Showing posts with label mail-in ballots. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mail-in ballots. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Lawmakers peg $570M for affordable housing, Trump likely to win Hawaii travel ban lawsuit at U.S. Supreme Court, vacation rentals big Big Island issue, Ige signs electricity ratepayer protection bill, all-mail voting may come to Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Public Housing Authority
Mayor Wright housing, Hawaii Public Housing Authority
State lawmakers Tuesday tentatively agreed on a bill to deposit $200 million into the state Rental Housing Revolving Fund — the biggest single cash contribution ever for the fund — and to dramatically expand an excise tax exemption for construction of affordable rental housing to help cope with the severe housing shortage. Star-Advertiser.

House and Senate conferees on Tuesday passed a funding package that would provide some $570 million for the construction of more than 25,000 affordable housing units in Hawaii over the next 12 years. Pacific Business News.

President Donald Trump appears likely to win his Trump. v. Hawaii travel ban case at the Supreme Court. Associated Press.

Electricity Ratepayer Protection Act Signed Into Law. Hawaii Public Radio.

In an effort to recognize the significance and precariousness of the state’s most abundant native tree, Gov. David Ige has proclaimed today Ohia Lehua Day in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.


Ad Watch: David Ige Reminds Voters Of His Roots. Hawaii’s governor emphasizes education and working families in his first re-election television commercial. Civil Beat.

On average, visitors paid almost $293 to stay in a Hawaii hotel during the first quarter, the highest rate in the nation, according to the Hawaii Hotel Performance Report released Tuesday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii hotels experienced a strong first quarter with statewide revenue per available room increasing 8.9 percent to $243 when compared to the same period last year. Pacific Business News.


Hawaiian Airlines generated more revenue and carried more passengers during any first quarter ever for the company despite increased competition and delivery delays on the carrier’s new aircraft. Star-Advertiser.


Despite having a record quarter for revenue and passengers flown, Hawaii’s largest carrier experienced a 15 percent drop in net income during the first three months of the year. Pacific Business News.


Oahu

The Honolulu City Council will debate Wednesday whether or not to authorize the settlement in an alleged police violence case. Hawaii News Now.

The state is taking steps to reclaim control of the land it owns under the Olomana golf course in Waimanalo and recover unpaid rent from a company that closed the course two weeks ago. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu city councilman proposes ban on ride share company surge pricing. KHON2.

Residents of Oahu’s Leeward Coast residents are increasingly concerned about their lack of options should a natural disaster close the Farrington Highway — their only way in or out. Civil Beat.

Oahu attorney faces 17 charges of tax evasion. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

No matter where they stand on the issue, one thing was clear Tuesday. People care very deeply about vacation rentals. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Council Committee on Planning took up Bill 108 on Tuesday, a measure that attempts to get a handle on the short term vacation rentals doing business on the Big Island. Big Island Video News.

The contractor for a medical marijuana growing site under construction has filed a civil suit against the developer and operator of the facility project, claiming nonpayment for construction on the Pepeekeo site. Tribune-Herald.

A ‘Descendants’-Style Land Feud Breaks Out On The Big Island. A trust established by a former Dole president and Bishop Estate trustee has spawned a legal fight over a historic, 4,000-acre ranch. Civil Beat.

Fireworks have lit up the sky for years to celebrate Kealakehe High School’s graduating seniors, but changes made more than a year ago to the county’s fire code are putting an end to the festive tradition. West Hawaii Today.

Facility would grow algae from papaya for feed, fuel. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Police Chief Weighs In on Drug Issues. Hawaii Public Radio.

The University of Hawaii at Hilo’s search for a permanent chancellor has been pushed back. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Lahainaluna High School is getting over $425,000 for air conditioning in eight classrooms, restrooms, a conference room, a faculty center, and an electrical room. KITV.

The Maui Police Department is facing another lawsuit. This time filed by a 21-year-veteran of the force diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Hawaii News Now.

Members of the Maui Police Department and the employees of the Maui County Federal Credit Union Lahaina Branch will be participating in a one-day Coordinated Agency Emergency Preparedness Exercise. Maui Now.

Queen Kaahumanu Center’s security personnel have increased rotations and checks of a second-floor restroom where a 35-year-old Makawao man was killed in a machete attack in March after a confrontation on the Maui Bus on a trip to the mall. Maui News.

Fears over the opening of the latest Lahaina bypass section causing heavy traffic congestion on Keawe Street were realized Monday with many cars unable to enter or exit Lahaina Gateway Center, store managers said. Maui News.

A coalition made up of Maui residents, farmers, and their supporters presented a petition at Alexander & Baldwin's annual shareholders meeting in Iwilei on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

A group of Maui residents is asking Alexander and Baldwin to make 15% of its lands in Central Maui available for local food production, housing, and conservation. KITV.

Darren Strand, president of Haliimaile Pineapple Co., will be moving to Alexander & Baldwin and becoming the new general manager for diversified agriculture on Maui, A&B announced Tuesday. Maui News.

Alexander & Baldwin has named Darren Strand, former president of Haliimaile Pineapple Co., as president of the Hawaii-based real estate investment trust’s diversified agriculture operations on its former sugar cane fields on Maui. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

State May Experiment With All-Mail Voting On Kauai. The Garden Island has had difficulty in the past recruiting volunteer poll workers. Civil Beat.

Kauai Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. signed a supplementary emergency proclamation Tuesday that allows the county to continue responding in the aftermath of the torrential rainfall and flooding that occurred a week and a half ago. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. signed a supplementary emergency proclamation on Tuesday evening to continue emergency operations on Kauai. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii state lawmakers will have their final vote on a proposed emergency funding bill Wednesday. It calls for $100 million in emergency aid to help Kauai recover and rebuild after historic flooding and landslides. KHON2.

Despite the odor of cow manure and the brown water advisory currently cast over Kauai, surfers were taking on the waves in Hanalei Bay on Monday. Garden Island.

A footwear store will be donating more than 250 rubber boots to help with flood-recovery efforts. Garden Island.

Check Out These Before-And-After Photos Of The Kauai Flood. Take a look at the first Google satellite imagery capturing the extent of the flooding, road damage and altered beachscapes. Civil Beat.

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Hee announces gubernatorial bid, medical aid in dying bill draws emotional testimony, Honolulu's homeless hygiene center, councilwoman wants business sponsorship of county facilities, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Clayton Hee Facebook photo
Longtime Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee and former state Sen. Clayton Hee has announced he is running for governor, a relatively late entry into the Democratic primary that could dramatically alter the dynamics of the race. Star-Advertiser.

Former Sen. Clayton Hee Is Running For Governor. The longtime Hawaii lawmaker says Honolulu rail has been mismanaged and the money should be spent on other things. Civil Beat.

Former state senator Clayton Hee is joining the race to be Hawaii governor. Associated Press.

Clayton Hee seeks millennial, working class vote in race for governor. He enters the race as an underdog to incumbent Gov. David Ige and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa. Hawaii News Now.

Former Democratic state Senator Clayton Hee is the latest candidate to enter the race to be Hawaii's next governor. KITV.

=====

Hawaii’s powerful public-sector unions are bracing for a U.S. Supreme Court decision that could weaken their collective bargaining efforts for tens of thousands of local workers and, ultimately, their sway on the islands’ political landscape. Civil Beat.

=====

State lawmakers delay vote after hours of testimony on medically assisted death. More than 100 people testified over four hours for and against a bill that would allow terminally ill adults to obtain prescriptions for lethal doses of medication. Star-Advertiser.

Medical Aid In Dying Bill Generates An Emotional 5-Hour Hearing. House lawmakers deferred a vote on the measure until Wednesday. Civil Beat.

The House Health and Human Services and Judiciary Committees heard public testimony today on medical aid in dying legislation. Hawaii Public Radio.

After hours of passionate testimony, lawmakers delay vote on medical aid-in-dying bill. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii's "Our Care Our Choice" bill would allow terminally ill patients to end their lives. KITV.

The issue of medically assisted suicide is once again on the table. Lawmakers listened to more than a hundred people testify for over five hours Tuesday morning. KHON2.

Gov. David Ige is supporting a bill that would allow terminally ill patients to end their own lives if they choose. Tribune-Herald.

Bill on medical aid in dying assessed. Star-Advertiser.

=====

Hawaii May Switch To All-Mail Elections In 2020. A bill requiring the conversion in hopes of increasing voter turnout is headed to the House floor. Civil Beat.

Teachers who pay for classroom supplies could soon get tax deductions. A bill moving through the state legislature looks to ease the financial burden for teacher who pay for classroom supplies out of pocket. Hawaii News Now.

Senate Ways & Means Chair is blocking a bill to increase Hawaii's minimum wage. Hawaii News Now.

Consumer debt in Hawaii rose faster than the national average in 2017, increasing 4.1 percent compared with 3.5 percent across the country. Star-Advertiser.

Total consumer debt increased 4.1 percent for Hawaii consumers between the first and fourth quarter of 2017, higher than the 3.5 percent experienced at the national level, according to a report by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Pacific Business News.

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency confirmed there will be no ballistic missile “attack warning” monthly siren test on Thursday — reversing this month’s practice and going against a recommendation from the state’s deputy adjutant general. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric Cos. is now accepting competitive bids to add 300 megawatts of renewable energy production on three islands, after receiving approval from the state Public Utilities Commission last week. Star-Advertiser.

Pickups, SUVs and vans ruled the road in 2017 as Hawaii’s new-vehicle registrations increased for the seventh consecutive year. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Ex-HPD Major Wants Separate Trial In Corruption Case. An attorney for Gordon Shiraishi says he shouldn’t be lumped in with the other defendants in the Kealoha case. Associated Press.

Waikiki stakeholders are growing increasingly concerned that serious criminal activity like murders, youth gangs and prostitution could mar the state’s top tourist district. Star-Advertiser.

The drive to require sprinkler systems in older residential high-rises in the wake of the deadly Marco Polo fire has come down to final City Council votes today that if approved would mean a break on taxes and fees as incentives to defraying what many owners consider unreasonable costs. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu’s first mobile homeless hygiene center hits the road. A nonprofit group has imported a 26-foot trailer equipped with bathrooms and toilets and is already towing it around Oahu to provide homeless people a place to get clean — and perhaps lead them off the streets. Star-Advertiser.

Injured man says 'booby trap' was set up to deter hikers from Haiku Stairs. Hawaii News Now.

Parents and students rattled by elementary school lockdown. Ahuimanu Elementary School was placed on lockdown for about an hour while police pursued an auto theft suspect, spotted running through the area, police said. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu-based Oceanit only Hawaii recipient of federal research grant. Pacific Business News.

H Mart, a Korean grocery chain with several dozen stores in 12 Mainland states, is opening its first Hawaii location in Honolulu. Pacific Business News.

Colin Nishida, founder and chef at Side Street Inn, a beloved gathering place for many of Honolulu’s top chefs, died Sunday at age 61. Star-Advertiser.

Award winning Hawaii chef Colin Nishida, owner of the Side Street Inn, died on Sunday. He was 61 years old. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Commercial sponsorships of county facilities, programs considered as revenue source. Councilwoman Sue Lee Loy said her intent is to give the county another option as it likely faces tough decisions about making cuts or raising taxes going into the next budget cycle. Tribune-Herald.

The University of Hawaii selected three finalists to fill an open Hawaii County seat on the Board of Regents. Tribune-Herald.

Efforts to replace an 86-year-old bridge in Waimea are gearing up again. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa gave his state of the county address on Tuesday. He said the county is financially stable, environmentally secure, and tourism is booming. KHON2.

Kauai

Business is booming and consumer confidence is growing — including on Kauai. Garden Island.

A career of service to children and families has led Koloa resident Norma Doctor Sparks to throw in her bid for County Council. Garden Island.

While two landslides have been cleaned from Kuhio Highway on the North Shore and traffic is flowing again, the state is planning some safety measures in the area. Garden Island.