How to pay for Honolulu rail, aquarium fishing debated, Ige appointments sail through Senate committee, medical marijuana dispensaries advance, Kauai council mulls outdoor burning laws, UH wants money for sports, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Construction on elevated rail, courtesy Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit

Amid a tenuous time for the island's cash-strapped rail project — with transit officials still uncertain how to cover the ballooning costs to complete it — city leaders have again deferred a deal that would allow rail to borrow hundreds of millions of dollars leveraged against the city's general fund. The total amount that the rail project will need to borrow to cover expenses during peak construction has now been put at $1.9 billion, according to a newly disclosed estimate. On Wednesday, members of the City Council's Budget Committee, some of them visibly frustrated, held off for the second time in less than a month approving a deal that would allow the rail project to borrow money for the height of construction. Star-Advertiser.

Forget about the nearly $1 billion shortfall, Honolulu’s rail project has a cash flow problem that could halt work as soon as this summer. Construction costs are now outpacing the money trickling in from taxes and the federal government. Civil Beat.

The $5.3 billion price tag attached to the controversial rail project is a best guess at this point, Roy Amemiya, the city's new managing director, admitted Wednesday to members of the City Council. KITV4.

Thousands Testify on Bills to Restrict Aquarium Fishing in Hawaii. Business and environmental interests collide in the Capitol during a marathon hearing. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige’s selection of Carleton Ching to head the DLNR has environmentalists howling that the longtime lobbyist for the development industry isn’t qualified to lead the state’s efforts to safeguard and steward its public land. They also say there will be too many conflicts of interest for the man currently on leave from his job at Castle & Cooke, a major land developer. Civil Beat.

Four more of Gov. David Ige’s appointments sailed through Senate committees with unanimous support Wednesday. The latest round includes his picks for budget director, Wes Machida; deputy budget director, Roderick Becker; tax director, Maria Zielinski; and human resources director, James Nishimoto. Each nominee was backed by reams of glowing testimony. Catherine Awakuni Colón, Ige’s appointment to head the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, cleared her Senate committee hurdle Monday. Civil Beat.

If the Hawaii state Legislature is in session, no doubt some lawmaker somewhere is holding a campaign fundraiser. Civil Beat.

A bill that would allow patients or their caregivers to transfer medical marijuana plants to other patients passed through the House Health Committee on Wednesday. Civil Beat.

A bill aimed at easing restrictions on news media reporting about lava flows and other natural disasters cleared its first committee in the state Legislature this week. Tribune-Herald.

Spotty Health Connector Service Leaves Micronesians Waiting. Hawaii Public Radio.

Opinion: The Hawaii Legislature’s Persistent Rhythms. There are some longstanding reasons why change comes slowly at the Capitol, if it comes at all. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii athletic director Ben Jay is expected to paint a bleak picture of future department finances — including the prospect of record deficits and some options for cutting sports and raising fees — in a scheduled report to a Board of Regents committee Thursday. The athletic department has run at a deficit for 11 of the past 13 years and has been projected to finish $3.5 million in the red for the fiscal year that closes June 30. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Lawmakers Seek Cash for Police Body Cameras. The House and Senate are considering bills to help purchase cameras for officers and their vehicles in an effort to boost police accountability. Civil Beat.

Local grocery markets in Hawaii report that the slowdowns at West Coast shipping docks have been causing some delays, but no serious shortages have occurred since the dispute began causing delays three months ago. Pacific Business News.

Even though the West Coast shipping docks dispute is not supposed to interfere with domestic carriers, Matson, as well as PMA, have admitted that the congestion at West Coast docks has triggered a domino effect leading to the delay of some container shipments to Hawaii. KHON2.

A former Halawa Correctional Facility guard is headed to federal prison for eight years for taking bribes from a gang to smuggle drugs and cigarettes to inmates. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

A bill that bans people from sitting or lying down at four Chinatown and downtown Honolulu pedestrian malls was signed into law by Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

If the public has its way, a redevelopment of the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu would feature more performance venues, more attractions, more open space but perhaps ditch its exhibition and sports arena functions. Pacific Business News.

A low-income senior rental housing project on state and county land in Kakaako is in line for major renovations under a local developer's plan to buy the project, called Na Lei Hulu Kupuna. Mark Development Inc. received tentative state approval Wednesday to proceed with a proposed leasehold purchase of the 75-unit studio apartment complex at 610 Cooke St. Star-Advertiser.

The grandmother of Katherine Kealoha, wife of Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha, is asking a state jury to award her $1 million in punitive damages in her civil claim against her granddaughter. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A new study is underway focusing on the coping mechanisms used by the folks affected the most by volcanic gas emissions — the people who live downwind of Kilauea Volcano. Star-Advertiser.

While residents of lower Puna await what Madame Pele has in store, a nonprofit animal rescue organization has been busy rescuing cats from the still-active June 27 lava flow from Kilauea Volcano. Tribune-Herald.

Eight of the nine Hawaii County Council members are heading to Washington, D.C., later this month for the annual legislative conference of the National Association of Counties. West Hawaii Today.

In several letters over the past couple of months, county officials have called on the National Park Service to sit down and discuss their differences on how the Keauhou aquifer should be managed. Park officials say they have sent three letters expressing just as much eagerness to set a date for negotiations, a requirement of a preliminary order by the state Commission on Water Resource Management. West Hawaii Today.

Tuesday evening, union workers at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort &Spa overwhelming approved to ratify a new contract. West Hawaii Today.

A much-needed face-lift; Results of Riverside Apartments renovations unveiled. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiian Telecom technicians reported that all services have been restored to customers on Hawaii island after a cable was cut, causing many residents to lose phone and internet service on Wednesday. Crews successfully replaced the cut cable with a new cable, and completed splicing more than 500 feet of cable, restoring all services to impacted customers just before 7:30 p.m. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

State and local agencies have been working diligently to combat the more than 20-acre little fire ant infestation reported in Nahiku in October, but some landowners are concerned that the pesticides being used may be damaging East Maui's ecosystem. Maui News.

Demolition at Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary has residents worried about future development at the royal fishponds, but a wildlife biologist assured the public that the work is intended to protect resident native Hawaiian birds. Maui News.

Having the county instead of homebuilders be responsible for developing new water resources would not only spur much-needed housing development but "right-size our community," Mayor Alan Arakawa said Tuesday. Maui News.

A Maui High School teacher has been put on indefinite leave by the Department of Education pending an investigation into a sexting scandal. Hawaii News Now.

Haleakala National Park began accepting applications for guided astronomy and hiking tour permits on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015. Maui Now.

Kauai

An outdoor burning bill being considered by the County Council would make it illegal and a public nuisance for “any person, firm, or corporation in the County of Kauai to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly cause, permit, or allow to escape into the open air” smoke, soot, poisonous gases, dirt, dust or debris of any kind that can injure a person’s health or damage property. Garden Island.

An Oregon-based environmental attorney who successfully represented a community group in Washington state in a lawsuit against an industrial dairy in Yakima Valley has agreed to represent Friends of Mahaulepu in its fight to stop the dairy proposed for Kauai’s Southside. Garden Island.

Honolulu Zoo appeals to council, legislative power brokers direct bills, Kauai biofuel plant fired up, rail costs 'alarming,' prison guard misconduct, e-cigs spark ethics complaint, more government and political news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Giraffe at Honolulu Zoo © 2015 All Hawaii News

Loss of accreditation could spell disaster for Honolulu Zoo. That’s according to zoo officials who briefed the Honolulu City Council Tuesday on the status of the zoo. KHON2.

How a Handful of Hawaii Lawmakers Quietly Shapes an Entire Session. House and Senate leaders can give bills a 'kiss of death' or fast-track them toward passage by choosing what committees should hear the legislation. Civil Beat.

An all-encompassing bill aimed at tackling the state's affordable-housing shortage has moved out of a key committee. House Bill 1354, introduced by Rep. John Mizuno (D, Kame­ha­meha Heights-Kalihi Valley) and co-authored by seven others, calls for allocating at least $225 million to various housing agencies with the goal of increasing the market's inventory of homes for low-income and homeless families. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers moved forward a bill Tuesday that would dismantle the recently established regulatory framework for building an interisland cable system to transport electricity from renewable energy projects such as wind, solar and geothermal. But a key lawmaker said the measure designed to derail such a system isn’t likely to ultimately pass the Legislature. Civil Beat.

A number of bills are advancing in the legislature that would outlaw the sale of electronic smoking devices and liquids to minors under the age of 21. Hawaii Public Radio.

Recent bad acts by Hawaii police are fueling a record number of police accountability bills at the Hawaii Legislature this year. On Tuesday, eight bills passed through Sen. Will Espero’s Public Safety Committee with little objection from him or his colleagues, some of whom have been calling for more oversight. Civil Beat.

Following a wave of alleged police corruption, criticism and missteps, a state Senate Committee on Tuesday passed an array of measures aimed at providing greater oversight of the Hono­lulu Police Department and law enforcement in general. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers are looking for ways to increase oversight of the state’s police officers after reports of domestic violence by off-duty officers led to diminished trust. Associated Press.

A former prison guard is being sentenced for taking bribes from a Hawaii gang to smuggle drugs and cigarettes to inmates. Feso Malufau is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday. Associated Press.

According to the Department of Public Safety, 18 corrections officers were disciplined last year for various cases of misconduct, including a three-day suspension for erroneously releasing an inmate, a 30-day suspension for workplace violence and one officer who was fired for bringing in contraband. Two sheriffs were disciplined last year for assault of an inmate and failing to properly manage the assault. KHON2.

Hawaii lawmakers are considering redefining what constitutes rape on University of Hawaii campuses by requiring UH to adopt a so-called affirmative consent standard for investigating sexual assault complaints. Star-Advertiser.

Three Big Island lawmakers have introduced legislation to give terminally ill patients access to drugs and medical treatment that have not received final approval by the federal Food and Drug Administration. The proposed bills — House Bill 882 and House Bill 92 and Senate Bill 585 — are part of a national movement, dubbed “Right to Try,” that has been gaining momentum. West Hawaii Today.

Opinion: If you need more evidence that our regulation of lobbyists is less than robust, consider the Hawaii State Ethics Commission’s most recent enforcement action. On Feb. 2, 2015 the commission announced it had levied fines against the Land Use Research Foundation, a prominent developer-backed advocacy group, and David Arakawa, the foundation’s executive director, for failing to comply with the state’s lobbyist law during the years from 2008 through 2014. Civil Beat.

Opinion: Which Lawmakers Are the First to Hold Fundraisers During Session? UPDATE Keeping track of of who is taking money since the Hawaii Legislature opened for business. Cha-ching!. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Despite holding monthly sessions on the best ways to keep costs from getting out of hand, the third-party contractor monitoring Hono­lulu's public rail transit project says that it's seeing "minimal" cost containment and calls the trend "alarming." Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell will sign Bill 62 into law on Wednesday, banning sitting and lying in four outdoor malls in the downtown business district, according to a press release from the mayor’s office. Civil Beat.

City officials are contacting roughly 10,000 retailers on Oahu this week to remind them about a major change that will be coming to checkout counters. Some businesses are already gearing up for the plastic bag ban that starts on July 1. Hawaii News Now.

A resolution urging Mayor Kirk Caldwell to develop a demonstration project exploring the viability of shipping containers for low-cost housing won a nod from the City Council Public Health, Safety and Welfare Committee on Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

The American Dream Is Broken for the Middle Class. The cost of living has eaten away at Honolulu residents' incomes, raising profound questions about many people's future. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

A purveyor of electronic cigarette products has filed an ethics complaint against Hawaii County Council Chairman Dru Kanuha, saying Kanuha was unduly influenced by unregistered lobbyists and didn’t listen to constituents in two recent anti-smoking bills. West Hawaii Today.

The state Department of Transportation hopes to begin work on the Queen Kaahumanu Highway widening project this summer. West Hawaii Today.

The owners of Hilo Lanes are asking $3.75 million for the shuttered bowling alley. The business at 777 Kinoole St. closed abruptly in May after operating for 54 years when its air-conditioning broke. Tribune-Herald.

Kauai

Green Energy Team LLC’s $90 million biomass-to-energy facility in Koloa is now hot. The 6.7-megawatt facility is located near Knudsen Gap and will provide about 11 percent of the island’s electricity, relying completely on wood chips. Garden Island.

Developers seeking to rebuild and reopen the historic Coco Palms Resort in Wailua have to wait at least another two more weeks before any decisions are made on their building permits. The Kauai County Planning Commission on Tuesday was unable to make a decision on the construction plans and building permits for Coco Palms Hui LLC. Garden Island.

County of Kauai officials say they will close the dirt parking lot that runs along Nawiliwili Stream and behind the Anchor Cove Shopping Center next week for a two-day pothole repair project. Garden Island.

Hawaiian monk seal protection sought, agriculture home-rule battle in Legislature, Maui County bails on anti-GMO group, police reports show officers disciplined, House won't tax REITs, shipping costs to drop while strike looms, more government and political news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian monk seal snoozes in the sun © 2015 All Hawaii News

An environmental group Thursday recommended that the federal government spend more to help prevent critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals from becoming extinct. Associated Press.

The Marine Conservation Institute is calling for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to “redouble its efforts” to conserve and recover the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Garden Island.

A tug of war over control of the agriculture industry's use of pesticides and genetically modified crops is playing out in the Legislature as lawmakers consider bills that would limit counties' regulatory abilities and create pesticide buffer zones around schools. Associated Press.

Kona coffee growers and state lawmakers are renewing their push for more accurate labeling and greater quantities of the real thing in blends of java being sold under the Kona label. West Hawaii Today.

As lava continues to flow into Pahoa, a measure that aims to give journalists better access to emergency sites continues to wend its way through the state Senate but has stalled in the House. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers consider triple-time pay for holiday retail workers. KHON2.

Gov. David Ige announced Thursday afternoon that he wants Leonard Hoshijo to be the deputy director in the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, while the top job remains unfilled. Civil Beat.

Veteran labor union official Leonard Hoshijo was nominated by Gov. David Ige Thursday to be the deputy director in the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Star-Advertiser.

House Scraps Bill to Remove Tax Break for Prime Real Estate. It’s up to Hawaii senators to decide whether to advance a bill imposing a corporate income tax on investment trusts that own lucrative properties. Civil Beat.

The House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection conducted a hearing yesterday on pesticide applications around schools and hospitals. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu, Maui and Hawaii island police officers were disciplined in a total of 110 misconduct incidents and eight officers were discharged in 2014, according to annual reports submitted to the Legislature by the four county police departments. Star-Advertiser.

Matson Inc., the state's largest ocean cargo transportation firm, is following the recent plunge in oil prices with a plunge of its own by reducing its fuel surcharge by a record amount. Honolulu-based Matson announced Thursday that it will reduce the charge by 7 percentage points — to 24.5 percent from 31.5 percent — effective Sunday in response to falling bunker fuel prices. Star-Advertiser.

West Coast shipping docks could shut down in the next four to 10 days, but Hawaii's air cargo companies told Pacific Business News they are prepared to add services to make up for a potential lockout.Hawaii relies on ships for more than 90 percent of incoming delivery of goods.

Opinion: The U.S. Army is largely leaving Hawaii, but Maui Rep. Kaniela Ing is the only state official happy about it. Mauitime.

Opinion: We Need to Right the Wrongs for Struggling Native Hawaiians. Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians need to come together to improve the plight of our people. Civil Beat.

Oahu

A federal oversight committee is blasting Honolulu’s rail project, calling it “alarming” and “not sufficient.” A new review looked at the rising cost of building the rail system, putting the project at $500 million to $600 million over-budget. KHON2.

Over the next four weeks, as a six-month improvement project gets underway on the popular Makapuu Trail, its mile-long path to the lighthouse will be closed on weekdays. Beginning Monday, contractors of Haron Construction Inc. will begin repair and construction work along the trail. The project is estimated to cost $2.7 million. Star-Advertiser.

Two former Honolulu Zoo directors said the nonprofit Honolulu Zoo Society is failing to help the zoo that's in dire need of financial assistance, just a year before it faces a crucial re-accreditation inspection. The society gives the zoo only about 10 percent of its annual budget in direct assistance, but the head of the group said it provides valuable support to the zoo in other ways. Hawaii News Now.

The massive fuel leak at Sand Island may have started a month before it was first reported. A report by the EPA says that Hawaii Fueling Facilities Corp. noticed a large loss of volume in its No. 2 tank back on Dec. 22, or nearly a month before it reported the leak. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell and officials from the city’s Department of Planning and Permitting will host a public workshop on Tuesday, February 10 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to discuss the renovation of the Neal S. Blaisdell Center. Civil Beat.

Nearly two dozen University of Hawaii-Manoa degree programs that faced possible closure for producing few graduates have been spared from the chopping block — for now. The state House Higher Education Committee on Thursday tabled House Bill 555, which proposed shutting down small undergraduate programs that persistently award fewer than 10 degrees a year. Star-Advertiser.

A Honolulu police officer accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend used his position of authority to intimidate her into keeping silent about his ongoing abuse, the victim told the Hono­lulu Star-Advertiser on Thursday.

Hawaii

A divided County Council voted Wednesday evening not to endorse a non-binding resolution asking the county’s attorneys to file a lawsuit against Puna Geothermal Venture to prevent it from drilling a new well at night. Tribune-Herald.

Three Hawaii Police Department officers were fired last year and 14 suspended for misconduct ranging from improperly filing reports to not arresting a suspect, according to an annual report submitted recently to the state Legislature. West Hawaii Today.

Dozens of security officers at Kona International Airport will hold a vote today on whether to join a union. West Hawaii Today.

A leak in the June 27 lava flow’s tube system near Pu‘u ‘O‘o is helping to reduce activity at its farthest edge. Tribune-Herald.

The number of single-family homes on Hawaii's Big Island jumped 30 percent in January, when compared with the same month the year before, while the median price rose 9 percent, according to Hawaii Information Service on behalf of Hawaii Island Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Maui
Members of the SHAKA Movement (Sustainable Hawaiian Agriculture for the Keiki and the ‘Āina) are expressing outrage at a recent Maui County decision to take “no position” on defending the moratorium on GMO cultivation in Maui County. Maui Now.

John D. Kim was recommended for reappointment as Maui County's prosecuting attorney on Wednesday, following a five-hour meeting of the Maui County Council Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee conducted mostly behind closed doors. Maui News.

South Maui residents will get to keep their recycling bins while the county deliberates whether or not it should cease, continue or expand its pilot "3 Can Plan." Maui News.

A California engineer and developer, who has sought to build hydropower facilities on Maui in the past, is trying again with a unique seawater project on the south side of the island. Maui News.

Kauai

Developers seeking to rebuild the historic Coco Palms Resort will have to do a little extra legwork before any ground is broken. Kauai County Historic Preservation Review Commissioners on Thursday gave their unanimous stamp of approval to current plans by Coco Palms Hui LLC to redevelop, restore and repair the Wailua hotel, which has been shuttered since Hurricane Iniki buffeted the island in 1992. Garden Island.

Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. recently returned from a trip to Washington D.C., where he attended the 83rd winter meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. While there, the mayor met with Hawaii’s congressional delegation and other key contacts, and attended the State of the Union event. Garden Island.

The median price of a condominium on Kauai rose 39 percent in January on fewer sales, while sales of single-family homes increased by 65 percent, according to the Hawaii Information Service on behalf of the Kauai Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Warm oceans threaten green sea turtles, sex trafficking bills proposed, Maui won't defend GMO law, rail pay to play, officials mull backing out of Obamacare requirements, teachers seek better contract, Section 8 vouchers to resume in lava's path, more government and political news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii visitors pose with sea turtles © 2015 All Hawaii News

Green sea turtles may stop basking on Hawaii's shores as early as 2039 if climate change continues at its current rate, a new study concludes. Star-Advertiser.

For the 2015 legislative session, Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery and IMUAlliance are drafting and sponsoring a bill to ban sex trafficking in Hawaii. Currently, Hawaii is one of only two states that fail to outlaw sex trafficking in their criminal codes. Hawaii Independent.

More than a dozen bills seeking to regulate electronic smoking in some way have been introduced at the state Legislature, and proponents of the product appear ready to fight each of them every step of the way. Four of the proposals were heard by the House Health Committee on Friday. Decision-making is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

It’s 4 ‘o clock on a Friday. Pau hana, right? Wrong. It’s time for Gov. David Ige to reveal his latest Cabinet appointment — right at that moment when no one is looking. Since he started picking people in November to serve in his new administration, 11 were named on Fridays and another seven were disclosed on New Year’s Eve. Civil Beat.

A lawmaker from the Big Island wants to hold Hawaii’s Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago accountable for voting problems that she says denied residents of her district the right to vote.Associated Press.

Members serving on the state Board of Education would have four-year terms that run concurrent with that of the governor appointing them under proposed legislation filed this week. Star-Advertiser.

The union representing Hawaii’s public school teachers will be negotiating with the state for a pay increase. The Hawaii State Teachers Association told members in an email the union will return to the bargaining table in March to discuss additional salary and compensation for the remaining two years of the contract. Associated Press.

Hawaii residents may find it more difficult to see their doctor or medical specialist over the next few years. A study released by the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii found that 300 more physicians in primary care are needed statewide. All told, the state needs 3,690 doctors but has 2,800, the study found. Garden Island.

About 7,500 Micronesians and other Pacific islanders will lose their Medicaid health coverage on Feb. 28, but they will automatically be enrolled in an Obama­care replacement plan March 1, health officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers are considering whether it makes sense to get out of some requirements of the federal Affordable Care Act so that they can make substantial changes to the state’s troubled health insurance exchange. States like Hawaii that run their own exchanges can apply for a so-called innovation waiver if they meet certain criteria. Associated Press.

More Hawaii residents are opposed to Florida-based Next­Era Energy Inc. buying Hawaiian Electric Industries than favor the sale, according to the latest Hawaii Poll. Star-Advertiser.

HEH. Hawaiian Electric Holdings will become the name of the new parent company of the Hawaiian Electric Cos. following the closure of NextEra Energy's $4.3 billion acquisition of the state's largest utility, according to the two companies' acquisition 374-page application sent to Hawaii regulators. Pacific Business News.

Hawaiian Electric Co. has unveiled an online system that allows customers and developers to see the status and progress of planned renewable generation projects, including rooftop solar and other types of wind and solar projects, the Honolulu-based utility said Friday. Pacific Business News.

While a majority of respondents feel there is not an overemphasis on athletics at the University of Hawaii, they also say the financially struggling athletics department should pay its own bills, the Hawaii Poll shows. Star-Advertiser.

Opinion: When it Comes to State Taxes, You’ve Got to Consider the Source. Hawaii Legislature could improve the state's revenue situation by changing how real estate investment trusts are taxed. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Large Rail Contractors Dump $1.3 Million into Local Campaign Coffers. Companies making at least $1 million on the Honolulu rail project are donating heavily to local politicians. Some of the biggest beneficiaries include Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Hawaii Gov. David Ige and their predecessors. Civil Beat.

As the city struggles to pay for Honolulu's controversial rail system, the latest Hawaii Poll explores possible solutions. The controversial project topped the list (19%) as the most important issue facing Oahu this year in the survey conducted by Ward Research for Hawaii News Now and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Traffic came in a close second (17%), followed by homelessness (15%) and the economy (14%). Education/public schools came in a distant fifth place (4%).

As Aloha Stadium moves into middle age, the state should continue to renovate the facility, a plurality of respondents in the Hawaii Poll said. Forty percent of those who were asked for the “best solution for a stadium on Oahu” said renovating the 40-year-old stadium was their preferred option. Star-Advertiser.

A Honolulu City Council member wants to meet with federal transit officials in Washington, D.C., to discuss the ballooning cost of the city's $5.3 billion rail transit project. Associated Press.

City Councilman Ernie Martin drafted a resolution that will allow him and three other council members to travel to Washington, D.C., on a fact-finding mission. Once Resolution 15-19 is approved by the full council, Martin expects to be in our nation’s capital from Feb. 21 through the 25. KITV4.

The average price of regular gas in Honolulu hit an even $3 a gallon this week, the lowest it has been since June 2009, according to AAA Hawaii's Weekend Gas Watch. Pacific Business News.

Starting Monday, former low-income housing facility Pauahi Hale will operate as a service hub for Oahu's homeless population, as provided by a new five-year contract between the city and social service organization Mental Health Kokua. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

While NextEra Energy's $4.3 billion bid to buy Hawaiian Electric Industries dominates the local energy debate, a group of Hawaii island residents is quietly investigating another possible future for their utility. A Big Island Energy Utility Cooperative steering committee has been formed to discuss the idea further, but is keeping things low-key. Star-Advertiser.

A moratorium on the use of housing assistance vouchers in areas threatened by the June 27 lava flow will end Monday. The restriction, which prevented vouchers from being used on new leases in lower Puna, went into effect in October when it appeared that lava was going to cross Highway 130 sooner rather than later. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo Medical Center was named the third safest hospital in the state and took first place in one key quality-of-care measure in a recent Consumer Reports comparison. The public “safety net” hospital, so-called because it is the only option for many people in East Hawaii, has long wrestled with public perception over its quality of care. Tribune-Herald.

A public information meeting will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Monday on Oahu regarding the proposed master lease for Mauna Kea. Star-Advertiser.

The dispute over whether Environmental Management Director Bobby Jean Leithead Todd is qualified for her position returns to a 3rd Circuit courtroom next month. Judge Ronald Ibarra is scheduled to hear motions for summary judgment in the case at 4 p.m. Feb 23, attorneys confirmed Thursday. West Hawaii Today.

Hunters on Saturday ascended upon Puuanahulu for the fourth annual Keikis of the Aina Pig Hunting Tournament.West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui County isn’t defending a moratorium on genetically modified farming despite more than 23,000 voters approving the bill last fall. In a court filing Friday, the county said that it is taking “no position” on a motion for summary judgment filed by attorneys representing global seed companies Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences, as well as several Maui County businesses and organizations. Civil Beat.

Democrats seeking to succeed Rep. Mele Carroll in the state House of Representatives have until 11 p.m. Friday to submit applications to the Maui County Democratic Party. Maui News.

Mayor Alan Arakawa will speak at the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce’s February Membership Dinner to outline the county’s current efforts in alleviating high housing costs affecting many Maui residents. Maui Now.

Native shrub cover increased from 3 percent to 82 percent over a 15-year period at the Auwahi dryland forest on the leeward flanks of Haleakala, thanks to the efforts of the largely volunteer-based restoration operation named for the forest. Maui News.

Kauai

Kuhio Highway may see a new traffic signal in Kilauea. Or a four-way stop sign. Or even a roundabout, which would be the first such traffic calming device on a state highway. Garden Island.

Lanai

Lanai retains state’s lowest percentage of unemployed. Tourism down during renovations but ‘gold mine’ awaiting island. Maui News.

Hawaii coral recovering from bleaching, auditor blasts Obamacare health exchange, $4.4M added to Honolulu rail cost, Matson to pay $1M for molasses spill, NextEra promises $60M savings, Lanai City to be preserved, bill touts slot machines at airports, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Endemic Hawaiian white spotted toby amid damaged coral © 2015 All Hawaii News

Three months after Hawaii's corals endured the worst bleaching on record, state officials say island reefs could face conditions later this year that could produce even greater damage. Star-Advertiser.

A state audit released Thursday blasted the Hawaii Health Connector's former head and board of directors for inadequate planning, lack of oversight and improperly awarding contracts worth millions of dollars, resulting in an unsustainable health insurance exchange. Star-Advertiser.

In a biting report released Thursday, the state auditor calls the former head of the Hawaii Health Connector “an uncooperative executive director who withheld information,” hampering the board of directors’ ability to monitor the development of its massive IT system. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s auditor says inadequate planning at the Hawaii Health Connector led to an unsustainable health exchange. Acting state auditor Jan Yamane made report on the Hawaii Health Connector on Thursday. Associated Press.

High operating costs, lack of strategic plan and misuse of authority made the Hawaii Health Connector unsustainable. That’s according to a new report by the state Office of the Auditor. KHON2.

Florida-based NextEra Energy Inc. made its pitch Thursday for state regulators to approve its purchase of Hawaiian Electric Industries, saying it would save ratepayers $60 million over four years, not raise base rates for four years and keep all management local. Star-Advertiser.

NextEra Energy and Hawaiian Electric Industries filed a joint application with Hawaii’s Public Utilities Commission on Thursday seeking approval of their $4.3 billion merger agreement. Civil Beat.

NextEra Energy Inc. and Hawaiian Electric Co. said Thursday that the proposed acquisition of Hawaii's largest utility will save customers about $60 million, and that there will be no request for an increase in general base rates for at least four years following the close of the transaction, according to an application submitted to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Pacific Business News.

The Women’s Legislative Caucus, consisting of members from both the State Senate and House, today announced a joint package of measures for the 2015 legislative session. Hawaii Independent.

Hawaii has joined at least three other states in suing the maker and distributor of 5-Hour ENERGY drinks for allegedly making false, misleading and unsubstantiated claims about their products. Star-Advertiser.

Lynne Waters, who served as spokeswoman for the University of Hawaii system since 2011, is leaving Hawaii for a job with the University of Texas at Arlington. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

While the public braces for the painful budget deficits ahead as rail moves forward, board members overseeing the Oahu project on Thursday approved $4.4 million in added costs to existing rail contracts. Star-Advertiser.

At Least $1.25B Has Been Spent on Rail So Far But Where Has All the Money Gone? The rail project has been in the works for more than 10 years but city and HART officials still can't — or won't — say what the money has been spent on. Secrecy over tens of millions of dollars in payments to subcontractors is only one troubling aspect. Civil Beat.

Trash workers’ payment system racks up major overtime. KHON2.

A federal judge is allowing a shipping company to pay $600,000 in restitution to environmental organizations as part of a sentence for spilling molasses in Honolulu Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

A federal judge on Thursday sentenced a subsidiary of Matson Inc. to pay $1 million in fines and restitution under a plea agreement reached last fall over charges that Hawaii's largest shipping company illegally discharged more than 230,000 gallons of molasses into Honolulu Harbor in 2013. Pacific Business News.

A federal judge is allowing a shipping company to pay $600,000 restitution to environmental organizations as part of a sentence for spilling molasses in Honolulu Harbor. Matson Navigation Co. was sentenced Thursday for criminal charges related to the 233,000-gallon molasses spill that killed more than 26,000 fish and other marine life. Associated Press.

Hawaii

Giving international travelers one last chance to spend money before they leave Hawaii, state Rep. Cindy Evans is proposing slot machines for international departure areas of airports. Evans, D-North Kona, North Kohala, South Kohala, is sponsoring HB 91, allowing the installation of slot machines, first at Honolulu Inter-national Airport, and later, once international flights return to West Hawaii, at Kona International Airport. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Wesley Lo is Maui region chief executive officer for the state's Hawaii Health Systems Corp. and believes an agreement that his region has been negotiating with a potential private partner, Hawaii Pacific Health, could be a model for statewide application. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Nine individuals have been selected to serve as members on a joint fact-finding group tasked with looking into potential health and environmental impacts from pesticide use on Kauai. The $100,000 study, funded by the County of Kauai and the state Department of Agriculture and facilitated by Honolulu planner and mediator Peter Adler’s ACCORD 3.0 Network, is expected to last a year. Garden Island.

Several homeless people are accusing county enforcement of targeting them at a public park. Garden Island.

Kauai coral colonies have started to recover from a statewide bleaching event caused by a drastic spike in ocean temperatures this fall, according to state officials. More of the same, however, is likely right around the corner. Garden Island.

Lanai
A community desire to preserve the historic character of Lanai City moved Maui County Council members Wednesday to recommend approval of conditional rezoning for a 15,000-square-foot property with four plantation-era buildings, including a former police station and courthouse, a single-family residence, a garage/ laundry building and a jail cell. Maui News.

Nine media takes on Ige's State of the State address, environmentalists slam DLNR pick, Honolulu mayor grilled over rail tax, Hawaii mayor seeks insurance reform for lava threat, a train for Maui, Hawaii 10th in Chinese investors, more news from all the Hawaiian islands

Ige delivers State of the State address, governor's courtesy photo

Gov. David Ige's first State of the State address to the Legislature on Monday painted broad strokes and offered only a smattering of details, but that was OK with many of the folks who took in the 30-minute address. Star-Advertiser.

Fiscal responsibility took center stage in Hawaii Gov. David Ige’s first State of the State address Monday, a natural emphasis for the recently elected engineer and former leader of the Senate money committee. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige wants to build a better home for the state’s young and elderly. But to do that, the state needs more money. The state’s tight financial situation and the need for money to make Hawaii a better place to live were themes of Ige’s State of the State address on Monday. Associated Press.

Less than sixty days into his first term as governor, David Ige spoke openly about the challenges facing Hawaii's future, particularly those involving the state's economy, in his first ‘State of the State' address Monday morning. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige says he plans to be more aggressive about bringing federal money to Hawaii. Ige says federal officials told him about $940 million is available to the state for projects. Associated Press.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige delivered his first State of the State address, raising issues that ranged from government spending, education, economic growth and energy. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. David Ige gave his first State of the State Address on Monday morning. His focus is on building affordable housing, balancing the budget and jobs. KITV4.

In his first State of the State address to a joint session of the State Legislature Monday morning, Gov. David Ige spoke of various issues that he sees challenging Hawaii in the months ahead. KHON2.

Nearly two dozen environmental groups on Monday called on Gov. David Ige to withdraw his nomination of development executive Carleton Ching to lead the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Ching lacks expertise and experience in areas the department oversees including forests, coral reefs, fishing and hunting, the groups said in a statement. Associated Press.

Part of the environmental community is in an uproar over Gov. David Ige's choice for the Department of Land and Natural Resources director. They say they were blindsided about the decision to appoint Carleton Ching. KITV4.

About 20 environmental groups are calling for Gov. David Ige to withdraw his nomination of a land development company executive to lead the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, but Ige said Monday that the confirmation process should determine whether his pick is acceptable. Star-Advertiser.

Only a few hours after Gov. David Ige had announced his nomination of Castle & Cooke lobbyist Carleton Ching to chair the Department of Land and Natural Resources, environmentalists were harshly criticizing the selection. Civil Beat.

Conservationists mobilize against Ige’s DLNR nomination. More than twenty groups oppose Carleton Ching as new chair of the land and resource-management arm of the executive branch of the state government. Hawaii Independent.

Ten years ago, Ching called for LUC to be dismantled. Hawaii Independent.

It is time for Hawaii’s police departments to move into the 21st Century with less secrecy as well as clearer policies and more accountability to the public. That’s what key lawmakers say they will be urging this session as they introduce a record number of bills to modernize island police departments, which some critics say have become self-regulating fiefdoms. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's energy sector will get a lot of attention during this year's legislative session. Pacific Business News.

There’s a lot on the agenda for the first full week of Hawaii’s 2015 legislative session. Lawmakers introduced more than 650 bills in the span of two days. The proposals range from allowing dogs in restaurants to encouraging public participation in government. Associated Press.

Life of the Land, a Hawaii-focused environmental and community action group, asked the public Monday to get involved with the potential sale of Hawaiian Electric Industries to NextEra Energy Inc. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii is the 10th most popular state in the U.S. with Chinese investors, who rank Honolulu, Kailua, Kapolei, Lahaina and Kapalua as their top five destinations to buy real estate, according to a new report by Juwai.com, an international real estate website for Chinese buyers. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii will receive $11.6 million of Continuum Care awards to help combat homelessness, it was announced Monday. Civil Beat.

Continuums of Care set out Monday all over the state to count the number of homeless Hawaii residents living in emergency shelters, transitional housing programs or unsheltered on the streets. Their point-in-time counts, which ask the question, "Where did you sleep on Jan. 25?" will be conducted through Friday. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Health Connector and Hawaii Department of Human Services are working together to ensure migrants from Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands have health insurance before their Medicaid benefits dissolve. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Extending the rail tax is needed right now to keep Oahu's cash-strapped rail project out of serious jeopardy, Hono­lulu's mayor told a panel of state lawmakers Monday — part of his pitch to persuade them to lift the tax's sunset during this legislative session. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers took turns hammering Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Monday over his request to let the county continue charging a half-percent surcharge on the General Excise Tax to fund the city’s rail project. Civil Beat.

The city's rail project faces a shortfall of anywhere from $500 to $900 million and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell got some serious pushback from state legislators Monday about extending the tax to pay for rail. Hawaii News Now.

If Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has it his way, Oahu residents will keep paying the added rail tax for a long time to come. It's not something the mayor wants to do, but it's something the city says has to happen to keep the project going. KITV4.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa Athletics Department is “a significant part” of Hawaii’s economy. That’s according to a report produced by the Shidler College of Business, which says that in fiscal year 2013-14, the department generated $66 million in local spending on labor, goods and services. Civil Beat.

Three types of Air Force fighter aircraft — F-22s, F-15s and camouflage-painted F-16s — dramatically roared off Hono­lulu Airport's Reef Runway on Monday as part of the Hawaii Air National Guard's ongoing Sentry Aloha air combat exercise. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Insurance reform and roads for Puna, and an international airport for Kona top Mayor Billy Kenoi’s wish list to the state Legislature. In his annual presentation to a joint meeting Monday of the House Finance and Senate Ways and Means committees in Honolulu, Kenoi stressed the threat a looming lava flow holds over lower Puna, and said insurance reform is needed so residents don’t lose their homeowner policies. West Hawaii Today.

The June 27 lava flow was 0.36 miles from Highway 130 on Monday morning after advancing 50 yards in the past day. The advance along a northern breakout was the first forward progress seen in about five days, said Darryl Oliveira, Hawaii County Civil Defense administrator. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo will host the Big Island’s lone public hearing on new rules for the medical use of marijuana. A total of four hearings are planned statewide by the Hawaii Department of Health. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The debate about rail transit on Oahu has been ongoing for the past 10 years, but there is a project being quietly considered for the island of Maui. Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa says if such a project is built, it will not be anything like Oahu’s rail system. KHON2.

Kauai

The rules have been adopted. A request for a contested case hearing has been thrown out. Only one thing is stopping the Haena Community Based Subsistence Fishery Area from becoming a reality: Gov. David Ige’s signature. Garden Island.

Gov. David Ige’s first State of the State address on Monday struck a chord with some county officials and state lawmakers from Kauai. Garden Island.

Local environmental groups are shaking their heads at newly elected Gov. David Ige’s nomination of Honolulu-based developer and lobbyist Carleton Ching to chair the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Garden Island.

Former Gov. Lingle takes job with Illinois governor, military in Hawaii: love it or lose it, marijuana decriminalization on legislative agenda, doc shortage worsens, broadband lagging, breathing life into Coco Palms, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Former Gov. Linda Lingle in 2012 campaign © 2015 All Hawaii News

n a move that could signal the end of her political career in Hawaii, former Gov. Linda Lingle on Thursday was tapped by the new Republican governor of Illinois to serve as a senior adviser working to help turn around that state's sinking finances. Star-Advertiser.

Former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle is headed for Illinois to serve as the chief operating officer for Gov. Bruce Rauner. Civil Beat.

Legislative leaders from the Hawaii House of Representatives say they plan to focus on fixing infrastructure, encouraging business and increasing participation in government in the new legislative session. Associated Press.

House Democrats held a news conference Thursday afternoon at the Capitol to announce the majority caucus legislative package but offered little in the way of details about any of the priorities they plan to focus on this session, which convened Wednesday. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers in Hawaii are beginning to introduce a series of bills that aim to make marijuana more freely available in the state. A bill to decriminalize marijuana is currently being drafted, said Sen. Will Espero, chairman of the Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs Committee. That bill would reduce punishment for using marijuana to a civil violation instead of a felony, he said. Associated Press.

Genetically Modified or Engineered crops will be a hot topic at the Legislature this session. And lawmakers could learn from a Hawai’i State Bar Association forum that looked at the issue from a purely legal standpoint. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s doctor shortage is getting worse, and it’s getting especially difficult to find a physician on neighboring islands. Associated Press.

Feverish and aching patients continue to inundate Hawaii's overstressed health care system during a flu season that has no end in sight. Star-Advertiser.

One boat sank, several beaches around the state were closed, and state facilities on Hawaii island sustained minor damage from high surf that is expected to stick around statewide until 6 p.m. Saturday. Star-Advertiser.

Opinion: The Army in Hawaii: Fight to Save It, Prepare to Lose It. Business leaders are right to pull out all the stops to preserve the Army's Hawaii presence at its current level, but we also need to start thinking about what comes next if major cuts are made. Civil Beat.

Opinion: A case for army downsizing in Hawaii. Why the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and our Congressional delegates have it wrong. Hawaii Independent.

Broadband internet access is both a luxury for modern entertainment and a necessity for business. But Hawaii is falling behind when it comes to fast connections. Hawaii Public Radio.

The University of Hawaii is studying the possibility of selling off investments in companies that produce fossil fuels. The university's Board of Regents on Thursday appointed a task group to examine the feasibility and desirability of such a move. Associated Press.

On Thursday, Yelp released its second annual list of Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S., and eight Hawaii eateries have made the cut. KHON2.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s desire to protect $210 million in federal bus funding means the city’s $6 billion rail project needs even more money than officials had recently announced. Civil Beat.

Honolulu police and prosecutors have gotten tough on suspected pimps — more than 45 times tougher than three years ago. Civil Beat.

Two high-profile employees at the Hawaii Theatre Center will lose their jobs Jan. 31 as part of a plan to reduce costs that have left the Chinatown venue in the red for the past five years. Star-Advertiser.

Paying around $3 a gallon for gas thrills most Honolulu drivers, but it's less of a joy when you learn the average cost should be $2.49 if our prices had dropped as much as they did on the mainland in the last year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The Hawaii County Council has entered a new era of accessibility to the public — starting today, council and committee meetings will be streamed live on the county’s website. West Hawaii Today.

A settlement is in the works between Hawaii County and the state Department of Health, which last year fined the county more than $350,000 for violations at two landfills. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island’s doctor shortage grew by 17 percent in the last year. The need for physicians in 2014 was estimated at 554, but only 327 were practicing on the island, according to the latest figures from the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine’s Area Health Education Center. That puts the island’s shortage at 41 percent of its need, far ahead of the statewide shortage of 24 percent. Tribune-Herald.

More than a dozen West Hawaii beaches were closed Thursday because of warning-level surf aloha west-facing shores of the Big Island. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The Maui Mayor's Office of Economic Development issued over $4.64 million in grant funds to local organizations over the last six months. Pacific Business News.

Homeless shelters have effectively become affordable housing on Maui, according to governmental and nonprofit agencies speaking at a panel discussion Wednesday night at the Maui Economic Opportunity Conference Room. Maui News.

After moving its monthly meeting Wednesday to the University of Hawaii Maui College, the Maui Police Commission had its biggest public turnout in more than a year. Maui News.

If Maui County residents think it's tough to get a doctor appointment now, then just wait - a statewide physician's shortage will worsen as nearly a third of Hawaii's practicing doctors have reached retirement age, according to a University of Hawaii study submitted to state lawmakers this week. Maui News.

Kauai

As a place that once served as the home of Kauai’s last reigning queen, Deborah Kapule Kekaiha‘akulou, and the backdrop for the 1961 film “Blue Hawaii” starring Elvis Presley, there is no dearth of historical features at Coco Palms Resort. Preserving that history while paving the way for a new Coco Palms Resort, however, is a question that several state and county agencies are still wrestling with. Garden Island.

A circuit court judge Tuesday ruled in favor of the County of Kauai and the Planning Commission in response to the county’s lawsuit against a Hanalei resident’s unpermitted boatyard operation. Garden Island.

A mariner’s union said a lawsuit filed against a tug operator for negligence is full of errors. Garden Island.

Hawaii Legislature convenes session with tight budget, Honolulu rail transit tax hike mulled, protestors seek GMO ban, pesticide limits, Native Hawaiian rights, Maui council wants exemption from Sunshine Law, Big Island mayor kills incinerator foe's contract, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii House opening session, courtesy Robert D. Harris

The Hawaii Legislature has begun its 2015 session with plans to tackle a tight budget and issues including providing affordable housing and improving patients’ access to medical marijuana. The Senate and House opened their sessions on Wednesday morning. Associated Press.

After all the hoopla, the fanfare, the public protests outside and political speeches inside the Capitol as the 2015 legislative session opened Wednesday morning, people retreated to their offices and homes and went on with their day. Except for a dozen lawmakers and a few of the state’s top economists and financial planners. They went to the Capitol’s basement auditorium to talk about the realities that the legislators face. Civil Beat.

Hawaii state legislators convened their 2015 session Wednesday with a modest agenda that might create more public accountability — both for themselves and for Oahu's pricy rail transit project. Star-Advertiser.

The State Legislature officially opened its 2015 session today. Common themes of restoring public confidence in government and no new taxes were emphasized in both chambers. Hawaii Public Radio.

The 2015 legislative session began with pomp, circumstance, and talks of a potential tax increase. Hawaii News Now.

Opening day fanfare and speeches set the tone of the legislative session It's been almost a decade since the rail tax issue spilled onto the floor of both houses. KITV4.

The state House and Senate celebrated the opening day of the 28th Hawaii State Legislature with fanfare Wednesday. KHON2.

Senate President Donna Mercado Kim’s 2015 Opening Day Speech

House Speaker Souki's Opening Day speech

Unsettling Moment During Senator Slom’s Minority Speech.

Opening Day Remarks for the 2015 Legislative Session by the House Minority Leader.

State Budget Director Wesley Machida warned lawmakers Wednesday the state budget could drop into a deficit if any new expenses crop up or revenues decline. Star-Advertiser.

On the first day of Hawaii's legislative session, lawmakers heard about a flurry of financial requests pouring into Gov. David Ige's office. State finance director Wes Machida said Wednesday at a finance committee hearing that requests for more than 1,000 new state government positions were made since Ige took office on Dec. 1. Associated Press.

Hawaii Senate President Donna Mercado Kim called for eliminating the state Land Use Commission during her remarks on the opening day of the 2015 legislative session. Civil Beat.

State senators and representatives convened the 2015 legislative session in their respective chambers Wednesday morning as groups advocating for Native Hawaiian rights and restrictions against genetically modified organisms protested in the Capitol rotunda outside. Civil Beat.

A potentially powerful coalition of groups demonstrated at the State Capitol Wednesday on opening day of the Legislature, hoping to pressure lawmakers to pass a law controlling use of pesticides near schools. Hawaii News Now.

Demonstrators and spectators made their voices heard at the state Capitol rotunda before the start of the legislative session on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Carl Bonham, executive director of the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, shared a positive outlook for Hawaii's economy this year Tuesday during a luncheon in Honolulu hosted by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii has the fourth-highest number of millionaires per-capita in the U.S., according to a new study. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

An unusual form of affordable housing on state land in Kakaako is one big step closer to getting built after a state agency approved the 84-unit rental project with lofts for artists Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

After KITV4 exposed the fact that the projected shortfall for the city’s $5.3 billion rail project is actually as much as $910 million, Mayor Kirk Caldwell said rail planners may have missed an opportunity to better explain the issue to the public.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will celebrate the completion of the first part of a project to modernize the Honolulu federal building and U.S District Courthouse. Gov. David Ige is among the officials who are expected to attend Thursday’s ceremony. Associated Press.

Katherine Kealoha said in state court Wednesday that the $23,976 she spent from a joint bank account she shared with her grandmother on the January 2010 inauguration breakfast for her husband, Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha, was money that was owed to her. She said her husband never asked her how much the breakfast cost because she handles all of the family's finances. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A local nonprofit whose director opposes Mayor Billy Kenoi’s plans for a waste-to-energy incinerator has lost its longstanding contract to educate the community about recycling. West Hawaii Today.

Cultural practitioners, environmentalists deliver Mauna Kea demands to Governor No further build-up on Mauna Kea, refusal to accept new UH lease top the list. Hawaii Independent.

As the most recent lava flow from the Kilauea Volcano showed no advancement on Wednesday, two Hawaii island legislators were preparing to propose several bills that they hope will reduce the ill effects of the so-called June 27 lava flow. Star-Advertiser.

Longs Drugs plans to reopen its Pahoa store next week, making it the first major retailer to return since the June 27 lava flow prompted several to evacuate last month. Tribune-Herald.

“They will never forget” France honors Big Island nisei soldiers West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Pot legalization, medical measures on the horizon. Maui News.

The state Department of Health has scheduled a public hearing from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 3 in Wailuku on proposed administrative rules for the medical use of marijuana. Maui News.

Opinon: Maui County Council Celebrates Opening Of 28th Hawaii Legislature With New Bill Attacking Sunshine Law. MauiTime.

Doug McLeod, former energy commissioner for Maui County, and his wife, Kandi, have formed an energy consulting services firm called DKK Energy Services LLC. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

A circuit court judge Tuesday ruled in favor of the County of Kauai and the Planning Commission in response to the county’s lawsuit against a Hanalei resident’s unpermitted boatyard operation. Garden Island.

Emergency responders make up less than half of a percent of the Kauai population.  More are needed. Garden Island.