Interior Secretary discusses Hawaiian recognition, homelands; overlooked gates add $27M to Honolulu rail project, Kauai Planning Commission chair allowed to work as private lobbyist; Hanabusa, Schatz split labor backing; GMO hot topic; HuffPost Hawaii draws fans, critics, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Native Hawaiian protest file photo (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said Wednesday the Obama administration is exploring possible administrative options for pursuing federal recognition of Native Hawaiians. But she stopped short of saying the president supports going that route if it's doable. Star-Advertiser.

On federal recognition, which has never made it through the U.S. Senate despite the decade-long effort of Sens. Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel Akaka, U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewel said the Obama administration was "looking at different options to move on a path forward." Though she did not elaborate, one of those options could be recognition of Hawaiians through the Interior Department, the path taken by many Native American tribes. Civil Beat.

It’s time to assess the Hawaiian homelands trust and think about where it should be when the centennial of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act arrives in eight years, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said Wednesday. It’s been 30 years since a federal task force addressed the topic in 1983, Jewell said while delivering the keynote address at the 12th annual Native Hawaiian Convention. Associated Press.

Three Chinese navy warships will pull into Pearl Harbor Friday on the first such visit in seven years, the U.S. Navy said. The visiting ships include the Qingdao, a Luhu-class destroyer; Linyi, a Jiangkai-class frigate; and Hongzehu, a Fuqing-class fleet oiler. Star-Advertiser.

One of the state's largest public worker unions, the United Public Workers, is backing U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. The 13,000-member union announced its endorsement at a news conference Wednesday, along with those of six smaller labor unions. Star-Advertiser.

Hoping to dent early labor support for her Democratic primary opponent, Sen. Brian Schatz, Rep. Colleen Hanabusa received the endorsement of a half-dozen unions Wednesday (Sept. 4), including the United Public Workers AFSCME Local 646. Civil Beat.

From the weather and the beaches to the aloha culture of extended families looking out for one another, Hawaii is a pretty good place to be a kid. But when you consider the state’s record on educating its youngest, most vulnerable residents, it doesn’t look quite so much like paradise. HuffPost Hawaii.

HuffPost Hawaii only adds to the world’s distorted view of Paradise. Pacific Business News.

How Come So Many Teachers Bail on Hawaii's Public Schools? Civil Beat.

A federal program to speed up airport security screenings for certain travelers is expanding to airports on Maui, the Big Island and Kauai. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration said Wednesday it will expand faster screening lanes to 100 airports by year end, up from 40 now. Associated Press.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Marine Debris Program announced Wednesday that it provided $967,000 through NOAA's Restoration Center to support locally driven, community-based marine debris prevention and removal projects. KITV.

Oahu

Today board members overseeing Honolulu’s rail project will consider approving an additional $27.1 million to add safety gates at the 21 stations along the route. Called platform screen gates, they would help prevent passengers from falling onto the tracks. However, the safety feature was not budgeted for Oahu’s planned elevated rail system. Star-Advertiser.

Most residential real estate brokers who are experts in Honolulu’s Kahala market hope that the rumors are true regarding the possible sale of some or all of the more than two dozen properties owned by Japanese billionaire Genshiro Kawamoto, but no one could confirm reports that the rundown homes in the luxury oceanfront neighborhood are being sold. Pacific Business News.

Ho‘opili, some of the best land for farming in the State, has been arbitrarily exempted from Important Agricultural Land protection and seems doomed to be paved over and turned into a housing development. Hawaii Independent.

The planned expansion of an industrial park next to Kawainui Marsh is drawing the ire of the Kailua Neighborhood Board and environmental groups worried about the project's impact. Star-Advertiser.

The head of the Hawaii Kai association that's dumping tons of sludge in a Waianae neighborhood says there nothing unsafe in the materials and lashed out at residents who oppose the dumping. Hawaii News Now.

West Oahu seniors and those with disabilities will no longer have to spend two hours on the road for help with their Social Security needs. KHON2.

Hawaii

The battle over the future of crop biotechnology on the island of Hawaii escalated with the opening of hearings this week on two measures designed to end crop biotechnology. Forbes.

The debate over genetically modified crops and food is a serious one. But it can be easy to lose sight of that, especially amid the feisty — some might say volatile — Hawaii County Council Public Safety and Mass Transit committee's debate Wednesday about a pair of bills to ban GMOs on the island. Civil Beat.

The crowds were smaller but no less determined Wednesday as the Hawaii County Council started over with testimony on legislation to ban or restrict genetically altered crops. The meeting was the first in a month on the controversial issue, and one of many since the ongoing discussion of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, started again last May. Tribune-Herald.

The County Council’s Committee on Public Safety & Mass Transit today heard nearly five hours of testimony on proposed legislation that would limit the growing of genetically modified crops on the Big Island. Big Island Now.

The backers of the Thirty Meter Telescope are taking a small yet significant step as they began seeking contractors to start land clearing on the top of Mauna Kea. The approximately $6 million contract would allow for grading the 4.85-acre site, paving a 0.61-mile road and installation of drainage and utility conduits. Tribune-Herald.

Preapproved travelers will be able to skip some security measures at Kona International Airport by the end of this year. The Transportation Security Administration on Wednesday announced the Kona airport was one of 60 being added to the TSA’s PreCheck Program, which allows frequent fliers to submit some personal information, then be subjected to limited security inspections once at preapproved airports. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The state's new Community Fisheries Enforcement Unit has issued 12 citations for fishing violations in waters off Maui since it launched operations in the spring. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources said Wednesday the violations including the use of prohibited lay nets, catching undersized opihi, kumu and hee and using a prohibited net in the Kahului Fisheries Management Area. Associated Press.

Thanks to a few operational changes, Maui Electric says it is now using 91 percent of the Valley Isle’s available wind energy. The nearly 20 percent improvement is expected to trim $22 annually off a typical Maui home’s electric bill, MECO said Wednesday. The company expects to push it up to 98 percent — another $7 to $10 in savings — with additional changes over the next several years. Civil Beat.

Kahului Airport will be added to a list of airports with TSA PreCheck service, enabling low-risk passengers to move more quickly through checkpoint screening, officials said. Maui Now.

While all Maui County Council members agreed that acquiring 186 acres at Launiupoko in West Maui would be a boon for the community, some members expressed concern with the proposed deal's $13 million price tag. Maui News.

The Maui County Council Budget and Finance Committee approved on Tuesday a measure that would allow the Department of Water Supply to secure a $9 million appropriation of state revolving loan funds to develop the West Maui Mahinahina water well, instead of using its own generated revenue and county-issued general obligation bonds. Maui News.

Sea-level rise has been identified as a principal cause of coastal erosion in Hawaiʻi, according to a study released this week by the University of Hawaiʻi. The study notes that Maui beaches are eroding at 13cm per year, with 78% of beaches on the island’s beaches showing erosion over the past century. Maui Now.

Kauai

The county Board of Ethics voted Tuesday to allow a member of the county’s Boards and Commissions to testify on behalf of a private company before a government body. Garden Island.

Supporters of a bill that proposes to regulate genetically modified crops and pesticide use by large agricultural operations on Kauai will march this weekend to show solidarity before a County Council committee takes action Monday. Thousands are expected to participate in the Mana March at noon Sunday, a day before the Council’s Economic Development, Agriculture, Sustainability and Intergovernmental Relations Committee reconvenes to discuss Bill 2491. Star-Advertiser.

A Capitol mess, more liability for party hosts under new Hawaii Supreme Court rule, HuffPost-Civil Beat venture goes live today, HECO to shut Honolulu plant, Maui to tackle feral cats and chickens, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii state Capitol (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

A $4.5 million repair job is causing more problems along with concerns over public safety at the state capitol. Hawaii News Now.

A party host can be held liable for serving alcoholic drinks to a minor who dies from alcohol poisoning, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled Tuesday in announcing a new rule of law for Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Over the next year, Civil Beat will examine the reasons behind the high cost of living and how it affects Hawaii's submerged middle class. There are those who say don't worry. Be happy. Lucky you live Hawaii. But others note there are real impacts. Even for a middle-class that manages to scrape by, the cost of paradise often catches up to us late in life.

The federal government plans to have administrative rules in place by April to help clarify its oversight role of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, a top Obama administration official said Tuesday. If adopted, the rules would be the first established since the law creating the Hawaiian home lands trust was enacted by Congress and signed by President Warren G. Harding nearly a century ago. Star-Advertiser.

The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has reached the point — passed it long ago, some would say — at which outside intervention is required to force a fix of its myriad problems. Star-Advertiser.

Organizers say for the first time in 12 years since the Native Hawaiian Convention began, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is not a partner and isn't present either. Hawaii News Now.

Perhaps underestimating the public's skepticism about diving into another potential quagmire in the Middle East, Sen. Brian Schatz in the course of a weekend embraced the idea of doing something about Syria, then downshifted to join the ranks of those calling for debate. Civil Beat.

After a heat wave led schools in the Midwest to shut down last week, teachers and students in Hawaii are renewing their call for air conditioning the state's public schools, gearing up for a rally on Sept. 26. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Health Systems Corp. General Counsel Alice Hall has been named acting president and CEO of the state’s public hospital system. Pacific Business News.

For University of Hawaii researcher Angel Yanagihara, a painful encounter with box jellyfish 16 years ago, during a swim off Oahu, ultimately led to a journey this week with Diana Nyad for the renowned distance swimmer's historic trek across the Florida Strait. Star-Advertiser.

Three months ago we announced Civil Beat’s partnership with the Huffington Post. Today, we are proud to introduce HuffPost Hawaii. (The site will go live at 6 a.m. Hawaii time.)

Our colleagues at HuffPost Hawaii are recruiting bloggers to write on a new website. The interest from AOL (owner of the Huffington Post) in the Hawaii market is recognition of the relevance of our local community, the importance of local voices, and the viability of local advertising. Our intellect and ideas, however, are valuable. Although it’s a $2.9 billion company, AOL’s policy is to not pay Huffington Post bloggers. Hawaii Independent.

Aloha! I'm here for the launch of our newest edition, HuffPost Hawaii. We are delighted to be partnering with Honolulu Civil Beat, a beacon of journalism in Hawaii focusing on public affairs and investigative reporting, with deep roots in the local culture.

State roundup for September 4. Associated Press.

Oahu
Hawaiian Electric Co. will deactivate its 59-year-old Honolulu Power Plant in January as part of its strategy to increase the use of renewable energy and reduce Hawaii's dependence on imported fossil fuel, company officials said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric Co. said Tuesday that it plans to shut down its Honolulu power plant on Jan. 31 as part of its strategy to ramp up the use of renewable energy and decrease the state’s dependency on imported fossil fuel. Pacific Business News.

Kapiolani Community College Chancellor Leon Richards, whose campus has faced a number of recent management problems, spent nearly four and a half months traveling out of state on official business in the last year and a half, a Hawaii News Now investigation has found.

There was no permit to dispose of the dredging material spilled on a key section of the westbound side of the H-1 freeway in Aiea on Saturday afternoon, causing a four-hour traffic jam, city officials said Tuesday. Honolulu City officials are investigating SER Silva Equipment Rental for the spill. Star-Advertiser.

The trucking company that spilled its load on the H1 Freeway on Saturday is being cited by the city -- but not for the crash. Hawaii News Now.

A group of University of Hawaii students is weeks away from launching their own satellite. KITV.

Hawaii

Tourism and agriculture. Two of the island’s economic engines that work well together. That’s according to proponents of a measure that would create a “minor” agritourism classification to make it easier for small farmers to engage in a practice already enjoyed by large agricultural operations — giving tours to visitors, usually for a fee, and selling related agricultural and nonagricultural products at a gift shop. West Hawaii Today.

A Hawaii Island educator is set to hitch a ride aboard the world’s largest flying telescope. Randi Brennon, a teacher at Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences in Pahoa, will participate in a weeklong program that will allow her to observe research aboard NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), which is essentially a modified Boeing 747 jet carrying a 17-ton, 2.7-meter telescope. Tribune-Herald.

Hokulia developers resumed some construction work at the project earlier this year without hiring an archaeological monitor and in violation of several agreements and preservation plans, according to a July letter from the state Historic Preservation Division. Development officials are back on track to resolving the issues, though, Hawaii Island Archaeological Branch Chief Theresa Donham said Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County is a step closer to replacing large-capacity cesspools in the Lono Kona subdivision along Kalani Street, thanks to a $4 million grant and a $2.4 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. West Hawaii Today.

A protest was held outside the DLNR building on Kilauea and Kawili in Hilo on Wednesday. About 20 to 30 hunters and other recreation users of Mauna Kea demonstrated against the state’s policy of eradicating sheep on the mountain. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi is in Taiwan promoting business, agricultural, educational and cultural ties. Big Island Now.

Maui

A public forum focusing on issues surrounding feral cats and chickens on Maui, will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the J. Walter Cameron Center Auditorium in Wailuku. Maui Now.

Maui Electric Company hosts the first of two community meetings tonight to provide information and updates on the Māʻalaea to Kamaliʻi 69kV Transmission Line Project, company officials said. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai residents will take to the streets of Lihue Sunday to march in support of county Bill 2491. If passed, the controversial bill — co-introduced in June by Kauai County Council Members Gary Hooser and Tim Bynum — would allow the county to govern the use of pesticides and genetically modified organisms on the island. Garden Island.

Ke Kula Niihau O Kekaha, a Hawaiian language charter school on Kauai’s Westside, will soon be powered by the sun. The school’s nonprofit organization, Aha Punana Leo, recently received a $180,060 capital improvement grant to plan, design and construct a new 30-kilowatt photovoltaic system at the school. Garden Island.

Only about 1 percent of Kauai is above the ocean surface, states Dr. Chuck Blay, who co-authors an updated edition of “Kauai’s Geologic History.” Garden Island.

Lanai

The company managing billionaire Larry Ellison's investments on Lanai is matching Maui County grants in support of small businesses on the island. The Mayor's Office of Economic Development said Tuesday Pulama Lanai's chief operating officer offered to match the office's small business revitalization grants to Lanai businesses. Associated Press.

Hawaii's healthy ocean, Fukushima risks, pollution countering global warming, celebrating end of WWII, Queen Liliuokalani's 175th, union power and more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Four-spot butterflyfish (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Researchers working on a government-funded project said they've figured out a more accurate method to analyze animal movements in the ocean, including fish migration. The new method could help provide researchers and marine managers with better analysis to support marine conservation activities for threatened species. Star-Advertiser.

Surveys of the undersea canyons around Hawaii show high levels of bio­diversity among small invertebrates in seafloor sediments, making the canyons the equivalent of oases in the desert, Hawaii scientists report. And the vitality of these small organisms are likely key to the livelihood of larger fish, they conclude. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii scientists are seeking to lessen anxieties about the potential health risks from Japan's Fukushima nuclear disaster in the wake of recent international reports warning that dangerous levels of radiation could hit the west coast of the United States next year. Civil Beat.

Global warming’s effect on rainfall distribution so far has been limited by an unexpected source: airborne pollutants, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Hawaii’s International Pacific Research Center and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. But as greenhouse gases increase, they will overwhelm the influence of aerosols — that is, airborne dust, soot and other pollutants, the researchers say. Their paper was published online Sunday in the journal Nature Geoscience. Star-Advertiser.

A Civil Beat analysis of recently released data on student absenteeism in the state’s elementary schools suggests that problems with attendance are strongly linked to poverty and where pupils live.

Starting in the fiscal year that begins in July, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will receive the last of the $30 million in payments the state has made annually for the past 19 years. That installment will bring the two-decade total to $600 million — the amount agreed to by the state to settle breach-of-trust claims from 1959 to 1988 involving the 203,000-acre trust that DHHL oversees. Star-Advertiser.

As millions of American workers took time off Monday to celebrate Labor Day, the state of organized labor in Hawaii remains among the strongest in the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hawaii's union participation rate of 21.6 percent is bested by only Alaska (22.4 percent) and New York (23.2 percent). KITV.

Initial reports after Wednesday's meeting between Speaker of the House Joseph Souki and the minority caucus indicated that there were only 26 votes in favor of a Special Session. Our own sources put that number closer to 30. Hawaii Independent.

The former Hawaii resident who threatened to decapitate Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard made an uneventful initial appearance Friday in a San Diego court after being captured Wednesday in Tijuana, Mexico, by Policia Estatal Preventiva, Baja California State Police Fugitive Unit. Hawaii Reporter.

A number of major hospitals have agreed to share patient data through a nonprofit that aims to connect Hawaii's health providers with electronic medical records. Star-Advertiser.

Interisland cargo volumes rose during the second quarter of this year at five of six ports that receive shipments from Honolulu. Kawaihae Harbor was the lone exception, with a 1.9 percent decline compared to the same quarter last year, Young Brothers officials said in their quarterly report, issued Friday. The company releases the report as a snapshot of economic activity within the state. West Hawaii Today.

Monday marked the 175th birthday of Hawaii’s last reigning monarch. Dozens turned out to commemorate the birth of Queen Lili’uokalani, who is buried at the Royal Mausoleum. KHON2.

With the growth of eco-tourism in Hawaii, there is now a push to make sure tour companies show off spectacular natural resources without making a big impact on the environment. KITV.

Bloomberg had an item earlier this summer asking If Politics Is So Easy, Why Can't Journalists Do It? It linked to a study showing that only 20 current members of Congress have worked in journalism at some point in their careers. Civil Beat.

In brief | State 090213. Associated Press.

State roundup for September 2. Associated Press.

Oahu

The $5.16 billion Honolulu rail transit project could resume construction as early as next month following the Hawaii state Historic Preservation Division’s approval of the archaeological survey reports, which clears the way for permit applications to be submitted for the system, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation said Friday. Pacific Business News.

A year after a Hawaii State Supreme Court ruling halted construction on Honolulu's controversial $5.2 billion elevated steel on steel rail project, construction will likely resume in a matter of weeks, according to a statement issued Friday by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation. Hawaii Reporter.

The fired chief financial officer of a Honolulu tug and water taxi company has filed a whistleblower and wrongful termination lawsuit, claiming she was let go after raising questions about unethical and illegal practices involving disability fraud and improper donations to members of Hawaii's congressional delegation. Hawaii News Now.

Historians would like to solve one of the remaining mysteries of the Pearl Harbor attack: What happened to the approximately 29 Japanese airmen and four sailors still missing in action? The majority are thought to have been lost at sea around the isles and in Pearl Harbor, but four aircrew members may still lie buried in unmarked graves in Ewa Beach and in the hills above Aiea. Star-Advertiser.

On Sept. 2, 1945, peace was restored as World War II came to an end with Japan’s surrender on the decks of the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. On Monday, the Battleship Missouri — now a memorial and museum in Pearl Harbor — hosted a special “End of World War II” commemoration to mark the 68th anniversary of that historic occasion and the sacrifice that made it possible. Star-Advertiser.

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii is unveiling its new $12 million clinic today at Pearlridge Center in Aiea. The 7,000-square-foot center will open Oct. 4 and offer family medicine and pediatrics, as well as a pharmacy and laboratory services. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The power of water: Hamakua Springs aims to cut energy dependence. Tribune-Herald.

The parent company of Hawaii Electric Light Co. today announced a search for suppliers of “cleaner” types of diesel to power electrical plants on the Big Island and in Maui County. Big Island Now.

Maui

A bill to permit and regulate home-based businesses in Maui County will be reviewed Thursday morning by the Maui County Council's Planning Committee in the eighth-floor Council Chambers of the Kalana O Maui building. Maui News.

A few "birthday bash" political fundraisers are signaling the beginning of Maui County's election season, more than a year before voters cast general election ballots on Nov. 4, 2014. Maui News.

A new study by the University of Hawaii shows the state is on pace to lose 100 feet of beach in the coming decades and Maui is most at risk. Kailua beach has been fighting erosion for years but now a new study finds that Maui beaches are disappearing even faster. Hawaii News Now.

Haleakala Ranch Co., with its origins dating back to the Hawaiian monarchy, will celebrate its 125th anniversary with an exhibit that includes hand-woven rawhide lariats and traditional boots worn by its original Spanish-trained "paniolo" cowboys. Maui News.

Kauai

Without an explanation, the Kauai County Council deferred a bill that would bring significant increases to dog licensing fees. After passing the council’s Finance Committee last week, the bill was up for second and final reading Wednesday. Garden Island.

Kauai officials are stepping up efforts to teach visitors how to enjoy the Garden Isle without falling prey to its natural dangers. Pacific Business News.

The comfort station at the west end of the Poipu Beach Park is open following several months of renovations. The only evidence of the row of blue portable toilets is the overgrown grass marking the boundaries where the temporary facilities were located. Garden Island.

Molokai

U.S. Department of Agriculture Molokai inspector Chevy Levasa said it was just a regular day at work for her, but a finding a fungi last year landed her some recognition. She now holds the first report in the U.S. of a strain of fungi called frog-eye spot, or P. morindae, on a noni leaf on Molokai. Molokai Dispatch.

A small team in Kalaupapa is changing the way people think about trash with their award winning solid waste management program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii tourism slows, Maui mulls time-share ban, alleged Tulsi stalker arrested, gay marriage doesn't cause teen suicide, sneak peek at Health Connector on Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki beach (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

July is historically one of the best months for Hawaii's visitor industry. But tourism slowed last month as price sensitivity to the increasing cost of a Hawaii vacation, rising oil prices, a fragile world economy and the strengthening of the dollar affected arrivals. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii hotels charged an average daily room rate of $234.69 last, a 12.3 percent increase compared to the same week last year, while the statewide hotel occupancy rate decreased by 1.2 percentage points to 78.8 percent, according to the latest report by Hospitality Advisors LLC and Smith Travel Research. Pacific Business News.

A former Maui man who authorities believe stalked Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for two years and in early August threatened to brutally kill her was arrested in Mexico earlier this week. Aniruddha Sherbow, 43, was being held in San Diego in connection with the threat on the congresswoman’s life. Civil Beat.

A man with a history of harassing and threatening Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been arrested after he allegedly sent an email to the FBI and media threatening to decapitate the first-term congresswoman. Associated Press.

Nearly three years after she began receiving vulgar and threatening phone calls, a grateful U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard acknowledged the work of law enforcement agencies from Washington, D.C., to Mexico after the arrest Wednesday of a 43-year-old man in Tijuana who allegedly said he would decapitate her. Star-Advertiser.

The former Hawaii resident who threatened to decapitate Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard was arrested Wednesday in Tijuana, Mexico, by Policia Estatal Preventiva, Baja California State Police Fugitive Unit. Hawaii Reporter.

A former Hawaii resident is under arrest in San Diego, accused of threatening to kill Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Bishop Larry Silva’s claim that kids who have gay parents are more prone to suicide is FALSE. All the respected scientific studies to date have consistently found that children who grow up with gay parents are at least as likely to lead a great life as those with heterosexual parents. Civil Beat.

A new report by the Cato Institute gives Hawaii’s Department of Education an F-minus for financial transparency. Only Alaska ranks worse. Hawaii Reporter.

The former head of the state's embattled State Historic Preservation Division has worked on projects there as a state employee since stepping down from her leadership post last month, officials say. Pua Aiu resigned July 2 as the division administrator days after National Park Service officials reported that "serious problems" remain at the division. As a "high risk grantee," the division could lose its federal funding if those problems aren't fixed within a year. Star-Advertiser.

One of the largest gatherings to focus on Native Hawaiian issues takes place next week, and establishing a more direct relationship with the federal government is expected to be one of the key topics of discussion. U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, who could play a critical role at the federal level in helping guide the process, is scheduled to attend the conference Wednesday and give a keynote address, a conference planner said Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu
The Marine Corps put on a miniature air show Thursday at Kaneohe Bay to showcase the abilities of the tilt-rotor MV-22 Osprey while also getting in some training on its first afloat deployment through the Pacific as part of the three-ship Boxer Amphibious Ready Group. Star-Advertiser.

The Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay will eventually be home to two dozen Osprey. But since the Corps announced the aircraft is coming, residents who live alongside K-Bay's flight line have been worried, fearing the Osprey would crank up the noise. Hawaii News Now.

City maintenance crews continued to clear Honolulu sidewalks this week, removing 28 shopping carts and hauling away 2.14 tons of waste from Chinatown, Aala Park, Waikiki and Thomas Square. Star-Advertiser.

Chinatown has had problems with crime before, but now witnesses say a new group of thieves are just little guys, some as young as eight years old. Hawaii News Now.

U.S. State Department special agent Christopher Deedy is a free man, but he still faces the possibility of another murder trial. That's an expensive proposition, not only for Deedy but also for Honolulu taxpayers. Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro has vowed to take the case back to court next year. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

A contractor is gearing up to begin widening a 2.5-mile stretch of Keaau-Pahoa Road. The $15 million project between Shower Drive and Keaau Bypass Road will result in a new 12-foot lane and 8-foot shoulder in the Hilo-bound direction, providing for two lanes open at all times. Tribune-Herald.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is planning a new fence to protect the Manuka Natural Area Reserve from hoofed animals. The 22-mile fence will encompass about 24,000 acres, almost the entire reserve, and will run from sea level to 5,500 feet. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The Maui County Council is considering a bill to prohibit new time-share units or time-share plans. Maui News.

Within a year, the state wants to charge for parking at Maalaea Harbor, much to the dismay of fishermen and those who work on the charter boats in the harbor. Maui Now.

A 45-day period for fast-track consideration has started on the proposed 48-unit Waikapū Gardens-Phase II, affordable housing project in Central Maui, council officials announced today. Maui Now.

The Maui Police Department is encouraging the public to participate in an online survey to help the department improve services to the community. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai was treated to the first public demonstration of the Hawaii Health Connector, the state’s online health insurance marketplace, Thursday. Garden Island.

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative announced that after Sept. 30, it will charge a fee for those who already have a smart meter installed but want it replaced with a “non-standard” meter. Garden Island.

Man arrested in Gabbard threat, Abercrombie drafts gay marriage bill, general excise tax broad-ranging, a court win for special ed, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii cashiers (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Hawaii's average 4.35 percent general excise tax rate may be relatively low when compared with sales taxes in other states, but the GET's structure makes it a greater burden on economic activity than the headline number suggests, according to a report released Wednesday by the Tax Foundation. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Wednesday presented state lawmakers with a draft of legislation that would legalize gay marriage in Hawaii. Associated Press.

Speaker of the Hawai'i House of Representatives, Joseph Souki, says that Gov. Neil Abercrombie will not be calling a special session on same-sex marriage anytime soon, but did not rule out the possibility it could happen before January, when the next regular session convenes. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Wednesday released the latest draft of a gay marriage bill and invited state lawmakers to offer feedback over the next week before he decides on a special session. Star-Advertiser.

State House Fails to Muster Votes for Special Legislative Session. Hawaii Public Radio.

Everyone, it seems, wants to put in their two cents on gay marriage. Extreme critics argue that it will bring huge moral costs. Others decry how much money it would cost the state in tax revenue — given that married working couples enjoy tax breaks — and increased benefits, such as health care coverage for married partners of state and federal employees. Civil Beat.

Authorities in the District of Columbia say they've arrested a man for making threats against Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. Associated Press.

A man accused of making threats against Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has been arrested in Mexico. Hawaii News Now.

A GOP operative traveled to Hawaii this spring in an effort to make the Senate race there competitive. The National Republican Senatorial Committee sent western regional political director Sarah Morgan, who managed Jeff Flake’s Senate campaign in Arizona last year, for a “campaign school” to train potential candidates and to meet with Hawaii GOP leaders. Civil Beat.

A federal appeals court gave Hawaii’s special education students a victory Wednesday by ruling the state must provide public schooling to disabled students up to age 22. Associated Press.

A Hawaii law that bars special-needs students 20 years of age or older from attending public schools violates federal law, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled. Civil Beat.

Special education students will be able to receive a free public education for an additional two years beyond the state's cutoff age of 20 which violates federal law, according to a U.S. appeals court ruling Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

The U.S. Navy is moving ahead with plans to increase training between California and the Hawaiian Islands, rejecting concerns from environmental groups in both states about the impact of sonar and underwater detonations on marine animals. West Hawaii Today.
http://westhawaiitoday.com/sections/news/local-news/navy-advancing-pacific-training-plan.html

Hawaii regulators are re-examining a program that's designed to encourage the addition of more renewable energy projects in Hawaii called the feed-in-tariff, or FIT, program. Pacific Business News.

Have a passion for Hawaii's history and culture? Are you a strong leader who can cultivate relationships with public officials, professional groups and the general public? Want a six-figure salary and generous state benefits? If so, you might consider applying to lead the State Historic Preservation Division. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu's unemployment rate declined to 4.2 percent in July, tying it for the 13th lowest jobless rate among 372 metropolitan areas nationwide, the U.S. Labor Department reported Wednesday. Honolulu improved from 21st place on the list in June when the city's unemployment rate was 4.7 percent. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s Board of Water Supply has come under fire lately for miscalculating up customers’ bills and responding to complaints in a timely fashion. It’s gotten so bad that Honolulu Councilman Ikaika Anderson — who’s running for Congress — has pushed to give the council more oversight of the semi-autonomous agency’s finances. Civil Beat.

A local activist says state's largest private landowner shortchanged the city $2 million in property taxes over a 16-year-period. Holly Huber said the city gave Kamehameha Schools a sweetheart deal on its 555 South St. property in Kakaako by allowing the $7.3 billion trust to pay residential tax rates instead of commercial rates. Hawaii News Now.

Water not regularly tested at Ala Wai Canal. KHON2.

Circuit Judge Karen Ahn has sealed transcripts of a bench conference and a closed court session held Monday before she declared a mistrial in Christopher Deedy’s murder case. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Unlike five years ago, when Hawaii County almost got on the hook to buy a $125 million waste-to-energy incinerator with taxpayer money, garbage technology companies today are paying for their own facilities and assuming the risk of selling the resulting product, the county Waste Management Commission learned Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

The number of Hawaii County administrators who would receive pay raises has been cut by about half under a new plan before the county’s Salary Commission. Tribune-Herald.

The  Federal Public Defender’s Office has bowed out of the case of Justin Wade Smith, citing the effects of federal budget cuts on the office that provides legal counsel to many of the criminal defendants in U.S. District Court. Tribune-Herald.

We are still a year away from the 2014 Primary. But the Hawaii County Elections Division team is hard at work to make sure next year's elections run smoothly...and so it won't face problems that affected the entire state in 2012. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

The federal government is considering restoring wetland that once surrounded the royal residence of King Kamehameha III before the capital of the Hawaiian kingdom moved to Honolulu in 1845. Star-Advertiser.

‘Challenging and difficult’ as Waterfront closes doors. Maui News.

The Maui Ocean Center hosts a honu or turtle release this morning in West Maui, according to a company announcement. During the Holomua nā Honu event, six 2-year-old juvenile Hawaiian green sea turtles will be released into the ocean. Maui Now.
Kauai

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative said Wednesday that its board of directors have approved the final version of its 2013-2025 strategic plan, which focuses on rates, cost-control and clean energy with specific targets to achieve. Pacific Business News.

Kapaa firefighters and a HAZMAT crew responded to Kauai’s Eastside Wednesday morning after a 100-gallon fuel tank containing an odorous liquid washed ashore. Garden Island.

Hawaii researchers probe mercury in fish, Deedy jury was leaning to acquittal, health costs climb, special session for gay marriage would cost $25,800, solar may get more pricey, Honolulu has bad drivers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii fishermen (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Hawaii and Michigan researchers say they've discovered how large quantities of toxic mercury end up in the fish we eat — and their work suggests that levels will rise in the coming decades. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai'i took an especially hard hit during the recession, and families with children are among those who suffered the most, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A new report using data from the American Community Survey and Current Population Survey released Tuesday indicates the number of unemployed parents trying to raise a family in Hawai'i skyrocketed by 95% from 2005 to 2011. Hawaii News Now.

Malama Solomon and other members of Hawaii's Senate Water and Land Committee say the state should sue the U.S. Navy for roughly $100 million because it didn’t clean up all the ordnance that it dropped on the small island of Kahoolawe. Civil Beat.

A State Senate Committee conducted a hearing today on the impact of federal cuts on departmental operations and state jurisdiction over Hawaiian waters. Hawaii Public Radio.

Health care costs in Hawaii have grown 6.2 percent annually for nearly the past two decades but are still rising at a slower rate than the national average. Statewide costs rose to an average of $6,856 per person from 1991 to 2009, according to a study due out today by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. That compares to the national average of 6.5 percent and health spending per person of $6,815. Star-Advertiser.

A special session to consider same-sex marriage legislation would cost Hawaii taxpayers about $25,800 — or about 1.9 cents for each of the 1.39 million men, women and children in the state. That cost estimate, provided to Civil Beat from state House Chief Clerk Brian Takeshita, assumes that a session would last just five days. Civil Beat.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie, Hawaii Democratic Party and numerous special interest groups are pushing lawmakers to hold a special session to legalize gay marriage. The governor, a long time proponent of gay marriage, can call lawmakers into session, but first wants to ensure he has the votes. Hawaii Reporter.

A proposed rule change that would allow only licensed electricians to install solar photovoltaic panels may increase the cost of installations in Hawaii and limit the number of companies that install projects, according to several sources within the solar PV industry. Pacific Business News.

State roundup for August 28. Associated Press.

Oahu
Honolulu is among the worst when it comes to safe driving, ranked at 128 of 200 cities in Allstate America's Best Drivers Report. Island drivers aren't as bad as those in New York; Oakland, Calif.; New Orleans; Buffalo, N.Y.; Pittsburgh; San Jose, Calif.; Los Angeles; Miami; Dallas; San Francisco; and last-place Washington, D.C., the report shows. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu ranks among the worst cities for road conditions and traffic congestion, but a new study by Allstate Insurance gives Oahu drivers a bad rating as well. Honolulu comes in a No. 128 of 200 U.S. cities in the newly released 2013 “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report” and is considered one of the least safe cities for drivers. Hawaii Reporter.

People who work in town and drive through Central Oahu to get home can easily easily spend an hour in pau hana traffic. But the State Department of Transportation is working to ease afternoon commute times by creating a PM zipperlane, and the project is about to ramp up. KHON2

About 40 workers within the Athletics Department at the University of Hawaii Manoa campus have been forced to forgo overtime compensation after a memorandum of agreement with the state’s largest public worker union expired June 30. KITV.

A Circuit Court jury reached an impasse at 8-4 in favor of acquitting State Department special agent Christopher Deedy of murdering Kollin Elderts in the 2011 shooting at a Waikiki McDonald’s restaurant, the foreman of the jury said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro was unapologetic Tuesday for how his office handled the Christopher Deedy murder trial that ended Monday in a hung jury. Civil Beat.

Next summer Christopher Deedy will be retried on second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Kollin Elderts. Hawaii News Now.

A protest on behalf of shooting victim Kollin Elderts was held in Waikiki Tuesday. Protesters are angry about the mistrial and believe Christopher Deedy is guilty of murder. KHON2.

Oahu fishermen will get an opportunity to air their concerns before the chairman of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. DLNR Chairman William Aila Jr. will listen to fishermen and answer questions at an informal "talk story" session on Sept. 4. Associated Press.

Hawaii

Hawaii County will pay another $400,000 for a water tank completed in 2004 that hasn’t yet been put into use. West Hawaii Today.

Jessica R. Walsh and Victoria C. Fiore testified in U.S. District Court on Tuesday in a hearing to determine whether the court will allow marijuana advocate Roger Christie and his wife, Sherry­anne, to use the religious defense in their upcoming trial for marijuana possession, distribution, manufacture and conspiracy charges. The trial is scheduled for early October. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island led the way in the state during the first half of 2013 in new car sales, according to the latest Auto Outlook scorecard from the Hawaii Auto Dealers Association. Big Isle new retail light vehicle registrations increased by 16 percent through the end of June this year, compared to the same period last year, when a total of 2,517 new registrations were filed. Tribune-Herald.

The state Board of Land and Natural Resources has approved a plan to construct 22 miles of fencing to protect a key watershed in Ka`u from the negative impact of pigs and other ungulates. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa said he believes most shark bites are accidental in nature, and does not personally like the idea of hunting sharks or setting up barrier fences off shore. Maui Now.

Jeff Bagshaw's first visit to Haleakala National Park was a "light bulb experience." On that 1988 hiking and camping trip with his college group from Washington state, he saw more endangered wildlife in three days than he had in months on the mainland. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

After months of searching, Kauai County officials are still looking for a vendor to set up shop in a vacant Wailua Golf Course clubhouse concession area. “The county has not received any bids on the operation of the Wailua Golf Course restaurant to date,” County of Kauai spokeswoman Mary Daubert said in an e-mail. “Our hope is to find an operator and get the concession running as soon as possible.” Garden Island.

For the second time in a week, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard returned to the Garden Isle Tuesday, with a jam-packed schedule. Garden Island.

A juvenile Hawaiian green sea turtle found entangled in a fishing line or netting off Kauai's north shore was euthanized Monday after it suffered irreparable damage to its flippers. Star-Advertiser.

A coalition of 35 volunteers removed more than 1,500 pounds of marine debris from Hanamaulu Beach on Saturday. Garden Island.

Honolulu council tackles Stairway to Heaven, mistrial in Deedy case, gay marriage special session decided tomorrow, Osprey over Hawaii, tuition freeze proposed, GMO debate rekindles, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Stairway to Heaven

On Monday, Honolulu City Council members Joey Manahan, Kymberly Pine and Ikaika Anderson planned to hike the “Stairway to Heaven,” which has been off-limits to the public for years. Manahan, who heads the city’s Parks Committee, has been exploring the possibility of reopening the stairway to hikers. But in doing so he’s inadvertently stepped into a bureaucratic quagmire that could keep one of Oahu’s most alluring trails off the maps of hikers — at least officially. Civil Beat.

Calls for and against a special session to consider a bill on gay marriage are increasing as lawmakers and Gov. Neil Abercrombie continue internal debate on whether to return before the regular session in January. House Democrats are to meet Wednesday to discuss the matter and inform the governor whether they have the votes to pass a bill. Such a measure has enough support in the Senate. Star-Advertiser.

Larry Silva, the bishop of Honolulu, is urging all Catholics in Hawaii to contact their state legislators to let them know how they feel about same-sex marriage — and he hopes they don't feel good about it. Civil Beat.

A state lawmaker says he will introduce a proposal to freeze tuition at the University of Hawaii. Associated Press.

On the first day of the 2013-2014 academic year, several Univeristy of Hawaii students, along with state Rep. John Mizuno, passed out copies of a proposed bill to dozens of students at the Campus Center. The measure he plans to introduce during next year's legislative session calls for a tuition freeze throughout the UH system for the 2014-2015 academic year. Star-Advertiser.

It’s never good news when sharks attack. It’s even worse when someone dies from a shark bite. But when eight shark attacks are reported in a single year, it could be devastating to Hawaii’s tourist-rich economy.Hawaii Reporter.

The Marine Corps’ distinctive MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft will make its first appearance Wednesday over Hawaii as the USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group heads through the region on a deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Journalists, recovering journalists and other talented actors, singers and dancers put on the show Gridiron 2013: #SequesterThis over the weekend. Hawaii Reporter.

State roundup for August 27. Associated Press.

In brief | State briefs 082713.Associated Press.

Oahu

A mistrial declared Monday in the seven-week Christopher Deedy murder trial sets the stage for a rematch that could see many of the same arguments play out again if a new jury is selected next summer. Civil Beat.

A mistrial was declared Monday after a Circuit Court jury could not reach a verdict on whether State Department special agent Christopher Deedy should be convicted or acquitted of second-degree murder for a 2011 shooting in Waikiki. Star-Advertiser.

A judge declared a mistrial Monday after jurors said they couldn’t unanimously decide whether a federal agent is guilty of murder in the early-morning shooting of a customer at a McDonald’s restaurant in Waikiki. Associated Press.

Weeks after the high profile murder trial of a U.S. State Department special agent began in Honolulu, jurors told Circuit Court Judge Karen Ahn they were unable to come to a unanimous verdict and a mistrial has been declared in the case. Hawaii News Now.

On Monday Oahu Circuit Court Judge Karen Ahn declared a mistrial in the Christopher Deedy murder case after jurors told her they could not agree on a verdict, even if they had more time to deliberate. KHON2 News spoke with a juror on Monday night, on the condition that the juror remains anonymous.

It’s been one of the most highly publicized trials in recent memory. During the past two months, barely a day went by when there wasn’t something about the Christopher Deedy murder trial on television or in the newspaper. KHON2.

Bus No. 13, which travels from Liliha to the University of Hawaii with stops in Chinatown and Waikiki, has been restored to full service as of Sunday. KITV.

The first traditional Hawaiian dry-stacked stone marker or ahu used to designate an ahupuaa (land division) in an ongoing project, erected July 27 at Castle Junction, was destroyed Saturday afternoon. Star-Advertiser.

A Honolulu-based startup that developed a technology to help battle a massive global counterfeiting problem was recognized by the World Economic Forum on Monday with a prestigious award that counts firms like Google, Twitter and Kickstarter among past recipients. Star-Advertiser.

In a classroom for preschoolers, a group of adults is trying to revive a language that is foreign to their ear but not to their heart. The language is Okinawan, or "Uchinaaguchi," as it is pronounced in the language itself. Star-Advertiser.

A Retiree Tries Not to Get Burned in Hawaii's White-Hot Solar Market. Civil Beat.

Local experts say a new report by Homes.com indicating home sale prices in Honolulu have surged by 23% in the past year doesn't paint an accurate picture of the current housing market.  Analysts say that would mean an average increase of over $100,000 and that's not what their data shows. Hawaii News Now.

Recently, approximately 50 new unit victim advocates from across Hawaiian Army units were certified after completing an 80-hour Sexual Harassment and Assault Response Prevention certification course on Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii. Hawaii Reporter.

Hawaii

Hawaii Island’s food fight is about to get even more messy. After sitting on the sidelines during the last three months, South Kona/Ka‘u Councilwoman Brenda Ford has entered the debate over genetically modified organisms with her own bill that would ban all transgenic crops, including modified papaya. Tribune-Herald.

A member of the Salary Commission has resigned in protest of Hawaii County’s requirement that members of boards and commissions file financial disclosures, sparking a debate about whether the disclosures serve the best interests of the county. West Hawaii Today.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard came to Kealakehe High School Monday afternoon prepared to talk about how the federal government works, from how the three branches balance each other to how she got her first piece of legislation passed as a freshman legislator. West Hawaii Today.

You won’t find any “Under New Management” signs hanging out front, but seven Hawaii Island public schools welcomed new principals as the academic year got under way this month. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Lawmakers say the effects of sequestration are not immediate. Gabbard, Hanabusa, Schatz attend Maui event. Maui News.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard offered a balanced perspective on the debate between national security and civil liberties brought about by the revelations of the National Security Agency's surveillance program derived from the leaks of highly classified material by Edward Snowden. Maui News.

One of U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz's "missions in life" is to make sure lawmakers of every party understand that climate change is a problem and it should be addressed immediately.  Maui News.

Haleakalā Ranch kicks off its 125th anniversary year with a historical exhibit about Upcountry ranching. The year-long exhibit opens on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at the Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center on Baldwin Avenue in Makawao. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Charter Review Commission is considering a proposal that may significantly affect how elections — and campaigning — for Kauai County Council members are conducted. The commission heard a report Monday from a special Committee on County Districting, which proposes dividing council elections into five district seats and two at-large seats. Garden Island.

After many years of providing a prime spot for barbecues and gatherings, the two northernmost pavilions at Lydgate Beach Park were demolished last week due to safety concerns, but new ones will be built by the year’s end, according to county officials. Garden Island.

The Kiahuna Golf Course on Kauai’s South Shore is on the market for $13.75 million, according to Paul Kyno of Sleeping Giant Sotheby’s International Realty, which is marketing the course. Pacific Business News.

Enrollment at Kauai Community College changed from a deficit to an increase within a matter of minutes Monday. When the doors to the Puhi campus opened for the fall semester, the initial student estimate showed a decline from a year ago. But by midmorning, unofficial estimates indicated 1,463 students registered. Garden Island.

Hawaii looks to China for tourism, war games, churches wrestle with gay marriage, schools want $34M, UH Maui to run hotel, Inouye library has big price tag, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu gay rights protest (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

Resigned to the political reality that gay marriage might soon become state law, several state lawmakers who are uncomfortable with gay marriage are calling for a broader exemption for churches that do not want religious facilities used for gay weddings. Star-Advertiser.

For the first time in seven years, Chinese navy ships will pull into Pearl Harbor next month in conjunction with a search and rescue exercise that is part of a growing number of military-to-military exchanges. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's new marketing representative in China is asking the state's travel industry to do more to accommodate travelers from China, a country the Hawaii Tourism Authority has identified as a major growth market. Associated Press.

As Hawaiian Electric Co. has committed in recent weeks to drive down electricity rates that are three times the national average, there are signs that biofuels may not be able to compete with other energy sources. Yet, the utility could be locked into long-term commitments to buy the fuel at a fixed cost. Civil Beat.

Public schools will need an additional $34 million next year to help meet increasing demands with new teacher evaluations, tougher curriculum and other initiatives, according to a committee that analyzes the per-pupil funding Hawaii schools receive. The money is spent at the school level and is mainly used for payroll. It also can cover special projects and programs or supplies and equipment. Star-Advertiser.

The Regents Candidate Advisory Council is looking for people to fill the remainder of Eric Martinson’s term on the University of Hawaii Board of Regents. Council Chairman L. Thomas Ramsey says the deadline to apply for the vacancy is Sept. 16. Associated Press.

The group that nominates candidates to serve on the University of Hawaii Board of Regents says it will be moving fast to fill an unexpected vacancy. Thomas Ramsey, the Regents Candidate Advisory Council chair, said Friday that there will be a special recruitment to fill the seat of Eric Martinson, who resigned this week for personal reasons. Civil Beat.

The proposed University of Hawaii center that will house the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye's congressional papers is projected to come with a hefty price tag. The estimated cost already has reached $25 million, up as much as 56 percent since June, according to UH documents. Star-Advertiser.

An independent researcher who has worked with the National Geographic Channel tracking great white sharks has begun a study on the movement of tiger sharks around Hawaii island. Star-Advertiser.

Visitors who come to Hawaii as the result of a company reward or incentive program have made up one of the fastest-growing segments of the state’s visitor industry so far this year. Pacific Business News.

State roundup for August 26. Associated Press.

Oahu

A Navy judge at Pearl Harbor who found that a comment by President Barack Obama about sexual assaults in the military could illegally influence two trials is being given the chance to reconsider his decision after the secretary of defense issued a memorandum on the matter. Star-Advertiser.

Historic preservation advocates are opposing plans to raze up to half of the iconic Honolulu Advertiser Building. The Kapiolani Street frontage of the 84-year-old Advertiser Building will not be touched but the back half of the building will be demolished to make way for a parking lot. Hawaii News Now.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of tourists and island residents dart across the highway at Laniakea Beach to marvel at the sea turtles that swim ashore there — a chaotic scene that often imperils pedestrians and grinds North Shore traffic to a halt. Star-Advertiser.

With the proliferation of surveillance and cellphone cameras, more Hawaii juries could end up watching videos like the one in federal agent Christopher Deedy's murder trial, legal experts say. Star-Advertiser.

A traditional Hawaiian stone marker was destroyed by vandals just a few weeks after its dedication. Hawaii News Now.

Many people probably don't know that Earl Derr Biggers, author of the popular Charlie Chan series, got his inspiration for the famous fictional detective from the real deal, Honolulu Police Officer Chang Apana, and the setting from the Halekulani Hotel, where he liked to stay. Halekulani guests can learn more about Biggers and the mystery of Waikiki during a recently added Halekulani historic walking tour. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A Honolulu-based developer wants to put three-story time- share buildings with 321 units and 17 single family homes on 42 acres the developer is under contract to acquire from Kamehameha Investment Corp. mauka of Kahaluu Bay, doubling the residences near the popular beach park. West Hawaii Today.

When Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui released a one-time appropriation of $1.8 million last month to help fund Hawaii Health Systems Corp.’s Primary Care Training Program at Hilo Medical Center, it represented a major boost for the fledgling program, organizers say. Tribune-Herald.

A Big Island charter school that educates students in the Hawaiian language claims the state Department of Education's recently released rankings unfairly imply the school is failing. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

The proposed desalination system on Lanai could be ready by the end of 2015, with the first phase of the project generating 2.5 million gallons of water per day, said officials from developer Pulama Lana'i. Maui News.

The University of Hawaii Maui College is looking to start work on a fully functioning hotel that would provide "hands-on experience" for students and executive suites for guests, officials said. Maui News.

The proposed Mokuhinia Ecosystem Restoration Project at the site known as Mokuʻula in West Maui is the subject of an upcoming public meeting. Maui Now.

It’s been 30 years since the Kihei Youth Center first opened its doors in 1983, but the core values that guide day-to-day operations have not changed. Maui News.

Kauai

A postcard sent 106 years ago from Kauai has made it back to the island. Associated Press.

Condominium and single-family home sales continue to rise since 2011, but experts caution that low supply and slow development could cause long-term problems. According to MLS statistics from Kauai Board of Realtors compiled by Old Republic Title and Escrow, the 35 condo sales islandwide in July resulted in a $98,778,424 volume — a  53.8 percent increase over July 2012. The average price islandwide price is $323,750, with Hanalei the highest at $509,000, and Lihue the lowest at $163,000. Garden Island.

Lanai

Honolulu attorney Carl Caliboso, former chair of the Public Utilities Commission, has recused himself from further participation as Castle & Cooke’s legal counsel in the regulatory review of its proposed Lanai wind project. Civil Beat.