State probes gun deal, Hawaii school lunch price up, Honolulu approves APEC cams, Maui to increase vacation rentals, Big Island HR director golfs with employee he may fire, Kauai missile test a success, more Hawaii news

marine scientist (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

A nonbinding, but nonetheless controversial, resolution seeking a statewide ban on aquarium fish collecting passed the Hawaii County Council 6-2 Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

Three hundred fifty brand new pistols and holsters have been stuck in storage at the state Department of Public Safety's headquarters for an entire year, while an investigation into the gun deal with Smith & Wesson begins to intensify. Hawaii News Now.

A letter obtained by KHON2 dated July of last year details a deal between gun maker Smith & Wesson and the Hawaii State Sheriffs Department to trade out 350 existing duty issued pistols for 350 new pistols. KHON2.

The Hawaii Tax Review Commission is soliciting the services of a consultant to study the fairness of Hawaii’s tax system and recommend changes, including the possible elimination of personal and corporate income taxes. Hawaii Reporter.

Abercrombie Takes Tamer Tack After Pro Bowl Gaffe. Civil Beat.

The state is seeking an 85-cent increase to the price of a school lunch under a plan that would bring the cost for a high school student to $3.35, more than double what students paid in 2006. Star-Advertiser.

Members of the state Reapportionment Commission are giving themselves more time to study a revised plan for staggering the terms for new state Senate districts so that about half come up for re-election every two years. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority said Wednesday that it has canceled a request for proposals for the contract to market Hawaii to Europe’s major market and is extending its marketing contract with AVIAREPS Tourism for one more year. Pacific Business News.

The Aloha for Japan campaign formally ended Tuesday after exceeding $8 million in contributions. Associated Press.

Oahu

The City Council has approved the use of 34 new video cameras — some of which already have been installed — to enhance security during next month's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Waikiki. Star-Advertiser.

The U.S. Coast Guard began meeting with residents of the Ala Wai boat harbor this week, giving them a heads up about restrictions during the three-day Veteran's holiday weekend when the APEC meeting is scheduled. KITV4.

Is Honolulu Police Protection Now For Sale? Civil Beat.

Parents of school aged children on the North Shore hope to a see a charter school opened soon that would accommodate 100 seventh- and eighth-grade students. Hawaii Independent.

Hawai’I’s largest public housing project is undergoing a major renovation over the next two years in the state’s first public-private partnership. Hawaii Public Radio.

A $135 million renovation project at what was known for nearly 50 years as Kuhio Park Terrace has generated a sense of pride for those who call the area home. Residents are starting to return to their newly-renovated units, at what is now called the Towers of Kuhio Park. KHON2.

Hawaii

The Hawaii County administrator ultimately responsible for disciplining employees has been golfing with a worker he may be asked to fire. Tribune-Herald.

Legal Morass Raises Questions About Charter School Independence. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii County Council is continuing to debate modifications to the state building code, with last-minute amendments Wednesday forcing yet another postponement of the complex document. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Council, by a 7-0 vote, agreed Wednesday to a charter amendment setting aside 2 percent of county property taxes to purchase land for public access, open space and natural resources preservation. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui County Council members moved closer Monday toward making it easier to legalize short-term rentals outside of resort districts, as long as they are closely monitored in the county's neighborhoods. Maui News.

The latest report from the U.S. Geological Survey shows that stream flow in Maui County and statewide is below normal and mostly "much below normal," the second-lowest category ranging from low to high. Maui News.

Kauai
A missile defense system successfully intercepted two targets at the same time during a test in Hawaii, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency said Wednesday. Associated Press.

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative on Wednesday announced its intent to pursue the development of a 10-megawatt solar farm, which would be the largest of its kind in the state. Garden Island.

The public is invited to share their ideas during community meetings on the six sites recommended for acquisition by the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund Commission in its 2010 annual report to the county. Garden Island.

Biden visits, Hawaii sued by gun advocates, Kauai Food Bank fight, Honolulu, Big Island work on district lines, vacation rental changes stall, UH chancellor position in limbo, $1.5M for Native Hawaiians, more Hawaii news

Photo courtesy World Island Paradise

After five deaths in five years, land company blocks access to popular Kauai waterfall. Garden Island.

Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Honolulu Wednesday and visited the USS Arizona Memorial with his daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Star-Advertiser.

Vice President Joe Biden is due to speak to U.S. servicemen and women in Hawaii on his way home to Washington, D.C. from a weeklong trip to Asia. Associated Press.

Saying the 2012 race to fill Hawaii's U.S. Senate vacancy is a battle for the future of the Democratic party in this state, former U.S. Rep. Ed Case kicked off his senatorial campaign in West Hawaii Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono expressed impatience Wednesday to East Hawaii business leaders over the partisan gridlock that she said has stalled legislation important to Hawaii.Tribune-Herald.

The U.S. Treasury Department is awarding more than $1.5 million to help provide loans and financial services to Native Hawaiian families. Associated Press.

The Big Island has been named the top Hawaiian island and is ranked seventh among islands around the world. KHON2.

The outlook for Hawaii's economy through the rest of this year has dimmed based in part on weaker-than-expected visitor arrivals and lower job growth. Star-Advertiser.

Homes that were in some stage of the foreclosure process accounted for more than 21 percent of all residential sales in Hawaii during the second quarter. Pacific Business News.

A public auction of property forfeited to the State of Hawaii will be held on August 27 in the Pikake room at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center. Hawaii News Now.

A firestorm of public accusations made by Hawai‘i Food Bank’s president in recent weeks has engulfed Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank in Lihu‘e. Garden Island.

The non-profit Hawaii Defense Foundation has filed a lawsuit against the Honolulu Chief of Police Louis Kealoha, the Honolulu Police Department and the City & County of Honolulu as well as the State of Hawaii and Gov. Neil Abercrombie for violating the Second and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution. Hawaii Reporter.

A pedestrian fatality happened on Oahu early Wednesday morning, just hours before the state released a plan designed to decrease pedestrian injuries and deaths. KITV4.

Just like the state's redistricting panel before it, the Honolulu Council Reapportionment Commission on Wednesday said it will count all residents — military families, students and felons — as it redraws political boundaries. Star-Advertiser.

Central themes of the island's new political boundaries began taking shape Wednesday as the county Redistricting Commission weeded out 14 and kept three proposed maps, another step in the long process of redrawing County Council districts to accommodate population growth revealed by the 2010 census. West Hawaii Today.

A proposal that would require vacation rental operators in Honolulu to include license numbers on any advertising drew a split vote from the city's Planning Commission on Wednesday. Civil Beat.

The 7-member Honolulu Planning Commission did not get the necessary five majority vote to approve or disapprove a proposed measure to enable closer scrutiny of vacation rentals on O’ahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Just one little change could make life much harder for operators of unpermitted short-term rentals in residential areas, the Maui Planning Commission was told Tuesday. Maui News.

University of Hawaii at Manoa Chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw will leave her job at the end of the school year, opening the door to debate about the need for a separate administrator to oversee UH's flagship campus. Star-Advertiser.

A full-time resident student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa currently pays $4,200 per semester (up $400 from the year before). Non-resident students pay $11,616 per semester. Those numbers are expected to go up by next year. Hawaii Independent.

Hawaii County's decision to charge a $1 bus fare appears to be driving away Hele-On riders accustomed to free transportation. Tribune-Herald.

Harbor growth to create pains. Tribune-Herald.

Business owners concerned over rail property takeover. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii civil unions become law with Abercrombie signature, Honolulu asks Rush Limbaugh to apologize, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii civil union photo (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

Final approval of a proposal to legalize civil unions is a step closer to same-sex marriage in Hawaii, supporters say. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii has become only the 7th state in the nation to recognize civil unions for same-sex couples. KHON2.

A group of civil union supporters applauded wildly when Governor Neil Abercrombie signed Senate Bill 232 into law. They had gathered at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel to watch an internet feed of the bill signing. Hawaii News Now.

Civil union supporters gathered at several events across town to watch and celebrate as Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed the controversial bill into law. KITV4.

The bill-signing at the Hawaii governor's mansion was historic, triumphant and personal. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed same-sex civil unions into law, granting gay and lesbian couples the same state rights as married partners. Associated Press.

After a long, hard-fought battle, civil unions became law today in Hawaii. Hawaii Independent.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie, proclaiming that diversity defines rather than divides people of the state, signed a bill into law legalizing civil unions for same-sex couples beginning next year. Hawaii Reporter.

Thinking back to 1998, Renae Hamilton says she can recall the bitter and divisive campaign she went through in trying to gain marriage rights for same-sex couples through the ballot box. Star-Advertiser.

Fifty supporters applauded and shouted in joy at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel after witnessing the governor, via live Internet feed, sign the landmark civil unions bill into law yesterday afternoon. Star-Advertiser.

It was a busier than usual Wednesday night at Hula's Bar and Lei Stand. Hawaii News Now.

Local gay rights groups are hailing the decision by President Barrack Obama to reverse a 15- year policy on the Defense of Marriage Act, what some refer to as DOMA. KITV4.

A Marriage of Convenience. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” --a complex and costly policy. Honolulu Weekly.

The state Senate has delayed the confirmation vote for William Aila, Jr. to lead the state Department of Land and Natural Resources after one senator expressed concerns about whether Aila adequately disclosed his commercial fishing license and aquarium fish permit. Star-Advertiser.

A Senate vote on the confirmation of William Aila as chairman for the Department of Land and Natural Resources is being delayed until next week because of concerns that he wasn't forthcoming to senators.Associated Press.

Kona coffee farmers will have new weapons in the battle against the coffee berry borer beetle: two pesticides containing a fungus that has helped keep this destructive pest in check in other parts of the world. West Hawaii Today.

Nine state lawmakers are traveling to the Big Island this weekend to see projects connected to environmental job creation and food and energy self-sufficiency. Associated Press.

After shutting down construction on its new site two weeks ago, the Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) will be receiving $500,000 in state funds by the end February. Molokai Dispatch.

All islands remain under a flash flood watch today, as a lingering unstable weather system threatens more heavy rain and thunderstorms. Star-Advertiser.

The City Council approved a resolution yesterday urging conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh to apologize for mocking Chinese President Hu Jintao during his visit to Washington, D.C., last month to meet with President Barack Obama. Star-Advertiser.

Today the price of a barrel of oil hit $100 for the first time since 2008 and there's expected to be even more pain at the pump. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Electric employees have once again authorized a strike. KHON2.

The Honolulu’s Ethics Commission has begun gathering information about a complaint that claimed a deputy police chief arranged for officers to be paid overtime or change their schedules. He allegedly did so to allow them time to appear at a weekend open house for his son's Cub Scout troop. KITV4.

A decade in the making, the 2010 U.S. Census has finally made it to Hawaii. Civil Beat.

The most important county commission in 10 years narrowly escaped beginning its work without its West Hawaii members -- a full one-third of its membership -- thanks to missteps in Mayor Billy Kenoi's administration. West Hawaii Today.

Get ready to dole out a little more to keep county water flowing to your home or business. West Hawaii Today.

Several community members, mostly tourism and development industry professionals, attended a workshop Tuesday intended to clarify questions related to a law that could set strict parameters on the proliferation of hotels and vacation rentals on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

Representatives of the proposed Kaiwahine Village said they would consider additional parking and plan to hire union carpenters if the 120-unit affordable housing project were approved. Maui News.

Life-changing isle programs face ax. Tribune-Herald.

Sailors slain by Somali pirates had ties to Maui. Maui News.

Hawaii considers homeless express

HONOLULU -- No money? Just go home, already.

That’s the message Hawaii will be sending to some of the state’s thousands of homeless -- at least the ones who want to leave.

In what is hoped to be a more loving version of the old “bum express” of the Mainland, the state is considering giving plane tickets to those who’ve found themselves on the street because of the high cost of living and low prospect for jobs in the Aloha State.

HB 1187, the “return-to-home” program, would give out-of-state homeless people a one-way flight back to friends, relatives or other support groups. It’s estimated that each homeless person cost Hawaii taxpayers $30,000 to $35,000, while a plane ticket can be had for $400 or less.

“This isn’t meant to solve the entire homeless problem in the state of Hawaii, only the specific population that came to Hawaii with dreams of hula girls serving mai tais on the beach and has then encountered the harsh reality of homelessness in Hawaii,” said homeless advocate Netra Halperin in testimony to the House Finance Committee today.

Others urge caution.

“While we acknowledge the good intent of this bill, we caution that it may have the unintended effect of increasing the number o homeless persons entering Hawaii, once it is known that a person who gets here on their own will be able to get transportation back home provided by the state,” said Chad Taniguchi of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. “We are concerned that some may misuse this program to take a free vacation to Hawaii.”

The bill is making steady progress through the Legislature, with only members of the greatly outnumbered Minority Caucus voting no.

The University of Hawaii late last year released its “Homeless Service Utilization Report,” a study that attempts to get a handle on the breadth of the homelessness problem on the islands and how best to address it.