Income tax rebate back on the table, Big Island dangerous dog penalties increased, Maui tackles record $1B budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Money in hand  PC:Alexander Mils via Unsplash

Lawmakers revive, enlarge tax rebate plan for Hawaii taxpayers. Hawaii taxpayers may still yet get tax rebates this year, and the amount for many could be $300 instead of the $100 that Gov. David Ige proposed in January. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Firefighters get pay raise. Pay raises are coming for Hawaii firefighters, after an arbitration ruling. Police  officers will likely get a similar deal when their contract is renewed. KHON2.

‘Homesick’ Navy Officer Files Lawsuit After Being Denied Hawaii Gun Permit. Two attorneys are hoping to change a Hawaii gun law after a Navy officer was forced to give up his personal firearms because he had sought psychological counseling after feeling depressed and homesick. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  Associated Press.

Hawaii Health Department confirms 3rd case of Legionnaires’ disease in Waikiki. The Hawaii Department of Health today confirmed an additional case of Legionnaires’ disease in a guest who stayed at The Grand Islander by Hilton Grand Vacations in Waikiki. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Japan Association of Travel Agents Surge of Japanese visitors expected. The arrival of a delegation from the Japan Association of Travel Agents in Hawaii this week is a positive sign that the recovery of tourism from Japan, the state’s top international market, is finally on an accelerated timeline. Star-Advertiser.

March 31-April 6, 2022 COVID-19 update: 3 deaths, 1,194 new infections in Hawaiʻi. The latest weekly count includes 109 cases on Maui, 107 on Hawaiʻi Island, 37 on Kauaʻi, three on Molokaʻi, -1 on Lānaʻi, and 56 out of state.  There are 883 new COVID-19 cases on Oʻahu. Maui Now.

Oahu

Murder suspect, son of Honolulu police officers, did not receive special treatment, Chief Rade Vanic says. There is no indication that a 19-year-old murder suspect, who is the son and stepson of Honolulu police officers, received special treatment after he allegedly shot and killed an 18-year-old man on Round Top Drive during a failed robbery March 18, interim Police Chief Rade Vanic told the Honolulu Police Commission on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Commission Says Honolulu Should Fund Defense For Cops In Lindani Myeni Killing. Police officers Garrick Orosco and Brent Sylvester are named in a wrongful death lawsuit filed the week after Myeni was killed. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

‘Nobody Knows What’s Going On’: Kalihi Is Transforming Despite Uncertainty About Rail. Commercial property values have spiked along the rail line since the tax to build the project went into effect. But rail didn’t create that new value, local analysts say. Civil Beat.

Lead contamination detected at school, home at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The Navy and state Department of Health are working to validate the detection of lead contamination at a school and a house at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

The clock is ticking on the Waimanalo landfill in West Oʻahu. Here are the city's options. The main garbage dump for the island is supposed to close by March 2028 and the city has to decide on a new site by the end of 2022, as ordered by the state Land Use Commission. Hawaii Public Radio.

State’s first tiny home project addressing homelessness welcomes first residents. A ceremony to officially welcome new residents to Kama‘oku Kauhale, a tiny-home village for people experiencing homelessness, was held Wednesday in Kalaeloa. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Median price of single-family home on Oahu soars to new record high: $1.15M. The median price of a single-family home on Oahu soared to a new record high of $1,150,000 in March — a 21.1% increase from last year. Hawaii News Now.

Move to 4-day workweek allows Oahu’s most elite lifeguards to expand their reach. A team of Honolulu’s most elite lifeguards are part of a growing trend happening at workplaces across the country: They’re shifting to a four-day week. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

‘The details are frightening’: Results of Access to Care survey presented to council. Doctors on the Big Island can’t afford to take patients who have Medicare and Medicaid due to low reimbursement rates. West Hawaii Today.

Council approves harsher penalties for owners of dangerous dogs. The Hawaii County Council on Wednesday passed a bill that would impose steeper penalties on owners of dangerous dogs. Tribune-Herald.

Commission authorizes amended power agreement for PGV, Hawaiian Electric. Amendments to a power purchase agreement between Puna Geothermal Venture and Hawaiian Electric have been approved by the state, with some conditions. Tribune-Herald.

Waikoloa timeshare project wins council approval. Some 900 new timeshares are expected to be popping up at the Waikoloa Resort starting within five years, following County Council votes Wednesday approving rezoning that will do away with nine holes of golf and add affordable housing for workers. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Council begins review of billion-dollar budget. The committee on Tuesday morning began its review of county departments under Mayor Michael Victorino’s record-setting $1.045 billion proposed fiscal year 2023 budget. Maui News.

Maui Councilmember King proposes funding for wastewater solution in Māʻalaea. If approved, the proposed funding of up to $9.5 million will be used to construct a wastewater treatment facility for the Māʻalaea community that  currently relies on 24 outdated injection wells. Maui Now.

Maui Police Department achieves CALCEA re-accreditation. The Maui Police Department announced its re-accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. On April 2, 2022, CALEA awarded accreditation status to the department for the ninth time. Maui Now.

Kauai

KIUC touts lowest rate increase, at forefront of renewables. For the third straight year, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative leads the state in renewables, reporting 69.5% of electricity production coming from renewable sources in its annual filing for 2021. Garden Island.

Everything’s On The Table As Kauai Writes Its First Climate Change Action Plan. Kauai County planners say public input will guide the process of drafting an islandwide climate change mitigation strategy. Civil Beat.

Federal court upholds Hawaii's open carry gun limits, state won't extend income tax deadline or exempt unemployment, Ige may veto marijuana decriminalization bill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Photo by Andy Montes de Oca on Unsplash

Ruling upholds Hawaii’s limits on carrying guns in public. Hawaii’s strict limit on openly carrying firearms is lawful, a panel of federal appeals court judges ruled today in a lawsuit by a man who tried unsuccessfully several times to obtain a license to carry a loaded gun in public. Associated Press.

Hawaii saw record number of firearm permit applications in 2020. A record high total of 26,122 personal/private firearm permit applications were processed statewide during 2020, marking a 62.3 percent increase from 16,098 applications processed in 2019. Maui Now. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

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Despite federal extension, state says it won’t budge on its tax filing deadline. The state Department of Taxation said Tuesday that the filing deadline for 2020 remains April 20. Hawaii News Now.

Bill exempting jobless benefits from state taxes hits a snag. Senate Bill 614 would exempt unemployment compensation, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, received by Hawaii residents between March 1, 2020, and Dec. 31 when the coronavirus ravaged the local economy. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Ige has ‘big concerns’ about marijuana bill. A bill that would legalize the personal use of marijuana in Hawaii is still alive, but Gov. David Ige suggested Wednesday that he intends to veto it. Tribune-Herald.

DUI threshold bill stalls: House committee defers measure to lower legal blood alcohol limit. A House committee Tuesday deferred a measure that would have made Hawaii the second state in nation to lower its blood-alcohol threshold for drunken driving to 0.05. West Hawaii Today.

Lawmakers Advance Bail Reform To Fix A ‘Broken’ System. Both the House and Senate seem open to the idea of releasing more minor offenders without bail. Civil Beat.

Affordable teacher housing bill moves forward. A Senate bill that would authorize the state to provide affordable rental housing units for teachers has moved one step closer to being passed. West Hawaii Today.

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Hawaii vacation rental outlook brightens, sees dramatic increase in tourism industry. The outlook is getting brighter for short-term vacation rentals, which put more heads on beds at available units in February and held onto rates better than their hotel counterparts. Star-Advertiser.

Government officials, UH remain silent on return of fans to sports. Big West Conference schools can now decide if they want to allow fans at games. KHON2.

Hawaii’s Antiquated 211 Phone Line Gets A Much Needed Upgrade. As the pandemic escalated last year, soaring call volumes crashed the system. Hawaii Data Collaborative is helping overhaul it. Civil Beat.

Coronavirus vaccinations: Hawaii to miss President Joe Biden’s goal. Hawaii will come to close to meeting President Joe Biden’s nationwide goal of having all adults eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations by May 1, but the islands likely will be a week or two behind schedule. Star-Advertiser.

Concerns over coronavirus travel passport verification process. State officials are working on a travel passport that would allow fully vaccinated travelers to bypass testing and quarantine. KHON2.

Rather than targeting high-risk conditions, state uses age as ‘a guide’ for vaccine rollout. Hawaii remains on track to open vaccinations to every adult in early May, Lt. Gov. Josh Green said, but many are still anxious to know when it will be their turn. Hawaii News Now.

March 24, 2021 COVID-19 Update: The state Department of Health reports that there were 58 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Wednesday, including 24 on O‘ahu, 22 on Maui, seven on Hawai‘i Island, one on Moloka‘i, one on Kaua‘i, and three in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed outside of the state. Maui Now.

Oahu

University Of Hawaii Report Finds ‘Discriminatory Policing’ In Honolulu Schools. Researchers said Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and Black students were disproportionately cited for offenses like running away from home or truancy. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Blangiardi Nominates Former HPD Officer For Police Commission. The Police Commission conducts oversight of HPD and has the power to hire and fire the chief. Civil Beat.

Oahu Customers May See Their Electric Bills Rise Next Year As Power Plant Converts. But Hawaiian Electric says its Kapolei Energy Storage project will save customers money over the life of the project. Civil Beat.

Kaiser Permanente partners with Consolidated Theatres to open vaccination site in Kapolei. The health care provider said it will be able to vaccinate up to 2,000 people per day at the theater, located at 890 Kamokila Blvd. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Sen. Hirono, Rep. Kahele help secure approval for outpatient clinic for Leeward Oahu veterans. Congress has approved the construction of an outpatient clinic for Leeward Oahu veterans. Star-Advertiser.

Koko Crater summit to close 3 weeks for repairs. Koko Crater summit area atop the Koko Crater tramway trail is scheduled to be closed to the public daily through April 19 for work to mitigate safety issues. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Conflict of interest? Kern signs off on approval of project he represented as a planning consultant. Zendo Kern represented clients as a consultant before the Leeward Planning Commission on a rezoning application, and then as planning director, signed off on a plat map for the same project, records show. West Hawaii Today.

State House to Restore Funding to Hilo Youth Challenge Academy. House Bill 200 House Draft 1 restores more than $600,000 in general funds and $2.3 million in federal funds to the program and retains over 40 full-time positions that would otherwise have been cut. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kona’s Mask-Making Company Faces Setbacks Due to Damaged Shipment. Kona Mask Co. was founded by retired United Airlines pilot Nick Garcia and is based in Kailua-Kona. Big Island Now.

Maui

$1.6B affordable housing plan unveiled. Called “bold” and “dramatic,” a $1.6 billion draft plan unveiled Tuesday to bring 5,000 affordable units online in Central, South and West Maui calls for major overhauls to the County of Maui’s affordable housing approach. Maui News.

Permit granted for six-story 170-room hotel expansion. The Maui Coast Hotel received approval for a permit to build a six-story, 170-room expansion that drew hours of public testimony from some residents who touted the new jobs and others who worried about overtourism and traffic. Maui News.

$18M Ferry Pier Improvement at Lahaina Small Boat Harbor to Start April 5. Construction is set to start April 5 on a new concrete ferry pier at the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation’s Lahaina Small Boat Harbor. Maui Now.

Kauai

County passes Ag use bill. While there remained slight reservations, a bill allowing various money-generating uses to agriculturally zoned land passed through the Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday. Garden Island.

Readying for in-person learning April 5. Kaua‘i’s public secondary schools are making preparations to bring all students back to their campus for daily in-person learning, starting on Apr. 5 to April 9. Garden Island.

Schools superintendent Kishimoto calls it quits, some jumping the vaccination line, governor declares state of emergency over flooding, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Schools Superintendent Christina Kishimoto

Hawaii schools superintendent Christina Kishimoto stepping down in July when contract ends. Superintendent Christina Kishimoto announced Tuesday she will step down on July 30 after four years at the helm of Hawaii’s public schools, rather than seek to extend her contract. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Some vaccine recipients finding ways to jump line. The state Department of Health said it relies on employers to identify who in their companies are front-line essential workers eligible for the shot, and also on vaccinators to verify the people getting inoculated. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige declares an emergency as heavy rain wreaks havoc across the state. Gov. David Ige on Tuesday signed an emergency declaration that will free up state funds to help those across the state hit by the heavy rainfall and flooding. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Senate approves nation’s highest income tax. A bill that would increase Hawaii’s income tax to the highest in the nation for the state’s top earners passed the full Senate on Tuesday by a near-unanimous vote. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

LGBTQ Parents May Get Help When Having A Baby In Hawaii. The House passed a bill Tuesday to establish a task force to try to make it easier for queer parents to establish parentage at birth. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Senate Votes To Legalize Marijuana, Raise Minimum Wage. While both proposals appear dead on arrival in the House, lawmakers will still consider scores of other measures related to abortions, taxes and housing development. Civil Beat.

Bill would prohibit sale of sunscreen products containing avobenzone and octocrylene. Sunscreens containing two harmful petrochemicals, avobenzone and octocrylene, would be banned from sale in Hawaii under a bill passed Tuesday by the state Senate. West Hawaii Today. Garden Island.

Help Wanted For Ethics, Campaign Spending Commissions. Vacancies on both are appointed by the governor from nominees submitted by the Judicial Council. Civil Beat.

From The Philippines To Lanai: State Hopes New Teaching Recruits Will Fill A Gap. The new program is aimed at bringing to Hawaii highly qualified teachers from the Philippines to fill the teaching gaps, particularly in areas like math, science and special education. Civil Beat.

U.S.-Chinese force imbalance is growing in western Pacific. Adm. Phil Davidson, head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command on Oahu, recently delivered to Congress a $27.3 billion request for extra funding through 2027 called the Pacific Deterrence Initiative. Star-Advertiser.

State reports 42 new COVID cases. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

10,000 gallons of wastewater have spilled from Kahuku treatment plant in ongoing discharge. The  state Department of Health has issued an advisory warning the public to stay out of coastal waters fronting the plant. Star-Advertiser.

HFD continues search for person in Waihona Stream on Oahu. The Honolulu Fire Department will continue the search for a person reported to be in the Waiawa Stream in Pearl City in the morning on Wednesday, March 10. KHON2.

City lifts evacuation order for Haleiwa as flooding threat subsides. An evacuation order for scores of Haleiwa town residents was lifted late Tuesday as the threat of “catastrophic flooding” from torrential rains subsided. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Wastewater Discharge Reported At Papaikou Treatment Plant. The public is advised to remain out of waters fronting the Papaikou Wastewater Treatment Plant due to a wastewater discharge. Big Island Video News.

Rain On Lava Creates Poor Visibility On Puna Highway. Hawaiʻi County emergency officials are urging motorists to use caution on Highway 132 in Puna, due to poor visibility caused by steam in the area. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Waimea residents reflect on life during the coronavirus pandemic. Many furloughed Big Island hospitality workers have gone nearly a year without work because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Health workers ratify new contract. Maui Health System workers voted overwhelmingly to approve a new four-year contract over the weekend, bringing eight months of negotiations and disputes over worker pay to a close, the union said. Maui News.

16.63 Inches of Rain Fell in 24 Hours in East Maui — Beats 40 State Rainfall Records But Not Hawaiʻi’s. The storm that dumped buckets of rain on East Maui Monday, causing flooding, evacuations and the Kaupakalua Dam to overflow, was called a “run-of-the-mill low-pressure system for the Hawaiian islands” by an AccuWeather meteorologist. Maui Now.

Kaupakalua Farm House on Maui Swept Away by Flood. Five people are among those displaced after a torrent of water and mud swept away a five-bedroom farm house and heavily damaged another shed dwelling on the same Maui property Monday afternoon. Maui Now. KHON2. KITV4.

State says century-old Kaupakalua Dam slated for removal this summer. Heavy rains on Monday caused the aging reservoir to swell, and overtop the earthen dam in the Haiku region, resulting in the emergency evacuation of some 150 downstream homes. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Kauai

KPD Chief Raybuck faces discrimination charges. Kaua‘i Police Department Chief Todd Raybuck violated policies against discrimination and created a hostile work environment for an officer based on race, as found by a Kaua‘i Police Commission investigation. Garden Island.

Rise to Work program accepting applications. The County of Kauai is now accepting applications for the Rise to Work program, which helps Kaua‘i residents who lost their job connect to temporary job opportunities with local employers. Garden Island.

Heavy rains close Hanalei Bridge, produce flash floods warnings. Heavy rains triggered a flash-flood warning for Kaua‘i on Tuesday night and the closure of Kuhio Highway in the vicinity of the Hanalei Bridge at about 5 p.m. Garden Island.

Hawaii poised to become state with highest income tax, highly infectious COVID-19 variant detected, flood over-tops Maui dam, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino at video press conference

Hawaii lawmakers consider nation’s highest income tax. Hawaii is considering overtaking California as the state with the highest income tax rate in the nation, under legislation slated for a vote this week. Associated Press.

Hawaii Could Lose Access To Next Generation Broadband Internet. Technological advances allow the next generation of undersea fiber optic cables to traverse the Pacific without stopping in Hawaii. Hawaii Public Radio.

House Speaker Seeks Hawaiian Nominees For Mauna Kea Group. The 15-member working group has until December to come up with a new management structure for Mauna Kea. Civil Beat.

Hawaii to receive over $6.1B in federal funds. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package passed Saturday by the Senate and poised for imminent passage in the House will provide over $6.1 billion in estimated funding for Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Convention Center charges state millions for unemployment call center. Hawaii lawmakers are looking to expand the governor’s powers to assume control over any state facility during an emergency and not have to worry about paying rent to the agency that controls it. Star-Advertiser.

South Africa COVID-19 Variant Detected On Oahu. A new COVID-19 strain originating in South Africa that is both highly contagious and able to evade antibodies was detected in an Oahu resident, state health officials announced Monday. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Ige: ‘Vaccine passport’ program unlikely until May. Vaccinated travelers could be exempt from COVID-19 travel restrictions by May, said Gov. David Ige on Monday. Tribune-Herald.

Resolutions urge Ige to ease travel quarantine on vaccinated persons. A pair of resolutions will be introduced today by state Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, an Oahu Democrat, that would ease travel restrictions in Hawaii for vaccinated individuals. Tribune-Herald. KHON2.

Hawaii plans brand-specific vaccination sites to allow people to pick their shot. People getting vaccinated could soon have the option to pick which brand of COVID shot they want. Hawaii News Now.

March 8, 2021 COVID-19 Update: The state Department of Health reports that there were 45 additional COVID-45 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Monday, including 21 on O‘ahu, 11 on Maui, 10 on Hawai‘i Island, and three in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed outside of the state. Maui Now.

Oahu

Feds Examining Honolulu Police CARES Spending On ATVs, Robot Dog. The Honolulu Police Department is facing questions from the federal government about its spending of millions of dollars of pandemic relief funds on ATVs, pickup trucks and a robot dog. Civil Beat.

Free COVID-19 tests offered for Oahu restaurant workers. Honolulu’s restaurant workers will be able to take a free COVID-19 test starting today. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

There Are 10 Community Gardens On Oahu. None Of Them Are On The Westside. Unequal access to community gardens has some people calling for a revamp of the decades-old program. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Governor approves Roth’s emergency rule amendments. Gov. David Ige approved COVID-19 emergency rule amendments for the Big Island signed into effect Monday by Mayor Mitch Roth, which ease certain restrictions. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News. KITV4.

Ahu‘aila‘au proposed for county land buy: Neighbors seek purchase of ’Fissure 8’ with PONC funds. Neighbors of Puna’s internationally famous “Fissure 8” want the still smoldering volcanic vent preserved for future generations, and they’re asking a county land-buying commission to purchase it using taxpayer money. West Hawaii Today.

Another push for a new hospital in North Kona. Legislators are pushing forward the conversation about constructing a new hospital in North Kona with a pair of resolutions requesting the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation conduct a feasibility study. West Hawaii Today.

Three Finalists For Hawaiʻi County Seat On UH Board Of Regents. Wayne S. Higaki, Peter S. Hoffmann, and Eric S. Takamura are the names of the candidates, one of whom will fill the five-year appointment beginning on July 1. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Flash flood warning expires for heavily-soaked Maui, but threat of torrential rain continues.  Evacuation orders stretched into the night for Haiku residents who fled the life-threatening flooding downstream of the Kaupakalua Dam. Hawaii News Now.

Overtopping dam spurs evacuation in Maui’s Haiku area. Nearly 14 inches of rain Monday led to the overtopping of the Kaupakalua Reservoir and Dam, forcing the evacuation of some 150 downstream homes. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

State issued notice of deficiency to Kaupakalua Dam last year. The Kaupakalua Dam is one of the oldest agricultural dams and was built more than a hundred years ago. KHON2.

Hana Highway reopens though extreme caution still urged. The heaviest of showers are slowly subsiding on Maui, though some emergency closures and operations are still in place. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Kauai

Outreach at ‘Anini; community faces ouster. Thinking about where to go once the ‘Anini Beach Park closes to the houseless community in less than a month has been stressful for Ceci Lindsey. Garden Island.

DOE announces 4th quarter school schedules. The Kaua‘i Complex Area Department of Education Office announced the Kaua‘i revisions of school learning models will cover the fourth quarter that runs from March 22 through May 28. Garden Island.

Legislature mulls lifting tax on unemployment checks, Oahu edges toward Tier 4 reopening, Mauna Kea management group advances, Hirono memoir to be published next month, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hirono Memoir Heart of Fire

Mazie Hirono Memoir To Be Published In April. It will chronicle her immigrant journey from Japan to Hawaii and all the way to the U.S. Senate. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii unemployment compensation tax exemption bill advances. A proposal to exempt unemployment compensation from state income taxes won a key approval on Thursday with the Senate Ways and Means Committee unanimously approving the measure. Star-Advertiser.

Here’s How Tax Increases Are Shaking Out In The Hawaii Legislature. Senators moved to raise income taxes on high earners, and the House passed capital gains and inheritance tax increases. Civil Beat.

State offers more food stamp flexibility amid record participation. As Hawaii continues to grapple with high unemployment and a slow economic recovery, tens of thousands of people are turning to food stamps for assistance. Nearly 198,000 people in Hawaii are now on the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. Hawaii News Now.

Gas prices on the rise again, could continue rising throughout the year. In this last 30 days we’ve seen it go up about 15 to 16 cents a gallon, so that’s pretty significant for Hawaii. KHON2.

Could Tech Companies Help Diversify Hawaii's Economy? Lieutenant Governor Josh Green told KITV4 he thinks returning pre-pandemic level tourism would be detrimental to the environment and suggested incentivizing technology companies to relocate to Hawaii as a way to boost the local economy. KITV4.

Kahele, Case Divided On Whether Inmates Should Vote From Prison. A failed amendment to a House bill that seeks to expand voting rights and reduce the influence of money in politics highlights some differences between Hawaii’s Democratic congressmen. Civil Beat.

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No BOE decision on in-person learning. At its Thursday meeting to discuss safely opening schools by the fourth quarter, it was determined that a decision could be made at the next meeting, in two weeks. Garden Island.

Board of Ed Defers Debate On Superintendent Contract Renewal. Christina Kishimoto has called criticism of her leadership style “a distraction,” saying she needs to focus on more important issues. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Unions, teachers urge Board of Education to reject new contract for superintendent. In extensive testimony Thursday, union leaders and educators called on the Board of Education to reject a new contract for Superintendent Christina Kishimoto. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

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March 4, 2021 COVID-19 Update: There were 60 new COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Thursday, including 36 on O‘ahu, 15 on Maui, four on Hawai‘i Island, one on Kaua‘i and four in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed outside of the state. Maui Now.

Oahu

Oahu could move to Tier 4 reopening if COVID-19 cases continue to drop. Honolulu’s seven-day rolling average of new cases was 23 on Thursday with an average positivity rate of 0.9%, meeting one benchmark to move to Tier 4, which allows gatherings of up to 25 people, up from 10. Star-Advertiser.

DUI first time offenders accept lesser conviction in efforts to speed up court backlogs. Prosecutors and defense lawyers are turning to compromise to get cases moving through the courts. They have agreed on a lesser conviction for first-time DUI offenders in an effort to reduce the backlog of cases caused by the pandemic. KHON2.

Median price of a single-family home on Oahu hits a new high: $920,000. The record comes as Hawaii’s housing market continues to experience strong demand amid low supply. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Lawmaker Wants Report On Military Seawall at Ewa Beach. State officials have warned that a proposed seawall to protect the Marines’ Puuloa Range Training Facility would cause massive coastal erosion. Civil Beat.

Surf equity bill for contests at North Shore parks advances. A measure requiring gender equity for certain sports activities needing a park use permit from the city Department of Parks and Recreation was recommended for passage with amendments by the Parks and Community Services Committee of the Honolulu City Council in its Thursday meeting. Star-Advertiser.

Monkeypod restaurant to anchor Outrigger Reef. Renowned Hawaii chef Peter Merriman will be the driving force of the new signature beachfront restaurant at the transformed Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

State House approves resolution to develop new Mauna Kea management structure. The state House of Representatives Thursday approved a resolution to form a working group that will develop a new management structure for Mauna Kea. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

The Caltech Submillimeter Observatory could be removed from the summit of Maunakea as early as the end of next year. Caltech representatives presented their decommissioning plans for the observatory at a Tuesday meeting of the University of Hawaii’s Maunakea Management Board. Tribune-Herald.

$884K change order pushes up cost of Kilauea roadwork. Part of a statewide transportation improvement program, the rehabilitation work includes repaving, installing pavement markers, striping and traffic detectors along a 1.5-mile stretch of the Hilo thoroughfare, from the Waiola Bridge to Puainako Street. Tribune-Herald.

100-foot cinder cone left by Kilauea’s fissure 8 gets a name. The 100-foot cinder cone that marks the spot of the prolific and most prominent vent in the 2018 Kilauea eruption has been christened with a name: Ahu‘aila‘au. Star-Advertiser. West Hawaii Today. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Sustainability Summit explores ecological issues on Big Island. The two-day Sustainability Summit hosted by the Office of the Mayor covers a range of topics from climate change to waste management to food security and more. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

90-unit affordable rental project gets nod from committee. Developers of a 90-unit affordable housing project in Kihei are seeking nearly $6 million from the county’s Affordable Housing Fund to help acquire land for the project. Maui News.

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Published Visitor Management Plan for Maui Nui. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority has published the 2021-2023 Maui Nui Destination Management Action Plan, which is part of the authority’s strategic vision and continuing efforts to manage tourism in a responsible and regenerative manner. Maui Now.

Central Maui Traffic Signal Upgrades Planned, March 10. Five traffic signals in Central Maui are scheduled for upgrades starting at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. Maui Now.

Lanai and Molokai on track to make COVID vaccine available to all residents 16 and up.  More than half of Lanai and Molokai residents have received at least one vaccine dose and the shot will soon be available to eligible residents 16 and older, according to the Hawaii Department of Health. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

EPA Directs 7 Illegal Cesspools on Kauaʻi To Close & Fines Hawaiʻi DLNR. The US Environmental Protection Agency has taken enforcement action on Kauaʻi, directing the closure of seven large-capacity cesspools that have been banned since 2005 and collecting $221,670 in fines from the cesspools owner, the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Climate-action forum is Wednesday. Zero Waste Kaua‘i is hosting a Kaua‘i Climate Action Forum on Wednesday, March 10, at 6 p.m. Garden Island.

Hawaii reacts to Trump tax package, Otake nominated federal district judge for Hawaii, medical marijuana approved for ALS, Marines honored for combat drones, Kauai council seeks GET change for housing, social media vigilantism in Honolulu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Trump receives lei at Joint Base Hickam AFB, Nov. 3, 2017, (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

Most Hawaii taxpayers will pay less in 2019 under new federal law. The nonprofit, nonpartisan Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy has compiled data for Hawaii that show a wide variety of possible effects of the bill on Hawaii taxpayers depending on their personal circumstances. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Delegates Speak Out Against GOP Tax Bill ‘Scam’. But President Trump calls passage of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act “a big, beautiful tax cut for Christmas.” Civil Beat.

Congressional representatives for Hawaii reacted with dismay to the $1.5 trillion tax package that the Senate and House passed Wednesday morning that is being billed as the first major overhaul of the nation’s tax laws since 1986. Tribune News Service.

Experts differ on new federal tax law’s impact in Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii affordable housing developers dodge tax bullet, sort of. The final tax bill headed for President Donald Trump’s signature preserves the private activity bonds and low-income housing tax credits used by affordable housing developers in Hawaii and across the U.S. to build affordable rentals, but the slashing of the corporate tax rate could mean $1.7 billion in lost equity each year, according to a new estimate. Pacific Business News.

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The Trump administration has nominated Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Otake as the new federal district judge for Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Trump Nominates Honolulu Attorney Jill Otake For Federal Judgeship. The announcement was praised by by Hawaii’s two Democratic senators, Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono. Civil Beat.

Hawaii study: Impacts of sea level rise already being felt — and it will only get worse. A new report is providing the first statewide assessment of the potential hazards and costly impacts to Hawaii's economy and shorelines with rising sea levels. Hawaii News Now.

2 Marines honored for use of drones in combat. Two Marines with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 at Kaneohe Bay received a first-of-its-kind recognition for the use of drones in a combat zone. Star-Advertiser.

DOH Approves Medical Cannabis Use for ALS Patients. The Hawai‘i Department of Health announced it has added Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly referred to as ALS, to the list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis use. Maui Now.

Hawaiian Airlines announced today that it will no longer accept “smart” bags containing non-removable lithium-ion batteries as either checked or carry-on luggage, starting Jan. 15. Star-Advertiser.

Sun Country Airlines is planning to offer seasonal service from its home base in Minneapolis to Honolulu next year with a brief stopover in Los Angeles. Star-Advertiser.

United Airlines this week is expanding its portfolio of nonstop flights from Denver to Hawaii and to Mexico. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

The Honolulu Police Department, under its first female police chief, has named Lisa Mann to head its Investigative Bureau, becoming one of three women among HPD’s top brass. Star-Advertiser.

An estimated 50 chronically homeless people who were swept out of Kakaako Waterfront Park and its sister parks have erected dozens of tents and shelters in nearby Mother Waldron Park and along Pohukaina Street this week as city officials figure out what to do next with a homeless population they inherited from state officials. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council: Rail Beyond Ala Moana? The 9.5 billion dollar Honolulu Rail Transit Project is awaiting award of a contract to complete the line to Ala Moana Center. Hawaii Public Radio.

Councilman wants 19 more affordable units in Keeaumoku tower. Honolulu City Councilman Ikaika Anderson is endorsing a city administration suggestion that the developer of a planned residential tower on Keeaumoku Street make more homes in the building affordable to moderate- income residents. Star-Advertiser.

City Repaves Aggressively But Falls Behind On Other Roadwork. None of the nearly 1,800 lane-miles repaved in the last five years has been treated with materials routinely used to extend street life. Civil Beat.

Oceanic Institute makes major breakthroughs in raising Yellow Tangs. KITV.

Crime and Social Media Vigilantism. An emotional appeal to find suspects in the recent murder case of a North Shore woman led to two arrests thanks to social media posts. But can online calls to action go too far? Hawaii Public Radio.

A mumps outbreak has forced a Waianae charter school to schedule a longer winter break than originally planned. In a letter to parents, Kamaile Academy says five people are confirmed to have mumps with two more possible cases. KHON2.

Chef Mavro Restaurant is once again the only restaurant in Hawaii to be recognized in the Gayot 2017 Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Health Officials ID Priorities For Cesspool Upgrades. In a report to the legiuslature, 14 priority areas of the state where cesspool upgrades are critically needed are identified, with many on Hawaii Island. Big Island Video News.

The Hawaii County Council will chip in $16,500 from members’ contingency funds to support rat lungworm disease research. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County officials say the long-awaited Mauna Kea Recreation Area’s Bunkhouses will be available for public use starting on January 3. Big Island Video News.

Members of East Hawaii’s Jewish community have launched an effort to build Hawaii Island’s first synagogue. Tribune-Herald.


Maui

A Maui Publisher Notches A First Amendment Win. The Hawaii Supreme Court tosses out a case against MauiTime’s Tommy Russo, who filmed cops on the job. Civil Beat.

Mokuhinia Draft Archaeological Survey Completed. The public is invited to review the Draft Archaeological Inventory Survey for the Mokuhinia Ecosystem Restoration Project, which was recently completed by Cultural Surveys Hawaii. Maui Now.

UH Board of Regents Announces Finalists to Fill Maui County Seat. Maui Now.

Erosion on Maui threatens temple, washes away gravestones. Associated Press.

Erosion devouring mission property. Members of the 111-year-old Mantokuji Soto Zen Mission of Paia are hoping to save their temple building and cemetery from rapidly increasing erosion that has swept out into the shore break close to a hundred gravestones and claimed several acres of land over the years. Maui News.

Kauai

State ends cesspool program. One day after the state identified Hanalei as one of 14 priority areas where cesspool upgrades are critically needed to protect public health, the Department of Health has withdrawn a program to help residents in the area. Garden Island.

Councilmembers debate use of surplus GET funds for housing. A bill proposed by Councilman Derek Kawakami to use some of the projected surplus from the recently passed General Excise Tax increase towards affordable housing was withdrawn following a heated, 20-minute argument during the county council meeting Wednesday. Garden Island.

Unidentified Kealia object not bomb. It was a metal buoy, not an unexploded bomb, that has been rolling around at Kealia Beach over the last three days. Garden Island

Tax hikes loom as state spends more than it collects, universal basic income debated, dock strikes unlikely, snorkel deaths studied, Honolulu official leaving in wake of critical audit, Big Island biomass gets PUC approval, Kauai Syngenta changes hands, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii state Capitol, courtesy Charles Freedman

For the second time in five years, the state is being warned that its tax collections likely won’t be enough to cover its costs in the years ahead, which may mean tax increases in Hawaii’s future. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Recently, some very notable people including Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook have been championing the idea of “universal basic income,” which basically is a payment from the government to individuals simply for being alive. Our Legislature latched onto that idea, passing House Concurrent Resolution 89. West Hawaii Today.


Ocean safety advocates are working on ways to gather more data to determine why so many more visitors die snorkeling in Hawaii than local residents. Civil Beat.


With the impacts of climate change bearing down on Hawaii, government officials and community members need to make some important decisions about the islands’ iconic coastlines, said Dolan Eversole, a coastal hazards expert with the University of Hawaii’s Sea Grant program. Civil Beat.

A political scientist, acting as an agent for the government of the Hawaiian Kingdom in international proceedings, believes the time is right to go forward with an International Commission of Inquiry at the Hague. Big Island Video News.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union said that early West Coast election results show an existing labor contract with waterfront employers represented the Pacific Maritime Association will be extended by three years. Pacific Business News.

New cases of mumps statewide have risen by close to 40 percent since late June, prompting health officials to continue monitoring the infection and encourage vaccinations. Star-Advertiser.


Oahu

An audit of the Section 8 Tenant-Based Assistance Program administered by the city finds key deficiencies in several areas but says it generally meets federal requirements. Star-Advertiser.


City Community Services Director Gary Nakata is resigning from his post at the end of the week, Honolulu Managing Director Roy Amemiya said in a memorandum to Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s Cabinet officials late Friday. Star-Advertiser.

When the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission issued an order earlier this month accepting Hawaiian Electric Co.’s long-term plan for supplying power to customers, one part of the plan stood out: a 44 percent rate increase on Oahu over 10 years. Civil Beat.

A Hawaiian Electric Co. pilot program meant to encourage customers to shift energy use to the daytime has seen little interest. Star-Advertiser.

A leak in the basement of Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport may be a pricey problem to fix. Star-Advertiser.


The Fight To Save Ancient Hawaiian Archeological Sites. Fearing future development of a Leeward valley rich with cultural history, some community members are pushing for preservation. Civil Beat.

After months of fielding complaints from residents, the Nanakuli-Maili Neighborhood Board wants to stop what it sees as overuse of the Waianae Coast by commercial tour groups that locals say clog the beaches and prevent easy public access. Civil Beat.


A third Oahu neighborhood will be getting a restricted parking zone. KHON2.

Friday night's plane crash above Kunia is the latest incident in a string of single engine aircrafts that have gone down in Hawaii over the last year. Hawaii News Now.


The plane that went down is the second plane from Aircraft Maintenance and Flight School Hawaii to crash on Oahu in the last month. KITV.


The bodies of Dean Hutton, Gerrit Evensen, Heather Riley and Alexis Aaron were discovered late Saturday afternoon at the wreckage of the aircraft in the Waianae Mountains above Kunia. The Beech 19A, manufactured in 1969, took off from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport for a sunset flight Friday. Star-Advertiser.

For months, Hawaii store owners and residents have prepared for the end of Ward Warehouse — and now it's finally here. Hawaii News Now.

Hotel executive Kelly Hoen has managed six Hawaii hotels in a career that now sees her as area general manager for Outrigger. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

The state Public Utilities Commission approved Hawaii Electric Light Co.’s contract with a half-built biomass facility on the Big Island on Friday. Star-Advertiser.

The state Public Utilities Commission informed Hu Honua Bioenergy on Friday that it approved its amended and restated power purchase agreement with Hawaii Electric Light Company. Tribune-Herald.

The state Land Board will hear oral arguments on a hearings officer’s recommendation in favor of the Thirty Meter Telescope land use permit Sept. 20 in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

A long-awaited public gun range for Hawaii Island may finally get a shot at success, depending on how the County Council handles a resolution up for vote next week. West Hawaii Today.

International competition and retirements are decreasing the number of commercial orchid growers in Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

Once a $90 million project expected to wrap up in September, phase two of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway widening has grown to a $105 million project now planned to be substantially completed next August. West Hawaii Today.

Access to the shoreline park at Kohanaiki should be easier, now that a new frontage road has been completed by developers of a luxury community there. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County and a property owner have been unable to agree on a purchase price for a large parcel in Hakalau Valley. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui hospital raises fee but retreats after moms protest. The hospital raised the price for a private room to $672 from $152 on July 1 when Maui Health System, a subsidiary of Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, assumed control of operations of Maui Memorial, Kula Hospital & Clinic and Lanai Community Hospital in the largest privatization in state history. Star-Advertiser.

Construction costs could hit as much as $75 million for the Wailuku Parking and Events Facility, which includes a multilevel parking structure and three-story building for retail, Maui County offices and special events space. Maui News.

Maui Electric Co. has been given the green light to expand its “Fast Demand Response” program from four to a projected 13 Maui businesses, which would receive bill credits to reduce their energy use with 10 minutes’ notice to stabilize the grid when demand exceeds generation. Maui News.

At least four repair projects are planned for sections of Piilani Highway in the vicinity of Kaupo, and one of them — the repair of Waiopai Bridge — has the remote community concerned because work could close the road for a month or more, according to Jonathan Starr, a board member of the Kaupo Community Association. Maui News.


Kauai

About three months after announcing a six-month freeze on filling new vacancies in county jobs, the administration is changing course. Garden Island.

Hartung Brothers take over Syngenta Kekaha operations. Garden Island.

A new affordable housing project in Poipu has an aggressive construction timeline. Garden Island.

Kauai’s strong tourism season seems to be good for some, but not all, businesses. Garden Island.

The U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs approved lease agreements to build community-based outpatient clinics on Kauai and Maui. The project construction will total $9.9 million. Garden Island.

Molokai

Molokai’s south shore is knee-deep in invasive algae. A new report from a team of scientists and volunteers provides a ‘good reality check for the community’ Maui News.

Engineers to present plan for ex-bombing range on Molokai. Public comment will be accepted during meeting scheduled for Kaunakakai. Maui News.

Hawaii soldier arrested in ISIS terrorism probe, Ige signs income tax changes, Honolulu tackles plastic bag ban loophole, California man jumps to his death at Kilauea volcano, new liquor rules for Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Polynesian Cultural Center © 2017 All Hawaii News

The Polynesian Cultural Center has been voted as the top must-see attraction in Hawaii by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Poll. Pacific Business News.

In a case alleging homegrown terrorism, a Schofield Barracks soldier from Hawaii remained in federal custody Monday on accusations that he attempted to provide classified military documents, a drone and combat training to Islamic State — a group to which he is said to have pledged loyalty. Star-Advertiser.

An active duty soldier based in Hawaii pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State group, helped purchase a drone for it to use against American forces and said he wanted to use his rifle to “kill a bunch of people,” according to an FBI affidavit. Associated Press.

An active duty Hawaii soldier who was arrested for allegedly trying to provide material support and training to the Islamic State told an undercover federal agent Saturday that he wanted to kill "a bunch of people." Hawaii News Now.

Kaiser grad accused of affiliation with ISIS made first Federal court appearance. KITV.

An active-duty soldier assigned to Schofield Barracks appeared in federal court Monday on terrorism charges. KHON2.

Born and raised in Waimanalo, Ikaika Kang graduated from Kaiser High School in 2001. Star-Advertiser.

The father of a Hawaii soldier who was arrested for allegedly trying to offer support and training to Islamic State says he's shocked to hear the allegations, and believes his son may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Hawaii News Now.

The charges against the US soldier accused of pledging his loyalty to ISIS stunned his family. KITV.

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Gov. David Ige approved a new law Monday that increases income tax rates for the state’s wealthiest residents while also creating a new state earned income tax credit to ease the state tax burden on some of Hawaii’s poorest working families. Star-Advertiser.

A new law to provide relief to low income workers in Hawaii was signed today. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tax relief for Hawaii's low income working families. That's on the horizon next year in the way of a food tax credit. KITV.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige expressed support for raising the state’s transient accommodations tax by 1 percent while maintaining the counties’ share of hotel room taxes at $93 million. Associated Press.

The state Legislature will convene for five days starting August 28th 2017 to hammer out a financial plan for Honolulu’s rail transit project. Hawaii Public Radio.

The state House and Senate will not hold a special session to override bills on Gov. David Ige’s intent-to-veto list. Garden Island.

The Democratic Party of Hawaii has launched its nationwide “Summer of Resistance and Renewal” program to engage and motivate party members and activists from the grass roots. Garden Island.

Gov. David Ige was one of more than 5,000 Hawaii residents who submitted letters and petitions in support of the Papahanau­mokuakea National Marine Monument during the 60-day comment period for the Trump administration’s review of 27 national monuments created by previous presidents. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Telcom Inc. is merging with Cincinnati Bell in deal worth $650 million, the two companies announced Monday. Pacific Business News.

Once again the change in ownership of one of Hawaii’s top utilities will wind up in the hands of the state Public Utilities Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The Honolulu City Council will consider a bill Wednesday to close a loophole in the plastic bag ban that currently allows the use of thicker plastic checkout bags. Civil Beat.

A conceptual plan for an upgraded Blaisdell Center complex calls for extending Victoria Street down to Kapiolani Boulevard, building a new exhibition hall, renovating both the arena and the concert hall, and creating more parking and green space. Star-Advertiser.

Mokauea Island, a 13-acre island known as Oahu’s last Hawaiian fishing village, is threatened by pollution and rising sea levels, while the handful of residents face uncertainty about their long-term lease with the state. Civil Beat.

Construction begins to expand popular homeless shelter on Sand Island. Hawaii News Now.

Alexander & Baldwin, one of Hawaii’s largest owners of commercial real estate, said Monday that it is converting to a real estate investment trust and has hired an experienced REIT executive to serve as the Honolulu-based company’s chief financial officer. Pacific Business News.

Frustration over illegal fishing is growing in a Windward Oahu community, and some Waimanalo residents say they're stepping up their own efforts to help stop the problem. Hawaii News Now.

Civil Beat has set up a webcam overlooking an endangered seal and pup's temporary home on Kaimana Beach and will be livestreaming the scene during daylight hours for the next few weeks. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

The father of a 38-year-old Petaluma, Calif., man whose body was recovered by helicopter from Kilauea caldera early Sunday morning said his son left a suicide note in his backpack found Saturday night on Crater Rim Trail by a pair of visitors. Tribune-Herald.

A list of properties to be ranked for public purchase next year is dominated by North Kohala, which accounts for seven of the 12 properties on the list. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Council, on the verge of implementing a ban on polystyrene food containers on the Big Island, heard compelling arguments from both sides of the issue on Friday before postponing a vote on the matter. Big Island Video News.

Melting permafrost isn’t just an issue for the arctic. According to a new study, Mauna Kea’s last vestiges of frozen earth are in retreat. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Island first in the United States to go countywide with Blue Zones Project. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

After months of public backlash, the county Liquor Control Commission will take another look Wednesday at rules allowing 24-hour liquor sales, hostess bar caps and home delivery of alcohol — all changes that residents have said were put in place without public input and will hold consequences for the community. Maui News.

$350 M Kahului Airport CONRAC Gets Strong Bond Rating. Maui Now.

A senior affordable housing project consisting of two six-story buildings is proposed to take the place of A&B Properties’ long-delayed commercial mixed-use project across from Foodland in Kahului. Maui News.

The restrooms located at the summit visitor’s center of Haleakala National Park are temporarily closed due to a system malfunction. Maui Now.

Tournahaulers that once trucked sugar cane from the fields to the mill will be leaving Maui for good today. Maui News.

Kauai

A Kauai community group unhappy with the newest edition of the General Plan Update is trying to figure out how to move forward. Garden Island.

A public meeting on a new workforce housing project in Poipu is scheduled 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Koloa Neighborhood Center. Garden Island.