Florida school shooting brings 'social media hysteria,' new legislation, to Hawaii; registration fees may be hiked for electric vehicles, Honolulu Police Commission picks new chairwoman, Big Island council puts GET on life support, seawall irks Maui residents, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu city bus ©2018 All Hawaii News

Honolulu slid into the 10th spot on a list ranking the best cities for public transit in 2018. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu among U.S. cities with best public transportation. Hawaii News Now.

A bill to boost the state registration fees for electric and hybrid vehicles was tentatively approved by the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday. Owners of electric vehicles currently pay weight taxes and a registration fee of $45 per vehicle per year, but do not pay the gasoline tax. Star-Advertiser.

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is seeking public input as it develops a non-binding plan to spend up to $8.1 million from a settlement with German automaker Volkswagen to promote the reduction of vehicle emissions in Hawaii. Garden Island.

Ige leads effort urging Congress to protect funding for clean energy programs. The bipartisan U.S. Climate Alliance, under the leadership of Hawaii Gov. David Ige, has urged the U.S. Congress to protect the U.S. Department of Energy from funding cuts proposed by the Trump administration. Pacific Business News.

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‘We Are So Far Behind’: Hawaii Legislators Look To Make Schools Safer. After another gun-related massacre on an American campus, lawmakers consider requiring interior door locks and intercom systems. Civil Beat.

Police and schools are cracking down on students who make threats after concerns were raised following the mass shooting at a Florida high school last week. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers hope to prevent a mass shooting in the islands, by banning bump stocks. One of several measures this legislative session aiming to tighten gun regulations. KITV.

Following the deadly mass shooting at a Florida high school, there is a lot of attention on school safety. The number of gun incidents in Hawaii schools has actually dropped. Last year there were 21 incidents all involving air guns. Hawaii Public Radio.

Police: Social media caused hysteria. Hawaii Island’s police chief said the decision to post extra officers on public school campuses Wednesday in Puna and Kona was made because social media “fed into the anxiety” of the community in the wake of perceived threats of possible gun violence made on the internet. Tribune-Herald.

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Bill looks to ban plastic straws; some already making shift. West Hawaii Today.

Why Opening A Dialysis Center Takes Years Longer In Hawaii. A shortage of outpatient centers forces some chronic kidney disease patients into long hospital stays and late-night treatments. Civil Beat.

Hawaii has joined a coalition of states in opposing an application by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to regain its status as a nationally-recognized accreditor after failing to fulfill its oversight responsibilities. Pacific Business News.

Should state hospital patients with violent pasts be tracked post-release? KHON2.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Commission Gets New Leadership. Loretta Sheehan was a sharp critic of former chief Louis Kealoha and how the commission handled problems during his tenure. Civil Beat.

Attorney Loretta Sheehan was elected chairwoman of the Honolulu Police Commission 6-0 today. She replaces retired hotel executive Max Sword. Star-Advertiser.

Susan Ballard, Honolulu’s first female police chief, has a strong ally in the new chairwoman of the Honolulu Police Commission, Loretta Sheehan. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Police Commission has a new leader and she's already promising change. KITV.

The former police officer who was fired after video of him in a violent fight with his ex-girlfriend surfaced will be reinstated and get years of back pay. Hawaii News Now.

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State rules for Sierra Club in lawsuit over aging military fuel tanks. Hawaii News Now.

Kahauiki Village: A Model to Ease Homelessness. There are more than 550 bills relating to affordable housing this legislative session. But, there’s one community model that could be duplicated statewide. Hawaii Public Radio.

Community voices concerns about Old Stadium Park homeless. Dozens of people gathered at the McCully Moiliili library Wednesday night. KHON2.

Bill would move oversight of Kakaako from the Hawaii Community Development Authority to city. KITV.

Storm forced millions of gallons of sewer water to spill in Windward Oahu. KHON2.

Punahou settles suit with family of child kicked out after father's alleged misconduct. The boy was kicked out after a 5-year-old classmate alleged that the boy’s father showed her pornography during a sleepover. Hawaii News Now.

Health Department fines Hawaiian Isles Water Co. $14K for violations. Hawaiian Isles Water Co. had to pay a $14,400 fine after being cited by the Hawaii Department of Health for delinquent reports and payments to the state-administrated Deposit Beverage Container program between August and November 2017. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Foreseeing the almost certain death of a bill raising the general excise tax, the County Council voted unanimously Wednesday to put it on life support, at least temporarily. West Hawaii Today.

UH regents to ask for Mauna Kea audit. Responding to accusations of financial mismanagement, the University of Hawaii Board of Regents on Friday will be asking its internal auditor to look at the university’s Mauna Kea books with fresh eyes. Star-Advertiser.

A tense hearing on the future management of Mauna Kea steered into the issue of the Thirty Meter Telescope sublease. Big Island Video News.

A bill that would bring lifeguards to Kua Bay remains alive in the state House after securing a key hearing before the Committee on Finance. West Hawaii Today.

Officer-involved shooting prompts heavy police presence in Puna. An investigation is underway after a Big Island police officer was shot late Wednesday in Hawaiian Beaches. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

A plan to construct a seawall to save a West Maui condominium from erosion is dividing the community. Hawaii News Now.

A Sea Talk focusing on Maalaea Harbor Water Quality and the use of effluent in Eco-Restoration will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday. Maui Now.

3 Maui Beaches Named to TripAdvisor’s 2018 Best in US Awards. Maui Now.

Work to replace an old culvert bridge that has shut down South Kihei Road near the old Suda Store since August will be completed “by the end of next week at the latest . . . maybe earlier,” said county Department of Public Works Director David Goode on Wednesday. Maui News.

HGEA nurses disgruntled over Kaiser management. The head of about 800 union workers at Maui Memorial Medical Center said Maui Health System officials need “to step up their game” and start fulfilling “the bill of goods” touted by the private entity to improve former public hospitals on Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

A resolution that would let citizens vote on ending term limits for the County Council drew ire from some community members on Wednesday. Garden Island.

Kualii announces council candidacy. An Anahola man who has previously served on Kauai’s County Council has announced his candidacy for the upcoming race. Garden Island.

Ige seeks millions for emergency preparedness, OHA trustee wants CEO fired, bill gives child sex assault victims more time to report, no sleeping at bus stops, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Brigadier General Kenneth Hara addresses emergency preparedness, courtesy Governor's Office

Millions needed to beef up state’s emergency preparedness, report says. Hawaii residents shouldn’t expect the state to resume ballistic missile alert testing anytime soon, but the beleaguered Hawaii Emergency Management Agency is immediately seeking to hire a new leader and procure millions from the state Legislature to shore up its disaster-response capabilities. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s nuclear missile scare showed that the state began testing alerts before fully developing a plan to address the ballistic missile threat and that a public outreach campaign months earlier wasn’t effective, said a report released Tuesday. Associated Press.

Gov. David Ige and Brigadier General Kenneth Hara on Tuesday released the All Hazards Preparedness Improvement Action Plan and Report, designed to review current emergency response systems, including notifications and warnings, and make recommendations for improvement. Garden Island.

Hawaii's governor wants to lead the nation in being ready for any emergency. Tuesday, the state released a report highlighting its "all hazards" preparedness plan. KITV.

The State released its report today on the false missile alert January 13th. Hawaii Public Radio.

Although Big Island Mayor Harry Kim voiced strong reservations back in September 2017 about HI-EMA’s plan to test the ballistic missile alert siren, he had the governor's back on Oahu Tuesday. Big Island Video News.

Find the full All Hazards Preparedness Improvement Action Plan and Report here.

The governor still doesn't have his Twitter password (and doesn't plan to get it). Hawaii News Now.

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Senate advances bill that would extend window for childhood sex assault claims. Hawaii News Now.

House to Hear Bill Wednesday That Would Prohibit Bump Stocks. Maui Now.

Here’s Who Takes Money From The NRA In Hawaii. It’s mostly Democrats, even though the state has among the nation’s strongest gun-control laws. Civil Beat.

A bill to prohibit therapists from offering “conversion therapy” to gay youth in an effort to change their sexual orientation has stirred up some controversy in the race for the congressional district representing urban Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

This Is What A Statewide Police Board Might Look Like In Hawaii. Lawmakers are considering legislation to establish a statewide standards board with a certification component. Civil Beat.

Office Of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Calls For Firing Of CEO. A recent state audit found both the chief executive, Kamanaopono Crabbe, and trustees are responsible for misspending. Civil Beat.

Study: Hawaii Residents Are The Deepest In Debt. Hawaii residents don’t earn enough money to offset expensive rent, student loans and consumer debt. Civil Beat.

Study finds that Hawaii residents don't manage debt well. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s largest ocean cargo shipping company brought in fewer containers to the state last year but generated a lot more profit thanks to the recent federal corporate tax overhaul. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu-based Matson Inc. reported net income of $166.9 million, or $3.90 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter, compared to $20 million, or 46 cents per diluted share, for the same quarter in 2016, an increase of 734 percent, which the carrier attributed to tax reform. Pacific Business News.

Meet the man who led Hawaiian Airlines from bankruptcy to billion-dollar business. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

A bill making it illegal to lie down at or near city bus stops was signed into law by Mayor Kirk Caldwell this week. Star-Advertiser.

State considers parcel in Nanakuli as possible site for homeless village. Hawaii News Now.

Crowded Kaneohe neighborhood faces crackdown on illegal parking. Hawaii News Now.

Cardax Inc.’s stock soared 72 percent Tuesday after announcing over the weekend that it was expanding its anti-inflammatory product ZanthoSyn into Asia. Star-Advertiser.

Wakelight Technologies Inc. has received a task order of more than $9.6 million from the U.S. Department of Defense under a previously awarded contract for information technology and cybersecurity services at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu in the bottom half of new state capital livability ranking. Pacific Business News.

Mililani High's Farm to School program expands to increase use of local produce. Hawaii News Now.

Sun Country Airlines, offering seasonal flights to Honolulu, cuts 350 jobs as it farms out ground work. Pacific Business News.

Shoppers at Ward Village in Kakaako are set to have more public parking today that offsets losses to condominium tower development in recent years — and the new stalls will use cameras to improve traffic flow and security. Star-Advertiser.

Kelly Sanders announced Tuesday that he is leaving his post as area general manager of Marriott Hotels and Resorts Waikiki. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Key vote on GET increase today. The council, while meeting as the Finance Committee, gave the general excise tax surcharge a negative recommendation with a 3-6 vote. The bill can die today if it fails to get a majority vote in support. Tribune-Herald.

There will be no special subcommittee to hash out the budget outside public review, at least for the time being. West Hawaii Today.

Kohala councilman Tim Richards wants a subcommittee that can review and research the County of Hawaii budget for FY 2018-2019, but others say it needs more sunshine. Big Island Video News.

A charter amendment on the Nov. 6 ballot adding more transparency to how top county officials get raises took its first step forward Tuesday when the County Council Finance Committee voted 9-0 to advance the measure to the first of three council votes. West Hawaii Today.

Salary Commission Chairman Hugh Ono gave a presentation to the Hawaii County Council Finance Committee on Tuesday in Kona, explaining how large – and highly criticized – raises for county administrators and elected officials were recently approved. Big Island Video News.

Hawaiian Paradise Park will soon have a master plan for its own Hawaii County park. Tribune-Herald.

Just a few days after Honolulu police responded to a social media post threatening violence at Kapolei Middle School, now Big Island police are on high alert after threats were made at two schools on the island. Police will be beefing up their presence at Konawaena and Pahoa High Schools on Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

An informational meeting on the permitting process and land entitlements will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the West Maui Senior Center. Maui News.

Maui Memorial Medical Center was recognized by the American Heart Association in the 2018 issue of “US News & World Report” of Best Hospitals. Maui Now.
Maui Ocean Center Breaks Ground on Dome Theater Whale Exhibit. Maui Now.

Diane Moss, founding director of Renewables 100 Policy Institute, will be the keynote speaker at the fifth annual Maui Energy Conference to be held March 14-15 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Maui News.

Kauai

New rules and regulations regarding county bus stops went into effect Monday. Garden Island.

A motion to dismiss a civil case filed against the County of Kauai and several individuals, based on the failure to state a claim, was denied in Fifth Circuit Court Tuesday. Longtime county employee Charles Rapozo claims his then supervisor Edward Sarita denied him proper training and safety gear to clean tiles containing asbestos at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. Garden Island.

Chin apologizes for old anti-gay speech, bill criminalizes bogus service animals, committee chairmen refuse to televise meetings, Honolulu Police Commission chairman up for vote, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Service dog opens door PC: Pete Markham, Creative Commons

Bill targets growing problem of bogus service animals. Senate Bill 2461, introduced Jan. 19, would make the act of falsely claiming an animal to be a service animal a misdemeanor offense, punishable by a maximum penalty of up to six months in jail or up to $1,000 for the first offense. Tribune-Herald.

Jail time and fines for owners of ‘fake’ service animals? Hawaii Island Sen. Russell Ruderman told KHON2 a gray area in the Americans with Disabilities Act has allowed people to abuse this law. KHON2.

Lt. Gov. Doug Chin is apologizing for an anti-gay speech that he made more than 20 years ago in church. The angry address, which he delivered at the Oahu Church of Christ, is now being used against him in his race for Congress. Hawaii News Now.

The Only Three Legislative Committees You’ll Almost Never See On TV. Despite the difficulties of attending legislative hearings in person in Hawaii these House committee chairs have nixed televising their hearings. Civil Beat.

The Department of Human Services Wants Multigenerational Approach to Address Poverty. The state department with the largest operating budget is asking lawmakers to help make it more efficient. Hawaii Public Radio.

A state Senate bill calling for greater transparency in video game gambling systems is the subject of a public hearing today. Tribune-Herald.

Kamehameha Schools has acknowledged that the $80 million settlement its agreed to pay to victims in a decades-old sex abuse scandal could affect future educational programs or the planned expansion of existing ones. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Commission members could decide Wednesday whether to retain embattled Chairman Max Sword as their leader or to elect a new one. Star-Advertiser.

How Honolulu’s New Police Chief Is Shaking Up A Troubled Department. In her first four months, Chief Susan Ballard is disrupting old policies and practices with a new vision. Civil Beat.

Man’s troubles with law affect sons’ Punahou School enrollment. The case of a man accused of sexually molesting a girl and showing a pornographic video to another while they were at sleepovers at his home is sparking spirited debate about just how far Hawaii’s private schools can go to penalize a child for the alleged sins of a parent. Star-Advertiser.

The mother of a Punahou School first-grader has sued the private institution over its attempt to expel her son because of the disruption stemming from his father’s troubles with the law. Star-Advertiser.

A Kids Museum Struggles Amidst Homeless Squalor. But Loretta Yajima of the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center in Kakaako will not be deterred from fulfilling its mission. Civil Beat.

Neglect for an Ewa Beach park.  Is the Mayor of Honolulu playing favorite when it comes to funding parks around Oahu? KITV.

Whole Foods Market will open its largest Hawaii store by early summer in Kakaako after a dozen years of planning and setbacks. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii prepares to send another 'Lei of Aloha' to Florida after school shooting. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

A move to take County Council budget planning behind closed doors will be heard today by the council Finance Committee. West Hawaii Today.

Mohouli Senior Residences in Hilo completed Phase 2 of construction and is fully occupied. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii County Council is donating contingency relief funds to purchase stealth cameras to monitor areas prone to criminal activity in Puna. Big Island Video News.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s months-long Mars simulation mission was suspended today — five days after it began — because of a medical incident. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Budget panel moves toward buying building. The property, once acquired, would be torn down to make way for the Wailuku civic complex development. Maui News.

An informational meeting on the permitting process and land entitlements will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the West Maui Senior Center. Maui News.

Yellow tubes aiding in ocean rescues in south Maui. The president of a group that installed rescue tube stations along south Maui beaches says while he is happy the tubes are working, he wishes they weren't necessary. Associated Press.

Kauai

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency says the total cost of a failed missile test off of Kauai was $130 million. Garden Island.

Two Kauai County officials are scheduled to give a presentation on housing at this week’s meeting of the Lihue Business Association. Garden Island.

Lei of Aloha for World Peace is activated again, this time engaging schools across the state to weave ti leaf leis to send to the families of the 17 students and teachers killed in Parkland, Fla., last week. Garden Island.

Legislature mulls Airbnb tax bill, less panic than anticipated after false missile alert, Tsutsui moves to Hanabusa campaign, illegal marijuana sales alleged at expo, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Vacation rental under construction at Onekahakaha beach park ©2018 All Hawaii News

Bill would let Airbnb brokers act as tax agents. A proposal that would allow Airbnb to collect tens of millions of dollars in state taxes generated by short-term rentals using the online home-sharing platform would also make it illegal for Airbnb to do business with any rental operators breaking county zoning laws. Star-Advertiser.

Researchers studying the reaction of Hawaii’s residents after the false missile alert say there was far less panic than they anticipated. Associated Press.

Missile alarm snafu spurs interest in backyard fallout shelters. An Oregon bomb shelter company has received about 65 inquiries, and counting, from Hawaii residents since the Jan. 13 false alarm. Star-Advertiser.

Not long after his abrupt resignation as Hawaii’s lieutenant governor, Shan Tsutsui is said to be gearing up to run the Maui operations for the gubernatorial campaign of U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa as she mounts a challenge to Tsutsui’s old boss, Gov. David Ige. Star-Advertiser.

A joint State House committee recently advanced a bill that would ban the import, use, manufacture, sale, and storage of chlorpyrifos in Hawaii. Big Island Video News.

HECO gets OK for initiative to control customer use. An operation referred to as “demand response” will let residential and commercial customers volunteer to have certain power-consuming devices occasionally controlled by HECO so the utility can manage the alignment between electricity supply and demand as more sources of renewable — and variable — energy generation are added to electricity grids throughout the state. Star-Advertiser.

Donn Takahashi will retire next month from his post as president of Prince Resorts Hawaii after a 25-year career with the company. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Illegal marijuana sales alleged at expo. The state Narcotics Enforcement Division is investigating allegations of illegal activity at last weekend’s Hawaii Cannabis Expo, where some vendors openly distributed cannabis seeds and other products. Star-Advertiser.

A Kamehameha Schools high school teacher has been placed on indefinite administrative leave after being accused of sexually assaulting a student, according to police records and the school. Star-Advertiser.

A Kamehameha Schools faculty member has been arrested and charged for allegedly having an "inappropriate relationship" with a student. Hawaii News Now.

Waimanalo land lease offers possible solution for Waianae homeless camp. Dennis “Bumpy” Kanahele believes his state lease on more than 55 acres of Waimanalo land provides a Hawaiian-based road map for ending escalating tensions over the homeless encampment next to the Waianae Small Boat Harbor known as Pu‘uhonua o Waianae. Star-Advertiser.

Some residents are rejecting plans to build dozens of new homes on a historic North Shore ranch. KITV.

Texas-based developer Hunt Companies is set to expand its local influence. The company is accelerating the redevelopment of Kalaeloa—while working on high-profile projects on three islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

A loophole in city rules has Waikiki businesses and residents up in arms about a number of Kalakaua Avenue street-closure permits. Star-Advertiser.

After the deadly Florida school shooting and several threats towards Oahu schools, one teacher hopes the DOE will do more to prevent a tragedy in the islands. Hawaii News Now.

The World Surf League said Thursday that one of the most prestigious surfing events will not take place on Oahu's North Shore in 2019 following a permitting dispute with the City and County of Honolulu. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

The county Salary Commission stands by the big raises it doled out to county officials, and this week voted to oppose a charter amendment opening its process to greater public scrutiny. West Hawaii Today.

A California company is looking at Hawaii Island as a potential site for launching small satellites into orbit. And its CEO claims it can do it without rockets. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Council members were given an update on the organic waste program during a recent committee meeting. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Island’s ‘Oasis’ Of Affordable Homes. It’s a whole different real estate market on the east side of the Big Island, where residences cost about half as much as they do on Oahu. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Island Albizia Task Force announced it will carry out a series of albizia control projects costing $1 million within the next several weeks on the east side of the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii a destination for adventure — safety be darned — yet officials continue to push for precaution in a daunting fight. West Hawaii Today.

Crash settlement to cost state $1.3M. Lawyers for the state have agreed to pay $1.3 million in connection with a car crash on Hawaii island almost four years ago that left a 23-year-old man paralyzed. Star-Advertiser.

The arrival of a new player in the Kona coffee game has stirred more than milk and sugar into the region’s proverbial drink. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Budget panel moves toward buying building. The property, once acquired, would be torn down to make way for the Wailuku civic complex development. Maui News.

The county parks permit office at the War Memorial Gym will be opening 2 1/2 hours later Tuesday for early-morning training. Maui News.

A group of Native Hawaiians and students seized the flags on the campus of the University of Hawaii Maui College to protest the American flag flying above the Hawaiian flag. Associated Press.

TV producer buys Maui home for $23M, highest-priced sale in Hawaii so far this year. A five-bedroom, seven-bath new beachfront home in Kihei has sold for $22.8 million, the highest-priced residential transaction in Hawaii so far this year, and the fourth-highest sale ever on Maui. Pacific Business News.

Diane Moss, Founding Director of the Renewables 100 Policy Institute, will be the keynote speaker for the Fifth Annual Maui Energy Conference held at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center on March 14-15. Maui Now.

Kauai

Cable television on Kauai will be changing to digital broadcasting this summer. The planned conversion is expected to increase Spectrum’s bandwidth but may affect local programming across the state, especially on Kauai. Garden Island.

Kamehameha Schools to pay $80M to settle sex abuse lawsuit, activists delay Coco Palms, Mauna Kea management plan opposed, Steven Tyler addresses Maui drug court, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kamehameha Schools on parade ©2018 All Hawaii News

Kamehameha Schools will pay out $80 million to victims and their families under a settlement in a sex abuse case that's rocked the prestigious private school. Hawaii News Now.

Kamehameha Schools has agreed to pay $80 million to 32 plaintiffs who were sexually abused by a psychiatrist decades ago while they were students at the private school or were treated by him, according to terms of a tentative agreement reached between the two sides. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers are advancing a bill to explicitly ban “bump stocks” similar to the devices that were used in last year’s massacre of 58 concertgoers in Las Vegas, but that effort is being opposed by dozens of local firearm enthusiasts. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers looking at new ways to ensure campus safety. A proposal moving forward in the Senate would require the Department of Education to make sure each classroom has an interior lock on its door by the beginning of next year, as well as an intercom throughout the campus by the year 2020. KITV.

Lawmaker proposes changes to locks, intercoms, emergency training and drills for schools. A lawmaker wants to put safeguards on campuses so students are less vulnerable should a school shooting ever happen here. KHON2.

A number of proposed bills dealing with cesspools are advancing in the House of Representatives this session. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui Senator Tries Again To Reform High-Interest Payday Loans. Hawaii currently allows lenders to offer loans with annual interest rates as high as 459 percent. Civil Beat.

A controversial measure to institute across Hawaii a blanket ban on the manufacturing, distribution and use of chlorpyrifos — once the most widely utilized pesticide in the United States — continues to gain traction as it moves through the state House of Representatives. West Hawaii Today.

Organizers hope Obama exhibit grows into something more permanent. An exhibit at Honolulu Hale created by the Obama Hawaiian Africana Museum has glimpses of President Barack Obama's childhood to his days at Punahou School to his first public speech at Sand Island in August 2008. Hawaii News Now.

Hospital emergency rooms are bustling, with one reporting twice as many flu patients as it was seeing at this time last year. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Housing developers and builders will be eligible for property tax exemptions and various fee waivers from the city if they commit to building housing aimed at lower- income families and individuals, under a bill signed into law Thursday by Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell. Star-Advertiser.

Low-income rental housing breaks ground. Local developer Stanford Carr held a construction blessing Thursday for the Kakaako project called Hale Kewalo where apartments are projected to rent for as little as $516 a month and serve some households annually earning around or less than $25,110 for a couple or $31,380 for a family of four. Star-Advertiser.

Developer Stanford Carr broke ground Thursday on a new affordable rental project. Hale Kewalo will be built at the corner of Piikoi and Kona streets, where Home Sweet Home used to be. KHON2.

Paramedics are stretched to the limit — and there's no help in sight. Honolulu's plea for a new Emergency Medical Services station is on life support at the state Legislature. Hawaii News Now.

North Shore residents have unleashed a sweeping condemnation of a plan to subdivide Dillingham Ranch for housing while somewhat expanding agriculture on the historic 2,721-acre property in Mokuleia. Star-Advertiser.

A private-public venture between the U.S. Navy and the country’s largest owner of privatized military housing has sued the wife of a retired Kaneohe Marine officer for defamation. Civil Beat.

Attorney: FBI investigation into four Honolulu police officers ‘completely unfair’. KHON2.

75-year-old Sunset Beach palms are latest victims of erosion. The city’s Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Urban Forestry decided to cut down seven of the beachfront date palms Thursday after certified arborists determined the continual undermining of the trees by erosion made them a hazard to the general public and motorists. Star-Advertiser.

The City and County of Honolulu agreed to pay three service members for towing and auctioning off their vehicles while they were deployed. It's part of a settlement with the Department of Justice that cost the city over $100,000 so far. KITV.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiians, astronomers, UH oppose bill to create Maunakea management authority. Tribune-Herald.

Hirano Store celebrates a century of goods, community and flying chili bowls. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The County of Maui Department of Planning will hold an informational meeting on the permitting process and land entitlements on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the West Maui Senior Center in Lahaina. Maui Now.

As state legislators weigh spending $500 million for a new prison, they also could consider funding a less costly treatment program with a 20-year track record of “remarkable” change, state Supreme Court Associate Justice Michael Wilson said Thursday. Maui News.

Although he was introduced as a singer, songwriter and founding member of the legendary rock band Aerosmith, Steven Tyler offered another description when he spoke to Maui Drug Court graduates Thursday. Maui News.

A group of Native Hawaiian protesters and college students seized the American and Hawaiian flags Wednesday morning at the University of Hawaii Maui College campus. Maui News.

Two West Maui properties have taken emergency measures to halt the growing shoreline erosion that threatens their buildings. Associated Press.

Kauai

Activists delay rebirth of Hawaii hotel with Elvis ties. Developers rebuilding a storied, hurricane-ravaged Hawaii hotel with a Hollywood connection were looking forward to the Coco Palms' rebirth when two men showed up last year, claiming to own the property because they descend from King Kaumualii, the last ruler of Kauai. Associated Press.

Over 100 oppose Wainiha bridges project. The final environmental assessment for a project to replace temporary bridges on Kauai’s North Shore has been completed and is available to the public. Garden Island.

Critics are blasting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for dramatically lowering a fine on agribusiness company Syngenta for violations of pesticide regulations. Associated Press.

Molokai

All Clear: Re-sampling at Ualapue Meets Federal Standards. Maui Now.

Legislators mull money for seniors, Ige pledges support for Kakaako elder housing, Arakawa fined for campaign spending violations, Waianae homeless rally at Capitol, vacation rental bill pulled pending ethics ruling, no background checks for home-school parents, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kupuna hula ©2018 All Hawaii News

Lawmakers are considering $2 million to $4 million in legislative funding for the Kupuna Caregivers program to provide up to $70 a day in services for seniors in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii bumped to third in annual State of Well-Being Rankings report. Hawaii is no longer the state with the healthiest residents, in terms of mind and body, according to the most recent State of Well-Being Rankings report released by Gallup and health and wellness engagement platform Sharecare on Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

The trustees of the $16.9 billion public workers pension fund have fired their chief investment officer, instructing him on Monday to leave the offices of the Employees’ Retirement System and not return, according to sources familiar with the action. Star-Advertiser.

Tougher penalties sought for patients who assault health care workers. Tribune-Herald.

A bill that would have “established procedures for a parent or legal guardian to obtain authorization to home school a child” in Hawaii was withdrawn today after a massive outpouring in opposition. Big Island Video News.

Senator yanks bill requiring background checks for parents who home-school their children. Hawaii News Now.

Dozens of hospital patients acquitted of violent crimes with no way to track them. KHON2.

A woman carrying $335,000 cash aboard a private jet from Honolulu headed for the Philippines tried to leave the country Tuesday without listing all of the money on her customs declaration, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court. Star-Advertiser.

HEI earnings down in fourth quarter. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. topped analysts’ estimates in the fourth quarter despite lower net income and said a record 27 percent of electricity on its utility’s grid was from renewable sources last year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. reported net income of $32.4 million, or 30 cents per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to net income of $44.6 million, or 42 cents per diluted share, for the same quarter last year, a decrease of 27.3 percent. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Waianae homeless camp seeks help from state. Residents of a large homeless encampment near the Waianae Small Boat Harbor say they are not to blame for many of the concerns being cited as reasons to explore shutting down the village on state-owned property. Star-Advertiser.

Waianae Boat Harbor Residents Try To Stave Off A Homeless Sweep. Some of them gathered at the Capitol on Wednesday to respond to growing criticism of the encampment. Civil Beat.

Leaders of a longstanding homeless encampment near the Waianae Boat Harbor used the State Capitol as a backdrop to deliver a message to lawmakers. Hawaii News Now.

Waianae homeless village fights for safe haven at state capitol. KITV.

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Ige Promises To Help Anxious Kakaako Seniors Facing Rent Hikes. The governor says the state will provide monthly subsidies of up to $250, and indicates a willingness to help residents elsewhere. Civil Beat.

Developer to break ground on long-delayed affordable rentals in Honolulu. The developer of Hale Kewalo plans to break ground on the project on Thursday, more than three years after receiving approval from the Hawaii Community Development Authority for the 128-unit affordable rental project near Ala Moana Center in Honolulu. Pacific Business News.

Experts say expect more water quality alerts. KITV.

A bill allowing the city medical examiner to start charging mortuaries daily fees for the storage of bodies won preliminary approval from the City Council Budget Committee on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

A battle is brewing over a plan to split up an historic Oahu ranch and sell dozens of parcels to new owners who could build homes on land zoned for agriculture. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Council Explores Monster Home Regulation. Critics say extra-large structures known as “Monster Homes” are apartment buildings masquerading as single or two family dwellings in residential neighborhoods. Hawaii Public Radio.

A Bill calling for more immediate steps to prevent fuel spills at the Navy’s Red Hill Storage Facility stalled in the House today. Hawaii Public Radio.

A public neighborhood board meeting is scheduled to be held in Makiki tonight where members will address the drift racing problem on Tantalus Drive in the aftermath of the January crash that left a triathlete with multiple fractures after a racing car plowed into her. Star-Advertiser.

Following a recent dust-up with the World Surf League over tournament dates on the North Shore, Mayor Kirk Caldwell wants to create an advisory committee to rewrite Parks and Recreation Department surf tournament rules all across Oahu by August and in time for the 2019-2020 season. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has called on the World Surf League to reconsider its threat of removing its events from Hawaii after the city denied its permit request. Pacific Business News.

Wallaby makes a visit to the Halawa Correctional Facility. Wallabies are native to Australia, but have been been spotted in the islands. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

A bill regulating vacation rentals has been pulled from consideration until the Board of Ethics can determine whether North Kona Councilwoman Karen Eoff has a conflict of interest in co-sponsoring it. West Hawaii Today.

Gov. David Ige announced that he has appointed Dennis “Fresh” Onishi to serve as the governor’s representative for East Hawaii. Big Island Now.

The remote and rugged terrain of Hawaii island will once again take up its starring role as the surface of Mars today in an ongoing, NASA-funded study of the human factors that contribute to long-duration space exploration. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii’s sixth Mars mission simulation will begin today as another crew starts eight months of isolation inside a dome on Mauna Loa. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The Campaign Spending Commission on Wednesday voted to fine Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa $1,000 for exceeding donation limits to multiple charities. Hawaii News Now.

The Liquor Control Department has a new deputy director and a new application checklist that reduces the burden on nonprofit organizations seeking special licenses for fundraising events. Maui News.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation is implementing new weight limit restrictions on five Maui bridges. Maui Now.

Maui Water Quality Program Expands to Include 48 Test Sites. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai police and the Department of Parks and Recreation are asking for help in finding the individuals who vandalized a public restroom in Kealia. Star-Advertiser.

Vandals deface restrooms on Kauai's east side; Tips on suspects wanted. Hawaii News Now.

Molokai
The Maui County Department of Water Supply reported a water quality violation at the Ualapue Shaft in East Molokai. Maui Now.

Audit finds Office of Hawaiian Affairs spent millions inappropriately, Honolulu threatens to cancel $53.6M traffic management contract, Maui won't pay mayor's legal fees, plastic straws, tiny homes, police standards mulled in Legislature, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii police officers ©2018 All Hawaii News

Bill To Regulate Police Officers Clears Another Hurdle. Hawaii is one of the few states without minimum standards for cops, but the Legislature is considering a measure to change that. Civil Beat.

The state agency responsible for improving the well-being of Native Hawaiians spent nearly double the amount on pet projects than on competitive grants, the state auditor said in a report released Tuesday. Associated Press.

Audit finds inappropriate spending of millions by OHA and trustees. During fiscal year 2015 and 2016, OHA spent nearly double as much on discretionary disbursements — $14 million — as it did on planned, budgeted and properly vetted and monitored grants — $7.7 million. Star-Advertiser.

After release of critical audit, OHA leaders admit: 'Change needs to happen'. Hawaii News Now.

State audit claims Office of Hawaiian Affairs misspent millions ‘with little restraint’. KHON2.

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Some hotels ditch plastic straws. Now, lawmakers want to ban their use. Hawaii News Now.

Bills Seek Tiny Homes on Hawaiian Home Lands. Senate Bill 2424 and House Bill 2473 seek to establish a public private partnership to leverage $5 million in state funds to create a $20 million revolving loan fund for the development of affordable tiny homes on Hawaiian Home Lands. Maui Now.

Bill Would Spare Micronesians A Yearly Trip To The DMV. The Department of Transportation opposes the measure, saying it could render all Hawaii driver’s licenses useless for flying. Civil Beat.

A Kansas father and husband who is fighting efforts to deport him to Bangladesh was taken off a plane that was flying him back to his native country and is being held at a detention center in Hawaii, his attorneys said today. Associated Press.

Congressional Budget Deal Likely Means More Federal Money For Hawaii. President Trump proposed massive cutbacks, but the opposite is likely to happen after a bipartisan deal lifted spending caps. Civil Beat.

The number of outpatient flu visits in Hawaii continues to remain higher than the national base line. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii State Board on Geographic Names Mulls Changes. Iao Stream or Wailuku River? Mauna Kea or Maunakea? These are just a couple of the challenges before the Hawaii Board of Geographic Names. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

The city has issued a notice of default to the contractor of the $53.6 million state-city Joint Traffic Management Center, citing numerous deficiencies on the part of Watts Constructors LLC that could delay the project’s completion. Star-Advertiser.

City threatens to cancel contract for multi-million dollar traffic center if problems linger. Hawaii News Now.

Rail Promised Lots Of Jobs But There’s No Sure Count Of What It’s Delivering. HART doesn’t keep track of the totals, but its point-in-time counts suggest fewer people are employed than had been projected. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Rail Project Pursuing Public-Private Partnerships for City Center Segment. The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is hosting a 2-day forum to attract private development partners. Hawaii Public Radio.

By a 5-4 vote the Honolulu City Council decided to postpone for two weeks a vote on a bill that would temporarily stop the city Department of Planning and Permitting from issuing building permits for larger-­scale houses. Star-Advertiser.

Settlement reached in alleged 2012 police brutality, cover-up case. Hawaii News Now.

The Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye Airport will get a new $1.1 billion concourse to increase the number of gates, add passenger capacity and provide a new international arrivals area, Gov. David Ige announced today. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige, alongside the Hawaii Department of Transportation and members of the Airlines Committee of Hawaii, announced plans for a new $1.1 billion Diamond Head Concourse at the Honolulu international airport that will be built out over the next 10 years. Pacific Business News.

Leadership in the state House of Representatives tabled a bill Tuesday that would have protected roughly 200 residents of a long-standing homeless encampment near the Waianae Small Boat Harbor from being swept from the state-owned property. Star-Advertiser.

New renderings revealed Tuesday show the vision for the new Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. KITV.

A former employee of Waste Management Inc., operator of the city’s Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill admits to stealing more than $800,000. Star-Advertiser.

Waialua High School’s Glenn Lee, who kicked off Hawaii’s robotics movement, is the only American to reach the top 10 as a finalist out of 30,000 entries in the $1 million Global Teacher Prize competition. Star-Advertiser.

A Waialua teacher inches closer to a global teaching award, and its $1M prize. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

With a do-or-die hearing of a bill raising the general excise tax scheduled for next week, the administration and County Council are holding a bevy of last-minute community meetings to get feedback and explain their budget straits. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim and Finance Director Deanna Sako fielded questions and heard statements Tuesday night from West Hawaii residents sharing their voices on a proposal to raise the county’s general excise tax by one-half percent. West Hawaii Today.

A bill to fund two Big Island homeless villages died in the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Tuesday after clearing its first two committees. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor’s plea for legal fees in Taylor suit shot down by panel. A Maui County Council committee on Tuesday voted against having the county foot the bill for private attorneys to defend Mayor Alan Arakawa and Maui County in a lawsuit filed by water director David Taylor, who is seeking to get back to work and off paid leave. Maui News.

The state Supreme Court has dismissed a misdemeanor charge against a weekly tabloid publisher who was detained when he used his cellphone to videotape a police traffic enforcement operation six years ago. Maui News.

The Hawaii Supreme Court has dismissed a misdemeanor charge against a weekly tabloid publisher who was detained when he used his cellphone to videotape a police traffic enforcement operation six years ago. Associated Press.

Kauai

The Federal Aviation Administration and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources have initiated an investigation into a report of a drone that struck a tour helicopter on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Realtor Neal Norman of Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers has listed a 16,000-square-foot home on 18.25 acres above Secret Beach on Kauai for $35 million. Pacific Business News.

Molokai

The majority of the county offices in the Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai will be moving to room No. 300 in the Moore Center at 2 Kamoi St. later this week due to a leaky roof. Maui News.

Trump names former Hawaii AG Bennett to Court of Appeals, Syngenta settles with EPA, Mauna Kea telescopes stir hot debate in Legislature, Maui ferry not feasible, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Farming, courtesy Monsanto

Concerned residents from Maui and Kauai are set to testify in support of a pesticide regulation bill at the State Capitol requiring companies to alert the public before chemicals are sprayed. The Senate committees on Agriculture and Environment and Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health are expected to make a decision Wednesday. KITV.

President Donald Trump has nominated former Hawaii Attorney General Mark Bennett to the Hawaii seat of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Star-Advertiser.

This Trump Pick Wins Rare Applause from Hawaii’s Democratic Senators. Mark Bennett, the former state attorney general, has been nominated for the Hawaii seat on U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Civil Beat.

Today President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate an eleventh wave of judicial nominees including the nomination of former Hawaii Attorney General Mark J. Bennett as a Circuit Judge on the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Maui Now.

Report: Public Is Being Shut Out On Critical State Information. A new study by a public interest law firm says Hawaii is the worst in the nation when it comes to timely decisions on open records and open meetings issues. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s largest public pension fund lost about 6 percent of its value in the recent stock market correction. The Employees' Retirement System Star-Advertiser.

Bill Would Require Insurance Coverage Of Emergency Flights To Mainland. Patients who need to travel quickly for organ transplants can pay from $80,000 to $130,000 for air ambulance service. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers are pursuing legislation that would update the state’s disaster preparedness protocols after the false ballistic missile alert last month. Tribune-Herald.

DOE could be sued over lack of female locker rooms – a violation of federal law. The ACLU has given DOE a deadline of one month to come up with a plan to provide all student athletes equal access to locker rooms. Hawaii News Now.

University of Hawaii Cancer Center researchers are seeking legislative funding for a three-year study to determine why Hawaii has one of the highest rates of liver cancer in the country. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii regulators approve revised tariffs for Hawaiian Electric rate increase. Pacific Business News.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and Nina Turner, president of Our Revolution, traveled across Hawaii this past weekend to promote citizen engagement, grassroots organizing, and efforts to reform and strengthen democracy and the Democratic Party. Garden Island.

Oahu

Development Lobbyist Failed To Register With Honolulu Ethics Commission. David Arakawa hadn’t registered to lobby at Honolulu Hale for at least five years. And then a reporter asked him about it. Civil Beat.

Moratorium on ‘monster homes’ faces final vote. A final vote on a bill placing a temporary moratorium on large-scale homes is scheduled for today, and Honolulu City Council members have been getting mounting pressure from both opponents and supporters of the “monster houses” legislation. Star-Advertiser.

Several bills were introduced at this year’s state Legislature to address concerns about large-scale houses. Star-Advertiser.

Bill would prevent sweep of Waianae homeless camp. Star-Advertiser.

Family members of a man who says four officers forced him to lick a urinal allege the extent of the abuse is worse than first reported. Hawaii News Now.

Should buses and other large vehicles be kept out of the freeway’s fast lane? KHON2.

Third Deedy trial pushed back as attorney prepares federal appeal. There's another delay in the latest trial of a State Department special agent who fatally shot a man inside a Waikiki McDonald's in 2011. Hawaii News Now.

Number of Honolulu Zoo exhibits & visitors going up. KITV.

Honolulu has been named one of the healthiest cities in the United States, according to a new report. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Bill would create new authority to run Mauna Kea. Senate Bill 3090, sponsored by state Sen. Kaiali‘i Kahele (D, Hilo) and 16 other lawmakers, would establish the Mauna Kea Management Authority as a way of installing “fresh leadership” and “a new model of governance.” Star-Advertiser.

Heated discussion at the State Capitol Monday, over a bill calling for the removal of the board that manages Mauna Kea. That board is currently run by the University of Hawaii. KITV.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim appeared today in Honolulu for the committee hearing on the controversial Senate Bill 3090, which would upend the way Mauna Kea is currently managed. Big Island Video News.

Kahele Grills OMKM Director Nagata Over Bulldozed Ahu. Big Island Video News.

Amid TMT dispute, lawmakers look to establish new body to manage Mauna Kea. Hawaii News Now.

Homeless Villages proposal up against deadline. The program would fund 50 homeless units — 25 at two sites in Kailua-Kona and Hilo, respectively — as well as two homeless assessment centers and supportive services under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s preferred Housing First model. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County and Hawaiian Earth Recycling continue to hammer out the details of a new agreement after Mayor Harry Kim nixed plans to build a composting facility in a quarry near the Hilo landfill. Tribune-Herald.

This Hilo Community Fears Its ‘Toxic’ Neighbors. With a nearby airport, landfill, sewage plant, port and petroleum tanks, Hawaiian Homestead residents in Keaukaha want health concerns addressed. Civil Beat.

Hawaii County’s Mayor has about three weeks to send a budget to the County Council. Since 2000, the budget has increased more than 250 percent. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hilton Waikola Village recently became the first resort on the Big Island to discontinue the use of plastic straws and replace them with a compostable, paper alternative. Pacific Business News.

Maui

A ferry system to relieve Lahaina-bound traffic jams and shuttle sports teams within Maui County isn’t in the cards, at least for now. Maui News.

Greg Kaufman, founder of the 38-year-old Pacific Whale Foundation and a pioneer of whale watching on Maui, died Saturday. Maui News.

Pacific Whale Foundation today confirmed the passing of founder and executive director, Greg Kaufman. Maui Now.

Kauai

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Syngenta Seeds LLC have reached a settlement concerning safety violations affecting field workers on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

EPA Settles Syngenta Pesticide Claim For Pennies On The Dollar. The GMO company will pay $150,000 instead of the $4.8 million that had been sought for exposing Kauai workers to pesticides. Civil Beat.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency came to an agreement Monday with Syngenta Seeds, LLC, to resolve violations of federal pesticide regulations at its farm in Kekaha. Garden Island.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached a settlement with Syngenta Seeds to resolve violations of federal pesticide regulations at its farm in Kekaha, Kauai. Pacific Business News.

The Kauai County Council recently voted six to one to adopt the County’s General Plan. Garden Island.