Honolulu rail begins trial run, seaglider design certified, police union hikes dues, raises pay, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HART launches rigorous rail system trial-run phase. The first day of trial runs for the city’s rail project saw the first train leave 10 minutes late on Monday. The next day, another left five minutes late — but neither delay gave rise to critical safety issues, rail officials said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Federal agents in Hawaii see rise in device that turns pistols into mini machine guns. The Hawaii office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives say they are increasingly recovering devices known as Glock switches. The size of a quarter, it is illegal to possess — whether or not it is attached to a gun. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii police union board hikes pay, raises dues. The top officers of the board of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers voted to increase their monthly stipends by more than four times the current pay effective Thursday, when a $20 hike in union dues for members simultaneously kicks in. Star-Advertiser.

REGENT seaglider hits first maritime benchmark. REGENT, the Boston-based manufacturer of seagliders, which announced plans earlier this summer to develop a seaglider transportation network in Hawaii, has received design certification for its 12-passenger, fully electric seaglider, the Viceroy, which is intended for use in interisland and intraisland passenger and cargo transportation. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

We Made It Through The Primary. Now It’s On To The November General Election. More than 200 candidates are still in the running for federal, state and local offices and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as Hawaii moves toward Election Day on Nov. 8. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Health Department reports one additional monkeypox case, bringing state total to 23. The newest case is an Oahu resident whose case is related to a previously reported case, according to DOH. The tally now includes 17 cases on Oahu, including one nonresident; two on Maui; two on Hawaii island; and two nonresidents on Kauai. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Oahu

Candidates for Hawaii governor stake out different visions for Red Hill. Gubernatorial hopefuls Josh Green and James “Duke” Aiona both say that if elected in November, Red Hill will be a top priority and they will push the Navy to move faster to permanently shut it down. Star-Advertiser.

‘People are acting a little nuts’: New data shows an increase in violent crime on Oahu. It’s not your imagination: Violent crime is on the rise on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Police post applications, supporting documents for concealed carry gun permits online. Following a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, permit applications to carry carry concealed or unconcealed handguns publicly can now be downloaded online from the Hawaii Police Department, as can the supporting documentation applicants must submit. Tribune-Herald.

3rd Circuit Court Launches Small Claims Online Dispute Resolution Pilot. People on the Big Island filing certain small claims cases will soon have the convenience of doing so online. Big Island Now.

Big Island Deputy Prosecutor Granted Court Protection From Neighbors. Deputy prosecutor Randall Winston “Bew” Albright has secured a temporary restraining order against his neighbors, who earlier got a TRO against him and his wife. Civil Beat.

Maui

22 arrested for 70 outstanding warrants during US Marshals’ Sweep on Maui. The sweep was conducted between Aug. 22-26, 2022, in conjunction with the Maui Police Department’s Crime Reduction Unit and Special Response Team, the FBI, and Honolulu Police Department’s Crime Reduction Unit. Maui Now.

Emergency loans available to assist with axis deer impacts in Maui County. The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture will open an emergency loan program to help farmers with the costs associated with the overpopulation of axis deer in the County of Maui. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kauai Ballot Proposals Target Election Costs And Salary Caps. Voters in November will decide whether to adopt four proposals to change laws that govern daily life on the Garden Island. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Telcom Continues Expansion of Fiber Internet on Garden Isle. During the first half of the year, the company expanded its service in parts of Anahola, Kapa‘a, Kawaihau, Kōloa, Moloa’a, and Wailua, enabling more homes and businesses with fiber internet. Kauai Now.

Student loan bailout coming to Hawaii, Maui bill lets people sleep in cars, Cayetano has stents implanted, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tens of thousands in Hawaii will benefit from federal student loan forgiveness plan. Tens of thousands in Hawaii will benefit from federal student loan forgiveness plan. President Joe Biden’s plan to cancel $10,000 in federal student loan debt for Americans earning $125,000 or less per year was welcomed by many in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Sen. Mazie Hirono and the Small Business Administration are optimistic that more small-business support is coming. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Guzman on Wednesday began visiting Hawaii organizations supporting Native Hawaiian and female-owned small businesses with the message that more federal support is on the way that will build on existing efforts to help them access federal support. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Telcom expands fiber internet access statewide. Hawaiian Telcom expanded its fiber-optic infrastructure to more than 22,000 homes and businesses during the first half of this year and said Wednesday it is on target to achieve its goal of enabling a total of 50,000 homes by year-end. Star-Advertiser.

UH Researcher Gets $2.8M To Help Prevent Vaping Among Rural Hawaiian Youth. A University of Hawaii Cancer Center researcher was awarded a $2.8 million grant to develop and test an e-cigarette prevention plan for the state’s rural youth, especially Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders who are disproportionately affected. Civil Beat.

Ben Cayetano undergoes procedure to clear arterial blockage. Former Gov. Ben Cayetano, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was scheduled to have two stents implanted to clear an arterial blockage this week — a procedure that Cayetano said he should have had done 10 years ago. Star-Advertiser.

New boosters targeting BA.5 expected as Hawaii cases trend downward. The Biden administration plans to offer the next generation of COVID-19 booster shots to Americans ages 12 and older soon after Labor Day. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

State to expand COVID wastewater surveillance program. Soon, Hawaii will no longer need to send off samples to the mainland. That could save up to a week in reporting results. KITV4.

Hawaii Department of Health reports 2,219 new COVID-19 infections, 13 coronavirus-related deaths. The state’s average positivity rate, meanwhile, continued its downward trend to 8.6% compared to 10.7% reported the previous week, representing tests performed between Aug. 16 to 22. Star-Advertiser.

4 more monkeypox cases reported, bringing state total to 22, Department of Health says. DOH said it has identified four additional cases of monkeypox in two Oahu residents and one Maui resident, all of which remain under investigation, and a Hawaii Island resident whose case is related to community exposure. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Signature issues on Hawaii primary ballots left thousands of votes uncounted. Despite lower participation in the recent election, more voters on Oahu mailed or dropped off ballots that weren’t counted because of nonmatching or missing signatures on ballot return envelopes compared with the 2020 primary election when mail-in voting became the predominant form of voting in Hawaii under a 2019 decision by state lawmakers. Star-Advertiser.

Military says barbed wire fence is for ‘anti-terrorism protection,’ but residents call it an eyesore. In Keolu Hills overlooking Marine Corps Training Area Bellows in Waimanalo, residents often hear military exercises. But now there’s construction activity. Military contractors are building a fence around the training area that’s 7 feet tall with barbed wire. Hawaii News Now.

Blueprint For Hawaii Housing? UH Project For Students And Faculty Is Going Up At Relatively Little Cost. A Hawaii lawmaker says the public private housing partnership could be a model for state-owned affordable rentals. On an island where the median price of a condominium hovers around $500,000, it may come as a surprise that a private developer is planning to build up to 400 units in verdant Manoa for as little as $212,500 each. But that’s exactly what’s happening on the University of Hawaii campus. Civil Beat.

Katherine Kealoha Accuses Feds Of Ruining Her Marriage With Cocaine Photo Allegation. The former Honolulu deputy prosecutor is trying to appeal her 2019 conviction for conspiracy and obstruction of justice. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Police Update Permitting Process For License To Carry Firearms. The revised permitting process on Hawaiʻi island follows the July 2022 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in NYSRPA v Bruen. Big Island Video News.

U.S. Coral Reef Task Force To Meet In Kona. The DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources is hosting the 45th USCRTF meeting in Kaiula-Kona from August 27 to Sept. 3. Big Island Video News.

DOE awards contract for new classroom building at Kealakehe Elementary School. Honolulu-based Nan Inc. was the apparent low bidder for the project putting in an offer of $16.125 million, more than $3 million over the project’s estimated cost of $13 million. Also submitting bids were F &H Construction at $16.34 million and Isemoto contracting at $17.93 million. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Food Distributor Settles Racism Lawsuit For $90K. A Hawaii food distribution company has agreed to pay $90,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging a Black employee was subjected to racial slurs and racist references to slavery, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said Wednesday. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Maui

Bill to let Maui residents sleep in vehicles in county lots approved, but some wary of sites. A bill to create a pilot project so houseless residents may use their vehicles as overnight habitation in county parking lots was passed Tuesday, but some are voicing concerns over which properties may become a “safe sleeping zone.” Maui Now.

Maui issues first concealed carry permit. Maui County Police Department issued its first permit to carry a concealed weapon out of 187 applicants. This after the supreme court ruling in June upholding the right to carry a gun in public. KHON2.

Land in Lahaina slated for future teacher housing. Timeline to be discussed; state says it’s the first time in a decade that DOE will put up educator housing. Maui News.

Maui’s first Raising Cane’s, Chick-fil-A restaurants set to open next week in Kahului. Starting next week, chicken fans will merely cross the road for two of the nation’s popular poultry restaurants. Maui Now. Maui News. KITV4.

Kauai

New charter school aims to meet 'multigenerational' need on Kauaʻi's North Shore. For decades, middle and high school students living in communities such as Wainiha and Hanalei have traveled to and from school in Kapaʻa. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kaneiolouma statues removed for maintenance. The 16-foot tall Ki‘i that tower over Po‘ipu were taken down for maintenance last week, but they will be back up soon. Garden Island.

Welcome Back event celebrated a return to in-person learning. Students from the college took advantage of the E Komo Mai, or Welcome Back, event presented by the Associated Students of the University of Hawai‘i-Kaua‘i Community College student government and the college’s Student Life department to re-unite with friends between classes. Garden Island.

RIMPAC wraps up war games, super PAC spends millions in LG race, petroleum found in Moanalua well, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Sea Hunter crewless vessel arrives at Pearl Harborfor 2022 RIMPAC PC:U.S. Navy

Month-long RIMPAC exercises wrap up in waters off Hawaii. RIMPAC concluded Thursday after over a month of war games that united militaries from around the world. RIMPAC’s 2022 return was super-sized, after a smaller 2020 version during the onset of COVID-19. Hawaii News Now.

This Hawaii Super PAC Is Spending Millions To Defeat One Political Opponent This Year. Be Change Now has launched an aggressive campaign attacking lieutenant governor candidate Rep. Sylvia Luke. Be Change Now, a super PAC funded by contractors who do business with the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, is spending more than $2 million this year supporting Ikaika Anderson’s run for lieutenant governor with radio, digital and newspaper ads, according to recently filed campaign spending reports. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Meet the GOP candidates looking to flip Hawaii's U.S. House seats. The 1st Congressional District hasn't been in GOP hands in over decade, when it was briefly represented by Rep. Charles Djou.  And the 2nd District has never been represented by a Republican since its creation. KITV4.

Crowded field vying for seats on OHA Board of Trustees. Eighteen candidates are vying for six seats in the primary election for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees, including a retired state senator, a former star University of Hawaii football player and all six incumbents. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's gay leaders take steps to educate, vaccinate their community against monkeypox. Monkeypox can infect anyone, but the majority of cases in the US outbreak have been among men who have sex with men, including gay and bisexual men and people who identify as transgender. KITV4.

Oahu

Board of Water Supply detects petroleum contamination in Moanalua monitoring well. The Honolulu Board of Water supply says it has detected petroleum-related chemicals in a monitoring well in Moanalua Valley, elevating concerns that fuel contamination from the Navy’s Red Hill fuel facility is traveling through the aquifer and putting a major source of drinking water for southern Oahu at risk. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Efforts ramp up to reduce crime in Waikiki. A new crime-reduction program called “Safe and Sound Waikiki” is kicking off in the neighborhood where a rash of high-profile violent crimes, including a recent sword attack at a Kalakaua Avenue 7-Eleven, has sharpened community concerns. Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm said the multiagency program is based on the already established “Weed and Seed” program, which seeks to “weed out” criminals from a particular district and then “seed” communities by investing in social and economic revitalization. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office Won’t Charge SWAT Officer Who Killed Kakaako Man. The department concluded that officers last year did everything they could to de-escalate a tense barricade situation. After an almost yearlong investigation, the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s Office determined that the SWAT officer who shot and killed a man in his Kakaako apartment was justified in his actions and will not be charged. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hilo hospital sees surge in patients: Several factors push it well above capacity. HMC on Thursday reported 13 holds in the Emergency Department, 13 patients in the overflow areas, and 37 patients waitlisted for beds elsewhere. Waitlisted means they are looking for a long-term space to obtain care outside of their homes and HMC. Tribune-Herald.

Crews to soon begin process of dismantling observatory. Caltech Submillimeter Observatory Director Sunil Golwawa said the complete removal of the observatory — the first of five to be removed in exchange for the planned construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope — should be finished by the end of the year, with deconstruction of the building itself beginning before the end of summer. Tribune-Herald.

2,695 and counting: Hawaii Wildlife Center marks 10 years of saving native birds and bats. Around 150 different bird and bat species have been seen at the hospital, including 27 rare species. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Money Is Flowing Into Maui County Races As The Primary Election Nears. Developers, real estate investors and business interests are pouring contributions into local campaigns. In the month before voting started for the Aug. 13 primary election, recent campaign finance data shows that almost $282,000 flowed into the campaigns of candidates trying to lead Maui County’s $1 billion government. Civil Beat.

Annalisa M. Bernard appointed to fill judicial position in Maui’s Second Circuit Court. Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald today appointed Annalisa M. Bernard to fill a judicial position in the District Court of the Second Circuit in Maui County. Maui Now.

Maui County home sales cool in June; single-family home median sales price at $1.1 million. Maui County home sales fell by more than 50% for condos and 20% for single-family houses last month, as rising mortgage rates and record-high sales prices pushed out buyers. Maui Now. Maui News.

Monkeypox case on Maui brings Hawaii’s total to 12. The state Department of Health on Thursday announced an additional case of monkeypox in a Maui resident who traveled outside of the state, bringing the number of cases in Hawaii to 12. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now. Maui Now. KHON2.

Kauai

Broken X-Rays lead to long wait times, high stress at Lihu‘e Airport. Faulty X-ray machines at Lihu‘e Airport led to long waits and high tensions this past week. Contracted security manager Charlie Iona estimated that at certain points wait times were two hours. Garden Island.

COVID continues downtrend on Kauaʻi. Kaua‘i’s test positivity rate was 17.3% — higher than the state average of 13.8%. Garden Island.

Election officials plan for in-person voting option, Pearl Harbor gates closed after explosives scare, monkeypox now community spread, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii polling place in 2014 ©2022 All Hawaii News

Plans are underway to prevent delays at Hawaii voting sites. State and county election officials are working to prevent a repeat of the November 2020 general election, which saw every in-person voting site overwhelmed despite Hawaii’s otherwise successful first attempt at mail-in ballots. Star-Advertiser.

NTSB: Pilots At Fault For Fatal Hawaii Air Tour Crashes, But So Is FAA. The National Transportation Safety Board analysts are raising concerns about small plane and helicopter pilots taking greater risks when they encounter bad weather. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i’s Home Insurance Premiums Are Lowest in Nation. Hawaiʻi has the lowest home insurance premiums in the United States, according to several national websites. But those rates have risen in recent years – and not because of skyrocketing home prices. Hawaii Business Magazine.

Third probable case of monkeypox identified in Hawaii. The state Department of Health has identified a third probable case of monkeypox in Hawaii, and because the patient has no travel history connected to the disease, officials said it is likely spreading locally. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now. KITV4.

Oahu

Security incident shuts Pearl Harbor gate for nearly 2 hours. A Pearl Harbor gate was closed for nearly two hours on Thursday after a military working dog smelled something suspicious during a routine inspection of a civilian contractor's vehicle. Associated Press.

‘Glamping’ business scrutinized for luxurious setup just yards from homeless Waimanalo families. The business, Glamping Hawaii, specializes in glamorous camping services. They’re now under investigation by the city for illegally operating in a county beach park — a violation of the newly enacted law banning commercial activities at beaches from Makapuu to Bellows. Hawaii News Now.

Pilot Program seeks to rehab houseless arrestees in Chinatown. The rehabilitation program is called SUDA-fast, which stands for Substance Use Disorder Assessment, fast. KITV4.

Grand jury to consider criminal charges against officers involved in near-fatal Makaha crash. An Oahu grand jury will consider criminal charges against several HPD officers who allegedly took part in an illegal chase in Makaha last September. The incident left a teenager paralyzed and a driver with serious brain injuries, said officials. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Land Board Approves Milolii Community-Based Subsistence Fishery. The new rules call for size and bag limits for specific fish species, seasonal and gear restrictions, and no commercial aquarium fishing. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Feds to investigate Big Island tour helicopter crash. A Bell 407 helicopter occupied by six people — five passengers and a pilot — crashed in a remote lava field between the Ranchos subdivision and South Point Road at about 5:29 p.m., the Hawaii County Fire Department said. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. West Hawaii Today.

Mainland News Outlets, Facebook Posts ID Some Victims of South Point Helicopter Crash. According to an article from The Chattanoongan in Chattanooga, Tenn., a Chattanooga auto dealer and two family members were among the six people aboard the Paradise Helicopters Bell 407 helicopter, operated by K&S Helicopters, when it crashed Wednesday. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Maui

Analysts: Even with an incumbent, there’s no clear frontrunner in Maui mayoral race. Current Mayor Michael Victorino is facing three high-profile challengers and four lesser-known candidates. Hawaii News Now.

Another Prisoner Dies By Suicide At The Maui Jail. Staff at Maui Community Correctional Center say it’s the fifth suicide at the jail in less than five years. Civil Beat.

Man cited for illegal structure and storing personal belongings at Maunalua Bay. State officials with the Department of Land and Natural Resources say the man had allegedly cited lineage to various Polynesian monarchies, and yelled at and argued with Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers claiming, because of his heritage, he was not subject to the laws or rules of the State. Maui Now.

Sen. DeCoite announces resources for Maui County residents facing axis deer issues.  In collaboration with State and County agencies, Senator Lynn DeCoite (District 7 – Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Kahoʻolawe) is working to provide the public with information and resources on who to contact regarding axis deer issues. Maui Now.

Kauai

Wailua River Bridge work to begin. The $55.7 million project will get underway in July and should wrap up by the end of 2024. Most funding, $44.6 million, will come from the federal government, while $11.2 million will come from the state. Garden Island.

Kauai Residents Unload About Overtourism At DOT Meeting. State transportation officials had a hard time winning over the north shore residents despite proposals for eight projects. Civil Beat.

PMRF holds Change of Command Ceremony. When U.S. Navy Capt. Brett Stevenson walked onto the stage at the Pacific Missile Range Facility aircraft hangar Thursday morning, he was in charge of a military school in Nevada. When he left the stage, he was PMRF’s commanding officer. Garden Island.