Hawaii Independent Staff
UH officials never mentioned the Kakaako lab was closed for repairs at a contentious public informational meeting about the new proposed lab earlier this month. The UH closed its bio-safety lab at the medical school in Kakaako for "planned maintenance" when the lab's certification expired on June 17 to install new sprinklers and make other improvements. It's a level three lab, capable of dealing with diseases like dengue fever and tuberculosis.More at Keoki Kerr, for Hawaii News Now »
Honolulu was ranked No. 174 on the list of 212 metro areas with a population of 200,000 or more, which was topped by the California metro areas Stockton, Modesto, Riverside-San Berardino-Ontario, Vallejo-Fairfield and Merced.More at Pacific Business News »
In recent filings in state Tax Court, the state Attorney General's office said the online firms collected tens of millions of dollars in state hotel room and general excise taxes for more than a decade. But none of that money ever went into Hawaii's tax coffers, the state said.At the top of the list: $302 million from Expedia, $72 million from Travelocity, and $48 million from Orbitz. More at Hawaii News Now »
As it happens, Hawaii's Department of Public Safety (DPS), which oversees its prison population, has been refusing to allow prisoners to marry for years, seemingly on the basis that they just don't believe prison marriage is a good idea or has much chance of working out.More at The Guardian (UK) »
The Strategic Plan: · Reflects a DOE and BOE commitment to Hawaii's students. It recognizes that this is a critical time for students, parents, teachers, all DOE staff, and community partners coming together to transform public education in Hawaii. · Explains what the DOE will do to ensure students can reach their fullest potential and attain their aspirations in the face of 21st century opportunities and challenges. · Commits to supporting and nurturing safe schools, increasing technology resources, building stronger partnerships to support student learning, and promoting a broad-based education that supports the whole student and closes achievement gaps. · Outlines well-defined student success indicators such as attendance, retention, graduation, and college-going rates.
The report, released by the Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission, challenged some of the main story lines that the government and the operator of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant have put forward. Most notably, the report said the plant’s crucial cooling systems might have been damaged in the earthquake on March 11, 2011, not only in the ensuing tsunami. That possibility raises doubts about the safety of all the quake-prone country’s nuclear plants just as they begin to restart after a pause ordered in the wake of the Fukushima crisis.The full report is available here (PDF). More at New York Times »
During a routine inspection on August 31, 2011, DOH found Makalapa failed to make a hazardous waste determination for corrosive wastes generated during coil cleaning of refrigerant equipment and for wastes generated from the use of solvents containing methyl ethyl ketone and perchloroethylene.More at KHON »
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says that according to a January 2011 count, there were more than 67,000 homeless vets nationwide.More at Associated Press & Hawaii News Now »
But because the deal is structured around Lanai Island Holdings LLC purchase of control of several Castle & Cooke subsidiaries which in turn owned Murdock’s Lanai assets, it appears to effectively sidestep the state conveyance tax.More at iLind.net »
This will not be the last homeless encampment eviction, those who work with Maui's homeless said. There are 1,200 to 1,400 people homeless people on Maui, and "we simply do not have enough affordable housing to help everyone who is displaced," said Maude Cumming, executive director of the Family Life Center that provides housing for women and children in Kahului.More at Maui News »
Wednesday the City's Planning Commission held a public hearing asking residents what they think and the majority of people who testified believe the city needs to slow down. "We need to stop, back it up a bit, pump the brakes and become real," said Evelyn Souza, Makakilo resident. "This planning purpose is all out of whack," said Glenn Oamilda, Ewa Beach resident.More at KHON »
Parker Ranch and the Ulupono Initiative announced Monday they entered into an agreement to jointly fund the research. The trials will follow 200 head of cattle on a test area of 300 acres from September 2012 through May 2013. ... The ranch believes that with successful trial results, its local grass-fed beef program could reach 2,500 to 4,000 head per year in annual production.More at KHON »
Army fire, safety and environment specialists, in coordination with the Federal Fire Department, will conduct a prescribed burn of 800 acres at the live fire range and impact area this Thursday and Friday, according to Schofield Barracks officials.More at KITV »
DLNR will hold a public hearing on a proposed permanent rule to identify a safety zone around Ahu o Laka (the Kane‘ohe bay sandbar) that is subject to restrictions on three-day weekends involving a state holiday. The proposed rule prohibits anyone from entering or being in the safety zone while possessing or using alcohol or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and disorderly behavior.The meeting will be held at He‘eia Kea State Park, Kane‘ohe, O‘ahu, 46-465 Kamehameha Highway, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 28. More at KHON »
"They cannot give land that belongs to all of us, regardless of race, to one particular race," said Smith.More at »
One of the most notable changes was the BOE’s adoption of policies for teacher and principal evaluations that include student performance measurements and future changes to tenure, as well as improved professional support. Other highlights from the year include: * Reorganized the BOE to focus on student achievement * Developed better communications with stakeholders including the Legislature, Executive Branch, parent groups, student organizations, UH, Teacher Standards Board, and military * Deployed new on-line tools for teachers and administrators to track student progress to inform instruction, school planning, identify students for interventions, and hold relevant parties accountability * Adopted new graduation requirements that will ensure that students are prepared for success after high school in their choice of college or careers. These new requirements are nationally and internationally competitive and will begin with incoming 9th graders.The full report is available here. More at Hawaii 24/7 »
Any changes to the elevated platforms will likely be detailed in the latest Project Management Oversight Contractor report, which is due out this week.Current designs are available here. More at KITV »
“There are serious questions regarding the legality and underlying purpose of the Mayor’s dealings with Haleiwa Beach Park Mauka,” says North Shore resident and activist Larry McElheny. “The Mayor needs to go back to the drawing board before the City Council should even consider taking the drastic step of closing a public park along the precious North Shore coastline, eliminating a public park that is being cared for by the community, and selling it to a private party for private purposes at a very small fraction of its value to the tax-payer.”More at iLind.net »
"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."
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.More at Pacific Business News »
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. More at Star-Advertiser (paywall) »
There were no injuries to civilians and no property damage, said the Navy, which said it is investigating the cause.More at KITV »
Wikipedia
Five months after the Fukushima disaster, [Nicholas] Fisher of Stony Brook University in New York and a team decided to test Pacific bluefin that were caught off the coast of San Diego. To their surprise, tissue samples from all 15 tuna captured contained levels of two radioactive substances — ceisum-134 and cesium-137 — that were higher than in previous catches.Prof. Fisher: "That's a big ocean. To swim across it and still retain these radionuclides is pretty amazing." More at Associated Press »
Marumoto at the Governor's podium.
Courtesy Photo
The ACLU filed a lawsuit today in federal court on behalf of four women who were banned by the state from marrying their fiancés, all of whom are men incarcerated at the Saguaro Correctional Facility in Eloy, Arizona.More at Disappeared News »
- Na pulapula o Haloa Via Island Breath
The City has issued a Request for Proposals to invite agencies interested in partnering on the project, and will provide $3.5 million from the City's Affordable Housing Fund to acquire and/or renovate an existing structure to provide transitional housing to homeless persons with special needs. A specific project site has not been identified. Funds will be awarded to a nonprofit agency that will be responsible for working with neighborhoods in urban Honolulu to obtain a community consensus that The Pathways Project is an acceptable means to address homelessness in their neighborhood. A specific project site will be identified to implement the project only after a positive community consensus has been achieved.More at City & County of Honolulu »
Sen. Carol Fukunaga, Rep. Karl Rhoads and Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi will host the 9 a.m. meeting at Makiki Christian Church. They've invited city Department of Transportation Services Director Wayne Yoshioka to discuss plans for public safety in Makiki and the Ala Moana areas.The meeting is scheduled for this Saturday, 9 am, at Makiki Christian Church. More at KHON »
The selection of the name Guam honors the long-standing historical and military relationship between Guam and the United States. This relationship began in 1898 when the United States acquired the island from Spain as a result of the “Treaty of Paris” that ended the Spanish-American War. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese captured Guam which they occupied until U.S. troops retook the island on July 21, 1944, a date commemorated every year as “Liberation Day”. Guam continues to host many of the United States’ critical military installations in the Pacific Ocean.More at US Department of Defense »
Wikipedia
"I am humbled by the vote of confidence the teachers have given me. These are difficult times. We must remain united in the pursuit of what is best for our profession and the children we teach," Okabe said. "I want to thank those who voted for me and I want all members to know that I will work as hard as I can to do as much as I can for every member of our Association," he said.The Associated Press reports that only 22% of the union's 13,000 members participated in the vote. More at »
The outdoor bar in the center of Honolulu's Waterfront Plaza office and restaurant complex has closed but may reopen under new ownership.More at Pacific Business News »
RIMPAC 2010 exercises.
Courtesy Photo
"We're dealing with a lot of snakes a lot of reptiles coming in. Hiring these inspectors means that we'll be back in baggage claim looking at the passengers, looking at the freight forwarders, doing a better inspection."More at Hawaii News Now »
My name is Gail D. Peeples. I'm one of many who lives at Kea‘au Beach Park along with my husband, daughter, son, son-in-law, and five minor grandchildren. We've all lived at Kea‘au Beach for approximately 15 years. We've also learned to adjust to living here over all the years.Read More »
Attorney Isaac Moriwake of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, speaking on the grounds of ‘Iolani Palace
The Foodbank usually tries to stock themselves with about 20 days worth of food to help distribute to churches and other community centers. Lately, though, the shelves at the Foodbank have become progressively lighter, and the group says they were down to only 8 days worth of meals at one point.Donate food at their April 21 food drive, at locations throughout the islands. More at Hawaii News Now »
The candidates are: • Edward T. Knudson, former executive vice president of student learning at Moorpark College in California; • Erika L. Lacro, vice chancellor of academic affairs at Honolulu Community College; • Rafe Trickey, vice president of planning and institutional development at the College of the Marshall Islands.More at Pacific Business News »
The State Department of Health announced its intention last month to award a $25,040 no-bid contract to the Healthy Hawaii Coalition, a nonprofit group founded and controlled by Senator Mike Gabbard and his daughter, Honolulu City Councilmember Tulsi Gabbard....
The group is also absent from the list of Health Department contractors in the State Procurement Office database.More at iLind.net »
The contract is anticipated to extend to last for one year and will end with the delivery of the vessel to Naha, Okinawa, Japan, where it will provide services to the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force. Future plans for the HSV Alakai are uncertain, but it is possible the Navy will refit the vessel for military service given its availability.More at Hawaii Free Press »
Wikipedia
Members of Hawaii's Micronesian community protested at Governor Linda Lingle's office in August 2009 to protect medical care in the aftermath of US nuclear tests in the South Pacific
File photo
Suppose two dozen or fifty people were in need of emergency hospitalization. If there is no bed for one guy from Kauai in need of help, what will happen to many?More at Disappeared News »
“This is the most mismanaged project in 28 years of office,” Cayetano said today after reading several of the emails to the media. He is running for mayor in 2012, and critical of how his opponents, Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle, and former city Managing Director Kirk Caldwell, managed the project.More at Hawaii Reporter »
Governor Cayetano and Judge Walter Heen
The National Weather Service in Honolulu has continued the Flood Advisory for the Island of MAUI effective until 12:45 a.m. This Advisory may need to be extended beyond 12:45 a.m. if heavy rain persists.More at Maui County »
Linked from Tannya Boyd Joaquin
Water has been reported along portions of Kalanianaole Highway in east Honolulu while a rock slide was reported near Sandy Beach. Rain is falling on saturated ground and additional periods of heavy rain will lead to flooding.More at KHON »
Photo by Trent Allianic, via Twitter
Kauai has urged some residents in Anahola to move to higher ground. Waioli Church in Hanalei and Kilauea gym are allowing in people needing a place to rest. The American Red Cross also was opening a shelter Monday evening at the Kapaa Middle School for residents evacuated from their homes.More at »
Mayor Peter Carlisle at Mission Memorial Auditorium
Photo courtesy of the City & County of Honolulu
Photo by Aaron Yoshino