Group Outlines Spending Plan for New Climate Change Tax

The new Green Fee Advisory Council had to choose from among more than $2 billion worth of funding requests to help Hawai‘i respond to climate change, but will only have $100 million or so annually to recommend through the first statewide tax of its kind in the country, which has been collecting revenue since Jan. 1.

Star-Advertiser.

House Urges Hawaiʻi AG to Expedite Investigation Into Alleged $35,000 Payment

The state House passed a resolution urging the Hawaiʻi attorney general to expedite the investigation to identify a Hawaiʻi lawmaker who is accused of accepting $35,000 in 2022.

Hawai‘i Public Radio. Big Island Now.

Ed Case Has Substantial Lead in Money Race for U.S. House Seat

Two state lawmakers, Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole and Rep. Della Au Belatti, have mounted campaigns against Case.

Civil Beat.

The State Capitol Is Buzzing About This Prominent Hawaiʻi Lawmaker

Longtime Sen. Michelle Kidani may be leaving office early amid concerns about whether she is mentally fit. Sources say the 77-year-old lawmaker is suffering from dementia and has been under a doctor’s care.

Civil Beat.

Bill Deferred That Would Prohibit Open Carry of Bladed Weapons

Multiple machete-related violent crimes across O‘ahu left Hawai‘i lawmakers to revisit a proposal that would prohibit the open carry of any deadly or dangerous weapon.

KHON2.

O‘ahu Headlines

Judge Orders Mediation for HART, Hitachi Litigation

A state judge presiding over contending, multimillion dollar lawsuits brought by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation and its main contractor has directed both parties to submit to mediation, a HART lawyer confirms.

Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaiʻi to Search for Separate Mānoa Campus Chancellor

The University of Hawaiʻi is thinking about splitting President Wendy Hensel’s job into two positions — similar to how it was a decade ago.

Hawai‘i Public Radio.

State Agrees to Settle Case Over Prison Drug Withdrawal Death

The settlement calls for a $600,000 payment to the estate of Brian Kimo O’Gorman after he suffered heart failure while withdrawing from methadone.

Civil Beat.

State, County Settle Lawsuits Over Wrongful Psychiatric Detention

When finalized, the deal will end the state and federal civil lawsuits filed by Joshua Spriestersbach, who was 46 years old in 2017 when he was arrested for someone else’s crimes outside a shelter in Chinatown.

Hawaii News Now.

No Parking Signs Near Lanikai Beach Could Mean More Ticketing, Towing

About 170 cars are parked illegally along the loop near the popular Lanikai Beach every day, according to city officials, who drafted a proposal to ease congestion in the area.

Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Honolulu Real Estate Company Buys Family-Owned Pāhoa Village Center

Watumull Properties Corporation acquired the 101,000-square-foot neighborhood shopping center located at 15-2880 Pāhoa Village Road in Pāhoa in October for $4.39 million from the Bellman family.

Big Island Now.

Council Urges Restoration of Isaac Hale Park

A resolution urging the county Department of Parks and Recreation “to prioritize and expedite the restoration of Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Beach Park at Pohoiki” was approved 6-0 on Jan. 23 by the County Council with council members Ashley Kierkiewicz and Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder of Puna and Heather Kimball of Hamakua excused.

Tribune-Herald.

Kealakehe Elementary Breaks Ground on $16 Million Classroom Building

The two-story structure will add more than 13,000 square feet of learning space, including four new classrooms, special education areas, faculty offices, and an outdoor learning space.

Hawaii News Now.

Waimea Town Hall to Address Unexploded Ordnance Cleanup, Drug Seizures, Proposed Legislation

At the upcoming Waimea Town meeting on Thursday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will address the current unexploded ordnance cleanup slated to begin at Waimea-Kohala Airport this month, as well as the latest statistics of drug seizures made by Hawai‘i Island police and proposed county legislation.

Big Island Now.

Maui Headlines

Oceanfront Lahaina Property Owners May Get Buyout in Updated Disaster Plan

The county is seeking an amendment to create a voluntary buyout program with some of its $1.6 billion fire recovery grant from the feds.

Civil Beat.

Hawaii Water Service Requests Rate Increase for Kapalua, Maui

Hawaii Water Service Company, which provides water and wastewater services in Kapalua, Maui, is requesting a rate increase.

Hawai‘i Public Radio.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Hawai‘i Governor Selects New Kaua‘i Circuit Court Judge

Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green has appointed Stephanie R.S. Char to be Circuit Court judge for the Fifth Circuit on Kaua‘i. Char currently serves as a district family court judge for the 5th Circuit, where she presides over a wide range of civil, criminal and family court matters.

Kaua‘i Now.

Finance Department, Mayor Celebrate Installation of DMV Kiosk

Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami and the joined the Western Motor Service ‘ohana, including the Kaiakapu family — Crystal, Koty and Jed — to celebrate the self-service motor vehicle registration kiosk that was installed at the business in December.

The Garden Island.