More job cuts for Hawaiian Airlines, House GOP seeks stand-your-ground law, Maui wants eminent domain process to protect water sources, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian Airlines Announces More Job Cuts. The airline expects additional cuts as it integrates operations with Alaska Air. Hawaiian Airlines said it has sent pink slips to 61 Hawaii-based employees as the company continues to cut non-union jobs after its merger with Alaska Airlines. The latest cuts are in addition to 57 job losses announced in October by the Honolulu-based carrier due to the merger. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

House GOP Wants A Stand-Your-Ground Law For Hawaiʻi. Republicans’ legislative package includes bills to ban cell phones in schools and set up more places to vote. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers vow to stabilize property insurance market as climate change fuels higher premiums. Hawaii lawmakers began a new legislative session Wednesday with a vow to try to stabilize the state’s property insurance market as hurricanes, wildfires and other climate change-influenced disasters at home and elsewhere prompt insurance carriers to raise rates. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio.

Senator defends ‘mahu’ remarks in one of two controversies on Legislature’s opening day. A Republican who defied convention with a speech that called two transgendered leaders mahu, and a rookie Democrat who challenged leadership alone provided some unexpected drama on the Hawaii Legislature’s usually tradition-bound opening day. Hawaii News Now.

Nurses unions call for law regulating staffing ratios. The leaders of three unions representing more than 5,000 nurses joined forces Thursday at the state Capitol to rally for legislation ensuring safer standards of staffing at Hawaii hospitals. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi Teens Less Likely To Drink Alcohol — Or Use Sunscreen. High school students in the islands reported lower rates of bullying and drug abuse than peers on the mainland, but fell behind them in other health measures. Civil Beat.

BOE Votes Against Hiking School Meal Fees In Hawaiʻi— For Now. A Hawaiʻi Board of Education committee voted against raising school meal prices on Thursday, but did not address how schools are supposed to cover the rising cost of meals or comply with a state law that requires them to charge more. Civil Beat.

Hawaii public schools regress in farm-to-plate program. The state Department of Education, which is mandated to spend 30% of its total school food bill on local ingredients by 2030, managed to achieve 5.4% during the 2023-2024 school year. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Opponents voice concern over possible Wahiawa landfill. A top Honolulu official defended the actions taken by Mayor Rick Blan­giar­di’s administration to site the next municipal solid waste landfill on an active pineapple field in Central Oahu, directly above the island’s freshwater aquifer. Star-Advertiser.

Mo'ili'ili residents plead with city for relief from parking meters. Honolulu City Councilmember Scott Nishimoto said the city is considering alternatives such as a residential parking program so residents won't be charged $1.50 an hour to park on Isenberg Street near their homes. KITV4.

Honolulu police officer arrested after allegedly strangling roommate. According to department officials, officer Timothy Massie has been stripped of his police powers. The 29-year-old is now free on bail, suspected of misdemeanor abuse. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Subaru Telescope gets a significant upgrade. The Subaru Telescope on Maunakea will be able to observe more than 2,000 celestial objects at once with a new instrument that will go online in February. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

County Signs Lease To Relocate Hilo Fire Station. With the Central Fire Station in need of significant repairs, fire personnel and equipment will relocate to 1382 Kīlauea Avenue under a five-year lease. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Legislative measure would have state acquire all West Maui water systems through eminent domain. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources would be required to acquire all West Maui water systems through eminent domain and then hold them in trust for the management by Maui County, according to a bill introduced this legislative session. Maui Now.

State proposes new route for West Maui highway. The state Department of Transportation has selected a preferred six-mile route in its pursuit of an alternative to the two-lane coastal Honoapiʻilani Highway in West Maui. Maui News.

Maui County receives $15.43M grant for West Maui Greenway project. The County of Maui was recently awarded a $15.43 million grant from the federal government to support the first phase of the West Maui Greenway, a project that will contribute to several key areas of Lahaina’s recovery from the 2023 Maui wildfires. Maui Now.

Maui locals respond to Congress allocating more than $2 billion in disaster recovery funding for Lahaina. On Thursday, residents in Wailuku were asked their thoughts about the recent news that Congress will distribute more than $2 billion in disaster relief funding to Maui County to help with the Lahaina rebuild.  Maui News.

Kauai

Wilcox meeting with federal mediator. Wilcox Medical Center announced in a Wednesday afternoon release that the hospital will meet with a federal mediator separately from the Hawaii Nurses Association before a face-to-face meeting. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Vendors, patrons trying to save Princeville farmers market after complaint shuts it down. A recent citizen’s complaint regarding zoning prompted the shutdown of the popular Princeville Farmers and Artists Market, leaving vendors on the North Shore of Kaua‘i scrambling after being cut off from a vital source of income. Kauai Now.

Hawaii Legislature opens with pageantry, dissent; big hike proposed for school lunches; Kilauea volcano lava fountains draw crowds, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Prickly dissent colors opening day of Hawaii Legislature.  The 33rd Hawaii State Legislature convened Wednesday morning, welcoming new members and House leadership, including Hawaii’s first female House Speaker. Hawaii government policies and leadership long dominated by Democrats were criticized in a floor speech by Sen. Brenton Awa as the new leader of the three-member Republican Senate caucus, while newly elected Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto voted against her fellow Democratic colleague Rep. Nadine Nakamura becoming House speaker. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Big Island Now. KHON2. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii lawmakers vow to stabilize property insurance market as climate change fuels higher premiums. Hawaii lawmakers began a new legislative session Wednesday with a vow to try to stabilize the state’s property insurance market as hurricanes, wildfires and other climate change-influenced disasters at home and elsewhere prompt insurance carriers to raise rates. Associated Press.

Hawaiʻi Families Could Face Big Price Hike For School Meals. Charging elementary and middle school students $4.75 for lunch would be a huge hit to working families, advocates say. Civil Beat.

Climate team urges funding sources, better planning for destructive disasters. The Climate Advisory Team, convened by Green last year, is urging the state to prepare for this new reality in which climate-fueled disasters are more destructive and more frequent. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi is the only state without a fire marshal. We need one ASAP, new report says. Last year, the state Legislature passed a law to establish the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Since then, the State Fire Council, which is composed of all the county fire chiefs, has been working through the hiring process. Hawaii Public Radio.

Invasive Species In Hawaiʻi: Lawmakers Float New Plan As Urgency Mounts. Draft legislation proposes consolidating programs under a renamed Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, but critics say the agency already has a spotty track record on invasive species. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Police Department major nominated to lead state agency. The director of the state Department of Law Enforcement is stepping down and a Honolulu Police Department major has been nominated to replace him, according to Gov. Josh Green. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Mokulele flight disruptions highlight service vulnerabilities. Southern Airways Express LLC, doing business as Mokuele Airlines, temporarily suspended all of its interisland airline routes across Hawaii on Wednesday morning, citing maintenance needs and an abundance of caution. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  KITV4.

Navy holds public meetings over mine warfare training plan around Hawaii. This type of training is traditionally done in Southern California, but the Navy wants more of it around Hawaii. As for why, project managers would only say it’s to respond to a requirement from operational commanders. Hawaii News Now.

Will NOAA’s Race To Make Papahānaumokuākea A National Sanctuary Survive Trump? The added protection for the environmentally and culturally sensitive area in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands is set to take effect in March. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City's proposed landfill site draws strong opposition at Wahiawa town hall meeting. For the first time, Wahiawa area residents got the chance to react to the city’s proposal to build a 15-acre landfill on agricultural land in Central Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

California developer revives plans to build ‘iconic’ resort in West Oahu. Some of Ko Olina’s empty fields could be the future site of what developers are calling an “iconic resort.” The “Atlantis” would be built on Oahu on 26 acres of land, next to Disney’s Aulani Resort. Hawaii News Now.

Queen’s Medical Center nurses ratify tentative agreement. Nurses at The Queen’s Medical Center are celebrating a huge victory after ratifying a tentative agreement to secure a three-year contract. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Eager visitors flock to see spectacular lava fountaining from Kilauea eruption in Hawaii. People were flocking to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Wednesday to get a glimpse of fountaining lava. Associated Press. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.

A face-lift for Central Fire: Decrepit downtown Hilo station will be repaired, renovated starting later this year. Firefighters will vacate the Central Fire Station in downtown Hilo as early as this spring while the nearly 90-year-old building undergoes long-overdue repairs. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Lahaina Library and Spring House one of many issues coming before Maui County Council this week. A bill related to the demolition of the historic Lahaina Library and Spring House that was ravaged by the 2024 Lahaina wildfire is on the Maui County Council’s agenda for Friday. Maui News.

Maui Emergency Management Agency urges public to avoid restricted areas in Lahaina. MEMA has received numerous reports of vehicles parked on private property or in private lots. Also, there have been reports of individuals disregarding signage and entering unsafe, restricted zones, according to county officials. Maui Now.

Kauai

Bird flu detected in samples collected at Līhuʻe Wastewater Treatment Plant. Hawai‘i Department of Health State Laboratories Division officials say bird flu, specifically H5 avian influenza, was detected at very low levels in wastewater samples collected at the Līhuʻe Wastewater Treatment Plant. Kauai Now.

Upcoming symposium to address future of Kauaʻi Community Correctional Center. The Hawaiʻi Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will share updates, receive feedback, and explore best practices on the relocation plans for the Kauaʻi Community Correctional Center next Saturday. Kauai Now.

Nurses strike continues at Wilcox Medical Center with staffing ratios as sticking point. The 159 nurses now on strike at Wilcox Medical Center, the largest medical center on Kaua‘i, say five minutes of delayed care can be a matter of life and death. Kauai Now.

Selection process for judges on November ballot, Honolulu Emergency Management director resigns, new plan tackles misinformation during volcanic eruptions, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Proposed Ballot Question Would Streamline Selection Of Judges And Justices. Hawaii voters will be asked to consider a proposed constitutional amendment on the Nov. 5 ballot aimed at clearing up the process of nominating state judges and justices so that it is more efficient and uniform. Civil Beat.

Hawaii condo owners starting to feel insurance rates increase. Many condo and townhouse owners are starting to pay up for the increased maintenance fees due to skyrocketing insurance costs. KHON2.

‘Stranded’: Hawaii parents frustrated over school bus shortage. More than a month into the school year and the school bus shortage still has not been resolved. Hawaii News Now.

Tokuda reads names of Maui victims into Congressional record. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda used her 5-minute opportunity to address the House today by honoring the 102 victims and the two people missing from the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires by reading all of their names into the Congressional record. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KHON2.

Oahu

City's top Emergency Management Official resigns for role in California. Hiro Toiya, who serves as Director of the city's Emergency Management Department, is stepping down and leaving for a new job in Northern California. KITV4.

Council OKs $3M flood study of Wailupe Stream. The Wailupe Stream is the last major valley stream in East Honolulu that’s not fully lined with concrete — one of 10 such streams that drains its watershed into the roughly 7-mile-long Maunalua Bay. Star-Advertiser.

This Mililani Company Packages Salt From The Mainland And Sells It As Hawaiian. Is That Cheating? Hawaii's commercial salt producers say bulk salt shipped in from elsewhere and sold as 'Made in Hawaii' is hurting their business. Civil Beat.

Deadline nears to apply for Oʻahu property tax exemption. The City and County of Honolulu is offering significant property tax relief this year, but homeowners have to apply by the end of the month.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Despite 2021 threat, police chose not to arrest suspect accused in deadly Waianae shooting. The man who shot five neighbors and killed three of them threatened the family three years before — but was not arrested. Hawaii News Now.

Kapiolani hospital and nurses union set to meet in last ditch effort to avoid strike. There’s a last ditch effort to avoid a potential strike Friday and a rare lockout of hundreds of nurses at Kapiolani Medical Center. Both sides are set to meet Thursday and part of the issue is claims of retaliation over complaints about unsafe staffing. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Nearly three-month closure lifted after landslide on Tantalus Drive. After rocks, mud and trees came tumbling down nearly 3 months ago, Tantalus Drive is now back open.The City closed the section of the road just before it turns into Round Top Drive on June 25. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County Charter Proposal Would Fill Some Council Vacancies Quicker. The ballot measure would allow a candidate who wins a seat in the primary to take office early when there is a vacancy. Civil Beat.

New interagency plan tackles misinformation during volcanic eruptions. When an eruption occurs on Hawaiʻi Island, a coordinated team from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency, and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park quickly assembles to respond. Hawaii Public Radio.

Work to reconstruct section of Highway 137 in lower Puna will begin later this month. Hawaii County announced Tuesday it’s ready to reconstruct a 3.64-mile section of Highway 137 in lower Puna, between the makai end of Pohoiki Road and the intersection of Highway 132 — also known as “Four Corners.” Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Whistleblower Lawsuit Could Cost Taxpayers Up To $450,000. Former mayoral aide Chris Salem, who was fired, alleges a range of wrongful behavior by county officials in a lawsuit filed three years ago. A Maui County Council committee has voted in favor of paying as much as $450,000 to a Honolulu law firm to defend the county against allegations of wrongful termination and government corruption by a former mayoral aide. Civil Beat.

Baldwin Beach Park finally collapses. What now? Community members await dune restoration efforts at Baldwin Beach Park after collapsed pavilion. Maui News.

Maui community invited to review nearshore management proposal. Maui residents are encouraged to attend one of three upcoming information exchange sessions to provide feedback on managing Maui’s nearshore waters.  Maui News.

Kauai

Renovations to refuse transfer stations to begin starting with Līhu‘e location. The work is part of the Island-wide Refuse Transfer Station Improvements project, which also targets stations in Hanalei, Kapa‘a and Hanapēpē. Lihue Refuse Transfer Station shuttered for renovations. During the renovation work, the Lihue RTS will be closed from Sept. 11 to Nov. 2. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Entire Kalalau Trail section closed. The closure could last until at least Sept. 19. In the meantime, the Kalalau Trailhead will be manned by law enforcement personnel 24 hours a day, seven days a week to prevent entrance onto the popular trail. Garden Island.

State tax collections to take $125M hit while construction buoys economy, insurance costs cause condo sale slump, Health Department announces updated COVID vaccine availability, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Council On Revenues Projects Hawaii Tax Collections Will Be $125 M Less Than Expected. The forecast also said Hawaii is gradually recovering from the tourism slump triggered by last year's Maui wildfires, while the construction industry is booming. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii student debt relief program high on applicants but low on funds. A popular $30 million state program to pay off student loans to keep health care workers in Hawaii has run low on money, leaving organizers searching for new funding. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Health Department recommends updated COVID, flu, RSV vaccines. The Hawaii Department of Health is recommending residents get updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines that are now available. On Aug. 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the updated COVID vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna, which target the KP.2 variant that was circulating earlier this year. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.

Georgette Deemer dies at 71. She dedicated four decades to the state of Hawaii, serving in various roles in both the City & County and state government. KHON2.

Oahu

Hawai‘i’s Condo Insurance Crisis Is Now Hurting Sales. Sales fell 48% in Waikīkī and 38% in Makiki-Mō‘ili‘ili in June. Both neighborhoods have lots of underinsured, older condo buildings. Hawaii Business magazine.

City halfway through sweeping overhaul of Chinatown security camera system. Thirty of the 60 high-resolution cameras have been installed so far. The estimated cost for the full system is $980,000, with $450,000 coming from federal, state and local Fiscal Recovery Funds. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Council wheels out e-bike measures. Two pieces of legislation meant to provide clearer safety standards and more regulation on the use of fast-moving electric bicycles on Oahu’s public roadways and sidewalks and in parks, rolled out of Honolulu Hale this week. Star-Advertiser.

Talks between nurses’ union, Kapi‘olani resume, but no deal reached. After another round of negotiations Thursday, the nurses’ union and management at the state’s largest hospital for women and children in Hawaii still have no agreed-upon contract. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Residents worry about concrete solutions for Wailupe Stream. Concerns over the future of Wailupe Stream which fishpond experts consider the last living major stream in East Honolulu. Hawaii News Now.

HHS, HPD round up aggressive, stray dogs on bike path. Reports of loose and dangerous dogs on the Pearl Harbor bike path prompted response from the police department and humane society. KHON2. KITV4.

Waianae’s Keamo family pleaded for help with ‘Silva dome’ in 2021. The Keamo family, who lost three members in their neighbor’s violent rampage along Waianae Valley Road on Saturday night, had pleaded with state officials in 2021 to address their concerns about illegal and dangerous activity associated with the man’s nearby, unpermitted party venue business. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Standing granted for 3rd petitioner opposed to controversial proposed Punalu‘u development. The Hawai‘i County Windward Planning Commission on Thursday granted standing to a third organization for a contested case hearing involving a proposed controversial $350 million residential and commercial community project adjacent to a popular Ka‘ū beach park. Big Island Now.

Hamakua Energy plans to convert power plant to 100% renewable fuels. A Honokaa power plant that provides about a third of the electrical power for the island is planning an upgrade. Tribune-Herald.

General Plan Meetings Set For September, October. Multiple community meetings and an online webinar will take place this month. The plan goes before the Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions in November. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Controversial Monster Home Goes On Sale For $13 Million In West Maui. A real estate listing for the compound that triggered years of bitter feuds with neighbors comes with a warning: "Buyer to do their own Due Diligence." Civil Beat.

Housing and Land Use Committee meeting canceled due to technical issues. Housing and Land Use Committee Chair Tasha Kama announced that Thursday's committee meeting was canceled because automated email notifications were not sent when the meeting agenda was posted. Maui Now.

Emergency permits in motion to remove Baldwin Beach Park pavilion. The County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation announced it has applied for emergency Shoreline Management Area (SMA) permits to remove the Baldwin Beach Park pavilion, which has been damaged over time by high surf and rising sea levels. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Norovirus confirmed as cause of illness for campers on popular Kaua‘i trail. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health laboratory results confirmed norovirus as the cause of illness reported by numerous campers at the Kalalau Section of the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park on Kaua‘i. Kauai Now.

Resurfacing work on roadway scheduled in Kapa‘a. A portion of Ulu Street in Kapa‘a will be closed for resurfacing work starting on Sept. 9. The road will be closed till Sept. 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. One lane will remain open to accommodate alternating traffic in both directions. Kauai Now.

Maui hotel booking decline could cost state $40M in taxes, insurance industry wants Hawaii Supreme Court to step in over wildfire payment dispute, Hone sweeps past state after dumping needed rain, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Decline in Maui room bookings could cost the state more than $40 million in taxes. The dampening in travel sentiment for Maui is bringing down tourism statewide and is a key reason Hawaii visitor industry executives appealed to the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board to add $1.6 million to the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau marketing budget to conduct a marketing saturation campaign Sept. 15-22 in Los Angeles, Hawaii’s top source market for visitors. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Insurance Industry Insists It Has Right To Recoup Billions In Paid Wildfire Claims. Victims’ lawyers want the Hawaii Supreme Court to step in. They have asked Maui Judge Peter Cahill to let the high court determine the question central to his ruling, and want the insurance industry to join in on their request as a way to resolve the issue. Civil Beat.

Hawaii automobile sales plunge as owners hang on to vehicles. The dismal outlook comes after new-vehicle registrations plunged 11.8% in the second quarter to bring the midyear decline to 7%. By contrast, national auto sales were up 3.4% through the first six months. Star-Advertiser.

UHERO report spotlights rural health care needs. Rural area residents reported having more health challenges and limitations than their urban counterparts, according to the study produced by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Overall, they rated their health as poorer. Star-Advertiser.

Hone weakens to tropical storm and sweeps past Hawaii, dumping enough rain to ease wildfire fears. Hone passed south of Hawaii and weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm on Sunday, dumping so much rain that the National Weather Service called off its red flag warnings that strong winds could lead to wildfires on the drier sides of the islands. Associated Press. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines adding Hilo flights Monday after cancellations due to Hone. Hawaiian Airlines has announced it will resume flights to and from Hilo and operate two additional flights between Honolulu and Hilo after several flights were canceled due to Hone. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Impending Legislature leadership change could do same for Kakaako landscape. Kakaako will have a new state House representative in January and new potential for residential high-rise development on poorly utilized land makai of Ala Moana Boulevard owned by the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Star-Advertiser.

New Year’s Day shooting drives rise in attempts to harm police. There have been 21 cases of first-degree attempted murder of a law enforcement officer on Oahu so far this year compared to only three last year, according to the Honolulu Police Department’s data dashboard. Star-Advertiser.

Over 500 firearms collected at Oahu gun buyback event. Officials say they collected more than 500 firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition at the buyback at Aloha Stadium’s lower parking lot on Saturday. The guns and ammo were swapped for $100 and $200 dollar gift cards to Foodland. Hawaii News Now.

Many East Honolulu communities are at high fire risk. Due to its high density, topography and frequent human-­caused ignitions, East Honolulu is considered at moderate to high risk of wildfire, according to the recently published East Honolulu Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hurricane Hone brings heavy rain but no major damage. Hurricane Hone passed within 60 miles of Hawaii Island early Sunday, bringing heavy rain, knocking out power to thousands of customers and snapping native ohia trees like twigs. New York Times.

2 Big Island schools closed Monday due to hazardous road conditions. Ka‘u High & Paaala Elementary School and Na‘alehu Elementary School will be closed to students and staff Monday due to hazardous road conditions. Highway 11 has been shut down by emergency crews, making both campuses inaccessible to families and staff. Star-Advertiser.

Aquarium fishing proposal stalls: DAR seeks to start permit process for commercial fishers. At Friday’s meeting of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the state Division of Aquatic Resources submitted a request to establish a process to grant permits to commercial aquarium fishers to operate in West Hawaii, something that hasn’t been allowed since 2017. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Faces $1.2 Billion In Unmet Needs For Wildfire Recovery Efforts. No specifics have been released, but the amount would help pay for costs that FEMA isn't authorized to cover. Civil Beat.

This Buddhist Temple Is Collapsing Into The Sea Off Maui. With nearby graves already swallowed by the ocean, sea level rise and coastal erosion are now threatening to destroy an iconic Zen mission and cemetery. Civil Beat.

Hotels on Maui woo back leisure travelers. While many Maui hotels, especially in West Maui, are transitioning back to a leisure travel and group business focus, the transition is more involved for the Royal Lahaina resort, which was all in until its contractual obligations ended at the end of June. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Lane closure scheduled on Kaua‘i highway to replace 3 culverts. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation will be closing a single lane on Kaumualiʻi Highway (Route 50) in the vicinity of Kīkīaola Boat Harbor next week to allow crews to permanently replace three 54-inch culverts. Kauai Now.

The Kaua‘i County Housing Agency’s Section 8 office will be closed from 7:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Sept. 4, to accommodate a staff training. Normal operation and hours will resume from 12:45 p.m. to 4 p.m., that day. Kauai Now.

Hawaiian-Alaska Airlines merger moves forward, insurance board to meet following $60M emergency funding, Honolulu Police whistleblower files discrimination lawsuit, more news from all he Hawaiian Islands

Airlines’ merger clears major hurdle. A proposed $1.9 billion merger between competitors Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines cleared its most significant regulatory hurdle Monday after federal antitrust enforcers ended their review period without blocking the deal. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.  Associated Press.

Hawaii Democrats shower Biden with appreciation. Former Hawaii Govs. Neil Abercrombie, Ben Cayetano and John Waihee were among early Democrats who called on Biden to step aside following Biden’s disastrous debate performance against Trump on June 27, which dried up campaign donations and led to panic throughout the party. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

AANHPI Officials Say Their Voters Are The Key To Democrats Winning In 2024. Political leaders locally and on the mainland argue that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are already a core constituency. Civil Beat.

Elite forces focus on protecting the region. The Indo-Pacific Irregular Warfare Symposium, organized by the Global SOF Foundation, brought participants from 26 countries to the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Tapa Tower from Tuesday through Thursday.  Star-Advertiser.

Board overseeing Hawaiʻi hurricane insurance fund to meet. The Hawaiʻi Hurricane Relief Fund board will meet next week to discuss strategies for stabilizing the hurricane insurance market, following an emergency proclamation freeing up to $60 million for relief. Hawaii Public Radio.

An Overlooked Factor In Hawaii Wildfires: They’re Fed By The Houses In Their Paths. Disasters like the one in Lahaina last year are often thought of as wildfires. In fact, experts say, they are urban fires whose spread depends on the way houses and neighborhoods are built. Civil Beat.

$3.9M grant to support Native Hawaiian student health, wellbeing, more. A $3.9 million grant aimed to improve the academic success alongside the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of Native Hawaiian keiki has been awarded to a pair of University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Education professors. Big Island Now.

Oahu

BWS talks new chemicals in ʻAiea well ahead of Red Hill-related meetings. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply says it is worried about contaminants detected in an ʻAiea well that the agency shut down as a precaution immediately following the 2021 Red Hill fuel spill. Hawaii Public Radio.

Which Oahu communities lack fire hydrants and the practices in place for their protection. According to the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, several communities across Oahu either lack or are without fire hydrants.  Hawaii News Now.

HPD whistleblower alleges sexual discrimination. A Honolulu police officer filed a lawsuit against the department Friday alleging whistleblower retaliation after she reported male training academy staff who allegedly discriminated against female recruits and engaged in sexual relations with others. Star-Advertiser.

Husband in custody as search continues for missing Army wife. The Army announced Monday that it has detained the husband of a missing pregnant Army spouse in connection with her disappearance. Star-Advertiser.

‘I felt like this was my last moment’: ‘Ewa woman after being attacked by over 15 dogs. An ‘Ewa woman is speaking out after she said more than a dozen dogs attacked her while she was running on a trail near her home on Sunday. KHON2.

Overdoses Kill More People Than Ever. Advocates Want To Be There For Those Who Survive. Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center is pursuing a formal partnership with Honolulu EMS that would allow its outreach workers to reach more patients. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Proposed measure would increase cell tower construction regulations. In response to community concerns about telecommunications antennas and towers being constructed near or within their communities, Kohala Councilwoman Cindy Evans will introduce a measure today that will require more material from telecom companies in order to get their building permits approved. Tribune-Herald.

County bill would establish permit system for roadside vendors. Roadside vendors will need a permit to hawk their wares on county roads under a measure being considered by a Hawaii County Council committee today.  Tribune-Herald.

EPA Orders Closure Of Cesspool In Puna. Retreat Village at Kalani Kai, LLC, was identified as having an illegal Large Capacity Cesspool, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui farmers say fires caused financial hardship — and future remains uncertain. It's been over a year since a destructive wildfire swept through Maui and farmers are still struggling to recuperate their losses. Hawaii Public Radio.

Artificial intelligence fire sensors deployed on Maui. The County says its N5 shield program will monitor air conditions and send real-time alerts to the Maui Fire Department when it detects any changes that may indicate flames are spreading. Hawaii News Now.

Hui O Ka Wai Ola says measures taken after fire helped protect Lahaina ocean water quality.  A report summarizes changes–both improvements and declines–in water quality over eight years of data collection and confirms that measurements at sites in the Lahaina area remain within normal ranges.  Maui News.

Mokulele gets Lanai subsidies, grounds planes. Southern Airways Express LLC, doing business as Mokulele Airlines, began grounding a portion of its fleet to inspect and address findings of a routine maintenance check on Saturday — a day after the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded it roughly $4 million per year for two years in federal subsidies to provide essential air service to Lanai. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kaua‘i homeowners may receive up to $20K for cesspool conversion; grant program opens Aug. 28. The Residential Cesspool Conversion Grant Program will provide selected qualified homeowners with up to $20,000 to reimburse the cost of upgrading existing cesspools to individual wastewater systems approved by the Hawai‘i State Department of Health-Wastewater Branch. Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i Fire, county officials bless new engine for Kalāheo station. The Kaua‘i Fire Department held a blessing at the Kalāheo Fire Station for a new fire truck, replacing its 16-year-old front-line emergency response engine. Kauai Now.

Judge to consider guns on beaches, insurance company to leave Hawaii, light sentence for Honolulu architect who helped FBI expose corrupt building inspectors, Ellison's Lanai explored, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Judge to consider whether Hawaii can ban firearms on its beaches.  The state’s latest gun control measure landed in court because of a lawsuit by three Maui residents who want to carry guns on beaches and other places deemed sensitive by the law, which took effect this month and involves a misdemeanor offense. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Feds To Boost State Efforts To Take On Affordable Housing Shortfall. State officials say the State plans to take advantage of a new $85 million funding opportunity under HUD that will help communities "address restrictive zoning, land use, and regulatory policies." Big Island Video News. Tribune-Herald.

Quiet on set: Hollywood strikes leave Hawaii crew members behind. The Hollywood strike that has united writers and actors for the first time in 60 years also has left hundreds of crew members in Hawaii without paychecks as work on Hawaii-based television shows and movies has been suspended. Star-Advertiser.

Universal Homeowners Insurance Company Is Pulling Out Of Hawaii. Roughly 1,500 polices will be affected by Universal Property & Casualty’s departure from the homeowners, condominium and renters insurance market in Hawaii, according to a state news release Thursday. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.

Thousands enrolled in HECO pilot that institutes different rates for peak, non-peak hours. The “Shift and Save Rate” pilot program will enroll about 15000 residential homes and 1,700 business customers on Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island who were selected at random. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.

New classrooms opening this fall seen as big step toward achieving universal preschool. The state plans to open 11 new free public preschool classrooms this fall as part of the Ready Keiki initiative. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii-Japan summit rebuilds relationships, forges new ones. Gov. Josh Green and Hawaii’s four county mayors attended the event, where they welcomed governors and mayors of six prefectures and 16 cities and towns from Japan with state and city sister relationships. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Visitor arrivals in June continue recovery. Some 889,274 visitors came to Hawaii in June, according to preliminary statistics released Thursday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.  Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Architect who helped FBI build case against corrupt building inspectors gets leniency in federal court. An architect who gave tens of thousands of dollars in bribes to workers at the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting was sentenced on Thursday to one year and a day in prison and a $5,000 fine. In the face of painful permitting delays, Bill Wong said he gave in to the pressure to "pay to play." Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

City awarded $25M toward Ala Wai pedestrian bridge. The Honolulu Department of Transportation Services has been awarded $25 million in federal funding toward construction of the planned Ala Wai pedestrian bridge, the city announced Thursday. The June arrivals were a 5.5% increase from the June 2022 total. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

 Red Hill’s Fuel Director Raised An Alarm Before Pipes Leaked. The Navy Removed Her. Lt. Cmdr. Shannon Bencs reported problems with Red Hill’s infrastructure and leadership culture just months before fuel leaks contaminated the drinking water. Civil Beat.

City cites lack of funding for delay in building Makakilo bypass.  Those in favor of the city constructing the Makakilo Bypass Road claim it’s a matter of safety. But the city said the reason it isn’t happening boils down to funding. KHON2.

Half A Million Dollars Buys 6 Months Of Security Guards For Waikiki. While crime on the tourist strip is trending down the city says more resources are still needed. Civil Beat.

Kaneohe care homes must pay $287K for overtime violations.  The owners and operators of two residential care homes in Kaneohe must pay $287,279 in overtime wages and damages to 23 caregivers after a federal court ruling, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island’s New Climate Change Office Will ‘Create A Unified Front’. The office will work toward reducing emissions, promoting renewable energy and efficiency, and fortifying infrastructure against climate change impacts. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Why were oral arguments challenging permit of Thirty Meter Telescope deferred? Nobody will say.  The Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, which announced the postponement on July 21, provided no reason why the arguments would not be heard at the July 28 regular Land Board meeting. It also would not say how long the arguments will be stalled. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui's 900-acre Olowalu Reef to receive slice of large federal funding.  Over $180,000 will go toward restoring the over 900-acre Olowalu Reef, which has been identified as one of the most essential reefs around Maui. Hawaii Public Radio.

Housing to benefit from proposed wastewater project. A proposed wastewater facility in Central Maui is set to benefit a number of current and future housing projects, including the Waikapu Country Town development of more than 1,500 units and the master-planned Kehalani community. Maui News.

A look inside life on an island owned by Larry Ellison, the fourth richest person in the world. Imagine trying to make ends meet while living on an island owned by one of the richest people in the world. That’s the reality for some residents on Lānaʻi, who say the power dynamics of land control can get… complicated.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui Brewing Company in Lahaina reopens after health inspection. The state Department of Health’s Food Safety Branch has allowed Maui Brewing Company to reopen in Lahaina after shuting it down due to a cockroach and rodent infestation. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Liquor Department offers free Narcan kits to licensees.  The Kaua‘i Department of Liquor Control is offering free Naloxone, also known as Narcan, to all of its liquor licensees. Kauai Now.

Play Streets coming to Laukona Park. The Play Streets Kaua‘i planning team announced the arrival of and accessibility to the popular Play Streets free program at Laukona Park in Hanama‘ulu on Aug. 12 from 3 to 6 p.m. Garden Island.

Senator profits in state contract, Hawaii population declines, Learmont replaces Oshiro in state House, new pier at Hilo harbor, candidates already lining up for 2020 Honolulu mayoral race, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Ala Wai boat harbor © 2017 All Hawaii News

Conflicts arise over harbor contract. A legislator as well as a member of the Board of Land and Natural Resources have ties to the public relations firm hired by the state to help determine redevelopment of the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Lawmakers Are Used To Hearing About Potential Conflicts Of Interest. Legislators argue there are good reasons to vote even on issues where they may have potential conflicts. Associated Press.

State DOE on track with plan to meet new federal benchmarks. The Hawaii Department of Education says it’s working with federal education officials to finalize the state’s plan for complying with new requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act. Star-Advertiser.

Appeals court: Trump exceeded authority with travel ban. A federal appeals court panel has ruled that President Donald Trump once again exceeded the scope of his authority with his latest travel ban, but the judges on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put their decision on hold pending review by the U.S. Supreme Court, meaning the ban involving six majority Muslim countries will remain in effect. Associated Press.

Hawaii’s Population Declines For The First Time In Several Years. Hawaii was one of eight states, plus Puerto Rico, that saw a net decline. Civil Beat.

Health insurance premiums on the rise. More than 320,000 Hawaii workers and individuals will pay higher health insurance premiums starting Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Learmont

Learmont To Replace Oshiro In Hawaii State House. She is a former legislative aide to the former longtime lawmaker, who resigned to join the labor board. Civil Beat.

Iwamoto seeks lieutenant governor post. Kim Coco Iwamoto says corporations spend millions of dollars to get their voices heard at the Hawaii Capitol. Garden Island.

More Tuna For Hawaii Fishing Boats In 2018. An international commission slightly expanded catch limits for U.S. longliners based in Honolulu but the industry is still hoping for more. Civil Beat.

Attorney General: Landowners must pay for use of their own land once sea rises.  Oceanfront property owners who once were well shy of the protected state shoreline could find themselves having to purchase easements for their existing homes and structures such as seawalls as the sea creeps inland. West Hawaii Today.

California Approves Saito Extradition To Hawaii. The Hawaii State Hospital patient escaped in November and flew to the mainland. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's economy to benefit from preclearance agreement with Canada. Pacific Business News.

Young Brothers’ cargo volume edges up. The state’s largest interisland cargo carrier said in a report due out today that volume edged up 0.3 percent from the year-earlier period and is up just 0.7 percent for the first nine months of 2017. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Anderson, Pine eye 2020 mayor’s race to replace Caldwell. The jockeying has begun at Honolulu Hale over who will take over the third-floor corner office at City Hall after incumbent Mayor Kirk Caldwell leaves when his term runs out in 2020 — if not sooner. Star-Advertiser.

Privately owned memorial tour website under investigation. The state Office of Consumer Protection said it is investigating representations made by a website that touts itself as the “Pearl Harbor Visitors Bureau,” offers tours and says more than 750,000 visitors have been served. Star-Advertiser.

State scales back work on airport space. The state Department of Transportation is building a $40 million to $45 million structure under Gate 6 at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport that was meant to provide operating space for Island Air, but that space will now be left vacant in the wake of the airline’s bankruptcy. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority has fallen short of making its full state reimbursement for the Hawaii Convention Center for the past two years and may extend the facility’s debt repayment schedule again — even though the agency still owes 79 percent of the center’s original $350 million balance. Star-Advertiser.

City sweetens tow deal. Starting New Year’s Day, the city will have a new contract in place to cover the dozens of police-initiated vehicle tows that occur across the island daily. Star-Advertiser.

Volunteers Keep One of Makiki’s Best-Kept Secrets Afloat. The state wants to convert Hawaii’s only volunteer-run public library into a state-run facility, but it’s waiting on a lease agreement from the city. Civil Beat.

A woman's struggles after a crash with an HPD officer renew questions over discipline. The renewed attention is coming at a time when a new chief, Susan Ballard, has taken the reins at the department and, according to one of her deputies, has ordered a review of HPD’s entire discipline system to bring more consistency to the process. Star-Advertiser.

Filipino WWII vets help select artist for monument on Oahu. After decades of injustice and neglect, Filipino WWII veterans are finally winning recognition for their dedication to Allied forces during the war. Star-Advertiser.

Preserving Hawaii's Railway History. The Hawaiian Railway Society in Ewa runs the only continuously operating historical railroad in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

State officials and other dignitaries marked the opening of a new pier Friday at Hilo Harbor. The 602-foot-long reinforced concrete pier, built parallel to the shoreline, will allow workers to load and unload barges more safely and efficiently, and separates cargo from the docks used by cruise ships, officials said. Tribune-Herald.

Preserving historic Honokaa. The Historic Honokaa Town Project, which aims to preserve and commemorate the unique plantation buildings of Honokaa, is expected to place a total of 14 Honokaa entries on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places by early 2018, with seven of those properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well, said project coordinator Gerald De Mello. Tribune-Herald.

A draft burial treatment plan for iwi found on lands of the former Moaula Plantation were debated on Thursday. Big Island Video News.

The problem of feral pigs. Although feral pig populations on the Big Island appear to remain steady, for some residents, swine incursions will make the holiday a brown Christmas. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Wind farm seeks OK to ‘take’ more endangered bats. Auwahi Wind wants to increase permitted bat fatalities from 21 to 197 over 25 years. Maui News.

Maui home sales fall amid lower inventory. Sales of single-family homes in Maui County plunged last month amid dwindling inventory while the median price increased. Star-Advertiser.

Life after sugar – a year later. It has been 12 months of transition for former plantation workers. Maui News.

Kauai

Rats are nowhere to be found on tiny Lehua Island four months after the conclusion of an eradication project. Star-Advertiser.

People monitoring the ecosystem recovery on Lehua Island report that four months after the conclusion of a rat eradication project there are still no signs of the invasive Pacific Rats. Garden Island.

Canines used to find human waste in Kauai streams. Three samples were collected at Waiopili stream mouth in October and all samples tested positive for human sewage by both dogs. Garden Island.

Lifeguard liability, high deductibles, gay fertility treatment mulled in Legislature, pot tax axed, Kaiser Permanente seeks Maui health-care workers, Kim unveils Maun Kea park plan, historic Ewa Battlefield trashed, more news from all the Hawaiian Island

Old lifeguard stand at Richardson Ocean Park © 2017 All Hawaii News

Counties Threaten To Pull Lifeguards Over Fear Of Lawsuits. The Legislature is debating whether to extend limited liability protections for lifeguards over the objections of a group of personal injury lawyers. Civil Beat.

Pot tax, car value tax, axed. Judging from the growing list of dead or dying bills, the 2017 session of the state Legislature is shaping up to be a relatively cautious, low-risk round of lawmaking. Star-Advertiser.

Members of Hawaii’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community are lobbying for equal access to the fertility treatment married, heterosexual couples enjoy under state law. Associated Press.

Hawaii employers may soon be allowed to offer workers high-deductible plans that critics say are financially risky health insurance plans that can result in families paying thousands of dollars out of pocket in any given year for medical care. Star-Advertiser.

A bill granting state agents access to private property to eradicate invasive species is headed for a floor vote in the Senate. Star-Advertiser.

A bill moving through the state Legislature aims to shake loose money frozen in a $150 million failed renewable-energy loan program and use it to offer rebates of up to $10,000 to residents who buy battery systems for their homes. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Is it possible that this is year the Legislature does mail-in ballots, something that has nearly universal support from both voters and government officials? Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui’s announced intention to leave his post to run for Maui mayor — possibly before his term ends — exposes a flaw in the way our state government is structured at the top. Star-Advertiser.

A new national ranking of the best-run airports has good news for Maui, bad news for Honolulu. Hawaii Public Radio.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, will hold town hall meetings across the state in April. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii officials are looking to their counterparts in Puerto Rico for advice as they seek to rebound from December’s aborted alala release, when three of the native Hawaiian crows perished in the first week of freedom — two apparently picked off by the io, or Hawaiian hawk, and another that weakened after getting caught in a winter storm, according to necropsies. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Below the H-1 viaduct Wednesday morning, a kiawe-fueled fire burned below thousands of commuters — a daily event that has some Oahu lawmakers concerned about the possibility of a disaster under Honolulu’s highways and bridges. Star-Advertiser.

Should Honolulu’s New Police Chief Be An Insider Or An Outsider? The police union leader is pushing for someone already in the ranks. But others, including law enforcement experts, say new blood might be the best. Civil Beat.

Honolulu's chief medical examiner is asking city officials for more financial support as his office struggles to deal with a heavy workload. Associated Press.

Passengers traveling through Honolulu International Airport these days must put up with barriers and diversions, from construction barriers to closed walkways and orange construction signs everywhere, as the state of Hawaii's $1.3 billion upgrade of the airport drags on. Pacific Business News.

Bill would limit liability for volunteers maintaining dilapidated Pearl City cemetery. KHON2.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has settled a case with the Navy involving illegal cesspools at Pearl Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

Historic Ewa Battlefield becomes target of trash dumping. KITV.

Hawaii Island

Mayor Harry Kim on Saturday continued to promote his vision of a Mauna Kea “World Park,” announcing that Gov. David Ige has lent his support to the mayor’s vision for the mountain and that he is “pursuing how this can be done.” West Hawaii Today.

A debate over how Hawaii County Council members should use their discretionary money could be renewed as Mayor Harry Kim proposes to cut the expenditures in the next budget. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Council members say their discretionary funds provide quick aid to nonprofit groups that provide services in their districts. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County has released sewage spill data in the aftermath of last Monday’s discharge into the Wailuku River and Hilo Bay, and a state microbiologist says the results are reassuring. Tribune-Herald.

As plans to upgrade the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant continue to materialize, so to do plans to develop a large regional park in the area. West Hawaii Today.

Hawai'i State Attorney General Doug Chin got a hero's welcome to North Hawaii, where he gave a 40 minute talk on his legal efforts to block the president's executive order. Big Island Video News.

An ironweed plant that grows wild on Hawaii island may offer new ways to combat deadly brain and breast cancers, and a University of Hawaii Cancer Center biologist has received $3 million in federal funds to study it further. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Plenty of jobs need to be filled at Maui County’s three public hospitals, and Kaiser Permanente officials are encouraging residents not to wait until the state facilities become private July 1. Maui News.

Kaiser Permanente officials are encouraging Maui residents to apply for jobs at three public hospitals on the island as they scramble to fill positions before the state facilities become private this summer. Associated Press.

While the shortage of doctors statewide has improved, it grew worse on the Neighbor Islands in 2016, including Maui County, according to a University of Hawaii report to the state Legislature. Maui News.

Alexander & Baldwin is close to formalizing a partnership with a seed oil producing company on a 250-acre demonstration project to produce biofuels from the pongamia tree on old sugar fields with planting possibly to begin in mid-May. Maui News.

The County of Maui’s Kepaniwai Park at ʻĪao reopens Monday, according to a Parks Department announcement. Maui Now.

The county’s Kepaniwai Park in Iao Valley, which has been closed since the raging Wailuku River flooded the park and tore away a piece of the parking lot Sept. 13, will reopen Monday. Maui News.

A rescue tube initiative that started on the island of Kauaʻi in 2009 is now making its way to Maui as advocates combat alarming statistics surrounding ocean deaths in island waters. Maui Now.

Kauai

A coqui frog, a little problem with loud consequences was captured at a Lihue residence Monday, most likely a stowaway in a car recently bought from Hawaii Island. Garden Island.