Notable Items From the Pentagon Red Hill Investigation

Reports from the Pentagon’s Inspector General office on the Navy’s fuel and water systems on Oʻahu were released Thursday, with detailed timelines of the failures that led to spills from Red Hill. Here are some highlights from the reports.

Star-Advertiser. Hawaiʻi Public Radio. Associated Press.

‘He Is a Quack Scientist’: Gov. Green Criticizes Pick of RFK Jr. For Key Trump Administration Position

Following President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, some government and medical officials are raising alarm over this decision — including Hawaiʻi’s governor. From his perspective as a long-time practicing physician and career in Legislature, Gov. Josh Green asserted Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s anti-vaccine rhetoric in Samoa contributed to the spread measles and dozens of deaths.

Hawaii News Now.

Kamehameha Schools Trustee Process Is Upheld

Since 2016 a group of former Kamehameha Schools leaders and supporters has advocated for the change because they believe the current trustee selection process in place since 2000 lacks transparency and stakeholder management.

Star-Advertiser.

Machetes Are Common Tools in Hawaiʻi – Including for Crime

In the U.S., guns are more commonly used than knives in acts of violent crimes. But in Hawaiʻi, the tables are turned. It’s partly due to our strict gun laws, but also because machetes are fairly common — in our dense jungle and agricultural land, they’re used as tools. And yes, they’re sometimes used in violent crimes.

Civil Beat.

O‘ahu Headlines

Hawaiʻi Officials Investigate Bird Flu Wastewater Source

The state Department of Health said Thursday the specimen was collected Nov. 7 and that it received the result Tuesday but is unable to determine whether it is the specific subtype H5N1, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

7-vehicle crash in Nānākuli shuts down multiple lanes on Farrington Highway

The crash was reported around 5:20 a.m. Friday near the intersection of Farrington Highway and Auyong Homestead Road. Police said one of the vehicles is overturned. As officials respond to the incident, multiple lanes on Farrington Highway have been shut down in both directions. One westbound lane has been opened for contraflow

Hawaii News Now.

Youth Invited to Participate in Climate Action Summit

Children, teens and young adults are invited to attend the Youth Climate Summit on Saturday at the state Capitol. The event aims to empower youth to become climate champions and contribute to the state’s Climate Action Pathways by sharing their vision for a climate-ready Hawaiʻi. Participants will have the chance to interact with policymakers, community and government organizations, and other young leaders to support climate policy action.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Underground Fuel Tanks at Hale Pohaku Need to Be Replaced

The midlevel facility about 9,400 feet up Maunakea currently has three underground fuel storage tanks that together can hold up to 18,000 gallons of gasoline.

Tribune-Herald.

Proposed Health Center in Keaʻau Moving Forward With $25 Million Commitment From Billionaire

The Hilo Benioff Medical Center is planning a fundamental extension of its services with a proposed out-patient medical facility on about 9 acres of land near Keaʻau High School.

Big Island Now.

​Kawamoto Pool Closure Drags On

The Charles “Sparky” Kawamoto Swim Stadium closed on Oct. 14 for what was supposed to be scheduled maintenance to correct a persistently leaky pump.

Tribune-Herald.

Maui Headlines

With Ballots Cured, Cook Still Leads by a Narrow Margin in Maui County Council Race

The slim margin in the South Maui Council race narrowed from 117 votes after the third printout to 97 votes in the final summary report, with incumbent Tom Cook defeating Kelly Takaya King.

Maui News. Maui Now. 

Some Wish Lahaina’s 225-Foot-High Smokestack Would Be Torn Down

A preservation group is pushing to repair a near-century old relic of West Maui’s sugar plantation. Meanwhile, some critics wish the landmark would be torn down. Pioneer Mill erected the 225-foot-high smokestack off Lahainaluna Road in 1928 and it has become a landmark in Lahaina. Nonetheless, some Native Hawaiians say it is a constant reminder of the harm that was done to them.

Hawaii News Now.

17,000 Axis Deer Were Killed on Maui This Year, but They Just Keep Coming

Some 34,000 axis deer live on Maui, according to a new count carried out with on more accurate survey methods. That’s about double the state’s original estimate in January of 18,000. A herd recently came dangerously close to the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. The threat posed by the invasive deer was alarming because the gardens serve as a seed bank and are home to some of Hawaiʻi’s rarest endemic and native plants.

Civil Beat.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kauaʻi County Says Police Chief Is Retiring Without Severance Deal

Unlike the controversial settlement Chief Louis Kealoha reached with Honolulu’s commission, Kauaʻi County says Raybuck’s retirement is not tied to any settlement or other agreement.

Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Sheraton Kauai Hotel Workers Ratify Contract

Hotel workers at the Sheraton Kauai Resort represented by UNITE HERE Local 5 voted today by an overwhelming majority to ratify their new contract. The Sheraton Kauai Resort was the only resort on a neighbor island to join seven Waikīkī hotels in the historic 3-day hotel strike over Labor Day Weekend, which was the largest strike of Hawaiʻi hotel workers since 1990.

Star-Advertiser. Kauaʻi Now. KITV4.

Fledgling Public Charter School Gets More Than $1.5M Boost From Chan Zuckerberg Kauaʻi Community Fund

Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, through the Chan Zuckerberg Kauaʻi Community Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, made a cash gift of $750,000 to Namahana School alongside a set of state-of-the-art mobile facilities valued at $800,000.

Kauaʻi Now.