Newborn humpback whale video mesmerizes researchers, Ige signs early childhood public-private partnership, Gabbard to launch presidential bid Saturday, double the money for Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kauai audit finds cash mismanagement, pCard misuse, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

UH footage captures newborn humpback minutes after birth. Rare drone footage captured by the University of Hawaii Marine Mammal Research Program shows a newborn humpback whale gliding along near the ocean’s surface, sometimes riding on its mother’s back. Star-Advertiser.

Governor David Ige signed the Hawaii Early Childhood State Plan today. The Governor said the plan involved hundreds of community stakeholders and organizations who will be involved in implementing the private-public effort. Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor Ige signs first 'Hawaii Early Childhood Education State Plan'. Governor David Ige signed the first ever 'Hawaii Early Childhood State Plan' Wednesday. KITV.

Gov. David Ige’s ambitious proposal to expand Hawaii’s statewide public preschool system unveiled in his recent State of the State address turns on the idea of restructuring some K-6 elementary schools. Civil Beat.

The Legislative Keiki Caucus is sponsoring 24 senate and house bills focusing on the education, health and well-being of children. Hawaii Public Radio.

The number of unvaccinated kindergartners grew again in Hawaii last year. In the 2017-18 school year, some 518 kindergarten students at public and private schools in the islands got vaccination exemptions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hawaii News Now.

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Key Lawmakers Are Trying To Water Down Inspection Rules For Elder Care Homes. House and Senate bills would undercut a new law that requires unannounced state inspections of care homes by making those optional. Civil Beat.

Several bills introduced in the state Legislature this month might be the last straw for Hawaii. Six bills so far have been introduced that would, if passed, prohibit or otherwise limit the use and distribution of plastic straws. Tribune-Herald.

Dozens Of Proposed Bills Could Change The Way We Vote. Recounts in close elections, all-mail balloting and easing the voter registration process are among the measures this session. Civil Beat.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs would see its share of public land trust revenue more than double to $35 million under a bill advanced by a state House committee Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Increased funding for OHA approved by House Committee. The House Committee on Water, Land & Hawaiian Affairs today passed out HB 402 which establishes $35 million as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' pro rata share of the public land trust and transfers a lump sum of $139 million to OHA for underpayment of the public land trust funds. KHON2.

Some Question Calls For Tougher Penalties On OHA Takeover Group. Native Hawaiian activists sharply criticized their actions, but not everyone agrees on how best to respond to members of the obscure “Polynesian Kingdom of Atooi.” Civil Beat.

Dan Kouchi, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii’s new assistant vice president for government affairs and alliances, will not be lobbying at the office of his father, Senate President Ron Kouchi of Kauai. Garden Island.

Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard plans to kickoff her presidential campaign Saturday at an event on the great lawn of the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. Star-Advertiser.

Gabbard announces venue for 2020 presidential campaign kickoff. Hawaii News Now.

Heavy rain and floods on Kauai, flooding in East Oahu, lava on the Big Island, and a series of hurricane and storm threats made 2018 a very busy year in terms of disaster preparation and response. A critical list of suppliers for food and water right after a disaster has been pushed back one year by the very agency tasked with coordinating emergency responses. KHON2.

Hawaii hotels tops in the nation for revenue in 2018. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

King’s Village businesses make way for a timeshare. The demise of King’s Village, which had more than 45 stores, represents the end of an era in Waikiki. King’s Village was really Waikiki’s last small business stronghold after the 2013 closure of the International Market Place. Star-Advertiser.

A final goodbye to King's Village in Waikiki. Most of the businesses at King's Village Shopping Center in Waikiki have already moved out. KITV.

A rescue boat that cost taxpayers $118K sits mostly idle in a Kewalo Basin yard. When Gov. David Ige and Mayor Kirk Caldwell unveiled the new rescue boat at Kewalo Basin nearly three years ago, state and city officials said it would improve emergency response along Oahu’s south shore. Hawaii News Now.

Affordable housing campus for kupuna celebrates its pre-opening. About 50 people celebrated the pre-opening for the Hale Mahaolu Ewalu Phase I affordable senior housing campus Wednesday morning in the Kulamalu Town Center. KHON2.

State officials said today that The Falls of Clyde, the historic ship, is taking on water and beginning to sink at Honolulu Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Bishop Museum will retain ownership of its Waipio Valley lands. The news comes three years after the Oahu-based museum declared in January 2016 its intent to sell its substantial acreage within the historic agricultural community. Tribune-Herald.

After passing legislation to extend leases for the Kanoelehua Industrial Area last year, state lawmakers are again turning their attention to improving Hilo’s hotel area on Banyan Drive. Tribune-Herald.

Kona resort aims for 2022 reopening. Construction is underway at the iconic Kona Coast getaway as real estate investment firm Kennedy Wilson prepares to reopen the resort that has been shuttered since the March 2011 tsunami devastated the grounds. West Hawaii Today.

Kona Village, now managed by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, will reopen in 2022, a news release announced on Wednesday. Big Island Video News.

Kona Village Resort set to reopen with a major face lift. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Mayor Michael Victorino on Tuesday backed away from his inauguration day pledge to open the Central Maui Landfill on Sundays, beginning in February. Maui News.

Spence, Goode garner support, criticism at review. Panel recesses after public testimony on director choices. Maui News.

200-Room Windward Hotel Planned in Kahului, Maui. An Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice has been filed for a 200-room hotel proposed for construction within the Maui Business Park Phase II in Kahului. Maui Now.

Mahi Pono, LLC, today announced the appointment of Larry Nixon as General Manager. Nixon joined Mahi Pono on January 28 and will be managing the company’s farming operations on Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

County audit reveals accounting backlog, purchase card misuse. The county’s finance department is over a year behind in its quarterly cash counts and some county employees are not following laws that require them to get approval prior to making purchases on county-issued credit cards, according to two reports issued last month by an independent accounting firm. Garden Island.

The torrential rains that flooded Kauai in April set a national record for the most rainfall in a 24-hour period, weather officials confirmed today. Star-Advertiser.

Officials from the National Weather Service confirmed Wednesday that Kauai broke the U.S. record for rainfall in a 24-hour period in April. Garden Island.

Kauai sets new national record for rainfall. KHON2.

April's rain total on Kauai breaks national record. National Weather Service officially reports record rainfall total from April 15th on Kauai. KITV.

Breaking -- Lava leaps 230 feet, houses burn, earthquakes continue -- video, photos, stories on Hawaii volcano update, a special report

After a short period of quiet in Leilani Estates, a new, vigorous fissure began erupting from Luana Street on Saturday evening. Big Island Video News.

The lava outbreaks in Leilani Estates remained active overnight with a new fissure emerging and lava fountains as high as 230 feet, according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Star-Advertiser.

1 am Eruption Update – New Ground Cracks On Highway 130. Big Island Video News.

Fissures 9 and 10 open in Leilani Estates; eruptions reported. Hawaii News Now.

Hourly updates on the Big Island lava threat. KITV.

Sputtering lava, strong earthquakes and toxic gas jolted the southern part of the Big Island of Hawaii as magma shifted underneath a restless Kilauea volcano. Associated Press.

Volcanic gas a ‘risk for everyone’ in the area near lava outbreak. Star-Advertiser.

Talmadge Magno, the Hawaii County Civil Defense administrator, says that the first responders are feeling the effects of sulphur dioxide working in Leilani Estates. KHON2.

Watch and wait: Some may be allowed to return to homes briefly. Tribune-Herald.

Temporary flight restrictions have been issued for the area above lower Puna and is in effect from today until 11:59 p.m. Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Residents of neighboring Hawaii island communities fear they will be next to feel Pele’s wrath. Star-Advertiser.

Homes consumed by lava in Leilani Estates eruption, but most residents remain optimistic. KHON2.

Most of the Big Island is open for business, officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Here's how you can donate to those impacted by the Kilauea eruption. Hawaii News Now.

Endangered Hawaiian monk seal joins manta rays in rare video, Honolulu rail takes a drubbing at Legislature, Hawaii GOP tries to make budget more transparent, FEMA extends lava emergency funds, Mokolele Airlines founder tapped for county post, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Incredible video of a monk seal up close and personal during a manta ray dive on Hawai'i Island is unlike anything you've seen before. Hawaii News Now.

New Online Tool Aims to Make State Budget More Transparent. Hawaii House, Senate Republicans launch Hawaii Open Budget Initiative. Civil Beat.

There are going to be vacancies on the Hawaii State Ethics Commission and the Campaign Spending Commission. The Judicial Council is seeking applicants to fill them. Associated Press.

A group of state lawmakers wants to strengthen the state's response to incidents of sexual assault. A proposal in the state Senate would re-establish a statewide sexual assault response program that lost its funding. The proposal also would add new steps to the assault-response process. Associated Press.

A bill to authorize the first legal medical marijuana dispensaries in Hawaii cleared a critical hurdle at the Legislature this week by winning approval from the House Finance Committee. That nod from the powerful committee that controls state funding means the bill is now positioned for a vote by the full state House of Representatives. Star-Advertiser.

Two contentious bills relating to aquarium fishing are dead in the state House of Representatives. West Hawaii Today.

A bill that seeks to make a voluntary pesticide disclosure program mandatory made it through its final stage of review in the Senate. But Senate Bill 1037 did not advance without undergoing substantial changes. Garden Island.

When the Hawaii Legislature passed Senate Bill 1087 in 2013, the bill was hailed as a way to democratize access to energy-saving technology, such as rooftop photovoltaic installations. Nearly two years later, as the program anticipated in the legislation is beginning to take shape, its scope is far more modest and bears little resemblance to the hype. Civil Beat.

A weather camera system proven to be effective in Alaska could prevent potentially fatal accidents for Hawaii's small planes and helicopter tours, but the Federal Aviation Administration will delay the installation of such a system for the Islands and the Mainland, citing budget issues and competition from other FAA programs. Pacific Business News.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa this week announced the creation of the Hawaii Groundwater &Geothermal Resource Center, an online clearing house of data on island — and state — water wells and also the volcanic hotspots where new geothermal ventures could be added to the often controversial existing ones. West Hawaii Today.

Oahu
Amid a day packed with blunt questions and impassioned testimony on the future of Oahu rail, state lawmakers advanced bills Wednesday that would extend the state tax funding most of the cash-strapped project. Star-Advertiser.

If there was one message state lawmakers wanted to send Wednesday to Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and others trying to build the city’s $6 billion rail system it was this: Show us some skin. Committees in the House and Senate passed different measures that would severely limit how much tax revenue the city can collect for its beleaguered rail project, which is now facing a nearly $1 billion deficit. Civil Beat.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee conducted a 4-hour hearing today on a proposal to extend Honolulu’s half-of-a percentage share of the state’s excise tax to fund budget shortfalls for rail transit. Hawaii Public Radio.

A state Senate panel is approving a bill extending a surcharge to the general excise tax Honolulu imposes to raise money for its rail line. Associated Press.

Groups opposed to development in Malaekahana voiced their concerns about the Envision Laie plan at a Honolulu Hale news conference Wednesday, the day before the issue will be heard by a Honolulu City Council committee. Star-Advertiser.

A plan to set aside a limited number of city-controlled parking spaces for car-sharing company operations cleared the City Council Budget Committee Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

At the February 10, 2015 Waikiki Neighborhood Board meeting, the board members present voted unanimously (14-0-0) to oppose House Bill 1322 (relating to a homeless person’s bill of rights). The bill has since crossed over to the Senate side. Hawaii Independent.

The state Department of Agriculture is asking for the public's assistance in tracking down the source of a recently discovered coconut rhinoceros beetle infestation in Nanakuli. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu’s ban on plastic bags goes into effect on July 1 so that means no more plastic bags when you check out. KHON2.

Hawaii

The Federal Emergency Management Agency expanded its public assistance program for the June 27 lava flow to include debris removal and infrastructure repairs, the agency announced Wednesday. That move amends President Barack Obama’s disaster declaration from Nov. 3 and allows Hawaii County to seek reimbursement for the cost of reopening the Pahoa solid waste transfer station. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Billy Kenoi has tapped the founder of Mokulele Airlines to head the county Department of Research and Development. Rebecca Kawehi Inaba, 50, a former pilot who created her own airline and then went on to form several other companies, most recently the Fit Xpress Hawaii Inc. women’s gym in Kailua-Kona, was unanimously confirmed Wednesday by the Hawaii County Council. West Hawaii Today.

Vietnam War veteran Charles Thompson stood up and pleaded for quicker medical care and help at a town hall meeting Wednesday for one reason — his grandson. It was his third time requesting assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Stunning images of Maui’s past are captured in present day photography as resident Daniel Sullivan brings the story of the island’s King’s Highway to light. Maui Now.

The Maui County Council confirmed the reappointment of John D. Kim as Maui County prosecuting attorney at a special meeting Tuesday. Maui News.

Kauai

The wait for a four-lane highway across the Lihue Mill Bridge will come to an end soon as state Department of Transportation officials prepare to reopen the final two lanes needed to complete the nearly two-year, $43.5 million project. Garden Island.

Hawaii tourism hits record, Honolulu rail condems land on route, Kona dolphin asks diver for help, Molokai preserve finalized, marijuana minister trial delayed, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki Beach (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Hawaii's tourism industry had a record-breaking year in 2012, with 7.99 million visitors to the Islands spending $14.3 billion, according to preliminary statistics released on Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

A recovering global economy, strong yen, stable oil prices, more flights and marketing campaigns helped bring a record number of tourists to Hawaii last year, the Hawaii Tourism Authority said Thursday. Associated Press.

Lawmakers in both chambers of the state Legislature want to charge a 10-cent fee for paper and plastic shopping bags, and four representatives are sponsoring a bill to ban single-use checkout bags altogether. Associated Press.

A renewed gun-control debate is sweeping the country — and Hawaii is no exception. Lawmakers here have introduced at least six gun-control bills. Civil Beat.


Hawaii residents want state lawmakers to stop diverting the barrel tax from its original purpose in order to cover shortfalls in the General Fund. Pacific Business News.

Distressed that a state Supreme Court ruling that halted construction of the Honolulu rail project could also sidetrack state highway projects, the Abercrombie administration wants the state to be able to review in phases the potential impact of construction on burials or other historic sites. Star-Advertiser.

A pair of bills before the state Legislature would expand counties’ authority regarding development on agriculture land, impose a maximum size for farm dwellings and increase the minimum lot size for agricultural land. Rep. Clift Tsuji, D-Hilo, introduced the bills this month. West Hawaii Today.

A bill introduced at this year’s Legislature proposes to amend of the state Constitution “to provide that the freedom of speech shall be extended only to natural persons, and not to a business entity.” Garden Island.

Hawaii workers could soon see the first raise in the minimum wage in six years. Tribune-Herald.


Long-overdue performance evaluations for Hawaii public school principals will be rolled out next school year, with half of a principal's rating based on student achievement, the union for school administrators announced Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

The Judiciary Committee of the state House of Representatives will hear today a bill that could make it a petty misdemeanor to lie down across a bench at a bus stop. Garden Island.

Hawaii’s newly appointed U.S. Senator Brian Schatz is supporting a highly controversial proposal called “filibuster reform” that being pushed by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada. Hawaii Reporter.

A team of researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Cornell University are asking people to enter a recipe contest for meals they'll serve during a simulated mission to Mars. Associated Press.

Oahu

Honolulu rail transit officials took their first steps Thursday to use eminent domain to acquire two privately owned properties they need to help build the 20-mile project — and the owners of those properties aren't happy with the move. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation wants to use eminent domain to acquire two properties along the rail route. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation's board of directors voted Thursday to use eminent domain to acquire pieces of two properties totaling nearly 10 acres in West Oahu that are needed to build the city's $5.16 billion rail project. Pacific Business News.

The new chief of the Honolulu Fire Department said Thursday he will consider a merger of its functions with those of the Department of Emergency Services. Star-Advertiser.

Former Honolulu City Councilmember Gary Okino has angered the gay community after making inflammatory comments during a council committee meeting.  All while he is trying to be confirmed as a member of the city Ethics Board of Appeals. Hawaii News Now.

Ala Moana Shopping Center isn't just the state's largest mall, but it's also one of the most dangerous areas when it comes to the number of pedestrian accidents. KHON2.

UH Students: We Had No Idea Our Dorm's Security Cameras Were Broken. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Telcom plans to work with police and state authorities to beef up security in an area frequented by the homeless where telecommunications cables have been damaged twice in the past 10 days, company officials said Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Limited-service" hotels would be allowed in low-density, mixed-used areas of Hono­lulu, West Oahu and Central Oahu under a bill that got a preliminary approval Thursday from the City Council Zoning and Permitting Committee. Star-Advertiser.

Developers of a planned Waikiki hotel-condominium won a preliminary approval Thursday from a key City Council committee that would allow the high-rise to have a height of 350 feet, 50 feet more than is currently allowed. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A West Hawaii dive instructor’s aid to a bottlenose dolphin off the Kona Coast has become an Internet sensation. West Hawaii Today.

Dolphin video here.

 Bond rating agencies have affirmed Hawaii County’s solid financial standing as the county schedules the sale of $97.2 million in bonds. West Hawaii Today.

Trial has again been delayed for marijuana advocate Roger Christie and prosecutors have filed additional charges against him as well. Tribune-Herald.

Several Hawaii Island businesses have been fined by the Department of Health’s Clean Air Branch for violating air permit and pollution rules. West Hawaii Today.

The Hilo store is one of 300 Blockbusters nationwide that parent company DISH Network announced this week that it is closing, leaving the Big Island without a Blockbuster. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A bill introduced today by Maui Senators Gil Keith-Agaran and Roz Baker seeks approval to rename the Mokulele Highway to honor the legacy of late US Senator Daniel K. Inouye. Maui Now.

More than a dozen Native Hawaiian Maui boys began their three-year journey of self-discovery and maturation Wednesday night at Hale Nanea. Maui News.

Maui Planning Commission members approved a permit Tuesday for the Aloha Aku Inn to operate a six-bedroom, bed-and-break-fast business near St. Theresa Church in Kihei. Maui News.

Maui planner Chris Hart will be honored posthumously with an environmental award issued by the Maui chapter of the Sierra Club during their annual meeting on Feb. 2. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i leaders are taking a cautious look at a proposed legislation that would legalize marijuana. Garden Island.

Molokai

Molokai Land Trust has received the deed to Mokio Preserve, 1,719 acres of some of the most pristine and environmentally sensitive land on Molokai. Molokai Dispatch.

Watched Obama's inauguration live on your PC? Your computer may have been hijacked.

Many people who watched live streaming video of the inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama on Jan. 20 may not realize that their PC was used to send the video to other PCs, too.

That's according to Brian Livingston of the Web site Windows Secrets, which claims CNN used Web viewers' PCs to bounce the inauguration around the globe.

This bothers a lot of folks out in the blogosphere. What are your thoughts on this?