Oracle owes state $333,824 in back taxes

For clarity's sake, Oracle and Ellison are not one and the same. Interesting find nonetheless by Jim Dooley.

State Senate President asked for state to consider Lana‘i purchase

From State Senate President Shan Tsutsui's letter to Gov. Abercrombie:

"The uncertainty that the potential sale represents presents grave concerns of the future of the people of Lanai," said Senator Tsutsui in a news release Wednesday. "The continued private ownership of Lanai may prove detrimental to the people of Lanai and the state, as a private owner is not subject to public, community, or government input in making decisions that can and will affect such parties."

Murdock will retain wind development rights

Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, reporting for the Associated Press:

Those opposed to the project think it'll ruin pristine views of the Pacific Ocean and other Hawaiian islands.

There's more than "pristine views" at stake. The wind project raises fundamental questions about the relationship between urban and rural areas, and who should derive benefit from the use of rural resources.

Lana‘i for Lana‘i

An essay calling for local ownership of Lana‘i-kaula.

Modern hotel workers to stage rally this afternoon

Local 5, the union representing hotel workers, will rally outside of the Modern Hotel in Waikiki this afternoon. The union alleges that the hotel has fired 7 union supporters in the last 6 months.

Lanai could be sold soon – to Bill Gates or Larry Ellison

Pacific Business News:

Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa is telling PBN that there’s a good chance that Lanai might be sold relatively quickly. Word of the sale could come out in about a week or so. ... The listing price for the island is not being publicly disclosed, but one expert who sells islands for a living told PBN that its price is probably more than $500 million.

Oahu reacts to rude awakening

What Oahu said this morning when awoken by civil defense sirens.

Woken up by sirens? It was an electrical malfunction (updated)

UPDATED 8:55 AM Hawaii State Department of Defense, Civil Defense Division:

Honolulu-The siren malfunction at 5:25 a.m. this morning, June 14, 2012, was related to an improvement project to modernize the State’s Outdoor Siren Warning System. The project outfitted eight Oahu sirens with modems that allow for remote satellite activation. The contractor involved with the project inadvertently activated sirens at Diamond Head, Kamiloiki, Makiki, McCully, Moanalua Valley, and Waimanalo. Protocols are being developed to prevent a recurrence. “We apologize for any anxiety this early morning sounding caused for area residents,” said Doug Mayne, Vice Director of Civil Defense.

Future of rail, development hinge on mayoral election

David Shapiro, in his Star-Advertiser column:

To build more housing for more commuters appears to double down on a failed strategy. Even with rail, these developments would add more cars and congestion than we have today.

Apologies if you can't get past the paywall. But his thesis – that this year's mayoral race is a referendum on rail and the push to develop ‘Ewa, which themselves are linked – is cogent.

Navy drone crashes in Maryland

There were no injuries to civilians and no property damage, said the Navy, which said it is investigating the cause.