Showing posts with label road-use tax. Show all posts
Showing posts with label road-use tax. Show all posts

Monday, November 25, 2019

Hawaii lowest in gun deaths, DOE supervisors fined for ethics violations, Maui council approves property tax reform, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

woman pointing
Woman pointing gun
Study ranks Hawaii lowest in U.S. for gun deaths and gun-related homicides, according to a new study. Hawaii had the lowest rates of both overall gun deaths and gun-related homicides in the nation during a 10-year period from 2008 to 2017, but that still meant that someone was killed by a gun every eight days across the islands, according to a new study. Star-Advertiser.

Pay by the gallon or mile? State looks at fuel tax alternatives. A state project exploring a replacement for fuel taxes remains on schedule, but some remain skeptical. Tribune-Herald.

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High ranking DOE supervisors fined thousands for ethics violations. The state Ethics Commission has fined three high-ranking supervisors in the Department of Education’s facilities maintenance branch for misusing state employees on private construction projects. Hawaii News Now.

Three DOE Facilities Staff Members Fined By Ethics Commission. A facilities manager was fined for using agency employees to do work on his home and another property. Civil Beat.

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Hawaiian community renews push to recognize holiday overshadowed by Thanksgiving. La Ku'oko'a recognizes the day in 1843 on November 28th when the Kingdom of Hawaii's sovereignty was officially recognized internationally by Britain and France. KITV.

Department of Education to offer Hawaiian courses to employees. The state Department of Education plans to offer free Hawaiian language courses to all of its employees, beginning in January. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Sen. Kai Kahele Finds Money, Connections In DC. Now that Tulsi Gabbard has said she won’t seek reelection, the CD2 candidate is finding receptive ears in the nation’s capital. Civil Beat.

Mental Health Services On Hawaii Campuses Lag Far Behind Demand. At UH Manoa, students can wait as long as two months to sit down with a therapist. Civil Beat.

Oahu

A Windward Oahu school grapples with an uncertain future. At Keolu Elementary in Kailua, there are 15 students in the entire first grade class. Keolu’s total enrollment is at 115, one of the lowest in the state according to DOE figures. Hawaii News Now.

HART’s Last Original Board Member Hasn’t Left As Planned. Damien Kim announced his departure five months ago, but the City Council can’t find a qualified successor. Civil Beat.

Bikeshare Hawaii sets sights on electric bikes. Bikeshare Hawaii, founder of Honolulu’s first bikeshare system, is looking toward the future with an eye on electric bikes. Star-Advertiser.

‘Makoa,’ a recently weaned monk seal pup, found dead. NOAA officials say a male monk seal pup named Makoa has died. He was found dead on Oahu’s North Shore the morning of Nov. 9. Hawaii News Now.

Scientists investigate the death of a young Hawaiian monk seal. NOAA says the male seal RL-36, also known as Makoa, was found dead on the North Shore of Oahu last weekend. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Draft EIS Proposes 14 Commercial Aquarium Fishing Permits For West Hawaii. Supporters of commercial aquarium fishing have posted a draft environmental impact statement examining the future collection in the West Hawai’i Regional Fishery Management Area. Big Island Video News.

Pharmacy school faculty vote ‘no confidence’. Faculty members in the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy have taken a vote of “no confidence” for Dean Carolyn Ma. Tribune-Herald.

Months after article exposed security woes, KVBID reports improvements. Two months after a news article highlighted frustrations with security issues and businesses downtown, the Kailua Village Business Improvement District offered its status report to the Hawaii County Council Finance Committee. West Hawaii Today.

Hawai‘i Island Vacation Rentals Increase Slightly in October. Vacation rental performance on Hawai‘i Island increased slightly in October from the previous month, according  to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. Big Island Now.

Home in Kukio sells for $25M, highest price in Hawaii in 2019. A six-bedroom home in the Maniniowali section of the Kukio Golf and Beach Club on Hawaii Island recently sold for $25 million, the highest price in the state for a single-family home so far this year. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Council OKs property tax reform bills. Pointing to an imbalance where longtime Maui residents cannot afford one property while out-of-state buyers scoop up multiple dwellings, the Maui County Council approved a pair of property tax reform bills that will change tax classifications and set the framework for new tiered rates. Maui News.

Airport runway rebuilding to force changes. Part of old Haleakala Highway to close, private plane area will be relocated. Maui News.

Grand Wailea Development Request Strikes Opposition. Native Hawaiian activists are expressing disapproval over proposed development at the Grand Wailea Resort, which they argue would disturb iwi kupuna, or human remains. Maui Now.

More than $1 million in diamonds stolen. $50,000 reward offered in Lahaina Halloween robbery. Maui News.

Maui Hotels, Vacation Rentals Lead State. Hotels and vacation rentals throughout Maui County outperformed others in the state during October, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority announced earlier this week. Maui Now.

Kauai

Golden Rule arrives in Nawiliwili on Dec. 1. The small sailboat with a big mission, the Golden Rule, was in Hawaii in the 1950s, and played a pivotal role in ending global atmospheric nuclear testing. Garden Island.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Hawaii pushes new road usage charge, ex-Schofield Army range director pleads guilty in bribery scandal, Kauai giving affordable rental tax breaks, relocated rare Maui birds die, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2019 All Hawaii News all rights rerserved
Hawaii roadwork ©2019 All Hawaii News
Survey: Hawaii’s Roads Third Worst To Drive. Only South Carolina and Louisiana scored worse than the Aloha State. Civil Beat.

Survey shows Hawaii has third worst roads in the country. A survey released Tuesday by Consumer Affairs, shows Hawaii has the third worst roads in the country. KITV.

HDOT Continues Study on Road Usage Charge. Beginning this month, the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation will mail driving reports to thousands of vehicle owners across the state in an effort to research the feasibility of adjusting to a per-mile road usage charge. Big Island Now.

Check your mail: HDOT sends out info on proposed road usage charge. Starting this week, thousands of vehicle owners across Hawaii will be receiving driving reports in their mailboxes. Hawaii News Now.

DOT looks to switch from gas tax to road usage charge for road maintenance funding. One third of the state’s funding for road and bridge maintenance comes from our 16 cents-per-gallon gas tax. KHON2.

DOT has a long-term fix for Hawaii’s roads. The Department of Transportation has a solution that could double the life of their roads. It’s called stone matrix asphalt, a stronger and more flexible aggregate that could last up to 25 years.  KHON2.

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Companies Vie to ‘Accelerate’ Clean Energy Transition. The Hawaiian Electric Companies have received more than 75 proposals after its call for more renewable energy resources to “accelerate the state’s transition off fossil fuels used for generations of electricity.” Maui Now.

Public Safety Deputy Director For Corrections Is Retiring. Jodie Maesaka-Hirata is leaving in December and will be replaced by a top DPS administrator. Civil Beat.

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State consumer office warns of email phishing scam. The state Office of Consumer Protection warns local businesses about fraudulent emails that have been going out with its letterhead and a spoofed account. Star-Advertiser.

Phishing scam imitating state agencies sent to local businesses. The fraudulent email says a claim has been submitted against the business and provides a link for the business to reply. KHON2.

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Mazie Hirono Gets A Book Deal To Tell Her Life Story. The U.S. senator from Hawaii will detail her upbringing as an immigrant, her recent bout with kidney cancer and her political life in the Trump era. Civil Beat.

Gabbard enlists high-profile law firm with roster of colorful clients in claims against Clinton. Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is being represented by the law firm Pierce Bainbridge Beck Price & Hecht in her claims that Hillary Clinton defamed her by making comments about Russian support for Gabbard’s presidential bid. Star-Advertiser.

White Nationalists Try To Claim Aloha Spirit As Their Own. David Duke endorsed an ultra-right radio show on social media with the caption “the aloha spirit will set you free.” Civil Beat.

Museums and archives are often celebrated as rich repositories of culture and history. But for the communities whose culture and history are on display, having a say over what should become of these items is an ongoing battle – one that some native Hawaiian advocates and scholars are tackling head on. Hawaii Public Radio.

UFO? Satellites? Aircraft? Some across the islands saw strange lights in the night sky. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Proponents of plastics-ban bill hold rally before committee vote. With smiles and cheers beneath a bright morning sun, supporters of Bill 40, which seeks to ban Styrofoam and single-use plastics in the City and County of Honolulu, gathered Tuesday for an educational rally on Honolulu Hale’s front lawn. Star-Advertiser.

Scaled-down version of single-use plastics ban finds support from some businesses. After pushback from food industry leaders, a City Council committee is set to consider a revised version the bill that would target Oahu’s single-use plastics. Hawaii News Now.

Some O'ahu businesses support revised bill of "plastic ban". It's a proposal working it's way through the city council that has many businesses upset. KITV.

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Former Schofield Army range director pleads guilty in bribery scandal. The U.S. Department of Justice says 67-year-old Victor Garo of Mililani admitted to accepting over $100,000 in bribes to steer federal contracts worth more than $18 million to a specific contractor. Hawaii News Now.

Former US Army Range Director Pleads Guilty of Conspiracy. Victor Garo is the third public official to plead guilty as a result of an ongoing investigation into fraud and bribery at Schofield Barracks. Big Island Now.

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Kealoha Drug Plea Results In New Claim Of Prosecutorial Misconduct. Accused drug dealer Tiffany Masunaga wants charges against her dropped because Katherine Kealoha admitted manipulating the case. Civil Beat.

Controversial Ala Moana Playground Is a ‘Gift’ City Council May Refuse. A recent vote suggests the proposal may lack the Honolulu City Council support it needs to proceed at Ala Moana. Civil Beat.

New homeless services hub is expected to open in Waipahu next month. A pilot project involves inflatable, portable tents and the opportunity for unsheltered homeless people to receive medical and counseling services, housing help, hygiene and laundry services, and, if needed, a temporary place to sleep. KITV.

Honolulu City Council considers shortening time Hawaiian Humane Society must keep stray dogs, cats. A Honolulu City Council committee Tuesday gave preliminary approval to a bill that would require registered pet dogs and cats to be microchipped and would shorten the minimum time that strays need to be held by the Hawaiian Humane Society to five days from the current nine. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii thieves target cars’ catalytic converters at huge cost to motorists. At least a dozen vehicles, mostly Honda Elements, have had their catalytic converters stolen in the last six weeks because they contain precious metals such as platinum. Star-Advertiser.

Thieves target a part under cars that could be a costly fix. There is a warning from auto repair shops about an expensive new crime. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Study of Hilo Bay breakwater expected to begin in early 2020. A state and federal study to determine whether the Hilo Bay breakwater should be modified likely will begin early next year. Tribune-Herald.

Ormat Gives Puna Geothermal Update In Latest Earnings Call. Ormat hopes to have the Puna Geothermal Venture plant in Puna back in full operation by the end of the second quarter of 2020, and has also filed suit against insurers. Big Island Video News.

Kierkiewicz disclosure, Ethics Board presentation planned. It’s been almost three months since the Board of Ethics approved an advisory opinion requiring Puna Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz to file an after-the-fact written disclosure of a possible conflict of interest stemming from a vote she took earlier this year. West Hawaii Today.

‘There’s many laws I don’t like’: Mayor Kim seeks neutrality in dealing with Mauna Kea conflict. During a high-stakes interview with Harry Kim, the 80-year-old Hawaii County mayor repeatedly referred to his commitment in finding a peaceful way forward despite, what appears to be an impossible impasse. Hawaii News Now.

HVO updates webcam network at Kilauea’s summit. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has updated its Kilauea webcam network, adding new cameras and decommissioning old ones that are no longer useful for monitoring purposes, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Nine Rare Kiwikiu Birds Die Out of 13 Translocated at Maui’s Nakula Forest. The Kiwikiu or Maui Parrotbill birds were part of a larger group of 13 that were translocated from captivity and the wild to the Nakula Natural Area Reserve on the leeward slopes of Haleakalā in East Maui. Maui Now.

Effort to help endangered Maui bird on hold following multiple deaths. A multiagency campaign to establish a second population of one of Hawaii’s most critically endangered birds got off to a dreadful start, with at least nine of 13 kiwikiu apparently succumbing quickly to avian malaria, officials said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Mosquitoes are threatening the population of rare birds on Maui. Mosquitoes are having a negative impact on the efforts to save the Kiwikiu in the forests of Haleakala, the state said. Hawaii News Now.

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Protesters unhappy with mayor, injection well case. Maui News.

Kula Community Association to discuss tax proposals. Proposed changes to Maui County Council’s real property tax system will be among the topics at the Kula Community Association meeting Wednesday night. Maui News.

Kauai

Mayor signs rental bills. Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami signed five Additional Rental Unit bills on Tuesday that would waive permitting fees on additional rental units deemed affordable. Garden Island.

Dive finds healthy corals and plenty of fish. A recent diving outing on the south side of Kauai found an array of colorful corals and fascinating fish. Garden Island.

Thursday, April 18, 2019

State population continues downward trend, Aila confirmed to DHHL, Honolulu cracks down on monster houses, Maui mayor names Honolulu rail engineer as Public Works deputy, new Honolulu-Princeville air route, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Population estimates as of July 1, data from U.S. Census Bureau
Big Island leads the state in population gains. While people continue to leave Oahu, dragging the entire state’s growth rate into the negative zone, people are still moving to Hawaii Island, according to estimates released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau. West Hawaii Today.

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Senate OKs deputy director of DHHL. The full Senate voted 19 to 5 Wednesday to reconfirm William Aila as deputy director of the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Star-Advertiser.

Senate Votes To Keep Aila As Deputy DHHL Director. Five senators voted “no” on the renomination, saying the department needs to go in a new direction. Civil Beat.

Senate votes to reconfirm head of DHHL to another 4-year term. The full Senate voted Tuesday to reconfirm William Aila as the Deputy Director of Hawaiian Homelands. Hawaii News Now.

State Senators confirmed William Aila to serve another term as Deputy Director of DHHL. KITV.

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Two Ethics Reform Measures Clear House-Senate Conference Committee. But a campaign finance measure is on hold after the Campaign Spending Commission complains that amendments would result in less transparency rather than more. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers push to reduce number of unnecessary hospital visits from homeless. Helping the homeless and saving money. The state is trying to do both by addressing the issue of unnecessary hospital visits.  KITV.

Who owns aloha? Hawaii eyes protections for native culture. A resolution calls on state agencies and Native Hawaiian organizations to form a task force to develop a legal system to “recognize and protect” Native Hawaiian cultural intellectual property and traditional cultural expressions. Associated Press.

Few local contributors to Gabbard’s presidential bid. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has attracted little financial support locally for her presidential bid, with just 3% of the $1.95 million she raised in the first quarter of this year coming from residents of her home state. Star-Advertiser.

ANA completes first A380 test flight at airport. All Nippon Airways brought the state’s largest airport one step closer to accommodating the world’s largest passenger airliner with the completion of the first of two test flights of its colorful A380 “Flying Honu” Wednesday.  Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Council passes bill to crack down on monster homes. A bill aimed at addressing the issue of monster houses in the long term won final approval from the Honolulu City Council Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Tensions rose at a Windward Oahu meeting held to discuss a controversial road usage tax Wednesday night. The state transportation department is considering taxing drivers by the mile, rather than by the gallon. Hawaii News Now.

Road closures begin as rail construction reaches the airport. According to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transport or HART, closures began on Monday. The closures will mostly take place at night. KHON2.

Landfill decree will cost city about $233,000. The city will pay a $125,000 fine and spend about $108,000 in upgrades and improvements for its role in the spillage of contaminated storm water from the only municipal landfill into the ocean in December 2010 and January 2011. Star-Advertiser.

A ‘Vicious’ Battle Over The Future Of Koko Crater Stables. Two sides are feuding over what type of riders the nearly 60-year-old stables should serve — and whether the city is awarding the contract fairly. Civil Beat.

A once impressive boat seen in Hollywood productions now sits in disrepair. The state recently impounded the Navatek II for back rent. Hawaii News Now.

Low-income status extended for senior housing. A mid-rise apartment building in Moiliili recently turned 40, but today is commemorating the next 45 years as affordable housing for seniors with low incomes. Star-Advertiser.

Some parts of Oahu see double-digit drops in home sales in March, others double-digit gains. Some of Oahu’s largest single-family home neighborhoods recorded double-digit drops in home sales last month, while the Waipahu neighborhood saw a 31 percent increase, according to the local market report from the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Changes To Proposed Mauna Kea Rules Explained. The Office of Maunakea Management wants to hold a second round of public hearings on a new draft of proposed administrative rules. Big Island Video News.

Airport-Style Security Comes To Hilo Hospital After Stabbings. A man attacked four employees last month, and now the emergency room has adopted measures usually found in bigger cities. Civil Beat.

State launches aquaculture accelerator program at NELHA. A three-year aquaculture accelerator pilot program the state hopes will make Hawaii a bigger player in the global aquaculture industry is poised to kick off this summer. West Hawaii Today.

Kona Aquaculture Accelerator Launched. HATCH, the world's first sustainable aquaculture accelerator, will operate the accelerator and run the investment fund. Big Island Video News.

County to dismantle two homeless encampments in Kailua Village. In the wake of a substantial state effort to clear a sprawling homeless encampment near a busy Kona intersection, Hawaii County on its own is addressing two smaller campsites in Kailua Village. West Hawaii Today.

UH-Hilo launches its own food bank. The goal of Hale Pai Ai is to help students who have “food insecurity,” said Kalei Rapoza, interim vice chancellor for administrative affairs. Tribune-Herald.

Specialty License Plates A Big Moneymaker For Damaged Park. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and, to a lesser extent, Haleakala National Park, are benefitting from the state-authorized program. Civil Beat.

Maui

Victorino taps engineer who worked on Oahu rail. Welling is named Public Works deputy. Maui News.

Water Conservation Extended to April 24 in West Maui. A water conservation advisory has been extended for West Maui customers as crews continue ongoing construction at the Lahaina Wastewater Treatment Facility. Maui Now.

Economist: Maui ‘maxed out’ of housing units. There is not enough affordable housing, said Brewbaker. Maui News.

Condominium supply tight with a median price at $525,000. Homes were $735K in the first quarter. Maui News.

Kauai

Highway reopening dominates Schatz town hall. The May 1 reopening of Kuhio Highway on the North Shore was the main topic at Wednesday’s town hall meeting held by Sen. Brian Schatz at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. Garden Island.

Starting next month, Makani Kai Air will begin air service between the Princeville Airport and Honolulu. Garden Island.

Makani Kai offering Princeville-Honolulu flights. Direct air service between Princeville and Honolulu will begin next month after a nearly 25-year hiatus. Star-Advertiser.

Direct flights from Honolulu to Princeville set to begin next month. Hawaii News Now.

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

DLNR chief faces easy confirmation, Honolulu condo sprinkler bill watered down, Kona homeless rousted, cutoff Kauai residents prepare for visitors, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy photo
DLNR Chairwoman Suzanne Case PC:DLNR
Senate panel recommends reappointment of Suzanne Case to lead Hawaii land department. The committee also voted unanimously to approve Robert Masuda as DLNR’s deputy director. Star-Advertiser.

Senate Committee Recommends Confirming Case As DLNR Chair. The vote was unanimous in favor of the governor’s nomination to head the state land department. Civil Beat.

The State Senate voted to confirm Scott T. Murakami and Leonard Hoshijo as the director and deputy director of the Hawaii State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.  Maui Now.

Lawmaker seeks study on sliding-scale tickets. A leading lawmaker who deals with issues of crime and punishment in Hawaii wants to study the concept of “fair and proportional” fines, which means a schedule of fines for traffic or other violations that requires rich people to pay more than poor people. Star-Advertiser.

Group Opposed To Taxing Billions In Real Estate Trusts Is A Big Spender At Capital. The national association supporting owners of some of Hawaii’s premier commercial locations spent $126,000 in two months — but a bill to tax them is still alive. Civil Beat.

Final road usage charge meetings set. The Department of Transportation is holding its final three of 14 community meetings on its proposed road usage charge instead of fuel tax paid at the pump. Star-Advertiser.

HDOT still seeking your thoughts on a proposal to tax drivers by the mile. The idea behind the tax is to charge drivers for the distance they drive in place of the current fuel tax — which brings the state 16 cents per gallon of gas at the pump. Hawaii News Now.

Navy remembers North Korean shoot-down on 50th anniversary. Twenty-one relatives of three fallen crew members traveled to Oahu and Ford Island for a memorial ceremony organized by Navy Information Operations Command Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

The High Price Of Luring The Movies To Hawaii. The film industry says the state’s $35 million cap on tax credits is too low, costing Hawaii projects and jobs. But some question whether the benefits are worth the cost. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Raises $1.9 Million In Bid For White House. Meanwhile, Kai Kahele, the state senator vying to take her congressional seat, says he feels good about the $250,000 he raised so far. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Sprinkler bill allows easier compliance for condo owners. A bill making it easier for owners of older high-rise residential buildings to meet a tougher fire safety law comes up for a final vote before the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Grandma’s Deposition In Kealoha Corruption Case Postponed. Florence Puana was hospitalized over the weekend. Prosecutors want to question her early because of her poor health. Civil Beat.

Katherine Kealoha’s grandmother, Florence Puana, is appealing the case that ended with her paying more than $100,000 of Kealoha’s legal fees. The 99-year-old was ordered to pay up after losing her state lawsuit against Kealoha several years ago. Hawaii News Now.

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Commentary: This Is Why We Rarely Rely On Anonymous Sources. Readers should be able to know and trust where your information is coming from. But public officials also have a responsibility to speak up and correct erroneous reporting. Civil Beat.

High-ranking deputy Prosecutor Janice Futa is denying that she has received a subject letter from the FBI. In December, Hawaii News Now reported Futa received a subject letter. Based on Futa’s denial in court documents, Hawaii News Now has removed references to the letter from prior online stories. Hawaii News Now.

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Recycling rates have been dropping on Oahu, while the cost of the program has been rising...thanks in part to contaminated recyclables in those blue bins. KITV.

Windward Mall Sears to close on April 28. The Kaneohe department store will close April 28 — shortly after Wednesday’s shutdown of the auto center. Star-Advertiser.

Sears at Windward Mall to close this month. Officials said Monday that Sears at Windward Mall would close April 28. The auto center will be closing much earlier -- on Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Urban Honolulu has lost 76,000 trees in the last four years, aerial survey finds. The big loss in numbers is one of the reasons a group of volunteers headed to Kaimuki District Park on Monday morning. Their mission was not just to count the trees, but to help in an effort to get more trees planted and cared for. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

DOT empties homeless encampment near busy Kona intersection. Cleanup crews targeted two main sites in Kona on Monday — the Palani Road and Queen Kaahumanu Highway intersection where nine homeless individuals were informed a week prior they had seven days to collect their possessions and go, and the Tunnels where two individuals were given the same warning on the same day. West Hawaii Today.

A Hawaii nonprofit was awarded a $750,000 grant to preserve a 32-unit apartment complex in Pahoa. The grant money will serve to preserve the 32 units of the Nani O Puna apartment complex. Tribune-Herald.

Commission denies approval for too big of signs already in place at Planet Fitness.  West Hawaii Today.

Heavy rainfall leads to another stormwater discharge at dairy. Because of heavy rainfall during the past week, Ookala-based Big Island Dairy on Monday again discharged stormwater collected in its wastewater lagoons. Tribune-Herald.

Final EA For New Kona Museum Gallery Published. The Kona Historical Society says the new building will be a benefit to the South Kona area, which currently lacks community program and gallery space. Big Island Video News.

Mauna Loa activity rises. The Hawaii Volcano Observatory is monitoring Mauna Loa closely as the volcano shows signs of increasing activity following the Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The Maui County Council will hold a public hearing on the mayor’s proposed budget for next fiscal year at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Council Chambers at the Kalana O Maui building in Wailuku. Mayor Michael Victorino has proposed a $781 million budget for the 2020 fiscal year, which begins July 1. Maui News.

County looking to convert two West Maui water wells. Proposal would turn exploratory wells into full production wells. Maui News.

$254K in county grants disbursed. Seabird recovery work, electric vehicle charging stations and the annual whale festival are among projects slated to receive money through the county Office of Economic Development. Maui News.

Kauai

As Kauai Highway Prepares To Reopen, State Plans Limits On Haena Park Visitors. The state Department of Transportation plans to phase-in the re-opening of Kuhio Highway beginning in May and plans to limit visitors when the Haena State Park and popular Kalalau Trail is scheduled to re-open in June. Hawaii Public Radio.

Even though Kuhio Highway is scheduled to reopen May 1, the main attractions on the North Shore will remain closed. Garden Island.

Some Kauai residents, cut off by damage for a year, will miss life in the slow lane. Star-Advertiser.

Kalalau Trail and the Napali State Wilderness Park are set to open in early-mid June. The trail is monitored by the Department of Land and Natural Resources and a few locals who have taken it upon themselves to protect the public and the place itself, but a couple of people have made it down the trail a little ways. Garden Island.

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Hawaii mulls road usage charge, sanctuary bill dies in Legislature, economic growth slowdown predicted, Maui jail riot likely caused by overcrowding, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2019 All Hawaii News all rights reservered
Hawaii road ©2019 All Hawaii News
Hawaii transportation officials consider swapping gas tax for road-use charge. The state Department of Transportation wants the public to weigh in on the concept of a road usage charge to fund the upkeep of state roads and bridges, and is holding 14 community meetings about the possibilities in the next few months. Star-Advertiser.

Public Meetings Scheduled For Potential Road Usage Charge. The state Department of Transportation will be holding community meetings across the state starting on March 20 in Kapolei to get feedback on a possible road usage charge. Hawaii Public Radio.

State proposes nixing fuel tax in favor of charging you for how much you drive. Hawaii News Now.

DOT plans community meetings to discuss road usage charge demonstration project. Tribune-Herald.

State residents will get a chance in coming weeks to give input during a series of meetings planned throughout the state about a concept to replace the state fuel tax with a road usage charge. West Hawaii Today.

The state is seeking public feedback on the concept of a road usage charge to fund upkeep of roadways and bridges. Big Island Video News.

Public input needed for possible "road usage charge". KHON2.

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Hawaii immigrant sanctuary bill dies in state Legislature. A bill that would have made Hawaii the third so-called sanctuary state for immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally has died at the state Legislature. Associated Press.

The state is taking a step back from setting up Hawaii as a sanctuary for illegal immigrants in the U.S., a decision people on Kauai were calling for as the topic moved through the Legislature. Garden Island.

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Revenue Council Predicts Slowdown In State Economic Growth. The forecast means a little less money is available for the Hawaii Legislature this session, but leaders of the money committees aren’t too concerned. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's predicted to bring in about $80 mil fewer dollars in tax revenue this fiscal year. At their last meeting in January, the Council on Revenues forecasted the economy to grow 4.2% for fiscal year 2018/2019. They've now lowered it to 3%. KITV.

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Two bills that aim to improve teacher retention made it through the state Senate and now are before the state House for consideration. Senate Bill 12 and Senate Bill 114 call for the creation of a housing voucher program for teachers employed by the state Department of Education or at public charter schools. Tribune-Herald.

School Chief Chooses Some Of The People Helping To Evaluate Her. While this feedback doesn’t affect the superintendent’s year-end performance rating, it’ll be followed closely by the Board of Education. Civil Beat.

Movement afoot to establish Hawaiian Recognition Day as state holiday. A push to establish La Kuokoa -- Hawaiian Recognition Day -- as an official state holiday and repeal Good Friday from among the state’s official holidays is gaining steam at the state Legislature. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Judge allows some evidence of motive in Kealohas’ trial. A federal judge granted part of a motion filed by federal prosecutors to admit certain evidence of the motive by the former police chief and his former deputy prosecutor wife to frame a relative for the theft of their mailbox. Star-Advertiser.

Judge rules bank fraud evidence can't be used in Kealoha corruption trial. Allegations of bank fraud and theft will not be allowed in the Kealoha trial accusing them of framing a relative for mailbox theft. KHON2.

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A face to face meeting with Federal Transit Authority over the revised financial recovery plan for Honolulu’s rail project is expected to happen in April. Hawaii Public Radio.

Registration deadline approaches for City Council special election. The deadline to register for April’s electoral rematch between Trevor Ozawa and Tommy Waters to represent Honolulu City Council District IV is quickly approaching. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s congressional delegation said it wants monthly updates from the acting director of the National Park Service on progress being made to restore walk-on access to the USS Arizona Memorial. Star-Advertiser.

5-foot-long boa constrictor found in Kunia. Snakes pose a serious threat to Hawaii's environment, as they have no natural predators. KITV.

Hawaii Island

The county official charged with ensuring building permit laws are followed didn’t get building, plumbing or electrical permits for a solar water and photovoltaic system on his own property until 23 years after the fact. West Hawaii Today.

Puna police resolution elicits emotional testimony. A resolution asking for more police officers for Puna cleared the Hawaii County Council’s Public Safety Committee on Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Emotional Testimony On Situation Facing Police In Puna, Ka'u. Big Island Video News.

The University of Hawaii today said its investigation into the ski and snowboard incident at Mauna Kea earlier this year found no damage to cultural, archaeological, natural or scientific resources. Star-Advertiser.

As the developer of the Thirty Meter Telescope prepares for construction atop Mauna Kea, opponents of the billion-dollar-plus project continue to press their case with demonstrations at universities in Hawaii and on the mainland. Star-Advertiser.

A 5.5 magnitude earthquake shook parts of the Big Island early Wednesday, but officials said there’s no tsunami threat to the state. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Maui mayor delivers State of the County address, outlining priorities. Maui Mayor Mike Victorino struck a message of making Maui a welcoming place early on in his State of the County address Tuesday evening. Hawaii News Now.

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Severe overcrowding at Maui’s jail is likely what led to an uprising at the facility Monday afternoon that left three staff members with minor injuries, according to Nolan Espinda, director of the state Department of Public Safety. Star-Advertiser.

The riot at Maui Community Correction Center on Monday was actually the second inmate uprising at the aging facility in less than a year, officials said. Department of Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda said overcrowding was at the root of both incidents, and he fears more violence could be in store. Hawaii News Now.

Overcrowding. Public Safety officials say that could be a big reason for Monday's riot at Maui's jail. The damage prisoners caused from the incident has made things even worse. KHON2.

Internal and criminal investigations are underway following an disturbance at the Maui Community Correctional Center yesterday that left several staff members with minor injuries. Hawaii Public Radio.

42 Inmates Refused Order During MCCC Disturbance. Maui Now.

Standoff at Maui jail: ‘Disturbance’ at MCCC resolved after 3 1/2 hours. No injuries reported in incident that closed roads, drew heavy police, fire presence. Maui News.

Inmates wreck module at MCCC after staff advise them to return to their cells. KITV.

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Beach neighbors plan, propose to pay for multimillion-dollar groin repairs. Rock structures were constructed pre-1944 to stem sand loss and shoreline recession. Maui News.

The Kahana Bay Steering Committee is proposing a beach nourishment project to restore a coastline that’s been severely eroded from sea level rise, frequent storms and seawalls. Maui News.

Kauai

Film crews shooting scenes on Kauai. A un-named film crew records a man digging through the garbage for his lost wedding ring Sunday night at the Hilton Garden Inn Sunday. The general manager of the resort said that there are two production crews staying at the resort currently, but is bound by a confidentiality agreement to not reveal their identity. Garden Island.

Kauai graffiti: Works of art, or public nuisance. Garden Island.