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Top Headlines

Hawai‘i’s latest effort to recruit teachers: put prospective educators in classrooms sooner

Hawai‘i is looking to give a teacher apprenticeship program a try thanks to a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. About 20 other states already have programs like this, and they’re seen as a way to improve teacher retention by offering financial incentives and real-world experience in the classroom.

Civil Beat. 

NATO protection for Hawai‘i is not clear-cut

A senior State Department official said the agency believes that U.S. allies likely would respond if Hawai‘i was attacked, but that any chance of explicitly amending the treaty to include it or other U.S. Pacific territories is not likely.

Star-Advertiser. 

COVID activity in Hawai‘i has peaked, but is still at high levels

The state Department of Health on Wednesday reported a statewide average positivity rate of 16.3%, up from 14.7% the previous week. The positivity rate — the percentage of all reported tests that are positive — was at 16.1% two weeks ago.

Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

DOE employees can donate sick leave to Maui wildfire impacted teachers

Hawai‘i Department of Education teachers across the islands can now share up to 10 sick days with other salaried D.O.E. employees impacted by the Maui wildfires.

KITV4.

O‘ahu Headlines

More tiny home ‘kauhale’ to open across O‘ahu

A flatbed truck on Wednesday carried two more newly built 100-square-foot tiny homes to a new “kauhale” going up at Kalihi’s Cedar Church as the state, counties and a hui of builders and developers work together to create more communities for low-income and homeless people on O‘ahu by the end of the year.

Star-Advertisement. 

HPD officers who handcuffed 10-year-old can be sued for using excessive force, judges rule

In 2020, three Honolulu police officers handcuffed and arrested a 10-year-old girlat her elementary school. Those officers can be sued on excessive force claims, according to a ruling by a panel of judges for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Civil Beat. 

After years of waiting, Waiʻanae coast residents may get their highway bypass next year

Paʻakea Road in the Māʻili area is part of the emergency access route for the Waiʻanae Coast. However, parts of it are sealed off by rarely opened gates.

Hawaii News Now. 

HPD launches internal review of escapee incident at Kapolei Police Station

Law Enforcement sources say David Montoya scaled a 15-foot security fence and a retaining wall Sunday morning. This was after an employee unlocked a secured door for the 31-year-old because they thought he was an officer.

Hawaii News Now. 

Financial help for struggling rail businesses still months away

Struggling businesses along the rail construction line were expecting some financial help from the city this month. A new law went into effect July 1 for relief funding, but nobody has received the money yet.

KHON2. 

Opossum captured in Downtown Honolulu

The animal was found near S. King Street and Alakea Street just after 7 a.m. So far it is unknown where the animal originated. The captured opossum measured about 2-feet-long and appeared to be an adult or older juvenile, according to Ag officials. It may have been a stow away in a shipping container.

KITV4. 

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Police commissioner sues HPD and assistant chief

The complaint alleges Assistant Chief Kenneth Quiocho violated Police Commissioner Anthony Sur’s right to privacy by disclosing to the county Board of Ethics in a 2023 complaint against Sur that he carries a concealed firearm.

Tribune-Herald. 

Kamehameha Schools faces pushback on plan to build ‘low-impact’ resort on Big Island

The state’s largest private landowner, Kamehameha Schools, wants to build a resort with 150 bungalow-style units in Keauhou Bay, south of Kailua-Kona and near the birthplace of King Kamehameha III. Opposition to the plan appears to be growing.

Civil Beat. 

High bacteria advisory posted for Richardson Ocean Park in Keaukaha

Health officials say enterococci levels of 364 per 100 mL have been detected at Richardson Ocean Park during routine beach monitoring. The health department says this advisory will remain in effect until water sample results no longer exceed the threshold level of 130 enterococci per 100 mL.

Big Island Video News. 

Maui Headlines

Vendor disqualification delays Maui fire report

The lone vendor selected to perform an after-action report of the Maui Emergency Management Agency’s response to the deadly Aug. 8 fires, which claimed 102 lives and destroyed the heart of historic Lahaina town, is non-compliant with state policies and unable to perform the work.

Star-Advertiser.

Lahaina wildfire final debris site hits snag

U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth Mansfield denied a motion by Maui County to immediately use 20 acres of privately owned property in Central Maui. The county wanted to expand the county’s adjacent landfill to accommodate fire waste and municipal refuse in advance of a trial to condemn the site and pay the owner a fair value.

Star-Advertiser. 

Scouting America, Aloha Council receives funding to replace cabins at Camp Maluhia

Whittier Trust has donated $100,000 to the Scouting America, Aloha Council to replace five Pop Hutton cabins at Camp Maluhia. The cabins are more than 75 years old and have deteriorated from wear and tear and termite damage, according to an announcement.

Maui Now. 

Kaua‘i Headlines

Median home price on Kaua‘i highest of four major islands in first half of year

The median price of a single-family home jumped nearly 29 percent on the back of stronger sales in the first half of the year, in turn making Kaua‘i the most expensive housing market of the four major islands in Hawai‘i.

The Garden Island. 

Water conservation request continues for customers in ‘Ōmao and Kōloa

Kaua‘i County’s Department of Water reminds customers located in ‘Ōmao and Kōloa to continue water conservation efforts until further notice. Customers are advised to limit water use to essential needs only, such as cooking, drinking and sanitation needs. Efforts to minimize water demand on the system have proven successful and water services remain available to all customers during the essential repairs

Kauai Now.