Native Hawaiians eye funding cuts, Blangiardi seeks safer Oahu in State of City speech, Maui teacher fired for opposing transgender rules, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Senate committees slashes DHHL’s $600M request to $50M. A drastic cut to the money could come to Department of Hawaiian Homelands as it aims to clear its decades-long waitlist. Two Senate committees moved a proposed bill forward Tuesday, but took a big cut to the DHHL’s $600 million request. Hawaii News Now.

Native Hawaiian services at risk due to federal funding cuts. From Hawaiian immersion programs to affordable housing and food banks across the islands, critical programs are in jeopardy of being eliminated. KITV4.

High Court Rules Against Insurers. Now It’s Time To Divvy Up $4B. Among the questions: how much will Maui wildfire victims and their lawyers get from the huge settlement, and how will Hawaiʻi’s insurance market react? Civil Beat.

Family caregivers could get up to $5,000 in tax credits for out-of-pocket costs. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed a bill that would allow caregivers to claim a tax credit for out-of-pocket costs for supplies. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposed AI facility at UH approved by panels. A joint hearing of the Senate Higher Education and Labor and Technology committees passed the latest version of House Bill 546 to establish an “aloha intelligence institute” at UH that would “develop, support, and advance artificial intelligence initiatives statewide,” according to the bill. Star-Advertiser.

Federal support secured for UH, restoration of 442nd web page. Gov. Josh Green announced Monday that discussions with White House officials have helped secure continued federal funding for the University of Hawaii amid an ongoing civil rights investigation, while also advocating for the restoration of an Army web page honoring the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

State considers costly solution to fight coconut rhinoceros beetles. The state has tried to stop the spread of the coconut rhinoceros beetle since its first detection in 2013. So far it’s been a losing battle, but agriculture officials now say a virus in New Zealand may be the answer. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii sees continued growth in solar installations and capacity. Rooftop solar installations across Hawaiian Electric’s service areas continued to expand in 2024, with 7,976 new systems added, bringing the total to 113,999. This marks a 7.5% increase from the previous year. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Blangiardi Outlines Plans For Safer Oʻahu In State Of The City Speech. A North Shore first responders hub, a Windward ocean safety facility and a Waipahu base for the city’s homelessness response team are part of a raft of public safety investments that Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi is planning for the coming year. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

Measure to ban landfills over aquifers is now fielding concerns about recycled ash. In December, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration announced plans to site Oʻahu’s new landfill in Wahiawā, prompting several measures to be introduced at the Legislature this year to clarify where landfills and waste facilities can, and can't, be placed. Hawaii Public Radio.

To Sell More Housing in West Oʻahu, This Developer Plans To Raise Prices. In Kalaeloa, affordable housing units aren’t a lot cheaper than market-rate units. So the developer plans to raise the price of market-rate units. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Committee Punts Approval Of Police MOUs With Feds To Full Council. By a razor-thin margin, a Hawaiʻi County Council committee on Tuesday voted to leave it up to the full council whether to allow the mayor to sign agreements between the Big Island’s police department and federal law enforcement agencies after its top cop insisted he had no interest in enforcing immigration law. Civil Beat.

New preschool for 80 children to be built near ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center. The preschool will offer a variety of benefits such as affordable child care for UH Hilo students, workforce development for new teachers, and meeting the demand for more early childhood education taught in the Hawaiian language. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i Community College butchery course graduates inaugural class. A new butchery course at Hawai‘i Community College graduated its inaugural class of six at the Kō Center in Honoka‘a. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui police chief’s lawyer asks commission not to investigate allegations; county says fair probe needed for public trust. Pelletier has been accused in a civil lawsuit of being involved in the conspiracy of a gang rape orchestrated by rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs in California in 2018. At the time Pelletier was working for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.  Maui Now.

Maui teacher says she was fired for speaking out against anti-trans policy. A teacher on Maui said she was fired for not accepting a new school policy that she said discriminates against transgender students. Vashti Daise has been a teacher for 35 years. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Waena Intermediate School’s Principal McCandless named Principal of the Year. Maui Waena Intermediate School Principal Jacquelyn McCandless has been named a winner of the state’s 2025 National Distinguished Principals of the Year by the Hawai’i Association of Secondary School Administrators. Maui News. Maui Now.

Kauai

KIUC looking at two new renewable energy projects. On Tuesday, the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative announced that it is proposing two new renewable energy projects that will bring Kauai close to 80 percent renewable energy by 2028. Garden Island.

Hands-on ocean awareness. The first paid lifeguard internship program hit the waters on Tuesday at the South end of Lydgate Beach Park. Garden Island.

Immigrant rights bills clear first legislative hurdle, Green sounds off against Kennedy appointment, Kakaako housing bill gathers support, 4th graders improve math scores, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Immigration enforcement measures draw support. Four bills relating to immigration enforcement cleared their first legislative hurdle Wednesday, with all passed 7-0 by the House Committee on Economic Development and Technology. The bills would prohibit local law enforcers from complying with federal authorities in detaining individuals without a judicial warrant,  bar the use of government land for detention facilities, establish a program for legal representation and notify detainees of their rights. Tribune-Herald.

‘He’s a liar.’ Green outraged after Kennedy denies role in Samoa measles outbreak. Gov. Josh Green was in the U.S. Capitol hearing room Wednesday while Robert F. Kennedy Jr. denied Green’s allegation that he caused many deaths in Samoa by discouraging the measles vaccine. Green responded with profanity on national television. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii fourth graders show math gains nationally. According to results released early Wednesday by the state Department of Education, Hawaii was one of only 15 states to achieve a statistically significant increase in fourth grade math scores, surpassing the national average by 2 points for the second consecutive assessment. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii eighth in health foundation’s ranking. Hawaii ranked eighth-best among states in key health measures, according to America’s Health Rankings 2024 Annual Report — a drop from sixth place in 2023. Star-Advertiser.

Senate committee puts UH athletics under the microscope for $2M-plus deficit. The University of Hawaiʻi's athletic department came under fire from senators after requesting an additional $3.2 million. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Tourism Authority invests in international markets to draw back tourists.  In Hawaii, you can't talk about tourism without Japan, but since the COVID-19 pandemic, Japanese tourist numbers have not recovered. KITV4.

Kava Growers In Hawaiʻi Fear Being Associated With ‘Gas Station Heroin’. Hawaiʻi lawmakers are considering regulating kratom and banning sales to minors. But kava advocates want an outright ban. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Kakaako Makai housing bill attracts a flood of testimony. A contentious bill to largely undo a state law prohibiting residential development on the peninsula in Kakaako drew almost two-thirds more support than opposition at an initial public hearing Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

‘They pulled up in unmarked vans.’ Kapahulu neighborhood rattled after ICE agents arrest neighbor. Amid Trump’s immigration crackdown across the country, Hawaii law enforcement teams have been hitting locations across Oahu daily, targeting those with criminal records. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

Women’s Court May Be Renewed On Oʻahu And Expanded To Other Islands. When the Oʻahu Women’s Court was established in 2022 to offer an alternative to incarceration, officials had a goal of admitting 20 participants a year. As of this month, 33 women were currently enrolled. Civil Beat.

Spike in e-bike accidents prompts rise of new law. The Honolulu City Council passed Bill 52, a measure that aims to establish clear safety guidelines for bicycle riders and pedestrians. KHON2.

OCCC guard pleads guilty to importing illegal aerial fireworks. Gilchrist Fernandez, 35, pleaded guilty to importing aerial devices without a license, and a “criminal attempt” at discharging aerial devices of 25 lbs or more without a license between Nov. 9, 2022, and Dec. 6, 2022, according to state court records. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. KHON2.

Some Dillingham businesses frustrated over requirements for rail impact grant. The city is now accepting applications for a grant to support businesses affected by rail construction on Dillingham Boulevard, but some business owners say the requirements are too strict. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Woman struck by vehicle on Highway 11 in Kurtistown dies from injuries. Hawai‘i Police Department reports the 21-year-old woman struck by a vehicle Jan. 22 near the 10-mile marker on Highway 11 in Kurtistown has died. She was identified as Jahnya Serquina-Octubre of Mountain View. Big Island Now.

Waipiʻo Valley Road to be closed. Hawai‘i County Civil Defense says Hawai‘i Police Department reports Waipiʻo Valley Road in Hāmākua on the east side of the Big Island will be closed at 6 a.m. Thursday (Jan. 30) because of the flood watch in effect for the island. Waipiʻo Valley residents and farmers are authorized to access the valley. Big Island Now.

 Maui

Attorneys reach agreement in $4B Maui wildfire settlement. A trial was set for Wednesday morning and several victims were prepared to testify. Instead, Judge Peter Cahill was told that attorneys have come to an agreement.  Hawaii News Now.

Senate bill would transfer Māla Wharf and Kīhei Boat Ramp to Maui County. Dissatisfied by state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ management of small boating facilities, West and South Maui Sen. Angus McKelvey has drafted a bill to transfer maintenance and operations of Māla Wharf in Lahaina and the Kīhei Boat Ramp to Maui County. Under the bill, the County could set permit fees to generate revenue for the facilities’ upkeep. Maui Now.

Kilohana temporary housing site has long-term goals to support Maui’s housing crisis. Kilohana consists of 167 modular units on 20 acres of state-owned property in Lahaina. Positioned next door to Ka Laʻi Ola, a temporary housing development project that aims to support up to 1,500 wildfire survivors for the next five years, these homes have been developed and stationed over the past few months, and are expected to be fully occupied by the beginning of February.  Maui News.

Haleakalā National Park closed from noon on Thursday due to severe weather. Haleakalā National Park closed from noon on Thursday due to severe weather. Beginning Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 Haleakalā National Park will be closed due to dangerous weather conditions. The closure will go into effect at noon Thursday for both the Summit District and Kīpahulu district. Maui Now.

Kauai

‘Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning’: Major winter storm to bring possible flash flooding, damaging winds. There is an unusually strong winter storm expected to pass just north of Kaua‘i as it marches east, bringing with it a significant threat of severe weather during the next couple of days. Kauai Now.

Hawaii drops crowd-size mandate, allows counties to set their own rules, GOP names Finnegan 3rd state chair this year, occupational license system to get overhaul, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki shoppers ©2021 All Hawaii News

State to drop social gathering and restaurant spacing limits, leaving rules up to counties. Gov. Ige lifts some rules, gives emergency powers to counties. Gov. David Ige on Tuesday announced he intends to keep certain restrictions related to COVID-19 in place while giving counties the authority to make their own pandemic emergency orders and rules.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

On Saturday the Hawaii Republican Party elected a new state chair, Lynn Finnegan. The former state House representative and Lt. Gov. candidate is the third party chair this year, following a short stint by Signe Godfrey, who replaced Shirlene Ostrov, who quit in January following a period of party turmoil. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s Food Hubs Get $1 Million For Statewide Expansion. A collective of statewide food hubs has a plan to get more crops from small farmers to businesses, institutions and families that want locally grown food. Civil Beat.

The land department offers online tours of Hawaii’s nature preserves in exchange for donations. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources announced Tuesday a new program ahead of Giving Tuesday next week offering nature lovers a “new donation opportunity to give back to the land.” Star-Advertiser.

50 Years Later, Hawaii’s Law Requiring Professional Licenses Could Be In For An Overhaul. The occupational licensing requirements for many professions may be hindering qualified professionals from moving to Hawaii and getting work. Civil Beat.

Hawaii sees 52 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 86,991. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 23 new cases on Oahu, 14 on Hawaii island, nine on Kauai, five on Maui, and one Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi loosens capacity restrictions and social distancing. Effective Dec. 1, there will be no capacity limits for restaurants, bars and social establishments on Oahu. And indoor or outdoor events on Oahu will also be unlimited although attendees will have the option of being tested in lieu of being vaccinated, and establishments will no longer have to collect contact tracing information, Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

UH sports to allow food and beverages as long rebound from pandemic begins. New changes to the City and County of Honolulu’s reopening strategy Tuesday mean that University of Hawaii athletics fans can go back to eating and enjoying a beverage at sporting events starting in December. KHON2.

Honolulu Rail Holds Onto Federal Funds And Buys Time To Craft Recovery Plan. The FTA has been withholding the local transit project’s federal dollars for the past seven years as its struggles have mounted. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Water Board mulls rate hikes. Members of the island Water Board favored a 9.5% annual rate increase over options of 12% and 8% after a presentation Tuesday from consultants anticipating revenues and expenses over the next five years. West Hawaii Today.

Coast Guard Patrols off Big Island 19 Days in November. Potential federal law violations by recreational and commercial fleets were observed by the U.S. Coast Guard during a patrol operation conducted in Big Island waters this year, officials reported Tuesday, Nov. 23. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County Mulls An Agreement Between Police And US Immigration Agency. The proposal would authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with the homeland security division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, allowing federal officials to designate Maui police officers as customs officers and train them in the use of body cameras. Civil Beat.

Proposed cancer center raises questions over staffing, need. Questioning the need for additional services, costs and staff availability, a proposal for a cancer center in West Maui was denied by a Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency advisory committee last week. The agency’s Certificate of Need Review Panel recommended that the administration not approve Maui Medical Building LLC’s certificate of need application to establish radiation therapy services at 214 Kupuohi St. in Lahaina because the proposal was “not concrete enough.” Maui News.

Maui County Hotel Occupancy at 60% for October 2021, Lower than October 2019. Maui County hotels occupancy for October 2021 was 60.3%, which is 16.1 percentage points lower than pre-pandemic October 2019, according to the latest Hawaiʻi Hotel Performance Report published by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Maui Now.

Kauai

Island health-care providers to receive $3.6 million in federal aid. Eighteen Kaua‘i health-care providers will receive more than $3.6 million in federal funding under the American Rescue Plan. Garden Island.

State to hire slew of new DOCARE officers. State DLNR DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla said successful applicants assigned to Kaua‘i can expect to police locations throughout the island and its surrounding waters. Garden Island.

Hawaii trying to reduce food packaging, small public schools could close under DOE plan, Oahu gambling crackdown, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Polystyrene take-out in Hawaii ©2019 All Hawaii News

Bans, Trade-Ins and Take-Homes: Ideas For Reducing Food Packaging in Hawaii. The movement to reduce single-use plastics in Hawaii is moving beyond straws, but current health codes restrict personal containers from being used at take-out restaurants. Civil Beat.

Trump policy could have far-reaching effects on Hawaii’s immigrant population. Immigrants living in Hawaii legally could be denied future visas and permanent residency if they rely on government assistance such as food stamps and Medicaid under a Trump administration rule that is set to take effect Oct. 15. Star-Advertiser.

Small public schools risk closure if minimum headcount is adopted. Drawing a line at a headcount that schools must stay above to stay open is a concept that’s been developing all this year within a D.O.E. committee. KHON2.

Are wind farms in Hawaii hurting or helping the native BAT population? The state and federal government recently approved a request from a wind farm on Maui to increase the number of endangered Hawaiian Hoary Bats its allowed to accidentally kill. KITV.

Oahu

Feds, Honolulu police announce major crackdown on illegal gambling on Oahu. U.S. Attorney Kenji Price announced this morning the filing of criminal charges against 15 people, the seizures of 60 illegal gambling machines, homes in Waipahu and Pearl City and cash from bank accounts he said are connected to illegal gambling. Star-Advertiser.

Federal And Local Law Enforcement Crack Down On Suspected Oahu Gambling Homes. Federal officials announced charges against 15 defendants who authorities say were involved in illegal gambling operations on the island, some run in residential homes on Oahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Law enforcement has a message for game room operators: ‘We’re coming for you’. Multiple law enforcement agencies announced a statewide crackdown on illegal game rooms Tuesday, and said at least 15 people have already been charged. Hawaii News Now.

Feds Step Up Enforcement Of Illegal Gambling In Hawaii. Officials say asset forfeiture will be a key strategy in stopping and deterring the spread of illicit gambling houses. Civil Beat.

=====

Honolulu Will Pay For ‘Confidential’ Criminal Defense Work For Years. Taxpayers are on the hook for as much as $700 an hour to block some records from being seen by federal investigators. Civil Beat.

Moiliili resident threatens to sue city over sidewalks blocked by homeless camps. Along Isenberg Street, walkways often resemble an obstacle course. Hawaii News Now.

Impact of Oahu’s Vacation Rental Crackdown. The law permits only 1,715 new bed-and-breakfasts — where the owner-occupant is present — and prohibits whole-home rentals. Hawaii Business.

=====

Volunteers map out hottest Oahu neighborhoods for NOAA campaign. With the help of volunteers, Honolulu’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency said it has successfully completed Oahu’s first Community Heat Mapping Campaign. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Completes Heat Mapping Campaign. Volunteers mapped Oahu “hot spots” as climate change heats up. Civil Beat.

These strange tools will help shape cooling initiatives on Oahu. On Aug. 31, some 28 volunteers drove specific routes throughout Oahu three times that day — the same day Honolulu hit 95 degrees. Hawaii News Now.

Volunteers map ‘hot spots’ around Oahu. The Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency (Resilience Office) has completed Oahu’s first Community Heat Mapping Campaign. KHON2.

Honolulu’s Poorly Timed Traffic Signals Aren’t Very Smart. The city aims to start installing technology that can detect traffic congestion on some of Oahu’s more than 820 lights next year. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Committee hears ideas for the future of county waste management programs. Methane-powered buses were among several ideas bandied about Tuesday during a County Council committee meeting to discuss the county’s waste management programs. Tribune-Herald.

Harry Kim Now The Highest-Paid Neighbor Island Mayor. Maui County has the most employees, but Hawaii County has generally caught up in the salaries paid to top executives. Civil Beat.

United Nations Indigenous Issues Expert Pens Letter To Governor About Mauna Kea. The letter by Tarcila Rivera Zea calls for "a participative dialogue between the State of Hawaii and Kanaka Maoli Protectors to seek a peaceful resolution to the tension on Mauna Kea." Big Island Video News.

TMT Opponents Allege Police Misconduct, Harassment. The kiaʻi claim the police are conducting public and covert harassment at the base of Mauna Kea as the Thirty Meter Telescope standoff continues. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Mahi Pono plants citrus trees. The company that purchased more than 40,000 acres of old sugar fields from Alexander & Baldwin in December began planting potatoes last month. Maui News.

Multiple efforts are scheduled for ‘International Coastal Cleanup Day’. Maui organizations are holding cleanups around the island as part of “International Coastal Cleanup Day” on Sept. 21. Maui News.

Kauai

Realtors focus on housing ‘crisis’. Traffic has nothing to do with housing, said Paul Brewbaker, principal economist of TZ Economics. Garden Island.

Meeting targets natural resources. The East and West Kauai Soil and Water Conservation Districts are holding an important Local Work Group meeting for Kauai agricultural producers representing crops and livestock, private forest land owners, and other professionals representing agricultural and conservation interests. Garden Island.

Legislature's 'gut-and-replace' puts Thirty Meter Telescope at risk, DLNR seeks comment on aquarium trade, 100 rally at Capitol for pesticide ban, teachers want to limit tests, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mauna Kea telescopes ©2018 All Hawaii News

‘This is not democracy’: Lawmakers slammed for skirting public input with telescope moratorium. As Hawaii waits to see if the Thirty Meter Telescope has a future here, a last-minute bill crafted in the state Legislature has many worried that lawmakers could end up forcing the next-generation observatory out of the state. Tribune-Herald.

Bill up for vote could 'spell the end' of Thirty-Meter Telescope. Supporters — and opponents — of the Thirty-Meter Telescope were surprised to learn about last-minute legislation that would stop all construction at Mauna Kea if the University of Hawaii doesn't meet certain requirements. Hawaii News Now.

Commercial aquarium fish collecting could be returning to Hawaii shores, following a five-month pause. A draft environmental assessment released Sunday by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources anticipates no significant environmental impact from the resumption of the practice around Oahu and Hawaii Island. West Hawaii Today.

About 125 activists rallied Monday at the state Capitol in support of a bill to make Hawaii the first state in the nation to ban the insecticide chlorpyrifos, a chemical that has been linked to learning disabilities and developmental delays in children. Star-Advertiser.

Rally held to protect students from pesticides. Hawaii News Now.

In support of Hawaii’s potential ban on chlorpyrifos and of stricter pesticide rules, several Kauai people added their voices to dozens who gathered at the capitol for Monday’s Keiki First Rally. Garden Island.

Bills that would have limited the cooperation between Hawaii police departments and federal immigration authorities appear to be dead for the this legislative session. The measures would have generally prohibited local police from stopping, questioning or arresting anyone based solely on an immigration hold, or detainer, or an immigration warrant. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Teachers Think Your Kids Are Taking Way Too Many Tests. The state Senate is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a teachers’ union-backed bill that would cap mandatory tests for students at four per year. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s public school students boosted their reading scores substantially, but math performance slipped for eighth-graders in the 2017 National Assessment of Educational Progress, according to results released late today in Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz paid tribute to former Sen. Daniel Akaka in Washington, D.C. Monday. KHON2.

The personal-finance website's "2018’s Tax Burden by State" analysis shows that taxpayers on the Islands have a total tax burden of 11.57 percent. Trailing only New York residents, whose total tax burden is 13.04 percent. Pacific Business News.

Military Spending: Feds shell out, Isles cash in. A new report on per-capita defense spending is another indication of Hawaii’s strategic position and hot economy at a time of ongoing financial expansion for the state and nation. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii technology and manufacturing businesses contributed more than $1 billion to the state’s economy, according to a study by the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Pacific Business News.

Was The ‘Button Pusher’ A Problem Employee? State Won’t Release Details. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said the worker who sent out a false missile alert had a record of incompetency, but he disputes that. Civil Beat.

The Navy's longest-serving sub is about to retire. The USS Bremerton is getting a well-deserved retirement. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

A proposal to provide around 100 new or renovated affordable rental apartments in Waikiki as part of a planned tower on Kuhio Avenue is up for revision after the city adopted new affordable-housing requirements last week. Star-Advertiser.

Federal agent Christopher Deedy appeals to halt third trial in Waikiki fatal shooting. Deedy is asking the federal court to prevent the state from taking him to trial a third time for fatally shooting Kollin Elderts in a Waikiki McDonald’s restaurant. Star-Advertiser.

Christopher Deedy appeals third trial. KHON2.

Filthy Bathrooms At This Popular Beach Park Are Creating A Stir. Pokai Bay Beach Park has other health and environmental hazards, too. Civil Beat.

Oahu Publications Inc. has put up for sale its 147,000-square-foot print production facility in Kapolei and the 11.61 acres of land beneath it in a lease/buyback transaction to take advantage of increasing prices in the area. Star-Advertiser.

The median price of a condominium reached a new high in March, compared to last year, driven by the sales of nearly two dozen multimillion-dollar units, while sales declined slightly, according to statistics released by the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of State Parks and planner Belt Collins Hawaii will hold a community meeting on the recently released draft environmental impact statement for the Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park Master Plan.  West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation announces that plans are being developed to run a trial AM northbound contraflow lane on Keaau-Pahoa Road (Highway 130) from Kaloli Drive to Shower Drive. Big Island Now.

The daughter of Jolene Kapua-Allison, a 54-year-old Mountain View woman killed in an apparent murder-­suicide on Hawaii island, said her mother feared leaving her abusive husband, a police officer. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

The developers of the $100 million, 324-unit mostly affordable Wailuku rental project on Maui have resubmitted a draft environmental assessment to the state, two months after withdrawing the initial document that had been submitted last fall. Pacific Business News.

Maui Population Continues to Increase as Honolulu’s Declines. Maui Now.

The median price of a single-family home on Maui fell by 10 percent last month, while the median price of a condominium jumped 15 percent, according to the Realtors Association of Maui. Pacific Business News.

The Pacific Whale Foundation held a traditional blessing ceremony last month for its newest vessel, Ocean Guardian, at Maalaea Harbor. Maui News.

Kauai

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Has Few Friends On This Hawaiian Island. The social media mogul’s neighbors aren’t happy with his new island estate or, for that matter, Facebook in general. Civil Beat.

Aloha Angels sponsors 51 clubs, adopts 192 teachers.  Kauai has 12 public or charter elementary schools. However, school ends in the early afternoon and for many children there’s not much to do. Garden Island.

Special session for rail funding looming, Ige signs bill giving more tech oversight, $1M from nonprofit for homeless vets, HART study finally public, farmers market comes to Ala Moana Center, Oprah to speak on Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Rail plan for Honolulu transit, courtesy HART

Lawmakers haven’t yet agreed on the details, but leaders in the state House and Senate announced Monday they plan to hold a special session this summer to try to resolve their impasse over how to provide more funding for the city’s 20-mile rail project. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers plan to convene a special session in July or August to again try to reach a deal on how to fund the remainder of Honolulu’s 20-mile rail project, which is now billions of dollars over budget. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers on Monday told the Federal Transit Administration that they will hold a special session this summer to find a solution for the funding issue surrounding Honolulu's rail project. Pacific Business News.

More than two months after lawmakers wrapped up the legislative session with no deal on how to fund Oahu's beleaguered rail project, state lawmakers are trying to reassure the federal government that they'll hold a special session on the issue by August. Hawaii News Now.

House Speaker Scot Saiki and Senate President Ron Kouchi have sent a letter to the Federal Transit Authority assuring they intend to meet in special session this summer. KITV.

Hawaii State legislative leadership says there will be a special session before the end of the summer in order to take on funding for Honolulu’s rail project. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii lawmakers plan to hold a special session this summer to discuss funding for Honolulu’s troubled rail line. Garden Island.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige on Monday signed into law a bill that provides increased oversight and third-party verification of state information technology projects within the executive branch. Pacific Business News.

Rep. Beth Fukumoto was accepted into the Democratic Party on Saturday with the unanimous vote of the Oahu county executive committee. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii, led by Governor David Ige, is staking out an increasingly combative stance in opposing Trump administration policies. Civil Beat.

MacNaughton Group donates $1 million to help Hawaii’s homeless veterans. Star-Advertiser.

Scores of homeless vets to be housed thanks to $1M donation to Hawaii nonprofit. Hawaii News Now.

Commentary: Candidates so far for LG fail to spark voter enthusiasm. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation in 2013 spent $35,000 on a peer review that yielded fairly routine findings. Its attorneys fought to keep the report secret for four years. Civil Beat.

Lawmaker demands answers after state boots deputy sheriffs from Honolulu airport patrols. KHON2.

The owner of Valley of the Temples Memorial Park will preserve and enlarge its historic main building, which includes Hawaiian heiau references, under a plan to establish mortuary services and a bigger chapel at the Windward Oahu property. Star-Advertiser.

Ala Moana Center is getting its own weekly farmers market. KHON2.

East Oahu neighborhoods experienced strong sales in May, with closed sales of single-family homes in the Aina Haina and Kuliouou area more than tripling, according to the Honolulu Board of Realtors monthly local market update.Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

A Kona coffee farmer whose fight against deportation has played out publicly in recent weeks is thanking Hawaii residents and lawmakers for their support. Hawaii News Now.

Researchers can now look with a bird’s-eye view at rapid ohia death in an entire forest and also microscopically within a single tree. Collaborating researchers showcased their wide-ranging technology for journalists Monday at the Hilo Air Patrol. Tribune-Herald.

The Department of Water Supply reported last week that North Kona consumers are largely ignoring the mandatory 25 percent reduction in water usage the department first issued in January. West Hawaii Today.

Drought conditions on Hawaii Island are improving, according to the latest Drought Information Statement issued by the National Weather Service in Honolulu. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii County’s unemployment rate increased a fraction last month but remains near 10-year lows, according to recent figures from the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Global media leader and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey will appear for a special conversation at Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s outdoor Alexander & Baldwin Amphitheater on Monday, June 26. Maui Now.

Haleakalā National Park is still seeking cultural practitioners from local communities for is Hana Noʻeau program, a series of cultural demonstrations that is offered in the park’s Kīpahulu and Summit Districts. Maui Now.

The county’s electronics recycling program on Maui and Molokai will be suspended for five weeks beginning July 1 in order to implement new processing and Mainland shipping systems, the Department of Environmental Management has announced. Maui News.

Kmart’s last day of business on Maui drew many loyal customers for the same reason it always has over the past two decades: all the great deals. Maui News.

Kauai

County and industry leaders said Monday investments in renewable energy systems are key to lowering dependence on fossil fuels while strengthening the economy. Garden Island.

Sunday was a day when the more than 350 people involved with Tropic Care Kauai 2017 could let their hair down and enjoy the hospitality and gratitude of a grateful island at a luau put on by the Smith’s Tropical Paradise family. Garden Island.

Hawaii poll mixed on Trump immigration enforcement, Tulsi Gabbard says Hawaii in North Korea 'crosshairs,' Oahu poll shows airport authority opposition, resistance to pay more for rail, Green mulls lieutenant governor post, Kauai police chief seeks Honolulu job, Maui mayoral candidate in car crash, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard in Windward Oahu, courtesy Gabbard congressional office

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard faced a rowdy crowd in Kailua on Saturday night for one of seven town hall meetings that she’s holding throughout the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Gabbard Focuses On North Korea Amid Questions About Syria. At her most contentious of three town hall meetings so far, the congresswoman tells her Kailua audience that Hawaii is in the “crosshairs.” Civil Beat.

Despite assertions of widespread consensus, Hawaii appears to be divided over whether the state should be spending money challenging President Donald Trump’s revised ban on travel to the United States by individuals from certain countries. Star-Advertiser.

Should Hawaii Defy Trump On Immigration Enforcement? Lawmakers are debating whether Hawaii should join communities balking at cooperating with the crackdown on criminal immigrants. Civil Beat.

The chairmen of Hawaii’s House and Senate tourism committees expect to meet in the upcoming week to resolve differences over vacation rental tax bills that have passed their respective chambers. Associated Press.

When compared with four international vacation destinations, Hawaii hotels were more expensive and less occupied during the month of March. Pacific Business News.

State lawmakers are hoping to alleviate the cost of college for some students with House Bill 1594. The proposed legislation would set up a new scholarship program called "Hawaii Promise." KITV.

State Sen. Josh Green has already laid out an ambitious project he’d take on as lieutenant governor. The only thing he hasn’t quite done yet is announce he’s running. West Hawaii Today.

The Fight Over Papahanaumokuakea Just Escalated. It’s not just Wespac that’s lobbying President Trump to undo marine monument protections in the Pacific. Civil Beat.

The solar industry continues to contract on the neighbor islands. Star-Advertiser.

Four Marine Corps Ospreys are expected to fly nearly 6,000 miles from Hawaii to Australia this week, refueling in midair and stopping a couple of times — while demonstrating again the long range, speed and versatility of the unique tilt-rotor aircraft, the Corps said. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The latest Hawaii Poll by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser suggests a majority of likely Oahu voters want the city’s rail project to reach Ala Moana Center but are reluctant to pay more taxes to do so. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu residents are not particularly pleased with the condition of Honolulu International Airport, but a majority of them oppose the plan to create a new airport authority to try to better manage and maintain the state’s airport system. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu residents generally think homeowners should be able to rent part or all of their homes to visitors, but results of the latest Hawaii Poll were evenly split on whether online travel booking sites like Airbnb should collect taxes for clients. Star-Advertiser.

A bill introduced by two Honolulu City Council members would eliminate the city’s controversial Residential A tax category. Star-Advertiser.

A deadline has passed, but Gov. David Ige still could fill two upcoming vacancies on a state board regulating development in Kakaako using a controversial list of candidates from the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Gas Co. said recently it expects to act on plans to integrate biogas from the city’s Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant into its pipeline. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii State Department of Education will receive a $70 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment to make major improvements to Solomon Elementary School at Schofield Barracks in Central Oahu. Pacific Business News.

Many beachgoers in Lanikai returned to their vehicles on Easter Sunday with tickets left on their windshields. Hawaii News Now.

Commentary: Rail-financing controversy sure to take politicians’ futures for a ride. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: As the Legislature nears its crunch, key lawmakers are showing signs they finally mean what they say about holding Honolulu rail accountable for incessant mismanagement and budget deficits. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Tests find no depleted uranium threat: But critics file petitions challenging Pohakuloa Training Area radiation monitoring. Tribune-Herald.

Major Kahaluu development draws concerns. West Hawaii Today.

A Hilo-based aerospace agency is on the chopping block as lawmakers sort out the state’s budget. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County collaborators are working on several fronts — making sure at least half of all police patrol vehicles per shift carry an automated external defibrillator, or AED, which can shock a heart back into normal rhythm — and teaching high school students hands-only CPR. Tribune-Herald.

VIDEO: Merrie Monarch Festival Begins In Hilo. Big Island Video News.

Merrie Monarch Festival schedule. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor Alan Arakawa took 34 county-funded trips costing about $33,800 in 2016. Maui News.

A $28 million Maui estate that hosted celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Prince and Mel Gibson has been listed by Hawaii Life. Pacific Business News.

The median price of a single-family home in Maui County soared to $769,000 in March, the highest monthly benchmark in more than a decade, the Realtors Association of Maui reported this week. Maui News.

Former Maui County Councilman and mayoral candidate Mike Victorino was involved in a collision Thursday night in Kahului that sent two teenagers to the hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries. Garden Island.

Lettuce and kale sales have dipped in recent weeks in response to an unusual number of rat lungworm cases on Maui that have left many visitors and residents questioning where produce is grown. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai Police Chief Darryl Perry wants to return to Oahu to run a department that he believes is in need of competent leadership after years of scandal. Civil Beat.

The federal government and the state have taken a step back on the regulation of the restricted-use pesticide chlorpyrifos, but activists on Kauai aren’t giving up. Garden Island.

Vehicles are now using the new steel bridge over Keahua Stream on “Loop Road” — and a few people have found it creates an advantage for them. Garden Island.

The state’s planned 4-foot-wide aluminum pedestrian bridge over Hanakapiai Stream on Kauai’s North Shore is up for discussion — a community meeting will be held Tuesday in Hanalei. Garden Island.

A young green sea turtle was reportedly attacked and injured by a man Thursday at Nawiliwili Harbor. Garden Island.

Statehouse politics: Joe Souki for lieutenant governor? Bills for vacation rentals, medical marijuana, child care advancing in Legislature; Honolulu tops in solar installs; 'Peter Boy' father set for plea deal, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Speaker Joe Souki in House chambers, from joesouki.com

Will Joe Souki Be Hawaii’s Next Lt Gov? There’s a lot of speculation about how the dominoes could fall if Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui resigns to run for Maui mayor. Civil Beat.

Affordable housing advocates fear the Legislature won’t allocate enough money this year to have a meaningful effect on Hawaii’s housing shortage. Civil Beat.

Two bills to allow online vacation rental sites like Airbnb to collect taxes from hosts and remit them to the state moved forward Tuesday, including one that emerged after a task force bill to study vacation rentals was gutted and replaced. Star-Advertiser.

A couple of bills seeking to amend laws regarding medical marijuana are passing through the Legislature. Garden Island.

Two bills that supporters say will make parents feel their kids are being properly taken care of in child care facilities are nearing the finish line at the Hawaii Legislature. Civil Beat.

A Hawaii bill that would have required beauticians to undergo training to spot signs of domestic violence has died. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu ranks first in the United States when it comes to solar energy installations per capita, according to a new report released Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

The private security company whose officer shot and killed a pet dog at Honolulu Airport last week said the pit bull was loose and tried to attack the officer, who was injured trying to avoid contact during the incident. Star-Advertiser.

Autopsy: Maui man who breached Honolulu airport security had used meth. Star-Advertiser.

State Attorney General Douglas Chin is asking lawmakers to earmark more than $10 million to settle claims by subcontractors who were never paid for materials or work they did on a Honolulu Airport cargo and maintenance hangar project that stalled in late 2015. Star-Advertiser.

One of five employees at the women’s prison named in a lawsuit filed last week by 10 inmates alleging varying degrees of sexual assault and harassment said he was exonerated of all charges by the state. Star-Advertiser.

A state judge said Tuesday the hearing of a former Kamehameha Schools teacher accused of videotaping students in his shower will be public. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Electric Co. has launched a pilot program that offers a $20 discount on monthly electrical bills to 2,000 customers who are dependent on life-support equipment. Star-Advertiser.

Two new cultural markers erected in February near the hula mound at Kapolei Regional Park are part of a growing effort by community groups that hope not only to educate residents about places of historic significance, but to help deter vandalism. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's second Holiday Inn Express hotel recently opened in the former Maile Sky Court in Waikiki following a $30 million rebranding and renovation. Pacific Business News.

The Holiday Inn Express Honolulu-Waikiki, the largest Holiday Inn Express in the U.S., held its grand opening Monday following the completion of a $30 million renovation and re-branding. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The Hawaii Community Correctional Center might be the cause of a sewer main clog that unleashed up to 41,000 gallons of untreated sewage into the Wailuku River and Hilo Bay on Monday. Tribune-Herald.

Beach advisories for Kahaluu and the Kamakahonu side of Kailua Pier have been dropped. West Hawaii Today.

After informally agreeing to lift some road requirements and have the developer meet with local union representatives, the County Council Planning Committee gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a planned shopping plaza at Mauna Lani resorts. West Hawaii Today.

As requested by the Administration, the Department of Parks and Recreation is postponing its planned clean-up operation at Old Airport Park in Kona, while the County seeks an alternative site for homeless people camping at the facility. Big Island Video News.

One week after establishing a “Safety Zone” keeping boats a distance away from the Kamokuna lava ocean entry, the U.S. Coast Guard says vessels can now request entrance into the area. Big Island Video News.

Peter Kema Sr. to change plea in ‘Peter Boy’ case. Tribune-Herald.

The father of Peter “Peter Boy” Kema Jr. is scheduled to appear today in Hilo Circuit Court and is expected to accept a plea deal in the murder of his young son two decades ago. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

The immigration policies of the Trump Administration played out today in Honolulu. It involves the deportation and removal of a Mexican immigrant. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui woman facing deportation to Mexico gets temporary reprieve. KITV.

Eight years of growing losses have prompted Wailuku Water Co. to ask the state Public Utilities Commission for permission to sell about 4,500 acres of its land in the West Maui Mountains. Maui News.

TEACH Development, which was planning to turn Old Maui High School into a center for agriculture, technology and education, has ended its pursuit of the project, citing “strong opposition to nonlocal for-profit companies receiving public land.” Maui News.

Six cases of rat lungworm have been reported on Maui over the past three months — tripling the amount of cases the island has seen in the past decade, Maui District Health Officer Dr. Lorrin Pang said Tuesday. Maui News.

A recent case of a Maui woman contracting rat lungworm has brought attention to a disease that can be caught by eating from your yard. Maui Now.

Kauai

Four people claiming ownership of land by right of royal patent were arrested Tuesday in Wainiha following a demonstration to protect a Hawaiian burial site. Garden Island.

Four men were arrested Tuesday after blocking access to private property in Wainiha. Hawaii News Now.

Group aims to perpetuate Hawaiian culture, restore historical sites. Malama Koloa aims to perpetuate Hawaiian culture, restore historical sites. Garden Island.

Pesticides play politics in state House, advocates want Hawaii to be sanctuary state, DLNR seeks criminal probe at Kona boat harbors, bill could require Honolulu building inspections, Maui mayor's plan to sell golf course irks golfers, Kauai monk seal killing reward upped to $50k, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Pesticide spray in Hilo, special to All Hawaii News

Lawmaker May Lose Committee Chair Over Pesticide Bill. Hawaii Rep. Angus McKelvey’s effort to push through a contentious pesticide disclosure bill could lead to his ouster as head of Consumer Protection and Commerce. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture has started posting data on what kinds of restricted-use pesticides large agricultural companies apply each month and in what amounts. Civil Beat.

A proposed bill to increase the counties’ allocation of money generated from the transient accommodations tax passed in the Hawaii Senate. Garden Island.

A bill to replace the term “medical marijuana” with “medical cannabis” in state law is moving through the Legislature, though most other marijuana-related measures have died. Tribune-Herald.

Senate Bill 518 and companion House Bill 680 would mandate all those with barber, beauty operator and instructor licenses under the state Board of Barbering and Cosmetology complete a one-time, three-hour training program on domestic violence awareness and education. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii Board of Education has suspended its search for the next state schools superintendent after a foundation pulled back from a large donation to support the effort. Civil Beat.

The search for the next schools superintendent is delayed over concerns about fairness. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest level in nearly 10 years. Star-Advertiser.

While hotel occupancy rose only slightly in January, the industry saw record revenue of $561 million. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii tourism had another record year of arrivals in 2016, but statewide sales of homes typically bought by visitors barely budged, a new report shows. Star-Advertiser.

Advocates for immigrants are ramping up efforts to make Hawaii a sanctuary state. Hawaii News Now.

State Attorney General Doug Chin, who filed the nation’s first state lawsuit Wednesday to block President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban, said the executive order still discriminates against residents of Muslim-majority countries in spite of the watered-down language. Star-Advertiser.

A new technical report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration suggests that climate change-induced sea level rise over the course of this century, especially in Hawaii, may be far worse than predicted in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scenario that has been serving as a guide for a number of local efforts to address climate change impacts. Civil Beat.

Growth in out-of-state investment in Hawaii real estate is prompting the state to take a closer look at property tax rates. Tribune-Herald.

A bill seeking to ban foam containers was shelved this session, despite sizable public support. Star-Advertiser.

Catherine Ngo, president and chief executive officer of Central Pacific Bank, earned $1,051,039 last year, $45,071 less than she did in 2015, despite an increase in salary, according to the bank’s annual proxy statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday. Pacific Business News.

Hawaiian Airlines unveiled an Airbus A321neo full-flight simulator to train pilots ahead of the airline’s full incorporation of the fleet starting next year. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Two bills that would require most Oahu commercial buildings, condominiums and apartments to be inspected every five years moved out of a City Council committee Thursday, despite concerns raised by both a condo association group and the Department of Planning and Permitting. Star-Advertiser.

Building 800 affordable homes annually on Oahu is a goal Mayor Kirk Caldwell laid down last month. It is ambitious. And he said he has an aggressive strategy to get it done. But a close look at his plan suggests it will be tough to realize. Star-Advertiser.

The first phase of a 320-unit affordable rental apartment complex in east Kapolei could break ground at the end of this year or early next year, Michaels Development Co. officials say. Star-Advertiser.

As the University of Hawaii works to modernize buildings on the aging Manoa campus, officials want to move away from static learning and research spaces toward facilities that foster collaboration across fields. Star-Advertiser.

When Salem Partners first inquired about building a condominium-hotel tower across from the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu, little did the Los Angeles-based investment bank and wealth management firm know that several other towers would be joining its project along Kapiolani Boulevard. Pacific Business News.

The Hawaiian Humane Society this spring plans to start building Hawaii’s first high-volume spay-and-neuter clinic focused on “free-roaming” cats to reduce their numbers on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The Department of Land and Natural Resources has joined Hawaii County Prosecutor Mitch Roth in asking the state attorney general to investigate the ethics issues and allegations that continue to roil the waters at West Hawaii small boat harbors. West Hawaii Today.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has taken the first step toward starting a contested case hearing for the Thirty Meter Telescope’s sublease on Mauna Kea by seeking applicants for a hearing officer. But it remains unclear when or if the quasi-judicial hearing — the third so far — will be held. Tribune-Herald.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will soon begin work to determine the extent of munitions and explosives of concern remaining from military training and on more than 1,900 acres on Kohala Mountain’s flanks. West Hawaii Today.

Council Chairwoman Valerie Poindexter has called a meeting over runoff dispute between dairy, neighbors. West Hawaii Today.

Demolition by neglect: Fate of Naalehu Theater remains in limbo, even as it deteriorates. Tribune-Herald.

Work on the Hilo Bayfront Trails continues despite an unexpected setback in the grant cycle that caused organizers to shift priorities. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor Alan Arakawa’s proposed shutdown of the 87-year-old Waiehu Municipal Golf Course drew the ire of Maui golfers, who praised the course for its beauty and affordability. Maui News.

Golfers are criticizing a plan by Maui County’s mayor to shut down an 87-year-old municipal golf course. Associated Press.

A 285-acre business park is being proposed by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources on former sugar lands in Pulehunui. Maui News.

Maui County could see a small increase in its share of the hotel room tax and money for an agricultural park in South Maui, and there may be hope for 250 low-income residents who are looking at being priced out of their Lahaina apartments as the Legislature cleared a key deadline Thursday. Maui News.

Maui hotel room rates jumped 10 percent last week with other Islands experiencing similar gains compared to last year, according to the Hospitality Advisors LLC and STR weekly hotel report. Pacific Business News.

Undocumented immigrants on Maui are unsure of future. Given the changing policies, some worry they’ll get caught up in deportation fervor. Maui News.

Hawaii Gas is planning to build a new storage facility for propane tanks near Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary in Kahului, company officials said Tuesday. Maui News.

Kauai

Planning Commission to discuss General Plan Update. General Plan Update goes to Planning Commission Tuesday. Garden Island.

The state plans to once again take on the rats that have colonized Lehua Island. Details will be presented Tuesday at the Waimea Neighborhood Center. Garden Island.

The state wants to eradicate rats on a small island off Niihau to create a refuge for threatened and endangered seabirds as rising sea levels threaten low-lying atolls. Star-Advertiser.

A total of $50,000 is being offered for information about the killings of five Hawaiian monk seals, including the February death of a 15-year old female known as R4DP on Kauai. Garden Island.

The Hawaii Department of Health will reconvene public hearings statewide to introduce amendments to Chapter 50 of the state’s Food Safety Code. Garden Island.

Hawaiian Airlines starts direct service from Lihue to Kona. Garden Island.