Hawaii leaders decry affirmative action ruling, DOE wasted millions on solar AC, Honolulu Skyline rail opens today, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii leaders blast ruling against affirmative action. Three Hawaii congressional delegation members assailed the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Thursday that struck down affirmative action policies at two major American colleges, with Sen. Mazie Hirono blasting the ruling as “shortsighted and detached from reality.” Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.  KITV4.

Investigation finds DOE wasted millions on solar-powered AC systems. A Hawaii News Now investigation has found that the state Department of Education wasted millions of dollars on solar-powered air conditioning systems that either had to be disconnected or aren’t doing an adequate job of cooling classrooms. During the past six years, the DOE has installed solar-powered AC systems in 880 classrooms at a cost of $122 million — or more than $138,000 per classroom. Hawaii News Now.

Governor to veto pilot program overseeing where public art can be showcased. A pilot program that would have allowed publicly-owned art to be showcased in private spaces is slated for veto by Gov. Josh Green. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii visitor arrivals recover to 94.6% of pre-pandemic levels. Some 801,569 visitors came to the Hawaiian islands in May, according to preliminary visitor statistics released today by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. May arrivals represented an increase of 3.2% from arrivals in May 2022.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s domestic arrivals soften as demand subsides.  The wild exuberance and pent-up demand for tourism that turned 2022 into the peak year for U.S. arrivals to the state has softened. Star-Advertiser.

Prominent Native Hawaiian Defense Contractor Is Part Of New Federal Criminal Probe. Federal authorities executed a search warrant earlier this week at the Honolulu offices of Dawson, a conglomerate of Native Hawaiian-owned companies that receive tens of millions of dollars in government contracts, mostly from the Department of Defense.  Civil Beat.

In symbolic move, Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima sign historic sister park agreement. It’s a historic agreement between two places that were devastated by World War II some eight decades ago — forever connected through pain and healing through reconciliation and cooperation. Hawaii News Now.

11 new COVID-related deaths, 535 new infections recorded in Hawaii, DOH reports. The Hawaii State Department of Health  reported 11 new deaths related to COVID-19 and 535 new infections over the last seven days in Hawaii. The total number of deaths stands at 1,938. KITV4.

Oahu

Honolulu rail officials worry about ‘being overwhelmed’ by crowds as system opens. Honolulu rail leaders are bracing for large crowds as Skyline opens Friday at 2 p.m., with free rides through July 4. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.  KHON2.

Liquor Commissioners Commit To Improving Agency’s Outdated Systems And Poor Morale. Some Honolulu businesses have received more than one inspection a month and others none at all, the commission heard. Civil Beat.

Waiahole Valley lease arbitration deadline extended. Gov. Josh Green announced Thursday that Waiahole Valley residents with state land leases for house lots will have two additional weeks to avert arbitration over rent increases. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

BWS detects low levels of ‘forever chemicals’ in Pearl City Shaft.   The Board of Water Supply has detected low levels of PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” in the Pearl City Shaft, officials said Wednesday. The Pearl City Shaft serves an area that spans from Lehua Community Park to Pearl City District Park. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Report takes deep dive into housing in Hawaii. While Hawaii residents face the highest housing costs in the nation, the Big Island is described as “an outlier in terms of home prices.” Tribune-Herald.

Phase One Of Waipiʻo Valley Road Rockfall Mitigation Completed.  The Hawaiʻi County Public Works Engineering Division on Thursday announced the completion of the rockfall mitigation work, which covered 750 feet down the slope of the Waipiʻo Valley Road. Big Island Video News.

July public meeting scheduled for the Four Mile Creek Bridge.  The bridge, located at the south end of Kilauea Avenue in Hilo, carries hundreds of vehicles per day traveling to and from Highway 11.  Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Report: Maui hotels saw fewer visitors, less revenue in May.  Last month, the county’s occupancy rate was 63.3 percent, down 4.1 percentage points versus 2022 when occupancy was at 67.4 percent, and down 12.9 percentage points versus pre-pandemic May 2019, when occupancy was at 76.3 percent, according to the Hawai’i Hotel Performance Report published by the Hawai’i Tourism Authority last week.  Maui News.

Trace levels of herbicide found at Haleakala water system. The Hawaii Department of Health said it recently detected low levels of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid during routine sampling at the Haleakala National Park drinking water system. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Kauai

July 3 is deadline for ag dedication petitions. The county Department of Finance Real Property Assessment office reminds the public that the deadline for filing new Agricultural Dedication Petitions is July 1. However, because July 1 falls on a weekend, applicants will be able to submit their petitions on or before July 3, 2023, to be considered for the upcoming 2024 assessment. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i to get dedicated kupuna watchdog.  After nearly 50 years, Hawai‘i’s long-term care ombudsman program will finally deploy full-time staff to the neighbor islands, a move that officials hope will aid significantly in the state’s attempts to combat elder abuse. Garden Island.

 

Hawaii tax rebates could hit bank accounts this year, GOP announces candidates, Army may close road in Fort DeRussy redevelopment, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Photo by 金 运 on Unsplash

Hawaii tax rebates to be expedited if enacted July 1. State government administrators are opting to diverge from a historical practice of delivering special legislative tax rebates through a following year’s tax return, and instead are preparing to issue direct bank deposits and checks in the next few months if Senate Bill 514 clears a legal and technical review by Gov. David Ige’s administration. Star-Advertiser.

Lower Electric Bills Or More Jobs? Hawaii Grapples With A Green Economy. Lawmakers did an abrupt — and secretive — about-face as the session ended when they revamped a bill putting limits on some renewable energy sources. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers award Hawaii nonprofits nearly $50M. Hawaii’s 2022 Legislature may long be mainly remembered for appropriating hundreds of millions of dollars for high-profile needs, but many smaller worthy causes also received extraordinary funding this year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Police Standards Board Finally Gets Some Money From Lawmakers. Hawaii is the last state in the country to set up minimum qualifications for its law enforcement officers. Civil Beat.

Junked Vehicles: How One Hawaii Lawmaker Turned A Good Idea Into Reality. A freshman legislator saw four of his bills addressing abandoned vehicles pass the 2022 Hawaii Legislature. Here’s how he did it. Civil Beat.

Final pick for permanent Hawaii public schools superintendent expected Thursday. The job is huge, and there is much at stake. As the nation’s only statewide school district, Hawaii’s is widely considered the 10th largest in the nation, with 171,000 students and 42,600 employees in 257 regular public schools and 37 charter schools, and an annual operating budget of more than $2 billion. The salary is up to $250,000 per year, less than many comparable mainland positions. Star-Advertiser.

Report Cites Mistreatment Of Students At Native Hawaiian Boarding Schools. Hawaiians fared somewhat better than students at Indian boarding schools on the mainland, a new federal investigation shows. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

GOP introduces candidates for 2022 election season at state convention. Although Hawaii is a heavily democratic state, there are well-known candidates willing to take the risk of running for governor. Hawaii News Now.

A Major Solar Farm Developer Is Pulling Out Of Maui And Oahu Projects. Inflation and supply chain disruptions have made the utility-scale solar projects too costly, but the developer is hopeful it’s only a delay. Civil Beat.

DLNR to hold additional meetings on use of lay nets. The new rules proposed in December limited the use of lay nets, requiring a $25 permit for the use and possession of them, and mandated that the nets be attended at all times. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Closure of Kalia Road proposed for redevelopment of Fort DeRussy in Waikiki. The Army has proposed a long-range plan to close a broad swath of Kalia Road in Waikiki as part of the redevelopment of the Fort DeRussy Complex, igniting concerns that it will cause gridlock and significantly increase bus commute times for workers in the state’s busiest tourism district. Star-Advertiser.

Former city prosecutor’s top assistants return to testify in public corruption probe. Federal prosecutors appear to be re-focusing their efforts to charge Honolulu’s former city Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro as part of a sprawling public corruption probe. Hawaii News Now.

State shows ‘disturbing’ fuel contamination plume maps from Red Hill spills. Six months after the Navy’s tainted water crisis went public, the state has released new maps showing the underground movement of the contamination. Hawaii News Now.

Attorneys for alleged Hawaii crime boss ask judge to compel evidence disclosure. Attorneys for Michael Miske have accused federal prosecutors of ignoring the rules of discovery and not producing evidence — including text messages that show the parents of the man allegedly murdered at the order of the accused crime boss believed their son’s pregnant girlfriend and her father were responsible for his disappearance. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The public’s turn: Council seeks input on budget increase, tax rollback. Property values are up dramatically, there’s a record high $779.7 million budget in the works and the County Council, for the first time in decades, is considering lowering the tax rates. West Hawaii Today.

Palila habitat fence slated for expansion. Another five miles of fencing around a portion of Maunakea is slated for construction this year, which will almost, but not quite, enclose the upper slopes of the mountain after more than 10 years. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New property tax rates approved with cuts for some homeowners. Saddled by deadlines, the Maui County Council on Friday approved property tax rates for the next fiscal year, even as several members expressed a need for a more thorough review of property tax rates and policy. Maui News.

Panel sets higher pay for first agriculture director. After initially setting lower amounts, the Maui County Salary Commission voted Friday to increase annual salaries for the director and deputy director of the new county Department of Agriculture to $114,000 and $102,600, respectively. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i county council shuts down vacation rental tax. By a 4-3 vote, the County Council voted down a measure Friday that would have increased the tax rate on vacation rental units and used the funding for affordable housing. Garden Island.

Masks Recommended Indoors On Kauai Due To ‘High’ Covid Risk, CDC Says. Masks are recommended in indoor public spaces and on public transportation on Kauai as the number of positive Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people on the island exceeds 540 people. Civil Beat. Garden Island.

Police punishment iffy, new Hilton tower planned for Waikiki, Kauai readies for polystyrene foam ban, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii police on parade ©2021 All Hawaii News

In Hawaii, Punishment For Bad Cops Often Doesn’t Stick. A Civil Beat review of more than 50 arbitration awards covering nearly three decades of misconduct found that arbitrators regularly reverse police chiefs’ disciplinary decisions. Overall, the records show that 65% of all cases that went before an arbitrator, an officer’s discipline was either reduced or overturned. Three out of four officers who were fired were eventually rehired through arbitration, oftentimes with back pay amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Civil Beat.

Hawaii law amended to allow electric vehicles to use HOV lanes regardless of passenger count. The Hawaii Department of Transportation today announced that the state law has been amended to allow electric vehicles to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes regardless of the number of people in the car. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii gets workforce digital literacy grant of up to $100,000 from the National Governors Association. Hawaii will receive a grant of up to $100,000 from the National Governors Association to create a plan and policies for developing digital skills and equity in the state’s workforce. Star-Advertiser.

Proposed Updates To Federal Fishing Law Target Wespac. The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council’s lack of transparency and unabashed politicking has prompted an effort to curtail questionable behavior through legislation. Civil Beat.

Nov. 22 strike date set for Kaiser Permanente Hawaii workers. More than 1,800 Kaiser Permanente employees in Hawaii plan to go on strike amid contract negotiations with the health care provider. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii facing threat of another COVID-19 surge as cases soar across the globe. With a spike in COVID cases on the other side of the globe, the World Health Organization's warning Americans to stay alert. KITV4.

COVID ravaged the Pacific Islander community last year, but grassroots efforts helped turn the tide. Before the vaccine was available, Pacific Islanders made up about 25% of all of the infections in Hawaii ― even though they’re only 4% of the population. They now represent only about 8% of the cases. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii sees 79 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 85,218. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 33 new cases on Oahu, 21 on Hawaii Island, five on Maui, 16 on Kauai and four Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu’s Battle Against Short-Term Rentals Begins Again. The Honolulu City Council will hear arguments for and against Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s proposal for short-term rental enforcement on Wednesday in what is shaping up to be another long and contentious debate on the issue. Civil Beat.

New Hilton hotel tower planned in Waikiki. Hilton Hawaiian Village plans to expand its footprint onto more of Ala Moana Boulevard with a new tower, adding 515 hotel rooms to what already is Waikiki’s largest resort property. Star-Advertiser.

Top Navy official raised concerns about multiple leaking valves at Red Hill, according to leaked email. The revelation about the temporary shutdown of Red Hill and concerns about the pipeline system come at a sensitive time for the Navy, which is trying to persuade DOH to issue it a five-year permit to continue operating its tank farm. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Lack of specialized welders delays rail. The inability to find specialized welders to retrofit too-wide rail track crossings to close the gap between too-narrow train wheels will delay the handover of the troubled rail project to the city for testing, which was supposed to happen by end of the year. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Violent imagery, threats cited in girl’s arrest. Honolulu police officers arrested a 10-year-old Black girl in January 2020 because she drew a picture of a girl pointing a gun and with a severed head at her feet, addressing it to two students with death threats, according to a letter released Tuesday by the Honolulu Police Department. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Solar projects ditched, delayed. Supply chain problems and other unfavorable circumstances have led to the cancellation of one Big Island large solar project and the delay of another, according to documents filed with state regulators. West Hawaii Today.

Eruption creates uptick in visitors: National park getting up to 2,500 people per day.  During the last “normal” year — 2017, when there was still liquid lava in the park, but no devastating lower Puna eruption or global pandemic to deter travelers — HVNP had about 2,700 visitors per day. Tribune-Herald.

County to Host Meeting on Community Development Block Grant Program. The County of Hawai‘i will host a virtual public meeting on its draft Action Plan addressing the use of $6.86 million in US Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant-Mitigation funds. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Charter Commission Approves Four Planning Proposals. By a narrow margin, the Commission declined to adopt a proposal that would have enabled residents to enforce any provision of the general plan, which includes the Maui Island Plan and community plans, in the courts. Maui Now.

Maui hotels top pre-pandemic revenue numbers and rest of state in September. Maui County hotels in September bested other counties and even topped pre-pandemic revenue numbers despite having lower occupancy than its milestone year, according to a recent report by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Maui News.

Mahi Pono Reaches Milestone of Planting 1 Millionth Tree in Less Than Three Years. Mahi Pono took over stewardship of 41,000 acres of former sugarcane land on Maui in 2018. The company’s vision is to revitalize the Central Maui plain with diversified agriculture that prioritizes food sustainability and reduces Hawai‘i’s reliance on imported food. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i ditching foam boxes, prepping for new law. Island eateries will no longer serve food in polystyrene containers beginning Jan. 1, when a county ordinance passed in 2020 finally takes effect. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i median home price continues at $1M. The median sale price of homes on Kaua‘i was around $1 million last month, with condos selling at a median price of $729,000, according to a new report generated by Hawai‘i independent real-estate firm Locations. Garden Island.

Triple-digit COVID increase won't bring back restrictions, children now 20% of infected, Kauai sewer problems contaminate beach, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Grocery COVID precautions ©2021 All Hawaii News

Return of restrictions not planned as coronavirus infections surge in Hawaii. The number of new COVID-19 cases in Hawaii is surging, and remained in the triple-digit range for the fifth day in a row Monday. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Restaurant association head calls for end to state restrictions. The chairman of the Hawaii Restaurant Association said it’s time for Gov. David Ige and the counties’ mayors to lift restrictions on the state’s eateries and retail outlets. Tribune-Herald.

Vaccinated state employees who traveled to the mainland are learning about a new policy that’s keeping some out of the office ― and forced to use personal time. The mandate for all 55,000 state workers ― even those are fully vaccinated ― requires approval from their department directors prior to return to the workplace. Hawaii News Now.

As new school year approaches, plans to bring students back remains unclear. The Hawaii Department of Health is currently revising school guidance, but with two weeks until school starts, there’s still a lot of uncertainty. KHON2.

How Hawaii Schools Are Helping Kids Who Struggled During The Pandemic. Schools are implementing programs to foster “social and emotional well-being” in students as well as academic progress. Civil Beat.

Hawaii reports uptick in number of kids testing positive for COVID. Officials said Monday that those under 18 now make up about 20% of all Hawaii cases. Hawaii News Now.

July 19, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 132 Cases. The confirmed cases included: 81 on O‘ahu (+7 probable); 22 on Hawai‘i Island (-1 probable); eight on Maui (+1 probable); four on Kaua‘i; and nine in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state (+1 probable). Maui Now.

Oahu

Oahu restaurants and bars have the option to do away with social distancing if customers provide proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test. But many restaurant operators aren’t doing so because diners don’t want to show their vaccination cards or present test results. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu electricity customers to pay for rooftop solar battery program. Hawaiian Electric customers on Oahu can help ensure sufficiency of the island’s power supply — and get paid for it — by adding battery storage to existing or new rooftop solar systems. Star-Advertiser.

As council determines whether to replace him, HART board member say he’s being ‘punished’ for his views. The Honolulu City Council will vote Tuesday on whether to replace a controversial voice on the rail authority’s board: Member Joseph Uno. Hawaii News Now.

Study tries to revive Ala Wai flood project, which has lost more than $200 million in federal support. Hawaii has lost hundreds of millions in federal funding for the Ala Wai Flood Risk Management Project, but the city has signed an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a study aimed at getting the 2-decade-old project moving again. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Navy Says Pearl Harbor Friday Fuel Leak Contained, Sheds Light on March 2020 Leak. A weekend fuel line leak of an estimated 100 gallons at Pearl Harbor has been contained, the Navy said. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu Would Join A National Trend With A Commission On Social Justice And Equity. But details would have to be worked out, such as whether such a commission would have real power. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County reinstates free COVID-19 testing amid uptick in cases. The County of Hawaii will reinstate its free community COVID-19 testing program to address the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases and help better prepare for the transition to the upcoming school year. KITV4.

Zoo debut: Panaewa reopens after 16-month closure. On Monday morning, Hawaii County Parks and Recreation hosted a blessing ceremony to signify the reopening of the zoo after nearly 16 months of closure. Tribune-Herald.

Pololū Valley Trail Steward Program Hopes to Manage Visitor Impact. A new program funded by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority hopes to ease some popular trails — and some tension between residents and visitors. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kona subdivision seeks council permission. Owners of a 4-acre North Kona parcel are seeking a rezoning from agriculture to urban and permission to subdivide it into six residential lots. West Hawaii Today.

$3.4M in capitol improvements for Honokaa, Honomu. The state has released nearly $3.4 million for capital improvement projects in Honokaa and Honomu. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Council Chair Lee Seeks Unity as Injection Well Case Proceeds Through Courts. Hawai‘i Federal Court Judge Susan Oki Mollway last week issued an order requiring Maui County to get discharge permits for Lahaina injection wells under the Clean Water Act. Maui Now.

Public Comment Period Underway on DHHL’s Honokōwai Master Plan. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands engaged its beneficiaries in a master planning process to determine appropriate land uses for DHHL’s approximately 850 acres of lands at Honokōwai including new agricultural homesteads, multi-family homes, and individual or community farming. Maui Now.

Despite The Pandemic, A Molokaʻi Charter School Improves Curriculum. Like all schools, Kualapuʻu Charter went to remote learning in the spring of 2020, with its challenges ranging from internet and technology issues to support at home. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Wailua beach-goers warned of wastewater issues. The county Department of Public Works Wastewater Division is currently out of compliance with state Department of Health standards at its Wailua Wastewater Treatment Plant. Garden Island.

Vegas, churches cause of Kaua‘i COVID uptick. Kaua‘i officials are pointing to Las Vegas travel and places of worship for a recent spike in COVID-19 infections. Garden Island.

County receives $40K toward reducing systemic racial disparities. The county’s seeking to reduce systemic racial disparities by at least 20%, and now has some of the means to do so. Garden Island.

Legislature seeks to slash solar tax credit, House wants to defer raises, medical marijuana users fear loss of cropland, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Solar panels in Hawaii ©2021 All Hawaii News

The state Senate is looking to slash a popular solar tax credit. But environmentalists and clean energy advocates say the measure will not only hurt the economy but will make it more difficult for the state to achieve its clean energy goals. Hawaii News Now.

House aims to suspend raises for Hawaii legislators, governor, judges. Pay raises of 10% that were scheduled to go into effect for state legislators July 1 were tentatively suspended Tuesday, pending another House floor vote on Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

HMSA’s Mark Mugiishi To Chair State Redistricting Panel. The decision came after a 6-2 vote Tuesday with some concerns raised about the process. Civil Beat.

Patients fear losing access to medical cannabis amid push to restrict amateur grow operations. Since the day medical cannabis was legalized in Hawaii more than two decades ago, the program has centered around the rights of patients and caregivers to grow their own marijuana. But now, state health officials want to create new rules that would drastically restrict the number of people who could use the same grow site. Hawaii News Now.

Budget cuts may be on the horizon for HTA, its community programs. Tourism is ramping back up just as House Bill 862 could cut the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s budget and some of its key programs. KHON2.

State, city leaders still considering business rent assistance. A coalition representing Hawaii commercial landlords and tenants announced Tuesday that difficulty paying rent is subsiding as the state economy improves but that government aid is still sorely needed. Star-Advertiser.

American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii wants scrutiny of prisons’ virus response to go on. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii has called for continued judicial supervision of COVID-19 safety measures in Hawaii correctional facilities, arguing that the state’s incarcerated population remains at risk of contracting the virus and causing clusters in jails, prisons and the community. Star-Advertiser.

Ige sees public schools being able to fully reopen for in-person learning by this fall. Gov. David Ige said Tuesday he anticipates public schools to be fully reopened for in-person learning this fall. Tribune-Herald.

Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause will have little effect on isles, health director says. Despite a nationwide pause on the use of the Johnson &Johnson COVID-19 vaccine due to six cases of serious blood clots, including one death, Hawaii remains on track to open up COVID-19 vaccinations by Monday to those 16 and over. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Associated Press. Garden Island. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

April 13, 2021 COVID-19 Update: The state Department of Health reports that there were 64 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Tuesday, including 38 on O‘ahu, 18 on Maui, six on Hawai‘i Island, and one in a Hawai‘i resident diagnosed while out of state. Maui Now.

Oahu

Another $800M For Rail? Don’t Count On It, Schatz Says. Hawaii’s senior senator says there’s little appetite in Washington to appropriate more federal funds for Honolulu’s troubled and overbudget rail. Civil Beat.

Honolulu building inspector is 4th to plead not guilty to federal bribery charges. The last of the five former and current city Department of Planning and Permitting employees who were federally charged for accepting bribes has pleaded not guilty and will proceed to trial. Star-Advertiser.

Mountain Of Evidence Weighs Down Defendants In Miske Racketeering Case. Defendants ask the court how they’re supposed to review gigabytes of digital evidence without special access to prison computers. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s pick for Police Commission withdraws nomination. Mayor Rick Blangiardi, who had nominated Benjamin Mahi, sent a memo to the Honolulu City Council on Tuesday of the decision. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

City seeks input on redesign of Ala Wai Boulevard. The city is looking for input from members of the public for a project to improve safety and enjoyment of Ala Wai Boulevard, the one-way, three-lane corridor that traces the makai banks of the Ala Wai Canal from Kapahulu to Kalakaua avenues in Waikiki. Star-Advertiser.

Despite potential flooding threat, Wahiawa dam owners get more time to make repairs. Dole Food Company Hawaii, one of the owners of the Wahiawa Dam at Lake Wilson, has been given more time to make improvements to the aging facility. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. David Ige’s ‘powering past coal task force’ to track projects replacing Oahu’s coal plant. Gov. David Ige has established a new task force to help move Oahu’s renewable projects along in a more timely manner. Star-Advertiser.

Demand, Bellows closure make Honolulu camping reservations scarce. One of Hawaii’s most popular camping spots, Bellows, will be closed for camping starting April 19 as nesting sea turtles have moved into the area. KHON2.

Aggressive takeoff caused 2019 skydiving plane crash at Dillingham Airfield that killed 11. A pilot’s aggressive takeoff led to an aerodynamic stall, causing the 2019 crash of a skydiving plane in Mokuleia that killed all 11 people on board, government safety investigators have determined. Associated Press. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Mayor, council settle down to budget business. The county’s finances are in a “precarious” position and the administration and County Council need to put aside “petty politics” and work together, Mayor Mitch Roth said Tuesday in his first budget presentation before the council’s Finance Committee. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island residents driver’s license renewal deadline extended. Hawaii Island residents with a driver’s license that expires on or after March 16, 2020 can have until June 8 to renew. KHON2.

HCCC remains in quarantine: Inmate COVID-19 test results pending, court operations affected. No new positive COVID-19 tests were reported Tuesday among inmates or staff at Hawaii Community Correctional Center, which remains in quarantine after an employee recently tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the Department of Public Safety confirmed. West Hawaii Today.

Future of Keauhou Shopping Center post office in the air. The contract holder for the Post Office in the Keauhou Shopping Center must vacate the space he has run since 2015 by Friday, and it’s unclear what services will be offered — if any — beyond then. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

March rain erases remaining drought for Maui County. The wettest March on record since 2006 for many areas of the state helped eliminate remaining severe drought areas for Maui County, according to the National Weather Service. Maui News.

Seabury Hall to Host In-Person and Virtual Summer School. Seabury Hall on Maui announced the return of its summer school for students who will be entering grades 4-12 during the upcoming 2021-2022 school year. Maui Now.

Kauai

Revitalizing the hog industry. ‘Aina Ho‘okupu O Kilauea received two Innovation Grants from the county recently, one a Kaua‘i pigpen system that will hopefully revitalize the industry, and another grant for new farm technology that can be used on small farms by tracking trends and detecting disease. Garden Island.

Investigation ongoing after two police officers killed, landlord stabbed, 7 homes burned down near Waikiki, disgruntled tenant missing; plus more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Downed police officers Tiffany Enriquez and Kaulike Kalama PC: Honolulu Police Department.

First responders still on scene at Diamond Head after man fatally shoots 2 HPD officers before raging fire destroys 7 homes. First responders remain at the scene of Diamond Head on Monday morning, a day after a “tragic unfolding of events” that started with a stabbing and ended with the shooting deaths of two Honolulu police officers and a raging fire that destroyed seven homes. Hawaii News Now.

Body camera footage shows 2019 encounter between suspect, officer killed in line of duty. At least one of the Honolulu police officers who was shot and killed in the line of duty Sunday had previously been dispatched to the suspect’s home in response to emergency calls, according to video obtained by Hawaii News Now. Hawaii News Now.

2 officers killed, homes destroyed in standoff. The Honolulu Police Department on Sunday mourned the loss of two police officers who were shot and killed while responding to an apparent tenant-landlord dispute that blew up into a multihome fire near Diamond Head and left three others missing, including the shooter, who was presumed dead. The Honolulu Police Department on Sunday mourned the loss of two police officers who were shot and killed while responding to an apparent tenant-landlord dispute that blew up into a multihome fire near Diamond Head and left three others missing, including the shooter, who was presumed dead. Star-Advertiser.

Man facing eviction fatally shoots 2 Honolulu police officers before blaze destroys 7 homes in Diamond Head neighborhood. In a shocking series of events Sunday, a 69-year-old man facing eviction is accused of fatally shooting two Honolulu police officers who were responding to the scene of a stabbing and then apparently setting a raging fire that destroyed seven homes in Diamond Head. Hawaii News Now.

Man Facing Eviction Allegedly Killed 2 HPD Officers, Stabbed Landlord. The shooting suspect is believed to have also started a fire in the neighborhood that destroyed at least seven houses. Civil Beat.

7 Homes Burn After Shooter Kills 2 Honolulu Officers. Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard says it may take several days to process the Diamond Head area crime scene where two Honolulu police officers were shot and killed Sunday morning. Hawaii Public Radio.

Homes burn after shooter kills 2 Honolulu officers. A man shot and killed two police officers Sunday as they responded to a home in a leafy neighborhood beneath the rim of a famed volcanic crater near Waikiki Beach, authorities said. Associated Press.

HPD gives details on "senseless, selfish act". Suspect Jerry Hanel is accused of killing Officers Tiffany Enriquez and Kaulike Kalama, then setting a fire. KITV4.

Mayor on officers that were shot and killed: They ‘put on their uniforms this morning and didn’t get home’. Police Chief Susan Ballard confirmed Jerry Hanel to be the suspect in the shooting that killed two officers on Sunday, Jan. 19. Chief Ballard said that officers responded to the scene after a report of a stabbing. KHON2.

Suspect suffered from mental health problems. The Honolulu Police Department believes the man suspected of shooting and killing two patrol officers, stabbing his landlady and destroying by fire seven homes in an exclusive Diamond Head neighborhood Sunday perished in the Hibiscus Drive house where he lived. Star-Advertiser.

Shooting suspect had history of mental instability but not extreme violence. The 69-year-old suspect in the Diamond Head shooting Sunday that left two Honolulu police officers dead had a history of mental instability and disagreements with neighbors, his attorney told Hawaii News Now. Hawaii News Now.

Neighbors, witnesses give more insight on suspect Jerry Hanel. Early Sunday morning, many woke up to panic and chaos as first responders rushed to Hibiscus Drive where two officers were shot and homes burned. KHON2.

2 slain Honolulu police officers were parents. Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard identified the two Honolulu police officers as Tiffany Enriquez and Kaulike Kalama. Star-Advertiser.

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Ige pledged to end homelessness in Hawaii by 2020. What happened? "In hindsight maybe it was too aggressive, too aspirational.” Hawaii News Now.

Legislature launches environmental caucus. To encourage legislative action on pressing environmental issues, the state Legislature has formed an Environmental Legislative Caucus. Garden Island.

State: Tax collections up. Total state tax collections were up almost 5% in Fiscal Year 2019, which ended June 30. Tribune-Herald.

Attorney general seeks funds to fight corruption. State Attorney General Clare Connors is requesting an extra $1 million a year for pay increases to be distributed among the 200 lawyers that work in her office, and is seeking 10 additional staffers for a new unit designed to pursue complex cases including public corruption and theft from state programs. Star-Advertiser.

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Solar generation up 21% in 2019, Hawaiian Electric says. Hawaiian Electric announced Friday that it experienced a 21% jump in solar generation capacity last year, its largest-ever annual increase for the five isles it has served since 2005. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric: Solar Capacity Surged in 2019. The completion of large grid-scale projects and thousands of residential solar systems boosted the largest-ever annual increase in solar capacity on Hawaiian Electric’s five island systems, the company announced Friday. Maui Now.

Oahu

Using a new law, Honolulu goes after scofflaws and drafts rules for 1,700 new B&Bs. Over the next year, Kathy Sokugawa, acting director of the city Department of Planning and Permitting, faces the mammoth task of rooting out illegal vacation rentals that have proliferated on Oahu, in defiance of a three-decades-old ban. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s top civil attorney Donna Leong is in limbo. Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced a year ago that City Corporation Counsel Donna Leong was granted paid administrative leave from her post after receiving a target letter from the U.S. Department of Justice. Star-Advertiser.

Law enforcement hopes capture of crime ring players will help bring crime under control. City and federal law enforcement officers are pursuing two crime rings that they suspect are responsible for a portion of the recent wave of property and violent crimes that has put Oahu on edge. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office has noted that about a dozen high-profile violent crime cases referred to their office since 2015 have been committed by current and former HOPE probationers. In six of these, police shot the suspect, and in three of the cases killed him. HOPE stands for Hawaii’s Opportunity Probation With Enforcement. Launched by 1st Circuit Court Judge Steven Alm in 2004, the high-intensity supervision program assigns sanctions — typically several days in jail — every time a participant violates probation terms like using drugs or missing appointments with a probation officer. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Bus system ‘meltdown’ leaves schoolchildren, working poor stranded. After a week of even fewer buses than usual, Mayor Harry Kim on Friday called an emergency meeting and together, top officials came up with an interim plan that will draw on buses and vans from the public and private sector, in addition to those of current bus contractors Roberts Hawaii and Polynesian Adventure Tours Inc. West Hawaii Today.

Judge hands down maximum sentence to Waiki accomplice Malia Lajala. A fifth accomplice was sentenced Friday to six years in jail for her role in assisting Justin Waiki after the July 2018 murder of Hawaii County Police Officer Bronson Kaliloa. West Hawaii Today.

Aloha, Southwest! Airline opens interisland service to Hilo. More than 100 passengers were greeted with cheers and songs Sunday morning after disembarking Southwest Airlines’ first flight from Honolulu to Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor to deliver State of County Feb. 11. Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino will be delivering his 2020 State of the County address on Feb. 11 at the newly opened South Maui Community Park Gymnasium. Maui News.

Maui police tow two cars under new DUI law. DUI arrestees will have their car towed rather than stay in place. KITV4.

EVohana charger transfer conditionally OK’d by PUC. The state Public Utilities Commission has approved Hawaiian Electric’s plan to own and potentially operate four EVohana sites on Maui that uses pricing to entice electric vehicle drivers to plug in during the day when solar power is plentiful. Maui News.

Saving Materials and More in Maui County. Since its launch in 2018, Hawai’i Materials Recycling says it has saved Maui County taxpayers millions of dollars. Maui Now.

Kauai

National CAP commander visits Kauai. A briefing on the communications capabilities of the Kauai Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Operating Center concluded the vist of Civil Air Patrol National Commander Maj. Gen. Mark Smith and his entourage, Thursday at the EOC. Garden Island.

New $50 registration fee for electric vehicles, NTSB investigating fatal Kauai tour helicopter crash, Honolulu officials enjoy contractor-paid lunches, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Electric vehicle at Hawaii charging station ©2019 All Hawaii News

Hawaii joins states charging more for electric cars as new laws kick in. The new year will bring new charges for some owners of electric vehicles, as an increasing number of states seek to plug in to fresh revenue sources to offset forgone gas taxes. Associated Press.

Sun shines for solar PV, despite tax credit step-down. Solar companies are rushing to finish up installations as part of the usual end-of-year crunch, but are particularly busy this year due to a step-down in federal tax credits for residential solar PV systems set to begin in 2020. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Congressman Ed Case Renews His Crusade Against The Jones Act. Case’s attempt to exempt Hawaii from the 1920 maritime law isn’t supported by others in the state’s federal delegation. Civil Beat.

$30 million in ‘ohana zone’ funding has led to multiple state projects. In the 2018 legislative session, lawmakers approved a whopping $30 million to fund a homeless concept that started out as tent cities, then morphed into undefined “safe zones” and finally became law under the banner of “ohana zones.” Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Free Lunch From A Contractor Is Annual Tradition at Honolulu Hale. The Ethics Commission is considering a zero-tolerance policy on “tokens of aloha.” Civil Beat.

ACLU says Honolulu's "midnight homeless sweeps" unconstitutional, cruel during holidays. Civic groups call for end to enforcements they say are ineffective, inhumane and illegal, citing a federal ruling that applies to Hawaii. KITV.

Barbers Point air museum files suit to stay in business. The nonprofit Naval Air Museum Barbers Point, which maintains that it is being wrongfully evicted by state airport officials over a convoluted contract history, has filed a lawsuit claiming it has an “implied agreement” with the state to occupy certain space at what is now known as Kalaeloa Airport. Star-Advertiser.

Kaneohe Cemetery Expansion Threatens Rare Damselfly. State officials will decide at a hearing that starts next month if the developer’s mitigation plan adequately protects this endangered species. Civil Beat.

Wahiawa residents say planned homeless shelter is unsafe. Alea Bridge’s Resource and Navigation Center will provide showers, hygiene and laundry facilities. Hawaii News Now.

Kaimuki residents: City isn’t doing enough to rein in monster home builder. Kaimuki residents are up in arms about another monster home proposed in their neighborhood. The city is still investigating but neighbors said it isn’t doing enough. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

GET increase to take effect Jan. 1. For the second time in two years, the new year will bring another increase to the county’s general excise tax. Tribune-Herald.

Mauna Kea road cleared as protesters shift focus. The Mauna Kea Access Road was finally cleared of tents and protesters Saturday for the first time since mid-July, but the opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope vowed to shift the focus of their protest campaign to the mainland during a two-month pause in the standoff on the mountain. Star-Advertiser.

$90M penciled in for Saddle extension. State transportation officials are targeting a new source of funding to help cover some of the cost of extending Daniel K. Inouye Highway to Queen Kaahumanu Highway. West Hawaii Today.

$4 million for Kukuiola, Village 9 road project. The county is poised to receive $4 million from the Hawaii Housing Finance &Development Corp. to build a road accessing the Kukuiola emergency shelter project and Village 9 affordable rental community project on Kealakehe Parkway. West Hawaii Today.

Plotting the road to recovery: Disaster task force to review strategies at meeting. Hawaii County’s Disaster Recovery Task Force will begin reviewing proposed strategies related to recovery efforts from the 2018 eruption of Kilauea volcano at its meeting next month. Tribune-Herald.

Inaba to run for County Council. A contender for the County Council District 8 seat being vacated by Karen Eoff is poised to announce his candidacy. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Alice Lee new council chairwoman. Committees reorganized in wake of King's resignation as chair. Maui News.

King’s Term as Chair Cut Short: Lee Pledges “Unifying” Style. The Maui County Council voted 7-2 on Friday in favor of changing council leadership from the current chair, Kelly King, to the selection of Alice Lee, who will take over chairmanship on Jan. 2, 2020. Maui Now.

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County Council overrides Victorino’s property tax veto. New classifications to take effect July 1. Maui News.

Extra care goes into Iao Valley grounds. Maui Native Hawaiian Club members and volunteers worked on the grounds surrounding the foundation of the Hawaiian Hale at Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens in Iao Valley on Saturday morning. Maui News.

Kauai

NTSB arrives on Kauai to investigate fatal tour chopper crash. An NTSB team arrived on Sunday to launch their investigation of what caused the tour helicopter crash on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast that left no survivors. Hawaii News Now.

No survivors in Kauai helicopter crash; tours scrutinized. Tour helicopter operations in Hawaii have come under increased scrutiny after the deadly crash this week, one of several recent accidents in the state, with a congressman calling the trips unsafe and lacking proper oversight. Associated Press.

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Park limitations having impact. One of the sure signs of the new management paradigm for this state park and the adjoining Ha‘ena State Park on Kauai is a truer wilderness experience for people hardy enough to hike 11 miles one-way from Ke‘e Beach to Kalalau Beach. Garden Island.

Rise of EVs. Two sleek cars — one red and the other blue — sit in adjoining parking spaces at Kukui Grove Center in Lihue. They are testimony to the speed with which Kauai is embracing electric vehicles. Garden Island.

Lanai

Lanaʻi Veterans Cemetery Improvements Complete. State dignitaries gathered on Saturday to mark the completion of a nine-year, $600,000 project at the Lanaʻi Veterans Cemetery. Maui Now.

Farms hit hard by natural disasters, Ige to stump for teacher pay hikes, Honolulu plastic ban vote nears, Maui residents fight solar project, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii farmers market produce ©2019 All Hawaii News

Natural disasters brought huge loss for Hawaii farms. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said natural disasters, including the Kilauea eruption, damaged and destroyed nearly 3,900 acres of Hawaii farms in 2018. Star-Advertiser.

Governor, DOE Seek Pay Increases To Keep Teachers In Special Ed, Hawaiian Language. Hawaii Gov. David Ige has scheduled a Tuesday press conference to announce his support for pay differentials for certain teachers in key hard-to-fill areas, specifically special education, rural schools and Hawaiian language immersion. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kaiser president bemoans insolvency in memo. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, the state’s second-largest medical insurer, has fallen behind competitors in the volatile business of health care. Star-Advertiser.

What Are The Long-Term Impacts of Microplastic Pollution in Hawaii? The amount of microplastics washing up on Hawaiian beaches is expected to double by 2030. Civil Beat.

Child abuse registry case to go before high court. Courtney Bird, who was placed on the registry in 2007 without her knowledge, is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that she failed to file a lawsuit against the state Department of Human Services within the two-year statute of limitations. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Single-use plastics ban likely to pass. Oahu would have the strictest single-use plastics ban in the state under a bill that is likely to pass a final vote of the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Controversial Bill 40, banning single-use plastics, up for final vote Wednesday. A landmark disposable plastic ban bill, known as Bill 40, is scheduled to go before the City Council on Wednesday for a final vote. KITV.

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Rail project copes with new delays at a critical time. The next 100 days likely will determine whether the 20-mile Honolulu rail line will be finished by the city’s latest target date of December 2025, and there are signs there could be trouble ahead. Star-Advertiser.

Disabled Handi-Van Users Face Long Waits To Book Rides. City officials blame heavy call volumes and technological issues for a system that has been problematic for years. Civil Beat.

Graduation rates keep climbing at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The on-time graduation rate for students at the University of Hawaii at Manoa has doubled in the last decade and now matches the national average for public universities. Star-Advertiser.

City Car Registration Kiosks Closed For Maintenance. The City and County of Honolulu is closing the vehicle registration kiosks Sunday and Monday for maintenance. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Aquarium trade proposes reopening West Hawaii fishery. The coastal waters off West Hawaii, closed to aquarium fishing for two years, would reopen to 14 commercial fishermen under a proposal described in environmental documents submitted to the state. Star-Advertiser.

Council to consider 2020 state priorities. As the 2020 session of the state Legislature draws near, county leaders are working to present a united front in advocating bills they think will improve local government. West Hawaii Today.

The final gavel: Judge Greg Nakamura retires after almost three decades on bench. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

PUC to hear contested case on Maui solar project. Residents coalition concerned about proximity and price. Maui News.

Off-the-grid Maui homestead marred by conflict. Multiple controversies have stoked anger, frustration and division within Kahikinui, the only homestead in DHHL’s 203,000-acre land trust in which leases were issued for raw land and management of the area was placed in the hands of homesteaders. Star-Advertiser.

Oysters, retiring old roads mulled to save reef. Maalaea Bay, watershed plan being implemented. Maui News.

Kauai

Golden Rule arrives. The small sailboat with a big mission, the Golden Rule, sailed into Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor Sunday. Garden Island.

High tides and coastal flooding expected, Oahu vacation rentals drop amid crackdown, Trump SECNAV pick has Hawaii ties, obsolete radios hamper Kauai sheriffs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii swimmers with sea turtle ©2019 All Hawaii News

NWS Issues Coastal Flooding Bulletin For Major Islands. The National Weather Service issued a special advisory Monday warning that flooding may occur this week along the shores of the major Hawaiian islands because of unusually high tides that are expected. Hawaii Public Radio.

“Unusually High Water Levels” Prompt Special Weather Statement. The greatest potential for coastal flooding impacts will be during the peak high tides, which will occur before sunrise from Tuesday through Friday, forecasters say. Big Island Video News.

 State under threat of coastal flooding this week. Coastal flooding is possible for all shores around the state this week because of unusually high water levels, the National Weather Service said. Star-Advertiser.

Special Weather Statement: Coastal Flooding to Peak During High Tides. The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement on possible coastal flooding for all islands of Maui County, in effect from Tuesday, Nov. 26 through Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. Maui Now.

Poll: Oahu Voters Want Action On Climate Change. A new survey finds high levels of support for doing things individually and collectively to address the effects of a warming planet. Civil Beat.

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State residents urged to get immunized. State health officials are urging unvaccinated Hawaii residents to get immunized from measles, which is rapidly spreading across the Pacific. Star-Advertiser.

Problems plague costly school A/C, while cheaper program makes headway. A $100 million pledge aimed to cool classrooms statewide. That was just a few years ago, and some of those classrooms are heating up again as the costly systems are breaking down. KHON2.

President’s selection for Navy secretary flew sub-hunting missions out of Barbers Point. The retired rear admiral selected by President Donald Trump to be the next secretary of the Navy started his operational career at Naval Air Station Barbers Point in 1986 flying anti-submarine missions in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Air to re-launch service from Honolulu to Fukuoka. Hawaiian Airlines is bringing back a route discontinued about five years ago. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Vacation rentals: Oahu supply dropping amid city crackdown. The number of vacation rentals on Oahu dropped in October, the second month of declines since a city crackdown on illegal rentals took effect. Star-Advertiser.

HECO partners with the Navy for new 80K-panel solar facility at West Loch. Hawaiian Electric and the Navy are celebrating a new solar energy project at Pearl Harbor's West Loch Annex. Hawaii News Now.

Big increase in guns being used for Oahu crimes. There has been a rash of crimes, including violent ones, being committed using firearms. Last year, there were 84 arrests for weapons charges on Oahu, but over the past six months, there were more arrests than all of 2018. KITV.

Hawaii Island

Another Alii development proposal scrapped. The owner and developer of a 50-unit residential community proposed across from Pahoehoe Beach Park on Alii Drive has withdrawn their application for a Special Management Area Use Permit — meaning the lot will likely be preserved for open space. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo Golf Course Worries Over End To County Herbicide Use. Hilo's councilmembers were hoping the municipal golf course would be exempt under the proposed law ending the use of herbicides at county parks. Big Island Video News.

Greenwell Garden purchased. The Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in South Kona has been sold to the local nonprofit that formed three years ago to ensure it remain in Big Island hands.West Hawaii Today.

Bishop Museum Sells Amy B.H. Greenwell Garden To Kona Nonprofit. Ownership of the garden has been transferred to the Kona-based Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Public Access Expands for Maui Zoning, Real Property Information. Two County of Maui departments have collaborated to make zoning and real property information more readily available to the public. Maui Now.

Kauai

Sheriff’s deputies on Kauai say obsolete radios mean they can’t call for help. The union for sheriff’s deputies on Kauai claims the state is putting them and the public at risk when they transport dangerous prisoners. Hawaii News Now.

KIUC seeks 65-year water lease to energize hydropower facilities. The public is being asked to comment on the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative's plans for its Waiahi hydropower plants. Hawaii News Now.