Hawaii recovery slow, drastic changes in Honolulu redistricting, lava buyout program expands, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Hawaiian Airlines at HNL ©2021 All Hawaii News

Despite Momentum, Hawaiian Airlines Forecast Signals Slow Recovery. In a sign of the challenge Hawaii tourism companies face recovering from the Covid-19 travel drought, Hawaiian Airlines said Tuesday it expects revenue to be down 32% to 37% during the last three months of 2021 compared to the same period in 2019. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Nominations of female judges to Hawaii Circuit Court applauded. Leaders of the state Senate’s Women’s Caucus today applauded Gov. David Ige’s nominations of four women to Hawaii’s Circuit Courts. A fifth woman also has been nominated by Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald. Star-Advertiser.

Thirty Meter Telescope protesters oppose Biden’s U.S. attorney pick for Hawaii. Some Native Hawaiians are objecting to President Joe Biden’s choice for U.S. attorney for Hawaii, saying Clare Connors treated dozens of elders like criminals when her office prosecuted them for blocking a road while protesting the construction of a telescope in Hawaii. Associated Press.

Chemical Shortages Are Hitting Hawaii From Pools To Breweries. Supply chain snafus caused by the pandemic have pinched chemical supplies, leaving the city and businesses scrambling for alternatives or ways to get by with less. Civil Beat.

Central Pacific Bank triples earnings. Central Pacific Bank more than tripled its net income in the third quarter, increased its dividend and repurchased more of its shares as it continued to distance itself from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii sees 74 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 83,522. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 36 new cases on Oahu, 19 on Hawaii Island, two on Maui, 12 on Kauai and five Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

New City Council district map drastically moves neighborhoods. The Honolulu Reapportionment Committee on Tuesday night selected a map that would would drastically change the voter makeup of Council districts beginning in 2022. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Human error, not aging Red Hill tanks, caused May fuel spill, Navy says. The U.S. Navy has concluded that a May 6 spill at its Red Hill underground fuel farm was due to a control room operator’s failure to follow correct procedures. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

The Sierra Club wants transparency, emails, answers about recent Navy fuel leaks and Red Hill. The Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi has filed a public records complaint with the state Department of Health after learning of an email trail it believes could change the outcome of a contested case hearing for the U.S. Navy’s permit to operate the Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility. Hawaii Public Radio.

City Council wants to hike traffic fines to raise money for Honolulu Police Department. Currently, money collected from the fines goes to the state, all of it. Council members are looking to raise the fines in order for the city to get some of that. KHON2.
 
Initial phase of a three-tower senior housing project in Liliha-Palama will break ground in 2022. A state agency has committed to finance the first of three affordable senior housing towers planned on the Hawaii Public Housing Authority’s outdated Liliha­-Palama administrative campus. Star-Advertiser.

5 Honolulu Police Department officers unjustly shot and killed car theft suspect, complaint alleges. The family of a 30-year-old man who was shot and killed by plainclothes police officers at a gas station in Kapolei in 2019 is suing the Honolulu Police Department for negligence and wrongful death. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Water power charges to increase. An increase in electric rates is leading to the highest power cost surcharge on county water bills in at least two years, with the Water Board on Tuesday approving a 16% hike in the power cost charge. West Hawaii Today.

Phase 2 of lava buyout program set to begin. Owners of secondary residences that were isolated, damaged or destroyed during the 2018 Kilauea eruption will be able to apply next week for the county to buy their properties. Tribune-Herald. KITV4.

Maui

Marine Institute has Documented 201 Sick, Injured or Dead Sea Turtles So Far This Year. The Maui Ocean Center’s Marine Institute has documented 201 sick, injured or dead sea turtles on Maui so far this year. According to the organization, 89% of the incidents involved turtles with injuries from fishing gear interactions. Maui Now.

Upcountry water shortage ends, but drought remains. A nearly four-month-long water shortage declaration for Upcountry came to an end due to recent rainfall, though many areas across Maui County are still experiencing severe drought and concerns over enforcement of water restrictions remain. Maui Now.

GoFundMe Account Set Up for Repairs of StoneWave Skate Park in Pā‘ia. A GoFundMe account has been set up to raise about $8,000 for fence restoration and repairs of the StoneWave Skate Park, a part of the Pāʻia Youth & Cultural Center. Maui Now.

Kauai

Controversial Seacliff development deferred again. A wave of resident testimony on the potential cultural and ecological impacts of a development within the gated Seacliff Plantation subdivision has caused the Planning Commission to defer any decision on the application until December. Garden Island.

Temporary Waimea skatepark expected to be up by next summer. The Kaua‘i Planning Department is planning to set up a temporary ramp and halfpipe at the Waimea Athletic Field. Garden Island.

UH enrollment up, 70% of state fully vaccinated, Honolulu Zoo lion dies of COVID, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

University of Hawaii-Hilo pre-COVID ©2021 All Hawaii News

University of Hawaii bucks trend with first enrollment boost in 10 years. Enrollment at the 10-campus University of Hawaii system increased this fall for the first time in a decade, defying a national trend that was made worse by the coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Maui Now.

US Rep. Ed Case Raked In Campaign Cash While Threatening Biden’s Agenda. The Hawaii congressman, a self-described fiscal conservative, was one of a handful of Democrats threatening the president’s $3.5 trillion “Build Back Better” plan. Civil Beat.

Drug-related deaths in Hawaii up 13% this year. Drug-related deaths in Hawaii rose a projected 13% for the year that ended in March, and local law enforcement and health officials caution that counterfeit opioids and fentanyl-laced products could quickly contend with methamphetamine as the state’s deadliest drug. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii employers looking for help as coronavirus pandemic’s impact lingers. Hawaii employers who are desperate to fill jobs have posted a record-high number of job openings. Star-Advertiser.

How The Hunt For The Perfect Sweet Potato May Help Hawaii Farmers. Six researchers published a study that found two new and promising Hawaiian heritage sweet potatoes that could bring millions back to native people. Civil Beat.

Prized Red Ginger Is Being Laid Low In Hawaii By Viruses. Researchers have found the viruses are the primary cause of the decline in flower production, and some are choosing to no longer grow them. Civil Beat.

Saving Hawai‘i’s Endemic Plants, One Seed at a Time. A look inside the U.S. Army’s seed conservation lab, home to nearly 22.5 million specimens. Hawaii Business magazine.

In milestone, 70% of the state is now fully vaccinated against COVID. Seventy percent of Hawaii residents are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the state Health Department reported Friday. It’s a milestone that the governor and health officials had hoped to hit months ago. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii hospitals report significant decline in COVID-19 patients. As COVID-19 cases continue on a downward trend, hospitals are less stressed than they were during the peak earlier this summer. KITV4.

Hawaii records 6 new coronavirus-related deaths, 144 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 76 new cases on Oahu, eight on Maui, 39 on Hawaii Island, 11 on Kauai, one on Lanai and nine Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Public weighs in on potential City Council districts. The updated numbers that the commission is working with show that Oahu has 1,016,508 residents. That means each of the nine districts should have 112,945 residents. Star-Advertiser.

Which County Pays Its Council Members The Most? (Hint: It’s Not Honolulu). While the mayor and other top officials usually earn more on Hawaii’s most populous island, there’s a big exception. Civil Beat.

355 additional city workers file lawsuits seeking exemptions to vaccine mandate. Although the first hearing for city workers challenging Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s vaccine mandate ran into trouble in court, an additional 355 workers have signed on to lawsuits. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Zoo’s only male lion dies after contracting coronavirus. Ekundu, 13, came to Honolulu in 2010. He and 12-year-old female lion Moxy both showed signs of an upper respiratory illness, including some coughing, on Oct. 4. Star-Advertiser.

Police arrest arson suspect in connection with Waikiki surfboard rack fire. Police arrested a 43-year-old man at around 11:48 a.m. for first-degree arson. KHON2. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Island loosens COVID-19 restrictions, increases outdoor gathering capacity. The general public can now have outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people, and organized outdoor events can hold up to 50 people. Indoor gatherings are still limited to 10. Hawaii Public Radio.

New maps could pit incumbents against each other: Shifting legislative district lines draw scrutiny. Too often lost in the maps and the dry data is how intensely personal the process of redrawing political boundaries is for elected officials. And it literally hits voters where they live. West Hawaii Today.

County submits Puna road restoration designs to FEMA. Earlier this week, the county submitted to FEMA designs for the realignment of a lower section of Pohoiki Road and the restoration of Highway 137, which was inundated by lava during the 2018 Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Senate Ways and Means Committee to Conduct Site Visits on Maui, Oct. 18-20. The Senate Committee on Ways and Means will be traveling to Maui on Oct. 18-20, 2021 to conduct site visits at various state and private facilities.  Maui Now.

Long-term solutions for homeless encampments hard to come by. County says more cleanups like the one at Amala Place may follow. Maui News.

Could making it harder to rent a car help control tourism? Maui lawmakers hope so. Maui County Councilwoman Tamara Paltin says establishing a cap can help relieve stress on the island’s infrastructure, communities and resources. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Council to talk housing, terrorism Wednesday. The County Council is set to meet Wednesday morning, and their agenda is packed to the brim with headline-worthy subjects. Garden Island.

A potential county ordinance to increase the island’s number of public charging stations is in its early stages. Garden Island.

Molokai

Molokai Residents Riled By Possible Gate To Block Vehicles From Beach. Molokai Ranch has been at odds with residents over land access before. This time, however, the ranch says it’s considering the step to protect a prized natural resource. Civil Beat.

Proposed legislative districts draw fire, state GOP chairwoman resigns, inmates to get $50 to vaccinate, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Odd-shaped districts in proposed Oahu House map PC:Hawaii Reapportionment Commission

New Hawaii Election Districts Are Drawing Fire. Some lawmakers say they feel targeted by the new plans while the Hawaii Reapportionment Commission also faced accusations of gerrymandering certain districts. Civil Beat.

Chair of the Hawaii Republican Party resigns, shifts focus to recruitment. The chair of the Hawaii Republican Party resigned from the position Thursday, but said she would remain active in the group. Signe Godfrey, a former small business owner, endorsed First Vice Chair Lynn Finnegan to assume the role of Interim Chair. Hawaii News Now.

Lt. Gov. pushing colleagues to lift all outdoor COVID restrictions by Nov. 1. That means no limits on how many people can gather at events outside. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Sells Upwards of $1.9 Billion in GO Bonds. Gov. David Ige announced Thursday, Oct. 14 that the State of Hawaiʻi has sold $1.88 billion in general obligation (GO) bonds, the highest amount of bonds ever sold by the state. Big Island Now. Maui Now.

Hawaii inmates to receive $50 if they get COVID-19 vaccine. The state Department of Public Safety announced Thursday that it will pay $50 to certain inmates who get fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

New Legal Clinic Aims To Give Prisoners A Second Chance. A new legal clinic expected to launch in January will provide free legal help to people who have been incarcerated or are in prison now. Civil Beat.

Amid failed contract negotiations, Kaiser workers begin vote on possible strike. After months of failed contract negotiations, nearly 2,000 workers at Kaiser Permanente began voting Thursday on whether to authorize a strike. Hawaii News Now.

University of Hawaiʻi study shows mandates boosted vaccination rate. The study was conducted by the University of Hawaii Economics Research Organization and the Pacific Alliance Against Covid-19, in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu and others. It surveyed nearly 2,000 businesses about the impact vaccination mandates had on them. Hawaii Public Radio.

DOH investigated 2 COVID clusters linked to Hawaii records 6 new coronavirus-related deaths, 164 additional infections. The  new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 87 new cases on Oahu, 14 on Maui, 46 on Hawaii Island, eight on Kauai, one on Molokai and eight Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City and state ask judge to dismiss COVID vaccine mandate lawsuit. The city and state asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the COVID vaccine mandate for public workers. A federal court charge is expected to make a decision on the case on Friday. KHON2.

Honolulu rail officials not counting on city tourism tax to fix $3.5 billion shortfall. Officials with the city’s troubled rail project are waiting for the City Council to decide whether to impose a new city hotel tax that could benefit the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, but do not expect it to plug their $3.5 billion deficit — and have no alternative hopes of outside funding. Star-Advertiser.

Rail board to spend up to $23M in legal fees in dispute with Kakaako land developer. The rail board is preparing to spend up to $23 million in legal fees in a dispute with the developer of multiple high rise projects in Kakaako. The Howard Hughes Corporation owns land needed for the project along the route and near the proposed Kakaako rail station. Hawaii News Now. Civil Beat.

City begins planting trees in Downtown, Chinatown as part of revitalization effort.  In an effort to revitalize the area, city crews planted the first batch of new trees in Downtown and Chinatown on Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Affordable rental property, PenseMetro, breaks ground in Makiki. A new rental housing development, PenseMetro, broke ground Thursday as one of the earliest users of the city’s new affordable-­housing incentives. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Planning underway for 2022 Merrie Monarch Festival, but uncertainty looms. “So far, we’re going ahead.” That was the word Thursday from Merrie Monarch Festival President Luana Kawelu concerning the festival’s hula competition, Hilo’s signature event, returning to its usual schedule next year. Tribune-Herald.

High School Fall Sports Season Kicks Off Saturday, Talks on Live Crowds Ongoing. Officials hope to have live crowds back for student-athletes as they return to the field after nearly two years of no high school sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Now.

Maui

Planned march on Maui panned for promoting misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic. Doctors who have been panned on the mainland for spreading misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic are set to headline a Saturday march on Maui opposing COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates. Star-Advertiser.

Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers is Recipient of $25K Donation. Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers, Inc., a shelter for homeless individuals on Maui, received two substantial donations totaling $25,000 from Kāʻanapali Ocean Resort Charitable Trust to assist with their mission of breaking the cycle of homelessness on Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Use & sale of polystyrene foam food containers restricted on Kauai effective Jan. 1. Kauai county officials are notifying food providers that effective January 1, 2022, the use and sale of polystyrene foam food containers will be restricted per ordinance 1079 Article 27, Chapter 22. KITV4.

Kukui‘ula harbor getting new dock. Work to repair the boat ramp at Kukui‘ula Small Boat Harbor started Tuesday when a team from Sea Engineering of Honolulu arrived on Kaua‘i with equipment and materials. Garden Island.

West Kaua‘i plan wins statewide award. The County of Kaua‘i’s West Kauai Community Plan was recently awarded the 2021 Outstanding Planning Award by the Hawai‘i Chapter of the American Planning Association. Garden Island.

Redistricting and politics, Land Board rejects aquarium industry plan, Honolulu marathon slated to return, more news from all the Hawaiian islands

Hawaii tropical fish ©2021 All Hawaii News

Redrawing Hawaii’s Election Districts: ‘People Are Going To Be Pissed’. Years ago the political lines were redrawn in ways that clobbered Republicans. Today, the question is which Democrats will take the hit. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Tourism Authority contract award to top marketing agency prompts scrutiny. The Hawaii Tourism Authority recently awarded a $9.4 million sole-source contract to the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, even as the marketing agency nears the end of a separate contract worth $105 million to promote Hawaii to U.S. travelers and will have to compete to keep the more lucrative deal. Star-Advertiser.

Remote Work Is Here To Stay. You Can Thank The Pandemic For That. During last week’s Annual Conference of the Hawaii Economic Association, the chief executive of one of Hawaii’s largest architecture firms shared a story illustrating something that once might have been anathema to senior managers: It’s not necessary for employees to work at the office to be productive. Civil Beat.

Flu and pneumonia deaths in Hawaii over the past 12 months exceed pandemic’s local COVID fatalities. As COVID-19 continues to dictate public life and government policy in Hawaii, influenza and pneumonia have quietly killed at least 859 people over the past 12 months, exceeding the coronavirus death toll for the entire pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii records 4 new coronavirus-related deaths, 218 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 121 new cases on Oahu, 16 on Maui, 34 on Hawaii island, 28 on Kauai, one on Molokai and 18 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu eases COVID-19 rules for organized gatherings, football, other events. Starting Oct. 13, outdoor venues for sports and concerts may have up to 1,000 attendees or up to 50% of their full capacity — whichever is smaller. Associated Press. KHON2.

Land Board rejects environmental impact statement for Oahu aquarium pet trade. After hours of testimony, the state Land Board voted Friday to reject the Oahu aquarium fishing industry’s final environmental impact statement. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Marathon Plans to Return Dec. 12, 2021. Despite gathering restrictions on Oahu, Honolulu Marathon organizers are "Cautiously Optimistic" that they are able to hold upcoming race. KITV4.

Views clash over Oahu’s impending shift from coal to clean energy. Less than a year from now, Hawaiian Electric is slated to retire the island’s largest and dirtiest power plant as part of a historic ongoing transition to more renewable clean energy. Star-Advertiser.

City to reopen overnight camping at Bellows beach following months-long closure. The city Department of Parks and Recreations began accepting permit applications for overnight campers at Bellows Field Beach Park on Friday. The campsite had been closed since April to protect sea turtles during nesting season. Hawaii News Now.

Polo Beach Park parking lot to undergo renovations. The Department of Parks and Recreation announced Friday that the Polo Beach Park parking lot is scheduled to undergo renovations, including, repaving. KITV4.

NTSB to begin efforts to remove sunken cargo plane that crashed in waters off Oahu. The National Transportation Safety Board held a briefing on Saturday, detailing its plans to recover a Boeing 737 cargo jet that crashed into waters off Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Construction of Thirty Meter Telescope delayed at least 2 years. The developers of the planned Thirty Meter Telescope are now saying that construction of the $2.4 billion cutting-edge observatory isn’t likely to start for at least a couple of years. Star-Advertiser.

Council approves new fire captains, firefighters. Fire stations in Ocean View and Laupahoehoe will soon have captains to supervise operations, thanks to a $3.5 million federal grant adding nine new positions to the department. West Hawaii Today.

‘A very strong seller’s market’: More than 300 single-family homes bought in Puna in Q3. According to multiple listing service data, 774 homes were sold on the island between July and September, with each of those months an improvement from the previous year. The average sale price for the quarter was $805,000, while the median sales price in September was $499,000. Tribune-Herald.

Gate sparks debate: Property owners seek to secure their community. Good fences may make good neighbors, as the poet famously says. But gates, apparently not so much. The county Department of Public Works has revoked a building permit for a gate across Kaiolu Street where it meets Alii Drive, saying owners of all 14 lots in the small subdivision did not approve the application. West Hawaii Today.

Affordable housing development EA finds no significant impact. A final environmental assessment released Friday has a finding of no significant impact for a proposed affordable housing project of up to 90 units for seniors and families in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

6.2-magnitude quake centered off Hawaii Island rattles state; no tsunami threat. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was likely the result of “bending of the oceanic plate” from the weight of the Hawaiian Island chain. The tremor did not have an impact on the ongoing Kilauea eruption. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Mayor: Maui rules will be eased soon. On the heels of Honolulu announcing it will relax certain COVID-19 restrictions due to reduced case counts and other health data, Mayor Michael Victorino on Friday afternoon said looser rules are in the works for Maui County and details will be rolled out early next week. Maui News.

5-Month Improvement Project for Polo Beach Parking Lot Begins Oct. 18. Beach access and the comfort station will remain open throughout the parking lot project, located at the corner of Kaukahi Street and Makena Road. Maui Now.

Residents want county to manage popular beach parking lot. Private company trying to close lot, calling police on beachgoers, some tell state.Residents want Maui County to manage the gravel lot on state land near the Days Inn by Wyndham Maui Oceanfront. Maui News.

Construction for Kapaʻa Streets Project to Begin Next Week. In addition to the five-way intersection of Kawaihau Road, Hau‘a‘ala Road, and Mailihuna Road, safety improvements include new concrete sidewalks fronting Kapa‘a Elementary School, Kapa‘a High School and St. Catherine School, new bus shelters, and flashing beacons at crosswalks. Maui Now.

Over 400 jobs at Maui resort are in jeopardy as property is set to be sold to new owner. As a Maui resort is set to be sold to a new owner, over 400 workers may lose their jobs come December. The Royal Lahaina Resort notified the county and state this week that the property will change owners — and as a result 420 resort workers will be terminated. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Kauai

Household hazmat pickups coming sometime this winter. Homeowners with unwanted hazardous material must wait until sometime in early 2022 if they want their waste disposed of by the county, which will not hold a pickup this year. Garden Island.

Update on island’s coffee pests is online Wednesday. The state Department of Agriculture and University of Hawai‘i personnel will update Kaua‘i residents on the status of coffee berry borer and coffee leaf rust during an online “mini-conference” on Wednesday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon. Garden Island.

Connors nominated as U.S. attorney, swimming with spinner dolphins banned, coronavirus delta variant proves deadly, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Attorney General Clare Connors

Biden nominates Hawaii Attorney General Clare Connors to serve as U.S. attorney. State Attorney General Clare Connors was one of nine nominees announced Tuesday by Biden’s White House. Connors, who has served as attorney general since 2019, now starts the U.S. Senate confirmation process. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Big Island Video News. Maui Now. KITV4.

US Bans Swimming With Hawaiʻi's Nocturnal Spinner Dolphins. U.S. regulators on Tuesday banned swimming with Hawaii's spinner dolphins to protect the nocturnal animals from people seeking close encounters with the playful species. Associated Press. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News. Maui Now. KHON2. KITV4.

The Counties Are in Different Stages of Creating Their Own Hotel Room Tax Increases. Hawaiʻi's four counties are in different stages of approving their increases to the transient accommodations tax to make up for lost revenue after the state stopped allocating its statewide tax. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hirono Lobbies For Missile Defense Radar During Hearing On Afghanistan. Sen. Mazie Hirono grilled military leaders Tuesday about what the Defense Department will do with money and troops freed up by the end of America’s longest war, asking specifically about a $1.9 billion missile defense radar that has been planned for Hawaii. Civil Beat.

State embracing ‘shared solar’ energy farms on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands land. Hawaiian Electric, the largest utility in Hawaii, is trying to add 235 megawatts of community solar projects on Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii island under a plan awaiting state Public Utilities Commission consideration, following approval for 8 megawatts. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 delta variant proves deadly in Hawaii. About half of all the COVID-19 cases reported in Hawaii have occurred since early July, when the delta variant, which now accounts for nearly all cases, began to take hold.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii sees 240 new coronavirus cases, surpasses 2M vaccine doses administered. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 193 new cases on Oahu, 12 on Maui, 24 on Hawaii island, 8 on Kauai and three Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Over 160 Oahu businesses violate new COVID-19 mandates. As Safe Access O‘ahu mandates stretch into their third week, over 160 Oahu business operators have been cited, warned or been arrested for alleged violations of new COVID-19 requirements that include proof of tests or vaccinations for both employees and customers. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu restaurants seeing drop in sales after proof of vaccination mandate. Hawaii Restaurant Association Executive Director Sheryl Matsuoka said she has heard from members who are seeing revenue cut in half compared to 2019. KHON2.

Oahu Commission Approves Three Maps. Now The Public Gets A Say. The public will soon be able to provide input on what Honolulu’s political boundaries should look like after the Oahu Reapportionment Commission on Tuesday approved three district maps for consideration. Civil Beat.

Years Before Indictments, Honolulu Permitting Department Was Warned About Corrupt Culture. A city watchdog had raised red flags for years about potential corruption in Honolulu’s planning and permitting department. In the decade before federal investigators charged five permitting employees for bribery, the Honolulu Ethics Commission warned the Department of Planning and Permitting about questionable behavior by staff and lax oversight that could lead to abuses of power. Civil Beat.

State senator calls for investigation of Honolulu Police Department Major Stephen Gerona. A state senator called Tuesday for the removal of the Honolulu police officer in charge of the department’s Criminal Investigations Division, alleging that Maj. Stephen Gerona continues to bully and harass subordinates despite repeated complaints, disciplinary actions and his role in lawsuits costing the city more than $1.6 million. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Faced With Unwieldy Voting Rules, Honolulu Rail Board Simply Scrapped Them. For four years, after the Legislature added seats, the rail board required eight ‘yes’ votes to pass measures, but recently decided it needs only six. Civil Beat.

Large wildfire reveals toxic junkyard on state land that was supposed to be used for farming. A large wildfire in Central Oahu on Monday exposed the illegal activities Pat Mackin and others have been warning state and law enforcement officials about for years. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

A public meeting about the decommissioning of a Maunakea telescope went quietly on Tuesday. Jim Hayes, president of Planning Solutions Inc., which was consultant for the environmental assessment, said Caltech will hire an archaeological and cultural monitor, vetted by the state Historic Preservation Division, to observe the process and ensure that no cultural sites are disturbed throughout the project. Tribune-Herald.

EA supports Pahoa library: All three potential sites for a public facility found suitable. The final environmental assessment was published last week for a public library in Pahoa. The document has a finding of no significant impact to the environment regardless of which site among the top three identified in the document is chosen for construction of the facility. Tribune-Herald.

The next venture: Construction begins on Matsuyama Commercial Center. The Matsuyama Commercial Center project is being built on a 1.36-acre parcel off Kaiminani Drive, near the northern entrance to the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority on the makai side of Queen Kaahumanu Highway. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Fire Chief Ventura and Deputy Chief Fujioka Sworn In. Brad Ventura was sworn into office as the Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety’s new Chief, and Gavin Fujioka was sworn in a as Deputy Chief today during a ceremony hosted by Maui Mayor Michael Victorino today. Maui Now.

100% affordable rental project pitched for Waiehu. $33.5M Hale Mahaolu Ke Kahua would develop 120 units on MEO land. The $33.5 million project, called Hale Mahaolu Ke Kahua Affordable Housing Community, would be developed with Hale Mahaolu and units would be rented to adults of all ages who earn 60 percent or less of the area median income. Maui News.

Kauai

6 years later, Coco Palms permits still alive. While concerns for traffic, climate change and shoreline setbacks were brought up in regards to the Coco Palms property during Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting, there was little commissioners could do as representatives gave their annual status update on the demolition and progress of the ill-fated resort. Garden Island.

Teachers plead for safer conditions. Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School teachers lined the sidewalk outside of their Puhi campus Tuesday morning 6 feet apart, wearing masks, modeling a safety precaution that is all-but-impossible inside their full classrooms. Garden Island.

High-tech farming aims to fill food gap, Waikiki businesses pay for police protection, redistricting commission mulls counting inmates, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Sensei Farms

Can High-Tech Farming Solve Hawaii’s Food Crisis? High-tech farming is costly and limited in what it can grow, but techniques could help Hawaii with its dependency on food imports. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Joins Worldwide Pledge to Conserve, Restore, or Grow 100 Million Trees by 2030. 1t.org is part of the World Economic Forum’s efforts to accelerate nature-based solutions and was set up to support the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Proposed international COVID rules bring hope to Hawaii tourism. An announcement from the Biden administration that it will adopt new international travel policies as soon as Novem­ber won’t immediately fix Hawaii’s global travel slump, which is still down 97% from pre-pandemic times. Star-Advertiser.

State-Run Hospitals And Clinics Pay Some Of Hawaii’s Highest Public Wages. But counterparts in the private sector still make far more than doctors and administrators on the state payroll. Civil Beat.

Senior advocates call on Governor to replace DOH crisis triage policy. Hawaii's "Crisis Standards of Care: Triage Allocation Framework" is sparking concerns among senior advocacy group that its scoring system discriminates against kupuna. KITV4.

Hawaii COVID expert optimistic as booster shots roll out. The Department of Health said booster shots will be prioritized for those aged 65 and up, adults with underlying medical conditions and adults at high risk due to their occupation. KHON2. KITV4.

COVID deaths mount in Hawaii as daily cases, hospitalizations trend downward. With 10 new deaths reported by the state Sunday, Hawaii has seen some 175 COVID fatalities in the past 30 days. This is despite a downward trend in daily cases reported and hospitalizations. Lt. Josh Green believes the fatalities will also drop, but not until mid-October. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii records 10 new coronavirus-related deaths, 372 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 240 new cases on Oahu, 40 on Maui, 54 on Hawaii island, 32 on Kauai, one on Molokai and five Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Public shoreline access issue stirring in Wailupe. For nearly 75 years, a fairly secluded aquatic recreation area has existed around much of an East Oahu community where an ancient fishpond once stood. Star-Advertiser.

Protection For A Price: Waikiki Businesses Pay Extra For Police. The Waikiki business association has paid Honolulu police at least $2 million in the past 15 years for additional services. Critics say that’s not fair to other areas. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Counting inmates where they live: Redistricting Commission ponders jail and prison populations. Should inmates in Big Island correctional facilities be counted at the facility itself or where they usually live when they’re not incarcerated? That’s a question the county Redistricting Commission is mulling over as it strives to draw boundary lines for County Council districts for the next decade. West Hawaii Today.

BLNR postpones action on redevelopment proposals. The Board of Land and Natural Resources postponed action on a series of redevelopment proposals for a pair of sites on Banyan Drive after a lawsuit demanded that two of those proposals be withdrawn. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island Food Distribution Company Sued for Racial Harassment. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing a Big Island food company after a Black employee says he was harassed and later fired in retaliation. Suisan Company is a wholesale food distributing company located in Hilo. Hawaii Public Radio.

Saddle Road alternatives: Paniolo Avenue resurfacing to commence Oct. 1, intersection study underway. Progress is continuing on alternative roadways in Kohala, with schedules even more important since the state’s announcement earlier this month that the $80 million West Hawaii extension of Daniel K. Inouye Highway has been put on hold. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Study approved but water lease is not guaranteed. Board accepts final environmental study for area covering 33K acres in East Maui. Echoing that the decision doesn’t guarantee a water lease, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday accepted a highly debated environmental study for a proposed long-term East Maui water permit for Alexander & Baldwin and its water delivery system subsidiary, East Maui Irrigation Co. Maui News.

Advocates for Unsheltered Houseless Residents Speak Out Against Amala “Sweep”. The county led cleanup effort of ‘Āmala Place in Kahului resulted in the removal of 58 tons of solid waste and 54 derelict vehicles this week, but not all are happy with the process and its impact on the unsheltered homeless individuals who were living in area encampments. Maui Now.

Kauai

Road to business recovery takes a turn for the better. Earlier this month, Kuhio Highway near Hanalei reopened to two-lane traffic, which was a step in a positive direction for many local businesses beyond the Hanalei bridge. Garden Island.

In effort to save the seabirds volunteers remove invasive plants. In honor of Public Lands Day, the Kaua‘i National Wildlife Refuge Complex hosted a morning of invasive-species removal at Kahili Beach (Rock Quarry’s), where the Kilauea Stream meets the ocean. Garden Island.

South Korea President Moon Jae-In honors war dead in Hawaii ceremony, pre-travel testing misses many infected, GOP leader Carroll dies at 91, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Service members render honors during a joint repatriation ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Sept. 22, 2021. PC: Tech. Sgt. Rusty Frank Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

South Korea President Moon Jae-In and First Lady Kim Jung-Sook pay respects to the war dead at an Oahu ceremony. The first joint U.S.-South Korea repatriation held in Hawaii saw remains of South Korean soldiers from the 1950-53 Korean War that had been in the possession of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency solemnly placed aboard a white Korean government 747 at Hickam. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. UPI.

New research raises questions about efficacy of Hawaii’s pre-traveler testing rules. New research shows Hawaii’s pre-travel testing program is likely only catching a fraction of infected travelers. Simulations imulations show Hawaii’s pre-testing protocol may be detecting only 20% of infected travelers. Hawaii News Now.

Supreme Court hears arguments on early prisoner release. The Hawaii Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday over the third petition calling for the early release of certain incarcerated people to help ease crowded conditions that lead to outbreaks of COVID- 19 in the state’s jails and prisons. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.

John Carroll, longtime Hawaii Republican leader, dies at 91. Carroll was most-known for his service as a state representative followed by a term as state senator from 1971 to 1981. He also served as the chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party. Hawaii News Now.

University of Hawaii says COVID-19 vaccinations required for spring 2022. UH began the fall semester this year offering unvaccinated students the option of undergoing a mandatory, weekly COVID-19 test to be on any of its 10 campuses. That option, however, will no longer be available starting Jan. 3, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Public high school athletes poised to play — but only if they’re vaccinated. The state Department of Education is moving ahead with plans to allow public high school athletics to resume practices and workouts on Friday. Hawaii News Now.

New daily COVID infections are dropping, but some hospitals are still dangerously full. On Wednesday, 282 COVID patients were hospitalized statewide. That’s down nearly 40% from the peak three weeks ago ― when that number stood at 448. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii records 12 new coronavirus-related deaths, 330 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 216 new cases on Oahu, 43 on Maui, 38 on Hawaii island, 29 on Kauai, two on Molokai and two Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Advocates Raise Transparency Concerns Over Oahu’s Redistricting. A nine-member panel responsible for the once-in-a-decade task of redrawing Oahu’s political boundaries based on census data has faced criticism from democracy advocates that the process so far lacks transparency and “meaningful public input.” Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Community Services Director Resigns. Deputy Director Joy Barua will serve as acting director of the department. Civil Beat.

Rep. Case: Manoa Post Office To Remain Open. A post office that has served Manoa Valley residents for decades will not be shuttered at the end of this month, as was expected. Civil Beat.

COVID-19 outbreak hits Nuuanu nursing facility. A COVID-19 outbreak at a skilled nursing facility in Nuuanu that has infected 54 patients and more than two dozen employees is straining the nursing staff and creating unsafe conditions for both nurses and patients, according to the Hawai‘i Nurses’ Association. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Requests for COVID-19 test kits for Oahu residents on pause due to overwhelming response, will resume Thursday.  Hawaii Department of Health today said the “Say Yes! COVID Test” at-home testing challenge is currently on pause due to high demand. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Olson Trust lawsuit alleges Tower Development execs violated noncompete agreement. The Edmund C. Olson Trust has filed a lawsuit against two corporate officers of Tower Development Inc. for pursuing redevelopment projects on Banyan Drive. Tribune-Herald.

Legal challenge could cast shadow over land board meeting. A lawsuit demanding that two proposed redevelopment projects on Banyan Drive be halted could disrupt a Friday meeting of the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Tribune-Herald.

Ige releases $55M in CIP funds for Big Island projects. The state has released more than $55 million in capital improvement project funds for a variety of Big Island projects, including $15 million to Volcano School of Arts and Sciences for the construction of a new campus. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

HTA: Progress on 2021 sustainable tourism goals. A tourism management plan for Hawaii Island is gradually being implemented, with the Hawaii Tourism Authority reporting steady progress on goals for 2021. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island Police Killings Often Involve Troubled Victims And Guns — And The Number Has Spiked. Compared to Honolulu, people who died in police shootings were often armed with guns themselves. Civil Beat.

'Post-COVID' Patients May Soon Outnumber Recently Infected Patients at Hilo Medical Center. Case counts are going down — average daily new cases have dropped by 35% over the past two weeks, but Hawaiʻi's health care infrastructure is still overburdened. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

State Releases $69.8 Million for Capital Improvement Projects for Maui County. The State of Hawaiʻi released $602 million for Capital Improvement Projects in 2021, including critical public infrastructure projects across the state and $69.8 million for Maui County projects. Maui Now.

Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Now Offered at Maui Lani Medical Office. Monoclonal antibody treatment is approved by the FDA for emergency use authorization to reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms in positive individuals at risk for developing severe disease. Maui Now.

58 Tons of Solid Waste, 54 Derelict Vehicles Removed in Amala Place Clean-up. On Wednesday, County employees and contractors removed 13 remaining derelict vehicles and 8 more tons of solid waste from the area. That’s in addition to the removal of 41 derelict vehicles and 50 tons of solid waste from the area on Tuesday. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

DOH Allows Eateries to Resume Operations After Pest Treatment at Food Court. Inspectors had issued red placards to Nikki’s Pizza on Aug. 31 for a “pest infestation,” and Joey’s Kitchen on Sept. 17 for a “roach infestation.” Nikki’s was approved to reopen on Sept. 17, and Joey’s Kitchen at Whaler’s Village was allowed to resume operations yesterday, according to online health inspection reports. Maui Now.

Kauai

Survey says Kaua‘i business divided on vaccine mandates. The 121 businesses that completed the survey, conducted by the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, represent a wide variety of industries from across the island. Garden Island.

Health pass rules tighten to include visitors to state facilities, school buses and other basic services break down due to COVID absenteeism, another Honolulu rail cost overrun, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Capitol PC:Charles Freedman

Gov. David Ige says contractors, visitors to state facilities must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test result. Ige’s order says the requirements are necessary to ensure the “safety of the government workforce during this ongoing escalation in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths resulting from the delta variant.” Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii ACLU pushes state Supreme Court to release inmates to mitigate COVID spread. The Hawaii ACLU filed a motion Thursday for the state Supreme Court to restart the program of releasing some inmates to ease overcrowding in jails and prisons. Hawaii News Now.

Severe shortage in bus drivers cancels routes, leaving students to find their own way to school. State education officials say the pandemic is leading to a severe shortage of school bus drivers on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island, and across the country. Hawaii News Now.

Some neighbor island home sale prices lost steam in August. Data from real estate agent trade associations showed that the number of single-family home and condominium sales last month on Kauai, in Maui County and on Hawaii island rose between 9% and 216% while median sale prices mostly were higher but slipped in a few instances when compared with a year earlier. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s hospitality industry offer free staycations to eligible Hawaii health care workers. The Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association announced Thursday that it will soon begin “Hotels for Healthcare Heroes” in partnership with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii and Laulima Data Alliance. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Global infectious disease expert: 'Hawaii forgot what was making Hawaii safe'. A global infectious disease expert believes the best way for Hawaii to get a handle on Delta and other variants of the coronavirus is to restore pre-travel testing and implement post-travel testing for everyone entering the state – regardless of vaccination status. KITV4.

Doctors, health officials say children still at risk as COVID cases rise among Hawaii’s youth. The state Health Department reported that COVID cases among children 17 and under made up 17% of all infections in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii records 7 new coronavirus-related deaths, 429 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 273 new cases on Oahu, 63 on Maui, 52 on Hawaii island, 33 on Kauai and eight Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Kahuku subdivision plan rejected by City Council. The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday unanimously voted down a plan from a developer seeking to create a 91-home Kahuku subdivision largely as affordable housing on agricultural land. Star-Advertiser.

HART, HECO At Odds Over Who Caused A $34 Million Change Order To Rail. HART says HECO’s new safety standards were the problem. The utility, meanwhile, blames shoddy and delayed design work by a rail contractor. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Project works to house those in need in Waimanalo . A blessing was held Thursday morning to commemorate the construction of eight new residences for houseless individuals and families in Waimanalo. The houses are part of the Hui Mahiai Aina Project, which works to create housing for those in need in the east Oahu community and to improve their quality of life. Hawaii News Now.

‘When We’re Full, We’re Full’: Oahu Homeless Shelters Struggle With High Demand. Shelters have reduced capacity and implemented Covid-19 vaccine or testing mandates to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Civil Beat.

Who’s Behind This Increasingly Vocal Hawaii Group Opposing Covid-19 Mandates? The grassroots Aloha Freedom Coalition says it is not affiliated with any political or religious views, but only wants to stand up for liberty. The Aloha Freedom Coalition was formed in September 2020 by supporters of Bud Stonebraker, a former Republican state legislator who ran unsuccessfully for the nonpartisan office of mayor of Honolulu last year. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Massive backlog at DMV: More than 14K driver’s licenses have expired and await renewal. Residents needing to renew their driver’s license face months of waiting due to a backlog of appointments at the county Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division. Tribune-Herald.

Redistricting Commission gets to work: County Council districts expected to shrink, grow under new census numbers. The numbers are in, and the county Redistricting Commission is beginning its work redrawing County Council district lines to accommodate population growth reported by the 2020 census. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Candidates for fire chief draw public praise. Deputy Fire Chief Brad Ventura and retired Battalion Chief Amos Lonokailua-Hewett were both described as “excellent” choices to head the Maui Fire Department during public testimony Wednesday on the selection of a new fire chief. Maui News.

Oregon Man Arrested on Maui for Alleged Violation of Travel Quarantine. Maui Police say that upon arrival from Los Angeles, 40-year-old Christopher Chapman did not have a negative pre-travel COVID-19 test from an approved facility, and did not have approved lodging in which to complete the mandatory 10-day travel quarantine. Maui Now. KHON2.

Kauai

COVID-19 surge in new cases forecast for Kauai County. Kauai County, whose record against COVID-19 has been the best in the state, hit a record number of cases Thursday and is projected to see a further spike in the coming weeks. Star-Advertiser.

KDHO: 55 new cases Thursday. Kaua‘i officials are monitoring just how effective vaccination passes on neighboring islands prove to be before committing to additional requirements here. Garden Island.

Native Seabirds Keep Turning Up Dead On A Popular Kauai Walking Trail. Feral cats and off-leash dogs are killing wedge-tailed shearwaters at Kauai’s Makahuena Point. Efforts to stop the carnage so far haven’t worked. Civil Beat.

Pandemic rules flouted as COVID cases spike, experts advise but Ige holds fast against lockdown, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kaiwi party broken up by DLNR PC:DLNR

Hawaii officials consider stay-at-home order over Labor Day weekend as COVID-19 cases soar. Hawaii had its highest COVID- 19 count ever reported in one day on Sunday, and if the trajectory continues, officials warn that it could lead to a 72-hour stay-at-home order over the Labor Day holiday. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

How close is a lockdown? At least one doctor says it’s time. Medical experts say despite major event cancellations and new gathering limits, Hawaii’s COVID crisis is about to get much worse. Hawaii News Now.

Ige takes to social media to refute lockdown rumors: ‘No plans to shut down’. Gov. David Ige on Sunday night dismissed “rumors circulating” about a shutdown in Hawaii amid an ongoing surge in COVID infections. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Visitor industry discounts abound, even as Gov. David Ige asks travelers to stay away. You wouldn’t know that Hawaii tourism is supposed to be shut down by all the specials in the market, including great kamaaina deals, which have been absent for most of the summer travel surge. Star-Advertiser.

Senate Confirms Sonja McCullen To Intermediate Court Of Appeals. A Honolulu deputy prosecuting attorney will be the first Native Hawaiian appointed to a Hawaii appellate court in decades. Civil Beat.

Hawaii distance-learning students might get their instruction from teachers out of state. The state Department of Education may be moving to loosen the requirement that teachers reside in Hawaii after members of the state Board of Education last week urged administrators to look at changing the residence qualification to help meet the growing demand for remote learning. Star-Advertiser.

Latest testing backlog a result of systems being ‘pushed to their limits,’ DOH says. The health department says as always, trends are more important than single day counts and right now Hawaii continues to trend in the wrong direction. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii records 2 new coronavirus-related deaths, 1,678 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 1,239 new cases on Oahu, 147 on Maui, 214 on Hawaii island, 55 on Kauai, one on Molokai, two on Lanai, and 20 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Enforcement Officers say Large Party at Kaiwi was “Outrageous and Irresponsible”. Four people were cited and as many as 300-400 others were cleared from Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline by officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department officers late Saturday afternoon. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Homeless Sweeps Or Sanitation Activities? Advocates Say There’s No Difference. Honolulu’s mayor promised to end sweeps of homeless encampments, but his administration says it still needs to clear the “sidewalks, streets and parks.” Civil Beat.

Two Honolulu Police Officers Are Under Investigation For Assault Of Prisoner. Two Honolulu police officers could face criminal charges for allegedly injuring a prisoner in January. Civil Beat.

COVID ‘crisis’ in Leeward Oahu as area leads island with case counts. The Leeward coast of Oahu is in crisis mode, with some of the highest coronavirus case counts on the island, which continue rising and spreading like wildfire among household members. Star-Advertiser.

Blangiardi Seeks To Avoid ‘Lockdown’ As Hawaii Logs Record Number Of Covid Cases. Honolulu mayor also says city is considering a “vaccine passport” program for restaurants. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

County COVID rules approved; parks to remain open with restrictions. The new rule also limits social gathering sizes to 10 people, both indoors and out. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Big changes likely for council districts: Population growth not equal for West, East Hawaii. Population shifts across the island could mean big changes to County Council districts next year, with West Hawaii population increases likely to outweigh population changes in most of East Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

County: NAS pool upgrades to begin soon. Hawaii County officials are hoping construction can begin soon on court-ordered Americans With Disabilities improvements at the NAS Swimming Pool near the Hilo International Airport. Tribune-Herald.

Work on senior housing facility to begin in 2022. Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial Inc. has secured funding to build a 92-unit housing facility — located on Kawili Street across from the lower end of the University of Hawaii at Hilo campus — in early 2022. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Board files complaints against Maui health officer, physician. The Hawaii Medical Board has filed complaints against Maui’s top health official and a Valley Isle physician following reports that they backed COVID-19 treatments that state and federal health agencies advise against. Maui News.

Maui’s 21 Day Lockdown is Voluntary, Stricter Rules Still on the Table. While a health pass or vaccine passport for certain restaurants and gyms surfaced for discussion as a potential mitigation measure during the Mayor’s last press briefing, the program concept is still under review. Maui Now.

Affordable housing on Lanai aimed at mid-income households. A planned affordable rental housing project on Lanai won’t be quite as affordable as previously envisioned by the island’s management company owned by billionaire Larry Ellison. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Face mask litter on rise, Surfrider says. A growing number of face masks are littering Kaua‘i, leading to pollution of island waters, according to a local nonprofit. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi Humane Society flies nearly 200 animals to Seattle. An EvoJets private charter departed from Lihu‘e Airport early Sunday morning with a very special passenger manifest. Garden Island.