Voters say raise minimum wage, don't legalize marijuana; plane crash kills Maui County planners, Health Connector ailing, Hawaii County asks for waste-to-energy bids, oysters making a comeback, Hawaii tops in nursing home care, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hotel workers rally in Waikiki file photo (c) 2014 All Hawaii News

A large majority of people in the state are in favor of a substantial increase in the minimum wage, a new Civil Beat Poll shows. But the state should not legalize marijuana for recreational use. Increasing the wage from $7.25 an hour to at least $9.25 is something that 68 percent of statewide registered voters agree on. But 59 percent of respondents said they do not want the Aloha State to follow Washington and Colorado in allowing residents to smoke marijuana.

Hawaii has the highest percentage of nursing homes that earned a five-star rating in a new U.S. News & Word Report report, which ranked Hawaii as the No. 1 state in long-term care for best nursing home facilities. Pacific Business News.

The head of the Hawaii Health Connector acknowledged for the first time Wednesday that the state-based insurance exchange won't be sustainable beyond this year. The Connector, the online health insurance marketplace created by the federal Affordable Care Act, needs $15 million a year to operate but expects to earn only $1 million this year from fees. Star-Advertiser.

The head of Hawaii's online health insurance marketplace told state lawmakers Tuesday that it isn't earning enough to pay its bills beyond 2014. Tom Matsuda, the interim executive director of the Hawaii Health Connector, told the House Finance Committee that because so few people have used it, the Health Connector won't break even after this year. About 4,500 people have enrolled in individual insurance plans since the Health Connector launched in October. Associated Press.

Hawaii’s political and military leaders are worried proposed cuts to the military will affect the state’s economy and national security. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel this week announced the Obama administration’s plans to cut the U.S. Army to its smallest size since before World War II. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii lawmakers want to carve out an exception in the state Ethics Code so public schools can continue raising money for nonprofit organizations — if it’s educational. Teachers were advised in December to stop encouraging students from participating in the Macy’s “A Million Reasons to Believe” promotion because state employees aren’t allowed to use public resources for private business activities, which generally includes supporting or promoting charities. Civil Beat.

A bill that would mandate the use of “Made in Hawaii” labeling for local agricultural products was approved today during a joint meeting of three state Senate committees. Big Island Now.

Seven of the truly worst things about Hawaii. No, really. Hawaii Independent.

Hawaiian Airlines is suspending daily service to Fukuoka, Japan, due to low demand, the second Asian city it has dropped within the past year after an aggressive international expansion. Star-Advertiser.

On Tap at the Hawaii Legislature: Feb. 27. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City Council leaders said they are generally supportive of Mayor Kirk Caldwell's plan to eliminate roughly 600 vacant job positions and cut the funding for additional slots, a plan projected to save $37 million annually for the money-strapped city budget. Caldwell made the announcement Wednesday, one of several new initiatives unveiled during his second State of the City address. Star-Advertiser.

A plan by Mayor Kirk Caldwell to start charging Oahu property owners $10 a month for trash pickup was shot down by the Honolulu City Council Budget Committee Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

The Mayor of Honolulu delivered his annual State of the City address today…his second since taking office last year. Hawaii Public Radio.

More than one out of every five public schools on Oahu failed to comply with federal school food safety regulations in one or more of the three past academic years, according to data from the state Department of Health. Specifically, the schools were not inspected by state health officials twice annually in at least one of those years — the minimum number of checks required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the national school lunch and breakfast programs. Civil Beat.

Trevor Ozawa, a Hawaii Kai resident and attorney, will run to replace Honolulu City Councilman Stanley Chang who is leaving his position to run for U.S. Congress, according to a media release. Civil Beat.

Kamehameha Schools added details to another piece of its Kakaako development master plan Wednesday, announcing a project called 400 Keawe expected to add 183 homes in two midrise buildings in early 2016. The roughly $60 million project is made up of a six-story condominium with 95 units developed by Castle & Cooke Homes Hawai‘i Inc., and a seven-story apartment building with 88 rentals developed by Kamehameha Schools. Star-Advertiser.

Oysters grown in a nutrient-rich ancient Hawaiian fishpond for about seven months, hit the local market Monday afternoon as the first state-certified commercial harvest in decades. Star-Advertiser.

Developing Agriculture: HCDA Helps Restore Kalo Fields in Windward Oahu. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

Mayor Billy Kenoi on Wednesday laid out an aggressive time line to locate a waste-to-energy facility — by far the county’s largest public works project — at the site of the Hilo landfill before he leaves office in 2016. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County could receive $306,237 to evict the little fire ant from its parks. The Senate Committee on Ways and Means will consider a bill today to provide the funds to the county Parks and Recreation Department as part of a pilot project. Tribune-Herald.

An amendment going before the county’s planning commissions will bring the county’s zoning code into line with the state Land Use Commission rules. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

A chartered plane carrying five Maui County employees crashed moments after attempting to take off from the Lanai airport Wednesday night, killing three, critically injuring two and seriously injuring a sixth person, county officials say. Hawaii News Now.

Three people killed and three injured in a fiery plane crash on Lanai Wednesday night were Maui County employees returning on a chartered plane after attending a Lanai Planning Commission Meeting. A Maui County news release said the three people killed were the pilot of the plane and two Department of Planning employees. Two other planning employees were in critical condition and a deputy attorney for the Corporation Counsel was in serious condition. Star-Advertiser.

Three people are dead, and three others are injured after a plane chartered by the County of Maui crashed about a mile outside of the Lānaʻi on Wednesday night. County officials have since confirmed that the pilot and two Department of Planning employees suffered fatal injuries in the crash. Maui Now.

A plane crashed about a half-mile from Lanai Airport on Wednesday night, according to police and a witness near the crash site. Maui News.

Lifeguard Tamara Paltin has launched a campaign for Maui County mayor that's short on money and election paraphernalia, but, she says, long on her concern for addressing community issues. Maui News.

Kauai

At least one county councilman wants the public to know the whole story. Kauai County Councilman Mel Rapozo said Wednesday he will make a motion, at a later time, to release executive session minutes to the public dealing with the civil suit filed by Councilman Tim Bynum against the county. Garden Island.

Kauai County is paying more than $250,000 to settle a wrongful prosecution lawsuit by County Councilman Tim Bynum, Hawaii News Now has learned. Bynum's suit accused former Prosecutor Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho of retaliating against him by filing criminal charges after he questioned the financial activities of the prosecutor's office.

‘Every time it rains, we flood’ Kamalu Road resident has been battling culvert issue for 7 years. Garden Island.

Soda tax dies, legislator apologizes for racist remarks, deal near on deadly 2006 Kauai dam breach, Hawaii County budget seeks to end furloughs, geothermal RFP released, police mum on disciplinary records, Hawaii is the best place to work, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii bartender (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Hawaii workers have the best work environments in the United States, according to a new Gallup poll that also ranked the state No. 1 for having the highest overall well-being in the nation. Pacific Business News.

State senators have chosen not to advance a soda fee of 1 cent per ounce that would have brought in about $37 million a year to counter obesity. The Abercrombie administration had hoped that the soda fee, as with higher taxes on tobacco, would discourage consumption. Star-Advertiser.

State Rep. Faye Hanohano apologized Thursday and accepted full responsibility for racial and ethnic remarks she made earlier this week after being disappointed with artwork installed in her state Capitol office. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Rep. Faye Hanohano has apologized on the House floor for offending people by using racial slurs to express disapproval of art in her office. Associated Press.

State representative Faye Hanohano has made a name for herself advocating on behalf of Native Hawaiians, but it's what she admits to saying about other ethnicities that has raised some eyebrows. Hawaii News Now.

POLL: Was Rep. Hanohano's apology for racial slurs enough? KITV4.

Lawmakers are considering a bill that could move the balance of power in the state Legislature even more toward Oahu. Tribune-Herald.

A House committee has revived a proposal to strip the University of Hawaii of procurement oversight of its construction projects as a prominent engineer has expanded on allegations that a top UH executive wasted potentially tens of millions of taxpayer dollars through blatant mismanagement. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii state Senate Committee on Ways and Means has approved a measure aimed at increasing the number of candidates who receive public funding for Big Island elections. Associated Press.

A bill that would force the Hawaii Labor Relations Board to issue timely decisions on cases was passed by the House Finance Committee on Wednesday, much to the satisfaction of the teachers union. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's visitor industry recorded gains in both visitor arrivals and spending in January, but the pace of growth slowed from last year's record-breaking performance, the Hawaii Tourism Authority reported Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

How widespread protests and a dissident legislative faction combined to topple the PLDC – for now. Hawaii Independent.

Carmille Lim, the newly appointed executive director of Common Cause Hawaii, has jumped into the deep end of democracy, starting at her new post just about when the Legislature convened. Star-Advertiser.

Linguists say they have determined that a unique sign language, possibly dating back to the 1800s or before, is being used in Hawaii. Associated Press.

In the Name of the Law: 5-part series on police misconduct. Civil Beat.

In-depth public service reporting on police agencies isn't possible in Hawaii, where misconduct records are exempt from public disclosure under a state law pushed through by Hawaii's own politically powerful police union. It's an exemption afforded only to the police; no other public employee has that protection. Civil Beat.

Eighteen years ago former Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano let bad cops off the hook when he allowed county police officers who got in trouble to remain anonymous. Civil Beat.

State roundup for March 1. Associated Press.

Oahu

Honolulu Liquor Commission Administrator Greg I. Nishioka has resigned from practicing law and agreed to repay misappropriated money to clients, according to the state Disciplinary Board of the Hawaii Supreme Court. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu Liquor Commission administrator is on the hot seat after misappropriating client money in his prior career as a lawyer, voluntarily surrendering his law license, and not disclosing any of it to the liquor board. KHON2.

Tourism officials discuss future management of Hawaii Convention Center. Pacific Business News.

The operator of the city's Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill has spent $1.5 million to design and construct a gas collection and control system to rectify alleged violations of the U.S. Clean Air Act that were resolved by a federal consent decree. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council members are considering a bill to encourage compliance by dead-beat homeowners who fail to clean up their yards. Hawaii Public Radio.

An island-style drive-in restaurant known for its unusual seafood burgers and 24-hour service has closed after 47 years of business. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu Girl Scouts from public and private schools across the island are part of the first high-schoolers in the state to send a Microlab — an automated, self-contained science lab in a 4 1⁄2-by-2-by-2-inch module — to the International Space Station. Star-Advertiser.

This month marks the 70th anniversary of the opening of Hono­uli­uli, the largest of the 13 internment sites in Hawaii during the war. The Nishi­muras are one of the families featured in the Japa­nese Cultural Center of Hawaii documentary "The Untold Story: Internment of Japanese Americans in Hawaii." Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Anticipating a slight rise in property values this year, Mayor Billy Kenoi on Thursday proposed a $370.8 million operating budget that holds the line on property taxes and eliminates the monthly unpaid furlough day for county employees. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Electric Light Co. announced Thursday it is ready to receive offers for expanding geothermal power on the Big Island by up to 50 megawatts. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County residents could have to pay double the current price for a new water meter come July 1 under a proposal by the Department of Water Supply. Maui News.

The Kahana Sunset's draft environmental assessment for a replacement seawall and drainage improvements underwent a review by the Maui Planning Commission on Tuesday. Maui News.

Four projects on Maui were named as recipients for funds in the first round of county grants for small town planning. Maui Now.

The Allied Health Center at the University of Hawaii Maui College was one of four University of Hawaii programs or facilities renamed in honor of the late Sen. Daniel K. Inouye. Maui News.

Kauai

The state attorney general and James Pflueger’s attorneys are finalizing a plea deal that would allow the 86-year-old automobile dealer to have his company take the brunt of charges filed against him over the breach of his Ka Loko Dam. Hawaii Reporter.

The Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Lihu‘e Business Association, hosted the first of three panel discussions with candidates for the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative Board of Directors Wednesday night at Kaua‘i Community College. Garden Island.

The head of the Planning Department took a lashing from the Kaua‘i County Council Wednesday for using funds earmarked for enforcement of transient vacation rentals in a different manner than approved by the council in 2012 and refusing to reveal additional details publicly. Garden Island.

The Garden Island ran its press for the last time Wednesday night, making Kauai the only county in Hawaii without a daily newspaper printed on island. Civil Beat.

Inouye hospitalized indefinitely, 700 civil unions statewide, Legislature may consider marijuana legalization, PCBs in Kauai water, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Inouye at 2010 Hawaii bus blessing (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye is fighting respiratory complications and will remain hospitalized indefinitely, his staff said Sunday. Star-Advertiser.

Sen. Daniel Inouye remains in hospitalized in a Washington-area hospital on Sunday evening. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye remained hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland on Sunday with respiratory complications with no indication as to when he would be released, as doctors worked to stabilize his supplemental oxygen requirements, his spokesman said. Pacific Business News.

In its first year recognizing civil unions, Hawaii has issued more than 700 licenses to couples. Tribune-Herald.

Legislature Might Amend Hawaii Marijuana Laws. Civil Beat.

Tourism industry experts are forecasting a sunny winter season in Hawaii, thanks to an expected harsh winter on the Mainland and increased air lift into the Aloha State. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii's unemployment rate is just 5.5 percent, lower than its been since the recession and far lower than the national average of 7.9 percent. Civil Beat.

State roundup for December 17. Associated Press.

Oahu
The 80 or so businesses left at the old Kapalama Military Reservation at Hono­lulu Harbor have been given an early 2014 deadline to vacate as the state proceeds with plans for a $250 million, 90-acre shipping container terminal to handle Hawaii's growing import needs. Star-Advertiser.

Emergency medical services will return to Ewa, as the new sale of an old Oahu hospital is announced. KITV4.

Some coastal residents of Hauula are increasingly fed up with chronic flooding trouble they say has been made worse by a drainage pipe valve installed by the city. Star-Advertiser.

UH Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple has announced the appointment of Ben Jay as the new Athletics Director. President M.R.C. Greenwood joins him in congratulating Mr. Jay. She did meet with Mr. Jay during his visit and is very pleased with his selection. Hawaii Reporter.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources plans to use heavy sandbags to stabilize a Waikiki beach groin this week. Associated Press

Hawaii

A statewide Civil Defense siren modernization program could bring as many as 15 new alarms to the Big Island next year. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Once on the path to recovery, the rare and iconic Haleakala silversword on Maui appears to be fighting for survival as rainfall declines and temperatures rise in its mountainous habitat, according to scientists. Star-Advertiser.

Termites are chewing away at the 136-year-old Ka'ahumanu Church, but at least four years of church fundraisers have not brought congregation members anywhere near the $850,000 needed to refurbish the iconic, often-photographed church. Maui News.

Kauai

Island residents who use the Hanama‘ulu post office should expect that mail and packages were likely damaged during Friday’s fire that destroyed the 116-year-old Hanama‘ulu Trading Company building. Garden Island.

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health announced Friday that a chemical contaminant was found in a drinking water reservoir in Princeville. Garden Island.

The Cost Control Commission quietly and without much discussion unanimously approved its 2012 Annual Report during its monthly meeting last week. Garden Island.

Hawaii hospitality workers well-paid, Blackhawk fatalities identified, Hawaii teachers, state enter federal mediation, disability rights lawsuit settled, county clerk keeps job, copter pilot pleads guilty to shuttling axis deer between Hawaii, Maui, UH West Oahu risks accreditation loss, Oracle CEO Ellison blasted for tax loopholes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii hotel pool party (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

Workers in the hospitality sector of Honolulu’s tourism industry earn the third-highest wages among major U.S. markets, behind only Las Vegas and New York City, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. Pacific Business News.

The Pentagon on Monday made public the names of the four Black Hawk crew members from Schofield Barracks and three Navy sailors who lost their lives last week in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan. Star-Advertiser.

The State and the Teachers Union, HSTA, will enter into federal mediation to resolve the teachers contract issues. KHON2.

Leadership at the Hawaii State Teachers Association has agreed to an offer by Gov. Neil Abercrombie to use a federal mediator to resolve their long-standing contractual differences. Star-Advertiser.

Axis deer

A Vietnam War helicopter pilot pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to illegally flying axis deer from Maui to Hawaii island in one of his helicopters, and flying mouflon cross-bred sheep from Hawaii island to Maui in a wildlife hunting case expected to expand. Star-Advertiser.

Ten Hawaii business people have accounted for more than $250,000 in campaign contributions to state and local candidates since the beginning of the year. Civil Beat.

A proposed settlement agreement has been reached between the state and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center on a class-action lawsuit by individuals who were denied mental health services because of state policy changes. Star-Advertiser.

As Hawaii farmers and ranchers continue to suffer from a lingering drought, meteorologists said Monday that they fear more severe dry weather could be in store for the state. Civil Beat.

State roundup for Aug. 21. Associated Press.

Oahu

Hawaii ratepayers are on the hook for $2.4 million in infrastructure costs for Oahu’s Kahuku wind farm, even though it’s only produced a fraction of the energy it was expected to and is now shut down due to a fire that devastated its battery storage facility earlier this month. Civil Beat.

The landmark Honolulu Advertiser Building, which has housed Hawaii Five-0 for the past two years, is being sold to local developer Marshall Hung, who plans to build condos. Hawaii News Now.

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has slapped the University of Hawaii West Oahu with a "notice of concern," one step below a formal warning that its brand new Kapolei campus could be in danger of losing its accreditation. Hawaii News Now.

Local residents have been protesting against Genetically Modified Organisms being grown on the North Shore since 1999. Hawaii Public Radio.

State Department of Transportation employees and prison inmates worked together Monday morning to clear a chronic homeless encampment under the H-1 Freeway Airport Viaduct. KITV4.

Hawaii

Following a daylong session Monday with most County Council members expressing support for County Clerk Jamae Kawauchi, Council Chairman Dominic Yagong said he’s planning a trip to Honolulu this week to meet with state officials to help mediate tension between Kawauchi and the state Elections Office. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County Council Chairman Dominic Yagong said Monday that he would not dismiss County Clerk Jamae Kawa­uchi, who has been harshly criticized by the state Office of Elections as an ineffective leader after more than a dozen precincts opened late for the primary election. Star-Advertiser.

The governor and the Hawaii County Council are under growing pressure to diffuse a rift between state and Hawaii County elections office. KITV4.

Under fire for primary election poll opening delays, Hawaii County Clerk Jamae Kawauchi says she has asked the governor for an independent review of the state elections office. Associated Press.

The Hawaii County Clerk has called the Aug. 11 primary an election-related disaster, and is asking the governor's administration to investigate and take control of the state voting office. KHON2.

Hawaii County Clerk Jamae Kawauchi noted a series of blunders during the primary election while addressing the County Council on Monday: misdelivery of election materials, voting equipment malfunctions, and incorrectly programmed phones at polling locations. Tribune-Herald.

The Big Island became the epicenter of primary election day fiascos when the delayed opening of numerous polling places forced Gov. Neil Abercrombie to issue an emergency proclamation authorizing them to stay open for an extra 90 minutes. Civil Beat.

Democrat Lorraine Inouye conceded the primary contest for state Senate District 4 late Monday. West Hawaii Today.

Well over 100 people showed up to testify tonight at a hearing held by the Department of Land and Natural Resources on proposed rules for the Public Land Development Corporation. Big Island Now.

Maui
At $150 a pop, Maui Economic Development Board sold out all 700 tickets to its 30th annual benefit Saturday to support science, technology, engineering and math programs as well as emerging high-tech companies on the Valley Isle. Maui News.

A record $338,046 was raised during the Ke Alahele Education Fund dinner held over the weekend at the Grand Wailea Resort. Maui Now.

Hawaii's primary election ended in victories for Democrat Mazie Hirono and Republican Linda Lingle just a week ago, but the U.S. Senate candidates are already engaged in a heated face-off to secure support for the November general election. Maui News.

Kauai

Fifty-five students by Friday is the unspoken goal of Kaua‘i Community College officials on Monday.Garden Island.

The Hanalei refuse transfer station is temporarily not accepting green waste because the facility has reached its permitted capacity for this material. Garden Island.

The light cast in the darkness is a fragile thing, said the Rev. Kosen Ishikawa of the Koloa Jodo Mission Sunday during the toro nagashi ceremony. Garden Island.

Larry Ellison

Lanai

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison is being called out of line for using massive payouts in a tax deductibility loophole to buy unnecessary things such as the Hawaiian island of Lanai, which is estimated to cost the billionaire upwards of $500 million, according to a new report showing how tax dollars subsidize exorbitant executive pay. Pacific Business News.