Auditor's work papers protected, Maui ex-police officer gets prison time for soliciting sex for ticket fixing, Honolulu police defend arresting 10-year-old, keiki get vaccinated, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Hawaii Auditor Les Kondo

Judge rules to keep Hawaii state auditor’s ‘work papers’ confidential. Both state auditor Les Kondo and the chairwoman of a special House committee investigating Kondo’s handling of two critical audits of state land management could claim partial victories after their dispute over subpoenas and “confidential work papers” went to Circuit Court on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii unemployment offices to reopen Dec. 1 with limited hours. Hawaii’s unemployment offices, closed since the early part of the pandemic last year, will reopen on a part-time basis beginning Dec. 1, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Hospitals seek to convince scores of traveling nurses to call Hawaii home. Hundreds of traveling nurses who have spent the past three months caring for Hawaii’s COVID patients will return to the mainland next week. That means many local hospitals will again be left short-staffed. Hawaii News Now.

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii mental health clinicians authorize a strike. After three years of contract negotiations, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, and chemical dependency counselors at Kaiser Permanente Hawaii have authorized a strike. KITV4.

Department of Public Safety faces a lawsuit over disclosing vaccination statuses. The civil lawsuit, which seeks unspecified monetary damages, was filed Oct. 25 in Honolulu Circuit Court by Hilo attorney Ted Hong on behalf of the Hawaii Government Employees Association and the United Public Workers. Tribune-Herald.

New service corps program would provide Native Hawaiian youth with job opportunities in conservation. The Indian Youth Service Corps program would provide Indigenous youth with education, employment, and training opportunities through conservation projects on public lands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Wespac’s Aggressive Effort To Muscle In On State Control Of Fisheries. From paying people to attend meetings to pushing legislation and even publishing a book, the federal fisheries panel spent years trying to influence state policy. Civil Beat.

The first COVID-19 vaccine doses go into the arms of children ages 5-11. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s most recent COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor, about 27% of parents surveyed said they are eager to get their kids ages 5 to 11 a vaccine as soon as it is authorized, while 33% said they will wait to see how the vaccine is working. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii records 3 new coronavirus-related deaths, 176 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 102 new cases on Oahu, 21 on Hawaii Island, 13 on Maui, 25 on Kauai and 15 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Department tells commission arrest of 10-year-old girl ‘reasonable,’ ‘necessary’. Three officers who arrested a 10-year-old Black girl at a Waipahu elementary school after a complaint from another parent acted in a “reasonable” and “necessary” fashion, an HPD assistant chief told the Honolulu Police Commission on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s Congressional delegation demands investigation of Navy’s actions at Red Hill. Hawaii’s four-member congressional delegation asked the Department of Defense on Wednesday to examine the Navy’s handling of fuel leaks at its Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, a World War II-era tank farm situated 100 feet above Oahu’s primary drinking water aquifer. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Full capacity for many businesses hamstrung by 6-foot distance rule. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced Wednesday that he intends to discuss the distancing limitation with Ige again in hopes of having it lifted because of the negative impact it has on many smaller restaurants and bars. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Hotel tax advances without resident discount. A move to exempt county residents from having to pay an extra 3% hotel tax in order to enjoy a staycation on their own island was shot down Wednesday by a County Council majority before advancing Bill 81 on a unanimous vote. West Hawaii Today.

Kona Coffee Cultural Festival celebrates 50 years: Virtual, in-person events start today. Hawaii’s oldest food festival will be celebrating 50 years with both virtual and in-person events starting today. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Ex-Maui police officer gets prison time for soliciting sex in exchange for help sabotaging drunk-driving case. A former Maui police officer today was sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison after he solicited a sexual relationship with a woman he had arrested for drunk driving in exchange for his help sabotaging the case against her. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Maui’s vacation rental crackdown reveals strong community divide. In an all-day meeting Wednesday, Maui County Council’s Planning and Sustainable Land Use Committee heard testimony from more than a hundred people regarding vacation rentals on the island. Hawaii News Now.

Newly Selected Maui Police Chief Asks for Dedicated Recruiter, Cold Case Team, and K-9 Program. Newly selected Maui Police Chief, John Pelletier is scheduled to be sworn in on Dec. 15, and is expected to begin his new job as head of the department on the same day, according to information shared at a special meeting today of the Maui Police Commission. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Charter Commission Discussing Planning & Police at Nov. 4 Meeting. The Maui Charter Commission will receive testimony and discuss the remaining 10 proposed charter amendment under Theme G – Planning and also consider Theme H- Police at its next regular online meeting on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 9 am. Maui Now.

Kauai

Residents seek passage of zoning bill to halt glamping development. Wednesday, the council heard testimony from a dozen residents in support of Bill No. 2838, which would define undeveloped and developed campgrounds and the areas in which these would be acceptable. Garden Island.

The Elections Division of the Office of the County Clerk and the State Office of Elections have partnered with BallotTrax, a division of i3logix based in Denver, Colorado to offer free and secure mail ballot locator and notification services to all properly registered voters of the County of Kaua‘i beginning with the upcoming Prosecuting Attorney Special Elections. This service is currently only being offered to properly registered voters of the County of Kaua‘i, but will be expanded statewide for the 2022 Elections. Garden Island.

Coronavirus vaccinations for children, union complaints from teachers, health-care and hotel workers, Honolulu, Kauai advance hotel tax, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

PC:Kristine Wook on Unsplash

Elementary age kids in Hawaii weeks away from being eligible for vaccine. Children between the ages of 5 and 11 are just weeks away from being eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. In Hawaii, 119,000 keiki fall into that age group. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Teachers union files complaint to force Hawaii officials to bargain over COVID-19 safety protocols. The union representing Hawaii’s public school teachers has filed a complaint with the Hawaii Labor Relations Board in an effort to force state officials to engage in bargaining over COVID-19 safety protocols. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

‘Extremely Alarming’ Test Scores Show Challenges Ahead For Hawaii Schools. Hawaii’s public school students suffered dramatic drops in proficiency in core subjects in the nearly two years since the Covid-19 pandemic began, reflecting severe setbacks in academic progress ahead of the resumption of full in-person learning in August. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian language immersion students get distance learning option 2 months into the school year. The Department of Education is recruiting Hawaiian language speakers to help stand up the state’s first-ever Hawaiian Immersion Distance Learning Program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposal seeks to modify University of Hawaii tenure system. The recommendations, crafted by a special committee of the board over seven months this year, gives deans and other administrators a say in the five-year review of tenured faculty members. It also reserves tenure for faculty who actively engage with students in the classroom and eliminates tenure tracks for support faculty and extension agents. Star-Advertiser.

Kaiser healthcare workers vote in favor of strike after failed contract negotiations. Following stalled contract negotiations, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii workers represented by Unite Here Local 5 voted in favor of striking. The union said 93% of healthcare workers, which included nearly 2,000 employees, voted to authorize a strike. Hawaii News Now.

As Hawaii welcomes visitors back, a battle brews between union and hotels. The union is accusing the hotels of violating their contract by not bringing back enough workers. KHON2.

Biden’s Spending Bill Could Be A ‘Game Changer’ For Housing in Hawaii. The infrastructure bill that the U.S. Senate is debating has the potential to make a huge dent in Hawaii’s housing needs, according to affordable housing advocates who have analyzed the version of the measure that passed the U.S. House. Civil Beat.

Investigation of Hawaii Auditor Les Kondo focuses on forged document. A special state House committee’s investigation of state Auditor Les Kondo and his handling of two critical audits of state land management on Wednesday focused on why Kondo did not pursue a document forged by a Kauai land agent or further research whether a land lessee who lost nonprofit status was being charged rates below market value. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

More than 1M Hawaii residents have completed COVID-19 vaccinations. This milestone has been reached as the number of daily coronavirus cases in Hawaii continues on a downward trend. The 7-day average of new cases is at 119, and the average positivity rate is at 1.7%. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Maui Now. KITV4.

Green favors no restrictions on outdoor gatherings for vaccinated. Lt. Gov. Josh Green said with current vaccination rates, there should be no restrictions on outdoor gatherings if events can confirm COVID-19 inoculations. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii sees 139 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 82,730. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 71 new cases on Oahu, 20 on Maui, 32 on Hawaii Island, 10 on Kauai, one on Molokai and five Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Legislative proposal carrying a city hotel tax advances. A measure that would implement a city hotel tax, with a portion of revenue slated to flow to rail transit, advanced during a City Council committee meeting Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

More restrictions loosen up on Oahu. Managed indoor events can resume on Oct. 20 at 50% capacity or a maximum of 500 attendees, or whichever is smaller. KITV4.

Legal Opinion Affecting 1,800 Oahu Landowners Is Secret For Now. The Land Use Commission on Thursday will discuss in private a Hawaii Attorney General’s analysis on Important Agricultural Lands. Civil Beat.

Key City Council committee advances funding for expanded lifeguard hours. A key City Council committee approved a plan Wednesday to provide more than $500,000 for the city’s dawn to dusk lifeguard hours. The city needs Council approval to transfer money it saved from vacant positions to hire 15 Ocean Safety contract workers. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Red Hill Decision Delayed For Probe Of Navy’s Alleged Lack of Disclosure. The Hawaii Department of Health is delaying a decision on the U.S. Navy’s Red Hill fuel facility permit application as health officials investigate allegations that the Navy failed to disclose the full extent of its fuel pipeline network and the facility’s “corrosion history.”  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Council eyes state support for wastewater issues. A resolution discussed at Wednesday’s council meeting would urge the state legislature to set funding for wastewater management projects around the state as one of its legislative goals next year. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Final Community Budget Meeting for FY 2023 Set for Thursday, Oct. 21. The final Community Budget Meeting for Fiscal Year 2023, hosted by Mayor Michael Victorino and his administration, will be held on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021, starting at 5:30 p.m. Maui Now.

Hawai‘i Senators Visit Mahi Pono on Maui, Explore Strategies to Stabilize Economy. The Senate Committee on Ways and Means conducted a site visit today of Mahi Pono’s farming operations in Central Maui. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Planning and Possibly Police the Focus of Next Maui Charter Commission Meeting. The Maui Charter Commission will hear testimony and discuss Theme G – Planning and, if time allows, Theme H – Police, at its next meeting on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 9 am. Maui Now.

Maui Police Plan New ‘Citizen’s Academy’. The department’s community relations section has plans to set up a Citizen’s Academy starting in January that gives people ages 18-years and older a window into the life of a police cadet. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i setting aside TAT funds for vehicles, wages. A bill that would appropriate $9 million in county Transient Accommodation Tax revenues passed first reading at the meeting of the Kaua‘i County Council yesterday. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i Target opens early in Lihu‘e. The newest Target, its eighth in Hawai‘i since 2009, will be open seven days a week. Garden Island.

Native Hawaiians hard hit by COVID, Health Department denies researchers data, local hotel tax advances on Oahu and Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian ohana ©2021 All Hawaii News

Surge in COVID deaths took heavy toll on Native Hawaiian community. Experts say in the past two weeks, Native Hawaiians have accounted for up to 40% of the state’s COVID deaths. Hawaii News Now.

Local researchers say Department of Health officials have refused to collaborate and share COVID-19 data. Local epidemiologists and researchers say the Hawaii Department of Health has continually rebuffed their requests for data throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and that the department’s latest decision to scale back the information it has been releasing to the public daily on COVID-19 deaths is just the latest example of the department’s lack of openness. Star-Advertiser.
 
State Auditor Les Kondo faces ‘illegal’ act or prosecution. State Auditor Les Kondo told a House committee investigating his handling of two critical audits that a subpoena forces him to commit an illegal act or face a possible criminal contempt charge. Star-Advertiser.

Jill Tokuda Makes Official Her Bid To Be Hawaii Lt. Governor. The former state senator will be part of what is expected to be a large Democratic Primary field. Civil Beat.

Tourism leaders urge Ige to declare it’s OK to visit Hawaii. The president and CEO of the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association said Hawaii’s visitor industry is “in jeopardy if we don’t get a positive statement soon from the governor that we’re ready to open up again.” Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii records 7 new coronavirus-related deaths, 168 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 100 new cases on Oahu, 18 on Maui, 34 on Hawaii Island, 11 on Kauai, one on Molokai and four Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City Council advances proposal for Oahu visitor tax. Bill 40 would levy a 3% city transient accommodations tax on visitor accommodations. It would be imposed in addition to the state’s current 10.25% visitor tax. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said Oahu’s ban on large gatherings will likely be allowed to expire Oct. 19, as long as COVID cases don’t surge again. The policy prohibits any gatherings larger than 25 people outdoors or 10 indoors. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Salary Data Show Hundreds Of Honolulu City Employees Earn Well Over The State Average. The medical examiner and the top executives at HART are making the biggest salaries. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Police Commission Hears From HPD Whistleblower. A Honolulu Police Department whistleblower who accused her superiors of retaliation and discrimination told the Honolulu Police Commission Wednesday that the department is “broken” and said her complaints have been “completely ignored” in the past. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Honolulu Police Department seeks city help with inquiry on Major Stephen Gerona. The Honolulu Police Department asked the city administration for help with an internal investigation into allegations that a major harassed and bullied subordinates who did not agree with his management style and decision-making. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

City Council Approves Dave Matlin To Honolulu Fire Commission. But the new commissioner says he will abstain from the current deadlock over hiring a new fire chief. Civil Beat.

Firm to pay delinquent Kakaako housing fees. Affordable rental apartments in Kakaako serving low-income seniors could shift from state to private ownership as part of an effort to address financial challenges with the property. Star-Advertiser.

Council unanimously votes to take over ownership of embattled Diamond Head road. The Honolulu City Council unanimously voted on Wednesday to have the city take over ownership of Leahi Avenue near Diamond Head. Hawaii News Now. 

Lawmakers, stakeholders weigh in on future of AES coal plant. There are different opinions on whether the Barbers Point facility and its 180 megawatts of generating capacity should be allowed to retire, or be converted into biomass power — a firm renewable form of energy from burning wood, but one that has generated controversy, in part because it still involves releasing carbon emissions.  Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Maunakea forum measured: Moderated update on master plan features more information than interaction. A tightly moderated forum about the University of Hawaii’s updated Maunakea Master Plan was informative Wednesday, but left participants little opportunity to interact. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor signs tax bill. Mayor Michael Victorino signed Bill 101 on Tuesday establishing a 3 percent transient accommodations tax. Maui News.

Proposal before Maui council would phase out thousands of short-term rentals. The Maui County Council is considering phasing out all short-term rentals in apartment districts on the island. Hawaii News Now.

Charter Commission Discussion Continues on Proposed Charter Amendments. The Maui Charter Commission will meet again on Thursday at 9 a.m. to receive testimony and discuss additional proposed revisions to the Maui County Charter. Maui Now.

Father and son on Maui charged after officer finds dead turtle in fishing net. Randall Del Castillo Sr., 57, and Randall Del Castillo Jr., 33, were cited for taking and possessing a green sea turtle, which is a protected species. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Maui Now. KITV4.

Kauai

County to use eminent domain for affordable housing in Kilauea. The Kaua‘i County Council voted unanimously Wednesday to proceed with the acquisition of 23.5 acres of property in Kilauea using the process of eminent domain. Garden Island.

Connors nominated as U.S. attorney, swimming with spinner dolphins banned, coronavirus delta variant proves deadly, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Attorney General Clare Connors

Biden nominates Hawaii Attorney General Clare Connors to serve as U.S. attorney. State Attorney General Clare Connors was one of nine nominees announced Tuesday by Biden’s White House. Connors, who has served as attorney general since 2019, now starts the U.S. Senate confirmation process. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Big Island Video News. Maui Now. KITV4.

US Bans Swimming With Hawaiʻi's Nocturnal Spinner Dolphins. U.S. regulators on Tuesday banned swimming with Hawaii's spinner dolphins to protect the nocturnal animals from people seeking close encounters with the playful species. Associated Press. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News. Maui Now. KHON2. KITV4.

The Counties Are in Different Stages of Creating Their Own Hotel Room Tax Increases. Hawaiʻi's four counties are in different stages of approving their increases to the transient accommodations tax to make up for lost revenue after the state stopped allocating its statewide tax. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hirono Lobbies For Missile Defense Radar During Hearing On Afghanistan. Sen. Mazie Hirono grilled military leaders Tuesday about what the Defense Department will do with money and troops freed up by the end of America’s longest war, asking specifically about a $1.9 billion missile defense radar that has been planned for Hawaii. Civil Beat.

State embracing ‘shared solar’ energy farms on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands land. Hawaiian Electric, the largest utility in Hawaii, is trying to add 235 megawatts of community solar projects on Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii island under a plan awaiting state Public Utilities Commission consideration, following approval for 8 megawatts. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 delta variant proves deadly in Hawaii. About half of all the COVID-19 cases reported in Hawaii have occurred since early July, when the delta variant, which now accounts for nearly all cases, began to take hold.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii sees 240 new coronavirus cases, surpasses 2M vaccine doses administered. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 193 new cases on Oahu, 12 on Maui, 24 on Hawaii island, 8 on Kauai and three Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Over 160 Oahu businesses violate new COVID-19 mandates. As Safe Access O‘ahu mandates stretch into their third week, over 160 Oahu business operators have been cited, warned or been arrested for alleged violations of new COVID-19 requirements that include proof of tests or vaccinations for both employees and customers. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu restaurants seeing drop in sales after proof of vaccination mandate. Hawaii Restaurant Association Executive Director Sheryl Matsuoka said she has heard from members who are seeing revenue cut in half compared to 2019. KHON2.

Oahu Commission Approves Three Maps. Now The Public Gets A Say. The public will soon be able to provide input on what Honolulu’s political boundaries should look like after the Oahu Reapportionment Commission on Tuesday approved three district maps for consideration. Civil Beat.

Years Before Indictments, Honolulu Permitting Department Was Warned About Corrupt Culture. A city watchdog had raised red flags for years about potential corruption in Honolulu’s planning and permitting department. In the decade before federal investigators charged five permitting employees for bribery, the Honolulu Ethics Commission warned the Department of Planning and Permitting about questionable behavior by staff and lax oversight that could lead to abuses of power. Civil Beat.

State senator calls for investigation of Honolulu Police Department Major Stephen Gerona. A state senator called Tuesday for the removal of the Honolulu police officer in charge of the department’s Criminal Investigations Division, alleging that Maj. Stephen Gerona continues to bully and harass subordinates despite repeated complaints, disciplinary actions and his role in lawsuits costing the city more than $1.6 million. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Faced With Unwieldy Voting Rules, Honolulu Rail Board Simply Scrapped Them. For four years, after the Legislature added seats, the rail board required eight ‘yes’ votes to pass measures, but recently decided it needs only six. Civil Beat.

Large wildfire reveals toxic junkyard on state land that was supposed to be used for farming. A large wildfire in Central Oahu on Monday exposed the illegal activities Pat Mackin and others have been warning state and law enforcement officials about for years. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

A public meeting about the decommissioning of a Maunakea telescope went quietly on Tuesday. Jim Hayes, president of Planning Solutions Inc., which was consultant for the environmental assessment, said Caltech will hire an archaeological and cultural monitor, vetted by the state Historic Preservation Division, to observe the process and ensure that no cultural sites are disturbed throughout the project. Tribune-Herald.

EA supports Pahoa library: All three potential sites for a public facility found suitable. The final environmental assessment was published last week for a public library in Pahoa. The document has a finding of no significant impact to the environment regardless of which site among the top three identified in the document is chosen for construction of the facility. Tribune-Herald.

The next venture: Construction begins on Matsuyama Commercial Center. The Matsuyama Commercial Center project is being built on a 1.36-acre parcel off Kaiminani Drive, near the northern entrance to the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority on the makai side of Queen Kaahumanu Highway. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Fire Chief Ventura and Deputy Chief Fujioka Sworn In. Brad Ventura was sworn into office as the Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety’s new Chief, and Gavin Fujioka was sworn in a as Deputy Chief today during a ceremony hosted by Maui Mayor Michael Victorino today. Maui Now.

100% affordable rental project pitched for Waiehu. $33.5M Hale Mahaolu Ke Kahua would develop 120 units on MEO land. The $33.5 million project, called Hale Mahaolu Ke Kahua Affordable Housing Community, would be developed with Hale Mahaolu and units would be rented to adults of all ages who earn 60 percent or less of the area median income. Maui News.

Kauai

6 years later, Coco Palms permits still alive. While concerns for traffic, climate change and shoreline setbacks were brought up in regards to the Coco Palms property during Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting, there was little commissioners could do as representatives gave their annual status update on the demolition and progress of the ill-fated resort. Garden Island.

Teachers plead for safer conditions. Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School teachers lined the sidewalk outside of their Puhi campus Tuesday morning 6 feet apart, wearing masks, modeling a safety precaution that is all-but-impossible inside their full classrooms. Garden Island.

Lt. Gov. Green seeks to ease Hawaii entry for U.S. travelers, mayors split on hotel tax, new law requires mediation before eviction, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hotels line Waikiki beachfront ©2021 All Hawaii News

Lt. Gov.: More Travel From U.S. Mainland May Open Soon. Hawaii within two weeks could lift its 10-day quarantine requirement for all travelers from the U.S. continent who show proof of vaccination, the state’s COVID-19 liaison said Wednesday. Civil Beat.

Hawaii mayors split on whether Ige should sign bill for counties to levy additional hotel tax. Leaders of Hawaii’s four counties appear split on whether Gov. David Ige should sign a measure that would allow them to levy their own transient accommodations taxes. Under the measure, the counties would no longer share part of the revenues from the 10.25% tax. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

Union: Hotel Workers Not Being Hired Back as Visitors Return to Hawai‘i. Hawai‘i's visitor numbers are rebounding but the union that presents hotel workers says its members are being called back at a lagging rate. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. David Ige signs bills recognizing Juneteenth, Kalaupapa Month. Senate Bill 939 established June 19 as a permanent day of reflection. Also known as Emancipation Day, Juneteenth Independence Day and Black Independence Day, the holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

New laws to protect vulnerable, seniors. Three bills designed to help some of Hawaii’s most vulnerable and financial needy became law on Wednesday by ensuring minimum wage pay for those with disabilities, helping to protect senior citizens from financial fraud and reforming payday lending practices. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor signs bill requiring mediation prior to landlord evictions. Gov. David Ige signed a measure Wednesday that temporarily requires mediation before a landlord files for eviction. Currently, mediation can only be done after filing. Hawaii News Now.

6 Hawaii businesses awarded $250K each to ramp up agricultural production. Three of the awarded businesses — Agrefab LLC, SK Natural Farms LLC and Zhao Produce Inc. — are based on Oahu. Kawamata Farms is based out of Hawaii County, and Malama Kauai is on Kauai. Hawaiian Golden Farm is on Oahu and Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Is Bringing Back Its Health Equity Office As Pandemic Highlights Disparities. The pandemic illuminated long-standing health inequities in Hawaii as COVID-19 disproportionately affected Filipinos and non-Hawaiian Pacific Islanders. The Department of Health hopes to reduce those by reestablishing the defunct Office of Health Equity with the help of an infusion of nearly $25 million in federal funds. Civil Beat.

Nearly 200,000 more people in Hawaii need to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to reach 70-percent vaccination goal. Besides people receiving shots, the Lieutenant Governor believes people who recovered from the coronavirus should be factored into the count. KITV4.

First 2 winners of Hawaii’s COVID-19 vaccination incentives campaign announced. Hawaii health officials this morning announced the first two winners of the COVID-19 vaccination incentives campaign and said based on data, so far, that it seems to be working. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

June 16, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 30 Cases (28 Confirmed, 2 Probable); 1 Death. The confirmed cases included: 22 on O‘ahu (+2 probable); two on Hawai‘i Island (-1 probable); two on Maui (+1 probable); one on Kaua‘i; and one in a Hawai‘i resident diagnosed while out of state. Maui Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Department pledges more public transparency. In response to local and nationwide demand for police transparency and a sharp shift away from longstanding use-of-force practices, the Honolulu Police Department will hold news conferences within 24 hours of every officer- involved shooting and is amending its training for new recruits and veteran officers to emphasize de-escalation, cultural sensitivity, officer accountability and a near total ban on shooting into vehicles. Star-Advertiser.

City taxpayers likely to pay legal fees for three HPD officers charged in fatal shooting. City taxpayers could be on the hook for paying more legal fees after three HPD officers were charged in the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy. KHON2.

Gun crimes are on the rise on Oahu ― and the trend could be linked to drugs. HPD data shows that since 2015 the number of homicides on Oahu hasn’t changed too much. But the percentage of cases involving firearms has been on the rise since 2017. Hawaii News Now.

Emails Show Hanabusa Was Doing Rail Work Before She Got A Big Contract. Colleen Hanabusa says she drafted bills and monitored legislation on her own, not because she expected a contract or financial reward from the transit board. Civil Beat.

Education Program for At-Risk Youth Shuts Down After 50 Years in Honolulu. The closure of one of Honolulu’s few alternative education programs comes as a setback after a challenging pandemic year for all students. Civil Beat.

Public Hearing on Oʻahu's Red Light Camera Program Set for Thursday. The State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing Thursday to discuss Oʻahu’s red light camera pilot program, which is expected to start later this summer. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Council member calls for more local produce at farmers markets. A Honolulu City Council member wants to make sure more local produce are being sold at the People’s Open Market. A resolution to require a 30% threshold of locally grown produce and products will be discussed Thursday, June 17. KHON2.

State to close Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor ramp for improvements. The state Land Department will close the Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor ramp on Kauai for nearly two months beginning Monday. Officials said crews will install new boat ramp panels as well as concrete pavement. Hawaii News Now.

Public has until July 23 to comment on proposed Waikiki Beach improvement plan. A draft EIS released last week supports a $12 million Waikiki Beach Improvement and Maintenance Program, proposed by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources in partnership with the Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association, for the coastline from the Kapahulu Groin to the Ewa end of Fort DeRussy Beach. Star-Advertiser.

Family of TSA worker who died of COVID-19 finally receives workers compensation. According to the American Federation of Government Employees -- a union that represents TSA workers -- the family of then 43-year-old Maui Kahalepuna received workers' compensation benefits after months of delay. KITV4.

Blessing kicks off filming of ‘NCIS: Hawai‘i’. With the sun shining, the wind blowing and heartfelt aloha, the cast and crew of “NCIS: Hawai‘i” began shooting the premiere of what is hoped to be another hit in a long line of successful TV shows set and filmed in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County discusses tipping fees, credit for garbage haulers. The county is reconsidering a change in how rubbish haulers are charged at the county’s landfills. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i Medical Service Association to Close Kona Office, Transition to Virtual Service. While HMSA will no longer have a physical Kona office, its employees will continue to serve the community and the HMSA members who live there. Big Island Now.

Seattle group wins appeal in quest to overturn Ireland murder convictions. The state Intermediate Court of Appeals on Tuesday ruled Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto erred when he denied a group seeking to overturn convictions in the Dana Ireland murder trial a hearing on a motion to unseal post-conviction DNA testing conducted on a piece of key evidence. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

No Public Aerial Fireworks Displays, No Firecracker Sales on Maui this July Fourth. There will be no public aerial fireworks display on Maui this year for the Fourth of July holiday, and retailers will not be selling firecrackers, so no firecracker permits will be sold. Maui Now.

Department of Water Supply Publishes 2021 Water Quality Report Online. The annual report provides information about water quality and how the Maui County’s water compares with established federal and state drinking water standards. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai Developer Wants Land Returned After County Delays Opening Drug Treatment Center. Grove Farm, the development company that donated nearly six acres to Kauai County for an inpatient drug treatment center, said the land deed is no longer valid. Civil Beat.

County directs $7 million in American Rescue Plan funds. The county is targeting 16 areas of need to inject American Rescue Plan money into, including adolescent drug treatment support, youth mental recovery, houselessness and kupuna needs. Garden Island.

Kealia roundabout progress continues. Roundabout use at the intersection of Kuhio Highway and Mailihuna Road intersection has partially opened, eliminating access to the temporary Kapa‘a Stream Bridge. Garden Island.

Senate Majority Leader Kalani English stepping down following COVID-19 complications, Legislature passes hotel tax surcharge, car rental fee increases, automatic voter registration passes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Sen. Kalani English

Hawaii state Sen. Kalani English stepping down due to long-term COVID-19 symptoms. Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English announced Tuesday that he is stepping down from his Senate seat on May 1, citing lingering symptoms from a COVID-19 infection. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now. KITV4.

Lawmakers pass budget and suspend pay raises. In one of their last days to make or amend state law, state legislators passed a budget they say avoided catastrophic cuts to the most needy, killed a bill aimed at restricting police no-knock warrants and suspended raises for themselves and other key state officials. Star-Advertiser.

New County Hotel Tax Is Approved In Final Vote. The Hawaii Legislature also approved a hefty rental car surcharge increase to squeeze more money out of tourists. Lawmakers gave final approval Tuesday to a package of bills that will wring more cash out of the rapidly recovering tourism industry while simultaneously scaling back on the sums the state spends each year to market Hawaii to visitors. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.

State House kills bill curtailing emergency powers. The state House on Tuesday killed a bill that would have curtailed the governor’s emergency powers, a measure that was introduced after the coronavirus pandemic prompted Gov. David Ige to issue 19 emergency proclamations to suspend laws, impose travel quarantines and take other steps to address the public health crisis. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii House quashes bill eliminating no-knock warrants. The Hawaii House on Tuesday quashed a bill that would have eliminated no-knock warrants, a centerpiece of police reform legislation proposed in the wake of high-profile killings by police across the nation. Associated Press.

Lawmakers pass automatic voter registration bill. State lawmakers Tuesday passed a measure that would make Hawaii the latest state to implement automatic voter registration. West Hawaii Today.

State lease extension measure clears state Legislature. A bill that cleared the Legislature on Tuesday would allow the state to extend leases on state lands by 40 years, a measure applauded by developers such as those for Prince Kuhio Plaza, but that would apparently not apply to federal leases such as held by the U.S. Army at Pohakuloa Training Area. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Close to Honoring Juneteenth, Leaving 1 State Holdout. Hawaii was poised to become the 49th state to recognize Juneteenth after the House and Senate passed legislation Tuesday designating June 19 as a day to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. Associated Press.

Most UH students will likely remain at a distance until Spring 2022. UH Provost Michael Bruno said Tuesday the university system likely won’t resume normal campus procedures until Spring of 2022. Hawaii News Now.

Matson Inc. earns huge profit on heels of China growth. Matson Inc. earned a monster first-quarter profit that even it underestimated less than two weeks ago. Star-Advertiser.

As Tourists Return, Hawaii Is Looking At New Ways To Keep Them Safe In The Ocean. Ocean safety officials are relying on mobile response units, extended hours and data to protect visitors, some of whom are drawn to remote locations without lifeguards. Civil Beat.

Hawaii restaurants struggling to find employees despite nearly 60K unemployed residents. Many people remain out of work due to conditions outside of their control, including child care and health concerns, among others. KHON2.

Local reactions to new CDC rules on mask-wearing are mixed. Some celebrated, while others remained wary of, new federal guidelines saying fully vaccinated Americans do not need to wear a mask outdoors — unless at large, crowded events. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Garden Island. KHON2.

Health Department reports 1st COVID-19 death of child with underlying conditions. Health officials said the boy experienced COVID-19 symptoms shortly after arriving in the islands, and was taken to a hospital, where he died. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

April 27, 2021 COVID-19 Update: The state Department of Health reports that there were 54 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Tuesday, including 37 on O‘ahu, seven on Maui, five on Hawai‘i Island, two on Kaua‘i, and two in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state. Maui Now.

Oahu

City again takes first steps to relocate landfill. For the third time, the city has started evaluating sites to replace the island’s only municipal landfill, Waimanalo Gulch, on the West side of Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Prosecutors Have Long Been Stymied When Investigating Police Killings. That’s About To Change. The city largely leaves it to the police to investigate themselves when a civilian is killed. The new prosecuting attorney has plans for reform. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Roundabout eyed for busy Hilo intersection. The state Department of Transportation is working through the process to plan and fund improvements at the intersection of Waianuenue Avenue, Bayfront Highway and Kamehameha Avenue in downtown Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

6 of 14 North Kona wells remain offline. Nearly half of the water wells servicing the North Kona community remain offline, the Department of Water Supply said Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Lawsuit: Former Maui Prosecutor Says The Mayor Was Wrong To Fire Him. Don Guzman says his struggles with diabetes caused him to behave irrationally at times but that he warned the mayor that might happen. Civil Beat.

Most public schools to offer in-person summer programs. As Maui County public schools prepare to offer in-person summer programs, other popular child care programs like Summer PALS are still mulling their plans during the pandemic. Maui News.

Kauai

Hideaways access cut off; county seeks easement. Posts went up Tuesday blocking the entrance of a trailhead that leads to Kenomene Bay, or Hideaway Beach, in Princeville. Garden Island.

Public input sought on Kalaheo water project. The county Department of Water is expecting to build a new Clearwell tank on a portion of state land, replacing the existing Clearwell tank in Kalaheo later this year. Garden Island.

Tourism money for Ala Wai, more rail special session analysis, youth jail operations questioned, surviving the end of sugar, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Along the Ala Wai © 2017 All Hawaii News

Tourism dollars will soon augment efforts to improve the viability of the Ala Wai watershed, including the filthy Ala Wai Canal. Star-Advertiser.

How the Legislature’s ‘Big Five’ Crafted A Deal To Rescue Honolulu Rail. Civil Beat.

Rail bailout forever weds state to project. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu rail officials and Ansaldo Hawaii Joint Venture, the vendor building the city’s rail cars, will begin live testing of the driverless train cars Tuesday along a section of elevated guideway, which will mark the first time the cars will be operated under their own power. Pacific Business News.

Tuesday marks a big step forward for Honolulu’s rail project. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation plans to energize the rail for the very first time. KHON2.

Former Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation head Daniel A. Grabauskas has taken a job with the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority in Boston, where he worked until 2009. Pacific Business News.

An Idaho general contracting company owned by a Hawaii native from Laie has defaulted on 11 government contracts in Hawaii worth about $57 million — leaving various projects incomplete or barely begun. Star-Advertiser.

A firm that controls one of two air ambulance companies in Hawaii is acquiring the second medevac business in a transaction that could create a monopoly in the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Island Air’s fleet makeover is complete. The state’s second-largest airline retired the last of its 64-seat ATR-72 aircraft on Monday and now has a fleet of all Bombardier Q400 turbo­props. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Direction by youth jail Administrator Mark Patterson raises concerns. Administrator Mark Patterson tools around the sprawling grounds of the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility in a bright blue utility vehicle, his latest purchase in an equipment shopping spree for the ranch he is building. Star-Advertiser.

Reforms helping more teens stay out of jail. Star-Advertiser.

With juvenile incarceration lowered, where did the budgeted money go? Star-Advertiser.

Will Kalihi Redevelopment Push Out Current Residents And Businesses? A state “vision report” says “Mom and Pop stores would thrive and gentrification would be mitigated.” It just doesn’t say how. Civil Beat.

The state and former prison guard Irwin Ah-Hoy have each agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a former Women’s Community Correctional Center inmate whom Ah-Hoy sexually assaulted. Star-Advertiser.

A Los Angeles-based developer is proposing to build a condo-hotel project and affordable senior rental units in Honolulu. This Wednesday Honolulu City Council is expected to vote on whether to move forward with the project. KITV.

Following a sweep of homeless encampments in Waipahu in May that saw the typical return of tents and tarps, 18 agencies last week offered services at Hawaii’s Plantation Village in an effort to get nearby homeless people one step closer to seeking help. Star-Advertiser.

Residents say hikers impacting street parking, privacy. Picturesque backdrops off Manana Ridge Trail in Pearl City attract thousands of hikers each year. KITV.

The city is working to make Kailua safer for bicyclists especially for kids who bike to school. A bicycle boulevard is currently in the planning stages. KHON2.

The wreckage of the Beech 19A aircraft that crashed near Kunia on July 28, killing all four Oahu residents on board, likely will stay in the state-owned Honouliuli Forest Reserve where it went down. Star-Advertiser.

Not far from the Kim Taylor Reece Gallery in Hauula is a newly formed hole several feet deep in the makai lane of Kamehameha Highway. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Rep. San Buenaventura To Host Puna Roads Meeting. Big Island Video News.

Repairs to a one-lane bridge leading to Hakalau Beach Park could begin in early November, according to Hawaii County Public Works. Tribune-Herald.

Restoring Hale Nana Mahinaai: Nonprofit working to bring king’s quarters back to ‘prisitine condition’ West Hawaii Today.

As the date for the Hawaii County Council’s hearing for Bill 13, reducing the use of polystyrene foam on Hawai‘i Island, the “Hold the Foam Working Group” has issued a full media kit complete with a press release, a Call to Action document, and fact sheet, and a photo of a Kailua-Kona rubbish can overflowing with Styrofoam food containers. Big Island Video News.

Douglas Shinsato, a corporate executive and consultant who lives in Waimea, was nominated by Gov. David Ige this week to fill the open seat on the Board of Regents. He was confirmed by the state Senate on Friday. Tribune-Herald.

Honolulu-based property management firm Hawaiian Properties is expanding to the Big Island with the acquisition of Augustine Realty in Kailua-Kona. Pacific Business News.

Heroes honored: 9 lifesavers receive awards as Sayre Foundation marks 20 years. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

University of Hawaii researchers are helping local sugarcane growers and processors to choose and cultivate native varieties that best suit their purposes. Maui Now.

Kahului-based Pacific Biodiesel has begun its second harvest of sunflower seeds that can be used to create biofuel. Star-Advertiser.

Mokulele Airlines, the only company that offers flights in and out of Hana, is seeking to have the federal government subsidize flights to the East Maui community. Maui News.

Nighttime sewer line work will cause a lane closure on Kaahumanu Avenue this week, according to an announcement from the state Department of Transportation. Maui News.

Gene Zarro, CEO South Maui Learning Ohana, has announced that the Kihei Charter School, A new Century Public Charter, will be opening on schedule in August 2018 with an expected K-12 enrollment of 625 students. Maui Now.

Kauai

The state Department of Education reports that progress is being made by school bus contractors to address the shortage of Commercial Driver Licensed drivers on Kauai and Maui qualified to operate school buses. Garden Island.

Housing rentals are limited on the island, and costs are climbing. Garden Island.

The black, tar-like goo coating the tidepools on the eastern side of Mahaulepu Beach is most likely a petroleum substance that washed onto the rocks from offshore, according to the state Department of Health. Garden Island.

New toilets and flush valves are just a few of the upgrades to the restrooms at Kee Beach State Park, which were closed from Aug. 21 to 28 for routine maintenance, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Garden Island.

Tourism up, crime down, final vote for $2.4B rail bailout bill today, Ige cools 1k schools, OHA member pays $25k ethics fine, waters woes not to impact Ironman, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tourists at Honolulu farmers market © 2017 All Hawaii News

Hawaii Visitor Spending Jumped Nearly 10 Percent In July. Travelers spent $1.6 billion last month, and the number of visitors climbed almost 7 percent to more than 890,000. Associated Press.

Hawaii’s visitor industry knocked it out of the park in July, which was the biggest month ever in Hawaii tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Visitor spending in Hawaii increased 9.8 percent to $1.6 billion in July, with year-to-date spending rising 8.9 percent to $9.95 billion, compared to the same period last year, beating expectations for the month, according to preliminary statistics released Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

Visitors to Hawaii from the U.S. East Coast brought the largest gains in spending in July, with spending from that market increasing 22 percent last month to $452.5 million, compared to last year, and contributing to an overall increase in visitor spending of 10 percent. Pacific Business News.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority says spending by visitors jumped nearly 10 percent last month compared to a year earlier. Garden Island.

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Hawaii achieved a record-low crime rate in 2016 as three of the state’s four counties led the way in setting their own record rates. Star-Advertiser.

Go. David Ige fulfills goal to air-condition 1K classrooms. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's public school children will be more comfortable this school year after the state kept its promise of installing air conditioning units in 1,000 classroom across the islands. Pacific Business News.

Gov. David Ige out beats his promise to cool 1,000 classrooms. KITV.

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Based on a procedural voice vote Thursday, rail’s controversial bailout bill appears poised to easily pass the House today. Star-Advertiser.

The Legislature’s $2.4 billion rail funding package, expected to clear its final legislative hurdle Friday, won’t just bring a big influx of of cash to the over-budget and behind-schedule project. Civil Beat.

A bill increasing the hotel tax statewide to bail out the vastly over-budget Honolulu rail project advanced in the House on Thursday after narrowly clearing its committees the night before. West Hawaii Today.

Senate Bill 4 is nearing final passage during this week’s Special Legislative Session. But funding Honolulu’s Rail Transit Project caused some clashes between lawmakers. Hawaii Public Radio.

The rail bail out bill faces one final hurdle with a final floor vote in the House Friday. KITV.

Facing pressure from state lawmakers to find new revenue sources, the city and the rail authority are taking a second look at private and public partnerships. Hawaii News Now.

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The state Ethics Commission has fined an Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee $25,000 for violating ethics laws by using his state office, staff and resources for his own business purposes on “innumerable occasions,” including on a critical vote and subsequent work associated with the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii State Ethics Commission announced Thursday that it has reached a $25,000 settlement agreement with Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Peter Apo, who admitted to using the state agency’s connections and resources to benefit his consulting firm, The Peter Apo Company. Civil Beat.

An Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee who admitted to making an inquiry with a business from the Thirty Meter Telescope after publicly advocating for its construction will pay a $25,000 fine to the state ethics commission. Hawaii News Now.

The Army has declared as deceased the final two missing members of a UH-60 Black Hawk that crashed during night training off Kaena Point Aug. 15. Star-Advertiser.

The Army has declared dead the final two soldiers missing after a Black Hawk helicopter with a crew of five crashed off Hawaii earlier this month. Associated Press.

Hawaii is neglecting a “hidden economy” by significantly undervaluing its nearshore fisheries both economically and culturally, according to a recently published report. West Hawaii Today.

Oahu

On Oahu 1,400 establishments hold liquor licenses. The Honolulu Liquor Commission's proposed license fee increase would raise what they pay by 70 percent. Hawaii News Now.

A nonprofit developer has completed a $33 million first phase of preservation work on an old Kunia pineapple plantation village to provide affordable housing for retirees and low-income farmworkers. Star-Advertiser.

An annual truck rally held Sunday in Kapolei was disrupted when Honolulu police officers and city vehicle inspectors arrived in force. Hawaii News Now.

Can anything be done about the flooding in Mapunapuna? KHON2.

Honolulu-based Hensel Phelps Construction Co. on Thursday received two contracts totaling close to $39 million from U.S. Department of Defense for construction work in Hawaii and Guam. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Crime hits record low. Tribune-Herald.

Rates that will cause Hawaii island residents’ electrical bills to rise nearly $5 a month went into effect Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

A U.S. Coast Guard investigator identified a brownish slick floating offshore of Kahaluu Beach Park as possibly algae, authorities said Thursday afternoon. West Hawaii Today.

The Ironman World Championship, the thousands of visitors it brings and a water shortage at the heart of the action in North Kona during one of the hottest times of the year appears a volatile and potentially dangerous mix. But it might not be so bad as it seems. West Hawaii Today.

The University of Hawaii at Hilo welcomes Douglas Shinsato, nominated by the governor to be the new UH Regent. Big Island Video News.

State Sen. Kai Kahele of Hilo wants the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s enrollment to exceed 5,000 students in 10 years. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County’s total Index Crime rate in 2016 was the highest in the State of Hawaii; but it was also its lowest level on record since the start of statewide data collection in 1975. Maui Now.

Maui’s Short Term Rentals. Residents of Paia and Haiku are trying to decide the future of short-term rentals in their community after an unusual discovery: their current community plan and the Maui County Code don't match up. Hawaii Public Radio.

New Study: 72% of Maui Ocean Drownings are Visitors. Maui Now.

The Hawaii State Department of Education reports that progress is being made by school bus contractors to address the current shortage of Commercial Driver Licensed drivers on Maui and Kauai qualified to operate school buses. Maui Now.

Kauai

Though the Air Force reduced the number of bombs aimed at a training area 50 miles off the coast of Kauai, conservationists are still concerned about the whales and dolphins in the area. Garden Island.