Those over 65 could get less health care in COVID triage plans, Kauai council passes 3% local hotel tax, Ventura tapped as Maui fire chief, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Elders stay active in Hawaii ©2021 All Hawaii News

Hawaii’s Pandemic Crisis Care Plan Raises Legal And Ethical Concerns. Hawaii stood by its decision to use age as a tiebreaker if needed in treatment decisions, according to the latest version of its plan for allocating resources if the pandemic overwhelms the state’s health care system, despite criticism that the plan may discriminate against older patients. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Audit Finds That Young Brothers Failed To Offset Rising Labor Costs. The report calls for no more shipping rate increases until at least 2023 and for a third party observer to help oversee one of Hawaii’s oldest companies. Civil Beat.

Gov. Ige’s request to halt nonessential travel impacts Hawaii hotel bookings, prices. The rebound of tourism over the summer months came to a screeching halt. People in the hotel industry said travel typically slows down during the fall, but rising COVID cases and the governor’s message to tourists to not come magnified the slow season. KHON2.

COVID-19 screening ramps up in Hawaii’s public schools. After a slow start, state officials are ramping up COVID-19 testing throughout Hawaii’s public schools, part of an overall strategy to help contain the spread of the coronavirus at school facilities where close to 3,000 cases have been reported since the start of the school year. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii records 11 new coronavirus-related deaths, 493 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 314 new cases on Oahu, 62 on Maui, 89 on Hawaii island, 19 on Kauai, three on Molokai and six Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Despite complaints and lawsuits, high-ranking ‘bully’ commander at HPD keeps getting promoted. A battle is brewing within the Honolulu Police Department as members of the rank-and-file push back against one of their leaders, Assistant Chief Stephen Gerona, accusing him of retaliation, sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Hawaii News Now.

COVID-19 sidelines 22 Honolulu Police Department officers. Twenty-two Honolulu police officers were isolated or quarantined Wednesday after testing positive or being exposed to the COVID-19 virus, but the absences are not hindering department operations, interim Chief Rade K. Vanic told Honolulu police commissioners. Star-Advertiser.

No violations found of Honolulu’s new vaccination, COVID-19 testing rules. Honolulu police have found no violations while spot checking Oahu restaurants — particularly in Chinatown and Kakaako — for compliance with new COVID-19 vaccination and testing rules for employees and customers that went into effect on Monday. Star-Advertiser.

DOH issues Honolulu restaurant second red ‘closed’ placard; Failed to pay $3k fine. Doner Shack, a local restaurant in Honolulu, received its second red “closed ” placard and a cease-and-desist order from the Hawaii Department of Health Food Safety Branch. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Still no whistle-blower hot-line: Four years later, audit recommendation yet to be implemented. The Human Resources Department has been scrutinizing interview packets before county departments vet candidates for employment, one of several practices instituted after a scathing 2017 audit found favoritism in county hiring. West Hawaii Today.

Decisions Made On Puna Roads, Water Service Following 2018 Kīlauea Eruption. The County of Hawai‘i provided an update on Wednesday regarding restoration of infrastructure in Puna following the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. Big Island Video News.

Hele-On Announces More Routes, Later Service For Hawaiʻi Island. The Hele-On bus is adding more routes on Hawaiʻi island, and offering later service, according to officials. Big Island Video News.

COVID cases trend downward, but HMC still over capacity. Altogether, there are 49 patients, or 35% of the hospital’s total patient count, affected by the virus, 11 of whom are on ventilators, the hospital said. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Brad Ventura chosen as Maui Fire Department’s new chief. Brad Ventura, 19-year veteran of the Maui Fire Department, will become the department’s new chief starting Oct. 1.  Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Maui Commission Debates Whether To Hire Next Police Chief In Private. The commission’s attorney argued Wednesday that discussions should take place in public. Civil Beat.

Conservation groups notify Maui resort of intent to sue for lights that harm endangered seabirds. Conservation groups today filed a notice of intent to sue the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui for violations of the Endangered Species Act if it does not fix lights that it says are harming and killing endangered seabirds. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required to enter Maui County restaurants, bars, gyms under new rules. Maui County’s new set of Safer Outside emergency rules in response to the COVID-19 surge went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Kauai

Council passes county’s own 3% TAT. A 3% transient accommodation tax levied by the county will soon be applied throughout the tourism industry. Garden Island.

Island enters shearwater fallout season. Seabird fallout season, when fledglings risk potentially-fatal disorientation caused by artificial lights, began Sept. 15, and will run through Dec. 15. Garden Island.

Cruise ship from Hawaii tested for coronavirus, Hawaii senator asks airlines to pitch in for airport screening, cellphone towers nixed, tour helicopter crash-lands on Big Island, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hula kupuna at Hawaii festival ©2020 All Hawaii News

State: Kupuna should prepare for self-isolation if coronavirus outbreak hits Hawaii. Seniors are particularly at risk when it comes to the coronavirus. That’s why Lt. Gov. Josh Green says he has already reached out to state agencies that deal with the elderly to determine safety measures. Hawaii News Now.

Stuck at sea, cruise ship passengers off San Francisco after Hawaii visit await coronavirus test results. A military helicopter crew lowered test kits Friday onto the 951-foot Grand Princess by rope and later retrieved them for analysis at a lab as the vessel lay at sea off San Francisco, under orders to keep its distance from shore. Princess Cruises said 45 people were selected for testing. Associated Press.

Coronavirus: Cruise Ship In Limbo Off California After A Former Passenger Died. Eleven passengers and 10 crew members were showing symptoms of COVID-19 on the ship en route from Hawaii. Hawaii Public Radio.

Cruise ship en route from Hawaii to San Francisco is held off California coast for coronavirus testing. Scrambling to keep the coronavirus at bay, officials ordered a cruise ship with about 3,500 people aboard to stay back from the California coast today until passengers and crew can be tested, after a traveler from its previous voyage died of the disease and at least two others became infected. Associated Press.

Cruise ship visiting Maui linked to virus. Two on previous voyage test positive; 50 continue to Hawaii. More than 50 passengers aboard a cruise ship that anchored off Lahaina on Friday were possibly exposed to the novel coronavirus on a previous voyage. Maui News.

The Westerdam, which was caught up in coronavirus outbreak, is headed for Honolulu. Another cruise ship that was caught up in the global coronavirus response is headed for Honolulu. Holland America’s Westerdam was denied entry to several ports in Southeast Asia last month after one passenger tested positive for the virus. Hawaii News Now.

Depth Of Hawaii’s Economic Pain Hinges On Length Of Virus Outbreak. How long it takes to get the coronavirus to run its course will make the difference between a short-term hiccup and serious economic woes, says a University of Hawaii economist. Hawaii Public Radio.

Senator wants airlines to offset COVID-19 screening costs. A Hawaii state senator wants to improve airport screening for the new coronavirus and pay for it with increased airport landing fees if necessary. Star-Advertiser.

EPA Releases List of Disinfectants to Use Against COVID-19. Today, the US Environmental Protection Agency released a list of EPA-registered disinfectant products that have qualified for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Maui Now.

View the list of EPA-registered disinfectant products here.

County mayors ask public to reconsider how they greet one another. Hawaii Mayor Harry Kim and Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami said they’re taking extra steps to keep public areas clean amid COVID-19 concerns. KHON2.

Some stores limiting items, state recommends buying only what you need. In light of the rush to buy supplies last week, which left behind many empty shelves, some stores like Costco now have a purchasing limit on certain items. KHON2.

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Senate Passes Ban On Side Gigs For Mayors And Governor. House Bill 361 would affect all county mayors and the governor after 2022. Civil Beat.

Potty Parity: Should Women Have More Public Toilets Than Men? The Legislature is considering a bill that would ensure women have double the number of toilets than men do at public venues across Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Researchers say runoff impacts reefs. While the Trump Administration is eyeing new protections for Hawai‘i’s cauliflower coral, researchers with the University of Hawai‘i have uncovered clues as to how land use affects the sea creatures. Garden Island.

Cultural practitioners scramble to save limu as it faces new threats in a warmer world. Limu, a staple on Hawaii tables, is starting to disappear. Conservationists say climate change and improper harvesting are impacting limu supplies. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Vehicle owners will be cited for illegal dumping. A new city ordinance signed into law Thursday will allow the city to cite owners of vehicles if their cars or trucks are involved in illegal dumping. Star-Advertiser.

New illegal dumping law starts July 1. Some new rules are coming to Oahu in an effort to crack down on illegal dumping. Starting July 1, the city will no longer need an employee to see someone dumping to go after them. KHON2.

Coronavirus Is Causing A New Set Of Problems For Honolulu Rail. The outbreak has created trouble for Hitachi’s supply chain. Civil Beat.

State faces more challenges clearing mass dumping ground in Wahiawa. A week ago dozens of law enforcement officers from multiple agencies conducted a sweep of the area off of Kamehameha Highway between Kamanui Road and Whitmore Avenue. KHON2.

Lead-removal project in Kalihi is completed. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it has finished its removal of lead-contaminated soil from beneath a part of Factory Street in the Kalihi-Palama neighborhood. Star-Advertiser.

Lucky kupuna win lottery for affordable apartments in Kapolei. With a computer keystroke from a Kapolei office building, Brandon Hegland made many Hawaii senior citizens happy Thursday as winners in an affordable- housing lottery. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Cell tower permits denied for AT&T projects in Kurtistown, HPP. Tempers and temperatures ran high at a Windward Planning Commission meeting that ended with two proposed cellphone towers in Puna being denied use permits. Tribune-Herald.

25th annual Kona Brewers Festival to go on despite virus fears. Despite a spate of canceled events throughout the state as COVID-19 fears escalate, festivities on the Big Island are forging ahead. West Hawaii Today.

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Pilot and passengers survive Big Island helicopter crash. A pilot and his five passengers walked away from the crash of a tour helicopter at about 11:30 a.m. Thursday in a remote area of the Big Island on the edge of a Puna lava field near Leilani Estates. Star-Advertiser.

Tour helicopter makes ‘precautionary landing’ near Leilani Estates. A Blue Hawaiian Helicopters tour aircraft with six aboard made an emergency landing in a lava field in the Leilani Estates area shortly before noon Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Tour Helicopter Goes Down In Puna, Minor Injuries. County officials say a Blue Hawaiian tour helicopter "crashed in a wooded area of Puna" on Thursday, resulting in minor injuries to all aboard. Big Island Video News.

Tour Chopper Found in Tall Grass After Hard Landing in Pahoa. Big Island Now.

Tour chopper makes hard landing on Big Island, sending 6 to hospital. Authorities are investigating after a tour helicopter made a hard landing in Puna on Thursday and rolled over. Hawaii News Now.

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Alii Drive sinkhole repair work to take another month. Crews are making progress in repairing damage to Alii Drive caused by a sinkhole that opened late last year fronting Coconut Grove Marketplace. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Matsuri Cancels Festival for 2020. Maui Matsuri organizers today announced the cancellation of their annual celebration which was set for May 2020. Maui Now.

Maalaea coastal erosion considered above average. Official: Mitigation may take 55 months and a quarter-million dollars. Maalaea Bay’s high shoreline erosion rate is forcing area residents to act soon, but mitigation efforts are often riddled with time, permitting and funding issues, government officials said recently. Maui News.

Three New Businesses Come to Maui’s Azeka Shopping Center. Three new businesses have opened at Azeka Shopping Center in Kīhei, Maui, including: Ekolu Kitchen1279, Studio 151 and O’Reilly’s Auto Parts. Maui Now.

Kauai

Lihu‘e sewer inspections start this Sunday. The county Department of Public Works Wastewater Management Division’s contractor will be performing closed-circuit television inspections on the Lihu‘e sewer system along Kuhio Highway from Ehiku Street to Hardy Street, daily from the evening of Sunday, March 8, through the morning of Friday, March 13. Garden Island.

Akaka hospitalized, lesbian child support case draws national spotlight, Arakawa fights ethics fine, kupuna caregiver plan announced, state shoreline creeps mauka, Oahu property values climb, Hawaii County OT pared, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Former Sen. Daniel Akaka, right, with the late Sen. Daniel Inouye, 2012 file photo © 2017 All Hawaii News

Former U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka is fighting a leg infection at Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Akaka, 93, was admitted to the hospital a couple of weeks ago after a small infection on his leg worsened. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin issued a formal advisory opinion today stating that when the shoreline migrates landward (or mauka) due to erosion or sea level rise, the dividing line between public and private ownership also migrates mauka. Big Island Now.

Hawaii case draws attention to same-sex child support issues. National gay rights advocates are watching a child support fight between a divorced lesbian couple in Hawaii. Associated Press.

Civil Beat Poll: Voters Just Say No To Legalizing Recreational Marijuana. Survey respondents 50 and older aren’t ready to take the step, and in Hawaii, older voters still call the shots. Civil Beat.

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New state program offers aid for caregivers. The state is hoping its new program to provide up to $70 a day in services to those caring for seniors will help keep caregivers in the workforce longer. Star-Advertiser.

Caregivers to get much-needed financial help under new state program. Hawaii News Now.

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New state initiative offers support for those working and taking care of kupuna. The Kupuna Caregivers Program will provide financial help of up to $70 per day for services such as home-delivered meals, personal care, respite, adult day care, transportation or homemaker assistance. Tribune-Herald.

DowDuPont to cut jobs in Hawaii. Two global companies doing seed crop research in Hawaii became one in August, and now the company plans to consolidate local operations from six sites to three while also investing in two facilities. Star-Advertiser.

State traffic fatalities down so far this year. As of Monday, the state had 101 traffic fatalities, compared to 112 last year at the same point. Star-Advertiser.

How Will Hawaiian Airlines Weather Its Big Transition In 2018? With a new chief executive and the bulk of a new fleet set to arrive, Hawaii’s dominant airline will face a major competitor — Southwest Airlines. Civil Beat.

Republican leaders reach an agreement over tax reform. The call for sweeping changes could impact how much you pay at tax time, along with how much money is available for affordable housing in Hawaii. KITV.

Oahu

Oahu property values rise and taxes may, too. Across Oahu, the valuations for residential properties are going up 6.1 percent for the 2018-2019 tax year. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Police Department reviews body camera pilot program. Now that the pilot program is done — will it be rolled out permanently? KHON2.

Red Hill study details 6 options for fuel tanks. The Navy has submitted a tank upgrade study for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility that examines six options ranging from enhancing current maintenance and inspection to creating a carbon steel tank within a tank. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu North Shore: Short Term Vacation Rentals. The state and counties are trying to resolve illegal vacation rentals in residential areas but it’s a complicated issue throughout the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

City sued over falling, 'twisting' hillside in Palolo. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii business could lose everything over Amazon taxes dispute. Ren Wu, the founder of the Remi Collection in Kalihi, says he has been a third-party seller for Amazon since 2009. Hawaii News Now.

Some of Hawaii's kumu hula considering trademark on halau name. A number of kumu hula are in the process of trademarking their halau after a Kaneohe hula school announced it may be forced to change its name. KITV.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County is on track to pare almost half a million dollars off overtime expenses this year compared to last year. But overtime for county employees, most notably in the police and fire departments, still accounts for millions of dollars, according to an analysis of data provided by the county Finance Department. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo parcel could be developed after arsenic removal. A proposed commercial development in Hilo will move forward only if a plan to clean up and contain arsenic gets approval from the state. Tribune-Herald.

VIDEO: More Rule Changes Target Kealoha Beach Park. The Hawaii County Council continues to visit laws that could curb problems at 4-mile in Keaukaha. Big Island Video News.

A year after Hawaii County celebrated a $10.3 million renovation to the renamed Mauna Kea Recreation Area, Big Island residents and visitors are still waiting to use the park’s refurbished cabins, bunkhouses, dining hall and concessionaire. Civil Beat.

Aerospace agency promotes basalt as base for new industry in Hawaii. Could basalt — the volcanic rock that makes up the ground beneath our feet — become the building blocks for a new industry in the state? Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The state's Campaign Spending Commission wants to fine Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa $1,000 and wants him to pay back $8,000 to his campaign for excess donations to multiple charitable organizations. Hawaii News Now.

The chairman of the Maui County Liquor Control Commission promised a simpler application process for nonprofits seeking single-event liquor licenses after a handful of groups complained of more issues during Wednesday’s meeting in Wailuku. Maui News.

Lawsuit filed over Maui cancer institute's land leases. The Hawaii Health Systems Corp. has filed a lawsuit claiming land leases it entered into with the Pacific Cancer Institute are illegal and should be voided. Associated Press.

Maui hospital, cancer center lease dispute heads to court. A dispute between the Hawaii Health Systems Corp. and the Pacific Cancer Institute over the cancer center’s ground lease at the Maui Memorial Medical Center campus has reached an impasse and is headed to state court ahead of a deadline for resolution next month. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Kauai Independent Food Bank had a busy weekend. Garden Island.

Older population increases, Hawaii in range of North Korea missiles, Honolulu Police Commission founders in chief search, Kauai continues homeless sweep, Hawaii Five-0 network defends less pay for Asian actors, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kupuna hula © 2017 All Hawaii News

U.S. Census: Those Over 65 Are Hawaii’s Fastest Growing Group. Other data findings show the state is growing more diverse and in 2015-16, the growth in housing exceeded population growth. Civil Beat.

Website ranks Hawaii fifth worst among states for starting a business Star-Advertiser.

The defense minister of South Korea and a missile expert have said that North Korea’s first flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile potentially places Hawaii within range of an attack. Star-Advertiser.

A federal judge in Honolulu is expected to rule soon whether the Trump administration is unlawfully implementing the scaled-back version of the travel ban. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin rebutted the Trump administration’s argument that it was using U.S. immigration law standards when it defined what constitutes close family relations in its partially reinstated travel ban for people from six mostly Muslim nations. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii and Undocumented Immigrants: Part 4. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige named state Chief Information Officer Todd Nacapuy executive sponsor of the ongoing tax system modernization project. Pacific Business News.

Homebuyers on Kauai and Hawaii Island snapped up condominiums in June as prices and sales surged on both islands. Star-Advertiser.

CBS Defends Paying Hawaii Five-0’s Asian Cast Members Less Than White Co-Stars. The network emphasized that Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park played supporting roles, which it cites as a reason for the pay discrepancy. Vanity Fair.

Oahu

The search for a Honolulu police chief will stretch into at least mid-September as the Hono­lulu Police Commission struggles to retain a consulting firm to help with the selection process. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu police commissioners appear to be losing patience in their search for a new police chief to replace Louis Kealoha, who retired in January amid corruption allegations. Civil Beat.

Commission to negotiate with second pick for police chief search consultant. KHON2.

Two Honolulu police officers on July 19 will try to convince the Police Commission that city taxpayers should pay their legal fees in a high-profile civil case against them. Star-Advertiser.

A law passed nearly two decades before Hawaii became a state is at the center of an increasingly bitter fight between the Honolulu Police Commission and former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha over who should foot his upcoming legal bills — the taxpayers or Kealoha himself. Civil Beat.

A bed bug infestation at the Honolulu Police Department headquarters is prompting a temporary relocation for some of the operations. Hawaii News Now.

The chairman of the state House committee that oversees ocean resources said he will explore possible legislation to control the kind of unsafe activities that sent people to hospitals with alcohol intoxication during a Fourth of July “floatilla” off Waikiki. Star-Advertiser.

Waipahu Businesses Have Hopes For Rail — If They Can Survive Construction. With some owners reporting a sharp decline in customers, the Honolulu City Council has set aside $2 million for property tax relief for struggling businesses. Civil Beat.

Interagency Transit Oriented Development Council: Mayor Wright Housing is the Top Priority. Hawaii Public Radio.

The state Department of Education said it expects to spend nearly $30,000 to remove decaying banyan trees from the McKinley High School campus and replace them with a new species. Star-Advertiser.

A college student who graduated from one of the most prestigious high schools in Hawaii - former President Barack Obama's alma mater - is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday for slaughtering vulnerable seabirds at a nature reserve. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu's home prices hit an all-time high. Hawaii real-estate firm, Locations reports the median price for single-family homes on Oahu is now $795,000, according to June's Residential Real Estate Report. KITV.

Bibas Courtyard Grill was once on the Hale Koa Hotel’s potential closure list due to a steady stream of losses, but a committee of managers and union workers averted the crisis and realized the restaurant’s first profit. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County Department of Water Supply finished repairs on the recently downed Keahuolo Deepwell ahead of schedule and it is up and running as of Wednesday afternoon, according to an update issued by Hawaii County Civil Defense. West Hawaii Today.

The Keahuolu Deepwell is now repaired and operational, county officials report. Big Island Video News.

Christmas came in July for the county Mass Transit Agency, when seven buses from Honolulu arrived Wednesday at Hilo Harbor. West Hawaii Today.

The University of Hawaii’s 2.2-meter telescope isn’t the biggest observatory on Mauna Kea. But with the help of a nearly $1 million National Science Foundation grant, it could in a few years give the Hubble Space Telescope a run for its money. Tribune-Herald.

The proposed Hu Honua Bioenergy facility on the Big Island is projected to generate more than $2 billion in economic activity across Hawaii over its 30-year lifespan, according to an economic analysis of the project. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Department of Water Supply Director Dave Taylor wants to shorten — from 90 to 30 days — the amount of time farmers would need to comply with water restrictions during droughts. Maui News.

Alexander & Baldwin Inc. has begun growing sorghum and corn on Maui as part of a test project to develop biofuel to feed a planned anaerobic digester that would produce methane gas to power the Kahului wastewater treatment facility. Maui News.

One of Maui's most popular and majestic sites has been closed for 10 months. KITV.

Restroom facilities and the parking lot at Waipuilani Park in Kīhei will be closed from today, Wednesday, July 5th to the end of August so that contractors can install a new irrigation system. Maui Now.

Kauai

Six more people were arrested for camping without permits in the Napali Coast’s Kalalau Valley during a three-day Department of Land and Natural Resources operation last week. Garden Island.

The Resort Group has hired Colorado-based East West Partners to develop some 700 acres of the Princeville at Hanalei resort on Kauai’s North Shore with ranch homesites and reopen the shuttered Prince Golf Course. Pacific Business News.

In order to map out Kauai’s agriculture atmosphere, Malama Kauai has put out a survey to island ranchers and farmers, one that can provide data to inform everyone of Kauai’s agriculture needs. Garden Island.

U.S. Supreme Court rebuffs challenge to open primaries, former state director writes tell-all Peter Boy book, Ostrov to head state GOP, Maui property tax hikes approved, homeless arrested on Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian islands

Hawaii kupuna at hula © 2017 All Hawaii News

Hawaii is the third healthiest state in the country for senior citizens, according to the 2017 America’s Health Rankings Senior Report released by United Health Foundation. Star-Advertiser.

The Supreme Court has turned away challenges to open primaries in Hawaii and Montana that allow voters to take part in party primary elections regardless of their political affiliations. Associated Press.

Campaign Cash Flowed To Hawaii Lawmakers As Hot Topics Debated. Lawmakers may not have settled the rail tax issue, but they did hold a lot of fundraisers during the session. Civil Beat.

The shake-up in state Senate leadership that began at the end of the legislative session with the ouster of Sen. Jill Tokuda as chair of the Ways and Means Committee continued Friday with the announcement of some new committee chairmanships. Civil Beat.

Central Maui state Sen. Gil Keith-Agaran has been named as vice chairman of the powerful Senate Ways and Means Committee, which works with the House Finance Committee and governor’s administration to handle the state’s purse strings. Maui News.

Shirlene Ostrov, a retired Air Force colonel and founder of a logistics consulting company, defeated state House Minority Leader Andria Tupola at the party’s state convention Saturday on Kauai to become the new chairwoman of the Hawaii Republican Party. Star-Advertiser.

A retired Air Force colonel was overwhelmingly selected as the chair of the Hawaii GOP at the party’s 2017 state convention. Garden Island.

Government's Affordable Housing Model Doesn't Work. Hawaii Public Radio.

Affordable Housing: Nothing Being Built on Neighbor Islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Eight months after an extensive Associated Press investigation detailing poor labor conditions aboard Hawaii longline vessels, little appears to have changed when it comes to protecting the foreign fishermen who can’t stray from their American boats docked at Honolulu Harbor without risking deportation. Associated Press.

Why It’s Taking So Long To Open Hawaii’s Medical Marijuana Dispensaries. The state legalized the use of cannabis as medicine 17 years ago, but patients still have no place to legally buy it. Civil Beat.

Singapore budget-airline Scoot is planning to fly to Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

Hawaiian Airlines is trying to capture a bigger share of the Chinese market and has increased its marketing efforts in the country. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

While the numbers show Oahu’s overall homeless population grew by just 19 people, the island saw a 9 percent increase in homeless veterans despite a nationwide push to house them. Star-Advertiser.

A developer with investors from China is accusing City Councilman Ikaika Anderson of trying to illegally oppose a planned condominium tower because some units are intended for sale in China. Star-Advertiser.

Opposition To Foreign Condo Sales Raises Legal Questions. Did a City Council member create legal risks by suggesting the council might deny a development permit if the condos were sold to Chinese buyers? Civil Beat.

The Honolulu City Council deferred action on a bill Wednesday that would require retailers to charge a fee for single-use checkout bags and ban so-called compostable plastic bags. Star-Advertiser.

St. Louis Drive-In voluntarily shut down after the state Department of Health reported seeing more than 200 live roaches and rat droppings during a recent inspection. Despite what was found, the restaurant was allowed to keep its green placard. KHON2.

Rental homes in a Kalaeloa neighborhood where residents were once hit with utility bills as high as $700 a month are set to get a solar system. Star-Advertiser.

Global Japanese supermarket chain Mitsuwa Marketplace will open its first Hawaii location next week at the International Market Place. Pacific Business News.

Chimp escapes enclosure at Honolulu Zoo, prompting evacuation. Hawaii News Now.

A chimpanzee scaled a wall and escaped from its exhibit Sunday at the Honolulu Zoo. Star-Advertiser.

Renowned surfer Kelly Slater has purchased a 6,610-square-foot property in Haleiwa for $7.8 million, according to property filings. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Peter Boy's siblings are shocked by publication of e-book, “Peter Boy, Hawaii’s Most Notorious Case of Child Abuse and Murder," by Lillian Koller, former director of the state Department of Human Services, which investigates child abuse cases. Star-Advertiser.

West Hawaii’s three council districts, home to a third of the island’s approximately 198,000 people, continues to be the county government’s cash cow, accounting for almost 70 percent of property tax revenues under rate hikes planned by Mayor Harry Kim. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island representatives say they have secured more than $331 million in Capital Improvement Project funding for the biennium of fiscal years 2018 and 2019 for various projects across Hawaii County. Big Island Video News.

Mauna Lani Bay resort, which has been owned by a subsidiary of Japanese-based Tokyu Corp. for all of its more than 40-year-history, is getting a new owner — a change that will bring needed resort reinvestment and fuel upward repositioning for Hawaii island’s Kohala Coast. Star-Advertiser.

A leader of a group of opponents trying to stop a giant telescope from being built on a Hawaii mountain said she is concerned they are at a disadvantage because they can’t afford to pay for thousands of pages of transcripts. Associated Press.

Construction of the long-awaited Puna Kai marketplace in Pahoa is scheduled to begin June 1. The project has been in development since 2012. Tribune-Herald.

The Waimea Town Center development plan and a land exchange between Parker Ranch and the Hawaii Department of Education were central topics at a South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee meeting held in Waimea last week. West Hawaii Today.

Soldier killed, another injured in training accident on the Big Island. Hawaii News Now.

One person was killed and another injured when a military tractor trailer carrying a sky jack lost control and barreled through a guardrail and down the embankment causing the vehicle to roll over. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The Maui County Council narrowly approved a property tax rate resolution on Friday for fiscal 2018, which begins July 1. Maui News.

Upward of 100 homeless people live around Baldwin Beach Park, according to the county, and social service agencies are trying to prepare them to leave their extended campsite. Maui News.

Solutions for pali traffic woes elusive. Maui News.

Administrators of Hawaii’s public-sector employee retirement fund have come up with a plan to get out of a sand trap of sorts pertaining to an unusual asset it owns: two golf courses at Kaanapali Resort on Maui. Star-Advertiser.

Teresa Shook of Hana has been honored by the Hawaii Legislature as a “Visionary for the 2017 Women’s March.” Maui News.

Kauai

State law enforcement officers arrested 17 people in the Kalalau section of Napali Coast State Wilderness Park on Kauai in the past week for allegedly being in a closed area without a valid permit, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said today. Star-Advertiser.

Developers of a proposed industrial dairy on Kauai will need to jump through a few more hoops before construction can start, due to a final order from Hawaii’s Environmental Court. Garden Island.

Tropic Care Kauai returns to the island offering medical care at no cost between June 12 through 21 at three clinic sites. Garden Island.

Acquiring coastal lands and designating no parking zones are on tap for discussion when the Kauai County Council meets Wednesday. Garden Island.

Lucky we live longer in Hawaii! Elders enjoy longer lives; unemployment falls, tax revenues rise, last frigate retired, Pfleuger guilty of reckless endangerment in Kauai dam burst, state to consider thrill-craft rules, Honolulu homeless sweep, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii kupuna hula (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

If you’re 65 and living in Hawaii, here’s some good news: Odds are you’ll live another 21 years. And for all but five of those years, you’ll likely be in pretty good health. Hawaii tops the charts in the government’s first state-by-state look at how long Americans age 65 can expect to live, on average, and how many of those remaining years will be healthy ones. Associated Press.

Hawaii tops the charts in the government's first state-by-state look at how long Americans age 65 can expect to live, on average, and how many of those remaining years will be healthy ones. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii tax revenues deposited in the general fund rose nearly 10 percent during the most recent fiscal year to $5.5 billion. The state Department of Taxation said Thursday general excise tax revenue rose just over 9 percent to $2.9 billion during the 12 months ended in June. Associated Press.

Hawaii's unemployment rate fell in June to its lowest level in nearly five years as local businesses continued to ramp up hiring, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations reported Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate last month was the lowest since September 2008.Associated Press.

Reflecting the visibility of her race against Sen. Brian Schatz, Rep. Colleen Hanabusa was named one of Politico’s Top 50 Politicos to Watch. Civil Beat.

A former aide to the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye has chosen U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa's Democratic primary campaign for Senate over a corporate government relations job. Peter Boylan, a former deputy chief of staff to Inouye, has resigned as a senior manager for Time Warner Cable in Washington, D.C. He will serve as communications director for Hanabusa's campaign against U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz. Star-Advertiser.

USS Reuben James courtesy photo

The Navy started the day with 18 frigates in the fleet. It ended it with 17 after the retirement of the USS Reuben James at Pearl Harbor. The last remaining frigate home-ported in Hawaii was decommissioned Thursday after 14 deploy­ments and 27 years of service — including some tense moments in the Persian Gulf region. Star-Advertiser.

Drones are garnering increasing attention in the islands, whether in reaction to President Obama’s defense of his extensive use of remote-controlled aerial surveillance and bombing overseas, or as a result of peace-minded protests against drone usage and testing at Pohakuloa on the Big Island, at Wheeler Air Force Base and at UH-Manoa on Oahu. Civil Beat.

What began as a look at the unregulated use of water-propelled jet packs around Oahu has turned into a state review of thrill-craft operations overall. State Land Board Chairman William Aila Jr. said he was broadening his review to include the impact of thrill craft on traditional fishing and on fish and coral larvae. Star-Advertiser.

The time for new leadership to step up at Hawaiian Electric Co., the state’s largest electric utility and part of the biggest public company in Hawaii, took a big step on Wednesday after Robbie Alm, who has been the public face of the company, announced he is leaving his executive vice president post on Aug. 30, after a little more than a decade with the utility. Pacific Business News.

Father Francis X. Hezel, a Catholic priest who has lived and worked in Micronesia for more than four decades, visited Hawaii this week to meet with government officials and others to discuss what the state and federal governments can do to help Micronesians. Civil Beat.

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents is in talks with a candidate to temporarily replace outgoing President M.R.C. Greenwood but isn't ready to make the person's name public. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents on Thursday elected John Holzman as its new chairman, along with Vice Chair Saedene Ota and returning Vice Chair James Lee. Pacific Business News.

The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has an ambitious plan to build more than four thousand new homes for Hawaiian homesteaders. It's something that will take them 20 years to do. Hawaii News Now.

There were 15,258 hybrid vehicles registered in the state of Hawaii, according to a June state energy trend report. The number of electric vehicles was 1,551 — an uptick of 83 percent compared to the same time last year. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Greg I. Nishioka will resign Aug. 30 as administrator of the Honolulu Liquor Commission, six months after admitting to the  Disciplinary Board of the Hawaii Supreme Court he commingled and misappropriated funds in his law practice. Star-Advertiser.

The administrator of the Honolulu Liquor Commission has resigned, months after admitting to dozens of legal ethics violations through his law practice. Hawaii News Now.

Thursday's sweeps dispersed dozens of homeless who camp overnight around the Kakaako Makai Gateway Park area and the Ala Wai Promenade. Star-Advertiser.

During the eighth day of testimony in State Department special agent Christopher Deedy's murder trial, a witness for the first time noted that Deedy did not appear to be intoxicated in the early-morning hours of Nov. 5, 2011, after he fatally shot a 23-year-old Kailua man at a Waikiki McDonald's. Star-Advertiser.

Retired Honolulu Police Department Sgt. Kenneth Schreiner was in charge when Christopher Deedy was arrested on Nov. 5, 2011. He saw Deedy kneeling over Kollin Elderts. Both men were covered in blood. A worker at the Waikiki McDonald's told him Deedy was the shooter. Hawaii News Now.

A Waikiki hotel is accused of discriminating against a combat veteran and his service dog. Hawaii News Now.

Beachgoers are breaking out in a blistering rash, and it’s not because of jellyfish or Man o’ War. KHON2 heard from several people who reported getting stung by “stinging seaweed.”

The Historic Hawai’i Foundation cites up to four heiau in Kaimuki, one up Sierra Drive, two on Kaimuki Hill and another at Leahi hospital. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii
Sandra Dawson has been shepherding plans for the Thirty Meter Telescope through Hawaii's regulatory labyrinth for the past five years, and now, pending resolution of one last appeal, construction of the estimated $1.4 billion astronomy endeavor near the top of Mauna Kea is poised to begin. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation may have found a colorful solution to the issue of illegal activity at Kalakaua Park. Parks and Recreation Director Clayton Honma said he will look at adding flower boxes along a wall on the makai side of the downtown Hilo park that nearby businesses complain is used too frequently as a hangout spot for the homeless and vagrants. Tribune-Herald.

Leeward Planning Commissioners are asking for more information from county departments and the developer of a proposed Hualalai Road subdivision before deciding whether the land should be reclassified as urban and rezoned. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County will get a new public shoreline access easement as part of a 1999 special management area permit, as a luxury development begins to take root on one of the few remaining large private holdings on Kohala’s Gold Coast. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Medical Service Association plans to open one of its new neighborhood centers in Hilo’s Waiakea Center. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled today that a wrongful death lawsuit against Ala Moana Center can move forward. The high court said Ala Moana had a duty to aid 22-year-old Jasmine Fry, who died in 2005 after she fell into an exhaust vent above the center's food court. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

In light of a looming investigation over the Old Wailuku Post Office demolition, Mayor Alan Arakawa has proposed directives that limit communication between council members and county department heads that he admits could bring the county to "a grinding halt." Maui News.

The Maui County Civil Defense Agency has updated tsunami evacuation zone maps - with major changes in the Kahului area and the addition of new maps for two areas on Maui. Maui News.

Maui police will be increasing speeding enforcement, education and patrols during a week-long campaign that runs from July 22-26 on all major Maui roadways, police said. Maui Now.

It takes a community to build a food forest. That was the message delivered by Paul Massey to a receptive crowd of both seasoned permaculture enthusiasts and self-proclaimed "greenhorns" at a recent talk at the University of Hawai'i Maui College. Maui Weekly.

Kauai
In a nearly empty courtroom, retired auto dealer James Pflueger was found guilty of reckless endangering in the Ka Loko dam tragedy after pleading no contest Thursday and ending years of denying that he had any responsibility in the 2006 disaster that left seven people dead. Star-Advertiser.

A retired car dealer pleaded no contest Thursday to reckless endangering in a dam breach in Hawaii that swept seven people to their deaths in 2006. Associated Press.

The defendant involved in the 2006 Ka Loko dam failure pleaded no contest to first-degree reckless endangering Thursday in 5th Circuit Court. Garden Island.

James Pflueger, the owner of the land under the dam, was indicted on seven counts of manslaughter and one count of reckless endangerment in the first degree in November 2008 after witnesses said he illegally graded around the dam and covered its main safety feature, a concrete spillway, causing it to overtop and breach during heavy rains. Pflueger, an 87-year-old retired auto dealer with assets of $71 million, was able to use his power, wealth, influence and political connections to delay his criminal trial for years through multiple appeals. Hawaii Reporter.

Kauai now has its first 320-slice computed tomography scanner, an X-ray imaging machine. Now installed and in operation at Wilcox Memorial Hospital, the CT scanner is the fastest and most advanced scanner in the state, according to hospital officials. Garden Island.

Hawaii seniors healthy; Defense secretary rallies troops, Caldwell, council spar over $2B Honolulu budget; improvements coming to Kona International Airport; new cop cars for Kauai; more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii kupuna hula (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Elderly people in Hawaii are among the nation's healthiest, with low rates of obesity, hip fractures and preventable hospitalization, according to a ranking of states released Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel is in the midst of his first visit to Hawaii since taking office in February, defense officials say, as part of a round-the-globe trip that includes stops in Singapore and Brussels. Star-Advertiser.

United States Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel will address 200 service members from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Thursday, according to the Department of Defense. Hawaii News Now.

A public university on Chicago's South Side is vying to become the home of President Barack Obama's presidential library after he leaves office, a prize also sought by the University of Hawaii. Associated Press.

About $570,000 in federal funding is heading to Hawaii to help veterans who are struggling with homelessness. Associated Press.

More than half of Hawaii schools don't have reliable Internet access, and the Hawaii Department of Education can't afford to give every student a digital device. Civil Beat.

August 5 is normally a payday for educational assistants in Hawaii's public schools. However, some 200 of them in Leeward Oahu schools won't be getting a paycheck this coming August 5. And according to the state, it's because they got that paycheck nearly a year ago. Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers say a new Hawaii law could help the state develop commercial harbors faster and more efficiently. Associated Press.

The American Center for Law and Justice filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday in Washington, D.C., on behalf of The Honolulu Tea Party, Hawaii Tea Party and nearly two-dozen conservative groups across the country. Hawaii Reporter.

Federal regulators are pressing ahead with their decision to slash government subsidies used by Sandwich Isles Communications to provide telephone and high-speed Internet service to customers living on Hawaiian Home Lands, saying the Honolulu-based company was not able to justify “significant and wasteful expenses totaling many millions of dollars.” Star-Advertiser.

When Hawaii residents purchase groceries and other goods in the islands, they typically encounter prices 30 percent above what U.S. mainland shoppers will pay in their stores. Hawaii Reporter.

The Huffington Post and subscription-based news website Honolulu Civil Beat announced Wednesday that they plan to partner in a new site dedicated to Hawaii news. Associated Press.

Huffington Post Partnership Takes Hawaii Global. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s political leaders are praising the latest state revenue forecast which shows growing revenue over the next two years and say Hawaii residents and businesses should be optimistic about the improving economy. Associated Press.

Hawaiian Airlines Inc. said Wednesday that it has closed on $444.5 million in Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates to finance the acquisition of six new Airbus A330-200 aircraft over the next 18 months. Pacific Business News.

The electric utilities on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island are seeking public comment on five-year energy plans. Civil Beat.

State roundup for May 29. Associated Press.

State 5/29. Associated Press.

Oahu

The Honolulu City Council's proposed $2 billion city operating budget, which includes $14 million for nonprofit groups, is "fiscally irresponsible" and is balanced through a combination of debt and money grabs that could risk the city's high bond rating, Mayor Kirk Caldwell charged Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has put some of Oahu’s nonprofits on notice. Don’t expect a handout from the city. Civil Beat.

It’s a fight to the finish as Honolulu’s mayor and City Council battle over the budget. KHON2.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. paid $25.9 million to purchase the 80,000-square-foot former Macy’s department store and parking garage in Downtown Honolulu, according to City and County of Honolulu property tax records. Pacific Business News.

The Coast Guard is proposing voluntary tsunami evacuation zones on either side of Honolulu Harbor. KITV4.

With well wishes from Gov. Neil Abercrombie and others, the double-hulled sailing canoe Hokule‘a on Wednesday began a nearly yearlong shakedown cruise through the Hawaiian Islands before embarking next May on a deep-sea global journey, "Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage." Star-Advertiser.

This time of year brings a rainbow of events to Honolulu highlighting Hawai’i’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.  The Gay Pride parade runs through Waikiki this Saturday, and the Rainbow Film Festival begins at the Doris Duke tomorrow. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii

Property tax scofflaws got a reprieve Wednesday, when a County Council committee declined to shorten the time the county has to wait before foreclosing on property. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County Council members will have another month to digest a bill that would restrict the use of genetically modified crops on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

DOT breaks ground for new fire station, dedicates air tower at Kona International Airport. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo Medical Center alone will account for nearly $2 million of the state hospital system’s $7.2 million shortfall forecast for the coming fiscal year. Tribune-Herald.

Kealakekua Bay is now open to the public — as long as the public applies for a special use permit and promises not to land at Kaawaloa. West Hawaii Today.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz has two new field representatives, George “Robby” Robertson and Michael Zola. They will join Marlena Castro Dixon as regional liaisons for Hawaii Island. West Hawaii Today.

The USDA announced last week that nearly a dozen small watersheds on Hawaii Island will benefit from an influx of a little more than $433,000 to make assistance available this year to farmers, ranchers and forest owners to keep water sources on their property free of foreign matter, like sediment or bacteria. The funding comes through the agency’s National Water Quality Initiative. Tribune-Herald.

Maui
The Maui County Council gave initial approval of a $559 million county budget Tuesday, with the spending plan including water and property tax rate increases along with more funding for most nonprofit organizations and a new reduced monthly bus pass rate for people with disabilities. Maui News.

A controversial lottery for admission into the Hawaiian Immersion kindergarten at Pāʻia Elementary School was officially canceled during a stakeholders meeting at the campus on Tuesday morning.Maui Now.

The state Department of Agriculture's Animal Industry Division has ordered all beef and dairy bulls to be tested for bovine trichomoniasis prior to entry into and before movement between herds within the state, the department said. Maui News.

Kauai
The Kauai Police Department expects to spend nearly $2 million to replace an aging fleet over two years. Garden Island.

Changing out windows at the Lihue Public Library is one of the milestones of the renovation project. Garden Island.

Chinese fast food giant Panda Express, Inc. has agreed to pay $150,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed last year by three former employees who worked at the restaurant chain’s Kapaa franchise. Garden Island.