Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Breaking -- Hawaii House Speaker Emeritus Joe Souki ousted over sexual harassment claims. Full text of Ethics Commission settlement, plus media articles as Hawaii enters #metoo era

courtesy photo
Former House Speaker Joe Souki, courtesy photo
 Resolution of Investigation

The Commission believes that, based on the facts admitted above, Respondent
Souki likely violated the Fair Treatment Law (HRS § 84-13).

Based on the circumstances in this case, the Commission believes that it is
reasonable, fair, and in the public interest to resolve this investigation as follows:
  • (1) Issuing this Resolution of Investigation;
  • (2) Requiring Respondent Souki to resign his position as a member of the House of Representatives, effective no later than March 30, 2018;
  • (3) Requiring Respondent Souki to issue a public apology for his conduct;
  • (4) Requiring Respondent Souki to pay an administrative penalty of $5,000 to the State of Hawaii; and
  • (5) Requiring Respondent Souki to agree not to seek or accept any public office for a period of two years
News coverage of the settlement:

Former House Speaker Joseph Souki will be required by the Hawaii State Ethics Commission to resign from office next week to resolve a complaint involving accusations from multiple women who allege they were the targets of his unwanted advances that included sexual comments, touching and kissing, according to people familiar with the agreement. Star-Advertiser.

Former Hawaii House Speaker Forced Out Over Sexual Harassment. Several women had filed ethics complaints against Joe Souki, a longtime lawmaker from Maui. Civil Beat.

Veteran Maui lawmaker and former Speaker Joe Souki will resign from the state Legislature later this month, following a state Ethics Commission settlement of a sexual harassment complaint against him. Maui News.

Long-time lawmaker and former house speaker Joe Souki of Maui will resign from his legislative post amid a state Ethics Commission settlement over allegations of sexual harassment. Maui Now.

House Harassment Policy Puts Speaker In Charge Of All Complaints. The internal process for resolving sexual harassment complaints in the House doesn’t anticipate what happens if the speaker is the one being accused. Civil Beat.

Souki accuser is moved by other women’s stories of harassment at state Capitol. Star-Advertiser.

Full text of Settlement Agreement:

Read full text of Souki settlement here.

Resolution of Investigation
2018-2
(COMPL-I-17-00397)
Hawaii House of Representatives, Speaker Emeritus Joseph M. Souki,
Alleged Violations of Fair Treatment Law
March 16, 2018

The Hawaii State Ethics Commission (“Commission”) has resolved an
Investigation of Speaker Emeritus Joseph M. Souki (“Respondent Souki”), for alleged
violations of the State Ethics Code, Hawaii Revised Statutes (“HRS”) chapter 84. The
investigation involved allegations that Respondent Souki sexually harassed multiple
women by subjecting them to unwanted kissing, touching, and sexual language.
The alleged violations came to the attention of the Commission by way of a
complaint from Rachael Wong, former Director of the Department of Human Services.
Upon investigation, the Commission staff received allegations of similar unwanted and
inappropriate conduct by Respondent Souki from several other women.

I. Facts
Respondent Souki admitted the following facts:
a. Respondent Souki, at all times relevant herein, was an elected member of
Hawaii’s House of Representatives. He was first elected to office in 1982 and
has served continuously since that time. He served as Speaker of the House
from 1993 to 1999 and again from 2013 to 2017.
b. The House of Representatives is a “state agency” as defined by HRS § 84-3.
Respondent Souki, at all times relevant herein, was a state legislator and was
therefore required to comply with the State Ethics Code.
c. The House of Representatives’ internal rules prohibit sexual harassment:
It is the policy of the House to provide a work environment
free from violence, threats of violence, harassment, intimidation, and other disruptive behavior. House membersand staff shall be treated with dignity and respect at all
times.

Rules of the House of Representatives, Twenty-Ninth State Legislature, 2017-2018
(hereinafter, “House Rules”), Preface, available here.

d. The House of Representatives’ Standards of Conduct contain clear
proscriptions on members’ conduct, including the following:
60.1. Members should conduct themselves in a respectful
manner befitting the office with which they as elected
officials have been entrusted, respecting and
complying with the law and acting at all times in a
manner that promotes public confidence in the
integrity of the House.
. . .
60.3. Members should treat their fellow House members,
staff, and the general public with respect and
courtesy, regardless of political or religious beliefs,
age, race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity or expression, or physical disability.
60.4. . . . Members should freely and willingly accept
certain restrictions on their business activities and
professional conduct that might be considered
burdensome by an ordinary private citizen, and
should perform the duties of elected office impartially
and diligently. To the greatest extent reasonably
possible, members should:

(2) Refrain from showing bias or prejudice, including
but not limited to bias or prejudice based on
political or religious beliefs, age, race, ethnicity,
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or
expression, or physical disability, in the
performance of their official duties;
(3) Exercise patience, tolerance, and courtesy to all
those with whom they deal with in an official
capacity, and require staff and others subject to their direction and control to maintain similar
standards of conduct, fidelity, and diligence
inherent in public service;
. . .
(8) Refrain from using, or permitting the use of, the
privileges and prestige of their public office to
derive undue personal, professional, or financial
benefits for themselves, members of their family,
or others with whom they maintain personal,
business, or professional relationships;

House Rules at 49-50.
e. The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the House of
Representatives, and as such, exercises substantial control over the
operations of the House:
The presiding officers of each house conduct floor sessions
in their respective chambers and exercise control over their
house's operations, facilities, and property, including by
appointing conference committee members and scheduling
the legislative timetable in cooperation with the other house.
In addition, the presiding officers represent their respective
houses in dealing with the public and other agencies.
Hawaii State Legislature, “Membership, Leadership and Standing Committees,”
available at https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/docs/cg/5.pdf. Similarly, the House of
Representatives’ internal rules contain three full pages devoted to the Speaker’s duties,
including appointing committee chairs and referring bills to committees.

House Rules at 3-5.
f. The Speaker of the House also has significant control over the process for
investigating complaints against Representatives – including the Speaker –
by choosing the members of any panel that would investigate a complaint of
misconduct: “[T]he Speaker shall appoint a special committee to receive
complaints and investigate any member for misconduct, disorderly conduct,
neglect of duty, violation of chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or violation
of these Rules.” House Rules, Rule 28.3.
g. Respondent Souki admits that, while serving as Speaker of the House and in
meetings held in his State Capitol office, he touched and kissed more than
one woman in ways that were inappropriate and unwelcome. He admits that
this physical contact exceeded the boundaries of the customary “aloha kiss.”
h. Respondent Souki further admits that he made sexual comments, including
comments on the physical appearance of more than one woman, that were
inappropriate and unwanted.

II. The State Ethics Code, HRS Chapter 84
A. Constitutional Mandate and Statutory Purpose
The State Ethics Code arises from the declaration contained in the State
Constitution that “[t]he people of Hawaii believe that public officers and employees must
exhibit the highest standards of ethical conduct and that these standards come from the
personal integrity of each individual in government.”2 To this end, the Hawaii
Constitution further directs that the legislature enact a code of ethics that applies to all
appointed and elected state officers and employees.
In accordance with this constitutional mandate, the legislature enacted the State
Ethics Code and charged the Commission with administering and enforcing the law “so
that public confidence in public servants will be preserved.”3 Additionally, the legislature
explicitly directed that the State Ethics Code be liberally construed to promote high
standards of ethical conduct in state government. HRS § 84-1. It is in this context that
the Commission examines every employee’s actions.

B. The State Ethics Code
As a legislator, Respondent Souki was required to comply with the State Ethics
Code. As a legislator, and particularly as Speaker of the House, it is incumbent upon
Respondent Souki to set – and exhibit – high standards of ethical conduct.
HRS § 84-13 (the “Fair Treatment Law”) provides in relevant part:
No legislator or employee shall use or attempt to use the
legislator's or employee's official position to secure or grant unwarranted privileges, exemptions, advantages, contracts,
or treatment, for oneself or others
In other words, a legislator may not use his state position to obtain unwarranted benefits
for himself, nor may he use his state position to subject another person to unwarranted
treatment – favorable or unfavorable.
The Commission investigated Respondent Souki’s actions, and as set forth
above, Respondent Souki admits to inappropriate and unwanted sexual comments,
kissing, and touching.

Because of his power as Speaker over legislation and budgeting questions,
women were reticent to confront Respondent Souki or to file a complaint with the House
of Representatives regarding his conduct. For example, then-Director Wong was
responsible for a state department with a budget of $3.3 billion, consisting of “four
divisions, two attached agencies, two attached commissions, and six staff offices.”
Department of Human Services, Annual Report 2016, at 2, available at
https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/ 01/DHS-2016-Annual-
Report.pdf. Challenging then-Speaker Souki’s conduct could have jeopardized her
agency’s budget and legislation, thereby impairing her advocacy efforts on behalf of
Hawaii’s children and families. She, like others, felt she had no choice but to remain
silent in the face of Respondent Souki’s behavior. The Ethics Code was designed to
prevent such abuses of power by state government officials.

III. Resolution of Investigation

The Commission believes that, based on the facts admitted above, Respondent
Souki likely violated the Fair Treatment Law (HRS § 84-13).
Based on the circumstances in this case, the Commission believes that it is
reasonable, fair, and in the public interest to resolve this investigation as follows:
(1) Issuing this Resolution of Investigation;
(2) Requiring Respondent Souki to resign his position as a member of the House
of Representatives, effective no later than March 30, 2018;
(3) Requiring Respondent Souki to issue a public apology for his conduct;
(4) Requiring Respondent Souki to pay an administrative penalty of $5,000 to the
State of Hawaii; and
(5) Requiring Respondent Souki to agree not to seek or accept any public office
for a period of two years

As previously stated, the Commission believes it is fair, reasonable, and in the
public interest to resolve this matter without further administrative action.
Dated March 16, 2018 ________________________________
Reynaldo D. Graulty, Chair
Hawaii State Ethics Commission
Dated March 16, 2018 ________________________________
Ruth Tschumy, Vice Chair
Hawaii State Ethics Commission
Dated March 16, 2018 ________________________________
Susan N. DeGuzman, Commissioner
Hawaii State Ethics Commission
Dated March 16, 2018 ________________________________
David O’Neal, Commissioner
Hawaii State Ethics Commission
Dated March 16, 2018 ________________________________
Melinda Wood, Commissioner
Hawaii State Ethics Commission

=====

Prior stories about Souki harassment allegations:

Rep. Joe Souki is accused of sexual harassment. Posted: Feb 01, 2018 6:40 PM HST KITV.

Former state Department of Human Services Director Rachael Wong has filed a sexual harassment complaint against former House Speaker Joe Souki — a political icon from Maui who for decades has been one of the most powerful lawmakers in the state. Updated February 1, 2018 2:19pm. Star-Advertiser.

Longtime Wailuku state representative and two-time House Speaker Joe Souki is facing a sexual harassment complaint from the former head of Hawaii’s Department of Human Services. Feb 2, 2018. Maui News.


Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Honolulu City Council ousts chairman, OHA probed by FBI and state attorney general, reaction to Djou's departure from GOP, councilwoman cleared to sponsor vacation rental bill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2018 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaii police on parade ©2018 All Hawaii News
Legislators Again Consider Making More Police Disciplinary Records Public. For the fifth straight year, there’s a bill to end the exemption for officers to a public records law that applies to everyone else. Civil Beat.

The state Attorney General’s office and the FBI are conducting a wide-ranging investigation into allegations of “public corruption and misappropriation” of taxpayer and state funds at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Hawaii News Now.

Supporters rally for Kupuna Caregivers Program measure, which provides assistance to the family caregiver who also works outside the home full time. Star-Advertiser.

Supporters are trying to draw attention to the continued need for funding of the Kupuna Caregivers Program. KHON2.

Employers and employees will testify today regarding a controversial bill that would require employers in Hawaii to offer paid sick leave to employees. House Bill 1727 would require employers to provide a certain amount of paid sick leave to their employees each year unless they pay employees more than the minimum wage. Tribune-Herald.

State policy on virtual currency up for debate. A bill that proposes to modify state regulations for companies that broker transactions of highly volatile virtual currencies for Hawaii customers is scheduled to be heard today at the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Legislators Consider Tougher Invasive Species Control Measures. Hawaii Public Radio.

The recent spate of drownings across the state has brought together key people from the state and the counties to try and to address what if anything we can do to keep our visitors and residents safe in the water. Hawaii Public Radio.

Protection for all sharks and rays within state waters has moved another step closer to reality. West Hawaii Today.

Commentary: What’s Next For Charles Djou — And The Hawaii GOP? After abandoning the Republican Party in dramatic fashion, the ex-congressman says he has no plans to run for anything. Civil Beat.

Former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou says he is leaving the Republican Party. Star-Advertiser.

Energy specialist tapped to join PUC. Gov. David Ige has nominated University of Hawaii energy specialist Jennifer “Jennie” Potter to the three-member Public Utilities Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Ige nominates UH energy specialist to Hawaii's Public Utilities Commission. Pacific Business News.

First Hawaiian CEO earns $5.8M to take over top spot in state. First Hawaiian Bank’s Bob Harrison has supplanted his chief rival and become the state’s highest-paid CEO of a publicly traded company. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Ernie Martin unseated Ron Menor as Honolulu City Council chairman today, grabbing back the gavel that Menor snatched from him 15 months ago. Martin has been among Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s toughest critics on the Council while the Menor leadership team was seen as more amenable to the administration. Star-Advertiser.

Ernie Martin Regains Council Chairmanship As Council Squabbles Over Rail. Outgoing chairman Ron Menor pleads for his colleagues to “rise above personal differences and political ambitions.” Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Council Reorganization: Rail Transit Funding. The Honolulu City Council voted in new leadership today. Hawaii Public Radio.

After close vote, City Council gets a new chair — and a new direction. Hawaii News Now.

Ousted as leader of the Honolulu City Council in January, Ernie Martin was reinstated as the Honolulu City Council chair Monday. KITV.

Leadership shakeup at Honolulu City Council restores Martin as chair. KHON2.

=====

Rail debate overshadows Martin’s return as Council chairman. Budget Director Nelson Koyanagi said there is a projected $214 million hole in the current city plan to pay for the $9 billion rail project.  Star-Advertiser.

Rail project’s safety program gets federal approval. The Federal Transit Administration said Monday that Hawaii has received approval of a key safety program for the rail project ahead of a federal deadline. Star-Advertiser.

The Federal Transit Administration certified the Honolulu rail project’s State Safety Oversight Program on Monday, a mandatory step in order for the project to receive new federal transit funds, the agency said. Pacific Business News.

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2019 mayors conference to be held in Waikiki. A June 1963 speech given in Waikiki by then- President John F. Kennedy may have helped persuade leaders of the United States Conference of Mayors to return here in June 2019 after a 50-plus-year absence. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu’s First Trailer Park Just The Latest In New Wave Of Public Housing. Since Gov. David Ige’s emergency proclamations loosened up regulations, some new-look subsidized housing is taking shape. Civil Beat.

Three formerly homeless families from the Waianae Coast received keys to new homes Monday as the city continues to work to reduce the nation’s largest per capita rate of homelessness. Star-Advertiser.

Three former homeless families move into their new homes on Farrington Highway. KITV.

Waipio park renovation project finished ahead of schedule. The $395,700 project to upgrade the courts began in November and was scheduled to finish this summer. Hawaii News Now.

The Navy has estimated that the least expensive method of double-walling its fuel tanks that in 2014 spilled 27,000 gallons of fuel could cost between $500 million and $2 billion. Associated Press.

‘Wonder Blunder’ promoter’s sentencing set for next week. A federal judge denied today a request from the key figure in the University of Hawaii Stevie Wonder concert fiasco to withdraw his guilty plea. Star-Advertiser.

Guilty plea in 'Wonder Blunder' concert scam stands. Associated Press.

Hawaii Island

The county Board of Ethics on Monday unanimously gave North Kona Councilwoman Karen Eoff the go-ahead to sponsor a bill regulating vacation rentals. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Board of Ethics determined that there is no prohibition on Kona councilwoman Karen Eoff to introduce, discuss or vote on a bill regulating short-term rentals, even though she herself owns a vacation rental condo in Kailua-Kona. Big Island Video News.

DOBOR to release draft rules for manta ray viewing sites in West Hawaii. Following years of discussion and deliberation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources has formulated a list of draft rules regarding proposed regulations and changes to manta ray viewing sites. West Hawaii Today.

Mangled manta could show need for regulation in popular tourist activity. West Hawaii Today.

A three-month park improvement project at Kua Bay is underway. Big Island Video News.

Maui

State water panel to take up West Maui stream flow standards. Maui News.

The University of Hawaii Maui College campus will soon be among the first in the nation to generate 100% of its energy from on-site solar photovoltaic systems coupled with battery storage, university officials announced today. Maui Now.

Drones are now helping to locate and monitor humpback whales entangled with fishing gear and ocean debris, according to an announcement from Oceans Unmanned Inc., a nonprofit organization that facilitates the use of unmanned technologies to protect the ocean and coastal marine environment. Maui News.

Kauai

There aren’t any lingering public health dangers on Kauai due to Terminix’s reported misuse of restricted-use fumigant pesticides, but the company has been fined. Garden Island.

EPA slaps Terminix with big fines for pesticide violations on Kauai. Hawaii News Now.

EPA fines Terminix more than $168K for misuse of pesticide products on Kauai. Pacific Business News.

=====

‘Second city’ coming? The public is invited to a presentation by A&B Properties to hear about A&B’s development plans for the area between Eleele to past Numila. Garden Island.

A Kauai organization is asking for public support to help save endangered native bird species on the island. Hawaii Public Radio.

A group of people clearing state land at a bellstone site in Wailua are wondering where the bellstone is. Garden Island.

Kauai geologist, researcher and sedimentology specialist Chuck Blay will be presenting “Understanding our Living Beaches,” a free talk on Kauai’s beaches at the Kapaa Library at 2 p.m. Saturday. Garden Island.

Monday, March 19, 2018

Hawaii adds cats to invasive species list, Senate wants to double HI5 container deposit, Schatz to hold false missile hearing, bills alive and dying at legislative session midpoint, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources
Feral cat with endangered Hawaiian petrel in this DLNR webcam file photo
Feral cats make invasive species list. Feral cats have been added to Hawaii’s list of most impactful invasive species, and advocates of trap-neuter-release say the state should reconsider. Garden Island.

Bills sink or swim at session’s midpoint. The Hawaii State Legislature passed the midpoint of the 2018 session last week, with lawmakers considering bills that would allow physician-assisted death, would increase the 5-cent deposit for bottles and cans, and would impose a new mandate for paid family leave. Star-Advertiser.

Airlines Pushing To Take Over Honolulu Airport Operations. Supporters say improvements could happen more quickly if the state Department of Transportation was out of the way. Civil Beat.

The state Senate is proposing to double the 5-cent deposit on bottles and cans as part of an effort to increase the redemption and recycling rates for the tens of millions of containers used by Hawaii consumers each year. Star-Advertiser.

=====

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), ranking member of the Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet, will convene a hearing titled “Hawaii False Missile Alert: What Happened and What Should We Do Next?” April 5 in Honolulu. Garden Island.

Hawaii Picks New Leader For Agency That Sent False Missile Alert. Thomas Travis has commanded a submarine squadron and was deputy commander of an aircraft carrier strike group. Associated Press.

Kim: Travis the right man for the job. Tribune-Herald.

Apparently taking the recommendation of Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim to heart, the State of Hawaii has appointed retired U.S. Navy Captain Thomas Travis to serve as Administrator of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Big Island Video News.

Survey shows more people in Hawaii felt relatively calm, rather than panicked during false missile alert. A team from the Department of Psychology and Communication at Hawaii Pacific University conducted the online survey, and found that a majority of the participants felt like the missile was actually inbound to Hawaii. KITV.

A new report produced by researchers at Hawaii Pacific University revealed more in-depth about how Hawaii residents reacted to January's false missile alert scare. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Democratic congressional candidates were given a chance to explain their evolving views on such topics as marriage equality and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights during a candidates forum Saturday in Kakaako. Dozens packed into the small office space to hear Lt. Gov. Doug Chin, state Sen. Donna Mercado Kim and state Rep. Kaniela Ing speak about their candidacy and answer questions from the three caucuses, with each allotted 40 minutes to talk. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard’s Record On Gun Control Is A Moving Target. The Hawaii congresswoman talks tough on gun control but she’s often lagging behind Democratic colleagues in pushing firearms legislation. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Charles Djou: Why I’m Leaving The GOP. The former Republican congressman from Hawaii says he can no longer remain in a party led by Donald Trump. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Medical Aid In Dying Bill Passes Key Senate Panel. Sen. Roz Baker shepherded the measure through her health committee with comparatively little fanfare. Civil Beat.

A rapidly progressing state Senate bill would mandate that sellers of properties featuring cesspools upgrade to a septic or sewer system after the purchase. Senate Bill 2567, which passed the Senate and is moving through House committees, aims to replace cesspools with more modern waste management systems so as to protect the state’s groundwater. Tribune-Herald.

Tourism remains one of Hawaii’s economic pillars. And while 2017 was another year of records, the industry faces some new challenges this year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii is scrambling to fill teacher vacancies. This analysis on salaries won't help. The average salary for Hawaii public school teachers in 2016 was $57,431. Hawaii News Now.

Crime victim restitution up 70 percent. The state over the past several years has dramatically increased its collection of funds that inmates and parolees owe to their crime victims, forging a path that national experts say is a model for other states. Star-Advertiser.

Study: Pesticides In Hawaii Waters Well Below Federal Standards. State officials call the results reassuring but some environmental experts aren’t so sure. Civil Beat.

Petition seeks protection for cauliflower coral. The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service Wednesday to afford protection to cauliflower coral under the Endangered Species Act. West Hawaii Today.

University of Hawaii astronomy professor Paul Coleman, the first Native Hawaiian to earn a doctorate in astrophysics and an outspoken supporter of the Thirty Meter Telescope, has died at the age of 62. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Ponzi schemer and professed secret agent dies at 76. Ronald Rewald, Hawaii’s most notorious branded conman, a Wisconsin native who claimed to be a CIA agent but swindled money from hundreds of island residents and served barely 10 years of an 80-year prison sentence, has died. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Chief Defends Reassignment Of Union Leaders. Union head testifies the actions caused fear among members and that he was maligned in a news interview. Associated Press.

Safety measures for fuel tanks could take billions — and decades, Navy says. The least expensive method of double-walling the Red Hill fuel tanks could cost between $500 million and $2 billion, the Navy said in a newly released estimate. Star-Advertiser.

Developing condos tricky near last station site. The city’s mass-transit line is supposed to move people and spark development of affordable housing, but these two objectives are on paths that could clash at the end of the line. Star-Advertiser.

Appeals court rejects Kawananakoa’s challenge to rail votes. The Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals this month reaffirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit that sought to invalidate votes cast by certain Honolulu City Council members in support of the city’s rail project. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu has a new sprinkler law in place - 8 months after the deadly Marco Polo fire. Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed two bills into law yesterday afternoon. They do not mandate sprinkler installation but do provide tax breaks to encourage installation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Among ongoing gun law debate, thousands attend major gun show at the Blaisdell. It was the Hawaii Historic Arms Association's 82nd semi-annual gun show. Hawaii News Now.

Southwest Airlines has been granted a revocable permit for space at Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Star-Advertiser.

Urban Honolulu water plan to be discussed. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply is holding a series of meetings starting this week to seek public input on its planned Primary Urban Center Watershed Management Plan. Star-Advertiser.

IHeartMedia Inc.’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy won’t impact the eight radio stations it operates in Honolulu. Pacific Business News.

New Gold Star monument in Kaneohe honors families of fallen Hawaii servicemen and women. It's a first of its kind in the state - a  monument that honors families that lost loved ones in the military who died while in service to our country. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

A new permanent building for pharmacy students at the University of Hawaii at Hilo hopefully will be up and running by this time next year. Tribune-Herald.

The state commission for public charter schools has yet to make a decision on allegations that a Kona charter school violated its contract by failing to maintain accurate enrollment data, reportedly netting them more than $300,000 in overpaid funding. West Hawaii Today.

A comprehensive look at the effects of short-term vacation rentals on the Big Island was shared with the Hawaii County Council on Tuesday. Big Island Video News.

Kilauea’s summit eruption will become 10 years old Monday and scientists say they don’t expect it to stop anytime soon. Tribune-Herald.

Vaping shop raises concerns, sparks debate in Waimea. West Hawaii Today.

The Village 9 Homeless and Affordable Rental project in Kealakehe will serve as the template for an island-wide approach to the helping the houseless. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Stant’s ‘side job,’ gambling match county paycheck. Good luck in Las Vegas and a Midas touch with a direct marketing “side business” combined last year for Stewart Stant to match his annual salary as Department of Environmental Management director, financial disclosure documents show. Maui News.

White reports variety of investments in his financial disclosure. Maui County Council Chairman Mike White jointly has investments in 37 different companies doing business in Hawaii, including Hawaiian Electric, Verizon Communications and Amazon. Maui News.

Panel seeks more reasonable parking and ohana rules. Flexibility sought in cases where current mandates don’t make sense. Maui News.

This year’s real property assessment notices have been mailed or emailed to property owners, the Department of Finance’s Real Property Assessment Division announced Wednesday. Maui News.

Kauai

Two candidates for mayor of Kauai recently shared their views on two key issues facing the island: homelessness and traffic. Garden Island.

The county Department of Public Works Wastewater Division concluded sewer maintenance work on Kuhio Highway Sunday evening in the vicinity of the Kapaia Bridge. A sewer spill was reported about 4:15 p.m. Saturday when a manhole cover overflowed.  Garden Island.

After completing a rigorous three-year program, Kauai Christian Academy has finally gained accreditation. Garden Island.

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Sunshine Week: Big Island press club announces annual lava tube, torch of light awards

John Cole
Sunshine Week government secrecy Cartoon: John Cole
State Office of Information Practices awarded Lava Tube dishonor;
Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest earns meritorious Torch of Light award

The Big Island Press Club awards its annual meritorious Torch of Light Award to Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest and the Lava Tube dishonor award to the state Office of Information Practices (OIP). The Torch of Light award is given to an individual or entity who brightens the public’s right to know, while the Lava Tube dishonor is given for a lack of communication and keeping the public in the dark.

Lava Tube Dishonor

The Lava Tube is awarded to the state Office of Information Practices (OIP) for the average length of time it takes to issue a decision on a public complaint about access to government information, according to reports published by The Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest (CBLC) in February 2017 and again in February 2018. The study found despite OIP having more attorneys and staff per capita than any other state with a similar office, “OIP has the longest delays for public access disputes among its peer agencies with available information.” The most recent study found that only three of the 46 decisions issued by OIP between 2015-2017 were done so in less than two years. The study also found that similar offices in other states typically rendered decisions within three to six months, with some states able to do so in even less time.

OIP quickly responded to CBLC’s latest report by stating most matters it handles doesn’t require a written opinion and in 2017 resolved most the same day through its Attorney of the Day service. It also stated, “CBLC’s motives are suspect,” and asked rhetorically, “Without OIP to provide (Attorney of the Day) service, would there be more clients for a ‘public interest’ law firm to choose from?” That’s basically a suggestion that a nonprofit law organization that takes cases strictly on a pro bono basis is seeking to poach clients from OIP.

Senate Bill 3092, which would give OIP a hard deadline of six months to render big decisions, was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 13, but no hearings have been scheduled since.

Since its founding, the Big Island Press Club has protested any absence of transparency or accountability within the halls of state and county government in Hawaii. This Lava Tube award is especially unfortunate, as OIP is the state agency tasked with ensuring state and county government organizations in Hawaii abide by two state laws--the Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA), which is the state’s open-records law, and the Sunshine Law, which is the state’s open-meetings law. BIPC’s officers agree with the statement in CBLC’s most recent report: “Forcing the public to wait two years or more for resolution of public access disputes at OIP is unacceptable.”

Torch of Light

BIPC has selected Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest for its Torch of Light award for the research between 2015-17 that brought the time lag between complaints and the time it takes OIP to issue decisions on weighty public access issues.

The CBLC, according to its website, is an independent, nonprofit organization which offers “free legal advice, and representation on a select basis, to members of the media and the public who need help with issues involving government transparency.”  It seeks to forge “solutions that promote transparency in government to better serve the people of Hawaii” and, as in the case of OIP, “investigating questionable government activity, advocating for corrective action, and, if needed, enforcing corrective measures in the courts.”

Funded by eBay founder and philanthropist Pierre Omidyar, Civil Beat Law Center is a different entity than the news website Honolulu Civil Beat.

The Big Island Press Club, the state's oldest press club, founded in 1967-- has awarded the Lava Tube and the Torch of Light annually since 1997 on Freedom of Information Day, March 16. This day also marks the birthday of our nation’s fourth president, James Madison. Born in 1751, Madison was the principal architect of the U.S. Constitution, and one of the three authors of the Federalist Papers; he is recognized by historians as one of America’s earliest and foremost advocates for open, accountable governance.

Previous Lava Tube Dishonorees
2016 Former Mayor Billy Kenoi
2015 State Land Board Chairwoman Suzanne Case
2014 Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago
2013 Democratic Party House District 5 Council
2012 State Sen. Clayton Hee
2011 Governor Neil Abercrombie
2010 Hawaii County Council
2009 Noelani Whittington, County Department of Public Works
2008 Mayor Harry Kim and Hawaii County Council
2007 State Board of Education
2006 Honolulu, Kauai, and Hawaii County Councils
2005 District Judge Matthew S.K. Pyun
2004 State Land Board Chairman Peter Young
2003 State Sen. Cal Kawamoto
2002 University of Hawaii Board of Regents
2001 University of Hawaii Board of Regents
2000 State Rep. Eric Hamakawa and Hawaii County Councilman James Arakaki
1999 Hawaii County Council
1998 Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano
1997 Hawaii County Councilman Elroy Osorio

Previous Torch of Light Honorees
2016 West Hawaii Today reporter Nancy Cook Lauer
2015 State Sen. Lorraine Inouye
2014 USGS HVO Scientists
2013 Mayor Billy Kenoi
2012 County Councilwoman and state Rep. Helene Hale (posthumously)
2011 State Judicial Selection Commission
2010 Hawaii County Civil Defense and other departments
2009 Legislature, Gov. Linda Lingle
2008 Les Kondo, Office of Information Practices
2007 West Hawaii Today
2006 Lillian Koller, State Department of Human Services
2005 Retired Circuit Judge Paul de Silva
2004 UH Manoa Journalism Professor Beverly Keever
2003 U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink (posthumously)
2002 Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim
2001 Hawaii County Clerk Al Konishi
2000 Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano
1999 Jerry Rothstein and Judith Graham
1998 Environment Hawaii and Common Cause
1997 Society of Professional Journalists, Hawaii Chapter

Friday, March 16, 2018

Hawaii Supreme Court mulls Thirty Meter Telescope, cops dip into cocaine stash, neighbor islands could get more transient accommodations tax, bogus rail numbers, Hawaiian heiress abuse investigation, Carvalho's final state of the county, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2018 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Telescopes atop Mauna Kea ©2018 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
The state Supreme Court on Thursday heard oral arguments in a case that has the potential to play a huge role on whether the Thirty Meter Telescope is built in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

The state Supreme Court heard oral arguments in one of two cases affecting the Thirty Meter Telescope on Thursday in Honolulu. Tribune-Herald.

Back In Court As TMT's April Deadline Looms. Hawaii Public Radio.

Latest potential road-block for TMT construction on Mauna Kea is one native Hawaiian practitioner. KITV.

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House Committee Boosts Neighbor Island Share Of Hotel Tax. Hawaii, Maui and Kauai counties would get bigger pieces of the revenue pie, but not Honolulu. Associated Press.

Three counties will get a big increase in their share of revenue from the Transient Accommodations Tax, or TAT, under a bill that was advanced by the State House Finance Committee on Thursday. Big Island Video News.

The House Finance Committee passed a bill Thursday that would increase the Transient Accommodations Tax revenues for neighboring islands. Garden Island.

The House Finance Committee today passed Senate Bill 648 SD1 HD1, which increases the amount of the Transient Accommodations Tax or “TAT” revenues for the neighbor islands. Maui Now.

Neighbor Island counties would get more transient accommodations tax revenue under a bill advanced Thursday by the state House Finance Committee. Maui News.

Hawaii Island Mayor Harry Kim was taken aback after he received a call Tuesday night from House Speaker Scott Saiki asking him to testify on a measure to increase Hawaii County’s share of the Transient Accommodations Tax by more than $12 million annually for at least the next dozen years. West Hawaii Today.

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Anti-gay bias allegations roil Hawaii U.S. House race. A well-known Democratic candidate for Congress who gained notoriety opposing President Donald Trump’s travel ban targeting mostly Muslim countries is being forced to explain a decades-old rant perceived as intolerant of gay people. Associated Press.

Hanabusa corrects Secretary of the Interior's Japanese at hearing. President Trump has proposed to cut the grant program that most recently has helped pay for work the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii is doing to create a database of the Japanese detained in Hawaii during World War II. KHON2.

Bill Would Set 6-Year Term For Office Of Information Practices Chief. The measure would increase the job security of the director charged with ensuring adherence to Hawaii’s open government laws. Civil Beat.

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Judge: Hawaiian Heiress Abuse Investigation Must Continue. Abigail Kawananakoa’s former lawyer claims she was abused by her wife. It’s all part of a battle over control of her $215 million trust. Associated Press.

The legal battle over Hawaiian royalty descendant Abigail Kawananakoa's fortune is heating up as a state judge ruled that allegations of physical abuse must be investigated. Hawaii News Now.

Judge tells combatants over heiress’s trust to cool it. The state probate judge tasked with deciding who will manage the $200 million trust of Campbell Estate heiress Abigail Kawananakoa told the parties fighting for control that all of the allegations they have so far made against each other in court filings are not helpful. Star-Advertiser.

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The Department of Health says tobacco prevention programs have saved the state about $1 billion over the past 20 years. KITV.

State officials estimate Hawaii has saved more than $1 billion in total heath care costs due to the reduction in smoking since 2000. Star-Advertiser.

Department of Health: Tobacco Use Reduction Saves $1B in Health Care Costs. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Maui Rep. Yamashita Introduces Resolutions on Cesspool Problem. Maui Now.

After hearing criticism from the Native Hawaiian community, a mainland liquor company has changed its branding. The alcoholic drink was called King Kameha and featured with an image that looks like the King Kamehameha statue. KHON2.

Oahu

Original Rail Budget Included Bogus Numbers For Station Designs. HART officials say their predecessors made “placeholder” estimates without studying their legitimacy. Civil Beat.

More bike lanes proposed for Ward and Pensacola. Approximately 40 on-street parking stalls on Ward Avenue and 30 on Pensacola Street — both metered and nonmetered — would be removed for the bike lane projects. Star-Advertiser.

Community input wanted on bike lanes. KHON2.

Mayor signs into law incentives for property owners who install fire sprinklers. One bill, Bill 101 CD1, provides tax relief while Bill 102 CD1, FD1, reduces permitting fees. Hawaii News Now.

HPD helped cover up officer's abuse, suit filed by ex-wife say. A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent is accusing her ex-husband, a Honolulu police officer, of years of abuse. Hawaii News Now.

Community Vents Frustration Over State’s Mixed Signals On Waianae Camp. At a special neighborhood board meeting Thursday, supporters of a homeless encampment asked for a long-term plan. Civil Beat.

Governor's Chief of Staff apologized to the residents of Puuhonua O Waianae. It was a packed neighborhood board meeting in Waianae Thursday night, as community members demanded answers about what could happen to the Puuhonua O Waianae homeless camp in Pokai Bay. KITV.

Hawaiian Group Clashes with State Over Waimanalo Land. A group of Native Hawaiians claiming to be descendants of King Kamehameha I is headed for a clash with the state -- the second time in two years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Radio conglomerate iHeartMedia – owner of 8 Honolulu stations including KSSK – files for bankruptcy. Pacific Business News.

The Hawaii Department of Health certified Aeos Labs, Inc. to begin testing medical cannabis flowers from the state’s licensed dispensaries, patients and caregivers, making it the third lab in the state to gain the certification. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County Police are investigating how a “small quantity” of cocaine evidence, now used for training purposes, went missing from the department sometime after October 2017. Big Island Video News.

Cocaine missing from Hawaii island police evidence room. A criminal and administrative investigation was done in October and the department has identified a sworn employee as a person of interest. KHON2.

The Hawaii Police Department said it has placed an employee on administrative leave without pay after discovering that cocaine recovered as evidence was lighter than reported during its initial recovery. Star-Advertiser.

Officer suspected of stealing drug evidence. Hawaii County police released information about an investigation into missing drug evidence and identified a former police officer as a person of interest, but have no further comment.  West Hawaii Today.

In October 2017, both criminal and administrative investigations were initiated after it was discovered that cocaine recovered as evidence in 2014 was found to be lighter in weight than reported during its initial recovery. Big Island Now.

Maui

Severe housing problems and a high rate of alcohol-impaired driving deaths are some of the areas that Maui County’s community should explore to improve residents’ health, according to a national report released Wednesday. Maui News.

Hunt for green transport targets electric cars, bikes. The Police Department wants to improve its response time while cutting down on the emissions produced by the department’s 320 vehicles. Maui News.

The Plantation Course at Kapalua on Maui will get a multimillion-dollar renovation next year after the PGA’s Sentry Tournament of Champions kicks off the 2019 season, according to Arizona-based Troon, which manages Kapalua Golf & Tennis. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Carvalho proposes $214 million operating budget. The mayor, who has served since 2008, proposed an operating budget of $214.8 million and a capital improvement projects budget of $40.7 million. Garden Island.

Mayor touts 10 years of accomplishments. In his State of the County Address Thursday, Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. highlighted several accomplishment during his administration. Garden Island.

Kauai mayor Bernard Carvalho delivered his 10th and final State of the County address. KITV.

Improvements to roads, parks among priorities in Kauai mayor's State of the County address. KHON2.

Education, $$ needed for cesspools. While the House of Representatives is debating the creation of regional task forces to help counties replace cesspools, Kauai residents in the issue say it’s cash, and an education campaign, that’s going to do the trick. Garden Island.

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Hawaii students, Gov. Ige, join nationwide school walkout, medically assisted death up for Friday hearing, pesticides found in water, Russell Suzuki named attorney general, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy Jim Albertini
Keaau High School students remember fallen PC:Jim Albertini
Thousands of students at campuses across Hawaii walked out of their classrooms at 10 a.m. Wednesday in solidarity with their peers nationwide who are staging 17-minute walkouts as a tribute to the 17 victims of the Valentine’s Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Fla. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Students Join Walkouts In Wake Of School Shootings. On campuses across the islands, youths gather to honor the victims of the Florida massacre and call for action on gun control. Civil Beat.

Local Students Walkout in Support of Shooting Victims. Hawaii Public Radio.

'I don't want to be scared': Hawaii students take part in National School Walkout. KHON2.

Students and teachers across the state joined thousands across the country in National School Walkout Day in an effort to put a stop to gun violence. KITV.

PHOTOS: Hawaii students participate in National Walkout Day. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. David Ige joined students at his alma mater, Pearl City High School, this morning, Wednesday, March 14, 2018, to support their initiative to honor each of the 17 students and teachers who lost their lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14. Big Island Now.

East Hawaii students join peers nationwide and walk out in protest against gun violence. Tribune-Herald.

In the wake of a shooting that killed 17 people at a Florida high school — and later threats to their own school — a handful of students at Konawaena High School looked to their own campus for an opportunity to ensure students feel safe in their classrooms. West Hawaii Today.

A nation-wide student-led demontration against school violence took place Wednesday and included many schools on the Big Island. Big Island Video News.

Kapaa High students call for gun reform. Garden Island.

Island School uses nationwide movement to educate, make a difference. Garden Island.

Social media drives student movement. As schools across the nation staged 17-minute walkouts for #nationalwalkoutday in tribute to the 17 victims of the Valentine’s Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Fla., Hawaii became part of the social media dialogue with its own hashtags: #NeverAgainHI and #EnoughIsEnoughHI. Star-Advertiser.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) spoke on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, in support of H.R.4909, the Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act—legislation she has co-sponsored that would increase federal funding for schools in Hawaii and across the country to strengthen school violence prevention measures. Big Island Now.

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The public once again will have a chance to testify Friday morning on a bill to allow physicians to prescribe lethal doses of medication at the request of terminally ill patients. Star-Advertiser.

The State Legislative Auditor briefed a Senate Committee on the results of an audit of the Public Utilities Commission completed in February. Hawaii Public Radio.

State releases heavily redacted recording of HI-EMA's missile mistake test. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency on Wednesday released a heavily redacted portion of the 24-second internal test message that triggered the state's missile alert mistake on January 13, 2018. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. David Ige has appointed veteran government lawyer Russell Suzuki as Hawaii’s attorney general. Suzuki has been acting attorney general since Feb. 2, when former Attorney General Doug Chin resigned to become lieutenant governor. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige has appointed Russell Suzuki to serve as the state attorney general. KHON2.

New Revenue Forecast Means $50 Million More For State Budget. The Council on Revenues projects 5.3 percent general fund growth for the current fiscal year and 4.5 percent next year. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Council on Revenues raised its projection for the growth of the state’s general fund from 4.5 percent to 5.3 percent during its quarterly meeting on Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

Could food cause Hawaii's high cancer rates? Hawaii lawmakers are debating whether the state should pay for research to see if that is the reason behind Hawaii's nation leading rates of stomach and intestinal cancers. KITV.

Data collected during an initial six-month period of monitoring for pesticides in surface water on Kauai and Oahu found “trace levels” in most detections. Garden Island.

Plate lunches statewide will have a new look if a bill banning polystyrene becomes law. Senate Bill 2498 not only seeks to ban the containers for food, but also drinks. KHON2.

State eases rules on required TB tests. Most Hawaii residents will no longer be required to get a tuberculosis skin test when starting a new job or school. Star-Advertiser.

Family of Seth Rich sues Fox News, former Hawaii reporter Malia Zimmerman over retracted article. New York Times.

Hawaii chefs, restaurants once again miss the cut for James Beard finals. Despite seven Hawaii individuals and restaurants making the semifinals of the James Beard Foundation award, none made the finals, continuing a more than decade-long trend. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii ranked fourth in the nation for green car sales in 2017. The percent of green vehicles -- hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles--sold was 4.2 percent in Hawaii, higher than the 2.6 percent national average, according to iSeeCars, an automotive research firm. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Divide among Council members gets wider. The ill feelings between several members of the Hono­lulu City Council reached new heights Wednesday as Councilwoman Kymberly Pine reasserted that she and the other two female Council members have not received proper credit for their work under the leadership of Chairman Ron Menor and Vice Chairman Ikaika Anderson. Star-Advertiser.

Feds Say UH Manoa Overcharged Disabled Dorm Residents. The university has refunded about $100,000 to more than 40 students to resolve a federal complaint. Civil Beat.

Ige: State Looking For Land To Relocate Waianae Encampment. The governor contradicts state officials who last week announced an imminent sweep and a possible federal grant to build an education center. Civil Beat.

The leader of one of Oahu’s largest homeless encampments said Gov. David Ige on Tuesday promised her “no sweep” but offered no details on the future of the encampment known as Puuhonua o Waianae, located next to the Waianae Small Boat Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

Closure of Oahu Toys R Us stores pending. Star-Advertiser.

Ulupono invests $3 million in energy efficiency firm. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

An infusion of state money is helping kick start the transformation of a vacant lot at the corner of Kealakehe Parkway and Ane Keohokalole Highway into a homeless village. West Hawaii Today.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources took a step toward demolishing the former Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel by issuing a “request for interest” for developers Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

State to developers: Tear down this building to get long-term land lease. Hawaii News Now.

Banyan Drive may see a new hotel as the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Land Division, has issued a Request for Interest (RFI) relating to the former Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel site, more recently known as the Pagoda Hilo Bay Hotel, located in Hilo. Big Island Now.

Maui

Project to rid east Maui of invasive cattle raises concerns after dead cows left to rot. Hawaii News Now.

The American Red Cross opened a shelter at Hana High School today, March 14, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. due to area flooding. Maui Now.

Kauai

‘Responsible Tourism’ talk Thursday. The former director general of the Icelandic Tourist Board will share lessons learned from tourism impacts to the Nordic island nation in a presentation on Kauai Thursday. Garden Island.

Kauai bird recovery project seeks to eradicate bird illness in the islands. The Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project is gearing up in the fight against avian malaria. Hawaii News Now.

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Hawaii economy is hot! Plus, hotel tax for neighbor islands, 'monster house' moratorium, rooster reprieve, airport insecurity, more top state and local government news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2018 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Kona beach scene ©2018 All Hawaii News
State revenue forecast is bumped up again. A panel of economic forecasters painted a rosier financial picture for the state Tuesday, projecting Hawaii tax revenue increases of $50 million in the fiscal year ending June 30 and $66 million next fiscal year. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii House of Representatives Finance Committee will hear a proposed House amendment to Senate Bill 648 SD1 HD1 to increase the amounts of the Transient Accommodations Tax revenues for the neighbor islands. Big Island Now.

Hanabusa challenges Ige on missile alert records. U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who is leaving her seat in Congress to challenge Ige in the state’s gubernatorial race, said today she is troubled by the lack of transparency from the agency and her opponent. Associated Press.

A bill that would dissolve the state Invasive Species Council to create an administrative body with greater authority to manage invasive species passed all but one committee in the state Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

State Relaxing Animal Quarantine Rules. For decades, Hawaii had some of the strictest animal quarantine rules in place, in an effort to keep the islands rabies-free. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers take up proposal to put UH tuition hikes on ice. State Sen. Kai Kahele believes it would be easier on UH students if the university put a freeze on tuition and tied future increases to the state's median household income. Hawaii News Now.

3-foot buffer zones for bicyclists could be a reality. KHON2.

Student walkouts spread across state. The 17-minute walkouts are a tribute to the victims as well as a rallying cry for an end to the violence. Star-Advertiser.

Campuses across the islands are gearing up for National School Walkout on Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Students across Hawaii will walk out of class Wednesday on the one-month anniversary of the mass school shooting in Florida. KHON2.

ACLU Says State Has No Plan To Address Gender Equity Issues. The organization said it was “disappointed” by the Department of Education’s response to its Title IX demand letter. Civil Beat.

The Employees’ Retirement System of the State of Hawaii has named Howard Hodel its acting chief investment officer, as it looks to replace Vijoy Chattergy, who left abruptly last month. Pacific Business News.

The University of Hawaii Foundation is on the hunt for a new president and CEO after Donna Vuchinich, who currently holds the position at the fundraising organization, announced she's planning to retire. Pacific Business News.

Hawaiian Telcom continued to generate solid TV subscriber growth but lost money for the sixth straight quarter as more consumers abandoned their landlines. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines has revised its first-quarter and full-year expectations and adjusted some 2016 and 2017 financial results due to its adoption of a new revenue accounting standard. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii is still one of the healthiest states in the country — it's just no longer the healthiest. According to the 2017 Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index, Hawaii is the third healthiest state behind South Dakota and Vermont. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed into law Tuesday a bill imposing a moratorium of up to two years on building permits for “monster” houses, giving the city Department of Planning and Permitting time to come up with permanent rules to deal with the growing phenomenon. Star-Advertiser.

A temporary ban on over-sized homes on Oahu was formally implemented today. Hawaii Public Radio.

A temporary ban on so-called "monster homes" is now law on Oahu. KHON2.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed a bill into law Tuesday placing a temporary ban on building so-called "monster homes" on Oahu. KITV.

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Yet Another Speed Bump Ahead For Rail As City Council Reorganizes. A power shift at Honolulu Hale rekindles debate over how to cover the costs of the project as it faces federal scrutiny. Civil Beat.

Sex discrimination, rail funding issues said to be reasons for city council leadership shakeup. Hawaii News Now.

The majority of Honolulu airport's 23,000 employees are not in compliance with security requirements, an audit has found. Hawaii News Now.

The city is struggling to find qualified workers, and Honolulu's mayor says it's enough to drive him crazy. Near-record-low unemployment makes hiring a challenge for all businesses, and the mayor says the city needs to do a better job of recruiting. KHON2.

The state's planned sweep of Oahu's largest homeless camp is on hold after its leaders met with the governor for more than two hours Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Homeless Leaders Say Waianae Sweep Called Off For Now. Leaders of the Waianae Boat Harbor encampment say the governor assured them there’s no impending eviction. Civil Beat.

Environmentalists are using a bill at the state Legislature to pressure the military to do more and do it sooner to protect a major Oahu groundwater source from future leaks from the Navy’s enormous fuel tanks at Red Hill. Star-Advertiser.

Hale Mahana, the $57.6 million student housing project being developed by Laconia Development at EdR Collegiate Housing near the University of Hawaii’s Manoa campus, towers over other buildings in the Moiliili neighborhood more than a year after breaking ground. Pacific Business News.

State Circuit Judge Todd Eddins says U.S. State Department Special Agent Christopher Deedy’s third trial for a fatal shooting in a Waikiki McDonald’s restaurant will go on as scheduled. Star-Advertiser.

A P-3C Orion airplane monument put up by the Navy nearly two decades ago to memorialize a long history of maritime patrol service at Naval Air Station Barbers Point has been removed, creating a backlash in the community and concern over how the process was handled. Star-Advertiser.

After a dramatic drop in the number of residents at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility, more teens could head there later this year. There are plans for more services to help at-risk youth at the Olomana facility, but those troubled teens would go there by choice instead of being ordered by the courts. KITV.

The State Department of Land and Natural Resources says enforcement officers cited an Oahu man for multiple lay net violations. KHON2.

Dick Adair, an editorial cartoonist who amused and sometimes outraged Hawaii newspaper readers for more than three decades, died at his Hawaii Kai home Monday from cancer. He was 82. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County Council members are calling for a balance that would allow revenue-generating vacation rentals in some areas, while keeping them from consuming neighborhoods in others. West Hawaii Today.

A bill that would have provided a buffer zone between rooster farms and their neighbors died in a Hawaii County Council committee on Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Rooster Farmers Flock to Council Meeting, Bill Dies. Big Island Now.

The first of three public open house meetings was held in Waimea Monday night, on the University of Hawaii’s Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice to replace the two existing leases and easement for UH managed lands on Maunakea. Big Island Video News.

A shortage of lifeguards will affect the operating hours at Charles “Sparky” Kawamoto Swim Stadium from next week until further notice. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Island schools and libraries would receive more than $10 million in capital improvement project funds under the proposed state budget for fiscal years 2018 and 2019. Tribune-Herald.

The dust won’t settle on the old Keauhou Beach Hotel demolition until the end of the calendar year but the project continues to outpace its original timeline, currently operating two to three weeks ahead of schedule. West Hawaii Today.

A monk seal and her recently born pup are doing well resting on a North Kona beach. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

State eyes purchase of affordable complex after rent hike threats. Front Street Apartments is a 142-unit affordable rental project in Lahaina. It was expected to remain affordable for 51 years. But after 17 years, the owner is exercising a legal option to raise rents to "market value." Hawaii News Now.

The House Finance Committee approved $83.26 million for Central Maui Capital Improvement Projects. This includes $10 million towards the construction of a new middle school in Central Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

The anticipated impacts of sea level rise on Kauai will be explained in a Friday meeting at Kauai Community College. Garden Island.

New director, same direction for KIUC. Janet Kass is the newest member of the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative’s board of directors, and she really didn’t expect to be. Garden Island.

The Hawaii Department of Education has said it will support students who plan to participate in the planned nationwide school walkouts in protest of gun violence, and several Kauai schools are participating. Garden Island.