Water stations for state parks, Ferris wheel for Waikiki, money for lava relief, military training planned, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Diamond Head state park ©2018 All Hawaii News

Water filling stations will be installed at 15 parks in Hawaii in an effort to reduce single-use plastic water bottles, according to state officials. Star-Advertiser.

ConAm Public Education Funding: 70% of Voters Still Said "No". The Hawai’i Supreme Court invalidated the Constitutional Amendment question for public education funding on the Nov 6th General Election ballot.  But, 85 percent of voters made choices, anyway. Hawaii Public Radio.

Protections For Transgender Kids Still Spotty Inside Schools. It’s been three years since the Hawaii Department of Education issued guidance around transgender student protections. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Putting aside election bad blood won’t be easy for Ige, legislative leaders. The Legislature and the governor may be run by Democrats, but these are Democrats who neither think alike nor support each other’s positions. And there is still no love lost between Ige and the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

City, state making adjustments to be ready for disaster recovery. It has been the year of the disaster for every county across the state, and now the hard work of picking up the pieces continues. KHON2.

Hawaiian Airlines hikes checked bag fees, matching mainland carriers. The change applies to the airline’s mainland flights. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Ferris wheel in Waikiki? Some resident say ‘it’s a totally stupid idea’. A Canadian company is floating plans to built a Ferris wheel and motion theater at the Ala Wai Harbor. Hawaii News Now.

Defeat of HART charter amendment could result in added delays and costs. The chairman of the board overseeing the city’s rail construction project said Oahu voters’ decision to reject a proposed amendment to the Honolulu City Charter might cause additional delays and costs for the $8 billion-plus project now scheduled to open in late 2025. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Tom Yamachika: Why The City Flipped On Rail Funding. Officials realized that not using city money for the project was unrealistic from the beginning. Civil Beat.

Waianae polling places ran out of same day registration forms. In past elections, Waianae has had one of the state's lowest voter turnout rates. KITV.

Thousands vie for units in new property near Ala Moana Center priced below market. About 1,000 people lined up on Monday to get a first look at developer SamKoo’s newest condominium project: The Central Ala Moana. Hawaii News Now.

Ala Moana affordable housing units up for sale. The Central Ala Moana will be 43 stories with 513 units -- about 60% of them deemed 'affordable' studio and one to three bedrooms. KITV.

Council might delay condo fire safety rules. After the July 2017 fire at the Marco Polo condominium killed four people, there was a call to have older condos retrofitted with fire sprinklers. Star-Advertiser.

U.K. man challenges Hawaii’s stun gun ban. Andrew Namiki Roberts is an Oahu photographer who wants to be able to protect himself as he carries his equipment to photo locations around the islands. His weapon of choice: a Taser stun gun. Star-Advertiser.

State senator says Aloha Stadium needs new facility. Senator Wakai tells us that Aloha Stadium in its current state is safe, but it's costing millions each year to maintain the structural integrity. Aloha Stadium officials ask for $20 million a year for the upkeep, but Senator Wakai says legislators give the bare minimum of about $7 to $8 million. KHON2.

Biki hits a milestone in one month with expansion on the horizon. A total of 100,954 Biki rides were taken last month, which shows a major increase in ridership compared to one year ago. Hawaii News Now.

As it marked a milestone in October, Honolulu’s bikeshare operator, Biki, also announced it would be expanding by about 30 more stations and 300 more bikes by the end of the year, thanks to federal funding. Star-Advertiser.

Can Setting Out Tables, Painting Street Murals Transform Honolulu’s Neighborhoods? A new Honolulu program encourages residents to create do-it-yourself “pop-up” urban design projects to make their communities safer and more walkable. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Gov. David Ige will introduce a bill next year to help kick-start the recovery effort in Lower Puna in the wake of this year’s Kilauea lava flow, but that measure will be a more modest package of assistance than Hawaii County officials have been seeking. Star-Advertiser.

There could soon be marine life of a different sort off the West Hawaii coast, as military units prepare to train by air, land and sea next year. West Hawaii Today.

Disappointing Harvest Squeezes Big Island Coffee Farmers. Coffee farmers on the Kona Coast are seeing harvests with as much as a 40% reduction in crop yields. Hawaii Public Radio.

An application for a Use Permit to allow a Kurtistown church to build a 3,040 square-foot community outreach center on land mauka of Highway 11 got the OK from the Windward Planning Commission last week in Hilo. Big Island Video News.

Hawaiian monk seal Manuiwa appears to have dislodged a hook that had been spotted in her lip last week. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

A solar farm proposed for an area between Kula and Wailea will be discussed Wednesday during a meeting of the Kula Community Association. Maui News.

The October median price of a single-family home in Maui County came within $6,000 of the $780,000 record set in May 2005 and tied in July 2006, the dizzying heights reached before the real estate bubble burst nationally in 2008. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai is flushing out more bacteria through rivers and streams than it has in the last decade, according to test results from the island’s Surfrider Blue Water Task Force. Garden Island.

The United States military is working on increasing training by air, land and sea in 2019 and Kauai is on the list for places where training would occur. On Kauai, training would occur in nearshore waters, bays and harbors, with naval forces as well as Army, Air Force, and U.S. Marine Corps special ops forces. Garden Island.

A conference to raise awareness about the vaping epidemic in Kauai sold out nearly a week before the event, which is scheduled for Thursday morning at Kauai Community College. Garden Island.

Hawaii hotel revenues at record high, opinion: struggling GOP eats its young, Hee must report to prison, Kenoi trial scheduled for October, Honolulu nixes neighborhood board changes, Big Island land going to farm bureau, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hapuna Prince resort © 2016 All Hawaii News

April business showered Hawaii’s hotel industry with monthly records for revenue, average daily rate and revenue per available room. Star-Advertiser.

A federal judge denied Hawaii businessman Albert S.N. Hee’s request Monday for more time to turn himself in to begin serving his prison sentence for tax fraud. In 1995 the Hawaiian Homes Commission awarded Waimana a nonbid, exclusive license to provide telephone and telecommunications services on state Department of Hawaiian Homelands properties. Star-Advertiser.

Opinion: There is nothing sadder than watching Hawaii’s struggling Republican Party sink lower and lower. Everyone wants a healthy two-party system. But it looks like that’s not going to happen here anytime soon. Civil Beat.

Seeking Third Term, Tulsi Gabbard Focuses On Defense, Foreign Policy. The Hawaii congresswoman continues to oppose “regime-change wars,” and pushes for better defense against North Korean missiles. Civil Beat.

When the filing deadline for Hawaii elections closed Tuesday, it turned out that Brian Schatz was facing 11 challengers in his re-election to the U.S. Senate. But many of the candidates are political also-rans who have lost previous races for a variety of seats or they are first-time contenders. And none currently holds office, let alone much of a campaign fund. Civil Beat.

In the months leading up to the December 2014 announcement that Hawaiian Electric Industries had reached a $4.3 billion merger deal with Florida-based NextEra Energy, Hawaii Gas officials said they were noticing an “unusual chilling” of the conversation they had been having with the state’s biggest electric utility about importing liquefied natural gas. Civil Beat.

As coral reefs disappear at a record pace in Hawaii and abroad, scientists and leaders from across the globe will meet on Oahu later this week to discuss potential solutions at what’s billed as the largest coral reef symposium ever. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian, Delta airlines lead in on-time arrivals; Spirit last. Associated Press.

Oahu

The Honolulu Charter Commission voted to not advance a proposal that would have asked Oahu voters to consider scrapping neighborhood boards and redirecting a portion of funding to other efforts aiming to increase civic participation. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s fire chief picked up high marks in his third annual performance evaluation from the Honolulu Fire Commission last month, according to the Fire Department. Chief Manuel P. Neves was appointed by the Fire Commission in February 2013. The chief is evaluated annually. Star-Advertiser.

A 10-year-veteran of the Honolulu Police Department, who triggered a manhunt last week, was released from the hospital Friday and charged today with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. Star-Advertiser.

Court papers allege deaf and blind school principal tried to cover up sex assault scandal. Hawaii News Now.

Shirokiya opened the doors to its long-awaited, $35 million Japan Village Walk on Monday for a preview at Ala Moana Center. The 44,860-square-foot space housing 56 shops and 900 seats will open next week. Star-Advertiser.

Shirokiya Holdings Inc. will open its new Shirokiya Japan Village Walk retail and restaurant complex on the ground floor of the Ala Moana Center’s new Ewa wing on June 25. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

Jury selection in the trial of Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi will start the week of Oct. 10, a clerk for Honolulu Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario said Monday. Tribune-Herald.

The county is poised to lease 440 acres of improved grazing land for $1 a year to the Hamakua County Farm Bureau. West Hawaii Today.

A longtime marijuana activist facing criminal charges of selling marijuana for running a now-defunct medical marijuana collective is suing in an attempt to stop the opening of state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries. Tribune-Herald.

Homeless man attacked; Incident unites Pahoa to help victim find justice. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Hawaii Gas buys Maui property primed for development. Pacific Business News.

Get Out and Vote at the Queen Ka`ahumanu Center this Saturday, June 18. Register to vote, meet Maui County candidates and prepare yourself for the upcoming elections. MauiTime.

Pavement marking, sign installations and traffic signal improvements will cause alternating lane closures on Kaahumanu Avenue and Main Street this week, according to the state Department of Transportation. Maui News.

Kauai

When the Kauai County Council meets Wednesday, it will discuss two resolutions which propose taking two pieces of legislation to the people, including a county manager form of government. Garden Island.

Three different county laws are going before the federal appeals court, including Kauai’s pesticide disclosure law, in a hearing that will decide how much authority Hawaii counties have within their own borders. Garden Island.

Organizers of a benefit concert to raise money for cancer treatment say police intimidated attendees by setting up a roadblock barricading the event and checking each car that passed through, ultimately affecting their ability to raise money. Associated Press.

Thomas Oi of Lihue filed his papers to be included on the ballot for the office of State Representative of District 15. Garden Island.

Kauai’s Kokee State Park is home to the Alaka‘i Wilderness Preserve. At an elevation of one mile, it’s the world’s highest rainforest swamp. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ige seeks enhanced trespassing laws, millions for Hawaiian Home Lands, state recruits Mainland teachers, grand jury mulls Honolulu police corruption, OT raises county costs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Pocket park along Diamond Head © 2016 All Hawaii News

Gov. David Ige’s administration wants to make it a crime to trespass on all state lands, but homeless advocates worry that could give homeless people a criminal record by expanding the areas that are off-limits to set up camp. Associated Press.

Gov. David Ige announced Monday he will ask the Legislature to boost funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands by millions of dollars, representing the “highest level of funding” that the department has ever received from the state. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige is asking lawmakers to give an additional $20 million to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands over the next two years. Associated Press.

Gov. David Ige announced Monday he is asking state lawmakers to approve $17.1 million to cover the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ operating budget and administrative expenses for fiscal 2016, which ends June 30. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige is proposing to almost double the Department of Hawaiian Home Land’s administration and operation budget for the next two fiscal years. Garden Island.

The Hawaii Department of Education is finishing the last two of five Mainland recruiting trips this week as officials scramble to deal with a growing teacher shortage. Hawaii News Now.

As the Zika outbreak takes hold in Latin America, researchers thousands of miles away in Hawaii are using data to figure out where it might spread next. Associated Press.

Hawaii Gas, which has plans to ship liquefied natural gas in bulk amounts to the Islands as a replacement for oil, among other uses, has sliced its project cost for this venture by $100 million. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

A grand jury is looking into allegations of civil rights abuses and corruption by the Honolulu Police Department that emerged from a theft case involving the police chief’s mailbox, a federal public defender said Monday. Associated Press.

The Honolulu mayor’s race is slowly taking shape as three seasoned politicians appear to be positioning themselves for potential challenges to incumbent Kirk Caldwell. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Ethics Commission Executive Director Chuck Totto was back at work Monday after a month-long suspension over allegations of improper management and possible violations of the Hawaii Whistleblower Protection Act.  Civil Beat.

A community park has been left in disrepair for years. Community members want the city to let them take over upkeep. But with so many other parks across the city also in need of help could this be the answer to keeping up with Honolulu’s neglected parks? KHON2.

Turtle Bay Resort plans to expand farming on land mauka of its hotel on Oahu’s North Shore, following completion of a $6 million deal Monday to preserve the agricultural property. Star-Advertiser.

An independent investigation is underway to determine the cause of a laboratory explosion last month at the University of Hawaii at Manoa that seriously injured a 29-year-old researcher. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Overtime pay is driving some county employees’ salaries much higher than their bosses’ and even higher than the mayor’s, the chief elected official on the island. Mayor Billy Kenoi makes $132,000. In fact, some Hawaii County employees make more than the governor. West Hawaii Today.

Perspectives on Mayor Billy Kenoi's Legal and Personal Futures. Hawaii Public Radio.

A range fire that began March 24 within the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) on Hawaii island during a combined armed live-fire exercise is contained but still smoldering near Range 3 in the PTA impact area, where officials say it is running out of fuel. Hawaii Independent.

After three decades of growing bananas, Richard Ha has overseen his last harvest. On Friday, the Ha family and their farm workers gave away 300 boxes – close to 12,000 pounds – of Hamakua Springs Country Farms bananas at the Hilo soccer fields. Big Island Video News.

Maui

An agricultural giant would be allowed to continue diverting water from East Maui streams for three years under legislation that cleared a critical committee Monday at the Capitol. Civil Beat.

An energy industry veteran from Colorado has been tapped to be the next energy commissioner of Maui County, filling the spot vacated by Doug McLeod, who recently left to become an energy and real estate consultant, the county said. Pacific Business News.

Discovery Land Company, a luxury community developer, is preparing for the construction phase of its development of Makena Golf & Beach Club at Makena Beach & Golf Resort, which will close on July 1, 2016. Maui Now.

Kauai

A proposed roving Jet Ski patrol program stayed afloat Monday in the wake of intense scrutiny of the county’s police and fire budgets. Garden Island.

Nadine Nakamura, managing director for the County of Kauai, formally filed her papers to run for the State House of Representatives, District 14, Monday. Garden Island.

Mauna Kea Thirty Meter Telescope stalemate drags on, Kauai mulls mayor-less government, Hawaii council to change law to suit judge's rezoning, Health Department wants comments on Maui cane burning, needles washing up at Keehi beach, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Photovoltaic panels in Honolulu

Hawaiian Electric Co. has submitted a new plan to Hawaii regulators regarding rooftop solar, which includes raising the cost of new systems being installed. Pacific Business News.

If there are new challenges to the construction of telescopes on Mauna Kea, the expansion of Turtle Bay Resort or the Honolulu rail system’s impact on historic sites, they could be heard in Hawaii’s Environmental Court, which debuted Wednesday. Supporters hope it will bring more consistency to environmental rulings. Last year, opponents said judges designated to the Environmental Court would be prone to improper influence. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City Environmental Services Director Lori Kahikina acknowledged a shopping bag ban will be an adjustment for residents of Oahu, the last county in the state to implement an ordinance aimed at stepping up use of environmentally friendly checkout bags, but said the law is a compromise between environmentalists and businesses that have to pay more for compostable or paper bags. Star-Advertiser.

Several of the homeless people living in a warren of plywood- and pallet-hardened tents around the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center worry that Monday’s attack on state Rep. Tom Brower by two homeless teenagers will bring unwanted attention and force them to set up shop in someone else’s neighborhood. Star-Advertiser.

Those who frequent Keehi Lagoon Beach Park say needles have been washing up on shore more often. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

The County Council will fast-track changes to its concurrency laws to accommodate a Hilo District Court judge’s application to subdivide his property. Judge Harry Freitas and his wife, Sandra, want to rezone their 50-acre Mountain View property from agriculture 20 acres to agriculture 5 acres. The Windward Planning Commission had recommended against the rezoning. West Hawaii Today.

As University of Hawaii officials offer no timeline for reopening the Mauna Kea summit road and visitor center, some tour operators who rely on the mountain for business say that each day brings them closer to layoffs. West Hawaii Today.

Tourists and island residents hoping to visit Mauna Kea’s summit anytime soon likely will be left disappointed as the road closure is expected to continue through the end of the week. Tribune-Herald.

The Mauna Kea summit will remain closed to the public well into next week while officials ensure the safety of a road damaged last week during the protest that blocked construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope, officials said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Many of the protesters opposed to plans for a giant telescope atop Mauna Kea came down from the mountain for a large gathering Wednesday around the King Kamehameha statue in Honolulu. Associated Press.

A Hawaiian mediation process known as ho‘oponopono is being offered to the first group of protesters arrested on Mauna Kea as an alternative to prosecution. Tribune-Herald.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources approved more than $9,000 in fines for a Big Island tour company that operated unpermitted tours of the lava flow near Pu‘u ‘O‘o. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The state Department of Health is soliciting public comments regarding cane burning on Maui after residents called in earlier this month with concerns about a May 27 burn that enveloped South Maui, an official said. Maui News.

Sign-waving protesters line Piilani Highway near the entrance to a Monsanto farming operation in north Kihei on Wednesday morning. The protest came a day after a federal judge struck down the Maui County moratorium on genetically engineered crops passed by voters last fall. The judge ruled Tuesday that the ordinance was "invalid and unenforceable." Maui News.

Kauai

The Kauai County Council unanimously approved a resolution on Wednesday to form a council subcommittee to study a county manager form of government. Garden Island.

Members of the public testified Wednesday on a measure that would charge hikers who ignore warning signs for costs to rescue them if they get in trouble. Garden Island.

Fear the frog: coquis invade Oahu, bill limits state liability on public land, Monsanto employees rally on Maui, Molokai, Djou runs for U.S. House, record firearm registration, Honolulu mulls banning sweepstakes machines, upgrades for military at Pohakuloa, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waipio Valley trailhead (c) 2014 All Hawaii News

A key state House committee advanced a bill Thursday evening that limits the state's liability on public lands, relieving outdoor enthusiasts worried that litigation fears could lead to parks being shut down. Associated Press.

In a last-minute hearing Thursday, a key House panel passed a bill to protect the state in the case of lawsuits over accidents on public land. It was a surprise victory for fans of extreme sports in Hawaii, particularly rock climbers who have been frustrated by the state's decision to close all rock-climbing sites two years ago over liability issues. Civil Beat.

A bill establishing a framework to allow partnerships between the Hawaii Health Systems Corp. and private health care providers is headed to a conference committee, after the House Finance Committee unanimously passed it Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi has ruled that a lawsuit brought by eight Native Hawaiian inmates alleging a violation of religious rights can proceed to trial. The ruling issued Monday by Kobayashi clears the way for a trial that could affect the way prison administrators handle Native Hawaiian religious practices. Star-Advertiser.

A record number of firearms were registered in Hawaii last year, prolonging a run of steady increases since 2000, the state attorney general’s office said in a report released Thursday. A total of 60,757 firearms were registered in 2013, marking a 21 percent increase from the 2012 record of 50,394, the report states. Associated Press.

Jason Bryant says there are two major factors driving an increase in Hawaii’s firearm registration: Individuals who move to Hawaii and bring their firearms with them, and the general populous that is increasingly interested in personal defense measures in this rocky economic climate. Garden Island.

Longtime state lawmaker Romy Cachola is facing a new investigation into claims that he abused his taxpayer funded car allowances. Hawaii News Now.

Djou

Frustration over the obstacles faced by survivors of soldiers killed in Afghanistan seeking benefits during last year's federal government shutdown helped persuade former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou to enter the Republican primary for the seat he once held. Star-Advertiser.

As was widely expected, Charles Djou is once again running for Congress. Civil Beat.

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel wrapped up the ASEAN defense ministers gathering Thursday, saying the group held "an extremely valuable meeting here in Hawaii." Star-Advertiser.

Six state health exchange directors, including the head of Hawaii’s Obamacare exchange, were grilled Thursday by multiple U.S. House committees trying to determine why the websites aren't working properly. Hawaii Reporter.

State roundup for April 4. Associated Press.

Oahu

State agricultural crews have been busy attacking invasive species on Oahu this week, capturing three coqui frogs and taking 1,000 samples from a newly discovered infestation of little fire ants in Waimanalo. Star-Advertiser.

Two crews from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture captured three coqui frogs last night in separate areas of Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

The Honolulu City Council is proposing to reallocate $41 million in the fiscal year 2015 capital budget to fund a range of projects. This would cut into some of Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s top priorities, including his homeless initiative. Civil Beat.

Sweepstakes machines have been the target of numerous raids by Honolulu Police. Now there’s a new push to make the controversial machines illegal. KHON2.

State Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees voted Thursday to commission a master plan that will guide the agency in developing 31 acres in Kakaako makai of Ala Moana Boulevard. Star-Advertiser.

So who's buying in Kakaako? The answer surrounding one of the most burning questions regarding Oahu's so called “Third City,” at least in one condominium, is mostly locals. Pacific Business News.

A new city law bans rainbow shower and monkeypod trees from being planted on city property. The city must plant indigenous or Polynesian plants, brought over to Oahu prior to western contact, at new or renovated facilities whenever “feasible.” Civil Beat.

A bottled water program at UH West Oahu is not gaining much support from state lawmakers. KITV4.

Hawaii

A new $29 million battle course at Pohakuloa Training Area has gone out to bid, and U.S. Army officials expect to award a contract by May 25. West Hawaii Today.

Days after announcing the selection of their first class of four medical residents, organizers of Hilo Medical Center’s Primary Care Residency Program got word that their request for operations funding had been thrown out of the state budget bill. Tribune-Herald.

A major technology overhaul for Hawaii County government will bring in 600 new desktop computers, 100 laptops and network and security upgrades. West Hawaii Today.

Citing a perceived lack of openness of process and failure to adhere to the state’s environmental rules, the Keauhou Canoe Club is taking legal action against the Department of Land and Natural Resources. West Hawaii Today.

A Circuit Court judge has rejected an attempt by opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope to overturn a construction permit issued by the state. Big Island Now.

Maui

The Maui County Planning Department expects to spend more money in the next fiscal year to accommodate overnight stays on Lanai for planning staff, instead of chartering late-night flights back to Maui. Maui News.

Hundreds of Monsanto employees turned out this morning to demonstrate their support for Monsanto and Hawaiʻi agriculture at rallies on Maui and Molokaʻi. Maui Now.

The county Department of Water Supply has begun issuing Upcountry water meters, a long-awaited announcement for hundreds of property owners who've been on a waiting list for years for water service. Maui News.

Kauai

A large crowd is expected to gather at Poipu Beach Park on Saturday, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., for a community-organized celebration to honor the late Stella Burgess. Garden Island.

Abercrombie seeks redo of Public Land Development Corp., Hawaii union membership rises, Legislature mulls sugar tax, legal marijuana, $750M to fix Honolulu airport, Hawaii County Council fights geothermal, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ala Wai boat harbor (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

The Abercrombie administration wants state lawmakers to create a new development authority for state harbors and parks that would partner with the private sector on recreational and leisure projects to bring new revenue for the state. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's efforts to strengthen its lobbying laws have consistently fallen victim to a resistant Legislature. Civil Beat.

Allowing a greater swath of the population to take advantage of solar energy and save money on their electricity bills is a top priority for Gov. Neil Abercrombie this legislative session. Civil Beat.

Union membership in Hawaii rose in 2012 even as the unionization rate declined nationally. Star-Advertiser.

Several key Hawaii lawmakers want to legalize marijuana in the Aloha State. Associated Press.

Bills that reform Hawaii’s marijuana laws are likely to gain traction in the state Legislature this year, bolstered by a change in House leadership and a new poll that reassures lawmakers of broad public support. Honolulu Weekly.

Four Hawaii senators want to charge 1 cent per teaspoon of sugar in each drink and use the revenue to fund community health centers and help trauma victims.  They say the tax would translate to about 10 cents per 12-ounce soda. KITV4.

Hawaii governors have a lot of appointment power. They include Cabinet members and deputy directors, judges and justices, members of board and commissions. Civil Beat.

Federal attorney Derrick Watson appeared Wednesday before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, which is considering whether to send his nomination as Hawaii's fourth full-time U.S. district judge to the Senate floor for a vote. Star-Advertiser.

As tourism fuels recovery in Hawaii, the state's tourism marketers are focusing on getting more visitors to sample neighbor islands, where hotels have more free rooms. Hawaii News Now.

University of Hawaii President MRC Greenwood Goes to Washington During Inauguration to Lobby for Presidential Center. Hawaii Reporter.

The largest supplier of flu vaccines in Hawaii has run out of some products. KHON2.

State briefs 1/24. Associated Press.

Oahu
Travelers passing through Honolulu Airport can expect to see construction start later this year on a $750 million effort to erect new terminals, larger gates, a new rental car building and other improvements at Hawaii's busiest ­— but aging — commercial airport. Star-Advertiser.

A developer's request to raise the height limit for a new $275 million hotel in Waikiki gets its first airing before the City Council Zoning and Planning Committee today. Star-Advertiser.

The city of Honolulu has paid an exterminator $17,372 to eradicate bedbug infestations at two city-owned affordable housing complexes. Civil Beat.

Schofield soldiers train for mission as 'key leaders' of Afghan troops. Star-Advertiser.

A fiber optic cable near one that broke during a fire last Tuesday was intentionally cut Wednesday night, affecting phone and cable services around the state for the second time in less than two weeks. Hawaii News Now.

Eddie Sherman, the longtime three-dot columnist who wrote about celebrities for the Honolulu Advertiser, Honolulu Star-Bulletin and MidWeek, died Tuesday at Straub Clinic & Hospital after a massive heart attack at home, said his wife, Patty Sherman. He was 88. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Newspaper Columnist Eddie Sherman Dies at 89. Hawaii Reporter.

A bus rider was caught off guard by an army of rats. He couldn't believe his eyes and had to pull out his cell phone to catch it all on video. KHON2.

Olive Garden tops a list of national retailers eyeing a Hawaii debut. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii
Hawaii County residents offered a unified front against actions the Legislature took last year regarding what areas of the state could be used for geothermal energy. West Hawaii Today.

Almost three months after Hawaii County evicted Abel Simeona Lui and a group of Native Hawaiians claiming indigenous rights to the 784-acre oceanfront parcel, the property, purchased with taxpayer money through the public lands and open space fund, remains in limbo as the county works with community groups on how best to proceed. West Hawaii Today.

A Big Island lawmaker believes it’s “high time” for Hawaii to legalize marijuana. Tribune-Herald.

February marks the start of the Year of the Snake on the Chinese calendar, and the traditional celebration of the Chinese New Year nearly slithered away from downtown Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Three Projects Critical to the Big Island Economy. Big Island Now.

Wayne “Big Dog” Joseph, the Tribune-Herald’s running columnist who promoted health and fitness as his life’s motto, died Tuesday night. He was 65. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Planning Commission members reviewed and recommended approval Tuesday of a bill to permit transient vacation rentals at the 230-unit Puamana oceanfront resort complex in Lahaina. Maui News.

During more than 40 years as an attorney, B. Martin Luna represented developers at state and county hearings for many resorts and other large projects in Maui County. Maui News.

The 2013 OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award winners for the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the US included three Maui restaurants. Maui Now.

Kauai

The proposed Waimea Sports complex would feature facilities for all ages when it opens. Garden Island.

Wednesday was a good day for the Kaua‘i County Council to push decisions to another day, as all four bills worked by different committees were deferred to February. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i County Department of Public Works is offering the public a bus tour of the proposed site for the new landfill and resource recovery park located about a mile north of Hanama‘ulu off Ma‘alo Road. Garden Island.

Molokai

A fisherman and conservationist is being honored for a lifetime of work protecting Molokai's northern coast. Associated Press.

Hawaii Legislature opens with leadership changes, protests, tax concerns, Honolulu mayor wants rail tax money, Hawaii County mayor wants state parks, plastic bag ban begins, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Senate opening day, courtesy Senate Majority Office

The Hawaii Legislature opened its 2013 session at the Capitol in Honolulu on Wednesday with speeches from new leadership and music and dance from local entertainers. Pacific Business News.

Senators and representatives were sworn in and new leadership was chosen in both houses Wednesday as the 2013 Hawaii legislative session got under way. Associated Press.

State Senate President Donna Mercado Kim said Wednesday that despite anticipating a better economy, lawmakers should not impose new tax burdens on residents or reflexively expand state programs. House Speaker Joseph Souki said the state must generate new revenue if legislators want to restore the social safety net, improve public education and repair infrastructure. Star-Advertiser.

On Wednesday, Calvin Say's 14 years as speaker ended, and the man he deposed — Joe Souki — was returned to power with the votes of 25 Democrats and all seven Republicans.Civil Beat.

on Wednesday, January 16, during the first day of the 60 working day session, both the Senate president and House speaker expressed their concern over Hawaii's high tax burden. Hawaii Reporter.

The 27th State Legislature opened Wednesday, and an expected change in the House of Representatives leadership has given more — or at least some — power to the Republican minority in Hawai‘i’s Democratic-dominated political arena. Garden Island.

Sen. Donna Mercado Kim takes helm as Senate president, Rep. Joe Souki installed as House Speaker. KITV4.

The State Legislature convened today with many focusing on the House of Representatives where a new leader was formally installed… resulting in a major shift in power for the first time in 14 years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Joseph Souki officially took over as state House speaker, succeeding Calvin Say. But supporters of the outgoing leader voiced discontent at Say's seat assignment. Hawaii News Now.

Hundreds marched on the state capitol on Wednesday hoping lawmakers will hear their call to action. KHON2.

With swooping, rhythmic motions, hundreds of men, women, teenagers and preschoolers pounded taro into roughly 1,000 pounds of poi Wednesday at the state Capitol as part of a protest that drew hundreds of residents hoping to have their voices heard on the opening day of the legislative session. Star-Advertiser.

On Wednesday, there was a cadence of movement, as hundreds gathered in a convocation of various groups coming together to push for labeling of genetically modified foods. Hawaii Independent.

[VIDEO] Legislature's Opening Day: Speeches, Songs, Chants and Cheers. Civil Beat.

This is a copy of Speaker Joseph M. Souki's prepared remarks to the opening session of the state House of Representatives on Wednesday. Maui News.

A Honolulu-based nonprofit law firm wants state lawmakers to establish a Hawaii earned income tax credit and eliminate the income tax on the poor to ease the burden on low-income individuals and families. West Hawaii Today.

Toxic chemicals released in Hawaii from facilities such as electric utilities and fuel refineries increased slightly in 2011, according to the latest Toxics Release Inventory data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric Co. is considering asking environmental regulators to extend deadlines for complying with new regulations that they say would cost ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Kirk  Caldwell told lawmakers this week the city has been shortchanged when it comes to a special tax that's earmarked for rail and that an accounting error led to the loss of $10 million last year. Civil Beat.

The explosion at a Waikele storage facility that killed five people in 2011, along with a fireworks-related Fourth of July fatality in Kansas, shows a clear "regulatory gap" when it comes to the disposal of fireworks in the United States, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board said in a report expected to be released this morning in Washington, D.C. Star-Advertiser.

Preliminary necropsy findings on a humpback whale calf that died off an East Honolulu beach indicate the mammal may have been battling some sort of respiratory infection, according to one of the scientists at Hawaii Pacific University involved in the examination. Star-Advertiser.

Chevron Corp. will likely follow Tesoro Corp.'s lead and close its Campbell Industrial Park refinery within a few years as the environment to do business in Hawaii becomes more difficult, an East-West Center energy expert said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

One of Mayor Billy Kenoi’s legislative priorities — a county takeover of Hapuna Beach and Mauna Kea State Recreation Areas — is already encountering some resistance in the state Legislature. West Hawaii Today.

If you want to save a few cents at area supermarkets and shopping malls, now is the time to start toting your shopping bags into the store with you. West Hawaii Today.

The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on Hawaii island took top honors in four categories in the TripAdvisor 2013 Travelers' Choice Hotel awards: best overall in the U.S. and in the world and best luxury hotel in the U.S. and in the world. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

A lecture, a performance and a display are part of the events that will be held Thursday on the University of Hawaii Maui College lawn fronting Kaahumanu Avenue to commemorate and educate the public about the 120th anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom that occurred on Jan. 17, 1893. Maui News.

The Department of Water Supply will be providing combined water and wastewater bills on a monthly basis starting next week. Maui News.

Kauai

The Department of Water will bill its customers on a monthly basis instead of bi-monthy beginning Jan. 22, according to a county news release. DOW officials say the change was made to provide better customer service. Garden Island.

Hawaii to get some of Okinawa Marines, emergency money for APEC, trial for 6 Occupy Honolulu members starts today, dogs in restaurants, endangered snails released on Oahu, state lawmakers want more gifts, ziplines scrutinized, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Pololu Valley Lookout (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

The Public Land Development Corp., an agency tasked with developing public lands, has raised concerns from environmentalists and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and is under attack by lawmakers this session. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's tourism industry could be changed by a proposal discussed Tuesday that requires more strict inspections of zip lines, which allow riders strapped to a harness and a cable to glide above forest canopies. Associated Press.

Companion bills seeking the regulation of zipline and canopy tours in Hawaii are scheduled to be heard by respective committees today. Maui Now.

Fed up with the state's ethics chief over advice they haven't liked about whether they can accept certain gifts, a handful of Hawaii lawmakers recently decided to go over his head. Civil Beat.

Senior Japanese officials say 4,700 U.S. Marines on Okinawa will be transferred to Guam. The remaining 3,300 would reportedly rotate among Australia, Hawaii or the Philippines. Associated Press.

Three months after the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, the state is asking legislators for an emergency appropriation of nearly $3 million to help cover its costs. KITV4.

The legal argument about gay marriage may be headed for the U.S. Supreme Court. Meanwhile a similar constitutionality battle continues in Hawai`i. Hawaii Public Radio.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa

Among Hawaii's delegates, U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, D-Urban Oahu, traveled back to the Islands the most in the past year: 14 roundtrips from Washington between Jan. 1, 2011 and Jan. 23, 2012. Civil Beat.

Business and labor interests are mobilizing on opposite sides of bills pending in the Legislature that would mandate paid leave for employees who are sick, victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault. Tribune-Herald.

The state Health Department opposes a bill being supported by Gov. Neil Abercrombie that would allow people to bring their dogs to restaurants statewide. Hawaii News Now.

As part of a push to show progress on key education reforms, the Board of Education is looking to make it board policy that the state move to a new evaluation system for teachers and principals no later than July 1, 2014. Star-Advertiser.

The state Department of Education would need to allocate a certain level of funding for Hawaiian language immersion programs under a bill introduced by state Rep. Mele Carroll. Maui News.

While Hawaii Electric Light Company has predicted its 2012 profits will be affected as a result of customers switching to solar panels, it does not currently have plans to increase its rates. Tribune-Herald.

Dog the Bounty hunter and his wife Beth are lending their support to a bill that they say many other bounty hunters do not support. KHON2.

State roundup for Feb. 8. Associated Press.

Oahu

Former Gov. Ben Cayetano

Former Gov. Benjamin Cayetano, a Democrat in office for 28 years and now a candidate for Honolulu Mayor, had some fighting words for U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, in response to Inouye's support for both of Cayetano's mayoral opponents and the $5.3 billion elevated steel wheel on steel rail project, which Inouye announced yesterday received Federal Transit Administration approval to move to the next phase of construction. Hawaii Reporter.

Oahu home prices got a jump on the new year, as the median sale price in January for previously owned single-family homes reached its highest level in 16 months. Star-Advertiser.

Trial for Six Occupy Honolulu Members Arrested in November Set for today. Hawaii Reporter.

A bill that would outlaw nearly all commercial activities on Sundays at a popular stretch of beach in Kailua faces a final vote next week after being passed unanimously Tuesday by the City Council’s Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee. KHON2.

Army biologists are releasing three hundreds kahuli tree snails into the heart of Oahu's Waianae mountains help the endangered species. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii
A combination of good management and good luck have left Hawaii County with enough federal stimulus funding to pave another mile of Ane Keohokalole Highway. West Hawaii Today.

The building where Hilo's cruise ship passengers receive a welcoming ceremony and assemble before boarding land tours is being closed for the next year. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Filling shelves, kids with knowledge. Maui News.

Kauai

The Prince Course will reopen for play on March 1 at Kauai’s Princeville at Hanalei resort under the management of Montage Golf. Pacific Business News.

Kaua‘i Planning Commission member Hartwell Blake’s words may have summarized the frustration of some of his fellow commissioners when he said a transient vacation rental in an area zoned agricultural is spot zoning of a resort in the middle of a rural community. Garden Island.

Teachers from Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School and Kaua‘i Technology Academy had an opportunity to become whale researchers Saturday at the Kukui‘ula Small Boat Harbor. Garden Island.