Hawaii second-worst for driving, sprinklers for Honolulu high-rises, University of Hawaii faculty holds anti-Thirty Meter Telescope press conference, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu traffic file photo

No surprises here: In a new study, Hawaii is ranked the second-worst state for drivers. The study, conducted by Bankrate, gave Hawaii some of the worst numbers in several areas related to safety, cost and driving quality. It analyzed commute time information, traffic fatality data, road condition reports and gas prices — all of which Hawaii drivers deal with on a daily basis. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii placed 2nd for worst drivers across the nation, according to study. Personal finance site Bankrate.com has ranked the best and worst states for drivers related to cost, safety, and driving quality. KITV.

Commuting Oahu: ‘It Takes Your Time And It Gives You Back Stress’ Some of us live closer to our jobs than ever. But it’s taking longer to get there. And the cost in lost time, dollars and home life is heavy. Civil Beat.

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 Former carpenters’ union official is Green’s chief of staff. Lt. Gov. Josh Green appointed a former carpenters’ union official to be his chief of staff months after a super PAC funded by the union spent more than $1 million supporting his candidacy in the Democratic Party primary. Associated Press.

Bravery of USS Vestal crew saved many lives. History focuses most on the cataclysmic explosion on the USS Arizona and sunken battleship memorial — still a tomb for over 900 crew — in remembering the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian monk seal has eel removed from its nose. On Monday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program posted to its Facebook page a photo of a juvenile monk seal with what appears to be a spotted eel in its nose. Star-Advertiser.

Wisdom, a Laysan albatross reputed to be the world’s oldest known bird in the wild, has returned to Midway Atoll and laid another egg, federal wildlife officials confirmed earlier this week. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Sprinkler extension denied. At its last meeting of 2018, the Honolulu City Council failed to override Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s veto of a bill easing condo fire safety rules, but gave the final green light for Waikiki’s first, large-scale rental complex in decades and moved forward with proposals regulating vacation rentals and “monster” houses. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council failed to override the Mayor’s Veto of an important fire sprinkler bill. Bill 72, allows high-rise condominiums without fire sprinkler systems an additional 2 years to complete a life system evaluation and retrofit. Hawaii Public Radio.

High rise fire inspections to remain at three years vs. five, post-Marco Polo fire. The Honolulu City Council voted five-to-three on Bill 72. This keeps high rise building fire inspections to three years instead of five. KITV.

City Ethics Commission Is Investigating Far Fewer Cases Than 2 Years Ago. Director Jan Yamane, who took over from Chuck Totto, is emphasizing training over investigation in an effort to change the culture. Civil Beat.

Legal community urges action against Honolulu prosecutors mixed up in federal criminal probe. There is growing pressure on the city Prosecutor’s Office after a Hawaii News Now investigation revealed First Deputy Chasid Sapolu was sent a subject letter from the Department of Justice. Hawaii News Now.

Islandwide Homeless Restrictions Approved — But Are They Legal? A recent federal court ruling has some cities pulling back their bans on homeless people camping in public places. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

With the legal fight against the Thirty Meter Telescope appeared to be over, University of Hawaii faculty, staff and students took their case to the public Wednesday in a press conference on the UH Manoa campus. Star-Advertiser.

Energy experts discuss grid resiliency, redesign against external threats. The components of the concept were part of a panel discussion Wednesday at a conference on energy storage trends and opportunities convened by the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority and held at the Sheraton Kona at Keauhou Bay. West Hawaii Today.

As checkpoints come down inside Leilani Estates, Hawaii Island residents face uncertainty for future. KHON2.

Puna’s New Councilmember Ashley Kierkiewicz Looks Ahead. Big Island Video News.

Paradise Helicopters expands Big Island service. Kona-based Paradise Helicopters is expanding its service to the Waimea-Kohala Airport on the Big Island with the launch of a new tour. Pacific Business News.

Home sales drop on Hawaii's Big Island, prices flat. The median price of a single-family home on the Big Island in November was $358,000, which was a decline of 3.57 percent from $371,250 during the same month last year. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Upcountry skate park just needs a fence. While not popular, county says it’s needed for safety. The Pukalani community will get its gift of a skate park probably early next year, and it will come with what some may call extra wrapping — a fence. Maui News.

Tourism on Maui appears to have weathered storms. October visitor arrivals, spending up, HTA data show. Tourism officials appeared to downplay the impacts of storms Lane and Olivia that arrived weeks apart in August and September following the release of October tourism data last week. Maui News.

Kauai

A bill that proposed to reform the county’s affordable housing policy did not pass a second hearing at the Kauai County Council meeting last week, losing in a 6-1 vote. Garden Island.

Former PMRF worker accused of wire fraud. The U.S. Pacific Fleet on Oahu is still putting together the pieces of how a woman allegedly stole nearly $356,000 from the Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility. Garden Island.

Kauai condo prices jump 35% in November. The median price of a condo on Kauai last month was $550,000, an increase of 35.47 percent from $406,000 in November 2017. Pacific Business News.

Hurricane Hector coming closer, candidates make last-minute pitches, Makua Military Reservation must allow cultural access, monk seal Rocky rejects pup, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Hector on Tuesday, NOAA

Hurricane Hector is still churning closer to the Hawaiian islands on Tuesday as a powerful Category 4 storm to the southeast of Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Hector weakened slightly overnight but remains a category 4 hurricane. Located 540 miles east-southeast of Hilo and 750 miles east-southeast of Honolulu, Hector was packing maximum sustained winds of 130 mph — a drop of 15 mph from Monday night — at 5 a.m. today, according to the National Weather Service. Star-Advertiser.

At 2 a.m. HST on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, the center of Hurricane Hector was located 585 miles ESE of Hilo, 670 miles ESE of Hana, Maui, and 705 miles ESE of Kahului, Maui (near latitude 15.9 North, longitude 147.1 West). Maui Now.

The National Weather Service on Monday posted a tropical storm watch for the Big Island as Hurricane Hector continued its trek toward Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

A powerful hurricane expected to pass to the south of the state is forecast to bring dangerously large waves to east-facing shores of some islands starting Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

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Candidates debate energy, climate issues in last major public forum before primary election. With the primary election coming up this Saturday, candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, and congress tried one last time to set themselves apart from their opponents in the last major public forum before the primary. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii Republican Party’s Slow Path To Extinction. The GOP is unable to field candidates in a growing number of races — and that, worry experts, is a problem for democracy and government transparency. Civil Beat.

Hanabusa’s Legacy in Congress: From Military Spending To A Post Office In Kahala. In D.C., the Democratic candidate for governor prided herself on funneling military dollars to Hawaii and was a strong advocate for the fishing industry. Civil Beat.

Some Gabbard campaign material runs afoul of military ethics rules. The Hawaii Army National Guard has instructed Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to take down or amend certain campaign material from her VoteTulsi Facebook page because it violates military ethics rules. Star-Advertiser.

Ad Watch: Governor, LG Wannabes Hone Their TV Pitches. The leading Democratic candidates sometimes shine in a series of mostly positive campaign commercials. Civil Beat.

Can non-citizens vote? Elections officials rely on affidavits to verify citizenship. In a state that values access to the ballot, Hawaii election officials pretty much take your word for it when you claim to be a U.S. citizen and thus are eligible to vote. West Hawaii Today.

Some OHA Candidates Continue To Spend Big On Their Campaigns. Sam King has the most cash on hand in the Oahu race, while Rowena Akana has the most in the at-large contest. Civil Beat.

Lanialoha Lee of the Aloha Center Chicago is helping to organize a demonstration at Aloha Poke Company's corporate office this Friday and a protest march on Monday. Activists call it cultural appropriation and believe it will be the first Native Hawaiian protest march in Chicago. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Nonprofit group Malama Makua is regaining cultural access to Makua Military Reservation, $80,000 in attorney fees and the Army’s agreement to address an unexploded ordnance stockpile with the settlement of a 2016 lawsuit against the Army. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Ponders How To Be More ‘Age-Friendly’. Oahu has the fastest-growing population of people 65 and older in the country. Civil Beat.

Super PAC Be Change Now Spends $62K to Oppose Honolulu City Councilmember Carol Fukunaga. An Independent Political Action Committee is financing a negative campaign against an incumbent Honolulu City Councilwoman. Hawaii Public Radio.

29th annual Hiroshima commemoration and peace service ceremony held on Oahu. KHON2.

Oahu’s housing market posted modest median price gains in July and again fell a little shy of setting any new records. The Honolulu Board of Realtors reported today that previously owned single-family homes sold for a median $789,500 last month, up 5.3 percent from $750,000 a year earlier. Star-Advertiser.

Box jellyfish force closure of Hanauma Bay. City officials have closed Hanauma Bay for the rest of the day after many people were stung by an influx of box jellyfish. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The scientist-in-charge at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said there “were some hints” the near cessation of seismic activity at Kilauea’s summit and drastic reduction of lava production by fissure 8 might happen. Tribune-Herald.

Although earthquakes decreased over the weekend, the majority of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a top attraction for the state, remains closed due to damage and will not be reopening any time soon. Star-Advertiser.

Legislative candidates drain accounts as election nears. New money flowed into state House and Senate candidates’ campaign coffers last month, but for most candidates racing toward Saturday’s election, it was flowing out just as fast. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island grapples with lava, hurricane as election nears. As Hawaii readies for its primary elections, voters are grappling with an erupting volcano and Hurricane Hector. Associated Press.

Maui

Maui continues on record-setting pace for visitor arrivals. Maui island visitor arrivals are on pace to reach nearly 2.9 million visitors by year’s end, a milestone that would make 2018 the fourth straight record-breaking year for air travelers to the Valley Isle, according to statistics released this week by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Maui News.

Outrigger Hotels and Resorts recently acquired the Honua Kai Resort &Spa’s on-site resort rental program from affiliates of Alterra Mountain Co. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Hanabusa sweeping state before primary. As four lanes of vehicles passed by Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa and some of her supporters Monday afternoon, there was a lot of honking and waving and shouting. Garden Island.

‘I remember’. On Aug. 6, 1945, at 8:15 a.m., Hiroko Kunioka’s grandmother was in Hiroshima with her nephew. That was when the United States dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Garden Island.

Significant quantities of honey in the Garden Isle have tested positive for RoundUp, a popular herbicide used to kill weeds and plants, according to a recent study. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii Marine Animal Response team says Rocky the Hawaiian monk seal has rejected her three-week-old pup. Officials say the baby is malnourished but is stable and is being fed through tubes until it can eat on its own. KHON2.

The median price of a single-family home on Kauai rose 11 percent last month, compared to a year ago, while the median price of a condominium in July jumped by more than 30 percent, according to statistics from Hawaii Information Service on behalf of the Kauai Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

U.S. Senate confirms former Hawaii AG as appellate judge, Hawaii to become last state with police standards board, Ige vetoes 8 other bills, Kauai electric co-op generates checks, don't feed the monk seals, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Pohakuloa Quonset huts ©2018 All Hawaii News

The Army plans to demolish nearly 100 World War II-era Quonset huts at Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii island — a potential loss of iconic structures that historians are lamenting. Star-Advertiser.

The United States Senate has confirmed former Hawaii Attorney General Mark Bennett to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit by a vote of 72-27. Star-Advertiser.

Former Hawaii attorney general confirmed to US Court of Appeals. The U.S. Senate confirmed President Trump’s nomination of Honolulu attorney Mark J. Bennett Tuesday in a 72-27 vote Tuesday. KHON2.

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Governor Reverses Himself: Hawaii Will Get A Police Standards Board. All four county police chiefs also switched positions on the bill, according to Honolulu Chief Susan Ballard. Civil Beat.

A bill requiring the creation of a statewide law enforcement standards and training board has become law after Gov. David Ige on Tuesday reversed course and decided not to veto it. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Ige vetoes 8 bills but reverses decision on giving Hawaii a police standards board. KITV.

Gov. Ige vetoes eight bills, allows two to become law without his signature. KHON2.

3 measures will become law without the governor's signature. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige plans to veto legislation that would expand the state’s hotel tax. Associated Press.

Here are the 8 bills vetoed by the governor. Gov. David Ige vetoed eight bills on Tuesday that covered topics from medical marijuana use, enhanced consumer protections and environmental concerns. Hawaii News Now.

Read Gov. David Ige's full veto list here.

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Why Union Support Matters In The Hawaii Governor’s Race. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa has gathered the majority of big labor endorsements, but incumbent Gov. David Ige has the support of teachers. Civil Beat.

Lt. Gov. Doug Chin was endorsed today by the country’s largest federal employee union in his bid for Congress. Star-Advertiser.

RIMPAC Drill Will Use Hospitals Across the State. Big Island Now.

A U.S. judge gave the green light to lawsuits alleging the weed killer Roundup caused cancer Tuesday, allowing expert testimony linking the herbicide to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Garden Island.

A recent study by University of Hawaii at Manoa researchers revealed more information about where rat lungworm has spread — and where it might spread in the future as the climate changes. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiian Airlines carried a record 1.05 million passengers in June, a 2.9 percent increase over 1.02 million in the year-earlier period. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

State and federal officials are reminding the public not to feed Hawaiian monk seals after several of the critically endangered species were recently spotted near a bay on the Leeward side looking for food. Star-Advertiser.

New signs are posted at the small bay near Kahe Power Plant asking people especially fishermen not to feed the Hawaiian monk seals. KITV.

Waimea Valley will soon close on a 3.75-acre land purchase that will allow the attraction to undertake its first real expansion since emerging from more than a decade of major financial struggles. Star-Advertiser.

Beachgoers at Magic Island warned of water main break, high bacteria levels. Hawaii News Now.

Crews to test water at Magic Island after finding high bacteria in ocean. KITV.

Toyota Motor Corp. launched a Honolulu car-sharing service today that allows customers to use smartphones to unlock and start cars for rent by the hour or day. Bloomberg.

Servco Pacific Inc. in cooperation with Toyota Connected North America launched car-share program Hui on Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Because so much of Hawaii Island geography is designated as lava zones 1 and 2, it doesn’t make sense to bar construction there, Mayor Harry Kim said Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

Leilani Estates resident Geoffrey Last has been denied FEMA assistance, but his home is uninhabitable, according to a letter from county officials. Big Island Video News.

Lava imperils charter school and destroys endangered plants. Star-Advertiser.

District 7 hopefuls address issues at West Hawaii forum. The race for the Hawaii County Council District 7 seat is one of the 2018 election cycle’s most hotly contested on the Big Island. West Hawaii Today.

A Big Island firefighter accused of lying to a federal grand jury about his relationship with a Honolulu deputy prosecutor in the fraud and corruption case against her and her husband, the former Honolulu police chief, was put on paid leave. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County firefighters battled an early morning fire inside a 36,000-square-foot recycling company warehouse in Keaau, and finally putting it out after 5 1/2 hours. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Property owners can now pay their real property taxes online with the County of Maui’s Treasury Division automatic payment program. Maui Now.

Maui Preparatory Academy in Napili is constructing two new campus facilities that will add over 1200 square feet to existing infrastructure and position the school for future growth. Maui Now.

Maui named top island in Hawaii by Travel and Leisure Magazine. For the seventh year in a row, the Valley Isle was voted the top island in Hawaii. KHON2.

The island of Maui has earned honors once again as the No. 1 spot on Travel + Leisure magazine’s list of “Top Islands in Hawaii” in its 2018 World’s Best Awards readers’ survey. Maui Now.


Kauai

All seven candidates for the Kauai Office of the Mayor were on hand Tuesday night at the Kauai Chamber of Commerce Mayor’s Forum at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. Garden Island.

With the passage of Bill 2687 the Kauai County Council seems poised to gift millions of dollars of increased property values to a relatively small number of owners located in Lihue along Rice Street with “no strings attached.” Garden Island.

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative will begin issuing $3.2 million in 2017 patronage capital retirement checks to cooperative members next week. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative will begin issuing $3.2 million in 2017 patronage capital retirement checks to cooperative members next week. Garden Island.

The Kauai County Housing Agency will be accepting applications for its Section 8 program waiting list. KHON2.

The effects of the April flooding continue to be felt on Kauai and will be for the foreseeable future. Hawaii Public Radio.

Molokai

Committee defers action on Molokai short-term rentals. Residents oppose bill that would allow 25 rentals and grandfather existing ones. Maui News.

Lanai

Four Seasons Lanai applies for $5M in building permits for spa, fitness facilities. The spa buildings are part of The Lodge’s long-planned expansion and upgrade that will reduce the hotel’s room count and rebrand it as a destination spa. Pacific Business News.

Active Kilauea volcano puts on a show, state and local lawmakers react to ongoing lava crisis; Mayor Kim hospitalized with 6th heart attack; feral cat feces killing monk seals; Kauai group fights RIMPAC, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

More Kilauea volcano fissures become active. Star-Advertiser.

While fissure 8 continues to steadily produce lava from Kilauea volcano, three other fissures are displaying weak signs of activity. Tribune-Herald.

Scientists monitoring renewed fissure activity. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists say while the continually fountaining vent known as Fissure 8 continues to be very active with channelized flow entering the ocean at Kapoho Bay, lava is now oozing from three other fissures that are being monitored and described as “weakly active.” Star-Advertiser.

Scientists answered questions about the ongoing slumping at the summit of Kilauea volcano, as well as the size of the growing lava delta at Kapoho, during a media conference call Monday. Big Island Video News.

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Legislature keeps grip on Judiciary’s purse strings. Funding rejections have fueled speculation that legislators are still smarting over court decisions that some believe have undermined the separation of powers between the legislative and judicial branches of government. Star-Advertiser.

State speeds up hiring process for much-needed social worker positions in new pilot program. The state's Child Welfare Services branch has struggled to fill 46 vacant spots. KHON2.

Ad Watch: Ige And Hanabusa On What Makes Them Different. The incumbent Hawaii governor boasts of delivering on a promise to put AC in classrooms, while the challenger touts her leadership chops. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige announced that he has signed a second supplementary proclamation for Kauai County and the City and County of Honolulu, which suffered heavy losses and damage during severe rain and flooding in April. Big Island Now.

HCF awards $1.5 million to career program. The Hawaii Community Foundation’s Career Connected Learning grants aim to prepare Hawaii’s students for the workforce of the future. Garden Island.

Hawaiian Telcom has informed its shareholders that the company’s $650 million sale to Cincinnati Bell could be completed as early as Saturday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Military eyes sites on Oahu for high-powered radar to defend against missile threats. Hawaii News Now.

The city’s first homeless “navigation center” has taken in 616 people from the streets in three years of operation on Sand Island, and the state Board of Land and Natural Resources has extended a sweetheart lease of $1 a year for another four years, Gov. David Ige and Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Is Honolulu Hale Making City Staffers Sick? City Council Chairman Ernie Martin thinks so — and wants to relocate the legislative branch out of the 90-year-old building. Civil Beat.

Greater protections, more funding sought for Honouliuli Internment Camp site. A bill before Congress would designate Honouliuli Internment Camp on Oahu a national historic site, giving it greater protections — and funding. Hawaii News Now.

UH-West Oahu students unearth history at Honouliuli. Star-Advertiser.

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A disease spread by cat feces killed three female Hawaiian monk seals on Oahu in May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Monk seal monitors are keeping a sharp eye on The Garden Island’s Hawaiian monk seal population after scientists confirmed toxoplasmosis as the cause of death for three Oahu seals in early May. Garden Island.

State officials are now blaming toxoplasmosis, a parasite carried in cat feces, for the deaths of three critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Three Hawaiian monk seals found dead on Oahu last month were caused by a disease called toxoplasmosis. It's a disease that's spread through cat feces. KHON2.

State doesn't follow through on threats to impound Lanikai boats. The owners of boats and canoes stored on Lanikai Beach got a temporary reprieve Monday. Hawaii News Now.

The Daniel K Inouye International Airport now has free and unlimited wifi, among a host of other digital upgrades, transportation officials announced on Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Mayor Harry Kim has been hospitalized after suffering a heart attack Saturday, his second since April. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim was resting and recuperating in the hospital today, following another heart attack over the weekend. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii County Council members plan to take up a resolution today urging the state Legislature to convene a special session to address the impacts of the ongoing lava flow in Lower Puna where hundreds of homes, businesses and farms have been destroyed and about 2,000 people have been forced to evacuate. Star-Advertiser.

After hearing pleas from short-term vacation rental operators in Puna and elsewhere asking the county put a vacation rental bill aside until Puna and the county recover from its ongoing lava emergency, the County Council Planning Committee postponed action Monday until July 10. West Hawaii Today.

How And Where Should We Rebuild After Kilauea Eruption? Hawaii Public Radio.

Now that Kilauea Volcano has destroyed hundreds of homes in Puna, some are asking how people were able to purchase and insure homes in such a known high-risk area. Hawaii Public Radio.

Thousands of displaced residents are assessing their next steps as lava is steadily pumping from four fissures in lower Puna where destructive flows have destroyed hundreds of homes. Hawaii News Now.

County Council set to take final vote on tax increase today. West Hawaii Today.

For National Guard, lava disaster presents real-world mission. Star-Advertiser.

Since it opened four days ago, hundreds of lava evacuees have turned to the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center for help. Hawaii News Now.

Big Island farmers brave lava, toxic fumes to harvest crops. Big Island farmers lucky enough to still have viable crops are braving hazardous conditions to harvest what they can. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

A bill aimed at more enforcement of bed-and-breakfast operations got some of its teeth removed Friday when Maui County Council members amended it to give operators a 30-day grace period to renew their county permits. Maui News.

Faith Action for Community Equity (FACE) Maui will host an Affordable Housing Mayoral Forum on June 28, 2018 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Valley Isle Fellowship Church located at 1033 Waiale Road in Wailuku. Maui Now.

Three new physicians are joining Kaiser Permanente on Maui. Maui News.

Maui College Aims for 100% Solar Power. The first container-load of solar panels are set to arrive at the Maui College campus in Kahului later this summer. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

The world’s largest international maritime exercise is coming back to Hawaii next week, with 26 countries set to participate in the 2018 Rim of the Pacific Exercise. Those who oppose the exercise are gathering to form another iteration of the Oceans4Peace coalition, which works to educate the public on RIMPAC impacts they find concerning. Garden Island.

Why The Beef Industry Is Rapidly Expanding On The Garden Island. The Hawaii market develops a taste for meat born, raised and slaughtered in the islands, and these ranchers are happy to serve it up. Civil Beat.

Hanalei Colony Resort officials announced on Monday that it plans on remaining closed until further notice as Kauai residents continue recovering from historic floods. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii to be first state to enact pesticide ban with bill signing today, HGEA endorses Hanabusa, Kilauea volcano settles into earthquake pattern, state sued over child death, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii agriculture PC:Monsanto Facebook photo

Hawaii will become the first state to prohibit the use of pesticides containing the chemical chlorpyrifos, after Gov. David Ige signs a bill into law on Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

President Donald Trump arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Tuesday afternoon aboard Air Force One, and although no one disembarked to greet base residents, the summit with North Korea — if implemented — will have its own impact on Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Government Employees Association, Hawaii’s largest union, representing more than 42,000 government workers, took several swipes at Gov. David Ige as it announced Tuesday its decision to support Colleen Hanabusa in the governor’s race. Star-Advertiser.

Why This New Hawaii Super PAC Has Already Changed Its Name. The backlash over using a Hawaiian song title without permission has been building for weeks and surfaced at the state Democratic Convention. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Juvenile Justice Information Committee is working to help as many underage offenders as possible to become productive citizens. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Crusade To Keep Hawaii Kids Fed This Summer. While the Department of Education provides meals on summer school campuses, other efforts are afoot to deliver food to nonschool venues. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s mortgage delinquency rate improved by 0.5 percentage points in March, and was a full percentage point lower than the national average for loans that were 30 days or more past due, according to a monthly report by CoreLogic. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Study: Honolulu Workers Need $39 An Hour To Afford A 2-Bedroom Rental. At the state level, Hawaii residents need to earn more than anywhere else in the U.S., researchers say. Civil Beat.

Rents for two-bedroom apartments in Honolulu fell by 3.9 percent from a year ago, ranking Hawaii’s largest city at No. 99 among the 100 largest cities in the U.S. for year-over-year rent growth, according to a report from Apartment List. Pacific Business News.

The "Hawaii Emergency Management Agency" and the City and Council of Honolulu will be conducting siren tests between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday. KITV.

Windy Kaukonahua Road will close from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today through Friday as the city converts streetlights along the Wahiawa-­North Shore thoroughfare to LED lamps from traditional lamps. Star-Advertiser.

For the second time this month, a live snake has been captured in Hawaii. KHON2.

State agricultural officials picked up a stowaway snake from Honolulu Harbor on Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Large earthquakes and steam explosions at the summit of Kilauea have been occurring on an almost daily basis in the past few days, with one happening approximately 24 hours after the next, and scientists say the activity is in fact following a "fairly reliable pattern." Hawaii News Now.

Lava spewing in 160-foot-high fountains in lower Puna and flowing to the sea has now created at least 250 acres of new land in Kapoho. Hawaii News Now.

With scores of businesses around the island impacted by the Kilauea eruption, county, state and federal agencies are investigating ways to help struggling employers and employees alike. Tribune-Herald.

VIDEO: Scientist Shares Kilauea Eruption Update. Big Island Video News.

The Latest: Kilauea Eruption Update. KITV.

USGS caldera collapse

Lighter winds toward the end of the week could send vog and sulfur dioxide from Kilauea’s eruption “over more populated areas,” including Hilo, the National Weather Service said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Volcanic gas emissions very high from fissure 8. KHON2.

Influx of new people has brought more crime, shelter residents say. A growing number of people who were homeless or living in unstable situations before the volcano disaster have joined the makeshift community and are responsible for an increase in thefts, domestic disturbances and other trouble that has required police intervention. Star-Advertiser.

As eruptions continue, land swap eyed for hundreds of evacuees. An old idea to relocate part of Puna is getting a new push amid ongoing eruptions, which have destroyed at least 700 homes on the Big Island. Hawaii News Now.

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Aunt of girl who starved to death sues state. Star-Advertiser.

The maternal aunt of a 9-year-old Hilo girl allegedly starved to death almost two years ago by her parents and maternal grandmother has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the state, the girl’s parents and her maternal grandmother. Tribune-Herald.

A new lawsuit blames the state for the death of a nine-year-old Hilo girl who died of starvation in 2016. Hawaii News Now.

The family of a 9-year-old Big Island girl who starved to death is suing the state of Hawaii as well as her parents and grandmother for wrongful death. KHON2.

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The Board of Ethics on Tuesday cleared a retired county employee to hold a county contract overseeing a project replacing the county’s problematic online building permit application system. West Hawaii Today.

The state Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch is evaluating information collected last month during an investigation into wastewater discharges from Big Island Dairy. Tribune-Herald.

The number of photovoltaic permits issued in Hawaii County nearly tripled in May despite Kilauea Volcano erupting and thousands of people evacuating their homes on the east side of the island. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Council candidates challenged. Haiku resident maintains term limits disqualify them from seeking council seats. Maui News.

Panel advises settlement in director’s suit. Details not released publicly. The lawsuit filed by Department of Water Supply Director David Taylor against Mayor Alan Arakawa over Taylor’s dismissal last year may be winding down with the parties nearing a settlement. Maui News.

Maui County is preparing to advance $250,000 to help fund an appraisal of the ground lease for the affordable Front Street Apartments, where rents are set to go to market rates in 2019. Maui News.

Kauai

Lawsuits behind, Coco Palms rebuild to continue. Garden Island.

Feral conflict rising. Wild Hawaii cats, like the one in this photo, and their impacts to the state’s endangered species are the fodder for FERAL, an upcoming documentary on the Hawaiian cat conversation. Garden Island.

Molokai

Authorities Investigate Death Of Young Monk Seal On Molokai. She’s believed to be the sixth killed by people since 2009. Associated Press.

Legislative committees begin budget negotiations, Ige picks Hashimoto to fill Souki's House seat, Molokai leprosy memorial project approved, Kauai taxpayers get tax filing relief as they dig out from floods, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Monk seal pup with knife PC: Hawaii DLNR

Endangered monk seal pup spotted with knife; but all is OK. West Hawaii Today.

The state House and Senate on Tuesday began public discussions on next year’s budget, which is expected to total more than $14 billion. Star-Advertiser.

State Office of Information Practices: Funding Denied, Again. The State Budget is in a joint conference committee this week to work out Senate and House differences. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers May Expand Definition Of Drugged Driving. A measure to ensure that driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal also addresses other substances. Civil Beat.

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Gov. David Ige has appointed Troy Hashimoto, former chairman of the Maui Democratic Party, to the Maui House seat vacated by Joseph Souki, who resigned last month to resolve sexual harassment allegations. Star-Advertiser.

Governor Selects Replacement For Vacant Hawaii House Spot. Troy Hashimoto will take former speaker Joe Souki’s Maui post. Associated Press.

Governor David Ige picked Troy Hashimoto to replace Joe Souki in the State House of Representatives Tuesday. KITV.

Ige appoints Hashimoto to serve remainder of Souki’s House term. Appointment follows Souki’s resignation in late March over sexual harassment charges. Maui News.

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With less than four months until the primary election, three candidates vying for the U.S. House seat representing urban Honolulu raised more than $200,000 each in the first three months of the year. Star-Advertiser.

The late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka will lie in state at Hawaii’s Capitol rotunda prior to his memorial services next month. Star-Advertiser.

Late U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka to lie in state before private burial. KHON2.

Whose Side Is This Workers’ Comp Doctor On? Chris Brigham has exerted major influence on how Hawaii’s insurers treat injured workers claims. Critics say he has mostly made it easier to slash benefits. Civil Beat.

Oahu

State lawmakers passed a bill Tuesday aimed at remedying a sore spot among drivers and businesses in Kakaako. The measure, House Bill 2275, would require that owners of private roads in the area pay to conform with city standards if they charge for parking on those streets. Star-Advertiser.

City Council Planning Chairman Ikaika Anderson said Tuesday he is looking at introducing legislation giving city officials clear authority to tear down structures that are built while under a stop-work order for constructing without a building permit. Star-Advertiser.

New Waikiki senior apartments blessed. A nonprofit developer with heavy government financing held a blessing Tuesday for a new affordable rental apartment building expected to welcome its first residents early next month. Star-Advertiser.

Man released after deadly shooting in Ewa Beach, but will self-defense claim hold?  KHON2.

Olomana Golf Links owed the state of Hawaii more than $110,000 when the operator of the 18-hole Windward Oahu golf course closed last week without notice. Pacific Business News.

Dennis “Bumpy” Kanahele, head of the sovereign Nation of Hawaii, envisions Olomana golf course as site for homeless. Star-Advertiser.

3 Oahu homes destroyed, dozens more damaged in Oahu flooding. At least 67 Oahu homes were seriously impacted by the weekend's heavy rains that caused flooding in several areas on the east side of the island. Hawaii News Now.

The Board of Water Supply crews are working tonight to repair a 24-inch water main break near the entrance to Waimanalo Gulch Landfill in the westbound shoulder of Farrington Highway. Star-Advertiser.

Whole Foods sets opening date for new Kakaako location. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

If each man, woman and child living on the Big Island dug into a pocket and handed over his or her share of the cost of operating county government, that amount would be $2,449. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Council Committee on Finance began its week of department budget and program reviews on Tuesday in Hilo, starting with the traditional opening presentation from the mayor. Big Island Video News.

The state attorney general’s office executed a search warrant at Ka'u Learning Academy on Tuesday morning, school leaders confirmed Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Residents packed a public meeting on Saturday to sound off on satellite launch project representatives who were eyeing Ka'u as a potential location. Big Island Video News.

Police officers and staff at the Kealakehe police station have been working on a plan to remove feral chickens as their presence has become annoying. West Hawaii Today.

The restroom facilities at Glenwood Park on the Big Island have been temporarily closed after thieves stole utility equipment from the park site. Hawaii News Now.

Kilauea Volcano Showing Signs of Increased Activity. Big Island Now.

Maui

The southern terminus of the Lahaina bypass will open about 6 a.m. Monday, the state Department of Transportation announced. All northbound traffic will be routed to the bypass at the southern terminus, which starts at “cut mountain” near Olowalu. Maui News.

High Enterococci Bacteria Count at Hanakaoo. Maui Now.

Environmental assessment is approved for memorial project honoring the 8,000 people sent to Kalaupapa. Completion and opening targeted for October 2020. Maui News.

Kauai

Gov. David Ige has directed the state Department of Taxation to provide relief for Kauai residents affected by the devastating floods and landslides. Garden Island.

Kauai residents get extension to file state tax returns. Hawaii News Now.

It could be weeks before roads on Kauai's north shore reopen. Hawaii News Now.

State explains what needs to happen before Kuhio Hwy. can reopen on Kauai. KHON2.

The devastation is all around in hard-hit Wainiha, but so is hope. Garden Island.

Hanalei residents cleaning up, assessing damage. Garden Island.

Westside ohana boats in supplies to flood victims. Garden Island.

Molokai

Environmental assessment is approved for memorial project honoring the 8,000 people sent to Kalaupapa. Completion and opening targeted for October 2020. Maui News.

Hawaiian monk seals rebounding, House shaves $35M off governor's budget, paid family leave bill advances, Navy wife awarded $24.7M in Tripler lawsuit, Kauai fights for beach access, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Monk seals PC:NOAA

NOAA's annual monk seal population count has a promising outlook. According to NOAA's annual monk seal population update, the seal count is on the upswing. Hawaii News Now.

A bill that would protect sharks and expand protections to all rays within state waters is cruising through the state Legislature. West Hawaii Today.

Senate Bills Address Sustainability, Climate Change. Maui Now.

House Shaves $35 Million From Governor’s Budget. The Finance Committee’s cuts create a balanced budget over six years, but the spending plans could still change. Civil Beat.

State budget draft funds foster settlement, school construction. The proposed House draft of the state budget totals $14.3 billion in state, federal and special funding for the fiscal year that begins July 1, and lawmakers also announced a proposed two-year, $4.48 billion construction budget. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers take a stand against federal Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. The Hawaii House and Senate will discuss two resolutions Thursday that take aim at a controversial gun bill moving forward at the federal level. KITV.

A bill that would establish a paid family leave program in Hawaii crossed over from the Senate to the House on Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

A bill that would fine people who fraudulently represent their pets as service dogs may finally have some bite at the Hawaii Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Curbing opioid addiction in the islands. Hydrocodone and oxycodone are two of the most commonly abused opioids in Hawaii according to emergency room doctor William Scruggs. KHON2.

State Auditor Discusses Reviews of OHA, HTA. The findings of the two agencies - the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Hawaii Tourism Authority is what Les Kondo is particularly concerned about. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Federal Judge Nomination Offers Glimpse Of Partisan Dealmaking. Prosecutor Jill Otake, who once had a shot at the job under Obama, takes her first step toward confirmation in the Trump era. Civil Beat.

HTA Spring Marketing Update: More Airline Seats! The Hawaii Tourism Authority hosted its Spring Marketing Update today. The tourism industry does not appear to be slowing down. Hawaii Public Radio.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who owns hundreds of acres of land on Kauai’s North Shore, held on to his No. 5 ranking on Forbes’ 2018 ranking of the world’s billionaires, while eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, Hawaii’s only full-time resident on the list, moved up nearly 20 slots as his fortune grew by some $2.5 billion. Pacific Business News.

Hawaiian Airlines announced today that its employees were awarded $23.8 million as part of the company’s profit sharing, its largest annual payment ever. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

A Navy wife and her family have been awarded $24.7 million for “severe and permanent” kidney damage she suffered from treatment at Tripler Army Medical Center. Star-Advertiser.

Navy Wife Who Lost Kidneys After Giving Birth Awarded $24.7M. The government acknowledged its liability for the treatment she received at Tripler Army Medical Center. Civil Beat.

Navy wife, Marites Campano, and her family were awarded $24.7 million on Wednesday, in part of malpractice suit against Tripler Army Medical Center. The Campano's attorney claims it’s the largest verdict ever against Tripler. KITV.

Tripler Army Medical Center faces $25M malpractice payout. KHON2.

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The state board regulating development in Kakaako will take another crack at amending its rules for producing affordable housing after Gov. David Ige objected to one piece of a comprehensive overall plan put forth in September. Star-Advertiser.

A second phase of rental apartments in Mililani for seniors with low incomes is now open, and work on the third of four phases has begun. Star-Advertiser.

State Plans To Sweep Longtime Homeless Camp At Waianae Boat Harbor. For more than a decade, people have been living in the self-governed community, and about 200 are there now. Civil Beat.

Waialua Landowner Proposes 30-Home ‘Affordable’ Subdivision. The 8-acre site is currently zoned for agricultural use. Its owner says some of the homes would be for his children. Civil Beat.

Study: New Federal Tax Law Will Hurt Many Honolulu Homeowners. The loss of some deductions for mortgage and state and local taxes impacts areas with the most expensive real estate. Civil Beat.

As the Honolulu Police department gets ready to graduate it’s newest recruit class Wednesday, the police chief is letting us in on one of the biggest roadblocks to hiring. She says many applicants can’t pass the background check. KHON2.

HPD graduates new recruits, but hundreds of vacancies remain. Hawaii News Now.

City offers OHA $30M for 3-acre land parcel to build sewer pump station. Hawaii News Now.

Kalihi businesses fed up with the illegal dumping of derelict cars. Hawaii News Now.

Car Share a Potential Game Changer in Urban Honolulu. Hawaii Public Radio.

After 51 years, the iconic steak house will call it a day. Chuck’s Steak House, a mainstay in the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort since 1967, is closing at the end of the month to make way for a luxury Voyager 47 Club Lounge for hotel guests. Star-Advertiser.

Tony Roma's, a culinary fixture in the Aiea community, will be closing up shop — and taking its ribs with it. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Despite the uncertain future of a bill that seeks to create a new management authority for Mauna Kea, the lawmakers behind the proposal are working overtime conducting a community campaign to whip up public support for the measure. Star-Advertiser.

Alarmed by photos on social media showing needles and other drug paraphernalia at a county soccer field, Mayor Harry Kim called emergency meetings of state and county officials, creating a task force to tackle the problem head-on. West Hawaii Today.

Former Hilo Lanes to become new Penn gym. A Hilo businesswoman said Wednesday her purchase of the long-vacant Hilo Lanes bowling alley for $2.55 million closed Monday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

E. coli found in Molokai well, but water safe. The bacteria was detected in the well shaft but not found in the water source. Maui News.

Maui Lifeguard ATV Stolen From DT Fleming Beach. Maui police are seeking the public’s help with information relating to the theft of an ATV belonging to the County of Maui Lifeguard Department. Maui Now.

Barnes & Noble will open at its new temporary store Monday at the Maui Marketplace in Kahului, in the former Petco retail space, the national bookstore chain announced. Maui News.

Home sale volume often plummets on Maui in January or February, but this year it didn’t, and the result was what looked like a spike in the number of single- family houses sold last month. Star-Advertiser.

Home sales on Maui soared last month, as prices posted slight gains of less than 2 percent for single-family homes and condominiums, according to data from the Realtors Association of Maui. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

County battling billionaire over beach access. Questions about responsible upkeep and safety were voiced at the Kilauea Neighborhood Association meeting Tuesday night, as county attorneys explained current legal action to reopen a public access to Kauapea Beach. Garden Island.

Coco Palms land dispute may continue. Defendants in the Coco Palms land dispute want to charge rent for the use of the Wailua land upon which the old hotel sits and they’ve set the price tag at $200 million. Garden Island.

Air Canada announced Wednesday it is launching a new winter service from Vancouver to Kauai in December with its new Boeing 737 Max-8 fleet. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu jail site selected, Office of Hawaiian Affairs sues state over Mauna Kea management, Kealoha judge wants proof they can't afford lawyer, Sen. Kim announces congressional bid, high cost to retrofit high-rise sprinklers, more news from all the Hawaiian islands

Concertina wire over Hawaii jail © 2017 All Hawaii News

Animal Quarantine Station site marked for new Oahu jail. The preferred location for Oahu’s new jail is the Animal Quarantine Station site in Halawa Valley, and the latest cost estimate for the project is $525 million, according to the project’s draft environmental impact statement. Star-Advertiser.

‘Preferred’ Jail Site Currently Houses Animal Quarantine Station. The Halawa Valley project’s $525 million price tag includes $17.5 million for a new quarantine facility. Civil Beat.

Hawaii reveals preferred location for new Oahu jail. An underused animal quarantine facility near the confluence of two freeways on Oahu is the state of Hawaii’s preferred site for Honolulu’s new jail, a $525 million project that would replace the aging and overcrowded Oahu Community Correctional Center. Pacific Business News.

OCCC Relocation: $525M. The state reached a major decision-point in its plan to replace the outdated Oahu Community Correctional Center. Hawaii Public Radio.

State selects Animal Quarantine Station in Halawa as preferred location for OCCC. Gov. David Ige announced on Wednesday that his administration has selected the Animal Quarantine Station in Halawa as the preferred site for the relocation of the Oahu Community Correctional Center. KITV.

Construction at Halawa prison stirs up rats. Recent construction work at Halawa Correctional Facility has stirred up the rat population at the state’s largest prison, but Department of Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda says the department has contracted with exterminators who have the situation under control. Star-Advertiser.

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Why Gov. Ige’s Secret Talks With Airbnb Have So Many People Upset. A backlash is brewing against a potential deal for the company to collect Hawaii taxes — in part, because no one knows what’s in the agreement. Civil Beat.

Donna Mercado Kim enters race for US Congress. Veteran State Sen. Donna Mercado Kim is making another run for U.S. Congress. Hawaii News Now.

Attack Warning Siren Tests Begin in December. The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency will begin testing its Attack Warning Signal or “Wailing Tone” next month as they continue preparedness and consequence management plans related to potential attack scenarios. Maui Now.

Judge ‘troubled’ as Island Air seeks cash infusion. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Faris expressed concern Wednesday about Island Air’s dire financial condition and gave the company a one-week extension to use its cash and provide more evidence of its financial situation before he decides how to proceed with the case. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Ballard names 2 HPD captains as her top deputies. Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard has named HPD captains John McCarthy and Jonathon Grems as her two deputy chiefs. Star-Advertiser.

Attorneys ask to be removed from case; Kealohas to file financial disclosures. A federal judge has continued a hearing to Thursday morning on whether the attorneys representing Louis and Katherine Kealoha should be removed from the couple’s high-profile public corruption case. Star-Advertiser.

Judge To Kealohas: Show Me Your Finances. A federal judge says he won’t consider taxpayer-funded attorneys for the former Honolulu chief and his prosecutor wife until he verifies their financial situation. Civil Beat.

Kealohas claim they can't afford attorneys; judge says prove it. The Kealohas will have to turn over financial information before a U.S. District Court Judge will order taxpayer-funded attorneys for the couple fighting a 20-count federal indictment. Hawaii News Now.

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Rail costs cast shadow over Blaisdell plan. As the plan to make over the Neal S. Blaisdell Center moves ahead, one prominent state lawmaker continues to question whether the city should tackle that nearly $700 million endeavor before it finishes funding rail. Star-Advertiser.

Bringing the Blaisdell Center into the 21st century could cost $530M. Community members had their third and final opportunity to weigh in on the future of the Neal S. Blaisdell Center on Wednesday evening. Hawaii News Now.

City holds final public workshop on Blaisdell Center Master Plan. KHON2.

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Fire safety panel recommends retrofitting sprinklers in 150 older Honolulu buildings. Five months after the deadly fire at the Marco Polo Building, an advisory committee formed in response to the tragedy is making a recommendation to the Honolulu City Council. KITV.

Here's what it would cost to retrofit high-rises with fire sprinklers. A residential fire safety panel led by Honolulu Fire Chief Manuel Neves is recommending that only older residential high-rises with interior hallways should be required to install automatic fire sprinklers. Hawaii News Now.

New report whittles down older high-rises in need of new sprinkler systems. In the wake of the deadly Marco Polo fire, the mayor called for older residential high-rises to be retrofitted with sprinklers. KHON2.

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North Shore safety, traffic frustrations continue with solutions overturned, unenforced. The bottleneck on Kamehameha Highway near Laniakea Beach has long been a source of frustration for Oahu’s North Shore residents. KHON2.

Leader of Kakaako development agency resigning. Jesse Souki, head of the Hawaii Community Development Authority, notified the agency’s board and staff last week that he is stepping down Nov. 30 after one year on the job. Star-Advertiser.

NRG Energy seeks $350M in financing to build solar farms in Hawaii. NRG Energy acquired the three solar farm projects from bankrupt SunEdison last November. Pacific Business News.

Cat sterilization non-profit seeks new home after losing lease. After seven years, the non-profit CatFriends lost the lease for their facility in Kalihi. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

OHA sues UH over Mauna Kea; Attorney says agency willing to work with DLNR on new management structure. In a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Honolulu Circuit Court, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is alleging the University of Hawaii is in violation of its general lease for the Mauna Kea Science Reserve and asks for the agreement to be cancelled. Tribune-Herald.

OHA sues to end UH’s stewardship of Mauna Kea summit. After threatening to go to court for months, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs finally pulled the trigger, accusing the University of Hawaii of aggressively developing the Mauna Kea summit for astronomy at the expense of its environment and cultural significance. Star-Advertiser.

OHA Sues State, UH Over ‘Longstanding Mismanagement’ Of Mauna Kea. The legal action follows a ruling allowing the Thirty Meter Telescope project to go forward on a mountain considered deeply sacred by many Native Hawaiians. Civil Beat.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs says it is moving forward with its lawsuit over the management of Mauna Kea. Big Island Video News.

OHA: State incapable of giving Mauna Kea 'level of aloha' it deserves. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is suing the state, claiming "longstanding and well-documented mismanagement" of Mauna Kea. Hawaii News Now.

OHA sues state over management of Mauna Kea. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the state and the University of Hawaii for what the group calls the "longstanding and well-documented mismanagement of Mauna Kea." KITV.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs sues state, University of Hawaii over Mauna Kea. The state Office of Hawaiian Affairs is suing the state of Hawaii and the University of Hawaii for what it calls “their longstanding and well-documented mismanagement of Mauna Kea,” and seeks to terminate the university’s lease of the land on the mountain, which is home to a dozen observatories. Pacific Business News.

University Of Hawaii, State Respond To OHA Mauna Kea Lawsuit. Big Island Video News.

Memorial service, music program mark 100th anniversary of Liliuokalani’s death. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Navy expands zone limiting sonar testing around county. The U.S. Navy has expanded its no-sonar-testing zone around Maui County by about 50 percent, according to its latest draft environmental impact statement for personnel and weapons systems training between Hawaii and California, officials said Tuesday. Maui News.

Liquor department faces new gripes. Boys & Girls Clubs ‘Little Chefs’ not allowed with ‘Big Chefs,’ to receive awards on stage; no alcohol allowed at VFW luau. Maui News.

Man On Trans-Pacific Voyage In Ocean Rowboat Rescued Off Maui. He was headed from California to China aboard an 18-foot vessel, according to the Coast Guard. Civil Beat.

Progress made in converting old sugar cane lands. Half of company’s 36,000 acres may be leased more quickly than expected – A&B. Maui News.

Maui home sales jump 35% in October as prices rise. Home sales on Maui increased by more than 35 percent in October, when compared to the same month last year, while median prices rose for both single-family homes and condominiums, according to statistics released by the Realtors Association of Maui. Pacific Business News.

Sammy Hagar Lists Haiku Oceanfront Retreat for $3.3M. Maui Now.

Kauai

Navy outlines plans for future activity. Weapons and whales came head to head in Lihue Wednesday afternoon as the U.S. Navy presented its newest evaluation of the impacts training and testing activities have on the environment. Garden Island.

Housing, safety at forefront of county requests. On Wednesday, the county committee meeting began dialogue regarding the priorities for formulating the 2018 Kauai County Legislative Package. Garden Island.

Fat and molting, Kauai’s yearling Hawaiian Monk Seal RH38 has returned to Kauai waters after spending two months at Ke Kai Ola, a dedicated Marine Mammal Center hospital for monk seals on Hawaii Island. Garden Island.