Hawaii Business Magazine

Surge of Hawaiʻi inmates sent to mainland prison is temporary
The head of the State’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said there’s been a surge of Hawaiʻi inmates being sent away to a facility on the mainland, but it’s only temporary. When the state’s correctional facilities are over capacity, inmates get sent to a mainland prison like the Saguaro Correctional Center in Arizona. KHON2.

Hawaiian, Alaska airlines clear key hurdle in merger deal
According to stock filings on Tuesday, the airlines stated they have “substantially complied with a second request of more detailed information and materials from the Department of Justice.” The DOJ had asked the companies in February for documents in order for antitrust regulators to review the merger. KHON2.

State’s new school board chair has played a big role in public education reforms
In 2010, House Education Committee Chair Roy Takumi proposed a constitutional amendment to shift Hawaiʻi’s Board of Education from elected to appointed. Takumi initiated significant changes in school funding and oversight during his time in the Legislature. Civil Beat.

School chief’s salary cap rests with the governor
If Gov. Josh Green doesn’t sign Senate Bill 3207, the current $248,000 salary of Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi will revert to its former limit of $150,000 annually, and the mandatory evaluation of the superintendent will be eliminated. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi is entering a dangerous fire season. Here’s what will be different post-Lahaina
As Hawaiʻi enters its first wildfire season since the deadly fires in Lahaina, emergency responders and state officials say they’re using lessons learned from the Maui tragedy to better prepare for what forecasters say is a high-risk year for significant fires. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority says it’s grateful for renewed funding from lawmakers
The embattled Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority emerged from this legislative session with strong financial support. Board Chair Mufi Hanneman said HTA was pleased that lawmakers this year agreed to give the state agency over $60 million annually. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi to get nearly $30M in federal funds to replace lead pipes
Last week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the funding, which is meant to prevent exposure to lead in drinking water. The money comes from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

City struggles to combat illegal rentals amidst over tourism concerns
The city is having a hard time cracking down on illegal rentals. So far this year, they fined about a hundred violators. KITV4.

Proposed housing project in Leeward Oʻahu for at-risk youth stirs mixed feelings
The proposed house would be on two acres of land in Mākaha, but some residents we spoke with say the surrounding neighborhood is mostly older people. Residential Youth Services & Empowerment says it bought the property last year to serve the youth experiencing homelessness in that community. Hawaii News Now.

Video surveillance sought for scenic sites in East Oʻahu
The Honolulu Police Department is considering using video cameras mounted on mobile security trailers to avert auto burglaries, thefts, vandalism and other crimes. As part of a $64K pilot project, HPD could roll these mobile video platforms to parking lots close to the Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse lookout, Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline trails, Hālona Blowhole lookout and Lānaʻi lookout, Star-Advertiser.

An ‘āina-focused nonprofit on Moloka‘i is restoring natural landscapes with native plant species- with the help of volunteering visitors… read more.

First public hearing held on Pōhakuloa EIS draft two
The community had a chance to testify Monday on the second draft environmental impact statement for the Army Training Land Retention at Pōhakuloa Training Area, during a meeting held at the Waimea District Park. A handful of speakers took to the microphone Monday evening to share their thoughts, mostly in opposition to the military occupation of the land. Big Island Video News.

Dozens of vehicles towed at Kahului Harbor during cleanup
Crews with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources finished clearing the public parking areas of Kahului Boat Harbor by removing more than five dozen vehicles, many of them abandoned.  Maui Now.

HECO extends moratorium on cutting power for Maui customers affected by the fires
Maui customers financially challenged by the wildfires won’t have to worry about losing electric service for at least another two months. Hawaiian Electric has extended its suspension on disconnections through July 2. Hawaii Public Radio.

Land Board set to take up proposed purchase of 257 acres at Māʻalaea Mauka
The state of Hawaiʻi is considering acquisition of nearly 257 acres at Pōhākea, also known as Māʻalaea Mauka, for $8.22 million, as a forest reserve to protect the watershed and prevent massive erosion from damaging Māʻalaea Bay. Maui Now.

Second suit filed against Maui hotel over lights that disorient birds
Earthjustice is filing suit a second time against the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, on Maui over the harms its bright lights cause to endangered seabirds. Star-Advertiser.

State investigating cruise ships anchored near Nā Pali Coast
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources is investigating whether a cruise ship, possibly two, recently anchored too closely to the Nā Pali Coast. The Hawaii Tourism Authority issued an email saying it is “engaging with government authorities and the cruise industry in the matter…” Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

April storm on Garden Isle brought record-breaking rainfall totals
According to the monthly rainfall summary from the National Weather Service in Honolulu, the mid-April heavy rain event resulted in above-average totals over the entire island of Kauaʻi. Rain gauges near the town of Waimea recorded monthly totals greater than 10 times the April average. Kauai Now.