UH takes presidential candidate interviews behind closed doors, Honolulu council poised to award $1.5M in police shooting case, SNAP benefits decrease, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Search for next UH president nears conclusion with private final interviews. The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents plans to interview the two finalists for president — Julian Vasquez Heilig and Wendy Hensel — behind closed doors. However, public interest attorneys say those meetings should take place in public, citing a 2019 state Supreme Court ruling that barred boards and commissions from holding closed meetings unless they prove they are protecting a privacy interest. Hawaii Public Radio.

David Lassner's new role at the University of Hawaiʻi after retirement. Lassner was the 15th University of Hawaiʻi president and will retire in December.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Skyrocketing insurance rates could be a factor in softening real estate market. Realtors said the rising insurance rates could be a factor in the softening of the market, but there are still opportunities out there if you’re smart. KHON2.

SNAP benefits to decrease in Hawaii for second year in a row. Benefits will be $8-$9 less per recipient starting Tuesday. Last year’s reduction already knocked off $7-$8 per person. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Josh Green proclaims Fire Prevention Week throughout Hawai‘i. Gov. Josh Green has proclaimed the week of Oct. 6 through 12 as “Fire Prevention Week” in the state of Hawai‘i. This year’s theme is “Smoke Alarms: Make them work for you!” Big Island Now.

Oahu

Over Chief’s opposition, city offers $1.5M settlement in police shooting case. Taxpayers may pay $1.5 million to settle a lawsuit over the police shooting of a South African rugby star. The settlement seems certain to be approved at a council meeting Wednesday, despite the prosecutor saying the shooting of 29-year-old Lindani Myeni was justified and the objections of the police chief. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Honolulu Morgue Aims To Start Giving Families Answers Faster With New Deputy. The city has a deputy medical examiner for the first time in five years. The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office hopes the arrival of its first new deputy in five years will help it winnow down the time it takes to finalize reports, which has mounted due to increasing caseloads and staff shortages. Civil Beat.

Honolulu’s Dying Palms To Be Replaced With This New Tree — For Now. The city begins felling the first of 80 trees marked for removal on the North Shore. Many of the trees will be replaced with shade trees for the foreseeable future — at least until authorities are able to better control the Southeast Asian beetles. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Views clash over planned homes in Manoa. The city Department of Planning and Permitting held the hearing on an application by local development firm Avalon Group to build 93 homes on what had been the campus of Saint Francis School, which closed in 2019. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Building Code Meetings Set For Late October. Two informational meetings on changes to the International Building Code (IBC) will be held at the Mauna Kea Park is late October. Big Island Video News.

Puna townhall to gather input for upcoming legislative session, possible alternate route. State Sen. Joy A. San Buenaventura, Rep. Jeanne Kapela and Hawaiʻi County councilmember Matt Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder will host a townhall on Oct. 9 at Mountain View Elementary. Big Island Now.

Park for HPP is at least 4 years from completion. The Department of Parks and Recreation held a community meeting in HPP on Thursday to discuss the subdivision’s long-awaited district park, a project that has been in development since 2018. The project would be built on a county-owned parcel on Kaloli Drive between 25th and 26th avenues. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Charter Change Would Benefit County Leaders From Molokai And Lanai. The proposal would make it easier to reimburse travel expenses of top officials who live on the other islands. Civil Beat.

Critical Locked Gate Overlooked In Investigation Of Maui Fire Evacuation. The state attorney general’s latest report on the deadly 2023 Lahaina wildfire flagged various locked gates that blocked people trying to flee as flaws in Maui’s evacuation planning. Yet a padlocked gate where the largest cluster of Lahaina wildfire fatalities occurred was not included in the analysis. Civil Beat.

Disaster Recovery Community Update set for Wednesday at Lahaina Civic Center. A status update on wildfire debris cleanup will be provided by the US Army Corps of Engineers on Wednesday, Oct. 9, during a Maui County Disaster Recovery Community Update meeting at the Lahaina Civic Center. Maui Now.

Kauai

Road closure scheduled in Lāwa‘i for resurfacing work. A full closure for a portion of Kua Road in Lāwa‘i is scheduled for road resurfacing work starting Oct. 10.  Kauai Now.

F-22 fighters respond to Russian Navy activity near Hawaii, Honolulu police officers charged in killing 16-year-old, travel surges with loosened COVID requirements, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

F-22 Raptors U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt Ben Bloker

Russian Navy west of Hawaii prompted F-22 fighter launch from Hickam, report says. The Russian Navy is edging closer to Hawaii with a big exercise 300 to 500 miles west of the Aloha State — prompting the Air Force to scramble three missile-armed F-22 fighters on Sunday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.

French Warplanes To Train With US Military In Hawaii As Allies Solidify Ties. France’s new commander in the Pacific toured Hawaii last month as relations between China and Europe sour. Civil Beat.

Loosened intercounty restrictions give boost to travel. Hawaii ended restrictions on intercounty travel between the Hawaiian Islands on Tuesday and extended the quarantine exemption to domestic travelers who were fully vaccinated with at least one shot in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

First day of the coronavirus vaccine pass goes smoothly for Hawaii travelers, pre-screening saves time. Tuesday, June 15, marked the start of the vaccine exemption that allows travelers vaccinated in Hawaii to bypass quarantine after returning from the mainland. KHON2.

Do We Want More Local Food Or Cheaper Power? Two Hawaii Priorities Conflict. Renewable energy companies say Honolulu’s plan to designate 12% of Oahu as “Important Agricultural Lands” could hinder the state’s ability to meet its clean energy goals. Civil Beat. 

Health officials report 37 new COVID-19 cases statewide. Today’s reported cases include 20 on O‘ahu, 8 on Hawai‘i Island, 3 on Kaua‘i, 2 on Maui and 4 residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

3 Honolulu Police Department officers are charged in the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy. In an unprecedented and historic move for Hawaii law enforcement, Prosecuting Attorney Steven S. Alm moved past an Oahu grand jury decision and brought murder and attempted murder charges against three Honolulu police officers in connection with the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old Micronesian suspect. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Security footage shows exchange before police shoot Lindani Myeni. The video captures Lindani Sanele Myeni entering the home at 91 Coelho Way in Nuuanu and then leaving while apologizing to the couple who called police. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. Civil Beat.

City hopes to efficiently distribute federal funds for homelessness by deadline. Oahu has about $24 million in federal COVID-19 funds to spend on homelessness outreach and housing — of which $10 million is going to a new program called Oahu Housing Now. Star-Advertiser.

Kaimukī Residents Concerned 'Monster Home' Construction Taking Place; DPP Director Reviewing Plans. Honolulu's Director of Planning and Permitting is reviewing a controversial residential construction case on Oʻahu. It involves the demolition of structures on a 19,000 square foot lot, and the construction of what neighbors fear will be a monster home. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Police Release Body Cam Footage Of Hilo Shooting. Video from the Body Worn Camera of the officer that was involved in the fatal shooting of Ryan Santos on the evening of June 13 was released on Tuesday. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. Tribune-Herald.

Council panel advances new building code: Codes for new and existing residences get stamp of approval. In what appeared to be the smoothest discussion and vote on building code amendments in more than a decade, a County Council panel Tuesday unanimously advanced changes bringing the county up to the 2018 code for new and existing residential buildings. West Hawaii Today.

Borce wraps up three-year stint at PTA. After three years at the helm, Lt. Col. Loreto “JR” V. Borce Jr. on Tuesday passed the baton — or, more accurately, presented the colors — of Pohakuloa Training Area to Lt. Col. Kevin Cronin. Tribune-Herald.

A Chinese national is facing a federal charge for allegedly laundering millions of fraud proceeds used by a co-conspirator to purchase and flip real estate for profit in West Hawaii. From 2010 through October 2018, Claypool developed and then sold those properties located in Waikoloa, Puuanahulu, Kukio and Kailua-Kona, for more than $11.4 million and later transferred the proceeds to investments accounts at brokerage firm Edward Jones, authorities say. West Hawaii Today.

Halau, kumu hula prepare for Merrie Monarch Festival with modifications. The Merrie Monarch Festival is slated for June 24 – 26 after being put on pause due to the pandemic. KHON2.

Maui

Maui Film Industry Reels Up in 2021: John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Guy Fieri, HBO, Hallmark and More. Maui Film Commissioner Tracy Bennett, the State Film Commissioner and Mayor Michael Victorino worked to bring major productions back to Maui County after the lockdown over a year ago, approving filming with restrictions in August. Maui Now.

10-Year Review of Maui County Charter Underway, Public Input Sought. Once a decade the Mayor and the Council appoint a Commission of 11 citizens to conduct a year-long review of Maui County’s governing document, the Maui County Charter. Maui Now.

Public Hearing For County Facility Concessions, June 23. The public is invited to provide input on proposed rules for concession operations during an online public hearing set for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, 2021, the Department of Parks and Recreation announced. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i condo prices skyrocket over five years. Condominium sales have increased over 55% over the past five years, Kaua‘i Realtors say. Garden Island.

Hawai‘i first lady promotes literacy. Hawai‘i First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige visited Kaua‘i to promote literacy, primarily the ‘Ohana Readers Kaua‘i, and the Hawai‘i State Public Library System’s Tails and Tales Summer Reading Program. Garden Island.

Land transferred to Native Hawaiians, Delta coronavirus variant detected, Hanabusa rail contract may be illegal, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland

Interior secretary lauds land transfer to Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. The federal government is transferring 80 acres on Oahu, with the potential to provide homesteads for 200 to 400 Native Hawaiian families, to the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Biden administration executives announced Monday. Star-Advertiser. West Hawaii Today. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Panel To Examine Audit Of Agribusiness Development Corp. The appointed House committee members will also investigate the audit of the DLNR’s Special Land Development Fund. Civil Beat.

Gov. Ige faces growing calls to veto bill eliminating an anti-tobacco trust fund. The fund has $43 million which goes toward smoking cessation programs and community interventions. Hawaii News Now.

Three armed F-22 fighters launched Sunday from Honolulu at request of FAA. Officials today would not disclose why three missile-armed Hawaii Air National Guard F-22 fighters were scrambled Sunday afternoon for an “irregular air patrol” requested by the Federal Aviation Administration. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Gas utility to be sold for $514 million. The owner of Hawaii Gas announced Monday that it intends to sell the business to a private equity firm, giving the utility established in 1904 its fourth owner over the past two decades. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Interisland Travel Restrictions Ended in Hawai´i. All restrictions on interisland travel throughout Hawai´i are set be lifted on Tuesday, June 15, marking the first time state residents and qualified visitors will be able to move between islands entirely unencumbered in more than a year. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Federal and state numbers on Hawaii vaccination rates have differed for months. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts Hawaii on the verge of freedom from the complicated county tier systems that govern activities, with 68.4% of the state population, or 968,008 people, receiving at least one dose of a vaccine.  State Department of Health data says that just 61% of the population, or 860,369 people, has received at least one shot. Star-Advertiser.

Delta coronavirus variant, which can cause more severe illness, detected in Hawaii. The Delta variant of the coronavirus, which can spread more easily and cause more severe illness, has been detected in Hawaii in a person who was fully vaccinated, according to the state Department of Health. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Big Island Now. Garden Island. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

DOH Launches Healthy Hawaiʻi Strategic Plan and Unveils Vision for 2030. More than 200 stakeholders, advocates and visionaries across the state gathered virtually today to launch the Healthy Hawai‘i Strategic Plan 2030, a roadmap for improving the health of Hawai‘i residents by preventing and reducing chronic disease. Maui Now.

June 14, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 56 Cases. The confirmed cases included: 22 on O‘ahu (-1 probable); 13 on Maui (+1 probable); seven on Kaua‘i; four on Hawai‘i Island; and 10 in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state. Maui Now.

Oahu

Emails Show HART Leaders Always Wanted To Hire Hanabusa As Consultant. Newly released documents confirm what many suspected: that the contract and its restrictive qualifications were written with the former congresswoman in mind. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Security camera footage shows exchange before Honolulu police shooting of Lindani Myeni. Video footage from a surveillance camera at the home where a 29-year-old South African man was shot and killed by police following a fight with officers captures him entering the home and then quickly leaving while apologizing to the couple who called police. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.

Honolulu Rent and Utility Relief Program expands eligibility to 80% of median income. A household of four at 80% of the area median income earns about $100,700 a year. In comparison, a household of four at 50% of the area median income makes $62,950 a year. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Owner of Pearlridge Center files for bankruptcy, faces $3.5B debt. The owner of the popular Oahu mall said that the closure of retail stores and restaurants along with stay-at-home orders during the pandemic significantly impacted business. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

Leeward Community College’s teacher education program gets national recognition. Leeward Community College is trying to tackle the teacher shortage by offering flexible, affordable paths into the profession that are designed for Hawaii’s working people. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Domestic violence claims 2 lives in Hilo police shootout. A Hilo family lost a grand­father and a son to a deadly cycle of domestic violence Sunday night when a 91-year-old man suffered an apparent heart attack while a 34-year-old felon with multiple convictions for household abuse died in a shootout with police officers responding to a call that he was assaulting his mother. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

50-year-old Chinese national indicted for conspiracy. A 50-year-old Chinese national was indicted Thursday on a single count of conspiracy to commit money laundering for allegedly stealing millions from the grass and seed company he worked for and hiding the money by investing in six Hawaii Island real estate projects. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Five HCCC inmates granted early release following outbreak. Nearly a dozen inmates at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center have filed motions for early release amid an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak at the Hilo jail. Tribune-Herald.

County moving forward with ADA compliance project at Laaloa Bay Beach Park. The Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking a special management area use permit to allow for some $930,000 in improvements at the 0.43-acre site located off Alii Drive that’s also known as Magic Sands Beach Park. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui’s Got A Brand New Ag Department. Now What? Voters in Maui County approved a charter amendment to create Hawaii’s first county-level agriculture department. Now organizers need to determine exactly what the agency will work on. Civil Beat.

Public Feedback Sought on Broadband Connectivity Issues in Maui County. Council Chair Alice L. Lee today announced a new survey to gather feedback from residents and businesses on broadband connectivity issues. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Deciding What to Do With 417 Acres of Land Near Waimea. West Kauaʻi residents are envisioning a long-term plan for a 417-acre land parcel purchased by the county back in 2019. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hanalei access hours changed. The state Department of Transportation has modified the schedule for the single-lane public access to Kuhio Highway on either side of the Hanalei Bridge, effective last week. Garden Island.

Children among outbreak of new COVID-19 cases on Kauai. “Many of the new cases are children younger than 12-too young to be vaccinated,” Kauai District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman said. “They became ill because of an unvaccinated, infected adult in their home. Being vaccinated protects you, and those in your home.” KHON2.