Oldest known bird hatches chick; bills would set term limits, ban pedestrian cellphone use, require pesticide buffer zones, tighten police oversight; Kahele's son seats Senate seat; Kahoolawe munitions cleanup seeks funds, competition lowering airfares, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Wisdom's mate with new chick, Feb. 8, 2016, by Kiah Walker/USFWS Volunteer

A 65-year-old Laysan albatross named Wisdom — the oldest known bird in the wild, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — is a mother again following the hatching of a chick Feb. 1 at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, part of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. Star-Advertiser.

People who use their cellphones while crossing the street could be cited and fined under a bill being considered by state legislators today. Star-Advertiser.

The state Health Department said Tuesday it will neither release the names of committee members who will select the winners of Hawaii’s eight medical marijuana dispensary licenses nor disclose any information about the selection process. Star-Advertiser.

State Sen. Russell Ruderman, a Democrat representing Puna and parts of Ka‘u who is seeking his second term, thinks state lawmakers should have term limits, and he introduced a bill capping the time a lawmaker can stay in the same office at 12 consecutive years. Tribune-Herald.

As Ethan Ferguson awaits trial on multiple sex assault charges on the Big Island, state Sen. Will Espero has continued his quest for more clarity on how Ferguson could have been hired as a state law enforcement officer in the first place. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers are looking to take control over how police cameras are used and who manages footage as increasing numbers of officers throughout the state are expected to wear video recording devices. Star-Advertiser.

A bill that would establish requirements for body-worn and vehicle cameras for county police departments was deferred Tuesday at the Hawaii State Capitol. But Senate Bill 2411 is not dead. Rather, the Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs plans to take the measure up again Feb. 16. Civil Beat.

With drone use taking off in Hawaii, lawmakers are reviewing several bills involving the popular gadgets, including several that would add privacy restrictions and one that would require users to have liability insurance. Hawaii News Now.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is hearing two bills to amend the State Constitution to provide equal rights for victims and survivors of crime. Hawaii Public Radio.

Concerned parents are calling on Hawaii lawmakers to establish buffer zones around schools to protect their children from chemicals found in pesticides. But the large agriculture companies that spray pesticides say their practices are safe, and some smaller farmers worry that buffer zones could cut into their food production. Associated Press.

Lorna Cummings Poe was one Kauai resident who testified at a state hearing Tuesday for a bill relating to pesticides and schools. Garden Island.

Should elections be conducted exclusively by mail in Hawaii? Is it time to increase fines for failing to disclose campaign expenses and contributions? Do lobbyists need to be held to a higher standard of conduct? State lawmakers are weighing a slate of so-called “good government” bills this session that could boost voter turnout and lessen the influence of money in politics. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers are looking to fund an educational program aimed at getting students, primarily those who come from low-income families, more involved in after-school activities. Associated Press.

The number of Hansen’s disease patients in Hawaii has fallen to 14 following the recent deaths of two patients at the state Department of Health’s Hale Mohalu Hospital on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Competition from Virgin America is driving down California-Hawaii flight fares. Pacific Business News.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved Larry Ellison's sale of his controlling interest in Island Air to a group of Hawaii investors and the Hawaii interisland airline's former chief has returned to the post, the airline said Monday. Pacific Business News.

Nine Hawaiʻi restaurants have received the 2016 AAA Four or AAA Five Diamond Award, the highest rating issued by AAA Hawaiʻi. Maui Now.

Oahu

The Honolulu City Council on Thursday will consider four measures that address regulation of taxicabs, as well as their ride-hailing competitors like Uber and Lyft that use smartphone applications to connect independent drivers with passengers. Star-Advertiser.

Aiea Public Library’s photovoltaic solar panels are finally up and running. The Hawaii State Public Library System made the announcement Tuesday evening. KHON2.

The beach at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve reopens at 6 a.m. Wednesday for the first time in six days. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Kai Kahele says he will seek the nomination this Saturday to fill the state Senate seat vacated by his late father, Gil Kahele. Kahele, a 41-year-old Hawaiian Airlines pilot and Hawaii Air National Guard major, said he is not taking anything for granted, but hopes to be able to see his father’s legislative priorities through the rest of the session. Tribune-Herald.

Farmers and ranchers on the Big Island concerned about the impact of agricultural theft on their business operations could get help in the coming year thanks to legislation currently proposed in the state House of Representatives. Tribune-Herald.

Tourism officials worked Tuesday to counteract negative impacts to the visitor industry following Monday’s declaration of a state of emergency in Hawaii County because of the ongoing dengue fever outbreak. Tribune-Herald.

It’s a busy place, but these days, most folks are just stopping for a restroom break and perhaps to let the kids burn off a little steam at the almost-halfway point along Daniel K. Inouye Highway between Hilo and Kona. That could all change by the end of the year, however, as a $10.5 million renovation project aims to transform the old cabins, bunkhouse and dining hall of Mauna Kea Recreation Area into a facility worthy of much longer stays. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Vendor applications and sponsorship forms for the third Made in Maui County Festival, set for Nov. 4-5 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, are currently available, the Mayor's Office of Economic Development announced Monday. Maui News.

Kauai

There hasn’t been a Chevron gas station built on Kauai for more than a decade. That changed starting Tuesday morning at the Hokulei Shopping Village. Garden Island.


Kahoolawe

Kahoolawe Reserve Commission Scrabbles For Funding. The state body that manages the former bombing range has nearly exhausted its federal funds. Civil Beat.

Hawaii voters split on Gov. David Ige in poll, House speaker's bills killed in committee, Hawaii County mayor proclaims dengue emergency, teachers could be exempt from ethics laws, Honolulu Police Department marred by favoritism, cheating at the police academy, homeless move into shipping containers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Gov. David Ige after 2014 victory, campaign courtesy photo

Only 33 percent have a negative view of President Barack Obama, says a new Civil Beat Poll. Gov. David Ige’s marks are nowhere near as high as the president’s, however, with registered voters split among positive and negative opinions. Civil Beat.

Bills introduced by powerful House Speaker Joseph Souki that would require owners of commercial lands to sell those lands to tenants are “clearly unconstitutional” and will not be heard this session, said House Water and Land Chairman Ryan Yamane. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii House Water and Land Committee Chairman Rep. Ryan Yamane cancelled an upcoming hearing on two bills that would have given long-term lease holders of nonresidential property the right to purchase the land that they’re renting. Civil Beat.

State lawmakers are considering a measure to exempt public school teachers from the state ethics code pertaining to free travel and organizing educational trips. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii lawmakers are moving forward with bill to limit the number of years tenants could stay in public housing if they agree to an incentive program first. Associated Press.

In the 2016 Legislative session, no bills may be more ambitious and wide-ranging than House Bill 2561 and Senate Bill 2964, which seek to revamp Hawaii’s penal code. The identical bills, 135 pages long, would eliminate some mandatory sentences to give judges more discretion in drug cases, raise the threshold level for some felonies, and create a new felony category, among other changes. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s largest public pension fund is facing an uphill battle amid continuing losses in the U.S. and international stock markets. The state Employees’ Retirement System fund rose 3.2 percent during the final three months of 2015, but that still left the portfolio down 3.1 percent halfway through the fiscal year that ends June 30, according to a report presented to ERS trustees Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Even as legislation on guns fails to gain traction at the federal level, Hawaii lawmakers are considering a slew of firearms legislation. Civil Beat.

Dozens upon dozens of people submitted written or oral testimony on a bill at the Hawaii Legislature that they warned would harm special-needs children. House Bill 868 would allow for school psychologists, teachers, educational assistants, occupational therapists, school social workers, guidance counselors, speech-language pathologists and audiologists to engage in the practice of behavior analysis in the Department of Education. Civil Beat.

A bill that would require large, outdoor commercial agricultural businesses to disclose outdoor application of pesticides passed the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee. Garden Island.

A bill contributing $1.4 million to the fight against rat lungworm disease cleared its first committees at the state Legislature last week. Tribune-Herald.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved the sale of Island Air to PacifiCap, officials announced Monday. Garden Island.

NextEra Energy Inc., which is proposing to buy Hawaiian Electric Co. for $4.3 billion, did not come to Hawaii with a strong enough case to convince state regulators to approve the major deal, according to an expert witness for Hawaii County, one of the entities taking part in the regulatory review of the sale. Pacific Business News.

Is NextEra Energy being unfairly put through the wringer as it seeks regulatory approval for its $4.3 billion purchase of Hawaiian Electric Industries? That was the underlying question that emerged on the 18th day of regulatory hearings to help decide whether NextEra’s purchase of Hawaii’s historic power company should go through. Civil Beat.

Oahu

In a case that raises serious ethical questions, a Honolulu police sergeant was given a "courtesy" ride home by officers who suspected he was driving drunk, Hawaii News Now has learned.

A cheating scandal at the Honolulu Police Department's training academy has resulted in an internal investigation, officials said. Hawaii News Now.

The last of 25 converted shipping containers has landed at Hawaii’s first homeless “navigation center,” and about one-third of its formerly homeless tenants have moved into transitional homes on a patch of Sand Island, but Mayor Kirk Caldwell wants the new Hale Mauliola project to proceed cautiously. Star-Advertiser.

A bill allowing property owners, businesses or other organizations to replace curbside parking stalls in dense urban areas with “parklets” and bicycle corrals was signed into law by Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Karen Awana, a Democrat, has pulled papers with the state Office of Elections for her former District 43 seat in the Hawaii House of Representatives. Awana, who was fined thousands of dollars in recent years by the state Campaign Spending Commission for various filing violations, lost re-election by a wide margin to Republican Andria Tupola in 2014. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

Gov. David Ige declined again Monday to declare an emergency in response to Hawaii County’s dengue fever outbreak, despite Mayor Billy Kenoi declaring a state of emergency earlier in the day. Tribune-Herald.

Following the Hawaii County emergency proclamation on dengue fever, Hawaii Gov. David Ige said the state is preparing to do the same, pending certain criteria. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi has declared a state of emergency to help tackle the mosquito-borne dengue fever outbreak on Hawaii island. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island Mayor Billy Kenoi issued an emergency proclamation Monday to help bolster efforts to combat the ongoing dengue outbreak. Civil Beat.

Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi has declared a state of emergency for Hawai'i County due to dengue fever. KITV4.

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi has declared a state of emergency on Hawaii Island in light of an ongoing dengue fever outbreak. KHON2.

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi proclamation on dengue emergency posted here.

A theater director, a videographer, a papaya farmer, two former county officials and a working mother walked into an elections office last week … and one of them could become mayor of Hawaii County. West Hawaii Today.

Music, fellowship… and above all… a place with plenty parking. Those were the wishes of the late Senator Gil Kahele in regards to his final send-off, loved ones say, and for good reason. The parking lot of the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium was full on Monday evening as hundreds came out for the “Evening of Aloha” in honor of the Hilo senator. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Officials in Mayor Alan Arakawa's administration are holding "high-level discussions" with Alexander & Baldwin officials about taking more water out of the Wailoa Ditch system for Upcountry customers as A&B's subsidiary Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. phases out production at the end of the year, Department of Water Supply Director Dave Taylor said. Maui News.

Once a fixture across Hawaii, bookmobiles have all but disappeared from island roads as budget cuts have curbed services and vehicles have wore down beyond repair. Maui News.

Some Nahiku residents and their supporters are urging the county and state to fix a bridge and gulch culvert instead of constructing the proposed Nahiku Community Center, which appears to be on hold following a county lawsuit against the contractor last year. Maui News.

Kauai

Election season has begun and candidate filings are coming in. Three candidates have put their names in the hat for Kauai County Council: Juno-Ann Apalla of Lihue, Matthew Bernabe of Kapaa and incumbent KipuKai Kuali‘i. Garden Island.

Hawaii bills tackle GMO fish, Superferry, animal rights, hemp, wrongfully imprisoned reparations, funding of innovation, elderly programs; Maui GMO ban heads to appeals court; 66 apply for medical marijuana dispensary licenses; fire chiefs claim losses; more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kampachi fish at local market © 2016 All Hawaii News

House Bill 686 would prohibit “propagating, cultivating, or farming genetically engineered fish” in state marine waters. The bill, sponsored by Democrat Reps. Kaniela Ing and John Mizuno, has a hearing Wednesday at the Capitol. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers are tackling issues from animal rights to police accountability as lawmakers head into their third full week of the 2016 legislative session. Associated Press.

The Hawaii Department of Health on Friday released a list of 66 applicants, including actor Woody Harrelson and local technology entrepreneur Henk Rogers, who submitted proposals for the state’s first medical marijuana dispensary system. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Department of Health posts medical marijuana dispensary applicants online.

Lawmakers considered a bill Friday that would legalize and set rules for growing industrial hemp. The law would require growers to register with the state and would clarify the difference between hemp and marijuana. Associated Press.

Hawaii lawmakers are considering a proposal that would require the state to pay $50,000 to the wrongfully convicted for each year they were imprisoned. Associated Press.

The state Senate Committee on Transportation and Energy passed a bill late last week requiring the Department of Transportation to conduct a feasibility study of establishing a ferry system. Civil Beat.

Two state Senate committees are set to hear a bill Thursday that would establish a collective bargaining unit for graduate student assistants working at the University of Hawaii. Civil Beat.

The Kupuna Caucus, which looks out for senior citizens at the Legislature, last week unveiled its package of bills for 2016, including measures to provide caregiver training, long-term care services and funding for resource centers statewide. Star-Advertiser.

Testimony backing a bill to allocate money from the corporate income tax to the innovation sector has received support from several groups in the Startup Paradise ecosystem. Pacific Business News.

The top-ranked doctors in Hawaii Health Systems earn far more than other state workers, even Supreme Court justices. Civil Beat.

Oahu

There’s a straightforward way to transform Oahu’s crumbling, pothole-plagued roads into the smoother ones that drivers in other parts of the country enjoy, asphalt-pavement industry experts say, but it’s a solution that has eluded the state and city for decades. Star-Advertiser.

For decades, Oahu and the neighbor islands have grappled with hundreds of miles of so-called “roads in limbo,” and the issue continues to affect some local road maintenance, officials say. Star-Advertiser.

The North Shore Chamber of Commerce is urging businesses to share their thoughts about the Laniakea parking situation with state Department of Transportation officials, according to a letter sent last week to chamber membership by its executive director. Hawaii News Now.

A new homeless shelter in Honolulu is banking on the idea that fewer rules could lead to more people off the streets. The Sand Island facility, called Hale Mauliola, has been in business for three months now. Hawaii Public Radio.

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the opening of Kapolei Hale, which was regarded in 2001 as a pivotal investment in development and growth of the Ewa region. Star-Advertiser.

One person has been arrested and dozens more cited during a law-enforcement operation at Kalalau Beach in the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park on Kauai. KHON2.

The deaths of at least three albatross and the destruction of 15 nests at Kaena Point back in December has prompted state lawmakers to call for heightened security at the remote nature reserve. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

Police issued almost 700 more speeding tickets on the Daniel K. Inouye Memorial Highway, also known as Saddle Road, in 2015 than in the previous year. Tribune-Herald.

State Sen. Russell Ruderman gave his re-election bid a boost at last year’s end with a $25,000 loan, helping him maintain a sizable fundraising advantage over challenger Greggor Ilagan. Campaign finance records show Ilagan, a Hawaii County Council member representing Puna, raised $8,412 during the last half of 2015, with $5,500 of that coming from a fundraising event in Honolulu. Tribune-Herald.

Fourteen applicants are vying to open the first medical marijuana dispensaries on Hawaii Island, according to information released Friday by the state Department of Health. Tribune-Herald.

West Hawaii Battalion Chief Ty Medeiros claimed Friday he lost $3,000 to $4,000 in overtime every two weeks when he was put on seven months paid leave last year for publicly criticizing Fire Chief Darren Rosario. During a daylong Merit Appeals Board hearing, Medeiros said he was humiliated when he was stripped of his badge and his rank insignia in front of his peers. West Hawaii Today.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is looking for more public input on its September proposal to list 49 species of plants and animals in the Hawaiian Islands as endangered species. The federal agency will offer an informational meeting and a public hearing Tuesday in Hilo to gather input. During the informational meeting. West Hawaii Today.

Maui
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has agreed to hear arguments on a Maui County moratorium on farming genetically modified crops, which was struck down by a federal judge in Hawaii last year. Civil Beat.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments about whether to overturn a federal judge's ruling last year that struck down a Maui County voter-approved moratorium on genetically modified organisms. Maui News.

A legal attempt by a group seeking to halt cane burning by Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. continues in 2nd Circuit Environmental Court, though a judge struck down two claims in a ruling Friday. Maui News.

Maui officials are looking to encourage residents who are illegally operating vacation rentals to go through the permitting process. Associated Press.

The County Council Planning Committee drew closer Thursday to the completion of a bill that would change several portions of the county's short-term vacation rental home law to support tourism while pushing local rental operators to comply with permit laws. Maui News.

A 2nd Circuit judge Friday granted a preliminary injunction against further work on the 113-unit Ma'alaea Plantation housing subdivision - with the developers announcing after the ruling that they would commission an environmental impact statement as requested by project opponents. Maui News.

Officials in Mayor Alan Arakawa's administration are holding "high-level discussions" with Alexander & Baldwin officials about taking more water out of the Wailoa Ditch system for Upcountry customers as A&B's subsidiary Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. phases out production at the end of the year, Department of Water Supply Director Dave Taylor said. Maui News.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education Maui District Office will conduct a community meeting to provide information on school attendance boundaries for Maui Waena Intermediate, ʻĪao Intermediate, Baldwin High and Maui High Schools. Maui Now.

Kauai

Election season has begun and candidate filings are coming in. Three candidates have put their names in the hat for Kauai County Council: Juno-Ann Apalla of Lihue, Matthew Bernabe of Kapaa and incumbent KipuKai Kuali‘i. Garden Island.

Law enforcement and cleanup operations at Kalalau Beach over the past month resulted in dozens of citations, an arrest, and the airlifting of tons of trash from the area. Garden Island.

Lanai

Maui County Council members approved a recommendation Friday to take the Lanai Community Plan update to Lanai for a public hearing March 12. Maui News.

Looking for the most luxurious Lanai experience you can find? The Four Seasons Resort Lanai may have what is the most expensive luxury suite in the state — the rate for its three-bedroom Alii Suite is $21,000 a night. Pacific Business News.

Legislature seeks to remove shroud of secrecy surrounding police departments, Honolulu PD promotes cop with criminal record, Ige seeks $5M for United Way to combat homelessness, Honolulu voters oppose rail in poll, money for Native Hawaiians, arguments begin in Maui cane-burning lawsuit, Coco Palms races deadline, new hearings on Thirty Meter Telescope, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii police on parade © 2016 All Hawaii News

A bill that could unravel years of secrecy surrounding police officer misconduct in Hawaii  cleared its first hurdle Thursday at the State Capitol. The Senate Public Safety Committee passed Senate Bill 3016, which would change the state’s public records law to allow access to information in the disciplinary files of police officers who’ve been suspended. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige wants Aloha United Way to build on its existing efforts to combat homelessness by funneling $5 million of state money throughout the islands over the next year with the goal of immediately helping 1,300 households get off the streets or avoid becoming homeless. Star-Advertiser.

One in five people in Hawaii qualify for public housing -- but only one in 20 get in. In other words, there's too much demand for affordable rentals and not enough supply. Hawaii News Now.

A House committee this week shelved a proposal to fly homeless people back to the mainland, representing the fourth consecutive year the idea has died in the state Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

The state agency responsible for improving the well-being of Native Hawaiians is asking the legislature to lift a decade-old funding restriction. Hawaii Public Radio.

After listening to Hawaii residents speak out against vaccines and saying they cause everything from autism to the Zika virus, Hawaii lawmakers killed a bill to speed up the state’s process for adopting federal vaccination guidelines. Associated Press.

Hundreds of Hawaii teachers and their supporters are expected to rally today at the Hawaii State Capitol to support a 10-part education bill that officials believe will improve the state’s school system. Garden Island.

The House Higher Education Committee gave initial approval this week to measures that would impose legislative control over tuition hikes and new construction at the University of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

With less than five months until medical marijuana dispensaries are up and running, Hawaii lawmakers are considering a bill to create an oversight committee for the future industry. Associated Press.

A proposed bill could make intrastate crowdfunding in Hawaii simpler, by easing regulations required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Pacific Business News.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz had $2.6 million in cash on hand as of Dec. 31. According to his year-end filing with the Federal Election Commission, the Democrat raised a hefty $400,000 in the fourth quarter. Civil Beat.

It's been nearly seven years since the Hawaii Superferry shut down. Now there's talk of bringing a similar system back to the islands. KITV4.

Competition from Virgin America is driving down California-Hawaii flight fares. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Three out of four Hawaii voters say they either feel that Oahu’s rail project is a bad idea, or that they are troubled by how it’s progressing. A mere 16 percent of voters say they feel good about the $6.6 billion project, one marked by revenue shortages, construction delays and costs overruns. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha has promoted to assistant chief an officer who was convicted of assaulting a family member in 1994 and has had two temporary restraining orders sought against him in the years since. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha defended the promotion of a major who was arrested in 1994 for domestic violence after a lawmaker complained the selection is bad for the department's image. Associated Press.

Police are trying to cut back on the number of dismissed DUI cases, while courts are moving to clear a backlog of cases. KHON2.

The University of Hawaii-Manoa and two of its faculty members squared off before the Hawaii Labor Relations Board on Thursday in a case that could have implications for the university’s reputation and its ability to attract high-quality faculty. Civil Beat.

Overcrowding stresses Waianae bus routes. Star-Advertiser.

SunEdison Inc.’s planned 50-megawatt solar energy farm on Oahu’s North Shore may be in serious jeopardy of not being developed, according to public documents filed this week. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

A judge on Thursday cleared the way for a new round of hearings by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources on the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope near the summit of Mauna Kea. Tribune-Herald.

The Windward Planning Commission declared Banyan Drive “blighted” Thursday as it voted unanimously to form a new redevelopment agency. Tribune-Herald.

Two companies seeking to expand quarry operations in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates got a green light Thursday from the Windward Planning Commission, but the go-ahead comes with conditions attached. West Hawaii Today.

Residents in the heart of dengue territory in South Kona are nervous about the disease, and still want more done to address an outbreak that has dragged on for four months now. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island representatives are hoping the third try is the charm for a bill that would bolster ambulance services in Puna. Tribune-Herald.

After using a stun gun and beating a Kona man while he lay incapacitated on the ground, Hawaii County police delayed seeking medical attention for the 39-year-old resulting in his death, a lawsuit filed on behalf of Randall Hatori by his brother claims. West Hawaii Today.

An investigation is underway on the Big Island following a police-involved shooting early Friday, authorities said. Hawaii News Now.

Eighteen months after thousands of albizia trees toppled by Tropical Storm Iselle damaged homes, blocked roadways and knocked out power in lower Puna, multiple bills up for discussion by legislators this session appear poised to tackle the troublesome invasive species. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Arguments begin in Stop Cane Burning lawsuit. If Stop Cane Burning and three Maui residents prevail in their lawsuit, it could impact more than 140 agricultural operations in the state - including taro farmers - and invalidate Hawaii's air pollution controls, said an attorney for defendants in the case, which include the state and Alexander & Baldwin, parent company of Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. Maui News.

Mayor Alan Arakawa, Public Works Director David Goode and officials with the Mayor's Office of Economic Development and Maui Police Department will be attending a Makawao community meeting at 6:30 p.m. today in the Makawao School cafeteria. Maui News.

The Maui Police Department reports that their forensic facility currently has 11 unclaimed remains. Maui Now.

Rock work on a large scale progresses along the new Kahului Airport access road near the airport Tuesday. Maui News.

Kauai

The County Council on Thursday waded through details of changing to a council/mayor system of government that employs a county manager. Garden Island.

Developers committed to rebuilding the shuttered Coco Palms Hotel on Kauai are at risk of having their redevelopment permits revoked because of a lag in planned demolition work. Star-Advertiser.

Mount Waialeale, known as one of the wettest spots on Earth, was far from it in January. Garden Island.

Lanai
Maui County Council members will take up the Lanai Community Plan update at their regular meeting Friday and, again, at a public hearing March 12 on Lanai. Maui News.

Gov. Ige to bring back Superferry; economists upbeat, blood quantum could be reduced for Hawaiian homelands; Honolulu lawsuits over Catholic Church, HIV-tainted blood, jail inmates, schools; Maui silversword threatened; Kauai mulls general excise tax hike; Hawaii County Ethics Board filled; Kona coffee grower sues Monsanto over cancer; more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Superferry docked near Oahu in 2008 © 2016 All Hawaii News

Gov. David Ige’s administration is moving ahead with a proposal to revive interisland ferry service in Hawaii, a potentially controversial effort that could even involve the same catamaran vessels that were deployed in the ill-fated “Superferry” initiative that shut down in 2009. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers are considering a bill to reduce the blood-ancestry requirement for Native Hawaiians to receive Hawaiian homesteads from relatives. Right now, Hawaiian homestead beneficiaries can only transfer land to descendants who are at least 25 percent Hawaiian. The bill would lower the requirement to 1/32nd Hawaiian. Associated Press.

Two legislative committees Wednesday advanced identical bills that would strengthen consumer protections against Hawaii physicians who are sanctioned by other states for misconduct or other licensing violations. Star-Advertiser.

A legislative committee has advanced a bill that would again protect financial disclosures of members of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents from public release — a move that would reverse a 2014 law that prompted several regents to resign. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii economists on Wednesday predicted steady economic growth for the rest of the year, but they warned of challenges lying ahead. Associated Press.

Hawaii voters overwhelmingly believe that homelessness is a major problem in the islands — 90 percent of them, to be exact. Only a scant 8 percent say it’s a minor issue. But when it comes to their confidence that state and local leaders are doing what is needed to tackle the crisis, Gov. David Ige and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell get low marks. Civil Beat.

HPV Vaccine Bill for 7th Graders Opposed. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. David Ige said Wednesday that he is still opposed to Next­Era Energy Inc.’s proposed $4.3 billion purchase of Hawaiian Electric Industries and the state’s use of liquefied natural gas for electrical power generation. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers plan to revisit the state’s 100 percent renewable goal Thursday morning, when the Energy and Environmental Protection Committee hears House Bill 2575.  Civil Beat.

The Hawaiian Electric Industries utilities will be more insulated from the financial risks of their parent company and its affiliates if regulators allow NextEra Energy to buy Hawaii’s privately owned utility — at least according to testimony and filings discussed in hearings before the Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday and Wednesday. Civil Beat.

Nearly a dozen legislators are asking Gov. David Ige not to sign off on a proposed rule change that before the state Department of Health that would ban new cesspools statewide. Civil Beat.

Last month’s weather may have been great for the beach, but the lack of rain made it the driest January on record in several locations in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The state has agreed to a $7.2 million settlement in the case of a former inmate who had all his fingers and both feet amputated after he says jail medical staff failed to diagnose him. Associated Press.

A man’s lawsuit against Blood Bank of Hawaii, the American Red Cross and others says that he became HIV-positive from a blood transfusion during bypass surgery in 2011. Associated Press.

A Catholic church in Kailua and a school in Kalihi are the two locations that generated the most allegations about priests and teachers sexually abusing students decades ago, a Hawaii News Now investigation has revealed.

The mother of a former Koko Head Elementary School student has sued the Department of Education, alleging staffers improperly restrained her autistic son. Hawaii News Now.

When Honolulu police officers face termination for breaking the law or otherwise violating department policies, they often are presented with a choice. Stick out the disciplinary process — which can include criminal trials, administrative hearings and a lengthy union grievance proceeding — or quietly resign. Civil Beat.

Six park attendants are being hired to ensure everyone follows the rules at Ala Moana Regional Park, city officials said Tuesday during an update of improvements underway at Oahu’s busiest beach park. Star-Advertiser.

Developer Forest City Hawaii is offering to build Kakaako Elementary School, where a parking lot is currently located off Pohukaina Street, and right next to a highrise it’s hoping to turn into affordable housing. KHON2.

Commentary: The HART board formally accepted the audit of their June 30, 2015, financial statements at its meeting January 28. During that meeting, I mentioned that their note on “Liquidity Risk” included a statement that the federal government “may” require the return of federal funds if there is a breach of the grant agreement and that this is inconsistent with statements HART has been making. Hawaii Independent.

Hawaii

After months of canceled meetings, the Hawaii County Board of Ethics is at full strength again, following County Council confirmation Wednesday of two Kona nominees. West Hawaii Today.

The late state Sen. Gil Kahele signed three bills from his hospital bed just hours before his Jan. 26 death — each pertaining to issues near and dear to his heart. Tribune-Herald.

A husband and wife who operated a South Kona coffee farm are suing Monsanto Co., alleging the agricultural biotechnology corporation purposely downplayed carcinogenic properties of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide, and are responsible for the woman’s cancer. Tribune-Herald.

State and county officials reiterated Wednesday that they are close to declaring an emergency in response to Hawaii Island’s dengue fever outbreak and provided more details about what that declaration might mean for response efforts. Tribune-Herald.

Costs have climbed for repair work on the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant, with the County Council voting Wednesday to add another $5 million to the $18 million estimated cost of the project. West Hawaii Today.

Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel would remain open — though under a different name — if the state Land Board agrees to transfer its land lease to a new operator next week. Tribune-Herald.

Thirsty pigs are tearing up water lines and coffee fields are layered in dust as portions of West Hawaii look back on the driest January on record. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo Lanes, which has sat vacant since May 2014, could soon have a new owner. Lorraine Shin, a Hilo businesswoman, said Wednesday that she has made an offer to buy the building at 777 Kinoole St., and the deal is going through escrow. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

One-day suspensions were ordered for two Maui Police Department officers as part of internal investigations concluded from October to December, police reported. Maui News.

The rare and threatened Haleakala silversword plant on Maui is experiencing its lowest numbers in 45 years, as dry weather trends have reduced rainfall at its mountain habitat. Star-Advertiser.

The number of silverswords in Haleakala Crater has declined 60 percent since the early 1990s - the apparent result of reduced rainfall from climate changes, a study by University of Hawaii-Manoa researchers found. Maui News.

The Department of Public Works will be closing down a portion of Piʻilani Highway in Kīpahulu for geotechnical testing later this month, county officials announced. Maui Now.

The state Department of Health confirmed a case of dengue fever on Maui on Tuesday, only the second on the island since the outbreak began in Hawaii last September. Maui News.

Refuse pickups in Haiku and Paia were not made Tuesday due to staff shortages, the county Department of Environmental Management Solid Waste Division said. Maui News.

Kauai

Raising the general excise tax isn’t the silver bullet that will clear traffic congestion, said councilman Gary Hooser. Garden Island.

Today is the day to get up to speed on the idea of switching to a county manager form of government. The County Council is going to be taking on the issue in a workshop starting at 8:30 this morning at the Historic County Building. According to Council Chairman Mel Rapozo, the workshop will last as long as needed, potentially until 4:30. Garden Island.

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative announced Wednesday that the island’s renewable resources met around 90 percent of customers’ electricity demand on four days in January. Star-Advertiser.

A large forest of Koa trees on Kauai once burned by a wildfire is finally getting restored. It's an enormous replanting endeavor that is all being done by hand. Hawaii News Now.

Almost 30 volunteers took to Hikimoe Ridge Wednesday, breathing new life to the once tree-filled forest. Garden Island.

Lanai

The Four Seasons Resort Lana'i, The Lodge at Koele will undergo renovations and reopen later this year, resort officials said Tuesday. Maui News.

Legislature kills bill to fly homeless to mainland, only DNA was recovered from Marine helicopter crash, Thirty Meter Telescope hearings officer sought, Ige defends slow response to dengue, Honolulu Mayor Caldwell grows $1.6M war chest, public opposes NextEra Hawaiian Electric purchase, Kona could beat Honolulu to bike-share program, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Sen. Gil Kahele funeral procession, courtesy Hawaii House Majority

A motorcade tribute with the body of the late state Sen. Gilbert Kahele passed the state Capitol on Tuesday and then continued its trip to Big Island locations.

Hawaii lawmakers killed a bill today that would have funded a program to fly homeless people back to the mainland, saying some people may view it as an opportunity for a tropical vacation. Associated Press.

Hawaii’s controversial program to fly homeless people back to the mainland is likely to expire at the year’s end. The Legislature adopted the three-year program in 2013, infusing it with $100,000 in state funds to buy one-way tickets to those wishing to return to their families on the mainland. Civil Beat.

A bill to exempt members of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents from a law that requires them to publicly disclose their financial interests cleared its first hurdle in the House on Tuesday. Civil Beat.

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Gov. David Ige on Tuesday defended his response to the ongoing dengue fever outbreak, following criticism from Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard on Friday that included a call for him to declare a state of emergency. Tribune-Herald.

The stubborn outbreak of dengue fever on Hawaii island underscores the potential threat to the state from other mosquito-borne diseases like the fast-spreading Zika virus, linked to devastating birth defects in Brazil. Star-Advertiser.

Responding to Hawaii’s largest dengue fever outbreak since World War II has stretched state resources thin, an issue that the state will have to address in order to be prepared for future outbreaks, Gov. David Ige says. Civil Beat.

It’s been 3 months since the Dengue Fever Outbreak was first reported on the Big Island.   There are also concerns of it spreading to the neighboring islands.  The Governor brought the County and State responders to the Capitol for an update. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Ige and other county and state officials said in a news conference Tuesday that they are continuing an “aggressive, collaborative response” to the current dengue fever outbreak on Hawaii Island. KHON2.

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The proposal for a Florida company to acquire Hawaii’s largest electric utility does not sit well with most Hawaii voters. And, when it comes to state government officials being capable of making a sound decision on the merger, people also don’t think state regulators have their interest at heart, according to a new Civil Beat Poll.

Staffing shortages and inefficient technology are hampering operations of the special-education program in Hawaii’s public schools, according to an internal audit released this week that found the program is functioning at a “marginal” level. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers are considering dozens of proposals to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries, as well as a couple that could legalize recreational marijuana. Associated Press.

The state Health Department is going ahead with rules banning cesspools statewide even after state lawmakers rejected similar proposals last year. Hawaii News Now.

Fitch Ratings is concerned about First Hawaiian Bank’s future after BNP Paribas and has placed its support rating and long-term issuer default rating on negative watch. Pacific Business News.

Scientists have discovered four new species of algae in waters 200 to 400 feet deep at Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Bolstered by an active fundraising effort since winning the race for Honolulu Hale three years ago, Mayor Kirk Caldwell owns a hefty $1.6 million campaign war chest to draw from as he gears up for a re-election bid. Star-Advertiser.

As of Dec. 31, Kirk Caldwell was sitting on $1.6 million for his re-election in 2016. The figure comes from the Honolulu mayor’s filing this week, which covers the past six months of 2015. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro has asked FanDuel and DraftKings to stop operating their daily fantasy sports contests on Oahu, his office said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

The Marine Corps today clarified a statement it made Monday about remains being recovered from the Jan. 14 crash of two CH-53E helicopters off Waimea Bay, killing all 12 service members aboard. trace elements of remains, in the form of DNA, were recovered during the search and rescue phase that ended on 19 Jan. Star-Advertiser.

Trace elements of DNA have been found from Marines killed in a helicopter crash off Oahu last month, the Marine Corps said Tuesday. Associated Press.

Hawaii

Hawaii officials are looking for a hearings officer to oversee proceedings for a permit to build the Thirty Meter Telescope. Telescope officials haven't indicated whether they will pursue a new contested case hearing after the state Supreme Court in December voided the project's permit to build on conservation land on Mauna Kea. Associated Press.

If all goes as planned, Kailua-Kona could be the first community in the state to have a bike-share program. West Hawaii Today.

Several Big Island lawmakers are backing legislation that would establish seven “science and technology research subzones,” including one covering Mauna Kea’s astronomy precinct. Tribune-Herald.

A 39-year-old Department of Land and Natural Resources enforcement officer, accused of sexually assaulting a girl, was arraigned Tuesday afternoon and pleaded not guilty to five counts of sexual assault in Circuit Court in Hilo. Star-Advertiser.

A state Department of Land and Natural Resources enforcement officer accused of the New Year’s Day rape of a 16-year-old girl on a Hilo beach pleaded not guilty to all charges Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Virgin America airlines today announced it is expanding its service to Hawai’i with daily nonstop flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Honolulu, Oʻahu on May 5, 2016, and Kahului, Maui on June 14, 2016. Maui Now.

Maui-based Kokua Realty LLC has taken over management of the Lahaina Business Park on the Valley Isle. Pacific Business News.

"Your County with Mayor Arakawa" will be televised live on Akaku Channel 55 at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Maui News.

Kauai

Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. recently returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., where he attended the 84th Winter Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. While there, the mayor also met with Hawaii’s congressional delegation and their staff as well as with federal partners. Garden Island.

In November, 10 fuzzy Hawaiian Petrel babies were taken from their mountain burrows in the Hono O Na Pali Natural Area Reserve and transplanted into artificial nesting boxes within the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. It was the first phase in a plan to establish a protected breeding colony of the endangered Hawaiian Petrel. Garden Island.

Lanai

Lanai's tourism engine restarts, and Larry Ellison turns the key. Pacific Business News.

Native Hawaiian convention begins with protests, some Marines recovered from ocean, record number of Honolulu police fired or disciplined, six more Thirty Meter Telescope protesters acquitted, first Maui dengue case confirmed, more government and political news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian activist Walter Ritte barred from ʻaha, photo courtesy Melissa Leina'ala Haa Moniz

The Na‘i Aupuni constitutional convention began Monday with 127 Native Hawaiians gathering at the Royal Hawaiian Golf Club in Maunawili. Star-Advertiser.

Of the 150 or so unelected delegates who organizers say are participating in the Nai Aupuni convention on Native Hawaiian self-governance that began Monday, two are lawmakers on the public payroll. Brickwood Galuteria has served in the Hawaii state Senate since 2008, while Rowena Akana has been a trustee with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs since 1990. Civil Beat.

Despite terminating its Native Hawaiian election, Na'i Aupuni's highly contested conference pressed on in Maunawili Monday. The goal of the 'aha or conference is to discuss self-governance for Hawaiians. KITV4.

Wringing some new tax revenue from about 40 mostly mainland companies that own prime retail, hotel, office and other commercial properties in Hawaii has been put forth at the state Legislature in a move that also could affect the pocketbooks of small local investors with mutual funds. Star-Advertiser.

Housing developers and Hawaii lawmakers Hawaii are debating how to chip away at the state’s severe housing shortage. Associated Press.

State lawmakers were briefed today on the major challenges developers face in building affordable housing for low income residents.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii lawmakers have introduced a bill that would ban police from using drones to gather evidence without a warrant. The bill would make exceptions for emergencies such as searches and rescues, hostage situations and when there's an immediate danger to someone. Associated Press.

One month after gas stations were allowed to start selling fuel without ethanol, Hawaii drivers are still stuck with mostly the same blended gasoline. KHON2.

A month and a half after going into recess, regulatory hearings to decide the fate of NextEra Energy’s $4.3 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Electric Industries resumed Monday. Civil Beat.

Can You Afford To Be A Teacher with an average salary of $55,930 In The Islands? The cost of living weighs so heavily on schoolteachers that many fear they will never get ahead if they stay here. Civil Beat.

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism has announced a new training program to help Hawaii companies begin or expand their export market development. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Monday that raising property tax rates to pay for operations of the upcoming Honolulu rail line isn’t part of his game plan. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell made it official Monday: Rail will keep chugging along. The mayor held a brief signing ceremony at Honolulu Hale for Bill 23, which extends for five years a 0.5 percent general excise tax surcharge that pays for the $6.6 billion project. Civil Beat.

Some of the 12 Hawaii Marines who perished in an apparent nighttime fiery crash of two big CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters at sea off Waimea Bay on Jan. 14 have been recovered, the Marine Corps has confirmed. Star-Advertiser.

At least 28 Honolulu police officers were disciplined in 2015 for committing crimes ranging from witness intimidation and theft to kidnapping and sexual assault, according to an annual misconduct report filed with the Hawaii Legislature. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu Police Department fired 17 officers in 2015, far more than in previous years. The figures were included in HPD's annual disciplinary report, which was submitted to the state Legislature on Friday. Hawaii News Now.

The Honolulu Police Department last year fired or recommended for firing police officers in 25 cases involving offenses ranging from sex assault and kidnapping to terroristic threatening and theft, according to an annual report the agency submitted to the Legislature and made public Monday. Star-Advertiser.

More Honolulu police officers are being disciplined and fired from their job. In an annual report submitted to the Legislature, the Honolulu Police Department outlined police misconduct, including details of each incident and the disciplinary action that was taken. KHON2.

In the coming months Oahu will see a new homeless shelter in Kakaako; the first-of-its kind, city-owned apartment building in Makiki for low-income and formerly homeless tenants; and greater efforts to help homeless Micronesians and get churches more involved. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The 2016 campaign season in Hawaii officially kicked off Monday with the first day of pulling nomination papers for candidates.West Hawaii Today.

The East Hawaii Regional Board of Hawaii Health Systems Corp. will discuss the future of Hilo Medical Center’s Extended Care Department during its next meeting. Meanwhile, ECD employees are being encouraged to apply for other jobs with the hospital. Tribune-Herald.

A district court judge acquitted an additional six Thirty Meter Telescope opponents of obstruction charges after defendants argued their actions prevented a greater harm from occurring. Tribune-Herald.

Peter Savio, a Honolulu-based developer, would become the new operator of Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel in a bid to keep the kama‘aina business running until the site is redeveloped, a state official confirmed. Tribune-Herald.

A monk seal has taken over part of Dog Beach at Honokohau and she might be there a while. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The state Department of Health tells Maui Now that they have confirmed a case of dengue fever in a resident of Maui that recently traveled to a country where dengue fever is endemic.

Maui County hospital employees who feared losing their jobs after a "Reduction in Force" announcement Monday were assured by hospital leaders that this was just part of the process to transition them from public workers to private workers under incoming hospital operator Kaiser Permanente. Maui News.

Maui's warm sun and lush tropical landscape aren't just a luxury for tourists and residents - they're also a haven for honeybees. Maui News.

Maui County beekeepers have been exploring ways to keep the insects healthy as the county remains one of the few places untouched by an invasive species known to attack honeybees. Associated Press.

Kauai

Rep. Dee Morikawa of District 16 has introduced three bills on behalf of the Office of Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Kauai. Garden Island.
 
Lanai

The Four Seasons Resort Lana'i, located at Manele Bay, reopened Monday after shutting down in June as part of a $75 million renovation project to spruce up rooms, suites, lobbies, spas and restaurants. Maui News.

Native Hawaiian constitutional convention begins today, homeless counted on all islands, $27M airport cargo building unused, Kauai voters prefer single-member districts, former Maui mayor opposes county manager government, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Native Hawaiians stand guard over Hokolia in Hilo © 2016 All Hawaii News file

A contested Native Hawaiian election canceled in December isn't stopping 151 former delegates from proceeding to the original plan of attending a conference starting Monday. KITV4.

A group is urging people to protest a gathering of Native Hawaiians who are set to discuss the possibility of establishing a governing body. Court disputes led organizing group Nai Aupuni to shorten the gathering and open it to 151 participants, with closed-door sessions starting today. Associated Press.

The historic Na‘i Aupuni constitutional convention convenes Monday with 151 Native Hawaiians charged with setting up the building blocks of a nation. Star-Advertiser.

Delegates to the native Hawaiian constitutional convention met at the Pagoda restaurant tonight. It was a social meeting designed to introduce delegates to each other. But behind the scenes, discussions between some delegates have become openly hostile, with some reverting to name calling and personal attacks. Hawaii News Now.

A shortage of volunteers hampered efforts to count homeless people throughout the state last week, potentially jeopardizing a federal funding formula that has provided millions of dollars for homeless support, according to service providers and outreach workers. Star-Advertiser.

A measure that has a hearing Tuesday would forbid the spending of state funds by state agencies for the purchase of single-serving bottled water, except under certain circumstances. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers are considering limiting the number of years people can live in public housing if they agree to an incentive program in advance, hoping to create more movement in a system with a yearslong waiting list. Associated Press.

Hawaii lawmakers are heading into their second full week of the 2016 legislative session, planning to tackle the housing shortage, dental needs for the poor, renewable energy and breast-feeding jurors. Star-Advertiser.

A recent state report estimates Hawaii missed out on more than $16 million of corporate income tax revenue last year due to a long-standing exemption for real estate investment trusts. Civil Beat.

Hawaii caregivers could see improvements in their financial bottom line in exchange for concessions that consumer advocates have long sought under a broad “compromise” bill that House Vice Speaker John Mizuno is pushing this legislative session. Civil Beat.

In a few months, the state Department of Health will select the state’s first licensees for medical marijuana dispensaries. The application process closed just Friday. KHON2.

Hawaii State Sen. Roz Baker wants to require children to get at least one dosage of the human papillomavirus vaccine prior to attending seventh grade, beginning with the 2017-2018 school year. Civil Beat.

Undeterred By Cancer, U.S. Rep. Mark Takai Wants A Second Term In Congress. The Hawaii Democrat says he is responding well to treatments for pancreatic cancer and has been told by doctors he can run for re-election. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission foresees a future when Hawaiian Electric companies get out of the power generation business and, instead, manage and dispatch electricity from dispersed independent operators and support clean energy generated by customers - from rooftop solar panels, for instance. Maui News.

Two Hawaii officials disagreed about whether Hawaii’s innovation sector should get its own dedicated source of funding at a panel discussion on Thursday. Pacific Business News.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials are reopening a public comment period and holding a public hearing and informational meeting about whether to add 49 plants and animals in Hawaii to the federal list of endangered species. Star-Advertiser.

Wildlife officials are seeking feedback from the public on whether to add dozens of plants and animals in Hawaii to the federal list of endangered species. Associated Press.

Oahu
Honolulu’s efforts last year to reduce homelessness resulted in 772 people getting off of Oahu streets, which Mayor Kirk Caldwell says represents an unprecedented success for a city struggling with the highest per-capita rate of homelessness in the country. Star-Advertiser.

The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting has recently identified properties in the rail transit station areas that are near areas of contamination, and has begun notifying property owners and lessees about the issue, according to a letter from the city to these parties obtained by Pacific Business News.

Hawaii

A $27.4 million cargo facility built by the state at Hilo Airport has been standing empty since it was completed in March because the state was unable to finalize lease agreements with tenants, including Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Air Cargo, according to Department of Transportation officials. Star-Advertiser.

The appointment of a successor to the late state Sen. Gil Kahele could result in a game of political musical chairs, depending on who makes it through the Democratic Party’s nomination process in two weeks. Tribune-Herald.

Gov. David Ige didn’t budge Friday afternoon after U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) called for him to declare a state of emergency in response to Hawaii Island’s ongoing dengue fever outbreak. Tribune-Herald.

Like a lot of people who are forced to sleep outdoors, Ronnie Lance doesn’t see much problem with taxing wealthy developers to pay for building new homes for those who don’t have one. West Hawaii Today.

Warm sunshine poured over Nadine Ageres’ tent encampment Monday morning, but the 52-year-old remained bundled up in a blanket. The night before, she’d slept outside — and temperatures had dipped into chilly overnight lows. Tribune-Herald.

Cinder crunched underfoot Friday as members of the Windward Planning Commission and a bevy of staff and residents inspected mining sites in anticipation of a vote next week on two permit applications. West Hawaii Today.

Residents who said they were never allowed proper input on earlier planning for the future of Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park got a chance to be heard on Saturday as a consultant rolled out options for improving the increasingly popular area. West Hawaii Today.

Traffic fatalities were up in 2015 over the previous year, while arrests for impaired driving were down, according to the Hawaii Police Department. Tribune-Herald.

Scientists say a disease killing hundreds of thousands of ‘ōhi‘a trees on Hawaii's Big Island is spreading. Recent aerial surveys show the acreage of infected trees has more than doubled in the past two years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

The state Labor Department eliminated civil service employees who assist dislocated workers and help with job training in the weeks and months before Alexander &Baldwin announced that it was closing its Maui sugar plantation and laying off more than 650 workers. Star-Advertiser.

Haleakala National Park has received $312,000 to restore habitat for the endangered uau, or Hawaiian petrel, in the upper elevations of Nuu. Maui News.

Two new buildings for retail and restaurant businesses along with construction of more storage space for Whole Foods Market are among the improvements and additions on tap for the Maui Mall in Kahului. Maui News.

While former Maui County Mayor Charmaine Tavares neither opposes nor supports the new form of government currently under the county microscope, she said Thursday that the county should first consider improving its current system before moving to a county manager structure. Maui News.

Maui's largest no-kill cat rescue and sanctuary, which has sterilized thousands of cats on the island, needs to raise roughly $200,000 this year or it will lose its property, which could result in the death of countless cats, the executive director said. Maui News.

Kauai

A little more than 70 percent of those who responded to the Charter Review Commission’s online districting survey said they wanted some kind of change in Kauai’s voting system for the county council. Garden Island.

Domestic violence is rampant across Kauai, according to figures from the county prosecutor’s office and Kauai Police Department. Garden Island.

Molokai

A recent study on Maui County’s electric utility could play a large role in shaping the future of Molokai’s electric service. The independent study, contracted by the county to consulting company Guernsey, examined alternate forms of electric utility ownership and operation models. Released two weeks ago, it recommended that Maui County seek an Independent Systems Operator (ISO) or Regional Transmission Operator (RTO) to oversee the electric grid and energy market. Molokai Dispatch.