Scientists study Hawaiian birds, monk seals, Trans Pacific Partnership talks coming to Maui, pCard audit shows misuse not widespread, cannabis convention draws hundreds, state flirts with hydrogen, Honolulu council mulls second homes on properties, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Koloa maoli native duck © 2015 All Hawaii News

 Global climate change could further imperil indigenous Hawaiian bird populations over the next century as rising temperatures and increased rainfall draw malaria-bearing mosquitoes into protected avian habitats, according to researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Star-Advertiser.

Marine officials are readying for the possibility of a disease outbreak in Hawaiian waters, hoping to protect the dwindling Hawaiian monk seal population from morbillivirus. The disease has killed thousands of dolphins and seals around the world. Associated Press.

Hydrogen-powered vehicles are beginning to roll onto Hawaii’s transportation scene. Two 25-seat hydrogen-powered buses will soon be shuttling tourists between the visitors center and the Thurston Lava Tube at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and hydrogen might someday fuel the Wiki-Wiki shuttles at Honolulu Airport. Star-Advertiser.

In a move likely to irk China, the new U.S. commander of the Pacific Fleet joined a seven-hour surveillance flight over the disputed South China Sea aboard one of America’s newest spy planes. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Cannabis Business Expo attracts many. KITV4.

Applying for a license to run a Hawaii medical marijuana dispensary under the state’s new system will take serious investment, but it could be well worth the reward. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii’s Public Access Room Gets Swiss Broadcasting Attention. The legislative service, now in its 25th year, is recognized for practicing the concept of “direct democracy.” Civil Beat.

When the Hawaii Department of Education released the details of its new teacher evaluation system three years ago, veteran teacher Mireille Ellsworth made a radical decision: She would simply refuse to do part of it. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii State Ethics Commission plans to welcome its newest member Wednesday. Reynaldo Graulty will be replacing Ed Broglio, whose term ended June 30. Civil Beat.

Oahu

A proposal to make it easier for Oahu's residential property owners to set up a second dwelling on their lots might become reality soon. Bill 20, if it moves out of the City Council Zoning and Permitting Committee on Thursday, would be positioned for a final vote of the full Council in August. Star-Advertiser.

State legislative leaders say Mayor Kirk Caldwell was not as forthright as he should have been in helping them best decide what to do about Honolulu's cash-strapped rail project, with one key lawmaker calling for the mayor to apologize to help rebuild trust between the city and state. Star-Advertiser.

Applicants are being sought for a vacant post on the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation's board of directors. Those interested have until 4:30 p.m. Aug. 7 to submit to HART a completed application form, cover letter and resume. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Misuse of county credit cards is not widespread in Hawaii County government, but is confined to Mayor Billy Kenoi’s office and one other department, according to an audit report released Friday by Legislative Auditor Bonnie Nims. West Hawaii Today.

Over the past two years, Mayor Billy Kenoi has spent more than $1.5 million on contracted employees, using an exemption to sidestep state civil service laws that require employees be hired based on merit. West Hawaii Today.

Former Mayor Harry Kim used his Hawaii County purchasing card less often than Mayor Billy Kenoi, who is embroiled in a pCard scandal, at least during Kim’s last 18 months in office. Tribune-Herald.

A private attorney for the Thirty Meter Telescope was allowed in on state and county officials’ conversations about jurisdictional issues on Mauna Kea, according to documents obtained by the Tribune-Herald.

Rumors of the Hawaii National Guard being thrust into the middle of the Thirty Meter Telescope conflict bring back disturbing memories for Noa Emmett Aluli. Star-Advertiser.

A miniature version of an ages-old plan to improve traffic flow between Waimea and Kawaihae has raised its head. West Hawaii Today.

A June report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that since 2008, nationwide SNAP redemptions at farmers markets and farm stands have increased sixfold, totaling $18.8 million in the last fiscal year. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Out here on Maui, it’s relatively easy for big international news stories like the ongoing negotiations over the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade zone to get lost. Between locals just trying to find out why the Pali is backed up and visitors more concerned about scheduling their luau, few people out here want to find out the latest in free trade zone talks. MauiTime.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a massive international treaty being negotiated, in secret, by 12 Pacific Rim countries, side-by-side with 500 corporate advisers. After five years, they are aiming to wrap-up the deal on Maui at the end of this month. Hawaii Independent.

Kauai

Sides are starting to form in the debate over whether to repeal term limits. But before the Kauai County Council decides whether to put the issue before voters in the 2016 election, members of the public will have an opportunity to offer their opinions on an issue voters decided in 2006. Garden Island.

As of June, Kauai police have issued 539 tickets to violators operating hand-held mobile electronic devices while driving, according to KPD reports. Garden Island.

It’ll be another two to three months until Green Energy Team’s $90 million biomass-to-energy facility in Koloa starts producing steam. Garden Island.

Ige signs renewable energy bills, monk seal pups rescued, telescope 'bullet hole' that wasn't, Honolulu council beefs up staff, Oahu solar farms pending before PUC, parachute fails during NASA test on Kauai, layoffs coming to Kona hospital, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige signs energy bills, courtesy Governor's Office

Hawaii would be the first state to wean itself off of all fossil fuels by 2045 under legislation signed by Gov. David Ige and praised by advocates as groundbreaking for the state and the rest of the world. Star-Advertiser.

The Governor signed four energy-related bills into law today, establishing the state as a leader in renewable sources for power. Hawaii Public Radio.

Press release: Gov. David Ige today signed into law four energy bills, including one that strengthens Hawaii’s commitment to clean energy by directing the state’s utilities to generate 100 percent of their electricity sales from renewable energy resources by 2045. Governor's Office.

Two malnourished monk seal pups were rescued during the latest mission to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands by the research ship Hi‘ialakai in its efforts to protect the endangered species. The ship and crew working for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration docked in Pearl Harbor on Monday after a 21-day voyage. Star-Advertiser.

Ocean wildlife officials recently started a 21-day mission to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. So far 14 researchers picked up approximately 5,000 pounds of marine debris. KHON2.

Oahu
The Honolulu City Council, which refused to fund seven new affordable housing positions, has doubled the number of staff that report to Chair Ernie Martin since he took the helm five years ago. Hawaii News Now.

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply is taking steps to close down the controversial hiking trail known as the Stairway to Heaven. The BWS plans to spends $500,000 on an environmental assessment and other studies to figure out the best way to remove the Haiku Stairs, a 3,922-step trail in Kaneohe that goes up into the Koolau mountain range. Civil Beat.

The seven major solar energy projects on Oahu total more than 200-megawatts and which have been put on hold are not dead just yet, the head of the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission told Pacific Business News.

The bulk of solar farms pending before the Public Utilities Commission are in Central Oahu, so the delay on a decision on the projects caught the firms by surprise. KITV4.

A federal agency says workplace safety violations led to the deaths of two workers at Pearl Harbor last December. Associated Press.

Hawaii

By no later than Aug. 1, 34 positions at Kona Community Hospital will be eliminated, and the hospital will shut down its 18-bed skilled nursing unit. Administrators at the 94-bed hospital in Kealakekua announced the cuts Monday morning as part of a plan to patch a $6 million hole in the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. West Hawaii Today.

No, the Subaru Telescope didn’t take a bullet. Saeko Hayashi, a spokeswoman for the Mauna Kea observatory, said Monday morning that an approximately 9 mm hole in a metal door at the telescope was caused by it hitting a bolt sticking out from an intake manifold next to the side entrance. Tribune-Herald.

Turns out what appeared to be a bullet hole in the door of the Subaru Observatory on Mauna Kea is not a bullet hole after all. Star-Advertiser.

Reports of a “bullet hole” found in the door of the Subaru Telescope on the summit of Mauna Kea have been dispelled. The observatory has “confirmed a match between this hole and an intake manifold cover on the wall”, which indicates no guns or bullets were involved in creating the hole. Big Island Video News.

Ohia Disease on Big Island Poses Threat to Native Forests Statewide. Foresters are scrambling to figure out how the disease is spreading and how to stop it. Civil Beat.

Tourism is once again expected to be the main economic driver on the Big Island over the next few years, with hotel rooms plentiful and bargain-priced, compared to Oahu. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Gov. David Ige is expected to sign a bill Wednesday authorizing the Maui region state hospitals to begin discussion on implementing a private-public partnership. Pacific Business News.

It should surprise no one that County of Maui Managing Director Keith Regan is running for office. MauiTime.

The Maui AIDS Foundation has been awarded $1.4 million in federal funds to provide rental assistance to lower-income people who are suffering from HIV/AIDS and their families. Maui News.

Kauai

A parachute failed during a NASA test of new technology for landing larger spacecraft — and eventually astronauts — on Mars, the agency said Monday. The parachute deployed but failed to inflate, Kimberly Newton, a spokeswoman for NASA, said in an email. The agency plans to provide more details during a news conference on Tuesday, she said. The parachute appeared to disintegrate in a video of the test. Associated Press.

NASA and Pacific Missile Range Facility employees raised their eyes to the sky and smiled Monday as they watched the successful launch of NASA’s new “flying saucer.” Garden Island.

Michele Davis and her family have cruised on Hanalei’s Black Pot Beach every summer for the past decade, but the Kilauea native said the atmosphere at Black Pot has “definitely changed” in the past five years. Garden Island.

Molokai
A California energy firm hopes to make Molokai the first Hawaiian island to achieve the state's clean energy goals of 100 percent renewable energy. Maui News.

Court upholds Hawaii ban on contractors' campaign donations, Caldwell to veto Honolulu homeless bill, DuPont shutters Kauai facility, Kenoi touts $99M bond issue, Maui bus fare hikes cut, monk seal flown to Oahu to remove fish hook, rebuilding trust in police, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii police on parade © 2015 All Hawaii News

State lawmakers are hoping to rebuild public trust in the state's police departments by increasing state oversight and changing policies. But a number of bills that aimed to reform the law enforcement community died during the 2015 session. Associated Press.

A federal appeals court panel on Wednesday upheld Hawaii's ban on political donations by state and county contractors. The three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco also upheld the state's transparency laws allowing the public to "follow the money" in campaign contributions. Star-Advertiser.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Hawaii law that prohibits government contractors from giving political donations to state and county candidates, finding that the ban eliminates both actual and perceived corruption. Local electrical construction firm, A-1-A Lectrician, first challenged the law in 2010, saying the state’s campaign finance laws violated its First Amendment rights because it barred contractors from donating to candidates and lawmakers not directly overseeing contract awards and decisions. Civil Beat.

Emergency Money Made Easy, If You’re a Democratic Governor. David Ige, like Neil Abercrombie, had no problem securing funding from Hawaii lawmakers to get his new administration up and running — without providing detailed requests. That wasn't the case for Republican Linda Lingle. Civil Beat.

Leadership changes in the state senate will have a big impact on the next legislative session. The new president of the senate, Ron Kouchi, is an unusual leader in several ways, including the fact that he comes from a neighbor island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. David Ige’s public schedule is now available online, making it easier to keep tabs on where he’s going and who he’s seeing. His predecessor, former Gov. Neil Abercrombie, had provided a similar service in the form of weekly public calendars. But until now, tracking Ige’s whereabouts over the past six months since he took office had proven a bit challenging. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association says an election held last month for union leaders will not count because some teachers never got their ballots. So the state’s 13,500 public school teachers will have to vote all over again next month, and some, including the candidates, are not happy about it. KHON2.

U.S. Marines and sailors are demonstrating for military leaders from around the Pacific how to land troops on a beach. Associated Press.

The final vote to decide whether the University of Hawaii will divest from the fossil fuel industry will take place today. A “Yes” vote would make the UH System, with 53,000 total students, the largest university in the world to divest so far. Hawaii Independent.

Veterinarians with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Wednesday assessed a Hawaiian monk seal for a procedure to remove a fishhook it swallowed. Star-Advertiser.

An endangered Hawaiian monk seal was transported from Kauai to Oahu after the animal swallowed a fish hook. The Coast Guard said Wednesday crews working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration used an HC-130 Hercules airplane to move the injured seal to Oahu for medical treatment. Associated Press.

Hawaiian Airlines will end its service to Sendai, Japan, in September, citing low growth in the market. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Mayor Kirk Caldwell said he plans to veto an expansion of the sit-lie laws, which prohibit people from sitting or lying at specific times in areas of Waikiki, Chinatown and downtown that are zoned for commercial and business activities. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council members want Mayor Kirk Caldwell to consider the Hilo Hattie flagship store site in Iwilei as the location for a homeless transition shelter. Star-Advertiser.

An additional five properties along Oahu's future elevated transit line could be on track for full or partial seizures by eminent domain. The board overseeing the island's 20-mile, 21-station rail project will consider passing resolutions to start condemnation procedures for the latest properties during its regular meeting Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

A jetty off of Queen's Beach in Waikiki has become a popular spot for feeding fish. But some see a connection between the practice and recent shark sightings nearby. Hawaii News Now.

The Honolulu City Council is including funding in the City’s Budget to combat the growing populations of noisy animals in communities island-wide. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii

Mayor Billy Kenoi is proposing the county take on an additional $99 million in debt to build a host of new projects during his final 18 months in office. West Hawaii Today.

If common ground was found during a talk-story session Tuesday evening about the Thirty Meter Telescope, it’s that Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and astronomers can view Mauna Kea as a source of knowledge. But regarding how the mountain should be used, speakers at the event were light years apart. Tribune-Herald.

The controversial $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope project may be sputtering on the ground in Hawaii but elsewhere it appears to be all systems go. Star-Advertiser.

Administrators of East Hawaii’s health care system said patient care was their No. 1 concern as they weighed cutting employees and services to meet an anticipated $7 million shortfall in the coming fiscal year. Hawaii Health Systems Corp.’s East Hawaii Region announced Tuesday night it would cut multiple services and lay off 87 employees. The cuts will impact Hilo Medical Center, Ka‘u Hospital and Hale Hoola Hamakua. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County and the National Park Service appear as far apart as ever on the question of how the Keauhou aquifer should be managed. West Hawaii Today.

A Rat Lungworm Awareness Forum was held at the Pahoa Community Center this past Sunday, and the topic drew a large crowd of concerned residents. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Proposed fare hikes for the Maui Bus will be excised from the county budget, currently under consideration by the County Council, if a recommendation from the council's budget committee chairman is accepted. Maui News.

The entrance fees to Haleakalā National Park will undergo a staggered increase over the next three years to meet national standards for parks with similar visitor amenities. Maui Now.

Maui County Business Resource Center presents Starting a Business in Maui County with Karen Arakawa this Tuesday, May 26. MauiTime.

Kauai

Global seed company DuPont Pioneer has shut down its facility in Kekaha, Kauai and plans to consolidate its parent seed operations with another facility in Waialua on the North Shore of Oahu. Laurie Yoshida, spokeswoman for the company, said that DuPont Pioneer has laid off 23 employees and plans to lay off 11 more once the closure is complete. Civil Beat.

The Kauai Police Department is seeking grants for 105 Axon cameras for officers to wear. It would cost an estimated $124,000 annually to equip officers with cameras, although details on when those devices could be online on Kauai hasn’t been hashed out. Garden Island.

Molokai

Sea Link of Hawaii withdrew last week its petition to reduce its twice-daily ferry route between Molokai and Maui and intends to submit a new petition to run the ferry only on an "as-needed" basis, according to company President and Senior Capt. Dave Jung. Maui News.

Hawaii out of compliance on Obamacare, ethics board delays Kenoi pCard case, sharks love Maui, monk seal feasts on scraps in video, two few marijuana dispensaries, Honolulu TV station sold, Kakaako affordable housing delayed, Molokai seeks money for ferry, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mayor Billy Kenoi, attorneys at Ethics Board, courtesy Occupy Hilo Media

The state attorney general said it was unusual — and unnecessary — for the three-member Hawaii County Board of Ethics appointed by Mayor Billy Kenoi to postpone hearing a complaint about Kenoi's $129,000 in county purchase-card spending until the AG's office finishes a separate criminal investigation. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii County Board of Ethics, courtesy Occupy Hilo Media

The Hawaii County Board of Ethics deferred a citizen’s petition filed against Mayor Billy Kenoi because of use of his county-issued credit card for personal expenses. The board voted 3-0 Wednesday to wait until the state Attorney General’s Office completes its investigation of the matter before proceeding with the complaint. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii's ethics board wants the attorney general to conclude an investigation into Mayor Billy Kenoi's questionable credit card expenses before proceeding with its own inquiry. Associated Press.

Gov. David Ige acknowledged Wednesday that Hawaii is out of compliance with the federal Affordable Care Act and is at risk of losing $1 billion in Medicaid funds if Washington does not accept the state's plan to remedy the ailing Hawaii Health Connector. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii organization formed to spur the public acquisition of Hawaiian Electric Co., is causing the state’s largest utility to question the involvement of the groups, companies and organizations that were allowed to the intervene in NextEra Energy Inc.'s proposed $4.3 billion acquisition case before Hawaii regulators. Pacific Business News.

Some lawmakers had wanted 26 medical marijuana dispensaries to be licensed. Compromise whittled it down to 23 then 16. But the conservatism has some medical marijuana experts questioning the math. Hawaii News Now.

Opinion: Gov. David Ige and former Gov. Neil Abercrombie differ on something more important than style. They approach policymaking in diametrically opposed ways. Civil Beat.

The Agriculture Department has developed the first government certification and labeling for foods that are free of genetically modified ingredients. Associated Press.

Oahu

The Hawai’i Community Development Authority withheld a final decision on a project proposed by a major Kaka’ako developer to build affordable housing. Hawaii Public Radio.

The city plans to open the King Street bike track to cycling in both directions Friday, coinciding with national Bike to Work Day. Star-Advertiser.

A Shangri La museum official says the fence it erected a year ago to prevent young daredevils from diving into shallow water in front of Doris Duke’s Diamond Head mansion has failed to stop the risky behavior. So now the foundation that owns Shangri La is seeking permits to take down the massive lava rock breakwater that created the harbor basin near Cromwell’s Beach in 1937. Civil Beat.

Hawaii ABC-network affiliate KITV is being sold by New York-based Hearst Television to California-based SJL Broadcast Management. Star-Advertiser.

President Barack Obama’s presidential library will be built on Chicago’s South Side, but his foundation plans to develop “joint programs” with the University of Hawaii and other “local partners,” Obama’s sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, said Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

The embattled principal at Honokaa High and Intermediate was removed from the school through the end of the year. Tribune-Herald.

State regulators are reminding the public that new rules will slap heavy fines on those who introduce new wildlife to the islands. Laws that went into effect Feb. 27 lay out fines up to $25,000 and seizure of equipment, aircraft, vehicles and vessels used in the violation. West Hawaii Today.

With video. He’s known as B-18 and for the past week this endangered Hawaiian monk seal has been spotted repeatedly swimming in and around boats at Honokohau Small Boat Harbor. He’s feeding on fish scraps that have been thrown overboard. This has prompted the state Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation to remind people that it is against the law to dispose of fish scraps in state waters. West Hawaii Today.

IRONMAN will forfeit nearly $2.8 million to the U.S. government for running an illegal lottery that gave competitors a chance to compete in the historic world championship triathlon on the Big Island. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Sharks love Maui, but scientists aren’t ready to explain why. MauiTime.

Kauai

Good news for Kauai’s economy: more tourists are visiting the island, and they are spending more, too. Garden Island.

Molokai

Possible financial aid is in sight for the Molokai ferry, whose recent losses in ridership and funds have forced company president David Jung to consider a shutdown as early as June. Molokai Dispatch.

Kim to be ousted as Senate president, medical marijuana dispensary bill advances, Maui anti-GMO lawsuit in court, Honolulu City Council lukewarm about housing department, Kenoi's campaign manager gets county job, Ellison closes only Lanai hotel for upgrades, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Conference committee on medical marijuana dispensaries, courtesy House Majority

Hawaii state Senate factions are realigning to make Ron Kouchi the chamber’s new chief, replacing Senate President Donna Mercado Kim after less than two years, sources confirmed Monday night. The votes are there to reorganize leadership before the session ends Thursday, sources said, noting that at least 16 senators in the 25-member Senate have signed on. It’s possible the Senate could vote on the resolution as soon as Tuesday. Civil Beat.

State Senate President Donna Mercado Kim confirmed late Monday night that she is likely to be replaced in a leadership shake-up that will put Kauai State Sen. Ron Kouchi in the Senate president's chair. Hawaii News Now.

Patients have waited nearly 15 years for legal access to medical marijuana in Hawaii, and they are now one step closer to reaching that goal. A bill to set up a system of medical marijuana dispensaries cleared its final committee hurdle on Monday, sending the bill to the full Legislature, where it’s expected to pass. Associated Press.

A bill to create a system of medical marijuana dispensaries in Hawaii cleared a huge hurdle on Monday. The measure seemed doomed last week, but patients celebrated after House and Senate negotiators finally approved the bill. Hawaii News Now.

Some 15 years after medical marijuana use became legal in Hawaii, lawmakers are suddenly on the verge of permitting dispensaries to sell the drug to the 13,000 patients across the state. In a highly unusual move, House and Senate negotiators Monday revived and then unanimously passed a medical pot dispensary bill that many observers had thought was dead and buried last week. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii could have medical marijuana dispensaries as soon as July 15 next year under a bill approved by a House-Senate conference committee Monday. Civil Beat.

Care home measure is deferred. The bill would have let separated couples live in one home. Star-Advertiser.

A Rundown of Survivors and Casualties at the Hawaii Legislature. Rail tax, Alii Place, Turtle Bay and autism bills advance. Payday loans, adult care home reform, school bullying and public housing bills die. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City Council Chairman Ernie Martin says he and his colleagues still have a lot of concerns about the lack of accountability and financial transparency surrounding the $6 billion rail project. Before the tax can be implemented it must get past Gov. David Ige’s veto pen and then be approved by the Honolulu City Council. Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Council members are lukewarm to the idea of re-establishing a city housing department. The idea came up last week during a discussion on Resolution 15-43 before the Council Executive Matters and Legal Affairs Committee meeting. Star-Advertiser.

After a tumultuous year, managers of the city's Handi-Van service have reassigned the head of the operation to a lower position in what's being called a “reorganization.”  Hawaii News Now.

Officials are looking for a new vice president take lead Oahu's paratransit service in the wake of John Black's demotion to safety coordinator. Associated Press.

HPD arrests more than a dozen women in massage parlor prostitution sting. Hawaii News Now.

Concerned Maili residents are upset at several NOAA volunteers who they say are harassing a pregnant monk seal. KHON2.

Hawaii

Mayor Billy Kenoi’s campaign manager has been hired to head the county Office of Aging, a $110,000-plus position that oversees a department of 12 employees. Kimo Alameda was selected by a panel that did not include the mayor, said county officials. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii Department of Health has cited Sanford’s Service Center Inc. in Pahoa for operating a solid waste management facility without a state permit. The department announced on Monday the filing the Notice of Violation and Order against Sanford’s. West Hawaii Today.

Prominent Hilo attorney Gerard Lee Loy died Friday of an apparent heart attack. He was 67. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The SHAKA Movement on Maui filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court, seeking an evidentiary hearing before continuing an injunction that delays the implementation of the Maui GMO moratorium. Maui Now.

The group that campaigned for a Maui ban on the cultivation of genetically modified organisms has appealed to a higher court in an attempt to free up the legal logjam that has prevented the law from going into effect.Star-Advertiser.

Panel sends $621 million budget to full council. Proposal includes reduced property tax rates and increased user fees. Maui News.

Kauai

Pesticide watchdogs are billing their recent trip to Syngenta’s hometown as a success. Kauai County Councilman Gary Hooser returned from Basal, Switzerland, where he addressed nearly 1,000 Syngenta stakeholders at the company’s shareholders meeting, asking the company to drop its lawsuit against the County of Kauai. Garden Island.

Lanai

The 201-room Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay, which is owned by billionaire Larry Ellison, will temporarily close on June 1 for at least three months, taking nearly every room on Lanai offline for the summer and fall. Pacific Business News.

Molokai

A remote peninsula that has been the home of leprosy patients since the 19th century could be opened more fully to the public as the last remaining residents near the end of their lives. Associated Press.

Endangered Hawaiian monk seal joins manta rays in rare video, Honolulu rail takes a drubbing at Legislature, Hawaii GOP tries to make budget more transparent, FEMA extends lava emergency funds, Mokolele Airlines founder tapped for county post, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Incredible video of a monk seal up close and personal during a manta ray dive on Hawai'i Island is unlike anything you've seen before. Hawaii News Now.

New Online Tool Aims to Make State Budget More Transparent. Hawaii House, Senate Republicans launch Hawaii Open Budget Initiative. Civil Beat.

There are going to be vacancies on the Hawaii State Ethics Commission and the Campaign Spending Commission. The Judicial Council is seeking applicants to fill them. Associated Press.

A group of state lawmakers wants to strengthen the state's response to incidents of sexual assault. A proposal in the state Senate would re-establish a statewide sexual assault response program that lost its funding. The proposal also would add new steps to the assault-response process. Associated Press.

A bill to authorize the first legal medical marijuana dispensaries in Hawaii cleared a critical hurdle at the Legislature this week by winning approval from the House Finance Committee. That nod from the powerful committee that controls state funding means the bill is now positioned for a vote by the full state House of Representatives. Star-Advertiser.

Two contentious bills relating to aquarium fishing are dead in the state House of Representatives. West Hawaii Today.

A bill that seeks to make a voluntary pesticide disclosure program mandatory made it through its final stage of review in the Senate. But Senate Bill 1037 did not advance without undergoing substantial changes. Garden Island.

When the Hawaii Legislature passed Senate Bill 1087 in 2013, the bill was hailed as a way to democratize access to energy-saving technology, such as rooftop photovoltaic installations. Nearly two years later, as the program anticipated in the legislation is beginning to take shape, its scope is far more modest and bears little resemblance to the hype. Civil Beat.

A weather camera system proven to be effective in Alaska could prevent potentially fatal accidents for Hawaii's small planes and helicopter tours, but the Federal Aviation Administration will delay the installation of such a system for the Islands and the Mainland, citing budget issues and competition from other FAA programs. Pacific Business News.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa this week announced the creation of the Hawaii Groundwater &Geothermal Resource Center, an online clearing house of data on island — and state — water wells and also the volcanic hotspots where new geothermal ventures could be added to the often controversial existing ones. West Hawaii Today.

Oahu
Amid a day packed with blunt questions and impassioned testimony on the future of Oahu rail, state lawmakers advanced bills Wednesday that would extend the state tax funding most of the cash-strapped project. Star-Advertiser.

If there was one message state lawmakers wanted to send Wednesday to Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and others trying to build the city’s $6 billion rail system it was this: Show us some skin. Committees in the House and Senate passed different measures that would severely limit how much tax revenue the city can collect for its beleaguered rail project, which is now facing a nearly $1 billion deficit. Civil Beat.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee conducted a 4-hour hearing today on a proposal to extend Honolulu’s half-of-a percentage share of the state’s excise tax to fund budget shortfalls for rail transit. Hawaii Public Radio.

A state Senate panel is approving a bill extending a surcharge to the general excise tax Honolulu imposes to raise money for its rail line. Associated Press.

Groups opposed to development in Malaekahana voiced their concerns about the Envision Laie plan at a Honolulu Hale news conference Wednesday, the day before the issue will be heard by a Honolulu City Council committee. Star-Advertiser.

A plan to set aside a limited number of city-controlled parking spaces for car-sharing company operations cleared the City Council Budget Committee Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

At the February 10, 2015 Waikiki Neighborhood Board meeting, the board members present voted unanimously (14-0-0) to oppose House Bill 1322 (relating to a homeless person’s bill of rights). The bill has since crossed over to the Senate side. Hawaii Independent.

The state Department of Agriculture is asking for the public's assistance in tracking down the source of a recently discovered coconut rhinoceros beetle infestation in Nanakuli. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu’s ban on plastic bags goes into effect on July 1 so that means no more plastic bags when you check out. KHON2.

Hawaii

The Federal Emergency Management Agency expanded its public assistance program for the June 27 lava flow to include debris removal and infrastructure repairs, the agency announced Wednesday. That move amends President Barack Obama’s disaster declaration from Nov. 3 and allows Hawaii County to seek reimbursement for the cost of reopening the Pahoa solid waste transfer station. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Billy Kenoi has tapped the founder of Mokulele Airlines to head the county Department of Research and Development. Rebecca Kawehi Inaba, 50, a former pilot who created her own airline and then went on to form several other companies, most recently the Fit Xpress Hawaii Inc. women’s gym in Kailua-Kona, was unanimously confirmed Wednesday by the Hawaii County Council. West Hawaii Today.

Vietnam War veteran Charles Thompson stood up and pleaded for quicker medical care and help at a town hall meeting Wednesday for one reason — his grandson. It was his third time requesting assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Stunning images of Maui’s past are captured in present day photography as resident Daniel Sullivan brings the story of the island’s King’s Highway to light. Maui Now.

The Maui County Council confirmed the reappointment of John D. Kim as Maui County prosecuting attorney at a special meeting Tuesday. Maui News.

Kauai

The wait for a four-lane highway across the Lihue Mill Bridge will come to an end soon as state Department of Transportation officials prepare to reopen the final two lanes needed to complete the nearly two-year, $43.5 million project. Garden Island.

Hawaiian monk seal protection sought, agriculture home-rule battle in Legislature, Maui County bails on anti-GMO group, police reports show officers disciplined, House won't tax REITs, shipping costs to drop while strike looms, more government and political news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian monk seal snoozes in the sun © 2015 All Hawaii News

An environmental group Thursday recommended that the federal government spend more to help prevent critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals from becoming extinct. Associated Press.

The Marine Conservation Institute is calling for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to “redouble its efforts” to conserve and recover the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Garden Island.

A tug of war over control of the agriculture industry's use of pesticides and genetically modified crops is playing out in the Legislature as lawmakers consider bills that would limit counties' regulatory abilities and create pesticide buffer zones around schools. Associated Press.

Kona coffee growers and state lawmakers are renewing their push for more accurate labeling and greater quantities of the real thing in blends of java being sold under the Kona label. West Hawaii Today.

As lava continues to flow into Pahoa, a measure that aims to give journalists better access to emergency sites continues to wend its way through the state Senate but has stalled in the House. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers consider triple-time pay for holiday retail workers. KHON2.

Gov. David Ige announced Thursday afternoon that he wants Leonard Hoshijo to be the deputy director in the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, while the top job remains unfilled. Civil Beat.

Veteran labor union official Leonard Hoshijo was nominated by Gov. David Ige Thursday to be the deputy director in the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Star-Advertiser.

House Scraps Bill to Remove Tax Break for Prime Real Estate. It’s up to Hawaii senators to decide whether to advance a bill imposing a corporate income tax on investment trusts that own lucrative properties. Civil Beat.

The House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection conducted a hearing yesterday on pesticide applications around schools and hospitals. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu, Maui and Hawaii island police officers were disciplined in a total of 110 misconduct incidents and eight officers were discharged in 2014, according to annual reports submitted to the Legislature by the four county police departments. Star-Advertiser.

Matson Inc., the state's largest ocean cargo transportation firm, is following the recent plunge in oil prices with a plunge of its own by reducing its fuel surcharge by a record amount. Honolulu-based Matson announced Thursday that it will reduce the charge by 7 percentage points — to 24.5 percent from 31.5 percent — effective Sunday in response to falling bunker fuel prices. Star-Advertiser.

West Coast shipping docks could shut down in the next four to 10 days, but Hawaii's air cargo companies told Pacific Business News they are prepared to add services to make up for a potential lockout.Hawaii relies on ships for more than 90 percent of incoming delivery of goods.

Opinion: The U.S. Army is largely leaving Hawaii, but Maui Rep. Kaniela Ing is the only state official happy about it. Mauitime.

Opinion: We Need to Right the Wrongs for Struggling Native Hawaiians. Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians need to come together to improve the plight of our people. Civil Beat.

Oahu

A federal oversight committee is blasting Honolulu’s rail project, calling it “alarming” and “not sufficient.” A new review looked at the rising cost of building the rail system, putting the project at $500 million to $600 million over-budget. KHON2.

Over the next four weeks, as a six-month improvement project gets underway on the popular Makapuu Trail, its mile-long path to the lighthouse will be closed on weekdays. Beginning Monday, contractors of Haron Construction Inc. will begin repair and construction work along the trail. The project is estimated to cost $2.7 million. Star-Advertiser.

Two former Honolulu Zoo directors said the nonprofit Honolulu Zoo Society is failing to help the zoo that's in dire need of financial assistance, just a year before it faces a crucial re-accreditation inspection. The society gives the zoo only about 10 percent of its annual budget in direct assistance, but the head of the group said it provides valuable support to the zoo in other ways. Hawaii News Now.

The massive fuel leak at Sand Island may have started a month before it was first reported. A report by the EPA says that Hawaii Fueling Facilities Corp. noticed a large loss of volume in its No. 2 tank back on Dec. 22, or nearly a month before it reported the leak. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell and officials from the city’s Department of Planning and Permitting will host a public workshop on Tuesday, February 10 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to discuss the renovation of the Neal S. Blaisdell Center. Civil Beat.

Nearly two dozen University of Hawaii-Manoa degree programs that faced possible closure for producing few graduates have been spared from the chopping block — for now. The state House Higher Education Committee on Thursday tabled House Bill 555, which proposed shutting down small undergraduate programs that persistently award fewer than 10 degrees a year. Star-Advertiser.

A Honolulu police officer accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend used his position of authority to intimidate her into keeping silent about his ongoing abuse, the victim told the Hono­lulu Star-Advertiser on Thursday.

Hawaii

A divided County Council voted Wednesday evening not to endorse a non-binding resolution asking the county’s attorneys to file a lawsuit against Puna Geothermal Venture to prevent it from drilling a new well at night. Tribune-Herald.

Three Hawaii Police Department officers were fired last year and 14 suspended for misconduct ranging from improperly filing reports to not arresting a suspect, according to an annual report submitted recently to the state Legislature. West Hawaii Today.

Dozens of security officers at Kona International Airport will hold a vote today on whether to join a union. West Hawaii Today.

A leak in the June 27 lava flow’s tube system near Pu‘u ‘O‘o is helping to reduce activity at its farthest edge. Tribune-Herald.

The number of single-family homes on Hawaii's Big Island jumped 30 percent in January, when compared with the same month the year before, while the median price rose 9 percent, according to Hawaii Information Service on behalf of Hawaii Island Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Maui
Members of the SHAKA Movement (Sustainable Hawaiian Agriculture for the Keiki and the ‘Āina) are expressing outrage at a recent Maui County decision to take “no position” on defending the moratorium on GMO cultivation in Maui County. Maui Now.

John D. Kim was recommended for reappointment as Maui County's prosecuting attorney on Wednesday, following a five-hour meeting of the Maui County Council Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee conducted mostly behind closed doors. Maui News.

South Maui residents will get to keep their recycling bins while the county deliberates whether or not it should cease, continue or expand its pilot "3 Can Plan." Maui News.

A California engineer and developer, who has sought to build hydropower facilities on Maui in the past, is trying again with a unique seawater project on the south side of the island. Maui News.

Kauai

Developers seeking to rebuild the historic Coco Palms Resort will have to do a little extra legwork before any ground is broken. Kauai County Historic Preservation Review Commissioners on Thursday gave their unanimous stamp of approval to current plans by Coco Palms Hui LLC to redevelop, restore and repair the Wailua hotel, which has been shuttered since Hurricane Iniki buffeted the island in 1992. Garden Island.

Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. recently returned from a trip to Washington D.C., where he attended the 83rd winter meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. While there, the mayor met with Hawaii’s congressional delegation and other key contacts, and attended the State of the Union event. Garden Island.

The median price of a condominium on Kauai rose 39 percent in January on fewer sales, while sales of single-family homes increased by 65 percent, according to the Hawaii Information Service on behalf of the Kauai Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Charter schools lag in 3R's, Honolulu police chief causes mistrial, Kauai newspaper offers $10k reward in monk seal bludgeoning, Pearl Harbor officials blasted for selling free tickets, Waikiki merchants could pay fee for beach upkeep, Pahoa merchants eye lava flow, land use mulled, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy Hawaii Charter Schools Network

Public school students as a whole performed better than charter school students in math, reading and science last year, according to the Charter School Commission's annual report released this week. Star-Advertiser.

An internal report from the National Park Service, which operates a visitors' center for a memorial at the USS Arizona, said tour companies sold tickets with the knowledge of park officials even though tickets are supposed to be free. Associated Press.

The state of Hawaii has implemented a "cloud first" policy across all state departments for all new information technology projects and migrating existing applications, the governor's office announced Thursday. Pacific Business News.

Three U.S. cities that President Barack Obama once called home are trying to outdo one another as the competition to host his future presidential library comes to a close. Associated Press.

The Hawaii Attorney General’s office and Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism failed to report millions of dollars from certain accounts, hindering the Legislature’s ability to monitor the money, a state audit has found. Civil Beat.

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents voted unanimously Thursday to approve Kalbert Young as chief operating officer and vice president for budget and finance. Young had been state budget director the past four years under former Gov. Neil Abercrombie, helping craft the state's roughly $10 billion operating budget and develop long-term financial strategies. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s FBI agency received $1.2 million worth of equipment in the form of three mine-resistant vehicles. Civil Beat.

The head of the Florida company buying Hawaiian Electric Industries said Thursday he plans to lower electric bills in the islands by switching power plants to liquefied natural gas, adding large-scale solar and wind farms and making use of smart grid technology. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The lawyer for the man who was on trial for allegedly stealing Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha's mailbox is accusing Kealoha of intentionally causing a mistrial. Star-Advertiser.

Inappropriate testimony from Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha caused a federal judge to declare a mistrial in what has become a high-profile case involving a mailbox stolen from his house and an ongoing family feud between his wife and her estranged uncle over money. Civil Beat.

It was only in its second hour and on the second witness, when the federal trial for the man accused of stealing the mailbox of the Honolulu Police chief, abruptly ended. Hawaii News Now.

If two new city bills aimed at maintaining iconic Waikiki Beach are adopted, commercial property owners in the area will have to contribute to beach restoration projects. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Drivers traversing the intersection of Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Makala Boulevard in Kailua-Kona may need to adjust their driving pattern, and more changes are ahead. West Hawaii Today.

On Monday, a group of students and activists took down the American flag flying at main entrance of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, instead raising the Hawaiian flag that was beneath it. The action was related to what they say is the continued illegal occupation of the Hawaiian Kingdom by the United States. Big Island Video News.

A bill aimed at increasing transparency and public input in the process of creating planned unit developments was reluctantly endorsed Thursday by the Windward Planning Commission. West Hawaii Today.

The lava flow on the Big Island has shifted in recent weeks. That means new neighborhoods threatened and lots of questions, which community leaders attempted to answer Wednesday night. KITV4.

The new leading edge of the June 27 lava flow moved 170 yards between Wednesday and Thursday, bringing it within about 435 yards of a fork in its predicted path. Tribune-Herald.

Twenty-one people attended a state Planning Office meeting Wednesday at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority, where officials gathered input about the state’s land use process, specifically district boundary amendment procedures. West Hawaii Today.

East Hawaii residents might have a harder time finding a Christmas tree this year after shipments to one major retailer were sent back to the mainland. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Target has already attracted 1,100 applicants online, and had hundreds of interested job seekers attend the first day of a four-day job fair on Maui today. Maui Now.

Maui-based Pacific Biodiesel Technologies has signed a contract with Hawaiian Electric to supply the utility with biodiesel processed from waste cooking oil and other local feedstocks for use at HECO's 110-megawatt Campbell Industrial Park generation facility. Maui News.

Kauai

The Garden Island newspaper is putting up a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the bludgeoning death of a female Hawaiian monk seal pup in Anahola, on Kauai’s northeast coast. The award matches a $10,000 award offered by the Humane Society of the United States, Conservation Council of Hawaii, Center for Biological Diversity and the Monk Seal Foundation.

The county will not change the designation of a Poipu neighborhood after many residents and property owners objected. County planning officials, in response to concerns from Whalers Cove residents, said they will keep the active residential zoning designation for the area. Garden Island.

Endangered Hawaiian monk seal bludgeoned to death, rule-breaking education employees enjoy paid leave, clean energy surcharge added to electric bills, pair charged in illegal lava tours, University of Hawaii settles 1st Amendment lawsuit, new wildlife fence on Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Monk seal found dead on Kauai, photo courtesy NOAA

A young female Hawaiian monk seal was found dead at a beach in Anahola on Kauai after being bludgeoned on the side of the head, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Star-Advertiser.

A female Hawaiian monk seal pup, one of several that survived a deadly dog attack in July, was found bludgeoned to death Sunday along a rocky beach in Anahola. Garden Island.

Monk seal in early 2014, courtesy NOAA

$5,000 Reward for Leads on Monk Seal Death on Kauai. The Hawaiian monk seal, born on June 2014, was found dead from blunt force trauma over the weekend. Civil Beat.

Authorities are investigating the killing of a Hawaiian monk seal pup on Kauai. The young female seal (RF58) was found bludgeoned to death at a beach in Anahola on Sunday, according to Department of Land and Natural Resources officials. Hawaii News Now.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in cooperation with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, is investigating the suspicious death of a Hawaiian monk seal on the northeast coast of Kauai. West Hawaii Today.

The state Department of Education on average places one employee a week on paid leave while it investigates various complaints of alleged misconduct, and roughly 1 in 4 of those investigations takes longer than a year to complete. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric Co. customers will see a new charge on their electrical bills this month that will be used to help finance clean-energy installations for low-income residents. The new charge — labeled the "Green Infrastructure Fee" — will pay for the state's Green Energy Market Securitization, or GEMS, program. Star-Advertiser.

Support for medical marijuana dispensaries is gaining momentum. And a newly released report could provide even more ammunition for those needing better access to the drug. The state auditor's report says pot pharmacies are necessary. Hawaii News Now.

On January 1st, control of the state medical marijuana system will be changing from the Department of Public Safety to the Department of Health.  But patients whose registrations expire this month are urged to reapply by December 12th to avoid any lapse in coverage.  Applicants must still obtain a signed physician’s statement before applying. Hawaii Public Radio.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz' wife, Linda Schatz, who held executive positions at Kamehameha Schools and Brookfield Homes Hawaii, recently joined homebuilder Forest City Hawaii as its development manager, the Cleveland, Ohio-based company said Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Nani Coloretti to serve as deputy secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, making her the highest-ranking Fili­pino-American in the administration of President Barack Obama. Star-Advertiser.

A former budget analyst for the state of Hawaii has been named deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Nani Coloretti was appointed by President Barack Obama on Tuesday. Associated Press.

Survivors of the aerial attack that destroyed the USS Arizona on Dec. 7, 1941, are going the way of the Doolittle Raiders and Flying Tigers of similar World War II fame. There are fewer and fewer of the war heroes left as they age into their 90s. Star-Advertiser.

Opinion: One Solution for Out-of-Control Rents. Many of the factors conspiring to create Hawaii’s housing crisis inspired the implementation of rent stabilization elsewhere. Civil Beat.

Oahu

With the sit-lie ban in place on sidewalks in Waikiki and 15 other business neighborhoods across Oahu, Hono­lulu City Council members are turning their attention to a bill that would make it illegal to sit or lie down at six downtown Hono­lulu and Chinatown malls. Star-Advertiser.

Opinion: Haseko Calls Disclosure of PR Plan ‘Embarrassing’. But a judge rules against the development company that is being sued over its decision to build a lagoon instead of the marina homeowners expected. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

A Kealakekua courtroom was packed with well-wishers Tuesday as a new judge took the oath of office. Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald administered the oath to Margaret Masunaga, a former Hawaii County deputy corporation counsel. West Hawaii Today.

A pair of University of Hawaii at Hilo students is claiming a victory for free speech after the school agreed Tuesday to settle a First Amendment lawsuit filed in April. Tribune-Herald.

A lawsuit brought by two students claiming their First Amendment rights were violated by the University of Hawaii at Hilo has resulted in a systemwide revision of the university's free-speech policy. Star-Advertiser.

Land use is usually a contentious topic, but only about a dozen people showed up at meeting Tuesday evening in Hilo to provide input to a state agency seeking to improve the process. West Hawaii Today.

The Kohala coast — known for pocket-sized, postcard beaches and for resorts carved out of a wasteland of lava — has a new distinction. Waikoloa is now ranked 8th on the list of the top 10 rising destinations in the U.S. in the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice awards. West Hawaii Today.

The June 27 lava flow advanced another 350 to 400 yards as of Tuesday morning, placing its front about 2.7 miles from the intersection of Highway 130 and Pahoa Village Road. Tribune-Herald.

Two guides who were involved in leading lava tours into the state Wao Kele O Puna Forest Reserve and Kahaualea Natural Area Reserve were arrested Monday by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers. West Hawaii Today.

Today in New Delhi, officials of the government of India signed documents establishing the country as a full partner in the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project. An international collaboration of institutions in the USA, Canada, Japan, India and China, the TMT project is working towards building a powerful, next-generation astronomical observatory at Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Hawaiian Electric companies are looking to work with businesses in order to manage electricity demand on the islands. Maui News.

Target is looking to hire approximately 250 team members for its new Kahului  store at the future Puʻunēnē Shopping Center, which is currently under construction and is set to open in March, 2015. Maui Now.

Kauai

Rare native plant and animal communities that have inhabited a roughly eight-acre area at the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge — including imperiled bird species found nowhere else on Earth — will be protected following the installation of the state-of-the-art fence east of the lighthouse. Garden Island.

The state Department of Agriculture and Kauai County are paying a consultant $100,000 to examine the possible health and environmental effects of pesticide use on genetically modified crops. Civil Beat.