Appetite returns for green sea turtles following recovery from extinction, officials seek to build Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea decommissioned telescope site, HART wants to become permanent agency, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green Sea Turtles Have Rebounded. Should Hawaiians Be Able To Eat Them? The honu has recovered from the brink of extinction, prompting some to ask if it’s time to give Native Hawaiians the right to resume traditional harvesting. Civil Beat.

DOE’s Top Leader Could Get Big Pay Raise. Superintendent Keith Hayashi’s salary could increase 60% by 2029 under a new contract up for approval Wednesday. Civil Beat.

Recorded call reveals alleged threat to arrest deputy sheriff in ‘political push’.  Wayne Ibarra is being sued by multiple deputies who accuse him and the Department of Law Enforcement’s former director, Jordan Lowe, of abuse of power. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii residents face steep Obamacare premium increases amid subsidy uncertainty. The premium increases are affecting roughly 25,000 people in Hawaii as open enrollment begins, with costs rising 10-12 percent. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi food distribution events ramp up while residents await delayed SNAP funds. The Trump administration says it will restart SNAP food benefits, but will pay out only half the amount people normally get — and there could be lengthy delays. Hawaii Public Radio.

Demand is growing in Hawaii for food, financial assistance. A state program to use $100 million in federal funds to help island families with housing and utility assistance resulted in over 9,000 requests for applications and information while library supporters donated canned goods and nonperishable food in response to the ongoing closure of the federal government and reduction in federal SNAP benefits. Star-Advertiser.

Libraries accept food donations in response to SNAP disruptions, federal shutdown. The state of Hawaiʻi has launched the Kōkua Food Drive, a weeklong food collection campaign that began Monday  in partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System to support food banks across the islands. Maui Now. KITV4. 

Aloha United Way responds as calls to 211 skyrocket following Hawaiʻi Relief Program updates. 211 normally handles about 150 calls a day, but that number skyrocketed to over 850 contacts (calls, texts and chats) in one day from residents looking for resources and information. Maui Now.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs to vote on $6.1 million relief plan due to federal government shutdown. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees will meet Thursday in Hilo to vote on a proposal to distribute more than $6.1 million in emergency aid to Native Hawaiian beneficiaries affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown and by delayed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Big Island Now.

Hawaii’s pineapple shortage could soon be over. Distributors and stores said the shortage has lasted months, but growers say that will soon change. KHON2.

UH law school brings recruitment events to neighbor islands. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law is taking its admissions outreach to Maui, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island in November. Maui Now.

Oahu

HART looks to extend its life beyond 2031 sunset date. Options to turn the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation into a permanent agency, and potentially expand its mission to construct things other than the city’s more than $10 billion Skyline project, appear to be coming down the tracks. Star-Advertiser.

$62M project expands affordable housing for seniors. EAH Housing, a nonprofit developer and property manager, has redeveloped the former ‘Aiea Sugar Mill site into Aloha Ia Halewiliko — a 140-unit community for residents 62 and older. Star-Advertiser.

Trial is rescheduled in fatal hit-and-run of McKinley student. The family of Sara Yara, the 16-year-old killed in a crosswalk by a hit-and-run driver, expected Mitchel Miyashiro to plead guilty to first-degree negligent homicide at his change-of-plea hearing Monday. Instead, Miyashiro apparently changed his mind and asked for a new trial date. Star-Advertiser.

Medical Examiner identifies 2 women killed in Ewa Beach fire. The two women killed Wednesday in an Ewa Beach care home fire have been identified as Kimiko Takamiya, 93, and Rizza Lee Souther, 32. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Thirty Meter Telescope Planners Consider Other Sites On Mauna Kea. Gov. Josh Green and the entire Hawaiʻi congressional delegation signed a letter last month promising to work with state officials to establish a permitting process for construction on the sites of decommissioned telescopes on Mauna Kea. Civil Beat.

Immigration enforcement impacting production at some small Kona coffee farms. As the coffee harvesting season comes to a close, some small Kona farmers say they have experienced an impact to their farm production due to fear and concern stemming from reported arrests of immigrant workers on the Big Island. Big Island Now.

Bill addresses requirements for Civil Defense chief. The Hawaii County Council’s Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee today will discuss Bill 89, which proposes changes to the County Code regarding the appointment of the Civil Defense administrator. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo Benioff Medical Center improves records access for patients. Hilo Benioff Medical Center on Nov. 1 launched its new digital system for managing medical records, appointments, prescriptions and payments, and hospital officials are urging the community to prepare for the change. Tribune-Herald.

New Women's Court on Hawaiʻi Island seeks to provide tools to heal and rebuild. In Kona, Drug Court has already proven to be overwhelmingly successful and many of the practices that guided that program are now being extended to the newly formed Women’s Court on the island as well.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui Council Looks To Fill Vacant Seat As Emotional Debate Begins. Members of the public and the council will have until Monday to nominate individuals to be considered for the seat previously held by the late Tasha Kama. Civil Beat. Maui News. 

Bill 9’s first reading to be scheduled after council fills vacancy. Maui County Council Chair Alice L. Lee announced that first reading of the bill to phase out transient vacation rentals in Apartment Districts will be scheduled for a council meeting hopefully in December while the council turns its attention to filling the vacancy created by the passing of Council Member Tasha Kama. Maui Now.

Kauai

Tyler Saito is new County Attorney. Saito succeeds Matthew Bracken, who is moving from more than a decade of county service to join the Kauai office of McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon, LLP. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Hawaii children head back to school, Schatz, Hanabusa differ on Medicare, UH applicants have military ties, GMO debate hurting papaya farmers, Fukushima children visit, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii schoolchildren (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

It's back to school for most of Hawaii's public school students. The new school year for students begins Monday. Teachers headed back to the classroom last week. Hawaii is the nation's 10th largest school system and the only statewide district in the country. Associated Press.

As the new school year kicks off today, more than 180,000 public school students face new, more rigorous academic standards in language arts and math as Hawaii and about 40 other states roll out what's known as the Common Core standards. Star-Advertiser.

Back in April, the Hawaii State Teachers Association ratified a new four-year deal that includes annual pay raises tied to performance evaluations. It's the pilot year for the new grading system and HSTA head Wil Okabe says members are eager to move forward. Hawaii News Now.

With the first day of school right around the corner, "big changes" in how teachers, students and schools are evaluated will go into effect statewide Monday, state Department of Education officials said. Maui News.

Hanabusa, Schatz differ on Medicare drug rebates. The senator and his challenger, who generally share the same views, disagree on this matter of policy. Star-Advertiser.

A program that would help fly homeless people in Hawaii back to the mainland is being greeted with skepticism by the state's human services officials and groups that help the homeless. A provision allowing the state Department of Human Services to coordinate a voluntary "return-to-home" program is included in a new state law. The department said it doesn't have any plans to implement the program at this time, but publicity surrounding it has officials worried nonetheless. Associated Press.

Three of the five finalists being considered to head the University of Hawaii's research efforts, including the UH initiative to create a $1 billion-per-year research industry in the state by 2022, have close ties to the military. Civil Beat.

Six children who lived through the largest nuclear accident since Chernobyl are on their way to Oahu for play and respite after a longer stop on Hawaii island. The children, who were affected by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, landed on Hawaii island June 24 and will visit Oahu from Aug. 16 to 20. Star-Advertiser.

The more than $50 million in salaries and other benefits paid to around 350 non-academic staff have caught the attention of prominent legislators who say they’re concerned Hawaii’s only state university is becoming too administratively top heavy. Hawaii Reporter.

Official language unusable for official business? Native Hawaiian speaker says restrictions on language. KITV4.

This year’s Made in Hawaii Festival will feature more than 100 new vendors, an indication the annual event is growing in popularity. Associated Press.

What was Tropical Storm Gil has weakened to a depression as another storm behind it intensified into Tropical Storm Henriette this morning and could become a hurricane in two to three days. Star-Advertiser.

State roundup for August 5. Associated Press.

Oahu

Residents in Nuuanu Valley form a co-op to share their garden bounty and to nurture a neighborhood. Star-Advertiser.

A report ordered by Congress on the Pearl Harbor cruiser USS Port Royal shows that the ship's condition is not as bad as the Navy portrayed in its attempts to retire it early to save money. Star-Advertiser.

Mahealani Richardson, a longtime news anchor for KITV News This Morning, is leaving the Honolulu ABC affiliate to do public relations for Shriner’s Hospital. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

About 70 showed up Sunday afternoon at Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences to discuss the state Department of Education’s decision on Friday to discontinue bus service for students of the Pahoa public charter school. Tribune-Herald.

Ohana Ho`opakele, the group seeking to create a pu’uhonua at the soon to be reinstated Kulani Correctional Facility, has filed a complaint challenging the state’s Final Environmental Assessment on the reactivation of the prison. Big Island Video News.

Papaya Nightmares: A Farmer Struggles Amid Hawaii's GMO Debate. The fruit still clings to the branches on this 100-acre papaya farm because sales have plummeted in recent weeks, says the owner, Alberto Belmes, and the fruit is likely to rot where it is. Civil Beat.

Amid an impassioned debate about legislation that aims to restrict genetically modified crops on the Big Island, Civil Beat's Brad Watanabe and Sophie Cocke traveled to the Puna district to check out the papaya fields and talk to the fruit's savior. Civil Beat.

A new bill would make it easier for farmers markets to be set up in private subdivisions. Introduced by Puna Councilman Zendo Kern, the legislation allows homeowner associations to establish markets without obtaining a special use permit. Tribune-Herald.

An expanding swap meet is a growing source of contention in Ocean View. Ocean View Partners LLC filed in March for a new special permit for their farmers market, referred to more often as a swap meet. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The local variety of pineapple known as Maui Gold was almost lost when Maui Land & Pineapple Co. decided to cease its century-old pineapple production in 2009. However, thanks to a handful of the industry's "old-timers" - including former Maui Pineapple Co. President Doug Schenk, who lobbied with other executives to start their own pineapple business on Maui - residents, visitors and pineapple lovers may still enjoy one of the island's sweetest icons. Maui News.

Maui County is seeking bids from contractors for a project to install a street crossing and sidewalks to help students from Kamalii Elementary School walk safely to school in Kihei. Maui News.

Roberts Hawaiʻi celebrated the launch of its new Maui Airport Shuttle on Thursday, officially taking over management of the contract for the walk-up service in Kahului. Maui Now.

Kauai

A mostly residential North Shore town is at a loss on how to handle a lack of public restrooms, and the problem is escalating as more visitors are attracted to a growing commerce in the area. Garden Island.

The 'Earmark Guy,' searching for pineapples, blending Kona coffee and grappling with the budget

Inouye's earmarks go to his donors

Hawaii companies that would benefit from earmarks sponsored by U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye that are in the Senate version of the fiscal year 2010 defense appropriations measure. The firms' workers have contributed to Inouye's campaign committees since 1997.

A $76 million budget deficit, a standoff between the University of Hawaii's administration and its faculty union, and fears of massive cuts to programs, departments and schools have longtime professors calling the situation at UH the worst money and morale crisis they have known.

Planned increases in park and boating fees are being opposed by many Hawaii residents who have spoken at public hearings held across the state.

A Hilo contractor is alleging that the state's biggest Burger King franchisee is delinquent in payment of construction costs for the new Hilo restaurant -- and the remainder owed is a whopper.

Hawaii County's 2 percent land fund would be downsized to 0.5 percent as part of a county Charter Commission proposal, but it could become part of the county's charter, protecting it from raids by the administration.

Maui County finance officials are stepping up efforts to collect delinquent taxes, reclassifying some nonfarmers who claim agricultural tax assessments, and taking other steps that could add to the county’s revenues ahead of what’s expected to be a tight year in 2010.

Mr. Pineapple - aka Jimmy Hutaff - needs 350 delicious Maui pineapples a day, and when Maui Pine closes down later this year, he doesn't know where he will get them.

Expanding the county Black Pot Park in Hanalei remains the primary objective for the Kaua‘i Public Land Trust, said Jennifer Luck, KPLT executive director.

As the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival celebrates its 39th year this week, a controversy that started two decades ago about what defines Kona coffee is brewing anew.