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

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.

Ige backs teacher pay hikes, Common Cause worried about all-mail voting, Honolulu B&B tax vote coming, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Gov. David Ige with schoolchildren PC:Governor's Office

Governor, superintendent seek pay raise to attract special ed teachers. The governor and schools superintendent want to raise the pay of special-education classroom teachers by $10,000 a year to attract more qualified educators and combat a severe shortage in the field. Star-Advertiser.

DOE Plan Would Boost Pay For Hard-To-Fill Teaching Positions. The state is hoping to find extra cash to sweeten the pot for teachers who work in remote areas or in areas that are chronically short staffed. Civil Beat.

Governor, DOE Seek Pay Increases To Keep Teachers In Special Ed, Hawaiian Language. In a news release, Ige's office said he is working with the Hawaii Department of Education and Board of Education to implement "bold retention and recruitment strategies" to address the shortages. Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor backs pay hikes to recruit, retain teachers. Hawaii’s governor plans to announce support for pay increases to help recruit and retain teachers in special education, rural schools and Hawaiian language immersion, officials said. Associated Press.

Students join chorus of voices calling for higher teacher pay to tackle shortage. There’s a big push for better pay for teachers ― and it’s not just coming from the teachers themselves. Hawaii News Now.

How To Divvy Up Dollars For Special Needs Kids In Hawaii. A new policy for funding special education in Hawaii is touching off some fears it could mean dramatic cuts for some schools and the ability to provide services to disabled students. Civil Beat.

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More than two dozen WWII vets expected for 78th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack. The 78th commemoration of the Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is expected to include more than two dozen World War II veterans with the theme “Glimmers of Victory” that includes the United States fighting back with the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, Battle of the Coral Sea and the turning point of Midway. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu summit to address airlines’ impact on climate. Representatives of the major airlines serving Hawaii will join local environmental and transportation industry officials in Honolulu Tuesday for a first-of-its-kind summit to discuss actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Star-Advertiser.

Government group raises alarm as state moves to all-mail voting. Common Cause Hawaii is urging election officials to open more than a handful of voter service centers next year to make sure voting numbers aren’t depressed as the state for the first time begins holding all-mail-in elections. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii's Housing Shortage Can't Be Solved Until Infrastructure Needs Are Addressed. Hawaii will need an additional 65,000 housing units statewide by 2025. Getting there will require more public infrastructure, like water, sewage, and electricity. Hawaii Public Radio.

Security Deposits Put Housing Out Of Reach For Some In Hawaii. As housing costs rise, renters have to cut bigger and bigger checks just to get in the door. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii lawmaker says money alone won’t ease the overcrowding in Hawaii jails. Instead of spending more money, a key Hawaii lawmaker want to find ways to keep more people out of jail. Hawaii News Now.

Postal Service Releases Hawaii Specific Holiday Mailing Dates. The U.S. Postal Service is offering shipping tips and mail volume information as the holiday shopping season gets underway. Big Island Video News.

Central Pacific rescuer, ex-CEO retiring from board. Turnaround specialist John Dean, who spearheaded the recapitalization of Central Pacific Bank following the recession and returned the company to profitability, plans to retire from the parent company’s board in the spring. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

B&B tax bill up for final vote. The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday is scheduled to take a final vote on a bill establishing how owners of vacation rentals are to be taxed, and three Council members have introduced different floor draft proposals to help ease the burden on those now operating previously permitted “whole home” transient vacation units. Star-Advertiser.

Controversial Bill 40, banning disposable plastics, up for final vote Wednesday. Environmental groups and local food manufacturers and restaurants remain at odds over how extensive the ban will be and its impact on small businesses. KITV.

Time running out for those hoping to oust city prosecutor with special election. The December 31 deadline looms for those looking to replace embattled city Prosecutor Attorney Keith Kaneshiro using a special election. Hawaii News Now.

The average rent for a one-bedroom in Honolulu is down 10%. The average rent for a one-bedroom in Honolulu dropped 10% in November compared to a year ago, according to a new analysis from real estate site Zumper. The site said the average rent for a one-bedroom in Honolulu last month was $1,600. Hawaii News Now.

Critics still not appeased by state’s proposed changes for Red Hill fuel tanks. With the future of the Navy's Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility still uncertain, critics on Monday urged the Hawaii Department of Health to dismiss its proposed rule changes for the state's underground storage tanks. Hawaii News Now.

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New health center by Queen’s to offer medical care in Kahala. The new health center is expected to open in the summer of 2020. Hawaii News Now.

Queen’s plans to open Kahala urgent care center in summer. The Queen’s Health Systems is opening a health center in Kahala as part of its strategy to increase outpatient services and decrease escalating emergency room visits for non-urgent conditions. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu Hospital Struggles In The Wake Of Sexual Misconduct Allegations. The top doctor at Hawaii’s only comprehensive medical rehabilitation hospital was fired this year after allegations of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault on hospital premises. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

More federal disaster funds slated for Big Island. Hawaii will receive another $26 million in new federal disaster relief funding, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Monday. Tribune-Herald.

County ready to prosecute old rape cases. Hawaii Island’s decade-long backlog of rape test kits have all been processed, and now it’s time to move onto the next step — investigating and prosecuting the cases. West Hawaii Today.

Construction on Kona emergency shelter project to begin next spring. Hawaii County expects to begin construction this spring on the Kukuiola emergency shelter project. West Hawaii Today.

They’ve Watched Our Climate Changing For Decades From High Atop Mauna Loa. For 60 years, scientists have documented the rising trend of carbon dioxide levels as fossil fuel emissions continue to increase. Civil Beat.

Anna Chiotti named Kona hospital CEO. The HHSC West Hawaii Region Board of Directors selected Anna Chiotti as the CEO of the West Hawaii region, which includes Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Tegarden Resigns as Mayor's Chief of Staff. Earlier today, the County of Maui announced that Deidre Tegarden has resigned as chief of staff of the Office of the Mayor, effective Dec. 15. Maui Now.

Talk focuses on ‘The Coral Pledge’. Maui Nui Marine Resource Council invites the public to a free talk at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 at The Sphere at Maui Ocean Center to learn about the “The Coral Pledge,” a new initiative to reduce human impacts on Hawaii’s reefs year-round. Maui News.

Kauai

New diesel buses for Kauai fleet. The Kauai Bus is set to receive six new diesel buses thanks to a Federal Transit Administration grant, and while it will serve to refresh the current fleet, it’s not bringing Kauai any closer to a full renewable fleet by 2045. Garden Island.

Federal funds for floods. Kauai will be getting $9 million in federal funding for flood relief. Garden Island.

Honolulu council to cooperate with mayor after special election, businesses resist new taxes, Big Island rethinks polystyrene ban, Maui officials' raises unlikely, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Col. Brendan Raymond, 25th Infantry Division Artillery Commander ©2019 All Hawaii News

Pohakuloa Training Area showcases live-fire exercises with Schofield Barracks. The bass booms of heavy artillery echoed through the region Sunday morning as plumes of smoke spiraled into the blue skies along the slope of Mauna Loa. West Hawaii Today.

Business leaders resist tax proposals. Lawmakers are considering a package of tax increases and other tax changes in the final weeks of the legislative session that could raise more than $100 million a year to help balance the state budget, but those plans have aroused the ire of major players in the business community. Star-Advertiser.

Airport authority bill once again fails to pass. For the fourth year in a row, a bill that would place authority over the state’s airports in the hands of an independent corporation has failed to pass. Tribune-Herald.

Legislators pushing for electric vehicle chargers. Bills that mandate that EV charging capacity be part of new construction projects or provide developers with incentives for installing more charging stations are under consideration at the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Bill to regulate midwives reveals divide. Senate Bill 1033, approved Friday by the Legislature and moved to the governor, licenses midwives and make it illegal for cultural and traditional practitioners to provide midwifery services after 2023. Star-Advertiser.

Where Hawaii Renters Spend Half Their Incomes On Housing. In the state as a whole, people at many income levels who rent — not just low-income residents — face a shortage of rental housing. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Lawmakers must try, try and try again until they forge needed law on vacation rentals. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

After the election: Kobayashi and Caldwell promise to work together more. In the wake of Tommy Waters’ decisive Honolulu City Council win Saturday night, Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Council Chairwoman Ann Kobayashi spoke of the need to set aside politics and work more collaboratively in the coming months. Star-Advertiser.

Waters Wins Honolulu City Council Special Election. The unofficial results show Waters drew 17,491 votes to Trevor Ozawa's 16,487, a margin of 1,004 votes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waters upsets incumbent Ozawa in a special election for Honolulu City Council. Tommy Waters is now the councilmember-elect for the District 4 seat on the Honolulu City Council. Hawaii News Now.

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HART board chair under federal investigation — but it’s not about the rail project. The FBI is investigating the local electrical workers’ and plumbers’ unions over a $6 million investment in a private company. Hawaii News Now.

Vacation Rentals On Oahu May Face Tough Enforcement And New Limits. Airbnb says bills before the Honolulu City Council could cause economic damage by suddenly removing many tourist rentals from the market. Civil Beat.

Some are worried about the impact homeless encampments have on a learning center for young children. A House Concurrent Resolution urges the state and the city to start a task force, develop strategies and a plan that'll assist those on the streets. KITV.

Hawaii Island

Councilman wants to make more clear what alternatives will be acceptable to polystyrene. Hawaii County’s polystyrene ban could be amended before it goes into effect. Tribune-Herald.

The state Public Utilities Commission, the state consumer advocate and representatives from Hawaii Electric Light Co. were out in force Friday evening for a public hearing on a proposed rate hike. Everyone was at the public hearing, in fact, except for one key component — the public. West Hawaii Today.

UH looks to hold additional hearings on Maunakea rules. The University of Hawaii is requesting a second round of public hearings be held for its draft Maunakea administrative rules after making revisions. Tribune-Herald.

Scrap yard cleanup costs nearly double. The price to clean up the old Kealakehe scrapyard has nearly doubled to $10 million. West Hawaii Today.

Nearly a year later, many eruption evacuees still in search of a permanent home. Of the 626 families who needed help finding a new place to live, only 153 have been able to secure permanent housing. Another 45 families, totaling 156 people, requested plane tickets so they could start over somewhere else. Hawaii News Now.

Is It A Waste Of Time To Complain About Illegal Building Here? Understaffed and saddled with red tape, inspectors have a hard time dealing with issues like a proposed farm complex in Upper Puna that has neighbors upset. Civil Beat.

Maui

3 percent Maui County Council salary hike lacks the votes in Salary Commission. Commission gave administration officials that amount in 2018. Maui News.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino today announced his commitment to resurrecting Maui County’s longtime water reuse program. The program had been put on hold due to pending litigation involving the Department of Environmental Management’s permitted use of injection wells in West Maui. Maui Now.

The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development recently issued more than $254,000 in grants to various local organizations. Grantees were selected based on their economic impact within Maui County through business and/or the jobs they created or sustained. Maui Now.

New safety questions raised after 2 detainees escape Maui jail through broken door. Two pretrial detainees escaped from the Maui Community Correctional Center early Sunday through a broken door, raising new safety questions about the facility. Hawaii News Now.

Inmate: ‘This is crazy; we going die’. MCCC riot described by those inside Module B. Maui News.

Kauai

DLNR Worker Bought Truck Parts With State Money. The maintenance worker on Kauai faces ethics charges and is expected to be fined $4,500. Civil Beat.

Homeless encampment lies on state DOT land. The Department of Transportation has scheduled an assessment of a homeless encampment on Rice Street for April 17. Garden Island.

Community fears reopening Kuhio Highway will create flood of tourists. The April 14-15, 2018, flood washed out Kuhio Highway, the only route into the small communities of Lumahai, Wainiha and Haena. Since then the road has been opened to local residents but not tourists. Now with repairs almost complete, the state plans to reopen Kuhio Highway to all traffic May 1. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai communities have more miles to go on the road to recovery. Last year’s flooding was Kauai’s worst disaster since Hurricane Iniki struck the island more than 25 years ago. Over 350 homes were destroyed or damaged. A dozen landslides forced the closure of a 2-mile stretch of Kuhio Highway, cutting off the communities of Lumahai, Wainiha and Haena. Star-Advertiser.

Foreign investment soars, owners to face fines for fake service animals, homeless qualify for Medicaid housing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu ©2018 All Hawaii News

Amid already hot housing market, foreign investment in Hawaii properties soars. Decades after the collapse of the Japanese investment bubble, foreign investment in Hawaii is making a big comeback. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii to roll out database to track school repair backlog. The Hawaii Department of Education is rolling out an online database to track the estimated $868 million backlog of repair and maintenance projects in the public school system. Associated Press.

Homeless people in Hawaii who are enrolled in Med-QUEST, the state’s Medicaid program, will have access to housing support services starting Jan. 1 that were previously offered to only a handful. Civil Beat.

As Ed Case prepares to be sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives in January, he’s been hiring key staff and gearing up for what he hopes will be major reforms in Congress. Star-Advertiser.

Claiming an ordinary dog to be a service animal will soon be illegal in Hawaii. Thanks to a law passed in July, the new year will add “misrepresentation of a service animal” to the state’s list of offenses punishable by a civil penalty. Tribune-Herald.

Circus and carnivals in Hawaii can’t bring lions, tigers or bears in for the show thanks to updated state rules signed by Gov. David Ige, and the head of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture says it’s been a long time coming. Garden Island.

Hawaii’s economy remained relatively strong through the year, with continued job growth, increasing wages and tax revenues that exceeded government projections in 2018, according to an annual financial report released last week by the Department of Accounting and General Services. Garden Island.

IMAGES OF 2018: A Year Of Alarms, Elections, Lava And A Notable Passing. The mother of all false alerts preceded very real disasters that flooded Kauai with rainwater and the Big Island with lava. Then came the threat of Hurricane Lane. Civil Beat.

Oahu

State Hospital overtime raises safety concerns. Big paychecks for overtime, also leads to big concerns about safety at the Hawaii State Hospital. KITV.

State and county officials, social service agencies and law enforcement are working together to address the highest per capita rate of homelessness in the country, but more needs to be done, according to the regional coordinator for the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. Star-Advertiser.

'It’s paradise’: Crowds head to the beach, trails for a sunny Christmas Day in Hawaii. A sunny Christmas Day sent throngs of merry-makers to Oahu beaches and parks Tuesday, where first responders were out in full force, too. Hawaii News Now.

Nearly 5 years after a huge fuel leak at the Red Hill Bulk Storage Facility, a forum will be held so people can get answers about preventing future leaks while protecting our water supply. KITV.

No flood, tsunami, earthquake or hurricane — not even retirement or a near-fatal heart attack — can keep Danny Tengan from readying East Honolulu residents for disaster. Star-Advertiser.

Water service will be temporarily suspended for four hours this morning at Magic Island, also known as Aina Moana, for a shower improvement project. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii officially down to one refinery. In line with the findings of the Hawaii Refinery Task Force's interim report from November 2013, one of the state's two refineries has, as predicted, officially ceased its refining operations before the year 2020. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Embattled dairy intentionally discharges 800,000 gallons of sewage into Big Island waters. Hawaii News Now.

Big Island Dairy Discharges More Wastewater Amid Heavy Rains. Hawaii health officials say the diary, which was fined for spilling nearly 8 million gallons of wastewater this summer, is pumping out nearly 800,000 gallons in the latest incident. Civil Beat.

The owners of Big Island Dairy illegally discharged Monday roughly 600,000 gallons of sewage that contaminated coastal waters through Kaohaoha Gulch. Star-Advertiser.

Water within Kaohaoha Gulch was contaminated with animal waste due to an overflowing retention pond at the dairy facility caused by heavy rainfall, health officials say. Big Island Video News.

Waimea residents and others will get a chance next month to weigh in on which of two air service providers they’d rather see offer subsidized flights out of the Waimea-Kohala Airport. West Hawaii Today.

The reins of the Big Island’s fourth-largest private landowner quietly changed hands last week. The new president of W.H. Shipman Ltd. is Margaret “Peggy” Farias, previously the chief financial officer and treasurer of the Keaau-based company. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Timeshare resorts report occupancy rate of 91.8% in Q3. Maui News.

Chief: Officers’ actions ‘justified’ in shooting. Suspect, who was shot to death, drew a handgun, he said. Maui News.

New video of Sunday’s deadly officer-involved shooting in Wailuku was released at a press conference today at the Wailuku Police Station. The 23 second encounter at the Kaohu Street, South Market Street intersection, came following a chase that ensued for approximately 12 minutes. Maui Now.

Maui Electric is proposing to assume ownership and operation of the existing electric vehicle fast-charging network established on Maui through the JUMPSmartMaui demonstration project. Maui Now.

Maui Electric Co. on Friday proposed to assume ownership and operation of the JUMPSmartMaui electric vehicle fast-charging network on the Valley Isle. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

The last several miles of road along Kauai’s North Shore remain closed to the public since the April flood. Local residents are limited to commute along one lane of the highway and only during scheduled convoy times. Hawaii Public Radio.

More than 100 threatened and endangered seabirds have fledged from the Nihoku restoration site within the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge in the past four years. Garden Island.

Long lines, limited parking expected as Hawaii Volcanoes National Park reopens Saturday, 15% of Hawaii young men not registered with Selective Service, Hawaii County scales down special session emergency fund request, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Map of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park reopening plan

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is on track to open Saturday at 10 a.m., with free admission on that day, the National Park Service said today. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park preps for reopening. While Hawaii Volcanoes National Park reopens Saturday, visitors might find it hard to park. Tribune-Herald.

The reopening of areas in the park, which go into effect by 10:00 a.m. on September 22, are listed in a new map published by the National Park Service. Big Island Video News.

This Saturday will mark a new beginning for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. More than 130 days since explosions, ash plumes and earthquakes forced it to close, the park is set to reopen. KITV.

HVNP Reopening, Expect Limited Parking & Long Lines. Big Island Now.

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State Department of Education Proposes Increases For Executive-Level Salaries. The proposed raises would be at slightly lower percentages than DOE employees represented by unions. Overall, the executive-level increases would shift the salary range for complex area superintendents to $135,000-$170,000 from $125,000-$163,589. Pay for the seven assistant superintendents would increase to $145,000-$175,000 from $143,023-$167,353. The annual salary for the deputy superintendent — who is second in command to the school superintendent — would increase to a range of $155,000-$180,000 from $143,023-$167,353. Civil Beat.

Hawaii income stats climb, but so does the cost of living. Hawaii household and family incomes rose again last year to remain among the highest in the nation, according to the latest information from the U.S. Census Bureau. Star-Advertiser.

Fifteen percent of Hawaii’s young men aren't registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, which means they might not be eligible for major federal benefits. Hawaii News Now.

Innovative New Program Plugs Some Holes In Mental Health Care System. A new network of providers and social workers is teaming up to get mental health patients the treatment they need. Civil Beat.

Chairman’s Death Comes At Crucial Time For Pacific Fishery Council. Edwin Ebisui was among the leaders pushing the Trump administration to reopen restricted waters to commercial fishing. Civil Beat.

Several Hawaii banks are enacting financial assistance programs for customers impacted by the heavy rains and flooding brought on by Tropical Storm Olivia last week. Pacific Business News.

Hawaiian Tax-Free Trust named Cathy Luke and Randy Perreira to its board in anticipation of the retirement of current trustees Richard Humphreys and Russell Okata. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Rail transit: Town-bound tension piles up. Some business operators and residents who attended a Monday night briefing on the arrival of rail construction in the Kalihi-­to-Ala Moana region left feeling anxious about the future. Star-Advertiser.

Water utility offers breaks for affordable housing builders. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply has agreed to offer those who build affordable housing units on Oahu a break on BWS charges in an effort to spur construction. Star-Advertiser.

New proposal could pave the way for more restricted parking zones in Honolulu. It would require residents living in the area to have a placard proving they live there. The bill specifically mentions areas near universities and hospitals. KHON2.

Two new projects geared at pedestrians are heading to the Waikiki and Ala Moana areas. Recently revived plans to build a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the Ala Wai Canal, linking Waikiki to McCully, are moving forward. KHON2.

Waimanalo residents concerned about pollution of Kaupo Beach. A homeless encampment tucked away downhill on the makai side of Kalanianaole Highway is causing some in the Waimanalo community to push for action. KITV.

Waikiki Shell officially named after concert promoter Tom Moffatt. A special renaming ceremony was held Sunday at the venue, where the beloved local personality and concert promoter known simply as "Uncle Tom" put on a host of big shows. Hawaii News Now.

Koko Nuts Koalition: We Will Help Repair Koko Head Trail. The City and County of Honolulu is considering ways to develop partnerships to refurbish and maintain the iconic Koko Head Trail. Hawaii Public Radio.

A rental housing tower in downtown Kapolei for seniors with low incomes is set to start construction after several years of planning. Star-Advertiser.

Two Oahu neighborhoods with single-family home median prices below the record islandwide median of $810,000 saw increases in sales of more than 25 percent in August, according to a report by the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Based on feedback from lawmakers, county scales down lava recovery wish list. A decision on a whether there will be a special session of the state Legislature to consider disaster relief funding appropriation, especially for Puna communities impacted by lava from Kilauea volcano’s lower East Rift Zone eruption, needs to be made soon. Tribune-Herald.

The group of Hawaii Island residents standing post at the entrance to Mauna Kea Access Road are on the verge of being kicked out. KITV.

Beneficiaries spoke out about the problems plaguing the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands during a community meeting held Monday night in Keaukaha. Big Island Video News.

Pohoiki Boat Ramp Could Be Used Again. The Hawaii Department of Land and Resources reports that a damage assessment of the formerly popular Pohoiki Boat Ramp area, along the lower Puna coast, shows no damage to the ramp itself. However, an estimated 14,000 cubic yards of black sand, deposited during the recent East Rift Zone eruption, completely rings and blocks the entrance to the small boat ramp. Big Island Now.

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources has produced a video update on two, transformed Puna beach parks following the eruption of Kilauea. Big Island Video News.

A village of tiny homes — built by the community — welcomes first lava evacuees. Several Puna families who have spent months living in an eruption evacuee shelter moved into places of their own on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Pahoa shelter closes leaving legacy of help, complaints. Pahoa’s emergency evacuation center opened in a hurry at 4:15 p.m. May 3 and over the next 136 days offered a lifeline to people forced from their homes by the Kilauea eruption. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Council to discuss call for audit of DOE. Resolution part of opposition to proposed school property tax ballot amendment. Maui News.

Last ex-officer in bribery scheme sentenced. Unlike other defendants, Ahuna does not receive jail time. Maui News.

The US Department of Health and Human Services will award $1,000,000 in federal funding to Maui Family Support Services to support the Quality Care for Hawaiian Keiki Project. Maui Now.

Why your television isn't getting a signal on Maui. We're told a special fiber cable that provides OTA transmission to Maui is no longer functioning. The line feeds all of the broadcasters transmitters on Maui.  KHON2.

Masons add another course of cinderblocks to the South Maui Community Park Recreation Center earlier this month. The 34,000-square-foot facility is scheduled to be finished by the end of next March. Maui News.

Maui County currently has a shortage of 141 doctors, up slightly from the 139 in 2017, according to a recent Hawaii physician workforce survey by the University of Hawaii. Maui News.

A Brown Water Advisory has been issued for waters from Waihee to Kahului in Central Maui and Honokohau to the Honua Kai property in West Maui. Maui Now.

Old Makena Hotel coming down piece by piece. Maui News.

Kauai

Teachers’ union stands behind amendment. In November’s general election, voters will consider a constitutional amendment that would give the Legislature the authority to establish a surcharge on investment real property to support public education. Garden Island.

A meeting of County of Kauai committees is set for 8:30 a.m. today. Garden Island.

Kauai is gearing up to build the next double-hulled voyaging canoe on Hawaii and now the organization heading up the project has five acres in Kalihiwai to do it. Garden Island.

Hanabusa kicks off gubernatorial campaign; Rice, who fought race-based OHA elections, dies at 83; ferry not financially feasible; tax collections forecast to rise, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Rep. Hanabusa campaign kickoff Monday, courtesy photo

Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa officially launched her campaign for Hawaii governor Monday against Gov. David Ige, saying Hawaii needs new leadership at the top to tackle critical issues like lack of affordable housing and limited job opportunities for future generations. Star-Advertiser.

Hanabusa Launches Campaign With Swipe At ‘Rudderless’ Ige. The Hawaii congresswoman says state government is “adrift” and needs a course correction. Civil Beat.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa on Monday launched her campaign for governor by criticizing the incumbent for a lack of leadership and saying the state should consider establishing safe zones for homeless people. Associated Press.

Colleen Hanabusa said she is tired of the Hawaii government’s same old song and dance. Garden Island.

Heating Up: Hanabusa vs Ige in Governor's Race. Hawaii’s Senior Congressional Representative officially announced her candidacy for Governor today.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hanabusa is officially running for governor and she isn't pulling any punches. Hawaii News Now.

Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa launched her campaign officially for governor of Hawaii Monday. KITV.

Hanabusa formally launches campaign for governor. KHON2.

Calling for leadership, a strong vision and action, Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa formally launched her campaign to become Hawaii’s next governor on Monday. Big Island Now.

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Study: Ferry not feasible. Perhaps to no surprise, a report — mandated by the Legislature and published on the state Department of Transportation’s website Monday — says an interisland or intraisland ferry system won’t work without a state subsidy. Tribune-Herald.

State tax collections forecast to rise. Economic experts in charge of forecasting Hawaii’s tax collections say the state’s revenue will grow at a slightly higher rate than expected, citing in part an anticipated stimulus effect from the Republicans’ federal tax cuts. Star-Advertiser.

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About 9 percent of University of Hawaii students say they have been sexually harassed, and 6 percent experienced unwanted sexual contact on or off campus, according to survey results released Monday. Star-Advertiser.

How Safe Do UH Students Feel? New Survey Gauges Their Views. A report breaks down students’ opinions and experiences regarding sexual harassment and nonconsensual contact. Civil Beat.

More than 22 percent of female students at the University of Hawaii have experienced dating or domestic violence, and about 12 percent have been sexually harassed or stalked during their time there, according to an expansive new survey released Monday. Hawaii News Now.

University of Hawaii survey results show most domestic/sexual assaults were not reported to campus officials. KITV.

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Health Department proposes disinterment rules. The state Department of Health is implementing new mandates for digging up human remains, but rules covering disinterment of ancient or historic graves regulated by the Department of Land and Natural Resources remain unchanged. West Hawaii Today.

Patients, Providers Aren't Waiting For Dispensaries. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision to roll back protection of cannabis businesses last week left a cloud of uncertainty over Hawaii’s medical cannabis dispensary program. Hawaii Public Radio.

'This is a work choice': Advocate looks to decriminalize prostitution in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Airlines said it will begin nonstop flights between Honolulu and Long Beach, Calif., beginning May 31 and that it finished 2017 by carrying a record number of passengers. Star-Advertiser.

First Hawaiian CFO leaving company. First Hawaiian Bank Chief Financial Officer Michael Ching is stepping down from his position effective Jan. 31 but will continue to assist the company on a consulting basis during the transition. Star-Advertiser.

Chipotle has no plans to open in Hawaii. Popular restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill will not be expanding to Hawaii any time soon, according to a recent update by the company. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Affordable-housing plan now aimed at seniors. A state agency has again scaled back a plan to build affordable housing on the Kalihi-Palama headquarters of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Rail Recovery Plan Remains A Work In Progress. HART’s board has declined to approve the plan for the $9 billion project until more details are fleshed out. Civil Beat.

Why Oahu’s Rural Homeless Have Often Been Undercounted. Getting a more accurate picture of the homeless population in remote areas is essential to providing services. Civil Beat.

Affordable housing community prepares to open for families in need. Kahauiki Village opens this Friday on 11.3 acres of land located between Nimitz Highway, Keehi Lagoon Park, and Sand Island. KHON2.

Security patrol newly reopened Kakaako Waterfront Park. After being closed for three months to repair damage caused by homeless campers, Kakaako Waterfront Park reopened Monday at 6 a.m., and by about 7:30 a.m. one person was already attempting to set up a tent. Star-Advertiser.

Online Anti-Crime Group Wants To Be A Political Force. “Stolen Stuff Hawaii” now has more than 100,000 Facebook followers on the lookout for each other’s property. Civil Beat.

DBEDT completes installation of largest solar PV system in Honolulu's business district. Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism said it has completed the installation of a 300-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system at its Pier 2 facility in Honolulu. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

More than 1 in 10 University of Hawaii at Hilo students say they’ve been sexually harassed at some point as a student, and more than 18 percent have experienced dating and domestic violence while enrolled, according to a survey released Monday by the university system. Tribune-Herald.

Talking crime in Puna. Violent crime seemed to be on the minds of people who attended a forum Saturday on crime and drug abuse in Puna. Tribune-Herald.

Embezzler gets 9-year term, must pay school back $3.1M. As Chief Financial Officer Pablo Rivera was stealing more than $50,000 per month from the University of Nations, he was telling school officials that he had reduced spending at the Kona campus but that the nondenominational Christian school still needed $500,000 to stay afloat. Star-Advertiser.

First Hawaiian Paradise Park Public Park Master Plan Meeting Held. HPP residents and county planners got to work on Sunday, developing a master plan for a new county park in the Puna subdivision. Big Island Video News.

$3 Million in Improvements Slated for Honokaa High & Intermediate. Big Island Now.

Public response to Kona’s newly added low-income housing at Kamakana Villages was overwhelming, with several prospective tenants left on the outside looking in following the lottery process. West Hawaii Today.

Harold “Freddy” Rice, Big Island rancher and community activist, died at the age of 83, according to his family. In 1996, Rice challenged an OHA policy that limited voting eligibility for the office’s Board of Trustees to Native Hawaiians. Citing the 15th Amendment, which prohibits race-based voting discrimination, Rice sued. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County solar permits in 2017 dropped by 59 percent. The number of permits issued plunged 59 percent to 676 from 1,657 in 2016, according to data compiled by Marco Mangelsdorf, who tracks rooftop solar permits and is president of Hilo-based ProVision Solar. Star-Advertiser.

Two new infestations of little fire ants were discovered on Maui, the Maui Invasive Species Committee announced today. Maui Now.

Hawaiian Airlines is adding more flights to Kapalua, and an executive said that the airline is “constantly looking at” bringing back a direct flight between Maui and Las Vegas. Maui News.

Conference highlights benefits of cannabis. Maui News.

Haleakala National Park has awarded a maintenance contract to Maris Inc. for rock scaling work and vegetation removal at Oheo Gulch in East Maui. Park officials say the project will significantly reduce the potential for rock fall hazards or falling debris. Maui Now.

Construction is scheduled to begin at Honokowai Beach Park in West Maui, on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, for replacement of the outdoor shower and shower drainage improvements. Maui Now.

Kauai

Report: Occupants have no claim. The two leaders of a mainly Native Hawaiian group occupying the former Coco Palms resort in Wailua apparently have no ownership rights to the property, according to papers obtained by The Garden Island, despite their contentions in the civil ejectment case against them in District Court. Garden Island.

Hearing set on bus stop rules. The County of Kauai Transportation Agency is holding a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed rules and regulations regarding county bus stops. Garden Island.

KCC enrollment on the rise. Kauai Community College opened its doors to the spring semester Monday, with an opening day census of 1,219 students, an increase of 9.5 percent over the same period a year ago when the college recorded 1,085 students. Garden Island.

Legislative panel grills economists as state surplus grows, Ige hedges re-election bet, Honolulu homeless park-hop, rental prices drop, few appeal property assessments, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Senate and House money committee hearings kickoff Tuesday, courtesy House Democrats

Economists: Financial Challenges Are Looming For Hawaii. Economists caution legislators about the housing shortage, the possibility of lower tax revenue and reduced tourist spending. Civil Beat.

Housing push would boost state’s economy, expert says. If Hawaii were to spur the development of 33,000 additional new homes between now and 2025 to address the state’s housing shortage, that extra economic activity would increase the number of construction jobs by 13 percent and boost the gross state product by more than 0.5 percent, according to a University of Hawaii economist. Star-Advertiser.

The state's surplus has grown to $893M. Here's what lawmakers plan to do with it. Hawaii News Now.

Governor asks Legislature to cover possible transition, vacation payouts. The governor’s office is asking the state legislature for $742,285 in case Gov. David Ige is not re-elected later this year. KHON2.

Department of Health Audited Over Disease Response. Hawaii wrestled with three big public health scares linked to mosquitos, bad scallops, and bad seaweed. A legislative audit uncovered weaknesses in record keeping and the state’s response to the outbreaks. Hawaii Public Radio.

Local Stocks Had a Mixed 2017. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kaiser, HMSA hike insurance premiums. Most health insurance policyholders began paying higher premiums this week. The increases range from 5.9 percent to nearly 25 percent. Tribune-Herald.

Matson increases Neighbor Island barge capacity. Matson Inc. Tuesday said it replaced one of its three barges dedicated to serving Hawaii's Neighbor Island ports with a newer, larger barge in order to improve service levels. Pacific Business News.

Kamehameha Schools releases video apology to sex abuse victims, outlines plans to make school safer. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Mother Waldron Park closure prompts homeless to return to Kakaako waterfront. The city planned to shut down Mother Waldron Neighborhood Park in Kakaako for a month beginning late Tuesday night, prompting some homeless people like Al Saenz to try to sneak back into the shuttered Kakaako Waterfront Park where he started from. Star-Advertiser.

Authorities are closing another Kakaako park amid complaints about homeless encampments. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu city officials are asking residents to give panhandlers a special business card instead of cash. Associated Press.

Honolulu falls out of the top 10 cities with highest apartment rents. The median asking rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Honolulu has fallen by 7.1 percent since January of last year, knocking Hawaii’s largest city out of the top 10 for cities with the highest rents, according to a new report by the online real estate site Zumper. Pacific Business News.

Analysis suggests Honolulu rents could be cooling off. Hawaii News Now.

Hunt, Hawaii public housing officials ink master development agreement for Mayor Wright project. Hunt Cos. and the Hawaii Public Housing Authority have signed a master development agreement for the $1.3 billion redevelopment of the Mayor Wright Homes in Honolulu, putting the 2,500-unit project on a path to a groundbreaking by the end of 2019. Pacific Business News.

Beachgoers encountered vast heaps of marine debris at Kailua Beach early Tuesday, and volunteers jumped into action to clean it up while the state and city pondered jurisdictional questions. Star-Advertiser.

Kualoa Ranch wants to expand visitor activities. After 32 years of tours and activities, Kualoa Ranch wants to make major changes to its special use permit under proposed expansion plans. KITV.

What’s Up With All The Fake Brides On Hawaii Beaches? Honolulu is full of Japanese tourists in wedding attire, but many are there just for the photos. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Appeals of property values at all-time low. The Real Property Tax Review Board heard just 195 appeals last year, compared to 399 in 2016. The count hovered at about a thousand before that, with an all-time high of 1,516 cases in 2008. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaiian Springs LLC, which distributes natural artesian water from the Big Island, filed for Chapter 11 reorganization Friday as the state was wrapping up a seventh straight year of declining bankruptcy cases. Star-Advertiser.

Sex assault victim sues DLNR, fired state cop. A woman who was a minor when she was sexually assaulted by an on-duty state Department of Land and Natural Resources enforcement officer two years ago on a Hilo beach is suing the officer, since fired, and the state agency. Tribune-Herald.

The Hazards Of Swimming Near A Sewage Plant. A Big Island group documented at least 10 cases of infections contracted by people swimming near industrial sites. Civil Beat.

Tenants move into Kamakana Villages as master developer moves on. West Hawaii Today.

Leading IT professionals to descend on Big Island for HICSS conference. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Maui beachgoers say they're being pushed out — by beach chairs and cabanas. Now the state Land Department is investigating after multiple complaints. Hawaii News Now.

Popular Junk Vehicles Program On-Hold, More Funds Needed. County officials say that due to the popularity of the program, budgeted funding has been expended. Maui Now.

Commentary: The best thing you could say about Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa in 2017 was that he clearly loved his job and was willing to give it his undivided attention 24/7. MauiWatch.

Kauai

County reconsiders rental housing bill. A committee will consider adding a new article to the Lihue planning code that will encourage and accommodate the construction of additional rental units in the Lihue Planning District. Garden Island.

Making Desolate Downtown Lihue Cool Again. A $13.8 million makeover is planned for Kauai’s center of industry and government, and at least one private investor is on board in a big way. Civil Beat.

Prosecutors investigate claims Kauai homeowner killed 4 nene with BB gun. The nene are federally protected and are native to Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Hearings officer gives thumbs-up for Thirty Meter Telescope, Kauai man gets 4 years prison for harassing monk seal, 3-hour wait in line for Dunkin' Donuts, Honolulu $1.5M in arrears in collecting subsidized rents, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Telescopes on Mauna Kea © 2017 All Hawaii News

The Thirty Meter Telescope received a positive recommendation from hearings officer Riki May Amano, buoying the beleaguered project’s chances less than a year from a self-imposed construction deadline. Tribune-Herald.

A former Hilo judge is recommending the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope project be granted a key state permit for work atop Mauna Kea, ending a lengthy contested case hearing that challenged the $1.4 billion project’s conservation district use permit. Star-Advertiser.

A construction permit should be granted for the Thirty Meter Telescope proposed for the summit of Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island, a hearings officer recommended Wednesday. Associated Press.

A retired Hawaii judge is recommending that the state land board approve a permit for the Thirty Meter Telescope, which would allow construction of the $1.4 billion observatory to proceed on a site atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island. Pacific Business News.

The hearing officer in the Thirty Meter Telescope contested case hearing has issued her decision, and is recommending a Conservation District Use Permit be granted, allowing the observatory to be built on Mauna Kea. Big Island Video News.

A former Circuit Court judge has recommended that the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope project be allowed to move forward atop Mauna Kea. Hawaii News Now.

A hearings officer is recommending that a construction permit be granted for a giant telescope planned for a Hawaii mountain summit that some consider sacred. KITV.

The contested case hearing officer for the Thirty Meter Telescope is recommending that the controversial project move forward. KHON2.

Read the judge's full 305-page Thirty Meter Telescope report here.

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Community Services Block Grants: $3.7M Funding Uncertain. A joint legislative committee conducted a hearing on the status of federal funding for impoverished residents throughout the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii residents can stay up-to-date on more than 170 highway and road projects with a new interactive online map unveiled this week by the state Department of Transportation. Star-Advertiser.

Matson Inc. plans to speed up its ocean cargo service to the Republic of the Marshall Islands early next year. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

A federal program administered by Honolulu to subsidize rents for low-income people has $1.55 million in delinquent accounts but doesn’t have a debt collector, according to a city audit released this week. Civil Beat.

Officials with Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration told the City Council Public Works, Infrastructure and Sustainability Committee on Wednesday that they will look at ways of expanding sewer capacity on Oahu in response to concerns that applicants for accessory dwelling units are being turned away because of the limitation. Star-Advertiser.

Two Honolulu City Council members have introduced legislation that would ban cigarette smoking in motor vehicles carrying children under 18. Star-Advertiser.

A new bill introduced by two Honolulu City Councilmen takes aim at smoking in vehicles while a minor is present. Hawaii News Now.

City council considers banning smoking in vehicles in presence of minors. KHON2.

Using an electronic device while crossing the street on Oahu will soon be illegal. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is expected to sign into law Bill 6 Thursday, which bans pedestrians from using cell phones and other electronic devices while crossing the street. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell will sign Bill 6 into law Thursday afternoon. The law makes it illegal to look at a cellphone or other electronic devices while crossing a street or highway on Oahu. KITV.

It could soon cost businesses more to sell alcohol on Oahu. That’s because the fee to hold a liquor license may be going up, in some cases double what it is now. KHON2.

Group Pushes Street-Level Rail For Honolulu. Salvage the Rail proposes ditching the over-budget elevated railway plan in much of the city. Civil Beat.

On Oahu, the latest report by the Honolulu Board of Realtors found there was 2.7 months of remaining inventory for single-family homes and 2.8 months of remaining inventory for condos, meaning that if no more listings came on the market, the homes would sell out in that amount of time. Those numbers have been less than three months for nearly a year. Pacific Business News.

Olomana golf course appeals to state, military on flooding and late rent. Star-Advertiser.

The Diamond Head Lighthouse that stands today has been a lifesaving navigational beacon for the past 100 years, preventing vessels from running aground on the jagged reef over which it presides. Star-Advertiser.

Hundreds of Honolulu residents waited up to three hours Wednesday morning to get their hands on freshly made Dunkin' Donuts at the company’s opening of the first Hawaii store in more than 10 years. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Smoke caused evacuation of the control room of the Keck 2 telescope atop Mauna Kea Wednesday afternoon. Tribune-Herald.

After months of planning and discussion, Hawaii County is moving forward with plans to clean up the Old Airport Park. West Hawaii Today.

A smarter, stronger, more reliable electrical grid is the goal of Hawaiian Electric’s modernization plan to be discussed during two public meetings next week on Hawaii Island. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Wide loads of materials for the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope will close Haleakala’s summit to visitors from 10 p.m. Tuesday through 2 p.m. Wednesday, according to an announcement from the National Park Service. Maui News.

County considering an expansion of ag park with former sugar land. Maui News.

Hawaiian Airlines is seeking candidates for customer and ramp service contract positions at Kahului Airport. Maui Now.

Building A ‘Farewell Place’ For Maui Pet Owners. A woman gathers a group of volunteers to construct a facility at the Humane Society where people can say goodbye. Civil Beat.

Kauai

A 20-year-old Eleele man has been sentenced to four years in prison for harassing a pregnant Hawaiian monk seal on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Fifth Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe on Wednesday sentenced 20-year-old Shylo Kaena Akuna of Lihue to serve four years in prison for harassing a critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal last year at Salt Pond Beach Park in Hanapepe, Kauai. Civil Beat.

A Lihue man accused of beating up a monk seal will serve four years in prison. Garden Island.

County approves collective bargaining agreement. Some Kauai council members do not believe it is the right time to approve firefighter raises. Garden Island.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources removed nearly 11 tons of garbage from the Napali Coast in ongoing efforts to clean up the area DLNR officials reported Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.