Vacation rental tax crackdown brings millions to state coffers, Congress mulls Pearl Harbor modernization money, Maui sets property tax rates, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kayaks on the Ala Wai ©2021 All Hawaii News

State tax crackdown garners millions in unpaid vacation rental taxes. The state Department of Taxation already has collected $4.1 million this year from vacation rental owners who owed back taxes, and through continued stepped- up enforcement expects to easily hit $12 million by year’s end. Star-Advertiser.

UHERO Forecast: Visitors Could Reach 6.4M in 2021, 8.8M in 2022. A new forecast from the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization finds that, for 2021, Hawaii is bouncing back a bit faster than expected but that full recovery is still several years away. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii monthly bankruptcies rise for first time in year. Statewide bankruptcies rose for the first time this year as filings in April jumped 19.3% even as the state continued to show encouraging signs of an economic recovery. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii commercial fishers’ catch down 15% in 2020. Hawaii’s commercial fishers caught 6 million pounds fewer pelagic species of fish and brought in $27 million less in revenue in 2020 — a product of the coronavirus pandemic, which crushed demand for fish. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s Fishermen Are Worried About China’s Fleet. So Is The Military. The U.S. military increasingly sees illegal fishing as a national security threat and has China’s vast government-subsidized fleet in its sights. Civil Beat.

The state and several nonprofit organizations are partnering up to develop a program to increase mental health services for keiki of Hawaii. The Integrated Infant and Early Childhood Behavioral Health Plan aims to improve access to service providers for families with children five years-old or younger, eliminate gaps in service and remove the stigma for families seeking help. Hawaii News Now.

Pfizer vaccine for 5 to 11 year olds could come in June, rural areas remain concern for Hawaii. Another increase into triple-digit COVID-19 cases across the state was reported on Sunday, May 16. KHON2.

May 16, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 127 Cases (103 O‘ahu, 10 Maui, 3 Moloka‘i, 3 Hawai‘i Island, 8 Out-of-State); 1 Death. Maui Now.

Oahu

$25 billion bill in Congress seeks to speed up modernization of Pearl Harbor. A bipartisan bill seeks $25 billion to upgrade the Navy’s four shipyards — Pearl Harbor included — sooner rather than later, as well as to make improvements to private yards in the face of rapid Chinese military expansion. Star-Advertiser.

Search continues to fix Oahu rail’s too-narrow wheels and too-wide tracks. Officials with the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation are working with Hitachi Rail to find a solution — whether to replace 32 wheels on all 20 trains or have new track crossings manufactured and shipped in. Rail and Hitachi officials met in person in Honolulu on Friday. Star-Advertiser.

A plan to clear hundreds of DUI cases amid the COVID-19 court closures has resulted in 1,116 plea deals in Honolulu. The offers were not allowed ahead of the pandemic, but when the courts shut down last year the backlog ballooned to 900. Hawaii News Now.

Drug deaths in Honolulu hit 5-year high in 2020. Drug-related deaths in Honolulu hit a five-year high last year, fueled by methamphetamine overdoses that have law enforcement focused on keeping more illegal drugs out of the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Clinics see high turnout as COVID vaccine eligibility expands to 12 to 15-year-olds. The Queen’s Health System held its first high school clinic Saturday since the COVID vaccine became available for children as young as 12 years old. Hawaii News Now.

Jack and Kim Johnson’s Kokua Learning Farm in Haleiwa gets help from new solar e-tractor. Kokua Learning Farm in Haleiwa town recently debuted Hawaii’s first solar-powered electric tractor, which definitely makes it easier being green, according to Jack Johnson, the musician and co-founder, with his wife, Kim, of the Kokua Hawaii Foundation, which launched the farm and community center in December 2019. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

More money for lawyers: Council to vote on $200k more for landfill contract renegotiations. Two years into negotiations with garbage giant Waste Management Inc., county attorneys say they’re running out of money for outside legal counsel, and they’re coming to the County Council to ask for more. West Hawaii Today.

County plans to reopen all of Highway 137; work set for 2022. Ikaika Rodenhurst, director of the county Department of Public Works, confirmed that plans are being drafted to reopen all of the highway — from the “Four Corners” intersection to Pohoiki Road, and another stretch at the MacKenzie State Recreation Area — after it was buried under lava by the Kilauea eruption, but the expansion of the project has led to a few months of delays. Tribune-Herald.

Man Fined $633k For Poisoning North Hilo Stream. The largest Hawaiʻi land board fine ever for an aquatic resource violation in the state was handed down on Friday. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Big Island Aquaculture Gets Boost With Big Grant. The Natural Energy Lab of Hawaii in Kailua-Kona has been awarded a $1.8 million grant to continue a fruitful aquaculture accelerator program aimed at supporting business retention and growth initiatives at a sustainable technology park. Civil Beat.

Maui

County to take in extra $7.8M from property taxes. The Maui County Council on Friday set property tax rates that will net about $7.8 million more in county revenues than the prior fiscal year. The county is forecast to raise $383.2 million in fiscal 2022 from real property taxes, its largest income generator. Maui News.

Maui Democrats Narrow English Successor To Three Candidates. Members of the Maui County Democratic Party’s Senate District 7 selection body chose three names on Saturday to send to Gov. David Ige for his consideration to fill the vacancy created by the recent retirement of Senator J. Kalani English. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

The Investigation Into The Ex-Maui Police Chief’s Hit And Run Is In. The former Maui police chief involved in a hit-and-run accident last year was properly investigated by his own officers who appropriately concluded the accident was a civil matter, not a criminal case, a new report on the incident concludes. Civil Beat.

Kauai

County mulls new tax ability. The county administration is still analyzing its position on a bill sitting on Gov. David Ige’s desk that includes a provision that would allow county governments to enact their own sort of transient accommodations tax. Garden Island.

Preparing for a Kekaha cleanup. The county has received $300,000 to start first steps in cleaning up hazardous-waste sites at the former Kekaha Sugar Company mill, revitalize the historic site and advance economic development in the area. Garden Island.

Bickering shuts down meeting on reopening Hawaii economy, Caldwell signs new Honolulu energy code revision, Big Island raises taxes for luxury homes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii state Capitol ©2020 All Hawaii News

DBEDT and Senate committee communication shuts down amid allegations of bullying, harassment. A briefing on how to reopen Hawaii’s economy was canceled today due to an evolving spat between some members of the Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 and the head of the state Department of Business Economic Development & Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Bullying Feud Again Thwarts Senate Hearing On Hawaii Economy. Mike McCartney says senators have intimidated his staff. Civil Beat.

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Budget Chief: Deep Cuts Loom For The University of Hawaii. The extent of financial woes won’t be clear for another eight weeks when fall classes start and enrollment numbers are in. Civil Beat.

Parents, teachers weigh in on reopening Hawaii’s public schools. School officials are seeking input from parents, teachers and staff as they make plans to reopen schools for the fall semester, but it’s clear that whatever path they choose will face resistance. Star-Advertiser.

Environmental groups say personal protective equipment winding up in ocean. When PPE is discarded in public, it ends up clogging drains and washing into the ocean, which can affect marine wildlife. KHON2.

Disinfecting Dry Fog Used At Hawaii Correctional Facilities. The Department of Public Safety is sharing video that shows how a "revolutionary dry fog sanitation" is being implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii reports 2 new COVID-19 cases, bringing statewide total to 655. One of the cases is an Oahu resident while the other is a resident diagnosed out of state. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell signs watered-down Energy Code revision, changes to affordable rental law. Builders will need to set aside a certain number of parking stalls to accommodate the charging of electrical vehicles under a bill signed into law Thursday by Mayor Kirk Caldwell that revamps the city Energy Code. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor signs bills aimed at bolstering access to solar, EV charging stations. Bill 25 requires every new home that’s built from now on to be photovoltaic-ready so the homeowner can easily install panels if and when they decide to. Hawaii News Now.

HART Has Spent Millions On Rail Design Work That May Not Be Used. The issue arose at Thursday’s board meeting as members grappled with the latest round of cost increases. Civil Beat.

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Gyms, theaters and bars among many businesses on Oahu allowed to reopen. Gyms, movie theaters and bars are among the businesses on Oahu that will be allowed to reopen this month per a city order representing a major leap to reopening the city’s economy. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. approves Honolulu Mayor’s request to open almost everything in June, bars included. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell says he’s sent a request to the Governor seeking to reopen just about everything else that remains shut down. KHON2.

Oahu restaurants today open tables while following social distancing rules. As Honolulu restaurants reopen today for dining in, those that can may use creative outdoor seating to allow for more customers, and hence more revenue. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu driver licensing centers are open, but by appointment only. Honolulu licensing centers are reopened and welcoming customers back, but one thing that’s not returning: Walking in and waiting. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu’s film, television industry given green light to resume on June 5. Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced that Oahu’s film and television industry will be able reopen for production and for on-location filming on June 5. KHON2.

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Honolulu Zoo opening its doors to the public with limited hours. The Honolulu Zoo reopens today on a smaller scale and with limited hours in order to combat the spread of COVID-19. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Zoo is reopening with safety measures for the visitors (and the animals). The Honolulu Zoo is set to reopen Friday with new safety measures in place to protect more than just the visitors. Hawaii News Now.

Adjusted visitor experience to be expected as Honolulu Zoo reopens Friday. For parents who are wanting to get their kids out of the house, the Honolulu Zoo reopens Friday, June 5. KHON2.

Honolulu Zoo re-opens Friday after 11-week closure because of COVID-19. The experience will be different though, with new social distancing guidelines. KITV4.

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Mufi Hannemann wins mayoral endorsement of Teamsters 996, 3 other labor unions. Mufi Hannemann today won mayoral endorsements from four unions, including that of the labor organization that represents operators of city-sponsored TheBus and HandiVan operations. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Taxes raised for luxury real estate. Taxes will increase for luxury real estate under a budget passed Thursday evening by the Hawaii County Council. West Hawaii Today.

Kim ‘not surprised’ by unemployment numbers. A total of 31,712 new jobless claims were filed in Hawaii County between March 15 and May 30, according to the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Tribune-Herald.

Planning commission approves permit for contentious cell tower. One of two contentious cell towers in Puna is back on the table after a meeting of the Windward Planning Commission. Tribune-Herald.

County Council Approves Additional Funding for Food Distribution Efforts. Hawai‘i County Council approved funding to support the continued food distribution efforts to keiki islandwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Now.

High enterococci levels prompt advisory for waters near Niumalu Beach. The advisory was issued due to high levels of enterococci found in a sampling of ocean water from the Niumalu Beach area, the Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch reported. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Commercial watersports can resume only at state facilities. DLNR gives green light with restrictions. Maui News.

War Memorial parking lot work shows progress. It is scheduled to be completed Aug. 1 and to have 807 stalls, 40 more than it formerly had. Maui News.

Kauai

County hoping for $28 million in CARES Act funds. The county is poised to receive $28,715,551 as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds as a sub-recipient of the $862,823,979 received by the state. Garden Island.

Patroling public restrooms. Kaua’i County modified its sanitation standards for its public restrooms, hoping to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Wallace G. Rezentes Jr. said. Garden Island.

Hawaii's new tourism brand: 'safest place in the world,' airport arrivals triple, thousands wait hours in Oahu food line, Kauai goes to 4-day workweeks, taxing the rich, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii beach scene ©2020 All Hawaii News

Plans in the works to market Hawaii as the ‘safest place in the world’. Most Hawaii businesses remain closed and the stay-home orders have not yet been lifted, but plans are already in the works to begin marketing the state to tourists as the safest place on earth. Star-Advertiser.

Senate committee wants passenger quarantine improved and scaled up to accommodate rising visitors. The Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 today criticized loopholes in the mandatory passenger quarantine and said they want them sealed before visitor counts to Hawaii begin rising again. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Officials Mull Further Restrictions On Tourists, But Data Show Most Virus Cases Are Residents. Data from the Hawaii Department of Health show that most confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the islands are local residents. But some legislators are calling for increased quarantine restrictions on visitors. Hawaii Public Radio.

Airport arrivals triple in May, says state. Senators fear a resurgence of the coronavirus in Hawaii, citing lax airport visitor screenings and inconsistent quarantine enforcement. KITV4.

Airports official criticized over quarantine enforcement failures. An official tasked with overseeing the arrival of passengers at Hawaii’s airports was raked over the coals Thursday by members of the state Senate’s Special Committee on COVID-19. Tribune-Herald.

COVID-19 Monitoring Could Turn Hawaii Into A Tourist ‘Prison Camp,’ Critics Say. Among the possibilities state Attorney General Clare Connors has floated for monitoring tourists in quarantine are ankle bracelets and GPS monitoring. Civil Beat.

Mid-week visitor count moves higher, but out-of-state passenger trend remains low. Wednesday brought one of the highest counts of out-of-state visitor arrivals into the state since tourism lockdowns began in mid-March. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines adding one daily flight between Seattle, Honolulu. When people are ready to travel again, we wanted to know what airlines are doing to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus. KHON2.

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Hawaii Lawmakers Are Trying To Figure Out How To Get Back Into Session. If details on social distancing and constitutionality can be worked out, the Hawaii Legislature could meet this month. Civil Beat.

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Clinical Labs of Hawaii ramps up antibody testing to further understanding of coronavirus. Clinical Labs of Hawaii started coronavirus antibody testing Thursday and is partnering with Hawaii Pacific Health which will start testing its employees Friday for free. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Pacific Health to begin coronavirus antibody testing for its employees. Hawaii Pacific Health will begin coronavirus antibody testing for 7,200 employees to assess the level of infection in the health care workforce. Star-Advertiser.

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No Quick Recovery, Say Hawai‘i’s Business Leaders. BOSS Survey of 404 local executives asks about Hawai‘i’s economic recovery, expected changes within their companies, the challenges of working from home, how they’ve adjusted their personal habits and more. Hawaii Business Magazine.

Eateries look to reopen dine-in areas with strict social distancing, hygiene practices. Lt. Gov. Josh Green said he wants to see restaurants open their dining rooms by the end of May. Hawaii News Now.

Federal help for independent contractors, gig workers in Hawaii still weeks away. The state has already received more than 7,500 unemployment claims from independent contractors since a state web portal was launched Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

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Judges have released more than 500 Hawaii inmates during pandemic. More than 500 Hawaii inmates have been released early by state judges in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report by a court-appointed special master. Hawaii News Now.

Hundreds of Hawaii inmates freed from overcrowded facilities to limit exposure to COVID-19. More than 650 inmates at Hawaii’s correctional centers have been released since March in the ongoing effort to reduce crowding in jails and prisons and to limit inmates’ exposure to COVID-19. Star-Advertiser.

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Information Lockdown At Hawaii Labor Department Stymies Coronavirus Stories. Civil Beat tried to pursue stories about workers in unsafe conditions or denied workers’ compensation claims, but the state labor department says it’s too busy to answer questions. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige to step back from blanket suspension of open meetings law. State attorneys are working on language that would restore at least some portions of the Sunshine Law that requires government meetings to be public, a law that was suspended as part of an emergency proclamation issued by Gov. David Ige in mid-March to lessen the spread of the new coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii coronavirus cases rise by 5 to 618. Hawaii’s tally of coronavirus cases has risen to 618, up five from Wednesday, the state Department of Health announced today. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii DOH Reports 5 New COVID-19 Cases. New infections were reported on the Big Island and Maui on Thursday. Civil Beat.

Public school round up: budget cuts and support for homeless students. Administrators looking at where it can cut from the budget; also considering buying buses to deliver supplies to homeless children. KITV4.

Walmart workers in Hawaii receive a total of $380K in bonuses. To give back in this time of uncertainty, one big box store is saying thank you to their employees in a big way. Walmart says associates in Hawaii received a bonus in their paychecks Thursday, which adding up to $380,000 statewide. KITV4.

No trims, no dyes, no perms for over a month. Under the state’s phased reopening plan, salons will be among the last to reopen. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

‘Mind-blowing': Advocates say huge turnout for food distribution underscores scope of need. In a startling display of the scope of need on Oahu, thousands turned out Thursday to get free food at the first of a series of distribution events aimed at helping laid off workers. Hawaii News Now.

Thousands wait in line for food distribution. Thousands of Oahu residents lined up for free groceries Thursday — many enduring a 2-mile line of cars and a four-hour wait — in one of the most dramatic examples of economic suffering brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Thousands of people wait in line for hours for food on Oahu. Thousands of Oahu residents waited in long lines for hours on Thursday for 50 pounds of food provided by the City and County of Honolulu, the Bank of Hawaii Foundation, Hawaii Community Foundation and the Hawaii Foodbank. KHON2.

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The job of leading the City’s proposed COVID-19 testing program has been reassigned. The job of leading the City’s proposed COVID-19 testing program has been reassigned after the department director who had been spearheading the initiative was placed on paid leave. KHON2.

Select businesses allowed to reopen in first steps toward reopening economy.  Oahu is dipping a toe into efforts to reopen Hawaii’s economy. Hawaii News Now.

Some businesses on Oahu allowed to reopen under mayor’s recovery plan. One of the services allowed to re-open is automated car washes. KITV4.

Waipahu woman released due to pandemic is now back in custody for a carjacking. She was among the hundreds of Hawaii inmates released early due to the coronavirus pandemic. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

County mulls extra property tax on the rich: Revenues sought as COVID-19 cripples budget. Both County Council Chairman Aaron Chung and Mayor Harry Kim said Thursday they’re considering an additional tax for residences where the building plus land is valued at more than $1.5 million or $2 million. West Hawaii Today.

West Hawaii’s lawmakers set blueprint for reopening. The process to reopen Hawaii has officially begun. On Wednesday night, nine of West Hawaii’s leaders held a virtual town hall laying out the plan for opening the state following its closure due to the COVID-19 outbreak. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo jail population down 160 inmates due to court order. The inmate population at Hawaii Community Correctional Center continues to shrink as a result of an order by the Hawaii Supreme Court to reduce populations in the state’s jails and prisons to help prevent a COVID-19 outbreak in those facilities. Tribune-Herald.

Despite pandemic, Big Island real estate market fairly stable. Even as the COVID-19 pandemic affects industries worldwide, real estate activity on the Big Island remains relatively steady. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Parks for limited use, golf courses to reopen Friday. Face masks required when in public. Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino announced Wednesday afternoon the first round of reopenings, starting with some beach and inland parks and golf courses at 7 a.m. Friday. Maui News.

Texas visitor disobeys quarantine order several times. Houston man is arrested; opts to leave voluntarily. Maui News.

Speeding Citations Up 92% Since Start of Maui’s Stay-at-Home Order. Speeding citations on Maui are up 92% since the start of Maui’s stay-at-home order was implemented on March 20, 2020.  The data covers a five-and-a-half week period through April 29, 2020. Maui Now.

35-MW wind farm is proposed in Ulupalakua. Auwahi 2 would sit next to sister project on ranch land. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai County is giving the 4-day work week a try. Starting next week Monday, some 400 county workers will have Fridays off. Their pay is not being cut. Hawaii News Now.

Not a furlough; Kauai County will test out a four-day work week. Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami implemented a schedule change for county employees. KHON2.

Small businesses slowly readying for reopen. Slowly businesses are gearing up to open their doors after county and state officials have announced they’re starting to loosen up their restrictions and emergency rules. Garden Island.

House Speaker Saiki resurrects state property tax bill, groups sue DLNR over aquarium collectors, coronavirus hits Hawaii tourism, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

School of fish in Hawaii ©2020 All Hawaii News

State agency has not protected reef fish, lawsuit says. Earthjustice filed suit Monday against a state agency it says is sidestepping the law when it comes to the regulation of tropical fish taken from Hawaii’s reefs for the commercial aquarium pet trade. Star-Advertiser.

DLNR draws lawsuit. The State’s Department of Land and Natural Resources is drawing a lawsuit from the environmental law firm Earthjustice, claiming the agency has created loopholes for the aquarium fishing industry to continue unregulated. Garden Island.

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Saiki Proposes Tax Funding Measure To Raise Teacher Pay. Under the House Speaker’s plan, voters could approve a constitutional amendment giving the Hawaii Board of Education power to increase property taxes. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers seek to add new property tax to fund teacher pay. The bill comes a little more than a year after the Hawaii Supreme Court struck down a similar ballot question less than three weeks before the 2018 general election. Pacific Business News.

Bill introduced to better pay Hawaii's teachers. Speaker of the House Scott Saiki introduced the bill that would allow the public to vote on whether or not the Board of Education should be able to raise property taxes to fund teacher salaries. KITV4.

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Bill: Don’t Let State Workers Access Online Porn. Government facilities that provide free WiFi would also require blocking filters. Civil Beat.

A bevy of marijuana bills: Full legalization, dispensary improvements among proposed measures. After 2019 brought several changes to marijuana management at both the state and county level, dozens of new marijuana-related bills have been proposed in 2020. Tribune-Herald.

OHA Submits Package of Proposed Bills. As part of its mandate to advocate for Native Hawaiians, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs submits a package of proposed bills to the Hawai`i State Legislature each year. Maui Now.

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Agencies scramble as trips to and from China are scrubbed amid the coronavirus outbreak. The outbreak of the 2019 coronavirus is hitting travelers between Hawaii and China as well as Hawaii companies that rely on their business. Star-Advertiser.

Report: Two-Thirds of Hawaii Residents Struggle Financially. Residents cope by working multiple jobs, living with relatives and tapping savings, a new study shows. Civil Beat.

Major Decrease In Hawaii’s Cost Of Living Unlikely, But A Little May Be Enough. According to Peter Fulekey, an economist with the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, the price of goods and services in Hawaii are 18.5 percent higher than the national average. Hawaii Public Radio.

Midwives prepare for licensing. Midwives in Hawaii are gearing up for new licensing requirements that will go into effect this summer. Tribune-Herald.

New suitor comes forward to buy Hawaiian Telcom’s parent company. An unsolicited potential acquirer has upped the ante for Hawaiian Telcom’s parent company, and investors are speculating that the offer may have fueled a bidding war. Star-Advertiser.

Bank of Hawaii posts 7.8% earnings increase and announces 4 new branches. Bank of Hawaii Corp. reported today that its net income rose 7.8% in the fourth quarter amid solid loan and deposit growth. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Kalama vigil tonight, Enriquez funeral Thursday. A candlelight vigil will be held tonight at Sandy Beach to honor the memory of Honolulu police officer Kaulike Kalama, whom friends and family have described as a “quiet hero,” whose calm presence made him the “rock” that others looked to as a source of strength. Star-Advertiser.

City considers creating a new utility (and fee) for tackling storm water. The city is considering a new utility ― and a fee for residents ― in order to better manage storm water runoff. Hawaii News Now.

Renewed calls for law enforcement on central O'ahu ag-land. Hawaii State Senator Donovan Dela Cruz (D) is calling for a security presence on state agricultural lands in Wahiawa. KITV4.

Kakaako tower facing extraordinary maintenance fee hike. Living in Kakaako was supposed to be pretty affordable for several hundred moderate-income Hawaii residents who bought into a condominium tower via lottery last year at Ward Village. Star-Advertiser.

Nearly one year after fatal Kakaako crash, new plans to improve safety at intersections. Tuesday, Jan. 28 will mark one year since the deadly Kakaako crash that injured six people and killed three pedestrians, local doctor, Travis Lau, Reino Ikeda from Japan and Casimir Pokorny from Pennsylvania. KHON2.

Major make-over for Ewa Beach park set to begin. Nightly closure signs have gone up at One'ula Beach Park, just the start of major multi-million dollars improvements. KITV4.

How These Makaha Neighbors Saved A County Park From Crime And Weeds. When police and social services agencies couldn’t help, this small band of neighbors took matters into their own hands. And it worked. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Construction ongoing: Kona prosecutor’s office delayed, completion now set for March. Hawaii County prosecutors will have to wait a couple more months before they can move into their new home at the West Hawaii Civic Center. West Hawaii Today.

Stinky problem points to need for sewer solution. A sewer system for Naalehu has been talked about for decades, but it can come none too soon, as a stinky problem last week demonstrated. West Hawaii Today.

County begins Alii Drive sinkhole repair work. Work is underway to repair damage to Alii Drive caused by a sinkhole that opened late last year fronting Coconut Grove Marketplace. West Hawaii Today.

Aliʻi Drive Sinkhole Repair Project Begins. The county says traffic on Ali‘i Drive fronting Coconut Grove Marketplace will be reduced to one lane during daylight hours as crews work to repair damage caused by sinkhole. Big Island Video News.

National Park Works To Reopen Popular Lava Tube. The unpaved Escape Road will close while repairs continue at Nāhuku, also known as Thurston Lava Tube, damaged during the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea. Big Island Video News.

Escape Road at HVNP to Close Temporarily. An unpaved emergency route between Highway 11 and the comfort station at Nahuku (Thurston Lava Tube) will be closed to the public starting Tuesday, Jan. 28 while repairs to a faulty electrical line are made. Big Island Now.

Maui

Kaiser Permanente No Longer Has Contract For Med-QUEST Coverage On Maui. Med-QUEST, the state’s health and medical coverage for low-income individuals, has awarded healthcare providers HMSA, United Healthcare, AlohaCare and Ohana Health Plan contracts that take effect in July. Hawaii Public Radio.

Stubbs Named Kihei Charter Head of School. Stubbs replaces former Head of School John Colson, who has been with the school for several years and will now serve as an educational consultant. Maui Now.

Fewer turtles found stranded in 2019 than in year previous. Fishing gear – mainly nets – continues to be the greatest cause of marine entanglements. Maui News.

Pro-life marchers take to the streets in Kahului. A sign-waving crowd of about 190 people makes its way along Puunene Avenue in Kahului Saturday morning while taking part in the annual Maui March for Life. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai United Way funding being considered. Nonprofit organizations that provide human services to the people of Kauai can now apply for Kauai United Way funding covering the period from July 2020 through June, 2021. Garden Island.

Small group rallies against abortion on Kauai. Garden Island.

Police pulled off Mauna Kea as access road to be opened, Maui mayor vetoes tax valuation bill, 500 food service workers strike at Honolulu airport, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ige and top state law enforcement officials hold Mauna Kea press conference ©2019 All Hawaii News

Hawaii Governor Pulls Back Law Enforcement On Mauna Kea — For Now. Protesters of the Thirty Meter Telescope project are contemplating their next move in the face of a Dec. 26 deadline to either leave or risk arrest. Civil Beat.

5 months after standoff with TMT protesters began, Ige pulls law enforcement from Mauna Kea. The governor announced Thursday he’s pulling state law enforcement from Mauna Kea amid the ongoing standoff with Thirty Meter Telescope protesters at the base of the summit, but stressed his administration is not abandoning the project. Hawaii News Now.

Thirty Meter Telescope protesters told to clear road by Dec. 26. In a confusing flurry of activity Thursday, Gov. David Ige said he was removing state law enforcement personnel from Mauna Kea for the time being, while a top state law enforcement officer warned the protesters blocking the Mauna Kea Access Road that they have until Dec. 26 to clear the road, or face arrest. Star-Advertiser.

Standing down: Ige, Kim announce withdrawal of law enforcement on Maunakea. After more than five months of waiting, the impasse at Maunakea Access Road has seemingly broken, with Gov. David Ige on Thursday reopening the road and withdrawing law enforcement from the mountain. Tribune-Herald.

The governor has initiated a reduction of state law enforcement presence on Maunakea. State law enforcement will stand down on Mauna Kea, and the Mauna Kea Access Road will reopen. Big Island Video News.

TMT Won't Begin Construction At This Time, Ige To Withdraw Law Enforcement From Mauna Kea. Hawaii Gov. David Ige says he is withdrawing state law enforcement officers from Mauna Kea after being informed that the $1.6 billion Thirty Meter Telescope won't proceed with construction at this time. Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor Ige pulls law enforcement from Mauna Kea, police give demonstrators one week to clear the road. Mauna Kea kia’i are given one week to clear access to the Mauna or face removal after Governor David Ige announces the TMT project will be temporarily put on hold. KHON2.

State to Withdraw Presence From Maunakea as Part of Indefinite Stand Down. Gov. David Ige has announced an indefinite withdrawal of state law enforcement from Maunakea, citing the Thirty Meter Telescope’s intention not to immediately move forward with construction on the mountain. Big Island Now.

Demonstrators against TMT construction say they were given a deadline to clear Mauna Kea access road. On Thursday, demonstrators against construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea say they were given a deadline to clear the access road. KITV.

Complaint: ‘Enhanced’ Maunakea traffic enforcement is unconstitutional. The Hawaii County Police Commission is slated to hear a complaint today by a retired police sergeant who alleges the Hawaii Police Department’s operations around the blockade of Maunakea Access Road by protesters of the Thirty Meter Telescope project is “institutionalized police misconduct.” Tribune-Herald.

Baby gets a special greeting from Obama at Hawaii golf course. Former President Barack Obama is back on Oahu for the holidays, where he's already hitting the links and surprising families. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Strike spurs several restaurant closures at Honolulu airport. Over 500 HMSHost Honolulu airport workers went on strike Thursday in the midst of one of the busiest travel times of the year. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Airport Food Service Workers On Strike. It involves over 500 Local 5 members at HMSHost concessions and restaurants. Civil Beat.

More than 500 food service workers at Honolulu airport on strike. More than 500 food service workers at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport are on strike on Thursday, calling for better pay and benefits. Hawaii News Now.

More than 500 food service workers on strike at the airport in Honolulu. Airport officials told us that there are only a handful or so places open where people can get food and drinks. KHON2.

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State cites operators of two unlicensed Honolulu care homes. The state Health Department said today it has ordered the operators of two illegal adult residential care homes in Honolulu to close down following unannounced visits. Star-Advertiser.

State orders 2 illegal adult care homes to shut down. The state says both are operated by Kolea Senior Management Services. Hawaii News Now.

State cracking down on unlicensed home care facilities. It's something that has become a bigger problem as Hawaii's population ages. KITV.

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‘Save Our Sherwoods’ says mayor agrees to scrap controversial Waimanalo project. Opponents of a controversial development project in Waimanalo say an agreement has been reached to scrap the plan. Hawaii News Now.

U.S. Attorney believes group behind violent crimes on Oahu. U.S. Attorney Kenji Price said a group may be behind some of the recent armed crimes in Hawaii, particularly on Oahu, during a news conference today addressing the spike in violent crimes. Star-Advertiser.

Lay Net Found In Kaneohe Bay So Massive DLNR Needed A Forklift To Move It. The discovery sparked an investigation by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, which regulates net fishing. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

The Big Island took to the small screen in 2019. 64 productions permitted, filmed on Big Island in 2019. Tribune-Herald.

Suggestions sought for lands to be permanently preserved. The Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission, or PONC, is seeking suggestions from the public regarding lands that should be preserved because of cultural or historic significance. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor Victorino Vetoes Bill on Real Property Tax Valuations. Maui Mayor Michael Victorino announced his disapproval of Bill 59, relating to Real Property Tax Valuations, citing concerns over what he called “the potential negative consequences of the proposed tax classifications and a lack of understanding by taxpayers.” Maui Now.

Maui Mayor vetoes bill on Real Property Tax Valuations. Mayor Victorino objected to the Council’s new proposed real property tax classifications of combining “properties with dwellings” in the current Agricultural, Conservation, Apartment, and Residential classifications into a new classification entitled “non-owner occupied.” KHON2.

Funds for old, new jail; to purchase watershed all part of Ige’s budget. $17M also allotted for Maui hospitals. Maui News.

Surf competition raises concerns over illegal parking, congestion. Residents file complaints after Jaws Challenge. Maui News.

Kauai

After 100 years in business, Kauai hog farm prepares to shut down. Kauai farmers Valerie and Derwin Kaneshiro raise hogs and produce pork. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai utility hits mark of supplying island with 100% renewable energy. KIUC claims that for five hours last Tuesday, all electricity on Kauai — which provides power to a population of about 100,000, including visitors — was generated 100% by renewable resources. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lowest in gun deaths, DOE supervisors fined for ethics violations, Maui council approves property tax reform, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Woman pointing gun

Photo by Andrey Zvyagintsev on Unsplash

Study ranks Hawaii lowest in U.S. for gun deaths and gun-related homicides, according to a new study. Hawaii had the lowest rates of both overall gun deaths and gun-related homicides in the nation during a 10-year period from 2008 to 2017, but that still meant that someone was killed by a gun every eight days across the islands, according to a new study. Star-Advertiser.

Pay by the gallon or mile? State looks at fuel tax alternatives. A state project exploring a replacement for fuel taxes remains on schedule, but some remain skeptical. Tribune-Herald.

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High ranking DOE supervisors fined thousands for ethics violations. The state Ethics Commission has fined three high-ranking supervisors in the Department of Education’s facilities maintenance branch for misusing state employees on private construction projects. Hawaii News Now.

Three DOE Facilities Staff Members Fined By Ethics Commission. A facilities manager was fined for using agency employees to do work on his home and another property. Civil Beat.

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Hawaiian community renews push to recognize holiday overshadowed by Thanksgiving. La Ku'oko'a recognizes the day in 1843 on November 28th when the Kingdom of Hawaii's sovereignty was officially recognized internationally by Britain and France. KITV.

Department of Education to offer Hawaiian courses to employees. The state Department of Education plans to offer free Hawaiian language courses to all of its employees, beginning in January. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Sen. Kai Kahele Finds Money, Connections In DC. Now that Tulsi Gabbard has said she won’t seek reelection, the CD2 candidate is finding receptive ears in the nation’s capital. Civil Beat.

Mental Health Services On Hawaii Campuses Lag Far Behind Demand. At UH Manoa, students can wait as long as two months to sit down with a therapist. Civil Beat.

Oahu

A Windward Oahu school grapples with an uncertain future. At Keolu Elementary in Kailua, there are 15 students in the entire first grade class. Keolu’s total enrollment is at 115, one of the lowest in the state according to DOE figures. Hawaii News Now.

HART’s Last Original Board Member Hasn’t Left As Planned. Damien Kim announced his departure five months ago, but the City Council can’t find a qualified successor. Civil Beat.

Bikeshare Hawaii sets sights on electric bikes. Bikeshare Hawaii, founder of Honolulu’s first bikeshare system, is looking toward the future with an eye on electric bikes. Star-Advertiser.

‘Makoa,’ a recently weaned monk seal pup, found dead. NOAA officials say a male monk seal pup named Makoa has died. He was found dead on Oahu’s North Shore the morning of Nov. 9. Hawaii News Now.

Scientists investigate the death of a young Hawaiian monk seal. NOAA says the male seal RL-36, also known as Makoa, was found dead on the North Shore of Oahu last weekend. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Draft EIS Proposes 14 Commercial Aquarium Fishing Permits For West Hawaii. Supporters of commercial aquarium fishing have posted a draft environmental impact statement examining the future collection in the West Hawai’i Regional Fishery Management Area. Big Island Video News.

Pharmacy school faculty vote ‘no confidence’. Faculty members in the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy have taken a vote of “no confidence” for Dean Carolyn Ma. Tribune-Herald.

Months after article exposed security woes, KVBID reports improvements. Two months after a news article highlighted frustrations with security issues and businesses downtown, the Kailua Village Business Improvement District offered its status report to the Hawaii County Council Finance Committee. West Hawaii Today.

Hawai‘i Island Vacation Rentals Increase Slightly in October. Vacation rental performance on Hawai‘i Island increased slightly in October from the previous month, according  to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. Big Island Now.

Home in Kukio sells for $25M, highest price in Hawaii in 2019. A six-bedroom home in the Maniniowali section of the Kukio Golf and Beach Club on Hawaii Island recently sold for $25 million, the highest price in the state for a single-family home so far this year. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Council OKs property tax reform bills. Pointing to an imbalance where longtime Maui residents cannot afford one property while out-of-state buyers scoop up multiple dwellings, the Maui County Council approved a pair of property tax reform bills that will change tax classifications and set the framework for new tiered rates. Maui News.

Airport runway rebuilding to force changes. Part of old Haleakala Highway to close, private plane area will be relocated. Maui News.

Grand Wailea Development Request Strikes Opposition. Native Hawaiian activists are expressing disapproval over proposed development at the Grand Wailea Resort, which they argue would disturb iwi kupuna, or human remains. Maui Now.

More than $1 million in diamonds stolen. $50,000 reward offered in Lahaina Halloween robbery. Maui News.

Maui Hotels, Vacation Rentals Lead State. Hotels and vacation rentals throughout Maui County outperformed others in the state during October, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority announced earlier this week. Maui Now.

Kauai

Golden Rule arrives in Nawiliwili on Dec. 1. The small sailboat with a big mission, the Golden Rule, was in Hawaii in the 1950s, and played a pivotal role in ending global atmospheric nuclear testing. Garden Island.

Honolulu homeless dying in the streets, telemedicine for abortion, Honolulu and Hawaii councils pass budgets, Kealoha uncle denies stealing mailbox, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu homeless man sleeps along the Ala Wai ©2019 All Hawaii News

A ‘startling’ number of homeless are dying on Oahu streets, new numbers show. Exactly 373 in five years. That’s the amount of homeless people who have died on Oahu from 2014 through 2018, according to Honolulu’s Medical Examiner. Hawaii News Now.

373 homeless people died on Oahu from 2014-2018. The combination of drugs, alcohol, poor health, lack of hygiene and medical attention mean Oahu’s homeless population has an average lifespan potentially decades shorter than the population in general. Star-Advertiser.

Over 5 Years, 373 Oahu Homeless People Died. Honolulu’s mayor says the new statistics show the need to help vulnerable populations. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Medical Examiner Warns Homeless Dying Early. Living on Oahu's street leads to early death, the Honolulu medical examiner said Wednesday in releasing a report analyzing the deaths of 373 homeless people over a five-year period. Hawaii Public Radio.

See where Oahu's homeless residents are dying. KITV.

Hawaii Doctors Turn To Telemedicine As Number of Abortion Providers Dwindles. Hawaii was the first state to recognize a woman’s right to terminate her pregnancy, but women in rural Hawaii who wish to exercise that right face plenty of hurdles. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Council OKs tax hikes for hotels, other properties. Owners of hotels, resorts and most higher-end residential properties will need to pay more in taxes under a budget plan approved by the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council Approves Hotel Real Property Tax Hike, Budget Increases. The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday approved increases in property taxes for hotels/resorts and residential condos and houses over $1 million not used as primary residences -- all to help cover a $12.8 billion operating budget for the next fiscal year. Hawaii Public Radio.

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City Council OKs Court Challenge Over Louis Kealoha Legal Fees. The council wants to overturn the Police Commission’s decision to pay for the former police chief’s defense in a public corruption trial. Civil Beat.

Katherine Kealoha’s uncle describes his deteriorating relationship with niece. Gerard Puana was convinced that a team of Honolulu police officers was following him — to a party in Kailua, to Manoa Marketplace, and constantly driving around his house. Star-Advertiser.

'We Were The Best Of Friends': Gerard Puana Testifies In Kealoha Trial. The man allegedly framed in a mailbox theft that’s turned into a massive corruption case talks about the ups and downs of his relationship with his niece, Katherine Kealoha. Civil Beat.

Uncle Denies Theft In Kealohas' Corruption Trial. U.S. prosecutors say framing Puana was key to a conspiracy by ex-Honolulu chief Louis Kealoha and his wife Katherine Kealoha, a former deputy city prosecutor. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘Absolutely not’: Relative who Kealohas alleged stole their mailbox tells jurors he’s innocent. Hawaii News Now.

KEALOHA TRIAL: More cross-examination is expected Thursday, June 6. KHON2.

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'More ghetto’: Maili residents turn out to protest 52-unit affordable housing project. Maili residents who opposed an affordable housing project in their neighborhood turned out in force at the City Council on Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Kakaako street dispute headed for hearing. A state board decided Wednesday to retain a legal expert to officiate a dispute over poor pavement conditions and parking restrictions on several privately owned streets in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council passes expanded budget. The County Council on Wednesday added $1.6 million and two more positions to the 93 new positions in Mayor Harry Kim’s $583.9 million spending plan, while moving money around in other accounts to give the legislative body more oversight. West Hawaii Today.

Foes blast Maunakea rules. More than 100 people showed up Tuesday evening at Waiakea Elementary School for a public hearing on a revised draft of administrative rules regulating public and commercial activities on Maunakea. Tribune-Herald.

The Department of Parks and Recreation announces the Pahoa Community Aquatic Center is now open 7 days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Panel backs commercial activity ban at Hanakao'o. Canoe clubs say beach last place for them in West Maui. Maui News.

United Airlines CEO on Maui: Terminal Upgrades and Infrastructure Challenges. United Airlines CEO, Oscar Munoz visited with Maui employees on Wednesday, as part of a Hawaii visit that includes stops at major airports across the state. Maui Now.

Fundraising halfway there for Lahaina Fourth of July. LahainaTown Action Committee has “special and exciting” ideas for the annual Fourth of July fireworks and is about halfway to its fundraising goal of $50,000 with about a month left to go. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai condo prices doubled in May. Homebuyers last month shelled out much more money for condominiums on Kauai - so much that it caused the median sale price for such homes to more than double, according to a report released Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Black Pot opening delayed. County officials are now hoping to reopen the park at the end of June. Garden Island.

Cocaine missing from evidence prompts indictment of two veteran police officers, 4 others; rural broadband coming to Hawaii; Honolulu council overrides property tax veto; bird poop threatens rail workers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii police on parade ©2019 All Hawaii News

Two retired police officers charged with drugs, conspiracy offenses. Two separate indictments were filed Monday against two retired police officers, each with more than 20 years of service. West Hawaii Today.

A grand jury has indicted two retired Hawaii Police Department officers in a case involving stolen drug evidence, according to court records. Associated Press.

Two retired Big Island police officers indicted for gambling, drug-related crimes. KITV.

Two retired police officers have been indicted. KHON2.

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FCC grants Hawaii counties $18.1M to expand rural broadband services. The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday authorized more than $18.1 million in funding to expand broadband services to over 3,900 unserved rural homes and businesses in Hawaii’s four counties over the next decade. Star-Advertiser.

High speed internet coming to rural Hawaii. The Federal Communications Commission wants to expand services to areas like Hawaiian Acres on the Big Island, Hana, Maui, Hanapepe, Kauai, and Kahuku on Oahu. KITV.

The Navy has awarded the University of Hawaii a contract worth up to $77 million over five years for its defense-related Applied Research Laboratory. The Hawaii lab’s focus includes ocean environmental effects of natural and man-made underwater noise sources on littoral, or nearshore, anti-submarine warfare, as well as marine life. Star-Advertiser.

UH Wants To Cut Tuition For Some Grad Students — Especially Out-Of-Staters. Proposed new tuition rates being considered by the Board of Regents seek to reverse declines in graduate student enrollment. Civil Beat.

Bank of Hawaii is finally exiting American Samoa — 6-1/2 years after putting its plans on hold following a plea by the U.S. territory’s governor. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City Council overrides mayor’s veto of a bill that will lower property taxes. Hawaii News Now.

How Honolulu Property Tax Decisions Could Affect Owners. The Honolulu City Council on Tuesday overrode Mayor Kirk Caldwell's veto of a bill that increases the standard home exemption on property taxes while advancing his proposal to hike the tax rate on hotels and resorts. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council committee again tosses out trash pickup fee. The Honolulu City Council Budget Committee on Tuesday again rejected Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s plan for a trash pickup fee, but approved proposals to raise rates in the hotel-resort and nonowner occupant property tax categories. Star-Advertiser.

City Council Overrides Caldwell Veto On Tax Break. The Honolulu mayor prefers a bill providing targeted property tax exemptions. Civil Beat.

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HART Poised To Approve $1.4 Million To Combat Bird Droppings. Rail officials say so many pigeons and other birds are nesting inside the transit line’s cavernous concrete guideway that it’s become a health hazard to workers. Civil Beat.

Turf war brewing in Waikiki as beachboys spar over contract obligations. A year after it awarded lucrative Waikiki beachboy concessions to Dive Oahu, the city said its revenues have nearly doubled. Hawaii News Now.

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With jury selection for Kealoha trial underway, attorneys now look to get an advantage. KHON2.

Hawaii News Now: Kealohas Are Retaliating Against Our Reporter. Lynn Kawano of Hawaii News Now says in court records that the Kealohas are trying to stop her from covering the trial because of her investigative reports. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Stories of misdeeds and corruption have helped shape Hawaii’s history, going back to a royal opium scandal that contributed to efforts to overthrow the monarchy. Civil Beat.

Commentary: How I Became A Witness In The Kealoha Corruption Trial. Civil Beat.

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First-time homeowners handed the keys to new affordable housing towers in Kakaako. A two-bedroom affordable unit in Ke Kilohana measures about 750 square feet and prices start at around $473,000. Hawaii News Now.

Howard Hughes opens Ke Kilohana workforce tower: Slideshow. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Electric Light Co.’s agreement with Puna Geothermal Venture to rebuild power transmission lines and related infrastructure will require state Public Utilities Commission approval and a public hearing. Hawaii Electric Light Co.’s agreement with Puna Geothermal Venture to rebuild power transmission lines and related infrastructure will require state Public Utilities Commission approval and a public hearing. Tribune-Herald.

The controversial geothermal power plant in Pohoiki must hold a public hearing and win the approval of the state Public Utilities Commission before it can rebuild transmission lines that were wiped out by last year’s Kilauea eruption. Star-Advertiser.

Puna Geothermal, HELCO Agreement Pushes Rebuild Forward. Big Island Video News.

Polystyrene ban coming. The convergence of two unrelated events has food vendors crying foul and may lead to changes in the county’s polystyrene ban. West Hawaii Today.

County steps up action against Hilo encampment’s landowner. The owners of a downtown Hilo property on which a homeless commune has been established owe the county nearly $6,000 in fines. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Residents Push Back On Loosening Liquor Laws. Allowing restaurants to sell take-out booze is the latest in a series of controversial proposals. “We don’t want Maui to turn into Las Vegas,” says one critic. Civil Beat.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino toured the old University of Hawaii Maui College dormitory site on Tuesday afternoon with Lt. Gov. Josh Green and Maui County Council Member Tasha Kama, chairwoman of the council’s Affordable Housing Committee. Maui Now.

Kauai

Waiting is the hardest part. According to the Hawaii Department of Transportation, the Lihue-bound lane of Kuhio Highway will remain closed for the duration of the slope stabilization, which is expected to take between four to five months to complete. Garden Island.