Counties grapple with concealed carry laws, union boss vote-rigging trial begins, bivalent COVID boosters unpopular as more die from virus, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Voting Is Solidly Underway In Hawaii As General Election Approaches. With a week to go before general election voting comes to an end in Hawaii, state and county elections officials report about 195,000 ballots have been returned. That’s out of more than 731,000 ballots distributed so far, a return rate of about 27%.  Civil Beat.

A More Civil Legislature? Hawaii Lawmakers May Soon Be Asked To Bolster Citizen Rights. The Legislature’s special commission aimed at fighting corruption is continuing to fine tune proposals for the upcoming session. Civil Beat.

Witness details alleged vote rigging in Ahakuelo trial. Testimony in the trial for former union boss Brian Ahakuelo highlights more details in the alleged vote rigging to raise union dues. Ahakuelo was the former business manager at IBEW Local 1260. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Sells $800 Million Of General Obligation Bonds. Before the sale, the State says Moody’s and S&P affirmed the State’s bond ratings of Aa2 and AA+, respectively, with stable outlooks. Big Island Video News.

Matson Inc. to buy 3 vessels totaling $1 billion; profit falls. Matson Inc. demonstrated its commitment to its long-term decarbonization strategy by announcing Wednesday it had signed contracts totaling $1 billion with Philly Shipyard Inc. to build three new liquefied natural gas-powered Aloha Class containerships. Star-Advertiser.

Bivalent booster uptake low as holidays near. A total of 167,434 residents have received the new bivalent booster, representing 11.8% of the state’s total population and about 15% of the state’s eligible population — age 5 and older. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii records 1,017 new COVID-19 cases, 7 more deaths. The state’s average positivity rate also declined to 5.5% compared with 6.2% in the previous week. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Oahu

Honolulu lags other counties on concealed-carry gun licenses. The Kauai Police Department will begin issuing concealed carry weapons licenses to gun owners this week, leaving Honolulu as the last county to finalize rules and process the 575 pending applications to carry a gun in public. Star-Advertiser.

City Council vacancies inspire hot races, but the transition could bring business to a halt. The Honolulu City Council said an early aloha to two members Wednesday ― and there is no shortage of candidates fighting to replace them and fill a third open seat. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Council unanimously passes measure to protect historic cultural sites. In an effort to better protect historic cultural sites, the Honolulu City Council voted Wednesday to activate the Historic Preservation Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Another HPD officer involved in chase, crash asks for taxpayer-funded legal defense. Officer Joshua Nahulu is part of three civil lawsuits that stem from the Sept. 12, 2021 incident in which he and two other officers, Jake Bartolome and Erik Smith, are accused of improperly chasing a white sedan before the driver crashed in Makaha. Hawaii News Now.

Lawsuit Raises Stakes In Pollution Dispute Between Boat Owners and Kakaako Developer. A group of commercial boat operators located at Kewalo Basin Harbor has sued the Howard Hughes Corp. for allegedly violating state and federal laws by discharging construction debris laden with minute metal particles from the developer’s massive condo construction sites in Kakaako. Civil Beat.

Hanabusa: Rail’s Limited Passenger Service Start Date Could Be Pushed To Summer. The opening date for limited passenger service on the Honolulu rail has steadily been pushed back in recent years. On Wednesday, the chair of the volunteer board overseeing that transit project said it might be pushed back several months further. Civil Beat.

Police arrest at least 10 ‘habitual’ offenders in Waikiki as part of crackdown on crime. Since September, when the Safe and Sound Waikiki program was launched, police have arrested 10 people near Kuhio Beach ― mostly on drug charges. Court records show those 10 people have at least 54 prior felony and misdemeanor convictions combined. Some of the offenses date back to the late 1980s. Hawaii News Now.

Passport services will be available at Kapolei Satellite City Hall. The Kapolei Satellite City Hall will begin accepting U.S. passport applications on Dec. 5. The expansion comes after Ala Moana Satellite City Hall began offering the services in August. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ahead of rainy season, large Oahu encampment in flood zone draws concern. With forecasters predicting a wetter-than-normal winter, Waipahu residents are raising concerns about an encampment in their community that’s near a canal. Hawaii News Now.

Waikiki’s largest resort Hilton Hawaiian Village to get bigger. Hilton Hawaiian Village is in the early stages of the permitting process for a new 36-floor Ala Moana Boulevard Tower that will add approximately 515 rooms to what is already Waikiki’s largest resort property and has the most rooms of any Hilton in the world. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

After much debate, gun bill advances. After hours of considering, approving and rejecting more than half a dozen amendments, the County Council voted Wednesday in favor of a bill prohibiting concealed firearms in certain places. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Council kills property tax relief. A measure that would have provided property tax relief for properties not currently under assessment caps was soundly defeated Wednesday by a County Council majority. West Hawaii Today.

Man cited after his dog is seen harassing Hawaiian monk seal. State officials say a 52-year-old man has been cited by multiple agencies after his dog was seen harassing an endangered Hawaiian monk seal last month at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Kauai Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Radiologic at a standstill: ‘Technical difficulties’ prompt company to suspend key services. Hawaii Radiologic Associates has been experiencing what it refers to as “technical difficulties” that have caused temporary disruptions to its computer systems, phone lines and website. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Care Choices shutting down in-patient care facility. After a decade of service, Pohai Malama Care Center, a 12-bed inpatient hospice facility owned and operated by Hawaii Care Choices, will cease operations starting Nov. 18. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A Massive Effort To Manage Hawaii’s Nearshore Waters Just Launched On Maui. The process is beginning six years after Gov. David Ige first announced the initiative to manage 30% of the state’s nearshore waters by 2030. Civil Beat.

Iconic Kula Lodge sold to 5 Palms owner, Simon Vojdani. The iconic Kula Lodge & Restaurant and Kula Marketplace are now under new ownership and management by Simon Vojdani. Vojdani is the owner of 5 Palms Restaurant, which was previously situated on Keawakapu Beach in South Maui for 27 years. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County Council lays groundwork for electric vehicle infrastructure. In a 5-2 vote Wednesday, the council agreed to pass Bill No. 2877, which requires that new parking lots with more than 100 spaces install EV charging systems in 5 percent of their stalls. Garden Island.

Kauai construction company dropping lawsuit against Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's company.  A Kauai construction company is dropping its lawsuit against Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s company for not receiving payment of more than $130,000 for work it had completed on the billionaire tech titan’s North Shore Kauai property. KITV4.

Navy wants to keep Red Hill infrastructure in place, Honolulu council mulls Waikiki noise levels, Maui County employees awarded COVID hazard pay, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Navy wants to find alternative uses for Red Hill as part of its closure plan. The Navy wants to keep its Red Hill fuel facility, including the 20 cavernous fuel tanks, surge tanks and pipelines, in the ground after it permanently retires the facility from fueling operations, according to a plan it submitted Tuesday to the state Department of Health. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Corrections By The Numbers: Incarceration Declined In 2020, And So Did Crime Rates. Data made public recently by the state Department of Public Safety shows Hawaii reduced its inmate populations in 2020 by more than most people realized at the time, and state crime statistics show Honolulu’s crime rates actually dropped that year. Civil Beat.

Struggles Of Micronesian Students Point To ‘Significant Issues’ In Hawaii School System. Many Micronesian students – especially in high school – have been struggling for years, but the pandemic widened existing achievement gaps.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Health Department issues nearly $110K in fines for air pollution violations. The Hawaii Department of Health has fined six entities, including several major companies and the U.S. military nearly $110,000 for air pollution control permit violations in the state. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Oahu

Environmentalists, engineers urge local leaders to prepare for coastal erosion. A group of environmentalists, engineers and academics have urged state leaders and community members to take steps in addressing coastal erosion. The foundation, UH Sea Grant, and engineering firm SSFM International formed the North Shore Coastal Resilience Working Group to address the future of coastal management. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

City acquires university dorms and classrooms to create affordable housing. The city has acquired a building that Hawaii Pacific University currently uses for dorms and classrooms in hopes of adding another 100 units to its 1,500-unit affordable housing portfolio. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Report: Consultant, Rail Engineer At Odds Over Station Cracking. Those investigating the cracks have disagreed about their severity, but the final report still isn’t out. Civil Beat.

Waikiki Health Employees Fired After Protesting Bathroom Limits Get Back Wages. The community health center offered jobs back to three employees who were fired a week after complaining about losing access to a unisex bathroom. Civil Beat.

Gap Parks raise interest. Parks over the freeways, it is an idea that’s floating around and could be implemented on Oahu. They’re called Cap Parks.  KHON2.

City Council looks into street speaker noise ordinance for Waikiki. The streets of Waikiki could soon get quieter, if a bill before the Honolulu City Council passes. The measure would restrict the use of speakers on the streets. KITV4.

Hanauma Bay begins accepting JCB payments for reservations. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve will accept the Japan Credit Bureau, or JCB, credit card for reservations starting Tuesday, Nov. 1. And starting Wednesday, JCB cards will be accepted for in-person admission payments. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii’s high court hears arguments tied to Mauna Kea. The justices heard arguments on the question of whether, in this case, it is the government that must prove its rules are reasonable and do not unduly limit the rights conferred by the state Constitution, or whether the burden is on the challenger to prove the opposite. Star-Advertiser.

Police Commission holding special meeting to discuss police chief vacancy. The Hawai‘i County Police Commission has scheduled a special meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday to continue discussing the applicants for police chief. The meeting will be held online via Zoom. Big Island Now.

Gun carry permits granted; police raise concerns over training. With 19 licenses to carry a concealed firearm issued and another 58 pending approval in Hawaii County, some Hawaii Island police officers are concerned they haven’t received proper training on encountering permit holders. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Now.

Bill aims to provide tool to revitalize downtown Hilo. At Tuesday’s meeting of the Hawaii County Council’s Finance Committee, Hilo Councilman Aaron Chung introduced Bill 230, a recreation of a bill he introduced in 2020 that would have allowed member businesses in a downtown Hilo Business Improvement District to finance upgrades to the area’s infrastructure and other services. Tribune-Herald.

Council members urge state to help solve traffic and road woes. The Hawaii County Council is urging the Legislature to take steps to improve ailing roadway infrastructure on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui resort agrees to reduce bright lights to protect Hawaii seabird. The Grand Wailea resort on Maui has reached an agreement with several conservation groups to reduce its bright lights to protect endangered Hawaiian petrels, resolving a lawsuit filed earlier this year. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

In contentious race for Maui mayor, water is a key issue — with few solutions. The general election is one week away and the candidates for Maui County mayor are vowing to improve the island’s water system. Hawaii News Now.

Maui County employees entitled to temporary hazard pay for working during pandemic. Employees who worked during Gov. David Ige’s emergency proclamation period from March 4, 2020, to March 25, 2022, can get up to 25% of their base salary. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui venison could soon stock local grocery stores. Efforts to manage the axis deer population in Maui County are working, and their plans to use the meat to feed the community and create economic opportunities are moving in the right direction. KHON2.

Kauai

Army trains at Barking Sands. The window of opportunity was small, but the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility at Mana, or Barking Sands, figured prominently Tuesday during the Kaua‘i segment of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center large-scale training exercise, referred to as JPMRC 23-01. Garden Island.

They’re ‘holding space’ at a popular Kauai beach to protest commercialization on the sand. On Kauai, there are growing concerns that residents are getting pushed out of a popular surfing and beach spot. Hawaii News Now.

Kaua‘i jobless rate falls to 4 percent. Employers ramped up hiring in the final days of summer and into early fall on Kaua‘i, in turn helping send the unemployment rate for September to its lowest level in three years. Garden Island.

Blessing commemorates completion of Waimea rockfall mitigation project. The Department of Public Works held a blessing on Tuesday to commemorate the completion of the $1.6-million Waimea Rockfall Mitigation Project. Kauai Now.

Lawmaker: Recreational cannabis tax revenue outweighed by management cost, state mulls tech waste recycling, lawsuit filed over Oahu prison sex assaults, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Management costs of recreational cannabis outweigh tax revenue, says Hawaii legislator. Projections of $50 million in state tax revenue on a recreational cannabis industry would make it hard to create a new oversight department or increase adequate staffing to test and otherwise regulate the industry, let alone fund education and health programs, state Rep. Ryan Yamane, chairman of the House Health, Human Services Committee, said. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii is about to launch one of the nation’s most ambitious tech waste recycling programs. Hawaii is implementing one of the most ambitious electronic waste recycling plans in the country, but some Hawaii retailers are afraid it will mean higher prices and less selection. Hawaii News Now.

Neighbor islands create a central portal for hotel tax payments. County transient accommodation taxes went into effect last year. The process of collecting the tax fell into the hands of each individual county. Hawaii Public Radio.

Geolocation data provides new perspectives on destination management of popular Hawaii sites. Tourist visitation outpaced resident visitation in only 10 of the top 30 points of interest statewide for both visitors and residents in September, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s inter­active data tool, the Symphony Dashboards. Star-Advertiser.

State Grants Promised To Hawaii Nonprofits Likely To Be In Limbo For Weeks. Many nonprofits are scrambling to provide services while they wait for the state to fix a problem in the law allocating millions of dollars. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Certain Home Repairs Should Bypass Honolulu Permitting Department, Councilwoman Says. Property owners who want to make repairs to existing elements of their homes would be exempt from Honolulu’s permitting process under a bill proposed by Honolulu City Council Member Andria Tupola. Civil Beat.

 Experts: Chick-fil-A citation for unpermitted work highlights ongoing trend. As the newly-opened Chick-fil-A Ala Moana Center location faces a fine for unpermitted construction work, some say it's been a trend for years. Industry experts report many businesses have started work without a building permit because it's faster and cheaper. KITV4.

Lawsuit: Working Cameras Needed To Monitor Sexual Assaults At Women’s Prison. A group of current and former female inmates is asking a federal judge to require that cameras be installed in all of the control stations at the women’s prison in Kailua after the inmates say they were sexually assaulted by corrections officers in the stations. Civil Beat.

City Council District 6 candidates focus on housing and crime. Housing and crime dominate the Nov. 8 Honolulu City Council District 6 race, with both candidates, Traci Toguchi and Tyler Dos Santos-­Tam, choosing to focus on those issues. Star-Advertiser.

North Shore Group Confronts Growing Threats Of Erosion, Sea Level Rise. Members of the hui say that planning against Hawaii’s encroaching shorelines has been “piecemeal” and “reactionary” so far. Civil Beat. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu freight company buys former Love’s Bakery headquarters. One of Hawaii’s leading transportation service companies announced that it has purchased the former Love’s Bakery headquarters. Honolulu Freight Service said it will centralize its main Hawaii operations at the building located on Middle Street. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

Radio Station KNDI Entertains And Informs Non-English Speakers. The Filipino-owned station broadcasts in 13 languages. But after 60 years of programming, it faces the challenge of attracting a new generation of listeners. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Victims of affordable housing scheme start lining up. Hawaii County has declared itself a victim of an employee who pleaded guilty to stealing affordable housing credits, and its attorneys are asking the court to return property currently under forfeiture by the federal government. West Hawaii Today.

Another Meeting On Mauna Loa Volcanic Unrest Set For Kona. Emergency officials and scientists will host another “Status Update and Community Discussion” this weekend on the current Mauna Loa volcano unrest, this time in Kona. Big Island Video News.

Pilot, passenger statements describe Big Island copter crash. The National Transportation Safety Board on Monday released various documents related to the crash, which injured all six people on board, but the agency has yet to release a probable cause for why the helicopter suddenly made “violent and uncommanded yaw and pitch changes.” Associated Press.

In ongoing dispute, state seeks more proof lead at Hawaii preschool has been dealt with. Both the state and the head of Kalamapii Play School returned to court Monday morning. Hawaii News Now.

Pāhala Public & School Library to reopen Nov. 1 after repairs from earthquake damage. The library at 96-3150 Pikake St. had been closed temporarily due to damage caused by the Oct. 14 earthquakes on Mauna Loa’s flanks. Big Island Now.

DLNR to spend $1M to plan demolition of Uncle Billy’s. The Department of Land and Natural Resources. The DLNR announced Monday afternoon that it would use the funds to finance plans and designs for the demolition of the derelict building, which is on state leasehold land. Tribune-Herald.
 
Firebreak project to protect palila OK’d by land board. A proposed firebreak expansion project on Maunakea to protect the critically endangered palila has been approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Lahaina’s Halloween is back, but on smaller scale due to Maui police officer shortage. After being canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lahaina Halloween festivities are back this year, but with no adult party on Front Street due to the 25% shortage of Maui police officers. Maui Now.

‘Showcase’ put on for crew. Lahainaluna students organize event for USS Daniel Inouye. Lahainaluna High School students were able to “showcase their talents” Saturday evening as they performed and hosted a dinner for the crew of the USS Daniel Inouye, the new guided missile destroyer, which anchored in Lahaina this past week. Maui News.

Kauai

Effort to stop redevelopment at former Coco Palms continues. A community-led effort to thwart plans to build a 350-room hotel on the former Coco Palms Resort property on Kauai took a hit after the state Board of Land and Natural Resources last week voted to renew permits on land where development would take place. Star-Advertiser.

Kaua‘i federal worker admits to government theft. A Kaua‘i federal worker pleaded guilty on Monday to making about $35,000 in unauthorized purchases on his government credit card over the course of several years. Garden Island.

Hawaii tries to balance public access and safety, two vacancies on state Supreme Court, most elementary schools test positive for lead, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Outside looking in ©2022 All Hawaii News

Hawaii’s public offices are not so public. Visiting state government offices can be hard these days in Hawaii, where security guards, discouraging signs, locked doors and cordoned-off public parking are impeding access to services and information. Star-Advertiser.

‘We are not immune’: Pelosi attack prompts talk of political violence in Hawaii. Hawaii political leaders and experts say we are not immune to the rhetoric that can lead to violence. Hawaii News Now.

Majority of Hawaii elementary schools test positive for lead in drinking water. Three-quarters of Hawaii’s public elementary schools have tested positive for high lead levels in at least one sink or drinking water fountain, according to extensive testing recently completed by state health officials as part of a nationwide push to reduce childhood exposure to the heavy metal that can cause permanent developmental disabilities. Star-Advertiser.

Another Vacancy Posted For Hawaii Supreme Court. Associate Justice Paula Nakayama turns 70 next October, the age by which all Hawaii judges and justices must step down. Earlier this month the Judicial Selection Commission announced another vacancy on the high court. Associate Justice Michael Wilson turns 70 in April. Civil Beat.

Report: State law successfully limited evictions during COVID-19 pandemic. According to a report by the Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, the vast majority of the mediation sessions that stemmed from the law ended with the tenants remaining in their homes. Tribune-Herald.

Public is invited to give feedback on University of Hawaii tuition hikes. University of Hawaii students, parents, faculty and staff, and the public, are invited to five public meetings to provide feedback on a proposed tuition schedule for 2023 to 2027. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.

University of Hawaiʻi project aims to address wage disparity in early education. Low wages are the biggest contributor to the state's early educator shortage. That shortage means fewer children can go to preschool. Hawaii Public Radio.

Respiratory viruses pose triple threat in Hawaii. Health care workers are bracing for a triple threat ahead of winter: with the beginning of flu season, rising cases of respiratory syncytial virus and continuation of COVID-19. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Oahu

Report details strategies for receding beaches and the threat of sea level rise. A report released this week by a community working group lays out the growing catastrophe Oahu’s North Shore will face in the coming decades amid accelerated sea level rise, while providing a framework for policymakers to devise immediate and incremental strategies for adapting to environmental realities. Star-Advertiser.

Charter change aims to diversify Planning Commission. Oahu voters now have the chance to decide whether to amend the Honolulu City Charter to require that four of the nine members of the Planning Commission have certain expertise requirements. Star-Advertiser.

Private Security Will Handle Patrols Along Honolulu’s Future Rail Line. The model for how to handle transit security varies from place to place. Honolulu considered using HPD but went a different route. Civil Beat.

Windward community at odds over popular beach park overnight stays. Unlike many beach parks on O’ahu that have limited hours of public access, Kailua Beach Park is open 24/7, except for its parking lot that closes at 10 p.m. Hawaii News Now.

Bill to extend areas for short term rentals in Ko'olina area. Rand Eastwood, property management owner in Ko’olina said this is where the demand is in the vacation industry especially after the city removed 10,000 unpermitted vacation units. KITV4.

Here’s What Happened When Lawyers For A Condo Association Tried To Collect Their Fees. Porter McGuire Kiakona now faces $475,000 in damages for violating debt collection laws in a case that started with a $150 fine against a dog owner. Civil Beat.

Crying Fowl In Downtown Honolulu: ‘Chickens Are Wandering Around Like They Own The Place’. Crowing roosters and squawking chickens are invading urban Honolulu, leaving residents sleepless, exhausted and angry. Civil Beat.

Fishpond predators astonish University of Hawaii researchers. UH scientists conducted a study on fish caught at Heeia Fishpond in Kaneohe. The information was published last month in the journal Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

TAT sweetens county budget. Hawaii County’s new tax on hotels and short-term rentals helped sweeten county coffers to an extent unseen in previous years. West Hawaii Today.

Council to consider exemptions for Waikoloa affordable housing project. Developers of the proposed Hoomalu at Waikoloa affordable housing project are asking the county to exempt them from three development requirements as a way to help keep the units affordable. West Hawaii Today.

Mortar round, grenades cleared from Waimea area during ordnance search. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has found eight hand grenades and a mortar round in and near Waimea this year while clearing unexploded ordnance from the former Waikoloa Maneuver Area. Tribune-Herald.

'High tensions’ at Hilo jail because of lack of services, overcrowding. Weeks after a scathing report was released about conditions at the Hawaii County Correctional Center, some improvements have been made. Hawaii News Now.

What is the mysterious bright light off Hiloʻs east coast? The bright lights belong to the Norseman II, a former fishing boat that is now a survey vessel. It is carrying field scientists from Region 9 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency who are conducting monitoring work in a study area that includes an ocean dredged material disposal site several miles offshore of the Hilo coast, according to oceanographer Allan Ota. Kauai Now.

Maui

Hotel moratorium close to ending. Maui County Council members are one step away from ending the temporary visitor lodging moratorium, but are also seeking to keep the cap on transient vacation rentals at existing levels. Maui News.

Axis deer management is topic of Monday’s council committee meeting. The Infrastructure and Transportation Committee will meet Monday at 9 a.m. to discuss potential solutions and updates regarding axis deer management in Maui County. Maui Now.

Community budget meetings on Lānaʻi and in Lahaina. The last community budget meetings for Fiscal Year 2024, hosted by Mayor Michael Victorino and his administration, are set for Lānaʻi at the Hale Kupuna O’Lānaʻi, on Wednesday, Nov. 2, starting at 3:30 p.m., and at the Lahaina West Maui Kaunoa Senior Center on Thursday, Nov. 3, starting at 5:30 p.m.  Maui Now.

Riot, COVID prompt changes at jail facility in Wailuku. During a media tour of the jail Thursday, Major Manny Labasan and acting Warden Liane Endo discussed changes prompted by the March 11, 2019, riot as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. Maui News.

Maui labor market crisis directly tied to housing . Pamela Tumpap, president of the Maui Chamber of Commerce, said that as of 2017, Maui was 14,000 housing units behind meeting the island’s rental housing needs. Hawaii Public Radio.

1,600 people attend Maui County Senior Fair. The first in-person Maui County Senior Fair since 2019 on Saturday, Oct. 29, drew about 1,600 people to the War Memorial Gym, where they ate local food, met candidates for office, listened to George Kahumoku Jr. and got their flu and COVID-19 boosters. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center deals with the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first, state-sanctioned tour since the onset of the pandemic, jail representatives Friday led The Garden Island through the facility, which now features an remodeled parking lot and front office, 42 new security cameras and a new sallyport for prisoner intake. Garden Island.

DOW wins national water award. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized the county Department of Water with a 2022 WaterSense Excellence Award for their dedication to helping consumers and businesses save water through conservation awareness and educational outreach. Garden Island.

Credit union acquires Otsuka Building. A deeply rooted financial institution plans on expanding its presence on the island following the purchase of a historic building in north Kapa‘a. Garden Island.

Hawaii Island residents advised to pack 'go bag' as volcano rumbles, red light cameras catch drivers, Maui deputy police chief quits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Snow-capped Mauna Loa in December ©2022 All Hawaii News

Big Island residents advised to pack ‘go’ bag as Mauna Loa rumbles. Hawaii officials are warning residents of the Big Island that the world’s largest active volcano, Mauna Loa, is sending signals that it might erupt. Experts say it would take just a few hours for lava to reach homes closest to vents on the volcano, which last erupted in 1984. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. Big Island Video News.

Mail-in voting still presents obstacles for people with disabilities. The Statewide Voters with Special Needs Advisory Committee began meeting earlier this year to make sure everybody in this group has the opportunity to vote. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi IT Scores A- In 2022 Digital States Survey. Hawaiʻi ranks among the top performing states with an overall grade of A- in the Center for Digital Government’s 2022 Digital States Survey. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii students outpace most of U.S. in pandemic test scores, study finds. While the COVID-19 pandemic has hurt public-school reading test scores in almost all other states, Hawaii was one of only two states where the reading scores for grades 3 through 8 have stayed relatively stable, according to a new independent analysis called the Education Recovery Scorecard. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Schools Are Struggling To Help English Learners Recover From Pandemic Setbacks. Distance learning had an outsized effect on students learning English. The DOE hopes more qualified teachers will turn things around. Civil Beat.

Fishing For Likes: Has Social Media Affected Ulua Fish Stock In Hawaii? Some experts say giant trevally, a culturally and ecologically important fish, has declined as its popularity has soared online, but better data is needed. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Rail utility work along Dillingham Boulevard to last over 3 years. A three-year slog up and down Dillingham Boulevard with round-the-clock construction taking up one side of the major thoroughfare between Kalihi and Iwilei is set to begin in November. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Red light cameras catch 126 drivers, warnings issued. The state says 126 drivers have been caught on camera going through a red light. For now, those drivers are only getting a warning. Fines will be handed out next month, and a second camera will be installed by then also. KHON2.

Board of Land and Natural Resources repeals permit rules for Waikiki surf instructors, others. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources voted Thursday to repeal administrative rules requiring surf instructors, outrigger canoe captains and other people who operate commercially in Waikiki waters to obtain a state permit certifying their qualifications, despite objections from some longtime operators who said it would threaten the traditions and legacy of the Waikiki beachboys. Star-Advertiser.

Attorney for alleged Russian spy in Hawaii withdraws following ‘breakdown’ in relationship. Walter Primrose and his wife Gwynn Morrison are accused of stealing the identities of dead babies from Texas in the 1980s. They also were found keeping military maps, coded messages, and kits for invisible ink in their home. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu’s only public shooting range closed indefinitely as probe into possible lead contamination begins. The city has no timeline for when Oahu’s only public shooting range will reopen as an investigation into elevated lead levels in the majority of workers at the facility begins. Hawaii News Now.

HNL airport: Mauka concourse restaurant plans rejected. The mauka concourse at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport opened to travelers more than a year ago, but the new facility is noticeably missing places to eat as the building permit application for a restaurant was recently rejected. KHON2.

KCC receives $1.29M grant for community health worker training. The grant is part of an $11.3 million award to the UH system from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Proposed rules would curtail manta viewing. The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation has developed a proposed series of rules that would limit the number and activities of permitted commercial manta ray viewing operators in order to mitigate overcrowding, environmental impacts and safety concerns. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Maui Now.

Fixes unveiled for Waipio road: Three-year effort would be done in phases. A three-year Hawaii County plan to fully reopen Waipio Valley Road by mitigating its safety hazards was met with little opposition Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

Aging, overcrowded Hilo correctional center getting some help, but more is needed. Cramped, cluttered and under construction. That’s the current situation at Hawai‘i Community Correctional Center in Hilo. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Island residents who lost their homes to Kilauea eruption receive buyout checks. Hawaii Island property owners who lost their homes in the 2018 Kilauea eruption are finally receiving their buyout checks from the county. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

After just 10 months on the job, Deputy Police Chief Hank retires; Maui’s Wade Maeda promoted. Maui Police Chief John Pelletier selected Hank as his second in command prior to being sworn in last December. Maui Now.

3 years after riot, an inside look into what’s changed at Maui Correctional Center. More than three years after a jailhouse riot caused more than $5 million at Maui Community Correctional Center, the media got an inside look at all the changes. Hawaii News Now.

$8.29 M awarded to Pacific islands region projects. Five funded projects to benefit Maui, Molokai conservation. Maui News.

Kauai

Former JROTC instructor sentenced behind bars for child porn. A former JROTC instructor has been sentenced 14 years in prison for sexually exploiting a student, said the U.S. District Court on Friday. Victor Aguilar, 66, of Kauai pleaded guilty to child pornography offenses in May. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Kaua‘i tourism numbers surge in September. A post-pandemic bounceback appears to be in full swing on the island of Kaua‘i, as evidenced by strong gains in visitor numbers and tourism spending last month. Garden Island.

Inaugural Operation Rising Star golf tournament on Dec. 18 at Hōkūala on Kauaʻi. Hōkūala will host the inaugural Operation Rising Star golf tournament at its award-winning Jack Nicklaus Signature Ocean Course on Dec. 18 with the proceeds going to Folds of Honor scholarship recipients in Hawaiʻi. Kauai Now.

Hawaii big recipient of military money, Honolulu police cleared in fatal shooting of 16-year-old, Oahu electric rates dip, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Annual Hawaii military spending hits $7.9 billion. Overall, the military spent $7.9 billion in the islands during the 2021 fiscal year, making up 8.3% of Hawaii’s gross domestic product — an increase from 7.7% in 2019. That makes it No. 2 in terms of how significant military spending is to a state’s overall economy, behind only Virginia. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Standards Commission Moves To Tighten Ethics Rules For Lawmakers And Lobbyists. New proposals regarding government ethics and conflicts of interest will be taken up by the Legislature in the wake of corruption scandals involving former lawmakers. Civil Beat.

Department of Interior to host virtual meeting with Native Hawaiian community. The U.S. Department of the Interior will host its first formal consultation meeting with the Native Hawaiian community on Thursday, Nov. 10, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. HST. Tribune-Herald.

Outdated staffing analysis leads to problems at jails and prisons, state audit finds. The state is not collecting the data necessary to determine how many Adult Correctional Officers, or ACOs, are needed to safely operate a jail or prison, according to a state audit. Hawaii Pubic Radio.

Judge: Prison Officials Must Release Names Of Inmates Who Die In Custody. A Hawaii Circuit Court judge on Tuesday ruled the state Department of Public Safety must release the names of prison and jail inmates who die in state custody, an order that moves the department a step closer to the longstanding policies of other states. Civil Beat.

$4.9 Million To Hawaiʻi For EPA Clean School Bus Program. The grant will help Hawaii purchase 25 clean school buses that will accelerate the transition to zero emissions vehicles and produce cleaner air in and around schools and communities. Big Island Video News.

Mark Takai's congressional papers available to the public. Former U.S. Rep. Mark Takai’s collection of papers has been made available to the public at his alma mater, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Hawaii Public Radio.

More immune-evasive variants have landed on Hawaii shores. Health experts are concerned not only because of their increased ability to get around immunity from vaccination and previous infections, but their ability to evade existing treatments. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Health officials report 1,327 new COVID-19 infections, 2 coronavirus-related deaths. The state’s average positivity rate also increased to 6.2% compared with 5.8% reported the previous week. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Judge allows family of man shot by police to pursue legal claims that HPD lacked training. U.S. District Judge Jill Otake ruled that the family of Kyle Thomas can pursue claims against the city and the HPD that plainclothes officers lacked training when they surrounded his car in a residential neighborhood and shot him. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu officers cleared of internal violations in fatal shooting of 16-year-old. The three Honolulu police officers who fatally shot teen robbery suspect Iremamber Sykap last year won’t face discipline from the department. Hawaii News Now.

After dodging questions, city confirms several workers at shooting range have elevated lead levels. The Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health officials launched an investigation Wednesday after reports workers had been exposed to lead at Koko Head Shooting Complex. Sources confirm more than half of the range’s 12 staff members have elevated levels of lead in their blood. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu electric rates dip in October after a rise in September fueled by a coal plant shutdown. On Oahu there was a 1.4% price dip, which for a typical residential customer using 500 kilowatt-­hours of electricity amounts to a savings of $3.27 on a $233.52 bill, compared with $236.79 in September. Star-Advertiser.

North Shore House Race Emphasizes Local Fixes For The Area’s Problems. Since narrowly winning the House seat for the North Shore and Koolauloa in 2016, Democratic Rep. Sean Quinlan has faced a variety of challengers. His latest is the creator of the popular Instagram account @meanhawaii, Mark Talaeai. Civil Beat.

Council District 8 candidates focus on economic growth. The City Council District 8 race in the Nov. 8 general election pits former Council member Ron Menor against the Republican minority leader in the state House of Representatives, Val Okimoto. Star-Advertiser.

Ala Wai street project gets favorable reaction, but concerns about traffic persist. Ala Wai Boulevard is a very busy thoroughfare where motor vehicles have had priority. But the city wants to shift that priority more toward bicyclists and pedestrians. Hawaii News Now.

Federal grant with private match to bolster new Honolulu container terminal project. A new state-owned ocean cargo container terminal being built at Honolulu Harbor is slated to receive extra bells and whistles valued at $139 million thanks to a federal grant requiring private matching funds. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County seeks federal grant to build recycling program. Hawaii County is hoping to secure part of a $275 million federal recycling grant to pull the island out of its solid waste slump. A recent survey discovered what county officials suspected: recycling facilities and collection systems are inadequate, there’s insufficient end markets and shortages of staff. Policies need to be redefined and strengthened and impacts of the system are most felt by rural and low-income communities. West Hawaii Today.

EPIC building permit system to get upgrade. The county Department of Public Works Building Division and the Planning Department will install a system upgrade to the Electronic Processing and Information Center, or EPIC, system from 4:30 p.m. Oct. 28 until 8 a.m. Oct. 31. During this time, EPIC will not accept new permits, payments or allow any document to be uploaded. Big Island Now.

$234K to protect native cloud forest on Kohala Mountain. In a move to protect essential fresh water resources, manage non-native feral pigs and promote native forest regeneration, The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, in partnership with The Kohala Center received a $234,000 grant to carry out its ambitious four-year environmental protection initiative. KHON2.

Hapuna to remain closed through early November. The closure of the two sites at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area follows a waterline break on Oct. 8 that left no water source for restrooms, showers and other facilities at the beach park and A-frame cabins. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Community budget meetings to be held. Each community meeting will begin with an overview of the current budget, followed by various departments recapping updates. Maui News.

Residents worry about safety and hygiene as Maui North Shore homeless encampment grows. More homeless camps are popping up along a country road on Maui’s North Shore. Tarps, tires, cars, and trash — everything is multiplying on Holomua Road in Paia. Hawaii News Now.

Family claims land for affordable housing is theirs. Although notices to vacate and trespassing citations were issued last week, a Native Hawaiian group in Waiehu feels that an undeveloped property slated for a 100 percent affordable housing project is rightfully theirs. Maui News.

Maui outdoor lighting ordinance victory for seabirds, turtles. In a victory for seabirds and turtles, Maui approved an ordinance regulating the amount of blue light that outdoor lighting fixtures can emit on the island.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Candidates speak on housing at the Kaua‘i Realtors forum. With soaring rents making life on the island less and less affordable, housing is the number one issue for many voters this election season. Garden Island.

Blessing held for $3 million Hanapēpē Park Improvements Project. The improvements will include a new multi-use building containing a ticket booth, prep kitchen and a concession area. Additional restrooms are also part of the project. Kauai Now.

Hanapēpē Swinging Bridge to close Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 for repairs. The Hanapēpē Swinging Bridge will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 2 on Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, weather permitting, according to the Kauaʻi Department of Public Works. Kauai Now.

HECO seeks to install 30 EV chargers, nonprofits await $50M in late state grants, election doubters stake out ballot drop boxes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Pilot program aims to increase EV chargers. A pilot program by Hawaiian Electric will subsidize electric vehicle chargers throughout the state in an effort to improve charging infrastructure. Hawaiian Electric is accepting applications for its new three-year Charge Up Commercial pilot program, which has a goal of establishing up to 30 new electric vehicle charging sites on the Big Island, Maui and O‘ahu. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Maui Now. KHON2.

Hawaii’s Nonprofits Are Still Waiting For Millions Of Dollars In Needed Grants. The Legislature changed the Grant-In-Aid process this year and that’s keeping money from getting to the organizations that need it. Nearly $50 million in state grant funds isn’t getting to nonprofits that need them to run programs because of bureaucratic holdups and missing language from the state’s budget bill. Civil Beat.

In-person voting begins as election doubters organize to stake out drop boxes. A group called “Audit the Vote Hawaii” is organizing election doubters to stake out ballot drop boxes. Hawaii News Now.

Volunteers vouch for Hawaii’s election security. Veteran election volunteers insist they’ve never seen any impropriety in the way ballots are handled at the state Capitol, several volunteers told the Honolulu Star-­Advertiser on Tuesday, the first full day that ballots were counted and processed ahead of the Nov. 8 general election. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii early childhood education needs upgrade. A new report indicates that pay and conditions for Hawaii’s early childhood educators must be improved dramatically in order to attract and retain enough added workers just to resolve the severe current shortage, not to mention expand preschool access to all 3- and 4-year-olds by 2032 to fulfill the state Legislature’s directive. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai’i getting fewer visitors, but more revenue. While hotels are still not as full as they used to be, properties are making more money. Hotel revenue is way up compared to numbers from 2019. KHON2.

Hawaiian Airlines loses $9.3 million amid Japan visitor lag. A continued lag in visitors from Japan to Hawaii and a protracted interisland fare war with competitor Southwest Airlines were among the headwinds that Hawaiian Holdings Inc., the parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, faced before reporting a third-quarter loss. Star-Advertiser.

Amazon Will Use Hawaiian Airlines To Operate Cargo Planes. Hawaiian said it issued warrants that Amazon can exercise over the next nine years and acquire up to 15% of Hawaiian stock. Civil Beat.

Omicron variants BQ.1, BQ.1.1 and XBB.1 detected in Hawaii. New omicron subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, more immune-evasive strains that have driven COVID cases up in parts of Europe, are now present in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

All eyes on Navy as first phase of massive Red Hill defueling effort kicks off. New video from U.S. Pacific Command showed the massive above ground tanks at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, which can hold more than 5 million gallons of fuel, along with military members working inside the Red Hill tunnels. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Critics: State didn’t do enough to protect 2 young kids from horrific alleged abuse at foster home. Child welfare advocates are criticizing the state over the alleged sex assaults of two young girls at a foster home over a six-year period. The victims were 6 and 8 years old when the alleged abuse started. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Semisub owners charged with fraud. A couple that founded the Hawaii-based Semisub company has been charged with securities fraud, a felony, for misspending a good part of $28 million raised from investors, the Justice Department announced Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

The Miske Files: Feds Say Phony Documents Built A Well-Known Pest Control Company Out Of Thin Air. Newly unsealed documents show the federal prosecutor’s story of how a then 26-year-old convicted felon created an $8 million enterprise. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Tackling government inefficiencies: Cost of Government Commission makes recommendations. Streamlining the building permit process, cracking down on unpermitted structures, renegotiating the county’s composting contract, exploring public-private partnerships for wastewater processing and beefing up the Information Technology Department are the top recommendations of the Cost of Government Commission. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

How The Candidates For Maui Mayor Would Shape Food Security And Agriculture. Boosting availability of affordable local food and combating invasive species are top issues for Michael Victorino and Richard Bissen. Civil Beat.

First-time council candidate challenges political veteran. In the race for the Maui County Council’s Wailuku-Waihee-Waikapu residency seat, incumbent Alice Lee will face off against challenger and first-time candidate Noelani Ahia. Maui News.

New public-private partnership on Maui provides hope for affordable homes, but raises questions of fairness. A budget amendment that provides an $18 million appropriation to the Pulelehua affordable housing project in West Maui was approved unanimously by members of the Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee on Wednesday in an 8-0 vote, with one member excused. Maui Now.

Maui County law to require animal-friendly lighting. Maui Mayor Michael Victorino has signed a bill into law that will require many businesses and residents to change their outdoor lighting fixtures to reduce the kind of blue light, or shortwave light, known to result in injury and death to seabirds and sea turtles. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Improvements coming to Hanapepe Stadium. As part of the improvements, the existing food booth will be replaced by a new combined-use building containing a ticket booth, prep kitchen and concession area. Additional restrooms will also be a part of the project. Garden Island.

In-person voting begins today, Navy to start draining Red Hill tanks, health experts urge bivalent COVID booster, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Voter Service Center on Election Night 2020 ©2022 All Hawaii News

Voter service centers to open for in-person voting Tuesday. Hawaiʻi voters should have received their mail in ballots last week. For those who prefer to vote in-person, voter service centers open Tuesday, Oct. 25. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ranked choice elections coming to Hawaii. Although the process will not be used in this year’s general election here at home, starting next year when Hawai’i has a special federal election or special election of vacant county council seats the process will be used. KHON2.

Bank of Hawaii posts strong loan growth, but profit falls. Bank of Hawaii posts strong loan growth, but profit falls. Bank of Hawaii Corp. showed strong loan growth in the third quarter but saw its stock price tumble to a 52-week low Monday after reporting a 14.9% decline in net income primarily due to some one-time items. Star-Advertiser.

With fentanyl driving up Hawaii overdoses, drug agents are urging caution for trick-or-treaters. Hawaii drug agents are urging extra caution this Halloween, advising trick-or-treaters (and their parents) to only accept candy from trusted family and friends. Hawaii News Now.

Expert: Protection from early COVID vaccines ‘pretty much totally gone’. As new COVID-19 variants spread throughout the community, protection from previous infections and prior vaccinations is waning. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii health officials urge kupuna to get bivalent boosters as soon as possible. For some kupuna, getting the updated bivalent booster for COVID-19 was top priority once it became available over Labor Day weekend in Hawaii. For others there seems to be no particular rush. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

‘Unpacking’ of Red Hill fuel pipelines begins today. Joint Task Force Red Hill, the military group tasked with draining the tanks at the Navy’s underground fuel storage facility, is slated today to begin “unpacking” 1 million gallons from pipelines that connect the tanks to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

OCCC is obsolete and overcrowded. What’s next for this jail is up for debate. Between calls for tougher treatment of criminals and movements for bail and prison reform, Oahu Community Correctional Center remains in limbo. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Proposed City Council resolution looking to improve officer retention and police coverage. A new resolution is making its way through Honolulu City Council as concerns mount about police coverage on the West Side of Oahu. But it may have far reaching affects going well beyond that area. KITV4.

Politics Afoot? A Long-Sought Civic Center In Wahiawa Has Been Stalled For Nearly A Year. Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz’s signature project for Wahiawa has been on Gov. David Ige’s desk since January. Ige’s not saying why he won’t sign off. Civil Beat.

Few short-term rental owners register upon launch. The mad rush for short-term rental owners in resort districts to register under the city’s new short-term rental law, Ordinance 22-7 (Bill 41), didn’t happen Monday, the first day that the city made the online process available. Star-Advertiser.

City moves forward with project to install ‘bus only’ lanes on busy Waikiki thoroughfare. The city says the new street plan for Kuhio Avenue is designed to make the road safer, but residents believe it will do the exact opposite. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

State high court to determine burden of proof in Maunakea rules case. A legal challenge against the University of Hawaii’s rules for managing Maunakea cannot proceed until the Hawaii Supreme Court settles a question of legal procedure. Tribune-Herald.

SHOPO: Detectives, officers put investigations on hold to provide security at 2-day Ironman event. The State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers says it’s investigating how security was handled for the IRONMAN World Championship event in Kona earlier this month. Hawaii News Now.

Plans Detail New Hilo Medical Center Building. Hilo Medical Center is proposing a new 2-story, 18,750 square foot Medical Office Building, which would occupy space on its existing campus on Waianuenue Avenue. Big Island Video News.

County to unveil repair plans for dangerous Waipiʻo Valley Road at public meeting Oct. 26. Over the past year, the narrow, steep Waipiʻo Valley Road has been the focus of a geotechnical engineering evaluation, an emergency closure, a lawsuit, a partial reversal of the emergency closure, community meetings and protests. Big Island Now.

Unexploded ordnance meeting slated today in Waikoloa. Members of the public are invited to a meeting today to learn about efforts to remove unexploded military ordnance from the former Waikoloa Maneuver Area. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Charter Question Recommends Reforms For Maui Boards And Commissions. The ballot measure features a series of questions about the recruitment process for county boards and commissions, as well as some staff positions. Civil Beat.

Applicants sought for Maui County Boards and Commissions. Applicants are being sought from residents willing to provide public service on various Maui County boards, commissions, councils and committees. Citizen volunteer responsibilities include attending meetings, receiving public testimony, and reviewing policies and standards. Maui Now.

Maui affordable housing project triggers land dispute. The family claims the parcel in Waiehu is “kuleana land,” which was land that was granted to Native Hawaiian farmers back in the 1800s. MEO says the property in question is actually a royal patent grant, which is an outright purchase of government land. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Community group lays out vision for Coco Palms. As the plan to develop the ruins of Coco Palms into a 350-room hotel slowly creeps forward, a community group has proposed an alternative vision for the site. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi County launches online road resurfacing and bridge status map. The County of Kaua‘i has launched an online Road Resurfacing and Bridge Status map, which enables the public to easily track the location of past, current and upcoming road projects. Kauai Now.