Wastewater exec sentenced in legislators' bribery case, federal probe launched into Biden's Lahaina spending, Maui mayor not sure who was in charge, sirens may become SOP, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Wastewater Exec Milton Choy Gets 3 1/2 Years In Prison In Bribery Case. Choy’s cooperation led to two former state legislators, J. Kalani English and Ty Cullen, pleading guilty to honest services wire fraud in February last year. English was sentenced to 40 months in prison while Cullen got two years.  Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

House Oversight Committee Will Launch Federal Probe Into Maui Fire Response. The Republican-led House Oversight and Accountability Committee announced Tuesday that it will launch an investigation into the federal government’s response to the wildfires in Maui that so far have left 115 dead and hundreds more missing. The chairman confirmed the investigation just days before Speaker Kevin McCarthy is expected to visit Hawaii. Civil Beat. Bloomberg.

Lawmaker’s potential role as lawyer for fire victims described as ethical ‘gray area’. The lawsuits over the deadly Lahaina inferno are piling up and more are expected, and now state Sen. Gilbert Keith-Agaran's participation in the legal challenges is raising eyebrows. Hawaii News Now.

Sounding sirens for wildfires in Hawaiʻi may soon be standard emergency protocol. Darryl Oliveira, the new interim administrator of Maui Emergency Management Agency said he was in talks Tuesday morning with officials from the Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency and all four counties about codifying a new emergency response protocol to use sirens during wildfires everywhere in the state. Maui Now.

Response timeline will not be released, Maui County officials say. Maui County officials Tuesday again declined to release a timeline of their response and disclose when they knew that people had died in the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire, which took at least 115 lives and gutted the historic heart of Lahaina town. Star-Advertiser.

Maui’s mayor ‘not sure’ who was in charge at emergency management center as Lahaina burned. Three weeks after a wall of fire claimed at least 115 lives and turned historic Lahaina to ash, Maui County’s highest-ranking official said he didn’t know who was calling the shots at the county’s Emergency Management Center the day the town burned. Hawaii News Now.

Will The Maui Wildfires Cause Insurance Companies To Rethink Coverage In Hawaii? The concern aligns with a national trend of increasing rates and limited coverage in areas at a high risk of the effects of climate change. Civil Beat.

The Lahaina Blaze Is Rekindling An Old Debate Over Using Water To Fight Fires. The fight centers on how much power owners of private water systems should have to divert streams to fill their plantation-era reservoirs with water to control wildfires. Civil Beat.

Maui County, HECO vow to work together as Hawaii faces fire weather watch. Maui County and Hawaiian Electric Co., at odds over the cause of the deadly Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire, issued a joint statement Tuesday night to assure the public that they will work together, along with state officials, as high winds and dry conditions once again threaten leeward areas of all Hawaiian islands. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Native Hawaiian leaders, others plan statewide vigil for Maui. Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners will lead a one-day, statewide vigil Friday to aid the emotional and spiritual healing of those on Maui who suffered devastating loss from wildfires that swept through Lahaina and other areas of the island. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Hawaiʻi House Republicans to hold weekly community meetings to hear from constituents firsthand. The Hawaiʻi Republican Caucus is rolling out what it calls a “listening tour” of weekly community meetings on Oʻahu. This allows politicians to hear constituent concerns firsthand, and act on them when drafting bills for the next year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Contract worth $2.5M awarded to remove Haiku Stairs. The Nakoa Companies, Inc., specializes in “complex infrastructure projects” and will be working on the removal of the Haiku Stairs and the Moanalua Saddle Stairs, the city’s Department of Design and Construction announced Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Joint Task Force Red Hill begins repacking facility lines with fuel on way to defueling. Defueling of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility starts in mid-October, but before that, the pipes need to be prepped.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Experts debate legalizing recreational marijuana in Hawaii . Experts gathered in Waikiki to discuss the ramifications of legalizing recreational marijuana on Tuesday, Aug. 29. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Fire Watch for leeward portions of Hawai‘i Island extended through Thursday. Hawai‘i Fire Department is watching for blazes from Pāhala in the Ka‘ū District all the way up to Hawī in North Kohala. Deputy Fire Chief Eric Moller anticipates the Fire Watch to rise to a Warning. Big Island Now.

New boat and trailer parking signs posted at Hōnaunau ramp. Less than a week ago, Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation Department posted “boat and trailer parking only” signs at Hōnaunau boat ramp in South Kona. But it appears beach goers are not adhering to the parking restrictions. Big Island Now.

Maui

‘Return To Lahaina Phase’ Begins After Removal Of Hazardous Materials. The search for bodies of fire victims in Lahaina has come to a close as environmental regulators begin to remove toxic chemicals dislodged during the Aug. 8 disaster from the ash-covered landscape. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Garden Island.

Lahaina public schools expected to open after fall break, pending environmental clearances. Hawai‘i State Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi announced today that the Department has set a tentative goal of welcoming students back to the three West Maui campuses after fall break in mid-October.  Maui Now. KHON2.

US Sen. Brian Schatz focused on supplemental appropriations to help in the wake of Lahaina wildfire recovery. Congressional leaders are focusing on supplemental appropriations needed to help rebuild Lahaina Town, according to US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaiʻi) who is visiting Maui for assessments in the wake of the Aug. 8 wildfire disaster.  Maui Now.

Green’s emergency housing panel hears concerns over Lahaina rebuilding. A new state emergency housing development approval panel didn’t have anything to consider for approval at its first working meeting Tuesday, but got an earful from community members opposed to the panel’s existence, power or process. Star-Advertiser.

The Great Lahaina Fire Of 1919 Has Eerie Parallels To The Recent Blaze. This isn’t the first time that much of Lahaina was destroyed in a blaze. About 100 years ago, a group of buildings in the town’s commercial center went up in flames in what is known as the Great Lahaina Fire of 1919. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Fire Watch for leeward portions of Kaua‘i extended through Thursday. According to the National Weather Service, Trade winds of 15 to 30 mph are expected with gusts of 40 to 45 mph. Kauai Now.

Kilauea’s North Shore Medical Center accepting new patients. The clinic manager at Kilauea’s North Shore Medical Center says people incorrectly believe the center is closing, following the recent announcement that the nearby Kaua‘i Community Health Alliance (KCHA) is shutting down. Garden Island.

Lawsuit aims to stop Ala Wai project, emergency sirens accidentally activated, lava-damaged geothermal plant to reopen this year, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Canoeing on the Ala Wai ©2019 All Hawaii News

Group sues to halt Ala Wai project. The city and state have signed an agreement outlining a funding plan and path forward for working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to establish flood control measures along the Ala Wai Watershed, but the $345 million project now faces a new challenge from a lawsuit filed Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

=====

Honolulu police training exercise led to false emergency warning sirens on Oahu, Maui. A Honolulu police training exercise “mistakenly activated” emergency warning sirens at 5:05 p.m. Wednesday on Oahu and Maui. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Authorities Say Emergency Sirens On Oahu, Maui Were A False Alarm. Hawaii officials say the blaring of emergency sirens in parts of Oahu and Maui Wednesday afternoon was caused by an accidental activation during a Honolulu police training exercise. Hawaii Public Radio.

Emergency sirens islandwide accidentally set off during police training exercise. Emergency sirens were accidentally set off islandwide on Wednesday, sending residents from Waikiki to Waianae scrambling to figure out what was happening. Hawaii News Now.

Emergency warning sirens accidentally activated.  Another false alarm sounded Wednesday, Sept. 18, as emergency warning sirens were mistakenly set off, this time by the Honolulu Police Department. KHON2.

Emergency Sirens Mistakenly Activated on Oahu and in Kahului. Due to an error during a Honolulu Police Department training exercise, emergency sirens were mistakenly activated on Oahu. Maui Now.

'I apologize' HPD Chief Ballard says after emergency sirens mistakenly sounded. As soon as the mistake was identified, HPD says they notified the media and the state. KITV.

=====

Neighbor Island Schools Could Get More Money Next Year. The funds would help offset the added costs of operating a school outside the urban hub of Oahu, such as gas and mileage to cover travel for athletic events and field trips. Civil Beat.

DOE Shuts Down Its Long-Running Alternative Diploma Program. The”C-Base program,” which was a pathway to a community school diploma for non-traditional students, is being replaced by a program that focuses on work readiness. Civil Beat.

Hawaii hotels see healthy gains in August. Hawaii’s hotel industry posted healthy year-over-year gains in August, but that was due in part to weaker hotel performance in August 2018 because of Hurricane Lane. Star-Advertiser.

With Sea Level Rise, The Fate of Hawaii’s Most Vulnerable Roads Is Uncertain. Climate change is already taking a toll on coastal highways. Some of those roads may eventually be abandoned to the rising seas, a top official warns. Civil Beat.

Bottomfish Survey Underway Across Hawaii. Researchers from the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center and local cooperative research fisheries have conducted the bottomfish survey in Hawaii every year since 2016. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Anti-Caldwell PAC’s Inaccurate Reporting Leads To $15,000 Fine. The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission investigated the PAC for vast discrepancies between its campaign reports and bank records.Civil Beat.

New questions raised over dozens of costly change orders for the rail project. An audiotaped interview of a top city purchasing official is raising new questions about more than $100 million in change orders paid for by the rail project and city taxpayers. Hawaii News Now.

New ‘courtesy’ building inspections could speed up commercial projects. Frustrated building industry officials are hopeful a bill signed into law by Mayor Kirk Caldwell Wednesday will speed up home construction on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

New law is aimed at streamlining building permit process. A measure signed into law Wednesday is aimed at streamlining permitting for commercial construction projects. Hawaii News Now.

City Slaps UH With $35 Million Sewer Bill After Failing To Charge Them For 7 Years. The Department of Environmental Services never got the word UH West Oahu should be billed, and now is working with the university to come up with an accurate estimate for the retroactive sewer charges. Civil Beat.

=====

Katherine Kealoha gets first jail visit from husband Louis. Katherine Kealoha got a visit at the Federal Detention Center Wednesday from her husband Louis Kealoha. KHON2.

Kealohas granted face-to-face meeting at federal detention center. Katherine and Louis Kealoha ― and their lawyers ― will meet at the Honolulu federal detention center for the first time since she was locked up. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Honolulu Zoo applies for accreditation approval. Honolulu Zoo officials this month submitted an application for accreditation to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and hope to win approval by April, some four years after the facility was stripped of its association status. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Zoo reopens Malay sun bear exhibit. In a press conference this morning, Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Honolulu Zoo director Linda Santos announced the reopening of the Malay sun bear exhibit. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Prosecutor Won’t Handle TMT Arrests Because Of Son’s Job. Mitch Roth, whose son works at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has sent the cases to the Hawaii attorney general’s office to avoid a conflict of interest. Associated Press.

Prosecutor son's job prompts turning over telescope arrests. Roth says he doesn't believe it's a conflict, but he asked for opinions from the state Office of Disciplinary Counsel and the county's ethics board. KITV.

=====

Puna Geothermal On Track To Reopen In 2019. Hawaii’s only geothermal power plant is still on track to resume operations before the end of the year. Puna Geothermal Venture has been shuttered since the 2018 Kilauea volcanic eruption. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council OKs interim lava recovery plan. An interim strategy to guide the county’s recovery from the 2018 Kilauea eruption was formally adopted during Wednesday’s meeting of the Hawaii County Council. Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea Risk Assessment Published, As Council Adopts Recovery Strategy. The long awaited risk assessment was published on the same day the Hawaii County Council adopted the Kilauea Interim Recovery Strategy. Big Island Video News.

Broader abandoned vehicle rule drives forward. A bill that would fix county law to permit the Department of Environmental Management to remove abandoned vehicles from state and federal property is moving forward. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Kahele: Long-term water permits on the horizon. Senator’s letter on county water agenda. For months, county water users Upcountry have been caught up in the shifting tides of the state Legislature, a lawsuit, a longtime contested case and the decision-making of private companies. Maui News.

Kauai

Climate rally on Friday at KCC. A “Global Climate Strike” is set for 1 p.m. Friday at Kauai Community College.  Garden Island.

Robert Weist is one of the original investors in the Koloa Rum Company. Wednesday morning, he smiled with pride as he took part in a groundbreaking and blessing ceremony at its new site in Koloa. Garden Island.

Souki accused of sexual harassment; Ige edges Hanabusa in campaign contributions, Chin trailing Kim, Tokuda pulls ahead; audit blasts OHA for misspent millions, recreational fishing license, plastic straw ban posed in Legislature, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Former Speaker Joe Souki, courtesy photo

Former state Department of Human Services Director Rachael Wong has filed a sexual harassment complaint against former House Speaker Joe Souki — a political icon from Maui who for decades has been one of the most powerful lawmakers in the state. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige raked in more than $800,000 in campaign donations for his re-election bid in the last half of 2017 — short of the $1 million he set out to raise in that time frame, but slightly more than his Democratic opponent U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa. Star-Advertiser.

Ige Leads Hanabusa In Campaign Fundraising For Governor’s Race. State Sen. Jill Tokuda tops lieutenant governor candidates, bringing in more donations than her four rivals. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige raised close to $811,000 in the second half of 2017 for his re-election campaign, while U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who will challenge Ige in the Democratic primary, reported donations of almost $732,000. Pacific Business News.

Gov. David Ige raised $810,000 for his re-election campaign during the six months through December, while his primary election opponent U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa raised $731,000. Associated Press.

Ige, Hanabusa neck and neck when it comes to campaign fundraising. Hawaii News Now.

Kim Leads Pack In Congressional Campaign Cash. Attorney General Doug Chin raised less than a fifth as much as Sen. Donna Kim in the race to replace Colleen Hanabusa. Civil Beat.

AG Chin to Announce Decision on LG Vacancy by Weeks’ End. Maui Now.

The first Hawaii lieutenant governor from Maui, Shan Tsutsui, left the office Wednesday while his replacement remains up in the air. Maui News.

=====

Searing Audit Says OHA Misspent Millions Of Dollars. A harshly critical draft audit found the Office of Hawaiian Affairs spent millions of dollars loosely and without proper oversight. Civil Beat.

State to conduct first siren test since false missile alert. Hawaii News Now.

State to conduct monthly warning siren test; internal drill on hold indefinitely. KHON2.

A Hawaii emergency management official who said last week that his retirement had nothing to do with a mistaken missile alert that stirred panic statewide now says it was because of the fallout from the warning. Associated Press.

Worries mount over HI-EMA leadership after resignations announced. Hawaii News Now.

=====

How many more tourists can the state’s environment and infrastructure support? That’s the question being asked by some residents and lawmakers after a report Wednesday said Hawaii’s visitor industry set five records in 2017, the sixth record-setting year in a row. Star-Advertiser.

New bill aims to allocate some HTA funding to conserve natural resources. Pacific Business News.

A proposal making its way through the state Legislature would require a yearly permit for recreational fishing. KHON2.

Senate bill to ban plastic straws in Hawaii passes committee. KITV.

Hawaii Bail Study Finds Justice Is What You Can Afford. Statewide, almost half of the detainees in our jails are accused but not convicted, many because they cannot afford bail. Hawaii Public Radio.

A former Idaho airport director recently accepted a leadership position with the Hawaii Department of Transportation Airports Division, according to the Idaho Falls ABC affiliate. Pacific Business News.

Large Marine Debris Field or Net Mass Between Molokai and Oahu. Maui Now.

The Coast Guard is advising all mariners to exercise caution after a large marine debris field was last observed in the Ka Iwi Channel between Molokai and Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Bill to limit ‘monster’ houses advances. Honolulu City Council members say they will take another look at what types of houses would be rejected under a bill imposing a moratorium on large-scale houses after being warned about unintended consequences. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council Advances "Monster Homes" Bill: Special Meeting Monday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu’s Ala Wai is ranked as one of the most polluted waterways in the country. The State of Hawaii has a plan to clean it up that just received a green light. Hawaii Public Radio.

How A Big Mainland Developer Learned To Thrive In Hawaii. Howard Hughes Corp. seems to stay on course as it navigates burial grounds and being in the path of rail. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's 'last princess' fights for control of her fortune. Multimillionaire heiress Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoa, considered by many to be Hawaii's last princess, is no longer in a position to fund her pet charities, including Iolani Palace and various Native Hawaiian causes. Associated Press.

A new security fence at the Hawaii State Hospital could cost taxpayers millions. Hawaii News Now.

Kamehameha Schools is making another run at redeveloping 6.5 acres in Moiliili near the University of Hawaii, six years after an unsuccessful effort to create a largely retail and residential “town center” on the site. Star-Advertiser.

Ala Moana Center is valued at $5.74 billion, making it the most valuable real estate investment trust-owned mall in the United States, according to a new study by boutique research firm Boenning & Scattergood. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Long-awaited shooting ranges for the Big Island could take some incremental steps forward, the county Game Management Advisory Commission learned Monday evening. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo Medical Center undergoing $28 million in renovations. Tribune-Herald.

2017 was a strong year for tourism on the Big Island. According to data from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, arrivals to the Big Island increased by 13.7 percent from 2016, from 1.5 million to 1.7 million. These arrivals spent more than $2 billion on the island last year, about 14 percent more than in 2016. Tribune-Herald.

Another eight classrooms are coming to Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School with the release of more than $12.4 million in funding for a new classroom building at the campus. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui County Director of Water Supply David Taylor, who has been on administrative leave for three months, has filed a lawsuit against Mayor Alan Arakawa and the county over Arakawa’s attempts to remove him from his position. Maui News.

The Hawaii National Guard’s 93rd Civil Support Team along with the United States Coast Guard, paramedics, airport security, Maui police, and firefighters will participate in a large-scale emergency operations exercise beginning Monday, Feb. 5. Maui Now.

Kauai

A $30 million missile touted as a possible second layer of defense for Hawaii from North Korean threats reportedly failed in its first-ever flight from Kauai’s Aegis Ashore facility today when it did not intercept a target representing an intermediate-range ballistic missile. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Missile Defense Test Failed To Intercept Target. The interceptor was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai. Associated Press.

Department of Public Safety: Sheriffs will now get involved in Coco Palms occupation. Hawaii News Now.

A Kauai hui involved in a lawsuit against the Hawaii Department of Natural Resources and the agroscience company Syngenta is continuing efforts to require the seed company to conduct an environmental review of their ongoing operations on the island’s Westside.  Garden Island.

Kauai-based KonaRed is partnering with beverage incubator L.A. Libations, an innovation partner of The Coca-Cola Company. Pacific Business News.

Total visitor numbers via air travel for Kauai saw a 7.5 percent increase to 1.3 million in 2017 from 1.2 million in 2016, according to HTA ,and that’s not the only growth the island saw. Garden Island.

Artists spent three days creating a 40-foot-long mural depicting the island’s character on a wall fronting the oceanfront bike path in Kapaa Town — only to paint over it a week later. Garden Island.

The Kauai Lifeguard Association board members recently handed over the keys for a 2018 4 x 4 fully-outfitted Kuhio Auto Ford truck to the County of Kauai’s Ocean Safety Bureau. Garden Island.

Hawaii tourism setting records, audit blasts Health Department handling of disease outbreaks, U.S. Appeals Court rules fishery feds erred in allowing turtle takings, minimum wage increases, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hula on Waikiki beach ©2017 All Hawaii News

State visitor arrivals to break 9 million mark for year. With just three days left in the year for visitors to step off planes, it’s expected that about 9.3 million tourists — a record — will have come to the state this year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii visitor spending increases to $1.3B in November. Visitor spending in Hawaii increased 4.5 percent in November to $1.29 billion, while year-to-date spending rose 6.6 percent to $15.2 billion, according to preliminary statistics released Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii visitor spending, traveler numbers went up this November. Whether it's to escape the cold on the mainland or just to relax on the beach, travelers continue to choose Hawaii as their vacation destination. KITV.

=====

The state auditor is slamming the Health Department for failing to properly communicate with its own divisions, health responders and the public during three major disease outbreaks in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Audit: Hawaii Needs To Get Its Act Together In Responding To Outbreaks. When it comes to communication and record keeping, the Health Department seems to start from scratch with each disease outbreak. Civil Beat.

Audit blasts outbreak responses. A breakdown in communication reported throughout the dengue fever outbreak on Hawaii Island between October 2015 and April 2016 were included in an audit of the Department of Health’s Disease Outbreak Control Division that was critical of several issues in the way the agency handled that and other outbreaks across the state. West Hawaii Today.

State Health Officials Criticized For Dengue Outbreak Response In Audit. The State Auditor details confusion and discord in the Department of Health during the 2015 Big Island dengue fever outbreak, as well as other outbreaks. Big Island Video News.

Audit slams state's fumbled response to 3 major outbreaks. The state Health Department experienced "communication breakdowns" and "inconsistent processes and procedures" in its response to three disease outbreaks in 2015 and 2016, a scathing new audit found. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Report: Most sirens worked during Hawaii warning test. A report on a Hawaii siren test that drew international attention amid a North Korea missile threat shows that 28 sirens statewide played the wrong sound or had other technical problems. Associated Press.

Come Jan. 1, Hawaii's minimum wage workers will earn more. Hawaii's minimum wage will go up to $10.10 per hour starting on New Year's Day. Hawaii News Now.

Swordfishing permit review ordered. Environmental groups that sued to protect migratory birds and endangered sea turtles are claiming victory in their challenge to the federal government’s authorization to expand the swordfish fishery for Hawaii-based longline fishing vessels. Star-Advertiser.

US Appeals Court: Feds Erred In Hawaii Fishery Expansion. Conservation groups had challenged a rule that doubled limits on how many endangered sea turtles could be accidentally hooked. Associated Press.

Hawaii Looks To Spur School Creativity With ‘Innovation Grants’. Up to $250,000 will be available for the right idea and a two-year plan to implement it. Civil Beat.

Kamehameha Schools invests $24M in community programs. Kamehameha Schools has awarded $24 million in community investment grants to support collaboration partners in more than 100 programs and projects during current fiscal year, which began July 1. Pacific Business News.

USS Wasp with F-35B makes stop on way to Japan. The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp pulled into Pearl Harbor on Thursday for a port visit on its way to Japan and the introduction of an F-35B ship-based joint strike fighter capability in the highly charged region that includes North Korea and China. Star-Advertiser.

A report on sea level rise vulnerabilities and adaptation has been released by the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, known as the Climate Commission, and the 304 pages are available online.  Garden Island.

Climate Change's Impact on Hawaiian Fishpond Aquaculture. New research is shedding light about what needs to be done as the cultural resource is under threat by climate change. Hawaii Public Radio.

Young Brothers names Gas Co. executive to take over as president. Young Brothers Ltd., the state’s largest interisland cargo carrier, said today it has selected Joseph Boivin as its new president. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

New Year’s means higher taxes, fees, bus fares and minimum wage. The state and city are ringing in the new year by lightening your pocketbooks through new laws or rule changes that take effect Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Rush is on to prepay property taxes. Dozens of people waited in line for more than an hour Thursday at Honolulu Hale trying to beat an end-of-the-year deadline to save money by paying their 2017 property taxes early. Star-Advertiser.

City and County of Honolulu says bond refinancing saves taxpayers $20.7M. The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Budget and Fiscal Services said it closed on $253 million of tax-exempt advance refunding bonds last week that will be used to refinance existing debt for improvements to Oahu’s wastewater system. Pacific Business News.

Leaky roofs still a problem at Honolulu airport, some say it’s getting worse. KHON2.

Kualoa Ranch plans include expanding visitors center, new buildings. Kualoa Ranch, a Windward Oahu visitor attraction that has also served as a filming location for such movies as “Jumanji” and “Jurassic World,” is planning to build a number of improvements, including an expanded visitors’ center, a new retail building, new tour depots and more than 7,000 square feet of office space. Pacific Business News.

Diamond Head Theatre redevelopment moves ahead with revised plan, new architect. Two years after launching a capital campaign to fund a redevelopment, Diamond Head Theatre is moving ahead with plans to build a new 500-seat theater building and has hired a Houston-based architecture firm that specializes in theater design. Pacific Business News.

Commentary: Did Hawaii Really Try To Thwart CNN’s Homelessness Report? The DLNR explains its reasons for not granting a permit for access to an encampment near the Waianae Boat Harbor. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Allure of isle boosts tourism. Tourism numbers were strong in November — and for the year overall statewide — particularly for the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

Kamehameha Schools Invests Nearly $7M in Hawaii Island Programs. Big Island Now.

An endangered seabird is nesting 7,000 feet above sea level on the slopes of Mauna Loa on the Big Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui Visitor Spending and Arrivals Surpass 2016 Numbers. Visitor spending on Maui rose (+2.7% to $359.4 million) in November 2017, boosted by growth in visitor days (+5.8%), and visitor arrivals (+9.3% to 215,266), according to preliminary data released today by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Maui Now.

Maui close to record-breaking visitor arrival, spending totals. Maui visitor arrivals by air were up 9.3 percent in November to 215,266 and up 3.7 percent to 2,483,686 for the year’s first 11 months. Maui News.

Reef Safe Sunscreen on Maui. There’s now a movement in Maui County to ban sunscreen containing chemicals that scientists say are harming the reefs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kamehameha Schools Invests $1.7 M in Maui Programs. Kamehameha Schools has awarded more than $1.7 million in community investment grants to support collaboration partners on Maui, Molokai and Lanai for the current fiscal year which began July 1. Maui Now.

November home sales sizzle with strong demand. Low inventory makes it a hot sellers’ market. Maui News.

More fish, lower sashimi prices predicted. Retailers say there should be plenty for New Year’s parties. Maui News.

Kauai

Visitor spending continues climb. Kauai saw 95,900 visitors in November, an increase of 9.8 percent over November 2016. Through the first 11 months of 2017, Kauai has had 1.16 million visitors, a 7.5 percent increase over the same time frame last year. Garden Island.

Canines latest tool in effort to curb avian botulism. Avian botulism has been dropping ducks in outbreaks that have been sweeping the population since 2011 — and it’s not just koloa ducks. Garden Island.

Hawaii still tops in homelessness, new tax chief named, Honolulu police chief admits error in gun confiscation, Kauai council passes GET surcharge, attack siren failures reported, Pearl Harbor remembered, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Homeless sleep on Honolulu sidewalk © 2017 All Hawaii News

Hawaii still leads nation in homeless count per capita. The 7,220 homeless people counted across the islands in January as part of an annual, nationwide homeless census put Hawaii’s rate at 51 homeless people for every 10,000 individuals, the worst of all 50 states, according to a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development report released Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Despite broad concerns, governor says tax system upgrades are on track. The governor says a $60 million project to modernize the tax department's outdated computer systems is moving forward with the right team in place. Hawaii News Now.

Ige appoints new director for troubled state tax department. Gov. David Ige today named Linda Chu Takayama as the new director of the state Department of Taxation in an effort to quickly replace outgoing director Maria Zielinski in what has emerged as a pivotal position in Ige’s administration. Star-Advertiser.

Linda Chu Takayama

Ige appoints new interim director of taxation. Hawaii Gov. David Ige has named Linda Chu Takayama as the new interim director of the state Department of Taxation following Maria Zielinski's sudden resignation on Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

Governor Appoints Linda Chu Takayama as Interim Tax Director. Hawaii Public Radio.

Trump advised to alter Pacific Remote Islands monument. Commercial fishing has been banned for nearly a decade in 490,534 square miles of water around several western Pacific islands and atolls. But that could change based on a recommendation issued Tuesday to President Donald Trump. Star-Advertiser.

Can Voluntourism Offset the Environmental Impacts of Hawaii's Growing Visitor Industry? Most tourists come to Hawaii on vacation for rest and relaxation, but there’s a popular trend in visitors coming to Hawaii to volunteer their time and labor. Hawaii Public Radio.

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

Why Hawaii Residents Can’t Build Their Own Private Power Grids. As solar systems and battery storage gain popularity, some say Hawaii’s law needs to catch up with the technology. Civil Beat.

Survivors, families to mark 76th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack. The crowds will be smaller this year. There will be fewer headlines and cameras and big names. Hawaii News Now.

76th Anniversary of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Maui Now.

WWII veterans accomplish final mission. Seventy-six years have passed since the “day of infamy.” The call to “Remember Pearl Harbor” has faded, Hotel Street has faded, and the men like Lauren Bruner and Lou Conter, who were there and fought back, are fading, too. Star-Advertiser.

USS Arizona Survivors take special flight to mark 76th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack. KITV.

USS Arizona survivors take aerial tour ahead of Pearl Harbor’s 76th commemoration. KHON2.

How Hawaii airports stack up against the competition for international passengers. Pacific Business News.

Island Air workers unable to access 401(k) funds. The company’s 423 workers, already without their final November paycheck and health insurance, now are being shut out from accessing their 401(k) retirement funds — some of which have been deposited in the wrong account. Star-Advertiser.

Following report, judge in Kamehameha Schools sex abuse case recuses herself. Hawaii News Now.

Commentary: Preparing For Hawaii’s Next Constitutional Convention Vote. A referendum is set for Nov. 6, 2018, but now is the time to begin the discussion. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Emergency Leader Concerned Siren Was Hard To Hear In Waikiki. Beachgoers hardly noticed the alarm, which also was hard to hear in some other areas. Associated Press.

HPD in error over cannabis patients with guns, chief says. Honolulu police Chief Susan Ballard said her department’s controversial policy requiring medical marijuana patients to relinquish their guns was wrong. Star-Advertiser.

Council Gives Preliminary OK To Changing How Police Panel Selected. The resolution would allow the City Council to select three members of the seven-member commission. Civil Beat.

Council OKs measures trying to rein in ‘monster’ homes. The Honolulu City Council approved legislation Wednesday that directs the Department of Planning and Permitting to come up with stiffer regulations on large-scale houses and renewed an effort to impose a moratorium on building permits for such structures until new rules are in place. Star-Advertiser.

Council gives OK to Keeaumoku condo tower project. The developers of the Hawaii City Plaza condominium tower in the Keeaumoku area have been given the go-ahead by the Honolulu City Council, despite lingering ill feelings toward the developers by some Council members and concerns by community members that the approval was rushed. Star-Advertiser.

Proposed High Rise With ‘Poor Door’ Stalls At City Council. Councilwoman Kymberly Pine said the developer needs to address concerns about a planned separate entrance to the lower-cost rental units. Civil Beat.

Hawaii health officials have issued an advisory telling people not to eat fish or shellfish caught in the Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Hawaii fuel pier and marina area due to unsafe levels of contaminants. Associated Press.

Crews Are Close to Finally Ridding Waikiki Of The Pacific Paradise. The Coast Guard says the cost of salvaging the wrecked vessel has already exceeded $1 million. Civil Beat.

The state attorney general says no criminal charges will be filed for now in the case of a toddler who was assaulted in a babysitter's care. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu home prices continued their mostly slow and steady rise this year, notching 3 percent gains in November. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu home sales post double-digit increases as prices rise. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

State adding more sirens to alert Big Island about emergencies. The state is adding 17 new Big Island sirens to its system of emergency alerts as it works to fill gaps in a program designed to bolster public preparedness in natural and man-made emergencies. West Hawaii Today.

People in Hilo thought they were hearing sirens. It was actually a leaf blower. Hawaii News Now.

The owner of Cloverleaf Dairy is looking to hand his family business over to another company after a deal reached in 2016 fell through. Tribune-Herald.

VIDEO: Hungarian Automated Telescope On Mauna Kea Made Permanent. A request for permanent continuation of the Hungarian Automated Telescope, or HAT, was approved by the Maunakea Management Board on November 28. Big Island Video News.

Maui

LUC members hear testimony backing ‘agrihood’ project. Land Use Commission members heard several hours of testimony Wednesday as part of hearings on proposed state district boundary amendments for the nearly 500-acre Waikapu Country Town project. Maui News.

Letter: County Liquor officials did not prohibit children at event. The county Department of Liquor Control defended its “limited role” in an October fundraiser by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui, writing in a letter last week to the club that no liquor laws or rules prevented youths from receiving awards at the event that served alcohol. Maui News.

Infographic: Sewage Spills on Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Council OKs tax hike. On Wednesday, the county council approved Bill 2670 to establish a general excise and use tax surcharge. Garden Island.

Officers seize illegal plants from Kalalau Valley. The Kauai Police Department participated in a two-day multi-agency operation this week that led to the removal of 15 coca plants from Kalalau Valley. Garden Island.

Molokai

New emergency sirens will be tested at five Molokai sites between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. today and Friday, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said. Maui News.

Tourists flocking to Hawaii, nuclear attack siren test today, state tax officials told consultant to alter report, Jim Nabors mourned, Uber and Lyft allowed to pickup at Honolulu airport, Kauai natives claim title, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki beach beauties © 2017 All Hawaii News

Hawaii posts solid tourism gains in October. Hawaii tourism continued its blistering pace in October, kicking off the fourth quarter ahead of forecasts with further gains expected. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii sees big gains in tourism spending. Visitor spending in Hawaii increased 4.4 percent last month to $1.3 billion, while year-to-date spending rose 6.8 percent to $13.8 billion, according to preliminary statistics released Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority says the number of visitors to the state rose nearly 3 percent in October compared to the year before. Associated Press.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority says the number of visitors to the state rose nearly 3 percent in October compared to the year before. Garden Island.

=====

Emergency sirens will blast new ‘attack’ warning in first test. Today, sirens will blast in wavering unison to a sound not heard in Hawaii since the Cold War — an “attack warning.” Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Revives Cold War Relic: Test System For Nuke Attack. The siren will be tested Friday. It includes a wailing sound in the middle to distinguish it from the storm siren. Civil Beat.

Get ready, Hawaii. For the first time since the Cold War, an "attack warning" siren with a wavering tone will sound Friday across the state. Associated Press.

=====

Firm says state tax officials told it to alter report on $60M computer project. A consultant hired by the state to oversee the $60 million modernization of the Department of Taxation’s computer systems was instructed by state tax officials on which subjects “should and should not” be addressed in its supposedly independent monitoring reports to lawmakers and the public, according to a new report. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii has a critical need for more infant and toddler care, and some rural areas are “child care deserts” with few options for working parents, according to a report released Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Study: Child care in Hawaii is pricey and in short supply. Hawaii News Now.

Emotions 101: Why Hawaii Schools Are Focusing On Feelings. Hawaii schools have joined a growing educational movement that emphasizes “whole child” development, not just academics. Civil Beat.

Among Kamehameha Schools alums, no consensus on how to handle sex abuse case. Hawaii News Now.

A state program helping Hawaii consumers and businesses conserve electricity said it delivered record energy savings last fiscal year despite a 29 percent budget cut and fewer incentives. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines will unveil two changes today by launching a new meal program in the main cabin for its North American routes and debuting uniforms by Hilo-based designer Sig Zane across its network. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s 2017 hurricane season officially ended Thursday as one of the quietest yet. Tribune-Herald.

Jim Nabors, 87, dies at Diamond Head home. Hawaii friends of beloved entertainer Jim Nabors say he wasn’t far removed from the gentle, amiable television character, Gomer Pyle, that first brought him fame in the 1960s. Star-Advertiser.

Legendary singer and actor Jim Nabors being remembered around the world. He died at his Diamond Head home early Thursday morning at the age of 87. KITV.

'It wasn't a facade': Friends, fans remember Jim Nabors' talent, wit and folksy charm. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

The Honolulu Police Department is reviewing a controversial policy that requires legal marijuana patients to turn in their firearms. Star-Advertiser.

A unanimous Hawaii Supreme Court ruled last week that the Honolulu Police Department conducted an illegal search when, acting on an anonymous tip, it made several helicopter flights in October 2012 over a Waipahu home and spotted a number of marijuana plants growing alongside the house. Civil Beat.

=====

Uber, Lyft OK’d to pick up at airport. Several Hawaii taxicab companies are objecting to an agreement between the state Department of Transportation and ride-hailing services to allow pickups at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Starting Friday, ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft will be able to pick up passengers at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Civil Beat.

Uber and Lyft have been granted a temporary three-month permit beginning Friday to pick up passengers from the Honolulu International Airport for a pilot program announced Thursday by the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Pacific Business News.

Starting Dec. 1, Uber and Lyft can pick you up at the airport. KITV.

=====

Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Honolulu drops 11%, Zumper report finds. The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Honolulu is $2,110, which is 11 percent less than the same time last year, when it was $2,370, according to the Zumper report, which analyzed rental data from more than 1 million active listings in the U.S. available in the month prior to publication. Pacific Business News.

City to spend $46M to replace street lamps with energy-efficient LEDs. The city is finally ready to kick off a project to convert all 53,500 street lights on Oahu to energy-efficient LED lamps. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu is going to get brighter. The city plans to convert 53,000 street lights island-wide into LED lights. KITV.

City’s bright idea aims to save millions of tax dollars each year. KHON2.

KouWork, a co-working space that recently opened in the ground floor of a two-story, 6,000-square-foot building at 814 Ilaniwai St., has brought in such tenants as The Wedding Café, Brue Bar and its parent company, HonBlue. Pacific Business News.

Stevenson teacher wins $100,000 to set up campus technology hub. Hundreds of students erupted in raucous cheers at Stevenson Middle School as teacher Patricia Morgan was named Thursday as a national winner of a $100,000 grant to set up an “Imaginerium” on campus. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The Hawaii Police Department has a letter it sends to medical marijuana patients seeking a gun permit that’s similar to a letter sent by the Honolulu Police Department which has cannabis advocates up in arms, so to speak. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo selected as one of the best places for snowbirds. Hilo has been named among the “20 best places for snowbirds this winter” by the travel site Expedia. Tribune-Herald.

Two California men who posted photos of themselves on social media holding an endangered green sea turtle have been fined. KHON2.

A man and woman were arrested on drug charges after a search of a homeless housing unit Tuesday afternoon. West Hawaii Today.

Flood Warning Prompts Shelter Opening, East Hawaii Parks Closed. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Police Captain Enters Not Guilty Plea in Sex Assault Case. Maui Police Capt. Stephen Orikasa was charged with fourth degree Sex Assault for an alleged incident reported in October 2017. Maui Now.

Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura will introduce a resolution at the Maui County Council’s meeting on Friday, Dec. 1, urging the Governor and the State Legislature to mandate the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, to proactively administer the state statute relating to the preservation of historic properties and native Hawaiian burials. Maui Now.

Work continues on Lahaina bypass extension. Maui News.

Visitor spending on Maui grew (+7.6% to $368.3 million) in October 2017, boosted by increased daily spending (+5.6% to $219 per person) and growth in visitor days (+1.9%), according to preliminary data released today by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Maui Now.

Hospice Maui’s new land parcel blessed. Maui News.

Kauai

More than 20 people claim interest in quiet title suit. Judge Randal Valenciano’s courtroom was full on Thursday as more than 50 people filed in to be a part of quiet title proceedings related to land on Kauai’s Westside. Garden Island.

Postal service pledges vigilance as Kauai woman sentenced for drug packages. A Kauai woman was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison for smuggling drugs in the mail. KHON2.

Honolulu medical marijuana users told to surrender guns, nuclear attack warning sirens to be tested Friday, Russian billionaire yacht turned back from Molokai harbor, public forum set for new Oahu jail, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HPD medical marijuana gun letter circulating on Facebook

HPD tells medical marijuana patients to turn in their guns. The Honolulu Police Department is ordering legal cannabis patients to “voluntarily surrender” any guns they own because pot is still considered an illegal drug under federal law. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Police Tell Medical Marijuana Patients To Give Up Their Guns. Some say the department’s policy of sending letters to patients is an escalation of efforts to deny gun permits. Civil  Beat.

North Korea’s test launch Tuesday of what could be its longest-range intercontinental ballistic missile yet seems to add further justification to the state planning for what officials are still calling the “extremely unlikely” possibility of a strike on Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Announcement of Attack Warning Siren. Gov. David Ige, Director of Emergency Management Major General Arthur J. Logan and Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Administrator Vern Miyagi presented the tone and discussed the need for the Attack Warning Signal, how it will be used and what their agencies are doing to prepare our state for a nuclear threat. Big Island Now.

Get ready, Hawaii. For the first time since the Cold War, an "attack warning" siren with a wavering tone will sound Friday across the state. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii readies ‘attack warning’ siren tone in event of unlikely nuclear attack. KHON2.

A new website can now show you the economic impact the U.S. military has in the islands. The U.S. military is the second biggest driver to Hawaii’s economy…with approximately 2 billion dollars being spent annually in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hotel rate increases drive October performance. A higher average hotel rate drove up hotel performance in October, offsetting flat statewide occupancy, according to a Hawaii hotel performance report distributed Tuesday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Star-Advertiser.

RevPAR, or revenue per available room, for Hawaii hotels increased 3.8 percent in October to $189 compared to last year, with Hawaii Island reporting the largest gain, according to the Hawaii Hotel Performance Report released Tuesday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

Hotels across Hawaii earned more revenue per available room in October at $189 (+3.8%) compared to a year ago, according to the Hawaii Hotel Performance Report released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Maui Now.

Pledge to investigate Kamehameha Schools sex abuse went unfulfilled. Hawaii News Now.

Former trustees: 'Wall of secrecy' at Kamehameha Schools helped sex abuse stay hidden. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Public forum tonight on plan for new jail. The public will have an opportunity to comment on state plans for a proposed new jail on what is now the site of the Animal Quarantine Station in Halawa Valley at a public meeting tonight. Star-Advertiser.

20 companies to vie for former Island Air employees at job fair. Star-Advertiser.

Homeless move into cemetery, frustrating efforts to clean it up. Hawaii News Now.

Mormon Church North Shore Housing Plans Hit Roadblock. A City Council bill to preserve ag land in Koolauloa could restrict a proposed 550-unit housing and commercial development. Civil Beat.

Malaekahana development to be discussed in meeting. Hawaii Reserves Inc. is expected to present publicly for the first time an alternative to its contentious Envision Laie plan at a meeting of the Honolulu City Council’s Planning Committee at 6:30 p.m. today at Hauula Elementary School. Star-Advertiser.

Did Honolulu Police Go Too Far In The Case Of This Man’s Death? Sheldon Haleck died after a struggle with police in 2015. He was on meth. He refused to get out of the road. Police say they took appropriate actions. Civil Beat.

A first look of Kapiolani Medical Center's new ER space: Slideshow. The Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children will open a new emergency room next month. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Commercial haulers and others taking garbage to the landfill will be paying more to toss their trash, if the County Council agrees with a Department of Environmental Management request to raise tipping fees 33 percent over five years. West Hawaii Today.

County seeks members for boards, commissions. A number of boards and commissions, made up of private citizens, have had trouble getting quorum at meetings. Some have difficulty even getting enough members to make a quorum. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii County Salary Commission on Monday approved double-digit raises for some of the county's top officials. Pacific Business News.

The Hawaii Police Department and its Neighborhood Watch division will be sharing public information on emergency guidelines for a possible nuclear event, as recommended by Hawaii County. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo Hospital Goes It Alone With Rat Lungworm Treatment. Many of the disease’s more severe cases are popping up on the Big Island, where the resident expert prefers an aggressive approach. Civil Beat.

Maui

New Law Would Ban Smoking in Cars with Minors. A bill that would make it illegal to smoke in a vehicle with a minor present will be reintroduced in a special Maui County Council committee meeting on Jan. 5. Maui Now.


West Maui condo fined $100,000 for unpermitted structures. Unpermitted items include barbecue grills, a stairway, an eating area and a seawall. Maui News.

A woman who survived a crash near Hana that killed her twin sister waived her right to a jury trial on a murder charge and will be tried by 2nd Circuit Judge Peter Cahill beginning Jan. 29. Maui News.

Maui ranch pegged for housing back in bankruptcy. Star-Advertiser.

Maui Metro Area Named “Drunkest City” in Hawaii. A new report lists the Maui County metro areas of Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina as the “Drunkest City” in Hawaii. Maui Now.

Kauai

Lawmakers suspicious on whale beachings. The five pilot whales that died on Kalapaki Beach after the Oct. 13 stranding weren’t diseased and some are questioning whether there’s a connection with the state’s Lehua Island rat poisoning project or military sonar. Garden Island.

Marine scientists investigating the mass stranding of five pilot whales on Kauai’s Kalapaki Beach last month have ruled out disease as causing the event, and say something sudden must have triggered the stranding. Garden Island.

Mainland real estate investment firm Holliday Fenoglio Fowler LP said Tuesday that it placed acquisition financing of $32.3 million with a Mainland investor for Epic Real Estate Partners’ $43.55 million purchase of the Safeway-anchored Kauai Village Shopping Center. Pacific Business News.

The new owner of the Safeway-anchored Kauai Village Shopping Center has hired Honolulu-based Commercial Consultants Inc. to handle leasing at the center and has plans to remodel the buildings’ exteriors. Pacific Business News.

Fugitive captured on Kauai. William Lawrence, 41, had been on the run since 2006, when he was convicted of forcible sexual abuse and forcible sodomy, a third-degree felony, according to a press release. At the time of the alleged abuse, Lawrence worked as a correctional officer for the Utah Department of Corrections. Garden Island.

Molokai

Billionaire’s massive yacht turned away at Molokai harbor. A billionaire was blocked from docking at a Molokai harbor after he tried to visit the island with his massive yacht. Garden Island.

Molokai residents send message to billionaire Russian boater: Go away. After protesters blocked a cruise ship from docking at Kaunakakai Harbor several years ago, residents set a protocol for luxury ships and large groups of visitors wanting to come to Molokai. Maui News.