Ige's executive order bars non-net neutrality contracts, lifeguard survey pinpoints needs, Honolulu releases police discipline report, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii lifeguards ©2018 All Hawaii News

From staffing to storage, lifeguards outline needs in light of ocean safety shortfalls. We surveyed lifeguard units statewide to find out what all the county crews need, and it boils down to hiring more of them, assigned to more places, and for more hours. KHON2.

Gov. David Ige signed an executive order Monday directing state agencies to do business only with internet providers willing to contractually “abide by net neutrality principles.” Tribune-Herald.

Gov. David Ige signed an executive order that directs all state government agencies to contract for internet-related services only with providers who contractually agree to abide by net neutrality principals. Maui Now.

Ige signs executive order on net neutrality. Hawaii Gov. David Ige Monday signed an executive order, directing all state government agencies to contract for internet-related services only with providers who contractually agree to abide by net neutrality principals. Pacific Business News.

What A Constitutional Convention Might Mean For Hawaiians. The 1978 rewriting of the state constitution improved the lives of kanaka maoli. Could that happen again? Civil Beat.

New Solar Panel Tariff Won’t Hurt Hawaii. The Trump administration recently decided to impose a 30 percent duty on imported solar panels to help U.S. panel makers. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency is disputing the account of the warning officer who mistook a drill for the real thing and sent an erroneous Jan. 13 missile alert to cellphones, causing 38 minutes of needless fear and panic. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii emergency worker gets threats after misleading photo. When an erroneous alert was sent out last month telling people in Hawaii that there was an incoming ballistic missile, Jeffrey Wong was an island away from the state's emergency management agency office where he works as an operations officer. Associated Press.

In wake of high-profile child deaths, lawmakers eye greater home schooling oversight. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

The Honolulu Police Department last year fired or recommended for firing police officers in 22 cases ranging from sex assault to kidnapping and malicious use of physical force to use of illicit drugs, according to an annual report the agency submitted last week to the state Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Man who was allegedly forced to lick public urinal afraid of police retaliation The man at the center of an investigation involving four Honolulu police officers is afraid to speak to investigators, sources say. KHON2.

Handi-Van Riders Are Fuming Over Proposed Fare Increases. Honolulu’s paratransit service has the nation’s highest demand, but that makes it more expensive to run. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers propose to remove bicycle stations and bulbouts from Chinatown. City Council member Carol Fukunaga introduced a bill seeking to ban all bike-stations and curb extension bulbouts in the Chinatown district. KITV.

The Honolulu City Council is expected to fast-track a temporary ban on so-called “Monster Houses.” Hawaii Public Radio.

FilCom Center files for bankruptcy in clash with caterer. The biggest Filipino community center outside the Philippines — a stately facility in Waipahu — is in financial straits after clashing with a local catering and events management company that was supposed to benefit the center. Star-Advertiser.

A federal judge has ruled against the family of one of two California-based Marines killed in an Osprey crash in Waimanalo who sued the manufacturers of the tilt-rotor aircraft. Star-Advertiser.

A dispute over permitting may jeopardize whether the World Surf League continues to hold championship tour competitions in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is preparing an environmental assessment for developing a vacant 12.7-acre parcel near Prince Kuhio Plaza to support its beneficiaries in Panaewa. Tribune-Herald.

Lawmakers will hear a bill today that would provide funding to the University of Hawaii at Hilo to conduct rat lungworm research. Tribune-Herald.

Fee increase proposed for park. More than 420,000 people visited Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park in 2016, according to the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. West Hawaii Today.

Single-family home sales on Hawaii’s Big Island jumped 12 percent in January, compared to a year ago, as condominium sales dipped, as prices for both categories were mixed, according to statistics released by Hawaii Information Service on behalf of Hawaii Island Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Restoration Manager for the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission Restoration Program, Paul Higashino, will lead a discussion about watershed restoration on Kahoolawe. Maui Now.

A public lottery for workforce housing units at the Kahoma Village late last month drew about 75 people to the developer’s sales office on the west side. Maui News.

Kauai

Native tenants remain on Coco Palms property over a week after their court-ordered ejectment date. Garden Island.

Gov. David Ige will be holding a talk story session with Kauai teachers today from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Kauai High School library. Garden Island.

Airbnb tax back before the Legislature as session opens today, 125th overthrow anniversary brings Native Hawaiians together, false nuke alarm fallout continues, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Capitol courtyard PC: Charles Freedman

Ige won’t sign proposed Airbnb tax agreement. Gov. David Ige has rejected a proposed agreement with Airbnb that would have authorized the company to collect vacation rental taxes on behalf of the state, a decision that effectively punts the issue back to the state Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Politics could jeopardize Ige’s agenda. Election-year politics often drive events at the state Capitol, but devotees of U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa could cause the 2018 session of the state Legislature that opens today to devolve into a particularly partisan affair. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers welcome in the 2018 legislative session Wednesday morning at Hawaii State Capitol. KHON2.

The 2018 legislative session officially kicks off Wednesday. That means lawmakers will begin reviewing thousands of measures and soliciting public input on bills. Civil Beat.

County Councils, Through HSAC, Present Legislative Agenda. Big Island Video News.

The Hawaii State Attorney General is asking for an extra $2.5 million in the department’s budget to cover the cost of security operations during large incidents. AG Doug Chin – who is stepping aside to run for Congress – presented the request to the Senate Ways and Means and Judiciary Committees during a January 9 informational briefing. Big Island Video News.

35 Hawaii Legislators have a Second Job. Nearly half of our state legislators hold second jobs, from pilot, doctor and lawyer to business owner, real estate agent and more. Hawaii Business.

Thousands will commemorate the 125th anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom Wednesday. KITV.

Thousands are expected to join today’s march and Iolani Palace rally marking the 125th anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. Star-Advertiser.

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North Korea mocks Trump, calls Hawaii’s false alarm a ‘tragicomedy’. Associated Press.

Experts say North Korean missile strike on Hawaii still highly unlikely. Hawaii News Now.

Saturday’s ballistic missile false alarm glaringly pointed out one thing: The state’s North Korea nuclear preparedness plan, unfortunately, is still very much a work in progress. Star-Advertiser.

False missile alert had potential to be ‘totally catastrophic,’ Hirono says. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen says the agency will be working with states to follow proper protocols when issuing safety alerts and can quickly retract incorrect alerts like Hawaii’s warning of a ballistic missile over the weekend. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Reps. Tulsi Gabbard and Colleen Hanabusa are asking the U.S. House Committee on Armed Services to look into giving U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) access to Hawaii Emergency Management Agency’s alert system. KHON2.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard have requested a formal Congressional investigation into the policies, practices and procedures governing the issuance of a ballistic missile alert, following Saturday’s false ballistic missile alarm. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Emergency Management Agency officials have yet to contact Honolulu police about “dozens of death threats by fax, telephone, social media” that its executive officer said were directed at the warning officer who triggered a bogus missile alert on Saturday. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency says it is taking formal action against death threats made to its employees after Saturday's false missile warning. Associated Press.

Hawaii businesses are evaluating policies in the case of a statewide emergency in the aftermath of Saturday’s false missile alert. The review comes after widespread reports of people being kicked out or not allowed entry into stores such as Walmart, Starbucks, 24-Hour Fitness, Costco and City Mill in the midst of a supposed ballistic missile attack. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Tourism Authority: Travel Demand Unaffected By Alert Scare. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Distributed Phony Image Of Missile Warning Screen. Gov. David Ige’s office mistakenly sent out a screenshot of menu options for emergency warnings that it thought was real. Civil Beat.

State issues different image of screen leading to employee’s false missile alert. Star-Advertiser.

The state can't agree on what the missile alert interface actually looks like. Hawaii News Now.

Agency releases emergency alert list, says worker not doing well after mistake. KHON2.

Techies and the general public are weighing in on the design, logic and layout of the drop-down menu the state employee saw before clicking on the wrong link, leading to the false missile alert sent by the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency on Saturday. Star-Advertiser.

What should students do in the event of a missile threat? DOE explains. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii public schools are offering additional crisis counseling services for students experiencing emotional trauma after Saturday’s false ballistic missile alert. Tribune-Herald.

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A national group with a new chapter here is activating to advance right wing views. Proud Boys is an international men's organization whose credo is, The West is the Best. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii has joined 22 other U.S. states in filing a lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission to block what the suit calls an illegal rollback of net neutrality. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin joined 18 other attorneys general Tuesday in signing a letter to Congress requesting legislation that would allow states with legalized marijuana to bring that commerce into the banking system. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii attorney general wants banks, pot industry to work together. Hawaii News Now.

Randall Saito, the man who escaped from the Hawaii State Hospital last November and was caught in California, entered a plea of not guilty Tuesday morning in Circuit Court, according to Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin. KITV.

$500,000 Cash Only Bail Set for Randall Saito. An initial court appearance was held today for escaped mental health patient Randall Saito.  Counsel Michael J. Green made a special appearance on Saito’s behalf, and entered a not guilty plea. Maui Now.

Oahu

Activists: Hawaii Can Get By With A Much Smaller Jail. As the state looks to build a new Oahu Community Correctional Center, legislators are urged to think small. Civil Beat.

Despite federal charges, body clears former police chief's attorney wife of ethical violations. Hawaii News Now.

Purported witness in Kealoha case disputes court documents. A man whose name appears on a state court document that city Deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kea­loha is accused of falsifying says he never met Kealoha and has no idea how his signature wound up on the document. Star-Advertiser.

UH revisits missile response plans after students went running for shelter. The sign that hung at the foot of a stairway at UH Manoa's Bilger Hall read "Fallout Shelter" — but there is no shelter space in the building. Hawaii News Now.

Volunteers made another disturbing discovery at a neglected graveyard in Pearl City. Over the weekend, the clean-up crew at Sunset Memorial Park found 35 urns — majority sitting in the bushes surrounding homeless campers squatting on the property. Hawaii News Now.

Largest Honolulu Harbor Expansion Project in State History Starts. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Department of Planning and Permitting said Tuesday the public should be aware of several incidents in which men impersonating DPP inspectors asked for money in exchange for canceling building violations. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Banyan Drive redevelopment, rat lungworm research among East Hawaii lawmakers’ top priorities. Tribune-Herald.

Support for college among Chamber of Commerce priorities for session. West Hawaii Today.

Mountain vacation beckons: Maunakea Rec Area bunkhouses now open. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A Maui County Council member warned the state that a lawsuit could be a possibility if work is not temporarily suspended on the current phase of the Lahaina bypass and its controversial merging with Honoapiilani Highway through Keawe Street in town. Maui News.

Haleakala National Park is putting its sunrise reservation program, implemented nearly a year ago to deal with overcrowding at the summit, through the environmental assessment process and will be holding a public meeting on it from 5 to 6:30 p.m. today at the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center in Pukalani. Maui News.

Maui County is accepting bids for the purchase for 55 residential lots at The Fairways at Maui Lani in Kahului that the county acquired in a legal settlement. Maui News.

Rick Volner, who was general manager of Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. until the Maui operations’ closure a little more than a year ago, is leaving Alexander & Baldwin Inc. to take a job as general manager of Maui operations for concrete producer HC&D. Pacific Business News.

Rick Volner, vice president of diversified agriculture at Alexander & Baldwin is resigning his post as he prepares for a new opportunity as general manager of Maui operations for HC&D (formerly Ameron). Maui Now.

Maintenance Projects to Begin at Haleakala, Oheo and Pipiwai. Maui Now.

Kauai

Many Kauai residents are struggling to make ends meet. Garden Island.

Ige seeks budget boost, Obama enjoying Hawaii holiday, condo poor door scrapped, 2.5% electric increase for Oahu, rat lungworm found in 94% of Hilo rats, Kauai mulls cut in vehicle tax, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Ige proposes budget, screen shot of news conference

Gov. David Ige presented his latest budget proposal Monday, announcing a package that increases state spending next year by $85.5 million to a total of nearly $14.4 billion. Star-Advertiser.

Ige Seeks $1.5 Billion Budget Hike For Infrastructure, Capital Improvements. The Legislature will consider approving the governor’s supplemental spending request when lawmakers reconvene next year. Civil Beat.

Ige asks Legislature for $1.5B increase to CIP budget as part of supplemental budget proposal. Hawaii Gov. David Ige on Monday unveiled his supplemental budget proposal for fiscal year 2019 in which he's asking the state Legislature for increases of $85.5 million to the general operating budget and close to $1.5 billion to the capital improvement project budget in comparison to the biennium budget. Pacific Business News.

Education, homelessness among governor’s priorities for next fiscal year. KHON2.

VIDEO: Governor Ige Presents Hawaii’s Supplemental Budget. Big Island Video News.

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Hawaii among worst states for economic freedom, study says. While Hawaii has seen a slight improvement, the state is still among one of the worst when it comes to economic freedom, according to a new report by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

Commercial real estate owners in Hawaii could 'hit the jackpot' with tax bill. The tax deduction for businesses structured as limited-liability companies and other pass-through companies contained in the tax bill is expected to be a substantial benefit for some commercial real estate owners in Hawaii and the rest of the nation. Pacific Business News.

Reminiscent of previous holiday vacations, Obama spotted in Hawaii again. Just like when he was president, Barack Obama is in Hawaii for the holidays. Hawaii News Now.

The state Health Department has started its first statewide media campaign to prevent rat lungworm disease, following the most recent case involving a Hilo resident who contracted the virus after drinking from a water hose. There have been 18 laboratory-­confirmed cases statewide this year. The Big Island has seen the most cases at 11, followed by Maui at six — including two tourists — and Oahu at one. Star-Advertiser.

Why Vocational Education Is Back In Vogue in Some Hawaii Schools. With only about half of Hawaii’s high school graduates going to college, schools are placing more emphasis on career and technical training. Civil Beat.

Hawaii legislator proposes solution to preserve net neutrality protections. One Hawaii legislator has come up with a novel concept to sidestep the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to repeal net neutrality protections — that Hawaii create a broadband network of its own and go into business for itself. West Hawaii Today.

State Representative Kaniela Saito Ing will propose legislation to explore the feasibility of public or community-owned, high-speed broadband in Hawaii. Maui Now.

Scoot’s first Singapore-Honolulu flight arrives today. Scoot, a low-cost airline out of Singapore, is scheduled to touch down this morning with the first direct flight out of that country to Honolulu in 25 years. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Residential tower’s plan for ‘poor door’ scrapped. The design for a planned residential tower near Walmart’s urban Honolulu store no longer has a front door for market-priced condominium buyers and a side door for moderate-income renters. Star-Advertiser.

Ala Moana High Rise Developer Removes ‘Poor Door’ From Proposal. The plan to create separate entrances for low-income residents was opposed by affordable housing advocates. Civil Beat.

Concerns over cost continue to delay vote on fire sprinkler bill. About 100 people packed Honolulu Hale Monday night to once again, voice their concerns over a bill mandating fire sprinklers in older high rise buildings. Hawaii News Now.

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HECO gets approval to raise customer fees by 2.5%. The state Public Utilities Commission has approved an interim base-rate increase by Hawaiian Electric Co. that will raise the typical monthly electrical bill for Oahu customers by about $2.82. Star-Advertiser.

State regulators approve first Hawaiian Electric rate increase in 6 years. Pacific Business News.

Approved HECO rate increase far lower than what utility asked for. Hawaii News Now.

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Many prefer homelessness to living in a no-pets shelter. The Hawaiian Humane Society wants to find out how many pets are living among Oahu’s nearly 5,000 homeless people — and how their love of animals might be preventing them from getting housed. Star-Advertiser.

Homeless H4 Project: Hygiene, Healthcare, Housing and Humanitarian Services. Emergency medical care for Honolulu’s homeless cost taxpayers millions of dollars each year. Hawaii Public Radio.

What To Do If You’re About To Be Homeless In Honolulu. Here are some suggestions about who to call for help. Civil Beat.

A&B confirms Pali Lanes site in Kailua to be redeveloped. Alexander & Baldwin plans to redevelop the Pali Lanes bowling alley site in Kailua into a central gathering place for the Windward Oahu town that will become the site for the Kailua farmers market, concerts and other community events. Pacific Business News.

City surpasses road repair goals, but acknowledges there's more to do. Hawaii News Now.

Ex-UH professor gets 6-plus years for child porn. A former University of Hawaii mechanical engineering professor who disseminated child pornography over the internet using a file-sharing program is going to prison for more than six years. Star-Advertiser.

Vandals break into mausoleum, scatter bones at cemetery.  Hawaii News Now.

A clogged sewer line at Sand Island Beach Park caused a large sewage spill at the popular multi-use park over the weekend. Hawaii News Now.

Kaneohe home sales jump, Hawaii Kai prices rise in November. Sales of single-family homes in Kaneohe jumped by 44 percent in November, compared to last year, while sales of condominiums in Waikiki grew by 46 percent in November, according to the local market update from the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

KITV’s Cruz moves to Hawaii Public Radio. Veteran TV news reporter Catherine Cruz has joined Hawaii Public Radio as co-host of its weekday talk program. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kona’s airport is the Big Island winner in a proposed supplemental budget announced Monday by Gov. David Ige. The governor’s statewide approximately $14 billion operating budget is an $85.5 million increase, or about one-half percent more. In addition, $1.5 billion — a full 215 percent hike — is recommended for capital improvement projects statewide. West Hawaii Today.

Study sheds light on rat lungworm prevalence. New research released Monday shows that almost 94 percent of rats in the Hilo region are infested with Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the parasitic nematode that causes rat lungworm disease in humans. Tribune-Herald.

Hu Honua project faces delays after B&B owner sues Hawaii County over biomass plant. Hu Honua, the biomass power plant currently under construction on Hawaii’s Big Island, is facing yet another challenge. Pacific Business News.

Dozens denied entry to commencement. The University of Hawaii at Hilo might move next year’s fall commencement to a larger location after dozens of people were denied entry this year because Vulcan Gym was filled to capacity. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Ige’s budget includes airport, forest land money. Funds for Kahului Airport’s new tram, Maui County public hospitals, forest land and a lifeguard contract were the Maui County highlights in Gov. David Ige’s supplemental budget proposal unveiled Monday. Maui News.

Affordable housing in Lokahi project blessed. Nonprofit housing developer Lokahi Pacific held a blessing Monday for its new Mokuhau Affordable Subdivision, a cul-de-sac of 16 single-family homes that will go to first-time buyers. Maui News.

Iiwi Making Appearance in Lower Elevations. The endangered Iiwi, also known as the scarlet honeycreeper, have been making a rare appearance in residential areas Upcountry. Maui Now.

Kauai

Vehicle tax decreases proposed. A proposal to lower the county fuel tax and motor vehicle weight tax rates is on the agenda for Wednesday’s County Council meeting, set for 8:30 a.m. at the Historic County Building. Garden Island.

Kauai police responded to a report of a possible unexploded ordnance found at Kealia Beach on Monday. KITV.