Feds delay Hawaii historic review, monk seal relocations, Honolulu mayor wants more taxes, 6.5% budget hike, lawmaker's racist comments still reverberate, busy week ahead for state Legislature, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian petroglyphs (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Sequestration has given the State Historic Preservation Division a reprieve from a long-awaited federal review. SHPD, which is battling to retain its federal certification and funding, was supposed to face its day of reckoning this week. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie said Friday his budget planners have penciled in $25 million for a contingency fund to help state programs that are expected to lose millions of dollars in federal funding. Associated Press.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie wants state lawmakers to establish a $25 million fund to help pay for local shortages in federal funding due to the sequester, which went into effect Friday after President Barack Obama and Republicans in Congress could not agree on a deficit reduction plan. Pacific Business News.

Federal officials on Friday said they’re temporarily giving up a plan to boost survival rates for juvenile Hawaiian monk seals by moving a few of them from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to the main Hawaiian Islands each year. Associated Press.

The Hawaii Legislature is anticipating a marathon of votes this week as state lawmakers race to meet Thursday’s first crossover deadline. Associated Press.

A battle has waged at the state Capitol for years between corporations, some farmers and businesses that stand behind the Food and Drug Administration's determination that genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, do not need cautionary labeling, and environmental groups, organic farmers and community members who strongly believe biologically engineered food is harmful for people and the environment. Sen. Clarence Nishihara (D, Waipahu-Crestview-Pearl City), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said he is not planning on hearing the labeling bill because he believes it would violate federal interstate commerce laws. Star-Advertiser.

A number of measures making their way through the current Legislative session aim to decrease Hawaii’s dependence on the mainland when it comes to food. Tribune-Herald.

After years of cuts, the state is gradually restoring adult mental health services and looking to streamline operations in an effort to rebuild a safety net that advocates say is failing too many. Star-Advertiser.

Faye Hanohano

Inflammatory remarks attributed to Rep. Faye Hanohano regarding the artwork in her Capitol office are the talk of the islands. But has Hanohano raised an important point? That art by Hawaii's indigenous people should be celebrated? Civil Beat.

State Representative Faye Hanohano, a Democrat from Puna who chairs the House Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, has apologized for racial slurs she made to state exhibition experts from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts as they hung artwork her office manager requested in her capitol office on Monday. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii state Rep. Faye Hanohano certainly struck a chord with the wrong crowd at the Capitol building this week, firing off ethnic slang with the same fearless abandon as an ‘80s action hero spraying bullets. Big Island Now.

A scripted apology on the House floor might not be enough to get Rep. Faye Hanohano out of hot water. Workers complained that she went off on a racist rant about artwork in her office, managing to offend multiple ethnic groups in one tirade. KITV4.

Two state Senate committees plan to hold confirmation hearings next week to consider candidates for various Hawaii agencies nominated by Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Associated Press.

For the first time, the state will participate in National Invasive Species Awareness Week, observed from Monday to March 10. Tribune-Herald.

The Kaiser Foundation Health Plan's Hawaii region is reporting an operating loss of $600,000 in the fourth quarter of last year and a $1.6 million deficit for all of 2012. Pacific Business News.

It’s Your Money: Faulty Hose Sends Taxpayers' Dollars Down the Drain. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell's proposed budget includes a 6 1/2 percent increase over last year, but Caldwell says he's paying for promises he made on the campaign trail, even if those promises aren't cheap. KITV4.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Aina Haina Community Association are asking the city to stop grading work on property in Aina Haina owned by developer Jeff Stone until an archaeological inventory survey is conducted. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply plans to spend an estimated $9.5 million on a 30-year master plan that will include an investigation of how climate change could affect the island's water resources and delivery system. Star-Advertiser.

A lot of people have been buying guns recently and that's putting a strain on Oahu's only public firing range. KHON2.

A marine mammal response team received a call on Sunday morning about a stranded humpback whale, but the calf was already dead by the time volunteers arrived in Waianae. Hawaii News Now.

Byron’s, bye-bye. Hawaii celebrates 47 years of fried Oreos, shrimp burgers, and late nights. Hawaii Independent.

Hawaii

The University of Hawaii at Hilo’s long-sought-after student housing complex, which is currently under construction and scheduled to be completed in August, is falling under intense scrutiny. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County could manage but not own the Banyan Drive area and two state parks under legislation amended last week. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The governor has released $50 million for highway construction and improvements that will dramatically change how people maneuver around Kahului Airport. Maui News.

The relocation of the Harbors Maui District Office from the waterfront at Kahului Harbor to the historic Old Kahului Railroad Building along Kaahumanu Avenue has received $600,000 in funding. Maui News.

More than three dozen South Maui residents heard Saturday that the proposed Kihei high school is not having smooth sailing through the state Legislature. Maui News.

A public hearing is planned on Monday, March 4, 2013, for the Draft Habitat Conservation Plan proposed by Honuaula Partners LLC for the project formerly known as Wailea 670. Maui Now.

Selling $50 million worth of condominiums in a year isn't as astounding as $425 million in two months, but the sales team at a luxury Maui condo project is celebrating what one analyst said represents a leading edge of a broader recovery. Honua Kai, a 700-unit condo complex that opened its initial phase in the wake of the recession four years ago, reported $50 million in sales last year. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

A letter from the publisher: Change is inevitable, sometimes necessary and often a good thing. That is certainly the case with recent and ongoing changes here at The Garden Island.

After hours of testimony and questioning Wednesday afternoon, the council deferred for seven months a six-page resolution endorsing some 6,000 Kaua‘i ocean users who oppose to the expansion of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Garden Island

Soda tax dies, legislator apologizes for racist remarks, deal near on deadly 2006 Kauai dam breach, Hawaii County budget seeks to end furloughs, geothermal RFP released, police mum on disciplinary records, Hawaii is the best place to work, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii bartender (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Hawaii workers have the best work environments in the United States, according to a new Gallup poll that also ranked the state No. 1 for having the highest overall well-being in the nation. Pacific Business News.

State senators have chosen not to advance a soda fee of 1 cent per ounce that would have brought in about $37 million a year to counter obesity. The Abercrombie administration had hoped that the soda fee, as with higher taxes on tobacco, would discourage consumption. Star-Advertiser.

State Rep. Faye Hanohano apologized Thursday and accepted full responsibility for racial and ethnic remarks she made earlier this week after being disappointed with artwork installed in her state Capitol office. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Rep. Faye Hanohano has apologized on the House floor for offending people by using racial slurs to express disapproval of art in her office. Associated Press.

State representative Faye Hanohano has made a name for herself advocating on behalf of Native Hawaiians, but it's what she admits to saying about other ethnicities that has raised some eyebrows. Hawaii News Now.

POLL: Was Rep. Hanohano's apology for racial slurs enough? KITV4.

Lawmakers are considering a bill that could move the balance of power in the state Legislature even more toward Oahu. Tribune-Herald.

A House committee has revived a proposal to strip the University of Hawaii of procurement oversight of its construction projects as a prominent engineer has expanded on allegations that a top UH executive wasted potentially tens of millions of taxpayer dollars through blatant mismanagement. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii state Senate Committee on Ways and Means has approved a measure aimed at increasing the number of candidates who receive public funding for Big Island elections. Associated Press.

A bill that would force the Hawaii Labor Relations Board to issue timely decisions on cases was passed by the House Finance Committee on Wednesday, much to the satisfaction of the teachers union. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's visitor industry recorded gains in both visitor arrivals and spending in January, but the pace of growth slowed from last year's record-breaking performance, the Hawaii Tourism Authority reported Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

How widespread protests and a dissident legislative faction combined to topple the PLDC – for now. Hawaii Independent.

Carmille Lim, the newly appointed executive director of Common Cause Hawaii, has jumped into the deep end of democracy, starting at her new post just about when the Legislature convened. Star-Advertiser.

Linguists say they have determined that a unique sign language, possibly dating back to the 1800s or before, is being used in Hawaii. Associated Press.

In the Name of the Law: 5-part series on police misconduct. Civil Beat.

In-depth public service reporting on police agencies isn't possible in Hawaii, where misconduct records are exempt from public disclosure under a state law pushed through by Hawaii's own politically powerful police union. It's an exemption afforded only to the police; no other public employee has that protection. Civil Beat.

Eighteen years ago former Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano let bad cops off the hook when he allowed county police officers who got in trouble to remain anonymous. Civil Beat.

State roundup for March 1. Associated Press.

Oahu

Honolulu Liquor Commission Administrator Greg I. Nishioka has resigned from practicing law and agreed to repay misappropriated money to clients, according to the state Disciplinary Board of the Hawaii Supreme Court. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu Liquor Commission administrator is on the hot seat after misappropriating client money in his prior career as a lawyer, voluntarily surrendering his law license, and not disclosing any of it to the liquor board. KHON2.

Tourism officials discuss future management of Hawaii Convention Center. Pacific Business News.

The operator of the city's Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill has spent $1.5 million to design and construct a gas collection and control system to rectify alleged violations of the U.S. Clean Air Act that were resolved by a federal consent decree. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council members are considering a bill to encourage compliance by dead-beat homeowners who fail to clean up their yards. Hawaii Public Radio.

An island-style drive-in restaurant known for its unusual seafood burgers and 24-hour service has closed after 47 years of business. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu Girl Scouts from public and private schools across the island are part of the first high-schoolers in the state to send a Microlab — an automated, self-contained science lab in a 4 1⁄2-by-2-by-2-inch module — to the International Space Station. Star-Advertiser.

This month marks the 70th anniversary of the opening of Hono­uli­uli, the largest of the 13 internment sites in Hawaii during the war. The Nishi­muras are one of the families featured in the Japa­nese Cultural Center of Hawaii documentary "The Untold Story: Internment of Japanese Americans in Hawaii." Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Anticipating a slight rise in property values this year, Mayor Billy Kenoi on Thursday proposed a $370.8 million operating budget that holds the line on property taxes and eliminates the monthly unpaid furlough day for county employees. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Electric Light Co. announced Thursday it is ready to receive offers for expanding geothermal power on the Big Island by up to 50 megawatts. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County residents could have to pay double the current price for a new water meter come July 1 under a proposal by the Department of Water Supply. Maui News.

The Kahana Sunset's draft environmental assessment for a replacement seawall and drainage improvements underwent a review by the Maui Planning Commission on Tuesday. Maui News.

Four projects on Maui were named as recipients for funds in the first round of county grants for small town planning. Maui Now.

The Allied Health Center at the University of Hawaii Maui College was one of four University of Hawaii programs or facilities renamed in honor of the late Sen. Daniel K. Inouye. Maui News.

Kauai

The state attorney general and James Pflueger’s attorneys are finalizing a plea deal that would allow the 86-year-old automobile dealer to have his company take the brunt of charges filed against him over the breach of his Ka Loko Dam. Hawaii Reporter.

The Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Lihu‘e Business Association, hosted the first of three panel discussions with candidates for the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative Board of Directors Wednesday night at Kaua‘i Community College. Garden Island.

The head of the Planning Department took a lashing from the Kaua‘i County Council Wednesday for using funds earmarked for enforcement of transient vacation rentals in a different manner than approved by the council in 2012 and refusing to reveal additional details publicly. Garden Island.

The Garden Island ran its press for the last time Wednesday night, making Kauai the only county in Hawaii without a daily newspaper printed on island. Civil Beat.

Hawaii is the happiest state, legislator's racial slurs revealed, government stuck in a time warp, Kauai's only press shuts down, Abercrombie pushes public-private partnerships in Kona, plastic bag ban a success, minimum wage, GMO, election bills advance, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi courtesy photo

People in Hawaii are the happiest and healthiest in the nation, according to an annual national survey released Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

State Rep. Faye Hanohano — unhappy with the paintings installed in her state Capitol office as part of a public exhibit — used racial and ethnic slurs in a tirade Monday, according to an email from a state exhibit specialist. Star-Advertiser.

Wednesday may have been the last day of recess for the full Hawaii Legislature, but for some lawmakers it was a marathon of voting on bills. Associated Press.

It could be up to voters to decide whether candidates have to actually live in the district they want to represent. And Hawaii could count military just like most everyone else does on the mainland — as residents, according to several measures before lawmakers. Civil Beat.

The first state minimum wage increase in six years became closer to reality Wednesday after lawmakers passed a bill mandating regular pay hikes through the Senate’s Ways and Means Committee. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii small business owners are imploring lawmakers this session to make changes that will allow them the freedom to make a profit, reinvest in their business and employ more people. Instead, key committee chairs are planning to increase the minimum wage and add even more regulations. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii lawmakers are doing more this session than ever to plug a multi-billion-dollar hole in health and retirement benefits promised to thousands of county and state workers. Civil Beat.

Walking into the windowless office where payroll is processed for the state of Hawaii is like stepping back in time. Associated Press.

Earlier this month, opponents of Genetically Engineered Food lobbied State lawmakers to encourage them to pass legislation to require the labeling of GMO foods.   Today, workers from Hawai’I’s five GMO companies … the  producers of Hawai’i’s largest agricultural commodity … visited the Capitol to tell their story. Hawaii Public Radio.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa has introduced a bill she says will help avert defense cuts that are due to the continuing resolution and avoid the need for layoffs at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. Star-Advertiser.

A proposal is making its way through the State Legislature, that would raise the age limit for foster kids who receive support. KHON2.

Part 4 of a 5-part series. Read all the stories in Civil Beat's special report, In The Name Of The Law.

The number of foreclosure sales in Hawaii during the fourth quarter of 2012 fell 11 percent compared to the year before, but the average sales price of a foreclosed home jumped 24 percent, according to the latest data from RealtyTrac. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Some 3,585 Oahu families who receive rental housing subsidies have been notified that massive federal budget cuts set to kick in Friday could leave them without a roof over their heads. Star-Advertiser.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is suing the city and Waste Management of Hawaii Inc., the operator of the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Leeward Oahu, over gas emissions. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii senators are moving forward with a bill to direct the governor to purchase land owned by Turtle Bay Hotel and Resort on the North Shore. Star-Advertiser.

After hearing hundreds of complaints from riders who had longer waits for overcrowded buses, city leaders unveiled a plan Wednesday to reverse many of the cost-saving service changes for TheBus system that serves more than 200,000 riders daily. Star-Advertiser.

The company that oversees all police-initiated automobile tows for the city is continuing to overcharge motorists even though the city says it is closely monitoring the contract because of previous problems with overcharging, according to testimony at a hearing Wednesday and towing invoices reviewed by the Star-Advertiser.

Police disciplinary records are supposed to be released when an officer is discharged. But getting those records can be tough — and so expensive that most people likely can’t afford it — as Civil Beat has learned in researching this special report.

For some disabled students at Kipapa Elementary School, it was a nightmare of physical abuse, verbal assaults and emotional attacks. Hawaii News Now.

Chevron Corp.’s Hawaii operation is planning to develop a solar thermal demonstration project at its Kapolei refinery, which will be used to offset burning fossil fuels utilized to generate heat and steam for internal use. Pacific Business News.

Developer accused of ruining Hawaiian cultural site. Hawaii News Now.

Three bills aimed at clearing the homeless and their possessions from city sidewalks passed first reading at the Feb. 20 City Council meeting. Honolulu Weekly.

Hawaii

The first month of Hawaii County’s plastic bag ban seems to have been a resounding success, members of the county Environmental Management Commission learned Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

Five of the nine County Council members will travel to Washington, D.C., this week for the National Association of Counties legislative conference. Tribune-Herald.

Neil Abercrombie came to Kona on Wednesday to push one message: Hawaii needs public-private partnerships. West Hawaii Today.

Police Chief Harry S. Kubojiri gave an overview of crime and traffic trends in Hawaii County on Tuesday to members of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce. Tribune-Herald.

A state transportation official will hold a meeting next week to update the public on the status of an expansion project at Kona International Airport. Big Island Now.

The former home of Miko Meats is undergoing transformation to a new business incubator, creating jobs and building community in East Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

Maui
A new county office building on the old Wailuku Post Office site moved a step closer to being built as a Maui County Council committee recommended approval of $1.5 million for planning and design. Maui News.

Maui Planning Commission members approved Tuesday a special management area permit for HFM Maui to build a 45,000-square-foot warehouse at 120 Kane St. in Kahului on the 2.5-acre former site of Maui Land & Pineapple's administrative and corporate offices. Maui News.

With a 6-3 vote, the state Land Use Commission determined that owners of Kihei property slated for retail--Pi'ilani Promenade and Maui Outlets--and apartment development violated three conditions of the original 1995 order that changed the permitted land use from "Agricultural" to "Urban." Maui Weekly.

Kauai

Kaua‘i is the first major Hawaiian island to not have a press. Starting with Friday’s edition, The Garden Island will be printed on O‘ahu Publication Inc.’s $80,000,000 state-of-the art printing facility launched in 2004 at Kapolei. Out of 42 staff, the new operations retained 17 workers.

The Kaua‘i Planning Commission on Tuesday approved an office building in Hanalei in the front portion of a highway-facing lot, despite the outcry of members of the Hanalei to Ha‘ena Community Association, who wanted the building far from the highway as possible. Garden Island.