UH enrollment up, 70% of state fully vaccinated, Honolulu Zoo lion dies of COVID, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

University of Hawaii-Hilo pre-COVID ©2021 All Hawaii News

University of Hawaii bucks trend with first enrollment boost in 10 years. Enrollment at the 10-campus University of Hawaii system increased this fall for the first time in a decade, defying a national trend that was made worse by the coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Maui Now.

US Rep. Ed Case Raked In Campaign Cash While Threatening Biden’s Agenda. The Hawaii congressman, a self-described fiscal conservative, was one of a handful of Democrats threatening the president’s $3.5 trillion “Build Back Better” plan. Civil Beat.

Drug-related deaths in Hawaii up 13% this year. Drug-related deaths in Hawaii rose a projected 13% for the year that ended in March, and local law enforcement and health officials caution that counterfeit opioids and fentanyl-laced products could quickly contend with methamphetamine as the state’s deadliest drug. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii employers looking for help as coronavirus pandemic’s impact lingers. Hawaii employers who are desperate to fill jobs have posted a record-high number of job openings. Star-Advertiser.

How The Hunt For The Perfect Sweet Potato May Help Hawaii Farmers. Six researchers published a study that found two new and promising Hawaiian heritage sweet potatoes that could bring millions back to native people. Civil Beat.

Prized Red Ginger Is Being Laid Low In Hawaii By Viruses. Researchers have found the viruses are the primary cause of the decline in flower production, and some are choosing to no longer grow them. Civil Beat.

Saving Hawai‘i’s Endemic Plants, One Seed at a Time. A look inside the U.S. Army’s seed conservation lab, home to nearly 22.5 million specimens. Hawaii Business magazine.

In milestone, 70% of the state is now fully vaccinated against COVID. Seventy percent of Hawaii residents are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the state Health Department reported Friday. It’s a milestone that the governor and health officials had hoped to hit months ago. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii hospitals report significant decline in COVID-19 patients. As COVID-19 cases continue on a downward trend, hospitals are less stressed than they were during the peak earlier this summer. KITV4.

Hawaii records 6 new coronavirus-related deaths, 144 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 76 new cases on Oahu, eight on Maui, 39 on Hawaii Island, 11 on Kauai, one on Lanai and nine Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Public weighs in on potential City Council districts. The updated numbers that the commission is working with show that Oahu has 1,016,508 residents. That means each of the nine districts should have 112,945 residents. Star-Advertiser.

Which County Pays Its Council Members The Most? (Hint: It’s Not Honolulu). While the mayor and other top officials usually earn more on Hawaii’s most populous island, there’s a big exception. Civil Beat.

355 additional city workers file lawsuits seeking exemptions to vaccine mandate. Although the first hearing for city workers challenging Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s vaccine mandate ran into trouble in court, an additional 355 workers have signed on to lawsuits. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Zoo’s only male lion dies after contracting coronavirus. Ekundu, 13, came to Honolulu in 2010. He and 12-year-old female lion Moxy both showed signs of an upper respiratory illness, including some coughing, on Oct. 4. Star-Advertiser.

Police arrest arson suspect in connection with Waikiki surfboard rack fire. Police arrested a 43-year-old man at around 11:48 a.m. for first-degree arson. KHON2. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Island loosens COVID-19 restrictions, increases outdoor gathering capacity. The general public can now have outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people, and organized outdoor events can hold up to 50 people. Indoor gatherings are still limited to 10. Hawaii Public Radio.

New maps could pit incumbents against each other: Shifting legislative district lines draw scrutiny. Too often lost in the maps and the dry data is how intensely personal the process of redrawing political boundaries is for elected officials. And it literally hits voters where they live. West Hawaii Today.

County submits Puna road restoration designs to FEMA. Earlier this week, the county submitted to FEMA designs for the realignment of a lower section of Pohoiki Road and the restoration of Highway 137, which was inundated by lava during the 2018 Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Senate Ways and Means Committee to Conduct Site Visits on Maui, Oct. 18-20. The Senate Committee on Ways and Means will be traveling to Maui on Oct. 18-20, 2021 to conduct site visits at various state and private facilities.  Maui Now.

Long-term solutions for homeless encampments hard to come by. County says more cleanups like the one at Amala Place may follow. Maui News.

Could making it harder to rent a car help control tourism? Maui lawmakers hope so. Maui County Councilwoman Tamara Paltin says establishing a cap can help relieve stress on the island’s infrastructure, communities and resources. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Council to talk housing, terrorism Wednesday. The County Council is set to meet Wednesday morning, and their agenda is packed to the brim with headline-worthy subjects. Garden Island.

A potential county ordinance to increase the island’s number of public charging stations is in its early stages. Garden Island.

Molokai

Molokai Residents Riled By Possible Gate To Block Vehicles From Beach. Molokai Ranch has been at odds with residents over land access before. This time, however, the ranch says it’s considering the step to protect a prized natural resource. Civil Beat.

Proposed legislative districts draw fire, state GOP chairwoman resigns, inmates to get $50 to vaccinate, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Odd-shaped districts in proposed Oahu House map PC:Hawaii Reapportionment Commission

New Hawaii Election Districts Are Drawing Fire. Some lawmakers say they feel targeted by the new plans while the Hawaii Reapportionment Commission also faced accusations of gerrymandering certain districts. Civil Beat.

Chair of the Hawaii Republican Party resigns, shifts focus to recruitment. The chair of the Hawaii Republican Party resigned from the position Thursday, but said she would remain active in the group. Signe Godfrey, a former small business owner, endorsed First Vice Chair Lynn Finnegan to assume the role of Interim Chair. Hawaii News Now.

Lt. Gov. pushing colleagues to lift all outdoor COVID restrictions by Nov. 1. That means no limits on how many people can gather at events outside. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Sells Upwards of $1.9 Billion in GO Bonds. Gov. David Ige announced Thursday, Oct. 14 that the State of Hawaiʻi has sold $1.88 billion in general obligation (GO) bonds, the highest amount of bonds ever sold by the state. Big Island Now. Maui Now.

Hawaii inmates to receive $50 if they get COVID-19 vaccine. The state Department of Public Safety announced Thursday that it will pay $50 to certain inmates who get fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

New Legal Clinic Aims To Give Prisoners A Second Chance. A new legal clinic expected to launch in January will provide free legal help to people who have been incarcerated or are in prison now. Civil Beat.

Amid failed contract negotiations, Kaiser workers begin vote on possible strike. After months of failed contract negotiations, nearly 2,000 workers at Kaiser Permanente began voting Thursday on whether to authorize a strike. Hawaii News Now.

University of Hawaiʻi study shows mandates boosted vaccination rate. The study was conducted by the University of Hawaii Economics Research Organization and the Pacific Alliance Against Covid-19, in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu and others. It surveyed nearly 2,000 businesses about the impact vaccination mandates had on them. Hawaii Public Radio.

DOH investigated 2 COVID clusters linked to Hawaii records 6 new coronavirus-related deaths, 164 additional infections. The  new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 87 new cases on Oahu, 14 on Maui, 46 on Hawaii Island, eight on Kauai, one on Molokai and eight Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City and state ask judge to dismiss COVID vaccine mandate lawsuit. The city and state asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the COVID vaccine mandate for public workers. A federal court charge is expected to make a decision on the case on Friday. KHON2.

Honolulu rail officials not counting on city tourism tax to fix $3.5 billion shortfall. Officials with the city’s troubled rail project are waiting for the City Council to decide whether to impose a new city hotel tax that could benefit the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, but do not expect it to plug their $3.5 billion deficit — and have no alternative hopes of outside funding. Star-Advertiser.

Rail board to spend up to $23M in legal fees in dispute with Kakaako land developer. The rail board is preparing to spend up to $23 million in legal fees in a dispute with the developer of multiple high rise projects in Kakaako. The Howard Hughes Corporation owns land needed for the project along the route and near the proposed Kakaako rail station. Hawaii News Now. Civil Beat.

City begins planting trees in Downtown, Chinatown as part of revitalization effort.  In an effort to revitalize the area, city crews planted the first batch of new trees in Downtown and Chinatown on Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Affordable rental property, PenseMetro, breaks ground in Makiki. A new rental housing development, PenseMetro, broke ground Thursday as one of the earliest users of the city’s new affordable-­housing incentives. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Planning underway for 2022 Merrie Monarch Festival, but uncertainty looms. “So far, we’re going ahead.” That was the word Thursday from Merrie Monarch Festival President Luana Kawelu concerning the festival’s hula competition, Hilo’s signature event, returning to its usual schedule next year. Tribune-Herald.

High School Fall Sports Season Kicks Off Saturday, Talks on Live Crowds Ongoing. Officials hope to have live crowds back for student-athletes as they return to the field after nearly two years of no high school sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Now.

Maui

Planned march on Maui panned for promoting misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic. Doctors who have been panned on the mainland for spreading misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic are set to headline a Saturday march on Maui opposing COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates. Star-Advertiser.

Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers is Recipient of $25K Donation. Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers, Inc., a shelter for homeless individuals on Maui, received two substantial donations totaling $25,000 from Kāʻanapali Ocean Resort Charitable Trust to assist with their mission of breaking the cycle of homelessness on Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Use & sale of polystyrene foam food containers restricted on Kauai effective Jan. 1. Kauai county officials are notifying food providers that effective January 1, 2022, the use and sale of polystyrene foam food containers will be restricted per ordinance 1079 Article 27, Chapter 22. KITV4.

Kukui‘ula harbor getting new dock. Work to repair the boat ramp at Kukui‘ula Small Boat Harbor started Tuesday when a team from Sea Engineering of Honolulu arrived on Kaua‘i with equipment and materials. Garden Island.

West Kaua‘i plan wins statewide award. The County of Kaua‘i’s West Kauai Community Plan was recently awarded the 2021 Outstanding Planning Award by the Hawai‘i Chapter of the American Planning Association. Garden Island.

Higa pleads guilty to embezzling CARES, AmeriCorps funds, UH resuming on-campus education, Kauai dissolves COVID tier system, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Oct. 8, 2020 FBI raid Na Leo TV ©2021 All Hawaii News

Higa pleads guilty in federal court to embezzling, bribery. Former Hawaii County Council Chairman Stacy Higa admitted in federal court Wednesday to embezzling money from two federal programs and using some of it for cosmetic dental surgery and to help fund his 2020 campaign for mayor. West Hawaii Today. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Is Losing More Teachers Than Ever Amid Pandemic Fatigue. Hawaii had 25% more public school teachers retire or resign during the 2020-21 academic year compared with the previous year, a sign that pandemic-related fatigue could be driving educators away from the job. Civil Beat.

Lassner to UH faculty, staff, students: Prepare to be on campus next spring. University of Hawaii President David Lassner on Monday sent a memo to all UH faculty and staff, telling department chairs and faculty to “carefully review your spring 2022 schedules and make adjustments to the mode of instruction to provide our students across the UH system with the on-campus educational experience they need and expect.” Tribune-Herald.

UH employees will be subject to stricter vaccine mandate than other state workers. A strict new vaccination mandate for all University of Hawaii employees is getting pushback by the faculty union, whose leadership says they weren’t fully consulted. Hawaii News Now.

Pandemic fuels spike in childhood obesity in Hawaii. Nearly one in six children between the ages of 10 and 17 are obese in Hawaii, marking a significant increase from four years ago and fueling concerns about the impact that COVID-19 restrictions and school closures have had on the health of the state’s youth. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii flu-pneumonia report includes ‘hundreds’ of COVID-19 fatalities. The state Department of Health said Wednesday that “hundreds” of the more than 850 deaths counted in its influenza and respiratory disease surveillance report for the just-ended 2020-2021 flu season were casualties of COVID-19. A Page 1 headline on a Monday Honolulu Star-Advertiser article about the influenza season incorrectly stated the flu was deadlier than COVID-19. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii records 6 new coronavirus-related deaths, 127 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 68 new cases on Oahu, 11 on Maui, 29 on Hawaii Island, five on Kauai and 14 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi optimistic about large events by the end of the year. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said with COVID-19 case counts now trending downward, and vaccination rates edging upward, more pandemic-related restrictions could be lifted in coming months. Star-Advertiser.

HART Says It Didn’t Get A Key Report On Track Woes. The Contractor Says Otherwise. The much-anticipated analysis will shed light on a major problem that must be fixed before interim rail service can start. Civil Beat.

HPD Reviewing New Bodycam Policy After Judge’s Ruling. A judge recently ordered the release of all body-worn camera footage in the Iremamber Sykap case, saying an open investigation doesn’t justify keeping it from the public. Civil Beat.

Fourth hotel for Kapolei will cost up to about $70 million to build. The hotel business is booming in Kapolei, so much so that a developer plans to add a fourth hotel in the community — just steps away from two others. Star-Advertiser.

City program disrupting homeless outreach services. Police have cleared out many homeless people from the River Street area. But outreach workers providing medical and social services said they're having trouble finding many of their clients again once they're moved. KITV4.

New youth program seeks to inspire kids through culture, health. When canoe races were canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hui Nalu O Hawaii Canoe Club decided to pivot its popular summer youth paddling program to one that weaved in more cultural practices and hands-on learning. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Pele’s show continues. Kilauea volcano has erupted more than 4.2 billion gallons of lava since its current summit eruption began Sept. 29. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Improvements ongoing at two Hilo schools. As students enjoy fall break, construction crews are working to create new parking areas at two Hilo schools to address traffic concerns on Puainako Street. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County to ease restrictions, gathering limits, starting this weekend. Gov. David Ige reviewed and approved the new set of emergency rules for Maui County which increases social gatherings of up to 10 people indoors, and 25 people outdoors. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

800-unit housing development in West Maui moves forward. Pulelehua gets approval for site plan, which includes market-rate, affordable units. Pointing to the incredible need for affordable, long-term housing solutions for local families, the Maui Planning Commission voted unanimously for the development of a West Maui housing and commercial project. Maui News.

Doctors On Call Able to Deploy Mobile Testing Teams to Meet Hospitality Needs. The company created Mobile Testing Teams that are deployed when a group arrives for checks in. Maui Now.

Kauai

Ige approves Emergency Rule No. 27; Tier system dissolved. Most COVID-19 regulations, including masking requirements, travel regulations and limits on gathering size, will remain in place. Garden Island.

Westside residents consider WKEP impact on waterways. The West Kaua‘i Energy Project encompasses an approximately 350-acre solar farm on the Mana Plain, hydro-powered energy storage and generation, and rehabilitated reservoirs, irrigation systems and roads throughout the island’s West Side. Garden Island.

State, landowner meet to safeguard shearwaters. State officials recently met with property owners in Po‘ipu to discuss protection of a wedge-tailed shearwater colony ravaged by feral-cat predation. Garden Island.

Hawaii Supreme Court blocks early inmate release, data shows COVID much more deadly than flu, Hawaii County to consider lodging tax, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Corrections officer at Hawaii jail ©2021 All Hawaii News

Hawaii Supreme Court blocks the early release of certain prisoners. The state Supreme Court denied a third request by the office of the Public Defender to release certain classes of prisoners early to help alleviate the crowded conditions that help COVID-19 spread, noting rising inmate vaccination rates and a declining number of infections in Hawaii’s jails and prisons. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.

Race expanding for Hawaii’s next lieutenant governor. The 2022 race for the open seat of Hawaii’s next lieutenant governor is heating up for a job that has no clear day-to-day responsibilities but has served as a recent platform to the governor’s mansion and the U.S. Senate. Star-Advertiser.

Ikaika Anderson Launches Campaign For Hawaii Lt. Governor. The former Honolulu City Council chair is the second Democrat so far to seek the office in 2022. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii House Panel Warns It May Hold The State Auditor In Contempt. Rep. Della Au Belatti tells Les Kondo she wants audit documents by the end of business Wednesday, or else. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Home Lands Residents May Be Out Of Luck When It Comes To Help With Broadband Bills. A federal pandemic subsidy program offers discounts to homesteaders. But the company that provides the service says it won’t participate. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaiʻi economist says state economy on the upswing. A University of Hawaiʻi economist told state lawmakers he’s cautiously optimistic about the future outlook for the state’s economy even though he’s expecting statistics to show thousands of jobs were lost during the recent COVID-19 Delta variant surge. Hawaii Public Radio.

Health officials debunk false report, saying COVID is far deadlier than the flu. The statistic that is causing issue is 859, which the state Health Department said is how many people in Hawaii have died in the last year from pneumonia and influenza. The state said only one of those deaths was actually due to influenza — the rest were related to pneumonia and the vast majority were COVID-related. Hawaii News Now. Maui Now.

Hawaii doctors urging pregnant women to get vaccinated against COVID-19 due to high risks. Women who are pregnant and recently pregnant are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, pregnant women who contract the virus are at increased risk for preterm birth and other adverse pregnancy outcomes, including stillbirth. Star-Advertiser.

‘Zip code matters’: Experts say pandemic highlighted troubling health inequalities statewide. Hawaii’s healthcare and business leaders say the pandemic exposed troubling inequalities among ethnic and economic groups across the state. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii sees 49 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 81,663. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 36 new cases on Oahu, two on Maui, six on Hawaii Island, four on Kauai and one on Molokai. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Some outdoor events now allowed on Oahu as part of mayor’s larger plan of easing restrictions. Some outdoor events are allowed on Oahu starting Wednesday as part of Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s larger plan of easing restrictions over the next two weeks. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

New body cam video shows bizarre encounter before fatal police shooting in Nuuanu. On April 14, an hour before a fight with police officers in Nuuanu, Lindani Myeni had a strange encounter with police in the parking lot of Kewalo Basin. Hawaii News Now.

New community around stadium could start to rise in about a year. Residential and commercial construction on state land around Aloha Stadium could begin in late 2022 or early 2023 without a projected timetable for replacing the largely condemned 50,000-seat facility. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2. KITV4.

Former workers of Love’s Bakery are now suing the company. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) are suing Love’s Bakery, alleging the company shorted health trust fund contributions after they say an audit uncovered about several hundred thousand dollars in discrepancies. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Lodging tax hike looms: Council to discuss adding 3% to TAT. On the heels of the governor and Legislature scooping up the counties’ share of a tax on hotels and short-term rentals, County Council members next week will discuss imposing their own. West Hawaii Today.

Police Recover 600 Pounds in Stolen Bananas. The two suspects were identified and the bananas were recovered, however, the owners of the produce remain unknown. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Puna Geothermal Venture to discuss operations with public. Officials with PGV, Hawaiian Electric Co. and the County of Hawaii will give updates on the geothermal plant's operations in the first such meeting since July. Pacific Business News.

Maui

Mayor Anticipates Approval for Loosened Restrictions on Maui. While the mayor said he has obtained a verbal okay from Governor David Ige, he’s holding back on calling loosened restrictions official until the Governor puts his signature on paper. Maui Now. KITV4.

Charter Commission Adopts Proposal To Establish Independent Nomination Board. At last Thursday’s Maui County Charter Commission meeting, proposals were adopted that would significantly change the selection process and requirements for people serving on County boards and commissions. Maui Now.

US Rep. Kai Kahele Tours Maui Economic Opportunity. US Representative Kai Kahele toured Maui Economic Opportunity’s Wailuku offices Monday, Oct. 11, meeting staff, learning about programs offered by the nonprofit agency whose mission is to alleviate poverty, discussing the need for affordable child care for young families, hearing aids for kupuna and the spending bills being hammered out in Congress. Maui Now.

‘E ho’i ka wai. Return the water’: In ongoing battle, Kalo farmer finds water source locked up. The battle over water continues on Maui as some famers say their access to water has been abruptly shut off. Wailuku farmer Robert Street says water to his taro patch stopped on Monday without any explanation. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Photographer complies with DLNR. A commercial wedding photography company previously called out for its practice of allegedly taking photos without necessary permits has removed photos from its website taken within closed areas without proper permitting at the behest of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Garden Island.

KPD primed and ready for explosive threats. The next time something that could go “boom” needs to be dealt with on Kaua‘i, police won’t be stuck waiting for help to be flown in from Honolulu or the mainland. Garden Island.

Experts tell House committee time to open Hawaii, UH to require employee vaccinations, mayor denies permit for Mandate Free Maui Unity March, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Tourist at Waikiki ©2021 All Hawaii News

Pressure mounts on Gov. David Ige to ease COVID-19 restrictions. But Ige, known for his cautious approach, doesn’t seem ready to announce that Hawaii is fully open for visitors, just yet. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Potential extension of Hawaii homeless program being considered by lawmakers. Enacted in 2018, state legislation requires the creation of a minimum of six Ohana Zone program projects — three on Oahu and one each on Kauai, Maui and Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii not seeing wave of evictions — so far. Hawaii has been without a state or federal eviction moratorium for more than a month, but the state appears to have avoided a dreaded spike in evictions so far. Star-Advertiser.

Profits continue to stack up for Matson Inc. Continued booming business from China has led Matson Inc. to forecast a record quarterly profit. The Honolulu-based ocean cargo carrier estimates that it will earn between $277 million and $286 million from business during the three months ended Sept. 30. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii to require COVID vaccination for all employees in 2022. The University of Hawaii on Monday announced a new policy that requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, effective Jan 3, 2022. KHON2. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Gov. David Ige urges parents of young children to look to pediatricians for initial COVID-19 shots. Gov. David Ige is urging parents to initially look to their children’s pediatricians once COVID-19 vaccinations are approved as expected this month for children ages 5 to 11. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii records 4 new coronavirus-related deaths, 113 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 69 new cases on Oahu, 10 on Maui, 18 on Hawaii Island, 10 on Kauai and six Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Invitation to come today for redeveloping land around Aloha Stadium. A competition to redevelop 73 acres of state land around Aloha Stadium is expected to get underway today. Star-Advertiser.

HART: Howard Hughes To Seek $200 Million In Rail Condemnation Suit. The city’s legal costs in the eminent domain battle started at $4.6 million. Now, they’re poised to exceed $23 million. Civil Beat.

HPD officer facing criminal probe after near-fatal crash previously accused of civil rights violations. A Honolulu police officer accused of running a car off the road in Makaha last month was already part of a civil rights lawsuit. Hawaii News Now.

Kirby Offshore Marine Hawaii to close, lay off 72 people. Kirby Offshore Marine Hawaii LLC has informed the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations that it will be closing at the end of the year and laying off 72 people. Star-Advertiser.

Crews begin massive clean-up of burned out auto graveyard in Central Oahu. Crews crushed and collected several junked cars at Poamoho on Monday to make way for the massive clean up of an estimated 1,000 burned out and derelict vehicles. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Building permit applications pile up in EPIC system. A backlog in building permits was expected, but it’s worse than contractors suspected — and the county previously reported — in the transition to an online permitting system for two county departments. West Hawaii Today.

EA finds no significant impact from flood-control project. An environmental assessment of a flood-control project of the Waiakea and Palai streams in Hilo was released Friday with a finding of no significant impact. Tribune-Herald.

State Cleanup Plan For Big Island Park Leaves Residents With Questions. Two state departments have settled on a plan for removing lead-contaminated soil at Kolekole Beach Park but have not yet identified the funding for it. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.

County Submits Final Designs for Hwy 137, Lower Pohoiki Rd Restoration/Realignment. The County of Hawai‘i has submitted final designs for Highway 137 restoration and the lower Pohoiki Road realignment to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Big Island Now.

This Big Island Octopus Research Facility Is Drawing The Wrath Of Animal Rights Activists. But the Kanaloa Octopus Farm’s owner says the group is off target. The farm is trying to save the species, not serve it for dinner. Civil Beat.

Maui

Upcoming Community Budget Meeting for FY 2023, Oct. 12. Community members are welcome to provide input as Mayor Victorino begins formulating the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. Maui Now.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino denies county permit for Mandate Free Maui Unity March set for Saturday. Event planners requested that the event include food, live music and tents on county property. Maui Now.

No at-home COVID testing kits? Problems rise for Maui restaurants and their workforce. Maui County still has the lowest vaccination rate in the state at just 62%. Hawaii News Now.

Median home prices back under $1 million. Maui County single-family home median sales prices dipped just below $1 million last month and realtors anticipate the market will remain steady until inventory ramps back up. Maui News.

Local investment group to buy Royal Lahaina Resort. Hawaii real estate firm BlackSand Capital has reached an agreement to buy the Royal Lahaina Resort, one of the original properties that helped establish Kaanapali as a beachfront resort destination on Maui’s west coast. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Present, future of electric vehicles discussed online. The present and future of electric vehicles on Kaua‘i will be discussed Wednesday, Oct. 13, during an online panel hosted by the Kaua‘i Climate Action Forum. Garden Island.

Kealaula at Pua Loke continues transitional housing goals. Kealaula at Pua Loke, a transitional housing complex in Lihu‘e with built-in outreach services, was lauded as a prime example of what the state’s piloting with its ‘Ohana Zone program. Garden Island.

Redistricting and politics, Land Board rejects aquarium industry plan, Honolulu marathon slated to return, more news from all the Hawaiian islands

Hawaii tropical fish ©2021 All Hawaii News

Redrawing Hawaii’s Election Districts: ‘People Are Going To Be Pissed’. Years ago the political lines were redrawn in ways that clobbered Republicans. Today, the question is which Democrats will take the hit. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Tourism Authority contract award to top marketing agency prompts scrutiny. The Hawaii Tourism Authority recently awarded a $9.4 million sole-source contract to the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, even as the marketing agency nears the end of a separate contract worth $105 million to promote Hawaii to U.S. travelers and will have to compete to keep the more lucrative deal. Star-Advertiser.

Remote Work Is Here To Stay. You Can Thank The Pandemic For That. During last week’s Annual Conference of the Hawaii Economic Association, the chief executive of one of Hawaii’s largest architecture firms shared a story illustrating something that once might have been anathema to senior managers: It’s not necessary for employees to work at the office to be productive. Civil Beat.

Flu and pneumonia deaths in Hawaii over the past 12 months exceed pandemic’s local COVID fatalities. As COVID-19 continues to dictate public life and government policy in Hawaii, influenza and pneumonia have quietly killed at least 859 people over the past 12 months, exceeding the coronavirus death toll for the entire pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii records 4 new coronavirus-related deaths, 218 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 121 new cases on Oahu, 16 on Maui, 34 on Hawaii island, 28 on Kauai, one on Molokai and 18 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu eases COVID-19 rules for organized gatherings, football, other events. Starting Oct. 13, outdoor venues for sports and concerts may have up to 1,000 attendees or up to 50% of their full capacity — whichever is smaller. Associated Press. KHON2.

Land Board rejects environmental impact statement for Oahu aquarium pet trade. After hours of testimony, the state Land Board voted Friday to reject the Oahu aquarium fishing industry’s final environmental impact statement. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Marathon Plans to Return Dec. 12, 2021. Despite gathering restrictions on Oahu, Honolulu Marathon organizers are "Cautiously Optimistic" that they are able to hold upcoming race. KITV4.

Views clash over Oahu’s impending shift from coal to clean energy. Less than a year from now, Hawaiian Electric is slated to retire the island’s largest and dirtiest power plant as part of a historic ongoing transition to more renewable clean energy. Star-Advertiser.

City to reopen overnight camping at Bellows beach following months-long closure. The city Department of Parks and Recreations began accepting permit applications for overnight campers at Bellows Field Beach Park on Friday. The campsite had been closed since April to protect sea turtles during nesting season. Hawaii News Now.

Polo Beach Park parking lot to undergo renovations. The Department of Parks and Recreation announced Friday that the Polo Beach Park parking lot is scheduled to undergo renovations, including, repaving. KITV4.

NTSB to begin efforts to remove sunken cargo plane that crashed in waters off Oahu. The National Transportation Safety Board held a briefing on Saturday, detailing its plans to recover a Boeing 737 cargo jet that crashed into waters off Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Construction of Thirty Meter Telescope delayed at least 2 years. The developers of the planned Thirty Meter Telescope are now saying that construction of the $2.4 billion cutting-edge observatory isn’t likely to start for at least a couple of years. Star-Advertiser.

Council approves new fire captains, firefighters. Fire stations in Ocean View and Laupahoehoe will soon have captains to supervise operations, thanks to a $3.5 million federal grant adding nine new positions to the department. West Hawaii Today.

‘A very strong seller’s market’: More than 300 single-family homes bought in Puna in Q3. According to multiple listing service data, 774 homes were sold on the island between July and September, with each of those months an improvement from the previous year. The average sale price for the quarter was $805,000, while the median sales price in September was $499,000. Tribune-Herald.

Gate sparks debate: Property owners seek to secure their community. Good fences may make good neighbors, as the poet famously says. But gates, apparently not so much. The county Department of Public Works has revoked a building permit for a gate across Kaiolu Street where it meets Alii Drive, saying owners of all 14 lots in the small subdivision did not approve the application. West Hawaii Today.

Affordable housing development EA finds no significant impact. A final environmental assessment released Friday has a finding of no significant impact for a proposed affordable housing project of up to 90 units for seniors and families in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

6.2-magnitude quake centered off Hawaii Island rattles state; no tsunami threat. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was likely the result of “bending of the oceanic plate” from the weight of the Hawaiian Island chain. The tremor did not have an impact on the ongoing Kilauea eruption. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Mayor: Maui rules will be eased soon. On the heels of Honolulu announcing it will relax certain COVID-19 restrictions due to reduced case counts and other health data, Mayor Michael Victorino on Friday afternoon said looser rules are in the works for Maui County and details will be rolled out early next week. Maui News.

5-Month Improvement Project for Polo Beach Parking Lot Begins Oct. 18. Beach access and the comfort station will remain open throughout the parking lot project, located at the corner of Kaukahi Street and Makena Road. Maui Now.

Residents want county to manage popular beach parking lot. Private company trying to close lot, calling police on beachgoers, some tell state.Residents want Maui County to manage the gravel lot on state land near the Days Inn by Wyndham Maui Oceanfront. Maui News.

Construction for Kapaʻa Streets Project to Begin Next Week. In addition to the five-way intersection of Kawaihau Road, Hau‘a‘ala Road, and Mailihuna Road, safety improvements include new concrete sidewalks fronting Kapa‘a Elementary School, Kapa‘a High School and St. Catherine School, new bus shelters, and flashing beacons at crosswalks. Maui Now.

Over 400 jobs at Maui resort are in jeopardy as property is set to be sold to new owner. As a Maui resort is set to be sold to a new owner, over 400 workers may lose their jobs come December. The Royal Lahaina Resort notified the county and state this week that the property will change owners — and as a result 420 resort workers will be terminated. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Kauai

Household hazmat pickups coming sometime this winter. Homeowners with unwanted hazardous material must wait until sometime in early 2022 if they want their waste disposed of by the county, which will not hold a pickup this year. Garden Island.

Update on island’s coffee pests is online Wednesday. The state Department of Agriculture and University of Hawai‘i personnel will update Kaua‘i residents on the status of coffee berry borer and coffee leaf rust during an online “mini-conference” on Wednesday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon. Garden Island.

Navy kept mum about Red Hill fuel tank leaking into Pearl Harbor, illegal tour groups, boat tours fined, condos drive Maui's hot real estate market, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Healthcare leaders 'cautiously optimistic' about COVID conditions, support governor's plan to ease restrictions. Governor David Ige is expected to announce details on the adjustments by the end of this week. KITV4. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Task force studies scourge of missing and murdered Native Hawaiian women and girls. The panel, created by the state House earlier this year, aims to gather data and identify the reasons behind the problem. As of now, few figures exist, but those that do suggest Native Hawaiians are disproportionately represented among the state's sex trafficking victims. Associated Press.

Hawaii residents will need to press more buttons for local calls. Many are used to dialing seven digits to make local calls, but they will need to include the 8-0-8 area code before those seven digits when calling local numbers starting Sunday, Oct. 24. KHON2.

Hawaii Is Prone To Fire But State Money To Control The Problem Is Lacking. Some residents are taking action to protect their homes and communities from devastating wildland fires. Civil Beat.

Hawaii records 8 new coronavirus-related deaths, 304 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 166 new cases on Oahu, 30 on Maui, 54 on Hawaii Island, 28 on Kauai and 26 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Hope high for announcement on loosening Hawaii COVID-19 restrictions. Expectations are high that a change in COVID-19 restrictions will be announced today after Mayor Rick Blangiardi told a crowd of event planners at Honolulu Hale on Thursday, “I think tomorrow you’ll be pleased.” Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Family of doctor killed in Kakaako pedestrian crash is awarded $10 million. The Honolulu City Council has approved a $10 million settlement in a civil lawsuit filed by the family of William Travis Lau, one of three pedestrians killed in the January 2019 crash in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

Amid ‘Political Concerns,’ Navy Kept Quiet About Red Hill Pipeline Leaking Into Pearl Harbor. As the health department held hearings on whether the Navy could operate its Red Hill fuel facility safely, fuel from a Red Hill pipeline was leaking into Pearl Harbor. Civil Beat.

Council considers saying ‘I do’ to wedding, commercial activity ban at Waimanalo beach parks. The City Council is considering a ban on commercial activities, including weddings, along the Waimanalo shoreline. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu’s solar battery program to boost clean energy stymied by permitting system. A new program offering Hawaiian Electric customers on Oahu the opportunity to add their stored solar power to the grid and get paid for it has generated plenty of interest, according to those in the industry. Star-Advertiser.

Businessman accused of conducting illegal boat tours in Kaneohe Bay faces $180K fine. The state is proposing a $180,000 fine against a boat owner accused of conducting unpermitted tours in Kaneohe Bay, despite repeated warnings to stop. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu’s new homeless Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement program is expected to begin in 2 weeks. The city’s long-awaited Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement program, which will use a separate team of first responders to address nonviolent homeless emergency calls, is expected to start in the next two weeks. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

School’s permit request advances: Planning commission votes 4-1 to support Connections’ project. The Windward Planning Commission voted 4-1 Thursday to forward a favorable recommendation to the state Land Use Commission to grant a special permit for Connections New Century Public Charter School to build a campus on about 70 acres of agricultural-zoned state land in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Chief medical officer sues Kona Community Hospital. The chief medical officer of Kona Community Hospital is suing the hospital, Kona Ambulatory Surgery Center and three individuals in a personnel dispute. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Condo Sales Leading Hot Real Estate Market for September. The Maui real estate market remained hot for September 2021, with the median sales price for single-family homes at $996,500 (27.3% higher than a year ago) and $729,125 for condominiums (a 46.6% increase from September 2020), according to statistics from the REALTORS® Association of Maui. Maui Now.

HuiZero, Maui’s First Zero Waste To-Go Food Container Program Set to Launch. The stainless steel HuiZero containers are available at participating restaurants to get food to go, and are exchangeable at other participating restaurants. Maui Now.

Hawaii startup Parklinq expands to Maui. Parklinq, a Hawaii startup app that seeks to solve the problem many residents and tourists face when searching for parking in the Islands, is expanding its operations to Maui.  Pacific Business News.

Kauai

County asks to dissolve tier system. The County Kaua‘i moved forward this week with plans to repeal the COVID-19 tier system as local spread of the virus continued. Garden Island.

Photographers illegally capturing photos at off-limits Kauai locations receive cease and desist. The state is cracking down on professional wedding photographers who are breaking the rules to get the perfect shot on Kauai. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaiian Petrel Chick Rescued from Flooded Burrow on Kaua‘i. The rescue was carried out late last week by a monitoring team from Archipelago Research and Conservation. Maui Now.

Lanai

Raucous Roosters Are Invading Neighborhoods On Lanai. Residents say an influx of roosters is laying bare an age-old spat over two sometimes conflicting hallmarks of country life: agriculture and peace and quiet. Civil Beat.

Native Hawaiians hard hit by COVID, Health Department denies researchers data, local hotel tax advances on Oahu and Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

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Surge in COVID deaths took heavy toll on Native Hawaiian community. Experts say in the past two weeks, Native Hawaiians have accounted for up to 40% of the state’s COVID deaths. Hawaii News Now.

Local researchers say Department of Health officials have refused to collaborate and share COVID-19 data. Local epidemiologists and researchers say the Hawaii Department of Health has continually rebuffed their requests for data throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and that the department’s latest decision to scale back the information it has been releasing to the public daily on COVID-19 deaths is just the latest example of the department’s lack of openness. Star-Advertiser.
 
State Auditor Les Kondo faces ‘illegal’ act or prosecution. State Auditor Les Kondo told a House committee investigating his handling of two critical audits that a subpoena forces him to commit an illegal act or face a possible criminal contempt charge. Star-Advertiser.

Jill Tokuda Makes Official Her Bid To Be Hawaii Lt. Governor. The former state senator will be part of what is expected to be a large Democratic Primary field. Civil Beat.

Tourism leaders urge Ige to declare it’s OK to visit Hawaii. The president and CEO of the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association said Hawaii’s visitor industry is “in jeopardy if we don’t get a positive statement soon from the governor that we’re ready to open up again.” Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii records 7 new coronavirus-related deaths, 168 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 100 new cases on Oahu, 18 on Maui, 34 on Hawaii Island, 11 on Kauai, one on Molokai and four Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City Council advances proposal for Oahu visitor tax. Bill 40 would levy a 3% city transient accommodations tax on visitor accommodations. It would be imposed in addition to the state’s current 10.25% visitor tax. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said Oahu’s ban on large gatherings will likely be allowed to expire Oct. 19, as long as COVID cases don’t surge again. The policy prohibits any gatherings larger than 25 people outdoors or 10 indoors. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Salary Data Show Hundreds Of Honolulu City Employees Earn Well Over The State Average. The medical examiner and the top executives at HART are making the biggest salaries. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Police Commission Hears From HPD Whistleblower. A Honolulu Police Department whistleblower who accused her superiors of retaliation and discrimination told the Honolulu Police Commission Wednesday that the department is “broken” and said her complaints have been “completely ignored” in the past. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Honolulu Police Department seeks city help with inquiry on Major Stephen Gerona. The Honolulu Police Department asked the city administration for help with an internal investigation into allegations that a major harassed and bullied subordinates who did not agree with his management style and decision-making. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

City Council Approves Dave Matlin To Honolulu Fire Commission. But the new commissioner says he will abstain from the current deadlock over hiring a new fire chief. Civil Beat.

Firm to pay delinquent Kakaako housing fees. Affordable rental apartments in Kakaako serving low-income seniors could shift from state to private ownership as part of an effort to address financial challenges with the property. Star-Advertiser.

Council unanimously votes to take over ownership of embattled Diamond Head road. The Honolulu City Council unanimously voted on Wednesday to have the city take over ownership of Leahi Avenue near Diamond Head. Hawaii News Now. 

Lawmakers, stakeholders weigh in on future of AES coal plant. There are different opinions on whether the Barbers Point facility and its 180 megawatts of generating capacity should be allowed to retire, or be converted into biomass power — a firm renewable form of energy from burning wood, but one that has generated controversy, in part because it still involves releasing carbon emissions.  Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Maunakea forum measured: Moderated update on master plan features more information than interaction. A tightly moderated forum about the University of Hawaii’s updated Maunakea Master Plan was informative Wednesday, but left participants little opportunity to interact. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor signs tax bill. Mayor Michael Victorino signed Bill 101 on Tuesday establishing a 3 percent transient accommodations tax. Maui News.

Proposal before Maui council would phase out thousands of short-term rentals. The Maui County Council is considering phasing out all short-term rentals in apartment districts on the island. Hawaii News Now.

Charter Commission Discussion Continues on Proposed Charter Amendments. The Maui Charter Commission will meet again on Thursday at 9 a.m. to receive testimony and discuss additional proposed revisions to the Maui County Charter. Maui Now.

Father and son on Maui charged after officer finds dead turtle in fishing net. Randall Del Castillo Sr., 57, and Randall Del Castillo Jr., 33, were cited for taking and possessing a green sea turtle, which is a protected species. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Maui Now. KITV4.

Kauai

County to use eminent domain for affordable housing in Kilauea. The Kaua‘i County Council voted unanimously Wednesday to proceed with the acquisition of 23.5 acres of property in Kilauea using the process of eminent domain. Garden Island.

Ige to announce relaxed restrictions this week, Las Vegas captain tapped for Maui police chief, Honolulu council to vet pick for city auditor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

USS Daniel Inouye guided missile destroyer PC: U.S. Navy

New $1.5 billion-plus Navy destroyer USS Daniel Inouye heading for Hawaii. The Navy’s new “Go for Broke” destroyer named for U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, a World War II hero and one of Hawaii’s most influential statesmen, is sailing to its new home port of Pearl Harbor and a Dec. 8 commissioning at Kilo Pier. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Combative auditor hearings cross midpoint, with weeks to go. As the hearings enter their fourth week, resuming today for sessions slated to continue for about three more weeks, there has been no clear testimony presented — in public, at least — of obvious wrongdoing by state Auditor Les Kondo or his office. Star-Advertiser.

Trailblazing CEO Connie Lau will pass the torch at Hawaiian Electric Industries. Connie Lau, the longtime president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc., highest-paid female executive in the state, and a driving force behind the company’s move toward clean energy, is retiring at the end of this year. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Sierra Club Hawaiʻi Director Marti Townsend steps down. The environmental organization’s new director is Wayne Tanaka — an attorney, engineer, and environmental advocate. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

First Hearing Held On Proposed Hawaiian Homes Bill. The federal legislation ensures long-term tenancy to beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and their successors, Kahele says, by reducing the successorship qualification of a lessee’s spouse, children, grandchildren and brothers or sisters from one quarter to one thirty-second Hawaiian. Big Island Video News.

Help wanted: Substitute teacher shortage stretches Hawaii public schools thin. The DOE said they are aware that in some rural areas, where there are general staffing shortages, it is challenging to secure substitutes. Some schools are taking it upon themselves to recruit educators. KHON2.

A+ program staffing shortage leaves hundreds of kids waiting and their parents scrambling. At least 2,600 elementary school-age children — nearly 1,600 at the A+ program held at public schools on Oahu, served by YMCA of Honolulu, and 1,000 at schools on four islands, served by Kamaaina Kids — are on the waitlist in the current school year.  Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige expected to announce relaxed restrictions this week. As Covid-19 case counts continue to drop, Gov. David Ige plans to announce relaxed restrictions later this week, a spokesperson for the governor told KITV-4 Tuesday. KITV4.

Hope for eager UH football fans: Ige says he’s looking to ease some COVID rules soon. In a one-on-one interview with Hawaii News Now on Tuesday, Gov. David Ige said he’s planning a slow return for UH spectators. He said he hopes to make an announcement with the four county mayors about easing rules by Friday. Hawaii News Now.

Pandemic Hardships Have Made Hawaii’s Nursing Shortage Even Worse. As nurses left the profession, bottlenecks in education made it hard to replace them. Civil Beat.

With enough vaccine supply, DOH offers Pfizer booster shots to any adult who is eligible. Officials said those who had their second Pfizer shot at least six months ago and who feels they are at risk because of certain health conditions or their job, are eligible for a third dose. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii sees 91 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 80,414. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 53 new cases on Oahu, 12 on Maui, 15 on Hawaii Island, seven on Kauai and four Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu may soon have a new city auditor. The Honolulu City Council is expected to take up the nomination Wednesday of Arushi Kumar to head the office that conducts financial and performance evaluations of city departments, programs, activities and services. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oʻahu home prices continue hot streak, but there are signs of stabilization. The median price for a single-family home on Oʻahu rose to $1,050,000 in September. The median price for a condominium also rose last month to $480,000. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2.

Old housing in Moiliili cleared for affordable midrise. The blessing by Kahu Kordell Kekoa was part of a ceremonial groundbreaking for a 105-unit midrise apartment building on a site previously occupied by 26 residences in several low-rise apartments and one single-family home dating as far back as 1928. Star-Advertiser.

HART Effort To Hire Welders To Fix Rail Tracks Falls Flat. A recent effort by Honolulu rail officials to hire licensed welders who might help fix one of the transit system’s most basic problems, in which the train wheels don’t align properly with the track crossings, has come up empty. Civil Beat.

New UH COVID-19 prediction models show infection rates trending down. In the latest report, scientists believe the Safe Access Oahu program that requires people to show their COVID-19 vaccination card or negative test result at most indoor spaces helped bring down case counts. KITV4.

Honolulu medical examiner's office using refrigerated containers for COVID-19 deaths. The medical examiner's office is also in the middle of a $5 million renovation to double its capacity, but construction is going to be another year and a half. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs on Friday announced the purchase of two commercial properties adjacent to its headquarters in Iwilei for $47 million. OHA intends to use the properties as a revenue generator and plans to keep Ross, Longs and PetSmart. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Ambitious audit plan set: Change orders, inventory, Fire Department, property taxes top list. An audit of contract change orders, property tax revenues, countywide inventory controls and performance of the Fire Department are among 13 projects slated this year by the county’s new auditor. West Hawaii Today.

Trailers could be allowed again at 5 transfer stations. At a Tuesday meeting of the County Council’s Regenerative Agriculture, Water, Energy and Environmental Management Committee, Ramzi Mansour, director of the Hawaii County Department of Environmental Management, said that five of the county’s 22 transfer stations could possibly be modified to once again allow people to use towable trailers to deposit waste. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Las Vegas Police Captain Selected As Final Candidate For Maui Police Chief. John Pelletier still needs to make it through pre-employment investigations before being appointed as the police chief. Civil Beat.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Charter Commission Votes for Greater Public Access and Transparency. The Maui Charter Commission last Thursday voted to advance several Charter amendment proposals that, if approved by voters in November 2022, aims to bring greater integrity and transparency to County government operations.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Council mulls using eminent domain for affordable housing. The Kaua‘i County Council will vote today on whether the county will use eminent domain to acquire a 23.5-acre parcel of land in Kilauea. Garden Island.

KFCC installs new slate of officers. Nancy Apalla of the Kaua‘i Filipino Community Council said the group that oversees the many Filipino groups on Kaua‘i cannot get stopped because of the COVID-19 virus. Garden Island.