Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Masks to become optional in Hawaii public schools, Ige vetoes 28 bills, state AG issues new guidance to relax gun laws, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Indoor masking optional at Hawaii public schools starting Aug. 1. Indoor masking will become optional in Hawaii’s 257 regular public schools effective Aug. 1 — a change eliciting praise from people who feel masking harms students, and criticism from other parents and some doctors who predict an increased risk of COVID-19 for children and school employees. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Gov. David Ige vetoes 28 bills from original list of 30
. Gov. David Ige on Tuesday sent legislative leaders a list of 28 bills — from the original 30 on his June 27 “intent to veto” list — including one aimed at reforming Hawaii’s foster care system that Ige called unconstitutional. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Attorney general issues new guidance for state to ease gun permit laws in wake of SCOTUS ruling. Hawaii is set to relax some of the toughest permit laws in the nation in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling. Hawaii’s Attorney General Holly Shikada said the decision means that the state will need to make it easier to apply for a permit to carry guns in public. Hawaii News Now.

Democratic candidates for Hawaii governor face off in KITV4's Debate Night
. Homelessness, high taxes, and tourism - were some of the issues debated tonight by Hawaii's gubernatorial candidates during a three hour special hosted by KITV4. The three frontrunners on the Democratic ticket for governor, Vicky Cayetano, Josh Green, and Kai Kahele, engaged in their own debate. KITV4.

Hawaii GOP gubernatorial candidates debate ahead of election. Some of Hawaii’s top Republican gubernatorial candidates faced off Tuesday evening in a live debate in which they mostly fell along political party lines on national issues, including abortion and gun rights, and often had overlapping ideas about local issues such as affordable housing and the Thirty Meter Telescope. Star-Advertiser.

Crypto Super PAC Launches Ad Campaign In Support Of Patrick Branco In CD2 Race. Federal records show that Web3 Forward, which backs Democrats for Congress, has spent more than $100,000 on advertising in the Hawaii race. Civil Beat.

RIMPAC back at full force showcasing training, partnership. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, and more than 25,000 military personnel have been in and around Hawaiʻi the last couple of weeks for this year’s Rim of the Pacific maritime exercises. Hawaii Public Radio.

Software snafu affects government employees’ health benefits. The state agency that administers health insurance benefits for thousands of state and county workers in Hawaii is experiencing problems with the rollout of new benefits administration software. Tribune-Herald.

Kaiser Hawaii under scrutiny for lack in behavioral health. A national organization focused on improving the quality of health care has determined that Kaiser Permanente’s health plans in Hawaii need to improve and has put them under “corrective action” for failing to meet national quality standards. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Judge postpones corruption trial of ex-city prosecutor, 4 alleged co-conspirators. Former city Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro is accused of accepting $45,000 in campaign contributions from Honolulu businessman Dennis Mitsunaga, his company employees and relatives. Federal authorities said in exchange, Kaneshiro filed criminal charges against a former Mitsunaga employee who had sued the company over being fired. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

City’s high job vacancies prompts audit. The Honolulu City Council unanimously approved a resolution directing the city’s auditor to look into the hiring practices of the human resources department. KHON2.

Honolulu Rail Whistleblower: Tracks, Wheels A Maintenance Nightmare And Potential Safety Issue. A  track consultant pressed HART officials for two years for the rail agency to make key changes that would make the system safer and more operable. They dismissed him in February. Civil Beat.

Honolulu rail project is exploring alternatives to Pearl Highlands parking garage.
The Pearl Highlands parking garage has been paused due to exorbitant costs. It was supposed to create spaces for central Oʻahu residents who want to take the train into urban Honolulu. Hawaii Public Radio.

With no ridership rebound in sight, city bus system plans route changes. More than two years after the start of the pandemic, ridership on the city bus is still only about half of what it was. According to the city’s Department of Transportation Services TheBus currently has about 115,000 daily riders. That’s down from 195,000 prior to the pandemic ― a 41% decline. Hawaii News Now.

Judge: Man left homeless after wrongful prosecution can seek another civil claim against city.
An Oahu man left homeless after being jailed and wrongfully prosecuted for drug crimes is celebrating another legal victory. A federal judge says Sefo Fatai’s malicious prosecution claim against the city can move to trial. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Pohue Bay preserved: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park adds 16,000 acres.
The Trust for Public Land officially transferred ownership and stewardship of Pohue Bay to the National Park Service on Tuesday, preserving the area’s unique natural and cultural resources from development. West Hawaii Today. Associated Press. Big Island Video News.

Council members displeased with Waianuenue Ave road project. County Council members are frustrated that the repair work on Waianuenue Avenue in Hilo does not appear to conform with their expectations. Tribune-Herald.

$15M Waiaka Bridge replacement project expected to start next summer. The project, which also includes realigning Kawaihae and Kohala Mountain roads and installing a roundabout at their intersection, is expected to be complete by the end of 2024, should construction get underway as planned in summer 2023. West Hawaii Today.

Olson Trust drops lawsuit against Naniloa’s top brass. The Edmund C. Olson Trust has withdrawn its lawsuit against two co-owners of the Grand Naniloa Hotel. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Central Maui Transit hub could be ready by year’s end. The Central Maui Transit hub that will replace the one at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center may be up and running by the end of this year, a county official said on Monday. The $2 million bus hub is located off Vevau Street near Kane Street, across from the old Sears store. Maui News.

Another Waiehu affordable housing project moves ahead — this one plans 752 units. Another affordable housing project is advancing in Waiehu, and this time the developer is pitching 752 units in a proposal called Waiehu Residential Community.  Maui Now.

Hotel Wailea earns No. 1 ranking in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards. The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Maui is ranked No. 3; Montage Kapalua Bay, Maui  is No. 5; Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi, Lānaʻi is No. 10; Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, Maui is No. 18; and Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui rounds out the list at No. 20. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai District Health Office to conduct survey on COVID-19 response
. The Kauai District Health Office is conducting another survey this month to assess the community’s perception of its COVID-19 response efforts and current emergency preparedness level. Star-Advertiser.

Wainiha to Hā’ena residents asked to conserve water.
The Department of Water is asking residents in Wainiha to Hā’ena to conserve water until further notice due to an electrical power outage affecting water system facilities.  KHON2.

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Ige signs historic $600M for Hawaiian homesteads, Bishop Museum officials on leave, Hawaii County bans all but mineral sunscreens, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Historic $600 million homestead bill becomes law. Gov. David Ige signed a bill Monday that allocates $600 million to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. The funding will support Hawaiian homestead development and will assist DHHL beneficiaries’ housing finances. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News. Maui Now. KITV4.

Webb Space Telescope First Images Target UH Discovery. The very first image taken with the James Webb Space Telescope have been released by NASA and The White House, and it features an enormous cluster of galaxies originally discovered by researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy. Big Island Video News.

Ikaika Anderson receives key endorsement, Sylvia Luke has most in race for lieutenant governor. Former Honolulu Council Chair Ikaika Anderson has received a key endorsement from the powerful carpenters union in his bid to become Hawaii’s next lieutenant governor, but one of his Democratic opponents — state House Finance Chair Sylvia Luke — has endorsements and “recommendations” from 11 labor unions and other organizations with just over a month until the Aug. 13 Democratic primary election. Star-Advertiser.

RIMPAC highlights Coast Guard’s growing importance in the Pacific. As Navy ships from around the world begin sailing out of Pearl Harbor for the biennial exercise Rim of the Pacific, members of the Coast Guard’s Sector Honolulu are prepping for their own contributions to the war game exercise. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines announces suspension of its direct service to Orlando this fall. The airline also said their last departure is scheduled for September 7 with the final return flight set for September 8. Guests who have booked flights to Orlando beyond those dates will receive full refunds. Hawaii News Now.

Mokulele Airlines is expanding its service. Mokulele Airlines is making good on the promise that it made to expand interisland service to meet the community’s needs back in January 2021 when it became the only airline that flies to both Molokai and Lanai. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

One Man’s Mission To Map 35 Trails In Hawaii. The effort is part of a state initiative to provide better signage and information for hikers that improves access and public safety. Civil Beat.

Hawaii actors sought for Jason Momoa production. A casting call has been issued for actors wishing to appear in a Jason Momoa project, which is believed to be “Chief of War,” an epic saga about the unification and colonization of the Hawaiian Islands. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

3 top leaders at Bishop Museum on leave amid internal probe. Bishop Museum President and CEO Melanie Ide today said she will be resigning from her post after she and two other officials were placed on paid administrative leave and banned from the museum property over alleged workplace concerns raised by employees. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hold the plastic! City rules on single-use foodware to take effect after long delay. After a lengthy pandemic-related delay, the city’s ban on foam plate lunch containers along with disposable plastic food, drink and other serviceware is set to take effect on Sept. 6 ― and eateries are gearing up. Hawaii News Now.

Restaurants could soon start to use city sidewalks again for outdoor dining. Restaurants may soon be able to use public sidewalks for outdoor seating under a new pilot program that was approved unanimously last week by the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Overnight park closures considered to curb illegal camping. Some members of the community are asking for certain parks to close overnight or close earlier in order to curb illegal activities. The City’s Parks and Recreation Department said it is gathering input from neighbors as it considers new closing times. KHON2.

Two large-scale solar and battery storage facilities planned on Oʻahu. The technology group Wärtsilä announced today plans for two large-scale solar and battery storage facilities on Oʻahu, totaling 75 MW of solar and 300 MWh of battery storage. Maui Now.

The Fight To Save A Top Hawaii Defense Contractor As Federal Fraud Charges Swirl. Longtime Honolulu businessman Steven Loui is trying to salvage the company he founded more than 40 years ago as its recent CEO, Martin Kao, faces criminal charges over federal pandemic relief funds. Civil Beat.

Oʻahu bike-share program Biki celebrates 5th anniversary. Ridership that first year was over 350,000. Then in 2019, Biki surpassed 1 million rides — its strongest year so far. It's grown to over 1,300 bikes at more than 130 stops stretching from Dole Cannery to Kapiʻolani Community College. Hawaii Public Radio.

808 Cleanups Shares the Concept of Aloha ‘Āina. Volunteers started out cleaning graffiti. Now they restore beaches, hiking trails and other natural places from mauka to makai. Hawaii Business Magazine.

Hawaii Island

Sunscreen ban becomes law: Roth lets bill become law without his signature. Sunscreens containing any active ingredient other than titanium dioxide and zinc oxide will be banned from sale on Hawaii Island starting Dec. 1, under a bill Mayor Mitch Roth let become law Friday without his signature. West Hawaii Today.

Ex-HCCC guards convicted of beating inmate, violating his rights. Three fired corrections officers at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in Hilo have been convicted of the brutal beating of an inmate in 2015 and for violating the man’s civil rights by attempting to cover up the use of excessive force. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Public encouraged to sign Books of Condolences in remembrance of Abe. Hawaii County, in partnership with the Honorary Consul General of Japan in Hilo, Art Taniguchi, is hosting Books of Condolences in memory of fallen Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Maui

Wastewater pilot project offers promising results. Grass-based system filtering more wastewater than researchers expected. A team of specialists may have found nature-based, low-cost solutions for managing and reusing excess treated wastewater leaching into the ground and ocean from cesspools and injection wells. Maui News.

Maui sewer user fee increases go into effect. The Department of Environmental Management’s Wastewater Reclamation Division reminds customers that sewer user fees have increased by an average of 3% as part of Maui County Fiscal Year 2023 budget that went into effect July 1. Maui Now.

Come August, Iao Valley to be closed until early 2023. A popular state monument on Maui is about to undergo a months-long closure. Starting August 1, Iao Valley State Monument will be closing to allow contractors to complete slope stabilization work and parking lot improvements. Hawaii News Now.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide looking to hire 130 employees at four Maui resorts. Marriott Vacations Worldwide is hiring for up to 130 positions locally at its four Maui resorts which include: Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, The Westin Kāʻanapali Ocean Resort Villas, The Westin Kāʻanapali Ocean Resort Villas North and The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas. Maui Now.

Kauai

First-Time Kauai Mayoral Candidates Attack Kawakami’s Rigid Pandemic Response. The same public health policies that won Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami statewide praise now serve as ammunition for three new political candidates vying to oust him. Civil Beat.

Kaua‘i is electrifying its bus fleet. To meet the statewide requirement to transition light-vehicle fleets to zero-emissions by 2035, the county is moving forward on plans to purchase several electric transit buses. Garden Island.

County studying transportation needs on Kauaʻi. The Office of Economic Development has created a survey as part of the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP), through which the County of Kaua‘i is receiving technical assistance to study ways to improve the island’s transportation system through integrating emerging transportation technology. Garden Island.

Monday, July 11, 2022

Hawaii voters favor new telescope on Mauna Kea, sour on rail, state police created, worker shortage continues, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

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Mauna Kea telescopes ©2022 All Hawaii News
Civil Beat/HNN Poll: Rail Remains Unpopular But Support For TMT Is Solid. Three years after mass protests on Mauna Kea over the Thirty Meter Telescope project, supporters still outnumber opponents by a 2-to-1 margin. After a decade of rail drama including years of delays and colossal cost overruns, public opinion on rail hasn’t changed much: Voters today are just as sour on the project as when the entire ordeal began, according to the new poll data. Civil Beat.

Civil Beat/HNN Poll: Approval Ratings Improve for Ige, Slip For Green.
Kai Kahele does not fare well with voters while the rest of the delegation remains relatively popular. Rick Blangiardi is well-liked. The Legislature not so much. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

New law creates state police force. Gov. David Ige on Friday signed House Bill 2171 into law as Act 278, creating a new state Department of Law Enforcement and converting the Department of Public Safety into the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Should Hawaii’s Next Lt. Gov. Take The Lead On Solving The State’s Housing Crisis? How the top Democrats in the race approach housing issues also demonstrates how they might operate if elected to office. Civil Beat.

Ige Intends To Veto Healthy Soils Program. Advocates Say That’s Misguided. Gov. David Ige wants to nix the program because there is a soil survey in the works. But supporters say it’s like comparing apples and oranges. Civil Beat.

Veto Looms For Hawaii Tour Helicopter Bill That Would Collect Data On Flights. The bill would set up a task force to make recommendations on restricting tour flights but Gov. David Ige says it’s the federal government’s jurisdiction. Civil Beat.

Bill Expanding Hawaii Computer Science Education Is Facing A Veto. Different interpretations of a key provision in Senate Bill 2142 are likely to lead Gov. David Ige to reject the measure. The bill requires the University of Hawaii College of Education to create more pathways for teachers to teach computer science at the elementary and secondary level, while also providing $1 million in scholarships to coax educators to develop expertise in the subject area. Civil Beat.

Easing of restrictions returns Kiwi travelers to Hawaii.
The New Zealand tourism market has returned to Hawaii after a two-year, COVID-19-related hiatus. Star-Advertiser.

Deep-sea mining noise pollution will stretch hundreds of miles. A study on underwater noise pollution from seabed mining operations found that noise from one mine alone could travel approximately 500 kilometers (roughly 311 miles) in gentle weather conditions, which could affect the understudied species that live in the deep sea—the largest habitat on Earth. There could also be cumulative impacts where multiple mines operate, according to the study. Maui Now.

New initiative to provide easier access to Japanese American internment records in Hawaiʻi . The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi is working on a new project that will provide easier access to records about the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH Study: Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Vaccination Rates Affected by Trust Levels. A new University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa study explains vaccine hesitancy among Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders in Hawaiʻi at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and researchers say the findings could provide a foundation for communication strategies for other health policies beyond the pandemic. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Keith Kaneshiro’s refusal to cooperate in the Kealoha probe turned scrutiny on him. Keith Kaneshiro’s refusal to cooperate in the Kealoha probe turned scrutiny on him. Former Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro’s unwillingness to cooperate in a federal investigation of his former deputy, Katherine Kealoha, likely led authorities to turn their attention to allegations that he conspired with the executives of an engineering firm to frame a former employee for felony theft, according to an attorney familiar with the investigation. Star-Advertiser.

Help Wanted: Honolulu Needs 3,000 Workers For City Jobs. The city’s high job vacancy rate is leaving residents waiting for services, as city officials scramble to try to hire new people in a tight labor market. Civil Beat.

Legislation introduced that urges DOE to end mask mandate in schools. Councilmember Heidi Tsuneyoshi introduced Resolution 22- 165 that urges the Hawaii Department of Education to end its mask mandate for public schools. KITV4.

Civil rights advocate once again challenges state House speaker in primary race. The race is happening on a changing playing field. The district from downtown Honolulu to McKinley and Kakaako has grown from semi-industrial area to a growing high rise residential area. Hawaii News Now.

Open City Council races see many newcomers seeking office. With only one incumbent seeking reelection in the four Honolulu City Council races in this year’s election, ballots for the Aug. 13 primary will be crowded with newcomers to the political scene. Star-Advertiser.

Union: Tentative agreement between Hilton, workers reached. The new two-year agreement reportedly includes improved wages, benefits and reinstatement of daily room cleaning and other services, according to the union. Hawaii News Now.

Assets School opens student screening center with $378K in federal money. The private Assets School has opened a center to make student screening for learning disabilities and differences more widely accessible to the public, funded with $378,000 from the federal Governor’s Emergency Education Relief fund. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County gears up for primary election: Lack of elections administrator won’t slow the process
. Hawaii County hasn’t had a chief election officer since longtime Elections Division Administrator Pat Nakamoto retired Dec. 31. West Hawaii Today.

New building department fails to reach ballot. A proposed charter amendment creating a Building Department will not appear on the November ballot, after the County Council last week killed the measure. West Hawaii Today.

Nearly 200 teachers needed: High cost of Big Island housing makes it hard to recruit. As of June 13, the DOE reports Hawaii County had approximately 196 classroom teacher vacancies: 41 for the Hilo-Waiakea complex area, 50 for the Ka‘u-Keaau-Pahoa complex area, and 105 for the Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena complex. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Fast-track process on horizon for 752-unit Waiehu project. Developers’ next steps for a proposed 752-unit affordable housing project in Waiehu will be to apply for the county’s fast-track process, according to a consultant for the project. Maui News.

Even with changes, attorneys still raise issue with lighting bill. Even with more changes and exemptions granted, county attorneys still see issues with a bill intended to cut outdoor light pollution and protect native Hawaiian seabirds. Maui News.

Charter amendments up for second reading. Proposals call for Maui Nui water system, more planning commissions. A proposed charter amendment which proponents hope will allow residents to have more of a say in water issues will be up for second and final reading by the Maui County Council on July 15. Maui News.

Maui Memorial Medical Center leads the state in Heart and Stroke Quality Care. The Heart Failure Gold Plus and Stroke Gold Plus awards recognize MMMC’s demonstrated excellence and commitment to current, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease and stroke. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai visitors give back by volunteering in regenerative tourism programs. A new study, which surveyed 463 Kauai residents, found that regenerative tourism programs like this one make the tourism industry and tourists more attractive to residents and could play a key role in helping Hawaii’s visitor industry recover from the pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Emergency exercises are on this week. County, state and other emergency responders will continue joint training and exercises on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

Friday, July 8, 2022

Case, Tokuda far out front in congressional races, Lassner gets positive revaluation, Navy investigating leaked Red Hill footage, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Civil Beat/HNN Poll: Case, Tokuda Far Ahead In Democratic US House Races. U.S. Rep. Ed Case is on course to easily win reelection in the Democratic primary Aug. 13. He leads political newcomer Sergio Alcubilla 65% to 8%. Jill Tokuda, a former state senator, is leading first term state Rep. Patrick Branco 31% to 6% for the CD2 seat. But a huge number of those surveyed — 63% are not sure who they favor. Civil Beat.

Democratic hopefuls soften tone, praise one another in second joint appearance. The kid gloves were firmly in place and their metaphorical oratory weapons were holstered when Lt. Gov. Josh Green, U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele and business entrepreneur Vicky Cayetano on Thursday night met face to face for the first time ahead of the Aug. 13 Democratic Party primary election and repeatedly praised one another’s political stances and their philosophical positions. Star-Advertiser.

Fewer visitors intend to return to Hawaii within 5 years, survey finds.
While overall satisfaction among Hawaii visitors has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels in key areas, fewer visitors from the state’s top U.S. market say they’re likely to return in the next five years, according to the results of a state- commissioned survey. Star-Advertiser.

Snorkel Safety Study Sheds Light On Unexplained Drownings In Hawaii. The three-year project finds many snorkeling-related deaths aren’t from inhaling water, and that long flights beforehand may play a role. Civil Beat.

Education-related bills signed into law by Gov. David Ige. An unprecedented appropriation of $200 million to create more public preschool facilities across Hawaii, a bill devoting $10 million to installing more air conditioning in public school classrooms, and other measures to help solve Hawaii’s doctor shortage were among a raft of education-related bills signed into law Thursday by Gov. David Ige. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Hawaii News Now.

Ige signs bills aimed at retaining more health care professionals. To combat shortages, Gov. David Ige signed two measures  into law on Thursday, appropriating a combined $6.75 million for the 2022-23 fiscal year to the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

University of Hawaii president receives positive annual evaluation. University of Hawaii President David Lassner received a mostly positive annual performance evaluation from the UH Board of Regents on Thursday, giving him the green light to continue leading the 10-campus system through challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, changes on Mauna Kea, development of a new university strategic plan and more. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii Community Schools Seek To Support And Engage With Local Families. The schools are joining a national movement to create more community partnerships to help students thrive inside and outside of the classroom. Civil Beat.

Farmers Want Action From Hawaii Governor Candidates, Not Lip Service. Farmers and ranchers feel investing in agriculture has become more of a buzzword than an actual concern for the executive branch. Civil Beat.

Omicron subvariants continue to rise in Hawaii. Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 together now make up roughly 20% of variants circulating in Hawaii, according to the state Health Department’s latest variant report. The CDC, meanwhile, on Thursday kept Honolulu, Maui and Hawaii counties classified as orange, high-level communities for COVID-19 impacts even though the state’s average case counts and positivity rates have been on a downward trend. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu airport to get $10 million for upgrades. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu will receive $10 million in federal funding for upgrades to its runways, lighting and draining. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Navy investigating leaked footage of Red Hill fuel spill. The Navy is investigating the publication of video and photos this week showing fuel gushing from a Red Hill pipe on Nov. 20, according to a Navy official who said the person who released the footage to the media could face disciplinary action. Star-Advertiser.

Higher interest rates shackling Oahu’s housing market. Higher mortgage interest rates created ripple effects across Oahu’s housing market in June as sales volume decreased, asking prices were reduced and active listings stayed on the market longer. Star-Advertiser.

Bishop Museum revisits history of gender-fluid healers. More than 500 years ago, Hawaiians placed four boulders on a Waikiki beach to honor visitors from the court of Tahiti’s king who had healed the sick. They were “mahu,” which in Hawaiian language and culture refers to someone with dual male and female spirit and a mixture of gender traits. Associated Press.

Outrage grows as basketball coach accused of sex abuse still working with minors. A coach’s history of alleged sexual misconduct prompted a warning from several schools to parents — while stirring new frustration among accusers. Hawaii News Now.

Police capture live gopher snake at Kapolei Home Depot.
Honolulu police officers responding to a 911 call captured a live snake at the Kapolei Home Depot last night, according to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island


Council Nixes Bill That Sought to Create New Building Department. Council members on Wednesday, July 6, during their regular meeting killed Bill 174. The measure sought to amend the county charter to create a new department that would manage the duties and functions currently performed by the Building Division within the county Department of Public Works. Big Island Now.

Plans for new transit hub and bus route coming to Big Island. The state Department of Transportation and Hawaiʻi County’s bus system Hele-On have received federal funding to plan a new transit hub in downtown Pāhoa. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Judicial Selection Commission reveals nominee list for judge vacancy on Maui. The judicial office has been vacant since December 2021, when former District Judge Kirstin M. Hamman was elevated to Circuit Judge of the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit. Maui Now.

Molokai woman is tapped to be county agricultural director. Rogerene ‘Kali’ Arce still requires council confirmation; Weston Yap named deputy. Maui News.

Maui hunters protest new contraceptive meant to control feral pig populations. For the second time this week, Maui hunters are protesting a new product aimed at controlling feral pig populations. The contraceptive HogStop is now being distributed on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Joint pavement preservation pilot project begins on Kula Highway. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, in coordination with the County of Maui, will pilot the use of micro surfacing as a pavement preservation technique in the area.  Maui Now.

Maui median sales prices hit another all-time high at $1.25 million for single-family homes. Despite a slowdown in sales, Maui County median sales prices last month hit another all-time high for single-family homes at more than $1.25 million. Meanwhile, condo median sales prices in June set a new record at $832,500, according to the Realtors Association of Maui report released Wednesday afternoon. Maui Now.

Kauai

Grove Farm sues County of Kauaʻi over gifted land deeded for treatment facility. For nearly 20 years, the County of Kauaʻi has been working to open a drug treatment center for children and young adults on the island. Hawaii Public Radio. Garden Island.

Thursday, July 7, 2022

Aiona, Penn, lead GOP gubernatorial race, Kahele misses public financing deadline, Ige vetoes $244M in spending, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Civil Beat/HNN Poll: Aiona, Penn Lead Field In GOP Gov Contest. Duke Aiona, a former lieutenant governor who ran twice unsuccessfully for the top job, has a slight edge on BJ Penn, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship winner, 27% to 24%. Honolulu City Councilwoman Heidi Tsuneyoshi trails the two leaders in the race at 9%, as does community activist Gary Cordery at 7%. Civil Beat.

Civil Beat/HNN Poll: Dems Unsure Of Who To Vote For In Lt. Gov. Primary.
Luke polls best but Anderson is not far behind, while Amemiya and Menor-McNamara remain in the hunt. Rep. Sylvia Luke is now ahead of the pack at 20%. Former Honolulu City Council Chair Ikaika Anderson is not far behind at 14%. Keith Amemiya, a business executive, polls at 10% while Sherry Menor-McNamara, head of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, is at 7%. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Kai Kahele Won’t Be Able To Get Public Funding For Governor’s Race. After failing to submit a required document when he filed for election, Kahele will miss out on over $200,000 of public funding this primary cycle. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Gov. David Ige vetoes $244 million in state budget spending. Gov. David Ige informed the Legislature Wednesday that he has vetoed funding in the state budget for two dozen projects costing $244 million, partly because state lawmakers appropriated $100 million more federal pandemic recovery aid than the state received. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

New law raises the age for kids to use a child passenger restraint in Hawaiʻi. A new law is now effect, that raises the age through which a child must use a child passenger restraint or booster seat to 10 years old. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Navy leaders emphasize climate change at RIMPAC. As sailors from around the world train in Hawaii at the biennial Rim of the Pacific training exercise, climate change is taking center stage for several planners. Star-Advertiser.

Government Workers Wrongly Seize A Child From Parents. Should They Be Made To Pay? The principle of qualified immunity protects workers in their official actions. The most recent decision involves Hannah David, a Big Island mother who filed a lawsuit alleging that her daughter’s father teamed up with an employee of the Kauai Police Department in 2019 to get a restraining order that allowed her daughter to be seized from her school and flown back to Kauai with the father. Three weeks later, a judge ordered the girl to be returned. Civil Beat.

Hawaii research group that tracked pandemic’s valleys and peaks ceases operations. The team that has kept a close eye on COVID infection rates throughout the state is shutting down operations. The Hawaii Pandemic Applied Modeling Work Group issued its final report this week. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii COVID-19 cases continue to decline but experts say new subvariants could bring another surge. The Hawaii Department of Health on Wednesday reported the seven-day average of new cases at 651 compared with 685 reported June 29, representing a decline for the fifth week in a row. The state’s average positivity rate also dropped to 15.1% from 16.5% reported the previous week. DOH also reported 20 more coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 1,524. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

More monkeypox vaccine to be distributed in Hawaii. Dr. Nathan Tan, deputy state epidemiologist, said the first phase of the monkeypox vaccine rollout will be offered to close contacts of people known to have monkeypox and those who may have had high-risk exposures in areas where monkeypox is actively spreading. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Council Approves The Return Of Outdoor Dining In Public Spaces. The two-year pilot program could lead to city approval of permanent outdoor dining. Civil Beat.

City Council Members Question Liquor Commission On Lack Of Internal Affairs Office. The commission is under fire from bar owners and council members for inappropriate actions during the pandemic. Civil Beat.

Honolulu rail receives $70 million in federal funding from American Recovery Plan Act. Honolulu’s rail project has received $70 million in federal funding, but it’s not part of the money being withheld from the project. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu Police Department received 48 applications to carry guns in public after high court ruling. In the aftermath of a U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down a New York law requiring people to show proper cause for carrying a gun in public the Honolulu Police Department has received 48 applications as of today, Chief Arthur J. Logan told the Honolulu Police Commission this afternoon. Star-Advertiser.

Bodycam footage released by HPD captures officer’s alleged attack on suspect. The man had to go to the hospital for his injuries and the officer is now the target of an FBI criminal investigation. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Council Race: Oahu’s North Shore Is Getting New Blood. Oahu’s largest council district is up for grabs by a crop of political newcomers. Civil Beat.

Candidates, older voters talk story in Kalihi. A larger than expected crowd of more than 300 likely senior citizen voters turned out Wednesday to mingle with more than 40 political candidates running in the Aug. 13 party primary elections. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council overrides Roth veto: Affordable housing bill adds new eligible programs. A County Council majority Wednesday overturned Mayor Mitch Roth’s veto of a bill governing the allowable uses of money from the affordable housing fund, after a debate between the council and administration about whether adding more uses to the list limits or broadens the program. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Now.

HVO Helicopter Survey Of Kilauea Begins, Meeting Set.
The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting a helicopter geophysical survey over unpopulated parts of Kīlauea volcano on the Island of Hawaiʻi from July 5–25, 2022. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Mayor announces Kali Arce and Weston Yap as leaders of new Maui Ag Department. Arce is a Hawaiian homesteader with more than three decades of experience in Hawaiʻi’s agriculture industry, according to the Mayor’s announcement. The Director designee must still be formally confirmed by the Maui County Council, according to county officials. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

33 acres of Hāna coastline now permanently protected at Mokae II. An additional 33 acres along the Hāna coast in East Maui is now permanently protected thanks to a multi-partner effort. Maui Now.

Molokai Community Health Center focusing on voter turnout, engagement. A Community Civic Engagement program’s Vot-ER grant is giving the center funding to provide residents with the tools to vote. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Bill hopes to ensure “fair play” from contractors on Kaua‘i. A bill presented to Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday intends to rein in unfair labor practices by requiring permit-holders to disclose information on contractors working on site. Garden Island.

Grove Farm seeks court ‘Clarification’ on drug treatment facility. The company feels the court action is necessary to prevent the improper transfer of the land to a third party that may not use the facility as intended. Garden Island.

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

English sentenced to 40 months in prison for accepting bribes, Green leads Democrats in gubernatorial poll, former chief justice Moon dies, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Former state senator is sentenced to 40 months in prison. The former majority leader of the state Senate expressed remorse and apologized Tuesday after he was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for taking bribes to manage legislation on behalf of a wastewater treatment and industrial machinery executive. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Maui News. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Civil Beat/HNN Poll: Green Enjoys 30 Point Lead Over Kahele, Cayetano In Gov Race. According to a new Civil Beat/Hawaii News Now poll, Green has 48% of the vote compared to U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele with 16% and businesswoman Vicky Cayetano with 15%. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s Congressional District 2 Race: Veteran Tokuda Vs. Newcomer Branco. The CD 2 seat is open with the departure of Kai Kahele but the contest drew little interest from the state’s political office-seekers. Civil Beat.

Record number of Hawaii election observers, new ballot tracking planned. A record number of volunteer election observers are planning to monitor mail-in ballots as they’re opened and processed across the state, while voters this year also have new tools to track their ballots before they arrive at counting centers and as they’re being tallied. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s ‘clean energy future’ aided by new state laws. Hawaii is on an improved path toward lower electricity use and greenhouse gas emissions under new state laws enacted Tuesday that include a subsidy to develop hydrogen vehicle fueling stations. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now.

Biden awards Medal of Honor to 2 Hawaiʻi soldiers for Vietnam War heroism. President Joe Biden awarded the Medal of Honor to four Army soldiers, including two from Hawaiʻi, for heroism during the Vietnam War — bravery that he said had not diminished even with the passage of time. Associated Press. Maui Now. KHON2.

Sailors take on cybersecurity at RIMPAC. At this year’s iteration of RIMPAC, participants are holding their first cyberwarfare symposium as part of the biennial naval war game. Star-Advertiser.

More terminally ill patients are choosing aid-in-dying, but experts say obstacles remain. Hawaii’s “Our Care, Our Choice” Act went into effect on Jan. 1, 2019, giving terminally ill patients the right to use prescribed end-of-life medications. Twenty-eight people died that year after being prescribed the medications. In 2020, the figure was 34. And in 2021, according to new state numbers, there were 49. Hawaii News Now.

Former Hawaii Chief Justice Ronald Moon Dead At 81. Moon served as chief justice for more than 17 years before retiring in 2010. He was the first Korean American to become the chief justice of a state supreme court. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Department releases footage of Rep. Matthew LoPresti’s DUI arrest. The Honolulu Police Department today provided media with body-worn camera footage of officers interacting with LoPresti, who was arrested on the evening of June 16 after officers found his vehicle stopped on the shoulder lane of Fort Weaver Road. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Honolulu Aquifer Likely Contaminated, According to the Board of Water Supply. By the Navy's report, there could be 5400 gallons of fuel unaccounted for from the Red Hill fuel spill last year. KITV4.

Navy reports no evidence of ‘chronic exposure’ from Red Hill fuel spill. The Department of Defense has set up a medical database to track the health impacts of jet fuel that leaked from Red Hill into the Navy’s water system, according to U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Capt. Michael McGinnis. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu Councilwoman Takes Up The Fight Against Tour Helicopters. Tired of the long wait for action, City Council member Esther Kiaaina takes residents’ pleas for peace and quiet direct to helicopter companies. Civil Beat.

Seagull Schools to remain on city downtown campus. The city will temporarily relocate Seagull Schools in August 2023 from above the parking garage of the Frank Fasi Civic Center grounds to the Mission Memorial Center and the resource library — a reprieve for the early-childhood education center. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Stadium plagues UH in big money musical chairs. An announcement on building the new Aloha Stadium could come next week, but time is of the essence as a shift in college football weighs on the future of the University of Hawaii’s athletics department. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Council seeks homeless plan: Housing office to detail how it will spend millions coming its way. The county housing agency is awash with money, and the County Council wants to know how it’s being spent. West Hawaii Today.

Council to Consider Overriding Roth Veto on Housing Program Revolving Fund. A measure that made the language in the county’s housing program revolving fund code more specific as to how it can be used was vetoed by Mayor Mitch Roth. The County Council on Wednesday, July 6, will revisit the issue — and could consider overriding Roth’s disapproval. Big Island Now.

Health care CEOs upbeat about merger: Bay Clinic, West Hawaii Community Health Center consolidating. The Bay Clinic and West Hawaii Community Health Center consolidated operations on July 1, forming a new health care organization for the Big Island known as Hawaii Island Community Health Center. Tribune-Herald.

Wastewater Discharged Into Hilo Bay. An obstructed sewer line on the July 4th holiday sent an estimated 3,000 gallons into a nearby storm drain, which empties into Hilo Bay. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Firefighters respond to nine fireworks related incidents over the Fourth of July holiday. The majority of these incidents involved the discarding of spent fireworks in rubbish bins. All of these fires were quickly knocked down and extinguished, according to department reports.  Maui Now.

A fitting tribute is finally on its way for the residents of Kalaupapa. Gov. David Ige recently signed off on $5 million to fund a memorial dedicated to the thousands sent to the Hansen’s Disease colony. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Sen. Hirono day trips to Kaua‘i. Tuesday, Sen.Mazie K. Hirono squeezed out a short day trip to Kaua‘i with several stops, including the Wailua River Bridge Improvement project, a stop at the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i, and the Boys &Girls Club, Lihu‘e before leaving on an afternoon flight. Garden Island.


Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Too hot for humpbacks? Ige signs affordable housing bills, Honolulu historic homes could lose tax break, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Humpback whales may avoid Hawaii due to climate change, study shows. The findings of a new paper by researchers at the University of Hawaii and the Pacific Whale Foundation suggest that the whales may one day avoid the relatively shallow ocean around the Hawaiian islands because the waters will be too warm. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii national park sites attracted 4 million visitors in 2021, study finds. Nearly 4 million people visited Hawaii’s eight national park units in 2021, spending an estimated $438 million in local communities across the state, according to a National Park Service report. Star-Advertiser.

Water conservation top of mind for some hotels, tourism businesses.
Drought conditions in the islands are expected to worsen this summer, concerning water supply officials. Residents have been asked to conserve water. But what about visitors? Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Ige signs bills to fund affordable housing and ʻOhana Zones. Gov. David Ige signed three bills on Friday relating to affordable housing. The new measures will support the Ohana Zones and First-To-Work programs. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News.

Second all-mail election offers some changes. Elections are coming up, and ballots can be cast just weeks from now in the 2022 primary. There are lots of changes this year. KHON2.

Redrawn districts present choices for voters. Many Hawaii residents will get a new representative in the state Legislature later this year — even if their current representative is running for reelection and wins. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s GOP primary candidates test the party’s values. The overall mood of the Hawaii Republican Party in 2022 likely will be revealed through the Aug. 13 primary election when voters have a choice of a diverse slate of candidates who appeal to distinctly different tastes. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele gets key union backing, Lt. Gov. Josh Green adds to long list. U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele received a needed endorsement in his gubernatorial bid Thursday from the United Public Workers union, while opponent Lt. Gov. Josh Green simultaneously was endorsed by the AFL-CIO, adding to Green’s long list of support from Hawaii labor unions. Star-Advertiser.

Schools wrestle with effects of Supreme Court ruling on coach’s prayer. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling that a high school football coach in Washington state had a constitutional right to pray at the 50-yard line after games has provoked strong reactions and left public school officials in Hawaii and across the nation struggling to discern how it might affect policies and religious acts on campuses and at school-related activities. Star-Advertiser.

Civil Beat Law Center Goes To Court To Make Prison Covid-19 Reports Public. The state refuses to release the health care monitoring reports, saying they are confidential under the terms of a federal court settlement. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Property tax incentives for historic homes reexamined. The Honolulu City Council might take a look at modifying the historic homes property tax exemption to increase the minimum tax payment or possibly remove the exemption altogether. Star-Advertiser.

HART Mum On Where Pivotal ‘Mauka Shift’ Approvals Stand. It’s not clear why HART is moving ahead before confirming which environmental approvals are needed and how long they might take. Civil Beat.

Fuel Spewed ‘Full Blast’ Into Red Hill Tunnel In November. As fuel rained down, creating a virtual river on the concrete floor of a Red Hill facility tunnel in November, the worker who accidentally triggered the leak found himself powerless to stop it. Civil Beat.

Officer who led Army’s Red Hill response is promoted to general. Col. Phillip “Cain” Baker, the 25th Infantry Division’s deputy commander for support, was promoted to brigadier general Friday in a small ceremony at the Schofield Barracks attended by family and friends. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian ‘Occupied Forces’ Group Ousted From Kunia Property By Police.
The squatters had taken over the private property nine months ago claiming they had title under laws of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Civil Beat.

Former federal ACO agrees to pay $100K to settle sex assault lawsuit. A former prison guard at the Federal Detention Center has agreed to pay $100,000 to two former female inmates who alleged he sexually assaulted them. Hawaii News Now.

Building damage estimated to be over $1.1M to historic Boyd-Irwin Estate with ties to Hawaiian royalty. The Honolulu Fire Department has determined the building fire that consumed the historic Boyd-Irwin Estate in Maunawili last month is estimated to have caused more than $1.137 million in damage. Star-Advertiser.

Makaha Valley Resort sold to South Korean company, KH Group at $20.7 million. A U.S. bankruptcy judge has approved a sale of 644 acres in Makaha Valley, positioning a South Korean company to develop the property previously slated for a resort featuring a golf course designed by Tiger Woods. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Feedback sought about EA for HVNP recovery effort. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has opened a comment period for community feedback about an environmental assessment for its proposed disaster recovery project to repair damage caused by the 2018 volcanic eruption and summit collapse on Kilauea volcano. Tribune-Herald.

Vacation rental rules remain unclear: County continues enforcement while awaiting ICA opinion. Hawaii County continues to enforce its prohibition against short-term vacation rentals in the state agricultural district despite a Kona judge’s ruling that the state doesn’t disallow that use as the county has claimed. West Hawaii Today.

County poised to award PONC grants.
Improvements at Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden top the list of awards to nonprofits the administration is recommending for the use of property tax funds earmarked for the county Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Long-Awaited Maui Ag Department Set To Be Finally Up And Running This Week. The director of Maui’s newly launched county department of agriculture is expected to be announced on Wednesday following an almost two-year wait. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Maui County Council Races: ‘Crucial’ Election May Bring A Political Shake-Up. The council’s progressive majority may change in an election where cost of living and the economy top the list of concerns. Civil Beat.

MPO mulls flexing federal funds to buy new buses. Public comments on the revised Federal Fiscal Year 2022-2025 Transportation Improvement Program is now being accepted by Maui MPO — the transportation planning agency for the island of Maui — through Friday. Maui News.

Maui’s top public health official wants an apology from state lawmakers. Dr. Lorrin Pang says it time for his critics to say they are sorry. Pang faced major backlash last year when he did not condemn controversial COVID-19 treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Brun distributor gets 2 years in prison
. After a 20-year prison sentence was imposed on former Kaua‘i County Councilmember turned meth dealer Arthur Brun this May, the court has begun mopping up the cases of his 11 co-conspirators. Garden Island.

Hanapepe native Fujii to get Medal of Honor Tuesday. Specialist Five Dennis M. Fujii of Hawai‘i is one of four people who will receive the Medal of Honor on July 5 from President Joseph R. Biden Jr., states a June 27 release from the White House. Garden Island. KITV4.

Friday, July 1, 2022

Ige signs digital equity, broadband bills, Red Hill report recounts 'cascading' failures, new look at Hawaii gun laws following Supreme Court ruling, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

fibre optic
PC: Compare Fibre on Unsplash
Gov. David Ige signs bills to expand ‘digital equity’ but slashes $200 million for broadband growth. A planned $200 million investment in Hawaii broadband access using federal funds got axed Thursday by Gov. David Ige as he signed four bills aimed at improving “digital equity” among local communities. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Supreme Court says gun cases in several states, including Hawaii, deserve a new look. The Supreme Court said today that gun cases involving restrictions in Hawaii, California, New Jersey and Maryland deserve a new look following its major decision in a gun case last week. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Ige Appoints New PUC Chairman. Leodoloff “Leo” R. Asuncion, Jr., will replace outgoing Public Utilities Chairman Jay Griffin at the helm of the regulatory agency. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

$118,000 recovered for Hawaii restaurant workers forced to share tips with managers. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found that D.K. Restaurant Group, which operates Sansei Seafood Restaurants and Sushi Bars in Kapalua, Kihei and Waikoloa and D.K. Steak House in Honolulu, had forced servers to share their tips with managers. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Caution urged over Fourth of July due to Hawaii’s high-level status for COVID-19 risks. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today kept all four major Hawaii counties classified as orange, high-level communities for COVID-19 impacts. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Long list of failures caused Red Hill leak, Navy investigation finds. An alarming list of operational and leadership failures, communication breakdowns and cavalier attitudes toward oversight at the Navy’s Red Hill fuel storage facility contributed to two leaks in 2021 that ultimately contaminated the Navy’s drinking water system with jet fuel, according to a long-awaited investigation released Thursday by the Navy. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Pentagon releases 2-year plan to drain Red Hill fuel tanks. The Pentagon expects it will take at least two years to safely defuel the 20 massive tanks at its underground Red Hill fuel storage facility, according to a five-phase plan released Thursday by the state Department of Health. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Redistricting Pits Like-Minded Friends Against Each Other. After a decade serving neighboring House districts, Gregg Takayama and Roy Takumi vie for their new shared seat. Civil Beat.

City fined $116,000 for safety violations after worker’s death at sewage plant. A newly-released state investigation raises questions about whether the death of a Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant worker could have been prevented. Hawaii News Now.

State pledges July Fourth enforcement at Kaneohe Sandbar to avoid ‘free for all’. With the Fourth of July weekend coming up, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources is reminding the public about gatherings at Ahu O Laka, also known as the Kaneohe Sandbar. Alcohol is prohibited at the location on the three-day weekend and so is unpermitted commercial activity. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hu Honua Bioenergy appeals to Hawaii Supreme Court after rejection of biomass plant. Honua Ola Bioenergy filed an appeal Wednesday with the Hawaii Supreme Court to reverse a state Public Utilities Commission decision rejecting its plans to open a biomass plant on Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Big Island Condo Owners Navigate Troubled Finances. An unexpected financial mess at the Elima Lani condo complex in Waikoloa Village leaves some property owners miffed and perplexed. Civil Beat.

Maui

51.3 acres acquired in West Maui for County Park. The County of Maui has acquired 51.3 acres in West Maui for a purchase price of $2 million from Maui Land & Pineapple Co. for development of a County park, Mayor Michael Victorino announced today. Maui Now.

Bill may allow more veterans on disability to get tax relief. Some property tax relief could be coming for Maui County residents and severely disabled veterans as a County Council committee unanimously advanced two bills for tax relief to the full council on Wednesday. Maui News.

Takakura sworn in as new Deputy Director at Maui Department of Planning. Maui’s Jacky Takakura was sworn into office on Wednesday as deputy director of the Department of Planning, County officials announced. She succeeds Jordan Hart, who has moved to chief of the department’s Zoning Administration & Enforcement Division. Maui Now. Maui News.

Amid extreme drought, Maui residents prohibited from non-essential use of water.
Upcountry and West Maui residents have been banned starting Thursday from using non-essential water, said officials. That means no washing vehicles or watering lawns until further notice. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

COVID Update: Another death, KCCC quarantine solution. Kaua‘i saw its fifth covid death in as many weeks, as a man in his 40s succumbed to the virus while hospitalized. After sitting unused for nearly a year, the Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center’s temporary medical isolation housing unit is finally operational (at least partially). Garden Island.