Public parks, private profits? Big changes coming to Hawaii restaurant inspections, ocean nibbling Kauai development, Maui tech park in the works, Big Island school kitchens clean, electric bills, tuition going up, more news

Oahu North Shore beach (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

A father and son from Oahu have a dramatic fishing tale to tell and video to prove it. They came face to face with a tiger shark while spearfishing on the Big Island Sunday. Hawaii News Now.

Allowing private companies to profit from state parks and beaches may sound like a tough sell in Hawaii. But Act 55, signed into law two months ago by Gov. Neil Abercrombie, facilitates just that. Civil Beat.

Big changes are coming to the way the state Department of Health inspects and evaluates food establishments. West Hawaii Today.

Without union agreement, the state is forging ahead on a pilot program in the coming school year that will substantially change how some public school teachers are evaluated, basing their rating in part on the academic growth of their students. Star-Advertiser.

The state will be applying for the new “Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge” federal grant administered jointly by the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Filipino Chronicle.

Hawaii has long been a national leader in the generation and consumption of solar energy, and the state continues to be a concrete example of the growth of the solar energy industry in the United States. Hawaii Independent.

A solar-powered charging station in Honolulu is being used to study the impact electric vehicles can have on electric grids.Associated Press.

Hawaii has been largely successful in preventing snakes from entering the island paradise over the years and avoiding the grave danger they present to tropical birds, colorful plants and the vibrant environment that draws millions of tourists to the state each year. Associated Press.

An advisory committee to help Honolulu find a new landfill site must weigh dozens of possible choices Star-Advertiser.

The Mayor of Honolulu went on the offensive today in the battle of what to do with the city’s wastewater sludge. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu residents will begin paying more for electricity starting Tuesday. KITV4.

When University of Hawaii at Hilo students set pen to checkbook this summer in preparation for the first day of classes on Aug. 21, they will no doubt notice that tuition has once again increased. Tribune-Herald.

Schools on the Big Island keep their kitchens pretty clean. West Hawaii Today.

New plans in the works for Maui high-tech park. Maui News.

Ocean eating Anahola properties. Garden Island.

A Maui-based veterans charity called "highly questionable" by a watchdog group and now under review by the state attorney general's office has dropped its website, but the organization's president vows to resume operations. Star-Advertiser.

Four Punahou graduates are hoping to change the on-line marketplace when buying and selling college textbooks. KHON2.

Kealakehe High students will no longer earn a "D." West Hawaii Today.

The start of direct flights from Shanghai to Honolulu is welcome news for Hawaii tourism industry officials still recovering from the impact of the March 11 Japan earthquake and tsunami as well as state’s persistent economic downturn. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii group tries to save social studies as teacher labor complaint simmers, 'human hand' actually dried squid, Honolulu rail tax making money, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Abercrombie in Honokaa (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

North Hawaii residents seeking everything from agricultural education to veterans and workplace resources can now save themselves the two-hour round trip to Kona or Hilo. West Hawaii Today.

The state shot back at the teachers union Thursday in its response to a "prohibited practice" complaint, saying the union has a "pattern and practice of bad faith bargaining" and failed to reach an agreement despite months of negotiations and dozens of proposals and counterproposals. Star-Advertiser.

The state's response to a labor complaint from the Hawaii State Teachers Association is brisk, to the point, at times humorous and even gently sarcastic. Civil Beat.

Educators, parents, students and community leaders have come together with hopes of preserving social studies in Hawaii schools. KHON2.

With just 113 days to go before Hawaii hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings, organizers say they are more and more confident that Hawaii may in fact pull off an event for the record books come November. Pacific Business News.

The state plans to begin work to renovate the historic Kauai courthouse building that has been vacant for most of the last five years. KITV4.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie said Thursday that he expects the University of Hawaii at Hilo to spark a resurgence of Big Isle prosperity that will drive a statewide recovery, adding that he would continue to work to make capital politics less "Oahu-centric." Tribune-Herald.

Revenue from the general excise tax surcharge for the $5.3 billion rail transit project has exceeded the city's recent projections, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation announced Thursday in a news release. Star-Advertiser.

Eligible Hawaii and Pacific Rim farmers and ranchers will soon receive $2.6 million in payments from the federal Department of Agriculture to help offset high shipping costs, U.S. Senators Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka announced Thursday. West Hawaii Today.

Maui community groups represented by Earthjustice have sent Maui County a formal notice of their intent to sue the county for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act at the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility into the nearshore waters of West Maui. Lahaina News.

Securing trail easements, constructing sidewalks, and establishing traffic, pedestrian and bike management plans are just a few conditions Parker School and Waimea residents have agreed upon to settle civil litigation over a school expansion project. West Hawaii Today.

On Thursday, the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee refused to restore $10.8 million to the East-West Center, voting instead to eliminate funding altogether. Hawaii News Now.

As the very existence of the East West Center is threatened by Republican budget cutters in Congress, the 51-year-old institution has given its president a raise and continues to pay more than $1.5 million a year for a Washington D.C. office. Hawaii Reporter.

Honolulu police and law enforcement officials with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources have determined that what was reported to be a severed human hand found at Moku Auia Seabird Sanctuary, also known as Goat Island, was actually dried squid. Star-Advertiser.

On the morning of Thursday, July 21, nearly 500 Local 5 members were joined by community, labor, and faith leaders to stage an early morning rally and bed-making skit on the sidewalk fronting the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. Hawaii Independent.

Honolulu could begin work as early as next week to rebuild a bus shelter that was recently temporarily closed because bus riders complained about a homeless woman living there. KITV4.

Hawaii County Council members warmly embraced some of the more controversial proposals of the Cost of Government Commission, which looked for ways to cut Hawaii County's expenses. Tribune-Herald.

It's been more than a year since plans were unveiled to build on the old Kam Drive-In site. Hawaii News Now.

A former Hawaii Marine will become the first living Marine Corps recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War, according to published accounts. Star-Advertiser.

The evidentiary phase of a contested case challenge to plans for an Advanced Technology Solar Telescope atop Haleakala wrapped up Wednesday in Wailuku. Maui News.

Hawaii Delegation Weighs in on 'Epic Battle' Over Nation's Deficit. Hawaii Reporter.

Pearl Harbor skull may be Japanese pilot, Honolulu water bills rising, Abercrombie-teacher impasse watershed moment, Maui ponders Native Hawaiian access to telescope site, Kauai councilman cleared, Hawaii County investigates election employee, more island news

East-West Center (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

A funding bill in the U.S. House would eliminate the East-West Center, going above and beyond the budget trimming that Republicans have proposed in previous years. Star-Advertiser.

A human skull discovered during an excavation and dredging project at Pearl Harbor several months ago -- may be from a Japanese aviator who died in the attack on December 7, 1941. KHON2.

The showdown between Gov. Neil Abercrombie and the Hawaii State Teachers Association is a watershed moment in local labor history. Civil Beat.

Expect changes in the near future for Hawaii's charter school system. Hawaii News Now.

Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz's twin brother will implement state Race grant. Star-Advertiser.

The monthly bill for a typical single-family home that uses 13,000 gallons of water would increase by $27.53, or 70 percent, by mid-2015 if the Ho­nolulu Board of Water Supply gets its way. Star-Advertiser.

Beginning next month, the Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant in Ewa will receive additional truckloads of raw sewage sludge from Sand Island as the city begins testing for a long-term plan of hauling waste to reduce intake at the over-capacity Honolulu site. Star-Advertiser.

The Mayor of Honolulu went on the offensive today in the battle of what to do with the city’s wastewater sludge.Hawaii Public Radio.

A Hawaii company has taken a big step forward in its plan to use ocean water to cool downtown buildings. KHON2.

The Sierra Club plans to step in and try to stop efforts to develop a 12,000-home, master-planned community on farmland in Kapolei. Civil Beat.

The Sierra Club’s appeal of the reclassification of land for the Koa Ridge master-planned community is still undecided, due to a last-minute argument from the Hawaii deputy attorney general. Pacific Business News.

Whether the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope is built at Science City or not, the long process of seeking permits has already changed an old policy that excluded Native Hawaiians from entering the 18-acre Haleakala High Altitude Observatory to perform rites. Maui News.

After Years of Bureaucracy Getting in the Way, Kauai's Kilauea River, Wailapa Stream Clean-Up Completed. Hawaii Reporter.

The Hawaii County Clerk's Office has hired an outside investigator to look into allegations a warehouse manager conducted a sign-printing business out of a county warehouse used to store voting equipment. West Hawaii Today.

With the Hawaii County Council close to final approval on revamping its building codes, some residents have begun raising strong objections. Tribune-Herald.

Energy Perspective: A more open discussion is needed between islands. Hawaii Independent.

In a lengthy battle between the island’s utility cooperative and some of its members, the light switch continues to flip up and down. Garden Island.

Honolulu has begun sending out checks for property owners who have agreed to sell their land to make way for rail. KITV4.

The Hawaii County Redistricting Commission has a lot of factors to weigh as it redraws the county's nine council districts. West Hawaii Today.

The chairman of the Hawaii County Democratic Party is considering a run for the Hawaii County Council District 2 seat currently held by Councilman Donald Ikeda. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaiian Humane Society has reinstated a $25 charge with its stray cat pick up policy. KITV4.

The Kauai County Board of Ethics has dismissed a complaint filed against a Kaua‘i County Council member concerning a possible conflict of interest. Garden Island.

On a remote Kapoho road marked only by a hand-painted sign, machete-wielding vandals have laid waste to papaya fields for the second time in a little more than a year. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii AG: Reapportionment count could lose in court, Maui studies telescope impact, Honolulu races landfill deadline, Big Island seeks energy solutions, rail appeal denied, Honolulu Harbor seeks expansion, more Hawaii news

Senate district growth (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

The Hawaii Supreme Court likely would rule that nonresident students, members of the military and their dependents cannot be included in the state's population base for the purpose of redrawing Hawaii's political districts, according to an opinion from the state attorney general. Star-Advertiser.

A state lawyer says a court would likely overturn a decision to include military and students in the population as the state redraws political lines. Civil Beat.

The state Attorney General's office issued an opinion Tuesday afternoon that the state Reapportionment Commission erred when it voted to use the U.S. Census population count as the resident population base for political redistricting. Tribune-Herald.

The appointed State Board of Education is contemplating making changes to high school graduation standards. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bus fares for public school students will rise 50 cents to $1.25 for a one-way ride on Aug. 1. Star-Advertiser.

The people on the bus may go up and down, but the cost of riding a school bus in Hawaii is only going up. Hawaii News Now.

The teachers union is asking for pay and benefits to be restored while they challenge the state's implementation of the state's "last, best and final" contract offer. KHON2

The plight of a West Maui woman who was fired after her employer learned she had obtained a restraining order has helped spur a new state law that advocates say could help protect victims of domestic violence in some work situations. Maui News.

Travel guidebooks call Kipu Falls “a glorious little hidden place” and a “swimming hole extraordinaire.” But the alluring beauty of the waterfall and natural pool conceals a deadly side. Associated Press.

Thirty-one percent of Hawaii Island's electricity is produced from renewable resources and Hawaii Electric Light Co. President Jay Ignacio wants that number higher. West Hawaii Today.

Honolulu has begun the process of trying to extend the life of the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill for solid waste. Star-Advertiser.

For the last five months, a landfill selection committee has been working on finding the next site to dump Oahu's waste. Hawaii News Now.

State Denies Bombardier Rail Contract Appeal. Civil Beat.

The state is moving ahead with plans that would nearly double its cargo handling capacity at Honolulu Harbor. KHON2.

An ancient Japanese tea ceremony took place at the USS Arizona Memorial Tuesday to honor the 1,177 deceased Americans at the memorial, 65 years after the end of World War II. KITV4.

For the second time in a decade, the Sierra Club has dealt a major setback to Castle & Cooke's plans to develop a new community between Waipio and Mililani. Star-Advertiser.

The grilling of experts about the impact of the Advanced Solar Telescope on Haleakala began Monday and is expected to last through Wednesday. Maui News.

Bank of Hawaii has agreed to pay a $9 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit involving claims that the bank had improperly charged overdraft fees on debit card transactions. Pacific Business News.

The city of Portland in Oregon has come up with a solution that could be useful to Honolulu officials who are unable to evict homeless people from city bus stops and shelters. KITV4.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Student Equity, Excellence & Diversity (SEED) office has been awarded a $1.15 million grant—consisting of $230,000 annually over a five-year period through the U.S. Department of Education/TRiO Programs. Hawaii Independent.

Target's new 3.5-acre Hilo store is open, giving East Hawaii the choice of an array of grocery, clothing, electronic and home furnishing products. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii elections program likely passes legal muster, newspaper sues for police records, BOE meets today on bus, food hikes, Verizon 4G expanding, Internet cafes at risk, whales, albatross and other news of the islands

Aloun Farms courtesy photo

On Friday, July 15, 2011, U.S. District Court's chief Judge Susan Oki Mollway considered a number of motions filed by the U.S. Department of Justice and by attorneys for Mike and Alec Sou, the defendants in the Aloun Farms human trafficking case that is planned to go to trial on July 27. Hawaii Reporter.

A vegetable stand on Hotel Street is an extension of the Chinatown supermarket that sits behind it. But it's also violating a city law that sets boundaries on storefront displays.Hawaii News Now.

Work will begin on Midway Atoll next month to remove lead-based paint that dooms 10,000 Laysan albatross chicks each year to a heartbreaking and apparently painful death. Star-Advertiser.

Fewer than 1,500 humpbacks were left in the North Pacific in 1966, the year international whaling was banned. Since then, their numbers have steadily climbed to an estimated 18,000. Garden Island.

Today, the state Board of Education considers a recommendation from a finance committee to raise school bus fares, and other fees. KITV4.

The Senate and House Committees on Education will be holding a joint informational briefing to learn about education reform happening around the country. The committees will also hear recommendations on how to improve Hawaii’s education system. Hawaii Independent.

Hawaii County's publicly funded campaign pilot program should continue next year, despite a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling finding public matching funds unconstitutional. West Hawaii Today.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser sued the Honolulu Police Department Monday, accusing police of breaking the law by refusing to release 911 dispatch tapes of a June 3 shooting spree that left a woman dead and two others wounded. Star-Advertiser.

The deal between Internet service providers, including AT&T, Cablevision, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Verizon, and entertainment industry powerhouses to combat online piracy could have a huge impact on cafes, coffee shops, lounges and other businesses that offer wireless Internet access. Pacific Business News.

Alexander & Baldwin and Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative on Monday jointly announced plans for a 6-megawatt utility-scale solar farm on the South Shore. Garden Island.

The final weekend of the fireworks amnesty program on Oahu resulted in a bigger haul than the previous three weekends combined. KHON2.

Former Chief of Staff Eric Ryan says Honolulu City Council member Tom Berg fired him for blowing the whistle on government waste in Honolulu Hale. Civil Beat.

A Japanese tea master is due to perform a traditional tea ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor in honor of Americans who died in the attack on 1941 attack. Associated Press.

At least 3 times a day … Honolulu Police initiate cases of identity theft and related fraud … and many more incidents go unreported. Hawaii Public Radio.

Verizon Wireless customers on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island will be able to surf the web and share files much faster this Thursday when the company's 4G Long Term Evolution network officially launches. KITV4.

Hawaii's six remaining Borders bookstores and nearly 400 others nationwide will be closed in the next several months as the 40-year-old bookseller said Monday that it will liquidate. Star-Advertiser.

About 100 Hawaiian Telcom customers in the Kapalama area might have to go a week without telephone and Internet service. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu councilman's chief of staff fired for web smears, rules eased for elder homes, new Hawaii tax targets military, federal contractors, new Native Hawaiian governance group sought, more Hawaii news of the day for the web and your smartphone

Hawaii today (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

It is that time of year when the Hawaiian Islands experience the astronomical phenomenon known as "Lahaina Noon." KITV4.

Having agreed on the wording of the definition of a "qualified Native Hawaiian" under the state recognition law, officials are now trying to figure out exactly what those words mean. Tribune-Herald.

Ancient Hawaiians relied on oral traditions to perpetuate their culture and history from generation to generation. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii hopes to generate about $35 million a year by lifting the tax exemption and imposing a 4 percent general excise tax on vendors who sell as much as $1 billion worth of products to federal outposts from military commissaries and office buildings to the shipyard. Star-Advertiser.

At a time when Hawaii's senior population is surging, the state has watered down the main qualification for secondary caregivers at hundreds of adult foster homes, senior advocates say. Star-Advertiser.

A new group reviewing management of Hawaii's charter schools is meeting for the first time this week.Associated Press.

For more than two decades, the limited law-enforcement arm of Hawaii's state government has sought a respected place and function. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council member Tom Berg fired his chief of staff after he escalated a World Wide Web war of words by creating a website accusing a state lawmaker of being a crook. Civil Beat.

The Honolulu Rapid Transit Authority has formally notified the City Council that it will begin acquiring public and private real estate along the 20-mile route of the fixed-rail guideway. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaiian Electric Co., Energy Industries, RevoluSun, Hawaii Energy, EAH Housing and the Department of Housing and Urban Development are the sponsoring organizations for the inaugural month-long Kanu Hawaii Energy Challenge. Pacific Business News.

Kapiolani Park was filled with the sound of an instrument that's linked to Hawaii.Hawaii News Now.

A wave of change is rolling into Wahiawa. KHON2.

“If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” That was the message Molokai residents gave members of the Maui Charter Commission last week, when more than a dozen community members testified against proposed changes to the Maui County Charter. Molokai Dispatch.

Mayor Alan Arakawa and Maui County Council Chairman Danny Mateo went to South Korea, not sure what they might find across the international dateline in the "Land of the Morning Calm." Maui News.

Seven years later and the county has yet to issue a single permit for the campsites it built for residents and visitors at Lydgate Park. Garden Island.

The Subaru Telescope on Mauna Kea remains out of commission, weeks after an estimated 185 gallons of coolant leaked onto two mirrors and two instruments. Tribune-Herald.

Early fundraising shows Hirono leading Case, Hanabusa, Hawaii County employees face monthly furloughs, Kauai garbage fee going up, green energy abounds and more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mazie Hirono

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono and former Congressman Ed Case had strong fundraising performances over the past three months in the Democratic primary campaign for U.S. Senate, according to their campaigns, but Hirono has the early cash advantage. Star-Advertiser.

Ed Case

The final numbers won't be official until late Friday, but preliminary data provided to Civil Beat show U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono leading her top Democratic rivals in fundraising for the U.S. Senate race. Civil Beat.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed a bill into law that could make it easier for the cash-strapped state to renovate aging facilities or construct new buildings. KITV4.

A food safety plan passed by lawmakers has been vetoed by the governor.  Hawaii News Now.

In a stunning reversal of his recent, publically-stated intent to veto Senate Bill 1511, Governor Abercrombie signed into law the bill, which will increase lease terms for offshore factory fish farms in Hawaii’s waters from 35 to 65 years. Hawaii Independent.

The state's largest public-sector labor union has agreed to once-monthly furloughs in a separate deal signed Thursday with Hawaii County. West Hawaii Today.

First Wind LLC has completed an environmental impact statement for a proposed 70-megawatt wind energy project on former sugar cane land northeast of Haleiwa that would be the state's largest, generating enough energy to supply 14,500 homes. Star-Advertiser.

The Public Utilities Commission ordered Hawaiian Electric Co. Thursday to seek new bidders to develop half of the large-scale wind energy project proposed for Molokai and Lanai. Star-Advertiser.

Freezing water to make ice in Hawai’i is one of the most energy intensive businesses in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

A group of local investors is among several on Maui trying to harness the sun's power with the latest technology, photovoltaic, to create enough electricity to power hundreds of homes and businesses without making so much as a puff of smoke, said Doug McLeod, Maui County's energy commissioner. Maui News.

A county trash collection fee for property owners went into effect July 1, adding a few dollars per month to real property taxes. Garden Island.

The hassle of waiting in long security lines will soon be a thing of the past for some Hawaiian Airlines travelers. KHON2.

Authorities now have more resources to help find missing people - two dogs donated to Big Island and Oahu police. KHON2.

They may look cute and cuddly. But don't be fooled by their friendly and playful demeanor.Hawaii News Now.

The number of reports of coqui frogs on O'ahu has doubled in the last year, after more than half the island's agriculture inspectors were laid off. KHON2.

The Big Island Visitors Bureau announced plans for the Big Isle to reclaim its rightful name, and the word "the" would play a central role. No longer will residents live, work and play on "Hawaii's Big Island." From now on, it's "Hawaii, the Big Island." Tribune-Herald.

A Maui accountant who led a long-running Ponzi scheme that cost his investors $8 million was sentenced Wednesday to serve nearly 12 years in federal prison without the possibility of parole. Maui News.

Kaiser Permanente’s ranked highest in employer satisfaction in the 2011 J.D. Power and Associates U.S. Employer Health Insurance Plan Study for its fully-insured commercial health plan, Kaiser announced Thursday. Pacific Business News.

A nonprofit West Hawaii health clinic, started several years ago to recruit doctors to the Big Island, recently earned a profit and is reportedly on the turnaround. West Hawaii Today.

City Transportation Services Director Wayne Yoshioka says the city is not setting a precedent by moving a Kapiolani bus stop because of complaints about a homeless woman who had taken up residence at the shelter near Keeaumoku Street. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii economy upticks, Honolulu bus stop moved because of homeless smell, Big Island needs fire chief, China new tourism target, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Container ship (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

In sharp contrast to what is happening in the U.S. shipping market, Hawaii’s duopoly shipping companies continue to increase their prices for container cargo transported between the mainland United States and Hawaii. Hawaii Reporter.

Young Brothers Ltd.’s application to raise interisland shipping rates will be the subject of a series of Public Utilities Commission hearings to be held this month and next around the state. Star-Advertiser.

State tax collections dropped by 0.9 percent last fiscal year, a smaller decline than the state Council on Revenues had forecast, giving Gov. Neil Abercrombie more cushion in implementing the state budget. Star-Advertiser.

Consumers pulled out their credit and debit cards more liberally last quarter and increased spending at Hawaii hotels and restaurants as the tourism-led recovery continued to gain traction. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie Wednesday approved hiring 10 agricultural inspectors, restoring nearly 40 percent of the positions that were lost due to layoffs in 2009. Pacific Business News.

The state is hiring 10 agricultural inspectors, bringing back some positions that were cut in 2009 -- but none will be added on the Big Island, the state's agricultural breadbasket. West Hawaii Today.

A city bus stop has been temporarily moved so bus drivers and riders can get away from the smell of a homeless woman who's living at a busy Honolulu bus shelter. KITV4.

As of Tuesday, July 12 novelty cigarette lighters can no longer be sold legally in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Plastic bag ban draws small crowd, big passions. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii's state, city and business leaders are aggressively courting China in the months leading up to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting to give its leaders the message that the isles are open for business and travel and that local experts have clean energy and scientific knowledge to share. Star-Advertiser.

A glance through the $137,000 in gifts Hawaii lawmakers received over the past year shows a lot of local items — malasadas, kadomatsu plants and lei haku, to name a few. Civil Beat.

Inauguration lei and an occasional meal were the primary gifts reported by Hawaii County Council members in their annual gift disclosures. West Hawaii Today.

At a recent bill-signing ceremony, state Sen. Clayton was among several Native Hawaiian lawmakers applauding a new law recognizing Hawaiians as the state's indigenous people.Civil Beat.

North Shore residents have been battling with off-road vehicles at Kaena Point for years, and the heated debate over how to curb the illegal activity has passed it's boiling point. KHON2.

Honolulu mayor Peter Carlisle says what's done is done, and that the city council ignored overflow issues at Sand Island wastewater treatment plant.KHON2.

With time running out to choose a new fire chief, the Fire Commission began the search for a permanent replacement. Tribune-Herald.

The county Planning Commission on Tuesday approved a solar farm nearly three times the size of the state’s largest solar facility in operation. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative on Wednesday announced that an insufficient number of valid signatures was submitted on a second petition received by the cooperative on Monday. Garden Island.

Hawaii County has decided it made an error on Queen Liliuokalani Trust's tax bill, and it is refunding $89,991 in property taxes it says the trust overpaid last year. West Hawaii Today.

A blessing and groundbreaking ceremony was conducted today in Ewa Beach for O’ahu’s latest affordable rental housing project. Hawaii Public Radio.

An inflammatory website has hit the Internet that claims State Rep. Kymberly Pine stole money from a constituent then tried to cover it up. Hawaii News Now.

County officials announced Wednesday that Theodore “Teddy” Daligdig III, a retired colonel in the Hawai‘i Army National Guard, has been selected to manage the Kaua‘i Civil Defense Agency. Garden Island.

The Maui Planning Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved a bed-and-breakfast application for the Bamboo Valley Inn in Haiku. Maui News.

Newly seated board members of the Aloha Tower Development Corporation voted to allow the leasehold transfer between the current owners of the marketplace to a company called Hawaii Lifestyle Retail Properties. KITV4.

Former Big Island Mayor Herbert Matayoshi died Monday of heart failure at Straub Clinic and Hospital in Honolulu. He was 82. Tribune-Herald.

Maui, Life of the Land to have say in Big Wind, Abercrombie signs, vetoes bills, Kauai takes dim view of energy-saving ideas, Big Island site of new 'Roseanne's Nuts' reality show, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

National Renewable Energy Laboratory courtesy photo

While it’s no secret that Hawaii holds claim to being the most fossil fuel dependent state in the nation, wind farms are becoming an increasingly viable option for Hawaii lawmakers who hope to take advantage of our islands’ trade winds. Hawaii Independent.

The County of Maui and the environmental group Life of the Land are now included in a crucial part of the conversation when it comes to Big Wind. Pacific Business News.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed a bill into law Tuesday meant to preserve the state's landmark Prepaid Health Care Act as the nation moves toward federal health care reform approved last year by President Barack Obama and Congress. Star-Advertiser.

Governor Neil Abercrombie Tuesday signed into law the last of the measures from the 2011 legislative session. Hawaii News Now.

It came down to the wire for Governor Abercrombie. KHON2.

Governor Neil Abercrombie today signed into law the last of the measures from the 2011 legislative session.  In total, Governor Abercrombie enacted 235 measures and vetoed 17; seven bills became law without his signature. Hawaii Reporter.

The state abandoned an effort to implement random drug testing for Hawaii's public school teachers in its "last, best and final" offer imposed July 1. Star-Advertiser.

Among the $137,000 in gifts Hawaii lawmakers received over the last year were three tickets to the governor's inaugural ball, valued at $250 apiece. Civil Beat.

Big Island lawmakers and other neighbor island groups urged the state Reapportionment Commission Tuesday to reconsider its decision to include nonresident military members and their dependents, along with nonresident students and incarcerated felons, in the population count for purposes of redrawing state political boundaries. Star-Advertiser.

If your child rides a yellow school bus to classes, you might be shelling out some more green. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Lawmakers Enter World of Cybercrime. Civil Beat.

Honolulu city councilman Tom Berg is proposing a change to the city Land Use Ordinance so homeless people can be moved into converted shipping containers on land zoned for agricultural use. Hawaii News Now.

Nearly half the units at a new affordable rentals apartment project for seniors in Ewa are still awaiting tenants. KITV4.

Maui police are looking for a possible military projectile that disappeared Sunday from a secured area. Star-Advertiser.

On average, one person is killed each month crossing a street on O’ahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Roseanne's Nuts, premiering Wednesday on Lifetime. Los Angeles Times.

Emmy Award-winning actress, comedienne and best-selling author Roseanne Barr returns to television tonight with "Roseanne's Nuts," her based-on-reality show about life on a Honokaa macnut farm. Tribune-Herald.

Photovoltaic panels will soon be installed atop the Waimea police and fire stations in an effort to save thousands of dollars in the coming years. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii's largest emergency homeless shelter has seen increased demand for meals since Gov. Neil Abercrombie urged groups and individuals in May to stop providing food in parks, beaches and streets and instead encourage homeless people to find food — and social services — at shelters. Star-Advertiser.

The first audit out of the recently established County Auditor’s Office detailed the administration’s shortcomings on energy efficiency in part by reporting the progress it had made on a list of recommendations from the Cost Control Commission. Garden Island.

Maui County Council members said Monday that they were close to advancing a bill that would create new restrictions for landowners who want to build on steep slopes. Maui News.

Hawaii lawmakers report iPad, other pricy gifts, civil union applications to go online, Hawaii, Maui counties mull lawsuit over reapportionment, Honolulu police face court over OT scam, lawmaker fights Oahu sewage trucking plan, more Hawaii news

Honolulu civil union protest (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

Civil unions in Hawaii begin Jan. 1, but in the meantime the state is creating an Internet-based system that will get those certificates to couples more quickly. Associated Press.

The Hawaii lawmaker who accepted an Apple iPad from a Hollywood film studio executive says she viewed the gift as a "good gesture" and a sign that the studio cares about Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Two neighbor island advisory councils are considering a lawsuit to ensure Hawaii County -- the fastest-growing county in the state -- doesn't lose its shot at a fourth state Senate seat. West Hawaii Today.

The state on Monday defended its decision to unilaterally impose a contract offer with wage reductions for teachers, saying that “collective bargaining remains important” but that the labor savings were needed to avoid lost instructional days or layoffs. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association's legal complaint against the state is really simple, says President Wil Okabe: "We want to bargain in good faith." Civil Beat.

In the State of Hawaii’s quest to get 70 percent of its power from clean energy by 2030, lawmakers are looking at all options, including nuclear power.Hawaii Independent.

Hawaiian Electric Industries’ Chairwoman Connie Lau has been nominated by President Barack Obama to become a member of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu cannot begin trucking of raw sewage into Kailua, or other communities, until an environmental assessment is completed to examine secondary impacts, a state lawmaker contends. Star-Advertiser.

Four Honolulu Police officers charged with falsifying records to accumulate overtime are scheduled to be arraigned in court today. KITV4.

A complaint accusing City Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro of ethical misconduct has been filed with the state Bar Association’s disciplinary board but Kaneshiro said the accusation is baseless and comes from a former deputy prosecutor “with an a axe to grind.” Hawaii Reporter.

Thirty teachers from Hawaii, Guam and Saipan are to meet with World War II veterans and civilian survivors during a five-day Pearl Harbor workshop. Associated Press.

Star light, star bright, this orange laser will help Subaru telescope see better at night. West Hawaii Today.

The issue of streamlining, and legalizing, the short-term rental process has been a hot-button issue for a long time. Maui News.

Kauai's electric power company says it is reviewing a petition calling for a member meeting to discuss hydropower development. Associated Press.

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative on Monday received a petition calling for a member meeting on the Board of Directors’ May 29 decisions relating to the member vote certified Friday. Garden Island.

County boards and commissions, control over the Department of Water Supply and the creation of a county auditor are some of the early topics being floated before the county Charter Commission. Maui News.

The drop in visitors after the March 11th earthquake and tsunami in Japan is not deterring Hawaiian Airlines. KHON2.

58 people died in O’ahu traffic accidents last year. Hawaii Public Radio.

A 43-year-old Puna man is missing after a brief but heavy downpour swelled the Kawainui Stream in Pepeekeo on Sunday night. Tribune-Herald.

When tsunamis threatened the state in 2010 and again this year, the first priority for some county employees wasn't saving themselves, but rescuing the moldering piles of paper stuffed in boxes in the basement of the county building. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii mulls school impact fees, pedophilia bill faces veto, recycling program losing money, Maui vets lawsuit advances, Kaui dredging project stirs concerns, military promotes Big Island training area expansion, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Community College mural courtesy photo

A spectacularly vivid and colorful mural was unveiled Thursday at Honolulu Community College in Kalihi, a massive work nearly the length of a football field and reaching three stories high on the side of the JBL Hawaii warehouse on Kokea Street along Kapalama Stream. Hawaii Independent.

A bill on Gov. Neil Abercrombie's veto list would lift the statute of limitations on civil lawsuits by victims of child sexual abuse, which is now two years from the victim's 18th birthday or, in certain instances, two years from the time the victim discovered the injuries or damage arising from the abuse. Star-Advertiser.

There was a time not long ago when the idea of ruthless, spiteful Mufi Hannemann running the state seemed scary and Neil Abercrombie, neatly combed and acting avuncular, appeared the more reasonable choice. Star-Advertiser.

Two of 28 Hawaii board members are telling Gov. Neil Abercrombie they'll obey his request for them to resign. Associated Press.

Peanut butter sandwiches, all-expense-paid trips to Washington, D.C., and an iPad were among the gifts Hawaii lawmakers accepted during the last year, a Civil Beat analysis of gift disclosure filings has found. Civil Beat.

Members of the Hawaii House of Representatives will host an Informational Briefing on Cybercrime on Tuesday, July 12 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hawaii State Capitol, Conference Room 309. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii's recycling incentive program that pays consumers a nickel for each drink container redeemed has begun losing millions of dollars every year, likely leading to an increase in government-imposed costs of every can, plastic drink container and beer bottle sold in the state, The Associated Press has learned. Associated Press.

As the state embarks over the next six months on Justice Reinvestment — a data-driven approach to reducing corrections spending and decreasing crime successfully used in more than 10 states — it is not only a first step but relatively inexpensive and easy step toward criminal justice reform. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Fifth Circuit Chief Judge Randal Valenciano warned six felony probationers last week that positive testing for drug use would result in mandatory jail time. Garden Island.

A school impact fee that was to have been imposed in West Hawaii last July could be back on soon. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii has attracted its second major mainland solar system provider in two years, broadening options for consumers and businesses interested in tapping the sun’s energy for electrical generation without upfront costs. Star-Advertiser.

The Coast Guard rescued 25 people who were on tour boat that hit some rocks near a cave entrance off Maui. Star-Advertiser.

The county spent more than a decade securing the necessary permits to dredge Morgan’s Ponds at Lydgate Beach Park. Now that the work is done, some long-time users are raising concerns about the finished product. Garden Island.

The Army plans to remove unexploded munitions from the ocean floor off the coast of Waianae over the next three weeks. Associated Press.

The Army is undertaking an environmental impact study for the expansion and modernization of Pohakuloa Training Area. It is expected to be completed by fall, said Lt. Col. Rolland "Chris" Niles, PTA commander. West Hawaii Today.

The city is trying a new approach to providing a public service that in recent years has generated major controversies, lawsuits, fines, scores of consumer complaints and an ongoing criminal fraud investigation. Star-Advertiser.

Major sewer line work will likely cause a major traffic jam on on Ala Moana Boulevard. Starting at midnight with one lane of Ala Moana in Kakaako will be closed around the clock for two weeks. KHON2.

Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans’ lawsuit against the County of Maui is still moving forward, according to a federal judge’s order last week. Molokai Dispatch.

A federal judge in Honolulu has ordered that a lawsuit filed by Molokai veterans over the county's handling of their building permit application can continue. Maui News.

Uninhabited areas of Puna have become dumping grounds for the gutted and burned-out remains of stolen vehicles. Tribune-Herald.

The stocks for Maui Land & Pineapple Co., Barnwell Industries Inc. and Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.were the only local issues to record gains Friday. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Gov. Abercrombie pledges protection of islands' bees

(News release)

She stood unfazed as a swarm of busy bees buzzed all around her. Everyone else was covered head to toe in oversized, white bee suits. She wore a sleeveless gray top and black pants. The only protective gear on her was a beekeeper’s hat.
Danielle Downey, the State of Hawai'i’s bee expert, has a special relationship with the creatures that are more often feared than appreciated for their vital contributions to our food supply and environment.

Bees are a central part of Hawai'i’s economy. And while most of us are oblivious to this fact, our environment and food supply rely on bees to pollinate plants, to fertilize seeds and to produce fruit and vegetables. Without bees, we would not have fruits such as watermelon, which is entirely dependent on bees. In 2009, watermelons brought about $1.4 million in revenue for the state. Other dependent crops include other melons, mango, lychee, avocados, macadamia nuts, squash and cucumbers.

“It’s a simple but imperative relationship between pollinators and the food at our table,” said Downey, Apiary Specialist with the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture.

Since 2007, these local bees have been threatened with the discovery in Hawai'i of parasitic mites called varroa mites. The mites crawl onto the bees and suck their blood and, at the same time, spread viruses, bacteria, and diseases. Another pest, the small hive beetle, arrived in Hawai'i last year and with the varroa mite, they have decimated local bee populations. The small hive beetles – which are attracted to weak, stressed bee colonies – leave a slimy film over everything, covering the bees and ruining beekeepers’ equipment and ruining the honey. The invasive beetles can fly for many miles, live over a year, and lay hundreds of eggs that hatch into maggots.

In December 2010, Russell Kokubun was appointed as the Chairperson of the Agriculture Department and recognized that the state needed to hire a specialist to handle the magnitude of the problems caused by these two pests. The state had secured a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Chairperson Kokubun immediately put these federal funds to use by hiring Downey to help local beekeepers and farmers.
“My ultimate goal is keeping healthy bees and ensuring pollination needs of agriculture are met,” said Downey.

Protecting the essential and indispensable insects from destructive pests is what drives the 38-year-old Downey at work. Her fascination with bees began almost 20 years ago during her undergraduate years at the University of Minnesota, where she conducted research on bees.

One of the most important components of Downey’s job is to educate other beekeepers on these pests and techniques and pesticides to keep their bees and hives prosperous. She travels to all the islands to meet with beekeepers, listening to problems they encounter and offering assistance and information.  Downey hopes that her work will complement work that has been ongoing by the University of Hawai'i at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) to assist local beekeepers.

So what can the public do to help the bee industry in Hawai'i? Downey suggests buying local honey – honey collected in different areas taste different depending on the flowers in that area.  Homeowners can plant habitats that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.  Simple actions, such as not spraying pesticides and other chemicals when flowers are in bloom, reduce harm to pollinators.

“I like helping people see bees in a new way, for their gentleness, complexity and value to us,” said Downey. “It’s great to have a job that allows me to be outside doing field work in addition to office and lab work. Hawaii is a great place for that.”

Written by Amy Lee
Video by Puanani Akaka