Caldwell stresses affordable housing in State of the City speech, minimum wage hike advances in Legislature, state attorney general persists in travel ban opposition, foam food container ban back on table, Kauai seeks control of historic trail, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell State of the City address, courtesy photo

Mayor Kirk Caldwell made his pitch for more affordable housing and finishing the city’s troubled rail project at his fifth State of the City address Thursday evening. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell called Thursday for cooperation from other governments, the private sector, unions and nonprofits to help the city “turn the corner” on its affordable housing shortage. Civil Beat.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell unveiled a his plan to re-invigorate affordable housing construction on Oahu in his fifth State of the City address Thursday evening. Hawaii News Now.

Emphasizing the need for more affordable housing, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell delivered his fifth State of the City Address. KITV.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell delivered his fifth State of the City address Thursday evening. KHON2.

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A state Senate committee has passed a bill to increase the state minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2019, but three other bills to incrementally raise the state minimum wage have been deferred in the House. Star-Advertiser.

Town Square: Sit-Down With Governor David Ige. Hawaii Public Radio.

State department delays mail-out of tax booklets. The state advised Hawaii businesses seeking to fill out their general excise tax returns to head online or to district offices before Monday’s deadline. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Stands Ready To Challenge Trump’s Promised New Order. The president said he would rescind his earlier travel ban — now stalled in court — and instead issue another one. Civil Beat.

The world's oldest known seabird has a new chick. Associated Press.

Oahu

Local rail officials and Hawaiian Electric Co. say they’ve agreed to a cheaper fix for many of the utility-line clearance problems that have plagued Oahu’s elevated transit project, saving about $140 million. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell has allowed a bill limiting the operation of tour buses, limousines and related commercial vehicles in most Waimanalo beach parks to become law without his signature. Star-Advertiser.

A local lawmaker is calling for the consolidation of administrative positions at the University of Hawaii at Manoa after a nationwide search for a new Chancellor came up empty. Hawaii News Now.

Investigation launched after Waikiki hotel diverts storm water into ocean. KHON2.

The Hawaii Convention Center today is unveiling $1.1 million in new flooring that can convert its 204,000-square-foot exhibition hall into courts for amateur and professional sporting events in an effort to diversify group business. Star-Advertiser.

A stingray smuggling bust turned into a new display at the Waikiki aquarium. KITV.

Kmart continues to pay American Assets Trust Inc. yearly base rents of $4.5 million for one of its shuttered Hawaii locations, the highest amount of any lease in its retail portfolio, according to public documents filed Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

A ban on polystyrene foam food containers is back before a County Council committee, following its close loss last year on a deadlocked vote. West Hawaii Today.

A bill that would have given control of Hawaii Health Systems Corp.’s East Hawaii medical facilities to Hawaii County appears to have died. Tribune-Herald.

The completion date for the long-delayed Komohana Street reconstruction project has again been pushed back. Initially estimated to be finished by February 2016, the work is now set for a mid-April timeline, according to the county Department of Public Works. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Island’s efforts toward renewable energy and off-grid living took a giant leap with the inception of Ainamalu, a new Waikoloa community that began construction this week. West Hawaii Today.

Salvador Luquin, who owned a popular Mexican restaurant destroyed by last month’s fire, said he has purchased a lunch wagon and hopes to be cooking again in the next few weeks. Tribune-Herald.

A magnitude-4.5 earthquake struck off the coast of the Big Island on Friday morning, but it was not strong enough to generate a tsunami threat. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

A bill for about a $900,000 appropriation to offset costs for emergency repairs related to the September flooding in Iao Valley failed to garner enough votes Wednesday from a Maui County Council committee. Maui News.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved dredging of the Lahaina Harbor channel to clear a buildup of material that poses a danger to harbor traffic, West Maui state Rep. Angus McKelvey announced last week. Maui News.

Kauai

State lawmakers are weighing a bill that requires the state to identify the path of the ancient Ala Loa trail on Kauai and recognize it as a public trail. The trail, which generally follows the coast around the island, apparently includes a section that crosses the property of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg as well as other oceanfront property owners reluctant to open their land. Star-Advertiser.

For the people of Kauai, the Lihue post office is more than just a swinging door for mail. Garden Island.

It’s going to take days and a crew of more than three people to dig out a net that’s implanted in the sand by the river mouth at South ‘Aliomanu Beach. Garden Island.

Taxes for teachers; Legislature mulls polystyrene food container ban, drone restrictions, affordable housing bonds, extending rail tax; Molokai mule rides may shut down, Kauai bridge uproar, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii State Teachers Association Jan. 21, 2017 Honolulu rally

A number of bills to tax investors and tourists to improve public education are advancing through the Legislature. Hawaii Public Radio.

After postponing making a decision last Friday, a House committee Monday amended and passed two measures that would use taxes to provide more funding for public schools in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Scheduled for a joint committee hearing Wednesday, Senate Bill 1109 would ban food vendors from using styrofoam and other polystyrene containers. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers are advancing an assortment of bills this year to begin collecting state excise taxes that are owed for online sales of retail products, a step that one lawmaker estimates might haul in an extra $80 million a year for the state treasury. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii usually budgets tens of millions of dollars annually to subsidize affordable housing development, but Sen. Will Espero wants to increase that to $2 billion to tackle the state’s severe housing shortage. Civil Beat.

State supports increasing fines from $250 to $750 for distracted driving. KHON2.

Hawaii lawmakers are working to tackle the thorny issue of how to regulate drones again this year but have already sidelined one bill while acknowledging that a second measure will likely morph into a permanent working group to further study the issue. Star-Advertiser.

State lawmakers are considering new restrictions for drones that they say are aimed at helping keep the skies safe. Hawaii News Now.

A new Hawaii bill would add penalties and increase the amount of electric vehicle parking spaces shopping malls and other places would need to dedicate at their respective properties. Pacific Business News.

Legislation introduced Friday would prohibit registered lobbyists from serving on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees. But there’s only one target of the bill at this point: Keli‘i Akina. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai representatives have introduced a bill that seeks a stricter sentence for people found guilty of family abuse of keiki. Garden Island.

Representative Beth Fukumoto is weighing whether to stay in Hawai‘i’s Republican Party. It’s a decision that has brought her the attention of national media. Hawaii Public Radio.

The federal court has approved a final settlement in a landmark lawsuit over the religious rights of Native Hawaiian inmates at the Saguaro Correctional Center, an Arizona prison where about 1,700 Hawaii prisoners are housed. Civil Beat.

President Donald Trump Seeks To Put Hawaii Case On Hold. The Trump administration says Hawaii’s challenge of travel ban should wait until a mainland case is resolved. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Key Hawaii state senators are moving against the deal proposed last week that would extend Oahu’s rail tax in exchange for the city relinquishing a share of those rail dollars to the state for neighbor island projects. Star-Advertiser.

Rail Tax Surcharge Measures Face Big Votes This Week. The measures before Hawaii Senate panels call for extending the general excise tax hike on Oahu and returning the state’s skim to the city. Civil Beat.

A state senator held a town hall meeting, Monday night, to address the traffic tie up that left drivers stuck for hours, as they headed toward Hawaii Kai on the H-1. KITV.

A fraud and misspending investigation launched in 2013 at Kaiser High School ended years later without anyone being charged. But now players on both sides of that case are in the middle of an education shakeup. KHON2.

The city finally has come up with proposed new rules to crack down on the illegal vending that’s gone on at Oahu beach parks for decades. Civil Beat.

A new Hawaii bill would provide a major boost to the untapped potential of hydroelectricity on Oahu by pumping millions of dollars into a project that would utilize the Nuuanu reservoir in Honolulu. Pacific Business News.

The solar industry continues to dim as the number of solar energy system permits issued on Oahu in January was cut in half from the same period last year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The state Department of Transportation will begin swapping out speed limit signs on Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as Saddle Road, starting today. Tribune-Herald.

A new, increased speed limit is about to take effect on Saddle Road, also known as the Daniel K. Inouye Highway. Big Island Video News.

Another piece of a North Kohala shoreline trail is set to fall into place Wednesday, when the County Council plans to take up resolutions granting pedestrian and vehicle access. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

A pilot project to offset carbon emissions and restore forests around Kahikinui has been proposed by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Maui News.

Abandoned building full of history. A lone two-story cement building standing in the middle of a field on the West Maui Mountains side of Mokulele Highway is a curious but familiar sight for passers-by. Maui News.

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is seeking to fill seven primary and alternate seats on its advisory council, according to an announcement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Maui News.

Kauai

Public outcry over the construction of a $2.7 million, 20-ton bridge Keahua Stream on Kuamoo Road, in an area known as “loop road,” has sparked another public meeting on Kauai about the project. Garden Island.

A health facility, school buildings, affordable housing and park improvements are on the list of capital improvement projects Kauai legislators say are necessary for financing. Garden Island.

A pair of bills related that would change Hawaii law in response to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s “quiet title” actions filed against owners of small pieces of land, or kuleana lands, within his 700-acre oceanfront property on Kauai continue to move ahead in the state Legislature. Pacific Business News.

A next-generation guided missile with ramifications for the protection of Hawaii on Friday successfully intercepted a ballistic missile target west of the Hawaiian Islands in the first such shoot-down attempt, demonstrating a greater defensive capability for the United States and Japan, which jointly developed the missile.  Star-Advertiser.

Surfrider, DOH zero in on Moloa‘a Stream: A distinct odor saturates the area around Moloaa Bay during heavy rains, and it smells like sewage, according to area residents. Garden Island.

Molokai

A popular Molokai mule tour is on the verge of shutting down after more than 40 years in operation. Kalaupapa Rare Adventures guides visitors on mule rides down a 1,600-foot cliff to the isolated Kalaupapa peninsula. Hawaii News Now.

Governor touts education, housing in third State of the State address, lawmakers push counties to tax themselves more, Kauai missile defense plans, Ellison closes Lanai golf course, Hilo landfill almost pau, Waikiki condo put on hold, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige 2017 State of the State, courtesy photo

Full transcript of Gov. David Ige's State of the State address here.

Gov. David Ige offered up a cautious State of the State address to lawmakers Monday that underscored his achievements during his first two years as governor, and warned that a slowing state economy will require “adjustments” to his proposed two-year $28.5 billion budget. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige’s third State of the State address was heavy on improving public education and innovating economic development. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige says transforming schools is key to diversifying the state’s economy, and he wants to expand a program that enables high school students to earn college credits for free. Associated Press.

Governor's State of the State Address: Downward Adjustments to Executive Budget Forthcoming. Hawaii Public Radio.

In his third State of the State address on Monday, Gov. David Ige pointed to homelessness, education and government accountability as the core priorities for his administration in the coming year, but he also warned of a slowing economy that could prompt tough budget decisions. Hawaii News Now.

Governor David Ige made affordable housing one of the main cornerstones to his Monday state of the state speech. Pacific Business News.

Recent changes in revenue projections were mentioned in Governor David Ige’s state of the state address on Monday.Big Island Video News.

Leaders of the Hawaii Legislature say they generally agree with Hawaii Gov. David Ige's public policy goals. But they want to see more details on his proposals. KITV.

Hawaii’s political spotlight settled firmly on Gov. David Ige Monday, as he delivered the 2017 State of the State Address on Oahu. West Hawaii Today.

For Kauai representatives, Gov. David Ige’s plans to address homelessness and enhance the school system were some of the main takeaways from his State of the State address. Garden Island.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige touted the success of the state’s accelerator programs In his third State of the State address on Monday as he called for investment in Hawaii’s innovation sector. Pacific Business News.

Parents and others concerned about recent deaths of children in day care filled a Hawaii Senate committee hearing room Monday to support bills that would toughen sanctions against negligent operators and bolster safe sleeping rules meant to prevent sudden infant death syndrome. Civil Beat.

Hawaii residents eventually might be able to use marijuana recreationally, and patients could be allowed to purchase it from legally formed collectives.Those are among more than a dozen bills being vetted in the state Legislature related to marijuana and marijuana dispensaries. Tribune-Herald.

Few Tears Shed In Hawaii As Trump Dumps Pacific Trade Pact. Civil Beat.

The recent power struggle that has wracked the leadership of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is expected to flare up again this week in two board of trustees meetings scheduled to take place behind closed doors. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell told state lawmakers Monday that he is proposing to raise fuel and weight taxes, and city parking fees, and might even ask for an array of other hikes to pay for construction, operation and maintenance of Oahu’s rail line. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers want the counties to put “more skin in the game” instead of just coming to the state year after year asking for more money, especially when it comes to Honolulu and funding for its increasingly expensive 20-mile rail project. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell faced tough questions as he tried to convince state lawmakers to approve a permanent extension of the 0.5 percent general excise surcharge used to fund the cash-strapped rail project. They wanted to know what was being done to control rising costs. With a $5.2 billion budget two years ago, Caldwell assured legislators at that time that an extension through 2027 would cover a $910 million shortfall. Hawaii News Now.

Proposed fee hikes target drivers, vehicle owners on Oahu. KHON2.

Majority Leader Scott Saiki says his proposed legislation to prohibit a sitting governor or county mayor from holding outside employment or receiving emoluments is inspired by President Donald Trump, not Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu developers of a 32-story, 246-unit condominium-hotel project that would replace the King’s Village shopping center in Waikiki are pressing the pause button on this development because of high construction and decreasing demand for this type of product, an executive from the development team confirmed to Pacific Business News.

Volunteers and social service outreach workers fanned out across Oahu on Monday night to interact with the homeless and try to get an accurate head count for an island that once had the highest per capita rate of homelessness in the country. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Closure of the Hilo landfill remains a moving target, but the East Hawaii rubbish dump could reach capacity in as little as a year. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Three Maui facilities spewed nearly 190,000 pounds of toxic chemicals into the air in 2015 with the two Maui Electric Co. power plants logging the largest releases in Maui County, the Environmental Protection Agency reported. Maui News.

Kauai

The head of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance still wants the Pentagon to activate a Kauai missile defense testing facility for the protection of Hawaii in emergencies. Star-Advertiser.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg plans to build a single home on the 700 acres of oceanfront land he owns on Kauai’s North Shore, even though half the land once held entitlements in place for up to 80 luxury homes, Pacific Business News has learned.

Lanai

Billionaire Larry Ellison, who co-founded Oracle Corp. and owns 98 percent of the Hawaiian Island of Lanai, is closing one of the two golf courses he owns on the island, a spokeswoman for the company managing the two golf courses confirmed to Pacific Business News Monday.

The Lodge at Koele, one of the two Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts-branded hotels owned by billionaire co-founder of Oracle Corp. and Lanai owner Larry Ellison, is scheduled to re-open in 2018 with a mix of hotel rooms and a spa and wellness concept, a spokeswoman Four Seasons Resorts Lanai confirmed to Pacific Business News Monday.

Money sought for roads, mileage tax mulled, state computers probed 45M times a day, death with dignity legislation, Green mulls gubernatorial run, Attorney General clears homeless map, Hawaii park downsized, Maui workers charged with vacation theft, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii roadway © 2017 All Hawaii News

Hawaii Department of Transportation officials told state lawmakers Wednesday that they need dozens of new positions and millions of additional dollars to continue with plans to modernize airports, repair harbors and maintain roads. Civil Beat.

As laws mandate more fuel efficient cars and trucks, state transportation officials said they have to either double the gas tax, or find some a more fair way to charge users. KITV.

The top manager of state government computer systems in Hawaii says would-be hackers are probing the defenses of state networks up to 45 million times a day in an effort to find vulnerabilities in the system. Star-Advertiser.

With two years left in his Senate term, Josh Green is considering running for governor or lieutenant governor in 2018. West Hawaii Today.

Pierre Omidyar, LinkedIn co-founder ​Reid Hoffman put $10M each into new fund for ethical artificial intelligence. Pacific Business News.

Longtime state political lobbyist John Radcliffe has stage four liver and colon cancer and wants to choose when he dies. Radcliffe, 74, is asking the court to declare that Hawaii’s murder and manslaughter laws do not apply when a physician helps a mentally-competent, terminally-ill adult patient who chooses to die. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers in Hawaii and several other states want to prevent presidential candidates from appearing on their states’ ballots unless the candidates release their tax returns. Associated Press.

Incensed that President-elect Donald Trump still won’t make public his tax returns, state Rep. Chris Lee is trying to do something about it. Civil Beat.

As the state Department of Education continues to reduce its backlog of employee misconduct cases, some Board of Education members are questioning whether the department is doing enough to prevent cases in the first place. Star-Advertiser.

The Governor’s top budget priority for this upcoming legislative session is Public Education. But will his increased spending really make a difference? Hawaii Public Radio.

Seniors in Hawaii face a greater risk of being struck and killed by a car than in any other state in the nation — a nagging fact that hasn’t changed much in the last decade, according to a report released this week by the National Complete Streets Coalition. Star-Advertiser.

How Hawaii’s Inmates Are Ending Up In Prisons All Over The Country. But, citing privacy and security reasons, state prison officials won’t say why ‌imates are being transferred or where they have gone. Civil Beat.

Oahu
The state Attorney General’s office told state Rep. Gene Ward that a map he published in November of suspected homeless encampments and homeless activity in his East Honolulu district passes legal muster and is constitutional. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Wednesday said he doubts a final agreement has been reached yet between the Police Commission and Police Chief Louis Kealoha over a possible payout to the chief in exchange for his retirement. Civil Beat.

As out of state law enforcement agencies prepare to make the trip to Hawaii and begin their recruiting trip, the Honolulu Police Department is searching for applicants of its own. KHON2.

A traffic pattern change due to the city's rail project in Pearl City is not sitting well with a longtime business there. Hawaii News Now.

The city wants to sell a portion of a popular park in Windward Oahu. However, the proposal is facing backlash from some community members in Kahaluu. Hawaii News Now.

Sewage spills are likely to continue in West Kapolei near Ko Olina until corroded pipes are replaced at an estimated cost of $20 million, a Honolulu City Council committee was told Wednesday. Civil Beat.

A third finalist for the University of Hawaii at Manoa chancellor position will be participating in a final round of interviews this month, UH officials announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: STEM Jobs? Not In Honolulu. Nationally, we rank close to the bottom when it comes to professions involving science, technology, engineering and math. Civil Beat.

Ho‘ola Na Pua event provides insight into human trafficking. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

After more than a year of neighborhood contention regarding construction of a park in Kukuihaele, county planners presented a new and largely well-received proposal for the 4-acre space Tuesday night. Tribune-Herald.

The number of solar electric permits issued on the Big Island dropped 56 percent compared with the year earlier. Star-Advertiser.

A long-awaited four-year aviation program could take off this year at University of Hawaii at Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Legacy nursing home in Hilo hired a former state Department of Health nursing home compliance director to get Legacy back in line with federal regulations. Tribune-Herald.

As big of a challenge combating human trafficking is in Hawaii, convincing people it even happens here in the first place is a whole other one. West Hawaii Today.

West Hawaii joins the previous selections of East Hawaii and North Hawaii as Blue Zones, making Hawaii County the first entire county in the nation to join the movement. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Two former Maui County Public Works employees pleaded not guilty Wednesday to second-degree theft charges involving unrecorded vacation time, according to sources familiar with the case. Maui News.

The Maui County Council will hold a special meeting on Monday to handle matters left over from its Jan. 2 meeting, including establishing the body’s standing committees and referring various matters to appropriate committees. Maui News.

Kauai

Getting a fair share of the transient accommodations tax, making sure lifeguards are insured and purchasing an additional ambulance are some of the goals for Kauai County this legislative session. Garden Island.

Grim pension fund news sends state government seeking more taxes, big payout for Kealoha despite FBI probe, state to appeal Thirty Meter Telescope ruling, PUC rejects Hawaii Electric $340M smart-grid plan, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Elephants at the Honolulu Zoo © 2017 All Hawaii News

Nonresidents 13 and older who visit the Honolulu Zoo will need to pay $2 more starting next year under a proposal by Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration. Star-Advertiser.

The shortfall in Hawaii’s public employees pension fund mushroomed to $12.44 billion in fiscal 2016, setting the stage for more finger-pointing in the Legislature and dealing a financial blow to taxpayers who will have to dig deep to pay for it. Star-Advertiser.

State lawmakers this year are eyeing the possibility of Hawaii joining 34 other states that are subject to an internet sales tax on purchases from online retailers such as Amazon.com. Pacific Business News.

State tax collections are below Council on Revenue projections this year and lawmakers are looking elsewhere to make up the difference. Hawaii Public Radio.

The state tax department needs extra security guards, armored car services and new surveillance equipment to prepare for a surge in cash payments to cover the taxes paid to the state for medical marijuana sales. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric Co. was sent back to the drawing board on its $340 million smart-grid plan by state regulators. Star-Advertiser.

Food producers, service providers and consumers heard highlights Monday from a new report about Hawaii’s reliance on imported food. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Although he’s the target of an ongoing federal corruption investigation, Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha is expected to receive a substantial cash payout as part of a retirement agreement being negotiated with the city. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha isn't just retiring under pressure. He's getting a hefty payout to walk away. Hawaii News Now.

Mainland police department eyes local recruits as HPD grapples with leadership change. KHON2.

The Oahu Community Correctional Center needs a new home and officials are looking closely at Aiea, as one of the options. KITV.

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc., the real estate investment trust recently spun off by Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., may develop a new hotel or time-share tower at the iconic Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, which is the largest in the Hilton chain of hotels and the biggest resort in Hawaii, Pacific Business News has learned.

The state agency overseeing Kakaako redevelopment has approved new rules for its parks, including areas that have frequently been the sites of homeless encampments. Civil Beat.

Programs that keep people from falling into homelessness and provide access to permanent housing top this year’s legislative priority list compiled by Partners in Care, a collaboration among 35 nonprofits, advocates and government agencies seeking to end homelessness on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.


Hawaii

The state will appeal a Hilo Circuit Court ruling that vacated its consent to the Thirty Meter Telescope’s sublease with the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

A Native Hawaiian educator said Mauna Kea is the realm of akua, or gods, while testifying against the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope on Monday. Tribune-Herald.

Three decades since it was first envisioned and four years after a new owner took over, a mixed-use development along Hina-Lani Street mauka of Kaloko Business Park is again moving forward. West Hawaii Today.

New Hawaii Police Chief Paul Ferreira used the occasion of a public oath reaffirmation ceremony Monday to deliver a brief State of the Department address. Tribune-Herald.

A standing-room-only crowd packed onto the mezzanine area of the South Hilo police station on Monday morning, to watch a new police chief and deputy chief take over as the heads of the Hawaii County Police Department. Big Island Video News.

Maui

The Matson Foundation has given the A Hui Hou Fund with a $100,000 grant to augment widespread community support for displaced sugar workers on Maui. Maui Now.

The number of rooftop solar permits issued for Maui, Molokai and Lanai dropped 47 percent in 2016 compared with the year earlier. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

There were 1,113 students on the first day census at Kauai Community College provided by the University of Hawaii Institutional Research. This represents a 2.6 percent gain over the spring 2016 semester of 1,085 students. Garden Island.

Two of three baby nene photographed grazing in lush grass alongside the Hanalei River last month were killed by cars as they attempted to cross a highway. Garden Island.

Hanapepe librarian Karen Ikemoto retires after 41 years of serving Kauai’s community. Garden Island.

Teachers cleared for free trips, Honolulu Police Commission to discuss police chief's fate today, counties submit legislative priorities, new Maui council leadership, $18M upgrades for Kauai airport, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ocean entry viewing from the Kalapana side. National Park Service Sept. 20, 2016

A new viewing area for the Kamokuna lava ocean entry opened Tuesday after two days of closure because of a New Year’s Eve lava delta collapse. Tribune-Herald.

Public school teachers may resume traveling free as chaperones on educational field trips without violating ethics laws, under an agreement between the teachers union and the State Ethics Commission announced Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Under an agreement between the state teachers union and the state Ethics Commission, teachers serving as chaperones on school-related trips can continue to have their travel costs paid for by private tour companies. Civil Beat.

A larger county share of the tax on hotel and vacation rentals, liability protection for lifeguards, ambulances for Hawaii and Kauai counties and a greater say in union negotiations are the top priorities for county governments going into the 2017 session of the state Legislature. West Hawaii Today.

Following a New Year’s fireworks accident that killed a woman in Kapolei, state lawmakers will likely reconsider boosting inspections of the shipping containers that authorities say are used to smuggle in most of Oahu’s illegal pyrotechnics. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii residents concerned about pesticide use by major agriculture companies on the islands are planning a push to strengthen regulation over chemicals they fear harm their health. Associated Press.

Commentary: Hold onto your wallet, because this coming legislative session looks like it may be a rough ride! Civil Beat.

A robust Hawaii economy pushed down statewide bankruptcy filings in 2016 for the sixth straight year with few signs that the trend is going to reverse anytime soon. Star-Advertiser.

A possible contender for president in 2020 is helping U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono bring in campaign funds. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Both Mayor Kirk Caldwell and newly installed City Council Chairman Ron Menor called finding the funding to complete the city’s 20-mile rail line their top priority over the next few years. Star-Advertiser.

Although they spoke two hours apart and in separate locations, the mayor of Honolulu and the new chairman of the City Council seemed at times to be reading from similar scripts. Civil Beat.

Kirk Caldwell will serve another 4 years as mayor of Honolulu after being sworn in today at Ala Moana Beach Park. KITV.

The Honolulu Police Commission will meet Wednesday to discuss the future of Police Chief Louis Kealoha, who has been on paid leave since receiving a "target letter" from the FBI last month. Hawaii News Now.

The Honolulu Police Commission’s plan to discuss the fate of Police Chief Louis Kealoha in a closed-door session is being questioned by attorneys who often represent the media and the public interest. Civil Beat.

In June 2013, two homicide detectives from the Honolulu Police Department were assigned to investigate a busted taillight at the Kahala home of their boss. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro announced this week that Katherine Kealoha, who is the subject of an ongoing public corruption investigation, will be part of a new initiative that aims to crack down on criminals who target tourists. Civil Beat.

The city might need to spend millions to replace two force main lines in Ko Olina after one broke this week near the site of a break in late November, spilling tens if not hundreds of thousands of gallons of raw sewage, city Environmental Services Director Lori Kahikina said Tuesday morning. Star-Advertiser.

State Rep. Gene Ward insists there is nothing unconstitutional about a map he published identifying locations of suspected homeless people in his East Honolulu district, but Ward nevertheless has asked the state attorney general for a legal opinion. Star-Advertiser.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii cancels 2017 air show featuring Blue Angels. KHON2.

Honolulu ranked No. 48 among cities with the most bed bugs in 2016, according to pest control company Orkin. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

Thirty Meter Telescope project manager answers questions from opponents; Gary Sanders will continue his testimony today during ongoing contested case hearing. Tribune-Herald.

A long-awaited traffic project in Puna began construction Tuesday. The Hawaii Department of Transportation State Highways Division will be installing a traffic signal at the intersection of Shower Drive, Pohaku Drive and Highway 130. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii's Kona International Airport is now officially named the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, in honor of the Challenger astronaut who grew up nearby on the Big Island. Pacific Business News.

When the bailiff declares Division 2 of the 3rd Circuit Court in session Tuesday, for the first time in 12 1/2 years — with the exception of vacations — the presiding judge will not be Glenn S. Hara. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Monday morning’s inauguration of the new Maui County Council was “the easy part,” but now it’s time to get down to business, council members said following the celebration. Maui News.

Maui County Council Member Mike White regained his position as chairman Monday late evening during a contentious first council meeting that included 75 testifiers and five failed nominations for other chairpersons. Maui News.

Kauai

About $18 million worth of improvements and upgrades to Lihue Airport is slated to be completed by the end of 2019, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Garden Island.

An organization on Kauai is keeping a critically endangered plant from going extinct. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu voters support Thirty Meter Telescope in poll, Hawaii sends 19 delegates to Republican National Convention, Schatz, Gabbard sitting pretty in congressional races, Hawaiian Electric stocks plummet after failed buyout, Maui hospital plan in limbo, UH tuition increase looming, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tour guide explains telescopes atop Mauna Kea © 2016 All Hawaii News

The Thirty Meter Telescope might be a Big Island project, but Oahu is clearly TMT country. In the latest Hawaii Poll, more than three-quarters of Oahu’s likely primary voters say they support construction of the controversial $1.4 billion astronomy project, and more than half say it would negatively affect Hawaii’s business reputation if it does not go forward. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii sent 19 delegates to Cleveland, Ohio for the Republican National Convention over the weekend and they were easy to spot. Dressed in red Aloha shirts and adorned with red lei, members of Hawaii's delegation held signs that said "Make America Safe Again." They even got a warm welcome from former Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle. Hawaii News Now.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz will likely have almost a decade of senatorial experience the next time his name appears on an election ballot. Hawaii’s senior U.S. senator, who was appointed to the position in December 2012 after the death of Dan Inouye, is seeking his first full six-year term this year. Civil Beat.

Tulsi Gabbard raised more than $420,000 in the April-June period. According to her July quarterly filing with the Federal Election Commission, the Hawaii Democrat is sitting on $1.88 million in cash. Civil Beat.

There are other companies interested in Hawaiian Electric Industries, Gov. David Ige said Monday, the same day that the state’s largest utility and Florida-based NextEra Energy announced they would abandon plans to merge. Civil Beat.

Other companies want Hawaiian Electric after failed NextEra merger. KITV.

Following regulators’ rejection of NextEra Energy’s $4.3 billion bid to acquire Hawaiian Electric Industries on Friday afternoon, shares in Hawaii’s largest utility fell sharply, losing 7.3 percent of their value by the end of Monday. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. saw its share price fall over 7 percent on Monday, and it could have plummeted further but benefited from a strong utility market, said Charles Fishman, an analyst with Morningstar. Pacific Business News.

Starting this fall, the state’s public elementary school students will learn reading, writing and language skills under a single curriculum. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha fares poorly in the latest Hawaii Poll, but Oahu residents generally have confidence in the Honolulu Police Department. The nine-member Council received a 45 percent favorable rating, the second lowest. Star-Advertiser.

Nearly half of Hawaii's registered voters want Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha to step down.  That's according to the Hawaii News Now, Star Advertiser Hawaii poll. Hawaii News Now.

The Honolulu Police Department is testing out body cameras on officers as it prepares to launch a pilot program for the devices by the end of the year. Associated Press.

Uber is threatening to pull out of Honolulu if a proposal passes that would require city-issued driver certificates for all who are interested in carrying the public. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu’s city bus drivers are working more hours and it’s raising concerns about the safety of passengers and the drivers themselves. KHON2.

The University of Hawaii is seeking approval this week from the UH Board of Regents to increase undergraduate tuition at its flagship Manoa campus over a three-year period starting in the fall of 2017. Star-Advertiser.

Longtime news anchor and reporter Kirk Matthews has died. KHON2.

The affable TV news reporter and anchor Kirk Matthews, who spent more than 30 years on the air here, died Monday at his Honolulu home with his wife, Linda Coble, by his side. Matthews retired from KHON2 in 2014 after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. He was 69. Star-Advertiser.

How We’re Hurting Endangered Monk Seals. This North Shore monk seal mom had a tough week fighting off things that could harm her weeks-old pup. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

Property tax breaks for farmers and ranchers will cost Hawaii County $39.6 million in lost revenue this year, slightly less than 10 percent of the county’s $463 million annual operating budget. The County Council Finance Committee on Monday dug into the issue of the county’s agricultural programs, trying to balance a desire to encourage agriculture with the need for more tax revenue. West Hawaii Today.

Park brings in drones to survey while trees are dying. West Hawaii Today.

Efforts to combat coqui frogs dwindling. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Lawmakers again deferred action Monday on a bill to assist public workers who will lose their state jobs when three Maui County hospitals are turned over to Kaiser Permanente. Star-Advertiser.

The state House and Senate agreed Monday to meet later this week to amend legislation designed to give financial help to unionized workers at two hospitals on Maui and one on Lanai. Those hospitals are awaiting privatization, in a deal approved by the Legislature in 2015. Civil Beat.

Tiare Lawrence, candidate for District 12, Upcountry State Representative has received five endorsements from a broad range of organizations. Endorsements of her candidacy have come from the Hawaii State Teacher Association, The Sierra Club, The Hawai’i Center for Food Safety, The Patsy Mink Political Action Committee and Local 5, Hawai’i’s hospitality and healthcare union. MauiWatch.

Kauai

Friday’s 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejection of sonar rules have Kauai biologists and conservationists shouting victory, but they’re reserving absolute celebration until the matter is put to rest. Garden Island.

The chairman of the Kauai police commission is calling out the Hawaii Paroling Authority by saying a recent decision to grant parole to an inmate was based “on overcrowding in the prison.” He also said the parolee would likely reoffend. Garden Island.

A temporary principal has been appointed at Hanalei School. Garden Island.

Hawaii homelessness creeps up, new Public Utilities Commission pick as NextEra deal looms, audit to probe Hawaii County hiring practices, no 'strong mayor' government for Maui, Zuckerberg to build home as well as wall, Ige signs ivory sales ban bill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Homeless man reading © 2016 All Hawaii News

Hawaii, which already has the highest per capita rate of homelessness in America, saw its homeless population jump another 4 percent between January 2015 and January 2016, but officials revealing the data see signs of progress. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii is seeing a stubborn rise in homelessness, despite the concerted efforts of state and county officials to address the issue. According to the “point in time” count released Wednesday, the state’s homeless population stood at 7,921 when the annual survey was conducted during the week of Jan. 25. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Point-In-Time Count, an annual survey of the state’s homeless population, was released Wednesday, and the results were a mixed bag of both encouraging and disconcerting numbers. West Hawaii Today.

© 2016 All Hawaii News

The results of this year’s statewide Homeless Point in Time Count were released today. Hawaii Public Radio.

A report on the number of homeless who live in Hawai‘i, called the “Statewide Point In Time Count,” revealed an overall increase in the number of homeless in the state compared to last year. Maui Now.

According to the annual Point in Time count released Wednesday, the number of Kauai’s homeless population increased by about 30 percent in 2016 compared to last year. Garden Island.

The latest "Point In Time" homeless count showed that on January 24, 2016, there were nearly eight thousand homeless statewide, with more than half on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii, one of the top visitor destinations in the world, is bucking a trend now that Gov. David Ige said he intends to veto a bill that would allow online lodging services like Airbnb to collect state and local taxes. Associated Press.

Ige Signs Act Prohibiting Most Ivory Sales in Hawaii. Retailers of products made out of endangered species have one year to purge their inventory before the sales are banned. Civil Beat.

Gorak

Gov. David Ige is booting Mike Champley from the state Public Utilities Commission just days before the three-member body was expected to release its final decision on the $4.3 billion deal to sell Hawaiian Electric Industries to Florida-based NextEra Energy. Ige has made an interim appointment of Tom Gorak, the commission’s chief legal counsel, who will take over starting Friday. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige shuffled the deck Wednesday with a new Public Utilities Commission member just days before the three-person panel is expected to vote on whether NextEra Energy Inc. may purchase the state’s largest electric utility for $4.3 billion. Star-Advertiser.

The biggest business deal in state history is in a new state of limbo as the governor makes a new appointment to the Public Utilities Commission that some are calling illegal and unethical. KHON2.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige on Wednesday named Thomas Gorak, chief counsel of the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, as the replacement for Michael Champley, whose term on the three-member commission charged with making key energy and other utility decisions, ends on Thursday. Pacific Business News.

Gov. David Ige is appointing a new member to the commission that’s expected to rule on Florida energy company NextEra’s proposed purchase of Hawaiian Electric Industries. Ige is naming Thomas Gorak to the state Public Utilities Commission. Gorak is now the commission’s top legal adviser, a job he’s had since 2013. Associated Press.

Since June 23, Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii and more than a dozen of her Democratic colleagues have not been able to use their official websites. Civil Beat.

Rising sea levels bring a wave of worry for many residents of our island state. Wednesday evening, experts showed how bad the increase in the ocean could be, while also detailing what some cities are already doing to prepare. KITV.

Oahu

There may be suspense in a hotly contested mayor’s race, but don’t expect changes in the Honolulu City Council after this year’s election. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

It’s not what you know; it’s whom you know. That lament has a long history on Hawaii Island, where a county government job ranks right up there with a college degree for many parents’ aspirations for their children. West Hawaii Today.

Somewhere between 38 and 92 percent of West Hawaii’s reefs will be declared bleached and dead, once scientists are comfortable enough with their figures to release final results this summer. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo residents got their first chance to weigh in on proposed redevelopment plans for the Banyan Drive area on Tuesday afternoon. More than 60 people attended the standing-room only informational meeting at the Aupuni Conference Center, where county planners gave an overview of possible new land uses and revitalization efforts for the peninsula, which was declared “blighted” earlier this year. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Planning Director Duane Kanuha presented a future vision for Banyan Drive to a crowd of business representatives and enthusiasts on Tuesday night. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii County officially is opening a lava viewing area near Kalapana today after the Pu‘u ‘O‘o lava flow reached the base of Pulama pali. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island residents armed with a cellphone camera and a $1 magnifying glass are becoming science sleuths, contributing to research that would have been handled by a drove of scientists a decade ago. Thanks to a crowdsourcing initiative launched in May 2015 to map the distribution of “yellow fever” mosquitoes on the island, scientists and health officials will have more information to go on when they are deciding how to combat mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and Zika — scourges which will appear sooner or later. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

One of the most controversial charter amendments of the Maui County Council’s 2016 calendar, which would have allowed a fundamental change in county governance from a “strong mayor” to council-manager, died in committee Wednesday. Maui Watch.

Despite taking no action Tuesday on several of Mayor Alan Arakawa's bills seeking funding for homeless programs and temporary shelters, council Budget and Finance Committee Chairman Riki Hokama said he and the mayor are working to "find more common ground on the homeless issue" and are moving forward. Maui News.

State Pulls Plug On Mbloom, But Still Wants To Help Tech Startups. The venture capital fund sputtered from the start, with questions about conflict of interest in its investments. Civil Beat.

The contract for construction of the next phase of the Lahaina bypass, a 2.7-mile stretch that runs from Hokiokio Road toward Launiupoko, has been awarded to Hawaiian Dredging Co., the state Department of Transportation announced Tuesday. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai County Council unanimously voted to defer a bill on Wednesday that would allow vending on county-owned streets. Garden Island.

The Center for Biological Diversity is threatening to take legal action to protect rare seabirds that it says are being harmed by bright lights at an Air Force radar facility in Kokee, Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg apparently has plans to build a home on his Hawaii estate on the North Shore of Kauai, in addition to that six-foot-high wall that has irked some of his neighbors and caught the attention of websites around the world, Pacific Business News has learned.

For the past two weeks, Tabitha Smith has been camping in a spot dubbed “The Cage” at the Lihue Civic Center. Garden Island.

Whale migration down, Legislature passes $13.7B budget, Big Island council kills general excise tax hike, nurses can prescribe marijuana, rats in UH-Manoa dorms, lawsuit looming in Kauai pesticide case, Maui passes $659.5M budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Whale migration patterns, courtesy NOAA

The number of whales that made the annual migration to Hawaiian waters this past winter appears to be at its lowest level in five years, according to officials with the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Associated Press.

Hawaii lawmakers have passed the state's $13.7 billion budget for 2017, providing funding for affordable housing development, new classroom facilities and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Associated Press.

House and Senate lawmakers gave their final approval to a new, $13.7 billion budget for next year as well as bills to ease jail overcrowding, collect taxes from vacation rental operators, allow an industrial hemp pilot project and permit Alexander & Baldwin to continue using Maui stream water — but not without some spirited debate on the floors of the Senate and House on Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

With the 2016 legislative session set to end Thursday, drama arose Tuesday in the Senate over taxing Airbnb tourist accommodations; and in the House a Republican lawmaker was nearly booted from the chamber over his stance on funding Hawaiian Home Lands. Civil Beat.

The Senate voted on a number of key House Bills yesterday. Hawaii Public Radio.

After years of dealing with sweltering classrooms where classroom teachers spritzed their students with water to keep them cool, the Hawaii Legislature has approved $100 million to cool 1,000 classrooms throughout the state. Associated Press.

Gov. David Ige has already brought out his veto pen, spiking a measure that would let terminally ill patients try investigational drugs before the federal Food and Drug Administration approved them. Civil Beat.

A bill that would allow online alternative accommodations companies such as Airbnb to act as tax brokers on behalf of the state has passed the Hawaii Legislature and is on its way to Gov. David Ige’s desk for his signature. Pacific Business News.

Lawmakers passed a bill Tuesday allowing companies like Airbnb to collect and pay taxes on behalf of hosts who list their properties. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii lawmakers approved a bill Tuesday that reforms many aspects of the state’s medical marijuana dispensary law but left enough on the table that medical marijuana advocates are likely to be back at the Capitol lobbying next session. If Gov. David Ige allows HB 2707 to go into law, advanced practice registered nurses, in addition to physicians, will be able to certify patients to use medical cannabis. Civil Beat.

Local transgender community leaders and supporters are calling on education officials to implement policies and staff training to ensure the safety and fair treatment of transgender students in Hawaii public schools. Star-Advertiser.

Some 17,000 public school students will be eligible to receive free meals at their schools regardless of their family’s ability to pay, under plans announced Tuesday by the state Department of Education to expand a pilot program that launched last fall. Star-Advertiser.

Are you getting what you pay for? State struggles to keep scales in check. KHON2.

A California-based labor contracting company that was ordered to pay millions in a discrimination and human trafficking lawsuit in Hawaii has been smacked in a similar case in Washington state. Star-Advertiser.

Bank of Hawaii said it expects to save $439,591 annually from 2,670 photovoltaic panels it has installed on its buildings throughout the state as part of its ongoing energy-saving programs. The company now produces about 30 percent of its statewide energy from PV systems. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Students at University of Hawaii-Manoa are ramping up efforts to end unsanitary living conditions in several residence halls. Photos provided to Hawaii News Now show holes in the ceiling, molded walls and dirty light fixtures at Hale Anuenue, a co-ed dormitory. A video shows a rat scurrying around Frear Hall in April.

It’s one of the fastest growing places on Oahu, but the Ewa area did not get all the money requested to help overcrowded schools. KHON2.

Honolulu police will begin strictly enforcing no parking rules on the bike lane side of the Lanikai loop beginning at 6 a.m. Thursday 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the city announced in a news release. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Facing a June 30 deadline to have an unpopular ordinance in place or lose the opportunity to do so, the County Council Finance Committee voted 8-1 Tuesday to postpone a bill indefinitely that would raise the general excise tax by one-half percent. West Hawaii Today.

More than 40 people, most supporting a ban on polystyrene foam food containers, on Tuesday came before the County Council Committee on Environmental Management. Choosing between a menu of two bills — one banning the so-called “Styrofoam” containers outright and one conducting an islandwide survey and educational campaign — most testifiers chose the former in almost three hours of testimony. West Hawaii Today.

Thirty Meter Telescope opponents say retired Hilo Circuit Judge Riki May Amano still should be disqualified as the next TMT contested case hearings officer after officially declaring her ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center membership. Tribune-Herald.

A state purchase of 8,000 acres at Kapua Bay may still get to move ahead sooner rather than later. In a rare move, the Senate Committee on Water, Land and Agriculture has agreed to resurrect a bill directing the Department of Land and Natural Resources to lay the groundwork for purchase of the pristine and historically significant stretch of South Kona makai lands. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaiian cultural practitioner, preservationist and educator, revered kupuna, licensed practical nurse — Winifred Pele Hanoa was a force of nature, not unlike her namesake volcano goddess. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The Maui County Council's budget committee Monday hammered out a $659.5 million budget for full council approval - about $50 million less than Mayor Alan Arakawa's proposed budget for the next fiscal year - completing its part in the arduous rite of spring. Maui News.

Protests Don’t Overcome East Maui Water Diversion Bill. Legislators hand former Big Five sugar company Alexander & Baldwin water for its lands in Central Maui. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Earthjustice, a U.S. nonprofit environmental law firm, notified Hawaii’s Agribusiness Development Corporation on Tuesday that it will sue the agency for allegedly allowing pesticides and chemicals to contaminate a 40-mile-long drainage ditch system on the Mana Plain of Kauai’s west side.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s Agribusiness Development Corporation could be facing a lawsuit for allegedly illegally polluting the ocean on Kauai’s westside. That’s because several community organizations have discovered that the state organization didn’t renew their National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit last August. Garden Island.

A $4.1 million project to capture the methane gas coming out of the Kekaha landfill is in the works, thanks to a low-interest loan secured from the State Revolving Fund program, administered by the state’s Department of Health. Garden Island.