Hawaii Independent Staff

New year brings Hawaii civil unions, updated insurance consumer protection laws December 29, 2011 11:57 AM Education: Hawaii struggles in its Race to the Top December 28, 2011 12:19 PM

Hawaii students held signs opposing Furlough Fridays in 2010.

Hawaii same sex couples to ring in 2012 with civil union celebration December 26, 2011 01:17 PM

Signs in support of Hawaii civil unions stacked at the State Capitol in January. File Photo

Payroll tax cuts officially extended, Obama bound for Hawaii December 23, 2011 10:37 AM

President Barack Obama pauses after signing H.R. 3765, the “Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011,” in the Oval Office on Friday, December 23. Photo by Pete Souza -- White House

Verbatim: Following futher payroll tax cut delays, Obama calls Washington ‘dysfunctional’ December 22, 2011 12:42 PM

President Barack Obama delivers remarks on the impasse in Congress over the payroll tax cut extension during a statement in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on Thursday, December 22. Photo by Pete Souza -- White House

Hawaii Democrats are struggling → December 21, 2011 07:01 PM Godzilla lives again at Doris Duke Theatre December 20, 2011 12:11 PM

Godzilla comes to the Doris Duke Theatre at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Courtesy Photo

Abercrombie says new budget will make immediate impact without raising taxes December 20, 2011 09:24 AM

Gov. Neil Abercrombie and State Budget Director Kalbert Young submit the Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2013. Courtesy Photo

City urges residents to recycle Christmas trees December 19, 2011 03:33 PM City reminds women about fire fighting job opportunities December 19, 2011 01:04 PM Lack of oversight failing Hawaii’s charter school students December 19, 2011 11:48 AM

Members of the newly constructed Hawaii Charter School Task Force met with school officials for the first time in July. Courtesy Photo

HTY seeks national student poetry contest entrants December 14, 2011 05:07 PM Parade to honor WWII veterans December 14, 2011 04:52 PM

World War II Veterans will be honored over two days this weekend.

File photo

State receives $14.4 million federal grant to help connect Hawaii residents to health care December 14, 2011 04:19 PM State says planned PV installations at Kauai schools will save $30 million December 14, 2011 04:10 PM

Gov. Neil Abercrombie announces plans to power Hawaii's public schools with solar energy. Courtesy Photo

Flash Flood Watch issued for Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii Island through Wednesday December 13, 2011 03:57 PM Hirono: Let’s stop wasting time and give our middle class families a tax cut December 13, 2011 03:47 PM Rail: City Department of Corporation Counsel responds to federal judge’s ruling December 13, 2011 03:42 PM HonoluluTraffic.com calls judge’s motion a victory for anti-rail activists December 12, 2011 12:50 PM Murphy’s to benefit children’s charities with gift wrapping party December 07, 2011 09:05 AM

Donated gifts will go to children's charities.

File photo

City enhances ambulance service from Makiki to Moanalua December 06, 2011 02:11 PM

The City has enhanced ambulance service.

Photo courtesy honolulu.gov

Doris Duke Theater to feature novels to film with ‘Bookish!’ series December 05, 2011 11:53 AM

Doris Duke Theater will feature the Academy Award-winning film From Here to Eternity.

Courtey photo

UH Manoa’s Kuykendall Hall planned to be Hawaii’s first zero net building December 02, 2011 02:41 PM

UH Manoa's Kuykendall Hall may see a $36 million facelift as part of a White House initiative to create buildings that operate completely independent of fossil fuels. Photo by Drew Wertheime

Abercrombie touts sale of General Obligation Bonds, State’s credit rating December 01, 2011 03:42 PM

A rainy-day view of the Hawaii State Capitol. The number eight is found throughout the building, signifying the eight major Hawaiian islands. There are eight columns in the front and back of the building, groups of eight mini-columns on the balcony that surrounds the fourth floor and eight panels on the doors leading to the Governor’s and Lieutenant Governor’s chambers.

Executive Chef first to open at Kailua Town Center’s Phase 3 December 01, 2011 03:15 PM Verbatim: UH law school mourns passing of professor Jon Van Dyke November 30, 2011 01:47 PM

Professor Van Dyke joined the faculty at the UH law school in 1976, teaching Constitutional Law, International Law, International Ocean Law, and International Human Rights. The William S. Richardson School of Law has created a tribute page for Professor Jon Van Dyke. To send a private message to Professor Van Dyke's family or to contribute to an album of photographs of Professor Van Dyke, email [email protected]. Courtesy Photo

Ansaldo rail contract signed November 29, 2011 01:56 PM

Rail moves forward with Ansaldo's signing a contract with HART.

File photo.

Lā Kū‘oko‘a: Volunteers plan to hand-type 60,000 pages of Hawaiian language newspapers November 28, 2011 09:48 AM

Dozens of newspapers were published in Hawaiian between 1834 and 1949 and were read by an avid and highly literate public. Image by Bishop Museum

State says it spent less than expected on APEC November 23, 2011 01:26 PM

President Barack Obama concludes the APEC events with a speech at Koolina. Photo by Travis Quezon

Announcement: Kawaiahao Church construction proceeding, more iwi expected to be uncovered November 23, 2011 12:47 PM BOE member Brian De Lima to speak at Hawaii Island education forum November 23, 2011 12:35 PM Rail archaeology study to cause street closures Downtown November 21, 2011 11:40 AM

An archaeological survey will determine rail's cultural impact in Downtown Honolulu.

File photo.

UH, DHS release homeless services report November 15, 2011 09:12 AM

A homeless encampment has taken root at Old Stadium Park in Moiliili.

Photo by Jamie Winpenny

Fatal helicopter crash in East Molokai November 10, 2011 05:34 PM Shooting adds to local tension, APEC protesters call for justice November 08, 2011 09:55 AM

The above flyer, bearing the photo of a Kailua man who was shot over the weekend, has been circulated online. Hawaii groups are rallying in the name of the victim, Kollin Elderts, who was allegedly murdered by an armed agent here in Honolulu for APEC.

Arrested Occupy Honolulu members seek community support November 07, 2011 09:36 AM

Honolulu Police arrested demonstrators taking part in a peaceful protest at Thomas Square this weekend. Courtesy Photo

HPD announces more City parks and facilities closures for APEC security November 02, 2011 03:23 PM

Several popular Honolulu parks and facilities will be closed to the public during APEC activities.

File photo

ALERT: Heavy rains may bring flash flooding to Oahu, Hawaii Island November 01, 2011 10:51 AM

A satellite projection from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of an early November storm over Hawaii.

City to hold public meeting on Ewa Development Plan October 31, 2011 02:06 PM APEC security restricts traffic cam access October 31, 2011 01:55 PM

Video for Honolulu traffic cams will be inaccessible to the public during APEC.

City issues sewer work traffic advisory October 31, 2011 11:23 AM Kakaako development adds 650-foot tower to seaside landscape October 28, 2011 05:50 PM

A rendering from the Hawaii Community Development Authority depicts planned structures for 690 Pohukaina.

APEC security delays holiday camping permits October 26, 2011 12:58 PM

Oahu campers will have to wait for holiday permits due to APEC security.

File photo

City dedicates $11M Kalihi-Palama Transit Facility October 25, 2011 05:19 PM

The Kalihi-Palama Transit Center is intended to help reduce Oahu traffic congestion.

Courtesy photo

ACLU offers APEC peaceful protest assistance October 24, 2011 02:54 PM

The "Occupy" movement is the latest example of organized peaceful protest. Courtesy Photo

Occupy Honolulu welcomes the public to send another message to ‘Wall Street’ October 21, 2011 12:58 PM

Hundreds gathered at Magic Island for Occupy Honolulu's Call To March on October 15. Courtesy Photos

City announces Honolulu’s ‘APEC plan’ October 20, 2011 06:59 PM Play by acclaimed Okinawan writer premieres at Orvis October 20, 2011 10:05 AM

Fay Chun and Jim Phelps star in The Cocktail Party. Photo by Dennis Nishihara

Community paint exchange aims to make recycling easier on Maui October 20, 2011 09:46 AM

A Maui community effort encourages paint recycling. Courtesy Photo

Rail work accidentally interrupts Honolulu’s ability to view traffic October 19, 2011 11:25 AM Mark Glick to head State Energy Office October 19, 2011 10:05 AM Hawaii Energy puts a bounty on ‘energy hogs’ October 19, 2011 09:30 AM

This chart shows the barrels of oil used to generate electricity each month in Hawaii. Electricity consumes about 30 percent of Hawaii's imported oil. The good news is that the oil usage is sloping downward. However, the decrease is most likely due to the economic downturn. Data from the State of Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, & Tourism (DBEDT)

World Invitational Hula Festival changes venue October 18, 2011 11:54 AM

The World Invitational Hula Festival will be held at Blaisdell Center. Photo by Brian Schuckburgh

Let’s Move! event encourages healthy living in Leeward Oahu October 13, 2011 11:46 AM Zombie pub crawl rises up for charity in Chinatown Friday October 11, 2011 02:26 PM

The zombies are coming!

Rediscover respect: Hawaii LGBT students, workers remembered on National Coming Out Day October 10, 2011 01:29 PM Unite Here Local 5 to send another message with ‘Boycott Hyatt’ rally October 06, 2011 05:10 PM

Unite Here Local 5 rallies outside of the Hyatt Regency in Waikiki in September. Courtesy Photo

Officials seek anti-bullying plan for every Hawaii school October 04, 2011 12:05 PM

8th graders at Kealakehe Intermediate School on Hawaii Island took part in an Anti-Bullying March this summer. Courtesy Photo

Free admission, transport to UH Football, Wahine Volleyball for students September 23, 2011 11:24 AM Ex-HI GOP legislator John Carroll to run for U.S. Senate September 21, 2011 06:14 PM

Former state legislator John Carroll will run as a Republican for U.S. Senate

Photo courtesy

The ARTS at Mark’s Garage to hold Haunted Garage auditions September 21, 2011 05:47 PM USS Missouri invites public to ‘plant one on” to honor WWII vets September 21, 2011 03:40 PM

Robert and Virginia Rosborough of New York reenact this famous WWII Times Square kiss while at the Battleship Missouri Memorial

Photo courtesy

Waialae Ave. traffic study to close lane, limit parking September 20, 2011 01:40 PM Oil in the Alley to go electric at Improvaganza September 19, 2011 01:55 PM

Oil in the Alley on stage.

Courtesy photo

2012 Congressional Medal of Honor convention in Honolulu September 19, 2011 12:34 PM

(L-R) Army, Navy/Marine Corps, and Air Force medals of honor.

File photo

Princess Kailuani Elementary to receive sustainable landscaping facelift September 15, 2011 01:56 PM

Native plants will be installed at Princess Kaiulani ELementary's Kalihi campus.

File photo

Rail soil testing to close Kamehameha Hwy lanes in Pearl City September 15, 2011 01:17 PM

Soil testing for the planned rail project will close lanes of Kamehameha Highway in Pearl City.

File photo

Kahi Mohala Behavioral Health celebrates renovations September 14, 2011 03:43 PM Alapai Street lane closures begin Thursday September 14, 2011 11:50 AM UH receives grant for invasive snail study September 14, 2011 10:43 AM

Apple snails threaten our ecosystem, including taro.

Photo courtesy

Court upholds rail contract decision September 14, 2011 10:32 AM

Rail as planned Downtown.

File photo

Pacific Roller Derby to honor troops September 12, 2011 03:27 PM

Pacific Roller Derby in action.

Photo courtesy

First Annual Lanikai Surf Festival to celebrate the ocean lifestyle September 12, 2011 01:37 PM

Lanikai is the perfect place to celebrate the ocean lifestyle.

File photo

5 Hawaii high schools honored by PBS Hawaii September 12, 2011 12:48 PM

2011 HIKI NO Award winners from 5 Hawaii high schools

Photo courtesy

President Obama challenges Congress to pass American Jobs Act September 08, 2011 04:05 PM

President Barack Obama addresses Congress on his American Jobs Act.

File photo

Hyatt Regency Waikiki union workers walk off job September 08, 2011 03:09 PM

Striking Local 5 workers.

Photo courtesy

Kumu Kahua Theatre presents ‘Cane Fields Burning’ September 07, 2011 10:57 AM

Evelyn Leung in Cane Fields Burning.

Courtesy photo

White House calls on Americans to petition federal government, 5,000 signatures to get there September 02, 2011 02:54 PM

Marine One prepares for landing on the White House South Lawn. The U.S. Administration is trying to guide social media toward government participation. Photo by C.M. Fitzpatrick