Climate change brings Hawaii more rainbows, Honolulu cops violate body cam rules, new black hole discovered, Pacific garbage patch shifts away from Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

UH Study: Expect to see more rainbows due to climate change. The Hawaiian Islands, already called the “Rainbow Capital of the World,” are predicted to experience a few more days with rainbows per year due to climate change. The scourge that threatens the health and livelihood of humans and other life on the planet will increase opportunities to see rainbows, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Maui Now. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Interior Department seeking input on new Hawaiian consultation process. The U.S. Department of the Interior plans to hold two meetings — one next week and another in December. It’s part of the federal government’s plan to require formal consultation with Native Hawaiian communities on issues that impact them. Hawaii Public Radio.

Why Parents Want ‘More Of A Voice’ In Hawaii’s Education System. Stakeholders are cautiously hopeful that the state’s new plan for public education will reflect their feedback this time around. Civil Beat.

Department of Education braces for increased electricity bills. In the past, Hawaiʻi’s public schools have gone before legislators asking for help to pay the power bills. It’s likely schools will ask for an emergency appropriation due to surging electricity rates. Meanwhile, Gov. David Ige has rolled out adding 1,200 more air conditioners to cool down classrooms. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council approves bill to streamline building permitting process. The measure replaces a notary requirement with an online form that property owners can submit to affirm they have no pending fines or penalties with the city. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu Police Department body-worn camera violations rise. There were 95 violations of the Honolulu Police Department’s policies on use of body-worn cameras this year through September, nearly doubling the 58 total reported in 2021 in a review of administrative investigations as the department deliberates discipline that goes beyond counseling. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Meth remains Oahu’s top overdose killer. Methamphetamine continues to be the most deadly drug on Oahu, in contrast to a national trend of soaring deaths related to fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, according to a new state dashboard that tracks metrics related to substance abuse and mental health disorders. Star-Advertiser.

Katherine Kealoha claims to have told prosecutors who stole her infamous mailbox. Nearly a decade after the infamous mailbox theft at the Kealohas’ Kahala home, Katherine Kealoha revealed in a court filing that she knows who did it ― and told prosecutors. Hawaii News Now.

Hundreds of Aloha Stadium artifacts sold at auction. A state agency unloaded over 500 items from Aloha Stadium including seat backs and pieces of artificial turf at an auction that ended Wednesday evening ahead of a still-uncertain plan to replace the 47-year-old facility in Halawa. Star-Advertiser.

Election prep underway: Take a tour of the sorting facility for Oahu’s mail-in ballots. With the general election Tuesday, county and state elections officials are already busy sorting mail-in ballots as they prepare to count votes. City Elections Administrator Rex Quidilla gave HNN a tour of the county’s sorting facility at Honolulu’s airport. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Astronomers discover closest black hole to Earth using Maunakea telescope. A team of astronomers using the Gemini North Telescope on Maunakea detected a black hole only 1,600 light-years from Earth, about one-third of the distance away from the previous known closest black hole. Tribune-Herald.

County Council and housing office divided on how to use new funding for homeless problem. When it comes to tackling homelessness on the Big Island, there is a divide between the Hawai‘i County Council and the Hawai‘i County Office of Housing and Community Development about how to spend an estimated $9 million through the end of next June to address the islandwide problem. Big Island Now.

Affordable housing project advances: Council panel agrees with exemptions for 229-unit project. An affordable housing project in Waikoloa got nine thumbs up Tuesday, signaling an easy approval when the County Council meets later this month to take a final vote on the plan. West Hawaii Today.

Council OKs zoning applications for Honokaa housing development. Lehua Villages is a pair of planned subdivisions in Honokaa which together would offer 40 new lots for single-family housing, half of which would be available at the county’s affordable housing rates. Tribune-Herald.

Husband Sues Pit Bull Owners For Wrongful Death After Wife Dies From Dog Attack. The lawsuit also seeks damages from the landlord of the property from where the animals had evidently escaped. Civil Beat.

A Big Island Business Group Is Putting On A Drag Show Despite The Handful Of Haters. A flurry of emails from people expressing concern about a drag show this weekend on the Big Island will not succeed in canceling the event, organizers said. Civil Beat.

Maui

Maui Looks To Crackdown On Companies Selling Shares Of Second Homes. A County Council measure would expand the definition of timeshare to include stays of up to 180 days to try to limit multiple owners from buying into vacation homes. Civil Beat.

Maui proposes major improvements to Lahaina’s Front Street. Decades of exposure to salt air and crashing waves have taken their toll on two seawalls and scenic walkways in Lahaina town that have served as a backdrop for countless photos. Star-Advertiser.

9.5-acres at ʻŌpelu Point in Kīpahulu, Maui is now protected in perpetuity. Mayor Michael Victorino and the Office of Climate Change, Resiliency, and Sustainability awarded a grant of $2.5 million from the Open Space, Natural Resources, Cultural Resources, and Scenic Views Preservation Fund to Kīpahulu ʻOhana for the acquisition of ‘Ōpelu Point. Maui Now.

Former Maui police officer sentenced to 10 years for attempted child enticement. Brandon Charles Saffeels, 38, a former Maui Police Department officer, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison and a 15-year term of supervised release following that prison term for attempted child enticement. The sentencing comes a year after he was ordered to serve two and 1/2 years for offering to sabotage a Kahului woman’s drunk driving case in exchange for sex. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Union PAC shifts attention to Maui races amid contentious debate over development. “Be Change Now,” a PAC controlled by the Carpenters Union, is dominating spending in key council races in a county where slow-growth and development interests often clash. Hawaii News Now.

Incumbent council member Sugimura, challenger Hocker face off once more for Upcountry seat. After going unchallenged in the 2020 election, incumbent Council Member Yuki Lei Sugimura is defending her seat against progressive-endorsed candidate Jordan Hocker. Maui News.

Kauai

Shifting Garbage Patch means less marine debris on Kaua‘i. As the location of the garbage patch shifts amid changing ocean currents, the amount of debris washing up on island has fallen dramatically. Garden Island.

Construction of Kapa‘a roundabout continues; more lane closures scheduled. Construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Mailihuna Road, Hau‘a‘ala Road and Kawaihau Road in Kapa‘a continues and additional lane closures are planned next week to accommodate the work. Kauai Now.

Two more plead guilty in legislative bribery scandal, special session mulled after Supreme Court felony ruling, police officers charged in rapes, more news fro all the Hawaiian Island

Businessman pleads guilty in huge bribery scandal that led to convictions of 3 public officials. A former Maui County official and the wealthy Honolulu businessman who bribed him both pleaded guilty to felony charges in Hawaii federal court Monday in connection with a six-year bribery scheme that steered more than $19 million in contracts to one company in exchange for $2 million in cash, trips, casino chips and other compensation. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Associated Press. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Lawmakers eye special session to tackle ruling that’s put hundreds of felony cases at risk. High-profile criminal cases over the weekend had prosecutors on Hawaii Island scrambling in an effort to keep the suspects in custody. That’s because a recent state Supreme Court ruling requires grand jury indictments for felony crimes. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige extends SNAP emergency proclamation once again. Gov. David Ige has signed a fourth emergency proclamation allowing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program emergency allotment benefits to continue in the state in line with the federal COVID emergency. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. KHON2.

A New Sense Of Urgency Is Driving Nonprofits To Grow More Local Food In Hawaii. Some of Hawaii’s busiest food banks are turning to growing their own food rather than waiting for donations as the number of people showing up for help rises. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Elections: The Race Is On To Represent Downtown. In the Honolulu City Council race to represent downtown Honolulu and its surrounding neighborhoods, Tyler Dos Santos-Tam is promising new leadership while Traci Noguchi is pledging to continue the work she’s already doing as an aide to incumbent Councilwoman Carol Fukunaga. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office Seeks Special Session to Reverse High Court’s Grand Jury Decision. The Honolulu prosecutor’s office says the Supreme Court ruling could result in 168 convicted felons being released unless indicted by a grand jury. Civil Beat.

HPD Chief Expects to Issue First Concealed Carry Gun Permits in October. HPD is slated to hold final its public hearing Oct. 4 before issuing new rules governing firearm permits and licenses. Civil Beat.

Judge Denies Kealoha Attempt To Sideline Federal Prosecutor. Prosecutors said Kealoha’s attempt to remove Michael Wheat from her case had no merit. The judge agreed. Civil Beat.

Retired Honolulu police sergeant charged with sexual assault of teen. A retired Honolulu police sergeant with 25 years of experience on the force was arrested Friday and charged with continuous sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl, according to police booking records. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu's acting planning department director says staffing is top priority. As Deputy Director, Takeuchi Apuna oversaw the day-to-day personnel operations, while also handling projects addressing oversized residential homes, known as "monster homes," and short-term vacation rentals. Hawaii Public Radio.

Senior affordable housing project planned for condemned Waikiki property. The city is planning new senior affordable rental housing for Waikiki following the condemnation of a derelict apartment building sandwiched between the Watermark, one of Oahu’s toniest condominiums, and freshly renovated walk-up apartments. Star-Advertiser.

Officials: It could take months to determine what sparked a deadly ambulance fire. More than three weeks after a deadly ambulance fire, officials are still working to identify the exact cause.The City Council committee on Public Safety called a special meeting Monday to discuss what exactly sparked the blaze, but the investigation continues. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

The Hawaii Supreme Court will hear oral arguments regarding a three-year-old Maunakea land use case this week. In 2019, Hilo residents Ku‘ulei and Ahiena Kanahele filed a petition with the state Land Use Commission requesting that the Commission declare that the current usage of the land on Maunakea summit is improper for its current zoning. Tribune-Herald.

Hunting rules could be eased. Hunters might be allowed to take twice as many feral pigs per day, seven days a week, in certain Puna forest reserves under new regulations being considered by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. Tribune-Herald.

Protesters Block Access To County Road Leading To Waipio Valley. The group objects to Mayor Mitch Roth’s decision to start allowing limited access again to the famous Big Island valley. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

80% of beach parks have ‘low resiliency’ to sea level rise. Solutions could include restoring dunes, relocating parks, acquiring more land, study says. Maui News.

Shoreline erosion along Kahana’s Lower Honoapiʻilani Road topic of public meeting Sept. 22. Maui County’s Department of Public Works will hold an online community meeting to discuss shoreline erosion and mitigation alternatives along Lower Honoapiʻilani Road at Kaʻopala Bay in Kahana via Zoom on Sept. 22 from 9 to 11 a.m. Maui Now.

Veteran Maui police officer arrested for sex assault. Police say Sgt. Justin Mauliola, 35, of Wailuku has been placed on paid administrative leave, and his credentials and firearm have been temporarily removed. Authorities say his police powers have been temporarily suspended. Maui Now. KHON2.

Kauai

Kaua‘i felonies may be dismissed because Supreme Court ruling in State V. Obrero. Koloa man Kristofer Dwight Bush is facing a range of felony charges, including attempted murder, for an April incident where he allegedly attacked his girlfriend and her family with pepper spray before stabbing her and her brother. Garden Island.

DHHL’s Waimea project wins planning award. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ Pu‘u ‘Opae Kuleana Homestead Settlement Plan was selected as the winner of the American Planning Association Hawai‘i Chapter’s Outstanding Planning Award at the Hawai‘i Congress of Planning Officials Conference awards session Thursday at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort &Spa. Garden Island.

UH donations rise 65%, black market weed still buyers' choice, hospitals work toward price transparency, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

©2022 All Hawaii News

Donations to University of Hawaii rise 65% to record $165 million. Donations to the University of Hawaii rocketed to a record of nearly $165 million in the latest fiscal year, with UH officials saying the 65% increase over the year before was spurred by a strong economy, improved strategy and the community’s growing confidence in the state’s public university system. Star-Advertiser.

2022 Elections: There’s A Bumper Crop Of Republicans This Year. Facing a perpetually dominant Democratic force, the party managed to more than double its number of candidates this cycle compared to recent years, in large part thanks to state chair Lynn Finnegan’s efforts to make candidate recruitment a key focus for the Hawaii Republican Party. Civil Beat.

Hawaii union set spending record on political campaign that didn’t work. New primary election spending reports show the Carpenter’s Union PAC broke all records trying to keep Sylvia Luke from the lieutenant governor’s office, including ads many called a smear. Hawaii News Now.

Supreme Court ruling could allow violent offenders to go free. More fallout Friday over a state Supreme Court ruling that dismissed a high-profile murder case. Dozens of other violent felony cases are expected to also be thrown out, with suspects likely freed. Prosecutors are calling for the Legislature to immediately address the issue, and lawmakers are looking at their options. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii achieves record aquaculture sales with room to grow. The 2021 sales total represents a 20% increase over the $66.6 million in sales for 2020, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii bankruptcies rise as streak of falling cases ends. For the first time in 16 months, statewide bankruptcies increased from the year-earlier period as filings jumped 21.8% in August. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii-Made Aloha Wear Is A Surprising — And Lucrative — Cottage Industry. But as Hawaii’s garment workers age and retire, young aloha shirt and apparel makers must scramble to keep production in the islands. Civil Beat.

Black Market Weed Is Still The Buyer’s Choice Over Legal Marijuana In Hawaii. A new state report estimates only about 20% of the marijuana sold in Hawaii last year came from local marijuana dispensaries, and blames “market structure and regulation” for driving consumers to buy from illegal growers and sellers. Civil Beat.

Hawaii hospitals move toward price transparency. A report released in August by PatientRightsAdvocate.org, which advocates for health care price transparency, concluded that a year and a half after the law went into effect, none of the 10 hospitals in Hawaii that it evaluated were fully compliant. Star-Advertiser.

Former employee says Department of Education hasn’t done enough to protect against threats. It was frightening enough for then-state Department of Education Communications Director Lindsay Chambers to be the target of one school parent’s repeated furious calls and voicemails to the DOE, including some that contained intimidating, vulgar and racist language, and that indicated Chambers and her husband were being surveilled. Star-Advertiser.

Group releases guide on abortion rights, services in Hawaii. The Hawaii Abortion Collective has released the state’s first comprehensive resource guide for information on abortion rights and services. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Police Raises Approved by Honolulu City Council. The raises will cost Honolulu taxpayers $136.7 million over the three years, according to the resolution approved by the council, but State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers says the increased wages are long overdue. Civil Beat.

Federal Judge Denies Katherine Kealoha’s Request For Bail. Imprisoned former Honolulu deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha appeared in court Friday as part of her bid to overturn her corruption conviction. U.S. District Court Judge Michael Seabright denied a request for bail but delayed decisions on her appeal and a challenge to an assistant U.S. attorney who prosecuted her case. Civil Beat.

The ‘FCKBLM’ License Plate Holder Says Honolulu Is Violating His Free Speech Rights. Edward Odquina has filed a lawsuit against the City and County of Honolulu for revoking a license plate officials issued and later decided was offensive. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Parched: Some Parts of Big Island Broke Records For Lowest August Rainfall Totals. Rainfall totals for last month recorded by rain gauges on the island were mostly below average, with many at less than 50% of average, according to the monthly precipitation summary prepared by Kevin Kodama, senior service hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Honolulu. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Fire Department to get new medical helicopter thanks to donation via Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation. The air ambulance, expected to arrive sometime in the spring, will replace the 30-year-old Chopper 2 based out of the South Kohala Fire Station. Hawaii County’s other helicopter, Chopper 1, which is not outfitted for medical transport, is housed at the Waiakea Fire Station in East Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

A Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission report details issues found during an August 25th tour of the "egregiously overcrowded" facility. A September 2 report by the Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission – released outside of its regular meeting “due to serious and immediate concern involving the safety of those who work and live at Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center” – provides details on the observations made by Oversight Coordinator Christin Johnson and Commissioner Ted Sakai during a tour of HCCC on August 25th. Big Island Video News.

BLNR nixes possible sale of former Country Club Condominium Hotel. The state will not sell the former Country Club Condominium Hotel to a new owner, even as it seeks a new tenant for the property. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Newly inaugurated telescope is already in high demand. The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope is the world’s most powerful solar telescope and has produced many firsts, such as the first images of the sun’s chromosphere, the area of the sun’s atmosphere above the surface. Maui News.

New unit to track crime hotspots, streamline prosecution of cases. A new Crime Strategies Unit in the prosecutor’s office will use data to track crime hotspots and trends, then identify the offenders driving the activity, in an attempt to reduce crime in the community. Maui News.

‘A big mess’: Frustration grows as school bus driver shortage impacts students, parents on Maui. A recent loss of school bus drivers leads several routes in Lahaina being cut — eight routes to be exact. Hawaii News Now.

Maui May Crack Down On Haleakala Bike Tours That Crowd Narrow Roads Down The Mountain. If the council decides to make it a law, commercial bike tours down the iconic volcano would be banished from some Kula roadways. Civil Beat.

Maui Nui Ahupuaʻa signage project installs first Kula Uka sign in the Moku ʻO Kula. Since the summer of 2019, Maui Nui Ahupua‘a Project’s project coordinator/designer Vernon Kalanikau has been working with the Upcountry community to gather moʻolelo (stories, legend, history) to help design signs representing each of the 17 ahupua‘a in Kula Uka in the Upcountry area in the Moku ʻO Kula. Maui Now.

Kauai

Still no long-term damage in revised West Kaua‘i Energy Project environmental assessment. The latest draft of the West Kaua‘i Energy Project environmental assessment says that the project would have no significant negative environmental impact. Garden Island.

Most Kauaʻi Gauges Receive Near or Above Average Rainfall Totals in August. August also is normally the peak month for tropical cyclone activity in the central North Pacific basin, but there were no tropical cyclones the entire month. Kauai Now.

Hawaii economy could hit setback, military families sue over Red Hill tainted water, construction company sues Zuckerberg over nonpayment, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki trolley @2022 All Hawaii News

Setback forecast for Hawaii’s economic recovery. High inflation, and rising interest rates intended to curb inflation, will likely sap some local economic growth this year and next year to prolong Hawaii’s rebound from a downturn triggered by COVID-­ 19 two years ago, according to a new report. Star-Advertiser.

New law expected to bring $250 million to Hawaii airports. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration announced Hawaii’s first-year award Wednesday from the Airport Infrastructure Grant program, one of three aviation programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Star-Advertiser.

A New Hawaii Abortion Guide Seeks To Address Gaps In Care. Advocates hope the guide will help clear up confusion over access to abortions in the islands — where it remains legal — after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

FDA OKs use of bivalent vaccines. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday granted emergency use authorization for the first bivalent vaccines to protect against the original strain of COVID-19 and the omicron subvariants. Doses could be shipped to Hawaii County within the next few days. Tribune-Herald. KHON2.

Hawaii Health Department reports 1,777 new COVID-19 infections, 12 coronavirus-related deaths. The state’s average positivity rate, meanwhile, continued falling, to 7.3% compared with 8.6% reported the previous week. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Military families sue federal government over Red Hill fuel leak. Military families who say they were sickened by last year’s fuel contamination of the Navy’s drinking water system around Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam are suing the federal government, seeking compensation for physical and mental suffering, medical expenses, lost income and other costs associated with the Red Hill disaster. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Navy Wastewater Bypasses Portion of Pearl Harbor Filtration System. About 300,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater were released into the sea from the Wastewater Treatment Plant at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers renew push for regulations after helicopter emergency landing at Aloha Stadium. A helicopter made an emergency landing at the Aloha Stadium parking lot on Wednesday afternoon. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

This Hemp Dealer Is Fighting The State Over ‘Fundamental Fairness’. While the dispute between Pinky’s Hempire and the state might seem like just another struggle between a small business and government regulators, the matter involves bigger questions, including the extent to which government officials can make new laws with little public notice, then use the laws to shut down unwitting businesses. Civil Beat.

Ex-HPD officer files suit after being ousted for ‘toxic’ extramarital affair with coworker. A former Honolulu police officer alleges he was ousted from the HPD after he had a “consensual,” extramarital relationship with a female officer that went toxic. But Honolulu Police Department disciplinary reports say that the woman was a subordinate and that the officer — Justin Castro — forced her to continue their relationship. Hawaii News Now.

Chief’s son mistakenly arrested, attorney argues. The son of Honolulu police Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan was mistakenly arrested for failing to appear at a court date he knew nothing about, his attorney argued in a motion to recall the bench warrant filed Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Police Department finalizing rules for issuing gun-carrying permits. Nearly 400 people have applied to carry a gun in public in Honolulu since the U.S. Supreme Court left it to the states to decide the rules, and police are close to finalizing a process for issuing permits, officers told the Honolulu Police Commission on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

State dishes out millions to manage mongoose problem at Windward O'ahu marsh. Spanning 830 acres in Windward O'ahu and home to several species of endangered native birds, Kawainui Marsh is the largest wetland across Hawai'i. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Customers Heed Request to Limit Use of Electricity, Preventing Need For Rolling Outages. So far, so good. That’s the word from Hawaiian Electric as it continues to ask Big Island electricity customers to reduce their electricity use, especially in the early evening hours. Big Island Now.

Hawaii’s most understaffed hospital in dire need of more beds too. Officials at Hilo Medical Center say the facility is in dire need of more beds and frontline caregivers as the number of people in the community has outgrown the hospital. According to the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hilo Medical Center is the most short-handed hospital in the state. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island police identify 12-year-old fatally shot at Boy Scout camp. Hawaii Island police this afternoon identified the 12-year-old boy involved in Sunday’s Boy Scout camp shooting fatality as Manuel “Manny” Carvalho. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. KITV4.

Investor website for potential luxury development in Opihihale sparks community concerns. Preliminary work has begun on a 324-acre luxury resort development in Opihihale, South Kona, just north of Miloliʻi. Jeff Darrow, deputy planning director for Hawaiʻi County, says the department has not received any permit applications for the project. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Arce appears on track for director of agriculture spot. Saying they were impressed with Molokai homesteader Rogerene “Kali” Arce, a Maui County Council committee on Tuesday unanimously recommended that she fill the first-ever county Department of Agriculture director position. Maui News.

Maui Council committee likely to discuss new high school’s highway crossing dilemma. At its meeting Sept. 1, the Maui County Planning and Sustainable Land Use Committee likely will discuss the ongoing dilemma about how pedestrians and bicyclists will safely cross four-lane Piʻilani Highway to the new Kūlanihākoʻi High School in Kīhei. Maui Now.

Widespread Power Outage Left Thousands Of Trout Dead At This Maui Farm. The outage struck 94% of the company’s customers on Maui, leaving thousands of families and businesses without electricity for most of the morning. Civil Beat.

MEO steps up to help Molokaʻi students amid public school bus driver shortage. Maui Economic Opportunity on Moloka‘i has stepped in to offer transportation services to youths who could not be accommodated by the public school bus service. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai construction company sues Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg's company over nonpayment. A Kauai construction company is suing Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s company for not receiving a payment of more than $130,000 for work it has completed on the billionaire tech titan’s North Shore Kauai property. KITV4.

The Kaua‘i Marathon is here! With online registration ending Aug. 31 at 12:59 p.m., Robin Jumper, the Kaua‘i Marathon coordinator, expects a “historic” crowd with more than 2,200 runners registered for the event that starts at 6 a.m., Sunday at the entrance to the Po‘ipu Shopping Village. Garden Island.

SBA Loans Available to Offset Economic Losses From Drought. Small businesses in Kaua‘i County that have lost revenue because of drought can get some help from the federal government. Kauai Now.

Hawaiian hula teacher honored on quarter, Boy Scout dies after shot at camp shooting range, Kaiser mental healthcare workers go on strike, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Mint releases Edith Kanaka‘ole commemorative coin design. The U.S. Mint released its new commemorative quarter design Monday that will honor Edith Kanaka‘ole, a renowned kumu hula and the first Native Hawaiian to be featured as a part of the American Women Quarters Program. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii tourism arrivals hit recovery benchmark in July — but not all residents embracing the rise. July brought the highest monthly count of visitors since January 2020 — a benchmark that is creating economic hope for the pro-tourism crowd and angst from those concerned about whether the numbers can be properly managed to avert the threat of overtourism. Star-Advertiser.

Kaiser mental health therapists in Hawaii launch second strike. Kaiser Permanente’s mental health therapists in Hawaii went on strike today, still unable to come to an agreement on a contract four years after unionizing. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Research: 32 species can host rat lungworm disease. New research from the University of Hawaii at Manoa shows rat lungworm disease can be transmitted by many species, not just slugs and snails. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now. Kauai Now.

Hawaii Inmates Returning From An Arizona Prison Test Positive For Covid-19. So far 21 prisoners who were on the flight from Arizona have caught the coronavirus. Civil Beat.

Oahu

3 Honolulu police officers cleared in 2019 fatal shooting of Michael Kahalehoe in a Kapolei gas station parking lot. No charges will be filed against the three officers who fired the fatal shots, following the completion of an investigation by the Honolulu Police Department’s Professional Standard’s Office and the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

An Increase In ‘Violent, Brazen’ Crime Raises Concerns On Oahu. The number of murders, aggravated assaults, forcible sex assaults and robberies on the island climbed about 5.6% in the first seven months of the year compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the statistics. Civil Beat.

New body-cam video shows events that led to HPD chase ahead of serious crash. Newly released body camera videos show the moments before an unauthorized chase by Honolulu police on Sept. 12, 2021. The videos also show that HPD supervisors were aware that witnesses were pointing the finger at officers from the beginning. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Child dies in apparent shooting accident at Hawaii island Boy Scout camp. Hawaii island police are investigating an apparent shooting accident that fatally wounded a boy Sunday afternoon at Camp Honokaia, a Boy Scouts of America facility. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Pause to face confirmation hearings: Acting DPW director seeks permanent post. A Hawaii County Council committee plans a Sept. 6 confirmation hearing to consider Mayor Mitch Roth’s appointment of Acting Public Works Director Stephen Pause to the permanent position. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaiian Electric Asks Customers To Conserve Power This Week. The Hawaiʻi Island power utility hopes to avoid rolling outages, as Hamakua Energy Partners - the island’s largest independent power producer - is unavailable. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Volcano Transfer Station loses recycling program. Volcano residents will have to travel farther afield to recycle HI-5 containers after the redemption center at the Volcano Transfer Station closes at the end of September. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County to vote on creating an ʻŌiwi Resources Department in general election. The proposed ʻŌiwi Resources Department would ensure proper management of native cultural resources, including the Hawaiian language, cultural practices, and natural resources. Hawaii Public Radio.

Updated bill to protect native birds from outdoor lighting goes before Maui Council. Councilmember Kelly Takaya King announced today that a revised version of the bill to protect native Hawaiian seabirds from outdoor lighting will be reviewed Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the Climate Action, Resilience and Environment Committee. Maui Now.

Park Maui mulls zip code check for free, discounted spots. An upcoming pilot program that aims to address growing parking demands in heavily used county parks and beaches proposes requiring a Maui County zip code to qualify for free parking, an idea backed by most residents at a meeting Wednesday. Maui News.

July 2022 visitor arrivals to Hawaiʻi recover 92.4% from 2019. Visitor arrivals on Maui have recovered to near pre-pandemic levels, with July 2022 arrivals coming in at -1% from 2019. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai Is Building One Of The Nation’s Longest Predator-Proof Fences. One of the longest predator-proof fences in the country is under construction at the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on the North Shore of Kauai. When complete, the $1.7 million project will span 2.1 miles, enclosing 168 of the refuge’s 199 acres to protect native seabird species – some of which are uncomfortably close to extinction. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Foodbank Food Drive Day makes a haul of it. Kaua‘i hosted seven sites, each one operating from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., across the island, accepting the top needed commodity of money, and other nonperishable foodstuffs to replenish the Puhi facility. Garden Island.

EPA probe faults Navy on Red Hill, Kauai kids confront VP Harris on fuel leaks, sweepstakes machine distributor sues Honolulu police for gambling raid, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Navy water operators unprepared despite fuel leak risks, EPA reports. The Navy potentially violated numerous state and federal laws relating to safe drinking water in its operation and maintenance of its Joint Base Pearl Harbor- Hickam public water system, an investigation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

State Rep. Patrick Branco’s future uncertain following congressional loss. State Rep. Patrick Branco is supporting former rival state Sen. Jill Tokuda in her congressional campaign and serves as an unpaid volunteer in Lt. Gov. Josh Green’s run to become Hawaii’s next governor as Branco’s own political future is now uncertain after election commercials on his behalf linked Tokuda to the National Rifle Association while showing images of the Uvalde, Texas, school massacre. Star-Advertiser.

Schools Add Emotional Development To The Curriculum. Hawaii educators hope new initiatives and programs will help students recover from social and academic setbacks during the pandemic. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kaiser’s mental health shortage puts patient safety at risk, national agency finds. Kaiser hasn’t denied it has a shortage of mental health specialists, but has stressed that those shortages exist nationwide and were exacerbated by the pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Distributor sues HPD over damage to dozens of sweepstakes machines. After a bitter, decade-long legal and political battle, the Hawaii distributor of sweepstakes gaming machines is suing the HPD for damaging his equipment. The lawsuit alleges that when Honolulu police seized PJY Enteprises LLC’s 77 sweepstakes machines in 2012, the machines were new and in working condition. Hawaii News Now.

Feds add more spy allegations against Kapolei couple. After backing off on some spy allegations against a Kapolei couple, federal prosecutors are stepping it up by releasing transcripts of the couple’s recorded conversations. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Council to consider settling police brutality lawsuit: Puna mother claims excessive force, ADA violations against autistic son. A federal lawsuit claiming police brutality and failure to accommodate under the Americans with Disabilities Act appears headed for settlement by the County Council. West Hawaii Today.

Kehena victim was musician, artist, ‘peacemaker’. “He was the quintessential Puerto Rican renaissance man.” That’s how Bub Pratt, entertainer and owner of Kukuau Studio in Hilo, described Gabriel DeSilva, a 72-year-old Pahoa man police said was the victim of a possible drowning Sunday morning at Kehena Beach in Puna. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County Police K9, Rory, Retires. The springer spaniel has worked as a narcotics canine for the Area II (west Hawai‘i) Vice Section since 2015. Big Island Video News. Tribune-Herald. KITV4.

Maui

Wastewater Company At Center Of Bribery Scandal Won Big Maui Contracts. H2O Process Systems was awarded millions of dollars in sole source contracts for upgrades and replacement parts for Maui County’s wastewater system. Civil Beat.

Resident input sought for planning of 3.6 miles of Honoapiʻilani, Lahaina to Kāʻanapali. The County of Maui has launched the West Maui Community Corridor Transit-Oriented Development Action Plan to advance strategies for a transit-oriented community in West Maui. Maui Now.

Open house planned for release of draft South Maui Community Plan Update. The Maui County Planning Department will host an open house for the release of the first draft of the updated South Maui Community Plan on from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, at the Kīhei Community Center. Maui Now.

Thousands on Maui without power early Tuesday morning. According to Hawaiian Electric, crews are currently working to restore power to parts of South Maui, West Maui, Kahului, Wailuku, Waihee and Waiehu, Upcountry and East Maui. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kauai 8th graders confront Vice President Kamala Harris over Red Hill. Throughout Vice President Kamala Harris' vacation on the Garden Isle, groups like the Oahu Water Protectors have held up signs near her Kalihiwai Ridge vacation home, urging more action on the Red Hill water crisis. KITV4.

Jason Momoa TV series seeks Kaua‘i talent. A project spearheaded by actor Jason Momoa is filming on Kaua‘i this fall — and they need local talent. Garden Island.

Fall semester kicks off at Kaua‘i Community College. All Kaua‘i Community College students are welcomed to “E Komo Mai,” presented by the Associated Students of the University of Hawai‘i-Kaua‘i Community College, Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the area fronting the campus Learning Center. Garden Island.

Safety concerns amid staff shortages at Hawaii jails, Honolulu police chief sworn in privately, new commander at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii corrections officer ©2022 All Hawaii News

Severe staffing shortages pose ‘dangerous’ conditions at state correctional facilities. The Department of Public Safety said they have made no secret over the years of the fact that the correctional facilities are dealing with continuous staffing shortages. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii voter registration reaches record levels. There seems to be a lot of interest in the upcoming elections, not just by those running for office but also by hundreds of thousands of Hawaii residents. KITV4.

Questions cast pall over lucrative Hawaii tourism contract. The lucrative contract to market Hawaii’s visitor industry in the United States remains shrouded in uncertainty as the Hawaii Tourism Authority sorts out whether its controversial procurement process will end in a historic change. Star-Advertiser.

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam gets new commander. The commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam stepped down Tuesday in a routine change-of-command ceremony aboard the USS Missouri Memorial. Capt. Mark Sohaney took the reins from Capt. Erik Spitzer, who assumed command of the base in July 2020. Star-Advertiser.

This Group Is Trying To Make Sense Of Hawaii’s Regulatory Landscape. The Hawaii Zoning Atlas aims to decode complicated zoning jargon for the public to use. Civil Beat.

UH scientist studies impacts of debris during tsunamis. A University of Hawaii scientist is exploring how debris piling up against buildings during tsunamis increases the force and damage of the waves, in hopes that the study will lead to the construction of buildings that are more resilient to tsunamis and debris. Maui News.

Hawaii health officials report 2 more ‘probable’ monkeypox cases; all 5 Oahu patients connected. Two more probable cases of monkeypox have been identified on Oahu, according to Hawaii health officials, who now say that all of the state’s five cases in the current outbreak are connected to each other. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Oahu

New Honolulu Police Department Chief Arthur ‘Joe’ Logan is sworn in privately. Honolulu’s 12th police chief took office Tuesday in an unannounced, private ceremony that surprised some city officials and prompted the police officers union to urge leadership to “commit to a culture of transparency.” Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

In suit, citizens group seeks to speed up timeline for emptying Red Hill tanks. A citizens group is suing the Navy for violations of the federal Clean Water Act, saying they want the emptying of the Red Hill fuel tanks to happen more quickly. Hawaii News Now.

City to stop accepting applications for rent and utility relief on June 30. The city’s Rental and Utility Relief Program began in April 2021 and aimed to distribute more than $225 million in pandemic-­related federal funding. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

City Council considers plan to mitigate Lanikai traffic. The Honolulu City Council is considering a resolution to urge the Department of Transportation Services to come up with a traffic mitigation plan for Lanikai. Star-Advertiser.

Kamehameha Schools is doubling preschool capacity in Heʻeia. After just three months, a rising demand for early childhood education on the windward side is prompting the school to expand — doubling its capacity for keiki on the windward side this fall. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Rodenhurst leaves county government. ‘The mayor and I decided to part ways,’ DPW director says. Public Works Director Ikaika Rodenhurst on Monday became the first top director in Mayor Mitch Roth’s Cabinet to leave county government. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News.

County defends road closure: Judge questions mayor’s ‘declaration of imminent danger’. A county attorney told a judge Tuesday that “it’s not the court’s place and it’s not the plaintiffs’ place” to decide whether Mayor Mitch Roth exercised his emergency powers in a lawful manner when he closed Waipi‘o Valley Road to all but residents, tenant farmers and emergency responders. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The State Just Took A Huge Step Toward More Oversight Of West Maui’s Water. In the future, the public will get to weigh in whenever the state decides how much water can be used in the newly designated area. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Public input sought for Maui County ʻroadmapʻ report on economic development. Public input is sought about which industry sectors should be prioritized to create economic resilience and prosperity for Maui County. Maui Now.

Waipuilani project moves forward despite concerns. Fast-track housing proposal now heads to full council. Weighing issues over flooding and location with the critical need for affordable housing, a Maui County Council committee ultimately decided to recommend a fast-track project in Kihei on Monday. Maui News.

Recent SHOPO survey reveals ‘sinking’ morale in MPD since new chief takes office. The Maui Police Department may be heading into a deeper staffing crisis. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Kauai

After 50 years, Kauai’s Russian Fort Elizabeth park gets a new name. Fifty years after Kauai’s Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park was created to mark Russia’s attempt to gain influence in Hawaii, the Waimea park formally has been given a new name. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Garden Island.

Fire Chief Goble leaving KFD. After a two-year run as Kaua‘i Fire Department Chief, Steven Goble is stepping down next week. Garden Island.

Commission OKs Koloa plant permits. After nearly a full day of testimony and debate, the Planning Commission voted Tuesday to approve several contentious permits for a new manufacturing facility in Koloa. The permits allow the Hawai‘i Planing Mill facility, which would construct wooden trusses and wall panels for housing in a large tent, to operate on land zoned agriculture. Garden Island.

How the Kauaʻi Police Department has reduced its staff vacancy, overtime. Police departments across the nation and the state have been struggling to keep up staffing, but the Kauaʻi Police Department has reduced its vacancy numbers and overtime costs over the last few years with several strategies. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ige signs 4 bills in honor of World Oceans Day, Maui council passes record high $1B budget, Land Use Commission votes to appeal short-term rental case to ICA, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Black triggerfish amid Hawaii coral ©2022 All Hawaii News

Governor David Ige signs four bills in honor of World Ocean's Day. (video) KITV4.

Improving the health of our oceans and beaches for World Oceans Day. At least 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean annually, and plastic makes up 80% of all marine debris, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii mayors, Honolulu prosecutor team up to urge Gov. David Ige to veto bail reform bill. The four county mayors, Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm and representatives from the Honolulu Police Department joined forces Wednesday to urge Gov. David Ige to veto a bill that would eliminate cash bail for some nonviolent, low-level offenses. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Solar energy backers urge veto of bill on renewable power. A few hundred members of Hawaii’s solar power industry and environmental organizations came together Wednesday to publicly urge Gov. David Ige to veto a bill they say would cap growth of low-cost, environmentally friendly renewable energy. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Prisons Phone Service Provider To Repay Inmates Up To $67 Million. The lawsuit alleges Global Tel Link overcharged inmates and their families, and people who used the system have until next week to file for reimbursement. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi teachers union drops endorsement of U.S. Rep. Ed Case in favor of Sergio Alcubilla. Union president Osa Tui Jr. says Alcubilla is a better choice to represent the people of Hawaiʻi. The 1st Congressional District covers most of Oʻahu's urban areas. Hawaii Public Radio.

State Senate to Convene Special Session to Review Judicial Appointments. The Hawaiʻi State Senate will convene a special session for the purpose of reviewing the judicial appointments of Jill M. Hasegawa and Joanna E. Sokolow to the District Family Court of the 3rd Circuit – Hawaiʻi Island and Gregory H. Meyers to the District Court of the 5th Circuit – Kauaʻi. Big Island Now.

Hawaiian Airlines and Par Hawaii explore sustainable aviation fuels in Hawaiʻi. Hawaiian Airlines and Par Hawaii, announced plans today to join forces to study the commercial viability of locally produced sustainable aviation fuels, to replace all or a percentage of traditional kerosene-based jet fuel with fuel that is made with sustainable feedstocks.  Maui Now.

State DOA Panel to Consider Importing ‘Incompatible Male’ Mosquitoes to Help Control Wild Populations. The Plant and Animal Advisory Committee of the state Department of Agriculture is looking at importing “incompatible male” mosquitoes as a method of mosquito population control in the islands to help save several native honeycreeper species. Big Island Now. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Department of Health reports 8,033 new infections, 8 coronavirus-related deaths. The state’s average positivity rate, meanwhile, increased to 19.2% from 18.4% reported last week. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Hawaii health officials identify Oahu resident with second probable case of monkeypox. State health officials on June 3 reported the first probable case of an individual who had symptoms consistent with monkeypox and recently traveled to an area with confirmed cases. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Honolulu police clarify procedures for informing public after arrest of new chief’s son. Honolulu police will share crime highlights at regular intervals with the public and stop using the “do not post to media” designation on those highlights following an internal review of why the felony arrest of the incoming chief’s son earned that label. Star-Advertiser.

After more than a decade of controversy, council recommends burial plan for Kawaiaha‘o. On Wednesday the fate of hundreds of Native Hawaiian skeletal remains was finally determined by the Oahu Island Burial Council, which approved a plan to allow interment of iwi kupuna as close as possible to their original burial places at Honolulu’s oldest church. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Calls for safety improvements on Pali crosswalks continue. Pedestrian safety along the Pali Highway is a long-standing issue for Nuuanu residents, many including the widow of a man who was struck while crossing the Pali are calling for traffic signals to be installed, while the money that was aside for that project is close to expiring. KHON2.

Death, Fines And Captive Animals: Is Sea Life Park Part Of A Bygone Era? Many have fond memories of Oahu’s sometimes controversial marine animal park, but what will be its role in a changing business? Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

LUC vows vacation-rental battle: Land Use Commission to take lawsuit to Intermediate Court of Appeals. A Kona judge’s order overturning Hawaii County’s prohibition of short-term vacation rentals in the agricultural district could set a statewide precedent, the state Land Use Commission said Wednesday in unanimously agreeing to seek a ruling from the Intermediate Court of Appeals. West Hawaii Today.

Six Injured After Helicopter Crash In Kaʻū. The Hawaiʻi County Fire Department says there were no fatalities at the scene of the crash. The tour helicopter went down between the Ranchos Subdivision and South Point Road. Big Island Video News. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

With a little help from Japan: Stone beaches rebuilt in Liliuokalani Park. After over two years of planning, four gardeners from Japan traveled to Hilo and built two suhama, or stone beaches, at Liliuokalani Park and Gardens. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Council Approves Record-Setting $1 Billion Budget. The spending plan relies on increased revenue from taxing tourism accommodations and certain investment properties while lowering taxes for full-time residents. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

After leaving due to term limits, Hokama to run for Lanai seat. Longtime former Maui County Council Member Riki Hokama is looking to take his former seat back after having to relinquish it in 2020 due to term limits. Maui News.

Kauai

KPD airport gun incident details emerge. A Kaua‘i Police Department deputy chief said a “brain fart” led to him to leave a loaded handgun in his carry-on backpack while going through a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at Lihu‘e Airport security. Garden Island.

Battle over development heats up in Koloa town after blasting methods used. Some residents in Koloa town on Kauai’s south shore have long been opposed to a new condominium development. But now they’re upset that the developer has started using blasting methods as part of construction. Hawaii News Now.

Koloa site of cesspool scrap. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached an $18,000 settlement with a South Shore business after federal officials identified a large-capacity cesspool at Koloa Self Storage on Waikomo Road. Garden Island.

Can An Ancient Hawaiian Fishpond Turn A Profit? The owners of a recently restored Kauai fishpond are setting out to prove that this cultural resource can also be a money-maker. Civil Beat.