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“Hawai’i lawmakers push electric utilities to reduce wildfire risks.”

Views expressed in this Hawaii State News update are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 11 April 2024, 0044 UTC.

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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsdigest.blogspot.com).

Locally Owned, Locally Committed Since 1955

4.10.2024

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TOP STORIES

Hawai‘i lawmakers push electric utilities to reduce wildfire risks The state Legislature appears poised to create a new way for Hawai‘i electric utilities to pay for wildfire risk mitigation that reduces the cost possibly passed onto ratepayers in an effort to help prevent another tragic fire in the state. Star-Advertiser. 1,100 pieces of opposing testimony against a bill went missing for days Hundreds of Lahaina fire victims came out strongly against a bill that could allow HECO to impose a new fee on customers to help prevent wildfires. Civil Beat. Taxes, housing, fighting chickens are up for a vote as Legislature heads into home stretch Most of the bills approved Tuesday will advance to conference committees later this month, where lawmakers will try to resolve differences between the House and Senate drafts of each bill. Civil Beat. Hawai‘i lawmakers debate estate tax breaks for family businesses State lawmakers killed a bill that would give wealthy families a break on estate taxes, but kept alive a different estate tax bill that would cut the costs of passing along some family businesses. KITV4. Bill advances to give condo owners a new way to buy into rooftop solar The Hawaiʻi Senate is considering a bill to create a Solar Hui Program, allowing multi-family property owners to pay into a collective investment fund that would go towards energy projects and loans.  Hawai‘i Public Radio. Frequent turnover at Hawai‘i BOE is weakening school oversight A lack of institutional knowledge among board members and staff is limiting the BOE’s effectiveness and leaving it open to legislative interference, education advocates say. Civil Beat. Ongoing inspections find more inoperable fire alarm systems at Hawai‘i public schools The number of public schools with inoperable fire alarms has doubled since HNN reported on the issue in February. The latest DOE report lists 22 schools, including Kapalama Elementary. Hawaii News Now. Few people have successfully expunged their marijuana possession records The Hawaiʻi Criminal Justice Data Center says about 12,000 records could qualify for expungement. Over the last four years, only two people have been able to clear their criminal records. Hawai‘i Public Radio.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE Caring for Babies Is Hard, Especially without Support. This Nonprofit Is as Lifeline. Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies provides everything from prenatal care to lactation assistance to guidance on soothing fussy infants. Upon completion of the course, each family receives a free Graco Pack ‘n Play portable playpen… read more.

OʻAHU

Defense in Kaneshiro bribery trial probes architect about side jobs During its cross-examination of Laurel Mau, the defense focused on her use of company time and resources to conduct side jobs it says were unauthorized. Civil Beat. City eyes $8.6 million expansion for HPD headquarters The Honolulu Police Department has a plan to add some much-needed space to its Alapai Headquarters. A half-acre property right next door could solve several problems. Hawaii News Now. AES launches O‘ahu solar project AES Hawai‘i is launching the West O‘ahu solar-plus-­storage project in Kapolei, which will produce enough energy to reduce O‘ahu’s use of fossil fuels by 750,000 barrels of oil and the associated pollution and greenhouse gases emitted over its lifetime. Star-Advertiser. Honolulu permitting office cites Hawaiian lūʻau for being in a residential area The operator of a lūʻau in a residential area of Honolulu said he plans to continue his business despite city officials ordering him to stop. Hawai‘i Public Radio. Several H-1 freeway repair projects scheduled for the week The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation said there are several improvement projects taking place on the H-1, including viaduct repairs near the airport off-ramp. KHON2.

SPONSORED BY KAISER PERMANENTE Building a Healthier Future Together Kaiser Permanente is working to help address Maui’s mental health needs and forms nonprofit partnerships to increase food security in the Islands… read more.

HAWAIʻI ISLAND

Flurry of legal action in case involving home built on wrong property Both Hilo Circuit Court judges have bowed out from hearing a case involving a California woman sued by a developer whose contractor mistakenly built a house on her lot in Hawaiian Paradise Park. Tribune-Herald. Waiakea High math teacher receives $25,000 award Rory Inouye, a 35-year-old Waiakea High School class of 2007 alumnus and math teacher, was awarded a $25,000 Milken Educator Award in Hilo on Tuesday.  Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. State confirms 2 cases of whooping cough on Hawai‘i Island State Department of Health officials said that it is investigating two confirmed cases of pertussis — also known as whooping cough — along with eight probable cases. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Kolekole Gulch Park set to reopen end of April The 5.5-acre park has had a rough several years, having first been closed for three years in 2017 when parts of the park were found to contain lead-contaminated soil stemming from lead-based paint used on the overspanning Kolekole Bridge.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE Maui Nonprofit Aims to Return Displaced Families to Their Affordable Homes Maui is already home to Hawai‘i’s first community land trust, Na Hale O Maui, which has sold 48 affordable homes since forming in 2006 and recently acquired two more that will be renovated and sold to local families... read more.

MAUI COUNTY

Council extends Kula water deal timeline After a community meeting in Pukalani on March 27, concerns arose about the timeframe for assessing a 30-year water purchase agreement for drilling one to four wells in Kula. Maui Now. Mold forces Maui County prosecutors to relocate temporarily As if fighting for justice weren’t tough enough, now attorneys and staff in the Maui County Department of the Prosecuting Attorney have a new foe: an infestation of mold in their Old Wailuku Courthouse offices.  Maui Now. SBA approves $300M for Maui wildfire relief The Small Business Administration has approved over $300 million in federal disaster assistance loans for Hawai‘i businesses and residents affected by the August wildfires on Maui. Star-Advertiser. Foodland Farms Lahaina will reopen 8 months after devastating wildfires The store, located at Lahaina Gateway, sustained smoke damage but no structural damage. Forty-three employees will welcome back customers starting at 10 a.m. after a traditional Hawaiian blessing.  Hawaii News Now. Maui News.

KAUAʻI

Fentanyl task force following Big Island blueprint coming to Kaua‘i The County of Kaua‘i is planning on launching a fentanyl task force in the coming weeks, inspired by a model implemented on the Big Island nearly three years ago. Kauai Now.

APRIL ISSUE

Dive into some of our latest features! Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work 2024 The Heat Is Rising in Honolulu. More Trees Will Help Cool It Off. Commentary: Why Local Journalism Matters Caring for Babies Is Hard, Especially without Support. This Nonprofit Is as Lifeline.

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