State audit blasts Honolulu rail authority, Board of Education to re-vote on superintendent's contract, homeless coordinator defends progress, Hawaii's space defense plan, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Blistering audit blames political rush to construction for ballooning rail costs. The auditor documented $354 million in change orders related to Honolulu’s rail project. Hawaii News Now.

Audit: Honolulu Rail Agency Hid True Costs From Public View. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation did not even level with its own board of directors about ballooning expenses, a new report says. Civil Beat.

Premature contracts increased rail cost by $354M. Star-Advertiser.

State Auditor: HART Increased Rail Project Costs by 79.5 Percent. State Auditor, Les Kondo, says a review of records and staff interviews revealed that the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation or HART awarded contracts too early knowing the work could not be completed on time. Hawaii Public Radio.

A scathing audit of Honolulu's rail project says city officials are neglecting their responsibility on a project it says has a "fragile" financial plan and an "artificial" timeline. KHON2.

Audit of Honolulu rail says HART's lack of transparency 'undermines' ability to secure money. The audit of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) found that the costs went from $5.122 billion in 2012 to $9.188 billion in 2018. KITV.

Hawaii auditor says premature contracts inflated rail costs. Officials prematurely awarded contracts for Honolulu’s commuter rail line a decade ago to minimize public criticism and show the project was moving along. But this practice dramatically swelled costs as plans changed, a new audit of the vastly over-budget project said Thursday. Associated Press.

Unrealistic deadlines and the release of contradictory information due to a desire to minimize public criticism have resulted in cost overruns and delays to Honolulu’s 20-mile rail project, according to an audit released by the Hawaii Office of the Auditor on Thursday. Pacific Business News.

Full text: Audit of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation: Report 1 is available here.

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School Board To Revote On Superintendent’s Contract — This Time Publicly. Concerns were raised after the board voted in executive session to reward the state superintendent with an additional contract year. Civil Beat.

Homelessness Coordinator Touts Progress As Lawmakers Criticize Pace Of Work. Hawaii homelessness has decreased two years in a row, said Scott Morishige, but legislators contend the administration isn’t spending money fast enough. Civil Beat.

Hawaii completes modernization of state payroll system. Hawaii's state payroll system has finally moved into the 21st century, with Gov. David Ige announcing on Thursday that all state employees have successfully transitioned to a new system as part of a $17 million modernization project. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii’s tax revenue projection adjusted for slower growth. The reduction means the state might have $55 million less to spend than expected. Associated Press.

State legislators will have to work with a smaller budget than had been anticipated just two days ago. The Council on Revenues lowered its state general fund forecast by .8 percent Wednesday, retreating from a 5 percent growth projection in September to 4.2 percent. Garden Island.

State lawmaker to reintroduce bill to ban plastic straws, Styrofoam containers. Hawaii tried to ban plastic straws and Styrofoam containers, but failed, last year. Senator Mike Gabbard, who introduced the 2018 bill, plans to reintroduce the idea when the Legislature convenes this session. KITV.

Hawaii military plans for space defense race. The United States and other nations are now acting with haste to protect their space-based assets. That priority was highlighted at a Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Military Affairs Council annual meeting Thursday at the state Capitol. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines carried an all-time high of 11,840,178 passengers in 2018 amid a fleet expansion that helped generate a seventh straight year of record visitor arrivals to the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The Honolulu Elections Division is standing by its policy of accepting mail-in ballots from the U.S. Postal Service after 6 p.m. on Election Day, despite a challenge by defeated City Council candidate Tommy Waters that argues those votes should not be counted. Star-Advertiser.

Scandal that’s ensnarled police, prosecutor’s office takes another turn: Investigating a drug trafficking ring. An officer’s anticipated guilty plea Friday in connection with a widening public corruption case against former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his wife will also take the case in an entirely new direction — one that ties Katherine Kealoha to a prescription drug trafficking ring. Hawaii News Now.

Trump’s Border Wall Could Imperil $345M Ala Wai Canal Flood Control Project. The president is considering declaring a national emergency and taking funds from Army Corps of Engineers projects. Associated Press.

State tours possible relocation site for the encampment at Waianae boat harbor. Oahu’s biggest homeless village could be moving to a piece of state land in Waianae. Hawaii News Now.

The H3 Freeway Kaneohe-bound will be closed between the Halawa Interchange and the Kaneohe Interchange for filming of Magnum P.I. KHON2.

Despite the news of its upper grades closing at the end of the school year, Saint Francis School alumni remain hopeful they might be able to save the 94-year-old institution. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

A circuit court judge ordered the county jail’s warden to court for a second time after a pretrial murder detainee who was previously erroneously released from custody wasn’t brought to court for a recent hearing. West Hawaii Today.

The probe into the mistaken release five months ago of an accused murderer is ongoing, but the Department of Public Safety says it has worked to modify and strengthen procedures to prevent a repeat of the flub. West Hawaii Today.

Officials share memories of old Hilo jailhouse. The impending demolition of the old Hilo County Jail brought together public safety officials and local dignitaries Thursday to share memories of the historic building. Tribune-Herald.

State and local officials attended an event at the Old Hilo Jail building off Waianuenue Avenue on Thursday, to share stories on the vacant structure before demolition begins in the coming weeks. Big Island Video News.

The state Department of Health has confirmed a new case of rat lungworm disease in an infant from Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

$600K Contract for Haiku Roadwork Begins. Road resurfacing and other work has started on Peahi and Pauwela roads in Haiku, according to the Maui County Department of Public Works. Maui Now.

The gates at the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge remain locked Wednesday morning. Signs posted say the refuge is closed due to “the lapse in federal appropriations.” Maui News.

The Napili Park Playground in West Maui is closed while crews complete repairs due to vandalism reported at the facility. Maui Now.

Kauai

Though the government shutdown is still ongoing, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has decided to return staff to wildlife refuges across the country to ensure access. Among them is Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Garden Island.

Assisted dying law kicks in Jan. 1, Honolulu rail costs climb, legislators pan Ige homeless plan, audit clears Mauna Kea management, Hanabusa, Gabbard look to future, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii dawn ©2018 All Hawaii News

Preparing For Hawaii’s New Medical Aid In Dying Law. The state estimates around 40 people will use the new law to seek medical assistance to end their lives next year. Civil Beat.

Health care industry prepares for ‘Our Care, Our Choice Act’ New law that takes effect Jan. 1 will allow terminal patients to end their lives. Maui News.

University of Hawaii economists are forecasting that the state’s expansion has more room to run, but their outlook for the Asia-Pacific region is less rosy in the wake of the U.S.-Chinese trade war and a weakening global environment. Star-Advertiser.

Ige Releases $17.3 Million For ‘Ohana Zones’ On Oahu And Big Island. Counties and nonprofits will use the money to build permanent housing for the homeless and create more shelter space. Civil Beat.

Legislators pan governor’s $17M plan for homeless ‘ohana zones’. Just ahead of a deadline, the governor on Friday announced plans to spend millions of dollars on so-called “ohana zones” for Oahu and Big Island homeless residents. But legislators who set aside $30 million for the special zones say the governor isn’t doing enough. Hawaii News Now.

Timeshare visitors to Hawaii decreased in the third quarter, and occupancy was flat, according to the Hawaii Timeshare Quarterly Report released Friday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard’s birthplace could create political fodder in national campaign. Gabbard needed only one of her parents to be a U.S. citizen to gain automatic citizenship. But the question, if she’s to run for president, is not whether she is a citizen, but whether she’s a “natural-­born citizen,” the definition of which is a matter of legal debate. Star-Advertiser.

Hanabusa reflects on time in Congress, talks future in politics. During both of Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa’s stints in the U.S. House of Representatives, Democrats have been the minority party. As she wraps up her time in Washington, there’s one key lesson learned: relationships matter. KITV.

Seven of the 76 confirmed cases of large whale entanglements documented along U.S. coasts in 2017 were in Hawaii waters, and all seven involved humpback whales, according to a recent report released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as whale season in the state gets underway. Star-Advertiser.

Study: Chuukese Patients In Hawaii Often Face Discrimination. Micronesian patients face language and cultural barriers when seeking medical care, and are far less likely to have insurance coverage. Civil Beat.

Hawaii cuts price for state's affordable housing portfolio by $40M. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Oahu voters resoundingly rejected a proposed charter amendment that would have made it easier for the Honolulu rail authority to conduct its business, and one member of the rail board says the election loss was a sign that there is “no public trust in our organization.” Star-Advertiser.

The Cost Of Honolulu Rail’s Westside Stations Keeps Going Up. HART had boasted of savings from its decision to build the nine stations three at a time. But those savings have disappeared. Civil Beat.

Civil Beat Law Center Files To Unseal Secret Kealoha Court Documents. Even if the documents refer to Katherine Kealoha’s medical condition, other information should be made public, the center says. Civil Beat.

Defense attorneys question cases prosecuted by deputies facing federal corruption probe. The attorney for convicted murderer Dae Han Moon sent a letter to the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office on Friday, requesting information about the federal public corruption investigation that has widened to include the prosecutor’s office. Hawaii News Now.

HECO customers see big spike on their bills. Some residential electric customers on Oahu got sticker shock when they opened their power bills over the last few months. A few even claim their bills doubled or tripled between October and December. Hawaii News Now.

An owner of a Canadian thrill-ride company wants to build an aerial tramway and a zip line in the hills above Waialua as part of an “agribusiness” on land zoned for agriculture. Star-Advertiser.

Affordable Home/Studio Rentals. For Artists. In Kaka'ako. Wha?! Hawaii Public Radio.

Hanauma Bay reopens after bacteria levels in the water return to normal levels. KHON2.

Kamehameha Schools plans to build a community learning center in Nanakuli next year, with educational programs focused on teens and young adults. Star-Advertiser.

Two Windward churches that began hosting monthly fairs this year to attract homeless people in their communities have seen dramatically different results, underscoring the complexities of addressing island homelessness. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

A financial audit to be presented to the University of Hawaii Board of Regents found no irregularities in how the various entities involved in use and management of Maunakea lands account for their revenue and expenses. Tribune-Herald.

A proposed ballot measure reducing the county land fund from a minimum of 2 percent of property tax revenues to a minimum of 1 percent was advanced Friday by the Charter Commission, over objections from fund supporters. West Hawaii Today.

HELCO Proposes Rate Increase Of 3.4%. The power utility says grid modernization, storm resilience, and renewable energy work are driving costs up. Big Island Video News.

HPM could be first to take advantage of redevelopment bill. Tribune-Herald.

HI-SEAS 2.0: Mauna Loa dome to get re-purposed for moon simulations. A small dome on the slopes of Mauna Loa used for the past five years as a NASA-funded Mars simulation is being given a new mission. Tribune-Herald.

Group offers $10,000 for Ireland case DNA testing. A retired judge and his group has offered $10,000 to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney to have genetic genealogical research performed on DNA left on a key piece of evidence in the Dana Ireland murder case. Tribune-Herald.

Round the clock security ends at HOPE Services campus in Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Two hotly debated bills for a community plan amendment and parking lot project at the north end of Keawakapu Beach have passed the first of two readings, and now the measures are en route to a public hearing before final action by the Maui County Council. Maui News.

A county-state land exchange paving the way for Maui County to build a new bus hub near Sears in Kahului passed on first reading Thursday. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami reflects on first two weeks in office. It's been 2 weeks since Derek Kawakami took on the role of Mayor of Kauai. Kawakami succeed Mayor Bernard Carvalho, who reached his term limit. KHON2.

The county is seeking volunteers to assist with an annual count of the area’s homeless population in January. Garden Island.

Mauna Kea Trask, who served as county attorney from December 2014 to November 2018, has joined a new firm on Kauai. Garden Island.

Feds probe rail, Ige-Green inauguration today, Gabbard stumps in New Hampshire, but coy on presidential plans, preschool kids served Pine-Sol, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu rail guide-way detail PC:HART

Federal inquiry linked to rail. Federal investigators are taking an interest in Hono­lulu’s $9 billion rail project, but it is unclear what has attracted their attention. Star-Advertiser.

After winning his re-election bid earlier this month, Gov. David Ige is set to be sworn in for his second term Monday at the rotunda in the state Capitol. Hawaii News Now.

Governor David Ige, Lt. Governor-elect Josh Green to be sworn-in Monday. KHON2.

Ige will start his last four years as governor with a new partner. This year, the governor chose to have his inauguration at the Rotunda at the State Capitol. KITV.

Testing the waters in New Hampshire, Tulsi Gabbard ‘seriously thinking’ about presidential bid. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard made multiple stops this weekend in the state that holds the first primary in the race for the White House — sparking further speculation that she’s considering a run for the Democratic presidential nomination. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard For President? ‘I Am Seriously Considering It’. Speculation has been mounting, but at an appearance in New Hampshire she said she’s thinking of how she can “best be of service to the people of this country.” Civil Beat.

Case wraps up orientation, eyes campaign finance reform. Congressman-Elect Ed Case is a freshman by title. But after serving in more than two terms in the mid-2000s, he’s familiar with the way Washington works, and his fellow freshman members know it. KITV.

Oysters Could Help Clean Hawaii's Polluted Waterways. Some of Hawaii's most polluted waterways may soon get help from an unlikely source: oysters. After a successful test project in Pearl Harbor, the Hawaiian Islands branch of the Waterkeeper Alliance is seeking to expand the use of oyster colonies to clean polluted waters. Hawaii Public Radio.

State Claims ‘Dramatic’ Improvement In Adult Home Care Oversight. But in the face of a harsh audit of the program last week, some lawmakers were skeptical that there has been such a swift turnaround. Civil Beat.

Want To Teach In Hawaii? The Job Often Comes With A Big Pay Cut. Teachers from the mainland get credit for only a few years of seniority, creating another challenge in efforts to address Hawaii’s teacher shortage. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City rolls out new transit card pilot program. The first passengers on Honolulu’s new rail system won’t take that inaugural ride for another two years, but the initial elements of the system like the new HOLO card are coming to life. Hawaii News Now.

East Oahu preschool students mistakenly served Pine-Sol. Students were mistakenly served Pine-Sol instead of apple juice, according to a report released by the state Department of Health. It happened Tuesday at Kilohana United Methodist Church Preschool. KHON2.

$800,000 Honolulu home median considered modest. When Honolulu’s median sale price for single-family homes punched through the $800,000 ceiling in August, the big round number stunned many prospective homebuyers. Star-Advertiser.

Native Hawaiian graduation rate triples at University of Hawaii at Manoa. Native Hawaiian and Filipino students are graduating on time at record rates from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, with Hawaiians tripling their level since 2010, according to the latest data. Star-Advertiser.

A volunteer group has obtained city approval to build a 1-acre public playground at Ala Moana Regional Park that includes miniature zip lines, slides, swings and a splash pad. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi wants the city to look into placing a motor sports racetrack on a portion of a historic field that the Navy is planning to transfer to the city. Star-Advertiser.

Don’t Expect To See Those Green E-Scooters Again Anytime Soon. Lime’s electric scooter fleet was pulled from Honolulu streets earlier this year. Hawaii’s vehicle code needs changes for them to return. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Island is gaining people, but they’re not coming from the rest of the state. In fact, between 2012 and 2016, the Big Island lost an estimated 2,362 people annually to the other three counties in Hawaii, while adding just 1,654, according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau. West Hawaii Today.

UH-Hilo to offer career path for airline pilots and drone operators. A new bachelor’s degree in aeronautical sciences at the University of Hawaii at Hilo could start training students to become commercial pilots or operators of unmanned aircraft as soon as next year. Star-Advertiser.

About a dozen Puna residents offered their suggestions, as well as complaints, to Hawaii County representatives Thursday evening during the first of what is expected to be several talk-story sessions regarding recovery from the Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Parade, lava museum revive hopes for Pahoa’s future. Saturday’s eclectic Pahoa Holiday Parade — the 25th to run down Pahoa Village Road through the heart of the small rural town — carried the hopes of a community still struggling in the aftermath of Kilauea Volcano’s destructive eruption this year. Star-Advertiser.

Big Island: Back in Business. Vivid images of volcanic eruptions captured the world’s attention this year, but frightened off visitors. Hawaii Public Radio.

Aggressive pigs becoming a nuisance at some state parks. A visit to Hawaii Island’s state parks provides a close encounter with nature — sometimes, a bit too close for comfort. Tribune-Herald.

Funds frozen as groups grapple for control of Hawaiian Ranchos Road Maintenance Corporation. West Hawaii Today.

State Investigates Big Island Biofuel Plant For Discharging Wastewater. There is no public health threat from the discharge at the facility, which expects to start generating power by burning wood sometime in December. Civil Beat.

Hu Honua takes exception to Hawaii DOH comments in violation notice. The Hu Honua biomass power plant on Hawaii's Big Island, which is currently under construction, is taking exception to comments made by state Department of Health Director Bruce Anderson in a press release Friday that alleged Hu Honua Bioenergy LLC personnel caused an unauthorized discharge of industrial wastewater on Nov. 9. Pacific Business News.

Maui

New Trial Ordered for Maui Man Arrested During Telescope Protest. The Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals on Thursday vacated an obstruction conviction by a Maui jury of a native Hawaiian who was protesting the construction of the Daniel K Inouye Solar Telescope atop Haleakala in August 2015. Maui Now.

Water ruling shouldn’t affect W. Maui supply. Department says flow is sufficient, working on new supply sources. The county water department said Friday that there should be sufficient flow in the Kanaha Stream — 90 percent of the time — to meet needs of Lahaina customers and to comply with the state water commission’s order last week to restore 550,000 gallons of water per day to the stream. Maui News.

‘We have no choice’. Climate expert: State has to reach for renewable energy goals. Maui News.

Maui scores high marks in visitor satisfaction from nearly all regions. Japanese tourists, though, seem a bit harder to please. Maui News.

Meeting will explore using oysters to improve water quality in harbor. Maui News.

Kauai

The public is invited to attend the inauguration of Mayor-elect Derek Kawakami and the Kauai County Councilmembers-elect, scheduled for today. Garden Island.

In one of the last remaining duties of being the mayor, Bernard Carvalho Jr. presented $500,000 of state grants Friday to six nonprofits for work they are doing for flood recovery on the North Shore. Garden Island.

KEMA unveils new 18-screen video wall in Emergency Operations Center. Garden Island.

The Kauai County Housing Agency held a blessing for the Lima Ola affordable housing project in Eleele last Monday. The county has also secured a total of $19 million of funding for the project. Garden Island.

State auditor slams Health Department's oversight of care homes, security guards to patrol Honolulu parks, state tells Hawaiians to take down Mauna Kea access structure, Maui panel recommends $40M bond, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

The Hawaiian Islands, seen from GOES-17 at 6:30 a.m. EST, on Nov. 13, 2018. PC:NOAA/CIRA

The GOES-17 Advanced Baseline Imager has sent its first images from the satellite's new vantage point over the Pacific Ocean. NOAA.

State auditor finds licensing of care homes problematic. An inordinate number of Hawaii’s nearly 500 adult residential care homes were operating in 2017 either with no license or with “hastily issued” permits — and sometimes without even being inspected, according to a scathing audit of the agency charged with ensuring health and safety standards. Star-Advertiser.

Audit: Licensing Process For Adult Care Homes Is Seriously Flawed. The state agency overseeing adult care homes says it is improving its practices and there is no risk to the health or safety of the patients. Civil Beat.

A new audit has found major problems within the agency that licenses Hawaii's care homes. It says the office of health care assurance was renewing licenses for care homes even though there were deficiencies found. KHON2.

The Office of the State Auditor released an audit of the Hawaii Department of Health’s Office of Health Care Assurance today, identifying areas for improvement to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of residents in adult residential care homes. Maui Now.

Scathing audit says office charged with licensing care homes failing to ensure health, safety of patients. The state Office of Health Care Assurance is required by law to oversee the health, safety and welfare of care home residents by licensing and inspecting care homes and holding them to standards. Hawaii News Now.

Read full audit on adult care homes here.

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Harm Reduction Hawaii: Change State Laws for Sex Workers. Community advocates and sex workers in Hawai’i are mobilizing to be heard at the State Legislature next session. Hawaii Public Radio.

Back In Washington Ed Case Gets Ready For ‘A Wild Ride’. The congressman will join one of the most diverse freshman classes in U.S. House history, one that must decide if Nancy Pelosi will still lead them. Civil Beat.

UH Regents Approve New Leadership Organization. The recombining of the University of Hawaii system president with the Manoa chancellor is among other bureaucratic shifts coming to UH. Civil Beat.

A ‘time bomb’ waiting to happen: New figures highlight critical shortage of special ed teachers. Teachers sound alarms over worsening shortage. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s teacher shortage has reached “crisis proportions,” according to Hawaii State Teachers Association President Corey Rosenlee, who appeared before the Board of Education Thursday to address the state’s ongoing struggles to retain qualified educators. Garden Island.

Isle jobless rate edges up to 2.3%. Hawaii’s unemployment rate rose in October for the second straight month to a 16-month high of 2.3 percent as the labor force slightly contracted. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

HART to pay $13 million for rail claims. In what is being praised as a significant milestone for the troubled Honolulu rail project, the rail authority has reached an agreement that will finally allow it to close out major contracts with the company that built the first half of the elevated rail guideway. Star-Advertiser.

HART Approves Rail’s Recovery Plan – Again. The move is intended to free up more than $700 million withheld by the project’s federal partners. Civil Beat.

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City hires 24/7 security guards to curtail homeless in 9 Honolulu parks. Pairs of unarmed, private security guards Thursday began rotating among nine city parks around the clock to clamp down on illegal homeless activity. Star-Advertiser.

City to implement new security program to patrol Honolulu parks 24/7. The one-month pilot project will cost the city $44K. Hawaii News Now.

Security guards coming to nine Honolulu parks. KHON2.

Honolulu Rolls Out Ankle Bracelet To Monitor Drunken Drivers. Repeat drunken drivers in Honolulu can soon be made to wear a SCRAM CAM anklet that detects alcohol consumption through a wearer’s sweat and notifies the courts. Civil Beat.

The Prosecutors Office unveiled a new tool aimed at cracking down on habitual drunk drivers. These alcohol monitors can detect alcohol through sweat. KHON2.

Honblue hopes to fill void after Hagadone Hawaii closes. Printing company Honblue hopes to take over as many clients and employees as it can from Hagadone Hawaii, which announced last week it will stop commercial printing operations. KITV.

Exotic bengal cats confiscated in Honolulu. A pair of exotic animals got confiscated at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu in September. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

State tells group to take down structure at Mauna Kea access road. They say they are Native Hawaiian beneficiaries looking after the aina. But the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands says they are trespassing and that their unauthorized structure next to the Maunakea Access Road has to go. Tribune-Herald.

A Hawaii Island peace activist is raising concerns about an apparent U.S. Navy plan to expand non-invasive, or no live fire, training activities into the Mauna Kea Recreation Area along Saddle Road. Big Island Video News.

Ha steps down as cannabis dispensary CEO. The CEO of Lau Ola LLC, one of only two Big Island medical cannabis dispensaries, announced his retirement Wednesday, before the dispensary has brought any product to market. Tribune-Herald.

Former Big Island farmer and medical marijuana advocate Richard Ha, CEO of Lau Ola, is resigning today, two weeks after the state gave the startup the green light to begin growing pakalolo. Star-Advertiser.

Effective Monday, Richard Ha, the head of Big Island medical cannabis company Lau Ola is retiring. KITV.

Little Fire Ants Discovered in Hawaii Volanoes National Park. Park officials announced today they have discovered the presence of the invasive ants in the popular Steam Vents area and Mauna Ulu parking lot. Hawaii Public Radio.

Little fire ants invade Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Tribune-Herald.

Unwanted visitors: Little fire ants discovered at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The invasive species is hazardous to the health of humans, native ecosystems. Hawaii News Now.

The Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee met in Pahoa on Wednesday evening, and eruption recovery was on the agenda. Big Island Video News.

Weather, water hit Cyanotech hard. Limited access to fresh water, inclement weather and a volcanic eruption has resulted in growing pains for Cyanotech Corp., forcing the company to post a loss for a third consecutive quarter. West Hawaii Today.

Estate in Hawaii's Kukio to be auctioned as part of China portfolio by Concierge Auctions. An estate in the Kukio Golf and Beach Club on Hawaii’s Big Island will be sold at auction online and in a live auction in Hong Kong next month as part of a portfolio of 18 luxury homes around the world marketed by Concierge Auctions to buyers in China and across the globe. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Panel recommends approval of $40M bond for project. Some council members say additional funding for Wailuku Civic Center plan is ‘premature’. Maui News.

Seabury Hall trims new headmaster list down to three. Maui News.

Updated Molokai Island plan to get public hearing Friday. Maui News.

Kauai

County officials with the Mayor’s Office, Office of Economic Development, as well as representatives from Kauai Community College and Hawaiian cultural practitioners are visiting Kauai’s sister city in Portugal for the first time. Garden Island.

Nearly 100 people gathered Thursday to learn about the rapid rise in popularity of e-cigarettes among Kauai teenagers, a trend affecting communities nationwide, recently described by the Food and Drug Administration as having reached “epidemic proportions.” Garden Island.

It's Election Day! No vote, no grumble. Here's what candidates and committees have been up to going down the home stretch, plus everything you need to know about voting in all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz at Democratic Party rally in Hilo ©2018 All Hawaii News

Lack of hot races suggests turnout might lag. This is one of the most exciting and suspenseful midterm elections in years on the mainland, but a lack of hotly contested local races suggests voter turnout could remain low in Hawaii today. Star-Advertiser.

Early Voting Is Way Up Nationwide, But Not In Hawaii. There’s a lot of drama on the mainland with control of Congress up for grabs. Hawaii’s races hold less suspense. Civil Beat.

Hawaii General Election: 180K Votes Already Cast. Hawaii Public Radio.

Despite easier registration rules, early voting figures remain low. Hawaii’s voter turnout is the lowest in the nation. Hawaii News Now.

Democrats from across the state gathered at Mooheau bandstand Monday evening for their traditional pre-election Grand Rally, where several hundred of the party faithful ate chili, enjoyed entertainment and heard speeches from federal, state and local candidates. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii’s GOP focusing on conservative-leaning districts in battle against blue wave. There are only five elected Republicans in the state. Hawaii News Now.

Advocates rally to push Native Hawaiian voters to the polls. ‘They say Hawaiians don’t vote. We want to prove them wrong.’ Hawaii News Now.

Candidates for Hawaii’s top elected office are focusing on a persistent problem that has only gotten worse: the high cost of housing on the islands. Associated Press.

A coalition of powerful unions, business interests, environmentalists and others has raised $740,000 in its effort to defeat this year’s ballot measure asking voters whether they want to convene a state constitutional convention, according to the latest campaign spending reports filed Monday. Star-Advertiser.

High-Profile PR Firm Is Getting Involved In Hawaii Politics. A company that made a big splash by hiring away public officials has aided the campaigns of the teachers union, an OHA candidate and a Maui super PAC. Civil Beat.

Here’s what you need to know for Tuesday’s Midterm Election. Hawaii Public Radio.

Are you a first-time voter? Here’s all you need to know for Election Day. Polls open statewide Tuesday at 7 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. Hawaii News Now.

Reminders, tips to know before you vote in Tuesday's general election. KHON2.

Election Day Hawaii Information. If you're headed to the polls here are some things you need to know. KITV.

Ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft both said they will offer discounted rides to the polls in Hawaii on Election Day. Star-Advertiser.

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Some Progress Made on Strike Negotiations. Leaders of the hotel workers union Unite Here! Local 5 met with management of five hotels owned by Kyo-Ya over the weekend to try and bring an end to a four week worker strike. Hawaii Public Radio.

Matson’s earnings surge on tax cuts. Matson Inc. operated on a fairly even keel in the third quarter balancing higher revenue and expenses, but the Honolulu company benefited from lower taxes to boost its profit 22 percent. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Short-term bonds to help fund rail. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Monday that his administration will use proceeds from the sale of short-term commercial paper to supply the city’s beleaguered $8 billion-plus rail project with $44 million to show “skin in the game” being required by federal transit officials and the state Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu To Take Out Short-Term Loan Of $44 Million To Keep Rail Going. This marks the first time that city property tax revenue will be used for the project. Civil Beat.

Mayor Caldwell reveals preferred funding mechanism to secure $44M for Honolulu's rail project. Pacific Business News.

Here’s how the city plans to pay $44M for the rail project. ‘We’re probably taking the safest route, the least painful route.’ Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu unveils latest rail plans. Beginning in January, homeowners on O'ahu will start paying for rail through property taxes. KITV.

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Council committee hobbles sidewalk-clearing bills. Honolulu City Council members are doubling down on their insistence that Mayor Kirk Caldwell submit more detailed reports on how he’s tackling homelessness before they’ll allow him to implement two new sidewalk-clearance laws. Star-Advertiser.

Victim Advocates Withdraw From Partnership with Honolulu Police. The Domestic Violence Action Center will return $400,000 in grants because HPD didn’t use its services when responding to domestic violence calls. Civil Beat.

There's a big increase in crime due to 15 cents bag fee on Oahu, says Retail Merchants of Hawaii. KHON2.

Honolulu will be under increasing risk of flooding and other damaging storm impacts as climate change shifts the historical pattern of hurricane tracks and raises the ocean level to make the islands more vulnerable, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Star-Advertiser.

Sales dip, but Oahu home prices rise 4%, Locations report says. Home prices on Oahu rose by 4 percent over the 12-month period that ended Oct. 31, while sales of single-family homes declined by 3 percent, and condominium sales declined by 1 percent, according to a report by Honolulu real estate firm Locations. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Thurston Lava Tube likely to remain closed until 2019. While much of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has reopened since its historic closure earlier this year, some parts likely will remain closed until at least next year. Tribune-Herald.

Improvements planned for rodeo arena in Honokaa. Honokaa Rodeo Arena will close from Nov. 14-Jan. 14 so improvements to the facility can be made. Tribune-Herald.

Humpbacks arrive fashionably early off Kohala Coast. West Hawaii Today.

The median price of a condominium on Hawaii’s Big Island rose by more than 26 percent last month despite fewer sales, compared to a year ago, while both sales and prices declined for single-family homes, according to statistics provided by Hawaii Information Service on behalf of Hawaii Island Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Polls will open starting at 7 a.m. Tuesday as voters statewide cast their final ballots for county, state and congressional races. Maui News.

Spending report: Victorino paid D.C.-based media consultant $50K. Cochran’s largest expenditure was just under $3,000 during same period in Maui County mayoral race. Maui News.

Commentary: Win for public’s right to know. The Maui News won an important court battle Thursday when the three psychiatrist/psychologist reports were released by 2nd Circuit Judge Peter Cahill in the Ashley Wellman case. Maui News.

Maui visitor numbers slowed but still up in wake of Olivia. Vistor spending in September also up but only 2nd time this year with less than $400 million. Maui News.

The Kula Forest Reserve, Waipoli access road, Kahikinui Forest Reserve – Papaanui Tract, and Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area reopened on Friday following completion of a two-month project for road repairs, road safety improvements, and fuel mitigation work. Maui Now.

Kauai

An islandwide power outage that struck early Monday afternoon affected all 25,800 Kauai Island Utility Cooperative members. Garden Island.

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative said it has been able to restore power to all of its 25,800 members on the Garden Isle after a trip at its Kapaia Power Station caused an islandwide power outage. Pacific Business News.

Crews from the Department of Public Works finished laying a new sewer pipe at Kuhio Highway and Leho Drive Sunday night and began demobilizing as they wrapped up a days-long effort to repair and clean up a sewage spill and get traffic back to normal. Garden Island.

Single-family home prices on Kauai rise as sales drop. The median price of a single-family home on Kauai rose 6 percent last month, compared to a year ago, as the median price of a condominium dropped 13 percent and sales for both categories dropped, according to statistics from Hawaii Information Service on behalf of the Kauai Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News

Hawaii Supreme Court approves Thirty Meter Telescope, with links to concurring, dissenting opinions, property taxes to bail out Honolulu rail, vacation rentals outpace hotels in occupancy increases, what a newsy day! Plus more state and local government and political news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tourists view telescopes atop Mauna Kea ©2018 All Hawaii News

Read full Hawaii Supreme Court opinion on Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea here.

Justice Wilson dissents, notice here.

Justices Pollack and Wilson concurring in part, dissenting in part opinion can be read here.

Supreme Court Approves Thirty Meter Telescope. The ruling says the state Board of Land and Natural Resources properly granted a conservation district permit for Mauna Kea. Civil Beat.

After facing years of setbacks from protests and legal challenges, the Thirty Meter Telescope cleared its last major hurdle Tuesday before the Hawaii Supreme Court. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Supreme Court rules in favor of Thirty Meter Telescope. The Hawaii Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of the state Board of Land and Natural Resources' decision to issue a conservation district use permit for construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on the Big Island’s Mauna Kea. Pacific Business News.

The Hawaii Supreme Court has ruled in favor the Thirty Meter Telescope permit, paving the way for the $1.4 billion observatory to build on Mauna Kea. Big Island Video News.

After years of legal wrangling and protests, the Thirty Meter Telescope got a green light Tuesday from the state Supreme Court. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Supreme Court issues ruling allowing TMT to be built on Mauna Kea. The Hawaii Supreme Court has affirmed the state Board of Land and Natural Resources’ decision to issue a Conservation District Use Permit for construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea. KHON2.

The Thirty Meter Telescope may be headed for another Mauna Kea showdown after the state Supreme Court ruled in favor of the $1.4 billion project Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

State and county officials led by Lt. Gov. Doug Chin have done extensive planning in recent years to prepare for the possibility of widespread protests in connection with the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope, and at least some of those plans may involve the use of Hawaii National Guard equipment, according to sources familiar with the preparations. Star-Advertiser.

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Tupola says she told Kerns of debate; Kerns denies it. Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Marissa Kerns said she didn’t attend a televised debate on Monday night because her running mate, Republican gubernatorial candidate Andria Tupola, deliberately failed to inform her that she had been invited. Star-Advertiser.

Republican candidate for lieutenant governor accuses running mate of ‘sabotaging’ campaign. The war of words comes just seven days before the general election. Hawaii News Now.

Candidate claims she wasn't invited to final TV debate. At the KITV 4 gubernatorial debate, we invited Republican and democratic candidates for governor and Lt. Governor, but not all of them showed up. KITV.

Ige Has Raised And Spent Three Times As Much Campaign Cash As Tupola. The Democrat incumbent is financially dominating his Republican challenger in the Hawaii governor race. Civil Beat.

Unions spend heavily against ConCon. Preserve Our Hawaii, a powerful coalition funded heavily by local unions, has spent more than $600,000 in recent weeks on advertising urging residents to vote “no” in the general election on whether to hold a state constitutional convention, campaign spending reports show. Star-Advertiser.

What A New Hawaii ConCon Might Look Like. The Hawaiian renaissance ensured the 1978 constitutional convention would enshrine indigenous rights. A lot has changed since then. Civil Beat.

Akaka, Kiaaina share unique connection as they compete for OHA’s Oahu seat. Both candidates have a close connection to late Senator Daniel Akaka. Hawaii News Now.

The use of vacation rental homes by visitors from Hawaii’s main tourism markets rose in September as hotel use declined, according to data released Tuesday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

Will Kiosks and Robots Replace Hotel Workers? Striking hotel workers in Hawaii and elsewhere, fearful of losing jobs, want a seat at the table as management rolls out disruptive technology. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s visitor industry realized statewide growth in visitor arrivals and spending despite September decreases on the Big Island. Star-Advertiser.

New Guidelines for Rat Lungworm Disease. Two doctors from the UH medical Scholl’s department of Tropical Medicine. Doctors Vernon Ansdell and Gerald Murphy will showcase efforts to deal with Rat Lungworm Disease on a national stage. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Remembering Marine Biology Giant Ruth Gates. Ruth Gates lost her battle with brain cancer last week. She was the director of the Hawaii Institute of Biology and was a champion of coral reefs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Pioneering coral reef scientist Ruth Gates, who dedicated much of her career to saving the world’s fragile and deteriorating underwater reef ecosystems, has died. She was 56. Associated Press.

Ruth Gates, trailblazer in coral reef research, died October 25 after being diagnosed with brain cancer in May, but Hawaii officials and environmentalists say her legacy will live on. Garden Island.

Oahu

Council commits city funds to pay $44M for rail project. The Honolulu City Council on Tuesday approved a measure that allowed, for the first time, money from the city’s general fund to be used to finance the rail. Star-Advertiser.

Rail moves over its latest hurdle as City Council passes key funding bill. The Honolulu City Council voted 7-2 Tuesday to approve a key rail funding bill, in a move to appease demands by the federal government. Hawaii News Now.

Public input sought for Ward Village elevated walkways over main streets. Ward Village’s developer is seeking public input on the design of elevated walkways that would connect a central plaza in the neighborhood to a planned rail station, Ala Moana Beach Park and future condominium towers. Star-Advertiser.

Trace levels of a chemical detected in west Oahu water well. The water remains safe to drink. The Waipahu Wells IV found trace levels of 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), which is a soil fumigant and nematicide used in pineapple farming, in the water. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Council Finalists Talk About Homelessness And Housing. Rebecca Villegas and Kelly Drysdale are facing off to represent a district where many workers cannot afford to live. Civil Beat.

County urged to reopen Hwy 132. Puna Councilwoman Eileen O’Hara will introduce a resolution during a County Council meeting Thursday, urging the county to reopen Highway 132 and develop additional alternative routes. Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea Volcano is not erupting, however Mayor Harry Kim has nevertheless signed a Fifth Supplementary Emergency Proclamation, extending the state of emergency until December 29. Big Island Video News.

Big Island residents will be able to view four U.S. Air Force fighter jets Thursday and Friday as the Hawaii Air National Guard conducts training exercises. Tribune-Herald.

The Kona Historical Society on Monday announced a new addition to its Kona Coffee Living History Farm in Captain Cook, a 9-month-old Nightingale by the name of Shizu. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island tourism arrivals, spending dropped 14% in September. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Flights to the mainland, hotel rooms, thousands of dollars worth of meals, rental cars and Uber and Lyft rides are among the hundreds of expenses that state Rep. Kaniela Ing failed to report on his campaign spending reports over the years, according to updated reports he filed over the weekend with the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Sugimura, Starbuck face off for council seat from Upcountry. On Nov. 6, Maui County Council Member Yuki Lei Sugimura will defend her Upcountry residency seat against first-time candidate Hannibal Starbuck. Maui News.

A former Maui police captain will have to register as a sex offender after groping a female sergeant while on the job last year. Hawaii News Now.

Stephen Orikasa, the former Maui Police captain accused of sexually assaulting a fellow officer was sentenced to one year probation Tuesday.   He must also pay $810 in fines and was ordered to complete the Hawaii Sex Offender Treatment Program. KITV.

The County of Maui Department of Planning invites the public to review technical resource papers and provide input for the update of the West Maui Community Plan. Maui Now.

West Maui Community Plan technical resource papers, focusing on issues such as housing, water and wastewater, are available for public review and input, the county Department of Planning said. Maui News.

Kauai

County Council candidate: Norma Doctor Sparks. Norma Doctor Sparks has spent a lifetime in public service and she wants to continue down that path, which is why she’s running for Kauai County Council. Garden Island.

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative inks energy pact. A Kauai renewable energy project combining solar and pumped storage hydro technology has moved one step further toward completion with the execution of a contract for design, engineering and construction on the facility. Garden Island.

If you use Ke Ala Hele Makalae, Kauai Path wants to hear from you. The nonprofit is conducting an online survey to try and learn what for, how often, and why people use the path by the ocean. Garden Island.

Honolulu short $44M as rail deadline nears, Senate committee approves Ige pal for judgeship, feral cats overrun transfer stations, Zuckerberg buys Kauai land, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Giraffe at Honolulu Zoo ©2018 All Hawaii News

The Honolulu Zoo announced that Nairobi, a 21-year-old male giraffe, died this morning from complications due to old age. Star-Advertiser.

Senate Judiciary Committee: Friendship Is Not Disqualification. Keith Hiraoka, Governor David Ige’s nominee for the Intermediate Court of Appeals faced members of the Senate Wednesday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawyer tells commission about many complaints over trustee. A former Office of Hawaiian Affairs attorney testified Wednesday that at one time there were so many employee harassment and abuse complaints against Trustee Rowena Akana, officials were worried about a cascade of lawsuits. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Tax System Places Larger Burden on Low Income Residents. Low-income residents in Hawaii are paying a higher share of their income in taxes than higher level earners. That is the conclusion of a recent report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy titled Who Pays?  Hawaii Public Radio.

Emergency Help For Hawaii’s Mentally Ill Is Often A Revolving Door. Hundreds of people taken by police to the hospital for psychiatric care go on to repeated hospitalizations or brushes with the law. Civil Beat.

Kahoolawe’s shorelines aren’t as pristine as you might think. The Greenpeace crew discovered just how polluted it really is. Greenpeace staff and volunteers are back in Honolulu with two and a half tons of plastic pollution collected from the shorelines around Kahoolawe. Hawaii News Now.

State’s 4 Native Hawaiian Chambers of Commerce Form New Alliance. Maui Now.

Super Typhoon Yutu Hits Northern Marianas With 180-mph Winds. Associated Press.

United Airlines kitchen employees vote to join Unite Here. Kitchen employees in five United Airlines cities, including Honolulu, have voted to unionize with Unite Here, adding 2,700 workers to the union. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

City scrambles to find $44M for rail as feds hold firm on deadline. Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration and the Honolulu City Council are scrambling to find ways to provide $44 million in city funds by next month to help finance the Honolulu rail project. Star-Advertiser.

Feds To City: Show Us The Rail Money Now. Honolulu will need to come up with $44 million by Nov. 20 — and a good-faith effort to eventually issue bonds for those dollars next year won’t cut it. Civil Beat.

In less than a month, the city needs to find $44M for rail. A deadline has been set by the federal government. Hawaii News Now.

The Federal Transit Administration is not budging on its deadline for the City and County of Honolulu to fund the rail project. The FTA declared Wednesday that the City must come up with 44 million dollars by November 20th or risk losing some or all of its federal funding. KITV.

Mayor urges passage of bill to fund rail through property tax. Mayor Kirk Caldwell is pushing the city council to act quickly to fund Honolulu's rail project. KHON2.

Rail draft plan reveals potential cost-cutting measures. The rail authority expects to collect $188 million more in taxes than previously projected to help finance the Honolulu rail project, but the city is still making plans to cut costs if necessary, including possibly deferring construction of the $315 million Pearl Highlands Parking Structure and Transit Center. Star-Advertiser.

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Two More Condo Towers Proposed Near Ala Moana Center. Developers continue to seek special permits for building near rail stations that allow taller, denser structures. Civil Beat.

A landowner plans to develop nearly 1,000 moderately priced condo units on Keeaumoku Street and is offering public benefits including a bigger park in return for letting two towers rise 50 feet beyond the current limit. Star-Advertiser.

A company that developed the pair of oval Moana Pacific condominium towers on Kapiolani Boulevard has bought more land on the same street for redevelopment. Star-Advertiser.

Applications now accepted for McCully affordable housing condo. KHON2.

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Church debuts domes to shelter homeless women and children. A grand opening ceremony was held Wednesday morning for a handful domes built to shelter the homeless in Kaneohe. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's first dome homeless shelters open at First Assembly of God. Pacific Business News.

Kaneohe church’s igloo-like dome shelters to house homeless families. Hawaii News Now.

What Caused This North Shore Cliff To Collapse? Since boulders fell into the sea at Laie Point, the city has issued a notice of violation for installation of a hot tub, fish pond and stone fire pit at the site. Civil Beat.

Chevron to settlement will fund $300K in gear for Honolulu emergency responders. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday a national settlement with Chevron U.S.A. Inc. for violations of the Clean Air Act that will fund about $300,000 in equipment for the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Representative behind Waikola development commits to following through with project. A representative for the developer behind a planned 398-lot residential subdivision in South Kohala repeatedly committed on Wednesday to completing the project that has gone undeveloped for the past decade. West Hawaii Today.

Feral cats, other animals, a problem at transfer stations. Hawaii County garbage transfer stations are going to the dogs. But especially the cats. Not to mention the pigs, the goats and the chickens. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Game Management Advisory Commission provided an update on the effort to locate and develop a shooting range on the Big Island. Big Island Video News.

State Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers are asking for the public’s help identifying two men wanted for questioning in connection with the recent poisoning of several East Hawaii streams on the Big Island. West Hawaii Today.

When 2019 begins, so too will a new law authorizing health care providers to supply terminally ill patients with life-ending medication. To prepare residents and health care providers for the new law, Compassion and Choices Hawaii — a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about end-of-life options — hosted a series of presentations around the Big Island this week. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Candidates have history with seat they are seeking. The two candidates vying for the Makawao, Haiku, Paia residency seat on the Maui County Council are no strangers to the office being vacated by council Chairman Mike White, who is retiring. Maui News.

Permit hearing for Haiku zipline to resume Dec. 11. The Maui Planning Commission recessed a hearing for a Haiku zipline company on Tuesday, to the audible groans of neighbors seeking an end to the zipline’s operations. Maui News.

Kauai

Affordable housing targeted. The County Council gave a green light to the county clerk to sign documents to accept a loan that will improve the infrastructure for phase one of the Lima Ola affordable housing community in Eleele. Garden Island.

County Council candidate: Mason Chock. After five years in office, some politicians become disillusioned or complacent. Incumbent Mason Chock, though, retains his sense of humor, drive and self-reflective humility. Garden Island.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg continues to acquire property on Kauai. KITV.