Taiwan President Plans Hawaiʻi Visit on Sensitive Trip to Pacific

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te is planning to stop in Hawaiʻi and maybe Guam on a visit to Taipei’s diplomatic allies in the Pacific in the coming weeks, a sensitive trip coming shortly after the U.S. election.

Reuters.

Meadow Gold to Lay Off Nearly 200 People

According to the filing, 49 people on Oʻahu, 24 in Hilo, 19 in Kahului and seven on Kauaʻi are losing their jobs.

KHON2.

Hawaiian Electric Removes ‘Going Concern’ Warning in Latest Earnings Report

Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. on Friday removed a warning about its ability to remain in business, saying that a recent capital raise helped mitigate the concerns and that it’s reviewing strategic options for its clean energy subsidiary.

Star-Advertiser.

Artist Brings Community into Large Ocean-inspired Glass Mural to Surround the Capitol

The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts contracted Solomon Enos to design a mural that represents the ocean around the Capitol building. The $11 million large-scale art project involves fabricated glass that will cover more than 54,000 square feet of the pools.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

O‘ahu Headlines

911 Outage Complicated by Failure of Backup System, Honolulu Police Says

The public wasn’t notified about a 911 outage until about three hours after problems began because the Honolulu Police Department was struggling to come up with an alternate means of communication, officials said Monday.

Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Honolulu Condos: City Might Water Down Fire Safety Law Again

Seven years after the fatal Marco Polo fire, Honolulu might extend a key deadline for condo associations after failing to pass a sprinkler law.

Civil Beat.

Avian Flu Outbreak Occurs at Wahiawa Sanctuary

The outbreak occurred at Susie’s Duck Sanctuary, a nonprofit started two years ago by Susan Wilkinson to rescue abandoned ducks and geese in the state.

Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Inaba, Onishi Tapped to Lead Council

Kona-Kohala Councilman Holeka Goro Inaba (District 8) will serve as chairman, and incoming Hilo Councilman Dennis “Fresh” Onishi (District 3) will serve as vice chairman.

Tribune-Herald.

Community Expresses Ideas About Fixing Kona’s Downtown Parking Problems

About 250 people gave up their Friday night to attend a public meeting at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center to discuss the high cost of parking and batter around a bunch of ideas, included providing a shuttle parking service for employees in the village and creating an annual parking pass.

Big Island Now.

Large West Hawaiʻi Coral Recovery Project Complete

A team of divers from several agencies — including the DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources, The Nature Conservancy and Arizona State University — worked for three days to remove hundreds of coral heads from a decommissioned offshore fish farm pipe ring.

Tribune-Herald.

Maui Headlines

Maui County Council Committee Looks at Tobacco Bill

A new bill going through the Maui County Council may one day prohibit the sale, distribution and marketing of flavored cigarettes.

Maui News.

Maui County Could Ask Legislature to Allow All Birthing Practices

The county resolution follows a 2019 state law that established a licensing structure for midwives. But it’s been controversial because it limits traditional birthing methods.

Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui County Finds Long-term Disposal Site for Wildfire Debris

An agreement with construction company Nan, Inc. was reached to purchase 49 acres of previously quarried land, plus 30 acres of land currently being used as a quarry.

KITV4.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kauaʻi Police Chief’s Retirement Plans Won’t End Disciplinary Proceedings

Todd Raybuck has had a troubled tenure, including allegations of discrimination and leaving his loaded gun in a bathroom at the police station.

Civil Beat.

Meeting About Wailua Bay Shoreline Mitigation Set for Thursday

 For the past four months the Surfrider Foundation Kauaʻi Chapter has been opposing the implementation of “sand savers,” the last of three parts of the Kūhiō Highway Emergency Shoreline Mitigation Project for Wailua Bay.

Source. 

State Investigation Continues into Uncovered Human Burials at Wainiha Property

The order to stop all work followed the arrest of three people that were part of a group that had occupied the property for days in protest. At least eight burials have been found at the property between June and September, according to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Kauai Now.