Hawaii growth slows, criminal convictions don't stop pensions, Caldwell to sign affordable rentals bill, Army boots journalist, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki crowds ©2019 All Hawaii News

Slower Growth Across the Islands. Economists at the University of Hawaii have done statewide economic forecasts for years. But now they’re extending that research to the county level. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill to cut pensions for convicted government employees stalled for years. Lawmakers failed this session to pass legislation that would strip state or county employees of retirement benefits if convicted of a felony. West Hawaii Today.

Last-Minute Opposition Almost Derailed Smartphone Privacy Bill In House. Late lobbying from the wireless industry led to an 11th-hour attempt to defeat House Bill 702. Now it awaits a decision by the governor. Civil Beat.

Hawaii hospitals are increasingly moving medical services to less expensive outpatient facilities to reduce health care costs. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Caldwell likely to sign Affordable Rentals Bill. A bill offering significant building bonuses and breaks from taxes and fees to entice owners of smaller Oahu apartment- zoned properties to develop affordable rentals is expected to be signed by Mayor Kirk Caldwell this week. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor focuses on Chinatown cleanup. The city and county says it's doing what it can to clean up Honolulu's Chinatown. Now, the mayor is calling out the state to do more. KITV.

A major redevelopment of Waimanalo Bay Beach Park has caught residents by surprise, even though it has been talked about for years. Community outrage has been simmering over the city’s ongoing removal of trees and other foliage from the area better known as Sherwood Forest to build the first phase of a regional ball field complex and parking lot. Civil Beat.

City looks to revise bulky item pilot project. Condominium and apartment owner associations critical of the city’s new appointment-only pilot program for bulky item pickups have convinced officials to review the program. Star-Advertiser.

In Waikiki, you can’t park there... Or can you? When you see a no parking sign attached to a parking meter, what do you do? It’s a tough question in a place where parking is challenging, like Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

Florence Puana discusses hardship and heartbreak in Kealoha trial. One way or another, the jury in the federal conspiracy trial of retired Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his wife, former deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha, will hear from the latter’s 99-year-old grandmother. Star-Advertiser.

Emergency repairs to Pali Highway on track to finish in August. Emergency repairs to Pali Highway following February’s landslide and rockfall are on track, and the limited hours of access to the tunnel by motorists remain the same, according to state transportation officials. Star-Advertiser.

Box Jelly, a pioneering co-work space on Kamani Street in Kakaako near Ward, is helping manage a new, strikingly modern building developed by the Hawaii Technology Development Corp., the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s entity in charge of growing the technology sector. HTDC has set out to create 80,000 new technology and innovation jobs earning more than $80,000 annually by 2030. Such jobs are essential in a state where nearly half of the households earn less than the $72,000 a family of four needs to eke out a decent life. Civil Beat.

New lawsuit provides window into alleged defects at ultraluxury Kakaako tower. The association of condo owners at Waiea, a high-rise within Ward Village, filed a lawsuit in state court last week alleging their building is unsafe, uninhabitable and devalued due to more than 100 construction defects. Star-Advertiser.

Central YMCA On Atkinson Drive To Be Sold For Development. In a media release, Board Chair Wayne Hamano said the decision to sell the property was based on the high costs associated with operations and maintenance. Hawaii Public Radio.

New city survey asks Honolulu residents which views they cherish most from Aloha Tower, Keehi Lagoon to Pearl Harbor. The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting is conducting an online survey, asking residents which views of the city they want to be protected as urban Honolulu develops. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

PGV talks with HELCO are ongoing. As Puna Geothermal Venture moves toward restarting following last year’s Kilauea eruption, a new power purchase agreement with Hawaii Electric Light Co. might be on the table. Tribune-Herald.

Laaloa Beach Park revamp remains stalled after two years. An iconic Alii Drive park area continues to wait for a facelift that’s now two years in the making. West Hawaii Today.

County Game Management Advisory Commission wants a game management plan for Hawaii Island, but they don't want the state to write the plan by themselves. Big Island Video News.

Businessman plans market, cultural demonstration site to help Pahoa. One of the proponents of a new farmers market and cultural demonstration site in Pahoa says it’s all about helping the town survive. Tribune-Herald.

More security sought for Kamakana Villages. When Kamakana Villages welcomed its residents at the start of last year, the new development was roundly regarded as a critical piece to the puzzle of providing more affordable housing to the region’s residents. West Hawaii Today.

Army boots WHT from public meeting. West Hawaii Today was banned from a meeting Thursday outlining Army plans to manage historic resources at Pohakuloa Training Area and Kawaihae Military Reservation. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui County budget passes on first reading, with amendments. Council’s version contains $40 million more than mayor seeks. Maui News.

Hawaii leaders have done little to fix overcrowding issues at jails. For inmates at the Maui Community Correctional Center, it’s not unusual to be crammed four to a cell, leaving two to sleep on the floor while trying to keep their head away from the toilet.  Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Proposing a secondary school. More than one proposal is in the works for a middle and high school on Kauai’s North Shore. Garden Island.

Caldwell: Feds won't pull rail funding, plus University of Hawaii tuition freeze, Zuckerberg lawsuit continues, Aila as DHHL chairman, state Supreme Court hears Pohakuloa Training Area case, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Crews working on Waiawa rail station PC: HART

Honolulu Mayor Confident Feds Won't Pull Rail Funding. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell says the city's $9.2 billion rail project isn't in danger of losing federal funds, so long as it builds all 20 miles of the planned transit line. Hawaii Public Radio.

No Link Between Honolulu, California Rail Troubles, Local Leaders Say. Federal officials just cut nearly $1 billion for California’s ambitious high-speed rail project, but local leaders say Honolulu is better poised to secure its remaining cash. Civil Beat.

Contractor must improve fireproofing of rail cars. The company building train cars for the Honolulu rail line must retrofit 24 cars that have already arrived in Hawaii to make them more fire resistant, according to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation. Star-Advertiser.

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University of Hawaii to collect oral histories of Barack Obama’s early years in Hawaii. The University of Hawaii announced today that it is collecting oral histories of President Barack Obama’s early contacts in Hawaii for the Obama Foundation. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii Tuition freeze gets nod. The University of Hawaii has approved a three-year freeze of undergraduate tuition rates at all 10 campuses and a reduction of graduate tuition at UH Manoa, starting in the fall of 2020. Star-Advertiser.

UH Board of Regents approves tuition freezes, cuts. In a bid to reverse enrollment declines, the University of Hawaii will freeze tuition for undergraduates for three years and cut graduate tuition rates. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. David Ige has appointed William Aila as chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, effective Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Iolani Palace names KITV anchor Paula Akana its executive director. The board of directors for Friends of Iolani Palace chose her to succeed Kippen de Alba Chu, who left the position in January after 12 years. Star-Advertiser.

In time for Tokyo Olympics, Hawaiian Airlines wins another Haneda flight slot. Hawaiian Airlines has been tentatively awarded a new flight slot at Tokyo Haneda airport. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

3 warships, 4,500 sailors and Marines visit Pearl Harbor during deployment. Three San Diego-based Navy warships and about 4,500 sailors and Marines stopped in Pearl Harbor for training and replenishment at the start of a deployment to the Indo-Pacific and Middle East. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Liquor Commission votes to revoke controversial store's license. Maunakea Liquor & Grocery in Chinatown is on the verge of losing its liquor license. KITV.

Thousands of Local 5 members will rally at the world’s largest Hilton Friday. UNITE HERE Local 5 members who work at Hilton Hawaiian Village will rally at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Side on Paoa Place near Tropics Friday. KITV.

Safety concerns arise regarding other crosswalks in Pearl City. The crosswalk where 17-year-old Victoria Arellano was hit, isn't the only one in Pearl City residents are worried about. There are concerns about others on Waimano Home Road. KHON2.

Next month Biki turns two, and operator Bikeshare Hawaii says they have found a “sweet spot” by anticipating rider demand and opening docking space at key locations during crucial times of the day. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Supreme Court to determine whether state did its job to oversee Pohakuloa Training Area. The Hawaii Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in a case in which the state is being accused of not doing enough to ensure the U.S. Army isn’t trashing the Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii island under the terms of its 65-year lease with the state. Star-Advertiser.

State’s highest court hears challenge to live-fire training on Big Island ceded lands. In a case that echoes the battle to stop bombing of Kahoolawe, the state Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday over the Army’s live-fire training at the Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island. Hawaii News Now.

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To raise or not to raise? Salary Commission punts until next month. With union-negotiated raises for county rank-and-file workers averaging 2% to 3% annually, the county Salary Commission is grappling once again with whether to raise salaries for the top 40 county officials during a tight budget year. West Hawaii Today.

Two retired Hawaii Police Department officers indicted Monday on criminal charges by a Kona grand jury appeared in Hilo Circuit Court Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Even as the University of Hawaii is moving forward with administrative rules to govern public and commercial activities on UH-managed lands on Mauna Kea, the president of the university is contemplating some changes to the Mauna Kea management structure. Big Island Video News.

Scientists consider raising Mauna Loa alert level. Mauna Loa was at an “advisory” level from September 2015 to June 2018 due to increased seismic activity. Since then, it has remained at “normal,” which suggests a background state. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Bill would restrict use of plastic foodware. Vendors point to high cost of compostable alternatives. Maui News.

The three Rotary clubs of Lahaina recently installed 33 yellow rescue tubes at nine West Maui county beach parks. The rescue tubes are to provide assistance to swimmers in distress. Maui News.

Kauai
Zuckerberg lawsuit moves on. A Fifth Circuit judge on Thursday said he intends to allow attorneys to move forward with a lawsuit contesting the sale of several land parcels on Mark Zuckerberg’s North Shore estate, although that may change if the land changes hands next month. Garden Island.

County agency food drive falls short. Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami was obviously disappointed and frustrated Wednesday morning while watching the collection of food come together at the Moikeha Building. Garden Island.

Homelessness down slightly, former lawmaker Tam dies, $5.1M for Maui jail riot repairs, GOP retains state Chairwoman Ostrov, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Homeless in Chinatown, Honolulu ©2019 All Hawaii News

Count shows homelessness down, but number of unsheltered homeless swells. The figures from the count, conducted on a single night in January, were released Wednesday and show slight declines in the overall homeless population. Hawaii News Now.

Airbnb says it would have hauled in $64M in taxes for Hawaii last year. If the vacation rental platform Airbnb had been authorized to collect taxes on behalf of the state last year, it would have hauled in $64 million in Hawaii hotel room and excise tax revenues, the company says. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii health care takes top spot in nationwide survey. Hawaii was No. 24 overall in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual 2019 Best States rankings but took the top spot for health care. Star-Advertiser.

Kailua Crash Puts Hawaii’s Copter Tours Under A Microscope. Regulators are updating the one flight manual that governs the state’s air tours, but the public won’t get to participate. Civil Beat.

Gun Group Sues FBI For Records On State Fingerprint Program. The Hawaii Firearms Coalition says it’s trying to find out why the state is retaining registered gun owners’ fingerprints. Civil Beat.

Hawaii GOP Keeps Ostrov As Party Chair. The minority party boasts of unity in a Democratic-controlled state. Civil Beat.

Nonprofit Group Says DOE Is Withholding Key Financial Data. The Education Institute of Hawaii is trying to pressure the state into providing information for a financial database to shed light on school funding practices. Civil Beat.

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Former Hawaii lawmaker Rod Tam dies from leukemia. Tam spent three decades in office between the House, Senate, and Honolulu city council. His political career however was overshadowed by a run-in with the law and brief time spent behind bars. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii politician Rod Tam dies due to complications from leukemia. Colorful and controversial political figure Rod Tam died this afternoon due to complications from leukemia, a family spokesman said. Star-Advertiser.

Former Hawaii politician Rod Tam has died at age 65. Former Hawaii politician Rod Tam has died due to complications from leukemia. KITV.

Oahu

Oahu saw only a 1% drop in homelessness in January — not the 4% decline reported in February, according to data released Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

How Honolulu Property Tax Decisions Could Affect Owners. The Honolulu City Council on Tuesday overrode Mayor Kirk Caldwell's veto of a bill that increases the standard home exemption on property taxes while advancing his proposal to hike the tax rate on hotels and resorts. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council member seeks to revive proposal after 17-year-old was hit in a mid-block crosswalk. Councilman Ron Last year, Menor had proposed a bill that would allow cars to turn on their hazard lights at mid-block crosswalks to alert other drivers that someone is crossing. KHON2.

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Pool of potential jurors for Kealoha trial shrinks. The pool of prospective jurors for the federal conspiracy trial of retired Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha; his wife Katherine, a former deputy prosecutor; and three former members of the Honolulu Police Department’s Criminal Intelligence Unit is down to 249. Star-Advertiser.

Nearly 200 prospective jurors already eliminated for Kealoha ‘mailbox trial’.  Despite incredible amounts of publicity, lawyers in the Kealoha trial say they are confident they will have an impartial jury -- perhaps faster than expected. Hawaii News Now.

TV Reporter No Longer Sought As Witness In Corruption Trial. Hawaii News Now reporter Lynn Kawano had said the move to call her to the stand was retaliation for her prior coverage. Civil Beat.

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Pali Highway Repair Pegged At $20 Million To Date. Emergency work continues to install a rockfall mitigation system. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Lieutenant governor visits East Hawaii as part of state’s ongoing efforts to address homelessness. Lt. Gov. Josh Green visited several sites where homeless people congregate in East Hawaii, including a homeless camp nestled in the woods off Railroad Avenue and the homeless congregation around the Mooheau Park Bandstand in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

‘Action plan’ necessary for county to access federal disaster recovery grant. A $66.9 million federal grant heading to the state for disaster recovery was welcomed news for Hawaii County officials. Tribune-Herald.

Noise From Helicopter Tours Leaves Residents With Frayed Nerves. It’s been a hot-button issue on the island for decades, but many say the problem has grown worse as more tourists are drawn to the site of the lava eruptions. Civil Beat.

State expects report about feasibility of restoring access to Pohoiki boat ramp by early June. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources hired consultant Sea Engineering to determine the feasibility of restoring access to the ramp. Tribune-Herald.

OSHA violations settled with Mass Transit. The Federal Transit Administration isn’t the only U.S. agency finding problems at the county’s beleaguered Mass Transit Agency. West Hawaii Today.

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Chief, mayor react to charges on retired officers; Fukui, Miller turn selves in. Former police officers indicted on charges ranging from drug offenses to conspiracy and tampering are scheduled to make their first appearances today in Hilo Circuit Court. West Hawaii Today.

Two Former Hawaii County Police Officers Indicted. Hawaii County Police Chief Paul Ferreira says the investigation began with cocaine and hashish missing from police custody. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Council budget up for first reading. $823.6M budget is about $43 million, or 5.5 percent, higher than mayor’s proposal. Maui News.

Mayor Victorino to Visit Japan and Korea in a Goodwill, Business Trip. Maui Now.

Ige Signs Bill To Cover $5.1 Million In Repairs After Maui Jail Riot. The measure also includes $2 million to temporarily house 248 additional Hawaii inmates at a private prison in Arizona. Civil Beat.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is seeking the community’s input for the development of the agency’s new strategic plan through an online survey and a series of statewide meetings, with the first one on Maui on Monday. Maui News.

$340M rental car facility opens at Kahului Airport. CONRAC relied solely on rental car funds; ‘no taxpayer dollars were involved’. Maui News.

Kauai

Can $13 Million Save Lihue? A federal grant to reconfigure roads in the core of this island’s county seat could spur enough private investment to bring back the good times. Civil Beat.

Group protests 5G, doesn’t want it on Kauai. In a national day of protest against the fifth generation of cellular network technology, 5G Action Kauai rallied on Kapule Highway and Ahukini Road Wednesday afternoon. Garden Island.

Lanai

Lanai Airport gets $10M in federal money for runway improvements. The U.S. Department of Transportation grant is part of $779 million dollars in funding for more than 100 airports, nationwide and in Puerto Rico. Hawaii News Now.

Cocaine missing from evidence prompts indictment of two veteran police officers, 4 others; rural broadband coming to Hawaii; Honolulu council overrides property tax veto; bird poop threatens rail workers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii police on parade ©2019 All Hawaii News

Two retired police officers charged with drugs, conspiracy offenses. Two separate indictments were filed Monday against two retired police officers, each with more than 20 years of service. West Hawaii Today.

A grand jury has indicted two retired Hawaii Police Department officers in a case involving stolen drug evidence, according to court records. Associated Press.

Two retired Big Island police officers indicted for gambling, drug-related crimes. KITV.

Two retired police officers have been indicted. KHON2.

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FCC grants Hawaii counties $18.1M to expand rural broadband services. The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday authorized more than $18.1 million in funding to expand broadband services to over 3,900 unserved rural homes and businesses in Hawaii’s four counties over the next decade. Star-Advertiser.

High speed internet coming to rural Hawaii. The Federal Communications Commission wants to expand services to areas like Hawaiian Acres on the Big Island, Hana, Maui, Hanapepe, Kauai, and Kahuku on Oahu. KITV.

The Navy has awarded the University of Hawaii a contract worth up to $77 million over five years for its defense-related Applied Research Laboratory. The Hawaii lab’s focus includes ocean environmental effects of natural and man-made underwater noise sources on littoral, or nearshore, anti-submarine warfare, as well as marine life. Star-Advertiser.

UH Wants To Cut Tuition For Some Grad Students — Especially Out-Of-Staters. Proposed new tuition rates being considered by the Board of Regents seek to reverse declines in graduate student enrollment. Civil Beat.

Bank of Hawaii is finally exiting American Samoa — 6-1/2 years after putting its plans on hold following a plea by the U.S. territory’s governor. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City Council overrides mayor’s veto of a bill that will lower property taxes. Hawaii News Now.

How Honolulu Property Tax Decisions Could Affect Owners. The Honolulu City Council on Tuesday overrode Mayor Kirk Caldwell's veto of a bill that increases the standard home exemption on property taxes while advancing his proposal to hike the tax rate on hotels and resorts. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council committee again tosses out trash pickup fee. The Honolulu City Council Budget Committee on Tuesday again rejected Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s plan for a trash pickup fee, but approved proposals to raise rates in the hotel-resort and nonowner occupant property tax categories. Star-Advertiser.

City Council Overrides Caldwell Veto On Tax Break. The Honolulu mayor prefers a bill providing targeted property tax exemptions. Civil Beat.

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HART Poised To Approve $1.4 Million To Combat Bird Droppings. Rail officials say so many pigeons and other birds are nesting inside the transit line’s cavernous concrete guideway that it’s become a health hazard to workers. Civil Beat.

Turf war brewing in Waikiki as beachboys spar over contract obligations. A year after it awarded lucrative Waikiki beachboy concessions to Dive Oahu, the city said its revenues have nearly doubled. Hawaii News Now.

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With jury selection for Kealoha trial underway, attorneys now look to get an advantage. KHON2.

Hawaii News Now: Kealohas Are Retaliating Against Our Reporter. Lynn Kawano of Hawaii News Now says in court records that the Kealohas are trying to stop her from covering the trial because of her investigative reports. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Stories of misdeeds and corruption have helped shape Hawaii’s history, going back to a royal opium scandal that contributed to efforts to overthrow the monarchy. Civil Beat.

Commentary: How I Became A Witness In The Kealoha Corruption Trial. Civil Beat.

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First-time homeowners handed the keys to new affordable housing towers in Kakaako. A two-bedroom affordable unit in Ke Kilohana measures about 750 square feet and prices start at around $473,000. Hawaii News Now.

Howard Hughes opens Ke Kilohana workforce tower: Slideshow. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Electric Light Co.’s agreement with Puna Geothermal Venture to rebuild power transmission lines and related infrastructure will require state Public Utilities Commission approval and a public hearing. Hawaii Electric Light Co.’s agreement with Puna Geothermal Venture to rebuild power transmission lines and related infrastructure will require state Public Utilities Commission approval and a public hearing. Tribune-Herald.

The controversial geothermal power plant in Pohoiki must hold a public hearing and win the approval of the state Public Utilities Commission before it can rebuild transmission lines that were wiped out by last year’s Kilauea eruption. Star-Advertiser.

Puna Geothermal, HELCO Agreement Pushes Rebuild Forward. Big Island Video News.

Polystyrene ban coming. The convergence of two unrelated events has food vendors crying foul and may lead to changes in the county’s polystyrene ban. West Hawaii Today.

County steps up action against Hilo encampment’s landowner. The owners of a downtown Hilo property on which a homeless commune has been established owe the county nearly $6,000 in fines. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Residents Push Back On Loosening Liquor Laws. Allowing restaurants to sell take-out booze is the latest in a series of controversial proposals. “We don’t want Maui to turn into Las Vegas,” says one critic. Civil Beat.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino toured the old University of Hawaii Maui College dormitory site on Tuesday afternoon with Lt. Gov. Josh Green and Maui County Council Member Tasha Kama, chairwoman of the council’s Affordable Housing Committee. Maui Now.

Kauai

Waiting is the hardest part. According to the Hawaii Department of Transportation, the Lihue-bound lane of Kuhio Highway will remain closed for the duration of the slope stabilization, which is expected to take between four to five months to complete. Garden Island.

$67M federal disaster aid coming, Hawaii joins Big Pharma lawsuit, jury selection begins in Kealoha trial, CO2 levels hit record, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lava overtakes houses in this May 7, 2018 aerial PC: Mick Kalber

Hawaii is set to receive about $67 million in new federal disaster relief to help the state recover from torrential rainfall that caused severe flooding on parts of Kauai and Oahu in April 2018, Tropical Storm Lane and the eruption of Kilauea on Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser.

State to receive $67 million in federal disaster relief funding. The grant, totaling $66.9 million, was awarded in part because of efforts of U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, who said “the vast majority” of the grant will be awarded to Hawaii County in an effort to aid recovery following the various disasters that struck the island last year. Tribune-Herald.

2018 Storms, Lava Cost More Than Half A Billion Dollars. The latest $67 million in federal disaster recovery aid was announced Monday. Civil Beat.

$67 Million In Federal Funding On The Way For Hawaii Disasters. The new funding reportedly brings total federal disaster relief funding for Hawai‘i to more than $429 million. Big Island Video News.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Monday that Hawaii will receive $66.9 million in new federal disaster relief funding. Garden Island.

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CO2 levels measured in Hawaii hit milestone not seen in human history. Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere -- measured at a facility atop Mauna Loa -- hit an alarming new daily baseline above 415 parts per million Saturday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii joins states suing drug companies. Attorney General Clare E. Connors joined 42 states and Puerto Rico, led by Connecticut Attorney General William Tong in announcing a lawsuit against Teva Pharmaceuticals and 19 of the nation's largest generic drug manufacturers alleging a broad conspiracy to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition and unreasonably restrain trade for over 100 different generic drugs. KITV.

Hawaii Delegation To Look For Affordable Housing Solutions In Singapore. State Sen. Stanley Chang will lead a group of about 40 people to learn more about the city-state’s approach. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii proposes tuition freeze for undergrads, cut for graduate students. University of Hawaii President David Lassner wants to freeze undergraduate tuition at all 10 campuses for three years and reduce graduate tuition at UH-Manoa, to attract more students and keep college affordable. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii proposes tuition changes for next year. UH is looking to stop undergraduate tuition from increasing and cut tuition for graduate students at Manoa starting in Fall 2020. KHON2.

In Hawaii 4 of the top 6 jobs in demand are in the medical field. While managers and operations managers are among the top five most in demand jobs in Hawaii, four of the top six are in the medical field and three of them are in nursing. KITV.

Gov. Ige’s aide Ford Fuchigami to return to Hawaii transportation department in civil service job. Ford Fuchigami, who has served as a principal advisor to Gov. David Ige since November 2017, is returning to the state Department of Transportation to take a civil service job. Star-Advertiser.

USPS to honor USS Missouri with new Forever stamp. The U.S. Postal Service will issue a stamp honoring the famous World War II battleship the USS Missouri that was the site of Japan’s unconditional surrender on Sept. 2, 1945, in Tokyo Bay. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Potential Kealoha jurors gather at Blaisdell. Some 413 potential jurors filled the Neal S. Blaisdell Center’s Pikake Room Monday in an extraordinary federal court proceeding to select jurors in the corruption trial for former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha, his ex-deputy prosecutor wife Katherine and three current and former Honolulu Police Department officers. Star-Advertiser.

Hundreds Of Potential Jurors Screened On Opening Day Of Kealoha Trial. The prosecution and defense will now work to narrow the list of potential jurors to 12, which could take up to 10 days. Civil Beat.

Jury Selection Has Begun In High Profile Corruption Case. Associated Press.

With jury selection for Kealoha trial underway, attorneys now look to get an advantage. Jury selection for the Kealoha trial got underway Monday at the Blaisdell Center with more than 400 potential jurors. KHON2.

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Contractor gets prison term for bribery. The president of Honolulu civil engineering company Lyon Associates Inc. and former Honolulu Zoning Board of Appeals member Frank James Lyon is going to federal prison for paying bribes for government contracts. Star-Advertiser.

Kunia veterans blame possible exposure to toxic pesticides for mystery illnesses. A group of more than 100 Kunia veterans are suffering from neurological issues, cancer, birth defects and other illnesses after they say they were exposed to toxic pesticides. Hawaii News Now.

Board Restates Support For Beach Park Redevelopment In Face Of Opposition. Hundreds attend a neighborhood board meeting where many wanted to stop a project to build ball fields at Waimanalo Bay Beach Park. Civil Beat.

Waimanalo residents are deeply divided over a park development in the works. After about a decade of planning, city leaders are now trying to convince families in Waimanalo to accept $32 million dollar park project. Hawaii News Now.

Midrise affordable rentals opening in Kakaako. The developer of the largely state-financed $53 million Hale Kewalo project reserved for low-income households hosted a blessing ceremony Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

'What heroes represent'; Kaliloa, other Big Island officers who gave their lives in line of duty honored. The Hawaii Police Department’s annual National Police Week ceremony, always solemn and poignant, was especially so Monday.  Tribune-Herald.

Police Week Ceremony Held In Hilo, Officer Kaliloa Added To Memorial Wall. The name of fallen Officer Bronson Kaliloa, killed last year in the line of duty, has been added to the memorial wall, Ka Malu Aloha. Big Island Video News.

Community veterans center clears environmental hurdle. The West Hawaii Veterans Council remains on a mission to build the West Hawaii Community Veterans Center, even though state grant-in-aid funding did not come through this legislative session. West Hawaii Today.

Alii Drive culvert replacement project nearing start. Officials have slated a community meeting to prepare the public for the upcoming replacement of a deteriorating culvert on Alii Drive, a project that’s likely to snarl traffic on the main thoroughfare for months. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui County ending abandoned vehicle auctions. Officials say last year, the auctions were getting more expensive than the revenue generated. KHON2.

Maui nonprofit organizations secured $4.5 million in Capital Improvement Project Grant-in-Aid funds.These CIP grants are provided to local organizations serving the public and working to improve the state of Hawaii, and are awarded for the purpose of construction projects or the acquisition of fixed assets such as land or buildings. Maui Now.

Kauai

Balancing access and safety. Nobody has been cited for trespassing at Queen’s Bath since the fence and gate went up across the trailhead in September 2018. Garden Island.

Kauai’s legislators will take a look back at the 2019 session at the Lihue Business Association meeting on May 30 at Duke’s Canoe Club, Kalapaki. Garden Island.

Marijuana decriminalization, banking sought; Honolulu tax hikes to pay for rail; senator is anti-vaxxer; Kealoha trial starts today; more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Marijuana PC: Pixabay Commons

People caught with roughly three to five joints won’t be considered criminals under a bill awaiting Gov. David Ige’s signature, but it is unclear how many would actually benefit from the change. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Attorney General Clare E. Connors joined a bipartisan coalition urging Congress to grant the marijuana industry access to the federal banking system. Maui Now.

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Condo Associations May Be On Verge Of Gaining More Foreclosure Power. A bill on the governor’s desk seeks to bail the associations out of legal jeopardy and clarify they can take away property even if their bylaws don’t say so. Civil Beat.

HEI CEO tops isles’ salaries at $5.7M. Seven CEOs received total compensation last year of at least $3 million and two of them topped $5 million, according to recent company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Report card coming up for Hawaii public schools’ top official. Superintendent Christina Kishimoto is aiming to sharpen the focus to individual campuses with distinct approaches to education. Star-Advertiser.

ACLU Hawaii expands Title IX lawsuit against DOE to a class action lawsuit. A local civil rights group is still pushing to put boys and girls on equal playing fields. KITV.

Commentary: All talk, no political spine in controlling illegal vacation rentals in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Three tax increases proposed to cover rail costs. The three tax increases Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell proposed in his budget package earlier this year are designed in part to prepare the city to cover the cost of operations and maintenance of rail, a looming expense that rail critics have long warned would eventually force the city to raise taxes. Star-Advertiser.

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The Kealoha Trial Begins. The theft of a mailbox, which federal prosecutors say was staged, opened the door to the largest public corruption scandal in Hawaii history. Civil Beat.

Jury selection to begin Monday in high-profile Kealoha case. The city is warning drivers that traffic will be heavy around the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Monday, as an estimated 430 people are expected on the first day of jury selection for the so-called ‘mailbox’ trial. Hawaii News Now.

The trial of Honolulu's former police chief and his wife, a former deputy prosecutor, is set to begin with jury selection Monday. It's one of the state's most high-profile cases, so how does that affect jury selection? KHON2.

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Chinatown grapples with surge in homeless. Morning, noon and night in Chinatown they yell at the sky, mutter obscenities, and sleep in doorways where they sometimes reek of urine — or worse. Star-Advertiser.

 Abandoned boat spills oil into the Ala Wai Harbor. An unknown amount of oil leaked from an abandoned vessel at the Ala Wai Boat Harbor. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Ruderman expresses vaccine concerns. As measles cases grow nationwide and state health leaders monitor mainland outbreaks, one Big Island state senator has expressed more concern about the vaccine than the disease itself. Tribune-Herald.

Commissions and boards could go nonpartisan. A ballot initiative making county boards nonpartisan was advanced Friday by the Charter Commission. West Hawaii Today.

A Hawaii Island charter school gets $12M in funds for new campus atop Kilauea. State leaders set aside $12 million in Capital Improvement Project funds for the construction of a new Keakealani Campus in Volcano Village at the summit of Kilauea. Hawaii News Now.

Students Build Machine To Clear Plastic Bits On Big Island Beach, Among World's Dirtiest. Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources is involved in a new project to clear microplastics from the state’s beaches, helped by a machine built by Canadian university students. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Council OKs higher property tax rates for most. Hotels, short-term rentals see greatest increase over 2018. The Maui County Council on Friday approved property tax rates for the next fiscal year, which includes near across-the-board increases for property owners with hotels and resorts seeing the highest increase. Maui News.

Official: Upcountry water users a priority. Death of controversial water rights bill leaves EMI ditch in question. Maui News.

Kauai

North Shore high school proposed. The high school is designed as a two-story, 46,888-square-foot structure that would host 600 students, grades 9-12. Garden Island.

No cause of death yet for Kekaha beached whale. Scientists say the whale calf that washed up on the shores of Kekaha Beach in January appears to be a failure to thrive case, with predators involved. Garden Island.

Senate working group to study water rights, NTSB releases preliminary copter crash report, Maui clears homeless camp, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Pipe brings water down from mountain ©2019 All Hawaii News

Senators convene working group to address water use. Sens. Kai Kahele and Jarrett Keohokalole will begin overseeing monthly meetings with officials from the Department of Land and Natural Resources in an effort to ensure ranchers and farmers on the neighbor islands, as well as the electric utilities, don’t lose access to public water after the year’s end. Star-Advertiser.

Rod Becker Will Stay At State Budget Agency — But Not In The Top Job. He is the second Ige Cabinet member who the governor had hoped would continue to lead an agency but whose appointment ran into trouble in the Senate. Civil Beat.

Cops, Prosecutors Want Gov To Veto Seized Property Bill. The reform measure changes whose property can be seized and where the proceeds from its sales will go. Civil Beat.

For Hawaii businesses, an increase of tariffs on China would not be so sweet -- because those price increases would be passed on to island consumers. Higher tariffs on more than $200 billion of imports could impact thousands of goods -- from electronics to cars to clothes. Hawaii News Now.

Gabbard introduces sunscreen legislation in U.S. House. Two Hawaii politicians are taking the issue of reef safe sunscreens national. West Hawaii Today.

Oahu

Menor chairs 2 committees under new Council plan. Ron Menor emerged as among the most influential — if not the busiest — of the nine Honolulu City Council members under a revamped committee assignment plan released by new Council Chairman Ikaika Anderson on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Wind Farm Submits Study On Endangered Species Impacts. North Shore windmills expect to kill more endangered bats and birds than originally expected. Civil Beat.

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Witnesses Saw Helicopter Break Apart In Mid-Air Before Kailua Crash. A preliminary federal report provides key details about the crash as investigators continue to examine the wreckage. Civil Beat.

Witnesses saw nose down and vertical descent in Kailua helicopter crash, preliminary report says. The National Transportation Safety Board today released its preliminary report on the fiery helicopter crash in a residential neighborhood of Kailua in late April. Star-Advertiser.

NTSB releases preliminary report on Kailua helicopter crash. KHON2.

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Relatives of OCCC inmate killed during escape to sue state for wrongful death. Relatives of an Oahu Community Correctional Center inmate killed during an escape in February plan to sue the state for wrongful death. Hawaii News Now.

Housing Advocates Might Love This Project, But The Neighbors Don’t. A private developer wants to “get some of the homeless people off the streets.” Maili residents are concerned about traffic and infrastructure. Civil Beat.

State seeking farm tenants in Central Oahu. The Agribusiness Development Corp. is offering to rent six parcels ranging from 10 acres to 194 acres for up to 35 years at prices starting between $100 and $200 a year per acre. Star-Advertiser.

Waikiki residents fed up with unsafe sidewalk. Plywood covered repair work that has long gone uncompleted on a stretch of heavily trafficked sidewalk. Star-Advertiser.

Mother, son found guilty of animal cruelty at no-kill shelter. A state jury found David “Lanny” Moore guilty this afternoon of 24 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and his mother June Moore guilty of one count in connection with the seizure of more than 300 dogs from their Friends for Life no-kill animal shelter in Makaha. Star-Advertiser.

Mother-son duo found guilty in animal cruelty case involving hundreds of animals. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Council budget process to remain public. The County Council has dropped its plan to work on the budget out of public view, after the state Office of Information Practices issued an opinion saying a subcommittee as structured would violate the Sunshine Law. West Hawaii Today.

Construction of phase two of Bayfront trails project expected to begin later this year. A  small group of Hilo Bayfront Trails board members, county leaders and donors gathered Thursday on a section of trail near Kamehameha Avenue and Pauahi Street — completed during the first phase of the project — to announce phase two. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo Bayfront Trails Phase II Begins. The next segment of the trail will wind behind the Bayfront soccer fields, and even has a spot for a future playground. Big Island Video News.

$243 Million For Big Island Projects, Region-By-Region. The lion's share of Capital Improvement Project funds are going toward Hilo-based projects, but tens of millions have been allocated for projects in other areas, too. Big Island Video News.

State House capital improvements list includes nearly $250M for Hawaii County projects. The majority of the county’s improvement projects are school-related, with 22 schools receiving funding for various improvements and repairs in the 2020 and 2021 fiscal years. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Homeless Cleared from Kahului Encampment. Truckloads of personal belongings were removed this morning as 30 individuals were evicted today from a homeless encampment in Kahului where authorities say complaints have surfaced over illegal activity. Maui Now.

Panel defers rule change extending liquor-to-go hours. Residents oppose rule; department says it’s already a state law. Maui News.

The state land board approved a Legacy Land Conservation Program grant of $2.2 million to a Hana nonprofit group to acquire 27 acres in East Maui at Mokae-Makaalae. Maui News.

Former Maui County clerk and councilman says 'mahalo' to Vegas first responders after health scare. Danny Mateo and his family were at the LINQ Hotel when things took a turn. KITV.

Maui home sales plunged in April. A report from the Realtors Association of Maui said the number of single-family home sales fell 17% to 76 in April from 92 in the same month last year, and the number of condominium sales sank 22% to 137 from 176 in the same period. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

More Trouble For Hanalei As Unstable Hillside Forces Traffic Delays. Only one lane of the Kuhio Highway will be open on the stretch approaching the North Shore community for months. Civil Beat.

One lane near Hanalei Bridge to remain closed. The North Shore town already hammered by the flooding in April 2018 that damaged stores and homes, still slowly but surely recovering, is about to take another punch in its economic gut that could leave some down and out. Garden Island.

Kauai receives $89M from state. Kauai receives $89M from state. Garden Island.

Honolulu City Council defers vacation rental bills, All Nippon Airways gears up for Hawaii expansion, Big Island tourism shifts from volcano viewing, Maui home prices top $800k, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu skyline ©2019 All Hawaii News

Honolulu City Council Defers Measures to Crack Down On Vacation Rentals. Council members hear heated testimony from supporters of the rentals who say their livelihoods are at stake, and opponents who say they worsen the housing shortage. Civil Beat.

Bills to regulate vacation rentals on Oahu get sent back to committee. After hours of debate, the city council sent bills meant to regulate vacation rentals back to committee. Hawaii News Now.

Council balks at vacation rentals decision. After more than 100 hundred people testified on the short-term vacation rental issue over a span of over five hours Wednesday, the Honolulu City Council decided to hold off on a final decision on the two bills before them and send them to a newly formed Council Zoning, Planning and Housing Committee. Star-Advertiser.

Short-Term Rental Rules Stumble at Honolulu Hale. After months of debate, the Honolulu City Council was poised yesterday to approve new rules that would have restricted short-term rentals on Oahu. But after more than eight hours of public comment and deliberation, councilmembers sent two proposals back to committee for revisions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Vacation rental bills draw nearly a hundred testifiers to City Council hearing. As one of the biggest vacation spots on the planet, Hawaii's former Governor warning Honolulu is going the way of other top world cities like Barcelona and Amsterdam, being overrun by Airbnbs. KITV.

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Former Head Of Hawaiian Home Lands Is Back At Agency In A New Job. Jobie Masagatani will earn a six-figure salary as executive assistant to the director. Civil Beat.

Governor David Ige will sign new rules for the state Environmental Impact Statement process after a nearly two-year effort to modernize the existing rules. State officials say this is the first time in 23 years that the environmental review process has been revamped. Maui Now.

Hawaii Put This Woman On A Child Neglect List — And Now She Can’t Fight It. Julia Milam was placed on Hawaii’s abuse and neglect registry, a label that could kill her lifetime dream of becoming a nurse. Civil Beat.

All Nippon Airways gearing up to expand in Hawaii in a big way. Big was the name of the game for All Nippon Airways, which gave Honolulu patrons a sneak peek Wednesday of the world’s largest wide-body plane and the state’s largest airport passenger lounge. Star-Advertiser.

Stormy seas cut into Matson profit. Recent bad weather on the Pacific Ocean hurt business somewhat for Matson Inc., but Hawaii’s largest ocean cargo transportation firm still said its financial performance is off to a good start this year. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Anderson Chosen City Council Chair As Leadership Shifts. A leadership shakeup today at the Honolulu City Council landed Ikaika Anderson the chairmanship of the council while Tommy Waters was sworn in to represent East Honolulu following a court challenge and months of delays. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tommy Waters takes oath of office as newest member of the Honolulu City Council. District 4 covers Ala Moana Beach Park to Hawaii Kai, Waters won the seat in last month's special election against Trevor Ozawa. KITV.

Blaisdell Center set for Kealoha trial. Jury selection for the Kealohas and three Honolulu police officers is scheduled for Monday at the Blaisdell Center. KHON2.

Hawaiian Heiress Renews Fight Over Her Millions. A judge is allowing a 93-year-old Native Hawaiian heiress to switch lawyers in a legal fight over control of her $215 million estate. Associated Press.

Hikers still trespassing at Sacred Falls 20 years after tragedy. It was 20 years ago today — on a picture perfect Mother’s Day — when boulders rained down from 50 feet above Sacred Falls State Park with the sound of a freight train, killing eight people and injuring about 50 more. Star-Advertiser.

Hanauma Bay set to reopen after sewage pump is repaired. After being closed since Monday, Hanauma Bay is set to reopen for the tail end of the week. Hawaii News Now.

Female monk seal returns to Waikiki; NOAA urges public to give her some space. Federal officials are reminding the public to keep a good distance from a female monk seal that has hauled out at a Waikiki Beach for the fourth day on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Tourism officials shift marketing strategy. Hawaii’s volcanoes are no longer the Big Island’s chief selling point for tourism marketing after the Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo golf course needs more green. Low attendance and higher than anticipated costs have forced a $180,000 taxpayer bailout of the island’s only municipal golf course. West Hawaii Today.

A draft environmental assessment has been published for a planned subdivision along the North Kohala coast. The six-lot subdivision will be makai of Akoni Pule Highway, and will be developed on a 37.88-acre parcel, 3 miles north of Kawaihae. Big Island Video News.

On May 2, the Windward Planning Commission voted to approve a Verizon Wireless permit application to build a telecommunications tower that will serve lower Puna. Big Island Video News.

Big Island Dairy closure ahead of schedule. Five months after the owners of Big Island Dairy announced they would cease operations at the Ookala facility, by the end of April all cows were removed from confinement and the dairy ended all milking operations ahead of schedule, according to the state Department of Health. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mahi Pono to begin planting in June. Mahi Pono is preparing to plant its first 400 acres in June and has announced today its plans to grow avocados, bell peppers, potatoes and about a dozen other crops on 1,500 to 2,000 acres in Central Maui this year. Maui News.

Mahi Pono, LLC, today announced its 2019 crop plan, which includes different varieties of produce that are scheduled to be planted on approximately 1,500 to 2,000 acres of land in Central Maui. Maui Now.

Single-family home sale prices break $800,000 mark. April’s median cost highest on record for Maui County. Maui News.

Maui’s median home price soared to $819,500, according to new data released by the Realtors Association of Maui.  That’s up +13% from the month before when the median was listed at $725,000. Maui Now.

Kauai

Black Pot Beach Park set for June 4 opening. Three public meetings on the county’s proposed fiscal year 2019-2020 budget, which runs July 1 through June 30, will be held on May 10, 13 and 14, all from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Garden Island.

This Island’s Only Bookstore Is Thriving. Small independent bookstores can survive despite today’s proclivity toward digital downloads and a giant online retailer. Civil Beat.

Counting corals. Recent reports from Kauai’s North Shore are pointing to new coral growth. Garden Island.

A stone ukulele is missing from a monument in Nawiliwili Park dedicated to the memory of Israel Kamakawiwoole. Garden Island.

Molokai

State health inspectors close Molokai restaurant due to roach infestation. The state Health Department has posted a red “closed” placard at Paddlers Restaurant and Bar in Kaunakakai, Molokai. Star-Advertiser.

Department of Education unveils 2030 plan, FTA seeks more local rail money, journalists named as witnesses in Honolulu police trial, tasers purchased but never used, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Ige visits school PC: Governor's Office

Press Release: The Hawaii State Department of Education is seeking feedback on the first draft of a 2030 Promise Plan, which will guide the Department for the next decade, centered around five promises to students. Hawaii Department of Education.

Community resources and step-by-step toolkit to support community groups to collectively add their input through August 1. Department of Education.

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Bill Passes Decriminalizing Marijuana In Hawaii. House Bill 1383 decriminalizes the possession of three grams or less of marijuana, but Governor David Ige is taking a cautious tone in response to the legislation. Big Island Video News.

Hotels urge Ige to veto vacation rental taxation bill. The American Hotel & Lodging Association along with heads of more than 10 Hawaii hotel companies are urging Gov. David Ige to veto Senate Bill 1292, which would authorize vacation rental platforms such as Airbnb to collect taxes on behalf of the state. Star-Advertiser.

Federal investigations of Hawaii institutions ‘unprecedented’. The number and breadth of current federal investigations into alleged corruption at Hawaii’s public institutions is unmatched in the state’s history, according to about a dozen former investigators, prosecutors, judges and others who have spent decades working in, documenting or observing the law enforcement arena in the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Another state agency spent thousands on tasers. Four years later, they remain unused. Back in 2015, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources paid more than $72,000 to buy 30 tasers. But four years later, none of the tasers have been deployed and are now gathering dust in the Land Board’s armory in Pearl City. Hawaii News Now.

Tulsi Gabbard: The Media Is Ignoring Me. The Hawaii congresswoman is known for refusing media interviews and dodging debates yet she now says she’s being ignored. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Kawananakoa says she’s fine, should control her own money. Abigail Kawananakoa insists she has a sound mind and is capable of making decisions about her own $215 million estate. Star-Advertiser.

FTA insists Honolulu step up its funding of rail. The Federal Transit Administration is insisting the city contribute more money in the near term to help finance construction of the Honolulu rail project before it will release any of the $744 million in federal funding it has withheld from the project, according to an FTA spokeswoman. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Journalists Named As Witnesses In Kealoha Corruption Trial. Dozens of police officers and other former officials, including the past head of the Honolulu Ethics Commission, are set to testify as well. Civil Beat.

Vacation rentals' fates hang in the balance. No more vacation rentals in your neighborhood? That's one of two bills being considered by the City Council -- that could drastically change Hawaii's vacation rental industry. KHON2.

‘Save Sherwood Forest’: Anger Grows Over Planned Sports Complex. Honolulu’s $32 million plan to clear out part of Waimanalo Bay Beach Park for new ball fields and parking has run into furious opposition. Civil Beat.

Hanauma Bay to remain closed as crews repair sewage pump problem. Hawaii News Now.

Kamehameha Schools, partners to develop farm. Kamehameha Schools has partnered with a pair of Oregon agriculture investment and management firms to establish a more than 200-acre farm on Oahu’s North Shore. Star-Advertiser.

Dead Halawa Correctional Facility employee suspected of child sex assault. The Halawa Correctional Facility employee found dead Monday was scheduled for arraignment in Honolulu District Court this morning on charges of sexual assault of a young girl. Star-Advertiser.

State contracts Wahiawa hospital for mental health, drug abuse patients. The state Department of Health is contracting with Wahiawa General Hospital to use up to 30 beds by next year for mental health and substance abuse patients. Star-Advertiser.

Foodland to close Beretania Street store after nearly 70 years. The store’s 73 employees will be offered positions at other Oahu locations. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Kakaako Homeless Population Grows While City And State Dither Over Land Transfer. The state is in the process of signing the area over to the city but the deal is taking longer to work out. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

State steps in, helps recoup $6.9M federal transit funds. Some $6.9 million in federal funds has been freed up for Hawaii County buses and Mass Transit operations following state intervention in a county paperwork breakdown. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Mass Transit administrator, under pressure to fix a difficult situation, was joined by state transportation officials at a County Council committee meeting on Tuesday. Big Island Video News.

A bill that allows landowners to remove albizia trees from adjacent properties has become law and will take effect in July. Senate Bill 464 became law without the signature of Gov. David Ige on April 22 and allows homeowners to take action to remove potentially dangerous albizia trees on adjacent properties. Tribune-Herald.

Greenwell Garden could reopen this summer. More than three years after Bishop Museum closed the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden to the public, the nonprofit that has helped care for the site is aiming to welcome people back this summer. West Hawaii Today.

South Kona transfer station still not accepting green waste. It’s been more than six weeks since the Department of Environmental Management stopped accepting green waste at the Keei Transfer Station in South Kona, and it doesn’t appear ready to re-open for such business anytime soon. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Napili Point II condo reaches settlement on shoreline access. Trail to bay to be restored with no restrictions on hours of useShoreline access to Honokeana Bay through “Fisherman’s Trail” will be restored as part of a settlement involving the Napili Point II condominium. Maui News.

A&B puts ag land sale proceeds to commercial projects. Company closed last 800 acres in first quarter. Maui News.

Seven Maui Schools Serving Poi. For the first time, seven Maui County schools are serving poi through the Aina Pono Program including Kilohana Elementary, Maui High School, Kula Elementary, Lahainaluna High School, King Kekaulike High School, Kahului Elementary and Waihee Elementary. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai Gets A Residential Drug Treatment Facility For First Time In Decades. The eight-bedroom Adolescent Treatment and Healing Center in Kapaia was first proposed in 2003. Civil Beat.

Nancy Long new medical director for Kauai Hospice. For the first time since its grassroots beginning in 1983, Kauai Hospice has its first full-time medical director. Garden Island.