Hawaii voters choosing governor, other officials today, military wrapping up big training exercise, food stamp officer overwhelmed, Willie Nelson coming to Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Over 400 volunteers across Hawaiʻi continue processing ballots into Election Day. The state has received more than 285,000 ballots as of Monday morning. Hawaii Public Radio.

Voting on Election Day: Where to go and what to expect. The vast majority of Hawaii voters chose to cast their ballots by mail during the 2022 primary election in August. The latest numbers from the state show that trend continuing in Tuesday’s general election. Hawaii News Now.

Top seats up for grabs in Hawaii general election as vote ends. Hawaii voters will have their last chance today to decide who they want to represent them in Congress along with offices including the next governor, legislative and council seats, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and mayors of Maui and Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Despite ease of mail-in voting and several hot races, Hawaii sees sluggish turnout for general election. Despite a governor’s race and a contentious mayoral contest on Maui, voter turnout in Hawaii’s general election appears to be sluggish ― and could be at or below 2018 levels. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii is one of the top states people are leaving. The number one state people are leaving is California according to the study. Following California is New York, Illinois, Massachusetts and coming in eighth is Hawaii. KHON2.

With low voter turnout, Hawaii gubernatorial candidates fight to get more votes. It's the day before the general election and so far there's been low voter turnout. But both candidates for governor -- Josh Green and Duke Aiona -- believe that'll work in their favor. KITV4.

Hawaii unemployment fund on pace to more than double this year. The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said on Monday that the fund for paying unemployment benefits grew to $232 million as of Friday, up from about $119 million at the end of last year. Star-Advertiser.

Overwhelmed human service workers fall behind in processing food stamp benefits. Department of Human Services spokesman Amanda Stevens cited inflated caseloads and new requirements as increasing the department workload. Hawaii News Now.

Army sees its future in Pacific training grounds. In Hawaii, 6,350 soldiers have been training since late October. In addition to Poha­kuloa, troops in the islands also have been at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai and at Bellows Air Force Station, Dillingham Army Airfield, the Kahuku Training Area, Kawailoa mountain ranges, Helemano Plantation and Schofield Barracks’ East and South ranges on Oahu for the Hawaii portion of JPMRC 2022. Star-Advertiser.

Here's how Furlough Fridays changed the Board of Education from elected to appointed. Since 1959, Hawaiʻi's education board has flipped between an elected board, and an appointed one. Today, the state Board of Education is an appointed position. The governor nominates 11 individuals, nine of which have voting powers, to be confirmed by the state Senate. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Telcom sets goal to cut emissions by 40% by 2030.  Hawaiian Telcom has announced a goal of cutting its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% in less than 8 years. The telecommunications company said it will create a climate action plan based on this new 2030 target. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now. Kauai Now.

Oahu

Oʻahu Historic Preservation Commission reestablished with unanimous support. The Oʻahu Historic Preservation Commission will finally become active 30 years after it became law. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘There is no playbook’: As next phase of Red Hill defueling begins, focus is on safety. Now that the so-called “unpacking” of the Red Hill pipelines is finished, the Navy is turning its attention to repairs of the Red Hill fuel tanks ― a key phase required before emptying the tanks. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu's CORE program rolling along after a year. It's been a year since the city started its Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement Program -- also known as CORE. KITV4.

A Local Nursery Wants To Make A Native Tree Hawaii’s Choice For Christmas. Hawaii imports an average of 250,000 Christmas trees from the mainland. Many say that’s a waste. As Hawaii begins receiving its annual influx of Christmas trees from the mainland, a plant nursery on Oahu is selling a locally grown, native alternative to celebrate the holidays. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Today’s the day! Drop off your ballot or vote in person until 7 p.m. It’s Election Day! For those still mulling over their candidate choices, today is the last day to get your ballot to the polls. West Hawaii Today.

Large-scale training exercise winds down at PTA. Thousands of military personnel are stationed at Pohakuloa Training Area for a “first of its kind” training exercise. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo doctor prevails in high court decision regarding reimbursements. After seven years of ongoing litigation involving Hilo-based physician Frederick Nitta, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled 5-0 in his favor on Friday in a decision that could impact other Big Island doctors hoping to secure Medicaid reimbursement payments. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui sets up shoreline retreat fund. A new fund to help Maui homeowners manage coastal erosion and address climate change has been approved by the Maui County Council. A bill to create the Maui Managed Retreat Revolving Fund passed the council on Friday in a sweeping vote. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lanai Draws Tenants In Lottery For First Affordable Housing Project In 30 Years. The housing development funded by tech magnate Larry Ellison will almost double the number of affordable housing units on the island. Civil Beat.

Willie Nelson & Family in pre-holiday concert on Maui, Dec. 23. The holidays on Maui will be highlighted this year with a special Willie Nelson & Family concert Friday, Dec. 23 outside under the stars in the MACC’s A&B Amphitheater and Yokouchi Pavilion. Maui Now.

Kauai

Last chance to vote! The deadline is 7 p.m. Activity in and around the voter center located in the historic County Building was brisk on Monday, the day before the General Election. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i council increases disclosure requirements for contractors. Mayor Derek Kawakami said Monday he planned to sign a bill that would increase disclosure requirements for contractors operating in the county. Garden Island.

Brisk business at Lihu‘e Airport in October. Passenger counts at Lihu‘e Airport soared past 70,000 last month, in turn setting a new high for the month of October. Garden Island.

Navy wants to keep Red Hill infrastructure in place, Honolulu council mulls Waikiki noise levels, Maui County employees awarded COVID hazard pay, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Navy wants to find alternative uses for Red Hill as part of its closure plan. The Navy wants to keep its Red Hill fuel facility, including the 20 cavernous fuel tanks, surge tanks and pipelines, in the ground after it permanently retires the facility from fueling operations, according to a plan it submitted Tuesday to the state Department of Health. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Corrections By The Numbers: Incarceration Declined In 2020, And So Did Crime Rates. Data made public recently by the state Department of Public Safety shows Hawaii reduced its inmate populations in 2020 by more than most people realized at the time, and state crime statistics show Honolulu’s crime rates actually dropped that year. Civil Beat.

Struggles Of Micronesian Students Point To ‘Significant Issues’ In Hawaii School System. Many Micronesian students – especially in high school – have been struggling for years, but the pandemic widened existing achievement gaps.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Health Department issues nearly $110K in fines for air pollution violations. The Hawaii Department of Health has fined six entities, including several major companies and the U.S. military nearly $110,000 for air pollution control permit violations in the state. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Oahu

Environmentalists, engineers urge local leaders to prepare for coastal erosion. A group of environmentalists, engineers and academics have urged state leaders and community members to take steps in addressing coastal erosion. The foundation, UH Sea Grant, and engineering firm SSFM International formed the North Shore Coastal Resilience Working Group to address the future of coastal management. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

City acquires university dorms and classrooms to create affordable housing. The city has acquired a building that Hawaii Pacific University currently uses for dorms and classrooms in hopes of adding another 100 units to its 1,500-unit affordable housing portfolio. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Report: Consultant, Rail Engineer At Odds Over Station Cracking. Those investigating the cracks have disagreed about their severity, but the final report still isn’t out. Civil Beat.

Waikiki Health Employees Fired After Protesting Bathroom Limits Get Back Wages. The community health center offered jobs back to three employees who were fired a week after complaining about losing access to a unisex bathroom. Civil Beat.

Gap Parks raise interest. Parks over the freeways, it is an idea that’s floating around and could be implemented on Oahu. They’re called Cap Parks.  KHON2.

City Council looks into street speaker noise ordinance for Waikiki. The streets of Waikiki could soon get quieter, if a bill before the Honolulu City Council passes. The measure would restrict the use of speakers on the streets. KITV4.

Hanauma Bay begins accepting JCB payments for reservations. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve will accept the Japan Credit Bureau, or JCB, credit card for reservations starting Tuesday, Nov. 1. And starting Wednesday, JCB cards will be accepted for in-person admission payments. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii’s high court hears arguments tied to Mauna Kea. The justices heard arguments on the question of whether, in this case, it is the government that must prove its rules are reasonable and do not unduly limit the rights conferred by the state Constitution, or whether the burden is on the challenger to prove the opposite. Star-Advertiser.

Police Commission holding special meeting to discuss police chief vacancy. The Hawai‘i County Police Commission has scheduled a special meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday to continue discussing the applicants for police chief. The meeting will be held online via Zoom. Big Island Now.

Gun carry permits granted; police raise concerns over training. With 19 licenses to carry a concealed firearm issued and another 58 pending approval in Hawaii County, some Hawaii Island police officers are concerned they haven’t received proper training on encountering permit holders. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Now.

Bill aims to provide tool to revitalize downtown Hilo. At Tuesday’s meeting of the Hawaii County Council’s Finance Committee, Hilo Councilman Aaron Chung introduced Bill 230, a recreation of a bill he introduced in 2020 that would have allowed member businesses in a downtown Hilo Business Improvement District to finance upgrades to the area’s infrastructure and other services. Tribune-Herald.

Council members urge state to help solve traffic and road woes. The Hawaii County Council is urging the Legislature to take steps to improve ailing roadway infrastructure on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui resort agrees to reduce bright lights to protect Hawaii seabird. The Grand Wailea resort on Maui has reached an agreement with several conservation groups to reduce its bright lights to protect endangered Hawaiian petrels, resolving a lawsuit filed earlier this year. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

In contentious race for Maui mayor, water is a key issue — with few solutions. The general election is one week away and the candidates for Maui County mayor are vowing to improve the island’s water system. Hawaii News Now.

Maui County employees entitled to temporary hazard pay for working during pandemic. Employees who worked during Gov. David Ige’s emergency proclamation period from March 4, 2020, to March 25, 2022, can get up to 25% of their base salary. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui venison could soon stock local grocery stores. Efforts to manage the axis deer population in Maui County are working, and their plans to use the meat to feed the community and create economic opportunities are moving in the right direction. KHON2.

Kauai

Army trains at Barking Sands. The window of opportunity was small, but the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility at Mana, or Barking Sands, figured prominently Tuesday during the Kaua‘i segment of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center large-scale training exercise, referred to as JPMRC 23-01. Garden Island.

They’re ‘holding space’ at a popular Kauai beach to protest commercialization on the sand. On Kauai, there are growing concerns that residents are getting pushed out of a popular surfing and beach spot. Hawaii News Now.

Kaua‘i jobless rate falls to 4 percent. Employers ramped up hiring in the final days of summer and into early fall on Kaua‘i, in turn helping send the unemployment rate for September to its lowest level in three years. Garden Island.

Blessing commemorates completion of Waimea rockfall mitigation project. The Department of Public Works held a blessing on Tuesday to commemorate the completion of the $1.6-million Waimea Rockfall Mitigation Project. Kauai Now.

Hawaii big recipient of military money, Honolulu police cleared in fatal shooting of 16-year-old, Oahu electric rates dip, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Annual Hawaii military spending hits $7.9 billion. Overall, the military spent $7.9 billion in the islands during the 2021 fiscal year, making up 8.3% of Hawaii’s gross domestic product — an increase from 7.7% in 2019. That makes it No. 2 in terms of how significant military spending is to a state’s overall economy, behind only Virginia. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Standards Commission Moves To Tighten Ethics Rules For Lawmakers And Lobbyists. New proposals regarding government ethics and conflicts of interest will be taken up by the Legislature in the wake of corruption scandals involving former lawmakers. Civil Beat.

Department of Interior to host virtual meeting with Native Hawaiian community. The U.S. Department of the Interior will host its first formal consultation meeting with the Native Hawaiian community on Thursday, Nov. 10, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. HST. Tribune-Herald.

Outdated staffing analysis leads to problems at jails and prisons, state audit finds. The state is not collecting the data necessary to determine how many Adult Correctional Officers, or ACOs, are needed to safely operate a jail or prison, according to a state audit. Hawaii Pubic Radio.

Judge: Prison Officials Must Release Names Of Inmates Who Die In Custody. A Hawaii Circuit Court judge on Tuesday ruled the state Department of Public Safety must release the names of prison and jail inmates who die in state custody, an order that moves the department a step closer to the longstanding policies of other states. Civil Beat.

$4.9 Million To Hawaiʻi For EPA Clean School Bus Program. The grant will help Hawaii purchase 25 clean school buses that will accelerate the transition to zero emissions vehicles and produce cleaner air in and around schools and communities. Big Island Video News.

Mark Takai's congressional papers available to the public. Former U.S. Rep. Mark Takai’s collection of papers has been made available to the public at his alma mater, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Hawaii Public Radio.

More immune-evasive variants have landed on Hawaii shores. Health experts are concerned not only because of their increased ability to get around immunity from vaccination and previous infections, but their ability to evade existing treatments. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Health officials report 1,327 new COVID-19 infections, 2 coronavirus-related deaths. The state’s average positivity rate also increased to 6.2% compared with 5.8% reported the previous week. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Judge allows family of man shot by police to pursue legal claims that HPD lacked training. U.S. District Judge Jill Otake ruled that the family of Kyle Thomas can pursue claims against the city and the HPD that plainclothes officers lacked training when they surrounded his car in a residential neighborhood and shot him. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu officers cleared of internal violations in fatal shooting of 16-year-old. The three Honolulu police officers who fatally shot teen robbery suspect Iremamber Sykap last year won’t face discipline from the department. Hawaii News Now.

After dodging questions, city confirms several workers at shooting range have elevated lead levels. The Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health officials launched an investigation Wednesday after reports workers had been exposed to lead at Koko Head Shooting Complex. Sources confirm more than half of the range’s 12 staff members have elevated levels of lead in their blood. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu electric rates dip in October after a rise in September fueled by a coal plant shutdown. On Oahu there was a 1.4% price dip, which for a typical residential customer using 500 kilowatt-­hours of electricity amounts to a savings of $3.27 on a $233.52 bill, compared with $236.79 in September. Star-Advertiser.

North Shore House Race Emphasizes Local Fixes For The Area’s Problems. Since narrowly winning the House seat for the North Shore and Koolauloa in 2016, Democratic Rep. Sean Quinlan has faced a variety of challengers. His latest is the creator of the popular Instagram account @meanhawaii, Mark Talaeai. Civil Beat.

Council District 8 candidates focus on economic growth. The City Council District 8 race in the Nov. 8 general election pits former Council member Ron Menor against the Republican minority leader in the state House of Representatives, Val Okimoto. Star-Advertiser.

Ala Wai street project gets favorable reaction, but concerns about traffic persist. Ala Wai Boulevard is a very busy thoroughfare where motor vehicles have had priority. But the city wants to shift that priority more toward bicyclists and pedestrians. Hawaii News Now.

Federal grant with private match to bolster new Honolulu container terminal project. A new state-owned ocean cargo container terminal being built at Honolulu Harbor is slated to receive extra bells and whistles valued at $139 million thanks to a federal grant requiring private matching funds. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County seeks federal grant to build recycling program. Hawaii County is hoping to secure part of a $275 million federal recycling grant to pull the island out of its solid waste slump. A recent survey discovered what county officials suspected: recycling facilities and collection systems are inadequate, there’s insufficient end markets and shortages of staff. Policies need to be redefined and strengthened and impacts of the system are most felt by rural and low-income communities. West Hawaii Today.

EPIC building permit system to get upgrade. The county Department of Public Works Building Division and the Planning Department will install a system upgrade to the Electronic Processing and Information Center, or EPIC, system from 4:30 p.m. Oct. 28 until 8 a.m. Oct. 31. During this time, EPIC will not accept new permits, payments or allow any document to be uploaded. Big Island Now.

$234K to protect native cloud forest on Kohala Mountain. In a move to protect essential fresh water resources, manage non-native feral pigs and promote native forest regeneration, The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, in partnership with The Kohala Center received a $234,000 grant to carry out its ambitious four-year environmental protection initiative. KHON2.

Hapuna to remain closed through early November. The closure of the two sites at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area follows a waterline break on Oct. 8 that left no water source for restrooms, showers and other facilities at the beach park and A-frame cabins. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Community budget meetings to be held. Each community meeting will begin with an overview of the current budget, followed by various departments recapping updates. Maui News.

Residents worry about safety and hygiene as Maui North Shore homeless encampment grows. More homeless camps are popping up along a country road on Maui’s North Shore. Tarps, tires, cars, and trash — everything is multiplying on Holomua Road in Paia. Hawaii News Now.

Family claims land for affordable housing is theirs. Although notices to vacate and trespassing citations were issued last week, a Native Hawaiian group in Waiehu feels that an undeveloped property slated for a 100 percent affordable housing project is rightfully theirs. Maui News.

Maui outdoor lighting ordinance victory for seabirds, turtles. In a victory for seabirds and turtles, Maui approved an ordinance regulating the amount of blue light that outdoor lighting fixtures can emit on the island.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Candidates speak on housing at the Kaua‘i Realtors forum. With soaring rents making life on the island less and less affordable, housing is the number one issue for many voters this election season. Garden Island.

Blessing held for $3 million Hanapēpē Park Improvements Project. The improvements will include a new multi-use building containing a ticket booth, prep kitchen and a concession area. Additional restrooms are also part of the project. Kauai Now.

Hanapēpē Swinging Bridge to close Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 for repairs. The Hanapēpē Swinging Bridge will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 2 on Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, weather permitting, according to the Kauaʻi Department of Public Works. Kauai Now.

Mayors battle bail reform bill, FBI nabs trio on gambling, drug charges, Taiwanese F-16 crash lands at Honolulu airport, more news from all he Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii jail cell ©2022 All Hawaii News

Mayors put more pressure on Gov. Ige to veto bail reform bill. There’s more pressure for the governor to veto the bail reform bill. Hawaii’s four county mayors will hold a rally that will include the police officers union as well as unions from other cities where bail reform laws have passed. KHON2.

Could Employer-Provided Rentals Help Solve Hawaii’s Housing Crisis?. While government and private employers in other locales are increasingly stepping up to build homes to address housing shortages, the idea has not caught on in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

A Progressive Super PAC Seeks To Change Hawaii Politics. Our Hawaii Action is creating a super PAC and 501(c)4 dark money group to influence voters in favor of progressive candidates. Civil Beat.

3 Men Indicted on Charges Related to Drug Trafficking Between Maui and Oʻahu. More than 50 special agents from the FBI and Maui Police Department arrested three individuals in Maui and Honolulu counties on Friday, June 3, for their alleged roles in an elaborate drug trafficking and illegal gambling operation. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Oahu

Oahu water use up amid drought and brush fire worries. Despite a call for a voluntary 10% reduction in water use on Oahu, consumption is up slightly from a year ago amid concern about drought, brush fires and the potential for mandatory water rationing ahead of what’s expected to be a drier-than-average summer. Star-Advertiser.

Standoff In Waipahu: Hawaiian Rights ‘Army’ Has Illegally Occupied A Private Pot Farm. The owners of the 5-acre site intended to grow medical marijuana have a court order to remove the activists who are refusing to leave. Civil Beat.

Crackdown at Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor nets illegal live-aboards. The state has fined the owner of a boat moored at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor $30,000 for allowing a family to live aboard the boat without the required permitting. Star-Advertiser.

Taiwanese F-16 jet crash lands at Honolulu airport with minor damage, no injuries. A fighter jet made a crash landing at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Monday afternoon, after its front landing gear did not deploy. KITV4. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Single-family home sales dip slightly, but that’s not stopping prices from hitting new highs. The median price for a single-family home on Oahu is now at $1,153,500, according to the latest figures released by the Honolulu Board of Realtors Monday. Median condo prices hit $516,500. Both figures are new record highs for Oahu’s real estate market. Hawaii News Now.

HFD welcomes 9 new fire trucks with Hawaiian names honoring aliʻi and the places they’ll serve. In an expansion of their fleet, the Honolulu Fire Department now has nine new trucks. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Inaba tries again on property tax cuts. It’s hana hou for county property tax relief efforts next week as North Kona Councilman Holeka Inaba gives it another shot. Inaba’s attempts to reduce taxes for homeowners and affordable rentals fell flat last week amid a rush by council members to distribute revenue windfalls to county projects and accounts. West Hawaii Today.

North Kona Water Restriction Issued After Well Failure. A 25% percent water restriction applies to certain areas of North Kona, following the failure of Hualālai Deepwell. Big Island Video News.

Public comment period closing for environmental study on Pōhakuloa training area. The U.S. Army has held a lease on lands at Pōhakuloa on the Big Island for decades. The public has one more day to comment on the Army’s draft environmental impact statement regarding its proposed plans to continue training at Pōhakuloa beyond 2029. Hawaii Public Radio.

No imminent construction for Thirty Meter Telescope planned after key permit is ended. On Friday, the state Health Department got a notice of cessation from TMT for its NPDES permit, which authorizes discharges of stormwater. That means TMT will not be allowed to do further construction unless a new permit is issued. Hawaii News Now.

Maunakea rangers inspect brakes on descending vehicles in effort to prevent accidents. The rangers, a program managed by the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Center for Maunakea Stewardship, began conducting brake checks earlier this year after a series of accidents on the road, including one in January that caused the death of a 9-year-old Kailua-Kona girl. Tribune-Herald.

Keauhou HOA Fines Condo Owner $26K (and Counting) for Feeding Cats. A Keauhou condo owner is facing upwards of $26,000 in fines from her homeowner’s association for feeding two wild cats who have lived in the condo complex for years. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui’s native birds and bees getting protection money from the feds. The Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources will receive $1.7 million from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to protect native forest birds, waterbirds, seabirds and yellow-faced bees. The federal funding will support several conservation projects, including three on Maui. Maui Now.

Maui companies aim to grow through Mana Up’s program. Environmentalism, culture and conservation are what three Maui entrepreneurs have in common as they push to grow their businesses through Mana Up’s accelerator program. Maui News.

Kauai

Radar lab to survey Kauaʻi’s endangered seabirds, monitor declining population. Starting now until the middle of July, the Kaua‘i Endangered Seabird Recovery Project mobile radar lab will be surveying island’s two endangered seabirds all around Kauaʻi. Maui Now. Garden Island.

Pain at the pump as Hawaii halts purchases of Russian crude oil, Native Hawaiians have uneasy relationship with military, new Marine regiment activates, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii gas station ©2022 All Hawaii News

Hawaii drivers brace for higher gas prices. According to AAA, gas prices in Honolulu hit an all-time high on Thursday, and a state energy expert said prices are only expected to climb as the global energy markets remain uncertain due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. KHON2.

Hawaii oil refinery suspends buying Russian crude oil. The owner of Hawaii’s oil refinery said Thursday that island consumers should not expect oil supply disruptions or significant price increases as a result of its decision to suspend purchases of Russian crude oil in response to the war in Ukraine. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Fuel in water deepens Native Hawaiians’ distrust of military. Using 2019 Census data, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs estimates that 3,439 Native Hawaiians across the United States serve in the armed forces, which is 0.8% of the total Native Hawaiian adult population in the U.S. Associated Press.

Marines activate first littoral regiment. The Marine Corps has officially activated its first Marine Littoral Regiment as part of an ambitious restructuring of the service that’s starting in Hawaii. The new unit is set to be the blueprint for what Marine fighting units will look like in the future, with the emphasis on operations in island and coastal regions, particularly in the Pacific. Star-Advertiser.

$600 million investment plan for Hawaiian homesteads advances. Pivotal Hawaii lawmakers have pushed ahead a monumental pledge by leaders in the Legislature to invest $600 million in the development of several thousand homesteads for Native Hawaiians. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KITV4.

Bill To Make Police Shooting Review Board Permanent Advances. The Law Enforcement Officer Independent Review Board will end in July if House Bill 1329 is not passed this legislative session. Civil Beat.

Board of Education Will Start Accepting Applications for School Superintendent. The appointed board approved a revised job description on Thursday after lengthy debate over whether to require a master’s degree for eligibility. Civil Beat.

Bill Would Allow Government Agencies To Reduce Their Newspaper Advertising. The measure would allow state and county governments to publish certain public notices on their web sites. Civil Beat.

March 3, 2022 COVID-19 update: 3 deaths, 314 new infections in Hawaiʻi. The confirmed cases included: 161 on O‘ahu (+37 probable); 14 on Hawai‘i Island (+10 probable); 29 on Maui (+13 probable); 21 on Kaua‘i (+2 probable); three on Molokaʻi; two on Lānaʻi; and 17 Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state (+5 probable). Maui Now.

Oahu

Hawaii officials lift ‘do not drink’ water order for 3 more areas on Oahu. The Hawaii Department of Health today lifted its “no not drink” advisory for three more zones on the Navy’s water system, which includes McGrew, Halawa, Camp Smith and a portion of Aliamanu Military Reservation. The area includes more than 1,100 homes. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

With some schools still unable to use their tap water, BOE takes stand on Red Hill tanks. The Board of Education voted unanimously to support defueling the Red Hill tanks. Hawaii News Now.

City officials address spike in Oahu traffic fatalities. Oahu is now on pace for 82 traffic fatalities this year, which would exceed its 48 fatalities last year, 54 in 2020 and 51 in 2019, and would be the most in the City and County of Honolulu since a reported 88 fatalities in 2006, according to the state Department of Transportation. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Outdoor masking rule divides Kailua community. Confusion and division in the community over whether masks still should be worn outdoors at Hawaii public schools has led some parents at Mokapu Elementary School to launch a petition drive to end the requirement at their campus. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kona Bay Hotel purchased for $21M. A West Coast-based private equity firm recently purchased the iconic Kona Bay Hotel in the heart of Kailua Village. West Hawaii Today.

Hawai‘i Air National Guard Training At Hilo Airport. Training exercise involving F-22 jets, C-17 and C-130 transport aircraft, will run from March 3 to 6. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui condos hit record high $730,500; median for homes at $1.1M. Maui condominium sales spiked to a new record of $730,500 last month — and almost half sold above list price, recent reports show.  Maui Now.

Final community meeting regarding possible use of Pioneer Mill Office. The final community use planning meeting to discuss future possible uses of the Pioneer Mill office building will be held via zoom at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 10.  Maui Now.

Kauai

DeCosta spearheads bills to streamline agricultural land-designation process. Councilmember Billy DeCosta introduced three bills last week that would sunset certain agricultural tax-relief programs, which he claims are outdated and potentially disadvantageous to Kaua‘i food farmers. Garden Island.

Navy secretary visits Oahu, Maui mayor repeals COVID emergency rules, Kauai elects Like prosecutor, Merrie Monarch hula fest is a go, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hula dancers at 2019 Merrie Monarch festival ©2022 All Hawaii News

Plan to ‘reimagine’ University of Hawaii is considered. First steps toward “reimagining” the whole 10- campus University of Hawaii system are underway, with a proposed new focus on luring and training more local residents to the fields in which the state most urgently needs workers, such as health care, education and technology. Star-Advertiser.

Senior Hawaii Teachers Inch Closer To Receiving Pay Raises. Lawmakers are debating whether to fund pay increases for veteran teachers and hard-to-staff positions. Civil Beat.

Money piling up behind candidates in Hawaii gubernatorial race. Who becomes Hawaii’s next governor will be up to 300,000 to 400,000 or so voters later this year, but several hundred people and organizations really want to influence the decision. Star-Advertiser.

Two virtual currency bills pass final committee hearings. A pair of bills that would provide state regulatory support for “virtual currencies” successfully passed their final committee hearings in their respective chambers last week. Tribune-Herald.

Bill for Duke Kahanamoku license plate advances. Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, renowned as the father of modern surfing and Hawaii’s first Olympic swimming gold medalist, has been commemorated by a statue in Waikiki since 1990, the 100th anniversary of his birth. Star-Advertiser.

Dr. Richard Kelley, a significant figure in Hawaii’s tourism industry, dies at 88. Dr. Richard Roy Kelley, who headed Outrigger Hotels and Resorts for decades and served as a significant figure in Hawaii’s tourism industry, has died at age 88. Hawaii News Now.

Military personnel, aircraft training starts. The U.S. Air Force’s 15th Wing and Hawaii Air National Guard are scheduled to conduct an exercise starting today and running through March 11 that is likely to attract public attention. Star-Advertiser.

Releases From Hawaii Prisons Slowed During Pandemic Despite Supreme Court Orders. U.S. Department of Justice statistics show the state prison system released 30% fewer inmates in 2020 than the year before, the biggest decrease among the states. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Emergency Management Agency marks 2 years of COVID operations. Even before Hawaii officially documented its first case of the coronavirus on March 7, 2020, the state’s emergency response specialists had been tapped to follow news of the emerging pandemic and try to stay a step ahead of the virus. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii reports 229 new coronavirus infections, 4 additional deaths. The new cases include 133 on Oahu,  33 on Hawaii Island, 27 on Maui, 24 on Kauai, 3 on Lanai and o on Molokai, wioth 9 new cases of Hawaii residents out of state. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro visits Oahu to discuss water contamination crisis. U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro will wrap up his visit to Hawaii Monday as the service continues to work to resolve the months-long contamination of its water system that serves 93,000 people on Oahu, including military families, schools, businesses and civilians living in former military housing areas. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Scores A Win Against Big Oil In Climate Change Lawsuit. Out of over a dozen climate change cases filed nationwide, Honolulu’s case is leading the pack, attorneys say. Civil Beat.

More Problems Mount Along Honolulu Rail Track Crossings. The latest snafu, involving track gauge, raises questions about the crossings’ design as HART struggles to make their components fit together. Civil Beat.

HPD main station cellblock reopens after $4.2M renovation completed. The Honolulu Police Department opened its newly renovated cellblock Friday at its headquarters on Beretania Street. Hawaii News Now.

After lengthy inquiry, former principal of Hawaii School for Deaf and Blind to be reinstated. In 2019, the state Department of Education complex superintendent recommended that Angel Ramos, who was principal at the time, be demoted. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Green light for hula fest: Merrie Monarch competition set to return to pre-COVID glory. With COVID-19 case counts on the decline, the 59th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival will return to its customary schedule starting April 17. Tribune-Herald.

Sexual abuse suits against former Big Island priest settled. The Roman Catholic Church in the State of Hawaii has settled four civil lawsuits alleging a defrocked Big Island priest sexually molested teenage boys decades ago, according to court records. Tribune-Herald.

Work begins on HCCC expansion. Construction began last month on a long-planned and controversial new housing module at the Hilo jail. Tribune-Herald.

Waipiʻo Valley Road Closed To Visitors Under New Emergency Rule. As of Friday, February 25, the road is closed to visitors "as a precautionary safety measure and to further assess and mitigate the road’s conditions", officials say. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. KITV4.

Maui

Mayor repealing Maui County Public Health Emergency Rules, effective March 1, 2022. All of Maui County’s Public Health Emergency Rules are being repealed, effective March 1, 2022, according to an announcement by Maui Mayor Michael Victorino. Maui Now. Maui News.

County looks to flip the switch on light pollution. Bill would update rules on lighting to help protect wildlife. A Maui County Council committee is considering a bill that would revise and update the county’s existing light ordinance. Maui News.

Cameron Center Installs Electric Charging Stations to Combat Climate Change. The new stations replace earlier versions installed and operated by the Hitachi Corporation in a pilot project on Maui to expand charging station availability. Maui Now.

Kauai

Like Prevails Over Iseri In Kauai Prosecutor Race. A political newcomer, Like is stepping into office at a time when the island is dealing with a rise in fentanyl abuse, a suicide problem and a longstanding lack of mental health and drug addiction resources. Civil Beat. Garden Island.

Contentious cat feeding, abandoning bill heads to second reading. A bill prohibiting the feeding of feral cats on County of Kaua‘i-owned property passed out of committee last week, and will appear before the County Council for a final reading in two weeks’ time.  Garden Island.

Council discusses Hideaways access improvements. Two Kaua‘i County Council bills that passed first readings last Wednesday may appropriate up to $1.5 million to improve access to Hideaways, or Kaumumene Beach, in Princeville. Garden Island.

Military beefing up Hawaii presence, closed elementary school windows leads to COVID cluster, Honolulu reopens without governor's blessing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Pohakuloa Training Area ©2021 All Hawaii News

Army Holds Large-Scale Readiness Exercise In Hawaii For The First Time. Commanders say the Joint Pacific Multinational Training Center drills are likely to continue to be held in the islands, which have more realistic terrain for war scenarios. Civil Beat.

Hawaii sees 31% drop in visitor arrivals in September. A combination of scant international travel to Hawaii, a COVID-19 surge and Gov. David Ige’s subsequent plea in August for travelers to avoid non­essential trips to the state through October contributed to a substantial drop in visitor arrivals last month compared with pre-pandemic September 2019. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

The Plan To Redraw Hawaii’s Political Lines Goes Out For Public Comment. Members of the Hawaii Reapportionment Commission on Thursday voted unanimously to put forward its redistricting plan for public comment. The commission is planning to host meetings in November and December that would give the public the opportunity to weigh in on the proposals. Civil Beat.

Former City Auditor: Les Kondo Is The ‘Poster Child For Bad Auditing.’ Edwin Young encourages the Legislature to “take action” against the state auditor or risk consequences. But the state auditor said Young is biased. Civil Beat.

U.S. Postal Service looking to fill more than 600 positions in Hawaii. The U.S. Postal Service is seeking to fill more than 600 jobs in Hawaii, over half of which are seasonal positions for the upcoming holiday season. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Hawaii Tourism Authority hires T. Ilihia Gionson for new public affairs position. The Hawaii Tourism Authority has hired T. Ilihia Gionson, a longtime public affairs and community engagement professional from Hawaii island, as public affairs officer. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 cluster report highlights Oahu elementary school, notes downward trend in cases statewide. The latest cluster report from the Hawaii Department of Health reflects a downward trend of COVID-19 cases, with only 13 clusters currently under investigation statewide. Star-Advertiser.

DOH says poor classroom ventilation likely contributed to cluster of 30 COVID cases. Officials said teachers had closed windows and doors to limit outdoor noise levels and to maintain the central air conditioning. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii records 2 new coronavirus-related deaths, 126 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 47 new cases on Oahu, 38 on Hawaii Island, 22 on Maui, nine on Kauai, one on Molokai and nine Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Governor didn’t approve city’s planned reboot of large indoor events but has no plans to stop it. Gov. David Ige says he’s not comfortable with the city’s plan to allow large indoor events on Oahu, but won’t stop Honolulu’s mayor from moving forward. Hawaii News Now.

City explains reasoning behind food and beverage restrictions at Oahu events. As Oahu prepares for the resumption of large events following Mayor Rick Blan­giardi’s loosening of COVID- 19 restrictions, food and beverages will be banned at events like football games even as movie theaters continue with soda and popcorn concessions. Star-Advertiser.

Amid calls for relocation of Red Hill, the Navy pushes a double-tank test. Amid ongoing fuel leaks between Red Hill and Pearl Harbor, the Navy said it is investing over $750 million in improvements to its aging fuel storage tanks that lie 100 feet above the Moanalua-Waimalu groundwater aquifer — while also pursuing a double-wall tank experiment. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Former judge tells lawmakers he was removed from audit after questioning rail spending. Randal Lee, a retired Circuit Court Judge and white-collar crime expert, said when he began looking into the rail authority’s books back in 2018, he quickly spotted 76 questionable change orders. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi hosts city blessing following completion of repairs at Koko Crater Stairs. The city partnered with the Kokonut Koalition, a nonprofit which coordinated thousands of hours of labor by hundreds of volunteers that manually hauled more than 600,000 pounds of materials up the incline.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

County breaks ground on new dispatch call center. A new emergency call center being built in Hilo will improve communications between the county’s police and fire departments. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Puna water projects mulled: Meeting held to discuss restoration of service to Isaac Hale Beach Park, 12 other proposals. Hawaii County will not be reinvesting in infrastructure destroyed by the 2018 Kilauea eruption, public officials said Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui mayor wants to loosen COVID restrictions on large gatherings, restaurant capacity. Maui Mayor Victorino said he asked the governor to loosen restrictions and change gathering limits and also wants restaurants to be allowed capacity anywhere from 75% to 100% — instead of the current 50%. KHON2.

Large Employers Either Silent or Taking a Wait and See Approach to Vaccine Mandates. Several large employers on Maui are either silent or taking a wait and see approach when it comes to mandating COVID-19 vaccines for their employees. Maui Now.

DOE request to open school without a crossing denied. The state Land Use Commission on Wednesday denied the state Department of Education’s request to allow it to open Kihei high school without an underpass or overpass for pedestrians. Maui News. Hawaii News Now.

Maui crews are successfully eradicating invasive little fire ants — with aerial support. The Maui Invasive Species Committee began a pilot project two years ago using helicopters to spray bait aimed at sterilizing ant queens and curbing the stinging pests. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kaua‘i vacation rentals on rebound. A new Hawai‘i Tourism Authority report shows demand, although down from a summertime high, equaled 53,346 unit nights last month. That’s up 1,424.2% from September 2020, when 3,500 unit nights were recorded, but still down 42.5% from September 2019. Garden Island.

Ige to announce relaxed restrictions this week, Las Vegas captain tapped for Maui police chief, Honolulu council to vet pick for city auditor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

USS Daniel Inouye guided missile destroyer PC: U.S. Navy

New $1.5 billion-plus Navy destroyer USS Daniel Inouye heading for Hawaii. The Navy’s new “Go for Broke” destroyer named for U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, a World War II hero and one of Hawaii’s most influential statesmen, is sailing to its new home port of Pearl Harbor and a Dec. 8 commissioning at Kilo Pier. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Combative auditor hearings cross midpoint, with weeks to go. As the hearings enter their fourth week, resuming today for sessions slated to continue for about three more weeks, there has been no clear testimony presented — in public, at least — of obvious wrongdoing by state Auditor Les Kondo or his office. Star-Advertiser.

Trailblazing CEO Connie Lau will pass the torch at Hawaiian Electric Industries. Connie Lau, the longtime president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc., highest-paid female executive in the state, and a driving force behind the company’s move toward clean energy, is retiring at the end of this year. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Sierra Club Hawaiʻi Director Marti Townsend steps down. The environmental organization’s new director is Wayne Tanaka — an attorney, engineer, and environmental advocate. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

First Hearing Held On Proposed Hawaiian Homes Bill. The federal legislation ensures long-term tenancy to beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and their successors, Kahele says, by reducing the successorship qualification of a lessee’s spouse, children, grandchildren and brothers or sisters from one quarter to one thirty-second Hawaiian. Big Island Video News.

Help wanted: Substitute teacher shortage stretches Hawaii public schools thin. The DOE said they are aware that in some rural areas, where there are general staffing shortages, it is challenging to secure substitutes. Some schools are taking it upon themselves to recruit educators. KHON2.

A+ program staffing shortage leaves hundreds of kids waiting and their parents scrambling. At least 2,600 elementary school-age children — nearly 1,600 at the A+ program held at public schools on Oahu, served by YMCA of Honolulu, and 1,000 at schools on four islands, served by Kamaaina Kids — are on the waitlist in the current school year.  Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige expected to announce relaxed restrictions this week. As Covid-19 case counts continue to drop, Gov. David Ige plans to announce relaxed restrictions later this week, a spokesperson for the governor told KITV-4 Tuesday. KITV4.

Hope for eager UH football fans: Ige says he’s looking to ease some COVID rules soon. In a one-on-one interview with Hawaii News Now on Tuesday, Gov. David Ige said he’s planning a slow return for UH spectators. He said he hopes to make an announcement with the four county mayors about easing rules by Friday. Hawaii News Now.

Pandemic Hardships Have Made Hawaii’s Nursing Shortage Even Worse. As nurses left the profession, bottlenecks in education made it hard to replace them. Civil Beat.

With enough vaccine supply, DOH offers Pfizer booster shots to any adult who is eligible. Officials said those who had their second Pfizer shot at least six months ago and who feels they are at risk because of certain health conditions or their job, are eligible for a third dose. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii sees 91 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 80,414. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 53 new cases on Oahu, 12 on Maui, 15 on Hawaii Island, seven on Kauai and four Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu may soon have a new city auditor. The Honolulu City Council is expected to take up the nomination Wednesday of Arushi Kumar to head the office that conducts financial and performance evaluations of city departments, programs, activities and services. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oʻahu home prices continue hot streak, but there are signs of stabilization. The median price for a single-family home on Oʻahu rose to $1,050,000 in September. The median price for a condominium also rose last month to $480,000. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2.

Old housing in Moiliili cleared for affordable midrise. The blessing by Kahu Kordell Kekoa was part of a ceremonial groundbreaking for a 105-unit midrise apartment building on a site previously occupied by 26 residences in several low-rise apartments and one single-family home dating as far back as 1928. Star-Advertiser.

HART Effort To Hire Welders To Fix Rail Tracks Falls Flat. A recent effort by Honolulu rail officials to hire licensed welders who might help fix one of the transit system’s most basic problems, in which the train wheels don’t align properly with the track crossings, has come up empty. Civil Beat.

New UH COVID-19 prediction models show infection rates trending down. In the latest report, scientists believe the Safe Access Oahu program that requires people to show their COVID-19 vaccination card or negative test result at most indoor spaces helped bring down case counts. KITV4.

Honolulu medical examiner's office using refrigerated containers for COVID-19 deaths. The medical examiner's office is also in the middle of a $5 million renovation to double its capacity, but construction is going to be another year and a half. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs on Friday announced the purchase of two commercial properties adjacent to its headquarters in Iwilei for $47 million. OHA intends to use the properties as a revenue generator and plans to keep Ross, Longs and PetSmart. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Ambitious audit plan set: Change orders, inventory, Fire Department, property taxes top list. An audit of contract change orders, property tax revenues, countywide inventory controls and performance of the Fire Department are among 13 projects slated this year by the county’s new auditor. West Hawaii Today.

Trailers could be allowed again at 5 transfer stations. At a Tuesday meeting of the County Council’s Regenerative Agriculture, Water, Energy and Environmental Management Committee, Ramzi Mansour, director of the Hawaii County Department of Environmental Management, said that five of the county’s 22 transfer stations could possibly be modified to once again allow people to use towable trailers to deposit waste. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Las Vegas Police Captain Selected As Final Candidate For Maui Police Chief. John Pelletier still needs to make it through pre-employment investigations before being appointed as the police chief. Civil Beat.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Charter Commission Votes for Greater Public Access and Transparency. The Maui Charter Commission last Thursday voted to advance several Charter amendment proposals that, if approved by voters in November 2022, aims to bring greater integrity and transparency to County government operations.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Council mulls using eminent domain for affordable housing. The Kaua‘i County Council will vote today on whether the county will use eminent domain to acquire a 23.5-acre parcel of land in Kilauea. Garden Island.

KFCC installs new slate of officers. Nancy Apalla of the Kaua‘i Filipino Community Council said the group that oversees the many Filipino groups on Kaua‘i cannot get stopped because of the COVID-19 virus. Garden Island.

Hawaii to get fleet of MQ-9 Reaper drones, Honolulu Police officers investigated in hit-and-run, lifeguard shortage could close towers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

MQ-9 Reaper drone (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Dennis J. Henry Jr.)

 In a first, Air Force flies 2 big MQ-9 Reaper drones from mainland to Hawaii as part of new maritime emphasis. The Air Force flew two big MQ-9 Reaper drones for the first time from the continental United States to Hawaii to demonstrate the unmanned aircraft’s “untapped potential in a maritime environment” and to participate in Exercise ACE Reaper at Marine Corps Base Hawaii — which will eventually have six of the aircraft based there. Star-Advertiser.

Vaccination mandate for Hawaii public school students not planned, officials say. The head of the Hawaii Department of Education said Thursday there have been no discussions yet with state health officials about a possible vaccination mandate for public school students age 12 and up. Star-Advertiser.

Despite some kinks in the system, state’s SMART Health Card reaches over 100K uploads. The state Office of Enterprise Technology Services said while a majority were able to successfully upload their information, 25% of people were not able to. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii jobless rate sinks to 17-month low of 7%. Hawaii’s unemployment rate dropped in August to a 17-month low of 7% — its seventh consecutive monthly decline — while job growth stalled due to a larger-than-typical summertime release of workers in the Department of Education. Star-Advertiser.

Workers In Hawaii Face New Job Losses — This Time Without A Safety Net. Hawaii still lags behind other states in how quickly the state processes initial unemployment payments. Civil Beat.

Report: Combining outbreak racial data could obscure disparities. Breaking down the data showed that Pacific Islanders, who account for 5% of Hawaii’s population, represented 22% of COVID-19 cases and deaths, and had the highest incidence rate of 7,070 cases per 100,000, according to the report. Tribune-Herald.

2 COVID clusters at schools on Kauai, Maui led to roughly 70 infections. Hawaii State Health Department report highlights COVID clusters at 2 neighbor island schools. The report focuses on two clusters that took place at schools last month —one at an independent school on Kauai and the other at a public elementary school on Maui. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii COVID-19 hospitalization rates drops 25% since surge early September. The numbers are trending down but people in the healthcare industry say it's not time to relax. KITV4.

Hawaii records 8 new coronavirus-related deaths, 588 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 388 new cases on Oahu, 53 on Maui, 96 on Hawaii island, 38 on Kauai, four on Molokai and nine Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Criminal probe launched into 3 HPD officers suspected of causing, fleeing scene of near-fatal crash. Three Honolulu police officers are under criminal investigation ― suspected of causing and then fleeing the scene of a near-fatal crash early Sunday in West Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Staffing shortage could force temporary closure of lifeguard towers on Oahu. Honolulu Ocean Safety said it may have to temporarily shut down lifeguard towers due to a current staffing shortage. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Cruise ship to arrive at Honolulu Harbor on Sept. 18 to refuel. The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) announced the Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship will arrive at Honolulu Harbor to refuel and get provisions on Saturday, Sept. 18. According to officials, the cruise ship will depart on Monday, Sept. 20. KHON2.

Honolulu Rental and Utility Relief Program reopens for new applications. The city program, which helps households struggling to pay their rent, utility, or both due to COVID-19, was put on a temporary pause Aug. 24 to process thousands of applications. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Micro-housing for kupuna ready to rise. A new high-rise in Downtown Honolulu is set for construction that turns a small parking lot into a tower filled with micro- sized rental apartments for seniors with low incomes. Star-Advertiser.

One Miske Defendant Gets Out On Bail, Another Ordered To Remain Behind Bars. New developments this week in the complex criminal case against what’s alleged to be a large criminal enterprise operating in Honolulu. Civil Beat.

7 Halawa inmates transported to ER due to illness; COVID-19 not suspected. The Department of Public Safety said seven Halawa Correctional Facility inmates were hospitalized this morning because they appeared to be suffering from an unknown medical condition. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Board of Education approves renaming Central Middle School in honor of Hawaiian princess. The Central Middle School community is celebrating the state Board of Education’s approval today of a request to rename the historic downtown campus after Princess Ruth Ke‘elikolani,  the Hawaiian alii who once owned the property. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Trial set for ex-cop accused of stealing cocaine from evidence locker. Brian Miller, a retired Hilo vice detective,  is scheduled to face trial for allegedly stealing cocaine from an evidence locker in the Hilo Police Station and intimidating a witness. Tribune-Herald.

Unpermitted gym gets more time to prove it's safe. A gym that’s been operating without permits in an agricultural shed for almost two years got a reprieve Thursday on an after-the-fact permit after the Leeward Planning Commission asked for inspections. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Public Encouraged to Participate in South Maui Virtual Community Design Workshop. The Maui County Planning Department will be gathering input virtually on areas that the community thinks should change and those that should stay the same in South Maui. The community input will guide the land use plan, policies and actions in the draft South Maui Community Plan update. Maui Now.

Applicants sought for Maui County Boards and Commissions. The County of Maui is seeking applicants to fill multiple vacancies on county boards, commissions, councils and committees. Maui Now.

Kauai

KIUC fields questions on Westside project. The Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative and AES Corp., the entities behind the project, are encouraging questions regarding the renewable-energy and irrigation system slated for the Mana Plain. Garden Island.

Humane society at capacity again, hosting free adoptions. Less than three weeks after evacuating nearly 200 animals to Seattle, the Kaua‘i Humane Society is at capacity again. Garden Island.