted. The County Council gave a green light to the county clerk to sign documents to accept a loan that will improve the infrastructure for phase one of the Lima Ola affordable housing community in Eleele. Garden Island.

County Council candidate: Mason Chock. After five years in office, some politicians become disillusioned or complacent. Incumbent Mason Chock, though, retains his sense of humor, drive and self-reflective humility. Garden Island.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg continues to acquire property on Kauai. KITV.