Hawaii rolls out shots for tots, free menstrual products at public schools, Voss appointed to head Board of Education, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

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COVID-19 vaccines for Hawaii keiki under 5 roll out this week. The Department of Health  is expecting a delivery of 27,500 doses of the keiki vaccines — both Pfizer and Moderna — in the coming week, which will be distributed to hospitals, pediatricians’ offices and clinics on all islands. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Expert says large amounts of COVID community spread likely until mid-July. A health expert has warned that the state is underestimating the impacts of an ongoing spike in COVID-19 cases. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Public schools to provide free feminine products. When Hawaii’s next public school year begins for students Aug. 1, a new law will require administrators to provide free menstrual products on campuses statewide. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Attorney, former news reporter Bruce Voss appointed head of Board of Education. Starting July 1, Voss will lead the nine-member board that sets statewide educational policy for Hawaii’s public school system, the 10th largest school system in the nation, and appoints the state schools superintendent, state librarian and members of the state Public Charter School Commission. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.

State early learning office's new director enters role during critical time. The office entered a new era on Monday. Earlier this year, the state's Early Learning Board named Yuuko Arikawa-Cross as the new executive director. Hawaii Public Radio.

Seaglider company conducts feasibility study. Regent and a subsidiary of Hawaiian Electric Industries called Pacific Current are working together to see what impact a seaglider would have on the economy, the environment and on the community. KHON2. KITV4.

State bankruptcies fall despite higher rates, inflation. Bankruptcies, which often represent the last resort for people unable to pay their bills, declined 33% in May to mark the 11th consecutive month that cases were fewer than 100, according to new data released by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Repairs before defueling Red Hill facility might cost $100 million. It could take more than two years and cost upward of $100 million in repairs before the Navy can begin safely draining its Red Hill fuel tanks, according to Hawaii U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele, who held a town hall meeting Monday night with U.S. Rep. Ed Case at Moanalua High School Performing Arts Center. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

For the first time, there are no girls incarcerated at Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility. For the first time, there are no girls incarcerated at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility — the product of a years-long effort to “divert” kids away from juvenile corrections and into community programs and toward mental health supports. Hawaii News Now.

Date set for HPD chief Logan’s swearing in. Honolulu’s chief of police Joe Logan will be sworn in on June 29 in a formal ceremony. KHON2.

Honolulu Police Chief Logan shares transparency goals, outlook. Even when Honolulu Police Department Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan wasn’t on the force, he says he felt a calling to go back to the department. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu officials revoke building permits for controversial Sierra Drive multi-dwelling project. Honolulu planning officials revoked the project’s three building permits on Thursday for violating the city’s “monster homes” laws. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

PONC purchases pledged: Council approves county purchase of Lyman’s and old growth ohia forest. The council, in separate 9-0 votes, approved resolutions authorizing the administration to purchase a .78-acre Alii Drive parcel containing a historic home, and a 220-acre old-growth ohia property in Waiohe, South Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Gov Releases Millions in CIP Funding for Big Island Projects. Projects varied from a public charter school in Laupāhoehoe to the Federal Inspection Services Building at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole. Big Island Now.

Land board to revisit Naniloa refinancing request. An embattled owner of the Grand Naniloa Hotel is asking for a second chance after the Board of Land and Natural Resources denied him a request to refinance the mortgage for the building. Tribune-Herald.

Waikoloa Village residents try out fire evacuation road. Over 100 vehicles drove the route, a combination of paved and dirt road, from Hulu Street down to Queen Kaahumanu Highway. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Hawaii’s Extreme Drought Is Forcing Ranchers And Farmers To Get Creative. Planting crops that adapt, cutting back on workers, even harvesting fog are ideas being put into action on Maui and Molokai. Civil Beat.

Kukuiula Bridge in East Maui reopened today, county says. Because work was done in-house by the DPW Highways Division, the bridge repairs took approximately 19 days, including consultations with the bridge consultant and construction work. Maui Now.

MEO holds focus groups to find Maui County’s top community needs. Government, private and nonprofit Maui County leaders and clients and staff of Maui Economic Opportunity offered their views on top community problems and ways to address them in focus groups organized last week as part of MEO’s effort to formulate a Community Needs Assessment. Maui Now.

Kauai

Judicial nominee fends off criminal complaint. The state Senate Judiciary Committee recommended confirming Gregory Meyers as a state district judge for Family Court on Kauai after an unusual public hearing Thursday at which a criminal complaint filed recently against Meyers drew major attention. Star-Advertiser.

COVID vaccines for children younger than 5 starts Saturday on Kauaʻi. Kaua‘i Medical Clinic-Pediatrics Clinic will be one of the Hawai‘i Pacific Health sites offering the Pfizer’s three-dose COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months through 4 years old. Garden Island.

Cryptocurrency remains unregulated in Hawaii, Kaneshiro arrested in corruption probe, LoPresti nabbed for DUI, energy lobbyist wined and dined top lawmakers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

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State needs more time to regulate cryptocurrency merchants in Hawaii. Buying and selling often unstable cryptocurrencies through companies legally in Hawaii will be limited for another two years, after state lawmakers failed to pass legislation aimed at licensing and regulating industry operators. Star-Advertiser.

A Year Of Embarrassing Scandal May Help Hawaii Finally Reform Campaign Finance. Any changes would have to be approved by lawmakers, but Democrats running for governor say they are serious about the issue. Civil Beat.

Kai Kahele’s run for Hawaii governor highlights financing from state. Public financing for Hawaii political campaigns again has become an issue this year with U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele announcing that he is now eligible for state campaign funds for his gubernatorial run by raising $100,000 through individual donations of $100 or less. Star-Advertiser.

Sharon Har faces complex House reelection bid. State Rep. Sharon Har could face voter backlash in the fallout from her 2021 drunken driving arrest and subsequent acquittal, or she might claim victory in the Aug. 13 Democratic primary to represent House District 42 if two strong challengers split the opposition vote against her. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Lawmaker Matt LoPresti Arrested On Suspicion Of Intoxicated Driving. LoPresti was arrested Thursday, a little more than a year after Rep. Sharon Har was also arrested for drunken driving. Civil Beat.

All-electric seaglider targeting Hawaii takeoff. REGENT and Pacific Current, a subsidiary of Hawaiian Electric Industries, announced today that they are developing a seaglider transportation network in Hawaii, with Mokulele Airlines earmarked to be their first partner for an anticipated launch in 2025. Star-Advertiser.

Pair of bills will help improve keiki hearing, vision screening statewide. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health joined child health advocates as Gov. David Y. Ige signed HB 986 and HB 987, two bills to expand and improve keiki hearing and vision screening. Maui Now.

COVID-19 pandemic takes a toll on Hawaii’s population. To shed light on the pandemic’s adverse impacts across multiple dimensions beyond the direct effects of COVID-19 itself, the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization is debuting its first quarterly public health report. Star-Advertiser.

UH study: 23% of Hawai’i nurses are considering leaving workforce due to pandemic. The public impact research was conducted in late 2020 and published in the May issue of the The Hawaiʻi Journal of Health & Social Welfare. The survey was taken nearly one year after the pandemic first took its toll on healthcare providers in Hawaiʻi and around the world. Maui Now.

Oahu

Keith Kaneshiro Charges Detail Abuse Of Power, Bribery And Conspiracy. Honolulu’s former prosecuting attorney, a prominent businessman and other defendants pleaded not guilty Friday afternoon. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Pearl Harbor-Hickam gets $15 million for water projects. The money comes from an annual Department of Defense competitive funding program on the heels of the Red Hill water contamination crisis. Star-Advertiser.

Is Honolulu’s Chinatown On The Brink Of A Turnaround? Residents say new city programs and the dispersal of River of Life’s meal distributions are bringing peace and safety back to a historic neighborhood. Civil Beat.

Waikiki surf racks destroyed by flames last year to be removed. More than 500 boards went up in flames last October in a fire that caught the attention of many across Oahu’s south shore. It also damaged the side of the Moana Surfrider Hotel. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Group claiming ancestral heritage stands its ground. A group called Occupied Forces Hawaii Army remained encamped on private property above Hawaii Country Club in Kunia last week, with some members claiming ancestral heritage to the land. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu businesses shifting some office plans to match a hybrid workforce. Several major downtown Honolulu employers had just consolidated their headquarters when COVID-19 policies sent everyone to work from home. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Chief Ferreira to Retire From Hawai‘i Police Department. According to a letter from Police Chief Paul Ferreira to employees of the police department, which was provided to Big Island Now, the chief intends to retire this fall. Big Island Now.

Hu Honua Lobbyist Hosted Fundraiser For Senators Who Were Key To Energy Bill. The event benefited Hawaii Sens. Donovan Dela Cruz, Glenn Wakai, Michelle Kidani and Bennette Misalucha, who all voted in favor of the controversial bill. Civil Beat.

Roth’s first veto: Mayor rejects housing measure. Mayor Mitch Roth has exercised the first veto of his term by rejecting a bill its sponsors say expands the number of eligible programs that could be implemented with county housing funds. West Hawaii Today.

Nondomestic TRO requests up 67% since 2015, while domestic abuse orders down 25%. Between 2015 and 2021, there has been a 67% increase in requests for temporary restraining orders in nondomestic situations on Hawaii Island. Tribune-Herald.

‘They leave here more prepared’: U.S. Army holds artillery, aerial training at PTA. Roughly 2,000 troops from the 25th Infantry Division came to Pohakuloa Training Area earlier this month to train with drones, snipers, mortars, helicopters and other live-fire artillery. Tribune-Herald.

Expanding capacity: Bids sought for new classroom building for Kealakehe Elementary School. The Department of Education is looking for a contractor to construct the budgeted $13 million project, allowing for growth at the 53-year-old school in Kailua-Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Bill aims to help severely disabled veterans with property taxes. A Maui County Council member is proposing a bill that would amend the Maui County Code to help severely disabled veterans obtain a lower tax bill for their homes. Maui News.

Audit Turns Up Problems at Maui County Zoning Division. Employees lack confidence in planning director Michele McLean whom they see as “heavily politicized and unconcerned with staff welfare or input.” Civil Beat.

Concerns loom over outdoor lighting bill in Maui County. Maui County attorneys are concerned over the county’s ability to comply and enforce a proposed measure that aims to address light pollution and mitigate threats to native Hawaiian seabirds. Maui News.

Iwi kūpuna found at West Maui surf spot Puamana may find rest soon. What started as five bones turned into more than five boxes of bones found over the last several years at surf spot Puamana Beach Park in West Maui, according to Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner Keeaumoku Kapu. Maui Now.

Kauai

‘New normal’ drives up car-rental costs. The price of rental cars on island has fallen from last summer’s peak but remains higher than pre-pandemic levels, as rental-car companies deal with a shortage of vehicles, supply-chain issues and labor costs. Garden Island.

Kauai Fire Department celebrates eight promotions. The KFD has 43 firefighters, 52 lifeguards, eight fire stations and 11 lifeguard towers. It covers more than 622 square miles for 71,000 residents and 29,000 visitors each day. Garden Island.

Seized Russian yacht docks in Honolulu, Ige signs LGBTQ bills, Maui mayor approves record $1.1B budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Russian yacht, seized in Fiji by U.S., docks at Honolulu Harbor. A superyacht seized last week in Fiji by U.S. federal agents — as part of an effort by Western governments to confiscate Russian assets and punish oligarchs for their country’s invasion of Ukraine — arrived Thursday morning in Honolulu Harbor. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Gov. David Ige signs LGBTQ rights bills into law. The bills address a range of issues — from insurance coverage for gender affirming treatments to jury participation for the LGBTQ community. One formally establishes the Hawaii LGBTQ+ Commission. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii jobless rate ticks up to 4.2% as labor force grows. The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reported Thursday that Hawaii’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.2% in May, up from 4.1% in April. Star-Advertiser.

Anticipated Revenue Windfall Raises The Stakes In OHA Elections. Six seats on OHA’s board of trustees, which oversees more than $600 million in trust funds, are up for grabs. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s red-flag law took effect in 2020. Hawaii’s red-flag or “extreme risk” law took effect on Jan. 1, 2020. But since then, there’s only been one request for a gun violence protective order. Advocates say the problem is not many people know what it is ― and how it works. Hawaii News Now.

Public Forum On Hawaiʻi Broadband Access Set. The University of Hawaiʻi is inviting the public to an online forum on June 23 to discuss creating more broadband access opportunities. Big Island Video News.

Despite Hawaiʻi's clean energy strides, oil keeps its grip on the islands. While Hawaiʻi has made strides to transition its electrical grid to renewable energy, the economy still overwhelmingly relies on fossil fuels. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hokule‘a and Hikianalia return from Tahiti. The voyaging canoes Hokule‘a and Hikianalia docked at Sand Island at 6:45 p.m. Thursday upon their return from their 2,500-mile voyage from Tahiti. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Oahu

Honolulu police investigate 2 SHOPO leaders after internal union fight raises extortion allegations. The top two officials of the police officers union have been placed on restrictive duty after Honolulu police opened a misdemeanor extortion case in connection with allegations outlined in a civil suit filed by an ousted union official who says he was falsely accused of double-dipping travel funds and blackmailed with the threat of a theft complaint. Star-Advertiser.

Son of new Honolulu police chief charged in bicycle thefts. The 36-year-old son of newly sworn-in Honolulu Police Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan has been charged with second-degree burglary related to the alleged theft of two bicycles in 2021. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Mixed reactions over hotel proposed for Honolulu's Chinatown. If approved, the 4-star, 240-room hotel outfitted with a rooftop restaurant and pool -- would be located in Chinatown. Ikenakea Development touts its $127 million project as a vision for revitalizing a deteriorating district, and an opportunity to provide 100 full-time local jobs. KITV4.

University of Hawaii is awarded $25 million to create hybrid reef. The University of Hawaii will be awarded up to $25 million by the Department of Defense to design and build a hybrid coral reef that aims to protect the coastline from the growing impacts of flooding, erosion and storms. The part-man-made, part-natural reef structure will be installed at a yet-to-be-determined site on the coast of Oahu in a project funded by the DOD’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Star-Advertiser.

Broken waterline at Dillingham Airfield is leaking millions of gallons ― every single month. As the state grapples with an ongoing water crisis, a broken waterline at Dillingham Airfield is leaking millions of gallons every month. State leaders say problems with the system date back nearly two decades. Hawaii News Now.

Closure of Wahiawa nursing facility leaves worrisome long-term care gap. The looming shutdown of the only skilled nursing facility in Wahiawa has advocates raising more alarms about Hawaii’s long-term care crisis. Hawaii News Now.

58th Annual Hawaii State Farm Fair coming to Kaneohe in July. The 58th Hawaii State Farm Fair will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 9-10, at the Kualoa Ranch in Kaneohe. The Fair is sponsored by the Hawaii Farm Bureau, in partnership with the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture and Hawaii State 4-H Livestock Council. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

CDC categorizes Hawaii County as a high-level community for COVID-19 risks. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today moved Hawaii County from a yellow, medium-level community to an orange, high-level community for COVID-19 impacts. Hawaii County now joins Kauai, Honolulu, and Maui counties, which are also categorized as orange, high-risk COVID communities. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Increased homeowner exemption clears committee. A bigger break in taxes for homeowners and kupuna is all but assured next year, following a unanimous committee vote Tuesday on a bill and assurances from the administration that it supports the measure. West Hawaii Today.

Portuguese center one step closer to fruition. Today marks an important milestone for the organizers of the Hawaii Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce Cultural and Educational Center — they will be inking signatures on a construction contract for the long-envisioned facility at the corner of Komohana and Ponahawai streets in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor signs record high $1.07 billion budget, saying it will rebuild Maui County. Saying that the county will go from surviving — to rebuilding and revitalizing — Mayor Michael Victorino today signed into law the record-high $1.07 billion budget for the new fiscal year.  Maui Now.

Proposal paves way for more public parking at coveted South Maui beach. After years of sparring over beach parking at popular Keawakapu in South Maui, a new bill is paving the way for additional public parking on nearby state land. Maui Now.

South Maui Residents Want A Community Plan With Sharper Teeth. An update to South Maui’s community plan has been a long time coming. Residents charting the region’s future complain that past plans have been too flimsy. Civil Beat.

Newly renovated community center, DMVL in Pukalani opens with blessing. Work on the Hannibal Tavares Community Center included replacement of deteriorated wood, structural repairs, asphalt shingle roofing and gutter replacement, and repainting of the center’s interior and exterior. Maui Now.

Kauai

Judicial Nominee Faces Accusations Of Witness Tampering. But defense lawyers say attorney Gregory Meyers followed standard procedure when he delivered a witness statement to Kauai County prosecutors and described the complaint as “frivolous.” Civil Beat.

Panel to talk about Coco Palms. The discussion will include the location’s ancient context, Coco Palms’ history, and current plans for the property. Garden Island.

Happy Hawaii, panel mulls legislative term limits, state tops national ranking for COVID response, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii hula dancer ©2022 All Hawaii News

Hawaii May Not Be The Richest State, But It Is One Of The Happiest. The bad news: Hawaii has a large percentage of people living close to the edge. The good news: they tend to be happier here than their peers elsewhere. Civil Beat.

Panel discusses proposals for legislative term limits. A panel created by the state House of Representatives to recommend reforms after two former lawmakers admitted taking bribes discussed proposals to establish term limits for legislators at a meeting Wednesday. Associated Press. KHON2.

Political Newcomer Sergio Alcubilla Is Seeking To Oust US Rep. Ed Case. Alcubilla admits his candidacy is a long shot, but he’s hoping his stance on social spending will propel him in the Democratic primary. Civil Beat.

Duke Aiona announces gubernatorial run. James “Duke” Aiona, a former Circuit Court judge who served as lieutenant governor, announced Wednesday his latest run to become governor as a Republican. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii's main staple -- rice -- could eat up more of the family budget. The cost of rice is now at a 12-month high, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. That means the price of a 25 pound bag of rice here has jumped $2 over the past six months -- putting a big dent into the wallets of many local families. KITV4.

Marine ecologist warns deep-sea mining will hurt fishing. A marine ecology researcher told a panel sponsored by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council on Wednesday that deep-sea mining will have a negative impact on Pacific fisheries. Douglas McCauley, a professor at the University of California at Santa Barbara, said seabed mining claims have been staked by nations and private contractors in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii tops national ranking for COVID-19 response. Hawaii has ranked first in the nation for its management of the COVID-19 pandemic, faring much better than other states on metrics such as pandemic-related deaths, vaccination rates and strains on hospital resources, according to an assessment by the Commonwealth Fund, which focuses on improving the quality and efficiency of the country’s health care system and improving access to care. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Department of Health reports 7,199 new infections, 9 coronavirus-related deaths. The state’s average positivity rate, meanwhile, decreased to 18.9% from 19.2% reported last week. It is the first decrease in the positivity rate reported after two-and-a-half months of consecutive increases. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Another $1.1 billion sought to address Red Hill. The tab for the Navy’s Red Hill calamity could double to $2.2 billion, which includes estimated costs for repairing the fuel facility so that it can be safely drained, remediating the environment and reimbursing service members and their family members who were displaced last year when jet fuel contaminated their drinking water, among other costs. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii consumers are seeing higher costs, but there is some hope for relief as Honolulu sees a dip in inflation. Oahu’s rolling 12-month inflation rate ticked down in May to 7.0% from the prior 12-month measurement of 7.5% in March, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Star-Advertiser.

In effort to save lives, Honolulu firefighters to add opioid overdose reversal drug to their trucks. Honolulu firefighters will soon be joining the list of first responders who can administer Narcan, a a medicine that can instantly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Hawaii News Now.

2 LGBTQ businesses add new claims to their legal challenge against Liquor Commission. Two businesses that filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the Honolulu Liquor Commission have added new claims to their legal challenge. Hawaii News Now.

Communities post ‘Free Stores’ around Oahu. Pick up or drop off free plants, books and canned goods at a ‘free store’ in a local neighborhood. The community is helping each other by setting up these free stores in 16 neighborhoods around the island. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Final death knell for tax relief this year. The public said it wanted it, the administration said the county could afford it, but there will be no property tax relief this year, after the County Council on Wednesday couldn’t agree on either of two competing proposals. West Hawaii Today.

Bill to ban most sunscreens passes. All but two kinds of sunscreen will be banned on the Big Island under a bill passed Wednesday by the County Council. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Council passes resolution supporting gun control. The Hawaii County administration on Wednesday collectively urged U.S. lawmakers to pass gun safety measures. Tribune-Herald.

UH Hilo receiving nearly $6M for college prep program. The U.S. Department of Education has awarded four grants to the University of Hawaiʻi at Hiloʻs Upward Bound program over the next five years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui residents may get to vote on creating an East Maui Community Water Authority. The Maui County Council is considering whether a question should be added to the ballot this November for voters to decide on creating a local water authority in East Maui. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui police chief addresses union survey showing low morale. Chief John Pelletier pointed out that his team is working to address many of the issues outlined by the SHOPO survey. He quoted the Harvard Business Review’s assessment that organizational change takes five to seven years to properly complete. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Maui News. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Wedding business seeks approvals to use Makena property. A longtime Maui wedding business that operated at a Makena property for 25 years without permits secured one of several required approvals Tuesday to legally hold events and weddings at the private property. Maui News.

Kauai

Lawmakers mull charter amendment on affordable housing. Resolution No. 2022-22 introduced at council Wednesday proposes an amendment to the county charter that would allocate at least 2% of property-tax revenues each year to a housing-development fund, a step that proponents hope can put a dent in the ongoing affordable-housing crisis. Garden Island.

Corals left ‘baking in the sun’ at ‘Anini Beach. Hanalei Marine Biologist Terry Lilley said Wednesday that king tides were having a negative effect at ‘Anini Beach Park. Garden Island.

Safety concerns amid staff shortages at Hawaii jails, Honolulu police chief sworn in privately, new commander at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii corrections officer ©2022 All Hawaii News

Severe staffing shortages pose ‘dangerous’ conditions at state correctional facilities. The Department of Public Safety said they have made no secret over the years of the fact that the correctional facilities are dealing with continuous staffing shortages. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii voter registration reaches record levels. There seems to be a lot of interest in the upcoming elections, not just by those running for office but also by hundreds of thousands of Hawaii residents. KITV4.

Questions cast pall over lucrative Hawaii tourism contract. The lucrative contract to market Hawaii’s visitor industry in the United States remains shrouded in uncertainty as the Hawaii Tourism Authority sorts out whether its controversial procurement process will end in a historic change. Star-Advertiser.

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam gets new commander. The commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam stepped down Tuesday in a routine change-of-command ceremony aboard the USS Missouri Memorial. Capt. Mark Sohaney took the reins from Capt. Erik Spitzer, who assumed command of the base in July 2020. Star-Advertiser.

This Group Is Trying To Make Sense Of Hawaii’s Regulatory Landscape. The Hawaii Zoning Atlas aims to decode complicated zoning jargon for the public to use. Civil Beat.

UH scientist studies impacts of debris during tsunamis. A University of Hawaii scientist is exploring how debris piling up against buildings during tsunamis increases the force and damage of the waves, in hopes that the study will lead to the construction of buildings that are more resilient to tsunamis and debris. Maui News.

Hawaii health officials report 2 more ‘probable’ monkeypox cases; all 5 Oahu patients connected. Two more probable cases of monkeypox have been identified on Oahu, according to Hawaii health officials, who now say that all of the state’s five cases in the current outbreak are connected to each other. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Oahu

New Honolulu Police Department Chief Arthur ‘Joe’ Logan is sworn in privately. Honolulu’s 12th police chief took office Tuesday in an unannounced, private ceremony that surprised some city officials and prompted the police officers union to urge leadership to “commit to a culture of transparency.” Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

In suit, citizens group seeks to speed up timeline for emptying Red Hill tanks. A citizens group is suing the Navy for violations of the federal Clean Water Act, saying they want the emptying of the Red Hill fuel tanks to happen more quickly. Hawaii News Now.

City to stop accepting applications for rent and utility relief on June 30. The city’s Rental and Utility Relief Program began in April 2021 and aimed to distribute more than $225 million in pandemic-­related federal funding. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

City Council considers plan to mitigate Lanikai traffic. The Honolulu City Council is considering a resolution to urge the Department of Transportation Services to come up with a traffic mitigation plan for Lanikai. Star-Advertiser.

Kamehameha Schools is doubling preschool capacity in Heʻeia. After just three months, a rising demand for early childhood education on the windward side is prompting the school to expand — doubling its capacity for keiki on the windward side this fall. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Rodenhurst leaves county government. ‘The mayor and I decided to part ways,’ DPW director says. Public Works Director Ikaika Rodenhurst on Monday became the first top director in Mayor Mitch Roth’s Cabinet to leave county government. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News.

County defends road closure: Judge questions mayor’s ‘declaration of imminent danger’. A county attorney told a judge Tuesday that “it’s not the court’s place and it’s not the plaintiffs’ place” to decide whether Mayor Mitch Roth exercised his emergency powers in a lawful manner when he closed Waipi‘o Valley Road to all but residents, tenant farmers and emergency responders. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The State Just Took A Huge Step Toward More Oversight Of West Maui’s Water. In the future, the public will get to weigh in whenever the state decides how much water can be used in the newly designated area. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Public input sought for Maui County ʻroadmapʻ report on economic development. Public input is sought about which industry sectors should be prioritized to create economic resilience and prosperity for Maui County. Maui Now.

Waipuilani project moves forward despite concerns. Fast-track housing proposal now heads to full council. Weighing issues over flooding and location with the critical need for affordable housing, a Maui County Council committee ultimately decided to recommend a fast-track project in Kihei on Monday. Maui News.

Recent SHOPO survey reveals ‘sinking’ morale in MPD since new chief takes office. The Maui Police Department may be heading into a deeper staffing crisis. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Kauai

After 50 years, Kauai’s Russian Fort Elizabeth park gets a new name. Fifty years after Kauai’s Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park was created to mark Russia’s attempt to gain influence in Hawaii, the Waimea park formally has been given a new name. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Garden Island.

Fire Chief Goble leaving KFD. After a two-year run as Kaua‘i Fire Department Chief, Steven Goble is stepping down next week. Garden Island.

Commission OKs Koloa plant permits. After nearly a full day of testimony and debate, the Planning Commission voted Tuesday to approve several contentious permits for a new manufacturing facility in Koloa. The permits allow the Hawai‘i Planing Mill facility, which would construct wooden trusses and wall panels for housing in a large tent, to operate on land zoned agriculture. Garden Island.

How the Kauaʻi Police Department has reduced its staff vacancy, overtime. Police departments across the nation and the state have been struggling to keep up staffing, but the Kauaʻi Police Department has reduced its vacancy numbers and overtime costs over the last few years with several strategies. Hawaii Public Radio.

Most of Hawaii in CDC red zone for COVID, activists sue over Red Hill, tampons in short supply, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

PC: JC Gellidon on Unsplash

COVID-19 infections remain high in Hawaii. Gov. David Ige said Monday that while he’s aware that levels of COVID-19 infection in the state remain high, no new pandemic-related regulations are planned for Hawaii. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention once again lists three counties — Kauai, Honolulu and Maui —as high-level communities for COVID-19 impacts. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii labs profit from PCR tests, University of Hawaii study finds. A study published Thursday in a medical journal and conducted by a team of University of Hawaii economists and others analyzing Hawaii tax data concluded that independent laboratories in Hawaii were making a considerable profit for COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests. Star-Advertiser.

Just How Effective Can A Lt. Gov Be In Hawaii? Top candidates in the Democratic primary have plans to deal with housing, workforce, the economy and just making government more efficient. Civil Beat.

Stakeholders discuss balancing culture, sustainability, community in the tourism industry. The Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, or NaHHA, held its Ka Huina conference last week virtually. It brought stakeholders from community groups, state agencies, and the visitor industry to discuss the future of tourism in Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii women grapple with latest global supply chain hiccup: A shortage of tampons. Manufacturers say the shortage is temporary, but offered no timeline. This year, the Hawaii Legislature passed a bill to approve $2 million each year in period products to public and charter schools. The bill signing is Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Hawaii activists launch new lawsuit over Red Hill. A local community group has filed a new “citizen lawsuit” in federal court calling for the closure of the Navy’s underground Red Hill fuel storage facility, and for the Navy to pay for past environmental violations tied to its fueling operations. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Supreme Court Declines To Hear Kaneohe Soil Contamination Case. The High Court’s decision paves the way for service members and their families to bring their claims about toxic contamination to Hawaii state court. Civil Beat.

Honolulu exploring new ways to manage food waste. Honolulu may be changing the way it deals with food waste as the City Council this month passed a measure that requires providing a designated bin for food waste, to separate it from other curbside trash pickup, by 2024. Star-Advertiser.

As tensions rise, country club’s landowner seeks to evict paramilitary sovereignty group. An already bitter eviction dispute between a Kunia landowner and a Hawaiian sovereignty group is starting to heat up. Escorted by two Honolulu police officers, representatives for Guyland — which owns the Hawaii Country Club golf course and nearby agricultural lands — served eviction papers on members of the Occupied Forces Hawaii Army on Monday after a judge last week ordered them off the land. Hawaii News Now.

Waikiki man bought gun, pepper spray after troubling run-ins with incoming HPD chief’s son. Surveillance video from a Waikiki condo captured in December 2020 shows a man climbing the rail and hopping onto the lanai from the parking lot. The condo’s owner, Lawrence Boyd, said the man illegally entering his unit is 36-year old Zane Logan — the adult son of the incoming Honolulu police chief. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Bolton case back before Leeward Planning Commission: Thursday hearing to determine condo owners’ standing. A 2016 permit controversy over a North Kona rock-crushing operation is coming back to the Leeward Planning Commission on Thursday, remanded there by the Hawaii Supreme Court in a December ruling. West Hawaii Today.

DWS: 2 Wells Out Now Same Ones in 2017. The Department of Water Supply stated Monday, June 13 that two of the four inoperable wells necessitating a 25% water restriction in North Kona are the same wells that failed in 2017, which prompted a water restriction in Kona that last over a year. Big Island Now.

Three arrested, charged with ag theft. A joint agriculture theft investigation involving the Hawaii Police Department and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources enforcement officers resulted in the recovery of 157 pounds of stolen lychee worth $1,256, according to court documents filed by police. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Maui Now.

Maui

100% affordable project Hale Waipuʻilani in Kīhei advances. Saying the decision is between affordable housing or speculator homes, Maui County Council in committee today voted to recommend approval for a hotly-debated 28-unit affordable housing project slated for Kīhei.  Maui Now.

Applications available for South Maui Community Plan Advisory Committee. Applications are available and are now being accepted for South Maui residents interested in serving on the South Maui Community Plan Advisory Committee. Maui Now.

Kauai

Conservationists Threaten Lawsuit Over Endangered Species Risk At Luxury Condo. The site of a planned luxury condo development may also contain critical habitat for a pair of endangered species: the Kauai cave wolf spider and the Kauai cave amphipod. Garden Island.

New scanners coming to Lihu‘e Airport. The computed tomography (CT) scanners — long, futuristic-looking tubes, lined with bright blue lights — use sophisticated algorithms to create 3-D images of individual items in a carry-on bag. Garden Island.

LGBTQ measures advance, private school tuition climbs, House Speaker Saiki faces primary challenge, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gay Pride parade in Hawaii pre-CVID ©2022 All Hawaii News

Lawmakers say 2022 legislative session was a success for LGBTQ community. Lawmakers say they want the community to know this past legislative session was a success for the LGBTQ community. They say three PRO LGBTQ bills passed out of the Capitol. KITV4.

Hawaii Moves To Improve Transgender Health Insurance Coverage. House Bill 2405, which is awaiting the governor’s signature, would prevent insurers from denying gender-affirming treatments due to “cosmetic” exclusions. Civil Beat.

Tuition at Hawaii private schools continues to climb. According to survey data from the nonprofit Hawai‘i Association for Independent Schools, the average annual tuition figures from 92 member private schools for this fall is $12,997 — 3.9% higher than last year and 28% percent higher than the $10,159 average in 2019-2020, the last full school year before the pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Gun Enthusiasts Keep Winning In Court. That Could Soon Weaken Hawaii’s Strict Gun Laws. When it comes to gun violence, Hawaii is one of the safest places in the U.S. The state has among the lowest number of registered guns and gun deaths per capita, and some of the nation’s toughest gun laws. Civil Beat.

Release of altered mosquitoes is questioned. A multiagency plan to release tens of millions of imported mosquitoes into the wild to help save Hawaii’s endangered forest birds is generating fears of unintended consequences. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Tourism Authority’s contract reversal leaves longtime marketer HVCB’s future in limbo. The reversal of fortune that has left the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau with a fraction of the tens of millions of dollars in state contracts it enjoyed will become clearer Tuesday after a formal debriefing on the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s decision to award its top U.S. contract to a Native Hawaiian nonprofit. Star-Advertiser.

Rear admiral assumes command of U.S. Coast Guard 14th District. Rear Adm. Michael Day, who presided over a historic maritime mass evacuation during Sept. 11, 2001, assumed command of the U.S. Coast Guard 14th District on Friday following a change-of-command ceremony at Coast Guard Base Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Efforts to improve marine conservation receive state funding. State funding is being provided to two ocean-based efforts in Hawaii — one to help conservation in the Pupukea area on Oahu and another to promote fishing statewide. Star-Advertiser.

New law aims to reel in fishing violations. House Bill 1653, which was signed into law by Gov. David Ige on Wednesday and takes effect July 1, would create a flexible, tiered system of fines based on the type of specimen caught illegally and whether it’s first-time or repeat offense. Maui News.

New group wants corporate money out of Hawaii politics. A local political action committee is hoping a pledge to stop Hawaii’s politicians from accepting large campaign donations from lobbyists and corporations will help solve some of those problems and allow kamaaina to live more comfortably. KHON2.

Oahu

August primary to feature rematch between Hawaii House Speaker Scott Saiki, Kim Coco Iwamoto. At stake is whether Kaka­ako and Ala Moana voters will return Saiki to the House after 28 years or whether the House will get a new speaker and new leadership team in 2023. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu short-term rental owners sue city over law raising minimum stay to 90 days. The lawsuit alleges the new city ordinance, which goes into effect Oct. 23, is unconstitutional because it interferes with owners’ vested rights to own and rent property and violates state zoning law. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu police might limit amount of overtime officers can work, in response to audit. Honolulu police are considering capping the amount of overtime hours officers may work and bringing back a three-days-a-week, 12-hours-a-day work schedule in response to a city audit that detailed HPD’s “ineffective” management of time-and-a-half policies from 2016 to 2020. Star-Advertiser.

Staffing Shortages At The Oahu Jail Are Raising Alarms About Safety And OT Costs. Officers at Oahu Community Correctional Center say they are exhausted from working extra shifts with more frequent lockdowns. Civil Beat.

Oahu Lifeguards Say They Need Help. But City Officials Are Stonewalling. A resolution that would let voters help chart the future course for the city Ocean Safety division has stalled in City Council chambers. Civil Beat.

Honolulu among 3 major U.S. tourist destinations to become coronavirus hot spots. The three sizable urban centers in the United States where the coronavirus is spreading fastest right now have something in common: They are major warm-weather tourist destinations. New York Times.

Iwi kupuna returned to Oahu from New Zealand museum. The remains of three Native Hawaiians, illegally taken from Oahu in 1860, found their way to New Zealand, where they were housed in the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch for more than 150 years. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County Council fields set. Villegas wins reelection to Kona council seat. The primary election is still months away, but incumbent Kona Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas has already won reelection. West Hawaii Today.

State legislative races set: Incumbents win four seats without challengers. Sen. Dru Kanuha, a Democrat representing Kona’s District 3; Rep. Mark Nakashima, a Democrat representing Hamakua’s District 1, Richard Onishi, a Democrat representing Hilo’s District 2 and Nicole Lowen, a Democrat representing Kona’s District 7, will appear on their respective ballots without competition. West Hawaii Today.

Homeowner, kupuna exemptions to be considered Tuesday. Bill 182, to be taken up by the County Council Finance Committee at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, doesn’t change tax rates but would increase the value of property that would be taxed. The bill also adds two new categories for kupuna exemptions — 65 years and 75 years — while increasing the amounts exempted. West Hawaii Today.

More questions than answers regarding Naniloa hotel. The Board of Land and Natural Resources determined with some reluctance Thursday that granting a request to WHR LLC, the owner of the Naniloa, to take out a $62 million mortgage to cover its current $50 million mortgage with another lender would not be in the best interests of the state. Tribune-Herald.

Group claims Judges for Justice interfering with exoneration effort. The Hawaii Innocence Project has replied to a motion by a Seattle group seeking to unseal post-conviction DNA testing conducted on a key piece of evidence in the Dana Ireland murder, saying the leader of the group is interfering with HIP’s efforts to exonerate one of the men convicted in the case. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

County mulls creation of East Maui Water Authority. Board would oversee water lease agreements; charter amendment could be put on ballot. A County Council committee is considering a charter amendment proposed by Council Member Shane Sinenci that would let voters decide whether the county should establish an East Maui Community Water Authority and Community Board. Maui News.

Campaign begins to raise $2M for fire station in Olowalu. Property and station would be turned over to Maui County once it’s been constructed. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Destination Management Action Plan approved. The plan is aimed at rebuilding, redefining and reseting the direction of tourism over a three-year period. The focus is on stabilization, recovery, and rebuilding to the desired visitor industry for each island.  Maui Now.

Tropic Care Kaua‘i is open. A medical innovative readiness training mission presented by the U.S. Department of Defense, Tropic Care Kaua‘i will be providing mobile clinics at Kilauea School from June 13 through 15, and moving to the Waimea Easter Seals facility on June 17, 18 and 20, all with the same hours as the main clinics. Garden Island.

Election officials plan for in-person voting option, Pearl Harbor gates closed after explosives scare, monkeypox now community spread, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii polling place in 2014 ©2022 All Hawaii News

Plans are underway to prevent delays at Hawaii voting sites. State and county election officials are working to prevent a repeat of the November 2020 general election, which saw every in-person voting site overwhelmed despite Hawaii’s otherwise successful first attempt at mail-in ballots. Star-Advertiser.

NTSB: Pilots At Fault For Fatal Hawaii Air Tour Crashes, But So Is FAA. The National Transportation Safety Board analysts are raising concerns about small plane and helicopter pilots taking greater risks when they encounter bad weather. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i’s Home Insurance Premiums Are Lowest in Nation. Hawaiʻi has the lowest home insurance premiums in the United States, according to several national websites. But those rates have risen in recent years – and not because of skyrocketing home prices. Hawaii Business Magazine.

Third probable case of monkeypox identified in Hawaii. The state Department of Health has identified a third probable case of monkeypox in Hawaii, and because the patient has no travel history connected to the disease, officials said it is likely spreading locally. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now. KITV4.

Oahu

Security incident shuts Pearl Harbor gate for nearly 2 hours. A Pearl Harbor gate was closed for nearly two hours on Thursday after a military working dog smelled something suspicious during a routine inspection of a civilian contractor's vehicle. Associated Press.

‘Glamping’ business scrutinized for luxurious setup just yards from homeless Waimanalo families. The business, Glamping Hawaii, specializes in glamorous camping services. They’re now under investigation by the city for illegally operating in a county beach park — a violation of the newly enacted law banning commercial activities at beaches from Makapuu to Bellows. Hawaii News Now.

Pilot Program seeks to rehab houseless arrestees in Chinatown. The rehabilitation program is called SUDA-fast, which stands for Substance Use Disorder Assessment, fast. KITV4.

Grand jury to consider criminal charges against officers involved in near-fatal Makaha crash. An Oahu grand jury will consider criminal charges against several HPD officers who allegedly took part in an illegal chase in Makaha last September. The incident left a teenager paralyzed and a driver with serious brain injuries, said officials. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Land Board Approves Milolii Community-Based Subsistence Fishery. The new rules call for size and bag limits for specific fish species, seasonal and gear restrictions, and no commercial aquarium fishing. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Feds to investigate Big Island tour helicopter crash. A Bell 407 helicopter occupied by six people — five passengers and a pilot — crashed in a remote lava field between the Ranchos subdivision and South Point Road at about 5:29 p.m., the Hawaii County Fire Department said. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. West Hawaii Today.

Mainland News Outlets, Facebook Posts ID Some Victims of South Point Helicopter Crash. According to an article from The Chattanoongan in Chattanooga, Tenn., a Chattanooga auto dealer and two family members were among the six people aboard the Paradise Helicopters Bell 407 helicopter, operated by K&S Helicopters, when it crashed Wednesday. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Maui

Analysts: Even with an incumbent, there’s no clear frontrunner in Maui mayoral race. Current Mayor Michael Victorino is facing three high-profile challengers and four lesser-known candidates. Hawaii News Now.

Another Prisoner Dies By Suicide At The Maui Jail. Staff at Maui Community Correctional Center say it’s the fifth suicide at the jail in less than five years. Civil Beat.

Man cited for illegal structure and storing personal belongings at Maunalua Bay. State officials with the Department of Land and Natural Resources say the man had allegedly cited lineage to various Polynesian monarchies, and yelled at and argued with Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers claiming, because of his heritage, he was not subject to the laws or rules of the State. Maui Now.

Sen. DeCoite announces resources for Maui County residents facing axis deer issues.  In collaboration with State and County agencies, Senator Lynn DeCoite (District 7 – Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Kahoʻolawe) is working to provide the public with information and resources on who to contact regarding axis deer issues. Maui Now.

Kauai

Wailua River Bridge work to begin. The $55.7 million project will get underway in July and should wrap up by the end of 2024. Most funding, $44.6 million, will come from the federal government, while $11.2 million will come from the state. Garden Island.

Kauai Residents Unload About Overtourism At DOT Meeting. State transportation officials had a hard time winning over the north shore residents despite proposals for eight projects. Civil Beat.

PMRF holds Change of Command Ceremony. When U.S. Navy Capt. Brett Stevenson walked onto the stage at the Pacific Missile Range Facility aircraft hangar Thursday morning, he was in charge of a military school in Nevada. When he left the stage, he was PMRF’s commanding officer. Garden Island.