Paying for climate change, state sells affordable housing cheaply, delays and cost overruns plague Oahu jail, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Full blood wolf moon eclipse over Hawaii ©2019 All Hawaii News

Fighting Climate Change Will Cost The State Millions. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources says money is urgently needed to protect beaches, watersheds, native species and more. Civil Beat.

Experts in climate change say Hawaii needs to plan now for rising sea levels. Star-Advertiser.

The shortfall in Hawaii’s largest public pension fund climbed to an all-time high of $13.41 billion last year and is expected to keep rising until 2024. It will take 25 years, until June 30, 2043, before the pension is 100 percent funded. Star-Advertiser.

Reforms to end corporate tax loopholes in Hawaii could reduce lost tax revenue and bring in an additional $38 million to the state, according to a new report released on Friday by The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. Maui Now.

State officials recently agreed to sell a collection of low-income housing to a private developer for less than originally planned, after an examination of the more than 1,200 rental homes showed a need for substantial renovations. Star-Advertiser.

New proposal would ban hotel guests in Hawaii to bring firearms or ammunition into rooms. There are no state laws making it illegal for hotel guests to have guns and ammunition in their rooms, says state Representative Tom Brower. KHON2.

Hawaii legislators introduce measures to protect sharks, rays. West Hawaii Today.

Rooftop solar installations increased 5.3 percent in 2018 across the five islands served by Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric and Hawaii Electric Light. Pacific Business News.

Commentary: Good intention trapped in an outdated local style. This week, Hawaii Congressman Ed Case caused a kerfuffle when, while speaking at a gathering of the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote Celebration, he described himself as an “Asian trapped in a white body.” Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

A long-delayed project to replace the locks, video surveillance systems and other electronics in the Halawa Correctional Facility has turned into a multimillion-dollar headache for prison officials after work stalled because of problems with two subcontractors. Star-Advertiser.

Government Shutdown Won’t Stall Kealoha Trial. A federal judge on Friday said he would guarantee that all attorneys and expert witnesses would be paid for their services. Civil Beat.

Labor Board: Police Chief Did Nothing Wrong When She Transferred SHOPO President. It was OK for Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard to publicly explain why she felt it necessary to reassign Tenari Maafala and other union officials. Civil Beat.

Council member Heidi Tsuneyoshi has a plan to help bring tax relief to Oahu's overburdened residents. Bill 3 would increase the basic property tax exemption from $80,000 to $100,000. KHON2.

The U.S. Marine Corps will be conducting urban training exercises in multiple locations on Oahu starting Sunday. Hawaii News Now.

A rental housing complex in Hawaii Kai has been partially converted into condominiums following purchase of the nearly 3-year-old complex by a local development firm. Star-Advertiser.

Volunteers expect to hand out emergency bags of food Tuesday to 150-300 federal workers on Oahu affected by the partial federal government shutdown. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii State Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by a woman ordered to pay a fine for abandoning kittens at a park. Hawaii News Now.

There is a state law against sleeping in your vehicle on public streets at night, but that hasn’t stopped at least one Oahu host from parking a former car rental shuttle he turned into a mobile vacation rental, dubbed Hippie Bus Hawaii, in front of Kapiolani Park and selling beds with an ocean view. Star-Advertiser.

It’s a treasure trove of ancient Hawaiian history in West Oahu. But a bureaucratic standoff is threatening to derail its preservation. Hawaii News Now.

A group of researchers at UH Manoa has received a $10.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study microbiomes, or the community of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses, that live everywhere, and their impact on human health. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

It sounds too good to be true: A national law firm wants to sue Big Pharma on behalf of Hawaii County in a no-risk deal that has the county paying nothing if it loses, but sharing in any damage awards if it wins or settles. West Hawaii Today.

A state health official told legislators Thursday prescriptions written for opioid pain relievers in Hawaii have declined over the last four years. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii County Mayor’s legislative package – a $155 million appropriation request for Kilauea Volcano eruption disaster relief and recovery – has been submitted to the state legislature. House Bill 184 and Senate Bill 166 have been introduced as the 2019 legislative session gets underway. Big Island Video News.

First-line supervisors remain a priority for law enforcement during discussions with the county on additional budget needs for the upcoming fiscal year, officials told police commissioners last week. Tribune-Herald.

Missing drugs, assault of a juvenile suspect, and false violations on traffic tickets. That's among the low-lights of the past year at the Big Island Police Department. KHON2.

Volunteers needed for PIT Count of county homeless. West Hawaii Today.

A project to renovate several properties in Keaukaha may be able to proceed after a state environmental assessment was published earlier this month. Tribune-Herald.

Elite Pacific Properties has acquired Boundless Hawaii, a Big Island vacation home and property management company. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Queen Kaahumanu Center ramping up security measures. MPD foot patrols, more cameras, more personnel among the steps taken in wake of criminal attacks. Maui News.

Despite a fractured national movement and march cancellations around the country, including on Oahu, the Women’s March on Maui moved forward Saturday morning. Maui News.

Kauai

Hospitals revamp menus to utilize locally grown foods. The Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Kauai Region will treat residents and staff to the results of its food and nutrition program that focuses on increasing scratch-cooked, local food in its facilities that includes Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital and the Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital. Garden Island.

The state Commission on Water Resource Management is holding statewide open hearings to solicit input on its update to the statewide Water Resource Protection Plan. On Kauai, the meeting is scheduled for Feb. 5, starting at 6 p.m. at the Lihue Civic Center Moikeha Building first-floor conference room. Garden Island.

A Kauai park with ties to Russia is stirring up an international name dilemma. The Russian ambassador and Russian Americans are fighting to preserve the name of Russian Fort Elizabeth in Kauai’s west side town of Waimea. Hawaii News Now.

Powering Up on Kauai. Kauai's electrical utility has a different history from the rest of the islands and different opportunities. Hawaii Public Radio.

A new method of parking enforcement is set to hit Princeville’s streets in early February, a vehicle-immobilization device called the Barnacle that covers the windshield instead of using a conventional boot on the wheel. Garden Island.

Inspector General report urges changes to Hawaii's missile alert system, high surf, high seas spur Honolulu action, two election lawsuits filed over close votes, humpback whale no-shows cause concern, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii missile alert info session ©2018 All Hawaii News

Missile alert report urges FEMA to make vendors change software. The report by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Inspector General urges FEMA to require that software used by local authorities to access and operate the emergency alert system include features such as the ability to preview or cancel alerts. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii False Missile Alert: New Problems Found In Federal Warning System. A recent inspector general report highlights shortcomings in FEMA’s oversight of the emergency warning system. Civil Beat.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general has recommended changes to the nation’s emergency alert system after Hawaii officials in January mistakenly warned the public about an incoming ballistic missile. Associated Press.

Read full inspector general emergency alert system report here.

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New Tax System Targets Cash Economy. The state’s Tax System Modernization or TSM will cost $60 million when completed. Rollout 4 was launched earlier this month to enable electronic filing for individual income tax returns. Hawaii Public Radio.

From school custodian to the sole Republican in the state Senate. For Kurt Fevella, the results of the general election are still sinking in. The former school janitor is now hiring staff for his office, as the newly elected lone Republican in the Hawaii state Senate. Hawaii News Now.

Every vote counts, but not all get counted. Thousands of votes statewide were invalidated, mostly on Oahu, and most affected voters won't necessarily know if theirs was counted. KHON2.

Black Market Babies. The Republic of the Marshall Islands, a string of low-lying coral atolls halfway between Hawaii and Papua New Guinea, had no law governing international adoptions in the 1990s. Hawaii quickly turned into a hub for what American judges and newspapers widely described as “black market adoptions.” The flow of babies soon spread to other states. Civil Beat.

Hawaii AG Demands Civil Rights Protections for Transgender People. Attorney General Russell A. Suzuki joined a coalition of 20 state attorneys general urging the Trump Administration to abandon efforts to adopt a definition of “sex” that would exclude transgender and gender nonconforming individuals from the protections of federal civil rights laws. Maui Now.

Clues sought for decline in Hawaii humpback whale sightings. Researchers are gathering to compare clues on the reasons behind a significant decline in the number of sightings of North Pacific humpback whales in their traditional breeding grounds in waters around Hawaii. Associated Press.

Auction brings more broadband funds to Hawaii’s rural areas. Hawaiian Telcom will receive more than $18 million to deploy broadband in approximately 4,000 new areas across our state over the next six years. These areas include parts of Hawaiian Acres, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, Kohala, Laupahoehoe, Orchidland and Pepeekeo on Hawaii island; parts of Haiku, Hana and Olowalu on Maui; parts of Kaunakakai and Ualapue on Molokai; part of Lanai City; parts of Hanapepe, Kekaha, Kilauea, Kokee and Waimea on Kauai; and parts of Kahuku and Malaekahana on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Sears to sell off most of its Hawaii stores. Sears Holdings Corp. listed four Hawaii outlets — at Pearlridge Center, Windward Mall, Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo and an appliance store at Ala Moana Center — among 505 of the company’s most profitable locations to be sold or auctioned off as part of its bankruptcy, according to court documents. Star-Advertiser.

Retail giant Sears announced Monday that its putting four of its Hawaii stores on the auction block. Hawaii News Now.

SBA opening disaster loan centers this week on Maui, Hawaii's Big Island. The U.S. Small Business Administration will open disaster loan outreach centers on the Big Island and Maui on Tuesday to help Hawaii businesses apply for low-interest loans to recover from damage caused by the floods and wildfires that occurred during Hurricane Lane in August. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

The city is taking steps to prepare for the significant impacts of global climate change, but moving the route of Honolulu’s rail line more inland is not one of them, Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Monday. Star-Advertiser.

‘Perhaps we retreat:’ City predicts major changes as Hawaii faces coastal erosion. Following the release of a new national climate assessment, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell predicted Friday that Hawaii will see major changes in infrastructure as ocean levels rise in the decades ahead. Hawaii News Now.

City and County of Honolulu to take action on climate change. KHON2.

North Shore Beach Erosion 45-foot waves pound island. A powerful northwest swell pounded the islands Monday, bringing to some northwest-facing locations towering waves between 35 and 45 feet. Star-Advertiser.

'Nuts’: Monster waves pummel Oahu’s North Shore, trigger safety warnings. Monster surf topping out at 45 feet rolled into Oahu’s North Shore on Monday, triggering safety warnings and keeping lifeguards busy. Hawaii News Now.

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Two Losing Candidates Ask For Election Recounts. City Council candidate Tommy Waters and state Sen. Matt LoPresti both lost their races by razor-thin margins. Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Council candidate Tommy Waters, who lost to incumbent Councilman Trevor Ozawa by 22 votes in the general election, wants the Hawaii Supreme Court to either declare him the winner, order a recount of the votes or to demand that the results be invalidated and a new election be held. Star-Advertiser.

Police Security Cameras May Soon Blanket Waikiki. Tourism officials believe heightened surveillance will make visitors feel safer, but the Hawaii ACLU says it poses “grave concerns” for privacy. Civil Beat.

HPD Wants Inflatable Tents In City Parks For Temporary Use By The Homeless. Police have a $3 million plan to create “lift zones” in Honolulu parks, where the homeless can sleep in inflatable tents and receive services when shelters fill up. Civil Beat.

City launches unclutter street gutters initiative. The city is trying to get residents to take responsibility for their neighborhood's storm drains. KHON2.

The Board of Water Supply is taking a second shot at generating additional revenue by pursuing the redevelopment of part of its Beretania Street site. Hawaii News Now.

Nan Inc. wins $267M contract to expand Oahu sewage plant. The City and County of Honolulu has awarded Nan Inc. a $267 million contract to expand the secondary treatment system at the Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant in in Ewa. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

County Council names Chung chairman. Aaron Chung, a longtime councilman from Hilo, will be the new County Council chairman under an organization plan filed Monday. West Hawaii Today.

A new Hawaii County Council Chair, County Clerk, and Council Committee leadership has been nominated as the next council prepares to take office. Big Island Video News.

Hurricane Lane Disaster Recovery Center Opens Tuesday In Hilo. The U.S. Small Business Administration will open a temporary Disaster Recovery Center in Hilo at the Hawaii County Building, from November 27 to December 6. Big Island Video News.

What to name fissure no. 8? A state board is taking up the issue. The Hawaii Board of Geographic Names meets Wednesday to discuss a plan to review potential new name proposals for Kilauea volcano’s features, including fissure no. 8 in Leilani Estates. Hawaii News Now.

After gathering more than a third of a million pounds of oceanborne waste from Hawaii shores, one marine waste cleanup program will continue its work for a third year. Tribune-Herald.

Over the last week, a scabies outbreak has run rampant through the ranks of Kona Community Hospital, sidelining several employees. And hospital officials say more cases are likely to appear. West Hawaii Today.

County seeks bids for Alii Drive culvert replacement project. A contractor is being sought to replace a rapidly deteriorating culvert on Alii Drive. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Hearings begin to update Maui island water plan. Twenty-year blueprint helps guide the management of water resources. Maui is working to update its 20-year plan for islandwide water uses at a time when major decisions by the state’s water panel are slowly restoring streams in the wake of big sugar. Maui News.

County of Maui DPR announces closure of Baldwin Beach Park all day Tuesday. Major flooding has resulted from high surf and has caused safety concerns to the County facility. KITV.

The Lanai Community Health Center has launched a more user-friendly website. Maui News.

Kauai

Meeting set today on council chair selection. A meeting is set for 3:30 p.m. today at the Historic County Building for the members elected to the Kauai County Council for the term commencing Dec. 3 to discuss their organizational structure for the 2018-2020 council term. Garden Island.

Settlement likely in civil suit. A tentative settlement has been reached in a civil lawsuit filed against the Kauai County Police Department by the family of a 19-year-old Hanapepe man killed by a speeding police cruiser, according to court documents and a county spokesperson. Garden Island.

Feds consider delisting Io Hawaiian hawk as endangered species, Honolulu rail contractor seeks $200M for delays, filmmaker sues state over Christian chiefess, Maui wind turbines test property tax law, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Io, a Hawaiian hawk, at Panaewa zoo ©2018 All Hawaii News

US Fish and Wildlife Service Seeking Public Comments on Proposal to Remove Io From Endangered Species List. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening the public comment period on the Aug. 6, 2008, proposed rule to remove the Hawaiian hawk, or Io (Buteo solitarius), from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the Endangered Species Act. Maui Now.

With just days left, election officials are ready to go ... but are voters? On Saturday, officials tested ballot counting systems on the Senate floor of the State Capitol. The system will be used at counting centers in all 4 counties. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s Big Donors Pump Millions Into Mainland Political Campaigns. Most of that cash — about $7 million for the midterm elections — went to Democrats, according to federal records. Civil Beat.

Backlogged rape test kits yield scores of possible leads. A major effort by law enforcement to test more than 1,500 rape kits that for years sat unprocessed in storage facilities statewide has resulted in DNA matches with more than 120 potential suspects in a national offender database. Star-Advertiser.

Filmmaker Sues Hawaii: My Film Is ‘Not The History They Want Told’. Tim Chey alleges the state film office withheld tax grants for his movie “Islands” because it’s about the Christian conversion of a Hawaiian chiefess. Civil Beat.

Hawaii bankruptcy filings were unchanged in October from the year-earlier period following an upward trend that had seen the number of cases rise in seven of the previous nine months. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Ansaldo seeking $200M over rail delays. The contractor tasked with building the rail cars and installing the driverless operating system for the Honolulu rail line is seeking about $200 million in damages from the city for costs associated with delays in development of the project. Star-Advertiser.

City council delays start date for laws targeting homeless. On Monday, Honolulu City Council members will debate delaying the enforcement of new city laws because they say they want more information about the services and solutions available for people. KITV.

The dangers pedestrians and drivers pose when they meet on the roadways. If the alarming number of pedestrian deaths on Oahu this year has made people more wary when crossing the street, you wouldn’t know it by observing busy traffic spots in Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Roads Ranked 5th Worst in Nation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu selected as winning city in the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge. Honolulu is one of 20 cities total to be awarded resources and technical support to help achieve their ambitious climate goals under Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge. KITV.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell joins picket as hotel strike persists. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell joined Unite Here Local 5 hotel workers on the picket lines in Waikiki Saturday, the 27th day of what has become the union’s longest-running hotel strike in nearly three decades. Star-Advertiser.

The company that built nearly an entire two-story, two-family house in Kapahulu without a valid building permit — and then later while under a stop-work order — finally got its permit from the city last month and is now undergoing inspections by the city’s Department of Planning and Permitting. Star-Advertiser.

The Marine Mammal Research Program at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology is shifting its research focus under new director Lars Bejder to include the impacts of climate change, human activities and prey availability on whales and dolphins. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu’s only flour mill fading away. Hawaiian Flour Mills, a landmark of multihued 160-foot grain silos and corrugated steel buildings off Nimitz Highway for more than half a century, is slowly being dismantled to make way for a new era of commerce on Honolulu’s waterfront. Star-Advertiser.

Centuries old fishpond in Haleiwa could provide fish for community soon. Behind the busy streets of Haleiwa town, sits a 12 acre fishpond that provides a small glimpse of old Hawaii. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Another step forward for vacation rental bill. Vacation rental operators will have a few extra months to get their paperwork together, now that the County Council moved the effective date for a bill regulating their use to April 1. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Council on Friday voted to advance Bill 108 to second reading, after another long day of testimony and discussion. Big Island Video News.

Program to curb homeless trespassing. A new initiative by the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association hopes to alleviate downtown businesses’ homeless burden and make them safer for shoppers and workers alike. Tribune-Herald.

A Hilo judge will decide whether certain defendants will be dismissed from a lawsuit filed by an elderly Leilani Estates couple who allege their insurer is acting in bad faith by not approving the claim they made after losing their home during the eruption of Kilauea volcano earlier this year. Tribune-Herald.

Estimate for wastewater treatment plant doubles. The price tag of a wastewater treatment plant proposed for Naalehu has increased to $40.5 million. Tribune-Herald.

County Council District 7: Drysdale vs. Villegas. There’s just one County Council seat remaining to be filled, and with Election Day less than a week away, two political neophytes are battling to the end to fill it. West Hawaii Today.

State initiates aquaculture accelerator program, investment fund at NELHA. The state announced Thursday a concrete plan to import big ideas, and potentially big dollars, to West Hawaii through the vehicle of the global aquaculture industry. West Hawaii Today.

‘Growing food and growing farmers’. This year marked the ninth annual Aina Fest, which supports HIP Agriculture, an organization focused on the education and practice of conscious agriculture. West Hawaii Today.

Solar project slated for Waikoloa Village, contractor announces community meeting. AES Distributed Energy won the bid for the project and will convene a community meeting from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Nov. 13. West Hawaii Today.

Chancellor candidate forums kick off. Kristin Croyle, the first of four recently announced finalists for chancellor to visit the University of Hawaii at Hilo, met with faculty, staff and community members during a public forum Friday morning. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

County awaits appeal of timeshare tax ruling. Losing lawsuit could mean paying $34 million in tax refunds, hurt bond and credit ratings. Maui News.

Maui Affordable Housing, Transportation Legislation Passes Out of Committee. The bill proposes an expedited review process for county permits for qualifying 100% residential workforce housing projects. Maui Now.

It’s Real Property Because We Said So! A case of wind turbines on Maui, taxes, the courts and the county. Civil Beat.

The status of Maui’s streams, estuaries and native freshwater species will be the subject of a free, public presentation by State of Hawaii Department Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources Aquatic Biologist Skippy Hau at the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 7. Maui Now.

This past September, 5.9 percent more visitors came to Maui compared to September of last year, according to preliminary statistics that the Hawaii Tourism Authority released on Tuesday. Visitor spending on Maui remained the same to a year ago at $334.4 million. Maui Now.

A “perfect storm of erosion” has swallowed up much of West Maui’s beaches over the past three years due to El Nino conditions, record-high sea levels and sustained waves from the north, according to one coastal engineer working on projects along the shoreline. Maui News.

Kauai

Election-day voter registration available. Tuesday is Election Day, and not only will voters elect a new mayor of Kauai, they’ll also decide who of the 14 County Council candidates have earned a seat at the table. Garden Island.

Honeycreepers’ numbers dwindling, and so are their songs. A scientific study that examined the historical recordings of three native honeycreeper species in the forests of Kauai over the past 40 years found a dip in the complexity and variety of songs by two of the species. Star-Advertiser.

Lihue company cited by state Department of Health, fined $6K. Esaki Surveying and Mapping Inc. in Lihue was cited for not submitting their annual fee and semi-annual monitoring reports. Garden Island.

'Lava bomb' pierces roof of tour boat, injures 23; Case out front in congressional race poll; Green widens lead for lieutenant governor; voters want Gabbard to debate; feds pledge $345M to prevent Waikiki flooding, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

VIDEO: Huge Explosion At Lava Ocean Entry, Injuries Reported. Big Island Video News.

‘Lava bomb’ through roof of tour boat injures 23 off Hawaii island. Lava Ocean Tours, the lava boat tour operator whose 23 passengers were injured Monday morning by lava bombs, had a special permit to come within 50 meters of the lava’s ocean entry point, the U.S. Coast Guard said. Star-Advertiser.

DLNR

A basketball-sized lava bomb slammed through the roof of a tour boat near an active fissure of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano early Monday morning, showering the vessel with debris and injuring 23 people, according the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency. Hawaii Public Radio.

An explosion caused by lava oozing into the ocean sent molten rock crashing through the roof of a sightseeing boat off Hawaii’s Big Island, injuring 23 people Monday, officials said. Associated Press.

The captain of a lava tour boat hit by what authorities called a “lava bomb” Monday morning near the Kapoho lava ocean entry said he never saw the explosion that rained molten rocks down on top of his boat. Tribune-Herald.

23 injured after explosion hurls 'basketball-sized' lava bomb onto tour boat. Hawaii News Now.

'We're just covered in lava.' Couple on boat tour describes moments after lava bomb hits. KHON2.

Lava bomb hits tour boat, injures 23 people. KITV.

Coast Guard, DLNR investigate lava tourism agency after boating accident. KITV.

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Former Congressman Ed Case has established a commanding lead in the race for the congressional seat representing urban Oahu, apparently siphoning off enough potential votes from state Sen. Donna Mercado Kim as to knock her down to a distant third place in the Democratic primary, according to the latest Honolulu Star-Advertiser Hawaii Poll. Star-Advertiser.

Kim Outspends The Pack In Crowded Race For Congress. The state senator spent $350,000 in the last three months, while former congressman Ed Case loaned himself $150,000. Civil Beat.

Donna Kim winning race for cash in battle for Congressional seat. Hawaii News Now.

Heading into the final month of the campaign, state Sen. Josh Green has substantially widened his lead over four other Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor, the latest Honolulu Star-Advertiser Hawaii Poll shows. Star-Advertiser.

A large majority of neighbor island and rural Oahu Democratic voters in U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s district think she has an obligation to debate her less famous opponents this election year, according to a new Honolulu Star-Advertiser Hawaii Poll. Star-Advertiser.

KHON2 and AARP Hawaii present "The Race for Governor," a live, televised debate between Democratic candidates Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa and incumbent Gov. David Ige. KHON2.

A clear majority of the state’s registered voters remain supportive of the idea of safe zones for homeless encampments where people could stay without fear of getting repeatedly removed, according to the results of the latest Honolulu Star-Advertiser Hawaii Poll. Star-Advertiser.

Survivors Of Childhood Abuse Urge Others To Seek Justice. The state has again extended the statute of limitations for filing lawsuits in cases of alleged childhood sexual abuse. Civil Beat.

A year-round medication drop-box program is being implemented on the Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Feds Will Spend $345 Million To Prevent A Devastating Waikiki Flood. Every year there’s a small chance a flood will engulf Waikiki, destroying buildings and throwing Hawaii’s tourist mecca into mayhem. Civil Beat.

The City of Honolulu's Climate Change Commission presented the "Sea Level Rise Guidance and Climate Change Brief" to Mayor Kirk Caldwell on July 16, prompting him to sign a directive requiring all departments and agencies under his jurisdiction, to take action to prevent sea level rise. KHON2.

Mayor Caldwell issues directives to take action against climate change. KITV.

Meat seen on a Chinatown sidewalk was being made into char siu, restaurant says. Hawaii News Now.

Rocky, the Hawaiian monk seal who last year gave birth on Waikiki Beach, returned to a more isolated site to give birth Monday to her 11th pup. Star-Advertiser.

Weekend closure of the Kipapa Stream Bridge begins July 20 for bridge rehabilitation work. KHON2.

Honolulu sees 33% increase in businesses for sale in Q2 2018. There are more businesses for sale in Honolulu than there were at this time last year, but the median revenue and cashflow of those businesses is on the decline, according to a recent report from BizBuySell.com. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Two Big Island legislative incumbents are raising less money than their challengers, while most are socking away solid funding advantages over those running against them. West Hawaii Today.

Accident could hurt lava boat tours. Despite the news that 23 people were injured Monday when a lava bomb hit a Lava Oceans Tours boat, the isle’s other three certified lava boat tour operators reported they were still getting calls from customers wanting to venture close to the lava flow. Star-Advertiser.

Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory said this morning’s explosion at the main ocean entry near Ahalanui was the typical result of an interaction between hot, molten lava and cool seawater. Star-Advertiser.

Figures at the front line of the opioid fight. West Hawaii Today.

Pop-A-Lock of Oahu has expanded to the Big Island with Pop-A-Lock Big Island. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Maui County Water Supply Director Dave Taylor has resigned to become the county’s energy/countywide capital improvements project coordinator with the Department of Management, ending an eight-month saga that began when Mayor Alan Arakawa tried to remove Taylor but the County Council refused. Maui News.

Work to replace Kahakuloa Bridge along the Kahekilli Highway will separate the Wailuku and Kapalua sides of Kahakuloa Village for 10 days, during which time no motor vehicles will be able drive across. Maui Now.

A female hiker reported being assaulted at Haleakala Crater at Haleakala National Park on Sunday, according to the National Park Service. Star-Advertiser.

The number of solar permits issued in Maui County plunged 23 percent during the first six months of the year. Star-Advertiser.

Maui’s Road to Hana made FlightNetwork’s top 50 list of the World's Best Travel Journeys in 2018. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Derek Kawakami, Kauai Council councilman and mayoral candidate, reported contributions of $204,071 to his campaign, the most of those seeking the highest office on Kauai. Garden Island.

Why Hanalei Has Turned Into A Traffic Nightmare. With the North Shore’s marquee destinations still off-limits to tourists, the small town has become a packed daytime destination. Civil Beat.

Some members of the Westside Watershed Council and concerned citizens say a Westside beach park that’s sacred to them is being neglected and they are calling for immediate repairs. Garden Island.

Applicants for FEMA aid can appeal decision. Kauai County and the City and County of Honolulu residents who have registered with Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance have the right to appeal any of the agency’s decisions made about their eligibility or the assistance they received. Applicants have 60 days from the date on FEMA’s decision letter to file an appeal. Garden Island.

Hawaii's sunscreen ban first in nation, 450 rescued from Honolulu 'floatilla,' former ILWU union boss indicted, volcano, earthquakes continue to rattle Big Island, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Rinsing off beach baby ©2018 All Hawaii News

Hawaii became the first state in the nation to ban sales of sunscreens containing chemicals deemed harmful to coral reefs after Gov. David Ige signed a bill into law Tuesday afternoon at the Capitol Rotunda in Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Governor Starts The Clock On Sunscreen Ban. Gov. David Ige signs a bill that prohibits the sale of sunscreen containing oxybenzone and octinoxate in the islands, beginning in 2021. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige on Tuesday signed legislation that will ban the sale of sunscreens containing two chemicals thought to harm coral reefs. Associated Press.

34% of Hawaii’s coast at risk as climate change accelerates. A study by University of Hawaii researchers has found a third of the state’s shorelines are vulnerable to coastal hazards as the waves and storms that hit the islands become intensified by the growing impacts of sea level rise. Star-Advertiser.

Conditions of Hawaii's Beaches this Summer. The Conversation's Catherine Cruz spoke with Dolan Eversole, a coastal geologist with the University of Hawaii’s Sea Grant College, about managing our coastal resources as we face rising warming waters. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Congressional candidate Sherry Alu Campagna is upset Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has not agreed to debate her. Garden Island.

More women in Hawaii are running for office in 2018 than in the last election cycle two years ago, following a nationwide trend. Statewide, females make up 38 percent of candidates this year, compared to 32 percent in the prior election cycle. Civil Beat.

Former high-ranking union leader slapped with theft charges in new indictment. A federal grand jury has indicted Nate Lum, the former division director for the ILWU on theft charges. Hawaii News Now.

How Hawaii Is Trying To ‘Grow Our Own’ Pipeline of New Teachers. In an effort to address the state’s chronic teacher shortage, a new initiative offers scholarships and support to help long-term subs become licensed teachers. Civil Beat.

Governor to sign 'bill of rights' for Hawaii's foster youth. Current and former foster youth helped shape legislation that Gov. David Ige will sign into law on Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Federal Disaster Survivor Assistance teams on Tuesday began going door-to-door on Oahu and Kauai trying to register uninsured or underinsured renters and homeowners who may qualify for federal assistance after suffering damage during April’s rains and flooding that triggered landslides and mudslides. Star-Advertiser.

Representatives from FEMA's Disaster Survivor Assistance teams will be going door-to-door to register homeowners and renters of the City and County of Honolulu and Kauai County who were uninsured or underinsured and suffered damage from the April severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides. KHON2.

Report: Hawaii still a long way off from 100 percent renewable energy. Hawaii law mandates that by 2045, 100 percent of energy in the state's electricity sector must be renewable. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Lifeguards have rescued about 450 July Fourth "floatilla" revelers in waters off Waikiki, a Honolulu Emergency Services Department spokeswoman said. Hawaii News Now.

Fourth of July floatilla considered calm, controlled despite more than 450 rescues. KHON2.

Hundreds of people rescued during the annual 4th of July flotilla in Waikiki, but compared to last year's event some say this one was tamer. KITV.

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More than 1,000 people use special Saturday DMV hours after computer outage. KHON2.

Hawaiian Electric prepares to launch first phase of community solar program. Customers participating in the program will receive a credit on their electric bill. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu’s controversial bike share program is expanding. BikeShare Hawaii plans to add about 40 new Biki docking stations to its existing 100 this year, displacing one to two parking stalls per station in some cases. Star-Advertiser.

$1.7 Million for Hawaii Ocean Research, Estuary Management. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will award a total of $1,748,582 to the University of Hawai‘i to fund its Sea Grant College Program and its management of the Heeia National Estuarine Research Reserve. Maui Now.

Hawaii Island

State Senate District 3 candidates share views during forum. For the first time in a decade, the state Senate seat for Hawaii Island’s 3rd District will be filled by a new face. West Hawaii Today.

Waimea Community Association is again collaborating with several community groups to co-host a candidate forum from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 12, in Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s Taylor Commons, the upper campus cafeteria. Big Island Now.

Tourism bureau: It’s the best time to visit the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii National Guard deactivated the Joint Task Force 50 partnership with the Guard and regular military forces that was formed to help with the lava emergency response in Hawaii County, said Guard spokesman Maj. Jeff Hickman on Tuesday in a statement. Tribune-Herald.

Air quality monitoring, condemnation, and access to isolated homes were some of the concerns on the minds of the residents of Puna, who were given a chance to directly question county officials for the second time at Tuesday’s eruption meeting in Pahoa. Big Island Video News.

The Village That Can’t Stop Shaking. Volcano Village’s residents and businesses are coping with frequent earthquakes and the closure of the nearby national park. Civil Beat.

People returned to subdivision buried by lava in 1990 — could it happen again? Star-Advertiser.

Kalapana vacation rental businesses may resume operations after volcano eruption. KHON2.

County still seeking site for Naalehu sewer plant. Maybe the 31st time will be the charm. West Hawaii Today.

During a special session held Friday in Hilo, the Hawaii County Council met with and approved the 11 nominees to serve on the Charter Commission. Big Island Video News.

Maui

A proposed charter amendment to reorganize the county’s executive branch by incorporating a professional managing director to run the county’s daily operations was deferred by a County Council committee Tuesday, which likely means it will not be on Nov. 6 general election ballot. Maui News.

Fireworks Likely Cause of Kihei Fire: Two Homes Destroyed, Four Others Damaged. Maui Now.

Fireworks possible cause of fire that destroyed two Maui homes. KHON2.

Old cane field fire burns at least 2,500 acres. Traffic slowed, precautionary evacuations called. Maui News.

Sales of lots in Maui heavy industrial park set to close. Subdivision improvements at the 86-acre Pulehunui Industrial Park on Maui, the island’s first and only subdivision with M3 heavy industrial zoning, have been completed, clearing the way for lots to be delivered to buyers, including Goodfellow Bros. Inc., Aloha Waste Systems and Truss Systems Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

North Shore learning lessons. Following the massive rainfall and flooding on Kauai in April, many residents experienced a high degree of uncertainty as schools, businesses, and roads were closed, leaving many stranded or displaced. Garden Island.

Senator profits in state contract, Hawaii population declines, Learmont replaces Oshiro in state House, new pier at Hilo harbor, candidates already lining up for 2020 Honolulu mayoral race, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Ala Wai boat harbor © 2017 All Hawaii News

Conflicts arise over harbor contract. A legislator as well as a member of the Board of Land and Natural Resources have ties to the public relations firm hired by the state to help determine redevelopment of the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Lawmakers Are Used To Hearing About Potential Conflicts Of Interest. Legislators argue there are good reasons to vote even on issues where they may have potential conflicts. Associated Press.

State DOE on track with plan to meet new federal benchmarks. The Hawaii Department of Education says it’s working with federal education officials to finalize the state’s plan for complying with new requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act. Star-Advertiser.

Appeals court: Trump exceeded authority with travel ban. A federal appeals court panel has ruled that President Donald Trump once again exceeded the scope of his authority with his latest travel ban, but the judges on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put their decision on hold pending review by the U.S. Supreme Court, meaning the ban involving six majority Muslim countries will remain in effect. Associated Press.

Hawaii’s Population Declines For The First Time In Several Years. Hawaii was one of eight states, plus Puerto Rico, that saw a net decline. Civil Beat.

Health insurance premiums on the rise. More than 320,000 Hawaii workers and individuals will pay higher health insurance premiums starting Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Learmont

Learmont To Replace Oshiro In Hawaii State House. She is a former legislative aide to the former longtime lawmaker, who resigned to join the labor board. Civil Beat.

Iwamoto seeks lieutenant governor post. Kim Coco Iwamoto says corporations spend millions of dollars to get their voices heard at the Hawaii Capitol. Garden Island.

More Tuna For Hawaii Fishing Boats In 2018. An international commission slightly expanded catch limits for U.S. longliners based in Honolulu but the industry is still hoping for more. Civil Beat.

Attorney General: Landowners must pay for use of their own land once sea rises.  Oceanfront property owners who once were well shy of the protected state shoreline could find themselves having to purchase easements for their existing homes and structures such as seawalls as the sea creeps inland. West Hawaii Today.

California Approves Saito Extradition To Hawaii. The Hawaii State Hospital patient escaped in November and flew to the mainland. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's economy to benefit from preclearance agreement with Canada. Pacific Business News.

Young Brothers’ cargo volume edges up. The state’s largest interisland cargo carrier said in a report due out today that volume edged up 0.3 percent from the year-earlier period and is up just 0.7 percent for the first nine months of 2017. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Anderson, Pine eye 2020 mayor’s race to replace Caldwell. The jockeying has begun at Honolulu Hale over who will take over the third-floor corner office at City Hall after incumbent Mayor Kirk Caldwell leaves when his term runs out in 2020 — if not sooner. Star-Advertiser.

Privately owned memorial tour website under investigation. The state Office of Consumer Protection said it is investigating representations made by a website that touts itself as the “Pearl Harbor Visitors Bureau,” offers tours and says more than 750,000 visitors have been served. Star-Advertiser.

State scales back work on airport space. The state Department of Transportation is building a $40 million to $45 million structure under Gate 6 at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport that was meant to provide operating space for Island Air, but that space will now be left vacant in the wake of the airline’s bankruptcy. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority has fallen short of making its full state reimbursement for the Hawaii Convention Center for the past two years and may extend the facility’s debt repayment schedule again — even though the agency still owes 79 percent of the center’s original $350 million balance. Star-Advertiser.

City sweetens tow deal. Starting New Year’s Day, the city will have a new contract in place to cover the dozens of police-initiated vehicle tows that occur across the island daily. Star-Advertiser.

Volunteers Keep One of Makiki’s Best-Kept Secrets Afloat. The state wants to convert Hawaii’s only volunteer-run public library into a state-run facility, but it’s waiting on a lease agreement from the city. Civil Beat.

A woman's struggles after a crash with an HPD officer renew questions over discipline. The renewed attention is coming at a time when a new chief, Susan Ballard, has taken the reins at the department and, according to one of her deputies, has ordered a review of HPD’s entire discipline system to bring more consistency to the process. Star-Advertiser.

Filipino WWII vets help select artist for monument on Oahu. After decades of injustice and neglect, Filipino WWII veterans are finally winning recognition for their dedication to Allied forces during the war. Star-Advertiser.

Preserving Hawaii's Railway History. The Hawaiian Railway Society in Ewa runs the only continuously operating historical railroad in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

State officials and other dignitaries marked the opening of a new pier Friday at Hilo Harbor. The 602-foot-long reinforced concrete pier, built parallel to the shoreline, will allow workers to load and unload barges more safely and efficiently, and separates cargo from the docks used by cruise ships, officials said. Tribune-Herald.

Preserving historic Honokaa. The Historic Honokaa Town Project, which aims to preserve and commemorate the unique plantation buildings of Honokaa, is expected to place a total of 14 Honokaa entries on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places by early 2018, with seven of those properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well, said project coordinator Gerald De Mello. Tribune-Herald.

A draft burial treatment plan for iwi found on lands of the former Moaula Plantation were debated on Thursday. Big Island Video News.

The problem of feral pigs. Although feral pig populations on the Big Island appear to remain steady, for some residents, swine incursions will make the holiday a brown Christmas. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Wind farm seeks OK to ‘take’ more endangered bats. Auwahi Wind wants to increase permitted bat fatalities from 21 to 197 over 25 years. Maui News.

Maui home sales fall amid lower inventory. Sales of single-family homes in Maui County plunged last month amid dwindling inventory while the median price increased. Star-Advertiser.

Life after sugar – a year later. It has been 12 months of transition for former plantation workers. Maui News.

Kauai

Rats are nowhere to be found on tiny Lehua Island four months after the conclusion of an eradication project. Star-Advertiser.

People monitoring the ecosystem recovery on Lehua Island report that four months after the conclusion of a rat eradication project there are still no signs of the invasive Pacific Rats. Garden Island.

Canines used to find human waste in Kauai streams. Three samples were collected at Waiopili stream mouth in October and all samples tested positive for human sewage by both dogs. Garden Island.

Erosion eating Honolulu beaches, AG Chin confirms he'll run for Congress, another Kakaako homeless sweep, Maui mayor shuffles leadership team, two fall off mules on popular Molokai trail ride, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Sand mattress installation at Kuhio Beach, courtesy City and County of Honolulu

City installs ‘sand mattress’ to combat erosion at Kuhio Beach. The city unveiled an emergency erosion control measure Sunday at Kuhio Beach Park which officials hope will thwart erosion in the middle of the state’s tourism epicenter. Star-Advertiser.

'Sand mattress' central to new effort to save Waikiki beach. Hawaii News Now.

"Sand Mattress" Installed in Kuhio Beach Park to Help Erosion. KITV.

‘Sand mattress’ technology to combat Mother Nature at Kuhio Beach. KHON2.

Public warned away from Sunset Beach after extreme erosion. The city is urging the public to stay away from Sunset Beach because of a hazardous condition caused by extreme erosion, a Honolulu Ocean Safety Division spokeswoman said. Star-Advertiser.

Building teetering on edge at Sunset Beach due to extreme erosion. Hawaii News Now.

Public advised to avoid Sunset Beach due to erosion concerns. KITV.

Erosion creates dangerous cliff conditions on Oahu’s North Shore. KHON2.

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State Attorney General Douglas Chin, who has been fighting President Donald Trump’s travel ban and other policies over the past year, has announced he will run for U.S. Congress. Associated Press.

Hawaii’s Attorney General Doug Chin says he will file for a Congressional bid. Chin will file his papers on Monday for the seat that would be left empty if, as expected, Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa runs for Governor. KHON2.

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Proposed ‘tent cities’ rouse debate. Legislators and Gov. David Ige fundamentally disagree on whether the use of legalized homeless camps known as safe zones are an effective way of helping the state’s massive homeless population.  Star-Advertiser.

Affordable Housing Tax Break in Trouble? Since 1986, a federal tax break has helped to finance affordable housing in Hawaii and throughout the country. Now it’s on the chopping block. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lack of state staff delays medical cannabis programs, dispensers say. Seven of 11 positions are vacant at the Department of Health, which oversees the medical cannabis patient registry and dispensary licensing programs. Star-Advertiser.

Hemp-growing program suffers setback. Plans for a statewide industrial hemp-growing program hit a snag after a shipment of cannabis seeds from Jamaica had to be destroyed in October. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii’s economic expansion to continue at subdued pace. Buoyed by improving global conditions, Hawaii’s economic growth is expected to continue,  according to the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization’s annual Hawaii forecast. Pacific Business News.

Some military in Hawaii to see double-digit housing increases. Some military personnel stationed in Hawaii who have no dependents will see double-digit increases in their basic allowance for housing rates for 2018, much higher than the national average. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Kakaako Gateway Parks closed again for homeless sweep. For the second time in a little more than two months, Kakaako Gateway Parks are closed to the public. Hawaii News Now.

This Court Offers The Homeless A Fresh Start Instead Of Punishment. Community Outreach Court doles out community service and uses social workers to help defendants get off the streets. Civil Beat.

Third of Honolulu renters spend half their income on rent, Harvard study finds. More than half of renters in Honolulu are spending more than a third of their income on rent each month, and 29 percent are spending more than 50 percent of their monthly income, according to a national rent study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. Pacific Business News.

Waiea tower developer sues 7 insurance companies. A tangled mess of litigation surrounding the construction of what has been dubbed the most sophisticated residence in Hawaii just got bigger. Star-Advertiser.

Shannon Alivado, director of government relations for the General Contractors Association of Hawaii, has been nominated to the Honolulu Police Commission by Mayor Kirk Caldwell. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Census survey: Poverty dips even as incomes remain flat. The Small Area Income and Poverty Estimate, released in November, said 15.4 percent of residents were below the poverty level, down from 18.3 percent in 2015. The statewide average was 9.5 percent in 2016. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii’s only government-sanctioned “safe zone” — Camp Kikaha in Kailua-Kona that grew out of a crisis in August — quickly burned through Hawaii County’s homeless budget while state officials continue to decide whether the approach to reducing homelessness should be part of an overall strategy. Star-Advertiser.

A Hilo bed-and-breakfast owner is suing the county’s Planning Department and Windward Planning Commission, seeking an environmental review of the Hu Honua biomass power plant under construction in Pepeekeo. Tribune-Herald.

The beach is back: Heavy rains bring black sand, ohana to Honolii shore. Just in time for Christmas, Honolii’s typically rocky shoreline has given way to hundreds of yards of black sandy beach following heavy rainfall late last month that dumped more than 10 inches of rain over parts of East Hawaii within just a few days. Tribune-Herald.

VIDEO: Lawmakers Forum At Hawaii Cannabis Open Expo. An educational conference and industry tradeshow for medical cannabis patients, caregivers, health professionals and entrepreneurs was held Sunday in Hilo.  Big Island Video News.

Maui

County Council moves forward bill to protect inland sand. A bill that would put a six-month moratorium on the mining of Central Maui inland sand passed its first reading Friday at a Maui County Council meeting. Maui News.

Council votes to keep Taylor as director of Water Supply. Dave Taylor earned the unanimous support of the Maui County Council on Friday to stay on as director of the county Department of Water Supply. Maui News.

Leadership changes are coming. Mayor Alan Arakawa is shuffling the deck chairs of his administrative team, tapping Chief of Staff Herman Andaya to lead the Emergency Management Agency, moving Budget Director Lynn Araki-Regan to Andaya’s post and returning Sandy Baz to his former position as budget director. Maui News.

New Deputy Finance Director Announced. Maui County Finance Director Mark Walker announced he has appointed Budget Analyst Marci Sato as the new Deputy Finance Director. Maui Now.

Changing lanes in Lahaina. Smoother sailing via the Lahaina bypass: Honoapiilani Highway will be widened to add dedicated lanes on and off the bypass. Maui News.

Maui police arrested and charged a 17-year-old juvenile male from Kahului for arson in connection with an investigation into a fire that destroyed several classrooms at Kahului Elementary School over the Thanksgiving weekend. Maui Now.

Kauai

Local cattle, beef operation expanding. A Kauai cattle company and livestock processor is expanding both its product selection and availability throughout Hawaii, a year after purchasing its Oahu USDA-inspected livestock harvest facility. Garden Island.

Molokai

Two Seriously Injured in Fall from Mules on Kalaupapa Cliff-Side Trail. Maui Now.

Mycogen Seeds to shut down operations on Molokai in spring. Dozens of employees of Mycogen Seeds on Molokai received bad news just a couple of weeks before Christmas — the seed crop research company will shut down on the Friendly Isle in the spring as Dow-DuPont Agriculture consolidates operations in Hawaii. Maui News.