Showing posts with label housing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label housing. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Legislature balks at tapping into $1B carryover funds in budget crisis, Senate rejects Nahale-a for second Regents term, more than 36k could have marijuana possession records expunged, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi's reserve funds are there for emergencies. Why are senators afraid to use them? State senators have been reluctant to approve funds to fill a shortfall in the major disaster fund of more than $400 million.  At the center of this conflict is $1 billion from carryover funds, or leftover projected revenue, that has not been assigned anywhere. Hawaii Public Radio.

Senate rejects Nahale-a for second UH regent term.  A deeply divided state Senate voted 13-12 on Tuesday to deny University of Hawaii Board of Regents Interim Chair Alapaki Nahale-a a second five-year term on the board, as critics cited what they saw as his lapses in accountability and leadership on such crucial issues as the worsening disrepair of some Manoa campus housing.  Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News.

Last-ditch effort afoot to kill housing bill aimed at boosting density in residential areas.
The current language in SB3202 says it will “allow for at least two additional dwelling units, which shall be considered accessory to any dwelling unit or residential unit duly permitted by ordinance.” Hawaii News Now.

Thousands In Hawaii With Arrest Records For Marijuana Posession Could Have Them Expunged. Over 36,000 people in Hawaii arrested for possessing less than 3 grams of marijuana before that offense was decriminalized in 2019 could have all or part of their criminal records expunged at no cost if legislation to amend the state’s criminal statutes succeeds. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers consider bill allowing telehealth access for those seeking gender-affirming care.
A bill at the legislature is creating serious controversy. House Bill 2079 aims to expand telehealth access to people seeking gender-affirming health services. But some believe the bill is a violation of parental rights. KITV4.

Commentary: Hawaii May Finally Move In The Right Direction On Parental Rights In Child Welfare Cases. Two bills already approved by their respective houses aim to correct a longtime shortcoming, though it remains to be seen if it's the right approach. Civil Beat.

Commercial real estate investment from foreign and out-of-state sources is lagging. Investment in Hawaiʻi fell for the second year in a row, according to Colliers International, which tracks money changing hands in real estate. Hawaii Public Radio.

Nearly $400 Million In Federal Earmarks For Hawaiʻi Non-Profits Listed
. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz says he has secured $394 million in new congressional directed spending to boost local non-profits. Big Island Video News.

Oahu

State House tees up bill to kill Aloha Stadium redevelopment. The state House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill to scuttle the redevelopment project in favor of building a less costly stadium on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus. Star-Advertiser.

HPD officer accused of ignoring plea for help before woman’s brutal murder is fired. There are new developments in the case of a woman brutally beaten to death two years ago on the steps of the Kapolei Police Station. Hawaii News Now.

Navy to extend testing of its water system. The Navy announced this week that it will continue monitoring its Oahu water system, which serves 93,000 people, for the next year after a surge in complaints about water and air quality in homes on the military waterline. Star-Advertiser.

City Council considers new Ocean Safety Department. During the City Council’s Committee on Budget meeting Tuesday, the way forward — to stand up, staff, fund and perhaps have public oversight over a larger sector — caused uncertainty among Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s ​administration as well as the Council. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The clock is ticking for Maunakea authority. The transition of control over the summit of Maunakea has been slow going over the past year, but could speed up soon. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo Medical Center to be renamed, marking Benioffs’ $50M charitable investment. A $50 million investment in Hilo Medical Center by Salesforce Chairman and CEO Marc Benioff and his wife, Lynne, will be used to launch a family birthing center and help the hospital complete its expansion of the intensive care unit. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

A bit more free parking for the public in Kailua-Kona: Council resolution paves the way for 14 more stalls. The Hawaii County Council Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions on Tuesday passed resolution 442 authorizing the acceptance of a quitclaim of a “remnant road reserve” from the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. West Hawaii Today.

Testifiers on Hawai‘i County Council resolution promoting world peace demanded inclusion of Gaza cease-fire. A resolution affirming the Hawai‘i County Council’s commitment to seek and promote peace, diplomacy and civil discourse while demonstrating the values of understanding, cooperation and peaceful co-existence with aloha created some civil — and at one point uncivil — discourse Tuesday. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Temporary Housing Construction Protected As Green Revises Wildfire Proclamation Again. Gov. Josh Green signed the 10th emergency order to address the aftermath of the Maui wildfires with amendments focused on affordable housing for displaced families. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr. will present State of the County Address March 15 at Castle Theater. Mayor Bissen will speak on the County’s response and recovery efforts after the devastating August 2023 wildfires, as well as plans to address critical housing needs, economic recovery and the rebuilding of Lahaina town. Maui News.

County Auditor: Department of Finance was ill-prepared to begin collecting millions in TAT payments. Maui County’s Department of Finance was under-staffed and ill-prepared to collect transient accommodations tax money beginning in November 2021 when a state law allowing the county to tap millions of visitor-generated revenue went into effect, according to a report by the Office of the County Auditor. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Hirono to take Boys & Girls Club of Maui CEO to State of the Union. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono will take Boys &Girls Clubs of Maui CEO Kelly Maluo-Pearson as her guest for President Joe Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address, she announced Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

The State Is Close To Buying This Old Hotel For Maui Fire Survivors And Longterm Affordable Housing. Council approval is needed for the mayor to complete agreements with the state before the closing can occur on the $38 million property with 175 furnished guest rooms. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i home sales, prices rebound. A dormant housing market awoke from its slumber to start the new year, as home sales and prices rebounded with eye-opening gains in January. Garden Island.

Learn more about homeownership on Hawaiian Home Lands during weekend workshop. Hawai‘i Community Lending, a nonprofit mortgage lender, will host the Pilina Kaiāulu Workshop in Kapa’a from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Kauai Now.





Monday, February 19, 2024

Hawaiian Airlines shareholders approve sale to Alaska Airlines, relief coming to businesses harmed by Honolulu rail construction, Maui council advances housing projects, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Hawaiian Airlines shareholders approve Alaska's $1.9B acquisition. Hawaiian Airlines shareholders on Friday approved the acquisition of Hawaiian by Alaska Airlines for $1.9 billion. The deal includes $900 million in Hawaiian debt. Hawaii Public Radio. Kauai Now.

Exodus of Hawaii residents cost state $185M in lost taxes since 2020.
The on-going exodus of Hawaii residents far outstrips the number of U.S. residents moving to the islands, resulting in the overall loss of 36,789 Hawaii residents over the last three years. Star-Advertiser.

Japanese visitors to Hawaii are trickling back. The full recovery of visitor arrivals from Japan, one of Hawaii’s most coveted source markets, continues to fall short, and a complete return to 2019 levels could take until 2026. Star-Advertiser.

Bill requires teachers accused of sexual misconduct to surrender licenses. An amended bill that would require teachers to surrender their licenses during any investigation into student sexual misconduct or abuse before retiring or resigning passed out of the House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee on Friday. Star-Advertiser.

New promises on horizon for future Hawaiian homestead leases.
The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is returning, in a big way, to a practice of issuing unconventional land leases to beneficiaries on its homestead waitlist. Star-Advertiser.

State warns against unlicensed contractors. In the midst of recovery efforts following the August 2023 wildfires on Maui, the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs last week urged property owners to prioritize hiring licensed contractors for their repair work. Star-Advertiser.

Stalled bills would support student inclusivity, identities. House Bill 1799 and its companion, Senate Bill 2670, would require the state Department of Education to establish a procedure allowing students to use their preferred names over legal names in an effort to strengthen “inclusivity” within public schools. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Signs Bill To Give Financial Relief To Businesses Hurt By Rail Construction. The city’s upcoming budgeting process will determine how much funding is available to dole out. Civil Beat.

Horrific crimes in Honolulu contradict drop in illegal acts. Despite those-high profile horrors that shocked communities accustomed to that kind of crime happening on the mainland, crime dropped in Honolulu in 2023 compared with 2022’s final tally from the Honolulu Police Department. Star-Advertiser.

Complaint alleges antisemitic rhetoric on UH Manoa campus.
A group of Jewish students at the University of Hawaii have filed a Title VI complaint with the federal government claiming that words and acts of antisemitism have made the university’s Manoa campus an “unsafe and hostile environment” for them. Star-Advertiser.

Taxpayers Are On The Hook For $1.25 Million After The State Failed To Provide Water To An Oahu Farmer. The Agribusiness Development Corp. is asking lawmakers to pay $1.25 million to settle a case that an Oahu farming outfit brought against it in 2019, alleging the state agency knowingly made years of false promises.  Civil Beat.

Oahu’s Construction Waste Could Become Food For Crops At A New Kapolei Facility. An innovative recycling plant also hopes to provide a process to turn invasive weeds and grasses into something more useful. Civil Beat.

City short of garbage trucks in supply chain backlog. The city typically purchases about 15 new trucks a year for replacement and maintenance, but supply chain and manufacturing delays have left the fleet short. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Leeward Planning Commission faces backlog. West Hawaii development permit requests are piling up after the Leeward Planning Commission has been unable to meet for six months straight. Tribune-Herald.

Gov. Green releases funding to upgrade 3 cesspools at Hilo International Airport. Gov. Josh Green released nearly $700,000 in capital improvement project funds to upgrade three cesspools at Hilo International Airport. Big Island Now.

Hundreds pay final respects to teen fatally struck by police cruiser.
Hundreds paid their final respects late last week to a 16-year-old Hilo High School junior who died in January from injuries he received after being struck as a pedestrian by an on-duty Hawaii Police Department officer at the wheel of a blue-and-white police cruiser. Tribune-Herald.

Take a walk au Naturel at Hawaiian Naturism Park, a nude bed and breakfast located in Fern Forest, just outside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.  Other clothing-optional retreats include The Banana Patch, in Kealakekua, and Kehena Mauka Nui Club, a clothing-optional, gay/LGBTQIA Airbnb right across from Kehena Beach. Big Island Now.

Maui


Maui Council passes two housing projects on first reading; a third sent to Budget Committee. All three projects would tap the County’s Affordable Housing Fund after developers applied for funding and came out on top of a competitive review process. Maui Now.

Why Are Hundreds Of Lahaina Fire Survivors Turning Down FEMA Housing? Because It’s Not In West Maui. FEMA has secured about 1,500 properties for long-term housing for fire victims but only about a third are in West Maui. Civil Beat.

Nonprofit builds affordable housing on Maui. Catholic Charities Hawaii expects to complete construction of a 178-unit affordable housing project in Kahului by the end of 2026 that would help address the imperative need of residents who suffered serious loss in the August wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

FAA awards $8.6M for Kahului Airport TSA security screening checkpoint facility. The facility will include six new TSA screening lanes. A pedestrian bridge over the existing service road will connect the new checkpoint facility to Hold Room A. Maui Now.

New program helps train, boost nurses needed in Hawaii. Thirty-one students graduated in December from a first-of-its-kind bridge program at the University of Hawaii Maui College designed to train and bring more LPNs into the workforce. Star-Advertiser.

Hopes rise by survival of Lahaina’s banyan tree. After losing nearly 25,000 trees in the wildfire, 300 have survived including the famed banyan tree, and Maui finds hope. Maui News.

Kauai

Redesigned police badge honors legacy of law enforcement on Kauaʻi. The unique special edition shield was minted in recognition of the dedication of the department’s staff and sworn officers throughout the past 80 years. Kauai Now.

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Worker shortage hinders construction boom, historic Marconi telegraph site damaged, TSA malfunctions, long waits persist at Hilo airport, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Construction Boom Will Require Workers From The Mainland. The island state has too few homegrown construction workers to handle the coming surge in government projects, so labor must be imported. Civil Beat.

Housing panel makes first development decision. An almost 6-month-old state panel created to accelerate affordable-housing production has acted on its first housing project application, though only to approve a relatively small fee waiver. Star-Advertiser.

UH president won’t say if he was drinking before crash.
David K. Lassner, 69, the 15th president of UH’s 10-campus system, was not administered a breathalyzer test after he veered right to avoid oncoming traffic and hit the parked car while on his way home from dinner. Star-Advertiser.

Increase in invasive species reports across Hawaii in 2023.
Increase in invasive species reports across Hawaii in 2023. KITV4.

Oahu

Unauthorized Demolition Occurs At Historic Marconi Telegraph Site On North Shore.
Civil Beat drone footage captured video of excavators discarding parts of the interior of the original 1914 power station, once the world's largest wireless communications center. Civil Beat.

Overdose drug now required at bars, nightclubs.
As of Jan. 1, Honolulu became the first U.S. city to mandate that its roughly 869 alcohol-serving bars, nightclubs and restaurants keep naloxone nasal spray on hand to counteract opioid-related overdoses. Star-Advertiser.

Gunman killed by Honolulu police was free on bail. The 44-year-old felon who was fatally shot by Honolulu police after an islandwide manhunt that left two officers hospitalized with gunshot wounds was free on $75,000 bail after he was charged in November with six gun crimes. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Construction on Ka Haku by Hilton Club restarts. Construction on the Ka Haku by Hilton Club, a 32-story timeshare tower in the heart of Waikiki at the former King’s Village site, has started again after a lengthy COVID-19 hiatus. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Government Changes, Plans For 2024. Deanna Sako, previously serving as Finance Director, has been appointed as the Managing Director for the County of Hawaiʻi.  Following Sako’s transition, Diane Nakagawa was promoted to the position of Finance Director. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Mayor Roth looks back at 2023 successes, provides preview for 2024. Mayor Mitch Roth is taking a moment to look back on the accomplishments of 2023 and offering a glimpse into the exciting projects set to unfold in the coming year for the County of Hawaiʻi. Big Island Now.

TSA equipment down causing travel nightmare at Hilo Airport. What’s typically a one hour flight from Hilo to Oahu, turned out to be an hours long travel day for many. The lines snaked and wrapped around at Hilo International Airport Tuesday.  KHON2. Big Island Now.  KITV4.

Big Island Woman Killed Despite A Restraining Order Against Ex-Boyfriend.
Elizabeth Fernandez was found dead at her South Kona home. The body of her ex-boyfriend was found outside after he apparently killed himself. Civil Beat. KITV4.

County seeks members for CDP Action Committees
. Hawaii County is seeking civic-minded residents to join action committees around the island to help shape policy for most of the island’s districts. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Debate grows on where to dump Maui wildfire debris, many fear temporary Olowalu site may become permanent. Maui residents are divided on where to put the Lahaina wildfire debris. County council members held a meeting on Tuesday to get input from the public. Hawaii News Now.

Wailuku couple sees rise in need for housing.
Senior Pastor Laki Ka‘ahumanu of the Church on the Go and his wife, Malie, who have been ministering to Maui’s homeless individuals and families for years, now are seeing the homeless crisis worsen due to the thousands of Maui residents who were displaced by the Aug. 8 wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

‘Laptop relief program’ gives over 640 devices to Maui fire survivors. A “laptop relief program” on Maui has distributed more than 640 computers to people who lost theirs to the August wildfires, and the nonprofit hub is planning another distribution in January. Star-Advertiser.

Progress update: 17 of 30 classrooms in place at temporary campus for King Kamehameha III elementary. US Army Corps of Engineers is reporting steady progress on construction of the temporary campus for students of King Kamehameha III Elementary School who were displaced by the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires that destroyed the school. Maui Now.

Helping Lahaina's art community is top of mind for these state lawmakers. Expanding access to an art therapy program and helping galleries in Lahaina may be on the state Legislature's agenda to aid Maui's recovery efforts. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposals sought for axis deer control in Maui Nui. The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) announces the 2024 Axis Deer Control Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) for Maui Nui, through a competitive Request for Proposals for axis deer harvest from eligible private landowners and lessees.  Maui News.

Kauai

Visitor spending tops $200 million again. Visitor spending cracked the $200 million barrier for the 11th straight month in November, as tourists continued to funnel record sums of cash into the island of Kaua‘i economy in 2023. Garden Island.

Valve replacement for Coco Palms Sewage Pump Station scheduled for Jan. 10. The Coco Palms Sewage Pump Station will be shut down starting Jan. 10 to replace isolation valves inside the station’s dry well. Kauai Now. KHON2.

Monday, September 11, 2023

Kilauea volcano erupts, Dems call for state party chairman resignation, Maui relief donations top $494M, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kilauea Volcano Eruption Starts At Summit With High Lava Fountains. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists said the Kilauea eruption that began Sunday continues with lava-fountain heights up to 82 feet but that no unusual activity has been observed along volcano’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Garden Island.  Hawaii News Now.   KHON2

Dozens Of Leading Democrats Call For State Party Chairman Dennis Jung to Resign. Critics are frustrated by controversial staffing decisions and the party's dwindling cash reserves. Civil Beat.

Hawaii to offer $30M in loan repayment to medical professionals.
Governor Unveils Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program. The "HELP" program will provide $30 million in educational loan debt repayment to health professionals in Hawai‘i. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Josh Green to extend controversial housing panel. Gov. Josh Green plans to extend his emergency proclamation that created a controversial emergency housing development approval panel. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii AG to review independent probe into Maui fires before releasing to public. As an investigation into government’s emergency response the day Lahaina burned continues, questions about transparency continue. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Josh Green outlines future for Lahaina. The governor said Friday he plans to address the United Nations on Sept. 17 when he will connect the Lahaina wildfire to other climate-related disasters around the globe. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii governor proposes ‘Lahaina Fund’ for victims as an alternative to lawsuits.
During his address marking one month since the Lahaina tragedy, Gov. Josh Green on Friday, repeatedly criticized lawyers who have come to the island seeking plaintiffs for lawsuits. Hawaii News Now.

Communities across Hawaii wary of becoming ‘the next Lahaina’. In fact, 94% of Hawaii’s populated areas are vulnerable because they are either built into the wildland-urban interface or lie adjacent to vacant land overrun by highly flammable weeds, said Elizabeth Pickett, co-director of the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization. Star-Advertiser.

State abruptly cuts program seen as key to boosting number of paramedics trained in Hawaii. A state Department of Health program aimed at encouraging more EMTs to become paramedics was suddenly cancelled this summer, and onlookers say the move is expected to have an immediate impact on the first responder population. Hawaii News Now.

DOH suspends new ambulance contracts to weigh protests. Support for American Medical Response is growing as the state moves to resolve the company’s protests of the bidding process for ambulance services for Maui and Kauai counties. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The Cost Of A New Oahu Jail Is Now More Than $900 Million. The Department of Public Safety is now estimating that the proposed new Oahu jail will cost more than $900 million, a dramatic increase from previous forecasts after years of delays. Civil Beat.

Ala Wai pedestrian bridge proves unpopular at community meeting. Community members had their say Saturday about a proposed 18-story-tall pedestrian/bike bridge spanning the Ala Wai Canal at a meeting held by state senators representing the  area that will be affected by the structure. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council pushes fines, jail for shopping cart violations.  The Honolulu City Council is considering legislation proposing fines and imprisonment to keep supermarket shopping carts on store properties rather than out on city streets, parks or sidewalks. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

‘The shortage is expected to get worse’: Presentation outlines how lack of doctors is impacting isle. A shortage of physicians on the Big Island is a mounting threat to healthcare on the island, according to a Hawaii County Council presentation on Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Bayfront roundabout plan moves forward. A plan to install a roundabout at the Hilo Bayfront moved one step forward Friday despite reservations from residents. Tribune-Herald.

Public input sought on future of old hospital. The County of Hawaii Office of Housing and Community Development is developing a master plan for the future of the former hospital property at 34 Rainbow Drive. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Money Continues To Pour In For Maui’s Recovery. More than $494 million in relief funds for Maui has been pledged in the form of government assistance, private donations and nonprofit efforts since the Aug. 8 fires in Lahaina.  Civil Beat.

Nearly $95M in federal aid coming for Maui fire relief. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide nearly $95 million to cover the cost of temporary housing at hotels, meals and other services for evacuees of the Maui fires through November, U.S. Brian Schatz announced Sunday. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.  Maui Now.

The federal government wants to hire Maui residents displaced by the Lahaina fire, but lack of expertise could mean specialized workers from outside Maui come in and end up competing for already tight housing along with fire survivors. Star-Advertiser.

Governor lifts suspension of Water Code on Maui.
Gov. Josh Green announced Friday that he has lifted the suspension of the state Water Code, a move he originally made as part of his emergency proclamation in response to the Lahaina fire. Star-Advertiser.

Two more Lahaina wildfire disaster victims identified Sunday, bringing the total to 57. There are 115 confirmed fatalities with 57 individuals now identified publicly following notification of next of kin. Maui Now.

Inside The Frustrating And Painful Search For Lahaina’s Missing People. The effort to identify who is truly missing after the Lahaina fire is a massive undertaking that has shifted numerous times, leaving many families exhausted. Civil Beat.

Health risks remain high for people returning to Lahaina. More than a month after deadly wildfires ravaged Lahaina, all that remains is a wasteland of ash, debris, charred homes, melted metal and burned-out husks of cars. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

$2M released to fund improvements at Līhuʻe Airport on Kauaʻi. Governor Josh Green has released capital improvement project funds to support necessary enhancements to Līhuʻe Airport in the amount of $2 million for financing an optimization plan. Maui Now.

Visitor spending sets new high in July on Kaua‘i. The spending total climbed to $264.5 million in July, compared with $245.5 in July 2022 and $201.3 million in pre-pandemic July 2019, according to a monthly report from the state of Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development &Tourism.  That marked gains of 7.7 percent and 31.4 percent, respectively. Garden Island.



Friday, September 1, 2023

ACLU, others sue Green over emergency housing rules, raises coming for educational assistants, principals, AG probe into Lahaina fires to take 12 months, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

ACLU, other groups sue Green over emergency housing panel. A bold, unorthodox move by Gov. Josh Green in July to suspend a raft of state laws to speed up development of housing in Hawaii as a state emergency has come under more legal fire. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i, the Sierra Club, three local community organizations and one state Land Use Commission member sued Green on Thursday in state Circuit Court on Oahu, alleging that the governor exceeded his legal authority in establishing an ad hoc “working group” to make alternate regulatory decisions on housing development projects. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Raises for Hawaii educational assistants, vice principals get tentative OK.  A tentative agreement that would raise the salaries of educational assistants and vice principals in Hawaii’s public schools was announced today by Gov. Josh Green. The average base salary for educational assistants would jump from $35,425 to $40,611 and vice principal pay would go from $96,912 to $116,292, starting in the 2024 fiscal year. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.   Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s Sentencing Process Is Complicating Efforts To Reform The Prison System. More aggressive minimum sentences coincide with severe overcrowding and deteriorating prison conditions. Civil Beat.

New Congressional Probe Targets Hawaiian Electric Over Deadly Maui Fires. Republicans in the House have announced two separate investigations into the Aug. 8 fire that killed at least 115 people in Lahaina. Civil Beat.
 
House Republicans seek answers on wildfire from Hawaiian Electric, state. Three members of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce sent a letter Wednesday to the company, the state Public Utilities Commission and the Hawaii State Energy Office with questions about actions addressing fire risks before Aug. 8, a sequence of events that day and other things in connection with the regulated utility and the Maui disaster. Star-Advertiser.

Legislature should create authority to oversee Lahaina’s future, UHERO says. In its first forecast following the deadly Aug. 8 Lahaina fire, the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization on Thursday proposed the creation of a new entity to oversee what comes next for Lahaina over the years to come — to be created by the state Legislature. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island.

Probe of Aug. 8 wildfires on Maui to take 12 months. Professional fire investigators hired by the state attorney general have been probing the policies and performance of the state and Maui County during the Aug. 8 wildfires that killed at least 115 and displaced about 4,300 people. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Hawaii investigates unsolicited land offers while trying to keep Lahaina in local hands. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said today his administration has opened several investigations into people who have allegedly made unsolicited offers for property in the fire-stricken Maui town of Lahaina in violation of a new emergency order. Associated Press.

Oahu

Company erects massive tanks in Kapolei for military to store fuel. The federal government sought alternatives last year to store fuel in Hawaii and contracted Island Energy Services, which built several storage tanks in Kapolei.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island


Former zoo veterinarian technician to head up Hawai‘i County’s newly established Animal Control and Protection. A zoo veterinarian technician from Melbourne, Florida, will head up Hawai‘i County’s newly established Animal Control and Protection Agency, starting Friday. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Care Choices to expand its offerings. Hawaii Care Choices will reopen its Pohai Malama Care Center facility in Hilo in the next few months as the care provider celebrates its 40th anniversary. Tribune-Herald.

U.S. Renal Care opens kidney dialysis clinic in Prince Kuhio Plaza. The other dialysis clinic in Hilo operating independent of a hospital is Liberty Dialysis, at the corner of Kinoole and West Lanikaula streets. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

More than 1,700 students from Lahaina public schools have not enrolled since the wildfire. The state Department of Education estimates that out of the nearly 3,000 students who were enrolled at four Lahaina public schools prior to the Aug. 8 wildfire, 1,757 of them have not enrolled in another public school or opted for distance learning.  Maui Now.

Gov. Green expects number of unaccounted to drop on Maui. An updated list of people unaccounted for in the wake of the deadly Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire is due to be released today, and Gov. Josh Green said he expects the number to have dropped to “the lower double digits” — and perhaps below 50 — from the 388 names first released Aug. 24. Star-Advertiser.

Millions raised, how much is getting to Maui?  Millions of dollars have poured into organizations that provide relief after the Maui wildfires and officials said the money is starting to get to where it needs to go. KHON2.

Maui mayor details activities surrounding deadly Lahaina fire. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen on Thursday gave his account of the events surrounding the devastating fires of Aug. 8, saying that the “severe gravity of the impact was not clear in the initial hours” of what would become the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.  Maui News.  Hawaii News Now.

HTA approves $2.6M plan to aid Maui tourism economy.  An emergency declaration last month gave HTA access to a $5 million tourism special fund, which if needed could help the cash-strapped agency fund the tourism recovery plan. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Hanalei Hill slope stabilization work begins next week. A single-lane closure on Kūhiō Highway (Highway 560) is slated for the week of Sept. 5 as part of the Hanalei Hill Slope Stabilization project. Kauai Now.

Ground broken for Kapa‘a Pop Warner storage facility. Dignitaries from the Wescon Region Pop Warner, the Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League, Kapa‘a Eagles Pop Warner, the Junior Olympic softball team and Kalani Construction broke ground Saturday on a new storage facility for Kapa‘a Pop Warner and the softball team at Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex next to Radford Sam Fong pavilion. Garden Island.

Outrigger acquires resort on Kauai. Outrigger Hospitality Group has finalized the purchase of Kaua‘i Beach Resort &Spa — the hotel company’s eighth global beach resort acquisition in the past three years and one of several new Hawaii investments. Star-Advertiser.

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Federal money could fix Hawaii roads, record high state tax collections, officials say Waikiki crime at normal levels, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2022 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Road work in Hawaii ©2022 All Hawaii News
How Federal Funds Could Help Fix Hawaii’s Roads And Bridges. The state transportation department is developing plans on how to spend upwards of $220 million each year in investment act funds. Civil Beat.

Hawaii tax collections soared to a record high in April while the local economy recovered. Hawaii’s general fund took in $1.4 billion in tax revenue during April, representing a 40% gain over roughly $1 billion in the same month of 2021 and more than any month in history. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Would You Want The Government To Be Your Landlord? For years, Hawaii Sen. Stanley Chang has been promoting Singapore’s government housing program as a solution to Hawaii’s housing shortage. Now Chang, who is chair of the Senate Housing Committee and a leader on housing issues, is promoting another model: the city of Vienna’s “social housing” program. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Commission stands by selection of Maj. Gen. Arthur ‘Joe’ Logan as city’s police chief. The Honolulu Police Commission will not reconsider its selection of retired Maj. Gen. Arthur “Joe” Logan in the wake of his 36-year-old son’s arrest for allegedly attacking a man with a metal hook and notice of a pending felony theft trial for allegedly shoplifting electronics from Target. Star-Advertiser.

Here's what government officials and nonprofits say about crime, homelessness in Waikīkī . Despite crime trending upward, Honolulu Police Department Major Randall Platt says this activity is just returning to pre-pandemic levels. Hawaii Public Radio.

North Shore man who moved tons of sand to protect his home gets more time to fight $92k fine. In April, Todd Dunphy racked up violations when he used an excavator to build a sand berm behind his Rocky Point house without first getting permits, said officials. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

Wahiawa charter school under investigation after receiving multiple parent complaints. The State Public Charter School Commission said it’s investigating Kamalani Academy after receiving multiple complaints from parents. Parents like Kelly Olayan said the school is reneging on a promise to let the students keep distance-learning technology devices. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Council to Consider Measure That Proposes to Prohibit Non-Mineral Sunscreen.
A bill that would prohibit some types of sunscreen on the Big Island in an effort to help protect the environment, especially coral reefs, has garnered the support of hundreds. Big Island Now.

Council committees evaluate charter measures. A County Council panel Tuesday took a dim view of a proposed charter amendment adding more Native Hawaiian input into county water policies, but four other proposals were forwarded to the council with positive recommendations. West Hawaii Today.

BLNR mulls Naniloa request to use second mortgage. The future of the Grand Naniloa Hotel is up in the air as the Board of Land and Natural Resources considers whether to permit the hotel’s owners to take out a second mortgage to pay off its first one. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Fair canceled for third straight year.
The Hawaii County Fair Foundation, the fair’s nonprofit organization, said in a statement that E.K. Fernandez Shows/Carnival Events, which brings the carnival midway to Hilo, can’t commit to fairs on the Neighbor Islands due to higher shipping costs and staffing challenges. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Council Questions Lack Of Progress In Bank Of America Legal Battle. Almost two years after Maui County hired an outside attorney for $200,000 to pursue a lawsuit against Bank of America for allegedly failing to uphold a decades-old promise to provide $150 million in home loans to Native Hawaiians, there’s still unclear when — or if — the county plans to take action against the banking giant. Civil Beat.

Maui’s Northshore Greenway gets long awaited blessing. The Northshore Greenway extends a little more than 3.7 miles long from Kanahā Beach Park in Kahului, along past Saddle Road behind the airport, past the Kaunoa Senior Center and Baldwin Beach Park, ending in Pāʻia at the Pāʻia Youth Center. Maui Now.

UH gets grant for project to monitor space weather. A four-year, $2.5 million grant will fund a project to construct a space weather station center on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus and deploy a neutron monitor on Maui, UH announced Sunday. Maui News.

Kauai

HDOT infrastructure community meeting June 8. The state Department of Transportation Highways Division will host an informational meeting to provide updates, present information and collect public feedback on several ongoing and upcoming projects on the North Shore. Garden Island.

Free bus rides offered during Tropic Care. The county Transportation Agency’s The Kaua‘i Bus announced free bus service during Tropic Care from Monday to Monday, June 13 to 20. Garden Island.

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Hawaii delays reopening as COVID-19 cases and deaths rise, businesses concerned but poll shows majority of residents support cautious approach, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

from Facebook Live
Ige announces reopening delay, via Facebook Live
Hawaii Governor Delays Plan To Reopen To Tourists. All travelers — visitors as well as residents — will not be able to bypass quarantine with a negative test result until September. Civil Beat.

Ige delays plan to reopen tourism until Sept. 1 amid COVID-19 surge on the mainland. In a major blow to the tourism industry, the governor has announced plans to delay until Sept. 1 a program that would allow trans-Pacific travelers to skip quarantine in Hawaii if they test negative for COVID-19. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Ige extends start date of pre-travel testing of trans-Pacific arrivals until Sept. 1. Gov. David Ige said today that he is pushing back plans to use a pre-arrivals testing program to reopen Hawaii tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Ige To Extend Quarantine Another Month; 3 More Deaths, 23 New Cases Today. Gov. David Ige said today the state will extend the travel quarantine another month, delaying plans to ease restrictions on visitors if they test negative before taking their flights to the islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ige delays implementation of plan for trans-Pacific travelers. A program that would allow out-of-state travelers to avoid a two-week quarantine upon arriving in Hawaii has been delayed until September, with officials saying the state requires more time to prepare for an influx of visitors. Tribune-Herald.

Gov postpones reopening tourism date to Sept. 1. Three more Hawaii residents have died from the coronavirus. This as the state announces it’s pushing back the reopening of tourism. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Delays Start Of Transpacific Pre-Travel Testing Program. Governor Ige confirmed that the State will push back the program that will allow travelers from outside Hawaiʻi to bypass the 14-day quarantine with an approved pre-travel test. Big Island Video News.

Pre-Travel Testing Program Delayed to Sept. 1. For the past four months, a 14-day quarantine has been in place for travelers in an effort to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Now.

Traveler quarantine extended until Sept. 1. State officials will postpone a plan to permit tourists to travel to Hawai‘i if they obtain a negative test for COVID-19 within 72 hours of departure for at least 30 days, until Sept. 1. Garden Island.

State’s pretravel plan postponed to Sept. 1, Ige says. Governor points to surge in cases nationally and locally, break in test supply chain. Maui News.

Hawai‘i Trans-Pacific Travel Plans Delayed Amid COVID-19 Concerns, Spikes. Gov. David Ige this afternoon announced he is delaying the launch of the state’s pre-travel testing program by a month to Sept. 1, 2020. He also announced the extension of Hawai‘i’s 14-day quarantine on trans-Pacific travel to the end of August. Maui Now.

Hawaii to extend 14-day quarantine for arriving passengers through end of August. The state is postponing plans to reopen travel, Gov. David Ige announced in a press conference on Monday afternoon. Pacific Business News.

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3 more Hawaii residents with coronavirus die, bringing statewide death toll to 22. Hawaii’s coronavirus death toll rose to 22, with three new fatalities reported Monday as the number of cases continue to surge locally and on the mainland. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Has Three More COVID-19 Deaths. The state recorded 86 new COVID-19 cases since last Friday and says most are in previous clusters associated with community-spread. Maui Now.

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Survey: 8 in 10 residents say they aren’t ready to welcome tourists back. The poll from the University of Hawaii Public Policy Center asked 600 residents for their thoughts on the state’s response to coronavirus. Hawaii News Now.

Survey: A Majority Of Hawaii Residents Support Coronavirus Restrictions. People in Hawaii think closing down vacation rentals and schools makes sense in the event of a serious surge, but don’t want restrictions on beach access and doctor visits. Civil Beat.

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Over 150 visitors have been sent home, VASH reports. The Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii (VASH) says it has sent home 156 visitors since the COVID-19 Flight Assistance Program started on April 6. KITV4.

Gov. David Ige’s decision to delay plans to reopen Hawaii tourism extends economic woes. Reaction was mixed Monday following Gov. David Ige’s decision to push back plans to use a pre-arrivals testing program to reopen Hawaii tourism. Star-Advertiser.

‘We’re really struggling’: Tourism-dependent businesses wonder if they can make it to September. The rising coronavirus cases both in Hawaii and on the mainland have prompted Governor David Ige to delay reopening tourism until September 1st. The delay comes at a significant cost for tourism-dependent businesses. Hawaii News Now.

Governor David Ige to extend ban on housing evictions as growth in state slows. A ban on housing evictions across Hawaii will be extended through the end of August as a result of the growing COVID-19 pandemic and its on-going economic devastation across the islands. Star-Advertiser

Desperation grows as some have yet to see any unemployment benefits to make ends meet. As Hawaii's unemployment rate grows, so does the desperation of those who still have yet to receive any unemployment benefits to make ends meet. KITV4.

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Local colleges to implement ‘bubble quarantine’ for out-of-state students to attend class. Major colleges and universities in Hawaii will be introducing what is called a “modified bubble quarantine” for students flying in. The Hawaii Department of Health worked with universities to create the program. KHON2.

College students coming to Hawaii may qualify for modified quarantine. Students traveling to Hawaii to attend college next month may qualify for a modified quarantine if they test negative for COVID-19 and meet other health requirements, officials announced today. Star-Advertiser.

HSTA and DOE reach agreement that students will be spaced six feet apart when schools reopen. The Hawaii State Teachers Association and The Hawaii Department of Education announced the agreement on Monday after a dispute over three-foot distancing that was previously announced. KITV4.

State, teachers union come to agreement on what social distancing will mean at public schools. Under a deal announced Monday, public schools will need to get special approval if they want to configure meeting spaces or classrooms with less than 6 feet of social distancing ― and those requests must be submitted as contract exceptions no later than July 21. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s Charter Schools Are Listening To Parents When It Comes To Reopening. The state’s 37 charter schools are relying heavily on parent feedback for reopening in the fall but are also worried about funding if the state cuts back its budget. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii DOH cites masks, avoiding tight quarters to eliminate COVID-19 cluster spread. Recently the Centers for Disease Control added four new symptoms of COVID-19, making the list 11. KHON2.

China blasted by U.S. for unlawful bullying in South China Sea. The United States stepped up its rhetoric and maybe its game Monday in a condemnation of what it called China’s unlawful bullying in the South China Sea. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawai‘i's Pacific Island Ocean Observing System will receive $4,260,603 in federal funding to observe and monitor sea levels, tides, currents, waves, and temperatures.  $4.2 million in federal funding will help improve forecasting of severe weather events, like king tides and hurricanes, in the Central Pacific. Big Island Video News.

Hawaiian Electric submits request to expedite electric bus pilot program. Hawaiian Electric is asking the Public Utilities Commission to speed the adoption of electric buses in public, private and school bus fleets on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii island, with the approval of what the utility calls an eBus Make-Ready Infrastructure Pilot Project. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Coronavirus Cluster At Hawaiian Airlines Ignites Outbreak At Oahu Gyms. At least two dozen Hawaiian Airlines employees contracted COVID-19 at a training in late June. One infected employee who visited a pair of Oahu gyms set off a second disease cluster. Civil Beat.

Hawaii State Department of Health traces 44 COVID-19 cases to a single person. The Hawai'i State Department of Health has traced 44 cases of COVID-19 on O'ahu to a single person. KITV4.

Surfrider Foundation challenges Hawaii military sea wall. Marine Corps Base Hawaii conducted an environmental assessment that found the wall at its Puuloa Range Training Facility would have no significant impact on the human or natural environment at Ewa Beach. KITV4.

City posts warnings at Diamond Head oceanfront path. The saga of the public access to transit the shoreline on the walkway topping the Diamond Head sea wall seems to have reached closure, at least for now. Star-Advertiser.

Waikiki’s Halekulani Hotel announces closure until mid-2021. Management at Waikiki’s famed Halekulani Hotel informed employees on Monday that the property was closing until July 2021 for a series of renovations it says it can no longer wait to complete. Hawaii News Now.

Rick Blangiardi says he can lead Oahu out of crisis, but he’s still crafting the specifics. Among the five front-runners vying to become Honolulu’s mayor, three have spent years serving in public office and two — Keith Amemiya and Rick Blangiardi — are trying to convince voters why that’s not a prerequisite for the job. Hawaii News Now.

Money chest best for Keith Amemiya, Rick Blangiardi in race for Honolulu mayor. First-time political candidates Keith Amemiya and Rick Blangiardi reported the largest war chests for this year’s Honolulu mayor’s race, but former Mayor Mufi Hannemann, former U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and City Councilwoman Kym Pine also have raised significant amounts of funds for the hotly contested campaign. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kona Community Hospital employee tests positive for COVID-19. A Kona Community Hospital employee has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the hospital confirmed Monday. West Hawaii Today.

Kona Community Hospital Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19. A Kona Community Hospital employee was positively diagnosed with COVID-19 on Friday and is currently in quarantine at home. Big Island Now.

Public pools reopen amid pandemic. From dedicated swim team members getting in lap time to kupuna enjoying some water aerobics, the Kona Community Aquatic Center was bustling with action — that is as much action as permitted amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. West Hawaii Today.

Charges dropped in bizarre Home Depot incident. Video evidence reportedly cleared a Pahoa man arrested July 7 after a 24-year-old Volcano woman reported finding a zip tie on her vehicle in the Hilo Home Depot parking lot, leading her and others to use vehicles to block the lot’s entrances and exits. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Ritte outraises incumbent DeCoite. House District 13 candidate and prominent Native Hawaiian activist Walter Ritte has amassed nearly $40,000 in donations since launching his campaign to unseat Rep. Lynn DeCoite, including contributions from the Hawaii State Teachers Association and controversial actress and comedian Roseanne Barr. Maui News.

Ballots to be mailed starting Tuesday. Ballot packages for the primary election are set to be mailed out beginning Tuesday, County Clerk Kathy Kaohu announced. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i resident dies of COVID. The Department of Health’s Disease Outbreak Control Division reports an elderly Kaua‘i resident is the 22nd recorded COVID-19 death. Garden Island.

Virtual County Council candidate forum Thursday. County Council candidates will be discussing key issues on Thursday, July 16 in a virtual forum set to run from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Garden Island.

Art Cafe Hemingway facing eviction. A once-bustling cafe and its owners are now on the brink of eviction facing a back rent of over $25,000 and less than 10 days to either pay that sum or turn in their keys. Garden Island.

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Holiday season tests new fireworks ban, Honolulu council takes free lunch, Gabbard moves to New Hampshire, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2019 All Hawaii News all rights reserved

New law makes homeowners and renters liable for illegal fireworks on their property. According to the law the fireworks don’t have to be ignited. Just having them in your house is enough for police to bust you. KHON2.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green continues mission to help Samoa battle measles outbreak. After returning from a medical mission to help contain the measles outbreak in Samoa last week, Lieutenant Governor Josh Green is already planning a return trip. KITV.

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Tulsi Gabbard, 1 poll short of qualifying, says she won’t attend presidential debate. Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard says she won’t attend this month’s presidential debate, even if she were to qualify. Star-Advertiser.

Invited Or Not, Gabbard Will Skip December Debate. The presidential candidate from Hawaii says she will focus instead on primaries in New Hampshire and South Carolina. Civil Beat.

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Deadly Mosquitoes Are Killing Off Hawaii’s Rare Forest Birds. Scientists are racing to eradicate disease-carrying mosquitoes from forests, but to some a solution still feels like forever away. Civil Beat.

Navy releases photo of suspected Pearl Harbor gunman. The Navy’s Recruit Training Command Great Lakes in Illinois released the photo of the 22-year-old sailor suspected of fatally shooting on Wednesday two Pearl Harbor Shipyard workers and injuring a third man before shooting himself. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Council Voted On Company’s Project Then Let It Buy Lunch. Ethics guidelines advise government agencies against accepting free food if the company has business before the city. Civil Beat.

State agency set to take over Aloha Stadium redevelopment. The Hawaii Community Development Authority, a state agency primarily focused on facilitating redevelopment in Kakaako is preparing to assume leadership of the effort to replace Aloha Stadium. Star-Advertiser.

Leaders gather to temper the bonds made after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. On Monday on Ford Island, within close proximity to the USS Arizona Memorial, the closeness that now joins the United States and Japan as much as it separated the nations 78 years ago was once again recognized in a remembrance of not only the 2,390 American casualties, but also the death of 65 Japanese service members. Star-Advertiser.

Home sales on Oahu post gains in November. Sales of single-family homes on Oahu rose 11% in November, compared to a year ago, while sales of condominiums increased slightly and prices remained flat, according to statistics from the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Who is taxedtodeath? That was the question of the day Friday, as attorneys for county Elections Administrator Pat Nakamoto, former County Council Chairman Dominic Yagong, the county and the unknown individual faced off in Kona Circuit Court. West Hawaii Today.

Farmers have few options for fighting two-lined spittle bug. County, state and federal agencies are still seeking solutions to an invasive insect that threatens much of the Big Island’s livestock industry. Tribune-Herald.

Kalanianaole work still on track for 2020 completion. Roadwork and safety improvements along Kalanianaole Avenue are still on track to be completed in the latter part of 2020, the county Department of Public Works said Monday. Tribune-Herald.

Overlooked county cesspool to cost taxpayers. Oh, poo. The county missed one. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island Business Turns Plastic Trash Into Sales. Upcycle Hawaii owner Mattie Mae Larson talks about how she got into the business of repurposing material that would otherwise end up in the landfill. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Property tax changes discussed. A community meeting on the real property tax changes recently approved by the Maui County Council will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Maui County Business Resource Center, Suite B-9 near IHOP at the Maui Mall. Maui News.

County inventory for single-family homes descends to new low. Median sales prices for those homes fell by 1.4 percent; Condo prices drop 5.9 percent. Maui News.

Maui home sale prices fell in November. Single-family homes on the Valley Isle sold for $730,000 in November, down 1% from $740,398 in the same month last year, while sale volume slipped 7% to 71 from 76 in the same period. Star-Advertiser.

New South Maui Gym to Take Permit Applications. The county will be accepting requests from the public to use the new South Maui Community Park Gymnasium for the winter/spring 2020 season for a limited period this week. Maui Now.

Kauai


Anahola woman cited for attempting to sell prohibited ivory. This is the first conviction for whale bone in Hawaii under the new wildlife trafficking statute that took effect on July 1, 2017. Garden Island.

Woman is ordered to pay fines for trafficking illegal whale items. 73-year-old Vivian Satow of Anahola was ordered to pay $250 on Tuesday, December 3 due to her trafficking illegal whale items. KITV.

New, $630K fire engine blessed. The Kauai Fire Department held a blessing ceremony on Monday fronting the Historic County Building in Lihue for its new Engine 3 fire apparatus. Garden Island.