Alaska Air, Hawaiian further extend review period of proposed deal

Alaska Air said Thursday it has agreed to further extend the review period of its proposed $1.9 billion acquisition of peer Hawaiian Holdings with the U.S. Department of Justice.

Star-Advertiser.

Legislators urge DOE to fix bus driver shortage

State legislators met with the Department of Education on Thursday to address protracted concerns about ongoing public school bus driver shortages, following the DOE’s abrupt announcement of suspended routes right before the school year began.

Star-Advertiser.

Polynesians lead 3 top tourism agencies

Come September, all three of Hawaiʻi’s top state-funded tourism management and destination branding organizations, which together control more than a $128 million in state funds, will have a Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander at the helm.

Star-Advertiser.

Hemp farmers want more input on needs and recommendations to grow industry

The Hawaiʻi Hemp Task Force has packed its schedule for the rest of the month with meetings to better understand the local hemp industry.Since May, the group has met six times and is set to dissolve at the end of the month.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio. Source. Source.

EPA issues $234K in fines for illegal cesspools on Maui, Hawaiʻi Island

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued property owners more than $234,000 in fines and ordered the closure of five large-capacity cesspools on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island.

Star-Advertiser.

O‘ahu Headlines

Honolulu mayor vows tougher approach on homelessness

Rick Blangiardi said he’ll take 1,000 people off the streets within a year, and that he’s not worried about legal challenges.

Civil Beat.

Man killed in Waiʻanae is the fourth officer-involved shooting death this year

The 60-year-old man fatally shot by a Honolulu police officer Wednesday night in Waiʻanae fired a stolen .40-caliber handgun into a neighbor’s home after his girlfriend fled there seeking safety following an assault, HPD Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan said Thursday afternoon during a news conference.

Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Honolulu named most desirable place to live 2nd year in a row

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Livability Index analyzed 173 cities worldwide based on 30 categories of living standards. Honolulu received high marks for infrastructure, stability, education, natural beauty and weather.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Pregnant military spouse missing more than 2 weeks

The search continues for Mischa Mabeline Kaalohilani Johnson, a pregnant 19-year-old Army spouse who has been missing for more than two weeks. The Army is offering a $10,000 reward for credible information that can lead authorities to Johnson.

Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Council OKs 3 proposed county charter amendments for November general election ballot

The council last week adopted resolutions for three proposed charter amendments that will appear on the Nov. 5 general election ballot. They deal with vacancies on the council and in county department leadership as well as the terms for members of one of the county’s commissions.

Big Island Now.

Mayor Roth the victim of online prank

He said Thursday he felt “a little bit of frustration” after learning an anonymous email has been circulating that invites individuals experiencing homelessness to stay at a certain address in Hilo. The address provided in the email is Roth’s home address.

Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. KITV4.

Farmers laud North Kohala well project

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources next month will commence a yearlong $5.7 million project to improve a well in North Kohala so it can be used for agricultural purposes once again.

Tribune-Herald.

Maui Headlines

Lahaina Community Land Trust secures first piece of land to steward in Lahaina hands

The Lahaina Community Land Trust has secured its first parcel of community-owned land, that will be held in Lahaina hands forever, for the benefit of the local community for generations to come. The property at 1651 Lokia Street was secured by the LCLT in partnership with The Conservation Fund, a national land conservation organization.

Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Sister cities delegation visits Kaua‘i

A protocol sister city courtesy visit with Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami turned into an unexpected real life learning lesson at the Mo‘ikeha Building on Thursday.

Garden Island.