$1.9B radar dropped from budget, Hawaii woman on cruise ship contracts coronavirus, Blangiardi running for Honolulu mayor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Wind turbines in Hawaii ©2020 All Hawaii News

Renewable energy rises 28% in 2019, Hawaiian Electric says. Hawaiian Electric said its use of renewable energy in 2019 increased over 2018 despite the unavailability of geothermal on the Big Island, and significantly lower wind energy production. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric Puts Activist Fund Manager On Board. The once-critical investor changed his tone on Wednesday. Civil Beat.

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Budget drops $1.9B radar. Funding for the $1.9 billion Homeland Defense Radar- Hawaii and a more than $1 billion Pacific radar that was expected to be located in Japan has been zeroed out in the Missile Defense Agency’s fiscal 2021 budget request — raising the possibility that neither radar will be built. Star-Advertiser.

Opponents claim victory as the Missile Defense Agency pulls the plug on a controversial radar project. Opponents were worried the project would harm cultural and environmental sites. Lockheed Martin already had a contract to build the facility, but the latest Defense budget request includes no funding to continue. Hawaii News Now.

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Bill Would Let Hawaii Residents Buy Medicine From Canada. If it passes, Hawaii would be the fifth state allowing importation of drugs from north of the border. Civil Beat.

Bill would eliminate special inspections for lowriders, lifted vehicles. Many car enthusiasts hope that a proposal to get rid of a special inspection for reconstructed vehicles gets the green light from state lawmakers. Hawaii News Now.

Neighbor Island Clinics Worry About Fewer Medicaid Options. A state Med-QUEST plan to simplify its insurance playing field by offering two health plans to Medicaid patients on neighbor islands is receiving pushback. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii woman on quarantined cruise ship off Japan confirmed to have coronavirus. A Hawaii resident who was on board a quarantined cruise ship off Japan has contracted the coronavirus, her family says. Hawaii News Now.

Quarantined Ewa Beach couple tries to stay positive aboard cruise ship. Halfway through a two-week quarantine on a cruise ship docked in Japan, an Ewa Beach couple is trying to stay patient as the number of people aboard the ship who have tested positive for the new coronavirus continues to grow. Star-Advertiser.

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EPA Regional Official Who Covered Hawaii Says His Firing Followed Praise From Pelosi. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency official who oversaw Hawaii and portions of the Western states was abruptly forced to resign last week – and is publically questioning why he was terminated. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Surrounded by various downtown notables, Rick Blangiardi formally announced his candidacy for Honolulu mayor Wednesday. The newly retired HNN television general manager joins a field that includes Honolulu businessman Keith Amemiya, former state Sen. John Carroll, former U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, activist and Realtor Choon James and City Councilwoman Kym Pine. Star-Advertiser.

Rick Blangiardi Announces Run For Honolulu Mayor. The longtime media executive will face some well-funded opponents. Civil Beat.

Former HNN General Manager Rick Blangiardi announces run for mayor.  Rick Blangiardi, the former general manager at Hawaii News Now, announced his candidacy for Honolulu mayor Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Blangiardi Announces Bid For Honolulu Mayor. Former Hawaii News Now General Manager Rick Blangiardi officially announced his candidacy for Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu Wednesday. Maui Now.

Former t.v. general manager throws his name into the race for mayor. On Wednesday, former t.v. general manager, Rick Blangiardi, officially announced his run for Mayor of Honolulu. KITV4.

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Military Housing Offered To Teachers In Effort To Address Retention, High Cost of Living. Any DOE teacher can apply to live in the military housing, which is located at Schofield Barracks. Hawaii Public Radio.

Will There Be A New Oahu Jail? The Legislature Has Varying Answers. The Oahu Community Correctional Center continues to present a dilemma for lawmakers. Civil Beat.

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Topgolf could still be coming to Oahu, but it’ll take a few years. The city is moving forward with a $50 million redevelopment of the Ala Wai Driving Range — and it includes the construction of a popular attraction. Hawaii News Now.

Top Golf design may change. Top Golf is heading to Honolulu, but it may look different from how it was originally envisioned. The City and County of Honolulu said Top Golf is making adjustments based on community input. KHON2.

Topgolf still on the table to take over Ala Wai Golf Course. Nearly two years after the City's initial announcement, Topgolf still has plans to come to Hawaii. KITV4.

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Senate Bill Complicates UH Plans for Student Entrepreneurs Center. The bill aims to put a senior citizens center at the same site of a planned student “live, learn and work” hub at the former Atherton YMCA. Hawaii Business.

Honolulu Is A Top Potential Market For E-Scooters — But They’re Still A Year Away. E-scooter rentals have been controversial, but if the rollout is done right they could help soften Honolulu’s traffic woes. Civil Beat.

Rally held for unwed Catholic school director asked to leave because she’s pregnant. About a dozen people held signs outside Maryknoll School on Wednesday for a former school director asked to step down because she’s pregnant and not married. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Legislature mulls handing off SHPD responsibilities to counties. Delays in getting archaeological plan reviews from the State Historic Preservation Division have added years to the construction of Hawaii County projects, but county planning officials are skeptical a bill currently making its way through the Legislature is the answer. West Hawaii Today.

Legislation tackles fire ant abatement. Two bills introduced by Big Island legislators would require the state Department of Agriculture to identify best practices for treatment of the invasive pests. Tribune-Herald.

Schatz, Legislature seek help to combat spittlebug. A U.S. senator has requested federal assistance to manage an invasive insect that has devastated thousands of acres of pasture land on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor touts projects to come. Victorino delivers State of the County address at new Kihei gym. Maui News.

Potential Maui Council Candidates Begin Pulling Nomination Papers. West Maui’s Councilmember Tamara Paltin, filed nomination papers to run for her second two year term on the Maui County Council.  Maui Now.

Cousteau’s underwater classroom: Imparting lessons from under the sea. Jean-Michel Cousteau to speak on Maui this weekend in Kapalua. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai councilman, out on bail, involved in car crash that injured 6-year-old boy. Councilman Arthur Brun already faces two felony charges after getting arrested in October. The latest incident could lead to more legal trouble. Councilman Arthur Brun already faces two felony charges after getting arrested in October. The latest incident could lead to more legal trouble.  KHON2.

Councilmember Arthur Brun involved in Feb. 7 traffic collision. Kaua‘i Police have confirmed Kaua‘i Councilmember Arthur Brun was the driver of a Hyundai involved in a Feb. 7 collision on Kapa‘a Bypass Road in the vicinity of mile marker 5. Garden Island.

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KPD removes derelict vehicles, installs boulders. On Tuesday around 7 a.m., KPD officers helped community members vacate the area beside the Wailua Bridge, where people had been driving and illegally parking their vehicles for more than a year. Garden Island.

The Office of the Mayor will hold a community open house focused on the Wainiha Community Resilience Center on Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Hanalei Neighborhood Center at the old courthouse. Garden Island.

Lanai

Approvals sought for Lanai observatory. Pulama Lana‘i seeks to build facility for resort guests and locals. Pulama Lana’i wants to construct and operate a 25-foot tall observatory for stargazing at its Four Seasons Resort Lanai and is seeking approval from the Lanai Planning Commission. Maui News.

Ige, legislative leaders announce minimum wage hikes in affordability package, bomb scare at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Big Island has about half the doctors it needs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Gov. David Ige, legislative leaders press conference PC:Hawaii Legislature

Minimum Wage, Preschool, Housing Top Rare Legislative Platform. In an unusual display of pre-session unity, top state officials and business leaders have largely agreed on a plan aimed at bringing down Hawaii’s high cost of living. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers and Ige back bills for housing and tax relief and for working families. In a sharp break with political tradition, Gov. David Ige joined leaders from the state House and Senate at a news conference Tuesday to announce a complex package of tax relief, affordable-housing plans and a preschool development program, all designed to provide cost-of-living relief to Hawaii’s low-income and working-class residents. Star-Advertiser.

Governor, lawmakers announce legislative package aimed at easing Hawaii’s cost of living. Governor David Ige and leaders from both chambers of the state legislature announced a major deal Tuesday that will see an increase in the state’s minimum wage, among other measures. Hawaii News Now.

‘A good first step’. Hawaii House and Senate leaders, with the support of Gov. David Ige, on Tuesday unveiled a long list of measures to boost housing, early childhood education and incomes with a particular focus on alleviating the struggles of Hawaii’s working families and poor. Associated Press.

‘Cycle of poverty’ targeted: Lawmakers, Ige unveil legislative package that aims to make Hawaii more affordable. As the Hawaii Legislature gears up for the 2020 session, leaders from the state House and Senate, along with Gov. David Ige, announced on Tuesday a legislation package to tackle critical economic issues that have long-plagued Hawaii’s residents: income inequality, affordable housing and early education. Tribune-Herald.

Governor Ige unveils legislative package aimed at tackling income inequality, raising minimum wage. Joined by state senators and the House of Representatives, Governor David Ige made public a plan that he hopes will take center stage at the upcoming legislative session. KITV4.

Governor Ige along with leaders from the state house and senate unveiled a package of economic bills. This is the first joint house and senate legislative bill package since 2004. KHON2.

What Will Be The Defining Issue Of The 2020 Legislature? Problems abound but no single issue appears to have yet united Hawaii lawmakers as the opening of the 2020 legislative session approaches on Wednesday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Leaders Back An Ambitious Plan To Rapidly Expand Preschool. The immediate goal of the five-year plan is to increase the number of pre-K classrooms in the state by 100 a year. Civil Beat.

Teacher pay differential plan comes under fire by lawmakers. A bold move by the schools superintendent and Board of Education to give a big boost in pay to teachers in hard-to-staff positions — even before lawmakers appropriated the funds — came under fire Tuesday at the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Farmers ask for funding to fight pasture pest threatening Hawaii’s third largest commodity. The beef and milk industry brought in $43 million to Hawaii in 2017. However, many of the fields where those cattle graze are losing grass and ranchers aren't even sure how to stop it. Hawaii News Now.

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Joint Pearl Harbor Hickam (Nimitz Gate) reopened after an overnight bomb scare. Joint Pearl Harbor Hickam security forces reopened the Nimitz gate just before 4 a.m. Wednesday, after an overnight bomb scare. KHON2.

Lockdown lifted at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after security scare. A security scare closed the gates at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam late Tuesday into early Wednesday. Officials said around 10:30 p.m., security forces responded to a vehicle at Nimitz Gate that did not have authorized access to the base. Hawaii News Now.

Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam gates are back open following reports of an alleged bomb threat. Officials say, a car that did not have authorized access drove up to the base around 10:30 Tuesday night. KITV4.

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Powerful Hawaii defensive radar is delayed. A more than $1 billion missile defense radar for Hawaii has been significantly delayed, with Native Hawaiian cultural concerns emerging at one possible site on Kuaokala Ridge at Kaena Point and community worries about overdevelopment at two other candidate sites at Kahuku Training Area. Star-Advertiser.

Legal group to analyze spike of deadly officer-involved shootings around Hawaii. A recent rash of fatal officer-involved shootings is prompting a group at the University of Hawaii Law School to review the deadly trend. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Educator Mandado Announces Run For City Council. The race to replace a term-limited councilman now has three candidates. Civil Beat.

Under proposal, 3 urban schools would see dramatic redevelopment. With huge maintenance backlogs and obsolete school facilities, public schools Superintendent Christina Kishimoto is considering an ambitious redevelopment and modernization of three schools in urban Honolulu. Hawaii News Now.

Waikiki Health opens a new homeless shelter in Moiliili. Waikiki Health, which operates Kakaako’s Next Step Shelter, began welcoming formerly homeless tenants this week into a three-story shelter it now operates in Moiliili. Star-Advertiser.

Transportation crews receive tons of asphalt to mend state roadways on Oahu. State Department of Transportation crews Monday delivered two to three tons of asphalt patch material to maintenance base yards to continue patching potholes on state roads around Oahu through the rest of the week. Star-Advertiser.

An off-leash dog park is coming to Central Oahu. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday morning at the makai end of the Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park. Hawaii News Now.

Central Oahu leaders joined city officials Tuesday to break ground on a 12,800-square-foot off-leash dog park at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Doctor levels critically short. The state’s southernmost island is short 230 doctors — or 44% — of the 528 physicians demanded by the population as of November, a University of Hawaii Physician Workforce Assessment Project report submitted earlier this month to the 2020 Legislature shows. West Hawaii Today.

Waste plan meetings set for next week. The newest iteration of the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan, which is required to be updated every 10 years, was unveiled in December and makes 82 recommendations for changes to the county’s waste management system. Tribune-Herald.

Crews continue snow removal, erosion repair on Maunakea Access Road. Crews continued to work Tuesday to repair and clear the Maunakea Access Road, which has been closed to the public since Friday because of the first snowfall of the decade. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Lawmaker priorities include schools, jail, highways. Maui County lawmakers hope this session to fund the first stages of the relocation of Maui Community Correctional Center, to get the ball rolling on long-promised school improvement projects and to tackle climate and environmental concerns. Maui News.

Maui Efforts Creating Replicable Ways To Recycle And Reduce Waste. Organizations such as the Surfrider Foundation and Sierra Club are active in addressing broad environmental issues at the local level, including on Maui. Hawaii Public Radio.

Drifting ‘ghost net’ threatens island sea life and reefs. Mariners, pilots or people near the ocean are being asked to be on the lookout for a massive “ghost net” that was spotted two weeks ago off Maui and might remain a threat to humpback whales and other sea life. Star-Advertiser.

Officials, Nonprofits Seek Ghost Net Drifting Along ʻAuʻau Channel. A ghost net that was located about a mile west of Molokini in December has not been recovered yet. Maui Now.

Kauai

Annual PMRF albatross project turns up nothing. Pacific Missile Range Facility Air Operations department, the PMRF Environmental Program and US Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services enlisted volunteers for the annual PMRF Laysan albatross egg sweep on Saturday. Garden Island.

Erosion worries rising. A foundation left over from a 2017 project to remove the Kapaa Beach Park pavilion is now cracked in half and falling into the surf after weekend waves and weather caused damage on the east side. Garden Island.

Ballistic missile radar coming to Oahu, Kim meets with Ige, Thirty Meter Telescope officials, Honolulu opens traffic center, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

This Aug. 29, 2017, photo provided by the Department of Defense shows a medium-range ballistic missile target is launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, Hawaii. PC:Latonja Martin

Military leaders, community debate merits of high-powered ballistic missile radar on Oahu. Military leaders are talking about the need for a permanent, high-powered ballistic missile radar on Oahu to see threats to Hawaii and our nation. The Missile Defense Agency wants to build a flat facing radar that three times bigger than the one at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii government might collect an additional $74M in taxes. A panel of experts tasked with projecting how much the state will collect in taxes has boosted its projection for next year by 1 percentage point, which means lawmakers should have an extra $74 million to spend. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Traffic center finally opens. At long last, the folks tasked with receiving emergency response calls, monitoring traffic and disasters and related duties will be housed under one roof in the $53.6 million Joint Traffic Management Center on Alapai Street, which was dedicated Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu Finally Gets Its Joint Traffic Management Center. The facility was supposed to open three years ago but ran into construction issues. Civil Beat.

City’s $54M Traffic Management Center to welcome its first tenants (finally). A blessing was held Thursday at the city’s Joint Traffic Management Center as it prepares to welcome its first tenants. Hawaii News Now.

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Kamehameha Schools project looks to develop 11,000 homes and cost $4B. About 2,000 acres in Waiawa once largely planted in sugar cane is envisioned for a community with 11,109 homes under a conceptual plan by the state’s largest private landowner. Star-Advertiser.

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After public outcry, city reverses two controversial plans in Waikiki. Plans to ban overnight parking at the Honolulu Zoo parking lot have been postponed “until further notice.” The city also said it would remove one of the two fences that it recently installed on Christmas Eve to block access to the walkway between Leahi and Makalei parks at Diamond Head. Hawaii News Now.

Fence Blocking Diamond Head Seawall Will Be Removed. The city says it will remove one of the two barriers that are blocking the public’s access along the path. Civil Beat.

Makalei Beach Park fence to be removed. The fence installed at Makalei Beach Park between the park and the makai walkway will be removed after public input and discussion. KHON2.

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After months-long delay, EPA to begin removing toxic soil under Kalihi street this month. Efforts to remove lead-contaminated soil under a street in Kalhi will finally begin this month. Hawaii News Now.

E. coli contamination confirmed in Waiahole water system. Residents in Waiahole Valley are being told to boil their tap water before use due to E. coli contamination. KHON2.

Volunteers needed for annual homeless point-in-time count. The survey counts sheltered and un-sheltered homeless persons on a single night in January. KITV4.

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Sheehan Out As Honolulu Police Commission Chair. Loretta Sheehan has led the commission through much of the federal corruption probe. Civil Beat.

Sheehan is replaced as Honolulu Police Commission chairwoman. In the annual election to select the chairman and vice chairman, Sheehan was outvoted 5-2 by Alivado, who was serving as vice chairwoman. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Police Commissioner voted out. The commission that oversees the Honolulu Police Department is moving in a new direction. KHON2.

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Olive Garden to open at Ala Moana Center. Olive Garden is planning its first Hawaii location at Ala Moana Center. Star-Advertiser.

Olive Garden to open first Hawaii restaurant in Bubba Gump space. Restaurant chain Olive Garden Italian Kitchen plans to open its first Hawaii restaurant in Honolulu at Ala Moana Center, where it will replace the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant at the state's largest shopping mall. Pacific Business News.

Olive Garden files for permit to build first Hawaii location at Ala Moana Center. uilding permits applications filed with the City and County of Honolulu this week appear to show that Olive Garden, the popular mainland Italian eatery, is planning to open a restaurant at Ala Moana Center. Hawaii News Now.

Longtime local restaurant, Willows, to be revived. The Willows is being revived by the owners of the restaurant, Da Spot. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Kim meets with TMT officials, governor; ongoing discussions planned. Two weeks after Thirty Meter Telescope opponents relinquished control of the Maunakea Access Road, both sides are wondering what the next moves will be. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County Mayor Meets With TMT Officials About Mauna Kea's Future. Hawaiʻi Island Mayor Harry Kim met with Thirty Meter Telescope officials this week to discuss next steps in resolving the Mauna Kea dispute. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Hawaii Island Has Decades of Landfill Space But Still Faces Challenges In Dealing With Its Waste. Hawaii Island is in the enviable position of having a landfill with anywhere from 20 to 100 years of capacity left to take in trash. Hawaii Public Radio.

State taking over surf school setup. The state is now taking the lead on permitting commercial surf schools at Kahaluu Bay, a recently filed report to the state Legislature shows. West Hawaii Today.

Problem spot on Alii has been on county’s radar for years, without success. The undermining of the seawall on Alii Drive at Oneo bay where the latest sinkhole appears has been a problem for over a decade. West Hawaii Today.

Waimea Middle Will Get Back Withheld Settlement Money. The Charter School Commission voted Thursday to reinstate the $75,000. Civil Beat.

Macy’s closing Kings’ Shops location. It is the only Macy’s location in the Aloha State closing. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Alberta de Jetley to run for Lanai council seat. Gabe Johnson to campaign again; Riki Hokama is facing term limits. Maui News.

State Harbors Division Seeks Expansion of Cargo Storage in Kahului. The state Department of Transportation Harbors Division is proposing the acquisition of nine acres from Alexander & Baldwin in Kahului for the expansion of its storage yard for short-term containerized cargo. Maui Now.

Waste-To-Energy Plants Stalled in Maui County While Landfills Approach Capacity. Far from the view of the nearly three million visitors who travel to Maui County each year are two landfills that are filling up fast and approaching the end of their lifespans. Hawaii Public Radio.

Senior center at Hale Mahaolu Ewalu blessed. 22-unit Phase II of housing development’s construction underway. Maui News.

Jan Dapitan was ‘force of nature’ for environment and social causes. Ex-parks director dies after 5-year battle with cancer. Maui News.

Kauai

Housing on LBA agenda. Kauai housing, issues and answers, is the subject of the Lihue Business Association’s meeting 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at Duke’s Canoe Club on Kalapaki Beach. Garden Island.