Tax hikes for schools, audit sought in $60M state contract failure, Caldwell's State of the City address, Pohakuloa Training Area under fire for pollution, former Kauai mayor running again, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Public school, courtesy Hawaii Department of Education

Constitutional amendment seeks increased taxes for public schools. A plan to ask voters whether the state should create a dedicated funding stream for public schools by taxing investment homes and visitor accommodations is back in play after nearly a month of inaction in the House. Star-Advertiser.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee advanced a measure Tuesday to dramatically cut funding to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the state agency responsible for marketing Hawaii to the world. Star-Advertiser.

State senators are demanding an audit of the state Tax Department's $60 million computer modernization project. Hawaii News Now.

A project manager who oversaw the $60 million Tax System Modernization project for the state was identified Tuesday as the person who coached an outside consultant on what issues to address and what to say in public reports on the progress of the project. Star-Advertiser.

Mandatory or unconstitutional?: House debates bill that would tax online sales. The House amended a bill Tuesday whose topic of taxing online sales continues to be a big issue at the Capitol — and may even lead to lawsuits from internet companies. Hawaii News Now.

Senate Waters Down Bill To Set Minimum Police Officer Standards. Every state except Hawaii already does so, but a measure that passed the House has been gutted in the Senate. Civil Beat.

Panel supports bill to help Hawaiians keep ancestral land. The bill was introduced after Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg in late 2016 filed lawsuits to identify owners of 14 parcels interspersed within a 700-acre oceanfront estate he owns on Kauai Island. Associated Press.

New push underway to test all students for mental health disorders. Mental health advocates are pushing schools to screen every student for mental health issues. Hawaii News Now.

A bill that would prohibit certain types of restraints and tethers used on animals is moving forward. HB2072 HD2 SD1 just passed the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and will now head to conference committee. KHON2.

Schatz For President In 2020? Don’t Count On It, He Says. Told his name is being “bandied about” as a possible candidate, the Hawaii senator dismissed any notion that he might run. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Reps. Tulsi Gabbard and Colleen Hanabusa introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen civil defense preparedness in Hawaii and across the country. Garden Island.

Little Agreement Over Toxoplasmosis Solution. The debate largely boils down to one question: should feral cats be eradicated? Hawaii Public Radio.

A $15 Billion Price Tag To Protect Hawaii Highways from Climate Change. As the state braces for sea level rise, vulnerable roads could be moved inland — and tunneled through mountains. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is sponsoring a peace rally today on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Star-Advertiser.

Home prices in Hawaii rose by a smaller percentage than the national average over the past year and Oahu and Maui are among the markets that are considered overvalued, according to the monthly CoreLogic Home Price Index for February. Pacific Business News.

Are there downsides to a low unemployment rate? In Hawaii, which has the United States' lowest jobless rate at a minuscule 2.1 percent, the answer is yes. Associated Press.

Hawaii bankruptcies up 10.5 percent in March. Statewide bankruptcies rose for the second time in three months in March despite continuing signs that the economy remains on strong footing. Star-Advertiser.

A&B finishes mainland real estate sell-off. Alexander & Baldwin Inc. announced Tuesday that it sold its last commercial property on the mainland. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s plan to legalize more vacation rentals but under stricter regulations got mostly lukewarm feedback from a housing advocate and key City Council member, as well as both a supporter and opponent of short-term rentals. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu mayor discusses affordable housing, rail budget in sixth State of the City address. Hawaii News Now.

State of the City: Mayor talks affordable housing, rail funding and short-term vacation rentals. KITV.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell gave his State of the City address on Tuesday night on the grounds of the Neal Blaisdell Center. KHON2.

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Settlement reached after city worker is accused of misusing resources. According to the city's Ethics Commission, the employee did not take appropriate vacation leave when working at a non-city job. KHON2.

Rents in Honolulu steady, or down, two reports say. Renters are paying the same or less for one- and two-bedroom apartments in Honolulu, compared to a year ago, according to reports from Apartment List and Zumper that agree on one thing — rents are not rising in Hawaii’s largest city. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu is looking for a better way to deal with feral chickens after its first attempt at getting a handle on the birds resulted in a cost of $108 per chicken caught and killed. Associated Press.

Iconic Magnum PI house to be demolished. The owner of the 8,900 square-foot Waimanalo mansion, Marty Nesbitt, was purchased for $8.7 million in 2015, but is said to be in disrepair. Hawaii News Now.

Demolition begins for Magnum P.I. home in Waimanalo. KITV.

Hawaii Island

A Circuit Court judge ruled Tuesday that the state Department of Land and Natural Resources failed to “malama aina,” or care for the land, under a lease it has with the U.S. Army at the Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser.

A Hawaii judge ruled Tuesday that the state has failed to enforce a lease requiring the U.S. military to clean up debris on the Army’s Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii Island. Civil Beat.

A Honolulu Circuit Court judge has ruled the state breached its duties to “malama aina” with respect to lands it is leasing to the U.S. Army as part of the Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii Island. Tribune-Herald.

Four years after two Hawaiians filed suit against the state for its alleged breach of trust regarding its lease of Pohakuloa lands to the U.S. Army, a circuit court judge has ruled in their favor. Big Island Video News.

Judge orders more oversight at Pohakuloa Training Area. KHON2.

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EnVision Maunakea, a community-based initiative designed to gather a wide range of Hawaii Island perspectives about Maunakea’s future, has released its long-awaited report. Big Island Now.

Senate bill calling for new Mauna Kea management stalls in the House. KITV.

County watching Maui wastewater discharge case. The Hawaii County Environmental Management Commission last week resolved that the county should exceed goals and policies of the federal Clean Water Act regarding wastewater discharge rather than merely comply with the letter of the law. West Hawaii Today.

Kim names Simeon DPW director. Mayor Harry Kim has completed his Cabinet rebuild, following a spate of resignations last fall. West Hawaii Today.

A measure to fund full-time lifeguards at Kua Bay needs to pass its final Senate committee by the end of this week to stay afloat. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The State Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration will hold a public informational meeting for the proposed Paia Relief Route project to address existing traffic congestion along Hana Highway in Paia. Maui Now.

Utility-scale solar projects near the ‘finish line’ but need more time. Lahaina, Kihei projects focused on connection with MECO, Maui grid. Maui News.

Maui Tacos announced plans to expand nationwide, with six new store openings scheduled for 2018 and 12 new stores slated for 2019. Maui Now.

Kauai

Yukimura announces mayoral bid. Councilwoman and former mayor JoAnn Yukimura announced Tuesday she is seeking Kauai’s top elected post. Garden Island.

Former mayor and city council member JoAnn Yukimura has joined the race to become Kauai's next mayor. Hawaii News Now.

Project expected to help meet housing need. The 235 lots planned for Kealia Mauka Homesites are aimed at local families, according to project representatives working on a draft environmental impact statement. Garden Island.

Gov. David Ige issued today an emergency proclamation for Kauai after heavy rains caused a series of landslides onto Kuhio Highway, isolating the communities of Haena and Wainiha near Hanalei. Star-Advertiser.

The governor on Tuesday declared the District of Hanalei a disaster area. Garden Island.

Kauai's Russian Fort Might Be Less Russian Than Believed. Paulaula o Hipo, the site of Fort Elizabeth, the fort built by Russian trading interests in the early 19th century, is best remembered as the setting for the brief alliance between the Russian-American Company and Kauai's High Chief Kaumualii. Hawaii Public Radio.

Woman claims late Sen. Inouye sexually harassed her, leasing library land, Legislature's lax ethics, Hawaii last in return on taxpayer investment, polystyrene ban advances, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii State Library ©2018 All Hawaii News

A bill that would rent out library land and facilities as a way to generate revenue is proceeding through the state Legislature as quietly as libraries themselves. West Hawaii Today.

Paid Family Leave Legislation Advances in House and Senate. State lawmakers are on the verge of passing legislation for paid family leave in Hawaii. Hawaii Public Radio.

Could Hawaii Be the First State to Ban Polystyrene Food Containers? First it was Maui County then Hawaii County, and now the State is considering a ban on polystyrene food containers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii ranked last in the nation for taxpayer return on investment in 2018, according to a WalletHub study released today. Star-Advertiser.

#MeToo: One Woman’s Story Of Sexual Harassment By Hawaii Sen. Dan Inouye. Megan Bailiff says her treatment by the late U.S. senator — and the staffers who protected him — changed her life. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Ethics too lax at Legislature. “Following the rules” ordinarily equates to ethical behavior, except where the rules themselves set a ridiculously low standard. Star-Advertiser.

Super PAC’s Attack Reveals Gaps In Hawaii Campaign Finance Law. Voters can’t find out who’s funding a new website with claims of domestic violence against a candidate for governor until after the primary election. Civil Beat.

State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers endorses Hanabusa for governor. Hawaii News Now.

Visitor industry looks to attract high schoolers. A visitor industry-supported workforce development program kicks off this week to encourage young people to pursue tourism careers, an important recruitment step at a time when the state’s visitor industry is vying to attract candidates amid record unemployment lows. Star-Advertiser.

Humpbacks are seen in smaller numbers. The number of humpback whales seen in coastal waters fell once again during this weekend’s Sanctuary Ocean Count, continuing a trend this season and beyond. Star-Advertiser.

Nene population nears 3,000 statewide. Conservationists say a new proposal to reclassify the nene from endangered to threatened shows that “great strides” have been made in recovering the species, whose population dropped to 30 animals in 1960. Tribune-Herald.

Environmental group is turning Hawaii's ocean waste into energy. Since 2002, about 800 tons of abandoned ocean gear has been burned and turned it into electricity — enough to power 350 homes in Hawaii for a year. Hawaii News Now.

Kaiser Permanente has hired a new president for the Hawaii region. Dave Underriner will begin as head of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals of Hawaii in mid-May, the company said Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's flagship carrier Hawaiian Airlines on Monday said it signed a new partnership with natural, organic sun care company Raw Elements USA. Pacific Business News.

Hotel gives out environmental friendly sunscreen to protect Hawaii's coral reefs. Aqua-Aston Hospitality's statewide initiative steers tourists away from Oxybenzone, and does so in the most effective way possible: Giving away reef-safe sunscreen for free. KITV.

Oahu

Caldwell to announce plan for more B&Bs, longer-term vacation rentals. In his sixth State of the City speech today, Mayor Kirk Caldwell will unveil his plan to allow for more legal bed-and-breakfast establishments and transient vacation units across Oahu, but only if the operators are also the owners of those homes, abide by stricter guidelines, pay higher property taxes and pay stricter penalties when they run afoul of the law. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell will be delivering his sixth State of the City address on Tuesday at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center. Hawaii News Now.

Could giving pedestrians a head start make crosswalks safer? The technical term is "leading pedestrian intervals." Hawaii News Now.

Biki to add more stops as bike share program expands on Oahu. KHON2.

Feral chickens flummox city officials. The city is looking for a better way to deal with chickens after its first attempts resulted in a cost of $108 per chicken caught and killed. Star-Advertiser.

The Army is spending about $3.5 million over nearly two months to search for unexploded ordnance off Makua Beach after a 5-inch projectile was found offshore in 2016, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii home made famous by 'Magnum P.I." slated to come down. CBS is wrapping up filming its pilot of the reboot of “Magnum, P.I.” in Hawaii, but the house made famous by the 1980s television series of the same name and purchased by a friend of President Barack Obama three years ago, likely won’t be featured in the new series. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Mauna Kea governance bill appears dead. A bill to revamp the governance of public lands on Mauna Kea appears to be dead in the state House after Finance Committee Chairwoman Sylvia Luke said she will not consider the measure. Star-Advertiser.

Maunakea management bill to be debated Thursday; Senate rewrites House measure to keep issue alive. Legislation to create a new management authority for Maunakea is getting another chance after apparently stalling in the House. Tribune-Herald.

A House Bill requiring land board reporting on public lands has been dramatically altered, bringing new life to a stalled legislative effort to create a Mauna Kea Management Authority. Big Island Video News.

A beloved symbol of Hawaii returned to Hilo on Monday when the voyaging canoe Hokulea arrived at Kahele Point at the Grand Naniloa Hotel for the first time since 2014. Hokulea departed from Hilo in May 2014 on the three-year-long Malama Honua voyage, where it circumnavigated the globe using only traditional Polynesian wayfaring techniques. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Another moving day for homeless people on Maui. Notice to vacate is enforced near Shiraishi Pool in Central Maui. Maui News.

Will Lawmakers Help These Low-Income Tenants Stay In Their Lahaina Homes? More than 250 tenants of a subsidized Maui apartment complex fear eviction amid the owner’s plans to raise rents to market rates. Civil Beat.

Lahaina ferry pier improvements are ready to proceed. Maui News.

Maui's transportation department will be testing an all-electric bus along different routes this week. The vehicle is on loan from Proterra Inc. KHON2.

Kauai

The Death Spiral Of A Local Shopping Mall. Kukui Grove Shopping Center on Kauai is not alone in its demise, but its fadeout is still a community loss. Civil Beat.

Lanai

The Lanai Planning Commission made history by changing the boundary for the entire island. The commission worked with the planning department to revise the island's special management area boundary. KHON2.

Powerful senator's private business tied to legislative actions, Ige blasts 'backroom deals,' Kenoi discloses cancer battle, famed Molokai mule trail in legal dispute, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

humpback whale breach Kohala Sail & Sea Michael Faughn

Whale count: Nearly 3 dozen spotted in just 15 minute time frame. Hawaii News Now.

State senator’s actions highlight gaps in ethics laws. Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz recently supported a bill to take more than $40 million away from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, a state agency that had denied the private company where he works an estimated $3.5 million worth of contracts over the last year or so. Star-Advertiser.

Ige Fires Back: Hawaii Doesn’t Need ‘Backroom Deals’. The governor says legislative leaders who now support Colleen Hanabusa are using their political power to manipulate the voters. Civil Beat.

House Finance Chairwoman Sylvia Luke berated Gov. David Ige and some of his department heads over conflicting testimony and tepid support for a proposal to set up a state-managed paid family leave program for Hawaii workers. Star-Advertiser.

A Senate bill making its way through the state Legislature would boost funding to improve state-owned trails across Hawaii and promote hiking safety and etiquette. Star-Advertiser.

‘Kaulana’s Law’ for fatal hit-and-run cases awaits floor vote. Star-Advertiser.

Early college program expands dramatically. Encouraging Hawaii’s public school students to chart their career and college paths as early as freshman year appears to be bearing fruit, according to a report released today. Star-Advertiser.

State studies ways to help ex-inmates find jobs. In 2016 Hawaii had a recidivism rate of about 63 percent, according to a study by the Attorney General’s Office. Star-Advertiser.

Requiring athletic trainers at every school makes Hawaii a national model. A state law enacted 25 years ago has helped make countless Hawaii student athletes healthier — and is also paying dividends that could someday be felt nationally or even worldwide. Star-Advertiser.

Marshallese in Hawaii struggling with poverty, according to new report. Extreme racial disparities exist among Hawaii’s population, with a growing number of immigrants from the Pacific islands living in poverty. Star-Advertiser.

A Hawaii-based nonprofit is disputing a report by the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, which analyzed the impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, saying the state agency left out “crucial details of federal tax law.” Pacific Business News.

Hurricanes and tsunamis get a lot more attention, but wildfires are one of the state's most common threats. Hawaii Public Radio.

Nene could be off the endangered species list in a year. KITV.

Oahu

Expect the Honolulu Police Department to gradually begin rolling out body cameras for officers by the end of the summer, Chief Susan Ballard said this week. Star-Advertiser.

How ‘Blind Faith’ Led To Hawaii’s Biggest Police Corruption Scandal. Federal public defenders quickly unraveled a case about the alleged theft of a mailbox. How did  U.S. attorneys miss the clues? Civil Beat.

A ceremony is scheduled for the $1.5B USS Daniel Inouye. Irene Hirano Inouye, the widow of U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye, will participate in a keel-joining ceremony — a major milestone in the life of a Navy ship — in May in Bath, Maine, as work progresses on the $1.5 billion destroyer named for the Medal of Honor recipient and legendary Hawaii lawmaker. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige on Friday had his second sit-down this month with the leader of one of Oahu’s largest homeless encampments following the governor’s March 13 pledge not to sweep Pu‘uhonua o Waianae, located next to the Waianae Small Boat Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

City Has No Aloha For A Waianae School Crosswalk. The Waianae parents and community leaders are flabbergasted that the city painted over their crosswalks. Civil Beat.

Nalo Farms to restructure for survival. Dean Okimoto of Nalo Farms in Waimanalo has made a difficult decision to sell his prime farm site, 2.5 acres passed to him by his parents, and transfer a lease on 14 acres of nearby state land to his leading farmworkers to keep Nalo Farms operating with him as a minority partner. Star-Advertiser.

Goat cheese and former Navy housing mix on a North Shore farm. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Former Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi announced in a Facebook post Thursday that he is battling a rare, aggressive cancer. Tribune-Herald.

Former Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi wrote a lengthy Facebook message to friends, family, clients and students that a rare form of bone cancer he was diagnosed with three years ago has recently returned with a vengeance. Star-Advertiser.

Aina Lea developer prevails in federal taking case. A federal jury sided with a South Kohala developer, agreeing that a state Land Use Commission’s decision to reclassify more than 1,000 acres at Aina Lea was a constitutional taking of the property without just compensation. West Hawaii Today.

Police chief says proposed budget lacks funding to reinforce Puna, Ka'u districts. Tribune-Herald.

Council throws another $4M into Lono Kona. When bids for the Lono Kona sewer project came in earlier this year, the county tossed them out, hoping for a better deal. West Hawaii Today.

A Senate committee amended a bill authorizing a $25 million special purpose revenue bond for a small electrical satellite launch facility in response to strong opposition from Ka'u residents. Tribune-Herald.

Kanaka Rangers: It’s Time To Move Forward With Hawaiian Homesteads. The state is decades behind in awarding land to Native Hawaiians on Mauna Kea and elsewhere under the state homestead act. Civil Beat.

As funding cuts loom, GVS Accelerator hopes first major release inspires continued support. West Hawaii Today.

Vendors Are Dripping In Hilo As Farmers’ Market Weathers Political Storm. Tarps and tents that keep products and sellers dry have been ordered removed by county officials. Civil Beat.

Paddle boarder was alongside his dad when shark bit him. A stand-up paddle boarder is still fighting for his life after a shark attack in Kona waters Saturday morning. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday, for the second month in a row, dealt Maui County a setback in the legal defense of its Lahaina sewage treatment plant injection wells. Star-Advertiser.

While Maui County is pursuing projects to reuse its wastewater, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has denied the county’s request for a full-panel review of its Feb. 1 decision that the county violated the Clean Water Act by pumping treated wastewater into injection wells at its Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility since the early 1980s. Maui News.

Search for Souki’s successor begins. The resignation of two-time speaker of the House and longtime Wailuku Rep. Joe Souki has kicked off the official search for his successor, at least for the rest of his term this year. Maui News.


A grand deal: Grand Wailea to be sold April 17. The amount of the sale is reportedly the second highest paid for a hotel in the U.S. Maui News.


Kauai

A roundabout is being proposed for the Kuhio Highway and Mailihuna Road intersection in Kapaa. Garden Island.

Feds: Removing shipwrecks good for reefs. The remnants of the 1800s freighter Pele lie off the coast of Kauai’s South Shore, and though there’s not much of her left, shipwrecks like Pele could offer answers to coral research. Garden Island.

Lanai

Larry Ellison’s high-tech indoor hydroponic agricultural partnership, which is projected to grow vegetables for sale cheaper than imported produce, will open late this year, according to a filing with the state Public Utilities Commission by the Oracle Corp. founder’s Lanai utility companies. Maui News.
Molokai

Molokai mule ride company evicted from trail land. Landowner says that tour operators continued to refuse to negotiate a lease. Maui News.

Lease dispute aims to put a stop to famed Molokai mule rides. The family business that provides mules rides and escorted hikes on the cliffside Kalaupapa Trail has been evicted following a lease dispute with the owner of the land it must access to provide the popular activities. Star-Advertiser.

Arguably one of the most unique things to do in Hawaii, the Molokai mule ride down to Kalaupapa could soon be a thing of the past if the two-year long legal dispute between R.W. Meyer and Kalaupapa Rare Adventures isn't resolved. KHON2.

Hawaii Legislature passes assisted suicide bill, Senate committee advances pared down budget, top lawmakers endorse Hanabusa, medical marijuana bill would prevent firing of those testing positive, not guilty pleas in Kealoha trial, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ohia lehua captures the raindrops ©2018 All Hawaii News

State officials' message to Merrie Monarch Festival goers: Don't take the Ohia. Hawaii News Now.

A bill to legalize medically assisted death for terminally ill patients now awaits Gov. David Ige’s signature to become law after the state Senate today passed the measure. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Legislature Passes Medical Aid In Dying. The bill cleared its final hurdle in the Senate by a wide margin and is now headed to the governor for his signature. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers approved legislation Thursday that would make it the latest liberal-leaning state to legalize medically assisted suicide. Associated Press.

Medical aid-in-dying passes Senate, heads to governor. KHON2.

The Hawaii Senate on Thursday voted 23-2 to pass House Bill 2739 titled “Our Care, Our Choice Act.” Maui Now.

Sen. Breene Harimoto, D, Pearl City, Aiea, Halawa, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. He made the announcement Thursday on the Senate floor at the State Capitol as he cast his vote against "Our Care, Our Choice," Hawaii's medical-aid-in-dying bill. KHON2.

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Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Donovan Dela Cruz criticized Gov. David Ige’s proposed budget for next year as an example of “overspending” as Dela Cruz released his own budget proposal Thursday totaling $14.3 billion. Star-Advertiser.

Top leaders at the Hawaii State Legislature are throwing the full power of their legislative offices behind Colleen Hanabusa in her bid to unseat David Ige for the governor’s office. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii State Senate confirmed Russell Suzuki as Hawaii attorney general on Thursday via unanimous vote. Hawaii News Now.

A bill to allow out-of-state marijuana patients to buy their medicine at local dispensaries and prohibit employers from firing workers with cannabis cards who test positive for the drug passed out of a key committee Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Medical marijuana cardholders from out of state may soon be able to purchase the drug in Hawaii, if a bill at the state Legislature continues to move forward. Pacific Business News.

After Nearly 20 Years, Legislature Rethinks Payday Lending. The state’s growing demand for payday loans is no surprise given the high cost of living in the islands. But with interest rates as high as 459 percent, lawmakers are demanding greater regulation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s visitor industry tries to improve nuclear response. It’s possible that Hawaii’s visitor industry could achieve its seventh record-setting year in a row in 2018, provided that the state doesn’t fall victim to a natural or man-made disaster like a nuclear attack. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s hotel industry hosted an emergency preparedness workshop today as a follow-up to the state’s false missile alert earlier this year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Shipping Company Prepares for the Next Disaster. Hawaii Public Radio.

In light of evolving natural resource concerns and the needs of managers and people, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife is proposing updates to rules regulating activities within Hawaii’s Forest Reserve System. DOFAW is now inviting input and comments. Information hearings will be held across the state in April. Big Island Now.

Outrigger Hotels and Resorts said Thursday it has named Jeff Wagoner to be its new president and chief executive officer. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines has relinquished its usual top position as the most punctual carrier in the country. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Kealohas, Accused Cops Plead Not Guilty To Newest Charges. Federal prosecutors added three new charges in the corruption case involving the former police chief and his deputy prosecutor wife. Civil Beat.

'We are not guilty': Ex-police chief says he looks forward to day in court. Hawaii News Now.

"We plead not guilty because we are not guilty," said former Honolulu Police Chief, Louis Kealoha, moments after he entered a not guilty plea in federal court Thursday. KITV.

Retired police chief Louis Kealoha and his deputy prosecutor wife Katherine were back in federal court this morning to answer to more charges. They pled not guilty. KHON2.

HECO: More Than Half Of Us Will Be Driving Electric Vehicles By 2045. The state’s largest power utility is preparing for a surge in ownership of EVs during the next 30 years. Civil Beat.

Oahu led all Islands in tourism gains in February as total visitor spending surged nearly 13 percent to $1.52 billion, according to preliminary statistics released Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

The Lanikai Pillbox hiking trail will remain open after all, the state said in a news release today. Star-Advertiser.

Fleetwood Mac bassist John McVie has sold his Honolulu home for $5.4 million, according to Mansion Global. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Council wants voters to weigh in on future raises. A charter amendment is unnecessary, Salary Commission officials told the County Council on Wednesday, because the commission is changing its administrative rules to add more transparency to the way it doles out raises.  West Hawaii Today.

The head of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands said a group that started an “Aloha Safety Checkpoint” on beneficiary lands along the Maunakea Access Road this week did so without permission. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply took the first step toward augmenting its existing staff by proposing the addition of 19 new positions at the Water Board’s monthly meeting Tuesday in Hilo. West Hawaii Today.

Mayor Kim: Hilo Farmers Market Info “Wrong And Misleading”. Big Island Video News.

A bill that would take $30,000 from the Geothermal Relocation and Community Fund and in order to provide access to computers and Wi-Fi at the Pahoa Community Center was panned by testifiers on Wednesday before the council voted 6-3 to advance the measure to second reading. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui County Council Budget and Finance Committee Chairman Riki Hokama did not get specific on projects or budget items he would support or object to in Mayor Alan Arakawa’s proposed $820 million fiscal 2019 budget, but he said the council should look into completing projects already on the books, as well as filling current staff vacancies, before creating new jobs and craft a budget allowing for flexibility for a new administration. Maui News.

Students from a number of schools walked out of class in a show of resistance against the placement of the state flag. One of the biggest protests happened on Maui at Hana High School, which also attracted members of the community. KITV.

Haiku residents were opposed overwhelmingly to a new zip-line operation at a community meeting Wednesday night called by its developer who already has racked up more than a half a million dollars in fines running another zip line in the region. Maui News.

Longer Stays on Maui Boost Visitor Spending in February. Maui Now.

Renovation begins on Waiehu Municipal Golf Course’s back nine greens starting April 16, the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation announced Thursday. Maui Now.

Kauai

Bus stop ‘angel’ arrested. For more than a year, El Aina Danine lived at the bus stop fronting the Kapaa Neighborhood Center. She slept there. She ate there. She read there. She fed chickens there. Garden Island.

Experts study snorkel safety, Honolulu council strikes 'in lieu' fees for affordable housing, Fukumoto announces congressional bid, tourists average $600 nightly for luxury hotels, $100M highway money for Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii snorkel ©2018 All Hawaii News

In the last five years, 90 people have died in snorkeling related activities, according to the state Department of Health. And a rise in that number has prompted experts to try to figure out why. Hawaii News Now.

Several dozen stakeholders — including lifeguards, tour boat operators, doctors and members of the tourism industry — convened at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort on Wednesday to discuss the prevention of snorkel-related drownings among visitors in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii visitors were willing to pay, on average, nearly $600 a night to stay in a luxury property last month, which hotel executives say was one of the most remarkable months for Hawaii hotel performance in nearly three decades. Star-Advertiser.

New tax benefits likely overstated for Hawaii’s poorest. The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, which issued a report with the estimate March 12, now says it probably overestimated the average savings for 92,030 Hawaii taxpayers earning up to $10,000 under the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Star-Advertiser.

State Rep. Beth Fukumoto, who garnered national attention for leaving the GOP, announced Thursday she’s running for Congress. Hawaii News Now.

She Was An ‘R,’ Now She’s A ‘D’ — And Running For Congress. State Rep. Beth Fukumoto hopes to ride anti-Trump sentiment to Capitol Hill. Civil Beat.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz has a big idea. He wants to eliminate student debt for any one who needs a loan to attend a public college or university. Civil Beat.

Medical Aid In Dying: A Long Journey From No To Yes For These Lawmakers. More than a decade of life experiences and listening changed the minds of Hawaii legislators on an emotional issue that often divides people by faith and values. Civil Beat.

State lawmakers will hear a bill today that would cap the number of standardized tests students take at four per school year. House Bill 2117 says limiting the assessments would help “promote real-world learning experiences for Hawaii’s children.” Tribune-Herald.

A bill nearing a final vote in the state Legislature would require counties to dispose of abandoned vehicles on public roads within 10 business days of abandonment. Tribune-Herald.

The Cable Television Division of the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs issued a decision and order keeping ‘Olelo’s community-access channels in their current locations until 2036, it was announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Caldwell likely to sign affordable housing bill. A new citywide affordable housing policy won final approval Wednesday from the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

The City Council unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday that urges the mayor to address concerns about a plan to eliminate beachfront parking at Ala Moana Regional Park. Hawaii News Now.

A bill creating a monthly $5 charge for curbside trash pickup cleared its first hurdle at the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday but still has a long way to go. Star-Advertiser.

US prosecutors want one corruption trial against former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha, his deputy prosecutor wife Katherine, three current officers, and one former police major. KITV.

Board of Water Supply seeks public feedback on proposed rate increases. KHON2.

The water is rising. Is Hawaii's largest public works project ready? Hawaii News Now.

Formerly homeless vets get a fresh start at West Oahu complex. Hawaii News Now.

Complete Streets community events slated for Kaneohe, Kailua, Pearl City. KHON2.

Firefighters have determined a Makiki fire in which a 49-year-old man was found dead last week was intentionally set, a Honolulu Fire Department spokesman said. Star-Advertiser.

FBI investigates Waipahu church for alleged human trafficking. Hawaii News Now.

Kapiolani Community College narrows search for chancellor to 3 finalists. Hawaii News Now.

More than 150 employers were on hand today for this year’s Star-Advertiser Career Expo. Hawaii Public Radio.

Employers search for rare ‘diamonds’ in rough job market. With the state sporting a February unemployment rate of 2.1 percent, the lowest in the country, more than 160 companies and organizations on Wednesday hoped to attract workers who are already employed to the Career Expo 2018 held at the Neal Blaisdell Center. Star-Advertiser.

Target is voluntarily recalling nearly 250 frozen food items sold at its Ala Moana location. The company says the products affected may be spoiled and can cause serious illness, if consumed. KITV.

Hawaii Island

Council eyes using portion of geothermal royalties to get internet access at Pahoa Community Center. Tribune-Herald.

Local TV Is Getting Bigger and Bolder. Na Leo TV has greatly expanded its staff, facilities and its presence on the island. Civil Beat.

A Hawaii Island doctor accused of prescription fraud changed his plea to guilty to some of the various charges he was indicted on last year. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Expected to Get $100M in Federal Highway Funds. The public is invited to learn about proposed federal transportation projects for Maui at four community workshops in April. Maui Now.

United States District Court Judge J. Michael Seabright sentenced 32-year-old Cody Joslin to 18 months in prison today, March 28, 2018, for theft of funds from the US Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Maui Now.

Kauai

A bill proposing the $5.6 million purchase of land in Hanalei by the County of Kauai was moved forward at Wednesday’s County Council meeting. Garden Island.

People should think twice about jumping into the water at Koloa Landing right now, according to the Kauai chapter of Surfrider and the state Department of Health, as a brown plume was seen there Tuesday afternoon. Garden Island.

Anyone interested in being an extra in one of Hollywood’s upcoming action/adventure movies being filmed on Kauai can audition to be part of the cast or crew on Saturday. Garden Island.

Economic disparities in Pacific Islander races, Obama statue posed, Hee's messy divorce fodder in gubernatorial race, Tsutsui endorses Hanabusa, affordable housing in Honolulu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kayaking in Hawaii ©2018 All Hawaii News

Although Hawaii has a reputation as a “racial paradise” and Asian-Pacific Islanders are often considered a single racial category, there are huge differences in socioeconomic well-being among Hawaii’s various Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Civil Beat.

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism released a report on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, which shows the different lifestyles among the 14 top race groups in Hawaii. Big Island Now.

Report: Hawaii has ‘diversified culture’. Garden Island.

State on high alert after hackers target 2 agencies in 'phishing' attack. So-called "phishing attacks" targeted state computers over the holiday weekend, officials confirm. Hawaii News Now.

A state Senate committee in Hawaii is calling for a statue of former President Barack Obama to be erected in the state where he was born. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously Tuesday for a resolution requesting that the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts commission the statue. Associated Press.

Super PAC attacks Hee using divorce filings. Former state Sen. Clayton Hee, who recently announced he is running for governor, was accused of verbal and physical abuse by his former wife Lyla Berg in 1989 divorce filings, according to state court records.  Star-Advertiser.

Former Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui announced Tuesday that he will be endorsing U.S. Rep Colleen Hanabusa for governor in the upcoming election. Hawaii News Now.

Ige's former lieutenant governor backs Hanabusa. KHON2.

Former Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui raised the arm of U.S. Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa and declared her the next governor of Hawaii to resounding cheers Tuesday evening outside her new campaign headquarters at the Old Kahului Shopping Center. Maui News.

A bill that allocates transient accommodations tax revenues to Kauai, Hawaii and Maui counties from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2030 passed through the House of Representatives Tuesday with 44 out of 51 votes in favor of the bill. Garden Island.

The state House passed a bill Tuesday increasing the counties’ share of transient accommodations tax revenue. Tribune-Herald.

While a bill that would restructure the management of the state’s airports is nearing passage, supporters of the bill fear it is missing terms that would allow it to better serve its purpose. Tribune-Herald.

Parasite spread by feral cats threatens native wildlife, strengthening calls for action. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply is proposing to raise the price of municipal water over the next four years and have larger users in single-family homes shoulder more of the increase that’s being sought to keep up with expenses. Star-Advertiser.

Developers and homebuilders would no longer be able to pay cash “in-lieu” fees under a new affordable-housing policy that’s scheduled for a final vote of the Honolulu City Council today. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Affordable Housing Bill Advances Without "In Lieu of Construction Fee". Hawaii Public Radio.

Updated Honolulu Housing Bill Seeks The Middle Ground. Councilwoman Kymberly Pine made concessions to housing advocates and developers alike in hopes that the measure will pass the full council Wednesday. Civil Beat.

HART: "We don't need $44M from Mayor Caldwell". The Honolulu City Council Budget Committee reviewed the Mayor’s nearly 3.5 billion dollar operating and construction budget for 2019 today. Hawaii Public Radio.

Holo card will be used to pay fares for TheBus, TheHandi-Van and, eventually, rail. The city Tuesday unveiled Oahu’s first Holo transit smart card, lauding it as a significant technological upgrade and step closer to Honolulu’s goal of multimodal transportation. Star-Advertiser.

Goodbye, bus passes. New 'HOLO' cards to be used for buses, rail. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu officials debuted “Holo,” the city’s new smart-card pass Tuesday, a program that should eventually give public transit users another option besides cash or passes to ride TheBus, the Handi-Van and, years from now, the rail system. Civil Beat.

Say goodbye to the old bus passes. The city and county of Honolulu unveils how people will pay for transit, and more, in the future. KITV.

Police raid building in Liliha, gaming machines removed. KHON2.

A two-month project to rehabilitate the Lanikai pillboxes will begin Wednesday, barring access to hikers for at least 60 days. Hawaii News Now.

Tripler nurse accused of stealing 8,500 pills from hospital. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

The county’s biggest budget to date drew little public interest Tuesday evening, with no people coming out to talk about the $515.7 million spending plan at an evening public hearing. West Hawaii Today.

Futuristic Spaceport Gets Chilly Big Island Reception. Some lawmakers have proposed issuing special revenue bonds to help SpinLaunch build a facility on Hawaii Island for catapulting satellites into space. Civil Beat.

The water woes in North Kona have subsided, to a degree, but members of the Hawaii County Water Board explained it may be a while before they’re alleviated in full. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Five individuals have pulled papers for the 8th District House seat (representing Kahakuloa, Waihee, Waiehu, Puuohala, Wailuku, Waikapu), to fill the post being vacated by longtime Representative Joe Souki of Maui. Maui Now.

West and South Maui Sen. Roz Baker has taken out nomination papers for re-election to the 6th Senatorial District seat she has held since 2002. Maui News.

By scheduling five firefighters per work crew, instead of a minimum of four, Maui County’s Department of Fire and Public Safety is saving approximately $4.5 million annually in overtime pay, according to a recent external audit reviewed Tuesday by council members. Maui News.

The Neighbor Islands’ resident population percentages have grown incrementally since 2000 while Oahu’s share, while still dominant, has shrunk by 3 percentage points, U.S. Census Bureau data released last week show. Maui News.

The Maui District Health Office of the Department of Health, located at the Wailuku State Office Building, will undergo renovations beginning Monday, April 2. Maui Now.

Kauai

Cab fare hikes proposed. The Kauai County Council is scheduled to meet today. Garden Island.

A bellstone believed by some to be missing from a sacred site on Kauai apparently isn’t missing at all, according to the state. It’s at the Kauai Museum. Garden Island.

Voter approval of Ige, Caldwell, drop in poll; Obama spotted on island; iconic farmers market changing; biofuel farm mulled for Molokai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hilo Farmers Market ©2018 All Hawaii News

County gets tough after iconic Hilo Farmers Market fails to fix code violations. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo Farmers Market has been ordered by Hawaii County to take down all of its existing tarps and tents because of fire safety and zoning violations. KITV.

Former President Barack Obama is on Oahu following an Asia-Pacific trip that included stops in Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, and Australia. KHON2.

Voter approval numbers for Gov. David Ige and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell have declined in the last two years, according to the latest Honolulu Star-Advertiser poll. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige plans on pushing his administration’s accomplishments to the forefront of his campaign over the next four or five months, saying he’s been “too humble” about his successes. Garden Island.

Five in 7 Hawaii voters support efforts at the state Capitol to legalize medical aid in dying for terminally ill patients, according to the latest Hawaii Poll by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, which found consistent support across younger and older voters, men and women, and ethnic groups statewide. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers call for tougher laws, penalties for child care providers. Under the bill, House Bill 2528, any adult relatives who help daycare operators care for children will be required to get a criminal background check. Hawaii News Now.

Should electric and hybrid car owners pay more to register their cars? It's a proposal being considered by state lawmakers to help fix our highways. KHON2.

Electric utility companies largely unprepared for anticipated EV boom, report says. Though Hawaii has one of the highest EV adoption rates in the county, the total number of battery-powered cars represents less than 1 percent of all passenger vehicles in the state. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii’s inventory of vacation rental units increased 35 percent to 23,000 from 2015 to 2017, according to a report by The Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice. Pacific Business News.

Some of Hawaii’s major labor unions are gearing up for a tough year ahead. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s Medical Pot Program Struggling To Get Its Act Together. The licensing and inspection programs remain very short-staffed, but pot shop owners are pleased by the state’s recruitment efforts. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Oahu voters overwhelmingly support a ban on so-called monster houses, according to the latest Hawaii Poll. Star-Advertiser.

Waikiki condo seeks to ban short-term rentals.  fierce battle is brewing at Waikiki Lanais over whether the condominium board has the right to ban short-term vacation rentals at the 160-unit building where the practice has been going on for decades. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers asked to approve sale of Kakaako property for new wastewater facility. A public hearing will be held Tuesday on a resolution to approve the sale of land on Forrest Avenue and Ala Moana Boulevard. KHON2.

Cure Oahu begins cannabis sales. Hawaii’s fifth dispensary began pakalolo sales Friday, with a steady flow of medical marijuana patients registering and visiting the Kapahulu retailer. Star-Advertiser.

The number of solar permits issued on Oahu rose in February for the second straight month after declining for two years in a row. Star-Advertiser.

Cardax Inc.’s first full year of revenue from its new anti-inflammatory product produced robust results. The Honolulu-based company, which launched ZanthoSyn in August 2016, was scheduled to announce today that it generated $610,323 in sales last year compared with $35,258 from its product’s limited release the year before. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu-based accelerator Blue Startups is partnering with Singapore-based venture capital investment platform Hatcher+ to co-invest in its startups. Pacific Business News.

No one was hurt today after a helicopter with four people on board made an emergency landing in a softball field at Koko Head Neighborhood Park. Star-Advertiser.

Mariota expanding role as philanthropist with Motiv8 Foundation. Hawaii News Now.

Monday marked the state holiday celebrating the birthday of a Hawaiian Alii, also known as a citizen prince, Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. Many gathered to pay tribute to the Hawaiian monarch at the Royal Mausoleum in Nu'uanu for Kuhio day honors. KITV.

Hawaii Island

Activists erect makeshift checkpoint. About two dozen people calling themselves “kanaka rangers” held an unauthorized checkpoint Monday along the Maunakea Access Road. Tribune-Herald.

With Puu Huluhulu visible in the distance, a group of Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries set up an “Aloha Safety Checkpoint” by the Mauna Kea Access Road on Prince Kūhiō Day, part of the next phase of “Aina Mauna Solution”. Big Island Video News.

Group gathers on Kuhio Day to demonstrate alleged DHHL mismanagement. KITV.

Turns out the county’s affordable housing requirements can be pretty affordable for developers. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County is looking to establish a Hilo counterpart to the proposed Village 9 homeless site in Kailua-Kona, although plans are still in preliminary stages. Associated Press.

A proposal to fund a cardiac care unit at Hilo Medical Center has nearly made it through both chambers of the state Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Report: 1 in 7 homes in county a vacation rental. Vacation rental group is disputing statistics. Maui News.

A Maui man who asserted his right to speak Hawaiian in court instead of English, has been granted a Hawaiian language interpreter. Maui Now.

County special use permit sought for Jaws zipline project. Haiku community meeting scheduled for Wednesday. Maui News.

County to remove hundreds of dead eucalyptus trees on Maui. The eucalyptus trees along Piiholo Road will be trimmed down to two-foot stumps to reduce the risk of injury or accident. Hawaii News Now.

Crews from the Maui County Department of Public Works began emergency tree removal along Piiholo Road. Maui Now.


Kauai

The Department of Public Safety is looking to fill several vacancies throughout the state for the position of adult correction officer. Garden Island.

Molokai

New Molokai Ranch Plans Pitched To A Development-Wary Island. An energy company has proposed buying the 55,000 acre ranch, which has been idle since 2008, to farm organic biofuels. Civil Beat.

Hanabusa has 20-point lead over Ige in poll, Green leading Lt. Gov. race, Kim and Chin tied in #HI01, public strongly favors Thirty Meter Telescope, Maui mayor pushes $900M budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

David Ige, Colleen Hanabusa

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa has a 20-percentage-point lead over incumbent Gov. David Ige less than five months away from the Democratic primary, with 47 percent of likely Democratic voters saying they would vote for Hanabusa if the election were held today, according to a new Hawaii Poll by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Star-Advertiser.

According to a new poll by the Star-Advertiser, Hawaii voters may be leaning towards electing a new governor. Hawaii News Now.

Many Hawaii voters are still undecided on who should be the state’s next lieutenant governor, but state Sen. Josh Green of Hawaii island has an early edge in the crowded race, according to the latest Hawaii Poll. Star-Advertiser.

Kim, Chin tie in race for U.S. House. Veteran lawmaker Donna Mercado Kim and Lt. Gov. Doug Chin are in a near tie in the race to represent urban Honolulu in the U.S. House, according to the latest Hawaii Poll, which shows the two front-runners each attracting roughly 30 percent of likely Democratic primary votes. Star-Advertiser.

Most see homeless problem getting worse. Registered island voters, in general, do not believe Hawaii’s homeless problem has improved over the last year, and 62 percent support the idea of so-called “safe zones” for homeless people to live without fear of getting swept. Star-Advertiser.

Nearly 20 years after Hawaii legalized medical marijuana, a slim majority of local residents support full legalization for recreational use of the federally illegal drug. Star-Advertiser.

A proposal to legalize medically assisted death for terminally ill patients cleared its last major hurdle at the state Legislature on Friday, paving the way for a full vote by the Senate, where the bill is expected to pass comfortably. Star-Advertiser.

The Last Committee: Medical Aid In Dying Bill Now Goes To Full Senate. The measure has been fast-tracked through the Hawaii Senate after coming over from the House earlier this month with additional safeguards. Civil Beat.

DOH Food Safety Branch says placard program working but hand-washing still an issue. It appears the state Dept. of Health's color-coded placard program is working, but even after three years since its launch, the number one problem is getting employees to wash their hands. KHON2.

Paying the Price of Technology Failures. High-profile failures of local government technology often make headlines in Hawaii. But there’s an everyday cost to those failures that are paid by businesses and citizens around the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

About 1 in 24 homes in Hawaii is a vacation rental, which is contributing to the state’s shortage of affordable housing, according to a report by an advocacy group. Associated Press.

State begins training Hawaiian language interpreters for courtrooms. Over the weekend, the state became one step closer to ensuring Hawaiian language interpreters are available for all courtrooms. Hawaii News Now.

Coast Guard crews located eight people in a life raft in waters hundreds of miles away from Hawaii Island Sunday. The Coast Guard says the eight people were part of the crew from a commercial fishing vessel named The Princess Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

A bill that would allow for a limited number of new bed-and-breakfast permits to be issued on Oahu while establishing stiffer fines for unlawful vacation rentals soon will go before the City Council. Star-Advertiser.

A hotel and condominium tower on Kapiolani Boulevard and mostly modest-priced homes on farmland in Waialua are a step closer to being developed after a Honolulu City Council committee vote Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Biki has increased the size of four existing Biki stops and installed two brand new ones. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu students lend voices as marches across country publicly decry gun violence. Star-Advertiser.

Students, teachers, parents march through downtown Honolulu to end gun violence. An estimated 5,000 people converged on the state Department of Education and then back to the state capitol. KHON2.

City and County of Honolulu offices will be closed Monday, March 26, 2018, in observance of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana‘ole Day, a state holiday. KITV.

Hawaii Island

On the eve of a court ruling that could determine the fate of the Thirty Meter Telescope in Hawaii, public support for the stalled $1.4 billion project has never been stronger. Star-Advertiser.

Kim says balanced budget isn’t enough. West Hawaii Today.

Creation of Hilo homeless facility in ‘very preliminary’ stages. Roy Takemoto, an executive assistant to Mayor Harry Kim, told the Tribune-Herald last week that the county is in the initial stages of acquiring access to two adjoining land parcels at the old airport in Hilo — located about 850 feet from Access Road — where it is looking to possibly erect tents and domes. Tribune-Herald.

There are opposite takeaways from this week’s sudden closure of Hawaii’s only homeless, government-sanctioned “ohana zone,” Camp Kikaha in Kailua-Kona. Star-Advertiser.

The County of Hawaii has ordered Hilo Farmers Market to remove the tarps and the tents that have been its primary structures for over 33 years or face $4,000 in fines for each day they remain in place. Big Island Now.

Pace of Kolekole Beach Park lead testing frustrates residents. State officials are going out to bid for more soil sampling at Kolekole Beach Park, which closed almost a year ago due to lead contamination. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Island’s natural beauty and seemingly endless opportunities for adventure have earned it a spot among TripAdvisor’s top destinations in the United States. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa is asking the Valley Isle's council members to approve a $900 million budget for fiscal year 2019. The mayor is also proposing a new three-tiered progressive property tax structure, which he said would allow rate adjustments to generate the revenue required to maintain services and infrastructure. Pacific Business News.

Mayor’s final budget proposal calls for $820 million for fiscal year 2018-19. Spending would increase by $114.8 million, or 16.3%, over current period. Maui News.

Mayor Alan Arakawa’s budget proposes a tiered scheme for property taxes designed to increase income from second homes and investment properties, a growing trend that many say aggravates Maui County’s housing crisis. Maui News.

Maui County fiscal 2018-19 budget highlights. Maui News.

The Budget and Finance Committee received Mayor Arakawa’s proposed fiscal year 2019 budget today and will begin its review with committee meetings commencing on March 29. Maui Now.

Five Wailuku residents have checked out nomination papers to seek the Central Maui 8th House District held by two-time speaker and longtime Rep. Joe Souki. Maui News.

Kauai

Prince Kuhio Park expands. Tom Shigemoto of A&B Properties announced that the deed for 16 additional acres to the existing five-acre Prince Kuhio Park is nearly done, and turnover of the land to the Royal Order should be complete by year’s end. Garden Island.

You can now get a digital camera to help out with whale and dolphin research on Kauai, but there are only five available so the waiting list could be long. Garden Island.

The county will begin relocating the Poipu lifeguard tower on Tuesday morning. The tower will be moved 75 yards east of its current location. Garden Island.