Hawaii turns Obamacare program over to feds, House speaker tries to hobble ethics director, teachers challenge union election decision, tuition hikes scaled back, military beefed up, layoffs for Kaho'olawe Island commission, Hawaii hospitals, Kaui DuPont workers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waimanolo Beach, photo by Alaska Dave

Waimanalo Bay Beach Park was named the top beach on an annual top 10 list of U.S. beaches compiled by a coastal science professor known as Dr. Beach. Associated Press.

Hawaii is switching its Obamacare program to the federal exchange, meaning 37,000 residents insured through the Hawaii Health Connector will have to re-enroll via the federal marketplace for coverage in 2016, Gov. David Ige's administration confirmed Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

House Speaker Joe Souki is calling on the Hawaii State Ethics Commission to reject many of the new policies it has put in place since Les Kondo became its executive director in 2011. The five-member commission has been reviewing Kondo’s performance over the past four months, his first formal evaluation in three years, and plans to take up the issue at its next meeting Wednesday. Civil Beat.

Three teachers who say they won the Hawaii State Teachers Association election plan to go to court on Tuesday to try and force the union to uphold the already counted election results, unless the organization takes action on its own before then. Civil Beat.

The man who won the election last month to become the next president of the state's teacher union said he will go to court to prevent union leaders from throwing out the results and holding another vote. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. David Ige has approved a final payment to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser to cover lawyers' fees in a lawsuit the newspaper filed to force former Gov. Neil Abercrombie to disclose the names of nominees for appointments as state judges.

The State Auditor has released a follow-up to its 2012 report on the state Department of Education’s transportation woes. That audit slammed the DOE for numerous problems related to how it managed its school bus services and made 20 recommendations for improvement. Civil Beat.

The Army's commander in the Pacific said Thursday one of his top priorities is incorporating the growth of U.S. soldiers assigned to the region. Over 100,000 soldiers are now assigned to the U.S. Pacific Command, Gen. Vincent Brooks said in an interview. That's up from about 80,000 before President Barack Obama implemented his policy of "rebalancing" U.S. attention to the Asia-Pacific region, he said. Associated Press.

Tourism numbers would seem to be at all-time highs, but a deeper dive into the data shows that the visitor spending may not be as rosy as it appears. Hawaii Public Radio.

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents on Thursday took the unusual step of scaling back tuition increases for the next two school years in an effort to keep tuition affordable. Star-Advertiser.

UH regents vote to divest from fossil fuels. The University of Hawaii, with 53,000 total students, is now the largest university in the world to have divested from the fossil fuel industry so far. Hawaii Independent.

Oahu

An updated master plan for the Hawaii State Hospital includes development of a new 150-bed long-term care facility on the site of the Bishop Building located near the front of the Kaneohe campus, a state official said. Star-Advertiser.

Don’t expect a quick decision on whether the City Council will override Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s veto of Bill 6, legislation that would have expanded the city’s sit-lie law beyond business and commercial districts. On Thursday, Council Chairman Ernie Martin said he and his colleagues would review the mayor’s offer to work on a different version of the bill before deciding their next step. KITV4.

Hawaii

The West Hawaii region of the Hawaii Health Systems Corp. is planning layoffs to address budget shortfalls. But it is not yet clear what the reduction in force will look like, or how it will impact services at Kona Community and Kohala hospitals. West Hawaii Today.

A task force is taking on a troublesome bike lane design on Queen Kaahumanu Highway where it passes through Kailua-Kona. West Hawaii Today.

The first of several fee increases at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park kicks in June 1. While entrance fees will increase annually in $5 increments from its current price of $10 per vehicle to $25 in 2017, the annual Tri-Park Pass will remain at $25 until 2017, when it will jump to $30. The vehicle pass is valid for seven days. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Laying off half of its staff and periodically closing the Kahoolawe base camp may be in the future for the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission. Maui News.

The state Department of Transportation hopes emergency funds from the federal government will help make shoreline repairs to the Olowalu section of Honoapiilani Highway, but residents insist the department focus its efforts, and money, on moving the highway mauka to the planned Lahaina bypass. Maui News.

Stock price for Maui-based software firm Code Rebel soars after IPO. Code Rebel is the first Hawaii-based technology company to have an initial public offering in 10 years. Pacific Business News.

Maui’s Hāmoa Beach in the remote east end of the island has once again claimed a spot on the top 10 Best Beaches in America list compiled by Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, a professor at Florida International University. Maui Now.

Kauai

Seed company DuPont Pioneer has laid off 23 employees on Kauai as part of a plan to consolidate a parent seed facility in Kekaha with one in Waialua on Oahu, officials said Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Global seed giant DuPont Pioneer is shuttering its Kekaha facility and serving pink slips to 34 workers in a move company officials say will help streamline operations. Garden Island.

The Pacific Missile Range Facility is earmarked to receive $30 million in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill for fiscal year 2016 on Thursday by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Garden Island.

An endangered monk seal is set to return to Kauai shores today after veterinarians on Oahu removed a large fish hook from its esophagus. Garden Island.

Obama family again to vacation on Oahu, Hawaii Supreme Court upholds Hawaiian blood quantum, Bloomberg to campaign for Schatz, DOE tests school bus routes, Honolulu mulls bus ads, warden named for Kulani prison, bill to allow 16-year-olds to vote, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Supreme Court (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

The Hawaii Supreme Court has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit contending that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs should spend its trust funds on people with 50 percent or more Hawaiian blood. The high court's ruling on Tuesday affirms OHA's use of funds for the benefit of those with any amount of Hawaiian blood. Star-Advertiser.

Read the entire Kealoha opinion here.

Hawaii News Now has learned that the President, First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia will travel to Honolulu sometime around December 20.

Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland intends to introduce a bill at the Legislature next session that would trigger a ballot initiative to let the people decide on whether the minimum age for voting should be on par with the minimum age for driving solo. Civil Beat.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, has landed a big name to help him with his reelection campaign. Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York City, will headline a reception for Schatz Jan. 2 in Honolulu. A ticket for the event, to be held at the Kahala home of developer Duncan MacNaughton, is $1,000. Civil Beat.

After more than a decade as New York City's mayor, it looks like Michael Bloomberg has decided which sunset he'll ride off into when his third and final term is over on the first of the year. Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz, who is up for re-election in 2014, has landed the venerable mayor to headline a fundraising reception in Honolulu on Jan. 2. HuffPost Hawaii.

Financial disclosure requirements for Hawaii Supreme Court justices rate a grade of D, according to a nonprofit digital news organization. But the requirements for the highest state courts in 42 states received an F, the Center for Public Integrity said in a report issued Tuesday. That leaves Hawaii, even with a D, with the sixth-best disclosure requirements among all states, the center said. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s health exchange violates the National Voter Registration Act, says the state’s League of Women Voters. The voter act requires all states to provide residents access to voter registration when applying for a driver’s license, welfare, unemployment benefits and a host of public programs. But the Hawaii Health Connector, established by the Legislature as a nonprofit to run the Obamacare exchange and funded with $200 million in federal money, fails to provide information about voting on its website or in other materials. Hawaii Reporter.

The State Department of Health is proposing changes to food sanitation rules. They're holding public hearings statewide to get input on the 172 pages of new regulations. The Department is concerned with food safety.  But there may be consequences for nonprofit agencies that feed those who need help. Hawaii Public Radio.

The new student transportation system that the Hawaii Department of Education is testing out at about 30 schools in the Pearl City and Aiea areas has the potential to significantly slash costs within a few years, preliminary results from the pilot program suggest. Civil Beat.

The state Department of Education announced Tuesday that Roberts Hawaii and Ground Transport Inc. will provide bus service for Oahu schoolchildren in the 2014-2015 school year. At a cost of nearly $21 million, contracts were awarded Nov. 27 following a request for proposal process that began in July. Star-Advertiser.

State roundup for December 4. Associated Press.

Oahu

Allowing paid advertising on the sides and backs of city buses is the latest money-raising plan being proposed by Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell. Caldwell, who forwarded Bill 69 to the City Council late Tuesday, said the plan could bring in as much as $8 million annually and that all of the money would go to bus operations. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration continues to flout the city Ethics Commission, this time with a not-so-subtle memo that went to all municipal agencies. On Dec. 2, Corporation Counsel Donna Leong said her department will now begin providing ethics advice to all city employees, particularly as it relates to standards of conduct, conflicts of interest and fair treatment. Civil Beat.

The community group Keep the North Shore Country says the plan to deal with environmental impacts caused by the expansion of Turtle Bay Resort is deficient and that the city Department of Planning and Permitting should not have accepted it from the resort owners. Star-Advertiser.

A widely used Diamond Head seawall is old and deteriorating. Now, after a 10-year fight, we finally know who's responsible for taking care of the wall. What we don't know is what the state will do now that it's been deemed the owner. KHON2.

Kamehameha Schools is putting up for sale two of Oahu's largest shopping centers, which combined could fetch upward of $400 million. The trust said Tuesday that it intends to offer for sale the buildings and other improvements at Windward Mall in Kaneohe and Hawaii Kai Towne Center while holding onto the underlying land. Star-Advertiser.

St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii expects it will cost $20 million to turn a portion of the former Hawaii Medical Center East into a 119-bed skilled nursing facility, double the original estimate reported last spring. Pacific Business News.

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz pulled into Pearl Harbor on Tuesday after an extended deployment that saw the big ship positioned for support of a possible strike on Syria in September. The crew and air wing totaling about 5,000 are in port for a few days before the carrier heads to San Diego and then to its home port of Everett, Wash., by Christmas. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Ruth Coller Forbes has been hired as the new warden for the Kulani Correctional Facility. Forbes, who most recently worked as a corrections supervisor for Hawaii Community Correctional Center, took the new job effective Sunday, the state Department of Public Safety said. She will be responsible for overseeing the minimum-security prison and getting it ready for re-opening July 1. Tribune-Herald.

The County Council’s Finance Committee postponed action on a resolution to accept a public easement through a proposed Kohala Coast development Tuesday while questions over the existence of a historical trail continued to be raised. Tribune-Herald.

A proposed 43-lot Kona subdivision got bogged down Tuesday in the County Council Planning Committee after a disagreement between the developers and the Department of Public Works about how much of Hualalai Road the developer is responsible for. After 2 1/2 hours of discussion, the Planning Committee agreed to postpone the rezoning until Dec. 17 to allow several amendments to clarify how much of the improvements will be credited to fair share requirements and how much of Hualalai Road should be improved and to address density and drainage issues. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii Supreme Court, taking a rare road trip, Tuesday in the case at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Performing Arts Center as part of the state Judiciary’s Courts in the Community outreach program. About 300 people, including high school and UH-Hilo students — and a plethora of lawyers — were in the audience. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The recent shark attacks are prompting calls for action, including a renewed debate about culling  the creatures. Some people want the state to kill tiger sharks. Hawaii News Now.

Two Maui residents were included in the latest round of governor-appointed positions to fill vacancies within the state’s board and commissions. A&B Properties Vice President, Grant Chun, was appointed to a seat on the state Board of Education; and Kula resident, Doreen Nāpua Gomes assumes the Maui seat on the Hawaiian Homes Commission. Maui Now.

Policy and business leaders will explore the electric power generation transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy during a conference March 26-28 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Maui News.

Already burdened with the nation's highest electricity bills, Hawaii residents are paying even more for renewable energy development, and what they pay depends on whether they're among the "haves" or the "have-nots." Maui News.

Kauai

Sunday marked the beginning of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s “Good Neighbor Program” on Kauai. And each large agricultural company — the same five mentioned in controversial Article 22 (formerly Bill 2491) — has expressed its willingness to comply. Those companies include DuPont Pioneer, BASF, Dow AgroSciences, Syngenta and Kauai Coffee. Laurie Yoshida, communications manager at Pioneer, said her company — as well as others — believe Article 22 related to pesticides and genetically modified organisms is legally flawed, and that regulation and oversight of the industry should remain at the state level. Garden Island.

The Kauai County Council will hold a public hearing today on a bill that could waive waste disposal fees for approved cleanup efforts on county land. It is a move that some say will help cut the red tape associated with doing volunteer work for the county. Garden Island.

Hawaii women address DNC convention, Chinese ship arrives for exercises, more election fallout in Hawaii County, AG cites Maui Main Street nonprofit, coqui frogs heard on Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tulsi Gabbard addresses DNC convention, courtesy photo

In the course of a minute-long speech, Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii was introduced Tuesday to a nationwide audience of Democrats at the party’s national convention. Stephens Media.

Hawaii congressional candidate Tulsi Gabbard had a brief but noteworthy moment in the national spotlight Tuesday, one of three women with Hawaii ties to address the opening day of the Democratic National Convention. Star-Advertiser.

The Democratic National Convention kicked off Tuesday in Charlotte, N.C. with one of Hawaii's delegation taking center stage. Hawaii News Now.

"Aloha! I'm Tulsi Gabbard, candidate for congress in Hawaii and a captain for the Hawaii National Guard," began Gabbard at the DNC in Charlotte, North Carolina. KITV4.

Gabbard was one of three women from Hawaii to speak at the convention on Tuesday.  Congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth and President Barack Obama's half-sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, also spoke at the convention. KITV4.

A total of 38 delegates comprising the Hawai‘i delegation to the Democratic National Convention arrived in Charlotte, N.C., Monday. Garden Island.

Kawika Crowley, GOP nominee for the 2nd Congressional District, knows he’s occupying the underdog slot in the November General Election. West Hawaii Today.

A Chinese Maritime Safety Administration ship made a historic first visit to Honolulu and the United States Tuesday to improve civilian maritime cooperation as disputes continue to roil relations in the South China Sea. Star-Advertiser

The Hawaii Tourism Authority has reappointed Ronald Williams as board chairman, and named Patricia Ewing as vice chair. Pacific Business News.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs announced today that it has hired Kawika Riley, a former spokesman for the federal Transportation Security Administration, as its new Washington D.C. Bureau Chief. Hawaii Reporter.

There are 63 days left until the General Election, November 6th .   Few, if any, state legislative races are polled during the election season … leaving most contests nearly impossible to call. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Board of Education members want school officials to respond to the state auditor's recommendations on ways to fix the district's broken school bus program. Civil Beat.

Over the next several months, the Department of Education hopes to contain student transportation costs and develop a long-term plan for reining in spending, the head of school support services told Board of Education members Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and conservation groups have moved more endangered birds from Nihoa Island to Laysan Island to boost the species' chances of survival. Associated Press.

Volta Industries plans to triple the number of free electric-car charging stations in Hawaii by the end of this year, as well as expand nationally, thanks to a $200,000 investment by Hawaii Angels. Civil Beat.

State roundup for Sept. 5. Associated Press.

Oahu

There are three contested races for Honolulu City Council, and each one has a candidate who has spoken out against the $5.26 billion project. Civil Beat.

September 19 Meeting Focuses on Sustainability Plan for East Honolulu. Hawaii Reporter.

A U.S. State Department special agent who shot and killed a Kailua man while in Honolulu for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November might not stand trial after all. Civil Beat.

A man who stabbed two hikers at the top of the Koko Crater Trail but was acquitted of attempted murder by reason of insanity continues to attend classes at Windward Community College. Star-Advertiser.

There are new reports of coqui frogs on Oahu -- one frog in Waimanalo, the other in Makaha. KHON2.

Hawaii

The county Board of Ethics is poised to wade into the morass of accusations and recriminations surrounding the county Elections Division. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Council on Thursday will discuss legislation addressing the county’s primary election day problems. Tribune-Herald.

Plans for a new apartment complex could help address a shortage of housing for University of Hawaii at Hilo students. Tribune-Herald.

Endangered Hawaiian hoary bat rescued, rehabilitated. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The Hawaii Attorney General's office has issued a report accusing the Wailuku Main Street Association of failing to comply with its governing documents and violating its statutory duties. Pacific Business News.

Wailuku Main Street Association's (WMSA) board "violated their statutory duties of care in numerous respects" and should terminate its executive director, according to a state Attorney General Office's report released to requesting media this morning. Maui News.

For the first time in a dozen years, regularly scheduled air service will resume in the remote East Maui town of Hana. Maui Now.

Nearly one-fourth of all living coral in west Maui has been lost in the last 13 years. KHON2.

Former NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao will speak about his various space missions and his work with Russian, Japanese and European astronauts at a presentation at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 13 in the Cameron Center Auditorium. Maui News.

Kauai

The Environmental Protection Agency has recently released a complaint to Tahiti Nui Restaurant and Cocktail Bar for failing to close its three large capacity cesspools. The organization is seeking penalties of up to $177,500, the amount authorized under the Safe Drinking Water Act, in addition to prompt closure and replacement of the cesspools with an approved wastewater system. Garden Island.

The 5-acre Kilauea Farms estate on Kauai’s North Shore is being auctioned on Sept. 20. Pacific Business News.

A Kaua‘i hang gliding outfit is suing two tour-scheduling companies for what it claims are disparaging comments that have led to a loss of business. Garden Island.

Hawaii hosts biggest RIMPAC war games ever, 103 school bus routes cut, Hawaii County councilors accused of absenteeism, U.S. Supreme Court won't review Native Hawaiian tax exemptions, UH goes in search of Earhart's plane, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

RIMPAC courtesy photo

So many nations are participating in this year's Rim of the Pacific war games off Hawaii that China feels left out. Star-Advertiser.

A record number of nations are participating in the Rim of the Pacific war game, as the Obama administration embarks on a new policy to increase the U.S. military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Star-Advertiser.

On July 19, the East-West Center will present former Hawaii Gov. George Ariyoshi, the center's former board chair, with its Asia Pacific Community Building Award "for his dedication to strengthening the bonds of understanding among the peoples and nations of Asia and the United States." Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Department of Education on Saturday finalized a list of 103 bus routes that will be cut to make up part of a $17 million shortfall in transportation services. Oahu bore the brunt of the cuts. Civil Beat.

A day after the Department of Education released its list of school bus route cuts, residents from one of Oahu's hardest hit communities are speaking out. Hawaii News Now.

One lawmaker spoke out today against the Department of Education's decision to cut more than a hundred school bus routes across the state. KHON2.

Hawaii students will see more fruits and vegetables and less bread in their school lunches starting this fall, under new federal rules aimed at helping to tackle the nation's obesity problem. Star-Advertiser.

A retired Marine Corps colonel who flew Marine One for both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama has been appointed to head the Department of Education's Office of School Facilities and Support Services. Star-Advertiser.

The U.S. Supreme Court won’t review a ruling on tax exemptions for Native Hawaiian homesteaders. Associated Press.

The Hawaii Senate voted 24-0 Friday to confirm Judge Richard W. Pollack’s appointment to the Hawaii Supreme Court, as well as Peter T. Cahill’s appointment to become a judge on Maui’s 2nd Circuit Court. Pacific Business News.

Richard Pollack has been confirmed as Associate Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court. Hawaii Reporter.

Taxpayers are being set up for a tax increase, make that several tax increases as a result of the work of the latest Tax Review Commission. Garden Island.

Monday marks the 75th anniversary of famed aviator Amelia Earhart's disappearance. Now a University of Hawaii research ship could soon help to solve the enduring mystery. Hawaii News Now.

Discount carrier Allegiant Air entered the Hawaii market Friday, as the first flight from Las Vegas arrived at Honolulu International Airport with great fanfare. KITV4.

State roundup for July 2. Associated Press.

Oahu

Honolulu City Auditor Edwin S.W. Young is in an awkward position. Civil Beat.

After 15 years of planning, ground was broken Thursday on a project to restore Kawainui Marsh on Windward Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

The race to represent District 1 on the Honolulu City Council promises to be one of the most exciting this year. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

Hawaii County Council members Dennis Onishi and Donald Ikeda are facing ethics complaints targeting their attendance records. Tribune-Herald.

Community-based co-management is an effective way to sustain near shore resources and the livelihoods of those depending on them while addressing concerns and user conflicts, West Hawaii Fisheries Council chairman Glennon Gingo said Sunday.West Hawaii Today.

Governor Neil Abercrombie has pledged his support for the renovation and remodeling of the 65 vacant units in Hilo’s Lanakila Housing complex on Kapi`olani Street. KPUA.

West Hawaii Today editorial staff received recognition from the Society of Professional Journalists Hawaii Chapter for its work entered in the 2011 Excellence in Journalism Awards competition. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Although Maui's visitor arrival and total expenditure growth numbers were not as gaudy as Oahu's, the May visitor data from the Hawaii Tourism Authority for the Valley Isle was still "very good" and on that coveted "slow and steady climb" upward, said the executive director of the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau. Maui News.

Owners of the Maui Research & Technology Park hope to give the sprawling Kihei campus a $1.4 billion makeover to help attract a broader range of business activities and build out hundreds of undeveloped acres within the park. Maui News.

Maui News staffers took five first-place honors and won finalist awards in seven categories Friday in the Society of Professional Journalism Hawaii Chapter's annual excellence in journalism contest for work done in 2011. Maui News.

Kauai

After many deferrals over several weeks, the Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday voted in favor of Council Vice Chair JoAnn Yukimura’s request for council approval to ask the county Board of Ethics for an investigation of POHAKU, a diversion program offered by the county Office of Prosecuting Attorney. Garden Island.

County officials are reminding the public that  new operating hours are now in effect at the Kekaha Landfill and the transfer stations. Garden Island.

Lanai
Larry Ellison became the sixth-largest landowner in Hawaii this week when he closed on the purchase of more than 88,000 acres of land on the island of Lanai from Castle & Cooke. Pacific Business News.

Molokai
In an attempt to aid west end Molokai residents paying some of the highest water rates in the nation, Maui County filed an appeal last year in the state Intermediate Court of Appeals against the utilities of Molokai Properties, Ltd. (MPL), better known as Molokai Ranch. That appeal was recently denied, leaving ratepayers struggling under rates that have been called outrageous. Molokai Dispatch.

Molokai’s Kanemitsu Bakery is closed after the Department of Health found sanitation violations for the second time in four months. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii filing deadline reveals instant winners, paired incumbents; Supreme Court justice named; school bus plan stalls; Kaiser Permanente named safest hospital; all out for transit of Venus; more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Former state Sen. Lorraine Inouye checks election maps (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

Democratic candidates for the Hawaii Legislature are fielding more than double the number of Republican candidates in the 2012 elections — 121 to 56. Civil Beat.

Incumbents are facing off in redrawn districts. Several Democratic leaders are competing against either each other or former lawmakers. Star-Advertiser.

Statewide candidate filing report from the Office of Elections.

Citing his reputation as a "judge's judge," Gov. Neil Abercrombie appointed Circuit Judge Richard Pollack on Tuesday to a 10-year term on the Hawaii Supreme Court. Star-Advertiser.

Circuit Judge Richard Pollack has been appointed to the Hawaii Supreme Court by Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Hawaii Reporter.

Judge Richard W. Pollack has been nominated to the Hawaii Supreme Court by Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Pacific Business News.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie wants to change the state law that requires Hawaii judges and justices to retire at age 70. Civil Beat.

More than half of Hawaii hospitals were rated average or worse in a new patient-safety survey that already is under attack by the industry. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii school board members on Tuesday rejected the Department of Education's plan to plug a $17 million shortfall for student transportation services that includes eliminating 190 buses. Civil Beat.

The Board of Education is asking schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi to dig deeper to cover a shortfall for student transportation and wants service cuts to affect no more than 4,300 student riders. Star-Advertiser.

A proposal from the state Department of Education for the state Board of Education to discontinue certain school bus routes hit a wall Tuesday, and will now be revisited in an upcoming board meeting. Garden Island.

Yesterday the Islands provided one of the best places to view the rare Transit of Venus. Hawaii Public Radio.

The daylit side of the world paused Tuesday to mark the transit of Venus across the sun, an event that won’t be seen again for 105 years. Tribune-Herald.

Hundreds of people seized their last chance in a lifetime to watch Earth’s sister planet do its slow march across the sun Tuesday in Waimea. West Hawaii Today.

Oahu

The Honolulu City Council plans to hammer out operating and capital improvement spending plans Wednesday, and there are several items that could stir debate. Civil Beat.

The city's "white bin" program, which allows schools and clubs to earn money for programs by inviting neighbors to dump their recyclables at specially marked containers, will continue under the City Council's $1.95 billion operating budget up for a final vote today. Star-Advertiser.

For the second straight budget, a sewage treatment project is a major source of friction between Mayor Peter Carlisle and the Honolulu City Council. Civil Beat.

Officials said Tuesday that federal firefighters acted quickly Monday to contain a small brush fire at Naval Magazine Lua­lua­lei that got away from firefighters and grew to a 1,200-acre brush fire that likely affected endangered plants, possibly damaged structures and forced Wai­anae Valley residents to evacuate two days in a row. Star-Advertiser.

Former award-winning journalist Gregg Takayama today filed as a Democratic candidate for the State House representing Pearl City’s new 34th District (Momilani-Pacific Palisades). Hawaii Reporter.

Experts predict fewer storms than usual in the Central Pacific during this year's hurricane season. That is good news for Hawaii, but emergency response teams are still preparing for a potential disaster. Hawaii News Now.

Kahala residents say they've been noticing more homeless people living on the beach and squatters taking over vacant mansions. KHON2.

Hawaii
The election is over before it even began for two Big Island state representatives and two County Council members who won their respective races as of the 4:30 p.m. Tuesday filing deadline. West Hawaii Today.

Seven East Hawaii school bus routes affecting a total of 158 students are likely to be discontinued this academic year. Tribune-Herald.

The U.S. Commerce Department is awarding a $3 million grant to the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority to support the development of alternative energy sources and biotechnology. Associated Press.

Family members cried as a federal judge told Cannibus Minister Roger Christie that he'd have to remain behind bars. Hawaii News Now.

Big Island single-family home and condominium sales were down slightly in May, but median sale prices for both rose when compared to the same period last year, according to statistics from Hawaii Information Service. Pacific Business News.

Maui

A County Council committee Monday approved removing eight sites in Makena from protected area designation, after the Planning Department cited the potential for legal issues and county reimbursements for the impediments to development with the designation. Maui News.

More than a handful of residents and property owners of Anuhea Place near the Kulamalu Town Center in Pukalani asked County Council committee members Monday to place their land in a rural growth boundary so that they could freely put up homes for themselves and their children. Maui News.

A remake of the 1980 movie classic, “The Blue Lagoon,” which was filmed partially on Maui, is scheduled to air on June 16th on the Lifetime Network. Maui Now.

Kauai

Single-family home sale prices dropped 19 percent on Kauai in May, to a median price of $483,750. But condominium prices were up 22 percent to $264,500 last month when compared to the same period last year, according to statistics from Hawaii Information Service Inc. Pacific Business News.

The Hawai‘i National Guard and a unit from Nevada are on Kaua‘i this week for the Makani Pahili 2012 disaster communications exercise in support of the County of Kaua‘i and County Civil Defense. Garden Island.

Hawaii mulls school bus route cuts, state upgrading weather radar, state pension fund moves back to black, women sue to marry Hawaii prison inmates, Kauai horse cruelty case dismissed, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

School bus courtesy photo

The state says it hopes to know by early June which school bus routes will likely have to be cut in the coming school year to cover a $16 million shortfall for student transportation. Star-Advertiser.

School will be over in a week and district officials still can't tell parents how their kids will get to and from school next year. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s school system has yet to decide on an alternative to cutting bus service next year for thousands of students in order to make up a $17 million transportation budget shortfall. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii will have two acting governors this week. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii's teacher union members begin voting this week on a contract they rejected earlier this year, despite warnings from the state that the agreement is no longer valid. Associated Press.

The state's largest public pension fund moved back into positive territory for the fiscal year as it soared 8.3 percent last quarter to boost its total assets to a near-rec­ord $11.5 billion. Star-Advertiser.


Come July 1, any overtime earned by new hires in state and county government will not count toward their pension benefits. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Medical Service Association recorded a $12.8 million profit in the three months ended March 31, its highest first-quarter gain since 2004. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's biggest HMO and its biggest health insurer both report profits from the first quarter, signs of good financial health for the two nonprofits. Hawaii News Now.

Who's Making Big Bucks Working for Hawaii's U.S. Senate Candidates? Civil Beat.

When severe weather strikes Hawaii, flash flooding is a big concern. But an upgrade to the state's radars could help pinpoint problem areas before the rain falls. KITV4.

The Hawaii Air National Guard was waiting on orders Tuesday to see whether its F-22 Raptor fighters would be affected after Defense Secretary Leon Panetta imposed new flight restrictions — the latest setback for the costly and controversial jet. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard

A progressive veterans political action committee that seeks to elect Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans to Congress has committed $75,000 for ads in Hawaii supporting Tulsi Gabbard in her bid for the 2nd Congressional District. Star-Advertiser.

Four women who want to marry men who are state prison inmates are suing state Public Safety Director Jodie Mae­saka-Hirata and two other Public Safety officials for repeatedly denying their fiances’ marriage applications. Star-Advertiser.

A lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Honolulu by the ACLU of Hawaii, alleges that Public Safety Director Jodie Maesaka-Hirata, mainland prison branch administrator Shari Kimoto and mainland prison contract monitor Jeanette Baltero discriminated against four women who applied numerous times to be married but were denied being allowed to wed their fiancés. Civil Beat.

Four women are suing the State because they've been told they cannot get married to their fiances, who are in prison. KHON2.

The Hawaii Environmental Council will consider loosening regulations on geothermal exploration Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

The Omidyar Fellows program, a leadership development program sponsored by eBay founder turned philanthropist Pierre Omidyar, was launched yesterday under the newly created Hawai‘i Leadership Forum. Maui Now.

Oahu

The 800-member Honolulu Fire Department Retirees Association has endorsed former Gov. Ben Cayetano in the race for Hono­lulu mayor, while campaign rival Kirk Caldwell picked up another union endorsement. Star-Advertiser.

Construction on Honolulu's rail system is now underway, with proponents promising 10,000 jobs ahead from the project and trickle-down spending. KHON2.

A 10-page memo on the city's planned $5.3 billion elevated steel on steel rail project, created by the city's rail authority, and distributed by the Department of Planning and Permitting to city employees, has some council members and rail opponents questioning the city administration's motives. Hawaii Reporter.

Wayne Yoshioka visited a congested Mo’ili’ili neighborhood today…to see what’s being done to make streets safer for children. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii

Amid a discussion about the best way to deal with the threat of a Hilo landfill closure, the Hawaii County Council voted 8-0 to prohibit hauling of East Hawaii garbage to West Hawaii, except under an emergency declaration by the mayor. West Hawaii Today.

Two proposed amendments to the county charter received just enough votes Tuesday to survive another round of County Council action, when each passed with the minimum six votes needed to keep it alive. West Hawaii Today.

The County Council slashed a $75,000 Food Basket donation to $50,000 and then killed it, opting instead to spend the scarce funds on new computers and for the legislative branch. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Adrianne Heely was praised for her legal skills as well as for her volunteer work in the community, as she was sworn in Monday afternoon as a 2nd Circuit District Family Court judge. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kaua‘i County Council Committee of the Whole approved the administration’s budget for Fiscal Year 2013, reflecting more than $166.4 million in operational expenses and $78.3 million in capital improvement projects. Garden Island.

After nearly two years of litigation in the 16-count animal-cruelty case involving horses, a 5th Circuit Court judge ruled the state has exceeded its time to bring the case to trial and dismissed the case, which was set for jury trial on May 29. Garden Island.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs announced Tuesday that its non-profit subsidiary, Hi‘ipoi LLC, will transition ownership and management of Makaweli Poi Mill to a Kaua‘i community organization. Garden Island.

In a 3-2 ruling the Hawaii Supreme Court has upheld the petty misdemeanor conviction of a man who contended that he was entitled as a Native Hawaiian practitioner to live in a closed area of a state park in Kala­lau Valley on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Molokai
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will conduct a public information meeting in Kaunakakai on Wednesday, May 16, to provide information on planned construction activities for improvements to the commuter ferry (Molokai to Maui) and the impact to harbor operations. Molokai Dispatch.