Racial bias claimed in civil rights complaint over pesticides, attorneys say Kenoi had more important things to do than repay pCard, Kim builds Cabinet, congressional delegation vows to help fishermen, Maui mayor signs emergency proclamation for flood relief, Kauai seeks transportation money, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Spraying pesticides in Hilo waterway, 2015 file photo

A complaint filed Wednesday charges the state Department of Agriculture and the state Agribusiness Development Corp. with discrimination by allowing pesticides to drift into neighborhoods that are largely Native Hawaiian. Star-Advertiser.

Two Hawaii community groups have filed a civil-rights complaint against the state Department of Agriculture and Agribusiness Development Corporation for not doing enough to protect Native Hawaiians from pesticides sprayed on fields near schools, hospitals and homes. Civil Beat.

Environmental lawyers are asking federal agencies to investigate pesticide dust drifting into Native Hawaiian communities in West Kauai and Molokai. Earthjustice said Wednesday it filed a complaint with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Associated Press.

A Civil Rights violation complaint has been filed against Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Agribusiness Development Corporation on Wednesday for leasing land near Native Hawaiian communities to heavy pesticide users. Garden Island.

State and federal agencies supporting agriculture partnered with vegetable seed developer Monsanto on Wednesday to encourage small Hawaii farmers to produce more local produce. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard each said Wednesday that they were “disturbed” by the conditions that Hawaii’s longline fishing fleet is subjecting its predominantly foreign workforce. Civil Beat.

Members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation said Wednesday that they are looking at ways to improve the safety and working conditions of hundreds of foreign workers that crew Hawaii fishing vessels following an Associated Press investigation that found instances of human trafficking, wages as low as 70 cents per hour and unsanitary boat conditions. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s three-person congressional delegation expressed outrage on Wednesday following an Associated Press report on alleged labor abuses and human rights violations endured by crew members on some Hawaii fishing fleets. Pacific Business News.

Fishing industry pushes back following questions about labor practices. Hawaii News Now.

The Military Tries To Sell Itself As Positive Environmental Force. The U.S. Army, Navy and Marines made a pitch to conservationists from around the world that they share the same goals. Not everyone is buying it. Civil Beat.

Speaking of his own experience after his son Beau’s death, Vice President Joe Biden consoled the family of the late Rep. Mark Takai on Wednesday, telling them to “hang on to each other” to make it through the rough days. Associated Press.

Oahu

A $4.2 million settlement has been reached in a medical malpractice lawsuit by the family of a 32-year-old Nanakuli man who went to the emergency room with a sore throat and died. Star-Advertiser.

Heavy rains prompted the state Department of Health to issue a brown water advisory for Oahu. Associated Press.

Every year, tens of thousands of Hawaii schoolchildren get a free flu shot at their school. But this year, many of them may end up going to a doctor's office for the vaccination instead. The shots usually happen in the fall, but have been delayed until January because of the Hepatitis A outbreak on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

Attorneys defending Mayor Billy Kenoi on theft and other charges said in a legal document “the big picture, big thinking mayor had bigger things to do than think about monthly reimbursements” of personal charges made with his county-issued credit card. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor-elect Harry Kim is bringing back some old hands and adding new blood to county government as he puts his Cabinet together. West Hawaii Today.

The Umauma Bridge rehabilitation project is now scheduled to finish in March — about a year later than initially expected. Tribune-Herald.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is calling for an “immediate review” of the care that the Department of Veterans Affairs provided to a 68-year-old Vietnam combat veteran who died of lung cancer Saturday on Hawaii island. Star-Advertiser.

It was teamwork that led Jason Foxworthy to being honored as the Officer of the Year. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor Alan Arakawa signed an emergency proclamation today following torrential flooding through ʻĪao Valley that knocked out a waterline, flooded several homes with mud and debris and destroyed a significant portion of the County’s Kepaniwai Park parking lot area. Maui Now.

The Mayor's Office has rescheduled an East Maui fiscal 2018 budget meeting from Tuesday evening to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at Helene Hall in Hana, according to an announcement. Maui News.

The Maui Planning Commission supported two council-proposed bills Tuesday, one designed to strengthen enforcement on illegal short-term rentals, and another aimed at deterring buyers from turning affordable homes into short-term rentals. Maui News.

Maui County Council hopefuls Alika Atay and Dain Kane distinguished themselves as "very different" candidates Monday night, as they tackled multiple issues during a public forum in their home district. Maui News.

Kauai

From taxing car rental companies and charging port fees on cruise ships to simply making cuts in the budget, Kauai County councilmembers bounced ideas off each other in an effort to get the projects off the ground. Garden Island.

It will definitely be darker on Pacific Missile Range Facility beginning tonight as the base begins its “Dark Skies” program. PMRF will be turning off all non-essential lighting on the base and modifying night time operations to help protect rare Hawaiian seabirds and prevent “shearwater fallout.” Garden Island.

Bill encourages native tourism, feds seek ocean noise measures, lights off for seabirds on Kauai, new hepatitis A case in Honolulu restaurant worker, PUC kills solar array plan, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii luau © 2016 All Hawaii News

A bill to help native peoples showcase their cultures in travel, recreational and tourism initiatives, and to give native peoples greater input into national tourism planning, has been approved by Congress. Star-Advertiser.

Fish Council Votes Against Ocean Protection Measure. The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Council was only of only two U.S. organizations to oppose a broad new conservation measure. Civil Beat.

30 by 30 is a new conservation target for the state. Governor David Ige wants to protect 30% of the island's critical watersheds, and effectively manage 30% of our near shore waters by the year 2030. KITV.

The federal government says a new strategy to address the issue of noise in the ocean will better protect the safety of marine mammals. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its Ocean Noise Strategy Roadmap on Tuesday. The agency says the roadmap will guide it in managing ocean noise and its effects on ocean life through the next 10 years. Associated Press.

With the release of a formal strategy on Tuesday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is aiming to minimize the effects of ocean noise on marine life. Star-Advertiser.

Governor David Ige announced last week that he would like to double food production in Hawai’i by 2020, and subsequently extended that deadline to 2030.   The Chamber of Commerce of Hawai’i hosted a forum to address that issue. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Federal investigators appear to be closing in on Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his prosecutor wife, Katherine, in an ongoing public corruption investigation stemming from the 2013 theft of their mailbox. Civil Beat.

Critics say the mayor is missing chances to bring in new Honolulu police commissioners to push for reform at the Honolulu Police Department. Hawaii News Now.

The University of Hawaii’s flagship Manoa campus ranked No. 169 out of 310 public and private four-year institutions nationwide, according to U.S. News and World Report’s 2017 Best Colleges rankings. Star-Advertiser.

Whole Foods has suspended buying fish from the Hawaii fish auction amid concerns over the labor practices of some fishing vessels. KHON2.

James Campbell High School in Ewa Beach in West Oahu, the largest high school in Hawaii, is set to get some relief from its overcrowding issues. The state Department of Education said a 27-class building estimated to cost between $37 million and $38 million is currently in the design phase and should be ready for bids by the end of this year, Pacific Business News has learned.

When it comes to improving Hawaii’s aging stock of prisons and jails, all sides agree on one thing: One way or another, the crumbling Oahu Community Correctional Center, a century-old jail in Kalihi, will have to be replaced. But the state may be getting ahead of itself in moving forward with a plan for a new OCCC. Civil Beat.

A food service worker at Harbor Restaurant at Pier 38 who was on the job as recently as Monday has come down with hepatitis A, according to the state Health Department. Star-Advertiser.

The recent opening of a contra-flow lane on Farrington Highway in Nanakuli is generating a mixed response: Some area residents are pleased that it eases the westbound afternoon commute, while others are frustrated and concerned about eastbound traffic congestion. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A new classroom building is being proposed at Kealakehe Elementary School in anticipation of increased enrollment at area schools. West Hawaii Today.

The state Public Utilities Commission halted the construction of 6.75 megawatts of solar power on Hawaii island by suspending the application of a needed transmission line on Friday. Star-Advertiser.

DNA proves wild pigs’ pedigree; Research finds ancestry of animals can be traced back to Polynesians. Tribune-Herald.

A group of Native Hawaiians, fishermen and divers made known earlier this week its intention to restock marine life at the recently established Kaupulehu Marine Reserve, where a 10-year no take period was implemented out to a depth of 20 fathoms, or 120 feet. West Hawaii Today.

The former Hilo Hattie building at Prince Kuhio Plaza is being torn down to make way for new commercial space. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Current construction on locked gates that would restrict vehicle access to Kanaha Beach Park at night isn't sitting well with fishermen, who say the gates will deter night fishing at one of the most easily accessible fishing grounds on Maui's north shore. Maui News.

The Maui Department of Water Supply is recommending customers in the Central and South Maui areas to boil water before consumption due to possible contamination from flooding. Maui Now.

Kauai

Artificial lights are mesmerizing for many of Kauai’s endangered seabirds. Starting Thursday, experts are asking people to keep outside lighting to a minimum for their safety for the next few months. Garden Island.

Happy dogs, and owners, too. Users of the dog playground say maintenance, cleanliness has improved. Garden Island.

Active lava lake mesmerizes Hawaii visitors, water quality warnings posted on Kauai, ag tax break loopholes tightened, Ige meets with Microsoft, Alaskan Airlines, potable water at issue, road woes plague Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Kilauea volcano lava lake, USGS

In this Sept. 10, 2016, photo released by the U.S. Geological Survey shows the east edge of Halemaumau Crater spattering lava at the south corner of the Kilauea's summit lake after it rose over the weekend, to within about 5 m (16 ft) of the floor of Halemaumau Crater, before dropping back down slightly with the onset of spattering in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, in Hawaii. (Tim Orr/U.S. Geological Survey via AP)

The lava lake at the summit of Kilauea volcano has been rising in recent days, offering visitors a dramatic view of rolling, spattering hot rock. Associated Press.

VIDEO: Kilauea Volcano Lava Lake Level Fluctuates. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii organizers of the World Conservation Congress are still smiling from a successful gathering that brought more than 10,000 delegates from 192 countries to Honolulu from Sept. 1 through Saturday for the largest such event ever. Star-Advertiser.

How Hawaii Plans To Make Sure It Doesn’t Run Out Of Water. The goal is to come up with an extra 100 million gallons of potable water a day in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige was in Washington state on Monday for briefings and meetings with Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) executives and the president and CEO of Alaska Airlines. Pacific Business News.

Gov. David Ige has pledged to double local food production in Hawai‘i by the year 2030.  To help meet that demand the University of Hawai‘i is expanding its “GoFarm Hawai‘i” agriculture program to Hawai‘i island.  The program currently maintains teaching fields on O‘ahu, Maui and Kaua‘i. Hawaii Public Radio.

Announcing Hawaii's Best Workplaces 2016 (Video). Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Honolulu taxpayers could be on the hook for nearly $1 million in legal fees involving a landmark lawsuit over how the city has been conducting homeless sweeps. Civil Beat.

The needle-exchange CHOW Project and University Health Partners of Hawai‘i began handing out the first of 50 free anti-overdose kits to Oahu drug users on Monday to try to keep opioid abusers alive. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu law prohibits peddling in city parks. Yet the city continues to allow so-called First Amendment permit holders to sell merchandise in Oahu parks in violation of the city’s own rules. Civil Beat.

Large crowds will gather in front of the federal building on Ala Moana Boulevard on Tuesday afternoon to protest the controversial North Dakota oil pipeline. Hawaii News Now.

A nine-person military team has been digging up mud four days a week in the Koolau range in search of a missing World War II pilot whose fighter crashed in cloud cover during a night training flight. Navy Reserve Ensign Harold P. DeMoss was circling the island with two other F6F Hellcats on June 23, 1945, when his plane became separated from the others near Kahuku Point. Star-Advertiser.

A Honolulu woman accused of stealing more than $37,000 in school lunch money from an Oahu public school is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 19 on theft charges. Star-Advertiser.

It was meant to be a temporary solution to ease traffic for those heading east and home to West Oahu, but the contraflow lane running through Nanakuli continues to cause headaches for those drivers. KHON2.

It's been five weeks since the state Department of Transportation began its contraflow lane pilot project in Nanakuli and some residents still have concerns. Hawaii News Now.

There are about 800 traffic signals on Oahu, and enough driver frustration with them to fill a freeway. Hawaii News Now.

A mound of trash at an apartment building in Moiliili is reported to be crawling with rats. Residents and neighbors say it’s been an ongoing problem and now the city is taking action. KHON2.

Hawaii

Some farmers and ranchers are feeling the pinch as Hawaii County tightens loopholes in its generous property tax breaks for farmers and ranchers. West Hawaii Today.

Native Hawaiians, fishermen and divers who opposed the recent creation of a marine reserve at Kaupulehu, which includes a no-take period for the next 10 years, aren’t interested in waiting a decade before getting back to fishing the reef. West Hawaii Today.

A judge will decide Friday whether Hawaii County attorneys must turn over 40 emails sought by the attorney general’s office in Mayor Billy Kenoi’s theft case involving alleged abuse of a county credit card. Star-Advertiser.

It’s going to remain dark at parts of the Old Kona Airport Recreation Area a little longer yet. The new and improved lights slated for the field won’t be ready by Thursday, the originally scheduled turn-on date. West Hawaii Today.

It took three dives — one down to where the only light is the stabbing ray of a flashlight or the biolumensce of sea life — to check if the seawater pipes at the National Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority are staying put. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Current construction on locked gates that would restrict vehicle access to Kanaha Beach Park at night isn't sitting well with fisherman, who say the gates will deter night fishing at one of the most easily accessible fishing grounds on Maui's north shore. Maui News.

A protest is planned today at the site of a shoreline hardening project just north of Olowalu near mile 15.9 of the Honoapiʻilani Highway. Albert Perez, executive director for the Maui Tomorrow Foundation, Inc. said the project calls for a 900 foot long boulder revetment up to 40 feet offshore with construction scheduled to start at 7 a.m. Maui Now.

Maui County's real estate market showed signs of stability in August, albeit at the high end of the market with the median price of a single-family home reaching $669,125, the highest for any month so far this year and nearly 22 percent higher than August 2015, according to statistics released last week by the Realtors Association of Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

Three signs have been posted at Niumalu Beach Park in Lihue warning of high bacteria levels in the water. Garden Island.

Steering toward solutions. Kauai residents, council members discuss funding options for backlogged road repairs. Garden Island.

Ige postpones food sufficiency goal, green sea turtles decline, attorney general says Kenoi bought 'exorbitant' amount of alcohol on taxpayer dime, $10B estimate for Honolulu rail, Maui mulls parking charge, Kauai closes homeless camp, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Farmer in Hawaii, courtesy Sonia Martinez

Gov. David Ige has pushed back by a decade his campaign pledge of doubling local food production in Hawaii by 2020. Star-Advertiser.

With the newly expanded Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument taking center stage at the World Conservation Congress in Honolulu, a conservation group is warning of a “dangerous drop” in the number of nesting Hawaiian green sea turtles in the Northwest Hawaiian islands. Star-Advertiser.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is investigating a complaint that Hawaii’s public housing authority doesn’t provide enough units that are accessible to disabled people. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Hawaii Democrats are increasingly aggressive in imposing partisan purity on party members, even in nonpartisan elections. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Oahu taxpayers will foot the bill to hire three Honolulu law firms at up to $100,000 each to defend the city Ethics Commission, former Executive Director Chuck Totto and former investigator Letha DeCaires in a case filed by Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his family. Star-Advertiser.

The rail route to Ala Moana will easily cost $10 billion, according to people who have worked directly on the project, and they say HART’s management of the project is to blame as much as if not more than inflation. KHON2.

The Hawaii State Department of Health has given approval to Genki Sushi to reopen all of its restaurants after closing them during the hepatitis A outbreak that had sickened 252 people as of Wednesday. Pacific Business News.

Summit finds ways to protect Waikiki, Ala Wai in disasters. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The deputy attorney general prosecuting Mayor Billy Kenoi for theft said in a court document the mayor used his county-issued credit cards to buy “exorbitant amounts of alcohol.” Tribune-Herald.

The prosecutor in the theft case of Mayor Billy Kenoi is seeking the judge’s permission to treat the state’s witnesses as hostile at trial. Tribune-Herald.

A proposed spaceport at the Kona International Airport could open up new economic opportunities for “space tourism” on the island. West Hawaii Today.

A small room meant to greet cruise ship passengers at Hilo’s Pier 1 remains locked and off limits, more than three years after renovations were expected to be complete. Tribune-Herald.

State highways officials say they are trying to determine whether it is possible to re-stripe or make other modifications to Highway 130, a major, clogged Big Island highway that serves the fast-growing Puna region as a temporary substitute for widening the highway, as residents were promised. Star-Advertiser.

State officials say the fungal disease called Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death is continuing to threaten native ‘ōhi‘a trees on the Big Island. 'Ōhi'a covers about 865,000 acres statewide. Recent surveys show the disease has now impacted nearly 50,000 acres on the Big Island, an increase of a little more than a third from earlier this year. Hawaii Public Radio.

A nonprofit hoping to build senior housing and a veterans service center say plans are underway with early phases of construction set to finish this month. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County is looking at charging for parking in municipal lots, instead of having police officers monitoring time limits and writing tickets, and it has put out a bid for a consultant to study the possibility. Maui News.

The state Department of Transportation will hold a public informational meeting Sept. 22 on the Kahului Airport master plan update, but the plan itself wasn't available as of Friday, officials said. Maui News.

The Hana Highway, particularly the portion that stretches from Paia to Hana, is scenic and popular, but that appeal among tourists is causing problems that appear to be escalating, as motorists slow or stop to take pictures or park on both sides of the highway, including its narrow bottlenecks. Maui Now.

Hana High and Elementary School is running the state's first off-the-grid public school classroom, built by youths in the community and equipped to handle the school's growing energy needs for years to come. Maui News.

Kauai

A homeless encampment that at one point housed about 20 people was shut down by the county early this month. Garden Island.

A $2.5 million project to provide a pedestrian and vehicle bridge over Keahua Stream at the end of Kuamo’o Road in Keahua Arboretum in the Lihue-Koloa Forest Reserve is set to begin. Garden Island.

Fighting coral bleaching, Djou's 911 vote at issue in mayoral campaign, high food costs, environmental director's qualifications back in court, Thirty Meter Telescope protesters stand with Standing Rock, raises for UH brass, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Damaged coral with ornate butterflyfish © 2016 All Hawaii News

Establishing a network of no-take protected coastal zones, restrictions on lay gillnets and a ban on commercial fishing of parrotfish are among the actions being considered to help Hawaii’s coral reefs fend off the lethal effects of ocean warming and climate change. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii officials on Thursday proposed a series of steps to fight coral bleaching that's threatening the state's reefs, including new marine protected areas, limits on fishing and controlling polluted runoff from land. Associated Press.

How Fishing Interests Infiltrated Conservation’s Biggest Event. The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council advocates most often for Hawaii’s fishing industry, but yet it managed to become a voting member of the World Conservation Congress. Civil Beat.

The largest environmental symposium is underway this week in Honolulu. And the more than 9,000 participants are doing their best to go green. Hawaii Public Radio.

Newly released federal data confirms the cost of food in Hawaii is significantly higher than it is on the mainland. A government defined "thrifty food plan" for a family of four in Hawaii costs $1,161 a month, about $500 more than the same amount of food costs a family of four on the mainland, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture figures. Associated Press.

The state has proposed a $39 million biosecurity plan to be implemented over the next decade that seeks to bolster its fight against invasive species. Associated Press.

Most of the University of Hawaii’s more than 200 executives are eligible for merit-based raises totaling approximately $800,000 under criteria approved Thursday by a Board of Regents committee. Star-Advertiser.

A class-action lawsuit was filed as a result of the hepatitis A outbreak in Hawaii that affected about 250 people since June. Garden Island.

Oahu

Mayoral candidate and former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou says his 2010 vote on funding for Sept. 11, 2001, first responders has been mischaracterized by Mayor Kirk Caldwell in a campaign ad now running on television. Star-Advertiser.

A scalding new TV spot by Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell attacks former Congressman Charles Djou for not supporting a bill funding benefits for 9/11 first responders — a charge that Djou calls “disgusting” and a “clear misrepresentation of my record.” Civil Beat.

Charles Djou received the backing of two members of the Honolulu City Council Thursday. Civil Beat.

The holding company for Japan’s second-largest bank has put up $1.3 billion in financing for four prominent Hawaii hotels owned by Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts that total 3,461 rooms, Pacific Business News has learned.

The city is working to notify homeless people — and formerly homeless people — that their constitutional rights may have been violated as part of the city’s homeless crackdown. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu's newest police commissioner is getting praise for holding Honolulu's police chief accountable. Hawaii News Now.

Bringing Kaneohe Bay Coral Back From the Brink. Coral bleaching is a reality. The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources is looking for ways to keep our reefs alive despite it. Civil Beat.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew stopped in Honolulu to meet with business and community leaders for a roundtable discussion following his trip to the G-20 Leaders Summit in Hangzhou, China. Pacific Business News.

Teachers at Castle High School have been cleaning their own classrooms and taking out the trash themselves because the school has not been able to hire janitors. KHON2.

The Hawaii Department of Public Safety is revising a visitation policy at the Oahu Community Correctional Center, a move that it says will give more options to families and friends of inmates. Civil Beat.

Families of inmates at Oahu Community Correctional Center will be able to schedule visits once during the week instead of waiting for the traditional visitation days of Saturdays and Sundays, but will no longer be able to touch them. Star-Advertiser.

North King Street focus of $8M repaving, pedestrian safety project. Hawaii News Now.

A deputy attorney general has been arrested for driving under the influence. Hugh Jones was arrested just after 8 a.m. Thursday on the H-3 Freeway near the Harano Tunnel. KHON2.

Hawaii

The qualifications of county Environmental Management Director Bobby Jean Leithead Todd are again in question, following an Intermediate Court of Appeals opinion Thursday that vacates a lower court judgment favoring her and kicks the case back down to Circuit Court. West Hawaii Today.

Native Hawaiians who oppose construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope atop Mauna Kea are seeing reflections of their cause in the waters of the Missouri River. Members of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in North Dakota have been protesting a new oil pipeline planned to cross the river upstream from their reservation, stirring fears of contamination of their drinking water source and damage to sacred sites. Tribune-Herald.

Taking one step closer to a permanent quarantine on transport of ohia plants from the Big Island, state Department of Agriculture officials concluded a series of public hearings Wednesday night. Tribune-Herald.

Emotional testimony was delivered Wednesday evening in favor of – and against – new federal rules concerning Hawaii’s spinner dolphins. Big Island Video News.

Maui

The state Public Utilities Commission is seeking written public comment on the Molokai ferry's petition to surrender its certificate to operate between Lahaina and Kaunakakai. Maui News.
http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/623652/Comment-wanted-on-ferry-closure.html?nav=5161

Three environmental groups and the University of Hawaii have collaborated to form a citizen science and coastal water quality monitoring program to supplement data collection by the state Health Department in hopes of protecting reefs and maintaining nearshore water quality in West Maui. Maui News.

Maui teachers and administrators see positives in the country's new education law, the Every Student Succeeds Act, but how it will translate to Hawaii's classrooms is still to be determined. Maui News.

Kauai

Rental applications are being accepted for the second phase of Kaniko’o. The affordable housing community for seniors in Lihue is set for completion in the next few months. Garden Island.

Foreign fishermen held captive in Hawaii, native honeycreepers in peril, Honolulu police chief feels heat in midst of federal corruption probe, school flu shots delayed, human-dolphin interaction rule draws Kona crowd, Kauai to allow multiple housing units, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Amakihi honeycreeper, Lucas Behnke USGS

Native forest birds on Kauai are rapidly dying off and facing the threat of extinction as climate change heats up their habitat and allows mosquito-borne diseases to thrive, according to a study released Wednesday. Associated Press.

‘I‘iwi honeycreeper, Lucas Behnke USGS

Pier 17 doesn’t even show up on most Honolulu maps. Cars whiz past it on their way to Waikiki. Passing tourists, let alone locals, are unaware that just behind a guarded gate, another world exists: foreign fishermen confined to American boats for years at a time. Associated Press.

Though federal laws and rules don’t mention Hawaii’s fishing fleet by name, technicalities buried in immigration law, maritime regulations and agency rule books have combined to give it a rare distinction: In the Aloha State hundreds of foreign fishermen are stuck on their boats for years. Associated Press.

Angry Democrats want a Bernie Sanders delegate who made an obscene gesture on national television kicked out of the Democratic Party of Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Hepatitis A outbreak holds up school flu program for now. KHON2.

Under a $39 million plan for the next decade, the state would not only escalate its fight against invasive species at home but take measures to prevent them from reaching the islands. The draft of the Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan, scheduled to receive an airing at public hearings across the state early next month, was unveiled Wednesday in a news conference at the World Conservation Congress at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Star-Advertiser.

A proposed biosecurity plan for the state seeks additional funding and increased cooperation between government agencies to stop the spread of invasive species. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii officials plan to unveil a plan to cope with coral bleaching that's threatening the state's reefs. Warmer ocean temperatures have stressed Hawaii's coral, forcing them to expel algae they rely on for food. Vast stretches of reef have turned white, increasing the risk that the coral will get sick and die. Hawaii News Now.

Members of an international environmental group are debating a proposal to urge leaders in every country to ban trading ivory. Associated Press.

Although there’s a lot of focus on the IUCN this week…there’s a different conference beginning today that focuses on native rights issues. The International Indian Treaty Council is hosting its annual meeting this year in Hawai‘i.  Indigenous leaders from First Nation groups around the world use the annual meeting to discuss issues around decolonization, sovereignty and self-determination. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. David Ige has appointed Edmund Hyun as the interim chair of the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Federal prosecutors investigating a case involving possible public corruption by Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his wife, a deputy prosecutor, have sent out a target letter to at least one person, saying he is a possible suspect in the investigation. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s newest police commissioner turned Wednesday’s Honolulu Police Commission meeting into a detailed inquiry about the department’s lax handling of police misconduct. Civil Beat.

Honolulu police Chief Louis Kealoha faced heated questioning Wednesday about allegations of police misconduct and several high-profile incidents in which officers found guilty of abuse of power were never punished. Hawaii News Now.

The Honolulu City Council delayed final approval of the Mana‘olana condominium-hotel tower Wednesday, sending the issue back to the Zoning and Planning Committee for further work. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council voted Wednesday to push back decision-making on a luxury hotel and condominium project that’s planned for the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and Atkinson Street in Ala Moana. Civil Beat.

Oahu residents looking to get rooftop solar energy systems soon won’t be able to send their excess energy into the grid. Hawaiian Electric Co. said Wednesday that Oahu has nearly reached the capacity that the state Public Utilities Commission put on solar systems that export energy to the power grid. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

A decision on a rule that would regulate human-dolphin recreational activity off the Kona coast and throughout Hawaii isn’t likely to be made for at least a year. But heated public conversations on the topic, which will be held across the state, began Wednesday night on the Big Island. West Hawaii Today.

Riders using the county’s new Hele-On Kakoo paratransit system will pay a $4 fare each way, after an attempt Wednesday by Hilo Councilman Dennis “Fresh” Onishi to halve the amount was killed by a County Council majority. West Hawaii Today.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that Mid Pac Petroleum LLC paid a settlement of $600,000 for federal Clean Air Act violations at the company’s Kawaihae facility on Hawaii island. Star-Advertiser.

A failure to install vapor pollution controls and obey pollution limits under the Clean Air Act will cost a a Hawaii-based petroleum company $632,000, according to an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The state director of the United Public Workers and Gov. David Ige on Tuesday quietly signed a supplemental contract agreement for the union's Maui County public hospital workers along the outlines of a pact forged during a legal fight borne of the state's efforts to privatize the facilities. Maui News.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, Airports Division is conducting a public information meeting for the Kahului Airport Master Plan Update from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016 at the Kaunoa Senior Center, Room 101-102 in Spreckelsville. Maui Now.

A two-story commercial, retail and hotel building is being proposed for an empty lot on a corner of Kaunakakai's main street, which could provide lodging for visiting island residents, though some said they'd rather see it become housing for Molokai families. Maui News.

Manpower and mechanical problems have affected trash pickups in Lahaina, Haiku and Makawao and the hours of the Molokai Landfill this week, the county Solid Waste Division announced Tuesday. Maui News.

Kauai

The Kauai County Council unanimously passed a bill on first reading Wednesday that allows multiple family dwelling units in all residential zoning districts. Garden Island.

Several people in support of a petition that would preserve about 21,000 acres of agricultural land on the Westside testified in front the state Land Use Commission on Wednesday. Garden Island.

Adolescent center moves ahead. Council approves $5 million in CIP funds from Legislature. Garden Island.

Humpback whales taken off endangered list, new butterflyfish discovered off Hawaii, state school chief gets good reviews, housing market tightens, OHA spends to boost image, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Humpback whale, Danielle Cholewiak, NOAA

 Federal authorities took most humpback whales off the endangered species list Tuesday, saying their numbers have recovered through international efforts to protect the giant mammals. Associated Press.

Scientists have named a new species of butterflyfish discovered in the deep reefs of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument after a veteran Kona diver who has assisted in collecting reef fishes in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands for numerous scientific studies and educational displays. Star-Advertiser.

Pete Basabe’s Butterflyfish

Scientists from Bishop Museum and NOAA have published a description of a new species of butterflyfish from deep reefs of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Maui Now.

Here Are The Actions The IUCN Is Considering Taking. The IUCN kicked off its Members’ Assembly deliberations this week in which more than 1,300 members will debate issues like wildlife trafficking and protecting the rights of indigenous people. Civil Beat.

A potentially game changing new tool for business has been launched at the World Conservation Congress in Hawai‘i.  It’s called the Natural Capital Protocol and was tested with over fifty companies including Coca-Cola, Dow, Nestlé, and Shell. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources is urging the public to be cautious when choosing sunscreen. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Department of Education is considering a proposal to seek from legislators next year a $50 million boost in per-pupil funds aimed at helping public schools narrow achievement gaps between high-needs students and their peers. Star-Advertiser.

For the third consecutive year, Kathryn Matayoshi is exceeding expectations in her role as Hawaii Department of Education superintendent, according to the Board of Education’s annual job performance evaluation. Hawaii News Now.

Schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi for a third straight year received high marks on her annual performance evaluation by the state Board of Education. Star-Advertiser.

The State Public Charter School Commission will undergo a performance review following a “pattern of well-founded complaints” from multiple charter school leaders, the state Board of Education decided Tuesday during its regular meeting. Tribune-Herald.

A quasi-governmental agency that has sometimes received negative press has hired a major public relations firm to improve how people think of it. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has retained the services of Honolulu-based Stryker Weiner & Yokota. The $293,969 contract is for a two-year period. Civil Beat.

Oahu

The City Council is expected to approve a $6 million settlement of a lawsuit brought by a man who was severely injured when his motorcycle was struck by an on-duty Honolulu Police Department officer’s SUV. Star-Advertiser.

A plan to build a 36-story luxury condo and hotel across the street from the Hawaii Convention Center is facing resistance from affordable housing advocates on the eve of its final vote before the Honolulu City Council. Civil Beat.

A controversial resort development in Ewa Beach prompted tempers to flare at the Honolulu City Council on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Thousands of homeless patients frequent Hawaii hospitals, many of whom have chronic health conditions that often lead to costly emergency room visits and repeat admissions. Star-Advertiser.

Areas closed for rail construction may no longer reopen as businesses struggle to survive. KHON2.

Condominium sales surged on Oahu during August while median sales prices jumped for both condos and single-family homes, according to a Honolulu Board of Realtors analysis of Multiple Listing Service data. Pacific Business News.

Oahu "desperately" needs more housing inventory to meet high demand, the president of the Honolulu Board of Realtors said Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees met on Oahu Tuesday, and Mauna Kea was on the agenda. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii County is nearing the end of the waiting list for its geothermal relocation program more than four years after it saw a surge in applicants. Joaquin Gamiao-Kunkel, deputy planning director, said offers are pending with the last two of the 39 applicants. Tribune-Herald.

Residential home sales on Hawaii Island are continuing along an upward trend for the first half of 2016. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

From 2012 – 2014, 90% of the Department of Health’s water quality samples collected on Maui failed to meet state standards for nutrients, bacteria, and turbidity (a measure of water clarity). Program leaders say these results, combined with other data, raise concerns about the health of Maui’s coral reefs. Hui O Ka Wai Ola, a citizen science, coastal water quality monitoring program was launched under a joint effort from the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, The Nature Conservancy, the West Maui Ridge to Reef Initiative and University of Hawaiʻi. Maui Now.

The major walkway along the coastline of Wai‘ānapanapa State Park in East Maui will be replaced beginning today, Sept. 6, 2016. Maui Now.

Kauai

The euthanization of five kittens by the Kauai Humane Society has upset some community members, while those who work within the nationwide animal shelter sector say KHS’s actions are acceptable. Garden Island.

Prison contractor has checkered past, climate change could bring intense hurricanes, candidate spending reports show mixed results, Honolulu rail contractor disputes city, Kauai family to preserve 21k acres, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii prison © 2016 All Hawaii News

Hawaii Prison Contractor Was Convicted Of Fraud And Bribery. Yet that hasn’t stopped a potential $1.3 million contract to design and rebuild OCCC from going to the New Jersey company. Civil Beat.

Protest Outside IUCN Draws Attention to US Military Environmental Impact. Hawaii Public Radio.

A new report released at the International Union of Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) World Conservation Congress indicates Hawaii is in for more frequent hurricane threats in the future. Hawaii News Now.

A new report released Monday in Honolulu makes clear that ocean warming “is affecting humans in direct ways and the impacts are already being felt,” according to a summary. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Co. plans to fully implement its demand-response programs, which include offering lower or higher prices during certain times of the day through time-of-use rates, by Dec. 1, 2017, the utility said this week. Pacific Business News.

State struggles to keep teachers, but some programs are working to buck the trend. Tribune-Herald.

Isle Reserve unit loath to relinquish patch. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu
Acrimony between rail transit officials and the project’s major contractor, Kiewit Infrastructure West, could explain why Kiewit declined to submit a bid for rail work past Aloha Stadium. Star-Advertiser.

Charles Djou raised three times more money than Kirk Caldwell in the last two weeks leading up to the Aug. 13 primary. That’s according to state Campaign Spending Commission reports filed Sept. 2. Civil Beat.

The public will be able to pay for parking with credit or debit cards at about one-fourth of Oahu’s metered street spaces by sometime next month under the second phase of a pilot Smart Meters project by the city Department of Transportation Services. Star-Advertiser.

Ala Wai flooding fears prompt cash prize for new solutions. KHON2.

A prize of up to $10,000 is up for grabs to students who can come up with a way to clean up one of the nation's most polluted waterways. An international design challenge was launched on Monday to rehabilitate the Ala Wai Watershed. Hawaii News Now.

About 200 competitive swimmers — and perhaps dozens more — had to be plucked from the ocean by rescue crews Monday as strong currents dogged the 47th annual Waikiki Roughwater Swim. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Money helps, but — especially in local politics — it’s not usually the determining factor in winning an election. West Hawaii Today.

Officers back on duty: Probes of shootings wind down; new law will create additional review of police-involved deaths. Tribune-Herald.

The draft environmental assessment for a planned East Hawaii Organics Facility has been published. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Public beach access points in increasingly urbanized West Maui can now be found online after a local organization spent the last two years gathering public records relating to shoreline development. Maui News.

The University of Hawaii Maui College has received two federal grants worth $3.7 million over the next five years, college Chancellor Lui Hokoana announced Aug. 29. Maui News.

Kauai

Public testimony and additional dwelling units will be discussed Wednesday during the Kauai County Council meeting. Garden Island.

The Robinson family of Kauai has stepped up to preserve about 21,000 acres of agricultural land it owns before the county selects prime private farmland for protection, but state agencies have raised concerns about a portion of the family’s plan. Star-Advertiser.

A Newell’s shearwater chick that apparently wandered away from its burrow in Kauai’s Hono o na Pali Natural Area Reserve in August is alive and well at the Save Our Shearwaters shelter. Star-Advertiser.

Sunscreen is killing coral reefs, Jane Goodall addresses World Conservation Congress, Djou beats Caldwell in campaign money, Sam Choy battles to keep his brand, Kenoi attorneys block email release, Maui mulls charging for rescues, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kona beach scene © 2016 All Hawaii News

State officials called for a united effort in battling the negative effect of oxybenzone, a common sunscreen ingredient, on coral reefs during an afternoon media briefing at the World Conservation Congress at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Star-Advertiser.

Fearing cancer, many beachgoers slather their bodies with sunscreen in hopes of blocking the sun’s sometimes deadly rays. While the practice may be good for humans, it’s deadly for coral reefs. Civil Beat.

Jane Goodall sure knows how to draw a crowd. On Saturday, the famed primatologist packed hundreds in of adoring fans into a large ballroom at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu for the International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress, the largest environmental symposium in the world. Civil Beat.

Hawaii received grim news Sunday when the International Union for Conservation of Nature declared that 38 plant species found only on our islands had gone extinct and that hundreds more were on the brink. Civil Beat.

On Sunday at an all-star panel at the World Conservation Congress in Honolulu, Kathryn Sullivan, the first American woman to walk in space, described the Earth’s atmosphere as a “thin veneer” and an “ocean of air” that looks as slim as the peel of a tangerine. Civil Beat.

Former Harvard biology professor E.O. Wilson is one of the world’s most respected and revered conservationists alive today. So you might find it curious that his biggest fear isn’t climate change or the ongoing mass extinction that decimates an estimated 150-200 species every day. Nope. It’s Donald Trump. Civil Beat.

Hawaii-based marine biologists Randall Kosaki, Richard Pyle and Brian Greene plan to name a colorful, newly discovered fish species after President Barack Obama. Civil Beat.

About two dozen protesters assembled peacefully outside the Hawaii Convention Center Saturday with a message to those meeting inside: The U.S. military is destroying the planet. Civil Beat.

The World Conservation Congress in Honolulu is making a concerted effort at being green and could set a new standard for the tourism industry here. The International Union for Conservation of Nature event underway now through Saturday is taking ambitious measures to reduce paper, eliminate plastic, avoid food waste, decrease energy use, ramp up recycling and take other sustainability measures that are likely to set a new standard for Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s hepatitis A outbreak, which has sickened 241 people so far, is the worst in the country since 2003 and a sharp reversal from the downward trajectory of the disease in recent decades. Star-Advertiser.

Under Hawaii’s civil asset forfeiture program, law enforcement agencies can seize property suspected of being connected with criminal activity, even if they don’t obtain a conviction or file a criminal charge. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

While Mayor Kirk Caldwell received more votes in last month's primary, Charles Djou raked in more money. Filings with the state Campaign Spending Commission show Caldwell's campaign received $57,000 in contributions in the two weeks before the Aug. 13th election.  In that same period, Djou's campaign received nearly three-times as much: $167,000. Hawaii News Now.

More than a year after three controversial measures tied to the last undeveloped phase of Haseko’s 1,100-acre Ewa Beach development were introduced, the City Council is still trying to reach a resolution on certain issues. Star-Advertiser.

The U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday finalized its decision to award Hawaiian Airlines a daytime slot to fly from Honolulu International Airport to Haneda Airport in Tokyo, according to U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono. Pacific Business News.

A Hawaii union says it has filed a complaint with the Environmental Protection Agency over reports of unsafe working conditions after discovering mold at a Waikiki hotel that’s under construction. Associated Press.

Hawaii

County attorneys are seeking to keep the contents of 40 emails, most of them sent in the month after Big Island newspapers reported Mayor Billy Kenoi’s misuse of his county-issued credit card, secret. Tribune-Herald.

Roughly 40 scientists, researchers and business people will convene at Kilauea Military Camp at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss the feasibility of the implementation of one or several groundbreaking technologies to curb the mosquito population across the state — if not eradicate it. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County is seeking a state Department of Health permit for a full-scale composting facility — the first in Hawaii — before breaking ground next year. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald issued a memo to chief judges statewide after ads appeared on the Big Island depicting state Judiciary personnel endorsing a candidate for county prosecutor. West Hawaii Today.

In addition to picking from an assortment of local, state and national candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot, Big Island voters will help decide three ballot questions — two to amend the state constitution and one to amend the Hawaii County charter. West Hawaii Today.

Local chef Sam Choy is disputing an Oahu restaurant’s right to use his name “royalty-free” despite the chef having no connection to the restaurant. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The Maui Demolition & Construction Landfill that has been operating on 15 acres at the corner of North Kihei Road and Honoapiilani Highway for the last 20 years stopped accepting construction debris Wednesday, a landfill official confirmed Friday. Maui News.

Nearly half of the 250 people surveyed by the Maui County Fire Department supported the idea of billing people who require helicopter and mountain rescues by firefighters. Maui News.

The Maui County Council approved a resolution Friday for the county to acquire more than 250 acres near the world famous "Jaws" surf break in East Maui for nearly $9.5 million. Maui News.

The final touches are currently being applied to the nonprofit Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute, which will work on developing rehabilitation facilities for endangered turtles, expanding an existing coral bank at the aquarium and providing marine sciences educational opportunities. Maui News.

Brown Water Advisories have been issued for Baldwin Beach Park and Honokahua Bay on Maui due to recent rains. Maui Now.

Kauai

New technology that could help out Kauai’s endangered forest birds is on the horizon, but questions remain. Garden Island.

Kauai residents are invited to comment on a bill that would allow alcohol sales on the Wailua Golf Course. The Kauai County Council will host a public hearing on Bill No. 2635 at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, which made it legal for alcohol to be consumed on the course. Garden Island.

Kauai Humane Society is reeling after an Alaska Airlines decision to end its pet transfer program was announced Friday. Garden Island.

IUCN World Conservation Congress opens with native rituals, Obama tours Midway, Hurricane Lester veers northward, appeals court denies environmental assessment for aquarium fish collectors, Ige vows more farming and conservation, islands mop up after Madeline, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Native Hawaiian rituals kick off World Conservation Congress, courtesy state Rep. Joy San Buenaventura

Amid the pomp and ritual of the Native Hawaiian culture, the World Conservation Congress came to life in Honolulu on Thursday with a rally cry to save the planet. Star-Advertiser.

The international community came together Thursday in Hawaii for 10 days of talks by leading academics, conservation groups and government officials to address the impacts of global warming, wildlife trafficking and environmental conservation. Associated Press.

Gov. David Ige welcomed a major environmental conference to Hawaii on Thursday by committing to protect more of his state’s watersheds and nearshore ocean waters. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige announced Thursday at the start of an international conservation conference in Honolulu a slew of sustainable pledges for the state, including one that commits Hawaii to double its food production by 2020. Pacific Business News.

President Barack Obama plunked down on a speck of coral reef in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on Thursday and gazed out at the turquoise waters of the marine monument he’s widened to become the largest in the world. Associated Press.

President Barack Obama spent Thursday morning touring Midway Atoll. KITV.

President Barack Obama is back in the islands from his day trip to Midway Atoll. He landed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam at around 8:45 p.m. Thursday. KHON2.

© Joy San Buenaventura

Opening ceremonies for the first World Conservation Congress held in the U.S. were conducted today. conservation issues and Native Hawaiian culture shared center stage. Hawaii Public Radio.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress, a 10-day event, began Thursday in Honolulu and continues until Sept. 10. Speakers include everyone from Jane Goodall to Prince Albert II of Monaco. Tribune-Herald.

Photos: Hawaii Welcomes World Conservation Congress. The traditions of a beach arrival and hula greet thousands of attendees as the signature environmental event makes its American debut. Civil Beat.

Aquarium fish collectors won’t have to go through an environmental assessment in order to get state-issued permits, under a ruling upheld Wednesday by a state appeals court panel. West Hawaii Today.

The National Weather Service dropped a hurricane watch for Hawaii County as Hurricane Lester continued on a west-northwest path toward Hawaii. At 5 a.m., Lester was 435 miles east of Hilo and 625 miles east of Honolulu. It’s sustained winds remained at 110 mph with hurricane-force winds extending 45 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds going out 140 miles from the center. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane Lester is barreling toward the state as a Category 2 cyclone and could pass "very close" to the islands this weekend, bringing pounding surf, heavy rains and high winds. Hawaii News Now.

General closures and cancellations related to Hurricane Lester. KHON2.

Oahu

The largest public works project in state history has turned into a huge cash cow for Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell's campaign. A Hawaii News Now analysis found that Caldwell received more than $916,000 during the past two elections cycles from rail contractors, subcontractors and their executives.

Three Fundraisers For Caldwell. They were all within the last week, bringing the grand total to 41 fundraisers since he was elected in 2012. Civil Beat.

Three educators have been selected as finalists for the chancellor position at the University of Hawaii at West Oahu following a national search, the university announced Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Judge Steve Alm Is Taking His Message Of ‘HOPE’ To DC. The innovative program to decrease prison time and increase probation is being adopted across the country. But Judge Alm wants to do even more. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

A Brown Water Advisory has been issued for all of the Big Island due to heavy rains on Wednesday, the state Department of Health said. The public is asked to stay out of flood waters and storm water runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals, and associated flood debris. Hawaii News Now.

In anticipation for Tropical Storm Madeline, solid waste facilities were closed across the island — which is standard practice when hurricane-like weather looms — but that didn’t stop some rogue residents from piling heaps of garbage in front of the closed locations, despite signs at the sites denoting the practice as illegal and punishable by fines. West Hawaii Today.

After a thorough drenching by Tropical Storm Madeline on Wednesday, the weather was partly cloudy and mild throughout much of East Hawaii on Thursday. Yet, thousands of public school students remained out of class. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The great Maui hospitals deal which only a week ago looked like “All systems GO,” seems suddenly on track to completely unravel and leave Maui facing major cuts in hospital beds and medical services. Maui Watch.

It seemed like a done deal when Gov. David Ige announced two weeks ago he had an agreement with the United Public Workers union that would clear the way for Kaiser Permanente to take over Maui Memorial Medical Center by Nov 6th. But those close to the negotiations said it apparently hinged on having a side deal with the United Public Workers over sick leave and severance signed by last weekend. KITV.

Kauai

While traffic on Kauai’s Westside can be bad at times, residents say it’s manageable. Garden Island.