Hawaii set to test ranked-choice voting, Supreme Court explains redistricting decision, NTSB says deadly Kauai tour helicopter crash 100% preventable, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Ballot testing in Hawaii ©2022 All Hawaii News

Ranked-choice voting set to be used in some special elections. Hawaii is set to use ranked-choice voting for the first time after state law‑ makers passed a bill that would test the voting method in certain winner-take-all special elections. Star-Advertiser.

Supreme Court explains reapportionment decision: Majority and dissenters release long-awaited opinions. Hawaii Supreme Court justices have released their opinions on why they voted as they did in a divided ruling that dismissed a challenge to how the state Reapportionment Commission determined boundary lines for state legislative districts. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii police officers’ union endorses former Honolulu councilman in Lt. Gov. race. The state’s police union is putting its support behind Ikaika Anderson in the race for Lieutenant Governor. Hawaii News Now.

Stiffer penalties ahead: Bill doubling prison term for fatal DUI crashes awaits Ige’s signature. A measure increasing the penalty on a person convicted of first-degree negligent homicide while driving under the influence of an intoxicant is one step away from becoming law. West Hawaii Today.

A ‘poor tool’ for justice? Bail reform measure heads to Gov. Ige for consideration. A bill passed last week by state Legislature would eliminate the use of monetary bail and require defendants to be released on their own recognizance for certain nonviolent offenses. Tribune-Herald.

Lawmakers request audit of driver’s ed program: Goal is to reduce backlog of students awaiting instruction. House Concurrent Resolution 125 requests a performance audit of the Hawaii driver’s ed programs to examine administrative policies and procedures. Tribune-Herald.

US Rep. Ed Case says White House is open to Jones Act exemption amid fuel import monopoly. U.S. Rep. Ed Case says it’s time for the Biden Administration to support an exemption for Hawaiʻi when it comes to the federal 1920 Jones Act. That law requires any cargo, including fuel, transported between two U.S. ports to be carried on U.S.-built and U.S-flagged ships. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council picks projects for COVID-19 relief funds. Honolulu City Council members Tuesday added about $167 mil­­­lion in projects they want funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act to the proposed city budget, with a focus on housing and job development. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu to launch agricultural grant program for farmers. A new $3 million federally funded agricultural grant program for farmers, ranchers and other growers on Oahu is being developed by Honolulu’s city government to support local agriculture. Star-Advertiser.

HART says $330M park-and-ride facility may need to be relocated to cut costs. The CEO of the rail authority said they may have to relocate a massive park-and-ride structure in order to cut costs on the embattled project. The 1,600-stall garage slated for the industrial area by the Pearl Highland Shopping Center has been put on hold because it could cost $330 million. Hawaii News Now.

Spending over $100 per bird, city discusses more effective ways to combat feral chickens. Over the last two months, traps in 5 locations have caught 67 chickens. Hawaii News Now.

Crime On Oahu Is Bouncing Back To Pre-Pandemic Levels. The number of homicides and car thefts have spiked on Hawaii’s most populous island, according to HPD data. Civil Beat.

Waikīkī opens first all-rental property in decades. Līlia Waikīkī sits across from the International Market Place on Kūhiō Avenue. Monthly rents start at $2,300 for studios to $6,255 for three-bedroom units. Hawaii Public Radio.

Document shows sailor found dead last year at Pearl Harbor served aboard a deeply troubled submarine. More than a year after a submariner died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound while on guard duty at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, a Navy report on its investigation into the command climate aboard the USS Charlotte shines a light on the toxic work environment he and his crewmates endured in the months leading up to his death. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

NELHA to grow research village, add visitor center. NELHA has announced plans to build new innovation center, which will expand the research campus located in North Kona. Also planned is a visitors center where the community can host events, such as concerts, birthdays, etc., at the Hawaii Ocean Science Technology Park, also known as the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority. West Hawaii Today.

2022 Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament Cancelled. The event is called off due in part to uncertainty around travel logistics as well as rapidly rising costs. Big Island Video News.

Celebration of Life Lantern Floating Event Returns to Reeds Bay. The Celebration of Life Lantern Floating Event returns after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Now.

Maui

Lawsuit against Maui County remains despite council’s vote to allow Taser sales. Maui residents are the only ones in Hawaiʻi who can’t buy a Taser in their county, and the representative of a lawsuit against the county said the legal pressure won’t stop until that changes.  Maui Now.

State’s $192M housing, civic center project in Kahului advances. A $192 million Kahului plan to develop 300 affordable and market-rate units, along with a civic center for state office space, cleared a hurdle in the approval process. Maui Now.

Developer wants to turn proposed hotel site into apartment complex. Six-story Hotel Wailuku on pause, landowner supportive of new plans for site. Lokahi Global Corporation’s proposal envisions a four-story housing building and a four-story parking structure on a piece of property near the corner of Main and Market streets. Maui News. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Pacific Island Nations Want More Renewable Power. Climate Financing May Help. Maui-based Mana Pacific is helping to give Pacific nations greater access to renewable energy infrastructure through collective buying power and resource sharing. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauai helicopter crash that killed 7 was ‘100% preventable,’ report says. Federal investigators blamed a deadly 2019 helicopter crash on Kauai on the pilot’s decision to keep flying into worsening weather, and in a report today they accused regulators of lax oversight of air tours that are popular among tourists to the islands. Associated Press. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

The Kauai Landfill ‘Conundrum’ Could Quickly Become A ‘Public Health Hazard’. The island’s only landfill is filling up fast. But the places available to put a new landfill are severely limited. Civil Beat.

Hawaii remote work double the national average, press freedoms coming to student journalists, draft EIS published for first responder hub, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu/Waikiki ©2022 All Hawaii News

Hawaii remote workforce is double national average. Roughly 4 in 10 Hawaii private-sector employees were doing their jobs outside the traditional workplace in 2021, according to a state report assessing remote work amid the coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi lawmakers adopt eight bills to improve standards of conduct. The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives’ Commission to Improve the Standards of Conduct’s March 30, 2022 interim report identified 14 bills to improve the standards of conduct. Maui Now.

Legislature passes energy, environmental measures. The bills promote energy efficiency, economy-wide decarbonization, a continued push to accelerate the clean energy transition, and measures to reduce the energy burden borne by low- and moderate-income families. Garden Island.

$164 million for teachers in Hawaii should aid retention, union says. The union representing Hawaii’s 13,500 public school teachers is cheering the Legislature’s approval of a state budget that includes more than $164 million to fix salary shortfalls for thousands of educators and maintain pay differentials to those working in some hard-to-staff categories. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Student Journalists Are Poised To Gain Press Freedom Guarantees. A bill extending more First Amendment protections to student journalists and their advisers awaits Gov. David Ige’s signature. Civil Beat.

Police input could have made a difference in hotly-debated bail reform bill, experts say. Supporters said the proposal will end the jailing of impoverished, non-violent offenders but critics compare the bill to a “get out of jail free” card. Hawaii News Now.

New research highlights racial inequities faced by Micronesian students in Hawaiʻi schools. Between 2013 and 2018, only half of the Micronesian students who started high school wound up graduating. That's more than a third below the overall state graduation rate. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gubernatorial candidates 2022. The list for Hawaii's top political seat continues to grow ahead of the candidate filing deadline on June 7.  According to a report by the Office of Elections, as of May 6th, 25 candidates filed for the governor's race. KITV4.

Oahu

State reviews draft environmental impact statement for first responder hub. The proposed 240-acre facility would be built at the Mililani Tech Park and house 20 federal, state and city agencies, including the Honolulu fire and police departments. KITV4.

Finalists for Honolulu police chief to emerge this week. The city’s 12th police chief will be selected May 23 by Honolulu Police Commission members, who will learn the identities of the remaining candidates Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Shorter Honolulu rail plan approved by HART Board. The latest plan for the Honolulu rail project with a shorter route has been approved by its governing board. It now goes to the City Council for approval and then to federal officials. Hawaii Public Radio.

Investigations into Red Hill water crisis drag on. Six months later, multiple investigations into the contamination still haven’t been released, leaving many unanswered questions about how fuel ended up in the water system, whether more could have been done to prevent residents from being poisoned and whether the contamination may have begun months earlier. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Roth Attends IRONMAN World Championship in Utah. Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth traveled to Utah during the weekend to attend the 2021 IRONMAN World Championship, which was postponed from last October and moved from the Big Island because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Now.

Five Big Island schools on tap for water testing. The second and final phase of a study testing drinking water for lead throughout Hawaii’s public schools will take place this month. Tribune-Herald.

Kamehameha Schools Wants To Build A Culturally Sensitive Boutique Resort On The Big Island. Members of the public are concerned about increased traffic and tourist pressure on Keauhou Bay as well as the proposed removal of a popular beach volleyball court. Civil Beat.

CIP funds bolster hospital: HMC gets $6.6 million for improvements. More than $6 million in state funds is headed to Hilo Medical Center for a series of expansions and upgrades. Tribune-Herald.

Time for a break: Kahaluʻu Beach Park to close for coral spawning. Hawaii Island’s Kahalu‘u Beach Park will be closed next week to beach- and oceangoers alike for anticipated coral spawning events and to give the popular site a rest from “chronic daily use.”  West Hawaii Today.

Maui

This Is How The Government Decides What Housing Is ‘Affordable’. With Maui County planning to set aside millions of dollars to spur the construction of affordable homes on an island where a growing number of families are struggling to get by, some elected leaders and residents have questioned: Who will actually be able to afford this housing? Civil Beat.

Native Hawaiian plants are playing a key role in combatting erosion in West Maui. Heavy equipment pushed sand from one end of the beach to the other in front of Kahana Village in West Maui Monday morning. The work is to restore a dune that has been deteriorating because of erosion and putting the beach and surrounding buildings in jeopardy. Hawaii News Now.

Health Department investigating case of acute hepatitis in Maui child. DOH said the child, who is under age 10, was hospitalized for several days at the end of April with abdominal pain and fever but has since been released. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Kauai

Ahi Hub Kaua‘i to hold 1st meeting Wednesday. A project to increase the availability and market value of Kaua‘i-caught ahi is finally coming to fruition. Garden Island.

Hawai‘i Foodbank hands out over 6 tons Saturday. There were a lot of fresh faces Saturday during the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i food distribution to 300 families at the Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center. Garden Island.

Ige plans to leave politics at term end, Kahele joins gubernatorial race, Tokuda aims for Congress, high school proms become COVID clusters, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kai Kahele ©2022 All Hawaii News

Gov. David Ige ending time in office on high note. There are still seven months left in his second term, but Gov. David Ige is ending his final legislative session on a high note, with historic levels of funding in many cases and a potential $500 million in savings for the next “rainy day.” Star-Advertiser.

Ige begins consideration of new bills at end of legislative session. Following the closure of the state Legislature on Thursday, Gov. David Ige remained coy over what will leave his desk signed or vetoed in the coming weeks. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi legislators get a B-plus for their work this year, local public policy expert says. While state lawmakers are congratulating themselves for infusing large funds into Native Hawaiian issues and raising the minimum wage, a local public policy expert says he would give their work a B-plus grade. Hawaii Public Radio.

Reflections on Hawaii’s ‘historic’ legislative session shine bright. It’s only 60 days long, but Hawaii’s legislative session this year was a monumental affair featuring some self-reform, historic spending and a return to in-person public participation, all largely in the wake of a bribery scandal, a budget deficit and peak coronavirus infections. Star-Advertiser.

Will Former Lawmakers’ Bribery Charges Lead To Broader Government Reform? The Legislature made some progress this year in increasing government transparency, but leading politicians say there is still much more work to be done. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige to lead Hawaii delegation to Japan. Ige will be accompanied by First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige; Mike McCartney, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; John De Fries, president of the Hawaii Tourism Authority; George Kam, chair of the Hawaii Tourism Authority; and House Speaker Scott Saiki. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.

It’s official: Kai Kahele leaving Congress for Hawaii governor’s race. U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele ended months of speculation Saturday by announcing that he is running for governor in the Aug. 13 Democratic primary. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Jill Tokuda makes congressional run official. Former state Sen. Jill Tokuda today plans to officially launch her candidacy for the congressional seat held by Rep. Kai Kahele after returning from Washington, D.C., where she protested in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building along with hundreds of other abortion rights supporters. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Tax rebate awaits governor’s approval. A potential $300 credit on most taxpayers’ 2021 tax returns is still alive, with the proposal awaiting Gov. David Ige’s signature or veto. Tribune-Herald.

Bill would OK agricultural lease extensions. Farmers whose land leases are set to expire within the next 15 years will be able to apply for extensions under a bill passed last week by the state Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

Officials Urge Caution After Covid Cases Are Linked To Proms. The Hawaii Department of Health confirmed several Covid and flu cases after high school proms on Oahu. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi to leave state on personal leave until Friday. Blangiardi is scheduled to return to Honolulu Friday evening. Managing Director Michael Formby will serve as acting mayor. Star-Advertiser.

Caldwell’s former chief of staff testifies before federal grand jury. The chief of staff to former Mayor Kirk Caldwell testified as a witness before a federal grand jury Thursday, a month after receiving a subpoena as part of an ongoing public corruption investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. Star-Advertiser.

Department of Health order requires plan and schedule for Red Hill defueling. The DOH today issued the emergency order, which says that the Navy must provide it with its independent contractor’s assessment on the facility operations by May 15; a plan and schedule to defuel the storage tanks by June 30; and a plan for the closure of the facility by Nov. 1. Star-Advertiser.

Coalition aims to bring crime reduction programs to Waikiki. At a public-safety coalition meeting held last week, public- and private-sector officials responded to a call to beef up crime-fighting initiatives in Waikiki, where several high-profile violent crimes have put the community on alert. Star-Advertiser.

Owner of home that fell onto beach could face big fine. The owner, with the help of a contractor, pulled the home off the beach and stacked it atop pallets next to the lot’s main house, where it has awkwardly remained for weeks. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Housing subsidies advance: Council likes the plan, just unsure how to pay for it. The County Council’s commitment to subsidize affordable housing was expanded last week to include moderate-income families making up to 120% of the average median income, meaning a family of three earning up to $92,520 annually could qualify for a two-bedroom home costing up to $539,000. West Hawaii Today.

The Food Basket plans to build agricultural park to help ease food insecurity, help isle businesses. The proposed four-component innovation park will allow The Food Basket to expand its ongoing efforts to promote the purchase and consumption of locally grown foods from a strategic location on a collaborative campus. Tribune-Herald.

Kohala ahupuaa to become living scientific laboratory. The ‘Iole Stewardship Center has been operating quietly for years on 2,400 acres of Kohala with the goal of restoring the land using the ancient wisdom of the Native Hawaiians. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Kau confirmed as water director for remainder of mayor’s term. Helene Kau was confirmed by the Maui County Council Friday as director of the county Department of Water Supply for the remainder of Mayor Michael Victorino’s current term, which ends this year. She served as deputy director under Jeffrey Pearson, who left for a state job. Maui News.

Bill setting rules for electric gun sellers in county passes. County facing litigation over delay in enacting law after electric gun sales legalized Jan. 1. Maui News.

Hawaiian Electric May Have To Build A New Oil-Fired Power Plant On Maui. The shutdown of a spare parts supplier in Japan is threatening the ability of Maui’s electric utility to keep a series of 1980s generators firing. Civil Beat.

State funds to aid council efforts for Maalaea wastewater plan. Maui lawmakers have secured funds in the state budget to help move the Maalaea community away from its decadeslong reliance on injection wells, Rep. Angus McKelvey announced Friday. Maui News.

Kāʻeo residential project at Mākena set to start. The 47 acre project will consist of a 103-unit mixed-use community with 30 multi-family units, including 4 workforce housing units, 18 single-family cottages, 32 single-family custom lots, and 14 condominium units. There’s also approximately 27,300 square feet of commercial space planned, that is the home of a future Mākena Cultural & Heritage Center and public retail village. Maui Now.

Election-Year Scramble Looms As Veteran Hawaii Lawmakers Retire. Sen. Roz Baker, one of the Hawaii Senate’s longest-serving members, is retiring this year. Baker, who has represented parts of west and south Maui for more than three decades in both the Senate and the House, is one of Maui’s most seasoned politicians. Civil Beat.

Kauai

County grant recipients announced. The County of Kaua‘i Office of Economic Development announced the recipients of its Innovation Grants for fiscal year 2021-22. Garden Island.

PMRF site of ‘forever chemical’ release. The U.S. military has reported two releases of a toxic chemical in Hawai‘i in the past two years. Both incidents, the last of which occurred in February, were located at the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kaua‘i’s Westside. Garden Island.

Hawaii Legislature adjourns 'breakthrough' session, Blangiardi tackles rising crime against tourists, monk seal population rebounds to milestone, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Legislature sine die 2022 PC:Hawaii House Majority

State Legislature ends ‘breakthrough’ session. Hawaii’s 31st Legislature was marked by gobs of extra spending in areas dominated by Native Hawaiian causes and affordable housing, made possible by roughly $2 billion in projected extra tax revenue collections that weren’t forecast when the session began Jan. 19. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii legislative bill removing cash bail for nonviolent crimes draws opposition. Hawaii law enforcement officials are urging Gov. David Ige to veto a bill passed Tuesday by the state Legislature that eliminates the requirement that defendants accused of nonviolent crimes post cash bail, allowing them to be released on their own recognizance to await their court dates. Star-Advertiser.

Native Hawaiians set to receive $600 million for housing after decades of neglect. The Hawaii Legislature on Thursday unanimously passed landmark legislation appropriating $600 million for the state’s Native Hawaiian homesteading program, a chronically underfunded initiative that has long fallen short of its promise to return Native people to their ancestral land. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Retirement savings bill heads to Ige. The state Legislature voted this week to pass a proposal for a state-run retirement fund program. Tribune-Herald.

Monk seal population hits milestone, surpassing 1,500. The endangered Hawaiian monk seal population has reached a milestone, surpassing 1,500 for the first time in more than 20 years. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.

Lettuce Joins Short List Of Local Ingredients Served In Public Schools. Student meals will include locally grown leafy greens and less cheese as the DOE modifies menus to meet food sustainability and nutritional goals. Civil Beat.

Testimony against indoor masking rule fills contentious Board of Education meeting. Dozens of testifiers called for an end to the COVID-19 indoor masking rule for Hawaii’s public schools during an unusually contentious meeting of the state Board of Education on Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

With 71 COVID hospitalizations, Healthcare Association calls number a ‘surge’. This surge still pales in comparison to the Delta and Omicron surges, where roughly 30% of all hospital patients had COVID. Right now, that number stands at about 3%. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Tupola’s City Council Term Limit Proposal Raises Ethics Concerns. The councilwoman hasn’t disclosed that she is getting paid by a candidate who would benefit from her legislation. Civil Beat.

Mayor Blangiardi met with officials to address rising crime, homelessness, and public safety issues. Mayor Blangiardi was joined by Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm, Acting Chief of Police Rade Vanic, and Honolulu Emergency Services Department Director Dr. Jim Ireland in a briefing on public safety with leaders from Waikiki and the Hawaii visitor industry at the Hawaii Convention Center. KITV4.

Red Hill Water Contamination Sickened Some 2,000 People, Survey Finds. Seventeen people were hospitalized, children experienced seizures and pets died, federal health officials found. Civil Beat.

Amid spike in crime, prosecutor seeks stricter rules for probation violators. City Prosecutor Steve Alm called the issue disturbing, and said a big part of the problem is there is oftentimes no consequences for people who violate their probation. Hawaii News Now.

Oʻahu parks named one of the most improved systems in the country. When it comes to park systems, Oʻahu is one of the most improved cities in the country, according to the Trust for Public Land's annual ParkScore Index. Locally, Honolulu jumped 14 places since 2021, ranking 43rd. About 71% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, according to the report. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Roth recommends rate rollback: Proposed $779.7 million budget is a 27.8% increase. Mayor Mitch Roth’s administration is recommending a rollback in property tax rates for almost all property classes, following updated assessments showing an additional $23 million on top of the $45.4 million increase estimated in March. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Now.

Mauna Kea management bill finds acceptance, opposition. The University of Hawaii on Thursday raised the white flag on its opposition to a bill that seeks to boot it from its role as manager of the Mauna Kea summit and its observatories. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

First Hydrogen Bus In Hawaiʻi Prepares For Service. The Hele-On service is transitioning its entire fleet to zero emissions by 2035 through the use of hydrogen and battery-electric technology. Big Island Video News.

No deal: Waimea nurses reject Queen’s proposed contract. The union said Thursday approximately 90% of its members in Waimea voted between Sunday and Wednesday, with a majority of them tendering votes against ratifying the contract offered by The Queen’s Health Systems. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui home prices break record at $1.2 million; inventory hits new low. As the third month this year to set a record for Maui County single-family home median sales price, April marked a new all-time high at more than $1.2 million. Maui Now. Maui News.

A Maui County law is providing relief to longtime families grappling with high property taxes. Maui County began offering tax relief to longtime families fighting to hold onto their ancestral lands — properties that have been passed down for at least three generations.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Staycations no more? Maui hotel room rates remain high so residents look elsewhere. A two-night stay for two adults next weekend on Maui ranges from $300 per night to $1,300 per night. Maui Now.

Lawsuit claims Molokai health center administered expired vaccines to children. The health center was under fire back in 2019 when it shut down for several days due to staff shortages. Since then, residents held protests and demanded a change in leadership. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Prosecutor continues to de-emphasize marijuana prosecutions. A Kaua‘i Police Department “Green Harvest” cannabis suppression program is poised to continue this year. Garden Island.

Kaua’i monitoring clusters, rising case counts. The state Department of Health’s Kaua‘i District Health Office is monitoring a number of COVID-19 clusters, two weeks into a rise in local case counts. Garden Island.

Ige off to Japan to tout tourism, Caldwell drops out of gubernatorial race, Hawaii County Council nixes fuel tax cut, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ige Seeks To Persuade Japan That Hawaii Is Safe For Travel. The governor will travel to Japan next week to promote a return of visitors from Hawaii’s third-largest tourist market. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers Fail To Expand Access To Assisted Suicide In Hawaii. The House and the Senate could not agree on allowing APRNs and physician assistants to prescribe the lethal drug. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Despite strong opposition from some, water cremation poised to become legal in Hawaii. Hawaii could soon be the 22nd state to allow water cremation. Hawaii News Now.

Slow spending of federal COVID-19 aid for education frustrates Hawaii teachers, parents. The state Department of Education is getting the lion’s share of Hawaii’s Education Stabilization Fund allotment, but according to federal data, it has so far spent only 27.1% of its $639.5 million total in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds, also known as ESSER. Star-Advertiser.

Kirk Caldwell Drops Out Of Race For Hawaii Governor. The former Honolulu mayor said his fledging campaign struggled with funding and momentum. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

House Rep. Patrick Branco Announces Run For Congress. The former U.S. diplomat says he wants to represent Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District for the long term unlike others who have held the seat. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii students feel safer from harassment, survey says. The results of a University of Hawaii survey indicate students across the 10-campus system feel safer overall from sexual harassment and gender-based violence. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 cases forecast to rise into mid-May without huge impact on hospitals. The Department of Health eported the state’s seven-day average of new cases at 485 on Wednesday, representing the sixth consecutive weekly increase. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii records 10 new coronavirus-related deaths, 4,249 new infections. By island, there were 2,855 new infections reported on Oahu, 565 on Hawaii Island, 468 on Maui, 233 on Kauai, 25 on Lanai, and nine on Molokai. Another 94 infections were reported out of state. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Oahu

City council gives HPD the green light to transfer $3.4 million to help pay for overtime costs. The resolution, RES22-086, authorizes HPD to use $3.4 million meant for its administrative services salaries to cover salary shortages in the police chief's office, patrol, special field operations, and investigations. KITV4.

Taxpayers to fund defense for retired detective linked to wrongful conviction case. Honolulu taxpayers will foot the bill for a retired HPD detective who helped prosecute a man for a sexual assault that he didn’t commit. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu police arrest 658 for impaired driving so far this year. More than 650 people have been arrested for impaired driving on Oahu and Honolulu police are setting up sobriety checkpoints at random locations around the island through June 30. Star-Advertiser.

Security guard fighting for his life after attack. A security guard is fighting for his life after being attacked while on the job Tuesday night in downtown Honolulu. This latest incident is raising concerns among those who work in the area. KHON2. Star-Advertiser.

Crews replace carpet once again following flood damage at Honolulu airport. Crews at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport are dealing with flood damage for the second time in less than two months. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

No gas tax relief: Council kills 10-cent discount on 4-4 tie. A deadlocked County Council on Wednesday put the brakes on any relief from the county gas tax this year, even after the measure’s sponsor tried to make the plan more palatable by adding a deadline limiting the 10-cent per gallon discount to eight months. West Hawaii Today. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Ige ‘open’ to Maunakea bill: Inouye, Acasio vote against measure to remove UH as manager of summit area. Gov. David Ige indicated Wednesday he may support legislation to remove the University of Hawaii as manager of the Maunakea summit area. Tribune-Herald.

No conflict: Judge to render verdict in bench trial despite previously representing defendant. A Kona Circuit Court judge will still render a verdict in a bench trial despite previously representing the defendant as a defense attorney. West Hawaii Today.

Connections charter school case being appealed to high court. The state Land Use Commission’s denial of an application by Connections New Century Public Charter School for a special use permit to build a campus in Hilo on about 70 acres of state land zoned for agriculture is being appealed. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Report: Maui Needs A Plan If It Actually Wants To End Homelessness. Maui’s Cost of Government Commission, a nine-member group tasked with looking for ways to make the county government more effective, recently released a 559-page report looking at ways Maui could end homelessness and ensure that anyone who loses their housing can get into a shelter. Civil Beat.

Maui Fair canceled for third year in a row; 98th Maui Fair to resume in 2023. While they had hoped to hold the 98th event this year, the Maui Fair Alliance Board reluctantly decided to postpone the event until next year. Maui Now. Maui News.

Kauai

Kapa‘a Public Library must move. The Hawai‘i State Public Library System has completed a preliminary evaluation of alternative sites and has identified a desirable location at the southern-most portion of the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital campus. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i students’ college enrollment stayed low in 2021. College enrollments, which dropped at the onset of the pandemic, have remained down on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

Former Kauai prosecuting attorney joins Hawaii Innocence Project. Justin F. Kollar, who served as Kauai County prosecuting attorney from 2012 to 2021, will work as a volunteer attorney and help HIP co-Director Kenneth Lawson and HIP Associate Director Jennifer Brown supervise law students from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii residents prefer to keep their masks on, wave of bills sent to governor, state leads the nation in building permit delays, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hilo Farmers Market ©2022 All Hawaii News

Survey: Support strong among Hawaii residents for continued mask-wearing for travel, other activities. More than half of Hawaii residents recently surveyed said they would still wear a face mask even if there are no COVID-19-related mandates requiring them to do so, according to SMS Hawaii, a market research and consulting company. Star-Advertiser.

HiPAM model shows possible surge in COVID-19 cases in every county. The Hawaii Pandemic Applied Modeling (HiPAM) workgroup has released its two-week COVID-19 forecast for all Hawaii counties. The forecast shows the weekly average positivity rate is on the rise. Plus, cases are spreading at a greater rate than what is being reported due to many residents taking at-home tests. KITV4.

Wave of bills that could become law sent to Gov. David Ige. Legislators sent about 250 bills to Gov. David Ige for consideration, including an $8.7 billion state operating budget engorged by a record revenue increase and a personal income tax refund bill. Also included were highly divisive measures to raise Hawaii’s minimum wage and restructure management of Mauna Kea, where astronomy is under fire. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Lawmakers Pass Ban On Flavored E-Cigarettes Despite Intense Opposition. Hawaii’s ban on flavored e-cigarettes will land on the governor’s desk, having survived a rollercoaster legislative session that saw the bill near death on multiple occasions. Civil Beat. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Lawmakers approve changes to cash bail system. A proposal approved by state lawmakers on Tuesday is raising concerns that Hawaii’s crime rate could go even higher. A bail reform bill sent to the governor for approval would allow those arrested for non-violent crimes, including felonies, to be released without having to pay bail. KHON2.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs on cusp of ceded-land revenue boost. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs stands to receive a lot more proceeds from the state’s public land trust, including $64 million retroactively, under a bill sent to Gov. David Ige. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Bill targeting plastic microbeads passes. Senate Bill 2290, which passed final reading Tuesday, would prohibit the manufacture of products containing microbeads — plastic particles less than 1 millimeter wide — beginning in July, and would ban their sale beginning next year. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i’s Building Permit Delays Top the Nation, Study Shows. A recent publication by Hawaiʻi economists found the state to be the most heavily regulated in the nation when it comes to homebuilding and that the average delay in issuing building permits is three times longer than the sample average. Hawaii Business Magazine.

Interest in Rep. Kai Kahele’s congressional seat grows. Several isle politicians have filed federal election papers to run for Kahele’s seat in the Aug. 13 Democratic primary, including Council Chair Tommy Waters, state Rep. Patrick Branco (D, Kailua-Kaneohe) and former state Sen. Jill Tokuda. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Council considering stricter term limits for city elected officials. The Honolulu City Council is considering proposed charter amendments that would impose stricter term limits for Council members, the mayor and the prosecuting attorney, closing off a provision that has allowed some to hold office for more than eight years. Star-Advertiser.

Effort to unionize first Starbucks store in Hawaii fails. Employees at the Mililani Town Center Starbucks voted 8 to 7 Monday against joining the roughly 50 locations nationwide that have unionized. Associated Press.

Lawmakers appropriate $14M for state Lab plagued by leaky roof, mold problems. State lawmakers Tuesday appropriated $14 million for the state Department of Health’s laboratory in Pearl City, which critics say has fallen into disrepair. Hawaii News Now.

A Mysterious Lawsuit Is Raising Concerns Over The Public’s Right To See Court Records. In an unusual example of government censorship, a state court judge has issued a gag order preventing a public interest lawyer from sharing details of a case that the lawyer says the judge improperly sealed. Civil Beat.

Hit by supply chain issues, Ted’s Bakery to take their pies off the grocery shelves. Ted’s Bakery announced Tuesday that by the end of this month, you’ll only be able to get their famous pies at their Sunset Beach Bakery on Oahu’s North Shore. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Tax relief unlikely: Council told tax cuts unlikely. There will be no property tax credit for homeowners this year, and in fact, there’s very little chance property owners in any tax category will see their tax bills go down, following advice Tuesday from the county Corporation Counsel and Finance Department director. West Hawaii Today.

Permit request for satellite receiver project withdrawn. The Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics submitted to the Windward Planning Commission a request for a special permit to build an array of 10 satellite dishes on a one-half acre rural lot in the sparsely populated area of Ka‘u. Tribune-Herald.

Preserving Kohala: BLNR approves subgrant of funding for trust to purchase Mahukona acreage. Hundreds of acres in North Kohala, rich in cultural sites and once slated for development, have been approved for purchase to be preserved and protected. Tribune-Herald.

Waipiʻo Valley Road To Close To All Traffic, May 9 to 13. The County of Hawaiʻi is requesting that all Waipiʻo residents plan for the temporary road closure accordingly. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Former Judge Bissen Is Top Fundraiser In Race For Maui Mayor. Former Judge Richard Bissen leads the Maui mayoral field with more than $176,000 in fundraising so far this year, according to new reports filed Monday with the state Campaign Spending Commission. Civil Beat.

Survey: Over half of employees in Maui County worked remotely during pandemic. Over half of Maui County workers transitioned to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many are still at their home desks, a survey of more than 300 businesses and nearly 1,000 employees in Maui County has found. Maui News.

Kauai

$600M bill will help fund Hanapepe DHHL project. A historic amount of funding for the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands means more Native Hawaiians getting off the waitlist and into new homesteads on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

Hawaii throws away $22.5M in COVID test kits, $1B earmarked for housing programs, almost half of private-sector workers work remotely, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Nearly $1 billion in funding is pending approval to help struggling Hawaii families with housing. Nearly $1 billion in state housing funding — aimed to help the homeless, low-­income to working families, and Native Hawaiians — is ready to be approved this week in the final days of the legislative session, state House leaders announced Monday. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Plans To Destroy Expired Covid Tests That Cost $22.5M. The state said the kits were bought for nursing homes and prisons in 2020 but were put in storage after the feds provided an easier-to-use version. Hawaii News Now.

Drinking Water At 72 Hawaii Schools To Be Tested For Lead. The water sampling will complete a process that began with more than 100 schools last year. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi is a leader in early education investment but not access or enrollment, report says. While the state is a leader in spending per child, it isn't in access or enrollment. The state ranked 44 out of 45 states surveyed in the U.S. because it only reached 2% of 4-year-olds across the Islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

State study shows nearly 50% of Hawaiʻi employees working remotely. An estimated 42% of private-sector employees were working remotely as of August 2021, according to a report released by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Hawaii Homeowners Must Tell Prospective Buyers If Sea Level Rise Threatens Their Property. This week Hawaii became the first state to require real estate sellers to disclose to potential buyers if their property is threatened by sea level rise. Civil Beat.

Hannemann: Tourism won’t recover until next year. Hawaii is still a year away from a full return to prepandemic levels of tourism, according to Mufi Hannemann, president and CEO of the Hawaii Lodging &Tourism Association. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council considering tax incentives for businesses along rail line. In an effort to encourage private-sector development in neighborhoods along the rail line, the Honolulu City Council in considering a measure that would give tax credits for up to three decades to businesses that invest substantially in facility improvements and create scores of new jobs. Star-Advertiser.

No decision on criminal charges in alleged Honolulu police chase that injured 6. The trio of District 8 patrol officers accused in the case, Jake Bartolome, Erik Smith and Joshua Nahulu, remain on restricted duty and have had their police powers suspended, according to HPD, while the criminal and administrative investigations continue. Star-Advertiser.

Self-service DMV kiosks added to Salt Lake and Hawai‘i Kai. There are a total of eight of these self-service kiosks for renewing motor vehicle registrations at Safeway and Foodland stores on Oahu. KHON2. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Ex-employee charges discrimination in Building Division. A former building inspector trainee is suing the county Department of Public Works, saying she was discriminated against and unlawfully terminated in retaliation after she reported what she saw as wrongdoing in the department. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo surgery center is in jeopardy of closing: Owners allege hospital is discouraging doctors from using the facility. Those connected to the Hilo Community Surgery Center point to a number of factors — including what they allege is pressure by Hilo Medical Center on its surgeons to not use the center for smaller procedures. Tribune-Herald.

Snowy conditions atop Mauna Kea force closure of road, visitor station. Located at an elevation of 9,200 feet, the station is reporting downright wintry conditions with ice and snow on the road, freezing temperatures and thunderstorms. Hawaii News Now. Big Island Video News.

Maui

As arrivals continue to rise, visitors spend more per trip. Lanai, Maui see highest spending totals per visitor in the state. Though Maui’s visitor numbers in March still trail pre-pandemic levels, people are spending more money per trip on the Valley Isle, according to a recent report. Maui News.

Landslides, road damage leaves portions of Piʻilani Hwy in East Maui impassable. Heavy rainfall in East Maui over night triggered landslides and roadway damage that have closed multiple sections of Piʻilani Highway between mile markers 19 in Kahikinui and mile marker 39 in Kīpahulu. Maui Now.

Kauai

Hawaiian Home Lands offers 51 vacant lots to Kauaʻi families. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has offered 51 residential vacant lots to Kauaʻi families. The lots are within the Pi‘ilani Mai Ke Kai Subdivision in Anahola. Hawaii Public Radio.

Legislators call on state to look into emergency road, second bridge for Hanalei. Kuhio Highway, the only roadway in and out of Hanalei Town on Kaua'i, has been blocked off twice over the past four years, due to flooding and landslides. KITV4.

‘Anini Beach Park improvements meeting is Wednesday. The county Department of Parks &Recreation and its consultant, Community Planning &Engineering Inc., will conduct a virtual public information meeting for proposed improvements to ‘Anini Beach Park on Wednesday, May 4, at 6 p.m. The proposed improvements will evaluate the comfort stations, paths of travel, security gates, pavilions, camping sites, picnic tables, boat washdown area, and all parking areas. Garden Island.

Minimum wage hike, income tax rebate, tourism funding, coffee labeling, flavored vape ban on the table as Legislature enters final week, military tracks Russian vessel off Hawaii, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Bill to raise Hawaiʻi's minimum wage to $18 by 2028 passes out of conference committee. The bill that left committee raises the state’s current $10.10 base pay to $18 in January 2028, two years behind what passed out of the House earlier in April. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Hawaii lawmakers approve payments of up to $300 for taxpayers, their dependents. Under a rare rebate program approved by lawmakers Friday, taxpayers earning less than $100,000 annually and their dependents could each receive a $300 payment. Those earning more than $100,000 could get a rebate of $100. Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers keep tourism agency funding alive. Lawmakers kept the Hawaii Tourism Authority alive by amending House Bill 1147, originally a capital improvements bill, just after Friday’s deadline for fiscal bills. Star-Advertiser.

Coffee labeling study ‘still a win’. Funding for an independent study of the economic impact of potential changes to Hawaii’s coffee labeling requirements is set for a vote by the state House and Senate. West Hawaii Today.

Flavored Vape Ban Looms in Hawaii. A bill that would ban flavored vape products aims to protect children, but those in the industry say it would kill their business. KITV4.

In wake of 6-year-old’s horrific death, lawmakers approve bill aimed at bolstering child welfare system. State lawmakers have approved a measure aimed at significantly strengthening Hawaii’s child welfare system — including by expanding investigative powers — following the death of 6-year-old Isabella Kalua, whose foster parents have been charged with her murder. Hawaii News Now.

Military tracks Russian vessel near Hawaii. The United States military is tracking a Russian vessel near Hawaii’s waters, according to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. KHON2.

Waters, Tokuda File FEC Paperwork For US House Race. While Kai Kahele has not officially announced that he is leaving Congress to run for governor, efforts to replace him in Washington, D.C., are building. Civil Beat.

Former Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell sees neighbor island path to governorship. Former Mayor Kirk Caldwell calls himself “the underdog” in the three-way race for governor in the August Democratic primary but sees a path to victory through the neighbor islands, despite his unpopularity after serving two terms and eight years at Honolulu Hale. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Education Board Narrows Down Finalists For Superintendent Position. The search for a new public school chief in Hawaii is one step closer. The state Board of Education unveiled on its website Friday the three finalists for the superintendent position at the Department of Education. Civil Beat.

Local students face strict COVID rules for year-end events. Hawaiʻi public schools are enforcing pandemic restrictions that go beyond recommendations from state and federal health officials. Hawaii Public Radio.

State to pay $6.7 million in personal injury claims. The deaths of three people and injuries sustained by others in eight separate incidents are expected to cost the state $6.7 million this year. Star-Advertiser.

This Mental Health Team Hopes To Help Hawaii’s Farmers Help Themselves. Professor Thao Le discusses the experiences of researchers at the University of Hawaii who have been canvassing the ranching and farming community to find the state of its mental health. Civil Beat.

Oahu

North Shore beachfront homes threatened by erosion continue to sell. Beginning today those selling coastal properties will also have to disclose the risks of sea level rise under a new mandatory disclosure law passed by the Legislature.  Star-Advertiser.

How Honolulu’s Push For More Housing Sparks Opposition From Rival Interests. Housing is an abstract goal, but the concrete reality usually sparks opposition from advocates for farmland or the environment or those simply worried about urban woes. Civil Beat.

Despite indictment in federal probe, BWS board member declines to step down. More than four months after being arrested and charged in connection with the ongoing Kealoha corruption probe, Max Sword hasn’t stepped down from the Board of Water Supply’s board of directors ― and has no plans to do so. Hawaii News Now.

Waikiki community on alert after violent attacks. Waikiki is on edge after three violent attacks in three weeks, the most recent befalling a visitor in the heart of the state’s top tourism district. Star-Advertiser.

Lack of progress in Waikiki crime cases highlights challenges. Community frustration is mounting over law enforcement’s handling of two recent high-profile Waikiki violent crimes, which highlight the system’s challenges in holding criminals accountable. Star-Advertiser.

Daily Ridership Would Drop By Thousands If The Honolulu Rail Line Ends At Civic Center. An average of 119,600 people were originally expected to board the trains each weekday, but that will drop to 84,000 daily riders with the shorter route. Civil Beat.

Ala Moana Boulevard pedestrian bridge construction to begin. A $17.8 million project to build a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Ala Moana Boulevard in Kakaako is scheduled to begin today. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi still considering restoring access to first responder radio. More than two months after the city removed first responder radio traffic from public radio waves, the city administration is still deciding whether to restore access to communications that Honolulu police officials argue must be concealed to help preserve public security and safety. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Gas taxes go unspent: Council to reappropriate excess funds. Hawaii County’s fuel tax revenues have been coming in higher than expected, and in some cases, faster than the county can spend them. Even as the County Council is set to vote Wednesday on Resolution 363 giving drivers a break by knocking 10 cents a gallon off the current rate, a council committee Tuesday will vote on a bill to reappropriate $2.5 million left unspent between 2016 and 2020. West Hawaii Today.

A new shooting range for Big Island? Bill would establish group to research locations, designs. A long-awaited public shooting facility could be coming to Hawaii County. Tribune-Herald.

Battle over renaming Hilo High Gym continues. A concurrent resolution in the state Legislature “urging” the School Community Council to rename the gym after coaches Albert and Lawrence Manliguis was deferred last week by the Senate Committee on Education. Tribune-Herald.

2,400 acres in Kohala gifted to Hawaii Community Foundation as part of stewardship center. Micah Kane, CEO and President of the Hawaii Community Foundation, said the focus of the research center in Kohala is to develop sustainability solutions for energy, water, and food. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Nearly $1.07B county budget proposal advances. Budget committee chairperson says funds needed for pandemic-deferred county projects.  Hoping to tackle projects delayed by the pandemic, a Maui County Council committee is proposing a nearly $1.07 billion county budget for fiscal year 2023, just slightly higher than the almost $1.05 billion “record-setting” budget proposed by Mayor Michael Victorino in March. Maui News.

$41M homestead project envisions centers for culture, food, education. A $41 million project that would build space for education, community events, business and culture is being proposed under the Keokea Homestead Farm Lots Association’s master plan. Maui News.

Costs estimated at $500K to renovate vacant Molokai home into fire station. A $300,000 three-bedroom home purchased by Maui County in Ualapue will serve as the new fire station on Molokai’s East End. Maui News.

UH campuses host graduation ceremonies; UH Maui College slated for May 14. An in-person ceremony will be held on campus, with no spectator limit. Multiple satellite photo booths and lei stations will be made available throughout the parking lot. There will also be a livestream of the ceremony. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kalalau camping permits available for residents. Beginning Tuesday, May 3, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of State Parks will issue a limited number of overnight permits for camping in Kalalau Valley in the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park, for Kaua‘i residents only. Garden Island.