Most Hawaii lower-grade students a year behind, woman indicted in church sex trafficking ring, USS Daniel Inouye reaches Pearl Harbor home port, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii schoolchildren pre-COVID ©2021 All Hawaii News

Most Hawaii elementary and middle schoolers are at least one grade level behind, testing shows. An analysis of fall testing data indicates that three-quarters of Hawaii’s public school students in first through eighth grades were at least one or two grade levels behind in math after the first quarter of the 2021-22 school year while two-thirds were also behind in English language arts. Star-Advertiser.

Slight increase in Japanese visitors after eased restrictions, but obstacles remain. According to daily visitor counts from the state, 720 Japanese visitors traveled to the state in the week after restrictions were lifted — fewer visitors than the previous seven days. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s unemployment rate drops to 6.3% in October. Hawaii’s unemployment rate fell to a seasonally adjusted 6.3% last month compared to 6.6% in September, the state said Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Native Hawaiian trailblazer Suzanne Vares-Lum named East-West Center president. The East-West Center Board of Governors announced today that it has selected Suzanne Vares-Lum to serve as the institution’s next president. Vares-Lum will be both the first Native Hawaiian and the first woman to hold the position. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii records 7 new coronavirus-related deaths, 226 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 116 new cases on Oahu, 57 on Hawaii Island, 22 on Maui, 21 on Kauai, and 10 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

USS Daniel Inouye reaches home port at Pearl Harbor. The U.S. Navy’s newest warship, the USS Daniel Inouye, arrived Thursday at its home port at Pearl Harbor. The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer is named for the late Hawaii senator and war hero. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Oahu’s short-term rental rule decision likely to extend an additional 4 months. Holiday scheduling delays at the Honolulu City Council mean owners of short-term rental properties will likely have to wait longer for a decision on new rules that would extend the minimum stay for guests from 30 days to 180 days. Star-Advertiser.

Up to 50% of a new hotel tax fund could go to the Honolulu rail — which has an estimated cost of $11.4B. A Honolulu City Council committee Wednesday agreed to allocate between one-third to one-half of revenues from a proposed visitor bed tax to the city’s rail transit project. Hawaii Public Radio.

Army Corps of Engineers, city try again on Ala Wai flood control — this time with more modest goals. Officials are now looking to protect the area from more frequent storms, not just a once in a century flood. Hawaii News Now.

State seeking to sell Waianae rental complex. Board members of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. unanimously approved a plan Thursday to sell the 72-unit project called Kulia I Ka Nuu with a land lease. Star-Advertiser.

Why It’s So Hard For Homeless People To Collect Seized Belongings On Oahu. Civil rights advocates say the storage warehouse is too hard to reach and homeless people should be allowed to keep possessions needed to survive. Civil Beat.

Man, 27, arrested for allegedly punching security guard, 71, over mask dispute. Honolulu police arrested a 27-year-old man after he allegedly punched a 71-year-old security guard who attempted to escort him out of a COVID-19 testing site area in Waikiki following a mask dispute. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Kapolei woman, 50, indicted in connection with alleged church sex trafficking operation. A superseding indictment unsealed in California today charged the founder and administrators of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name (KOJC) with running a sex trafficking operation that threatened girls and women with “eternal damnation” if they did not have sex with the church’s leader, Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, who was referred to as “The Appointed Son of God,” according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

No Big Island hotel tax exemption. Big Island residents will not be exempt from a proposed extra 3% tax on hotel, timeshare and transient vacation rental charges, despite efforts from County Council members. Tribune-Herald.

Tour van burns on Mauna Kea; 9 escape after smelling smoke while driving. The driver and eight passengers of a tour van heading to the summit of Mauna Kea on Nov. 9 had to evacuate the vehicle after it caught fire and was eventually engulfed in flames. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Maui

New chief picks deputy from Las Vegas. Residency requirements to be waived; county to cover moving expenses for incoming chief. Incoming Maui Police Chief John Pelletier has chosen a fellow colleague of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to be his second in command. Maui News.

$3 million federal grant to help replace Kaupakalua Bridge. Structure was washed out in March, forcing residents to drive farther for services. Maui News.

2 nene geese on Maui killed by cars near Kahului Airport. State wildlife officials are urging motorists to slow down and drive with aloha after a bonded nene pair — a male and female — were struck and killed Tuesday near Kahului Airport on Maui. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KHON2.

Partial Humpback Whale Birth Off Maui, Detailed in Scientific Publication. Underwater footage captured by author Deborah Patton’s GoPro on Feb. 3, 2020 reveal an in-process birth with two male escorts surrounding the mother in labor after approaching a whale watching boat operated by Captain Steve’s Rafting Adventures in Lahaina. Maui Now.

Kauai

Solid Waste Management Plan adoption delayed. The Kaua‘i County Council deferred the adoption of the 2021 Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan on Wednesday, citing the need for further discussion. Garden Island.

Kamalani Inclusive Playground construction begins. Construction on the county’s new Kamalani Inclusive Playground began this week, according to the county Department of Parks and Recreation. The playground is designed for keiki with developmental disabilities. Garden Island.

First humpback whale of the season spotted, crowds expected as Kilauea volcano puts on a show, officials mull biomass for state's only coal-fired plant , more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Humpback whale migration NOAA

First humpback whale of the season spotted off of Maui. Every winter, humpback whales travel nearly three thousand miles from the cold waters of Alaska to the warm breeding grounds of the Hawaiian Islands. This year, the first reported sighting is officially on the books. KITV4.

Hawaii working on plan to invite back visitors. A lack of international visitors to Hawaii combined with a COVID-19 surge and Ige’s plea for travelers to avoid nonessential trips to the state contributed to a 22% drop in August visitor arrivals from pre-pandemic times. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Corrections Commission Is Poised to Hire Staff After Two Years Of Delay. More than two years after lawmakers created the Hawaii Correctional Systems Oversight Commission to act as an independent state watchdog, the commission has finally been cleared to hire a full-time coordinator to investigate conditions in state prisons and jails. Civil Beat.

Governor Says Hawaiʻi Prisons Don't Have the Capacity to Fully Implement COVID Protocols. Hawaiʻi Gov. David Ige talks about COVID-19 in prisons and jails, criticism from the tourism industry amid the Delta variant surge, and vaccinating our keiki. Hawaii Public Radio.

No rush in Hawaii for COVID booster shots as vaccination rates continue to climb. It’s been a week since federal agencies greenlighted booster shots for millions of Americans who were fully vaccinated against the coronavirus with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and while there were initial concerns that demand could quickly outstrip supply, there are no signs locally of a mad rush to get the shots. Star-Advertiser.

‘These are not statistics’: Deadliest month of the pandemic in Hawaii comes to a close with 193 fatalities. From Sept. 1 through Thursday, the state reported 193 COVID fatalities. That means 1 in 4 COVID deaths in Hawaii since the pandemic’s start in March 2020 were reported this month. Hawaii News Now.

2 COVID outbreaks at workplaces on Oahu, Maui led to nearly 40 infections. As Hawaii reports COVID outbreaks at workplaces, the state Department of Health urged companies to offer paid sick days to employees who need to quarantine. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii records 12 new coronavirus-related deaths, 332 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 220 new cases on Oahu, 56 on Hawaii Island, 30 on Maui, 19 on Kauai, two on Molokai, and five Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Hawaiʻi's Only Coal-Fired Power Plant Should Consider Biomass Energy, Researchers Say. The head of the Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute told state lawmakers Wednesday that AES Hawaii, which operates the state’s only coal-fired power plant, should consider using biomass to produce energy. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Judge Orders Release Of All Body Camera Footage In Sykap Shooting Case. A state judge has ordered the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s office to release all the police body camera footage connected to the shooting death of 16-year-old Iremamber Sykap earlier this year. Civil Beat.

Proposed aquaculture farm sparks controversy. A proposed fish farm off the shores of Ewa Beach is riling Hawaiian environmental activists. KITV4.

House speaker asks for limited number of fans for University of Hawaii game. House speaker asks for limited number of fans for University of Hawaii game. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Man Mistakenly Locked Up In State Mental Hospital Had Been Correctly ID’d By Police Before. Newly obtained police reports reveal new details about the institutional failures that landed Joshua Spriestersbach in the Hawaii State Hospital for more than two years. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Crowds expected at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park as Kilauea Volcano erupts again. Thousands of visitors flocked to the park in the hours that followed the surfacing of lava and at the break of dawn Thursday to capture a glimpse of the glow within the volcano’s Halemaumau Crater. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

HVO scientist says Kilauea lava ‘effusion rate’ comparable to 2018 flows. The latest eruption of Kilauea is producing almost as much lava as the 2018 eruption, although it is so far entirely confined to Halema‘uma‘u crater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. KHON2.

Plans unveiled to unsnarl traffic near two Hilo schools. State and county leaders have joined together to address congestion on Puainako Street caused as more families drop off and pick up students at nearby public schools. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Tax bill will help longtime Maui families keep land. The council is considering a bill that would help longtime local families who have owned property for generations from being taxed out of ownership. The “Aina Kupuna Lands” bill introduced by Committee Chairwoman Keani Rawlins-Fernandez will allow those who qualify to instead pay the minimum tax, which is currently $350 a year. Real property owners will also need to dedicate their land as “aina kupuna.” Maui News.

Testimony: New Maui Police Chief Should Come From Outside The Department. The Maui Police Commission plans to publicly interview the five finalists on Friday and take a vote on Tuesday. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Badge Pinning Ceremony Held for New Maui Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief. A badge-pinning ceremony was held Thursday at the Kahului Fire Station for Maui’s new Fire Chief Brad Ventura and Deputy Fire Chief Gavin Fujioka. Maui Now.

Kauai

Clinics expand to meet demand for booster shots. To accommodate an increase in demand for COVID-19 vaccines, Wilcox Medical Center announced expanded COVID-19 vaccine clinic hours that took effect on Thursday when it offered shots from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in addition to its regular Wednesday vaccine clinic, and Thursday through Saturday mobile clinics that are a collaborative effort between Wilcox Health, County of Kaua‘i and the Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation Kaua‘i Region. Garden Island.

COVID cases rise as vaccination passport system in works, guilty plea in CARES funds scam, HGEA files grievance over mass rail layoffs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Humpback whale watching off Hawaii ©2021 All Hawaii News

Data gathered for humpback whale count from Kaua’i, O’ahu, Hawai’i, and Maui. Marine experts held the last humpback whale count of the season Saturday, March 27, 2021. About 68 trained leaders from NOAA gathered data from the 42 sites across Kaua’i, O’ahu, Hawai’i, and Maui. KHON2.

Neighbor island lawmakers’ per diem overlooked as 10% raise could go into effect. Neighbor island state senators and representatives continue to earn $225 for every day of the legislative session, weekends and even after the session — valued at nearly half of their $62,604 legislative salaries — even as some have criticized the possibility of legislative pay raises in July. Star-Advertiser.

Bills to get Hawaii income taxes from real estate investment trusts die. State lawmakers have once again taken a pass at trying to abolish a tax break for real estate investment trusts operating in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Nonprofit Leader Pleads Guilty To Embezzling And Agreeing To Take A Bribe. Hanalei Aipoalani also admitted using his position as a Honolulu grant administrator to direct money to the CEO of Hawaii island’s public access TV station. Civil Beat.

Should Hawaii Invest To Help Workers Displaced By The Pandemic Find New Careers? Hawaii paid hundreds of unemployed tourism workers to learn new job skills last year. Now state lawmakers want to create a permanent jobs corps — but no one knows how to fund it. Civil Beat.

Cocktails To Go? Hawaii Restaurants Hope Service Will Outlast The Pandemic. To help struggling bars and restaurants stay in business amid COVID-19 lockdowns, Gov. David Ige signed an executive order last April to allow establishments with a liquor license to sell alcohol to-go and for home delivery for the first time in state history. Civil Beat.

Many Inmates Leaving Prison Are Still Having Trouble Getting ID Cards. Advocates say something as simple as a state ID card can make all the difference for released convicts. Civil Beat.

Vaccination Passport System in the Works, Lt. Gov. Green Says. Governments in other parts of the world have started setting up vaccination passport systems in an effort to further open up borders, live events and tourism. As for Hawai‘i, Lieutenant Governor Josh Green said he sees a vaccination tracking system coming soon. Hawaii Public Radio.

As COVID case counts rise, health officials push more testing across the state. The statewide COVID case count average rose nearly 60% in the past two weeks, and experts are worried about a drop in testing for the virus. They fear the vaccination rollout has caused people to let down their guard. Hawaii News Now.

March 28, 2021 COVID-19 Update: The state Department of Health reports that there were 102 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Sunday, including 61 on O‘ahu, 26 on Maui, and 15 on Hawai‘i Island. Maui Now.

Oahu

Rising COVID-19 cases could push Oahu back to Tier 2. If the number of positive COVID-19 cases on Oahu continues to climb, the island could move back to Tier 2 restrictions on business and social activities, which limit gatherings to five people. Star-Advertiser.

Police break up another large concert in Kapolei as partiers ignore COVID rules. Another weekend, another large concert on the west side. This time, HPD took action, arresting one man. Hawaii News Now.

In an effort to ‘Stop Asian Hate,’ scores gather at the state Capitol to push for change. Scores rallied at the state Capitol Saturday to call for an end to racism and misogyny. The event on Oahu, known as the “Stop Asian Hate Rally” was one of many rallies that were held across the country to advance an important conversation -- fighting hate against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Oahu man pleads guilty to embezzlement, bribery over CARES Act funds. Prosecutors say a Waianae man agreed to accept a bribe in exchange of federal pandemic aid money. Hanalei Aipoalani, 42, pleaded guilty to the charges of embezzlement and bribery on Friday. He was hired by the city last August to administer the federal funds. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. Star-Advertiser.

HGEA files grievance against HART after interim CEO lays off dozens without notice. The state’s largest labor union has filed a grievance against the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation over recent layoffs at the troubled rail project. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu rail’s future tied to questions of federal obligation. Joe Uno, a member of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s board of directors, has been frustrated in trying to get the board to discuss ideas for an unspecified “Plan C” for how to complete and fund the city’s troubled rail project, which faces a budget shortfall of $3.68 billion. Star-Advertiser.

Developers readying affordable apartment projects on Oahu. Thirteen developers have submitted applications for building permits to produce roughly 300 apartments under a 2-year-old city ordinance that provides incentives for private developers to build such projects in areas zoned for apartment use. Star-Advertiser.

Kakaako streets remain in disrepair after judge rules ownership away from two brothers. A state judge recently removed what some Kakaako business owners and residents regarded as a troll of sorts that collected tolls to park on several longtime public streets. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kahele talks COVID relief, infrastructure. U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele is touting the merits of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan — the third and probably last federal coronavirus relief package — and President Joe Biden’s plan to spend upwards of $3 trillion on America’s infrastructure. Tribune-Herald.

Roth addresses West Hawaii Forum. It’s all still a waiting game as Mayor Mitch Roth works on his proposed budget, with the county awaiting word from the state and the state awaiting word from the federal government before anticipated revenues become more solid. West Hawaii Today.

Solar water tax break program dims. The County Council will soon be considering a bill eliminating a tax break for property owners who install solar hot water panels on their property. West Hawaii Today.

Researcher: Hilo evacuation maps should account for possible megatsunami. Hilo’s existing tsunami evacuation zones are not sufficient to respond to a hypothetical megatsunami, according to a University of Hawaii researcher. Tribune-Herald.

Portuguese cultural center plans scaled back. Nearly five years after fundraising for the effort began in earnest, plans for the Hawaii Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce Cultural and Educational Center have gone back to the drawing board. Tribune-Herald.

Vaccinating a village: 120 residents of the Miloliʻi Fishing Village receive one-shot vaccine. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

1,000 People Get Shots at Mass Vaccination Site in Wailuku. More than 1,000 eligible individuals, both Kaiser Permanente members and non-members, were vaccinated at a mass vaccination event held on Saturday, March 27, at the Kaiser Permanente Wailuku Medical Office. Maui Now.

As travel returns, some changes here to stay. Airlines, hotels say increased cleaning, digital services among lasting effects. One year later, Hawaii’s travel and tourism industries are turning the page to a “new normal,” a term that has been tossed around throughout the pandemic and at times still feels like a moving target.  Maui News.

More Rental and Mortgage Assistance Available on Maui. A Maui Economic Opportunity rental and mortgage assistance program targeting Maui County residents economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic received an additional infusion of $900,000 from the county managed Community Development Block Grant fund. Maui Now.

Kauai

Half of Kaua‘i’s population vaccinated. Professor Amy Ebesu Hubbard of the Department of Communicology said in Hawai‘i, 31% of the adult population have received at least one dose, and 36% have indicated that they will definitely get the vaccine. Garden Island.

Hanapepe bridge project takes step backward. After a month of pouring new concrete on the north side of the new Kaumuali‘i Highway bridge over the Hanapepe River, Kalaheo resident Robert Brodowy spotted some highway workers jackhammering out yards of the new pour. Garden Island.

Team Rubicon cleans up after flooding. A veteran-led organization has launched a statewide operation to support recovery on three of the most-heavily-impacted islands, including Kaua‘i, which was affected by the recent heavy rain and flooding earlier this month. Garden Island.

Hawaii tourism looking up, Mayor to act on Maui coronavirus outbreak, $70M more for Honolulu rail, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii beach scene ©2021 All Hawaii News

Hawaii’s Summer Tourism Season Is Looking Promising. Hawaii’s economy is poised for a significant recovery over the next six months, as pent-up demand for travel coincides with vaccinations on the mainland and an expected new wave of federal stimulus money in March. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige again withholds funding for corrections oversight staff. Two years ago the Legislature passed what was hailed as major corrections reform: It placed the Department of Public Safety, which oversees the state’s jails and prisons, under the oversight of a five-member commission. Star-Advertiser.

House Committee Advances Bill to Dissolve the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The 27-year-old entity was initially created to develop economically viable farms to fill the void created by the closure of plantations. But a recent state audit found it has done little to fill that void. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill to reduce blood-alcohol threshold for drunken driving up for full vote on Senate floor. Senate Bill 754 would reduce the blood-alcohol content level for being arrested and charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant from 0.08% to 0.05%. West Hawaii Today.

Bills that would place limit on emergency beach sandbags in Hawaii shelved. Bills that would limit how long oceanfront property owners can keep stacks of emergency sandbags and heavy tarps along the public beach to protect their homes, resorts and condos from being damaged by waves are dead for the year. Star-Advertiser.

Kenji Price: An Uncertain Future For A Republican In Deep Blue Hawaii. Hawaii’s charismatic U.S. attorney is an up and coming conservative. Hawaii’s GOP would love to talk him into running for office here. Civil Beat. KITV4.

Hawaii’s acting state epidemiologist calls for reopening public schools. Dr. Sarah Kemble, acting state epidemiologist, says Hawaii’s public schools should resume in-person classes as soon as possible because children can come back safely and are missing out on too much. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Preschools See Declines In Enrollment And Available Seats. Private pre-kindergarten programs have lost $7 million in tuition as fewer families send children to school, according to the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools. Civil Beat.

A year of COVID-19: Key leaders in Hawaii’s pandemic response recall the challenges they faced. On March 5, Gov. David Ige declared a state of emergency after the death of a passenger from California on a cruise ship that visited the islands. The next day, Ige announced the state’s first COVID-19 case — a Hawaii resident who sailed on the Grand Princess in February. Star-Advertiser.

Few in Hawaii spared the far-reaching consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 was just emerging as a public- health threat in Hawaii when Coby Torda started experiencing flu-like symptoms after coming home from work as a bartender at a Waikiki club March 9. Star-Advertiser.

Feb. 28, 2021 COVID-19 Update. There were 60 new COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Sunday, including 39 on O‘ahu, 15 on Maui, four on Hawai‘i Island, and two in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed out-of-state. Maui Now.

Oahu

O'ahu Neighborhood Boards Could Get a Reboot. Another election season has just begun on O'ahu. Candidates for this year's Neighborhood Board elections have all submitted their registrations, and elections are coming up for these grassroots positions. Hawaii Public Radio.

$70 Million Secured for Honolulu Rail Project in New COVID-19 Relief Bill. US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), helped secure $70 million for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project. The new federal funding will help the City and County of Honolulu pay for a portion of its share of the cost of the project, making up for the loss in tax revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Report recommends no salary increases for Honolulu’s top officials. The mayor and City Council members won’t be getting salary increases, according to a report presented by a group within the Honolulu Salary Commission. Star-Advertiser.

In internal video, police chief says 263 officers abused overtime policy. Honolulu’s police chief said in an internal video message to rank and file on Friday that overtime abuse within the department involved hundreds of officers. Hawaii News Now.

City wants to move forward with project to address safety issues atop Koko Crater. The city wants to move forward with a safety improvement project atop Koko Crater, but community members worry it will change the iconic view. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

DOH advises public to avoid Kailua Bay after large discharges of wastewater. The Department of Health directed the city to post warning signs at Kailua Bay for possible large amounts of bacteria in the water near the wastewater treatment plant. Hawaii News Now.

Next Ward Village condo tower about to rise. The developer of Ward Village in Kakaako anticipates starting construction on another condominium tower by the end of the month. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

No data for maps: Redistricting commission meets Monday. A commission that redraws County Council district boundary lines every 10 years plans an initial meeting Monday, but the numbers it needs to make its decisions have been delayed. West Hawaii Today.

Land Board hears three options for Pohoiki ramp restoration. Restoration of the Pohoiki boat ramp could take months — or even years. Tribune-Herald.

State fines pair of aquarium fishers record $272K. The Board of Land and Natural Resources voted unanimously Friday to fine two Big Island aquarium fishers $272,000 in civil fines stemming from an illegal aquarium fishing incident in Kona in 2020. West Hawaii Today. Hawaii News Now.

Businesses, attractions struggle as cruise ships still months away from returning. It has been nearly one year since cruise ships stopped service to Hawaii, and there is no hint of when they might return. Tribune-Herald.

Honing their skills. Enduring cold temperatures, high winds and rain, 800 soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division from Schofield Barracks are honing their skills at Pohakuloa Training Area. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor Victorino considers additional restrictions after variant, more clusters found on Maui. The Hawaii Department of Health reported 75 new cases of COVID-19 in Maui County.  This includes 31 historical cases dating back to November 9, 2020 and 19 cases from the Maui Community Correctional Center cluster, nine cases attributed to a Pacific Islander cluster and seven resulting from a bar and restaurant cluster. KITV4.

DOH: Uptick in Maui cases connected to virus variant. A COVID-19 variant that has spread widely in California has been associated with a recent uptick in cases on Maui, Hawaii’s acting state epidemiologist said Friday.  Maui News.

Maui High School welcomes back staff, 650 students. Maui High is one of many Maui schools to transition to a blended learning format that mixes both in-person and online instruction. Maui News.

Kauai

Weather hampers whale-counters. Most of the whales came early, said Carol Everett, sanctuary site leader at Kaiwa Point Saturday, when the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and the Pacific Whale Foundation conducted the second of three coordinated whale counts for 2021. Garden Island.

DHHL seeking input on General Plan. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is seeking beneficiary input as part of its 2022 General Plan update beneficiary-consultation process. Garden Island.

Only 11% of Hawaii residents have gotten at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, in-person schools, youth sports restarting, humpback whales giving birth and training calves, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Humpback whale with calf in Hawaii PC:NOAA

NOAA warns boaters about humpbacks in Hawaii waters. Wildlife officials are warning boaters to watch out for an abundance of mother and calf humpback whale pairs in the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and nearby waters. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

More public school students in Hawaii head back to campus. Slightly more than half of all public school teachers in Hawaii have received a coronavirus vaccination so far, according to a survey last week by the Hawaii State Teachers Association. Star-Advertiser.

DOH releases guidelines to resume youth sports. The guidance lists wearing masks as a requirement and say if a sport cannot be played while wearing them, the sport should not be played until mask mandates are lifted in respective counties. KITV4.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green says large gatherings may be possible by summertime. Hawaii is on track to resume graduations, weddings and other major milestones by the summer with schools being able to reopen in May. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

State working on system to allow vaccinated travelers to skip quarantine. Seeking to jump-start Hawaii’s travel industry and ease some restrictions, the state is reportedly nearing a system for vaccinated individuals to travel to and within Hawaii, quarantine-free. Hawaii News Now.

Lt. Gov. hopes to start vaccinating folks in phase 1C in about two weeks. The Health Department tells us as of last week, about 47% of those who are 75 and older have been given at least one shot. Looking at the bigger picture, about 11% of the total population has gotten at least one dose. KHON2.

Life after the Vaccine -- When Will Things Return to Normal? "2021 will still be a COVID year," said Dr. Scott Miscovich of Premier Medical Group Hawaii. KITV4.

Lt. Gov. Green vows to remain doctor despite House bill banning second jobs. Currently Lt. Gov. Josh Green works two 48-hour shifts a month as an emergency room doctor on the Big Island. KHON2.

Hawaii lawmakers eye stiffer penalties for illegal fireworks. Hawaii lawmakers are considering ramping up fines for illegal fireworks and making it easier for law enforcement to adjudicate violations in an attempt to clamp down on the illegal activity. Star-Advertiser.

Bill would require report on impacts when gender identity care is denied. A bill requiring an assessment by the state auditor of the social and financial impacts that occur when health insurance companies deny coverage for certain types of health care to individuals based on gender identity is advancing in the state House. Tribune-Herald.

Judge rules Bristol-Myers, Sanofi must pay Hawaii $834M over Plavix. Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and Sanofi were ordered to pay the state of Hawaii more than $834 million for illegally marketing their blockbuster blood-thinning drug Plavix in a manner that put some users’ lives at risk, especially those of Asian or Pacific-Island decent. Bloomberg News. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

US Spike In Deaths Surpassed Official COVID-19 Counts, But Not In Hawaii. Hawaii’s COVID deaths appear to have been offset by reductions in tourist deaths, traffic and flu fatalities and even suicides. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Receives $87M To Open Coronavirus Vaccination Sites. The grants will help expedite a vaccination process that has been slower than anticipated in states across the country, including Hawaii. Associated Press.

HAWAII VIRUS TRACKER — Feb. 15: 35 New COVID-19 Cases. Hawaii health officials reported 35 new COVID-19 infections statewide on Monday, including 25 on Oahu, seven on Maui, one on Molokai and two residents diagnosed out of state. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Land Board approves Ala Moana beach nourishment plan. The City of Honolulu’s application to add sand to the beach at Ala Moana Regional Park was approved Friday by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources after a public hearing. Star-Advertiser.

Court Orders Sale Of Miske-Owned Tuna Longliner. The alleged crime boss had owned the fishing vessel for years but transferred it to a company controlled by the widow of his dead son as federal investigators closed in. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Soldiers spruce up Makaeo. Active duty soldiers with the Oahu-based U.S. Army 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division preparing for training at Pohakuloa Training Area descended upon the path at Old Kona Airport Park on Friday and Saturday to give back to the Big Island community by providing some much-needed muscle and care to the site’s main anchialine pond. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Hawaiian Electric in Maui County Reached 50% Renewable Energy for 2020. Hawaiian Electric announced Maui County for the first time hit the 50 percent mark in its renewable portfolio standard, at 50.8 percent, with a mix of solar, wind and biofuels. Maui Now.

Wai‘anapanapa State Park access requires a pass starting March 1. Reservations launching online today are now required for visitor and commercial operator access starting March 1. Maui News.

New hotel has April opening set in Wailea. The AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea was scheduled to open this month, but was delayed to allow more time to adjust to COVID-19 protocols, said General Manager Kaleo Kenui. Maui News.

Kauai

Court’s second attempt at jury trial starts today. The Kaua’i County Fifth Circuit Court’s first jury trial in almost a year is scheduled to commence today. Garden Island.

Comments wanted for $50K economic diversification grants. A vertical high-density environment controlled farming facility, mental health training and a land-based coral nursery are all projects currently up for public discourse in the hopes of landing $50,000 in funding. Garden Island.

Furloughs, layoffs loom for Hawaii government workers, Kauai reinstates 14-day quarantine, Supreme Court blocks police union attempt to keep discipline records secret, Kealohas to be sentenced today, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Merrie Monarch event pre-COVID ©2020 All Hawaii News

Next Year's Merrie Monarch Festival Is On But With No Live Audience. Organizers of the Merrie Monarch Festival announced there will be no live audience for the annual hula competition next year. Tickets to the spring event usually go on sale around Dec. 1, but the sales have been canceled. Instead, organizers and sponsors are exploring other options given the ongoing pandemic. Hawaii Public Radio.

Merrie Monarch 2021 Will Have No Live Audience. The organizers of the world-renowned hula festival say they are considering options for holding the event in 2021, but it is clear that there will be no live audience. Big Island Video News.

Merrie Monarch Festival organizers plan for crowd-less 2021 event. The stands of Edith Kanakaole Stadium in Hilo will once again be silent this April, as Merrie Monarch organizers announced Saturday that a 2021 event would need to be held without fans in attendance. Hawaii News Now.

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Saving The State Budget: Furloughs And Layoffs Are Looking More Likely. Even public employee union leaders are warning their workers that the Legislature will have to make the best of a dire budget situation this coming year. Lawmakers and Gov. David Ige are planning initiatives to “restructure” government to cut costs to cope with the state budget crisis. The Ige administration is setting a goal of cutting a whopping $600 million from next year’s operating budget. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Judge Blocks Police Union Attempt To Keep Cop Misconduct Secret. Hawaii’s police union has lost its first legal battle in an ongoing fight to keep officer misconduct records hidden from public view. On Friday, First Circuit Judge Dean Ochiai ruled that when a police officer is suspended or fired for misconduct such information is a matter of public record under state law. Civil Beat.

Hawaii seeks to be seen as a remote workplace with a view. The pandemic is giving many workers the freedom to do their jobs from anywhere. Now that Hawaii’s economy is reeling from dramatically fewer tourists, a group of state officials and community leaders wants more people like Berger to help provide an alternative to relying on short-term visitors. Associated Press.

New rule requiring travelers to present COVID-19 test results prior to flight already causing headaches. Starting Tuesday, travelers flying to the islands must upload their negative COVID-19 test before departure in order to avoid the state's mandatory 14-day quarantine. KITV4.

Lt. Gov. Green Suggests Changes To Traveler Testing Program. Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green suggested that the way to “perfect" the state's coronavirus testing system for incoming travelers is to extend the mandatory pre-flight testing window from three days prior to arrival to four and requiring a second test when the person touches down. Associated Press.

Billions in private construction projects stall during pandemic. Construction activity has been one of the economic bright spots during the pandemic. But in recent months, a number of high-profile projects have run into delays. Hawaii News Now.

Supreme Court dismisses election challenge suit. The Hawaii Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a lawsuit contesting the state’s presidential election filed by a woman who said she ran for president as an independent yet she wasn’t on the ballot. Two other lawsuits challenging the Nov. 3 general election results are pending before the state Supreme Court, which is where election challenges must be submitted under state law. Associated Press.

Humpback whale season opens early in Hawaii and researchers hope numbers continue to rebound. November is the traditional start of hoi kohola, the return of humpback whales to Hawaii, when an estimated 8,000 to 12,000 of the protected marine mammals migrate from their Alaska summer feeding grounds to the islands, where they sing, mate and birth and nurse calves in warm, shallow waters until April, when they start back north. Star-Advertiser.

VIRUS TRACKER — Nov. 29: 57 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. The new cases included 46 on Oahu, four on Hawaii Island, one on Kauai and three on Maui. Three Hawaii residents were diagnosed out of state. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Kealoha corruption case nears conclusion with Monday’s sentencings. The fate of Honolulu’s once most powerful law enforcement couple — former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and former Deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kea­loha — is scheduled to be announced in federal court on Monday, writing a final chapter to one of Hawaii’s most stunning public corruption cases that embarrassed island law enforcement and shocked the community for the depths of its betrayal. Star-Advertiser.

After lengthy delay, Kealohas to be sentenced in one of Hawaii’s biggest public corruption cases. One of the biggest public corruption cases in Hawaii history is finally coming to an end. Ex-Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his estranged wife Katherine, a former high-ranking former deputy city prosecutor, will face a federal judge Monday to be sentenced. Hawaii News Now.

After several delays, Kealohas to be sentenced Monday.  Disgraced retired police chief Louis Kealoha and his wife, former deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha, are scheduled to be sentenced in federal court on Monday, Nov. 30. KHON2.

Oahu surge testing wraps up on Monday, Nov. 30. The last day to receive a free surge test from the City and County of Honolulu will be Monday, Nov. 30. KHON2.

Ala Moana condo to go before City Council. Expect lively debate Wednesday when the owners of Ala Moana Center present to a Honolulu City Council committee their plan for a 40-story, 583-unit condominium tower on the makai, Diamond Head corner of Piikoi and Kona streets. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council, public speak out on Roth’s Cabinet picks. Mayor-elect Mitch Roth drew from both government and private sectors in his choices for Cabinet officials, but some people think his appointees to head two key departments — Planning and Public Works — sway too far pro-development. West Hawaii Today.

Broken corals found in Makako Bay are reattached. More than 80 living coral fragments that were broken off the reef at Makako Bay have been replanted on the reef by biologists and staff with the Division of Aquatic Resources of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Star-Advertiser.

Broken Corals Restored To Coral Reef At Makakō Bay. In November, numerous live coral fragments were found scattered below the base of a popular manta dive site mooring at Makakō Bay, or Garden Eel Cove, in North Kona.  Big Island Video News.

Humane society looks to the future. In June, the humane society ended its contract with Hawaii County to provide animal control services, which were funded by the county. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County could see more restrictions as COVID-19 cases rise. Maui County Mayor Mike Victorio says he plans to decide on Friday if he'll move the county from it's "Act with Care" phase to a "Safer At Home" order which would come with more restrictions. KITV4.

Restaurant closes for cleaning after COVID-19 cases found. The Monkeypod Kitchen in Wailea closed temporarily “out of an abundance of caution” after three employees tested positive for COVID-19. Maui News.

Uechi named Maui News managing editor. Longtime editor Lee Imada leaves after nearly 40 years. Assistant City Editor Colleen Uechi has been promoted to managing editor of The Maui News following the departure of longtime editor Lee Imada, the company announced Friday. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Halts Participation In Pre-Travel Testing Program. The decision, approved by Goveror David Ige, means that all transpacific and inter-county travelers to Kaua‘i are again subject to a 14-day quarantine. Big Island Video News.

Kauai opts out of pre-travel testing program in bid to stem community spread. Gov. David Ige has approved a request by the mayor of Kauai to temporarily opt out of the state’s pre-travel testing program, a decision that will force all travelers to the Garden Isle — including those on neighbor island flights — to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai 'resort bubble' prepares for new travel restrictions. On December 2nd, Kauai County is opting out of Hawaii's pre-travel testing program. That means that anyone coming from either the mainland or another island will be required to do the mandatory 14-day quarantine regardless of COVID-19 test result. KITV4.

Virtual inauguration Tuesday. The Kaua‘i County Council and prosecuting attorney will be inaugurated virtually Tuesday, Dec. 1. Garden Island.

Kauai County Council Joins Fight Against Proposed Glamping Resort. The plan to develop luxury camping at a Princeville golf course may eventually run afoul of a newly reenergized county ordinance covering open spaces. Civil Beat.

Ground broken for huge ‘Ele‘ele housing project. The County Housing Agency held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Lima Ola affordable housing project in ‘Ele‘ele last week. Garden Island.

Molokai

Moloka’i Forests To Be Protected From Wildfires and Erosion. Forests on the southern slopes of Moloka‘i are about to receive additional protection from threats like wildfires, erosion and flooding thanks to a new award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The foundation has awarded over $1.8 million to the DLNR to address threats using proven tools such as fencing and removing hooved animals, as well as creating firebreaks. Maui Now.

Hawaii tourism, jobs in COVID-19 jeopardy, state doubles down on testing, Honolulu ex-police chief Kealoha faces enhanced sentencing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kona beach scene ©2020 All Hawaii News

Virus scare could cost Hawaii 6,000 jobs, economists warn. A new report by University of Hawaii economists predicts the coronavirus scare will cause visitor spending in Hawaii to fall by more than 10% and wipe out nearly 6,000 jobs, but acknowledges there are a “wide range of other possible outcomes.” Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Visitor Spending Will Drop 10% From Coronavirus. The latest report from UH economists says a more prolonged spread of the virus means greater economic tolls. Civil Beat.

UH economists predict ‘significant’ job losses in Hawaii as economic fallout of coronavirus widens. A new University of Hawaii forecast predicts the economic impacts of coronavirus to the islands will be significant and long-lasting, resulting in at least 4,000 job losses before year’s end as visitor arrivals decline sharply. Hawaii News Now.

UH research predicts COVID-19 could cause “nearly 4000” job losses this year. The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) released an updated economic forecast based on recent COVID-19 developments, predicting “significant economic impacts” and the loss of thousands of jobs. KHON2.

Tourism industry plagued by COVID-19. Hawaii's top industry is reeling as COVID-19 concerns are impacting travel plans. KITV4.

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Gov. David Ige, Hawaii health officials announce enhanced testing for coronavirus. Hawaii health officials will begin broad community testing this week to find out whether the state has a more severe coronavirus problem than it thinks. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Coronavirus Updates: UHERO Updates Economic Forecast, Community Tests To Begin This Week. The news on the Hawaii front of the coronavirus battle is swiftly changing. Hawaii Public Radio.

State unveils ‘proactive’ testing for coronavirus. State health officials on Tuesday announced the launch of a COVID-19 “surveillance testing program” that will help identify cases of community spread of the disease — cases that cannot be traced back to a traveler or contact with an individual with the coronavirus. Tribune-Herald.

Coronavirus Community Testing Program to Begin This Week. Hawai‘i will no longer test only those patients who meet the criteria for COVID-19. Big Island Now.

COVID-19 Surveillance tests initiated. Hawai‘i officials said Tuesday they plan to begin randomly testing negative flu samples taken in the state for the new coronavirus. Garden Island.

COVID-19 Daily Update: State Launches Surveillance Initiative. Maui Now.

State launches program to identify community spread of COVID-19. The State Health Department is stepping up its efforts to test for COVID-19 in our islands in an effort to identify possible cases of community spread of the virus. KHON2.

2 more coronavirus tests come back negative, DOH says. The state Health Department said two more tests for coronavirus came back negative Tuesday night. Hawaii’s confirmed cases remains at two. Hawaii News Now.

Private laboratories begin testing for coronavirus. A private lab began its testing for COVID-19 on Tuesday with more labs to come online soon. KHON2.

Hawaii's two largest private medical labs can now test for COVID-19. In the medical community allowing Diagnostic Laboratory Services and clinical labs to work up doctor-collected samples is seen as a game-changer. KITV4.

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Many Hawaii private schools cancel mainland and international travel due to coronavirus concerns. Several private schools in Hawaii, including Punahou and ‘Iolani, have announced the cancellation of school-­related travel for the rest of the academic year due to the novel coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Elderly Care Facilities Prepare For Coronavirus But It's Not Clear If All Are Ready. Hawaii senior care facilities are preparing for a coronavirus outbreak in Hawaii, spurred on by the nursing home deaths in states like Washington. Hawaii Public Radio.

State’s largest industrial distributor of sanitizers ‘basically wiped out of product’. Fears about the coronavirus significantly increased orders from customers and emptied the warehouse. Hawaii News Now.

COVID-19 precautions for dining out. COVID-19 is already affecting the restaurant industry. Local restaurants are stepping up disinfecting common areas. KHON2.

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At least 1 dead in Hawaii from multistate listeria outbreak from enoki mushrooms. A company is recalling its enoki mushrooms after they were linked to dozens of cases of listeria infections and four deaths, including at least one from Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

CDC issues recall alert for enoki mushrooms following listeria outbreak. Don’t eat enoki mushrooms. That’s the message the CDC put out Tuesday after the mushrooms were linked to a listeria outbreak that stretches all the way back to November 2016. Hawaii News Now.

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Jobs In Hawaii: The Future Looks A Lot Like The Past. Many of the state’s fastest-growing areas of employment remain in service and tourism jobs that make it tough to get by in Hawaii’s pricey economy. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers Concerned Homesteaders Could Bear Brunt of Telecom Fiasco. Sandwich Isles Communications began auctioning off its assets last week to pay off hundreds of millions of dollars in debt. The once-exclusive provider of telecom services to Hawaiian home lands also faces legal trouble, and Hawaiʻi lawmakers are worried services to homesteaders could be interrupted. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers May Ban Side Hustles For State and County Executives. Both chambers of the state Legislature have passed some form of a prohibition on the governor and county mayors earning income from employment other than their elected office. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Conservationists urge caution in the water as number of whales injured by boats rise.  Humpback whale season in Hawaii is only at its midpoint, but so far nine collisions between ocean vessels and whales have been reported. Hawaii News Now.

At Least Nine Vessel-Whale Collisions Since December. At least nine instances of vessel/whale collisions have been reported since December in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and nearby waters, according to new information from the organization. Maui Now.

Sanctuary reports vessel/whale collisions. At least nine instances of vessel/whale collisions have been reported since December in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and nearby waters. Ocean users are asked to use caution when navigating shared waters. Garden Island.

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Journalism Conference To Focus On Indigenous Issues. Regional chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists will gather at UH Manoa March 20-21. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Police Chief Susan Ballard supports enhanced sentence for her predecessor. Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard is calling for a harsher sentence for former Police Chief Louis Kealoha, and two other former officers. Hawaii News Now.

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Ewa Makai Middle School teacher Miki Cacace wins $25,000 Milken Educator award. The award for excellence from the Milken Family Foundation is given to 40 teachers each year across the nation, none of whom know they are even being considered. Star-Advertiser.

Ewa Makai Middle School teacher scoops up prestigious Milken Educator Award. An Ewa Makai Middle School teacher just won an award regarded as the Oscar of teaching. Hawaii News Now.

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Kaimuki parking lot repaving work delayed for 2 weeks. Kaimuki business owners and their customers will get at least a two-week reprieve from an initially scheduled Monday start date for an eight-month-long parking lot repaving project they believe will wreak havoc on their businesses. Star-Advertiser.

8 Months To Pave A Parking Lot? Kaimuki Businesses Are Outraged. The city says it will take months to repave the lot at Waialae and 12th Avenue but worried business owners are pushing back. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Yagong seeks his old council seat. Former County Council Chairman Dominic Yagong, who held the District 1 Hamakua seat for 12 years, said Tuesday he plans to run for the seat again. West Hawaii Today.

Residents cut off by lava in Puna urge county to work faster to clear roads. Dozens of Puna residents urged faster and more transparent action from the county on clearing lava-inundated roads in Puna after Monday’s announcement that Pohoiki Road will be restored. Tribune-Herald.

ACLU Backs KAHEA, File Amicus Brief. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i is stepping into the conflict between KAHEA, an environmental nonprofit, and the State Department of the Attorney General. Big Island Now.

Outburst Disrupts Council Hearing On Kohala Shoreline. An outburst that resulted in an unplanned recess of the Hawaiʻi County Council on Tuesday was not enough to stop the advance of a bill to change the zoning of 37-acres of shoreline land in North Kohala. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Lt. Governor Green is 'Confident' in Maui Hospital Amid COVID-19 Outbreak. As concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus escalate, state and county officials gathered at the Maui Memorial Medical Center on Tuesday afternoon to discuss preventative measures and potential emergency response. Maui Now.

Hale Makua screening visitors to nursing facilities. Efforts underway to sanitize public buses, other county facilities. Maui News.

Kauai

State of the County Address via video. Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami will deliver his second State of the County Address via video, which will be uploaded to the County of Kaua‘i website and Facebook page by noon on Friday, March 13. Garden Island.

Poll shows Tulsi in trouble, Caldwell raising money for gubernatorial bid, first humpback of the season spotted, Sherwood on hold after artifact found, Mauna Kea police price tag rises, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tulsi Gabbard, Kai Kahele

Poll: Gabbard’s Constituents Want Her To End Presidential Campaign. The Hawaii congresswoman might be in trouble, too, if she decides to run for re-election to keep her House seat. Civil Beat.

Caldwell Schedules Campaign Fundraiser For Governor’s Race. It’s the first time the Honolulu mayor has officially sought cash for a run for Hawaii’s top job. Civil Beat.

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Humpback whale spotted off Kauai a month ahead of official start of whale season. Whale season in Hawaii doesn’t officially start for another month, but the first humpback sighting has already been reported. Hawaii News Now.

Humpback whale season begins with first apparent sighting off Kauai. It’s official. Humpback whale season in Hawaii is here, with the first sighting of one off the northwest coast of Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

First Humpback of Season Sighted Off Kaua‘i. It’s officially whale season again in Hawai‘i. Big Island Now.

First whale spotted. Tuesday started out as just another day on the water for Holo Holo Charter captains Aaron Pearlman and Casey Heaton, but they got quite a surprise when they reached the waters offshore of Ke‘e Beach. Garden Island.

Humpback Sighting Marks Start of Whale Season. Captains aboard a tour boat off the coast of Kauaʻi may have spotted the first humpback whale of the season. Maui Now.

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Record Heat Thrusts Hawaii Corals Into ‘New Era’ Of Bleaching. The reefs have never had to endure such conditions. Marine scientists remain optimistic but warn that time is running out for society to step up. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants strike vote count planned for November. Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants are gearing up for a strike vote. The workers say they’ve been fighting for almost three years for a new contract. KHON2.

Oahu

Caldwell halts work at Sherwood. The city will halt further work on its contentious improvements project at Waimanalo Bay Beach Park until it hears back from the State Historic Preservation Division and the Oahu Island Burial Council about an object that was found at the site over the weekend, Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Caldwell Hits Pause On Controversial Waimanalo Park Project. State historic preservation officials are taking another look at what Native Hawaiians say is a historic and sacred site that was torn up to build a ball field. Civil Beat.

Waimanalo park redevelopment on hold as authorities investigate possible artifact. A controversial Waimanalo park redevelopment project is on hold as government agencies investigate a possible stone artifact found at the site. Hawaii News Now.

Construction paused at Sherwoods during artifact investigation. Mayor Kirk Caldwell has paused construction of Waimanalo Bay Beach Park or Sherwoods. KHON2.

Controversial Sherwood Forest redevelopment project on hold. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell made the decision on Tuesday after a possible artifact was found at the construction site on Monday. KITV.

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Attorneys Who Requested Honolulu Rail Subpoenas No Longer At DOJ. It’s not clear how the departures have impacted the federal probe that’s ensnared the rail project, if at all. Civil Beat.

Texas buyer sues seller of illegal vacation rental. A Texas man who bought a home in Portlock earlier this year for $2.3 million as an investment is suing the seller and broker for not disclosing that he cannot legally rent out the property for periods shorter than 30 days. Star-Advertiser.

United Nations climate study daunting for Hawaii, but City planning is ahead of the research. The City and County of Honolulu was warned of this in June of 2018 by the Climate Change Commission, whose similar figures noted that a sea-level rise of 3.2 feet would displace 13,300 Honolulu residents and cause $12.9 billion dollars in structure and land loss locally. KHON2.

Chinatown Board To Take Up Yellow Trash Bag Mandate After Complaints. Some Chinatown merchants are not happy with the new garbage bag mandate that requires their trash be disposed of in city-required yellow bags for pickup by city trash collectors. Hawaii Public Radio.

Soaring electric bills raise alarm at Kapilina Beach Homes. Many residents of Kapilina Beach Homes in Ewa Beach were recently shocked to receive huge electrical bills — some $1,000 or more — that are significantly higher than earlier, sizzling summer power costs. Star-Advertiser.

53,000 streetlights on Oahu converted to bright, energy-efficient LEDs. The streets of Oahu are a little bit brighter thanks to the city’s partnership with Johnson Controls. Hawaii News Now.

Switching to LEDs nets city a big rebate. The city on Tuesday received a $1.9 million rebate check from the ratepayer­-funded Hawai’i Energy program for converting more than 53,000 city streetlights across Oahu to more energy-­efficient light emitting diode (LED) technology. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

TMT response costing Hawaii County $50K daily. Hawaii County police have spent nearly $4.2 million on overtime, fringe benefits and other costs so far in connection with 11 weeks of protests against the Thirty Meter Telescope, members of the Hawaii County Council were told Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Update on TMT standoff-related expenses raises reimbursement questions. The ongoing standoff at Maunakea Access Road has now cost Hawaii County more than $4 million, but the county might be on the hook for more. Tribune-Herald.

Anti-TMT forces step up their campaign off the mountain. Sensing new momentum for the cause, opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope have turned up their outreach campaign this week to rally against the $1.4 billion project and push for Native Hawaiian rights. Star-Advertiser.

Protesters: Kim’s proposal is dead on arrival. Leaders of the ongoing protest against the Thirty Meter Telescope said they are not satisfied with Mayor Harry Kim’s proposal for Maunakea. Tribune-Herald.

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Hawaii County’s 2-Bin recycling program will no longer accept paper, plastics. Starting mid-October, paper and plastics will no longer be accepted for recycling at transfer stations on the Big Island. Hawaii News Now.

Council sees climate as emergency. At the urging of some 50 testifiers, a County Council panel Tuesday advanced a resolution committing to implement a “just, equitable, countywide emergency climate mobilization effort.” West Hawaii Today.

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$95.8M Keahuolu Courthouse dedicated. Scores of people, including legislators, dignitaries and current and retired judges and employees, gathered Tuesday to bless and celebrate the opening of the 140,000-square-foot Keahuolu Courthouse, which began operations Sept. 3. West Hawaii Today.

West Hawai‘i Dedicates New Kona Courthouse. Hundreds of people gathered Tuesday morning outside the new Kona courthouse to celebrate its completion and join in dedicating the newly-finished project to the service of justice. Big Island Now.

Multi-million dollar courthouse opens in West Hawaii. Leaders held a blessing Tuesday for the new Keahuolu Courthouse in Kona. Hawaii News Now.

Retired Judge Ronald Ibarra Tells Old Kona Courthouse Stories. After his speech, Ibarra was surprised by the naming the of Self-Help Center in the new courthouse in his honor. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Woman shares inappropriate images she says Maui officer at center of misconduct case sent her. Maui County prosecutors say the Maui police officer in the center of a misconduct and abuse of power case is facing a federal probe. Hawaii News Now.

Mahi Pono replaces HC&S on water application. Contested case on stream diversions drawing to an end. Maui News.

Study: Maui, Molokai coastal roads among those most vulnerable. 10 highways in county make UH erosion list. Maui News.

Off-road Vehicle Damages Silverswords and Trail at Haleakala Summit. On the morning of Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, Haleakala  National Park law enforcement rangers observed tire tracks leaving the paved road at Haleakala’s summit. Maui Now.

Kauai

County fires deputy attorney. A deputy county attorney was fired earlier this month and says she may sue the county for retaliation and workplace discrimination. Garden Island.

Hawaii’s and Kauai’s birthrates declining. Kauai is following the national trend with birthrates dipping over the past decade in the midst of a statewide trend of declining resident population, too. Garden Island.