Repairs coming to Diamond Head summit, Waimanalo park opponents file lawsuit, feds pan Honolulu rail property purchases, Mauna Kea telescope decommissioning delayed, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Visitors crowd Diamond Head summit ©2019 All Hawaii News

State to demolish crumbling tower at Diamond Head State Monument. A year ago, the state Land Department started getting reports of the crumbling tower. Hawaii News Now.

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Opponents of Sherwood Forest construction threaten further legal action at rally in Waimanalo. An attorney for a group that opposes the city’s plan to develop a portion of Waimanalo Bay Beach Park said today he plans further legal action, including filing for an injunction to stop the project and for relief to get it returned to its pre-construction condition. Star-Advertiser.

Waimanalo Park Opponents Are Settling In For A Long Fight. Protesters returned to the site just two days after being arrested by police for blocking access to the area. Civil Beat.

More than a hundred turn out to support lawsuit to stop controversial park development in Waimanalo. Protesters lined the entrance to Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, also known as “Sherwood Forest,” Saturday morning. Hawaii News Now.

Protectors at Sherwoods in Waimanalo file federal lawsuit against the City. Those opposed to construction of a new playing field at Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, also known as Sherwoods, have filed a lawsuit against the City to stop the project. KHON2.

Protester arrested in Sherwood Forest confrontation says Mayor's plan is not compromise. Pilialoha Callahan says the fight over Sherwood Forest isn't over. KITV.

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Duane ‘Dog’ Chapman says he was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman has announced he was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism earlier this month, and is undergoing treatment. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Mayor Caldwell’s approval ratings drop to all-time low. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s approval numbers continue to slip to new lows as he approaches his final year in office — probably not exactly what a guy who is expected to run for governor in 2020 would want to see. Star-Advertiser.

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HART overpaid some property owners and shortchanged others. The Honolulu rail authority apparently shortchanged 16 tenants or property owners who were relocated to make way for the city’s 20-mile rail line, and made overpayments or ineligible payments to 28 other property owners, according to an intensive federal review of Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation relocation records. Star-Advertiser.

Feds Say Honolulu Rail’s Relocation Payments Are A Mess And Must Be Redone. HART first self-reported its “potential problems” last year. A new federal report shows just how bad those violations actually were. Civil Beat.

FTA: Honolulu rail project botched program to relocate homes, businesses. The federal government says the city’s $9 billion rail project botched its program to relocate homes and businesses along the route. Hawaii News Now.

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Kapiolani Boulevard is becoming a magnet for new hotel projects. No one is redrawing the edge of Waikiki, but a growing number of planned hotel projects on Kapiolani Boulevard promise to stretch the primary urban zone for vacation accommodations on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

OCCC guard, deputy sheriff will not be prosecuted in fatal shootings. The state Department of Public Safety had zero fatal shootings in the past 10 years until Feb. 18, when a deputy sheriff shot in the back a small, disabled, homeless man who had been drinking beer at the state Capitol rotunda. Star-Advertiser.

Power bills topping $1,000 draw ire of residents at gated West Oahu community. Residents in a gated Ewa Beach community are demanding answers after they were hit with shockingly high electricity bills this month. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Board votes to leave UH-Hilo observatory in place — for now. The University of Hawaii’s Maunakea Management Board on Friday voted against decommissioning the former site of an educational telescope on Maunakea until there is a firm plan to reinstall the telescope elsewhere in Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

Mauna Kea Board Fails To Advance Hoku Kea Telescope Decommissioning. The board did not approve a Notice of Intent to Decommission the small, educational telescope on Mauna Kea, although the TMT permit requires it to come down. Big Island Video News.

Mauna Kea CSO Decommissioning Update. The CSO Decommissioning Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, and Hazardous Materials Report, have been approved by the Mauna Kea Management Board. Big Island Video News.

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Barry Taniguchi: ‘He had a tremendous amount of love and aloha for the community’. Since the passing of Barry Taniguchi on Sept. 20, plaudits for the late chairman and CEO of KTA Super Stores and condolences to his family have poured in from leaders of Hawaii’s business, government, health care, education and nonprofit sectors. Tribune-Herald.

Tour companies in Kona try to curb use of full-face snorkel mask. As concerns rise about the safety of full-face snorkel masks, more and more Hawaii Island tour companies are following the example of their island neighbors by banning the use of the masks on their boats. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Kahului Airport Ranked “Dead Last” in US for Traveler Satisfaction. Kahului Airport has the lowest satisfaction rating compared to similar-sized airports nationwide. That's according to a study from global marketing company J.D. Power, which ranked Kahului Airport last on a list of 16 “medium” airports throughout the country. Maui Now.

Pineapple perseveres on small farms on the Valley Isle.  It’s easy to see Hawaii’s connection to pineapple farming at Maui’s main airport, where plush toys, picture frames, candy and other items made in the oblong fruit’s image are for sale along with three-packs of the real thing for $29.95. Star-Advertiser.

Maui Emergency Management Agency Accidentally Calls County Residents. The Maui Emergency Management Agency accidentally called thousands of county residents from a (999) 999-9999 number shortly before 9 a.m. today. Hawaii Public Radio.

S. Maui families deal with flooded homes, debris. Families in a Maui Meadows neighborhood were dealing Saturday with the aftermath of a localized storm that dumped 1 to 2 inches of rain per hour over the area a day before, leaving homes flooded and debris in yards and on streets. Maui News.

Kauai

Maverick: ‘We want to be good neighbors’. Maverick Helicopters wants to spell out its side of a controversy surrounding aerial tours it started last year out of a small airstrip adjacent to the salt beds in Hanapepe. Garden Island.

Kilauea ponds rising, Coast Guard getting two new ships, solar wing to soar above Lanai, newspaper charged $1M for public records, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Geologist studies water found at Kilauea volcano PC:USGS

Water ponds observed at the bottom of Kilauea's Halemaumau crater are now joined, as scientists keep a close watch on the activity. Observations on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 10) show that the water level at the bottom of Halemaumau continues to slowly rise, enlarging the area of the pond, scientists reported. Big Island Video News.

More Hawaii Students Are Leaving The State For College. The percentage of Hawaii kids choosing out-of-state schools is significantly higher than the national average. Civil Beat.

Hawaii bankruptcies reach highest level in 5 years. The 142 filings last month were 37.9% higher than 103 in the year-ago period, according to recent data from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Agency sets high price for inmate release records. Hawaii’s Department of Public Safety said it would cost more than $1 million for it to release data related to its long-standing problem with keeping inmates locked up beyond their scheduled release dates. Star-Advertiser.

State IT Team Receives National Achievement Award. The tech support office team at the Hawaii House of Representatives was recognized with a national award last week for outstanding performance on the job. Big Island Now.

Coast Guard ramps up in Hawaii with 2 new ships. The Coast Guard in Honolulu is getting a second new $670 million national security cutter, a third new fast-response cutter and is taking part in a new operating concept in American Samoa that the service’s commandant said is part of a “doubling down” of capability in Oceania between Hawaii and Australia. Star-Advertiser.

Oil is the reason for the biggest changes this year in the Top 250 Hawaii businesses. The annual ranking of Hawaii’s largest organizations is based on gross sales during the previous year. Hawaii Business Magazine.

Oahu

Car sharing expanding on Oahu. The city plans to start dedicating the first of 80 on-street and another 80 municipal parking lot spots next year for an infant “carshare” industry that’s gaining traction in Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Tourists Scramble As Oahu Vacation Rentals Disappear Under New Law. Amid mass Airbnb cancellations, one local bride said two of her bridesmaids can no longer attend her wedding. Civil Beat.

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Work would desecrate Waimanalo site, foes say. Activists opposed to the construction of a new playground and sports field at Waimanalo Bay Beach Park are now tying their struggle to the protests against the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea. Star-Advertiser.

Dozens rally to "Save Our Sherwoods". Members of Save Our Sherwoods rallied Sunday to remind the city they're upset about a plan to convert part of Sherwood Forest into a sports complex. KITV.

Protest at ‘Turtle Beach’ underscores tensions between residents, tour buses. A group of residents from Oahu’s North Shore held homemade signs along Kamehameha Highway at Laniakea Beach, saying that heavy traffic and unsafe conditions there must come to an end. Hawaii News Now.

Some North Shore residents hold protest at Laniakea, ask for safety and solutions. Lawmakers and residents say they want solutions for the traffic situation and are urging the state to make the area safe. KHON2.

North Shore residents rallied for more safety measures along Laniakea Beach. They want to stop cars from parking on Kamehameha Highway fronting the beach and have concrete barriers re-installed. KITV.

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‘Safe house’ to become affordable housing for abused. The keys to Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro’s controversial “safe house” in Makiki will soon be turned over to the city Department of Community Services, ending a rocky three-year existence for a facility that became a lightning rod of controversy from the time it opened. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Gabbard pays visit to protest site, questions TMT plans. U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard toured the protest camp on Mauna Kea on Sunday, embracing activists and visiting with kupuna, or elders, who have been camped in the roadway for four weeks. Star-Advertiser.

Nearly five weeks after leaving Mauna Kea’s summit, telescope workers rejoiced this weekend after a long-awaited return to the mountain. This weekend, researchers say they were able to collect data for the first time since July 16 when they came down due to safety concerns. Hawaii News Now.

TMT Opponents Refute Observatories After Announcement. During a news conference held on the Mauna Kea Access Road, Lanakila Mangauil responded to Friday's news that observatories would be returning to work at the summit. Big Island Video News.

Raises planned for off-duty police. Hawaii Island police officers who provide services for private companies or other government agencies on their off-time could see payment for their services go up by as much as 50% over the next two years, under a special duty pay schedule that’s the focus of upcoming public hearings. West Hawaii Today.

How Hawaii County Is Dealing With A Shortage Of Police Dispatchers. Police dispatch positions are hard to fill on the Big Island. Retaining them is a perpetual problem. Civil Beat.

Engineer: Restoration of water to lower Puna not feasible. The county Department of Water Supply has no current plans to restore water service to Kapoho and the area around Pohoiki as lower Puna continues to recover from the 2018 eruption of Kilauea volcano, but was not “shutting the door” on a possible restoration in the future. Tribune-Herald.

With new law in effect, albizia fight continues. A spokeswoman for the Big Island Invasive Species Council said the first explorers of a new law allowing landowners to remove potentially dangerous albizia trees from neighboring properties could be community associations in Puna. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New affordable rental community in Kihei will take applications. Kaiwahine Village holds 120 units, amenities. Maui News.

Two Maui Forest Birds Critically Endangered, Agencies Report. Populations of two native endangered species endemic to Maui have been reduced by over half spanning the past two to three decades, according to an interagency report. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

‘Namahana’ gathering support. On Saturday night before a capacity crowd at Anaina Hou’s Porter Pavilion in Kilauea, a North Shore community group announced the name of the public charter middle and high school it hopes to open in three to five years. Garden Island.

Energy storage earns more awards for KIUC. Kauai Island Utility Cooperative led the nation again in 2018 for interconnection of energy storage watts per customer, and ranked second in annual energy storage capacity, according to the Smart Electric Power Alliance. Garden Island.

Lanai

Big solar wing made to expand cellphone coverage may soar above Lanai in November. A business venture aiming to launch a fleet of solar- powered flying wings into the stratosphere to one day deliver 5G cell connectivity has received permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a test flight from Lanai, possibly as early as November, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Astronomers evacuate Mauna Kea as police presence builds, Ige seeks new energy chief, Honolulu rail hazard could cost extra $10M, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

James Clerk Maxwell Telescope on Mauna Kea ©2019 All Hawaii News

All Observatory Staffers Evacuated As TMT Protest Continues. As hundreds of telescope opponents gather for a second day at the base of Mauna Kea, others descend on the office of Gov. David Ige. Civil Beat.

Mauna Kea Observatories Close, Personnel Withdrawn. The observatories at the summit of Mauna Kea are shutting down, and taking their personnel off the mountain, as the standoff over the planned Thirty Meter Telescope continues. Big Island Video News.

Maunakea Observatories Withdraws Personnel, Suspends Summit Activities. The Maunakea Observatories today announced the withdrawal of all personnel from their telescope facilities atop Maunakea on Hawaii Island amid safety concerns. Maui Now.

Observatory Personnel Withdraw From Mauna Kea. Big Island Now.

Scientists escorted off of Mauna Kea. Just around 4 p.m., a long caravan of vehicles packed with scientists were escorted off of Mauna Kea. They were being led by sheriffs. KHON2.

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Talks between TMT opponents, law enforcement to resume after another day of no arrests. The directors of existing telescopes atop the mountain have evacuated their employees over safety concerns. Hawaii News Now.

Mauna Kea negotiations are largely unsuccessful as protesters brace for police intervention. Two days into the announced construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope, foes held their ground without arrest and claimed victory once again. Star-Advertiser.

Latest On Protest Against TMT Construction on Mauna Kea. State officials estimated about 200 protesters gathered near the intersection of Daniel K. Inouye Highway and Mauna Kea Access Road on Tuesday, day two of the protests against the Thirty Meter Telescope construction. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kupuna stand firm; Deal for no arrests eases tension between TMT protesters, law enforcement. A tense standoff between Thirty Meter Telescope protesters and law enforcement ended with jubilation after officers assured they would make no arrests Tuesday afternoon. Tribune-Herald.

Two days of 'roller coasting,' and no arrests have been made. They waited hours then heard the news that because of safety concerns, they would not be taken into custody. KITV.

Mauna Kea Update – Day Two. Day two of the scheduled construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope began quiet, but ended with a dramatic truce with police. Big Island Video News.

Construction of TMT poses conflict for those who want science to progress but also respect culture. KHON2.

Former Gov. Abecrombie: TMT opponents are being hypocritical by blocking project. He says while opponents have the right to protest and are entitled to be treated respectfully under law, he says the TMT also has a right to be on Mauna Kea under law. Hawaii News Now.

TMT says it’s not responsible to reimburse law enforcement. State officials say it’s too early to estimate how much it could cost law enforcement agencies to provide protection and help pave the way for construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope as protesters attempt to block the project. Star-Advertiser.

TMT files response to opponents’ TRO petition. TMT International Observatory on Monday filed a response to an application by opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope for a temporary restraining order to halt construction of the project. Tribune-Herald.

Scientists say possibilities of space observation from TMT would be out of this world. Dr. Adamson believes there is a deeper space the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope can discover. KITV.

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Gabbard Lags Behind Presidential Race Frontrunners In Fundraising. The Hawaii congresswoman raised less money in the second quarter of 2019 than she did in the first part of the year. Civil Beat.

Gabbard’s presidential campaign fundraising numbers show quarterly dip. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard’s presidential campaign raised less than half the amount of money in the second quarter of this year as it did in the first, according to campaign finance records that were released earlier this week. Hawaii News Now.

Ige Seeking State Energy Chief. The state is taking job applications until the end of the month. Civil Beat.

State cultivating Hawaii's future farmers. Next month, another crop of Hawaii students will get a chance to experience running their own small farm, in the GoFarm Hawaii program. KITV.

Hawaii Struggles To Maintain Its Worn-Out Hiking Trails. “Honestly, we’re just trying to keep up with demand,” the state’s trails manager said. Civil Beat.

Humpback Whale Calls Heard In Mid-Ocean Basin. The results of the first leg of an autonomous humpback whale acoustic survey have been released. Maui Now.

Oahu

A hazardous discovery could cost the rail authority $10 million. Rail construction near the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport stalled for about five months back in December after contaminants found in solvents were found in the groundwater, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation said. Hawaii News Now.

Reopening of Arizona Memorial moves closer. Twelve new synthetic straps are anchoring the USS Arizona Memorial’s boat landing dock in place, and a contractor has 30 days to adjust the tension, leaving the National Park Service optimistic that the reopening of the iconic memorial to walk-on traffic is getting closer. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor is in capital to talk climate change. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is scheduled to testify before a Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis in Washington, D.C., this morning. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation is seeking public comment on a community noise variance application for a project to install pavement markings and milled rumble strips at various locations on Oahu. KHON2.

Nanakuli residents are fed up over proposed landfill expansion. Officials with the PVT Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility in Nanakuli say it needs to expand its landfill because its current location is close to filling up. Hawaii News Now.

Hitting The Road To Stem Summer Hunger. On the Waianae coast, the state DOE deploys a food truck to distribute free, freshly packaged meals to kids in need. Civil Beat.

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Historic Spalding House to be put up for sale. The Honolulu Museum of Art announced Tuesday that its board of trustees has decided to put the historic Spalding House in Makiki Heights up for sale. Star-Advertiser.

HoMA’s Spalding House to go on sale. KHON2.

A picturesque Makiki Heights home with ties to art is going up for sale. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

In-depth look at 2018 eruption’s economic impact part of county’s recovery efforts. As the Big Island continues recovering from the 2018 eruption of Kilauea volcano, the county Department of Research and Development selected the Institute for Sustainable Development to do an in-depth assessment of the eruption’s economic impacts and draft an economic recovery plan. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County issues surveys to help shape future eruption recovery efforts. Hawaii County officials are asking for public input on last year’s Kilauea eruption response so that they can better shape how recovery efforts for future eruptive events are handled. Hawaii News Now.

Officials looking to limit, avoid transfer station closures attributed to ‘staff shortages’. With the closures of three West Hawaii transfer stations Tuesday that sent residents to Waimea and Kailua-Kona to dispose of their rubbish because of staff shortages, local officials say they’d like to see some solutions. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Telescope protest draws county residents to protect Mauna Kea. Walter Ritte and Kaleikoa Kaeo, both from Maui County, chain themselves to cattle guard in roadway. Maui News.

Keopuolani Park Closed July 18-19 to Address Health and Safety. Maui Now.

Maui County is seeking public input on options for 50 Maui Lani lots that the county acquired through a settlement with a developer in 2011. Maui News.

Maui County condominium prices spike to decade high. The median sale price for Maui County condominiums spiked in June to $552,000, its highest mark in a decade. But inventory reaches all-time low. Maui News.

Kauai

In Tuesday’s early afternoon heat, kupuna and kanaka gathered at the intersection of Ahukini and Kapule Highway, known as the airport corner. The group was rallying support to stop construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope atop Mauna Kea, where hundreds are gathering in protest. Garden Island.

The Department of Parks and Recreation has implemented new rules for after-hours use of Weke Boat Ramp. Garden Island.

Confidential KPD records to be used in trial. Records related to an internal police investigation could be used to determine the credibility of officers set to testify in the upcoming trial of a man accused of killing a 19-year-old Kapaa woman in a hit-and-run accident two years ago. Garden Island.