Hawaii wins 3 of 10 TripAdvisor top spots, ballot issues plague Honolulu election, pay raises for state, Kauai, volcano alert lowered, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii luau dancers 2019 All Hawaii News

Hawaii makes TripAdvisor top 10 Travelers' Choice Destinations in the U.S. Three Hawaii islands were named among the top destinations in the country to travel to. According to TripAdvisor, Maui was the second top choice, followed by Oahu at third, and the Big Island as 10. KHON2.

HDOT audit finds discrepancies. The Hawaii Department of Transportation’s Highways Division in fiscal year 2018 did not review capital improvement projects in a timely manner, incorrectly classified federal expenditures and violated cash management requirements by drawing funds from a federal agency prior to paying a subcontractor, according to a report issued by the Hawaii State Auditor’s Office. Garden Island.

Our Care, Our Choice Act Part 2: Some patients are pushing to get the law changed. The assisted suicide bill passed in the Legislature and became law, in order for patients to get their life-ending prescription they need to request it from their doctor on three separate occasions. KITV.

State commission proposes pay raises for elected officials. Some leading lawmakers are supporting new recommendations by the state Salary Commission that would grant all members of the Legislature raises of 10 percent in 2021 and would further boost lawmakers’ salaries in additional steps over the following three years. Star-Advertiser.

Recruitment begins today for Conservation and Resource Enforcement Officers to fill vacancies across the state.  The positions do not require any previous law enforcement experience, however, there are limited spaces available. Maui Now.

Public Safety admits less-lethal options are on hand — but not for use in the field. The state has purchased at least 35 less lethal guns and eight pepperball guns in the last two years. But none of the less lethal options are available for use by deputies on patrol. Hawaii News Now.

Amid growing concerns that a new crisis is brewing between China and Taiwan, independence-leaning Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen is in Honolulu for an always controversial yet short visit. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Residents report more ballot abnormalities in hotly contested City Council race. The special election for east Honolulu’s City Council seat is causing confusion after several ballots were mailed to people who no longer live in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Rocky start to Special Election mail-in ballots raises eyebrows with some voters. Residents we spoke to are concerned because if extra ballots were to be in the hands of the wrong person, there might be an opportunity for some to vote twice. KHON2.

'Gross incompetence or worse’: Rail purchase of reinforced steel questioned. The federal grand jury that’s investigating the rail project is looking into how the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation spent millions of dollars to buy reinforced steel. Hawaii News Now.

Some West Oahu residents push for a bypass road to help ease traffic troubles. The alternate route would also be a lifeline in times of accidents or emergencies. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

We’re another day older and deeper in debt. The lyrics to the song made famous by Tennessee Ernie Ford continue to hold true today, as Hawaii County finds its debt load continuing to creep upward. West Hawaii Today.

Kilauea volcano is now the quietest it has been in about four decades. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory lowered the volcano’s alert level Tuesday from “advisory” to “normal,” noting it has returned to a noneruptive, background state following last year’s lower East Rift Zone eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Today, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory officially lowered the Kilauea Volcano Alert Level for ground-based hazards from ADVISORY to NORMAL, and the Aviation Color Code from YELLOW to GREEN. Big Island Video News.

Project leaders review draft EIS for wastewater treatment plant with public. West Hawaii Today.

Kona Pacific fights back against commission’s findings. A Kealakekua charter school is demanding the state commission that oversees charter schools rescind a vote kicking off a process that could close the school. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino proposed Monday a $781 million no-frills budget for the next fiscal year, which includes property tax, trash pickup and water rate increases; additional property tax money for affordable housing; and opening the Central Maui Landfill one Sunday per month, but it contains no new major capital improvement initiatives. Maui News.

Maui Car Rental Facility, Electric Train on Schedule to Open May 15. A major project at Maui’s Kahului Airport in less than two months from completion. Maui Now.

New Paia Elementary building up for environmental review. Structure would be located at the front of the school next to the cafeteria. Maui News.

Kauai

The county’s top officials might be getting a raise. Kauai County Councilmembers today will consider a proposal to increase their own salaries along those of 30 county executives, including the mayor, the managing director, the police and fire chiefs. Garden Island.

A federal jury on Friday awarded over $700,000 in damages to a Kauai resident who sued Wilcox Memorial Hospital after an incident in which hospital employees injected the man against his will with a high-dose cocktail of strong antipsychotic drugs that left him incapacitated for months after the incident. Garden Island.

Kauai Family Demands New Policies, Protections for Kuleana Landowners. In the wake of a closely watched kuleana land auction of part of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's estate last week, one faction of the family caught up in the property dispute is calling for change. Hawaii Public Radio.

Coco Palms resort for sale again. Coco Palms, featured in the 1961 Elvis Presley movie “Blue Hawaii,” has been closed since Hurricane Iniki slammed into Kauai in 1992, causing extensive damage to the property. Star-Advertiser.

Coco Palms Resort is up for sale again. The property is owned by Coco Palm Hui LLC, who had planned to re-open the resort after it closed due to damages caused by Hurricane Iniki. KHON2.

Public slams Ala Wai flood plan, Senate shoots down prison purchase, marijuana decriminalization advances, another federal agency probing rail, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Along the Ala Wai ©2019 All Hawaii News

Flood control plan for Ala Wai strongly opposed at meeting. Controversy over a $345 million project to lessen flood risks at the Ala Wai Canal by building a wall around the canal and huge flood control structures in the upper reaches of the watershed drew hundreds to a Tuesday town hall meeting in Manoa. Star-Advertiser.

Hundreds attended a community meeting in Manoa Tuesday to hear from various city, state and federal agencies about a controversial flood risk management project proposed for the Ala Wai. Hawaii News Now.

Community members gather for input on Ala Wai Flood Management Project. The City and County of Honolulu has big plans to prevent a major flooding incident in Waikiki through the Ala Wai Flood Risk Management Project. KHON2.

Residents of Makiki, Palolo, and Manoa voice concerns over controversial Ala Wai flood mitigation plan. Plans to prevent catastrophic flooding of the Ala Wai Canal are met with protests. KITV.

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Senate Shoots Down Proposal To Buy Underused Federal Prison. A House bill sought to save money and lessen overcrowding in state facilities by pushing to acquire the Federal Detention Center. Civil Beat.

One idea to reduce overcrowding in the state’s jails was shot down Tuesday by the state Senate. The state House proposed buying the 1,200 bed Federal Detention Center near the Honolulu airport. Hawaii News Now.

A bill to decriminalize marijuana is one step closer to becoming law. Senate lawmakers Tuesday voted to ease the penalties for people caught with small amounts of recreational marijuana. Hawaii News Now.

A measure to decriminalize possession of marijuana in small amounts is moving forward at the State Legislature. House Bill 1383 would make possessing three grams or less of cannabis a misdemeanor. It would also establish a fine, and expunge prior convictions for possession of three grams or less from criminal records. Hawaii Public Radio.

Anti-plastic proposals face hearings today. Senate Bill 522, which would ban the sale, use or distribution of plastic utensils, beverage bottles, straws, polystyrene food containers and more successfully passed through its first committees in the state House after crossing over from the Senate. Another bill, Senate Bill 367, would prohibit just the sale of polystyrene food containers statewide, and has been similarly successful. Tribune-Herald.

Water diversion bill now with Senate. Several grassroots groups on Kauai and throughout the state are targeting Kauai legislators, asking them to kill a bill that would extend temporary water diversion permits for large corporations. Garden Island.

Outdated Technology Hampers Investigations Into Hawaii Professionals. The state agency charged with overseeing thousands of licensees is finally switching to an updated complaints management system. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Airlines urged to return outsourced call-center jobs to isles. The state House Labor Committee unanimously approved a draft resolution Tuesday urging Hawaiian Airlines to return 200-plus call center jobs it has outsourced to the Philippines. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers to Hawaiian Airlines: Move your call center back to the islands. The House Labor Committee Tuesday unanimously approved a draft resolution admonishing the carrier and calling on it to return those 200-plus jobs to the islands. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Supreme Court: Giant Law Firm OK To Set Up Shop Here. In a ruling based on the court’s own rules, the justices said multistate law firms can operate in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

A sea of orange flooded the Capitol with a message: Help feed Hawaii’s kupuna.  Hundreds participated in the 17th Annual March for Meals at the State Capitol Tuesday morning. Hawaii News Now.

A march Tuesday called on the State to set aside more money for senior services.  "Kupuna Care" is a state-funded program providing meals and services for seniors who cannot leave their homes. KITV.

The online forum Stolen Stuff Hawaii will attempt to flex its political muscles next month with a rally at the state Capitol. Star-Advertiser.

Tours and transportation company Roberts Hawaii has announced that President and Chief Operating Officer Percy Higashi will retire in June and executive vice president Roy Pfund will step into the role. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Bill curbing Waikiki parades and block parties advances. A bill to restrict parades and block parties in Waikiki won initial approval Tuesday from the City Council Transportation Committee. Star-Advertiser.

Another HART subpoena, targeting overpayments to move out of rail's way. HART has received a second subpoena, this time from the federal Department of Transportation OIG, collecting documents for a grand jury looking into relocation payments and real estate acquisition management, for people and companies that had to move out of rail's right of way. KHON2.

U.S. DOT Inspector General looking into rail concerns. The Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Transportation is inquiring about claims by a former quality manager for a Honolulu rail contractor who alleges he was fired last year after he complained about flaws in construction of columns and shafts that support the airport segment of the rail line. Star-Advertiser.

City Council Advances Short-Term Rental Regulations. Members of the Honolulu City Council’s Planning Committee advanced two measures that would represent a sweeping change to the way short-term rentals are regulated on Oahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Short-term vacation rentals on Oahu could soon be regulated. A City Council committee moved a bill forward Monday that would cap the amount of residents allowed to rent out rooms on their properties to 4,000 units on Oahu. KITV.

1-year later, Kauhale Kamaile offers stability, hope for homeless families in Waianae. Tuesday marked the first anniversary of the opening of the city’s 16-unit Kauhale Kamaile project along Farrington Highway, across from Waianae High School. Star-Advertiser.

Solar permits issued on Oahu continued their downward trend and plunged 20 percent in February. There were 156 solar permits issued by the City and County of Honolulu compared with 194 in the year-earlier period. Star-Advertiser.

Kaneohe home sales outpace Windward Oahu neighbor Kailua. Sales of single-family homes in Kaneohe jumped by 75 percent last month, compared to February 2018, as prices remained unchanged, while sales in the adjacent Windward Oahu market of Kailua-Waimanalo declined by 14 percent. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Puna Geothermal Venture will host a community meeting Friday to address status of restarting the power plant and access through its “pioneer road.” Tribune-Herald.

Roundabout projects on Hwy 130 could be ‘shovel ready’ by August. The state Department of Transportation started the consultation process for future improvements to Highway 130. Tribune-Herald.

Local officials, businesses celebrate Southwest Airlines’ arrival to Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino today announced his appointment of Lori Tsuhako as Director of the Department of Housing and Human Concerns and Linda Munsell as Deputy Director. Maui Now.

Closing arguments heard in Maui Lani ancestral site case. Complaint by Maui resident argues that project has disturbed about 180 burials. Maui News.

Work progresses on senior rental housing project. Work continues on the the $34 million, 165-unit Kahului Lani senior affordable rental housing development in Kahului. Maui News.

Public Safety Director Travels to Maui to Survey Riot Damage at MCCC. Maui Now.

Inmate: Broken phones a starter for ‘riot’ at jail. Smoke-filled modules, locked cells, flames to the ceiling at MCCC. Maui News.

Kauai

Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami reflects on plans. He had announced an operating budget of $242 million and a capital budget of $36 million — a precipitous one-year uptick until the realization that the new half-percent increase in the general excise tax — which is expected to produce $24 million in new revenue — will be earmarked for roads and transportation. Garden Island.

Hawaii could take $452M hit in Trump cuts, plastic ban advances, UH jobs on the line in budget cuts, Honolulu grapples with vacation rentals, how to pay for education, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Quonset huts at Pohakuloa Training Area ©2019 All Hawaii News

Isle projects in Trump’s cross-hairs. The Pentagon on Monday identified $12.9 billion in military construction funding — including $452 million for projects in Hawaii — that could be tapped to help build President Donald Trump’s southern border wall. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii weighs first-in-nation plastic bans at restaurants. Hawaii would be the first state in the U.S. to ban most plastics at restaurants under legislation that aims to cut down on waste that pollutes the ocean. Associated Press.

Survey supports more funds for public schools, but how to do it remains a question. There’s support for greater investment in Hawaii’s public schools, according to a new survey commissioned by HawaiiKidsCAN. Hawaii News Now.

The Battle Over Preschool Puts Hawaii Governor On The Hot Seat. Gov. David Ige’s remarks suggest he believes the statewide school administration, not the office delegated to bolster early learning programs, should be in charge. Civil Beat.

Proposed cuts could ‘devastate’ University of Hawaii, officials say. A Senate proposal to slash the University of Hawaii’s budget and eliminate 220 faculty and staff positions is sparking outrage at the university and a flood of calls and emails to the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Hundreds of UH jobs on the line with proposed budget cuts. UH administrators hope to work with legislators to save jobs. KITV.

Proposed legislation would provide funds to open more mobile clinics for Hawaii's homeless. Project Vision Hawaii has seven mobile units statewide that provide medical and hygiene services for the homeless. KITV.

Oahu

Council panel moves vacation rental bill. A bill allowing up to 4,000 new bed-and-breakfast permits to be issued while at the same time strengthening enforcement of residential vacation rentals moved out of the City Council Planning Committee on Monday. Star-Advertiser.

The new hire charged with reining in HART’s budget is being paid $85,000 a month. Five months after he was ousted as the head of a Canadian rail project, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has hired veteran rail executive Paul Giannelia. Hawaii News Now.

City to pay $5.25M in firefighter suit. The city has agreed to pay $5.25 million to settle a federal negligence and wrongful death lawsuit filed over the death of Honolulu firefighter Cliff Rigsbee. Star-Advertiser.

Unused vehicles raise spending concerns at EMS. Some workers have complained about specialized vehicles worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, which have never been used. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Mayor Harry Kim wants more flexibility so he can stretch the general excise tax farther across the county budget. And, so far, the state Legislature is going along. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo Farmers Market clears a permit hurdle. The county Planning Department approved one of three permits required to erect permanent canopies over Hilo Farmers Market. Tribune-Herald.

Abandoned vehicle disposal costly to county in West Hawaii. Abandoned vehicles are more than eyesores, traffic hazards and general nuisances to the county and the taxpayer. They’re also big business. West Hawaii Today.

After Half Century, Endangered Seabird Found On Mauna Kea Again. During the 46th annual meeting of the Pacific Seabird Group on Kauai, Bret Nainoa Mossman with the University of Hawaii at Hilo presented the first documentation of the 'ua'u, or Pterodroma sandwichensis, on Mauna Kea since 1963. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Meetings will be held next month in all Maui County community plan areas on the proposed fiscal year 2020 budget, Councilmember Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, chair of the council’s Economic Development and Budget Committee, announced today. Maui Now.

New Maui Housing Director Announcement Due This Week. Interim Housing and Human Concerns Director William Spence completed his temporary appointment in the department on Friday. Maui Now.

Transportation options in South Maui and a road user charge system will be the topic of presentations at the Kihei Community Association’s meeting on Tuesday. Maui News.

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Maui Community Correctional Center assessing riot damage. The Department of Public Safety released photos Monday of the damage caused by inmates during the riot at Maui Community Correctional Center. Star-Advertiser.

Armed Perimeter Remains at Maui Jail, Mood Has “Calmed”. Maui Now.

A week after a riot at MCCC, crews are still working to clean up the mess. On Monday, the state released new images from inside MCCC. Hawaii News Now.

The maintenance staff at the Maui Community Correctional Center continue to clean up and repair the damage left behind by last week's riot. KHON2.

The median sales price for single-family homes and condominiums in Maui County spiked in February while the number of sales and inventory continued to decline. Maui News.

Kauai

Police look to improve efficiency. The Kauai Police Department on Monday launched its Online Crime Reporting System, offering the public a new way to submit a police report. Garden Island.

Kauai Police Department Launches New Online Crime Reporting System. The new website aims to make filing a non-emergency police report easier and more convenient for residents. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii could become sanctuary state, corruption charges rampant in Honolulu, state cuts Canada and Europe tourism budgets, Maui corporation counsel on leave following arrest, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ala Moana Park ©2019 All Hawaii News

Organizers of Ala Moana park forum call for more transparency. Officials with Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration have agreed to attend a meeting tonight hosted by groups that have raised concerns about planned improvements at popular Ala Moana Regional Park. Star-Advertiser.

Here’s your chance to sound off on the future of Ala Moana Beach Park. Several community groups are teaming up to discuss the future of Ala Moana Beach Park. On Monday, a public meeting will be held to go over the city’s master plan for the popular destination. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii would become the second “sanctuary state” for tax-paying undocumented immigrants with no criminal convictions under a bill that would give local law enforcement agencies the option to not cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Tourism Authority shifts focus to managing tourism. The message at the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s first statewide event under new leadership was more about how the agency is going to partner with the industry to manage tourism rather than its marketing plans. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority is cutting marketing budgets for Canada and Europe and reinvesting funds into other priorities, including diversifying and managing tourism and programs that benefit the community. Star-Advertiser.

Phillipine court rules against Hawaii's Omidyar's media ownership. A Philippine appeals court has upheld a decision that an online news site critical of President Rodrigo Duterte violated a constitutional ban on foreign ownership of news media. Associated Press.

David Ige Unwinds And Chats About Hawaii’s Future. He said he’s learned a lot since 2014 about running the state government, and cites progress on housing, homelessness and education. Civil Beat.

House Passes Bill To Expand County Use Of GE Tax. The House passed a bill on third reading that would give the neighbor islands greater flexibility in how they spend general excise tax surcharge revenue. Big Island Video News.

HMSA’s payment rates under scrutiny. Nearly three years after the Hawaii Medical Serv­ice Association changed the way it pays primary- care doctors and pediatricians, lawmakers are considering funding a study to see whether the program is actually saving money and improving quality. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

How An Accused Drug Dealer Became Key To The Biggest Corruption Case In Honolulu History. A 2015 drug raid highlights the many angles federal investigators are pursuing as part of a years-long corruption investigation. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu City Council on Friday unanimously approved a $550,000 settlement in a decade-old lawsuit that alleges Police Chief Susan Ballard played a role in altering test scores of some police academy recruits. Civil Beat.

The Kealohas Could Lose Their Taxpayer-Funded Lawyers. With the sale of their Hawaii Kai home pending final approval, federal prosecutors have asked a judge to review whether the couple can afford their own defense counsel. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Council OKs Legal Fees For Embattled Prosecutor. The Honolulu City Council Friday approved hiring a law firm to represent the city's prosecutor against an impeachment effort launched when he became a target in a federal corruption investigation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Yet Another Audit Planned For Honolulu Rail Project. The City Council wants to investigate potential criminal activity surrounding the fiscally troubled transit project. Civil Beat.

New city council bill would limit events on busy Kalakaua Ave. If the bill becomes law, events this year won't be affected but activities in 2020 might. KITV.

House bill seeks to protect pedestrians from bicyclists behind state Capitol. Star-Advertiser.

Pearlridge moves toward mixed-use development. The owner of Pearlridge Center is considering residential and hotel development at the Aiea mall. Star-Advertiser.

Lawsuit Claims HPD Officer Sexually Assaulted Woman. When two police officers responded to a drunken disturbance in her home, the plaintiff claims that one of them assaulted her in her bedroom. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

A proposed charter amendment advanced Friday requires the county to sock away $20 million for disasters such as have hammered the Big Island in recent years. West Hawaii Today.

Kuahiwi Ranch among public water users that face uphill battle to earn long-term leases. The ranch is one of about a dozen water users, including Alexander & Baldwin, the electric utilities and farming operations throughout the state, that are facing an end-of-the-year deadline to convert state water permits into long-term leases — or risk losing access to water. Star-Advertiser.

Purgatory in Puna: Eruption survivors eager to return home — with or without roads. Tribune-Herald.

Changes to Wailani project approved. A long-delayed mixed-use development in Hilo inched closer to fruition last Thursday after the Windward Planning Commission approved several changes to the project plan. Tribune-Herald.

Boaters want better: Public hearing brings out testifiers wanting improvements if fees are going up. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii Avocado Association is up in arms about what members have described as chronic mislabeling of Sharwil avocados at the West Hawaii Safeway located off Henry Street. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Corporation Counsel Wong is placed on leave following arrest for physical abuse. Spokesman: Wong has been charged with abuse of a household member, a misdemeanor. Garden Island.

Maui County Corporation Counsel Patrick K. Wong was placed on administrative leave after being charged Saturday with abuse of a household member, the county said. Star-Advertiser.

Top civil attorney for Maui County arrested for domestic abuse. Hawaii News Now.

Corporation Counsel Patrick Wong on Administrative Leave. Maui Now.

Maui County's Corporation Counsel charged with abuse. KHON2.

Maui County corporation counsel Patrick Wong on administrative leave. KITV.

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Repairing Hana’s bridges will require plenty of ingenuity. Six of 43 historic structures in plan are on challenging terrain. Maui News.

Maui-style airport car rental facility is about ready to roll. Plantation meets modern at CONRAC: Two trains, or trams, will take travelers on a 4-minute ride from baggage area to facility. Maui News.

Maui home, condo prices rise more than 10% in February. Single-family home prices on Maui rose by more than 15 percent last month, compared to February 2018, while the number of homes sold dropped by nearly 20 percent, according to statistics from the Realtors Association of Maui. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

“A slow resurrection.” Those are the best words to describe how groups of volunteers and benefactors have transformed a crumbling camping facility located in the crisp air of Kokee State Park into a clean, attractive and safe resource for groups of every age and size. Garden Island.

Visitors up, spending down in the nation's happiest state, education tax advances, FBI says Kealoha used drugs with suspects, whistle-blower alleges rail authority misused change orders, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hula dancers in Hawaii ©2019 All Hawaii News

January sees more visitors and less spending. Hawaii’s tourism industry started 2019 with its deepest monthly drop in visitor spending in more than three years. Star-Advertiser.

As Tourism Begins To Stall, So Does Hawaii’s Economy. Hawaii’s economic growth is beginning to stall, reflecting softening visitor arrivals and spending as the U.S. economy loses steam. Civil Beat.

Visitor spending in Hawaii down for January compared to 2018. KITV.

Hawaii crowned ‘happiest state’ for seventh consecutive year. Hawaii’s “well-being score” for 2018 was 64.6, Gallup announced Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

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A proposal currently with the state senate would drastically increase funding for Hawaii’s public schools. SB 1474 would raise the state’s general excise tax, or GET, by 0.5%. Civil Beat.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green estimates that two months into his new job, he spends 70 percent of his time focused on finding big and small ways to get more homeless people off the street. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers Propose Fixes For A Broken Psychiatric Care Law. Several proposals would make it easier for families and caregivers to get court orders authorizing long-term intensive treatment and medication for the severely mentally ill. Civil Beat.

Senate Bill Could Extend Leases On Public Land. Senate Bill 1251 would authorize the land board to extend leases "upon approval of a proposed development agreement to make substantial improvements to the existing improvements." Big Island Video News.

The House of Representatives passed 127 bills on third reading Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, moving them to the Senate for their consideration. Big Island Now.

Tulsi Gabbard’s Financial Disclosures Leave Out Ties To Koch-Funded Think Tank. The Hawaii congresswoman, who’s running as a Democrat for president, sits on a foreign policy advisory council for the Catholic University of America. Civil Beat.

Staunchly liberal Hawaii in no rush to legalize marijuana. Associated Press.

A majority of Hawaii residents did not panic during the false missile alert, but instead wanted more information. That's according to a study from the University of Georgia, analyzing how residents reacted to the false alarm. Hawaii Public Radio.

A staggering increase in pedestrian fatalities is happening -- and Hawaii is leading the nation -- not the kind of top ranking the Aloha State wants to have. Hawaii's pedestrian deaths increased by 18-hundred percent from the first six months of 2017 to the first six months of last year. KHON2.

The rate of shark attacks in Hawaii has been trending upward in recent years, but the risk of getting bitten by one of the feared ocean predators in isle waters remains extremely low: roughly 5-in-1 million, according to new research that examined 55 years of shark attack data from around the globe. Star-Advertiser.

Heavy snow on Maui. Historic floods on Kauai. Hawaii weather is getting weird. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

The FBI says former Deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha “participated in recreational cocaine use” with her brother and others involved with them in a drug distribution conspiracy. Star-Advertiser.

Federal authorities: Katherine Kealoha used cocaine while she was deputy city prosecutor. Katherine Kealoha used cocaine while serving in the city Prosecutor’s Office, where she oversaw the career criminal unit, newly-filed court documents allege. Hawaii News Now.

FBI: Katherine Kealoha used drugs with those she investigated. KHON2.

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Whistleblower Lawsuit: HART Mishandled More Than 100 Change Orders. The lawsuit’s allegations echo problems flagged by the city auditor. Meanwhile, federal investigators have demanded HART provide its change order records. Civil Beat.

Whistleblower lawsuit alleges $20M in rail project change order abuses. Hawaii News Now.
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2019/03/01/whistleblower-lawsuit-alleges-m-change-order-abuses-honolulu-rail-project/

The HART Board said no Thursday to a request by a Honolulu City Councilmember for an independent audit of rail. KITV.

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As Oahu’s unsheltered homeless population grows, mayor vows to stick to sweeps. Despite a years-long effort to push Oahu’s homeless population into shelters, the number of people living on the streets of Honolulu is the highest it’s been in at least a decade. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor “pleasantly surprised” by latest preliminary Point in Time numbers. Caldwell agrees more resources are needed but getting help for those in need is just as important. KITV.

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Falls of Clyde receives no qualified bids. There were no qualified bids for the historic ship Falls of Clyde. Star-Advertiser.

The saga of the four-masted Falls of Clyde at Honolulu Harbor is nearing a new chapter. On Thursday, the state announced that an auction of the 140-year-old ship didn’t drum up any qualified bidders. Hawaii News Now.

No takers for Falls of Clyde. KHON2.

More DUI cases are relying on body cams because the videos provide what police reports cannot: The bigger picture of the scene during the arrest. But the videos aren’t just helping the prosecution. Hawaii News Now.

City reports it's getting better at taking abandoned vehicles off Oahu roads. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Ormat Technologies, the owner of Puna Geothermal Venture, plans to bring the 38-megawatt power plant online by the end of the year. The state’s only geothermal power plant, and a major renewable power producer for Hawaii Island, shut down last year during the Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Public weighs in on short-term rentals. A standing room only crowd fills council chambers for public testimony regarding draft rules for bill 108, the vacation rental bill, Thursday evening at the West Hawaii Civic Center. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island residents will have the opportunity next week to weigh in on double-digit increases in fees at small boat harbors and other facilities. West Hawaii Today.

Unlikely Wranglers Oversee An Unusual Roundup. When a dairy farm cuts back operations the cows have to find new homes. Civil Beat.

Maui

Keep water flowing, East Mauians tell Senate panel. Senators hold meeting on bills that affect Mahi Pono. Maui News.

Grand Wailea planning 224 room expansion. The Grand Wailea Resort hopes to add 224 guest room units, expand its parking structure from three to five levels and renovate and expand its swimming pool and restaurant facilities, according to a Maui County Urban Design Review Board agenda and renderings submitted to the board by the resort. Maui News.

Alexander & Baldwin realized a profit of $162 million from its sale of 41,000 acres of Maui agricultural land and expects to see a boost in income as it reinvests the money in commercial properties, A&B said Wednesday in its 2018 earnings report. Maui News.

Kauai

Mayor: Time for action on Coco Palms. Saying he is “frustrated” by a lack of progress in the reconstruction of the former Coco Palms resort in Wailua, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami said Thursday that “we have to remind the developers that there comes a time when they have to fish or cut bait.” Garden Island.

A new boardwalk and freshly paved parking lot are waiting for visitors to Haena State Park, but it technically won’t be open until repair work on Kuhio Highway is done. Garden Island.

12% more homeless on Oahu streets, former governors back Kahele over Gabbard, Southwest preps for Hawaii routes, state doesn't know how many vaccinated, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Homeless in Honolulu ©2019 All Hawaii News

The number of homeless living on Oahu streets jumped 12 percent in the past year while the overall number, including those living in shelters, dropped by 4 percent. Star-Advertiser.

Unsheltered homeless population up 12% on Oahu from last year. Despite a number of city efforts to push people living on the streets to shelters, the number of unsheltered homeless people on Oahu is up 12 percent from a year ago. Hawaii News Now.

Fewer homeless on Oahu. There are fewer homeless on Oahu. But efforts to get them into shelters are falling short. KHON2.

Partners In Care provides 2019 Oahu Point in Time Count fact sheet. KITV.

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Former Govs. Neil Abercrombie and John Waihee are throwing their support behind state Sen. Kai Kahele in his bid for the congressional seat occupied by U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, an indication that Kahele — while a relative newcomer to politics — could prove a formidable candidate in next year’s race. Star-Advertiser.

How Many Kids In Hawaii Have Been Vaccinated? The State Doesn’t Know. The state Department of Health says a high percentage of schools haven’t reported the number of kindergarten students who’ve received vaccination waivers. Civil Beat.

On Tuesday, the Senate Ways and Means Committee passed Senate Bill 1368 that would create a collective bargaining unit for graduate assistants. Civil Beat.

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Southwest Airlines received Federal Aviation Administration approval Wednesday to begin making long, over-water flights to Hawaii. The carrier said Wednesday it would publish its schedule in the “coming days.” Star-Advertiser.

Southwest Gets FAA Approval For Flights Between Hawaii And California. The Dallas-based airline plans to fly to four islands from the mainland, with the option  of adding inter-island flights later. Associated Press.

Southwest Airlines plans to announce its inaugural flights to Hawaii when it publishes its schedule in the coming days after the Federal Aviation Administration gave the airline approval to run flights between California and the islands. West Hawaii Today.

Southwest Gains FAA Authorization for Hawaii Flights. Maui Now.

Southwest Airlines has decisions to make and announcements to prepare, after finally winning federal regulatory permission to run revenue service to Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Ticket sales for Southwest Airlines should be announced in the coming days. That's because the FAA has finally approved the company to serve Hawaii. KHON2.

Oahu

New crime-fighting plan rolled out for Waikiki amid cries to beef up security. Flanked by Waikiki stakeholders and members of Hawaii’s visitor industry, Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Honolulu Police Maj. Dagan Tsuchida this morning unveiled a new Waikiki crime-fighting plan. Star-Advertiser.

40 More Security Cameras To Be Installed in Waikiki Area. Government and private business partners announced stepped up security efforts in Waikiki - the state's major economic engine. Hawaii Public Radio.

Forty new security cameras. A greater police presence. And removals of benches and walls where criminal elements are known to gather. Those are among the public safety strategies the city is taking ― with the help of a number of private groups ― as part of a bid to address rising crime in Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

More cameras are being put up in Waikiki in an effort to curb crime. It's just one of the things the city is doing to make the area safer for locals and visitors alike. KHON2.

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A dismissed 2015 DUI is among the ways Kealoha allegedly helped her friends. The federal investigation into public corruption at some of Honolulu’s highest levels includes traffic court favors for friends of ex-deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha. Hawaii News Now.

Protest outside HPD Headquarters after three officer-involved shootings. KITV.

City council resolution for forensic HART audit deferred. The chair made the recommendation to give HART a chance to discuss the resolution at Thursday's board meeting, and also give them a chance to respond. KHON2.

Feds cite multiple Oahu restaurants for not paying overtime, violating child labor laws. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Dept. of Labor finds overtime, minimum wage, and child labor violations at Oahu malls. KHON2.

Already hit by rail, Waipahu businesses are dreading another city project. In order to prepare Waipahu for rail, the city has several construction projects planned to revitalize the old plantation town. Hawaii News Now.

The National Institutes of Health Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence awarded researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa a $10.4 million grant to create an interactive center for environmental microbiomes and human health. Maui Now.

A 20-year-old Marine infantryman at Kaneohe Bay is being investigated for “derogatory online” comments tied to a slew of neo-Nazi Twitter posts, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Some Ka'u residents face hefty bills for mandated sewer connections. While the projects will eliminate sources of groundwater pollution, they also are leaving affected residents wondering how they are going to pay for it. Tribune-Herald.

County mulls potential users of recycled water. At some point in 2020, the Department of Environmental Management will have to find somewhere to put the 1.8 million gallons of recycled water (R1 water) its Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant will pump out every day. West Hawaii Today.

Erosion undermines Alii Drive in Kailua Village. County crews are working to address erosion issues on Alii Drive across from Bongo Ben’s Island Cafe in Kailua Village. West Hawaii Today.

In an effort to restore the Waimea River's natural discharge into the ocean, crews plan to remove 15,000 cubic yards of sand from the existing river mouth and restore its natural depth. DLNR is hosting a public information meeting on Wednesday March 6, 2019, to provide a brief overview of the planned construction activities. KHON2.

Maui

Maui County Council leadership expressed surprise and displeasure with Mayor Michael Victorino’s move to appoint three directors whom the council had rejected days ago to temporarily lead the departments. Maui News.

A metals and electronics recycling event in Hana has been set for Thursday through Saturday for East Maui residents. Maui News.

Kauai

Abandoned cars were on the table at Wednesday’s Kauai County Council Parks and Recreation/Transportation Committee meeting, with councilmembers voicing concerns about the high number of banged-up vehicles appearing along roadsides, in county parks and on beaches. Garden Island.

Project may extend landfill. The Kekaha Landfill, which is Kauai’s only landfill and was built in 1953, is projected to reach its capacity by 2026. Garden Island.

The Kauai Republican Party County Convention will be held Saturday, March 23, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Lihue Missionary Church on Rice Street. Garden Island.

Surfrider removes tons of trash from beaches. From cleaning beaches and marine debris education to publishing scientific papers, Kauai’s Surfrider chapter was busy in 2018. Garden Island.

Coral may be adapting to warmer seas, 3rd federal subpoena for Honolulu rail, milk production may be doomed, voting behind bars, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Divers study coral damage in Hawaii ©2019 All Hawaii News

A team of researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology and the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum conducted a study of coral resiliency that showed some corals are better able to tolerate heat than similar corals tested in the 1970s. But scientists say it will not be fast enough to fight off rising sea temperatures. University of Hawaii.

Fresh Hawaii milk production may be doomed after dairy industry missteps. The state Department of Agriculture and University of Hawaii have supported efforts to help reverse the decline. But the recent developments aren’t encouraging. Star-Advertiser.

Rural Schools Take A Big Hit In Hawaii’s Funding Formula. Hawaii’s system was meant to make school funding more equitable. But in places like Hana and Molokai, it’s meant cutting teachers and class offerings. Civil Beat.

‘Hawaii Saves’ retirement fund moves forward with opposition from insurers. A proposal to create a Hawaii retirement savings program for local businesses is moving forward in the state Senate. Hawaii News Now.

Bringing The Right To Vote Behind Bars. Supporters, including the Department of Public Safety, are backing legislation that would make Hawaii one of a handful of states that allow inmates to cast a ballot. Civil Beat.

Bills would establish statewide regulations for ‘transportation network companies’ — including Uber and Lyft. Tribune-Herald.

Bills To Help Sexual Misconduct Victims Speak Out Also Could Keep Them Silent. Lawmakers are considering measures to block non-disclosure agreements related to sexual misconduct. Civil Beat.

1 in 15 Hawaii high schools students have attempted suicide according to the Hawaii State Teachers Association, which is supporting a bill to prevent suicide. The bill would have public school employees trained on what to look out for and how to help kids contemplating killing themselves. KITV.

Hawaii Gas files motion for solar water heater ruling. Hawaii Gas has filed a motion to intervene in a suit against a state agency alleging that it was wrongfully allowing “wholesale exemptions” from a solar water heater mandate for tens of thousands of gas water heaters. Star-Advertiser.

Hotel Occupancy Dips in January, But Vacation Rentals May Not Be To Blame. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Third HART subpoena seeks minutes of closed meetings. Federal investigators want the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation to turn over minutes for its board’s meetings as part of its criminal investigation into the $9.2 billion project. Star-Advertiser.

Feds Demand Records Of HART Board’s Closed-Door Meetings. The latest subpoena requires HART to provide unredacted minutes of its board’s executive sessions, but HART questions whether it can fully comply. Civil Beat.

HART Receives Third Federal Supoena Seeking Board Minutes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu rail authorities confirmed Monday that they had received a third subpoena in connection with a federal criminal investigation into the state’s largest public works project. Hawaii News Now.

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The Honolulu Prosecutor’s office has now kicked two high profile cases to another agency -- because of potential conflicts due to the federal investigation. Both cases were handled by former deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha, the one time head of the career criminal unit -- who is now facing dozens of federal charges. Hawaii News Now.

The Navy has provided federal and state regulators with the results of testing at its Red Hill fuel facility near Pearl Harbor that was conducted to assess corrosion at 18 underground fuel tanks that sit just 100 feet above a major aquifer that supplies drinking water to urban Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Replacement to crumbling dock in East Honolulu deemed unsafe, too. Nearly two months after officials with the Department of Land and Natural Resources condemned a popular loading dock in East Oahu because it was unsafe, the structure collapsed into the ocean. Hawaii News Now.

The proposed expansion of Adventist Health Castle, formerly Castle Medical Center, at Hawaii Pacific University’s Hawaii Loa campus is projected to cost $438 million, according to a draft environmental impact statement. Star-Advertiser.

New hair salon seeks liquor license. Full-service hair salon Style Loft Hair Studio hopes to add alcohol to its offerings, according to public documents. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

A draft environmental assessment and anticipated finding of no significant impact has been published for a family agricultural community proposed in Waikoloa. Nakahili is an agricultural community planned for land mauka of Waikoloa Village, and will have affordable apartments and farm dwellings. Big Island Video News.

Lava tour operator hit with another lawsuit. A second group of mainland residents who were aboard a lava tour boat last July when a “lava bomb” tore through the boat’s roof is suing the tour company and the boat’s captain. Tribune-Herald.

DOH issues water contamination advisory after overflow at dairy. The state Department of Health on Sunday issued a water contamination advisory, warning the public to stay out of the waters in Kaohaoha Gulch and the coastal waters fronting it near Ookala because of animal waste contamination. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Hawaii Medical Service Association held a grand opening of its 4,200-square-foot “one-stop shop” center in the Puunene Shopping Center. Maui News.

The state Department of Transportation lifted its access restriction for travel on the main road through rugged northwest Maui on Sunday near noon but will reinstate the access limitations beginning Tuesday. Maui News.

Sierra Club honorees saved land and water. Lifetime achievement awards handed out to four Mauians. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kauai Police Department is short staffed. Patrol officers frequently work 17-hour shifts and fill in on their days off, only to staff a marginally adequate number of positions. Garden Island.

About 200 volunteers removed more than 4,000 pounds of plastics, nets and other marine debris from Kauai’s East Side shores on Saturday through a cleanup hosted by B-RAD Foundation and Surfrider Kauai Chapter. Garden Island.

Public hearings set for harbor fee hikes, Ige named to defense council, another subpoena for Honolulu rail authority, pay increases planned for Maui mayor and council, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ala Wai harbor ©2019 All Hawaii News

People who use any of Hawaii’s small boat harbors, offshore moorings, landings or wharfs will have a chance to comment on new proposed fees and rules at a series of five public hearings to be held around the state in early March. KHON2.

White House Picks Hawaii Governor Ige For Council. Governor David Ige has been appointed co-chair of the Council of Governors, a defense-related body consisting of five Democrats and five Republicans. Big Island Video News.

A yearlong operation to crack down on the diversion of pharmaceutical drugs in California, Nevada and Hawaii has resulted in 41 doctors having their licenses or U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration registrations to prescribe controlled substances taken away and the seizure of $3.1 million. Five  of the 41 licenses or registrations taken away were from Hawaii medical professionals. The Hawaii operation also resulted in the execution of five search warrants and seven arrests. Star-Advertiser.

Seven arrested, five search warrants served in year-long federal drug operation. US Attorney for Hawaii Kenji Price warns the public that while the federal operation may officially be ending, his office will still be vigilantly prosecuting medical workers who break the law. KITV.

Legislation to negotiate for the acquisition of the Federal Detention Center is moving rapidly through the Legislature, but the idea still faces big obstacles. Civil Beat.

US Supreme Court Ruling Boosts Hawaii Effort To Limit Property Forfeiture. Hawaii’s policy for seizing property has long been criticized because it can affect people who are only suspected in crimes, sometimes not even charged. Civil Beat.

Hawaii attorney Isaac Moriwake was recently named the new managing attorney for Earthjustice’s Mid-Pacific office in Honolulu, succeeding Paul Achitoff, who recently retired. Maui Now.

Hawaii ocean cargo transportation firm Matson Inc. increased its revenue last year but earned less profit because of a huge tax benefit the year before. Matson on Thursday reported earning $109 million last year on $2.2 billion of revenue. That compared with a $232 million profit on $2 billion of revenue a year earlier. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has been served with a new grand jury subpoena seeking information about payments made to tenants and property owners who were relocated to make way for the $9.2 billion Honolulu rail project. Star-Advertiser.

Feds Are Investigating HART’s Relocation Payments. The criminal probe widens as the Honolulu rail agency is served with its second subpoena, this time seeking records concerning payments to property owners along the rail route. Civil Beat.

HART Second Federal Subpoena Covers Relocation Move. A federal investigator is expected to visit Honolulu next month as part of a developing grand jury probe into the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, the agency charged with building the city's rail project. Hawaii Public Radio.

Another HART subpoena, targeting overpayments to move out of rail's way. HART has received a second subpoena, this time from the federal Department of Transportation OIG, collecting documents for a grand jury looking into relocation payments and real estate acquisition management, for people and companies that had to move out of rail's right of way. KHON2.

'Hold on to your pocketbooks!' says city council chair after second subpoena to HART. The head of the city council says this second subpoena further erodes public confidence on the rail project and could cost taxpayers even more money. KHON2.

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Embattled city prosecutor was denied access to officer-involved shooting scene. Embattled city Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro was denied his usual crime scene access in Mililani on Wednesday night after HPD officers shot and killed a 26-year old man. Hawaii News Now.

Katherine Kealoha Says She’s Mentally Unfit To Stand Trial But The Judge Disagrees. Newly unsealed court records show how the former city prosecutor and her attorney tried to have her declared mentally incompetent. Civil Beat.

Some 400 potential jurors will be called for first of 3 trials against the Kealohas. A federal judge on Thursday rejected Louis and Katherine Kealoha’s effort to have fraud, conspiracy and obstruction charges against them thrown out. Hawaii News Now.

Two Honolulu Police Shootings In Less Than A Day, One Of Them Fatal. The fatal shooting involved a man who attempted to ram an officer with his truck in Mililani, police said. Hours later, officers shot a suspect in Waikele. Civil Beat.

The closure of Pali Highway due to multiple landslides is affecting foot traffic for some Kailua businesses, but mostly it’s an inconvenience for those who live and work in the area. Star-Advertiser.

A Virginia-class attack submarine, one of the most valuable Navy warships in the era of “great power” competition with China and Russia, served as a platform for the U.S. Pacific Fleet Submarine Force’s change of command Thursday at Pearl Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hilo landfill closer to closure. The state Department of Health is seeking public comment on a draft permit for closure of the Hilo landfill. Tribune-Herald.

Sometime in 2019, the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill will close. And that will only be the beginning, says the Hawaii County Environmental Management director. Big Island Video News.

The County Council passed Bill 12 on final reading on February 20, appropriating $170,355 in private donations into a 2018 lava disaster relief account, earmarked for specific projects in Puna. Big Island Video News.

Opportunity Zones: A federal program designed to boost investment in low-income communities could unlock a windfall for businesses in some of the nation’s poorest regions, but without much oversight written into the law, it’ll take those communities’ residents, stakeholders and policymakers working together and with investors to make it work. West Hawaii Today.

A preliminary map released this week by the U.S. Geological Survey shows the thickness of lava flows from Kilauea volcano’s most recent eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Pay hikes for mayor, council on agenda. The county Salary Commission will be meeting at 8:30 a.m. Friday to discuss possible salary adjustments for the mayor and County Council. Maui News.

The Maui Salary Commission plans to discuss and take possible action on salary increases for Maui County Council members and the Mayor during a special meeting set for 8:30 a.m. Friday in the Mayor’s Conference Room. Maui Now.

After once being proposed as a “megamall” in north Kihei and undergoing many revisions thereafter, the embattled Piilani Promenade project may revert back to its original form — as a commercial and light industrial subdivision. Maui News.

Kauai

Managing mangrove. Makaloa is now growing in a wetland behind the pavilion at Niumalu Beach Park, a slender reed that’s traditionally been used for basket- and mat-weaving. Garden Island.