Showing posts with label libraries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label libraries. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Endangered monk seal dies from fishhook, UH tuition rises, DHHL resists new director, Hawaii taxes crimp Expedia profits, tsunami watch was a mistake, NOAA center to be named for Inouye, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

DLNR NOAA courtesy photo
Hawaiian monk seal DLNR courtesy photo
A juvenile monk seal that died after it was spotted off Hawaii island having trouble breathing had ingested a fishhook, according to a necropsy conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries. Star-Advertiser.
DLNR NOAA courtesy photo
Fishhook shown in x-ray

Federal and state officials say the seal known as RK68 died a slow and painful death. KITV4.

A Hawaiian monk seal that died Friday likely swallowed back in August the fish hook that caused its death, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration official said. West Hawaii Today.

Environmental and solar-energy interests urged state lawmakers Tuesday to gradually reduce the state's generous solar tax credit and undo the temporary rules imposed by the Abercrombie administration that many believe have undercut the growing solar industry. Star-Advertiser.

A bill that would allow inspections of vessels and catch containers belonging to permitted fishermen in West Hawaii waters is gaining momentum in the state Legislature. West Hawaii Today.

Nearly half of the nine-member commission that oversees the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands opposes Gov. Neil Abercrombie's choice to head the department, saying Jobie Masa­ga­tani is divisive and has worked against the interests of the agency's Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. Star-Advertiser.

Recent controversies over how the University of Hawaii spends its money have prompted several bills that would make the university's Board of Regents more accountable to the public. The Senate and House Higher Education committees on Tuesday passed some of them. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers are investigating the rising cost of tuition at the University of Hawaii and are pushing to reform the system’s board of regents. Associated Press.

Tuition increases at all 10 campuses of the University of Hawaii System are scheduled to bring in about 50-million dollars more over the next 4 years.   But … as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports … U-H administrators told state Senators in a joint committee session today… students and/or parents will likely have to pay more in the future. Hawaii Public Radio.

On Tuesday, February 5, at a legislative hearing, teachers wearing white and red tee shirts that read “Teachers Taking a Stand: You cannot put students first if you put teachers last”, told House Economic Development Committee members they support a plan to raise the General Gross Income Tax by 1 percent with revenue set aside for their pay raises. Hawaii Reporter.

Soaring hotel bookings pushed revenue higher at Expedia Inc., but the online travel agency’s fourth-quarter profit fell 90 percent because of money it set aside to appeal a tax dispute in Hawaii. Associated Press.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Pacific Regional Center under construction in Honolulu will be renamed the Daniel K. Inouye Regional Center in honor of the late Hawaii senator, Inouye’s office said Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii residents received mixed messages about a tsunami scare after a powerful earthquake in the South Pacific on Tuesday. The destructive waves that reportedly claimed lives in the Santa Cruz Islands did not reach Hawaii, but a bulletin issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center caused some confusion. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii was not under a tsunami warning, but for a few minutes, Hawaii was mistakenly under a tsunami watch. KHON2.

The Hawaii State Public Library System’s website at www.librarieshawaii.org went offline due to technical difficulties Tuesday and library officials are unsure when it will be back up. Star-Advertiser.

Island Air has hired a restructuring expert and a global law firm specializing in bankruptcies that could pave the way for the company to file for Chapter 11 reorganization. Star-Advertiser.

State roundup for February 6. Associated Press.

Oahu

A nonprofit group set up to help Kirk Caldwell pick appointees and to put on inaugural events will make public the names of its donors in response to media inquiries. Star-Advertiser.

Residents fear dangers of planned bypass road. The project, expected to take 16 months, raises concerns of more accidents and sand erosion. Star-Advertiser.

Clothes line bill asks for right to dry in public housing projects. KITV4.

The city last week seized more than three dozen items, including chairs, a sofa, coolers, a rug, a mattress and a Christmas tree stand, from Occupy Hono­lulu and homeless campers who use the sidewalks on the makai side of South Beretania Street at Thomas Square. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A Hawaii County Council committee Tuesday put a preliminary stamp of approval on a game commission that looks markedly different from the group that worked to get the concept into the county charter. West Hawaii Today.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie will proclaim Wednesday Digital Learning Day in Hawaii and commend Keaau Elementary and Middle Schools’ students, faculty and staff for leading the state’s progress in the adoption of a common core digital curriculum, including use of digital devices assigned for students’ personal use. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island legislators are trying to get half a million dollars to fund coffee berry borer research. West Hawaii Today.

State Sen. Josh Green won re-election last November with enough cash left over to fund his campaign nearly four more times. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Legal action is being taken against Wailuku Main Street Association Inc./Tri-Isle Main Street Resource Center for nearly $10,000 of unpaid back rent and other fees, according to a filing in 2nd Circuit Court. Maui News.

The sitting Maui County member on the University of Hawaii Board of Regents is seeking another five-year term as the Regents Candidate Advisory Council on Monday released the names of three candidates for the post. Maui News.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Thursday released an analysis of the estimated costs for the proposed critical habitat for 135 plant and animal species in Maui County. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kaua‘i County Council’s Planning Committee unanimously voted Tuesday to approve Bill 2439, which would create a special account where civil fines levied by the county Planning Department would be deposited. Garden Island.

The Garden Island Resource Conservation and Development and its work with endangered birds got support from DuPont Pioneer when it was presented with a grant for $7,050. Garden Island.

Lanai

Larry Ellison, the billionaire majority owner of the island of Lanai, is willing to “freely invest” an additional $10 million or more in the island’s water infrastructure without recovery of any of the cost and/or a reasonable rate of return from customers. Pacific Business News.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Hawaii libraries go digital, Maui land-use permit fees to skyrocket, opposition rises to Hawaiian Homelands appointee, pension plan a rocky investment, feds to fix Kona wetlands, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2012 All Hawaii News
Hawaii library (c) 2012 All Hawaii News
In its bid to remain relevant in the digital age, Hawaii's library system appears to be making some gains, new figures show. Star-Advertiser.

Former Gov. Linda Lingle would gradually raise the payroll tax cap for Social Security so workers with higher incomes would pay a greater share, a position that mirrors the approach U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, her Demo­cratic opponent for U.S. Senate, would take to help stabilize the federal retirement program. Star-Advertiser.

Just as they did four years ago, delegates to the Republican National Convention dialed down the enthusiasm for the first official day of events as a tropical storm bore down on the Gulf Coast. Star-Advertiser.

The new head of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is facing mounting opposition to her leadership that could derail her confirmation by the Senate next year. Civil Beat.

Investors who buy bonds issued by the state of Hawaii are not being compensated adequately given the risk presented by the state’s high unfunded pension liability and debt load, according to analysis by Barron’s, a weekly financial newspaper. Star-Advertiser.

A new report says Hawaii is one of the least affordable states for daycare for infants, with parents spending nearly 15 percent of their income each month on child care. Pacific Business News.

The federal government has given Hawaii millions of dollars to help ensure the state is ready to launch a new online health insurance marketplace by January 2014. Civil Beat.

State roundup for Aug. 28. Associated Press.

Oahu

The city on Monday agreed to temporarily halt construction on the $5.26 billion rail project apart from some short-term tasks required for an orderly shutdown, according to statements from the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation and the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. Star-Advertiser.

As expected, Friday’s Hawaii Supreme Court ruling has resulted in the city and county of Honolulu temporarily halting construction on its $5.26 billion rail project. Civil Beat.

The City and County of Honolulu has stopped construction on its $5.16 billion elevated-rail mass-transit project following last week's Hawaii Supreme Court ruling against the project. Pacific Business News.

The state will spend $2 million to study the H-1 Freeway and other major roads to find out what improvements are needed and how to prioritize those needs. KHON2.

The Hawaii Supreme Court has dismissed the election complaint filed Aug. 16 by Honolulu City Council candidate Martin Han. Civil Beat.

A community group says block parties and events including "First Fridays," which were meant to help revitalize Chinatown, is leaving the historical area trashed. Hawaii News Now.

The Battle of the Islands Pacific Roller Derby Tournament is coming up on O’ahu next month, and the Paradise Roller Girls from Hawai’i Island are hoping to be there. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii

One of the two naturally occurring brackish wetlands on the Kona Coast is due for major restoration work, which National Park Service officials hope will help improve conditions for endangered bird species within the park. West Hawaii Today.

The University of Hawaii at Hilo’s troubled Hoku Kea telescope is still in pieces and is on its third director, with extensive problems that have included an improperly shaped primary mirror, a damaged secondary mirror and no operating system to control the telescope. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii residents will be among the first to get their hands on a new quarter featuring a Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park design. Star-Advertiser.

A Big Island blogger has been ordered to stop posting salacious cartoons and false comments about an online news publisher. Hawaii Reporter.

The U.S. Geological Survey says surface flows remain active on the pali and coastal plain, but have not made significant progress toward the ocean. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

The cost of various Maui County land-use permit application fees could go up significantly - some by as much as 450 percent - as county officials look to realign fees with actual processing costs. Maui News.

Gary Toth of Project for Public Spaces will present “Principles of Great Streets” and “Why Streets as Places” in a three hour interactive workshop scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. on Friday, August 31. Maui Now.

Kauai

Island School broke ground on a solar project Monday. When completed, it should take care of its daytime power needs. Garden Island.

The Charter Review Commission on Monday addressed a couple of grammar mistakes in the proposed amendments to the Kaua‘i County Charter it had transmitted Aug. 9 to County Clerk Ricky Watanabe. Now, it’s all up to the voters to decide at the Nov. 6 General Election on eight proposals to amend the charter. Garden Island.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Hawaii libraries doing more with less, geothermal energy coming to Maui, Case renews Hirono debate challenge, state DOE prepares for federal Race to the Top visit, officials eye Kakaako development, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii state public library (c) 2012 All Hawaii News
The budget for Hawaii's State Public Library System has been steadily shrinking over the past five years, while demand for an array of library services has gone up. Civil Beat.

Former U.S. Rep. Ed Case, in his Hilo hometown Thursday for a fundraiser, renewed his call for U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono to debate him prior to the August primary for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. West Hawaii Today.

Ed Case
The contest to replace U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka is on, as former Hawaii congressman Ed Case became the first candidate to file nomination papers at the Office of Elections on Thursday. Associated Press.

US Senate candidate and former Congressman Ed Case officially files his nomination papers for election at 10 a.m. today. Maui Now.

State House lawmakers advanced a bill Thursday that would temporarily give the governor the power to exempt specific types of state construction projects from environmental review if the potential impact is minimal. Star-Advertiser.

A bill with the potential to scuttle the state’s pending $200 million land transfer to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs was reluctantly approved today by the state House Judiciary Committee. Hawaii Reporter.

The State Auditor's office will be zeroing in on potential problems in the way the Hawaii Department of Education contracts with school bus companies and how the agency monitors the service once it's in place. Civil Beat.

The city of Honolulu says its bus system might be unable to accommodate the big influx in ridership expected if the Department of Education eliminates school bus service on Oahu next school year, as is being discussed in a worst-case scenario. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii State Department of Education will attempt to highlight various accomplishments when federal officials visit to examine the state's Race to the Top progress. Associated Press.

The Hawaii State Department of Education is preparing for a visit from the U.S. Department of Education next week to examine the state's Race To The Top progress. KITV4.

Feeling it got shorted out of a lucrative government contract with Hawaii, four years ago Election Systems & Software challenged the state's decision to award a contract for e-voting machines to another company. Civil Beat.

A Hawaiian monk seal removed from the wild because he was attacking fellow monk seals pups is moving to the mainland. Hawaii News Now.

Stephen Schatz, the public schools’ assistant superintendent of strategic reform says Hawaii is making progress. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu mayoral candidate Kirk Caldwell
Six labor unions announced Thursday their endorsement of former city Managing Director Kirk Caldwell for Hono­lulu mayor. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Community Development Authority, a state agency that administers 660 acres in Kakaako, 3,770 acres in Kalaeloa and 400 acres in Heeia, is pursuing the construction of the tallest building in the state — the 650-foot 690 Pohukaina. Civil Beat.

The future of the 600-acre Kakaako district was the focus of a panel discussion sponsored by the Hawaii Venture Capital Association and Think-Tech. Hawaii Public Radio.

The shakers and movers of Kakaako, past, present and future, gathered at a power lunch at the Plaza Club Thursday. KITV4.

The University of Hawaii System has narrowed the search for chancellor of its Manoa campus to four candidates, each of whom will visit the campus next month and make presentations to students, faculty, staff and the community. Pacific Business News.

Cancer radiation treatment specialist Dr. John Lederer will be able to continue using oncology radiation facilities at the Queen's Medical Center, but the other five doctors at Pacific Radiation Oncology will not, under a preliminary injunction issued this week by a federal judge. Star-Advertiser.

More than 1200 people are expected to show up at Magic Island Saturday. KHON2.

Hawaii

Some Hawaii County Council members are questioning why Mayor Billy Kenoi hasn’t acted on eviction orders a judge granted more than three months ago to clear almost $6 million worth of county-owned Kawa Bay property of people living there. West Hawaii Today.

A former County Council apparently hired a special attorney without legal authority to do so. West Hawaii Today.

The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline reached a record high of $4.669 in Hilo on Thursday, according to AAA Hawaii's daily fuel gauge report. Star-Advertiser.

The community is invited to attend The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce’s annual focus luncheon with this year’s speaker Governor Neil Abercrombie on March 29 at Keauhou Beach Resort. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Drilling could begin next year on test wells for a geothermal energy project on Haleakala. Maui News.

The public will have a chance to provide input on the County’s Fiscal Year 2013 Budget during a series of district meetings planned over the next several weeks. Maui Now.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed another disaster proclamation that expands his earlier proclamations to include Maui County. Associated Press.

Members of the Maui Canoe Club collaborated with a nurse at the Maui Memorial Medical Center to develop a CPR method that could be used within the confines of a canoe. Maui Now.

Kauai

Karen Ikemoto being Kaua‘i’s first Librarian of the Year was reason for Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. to declare Thursday as Karen Ikemoto Day on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

Retired police officers on Kaua‘i have found support from within as an organization of people that worked together to make the island safe. Garden Island.

Molokai

Lynn DeCoite, owner of two Molokai businesses, has been appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie to the state Board of Agriculture's Maui County seat. Maui News.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Libraries closing for furloughs, elections chief resigns, Hawaii soldiers headed to Afghanistan, more


Workers at the state's public libraries will take 15 furlough days a year for the next two fiscal years, closing libraries on those days starting Dec. 16.


Kevin Cronin, the state's embattled chief elections officer, informed the state Elections Commission yesterday that he intends to resign at the end of the year.

President Obama's announcement on Tuesday of a troop surge in Afghanistan comes as Hawaii's Army National Guard prepares to send a unit to the war-torn country.

Despite working for nearly two years to eliminate "illegal camping" at Kapi'olani Park, the city finds itself grappling with another homeless encampment there.

On the Diamond Head end of Waikiki next to Kapiolani Park, a disabled Laura Lambertson pitched her tent for the night Monday on a strip of land between the sidewalk and Kalakaua Avenue, along with scores of other homeless people.

As many as 1,275 new bed-and-breakfast homes could be established on Oahu under certain conditions intended to allow true homeowners to take in additional income to keep their properties.

Hawaii's two U.S. senators, Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka, are in strong support of President Barack Obama's plan to add 30,000 troops to the Afghanistan war. But Hawaii's two House members, Reps Neil Abercrombie and Mazie Hirono, questioned the plan.

Oahu law enforcement officials arrested a man they said conned Hawaii banks out of $130,000.

Hawaii County farmers who have lost crops to vog and sulfur dioxide emissions can continue applying for low-interest loans from the federal government.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering more low-interest loans to Hawaii Island farmers whose crops are suffering from the vog, declaring the county as a primary natural disaster for a second time in less than 18 months.

A three-day land and air search for Hana residents Carl and Rae Lindquist ended Monday when Maui firefighters conducted a 2-hour search of a streambed and a shoreline near where the couple's battered sport utility vehicle was found Saturday morning.

A lawsuit filed in state court demands efforts to widen Kuhio Highway through Wailua be abandoned until an environmental impact statement is completed.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Saving sea turtles, taxing telephones, grappling with the economy and other top Hawaii stories

Volunteer group working to protect Hawaiian sea turtles

State tax collections were off by 5 percent in July and August, a steeper decline than estimated by the state Council on Revenues and another indication the state's economic recovery could take longer than expected.

Hawaii's latest tax collections fell 5 percent in July and August, a drop greater than predicted for the full fiscal year by the state's Council on Revenues.

As Hawaii's tax revenues continue to plummet, Gov. Linda Lingle said some of the savings will have to come from state government employees.

The statewide board charged with bringing enhanced emergency 911 service to Hawaii wants to expand the program through a monthly surcharge on all telephone numbers, not just cell phones.

Two more Neighbor Island public libraries are adjusting or cutting hours because of budget cutbacks and staff shortages, according to a news release.

Affordable housing advocates and legislators are puzzled at the Hawai'i Public Housing Authority board's decision this week to start a search for a new executive director, saying the agency's current head has made significant strides in the past two years toward turning around an agency that's been awash in problems for decades.

The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs said Hawaii's workers' compensation insurance rates are dropping for the fifth consecutive year

Tourists seeking to experience historic Waipio Valley may have to settle for views from the rim, a commercial tour or a long hike.

A judge granted West Hawaii Today's request to add a second set of potential Sunshine Law violations to its lawsuit against the County Council.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Japan's emperor visits Big Island and other news

It was over almost before it began. But even after standing in a reception line for about an hour Thursday, most of the 130 or so who caught a glimpse of the emperor and empress of Japan said it was well worth the wait.

Japan's royal couple watched Hawai'i-style cattle roping yesterday before returning to their homeland after a two-week tour of Canada and Hawai'i.

With the imperial couple of Japan looking on, 10 paniolo on horseback set about to demonstrate calf roping yesterday on the dry, open pastureland of sprawling Parker Ranch.

With labor talks between the state and the public worker unions still stalled, Gov. Linda Lingle put some pressure on the unions yesterday by announcing that her Cabinet would be taking a pay cut equal to two furlough days a month through two years.

Gov. Linda Lingle, seeking leverage with public-sector labor unions, said yesterday that she and her Cabinet would take two furlough days a month starting in August to help with the state's budget deficit.

This year marked the second year of dramatic increases in the number of schools failing to meet the federal goals, known as "adequate yearly progress." Only 34 percent of schools — or 97 campuses — made AYP this year compared with 42 percent a year ago.

Public school students performed better on the Hawaii State Assessment again this year, moving up another few percentage points in reading and math, but it was not enough to meet the requirements of federal law.

The state Board of Education last night voted unanimously to defer a decision on the proposed closure of five Hawai'i libraries to allow State Librarian Richard Burns and his staff time to propose a budget-reduction plan that would not include library closures.

A judge Wednesday afternoon denied a motion for an injunction to prevent developers from conducting construction activities within 50 feet of historic Hapa Trail.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Hawaii library closures top Friday morning news

The state Board of Education heard a proposal yesterday by the state librarian to close five branches to cut the budget.

The Board of Education yesterday heard a proposal from State Librarian Richard Burns to close five public libraries and negotiate furloughs and other salary savings to reduce the Hawai'i State Public Library System's budget by more than $5.7 million.

The board that oversees Hawaii's public libraries was told Thursday about a proposal to close five libraries statewide to deal with budget cuts.
The libraries that could be closed are Ewa Beach on Oahu, Holualoa, Pahala and Kealakekua on the Big Island, and Hana on Maui.


Avoiding a possible shutdown of public schools on Sept. 21, members of the state Board of Education passed a $1.8 billion budget for 2009-2010 that covers a $226.85 million shortfall and includes reducing about $117.4 million in labor costs.

Faced with the most drastic budget cuts ever to the state's public education system, the Board of Education approved a plan yesterday that includes about $117 million in yet-to-be negotiated labor savings — from potential pay cuts to furloughs of teachers and administrators.

Isolating Gov. Linda Lingle, county mayors and the leaders of several independently governed state agencies have agreed on a framework for new contracts with public-sector labor unions aimed at addressing the state's budget shortfall.

Hawaii's four mayors on Thursday called on Gov. Linda Lingle to personally attend an on-the-record negotiation session next week now that state employee unions have submitted what the mayors called a viable preliminary proposal on pay cuts or furloughs

Big Islanders may soon be allowed to live in tents or other temporary structures while building a home of their own

On war duty in Iraq, troops from Hawaii, including several from Maui, plan to share their aloha by celebrating next month's 50th anniversary of statehood.

Two horses were shot in Wailua late Wednesday or early Thursday, owners and police say.