Fallout from false missile alarm continues, Trump praises state officials for taking responsibility, FCC, state to investigate, death threats to H-EMA personnel, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Cellphone false missile alarm,  Facebook screen capture

President Donald Trump praised Hawaii officials for taking responsibility for Saturday morning’s panic-inducing alert that mistakenly warned of an incoming ballistic missile. Star-Advertiser.

VIDEO: President Trump Talks About Hawaii Missile Alert Fiasco. Big Island Video News.

The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission issued a stinging rebuke Sunday to Hawaii’s emergency management as ripples from Saturday’s nuclear scare spread far and wide. Star-Advertiser.

The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission said today Hawaii did not have “reasonable safeguards in place” to prevent Saturday’s false alert of an imminent missile attack. Star-Advertiser.

False Alarm Fallout: Worker Reassigned And Trump Weighs In. Hawaii appears to lack “reasonable” safeguards, says the Federal Communications Commission chairman. Civil Beat.

Missile-alert mistake feeds doubts about a real emergency. A blunder that caused more than a million people in Hawaii to fear that they were about to be struck by a nuclear missile fed skepticism Sunday about the government’s ability to keep them informed in a real emergency. Associated Press.

The false alarm about an incoming ballistic missile that sent Hawaii into a panic this weekend threatened to turn into a major embarrassment for the state and its politically endangered governor, David Ige, as Hawaii officials moved to head off damage to Hawaii’s biggest industry, tourism. New York Times.

Frightened people are sometimes angry people, and there was plenty of outrage following Saturday’s false missile attack alert and the official response to it. That raises questions about potential political fallout for Gov. David Ige as he campaigns for re-election this year, and for Ige, the timing was bad. Star-Advertiser.

Governor pledges changes after false alert about inbound missile. Hawaii News Now.

In an interview on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, on ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) called on the State of Hawaii to immediately address the failures that led to the false missile alert and correct them. Big Island Now.

HI-EMA focused on regaining trust, employee reassigned after false missile alert. HI-EMA administrator Vern Miyagi prepares to face lawmakers at a briefing on Friday to discuss what happened. KHON2.

How would Hawaii handle a real attack? False alarm gave us a glimpse. Hawaii News Now.

How to shelter during a nuclear attack. The state says to shelter in place, but what does that mean, and why? KITV.

TIMELINE: What happened after false missile emergency alert was sent. KHON2.

Human Error Caused Ballistic Missile False Alarm. Governor David Ige confirmed Saturday during a news conference that the emergency alert system warning of an imminent ballistic missile attack on Hawaii was due to human error. Hawaii Public Radio.

Businesses criticized for turning people away after false missile alert. Hawaii's agency in charge of protecting people is now the target of death threats following Saturday's missile alert error. Hawaii News Now.

Tourism industry adjusts to impact of false missile alert to visitors. Officials in the tourism industry tell us hotels have emergency plans in place but Saturday’s false alarm was different. KHON2.

Hawaii officials take 38 minutes to cancel false incoming ballistic alert. It took Hawaii officials more than 30 minutes to correct as a “false alarm” sent to mobile phones Saturday morning warning that a ballistic missile was headed for the Islands. Pacific Business News.

=====

Homelessness, housing top agenda as lawmakers reconvene. Associated Press.

Homelessness Expected to Top 2018 Legislative Agenda (Again). Hawaii Public Radio.

Running for the top spot. Hanabusa says her ‘political journey leads me to this point’ Maui News.

Army to revive ship-killing mission with RIMPAC test. The Army this summer will test a capability it first prepared for in Hawaii more than 100 years ago: the ability to sink a ship at sea from the shore. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin, who is running for Congress, says he’s disappointed with his campaign manager following a news report raising questions about possible inappropriate payments from a congressional campaign account. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Military warning termed ‘wake-up call’ for Waikiki. Local nightspots a major part of Waikiki’s late-night economy despite a recent warning issued by the Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board informing service members of violent crime and other illegal activity in Waikiki. Star-Advertiser.

Consumer prices in Honolulu rose last year at the fastest pace since 2011, driven by sharp increases in the cost of gasoline and electricity. Star-Advertiser.

Body found near airport runway believed to be a stowaway, sources say. Hawaii News Now.

Holiday parade through Waikiki to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. An MLK Jr. Day parade sponsored by the Martin Luther King Coalition will begin at 9 a.m. It will feature 2,000 marchers, 100 vehicles, 20 floats and six marching bands. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Residents and visitors confused, frightened by missile warning. East Hawaii residents are still reeling after Saturday morning’s mistakenly sent missile threat alert spun the state into a panic. Tribune-Herald.

UH-Hilo launches ‘sticky’ retention initiative. The University of Hawaii at Hilo kicked off a new effort this semester designed to help manage student enrollment and boost retention. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

As legislative session nears, lawmakers talk about priorities. Highways, schools, housing and homelessness will be among Maui County lawmakers’ top issues as they begin this year’s legislative session on Wednesday. Maui News.

A draft environmental assessment has been completed for development of the Kaiwahine Village project, a 120-unit affordable rental housing project on nearly 9.3 acres in north Kihei. Maui News.

After two days of struggling to free a humpback whale that was caught in hundreds of feet of braided line off Maui, a federal team was able to remove the gear last week and received a show of gratitude — of sorts — with the whale repeatedly breaching. Star-Advertiser.

Entangled Humpback Whale Freed Off Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

County eyes new rules for bus stops. The proposed rules state that county bus stops will be closed for use between the hours of midnight and 4 a.m.; that alcohol, drugs and cigarettes, including e-cigs, will be prohibited at county bus stops; that no structures will be erected within the bus stop or adjacent to the bus stop; and no person will occupy a bus stop in a way that inhibits full use by the public. Garden Island.

Money flows to watersheds. Kauai has more than 144,000 acres of land that are part of the island’s system of watersheds. Garden Island.

Federal money for homeless, Takai campaign spending money long after his death, Honolulu license backlog, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Homeless man in Honolulu ©2018 All Hawaii News

Hawaii’s legislative leaders said Thursday that $11.7 million in federal grants to support 35 homeless assistance programs in the state will help meet a critical need. Garden Island.

The congressional campaign for the late U.S. Rep. Mark Takai has paid out nearly $90,000 for consulting services to a Honolulu firm run by the committee’s treasurer in the 18 months since Takai’s death, with a payment issued as recently as four months ago, federal campaign records show. Star-Advertiser.

Will The HPD Scandal Jump-Start Police Reform In The Legislature? So far, lawmakers have failed to establish a standards and training board and lift the secrecy in police misconduct cases. Civil Beat.

Report Skims Surface on Hawaii Cesspool Mess. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hurricane damage thousands of miles away triggers shortage of key medical treatment in Hawaii. Saline solution in an IV bag is one of the more common sights in hospital rooms. KHON2.

A Department of Health survey released in 2016 confirmed Hawaii’s children have the highest prevalence of tooth decay in the nation. Garden Island.

Hundreds marched at the State Capitol to end human trafficking in Hawaii.  KITV.

Randy Baldemor, chief operating officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, has notified the state agency that he will be resigning his position on March 2. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

A group of concerned citizens filled the Honolulu Liquor Commission hearing room to capacity Thursday in their quest to stop a liquor application for the Denny’s under construction at 2538 Kuhio Ave. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Army National Guard dedicated a new $38 million aviation support facility hangar at Kalaeloa on Thursday that will help support its more than two dozen Chinook, Black Hawk and Lakota helicopters. Star-Advertiser.

City officials are urging the thousands of Oahu motorists who need to renew their driver’s licenses this year to plan ahead to know what documents they need to bring to the Driver Licensing Office to help speed up the process. Projections show renewals are expected to jump to an estimated 9,000 a month islandwide in 2018, up from what has been an average of 3,000 a month, city officials said. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. military officials posted a warning letter to all Hawaii-based service members last month, alerting them that several areas in Waikiki have been flagged for high levels of "violent crime" and "illegal activity." Hawaii News Now.

Less than two months after the state completed a $500,000 clean-up under the Nimitz viaduct, squatters are moving back in. Hawaii News Now.

The Honolulu Fire Department released two new videos from the Marco Polo Fire. KITV.

Hawaiian to use tax savings for Honolulu airport renovations. Hawaiian Airlines said Thursday that if the new federal corporate tax rate for 2018 were in place in 2016, the airline would have paid $38 million less in taxes. Star-Advertiser.

A California real estate investment firm is making a new case to Hawaii regulators for carving up Oahu’s historic Dillingham Ranch and selling pieces to buyers who could build homes on 70 lots zoned for agriculture. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii appears to be seeing the worst flu season in years with patients inundating medical clinics and emergency rooms across Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Former Jefferson Elementary teacher found guilty of sexually assaulting girl. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Mayor Harry Kim testified at an informational briefing on homeless solutions before the State House of Representatives Health & Human Services Committee on Tuesday. Big Island Video News.

Drafting the future of Pahoa. What’s your idea for Pahoa’s future? That’s a question residents might be asked later this year as Hawaii County begins developing a Pahoa village master plan. Tribune-Herald.

The public comment period for arsenic cleanup plans at a Hilo commercial property has ended. The property, at the intersection of Kekuanaoa and Mililani streets near Waiakea Villas condominiums, is the site of a former building materials production plant. Tribune-Herald.

The Edwin C. Olson Trust No. 2 faces a fine of up to $64,960 from the state land board for unpermitted work that allegedly impacted Amauulu Camp Cemetery. Big Island Video News.

The Graying Of The Big Island. More than one in four Big Islanders – 27.4 percent – is 60 or older, according to the latest population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. That’s higher than Kauai (26.1 percent), Maui County (23.6 percent) and Honolulu (22.4 percent). Civil Beat.

Keauhou restaurant Sam Choy’s Kai Lanai was cited by the state Department of Health for removing a food safety placard, and other major food code violations. West Hawaii Today.

The state health department has fined Sam Choy’s Kai Lanai restaurant in Kailua-Kona for several violations, including the intentional removal of a yellow placard and replacing it with a green one. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

The state Department of Transportation today responded to criticism over proposed adjustments to the Lahaina Bypass Phase 1B2 and work at the Keawe Street interim northern terminus in West Maui. Maui Now.

The state Department of Transportation on Thursday took issue with West Maui Rep. Angus McKelvey’s criticisms of the department’s plans for the newest phase of the Lahaina bypass and the adjustments made at the northern end of the bypass as traffic flows to Honoapiilani Highway at Keawe Street. Maui News.

The Pacific Cancer Institute’s medical director Thursday accused Hawaii Health Systems Corp. of using public “scare” tactics last month to pressure the institute that provides cancer radiation therapy into accepting new and “unfair” lease terms at its Maui Memorial Medical Center facility. Maui News.

Teledentistry Pilot Project Expands to Maui. Maui Now.

Local real estate brokerage and management firm Hawaii Life has acquired Maui property management company Island Oasis Realty. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Church helps feed the community. A couple from Canada dropped off food, intact and packaged items that were remaining following their stay on Kauai Thursday morning at the Kauai Independent Food Bank. Garden Island.

Cesspool replacement challenging, bacteria closes Ala Moana beach, AG Chin seeks $2.5M to counter civil disobedience, Trump tax cuts could lower electricity costs, Hanabusa island-hopping, Peter Boy siblings sue state, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Rinsing off baby after Kona swim ©2018 All Hawaii News

Ending the environmental threat that cesspools pose to Hawaii’s drinking and surface waters presents an enormous challenge — even with more than 30 years’ notice. Star-Advertiser.

The Department of Health presented their new report, Relating to Cesspools and Prioritization for Replacement, to a joint committee in Honolulu on Wednesday. Big Island Video News.

Cesspools an ‘impending threat’ to waters. Hawaii legislators were brought up to speed on cesspool replacement Wednesday during a briefing for the House and the Senate on the Department of Health’s cesspool report. Garden Island.

Homeowners express outrage at cesspool talk. Report to Legislature targets Upcountry Maui as potential threat for drinking water wells. Maui News.

=====

Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin, the state’s chief law enforcement officer, is seeking $2.5 million from the Legislature that he said would be used to respond to potential mass violence or civil disobedience events — and, possibly, demonstrations atop Mauna Kea. Star-Advertiser.

Legislators Push To Create More “Safe Zones” For The Homeless. But critics of legal homeless encampments say the state should emphasize finding permanent housing for people. Civil Beat.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who officially launched her gubernatorial bid this week, said she wanted to show support for the neighbor islands during a visit to Hawaii Island on Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

‘The future of the state’: Hanabusa touts Hawaii Island’s potential in bid for governor. West Hawaii Today.

Dialysis patients worry over Hawaii Medical Service Association policy change. On Feb. 1, HMSA said it will stop accepting payments from nonprofits that receive donations from dialysis clinics that treat patients whose medical premiums are paid for by the same charities. Star-Advertiser.

An upcoming HMSA policy change has certain Hawaii dialysis patients worried about how they’ll be able to pay for treatment. KITV.

Trump tax cuts could result in lower electric bills for Hawaiian Electric customers. The new federal tax code has the potential to ease the burden of Hawaii's utility ratepayers by lowering electricity costs across Hawaiian Electric Cos.' service territory. Pacific Business News.

US Marshals Return Escaped Psychiatric Patient To Hawaii. The killer had walked away from the state hospital in November. Associated Press.

Hawaii State Hospital escapee Randall Saito arrived in Honolulu today under the custody of federal marshals. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Marshals escorted a psychopathic killer who escaped from the Hawaii State Hospital and fled to California back to the islands Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Kamehameha Schools official hopeful about settlement talks in abuse case. Kamehameha Schools has presented a “strong, substantial” financial offer in hopes of settling a lawsuit in which more than 30 former students accused a psychiatrist of sexually abusing them decades ago, the institution’s chairman said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Settlement talks are now underway in the Kamehameha Schools sex abuse case. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority on Wednesday released the 2017 Visitor Plant Inventory, which showed that visitor accommodation units statewide increased to 80,336 units, up 1.6 percent, year-over-year, the largest total ever recorded for the state. Garden Island.

Hawaii is leading the way in digital health and other ways to cut costs. Hawaii Public Radio.

First Hawaiian ranked ninth among U.S. banks. First Hawaiian Bank, in its first year of eligibility, cracked the top 10 of Forbes magazine’s 2018 annual list of America’s 100 largest top-performing banks. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The state Department of Health issued a high bacteria advisory today for Ala Moana Beach Park. Star-Advertiser.

Department of Health Clean Water Branch officials are warning of elevated bacteria levels at a highly popular Oahu beach. Hawaii News Now.

High levels of fecal matter detected at Ala Moana Beach Park. KITV.

Warning signs posted after high bacteria levels detected in Ala Moana waters. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Hawaiian Electric says crews cleaned up about 95 percent of the estimated 500 gallons of oil that leaked from an underground pipeline in Pearl City Tuesday evening. KITV.

Cleanup underway after oil leaks from underground pipeline in Pearl City. KHON2.

Blue Startups will kick off its 4th annual East Meets West Conference on Feb. 1, with global investors managing over $1 billion expected to attend. Pacific Business News.

Federal investigators say a man who once spent time on Delaware's death row came to Hawaii intending to develop a major prostitution ring — and that he threatened, beat and raped women to force them to cooperate. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Lawsuit filed in ‘Peter Boy’ death. The estate of the late Peter Kema Jr. and Kema Jr.’s siblings are suing the state of Hawaii, the Department of Human Services and Kema Jr.’s parents, claiming the 1997 death of the chronically abused Big Island boy could have been prevented. Tribune-Herald.

The family of "Peter Boy" Kema, the 6-year-old who died at the hands of his abusive parents in 1997 but whose killing would remain unconfirmed for 20 years, has sued the state, saying Child Protective Services workers and the system didn't do enough to protect him. Hawaii News Now.

County hiring practices changing in wake of critical audit. A critical audit of the county Human Resources Department has spurred a bevy of changes to how public employees are recruited and hired. West Hawaii Today.

Retired police detective suing county, captain. A retired Hawaii Police Department detective claims he was falsely arrested and imprisoned early last year, and is suing the county and a police captain. Tribune-Herald.

Lawsuit alleges racial harassment. A Hawaiian Airlines employee stationed at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport filed a lawsuit citing racial harassment and discrimination after discovering a noose and lynch rope near his locker. West Hawaii Today.

The Governor’s Task Force on Rat Lungworm Disease says the problem is spreading, it’s become an “emerging” tropical disease and that unanswered questions need to be addressed with research. Tribune-Herald.

Members of the Governor’s Joint Task Force on Rat Lungworm Disease visited Hilo Medical Center on Tuesday. The group is on the island, learning first hand about the effects of the disease in East Hawaii. Big Island Video News.

State officials are looking to fine a major big island landowner after unpermitted construction work damaged a historic cemetery in South Hilo. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Is This Maui Landowner Getting A Raw Deal From The State? A man who lost his waterfront land may have to pay the state $1 million as part of an eminent domain case. Civil Beat.

Rep. Angus L.K. McKelvey of Maui presented a letter to Gov. David Ige formally requesting that he intervene and stop a Hawaii Department of Transportation proposal that includes last-minute changes to the Keawe Street intersection of the Honoapiilani Highway in Lahaina. Maui Now.

Liquor Commission sends evaluation of director to mayor. Arakawa will need to sign off before report is available to public. Maui News.

The pending sale of Grand Wailea resort on Maui for $1.1 billion will be the highest price paid for a Hawaii hotel and the second highest paid for a hotel in the United States. Star-Advertiser.

Blackstone Group LP is buying the Grand Wailea resort on Maui from Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund for a reported $1.1 billion, according to several reports. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Panel looks at the climate and what could be ahead for Kauai. Threats to species, shorelines and structures, as well as opportunities for innovation were all on the table as the Earth Matters public lecture series opened Tuesday with a panel discussion on climate change and conservation. Garden Island.

West Maui condos face imminent threat from extreme erosion. Hawaii News Now.

The Kauai County Council on Wednesday approved a new lifeguard stand for Poipu Beach Park that officials believe will save lives.  Garden Island.

Ige confident facing Hanabusa challenge, black Hawaiian Airlines employee files suit after noose found near locker, Legislature gets extra $13M to spend, almost half of residents struggle to make ends meet, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Japanese training sailing ship Nippon Maru visits Hilo, PC: Hollyn Johnson, Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Hawaii Gubernatorial Candidates Up to the Challenges. Governor David Ige won a lopsided victory in the 2014 primary election.  He says it wasn’t a fluke. It was a voters’ mandate. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii health officials are bracing for at least $6.2 million in federal cuts to state programs that cover everything from emergency preparedness and immunizations to water-quality testing, air-pollution control, children’s health and hazardous waste. Civil Beat.

Legislature Gets An Extra $13M To Spend This Session. The Council on Revenues slightly upgraded its growth projection for this fiscal year to 4.5 percent. Civil Beat.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will announce its annual homeless grant awards in support of thousands of local housing and service programs across the U.S. Thursday. Garden Island.

Nearly half of Hawaii’s households earn too little to cover their basic needs, even though many are holding down more than one job, according to a study released Tuesday by Aloha United Way. Star-Advertiser.

Nearly Half Of Hawaii Residents Struggle To Make Ends Meet. Finding affordable housing and a job that pays enough on the same island is tough, according to a new report. Civil Beat.

According to a new report from Aloha United Way, nearly half of Hawaii’s households can’t make ends meet. KITV.

Officials acknowledged Tuesday that connecting houseless or at-risk people with the services they need is paramount to solving Hawaii’s homeless crisis. Garden Island.

A Hawaiian Airlines employee stationed in Kona has filed a racial harassment and discrimination suit against the carrier, saying that his life was threatened by colleagues who placed a noose and a lynching rope near his locker. Hawaii News Now.

Trump Immigration Plans Would Hit Hawaii’s Filipino Families Hard. Filipinos have become the state’s largest ethnic group, in part because of family-friendly immigration policies. Civil Beat.

Results are in from a new state study: The ferry isn’t going to happen. There’s more hype than actual interest. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and state identification cards will be issued with a new “star in a gold circle” marking starting Tuesday, Jan. 16. Tribune-Herald.

The PGA Tour and the Hawaii Tourism Authority signed a $2.1 million contract Tuesday extending their marketing partnership through 2022. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

 The Hawaii Public Housing Authority is planning to build 800 units of affordable senior rentals as part of a $370 million mixed-use development on the six-acre site of its current administrative campus in Honolulu under a public-private partnership with Retirement Housing Foundation. Pacific Business News.

Developer to seek city concessions for Waikiki condo. OliverMcMillan, the company developing approximately 500 rental units on Queen Emma trust land, told the Waikiki Neighborhood Board on Tuesday that it plans to ask the city for variances to increase density, height and transitional setbacks in exchange for providing affordable housing. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric looks to unplug from longtime operating base. Hawaiian Electric Co. is offering up one of its biggest real estate assets for sale in an effort to consolidate operations, and the opportunity could result in more condominium towers in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

OliverMcMillan Inc. expects to submit a draft environmental assessment later this month for what will be the first new high-rise apartment project in decades, a 500-unit market-rate and affordable mixed-use rental project in the center of Waikiki on 2.5 acres of land owned by the Queen Emma Land Co. Pacific Business News.

Homeless shuffle to avoid Kakaako park closures. More than a dozen homeless encampments returned to the mauka Kakaako Gateway Park as state and city officials continue to close and reopen parks overrun by homeless people in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu ranch to re-establish native forest. An Oahu ranch operated on land owned by an affiliate of the Mormon Church has partnered with its landlord and a nonprofit to re-establish a native forest on most of the 750-acre property in Laie and Malaekahana. Star-Advertiser.

New Chinatown bus schedule draws complaints from businesses. Hawaii News Now.

About 500 gallons of fuel oil leaked from a Hawaiian Electric underground pipeline in Pearl City Tuesday night. Hawaii News Now.

Commentary: Conspiracy Charges Up The Ante For Kealohas. The former police chief and his prosecutor wife could be punished for crimes that were committed by other defendants. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Ethics Board policies, procedures under review. Two 2016 ethics complaints against the Hawaii County Building Division have resurfaced in a complaint about the procedures of the Board of Ethics itself. West Hawaii Today.

As of this morning, the 25 percent mandatory North Kona water restriction, that has been in effect since Jan. 12, 2017, is officially downgraded to a 10 percent voluntary water conservation. West Hawaii Today.

Forty-seven attorneys were honored during the Hilo Self-Help Center Recognition Awards on Monday for providing free legal information to more than 1,000 people on Hawaii Island who sought assistance at the Hilo Courthouse Self-Help Center in 2017. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Lawyers to mayor: Let Dave Taylor go back to work. Attorneys for Water Supply director hand Maui County Mayor Arakawa an ultimatum. Maui News.

Senior housing project clears a hurdle. The Maui Planning Commission granted a special management area use permit Tuesday for a 164-unit affordable senior housing project near the Foodland Kaahumanu store and the Kahului Public Library. Maui News.

Smoke-Free Vehicles with Minors Passes Through Committee. Maui Now.

Maui home prices set new record. It took 11 years, but Maui’s real estate market finally eclipsed a prior record for the annual median sale price of single-family homes. Star-Advertiser.

Kihei Charter School Construction Two-Thirds Complete. Maui Now.

Kauai

Testimony continued Tuesday in the Coco Palms civil trial, with the defendants maintaining direct lineage to Hawaiian royalty and their right to occupy the land. Garden Island.

Hanabusa kicks off gubernatorial campaign; Rice, who fought race-based OHA elections, dies at 83; ferry not financially feasible; tax collections forecast to rise, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Rep. Hanabusa campaign kickoff Monday, courtesy photo

Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa officially launched her campaign for Hawaii governor Monday against Gov. David Ige, saying Hawaii needs new leadership at the top to tackle critical issues like lack of affordable housing and limited job opportunities for future generations. Star-Advertiser.

Hanabusa Launches Campaign With Swipe At ‘Rudderless’ Ige. The Hawaii congresswoman says state government is “adrift” and needs a course correction. Civil Beat.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa on Monday launched her campaign for governor by criticizing the incumbent for a lack of leadership and saying the state should consider establishing safe zones for homeless people. Associated Press.

Colleen Hanabusa said she is tired of the Hawaii government’s same old song and dance. Garden Island.

Heating Up: Hanabusa vs Ige in Governor's Race. Hawaii’s Senior Congressional Representative officially announced her candidacy for Governor today.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hanabusa is officially running for governor and she isn't pulling any punches. Hawaii News Now.

Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa launched her campaign officially for governor of Hawaii Monday. KITV.

Hanabusa formally launches campaign for governor. KHON2.

Calling for leadership, a strong vision and action, Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa formally launched her campaign to become Hawaii’s next governor on Monday. Big Island Now.

=====

Study: Ferry not feasible. Perhaps to no surprise, a report — mandated by the Legislature and published on the state Department of Transportation’s website Monday — says an interisland or intraisland ferry system won’t work without a state subsidy. Tribune-Herald.

State tax collections forecast to rise. Economic experts in charge of forecasting Hawaii’s tax collections say the state’s revenue will grow at a slightly higher rate than expected, citing in part an anticipated stimulus effect from the Republicans’ federal tax cuts. Star-Advertiser.

=====

About 9 percent of University of Hawaii students say they have been sexually harassed, and 6 percent experienced unwanted sexual contact on or off campus, according to survey results released Monday. Star-Advertiser.

How Safe Do UH Students Feel? New Survey Gauges Their Views. A report breaks down students’ opinions and experiences regarding sexual harassment and nonconsensual contact. Civil Beat.

More than 22 percent of female students at the University of Hawaii have experienced dating or domestic violence, and about 12 percent have been sexually harassed or stalked during their time there, according to an expansive new survey released Monday. Hawaii News Now.

University of Hawaii survey results show most domestic/sexual assaults were not reported to campus officials. KITV.

=====

Health Department proposes disinterment rules. The state Department of Health is implementing new mandates for digging up human remains, but rules covering disinterment of ancient or historic graves regulated by the Department of Land and Natural Resources remain unchanged. West Hawaii Today.

Patients, Providers Aren't Waiting For Dispensaries. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision to roll back protection of cannabis businesses last week left a cloud of uncertainty over Hawaii’s medical cannabis dispensary program. Hawaii Public Radio.

'This is a work choice': Advocate looks to decriminalize prostitution in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Airlines said it will begin nonstop flights between Honolulu and Long Beach, Calif., beginning May 31 and that it finished 2017 by carrying a record number of passengers. Star-Advertiser.

First Hawaiian CFO leaving company. First Hawaiian Bank Chief Financial Officer Michael Ching is stepping down from his position effective Jan. 31 but will continue to assist the company on a consulting basis during the transition. Star-Advertiser.

Chipotle has no plans to open in Hawaii. Popular restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill will not be expanding to Hawaii any time soon, according to a recent update by the company. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Affordable-housing plan now aimed at seniors. A state agency has again scaled back a plan to build affordable housing on the Kalihi-Palama headquarters of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Rail Recovery Plan Remains A Work In Progress. HART’s board has declined to approve the plan for the $9 billion project until more details are fleshed out. Civil Beat.

Why Oahu’s Rural Homeless Have Often Been Undercounted. Getting a more accurate picture of the homeless population in remote areas is essential to providing services. Civil Beat.

Affordable housing community prepares to open for families in need. Kahauiki Village opens this Friday on 11.3 acres of land located between Nimitz Highway, Keehi Lagoon Park, and Sand Island. KHON2.

Security patrol newly reopened Kakaako Waterfront Park. After being closed for three months to repair damage caused by homeless campers, Kakaako Waterfront Park reopened Monday at 6 a.m., and by about 7:30 a.m. one person was already attempting to set up a tent. Star-Advertiser.

Online Anti-Crime Group Wants To Be A Political Force. “Stolen Stuff Hawaii” now has more than 100,000 Facebook followers on the lookout for each other’s property. Civil Beat.

DBEDT completes installation of largest solar PV system in Honolulu's business district. Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism said it has completed the installation of a 300-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system at its Pier 2 facility in Honolulu. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

More than 1 in 10 University of Hawaii at Hilo students say they’ve been sexually harassed at some point as a student, and more than 18 percent have experienced dating and domestic violence while enrolled, according to a survey released Monday by the university system. Tribune-Herald.

Talking crime in Puna. Violent crime seemed to be on the minds of people who attended a forum Saturday on crime and drug abuse in Puna. Tribune-Herald.

Embezzler gets 9-year term, must pay school back $3.1M. As Chief Financial Officer Pablo Rivera was stealing more than $50,000 per month from the University of Nations, he was telling school officials that he had reduced spending at the Kona campus but that the nondenominational Christian school still needed $500,000 to stay afloat. Star-Advertiser.

First Hawaiian Paradise Park Public Park Master Plan Meeting Held. HPP residents and county planners got to work on Sunday, developing a master plan for a new county park in the Puna subdivision. Big Island Video News.

$3 Million in Improvements Slated for Honokaa High & Intermediate. Big Island Now.

Public response to Kona’s newly added low-income housing at Kamakana Villages was overwhelming, with several prospective tenants left on the outside looking in following the lottery process. West Hawaii Today.

Harold “Freddy” Rice, Big Island rancher and community activist, died at the age of 83, according to his family. In 1996, Rice challenged an OHA policy that limited voting eligibility for the office’s Board of Trustees to Native Hawaiians. Citing the 15th Amendment, which prohibits race-based voting discrimination, Rice sued. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County solar permits in 2017 dropped by 59 percent. The number of permits issued plunged 59 percent to 676 from 1,657 in 2016, according to data compiled by Marco Mangelsdorf, who tracks rooftop solar permits and is president of Hilo-based ProVision Solar. Star-Advertiser.

Two new infestations of little fire ants were discovered on Maui, the Maui Invasive Species Committee announced today. Maui Now.

Hawaiian Airlines is adding more flights to Kapalua, and an executive said that the airline is “constantly looking at” bringing back a direct flight between Maui and Las Vegas. Maui News.

Conference highlights benefits of cannabis. Maui News.

Haleakala National Park has awarded a maintenance contract to Maris Inc. for rock scaling work and vegetation removal at Oheo Gulch in East Maui. Park officials say the project will significantly reduce the potential for rock fall hazards or falling debris. Maui Now.

Construction is scheduled to begin at Honokowai Beach Park in West Maui, on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, for replacement of the outdoor shower and shower drainage improvements. Maui Now.

Kauai

Report: Occupants have no claim. The two leaders of a mainly Native Hawaiian group occupying the former Coco Palms resort in Wailua apparently have no ownership rights to the property, according to papers obtained by The Garden Island, despite their contentions in the civil ejectment case against them in District Court. Garden Island.

Hearing set on bus stop rules. The County of Kauai Transportation Agency is holding a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed rules and regulations regarding county bus stops. Garden Island.

KCC enrollment on the rise. Kauai Community College opened its doors to the spring semester Monday, with an opening day census of 1,219 students, an increase of 9.5 percent over the same period a year ago when the college recorded 1,085 students. Garden Island.

AG Chin to step down to seek congressional seat, foster parents lawsuit seeks higher pay, Hawaiian overthrow commemoration set for Legislature's opening day, Honolulu loses almost $5M federal grants due to inertia, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Doug Chin, Mazie Hirono at Aug. 30, 2017 DACA press conference file photo

Attorney General Chin will step down to run for Congress. The decision by state Attorney General Douglas Chin to resign March 15 and begin full-time campaigning for the 1st Congressional District seat is probably a “politically smart move,” according to a University of Hawaii political scientist. Star-Advertiser.

Chin To Step Down As Hawaii AG In Run For Congress. The attorney general was pressured to resign by the person he hopes to succeed, U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin on Sunday announced he will step down to focus on his congressional campaign. Associated Press.

Seeking a seat in U.S. Congress, Hawaii's Attorney General Doug Chin announced Sunday he will step down. Hawaii News Now.

Doug Chin announced Sunday that he is leaving his Attorney General post to concentrate on his campaign for the First Congressional district seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. KITV.

Attorney General Doug Chin will step down to run for Congressional seat. KHON2.

=====

Overthrow observance to shadow Legislature’s opening day. 125 years after the overthrow of Hawaii’s last monarch, a new group of organizers is planning a march and observance ceremony expected to draw thousands to Iolani Palace and to the Capitol courtyard next door. Star-Advertiser.

Ige seeks pay raises for foster parents amid legal battle. A drawn-out legal battle over how much families are paid to care for foster children is headed to court, where attorneys say the dispute could end up costing the state significantly more than a multimillion-dollar settlement that was rejected last year by the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

A legal battle over how much families are paid to care for foster children could cost Hawaii millions of dollars, state officials said. Associated Press.

More than 800 cases of child sex abuse reported in 2017, likely only a fraction of victims. KHON2.

Navy likely to keep long-standing grip on Pacific Command. here’s been some extra drama attendant to the Pentagon’s selection of the next head of U.S. Pacific Command on Oahu — and not only because that person will have to counter a runaway North Korean nuclear program and a militarily assertive China. Star-Advertiser.

Judge clears way for sale of Island Air operating certificate. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Faris, declaring that something is better than nothing, gave the green light Friday for Island Air’s trustee to take the necessary steps to proceed in the sale of the company’s operating certificate to a subsidiary of Hawaiian Airlines’ corporate parent. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines is likely to exceed $100 million for a second consecutive year in baggage, reservation and change fees. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

How Mismanagement Cost Honolulu Nearly $5 Million In Federal Aid. The unspent money was intended to help ease the city’s critical problems with homelessness and affordable housing. Civil Beat.

The Oahu Real Property Tax Advisory Commission on Thursday passed its final report to the Honolulu City Council, recommending a host of changes aimed at making the tax burden more equitable among the island’s property owners. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu Liquor Commission has delayed a decision over a license application for a new Denny’s restaurant in Waikiki due to community opposition. Star-Advertiser.

Court ends first year of decriminalized homelessness. As Oahu’s so-called “homeless court” moves into its second year, the chief justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court wants legislators to know that “it has brought life-changing experiences” to some of its homeless defendants. Star-Advertiser.

Prosecutors say Ransen Taito was a victim of Katherine Kealoha’s financial crimes, but he helped her cover them up anyway. When Ransen Taito walked into the U.S. District Court of Hawaii on Friday to plead guilty to felony conspiracy, he was about to roll over in a big way on his “aunty,” someone he trusted since childhood: Honolulu deputy prosecuting attorney Katherine Kealoha. Civil Beat.

Frustration grows over delay in state takeover of Hawaii's only volunteer-run public library. Hawaii News Now.

Kapiolani Community College has opened its search for a new chancellor and expects to have a hire in place by July. Star-Advertiser.

Diamond Head Theatre redevelopment plan moves forward. Plans are to upgrade the building to a 500-seat venue with improved stage mechanics and enhanced theatre experience. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu’s 2017 housing market finished strong with gains in both condominium and single-family home sales and median prices, and experts from the real estate industry expect the momentum to continue this year, but possibly at a slower pace. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu home prices may reach just under $800K in 2018, Locations says. The median price of a single-family home rose by 3 percent to $760,000, from $735,000 in 2016, while the median price of a condo rose 5 percent to $410,000, from $390,000 in 2016, according to the sales data analyzed by Locations. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

DLNR shuts down aquarium fishing in West Hawaii pending environmental review.  For the first time in decades, West Hawaii waters are off-limits to aquarium fishermen. West Hawaii Today.

2017 a deadly year on Big Island roads. Speed kills. Obvious as it sounds, that’s the lesson to be learned from the majority of the 32 official traffic fatalities that occurred on Hawaii Island in 2017 — the same official total of traffic deaths that took place in 2016. The deaths occurred in 30 collisions. Tribune-Herald.

Criteria To Determine Pre-Existing Lots Discussed. The Hawaii County Council Planning Committee sat down with planning department administrators recently to discuss a new bill to amend the Subdivision Code. Big Island Video News.

Wendell Kaehuaea is hoping the 23rd time will be the charm. After 22 unsuccessful campaigns for local political office, Kaehuaea is shooting for his first statewide race, and this time he’s aiming high. All the way to governor. West Hawaii Today.

Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden nonprofit lands $750K. West Hawaii Today.

A climate for coffee: Researchers work to get ahead of potential threats to Hawaii’s signature crop. West Hawaii Today.

Condo sales on Hawaii's Big Island jump 20% in 2017, single-family sees single-digit gains. The 853 condo units sold on the Big Island in 2017 was 19.97 percent more than the 711 units that sold in 2016. The median price of a Big Island condo in 2017 was $310,000, which was an increase of 1.64 percent from $305,000 in 2016. Pacific Business News.

Maui

LPN shortage leads to higher patient care costs. Hale Makua is working with UH-Maui College on an educational program just for LPNs. Maui News.

Catholic charities planning a senior housing development. Proposed affordable project would have 164 apartments. Maui News.

Three mumps cases reported on Maui. Out of 770 confirmed cases of mumps statewide as of Jan. 4, three cases were on Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

Defendants continue Coco Palms claim. The heated civil trial over 17 acres of land in Wailua where the famed Coco Palms Resort once stood before it was damaged by Hurricane Iniki continued Friday with testimony from Noa Mau-Espirito, one of the two defendants in the matter.  Garden Island.

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative Nominating Committee has confirmed six candidates for its Board of Directors election on March 10. Garden Island.

Home sales on Kauai dip in 2017 as condo sales take off. There were a total of 450 condo units sold on the Garden Island last year, an increase of 19.05 percent from 378 units sold in 2016. The median price of a condo on Kauai in 2017 rose 9.23 percent to $435,000 from $398,250 in 2016. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii braces for federal marijuana crackdown, 500 volunteers needed to count homeless, feral wallaby spotted in Kalihi Valley, should AG Chin resign to run, Maui fights resorts in beach access dispute, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Pot doc advertisement in Keaukaha, file photo ©2018 All Hawaii News

Isle pot industry braces for crackdown. Hawaii’s fledgling medical marijuana industry was dealt a blow Thursday with the Trump administration rescinding a policy that kept federal authorities from prosecuting people for legal pot sales. Star-Advertiser.

Federal Anti-Pot Move Derided As A ‘Reckless Prohibition-Style Decision’. Hawaii leaders oppose stronger federal enforcement. But one cannabis advocate sees a possible “silver lining". Civil Beat.

Lawmakers, dispensary chief react to decision to rescind Obama-era marijuana policy. A Big Island lawmaker says Hawaii should legalize recreational marijuana even if the Trump administration clamps down on sales in states that already took that step. Tribune-Herald.

Non-Interference Policy on Marijuana Reversed. The Department of Justice today issued a memo on federal marijuana enforcement policy announcing “a return to the rule of law and the rescission of previous guidance documents". Maui Now.

Gabbard looking to remove marijuana from federal controlled substances list. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard denounced the decision of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to rescind the Obama-era, non-interference policy and target states that have legalized medical or recreational marijuana use. KITV.

=====

Chin should resign to run, Hanabusa says. U.S. Rep. Colleen Hana­busa says Attorney General Douglas Chin should resign from his job as the state’s top law enforcement officer to make his run for Congress, and Gov. David Ige on Thursday said he expects Chin will resign if that would be “in the best interest of the people of Hawaii.” Star-Advertiser.

The state needs 500 volunteers for their annual homeless count – and have only 50 so far. Every year, during the last week of January, volunteers canvas the state to get a tally of how many homeless people are living in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

2018 kicks off with the highest gas prices Hawaii has seen since 2014. Experts said the price at the pump will continue to go up. KHON2.

Hawaii timeshare properties had higher occupancy than hotels during the third quarter. Hawaii timeshare properties were 90.1 percent occupied during the third quarter of 2017, nearly 9 percentage points more than hotel properties, according to a report released Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

Timeshare properties in Hawaii continued to demonstrate their importance to the state’s lodging portfolio in the third quarter of 2017, averaging a 90.1% occupancy rate statewide. By comparison, hotel properties averaged an 81.4% occupancy rate for the quarter. Maui Now.

New commander takes the reins at Schofield as Pacific tensions flare. About 5,000 Schofield Barracks soldiers stood at attention Thursday on Weyand Field as Maj. Gen. Ronald P. Clark took over command of the 25th Infantry Division from Maj. Gen. Christopher Cavoli. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Conspiracy charge is brought in fraud case against Kealoha. A man who federal prosecutors say had his and his sister’s trust fund money stolen by Deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha was scheduled to admit in U.S. District Court this morning that he helped Kealoha cover up the theft and lied when he told a grand jury that Kealoha did not rip him off. Star-Advertiser.

New charges brought in Honolulu corruption case. The deputy city prosecutor wife of a Honolulu police chief convinced a man whose trust she allegedly stole from when he was a child to lie for her before a grand jury looking into corruption allegations against the couple, according to court documents filed Wednesday. Associated Press.

Board of Water Supply looks to raise rates to replace aging water mains. Another possible rate hike is in the works, this time from the Board of Water Supply. KHON2.

Justice Coalition Urges Alternative to New Jail.  A proposal to replace the aging Oahu Community Correctional Center by building a new jail has been on the table since last fall. Hawaii Public Radio.

Concerns raised over whether new Waikiki Denny's should serve alcohol. A new Denny's restaurant is nearing completion on what was a vacant corner at the Diamond Head end of Kuhio Avenue. Hawaii News Now.

SBA offers $600K in Marco Polo assistance loans. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Hawaii District Office has approved more than $600,000 in federal disaster loans for Hawaii businesses and residents affected by the Marco Polo fire in Honolulu that occurred July 14. Star-Advertiser.

Spotted: Elusive wallaby makes rare appearance in Moanalua. Wallabies, which are native to Australia, are actually believed to exist in Kalihi Valley. In 1916, three of the animals escaped into the area and bred after they were shipped to Hawaii and delivered to a private zoo nearby. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hele-On routes expanding with new grant. Hilo-Kona bus routes will be expanded, as well as routes in Hawaiian Paradise Park and elsewhere in Puna, thanks to a larger-than-anticipated federal grant. West Hawaii Today.

Andy Levin, Mayor’s Lobbyist, Before Council. The Hawaii County Council's Governmental Relations and Economic Development Committee had the chance to question the administration's legislative assistant on Wednesday. Big Island Video News.

North Kona approaches full year under mandatory water usage reduction. West Hawaii Today.

Feral donkeys in West Hawaii seeking good homes. After once numbering in the hundreds, the feral donkey population in West Hawaii now hovers at about 30, thanks to successful adoption drives during the past few years, according to a rancher who looks after them. Tribune-Herald.

Wheelchair-Friendly Mauna Loa Lookout Opens. The Mauna Loa Lookout shelter was reconstructed and repaved, and a new accessible vault toilet was installed, park officials say. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui lawmaker denounces 'privatization of the public beaches' at Kaanapali. Photos taken Wednesday morning, fronting the Kaanapali Alii resort on Maui, show empty cabanas lining the sandy beach between the hotel and the Pacific Ocean. Hawaii News Now.

McKelvey wants resorts cited for ‘reserved’ beach space. Unused cabanas, chairs and umbrellas are crowding out public access to residents. Maui News.

Staffing woes hinder­ movement on water meter list. A shortage of engineers, difficulty recruiting and a lack of affordable housing are some of the reasons the county Department of Water Supply is struggling to fill staffing positions to help tackle the Upcountry water meter list, the department said Wednesday. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai mayor's holiday gift of paid leave for county workers draws criticism from council chair. A decision by Kauai's mayor to offer all full-time county employees two paid days off during the holidays is drawing major criticism from some council members. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall closed. The community stage isn’t scheduled to reopen until June 30 due to an asbestos removal project. Garden Island.

Families facing underage drug and alcohol abuse issues will soon have the option to seek treatment on island, instead of having to send loved ones elsewhere. A Thursday groundbreaking for the roughly 15,000-square-foot Adolescent Treatment and Healing Center on the north end of Maalo Road was attended by about 100 people. Garden Island.

Audit blasts state energy office, Hanabusa more popular among business leaders, new U.S. attorney named, dialysis clinics vacant as inspections awaited, rats return to Lehua Island, Kealoha accused of coercing witness, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki king tides July 2017, courtesy UH Sea College Grant program

For the past two years, the University of Hawaii Sea Grant Program has been recruiting citizen scientists from across the Pacific. They were trained to document high water levels or King Tides in an effort to understand and adapt to sea level rise. Hawaii Public Radio.

State Auditor’s report blasts energy office. The Hawaii State Energy Office awarded a contract for more than $250,000 to plan a “state-of-the-art” energy innovation center last year, and then seven months later commissioned another consultant to assess whether that center is actually needed, according to an audit of the office. Star-Advertiser.

Read full audit here.

Auditors couldn't figure out what this state office does — or plans to do. Hawaii News Now.

Audit: State Energy Office ‘Is Not Doing Its Job’ A scathing report cites the office’s failure to document what it’s doing to help Hawaii’s transition to renewable energy resources. Civil Beat.

Why Colleen Hanabusa Can’t Sit Still. The Hawaii congresswoman talks about ambition, office-hopping and her quest for the Hawaii governor’s office. Civil Beat.

BOSS Asks Business Leaders: Ige or Hanabusa? Hawaii Business.

Kenji Price — a former federal prosecutor and Army Ranger who is now a director at the Honolulu law firm of Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing — has been appointed Interim U.S. Attorney for Hawaii by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the Justice Department announced today. Star-Advertiser.

Ex-Army Ranger Named Temporary US Attorney For Hawaii. Kenji Price has been focusing on white collar criminal defense and commercial litigation at a Honolulu firm. Associated Press.

Delays in clinic inspections hurt dialysis patients. Lawmakers are trying to find solutions to a three-year delay in inspections for some dialysis clinics that largely remain closed as the number of residents with kidney failure continues to climb. Star-Advertiser.

One aspect of the homeless crisis: State realizes policing encampments is pricey. DLNR is requesting $330,000 in related funds. Gov. David Ige's administration also wants $419,302 to pay for eight new deputy sheriffs that could respond to complaints about illegal camping and trespassing on state lands. There is also a $5 million lump sum request in the state Department of Human Services' budget. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii joins 'tele-abortion' pilot amid debate about procedure's safety. Hawaii is one of only four states taking part in a "tele-abortion" pilot project, and the politically-charged issue is riling up abortion foes. Hawaii News Now.

Preschool Open Door Program Open for Enrollment. Low and moderate-income families in Hawaii can tap a state subsidized program to give their keiki a head start in early learning. Hawaii Public Radio.

No end in sight for mumps outbreak. In addition to containing clusters of mumps cases, the state is gearing up for the peak of flu season. KITV.

Mumps booster needed to avoid virus. Even if you had a mumps vaccination, you are being urged to get a booster shot. KITV.

Foreign fishermen settle human trafficking suit. Two Indonesian fishermen who say they were enslaved on an American fishing boat have settled their lawsuit against the vessel’s owner seven years after escaping and receiving special U.S. visas as victims of human trafficking. Associated Press.

Kmart to pay over $84K for overbilling Hawaii Medicaid customers. Pacific Business News.

Hawaiian Airlines awarded share of $227M federal contract. Hawaiian Airlines Inc. on Friday received a share of a $227 million federal contract for international commercial scheduled air cargo transportation services. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Katherine Kealoha coerced man to lie to grand jury, charges say. The deputy city prosecutor wife of a Honolulu police chief convinced a man whose trust she allegedly stole from when he was a child to lie for her before a grand jury looking into corruption allegations against the couple, according to court documents filed today. Associated Press.

An alleged victim in the case against former Honolulu police chief Louis Kealoha and his deputy prosecutor wife, Katherine, is now a suspect. KHON2.

Police Commission Loosens Rules On Legal Fees For Officers. For years, city attorneys have been strict when it comes to paying an officer’s attorney fees in lawsuits and criminal complaints. Civil Beat.

Rise in attacks by state hospital patients prompts call for change. KHON2.

Medical Pot And Veterans: Groups Offer Free Evaluations. The cost of getting evaluated usually far exceeds the price of the actual registration process for cannabis users. Civil Beat.

Honolulu EMS announces the need for more money. KHON2.

Warning signs posted after big sewage spill into Kaneohe Bay. The public is being told to stay out of Kaneohe Bay after a spill sent 30,000 gallons of sewage into the water. Hawaii News Now.

Kaimana the monk seal is hooked again. Kaimana the monk seal got hooked — a second time. This time, she needed help getting it out. Star-Advertiser.

$500K-plus micro condo units to hit Kakaako market. About 200 studios range from 277 square feet to 373 square feet, with the smallest of those starting between $500,000 and $600,000. Star-Advertiser.

Howard Hughes to open sales office for new Honolulu tower. Pacific Business News.

Petitioners want to preserve monkeypod trees at Manoa Marketplace. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Ige releases additional $1.3M for outreach, research in battle against rapid ohia death. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Harry Kim’s lobbyist to the state Legislature appeared before a more local body Wednesday, where he defended his track record and pledged better communication with the County Council. West Hawaii Today.

The traffic signals are in place, but it may take until the end of the month before intersection improvements at Shower Drive and Highway 130 in Puna are complete. Tribune-Herald.

A former driver for The Arc of Hilo who sexually assaulted a physically and mentally disabled woman last year in a van owned by the nonprofit organization was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in prison. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Makawao is Highest Priority Area for Cesspools, Public Meeting Announced. Maui Now.

Water Director Taylor remains at home. Water Department leadership in limbo following council vote in support of director. Maui News.

Kauai

Rats! signs of life. A rapid assessment team flew to Lehua Island Tuesday after checks of motion-detecting field cameras showed the presence of two rats. Garden Island.

Housing crisis lingers as additional rental unit bill deferred. A bill aimed at allowing homeowners to build small rental units on their land in order to help meet an affordable housing shortage was deferred to the end of February during a Kauai County committee meeting Wednesday. Garden Island.