Hawaii airports among the worst, Health Department says stop vaping, Caldwell off to European climate summit, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Daniel K. Inouye Honolulu International Airport ©2019 All Hawaii News

Satisfaction study ranks Hawaii airports among the worst. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport nearly tops a list of this year’s worst airports for customer satisfaction, mainly because of construction, which tends to delay passengers and sour their travel experiences. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii Health Department Is Prepared To Ban E-Cigs If Needed. After the second confirmed case of a vaping-related illness in the islands, the state health department is urging the public to stop vaping. Civil Beat.

Second lung patient cited as officials call for halt to vaping in Hawaii. Everyone in Hawaii should stop vaping until more is known about how it is triggering serious lung illnesses, officials announced Monday as they began investigating a second possible case here. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Health Officials Advising All E-Cigarette Users To Stop Vaping. The Hawaii Department of Health is advising all e-cigarette users to immediately stop vaping until more is known about its health impacts. Hawaii Public Radio.

State urges anyone who vapes to stop immediately, but decides against a ban. The state Health Department has issued a broad new advisory urging anyone who vapes to stop immediately until more is known about why people across the country who use vaping devices are getting gravely sick and even dying. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Department of Health issues public health advisory urging everyone to stop vaping. KHON2.

Department of Health: ‘Stop vaping’. The state Department of Health issued what it called a “health advisory” Monday, urging everyone to stop vaping, no matter the substance or source, until current nationwide investigations are complete. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Issues Public Health Advisory Urging Everyone To Stop Vaping. The Department of Health wants everyone to stop vaping until current nationwide investigations into illness are complete. Big Island Video News.

State: Stop vaping. The Hawaii State Department of Health has issued a health advisory urging everyone to stop vaping, no matter the substance or source, until current nationwide investigations are complete. Garden Island.

Health Advisory Urges Public to Stop Vaping. The Department of Health today issued a health advisory urging everyone to stop vaping, no matter the substance or source, until current nationwide investigations are complete. Maui Now.

Lawmakers planning to crack down on underage vaping. In light of the latest vaping-related illnesses, lawmakers are hoping to crack down on underage vaping in the next legislative session by making it harder for them to purchase e-cigarette products. KHON2.

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FBI: Violent crimes in Hawaii fall in recent years despite rise in rapes. A new report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows a drop in violence in Hawaii recently. Hawaii News Now.

FBI: Property crimes and thefts on the rise in Hawaii. The latest data from the FBI shows property crimes and thefts are on the rise in Hawaii, especially on Oahu. KHON2.

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The state Public Safety Department’s top trainer appears to be off the hook — for now. The state Labor Board is dropping its request for Marte Martinez’s personnel file after fierce resistance from two other state agencies defending her: Public Safety and the state Attorney General’s Office. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Struggling To Find Out If Full-Face Snorkel Masks Are Dangerous. The counties have been unable to collect enough data on the type of mask worn in drowning incidents to draw any conclusions yet. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Coffee Farmers: State Policy Is Putting Crops At Risk. Growers want Hawaii to adopt a strict federal policy designed to protect Hawaii coffee from invasive species. Civil Beat.

DOE awarded $50M federal grant to boost literacy skills in kids. The state Education Department has been awarded a five-year, $50 million federal grant to boost literacy development at Hawaii public schools. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Land Use Commission again will convene to determine landfill’s fate. The city finally might win its long-running quest to win state approval to extend the life of Oahu’s only municipal landfill, but not if neighbors of the West Oahu facility have anything to do with it. Star-Advertiser.

Proposed Bill could force non-union workers to pay union dues. Bill 37 is up for a vote in Wednesday's City Council meeting. KITV.

Councilmember calls for delay of Kakaako parks transfer to city. Honolulu City Councilmember Kymberly Pine is asking the city administration to delay taking over Kakaako Waterfront Park and other nearby parcels in a handoff from the state slated for this fall. KHON2.

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Caldwell On Business Trip To Denmark, Germany And France. The Honolulu mayor is attending a climate conference, among other things. Civil Beat.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell left Oahu Monday morning for a two-week business trip to Europe. Caldwell will visit Denmark, Germany and France during his trip, with his first stop in Copenhagen to attend the C40 World Mayors Summit to provide an “island perspective.” Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Invited To Climate Summit With World's Largest Cities. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is off to Denmark this week for a global gathering of big city mayors. Their goal is to tackle the major challenges of climate change. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Two young monk seals found dead on Oahu’s North Shore, NOAA says. On Monday, Hawaii Marine Animal Response officials revealed the deaths of two young Hawaiian monk seals in recent months. Hawaii News Now.

Waikiki doctor pleads guilty to filing nearly $1M in false medical claims. Dr. Sung Yang admitted to filing fraudulent claims amounting to nearly $1 million to government and private insurance agencies. Hawaii News Now.

'Golf ball' radar leaves Pearl Harbor after $24M upgrade. The towering Sea-Based X-Band Radar is back at sea after nearly four months in Pearl Harbor, during which $24 million in repairs and upgrades were made, the Missile Defense Agency said. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Why Dismantling of Mauna Kea Telescopes Raises Questions. The state’s commitment to remove five existing telescopes on Mauna Kea to build the Thirty-Meter Telescope remains part of the effort to resolve the protest on the mountain. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kupuna meet with Kim, reject proposal for TMT. A group of kupuna, or elders, from the movement opposed to the Thirty Meter Telescope being built on Mauna Kea met with Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim on Monday to discuss Kim’s plan for resolving the dispute, which proposed that the TMT would be the last telescope built on the mountain. Star-Advertiser.

A bill banning the county’s use of toxic herbicides has resurfaced at the County Council. Bill 101, sponsored by Kona Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas, will be heard Oct. 15 by the council sitting as the Agriculture, Water, Energy and Environmental Management Committee. West Hawaii Today.

Court order calls for property owners to clear homeless camp. A Hilo judge signed an order last week that would compel two Big Island property owners to clear a homeless camp from downtown Hilo, but they can still appeal the court’s decision. Tribune-Herald.

Legacy Hilo files for bankruptcy; Nursing facility also being sold. Legacy Hilo Rehabilitation and Nursing Center filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and entered into a contract to sell the facility to Hilo SNF. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Comments on East Maui Water Lease, Draft EIS Due by Nov. 7. Alexander & Baldwin Inc. and its East Maui Irrigation Company, Limited subsidiary have filed a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed lease of water in the East Maui areas of Nāhiku, Keʻanae, Honomanū, and Huelo. Maui Now.

Opening of new Kihei High School could be delayed 3 to 4 years. Andrew Beerer’s two children were just starting elementary school when he joined the campaign to build a public high school for their fast-growing Kihei community. Star-Advertiser.

NOAA Needs Help Counting Hawaiian Monk Seals. NOAA Fisheries is calling on marine life enthusiasts to help survey Mauiʻs shores for endangered Hawaiian monk seals. Maui Now.

Maui Brush Fire Fully Contained But Public Asked To Avoid Burn Area. A fire that burned in the Maalaea Mauka area and forced evacuations and road closures has been 100% contained as of Monday morning, Maui Fire Department said. Hawaii Public Radio.


Kauai

Take a number. The County’s Drivers License Division is piloting a take-a-number system that started Monday to make acquiring licenses and permits for drivers of motor vehicles and customers seeking Hawaii Identification Cards more efficient and comfortable. Garden Island.

No answers in duck deaths. Near the end of September, Kilauea resident and avid golfer Barbara Trombley visited Wailua Golf Course to feed some domestic ducks dumped in the area. Garden Island.

Molokai

Original Hawaiian Homes Leases Near 99-Year Mark. The first leases awarded through the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act are approaching their 99-year limit. According to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in a press release sent out today, beneficiaries in Kalamaʻula and Hoʻolehua on the island of Molokaʻi can submit requests to extend their leases for an additional 100 years. Maui Now.

UN honors Molokai group for fishery conservation. Hui Malama o Mo‘omomi receives its prize in NYC. Maui News.

Hawaii poverty rate drops, legislators probe AI impacts, first vape lung case reported, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki sidewalk scene © 2019 All Hawaii News

High Costs Make Hawaii’s Poverty Rate Higher Than U.S. Average. New census data shows that the poverty rate is down from last year but that Hawaii residents still struggle with the high costs of housing and other necessities. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers discuss how artificial intelligence could impact Hawaii's workforce. Unite Here Local 5 tell KITV, members are concerned front desk positions will be among the first positions to go. KITV.

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Teen hospitalized with Hawaii’s first suspected case of vaping-linked respiratory illness. A teenage girl on the Big Island is hospitalized with what state health officials fear is the first case of a vaping-linked severe respiratory illness in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Health officials investigating state’s first vaping-related illness in Big Island youth. The Department of Health issued a warning Tuesday after a Hawaii island youth was hospitalized for a “serious lung injury” that may be linked to the use of e-cigarettes. Star-Advertiser.

State DOH investigating lung injury; incident could be related to vaping. A Big Island youth has a serious lung injury possibly related to the use of electronic smoking devices, or vaping, said state health officials Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Possible Severe Respiratory Illness From Vaping Investigated In Hawaii. The Hawai‘i Department of Health is investigating a case of severe respiratory illness related to e-cigarette use, state officials say. Big Island Video News.

Vaping Disease, Possible First Case in Hawaii. DOH is investigating the first report of this possible case in a Hawaii Island resident under the age of 18 years. Big Island Now.

Hawaii investigates vaping illness. The Hawaii Department of Health is investigating the state’s first report of a possible case of vaping-associated severe respiratory illness in a resident under the age of 18 on Hawaii Island. Garden Island.

State investigates first possible case of vaping-associated lung illness. The serious lung injury was reported earlier this week and health officials are aggressively gathering patient information to determine the cause of the illness. KHON2.

High percentage of high school teens vaping illegally. By Hawaii state law, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to have or use vaping products. However, studies show Hawaii has some of the highest numbers when it comes to underage users. KHON2.

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Hawaii Students Feel Safer At School, But Not Everywhere. The 2018-19 School Climate Survey from the Hawaii Department of Education shows a wide discrepancy in student safety responses among public high schools. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Leaders of a wind farm project on Oahu’s North Shore seek compromise but residents say ‘no more’. Another wind farm company tried to make a good impression on Oahu's North Shore Tuesday, but the critics aren't budging. Hawaii News Now.

State leaders and developers celebrated the completion of the largest block of grid-scale solar power in the state. Clearway Energy Group turned on the power at projects in Kawailoa, Waipio and Mililani on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Developer breaks ground on Waikiki rental tower. Dene Oliver, chief vision officer of mixed-use development for Canadian-­based Brookfield Properties, said the 28-story tower with 402 mostly market-priced apartments will feature a full-service grocery store affiliated with Foodland Farms, other retail tenants and a garden around an existing banyan tree at the Kuhio Avenue site occupied by a Food Pantry store and other businesses until recently. Star-Advertiser.

State’s largest solar block goes online. The sun was shining brightly in Mili­lani on Tuesday as officials welcomed the the state’s largest collection of solar farms, a trio of sun-powered projects that will generate enough electricity to light up nearly 18,000 homes. Star-Advertiser.

New cash smuggling allegations raised against Filipino mega-church officials. Felina Salinas, a Hawaii manager for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Church, has been charged with trying to smuggle more than $300,000 in cash from Hawaii to the Philippines last year on the private jet of the church’s founder, Apollo Quiboloy. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Big Island mayor floats plan to transfer Mauna Kea governance. Hawaii county Mayor Harry Kim is proposing a long-range Mauna Kea management plan that would transfer governance of the mountain away from the University of Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Kim Proposes Giving Native Hawaiians A Say In Managing Mauna Kea. The Hawaii County mayor’s plan would make the University of Hawaii share management with other groups in an umbrella agency. Gov. David Ige says he supports the idea but many details must be worked out. Civil Beat.

Hawaii to receive $12M in federal funds for roads damaged by eruption. Hawaii will receive more than than $12 million in federal funds to repair damaged roads, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Jury selection starts in accomplice case. Jury selection began Tuesday for the trial of three accomplices accused of aiding suspected cop killer Justin Waiki. West Hawaii Today.

Some vacation rental owners bow out before Sept. 30 permit application deadline. The deadline for vacation rental owners to apply for a permit to continue to operate draws near, but some owners already threw in the towel. Tribune-Herald.

The University of Hawaii at Hilo is the most ethnically diverse college campus, according to new rankings by U.S. News & World Report. Students at UH Hilo in fall 2018 reported being 22.4 percent Asian, 36.1 percent Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 22.5 percent white and 13.9 percent of two or more races. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Schools on List of Those With Largest Enrollment. Maui High School was the fifth largest in the state with 2,082 students; Maui Waena is the fifth largest intermediate school in the state with 1,162 students; Kahului is the fourth largest elementary school with 933 students and Kīhei Charter School is the fifth largest charter school in the state with 689 students. Maui Now.

Maui sushi bar shut down by inspectors due to roaches, rats. State health officials announced Tuesday that a red placard has been issued to Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar in Kahului, Maui, closing it down for extensive rodent and pest infestations. Star-Advertiser.

Red “Closed” Placard Issued to Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar on Maui. The Hawaii Department of Health Sanitation Branch has posted a red “Closed” placard at Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar located at 65 West Kaahumanu Avenue, #23 in Kahului on Maui for an “extensive rodent and pest infestation". Maui Now.

MECO set to take over 4 EVohana fast-charging sites. Number is 4 less than utility originally planned in March. Maui News.


Kauai

Rezoning the South Shore. A bill to be discussed at today’s county council meeting is essentially restoring the zoning of specific areas on the South Shore back to what it was before. Garden Island.

Kahoolawe

Kahoolawe trolling set this weekend. Trolling in the waters of the Kahoolawe Island Reserve will be allowed Saturday and Sunday and Sept. 28-29, according to the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission. Maui News.

Evidence made public in Kealoha case, former Kauai police chief files $2M harassment claim, Case seeks re-election, Kamehameha Schools $80M sex abuse settlement, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ohia lehua captures the rain ©2019 All  Hawaii News

To Save Ohia, A Genetic Resistance Program Will Be Grown. In an effort to save Hawaii’s native forests from the devastation of Rapid Ohia Death, scientists are touting the use of natural, genetic resistance as the most promising tool. Big Island Video News.

Kamehameha Schools and St. Francis lock horns over sex abuse settlement. Two of Hawaii’s charitable heavy-hitters are engaged in a fierce legal battle over the $80 million settlement of a sex abuse case that has roiled both organizations. Star-Advertiser.

Rhodes scholar comes forward as a plaintiff in the Kamehameha sex abuse lawsuit. Star-Advertiser.

State lawmaker wants to take away licenses from drivers with 2+ violations in a moving vehicle. State Senator Glenn Wakai plans to turn his idea into a bill the next legislative session. KITV.

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Hawaii Congressman Ed Case on Sunday announced his intention to run for reelection. Star-Advertiser.

Rep. Case Announces Candidacy For 2020 Re-Election. The Hawaii congressman says “this is as good a time as any.” Civil Beat.

Ed Case announces his candidacy for re-election in 2020. He's currently in a two-year term that runs through 2020. KITV.

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Late lawmaker with a troubled past remembered for his kindness and compassion. Flags in Hawaii flew at half-staff Saturday in honor of former lawmaker Rod Tam, who was remembered as a troubled figure with a big heart. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

The Kealoha trial took a break last week. That gave the court a chance to release some of the exhibits prosecutors have presented to the jury. Civil Beat.

Contributions grow as vacation rental bills advance. A Honolulu Star-Advertiser review of campaign finance records over the last 2-1/2 years shows that Council members have received contributions both from major donors who support and would benefit from the bills, and from heavy hitters who oppose and would be negatively affected. Star-Advertiser.

Sale of seedy Kuhio corner could finish transformation. A derelict plot of land along Kuhio Avenue has been put on the market, likely bringing an upgrade to a critical portion of Waikiki’s expanding tourism center. Star-Advertiser.

Ocean-friendly Kakaako garden project blossoms. Amid the parched fields and tent-covered sidewalks of Kakaako during a mid-June heat wave, the two dark-green plots and freshly turned topsoil of a new community garden on Ilalo Street made a refreshing and hopeful sight. Star-Advertiser.

Civil Beat journalists took home more than 20 awards for their work in 2018 at the Society of Professional Journalists annual awards dinner Friday, including being named the state’s best overall news site for the ninth year in a row. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Planning Commission to take up CDP amendments Thursday. The Leeward Planning Commission this week is expected to take up for consideration a batch of amendments proposed for the Kona Community Development Plan. West Hawaii Today.

Grassroots community effort seeks to tackle homelessness before it gets worse. West Hawaii Today.

Meet Argos: Friends of the Missing Child Center donates tracking dog to West Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

Vexed by vaping: Schools see increase in use, find it harder to police. The use of electronic smoking devices, or “vaping,” remains a problem in East Hawaii high schools, and it’s becoming more difficult to detect, local administrators say. Tribune-Herald.

Coping With The ‘Big Litter’ Of Abandoned Vehicles. Like everywhere else in the state, Hawaii County is looking for solutions to the increasingly costly problem of people leaving their junkers on the side of the road. Civil Beat.

Mauna Lani gets $200M overhaul, brings luxury Auberge brand to isle. The Mauna Lani will reopen by January as the state’s first hotel in the luxury Auberge Resorts Collection after doubling its renovation budget to $200 million. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Calls made to end recreation activities at Ko'ie'ie Fishpond in Kihei. Residents want pond restored to historic site. Maui News.

21 Graduate as Correctional Officers, One Assigned to Maui Jail. Twenty-one recruits graduated from Basic Corrections Recruit Class 19-01 training and will begin their careers as correctional officers in facilities across the state. Maui Now.

Shortage of horses almost stops Kamehameha Day parade. This weekend’s Kamehameha Day parade on Maui almost didn’t happen this year due to a shortage of horses. Hawaii News Now.

Maui News staff, columnist earn 19 SPJ awards. Newspaper sweeps three catagories — Spot News, Feature Writing/Long Form, Photography/Video. Maui News.

Kauai

Retired police chief Darryl Perry claims harassment. Retired Kauai Police Department Chief Darryl Perry is asking the County of Kauai to pay him $2 million in damages due to what he described in a claim filed against the county last month as 'a nine-year vendetta of continuous harassment'. Garden Island.

Haena State Park and the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park will reopen on Monday, June 17. KHON2.

Brand new signs stolen from Kilauea site. A gravel road runs from Kahili Makai Road to the edge of the Kilauea River, and signs should be welcoming people to the area. Garden Island.

Along with long-awaited Kauai highway reopening comes new rules — and an ‘aloha pledge’. The state will reopen a two-mile section of Kauai’s Kuhio Highway on Monday that’s been closed since historic flooding in April 2018. Hawaii News Now.

Kuhio Highway reopens Monday for the first time since 2018. KHON2.

Legislature kills water permit plan, flavored vape bill dies, Public Safety director confirmation delayed, Maui jail riot evidence missing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Flume brings water from the mountain to valley farmland ©2019 All Hawaii News

Senate panel shelves bill on access to public water. A Senate committee Thursday killed a bill that would have allowed an assortment of utilities, landowners, ranchers and farmers to continue accessing public water under revocable permits while they worked to satisfy stringent state requirements for obtaining long-term leases. Star-Advertiser.

Water Rights Bill Goes Down The Drain In ‘Historic Vote’. The land company Alexander & Baldwin is among the big losers after senators can’t agree on a proposal to allow stream diversion to continue. Civil Beat.

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Decision on reappointment of public safety director is delayed. The Senate Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs Committee on Thursday delayed making a decision on whether to advise the full Senate to reconfirm Nolan Espinda as Gov. David Ige’s pick to lead the department after hearing two hours of testimony from both supporters and opponents. Star-Advertiser.

Senators’ Scrutiny Of Public Safety Chief Will Stretch Into Next Week. Nolan Espinda faces two more days of committee hearings before his reconfirmation will be considered by the full Senate. Civil Beat.

Senate Committee Defers Decision On Public Safety Chief’s Confirmation. A state Senate committee deferred a decision Thursday on Governor David Ige’s nominee to head the Department of Public Safety. Hawaii Public Radio.

Public Safety Director fights to keep his job, faces opposition. Senate committee to decide if they'll recommend Espinda for the director position to the full Senate next week. KITV.

Embattled Public Safety director testifies at confirmation hearing. Embattled Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda addressed senators at his confirmation hearing Thursday, saying he’s proud of the progress he’s made at the head of a department that oversees the state’s correctional facilities and sheriff’s division. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii legislative committee kills ban on flavored e-cigarettes. Hawaii lawmakers today killed a proposal that would have banned flavored electronic smoking devices and e-liquids, saying they suspected teenagers would continue to get the products online even if sales were prohibited. Star-Advertiser.

Surprising Support For New Tax On Hawaii’s Powerful Real Estate Interests. Past efforts to tax REITs, which own $18 billion of property locally, have gone nowhere. This session, the proposal has already passed the full Senate and House committees. Civil Beat.

In wake of critical audit, OHA board approves internal reboot. Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees unanimously approved a new governance framework for the agency Thursday in a push to address the results of a critical audit. Hawaii News Now.

Micronesians In Hawaii Still Struggle To Get Health Care. Low-income patients are afraid of going to the doctor and being saddled with co-payments. Unlike U.S. citizens or many green card holders, they aren’t eligible for Medicaid. Civil Beat.

Legislators Seek Ways To Improve Healthcare for Micronesians. Hawaii Public Radio.

Meth, weed use up, cocaine down. Marijuana and amphetamine use is on the rise in Hawaii, according to an analysis of drug test results. Garden Island.

Hawaiian Airlines begins service to Boston. Hawaiian Airlines on Thursday celebrated a milestone in its 90-year history by becoming the only carrier to offer nonstop flights between Honolulu and Boston. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Waters Leads Ozawa In Money Raised And Spent In City Council Race. The service workers union AiKea Unite Here raised $170,000 in three months to support Waters. Civil Beat.

Waters out-raising and out-spending Ozawa. Tommy Waters raised more and spent more than Trevor Ozawa through March 29 in their winner-take-all, third-round election duel for the Honolulu City Council District 4 seat. Star-Advertiser.

The Special Election for the District 4 seat in the Honolulu City Council is eight days away. Tommy Waters has raised about $97,000 more in campaign contributions than Trevor Ozawa. KITV.

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Unsealed court documents released Thursday show Katherine Kealoha is mentally fit to stand trial. A forensic psychiatrist evaluated Kealoha last November for about two and a half hours. KITV.

Caldwell plan for garbage fee could be trashed. Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s plan to impose a $5 monthly curbside trash pickup fee on Oahu households may be tossed into the rubbish heap, Honolulu City Council Budget Chairman Joey Manahan said. Star-Advertiser.

Solvent contamination delays rail work. The discovery of contamination from an industrial solvent in a monitoring well near the Honolulu airport halted drilling for columns on a segment of the Honolulu rail project for more than three months, according to the rail authority. Star-Advertiser.

One year after major flood, repairs to Aina Haina Library finally complete. A year after floodwaters rushed through Aina Haina Library, leaving behind a big mess, the popular community gathering place is set to reopen. Hawaii News Now.

Hippo Louise moves into her newly renovated home at Honolulu Zoo. After the completion of a $3.5 million capital improvement project, the hippo habitat now features an upgraded barn and a filtration system that cycles the 40,000-gallon hippo pond every 20 minutes. KHON2.

Oahu home prices continue to rise despite lower sales. Single-family home prices on Oahu rose over the past 12 months even as overall sales dropped and condominium prices remained flat. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Fish in marine reserve off North Kona coast are recovering, surveys find. Signs that fish populations are beginning to recover at the Ka‘upulehu Marine Reserve off the North Kona coast are giving scientists and community members hope after two years of restrictions on fishing. Star-Advertiser.

Fish Recovering At Kaupulehu Two Years Into Moratorium. Based on surveys conducted in 2018, the Nature Conservancy reported an increase in fish populations at the Kaupulehu Marine Reserve. Big Island Video News.

Open space fund draws most opinion at charter meeting. The Charter Commission afforded West Hawaii residents a platform Wednesday to make their voices heard on potential amendments to the county’s foundational document. West Hawaii Today.

Possible relocation of HVO to Oahu raises concerns. Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno is among those concerned about a potential move of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to Oahu. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo Farmers Market Permit Revoked, New Permits Sought. A plan to construct a 3-story commercial building at the current Hilo Farmers Market site has been abandoned in favor of a “scaled-down, open-air building concept” that requires different permits. Big Island Video News.

Farmers market’s SMA permit revoked. Long-abandoned plans to build a three-story building at the Hilo Farmers Market have been formally scrapped. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

DOE will build underpass or overpass to Kihei high school. This follows LUC vote reaffirming project condition. The state Department of Education said Wednesday that it will comply with the requirement to build an overpass or underpass across Piilani Highway to Kihei high school — but not until after the school opens. Maui News.

Infrastructure Exploratory Work Begins in Wailuku. The first phase of the Wailuku Civic Complex project includes the full upgrade of roads and utilities on the block of Church Street between Main and Vineyard streets as well as the two blocks of Vineyard between High and Market streets. Maui Now.

Video Evidence from Maui Jail Riot is Missing. The incident remains under investigation but, department officials have pointed toward “extreme overcrowded conditions” as the motivation behind the riot. Maui Now.

Vital piece of evidence in investigation into Maui jail riot is missing. Hawaii News Now.

Phone threat prompts lockdown at Maui hospital. A spokesman from the Maui Police Department says Maui Memorial Medical Center was placed on lockdown Thursday night. KHON2.

Kauai

Recycling facility moves to Ahukini. The certified redemption center accepts all Hi5 products and also will have a buy-back program for aluminum, copper, brass and stainless steel scrap metals. Garden Island.

Reducing plastic straws, lawmakers look to tax hikes, two Cabinet members out, flavored vape bills advance, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

A new bill would require customers to ask for plastic straws. A bill making its way through the state Legislature would require restaurants in Hawaii to provide customers with straws only if they ask for them, or face a fine of $25 a day. Star-Advertiser.

Some Hawaii Taxes And Fees Are Almost Certain To Rise. The leaders of the Legislature’s money committees say more revenue is essential, and there’s a raft of proposals to raise more cash. Civil Beat.

Ige Decides Not To Renominate Two Cabinet Members. Jobie Masagatani, chair of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and Rod Becker, director of the Department of Budget and Finance, will not be nominated to serve new four-year terms. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Considers Flavored E-Cigarette Ban To Curb Teen Vaping. The first state to limit tobacco and electronic cigarette sales to people 21 and older is contemplating a new nicotine crackdown: outlawing flavored electronic cigarette liquids and flavored tobacco to combat a spike in teenage vaping. Associated Press.

Oahu

UH law instructor under fire for speaking to media about Kealoha corruption case. The defense attorney for Louis Kealoha says the school should fire the employee if he continues to make statements to the media about the proceedings. Hawaii News Now.

Kealoha Attorney Wants UH Instructor Muzzled Or Fired. Rustam Barbee says that UH law school instructor Ken Lawson has crossed a line. But Lawson says Barbee is trying to bully him into silence about the case. Civil Beat.

"I won't shut up" - legal analyst responds to job threat from Kealoha's lawyer. A legal analyst says he will not be intimidated by Louis Kealoha's lawyer. KITV.

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‘Bring it on’: Judge issues stern warning to city Prosecutor’s Office. Circuit Court Judge Edward Kubo did not hold back in court Friday after the Honolulu prosecutor’s office ignored an order to turn over the personnel records of former deputy city Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha. Hawaii News Now.

It would save the city about $450 million to halt construction of the rail project at Middle Street, according to rail officials. Star-Advertiser.

A move to save some trees is stalling the construction of a new school library in Manoa. Environmentalists are upset because the original plans did not call for any tree removal. KITV.

Atlantis resort not ready to rise out of the sea, but work progressing. A Chinese firm is moving its estimated $1.5 billion Atlantis resort at Ko Olina closer to construction after more than two years of planning. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The U.S. Geological Survey is looking for a new home for the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory after it became displaced because of the Kilauea volcano eruption last year. Associated Press.

Legislature Approves $60M In Volcano Disaster Relief. It includes $20 million in grants and $40 million in loans that the federal money is expected to cover. Associated Press.

Hawaii Legislature Passes $60 Million Kilauea Disaster Relief Bill. Big Island Video News.

Funding For Hawaii County Volcano Recovery Heads To Governor's Desk. Hawaii County is on track to receive up to $60 million in state funds for recovery efforts from last year’s Kilauea eruption. Hawaii Public Radio.

County awaits word from contractor about readiness of fields at long-delayed Kuawa Street park. The new baseball and multipurpose ball fields in Hilo were first estimated to be open in 2016, but the discovery of contaminated soil pushed the timeline back a year. Tribune-Herald.

NOAA assessment finds Kona crab fishery healthy, room for catch to increase. Despite fishermen seeking out the crabs for more than a century, it wasn’t until February that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center published a 2018 stock assessment of the main Hawaiian Islands Kona crab fishery. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor’s budget proposes upgrades to landfill. 19-acre expansion, other improvements could extend its life by as much as 10 years. Maui News.

MECO to pay for some fossil fuel cost. PUC OKs new base rate hike of 3.8% Maui News.

Maui is front and center for its focus on green energy efforts. MEDB’s Hawaii Energy Conference attendance up by 25 percent. Maui News.

Haleakala park visitor count down 6.1% in 2018. Trend continues into the first two months of 2019. Maui News.

Kauai

Old plantation fuel tanks removed. While visitors were walking back and forth from the Pride of America Cruise Ship on Thursday afternoon, workers with Kauai-based Pacific Concrete Cutting &Coring Inc. were making a ruckus. Garden Island.

A food pantry that has operated out of a building on the St. Catherine Church and school campus is closing after nearly a decade of service to the community. Garden Island.

Orchid industry in decline, Legislature rejects plastic ban, new allegations in Zuckerberg Kauai land dispute, Hirono pays up, HPD chief gets high marks, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Orchid show in Hilo ©2019 All Hawaii News

Orchid Industry in Decline. Statewide the production of flowers and other nursery products are worth more than $77 million, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Orchids make up almost 20 percent of that value. But the state’s orchid industry has been struggling in recent years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii legislative committees reject plastics ban proposals. Two Hawaii legislative committees have rejected proposals that would have banned a variety of plastics used by the food service industry. Associated Press.

Are Hawaii Legislators Paid Too Much? It depends on who you compare them to. Compensation for lawmakers varies widely from state to state. Civil Beat.

Lyon contract scandal leaves Hawaii government officials scrambling. State and city agencies have been canceling or suspending contracts with Honolulu-­based Lyon Associates in the wake of a federal corruption probe involving the civil engineering firm whose president recently pleaded guilty to bribing government officials in Hawaii and Micronesia to obtain more than $10 million in contracts over the past decade. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii leads nation in union membership. Hawaii once again led the country in union membership with 139,000 unionized workers in 2018, 23.1 percent of wage and salary workers across the islands, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Pushes Bank Of America To Resolve Multimillion-Dollar Dispute. The company left the islands in 1997, but it had already been ordered to make $180 million in loans, partially because of discrimination against Native Hawaiians and Filipinos. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation is thinking about switching drivers from a gas tax fee to a mileage fee, as a way to get more funding to fix our roads. Wednesday night was the first of many public meetings on the proposal. KHON2.

Here’s how to share your thoughts on the state’s plan to tax drivers by the mile. A controversial idea to charge Hawaii drivers based on how much they drive is now open to public input. The state Department of Transportation is starting a series of community meetings on the potential road usage charge. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s young people joined a national campaign against flavored tobacco Wednesday, marching from Aloha Tower to the state Capitol to take their message to lawmakers. Star-Advertiser.

Students Rally in Opposition to Teen Vaping. Hawaii Public Radio.

Execs with Xbox, 3Sixty Duty Free to advise Hawaii's Mana Up accelerator. Mana Up has added an executive with Microsoft’s Xbox video game business and an executive with 3Sixty Duty Free, an inflight duty-free retailer to the Hawaii-based product accelerator’s team of advisors. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard won high marks in her first annual review from her bosses at the city Police Commission. Star-Advertiser.

HPD Chief gets a good review for time on the job in new review system. Hawaii News Now.

Great annual review for Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard. KHON2.

Chief Ballard gets good marks in first evaluation. The full evaluation will be available to the media and the public Thursday. KITV.

HPD Chief Ballard Says Allegations Of Doctored Test Scores Are Unfounded. The chief told the Honolulu Police Commission Wednesday the city settled the case for $550,000 for financial reasons. Civil Beat.

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EVs costing state millions, blamed for airport parking congestion. The state is losing out on millions of dollars each year in annual parking revenues because electric vehicles get to park at the airport for free. Hawaii News Now.

Flying for spring break? Don’t count on airport parking. If you’re traveling off­-island during the busy spring break period, you might want to consider getting dropped off at Honolulu airport instead of parking there due to a parking crunch, state officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Bill to fund repairs on Pali Highway moving forward. A House committee approved the bill which would provide up to $15 million for landslide clean-up and rockfall mitigation. KHON2.

Work is continuing on stabilizing the slope above the Pali Highway along the Old Pali Road. An emergency proclamation was issued Feb. 22, designating the location of the Pali Highway landslides a disaster area and providing relief for related damage and losses. Star-Advertiser.

A private utility company in California with operations in Hawaii has agreed to acquire former Navy water and wastewater systems serving Kalaeloa. California Water Service Group announced the deal Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono made good on her word to donate her salary during the partial federal shutdown with a donation to The Food Basket, Hawaii Island’s Food Bank. The Democrat on Wednesday presented a check to The Food Basket Executive Director Kristin Frost Albrecht that’ll cover the purchase of enough rice to feed 450 families. West Hawaii Today.

Residential subdivision proposed for Puueo. A major Hawaii Island landowner is seeking to subdivide 39 acres of former sugar fields in Puueo for a residential development. Tribune-Herald.

Puna boat ramp study added to capital budget. Another bill to provide funding for a Puna boat ramp feasibility study appears dead for the legislative session. But the Legislature might still allocate the funds through the capital budget. Tribune-Herald.

Although there were no "new announcements", executives representing Southwest acknowledged the desire to bring affordable options for air travel to the Hilo-side of the Big Island. Big Island Video News.

The United States Postal Service is considering the relocation of services from the Kamuela Post Office, and the community will have the chance to comment on the proposal. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Officials ‘pleased’ with mayor’s housing nominee Lori Tsuhako. Linda Munsell named second in command. Maui News.

Water Restoration Advocates Critical of Kahoma Stream Management. Maui Now.

Thousands of o'opu die after stream dries up. Water diversions kept the stream dry for close to a 130 years.  Efforts community groups, made to bring water back now down the drain. KITV.

16 More MCCC Detainees Tranferred to Halawa, 5 Returned to Maui. Maui Now.

16 more MCCC inmates transferred to Halawa Correctional Facility. Sixteen more inmates have been identified in the March 11 riot at Maui Community Correctional Center. Star-Advertiser.

More inmates transferred to Halawa Correctional Facility in wake of last week's disturbance. KHON2.

500 indigenous scholars on Maui for conference. It is first time research event held in Hawaii. Maui News.

Kauai

New allegations in Zuckerberg dispute. Several people with ancestral claims to the disputed land parcels on Mark Zuckerberg’s 700-acre North Shore estate are accusing a corporation controlled by the Facebook CEO of using deceitful, high-pressure sales tactics while attempting to convince them to sell their families’ shares in the land. Garden Island.

County asks court to stop vacation rental. A month after filing a lawsuit against a local real estate developer for using his vacation home as a short-term rental property, the Kauai County Planning Department is taking on the billionaire founder of Oakley. Garden Island.

Invasive annihilation. From brown tree snakes to coqui frogs, parakeets and mongoose, miconia and common rush, Kauai has a list of invasive species that have taken root, and is planning to prevent other species from arriving. Garden Island.

The Enduring Appeal Of Hippies. A remake of a documentary evokes nostalgia for a different time when an enclave of free spirits sprang up on Kauai’s north shore. Civil Beat.