Ranchers want more land, Hirono pushes for Hawaii missile defense, Hawaiian Airlines accounts for 11% of state GDP, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Local ranchers say they need more land available for agricultural use to stay in business.  Hawaiʻi’s ranchers say they need help to stay in business. A group was set to meet with state lawmakers Monday, seeking their support for a number of measures before the Legislature. Hawaii Public Radio. KITV4.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono concerned about lack of missile defense for Hawaii. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono wants answers from military leaders about missile defense in the islands amid rising tensions in the Pacific, asking senior military brass about the Pentagon’s strategy for defending Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Audit: OHA is falling short on its development, investment promises. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs isn’t sticking to its development and investment promises, according to a new critical state audit that suggests is missing out on revenue. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Air a major player in state economy, report shows. Hawaiian Airlines in 2022 wasn’t even back to pre-COVID-19 performance levels and still was associated directly and indirectly with more than $10 billion worth of economic activity in Hawaii — 11% of the state’s gross domestic product, according to an independent report by ICF, a global consulting services company commissioned by the airline to assess its economic impact in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii bank stocks tumble, but execs say money is safe. The fallout from the shutdowns of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank spilled over to regional banks Monday and sent the shares tumbling for publicly traded Hawaii financial institutions. Star-Advertiser.

Erosion rulings send clear message: Landowners must come to terms with rising seas. With recent decisions, the state Land Board has sent a clear message to shoreline landowners: They’ll have to start dealing with rising seas and shouldn’t expect government bailouts. That’s an about-face for the state. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Senate Committee Green Lights New Ag Director Sharon Hurd. Sharon Hurd received kudos for being “most improved” from the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee on Monday as the committee approved her appointment to run Hawaii’s Department of Agriculture despite a bumpy initial appearance. Civil Beat.

Patients are settling in at Hawaiʻi State Hospital, but construction fixes are ongoing. Demand remains high for mental health services at the Hawaiʻi State Hospital. The new facility on the windward side of Oʻahu just opened last spring, and officials say it is operating at full capacity — all of its 277 beds are taken. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

In The Line Of Duty? Kealoha Ruling Raises Questions About Public’s Obligation To Cops. The Hawaii Supreme Court decided March 7 that the Honolulu Police Commission erred in 2019 when it decided to provide former Honolulu police chief Louis Kealoha with taxpayer-funded legal representation after his federal indictment. Civil Beat.

HPD Chief talks about his plan to deal with violent crime. Honolulu Police Department Chief Joe Logan’s, five year plan touches on everything from crime to improving communications. KHON2.

Ex-Mililani athletic director pleads not guilty in theft case. The former Mililani High School athletic director accused of stealing over $400,000 from the school’s nonprofit sports booster club pleaded not guilty Monday to theft charges. Star-Advertiser.

Protesters who ‘reclaimed’ DHHL land step up pressure campaign — and make plans to stay. Frustrated by the state Department of Hawaiian Home Land’s growing waitlist, Native Hawaiian activists are increasing the pressure on the department. Over the weekend, one protester ― De Mont Manaole ― used an excavator to clear a long-vacant, four-acre DHHL parcel that was overrun by weeds and nonnative trees. Hawaii News Now.

Proposed Ward Village development includes nearly 500 units, retail space.  Ward Village has submitted a planned development permit application for its latest residential project — called Launiu Ward Village. The 11th proposed development in Ward Village will be located at the corner of Ala Moana Boulevard and Ward Avenue. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Zoo ticket prices could increase for the first time since 2011. The Honolulu Zoo may raise its kamaʻāina and military admission rates for the first time in over a decade. Honolulu City Council’s Bill 7 proposes increasing tickets by $2. Hawaii Public Radio.

Traffic victims’ survivors push for new laws to make streets safe.  In the wake of February’s death of a 16-year-old McKinley High School student killed in a crosswalk, lawmakers, advocates for safer streets and families of victims of traffic fatalities gathered Monday at the state Capitol to advocate for new laws. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Roth gives progress report in State of the County address. Halfway through his first term, Mayor Mitch Roth reflected on his administration’s challenges, successes and hopes for the future at his State of the County address Monday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. KHON2.

State begins Maunakea transfer from UH with newly nominated stewardship team. Gov. Josh Green has nominated the eight members of the new Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority. On July 1, a transition period begins, transferring control over Maunakea to the authority, and away from the University of Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

Court again rejects Big Island biomass plant. The state Supreme Court on Monday once again dashed Honua Ola Bioenergy LLC’s hopes of bringing its $520 million Hawaii island biomass plant into operation burning trees for renewable energy. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.

Gov. Green requests state funding for Kohala Ditch, Kona hospital, Pohoiki Boat Ramp. Hawai’i Gov. Josh Green has included in his budget request to the State Legislature funding for three long-desired Big Island infrastructure projects. He transmitted these requests in a March 10 letter to the State Legislature. Big Island Now.

TSA ‘equipment failure’ causes long lines for passengers at Hilo airport. Travelers waited in hourslong lines at Hilo International Airport over the weekend and Monday due to an “equipment failure,” according to the state Department of Transportation. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  KHON2.

Maui

Maui Settles Civil Suit Tied To Officer Convicted Of Sex Crimes.  Maui County tax dollars will be used to pay three women victimized by former Maui Police Officer Brandon Saffeels, who is now serving a 10-year prison term for child enticement and fraud. Civil Beat.

Mayor Bissen to deliver State of the County address, March 21. Mayor Richard Bissen will deliver his first State of the County address at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 21 on the front lawn of Kalana O Maui, the County Building in Wailuku. Maui Now.

County of Maui solicits applications for Economic Diversification grants. The County of Maui Office of Economic Development is soliciting applications for proposals for grants to create and implement plans for business development and economic diversification. Maui Now.

Salvaging Shipwrecks Is A Tough Business. Just Ask The Company That Towed The Maui Yacht. The crashed vessel in Honolua and a wave of groundings during last week's storms put a focus on just how hard it is to haul away grounded boats. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County ‘scrambling’ to collect $230K in homelessness funds. The County of Kaua‘i is rushing to receive at least $230,000 in federal funds for homelessness prevention after a sudden shift by the state upended the county’s access to a grant program. Garden Island.

The Kaua‘i Bus getting a rebrand. In an effort to modernize the look of the fleet, two ribbons of light blue and teal will replace the ‘90s-era, sugarcane industry-inspired, green hatching that currently lines the side of the vehicles. Garden Island.

Hawaii Convention Center is leaking, Pearl Harbor to get $2.8B dry dock, Legislature passes session midpoint, bankruptcy shuts down Hawaiian Isles coffee, water company, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

The Hawaii Convention Center says a major rooftop leak problem threatens to cause structural damage to the $350 million complex. So far, the leaks haven’t led to cancellations. But the center’s manager said it has forced the venue to move events to other rooms. Hawaii News Now.

Debt shuts down Hawaiian Isles water, coffee companies. Two familiar brands in the islands — Hawaiian Isles Water Co. and Hawaiian Isles Coffee Co. — have shut down under a pile of debt and in the wake of ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, according to the companies’ attorney. Star-Advertiser.

Navy awards $2.8 billion contract for Pearl Harbor dock replacement. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Pacific awarded a $2.8 billion task order Friday under a previously awarded contract to Honolulu-based joint venture Dragados/ Hawaiian Dredging/Orion JV to replace Dry Dock 3 at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. Star-Advertiser.

Public Utilities Commission tackles energy equity with new docket. A new docket seeks to define energy equity and integrate energy justice practices into the commission's proceedings.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Almost 1,000 bills advance at Hawaii Legislature.  Tax relief for residents and an environmental impact fee for visitors are among nearly 1,000 proposals in bills that have advanced through the midpoint of this year’s legislative session. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers consider bills to increase funding for at-home caregivers. Hawaii lawmakers are considering bills that would provide support and pay those who care for sick or aging family members. Experts said at-home caregivers save the state millions if not billions of dollars by taking care of their loved ones. KITV4.

Commentary: Plenty Of Legislators Support Term Limits. So Why Won't They Let The Public Vote On Them? Civil Beat surveyed many of Hawaii's 76 lawmakers or researched their positions on term limits. Here's what we found. Civil Beat.

Nowhere To Go: Lack Of Housing And Staff Is Undercutting Efforts To Deal With Homelessness In Hawaii. Homeless people face a number of barriers to getting the help, including a dearth of available housing and a safety net system that isn't always designed to meet their needs. Civil Beat.

Here’s What Hawaii Can Learn From Other States About Universal Preschool. The Ready Keiki initiative is a mixed-delivery system that aims to create more than 465 classrooms, increase subsidies for lower-income families and collaborate with universities to update their teaching curriculum by having a dedicated preschool school degree. Civil Beat.

Hawaii jobless rates higher than reported.  Upward revisions undertaken by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics boosted the rates for the last four months of 2022, including increasing December’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate by a half-percentage point, to 3.7% from 3.2%. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council begins overhaul of land use ordinance. Overhauling and updating the city’s more than 30-year-old land use ordinance — a guiding planning document used for orderly development on Oahu — has begun. Star-Advertiser.

Defense contract to study nonfuel uses for Red Hill. Two local companies, CommPac and SMS Hawaii, will be assisting defense contractor Nakupuna Cos. in conducting public outreach and soliciting community ideas about alternative uses for the Navy’s Red Hill facility once its closed for fueling operations. Star-Advertiser.

Big Pay Hikes On The Horizon For City Leaders. The increases arise amid a wider conversation about how to hire and retain workers. Civil Beat.

Honolulu police officers are one step closer to getting a schedule change. The police union has agreed to a a three-day-a-week, 12-hour patrol shift to address staffing shortages in patrol divisions. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu plans expansion of homeless housing and outreach. The city expects to announce two new tiny-home kauhale locations this year with a third to follow as Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration continues to look at ways to reduce homelessness while keeping struggling families from becoming homeless. Star-Advertiser.

Historic land sells for $36.5M on Oʻahu's North Shore. The historic Dillingham Ranch on Oʻahu’s North Shore was just acquired by an undisclosed buyer for $36.5 million. The sale closed March 1.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Watchdog Cites ‘Inhumane Conditions’ And Security Lapse At Oahu Jail. The correctional oversight commission observed gates left open and continued problems with the electronic medical records system at the Oahu jail. Civil Beat.

Miske Case: Judge To Decide If Defense Attorney’s Removal Should Stand. Thomas Otake has been at least temporarily terminated over alleged conflicts of interest. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Police Shoot And Kill Man In Kailua-Kona. Officers shot and killed a man Friday in the course of investigating a shooting from earlier in the week, according to a press release from Hawaii police. There is no body camera footage of the incident because the plainclothes vice detectives involved do not wear cameras, the department said. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Hawaii News Now.

Mediation urged to curb evictions: State legislation aims to help prevent homelessness. A bill seeking to establish prelitigation mediation in eviction cases has passed the state House and has received committee referrals in the Senate. Tribune-Herald.

Lofty solid waste goal set: County Council resolution supports trash-conversion facility.  Hawaii County has set a goal to process and recycle all solid waste on the Big Island in only three years. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Housing project gets quick boost from County Council. Change in land use is final hurdle for 202-unit Kuikahi Village. Maui News.

Bissen directors cross final hurdle. The Maui County Council on Friday approved all 12 of Mayor Richard Bissen Jr.’s department head appointments. Maui News.

Two council members to step back from rental housing discussion. Both Tasha Kama and Gabe Johnson had been board members of MEO, landowner of the project site. Maui News.

Amendment needed for overnight camping on ag land, high court rules. The state Land Use Commission prevailed Friday in a Hawaii Supreme Court case regarding a special permit for overnight camping on prime agricultural land. Star-Advertiser.

Maui physicians back bill to lessen their tax burden. Bill would exempt medical providers from GET for treating some patients. Maui News.

Maui’s Kulanihakoi High School is empty and stuck in bureaucratic limbo.  Government  and community leaders continue to argue about how to get past more than a decade of bureaucratic missteps that have left Kihei with a long-delayed high school that has cost taxpayers $180 million so far but can’t be used, including a $16 million traffic roundabout that failed to meet the state Land Use Commission’s pedestrian-safety requirements to open the school. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Passenger count eases at Lihu‘e Airport in February. For the first time in months, the number of people getting off domestic flights at Lihu‘e Airport was lower than the same comparable period a year earlier. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i COVID-19 update: “Kraken” subvariant in the wastewater. The state Department of Health reported a relatively low number of COVID-19 cases last week, with only 34 new cases reported on Kaua‘i between Feb. 28 and March 6. Garden Island.

Sunlight is the best disinfectant: Same-same but different may be close enough

 

 

Same-same but different, a piquant phrase brought to Hawaii by our Southeast Asia neighbors, sums it up perfectly as transparency bills recommended by a blue-ribbon commission slowly wind their way through the state Legislature.

Same-same but different. Or, in American terms, close enough.

Thus we have 31 measures introduced to the Legislature by the commission, along with scores of other bills proposed by government agencies or sponsored by legislators purporting to accomplish the same thing.

So far, so good.

As the 2023 Legislature hit its midpoint, when bills sponsored by and passed one house move on to the other house, all but one of the bills promoted by the Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct survived the first round in some form or another.

(Guess which one died?

Bingo! HB 796, a proposed constitutional amendment limiting legislators' terms to 16 years. The House version was deferred without discussion at its first committee and the Senate version, SB 1424, never got assigned to a committee at all.)

Notably, 11 of the successful measures moving from the House to the Senate were the actual bills proposed by the so-called "Foley commission," after they received inevitable amendments in one committee or another.

Another 16 non-commission Sunshine bills of various stripes also moved to the Senate by the deadline. The Senate, in turn, sent 30 such bills over to the House.

Standards Commission Chairman Daniel Foley is OK with that.

"When I was appointed last year to head the Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct, there was (and still is) skepticism on the part of many that the Hawaii Legislature was serious about making state and county government more transparent and accountable," Foley, a former associate justice on the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals, said in a recent column in Civil Beat.

"Take my word for it, " Foley added, "the Legislature is serious."

I'd love to share Judge Foley's optimism, but we do need to remind the Legislature the public's skepticism is well-grounded in very recent history.

A few of the convictions and pending charges, lest we forget:

• A Senate majority leader and a House Finance committee vice chairman accepted thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for shaping legislation.

• A $10.9 million affordable housing credit scheme by a county housing employee and three individuals from the private sector.

• Drug trafficking conspiracy, distribution of methamphetamine and assault by a county councilman.

• Conspiracy by a police chief, prosecutor and deputy county prosecutor and  several employees of an engineering firm, along with conspiracy to hide public funds by a city corporation counsel, managing director and police commission chairperson.

• Bribery of a county environmental management director by a businessman.

• Bribery of five county planning department employees by an architect.

• Embezzlement and fraud by a former union leader and two of his family members.

• Potential instances of fraud by former top officials at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs totaling more than $7.3 million.

That is one big mess of corruption that will take a whole lot of disinfectant. Sunshine is the first step. And the Foley bills -- or their clones -- are the way to go about it.

The public has a role here as well. If you want clean government, get out there and remind our elected officials as the bills continue through the second half of the session.

Learn more about the history of the Foley Commission here. 

 Find the pertinent bills at Civil Beat's awesome bill tracker.

Then, track your favorite measures and submit testimony by entering the bill number on the Legislature's website. Even a few lines or simply supporting or opposing bills will let the decision-makers know you're paying attention.

It's important to recognize that, while some of the best bills came from  the Foley Commission, it ultimately doesn't matter which of whose bills get the nod.

Same-same but different, you know.

Or as Harry S Truman put it, "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."

Nancy Cook Lauer, who’s covered state and local governments for 30 years in Hawaii and Florida, is the publisher of All Hawaii News (www.allhawaiinews.com)

Hawaii may duck recession, Health Department reports death registry data breach, wage hikes recommended for Honolulu officials, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii to avoid recession, UHERO report says. The state’s gross domestic product — the value of Hawaii’s goods and serv­ices adjusted for inflation — will slow to 1.7% growth in 2023 from 2.5% in the previous year, according to quarterly report due out today by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Star-Advertiser.

As Hawaiʻi's minimum wage rises, some lawmakers want to scrap the tip credit. By the time the minimum wage increases to $18 by 2028, the tip credit will increase to $1.50 — making the minimum wage for tipped workers $16.50 an hour.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Budget bill allocates much less to the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority than requested. House Bill 300 includes a $35 million appropriation to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority–thatʻs $40 million less than what was requested.  Maui Now. Garden Island.

Bill requiring clergy to report sacramental confessions of child abuse moves to Senate. When religious clergy were added to the state's list of mandatory reporters, the law exempted the reporting of abuse disclosed during penitential communication. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Lawmaker Quietly Kills Bill To Allow Unlicensed Midwives To Continue Practicing. House Bill 955 cleared two committees before stalling this month in the House Finance Committee chaired by Rep. Kyle Yamashita. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Health Department warns of breach to death registry. The Hawaii Department of Health today announced there has been a security breach of its Electronic Death Registry System. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

It’s not your imagination: The price of rice is way up. The price of rice has jumped 40% in just the last two years. And that’s spurring tough calculations for family households and eateries.  Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Salary Commission recommends wage increases for city leadership. The Honolulu Salary Committee had not recommended salary increases in the last four years; but this year, it is proposing a big bump for some positions. KHON2.

Honolulu planning director says more employees are needed to solve permitting backlog. Dawn Takeuchi Apuna, the director of Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting, updated the City Council's budget committee on the department's needs for fiscal year 2024. Among those priorities, she requested a 26% bump for salaries across all of DPP's six divisions.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Mayor signs bill to encourage inclusion, protect diversity.  Bill 25 establishes a policy of anti-bias and inclusion for all City officers and employees. This includes different perspectives, views or opinions. KHON2. KITV4.

Waiahole Valley tenants get reprieves over rent. A state agency trying to increase ground-lease rents in Waiahole Valley for about 100 residential and farm tenants with decades-old low rates made several moves Thursday to defuse the tense situation where some fear evictions. Star-Advertiser.

Punaluu homeowner faces $188K fine for shoreline violations. An oceanfront property owner in Punaluu faces a $188,000 fine for numerous shoreline violations, including refusing to remove giant sandbags, heavy black tarps and boulders that form a tangled mess along the public beach in front of his home. Star-Advertiser.

Bathroom recording incidents at Ala Moana Center prompt police security message. Officers have arrested a man accused of using his cell phone to record a teenage boy inside a bathroom stall at Ala Moana Center. Police say it’s the second time a situation like this has happened in the mall’s public restrooms in recent months. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu’s Pig Farmers Want To Change The Conversation On Food Security. Hawaii's demand for pork is on the rise but slaughterhouses cater to beef. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Countyʻs transportation administrator leaving after 18 months revamping Hele-On. Hawaiʻi County’s Mass Transit Agency, commonly called Hele-On, will be looking for a new administrator. John Andoh, the current administrator, will be stepping down effective March 31 to transition to a similar role on the mainland. Big Island Now.

Geologist: It’s too soon to know if our recent Kilauea eruption has actually ended. With the latest Kilauea eruption on pause, geologists are monitoring the volcano to determine what will happen next. Tribune-Herald.

County’s Safe Place initiative expands. Mayor Mitch Roth’s office announced Tuesday the Hawaii County Mass Transit Agency, in partnership with National Safe Place Network, is expanding the Safe Place initiative to include The Salvation Army Family Intervention Services. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Land Board weighs Kaanapali Beach restoration project.  The state Board of Land and Natural Resources is expected to decide today whether to approve an agreement forged between the Department of Land and Natural Resources and a private resort association requiring them to split the costs of a $10 million beach restoration project long planned for Maui’s Kaanapali Beach. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Context for Maui hate crime ruling includes complex history. A recent federal hate crime ruling against two Native Hawaiian men from Maui is sparking discussions on the broader societal context in Hawaiʻi that enables hate and bias in the first place. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kaua‘i council supports birth attendant exemption. The Kaua‘i County Council resolution ultimately passed in a 5-1 vote, but the House bill may be dead in the water regardless. Garden Island.

Master plan would reshape Mahelona Hospital on Kaua‘i. Officials are closing in on a final master plan for Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital and the surrounding areas, which will include a new library, police substation and hundreds of units of housing. Garden Island.

State short on EV chargers, House poses preliminary budget, ethics reform moves to Senate, Maui condos near record $1M median, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

With 19K EVs, Hawaii pushes to make charging up easier. There are about 19,000 registered electric vehicles In Hawaii and 5,200 plug in hybrids according to the State’s energy department. Hawaiian Electric Company said Hawaii has the lowest charging ports per electric vehicle in the country. KHON2.

Hawaii Lawmakers Are Wary Of Revenue Shortfalls As They Roll Out A Proposed 2-Year Spending Plan. The House Finance Committee unveiled its first draft of an ambitious new budget on Wednesday, but the chairman warned that a decline in tax collections may force changes. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Maui Now. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Hawaii’s New Top Cop Wants To Beef Up Airport Police, Fireworks Inspections. Jordan Lowe, along with a handful of other heads of state agencies, won approval from Senate committees this week. Gov. Josh Green’s pick to lead the new state Department of Law Enforcement plans to eventually phase out the use of private security guards at state-run airports in favor of deputy sheriffs and promised to work with other law enforcement agencies and shipping companies to increase inspections for fireworks at the ports. Civil Beat.

Lower drunken driving threshold gains ground. Hawaii could become the second state to lower the legal blood alcohol concentration, or BAC threshold, from 0.08% to 0.05% for those operating a vehicle. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi House of Representatives passes 11 ethics reform bills; next stop the Senate. The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives on Tuesday passed 11 remaining bills relating to ethics reform that were introduced based on recommendations made in the Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct Final Report. Big Island Now.

Hawaii May Become The Next State To Ban The Sale Of Fur Products. Hawaii could become the second state in the country to prohibit the fur trade within its borders, if a bill supported by animal rights activists continues to gain momentum within the Legislature. Civil Beat.

Hawaii gun control efforts applauded. State lawmakers and gun control advocates gathered Wednesday to celebrate the Legislature’s work so far aimed at reducing gun violence across the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Vs. Southwest: Good News For Travelers, Bad News For The Bottom Line. As travelers enjoy Southwest's $39 interisland fares into the spring, Hawaiian Airlines holds the local market but posts net losses. Civil Beat.

Remembering Hawaiʻi's COVID shutdown 3 years after the pandemic began. It was three years ago this week that the Department of Health announced the first case of COVID-19 in Hawaiʻi. Before the month was out, a stay-at-home order and travel restrictions were put in place.  Hawaii Public Radio.

510 new COVID-19 cases and 7 more deaths. The state’s average positivity rate — the percentage of all tests reported that were positive — remained the same as March 1 at 4.4%. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

HART proposes $108.9 million operating budget for fiscal 2024. Two transit agencies involved in the construction or future operation and maintenance of the city’s nearly $10-billion rail line detailed Tuesday their budgetary goals for next fiscal year. Star-Advertiser.

Kualoa Ranch expansion is hit with another delay. Kualoa Ranch returned to the Honolulu Planning Commission on Wednesday seeking approval to lift restrictions on its operations to complete an expansion plan that has been in play for seven years — but the Windward Oahu agricultural center and tourist attraction is going to have to wait a while longer. Star-Advertiser.

Big changes coming to popular North Shore beach. Laniakea Beach on the North Shore, with its beautiful surf, and the turtles that come to rest along the shoreline, attracts thousands and thousands of visitors annually. KHON2.

City clears homeless encampments in Waianae, but many say it's a waste of taxpayer dollars. The city budgets about $850,000 a year for what it calls sanitation efforts -- that it says in almost all instances are requested by community members. KITV4.

Playful monk seal spotted in the Ala Wai Canal. The notoriously dirty Ala Wai Canal has recently been home to a returning monk seal. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Roth on health care crisis: ’A matter of life or death’.  Mayor Mitch Roth called the state of health care on Hawaii Island “an emergency situation.” Tribune-Herald.

Council committees discuss affordable housing, land preservation, floriculture on Big Island. The Hawai‘i County Council met Tuesday for several committee meetings. Agenda topics included affordable housing, preservation of 3 acres in Hilo and the importance of the floriculture industry to the Big Island. Big Island Now.

County code changes might be needed before housing program can be fully improved. Hawaii County’s affordable housing credit program needs to be reshaped, but not before the county code itself can be revised, county officials said. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiian Tel completes a fiber ring in E. Hawaii. Crews closed an approximately 25-mile fiber gap between Volcano and Pahala, completing another ring in the company’s network. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Animal control agency OK’d. A new Hawaii County animal control agency will be formed in July, bringing with it 45 new county jobs. Tribune-Herald.

Rapid help pledged for mold-plagued Holualoa Elementary School. Gov. Josh Green pledged Wednesday that he’ll approve funding to fix up the nearly 140-year-old Holualoa Elementary School “the minute it hits my desk,” and a top state Department of Education official said he expects as many as 17 mold-plagued classrooms to be cleaned and repaired over the summer, in time for next school year. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Maui County condo median sales price sets all-time record at $908,000. Spiked by luxury sales, the median sales price for Maui County condominiums last month set a record high at close to $1 million, a new report said. Maui Now.

Sunken yacht to be left on seafloor for now. DLNR, community planning discussions on future shipwreck response, prevention. Saying that removal would be costly and impacts from the fuel-drained boat “should be minimal,” state officials said there are no plans at this time to pull a 94 foot-long luxury yacht that sank to the seafloor Sunday afternoon in West Maui, though they are planning discussions on how “to fill gaps” in shipwreck responses and prevention.  Maui News.

Restoration efforts underway after luxury yacht caused ‘significant’ damage to coral colonies. The coral in Honolua Bay was ground to bits by a luxury yacht recently stuck around for nearly two weeks. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Former Maui police chief Howard Tagomori called tough, progressive.  Howard Hikaru Tagomori, the former Maui police chief remembered for his relentless pursuit of improvement and whose samurai demeanor came with a quick wit and kind heart, died Friday at the age of 82. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Public invited to Kaua’i Mayor Kawakami’s State of County address March 14. Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami's 2023 State of the County Address will be held at 9 a.m. at the Līhu‘e Civic Center in the Mo‘ikeha Courtyard.  Kauai Now.

Master plan would reshape Mahaelona Hospital on Kaua‘i.  Officials are closing in on a final master plan for Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital and the surrounding areas, which will include a new library, police substation and hundreds of units of housing. Garden Island.

Kapa‘a satellite DMV coming to town. Shioi Construction, the same contractor that did the work for the Kapa‘a police substation in the annex, secured the $177,000 project that will have parts of the Kapa‘a Armory renovated to accommodate three DMV service windows facing the road separating the armory from the Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Tax breaks, legal pot, abortion rights, transparency bills advance as Legislature reaches midpoint, Supreme Court rules taxpayers not liable for Kealoha legal fees, Kilauea eruption pauses, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tax Breaks, Legal Pot, Abortion Rights Get The Green Light At The Hawaii Legislature — So Far. House and Senate lawmakers voted Tuesday to advance an array of tax breaks for hard-pressed, low-income Hawaii residents, but left many of the difficult details for later. Civil Beat. Garden Island.

Hawaii’s Budget May Be Smaller Than Expected This Year, Council Says. Hawaii is likely to collect about $328 million less in revenue than previously anticipated during this fiscal year, the Council on Revenues said Tuesday.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Senate passes abortion protections bill. Advocates of a woman’s right to an abortion celebrated Tuesday’s passage of a state Senate bill protecting health care workers who perform abortions across the islands, including procedures performed on women coming in from out of state. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. KITV4.

Legalized adult recreational marijuana bill passes Senate. A bill that would legalize adult recreational use of cannabis in Hawaii passed its final state Senate floor vote Tuesday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

GET bill clears state Senate. The state Senate voted 25-0 to pass Senate Bill 1035, which would exempt medical providers treating Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE patients from the state’s general excise tax. Tribune-Herald.

Some essential workers push for their own collective bargaining groups at the Legislature. The state has always been leery of the creation of new collective bargaining units for public employees, and with four measures up at the state Legislature this session, those decisions are at the table again. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers consider boosting wages for childcare providers amid critical shortage. Underpaid early childhood education providers are abandoning the profession at an alarming rate in what experts call a red flag for the economy. Hawaii News Now.

Voters Support Nearshore Water Protection Despite State Scrapping 30×30 Goal, Polling Finds. Four out of five voters are supportive of stricter fishing regulations, according to a poll commissioned by The Nature Conservancy. A recent poll commissioned by conservation groups found Hawaii’s voters support more protective measures for nearshore waters, despite the Department of Land and Natural Resources recently scrapping the “30×30” marine management goal in response to what it said were community concerns. Civil Beat.

Thousands Of Hawaii ID Cards Were Misprinted In February, State DOT Says. The state Department of Transportation announced in a press release Monday that it discovered an error on licenses and ID cards. The “Hawaii” text in the top left corner was misprinted due to hardware used by the state’s license vendor. The misprinted cards show “Hawaii” in plain sans-serif typeface instead of a script typeface. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News.  Garden Island.

Oahu

Ex-HPD chief not entitled to city-funded attorney, high court finds. The state Supreme Court has reversed a decision that Louis Kealoha was entitled to taxpayer-funded legal representation while on trial for the scandal he was involved in as chief of the Honolulu Police Department. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Medical Examiner backlog of reports causing death certificate delays. The Honolulu Medical Examiner is working on an 877 report backlog dating back three years ago and 400 reports have been completed so far. KHON2.

Kakaako Makai bill is rejected again. A bid by the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs to permit residential development on land it owns in Kakaako Makai has been blocked at the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

$600 A Month In Kakaako Gets Seniors Mold, Shocks And The Smell Of Death. Maintenance problems at a state-owned apartment building for seniors underscore another challenge in providing affordable housing. Civil Beat.

Housing project for formerly incarcerated women opens. Mohala Mai, meaning to “blossom forth,” is Oahu’s first permanent, supportive housing project for formerly incarcerated women. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Ex-athletic director allegedly used nonprofit to pay bills. A 2021 investigation by Mililani High School officials into allegations of theft from the athletic booster club revealed that then-athletic director Glenn S. Nitta Opens in a new tab allegedly used the nonprofit’s money to pay $364,709 for personal expenses, including gambling in Las Vegas; business, car and student loans; credit cards; and a Chinese dinner on New Year’s Eve. Star-Advertiser.

Plans to convert sports courts on Oahu for pickleball receives pushback. In order to add nearly 70 pickleball courts to Oahu, the city says it plans to convert some tennis courts, like the ones at Kilauea District Park, to make room for the pickleball courts, but some are saying it will have a negative impact on children. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Kilauea volcano activity pauses after 61 days.  Lava is no longer flowing on the Halemaumau Crater’s floor, where all recent eruptive activity has been confined, the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said in a statement. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Tax relief measure aimed at helping farmers advances. The measure would modify the county’s tax code to allow agricultural properties with residences built on them to qualify for the county’s homeowner tax exemption. Tribune-Herald.

Cockfight in Kona: New info revealed. Hawaii Island revealed more information Tuesday about a cockfight Saturday in South Kona that drew an estimated 800 to 1,000 people to the illegal event. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Couple sues Maui snorkeling firm after being left behind. A Hayward, Calif., couple is suing a Maui snorkeling operator, along with the boat captain and other unnamed defendants, for abandoning them in waters off Lanai while on a snorkelng tour during their 2021 honeymoon. Star-Advertiser.

Speed limit reduction along Kaʻahumanu Avenue takes effect March 22. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation notifies Maui motorists of a speed limit change on Kaʻahumanu Avenue (Route 32) between Kainani Street/Lunalilo Street and Mile Marker 1.96 (vicinity of Mile Marker 2). The speed limit will be reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph in both directions. Maui Now.

Larry Ellison’s Company Helps Hawaii Find Housing For Key Mental Health Hire. A state mental health agency has filled a key position on Lanai, restoring in-person social services to patients with severe psychiatric conditions amid a housing crisis that had forced two prior applicants to pull out of the job because they could not find an affordable place to live.  Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i North Shore schools top list of religious vaccine exemptions. Students on the North Shore of Kaua‘i are among the most likely in Hawai‘i to opt out of routine vaccinations for religious reasons, data from the state Department of Education shows. Garden Island.

Dangerous waves up to 40 feet on the way to Kauaʻi, Niʻihau starting Wednesday morning. The forecast is for dangerously large breaking waves building to 30 to 40 feet along north-facing shores and waves of 20 to 30 feet along west-facing shores of Niʻihau and Kauaʻi. Kauai Now.

Legislature kills tax breaks on food and medicine, teacher and doctor retention falls, Senate to vote on bill legalizing recreational marijuana, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii lawmakers kill excise food tax exemption, but other proposed relief lives on. The proposal to end Hawaii’s 4.5% excise tax on food and medicine has died at the state Legislature, but there is still millions of dollars in income tax relief still on the table as the 2023 session nears its midpoint. Hawaii News Now.

Key state Senate vote today on measure aimed at physician retention. A bill that would exempt medical providers from the state’s general excise tax for treating Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE patients will be voted on today in the Senate. Tribune-Herald.

Report: Teacher Turnover Increases In Hawaii. Hawaii saw a 12.3% uptick in turnover of public school teachers during the 2021-2022 academic year compared with the school year that began in fall 2017, according to an employment report by the state Department of Education. Civil Beat.

Bill To Legalize Weed Set For Vote In Hawaii Senate. Senate Bill 669 would allow residents to grow, consume and sell less than 1 ounce of cannabis within the state of Hawaii. It also establishes taxes for cannabis sales.  Civil Beat.

Tax to fund affordable housing advances in state Legislature. Senate Bill 362, Draft 2, which raises the conveyance tax on property sales over $2 million, has survived committee (a feat that only one in 10 bills achieve) and is set for a final floor vote in the Senate this week. Garden Island.

A push to charge for rescues on hikers blatantly ignoring rules. Senate Bill 786 would charge an individual who ignores warning signs, leave a trail to get to a prohibited area, or go on an illegal hike. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi's economic growth could surpass the national average, DBEDT says. In their latest report, the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism predicted Hawaiʻi to have a better economic outcome than the national average. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lobbying continues for midwifery licensing bill at state Capitol. A bill to define licensure laws for traditional birth attendants died in the state House of Representatives last week, but some members of the public haven’t given up hope.  Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Budget committee chair seeks longer-term solutions within Blangiardi's $4.5B proposal. The Blangiardi administration is proposing a $3.4 billion operating budget and a $1.09 billion Capitol Improvement Plan budget. Both are roughly a 6% increase from the previous year.  Hawaii Public Radio.

HPD seeking budget increase amid recruitment efforts. The staffing woes continue at the Honolulu Police Department with 360 police officer positions remaining unfilled. KHON2.

Honolulu Emergency Services proposal for new Ocean Safety, ambulance facilities. The Honolulu Emergency Services Department is proposing a 17.6% budget increase for fiscal year 2024. KHON2.

Median sales price for Oahu single-family homes stays under $1M. The median sales price of previously owned single-family homes on Oahu stayed below the $1 million mark for the second month in a row, and days on the market nearly quadrupled — signs that the local housing market is continuing to soften amid high inflation, relatively high mortgage rates and concerns about a looming U.S. recession. Star-Advertiser.

Surviving bill would give OHA $6M for an environmental study on Kakaʻako Makai. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs said it is not receptive to reopening the 2012 ceded lands settlement with the state because it is not giving up its Kakaʻako Makai lands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Native Hawaiian protesters who are ‘tired of waiting’ stage protest to claim DHHL lands. This week, the group began placing signs on vacant Department of Hawaiian Home Land parcels in Waianae and Kalaeloa, “reclaiming” the land for beneficiaries. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Josh Green simplifying Aloha Stadium P3 plan. Gov. Josh Green has decided to pursue an alternate path for redeveloping Aloha Stadium in which a private partner would develop and operate a new stadium wholly or largely paid for by the state. Star-Advertiser.

Council chair: Law needs to be changed to fix flawed Waikiki Safe and Sound program. Critics complain there are no immediate consequences for repeat offenders caught violating Waikiki’s Safe and Sound program. Now, the district’s councilman is calling on the courts for help. Hawaii News Now.

Ex-Mililani athletic director surrenders in theft case. The former Mililani High School athletic director and baseball coach accused of stealing more than $400,000 from the school’s Athletic Booster Club Inc. surrendered to state Sheriff’s deputies this morning. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Official Reports Of Drug Use At Hawaii’s Largest Prison Are Challenged By Staff. Staff allege that the number of inmates who tested positive at the Halawa Correctional Facility is higher than official figures. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Nene’s death sparks call for action in Keaukaha. Nonprofits and native bird enthusiasts are pleading with government officials for help mitigating traffic in Keaukaha after a nene was killed by a driver last weekend. Tribune-Herald.

Maui’s ‘Dolphin Dave’ cited for harassing dolphins, humpback whale at Hawaiʻi Island state park. A 65-year-old Maui man is accused of actively pursuing an adolescent humpback whale and dolphins inside Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

800 attend Big Island cockfight; four men charged with firearms, drug offenses. Four men were arrested for firearms offenses on March 4 while at a cockfight in Kealakekua, where drugs and illegal firearms were recovered, along with U.S. currency and two vehicles for forfeiture, according to Hawaiʻi Island police. Big Island Now. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Lease dispute escalates over state land in Hilo. Legal challenges against the state by a Hilo business owner whose lease agreement is in jeopardy could heat up after a hearing Friday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Excavation starts at site of fuel spill atop Haleakalā. Excavation for cleanup of the Haleakalā fuel spill site began March 2, 2023, at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex following approval of a work plan.  Maui Now.

DLNR pursues owners for costs to remove yacht from Maui reef. The nominee to run the state Department of Land and Natural Resources plans to go after the owners of an illegally moored yacht that broke free, leaked fuel and damaged 20 species of coral near a Maui marine life conservation district. Star-Advertiser.

Contract negotiations for Maui County hospital workers continue, but talks break down. Negotiations between Kaiser’s Maui Health System and the United Public Workers union for a new contract for nearly 500 health care workers continued Monday, but talks broke down after just two hours, officials said. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Lanai Water Utility Seeks Significant Increase In Rates. The Lanai Water Co. is seeking a rate increase that would add $76.78 to the average customer’s monthly bill, which now is $18.75. Civil Beat.

350 still without power; initial outage impacted 6,900 customers from Pukalani to Hāna, Maui. Approximately 6,900 customers from the Pukalani to Hāna area experienced the outage starting around 6:40 a.m. Maui Now.

Kauai

Scrap metal not accepted at Līhuʻe refuse transfer center March 6-10.  The Līhu‘e refuse transfer station will not be accepting residential scrap metal for recycling from March 6 to 10 due to equipment issues. Kauai Now.

Green promises more transparent government, state pension plan faces $13.5B shortfall, noise detector cameras proposed for Honolulu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green Says He’s Already Taking Steps To Make Hawaii Government More Open. Gov. Josh Green says he intends to use the power of his office to make state government more open to Hawaii citizens, including making changes at the state office that oversees public information if it continues to perform badly. Civil Beat.

Pension fund exec optimistic despite $13.5B shortfall. It’s been an uphill climb for the state Employees’ Retirement System pension fund, but its top administrator says beneficiaries have nothing to worry about even though the fund has a $13.5 billion shortfall. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers target personal gains from homestead sales. As the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands gears up to deliver a historic number of new homestead leases, some Hawaii lawmakers want to block existing or former lessees from acquiring more homesteads while long-unserved applicants languish on a waitlist. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers’ allowance spending reports moving online. How Hawaii lawmakers spend an annual allowance up to $15,952 for incidental work-related expenses will be easier for the general public to see. Star-Advertiser.

Shortage of truck drivers further threatens Hawaii’s supply chain. The situation was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit hiring across the economy as people lost their jobs or dropped out of the workforce and many moved away from the islands for cheaper living on the mainland. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers propose search and rescue reimbursements for illegal hikes. A proposal by Maui State Senator, Lynn DeCoite is moving in the legislature as a bill looking to fine people for their search and rescue, if they trespass illegal hikes or act dangerously on them. KHON2.

Pilot Cesspool Grant Program Announced For Hawaiʻi. Hawaiʻi has announced a pilot cesspool grant program to help qualified property owners convert their cesspools, or connect to an available sewage system. Big Island Video News. Maui News.

Statewide release of small wasp to battle damaging coffee borer beetle getting closer. The statewide release of a small wasp to battle the devastating coffee berry borer beetle — which causes millions in Hawai’i coffee crop damage — moved another step closer to taking flight.  Big Island Now. Kauai Now.

Oahu

Honolulu mayor's $4.5B budget proposals include $300 homeowner tax credit. Included in the overall package is a one-time $300 property tax credit for qualifying homeowners on Oʻahu. The city estimates it will help nearly 152,000 homeowners, amounting to about $45.5 million. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu Rehab With Lucrative Pay For Top Staff Stiffed Regular Workers, Federal Probe Finds. The agreement with the Department of Labor requires Sand Island Treatment Center to pay back wages of almost $452,000 by Wednesday. Civil Beat.

Excessive-noise detection cameras proposed for Oahu. Sen. Sharon Moriwaki (D, Kakaako-McCully-Waikiki) introduced Senate Bill 588, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Transportation to develop a pilot program to use noise detection traffic cameras to address excessive traffic noise in urban areas in counties with a population of more than 500,000. Star-Advertiser.

Amid high need, affordable housing project for seniors set to open in urban core. Hale Makana O Mo’ili’ili, a five-story affordable housing complex for seniors, is set to open this month and officials hope to quickly fill all available apartments given high need. Hawaii News Now.

Why A $16M Waianae Police Station Sits Largely Empty 7 Years After It Opened. Despite opening in 2016, the Waianae station is a ghost ship, with only one officer to receive walk-ins. One or two officers sometimes come in to file paperwork, but the station’s top floor is unfinished and has no air conditioning, walls or electrical outlets. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Bill aims to give some farmers a tax break. Hawaii County might give Big Island farmers a break on their taxes under a new bill to be considered this week. Tribune-Herald.

HCCC strives for improved facility conditions. Conditions at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center have improved over the last six months, but there’s still more to be done, state officials say. Tribune-Herald.

HVNP solicits feedback for preferred use of the ‘Great Crack’.  Nearly five years after acquiring it, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will solicit public feedback this year about what it should do with the “Great Crack” in Ka‘u. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Fate of affordable project to be decided pretty soon. The need for affordable housing and a Native Hawaiian family’s claims of land ownership are coming to a head as a Maui County Council committee has until next month to decide whether to approve a 100 percent affordable rental project in Waiehu. Maui News.

Luxury yacht finally freed from Maui near-shore reef only to sink in 800 feet of water. Nearly two weeks after a 120-ton, 94-foot luxury yacht grounded in Honolua Bay on Maui, a salvage ship and a tugboat from Honolulu finally freed the vessel named Nakoa from the rocky shoreline. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

Kauai

Hāʻena's community-based fishing area avoids alterations by the state. A controversial bill to repeal a community-based subsistence fishing area on Kauaʻi quietly died Thursday, after lawmakers failed to schedule a hearing on the bill by Wednesday’s deadline. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauaʻi Humane Society receives $223,000 state grant for spay and neuter initiatives. The Kauaʻi Humane Society will use $223,000 from its first Grant-in-Aid from the State of Hawaiʻi for spay and neuter initiatives to help decrease the overpopulation crisis. Kauai Now. Garden Island.